Cindy Joseph BOOM Clean

RRP: from $32

--What does the promo say?—

“Boom CLEAN is made with a gentle cleaning agent designed for sensitive skin. Safe for everyday use on all skin types.”

Enjoy beautifully refreshed skin with a daily cleanser made from the purest ingredients. Carefully formulated to our high standards, Boom Clean gently removes dirt, makeup, and pollutants without stripping away nutrients or moisture.

Boom Clean is Safe, Boom Clean is Pure

Our carefully blended formula is good for the skin as well as body and gentle enough for everyday use. Made only with hand-selected ingredients that meet our high standards. No soaps, perfumes or impurities—just clean.”

--Packaging--
As with all BOOM products, presentation is minimalist.  BOOM CLEAN is sold in a white bottle with a lid that flips up to dispense the product through a small nozzle.  The BOOM logo on the label has been altered to blue so that it stands out from the other products as a cleanser. The bottle is opaque so you cannot see how much is left whilst using it, although the decreasing weight of the bottle gives you a fairly good idea.

--Application--
Instructions for application are as follows:

Apply to wet skin and massage over the entire area with fingers. Use washcloth if desired. Safe to use on eyes. Rinse off thoroughly with water.  Moisturise with Boom Silk, Boom Cotton, or Boomstick Glo.

--Appearance--
BOOM CLEAN is a clear, gel-like substance.

--Scent—

Despite the coconut-oil derived products listed, BOOM CLEAN actually smells more of fresh lemons - which likely comes from the grapefruit peel oil that the product contains.

--Texture and consistency--
A viscous substance with a uniform consistency that feels silky on application. Only a small amount is required to cleanse the whole face.  It gently foams as you massage it in.

--Effects on the skin—

Skin feels fresh and deep-cleansed after rinsing. If you do not wear a lot of make-up (for example, if you are only wearing the BOOMSTICK TRIO), then this cleanser will remove it.  It will even remove a fair amount of mascara…although it is not meant for this purpose.  An eye-make-up remover is needed to clear lashes of all traces of mascara. It should be noted that if you wear more heavy-duty make-up products, then you will need to remove them properly before using BOOM CLEAN to benefit from the deep cleansing.

 
--Value for money--
I was given this product free to trial for Bianca’s Beauty Blog (thank you, BOOM!). At $32 for 4oz, this may seem an expensive product but as so little is used it lasts ages.  I am finding that the combination of BOOM products on my skin has definitely improved the texture and quality of my skin tone so I would purchase this for myself - even with the shipping costs included. Sometimes it is worth placing a bulk order with other BOOM products to increase value for money. International flat rate shipping charge costs $30, and it takes between 7 – 15 working days to arrive (though some shipments have taken as little as 5 days to arrive in mainland Europe). Be sure to select this flat shipping rate option, or you may be faced with additional customs charges when your package arrives.  

perfect partners
BOOMSTICK GLO $27

BOOMSTICK COLOR $27

BOOMSTICK GLIMMER $27

BOOM SILK all-over face and body moisturizer (from $27)

BOOM COTTON shine control moisturizer (from $32)

BOOM MASK rejuvenating, cleansing and moisturizing mask (from $42)

BOOM NECTAR skin serum (from $54)
BOOM SCRUB, $45
BOOM CALM, $44

reviewed by Sarah Cross

Joy by Dior Eau de Parfum

RRP: from £54 for 30ml

--What does the promo say?--
"The new JOY by Dior fragrance is immediate, clear and generous. Joy is finally captured in a scent, marked by both enveloping softness and energy. An ode to pleasure and life. An Eau de Parfum illuminated by the vibrant smile of flowers and citrus fruits, the smooth caress of woods and the serenity of musks. A fragrance with a thousand nuances and facets, yet crystal-clear. "JOY by Dior expresses this remarkable feeling of joy by offering an olfactive interpretation of light. This perfume resembles certain pointillist paintings that are rich with a precise, yet not too obvious, technique. It is constructed with multiple nuances, a myriad of facets that lead to an expression that is clear and self-evident." (François Demachy, Dior Perfumer-Creator)
Zested Bergamot and Mandarin explode in unison with flowers. Grasse Rose, in both Essence and Absolute form, as well as heady Jasmine, blend with these delectable fruits in a vibrant smile. Warm and creamy Sandalwood embraces us in softness. An intimate signature, the clear and powdery whisper of musks creates a tender and sensual skin-on-skin effect. Its bottle is both luminous and precious. Its femininity shines through in the brilliant silver and radiant pink of this instantly attractive juice. A bright shining silver thread wraps around the lid, like a light jewel delicately engraved with its name, which curls around in a perfect O."

--Packaging--

The bottle is ergonomically pleasing and elegant, and the silver touches prove sophisticated and yet modern in their femininity. The spray mechanism is decisive without being wasteful and I always enjoy a completely see-through bottle (so you can always see how much is left while being able to enjoy the fragrance's colour) - though naturally this means you have to keep it away from direct sunlight.

--Application--

The Dior website recommends preceding application with the Dior body milk before spritzing the EDP onto pulse points (on wrists and neck, and behind ears). Even if you only have the fragrance itself, though, this makes for an easy addition to your morning routine and a prolonged enjoyment of the scent.

--Appearance--

The rose-coloured liquid is perfectly evocative of the roses from Grasse that are used in the fragrance, while remaining invisible when sprayed onto skin.

--Scent--

Some will be pleased to know that the rose element is not dominant; indeed, it is one that can be risky to use due to its tendency to be overpowering. It's therefore present as an accentuation rather than the main event. The woodier aspects - i.e., the jasmine and sandalwood - are the most noticeable, while being tempered by the slightly lighter bergamot (again, a scent that tends to divide the crowd). It's a well-balanced fragrance that unfortunately was too heavy, maybe even taking a slightly powdery turn, for my particular taste - I was disappointed to find the mandarin virtually undetectable as I prefer perfumes with sparklier top notes. Nevertheless, a grownup and sophisticated effect is created.

--Longevity--

The headier components of this fragrance are what enable it to deliver in terms of staying power; the fragrance settles down nicely so that you shouldn't have to reapply during the day.

--Value for money--

This has been one of Dior's biggest fragrance launches and I had been looking forward to trying it. If you enjoy the sandalwood and jasmine base notes then this is definitely the perfume for you; the ingredients used are clearly of high quality and despite the slightly eye-watering price tag you can be confident that a bottle will last you a while. Sadly, it's not for me.

perfect partner

Joy by Dior Moisturizing Body Lotion, £42.50 for 200ml

Gatineau Purifying Primrose Gel Cleanser

RRP: from £21

--What does the promo say?--
"A must-have product for oily skins, our Purifying Primrose Gel Cleanser removes all traces of make-up and impurities whilst normalising surface oils. Rich in primrose extracts, this foaming gel unclogs and tightens pores with a non-drying formula. Perfect for those prone to breakouts and blackheads, this conditioning cleanser refines the complexion leaving your skin perfectly clear and shine-free. Suitable for all ages, particularly those with oily/combination skin types."

--Packaging--
The see-through bottle means you can always see how much is left and the flip-top lid is practical too. The logo is minimalist and sophisticated.

--Usage--
The Gatineau website says you need to "lather a small amount between hands before applying to the face and neck in circular motions, avoiding the eye area. Rinse off with cool water in the morning and warm water in the evening." I actually did this twice to ensure that not only was all makeup removed but my skin cleaned too. The double-cleanse sounds wasteful but a little goes a long way - so you're not sloshing loads of product around.

--Appearance--
The gel cleanser is a pleasing coral colour in the bottle, while leaving no visible residue on the skin.

--Scent--
A largely scentless experience, which is great for those who value subtlety in their products and don't want something overly perfumed.

--Texture and consistency--
A really smooth gel which lathers sufficiently to remove makeup as well as daily grease and grime.

--Effects on the skin--
As mentioned above, a double cleanse will ensure that all makeup is removed as well as cleaning the skin. I was really impressed that it actually did remove makeup and did not feel harsh and abrasive on the skin. Skin also felt and looked calm and mattified. It's also gentle enough to remove eye makeup without stinging the delicate eye area, while still removing even tough eyeshadow and mascara in one go.

--Value for money--
I actually bought mine as part of a gift set, which gave me 4 products for £28 (cleanser, toner, exfoliator and flannel). I'd always recommend going this route wherever possible as it's a great way to try out products before committing to buying them individually. Unfortunately the set I bought is no longer available, so where this fails, I'd always recommend shopping around - and while I would actually pay the RRP for this cleanser, as it's so gentle but effective, I also do love a good bargain, and have found this cleanser for £9.95 via FragranceDirect, which is an absolute steal. Shame the primrose toner no longer exists - but Gatineau's wide range means there's something for everyone, and the Gentle Silk Toner I recommend below should suit oily, sensitive 
and combination skin types. 

perfect partner
Gentle Silk Toner, £21
Sérenité Multi Protective Cream, £65

Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF50

RRP: £24

--What does the promo say?--
"A lightweight, fast-absorbing face primer that enhances the quality of your foundation while delivering invisible broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Helps prevent sun damage and premature signs of aging with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Applies evenly and invisibly—perfect for layering under makeup. Helps balance skin’s natural moisture level with Sodium Hyaluronate. Paraben-free; sulfate-free; phthalate-free; mineral oil-free; vegan.

--Packaging--
The sleek and unisex monochrome packaging is typical of Bobbi Brown and is sophisticated and modern. The lid twists off easily when needed and clicks closed securely.

--Application--
The website advises that you smooth it onto skin after cleansing and moisturising, taking care to avoid the eye area, prior to applying foundation. So straightforward stuff.

--Appearance--
The lotion is white, but blends invisibly into skin.

--Texture and consistency--
Smooth and blendable; feels more like a moisturiser than a sunscreen.

--Scent--
Nothing discernible; just a clean, neutral scent, despite the aromatic oils used.

--Effects on the skin--
Protects skin from the sun effectively, even fair skin that normally burns easily. Makeup also stays put. Some reviewers on the Bobbi Brown website complain that it leaves their skin looking greasy or shiny even after makeup has been applied, but I have never found this.

--Value for money--
I was sent mine for free by Bobbi Brown's PR (thanks guys!) but would spend my own money on this product: it's reliable, effective, and of high quality.

perfect partners
Skin Foundation Stick, £31
Foundation Brush, £33

Body Shop Coconut Shower Cream

RRP: from £2

--What does the promo say?--
"Indulge in the tropical, fresh scent of coconuts with our creamy, soap-free shower cream. Enriched with virgin coconut oil, your skin will feel softer and cleansed after every use. Rich, creamy texture. Sweet, light coconut scent. Community Trade cold-pressed virgin coconut oil from Samoa, Polynesia. Community Trade organic soya oil from Brazil."

--Packaging--
The bottle is mostly made of clear plastic, meaning you can easily see how much is left. The iconic Body Shop logo is clearly visible, backed by a brown circle evoking the coconut scent. The black band behind this is sophisticated and minimalistic, as is the text on the bottle, and the black flip-top lid is practical for use in the shower.

--Usage--
Squeeze some shower cream into your hand and rub over wet skin before rinsing off.

--Appearance--
The cream is nacreous in appearance and produces a slight white lather. No visible residue is left on the skin.

--Scent--
The coconut is of course dominant and feels authentic - likely thanks to the incorporation of virgin coconut oil. Sadly, it doesn't last on the skin as well as I might have liked.

--Texture and consistency--
The cream is extremely thick and viscous, but slackens on contact with water. Little lather is created due to the cream being soap-free. A luxurious effect is therefore created.

--Effects on the skin--
Skin feels constantly moisturised: at the moment I am using no other body moisturising product on my arms. I have been using some after-sun due to a touch of sunburn last weekend, but the difference is that while elsewhere on my body the sunburn has peeled (even with use of the aftersun), on my arms the sunburn has healed very naturally with no peeling at all. All hail the power of the oils!

--Value for money--
At £2 for a travel size you can't go wrong - and even £5 for 250ml is hardly going to break the bank. A little of the product goes a long way and it is a joy to use. Mine was a gift, but I would consider spending my own money on this for myself or others. Body Shop, you've done it again.

perfect partners
Coconut Hand Cleanse Gel, £2.50
Coconut Soap, £2.50
Coconut Milk Body Lotion, from £3
Coconut Lip Butter, from £4.50
Coconut Hand Cream, £5
Coconut Oil Hair Shine, from £5.50
Coconut Exfoliating Cream Body Scrub, from £6
Coconut Nourishing Body Butter, from £6
Coconut Treats, from £6
Coconut Body Mist, £8
Coconut Oil Brilliantly Nourishing Pre-Shampoo Hair Oil, £8
Coconut Eau de Toilette, £9
Coconut Essential Selection, from £20
Coconut Premium Collection, from £30

Cindy Joseph BOOM Nectar

RRP: 1oz – $54


--Ingredients--
Organic jojoba oil, organic witch hazel extract, organic rosehip seed oil, organic avocado oil, organic extra virgin olive oil, organic hemp seed oil, organic rose hydrosol, organic propolis extract, chaga mushroom extract, Hawaiian beeswax, organic lemon essential oil, organic orange essential oil, organic ylang ylang essential oil, camu camu extract, purified Hawaiian water, royal jelly

--What does the promo say?—

“Our most advanced Pro-age moisturiser ever! One drop of BOOM NECTAR delivers the rich vitamins and nutrients your skin needs to look and feel healthier than ever. Made from the purest ingredients, this deep-hydrating skin serum soothes, nurtures, and heals faster than any other moisturiser. BOOM NECTAR quickly softens and repairs even your most sensitive skin back to its healthy, radiant glow. Apply one drop to treat dryness, redness, blemishes and damaged skin cells. Heals dry skin faster than creams or lotions. The secret behind our new serum is in its liquid formula. Different from BOOM SILK or BOOMSTICK Glo, the lightweight Nectar quickly travels to the deepest layers of your skin to deliver the total hydration you crave."

--Packaging--
BOOM NECTAR is sold in a tinted dropper bottle.  The label is white with the distinctive pink and honey-coloured BOOM logo.  When I read the list of ingredients and their properties, I thought, “WOW! This HAS to be good for my face! How can one small bottle contain so much?” There is a slight design fault, however, which can affect application (see below).

--Application--
BOOM NECTAR should be applied directly to your skin morning and night or any time after cleansing. Allow your skin to soak it in for a few minutes, before applying your Boom Silk or Boom Cotton for added hydrating moisture all day or night. You need to shake the bottle well before use and apply sparingly to your face after it has been cleansed: just a few drops to your face and neck and under your eyes. Gently dab it on and then rub in using small circular movements until it is absorbed.  A little care is needed as the thick serum clings to the outer surface of the dropper initially, especially when the bottle is full. I found myself scraping precious blobs of it off my bathroom surface to apply to my face. Once I got wise to this ‘design fault’ I made sure I kept the dropper close to the bottle when extracting the small amount needed.

--Appearance--
A thick, quite viscous substance; it is a bright yellow colour.

--Scent—

Like all BOOM products (bar BOOM MASK – see previous review), BOOM NECTAR has only a very faint scent. It smells stronger in the bottle, but this soon fades on your skin - though the fruits and beeswax are the most dominant scents.

--Texture and consistency--
A thick, viscous substance with a uniform consistency that feels silky on application. As with all BOOM products, a little goes a long way.  (An important factor as far as I was concerned, considering its price.)

--Effects on the skin—

Immediately cooling and calming, it left my skin looking radiant, glowing….and quite shiny. It moisturises deeply and any wrinkles quickly diminish to the point of disappearing. I’m not usually keen on the look of my face without make-up (even if I only use BOOM’s light make-up sticks), but I actually liked how my face looked for going to bed.  I do not have problems such as acne or eczema so could not test the benefits of the product for these problems. However, I do have slightly red skin and some tiny broken veins on my cheeks and felt that continued use over a few months did diminish these somewhat. I would need to test for even longer to see if BOOM NECTAR could clear rosacea in a lasting and permanent manner. For me, a good test for any moisturiser is how it makes my hands look. I have always had quite dry hands with marked lines even as a young woman.  They looked old even when I wasn’t! I can honestly say that applying BOOM NECTAR made them look years younger…so definitely a result there.   If it does the same to my face, then it’s a real winner!

--Value for money--
At $54 for 1oz, this is BOOM’s most expensive product. As a result, I decided to treat it as a more precious beauty treatment and used it as a night nourishing serum. The bottle lasted a few months because of this more limited use. Shipping from America needs to be added to the cost some sometimes it is worth placing a bulk order with other BOOM products to increase value for money. International flat rate shipping charge costs $30 and it takes between 7 – 15 working days to arrive. Be sure to select this flat shipping rate option or you may be faced with additional customs charges when your package arrives. I failed to do this on one occasion and was faced with a €26 additional charge (although possibly I had just been lucky on previous occasions as import duties are always a risk when ordering from the US).  My products took eight working days to get from America to my home in the South of France. Nevertheless, it was worth the aggro thanks to the deep moisturisation of the dermis layer from this 100% natural and cruelty-free product.

perfect partners
BOOMSTICK GLO $27

BOOMSTICK COLOR $27

BOOMSTICK GLIMMER $27

(all three available separately or as a trio for $76)

BOOM SILK all-over face and body moisturiser (from $27)

BOOM COTTON shine control moisturiser (from $32)

BOOM MASK rejuvenating, cleansing and moisturising mask (from $42)
BOOM SCRUB, $45
BOOM CLEAN, from $32
BOOM CALM, $44

by Sarah Cross

Pepsi Lip Balms Tear 'n' Share

RRP: £2.50

--What does the promo say?--
"Share a guilt-free sweet treat with your bestie! Keep your lips soft and hydrated with these Pepsi and Pepsi Cherry flavour lip balms."

--Packaging--
The heart-shaped cardboard backing is emblazoned with the Pepsi logo and the brand colours of red, white and blue. This tears neatly down the middle thanks to a perforation. The two lip balms themselves are protected by a plastic casing, with the Pepsi Cherry lip balm distinguished by a red lid. Both lip balms can be twisted up from the bottom as normal in order to reveal the product.

--Usage--
Twist the bottom of the casing up to reveal the product. Apply liberally to dry lips, as often as you feel is necessary.

--Appearance--
The Pepsi balm is a light brown colour, while the Pepsi Cherry balm is a vibrant red. Both, however, go transparently onto the lips.

--Scent--
Playful, fizzy, and in the case of the cherry variant, fruity. Taste-wise, however, they are more beeswaxy (which is probably just as well).

--Texture and consistency--
Smooth without being greasy or indeed overly waxy.

--Effects on the lips--
Chapped lips feel immediately soothed and smoothed - so the desired effect.

--Value for money--
At £2.50 for the pair (i.e. £1.25 each) these are cheap, cheerful, fun, and in short, do what they say on the tin. Primark does it again!

Bilou Shower Foam

RRP: £3.99

--What does the promo say?--
"bilou creamy shower foam – made with love & passion. Yummy fragrances to sweeten your day. At bilou, we ensure we use high-quality ingredients and our products are 100% vegan."

--Packaging--
The shower foam comes in a white pressurised canister which is adorned with a cheeky cartoonish design and the cheerful scrawl of the bilou logo. The ring of colour around the plastic lid corresponds with the fragrance (e.g. pink for doughnut) and it's easy to pull this off even in the shower. The spray mechanism only needs to be pressed once, lightly, to release a good amount of foam.

--Application--
Press the top of the pump gently to release a generous amount of foam. Lather up, enjoy the scent, and then rinse.

--Appearance--
Currently five varieties of the shower foam are available in the UK; all have the same thick white foam, which doesn't leave

any visible residue.

--Scent--
Of the five scents available at the moment, the donut, cotton candy and berry are my favourites, with the former two being super sweet and sugary, and the latter being zingy and fruity. I discount the other two only on the grounds of them not being my favourite smells just generally - but there's no denying the accuracy of the scents, with the added bonus of them being a bit of a nostalgic throwback to 1990s scented gel pens.

--Texture and consistency--
Thick and luxurious; definitely doesn't wash down the drain straight away.

--Effects on the skin--
Some of the scents (perhaps especially my two favourites - donut and cotton candy) may seem quite artificially constructed, so it's quite a pleasant surprise to find natural ingredients such as plant oils present in the product. As a result, skin feels smooth and moisturised as well as divinely scented.

--Value for money--
At £3.99 a pop this is cheerful, luxurious and definitely won't break the bank - and makes your skin feel great to boot. I was sent mine for free, but would definitely purchase in future (not to mention seek out other scents overseas...chocolate cupcake?! Yes please!!).

perfect partners
Body Spray, £3.99
Cream Foam, £3.99

Cindy Joseph Boom Mask

RRP: from $42

--What does the promo say? --

“100% all natural raw honey, French pink clay revitalising face mask. This deep penetrating facial mask will nourish and heal your skin while naturally and gently pulling impurities from your pores. BOOM Mask is a rejuvenating, cleansing and nurturing facial mask made from all natural and organic ingredients. It is made by our beekeepers on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii.  We use raw Hawaiian wildflower honey, organic diatomaceous earth, French pink clay, Hawaiian blue green algae, royal jelly and propolis. There are no man-made chemicals, fillers, Sodium Laurel Sulfate, parabens, phthalates or fragrances of any kind.  We do no animal testing. So what do all these ingredients do? Propolis is a natural antiseptic which eliminates unhealthy bacteria. Its nutritive value also feeds and nourishes your skin, leaving it beautiful, radiant and healthy. Honey is a natural antibiotic which also hydrates the skin. Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is the fossilised remains of marine phytoplankton.  It is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder, which can have an abrasive feel, similar to pumice powder. In BOOM MASK, it gently exfoliates, removing dead skin cells, thus smoothing and toning the skin. French pink clay detoxifies and cleanses the skin. Hawaiian blue green algae enhances skin elasticity. Royal jelly nourishes the skin with vitamins, minerals and amino acids."

--Packaging--
BOOM MASK pots are simple white plastic pots with the colourful BOOM logo printed on the side.  The logo has been altered slightly, from pink and red to pink and brown (like the colour of the mask) so that this pot stands apart from the moisturisers BOOMSILK and BOOM COTTON, ensuring that you do not confuse the moisturisers with the mask.  On first opening the pot has a seal which is easily removed.

--Application--
Apply generously to clean and moistened face and neck. Allow to penetrate for 10 – 20 mins. Wash away with warm water and a wash cloth. This is not a mud mask. It will not dry on the skin but will remain thick and sticky until it is removed.

--Appearance--
A quite dark brown, grainy-looking mixture.  

--Scent--

The only product in the BOOM range to have quite a strong scent of honey. If you don’t like honey, you will not like wearing this mask.  If, on the other hand, you love it – you will probably want to lick it off!!

--Texture and consistency--
Thick, creamy, slightly grainy and quite ‘solid’ in the pot. The mixture is also quite ‘goopy’ so you need to be careful when dipping your fingers in and carrying the mixture to your face or you will leave splots of it all over your bathroom surfaces.  It has a grainy texture when applied, which is not unpleasant as it feels as though you are getting an exfoliator and mask-in-one (which of course is exactly what is intended and what the promo claims).  It spreads well across the face and you have the choice of applying it in a thin or thick layer.  Leave to rest for 10 - 20 minutes and make sure no one comes in the bathroom!  Enjoy the scent of honey and try to resist licking it off from around your lips!

--Removal--
Have added an extra heading into this review because, when it comes to masks, removal is as important as application.  As stated, BOOM MASK is quite a thick and goopy mixture and is very dark brown, so if you use a washcloth to remove it then your washcloth will also need washing quite thoroughly immediately afterwards. The mixture clings much more to a flannel than it does to your face!  I think I found the perfect solution to this dilemma (especially for an impatient person who doesn’t like hanging around for her nails to dry or for masks to do their stuff), and it worked perfectly for me.  I simply put the mask on before taking my shower in the morning.  By the time I have washed body and hair, I then just put my face in the shower and let the shower wash the mask off.  A lovely invigorating final spa treatment for your face! Added bonus was the tasty mixture that found its way into my mouth.  Yum yum.

--Effects on the skin—

Skin felt cleansed and soft and smooth after application.

--Value for money--
A little of this product goes a long way and even the small pot lasts for ages.  I have been using the mask once a week, sometimes twice, and the pot has lasted me two months and is still not finished yet. Shipping from America (fast, efficient and tracked) needs to be added to the cost of the pot so perhaps worth placing a bulk order with your BOOM COTTON and BOOMSTICK TRIO. 

perfect partners

BOOMSTICK TRIO, $76

BOOMSILK all-over face and body moisturiser, from $27

BOOM COTTON shine control moisturiser, from $32
BOOM CALM, $44

by Sarah Cross

Vega Everyday-D: 400IU Vitamin D3 Chewable Tablets

RRP: from £5.95 for 100

--What does the promo say?--
"Suitable for the whole family, Vega EveryDay-D 400IU vitamin D3 chewable tablets have been designed for use by both adults and children from age 4 onwards. They are small, delicious blackcurrant-flavoured chewable tablets, designed to provide 10μg of vitamin D per tablet, as recommended by the UK government.

The 500 tablet bottle will provide vitamin D for a family of four every day for more than three months - so you only need 2 bottles to supplement your whole family every day throughout the whole of autumn and winter.

*Scientific Advisory Council for Nutrition
** Public Health England

1 Vitamin D3 contributes to the normal function of the immune system
2 Vitamin D3 contributes to the maintenance of normal bones and teeth
3 Vitamin D3 contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle function"

--Packaging--

The dark brown glass bottle is brightened up by the white and yellow label, as well as the golden screw-top. This evokes a strong idea of sunshine, which is how most of us naturally get vitamin D - and which we don't get enough of in the UK during the winter months.(Vegans can also find it difficult to get enough vitamin D as its primary sources are fish and dairy products.) The lid closes securely, but opens easily when needed.

--Directions for use--

Adults, and children from the age of 4, should chew one tablet per day. An advantage for those who find it difficult to swallow pills.

--Appearance--

The tablets are indeed small (smaller than your little fingernail) and a slight off-purple colour (reflecting their blackcurrant flavour).

--Taste and scent--

The tablets taste and smell of blackcurrant and are not overly sweet.

--Texture and consistency--

The tablets are slightly crunchy, but you do not have to bite too hard to chew them and they dissolve quickly in the mouth.

--Effects--

Vitamin D is not only good for building up the immune system, but also carries a whole host of other beauty and wellbeing benefits that help us out at this cold time of year: it can help weight loss (perfect for helping with those New Year's Resolutions!) and even prevent depression. But the benefits aren't just specific to winter: vitamin D is vital for cell growth and repair, meaning it stimulates collagen to fight the ageing process of the skin. It can also improve acne and eczema and I have certainly noticed my normally acneic skin looking calmer of late.

--Value for money--

£5.95 for 100 tablets comes to under 6p per day. A bottle of 500 tablets (which I was sent for free by Vega's PR) costs £26.95, which equals just over 5p per day - so a small saving. This competes well with other market offerings and as it is so pleasant to take - and the health benefits so numerous - I would recommend.

perfect partners

Calcium + Vitamin D, £5.35

Everyday-D: 400IU Vitamin D3 Spray, £5.95

Fit For School Stick Packs, £7.75

Infant-D: 400IU Vitamin D3 Drops, £6.95

Urgent-D: 2000IU Vitamin D3 Chewable Tablets, £7.95

Urgent-D: 2000IU Vitamin D3 Spray, £7.95