The Philips Lumea Precision Plus is a pretty nifty bit of kit for anyone with an obsessional dislike of body hair like myself. It is essentially a hand-held, domestic version of a salon IPL (Intense Pulse Light) machine.

How IPL Works
So first for a bit of pop science. The Lumea Precision works by emitting a broad spectrum light source (an intense xenon-based flash light to you and me) which targets the melanin in the skin. The light travels through the skin until it strikes the hair shafts or the root of the hair – which is where the most melanin is contained. The root of the hair shaft absorbs the light and heats up to the point where its hair-producing parts (the papilla) are destroyed. And bingo – the hair that you don’t want populating your legs/arms/face/most areas of the body bar head, die. Continue Reading

I’m always on the lookout for bath products. Bath time is ‘me time’. It’s generally the only twenty minutes during the day that I get to myself, so I like to make it special. To me that means a little bit of luxury. I don’t like cheap bath products. I don’t enjoy wallowing in chemicals and colourings. Instead I look for products that can be beneficial as well as enjoyable to use. Then, I grab my magazine and relax!
Clarins Relax Bath Shower concentrate is a great little product as it’s good for the shower too. Packed with essential oils that cleanse and release their benefits in warm water. Camomile, basil, st Johns wort and valerian blend to produce a foam to rub on skin leaving it smooth and fragrant.
Also by Clarins in their signature Eau Dynamisante fragrance is their Shower Mousse that takes me back to my teenage years, packed with ginseng, aloe vera and more essential oils , this ph-neutral foam is a gentle cleanser that leaves skin supple and revitalised.
So, something for the bath or the shower – in a rush or looking to relax. What’s not to like? Continue Reading

This isn’t a greatly thrilling post. It’s about personal care. Can it be? One thing I have to say though is that I was thrilled with both of these products when I tried them and they are a necessity. I can’t just recommend the fun stuff!
Anyway back to the brief. Two products that needed updating in my bathroom from much older, less efficient model; an electric toothbrush and an epilator. Both of utmost importance and both tiresome to use when they don’t do their job properly.
Let’s start with the toothbrush. Ever since electric toothbrushes came on to the market I was sold: I’m a stickler for dental hygiene. I was one of those kids with braces and now have lovely straight teeth so like to look after them. An electric brush is a no-brainer. Used correctly they clean teeth a million times better than manual brushing with minimal effort. I am shocked when I see people using manual brushes ( mainly on Big Brother- how can celebrities not look after their teeth?!!). It’s a big like not owning a mobile phone!
Anyway, I did my research and found that the latest model Braun Oral B  pro 5000 is the brush to buy. It tells you when you are pushing to hard (Smartguide technology), has a timer, a whitening mode and literally leaves your teeth feeling like you’ve just left the hygienist after a clean and polish. So, ladies and gentlemen, no need to research. I’ve done it for you. Continue Reading

If you want to keep you home looking stylish then the little touches make all the difference. If you can’t afford Italian sofas and your kitchen is more Ikea than Poggenpohl then little affordable luxuries can really help you feel more princess than pauper. Continue Reading

As you all know, I’m a sucker for anything that makes a lot of promises. I love products that have multiple benefits. In this day and age nobody needs primer, serum, moisturiser, concealer, powder and foundation. ‘Foundation’- to me the word seems like a word from yesteryear. Does anyone really actually ever wear it? Okay, I’m an easyish-to-please customer. I have mostly problem-free skin. That said, I do have the odd red patch, uneven tone. Everyone looks better with an even finish. Continue Reading