Tag: amazon

  • Why I’m Taking Collagen Powder In 2026

    Ageing is inevitable. If you’re lucky to see another year, and another and another, ageing hits us all. I’m grateful to get older. I’ve had the privilege of being on this planet for 40plus years. Some people unfortunately don’t get that chance. But with all the benefits of getting older e.g wisdom, experience, there are downsides too. And this is why I’m taking supplements, including collagen powder. So what am I taking and what is it supposed to do?

    Collagen powder supplement
    What’s the importance of collagen?

    Collagen is a form of protein that can be found in our body. Its job is to help provide strength, support and elasticity areas such as bones, joints and skin. From mid 20’s, the amount of collagen in our bodies decreases. And the older you get the more it rapidly gets lower. Although it doesn’t seem to make a massive difference straight away for many of us, over time it really can take a hold on our bodies e.g thinner skin, lines, wrinkles, dry skin. Bones can become brittle, less strong and we can experience aches and pains. So if our bodies naturally are not producing collagen at the same rate it used to, you can understand why many people want to try and ‘boost’ their supply!

    Why am I taking collagen?

    I’m in my mid 40s. My skin isn’t as flawless as it used to be in regards to tone. Structure wise it’s not in bad shape! I’m not suffering from lines and wrinkles and I would like to keep them at bay for as long as I can. The skin on my body seems thinner. A knock or scratch takes longer to heal. I have a few aches and pains in particular areas that are annoying, so I’m definitely not feeling and looking like someone half my age!

    What collagen am I taking?

    I’m taking Applied Nutrition Collagen Powder bought from Amazon. 165g in weight, provides 30 servings and in strawberry & raspberry flavour. Mix one scoop with 100-200ml of water, ideally take in the morning after exercise.

    Key ingredients

    This contains hydrolysed collagen. Hydrolysed means its been made smaller so its easier for the body to absorb it. Vitamin C helps to combat free radicals and boost immune system. Hyaluronic acid helps to provide hydration in the skin. Biotin helps hair and skin to be healthy.

    How easy is this to drink and what does it taste like?

    I mix this up in a water bottle half filled with water. I pop the cap on and give this a really good shake so the collagen powder totally disappears. The taste of this is actually half decent. Yes, it has a strawberry-esq taste to it. It’s not full of flavour like you’re drinking a cordial. It’s there, subtle but pleasant, so easy to drink. Regardless of how much this cost or why I bought it, if it tasted disgusting I promise I wouldn’t use it but this I happily drink every morning.

    How long have I been taking this?

    I’m currently on tub number 3. But after my first one I didn’t repurchase and use for at least another month or so. But the last 2 tubs I’ve used consistently and I’ve been taking this everyday for around 6-8 weeks.

    My current mix of supplements and a hyperpigmentation skincare product
    Have I noticed any changes?

    Aches and pain wise no. Skin wise? Now this is an interesting one. I’ve been suffering from hyperpigmentation (brown marks on the skin caused by inflammation, spots, cuts or bites) on and off for a while now (caused by spots). Over the last week or so I’ve noticed my skin looks more even in tone. I would love to say it’s the The INKEY List Mandelic Acid Treatment I’ve been using but I’ve been very inconsistent using it. The only other thing I’ve changed skincare wise is using a hot cloth cleanser, but I can’t see that changing the tone of my skin. So do I think it’s Applied Nutrition Collagen Powder? Let’s just say I’m happy to keep using this for the foreseeable future! My skin looks slightly better and it actually tastes ok!

    Applied Nutrition Collage Powder is available in not only in Strawberry & Raspberry flavour, but Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical and Unflavoured.

    Sizes of this product vary from 165g to 300g, with starts at around £10.00 up to £20.00.

  • How Good Is Garnier’s Vitamin C Brightening Eye Cream?

    My quest for the perfect eye cream is something I’ve been on for a long time. Life, children, more life, getting older, a little more life, really can take it out on a person. And for me, it shows under my eyes. They’ve always been my weak spot facially which has been made worse by just existing. And this is why I’m always checking out and trying a variety of different eye products. My latest one has been Garnier’s Vitamin C Brightening Eye Cream. But is it any good?

    Garnier’s Vitamin C Brightening Eye Cream
    Why did I buy it?

    As a brand, Garnier are good at producing high quality skincare products. This particular eye cream I went for because the mix of ingredients was something I hadn’t used before on my under eye area, and hoped it could deliver a result. And it was fairly priced, under £5.00 from Amazon, which was much cheaper than other retailers.

    What is this supposed to do?

    Garnier’s Vitamin C Brightening Eye Cream is supposed to help brighten and improve the appearance of tired under eyes. Making dark circles and fine lines look better, and giving the under eyes a brighter, smoother and more even tone than before use.

    Packaging

    This eye cream comes in a plastic tube, with a rubber end that the eye cream comes out of. You need to squeeze the product out to use. This tube comes boxed, with the colours and design mirroring each other.

    Look & consistency

    Don’t be shocked but this eye cream comes out yellow! It has a slight pearlescent look to it and the consistency is cream like, smooth, not solid but not too liquid either. When squeezed out of the tube, it comes out easily and has a light hold to it.

    Ingredients

    Garnier’s Vitamin C Brightening Eye Cream contains various ingredients, including:

    Vitamin C – helps to protect the skin from pollution and sun damage. Helps make skin appear smoother and clearer, and can help fade pigmentation.

    Niacinamide – helps reduce the look of lines and wrinkles. Helps keep moisture in the skin and helps to even out skin tone.

    Caffeine – can help reduce puffiness and improve blood circulation.

    Banana Powder – can help skin look brighter, more even in tone and hydrates.

    Fragrance free!

    In use

    I squeezed a small amount of this product onto my finger tips and patted it lightly under my eyes. It didn’t feel heavy, easy to apply and sank in well. It left my under eye area feeling moisturised without being greasy. This feeling lasts a long time. But to look at my eyes I was hoping for them to look a little brighter, maybe the delicate shimmer would take the edge off how tired they looked. But it didn’t. It looked no different than usual. What I would say is although they my under eye area looked normal, and didn’t look dry or feel dry, but there was no visible improvement.

    Recommended?

    I like this eye cream. Its really nice on the skin and very moisturising without making the under eyes feel heavy. And if this was all I wanted then this would be perfect. But what I hoped for was to see a gradual improvement look wise or at least a temporary improvement with an application. So for that, I wouldn’t repurchase this again as it’s not for me. This is a product I’ve used for a few weeks so I’ve given it enough time to work its magic. I’ve used cheaper products that have done the same for my skin in the past. I think what I personally need is a product to help improve the condition of my under eyes but also mask how they look.

    Would I recommend this? I’m not convinced this will help under eyes that look really tired and dark. But if you’re looking for a good eye cream to maintain an already healthy looking under eye, this will do no harm!

    *LINK Garnier’s Vitamin C Brightening Eye Cream from Amazon

  • Why You Should Buy Lattafa’s Amethyst Bade’e Al Oud

    My teenage son is building up quite an impressive fragrance collection. Body sprays, mists, eau de toilettes and eau de parfums. He seems to have more than me! Some I’ve purchased for him, but he’s at that age where he can and does buy fragrances himself. He has a pretty good idea on what types of scents he likes and knows how much he is willing to pay for them. One fragrance in his collection which I’ve used often is Lattafa’s Amethyst Bade’e Al Oud. And I’m going to explain why you should buy it.

    Lattafa’s Amethyst Bade’e Al Oud
    Packaging

    100ml of fragrance comes in a weighty, purple opaque bottle with gold detailing on front, sides and lid. Although I don’t think it was the intention, the gold pattern on this fragrance makes me think of art deco pieces, thanks to the lines and shapes its made up of. The bottle comes boxed, which is the same colour as the bottle, with a clear window on front. Presentation is excellent!

    Fragrance

    Lattafa’s Amethyst Bade’e Al Oud has a deep, rich, smell to it. Florals, mostly rose but definitely mixed with other florals too. Vanilla and amber is in the mix as well. What this fragrance is is a punchy, strong, warming and seductive scent. I can see why this would appeal to women, because I personally enjoy wearing this. But also for men too. Not too floral for men, in fact it has an almost fruitiness to it. And not to amber heavy or musk like for the ladies.

    Strength & longevity

    This is strong! One spritz gives an immediate hit of fragrance. It’s not a delicate scent. Longevity is just as great. I apply this in the morning and it’s still there hours later. It does fade slightly. I forget I’ve used this and think something smells nice…oh its me!

    Price

    When my son originally bought this, which was months and months ago, it was under the £30.00 mark. Thankfully, it still is and well under on Amazon currently £21.99 at time of writing this post. So very affordable considering the quality of this fragrance.

    Recommended?

    This has got to be one of my favourite fragrances I’ve tried over the last few years. And one my son loves too. It’s a gorgeous smelling fragrance, strong and long lasting which is just what I want. Is it truly unisex? As I’ve already mentioned I can smell why it will be liked by many people. But it all boils own to personal taste.

  • Strong & Long Lasting Fragrance? Try Khamrah Qahwa EDP

    I’m behind on fragrance trends. I genuinely had no idea that Arabian inspired fragrances for men and women was such a big thing! Thanks to my teenage son who has been educating me, I realise these fragrances are popular. So when my son bought himself Khamrah Qahwa EDP by Lattafa, I was curious to see what the fuss was about and needed to try it out for myself. So what is it like?

    Arabian inspired fragrance Khamrah Qahwa EDP by Lattafa
    Packaging

    The fragrance itself comes in a very heavy and chunky glass bottle. Straight lines, clear with grooves running all around both the lid and the bottle itself. The bottle comes in quite a sizeable brown box with gold detailing on it. If you open it up by pulling off the lid, the bottle sits in suede covered foam and has a mirrored back piece behind it with the brand and fragrance name in the middle. Packaging could be for any age or sex, it’s not specific. Very simple but striking and high end in look.

    Fragrance

    Khamrah Qahwa smells like a mix of vanilla, white florals, a little cinnamon and a hint of musk. It’s a sweet fragrance but not sickly, and incredibly warming and comforting in scent and style. This is designed to be a unisex fragrance and I can smell why. But personally I think if this had a little more musk behind it, it would lean more towards the guys.

    Strength & Longevity

    When I’ve used this and applied onto clothes, this fragrance is medium to strong. It has power to it and is very obvious in scent. Longevity wise this is great. I can smell this hours after I’ve applied it. Slightly lesser in strength, but still impressive.

    Recommended?

    The presentation of Khamrah Qahwa is imposing. Fragrance is stunning and any vanilla lover like me will go wild over this. The strength and longevity of this fragrance matches the overall quality. If you love your warming fragrances and you want something that will last and not be too expensive, this is definitely recommended. This costs just under £25.00 for 100ml for an eau de parfum formulation from Amazon.