P20 Sun Protection Review: Once A Day Sun Protection

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

I am completely obsessed with sun protection and I think it has paid off. People are usually surprised when I tell them I am in my late-twenties. But it is not just wrinkles that it stops, it also protects you against burning and skin cancer.

Despite my love of sun protection, it sure is a pain. You have to reapply a lot and it usually explodes in your bag. Pretty annoying.

P20 Sun Protection is different. On the box it says it is water resistant, quick drying and lasts for 10 hours. I am pretty impressed and decide to review it.

It is a clear spray, always good to stop you looking like the joker from Batman. It does dry quickly. It is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. It doesn’t leave any white marks and doesn’t have any fragrance, colourants or preservatives. This is the perfect sun protection for me as I am always so busy and you can just apply and go. You can also buy it in a spray.

I can recommend P20 Sun Protection. It works and it is fuss-free. Perfect for even my sensitive skin. Good stuff.

What they say:

“After over three decades of success, the new range of P20 which launched in 2013 comprises 3 new products. SPFs 15, 30 and 50+ join the iconic SPF20 – providing long-lasting protection for all skin types.

Active 15 minutes after application, P20 contains both UVA and UVB filters, providing broad spectrum sun protection for up to 10 hours and uses a unique, alcohol-based formula that sets it apart from traditional cream-type sun products. The very water resistant formula is clear, non-greasy, fragrance and paraben free, to provide the ultimate coverage.

The long-lasting formula is clear, fragrance and paraben free and is available in SPFs 15, 30 and 50+ as well as the iconic SPF20. The new range is available in both 200ml and a travel friendly 100ml size from all major grocery and pharmacy retailers. The RRP (recommended retail price) of P20 is 100ml £13.29 and 200ml £24.49. Available from Superdrug and Ocado”

Tomorrow There Will Be Apricots By Jessica Soffer Book Review

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

Tomorrow There Will be Apricots is written by Jessica Soffer who is a mere 25-years-old. It is an impressive book, drawing you in immediately and not letting you go until the very last page. Not one word is wasted in this heartwarming- and at times heartbreaking- book about redemption, love and food.

It is impossible to not fall in love with the characters: Lorca, a troubled 13-year-old who just wants her cold mothers loves and will go to any length to get it, and Victoria, recently widowed and finding it hard to cope. They find themselves through cooking and friendship.

I don’t want to give too many spoilers but this absolutely amazing book is now one of my favourites. I love the characters and I learned a lot about food and other cultures. I was very hungry when I was reading it and even got inspired to learn how to cook. No mean feat for someone who usually hates cooking. Buy this, steal this*, borrow this: just read it.

*not really.

Two women adrift in New York – an Iraqi immigrant widow and the latchkey daughter of a famous chef – find each other and a new kind of family through their shared love of cooking.

Lorca, a sensitive and troubled thirteen-year-old, spends hours poring over cookbooks, seeking out ingredients for her distracted chef of a mother, who is about to send her off to boarding school. In one last effort to secure her mother’s love and prove herself indispensable, Lorca resolves to replicate her mother’s ideal meal.

Victoria, an octogenarian Iraqi immigrant, teaches cooking lessons. Grappling with grief over her husband’s death, Victoria has been dreaming of the daughter they gave up forty years ago.

Together these two women – a widow and an almost-orphan – begin to suspect they are connected through more than a love of food.

Tomorrow There Will be Apricots

Fresh Therapies Natural Nail Polish Remover Review

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

I absolutely love natural products. When it comes to nail polish remover I wasn’t expecting anyone to come up with a natural solution, but I am very happy they did. Nail polish remover in particular smells pretty awful. I always cannot help wondering what the hell is in it and whether it is damaging me.

So does this natural nail polish from Fresh Therapies actually work? Thankfully yes, as I was really rooting for it. Even better is that you can buy sachet wipes that do all 10 nails. They really work and are perfect for traveling. Frankly the idea is so genius I have no idea why no one has thought of it before. I will be stocking up.

This is the UK’s first natural nail polish remover and it has a milder natural formula and the smell has a slight hint of lime. I think this will be my nail polish remover of choice from now on. It works, smells great and is much better for my nails and the environment. The travel wipes are one of my favourite beauty buys of 2014. Great stuff.

A great way to remove your nail polish naturally. It has no harsh chemicals or toxins and is so much safer for the health of your nails as well as the environment

Great for people like me who have sensitive skin or allergies. It does not strip some of the natural oils away from your nails or cuticles as some conventional removers do, which in turn can lead to your nails becoming dry, dehydrated, weak and brittle.

It is not tested on animals and is also suitable for vegans, winning Best Beauty Vegan Product 2013. Beating the likes of Lush Cosmetics to the prize!

The 50ml Glass bottle can be purchased for £8.99 and the Box of 10 individual sachet wipes retail

£7.99. Both can be purchased from www.freshtherapies.com

A mini sample can be obtained from the website too. UK residents only

Westlab Pure Mineral Bathing Himalayan Salt Review

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Frostie

We are on a health kick here at Frost, reviewing different products and trying out different exercise routines. Shortcuts are always welcome, which is why we reviewed bath salts, which are used by celebrities to detox and beat the bloat.

Specifically, we reviewed Himalayan Pink Salt from Westlab.

This salt is beautiful. A wonderful pink colour. It is easy to use of course, you just put it in your bath 100-200g for general wellbeing and 1kg for detoxification.

It sure makes the bath look pretty and after the bath it makes you look slimmer and your skin feels very soft. The benefits are immediate and only get better with long term use. We are sold and will be buying salt in bulk in the future. This is good stuff. We recommend you add salt to your beauty routine.

Himalayan salt is packed full of minerals, known for its detoxifying properties, Westlab have a mining company in the Himalayas where the salt crystals are dug out of the mountains to make our amazing scrubs, bath soaks and salt lamps. Westlab Himalayan salt can be a great and incredibly detoxifying bath salt just on its own.

The book Salt & Water by Dr Barbara Hendel claims that a 30 minute soak in a bath filled with 1kg of Himalayan Salt has the same detoxing effect as a three day fast.

Harvested from high in the Himalayan mountain range, Himalayan pink salt isn’t just pretty to look at, it’s good for you, too. Himalayan pink salt can be used for cooking, in spa treatments and in cosmetics. It can also be used as a natural healing treatment.

The magic of the pink salt

Himalayan pink salt isn’t any normal salt. It contains 84 minerals and trace elements that are highly beneficial for the body including magnesium, calcium, copper, potassium and iron, according to the website The Greater Green. “Regular consumption of Himalayan pink salt provides essential minerals, trace elements, balances electrolytes, supports proper nutrient absorption, eliminates toxins, balances the body’s pH, normalizes blood pressure, and increases circulation and conductivity,” according to the website.

The salt sometimes comes out in a reddish or pink color, with some crystals having an off-white to transparent color. It is commonly used for cooking similar to regular table salt, brine and bath products.

Kiss Your Fights Good-Bye Book Review

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Frostie

Kiss Your Fights Good-bye: Dr. Love’s 10 Simple Steps to Cooling Conflict and Rekindling Your Relationship by America’s “love doctor”, Dr. Jamie Turndorf is an interesting read. Everyone spends time thinking about their relationships. The book is a practical 10-step programme that says it will help achieve a deeper, healthier bond with your partners.

I have a good relationship with my other half and there aren’t any huge issues but I was still excited to read the book and pick up some tips, but to be honest I didn’t relate to the book. I thought it had too many gender stereotypes that I could not relate to. Like women withholding sex as punishment or to get what they want- which I actually thought was offensive, and that men just withdraw every time a fight happens. I also did not like some of the scenarios with couples. The men calling their wives bitches for example. If a man called me a bitch there would not be a relationship to fix.

I feel that this book is for people with worse relationships than me, or people who are more suited to typical gender stereotypes. It is not that it doesn’t have any good advice: it does but most of it was not relatable to me. Worth a read if your fighting all of the time and you, or your partner, fit the stereotypes.

Known to millions as ‘Dr. Love’, Jamie Turndorf, PhD, has been seen on numerous TV shows and has over 30 years’ experience as a relationship counsellor. Her impressive endorsements include:

“Dr Turndorf has relationships figured out. If you want a great relationship, you must follow her ten-step method for lasting love.” – Jack Canfield, Chicken Soup for the Soul.

“If anger and fighting are ruining your dream of a happy marriage (or relationship), Dr Turndorf’s conflict-resolution programme is for you.” – John Gray, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus

Kiss Your Fights Good-bye: Dr. Love’s 10 Simple Steps to Cooling Conflict and Rekindling Your Relationship

Mews Of Mayfair Restaurant Review

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Frostie

Mews of Mayfair, the British bar and brasserie, is hidden away in the heart of London down a small side street just off Bond street. The main restaurant room has been beautifully decorated and its atmosphere is relaxed.

We started our bottomless brunch with a delicious Mimosa and Bellini. They were well made and generous with the alcohol content.

Like many restaurants at the moment Mews is offering limitless refills of Mimosa’s, Bellini’s and Bloody Mary’s at just £15 a head. We certainly approve. Not having to worry too much about cost allows you to get on with enjoying your lunch!

Eggs Benedict

To start with we had an Eggs Benedict. A classic combination and still one of my favourites. As someone who has sampled many versions of this dish I can honestly say this was one of the best I’ve had. It was packed with flavour. The Hollandaise sauce was flawless and when it was combined with the gooey egg yolk, ham and toast it was devine. It really was a treat and the portion was extremely generous as you can see. A perfect start.

Dorset Crab

This dish did a brilliant job of letting the crab, the star of the dish, shine. The crab was very tasty and fresh and the plate brought pack memories of the sea. The crab lay on a slice of toasted brioche. The slight sweetness of the brioche actually worked really well against the meatiness of the crab. The textures were very soft which was surprising but actually worked very well. Another superb dish

Fish and Chips

This was another extremely generous portion, the fish was huge. This was definitely a bottomless brunch. The sweet mushy peas were delicious as was the fantastic fresh tartar sauce. The fish and chips were tasty but didn’t blow us away.

Chicken

The chicken was cooked perfectly. It was very juicy and had a delicious crispy skin. The duck fat roast potatoes were stunning, absolutely perfect. The whole dish was perfectly seasoned and the stuffing and gravy added loads of flavour. Once again the portion was huge. By this stage we were absolutely stuffed. You couldn’t ask for much more from your lunch.

Pancake

This pancake was packed with fresh fruit and drizzled with honey. It also came with some delicious cream but it could have done with a bit more sauce of some kind.

Eton Mess

Eton mess is one of my favourite puddings. It embodies everything that a good pudding should be. This Eton Mess was made with blackberries. It was light creamy and delicious and went really well with the coulis and meringue crumb. A very good pudding.

We had a wonderful meal and really enjoyed ourselves. Mews had some truly excellent food and the atmosphere and service were perfect. Definitely worth a visit.

Mews of Mayfair

10 Lancashire Court, New Bond Street, London W1S 1EY

www.mewsofmayfair.com

facebook.com/mewsofmayfair

@mewsofmayfair

3 South Place Bar & Grill Restaurant Review

Posted on March 8, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

First thoughts of the South Place Hotel, where 3 South Place Bar & Grill is located, is how classy it is. And quirky, with dismantled mannequins and sophisticated decor. It is both up-market and relaxing. We come to review the bottomless brunch, where Bloody Marys, Bellinis and Proseccos are endless with the 2 or 3 course brunch at the weekend from noon until 4pm. We approve. It is also great value at £20 for two courses or £25 for three courses plus £15 if you want the bottomless brunch. I was very surprised at the price actually, for three courses plus unlimited alcohol in a five star hotel: brilliant value. The staff are excellent; knowing what you want before you do and very helpful. There is a nice warm atmosphere and excellent, modern decor

We start with great warm bread and good soft butter that is easy to cut and a Mimosa (orange juice and prosecco) and a Bellini (peach juice and prosecco)

For starters we had.

Welsh Rarebit

Rich, creamy, cheese on soft bread. The crunch on the bottom holds texture well. Comes with a tomato and red onion with balsamic dressing. The perfect accompaniment. Acidity of tomatoes and red onion works beautifully against the rich cheese. Simple but excellent.

English Muffin

Poached Egg, Hollandaise sauce, smoked salmon

Excellent egg muffin with a good poached egg, Hollandaise sauce and smoked salmon. Rich and opulent. The muffin is beautiful, a luxurious starter with wonderful lemony hollandaise

Arnold Bennett omelette

Béchamel Hollandaise sauce, smoked haddock.

It is rich and creamy, the Omelette has a great texture: Perfectly cooked and not overdone; it’s just the right amount of soft. The smoked haddock is fresh and goes amazingly with the lemon.

Bubble & Squeak

poached egg, blythburgh bacon
Perfect eggs with superb presentation. Comes with Crispy, smoky bacon and goes great with the potato and egg.

Ice Cream Selection

Rum and Raisin, cookies & cream, blackberry ripple

Amazing ice cream. Really wonderful. Tastes like it is homemade. The cookies and cream has proper cookies, the blackberry ripple is amazing and different and the rum and raisin is very alcoholic and delicious.

Treacle Tart

Clotted cream ice cream

This is amazing. Has a thin and crunchy base, lovely treacle. It is soft and crumbly but holds together well. It is not too sweet
Has an excellent clotted cream ice cream accompaniment.

Delicious food in a classy venue; it is hard to fault 3 South Place at all, one of the best brunches in London and excellent value to top it all off. We loved it and we will definitely be back.

Address: 3 South Place, London EC2M 2AF
Phone:020 3503 0000
Hotel class: 5 stars

Bohemian Chic Minerals Blusher And Lipstick Review

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

I am a huge fan of natural makeup. We are becoming more aware of all of the nasty chemicals in certain products and brands. Add in the trend for veganism and cruelty-free products and Bohemian Chic Minerals certainly sounds like a winner. Mineral makeup is also huge now and very on trend. But does it work? Let’s find out.

I reviewed the Bohemian Chic Minerals Blusher in Nude and the lipstick in Coral Reef.

Both colours are beautiful and the product goes on beautifully. The blusher blends very well and gives a very healthy pink/nude glow. It looks great on.

The lipstick is also a beautiful colour and goes on well. Both products are of a very high quality and don’t have that terrible ingredient of carmine (which is a crushed beetle!) or Oxychloride (a by-product of refined lead and copper), making this brand excellent for people with sensitive skin and a conscious. Highly recommended.

A New Era for Natural Make-Up

On a mission to provide a range of modern make-up that is completely chemical free, Jameela Kosar has found the solution with the creation of Bohemian Chic Minerals. Having tried an abundance of mainstream make-up which reacted to her sensitive skin, Jameela found herself looking for a way in which women can indulge their love of make-up without affecting their problematic skin.

Having stumbled across mineral make-up, Jameela felt she had found the answer to her prayers, until once again her skin irritation returned. After extensive research into the benefits of mineral make-up, Jameela discovered that whilst most of the minerals are beneficial to the skin, two ingredients are not so good. Bismuth – Oxychloride (a by-product of refined lead and copper) and carmine (crushed beetle). Not a fan of using crushed beetle in her daily skincare routine, Jameela decided to create her own make-up brand. One that is suitable for the most sensitive of skins, without compromising on style. Bohemian Chic Minerals was born.

Chemical free, bad minerals free and animals (including insects) free, Bohemian Chic Minerals is suitable for both vegan and halal users. Combining ingredients your skin will love with trend aware products, the collection boasts an impressive range of foundations, primers and concealers, as well as blushers, bronzers and body shimmers. In addition there is also a vibrant array of eyeshadows, eyeliners, lipsticks and glosses,

Designed to make women feel beautiful in a guilt free way, the collection is 100% pure and natural and is paving the way for a new generation of all available in a range of seasonal shades. natural make-up.

Frost Magazine

Books and Lifestyle

Tag Archives: Review