Maple Holistics Shampoo + Conditioner

I am always on the hunt for new natural haircare as I find that my hair responds best to more natural products. Maple Holistics products contain natural, high quality ingredients in all of their bath, body, skincare and haircare products. I was kindly sent two of their products to test out!

First up, I have the *Maple Holistics Moisture Control Shampoo ($7.95, 8oz) which contains carrot and parsley seed, silk peptide, jojoba, almond, botanical keratin and my favourite ingredient in all beauty products - lavender. I have to comment on the packaging, in my opinion it is a little outdated or cheap looking although it isn't the packaging that counts, it's the product inside. The shampoo smells so nice, like lavender which is my favourite scent! The shampoo doesn't contain sulphates but it still lathers really well which is surprising as most natural and sulphate free shampoos don't. It cleanses and adds a boost of moisturise to my dry hair which is needed even more at this time of the year. 

I also have the *Maple Holistics Argan Conditioner ($7.89, 8oz) which contains jojoba oil, shea butter, green tea, botanical keratin, pomegranate, sea buckthorn and argan oil. I have been using so much of the conditioner recently as my hair has been quite dry because it is definitely much colder now in England but if you do use too much then I feel as though it can make my hair greasier quicker. The conditioner helps detangle, smooth and moisturise my hair without leaving residue. 

Overall, I'm happy with both products on the whole and I will definitely be getting even more use out of them now that the weather is more autumnal. I love that they are natural and sulphate free! I think the price is very reasonable as a lot of natural and sulphate free haircare is quite expensive. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

Have you tried any products from Maple Holistics? 

                                                                                                                          

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Tweezerman Fall/Winter Collection

Tweezerman is definitely one of my favourite brands of 2015 so when their fall/winter collection arrived, I was SO excited (surprise PR packages are the best kind of packages!). I have been a fan of their tweezers for at least four years and I've been using their eyelash curler every time I wear makeup. 

Their new Fall/Winter collection consists of:

- LED Lighted 10x/1x Compact Mirror (£26)

- Dual Sided Pushy (£16)

- Fashion Leopard Duo (£25)

- Onyx Value Set (£26)

- Tweezerman Promaster Lash Curler 

- Petite Tweeze Set (Red)

- Glitterati Python Print Slant Tweezer

Phew, there are a lot of products and I have tried most of them so far, including the fantastic Promaster Lash Curler which is designed for deep set or almond shaped eyes so it's perfect for me and it works so well as does the original that I use every time I wear mascara. I've also been loving the Compact Mirror as it not only contains two mirrors but one is 10x so I can see ALL of my pores *yay...* and it lights up too so it would be perfect for very precise tweezing and for travelling. 

There are also a few fantastic sets in this collection such as the Onyx Value Set which contains a mirror, great grip lash curler and mini slant tweezer - it would be a perfect gift for friends or sisters, in my opinion; as would the Brow Beauty Duo as it contains a cute pair of leopard tweezers and a 10x magnifying mirror - the perfect brow duo! The last set that I think would be a perfect stocking filler is the Petite Tweeze Set which comes with a pair of slant tweezers, point tweezers and a leather case for them; the tweezers and case are shimmery red so it would be ideal as a cute christmas gift. 

Overall, I think the whole collection is fantastic, so well made and the sets would make great christmas gifts as Tweezerman products can be a little pricey so some may not spend that much on themselves but I'm sure it would be a welcome and more unusual gift. I can definitely recommend Tweezerman products as I've bought them myself and the quality is amazing. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5. 

Have you tried any products from Tweezerman? What do you think of the gorgeous fall/winter collection?

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Oilixia Brilliance Facial Oil

When the weather becomes colder and the seasons change, my skin always becomes drier and dull so I introduce richer moisturisers, hydrating masks and nourishing serums and facial oils into my skincare routine. The lovely people at Oilixia kindly sent me their *Oilixia Brilliance Facial Oil (£37, 30ml) which instantly made it into my daily skincare routine. 

The facial oil contains kahai oil, IBR-TCLC and Gatuline In-Tense as well as retinol and plant oils rich in vitamins. Retinol is an effective and commonly used anti-ageing skincare ingredient. An Oilixia consumer study found that 94% of the women involved saw a visible improvement in skin softness and smoothness. 

I have been using the facial oil on and off for over one month as part of my evening skincare routine and I love it! I love the look of the packaging and bottle, it feels quite fancy and the pump is handy although I personally think a pipette may have been better as a dispenser. The oil feels rich and nourishing on the skin and it feels like an extra layer of protection and moisture over my dry, sensitive skin. I don't have to use a lot as a little goes a long way to making my skin look and feel so smooth, soft, plumped and moisturised almost instantly. The facial oil doesn't irritate my skin in any way!

Overall, I'm loving this facial oil as it gives my dull, dry skin a much needed boost of moisturise and it just plumps the skin and relieves the look of tired skin instantly. I use it as part of my evening skincare routine as it is a little too rich underneath makeup during the day. I would definitely recommend this facial oil if you have combination, dry or very dry skin. If you want to know my top tips for glowing skin, check out my guest post on the Oilixia blog. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5. 

Have you tried the Oilixia Brilliance Facial Oil? What are your autumn/winter skincare staples?

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Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep

Vichy is a french skincare brand that is raved about consistently in the beauty community. I have tried a couple of their products including the normaderm micellar solution and the thermal water spray both of which I loved at the time; so when I received the *Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep Recovery Night Gel Balm (£26.50, 50ml) I was excited to give it a go and not just because the packaging is so cute. 

The Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep is a gel consistency night moisturiser that contains LHA, Vitamin B3, Caffeine and hyaluronic acid which we all know is amazing for hydrating and plumping the skin. A good nights sleep is important as the skin repairs itself as you sleep so your skin needs to function at optimum levels during the night which may not happen if you have poor sleep quality. The Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep is the first night skincare product clinically proven to stimulate the skin's repair mechanisms as you sleep so even if you have only had a few hours sleep, your skin will still have gone through it's mechanisms needed to repair and regenerate itself which is something I've never come across in any skincare I've used and it's a very interesting concept!  

The product itself is light pink in colour and it has a very smooth gel like consistency that feels lightweight on the skin but it really smoothes over the skin and packs in a tonne of moisture. The moisturiser feels nourishing and comforting to use and it leaves the skin looking hydrated and plumped. I've been using it on and off as part of my evening skincare routine and it does really help reduce the look of dull and tired skin. It has a light sweet floral scent that not everyone will like but it personally doesn't irritate my skin. 

I think it's difficult to tell if the moisturiser itself is contributing to a less tired, dull and lacklustre complexion or if it actually does completely live up to those amazing claims but overall, I do see an improvement in my skin. My skin looks much more radiant, awake and more plumped when I use this moisturiser as part of my evening skincare routine. It doesn't irritate my skin although I don't put it around my eyes anyway which is where my skin is most sensitive. A little goes a long way so I think this one tub will last a while. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

Have you tried any products from Vichy? 

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Introducing: Barefoot SOS Skincare

As I have sensitive skin, I am always on the look out for great, natural brands and products that could be suitable for my dry, eczema prone skin. I've been lucky enough to find quite a few brands that tick all of my requirements over the past year or two. Barefoot SOS is an award winning natural skincare range that contains natural ingredients. They don't test on animals, the products are suitable for vegans and the products do not contain parabens, silicones, dyes, fragrance or sulphates which is fantastic!

The product I was most excited to try was the *Barefoot SOS Daily Replenishing Cream (£21, 30ml) which contains 98% natural ingredients and claims to reduce scarring, blemishes and rosacea as well as repairing against the effects of UV rays, intensely moisturising the skin and toning the skin which reduces the appearance of fine lines. 

The cream, to me, feels like a lightweight balm although it smoothes onto the skin so easily and even though initially it can look a little greasy it doesn't stay that way. I've been using it on the drier areas on my skin on and off over the past few weeks, especially around my nose and mouth because of a cold and it has been a lifesaver. The cream feels like a nourishing, moisturising barrier on the skin and it helps to relieve the look of dry and tired skin. A little goes a very long way so even though the tub looks a little small, it will last a long time. It hasn't irritated my eczema and it definitely feels like it is repairing and pampering my skin. The only negative point for me is the tub packaging which looks pretty but I would have personally preferred a tube container. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

I also have the *Barefoot SOS Face + Body Rescue Cream (£10.50) which may also be suitable for those with eczema and psoriasis as it is gentle, very moisturising and contains natural ingredients. I've been using the cream on the eczema on my hand and it definitely reduces the look and tight feel of the perpetual dryness associated with eczema and it doesn't irritate at all. As the cream is so rich, although it feels fairly light. I've been using it as a general hand cream and cuticle cream too. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

Overall, both products are fantastic basics to have in my skincare routine as they are natural and they don't irritate my skin at all. Both creams are so moisturising, nourishing and gentle so I know I will be getting even more use out of them over the upcoming colder months when my skin becomes dull and even drier. I would definitely recommend checking out this brand if you have dry and or sensitive skin - they also have lotions, cleansers, facial oils, body washes, serums and scalp treatments in the range, the latter I definitely want to try. 

Have you tried anything from Barefoot SOS? 

*Check out TreacleMoons new #BeYou campaign with the charity BulliesOut which is lovely idea about just being yourself and how we should all be ourselves as that is the best we can be - If you have time, check out the charity and spread the message that you should just #BeYou* 

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Naturisimo De-Stress + Unwind Discovery Box

Every month Naturisimo bring out fantastic value discovery boxes and this months box has to be my favourite by far! The theme of this months box is de-stressing and unwinding which are two of my favourites things to do, along with eating and writing!

The *Naturisimo De-stress and Unwind Discovery Box (£9.95) contains:

- Hydrea London Stress Spot Massager which is a unique product and even though over the past couple of years, I've bought so many beauty boxes, I've never received anything like this, it's basically a body massager. It has rows of rubber nodules which actually feel nice when rolled onto the skin. I think I could get use out of it although it will take some getting used to. 

- Scentered Stress Less Therapy Balm is a product I already have and I keep it in my bag as it is amazing for on the go stress relief and a pick me up - it's even great as a subtle solid perfume! I love mine and I'm glad I now have a back up!

- This Works Sleep Pillow Mist is something I've had my eye on for ages but as the full size is a little pricey for a pillow mist, in my opinion, I'm happy that a mini is included in the box. The mist smells so nice and relaxing, I've only just started using it on my pillow and pjyamas so I don't see any difference yet but fingers crossed.

- Pukka Tea Samples are a welcome addition for me as over the past year, after hating tea all of my life, I now love herbal, mint and green tea! The Love, Relax and Serene Jasmine Green Tea are included in this months box and I can't wait to try them as I already love Pukka tea (the triple mint tea is amazing!)

- ila Spa Bath Soak smells so relaxing and calming as it contains vetiver and petitgrain. I love bath products and I can't wait to try this one as I do tend to have more baths rather than showers during the colder months, anyone else?

- Dr Hauschka Calming Lavender & Soothing Almond Body Cream Sachets, now I have to be honest and say that I'm personally not a big fan of sachet body creams but I guess you do get to try the product once or twice to test it out. I've only tried the lavender one so far and I love it. 

Overall, I think this box is the best so far! I love the range of products and the theme, especially at this time of the year. I love the Scentered therapy balm and the This Works pillow mist so far; I can't wait to try the bath soak and tea. It's definitely worth the money especially because the value of the products is £28! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5. 

*Use the code: UNWIND at the checkout to receive 15% off any of the brands included in this months box*

Have you tried any of these products? Will you be purchasing the new Naturisimo box?

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