My Hair Loves - APIVITA Propoline Citrus & Honey Shampoo

I was recently sent a few bits from APIVITA to try and top of my list (so far!) is this rather fabulous shampoo.

APIVITA say 

For shiny, revitalised hair, this shampoo strengthens, tones and protects from split ends.

Lemon, orange and grapefruit - revitalise and give shine
Ginseng, trace elements and vitamins - strengthen and tone hair

Panthenol, honey and bio cotton protection system - protect from split ends

Rosemary infusion instead of water offers antioxidant protection
88% natural ingredients free of: Parabens, silicones, mineral oil, propylene glycol, ethanolamines, colorants, phthalates, polycyclic musks and nitro musks.

My thoughts 

A long time ago I used to use a shampoo and conditioner called Citri-Shine and to be honest I had all but forgotten about it, until I flipped open the lid of Propoline Citrus & Honey Shampoo - the scent took me right back! I absolutely love the fresh, citrus scent. The product foams nicely (that will be the SLS) and rinses out well leaving no residue.

Result - 

Styling my hair I am left with shiny, bright hair. My (long faded) highlights seem to have been given a new lease of life. 

Really nice product.

APIVITA Propoline Citrus & Honey Shampoo 250ml costs £13 and is available from the new Beauty Halls at Marks and Spencer and online

*PR Sample

Soap & Glory Super-Colour Fabulipstick Collagen Boosting Lipstick In Guavarama

I love nude lipstick and I love nude gloss but nothing brightens the face and my mood more than a good bright lipstick. I have mentioned before that the right bright whitens the whites of the eyes and makes them sparkle like nothing else. Spring/Summer is the perfect time to dabble with colourful bright lipsticks.

I picked up Soap & Glory Guavarama Lipstick in December but have been wearing it loads more recently. Although it doesn't look like much in the tube, on the lips it transforms into a gorgeous pinky orange shade..just wear with lashings of black mascara :-)

As it is pigment rich one creamy application provides full coverage for luscious, moist plump looking lips.

Soap & Glory Super-Colour Fabulipstick Collagen Boosting Lipstick costs £9

Dr Lewinn's Skin Perfect Foundation Review

The one thing that pretty much every woman is looking for is the perfect base, some find it quickly and for others it can take years. I am pretty happy with my current products and have 2 absolute favourites but of course I am always open to other suggestions and willing to give them a go just in case I am missing something!  Dr Lewinn's recently unveiled a new range of make-up and amongst this range was the new Skin Perfect Anti-ageing Foundation. The foundation appealed to me because it promises to not only cover problems on the surface but is packed with innovative ingredients for younger looking skin.

Dr Lewinn's Say

Reveal a flawless complexion with a radiant youthful glow. This fluid foundation visibly smoothes wrinkles and fine lines, hydrates and protects from ageing. Leaves skin soft, supple with a velvety touch.

Key ingredients - 

Rose Stem Cells - Renew & Stimulate Skin

Matrixyl Synthe'6 - Helps enhance skin collagen
Tourmaline - Radiance Booster

Swatches 

My thoughts

I was sent shade Cream which was a good match.

The bottle comes complete with a pump and the foundation smells lovely. I found it to be quite thick in texture and it covers well, smoothing and disguising everything that needs disguising.namely redness and pores. It leaves skin with a velvet finish and with a dewy radiance which I liked.

However, I had a major issue with the foundation that I just couldn't get past. It is a fair bit thicker and drier than the foundations I normally use and was hard to blend. It really clung to dry patches (I didn't know I had any!) and accentuated them. My skin is normal/combination and I don't notice any dry patches when using other foundations/BB creams.

I tried the foundation with and without primer and with extra moisturising to see if it made a difference but I had no luck. I personally couldn't make this foundation work for me.

A full face of Skin Perfect Foundation

Dr Lewinn's Skin Perfect Foundation SPF15 30ml costs £25 and comes in 6 shades.

*PR Sample

L'Occitane Petit Grasse Fragrance Collection Limited Edition

Last week I gave a little background into the new fragrance collection from L'Occitane - La Collection De Grasse. It is a really quite beautiful collection and with four in the range there is bound to be one that will appeal. However, if you cannot decide there is this super cute mini collection which features all four of the fragrances inside!

Four miniature bottles (ideal for travel) each containing 7.5ml of EDT

Jasmin & Bergamote EDT

A sensual and luminous union between Jasmine from Grasse and Bergamot from Italy.

This is a gorgeous floral scent that manages to be bright and fresh. Like walking into a garden full of Jasmine flowers. I can imagine this being extremely popular.

Magnolia & Mure EDT

A mysterious and charming union between magnolia from the Far East and blackberry from the South of France.

For those of you who prefer sweeter, fruity scents this will be right up your street.

Vanille & Narcisse EDT

A radiant and voluptuous embrace between Vanilla from Madgascar and Narcissus from France.

Vanilla scents can be quite sweet and sickly but this contains a musty slant to it that makes it rather more appealing and incredibly wearable.

Thé Vert & Bigarade EDT 

A refreshing union between the aromatic Green Tea and the zesty Bitter Orange.

As you will know from my full review of Thé Vert & Bigarade this is my favourite. Sparkling, green and bursting with citrus notes . Refreshing Green Tea, delightful for Summer.

I adore this new collection, there really is something for everyone. Each one of the fragrances has its own charm and none are overpowering. Beautiful and a treat for the senses.

L'Occitane Petit Grasse Fragrance Collection costs £28.

Full size EDT's cost £49 for 75ml.
Also available in the range - Shower gel, body milk and soaps.

*PR Samples

L'Occitane La Collection De Grasse - The Vert & Bigarade EDT review

L'Occitane have just launched four new fine fragrances developed by top perfumer Karine Dubreil.

Grasse is known as the perfumery capital of the world, a town in the south of France. Local growers mastered the art of cultivating rare and delicate flowers such as orange blossom, rose and jasmine. Adventurous perfumers travelled to distant lands like the far east and brought back ingredients like Madagascan vanilla to complement and enrich the fragrances and that is how modern perfumery was born.

This was the inspiration for Collection de Grasse

The four EDT's are

Jasmin & Bergamote
Magnolia & Mure
Vanille & Narcisse
Thé Vert & Bigarade

I have samples of all so will be writing a review shortly of each of them but one that particularly caught my attention and that I simply couldn't wait to share was the delightful Thé Vert & Bigarade.

L'Occitane say 

Energizing upon first contact, this fragrance has head notes of bitter orange, made with essential oil from the Mediterranean. Sparkling citrus notes evolve to reveal a heart of green tea - using an extract from Japan - and yerba mate. An aromatic blend of cedar, thyme and musk compose the base of this fresh and citrusy fragrance.

My thoughts 

I loved Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea fragrance and this is every bit as beautiful if not more.

Bursting with light citrus notes at first which make way to reveal a wonderfully fresh, green and sparkling green tea scent. Wearing this I picture myself transported to sunnier climes (The South of France would be ideal) sat in a tea dress, sipping iced tea and people watching. Light, bright and youthful.

Thé Vert & Bigarade is the perfect fragrance for Spring heading into Summer and one that I haven't been able to resist wearing since I received it.

The bottle is clean, simple and classy. It is already on my bathroom shelf.

L'Occitane Thé Vert & Bigarade Eau de Toilette £49 for 75ml

*PR Sample

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream - Review

I have to admit to being guilty of not visiting The Body Shop that often and really I think I should as there are some real affordable gems to be found in there, especially the skin products. An amazing product is their Hemp Hand Protector Cream which I reviewed earlier in the year and now there is this facial moisturiser which I have been really impressed with.

Vitamin E Moisture Cream

The Body Shop says

Daily antioxidant protection and moisturisation
Suitable for all skin types

Our best selling daily moisturiser hydrates skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth.
Hydrates and protects
Light and easily absorbed
Leaves skin soft and healthy-looking

My thoughts 

Light and hydrating with a subtle scent this is a gorgeous and rather fabulous simple moisturiser that does the trick nicely. I love its gel/cream texture which absorbs instantly and leaves the skin feeling soft and comfortable all day.  A no gimmicks basic moisturiser that does what it says on the pot.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream costs £10 for 50ml.

*PR Sample

The Essential Hay Fever Kit - Surviving Hay Fever Season

Spring/Summer is usually agony for me, as although we can enjoy warmer temperatures and the sun shining..for those of us who suffer from hay fever it also means looking forward to itchy + watery eyes,an itchy throat, constant sneezing and puffy sore eyes by the end of the day.

I have put together my essential ultimate hay fever kit. The products I need to see me through hay fever/pollen season.

1.  Wrap Around Sunglasses - I may have enormous bug eyes wearing these but big glasses help immensely to keep the pesky pollen away from my eyes

2. Optrex Actimist Eye Spray for Itchy Watery Eyes - New for this year, this spray works wonders for providing instant relief from itchy eyes. A must have.

3. Prevalin Allergy Nasal Spray - My favourite hay fever relief product and it is steroid free and non drowsy. This usually does the trick unless the pollen count is really, really high.

4. Antihistamine Tablets - I take a tablet but these are just used in an emergency now as the Prevalin is good.

5. A Waterproof Mascara - I love to wear mascara as it really opens my eyes therefore a waterproof mascara is an essential on the Summer months. I have just bought L'Oreal False Lash Architect Waterproof.

6. Individual Packs Of Tissues - A handbag must whatever the season if I am honest - I get through tissues in abundance.

7. A Cooling Eye Mask - Sometimes hay fever can really affect me. I rub my eyes too much and they start to hurt and feel sore and dry. Those who suffer will know exactly what I mean..we even can get a gel like film over the eyes (really not good!). When my eyes feel like this I like to have some time out and just rest them, I pop on a mask (refrigerated for extra cooling benefits) and lie back and relax. This soothing gel mask is an absolute bargain from Superdrug

Would you add anything to this list?