Author Archives: Catherine Balavage

Top Educational Toys

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stack, blocks, building, wooden, game , toysStack The Bug Wooden Balancing game, £25 from Kikkerland – Wooden bug-themed stacking balance game. Great for hand-eye coordination and lots of fun.

Make & Play 3D Safari, £12 from Kikkerland Build, stick and paint the animals to create your own safari. A fun and creative way for your child to learn about animals.

Geomag Magicube Word Building Clips 55 Piece Magnetic Building Set

Geomag Education is the Geomag line for learning while having fun! Word Building stimulates creativity by helping children to play with letters to create words. Stick the magnetic pieces of Word Building on your Magicube blocks and start playing! Geomag Magicube is a construction platform created by Geomag, a leading magnetic toy company. Geomag has re-invented the building game with cubes making it incredibly fun and above all magical! In fact, the cubes are able to stick together on any side. So they can even be suspended! In this way the constructions become surprising but also easy to make just for everyone, even for very young children.

A simple, magical system, just like all our magnetic constructions at Geomag and also kind to the environment as they are made using 100% recycled plastic!

I love Geomag Magicube and believe all children should have some, these earn extra points for helping children with their word building.

 

Best Toys To Buy For The Summer Holidays

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toy reviews, toys, masksMake & Play Animal Mask, £12 from Kikkerland – Make, paint & play with these 6 animal masks. This kit includes non-toxic paints, stickers, and a paintbrush. Great for kids to get creative, and play with their creation after.

octopus game, toys, toy review

On The Go Octopus Game, £15 from Kikkerland Spin the wheel and race to dress your octopus. Perfect for traveling. This is a fun game which fits in a cute tin box.

Geomag Glitter Eco Recycled 35 Piece Magnetic Building Set

The Geomag Classic 100% Recycled line dedicated to everyone who wants to play with an explosion of colors delights even the most demanding of creative spirits. The super stylish Glitter line is dedicated to fans of sparkly colours! What’s more, the practical storage boxes to keep the rods and spheres in neatly, as well as always with you, are also made of recycled plastic. The Glitter 35-piece set includes 12 spheres, 12 magnetic rods, 10 panels and 1 base.

The usual amazing Geomag toys with a dose of fun glitter. It’s building, but extra.

Perfect Toys For Budding Scientists

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Make Your Own Hydraulic Claw

Teach your kids about robotics. Explore engineering and learn how to build your own hydraulic lifting claw! Kit includes die-cut cardboard pieces, pvc tubing 10ml syringe & screws. Fun and educational.

Geomag E-motion Magnetic Spinning Top Eco Recycled 32 Piece Building Set

The Geomag E-Motion 100% Recycled line is an inventive system of simple construction made of rods and spheres produced in Switzerland. Use the strength and energy of the Geomag magnets and spheres to build crazy spinning tops and suspended models that will spin for ages. Put your building and spinning skills to the test with these sets!

We love Geomag at Frost. Wonderful, inventive toys which give hours of fun.

Kikkerland Handheld Wooden Animal Classic Pinball Game, Owl/Bear/Frog, Picked at Random, for Kids. Small and cute. Perfect for traveling.

Everything You Need to Know About Ingrown Hairs

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With ‘how to get rid of ingrown hair’ seeing a 70% increase in Google traffic over the past 90 days, and TikTok seeing a whopping 1.7 BILLION views on #ingrownhairremoval, it’s a very real problem with a lot of people seeking a pain-free, easy solution.

Smooth Appeal Expert, Helen Hepburn, gives us the lowdown.

WHAT IS AN INGROWN HAIR? An ingrown hair appears when a shaved or tweezed hair grows back into the skin. It can cause inflammation, pain and tiny bumps in the area where the hair was removed. Ingrown hairs are a common condition that results from hair removal. They aren’t dangerous but can be incredibly painful.

WHO IS PRONE TO INGROWN

Anyone who shaves, tweezes or waxes their hair can develop ingrown hairs. If you shave often, you’re more likely to have ingrown hairs. You’re also more likely to have ingrown hair if you have thick, coarse or curly hair.

HOW DO I KNOW IF IT’S AN INGROWN HAIR?​

Ingrown hairs can look like raised, itchy bumps on the skin. On white skin the bumps may look red. Redness may be harder to see on black or brown skin, but they may look a different colour to the surrounding skin. Sometimes you can see a hair trapped under the skin.

 

WILL IT GO AWAY? Ingrown hairs will typically go away on their own if you leave them alone. But if they don’t, stop all hair removal attempts. Don’t try to pluck, pull, shave, wax, or cut hair in the area where ingrown hairs are. See your healthcare provider for medical advice if you think it may be infected.

 

CAN I POP AN INGROWN HAIR?

Picking or popping the ingrown hair will only increase your risk of infection because it exposes the follicle to bacteria. Picking the skin can also cause scars. Although ingrown hairs can be uncomfortable at times, they’re best left alone.​

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HOW TO AVOID THEM? The trick is to get hairs out so that you can see the bulb at the base, you can achieve this with smaller, more deliberate pulls. Be sure to follow directions very carefully prepping skin, applying product and removing it. Lightly exfoliating before waxing, as this helps remove dead skin cells allowing for easier access to the hairs. Also, gently exfoliate a day after the wax if the area isn’t red, inflamed or irritated. Any kind of body waxing requires your skin to “breathe,” rather than be constricted. Not only can tight clothes irritate freshly waxed areas, but weeks also later it can encourage the hair to grow back into the skin.

UNDER £10 SOLUTIONS!

Smooth Appeal Ingrown Hair Lotion, £8.40, Amazon. Smooth Appeal Ingrown Hair Lotion uses a professional formula to gently exfoliate and decongest pores to minimise and reduce ingrown hairs pre & post hair removal. The formula is enriched with Aloe Vera alongside active, natural extracts that are 100% vegan, paraben-free, gluten-free & cruelty-free. It offers mild exfoliation that decongests skin to minimise the appearance and discomfort of ingrown hairs,  leaving you with the smoothest skin. Prepare skin for hair removal by applying lotion to targeted areas daily for a few days prior to waxing, shaving or using an epilator. It’s also perfect for soothing post hair-removal bumps and burns.

Smooth Appeal After Wax Gel, £7.20, Amazon. A professional gel moisturiser to nourish, calm and soothe skin after hair removal on your face, bikini line, underarms and more. Achieve professional results with Smooth Appeal After Wax Gel, a salon-strength moisturiser for after hair removal. Packed full of aloe vera to soothe and calm skin after hair removal.  Ideal for delicate areas including bikini line, underarms & face after hair wax. Apply 2-3 times a day to calm & soothe irritation for silky smooth skin.

Fantastic Minimal Makeup Introducing Pearl Beauty

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I have a new makeup obsession: Pearl. I have tried their Multi purpose lip and face stick, their cream highlighter, and their “The One” multi-purpose brush. I use the cream highlighter pretty much every day now and always get compliments. High praise for someone who doesn’t really wear makeup much.

Their multi-purpose face and lip stick is so easy to use and stays put. It’s amazing. Ditto for the brush which allows seamless application. I won’t be without Pearl Makeup ever again. I am in love.

pearl makeup

Our love for ‘No Makeup Makeup’ shows no signs of slowing down with #nomakeupmakeup TikTok tutorials gaining 918 million video views. With an air of “your skin but better” we’re looking for those minimal, multi-purpose everyday makeup items that enhance our skin to give maximum impact with minimal makeup. Pearl Beauty is all of this and more…

Founded and created by makeup artist of 10 years Elanna Pecherle, Pearl Beauty was created with an immense love for everyday makeup. Whether you are incredibly confident with applying makeup or just learning, Pearl Beauty products are user friendly, mistake proof, made with clean ingredients, vegan, and cruelty-free.

Use each product and shade individually, or mix, match and play with them to suit your colour preference. Instead of having an overwhelming choice in products, Elanna has picked shades and products that are versatile, buildable and perfect for everyday use.

All products available at pearlbeautycosmetics.com

Fresh Vegan Skincare Brand RINGANA Launch Baby Skincare Products

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In keeping with the RINGANA philosophy, the range consists of four fresh, natural vegan care products, developed with the greatest care and of the highest certified organic and pharmaceutical quality. I have tried these products on my own children and they are amazing. I love them. They work well and you don’t need to worry about toxins. 

vegan, skincare, baby, children

FRESH baby body & wash, FRESH baby bum cream, FRESH baby bum foam and FRESH baby oil. 

Naturally, just like all of the other RINGANA products, the entire product range is vegan, free of synthetic colours, perfumes and preservatives, mineral oils, parabens, PEG emulsifiers, etc. All of the products are dermatologically tested and are very well tolerated by the skin.

The RINGANA story began in Austria in 1996 out of the deep convictions, deeply rooted values and unstoppable energy of two people who wanted to make the world a better place. The ultimate impetus was provided by a toothpaste that their son brought home with him from kindergarten. Ulla Wannemacher and Andreas Wilfinger were so shocked by the questionable ingredient triclosan, that they resolved to launch better alternatives on the market.

Now, 26 years later, they are returning to the starting point of their story, presenting a new product range for babies and young children.

No fluff – no fillers: RINGANA FRESH baby 

FRESH baby body & hair wash: clean from head to toe 

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This mild washing gel cleans delicate skin and hair ultra gently. The pH-friendly formulation is very kind, and won’t make their eyes sting. Skin-soothing extracts of oat, cotton and witch hazel prevent irritation. Ectoin, as a stress protection molecule, supports the skin barrier. Almond and sesame oil have a grooming, lipid-restoring effect, and help to untangle hair. The sensitive skin is supplied with moisture, protecting it from drying out.

RRP 50 ml, £6.70

FRESH baby bum cream: gently soothes and protects 

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This nurturing formulation effectively soothes irritation in the nappy area with witch hazel extract and cotton extract. It strengthens the skin barrier and forms a breathable protective film on the skin. Natural almond, sesame and jojoba oil from controlled organic cultivation promote skin regeneration.

FRESH baby bum cream can be used after every nappy change to prevent nappy rash.

RRP 50 ml, £9.48

FRESH baby bum foam: the eco-friendly alternative to baby wipes 

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Whether you’re at home or out and about: Our innovative FRESH baby bum foam cleanses sensitive baby skin in the nappy area gently yet thoroughly. Skin-soothing ingredients such as witch hazel extract and cotton extract effectively groom baby’s delicate skin. Applied to a soft, washable cloth, FRESH baby bum foam is an excellent alternative to baby wipes and can also be used on hands and face. It doesn’t need to be rinsed off.

RRP 50 ml, £8.61 

FRESH baby oil: a real all-rounder

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Whether used for daily skin care, relaxing baby massages or gentle cleaning, FRESH baby oil was developed for the special needs of baby skin which quickly dries out and loses moisture. The unique combination of pharmaceutical-grade sesame, jojoba, almond and evening primrose oil from controlled organic cultivation grooms and regenerates the skin. Organic extracts of oat and vanilla soothe the skin and have an antioxidant effect. Tip: also ideal for parents and other adults.

RRP 50 ml, £7.66 

Less is more – and it’s all top quality 

Only a few care products are required to look after the sensitive and delicate skin of babies and small children. At the same time, it’s extremely important to use only those products that have been developed specifically for those needs.

“Baby skin is around three to five times thinner than adult skin. On top of that, the protective function has not yet fully developed which means that it dries out faster, and toxins can penetrate easier,” explains Dr. Andrea Haidinger, MSc, Senior Product Developer for organic and fresh skin care at RINGANA.

“It was very important to us to keep the range as small as possible, and reduce it to the essentials. With these four products of the purest quality, with hand-picked, meticulously tested ingredients, we’ve covered all the real needs of sensitive baby and children’s skin,” says Andreas Wilfinger, RINGANA’s CEO.

There are countless baby care products available: powders, oils, creams, lotions & shampoos – all these and more in every conceivable format. But what does a child’s skin really need to make them feel good all over? It’s a question that RINGANA has explored in great depth.

Fresh, natural and pure 

Along with a high standard of sustainability and efficacy, these are attributes that have always been deeply enshrined at RINGANA, and which create the perfect basis for natural baby care. The new range was developed with the greatest care, to meet and exceed the needs of sensitive children’s skin:

a mix of high-end plant oils and valuable plant extracts of organic and pharmaceutical-grade quality is proof of these products’ superb quality.

Further plus points for the new RINGANA FRESH baby range: the products have been recognised with official COSMOS organicnatural-cosmetic certification, they are manufactured with no potential allergenic perfumes, and they contain a special ingredient – a specific cotton cell extract – to soothe the skin.

“Baby and child skin care is a particularly sensitive topic that we’ve approached with enormous attentiveness and respect. A mother only wants to give her children the very best – as I can confirm myself. That’s why we proceeded with the greatest possible care throughout the development of our FRESH baby range,” says Ulla Wannemacher, RINGANA’s General Manager.

As Ulla Wannemacher and Andreas Wilfinger proudly say: “26 years ago we started freeing men’s and women’s bathrooms from mineral oils, excessive emulsifiers, preservatives and metal soaps, replacing them with freshness, efficacy and sustainability. Now, 26 years later, it’s time to revolutionise children’s bathrooms in the same way.”

www.ringana.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RINGANA

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/ringana/

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RINGANA2012

Frost Loves Beautiful and Functional Yoga Mats From Yoga Design Lab

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I absolutely love Yoga Design Lab yoga mats. They’re stylish, beautiful and sustainable. They’re available for adults and children. They are great mats which are also eco-friendly. I also found them to be light and easy to travel with.

Whether you’re an experienced yogis or new to yoga practice, giving the gift of eco-friendly yoga gear is a great way to support health and wellness, express our appreciation, and deepen our bonds by contributing to a more sustainable future together.

Yoga Design Lab creates vibrant, high-performance yoga mats and accessories by using sustainable materials like recycled microfiber, renewable cork, natural rubber, and water-based inks, making them safe yet stylish options for adults and children alike.

The Combo Mat, voted by Vogue as one of the “18 Best Yoga Mats in 2022,” is an excellent choice for eco-conscious mothers, while the Combo Kids Mat encourages children to explore yoga in an engaging way with playful colors and designs.

Yoga promotes a wide array of physical and mental benefits — including increased strength and mobility, less stress and anxiety, and a greater sense of calm and peace — and can be practiced almost anywhere, with many different styles and flows to try, making it accessible to all ages and preferences.

“Practicing yoga with our mothers is a beautiful way to connect and strengthen our relationships with one another,” said Yoga Design Lab’s Bianca Fesenbeckh. “It’s a meaningful and deeply nurturing experience to share, and we believe using yoga products created with materials sourced from mother nature only elevates that.”

Yoga Design Lab offers a diverse selection of more than 20 unique designs, ensuring that you can easily find the perfect product that suits your mother’s or wife’s individual style. By gifting them with YDL’s eco-friendly yoga gear, you’re not only showing them how much you care, but also giving them the gift of “me time” to find peace and tranquility amidst the chaos of daily life.

 

About Yoga Design Lab

Yoga Design Lab creates yoga mats and accessories that balance sustainability with style and performance – without having to sacrifice one for another.  Founded in 2015 and based in Illinois, Yoga Design Lab is committed to using recycled, recyclable and renewable materials in all yoga products. The vision is to create a better world for the next generation by providing products that preserve the planet while helping people Live. Beautiful.® each and every day. For more information, go to yogadesignlab.com or follow at @yogadesignlab.