JANJIRA Marine Radiant White Range

Janjira is a brand I've had some exposure too with their gorgeous massage therapy candle and eye cream (which may I add comes in the largest pot it lasts for ever). They have just released their Marine Radiant White collection and I was able to try a few products from this aesthetically pleasing range.

All products in the collection contain a unique ingredient called Aglowhite, an extract from brown algae. Enriched with antioxidants that have a triple action on the skin by brightening, exfoliating and protecting. Skin is left looking more luminous your complexion clear.

Marine Brightening Radiant White Brightening Cleanser* is a creamy cleanser that I prefer for morning use although it works perfectly for removing make up of an evening. Whilst this is gentle on the skin I do find it causes a slight irritation around my eyes so I'm cautious when applying and most definitely a little goes a long way I can see this tube lasting some time.

My next step is the Marine Radiant White Brightening Toner* which comes in a fabulous pump dispenser. This is a refreshing toner that my skin enjoys looking hydrated and bright after use. Whilst I always go in with serums and moisturisers there's no urgency after using this as skin feels so hydrated.

Another product in the range, with the added ingredient of Sorghum Bicolor Stalk Juice to rejuvenate the skin is the Marine Radiant White Brightening Booster Serum*. Just a drop or two of this serum works to instantly make my skin look clearer and smoother. Of course as with all the other products in the range there is Algowhite and Vitamin C for its anti-ageing properties.

Finally is my favourite product from the range, Marine Radiant White Illuminating Day Cream*. As the name suggest it really does leave skin illuminated and is so light that wearing make up on top sits comfortably. Protecting against sun damage, pollution and other irritants this is a fantastic addition to my skincare line up.

The Janjira Marine Radiant Range is an affordable high end range, if there is such a thing and depending on your needs will help you make your choice as to what you think is affordable, for example I'd happily spend £24 on the moisturiser but perhaps less reluctant to spend £20 on the toner... although that packaging tempts me alone.

Have you tried Janjira skincare?

*this post contains press samples

Personalised Gifts from I Just Love It

Following on from my review of I Just Love It gift range I was offered an opportunity to try some items from their personalised offering. I chose the personalised children's toiletry bag* as it was perfect for my friends son. I consider myself to be lucky enough to have some wonderful holidays but this little man is particularly well travelled for a three year old. 

After a chat with his mum who told me he was in need of a little toiletry bag for their next trip I was on the case. Available in blue or pink whatever your preference and personalised with the name of your choice its ideal for little ones heading off on school trips or to ensure that they can easily identify their bags.

Large enough to house all the products little ones might need such as toothbrushes and toothpaste it's certain to make bath time easier for mum or dad whilst on bathing duties in what can often be cramped hotel bathrooms. A handy hook ensures that you can hang all the essentials in easy reach.

Let's hope Charlie enjoys his next holiday.

*this post contains press samples

Carmex Classic Wild Pot

To know me is to know that I have something in common with Bet Lynch and Kat Moon - a love of leopard print. Stick leopard print on anything and I'll want it from clothes to beauty products. When Carmex got in touch with the leopard print edition I was sold.

Carmex Classic Wild Pot* is exactly what it says on the tin, leopard print packaging and the Classic Carmex formula - perfect. Carmex always reminds me of my early trips to the US when my friends would stock up on this affordable balm.

Carmex leaves a slight tingle but really will moisturise your lips better than many other lip balms I've tried, even those I've enjoyed. The only downside for me is I'm not a fan of products I have to dig my fingers into so I usually prefer the tubes.

Interestingly whilst on holiday Ben pulled out a pot of Carmex (not the leopard I might add) and I asked if he liked it. 'I do' he said 'it works'... well you can't say any more than that.

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

Summer Brights from Orly and Kiko

When I received the press release for the Orly Pacific Coast Highway Collection my eyes lit up. I don't think there was one colour that I wouldn't wear and any would be a perfect nail choice for my Summer holiday.

I was lucky to be sent two shades from the range; Life's A Beach* and Scenic Route*, the latter being the shade I chose to wear for my week away. On receiving the nail varnishes I treated my toes to Life's A Beach, a beach appropriate subtle neon orange. Whilst a lovely shade and were I returning to Ibiza this year I'm sure I would've been swayed by this shade but I wasn't ready to commit the colour to my nails and I prefer to match my toes and nails when holidaying.

I was very tempted by Scenic Route for my trip as it is a bright enough shade whilst complementing my outfit choices. Before committing I tested for a week on my natural nails (I treated myself to acrylic stiletto nails for my trip for longevity). This was my first time using Orly polishes and Scenic Route was a little difficult to work with. There is a thin brush rather than the short, square designs I prefer and find easier when painting nails myself. For such a strong shade I found application a little patchy and it did require a number of coats. Even when applied in the salon onto my acrylic nails it took some work for an opaque finish and I was left in front of a dryer for some time due to the thick layer.

Those issues aside once the colour was on my natural nails I was impressed with how long it lasted without chipping and when many people commented on the shade I knew it would be the one I would happily commit to for a week away. If you're looking for creamy, fun and bright nail shades for your holidays definitely check out this collection available from Grafton Beauty.

Sticking with the 'Summer Brights' I took advantage of an offer from KIKO a couple of months ago and purchase a couple of their Water Eyeshadows with two shades, 218 Grapefruit Pink and 219 Flamingo Pink (the purchase not swayed by the name I promise!). Both shades are very similar with 219 being more pink to 218's orange and admittedly you could easily manage with one or the other but I couldn't choose. Both came on holiday with me and it was 218 that received a little more love during the week. The shades are nicely pigmented and apply smoothly on the lid. The shimmer when dry as I used them isn't overpowering and has a slight shimmer rather than too much sparkle which suits someone older such as myself. I was cautious as to whether these shades would work for me but was very happy.

What Summer Brights have you been discovering?

*this post contains press samples

BOOK REVIEW | Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

Let's dive right in and I'll tell you I did not enjoy this book and found the ending a complete disappointment. So much so that I actually re-read the last couple of pages wondering if I'd missed something due to the late hour and my skim reading the overly descriptive narrative.

Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll is on the New York Times best seller list and Reese Witherspoon has optioned it for a film, and I'm not entirely sure why.

Her perfect life is a perfect lie... Ani FaNelli is the woman who has it all: the glamourous job, the designer wardrobe, the handsome and rich fiance. But behind her sharp edges and meticulously crafted faced lies the darkest of pasts....

When a documentary producer invites Ani to tell her side of the chilling and violet incident that took place when she was a teenager at the prestigious Bradley school, she hopes it will be an opportunity to prove how far she's turned her life around since then. She'll even let the production company film her lavish wedding, the final step in her transformation. 

But as the wedding and filming converge, Ani's past threatens to come back and haunt her. And as her immaculate veneer starts to crack, she is forced to question: will breaking her silence destroy all that she has worked for - or, will it at long last, set Ani free?

Sounds intriguing doesn't it and all the reviews suggest it's a page turner so why was I disappointed? Please note whilst I won't provide any intentional spoilers some elements of my review may allow you to make assumptions about the story.

Starting out it felt very 'Devil Wear's Prada' TifAni, or Ani as she is now known works for a fancy New York magazine, projecting a perfect image whilst planning a wedding to her blue blooded fiance Luke. It starts with a few suggestive thoughts that perhaps Ani is the villain, is she a likable character or has she simply been through such a trauma that it has 'made her this way' - what is she hiding from yet prepared to participate in a documentary about?

Initially I wasn't sure whether I was meant to like or dislike Ani, and certainly the characters surrounding her were not shown in a positive light either, that much like Gone Girl I found myself switching off with indifference. I kept reading as I wondered was this cast of unpleasant characters to make you like Ani more, or at best understand her? I don't know but by the end I still didn't feel absolved or sure how I felt.

It's a very timely tale, especially as we see how Amber Heard is currently being victimised in the press, and this is the story of a 14 year old girls struggles to fit in. Less serious but still topical you can align the current trend of bloggers 'living the high life' and the need to project a positive image and fit in at all costs with Ani's struggles at a school filled with wealthy students.

Of course I was as intrigued to know 'what actually happened' that I kept turning the pages and whilst the incident(s) were dreadful I felt that the already mentioned overly descriptive nature of the book meant that these were surrounded by so many other details they were diluted.

On one hand the incidents were black and white but again, the details of everything else meant I was almost confused. Constantly I was wondering how does this fit in, is it relevant, who is that person again without actually coming to any conclusion.

Additional characters appeared to feature only to pad out the story and add another thread to the tale without having any real purpose and as I've already said the ending... well I was simply 'is that it'.
Was Ani happy with the resolution? I believe so and there was some justice but I felt it lacked the impact it should have.

Whilst I might not perhaps have inclined you to reach for this book I'd love to know if you have indeed read it and what you thought.

*this post contains affiliate links