Loreal Excellence creme golden brown 5.3 review

Loreal Excellence creme golden brown 5.3

This is permanent hair colour which promises to cover grey hair. Prices range from Boots at £6.99 to Superdrug same price or special offers usually about £5 if your lucky.

Best hair dye for us ladies of a certain age 30+ any younger and you can get away with most dyes if your greys not to bad.

Now I wrote a review on Preference and it wasn't very good they had changed the formula and it just didn't work for me anymore, the colour was poor and my grey wasn't covered very well, I used to fluctuate between the two, preference and excellence as to be honest I couldn't really see the difference they were both good, alas now only the excellence says what it does on the box, for me anyway.

I'm a brunette as you can see from my picture  I haven't got really dark hair or really light hair so this golden brown 5.3 is perfect for me.

Heres What Boots say.

L'Oreal Excellence Crème process:
Before: The new Protective Serum cares for the damaged parts of the hair,especially the ends. Your hair is protected, ready and prepared to be coloured.
During: The extra protective colourant gives your hair a rich and even colour that covers even resistant greys perfectly.
After: The Ceramide Protein conditioner prolongs the protection of your hair until the next time you colour.
The L'Oreal Excellence Crème Colourant kit contains:

• Protective Serum 12ml
• Applicator bottle containing 72ml of creme developer
• Tube of protective creme colourant 48ml
• Bottle revitalising conditioner 40ml
• Pair of professional quality gloves
• Instruction leaflet

Simple enough really when you prepare this you basically put one tube in another and shake it apply leave on for however long your need to (depending on if you've had it previously coloured or long, short etc) wash it off and your done.  NOT forgetting your gloves!!

It mixed well and was easy to apply after 20 mins of leaving it on my roots I then rubbed it through to the ends for 10, it washed off easy.  Even though I hate the whole process of doing this the end result always makes me smile to see the grey gone is a relief and an instant confidence boost (no one likes the skunk look girls don't be lazy get it done!)

Once its conditioned and dried your done the greys gone and you can now pretend your off one of those adverts where you shake your head and say your worth it (Just kidding!)

Great hair dye and Ive tried them all it really does the job and leaves your hair soft and shiny colour stays nice for weeks too.

These Pictures show you how good this stuff covers the grey hair I had quite a lot at the roots both at the sides and top (sorry for the picture that looks like something out the film the Grudge but best shot to show you that it does what it says on the box. And my hair is shiny the pics are before I put any serum or straighteners on it it etc.

Balance Hyaluronic 554 youth serum review

Balance Hyaluronic 554 youth serum review

This serum I purchased from UK B&M but I know TK Maxx had this in store at some point Home bargains and Argos also sell it or used to.
Price varies Its budget end range and I paid £3.99 but I have seen it for £6+ so watch out for that as it always amazes me how products can nearly double depending on where you buy it!

Its a clear serum it doesn't really have a strong smell just a light chemical smell, its a small bottle of 30ml with a inbuilt dropper for the lid.

I used this the first time on its own it sank straight into my skin wasnt sticky (I think it would be if you put to much on) and my skin went a bit tight I found this wasn't enough for me on its own, it does state that -

Let your skin drink at the Fountain of Youth. Hydrate it with this Balance Hyaluronic 554 Youth Serum .

It is non-greasy serum that is light-weight and contains Syn-Ake and active levels of Hylasome EG10. With its clinically proven active formula, Hylasome EG10 provides five times water binding action, five times more moisturisation after 24 hours and four times more antioxidant activity than hyaluronic acid. It is dermatologically tested, suitable for all skin types and particularly effective on dry skin prone to wrinkles.

I didn't find this particularly moisturising to be honest after an hour I put on my normal face cream as it just wasn't hydrating enough it certainly talks the talk but personally doesn't walk the walk,  I even mixed it in with various creams but after a month just still wasn't impressed and knew if I stopped using it I wouldn't miss it and this proved correct a few weeks later when I had stopped using it.

To me I would just say MEH! but I'm sure its useful to others maybe who are like 18 to 25 for younger skin I would say.

Great price if it works.

Wilko thermal defence protection review

Wilko thermal defence protection review

This is a little gem that doesn't get enough credit.
Any country that is lucky enough to have a Wilkinsons then please buy this I think I got this on offer for £1 I mean £1 you can barely get a chocolate bar for that!!! And I'm sure the full price wouldn't be anymore than £2.

I bought this on a whim, I usually use VO5 defence spray which I like but fancied a change (I'm a tart to beauty and rarely faithful lol!)
So anyway I had this a few weeks before I remembered I had purchased it, I'm quite prone to my hair falling out when I wash it, my hair isnt really weak it just comes out during a good shampoo honest Ive had it checked by my Doctor!

The first time I used it I was fairly impressed it has a nice smell its a dark bottle with a purple liquid inside, I sprayed it around my hair being careful about over kill as I think some people use to much rather than too little.  I combed it through towel dried hair (remember to use large comb ladies and always start at the bottom don't drag hair down from the top.)
I dried my hair as usual then straightened as usual, My hair was clean and soft I didn't know what to expect for a £1 but very impressed, I'm still using this at the minute and even noticed theres less hair clogging up my plug hole could be coincidence but you never know.  I would say its as good as a brand name, give it a go I will be certainly be trying their other haircare products.

Nivea firming Q10 good bye cellulite serum review

Nivea firming Q10 good bye cellulite serum review 75ml

You can buy this from about £10+ personally this is way to expensive for what it is.
I purchased this for £5 special offer so keep an eye out for offers.

This product isn't the best smelling gel its not awful but it ain't amazing like some gels and creams. which smell Divine but then smelling Divine to me usually means spots (too perfumed.)
Its a thick orange/yellow Gel and at first you think that is not going to last you five minutes as its only a 75ml pot.

I pumped it once for the outer and inner thighs and massaged the gel into my legs, it rubbed in easy and absorbed well, I repeated for my bottom and back of my legs.  Easily done not messy or sticky was impressed with the application process.

One bottle lasted me using it once a day about 3 weeks give a day or two.
Legs are smooth and soft but I'm not going to give up my big pants for g-strings just yet haha! Its nice but its not a miracle cream. 

Recommended if its half price but at over ten pound a pot its a bit pricey for what you get. I wouldn't stay faithful to this product.

Nearly forgot heres the science bit lol!
NIVEA VISAGE® Q10 plus anti-wrinkles Skin-Refining Serum now has a new active formula containing skin's own Q10 and Creatine that works effectively to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
The light-textured serum enhanced with Hyaluronic Acid:

• Instantly refines the skin texture, giving a silky feeling and plumper looking skin.
• Supports your natural Q10 and Creatine, helping to fight the appearance of wrinkles.

Result:
Smoother, younger looking skin
Care in Harmony with Your Skin:
Q10 and Creatine are powerful active ingredients found naturally in the skin and with age their levels decrease. As a result skin is more prone to damage by external influences, one of the main causes of premature skin - ageing.
The NIVEA VISAGE Q10 plus range contains skin's own Q10 and Creatine in a powerful formula that works effectively to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

How to Use

Use daily after cleansing. Apply by gently massaging into your skin, using small upward circular strokes, avoiding your eye area. Follow with the Q10 PLUS ANTI-WRINKLE Day Cream ANTI-WRINKLE Day Cream for greater protection against wrinkles

Cutex strengthening nail polish remover review

Cutex strengthening nail polish remover review now called protein enriched regular

Purchased from various chemists, supermarkets etc varies from 200ml large £1.95 to smaller bottle for not much less in price.

I absolutely adore this product I cannot praise this enough, doesnt matter what other brand you buy they will never live up to this nail varnish remover.

I buy the pink one and it stinks to high heaven you couldnt stand the smell for long I think you would pass out lol! You can buy various ones  see a below -

Protein Enriched Non-acetone Formula Do you wear acrylics or other types of artificial nails? Try Cutex's Protein Enriched non-acetone formula. Not only is it the best nail polish remover, but it safely and gently removes polish from artificial nails, promoting healthy-looking nails and cuticles with each use.

Nourishing with Vitamin E Formula Do your nails break easily? Try Cutex's Nourishing with vitamin E formula. With each use, the vitamin E-enriched formula will help to replace moisture in dry, brittle or damaged nails. Your nails will look healthier and feel stronger and more flexible


Strengthening with Gelatin Formula Got thin, weak nails? Try Cutex's Strengthening with gelatin formula. The enriched formula is packed with essential vitamins and protein that help promote strong and healthy-looking nails and cuticles and help to fortify soft, weak or thin nails.

Want to keep your nails looking their best? Try Cutex's Protein-Enriched Regular formula. This acetone nail polish remover will quickly remove even the darkest polish, and the enriched formula will help you keep your nails and cuticles strong and beautiful with each use.

Want nourished, clean, and strong nails? Cutex’s Advanced Revival Nail Polish Remover is a patent-pending formula that combines the power of acetone with the strengthening and nourishing of natural drying oils. The natural drying oils begin as a liquid and turn into a solid when exposed to air. This drying process is what strengthens the nails, leaving them feeling nourished and clean after only one use.

Above is a good example of hard to get off colours and your not left with stained nails either with Cutex.

The one I use isnt the user friendly one  (non-acetone formula) I dont wear false nails so I use the strong one with vitamins, it really lives up to the hype, at Christmas I had black glitter nail polish on and I knew I would need something hardcore to remove it and it worked a treat. It has definitely strenghened my nails and they look whiter when i have no varnish on.

Its also fab for removing scuff marks on shoes and bags and removing sticky stuff off just about anything I even use it to take off hair dye thats stained my skin in areas but be careful doing that it stings and could burn.

Retin-A 0.25 and 0.5 chooser or looser review

Retin-A
Prices vary from where you get it from normally this is a prescription treatment ( but most of us get it other ways!!)
Advice is buy it on line but from a seller who has good feedback only - otherwise don't buy it!!!
Also don't spend silly money on it anything over £15 is prob to expensive I paid £13 for two tubes of 0.25.

Ok where to start, I bought Retin-A online by a power seller with excellent feedback.
I bought one tube of 0.5 thinking this would be a good starter
WRONG!!
please I cannot state this enough do not get over confident and buy the higher strengh you have one face do not ruin it!!!

Yes I used the 0.5 first so I know what Im talking about.

I ordered the cream, it arrived quickly, the cream is in a tube, always make sure that the cream is a pearlised thick cream.  As advised by the instructions I put a thin layer over my whole face avoiding the really delicate eye area and eyelids, it advises to do this at night before you go to bed this gives a chance for the body to rebuild collagen or so it says.
I did this a few days before Christmas as I thought with being off work for a week it would give my skin a chance to adjust.

The following day my skin looked a bit red almost like either wind burn or a bit of sunburn It was a bit sore to the touch to, but reading on other peoples experiences I thought this is normal for the first week or so.

The second morning of applying this cream my face was really red very sore I applied some E45 cream but it seemed to flare up even more I went out on a Christmas night out with a tomato face (not attractive at all!)

The third morning I was panicking a bit my face was really red again and this time the dryness was terrible so I applied argan oil but by the end of the day my face was dry again and looking awful I looked 10 years older eeeeeeekkkk.

I decided to miss a few days to give my skin a rest, it does advise use every other day if you notice a flare up but this was way to much, you have to know when to stop.

By now the 0.25 had arrived and I decided to change to the lesser strengh as I had never used this product before it really makes sense to start on the lower strengh wish I had done this to start with so please please please use the lower one if your a newbie, try not to be in such a rush for instant results.

On Christmas Day I had a vile red peeling dry face and my family asked me what was wrong as I couldn't wear make up as my face flared up even more with the irritation of it sighhhh!!!

I used the 0.25 for a week and thank god my face has settled the hell down I swear I looked like hell boys sister and older ewwww!


So the results

If you use the higher one straight away then expect a red tomato face for weeks and weeks, if your patient like me (yeah right) then start as you mean to go on "less is best!!"

I use the 0.25 every night I put a thin layer on my face I dont put a buffer underneath or on top you shouldn't need this with 0.25 although I did the first time I used it on my neck.
If you do however need a buffer as you think the 0.25 is making your skin to dry or too red then you can either mix it in with a good moisturiser or apply moisturiser an hour after using your Retin A.

Its early days as its not quite two weeks my wrinkles don't particularly look any better but maybe I need to work my way up to the 0.5, it did do what it was designed to do any spots little white heads etc disappeared completely I have  spot free face so result!!

It does say it could take a month to see real results so I will stick at it.

Downsides

Redness if using a high strengh straight away.
dryness, terrible terrible dryness I tried E45 which is a fab cream but just didn't last all day, I used argan oil something more greasy and that helped a bit more but not enough.
The lack of moisture making your face look old, when your face looks dry all your wrinkles look worse especially round the eyes so don't go slapping to much around them.
Rub this cream in really well, its thick so spend a bit of time blending it in one night i must have not rubbed it all in and had redness and itchiness around the corner of my mouth.

Tips and hints

Again use the lowest strengh ok so its going to be a slower but work your way up
moisturise moisturise moisturise!!!!!
I did a bit of research and this is by far the best cream I could find for the flaky skin
Face- Eucerin replenishing face cream 5% urea this promises to put the moisture back in your skin and it certainly does although if I wasn't using retin a I think it might have been to greasy you can buy it for £11 not cheap but hardly expensive either.

Eye- eucerin Q10 anti wrinkle cream, this promises a lot but if you look it up on makeup alley it has better reviews than most, it certainly hydrates not sure about dark circles and wrinkles but early days its quite expensive nearly £15

Its only been two weeks but I will keep this blog updated as when I was looking for information I couldn't find enough so I will keep this updated as I think this treatment shouldnt be taken likely.

4wks into this now and kind of loosing the will!! my face is a bit red and dry I never had dry skin like this and my eye wrinkles are awful because they look dehydrated im not liking this look at all. The internet says 4 to 8 wks to see major differences but im just not seeing them as its winter I will give it another 4 wks then hand on heart I will beable to say I give it a good try.  Personally seems ideal for girls with greasy skin and who have acne or breakouts and lets face it that after all is what it was designed for in the first place!
I will get back to this.

7 weeks now and not counting lol! Im not sure if its just me but cant see the difference to be honest my skins the same its not better or worse! my wrinkles according to my husband are the same no change so why am I bothering  If I continue does this mean when im 51 I will look 41 soooo confused by this product, every blog or advice page says don't give up keep trying but I'm a bit bored now with the whole regime and I had a huge break out last week and I mean a biggie, I had about 10 nasty spots which is not like me at all. When I first started using Retin-A my skin must have went extra dry so of course 6 weeks into the product my skin must be getting used to it and with my skin not normally being dry when I was using eucerin 5% urea cream along side the Retin-A my face went super sonic greasy with blocked pores this happened so fast it was scary, Ive stopped using the eucerin 5% urea face cream ( still use the eye cream as that's not like the face cream) I purchased Boots own make, simply sensitive night moisturiser (Im sure any simple non perfume face cream will work) This has done the job and a week on my face is back to its normal self phewwwwwwwwwww.  So be careful with Eucerin especially if you have medium skin and a greasy T zone.

So conclusion to this is I have no idea! I know this is a slow process and I prob will continue as I have over half a tube of the retin -A left, but maybe in ten years I will have a better idea!!!!

UNDECIDED!!

After thought !warning! I used this on my neck once and it looked like I had been burnt and this took 2 weeks to clear up this doesnt happen to everyone but do a patch test first.