Winter Warm Electric Blanket from Slumberdown

I received this Electric Blanket from Slumberdown free of charge, in return for an honest review. All opinions are based upon my own experience.

For years I have struggled sleeping during the winter months due to the cold. We live in a really cold house anyway and putting the heating on isn't always an option so bed is where I'd snuggle up with a hot water bottle and forget my troubles. The only problem with a hot water bottle, is that it only hits the odd spot at a time due to the size of it, so when i was given the opportunity to review an Electric blanket, I jumped at the chance.

As you can see, an instruction leaflet is included with the electric blanket showing exactly how to place it on your bed. This had me a little confused until my other half stepped in and showed me where I was going wrong. 

There are a few bits of string rolled up which are passed under the mattress and through the loops in order to keep the blanket held in place and prevent sliding. The instructions are really easy to follow but I must have been having a blonde day and just couldn't grasp them. 

This is the controller and as you can see, it has 3 settings ranging from mildly warm through to uber hot. The only problem I had with this is that the numbers don't glow when it's plugged in making it quite difficult to see which setting you've chosen. I would much prefer it if they lit up!

This part is placed just below the bottom of your pillow and is where the power is connected. I found this a little awkward as it's quite clumpy and very difficult to avoid. I have had to adjust my lying position to allow for this extra plug and would have much preferred this being more towards the bottom of the bed rather than near my head!

I have been using this for a couple of weeks now and I have to say that it has made a huge difference. When used on setting 1, there is very little difference in temperature, even if you put the blanket on a couple of hours before bed. I would recommend this setting to be used only if you plan on leaving the blanket on overnight to keep it chill free but not too hot. Setting 2 provides a little more heat, but again, you'd need it on for a good few hours to notice any real difference. I wouldn't however leave it on this setting overnight as I'd probably end up too hot. For me personally, setting 3 was perfect if I put the blanket on around an hour before bed. It was nice and toasty to step into and helped keep me snug as a bug in a rug ...only problem was that once I was in bed, there was no shifting me for love nor money!

I did find that although the blanket was tied down, it did still do a fair bit of sliding and even through the valance, myself and my other half still managed to get our feet tangled in the strings once they became looser. We are both pretty restless sleepers though and tend to move around alot through the night so maybe this is why it didn't want to stay put.

The great thing with this blanket is that once you unplug it from the mains etc, it can be placed in the washer on a 40° wool cycle to keep it hygienically clean. Under no circumstances should you ever have this product dry cleaned though! The Slumberdown electric blanket also comes with a 12 month guarantee so you can be assured that it is of the highest quality.

I really liked this product and would recommend it although you will have to keep check to make sure it's tied properly at all times to avoid any wires getting split/snagged/creased.

Check out Slumberdown Electric Blanket for more information and to find stockists.

Police The Crease! Wrinkle Corrector by Laidbare from My Pure

I was sent Police The Crease! Wrinkle Corrector by Laidbare from My Pure free of charge, in return for an honest review. All opinions are based upon my own experience.

Product Description....
"Enriched with Seaweed extract known to help to reduce wrinkle depth and enhance skin appearance. The Laidbare secret to stopping time in its tracks is Hibiscus extract, a 'natural botox plant' both anti-ageing and targeting skin tone."

This wrinkle corrector comes in a handy tube and the cream is easily dispensed simply by squeezing. Some creams are too thick to come out without sheer brute force, but this comes out easily and at a nice consistency. A small amount (about the size of a 5p) is sufficient to get a good coverage and it glides on really easily.

I could feel an immediate improvement in the dryness of my skin and the wrinkles seemed to plump a little making them far less visible. There was no greasy after-feel and my skin only had a slight sheen left on it which appeared more as a youthful, healthy glow .....also noted by my other half which is always good!
When paired with the Guess My Age Anti-Wrinkle Treatment Cream, this really does work wonders and provides long-lasting results. I used both products twice daily and have been amazed by the difference they have made, both to my skin, and to my confidence.

As there are no harmful ingredients, it's kind to your skin and to the environment. I suffer from slightly sensitive skin which often flares up depending on the products I use, but this didn't cause any irritation at all and was very soothing when applied immediately after washing.

If you're looking to get your skin in tip-top condition for those Christmas parties, then look no further than this! It's fast working and provides great results!

Police The Crease! Wrinkle Corrector by Laidbare, is available to buy from My Pure at a cost of £12.99 for a 50ml tube.

Guess My Age Anti-ageing Treatment Cream by Laidbare from My Pure

I was sent Guess My Age Anti-ageing Treatment Cream by Laidbare, free of charge from My Pure, in return for an honest review. All opinions are based upon my own experience.

I have to admit that it was the name of this product which caught my attention as I thought it quite fun. As I've mentioned in earlier posts, I am beginning to worry about the signs of ageing and aim to prolong them for as long as I can. I have a few fine lines around my eyes and forehead which are probably more obvious to me than others, but nonetheless, they do give me a bit of a complex. I'm not brave or rich enough to opt for surgery so to me, creams are the next best thing.

The product description says:
"This amazingly effective new anti-ageing treatment is enriched with Active Prodejine which works to strengthen the bonds between the skin layers to create a lifted effect, resulting in smoother, younger looking skin.The formulation is a must for all ages, whether you are just starting to detect the first few lines, or whether you have deeper, more established wrinkles. Exotic Passion Flower Oil is an active ingredient in this treatment, known for its powerful anti-ageing properties. Rich in Potassium and bursting with Vitamins A, B and C, this anti-wrinkle cream is essential for maintaining healthy, dewy and youthful-looking skin."

Free from all nasties

This cream has a really lovely consistency and feels quite luxurious when applied to the skin. You don't really need much to achieve a good coverage as it glides on with ease. I could immediately feel and see the effect the cream had on my skin. My skin felt slightly plumped with a really healthy glow and the fine lines almost disappeared. The slightly deeper wrinkles were still visible, although not nearly as much as before the cream was applied. This does have a slight smell which isn't exactly unpleasant, but there is something underlying which I wasn't keen on, however the smell didn't linger on my skin for too long so wasn't really a problem. I used this both in the morning and in the evening over a period of about 2 weeks and noticed a significant improvement in my skins texture. It is well nourished and has a more youthful appearance. I also found this to be a good make-up base as it allowed my foundation to spread with ease and eliminated the patches of dry skin which I often suffer from.

Overall I would highly recommend this as it does exactly what it claims ...reduces wrinkles!

Guess My Age Anti-ageing Treatment Cream by Laidbare is available to buy from My Pure at a cost of £7.99 for a 50ml pot.

GLORIOUS! Foods launched in Tesco

An exclusive range of GLORIOUS! Foods products have recently been launched exclusively in Tesco. I was lucky enough to be sent a selection free of charge, in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I received 4 soups from the SkinnyLicious Soup range in the following flavours .....

Mexican Sol - A bright and fresh crushed tomato and fire-roasted pepper soup that's low in fat. We've added some nachos and a squeeze of freshly squeezed lime juice, but it also comes with a dollop of mariachi music and sipping margaritas in the sun. 

More Bangalore - A rich yet low in fat toor daal and chickpea soup mixed with tasty garam masala, curry leaves and sweet mango chutney that takes us back to a morning of blowing on hot coffee in Tiffin rooms and an afternoon of being covered head to toe in a carnival of vibrant colour.

Starry Thai Sky - A deliciously smooth pumpkin and coconut cream soup that's less than 1% fat. Marrying sweet carrot, coriander, fragrant ginger with a dash of watching the sun rise on an endless beach after a night of dancing with fire swingers under a full moon.

Sun-Kissed in Sicily - A buono, rustic and zingy pomodoro tomato and balsamic soup that you wouldn't believe is low fat. Made with roast garlic, fennel, clouds of Dancing Starlings at sunset and a splash of watching the surf crash on black volcanic beaches. 

Now for the taste testing ....

I'm quite a fussy eater and in all honesty, if I read this soup in my local supermarket, I'd probably put it back and look for something else as the ingredients don't really appeal to me. I do however love the way the soup is described! Despite it not appealing, I did in fact give it a try and was pleasantly surprised. Each pot contains enough for 2 people and can either be heated on the hob, or in the microwave. I tried on the hob with this one. As soon as I opened the pot I could pick out the tomato and roasted pepper ...it actually smelled quite appealing! It only took around 5 mins or so to heat as it specifies not to boil as this ruins the flavour. This is a really homely tasting soup which is sure to warm the cockles on those cold winter nights. Each of the flavours shone through creating a delicious soup which is low in fat and healthy too.
Mexican Sol contains 84 calories and 2.4g of fat per 300g serving.

Despite being fussy, I was actually dying to give this one a go as to me, it sounded so appealing and tasty. I was also curious to see how the flavours went together. Again I heated on the hob (mainly because my microwave isn't the greatest), and the smell eminating from my kitchen was indeed Glorious! The consistency was just right and the contrast in ingredients made this extremely tasty. Both myself and my oldest daughter really loved this one and would definitely buy it again.
More Bangalore contains 147 calories and 4.2g of fat per 300g serving.

This is the one I was least looking forward to ...mainly because I've never tasted Pumpkin before! There is a really pungent smell to this soup but it isn't an unpleasant one. The ginger could be detected immediately as it helped give it a bit of a kick but I wasn't especially keen on the flavour. My daughter however quite enjoyed it but not as much as the others as she thought it seemed a little overpowering.
Starry Thai Sky contains 96 calories and 4.2g of fat per 300g serving.

This is the only one I decided to heat in the microwave ...just for review purposes! The instructions state remove the lid and just rest on top, then place in the microwave for 5 mins, stirring half way through. I love this idea as there's no mess and and no pans to clean afterwards ....perfect! Again, the tomato really shines through and you get the slightest hint of garlic. I was really impressed with the strength of flavour in this and again, the consistency was spot on. I class this as quite a hearty meal which left me feeling satisfied and full but not overly bloated. My daughter particularly liked this one and said that I must buy it again for her.
Sun-Kissed in Sicily contains 90 calories and 3.0g of fat per 300g serving.

Each pot costs £2.20 (price correct at time of post).

GLORIOUS! Foods make a wide range of soups to cater for all tastes and ages. Why not take a look at their website for some inspiration and to explore the amazing flavours available.
Follow GLORIOUS! Foods on Twitter
Like the GLORIOUS! Foods Facebook page

Do you leave your heating on at night?

IT’S GETTING STEAMY IN THE BEDROOM. LEAVING HEATING ON OVERNIGHT CAN LEAD TO SLEEP AND HEALTH PROBLEMS SAYS SLUMBERDOWN 

Research from the UK’s leading bedding specialist, Slumberdown, has unveiled that the majority of UK adults who have left their heating on overnight to stay warm in bed, are suffering with ill health as a result.

The survey* revealed that nearly half (46%) of people who sleep with the heating on overnight wake the following morning feeling ill with over a third (37%) suffering from a headache, dry mouth and dehydration (20%) or generally bunged-up (18%).

As many as 70% of those surveyed have left their boilers blazing overnight resulting in a fifth (20%) admitting waking from their slumber overheated and drenched in sweat.

Almost a third (29%) said they had left their heating on overnight despite energy bills being one of the most expensive household outgoings.

Around the British Isles, the temperature North of the Border could explain why Scots are the worst culprits for leaving the heating on overnight (82%) resulting in 37% who wake up feeling ill. Nearly three quarters (72%) of people in the south east admitted to feeling the bedtime chills and slept with heaters blazing compared with a slightly more resilient 63% of  northerners. Northern Ireland folk would appear to be the least hot headed with a cool 45% opting to leaving their heating on as they slumber but over two thirds (36%) of those that do this reported feeling unwell the following morning.

Over half of those surveyed (51%) confessed to not changing their duvet for a higher tog winter duvet.

However, seven out of ten Brits (70%) said they would rather change their bedding to a warmer winter duvet than leave the heating on with a further 76% aware that doing this helps them sleep more comfortably and feeling fresher in the morning.

Nearly two thirds (63%) sleep without any ventilation in the bedroom making for a stuffy, potentially uncomfortable sleeping environment. 28% find it more difficult to breathe in bed during winter and a third (32%) struggle to get the bedroom temperature right.

Slumberdown’s sleep expert Professor Jason Ellis explains: “Our bodies do a great deal of work for us during sleep. As part of that process, our body temperature changes over the course of the night and we tend to cool down towards bedtime and then naturally warm up towards the morning. As such, we may go to bed warm and cosy but as the research shows, wake up hot and bothered. The key is being comfortable when going to bed and staying comfortable throughout the night. The more comfortable you are the less likely you will wake during the night or too early in the morning.

“This is where duvets and hot water bottles have an advantage over leaving the central heating on - in addition to the cost. You don’t need to leave the comfort of your bed to regulate your temperature with a duvet. Sticking your feet out from under the duvet to cool down is easier than having to get out of bed to turn the heating off. Also, central heating can dehydrate, resulting in a dry mouth, headaches and feelings of being bunged up. Interestingly, whereas the majority of people in our survey can see the benefits of changing to warmer bedding in the winter, surprisingly few actually do it.”

The Slumberdown research also revealed:

·         The majority of Brits (23%) put their heating back on for winter in late October

·         37% make a change to their bedding/sleeping environment in November

·         A flash fifth (20%) leave their heating on overnight without losing sleep over the cost of their energy bills

·         Half (50%) said they always have cold feet in bed throughout winter

·         25% who make a change to their bedding do it so they don’t have to leave the heating on all night

·         More than a quarter find it harder to sleep in winter than any other time of year

·         24% dig out their trusty hot water bottles when the dark nights draw in

·         A third would rather snuggle up to their pet than their partner to keep warm

Slumberdown is a leading supplier of filled bedding products including duvets, pillows and mattress protectors. To get the bedroom ready for winter, Slumberdown offers the Winter Warm collection including 15 and 13.5 tog duvets, electric blanket and fleecy mattress protector. Selected products from the Winter Warm collection are available in Tesco, Argos, Asda & Sainsbury’s and Matalan.

 Notes to editors

*Slumberdown carried out the research in September 2014 with a national sample polling over 1,000 men and women across the country and results were broken down by age, gender and location.

 Leading bedding specialist Slumberdown provides a wide range of quality pillows, duvets and mattress protectors. The Slumberdown range has been designed to suit a variety of sleep needs and deliver maximum comfort to ensure everyone starts the day feeling their best.

Established since 1970, Slumberdown is at the forefront of bedding innovation and is committed to developing new and improved products to continually deliver the best night’s sleep for its customers and their families.

slumberdown.co.uk

If you have Twitter, why not follow @SlumberdownUK and get your questions in early for sleep expert Professor Jason Ellis to answer on Monday 27th October 8-9pm. 

Madara Ultra Purifying Mud mask

I received Madara Detox Ultra Purifying Mud Mask 60ml from My Pure, in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The low-down as quoted from My Pure:

"This deep-purifying detox mask with Nordic forest lake mud cleans, tightens pores and conditions, leaving skin fresh, matt and revitalised.

Effects:

1. Clarify: Absorbs excess oils, cleans, refines pores, reduces outbreaks

2. Detoxify: Power of mud binds toxins and heavy metals and helps to eliminate them

3. Rejuvenate: Eliminates traces of acne and minor inflammation.

4. Recharge: Recharges with trace elements and vitamins for a revitalised and glowing complexion

5. Hydrate: The colloid structure of mud helps to retain skin’s hydration.

Recommended twice a week as clarifying treatment for oily, combination skin, skin with enlarged pores, blemishes, acne. Recommended once a week to combat skin dullness, tiredness and occasional inflammation."

I really love face masks and scrubs as they help remove impurities from my skin and generally leave it feeling refreshed and renewed. I like products which are easy to use and offer real benefits which is why I decided to try the  Ultra Purifying Mud Mask by Madara as I've tried their products before and have been really impressed. 

Inside the box ....

Sectioned with instructions (I had removed tube of mud mask)

Mud mask

This product has, in my opinion, really attractive packaging as it's simple yet elegant and oozes quality. The design of the tub means that it's really easy to squeeze and dispense the mud mask to get just the right amount ...

Directions for use are to simply 

"Apply mask onto face and neck then rinse with water after 5-10 mins. NOTE: This is a highly effective product that may cause temporary tingling or redness. Read the enclosed instructions before use."

I waited till I could have a relaxing bath and took my small alarm clock in with me ...just to make sure I didn't exceed the 10 minute window. After washing, I squeezed a small amount of the mask onto my palm and used my fingers to evenly spread it over my face and neck. This has a really pleasant smell and felt quite relaxing upon application. I personally didn't notice and tingling or unpleasantness which was unusual as my skin can often be sensitive. BE WARNED: You have to be pretty quick at applying this, no dilly dallying as it dries really quickly! Once applied, I lay back and chilled. Although I could feel it drying on my face, it wasn't uncomfortable or restricting in any way ...I still managed to smile without cracking the mask! It only takes a light covering to get great results and as you only use it once or twice a week, it's sure to last a while too.

I often find that mud masks can be quite difficult to rinse off, however I had no such problems with this. I simply wet my hands and splashed my face a few times, gave a gentle rub and hey presto, it was gone. My skin felt fantastic. No tightness or dry patches just clean, moisturised skin which had a renewed glow. 

I would seriously recommend this if you have problem skin as the ingredients work in harmony with your skin to reduce redness and blemishes. 

Madara Ultra Purifying Mud Mask is available to buy from My Pure at a cost of £20.00 for a 60ml tube.

BLUEBERRIES DRY SKIN ULTRA HYDRATING BODY WASH from MY PURE

I received some Yes to Blueberries Dry Skin Ultra Hydrating Body Wash free of charge from My Pure, in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

As I'm nearing my forties, I try to find products which are more suitable to my maturing skin and offer real benefits. The 'Yes to Blueberries is Yes To's speciality range for age-damaged or mature skin. It improves firmness and diminishes the appearance of fine lines with blueberries, cotton thistle and paracress flower'.

 I really love the size of this bottle as it's nice and chunky which means you can get a good grip of it even when you're hands are wet. There is a small opening in the lid which is where the body wash is dispensed from. Simply press one side down, and the other side pops open ....

I'm not quite sure how well you can see the hole in my pics, but it is incredibly difficult to dispense the body wash through it. I had to hold my scrunchie between my knees and use both hands to squeeze the bottle and even then, only a small amount dribbled out of the end. I found it far easier to remove the lid altogether and pour directly from the top of the bottle.

So, unless you have muscles like Arnie, I suggest this to be the best way to use the body wash.

I could smell this immediately after removing the lid and I really liked it. It has a pretty strong smell, but also a clean, fresh one and the blueberries really come through. I poured about a 50p piece size onto my scrunchie and found that this was more than enough to get a good, thorough wash. The body wash lathered up well and had a nice creamy feel on my skin which when rinsed, left it feeling nourished and moisturised. The lather was easily rinsed off and didn't leave any kind of residue. This product is also great to use as a bubble bath and creates a nice relaxing aroma whilst being kind to skin. The blueberries are a natural source of anti-oxident while the Shea Butter provides good moisturisation. After drying, I noticed that my skin didn't feel as tight as usual and had a nice glow to it. I didn't apply moisturiser as it didn't seem necessary ....which doesn't happen often!

Overall, I really liked this product although do feel that the bottle opening needs a little attention. As with all My Pure products, you're guaranteed that this is derived from natural ingredients and won't be harmful to your skin.

Yes to Blueberries Dry Skin Ultra Hydrating Body Wash is available to buy from My Pure at a cost of £7.99 for 500ml.

AERO 360° PURE from Unibond

As part of The Insiders, I received this product free of charge in return for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

For many years we have suffered severe damp problems in our home which has resulted in fortunes being spent on decoration etc. I have hunted high and low for a product which is inexpensive and not harmful to use without success, so I jumped at the chance of trialling the AERO 360° PURE.

The key signs to having too much moisture are:
- Dust mites
- General allergies and joint problems
- The feeling of being cold or having a cold on a regular basis
- Damp in your home
- Condensation and lingering bad smells around the house
- Wallpaper peeling off, blistering paint, mould and mildew patches etc

I pretty much ticked all of these boxes so couldn't wait to see if this product would actually make a difference!

Contents

Once removed from the box, the AERO 360° PURE is really easy to set up and use immediately...

Simply pop open clips on the side to separate

Press 'Open' on the lid to install the ultra-absorbent refill tab

The tab is to sit on the axle with the blue side facing downwards

Key features of the AERO 360° PURE are:
- ULTRA-ABSORBENT REFILL TAB a new wave shaped design with a hollowed centre. 2 in 1 technology: anti-moisture and anti-odour. The tab lasts for approximately 3 months. Once it is fully dissolved, replace the tab with a new one.
- AERODYNAMIC DEVICE air circulates around and through the suspended tab, based on 360° air circulation for increased efficiency.
- EASY HANDLING with a one touch loading tray.
- DRAINING SPOUT to easily empty the salty solution from inside the tank.
- LEVEL WINDOW to visibly monitor the amount of fluid in the tank
- ANTI-SPILL PROTECTION MECHANISM for maximum safety.

As all of the rooms in my home suffer from dampness, I decided to place it in my kids' bedroom as this is probably one of the worst affected and you can actually feel the dampness in the air. I didn't want to stand it on the windowsill so I placed it on the top of a wardrobe around 10cm (the recommended distance) away from the wall and waited.

I checked the bottom and after only 2 days, this is what was collected ....

Not a huge amount I know, but I was still impressed that there was anything at all! At least I knew some moisture was definitely being drawn from the air.
The AERO 360° PURE has now been stood in my kids' room for 11 days and when I checked this morning, this is what I found ....

As you can see, there's quite a bit there! Apart from what is visible in the bottom, there has also been a noticeable difference in the feel of their room. The cold air doesn't smack you in the face as soon as you enter, the smell has almost disappeared altogether and the blackness in my walls seems to be fading too. Both my kids are a lot less snuffly and the room is a more comfortable place to be. I really am amazed that such a small, relatively cheap device, can make such a huge difference!

If you're interested in purchasing one of these little room savers for your home, they're available to buy from:

Amazon.co.uk for £6.70
Homebase.co.uk for £19.99
Tesco Direct for £20.00 (and earn 20 clubcard points)
All prices correct at time of post
They can also be found in Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, B&Q, Robert Days, Wilkinson and B&M although prices may vary.

Barefoot SOS Repair & Renew Smoothing Eye Serum

I received Barefoot SOS Repair & Renew Smoothing Eye Serum free of charge from My Pure, in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I've been noticing for a while now, that the once fine lines around  my eyes, have suddenly become more visible and deeper. It's funny how the ageing process takes over but fortunately, there are plenty of products out there on the market which are made to target those problem areas and allow us to look more youthful. This is one such product to target the eye area. Here is the description:
"An ultra-smoothing treatment combining Rosa Mosqueta Oil to help improve the appearance of fine lines, botanical extracts of Arnica and Calendula extract to help reduce dark circles, and Euphrasia extract (Eyebright) to soothe and refresh the eye area. Smooth 'crows feet' and expression lines. Develop brighter, younger looking skin around the eye area. Ease away puffiness and dark circles. Soothe and hydrate skin around the eye area. Tone and refresh tired looking eyes. Suitable for all skin types, especially mature/prematurely aged skin, dry skin, blemished skin, uneven skin tone and environmentally damaged skin."

This 'wonder' tube comes in a neat little box which is simply, but nicely styled.

Once opened, you'll find inside a 15ml tube of Smoothing Eye Serum and a handy instruction leaflet ...

The tube has a long nozzle from which the cream is dispensed. A small squeeze and you get just the desired amount.

The directions for use are also pretty simple, "Apply sparingly to the delicate skin around the eyes. Gently pat from the outer eye towards the nose using fingertips."
I did exactly as directed and noticed an immediate result. I found that the cream spread well and didn't leave any kind of residue or powdery whiteness around my eye ...it blended in superbly! The lines around the sides of my eyes were less visible after the first use and they had an unusual brightness to them which made them appear more youthful. I've incorporated this product as part of my daily routine and the lines, although they're still there, they aren't nearly as noticeable as they were beforehand. My eyes feel rejuvenated, moisturised and bright. I've also noticed that the skin around my eyes is firmer and has more elasticity, unlike before when it seemed to be becoming a wee bit saggy and paper like.
Overall I am extremely impressed with this product. It may not fit everybodys budget, but it does make a difference and as it's made with natural ingredients, you're also giving your skin the kindness it deserves.

Barefoot SOS Repair & Renew Smoothing Eye Serum is available from My Pure at a cost of £18.90 (currently on offer at time of post).

Skin Blossom Facial Toner from My Pure

I received a bottle of Skin Blossom Facial Toner free of charge from My Pure, in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The first thing I noticed, and loved, about this product was the bottle. Despite it being black, it is opaque and  I personally think it looks quite sophisticated and elegant.

On the bottle it says "This refreshing toner purifies after cleansing. Witch Hazel to tone and tighten pores, Aloe Vera and Glycerin to condition, and subtle essential oils to revive. SUITABLE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES"

The directions are quite simply to wipe over face and neck after cleansing. Careful when you remove the lid as there's a sizeable hole at the top .....

I personally found this much easier to use than some which restrict the flow of the toner, especially as I tip onto a cotton ball/pad to use. I managed to get just a nice amount with 1 tip of the bottle which was quite sufficient to do my whole face and neck without needing more. I felt a nice, refreshing coolness upon application and only a very slight tingling sensation. When using similar products, I usually feel a slight discomfort as I have sensitive skin, but this was fine and didn't leave any tightness either. The smell isn't as alcohol smelling as some toners, in fact it's actually quite pleasant!
I have been using this for a couple of weeks now and have noticed an improvement in the elasticity of my skin as well as a reduction in pores. It has become part of my daily routine and I would highly recommend it, especially as it's so affordable and a little really does stretch a long way so one bottle will last a good while.

As well as doing what it says on the bottle, this facial toner is "98.85% natural & free from ingredients like SLS, SLES, ALS, Phylates, Parabens, Phenoxyethanol, DMDM, PEGS, Silicones, synthetic colour & fragrance, Urea, DEA, MEA, TEA & GLYCOLS." Perfect if you prefer to keep it natural.

 Skin Blossom Facial Toner is available to buy from My Pure at a cost of £5.36 (currently on offer at time of post)

Madara Moonkissed Tinted Lip Gloss from My Pure

I recently received Madara Moonkissed Tinted Lip Gloss  from My Pure, in return for an honest review.

My lip gloss arrived packaged in a neat box with a small hole so I could see the colour before actually removing from the box.

Once the lid is removed, you have a nozzle with a flat edge and a small hole in the centre where the gloss will be dispensed from. Simply give the tube a small squeeze and apply the flat end of the tube directly to lips then smooth over. Be careful not to squeeze out too much as this is very easy to do. At least if you don't quite get enough, you can always go back for more whereas squeeze too much, and you're in a mess ...as I was! Regular readers of my blog know that I tend to judge alot of products on smell. I didn't really notice this as having a smell, but once applied to my lips, there was a rather unpleasant taste and then the smell kind of hit me. No disrespect to this product, but the smell reminded me of the ultra cheap lippys I used to buy with my pocket money in my younger days. I didn't like it then, and I don't like it now.

The wording on the box states 'Super shiny natural lip gloss with volume-boosting plant lipids and Northern Rose Hip. Enchants and seduces. Apply generously to lips all day long.' This really excited me!

It's a little difficult to see the colour here as my pics aren't exactly the greatest, but it's pretty close to my skin tone and alot lighter when applied than it looks in the tube. you really do need a generous amount as it doesn't like staying in one place. There is a slight stickiness upon initial application, but this tends to subside after a couple of minutes. I personally felt like I could pull off the perfect pout wearing this. It definitely plumped my lips up and made them appear fuller. The glossiness of this also gave a fantastic shine whilst not being too OTT. This is absolutely perfect to help achieve the natural summer look which is favoured by many and would be great whether used for a daytime look or a more glam evening look.

Sorry I couldn't get a clear pic on my own but you get the general idea ...I hope! Despite the smell (which only lasts a couple of minutes), I absolutely loved this product. It made me feel sexy and special and gave my confidence a great boost. If you're looking for something that's made with natural products and won't feel to heavy on your lips but will go the distance, then this is the gloss for you.

Madara Moonkissed Tinted Lip Gloss is available from My Pure and costs £8.10 for a 15ml tube.
All prices correct at time of post