Testing: Facial Wax Strips

I've decided to start a new mini series on my blog, testing new (to me) products and beauty tricks that I've never tried before. If you have any suggestions on what types of testing reviews you'd like to see here, let me know!

Wax strips are nothing new to me, I have been waxing my eyebrows at home for the past four Years. I find wax strips really easy to use, very effective and very inexpensive. I've never before tried facial wax strips though, so this was my first time testing them out. The product I've been testing out over the past few Weeks are the Jolen Wax Strips. I know hair removal is sometimes seen as a taboo subject to discuss, but I'm here today to shed my thoughts on a product I've always been really intrigued to try, and figured, if I am eager to hear more about these types of things, maybe you are too?

The Jolen Facial Strip Wax aim for a 'quick and effective method of removing unwanted hair from the face'. Included in the kit are 16 individual wax strips, already shaped and suited for the upper lip.They state that they are suitable for sensitive skin, and are enriched with chamomile and grape seed oil.
The strips themselves are already pre-coated which is definitely the best part about them in my opinion - I do not want to be messing around with hot wax.

Does it work?
Jolen claim for their wax strips to last up to four weeks. It has been around three Weeks or so of me first trialing them, and I do agree with them here. I really liked the strips as the instructions are easy to follow and the strips are already cut into shape. They do remove even the shortest hair.

Did it hurt?
I wouldn't say using this method is painful or uncomfortable for me, but we all have different pain thresholds. My skin didn't feel irritated after using this and it didn't cause a reaction to my skin. It left a slight redness, which disappeared after two hours or so.

Would I use this product again?
Yes, I would actually. I think the Jolen wax strips work really well and are incredibly inexpensive costing just 90p! They are available in store at Primark - I definitely recommend you to check them out.

*PR sample. All views my own, as always*

Tips on How to Get Smooth Legs

In aid of getting my body Summer ready, I have been using a few different products to make me feel a little more confident for when the weather picks up a little. I have been after some wax strips for my legs for a while; I shave my legs in the Winter, but for Summer, I feel waxing is so quick and easy and lasts a lot longer than shaving so when the weather is warmer or if I am off to a special event, I think wax strips are ideal.

I thought I would share a few other tips on how to get your legs feeling super soft and smooth.

• Cleanse and exfoliate - exfoliating the skin removes dead skin cells which makes the skin much more clear for hair removal
• Hair removal is personal choice - if you do choose hair removal you can shave, wax, use an epilator, hair removal creams - there a few different options. 
• Shaving is a great way of leaving your legs feeling smooth, especially when used with a shaving cream or body wash. Always be careful when shaving and don't share razors!
• Waxing can be expensive if you go to a beauty salon, so waxing strips can be ideal to do at home to prolong that smooth feeling on your legs. I have been using Veet's Wax Strips Natural Inspirations which are for normal skin. They are super easy to use by following the simple instructions on the box. They come with finish wipes too to remove any of the wax after use. They leave my legs feeling super soft and they work really well and last a lot longer than shaving, I would definitely recommend as they are reasonably priced too.
• Moisturising your legs after shaving will help to keep them feeling soft for longer.
• Drink water as this is proven to keep you hydrated which were help to keep your skin to feel smooth.

What are your top tips for smooth legs?

*Post includes PR sample*

Bold is Beautiful with Benefit Cosmetics

Hi beauties. You may already know that Benefit Cosmetic's Bold is Beautiful philanthropy project is helping charities Look Good Feel Better, who support women challenged by the visible side effects of cancer treatment, and Refuge who support women and children escaping domestic violence.

In May 2015, Benefit are also donating all profits from the brow wax services to Bold is Beautiful. Head to your nearest brow bar and boutique to get your brow wax done and receive a free full size Gimme Brow product worth £18.50* as a thank you. I am heading out this Weekend to have my eyebrows waxed, I can't wait. It is fantastic that the brand are donating all profits to the charities, what a brilliant campaign!

You can also pick up a pair of fun pink brow glasses for some photo fun! All profits go to charity.
Benefit have all sorts going on with their #boldisbeautiful campaign, you can read more about it and learn how to get involved here.

ACORELLE SUGAR WAX ROLL-ON WAX WITH STRIPS

Acorelle is a body and fragrance brand which specializes in using only natural ingredients. This Month I feature two of their products, whcih I have used together. I am reviewing the Sugar Wax Roll - On, and I previously featured the Body Scrub.

Sugar Wax Roll-On - How Does it Work?

I was really intrigued to try this concept of waxing. The concept is pretty simple, and easy to do once you get the hang of it. To use, I simply exfoliated my skin the day before (I suggest using Acorelles Body Scrub - review here) before you get started. I then popped the wax into the microwave for only 15 seconds, ensuring all caps are taken off beforehand. I then waited a few minutes to ensure the wax has cooled down, before using the roll on to apply the wax onto the area of hair I wished to wax. I used quite a fair amount of product to ensure it covered the area of skin. I then fitted a strip (which is provided in the kit) ontop of the waxed area, applied pressure and pulled off the strip in the direction opposing hair growth. It was quite an easy and straight - forward technique once I got the hand of it. it is quite tricky on the first attempt, but I think as-long as you follow the instructions properly you will be fine.

The results were quite good. The product removed most of the hair in the areas which I waxed. The process wasn't too painful but it did pinch a little. The only thing I would say is that the sugar wax doesn't go far and you do need to use a lot on an area for it to remove the hair.

Of course - I do suggest you read the instructions provided with the product before using the kit yourself and to not just take my advice. You must be very careful using this product and maybe test it before you use it properly in-case your skin reacts to it. I must clarify I am no expert and I do recommend you read all the information provided with the product before you use on your own skin. 

The Acorelle Sugar Wax Roll - On Wax with strips is available from MyPure for a reasonable price of £12.49. I suggest using Acorelle's Body Scrub (you read my full review here) before using the wax for a great application to ensure of any dead skin cells are removed before waxing.



*This post contains PR samples/items which were sent to me for consideration to review. All opinions are 100 %  honest and my own. You can view my full disclaimer policy on the contact tab above*

Superdrug Eyebrow Shapers

I recently discovered these Eyebrow Shapers from Superdrug. They are basically little wax strips (similar to the type of wax strips you can get for your legs) but they are arched slightly and are a lot smaller, about the right size to shape your eyebrows. 

I've never waxed my eyebrows myself before, but I really do like using these! Its so much easier than spending a few hours plucking your eyebrows aimlessly in hope it makes a difference, or spending £ every 4-6 weeks to get them waxed by my beautician. Its a no brainer really, why did I not buy these sooner?!

They cost around £1.40 (ish) a pack, and you get 4 sleeves of assorted shapes (each sleeve holds 14 strips), which is a bargain really! They come with a little instruction booklet too, which off course you should definitely give a read before doing this.

Now, I am not saying that they make your eyebrows perfect in one go, you do have to work with them a little bit, but such a saving if you get them waxed or even threaded regularly like me.

Here are the before and after pictures. You probably can;t tell much difference, but there is a big difference in real life, honest!

Before 

(excuse my digusting self! It was after work and I looked a state!)

After 

Hopefully you can see the difference between the two!

I am really impressed! What do you think? 

xxx