January Beauty Awards

Hi there! And welcome to my first ‘beauty awards’ – aka my monthly favourites – of 2017. 🙂 As always, I’ve chosen three favourites (and a few honourable mentions) from all the products I’ve reviewed this month. So let’s see which products I liked best!

3rd place – NSPA Caramel Chocolate Shower & Bath Gel
Runner-Up – Nivea Q10 Firming Body Lotion

NSPA’s Caramel Chocolate Shower & Bath Gel is a fantastic shower gel. It smells… delicious! Too bad it’s a limited edition. I also really like Nivea’s Q10 Body Lotion. Yes, it made my skin feel firmer within days. I will buy this body lotion again, no doubt!

WINNER – Superdrug B. Confident Hyaluronic Acid Facial Spritz

I’ve never used a facial spray/spritz/mist until I tried Superdrug’s B. Confident Hyaluronic Acid Facial Spritz.

And what happened when I started to use this product? I fell in love with it. Now, just 8 weeks later, I can’t imagine being without it.

I use this hyaluronic acid mist almost every day. And I even have a bottle in my handbag!

On top of that I already bought four back-up bottles – just in case! 😀

If you haven’t tried this product, I’d definitely recommend you buy it right away. It’s great for dry skin (I think it’s probably suitable for all skin types), and it hasn’t caused my sensitive and moody skin any trouble at all.

Now onto the honourable mentions! I really like Imperial Leather’s Effortless and Beautiful shower gels. They’re 100% fantastic.

And Radox’s Mango Mayhem and Passion Fruit Splash shower gels are extremely nice too. These two products remind me of my favourite season of the year = summer!

These are the ‘new’ products that I liked best this month. Have you used any of these products? If so, how did you like them? Feel free to comment. And thanks for reading! 🙂

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Weekly Recap 23 – 29 Jan 2017

Hi there! I hope everyone had a good week so far. This post is my weekly recap – so if you’ve missed any of my posts, this will bring you up to speed. 🙂

Monday 23 Jan – Radox Passionfruit Splash & Mango Mayhem

I love these Radox shower gels. They’re exotic and juicy, fruity and summery, tropical and dreamy – they’re awesome! Click here to read Monday’s post.

Tuesday 24 Jan – Boots Extracts Fruity Strawberry Body Spray & Zingy Satsuma Body Spray

On Tuesday I reviewed two Boots Extracts Body Sprays – Strawberry & Satsuma. Click here if you want to read the post.

Wednesday 25 Jan – Nail Of The Day
Thursday 26 Jan – Osiris Avisé Exfoliating Facial Scrub

Wednesday’s post was another nail post. Click here to read it. And on Thursday I wrote about Osiris Avisé’s apricot scrub. If you want to read the post, click here.

Friday 27 Jan – Maybelline Colorshow Blush ‘Em

Friday’s post was about a Maybelline blush I picked up for £1. If you’d like to read the post, click here.

Oh, and I had a few more spam comments. These two were my favourites.

Oh dear! 😀

And another week is… history! Enjoy the rest of the weekend. And thanks for stopping by!

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Maybelline Colorshow Blush ‘Em – Pink Cheeks

Hi there! Today’s post is about a blush I picked up at one of the Poundstores. It’s called Maybelline Colorshow Blush’em! Unfortunately this blush doesn’t have a name – and I also couldn’t find a number on the back. So I’ve just called it ‘Pink Cheeks’.

When I picked up the blush, I thought I’d be getting a lot of product for £1. However, when I opened the compact I was surprised – and disappointed. The blush pan is tiny, and the small brush that was included is useless. By the way, there was no mention of a brush being included anywhere on the compact…

But I think I shouldn’t complain because this blush was £1 only and I’m not running out of blush any time soon. In addition, I might actually be able to finish this one! 🙂

Now, how’s the product? I think this blush duo is actually decent. The pigmentation is OK – sure, it could be better, but again, I might be able to finish this one! This blush is easily blendable, and I think these pink shades are definitely suitable for pale skin tones.

This blush seems to be discontinued. But you might still find it at your local Poundland or Poundworld. I picked up a few different shades, so if this pink combo isn’t your favourite, there are other colours! 🙂

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Osiris Avisé Apricot Facial Scrub

Hi there! Today’s post is about Osiris Avisé’s Apricot Exfoliating Facial Scrub. I bought this product ages ago. Back then I was happy to use abrasive scrubs on my face. But I’m no longer doing that.

Nowadays most people know that scrubs with crushed apricot kernels and walnut shells are too harsh for the face. That’s because these scrubs can cause tiny cuts on the skin surface. Bacteria really love these microscopic cuts – they’ll settle in and then they’ll give you spots. Yikes!

If you were ever wondering why your face would break out in spots on the same day (or the day after) you’ve used a harsh face scrub, it’s more likely than not that the scrub is to blame.

I had the same problem. But guess what, I stopped using harsh scrubs on my face – and I haven’t had any issues since.

Anyhoo, since I’m a beauty and toiletries hoarder, I have a few harsh face scrubs left in my stash. I’m not throwing the scrubs away (I paid for them!), but I don’t want to give them away either (I really wouldn’t want a friend to use this stuff on their face).

So I’m using these scrubs as body scrubs! This particular scrub is actually quite alright. It’s not as thick as St. Ives’ scrubs, so it’s easier to use. And it smells a lot better than St. Ives’ scrubs too! I’m happy to continue to use this scrub on my body. However, I don’t think I’d repurchase this product once it’s finished.

Have you tried any other products from this brand? If so, please let me know. I’d love to hear what you think.

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Nail Of The Day – Ciaté Pepperminty & Stamping With Pueen 55 / Nail Art Challenge #4 Green Nails

Hi there! I think I’m about halfway through the 31 Days Nail Art Challenge. So obviously I still have a few manis to do.

And today’s post is my entry for challenge #4 Green Nails. 🙂

For this mani I painted my nails with Ciaté Pepperminty (2 coats).

Since the mani was supposed to be ‘green’, I chose Revlon Colorstay 225 Jungle as my stamping colour.

The image I chose to stamp onto my nails is from Pueen’s 55 plate (which is part of Pueen’s Stamping Buffet collection).

I think this mani turned out quite alright. It’s not too flashy, it’s not too boring. It’s just perfectly wearable.

Any comments? Please feel free to let me know what you think. And thanks for stopping by! 🙂

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Reducing My Oldies Stash – Boots Extracts Fruity Strawberry Body Spray & Zingy Satsuma Body Spray

Hi there! I’m still working through my 2015 Christmas toiletries sets, and I realised that I bought a Boots Extracts fragrance set (just like 2016…). The set was £3 and it contained 3 fragrances (70ml each) – and I will review 2 of them today. Now meet Boots Extracts Fruity Strawberry Body Spray and Boots Extracts Zingy Satsuma Body Spray.

Boots Extracts Fruity Strawberry Body Spray isn’t a favourite. The strawberry fragrance isn’t unpleasant, but it smells very generic. I used this body spray once to test it. And now I’ll pass it on to my teenage relative. Actually, my relative will receive 2 of these sprays because both the 2015 set and the 2016 set contained a strawberry body spray. If you’d like to try this product, it’s £3.50 for a 150ml bottle at Boots.

Boots Extracts Zingy Satsuma Body Spray is a limited edition fragrance from 2015. Whilst I think it’s not that special, I have to say that it does smell pleasant. That’s because the satsuma fragrance isn’t just a one-dimensional fruity fragrance. It smells like a mix of satsumas, satsuma peel and orange flower. Quite nice, actually.

Have you tried Boots Extracts products? If so, which products do you love the most? Feel free to get in touch. And thanks for stopping by!

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Radox Passion Fruit Splash & Mango Mayhem

Hi there! Whilst I love chocolate, vanilla and caramel scented shower and bath products this time of year, I hate the cold. So I often use fresh and fruity shower gels as a pick-me-up and to remind me of my favourite season = summer!

At the moment I’m using two fruity shower gels which I picked up at Poundworld – for £1 each. Now meet Radox Passion Fruit Splash and Radox Mango Mayhem.

Radox Passion Fruit Splash (a.k.a. Radox Feel Bubbly) with passion fruit and tangerine oil is sunshine in a bottle. The tangerine oil adds a crisp and tangy note, so this shower gel isn’t as sweet as I expected it to be. However, it’s very summery and exotic. I really like it!

Radox Mango Mayhem (a.k.a. Radox Feel Fabulous) with tropical mango and grapefruit oil is a fantastic shower gel. It’s summer in a bottle. The fragrance is sunny and juicy – it’s gorgeous! This is one of the nicest mango shower gels I’ve ever had. It’s almost as good as Boots Extracts’ mango shower gel. But this one is much cheaper! Well done, Radox!

If you’d like to try these shower gels, you should swing by your local bargain stores! 🙂 Thanks for reading!

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Weekly Recap 16 – 22 Jan 2017

Hi there! And welcome to this week’s recap! If you’ve missed a post that you would have wanted to read, this is your chance to catch up. 🙂

Monday 16 Jan – NYC Metro Quartet Eye Shadow 796B Queens Boulevard

On Monday I swatched and reviewed this NYC eye palette. If you’d like to read the post, click here.

Tuesday 17 Jan – Making Products Work For Me – L’Oreal Fibrology & Alberto Balsam

On Tuesday I told you that I found another L’Oréal Fibrology shampoo and conditioner combo in my stash. I didn’t love these products the first time around because they aren’t the most suitable ones for long and curly hair (by the way, my hair is transitioning from curly to wavy – I think it’s because of its length). But I had a spare Albert Balsam Mandarin & Papaya shampoo and a spare Alberto Balsam Raspberry conditioner, so I matched up the L’Oréal products with the Alberto Balsam products. If you’d like to know how it worked out, click here to read Tuesday’s post.

Wednesday 18 Jan – Empties 2016 Summary 

Wednesday’s post was about the stuff I emptied in 2016. I know the summary was a little late, but I’m glad I did it anyway. Click here to read the post. Thanks (again) for the inspiration, Stashy!

Thursday 19 Jan – Nail Of The Day
Friday 20 Jan – Nivea Q10 Firming Body Lotion

Thursday’s post was another Nail Of The Day post. If you’d like to read it, click here. Friday’s post was about Nivea’s Q10 Firming Body Lotion. Click here to read my review.

This is it for this week. Thanks for reading. And I hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend. 🙂

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Nivea Q10 Firming Body Lotion

Hi there! Today’s post is about a product I’ve been using for almost 3 weeks now: Nivea Q10 Firming Body Lotion.

This body lotion for normal skin promises intensive hydration and – after two weeks of use – noticeably firmer, smoother and more energised skin.

Does it work? Is it any good? Yes, absolutely!

Whilst this body lotion isn’t the most hydrating one out there, I like the formula. It’s light (it’s probably more suitable for the warmer seasons), it’s absorbed quickly and it’s not sticky at all. Very nice!

I’m also happy with how my skin looks and feels. Yes, my skin felt firmer after just a few days. I must say that I’m impressed!

Another thing I like about this body lotion is its fragrance. It smells… sunny and happy!

I will continue to use this body lotion and I will buy it again – no doubt. So yes, I’d recommend it! And I will also try the more nourishing version of this body lotion.

Nivea Q10 Firming Body Lotion is available as 250ml for £5.29 and 400ml for £6.79. I got my 250ml bottle for £2.55 (half price offer). So keep your eyes peeled for promotions to get the best deal!

Have you tried this body lotion? If so, I’d love to know what you think. And thanks for stopping by!

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Nail Of The Day – Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Magenta Moves & Stamping With Pueen 74

Hi there! I’ve got a nail post for you today. 🙂

For this mani I painted my nails with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Magenta Moves (2 coats).

I love this polish. It’s almost a one-coater, it dries really fast, and the colour pops!

Initially I wanted to do a glitter mani, but then I opted for stamping.

I chose a remotely floral image from Pueen’s 74 plate (which is part of Pueen’s Buffet Leisure collection).

The white polish I stamped with is Essence’s fantastic white stamping polish (they call it stampy polish).

I think this mani looks quite nice. Sure, I could have taken a little more care to ensure the images would go on perfectly. But these little flaws are only visible in the photo. In real life no one noticed. 🙂

Feel free to comment if you want to. And thanks for reading!

Mrs Strawberry Blonde