Dincwear Women's Muscle Back Sweat Top

RRP: £37
sizes available: S, M, L

--What does the promo say?--
"Muscle back sweat top featuring a contrast drawstring hood, marl finish, front kangaroo pocket and fitted hem line with embroidered logo detail. 79% Viscose 10% Poly 7% Angora 4% Elastane."

--Appearance--
Dincwear's promise to combine dance, fitness and fashion seems to have been achieved in this high-quality item. The hood is great for warmth (or just shutting out the world) and the front pocket is both cosy and practical. As you can choose grey or black, the top's neutral colour goes with any bottoms that you care to wear. However, as the arm holes are rather large (which is not visible in the Dincwear website pictures) you WILL need a basic tank top or similar to wear underneath it. Again, as the top's colours are neutral, you can wear any colour. Dincwear would therefore do well to expand their range of crop tops and such in order to capitalise on this.

--Texture and comfort--
Again, this top seems to combine luxury and practicality. The inclusion of angora in the top's composition means it is supremely comfortable, which is helped by the 4% elastane (which adds stretch). Equally, the viscose and polyester are practical fabrics: viscose is structurally similar to cotton, and so allows breathability, while polyester is durable and provides insulation. As polyester does not absorb water (read: sweat), but viscose does, your clothing also doesn't get too soaked while you exercise!

--Practicality--
Washes well, and doesn't wrinkle easily when it's just been shoved in your wardrobe after a gym session.

--Value for money--
At £37, this is not a cheap exercise top, but is comparable in both price and style to tops sold by direct competitors, such as Pineapple Studios. However, its fashionable appearance and practicality mean it will be desirable for many. Having only had mine a month or so (thanks, Dincwear PR!) I can't yet comment on its longevity, but definitely will keep wearing it to the gym to find out.

perfect partners
Paneled Mesh Crop Top, £26
Paneled Mesh Body Suit, £37
2-in-1 Harem Jumpsuit, £43

Boots No7 Stay Perfect Superlight Foundation

 RRP: £14.50
# of shades available: 14

--What does the promo say?--
"Stay Perfect Superlight Foundation offers non-stop complexion perfection with a barely there feel.
You can now achieve a naturally flawless look which will stay looking perfect for up to 24 hours, and with a texture so light you’ll forget you’re even wearing it."

--Packaging--
The brown square bottle is retro and original, meaning it should stand out on the shelf when it's released on January 22nd, 2014. The white text really pops out from the squeezy bottle and is kept minimal, meaning you get the information you need to know in seconds. Furthermore, the nozzle is nicely tapered, meaning it's user-friendly and leads to little wastage.

--Application--
A little goes a long way with this. Try a penny-sized amount for starters and then go from there, applying to clean dry skin using your fingers.

--Appearance--
The shade I was sent by No7's PR was unfortunately not a great match for me, so on that score it could have been a few shades lighter. However, with 14 available I'm confident I would find one to suit me. Coverage is medium, meaning that concealer and/or powder may be required afterwards for some people.

--Scent--
Nothing too strong, but slightly clay-like, if anything.

--Texture and consistency--
Dries powder-light - as promised, there's no heaviness or stickiness. It also blends well and doesn't seem to clog the skin. It is slightly runny, though, which may bother some people.

--Longevity--
Nothing remarkable to report; no better or worse than any other foundation.

--Value for money--
I was sent mine for free by No7's PR, so didn't pay, but in truth, I'd be hesitant to pay £14.50. While the texture once applied is pleasing, it doesn't provide enough coverage for me. I can also never resist comparing brand price points and I can't help but wonder who would pay £14.50 for a No7 foundation when you can get BareMinerals or Amie mineral foundation for the same price. In fairness, No7 is not the only high street makeup brand guilty of this price inflation - others, such as L'Oréal, are also at it. In my view, they need to be less cocky with their pricing, otherwise consumers will just walk away from what is otherwise a perfectly reasonable product.

perfect partners
No7 Perfect Light Loose Powder, £10.50
No7 Beautifully Matte Makeup Base, £10.50 (basically this, rebranded: http://tinyurl.com/kyha79c)
No7 Match Made Concealer, £7.50 
No7 Natural Blush Tint Powder, £8  

Beauty Website Review: Instant Body Upgrade

With Christmas fading into a distant memory and summer holidays on the approach, thoughts often turn in January to the spare tyre sitting around our waists. How to shift it?! The problem with many diets or gyms is that we don't receive enough guidance and can easily fall off the bandwagon.

Donna Richards and Tora Cullip, health coaches, aim to provide an alternative through the Instant Body Upgrade programme, which is available for a one-off payment of £97. This payment gives access to the Instant Body Upgrade website, which supplies a host of resources and support from Donna and Tora themselves to help you get the body and confidence that you want. 

So what do you get for your £97? The three-pronged approach dealing with your mindset, metabolism and motivation is dealt with mainly through videos where Donna and Tora can talk directly to you and share their expertise. This allows you to see that their bodies really do look like the photos (!) and allows them to reassure you in a largely non-patronising way through their friendly hints, advice and tips. Inspiring fact sheets are also available for download, as are recipes to get your eating on track, and progress sheets to track your fitness and inch loss. Exercise videos, and Donna and Tora's responses to user comments, are equally valuable.

The nicest part about this programme is that it's got no gimmicks or fads attached. This is good simple healthy eating and exercise, packaged in a way that suits busy women and supported by Donna and Tora themselves. The diversity of resources available, presented using clear straightforward language, is another plus.

This is not to say that there are no possibilities for improvement. Firstly, as this is supposed to be a long-term lifestyle change, there need to be far more recipes available (rather than only a short ebook's worth). This could be easily achieved through having a recipe space available for users to upload their healthy finds and discuss recipes after trying them. Speaking of this kind of collaborative space, a forum page would be equally useful, allowing users to not only comment on individual pages but also interact with each other much more closely. However, as the Instant Body Upgrade site is merely a glorified Wordpress page, Donna and Tora would need to upgrade their website significantly to make this possible. Equally, a 'MyPlate' facility similar to that on LiveStrong would enable users to track their food intake in more detail, which is also important to a programme of this type.

Nevertheless, despite these suggested improvements and the fact that a 'body upgrade' can never be 'instant', access to this website is still worth the £97 price tag. It costs little more than a 3-month gym membership and has the added bonuses of free recipes and motivational support from professional coaches. The modifications mentioned above would make it even better value - but even as it is, it will see you well on your way to having something closer to the body you want by the time you have to hit the beach.

*Bianca's Beauty Blog was offered free website access by Donna and Tora.

Dr Hauschka Almond Body Moisturiser

 RRP: £24 for 145ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Ultra-rich care that gently nurtures the senses. Provides intensive, nurturing care for dry, sensitive skin, helps your skin prevent moisture-loss throughout the day, and helps your skin restore and harmonise its natural balance."

--Packaging--
A glass pump-action bottle that would look elegant anywhere. Sadly, no smaller sizes are available for travel.

--Application--
Massage into dry skin, ideally before bed or before getting dressed in the morning.

--Appearance--
A pale, cream-coloured lotion that sinks invisibly into the skin.

--Scent--
The almond scent is obvious as soon as the lotion comes out of the bottle - you don't even need to rub it in for the scent to be activated. Basically makes you smell like cake, which is always a winner.

--Texture and consistency--
Wonderfully creamy and luxurious. Not at all sticky or watery. Takes a bit of time to sink into the skin, however.

--Effects on the skin--
Skin is left beautifully soft both short and long-term, meaning that you wouldn't even need to use this daily to keep up the effects.

--Value for money--
As noted in other Dr Hauschka reviews, you don't get the best value by buying this in the UK - especially given my estimate that 25ml of this stuff will only moisturise your body twice at most (meaning that 145ml will only do 12 applications, tops). In Germany, this is priced at €17, so a much more competitive £14 in today's money, and even in France, with its RRP of nearly €22, you'll save a good £6. Definitely take the opportunity to buy this when in mainland Europe - it's a luxurious yet practical product that ticks all the boxes.

perfect partners
Almond St John's Wort Body Oil, £20
Almond Soothing Body Wash, £13
Almond Soothing Bath Essence, from £3
Moisturising Mask, £38
Almond Desires Gift Set (contains the almond body moisturiser and a soothing body wash sample), £24 

Montagne Jeunesse Deodorising Foot Scrub

RRP: £1.09 for 25ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Take a seat and put your feet up. This natural Water Melon & Mint Foot Scrub removes dry and rough areas. The new anti-bacterial formula combats odour so your feet will be left feeling smooth and fresh all over."

--Packaging--
 The foot-shaped sachet is fun and different to other foot scrubs, although the slit in the side to peel it open is not all that helpful (have scissors at the ready). The Montagne Jeunesse packaging is always fun, young and bright, and this is no exception. However, Montagne Jeunesse appears to be phasing out the sachets in favour of larger bottles, which could be less convenient for travel but more practical overall.

--Application--
Massage into wet or dry feet until all rough skin is removed, using hands, a sponge or a loofah. Rinse off when done. Easy and quick.

--Appearance--
A light-brown coloured liquidy paste with dots of darker brown (the walnut shell granules). Leaves no visible residue on the skin after use.

--Scent--
While slightly sweet, the watermelon scent is not too overwhelmingly. Equally, the mint scent is not that detectable, although feet still appear to be deodorised successfully, so I'm guessing the mint is working its magic regardless.

--Texture and consistency--
Rather wet, unfortunately. The only problem with this product, as it does increase wastage.

--Effects on the skin--
As mentioned, this product deodorises effectively. It also follows through on its promise with regards to the disappearance of dry and rough skin, helping to send it packing.

--Value for money--
The £1.09 sachet is an absolute steal, especially given the product quality and the fact that it will scrub both your feet about four times. However, this makes me think that this will continue with the 80ml Foot Buffer bottle, which is set to replace this (and at its size is still fine for hand baggage travel - yay!), in terms of providing value that's as good or better. Definitely would carry on repurchasing the sachets until they're no longer available, and wouldn't hesitate to upgrade to the Foot Buffer after that. Nice work from Montagne Jeunesse as always.

perfect partners
Blueberry and Mint Foot Cooler, £4.99
Peppermint and Pumice Foot Buffer, £4.99
Cucumber and Mint Foot Lotion, £4.99
Cherry and Mint Tired Leg Gel, £4.99 

Kiehl's Heat Protective Silk Straightening Cream

RRP: £15 for 150ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Created especially for wavy, frizzy, or curly hair in need of smoothing, our cream helps smooth hair and tame frizz without weighing hair down whilst protecting the hair from breakage."

--Packaging--
The yellow accents on this squeezy tube brighten up an otherwise dull item. The screw-top lid is practical and the overall design is suitably unisex.

--Application--
Run through the ends of wet hair (not the roots) before drying/straightening. Brush/dry as normal. Very easy. A 50p-sized amount should do it.

--Appearance--
A white, glossy cream that melts invisibly into the hair.

--Scent--
Clean-smelling and homely, a bit like fabric softener - which makes sense given the relatively neutral main ingredients (silk, soy and sesame). 

--Texture and consistency--
Beautifully creamy with no lumps or stickiness. As mentioned, it works beautifully with the hair to leave no stiffness after styling either.

--Effects on the hair--
Flyaway hair is tamed and made to feel beautifully smooth, soft and under control. FAB.

--Value for money--
As so little of the product goes such a long way, and there is NOTHING wrong with it (not even the price!), I'd happily repurchase this. Maybe my favourite Kiehl's product ever!

perfect partners
Amino Acid Shampoo, from £8.50
Hair Conditioner and Grooming Aid Formula 133, from £18.50  

Ultradex Daily Oral Rinse

RRP: £8.15/500ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Alcohol free rinse, safe for daily use. The iQ+ ActiveOxi Technology® is clinically proven to: instantly eliminate odour-causing compounds (VSC) and deliver 12 hours' fresh breath; whiten teeth within 14 days by gently lifting organic stains to reveal their true brightness (excellent for use as part of a whitening maintenance programme); and be highly effective against bacteria that can cause tooth decay, gum problems and plaque. Contains fluoride (230ppm) to help strengthen teeth. Free from colouring and available either preflavoured with mint or as original unflavoured (comes with a separate mint sachet to suit personal taste)."

--Packaging--
Has a stylish appearance and the screw-top cap closes securely. Overall a practical and not too cumbersome part of your dental care arsenal. We were sent the 250ml version for free by Ultradex's PR, and this size is convenient for travelling (although a 100ml size, to comply with airlines' hand baggage requirements, would be even better).

--Usage--
Easy to use - just slosh around in your mouth for 15-30 seconds after cleaning your teeth, before spitting it out.

--Appearance--
A slightly foamy, clear-coloured liquid that leaves no visible residue on the teeth.

--Scent and taste--
Has a neutral scent and taste that is not too strong, giving a refreshing light mint flavour. However, you still couldn't say it has a natural mint taste exactly.

--Consistency--
A watery consistency that foams a little in the mouth. However, towards the end of the bottle, the texture of the mouthwash got thicker and grittier, which made it less pleasant to use and would indicate that you need to shake the bottle before each use.

--Effects on the mouth--
Freshens breath as promised, putting the 12-hour claim to the test favourably. There have also been no tooth or gum problems while using the product. Whitening effects, however, were not noticeable.

--Value for money--
While this product works well, other brands are preferable due to a greater consistency of texture. At around £5 for 250ml and around £8 for 500ml, this mouthwash is also marginally more expensive than other commercial brands, so you would really need to like it in order to purchase it regularly over others.

perfect partners
Low Abrasion Toothpaste, £6.10 for 75ml
Wire-Free Interdental Brushes, £4.99 for 30
Fresh Breath Oral Spray, £3.05 for 9ml

Smile Brilliant! LED Teeth Whitening

RRP: $40, plus shipping

--What does the promo say?--

"The LED teeth whitening system by Smile Brilliant is perfect for those who want great tooth whitening 

results but are on a budget. Our LED system is competitively priced when compared to popular whitening

strips sold at your local grocer. However, it is far more effective due to its 22% carbamide peroxide tooth 

whitening gel and high strength LED light which accelerate the whitening process. With hundreds of 

reviews available on the internet and thousands of satisfied customers, our LED teeth whitening system 

is a superior alternative to over-the-counter whitening products.

	High Intensity LED Accelerator Light: – Accelerates the teeth whitening process
	Teeth Whitening Gel Pen – Convenient, 4ml whitening pen (brush-on applicator) with 22% professional strength whitening gel
	Lip & Cheek Protector – Upper and lower protective tray (prevents gel mess)
	Detailed Instructional Brochure – Guide to using your LED teeth whitening kit effectively"

--Packaging--

The ensemble arrives in a surprisingly posh-looking black cardboard pouch. This contains tooth moulds, an LED light, and the whitening gel, in an elegant silver-effect twist-up pen. The whole thing is therefore quite portable, and so suitable for travel, as well as not taking up too much space in your bathroom.

--Application-- 

Squeeze a very small amount of the gel at the bottom of the tooth moulds. Not much is needed as the gel is pushed up inside the moulds once inserted. The LED light then must be held between the teeth and switched on. The LED light will switch off automatically once the recommended 20 minutes has passed. How easy this is will vary between individuals: those who produce a lot of saliva, for example, will find it difficult as you are unable to remove the moulds mid-treatment in order to spit (swallowing could risk you swallowing some of the whitening gel, especially if you have been overenthusiastic in your first application of it). The tooth moulds are also one-size-fits-all, so it makes sense that they will fit some people better than others. As it renders you unable to communicate and makes you look pretty stupid to have an LED light about the size and weight of a matchbox sticking out of your mouth, I’d recommend doing this when nobody else is in.

--Texture and consistency--

Suffice it to say that having a mouthful of gel for 20 minutes feels about as good as you’d expect it to. Have a glass handy so that when you remove the tooth moulds you’re able to give your mouth a good rinse afterwards. The website says you can use this for as long as 120 minutes, but I think you'd have to be very patient.

--Appearance--

The gel itself is clear and leaves no visible residue on the teeth after use.

--Effects on the teeth-- 

Unfortunately, the packaging and promotional material gives no guarantee of any particular result, and while I understand that the company doesn't want to be accused of mis-selling, or at least of disappointing people, some promises are needed so that you can compare the initial state of your teeth with what you are supposed to get at the end. No indication is given of how long one is supposed to use the product for in order to see any result at all (4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks...). As I was not prepared to continue using the product ad infinitum with no indication of what the result could be, I have no long-term results to report. For what it's worth, I did not see any immediate results either. The website narrows things down slightly by saying 7-14 applications is enough to see results, but don't say if this is seven 20-minute sessions or seven 120-minute sessions.

--Value for money-- 

This is a relatively cheap tooth whitening system which, if it works, is better value than the majority of at-home whitening systems that currently exist. However, so little detail is given about what the consumer can expect that it would be unsurprising if few people are prepared to use it for a long enough time period to find out whether or not it does work. More effort is therefore needed from the company in terms of adding more detail to its product's claims so that users can adjust their expectations accordingly and commit to use of the product for a realistic time frame.

perfect partners

Custom-fitted trays and 1 whitening gel syringe, $90

3 x 3ml teeth whitening gel syringes, $35

1 x 4ml teeth whitening pen, $30

3 x 3ml desensitizing gel syringes, $20  

Muse-ic to our ears

SPONSORED BY ESTEE LAUDER

As many of you may know, I'm a bit of a fan of Estée Lauder's cosmetics and skincare. I won't pretend that I love every single product I've tried from this brand, but I've never once concealed my admiration for their highly effective Take It Away makeup remover, the wearable Beautiful Love, the joyful Idealist serum, the failsafe DayWear Plus, and the deeply conditioning Pure Color Gloss.

Now, just in time for Christmas, the brand has added another fragrance to its arsenal, which perhaps most famously consists of Pure White, Pleasures, and Beyond Paradise. Modern Muse is already awash with five-star ratings online, and its sparkling floral notes sound right up my alley, tallying with the personalities of my current favourite fragrances (YSL Parisienne and Hugo Boss Femme). Combining citrus and jasmine notes with patchouli, vanilla, amber and musk, this promises to be a balanced yet special fragrance for the festive season and beyond.

Don't believe me? Then perhaps this will convince you:
And if that's not enough, the Estée Lauder website offers 2 free samples with every order - so there's every chance to try before you buy (or at least, before SANTA buys :) ).

JML Hot Buns

RRP: £9.99 for a box containing 2 Hot Buns
# of shades available: 2 (dark and light)

--What does the promo say?--
"Hot Buns is a simple styling solution that gives you beautiful buns quickly that last all day. They're so simple to use, just roll, snap and wrap. The light, net fabric grips hair gently, but firmly, making it easy to roll and keep in place. And once they're in place, they won't come loose, no matter how active your day. Hot Buns don't just create great buns, but they also give you beautiful curls too - just let your hair down to reveal perfect controlled curls. You can even leave your Hot Bun in all night so you can flaunt curls in the morning – so much easier than using heat. With Hot Buns, enjoying stunning buns or perfect curls has never been simpler."

--Packaging--
The box gives a good illustration both of what the product itself looks like and of the kind of style that can be achieved. While the font and layout is not necessarily modern, it is functional and clear. The Hot Buns themselves come in a plastic bag inside the box, which is perhaps unnecessary.

--Usage instructions--
The instruction leaflet inside the box lays out the process clearly. It is even easier to visualise if you watch the short instruction video on the JML website. Basically, you use it as follows: tie your hair up into a ponytail at the height where you want your bun. Make sure the Hot Bun is unclipped so that it forms a straight line. Align the end of the ponytail with the middle of the Hot Bun and roll the Hot Bun up until it meets your head. Bring the two ends of the Hot Bun together and clip into place using the popper. Pull out the elastic from inside the Hot Bun and tie it around the bun to secure it. Gradually then fluff out your hair from the top down so that it covers the Hot Bun. And that's really all there is to it. I watched the video, and found it seemed simple; happily, in reality it really was.

--Pre-requisites--
I'd recommend doing this when you haven't washed your hair for a couple of days, as the style will hold better (this is true of any type of styling). Your hair should also be shoulder length or longer. Those with shoulder length hair or slightly longer (like myself) will find that the smaller Hot Bun is better for them, whereas those with much longer hair will find that the larger Hot Bun is better.

--Appearance--
As a blonde, JML sent me the light-coloured Hot Bun pack at my request, and I found that this matched my hair colour well. Once I'd put my hair up, it helped form a professional-looking bun, as I had been able to fluff out my hair to cover most of the Hot Bun itself easily. As the promotional material promises, when you take out the Hot Bun you are also left with beautiful curls. I haven't tried using this overnight yet for curls in the morning, but I think it would work, as the Hot Bun is soft and flexible enough to sleep on.

--Longevity--
The Hot Bun holds hair in place securely without feeling too tight or causing headaches. However, a few slightly shorter strands of my hair were inclined to come out of the middle of the bun slightly, so for some people, a couple of hair grips could be helpful, even if not strictly necessary. The bun also stayed up all day, which is a great benefit compared to other methods of tying your hair into a bun.

--Value for money--
Even though mine was free, I would spend £9.99 on this. It does exactly as it says on the box and is effective for an affordable price. The Hot Buns also seem hard-wearing enough to be used many times and to hold a style, while still remaining soft and flexible enough to be comfortable. Would definitely recommend :)