June Beauty Awards

Hi there! Today’s post is about my favourite products in June. I picked my favourites from all the products I’ve reviewed since the beginning of the month. I’ve got a few honourable mentions further down, but let’s start with the TOP 3!

3rd place – Giorgio Armani Armani Code Summer Eau Fraîche
Runner-Up – Nip + Fab Renew Retinol Fix Tonic Extreme

Armani Code Summer is such a lovely fragrance! I’m enjoying it very much!
Nip + Fab’s retinol toner is one of my all-time favourite facial products!

WINNER – Marks & Spencer Spiced Bergamot Eau De Toilette

Spiced Bergamot is a very special fragrance. I’ll keep buying it for as long as M&S sells it!

Onto the honourable mentions! I Love… Choca Mocha Lala Moisturizing Lip Balm and Vaseline Lip Therpay + SPF 15 are 2 of my favourite lip balms at the moment. Astor Color Last VIP 240 Desire is such a beautiful lipstick, and Nivea Caring Shower Gel Splashy Ocean is a fab unisex shower gel.

Have you tried any of these products or would you like to try them? Which products are your current beauty favourites? Feel free to let me know via the comments, and thank you for stopping by! xx

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Poundland #6 The Mask Collection Vitamin E Sheet Mask

Hi there! Today’s post is about this Poundland #6 The Mask Collection Vitamin E Sheet Mask. Poundland has a new collection of 6 sheet masks – 2 vitamin E masks, 2 collagen masks and 2 aloe vera masks. I tried the 2 vitamin E masks first. The vitamin E mask is aimed at all skin types. And on the back of the pack it says “against animal testing”.

The vitamin E mask also contains bamboo lily extract, horse mint extract, golden chamomile extract, bourbon geranium extract, etc. You’re supposed to put the mask on after you’ve cleansed your face, and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.

After using 2 of these masks, I’m happy to report that they’re quite nice. The essence is very hydrating and it hardly smells of anything. Personally, I prefer scented products, but the next person might disagree. I found that the masks left my skin looking refreshed. However, they also left a bit of a sticky film on my skin.

Despite the stickiness, I’d still recommend the vitamin E mask. I think it’s good value for money, and I experienced visible results pretty much immediately after I’ve used these masks.

If you’re interested, Poundland #6 The Mask Collection Vitamin E Sheet Mask is available in a set of 6 sheet masks (2 vitamin E masks, 2 collagen masks and 2 aloe vera masks). I’m not 100% sure about the price but this set was £5 max.

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Weekly Recap 20 – 26 June 2022

Hi there! Today’s post is my weekly blog recap. And here are the posts I’ve written this past week.

Tuesday 21 Jun – Giorgio Armani Armani Code Summer Eau Fraîche

Tuesday’s post was a fragrance review. Click here to read it.

Thursday 23 Jun – Superdrug Leafy & Lovely Summer Meadow Hand Lotion

Thursday’s post was about this hand cream. Click here to read it.

Saturday 25 Jun – Marks & Spencer Spiced Bergamot Eau De Toilette

Another fragrance review on Saturday. Click here to read the post.

And this is it for this week. Thank you for stopping by! xx

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

100% Vegan & Cruelty-Free – Marks & Spencer Spiced Bergamot Eau De Toilette

Hi there! Today’s post is about this Marks & Spencer Spiced Bergamot Eau De Toilette. This post could be filed under “Revisiting Old Favourites”, but the heading would have been clunky. Regardless, this fragrance is an “old” favourite, and here’s why…

Let’s start with the notes! Spiced Bergamot has the following notes: bergamot, lemon and orange flower (top notes), white flowers and cardamom (heart notes), and cedar, amber and musk (base notes).  Sounds good!

Spiced Bergamot is an amazing fragrance. It’s starts very fresh – with lemon and bergamot. I can’t smell any orange flower or white flowers, but I can smell cedar and musk The fragrance lasts for about 3-4 hours (it’s a skin scent after about 1 hour) and I can sniff out some cardamom as the citrus notes disappear.

This fragrance remind me of Light Blue. It’s definitely NOT the same as Light Blue, but with lemon and cedar being such prominent notes, and with its cool, refreshing and unisex feel, Spiced Bergamot makes you think of Light Blue! Having said this, Spiced Bergamot is definitely “pink”, and it also has a more transparent feel. If you think of Light Blue as lemon and water, you could think of Spiced Bergamot as lemon / bergamot and air.

I cannot recommend this beautiful fragrance enough. If you’re interested, Marks & Spencer Spiced Bergamot Eau De Toilette is available as 30ml for £5 and 100ml for £9.50. I bought a special edition 200ml for £6.25 (half price post-Christmas clearance). Also, this fragrance is vegan and certified cruelty-free (it carries THE Leaping Bunny logo).

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

100% Cruelty-Free – Superdrug Leafy & Lovely Summer Meadow Hand Lotion

Hi there! Today’s post is about this Superdrug Leafy & Lovely Summer Meadow Hand Lotion which I picked up at Superdrug a while ago. The Leafy & Lovely collection usually makes an appearance around Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and possibly other such days where women expect presents, although I’m not 100% sure as I don’t keep track of Superdrug’s special promotions. But onto the hand cream now!

I think this hand cream is lovely. It has a fresh, botanical fragrance which is nice and pleasant. The formula is rich but not greasy. So you can use it on the go or at work without having to wait for it to sink into your skin before you touch anything. I also like the tube and the lid which resembles much fancier (and much more expensive) hand creams. However, Superdrug Leafy & Lovely Summer Meadow Hand Lotion is only £1. An incredible bargain if you consider the quality and the pretty design! Also, this hand cream is certified cruelty-free (it carries THE Leaping Bunny logo).

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Giorgio Armani Armani Code Summer Eau Fraîche

Hi there! Today’s post is about a fragrance I’ve had for a while but never used until last week – Giorgio Armani Armani Code Summer Eau Fraîche. This fragrance contains the following notes: bitter orange, neroli and pear (top notes), orange flower, jasmine, ginger and cyclamen (heart notes), and musk, vanilla and woody notes (base notes).

I’ve been wearing this fragrance for a week now, and I like it a lot. Armani Summer Code starts with a burst of neroli, then develops into a more floral direction with a strong orange flower note and a hint of jasmine. I don’t get much from the base notes, just a hint of musk, almost hidden under the neroli and the orange flowers.

I think this fragrance is a summer holiday fragrance – it’s for a more sophisticated holiday though. Somewhere in Italy, away from tourist hotspots, but maybe in a nice, secluded casa by the orange grove where you spend your time relaxing in the shade, reading a book and enjoying the peace and quiet.

Armani Summer Code doesn’t last long. But it’s just an Eau Fraîche, so it’s clear you can’t expect a fragrant spectacle that would go on for hours and hours… I think Armani Code Summer lasts for about an hour or two, and it doesn’t leave much of a trail on clothes or scarves. But that’s OK. At least you can spray away to your heart’s content!

Giorgio Armani Armani Code Summer Eau Fraîche is available as 75ml. This is a discontinued limited edition, so it’s probably not easy to find outside of ebay. I can’t comment on the price for this fragrance, but I snapped it up at a clearance sale a long time ago.

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Weekly Recap 13 – 19 June 2022

Hi there! Happy Sunday! Today’s post is my weekly blog recap. And here are the posts that I’ve written this past week.

Monday 13 Jun – Primark PS… Revitalising Marine Algae + Hyaluronic Acid Sheet Mask

Monday’s post was about a face mask. Click here to read it.

Wednesday 15 Jun – Pantene Pro-V Miracles Strong & Long Biotin + Bamboo Keratin Reconstruct Mask

On Wednesday I reviewed a hair mask. Click here to read the post.

Friday 17 Jun – Vaseline Lip Therpay + SPF 15, I Love… Choca Mocha Lala Moisturizing Lip Balm

And Friday’s post was about 2 lip balms that I’m enjoying very much right now. Click here to read my review.

And this is already it for this week. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the rest of the weekend. xx

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Lip Balm Favourites – Vaseline Lip Therpay + SPF 15, I Love… Choca Mocha Lala Moisturizing Lip Balm

Hi there! Today’s short post is about 2 lip balms that I’ve been using for the past few weeks – Vaseline Lip Therpay + SPF 15 and I Love… Choca Mocha Lala Moisturizing Lip Balm. I think these 2 lip balms are amazing, and here’s why.

Vaseline Lip Therpay + SPF 15 is a classic. It has the most wonderful formula. The lip balm just glides on, and it makes my lips feel hydrated and cared for. The yummy cocoa flavour is an added bonus. A great lip balm!

I Love… Choca Mocha Lala Moisturizing Lip Balm was a lovely surprise. I’ve had this lip balm in my stash for a little while, and I’ve never tried it until a few weeks ago. I fell in love instantly because this lip balm is very hydrating and it has the most amazing flavour – it comes close to Kinder chocolate! Another great lip balm!

Based on my experience, I’d recommend both these lip balms. The price for each item will depend on where you shop, but I found them both at Poundland!

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Pantene Pro-V Miracles Strong & Long Biotin + Bamboo Keratin Reconstruct Mask

Hi there! Today’s post is about this Pantene Pro-V Miracles Strong & Long Biotin + Bamboo Keratin Reconstruct Mask. This hair mask promises to strengthen hair against styling damage (vs. non-conditioning shampoo) and to help reduce hair loss due to breakage.

The instructions state that you should apply the hair mask to your wet hair, then rinse it out, then dry and style your hair.

I’ve used this hair mask about once every 5-7 days for the past 5 weeks, and I think it’s alright but not great. I tried this hair mask because the shampoo and the conditioner from the same collection blew me away. Whilst the shampoo and the conditioner are all-time faves, the hair mask is not. And here’s why:

It starts with the instructions – they don’t state how often you should use the mask, and for how long you should leave it in. Pantene needs to improve this. I just leave the mask on for 2-3 minutes. But I have no idea if this is how Pantene expects people to use this hair mask.

Also, I don’t style my hair. I have long, wavy-to-curly hair, and I just wash and condition my hair (and blow-dry it if I have to go anywhere) – and my hair just looks great. I don’t use any kind of foam, gel, spray, etc. So I can’t evaluate how effective this hair mask is if you style your hair. However, I have noticed zero difference between this hair mask and a regular conditioner. I guess that’s why Pantene promises a strengthening effect compared to the use of a non-conditioning shampoo only. If you style your hair, and this mask works for you, this is great. But it doesn’t do anything special for me.

Another thing is that this hair mask makes no difference to how much hair I lose in the shower the next day. I’m a daily washer, so I know how much hair I lose or should lose. Whilst the shampoo and the conditioner from this range made a visible difference from day 1, this mask makes no difference.

Because of the above, I won’t repurchase the mask. I will continue to use it for as long as it lasts, but since it’s not better than a random conditioner, I don’t really need it. But if you’re interested, Pantene Pro-V Miracles Strong & Long Biotin + Bamboo Keratin Reconstruct Mask is available as 160ml for about £5. I paid £2.50 (Tesco Clubcard offer).

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

100% Vegan & Cruelty-Free – Primark PS… Revitalising Marine Algae + Hyaluronic Acid Sheet Mask

Hi there! Today’s post is about this Primark PS… Revitalising Marine Algae + Hyaluronic Acid Sheet Mask. This sheet mask also contains pro-vitamin B5 and extracts of aloe vera leaf, watermelon, bilberry, kelp, etc. This mask promises refreshing hydration.

Simply cleanse your face, put the mask on and leave it on for about 15 minutes, then massage the essence into your skin – and that’s already it.

I’ve given this mask a try, and I think it’s nice. I enjoyed the subtle scent – it’s a green and fresh scent that I can’t describe. But it was pleasant. I also found the mask refreshing and hydrating – just as promised. My skin looked and felt great, and I’d give the mask an extra point for not leaving a sticky film on my skin. Great stuff!

Based on my experience, I’d recommend this sheet mask. Primark PS… Revitalising Marine Algae + Hyaluronic Acid Sheet Mask is available as a 23g single-use mask for 80p (Primark). This mask is also certified vegan (by The Vegan Society) and cruelty-free (it carries THE Leaping Bunny logo).

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛