/

Father’s Day Gift Guide 2023

This post contains gifted items:

If you have been a reader for a while you will know that I love putting together gift guides.

With Father’s Day approaching, it can be difficult to decide what to buy, especially if you have multiple people to buy for.

For me, I usually have to decide on presents for my dad, my step dad, my father in law and my grandad. It can get difficult trying to pick what to buy everyone and I don’t always have time to go shopping so I like to source things that can be purchased online and delivered to my house or direct!

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

CORE PROTECTION AERO GLOVES – NEON GALAXY

£23.95

These gloves from skates.co.uk would be the perfect gift if he is into skating or biking as they provide a good amount of protection and come in a wide range of designs and colours. My husband loves this brand for mountain biking gloves!

Skates.co.uk have such a great range of protection as well as skateboards, skates, scooters and shoes. They are all priced really well so it’s worth checking them out.

DC PURE LOW RISE SKATE SHOES – WHITE / BLACK / GREEN

£19.95

These trainers are also from skates.co.uk and are perfect to wear when skateboarding. They have a good grip on the bottom and I personally love this brand for skate wear. They are well made and a great price!

FRAGRANCE

DOLMA PERFUMES – DISCOVERY BOX SET

4 x 9ml Aftershave / Cologne

£25.95

Dolma have a good range of scents for men, they are all vegan fragrances and are in nice looking bottles. I have tried their female range before and was really impressed with them.

They have four men’s vegan aftershaves, each of which has its individual hints and tones. The classic Sirius is a timelessly masculine blend while Freedom offers a fresh and woody smell. Kwame is fresh and fun, making it perfect for daily wear in recreational settings while Imagine is fruity and uplifting.

This is a great way to try all of their four fragrances before committing to buying one in a larger bottle. If you struggle to pick a scent for someone else then this is a really good idea.

DOUVALL’S – PRE AND POST TOILET SPRAY

£14

I find this spray to be quite heavily scented which is good as you don’t need to use much so will last a long time. It’s in a good size bottle to keep in the bathroom and doesn’t look too unsightly when left out on the side.

I like how all of Douvall’s sprays are all made with natural oils so they don’t include nasty chemicals.

FOOD & DRINK

WARRIOR CRUNCH BARS

£16.99 for a box of 12 bars

These bars come in a great range of flavours, the newest ones being peanut butter cup and peanut butter & jelly.

They are packed with 24 grams of high-quality milk protein and less than 4 grams of sugar, making them the perfect snack for anyone simply seeking a healthy treat, without compromising on taste and enjoyment.

A perfect gift for someone that likes a treat but is more health and fitness conscious.

VIRGINIA HAYWARD – FATHER’S DAY GIFT HAMPER

£27.50

This is a great hamper for your dad this year. It has such a good selection of gifts in and it comes packaged really well.

It contains:
‘Busy Being a Dad’ mug
Mighty Fine Milk Chocolate Honeycomb Bar
GNAW Milk Chocolate Buttons
Salted Caramel Popcorn from Popcorn Shed.
Desert Salt and Vinegar Potato Crisps from Savoursmiths
Jar of The Dormen Caramelised Peanuts

Virginia Hayward have a great range of hampers to suit any recipient and any budget so they are always worth checking out.

GOURMET COCKTAIL – GINS

£8 each

Gourmet Cocktails are either gin or rum based and I tried out their variety of gin ones. They come in a few different flavours:

Strawberry crush, Gin eclipse and Blue raspberry.

I love the blue raspberry, it’s like an adult slush puppie! They are all really refreshing, just simply pour over ice and it’s as easy as that.

Each recyclable 330ml bottle contains enough for 2.5 cocktails so they are great for sharing!

These are great for anyone that likes to enjoy cocktails but doesn’t want the faff of making them themselves or having to buy all the different ingredients separately.

SWEET BOX – JELLY SWEET BOX

£6.99 for 400g

The jelly sweet box contains a great selection of more than 10 different jelly sweets. This is a must have for those who aren’t as keen on sour or fizzy sweets and it contains a wide selection of the nations most loved gummy and jelly sweets.

It’s really good value and you can pick from different size boxes or can go for a fizzy option if you prefer.

It arrives in airtight polythene food-grade packaging.

Use code SARAHSWEETS for 15% off 🙂

SIMPLY CAKE CO – MONTHLY SPECIALS

£16.49

This box has a nice range of treats in. It includes:

Brookie, Amber Toblerone Brownie and Raspberry Bakewell Blondie

This is the perfect gift for anyone with a sweet tooth and they have change the flavours monthly. You can pick from different size packs and there really is something for everyone. They do vegan options too.

SIMPLY CAKE CO – FATHER’S DAY COMBO BOX

£13.99

Simply Cake Co have a great range of treats which you can buy in lots of different variations of boxes.
This combo features a slab of chocolate brownie and a giant cookie. It stays fresh for up to two weeks and you can personalised the brownie with your own photo as well.

I have had these brownie slabs before and they are one of the tastiest brownies I have ever had and they fit through the letterbox!

SIMPLY CAKE CO – FATHER’S DAY PHOTO BROWNIE SLAB

£9.99

This giant brownie slab taste so good and you can either have a picture on there or pick text. All of their options are letterbox friendly and they stay fresh for two weeks and taste so good!

CLEANCO – CLEAN W

£16

CleanCo is a premium non-alcoholic spirit brand, who offer a selection of premium non-alcoholic spirits that taste just like the real thing across gin, rum, agave spirit, vodka and whiskey.

Clean W is their Bourbon Whiskey, but without the alcohol. A characteristic Bourbon nose with classic notes, oak and sweet vanilla, underpinned by rich spice, apple and figs, with a smooth finish.

It has a great taste and is ideal for someone that doesn’t drink alcohol, maybe due to health reasons or they can’t drink with medication or something but they really miss the taste.

SKINCARE

COSRX – SALICYLIC ACID DAILY GENTLE CLEANSER

£18

This cleanser gently removes impurities and excess sebum while fighting acnes and blemishes, leaving skin soft and smooth without the stripping feeling.

A great gift for anyone that likes to take care of their skin but wouldn’t usually splash out on skincare themselves.

RUBIS – CLASSIC SLANTED TWEEZERS

£25.30

I love my pair of Rubis tweezers and they are my favourite ones to use as they are sharp and precise as well as being easy to use so I would definitely recommend this brand.

They are made from rustproof stainless steel and are tested individually for balance and performance. These would be a great gift idea and they come in a range of different colours.

DOUVALL’S – MOISTURISING ARGAN STICK BALM

£23

This multi use balm can be used on dry areas on the face, under eyes, lips, body, as well as calloused feet, cuticles and even sunburn.

It smells really good and you only need a small amount to hydrate the skin without leaving it greasy.

SOS SERUM – SOS ESSENTIALS TRAVEL COLLECTION

£25.00

This set includes six travel size products in a handy little pouch. It is a great way to try their range of products before committing to buying full size or it can be good for anyone that travels a lot.

It includes: SOS Cleanse, SOS Serum, SOS H20 Day Cream SPF 30, SOS SPF 50 Sun Cream, SOS Night Cream, SOS Protect Hand Sanitiser

MVRCK BY MITCH – COOLING AFTERSHAVE

£17.95

This Paul Mitchell aftershave is a great way to prevent ingrown hairs and razor burn. It’s cooling as well as moisturising and soothing.

This would be a good gift for anyone that likes to groom themselves and maybe wouldn’t usually splurge on something like this for themselves.

HAIRCARE

MANTA – CLASSIC BLACK BRUSH

£30

Not only is it important to use good quality products to wash and style your hair with, it’s also important to use a good brush.

This is my new favourite hair brush as it really helps to get tangled out whilst being gentle to your hair. It is comfortable to hold and glides through my hair well.

A must have for anyone that likes to take care of their hair.

MITCH – REFORMER

£11.69

This hair texturizer helps to hold your hair in place whilst making it appear thicker and with more volume. It’s easy to you and you only need a small amount. It has a matte finish and smells really good too.

A must have for anyone fussy about styling their hair as it does everything you need from a styling product for short hair.

MVRCK BY MITCH – DRY PASTE

£23.80

Another great hair drying product is this Paul Mitchell styling paste. This also has a matte finish but has a medium hold and is really manageable to apply.

This new MVRCK range is a great addition to Paul Mitchell’s ever growing portfolio.

MITCH – CONSTRUCTION PASTE

£9.99

If they prefer to be able to adjust their hair throughout the day or don’t like the feel of a stronger hold then this paste is a must have. It has a great scent, it’s easy to apply and even once dried it can still be manipulated.

HOMEWARE

ASDA PHOTO – PHOTO SLATE

£11

I wanted to get a nice photo of my cats for my husband to display.

I have used Asda before for personalised products and have always been impressed with the price and quality. The picture is printed on a piece of slate with a stand and you can have it made in various sizes. I thought this would look really nice on display.

ASDA PHOTO – PERSONALISED MEGA MUG

£10

The delicate porcelain mug is a personal and unique gift for yourself or a loved one. It comes in different sizes and the image is centrally placed covering a wide area for maximum personalisation, you can add photos or text and really make it your own.

I hope I have inspired you and given you some good ideas 🙂

Sarah x

/

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2023

This post contains gifted items:

Some people celebrate Valentine’s day, and others don’t, it’s a personal preference. If you are looking to get your special someone a gift, I have put together a few ideas. You could even treat yourself if you see something you like!

HAIRCARE

Manta Classic Healthy Hair Brush – Pink

£25

Not only is it important to use good products to wash and style your hair with, it’s also important to use a good brush.

This is my new favourite hair brush as it really helps to get tangled out whilst being gentle to your hair. It is comfortable to hold and glides through my hair well.

A must have for anyone that likes to take care of their hair.

Paul Mitchell – Clean Beauty Repair Shampoo

£24.50

Paul Mitchell are a great haircare brand that have just bought out the new clean beauty repair range. This range is ideal for anyone with damaged hair.

The shampoo helps to clean your hair without stripping out colour or drying it out. It lathers well and smells really nice.

Paul Mitchell – Clean Beauty Repair Conditioner

£26.75

The conditioner helps to smooth out the ends and leaves my hair feeling softer and stopped my hair looking so frizzy and my split ends don’t look so bad. It smells good and really helps to make my hair look in better condition. This range would be a good treat for anyone looking to grow longer healthier hair.

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree – Lavender Mint Moisturising Shampoo

£9.95

I love the scent as it’s really relaxing to use this when having a bath. It left my hair really soft and hydrated as well as leaving it really clean.

This range is a great treat for your hair and would make a good gift.

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree – Lavender Mint Moisturising Conditioner

£23.05

This smells amazing and used together with the shampoo it left my hair so soft and hydrated. It helps with frizz and any damage. Another great choice for anyone that’s looking to improve their hair quality but wouldn’t usually treat themselves.

SKINCARE

Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash

£27

The signature Ren scent will linger on your skin after using this in the bath or shower. It helps to clean your skin whilst leaving it soft and smelling amazing. A little goes a long way and it lathers up well.

Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Ultra-Moisture Body Oil

£38

I love the Ren Moroccan rose range and always have done. This oil smells amazing, as does everything else in the range! You only need a small amount and it makes your skin so soft. It would make the ideal gift for someone that loves a good pamper or deserves one!

Environ – Focus Care Moisture+ Hydrating Serum

£77

This is light enough to be used in the day but can also be used at night if you prefer. It has a nice subtle scent and would be perfect for anyone that loves skincare.

It soaks well into your skin and you only need a small amount to cover vour whole face. It leaves your face looking plumper and more hydrated and I really like the feel of my skin after using it.

Environ – Focus Care Moisture+ Hydrating Oil Capsules

£54

The capsules contain antioxidants that are proven to combat the visible signs of ageing. They are filled with oil and easy to use.

They assist in enriching skin with natural surface oils, leaving it looking visibly refreshed and energised. A must have for anyone that loves to try new facial products.

Kora Organics Berry Bright Vitamin C Eye
Cream

£51

This brightening eye cream smells really good and is really nice to apply around your eyes.

You only need a small pea sized amount to wake up your eyes. This is great if you have had a late night or even to use to soothe your eye area during hayfever season! Eye cream is an important part of your skincare routine and is often forgotten about so this would be a great thoughtful gift.

SOS Lip

£16

This lip treatment moisturises your lips whilst protecting them throughout the day with SPF. You can wear it alone or as a primer for lipstick to help your lipstick last longer and not dry your lips out.

You only need a small amount and it works really well. If you put it on before bed then your lips feel so hydrated by morning.

Embryolisse Lait-Creme

£24.99

This can be used as: Moisturiser, Primer, Make-up remover, Repairing masque or After-shave product. It is a great multi functional cream so can be great for anyone’s make up bag!

It’s is a great moisturiser to use morning or evening. This time of year my skin gets so dry from the weather and from having the heating on etc. It soaks in well and leaves your skin feeling hydrated.

Rubis Classic Heart Tweezers

£27.50

I love my pair of Rubis tweezers and they are my favourite ones to use as they are sharp and precise as well as being easy to use so I would definitely recommend this brand.

They are made from rustproof stainless steel and are tested individually for balance and performance. These would be a great gift idea and they come in a range of different colours.

Blanka Soap – Indulgent Bath Set – Moonlight And Roses

£29.99

This set includes:

– Moonlight and Roses Gently Purifying Soap Bar with French Pink Clay

– Moonlight and Roses Natural Hand and Body Wash

– Moonlight and Roses Luxurious Bath Oil

I love the scent of these and this comes packaged nicely in a box so would make a great gift.

I love the bath oil, it’s so relaxing and calming. The body wash lathers well and leaves your hands and body feeling soft and leaves you smelling really nice.

Douvalls Argan Skincare Candle – Forbidden Spices

£45

This skincare candle comes in a range of scents and the concept of it is really special. It is blended with nourishing oils, such as cocoa butter and argan oil which is high in vitamin E, antioxidants and essential fatty acids to nourish, soothe, and repair dry skin.

Once you start burning the candle, not only can you enjoy the aroma as it burns but you then use the melted candle to poor over yourself or your partner as a massage oil. It smells amazing and leaves your skin so soft.

Crème Du Loch – Age Defying Daily Eye Concentrate

£65

Crème Du Loch are a family owned, British, luxury skincare brand dedicated to producing the finest cruelty free and vegan skincare products; using high grade skin nourishing ingredients which are responsibly sourced.

The eye concentrate reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, reduces the look of dark circles and soothes away any puffiness. It does all of this whilst providing your eye area with much needed hydration and nourishment.

It smells really good and you only need a small amount and it soaks in really well. It’s perfect to use before bed so it can work well overnight.

You can use the following code: STM20 for 20% off from the 1st of Feb until the 14th of Feb

Crème Du Loch – Age Defying Daily Serum

£60

This serum helps to reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, tightens pores, improves skin texture and evens skin tone. It is great if you have dry skin and you are looking for something to help moisture your face whilst helping with other skin issues.

As with their whole range, you don’t need to use much and it soaks in well.

You can use the following code: STM20 for 20% off from the 1st of Feb until the 14th of Feb

Crème Du Loch – Age Defying Moisturiser

£50

This award winning moisturiser is one of my favourite skincare products. It is suitable for any skin type and smells really fresh and clean when you apply it to your face.

A little goes a long way and it soaks in well. It’s important to use anti aging creams before aging becomes an issue.

It helps with reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes, tightening pores, improving skin texture and evening skin tone whilst promoting a radiant glow.

You can use the following code: STM20 for 20% off from the 1st of Feb until the 14th of Feb

Crème Du Loch – Mini Spatula & Massager

£5

This spatula is made of solid, recyclable metal and luxuriously gold plated. It is a must have for anyone that uses skincare products from a jar so you don’t have to use your finger to get the product out and also means it will dispense the perfect amount of product for you to use.

You can also use this to massage around the eye area.

You can use the following code: STM20 for 20% off from the 1st of Feb until the 14th of Feb

Teddy Eva Scents – Donut Bath Bombs

£1.99 each

These beautiful looking bath bombs come in a range of flavours(well, scents!). These two are lemon meringue and blackberry & almond. They both smell so good!

I love how they are made to look like donuts and they come individually wrapped if you buy multiple bombs so this helps to keep them fresh and holds the scent. They fizz really well and make a for a really colourful bath. Ideal for anyone that loves a good pamper!

Teddy Eva Scents – Mini Bath Bombs Tub

£3.99

These tubs come full of little bath bombs that can be used one or two at a time to help you relax in the bath. I have been using the pina colada ones and it reminds me so much of being on holiday and the bathroom smells like a coconut paradise!

These come in a good variety of scents and are in a cute little brown tub.

HOMEWARE

The Brunel Museum – London Brick Candle

£22

This double wick candle in the style of a london brick comes in two different options: Fired Clay or Thames Drift. This makes a really unique gift and they have so many other great gift ideas available from the Brunel Museum shop.

Beach Art Glass – Hanging Heart Decoration

£25

Beach Art Glass craft handmade glass jewellery using lampwork and the finest source of glass from the isle of Murano, Italy, and locally sourced silver from the UK. They have a great range of jewellery as well as decorations.

This hanging heart has been specially designed this valentine’s day and you can tell how much love and care has gone into it. It’s a great ornament that can be hung up anywhere around the house or can be made into a key ring or pendent.

They have a great range of DIY kits as well which would make a great gift!

Teddy Eva Scents – Lemongrass & Lime Candle

£14.99

Teddy Eva have a great range of candles, they all come beautifully packaged in a pink jar with a wooden lid, inside a card container with metal lid. Having this extra packaging really makes it look a lot more expensive and considering how strong the scent is, it’s such an affordable candle.

It has a wooden wick and a the smell will last the whole time it burns. They have some great tips on their site of how to burn candles safely and make them last longer!

I love this scent and they also do it in fresh linen which sounds amazing.

Teddy Eva Scents – Teddy Pots

£1.20 each

As well as candles, Teddy Eva Scents have an amazing range of wax melts. These wax melts coke in such a variety of scents, there are honestly so many to pick from. It is a great way to try a variety of scents and once you find what you like then you can buy the larger clamshell packs.

These are great value and even after burning for a few hours, the scents still linger and are long lasting. I love the fruity loopies one best!

Teddy Eva Scents – Brittle

£2.99 each

A great alternative to the little pots if you are wanting a larger pack of wax. These packs come in a good variety of scents and you can also break the pieces down if you want them smaller and even mix and match complimenting scents.

I love how pretty the starry night one is when it’s burns. Wax melts can be such a great alternative to a candle and I really am impressed with the quality of these ones and just how many different scent options there are!

NAILCARE

Earthy Nail Polishes

Pink Petunia / Coral Reef / Pink Jasmin

£7.99 each

These nail polishes are vegan and cruelty free and the brand have replaced the single use plastic cap with highly sustainable bamboo and all seals within the cap are made from 100% post-consumer plastic.

They come in a good variety of shades and are highly pigmented so you can get away with just one coat.

FRAGRANCE

Grazia Parfum

£48

A new perfume is always a good gift idea. This new release from Grazia and comes in a beautifully designed bottle. It is a very delicate fruity scent and a great feminine scent.

Top notes of Italian lemon spring, grapefruit and blackcurrant.

Base notes of sandalwood, white musk and cedar ground the fragrance adding a layer of sophistication.

TECHNOLOGY

Soundcore by Anker Life Q35 Multi Mode Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

£119.99

These Life Q35s have now become my new favourite accessory and I love how comfortable they are.

I had been struggling with in ear ones due to having so many ear piercings I would always end up taking them out to be able to wear them comfortably but with over the ear headphones they can all stay in!

They connect easily via bluetooth to my phone so I can listen to spotify through them and also pause and adjust the volume directly on the headphones.

The perfect gift for anyone that likes to listen to music on the go.

CARDS

Love Layla Designs – Cards

£3.95 each

Most of us spend so much time looking for the perfect gift we forget about finding the perfect card. Love Layla have such a great range of cards, there really is something for everyone.

You don’t necessarily have to get someone a gift this year, just a thoughtful card is enough!

Use code TM10 for 10% off everything on their site 🙂

FOOD & DRINK

Il Gusto – I LOVE U Tasting Set

£34.95

This boxed set contains: The Fresh Sour Cherry Vodka(15%), Sweet And Simple Pink Gin(40%), Tangy Sweet And Fruity Blood Orange Gin(32%), Luxurious Turkish Delight With Hints Of Rose Petals And Delicate Mint(25%), Fruity And Tangy Blood Orange Vodka(18%), Sweet Zesty Pink Vodka(37%), Citrusy But Refreshing Pink Grapefruit Gin(36%), Rare Relaxing Raspberry Gin(20%)

It is a great way to try out the different flavours and ideal for an vodka and gin lover. The bottles all spell out a special message.

Il Gusto are running a giveaway on Facebook & Instagram to win this set between the 9th and 12th of February so make sure you enter!

The Brunel Museum – London Brick Chocolate

£12.50

This vegan chocolate is made in small batches over three days, using only the rarest and finest Criollo and Trinitario cocoa beans. The bean to bar craft chocolate is a collaboration between two London makers, brick sixty and Lucocoa.

Another great unique gift idea and perfect for any chocolate lover.

Simply Cake Co – February Specials

£16.49

This box has a nice range of treats in. It includes:

Lemon & Raspberry Blondie

Cookies n’ Cream Rocky Road

Strawberry & Chocolate Brownie

This is the perfect gift for anyone with a sweet tooth and they have a good range of boxes to pick from. You can pick from different flavours and also different size packs. There really is something for everyone. They do vegan options too.

Simply Cake Co – Brownie Tray

£16.49

Simply Cake Co have a great range of treats which you can buy in lots of different variations of boxes.

This brownie tray featured a slab of chocolate brownie and it stays fresh for up to two weeks and you can personalised the brownie with different phrases.

I have had these brownie slabs before and they are on of the tastiest brownies I have ever had and they fit through the letterbox!

Viners – 5 Piece Cheese Serving Set

£30.50

A great gift for any cheese lover. I love the marble detail on the board and the fact that the wooden holder is magnetic so it keeps all of the knives neat and safe.

It also looks good on display when not in use. As the board is made from stone rather than wood it helps to keep the cheese stay cool.

Virginia Hayward – Chocolate Indulgence Hamper

£34.99

This hamper includes a great selection of treats for yourself or your loved one. The hot chocolate stirring spoon is my favourite thing, followed by the nut mix. Most of the products included are chocolate orange so if you know a big chocolate orange fan this is a must have.

Virginia Hayward always have a really good range of hampers, there’s something to suit everyone and for a variety of budgets.

ACCESSORIES

Trendhim – Silver Tone Cuff Bracelet

£18

This slip on bracelet is available in silver, gold and black and can also be engraved with a personal message.

It is a great gift for a man(or woman!) that has everything or that is hard to buy for. It’s comfortable to wear and comes in different sizes and looks really expensive and posh!

I hope I have given you some good ideas 🙂

Sarah x

/

Masami Haircare

This post contains gifted products:

Masami is a clean premium haircare brand that uses a Japanese ocean botanical that’s all about hydration.

Masami works for virtually every hair type and texture and they are vegan & cruelty free.

I have been using the Mekabu shampoo and conditioner for the last couple of weeks to see what it did to my hair.

The first thing I noticed when using these two products was the beautiful scent. Paired together they leave your hair smelling amazing.

The shampoo doesn’t lather much which is good for colour treated hair as it means less fading. You only need a small amount and it feels like you have given your hair a really good clean with just one wash.

With the conditioner, you also don’t need a lot and it feels really silky as you apply it to the ends of your hair. I noticed after using it that my hair was easier to comb when wet.

After using these several times I noticed when I left my hair to air dry it was as knotty and frizzy and it looked softer as well as smoother.

Really impressed with both products and will most likely purchase more in the future.

Sarah x

/

Trying out a few new hair products

This post contains gifted products:

Paul Mitchell – Clean beauty repair shampoo

Paul Mitchell are a great haircare brand that have just bought out the new clean beauty repair range. This is ideal for anyone with damaged hair.

The shampoo helps to clean your hair without stripping out colour or drying it out. It lathers well and smells really nice.

Paul Mitchell – Clean beauty repair conditioner

The conditioner helps to smooth out the ends and leaves my hair feeling softer and stopped my hair looking so frizzy and my split ends don’t look so bad. It smells good and really helps to make my hair look in better condition.

Paul Mitchell – Clean beauty repair leave-in treatment

Using this after the shampoo and conditioner from this range has really helped the appearance of my hair. This can be put on damp hair and left in to help smooth the frizz out of your hair. Really impressed with this range.

Manta – Healthy hair brush

Not only is it important to use good products to wash and style your hair with, it’s also important to use a good brush. I have been using this on damp and dry hair and it works a lot better than a wide comb for damp hair. It is comfortable to hold and glides through my hair well.

Sarah x

/

Christmas Gift Guide Series 2021 : Beauty & Haircare

This post contains gifted products:

Every year I like to put together a gift guide for Christmas. It can often be hard to buy for some people and I always struggle with thinking of ideas for certain people so like to plan ahead and share my ideas if anyone else is struggling!

Beauty & Haircare

Colour Me Beautiful – The Warm Collection

£75 for the set, it contains the following which can be purchased individually:

Colour Me Beautiful – Cream Lipstick

Shade Red Velvet

£14.90

Colour Me Beautiful – Refillable Compact (Empty)

£9.95

Colour Me Beautiful – Blush Powder Refill

Shade Salmon

£8.95

Colour Me Beautiful – Lip Gloss/ Cream Blush Refill

Shade Sunset Glow

£9.95

Colour Me Beautiful – Highlighter

Shade Golden Sand

£9.95

Colour Me Beautiful – Intense Eyeshadow

Shade Olive

£8.25

Colour Me Beautiful – Eyeshadow

Shades Cocoa, Smoke and Melon

£7.95 each

This is a really beautiful set of different complementing warm shades. They have so may other shades to pick from so you can build your own set depending on your colour preferences and you can create a unique set. Colour Me Beautiful’s refillable make-up compacts make perfect gifts and contain everything you need to ensure that mistakes in your make-up bag become a thing of the past. Available in either Cool or Warm each set comprises 4 eye shadows, 1 blush powder, 1 highlighter and a multi-purpose cream blush that can be used on cheeks or lips. Each compact also comes with a festive red lipstick, designed to complement the shades in the make-up palate, Red Carpet for the Cool and Red Velvet for the Warm collection.

ink Skincare – The One With Everything In It

£44.95

This set includes:

ink dip – cleansing face wash 100ml

This wash is easy to use and it cleanses your face without drying it out. I love the simple packaging of this range and it would be a great gift for anyone into skincare looking to try something new.

ink drop – face lotion with CBD 50ml

I like the way this feels when you apply it to your face and it soaks in well without leaving your face feeling greasy. It smells really good too.

ink spot – breakout balm with CBD 15ml

-anti inflammatory
-repairs and restores
-calming and soothing
-suitable for all skin types

This is great at calming any problem areas and is handy to keep in your bag.

ink wipe – cotton exfoliating cloth – pack of two

The cloths that come with the set feel really nice to use and they wash well.

FrizzBombUk – Microfibre Hair Wrap

£14.95

Available in purple, blue or pink

Microfibre Hair Wraps are so good for your hair if you are trying to prevent damage and frizz. Using one of these instead of a towel makes your hair smoother whilst it dries.
It also allows hair to soak in its moisture after washing and is so much better for your hair. Surprising how noticeable the difference is!

Seekology – Kind 2 – The sensitive one shampoo bar

£12.50

This is gentle and shine enhancing solid shampoo bar for dry, flaky or itchy scalps.  It is100% plastic free and lasts for 60 washes which is equivalent to 2 bottles of liquid shampoo. It lathers well and I cant believe how long it lasts! Doesn’t take up much space either if you find a nice little box to store it in between uses.

Splosh – Luxurious Shampoo

£3.45

This luxurious shampoo will leave your hair soft and shiny. It’s packed full of moisturisers including coconut oil, while the naturally derived ingredients will give you a refreshing and revitalising wash. It’s the world’s first liquid shampoo that you mix at home by adding water – so it’s a small revolution in a beautiful bottle. By refilling this way you are cutting down on transport and cutting out plastic waste. Really impressive!

Splosh – Moisturising Conditioner

£4.95

Prepare to be impressed by Splosh conditioner – with so many naturally derived ingredients your hair will be left feeling soft and shiny. It contains ingredients to moisturise, detangle and soften your hair. These include argan oil with its high content of vitamins and nutrients, shea butter to help repair split ends and castor oil to keep your hair shiny and glossy.

This unique cruelty free formulation was created after months of testing and is the world’s first conditioner to be refilled by a concentrate – just add water and shake.

Splosh – Shower Gel

£2.95

Their luxurious shower gel is rich in lather and packed with natural moisturising ingredients. Natural essential oils add beautiful scent and its available in three different scents. Best of all, the bottle is refillable so you’ve cut your plastic waste. For for a shower gel of this quality, it’s excellent value. This product is cruelty free, vegan friendly as well.

Neve’s Bees – Bee Happy Body Oil

£20

I am a massive fan of the brand and haven’t been disappointed with this body oil. 

It is a beautifully nourishing, lightweight body oil for soft, supple skin that glows with natural health. Enriched with a bright and cheerful citrus blend of pure natural essential oils to bring a smile to your face. Our blend of natural oils for skin care is suitable for all over body use and great to use after a bath, shower or dip in the great outdoors on slightly damp skin.

Grapefruit – “the ultimate party starter” and one of the most popular citrus oils in aromatherapy, with its uplifting and zingy fragrance that never fails to bring a welcome boost to the senses
Sweet Orange – adds a touch of cheer and help to create a positive, invigorating atmosphere
Bergamot – uplifting and calming, we’ve added it here to help with anxious and sad feelings
Jasmine –one of the most popular of all floral oils used in aromatherapy today. The divine rich, floral, and slightly fruity fragrance of Jasmine Absolute is wonderfully uplifting to the emotional system
Rose – the ultimate comforting oil – a perfect base note to this uplifting blend

Mindful Extracts – CBD Bath Bombs – 3 pack

£23.99

I am a massive bath bomb fan but hadn’t tried any CBD ones before so was excited to try these. Really impressed with the quality of the scents and how long lasting they lingered.

Their bergamot and lemon CBD bath bomb is a little ball of good vibes.

Their eucalyptus and peppermint CBD bath bomb is great for easing aches and recovery.

Their lavender CBD bath bomb is the ultimate ingredient for a good night’s sleep.

Mindful Extracts – CBD Lip Balm

£5.99

Infused with 50mg of full-spectrum CBD, this natural lip balm helps soothe dry, flaky, and cracked lips, and the high vitamin A, C and E content of hemp promotes healthy skin and helps fight natural ageing. Organic extra virgin coconut oil and organic shea butter nourishes the lips leaving them feeling smoother and softer, while the essential oils work their magic on your lips and taste amazing. Really handy to keep in your bag.

Wildefruit – Bright Spark Enzyme Oil

£15

Bright Spark Enzyme Oil helps to balance oily skin, reduce breakouts and soothe irritation to leave a bright and clear complexion.

British hempseed oil is high in linoleic acid which helps to soothe and balance oily skin. Enzymes from upcycled papaya seeds reduce breakouts and brighten the skin. Strawberry and blackcurrant seeds upcycled from the production of jam and juice, nourish and support the skin barrier helping to reduce inflammation and leave your skin with a dewy glow.

It feels so nice when you apply it to your face and really does help to plump your skin and keep your face hydrated.

Sofia Latif –  The Mini Edit

£35

The Mini Edit comes in a gift box containing:

  • Award-winning Face oil, 5ml
  • Multi award-winning Under-Eye oil, 5ml
  • Nourishing Body Oil, 20ml
  • Soothing Scalp Oil, 10ml

Suitable for all skin types, except those sensitive to essential oils and nuts.

This is a great way to try out the range without commuting to full size bottles. I love the design of the bottles and they are easy to use. I have really been enjoying the body oil as you only need a small amount and it leaves you really soft. It would make a really good gift idea.

Good Wash Day – Organic Jersey Cotton Hair Towel

£25

The good wash day towel is made from a really soft cotton almost like a t-shirt material and is to be used instead of a regular towel to be kinder to your hair. After using it you can notice your hair dries a lot less frizzy and its softer so I would recommend making the switch. It comes in a really good range of colours too.

Facepack Spa Facial

From £21.95

Give your skin the boost it deserves on top of your daily routine with a 10 step facial routine, complete with instructions and a step by step online video to follow that will leave your skin glowing! Each Box also contains some self-care treats too. This is a great idea and would make a really lovely gift, I love the added extras as well as the skincare, makes it feel really special.

Embryolisse Beauty Oil

£24.99

I have been obsessed with body oils this year and find them so much nicer to use than moisturiser as they lock in the moisture better. This one is enriched with active vegetable oils, this Embryolisse Beauty Oil moisturizes, nourishes and beautifies skin and hair. It is absorbed quickly leaving a non-greasy, satiny veil with a sweet floral scent. Multi-purpose care, for daily application on the face, body and hair. On the Face, Body & Hair, deeply nourishing dry areas, toning your complexion, drying with a non greasy stain finish. I love how it can be used on your hair too if you have dry ends.

Proverb – Scented Hand Sanitiser

£19.95 for 250ml

This sanitiser cleanses hands or equipment while creating an amazing aroma without leaving a sticky residue.  It is ideal for those who clean hands frequently, want a better sanitiser at work, suffer with irritation to most sanitisers or use yoga mats and gym equipment. It is made with natural anti-bacterial and cleansing wild peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender and geranium essential oils. It smells so good and it can be refilled to reduce plastic waste.

RUBIS Tweezers

£29

I love my pair of Rubis tweezers and they are my favourite ones to use as they are sharp and precise as well as being easy to use so I would definitely recommend this brand. They are made from rustproof stainless steel and are tested individually for balance and performance.

Percy Nobleman 1806 Beard Oil Christmas Cracker

£7

Celebrate this festive season by gifting the gentleman in your life a Percy Nobleman Christmas Cracker, perfect for under the tree, in the stocking over the fireplace, or next to your spread on the dining table. Percy Nobleman 1806 Beard Oil is a fantastic choice for gentlemen of all skill levels, fragranced with the fresh scent of Citrus, Musk and Amber. Inspired by Percy’s forefather, this Beard Oil is light and silky smooth, the perfect companion on new adventures and explorations to keep you looking sharp and nourished, wherever you may roam.

Percy Nobleman Beard Grooming Kit

£27

This Beard Grooming Kit contains travel-size versions of Percy’s best-selling products:

1 x Percy Nobleman Beard Conditioning Oil 50ml RRP: £12

1 x Percy Nobleman Beard Wash 50ml RRP: £12

1 x Percy Nobleman Beard Balm 20ml RRP: £10

1 x Miniature Beard & Moustache Comb RRP: £6

Bought separately: £40

Their products are always great quality and smell really good. This is the ideal set for anyone with a beard.

Pietro Simone – Rescue Recovery and Repair

£65

This brand are eco/ethical and sustainable and this range was recently featured as 1 of top 5 ethical skin care products in The Guardian in the ethical checklist.

This bio-gel recovery complex gives intense healing and comfort while balancing out an over-stressed and compromised epidermis.

It is so lovely to apply to the skin and really helps with any redness as well as helping to heal any blemishes and reduce any scarring you may have. You only need a small amount and it’s easy to dispense.

Transformulas – Marine Miracle The Skin Discovery Set

£80

Includes:

Marine Miracle EyeZone Advanced Eye Concentrate 10ml

Marine Miracle Crème Signature Moisturiser 50ml

30 Days Results

Day 1: With one application, skin is drenched in moisture, super boosting hydration levels for an immediate softening and plumping effect.

Day 7: Skin appears more cushioned, fine lines and wrinkles are less visible. Face is fresher looking.

Day 30: Skin is firmer, lines and wrinkles are minimised, skin appears plumper, more youthful and healthier looking.

Thos is a great set for anyone into skincare and looking to help with ageing and dryness. I have been a fan of this brand for a while and love trying their new skincare releases as I am always impressed.

I hope I have given you some inspiration 🙂

Sarah x

/

Can You Dye Wet Hair?

Collaborative post:

When dyeing your own beautiful hair at home, the instructions usually urge you to apply the color while still in the shower; however, when coming to the salon, the color is typically applied after the hair has dried completely.

What is the reason behind this? And what exactly is the distinction? It all comes down to the sort of color we’re utilizing in the final analysis. When it comes to dyeingour hair, wet or dry hair is a little issue that is easy to forget about.

Image credit : Unsplash

To be honest, there are certain advantages to applying dye to wet hair.

Read more:

• How To Choose The Right Kind Of Hair Extensions For Yourself?

• Time for a hair change!

• I regret cutting all of my hair off

Can You Dye Wet Hair?

Yes, you can color your hair while it’s still damp.

Wet hair application is totally accepted in many situations, including those in the salon, but is frequently not known by the general public.

Once your highlights have been completed, you will be taken to the shampoo bowl, where your foils will be removed, and bleach will be rinsed. The remainder of your color will be applied while your hair is still moist in the shampoo bowl.

Simply said, our hair color is applied to damp hair more often than we think, and we may not even know about it. So, what exactly is the difference, you might wonder?

The Advantages of Dyeing Your Hair While It’s Still Wet

There are a few advantages to using it to wet hair that should be noted:• Economical and effective: The extra moisture from the added water enables the color to spread evenly. When dyeing dry hair, on the other hand, you’ll need to pay much closer care to make sure you’ve completely soaked every strand with the coloring solution.• Protection: A squirt top bottle and a mash of all of our hair together until it lathers in the shower is far less time-consuming than the accuracy necessary for a brush and bowl application of hair color.• Convenience: When it comes to so many at-home hair color products, it’s a bit of a relief when the instructions say to apply to damp hair. 

The Drawbacks Of Dyeing Wet Hair

These are some of the disadvantages of applying makeup on damp hair:• Inconsistent color distribution: While the extra moisture may aid in the distribution of color, the result is a less accurate color application. It is preferable to devote more time and effort to a comprehensive dry hair application if you want a more dramatic difference in the end result.• Water could potentially dilute your color: If your hair is really dry and damaged, it will be parched and in desperate need of moisture, which might potentially dilute your color. This is because your hair may have absorbed so much water that there isn’t enough area left for the dye to reach the cortex of your hair in this situation. That doesn’t rule out the possibility of success, but your results may not be as vivid or long-lasting as you had planned.• Prone to more other damage: If your hair is damp and delicate, you should avoid using heat, harsh brushing, and towel drying. These are just a few of the little measures you can take to assist give your hair a little extra tender loving care (especially after doing a color treatment).

What Hair Dye Works Best In Wet Hair?

Now, this may seem like yet another disadvantage, but dyeing your wet hair does not always result in successful coloring. Permanent colored hair usually have dye applied to dry hair to be effective. This might imply a lighter or deeper shade of makeup.

For the accurate application of bleach, you’ll need dry strands when you want to lighten your hair, which is accomplished with the help of the chemical. Use dry hair while coloring your hair if you’re using permanent color to darken them so that the color may penetrate your hair and affect its state on a deeper level than simply the surface.

That being said, here are some color possibilities for dyeing wet hair that you should consider:• Semi-Permanent Color

Semi-permanent colors do not include any ammonia or peroxide developers, as do permanent colors. These colors are designed to be applied directly to your cuticle.

Given that their primary function is to subtly improve or modify your hair’s tone and offer a more subtle alteration with a shorter life span, the formulas of these products are not significantly impacted by the presence of water. These colors look great on wet hair since they aren’t lifting the hair or considerably changing the hair in any long-lasting way.• Demi-Permanent Color

The primary difference between a semi-permanent and demi-permanent color is that demi-permanent colors penetrate deeper into your hair shaft than a semi-permanent color, which is only a coating.

Demi-permanent color will last you far longer than a semi-permanent color because of the greater absorption of the pigment. Regardless of the presence of ammonia, it is still considered a temporary color, and applying it to damp hair will not have a significant impact on the performance of your color.

Your hair has the ability to absorb more water and less dye than usual, which might dilute your color formulation a little and shorten the expected longevity of your color by a couple of washes. It isn’t something significant, but it is something to be aware of!• Other Temporary Dye Alternatives

It’s true that those fun bursts of bright pink and other highlighter and pastel-hued tones, as well as the toners used to neutralize your highlights at the washbowl, are not considered semi- or demi-permanent dyes. Still,they are classed as temporary dyes and are safe to use on wet hair.

A simple rule of thumb to remember is that as long as the color change you wish to achieve is temporary and not permanent, a wet hair application is a fool-proof solution that offers several advantages.

Conclusion

It is possible to color your hair while it is still moist; it is highly advised. Wet hair application is entirely acceptable in many situations, including those seen in salons, although the general public usually overlooks itin these instances.

Once your highlights are finished, you will be escorted to the shampoo bowl, where your foils will be removed, and the bleach will be rinsed out of your hair and scalp.

If you don’t apply it right, you might be prone to hair dye hair loss.

References• http://paincontrolmasters.com/images/stories/pdfs/fdaconsumer-eyeliner.pdf• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00420-010-0564-9• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15526559

Sarah x