Sainsbury's Distilled Witch Hazel

For some reason many Boots are failing to stock Witch Hazel now, and I was going slightly mad trying to find somewhere that did.  Fortunately, my partner managed to find some hiding at Sainsbury's, and its even ever so slightly cheaper than the Boots ones were.  It works just as well, I haven't noticed any real difference. As I said in my in my previous post, Witch Hazel is an extraordinarily important part of my skincare routine, and since I wrote the last one I've convinced a few other people of this as well. It can function as something of an aftershave for men, but I recommend using it on the in-between days (if you don't shave every day) as well, much the way women would use it daily on their faces.

The key components continue to be that this is a clear no-additive liquid, with a primary use in basic personal care and various secondary uses in first aid and in astringent type routines such as make-up removal.  If anyone does hear of any other shops selling this, I'd be happy to buy and compare their products as well, mostly to make sure no-one is slipping something useless into a fairly small system.  Otherwise, enjoy where you can find it!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 2
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 9
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 7
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: NO
*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.

Duracell AA PlusPower Batteries

As I stated last week, I use AA batteries quite variably, and I informally tried to compare these, which are meant to hold their top power for longer but have a shorter overall life, to the Boots extra long life which do the opposite.  I have to admit, they have a reasonably long life themselves.  They can experience temporary power drops, but usually leaving them alone for days or weeks means when you use them again they're back to before, and they do hold their initial power very well.  Inasmuch as I notice, I think there is a stage where they drop too much in power for me before they die. They respond better than the long life in terms of being left alone and coming back up, but both respond and I think I draw slightly too much energy to use the long life to all of their potential.  I possibly favour these but don't have a side by side comparison.  There certainly isn't a glaring enough difference for me to choose anything other than 'whichever is cheapest' at this point in time!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 3
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 8
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 9
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
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: POSSIBLY
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Most ages

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

Boots AA extra long life batteries

I use AA batteries fairly sporadically for a lot of things, and I haven't always had luck with rechargeables which are ever so slightly bigger.  I was told that the extra long life ones will in fact have a 'longer' life, but will lose their initial power sooner. I can verify that they do have a long life compared to any AA I've ever had, and they do seem to lose some of their punch a bit faster, but as long as you are running them in a lower usage piece of equipment you won't notice.  I haven't done a strict side-by-side, but I'm favourably impressed. 

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 3
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 8
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 9
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 

*Do I think its the best in its field: POSSIBLY
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Most ages

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

Pantene Ice Shine Shampoo

I'm feeling guarded but optimistic about this shampoo so far. Its one of several I've purchased in my bid for a new shampoo, and its the best of the lot. I think I'd like to try some that are specialist for curly hair, still. My fair is both curly and fine, and suffers from issues with frizz / flyaways and being limp like wet noodles.  This shampoo does go some distance towards making my hair feel more moist, slightly shinier, and when used with enough product creates a long lasting frizz free mess of curls.  This is significant - some shampoos cannot be rescued by product, this one can. It doesn't on its own or with conditioner control frizz, however, even with hairspray. I'm not quite sure why - it almost seems to make it worse. It also does a good job cleaning. It leaves me perplexed, and its not my ideal, but it does have a definite worth!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 4
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 5
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 6
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 7
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 2 (Given for good packaging) 
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: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Teenagers, People with fine hair

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

Boots Provitamin Volumising Shampoo

I'm less than impressed, I must be honest. Boots does many own brand things well, even exceptionally, but this shampoo is not it.  It does clean fairly well - which is admittedly the main purpose of shampoo and one many fail on.  Also, as a volumising shampoo it made no technical claims about frizz, flyaway hairs, or shine.  So its failure to impart any of these things may be a label technicality issue. Most people who want volume, however, have fine hair. Most people with fine hair have frizz or flyaway issues. Equally, you can't have everything. I guess my final complaint, though, is it isn't really very volumising either! It weighs quite heavily on my hair as compared to other similar shampoos (Aussie, Pantene). I haven't tried other 'own-brand' shampoos, mostly because they have a bad reputation especially for tricky hair. My hair, by disclaimer, is both curly and fine, also described as 'infinitely hard to deal with.'

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 2
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 3
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 7
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 4
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: YES
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Teenagers, People with fine hair

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

Nivea Invisible Black & White Roll On Deodorant

I have mixed feelings about this one, and had hoped to have a sounder appreciation for it by the time I reviewed it.  It doesn't leave any obvious white marks on clothes for me, and certainly doesn't have a high incidence of yellow ones.  It does have some, however, somewhat noticeably on pale tops (i.e. light blue) rather than white.  I also need more than one application a day if I'm very active - whilst other people I know claim it builds up on their skin like a protective layer of flaky... skin? Its at least reasonably odour controlling, but could be better.  Its happily cheap on offer and it doesn't sting on sensitive skin as far as I can tell. I do want to try and improve my lot, but its not useless.  

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 3 (1 on offer)
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 5
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: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Male, Teenagers

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

Springforce Toilet Roll

This is, in my opinion, the absolute best value for money toilet roll out there at the moment. Its still cheap - only just above the value ranges.  It possibly lasts longer. Its certainly less flimsy, larger, a better overall texture. Its not "silky silky soft" which drives me crazy anyway. It doesn't shed - once in a great while you get a pack that does slightly, but its rare. It is technically a Tesco brand, but its one they've done a good job with.

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

*Do I think its the best in its field: YES
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Female, Male

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

Boots Distilled Witch Hazel

Just to be very clear, this product is a clear liquid, and has no other additives.  The Boots own brand is sold in a clear bottle with their standard labelling.  Some other places also offer an own brand (Sainsbury's, for example) which theoretically should be comparable.

Witch Hazel is an astringent, and a key part of my skincare routine. I'd even go so far as to say its THE key part of my facial skincare routine, as I occasionally skip moisturiser but never the witch hazel.  Although it shouldn't contain alcohol, it still dries skin out, and as such most people would want to use it alongside a moisturiser (I generally do anyway.)  

It can further be used for a small selection of first aid purposes, and like any commercially available astringent it removes make-up.  It lasts for a long time, is not sensitive to sunlight insofar as I know, but the way I use it makes it prone to collecting skin from my hand in the bottle.  Pouring tends to waste it, though, so decanting it into smaller bottles is likely the way forward.

I particularly recommend it as a form of aftershave for men, and probably less recommend it for drier skinned women.  On the other hand, I'm no pro. My skin is roughly speaking "normal" and has had few spots or blemishes even when I was a teenager. On the other hand, I've been religious about daily simple attention to it, and not overdoing it.  Since I was twelve.  Your results may vary!

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 2
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 9
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 6 (Depends slightly on how you use it, decanting or pouring would help) 
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 9
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 1 
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 1

*Do I think its the best in its field: NO
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Teenagers, Female, Male,

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

British Theme: Ariat Wellies

In honour of my adopted countries' recent holiday, I thought I'd pick a British-type object to review.  It was this, or tea cosies.  I'm not in a good position to review tea cosies, though, so my beloved wellies are taking the stand.


My absolute favourite thing about Ariat shoes/boots is that they appear to have a model of my foot in the back room somewhere at the company.  I've never had a brand fit so consistently, (although fashion trainers Tiger don't do badly.)  Your mileage may vary on this, but for me - I mean these wellies are better supported than most random shoes I would wear for fashion purposes.  Which is very cool :)


So they do the general things wellies do, they are waterproof and comfortable and actually not even too hot.  Equally, they don't get cold too easily either, though they are no substitute for actual winter boots if those are needed.

I have cheerfully worn them over trousers, or just with skirts or shorts and wellie socks.  A single pair of the fashionable type is entirely comfortable.  For practical purposes I'd wear something like coolmax riding socks, or in a pinch any sports socks, and then layer shooting socks over the top whilst wearing the wellies (and take those off but still have some socks on if I want riding or jodphur boots or another tighter fitting shoe.)


I also thoroughly enjoy the colour :) (Two choices).  I've tried on lots of others, and these are far more supportive and comfortable, and appear to be on the higher side of breathable.  They do have a small heel and spur rest, and are theoretically possible to ride in, although I do everything I can to avoid it as they're big compared to the normal size of my foot.

The one downside is they do decay along the front/sides where they bend, I presume from overexposure to urine or similar when mucking out regularly (and not rinsing them, just took them off outside my room instead.)  Probably most boots would, and probably I could have prevented it.  They're still almost entirely functional at this point, but I wouldn't wade in streams with them or run a hose straight at them for an extended time.


Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 5
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 8
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 5 (Still on the fence about this, they don't fall apart and I may have caused the problem I had, but equally I can't prove top durbility)
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 8 (But your mileage may vary depending on lifestyle)
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10 (Again, depends on your lifestyle.  If you live or work in the country, or consistently have to trek in the wet, they're a huge deal.  If you occasionally go to the country on holiday, less.  If you never leave London, well, they're not fashion wellies, even if they do serve the basic purposes)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 5 (In part for perfect fit, in part for colour enjoyment)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 7 (Ariat coolness varies, but they are at least a little cool.  I'd call them a ten, but in reality they are midrange of cool things, overall.)

*Do I think its the best in its field: NOT SURE
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Teenagers, Male, Female, Countryside Folk, Walkers, Festival Goers

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

Fairy Pomegranate & Honeysuckle

I seem to be thinking in themes lately, so I thought I would put a last bit of washing up review on.  Mostly because this is a <3.  Seriously, absolutely brings me the stupidest joy.  Mostly because it smells nice, I only *wish* they made fabric conditioner that smelled this nice.


So, if you live in the UK, you will tend to be aware that only Fairy really works well for washing up.  I can attest to that over and over, and sometimes *and over.*  It cuts through grease, actually, for real.  My hands feel better when I use it after grease or raw meat.  I've never tried the super special crazy platinum fairies (I know that's a dodgy plural!)  Insofar as I know, all of the normal ones work equally well, I've prolly tried about four of them, and never heard anyone else comment either.  So, its all about smell. 

I love this smell.  Honeysuckle on its own always seems too sickly for me, but the pomegranate just makes it perfect, I'm not sure I smell exactly pomegranate, but I smell a fruit modified honeysuckle that I adore.  Some people just don't smell it as much (tho don't find it offensive).  There are stronger smells available (like lemon, and apple).  Smell each of the bottles in the shop to make your own decision, but can I just recommend giving this one a chance if you're on the fence?

They even managed to make the red pretty (and I don't favour red).


Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 3
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 10
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10 (No other way to wash up, and washing up liquid can also be used to clean most other home surfaces)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 7 (Seriously makes me smile at random lots, more than almost anything else so cheap or chore related at the least!)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 2

*Do I think its the best in its field: YES
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Adults, Male, Female 

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

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm (Original)

Lip balm reached some sort of pinnacle when this was made, and one which the company itself has never equalled. I'm not saying I can't use other ones, if I have to, but they aren't as nice. They also don't tend to last as long, which means I run out quite quickly. Further, Burt's Bees is relatively resistant to being licked off (great for me when I'm nervous). It also makes me want to lick my lips slightly less, which is helpful... and seems to go on well under lipstick and reasonably under lip gloss. It also works great on the skin around your lips, and for those who care, its a nice solid unisex design. If your lips are bleeding (not just chapped) you probably want to go with something gentler in the first instance (possibly even another one of their line, I just don't find the variations strong enough). Otherwise, I fail to see how others can beat it.

Cost 1-10 with ten the most expensive: 7 (Its very expensive for lip gloss, particularly in the UK)
Value for money 1-10 with ten being the best: 9 (It lasts long enough to make up for the cost difference, and its better to boot)
Durability 1-10 with ten being the most: 9 (Most durable lip gloss I've ever found)
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10 (Hey, I live in places where its necessary AND I lick my lips. Double negative. Less necessary in Indonesia/Malaysia)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 4 (Peppermint makes me smile, and Burt's Bees has a bit of general happiness about it)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 5 (Its like enviro-cool, or geek-cool, but its still kinda cool!)

*Do I think its the best in its field: YES
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Male, Female, Most ages

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

Hairspray - Boots, its the best

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

This is a simple but heartfelt one. The best hairspray I've ever come across - and its Boots own brand. But, not all of them. To be really specific, the extra firm hold which is not perfumed. Any lighter or heavier of a hold doesn't really seem to work as well, and I'm not alone in thinking this, I've had this discussion with a handful of people. In interest of full disclaimer, I've never tried the perfumed versions, but I personally prefer products without added perfumes where I can, anyway. Its the light purple spray bottles, for those of you who want ease in shopping. And the large cans are a lot easier to work with, but they do all work. No frizz, no mess, doesn't weigh your hair down, and can be used as much as needed. ACE.

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: 8
Usefulness 1-10 with ten being the most: 10
Importance 1-10 with 10 being the most: 10 (I never really go a day without it)
Smile Factor 1-10 with ten being the most: 6 (Its important, but more relaxing than giggle inducing)
Cool Factor: 1-10 with ten being the most: 3 (Hairspray is cool... ish?)

*Do I think its the best in its field: YES
*Could I live without it: NO
*Target gender, age range, and possible further demographic targets : Male & Female (absolutely recommend for both), Any age over about 10 years of age, and honestly pretty much anyone who has hair more than about an inch in length that isn't dreaded or braided full time.