Rituals - Ginko's Secret - Ginseng & Ginko Biloba - Handbalm

During the winter, much like many other people I am always in search for the perfect hand cream, and here is one I am thoroughly enjoying.

First and foremost the state of my hands. Naturally during the winter my hand becomes dry, however the state of my hands are unbelievable. I get dry flaky patches on my hands and if its really bad my hands will crack, get cuts all up on its own and then it looks as if its aged 10 years or so which for me is just terrifying.!.!.!
So particularly in winter I can immediately tell if a hand cream is good and if it will work for me.

I have tried many different hand-creams ranging from different price ranges and brands but amongst those, believe it or not I have yet to try any of Rituals' products.!. I know.!. The shame. But alas thanks to the Company Beauty Week Goodie Bag I can now try one.

So here I present Ginko's Secret - Ginseng and Ginko Biloba - Handbalm. It says on their website:

"This luxurious hand balsam was specially developed to soothe and calm dry hands
Leaves your hands feeling soft, Enriched with Ginseng, the symbol

of immortality, and Ginkgo Biloba, which in Japan represents life and strength"

Not sure about it's symbolism but I must absolutely agree with this as my hands feel very soft and having had several flaky patches on my hands before using it, after a couple of days it had disappeared and my hands have yet to crack.

At first glance it appears to be like any normal hand cream I'm used to so I was expecting my hands to have absorbed it quickly and to be dry in an instant. But Nope. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was quite thick in consistency, and that my hands felt as if they had a protective layer over them so perfect for this chilly weather. It does take a couple of minutes to soak in but it's not as if I was left with super greasy hands.

Another brilliant thing about this is the smell.!.  My gosh. As soon as I apply it this beautiful refreshing scent of cucumber and a hint of flowers (though I'm not exactly the best at giving descriptions). It isn't an overpowering scent but for those that may not like scented or perfumed creams, this porbably isn't the best cream for you.
I'm not sure if this an inteded side effect but I also feel that my nails have been strengthened so I guess its beneficial for my hands overall?!
  

You can get 75ml for £10 from:
John Lewis , Rituals or any other places with a Rituals Counter.

L.F.A. Xx

Vogetti Large Wide Tooth Comb (Finger Comb)

I got this lovely comb from the Company Beauty Week Goodie Bag and my it's brilliant!

If you have curly hair like myself you will know that any other types of brushes are a no go area! Unless you desire frizzy and bushy hair, or worse damaging your luscious locks! As brushes with smaller bristles tend to damage you hair or not let it be in its optimum natural level.

Most hair types will benefit from Wide Tooth Combs as it can be used in the shower as a detangler, with minimum damage to your hair. Personally I use it after a shower to evenly distribute frizz control products through my hair as I feel that it separates my curls but doesn't crush them or de-shape them?

Mine came in this bright pink colour (at least I can't lose it...) but I do know that it also comes in Black. What I will say is that after a couple of uses the logo (the writing on it) has smudged quite a bit but to be honest that doesn't really bother me as its not as if it was something majorly appealing.

What I would say is be carfeful upon dropping this particular one as I belive its made of glass or are glass like plastic (sorry for the terrible despriction) its just that I may kind of have broken one off already... (I know.!. I'm a butter fingers) so maybe invest in a wooden one?

You can from here for £3.25.

L.F.A. Xx

Paul Mitchell - Ultimate Wave - Beachy Texture Cream-Gel

As you may or may not know I have naturally curly hair (when I say Curly I mean unruly, at times frizzy, almost uncontrollable curly hair) which means I'm always looking to find new brands or new DIY recipes, new products that will help me tame my hair.
And here I present: Paul Mitchell - Ultimate Wave - Beachy Texture Cream-Gel.


Obviously this is not the amount I used. Ha!... If only! 

Initially I got this from my Company Beauty Week Goodie Bag and I only decided to try it recently as an occasion presented itself for it (My Nephews birthday early October).
As you can see the product is opaque/clear and it smells sooo fresh and kinda fruity.!. What I loved the most is that (for me) it doesn't leave that annoyingly sticky/tacky feeling gels or wax leave on your fingers after you've applied it your hair.!.



Washed my hair (we all know how insanely crazy and unmanageable curly hair can get after wash Day)

"Directions: Apply to damp hair in loose, seperate sections. Air dry or duffuse. Scrunch lightly when dry."

I followed instructions and applied it onto my hair and combed it through with my Vogetti - Wide Tooth Comb Brush and let it air dry (I don't own a diffuser- I know shameful)
Also don't you just love that they don't say add a "Pea Sized Amount" because lets be honest. We never do, and even if we do it most certainly isn't enough!

Anyway after a whole day of being out and about, celebrating etc here is the finished result. (I'm sorry for the terrible quality and I highly blanked out skin but I wanted to focus on the curls and to be honest the lighting in my bathroom sucks.!.
But You can see every single strand of hair has held its curl.!. I received so many compliments. Even my sister noticed the difference and asked me what I had used.!. Even the next day my curls still looked fabulous so I'd say its perfect for a night out! I loved how my hair didn't feel stiff. It felt so soft and natural.

So I can absolutely recommend this to all my curly haired sisters.!.!.!. Only issue is its a little hard to get hold of as its a Salon Product.
I believe you can get it from Headmasters Salons or online from:
Look Fantastic for: £11.95 (150ml)
Hair Trade for: £5.95 (75ml)

Have you tried this yet? Any other curly hair product recommendations?

L.F.A. Xx

Nails Inc - Queen Victoria Street

Hallelujah!..A photo with decent lighting!!

Lets be honest. A nail polish post has been much overdue, and now that I consider my nails to be an acceptable length to properly paint my them, I decided to try one of the freebies I got from my Company Beauty Week Goodie Bag and that is the Nails Inc - Queen Victoria Nail Polish.!.!.

Believe it or not I had never actually tried any of Nails Inc Polishes before, as to be honest I just thought they were a bit expensive considering my terrible habit of picking of my nail polish minutes after putting it on.
(I know, I know...very counter productive but at least I don't bite them? Right?)

However fear not for the purpose of all nail polish posts I refrain from doing so, to get an accurate opinion on the product.
Anyway as you can see the brush is thin/standard size (which I prefer....I'm not really a big fan of the wide brush...too much room for mistakes) Also this nail polish contains 10ml of product and costs £11 which is a lot considering it's the same amount as a Barry M polish.

 

However the level of pigmentation in this nail polish is phenomenal. The color is exactly the same as the bottle, and you can get away with one coat. Granted it may not last you the same as if you had 2 layers on but if in a rush you could swipe this on and not have to worry about streaky nails.
This color is beautiful, though on websites descriptions it is depicted as an Emerald Green.....personally I'd say its more of a Greener Teal, which I think is a great color for all year round and all skin tones.

Overall I'd say Nails Inc. is a good nail polish to invest in as it did last a good couple of days and the level of pigmentation is probably one of the best.
You can get this Nails Inc - Queen Victoria Nail Polish for £11 from Nails Inc, John Lewis, and Look Fantastic
Or RIGHT NOW you can get it from Beauty Bay for £8.91 with Free Delivery.!.!

L.F.A. Xx

P.S. Yes I actually looked it up to find where I can get you guys a bargain since I love a good sale.!.!