DHC Resveratrol Range

Remember that study from years ago that proclaimed that red wine was actually good for our hearts? Well it turns out that it's also pretty great from our skin too. Well, sort of.
Japanese brand DHC have released a skincare range that harnesses the power of the skin of red grapes. That's almost wine. Isn't it?

The range, called Resveratrol (try saying THAT after a few glasses of red) includes a Toning Lotion, Essence and Cream that actually include resveratrol, which is a potent antioxidant and polyphenol (micronutrient) that is present in the skin of red grapes. Resveratrol is known for promoting longevity and when applied topically, rather than ingested after a long day, has been found to improve tissue elasticity, support the natural moisture barrier of the skin and protect against environmental damage.
Unlike other 'anti-ageing' superheroes such as retinol, resveratrol is suitable for sensitive skin and doesn't irritate.

The DHC Resveratrol skincare system includes three products packed full of this powerful antioxidant that can be layered or used on their own.

DHC Resveratrol Lotion

This is a hydrating toner, which I've been applying after acid toning in the evening. Designed to smooth the skin and improve resilience, the toner combines resveratrol with cereal extracts to boost the natural moisture barrier of the skin. This toner is refreshing, soothing, moisturising and feels very, very nice on freshly exfoliated skin.

DHC Resveratrol Essence

I love 'essences'. Even if 'essence' is just another way of saying serum, it just sounds so darn whimsical doesn't it? The essence is applied after the toner and contains rice extracts, soy protein and peptide-rich cereals to encourage collagen and hydrate. It feels luxurious and leaves skin feeling soft. Instant gratification.

DHC Resveratrol Cream

I am a little bit obsessed with the Resveratrol Cream, partly because it feels so hydrating and soothing and delicious on the skin, but mostly because it has that fun 'bouncy' texture found in many Asian face creams. The cream, which is the final step in the skincare system features high amounts of resveratrol combined with rice and cereal extracts and meadowfoam seed oil. Overall, it's a rather lovely, rich cream that I'm very much enjoying using on my face and not just for the fun, bouncy effect.

All three of the Resveratrol products are fragrance free and are a real pleasure to use. Each product retails for £43 and has just launched at www.dhcuk.co.uk, Feel Unique, Amazon and Escentual. You can also find them in store at John Bell & Croydon, Bentalls, Selfridges, Bliss Pharmacy, BeautyMART, Fenwick and some Urban Outfitters stores.

Post contains samples - words and opinions my own

#EndEmbarrassment with Vagisil - Sponsored

Let me start by just saying one simple word.

Vagina!

Did that make you feel a bit awkward and uncomfortable? Perhaps you've already clicked away from my blog, horrified that I've written that six letter word so freely.

It's funny isn't it? Collectively we are embarrassed and slightly thrown off by the very mention of this word, even though around half of the population have one. 

Vaginas, fannies, whatever you want to call them - they are simply another part of our anatomy and they are also kind of important -  after all , we kind of had to come out of one when we were born (unless you were a c-section baby of course...)

I myself am a proud owner of a vagina. We first went to the Doctor together when I was 16 to have a smear and we’ve looked out for each other ever since, though I probably should treat it to a haircut a little more often than I do.

So I’m quite open about talking about my bits with my GP but a lot of women really aren’t.

Vagisil have recently conducted a survey and spoke to 2000 British women about intimate health. Of these women, almost 50% felt embarrassed by the very mention of the word 'vagina' and worryingly, almost half were too embarrassed to mention any intimate health problems to their friends and family. More than 1 in 10 of the women surveyed had an issue with their bits get worse because they were not comfortable mentioning anything to their GP!

Vagisil want to put an end to this with the #EndEmbarrassment campaign and encourage women to talk about any concerns with their GP and get things sorted!

You can find out more about this very important campaign by visiting Vagisil and check out the range of intimate health products while you’re there.

St Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion Review

You know when you come across a product that not only exceeds your expectations but also kind of blows your mind a little bit? It doesn't happen often but it's happened here- in the form of St Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion.

When I purchased this, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but since my first shower with the blue and white bottle, a little bit of tanning magic has happened. 

The concept of the St Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion is bizarre to say the least. A tan you apply in the shower? Say what now?

To use this, you just shower as normal, turn off the water and rub the lotion all over your body, as you would if you were giving yourself an exceptional once over with shower gel. The lotion combines with the water, making it very easy to spread and therefore more difficult to end up with streaks. As there is no guide colour with this, you do need to be slightly meticulous in making sure you cover every inch but if you just go to town with it and apply quite generously, it's virtually foolproof. 

It has a slightly floral scent on application- quite delicate and inoffensive, so if you're not keen on that heady fake tan smell, you should like this one.

Once you've positively smothered yourself in the lotion, you need to wait 3 minutes for it to react with the water and start doing its thing. You could use this time to apply a face/hair mask or brush your teeth, or just do what I do and stare at the plug hole contemplating your past mistakes and thinking about what you might make for dinner. 

Once the 3 minutes is up, it's time to rinse it all off then pat yourself dry. 

I've done this every night for the past 3 nights and have built up a sun kissed, natural looking tan. I've used it all over my body, besides my legs as they are still recovering from a reaction from a different fake tan (thanks for that Garnier Ambre Solaire Summer Body, you jerk) and there is not a streak, nor patch in site. It's like a miracle, I tell you- though a soft, subtle miracle. If you're after a gentle glow, this could be your new best friend for summer but if you're in the market for something more dark and dramatic, it's probably not the one.

Besides the tanning factor, the thing I like most about the product is how soft it makes my skin feel. It leaves skin feeling super hydrated and silky, with zero stickiness. 

Overall, a great innovative product that I will be repurchasing. St Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion is £14.50 at Boots.

Bee Good Honey & Crambe Daily Hand Cream

I love honey in my beauty products. Seriously, give me a honey based cream, lotion or potion and I'm one happy chappy.

It's a good thing then that this offering from British brand Bee Good is full of the golden goodness.

The Bee Good Honey & Crambe Daily Hand Cream is pretty self explanatory really- it's a hand cream designed for daily use and has become part of my home office artillery.

Since I've been growing my natural nails (hurrah) I've made much more of an effort  to take care of my hands and tend to have tubes of hand cream in my handbag, next to the bed and in my office. The Bee Good hand cream lives on my desk and serves one distinct purpose- to pep up my hands and senses after I've spent hours typing away.

The cream contains delicious ingredients including British Wild Flower Honey, Crambe Oil, British Beeswax, Borage Oil, Camelina Oil, Vitamin E and antibacterial British propolis. 

I actually had never heard of 'Crambe Oil' before I received this hand cream, but it turns out that it's rich in nourishing Omega 9 which is a fatty acid that smooths, conditions and provides a protective layer on the hands.

In terms of texture, I've found that the trick with this is that a little goes a very long way- only a pea sized amount is needed for both hands. At first it feels quite slippery but then magically absorbs, leaving hands feeling soft, soothed and delicately scented.

Bee Good Honey & Crambe Daily Hand Cream is £9 at Bee Good and you can find other Bee Good products at Look Fantastic. 

Magicstripes Lifting Collagen Mask

I've reviewed the Magicstripes eye strips recently and now I've had the opportunity to try another one of a kind beauty innovation from the brand - the Lifting Collagen Mask.

 As you can see, this is a very unique face mask! The Magicstripes Lifting Collagen Mask is a cloth 'hydrogel' mask that you wear on your jaw like a sling (as you would if you had somehow broken your chin) so it can get to work targeting the jawline.

The mask is infused with a cocktail of collagen, caffeine, Vitamins C and E, Macadamia Nut Oil and water and aims to define the facial contours, lift and streamline the area and provide a boost of nourishment.
Collagen - forms a moisturising film on the skin, 'filling up' fine lines
Caffeine - stimulates and promotes blood circulation.
Vitamin C- supports the development of collagen. An effective anti-oxidant that neutralises free radicals.
Vitamin E - Protects against premature ageing and combats harmful environmental influences.
Macadamia Nut Oil - Smooths and regenerates the skin.

The actual shape of the mask plays a part in the lifting and firming as it literally 'lifts' the skin while the formula gets to work.

To use the mask, you hook it over your ears and across your chin, sit back for around an hour and pray with everything you have that the doorbell doesn't ring. By the way, if you follow me on Instagram, you can see me doing just that.

Before now, I'd never tried a face mask quite like this (though this one comes close) and initially found the whole chin-sling-thing quite bizarre. After putting it on though, I can't deny that it feels fantastic on the skin. The mask has a refreshing, cooling effect that is particularly welcome now that the sun is starting to show his big, fiery face and has a very subtle, clean and fresh scent.

It's worth noting that only one side of the cloth mask is 'wet' - once you've pulled it out of its sachet, the mask is peeled off a backing and the moist side is applied to your face.
While the Lifting Collagen Mask felt nice and cooling, I did find it a little uncomfortable around my ears (though not so uncomfortable that I took it off before one hour) as it sort of tugged on them.I do have a fairly giant head though so you probably won't have this problem!

Once removed, the skin around my chin and jawline felt smooth and soft, possibly even a little 'tighter' though I'm not particularly saggy around this area anyway. Yet.

All in all, the MagicStripes Lifting Collagen Mask is a definite 'treat' beauty item that should be pulled out before a special occasion for a little more lift and definition. Besides the obvious funny appearance of the mask, the fact that it isn't gooey or sticky means you go about your other beauty business without fear of getting product on your clothes/ towels/ walls.

The MagicStripes Lifting Collagen Mask is available from Harvey Nichols, www.beautyworkswest.com and My Showcase for £39 for a pack of 5.

Post contains sample