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I was sent the Nude by Nature Defining Lip Pencil in Soft Pink to pair with my Creamy Matte Lipstick in Rose Quartz as part of the Trial Team, which I thought was super generous! I don't always use lip liners, especially with products that have a decent amount of pigmentation (as the Creamy Matte lippy does), however I gave this a go to see what it was like and was pleasantly surprised! It glides on easily and has excellent pigmentation for what seems like a fairly neutral colour. Best of all was that it made applying my lipstick so much easier and it blended perfectly with the shade I selected to trial. I am certain it added to the longevity of wear of the lipstick too, so I am very happy with this little bonus product - I can tell it will be something that is on high rotation in my makeup case!

Nude by Nature consistently surprise me withe the quality of their products. I was lucky enough to trial the new Creamy Matte Lipstick in Rose Quartz and it has become my go-to lippy! I was impressed with the classy rose gold packaging, it makes it feel like a high end product without the matching price tag! The other thing I really liked is the slim design of the product itself - unlike more traditional lipsticks, it makes application (and reapplication) a breeze without worry of smudges or going "outside the lines". I was also sent the Nude by Nature Defining Lip Pencil in Soft Pink and applied this before the lipstick which helped with longevity of wear and ease of application. The product itself has a subtle sweet scent, it glides on effortlessly and lasts really well for what feels like a more traditional lipstick. It is marketed as "matte" and though it's not glossy, I wouldn't call it a strictly matte finish, which I don't really mind, as it feels far more nourishing on the lips for day long wear. The pigmentation is impressive and the shade is a pretty subdued pink without being over the top - a very versatile, everyday colour that I have really enjoyed wearing.

I've used root retouching products before and haven't been wowed, so when I was invited to try the Schwarzkopf Root Retoucher as part of the Trial Team, I was interested to see how it compared. Given past experiences, my expectations weren't too high, however I have lots of positives to add about this nifty little spray! Firstly, the colour matched my roots really well - I think part of the problem with root retouching products is that if the colour isn't matched properly, it can look a little strange and leave an undesirable residue. I found no such issues with this spray - it blended really naturally with my existing colour. The other benefit I wasn't expecting was that it absorbed a bit of oil at the roots in a similar way to dry shampoo, however it didn't leave a chalky cast or lots of product build up like dry shampoo can. This allowed me to not only extend the days between washing and styling, but I can see that it will help to extend the time between visits to the salon, which is excellent news for my wallet at $17 a can!

I've not tried a sheet mask before - I tend to use clay masks to combat oiliness and blackheads, so I was excited to be given the opportunity to try one as part of the Trial Team. Looking at the packaging, I was surprised to read all of the natural ingredients included. Applying the mask was straightforward, although it was more wet than I thought it would be - there was also plenty of fluid left in the packet afterwards too. It smelled nice and smoothed on easily. Given how wet the mask was, I had to lie back a little to stop it from slipping off initially. I relaxed for a little longer than the suggested 15 minutes. The mask dried somewhat during that time and I could tell that a lot of the serum on the mask had absorbed into my skin. I rinsed my face in the shower and expected my skin to feel a lot softer than it did. Getting out of the shower, I felt my skin tone and texture had improved mildly, but I still followed with my regular moisture regimen. The mask leaves a nice scent and is a nice way to spend some time relaxing.

I had the opportunity to try this moisturising lotion as part of the BH Trial Team. I always enjoy Trial products because they're often items I wouldn't immediately pick myself. Nivea is a trusted brand so I was excited to test it out. The packaging is nice enough, although it could be a little more slimline around the pump to cut down on unnecessary plastic. The first thing I noticed when I tried a bit on my hand was the scent. I don't usually like heavily scented products but I really loved the lingering sweetness of this lotion. It's quite delicate and I did not find it overpowering at all. It smooths over the skin easily and not a huge amount of product is needed to achieve results. I suffer from quite dry skin especially on the shins and forearms and I found using it after a shower locked in moisture for the day ahead and was a relaxing part of my nightly routine. Unlike other more heavy duty creams and lotions I've tried before, this delivered on hydration without the lingering oiliness. It's lightweight and perfect for the warmer months.

I’ve never used an eyelash serum before and was sceptical about what benefits it could possibly offer. How I was proven wrong on the Trial Team! The serum comes packaged in tube similar to a mascara and is clear. The plastic applicator has a small brush on the end for precision application. The applicator comes out with plenty of product on it and it is easily applied on the outer sides of the eyelashes. This is recommended to be carried out as the final step in a nightly skincare regime so that it has time to sink in and that it not be interfered with by other beauty products - I usually put it on after brushing my teeth before bed. After a week I was already noticing a difference in the length of my eyelashes and found that my mascara was going on better and had better staying power throughout the day. My only qualm with the product is that some mornings my eyes do feel a bit “gunky”, but it’s nothing my regular wash and cleanse can’t fix up.

There was quite a craze around these when they first came out. I wasn't convinced that they wouldn't kink my hair and I wasn't really in need of any new hair ties. A few Priceline 50% haircare sales came and went, and all I could find were black Style Guards, but when a clear set were finally in stock during a sale, I decided to snap a pack up. In terms of what they promise, they won't kink your hair if you don't tie it up too tightly or for too long - at least that is what I've found with my relatively thin hair. What I do love about these are that they provide excellent hold and way more volume to my ponytail than any other hair tie I have ever used. They also make putting my hair into a messy bun much more straightforward and loose ends tuck under the spiral design with ease. The plastic can snag a little, especially if my hair has been in a bun, but it's easy enough to tug free. These are not easy to lose like other hair ties - in fact, I have not lost one yet. Sure, they might be a bit more expensive, but I think they're worth it!

I received a Rio De Janeiro candle for a family Secret Santa Christmas present last year. One of the gift ideas I had suggested was a new Glasshouse candle with a fresh scent (as I find some of the sweet fragrances quite overpowering). Well, my Secret Santa delivered with this - not only is the bright tangerine colour a great decorative feature, but the fragrance packs a fruity punch. It hit the brief of a fresh scent perfectly and is lovely during the warm months. Like all other Glasshouse candles, it smells great unlit, but is even more intense once it is lit. Cared for properly, the candle lasts for many hours and the remaining wax is easily transferred into a wax burner to really get the most out of the scent.

My partner gets mild dandruff, but in the colder winter months, his skin and scalp become quite dry which exacerbates the problem and causes irritation. I usually buy him regular Head and Shoulders shampoo, but found this one specifically for dry scalp care for him to try and it's been excellent! It lives up to its claims by not only eradicating dandruff, but providing moisture for the scalp to relieve itchiness associated with it becoming dry from cold weather, loss of moisture with heating and warm showers. Hair is soft and clean after use and it has a bit of a milder smell than the regular formula.

I picked up a pack of these in the latest beautorium Rewards Room as I like to have wipes on hand to remove makeup if I am out of my washable cotton rounds. I find baby wipes to be more gentle on my skin generally than dedicated makeup-wipe products. I have found these wipes to be excellent, particularly in comparison to other baby wipe products. The wipe itself is plain (others often have embossing which I find a little rough) and offers good moisture - a little wetter perhaps than other similar products, but this helps with the removal of makeup. The packaging maintains the wipes well - though it's a sticker closure, I have found no issues with it re-attaching or the wipes drying.