Scalp Saviour // E45 Shampoo Review

Sometimes products are not pretty or glamourous... this is one of those times. Over the past couple of years I have been struggling with my scalp. I have no idea what triggered it, but after one sunny holiday my poor head was never quite the same again. I am not sure if my issues are due to sun damage (always wear a hat folks!), but ever since I have had an extremely sensitive scalp. Oh so glamourous. 

Although I am fortunate not to suffer with any unsightly dandruff, I do get a very uncomfortable scalp. It often feels tight, itchy or sore and means that I have to wash my hair everyday in order to keep it comfortable. Over time I have tried many different shampoos and conditioners, but all have seemed to irritate my sensitive head - until now!

Feeling fed up with my poor head, I decided to try a few more specialist shampoos that are designed for either extreme sensitivity or dry conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Having tried similar products in the past I wasn't too hopeful, but decided to try the E45 shampoo as I had seen some positive reviews. The shampoo is perfume free and hypoallergenic and claims to be a 'gentle, effective shampoo for dry, itchy scalps...'. Even after first use I could tell that my head was happier. It felt somehow soothed and not at all irritated. Once dry my hair also felt incredibly soft - a pleasant surprise to say the least! 

Although it is still early days for my scalp, I feel that this shampoo has really helped me and I could not help but share my thoughts. If you are suffering from similar sensitivity issues I would really recommend giving E45 a try! E45 dry scalp shampoo retails for £5.89 for 200ml and is available to buy from Boots.

Estèe Lauder Zodiac Powder Compact Review // Virgo

Happy new year! After a break over the christmas period, I'm back (a little heavier) and looking forward to the next year in beauty. I also wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who followed my blog during 2013! I really appreciate all your lovely comments and support, and stay tuned as there is lots more to come this year.

I was lucky enough to receive some lovely christmas presents this year, including this beautiful limited edition Estèe Lauder zodiac compact*. Estèe Lauder always make such beautiful and luxurious products, but this compact feels truly special. It is a small yet weighty, gold coloured compact with a zodiac design (mine is virgo) and crystal detail on the front. What drew me to this compact was the design - it is gloriously vintage inspired with an art deco style and seems reminiscent of old school Hollywood glamour. Each star sign is represented with an individual design (12 in total), all of which are equally beautiful! 

The compact arrives in a lovely box, and is accompanied by a little blue velvet pouch in order to protect your compact from wear and tear. The powder itself is translucent and very good at getting rid of unwanted shine. The powder refills are pricey at £15, but I know that I will get a lot of use out of this compact for the mirror as well as the powder. This is definitely a keepsake product and I am sure I will be using it for many years to come. 

I have nothing negative to say about this compact at all! It is a joy to use and I feel oh so glamorous every time I bring it out of my handbag. The limited edition zodiac compact retails for £38.50 and is available from the Estèe Lauder website. Did you get any beauty presents this year?

* Item was a gift.

Foodie Faves // Nákd raw fruit and nut bars Review

I thought I would share my new favourite healthy snacks on the blog today as I have been enjoying them immensely. The product in question is the raw fruit and nut bars from nákd. I had previously never heard or tried anything from this brand, but on a food shop I noticed these bars and thought I would give them a try - and I am so glad that I did.

Firstly I love that these bars are individually wrapped and portable, so they can be easily thrown into a handbag and taken to work or school - no more excuses for buying a chocolate bar come midday! I have a sweet tooth and am often tempted to snack on sweets or biscuits, but in an attempt to be more healthy, I was looking for an alternative to those naughty treats. I like these nákd bars because they satisfy my sweet tooth whilst containing good raw ingredients. The bars consist of dates, cashews and raisins as the base ingredients, then depending on the flavour either some natural flavourings or cocoa is added. There is no added sugar or syrups, they are 100% vegan and count as 1 of your 5 a day (woohoo!). They are also gluten, wheat and dairy free. I like all the flavours from the range, but my personal favourite is the cocoa orange. It tastes indulgent, but minus the guilty conscience! 

With other flavours such as Ginger Bread, Caffé Mocha, Cocoa Mint, Cashew Cookie and Pecan Pie available I am eager to try some more varieties from the range! Nákd also make a protein crunch bar that sounds equally as delicious.

Nákd bars are available from Natural Balance Foods, Holland and Barrett, Amazon, Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury's. Do you have a favourite healthy snack? Have you tried anything from nákd before? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Max Benjamin // Mimosa & Sweet Amber Natural Wax Candle Review

I am a fully-fledged candle lover. There is something lovely about lighting a candle in the evening and relaxing whilst the warm glow and scent fills the room. In winter I find myself using candles more regularly as they help to get me into the festive spirit. The latest addition to my candle collection is the Mimosa & Sweet Amber candle from Max Benjamin. Max Benjamin is an Irish company that creates hand-made candles in County Wicklow. They use a 'blend of pure natural waxes, essential oils and lead free wicks' meaning that their candles are made from 100% natural resources. The wax itself is created from Soy beans and other natural waxes, which means that it does not contain paraffin. This results in the candle burning cleanly without petrol-carbon soot. 

The Mimosa & Sweet Amber scent has the most incredible fresh yet sweet smell, and unlike some scented candles that I have tried in the past, this candle is strongly scented and fills the room with scent. Max Benjamin describe this scent as 'delicate top notes of green leaf, a gentle heart of mimosa, with soothing elements of sweet ambered sandal.' It is certainly a calm and relaxing scent, ideal for cold evenings in.

I have thoroughly enjoyed burning this candle and adore the Max Benjamin brand! I will definitely be exploring more of their scents in the future. I think that these candles would make a lovely gift as they feel very luxurious and are of such a high quality. Max Benjamin also have a fantastic selection of reed diffusers and skincare items - so there is something for everyone! 

The Max Benjamin candles retail for £19.95 and are available from the Max Benjamin website, House of Fraser and Ocado. Do you have a favourite candle?

How To: Make a Banana Loaf // Recipe

This is a recipe that I have been using for many years. When I have left-over bananas that need to be used, or I fancy making a quick and easy cake for friends or family, this is the recipe that I reach for! You can make a plain banana loaf, or you can easily jazz up this recipe by adding nuts, raisins, chocolate or even nutella! This recipe is incredibly versatile, so why not experiment and try adding your own extra ingredients? 

To make this yummy banana loaf...

Equipment:

• A mixing bowl
• A fork
• A spoon
• An Oven
• A loaf tin
• Loaf tin liner (optional)
• Scales

Ingredients: 

• Bananas (ripe) - 2 
• Self-raising flour - 8oz (227g)
• Margarine - 2oz (57g)
• Caster Sugar - 5oz (142g)
• Eggs - 2
• Nuts/Raisins/Chocolate/Nutella - optional

Step 1. In a mixing bowl, mash the bananas until soft with a fork.

Step 2. Measure out the sugar, margarine and add to the mixing bowl. Cream together with the eggs.

Step 3. Measure out and add the self-raising flour. Stir until the mixture has combined.

Step 4. Add any additional ingredients such as nuts, raisins, chocolate pieces or nutella. I chose to add a handful of chopped walnuts.

Step 5. Add the mixture to a greased or lined loaf tin. Bake at gas mark 5 (375°F/190°C) for 40 - 45 minutes, or until golden brown.

Step 6. Check that the loaf is baked by inserting a skewer and checking that it comes out clean. If it is, remove the loaf from the oven and allow it to cool on a cooling rack.

Step 7. Eat and enjoy your banana loaf! It makes the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea.

This recipe is so quick and easy to recreate and makes a very tasty loaf. Let me know if you try this recipe! I would love to hear your thoughts.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze Body Lotion // Review

I am naturally pale and sometimes find myself yearning for a warmer skin-tone. At these times I like to use a gradual tanner, nothing too obvious but something to add a hint of colour to my fair complexion. I have experimented with a few gradual tanners over the years - some too orangey, some too dark, some too light, but think that I have finally found my ideal gradual tan in the form of Palmer's Natural Bronze.

The Palmer's Natural Bronze Body Lotion appealed to me as I have loved the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion for many years. The Natural Bronze lotion has the same delicious cocoa butter scent of the original, but with the added benefit of a gradual tan. I found that this product creates an easily build-able tan, and with one application over night I wake up with a noticeable hint of colour which lasts me a good 3 to 4 days before I have to reapply. If you prefer a darker tan you can easily build up the colour by applying the product more regularly. This lotion creates a natural looking colour and I have had no problems with patchiness or streaking as it is very easy to apply. I love the addition of a pump to the packaging. Not only can you control how much product you use, but it also results in clean mess-free applications.

The lotion itself is quite thick for a gradual tan, meaning that it is incredibly moisturising. Formulated with Vitamin E, I found that the lotion kept my skin feeling soft and supple. The Palmer's range is also against animal testing and is paraben free - hoorah!

The only downside to this product is that the smell does develop from the lovely cocoa butter scent, to the classic fake tan smell. For this reason I prefer to use the lotion over night so that I can wash of the scent in the morning. The scent however does not put me off using the product as the results are the best that I have encountered from a gradual tan. The cocoa butter formula also seems to make the fake tan smell less obnoxious than usual, which can only be a bonus. 

This product has definitely become my favourite gradual tan, and I will be repurchasing it as soon as I run out! The Palmer's Natural Bronze body lotion retails for £5.35 for 250ml, and is available from Boots and Superdrug. Do you have a go-to tanning product? 

Carmex Moisture Plus - Berry Tinted Lip Balm Review

There is nothing worse than chapped flaky lips. It can be both uncomfortable and unflattering, and as we approach the winter months the colder weather draws out more moisture from our skin. To tackle the issue of dry lips I always carry a lip balm with me. I have tried numerous brands over the years, but Carmex is one that I have always found  to be extremely effective.

Rather than repurchasing the standard Carmex in a pot, I thought that I would try the Moisture Plus Tinted version instead. These 'ultra hydrating' lip balms come in a handy tube and are available in four shades - Clear, Peach, Pink and Berry. I opted for the berry shade as I thought it sounded the most autumnal. I found the shade to be more red than berry, but nonetheless a lovely colour. The pigmentation is sheer so ideal for day-to-day wear and adds just a hint of colour to the lips. The finish is slightly glossy, but not as glossy as a lip gloss.

As for moisturisation, I found this product to be incredibly hydrating and tackled any stubbon dry patches. When using this lip balm, my lips were kept hydrated for a few hours before having to reapply. Pretty good going for a tinted lip balm! According to the packaging the balm is formulated with Vitamin E, Aloe, Shea Butter and SPF 15. The balm was easy to apply and is very convenient as you do not need a mirror. It has a pleasant scent - the traditional Carmex smell with a hint of vanilla. Noticeable, but nothing too overpowering.

Overall I have really been enjoying this lip balm and have been reaching for it whenever I feel that my lips are getting a bit dry. I think that this product will quickly become a winter handbag essential! The Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balms retail for £4.49 and are available from Boots, Superdrug and Feel Unique.

Do you have a go-to lip balm for the colder months? Let me know your favourites!