Feel Unique Beauty Kit

 (article contains affiliate links)

There's something extremely appealing about tiny beauty things. Whether it's a miniature lipstick or travel-sized pot of moisturiser, I've almost always preferred the small version of a product.
With my appreciation for little beauty bits in mind, the Beauty Kit service from Feel Unique was always going to give me a bit of a thrill.

Launched a few months ago, the Beauty Kit works like this:
You choose 5 items you'd like to try from a selection of around 150 skincare, haircare, bath and body, fragrance and makeup products. Your choices arrive presented in a rather sturdy zip up bag, that I imagine will be handy for travel once that becomes a thing again. The price of the build-your-own-kit is £12.95 plus a £3.95 delivery fee that you can redeem on a future purchase. A good deal, especially if you tend to shop at Feel Unique anyway.
There's a good mix of brands, the majority being high-end/luxury, with products served up in varying sizes and formats like tubes, pots, pods and bottles, with some in sachets.
I've found some brilliant sample sizes on here so far (the products on offer are constantly changing) including the Medik8 Hydr8 B5 serum in an 8ml bottle (£40 for 30ml) and Philip B. Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo (15ml) that retails for a wild £155 for 355ml.
My kit arrived a few days ago and I picked a mixture of bits I've been meaning to try and products I didn't know existed until I started browsing the samples.

In my kit:

Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin 2 Shampoo 80ml

I’ve never owned a Kerastase shampoo or conditioner before and have only experienced the brand at salons before. Knowing that the Nutritive range is popular and that my hair has been feeling a little dry and lacklustre, I figured this was the perfect way to try it at home. A beautiful, salon-smelling shampoo that leaves my hair feeling clean and healthy, with a nice sheen. I’ve been using this without following up with a conditioner.

Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser 20ml

I first tried the body lotion from Korres’ Greek Yoghurt line over a decade ago back in Australia and remember that I loved the smell. This cleanser brought all sorts of memories hurtling back to me when I used it the other day. It literally smells like a bowl of Greek yoghurt with honey and cinnamon. To me, anyway. I would definitely buy the full size of this – it’s more ‘frothy’ than foaming and doesn’t dry out my skin and rinses away beautifully. This one contains both prebiotics and probiotics to help maintain balance.

Origins Drink Up 10 Minute Hydrating Mask with Apricot & Swiss Glacier Water 15ml

I’m a huge fan of the iconic Drink Up Overnight Mask so was keen to give this 10 minute hydrating mask a go. It feels soothing and leaves skin suitably hydrated and soft, I’m just not overly excited by the Apricot scent – by no means a deal breaker but I think I’ll stick to the original.

Wishful Honey Balm Jelly Moisturiser 6.3g

The fact that the Honey Balm sample was a choice for the Beauty Kit is what really convinced me to press buy. I have wanted to try Wishful products for so long and the Honey Balm Moisturiser in particular sounded right up my street. This sample is presented in a ‘pod’ format with just over 6 grams of product inside, which might not sound a lot but I have had five or six doses out of it so far, with still about half left. Even though I absolutely love the thick, honey-like texture of the balm and it feels great on, I had no idea that it had a lavender scent to it, which I don’t love. This is what makes sampling programs like the Beauty Kit great – it’s an excellent opportunity to get a feel for products, get to know what they smell like and establish if you have any sort of reaction etc without forking out for the full size.

Dermalogica Hydra Masque Exfoliant 7ml

To me, Dermalogica is one of those reliable, no-frills sort of brands that just delivers. This mask/exfoliant in one is no exception – it’s a fantastic product! Applied to a cleansed, dry face, you massage the icy blue gel in until you feel the little exfoliating spheres disappear, leave the mask to ‘set’ for a few minutes then rinse away. I was left with smooth, bouncy skin that felt as if it’d just had a big drink of water. I would buy the full size of this.

You can create your own Beauty Kit by visiting Feel Unique or for something on a smaller scale, the Pick & Mix samples are back - you can choose up to five samples and just pay the (redeemable) £3.95 shipping fee.

Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar Reveal #16

Drawer number 16 reveals a cute travel sized bottle of Kiehl's Amino Acid Shampoo.
I have tried this particular shampoo before and I have to say I'm rather fond of its scrummy coconut scent and shine-imparting properties. Enriched with wheat proteins and wheat starch, the shampoo includes coconut oil and amino acids and is suitable for all hair types. If you like your hair to smell all tropical and coconut-ty, you'll want to try this one.
It's £16 for 250ml at Liberty.

Lush Big Sea Salt Shampoo

I don't always wash my hair with a pot of salty mush, but when I do, I use Big shampoo by Lush.
I love an accidental rhyming opening sentence almost as much as I enjoy using this shampoo.
Sure, it feels kind of strange to lather up my hair with something grainy, but like most things in life, after you've done it the first time, it gets easier.

Lush Big Shampoo is created with a Seaweed Infusion (Toothed Wrack to be exact), Organic Lemon, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Lime Juice, Fair Trade Vanilla Absolute, Orange Flower Absolute, Limonene and a fair amount of Coarse Sea Salt. It also contains Mandarin and Neroli oils and a couple of synthetic ingredients including Sodium Laureth Sulfate (for the suds), Lauryl Betaine, Alpha Isomethyl Ionone and Perfume.

The volumising shampoo actually does volumise - mainly down to the huge amount of sea salt and makes my hair feel soft and lovely and not greasy in the slightest, which surprised me because of the addition of coconut oil.
To use the shampoo, you just scoop some out (you don't need much) and rub it onto your scalp and hair to get a nice frothy lather going. This part can be a bit perilous because some of the shampoo is definitely going to end up in your bath/ down the plughole before it has a chance to do anything. It's OK though, there are worse things that can end up in your bath.
Rinsing the shampoo out is easier than expected (for me anyway) and it takes virtually the same amount of rinsing time as a more traditional shampoo.
The shampoo smells absolutely beautiful - the vanilla absolute stands out the most to me - and the scent lingers in my hair for a good day or so after I've used it.
The only downside of Big Sea Salt shampoo for me is the price point, but this is Lush we're talking about here and we all know their products aren't exactly cheap and cheerful. Cheerful? Yes. But cheap? Naaaah.
I have the medium sized pot of Big which is £15 for 330g but you can buy 100g for £8 or a bumper 600g for £26.
You can find out more about Lush Big Sea Salt Shampoo here.

Orofluido Shine Spray Review

Since I received a beautiful bottle of Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Hair Mist for my birthday last year, I have been slightly obsessed with the very idea of hair fragrance. Perfume? For my hair? Amazing!

I very recently went for the big chop and had a lot of my hair cut off, but before I did, I spied the Orofluido Shine Spray on Feel Unique and was very quickly convinced by the reviews gushing about the luscious scent. Truth be told, I didn't really care about the 'shine' part, it was more the promise of delicious amber and vanilla scented hair that had me sold.

I've had the shine spray for about two weeks now and rarely walk past it without having a cheeky spritz. I tell no lie - this stuff is scrumptious.

On the box they say: Beauty shine spray for all hair types that gives your hair an incredible luminosity of pure gold, extraordinary silkiness and control. A radiant and immediate sensual finish. Its light texture allows for a rapid absorption without weighing down your hair. Its delicious amber fragrance with a vanilla foundation will transport you into a fascinating world of oriental perfume.

Ok, while I don't feel that the fragrance transports me into a fascinating world of oriental perfume (that would be kind of terrifying) this product does smell 100% delectable. If, like me, you're a fan of foodie scents, you will love it.

In terms of its central function - adding shine - it certainly does that too and it is quickly absorbed and nothing like spraying on that old school leave in conditioner that saturates your hair. It's more like a fine mist that you can chuck in your handbag (though the bottle is glass) and freshen up your hair any time you like without feeling like you're overloading it with product. It doesn't seem to have magnificent staying power but does keep my hair smelling edible for a good few hours.

This is my first product from Orofluido; though if the rest of the line smells like the Shine Spray, I doubt it will be my last. I got it from Feel Unique where it retails for £11.90, though it was on sale when I ordered it so it was a bit cheaper ;)

Nanokeratin System Haircare Review

Nanokeratin System is a fairly new haircare brand featuring ranges tailored to suit a variety of hair types and concerns. The Nanokeratin System for Sensitised Chemically Treated Hair* is the latest addition to my bathroom cabinet and I've been trying it out to get my hair in peak condition for 2014.

So what's Nanokeratin System all about? Here's a little insight into the technical side of the products to get the ball rolling:
'The International Nanokeratin System Laboratory has created a unique micro size-molecular formula based on particles so minute that millions of them can be gathered onto the tip of a pin. A micro molecule is so small it allows the penetration of the smallest hair shaft to activate the inner hair tissue where they are deposited and locked deep within the damaged hair.
This new and improved formula means that Nanokeratin System is now able to offer specifically
formulated Sulphate and Paraben free shampoos and conditioners to complement each of the
unique treatments in order to ensure that hair is kept in tip-top condition and that results last for as
long as possible.'

There are four different ranges available containing ingredients specific to Natural Hair, Coloured Hair, Sensitised/ Chemically Treated Hair and Normal Hair. 
 After years of dip-dyes, bleach and even a brief (yet passionate)stint as a fiery redhead, my hair definitely falls into the Sensitised Hair category. This particular range includes a shampoo, conditioner and mask specially formulated for chemically treated hair in need of a little TLC.

First of all, these products smell amazing. Kind of powdery and very 'clean' and salon-worthy. Which makes sense, because the Nanokerating System range is currently exclusive to salons.

The Re-Enhance Refining Shampoo cleanses while restoring moisture levels to the hair and enhancing highlights. The shampoo does the trick in making my hair feel really clean and clarified yet not 'squeaky clean' and stripped, which is a bonus.

Featuring ingredients such as hydrolyzed collagen, pure keratin and silk amino acids, the Re-Fine Refining Conditioner ticks all the boxes I want from a conditioner. It gives my hair the 'triple S effect' - feeling smooth and soft and looking shiny!

My favourite product of the three, the Re-Juvenate Smooth Treatment is essentially a mask that you slather on in place of conditioner for a deeply nourishing treat. The tub of purple goo is beautifully hydrating and leaves my hair smelling lovely for a good while after it's dried.

Overall, I'm enjoying using the Nanokeratin System and it does make my hair look and feel pretty darn good. As for long term results? I'll have to wait and see, but in the meantime I don't have a bad word to say about these products. The scent, texture and immediate effects of the haircare hit the ball out of the park for me so I have to admit I'm pretty pleased.

Intrigued? You can find out more about the Nanokeratin System and find salon stockists (including the fabulous Errol Douglas) at www.nanokeratinsystem.co.uk and visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nanokeratinuk to stay up to date.

Area H20 Shampoo & Conditioner for Hard Water Review

Area H20 Shampoos and Conditioners are actually rather revolutionary as they have been developed by bioscientists (yes, bioscientists) to counteract the effect that different water types have on our hair.

With three ranges developed specifically for use with hard water, medium water and soft water, the products contain special ingredients that are supposed to get rid of the nasties lurking in our water pipes.
Here's a little blurb from the H20 website that explains this process in an undoubtedly more concise way than I can.

Metal ions, present in all types of water, react with shampoo to form mineral deposits that cling to your hair. AreaH20 shampoo is designed to act as a magnet, attracting mineral ions and allowing you to wash them away far more easily.

 As a result of these metal bits leaving the hair strands, the hair is supposed to in turn become noticeably cleaner, smoother and more lovely in general. These are some pretty tall claims so I've been left with no choice but to try out the shampoo and conditioner for myself to see if there was anything to get excited about. The Area H20 website features a nifty little map that helps you to determine what kind of water you're showering in, no matter where you are in the world. Of course, London is a distinct 'Hard Water' area, so I've been trying out the shampoo and conditioner for coloured hair and hard water.

The first thing I noticed about the shampoo was the scent - the best way I can describe is 'unisex'. It just smells quite clean and fresh, but not particularly chemically, which is a bonus. The labelling on the bottle states that the shampoo is 'very concentrated' so only a small amount is required, once again, big tick for this as obviously using a product sparingly means it will last longer. Duh. The shampoo lathered up easily and rinsed out well, preparing my hair for the conditioner.

I've gotta say, I don't think I've seen a conditioner of this consistency before. It's very opaque and very creamy. Sort of looks like a delightfully rich vanilla icing, yet I wasn't game to lick it. The conditioner had that clean, unisex scent going on too, though maybe smelled a tiny bit more feminine than the shampoo. I found that it washed out easily as well and didn't really leave any slimy residue like so many conditioners do.

I've used the Area H20 Shampoo and Conditioner for Hard Water three times now so I think I'm in a position to give some decent feedback. I found the products to be very clarifying for my hair and definitely made it shinier in general. My three flatmates have all given it a go too (including 2 boys) and they had nothing negative to say about Area H20 - just that their hair felt "very clean". While I don't completely understand the science behind how this shampoo and conditioner works, I do know how it makes my hair feel - clean and refreshed with a healthy sheen to it!

You can find the Area H20 range at Debenhams on Oxford Street in London and online at Look Fantastic with prices starting from £6.99.
If you want to know more about Area H20 you can visit them here.

*The Area H20 products were kindly sent to me for consideration

Hairy Jayne Hair Perfume

I was having a little wander around the Herne Hill market today and spotted a little stall by the name of Hairy Jane Handmade Hair Care. Among the shampoos and conditioners were a trio of exquisitely packaged little hair perfumes that I simply had to check out and I ended up walking away with one.

I picked up the Musk scent that's packed with neroli, vetiver and patchouli essential oils and designed to keep things smelling lovely between washes while taming frizz, adding shine and protecting against heat damage.

Hair perfume has always appealed to me but I've never tried it before so at £9 I think Hairy Jayne is a pretty good place to start.

The Hairy Jayne Hair Perfume can be used on freshly washed hair before blowdrying or drying naturally and contains an ingredient that protects the strands before you see to them with straighteners, curlers or hairdryers.

So far I've only tried the hair perfume on dry hair and I can happily report that the scent lingers for quite some time and does seem to make it feel a little softer and nicer in general.

The Hair Perfume is also available in Floral (gerainum, bergamot and vanilla) and Citrus (grapefruit, may chang and jasmine) so I think Jayne's covered all bases in terms of creating fragrances suited to every taste. I was in a bit of a hurry when I purchased the Musk scented spray and I sort of wish I'd gone for the Floral scent (which Jayne actually recommended!) as I'm a huge fan of vanilla scents.

You can find out more about Hairy Jayne Handmade Haircare here and have a browse at her other products. Jayne is also a pretty raved about hairdresser.
Follow Hairy Jayne on Twitter: @hairyjayne

I do love a small beauty business and Hairy Jayne products are definitely worth checking out. I'll be ordering from the site or visiting her stall again in the very near future!

The Hair Perfume is packaged in a cute glass bottle with a pump spray

What do you think of hair perfumes?
p.s. It's worth mentioning that Hairy Jayne shampoos and conditioners are free from sodium laurel sulfate, if you're interested in that sort of thing.

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Collection

To be frank, John Frieda has never been my first port of call when  treating myself to higher end haircare. I haven't a clue why I've never picked any products up before but this only added to the intrigue when I was given the opportunity to try some products from the new Luxurious Volume Collection.

I've been trialling the Touchably Full Shampoo & Conditioner and the Blow Dry Lotion Root Booster, all products that aim to make you finally love your fine hair. As I've recently chopped a good few inches off my locks, I'm all about the volume these days, so these couldn't have arrived at a better time. Here are my thoughts. Enjoy!

Touchably Full Shampoo

A clear formula, the Luxurious Volume Touchably Full Shampoo has a really fresh, clean 'shampoo-ey' scent to it, and I only needed to use a small blob to work up a decent lather (hello, sulfates). A decent shampoo all round, this left my hair feeling clean but not too stripped and ready for the conditioner.

Touchably Full Conditioner

The Luxurious Volume Touchably Full Conditioner is a semi-opaque formula that's incredibly lightweight for a conditioner. With the same fresh scent as the shampoo, I found the conditioner pretty much does what it says on the tin (tube) - detangles and builds fullness.

Blow Dry Lotion Root Booster

Firstly, I'm really proud of this action shot ^ , secondly, this stuff is pretty awesome. It just adds that extra oomph to your hair before you go mad with the hair dryer. Once again, the scent is pleasant and I really like the fact that it's a spray - much more convenient than lotions that require lots of massaging and therefore, sticky palms! To use, simply spray onto the roots of damp hair and blowdry as normal.

The Results

I've used 'thickening' and 'volumising' products before but the John Frieda collection is by far the most lightweight of the bunch and I didn't feel like my hair was covered in product.
All, in all I'm really pleased with these products and I do think they add that extra bit of volume.
If you'd like to check out the products in action, check out the official John Frieda UK YouTube channel.

Thanks for reading!

Hair Adventures: Pantene Pro-V Deep Moisture Soufflé

Since bleaching my hair (again) in preparation for the reddish/ pinkish/ completely weird colour it is now, I've needed to pay extra attention in keeping things hydrated or risk walking around looking like a crazed retired clown who's tried to break into a dairy farm but been caught up in a highly electrified fence.

In other words, frizzled, frazzled hair is not a look I wear well, so when I spotted this can of sweet, moisturising promise I knew I simply had to give it a whirl.

Whoever came up with the name for this was spot on - and very good at marketing. Who wouldn't want to smoosh something that looks like that squirty cream in a can we all (I) spray into our mouths behind the fridge door when nobody's looking, into their hair?
I know I would, in fact I have and I can report that this stuff is as delectable as the name suggests.

One quick pump of this is all you need for a palmful of delightfully light, glossy soufflé that wouldn't look out of place on a dessert tasting plate.

You can use the soufflé on damp or dry hair - I've tried both and have found that it simply sinks into the hair leaving no sticky residue, greasiness or even excess weight.
My hair just feels softer and somewhat more shiny - a godsend for fried over-processed hair like mine that could do with a bit of love and affection.
Scent wise, it smells a lot like a Pantene shampoo so you could always fool everyone and use it to freshen up your hair between washes for a faux 'just shampooed' smell.

I picked up the coloured hair formula of the Deep Moisture Soufflé but you can also find the original formula at Boots, Superdrug and other haircare stockist for £4.49

I love the idea of a moisturiser for hair and I really think Pantene have outdone themselves with this. Have you tried the Deep Moisture Soufflé or a similar product? I'd love to try some other versions of this lovely concept.

Pantene Pro-V Deep Moisture Soufflé :0 #hair #bbloggers vine.co/v/bnvv3gTApF6

— Hannah Rose (@lippyinlondon) February 6, 2013

Thanks for reading!