[A'kin] Hand, Nail and Cuticle Creme

[A'kin] Hand, Nail and Cuticle Creme

This hand cream is full of goodness .... are you ready?
Lavender, Geranium, Jojoba, Vitamin B5, Vitamin E and Shea Butter.

Promoting soft, supple hands and strong nails the natural ingredients totally echo their claims with the properties they add to the hand cream.  Soothing and calming vitamin E and B5, nourishing and moisturising for hands and cuticles, plus all together they keep your skin supple and youthful.

I admit I am not a hand cream fan, I don't like the oily sticky feeling they sometimes leave you.  This cream claims to 'leave no oily residue' but if I am completely honest ... it does.  I end up with a film over my skin, not just on my palms but on the backs of my hands too.  I also found it really really thick and hard to rub in.

Fragrance wise its quite pleasant, lavender is apparent and like other products I have reviewed from the same range there is a common fragrant theme.

Having dry hands I did find the cream moisturising, but I had to wash my hands a few minutes after applying as I couldn't stand the sticky feeling.
A top point to add is that the tube is security sealed with a foil tab under the screw top flip cap, this is great as you know the contents are new and clean, plus it won't ooze everywhere on transit should the top come undone.

At £7.99 for 75ml it is quite good value as I think the tube will last quite a long time.
Please visit: http://www.mypure.co.uk/akin-body-care-b101/lavender,-geranium-jojoba-hand,-nail-cuticle-cream-p41 for more information.

Living Nature Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner

Living Nature

Balancing Shampoo & Conditioner

Living Nature pride themselves on using only 100% natural products in their products, this includes the fragrance and all ingredients. 

Living Nature Balancing Shampoo contains kumerahou flowers/leaves for their natural lathering properties and kelp extract to provide essential nutrients and minerals.
The fragrance is lovely, very soft and mild, it lingers on your hair long after drying but doesn't interfere with your additional perfume or body spray like some other shampoo's. 
As a liquid the shampoo has a silky sheen and is quite thick yet viscous.  I am impressed with the consistency as you can pour it into your hands without it dribbling through your fingers, yet it is easy to spread around wet hair and cover all sections effectively.

During washing the bathroom fills with the fragrance and it foams up nicely.  I found I only needed to wash my hair once as my wet hair felt squeaky clean after rinsing (sometimes I wash twice with other brands).
Washing out the suds was also quite simple with warm water.

Using the conditioner was a bonus for my hair as I do not normally use conditioner.
Living Nature Balancing Conditioner contains hydrating active manuka honey, the ingredients also contain fruit extracts to detangle and add moisture.

Again the fragrance is lovely, its the same as the shampoo but not as strong.  The consistency of the conditioner is quite thick and creamy, you can easily use it on only certain parts of your hair if you wish (for example if you only need conditioner at the ends) as it doesn't run all over the place.  Think of a good hand cream consistency and this is what the conditioner is like.

Again the conditioner is easy to spread through wet hair, I didn't need to use much and my hair is quite thick.  However I found it quite difficult to wash out, I felt like it coated my hair a little too much for my liking but not as a regular user of conditioner this may be normal.

After drying my hair felt clean and fresh, the range is for 'all hair types' and it has cleaned all of my families hair very well.  Sometimes when we change brands Emma's acne flairs up a bit on her forehead but with Living Nature it has stayed quite calm and clear.

Price wise they are a little steep, regular people (like me) wouldn't be able to use these as a daily shampoo.
200ml = £14.99 from  http://www.mypure.co.uk/living-nature-b87 for each product.

Creatures Toddlers Hand Foam Wash

Creatures Toddler's Hand Foam Wash

Firstly do not do what I did .... I didn't read the instructions! This foam wash is meant to be rubbed onto dirty hands, then washed off - it isn't the rub it in and you are sanitised kind of wash, its real soap.

I suppose you can all now guess who pumped some lovely creamy Creatures Toddler's Hand Foam Wash onto her hands, rubbed it round while ooohing "Its just like luxury shaving cream!" then crying out "Uurgghh its all sticky!". Only after washing it off and cursing about the foam did I decide to read the instructions (clearly printed on the back of the bottle I might add) that states: Dispense foam onto hands, lather and RINSE with water.

Well I can't be perfect all the time .... but at least I have lovely clean and lightly fragranced hands.

Creatures products are free from nasty chemicals, they are paediatrician tested and hypo-allergenic. They contain natural ingredients and leave out nasty products such as fragrance and colourings.... the company are against animal testing and even the packaging is recyclable!

My favourite bit (apart from the products excellent cleaning ability) is the pictures of the animals of the label and mini product catalogue ... giraffe, zebra and an elephant, expertly drawn so that they look real and ultra cute :) they were created for Creatures by children's book author John Butler who is famous for his animal pictures.

All Creatures products are made in the UK and the company actively supports Cotlands, a children's charity.

Check out their full range at: www.worldofcreatures.com

NOM Naturally Light Yogurt

NOM 'Naturally Light' Yogurt

At present its Easter and we are surrounded by calories and sweet flavours, but what if you are diabetic or dieting and fancy something 'nice' for a snack or to round off your meal?

NOM’s new ‘Naturally Light’ yogurt range is made with 100% natural ingredients, NOM Naturally Light contains less than 132 calories per 180g pot and less than 93 calories per 125g pot, they also contain 0% fat – making them a rare guilt-free treat!

There are loads of different yogurts on the market, some are thick and creamy, others full of fruity bits and others that just don't 'look' special (so you don't bother with them).
NOM are different, they are presented in good sized proper yogurt pots, are light but filling and are available in four different mouthwatering flavours: Senga Strawberry, Morello Cherry, Alphonso Mango & Passionfruit and Bourbon Vanilla.

I liked the Morello Cherry flavour the most, big chunky cherries in a light cherry flavour yogurt. It was 'too cherry' just enough to satisfy my sweet tooth. The Vanilla was also very tasty with a nice aftertaste of vanilla after every spoonful.
I found the Mango and Passionfruit a little tarty for my liking, however the strawberry was divine.

For a yogurt I would have preferred them to be a little thicker, but these are a 'light' range. I would expect other yogurts from their range to perhaps suit my taste better like NOM's Naturally Creamy or Naturally Good yogurts.

NOM Naturally Light yogurts are available from Tesco, Morrisons, Iceland and Nisa stores.

Naturally Light yogurts are also available in single pots or flavour multipacks of 4.

My rating 8/10

Nestle Retro Easter Eggs

Nestle Retro Easter Eggs

This year Nestle have brought back their iconic eggs from the 80's, all the types and styles of eggs that I remember from when I was little.

I used to get all egg-cited when someone gave me an egg as they were HUGE :) I am happy to say that in our ever-shrinking price-increasing world the size of Nestles Easter Egg's have stayed the same!

Available this Easter are a selection of Nestle's top quality confectionery as boxed Easter Eggs. All major supermarkets stock them and I think you will struggle to choose which egg to buy for who (and don't forget to tell others which egg you want too!).
The Rolo egg comes with a large hollow chocolate egg, 2 full size packets of Rolo's and a single 'last Rolo' to give to your loved one.

Emma asked me what the single Rolo was for so I told her "Its to give to the one I love most!", she looked at me confused and promptly ate it!

The Smartie Egg is Egg-sellent, it contains a Smartie mug ... how cool is that! When I was little I had a Smartie mug and I think I had a matching egg cup too. Each hollow egg is made from top quality Nestle chocolate which is smooth and creamy, remember to not get carried away and eat a whole egg in one sitting as you could feel quite sick ... but that would be your own fault for being greedy (says the girl who ate a whole egg *ahem*).

I will save the best till last!!! Not only have Nestle egg-selled themselves with their retro styled eggs they have also released a Milkybar Moo-Cow.
Its cool, according to Andy who ate the whole thing while I stuffed my face with Rolo Egg the Milkybar Cow is gorgeous.

Made from pure Milkybar its a hollow cow shaped egg covered in printed foil. Great for little ones and adults, a brilliant gift for family and friends.
Milkybar is made from 100% natural ingredients which is why mums love to give their toddler a small a treat of Milkybar - so they can now have an Easter treat too.

Nestle have really impressed me this year and I hope they bring back more versions next year. I will certainly buy them.

Available from all major supermarkets.
Milkybar Cow RRP £1.99
Rolo, Smarties and Yorkie Eggs also available.

Bambino Merino - Baby Sleeping Bag

Bambino Merino - Baby Sleeping Bag

Bambino Merino garments are made from 100% natural pure marino wool and ooooh is it soft!

I have looked at baby sleeping bags in the shops before and have never really fallen in love with the idea of them, until now .... obviously its all down to quality.

Previous examples in the supermarket have felt thin and cheap because to put it simply - they were, but the Bambino Merino sleeping bag that I have in front of me right now is totally the opposite!

The fabric is so thick it feels as if it is layered, but it isn't .. it is a single layer. The softness inside and out is lovely, so soft it feels warm to touch. Unlike synthetics the merino wool breathes and so allows your babies skin to breathe. The merino fibres create a microclimate around baby's body, circulating and trapping air as required to regulate temperature throughout the night.

I would think this is how adult sleeping bags work, now I am not talking about the cheapy ones you buy for camping with the kids, I am thinking about the posh ones that they use when in the Arctic or professional climbers who tackle mountains!

The Bambino Merino sleeping bag can be used all year round, the wool adapts to the conditions keeping baby comfortable. During cooler times (17-19*c) dress baby in a long sleeve merino bodysuit or vest and long sleeve merino sleepsuit/pyjamas. Then as the nights get cooler again swap to short sleeve (20-23*c) until Summer when baby can just wear a bodysuit/vest or even just their nappy!

(All babies are different, so please only use the above temperatures as a guide)

Merino wool fibres are naturally odour resistant, but babies can give off a bit of a pong (well they do!) and so Bambino Merino recommend unzipping and airing the sleeping bags over the side of the cot when not in use. This of course will freshen the sleeping bag ready for baby to sleep in again at night - it will be like having fresh clean covers on every night (oooh the thought of clean covers nightly, I'd love that!).

Washing couldn't be easier: Bambino Merino Sleeping Bags are machine washable but please no hotter than 40*c. You can also tumble dry on a low heat.

The sleeping bags seem quite pricey at £49.95 but remember you don't need to buy different togs (like other brands).

The baby sleeping bags also fit from 2-3 months right through to 2 years of age. Simply close the poppers at the armholes to adjust the sizing for smaller babies.

For more information and other Bambino Merino products please visit:

http://www.bambinomerino.com/

The Bambino Merino Baby Sleeping Bag is available in 4 colours: Sage/Ivory, Sky/Ivory, Petal/Ivory and Sand/Ivory. They are great as a baby gift as the Sage and Sand styles are neutral colours.

Each bag comes packed in its own matching travel bag ready for holidays and visits to grandparents (giving Mum & Dad a possible night off).

Safety note: Never use a baby sleeping bag with a quilt or duvet.

Voted Best Buy by Practical Parenting Magazine.

My rating: 9/10

Quash - 100% Natural Hand Sanitiser

Quash

Quash is a patented* formulation of 100% natural ingredients lab-proven to kill the toughest of germs & viruses without the need for soap or water.

Quash kills 99.9% of harmful germs, it contains 100% natural ingredients (alcohol/chemical free). Quash is alcohol free so won’t dry and crack your hands, its topped full of vitamins & minerals to moisturise & nourish skin and best of all its made in the UK!

Contents include: Manuka Honey, Liquid Vitamin C, White Willow Bark, Aloe Vera, Zinc, Radish Root, White Tea, Lavender & Lime Essential Oils. All natural products, some with healing properties but combined together to create an essential cleaning product to combat against germs.

Is Quash effective against Swine Flu?
Yes. Quash has been tested against the Swine Flu strain of influenza A virus H1N1 and is proven to neutralise the virus in controlled lab tests. Tested to EN 14476: 2007
The Medicines & Health Care Products Regulatory Agency does not currently allow makers of hand sanitisers to make claims against specific types of germs for fear consumers will think it’s a guaranteed prevention of illness. As hand contact is not the only way germs can be spread, no hand sanitiser can make that kind of guarantee.
Following recent guidelines issued by Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health, washing your hands regularly is the single most effective way of protecting yourself from illness. Quash is one of your best alternatives when soap and water are not available.

How many uses are there per bottle of Quash?
There are 250 sprays per 50ml bottle and 75 sprays per 15ml.

I received Quash Moisturising Hand Sanitiser and Quash 100% Natural Hand Sanitiser to test, my first impressions of the bottles were good, they are a great size for popping in your pocket or handbag so use when out and about.
For my lifestyle I like to use hand cleaners at work, working within a Special Needs Department I have to be careful of transfers of germs and controlling illnesses due to my students medical problems, a simple cold to me could be fatal to one of my students.

Quash fitted in neatly into my work bag and as its provided in a tough little bottle - I knew I had no worries about leakage.

Alcohol gel is good but I find it dries out my hands and feels sticky if I accidentally use too much. Quash is a spray, 2 sprays is enough to clean both hands (palms and backs) effectively. It is a water spray more than a gel or cream and so is quite simple to cover all surfaces of your hands. Quash dries quickly and leaves no sticky after feeling, infact even though one product states 'moisturising' both types of spray left my hands feeling soft and silky.

Quash has a fine lavender fragrance, its not too much and does linger on your hands for a while after use. Its quite a fresh clean fragrance which is nice, it reminds me of clean linen but I think that's because I use a lavender fragranced washing powder ;)

You can buy Quash at most supermarkets and some high street stores in the UK. Please see Quash website for more information: http://www.quashme.com/where-to-find-quash.html

http://www.quashme.com/index.html

I like it, its simple to use and works.

My rating 10/10 !!