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Review: Dr Organic Snail Gel

 
If you’ve been keeping up with my beauty reviews lately, you’ll know all about my snail gel obsession. I’ve been slowly working my way through Dr Organic’s snail gel range, and the next item on my list to try out was the Snail Gel. Dr Organic calls this “a moisturising, soothing, anti-aging gel which harnesses the remarkable cosmetic benefits of Helix Aspersia Muller, a unique substance the snail produces to quickly regenerate its own shell and skin when damaged.”


Pros:
+ Thick consistency
+ Smells amazing
+ Intially soothing


Cons:
– Stings when I put it on certain areas
– Makes my skin feel dry, when used by itself


Notes:
Unfortunately me and this product just don’t get along. I love how thick the product is, which makes for easier application. It also smells amazing, and feels nice and soothing (chilled) when initially applied. However that’s where the plus points end. It seems that my skin really doesn’t like the product as it actually tends to sting when I apply it to certain areas (usually around the nose). I tried it on several different occasions, just to make sure it wasn’t because of broken skin etc. but to no avail. If it wasn’t obvious enough that my skin dislikes it, my skin feels dried out after application – when not used alongside a facial serum. Overall the cons outweigh the pros, so I won’t be purchasing this product again. As always I like to point out that this is based on my own personal skin type and it may not be the same for everyone. Usually priced at £19.99, it is now on sale at Holland and Barrett for £14.99.
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Cocktails and Sashimi at Chotto Matte

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More photos can be found here

It’s not everyday that you’re taken on a tour of a top London restaurant’s kitchen. Yet that is exactly what happened to myself and some fellow food bloggers on Thursday evening, at Chotto Matte. Japanese speakers – no I’m not telling you to wait a minute, that’s the actual name of the restaurant. Funny, right? Offering up a Japanese-Peruvian fusion, their food and cocktails are talked about across London. I’ve been meaning to visit for a while, so when Zomato invited me last week I knew I had to fit it in my diary somehow.

Luckily my foodie bestie V.A was also invited, so we went along together to the swanky (I don’t think I’ve ever used that word before now) Soho restaurant. The interior of the restaurant/bar is ridiculously trendy, but in a very different way to my usual East London haunts. The large mural by graffiti artist Tom Blackford is arguably the centrepiece of the ground floor. We followed it to the bar where we were greeted by the Chotto Matte staff and everyone from Zomato. Head Bar Chef Fabiano Latham was there, as he was our cocktail masterclass host for the evening. He told us all about the Peruvian spirits and Japanese sake used in their amazing cocktails, which we were then given to taste test. My favourite of the evening was the Pisco Sour, purely because I had often heard of the cocktail, but hadn’t had the chance to try one. As we sipped away, Michael Paul gave us a tostadita demonstration and talked us through the concept of the dishes on the menu. We were then given several items to try. Everyone was so excited to try the colourful offerings that they flocked to them likes bees to honey. I particularly enjoyed the strong clash of flavours that were used in the Heritage Tomato Aburi tostaditas, and the careful preparation that went into each dish (such as the Yellowtail Sashimi).

After we had all been fed and watered, we went off in small groups to see the upstairs restaurant and the kitchens. We passed the amazing robata grill and the Nikkei sushi bar, both of which customers are able to sit alongside and watch while the chefs prepare the dishes. I dusted off my Japanese language skills and chatted to some of the sushi chefs, as we watched in awe at them creating miniature marvels. They were incredibly passionate and so happy that we were enjoying the food they had prepared. The kitchen itself was smaller than I had expected, but equally as busy. I am always curious as to the inner workings of a busy restaurant, and Chotto Matte did not let me down.

Thank you to Chotto Matte for accommodating us. You can read more of my restaurant reviews on Zomato, and if you fancy some cocktails/nibbles and a tour of Chotto Matte, Time Out currently have an amazing offer on.

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Christmas Gift Guide: Skincare

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What? Avène YsthéAL Anti-Aging Eye & Lip Contour Care*
Who for? Mum
How much? £19.50
Where from? Boots
Why? My mum is now at the age where she is looking for “that little miracle” to help keep her skin firm and smooth. YsthéAL Eye and Lip Contour revents and corrects the appeareance of signs of skin ageing: wrinkles, loss of elasticity in the eye and lip area. YsthéAL Eye and Lip Contour has a fine smooth texture, perfectly adapted to the most delicate areas of the face. The eye contour is smoother, and eyes appear fuller and well-rested, and the lip contour regains tone and elasticity. Good tolerance, tested on sensitive skin. Fragrance and paraben free.

What? Avène Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum*
Who for? Dad
How much? £17
Where from? Boots
Why? My dad has sensitive, dry skin. This is something which I’ve noticed a lot of men suffer from, especially in the harsh Winter weather. This intensely soothing formulation is ideal for sensitive skin, or skin that is easily affected by stress, pollution, or irritation. With its high concentration of Avene Thermal Spring Water, the serum works to hydrate and heal the skin with each and every application. Added Glycerine provides deep nourishment, hydration and comfort for the complexion. The silky serum glides on luxuriously, leaving skin feeling supple, smooth and soft.

 
What? Manuka Doctor Replenishing Facial Oil*
Who for? Beauty conscious friend
How much? £13.32 (currently on sale from £19.99)
Where from? Superdrug
Why? Facial oils can seem intimidating, especially to those who are new to skincare. However my beauty conscious friends would definitely appreciate one. The Normalising Manuka Facial Oil is a balancing formula rich in powerful plant extracts designed to help reduce sebum and refine skin’s texture. Just a couple of drops applied daily will visibly hydrate, revitalise and even skin tone whilst essential oils restore skin’s suppleness – all without greasy side effects. Achieve a brighter, fresher and more youthful looking complexion with Manuka Doctor Normalising Facial Oil – featuring hero ingredient Manuka Oil
 
What? Manuka Doctor Purifying Face Mask*
Who for? Sister
How much? £16.66 (currently on sale from £24.99)
Where from? Superdrug
Why? This one is a favourite of my sister’s so it’s an easy go-to product. Manuka Doctor’s new highly effective deep cleansing mask withdraws impurities and cleverly balances the perfect amount of oil and moisture for a smoother, more radiant looking complexion. It harnesses the power of natural active ingredients – Grape Seed Oil, rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, to help clean pores and even skin tone, Aloe Vera Juice to help reduce redness and remove excess oil and dirt from the skin, Witch Hazel and Kaolin Clay – a light mineral clay to help draw impurities from the skin. Manuka Doctor’s hero ingredient Purified Bee Venom (PBV) and its antibacterial properties, help fight blemishes and Manuka honey known for its known skincare benefits, assists hydration.
 
What? The Harley Medical Group Anti-oxidant Oil Free Moisturiser*
Who for? That special work colleague who has helped you out all year.
How much? £35
Where from? The Harley Medical Group
Why? Working in an office means air conditioning during the Summer, and heaters on full blast during the Winter. It easily wears skin out, so a decent moisturiser is well worth keeping on your desk. It is so important to soothe & clear congested skin. This moisturiser will do just that. It also leaves your skin feeling smooth and silky to the touch. An anti-oxidant oil free moisturiser that helps promote a smooth, matte complexion. Incorporating patented anti-ageing ingredients clinically shown to penetrate the skin and help reduce visible signs of ageing while stimulating collagen production. With the added benefit of Vitamin E, a powerful anti-oxidant that will help improve the overall texture of the skin.
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Christmas at Hyper Japan

This year saw the first Hyper Japan Christmas Market come to Kensington, Olympia. Compared to the Summer HJ event, this one was much smaller, but they still managed to fit in a whole lot of stuff to see and do. As for the Christmas aspect, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. It turned out to not really be as festive as I had hoped, with only a few exhibitors bringing Christmas themed items (such as Roxie Sweetheart). Maybe because it was held in November it was a little difficult for people to come round to the idea. Still, the tree in the middle of the hall helped a bit.

Keep an eye on my Hyper Japan tag to see more on fashion & beauty at the HJ Christmas market.

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I Want Jewellery Dripping in…Dinner?!

I love food, that much is obvious. Instead of buying clothes/accessories etc. I will spend my money on going out to eat. I do love fashion though, so when I found out I could combine my love of food and fashion I was in shock…and I think you may be too, because if you’ve made it this far you have inevitably seen the photos above. Say hello to Japanese jewellery brand Fake Food Hatanaka.

Whether you’ve been to Japan or not, it’s likely you have seen or heard of Japan’s plastic food. Used to show customers how the dishes look, the practice has become somewhat of a phenomenon. So much so that you can buy plastic food phone cases, key chains etc. But Fake Food Hatanaka has taken the craze one step further with their range of jewellery featuring some of Japan’s favourite delicacies (as well as European and Chinese dishes), such as curry and omurice. Prices start around 900円 (£4.85) for the smaller accessories and go up to around 13,000円 (£70) for the larger necklaces. In fact the brand is doing so well that they’ve opened a pop-up in Punyus La Foret, Harajuku.

So how about giving the foodie in your life something a little different this Christmas? The brand do ship internationally, however there is currently a waiting list as demand is so high. You can browse and reserve items at Fake Food Hatanaka.

Source: 1

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The Big Christmas Jumper Debate

Mint Christmas Pudding Jumper* – New Look

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say “Christmas jumper”? Cheesy? Mulled wine and minced pies? Maybe something hand knitted by your nan? When I asked my colleague the same question he admitted that he wore his for only a few hours on Christmas Day (mainly to satisfy his parents), and as soon as the unwrapping of presents was over he’d take it off again. It seems as though a lot of people feel the same way about Christmas jumpers, and I think it’s a bit sad.

They come in all shapes and sizes but if we’re all being truthful, they’re usually pretty tacky. However fashion brands in recent years have taken on the challenge of changing our view of the traditional Christmas jumper. From Primark to Topshop, the High St is littered with them at this time of year. You’ll find festive ones, funny ones, and maybe even some risqué ones. It sounds cliche, but surely there has to be something for everyone?!

I myself wasn’t a fan of Christmas jumpers until last year, when Topshop released this little gem. But what made me come round to the idea? Honestly I think it’s because stores have finally cottoned on that they aren’t something reserved for dad’s and awkward family dinners. Instead they’ve realised that they can be fashionable (and sometimes even chic), without being ott or tacky. Whether it’s a subtle Nordic print, or dainty crystal Christmas puddings, the Christmas jumper is no longer an embarrassment. It’s a fashion statement, and it’s here to stay. So don’t be a Grinch, join in the fun!

You can view my current Christmas jumper looks here.