♥ The Body Shop Skincare- Hemp Seed Oil

The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector, Hemp Foot Protector and Hemp Body Butter Review


I've you have followed my blog for a while you might remember that I love this hand cream. I have mentioned it (here) before after it cured my little sister's eczema in literally two days. The only thing that really stand out in the ingredient list is Hemp Seed Oil, so that might be what worked so well, I am yet to purchase pure Hemp Seed Oil though!

The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector:

Results: As I have said before. My extremely picky little sister (9 years old) tried this in a Body shop store. The next day she said herself that it really work. Since it worked for her eczema /extremely dry hands I would say that this is definitely for dry hands or cuticles.

1st five ingredients after water: Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil (Hemp Oil), Ricinus Communis Seed Oil (Castor Oil)

Hemp Foot Protector:

Results: Made my feet smooth and soft, also on the harder skin underneath. I don't have dry feet so I can't say that it did wonders since they were already fine. I'd say this is best used occasionally for a nice pedi/spa day. 

1st five ingredients after water: Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Cocoa Butter, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil (Hemp Oil)

Hemp Body Butter 

Results: Definitely a body butter for dry skin as well (or people like me who just always uses butters and oils). Keeps your skin smooth until you shower the next day.
1st five ingredients after water: Glycerin, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil (Hemp Oil), Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol

Overall: All these are aimed at people with dry skin and they are all of thick consistency. Even the hand cream is thick like a body butter. The only minus (for some people, I don't mind it) is the smell. It smells, pretty weird. I wouldn't say that it smells bad, I am gussing this is what Hemp Seed Oil smells like. I paid £20 for these in a kit that came in a nice suspicious looking green box (with a weed plant all over it). A big plus for the boxes you get with Body Shop kits because I love saving them for storage :)

Pictures taken with: iPhone 4s

Have you tried any of these? 

And a random question- how often to you use foot cream? lol

x

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♥ EOTD- Rasheeda Love & Hip Hop Atlanta Inspired

MAKE UP: Rasheeda from Love and Hip Hop Atlanta

Here is an EOTD I created a few days ago. It was the same day as the previous post, and I even announced on my facebook page that I was going to post twice that day- sadly my MacBook randomly froze and the image (which I had already edited and not saved) was deleted.

This eye make up look is inspired by Rasheeda from Love and Hip Hop Atlanta and she wore this look in episode four and eight.

I do realise it doesn't look exactly like her make up and her lid colour is more peachy than white, but I didn't look at the picture when I did the look- I just did as I remembered in my head. The screen shot is something I took afterwards to show in the blog.

Guys don't forget - my DSLR is still at the repairs so forgive me for grainy pics :) x

What do you think of this look? 

x

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♥ DIY- Rich Whipped Body Lotion/Hair Cream

Make your own Whipped Super Rich Body Lotion/Hair Cream

I have posted something similar a long time ago (link here), around the time when I first started my blog. Anyway this is the easiest thing ever to make, it is basically a whipped Shea Butter mix. I would recommend this if you have dry skin (or as a foot/hand cream on normal skin) or as a hair cream/leave in for people with afro hair texture or generally dry hair.

What you need:

• Shea Butter or African Butter (the yellow one)
• A carrier oil
• An electric whisk/mixer

Optional:

• Essential Oils- Suggestions: Lavender (Calming), Peppermint Oil (Soothing, good for itchy scalp (, Tea Tree Oil (Anti Bacterial), Rosemary Oil (Stimulate hair follicles-promotes hair growth) or Sweet Orange Oil (Smells aa-mazing)
• Aloe Vera Gel
• Water (But then you need to use a preservative)

Directions: Put all of your ingredients into a mixing bowl and start whisking. I whisk my Shea Butter when it's hard but you might want to melt it for a few seconds in the microwave to soften it before.

Will you be trying this out? Have you tried it? Share your links or recipes?

x

Ps. Guys my camera is still broken (Hence the iPhone 4s pictures)

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♥ Best Neutral Polish

KIKO SHADE 207 FRENCH MANI REVIEW

I have really been loving the neutral/hardly there nail polish look lately. I did buy one from Bourjois that I haven't shown yet, but it was slighly more pink than this one. I got this in my KIKO haul (LINK).

I am so happy with this one, it's exactly how I wanted it to look- transparant, light pink tint and super glossy (I am not wearing a top coat). I think I used 3 coats, but they dried really quick so I didn't have to sit and wait.

Don't forget that these polishes are still only £1.5 at Westfield shopping centre (instead of £6-£8 or something).

Do you have a favourite hardly-there polish? How do you like this one?

x


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♥ EOTD, FOTD & OOTD :)

Hi Everyone, just thought I'd let you know my camera (compact DSLR) has broken down and is sent to repair, in the meantime I will use my iPhone 4s camera, photobooth or an old compact camera.

Moving on lol, today was my bestie's 20th birthday and I went to her birthday dinner.

Even though this was just a quick look I really enjoyed doing a proper make up look, it's been way too long.  I used eyeshadows from my ELF palette and brushes from Real Techniques and Boots N7.

For my face I used NYR Organic Bronzer for contouring and their eyeshadow hibiscus as a high lighter for a nice glowing look. On my lips I am wearing my favourite Sleek Pout Paint.

Isn't it funny how one EOTD can look so different in different light, angles and cameras. This last Instagram pic is taken with my iPhone camera.

Last but not least, my outfit. I am wearing. This is not really news but I love chunky golden jewellery! These pieces are both from Portobello Market, at different times though.

 || Blazer- H&M || Dress- Bershka || Bag- Zara || Golden Collar Necklace- Portobello Market || Golden Chunky Bracelet- Portobello Market || Grey Lace Wedges- H&M (I think, they're not mine) ||

What do you think of this make up look and the outfit?

x

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♥ Tresemme Naturals & Loreal EverSleek Review (Wash Day Regime)

Hi Guy :) I'm going to start of by apologising for a slightly grainy picture- my memory card seems to have broken down so I can't use my camera (I used my iPhone for this picture).

I am going to review the Tresemme Naturals Conditioner & the Loreal EverSleek Shampoo, I am on a "natural hair journey" and as much as I would love to use only natural/organic products- I have now found something in between. The only reason being that organic products are pretty pricey!

These products contain NO Silicones, Parabens, Mineral Oils or Sulfates and they are pretty cheap.

Tresemme Naturals Vibrantly Smooth Conditioner & Tresemme Naturals  Nourishing Moisture Conditioner: First off, these are two different conditioner, the ingredients vary slightly with the first one containing Coconut Oil & Jojoba leaf extract and the latter containing Aloe Vera & Avocado Oil. After trying them both I am going to review them as ONE product since to me, they smell they same, they feel the same, they cost the same- and they give the same result.

This provides AMAZING slip! That means that with this product in your hair it will be super easy to detangle. When I apply this product my hand literally glide through my hair, it's super soft and silky (and it contains NO silicones). I can't stress enough how slippery my hair get's when using this, it's just amazing. In the UK these 900ml are readily available and almost always on offer for anything from two for £7 or two for £5 which gives you amazing value! The ingredients are decent, but hey, no silicones, parabens or mineral oils is fine with me!

Loreal EverSleek (no sulphates smoothing care system) Smoothing & Moisture Shampoo: Me buying this product was really random. The consistency is similar to the consistency of a conditioner- it is creamy. However, it is a shampoo and not a cleansing cream. I would say the cleansing agent is Cocamidopropyl Betaine which is gentle than sulfates. The ingredient list is nowhere near amazing and it contains Propylene Glycol which is not too good. I read some review and some said it leaves a greasy feel (this was what a white lady said, their hair tends to be more oily, and afro hair like min more dry) which I didn't experience. Instead it cleaned out my hot oil treatment (it's when u drench your hair in oil, I do it over night) and left my hair feeling clean and soft.

This shampoo was around £7

Because these products are affordable and contain no Silicones, Parabens, Mineral Oils or Sulfates  these are now my staple products during my natural hair journey :D

What are your staples? Have you tried these?

                          x

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♥ NYR Bee Lovely

Neal's Yard and Remedies is one of my favourite natural skin care brands, I haven't used loads of their skin care products but ever since their impressive organic make up range I've been more interested in their products- a big plus for being an English company as well.

So I am really excited about their new Bee Lovely products, I believe they are all new except the hand cream, at least that's what the website says. 

These products all contain Honey or Beeswax, or both. It is a shame that there are no hair products in this range since honey is a great humectant for hair too.

Find the products HERE

I love the packaging of all the products, and I am most excited about the Busy Bee Balm. It is what I usually call an "all round balm"- and NYR describe it on the website as "Bee-utifully scented and luxuriously softening, our 99% organic balm is a multi-purpose handbag must-have." 

Oh, also the scent is from what I understand Sweet Orange Essential oil which I couldn't be more excited about. You all know from my DIY's I LOVE orange essential oil.

However, this range does have a cause which is supporting their "Save the Bees Campaign". You can read more about it HERE, and sign their petition HERE.

What do you think of NYR? Will you try these out :)

x

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♥ Stripes and Tail Hem

As usual this London weather suddenly decided to go all summery again and I have really been enjoying it. This is an outfit from a few days ago. I just bought this jacket which is a dupe of the Zara jacket that I've been wanting to buy for about half a year. Stingy as I am I thought it was too expensive and I was over the moon when I discovered this dupe from Primark.

I forgot to take a big with my jacket and bag so this one was taken with my iPhone.
Loving my new jacket!

|| Cargo Jacket with leather Sleeves- Primark || Black & White Striped Sheer Top- Lavish Alice || Belt- Primark || Blue Tail Hem Skirt- New Look (kids dep.) || Salmon/beige shopper bag- Zara ||

What do you think of this outfit?
Do you think this is a good alternative to the famous Zara jacket?

x

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♥ Transitioning Diaries Pt.2 Trim & Protein

As I shared with you roughly a week back, I am transitioning from my relaxed (chemically straightened afro hair) to my natura hair. (post about it here) I am really excited and I thought that I would start documenting my progress and everything through a new series called "Transitioning Diaries".

This first one will tell you what I will do 4 times a year- every 3 months. I have shared the recipe before and it's my DIY protein hair treatment. (post here with instructions).

Every Three Months- Protein Treatment and trimming of ends

1. Pre Shampoo Castor Oil Treatment

Before I wash my hair I always do a pre shampoo treatment using Castor Oil. Castor Oil is to promote hair growth and make new growth thicker, stronger and nourished. As you might know Castor Oil has got a really thick consistency and it's a good idea to mix it with another carrier oil.
As you can see I've now stocked up on these oils for my pre shampoo treatments. My Castor Oil is from the brand "now solutions" and is 473 ml (16oz), the KTC Almond Oil is 500 ml.

In addition to that I bought this oil applicator bottle- this was long over due! It was only 99p and it works really well!

2. DIY Avocado Hair Protein Treatment (INSTRUCTIONS)

When washing this treatment out my hair felt extremely hard (protein can make your hair feel hard) and when shampooing it was so dry that I could hardly move my hands through my hair when applying it. However, after using conditioner it went back to normal and it felt as if it had gone stronger!

3. Trimming My Ends 

 This is my hair air dried, as you can see the ends are a lot thinner than my new growth, I basically cut the whole section I am showing in the picture.

Yes, I was way over due in cutting my hair! Look at those ends, I literally felt when I was doing braid outs that when I got to the end of my hair I was plaiting three hairs, haha!

Again, any transitioning tips/inspo/post, link them to me :)
Do you do protein treatments to your hair?
x

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♥ KIKO SHADE 356

This is the first of the KIKO polishes, it really is a orangy/yellow shade and I reckon my camera caught the shade quite well. 

It needed 2 coats and it's fairly glossy on its own, I'm not wearing a top coat.

The shade is number 356.

What do you think of this shade? :) 

x



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♥ Kiko Nail Polish Haul

Hi Guys! I got these KIKO nail polishes today from Westfield (Shopping Centre). They were on offer for £1.50 so I just had to pick some up since their range has got some amazing colours.

I chose these, the colours in the picture are slightly misleading, the blue one is blue/purple, the orangy/red one is more pinkish.

Unfortunately I managed to smudge the polish when I was going to take a picture of it.. oh well.

Have you tried KIKO polishes?
Send me links of NOTD's using KIKO :)

x

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♥ Zara Shopping

Some of you might know Zara is my favourite clothing store. I started working there two months ago and since then I actually haven't bought anything from there. That was a conscious choice since I'd probably like to buy 80% of their clothes- I obviously can't, so I kind of stayed away and made sure I just bought stuff I really need.

I've never been a person to even smell the perfumes that clothing stores sell, but oh my! I've been spraying this in the fitting room and I'm in LOVE. It's Eau de toilette unfortunately (read my post on different perfumes here), but I feel that the scent lingers on quite well. It's £9.99 for 50 ml.

So I bought this one and didn't even realise it was on sale for £5.99I finally got around to buy this bag I've been wanting for soo long. Big bags are my favourites and  this is so cheap (£40)


The staff discount at Zara isn't that good but this was £40 in total for me which is a great deal :)

Do you like Zara? Have you tried their perfumes?


x

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♥ Natural & Gifted Goodies

I actually haven't written an empties post before- I have loads of them to share, but the childish stubborn part of me that hates everything mainstream refused to post a "empties post"- just because everyone else are doing it. But I gave in now lol..

Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser- This is the most natural and best cleanser I've ever come across. The first ingredients after water are Glycerin then Olive Oil which are followed by other goodies such as: Orange Oil, Oat Flour, Aloe Vera Juice and Rosemary Oil and many more. Since there's Olive Oil in this, it cleans all of your make up off in one go! My friend says that her face was so moisturised after using this that she didn't need to use a face cream after. I however, feel like I do whenever my skins been in contact with water.

Lavera Basic Sensitivity Hand Cream- I absolutely love this! I've mentioned it in my blog countless times and repurchased quite a few times as well. The top ingredients are Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil, but yet the consistency is super light! That doesn't stop it from being super moisturising and nourishing though and I would say it feels as nourishing as an oil- but as light as a "none oil" cream, does that even make sense?

Curls Curl Souffle Medium Curl Cream- This is a very light hair moisturiser and I would definitely like to say it does the job. The ingredients are amazing with the first ones being: Aloe Vera Juice, Sunflower Oil and Glycerin. Use this when your hair starts to get dry in between washes. I wouldn't say use it before styling since it does dampen your hair quite a lot.

Rituals Magic Touch Organic Cherry & Rice Milk (Ultra rich whipped body cream)- This smells aa- mazing! It does the job but I wouldn't recommend it to someone with superdry skins since there is not a lot of oils or butters in here- more like Glycerin and silicones.. I used this as a "treat" cream, you know on that day when you have like a little home spa lol :)

Rituals Wai Wang Organic White Lotus & Yi Yi Ren Exfoliating Body Scrub- Another Rituals product that smells amazing! I love that the scrubbing beads are fairly big which gives a better scrubbing effect. It's pretty moisturising and thick and I've noticed that it doesn't wash off when you shower until you psychically "take it off" with your hands.

Calvin Klein Euphoria Shower Gel- I probably used this way past the expiry date seeing as this was a gift a few years back. This is just a normal shower gel except for the obvious- it smells like the CK perfume Euphoria. I love the smell but I'm guessing it contains Sulfates and other stuff so I didn't use it daily. This was also a sort of "treat shower gel" that I only used once in a while.


Have you tried any of these?


x

! The three products to the far left are natural without any silicones, mineral oils, parabens or sulfates. The ones to the right are not. I do think the naturals ones are best and they are all favourites of mine- which just goes to show- natural is best :) :)


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