CurrentBody Wellness Infrared Sauna Blanket

I have been intrigued by Sauna Blankets for quite some time, I have seen them pop up on targeted ads on my social media feed and I have read quite a few articles about them, so I was really excited to try my very own from CurrentBody which arrived around 12 weeks ago now.  I wanted to really try this blanket out and give it a thorough review before sharing it and the only thing I can say in short it - I didn't know I needed one until now.

If asked would you burn calories and reduce stress at home with infrared heat therapy then the answer is always going to be yes, coupled with any excuse to get out of the ironing and lay down and relax.  The Infrared Sauna Blanket ticks all of those boxes without the need to go to the gym and sit in their sauna or pray for a spa day to take advantage of what is to offer there. 

So what is the CurrentBody Wellness Infrared Sauna Blanket

The CurrentBody Sauna Blanket is to all intents and purposes a portable infrared sauna wrap designed for easy use at home or wherever you choose to take it. It works by emitting infrared heat which penetrates deep into muscles and tissues, providing therapeutic benefits similar to a traditional sauna. Unlike the full, wooden infrared saunas you might be used too, the CurrentBody Sauna Blanket is not only compact but also foldable, and easy to store. So if you are short of space, but don't have time to go to a sauna, this is an ideal compromise.

Before and after your session

Like any treatment, it is recommended to drink 200ml to 300ml of water before your session, and drinking a glass afterwards to replenish your body’s hydration levels and trust me, you will be needing that water.

Getting Started

This Sauna Blanket is so easy to use, I assumed I had been using it wrongly, despite reading the 'how to' advice online.  You simply need to find a flat surface - the floor or bed being perfect, you grab a towel to lay on inside the blanket (it comes with one and a pillow) and also wear very loose clothing or you can wear nothing if that is your preference.  At this point, the default setting on the timer of the blanket is 45 minutes, but the available range is 30 to 60 minutes, so depending on the time you have available you can change the options to suit you. Then comes the temperature. I would advise not trying it on the highest temperature for the first time, but slowly work your way through the heat settings until you are comfortable. This Sauna Blanket gives you the option to adjust the temperature from 30˚C to 75˚C, once chosen you are ready for some R&R.

Unlike traditional saunas which heat the air around you, the infrared saunas use infrared lamps to warm your body directly. In doing so, this generates chemical reactions, raising the body's internal temperature and triggering the natural cooling response—sweat and when you sweat your body eliminates toxins.  As well as the ability to burn up to 600 calories an hour, what I use this Sauna Blanket for is stress relieving and the excuse to grab my phone, put on a serial killer podcast and just do nothing, not only does that elevate your mood but it is just so relaxing to use. For reference purposes, it is 180cm x 180cm and is very roomy!

Here’s how the Infrared Sauna Blanket benefits your body:

• Burns calories as you relax
• Regulates stress and anxiety
• Improves your mood with endorphins
• Reduces inflammation
• Strengthens your immune system
• Eliminates toxins as you sweat
• Improves sleep
• Increases mental focus and clarity

Review

I have a very stressful job, blogging and social media provide light relief from a manic day in the office. Sitting for long hours at a desk can play havoc with my back, neck and shoulders, so any form of relief is always welcome.  I also have an old pre-covid ankle ligament injury which is still painful most days and is swollen, couple with Plantar Fasciitis, walking can be quite the chore.  So having read that infrared lights can help with inflammation, rather than wrap my CurrentBody LED Mask around my ankle, I now use this blanket to help - and it really does help.

For me personally, I have noticed a big difference in both water retention and bloating which has culminated in a loss of around 8lbs (3.6kg) in what was just over 5 and a half weeks of use. So whilst it is just water weight rather than fat loss – I do feel and look much better and my clothes now fit much better.  

However, the biggest benefit for me is that it is just incredibly relaxing to just lay inside the blanket and be warm, whether I am laid listening to a podcast, or just taking a moment to do absolutely nothing - not something I excel at doing!

How much does it cost?

The CurrentBody Wellness Infrared Sauna Blanket is currently on sale for £549. However, if you use my code RACHELCB you get 10% off and it will work on all CurrentBody products.

Frequently Asked Questions

As always, please consult your GP or other medical professionals to seek advice on whether this is the right device for you, especially if you are on any medication.

1. Is the CurrentBody Sauna Blanket Safe?

Yes, the CurrentBody Sauna Blanket has been designed with safety in mind. As with any sauna device, it is really important to stay hydrated and avoid excessive use, so ensure you drink a glass of water before and after use. Also check the contraindications of sauna on health before purchasing.

The blanket also has built-in safety features, including an automatic shut-off function.

2. How Long Should I Use the Sauna Blanket?
As advised, anyone trying a Sauna Blanket for the first time should start with a 15-20 minute session and then gradually work up to the full hour. You should also start at a lower temperature and then gradually increase it to higher temperatures, during this time you will find the setting that is right for you.

3. How Often Can I Use It?

It is said that most people will benefit from using the Sauna Blanket 2-3 times per week, though many do enjoy it daily. When mine arrived, I started with a few sessions per week and now use it 3-4 times a week if time allows.

4. Does the Sauna Blanket Really Help with Weight Loss?
The sauna blanket can aid in temporary weight loss through sweating and calorie burning. However, as with all things, for sustainable weight loss, it should be used alongside a balanced diet and regular exercise. 

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

The Body Shop Peppermint Collection

One range I absolutely love from The Body Shop is the Ginger Hair Care Collection and it is never not a staple in our bathroom, from the shampoo and conditioner to the scalp oil, it is brilliant.  However, the latest launch of the Peppermint Collection caught my eye and I quickly ordered a few of the products from the range when replenishing my Ginger hair care collection.

Peppermint oil can calm and soothe skin because of menthol's cooling effect, it can also be great for use when you have a cold, relieve stress and headaches alongside a whole host if other benefits.

I picked up the Peppermint Shower Gel, Body Gel and Foot Scrub to try, other products within this range include a foot cream and a foot & leg mist. As you can see, with its bright blue packaging, the one word which stands out is 'invigorating' in this case taken to mean new or renewed strength or energy.

The Peppermint Invigorating Shower Gel (£8/250ml) and when used in the shower it is designed to make you feel instantly cool.   

Enriched with peppermint essential oil, the cool feeling when cleansing your body makes it ideal for those days when you are hot, post-workout or just need that calming coolness of the peppermint oil.  When used, the gel very quickly transforms into a really good lather of foam bubbles that wash away, leaving hot skin soothed and refreshed with moisture.

The second product is the Peppermint Reviving Pumice Foot Scrub (£10/100ml) and again, it is designed to revive feet and leave them feeling cool and refreshed.

As with the shower gel, this foot scrub is also enriched with peppermint essential oil and along side it is pumice and together they work to buffs away all of that dead, dry and hard skin and as it does so, refreshes and cools the feet. You can also use this scrub on other dry patches of skin, I have used it on my legs and it does a great job without being too abrasive by scratching the skins surface.

Then finally comes the Peppermint Invigorating Body Gel (£14/200ml) and ooh it is just fabulous to use on the skin and is once again enriched with peppermint oil.

With its utra-light, gel texture which is fast absorbing and leaves skin feeling moisturised for up to 48 hours, the refreshing peppermint formula has a -2°C cooling effect, so it really is the perfect way to cool down hot skin, any time and it does so without feeling uncomfortable. 

Three amazing products from a really refreshing and beautiful range of products that I am so glad I picked up and if you are tempted, I've got an offer for you!  Use my code AFFQUEEN gives you 20% off (excludes gifts, advent calendar and already discounted items).

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Wild Body Wash + Discount

If you hadn't yet come across or seen Wild deodorant, you need too because it is the world-first, plastic-free and sustainable natural deodorant that loudly shouts it is here to change the planet, and our way of thinking. However, recently added to their line-up is the Wild Body Wash.

As with the Deodorant, the Body Wash (350ml) features a 100% plastic-free, compostable refill and those refills are also biodegradable, in fact we are told it will biodegrade faster than a banana skin, and of course the stylish aluminium case is designed to last a lifetime.

There is a choice of two different cases - Aqua or Pink and then, as this is also a subscription service, but does allow a one-off purchase, you get to make a choice as to which body wash scent you want, from 5 different ones to try from a choice of:

• Orange Blossom - Citrus & Floral. Combines sun-kissed oranges with the delicate floral aroma of blossoms in full bloom.
• Coconut & Vanilla  - Sweet & Tropical. A delightful fusion of sweetness and tropical bliss.
• Fresh Cotton and Sea Salt - Energising & clean. Infuse your shower with a sense of purity and invigoration.
• Mint & Aloe - Cool & Refreshing. The perfect start to your day with an invigorating blend of fresh mint and calming aloe vera.
• Jasmine & Mandarin Blossom - Floral & sophisticated. A captivating blend of delicate florals and zesty citrus.

Each refill of the body wash is 350ml and is designed to last at least a month, but this is dependent on how often you shower and use it.

On choosing your scent/or scents your box arrives and you will need to follow the instructions printed on the box to connect the refillable bottle into the aluminium case, which thankfully is a 2 second job and then it is ready to be used.

The product, as you can see is dispensed by pump and when used, it comes out as a silky smooth clear liquid which quickly forms to a lather when it comes into contact with water. I have the Jasmine and Mandarin Blossom scent and it is just divine. Jasmine is one of my favourite perfume notes, so alongside the Mandarin Blossom, you definitely that a zesty floral uplifting scent that fills the entire bathroom and lingers on the skin after using. I have found that two pumps of this body wash was more than enough to cover my whole body and the formula is not harsh or abrasive but does leave your skin feeling clean yet moisturised.

The Subscription

• The price of this is dependent on how you choose to try the Wild Body Wash. If you choose a one off try then the Aluminium Case is priced at £9 and three re-fills are £21 which costs £30 in total.
• The subscription service offers you the choice of buying your Alumium Case and your first refill for £15 or you can opt for the Flexi-Subscription and this gives you the Aluminium Case and the price of the refills will be £6 instead of £7 and you get 3 refills every 2, 3 or 4 months

Plus you can skip, pause or cancel at any time.

Discount Code

If I have persuaded you and you want to try Wild Bodywash for yourself, my code Beautyqueen will give you 20% off a one-time only purchase or for your subscription, in the same way it does for the Wild Deodorant.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Legology Air-Lite Contouring Cream

Legology is a brand which was founded by award winning beauty journalist, Kate Shapland and it is described as being the world’s only dedicated leg care brand, offering refined solutions that make a real difference to leg contours, comfort and care. 

Legology formulas are specifically designed to promote the lymph, the body’s own cleansing system, to reduce the toxins and trapped fluid that impact on leg beauty and health.  Alongside any foot care product, I am surprised there hasn't been something like this particular offering until now.

So, I was kindly sent a tub of Legology Air-Lite, a contouring cream which is described as being:

A powerful cream that improves the appearance of leg contours. Air-Lite targets areas of bumpiness and heaviness while delivering a feeling of improved lightness.

With a texture that is whipped like aerated meringue along with the most divine citrus scent, Air-Lite targets puffiness, tightness, and fatigue induced by fluid retention and as a result, refines the look of leg contours. Powered by the brand unique Lymphology Complex®, it contains two potent French complexes to support massage in helping to bring instant contour and comfort to legs. Similarly, the cream’s deep drainage properties also help reduce the appearance of cellulite by making skin look smoother and cleaner.

In other words, Air-Lite visibly improves the way legs look and feel and in their own words 'You’ll see a new silhouette and feel a lightness that makes you want to fly'.

This cream is packed full of amazing ingredients as you might expect given its claims and included within that list you will find:

• Caffeine: known for it’s potent anti-inflammatory properties and its a vasoconstrictor molecule which, can temporarily shrink blood vessels and as a result reduce puffiness.
• Goldenrod: not only known for it’s swelling reducing properties, it is also good for soothing swollen and puffiness in legs and ankles too.
• Butchers broom: known for evening out the skin tone as well as having cleansing properties.
• Lemon: known initially for it’s antioxidant and exfoliant properties, but it is also good for smoothing out and energising skin including bumpy areas found in cellulite.

Using this cream is really delightful because it gives you time to relax, unwind and massage those poor aching legs, which, at this time of year after all that walking whilst Christmas Shopping, is a good excuse to sit down and thank them.  The idea with this cream is that you apply it to your entire leg and use your thumbs to ‘push’ product up the backs of legs, gently massage behind knees, the sides of knees and thighs, really working the cream in, better still if you have the other half to do this for you!  The whole process should take less than five minutes.

Legology believe you should do this process once or twice a day after showeing to really see the benefits and for me, whilst I haven't stuck to the routine as religiously as I could have or should have done, I love the cooling sensation it imparts when being used and it does help with the fluid retention, which I have noticed, so I definitely need to stick with this cream!

Priced at £45 for a 100ml tube or £62 for a 175ml tub, it is an investment and a luxury, but one you need to try.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

The Body Shop Boost Uplifting Hair & Body Wash

On the very rare occasion I get to a Body Shop store, as I did a few weeks ago for my 29463903th bottle of my beloved Ginger Shampoo and Conditioner, I love a good mooch about to see what is new and on this occasion I was immediately drawn to the selection of products hidden away in a corner under a banner called 'Boost'.

As part of the new wellness range, which is made up of three collections - Boost, Sleep and Breathe, each one has a whole plethora of products under its banner and whilst I am waiting for an order to come for the products I couldn't get in store, I am glad I picked up the Boost Uplifting Hair & Body Wash.

Energise your mind and get ready to take on the world with The Body Shop’s Boost range. This blend brings some flavour to life thanks to this sunny and citrusy scent, rounded off with a cheerful, floral note. Known for their potent properties to help re-energise the body, mandarin & bergamot scent are mostly found on the shores of Calabria, crafted by traditional Italian producers who never let a drop go to waste.

Perfect for all skin types, this Boost Uplifting Hair & Body Wash is perfect for using on those mornings when you feel totally sluggish and like your eyelids are Velcro, then this bottle of energy is exactly what you need. Inside the recyclable aluminium bottle has an upliftingly warm, zesty, awakening and citrusy scent, which if you are familiar with products from The Body Shop is not only Vegan, but is made with 95% ingredients of natural origin, including 100% natural and biodegradable mandarin and bergamot essential oils as well as Community Fair Trade organic olive oil from Italy. 

In the shower, or the bath, you simply apply directly to your body and massage it into the skin, taking the time to breathe in and enjoy those citrus scents.  If you prefer to use a pump dispenser, you can get a reusable one from The Body Shop for free by showing your order receipt.

So what do these ingredients do?

• Community Fair Trade Organic Olive Oil - Often referred to as ‘liquid gold’ it helps to keep your skin soft and moisturised. 
• Bergamot Essential Oil - It is known for its zesty and uplifting qualities.
• Mandarin Essential Oil- Used for its uplifting scent which helps the body and mind feel energised.

This is an incredible find as far as I am concerned, it was an accidental purchase as I had wanted the Melting Breathe Balm which was out of stock, so I took a chance on this and am glad I did.  The Boost range is made up of 6 other products which includes - a Whipped Body Creme, Shine On Hair and Body Oil, an Essential Oil Blend, Hand Cream, Hand Wash and a Sugar Body Polish.  All of which I have no doubt I will try!

Priced at just £12 for 200ml, it is worth every penny.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page. 

Caudalie Vinosculpt Lift & Firm Body Cream

Caudalie have some pretty amazing products, their Vinopure Clear Skin Purifying Toner is one of my most re-purchased products. The latest addition to their collection is the Vinosculpt Lift and Firm Body Cream*.

 We all know that dehydrated skin leads to a loss of elasticity, which in turn causes the skin to slacken and that often leads to dimples and cellulite, so this cream, which uses that antioxidant-rich grape seed oil to firm and protect, the toning powers of iris extract to smooth dimples, lumps and bumps and with it comes organic Shea butter, to help the skin retain moisture, an essential element for maintaining skin elasticity and keeping it soft and hydrated. Caudalie boast that this cream is designed to work simultaneously on 4 key areas of the body: arms, chest, stomach and buttocks for firmer skin from the first month of use. So quite the claim from Caudalie with this one!

The cream itself has this incredibly luxurious whipped texture which glides onto the skin and absorbs really quickly, all without leaving behind any trace of greasiness on the skin. Once on the skin, there is a delightful scent of Orange Blossom which lingers and is a scent that should definitely be made into a body spray or even a fragrance because it is delightful without being over-powering.

This cream, it is advised, should be applied every morning and evening to clean and dry skin, to the arms, chest, legs and bum massaging it onto the skin in circular motions until it is fully absorbed.

So for a whole month, this is exactly what I did and whilst I can't say I have noticed any difference in the firmness of my skin, what has changed is the smoothness of my skin, particularly on the top of my thighs and across my chest. As this is a 250ml tub of cream, I still have just over half left, which I will continue to use to see if there are changes to to the firmness of my skin and I will update if there is.

Priced at £27, you can find the Caudalie Vinosculpt Lift & Firm Body Cream right here*

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Lavera Sweet Moments Gift Set

Lavera gift sets are really good value for money and perfect for those who like to gift something that is considered natural and organic.  I was kindly gifted the Lavera Sweet Moments Gift Set (£15.95) and it is just divine.

Lavera, if you have never come across the brand, was founded by Thomas Haase, who had suffered from a skincare condition that was not well-known, neurodermatitis. Having used a whole lot of creams, lotions and treatments, in his teens, Thomas became interested in alternative skin-care preparations. In the summer of 1975, Thomas created his first lip balm and then by 1987 after more than 10 years in research and cosmetic development laverana GmbH was born. The name lavera - a name carefully chosen for its meaning: in Latin lavera means "the truth" is the name of the brand I am sharing today and it is one which uses raw plant materials, as much as possible from certified organic agriculture, all the products are 100% free from synthetic perfumes, colourants and preservatives.

The Lavera Sweet Moments gift set contains two full-sized body products - a Body Wash and Body Lotion. 

They come packaged inside a really pretty winter scene themed box making that gift all the more special at this time of year.

The body Wash which has a delicious fragrance of warming vanilla and plum, is so gently on the skin that it cleanses your skin having created a really soft foaming lather. Designed to remove the days dirt and environmental pollution from your skin, it leaves the skin feeling silky soft to the touch.

Then the second product which is the body lotion, is really silky smooth on the skin when applied.  As it features that same sweet warming fragrance of vanilla and plum it brings the whole scent to life when layered and it is a scent which is just divine and really delightful on the skin.  A must for those who love the ability to use two products together to compliment one another.

If this sounds like a duo you would love, then you can find the Lavera Sweet Moments Set right here.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

The Body Shop Almond Milk Body Yoghurt

As someone who cannot stand Marzipan but absolutely loves the scent of anything almond related and indeed some of my favourite products are primarily of almonds and new to the stash from The Body Shop is the Almond Milk Body Yoghurt which was love at first whiff!.

I am quite lazy when it comes to using body moisturisers, something I openly admit too. However, when I find a product I just absolutely love, I will use it down to its very last drop.  The Body Yoghurt from The Body Shop is akin to a gel-cream, its texture is smooth and very much like that of a yoghurt. It is light, it is non-sticky and perhaps most importantly it is non-greasy.  

Designed to be used after bathing or showering on to slightly damp skin and it is surprising just how little of this cream you need to use at any one time because it is a case of a little going a long way and when it comes into contact with the skin, which after showering or bathing, will still be warm, the slightly thick texture turns from that cream to a gel and glides on to the skin, as it does so, with it comes the most amazing almond scent which lingers lightly on the skin, enough so that you can catch its scent on the skin hours later.

The gel-cream is 100% vegetarian, enriched with Community Trade organic almond milk from Spain and priced at £8.50 for 100ml, it is an absolute bargain.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

REN Magnesium Booster Body Spray

My favourite range from REN is the Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium range (review here) which brings together a collection of products ranging from bath oils and body scrubs to body washes and hand cream which has the ability to brighten and de-stress skin, boosting vitality and luminosity while calming the mind.

What can we learn from the ocean? A whole lot about skincare. That's why we've harnessed the unique power of Atlantic kelp and magnesium, known for their ability to brighten and de-stress skin, boosting vitality and luminosity while calming the mind. Find our collection of body wash, lotion, bath oils, scrubs and hand cream here, just waiting to take care of your skin.

The product I have been using quite a lot of, by which I mean I love it so much, I have purchased another, is the Magnesium Booster Body Spray. 

Carefully extracted from the 250 million year old Zechstein sea, the magnesium salts within this body spray help relax the body as well as to purify and restore the mind, body and soul.  It wasn't until I started to use this range that I realised just how amazing Magnesium is, for example:

• It helps to balance energy levels in our cells ensuring toxin release and fatigue recovery
• It has anti-inflammatory properties which help soothe irritated skin and promote wound healing
• It helps relieve joint pain and improves circulation
• Aids stress relief, relaxation and sleep

Life for me has been quite stressful of late.  I managed to slip and damage the ligaments in my ankle, which has meant wearing an ankle splint and using crutches to get around which hasn't been fun at all and I am not the best patient in the world. Being unable to do things such as have a bath, walk down the stairs, go for a walk, do the shopping and even the housework have all been a struggle.  So products like this from REN are an incredible thing to have.

There are a few ways to use this spray.  The first is to spray over the body liberally after showering, ensuring you massage it into the skin and focus on those aching and tired muscles.  You can also use it before bedtime, literally spraying across the body (and bed) to help prepare you for a restful nights sleep.

You can find this Magnesium Booster Spray for £15 from SpaceNK

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Tropic Skincare Clean and Refresh Natural Body Wash Range

Tropic Skin Care’s mission has always been to create natural, cruelty free products that will genuinely benefit the skin. With no toxic chemicals and instead just using nutritious ingredients you re treated to luxurious, pampering products that always stay true to their ethos.

If you like a body wash which not only smells delicious, keeps your skin feeling hydrated and moisturised and is not only pH balanced but free from harsh chemicals, then you need to meet Tropic's brand new Body Wash range.  Freshly made in a Beauty Kitchen in Surrey, Tropic have come up with three incredible scents to tempt you and I have been lucky enough to be using all three - zesty Mangosteen, Thyme and Mandarin, exotic Frangipani, Star Anise and Tiare Flower, and sweet, citrusy Wild Mint, Lime and Pineapple. Each scent is formulated with gentle, natural cleansers from coconuts, sweet almond and avocado oils to give skin an infusion of silky softness, as well as guava leaf juice and bamboo water to refresh and soothe all over.

MANGOSTEEN, THYME AND MANDARIN BODY WASH £10 | 250ml

Combines zesty, tropical ingredients with a hint of thyme for a truly addictive and uplifting scent.  I love that this scent, it takes on the zest of the fruit but the earthiness of the Thyme really adds that extra something.

FRANGIPANI, STAR ANISE AND TIARE FLOWER BODY WASH £10 | 250ml

Embraces the exotic ingredients that Tropic is best known for, to bring you a deliciously irresistible flavour.  This is just an incredible scent which is floral fresh and there is just a wonderful hint of Jamine which seeps through that I just love.

WILD MINT, LIME AND PINEAPPLE BODY WASH £10 | 250ml

Encapsulates all things tropical. Sweet, juicy pineapple meets zesty lime and refreshing mint for an all-encompassing burst of happiness. This is my favourite of the three body washes and it is just an incredible scent. It is the perfect blend of freshness meets fruity and when you have been out enjoying the sunshine, it perfectly cools down the skin.

Tropic Skin Care are certified Cruelty Free, Vegan Society Approved & made with natural plant extracts but even so, it still manages to lather really well and as it does so, the scent of each body wash really does come to life and the scents are just amazing.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Sophie La Girafe Cosmetics

I think regardless of whether or not you have children, you will have heard of Sophie the Giraffe, the giraffe shaped teether which every child I know owns and this is unsurprising when an estimated 50million have been sold. Well alongside said teether is an entire skincare range which is just too cute and actually rather good!

Sophie la Girafe skincare is Ecocert-certified natural and organic skincare range for babies and is said to be tolerated by those who have sensitive skin. Within the range there are 6 different products - Hair & Body Wash, Body Oil, Face Cream, Bubble Bath, Protection Cream and a Body Lotion. Each Bottle or tube features Sophie la Girafe and can be found in places such as Harrods and Boots.

I was kindly sent the Hair & Body wash which I wasn't too sure about to begin with but it grew on my very quickly. It has a mild Lavender scent which I really like and find quite soothing and once it comes into contact with water, it forms a gentle. On the skin it is so gentle and after washing my skin felt so soft and smooth and incredibly moisturised. There are four main ingredients which are:

• Oat Milk to gently cleanse the skin and hair. This mild ingredient is well tolerated, even by babies with sensitive, allergy-prone skin.
• Cotton which moisturizes and conditions the hair, as well as helping untangle knots.
• White Tea which protects the skin during washing – it provides antioxidant protection to the skin and hair
• Lavender Water to provide gentle cleansing of even sensitive and allergy-prone skin

As you might expect, being Ecocert-Certified you won't find any of the following within any products from the range - GMO (Genetically modified organisms), nano-particles, synthetic perfumes or dyes, animal components, lanolin, phthalates, parabens, chlorine, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), MIT, triclosan, propylene glycol, benzobarbital, phenoxiethenol or petrochemicals.  Even I am pretty impressed with all of this and more so for a product which smells absolutely amazing and leaves the skin so soft and smooth with no irritations, no stinging, no pinkness and no drying.

So for those of you who want eco friendly skincare for you baby or even yourself, Sophie la Girafe has it covered.


Have you seen the Sophie La Girafe range?

Pain free hair removal with the iluminage Touch

If someone said to you that you could remove hair pain free and in just a few minutes, I am sure like me you would be raising your eyebrows thinking "Yeah right" laugh a little and walk on. Well meet Iluminage** a device which I have been using once a week for the past 6 weeks. It is described as being the most advanced at-home hair removal system and is said to work with all skin tones and hair colours! I am one of those lucky people who has very very light hair on my arms and legs so it doesn't really pose too much of a problem, but I find shaving, waxing and using creams a right bore, time consuming and a faff!

So Iluminage is an at home hand hand IPL hair removal device which or to give it a proper introduction "From the scientists at Syneron - the inventors of IPL and the breakthrough elōs professional technology - comes the first and only in-home technology to combine Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Radio Frequency (RF) energies to deliver clinically proven, permanent hair reduction. The combination of these two complimentary energies delivers unprecedented safety, speed and effectiveness for smooth, hair-free, beautiful skin - painlessly"

That last word 'painlessly' was the one which made me raise my eyebrow because in my opinion and experience, these devices usually do cause some amount of pain and wincing, yet this one claims not too plus it is also safe, fast,effective and pain-free method for hair removal for any skin tones and hair colour.

So to use it, you use the Iluminage device on those areas that you would usually shave, wax, strip and so on and you use it once a week for 6 weeks and the statistics state that it is clinically proven to reduce hair growth by 94% in just 7 treatments! On the body it can be used everywhere, from your facial hair right down to your toe hair, all you need to do is prep the area before you use the Iluminage by removing the hair (wax/shave/epilate) for it to work effectively. Oh and it comes with an epilator attachment if you want to give that a go. Once you are ready to give it a go, you switch on the machine, select your level (low/medium/high) and glide the device over the area you are treating and it is so easy an quick to use that you can do both legs in around 20 minutes, your bikini line in under 5 minutes and even your arm pits and it looks a bit like this:

When I used it for the first time, I fully expected to be wincing and using all kinds of profanities as I went, but it does not hurt at all, the only thing you will find, depending upon which intensity you choose is a little heat, which isn't uncomfortable but does take a few minutes to get used to it.

So as you move the scanning device over you chosen body area, which in my case was my legs, it claims to give permanent hair-reduction, which isn't the same as permanent hair removal. That said, over the last 10 weeks, I have noticed that the need to shave my legs has lessened though I feel I need to use it for a further few weeks to see results.

Iluminage is not cheap and it costs £375 but for a permanent reduction in hair-growth which it promises, then for me this is a really good price and absolutely worth every penny, more so when you work out how much it actually costs to de-fuzz per year using the products you buy on the highstreet. It is clinically proven to work so I have no doubt it will do what it says. 

Available to purchase various online retailers, Harrods, Boots & QVC.

Do you think that this something that you would be interested in?

Primark Body Essentials Argan Scrub

I am a bit of an impulse shopper, a bit of a magpie when I see things that sound good, are a bargain price and make a few promises, I buy them.  Sometimes those products are amazing, sometimes they are disappointing - this product was the latter.

For £2.50 in Primark, I came across Body Essentials Argan range within which was a body scrub with Argan oil and a promise that it would remove dead skin cells leaving skin smoothed and polished. Hmmm £2.50 this could have been the product of all products had if worked, but for me it didn't.

It says "Treat your body with intensely conditioning argan oil. This body scrub removed dead skin cells whilst smoothing the skin leaving it feeling refreshed, polished and smelling delicious".

Well it does smell nice, but not what I would call delicious, when I think of a body scrub that is delicious I am drawn to the Soap and Glory a Breakfast scrub which smells amazing, this scrub smells like a weak coconut smoothie, though it doesn't contain coconut.

Then when it comes to using on your body, it does say that for a deeper exfoliation you can use it in dry skin before showering or when in the shower on damp skin massage it on using circular motions.  The cream is a fairly thick consistency and there are small exfoliating particles in it, but I personally think the cream is too thick for those particles to work as they should, so it doesn't do a very good job at exfoliating, it's main purpose.  When you do manage to get to the exfoliating particles they don't exfoliate that well and you can barely feel them on the skin, even if you apply a lot of pressure.  I found it particularly hard to use and ended up reaching for the Soap and a Glory Breakfast scrub to finish the job I had started.

I have used this quite a few times over the past few months, I say that because I feel it would be unfair to use it once and then state I am not too impressed with it.  I have tried using it before I shower, when I am in the shower and even when I am in the bath and I get the same result, well no result actually.  The only thing it does is make my skin feel really dry after using it, so I am instantly reaching for one of my moisturises as soon as I have patted my skin dry.

For £2.50 I am really saddened this hasn't worked for me because I had high hopes, maybe it works better for other people, but for me it is a product that I wouldn't repurchase and one that is heading for the bin because I won't be finishing the tube.