Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel nose strips

These are great, really useful! What they *aren't* is idiot-proof.  In fact, I'd say they require a somewhat higher than normal level of user engagement than most beauty products.

Personally, I found they worked brilliantly, and so did many other people I know.  This is on the backdrop of many others having worked poorly or not at all. I've not met anyone whom they didn't work for, however I will agree that they are expensive, the best way to buy them is on a 2 for 1, where at about 42p a strip they feel much better than usual.  There is also a 3 for 2 offer on sometimes.  (Others are expensive too though, its not a monopoly.)

When it comes to using them, most bad reviews I've read are from users who just failed to follow the instructions or grasp how to use the product.  You do need to actually press it along your skin, not just attach it like a tent to a few points on your nose.  Also, the part about your nose being wet is important to getting it to stick, and the part about your hands being dry is important to not ruining it!  I did mention they weren't entirely user friendly... but they're so worth it.

They can be tricky to take off sometimes if you leave them too long, or just a bit painful.  Still, you do want to wait till it goes all dry and crispy or you won't get good results.  A small amount of glue does get left behind at times, but large amounts are often a sign of having gotten a step wrong (and frequently they won't have worked as well at that point either.)


Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 6
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 7
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 5
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 8
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 5
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 2 

*Do I think its the best in its field: MAYBE
*Could I live without it: YES, BUT MY LIFE WOULDN'T BE AS GOOD
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Teenagers, All genders.

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

Make-up Basics: Sephora Powder

I try to stay relatively gender neutral, and not spend loads of time talking about make-up.  Even though there are loads of products, and I have a fair number of opinions on them!  Occasionally, though, I can branch out without feeling guilty, and this is a basic that is especially useful in the summertime.


In general, powder helps your foundation last longer, can be a smoothing touch-up, and is VERY useful when photos are being taken.  My one nod out to the men of the world and this post is- if you're having a heavy day of photos (wedding or similar) you actually do want a skin matched powder to be applied and occasionally touched up.  You don't have to have it over anything, just to break the shiny.


So I know there are varying ways to approach foundation, cover-up, and powders, but I've never been a fan of the all in one type.  For any other combination, the powder will really help, and it can be applied very lightly and help ease lines.  I personally apply it with a powder brush, for which you can get away with lower quality ones more than with any other make-up brush. That said, I have been SO happy with my nicer one, and it has been hugely durable besides.

I do realise that if you live in the UK, this is a bit of an ask.  Practically every other country has Sephora, so you can pick it up on holiday easily, but still an unfortunate thing.  In my humble opinion, its worth it - I haven't had as much luck with any other powders, and its fairly inexpensive as well.

Match your skintone perfectly, or get the warm version of your skin-shade (it depends slightly on whose advice you listen to.)  I use D20, and they come with a mirror and pad.  The mirror is only slightly useful, I prefer the one in my Smashbox cream eyeliner palette, but it is better than nothing!


Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 3
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 5
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 5 (It does last, but not forever.  Touch-ups are required.  Also, they are occasionally prone to shattering within their case, which makes them useable but go faster, and slightly messier.)
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 8
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 7
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 2 
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 3

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES, BUT MY LIFE WOULDN'T BE AS GOOD
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Teenagers, Female, Special Events, Anyone getting their photos taken 

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.

A day late, but extra excited... Tesco cotton wool buds

I know, seriously, right? But I love cotton wool buds in every way. I may not be supposed to... but they really are handy with my generally otherwise sad ears, and they take nail polish off... and are generally good for cleaning small things. Tesco has a very sensible and useful approach, although they do have a weird beauty variant which has two different ends, is ok for certain types of cleaning, but otherwise very annoying! Still, the main ones... they work. And I have over the years found several brands that don't... in all sorts of countries!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 1
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 10
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 4
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 7
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 7 (There really aren't any good replacements)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 (Neutral)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 (It really isn't...)

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES, BUT MY LIFE WOULDN'T BE AS GOOD
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Male, Female, Most ages, Babies

OPI Natural Nail Base Coat

Really splendidly done, I wish I had discovered it sooner. Its easy on, one thin coat, dries easily and smoothly, and makes all the difference. Without it, most nail lacquers (OPI included) look quite thin and don't have a good colour. WIth it, one good coat or two thin ones makes a strong gorgeous colour, and it lasts. I tend to keep the same colour on, and topping up just the lacquer seems to work fine.

I'm not sure I agree with the claim that it prevents staining, as I had a very dark coloured lacquer which still stained, and never normally have problems regardless.

I find a really smooth vibrant long lasting finish just from using this, and don't bother with top coats or sprays, which I tend to feel are for shininess more than anything. But then I only do my toes, preferring just to file/buff my fingers. Relatively, though, its the base which seems to make it last. It seems to work with other nail varnishes as well, although I tend to like OPI the best.

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 5 (small bottle around £10)
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 9 (Lasts approximately forever, doesn't need updating with seasons, and makes nail lacquers worthwhile.)
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 6 (Its hardly invincible but its not prone to issues)
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 9 (An absolute MUST within nail varnishes, only really superseded in nail care by clippers & file)
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 4 (Nail varnish itself isn't that important. But its the first step, even with just one colour)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 (Doesn't mean it makes me UNhappy, so won't be tagged negatively)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 2 (Only awarded cos OPI is a cool-ish brand)

*Do I think its the best in its field: POSSIBLY
*Could I live without it: YES, BUT MY LIFE WOULDN'T BE AS GOOD
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Female, Most ages

Disclaimer: No financial interest in this company and no-one else asked me to do this review.