Monday, April 27, 2015

SPONSORED: Men's online shopping catalogues

The sheer amount of merchandise you can purchase off the internet is astounding. 

This avenue has spawned shopping cultures and trends that were simply unimaginable at the turn of the century. Much has been made about the insecurities that come with choosing products online, but the truth is that shopping online is now a reality and has been for over a decade now. While a big number of shopping avenues makes it easier for customers to make choices by looking at varieties, it presents a problem; where do consumers look?

Since there are so many avenues, it is imperative that you as a male shopper have an idea of the things they offer and the places to look. To aid you to make the perfect choice in your shopping endeavours, here is a list of top 5 online men's shopping catalogues in the UK.

Joe Browns




This catalogue has attained somewhat of a cult following among male fashion enthusiasts all over the United Kingdom. The amount and types of clothes available span different ages as well as body sizes. At the website, shoppers can easily browse prices and products until they get what they want. Shopping is easy, as all you have to do is add products to a cart. There are options for making returns if products are not satisfactory. You can make payments by use of MasterCard or maestro.

The Hut

The Hut is another famous destination for men wishing to go out for the latest trends. However, it is much more than just a clothes store. It also offers products like electronics and gaming tools. In addition, men can purchase toys for their children at the hut. Making payments is never a hassle, as the store caters to customers who use MasterCard, Visa, Visa electron as well as maestro.




Next


This shopping store caters for all types of clothes as well as home wares. Apart from the UK, Next is available in over 70 other countries around the world. There is no limit to what a man can buy for himself and his family at Next. Extra products include wines, flowers and gifts. From time to time, the shop offers gifts and bonuses to its clients.

Littlewoods

At Littlewoods, shoppers have the luxury of knowing that they can always make returns if products are defective. However, there are rules for returns. They should occur within the first two weeks of purchase. If there were gift items, they should come back as part of the package. Customers can make credit payments using Visa and Maestro.



Dial a TV

There is a wide range of home wares and electronics that a man could take a pick of on this site. While the electronics are more than the rest of the items on sale, the diversity is simply amazing. At Dial a TV, there are bonuses for shoppers, even though these do not have a regular timing. If clients need clarification, they can always contact support and customer care services, as they are available around the clock.

One of the main benefits of shopping through an online catalogue is the ability to spread the cost of your purchases. Spread the cost usually allows you to pay what you owe in monthly or weekly installments. You can check out a full list of pay monthly catalogues here.

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Sunday, April 26, 2015

Essence Perfectrice Skin Perfector by L’Occitane

The battle with the bags (eye bags that is, not the fish wives who live on my block) continues and while my eyes have never looked better there are still days when they can look a little puffy, be a touch blemished and the lines more pronounced.

I’ve tried a couple of things with success and when the opportunity to try L’Occitane Essence Perfectrice Skin Perfector I could resist the temptation. If I’m going to be honest, when approached by the PR company it was basically the least feminine thing in the new range. As an aside by taking the plunge my eyes have since been opened to the Cade male grooming range also from L’Occitane (a couple of posts to watch out for there).


Essence Perfectrice Skin Perfector by L’Occitane

A 30ml bottle of the Skin Perfector will set you back £38 and can be bought here, and while £38 may seem like a lot, when you compare it to other eye creams. 

Personally I only have two issues, my eyes and the deep ridges and frown lines on my forehead. Some serious plastic surgery is required for the forehead so I didn’t expect much from the product there, but around my eyes the lines are more shallow and I started using this in the hope that it could help me out.

This is what they say about Essence Perfectrice Skin Perfector over on the L’Occitane website:

‘Ideal for all skin types, this fresh and ultra-light serum, with an expert second-skin-like texture helps to visibly improve skin quality. Skin texture looks smoothed and refined, pores seem tightened, fine lines and imperfections seem reduced. The skin reflects light better, looks more even and its radiance is boosted. 

Each day, your skin reveals its natural beauty, it feels ultra-smooth and velvety, and your complexion looks more even, fresh and glowing

L'OCCITANE has extracted from peonies growing in the DrĂ´me Region of France, a perfecting concentrate. Rich in natural plant sugars, this patented extract acts on skin cells to help visibly correct complexion and texture irregularities.’


Essence Perfectrice Skin Perfector by L’Occitane

Essence Perfectrice Skin Perfector by L’Occitane

Essence Perfectrice Skin Perfector by L’Occitane

First of all this does scream feminine from the bottle to the fragrance. That said, I don’t tend to mess around applying this stuff in public (although by publishing this here, in theory I actually am - one to think about) so even I could throw aside any potential jibes and gave this a try.

The creamy textured Skin Perfector has a fairly subtle floral fragrance, in fact I was surprised by how faint it was. It got additional points in my book for not interfering with my aftershaves after I had used it, and in fact, within a couple of minutes you could be forgiven for forgetting that you had this on your face, that is until you start to feel your pores tighten.

I applied this after showering so the pores on my face were open when I rubbed it gently around my eye area and forehead. After around fifteen minutes I could feel a rather strange sensation as though the skin was tightening. It actually made me feel more awake as my eyes tightened and opened a little bit more than usual. Impressed is a slight understatement at this point.

After an hour I went back to take a look - the skin tone was far clearer, and looked smoother to me. The fine lines around my eyes (read crows feet) were substantially reduced and in parts no visible without a good hard look. The ridges in my forehead as I said earlier would take some serious work but even they seemed more reduced in depth, and just by removing the blemishes just above my eyebrow looked so much better.

The acid test for me when using these products is whether I feel more confident about how I look after using them. In this case, yes, yes I did, and in fact I could see a noticeable difference in my skin texture after a few days of using this. Over a week later my eyes just weren’t are dark in the morning which helps to avoid that moment of shock when I clap eyes on myself after getting up!

The purchase price may put some people off, the packaging will probably put a lot of blokes off this but if you want my advice, take the plunge and invest in some. I love using it and it boosts my confidence knowing that make face looks even better.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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Thursday, April 23, 2015

An idiots guide to shaving

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to the Man Made salon in central London to meet with the lovely folk from Cornerstone, a fairly new shaving subscription service and sample some of their products. 



While I have tried the kit I received as a sample once (and I have to say, was impressed), I do want to try it out a few times before giving a firm view on whether I would recommend it (all of the signs so far are positive) so keep a beady eye out for that one coming up. What struck me however when talking with the founder of the company, Oliver was his passion for the products and for shaving in general. When we first sat down and I asked the very simple question, “why”, the response resonated with me. 

What was the response? Dad’s, you’re all pretty bobbins at actually teaching your sons to shave properly (I’m paraphrasing here). It resonated so much that I tried to remember if my own dad had taken me to one side and suggested any tips to avoid shaving becoming a pain in the neck (literally). Nothing, squat, zip diddly - there was no father/son bonding moment over a razor blade as the thirteen year old me removed the first semblance of bum fluff from my face.

That lack of knowledge has resulted in me shaving like an amateur (and suffering) for well over twenty years. While writing this blog has opened my eyes (and pores) to new techniques and products, I felt compelled to share with you the Cornerstone six steps to a smooth, comfortable shave (and this acts as a rather nice warm up to my actual review of the products I used).

These tips have been taken directly from the amazing shaving guide I received and after following each step to the letter I have to say it made a big difference to my shaving experience - so why not share? Why not indeed.



Step One 

Before shaving take a warm shower to open up the pores in your face and soften the stubble. By doing this it should make it easier for your razor to cut each hair, giving a closer and more comfortable shave.

Step Two

Gently exfoliate your neck and beard area. By using an exfoliator with beads or grit like grains in a circular motion you can free an ingrown hairs and wash away any grime from the pores. This should leave a smoother surface for the razor to pass over and in theory reduce any cuts.

Step Three

Apply a shaving cream or gel of choice - from my experience, using a low lather gel or cream results in a better shave as the razor glides better over the face and doesn’t clog as much leaving stripes that require further attention.

Step Four

Make sure you have a fresh, sharp razor. There is no point following these steps if you are going to attempt to shave using a razor that has all of the sharpness of a blunt butter knife. The sharper the blade, the fewer passes of the beard area that are required.

Step Five

When shaving don’t press too hard and avoid shaving against the direction of hair growth. Going against the direction of growth results in hairs being cut at differing lengths, encourages ingrown hairs and that my readers is the main cause of the redness and itchy feeling.

Step Six

Rinse off any remaining shaving gel or cream with cold water. Not only does this spank you wide awake but it also serves to close the pores. Using a post shave balm, cream or serum is a crucial step, it helps to replenish your skin’s natural moisture and keep any skin irritation at bay.

There you go, six simple steps that have changed the way I shave. Yes, it takes longer to shave, but those extra minutes remove any danger of razor burn, I didn’t cut my face to ribbons and not a jot of irritation. For this I am truly thankful!

Choose your products carefully, chop and change to find what suits you personally and your own skin type, but if you follow this great guidance from Cornerstone then in my opinion you can’t go wrong.

Why not take a look at the Cornerstone website here and see if they can help you like they have helped me.

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Monday, April 20, 2015

SPONSORED: Get Your Skin Ready for Summer


The weather has gotten a lot warmer in the past few days, which has naturally meant that sitting at the office is twice as tough (not for me at the moment, which means big grins all around).

Now just like your mind needs a little boost to get the party summer smile on, your skin also needs a bit of a makeover after the exhausting cold winter. After all, you want to feel gorgeous inside and outside once you are finally free to roam the sunny parks (that's not meant to sound like my inner stalker speaking).

Here are some tips for preparing your skin for summer.

Start Off with Exfoliating


It all starts by exfoliating the skin properly. Don’t just exfoliate the face either; your whole body could do with a bit of a rub. 




There are great products for men, such as the Yves Rocher Blackberries Exfoliating shower gel. But you can even consider trying a simple homemade, natural exfoliator. For instance, the oatmeal and sea salt exfoliator recipe at Inhabitat is a good pick.

Add Extra Moisture

If you have a tendency for dry skin, you’ll definitely need much more moisture after the long cold days and nights of winter. Although lotions are typically the first choice, you could swap the usual lotion to an oil-based moisturiser for summer.

The oils can actually enhance your tan while keeping the skin in top condition, not to mention the extra moisturising effect of oils!


Now it must be said that oils can take a bit getting used to. The chances are your skin is already really dry and adding a bit of oil for the first time makes it feel…well oily.

Use a thin layer for the first times at home; after a few applications, your skin should be more open to the oils! Very oily skin can actually be a symptom of dry skin, so don’t automatically assume your skin’s too oily!

Get a Proper Sunscreen

The biggest mistake to make when preparing your skin for summer is to skip the sunscreen.

You don’t want to be sitting under the shade all day long (or maybe you do!), so adding enough sunscreen will guarantee you don’t look like a cooked lobster once the summer sun dies down.

If you don’t like adding lotion, get one of the spray bottle options instead!

Don’t Shy Away from Shaving


You don’t need to go hairless, but you’d be feeling much better if you at least keep your hair under control. Shaving during summer just seems like the right thing to do to me.

Remember to shave after you’ve warmed the hair follicles. This isn’t anything fancy; just sit in a warm bath before bringing out the razor. 


Remember proper moisturising to prevent ingrown hairs and itching!

You may need a few more beauty products for the above, check this out if you are looking for a bargain. VoucherBin has plenty of offers from top UK beauty brands, so you might end up saving a bit of money.

And don’t forget to check out the fashion section for summer styling tips!


*SP
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Monday, April 13, 2015

Nelsons Arnicare Bath & Massage Balm

There is nothing better than a nice relaxing soak in the bath. Whereas in my youth and early twenties a relaxing soak meant Calvin Klein Eternity bath salts since getting married and fast forwarding far too many years the wealth of options to add to my bath has exploded - there are literally sixteen different things I could add to a bath (if I can find the bath in the bathroom after wading through the obscene number of products in there)

It’s a good job I’m decisive and go to the bath armed with a map and compass!

Enter stage left Nelsons Arnicare Bath & Massage Balm, containing natural Arnica Montana (Arnica Montana? A long lost sibling of Hannah?!?). I’m not sure what drew me to this in the bathroom, after all it is to be blunt rather plain looking and me, being blind as a bat struggled to read what it was until I squinted and drew it to within about an inch of my eye (I‘m not kidding - small fonts and certain colours mean I see nothing, nothing I tells you)!



Having no idea where this came from it’s safe to say that my thoughts have not been clouded in the slightest by the theory of reciprocation (the book Nudge is worth a read on this - it’s where someone gives you something and you either feel obliged to be nice about it or to actually make a purchase).

If after reading this you feel the urge to pick up a bottle yourself then you can do here, with 200ml bottle costing £8.49.

This is what Nelsons say about the bath balm over at their website:

‘A dual-purpose product helps you relax and unwind after a tiring day! You can use bath and massage balm to massage into tired legs, shoulders, arms and neck or to add to your bath to help soak away the day’s tensions.

The balm is enriched with natural Arnica montana extract to leave the skin soft and silky. It also contains 

Evening Primrose and rich Sweet Almond oil to naturally hydrate the skin, whilst Lavender and Grapefruit essential oils help to calm the senses and relax the mind.

Dermatologically tested. Free from parabens, lanolin, mineral oil, SLS's and PEGs.’





While I haven’t massaged this into my skin directly I have used it a few times to get a feel for it. Like an idiot rushing around to just try something new I didn’t smell this before pouring it free hand into my running bath. Two things struck me - first the bath took on a cloudy, almost milky colour which weirded me out a touch but then the fragrance that had been seemingly absent started to become stronger. 

For me, and for most other people fragrance evokes memories and this evoked all the wrong kind. The Evening Primrose oil and Sweet Almond blend to create an aroma that reminded me of Dulux paint! Yes, not a strong chemical smell, but just a bland paint……bizarre. An examination of the bottle and I thought it could be redeemed if the lavender and grapefruit oils could overpower it and come to the fore. 

After around ten minutes of soaking I personally do get used to the smell and while washing it was evident that the oils were going to town on my skin. My muscles were relaxed and yes, even me, stressed Eric relaxed and felt calm after drying off. You can't argue with that.

With only a few caps of the oil needed for a bath this will last for ages (more the pity in my opinon). Our bottle had about a third left (the other half must like it) but it’s one of those products where you shake your head and think “that’s a shame” as the results were fantastic. My skin felt amazingly soft, I don’t think it has ever felt so smooth and any fears of an oily residue on my skin were unfounded. However, and this is a massive however which kicks my urge to say buy this into touch - the smell.

I’ve used it three times, loved the results but really found the fragrance to be a huge let down. Sort out the fragrance and I would say this is the bomb, but as it stands, it reminds me too much of Dulux paint, and I don’t want to smell like a painter and decorator after falling into a vat of gloss.

If you can get over the fragrance then you will be impressed but it has to be a no from me. 

People, I think I have found a Marmite like beauty product - you'll either love it or hate it.

NOT RECOMMENDED 

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Friday, April 10, 2015

Rehab London Argan Oil Shaving Gel

When I first started writing this blog, I did have a bit of a look around to see what others wrote about, how they presented their blogs and to get some idea as to how images should look. The one thing which sticks in my memory is the sheer number of posts about the wonder that is Argan Oil. So, when I was asked if I would like to try Rehab London Argan Oil Shaving Gel, my first thoughts where, let’s see what this baby can do.


Rehab London Argan Oil Shaving Gel

My second thought was to write a blog post interspersed with lyrics from the Amy Winehouse song Rehab, but strangely after using it the first time I stopped singing it! Anyhow, I digress....

As a sensitive soul (insert ass before soul) with even more sensitive skin around my face, finding the perfect match for a smooth shaving experience has always been a bane. I’ve found some excellent products over the year that I have been writing here but Rehab London has taken the biscuit. Why you ask? Well read on to see what my sensitive skin thought of this shave gel.

While my 125ml tube of the shave gel came as a sample from Rehab London, you can pick up an identical tube for just £9.95 from Boots here. If you shop around online you may find it cheaper still.

This is what Rehab London say about the Argan Oil Shave Gel:

‘Shaving just crossed over the dark side. Say goodbye to those pesky ingrown hairs, sore red skin and that tight feeling you get when shaving.

Step forward Cold Turkey, The Florence Nightingale of the shaving world. Packed with Hero ingredients like the rare and precious Argan oil, with Hazel, and Aloe Vera, your skin will be left so smooth, it should probably come with a warning. The Argan oil works to support regeneration of the skin, restart the vital functions of the cells and neutralise free radicals, all while providing a protective layer to lubricate the razor. Finally, the unique low foam clear formula lets you see exactly where to shave, perfect for sculpting those rock star side burns

For the ultimate shave, team with rehab London scrub up daily detox to remove dead skin cells and prevent ingrown hairs and blackheads.’

First of all, it looks funny, while it has a runny consistency that means you have to balance it on your hand before applying, but the colour, it’s all cloudy and looks a bit weird. However, nothing ventured nothing gained. The fragrance is rather neutral, it’s there, but so subtle it almost has a watery cucumber aroma - think Aloe Vera blended with a cucumber and you get the gist.


Rehab London Argan Oil Shaving Gel

Rehab London Argan Oil Shaving Gel

The second surprise for me was how well it spread when being applied - I had expected it to lather up but instead it stays as a gel and as you can see from the images before and after applying, you can hardly tell you have put it on before shaving! Fear not, it sticks to the skin and once gently rubbed in and then the cool sensation starts.

After leaving the oil to soak in for just a few minutes my face did start to feel much cooler. Really cool in fact (note to self - smear this on your sunburn later in the year lol)

The best was saved to last though - the actual process of shaving is an absolute breeze using the oil. The razor glides across the face and slashes away those pesky bristles and even better, the oil doesn’t clog the blade which means less time rinsing and more time actually eliminating the stubble and beard. Just for the time saved, lack of faffing involved in shaving and clearly less build up on the razor I was blown away and incredibly impressed. Better was to come however!
The stubble before any Argan Oil action....
This is with the gel on my stubble, tricky to see isn't it?
Rehab London Argan Oil Shaving Gel
After shaving - no redness or blotchy, itchy face
After rinsing off and drying my face I opted not to use moisturiser the first couple of times I used this and there was a complete absence of any tightness. No razor burn, no redness and no ingrown hairs a few days later. Back of the net.

Hours later my skin felt supple, was smooth and had something of a glow about it. I was so impressed I let people touch my face (I don’t like touching), and for me to allow this means I must have been incredibly confident.

As a joke in passing, when I went for lunch with a friend a couple of weeks ago he mentioned that I looked well and was glad to see the beard gone - I responded by saying it was all thanks to rehab - should I be worried that he didn’t ask me to clarify what kind of rehab?

A little goes a long way, it’s affordable and helped to deliver one of the best shaves ever and that is why this sits at the top of the list of my favourite shaving aids. Rehab London Argan Oil Shave Gel is now the yardstick for which others will be tested. It's great stuff. 

FORGET THE REST, TRY THE BEST

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Wednesday, April 08, 2015

Gruhme for Him EDT

It was quite by chance that I was offered the opportunity to try out Gruhme for Him, a new aftershave that I hadn’t ever heard of until a brief exchange over Twitter. When the lovely branded box arrived I was not only delighted with the size of the signature fragrance sample (a 100ml bottle) but also the fact that it oozes style and cool. 


Gruhme for Him EDT

Gruhme for Him EDT

Gruhme for Him EDT

Opening the box had that "wow" factor and as far as first impressions go, it was a thumbs up from me, but looks can be deceptive so it was seconds before I had this out of the box and sprayed all over. Now my first whiff of this triggered a whole host of feelings until I finally nailed what it reminded me of (you‘ll have to read further to find out what).

Rather than let first impressions cloud my recommendation I have been using this each day since receiving it bar yesterday when I started tested out a another aftershave. Over those weeks I’ve had the chance to not only get a real feel for the fragrance, but it has also allowed me to get the thoughts of friends and family to it. 

If you like how the fragrance sounds, and my recommendations hold any weight at all, then you can buy a bottle direct from the Gruhme website here.

So this, is what Gruhme say about their signature fragrance:

‘Sensual aromatic woody accord with top notes of juniper berry, organic black peppercorn, bergamot, lemon and lavender, a heart of patchouli and cedar, on a base of oakwood amber musks interlaced with traces of cumin, celery seed and petitgrain.

What is Petitgrain? Petitgrain oil is extracted from the leaves and green twigs of the bitter orange plant but was once extracted from its green unripe oranges, when they were still the size of cherries, hence the name Petitgrain or ‘little grains’. Petitgrain is believed by many to calm and soothe the mind, while relaxing the body, perfect for balancing our non-stop modern way of life.

The fragrance along with its packaging has been designed and made in the UK.’


Gruhme for Him EDT

Gruhme for Him EDT

The notes to Gruhme for Him are outlined in the marketing blurb above so I won‘t be repeating them here, instead I‘m going to plough straight into how it smells, how long it lasts and whether it had the effect of attracting or repulsing those close to me when wearing it.

When I first applied this I thought it had an identical hit on the nose with a sharp yet light citrus of the lemon as Acqua di Parma does with it‘s orange citrus, but it almost immediately changed and became heavier and reminded me of the new Sanctum Soho fragrance as the peppercorn and lavender provided extra body. It was light and then so much heavier in almost an instant. To say I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement, and understated this fragrance is as it ticks every box.

Within fifteen minutes the heart notes of patchouli really calm this down and the fragrance oozes masculine as the base of musks provide warmth to this lovely aftershave. That warmth evolves ever so slightly to provide a hint of spice after a few hours leaving one hell of an amazing aroma.

Despite having a heavy base of alcohol this aftershave doesn’t dry out my face or neck, and in terms of lasting power it kicks the aforementioned Acqua di Parma into the long grass. Perfect for daywear and social occasions I have found that both I and those around me can still smell this (and love it) over ten hours later. Whereas other fade into the skin this stays strong and suits my skin perfectly.

At just £35 for a 100ml bottle I can’t recommend this enough. It goes ooze class and will make you stand out in a crowd. I have been raving about this since I received it and will continue to do so. It’s an exceptional fragrance with a value for money edge that sets it above the rest. 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED   

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Friday, April 03, 2015

Scaramouche & Fandango 'SW' Sports Wash

I’m a big fan of ‘Hy’ Hydrator, ‘Fs’ Face Scrub and ‘Bw’ Body Wash by Scaramouche & Fandango, so when I was asked if I would like to try their new ‘Sw’ Sports Wash (it really is a little like the intro to Breaking Bad with all of these periodic table like abbreviations) I started with high hopes. 

Now call me a cynic, but first there were two in ones, then three in ones, and now, we have a four in one - the 'Sw' Sports Wash from Scaramouche & Fandango is not just to banish those BO (body odour) blues, oh no readers, this baby is also designed for hair, face, body and for shaving.


Scaramouche & Fandango 'SW' Sports Wash

Now you are more like to win Euro millions (current odds 1 in 116.5 million) than you are to see me in the gym at the moment so my take on this is purely as a four in one and whether I would recommend it - the 250ml tube I have costs £9 from here.

This is what Scaramouche & Fandango say about the benefits of Sports Wash over at their website here:

‘Energising caffeine extracts pack a punch in this invigorating 4 in 1 sports wash. Taking care of both hair and skin, the Guar Gum moisturises and conditions whilst also allowing for that perfect shave.’    

Texture and consistency wise this is quite runny for a product of this nature, usually when it comes to the all in one kind of products I have found them to be quite thick but this bucks the trend and as soon as it leaves the tube you immediately get a manly fragrance, it’s like a cross between a rugged earthy aroma blended with floral notes. Thankfully, the masculine nature of the fragrance leaves no doubt in my mind that this beast is designed for post workout washing.


Scaramouche & Fandango 'SW' Sports Wash

Scaramouche & Fandango 'SW' Sports Wash
As you can see from the picture, it is quite runny! 

I have been using this for a few weeks now, the tube is about half empty and I have to say I have been impressed with three of the four uses it is intended for.

Yes, the fragrance and washing power is exceptional, it really does banish BO and using only a tiny bit of the wash (roughly an amount the size of a fifty pence piece) is enough to wash my hair, face and body. A little goes a long way and the fragrance kind of explodes into life and strength as soon as it connects with the warm water. Personally, I love the smell and it lathers up wonderfully.


Scaramouche & Fandango 'SW' Sports Wash
No, showering is not like the Olympics!
  
After drying the subtle fragrance remains on the skin for a few hours and the way it leaves my skin feeling leaves me smiling, and for that and the fact that an hour after drying off my skin feels great, my face doesn’t dry out and there is no need for copious amounts of moisturiser (just a touch though). Result! 

Using the Sports Wash has cut a lot of faffing from my daily shower routine which is brilliant if in a rush, making this great for those who do need to cut down on the amount of time spent in the shower. 

While I wouldn’t use this as a shaving aid, the skin around my face is far too sensitive, it is a great body wash and face cleanser. In addition, unlike other all in one products it doesn’t leave my hair feeling like straw (which is a massive plus) and removes the various hair products I use to style my hair.

At just £9 for a tube I think this represents good value for money and is a product that works. The caffeine does pack a punch and acts as an additional wake up call for my body. This would be a perfect addition to a gym bag or like me, just for day to day use.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

You can read my thoughts on other products from Scaramouche & Fandango by clicking on the links below:

Hydrator 'Hy'
Face Scrub 'Fs' 


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Wednesday, April 01, 2015

Truffle Noir by Temple Spa

Well, I did say in a recent post that my blog would be entering Temple Spa season and I have no intention on deviating from this until my mind is distracted by something that shines or some brightly coloured flashing lights. Today, and after a using it over twenty days I will be giving my thoughts on Truffle Noir, billed as a nocturne facial rejuvenator by Temple Spa. 



Will I wake up looking like I did in 2004 (yes, I know, a shameless and random excuse to insert a picture of me looking much younger)? Read on….. 


Truffle Noir is the second Temple Spa product sent to me to sample. I have already written about their Way To Go Cleansing Wash Gel here and considering how much I liked that, this one had a lot to live up to. While different products, I was blown away by the quality and high hopes.

This is what Temple Spa say about Truffle Noir:

'Truffle Noir, particularly designed to do night duty on your skin while you sleep. We combined brilliant science with turbo charged ingredients to create a luxury formula that repairs, restores and renews. The texture is amazing and with the addition of Happybelle-PE (happiness in a jar) you really will look great in bed!

For men, Truffle Noir has a handsome satin-matte finish on the skin being ideal for their daytime regime; it has all the rejuvenating benefits of Skin Truffle, yet without the diamond lustre.

KEY BENEFITS:


  • Anti-ageing, long term benefits
  • Instant aesthetic benefits – gives a clear, radiant, ‘happy’ and toned complexion
  • Slows down the development of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Repairs cell and tissue damage
  • Strengthens thin or fragile skin
  • Restores elasticity, boosts collagen
  • Renews firmness, suppleness and smoothness
  • Supports the fundamental changes in our skins behaviour at night, working with the body’s natural rhythm
  • Helps the skin ‘help itself’ by promoting its natural ability to replenish
  • Easily absorbed, non-greasy formula
  • Leaves skin feeling soft and plump, with a satin-matte finish
  • Calms razor burn or skin irritations'

Any regular reader will know that I don’t like the area around my eyes. I have used a range of things to try and eliminate the bags, change the colour to look as though I’m actually alive etc. I’ve been using Clarins Eye Revitaliser for the bags, but Truffle Noir was going to be handy in trying to reduce the lines (read crows feet) around my eye and eyebrow (it’s a proper Mancunian mono-brow)

I have been using a 5ml sample on and off when my eyes have needed a boost over the last couple of weeks and the difference in and around my eyes is incredible. The tube is now coming to the end of its life, but when you consider that a 50ml jar of this costs £85 here, what do you get for the money and would I go out and buy it myself?

Well rather than blast you with lots of cunning facts, the simple truth is that this works as the pictures below show. The left was taken after a bad night of sleep, the picture on the right fifteen minutes after applying Truffle Noir. The images speak for themselves.



Yes, this is expensive, but you only need a tiny amount of it to smooth over those fine lines around your eyes and they stay gone all day. The colouring around the eye improves, and instead of looking like an extra from The Walking Dead, my eyes genuinely feel more awake, and wider (it’s a weird sensation at first).

So what worked for me? 

Anti-ageing, long term benefits - over a few weeks the darkness has reduced 
Instant aesthetic benefits – yes, eyes do look and feel much better
Renews firmness, suppleness and smoothness - the skin does look smoother
Easily absorbed, non-greasy formula - yes, it is absorbed quickly
It does leave skin feeling soft and plump, with a satin-matte finish

This is one I would recommend, I use it during the day to pep up my eyes, but the results are equally as impressive in the morning when applied just before bed. Great stuff, and worth the money for the results.

Bye bye tired eyes....

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