Tag Archives: Review

Osmo Hair Products Review

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We got sent a parcel full of Osmo hair products. We were quite excited when we opened the envelope. Has it given us amazing hair? Read on and find out…

Osmo hair product review

Osmo Deep Moisturising Shampoo and Conditioner

This shampoo is perfect for dry, permed, coloured or heat traumatised hair. It contains Essential Oils of Patchouli and Ylang Ylang. It is a gentle, cleansing shampoo that really nourishes. It replenishes lost moisture without weighing hair down.

It leaves hair silky, healthy and shiny. The smell is a lovely light coconut scent. The conditioner is great as it leaves hair wonderfully detangled. It is thick and creamy but doesn’t weigh hair down. This is a brilliant shampoo and conditioner. It leaves my dry, frizz-prone hair soft and untangled. From feelunique.com

Osmo Wonder 10: 10 Effects Leave-In Treatment

Osmo Effects Wonder 10 is a unique all-in-one spray that is a Keratin based treatment with 10 wondrous effects. Designed to leave the hair feeling softer, silkier and more manageable with a radiant shine.

10 Effects:
– Helps repair dry and damaged hair
– Nourishes and protects for radiant shine
– Thermal protection from styling tools
– Delivers soft, silky, more manageable results
– Contains colour protection complex
– Creates body and movement
– Incredible detangler
– Aids in the prevention of static
– Conditions both natural and synthetic hair
– Smoothes split ends and controls frizz

This really is a wonder product and does a ton of different things. It gives thermal protection from heat (which I love, it really makes a difference to your hair as heat is so damaging), it repairs and nourishes and makes hair incredibly soft and beautiful. It makes hair healthy and tangle free. You only need a little and you can forgo conditioner too. It can also be used on synthetic hair. A truly brilliant product.

Osmo Day Two Styler Dry Shampoo

I love dry shampoo. Although not all dry shampoo is created equal. I have dark hair and some just makes my roots look grey. Not really the look I am going for. I have tried dry shampoo for brunette hair and I think that is great, however Osmo’s Day Two Styler brushes through without leaving a trace. It removes oil and adds volume. It is one of the best dry shampoos I have ever tried and smells amazing with just a hint of citrus.

Osmo Extreme Volume Root Lifter

This is an outstanding root lift for fine (or other types of) hair. It strengthens and gives great volume that lasts all day. It also:

Moisturizes and conditions the hair and improves the health of the scalp.
Contains natural anti-oxidants
Gives volume to limp tresses
Spray formula won’t cause excess build-up
Long lasting

I have fine hair and I love this product. It really does give a lasting lift. Good stuff.

Osmo products are amazing. Definitely a fan now and will be buying again. From feelunique.com

Eye öf Hörus Goddess Mascara Review

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Eye öf Hörus Goddess Mascara Review

Having ‘goddess’ in the title of a beauty product immediately raises the game. Don’t we all want to look, if not like a goddess, at the very least the best possible version of ourselves.

I was impressed with the before and after photos in the literature I was sent along with the mascara. Did it live up to expectations? Yes, it really does volumise your lashes, giving a very ‘wow’ look. It comes with a volumising hourglass silicon brush with massed bristles and a flexible wand. It strengthens and lengthens and is formulated with ancient Moringa oil for sensitive eyes.

The packaging is great, very classy and the mascara is good and makes it look like you are wearing false lashes. It is almost a little too good as I have naturally long lashes and can’t blink when I put my glasses on! It lasts all day without smudging or flaking. You can also apply more and build it up without your lashes looking like a spider. Always a bonus.

I loved this and would like to try the Eye öf Hörus eye shadows and eyeliners too.

Available from Amazon.

Fattoria La Vialla Casa Conforto Chianti Superiore 2011 Wine Review

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For someone who never thought they were a fan of red wine, I sure have been enjoying a lot recently. And right at the top of the list is this stunning Chianti from Fattoria La Vialla, the first-class Tuscan farm that Frost is such a fan of. Their Casa Conforto Chianti Superiore 2011 is a ruby-red Chianti with purple flashes and a delicious scent of fresh cherries and irises, combined with woodland and oak. It is fresh with a sweet and persistently fruity aftertaste. The best Chianti I have ever tasted. It is also possibly the best Chianti on the market and only ‘possibly’ because I have not tried them all. It is certainly one of the best red wines in the world. no exaggeration.

Fattoria La Vialla Casa Conforto Chianti Superiore 2011 Wine ReviewIn fact, this wine was reviewed at a dinner party I had in my home. My fiancee and I rarely drink red wine, preferring rosé or white, our guests loved red wine and drank it all the time: we all agreed on the absolute brilliance of the Fattoria Chianti. As if to prove our good taste it won the Gold Medal at the 2014 Mundus Vini Biofach.

fattorialaviallawine win award

This is what Fattoria La Vialla said about their win:

“Bandino, Gianni, an extremely enthusiastic Michela, Annamaria and Antonio’s thrilled smiles are “caught on the fly” in this photo, while Mrs Ulrike Hoefken (state environment and agricultural policy minister of the Rheinland-Pfalz region) approaches to give them the awards. She brings the prizes herself, a long pile of them!

Tied first for number of medals received with only one German company, among more than 600 wines….
….to you, dear friends, and from all the Viallini, from the field to the cellar… a toast, cheers!”

Here is to many more awards as their wine is absolutely superb.

Enjoy with: Fried meats, stews, roasted meals and vegetables, steak, sausage and anything barbequed.

 

Karora Gradual Tan Golden Girl, Instant Tan And CC Cream Review

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I am pretty fair of skin and I love it. But just occasionally I give up my paleness for a bit of a tan. Usually when I am traveling, tired or ill. Sometimes you need all of the help you can get.

Karora Gradual Tan Golden Girl, Instant Tan and Karora CC Cream Skin Sensation were all giving to me by the lovely Karora who were not only very proud of their products, but also chose these three to be reviewed specifically for my pale skin.

Karora tanning products review

Karora Golden Girl Gradual Tan – Light/Medium

Is a gradual tanning product, so you can build up the colour. It gives a very good glow along with a deep hydration. This moisture rich lotion conditions skin and leaves it replenished and also gives a natural glow. You use this daily, like most gradual tan products. It can be used on face and body.

I would definitely continue to use this as it is a brilliant moisturiser and it also gives a sun-kissed glow. This is perfect for the kind of light, natural, non-orange tan I love.

Karora CC Cream for Face and Body

I love alphabet creams. I now wear BB creams far more than I wear foundation. I hadn’t tried as many CC Creams though.

This CC cream is less of a tanning product, and more of a skin-perfecting cream with a hint of glowing colour. It certainly made me look like I had just come back from holiday. It certainly gives radiance, reasonably coverage (depending on how your skin is. I would need concealer on top for any hormonal breakouts), and it is also blended with skin tone correcting botanicals of green tea leaf extract and jojoba seed oil, with argan oil and acai berry to rejuvenate the skin. You can use this on your face and body. Good stuff that does diminish every flaw but won’t cover up very bad skin days. Contains no Parabens, Chemicals, Artificial, Fragrances or Synthetic Dyes.

Karora Glow Glamster Instant Tan

I only got a tiny sample of this but I did give it a try: it is a good instant fake tan that is also water-resistant. I would need a bigger sample to do a proper review but I was impressed with my initial test.

Are you a fan of Karora? Do you like to fake tan?

 

 

Campo Viejo Rioja Garnacha Wine Review

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We have been reviewing a lot of red wine recently. The standard has been high and is not let down by Campo Viejo Rioja Garnacha. The distinctive yellow label of Campo Viejo has been brightening up people’s homes for 55 years and it’s first Garnacha is featured in a retro 1960s inspired bottle.

Campo Viejo Rioja Garnacha Wine Review

This is light-bodied and easy-to-drink. The wine is ruby-red in colour with flashes of purple and aged in French oak barrels for four months. It has a fruity nose of strawberry, raspberry, cherry and blackberry. It also has subtle, sweet spices and floral notes that enhance the wine further. It is soft yet intense and fresh. This is a very special wine with a truly wonderful taste. It has a lasting fresh, fruity finish.

This is made from 100% Garnacha grape and is another delicious wine from Campo Viejo, the UK’s most popular Spanish wine.

Enjoy with: lighter food, pasta dishes.

Available from Ocado, Sainsbury’s and ASDA. RRP £8.69.

Alcohol volume: 14%
Vintage: 2012

http://campviejo.com

Astral All Over Moisturiser Review | Beauty

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I hadn’t tried Astral All Over Moisturiser before but I had heard of it. Both through advertising, word-of-mouth and in magazines. It has, after all, been around since the 1950s. It is also multi-purpose and can be used all over.

When I first open it up it looks quite thick and I expect it to be heavy when I put it on. However, it almost feels like a gel when I put it on and it sinks in beautifully with no trace of heaviness. It actually feels light and fresh. My sensitive skin loves this and just soaks it up. Afterwards there is no stickiness and it doesn’t feel like I have a film on my skin. Something that can happen with other ‘intense’ moisturisers. Astral says it is ‘nourishing’ and ‘protective’ on the back and I would definitely agree. It also says it is perfect for mature skin but don’t let that put you off. I am in my twenties and it still benefited me.

astral all over moisturiserI would definitely buy Astral again, it works like an intense, heavy moisturiser but without any of the annoying after-effects. I only use a small amount but it goes really far and after my makeup doesn’t slide off. Always a plus. I also notice how nice and soft my hands are after using this, and it is also brilliant as you can use it as a body lotion, cold cream, day cream and night cream. Perfect for traveling or if you run out of something. It also really works on dry skin. I am very impressed. Recommended.

Astral is dermatologically tested and not tested on animals.

 £3.49 from Boots and Superdrug.

 

A Day In Bloomsbury | Travel & London Gems

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Out of all of the boroughs in London, Bloomsbury is one that holds a special place in my heart. It is a classy, beautiful borough with a very special touch, an air of sophistication and lots of great independent shops. It also has culture at The British Museum.

We headed to Store Street to eat, drink and be merry.

Our first stop was The Life Goddess for lunch.

The Life Goddess is an amazing Greek deli which also sells lots of amazing Greek produce. We started with an amazing platter which had lots of great dips, cheese, olives and vegetables. (a tomato is actually a fruit but you get my point), and then for mains we had Roasted Vegetables in a light tomato sauce and a pork belly with potatoes in an amazing sauce. We didn’t have time for dessert as we had to head to The British Museum. The food was good and reasonably priced.

We also had some really good white wine and a rosé. We really liked The Life Goddess. It has great food and a relaxed atmosphere. I would also recommend the Life Goddess for vegetarians. The platters are great and the roasted vegetables dish I had was amazing. And that is coming from a carnivore.

29 Store St, London WC1E 7BS
020 7637 2401, @TheLifeGoddess

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Beyond El Dorado exhibition at the British Museum.

I love the British Museum and was very excited to go to the Beyond El Dorado exhibition. With 200 artifacts from Bogota’s ‘Museum of Gold’, it was more bling than Jay-Z, Beyonce, Elizabeth Taylor and J-Lo combined. El Dorado means– literally “the golden one” and the magpie in me was in heaven. The exhibition was brilliant, if a little busy. People were queuing round the block. (which isn’t a complaint as art should be seen by as many people as possible)

The exhibition is full of wonderful models and masks made of gold and wonderful literature to read on the walls. This is an eye-opening exhibition not just because of the objects on display, but also because of all of the facts, videos and information. The connection of gold and cocaine (mixed with lime!) in Colombia was also interesting. It would seem decadence was the order of the day in ancient Colombia and we were rather shocked but glad to have had a glimpse of it.

We also managed to catch a glimpse of the Rosetta Stone. Something no one should go to London without seeing at least once.

bloomsbury1

Next up was dinner at Busaba Eathai.

It is quite shameful that we had never eaten at Busaba Eathai before, and, jeez, had we missed out. The food is amazing, the drinks are amazing and the entire place is first-rate. The manager was knowledgeable, friendly, generous, funny and was known and liked by a large amount of the diners. There was a lot of regulars.

We started off with the selection below. Yes, started. One of Busaba Eathai‘s most popular dishes is the Thai Calamari with ginger and peppercorn. It’s the one at the top of the picture. It’s amazing. One of the best calamari dishes I have ever had. We also had fishcakes (yummy and with a great sauce), pandan leaf chicken which falls apart when you open the leaf and a great yellow bean dish which had a good kick to it.

Our mains were equally amazing, I had a curry that was specifically made milder for me. For drinks we also had one of the best prosecco’s I have ever had, an good beer and excellent non-alcoholic cocktails. I had an amazing Grapefruit mojito with vanilla, mint, lime and chilli.

Busaba Eathai is a brilliant restaurant and I will join their large following of regular customers. It is also possible to have a great meal without blowing your budget here. There are many branches in London so check out their website below.

foodthai

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teabiscuit

We finished with tea and biscuits.

@busabaeathai

http://busaba.com/

Address: 22 Store St, London WC1E 7DF
Phone:020 7299 7900
We were incredibly impressed with how beautiful Store Street was. You can spend an entire day there, eating well and taking in the atmosphere, along with some boutique shopping. A real London gem.

Other places to check out on Store Street are One Alfred Place, Frost’s first ever restaurant review (oh, the nostalgia) and the Store Street Gallery.

@storestreetwc1

What do you think?

Cune Reserva 2009 Wine Review

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Cune Reserva 2009 is very tasty with great depth and fruitiness. It is a soft, luxurious wine. It also has hints of warm spice and balsamic. It is an intense ruby red, bright and deep in colour.  It has nuances of caramel and coffee. It is a very complex but well balanced and has a lingering finish. It is smooth, medium bodied and easy to drink. This is a popular wine and it is easy to see why. It is rich with deep aromas of bramble and red Autumn fruit.

CUNE Reserva 2009 wine review

The first wine of this winery was named after its initials. At the beginning a red ‘clarete’ wine was made up as a fine wine in the style of the Bordeaux “Claret” produced by the great chateaux’s of the Medoc. The success of the Cune Crianza motivated the creation of Cune Reserva. And we are glad they did. This is a very good red wine.

 

Available from Ocado and Tesco.