label.m Brunette Resurrection Style Dust £12.25

They call it a miracle powder and label.m resurrection style dust really is just that. My hair has the brilliant quality of being super voluminous in the mid length and ends while at the same time being completely flat on the top. It seems that no matter what I do to it at the start of the evening by the end of the night I've had to tie it up it stop it looking ridiculous.

This powder gives so much lift I was almost in danger of looking like Cheryl Cole when she went on American X-Factor. A little sprinkling at the roots, boosts hair so that you get ultimate volume whilst still being able to control the style. I'm not a massive fan of backcombing so this makes a really great alternative that won't damage your hair. At first it does make your roots feel a little dry but it doesn't affect the look of your hair at all. It contains iridescent particles that give a lovely shine to your hair so your hair looks fleshly clean even if it's greasy. The dust lasts all day so if you are going straight out after work all you need to do is massage your roots and your hair instanly adds volume. 

You do have to be careful not to get it one your clothes as if your wearing a white top it will stain. It's best to sprinkle on the power then before you get dressed. 

Qsilica Paw Paw Rescue Ointment

Don't let the slick packaging fool you, this is more than just a nice design, it's a hard working multi-purpose wonder product. Containing only 100% natural ingredients its been designed to sooth and repair skin. Calendula helps to reduce redness and heal cracked skin, perfect now those winter months are closing in and lips tend to get dry and cracked. It's moisturising properties come from macadamia oil, beeswax and shea butter.

Papaya is known for it's rejuvenating qualities as well as being rich in vitamin A, it also contains papain which is known to have a gentle exfoliating effect. I started using the balm in place of moisturiser at night, it has a really thick consistency so a little goes a long way so don't use too much or you might be left with a greasy feeling. As a lip balm it works to keep your lips soft all day and even has a gloss quality to it so you can wear it over a lipstick to keep the colour in place and give it a shine. 

The smell is more medicinal than luxury, that's not to say it's unpleasant, it's just not what you get with highly perfumed products but they tend to be quite drying to the skin. It's a little too oily for my liking to use as an everyday hand cream but as a deep treatment at night you wake up to soft skin and works great as a cuticle oil.

Rather than using primer I have found using this under makeup helps to keep skin really well hydrated and plumps up the skin so pores seem reduced. Foundation tends to sit better on my skin rather than sinking into any lines and pores. Blisters from squeezing my feet into shoes that are too small because so few shops do wide fit ranges also benefit from a small dab of this ointment.  

It's the ultimate handbag product, this winter keep dry and flakey skin at bay, dab onto lips to keep them kissable and keep nails looking lush all from the same tube. 

Living Nature Vitality Body Oil £20

In preparation for my wedding next year, which obviously I still need to do everything for, I decided to get fit. It's been coming for a long time and it's given me the push I needed. My friend lent me her wii fit and every other day I have been doing some of the exercises on there. The real killers are the muscle workouts like squats and lunges. Naturally the next day my legs ache and I've found a light massage can do wonders to relieve some of the pain. 

Living Nature is from New Zealand and all their products are 100% natural, the packaging is recyclable and they never test on animals, just the sort of company Beauty Truths loves. Their body oil was just the sort of thing I was after to soothe some of the aches from my workouts. With Arnica, well known to help healing and Almond, Wheatgerm and Vitamin E to nourish and protect the skin it leaves your skin deeply moisturised and soft to the touch. Super-ingredient Kunzea (a shrub native to Australia) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits along with essential oils such as lemon and peppermint. After I've worked out and had a shower I gently massage the oil all over my body and it helps to reduce the aches I felt the next day.   

The oil is gently warming so soothes stiff muscles and is meant to be particularly good for arthritis so to help my poor mum's arthritic hands I put a couple of drops into an unscented hand lotion which she uses at night as her joints get so sore she can't even have them massaged so this seemed like a really good way to get the benefits without causing her any pain. It's the sort of product that you should keep in your drawer at work and if they day gets too much and you need uplifting, especially now the days are getting darker, them a few drops of this on your temples or quickly rubbed into your neck will help to brighten your mood.  

The smell is amazing thanks to Juniper Berry and Lemon Pepper and I put a couple of drops in the bath when its running and shut the bathroom door. When the bath has finished running and you open the door its like stepping into floral heaven, it instantly relaxes you after a stressful day. Just add a glass of wine and a good book and my night is complete. A true wonder product in every sense. 

  

Radox Citrus Shower Gel £2.15

My partner came home from a music festival the other week and due to him not showering for four days he smelt terrible. I mean not just a little bad but offensively bad. He was hungry and tired and all he wanted to do was climb into bad with some toast but I just couldn't bare the thought of getting into bed with him when smelt that bad, it really was a horrible smell. Luckily I had been sent Radox's new Uplifting in pink grapefruit and basil just the day before so ran him a hot shower and practically peeled dirty clothes of him. I handed him the shower gel and told him not to get out until he smelt better. 

When he got out the shower he was not only completely clean but also smelt fruity and refreshed. Basil probably isn't the first thing you would think of to put in a shower gel but as a subtle after scent it works really well. The predominate smell is the pink grapefruit, which I am such a big fan of. The range also has a mandarin and lemongrass scent and a keylime and peppermint scent. Radox are masters at creating evocative scents that gently coat your skin and leave you feeling fresh for hours.  

WEN Cleansing Conditioner

The days of having to use shampoo and conditioner are over. Now one product does the job of both and it does it superbly, a new concept in haircare has arrived. Chaz Den noticed that the detergents and sodium laurel sulphates strip the hair of natural oils, which can make hair frizzy, fade colour and dry out your scalp. He developed WEN available now at QVC a revolutionary new concept in haircare that contains no detergents or sodium laurel sulphates.

You use a dollap all over your hair, massaging into the scalp for a few minutes and combing through, then leaving for five minutes on the lengths of the hair. It doesn't lather up so I was slightly concerned that it wouldn't clean my hair as well as a normal shampoo but that wasn't the case at all. As soon as I rinsed the cleansing conditioner out of my hair it felt really clean but also well moisturised. The mint scent is lovely and refreshing and pleasantly tingles your scalp.

I thought it would either be dry or still greasy but as soon as I dried my hair it looked and felt really clean with loads of bounce and root lift. After a few uses it made my hair much more manageable to the point were I don't have to dry it to stop it going frizzy and the ends especially are much more polished. I've noticed that I only have to wash my hair every 3 days rather than every other day that I had got into the habit of.

I was really surprised at such a dramatic improvement in my hair condition after using WEN for a few weeks. It's got a lovely shine to it and is much easier to style but even if I can't be bothered to style it it isn't really manic and all over the place. It might cost slightly more than your average shampoo and conditioner but in the long run it is cost effective as you don't have to wash your hair as often and you save on styling products and time styling your hair. I also found I don't need to deep conditioner my hair every week as WEN has left it in such good condition. 

Green People Sensitive Skin Solution

When I got told I needed to switch my beauty routine to natural and organic products I felt quite daunted and didn't really know where to start. As well as the financial cost but it felt like a whole new world of trying to figure out what I could use and what I should avoid. Many products also might be natural but they contain perfumes that can irritate your skin. Green people was set up by Charlotte Vøhtz who wanted to help her daughters skin problems. Finding that products that were advertised as natural could contain synthetic chemicals. Charlotte went on to develop Green People's solely organic philosophy and now the brand has 100's of products, many of which have won a host of awards. 

Green People's sensitive skin solution (£29.95) has three products specially developed to soothe sensitive skin. Firstly a cleanser and make-up remover to remove all the grime your skin collects over the day and night. It contains calendula which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and feels really soft against your skin. I found it tackled even the longest wearing makeup including waterproof mascara, which can be a real pain to take off. Unlike some makeup removers it didn't leave my skin red or dry it out so if I was running short of time (i.e it was really late and I was tired) I could just take my makeup off with out using moisturiser. 

The second product is a scent free 24 hour cream, an intense burst of hydration that kept my skin moisturised all day. It contains evening Primrose and Avocado oils to deeply nurture the skin, which has a really rich and creamy texture so feels like a luxury product. 

Lastly you get a scent free eye cream that soothes the delicate eye area. I find that in the winter months the corners of my eyes can get quite sore especially if it is windy out. I have started to use this eye cream when I get home and it is great at cooling down my sore eyes. Also I have found that if I am really tired, popping this in the freezer for 10 mins then applying it really helps to awaken my eyes. 

Collin Resultime

During the day I don't like to wear foundation but still want something with a little coverage. Occasionally I mix my regular foundation in with moisturiser but depending on the two products this doesn't always work. Recently I was sent the Hydrating Tinted Cream Mineral Pigments £27 from Collin Resultime to try. This tinted moisturiser is extremely hydrating and contains luminous mineral pigments to provide soft coverage while keeping your skin lovely and fresh. It doesn't sit heavily on your skin and so looks completely natural. If regular foundation use leaves your skin dry switching to this tinted moisturiser will help to keep it moisturised while still giving enough coverage to banish imperfections. It's really long lasting to so no need for touchups during the day.

For the ultimate in skin luxury their Regenerating Collagen Gel £47.25 can be used as a serum or face mask but my favourite use is as a sleep mask. As the winter nights drawn in the sharp change in temperature is going to play havoc with most peoples skin and an extra treatment will be needed. The collagen gel helps to smooth, plump, hydrate and firm the skin, providing several benefits in one pot, which is good as it is on the more expensive side. That being said if you use it as a serum it is going to last you a decent amount of time. If it is a splurge item that you want to use occasionally I would suggest using it as a sleep mask after a night out to give you a slept for the whole night fresh faced look when in reality you might not be feeling like that on the inside.

Nanogen

Thanks to my dad I have very fine and slightly lank hair, why I couldn't have inherited my mothers thick and voluptuous hair I will never know. My hair also seems to fall out at an alarming rate and when I was my hair I am always a bit concerned there won't be any left on my head as it all seems to have piled up around the plug hole. Up until now there hasn't really been much you can do if you have thin hair, several products claim to thicken hair but none of them have trial results to back up their claims. 

Nanogen is different though, it has ten years research behind them and use advanced DNA technology to create hair growth factors which are safe, identical copies of human hair growth signals. Enough with the science though, how do they actually work? Well I've been putting the range to the test to see if I could see and feel any difference after using the product. 

The thickening treatment shampoo (£7.95) and thickening treatment conditioner (£8.95) work harmoniously together to thicken hair from the first wash. After just one use my hair certainly felt stronger and left my hair shiny. It took two weeks of regular use before I really noticed a difference to my hair, the main one being that much less of my hair was left around the plug hole after washing. They both have a pleasantly tingling sensation that awakens your scalp and presumably your hair follicles. As they are clinical products I was expecting them to smell as such but they actually have a lovely fruity scent that settles deep into your hair as it cleans. The conditioner left my hair feeling soft but not weighed down so that after the first use my hair was left with a bounce in it making it appear much thicker. Compared to other shampoos and conditioners the price is really reasonable as you get a lot of product so after two weeks I still have just under half left and my hair is just over shoulder length. 

As lovely as the shampoo and conditioner are the real star of the show is hair growth factor treatment serum (£29.95) which is like a magical potion for your hair. Each day you add a few drops to your scalp and massage in, it took a bit of getting used to but after a few days I really liked the routine of giving myself a little head massage and it has even been suggested that it helps you sleep better - the head massage not that serum that is. It is very quick to dry so you could easily use it at any time of the day, I just got into the routine of using it at night. I was a little worried that it might make my hair greasy or interfere with the amount of time I needed to wash my hair but my hair habits were able to remain the same. You can feel the serum working as soon as you apply it, almost like it has a slight menthol effect. I'm not going to pretend that I understand all the science behind how it works, all I really care about it the end result. After nearly a month of use my hair feels so much stronger and less damaged. It is still a bit too early to tell if it's growing faster or how much new growth it has achieved but because the quality of the hair is so much better it certainly looks thicker and fuller. 

A real catch 22 of having thin hair is the allure of extensions, thicker hair in minutes but the downside is that they can destroy the natural hair that you have, meaning thin hair gets thinner. Nanogen is providing an alternative that is actually going to do good to your hair at a fraction of the price of what you would pay for extensions so before you even think about getting them I would suggest a round of treatment serum to the quest for thicker, fuller hair. In fact I'm so won over by the quality and results of Nanogen products I think I'm going to try the Keratin hair thickening fibres.

Primavera Revitalisng Face Scrub £15

A product that ticks all the right ethical boxes, not tested on animals, vegan and organic whilst also feeling luxurious and decadent. Made with rose and pomegranate (my favorite ingredient at the moment) it is formulated for mature skin, however it worked well on my combination skin. Primavera pride themselves on their natural and organic products that work in harmony with your body and deliver great results. 

The invigorating face scrub has a high concentration of micro peals of jojoba wax that gently exfoliate to reveal softer skin. Used once a week it cleanses skin and buffs away any dry patches whilst being kind to your skin and having absolutely no irritants. 

I know you aren't meant to judge products by how nice they look on your bathroom shelf but we all do it and this face scrub is a real beauty in that department. With a stunning green apothecary bottle and subtle font it looks much more expensive than it actually is. 

Colour Restore £11.99

I wasn't feeling hopeful about this product, maybe it was because I was slightly under whelmed with the packaging, it felt a little bit budget. Maybe it was because of the nightmare that I have put my hair through but I wasn't expecting much of a result. I shouldn't have been so quick to judge though as the results were far better than I expected. 

After a rough 12 months of being dyed brunette, back to blonde, going back to dyed brunette again my hair isn't in the best condition so I didn't want to use any harsh chemicals on it. Still the copper tones, a left over from all the dying, come through in my hair and they can look quite brash and brassy. Working like a toner Colour Restore banishes those orange tones and puts hair back to it's just dyed condition. You can either use it like a shampoo or like me leave it on for 25 minutes, which will leave it feeling conditioned as well. It took my hair right back to the light chocolate colour it was when I first dyed it meaning I can now leave it longer in between getting my hair coloured.

Intelligent Nutrients Smooth & Sleek Styling Pomade £20

Trying to find organic styling products can be a bit of a nightmare and so I was really pleased when my attention was brought to the styling pomade by Intelligent Nutrients available on QVC. Formulated to offer a flexible hold and protect against heat styling it can be used on wet or dry hair to control fizz, add definition and control flyaways. Using no chemical nasties, just lots of lovey organic ingredients.

You only need a very small amount to make a big impact, half of what you would normally use. It has quite a think gummy texture which look a bit of getting used, I found it best to warm up the pomade between my fingers before combing through my hair to get an even distribution. On wet hair it helped my hair to become sleeker and reduced the amount of time I needed to spend straightening my hair. It has a strong herbal smell (with a touch of sweeties) that I really like, very different from the chemically smell of some hair products.

Using it dry I found worked best just for the odd touch up of stay hairs and to get a bit of lift at the roots. When I put my hair up in a ponytail I get this mad scientist curls that spring out at right angles just above my ears, rather than using hairspray (which can sometime go a bit hard and crackly) I have started to use the pomade to smooth them over and hold them in place behind my ears. It's also great for those wispy bits that blow in the wind so helps you get a super sleek finish. To give yourself more lift at the roots turn your head upside down and using a small amount of the product work it into the roots, gently pulling your hair up as you go.   

Magnifibres £20

While we all love the effect of false eyelashes there are the obvious downsides. They take a while to get the hang off and if you are in a rush forget about trying to apply them unless you want to practically glue your eyes together. They have the habit of unsticking just at the wrong moment and I for one always end up with gluey eyelids the next day... not a great look. 

Magnifibres is an alternative to false lashes that provides the same lengthen effect without all the hassle. They are 100% natural and really easy to apply. First you apply one coat of mascara like you normally would, then quickly sweep the magnifibres over your mascara coated lashes. Wait for a minute before applying another coat of mascara and voila.... instantly longer lashes. One coat is perfectly acceptable for the day time but if you want to glam in it up and night just carrying on building the product up by alternating mascara and then the magnifibres. 

I was slightly apprehensive as I remember using those mascara's several years ago where one end was mascara and on the other end a white mascara that was meant to lengthen the lashes. The problem was that you could never properly cover the while mascara and were left with a gloppy mess and visible fibers on your eyelashes. The magnifibres are so light  though that you can easily cover them with mascara and sit nicely at the end of your lashes so they blend in really well. 

I like to apply one coat all over my lashes and then build up the outer corners for that classic cat eye look. Just add a hint of smoky eyeshadow so all attention is on your eyes.

Zao Essence of Nature

It isn't very often that you find a brand that come up with a completely new packaging concept but that's exactly what Zao have done. It's the first brand organic cosmetics range that uses sustainable bamboo packaging. I tried out the matt lipstick £14.95 in the dark red shade, a perfect shade to bring out the sex kitten no matter your colouring. The smooth creamy texture glides on and as it contains precious oils it moisturises your lips. This does two things, firstly it stops the colour drying out on your lips so it doesn't crack or bleed. Secondly it keeps the colour on your lips rather than your glass, boyfriend etc.

The packaging is lovely and tactile, the smooth bamboo feels super sliky on your skin and looks funky thanks to a dash of pink. Unlike plastic packaging it doesn't crack and get damaged in your makeup bag and you can buy refills for most of the products on Zao's website. Not only is the bamboo packaging sustainable it is also reusable. One thing I have noticed about mineral and natural makeup is that it tends to only come in a limited skin shade but Zao's range of foundations covers even the darkest skin. The colours of the lipsticks and eyeshadows would suit a variety of ethnicities and there is a range of brushes to get the look just right. 

Ethics wise the brand scores top marks, all products are natural, fair trade and organic. There are no hidden nasties, no testing on fluffy bunnies or other animals, no ingredients from petrochemical industries and all the products get a negative carbon footprint as bamboo has such a exceptional growth speed. Now you can look good whilst doing good.   

Elemis White Flowers Eye & Lip Makeup Remover £19

I've always found taking waterproof eyeliner off tricky, using a regular make-up remover never quite gets all the eyeliner or mascara off so you wake up with panda eyes. Normally I use coconut oil to take off my make-up, which gets everything off but can leave a greasy film over your eyes. As I like to read before bed this can get annoying as its slightly dulls the focus.

Elemis have developed an eye and lip make-up that is gentle on the skin whilst being tough on make-up. The bi-phase combines an oil that is necessary to get rid of even the most stubborn of make-up while the water phase cools and refreshes the skin. The strong anti-oxides of white tea help protect the skin against sun damage, white flowers tone and hydrate and spring water encourages the development of lipids.

You have to give the bottle a really good shake before you use the remover to get a combination of oil and water onto a cotton wool pad. The water and oil are never going to mix so you really can't shake it up too much. I found this worked best if you leave the cotton wool pad on your eyelid for 30 seconds or so to really let the oil dissolve any make-up. Then all you need to do is gently sweep the pad over your  eyelid to take off any mascara etc. This stops you having to go over the area again with more product so reduces irritation. It took all my make-up off, and even though it is an oil it is much lighter than coconut oil so didn't leave a film on my eyes. The water helps to cool your skin and leave your eyes feeling fresh and clean.

Artist unveils new exhibition of works of art created on armpit canvases

I don't think I am ever going to get bored of all things beach ...... don't think I will ever see a sea painting in an armpit again though. How cool is this?

 

British interdisciplinary artist, Isamaya Ffrench today unveils a unique collection of art titled 'The Art Underarm'. All of the pieces in the series are created using the canvas of women's underarms  - the first time that the armpit has been used in this way.

 

Curated with Vaseline Deodorant to celebrate the female form, Isamaya's collection seeks to draw attention to an area usually hidden away ­- the armpit. Each of the six pieces in the collection sees the underarm decorated to become a work of art in its own right.

 

Each artwork created was inspired by nature, horticulture and the natural curve of the female body. Included within the collection is “Derma Beauty” - a secret garden within the underarm and “Aloe Fresh” which showcases a striking graphic silhouette with bold aloe leaves.

 

The “Double Invisible” image uses the contours of the body and stark Aztec patterns to vividly contrast skin tones, while “Active Fresh” portrays a tranquil landscape scene. The final piece, “Underarm Wave”, is created to mirror the style of the famed Hokusai wave, which sees waves crashing along the contour of a woman's underarm.

 

Georgia Spriggs, Vaseline Deodorant Brand Manager, commented on the collaboration with Ffrench: “Working with an artist like Isamaya allowed us to create a series of works which not only use the underarm in a truly unique way but create something visually impactful which celebrates the female form and brings our range to life in a new and interesting way.”

 

The Vaseline Deodorant range which includes Derma Beauty, Double Invisible, Aloe Fresh and Active Fresh variants are priced at a RRP of £1.86 each and available from retailers nationwide.

 

Dead Spa Magik - Salt Brushing

Exfoliating is the first step in getting soft and toned skin so finding a exfoliator is key. I regularly use coffee grounds as an exfoliator but although it leaves my skin feeling wonderful it leaves the bathroom looking a right mess.

Far from being the skin drying experience you think salt brushing might be, the offer from Dead Sea Magik is wonderfully nourishing thanks to the inclusion of coconut oil. The salt crystals are just the right size to give a really rough texture that makes you shed all your dead skin, so no more rough patches. I found the best way to use it is to stand in the bath and rub all over your body in circular motions. Start at your feet then work your way up. Make sure to pay attention to knees, elbows, thighs and bum! I think Cheryl Cole is going to be needing this to keep her fabulous bottom tattoo looking in great condition. I think it's a wonderful tattoo... I can't stop looking at it but she is going to have to take good care of her rear to make sure it stays as pert as it does in the photo and salt brushing should be something she does ever week.

I loved this product so much I even got my finance to come and have a go before he got in the shower and scrubbed him from top to feet and he loved it to. It's got to be up there with the same results as a coffee scrub but it doesn't leave your bathroom in a mess. My skin was left soft and silky thanks to the coconut oil. If you wanted to apply fake tan directly after I would suggest you leave it a few hours until all the oil has absorbed as it would prevent the fake tan from soaking in properly. 

Alterna - Bamboo Beach - Mango Coconut refreshing Dry Shampoo £21

Having just moved to the seaside as soon as I saw Alterna's new beach range I just had to try it. The product that I wanted to try first was the Mango and Coconut dry shampoo as I just love those smells. As soon as you open the tube and smell the powder you are hit with a glorious fruity scent that transports you to a tropical island. Seriously the smell is so amazing you will want to eat the stuff .... don't though, it works so well on your hair you would really be missing out.

It took me a couple of goes to get used to a powder dry shampoo as I'm so used to spray ones but as soon as you get the hang of it it's just the same but obviously you get more product, less packaging and no aerosol. Gently sprinkle a small amount through roots of hair, rub in and then boom - greasy hair a thing of the past and it gives your hair extra body. The tropical fruity smell gives you a lovely fresh scent so even if you have been in a really smoky environment no one will ever know. It's free from all nasties - Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, Synthetic Color, Talc, Sodium Chloride, Mineral Oil and Petrolatum. So it won't damage or dry out your hair.

I was slightly worried about using too much and making my dark hair slightly grey, a problem I have encountered with other dry shampoos, but Alterna's soaks up any grease without making you look like you have aged years. When I you have left it a little too long in-between dye jobs and my blonde roots are starting to come through I mix a little of the dry shampoo in with a powder eyeshadow that closest matches the dyed colour. That way I can get a few more days without having to wash my hair, hence saving the dye on my hair. Plus it covers up my blonde roots coming through. 

A holiday must have as it's much lighter in your luggage than regular shampoo, plus you don't need conditioner. If you aren't off on holiday this year then use this in your hair and at least you will smell like you do!

Vaseline Spray & Go £4.99

I've always avoided moisturising in the morning, preferring to leave it till before bed. Ultimately it's because I am really lazy and would rather sleep than wait for my moisturiser to soak in. There are a few quick absorbing moisturisers out there but you still need to wait a good five minutes or so for it to absorb fully before putting your clothes on otherwise they leaving you feeling sticky or your tights, t-shirt or whatever soak up the product before your skin can. Vaseline have a revolutionary new body moisturiser than soaks into your skin in seconds making it perfect for morning applications, even for those as lazy as me.

The spray and go really is that, the bottle sprays at every angle and has a continuous flow so you can sweep it over your body, quickly rub in and you are done. The unique spray system dispenses the lotion quickly and evenly onto the skin and soaks in in seconds leaving your skin soft and silky. I went for the aloe fresh product that is the only product that I have tried that doesn't slightly tingle freshly shaved legs. Normally I have to wait if I have just shaved my legs but I was able to spray it on straight away, again saving time. Luckily I am still getting some sunshine and predictably I am still slightly over exposing my skin. Having to rub after sun onto red skin can be quite painful but I don't have to anymore as I can spray my skin instead. If you have really over done it, place the spray and go in the fridge while you have a bath and you will love the cooling spray afterwards.

I normally get my partner to moisturise my back, a chore he does but does while complaining. When I gave him the spray and go to use he loved it, pretending that he was spraying painting me, he nearly got a little carried away. It was then no surprise that the next morning I heard the distinctive sound of the spray (really good fun) and found him spraying himself after his morning shower. I've been on at him for years to moisturise and he never has, this spray has made it fun for him though. The unique spray action has also stopped those annoying traits of pump action bottles - where your hand slips because its covered in product and you can't get the stuff out of the bottle, or trying to put on a lid with greasy hands and it rolls under the sofa never to be seen again.

It's really touching that a brand such as Vaseline that is steeped in the history of moisturising has developed it's future.  

Skin Doctors

So hair removal might not be the most glamorous of products but they are very necessary, especially if you get ingrown hairs like I do. As you will have read getting my bikini line bikini ready can result in horrible ingrown hairs and occasionally they can even become infected..... not really the look I was going for. Help comes in the form of Skin Doctors Ingrow Go (£12.20) a liquid exfoliate that gets rid of ingrown hairs in as little as 24 hours. It also stops those little bumps you get after shaving and has anti-bacterial qualities to stop hairs getting infected. It's safe to use anywhere on your body, just drip some on cotton wool and wipe over any area shaved, waxed or plucked. If I ever get an ingrown hair that I haven't got to in time I use this a few times a day on the bump and in next to know time the redness has gone down and the hair can be removed.

Another handy product is the Hair No More System (£17.30) Step 1 is a pain free hair removal cream (with the added bonus it doesn't have that really strong smell that most hair removal creams do that's a dead giveaway of why you have hidden yourself in the bathroom). In a few minutes the area will be free from hair without any nicks or screams, plus its completely safe to use on your face if you suffer from a slightly furry upper lip, or in my case side burns that would put Wolverine to shame. Step 2 is a growth inhibitor spray that minimizes hair growth so it grows back slower and when it does it it softer. I've used the kit a couple of times now and have been really pleased with the results so no more panicked phone calls to get a emergency bikini wax. I've also started using it on my armpits as it totally beats having to shave everyday.  

Heat Wave Heroes

It's been a long time coming but finally summer has arrived with an almighty burst of heat. As soon as those golden rays hit the country there was only one thing to do, find the nearest patch of open space and get some UVA - not too much mind. It may have cooled down slightly but we still have the whole of August to go and where there is some sun there is bound to be more (well that's what I am telling myself anyhow). To keep yourself cool and beautiful in the heat, whether you are staying in the UK or off on holiday, I have a few heat wave heroes to keep you cool and looking your best.

One of the downsides of the heat is that unfortunately you sweat more and lets face it, no-one likes to look sweaty. Handily Sure have released their best ever protect in a compressed can (£2.19) now only 75ml but with the same lasting power as the bigger can so it's small enough to fit in to the smallest of  handbags but powerful enough to take on any heatwave the sun can throw at you. It's even the right size to pop into your hand luggage if you are lucky enough to be off on holiday.  Providing 48 hour protect and motion sense system that is trigger by movement, if you move about quite a bit then the more it works but if you are mostly stationary, just dozing in the sun, then it will still keep you fresh and dry. With a range of different scents it really should be mandatory for everyone traveling on the tube. Now all you have to worry about is not getting sunburn.

In the sunshine nothing beats a cooling ice-lolly but realistically you can only manage one or two in a day, so how do you get that burst of coolness without the calories? Vichy Eau Thermale (£7). Pop this can of thermal water, rich with 15 mineral salts to help soothe sensitive skin (great if you have had too much sun) into the fridge overnight and whenever the mood takes you spray a little on your face for a burst of coolness. If you have a long car journey and no air-conditioning this will be a lifesaver in keeping you cool while Sure keeps you fresh.

In the hot weather I find that my eye-makeup is much more likely to run and after a few hours I end up with black smudges under my eyes no matter which mascara I use. My eyes get irritated but suncream and start to tears up, making my mascara run. I would love to be able to forgo the makeup completely but I have my fathers eyes (small and with bad vision) so I don't feel right without a few coats of the black stuff. Now when I go out I take a couple of Swab Plus Eye Makeup Remover and Corrector buds (£3.99) in my bag for touch up emergencies. These liquid filled cotton buds contain aloe vera and vitamin E to quickly remove any smudges or mistakes.

Finally after a day in the sun your skin is going to need an extra moisture boost and what better way than to turn to a well loved favorite, Vaseline Essential Moisture Rich Body Butter with pure cocoa butter (£4.69). Full of conditioning moisturisers to leave even the driest skin healthy and glowing and the heavenly sweet smell of cocoa butter, its an absolute joy to use. It melts into the skin so you don't need to rub very hard to make it soak in, great if your skin is a little red and sore, and will leave your skin looking and feeling great. If like me you still haven't worked out your skins tolerance to the sun and have caught a little too much sun pop this in the fridge for an hour or so to cool down and it will feel like your hot skin is being kissed by angels.