review Archives - Page 6 of 37

bloomzy / February 11, 2016

Dr Organic Snail Gel Hand & Nail Elixir | Review

Dr Organic Snail Gel Hand & Nail Elixir*

You must all know my love for snail gel products by now. Well if you don’t, trust me when I say I love them. So much so in fact, that I’ve tried out pretty much all of the Dr Organic snail gel range. I’ve had a few ups and downs with the products. Some were amazing, whilst others failed to hit the bat. Mostly though I’ve enjoyed testing them all out. That’s why I was happy when I recently discovered their Hand & Nail Elixir hiding in one of my drawers. Yes I do have a bad habit of hoarding beauty products. However as this was during one of my “clear outs” I decided to unbox it and make an effort to use it everyday. After all, I couldn’t resist adding another product to my list.

Pros

Smells great
Light
Hydrating
Absorbs quickly

Cons

Runny consistency

Final thoughts on: Dr Organic Snail Gel Hand & Nail Elixir

I love the smell of Dr Organic’s snail gel products, and this hand cream is no different. The subtle lemongrass scent is refreshing and zesty. Definitely a plus for me. However we all know that hydration is the key element when it comes to hand cream. Well this does as any other average hand cream would. It’s hydrating, although not overly so; meaning you may feel the need to apply more later in the day. My theory is that this is due to the runny consistency of the cream itself. However this does mean that it absorbs quickly. Swings and roundabouts, ey? At £14.99 I wouldn’t purchase this, as it’s a little too expensive for a lightly hydrating hand cream. Even if it does smell amazing.

You can buy Dr Organic Snail Gel Hand & Nail Elixir in Holland & Barrett stores, and online.

bloomzy / February 7, 2016

Skincere Day Cream | Review

Skincere Day Cream*

It can be difficult to find good skincare when you have sensitive skin. Even harder when you have an allergy or intolerance. Honestly I don’t see many products boasting this kind of status. Well hello Skincere! A few of Skincere’s products showed up at my door recently, and I was a curious. The brand boasts a 100% natural skincare range. Now that may sound average, but most “natural” skincare products are only natural to a certain extent. A lot of them are around 70-90%…which is great. But to find a 100% product, well that’s really awesome. So I decided to test them out, starting with the Day Cream.

Pros

Wheat free, Soya Free & Dairy Free
Perfect for sensitive skin
Light & hydrating
Smooth application

Cons

Takes a minute to absorb

Final thoughts on: Skincere Day Cream

I found it hard to find anything bad about this day cream. I have sensitive skin, and occasionally allergic reactions to some products. That doesn’t mean I worry when trying out a new product, but it does make me feel better if I know the product is made specifically to avoid this happening. I’m also impressed with the wheat, soya and dairy free – I may not have an intolerance, but I’m sure those who do will be impressed too. As for using the product, it applies well – the cream is light and soft on the skin. It does take a little bit to absorb, but when it has done, it’s hydrating and it doesn’t feel heavy at all. I’ve found my makeup works well with it too – always a plus. It is £24.99, which is a little expensive. However if I had a history of allergic reactions/intolerances to ingredients in skincare products, this is definitely something I would snap up straightaway.

Skincere’s Day Cream is now half price on their website. You can also purchase Skincere products in Holland & Barrett stores, and online.

Thanks to Bloomon for my gorgeous bouquet, and the flowers included in this post.

bloomzy / February 3, 2016

Where to Eat in London: Wa Cafe

Wa Cafe | Japanese Patisserie | Nearest Tube: Ealing Broadway

Some may say that France has the best patisseries in the world, however I would have to disagree. Japan has learnt from it’s European counterparts and created something altogether unique – fusing traditional ingredients with modern techniques. I’m sure you won’t find it odd when I say I miss Japanese food. However you may be surprised that a lover of savoury items such as myself, misses Japanese pastries. I can’t begin to explain how delicious and light they are. It’s something sweet and savoury fans alike should experience at least once in their life. So when I heard that Wa Cafe (an authentic Japanese patisserie) had opened in Ealing Broadway, I knew I had to try it. Skip ahead almost a year, and I was back again for my birthday weekend.

The Savoury…

The first time I visited Wa Cafe they had run out of sandwiches, so I knew I had to grab one this visit. Two soft, chunky slices of bread encompass the Chicken Katsu Sandwich. Inside, the breaded chicken is accompanied by lettuce and a delicious salad dressing. This is one gigantic sandwich; perfect for sharing. However a dish this delicious may leave you wanting a whole one for yourself.

And The Sweet…

The savoury dishes here may be wonderful, but I know you’re all wondering how the cakes are! This visit I had the Strawberry Shortcake, and I was not disappointed. Japan’s Strawberry Shortcake is very different to the UK kind. A light sponge is layered with cream and strawberries. It’s very popular as a birthday cake in Japan, so it seemed fitting for this particular visit. Wa Cafe’s is just as light and airy as those I ate in Japan. The cream is sweet, but not sickeningly so. And even as someone who dislikes strawberries (yes, I’m weird), I enjoyed this cake immensely.

Final thoughts on : Wa Cafe

Wa Cafe is well worth the journey (around an hour from my East London dwellings), and well worth the wait. The cakes are as delectable as they are aesthetically pleasing. I spent around £17 on this particular visit, and I don’t regret spending a penny of it. Previously I tried the Matcha Swiss Roll, Curry Pan and the Melon Pan – all of which I would have again…once I’ve worked my way through the rest of the dishes. Of course. I could easily have breakfast, lunch and dinner here. In fact I’m not even upset that visiting means becoming more acquainted with my gym membership.

Read more in my Where to Eat in London series.

bloomzy / February 1, 2016

Celebrating Chinese New Year at Yauatcha

Yauatcha City | Dim Sum | Broadgate Circle | Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street

Last week Yauatcha invited myself and VA (chopstickpanorama) to come along to their City location, to celebrate Chinese New Year with them. I don’t usually celebrate new year, whether it’s British, Chinese etc etc…you get my point. However when Yauatcha told me that this particular celebration would involve copious amounts of food – and gin – I found myself unable to say no.

Dim Sum

We ordered all of the dim sum dishes from the CNY menu, which includes: Caviar siew long bun (full of soupy deliciousness), Foie gras roast duck puff (beautifully presented rich parcels of goodness), Caviar taro dumpling (a dumpling by any other name…) and Black truffle edamame sesame ball (oddly sweet). The Caviar siew long bun was the best dish by far for me that evening. However the Foie gras roast duck puff came in at a close second. Controversy aside, this is a delicately rich and buttery dish, and I love the heart shaped pastry. I could easily have ordered both of these numerous times, and gorged on them for the rest of the night.

Main

For our “main” we ordered the Yauatcha scallop pushing (a light, refreshing salad), Hakka fortune pot (a variety of meats & seafood) and Dried oyster fried sticky rice (to accompany). The Yauatcha scallop pushing was a mixture of textures and zesty flavours. Our server also explained that this traditional dish comes with an added bonus; by mixing it as high as possible you can make one wish for the new year. Let’s see if VA’s comes true (she did all the mixing)! I was excited for the Hakka fortune pot as it included abalone (a new taste for me), however I felt slightly let down by the dish. Alongside the Dried oyster fried sticky rice, it all just seemed like a classy version of a Chinese takeaway…which to be fair, isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s just not for me.

Gin Cocktail Flight & Macarons

The cocktail flight was a lovely accompaniment to our meal. Each of the 3 cocktails was served at separate times throughout the evening; to compliment the food we were served. Of course the Saffron gin and tonic was my favourite. Ever so sweet, and a pleasing colour – kudos to Monkey 47 for this dry & complex gin.

The macarons (Gin and tonic, Juniper berry, Bitter orange almond, Elderflower ginger, Rose rosehip and Camomile) were a delight, as they always are at Yauatcha. Their innovative use of ingredients never fails to produce a unique flavour and texture. My favourites of the evening were the Rose (tastes just like Turkish delight), and the Camomile (the buttercream is almost custardy in texture).

My thoughts…

Our meal came to just over £157 (£79 each), including the cocktail flight. Taking this into consideration I can’t say I would go back and spend that much. However I would happily go back for the select few dishes that helped make my evening so delicious (see bolded items).

Head to Yauatcha to view their Chinese New Year menu.

bloomzy / January 17, 2016

Dr Pierre Ricaud Collagenes 9 Eye Cream | Review

Dr Pierre Ricaud Collagenes 9 Eye Lifting Treatment Cream*

French skincare products proudly sit in my top 3 (next to Korean & Japanese). However it’s fair to say I stick to the same brands I know and love. Recently I changed this, with the introduction of a few Dr Pierre Ricaud products. You may recognise the brand, as it is a part of the Yves Rocher family – yes, the same as Petit Bateau. With such well known parents, I was eager to see what this new (to me at least) brand had to offer.

Pros:
– On/Off head function
– Brush applicator
– Soothing and gentle on skin

Cons:
– Brush applicator can become dirty
– Higher end price point

Notes:
First off, packaging. This little cutie is compact and easy to travel with. The brush applicator attached to the tube is great, and isn’t something I see very often in eye creams. I found this much better than applying on to the skin with my finger. Honestly I’m going to be sad when I have to go back to regular tubes. Every eye cream should have one of these! The on/off function means you won’t accidentally waste any product, and supposedly stops contamination. That said, I found that if I had not removed every single inch of my eye make-up – it happens to us all – then the brush becomes dirty. This can be remedied by gently cleaning it on the back of your hand, but it does make me wonder if this is why more brands don’t use brush applicators on their tubes.

I love this eye cream. It’s soothing and gentle on my skin, and it lifts my eyes when they’re feeling a little down. I find this particularly useful in the morning, when my eye bags are a little more puffy than usual (hello restless sleep). At £23 this is on the higher end of the skincare price point. I really like the product, but the price would definitely have me thinking before I purchased it.

You can purchase Dr Pierre Ricaud Collagenes 9 Eye Lifting Treatment Cream online at Dr Pierre Ricaud.
It is currently half price at £12.50 (was £23)!

bloomzy / December 19, 2015

Beauty Kitchen Konjac Sponge | Review

Beauty Kitchen Konjac Sponge*

Do you ever see a beauty product and think, “this is love at first sight”? That’s what happened to me when I first discovered konjac sponges. I’m a bit of a sucker for Japanese beauty products – they’re the best – as you probably already know. But it was pricey, so I had second thoughts. I didn’t know anything about this mysterious sponge, and I knew that the store I was in often hikes up prices. So I waited…and I waited. In the meantime I received a glowing testimonial (for konjac sponges) from my friend Dodo. After hearing good things from someone I trust, I finally decided I would buy one. Luckily for me I attended the Holland and Barrett press day where I met Beauty Kitchen. And guess what their latest product was…

Pros:
– Reusable
– 100% natural
– Easy to travel with
– Gentle on skin
– Very good price point
– Lasts for up to 3 months

Cons:
– Can be difficult to get into the inner corner of the eye

Notes:
I was so happy to see Beauty Kitchen bringing out their own konjac sponge. These come wet, so you can see/feel just how soft they will be on your skin. All you have to do is wet the sponge in warm water and use by itself, or alongside your cleanser. The sponge is great at getting rid of make-up, although it can be difficult to get into the inner corner of the eye. But as the sponge is flexible you’ll soon figure out how to get around this problem. After use the sponge just needs a little rinse under water, and then you can hang it to dry. It shrinks once dry, which means it’s easy to transport, and all it needs is to be soaked in water for it to expand again.

It’s only a matter of time before these hit the big time and we see them everywhere. At only £6.99, Beauty Kitchen’s Facial Konjac Sponge is a ridiculously good buy. I will definitely be purchasing one when this one gets old.

You can purchase Beauty Kitchen’s Konjac Sponge in-store and online at Holland and Barrett.

bloomzy / December 2, 2015

A London Life… at Sushinoen with Nuffnang UK

Sushinoen* | Japanese | Whitechapel | Nearest Tube: Aldgate East

London is a culinary melting pot of cuisines. We have the complete A-Z of food, from Algerian to Zambian – Foodies need not be disappointed. Whereas I do enjoy discovering new cuisines, there’s one I always go back to – Japanese. After living there, I have a handful of recipes that I like to re-create at home. However there’s nothing better than having someone else cook for you, am I right?

This past weekend I was lucky enough to be a guest at Sushinoen, courtesy of Nuffnang UK. A cute Japanese restaurant tucked away in the heart of Whitechapel, Sushinoen serves up a variety of Japanese dishes. We were sat at a sunken table (horigotatsu), which I always find super comfortable. After everyone had arrived we ordered a bottle of plum wine (umeshu) – my favourite Japanese tipple. Conversation flowed as the first round of food was brought to the table: Butakakuni, Agedashi Tofu, Beef Tataki, White Tuna Carpaccio, Mixed Seaweed Salad, Shumai, and Chicken Gyoza. Honestly I would recommend it all, but it was the Butakakuni and the Agedashi Tofu that really had something special. Agedashi Tofu is probably my favourite Japanese side dish, the crispy outer is complimented by the soft inner (and a wondrous tentsuyu broth). However it’s the Butakakuni that surprised me the most, as I’m not the biggest fan of pork belly. This though was so tender it fell apart and melted in the mouth – definitely my dish of the day!

At this point I was already starting to feel full, and then a wild plate of sushi rolls appeared! We had the Bravo Duo (seared tuna & salmon on California roll) and Spider (prawn tempura on California roll) rolls. I could only manage a couple of bites, but I was left wanting for more – thank you Hidekazu Tojo for this marvellous invention! Unfortunately we were all too full to eat any Sukiyaki (the next dish on the menu), but nothing was wasted as we were given boxes to take home. The dessert of matcha ice cream & mocha was a light & refreshing end to the meal. Of course I always have room for something sweet – my friends say I have betsubara – especially if it’s matcha.

For any bloggers interested in working with brands, I’d highly suggest checking out Nuffnang UK.
And for those with a rumbly tummy, Sushinoen is definitely worth a visit.