bkr Water Bottles

bkr is a beauty essential that will change the way you drink water forever. This high-end and chemical-free water bottle is a staple backstage at Fashion Week and loved by A-list celebrities. The world of beauty is filled with expensive treatments, product innovations and the latest skincare revolutions. However, beauty’s most important element - and the real secret to flawless skin is WATER! 

No product you’re using is going to work if you’re dehydrated. It is recommended that you should drink at least 2 litres of water daily. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t drink near enough water so I’m going to try the 30 day bkr challenge - I’ll report back next month! I will attempt to drink 2 litres of water daily (4 bkr bottles) for 30 days and see if I notice a difference to my skin. 

bkr is the solution to staying truly hydrated and helps to create the canvas for a gorgeous complexion and should be the first step in any beauty regimen. These beautifully designed bottles are not only this season’s brand new, must-have beauty accessory, but they will also motivate you to drink more water. bkr has already been adopted by a dedicated celebrity following including: Blake Lively, Giselle, Charlize Theron and Jessica Alba. bkr has now launched in the UK exclusively at Selfridges.

The concept is really simple. bkr replaces ugly, cheap plastic bottles that are not only harmful to the environment but nasty chemicals can leak from the plastic into the water that you are drinking! The bkr bottle is made from glass, holds half a litre of water (500ml), is re-usable and comes with a coloured soft silicone sleeve. 

Each season bkr releases collections inspired by runway trends in New York, London, Paris and Milan – with colours ranging from bold brights to soft hues. It features a small opening for no spill sipping, no-leak seal, is BPA-free and phthalate-free and is even safe to use in a dishwasher. 

bkr Water Bottle with silicone sleeve (500ml) costs £25 and the limited edition heart design is £28 are available exclusively from Selfridges. What do you think to the bkr concept?

No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Serum

No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Serum is the UK’s first serum clinically proven to deliver anti-wrinkle results that get even better over time. An industry first, these groundbreaking results come from a 12 month clinical trial and have been scrutinised by the UK’s advertising industry advisors at the highest level.

Last year No7 launched the next generation of its much loved and best-selling serum, No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Serum, clinically proven to produce even better anti-ageing results than the original. A year on, No7 are excited to reveal an exciting beauty industry first Results, claim…

‘No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Serum is the UK’s first serum clinically proven to deliver anti-wrinkle results that get even better over time.’ 

Encouraged by the exceptional results after 6 months product use, Boots skincare scientists decided to continue the trial to 12 months, driven by the fact they wanted to see how long the results would continue to get better.

The clinical trial took place over 12 months with two groups of volunteers. One group applied the new No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Serum on one side of their face and the original No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Serum on the other (double blinded). The other group applied No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Serum on one side and applied nothing on the other side. Crows feet and under-eye wrinkles were then graded by a dermatologist every month.

No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Serum costs £24.95 for 30ml from Boots.com

My Little Box X L'Occitane

My Little Box have collaborated with L'Occitane for their May box 'MY LITTLE Provence BOX. Mylittlebox is a hand picked and beautiful designed box of fashion, beauty and lifestyle surprises. With accessories, products and other goodies created exclusively for you and based around a different theme each month. 

My Little Box costs £11 plus £3.95 (the postage is expensive because it is shipped from France!) and you are able to opt out of the subscription at anytime. This month's Provence theme brings a lovely selection of best-selling mini L'Occitane beauty products, some cute fridge magnets, a DIY bracelet and as usual a magazine, illustrations - all beautifully wrapped up.

L'Occitane En Provence Mer & Mistral Shower Gel (worth £3.42)

This is the perfect little mini to take on your travels or try before you buy the full size. It's scent is described as 'Summer Holiday in a bottle' which is spot on, it smells exactly like a mix of sand, sea and fresh air!

L'Occitane En Provence Roses et Reines Hand and Nail Cream (worth £1.86)

This mini hand and nail cream is enriched with shea butter and vitamin E, to help nourish, soften and protect the hands while helping to strengthen the nails whilst delicately leaving a rose scent.

L'Occitane En Provence Verena Body Lotion (worth £2.40)

This citrus fresh mini body lotion smells amazing and good enough to eat! It contains organic verbena extract and ultra nourishing grape seed oil and sinks in quickly without being sticky or greasy.

L'Occitane En Provence Verbena Leaf Soap (worth £1.50)

Mini soap in the same delicious citrus scent as the Verbena body lotion. It's shaped like a leaf and it not only cleans skin but acts like a scrub and moisturiser too! It contains crushed verbena leaves to exfoliate skin gently and eliminates dryness.

The Amazing Pencil (£9)

A metallic bronze creamy eyeshadow crayon that promises to stay put all day, and has a neat rotating end so no need for a sharpener.

Magnetic Provence (£6)

This is a cute - Mix and Match Dress up My Little Doll fridge magnets! I'll be surprising my niece with these magnets - she will love them!

The Sunny Cuff (£15)

DIY accessory for summer is this embroidery gold cuff bracelet. It comes with two different coloured blue threads and a tutorial to create your own unique bracelet.

This box is a lovely mix of the best of L'Occitane En Provence beauty, fashion and lifestyle. The products are worth £39.18 so for £14.95 is good value. I can't recommend My Little Box enough as I think it offers fresh brands I adore the packaging and the fashion and lifestyle element. Check out http://www.mylittlebox.co.uk/ to find out more and to order your box! 

What do you think to My Little Box?

Hair Super Foods - Eating for Hair Health

The old saying goes that beauty comes from within and to a certain extent it's true. Eat well, avoid junk food and don't drink too much and you'll probably exude a healthy glow. But did you realise this even holds true for your hair and there are certain 'hair super foods' that can contribute to strong, glossy locks? Include foods rich in the following nutrients regularly in your diet to keep your hair in tip-top condition. 

Nutrients for Healthy Hair 

Vitamin E - this fat soluble vitamin will protect your hair from sun damage and keep it strong and healthy by ensuring a good supply of blood to the scalp. You can boost your intake by eating nuts, leafy green vegetables, avocados and seeds.

Iron - this essential mineral contributes greatly to a healthy head of hair and people suffering from anaemia are often plagued by hair loss. If you have too little iron in your body, the nutrient rich blood supply that your hair and scalp depend upon will be compromised. The best sources of iron are red meat, poultry and fish, and you can increase the availability of iron to your body by eating these along with Vitamin C at the same time. Vegetarians can get iron from leafy green vegetables, sunflower seeds, nuts, whole grains and, amazingly, dark chocolate.

Omega 3 - these fatty acids are essential for healthy cells throughout the body and they contribute substantially to keeping your scalp healthy. Without an adequate supply you run the risk of dry hair and an itchy scalp. The best source is oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and herrings. Vegetable sources include walnuts, avocado, flax seeds and pumpkin seeds.

Protein - this is the basic building block of your hair, so you'll need a diet containing sufficient high quality protein if you want luxuriant hair growth. The tell-tale sign of poor protein levels are dry, weak, brittle hair—or even in extreme cases, hair loss. The best quality proteins come from eggs, poultry, fish, dairy products, nuts and pulses.

Biotin - you need this B vitamin for strong hair and a deficiency of biotin will make itself known with weak, brittle hair. Choose whole grain bread for higher levels of biotin and eat eggs, liver and other offal, legumes and chocolate.

Zinc - a lack of zinc causes dull, fine hair and premature greying, along with dandruff problems due to a dry scalp. Good sources of zinc include oysters, red meat, poultry, fish and shellfish, nuts, eggs, whole grains and dairy produce.

Selenium - this important mineral is a growth booster for hair while being at the same time a potent weapon against dandruff because of its anti-fungal properties. Eat plenty of lean meat, seafood, Brazil nuts, legumes, eggs and seeds.

Vitamin C - you already know that Vitamin C is a vital antioxidant but one of its other main roles in the body is to assist with the absorption of iron. Vitamin C is critical for the production of collagen, which is an important factor in growing strong hair. You'll find Vitamin C in a wide range fruits, including strawberries, oranges, blueberries, kiwi fruit, papaya and black currants, along with sweet potatoes and red and yellow peppers. 

NiceHair is a hair loss prevention specialist website featuring tips, tricks and advice on hair loss prevention, interviews, healthy eating, delicious recipes as well as beauty tips, reviews and lists a number of best vitamins for hair growth. For more information please visit nicehair.org. What are your top tips for Healthy Hair?

GLOSSYBOX The Iconic Hollywood Edit

GLOSSYBOX is launched the Iconic Hollywood Collection on April 14th 2015. The box is a collector's edition box and is available in 4 different colour ways inspired by the golden age of glamour and the Hollywood greats. 

GLOSSYBOX has captured the allure of Audrey, the marvel that is Marilyn and the wonder of Grace Kelly to curate the Iconic Hollywood Box. The classic red lipstick, the essential black eyeliner and a warm nude nail polish take over this month‘s box. GLOSSYBOX have hand-picked the best in beauty to help you capture the look of your timeless favourite Hollywood beauty heroes.

Lord & Berry Lipstick Pencil in Kiss (*full size* worth £10)

I have tried a few items from the Lord & Berry range and all have been excellent quality and well pigmented. This lipstick pencil is described as the 'perfect Marilyn Red'. This modern take on a classic pillar box hue is ideal for Spring. It is in pencil form making the application easier than ever! The lipstick pencil is long-lasting and softening, with a matte finish. 

POP Beauty Kajal Eyeliner Pen (*full size* worth £6.50) 

I have tired a few of POP Beauty nail polishes but I haven't tried any of their makeup before. Elizabeth Taylor's iconic cat eye has never been easier to recreate thanks to this sooty black kohl pencil from Pop Beauty. Create a flicked wing with one swipe thanks to the high pigment and it's soft texture means its super easy to blend for a smokey effect. 

Darphin Exquisage Beauty Revealing Cream (worth £19.50)

This cocooning cream quickly replenishes skin, enhancing firmness and boosting luminosity for that sought-after red carpet glow. Any lines and wrinkles appear softened, and thanks to the inclusion of strengthening probiotics, it will keep your skin protected and nourished. I am really happy to recieve this product as Darphin is a high-end luxury brand with an expensive price tag and this is a product I have not yet tried so I have high hopes. This is a really generous sized sample and is perfect for travelling.

Color Club Barely There Nail Polish (*full size* worth £4.10)

Nude nails are a key trend for this spring, which also has roots in the Hollywood era. This is one of our favourite shades for the coming season and complements any skin tone for a glossy and sophisticated finish. Although I like the nude shade I am not a fan of this brand as I find the polishes chip quite easily. 

Nougat London Soothing Bath Pearls (worth £3)

These bath pearls smell gorgeous and are described as an indulgent pre-event or party treat. These pearls lace the bath with a delicate fragrance and have a very subtle shimmer which stays on skin, creating a limb-lengthening sheen. 

Bonus Products: Stella & Dot Earrings and Bracelet (*full size* worth £59)

There are two bonus products in this box from Stella & Dot. The tropicana-chandelier earrings are worth £40 and would jazz up any outfit with tropical pops of hot pink and spring green. These earrings are versatile chandeliers can be worn various ways as studs, drops or chandeliers. 

The earrings are a perfect match with the 'Colourblock Cuff' which is worth £19. Colour blocking will never go out of style, and it gives this delicate cuff bracelet the right amount of boldness. Hand wrapped threads are accented with metal studs, allowing this stackable cuff to brighten up your arm party. These jewellery items are one of the best added extras I have seen in Beauty Boxes and they have made my day receiving them as they are perfect for summer. 

I love the hollywood art work on this limited edition GLOSSYBOX and it contained five full sized products and the two added bonus items from Stella & Dot are AMAZING! I have totted up the value of the products and it comes to a whopping £102.10 which for £10 (plus £2.95 P&P) is fabulous value! You can find out more and order your own GLOSSYBOX here. Looking for the perfect monthly treat? 

Indulge yourself with one of GLOSSYBOX subscription offers. Choose from a three, six or twelve-month subscription, or why not purchase it as a gift for a beauty-loving friend? What do you think of this special edition box?

My Little Dream Box April 2015

My Little Box aims to delight and surprise you every month. I would say that My Little Box is definitely the best subscription box to subscribe to as it full of cute surprises, little added details such as illustrations and is a complete delight to receive! Some beauty boxes contain the same brands and it can get a little boring after a while but My Little Box keeps it fresh and I love discovering french brands! 

My Little Box has a different theme each month and costs £11 plus £3.95 (the postage is expensive because it is shipped from France!) and you are able to opt out of the subscription at anytime. The box is filled with must-have beauty products including ones from their own beauty range 'My Little Beauty', unique fashion & lifestyle accessories, and Illustrations from Kanako. 

April's My Little Box has a Dream theme and the box is beautifully packaged with the illustrations and little touches which feels like a lot of time and effort has been made to ensure everything is perfect! It contains My Little Box Magazine which looks like a good read and this month as an added bonus a stuffed cloud which when you open you are surprised with a designed inspired gold and red cord necklace 'Bonne Etoile Locket'  by jewellery designer Delphne Pariente (£20). The necklace could also be made into a bracelet if the cord was cut down a little which is what I thought it was originally! 

The lifestyle piece was a cute stamping kit with a large 12 message rotatable stamp with sweet phrases such as 'Made with Love' and 'Merci Beaucoup' and a small ink pad (£8). In the small printed canvas bag I found a solid soft perfume in the scent 'Copacabana' by Sabe Masson (£15), which smells gorgeous and is a lovely fresh perfume for summer. I am excited to discover this brand since the perfume is alcohol-free, paraben-free and contains natural ingredients and its handy packaging to carry around or use when travelling. It also came with a repairing hair mask for dry ends from My Little Beauty (£7) and a non-drying lip and cheek tint by Lip Balm Loved by Lou Lesage (£8).

This box is a lovely mix of beauty, fashion, lifestyle and I adore everything! The dream box was a complete surprise and I delighted with the content along with the packaging and illustrations and attention to detail. This month's products are worth £58 so for £14.95 is amazing value. I can't recommend My Little Box enough! Check out http://www.mylittlebox.co.uk/ to find out more and to order your box! 

What do you think to My Little Box?

Nail Apothecary from Elegant Touch

Elegant Touch are launching a Nail Apothecary Treatment range, which is thought as the ‘must-have’ medicine cabinet for your nails. The range consists of the ultimate in nail treatments with a remedy for all common nail concerns. All the products are ‘3 free’ and created with nourishing ingredients designed to strengthen, protect, repair and hydrate nails. The treatments deliver a dramatic difference in minutes and aim to transform your nails from the very first use.

My favourite ‘must-have’ product from the new range is the 24K Gold Ridge Filler. Although I don’t suffer with nail ridges, this product is versatile and creates a perfect smooth base and contains tiny flecks of gold shimmer which looks pretty alone or with a French Manicure and topped with the gel effect top coat for a gorgeous shimmer. You can also wear the gold ridge filler underneath or over the top of coloured polishes to add a subtle gold shimmer to your nails.

The range includes:

Cuticle Elixir (£7.95) this is a nourishing oil that helps condition and moisturise whilst smoothing and soothing damaged cuticles and contains jojoba and vitamin E.

Cuticle Eliminator (£7.95) this translucent gel cuticle remover softens overgrown cuticles to help ease removal. Nails are contoured and left looking smooth and clean.

24K Gold Ridge Filler (£8.95) this ridge filling base coat creates the perfect canvas whilst protecting and strengthening the nail containing omega 3, keratin amino acid and lingonberry seed oil.

Tough flex Base Coat (£6.95) contains a triple complex of plant keratins to help replenish the keratin in nails for structural support and strength, this conditioning base coat improves nail health encouraging healthy growth under nail colour. This is perfect if your nails have been weakened from wearing stick-on, acrylic or gel nails.

Super Matte Top Coat (£6.95) formulated without Toluene, Formaldehyde and DBP, this top coat creates a smooth matte finish on your manicure.

Gel Effect Top Coat (£6.95) formulated with acrylic materials, this top coat has a plumping effect to visibly lift and create a gel like look on the nail when used on top of nail colour. 

The Nail Apothecary range from Elegant Touch is available exclusively from Boots.com and launches in May 2015.