Mybeautywaxstash

Tag: giftidea

  • A Touch of Luxury. Neom’s Uplifting Hand Balm

    If someone was to ask me what my go to product was at the moment, I would say it’s a hand cream/balm. It’s a hand care product I use when my hands are suffering, dry and feeling tight, which they are right now. I have different products on rotation but I’ve just added to the mix Neom‘s Uplifting Hand Balm. This was a gift from a friend last Christmas and retails for £10.00 for 30ml.

    Neom’s Uplifting Hand Balm
    Why did I start using this?

    My hands NEED some extra TLC at the moment. We are in the throws of winter in the UK and it’s showing on my hands. When I was given this last year in all honesty I didn’t need to use it. This year is different and despite using other products, I really wanted to use this and see if this could deliver something more than what I was currently getting.

    What is this?

    This is a Shea butter rich hand product which contains natural fragrances. Not only is it aromatic, but designed to be moisturising and skin softening too.

    Packaging

    30m of hand balm comes in a cream coloured plastic flip topped tube. Very simple in look with black text on front and back. Rather than it screaming boring it says to me this is simple chic! Some of the more expensive products out there are packaged in a very basic way and this is one of them.

    Texture

    This is a little thicker than a standard hand cream, and this is why it’s called a balm. White in colour, holds it shape when released from the tube.

    Fragrance

    I have never smelt anything like this before! You get a fresh, slightly herbal mint scent come through which smells true to life. Underneath it is a hint of citrus but not zesty or sweet, it just adds to the freshness already given by the mint. This fragrance is incredible! Very unusual and very natural in smell. This isn’t a scent everyone will like because it’s so different. But I think the majority of people will.

    In use

    I didn’t need to use much of this, just a pea sized amount. The luxurious texture of this looked appealing but it’s thickness didn’t stop it rubbing into my hands easily. As I rubbed this in it felt very moisturising, had a slip to it and left my hands feeling very soft and smooth. There was a slight shine left on my hands but they didn’t look greasy. They looked more alive, less ashy and hydrated.

    But can I talk about how this smells? The scent of this isn’t overwhelming which aromatherapy type scents can be. It’s just the right strength and it’s incredibly intoxicating. I can smell this while applying this balm and a good while after. You want to embrace the smell, you want to sniff your hands constantly. It’s energising and relaxing all at the same time.

    Recommended?

    Let’s not beat around the bush, this isn’t cheap! But if I was to have a little splurge I would with this hand balm. It smells divine, it moisturises well and do you know what? I ENJOY using this! And this is what makes it worth it. Would I recommend this if you are on a tight budget? No, it doesn’t make sense. If you wanted to treat yourself or someone else with something special I would have a look at this product. In fact, this has made me want to look at their whole range because there is definitely something special about this. So my question is does that follow through the rest of the brand?

    This can be purchased from different retailers including Neom direct, Marks and Spencer and Sephora.

  • £2.00 Marks and Spencer’s Shea Butter & Honey Hand Balm

    It is COLD! We knew it was coming in the UK so it shouldn’t be a surprise. But it doesn’t mean we have to like it! Hats are on, gloves at the ready and woolly jumpers have been dug out of the back of wardrobes. As much as I’m all for grabbing these items to make myself feel cosy and human, there is one thing that’s been suffering like mad the last few days-my HANDS! They feel and look dry, lacklustre of colour and they need a much needed zap of moisture. So I thought I would give Marks and Spencer’s Shea Butter & Honey Hand Balm a go. For 75ml this cost just £2.00.

    Marks and Spencer’s Shea Butter & Honey Hand Balm
    Why did I buy this?

    I have various hand creams in my collection, but a hand balm sounds so much more moisturising, right? My hands look and feel slightly battered at the moment and I wanted something richer than my usual hand cream. I’ve used Marks and Spencer’s Hand Scrub, which I loved, and thought this would be a good product too. The fact it costs only £2.00 means it’s another affordable product to buy, use and hopefully enjoy.

    How to use?

    You can use this like a traditional hand cream (when needed). Or it can be used as a hand mask and use twice a week by applying a thick layer onto the hands for 10 minutes then rub into hands balm that hasn’t sunk in.

    Packaging

    This hand balm comes in a screw top lidded tube, which is standard. But it’s interesting in appearance because of it’s colour which is a vibrant shade of gold. It doesn’t look like it cost £2.00 but more.

    Fragrance

    I got a shock with this because I thought I picked up the almond version and this is clearly honey! It definitely does have a sweet, honey like scent to it. There’s an almost floral element to this as well, although very faint. If you’re not a fan of honey this won’t be for you. Personally, I don’t mind it but it’s not my favourite scent for a hand cream if I’m completely honest.

    Texture

    White in colour and holds it shape once squeezed out of the tube. Not runny like a body lotion but quite as thick as a body butter, it’s somewhere in between.

    On the hands

    I used a 5p sized amount of hand balm which I rubbed into my hands, which went in very easily. What makes this different from some hand creams is this has more of a slip to it. I won’t use the word ‘greasy’ but it’s obvious there is something in this giving it that feel (this contains Shea butter). My hands felt more moisturised and looked more healthy colour wise, but I expected more and felt I needed to get a little more balm for a second application. Just remember this is after one application and my hands are a bit rough! A plus point was my hands didn’t feel slippy after use and could use them straight away.

    The fragrance is very specific but not too strong, but it’s there. This is one of those scents I couldn’t or wouldn’t want to smell on my hands all the time but occasionally.

    Marks and Spencer’s Almond Milk & Vanilla Hand Scrub wit their Shea Butter & Honey Hand Cream
    Recommended?

    The fragrance for me probably is a no. This wasn’t the version I wanted and the Marks and Spencer’s Almond Milk & Vanilla Hand Scrub scent wise I found quite comforting and really liked. This doesn’t give me that same comfort. Formulation wise it’s nice to use and does improve the look and feel of my hands but I need to use this for longer to give it a true thumbs up or thumbs down. So I’m siting on the fence with this one, for now. But if you’re looking for a nice hand cream, and you like the fragrance of honey, this will be absolutely fine and make a good stocking filler. Available instore and online through Ocado here.

  • Superdrug’s Artiscent Atelier Marine Riche Eau de Parfum

    As my children get older, I’ve realised how much they ‘borrow’ from me. My daughter is a couple of inches shorter than me but she’s managed to claim some of my clothes. My son has gone out wearing my trainers and enjoyed a bath using my bath products! They’re only 10 and 12! It’s not all doom and gloom for me though, because if they ‘borrow’ from me I can ‘borrow’ from them. One item my son may not get back is Superdrug’s Artiscent Atelier Marine Riche Eau de Parfum. 50ml in size and usual price is £11.99, but I bought it on a special promotion when it was half price.

    Superdrug’s Artiscent Atelier Marine Riche Eau de Parfum
    Why did I buy him this?

    I bought this last year for his birthday, and at the time I ASSUMED he would appreciate smelling nice. I did not realise that’s not always the case with pre teens but it was there if and when he needed to use it. This was purchased because it was a good size, affordable, and a nice introduction in my opinion to a fragrance for a young man. And of course, the scent description on the website sealed the deal as I thought it sounded good.

    Why did I borrow it?

    Why wouldn’t I? It was sat there gathering dust and I actually USE fragrance. I don’t always follow the typical, feminine and floral route with body mists and perfumes (although I do like them). So I wasn’t put off with this being a male fragrance. I’m open to lots of different fragrance families and I thought this would be fun to try out and not waste my money on this purchase.

    Key Notes (Taken from the Superdrug Website)

    Tangerine, apple, lemon, violet leaves, lavender, cedarwood and leather.

    Packaging

    I like how this looks. Packaging that is simple and not geared towards an age range is a winner for me. The bottle itself is clear but dark green in colour. Cylinder shaped but rounded close to the top. Spray top with a dark green lid that has embossed the initials of the brand name on it which I think is very cute. The label sets it off by being off white.

    This comes boxed, and mirrors the bottle perfectly in regards to colours used and style. What I like is the small detailing such as the thin, gold line running around the bottom of the box. The box being slightly textured giving it a more expensive feel to what it really costs is another thing I like. And going back to the bottle, how its shaped, the embossed lid, all added together makes this a good looking packaged fragrance.

    How does this smell?

    This does have a masculine feel to it without a doubt. There’s woodiness within this. It’s quite green, and when I say green it makes me think of leaves, plants, that type of thing. Despite the fact this is quite an earthy based fragrance, it’s still very fresh and clean. There are some zesty notes to this adding to that clean element. It’s quite invigorating too. This really is a gorgeous scent which I can’t see many people not liking. Yes, it’s geared towards guys which I think they would like. But this woman here loves this so potentially could appeal to a wide range of people.

    Also a good point to make. This doesn’t smell ‘old’ to me. It doesn’t scream an age. Any age could wear this. If my son could actually be bothered using this it would sit well on him and he’s 12. It would work well on him in 10,20 or even 30 years time. If you wanted to purchase a fragrance for a guy this would be, in my opinion, a safe option, regardless of their age or if you didn’t know what fragrances they liked.

    Strength & Longevity

    Medium to strong in strength. You will notice this fragrance. It’s not a delicate one but it’s also not one that you have to use a lot of. At the same time it doesn’t make you feel as if you’ve just walked past a men’s changing room. I think the strength is perfect!

    Longevity is very good. I can apply this to my clothing in the morning and it’s still there early afternoon. How it is on the skin I couldn’t tell you because I never apply a fragrance on my skin, always on my clothes.

    Top Tip

    This works so well layered. I’ve used this and then applied Philosophy’s Amazing Grace Eau de Toilette ,and other fragrances to create my very own scent mix. I’ve found this works well with florals, fragrances with a natural sweetness to it and fragrances with a more clean, powdery base to them.

    I’m so glad I bought this. It smells great, packaged well, good strength and longevity and priced brilliantly! It’s so easy to head towards fragrances that are well known brands because many of us know what they smell like. And because they are branded they automatically are popular. What’s important to me is how something smells and how it makes me feel rather than the name. So name isn’t my priority if I’m honest. This fragrance range is one that seem like a nice little collection of scents at affordable prices. So yes, this is totally recommended! So much so I would buy this again and I definitely want to try the other fragrances in the range, especially the ladies ones.

    If you’re looking for a fragrance for a boy, young man or adult but don’t want to spend a small fortune and this ticks the scent boxes, you can grab this here. Currently they are buy one get one half price promotion, so could be ideal for Valentine’s Day gifting, Mother’s Day or even Father’s Day! Enjoyx