Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour All-Over Miracle Oil Review

I have featured this lovely oil a couple of times on the blog but I thought it deserved its own review. I have enjoyed using it during Winter and now in Spring and it has quickly risen to become one of my favourite oils. I am sure everyone (and their mamas) have definitely heard about the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream which has such a cult following. It can be used for addressing many skin issues. I was rather intrigued to hear that they had formulated an oil version of this miracle product- Elizabeth Arden Eight Cream All Over Miracle Oil*.  I said Yes immediately I was asked to try it out. It did not disappoint me at all and it was love at first spritz (yes, it actually sprays in a mist which is totally new for me).






Packaging

I am a big fan of packaging as you all know but I get totally weak in the knees when the presentation and packaging are amazing. I received this lovely package just before Valentine’s Day and my heart skipped several beats when I unwrapped it. It came in a red and white packaging complete with a bow and I almost never wanted to unwrap it. It even came in a red envelope and that’s how much attention to detail was put behind this press package and I love it. Inside the box lay the gorgeous Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Oil among the white tissue/straw wrapping. It’s just one of the boxes I won’t be throwing away as it would come in handy for makeup storage. There was also a small card detailing the various ways the oil can be used which I found very handy (it can be used as a post shave oil, massage oil, cuticle softener, etc ). I am very impressed with the overall packaging. Elizabeth Arden usually has really lovely and practical packaging so I was not surprised that this oil was amazing as well. I have never seen an oil that comes in a spray mist bottle so you can imagine how curious I was to give it a try. I have tried quite a few oils but this has to be lightest I have ever tried and it almost does not look like an oil. It sprays a nice mist which makes it really easy to use on the face, body and hair. The pump is also quite secure and it also has a lid which prevents any spillage issues when travelling with it.

Elizabeth Arden’s description of this Oil

They describe this oil as a versatile multi-tasking formula for the face, body and hair. It is infused with Tsubaki Oil (which is also known as The Japanese Camellia Oil) and it’s excellent for quick absorption and permeating deep into the lower layers of the skin. It is also enriched with a blend of oils including Avocado Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil and Olive Oil which have amazing skin and hair benefits.  Some other added benefits of the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Oil include cell growth, support and flexibility as well as anti-aging. According to the Elizabeth Arden website, the Eight Hour Oil is designed to soothe and calm redness while combating uneven skin tone leaving the skin rejuvenated and comfortable. With these powerful claims and description, I was very delighted to see if it lived up to my expectations

Texture/Formula/Fragrance

I seriously cannot get over how amazing the texture of this oil is. It is super light (like when I mean light, I mean very light in texture). Sometimes, I even forget I am using an oil but it still retains all the benefits you would get from using an oil sans any unpleasant sticky or thick texture. It also sprays as a light mist which is incredible and makes it a delight to use. It’s one of the few oils I can use in the morning as a result of its beautiful texture. The formula also feels quite hydrating especially when I use it as the last part of my skincare routine. It just helps lock in the moisture to my skin. A few people have asked if it smells like the Eight Hour Cream and I have to say it does not. Instead, it has a light pleasant fragrance that you would not notice unless you were looking out for it. It certainly does not have the typical smell of an oil but it has a nice light scent that does not interfere with its use.

Application/How I use this Oil

I have combination oily skin and I generally prefer to use my oils at night but I have attempted this on a few mornings and it was actually fine. I did get slightly shiny under my makeup compared to when I had a regular moisturiser but it was not as bad as I feared. I feel it would be so much better if I did not wear any makeup. Also, if you have dry skin and you are struggling to get a glow, you would actually love a light spritz of this oil as a moisturiser before you apply your makeup.  However, I used it consistently on my face every night for a good while and I enjoyed using it.   I don't spray it directly on my face; instead I spray it on my hands and then massage it across my face. It is more manageable that way. I like how warm the oil feels on my face when I warm it up in my hands first. On my hair, it is so easy to use because it sprays as a mist and I can lightly spritz my hair before styling or before straightening my hair extensions. The light texture means it does not weigh my hair down like some other oils I have used in the past (and it does not stain my beddings either). My elbows and knees (and legs in general) tend to get dry when the weather changes and this oil has been instrumental in keeping them moisturised with a natural glow. Overall, you do need the littlest amount at a time and you can build it up if you wish. 

Results
One major thing I noticed with the use of this oil was an improvement in the texture of my skin (especially on my face). My face feels softer than before especially in the morning after I have used it the previous night. I feel like it also helped even out my skin tone although I have been using Glycolic Acid as well. I love the luminous glow I get in the morning especially during winter when I was battling with very dull skin. I love to use oils on my hair (my natural hair and extensions) but I do find that some oils sit heavy on my hair. The Elizabeth Arden Oil is definitely one of the lightest oils I have used and it helps lock in the moisture. I have not noticed any extra growth per say but it definitely has prevented any breakage and damage that may have occurred when I straighten/apply heat to my hair. On my extensions, it is an absolute dream to use and restores the natural shine that hair extensions lack after a while (especially as they are not growing directly/getting any nutrients from the head/body). 

Cost // Link //£29
It retails for £29 which I think is a fair amount given the quality and the amount you get (100ml). Most skincare products usually come in 30 ml especially oils and they last for ages so believe me, this would last forever. I still have a lot left despite consistently using it. I only recently noticed it went down a little after I used it while I was straightening my entire hair extensions. If you buy directly from the Elizabeth Arden website, you also get amazing samples (deluxe sizes) or you can get a gift set at the same price. There are other retailers that sell it including John Lewis, Feel Unique (who currently have it for £21.75), etc. 

Overall Thoughts

I am super impressed with this oil and I am so glad that I got a chance to try it out. I would take it along with me when next I am back in Nigeria  to see how well it holds up in warmer weather. I am sure I won't be disappointed. If you suffer form dry and/or crusty skin and you hate the greasy feeling of many oils, this is the perfect choice for you. If you have acne prone combination-oily skin like me and you want a good oil that does not sit heavy on the skin, this is an amazing choice. I did not experience any breakouts from this oil but it is best to test it out first to ensure it won't break you out. My skin can break out at the slightest instant but this oil did not break me out at all. It's a winner in my books. That's pretty much it!! Thanks for reading and I hope you found this review useful. Have you tried the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Oil?
*PR Sample + Affiliate links, read my full disclaimer here

Celebrity You Natural Hair Care Review

I have been taking care of my hair a little more than I used to a few years ago and I have seen a lot of changes. I am not too precious about sulfate free and non-sulfate free per say but I do gravitate towards natural products where I have the option. Over time, I have come to understand my hair and what it loves/hates. One thing it always seems to love is any product that helps it retain moisture as it can get quite dry which is not uncommon with afro texture hair. I was incredibly lucky to be gifted with these lovely natural hair care products from Celebrity You Natural. I came across this lovely brand back in December 2015 when I attended the First Lady Conference (where I was a Guest Speaker on blogging). I was privileged to meet the founder of the brand, Elizabeth, who is also a Pharmacist. The crazy thing is we actually went to the same University in Nigeria but she was a few years ahead of me. I was really pleased and proud of her and her brand. I have enjoyed using these products for the past few months. I thought it would be nice to share my thoughts on these natural hair care products and how I use them on my hair.

Celebrity You Natural Overview

The Celebrity You Natural range is a subsidiary of Celebrity Premium Hair which was also founded by Elizabeth Salami. She was inspired to create hair and skincare products from naturally derived ingredients as they worked incredibly well on all hair and skin textures. Whenever I have the chance to use naturally derived ingredients, I always try to choose them because I know they are good for my hair and skin in general. I love that all the products within this range don't contain Parabens or Mineral Oils and they are made from 99%  Organic and Natural Ingredients. They are also suitable for all hair textures and for children as well. You can imagine how pleased I was to try out some products from this brand. I was kindly gifted with the following products: Soy Protein Nourishing Leave In Conditioner*, 3-in-1 Moisturising Detangler*, Triple Action Hair Food Repair Treatment* and the Castor and Olive Oil Hot Oil Treatment*. You can check out their website here and their social media channels (Twitter, Instagram and Facebook) where they post about discounts and offers. They also stock hair extensions in different textures and wigs which you can check out here.

Celebrity You 3-in-1 Moisturising Detangler* // Link //£7.99

If you have curly or frizzy hair, you would definitely be a huge fan of anything that can help easily detangle it. I don’t have massive tangles in my hair because I always ensure I take care of it and comb it from root to tip. I know many people take great care of their hair to prevent detangling but still get tangles happens especially with Afro hair. The worst kind of tangles are the single strand knots which are absolutely soul destroying because they would inevitably lead to your hair coming off. This is where this gorgeous Detangler does an amazing job. When it is wash day or hair day (which takes up almost my entire day), I start off with detangling my hair. I love that this detangles sprays an even mist which coats sections of my hair really well. You all know I cannot deal with products which have terrible spray mist systems and I am very pleased with the way this detangler sprays. I  usually part my hair into four sections and work my way through each section. In each section, I make smaller sections and I spray the detangler from root to tip. I also run my fingers through these sections while I spray them. Once this is done, I get a wide toothed comb  and comb through each section. The detangler leaves my hair thoroughly detangled, soft and smelling nice (even though I am just preparing it to wash). It has helped make my hair more manageable and I have been getting less shedding. I am really pleased with it and highly recommend it if you deal with unruly or frizzy hair of if you have kids with frizzy hair. 

Celebrity You Soy Protein Nourishing Leave-in Conditioner* // Link //£9.99

The first thing I noticed was it has a pump which I absolutely love because it means that I can dispense a sensible amount of product. I think this is actually my favourite product from the range because it works really well with my hair no matter what hair style I am wearing. It promises to moisturise, restore and strengthen the hair and I can tell you it does what it says on the tin. It is enriched with Avocado Oil, Pataua Oil and Shea Butter which are well known for keeping the hair in the tip top shape. This leave- in conditioner came in very handy during the winter season when my hair kept getting dry and it helped retain moisture and sheen. I also love that it does not weigh my hair down like some leave in conditioners I have tried in the past (you do need the littlest amount).  I love to use this at night so that it works even better while I sleep and I can wakeup up to soft and moisturised hair (which reduces the amount of time I need to spend on my hair in the day). Whenever I want to wear my hair in a curly style, I just apply this leave-in conditioner from root to tip and do a little braid. My curls are absolutely popping in the morning after using it the night before. I have even used it a few times in the morning and my hair still had a nice curl to it. If you suffer from dry hair or you use a significant amount of heat on your hair, this leave-in conditioner would really help restore and hydrate your hair. I absolutely love it.






Celebrity You Triple Action Hair Food Repair Treatment* // Link //£14.99
When I first saw the texture of this Hair Food Repair, I thought it would be so thick and we won't get along at all. I was very wrong and I am glad I was because it is a really fantastic product. Yes, it does look quite thick but it has a unique way of melting into your scalp or hair and you would hardly notice it. It is designed to repair, strengthen and encourage hair growth and to back these claims hair loving ingredients have been used in the formula. Some of them include Castor Seed Oil, Organic Shea Butter and Peppermint Oil. I know from my little hair research that Castor Seed Oil is amazing for hair growth (not just on the scalp but also for lashes and brows) so I was really pleased to see it in the ingredient list. Shea Butter is amazing for moisturising the hair and Peppermint Oil is also know to stimulate hair growth. I am not too crazy about Peppermint Oil but I am glad it's not too overwhelming in this product.  I use the Hair Food Repair mainly around my hair edges which are currently having a mind of their own. I have seen very good improvements and I would report back once I am done. I need to be more consistent with its use but I usually forget because my edges are currently hiding under my extensions. (Note to self- remember to use this more often). Apart from my edges, I use it when I have cornrows as it keeps my scalp fresh and it does not clog it up at all. The Hair Food Repair can be used in any capacity and I am sure it would work fine. It also contains other ingredients such as Carrot Oil and Aloe Vera which have antimicrobial and antifungal properties that can help fight any scalp issues like dandruff. It really feels soothing when used on the scalp and that's the beauty of peppermint oil.





Celebrity You Castor and Olive Oil Hot Oil Treatment* // Link //£8.99
Last but certainly not least is the Hot Oil Treatment which is such a treat to use on my hair days. Honestly, I feel using this hair treatment just makes my Pamper Day complete because it has such a calming effect on me. As the name suggests, it is a hot oil treatment which means you need to add a little amount in a bowl and place it in another bowl of hot/warm water to warm it up. The instructions are on the bottle which I found really handy and easy to follow. You need to ensure the oil is not too hot as it may burn your scalp; I suggest a little warmer than body temperature (you can test it at the back of your palm/hand). Once you have the desired temperature, massage it across your scalp and tips of your hair, pop on your favourite shower cap or hair cap and relax for 30 minutes. When the 30 minutes or more if you like is over, you simply wash your scalp and hair and say hello to a fresh and sexy hair/scalp. My hair ends sometimes look a bit crap especially when it needs a trim, this hot oil treatment makes them look alive and very refreshed. It contains impressive ingredients including Castor Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Olive Oil and Essential Oils (Frankincense, Rosemary and Lavender). I really recommend trying this especially if you have had a tough week as it is very relaxing.


Overall Thoughts
I am very impressed with all the products I was kindly gifted and even more with how affordable they are. Most times, I always think that Natural/Organic products could be expensive but this range has kept it really affordable. I feel like anyone can afford this including students on a tight budgets who want to maintain their hair. They are definitely worth checking out. I hope you enjoyed this review. Have you tried any products from the Celebrity You Natural range?
*Gifted PR Sample, read my full disclaimer here

March 2016 Favourites

I am so pleased that this year has been a fast one so far and we are done with March. I don't know about you but I find March longer than many months (Yes, I know it has 31 days but still there is something so looooooooooooooong about it). I think the fact that it has 5 Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays makes it seem longer than most months. Anyway, I am glad it's over and I actually loved and discovered some amazing products. I have not taken any photos this time around but I filmed a video which I hope you enjoy. You can find it a direct link here or watch it embedded above. If you subscribe here, it would totally make my day. That's pretty much all and I hope you have had an amazing weekend. What was your absolute March Favourite product?...xx

Brown Beauty Talk Feature- What's in my Makeup Bag?

I don't think I have done a "What's in my Makeup Bag?" post in a little while and there are one of my favourites to watch/read. Well, I have got you all covered as I have been featured on the amazing Brown Beauty Talk website. When the Editor Ronke asked me if I wanted to share what was in my makeup bag, I leapt at the chance and I felt very honoured. I have met Ronke on a few occasions at events and she is always so lovely and has done an incredible job with Brown Beauty Talk. You can check out the website here and follow on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter. There is also a Twitter Chat with Hashtag #BBT every Sunday by 8pm and it's really interesting. I am always late but happy to read the comments on the chat afterwards as I learn a lot. 

Here is a direct link to my feature on the Brown Beauty Talk website and do let me know what your must have makeup product is. See you in my next post...xx