Product Review: Dr. Organic Manuka honey face scrub

For anyone who suffers with dry skin, particularly in the winter, this face scrub is turning out to be a right blessing! It was a gift from a friend, that predictably sat in a drawer unused for absolutely ages but since I have started to use it, I haven't stopped! I'm quite picky when it comes to face scrubs and am usually never 100% satisfied but this scrub tops it for me.

 What we put on to our skin is so important, so knowing that the Dr. Organic range is paraben, SLS, artificial colour, preservative and fragrance free is nice and reassuring. The Dr. Organic brand pride themselves on and have been given several awards for their natural and mostly organic grown ingredients and are suitable for vegetarians as well as not tested on animals. Their complete range uses loads of organic plant oils, butters and extracts and interestingly aloe vera replaces water in most of their products.

Maybe it's the volcanic particles or maybe it's the corn cob powder, but this is one scrub I can really feel. So often scrubs have pathetic little beads that I don't feel like are actually doing anything to get rid of that dry winter skin, but this thick white scrub has a nice gritty feel, so it feels like it's actually you know, exfoliating, like it's supposed to. The aloe vera juice, sweet almond oil, avocado oil and grapeseed oil mean that like the label says, the scrub is 'deep cleansing, super hydrating and intensely nourishing', to the point where I can feel an immediate improvement, in the softness and tone of my skin. Manuka honey has long been known for its natural benefits and the best bit? It smells like honey. Try not to get too close to anyone straight after using, they may want to lick your face, that's how good it smells.

This was a gift from a friend not the company, so these are all entirely my own views.
You can check out the Dr. Organic site here and they are also stocked at Holland and Barrett with the scrub retailing at £5.99. I've also seen adverts lately about the Dr Organic snail gel range which is meant to be good for wrinkles...because I aint getting any younger!

Product Review: Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Super Strawberry

I got this chubby stick as a freebie with this months Glamour magazine. I had to reaaaally search for it as most shops only seemed to be selling copies with the Dramatically Different moisturiser but I eventually found one hidden away.

The stick is a good size; chunky but still small enough to stash in a clutch on a night out. Colour wise, it's a warm pink and is dense in pigment making my lips that perfect just-been-eating-berries kind of shade, a few brighter than my natural colour.

It's softer and more natural looking than a lipstick so perfect for summer but as a balm it doesn't really cut it. The chubby stick glides on nice and softly but doesn't retain that 'balm' feel, I actually found it dries out quite quickly. With lips as big as mine that is a big problem!
While the colour remains, I found my lips were dry much quicker than if I were to use my Lucas pap-paw ointment or even some classic Vaseline.

The colour is good however, so I'd recommend applying your regular balm to moisturise your lips first and to treat the chubby stick as you would a lipstick, for a pop of colour.

Rating: 5/10

Product Review: The Body Shop beautifying oil

I was given a bottle of The Body Shop beautifying oil in Coconut for my birthday in March and I've been using it pretty much nonstop since then so I thought I'd share the joy. The oil comes in a variety of scents including cocoa butter, she, strawberry and mango but coconut has stolen my heart already! 

First off the smell is gorgeous. Tropical and not that synthetic smell you often get with coconut products. The bottle states the oil can be used on the body, face and hair - I haven't tried it on my hair but I run into damp skin as instructed, after a shower and allow to air dry. It's an oil but its not greasy, a little goes a long way and it leaves a nice sheen on your skin, perfect for summer. 

Over the past couple of months I've really noticed an overall improvement in the softness of my skin. Well my gay friend stroked my thigh all through dinner because he said my legs felt so soft, so if that's not a good co-sign I don't know what is!

However, I would recommend using the oil at night before bed and not as a substitute for a daytime moisturiser as it isn't quite nourishing enough to last for long periods of time, for black or very dry skin. 

Overall, a great inexpensive skin are treat coming in at just £9. You don't have to use loads so it lasts quite a while too. 

Rating: 7 out of 10

Product Review: Mac Cremeblend Blush

I've been in mourning for my Laura Mercier illuminating powder in Coral Red for some time. It was my go-to daytime blush and I've been clinging to the smashed pieces for longer than I care to admit to.

I've finally found a replacement in this cream blush from MAC, Cremeblend Blush in Posey, £18. It's a great balance between pink and peach (it looks pinker in the pot than it is on) so perfect for daytime wear. The cream formula is easily blendable and you can build up the colour depth gradually - which means it works now while I'm paler and will work when I have a tan too. It sinks into the skin seamlessly when applied with fingers and leaves a soft, glowy sheen of colour. Shanika Says this is a perfect day wear shade and formula, perfect for using on the run.

Product Review: Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder

I am an avid bronzer fan. I have been since getting my first pot of Arabian Glow bronzing pearls from Avon aged 14, which I used for years. I've been looking for a less shimmery bronzer to use throughout the winter months and for contouring for some time. Everyone pointed me in the direction of Hoola by Benefit but I found this too light for my complexion, it didn't give me the glow I was after.

I spent some time at the Bobbi Brown counter and found this beauty. It comes in a few shades but Dark  (described as a dark copper brown) was right for my complexion.

Matte but not muddy, you have to be careful not to get too much powder concentrated in one area, but it blends beautifully and gives enough colour to lift my paler than usual skin, as well as being great for emphasising (or creating!) cheekbones. This bronzing powder is a great, non shimmery bronzer and well worth the price tag of £27.

What I really need is a holiday but until then Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder, with its chic black packaging will just have to bronze my face for me.

Product Review: Tresemme Liquid Gold

I have been a big fan of hair oil since someone gave me a bottle of the one that kicked off the whole craze: Moroccan Oil, in their distinctive brown, blue and orange packaging. It smelt lush and made my hair as soft as a babies bum. After using that for a while, a Moroccan friend brought me back some pure Argan oil, the active ingredient, from a trip to Morocco. Now while this definitely didn't smell as nice it still did the trick.
For some unknown reason, after that ran out I kinda just...stopped using oil on my hair. With all the dye and heat damage I put my hair through, my hair has finally had enough and is now getting it's own back by trying to make me look like Worzel Gummidge. I'm sorry hair! Gosh!

I was going to give the L'Oreal hair oil a try but I saw this Tresemme one in my local Boots and since I use Tresemme shampoo and conditioner decided I would give it a whirl. It's also only £6.99 so doesn't break the bank and isn't much to spend if you're skeptical about trying a hair oil (You can buy here). Plus I'm a sucker for good marketing and this is called Liquid Gold. That just sounds like it's going to make my hair all Rapunzel-like doesn't it?

Liquid Gold doesn't disappoint, it smells delicious and isn't greasy, as it says 'instant absorption'. After just one use my hair felt softer and the flyaway bits at the front are tamed with just one drop. I tend to rub a couple of drops through the lengths of my hair (I have quite long hair) and rub any residue over the front, then tie up in a top-knot before jumping in the shower, as I find the steam always activates products in my hair. The 'restorative formula' can be used every day to manage and protect hair, both Pre and Post-Styling, on dry or damp hair.

Shanika Says: if your hair needs treasuring, treat it to some Liquid Gold.