no!no! Trial - Week 5 (of 8)

The sun came out this week so it's been all hands to the no!no! to tackle the stubble situation and get legs smooth and summer ready! I'm still frazzling those hairs away, seeing a slight reduction in regrowth and density but I've got to admit, I'm still dying to reach for my wax pot as it still leaves me stubbly!

One thing I do keep telling myself with the no!no! is that it's not some overnight miracle product. It takes time and commitment so if you do invest in one, you need to be prepared to invest the time to use it too.

The upsides to me at this stage (ie over half way through the trial) are that it's quick, you don't have to go in the shower to use it, it's not messy, you can do it whilst watching TV, it removes hair instantly, even at a short length. 

I've let a few friends try it and, although it's suitable for all hair colours and skin types, it does seem to work better on those with fairer, lighter hair. I think, for me, personally, it's almost time to start cranking up my wax pot!

More next week!

Mary Kay Timewise Anti Ageing Gel Mask

I'm just getting over a cold so my skin is dry and parched with that lovely flaky look you get from blowing your nose too much! Mary Kay's brand new Timewise Anti Ageing Gel mask promises instant deep hydration in just ten minutes so what better time to put it to the test!

There are two ways to use this mask. Either apply and leave on for ten minutes or apply before bed and leave on overnight. I've tried both. 

Last night I got into bed having applied a thin layer of the lovely rich gel and after around fifteen minutes or so it had dried sufficiently so I didn't stick to the pillow! I woke up this morning with skin as plump and soft as a baby's bum! 

It's also a powerful ten-minute fix and I like it as a pick-me-up before going out. It calms and hydrates the skin, minimises pores, fine lines and wrinkles and, for me, gave me a softer, smoother surface on which to apply my mineral make-up base. A bit like giving your skin a lovely big drink!

I'm not sure I quite picked up on the 'aromatic scent that enhances well-being' (chamomile, lavender, rosemary, rosewood and geranium) but I did like the luxurious thickness and coolness of the gel, the ease of application and the stress-free removal, it just rinses away, so no dried, caked on mask to contend with!

It's also worth mentioning that it can be used across the spectrum of skin types, from dry and normal to oily and even sensitive. 

It's slightly above what I'd usually spend on a face mask, £16.50, but it did deliver on the hydration front and it's a handy gem to have stashed away as a rescue remedy for dry, stressed out skin.

Available to purchase exclusively via Mary Kay beauty consultants. To find your nearest visit www.marykay.co.uk

no!no! Trial - Week 4 (of 8)

Well here I am halfway through my eight week no!no! trial, so that's a total of eight treatments so far on my lower legs.

This week I attempted the underarm area, not hugely successfully I'm afraid as it's not a completely flat area, so the machine kept jumping. The hair's also coarser here so I was still left with stubble, even after attempting to buff away. Ditto bikini line.

Some positive news however on the leg front! I can report that the hair growth has now become slightly finer. It's not sparse but it's grown back a little weaker, so I'm happy to see that as the treatments do take perseverance and patience! The hair doesn't grow back with the blunt end you get with shaving, it's more tapered, but it does still grow back at the same rate as if I'd shaved.

One bonus I've noticed over waxing and shaving is that it works well if you are wearing a fake tan as it doesn't strip the colour away! 

If you're thinking of buying a no!no!, please do note that these views are entirely my own and the device will achieve different results for different people. As with any major purchase, always check out the refund policy carefully before investing, just in case it doesn't work for you.

Hope this helps!

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

I knew Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser was going to be good (it is, after all, multi-award winning and receives gushing reviews from its dedicated following!) but I have to say, this is the cleanser to end all cleansers!

I was impressed right from the moment my product arrived. My starter pack (including a 100ml pump) came in a signature mint green zip-up pouch, with how-to-use instructions (yes you really do need these as it's not like anything you'll have used before) and two generously-sized white muslin cloths. Just amazing attention to detail. And, priced at £13.25, it's a really special product, but without a guilt-inducing price tag.

I had half-expected the consistency to be granular (because of the polish element in the name) but it's actually a really thick, luxurious white cream, containing cocoa butter. This will sound bizarre - and I mean it in a good way - but it reminded me of a high-quality foot cream in both texture and smell!

It has a really refreshing and cleansing aroma (rosemary, calendula and eucalyptus) and is a sheer joy to smooth onto the skin, which you do when the skin is dry, including the eye area - it's really great for removing eye make-up (do this last to avoid spreading make-up all over your face!). 

The 'polish' element comes in when you remove the product with the muslin cloth as it gently exfoliates the skin. You simply wet the cloth in hand hot water, wring it out then use it to sweep away the product, lightly over the eye area, then rinse and dry the cloth. I run mine through the washing machine and hang out to dry every other day.

A cool splash of water later and I felt like I'd been left with new skin. It made me feel fresher, healthier, younger and more radiant, as if I'd let my skin breathe for the first time in ages. Even just the aromas as you're using the product, combined with the steamy warm water, is a therapeutic treat in itself! In just a couple of weeks, it's sorted out a plethora of problems too, from dry patches to spots. It's a real miracle worker.

What else? The packaging looks beautiful in my bathroom. I love the ethos, the naturally active ingredients, the thought and attention to detail, even the fact that the company hails from the Isle of Wight where Liz has been Nordic walking along the beach. I buy into all of that whole philosophy of blending beauty with health! 

I can't wait to build up my Liz Earle collection. I'm particularly keen to start using it in conjunction with the Skin Repair moisturiser. Oh, and there are some new shampoos too! And for a real treat, I'm going to try and get to the lovely new store in Leeds (the nearest to me) and treat myself to a bliss-out skincare treatment! Can't wait!

Treat yourself to this and you won't look back! There are some fantastic deals and money-saving packages to be found on QVC, www.qvcuk.com, or buy directly from the Liz Earle website www.uk.lizearle.com

Bottled sunshine from Miners!

Nothing signals the arrival of summer (okay, spring!) quite as much as the arrival of some pretty new pastel nail colours, especially when they're inspired by holiday destinations like Moroccan Mint, Laguna Love and Bermuda Blue, like these, brand new from Miners!

My favourite is Coral Cutie (below), an easy-to-wear fruity colour, good on hands and feet, and super hot with a tan! I find three thin layers works best for this, allowing each to dry inbetween. 

The lighter blue shades, Moroccan Mint and Bermuda Blue are ultra-fashionable but need to be applied to a smooth, well-prepared nail surface for a flawless finish, so dig out that ridge-filling base coat and get to work on those cuticles! 

Pretty pink Marshmallow and lilac Laguna, Love are go-to colours when you want to look groomed but need to be out of the door!

A fab range which is going to look sweet with this season's florals and wooden peep-toe stacked sandals. Bring on the summer!

Available from www.miners.co.uk and quality pharmacies, £2.99 each.

AHAVA Energizing Body Mud Mask

When I was first invited to try out a body mud mask I had visions of it splattering all over my bathroom walls, blocking the plug hole and smearing mud all over the towels! In other words, a bit much of a palava!

I'm so glad I put that misconception behind me because AHAVA's Energizing Body Mud Mask is a sheer pleasure to use. It's an ultra-smooth mask with a light pleasant scent that glides easily onto the skin (it has a lovely silky, creamy consistency, not at all messy or drippy) and only takes as long as smoothing on a moisturiser to apply.

As it dries on the skin (about five minutes) it feels refreshingly cool and light. I actually used the five mins to do a deep facial cleanse, then jumped in the shower to rinse it all away. I prefer to use a shower with this product personally, as I wouldn't want to bathe in the product after it's detoxed my skin!

It's packed with therapeutic goodness such as muds and minerals from the Dead Sea, Dunaliella seaweed (known for its anti-ageing properties) and also an aromatic blend of Mandarin and Cedarwood (although this scent is very subtle, but that's often a good think for sensitive skins like mine).

My skin felt tighter, more toned, hydrated and radiant after just one use, especially the upper arms ... a great product to try in preparation for the summer months ahead!

I'm not sure if AHAVA is available to the beauty professional but I so wish I'd discovered this range when I was doing my mobile beauty treatments. This mask would have been ideal, so easy and clean to use and remove, and transport! And easy to retail too!

Do check out the AHAVA range at www.ahava.co.uk, it's a beautifully packaged (affordable) range based on the natural health minerals of the Dead Sea and includes facial and body products, hair care, hand and foot care, plus some gorgeous gift packages - if you're stuck for ideas for Mother's Day!

AHAVA Energizing Body Mud Mask, £14, available from www.ahava.co.uk

Get flirty ... with Lush's Dirty!

This week I've been lucky enough to sample a brand new fragrance from one of my very favourite stores, Lush! It was the name - Dirty - that first grabbed my attention ... intriguing to say the least!

Okay, so this one's really for the man (or men!) in your life, but I'd place bets that us women will be spritzing this on like crazy too! The concept? Well, I love the thinking behind this. The Dirty range, new to Gorilla Perfumes at Lush, is designed for men who don't want too much faff, would like one all-over smell, and don't want to walk around wafting a variety of different aromas behind them.

Each element of the range has its own unique fragrance, which when used as a set, builds up in layers to form the complete fragrance (which is the same as the complete Dirty Complete Fragrance I've been trying above). There's also a shower gel, shaving cream, hair styling cream, body spray, even tooth tabs (a novel idea - a tablet you crush in your mouth and brush!) ... so all bases are covered!

So what's it smell like? I'll be completely honest here. To begin with I wasn't entirely sure (neither was my other half!). It smelt a little culinary and herby (think that's the initial uplifting hit of the mint, tarragon and thyme) but it mellows down through oak moss and lavender to a seductive and sensual base of sandalwood and neroli. Very nice indeed! It's got great staying power too!

Lush Complete Fragrance Spritzer, from £9 for 10ml, available at www.lush.co.uk

Toothy Tabs £2, Spring Wash Shower Gel from £4.25, Shaving Cream £4.95, Hair Styling Cream £5.95 and Body Spray £12.50 all available online or in store.