Daisy Lowe Speaks To PHP!

You'll be aware that I participated in the 'Get Set For Summer Challenge' in association with Gillette Venus and Braun recently. Well, Daisy Lowe is the 'legs' of the new Dual Epilator (that you'll possibly recall me reviewing a short while back on my YouTube channel-yep that dancing epilator) and recently she hosted the Braun Sound of Fashion event in London, an evening of music and fashion. Now, I have to admit I don't often get invited to press events, I'm not sure if it's due to my location or not being in the right clique! I guess it is easier and far cheaper for those who live in or around London to pop on a train rather than having an entire day of travel and overnight stay for peeps like me. However, given my health issues, it's normally unlikely that I'd be able to attend anyway (although it's always nice to be considered). This year though, my health is improving slightly (possibly not quite enough to run off to London...) but I made the decision that I should probably tackle such an event-just "go for it" as I say and to hell with the consequences! I did a little research online to suss out hotels and train tickets once I knew the date and this was when my grand plan hit a major snag. It was possibly because Wimbledon was on and thus very few hotels to be had, but it was going to cost around £500 for a room and travel for Mum and I (needed Mum to carry the luggage and lean on!). If I'm totally honest I did still consider it...but in the end £500 is just too much to spend on a flying visit, even if it is one of those 'once in a lifetime' opportunity things that I seem to have missed a lot of over the past 9 years.

However as sad I was not to go (and I genuinely was, especially as I'd got my hopes up), it was eased slightly by a little personalised interview with Daisy for my blog. How cool is that? You can see it above (if Blogger ever decides to upload it) and I'm sorry I couldn't bring you the sparkle and glamour of London. Sometimes I do regret that my life (or lack of) limits what I can bring to the blog, unfortunately there's nothing I can do to change that or speed up my recovery. On the plus side, being ill means I don't have work commitments that get in the way of blogging though, so there's a flipside to everything. I have a feeling I would have been very emotional on the trip to London and very reflective of what my life could've been and just how much I miss the city. It's now 10 years since I briefly lived and worked there and I really had the time of my life; it brought me out of my shell and firmly cemented what I'd always known, that I wanted a career in fashion. I always knew I had to come back to finish my last year at Uni though, but there was a massive part of me that wanted to be reckless and stay and completely change my life. However, it's a lot of coulda, woulda, shoulda's and perhaps that path wouldn't have worked out any better for me-you just never know do you? Getting too deep now, heehee! Anyway, hope you've all come up with a master plan on how to torture the techy boys if they haven't fixed my computer by Monday, there's so much I want to blog about just now and I'm extremely limited without my camera or PC.

Review: Braun Silk Epil 7 Dual Epilator

Hello lovelies-finally back after that full day of whatever from Blogger (updates or something). It gave me time to work on this little video of the new Braun Silk Epil 7 Dual Epilator (featuring Gillette Venus technology). You'll need to turn the volume up when I start talking because my camera records quietly and I can't seem to fix it! The guide shows you how to use the device including how to change the caps, what each one does, how to charge the device and all the accessories you get with it. I hope you find it useful. You can find this product at Boots currently on offer with £60 off.

Review: Gillette Venus Bikini Trimmer & Satin Care Shave Gel

You may recall I participated in the Gillette Venus 'Get Set For Summer Challenge' last year and had a lovely time doing so. I've been contacted again this year and received a lovely package last month, including those ASOS oversized sunglasses which I've barely taken off (see The Shoe Girl Diaries for photographic evidence!). I highly recommend the Venus products and am in good company as Jennifer Lopez is the new global ambassador for the brand (I'm sure you'll have seen plenty of the TV ad recently). If you'd like a reminder of the razors I previously reviewed, here are the links.
Venus Embrace
Venus Spa Breeze
Venus Oceana
I received their newest product, the bikini trimmer this time, and was keen to see how it performed. The product is designed to be used on the bikini line to shorten hair and is perfect to use before shaving or waxing (where hair should be of a certain length but relatively short to ease pain). It's aimed at being the alternative to the rather dangerous tool of scissors which nobody would really recommend! The blade is set back from a plastic comb and you just use it in a similar motion to shaving (in the direction of hair growth) and because the comb comes before the blade it's very safe and easy to use. The handle is similar to the Oceana disposable razor with the usual grip which is great for use in the shower. I also tried the Satin Care Avocado Twist Shave Gel-and I must admit I'm guilty of grabbing anything (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel) for creating a lather before shaving (unless I'm using the Spa Breeze which comes with built in shave gel). You only need a small squirt for a thick lather on each leg and the bottle didn't spurt out too much product which was good. It's a green gel which turns into a white foam when mixed with water. The only criticism from me is the avocado smell which isn't my favourite scent, but that's a personal/subjective thing and certainly not enough to stop me using the product. My legs definitely felt silky smooth afterwards, even before moisturising (photo below to prove-ignore the mysterious and rather unattractive bruise)!

J Lo Is A Goddess

Gillette Venus has announced Jennifer Lopez as it's new global ambassador!
They say; renowned for her show-stopping glamour, J-Lo is a fan of the fabulous Venus range for enabling her–and women all over the world–to get touchable smooth legs in the comfort of their own home. Speaking about the partnership Jennifer says: “The Venus brand empowers women and speaks to the ‘goddess’ in everyone of us. Every woman is a goddess in her own right when we let our best feminine self shine through. Venus keeps my legs looking beautiful, giving me the confidence to feel just like a goddess.”

I'm really pleased, I think the image above says it all really, she's the perfect 'legs' for the brand and a true 'goddess'. Oh and I love the shoes too!

Gillette Venus Embrace Giveaway

It's giveaway time readers! The lovely peeps at Gillette Venus Embrace have very kindly offered a fabulous gift pack for one of my readers. You can read my reviews of their products here Venus Embrace, Venus Oceana and Venus Spa Breeze and read on to find out how to enter...

To help embrace your inner goddess this party season, Venus is offering one lucky reader the chance to win a Venus Embrace pamper pack worth over £30, including Venus SatinCare shave gels and replacement blades. 

Venus Embrace has 5 blades, shaving you close so you can get closer under the mistletoe, whilst Venus SatinCare pampers your skin, leaving legs touchably smooth – with legs as gorgeous as these, the only stockings on your mind will be full of presents!
For more information on Venus Embrace visit www.gillettevenus.com/uk   
How to enter:
All you have to do is answer this simple question and you could be in with the chance of winning this fabulous prize!
Q: How many blades does the Venus Embrace have?

Prize pack includes:
•Venus Embrace razor
•Venus SatinCare Shave Gel x 3
•Venus Replacement Blades x 2 packs (of 3 blades)

Please leave your answer in the comments section of this post along with your email address so we can contact you if you win! This Prize Draw is open to all residents in the UK and ROI over 18 years of age, excluding employees of Procter & Gamble UK and its affiliates or agents, the families of such employees and any other person connected with this promotion. Entries must be received by midnight 19th December. Good luck!

Review: Gillette Venus Oceana

I've been trialling these gorgeous disposable Oceana razors by Gillette Venus. You may remember my review for the Spa Breeze recently-I loved them and must admit I was a little apprehensive to leave them behind to try something new, because I adored them so much!
The Oceana razors come in a 3 pack and are a lovely summery aqua shade. The pearlised rubber sections on the handle ensure it doesn't slip when wet and it just feels really lovely to hold. The rounded head pivots and has an almost spring like action when in use. I really liked this as it glided around my body with ease, reaching those difficult areas like ankle and knees and underarms.
I don't think I was quite as confident when I started using this as I was with the Spa Breeze (which had built in shaving gel and felt like a pillow!), but after a couple of uses, I realised it wasn't going to cut me! That's what I love about all of the Venus razors, they really do care for your skin and you can get as sloppy as you like with shaving and they still work wonders. I have to sheepishly admit that my legs were in a bit of a sorry state before I started using the Venus razors and I honestly see a vast improvement in them now. No bumps or razor burn or cuts.
The 3 blades give a close enough shave and are surrounded by protective cushions and an aloe strip which helps to glide. Although these are disposable razors, they absolutely feel like a premium product. I'd happily show them off to my gal pals and thoroughly recommend them, another top product from Venus!

Review: Gillette Venus Spa Breeze

I was very kindly sent a Venus 'Get Set for Summer' pack which included the new Gillette Venus Spa Breeze 2in1 razor. Now I'm pretty old school when it comes to razors, nothing too fancy, just a wet shave with some sort of shaving gel/shower gel/hair conditioner or whatever I can find! So how did I get on with this?
The Venus Spa Breeze is a disposable razor which comes with 2 heads and a handy shower pod (£7.99). It's pale pink and has a grip handle which didn't slip out of my hand when wet and was comfortable to hold. The razor heads are kept in sealed containers within the shower pod, so they don't get wet before you need to use them. When I first opened the casing, the scent (white tea) was quite overpowering, however during and after use it's hardly noticeable. The head clicks into place on the handle-very easy to use.
The unique aspect of this razor is that you don't need a separate shaving gel as it comes with 2 built in shave gel bars. When activated with water they produce a fine lather and you really don't need anything else. I loved this! It felt like you were shaving with a pillow, the razor just glides over the skin and you can't feel anything but softness! With use, these bars will wear down, but I haven't had any issues with them falling off nor have I needed to change the head yet. You get a reasonably close shave with the 3 blades and my legs felt mega smooth when I stepped out of the shower. I was running around asking everyone to "feel my legs"! I actually felt I didn't need the usual slathering of body lotion afterwards either.
I'm totally converted with this razor. I don't ever want to use anything else (even although I have a Venus Embrace sitting waiting for me). It's comfortable, feels like silk when shaving and I was left with no cuts or razor burn. The built in shave gel is perfect for travel-as you don't need to cart around a separate product and it really does it's job. The shower pod was handy to keep the extra cartridge in and to also keep the razor from getting gloopy between uses. As an added bonus it's a pretty pink colour and I honestly don't have anything negative to say! If you are impressed with the Venus Spa Breeze you can pick it up for half price (£3.99) in Boots right now. You can also purchase a pack of 4 refill cartridges for £8.99.