April Empties!

Bonjour!

Ok so I know I say this every month but did we really get to the end of April last week? A few weeks from now and we'll be half way through the year and the kids will only have a few weeks of school term left ... can't get my head round it!

April Empties then ...

Nivea Stress Protect Anti-Perspirant  - I've used the dry stick version of this and found it really effective (I am usually stressed anyway so need something potent!) - however this spray didn't quite hit the spot and definitely didn't perform as well as the little dry stick - so I won't be repurchasing.

Q Radiance The Fine Fragrance Body Spray - love these Fine Fragrance sprays for my gym bag - smells of fresh flowers, always welcome after a sweaty gym session! This is the second time I've emptied one of these out - this one was half price in Sainsburys so I snapped it up. Will repurchase when it's on offer again.

Tesco Softening Body Lotion - I have both this Cocoa Butter and the Aloe Vera formula permanently in place in the bathroom.  They're both so easy to apply (no excess rubbing here!), super cheap and last for ages - brilliant for every day use. Have repurchased many times.

Percy and Reed Bodifying Cream -  a great styling product, you can apply exactly where you want it, doesn't gunk your hair up unless you use far too much. Granted I do chop and change my styling products a lot (I have a fair few to use) but I only need one good pump of this for my barnet and it's lasted ages. Full review from last year is here

Biotherm Aquasource Deep Serum - the lovely Biotherm lady in Boots very kindly gave me these samples to try. I must admit Biotherm products fascinate me, especially the serums - it's all that aquatic and deep sea stuff I reckon. This particular serum is light and silky, smells amazingly fresh and left my skin really soft and hydrated.  Would love to try a full size someday to check out the long term benefits - just need to decide which one to choose first!

Aveeno Skin Relief Shea Butter Moisturising Lotion - I know this is technically a body lotion but I always have one of these round the house and slap it on my hands or any eczema prone bits when they feel extra sore. I can afford to be liberal with this big size - will repurchase.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum - my skin seems to like all the Vichy products I've tried so far and this is no exception. I use it every morning under moisturiser to keep my skin hydrated - the bottle has lasted from November until the start of April.  Have already re-purchased. Full review here.

Gatineau Defi-Lift Revolumising Lipcare - my favourite bedtime lippie treatment - helps with fine lines around the lip area as well as being soothing, hydrating and conditioning - a great all rounder. Love it and my mum has already supplied me with another to use every night! Review here.

And one more regular empty ...

... another bottle of my beloved cumin seeds, I'm obsessed with the stuff and would use it in practically everything if I could! Needless to say I have repurchased ...!

What products did you use up last month?

Jen x

Holiday Barnet...!

Bonjour!

It's that time again ... having to decide what bits and bobs to take on holiday so first up is haircare. We're driving through to France this year so I don't have to stick to stringent baggage allowances etc ... the world's my hair product oyster! (Er don't tell the hubby - he wants me to pack as if we were flying - yeah right!!). I am trying to control myself but my hair is so wayward on holiday that I feel I have to take a little bit of everything. So...this is what I've narrowed it down to...

Percy & Reed Colour & Shine Shampoo - remember the old Glamour offer back in March - well I managed to save these two for holiday - a great size to take away - you can see my full review here.

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment - this little pot of the original (rather than clear) hair treatment had fallen to the back of a cupboard and been forgotten about (bad isn't it!). I love pre-shampoo treatments - especially on holiday - ideal to slap on late afternoon and let sink in until you shower in the evening.

Ojon wide tooth comb - came in a kit years ago.   Philip Kingsley vented hairbrush - I may throw caution to the wind and let my hair dry naturally (perspiring at the thought!) but if I do decide on a makeshift holiday blow-dry then this will come in useful - it's a good brush for getting hair a bit smoother.

Redken Smooth Lock Shampoo and Conditioner - from a beauty box - may as well use it up.   Bumble and Bumble Gentle Shampoo and Super Rich Conditioner - given to me to try by the kindly assistant at the Bumble and Bumble counter!

Batiste Original Dry Shampoo - found this at the bottom of my haircare stash so it's coming away - can't do without a blast of the stuff now and again and I do find Batiste works well for me - especially if we get up early to travel and no time to faff about washing my hair!

Percy & Reed Volumising No Oil Oil (for fine hair) - another March Glamour freebie - a real dinky size for travel to help smooth ends.

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray - my tiny sample of joyfulness! Er... yes this is my current go to product - full review here. I'll use to help with styling as also as a finishing spray.

Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence - yes I caved in and bought this when it was on offer during QVC's latest beauty day - consisted of a full and a travel size. Will be really interested to see if this helps with my usual sun-frazzled lock situation!

And which one of these to take ...

They're both old favourites - the Ojon Damage Reverse Serum is obviously smaller and is super-concentrated but the L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil has a UV Filter and my daughter will use it too.

How many hair products do you take away? Are you a complete junkie like me or able to throw caution to the wind and let it all hang loose with just a couple of products?

Jen x

Percy & Reed 2 Piece Perfect Blowdry - Review

Bonjour!

This is the Percy & Reed 2 Piece Perfect Blowdry kit I purchased just before Christmas from QVC,  when it was on offer at around £22 (ish).  Includes 'Superstar Supersized Bodifying Cream' and 'Smooth, Sealed and Sensational Volumising No Oil Oil (for fine hair)'.  I've been using them both on and off since December (but more on than off I must say) and as you can see there's still loads of the oil left.

I use the Bodifying Cream just as it says 'on the can', it works best for me with a smoothing shampoo and conditioner.  It's more of a lotion than a thick cream and between 1-2 pumps is all I need for my barnet (I happened to use far too much on one occasion and it did seem to weigh my hair down somewhat so quantity is key!) - spread through from roots to ends as per the instructions - it's good that you can place the product exactly where you want - instead of spraying half of it into the air! It works to create either a smoother blow-dry or a more undone rough-dry (Alexa Chung style - which is my favourite!). It leaves my hair with natural movement, volume and shine but no sticky or crispy residue as it doesn't 'freeze' the style in place if you know what I mean - so you can still run your fingers through your hair - always a bonus!

I don't think No Oil Oil needs much introduction - it's probably the best known product from Percy & Reed so far do you reckon? More of a serum than an actual 'oil' in texture, it can be used before blow-drying to help smooth and protect the hair - I didn't find that it added loads of volume for me this way - especially when used it with a smoothing shampoo and conditioner. However - it did make my hair super-shiny and 'swishy' and my friend actually told me my hair looked in fab condition - turn up for the books!  I've mixed it in with the Bodifying Cream (as Percy & Reed have suggested) and this works best for me. I then get the volume but also extra glossiness. Have also used a little extra as a finishing product as it's great at taming any frizzy, dry ends. It super-concentrated so you only need the tiniest amount.

Don't get me wrong - my hair is still very 'bad hair day' prone but this is a good combination of products for my fine, frizzy, thin hair - both perform different duties and married together they work really well for me so all in all a worthwhile kit.  And  - as with all the Percy & Reed products I've tried they smell amazing!

You can check out the Percy & Reed Bodifying Cream and No Oil Oil on their website here or in the 2 Piece Perfect Blowdry kit from QVC here.

What are your favourite hair products of the moment?

Jen x

Percy & Reed 'Quite Frankly Flawless' Finishing Polish - Review

Bonjour!

The Percy & Reed Quite Frankly Flawless Finishing Polish is one of the products I picked up with the recent Glamour offer ... it usually retails at around £10/125ml as you can see from their groovy website here, which I think is reasonable anyway...

Quite Frankly Flawless Finishing Polish

Alleluia for horse chestnut extract and sunflower wax!

100ml tube so should last for ages!

 I use a tiny amount (Percy & Reed recommend pea-sized but my 'pea' is slightly mis-shapen!) after drying and straightening and rub well into my palms before applying. As with any product of this nature it's obviously better to start off with less and add more if needed.  It's a gel-cream which smooths, adds shape and light hold but in a flexible/malleable way and I haven't had to use any additional hairspray.  I wash my hair every 2 days. I can go to bed all nicely 'Percy & Reeded' on day 1 - however, overnight my hair has this magical ability to transform itself into a complete birds nest. I've used my Finishing Polish on day 2 and it's ideal for taming those (many) frizzy bits and creating a bit of a texturised, almost bed-head, 'Alexa Chung'd' look (which is, in fact, my ultimate 'hair-goal'!). Many finishing products are either too heavy/greasy/sticky on my super-fine hair - this is perfect for me, you can place the correct amount of product exactly where you need it and as with all the Percy & Reed products I've used, it smells good too!

I didn't intend writing this review so soon - I usually buy (numerous) products and put them away for what seems like an eternity.  However, I used this the day after I bought it and have been so impressed I just had to 'get it out there' (I've already bought another Glamour mag just to get an additional Finishing Polish!).  The Percy & Reed offer with Glamour mag is still available and at £2.00 a pop you really can't go wrong!

Have you tried out Percy & Reed Quite Frankly Flawless Finishing Polish? (Have you tried saying all that lot after a few drinks?!)

Jen x

February Favourites, Empties and Shopping My Stash!

Bonjour!

February faves and empties here ...

Mandara Spa Tropical Blooms Softening Body Cream - (from Sainsburys) - my favourite fragrance from this range - heady floral scented cream that moisturises well.  Takes a while to rub in so I only use it when I know I've a little more time - great on a night out because the fragrance lasts and lasts. (I already re-purchased a while ago as they are frequently on offer at Sainsburys).

Dove Indulgent (with Shea Butter) Nourishing Lotion - an everyday favourite - glides on, sinks in easily and leaves skin soft and smelling good man. I'll re-purchase when it's on offer again.

Olay Essentials Complete Care Day Lotion - recently empty. Meant to be suitable for normal/dry or combi skin. Bought this mainly for it's spf 30.  Not sure whether this is the day cream for me - it's thicker than any I've used before - seems to moisturise ok and make up stayed put with primer but felt somewhat greasy on my T-Zone - maybe better suited to a dryer skin.  I'm a bit on the fence so am trying a new day cream out.

Nivea Sunny Melon & Oil Shower Gel - now finished (the bottle is actually a golden colour so it stilll looks full but it's empty - shame!). Exactly as the name suggests - smells of warm melons in the summer sun (that sounds wrong!).  It has teeny tiny balls of oil which burst when showering and moisturise skin - like it and will re-purchase (again will wait until on offer).

Elemis Re-Hydrating Ginseng Toner - this was another from last year's Elemis TSV - lovely product - refreshing, hydrating and invigorating in the morning. This is the first toner I've used from Elemis and I'd like to re-purchase at some stage.

Percy & Reed Bodifying Cream and No Oil Oil (for fine hair) - yep they're here again! Another kit from QVC - it's a favourite alright - full review to follow.

Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm Original -  needs no intro. I hadn't used Carmex before (despite being a bit of a lip-balm addict) and bought the pot and the tube when Claire from Another New Day mentioned it as one of her absolute favourites for winter lips. I'm  glad I did because it's now one of my favourites, it's like wearing a protective shield. Love it.

 Laura Geller Baby Cakes Baked Blush Palette - love Laura Geller 'baked' products - available from QVC (also have her famous Balance 'n' Brighten.)  I've heard Laura's baked blushes are comparable to MAC's Mineralised  blushes? This is what I believe is called 'Shopping my Stash?' - bought the palette last year when it was on offer on QVC - where else? (don't think it's available in the UK at the moment - shame). I tend to save it for nights' out but dug it out to use recently and glad I did. The Baby Cakes blush palette contains three colours with a subtle shimmer (not full on glitter!) and one matte. Each gives a gorgeous wash of colour and lift to my tired old cheeks. You only need a little of the product but can build up for a stronger look - great pigment and stays put all day or night!

Ahh - a firm favourite (but soon to be empty!) this month - was on offer at Tesco half price.  Tastes wonderful with those bits of chocolate and gooey bits!

What have been your favourites this month - have you tried Creme Egg Ice Cream yet?


Jen x

Percy & Reed /Glamour Offer!

Bonjour!

I caved in! I've been trying so hard to ignore the magazine freebies that are floating around but no way could I walk past the current Glamour mag with it's Percy & Reed fabulous freebies...!

You get to choose from:-

Really Rather Radiant Colour & Shine Shampoo 100ml
Really Rather Radiant Colour & Shine Conditioner 100ml
Quite Frankly Flawless Finishing Polish 100ml
Smoothed, Sealed & Sensational Volumising No Oil Oil (for fine hair) 30ml

Glamour state that the whole lot is the equivalent of £41 worth of product so at £2.00 a pop for the mag I had to get all four - silly not to! The shampoo, conditioner and oil look like ideal travel sizes so could save them (or just buy a couple more!).

I've been loving the Really Rather Radiant Shampoo and Conditioner - full review here and am currently using their Bodifying Cream and No Oil Oil anyway - both of which are going down well so couldn't resist the chance to try the Finishing Polish for £2.00.

Did you pick up April's Glamour magazine - which Percy & Reed product/products did you go for?


Jen x

Percy & Reed Colour and Shine Collection - Review

Bonjour!

The Percy & Reed (4 Piece) Colour and Shine Collection is one of two kits I purchased at the start of December from QVC - been wanting to try the Percy & Reed haircare range for a while.  Anyway - there they were (Paul Percival and Adam Reed) doing their thing in the QVC studio and I finally caved in! If you're not familiar with the 'dymanic duo' you can read all about 'em from their own website here.

I've not used a specific colour care shampoo and conditioner before (have mostly gone down the volumising route) but I'd just had pretty-much a full head of highlights done and thought I'd have a go at keeping my colour 'Really Rather Radiant'...

Both the Really Rather Radiant Shampoo and Conditioner contain raspberry seed oil - which is said to moisturise and nourish hair and the conditioner also contains white grape seed oil, aloe vera gel and Pro vitamin B5.   From the first time I used the shampoo and conditioner I noticed a huge difference in the condition of my hair - it actually behaved itself.  I've found this has been the case every time I've used it since so no one-hit wonder here!  The shampoo is not big on lather and you have to make sure your hair is sopping wet but it leaves my hair squeaky clean and doesn't seem to leave build up.  The conditioner is creamy but doesn't weigh my hair down and leaves it smooth.  My hair is far from perfect - we all know that - but this duo really does  seem to improve the manageability. I had my hair cut last week and my hairdresser commented that my highlights have not gone brassy but have retained the deep caramel colour so result!

Abundantly Bouncy Volumising Mousse is like an extra low-fat squirty cream - it's light as air. For everyday use I've found that one golf-ball size is adequate - it doesn't make my hair twice as big but it adds a decent amount of volume. It's not at all crunchy and leaves hair soft and conditioned.  If I need a bit more oomph I've added a bit more into the routine with a bit of extra blow-drying and this seems to have done the trick.

Reassuringly Firm Session Hold Hairspray is a super-fine spray which gives a natural but good hold - and doesn't go rock solid or stick my hair together - so thankfully no helmet head going on! The nozzle is tiny so allows you to spray the required amount onto your barnet. It's also easily brushed out which is always a bonus!

All of the products in the kit (in my opinion) smell great - fresh but not sharp and sweet but not sickly - just right!

The Percy & Reed (4 Piece) Colour and Shine Collection costs just under £25 from QVC - so not the cheapest of ranges out there but with the results I've seen I think I'll be re-purchasing at some stage - may just have to wait for a special offer or easy pay option! Please can we have a Today's Special Value soon QVC? (Good job I have another little kit from Percy & Reed waiting patiently in the wings ;)

Have you tried any products from the Percy & Reed Haircare range?

Jen x

January Favourites and Empties ...

Morning!

So late with my faves and empties from last month ... as you'll see I'm using more products than I have time write about and just can't keep up with my reviews (have loads in draft just hanging around and waiting to be finished)  but as with most households there aren't enough hours in the day for general activities never mind blogging so I just have to cram it in 'as and when' ... anyway I'll just get on with it then shall I ...?

Percy and Reed Colour and Shine Collection - got the kit from QVC before Christmas - seriously loving this lot - full review coming up.

Bare Minerals Tinted Mineral Veil and Multi Tasking Concealer (Summer Bisque) - been using these a lot this past month particularly the Mineral Veil (which is almost finished) - great products - don't know how I've not reviewed them before but that's coming up too.

Elemis Melting Cleansing Gel - finished the tube the other week (loved it)- yet another review to complete.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream - loved this to bits - all finished now - you can see my full review here.

Treacle Moon 'That Vanilla Moment' Bath and Shower Gel -  finished (it's lasted for ages!) - I reckon anyone who's a vanilla fan should try this out - will be re-purchasing.

Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask - this has been one of my fave masks for years - brings the colour back to your face and makes skin look more alive. Don't need to buy another yet as I already have one waiting in the wings!

Dirty Works 'You Soft Touch' Hand Cream - really good little hand cream from Sainsburys - got it half price at £1.49 - great for everyday use - will re-purchase at some point.

So ... when my hubby was poorly a few weeks ago and couldn't drink, I opened a bottle of wine and just couldn't finish the thing by myself over the weekend (such a lightweight!) so ended up giving it to a neighbour. I realised then that boxes are the way forward! Sainsbury's own house wines taste perfectly fine (to me), don't break the bank and will stay drinkable for a few weeks once opened - what's not to love? Of course now hubby is better they don't last that long at all ...!

How do fit your blogging schedule in? What's your favourite wine - in a bottle or box?

Jen x