SACHAJUAN - GINGER FLOWER BODY COLLECTION

March 12, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

As a huge fan of the cult, ‘Scandi’ haircare brand; SACHAJUAN, I was more than thrilled to have kindly been gifted two products from their new Body Collection! SACHAJUAN is a premium haircare brand that have recently delved into the world of body care, and having tried out their Shiny Citrus Body Wash and Body Lotion before, I knew I was in for a treat with the newly scented ‘Ginger Flower’ range!

The new Body Collection makes up of 3 new products;

Both the Body Wash and Body Lotion contain Oat Beta Glucan, locally produced Swedish Oats which go through a patented and chemical-free manufacturing process which helps to lock in the goodness whilst improving the skin’s moisture levels. This also helps to soothe, calm and regenerate your skin allowing it to look smoother and more youthful!

I applied the Body Wash whilst in the shower and I found that the Ginger Flower scent was rather subtle yet refreshing with the citrusy notes of Lemon and Bergamot. My skin felt incredibly clean afterwards and soft to the touch! I then applied the Body Lotion once dried off and found that the scent at first didn’t seem to do much but after 10 minutes or so, once the lotion had absorbed into my skin, it smelt beautiful! I loved that the scent stayed on my skin for many hours after and again was subtle but added a boost to the Body Wash which helped to elevate the scent further. I also loved how the texture and consistency of the Body Lotion was smooth, it didn’t feel too dense or gloopy both during and after the application and like the Body Wash, it helped to leave my skin feeling soft!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the new Body Collection - Ginger Flower products and I will admit, I’m still new to trying out Body Lotions, so this was a great experience and a different take on keeping my body and skin moisturised!

To learn more about the Body Collection, click here.

Be sure to also check out my other SACHAJUAN reviews such as their core products, their Matt Wax & Fibre Paste and the Ocean Mist Collection!

Have you tried anything by SACHAJUAN before? If so, what have you tried? Have you tried the new Ginger Flower Body Collection? What did you think? Are you a fan of Body Lotions? Let me know your thoughts below as I would love to hear from you and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button!

MENS LIP PRODUCTS

March 10, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

Over the course of the Winter period, the area on my face which seemed to suffer the most, were my lips. Dry, chapped, sore and overall, not that great to look at if I’m honest! As we live in a society where lips seem to be the main focus point within the beauty/skincare world, I knew that I had to fix this, sharp. Luckily, I had been gifted a few lip products which all aim to nourish, hydrate and restore your lips!

Within this ‘Lip-Guide’ are 6 lip products which range from your high street brands, to your luxury premium brands. I wanted to give you a variety so that when it comes to looking after your lips, it’s the right one for you. Please note, I trialled out each lip product 3-4 weeks at a time to get a full and fair use of each one starting from early October 2018 to current date - March 2019.

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KORRES - LIP BUTTER STICK £8

This Lip Butter Stick features Mandarin Oil which offers deep nourishment which aims to provide long-lasting care for your lips.

Similar to the Lab Series in the sense that they both were the easiest to use with their applications, I found that the Lip Butter Stick did indeed leave my lips feeling hydrated, however, there was a slight white mark that was left behind with each application that almost highlighted the cracked/chapped effect on my lips… That being said, my lips did feel hydrated afterwards!

To purchase, click here.

LAB SERIES - LIP TECH £10

Formulated for all skin types, this Lip Tech from LAB Series features Beeswax which helps to protect, Shea Butter which helps to soften, and Menthol to revive and invigorate!

The taste of this particular lip balm was the most enjoyable I found, rather minty! The application was also the easiest to use as it comes in a simple tube that massages into the lips easily. The texture felt light and had next to no shine.

To purchase, click here.

GLOSSIER - BALM DOTCOM £10

Glossier’s infamous Balm Dotcom is not only a lip balm, but can also be used on your skin such as your cuticles, elbows and any other dry patches you may have! A multi-purpose product that can cover more than one area but for me personally, this worked best on my lips.

The texture is a little heavy but quickly penetrates into my lips which leaves them feeling soft without appearing too shiny! The Balm Dotcom also comes in different flavours such as; Rose, Cherry, Mint, Coconut and Birthday.

Click here to purchase.

MOLTON BROWN - LIP SAVER £12

Blended with antioxidant Vitamin E and beeswax, this Lip Saver from Molton Brown does exactly what it says.

Perfect for when your lips are feeling cracked and chapped, the glide applicator glides perfectly across your lips without it sticking. I also liked that my lips appeared healthy rather than that ‘glossy’, in your face effect!

To purchase, click here.

KIEHL’S - LOVE OIL FOR LIPS £18

Now, don’t be put off by the neon packaging, but I wanted to include this recent release by Kiehl’s, mainly because I’m a huge fan of the brand, but also because this Love Oil For Lips is the product that gives the ‘glossiest’ shine to it. This particular lip product I received came in the ‘Neon Pink’ shade which surprisingly, didn’t come off as too bold!

The colour stayed relatively clear on my lips, it was just more of the shine that was noticeable. On a day to day basis, this is a little too much for me, however, for a night out, it adds that extra glow to my lips which not only helps them to look healthier, but also keeps my lips feeling hydrated too! Love Oil For Lips comes in several colours such as; Untinted (perhaps one to try if you’re after a more subtle look!), Neon Pink, Botanical Blush, Apothecary Cherry, Midnight Orchid.

To purchase, click here!

LA MER - THE LIP BALM £52

The most expensive one featured here, but with good reason. Featuring their key ingredient: Miracle Broth and is formulated without Parabens, Phthalates and Sulfates. I liked how this Lip Balm had a minty taste to it that was rather subtle with a warm, vanilla scent.

The Lip Balm absorbed easily into my lips and the results were noticeable after 2 or 3 uses! My lips felt nourished and hydrated and felt soft again.

To purchase, click here.

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I hope you enjoyed my round-up of Lip Balms/products and that this has given you some ideas in terms of which to go for when it comes to looking after your lips!

I’d love to hear if you have tried any of these out for yourself and what worked/didn’t work for you! Drop me a comment below and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button. Any questions? Feel free to ask!

PANCAKE DAY 2019

March 04, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

As tomorrow is officially Pancake Day here in the United Kingdom, I wanted to do a little roundup of my favourite local cafes/restaurants where you can order pancakes!

Just in time for you to make that last minute dash… After all, why go to the trouble of buying the ingredients and settling for a miserable looking pancake (well, it’s certainly miserable looking in my case when I’ve attempted to make them previously!) when you can have one that tastes as delicious as it looks!?

HARROGATE - THE WILD PLUM // SNOOTY FROX

The Wild Plum is renowned for its GORGEOUS food which honestly looks as beautiful as it tastes! Voted 5 stars on Trip Advisor consistently, and is ranked in the top 5 of the best restaurants to visit whilst in Harrogate, it isn’t hard to see why… Using fresh and local produce, the pancakes come with cute, little edible flowers which naturally makes for the perfect ‘Instagram shot’ alongside seasonal fruit, whipped cream, nutella, maple syrup and pecans. You can find The Wild Plum upstairs at Snooty Frox Boutique but please note, this coffee shop gets busy rather quickly, so it’s best to get there a little early to avoid queuing or any disappointment in case it’s too full!

THE WILD PLUM / SNOOTY FROX

34-36 HOOKSTONE ROAD

HARROGATE

NORTH YORKSHIRE

HG2 8BW

HARROGATE - FILMORE & UNION

If I’m ever in need of a health kick, you’ll most likely find me grabbing a take-out Filmore & Union ‘Back to Basics’ bagel, yum. With that being said however, for a ‘naughty treat’, their pancakes are equally delicious! Using only the highest quality local, fresh produce from nearby farmers and suppliers, Filmore & Union aim to provide the best nutrients which helps nourish the body and soul. Their pancakes come with two options:

Sweet - with Greek Yoghurt and berries

Savoury - Scrambled eggs and bacon

I tend to opt for the ‘sweet’ version as seen in the photograph as I find savoury pancakes can be a little too heavy at times! Filmore & Union have many branches which you can find dotted all over Yorkshire which all have pancakes on their menus too.

FILMORE & UNION

71 STATION PARADE

HARROGATE

HG1 1ST

LONDON - NEPTUNE LONDON

Following my recent trip to Kimpton Fitzroy down in Bloomsbury, London, I had the pleasure of visiting Neptune which is hidden away in the corner of the hotel. You can view the full review of both Kimpton Fitzroy and Neptune London and see how I got on there! I opted for their sweet pancakes which came with blueberries and raspberries drizzled in raspberry sauce along with Greek Yogurt. As I’m typing this my mouth is watering so let’s wrap this up…

NEPTUNE LONDON

CORNER OF GUILFORD STREET & RUSSELL SQUARE

BLOOMSBURY

LONDON

WC1B 5BE

I hope these delicious pancakes have swayed your minds to try these out tomorrow!

Let me know either way what your plans are, whether you’re making them yourselves, or if you’re going out! Don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button below and have a lovely evening whatever you do.

NEPTUNE LONDON

February 27, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

During my stay at Kimpton Fitzroy in London, I had been gifted not only a stay, but breakfast too! It was only by chance that I came across Neptune by waking up early the next morning to go on a little hunt around the hotel, that after asking a member of staff where to have breakfast, he recommended either Burr & Co. or Neptune. I was told both restaurants were on either side of the hotel and with very little decision making, I just decided to go to the right hand side of the building because it was closer to me and I’m a little lazy…

I followed the long corridor and was taking in the sights of the grand decor on my way and I had a sneaky peek at the Palm Court which at the time was currently closed as it doesn’t open until 12pm! I then stumbled across Neptune and was shown to a table.

WOW! The decor inside had a warm, cosy feeling to it that felt relaxed yet contradicted itself by feeling modern, current and of course ‘Instagrammable’ at the same time. Soft pinks and peaches were the colours that you could find on the ceiling and fabrics with the graphic wooden floor being the main focus point within the room. I was lucky enough to have been placed in a bay window which had a gorgeous pink seating area that seemed to turn a different shade of pink in different lights!

Neptune is a restaurant that predominantly serves seafood with a variety of oysters and shellfish which have all been selected from independent growers throughout the UK. Browsing through the menu, (bearing in mind this was around 7.30am so fish was not something I was particularly in the mood for) I opted for pancakes, the sweet version which came with berries and yoghurt and came accompanied with a latte. The staff were incredibly friendly and warm, asking how I was and how my stay was so far!

Due to the restaurant being virtually empty upon my arrival at 7.30am, I took this as an opportunity to take as many photographs of the interiors as I could, and I think you’ll agree with me that it looks beautiful right!? Again, thank you to Kimpton Fitzroy for hosting me for the night and to Neptune for my wonderful breakfast! For more details on Neptune, click here and for more details on Kimpton Fitzroy, click here! Hopefully I will be able to return to Neptune at a later date to try out their seafood from their evening menu!

Have you visited Neptune before? If so, what did you have? What did you think to the interior? Are you a fan of seafood? Will you be heading there anytime soon? Do let me know your thoughts as I would love to hear from you, and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button below!

KIMPTON FITZROY; LONDON

February 26, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

Late last year I was unable to attend an event at the Kimpton Fitzroy hotel in London, but luckily enough for me, I had been gifted an overnight stay at the hotel instead, and wow - I wasn’t sure what to expect beforehand, but the hotel exceeded all expectations and is truly one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever had the pleasure of staying in!

Kimpton Fitzroy is situated on Russell Square - Bloomsbury in London, and was previously known as the ‘Russell Hotel’ which then renamed itself to ‘The Principal London’, before eventually becoming the hotel as we know it to be today; Kimpton Fitzroy, which was renamed in October 2018. A landmark building which is Grade II listed, it is a little hard to walk by without being in awe of the sheer size and detailing of its intricate architecture from the original design back in 1898!

I hopped on the tube from King’s Cross and got off at Russell Square which was just yards away from the hotel, and made my way up the stairs and was greeted by a doorman, staff and a receptionist. The foyer itself was breathtaking with all of the original features still prominently displayed, the marble within the pillars and walls and the stunning details of the mosaic on the ground as you walk in. I was made to feel at ease and welcomed into the hotel immediately, and was told that they were just finishing off my room and that it would be ready within 30 minutes.

Whilst I waited for my room to be ready, the lovely receptionist took me through to one of the bars within the hotel; Fitz’s for a complimentary drink. As we were walking through, I told the receptionist that I loved the whole vibe and ambience from the dark lighting to the stunning decor which gave off a rather moody yet dare I say it, sexy vibe! Walking to Fitz’s, in the distance I spotted some rather large, grand feathers with an enormous disco ball hanging just above it and I knew I was going to be in for a treat… Fitz’s carries that dark, moody vibe from the hotel into the bar with its own grand, opulent features and lighting, my favourite kind of bar! I opted for the ‘Word Of God’ drink which was Whiskey based and it’s safe to say after a few sips, I felt a slight effect…

I then met up with photographer Zoe Griffin where we were then shown the lift up to my room and as I walked in, my jaw dropped. Quite literally. The room was HUGE, in fact, I couldn’t even call it a room it was that spacious! (I have since found out that the ‘room’ was indeed their Junior Suite which overlooked onto Russell Square with magnificent views!) From the moment I walked in I was absorbing it all, from the sofa and lounge area, to the large wardrobe, to the four poster bed and then to the bathroom and well, that bathroom was something else entirely!

As we like to say on Instagram and Pinterest, ‘pure bathroom goals’ is the best way to describe it! A cubicle for the toilet and a separate cubicle for the shower/wet room. Once I had unpacked and began to relax, myself and Zoe took a few shots in and around the hotel, and just outside in Russell Square. We also filmed a short ‘Get Ready With Me’ styled video for my YouTube channel which will be coming very soon, so do keep an eye out for that!

Zoe then left me to unwind in my room and I had a moment where it felt a little surreal to be staying in such a beautiful hotel. After all of the travelling and excitement for one day, I went to bed and as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was fast asleep. The bed was so comfortable and the mattress was firm, yet not too hard that it was uncomfortable to sleep on. I usually struggle to fall asleep in hotels and new surroundings, mainly because when I take my hearing aids out, I can’t hear a thing. So for me, security and knowing I’ll be safe in a dark room alone, is paramount. With that being said, I felt secure within Kimpton Fitzroy and knew I wouldn’t have had any trouble with regards to taking my hearing aids out for the night!

I woke up bright and early the next morning, mainly to take as many photographs as I could without being disturbed by any other guests and I am so glad I did! I was able to walk around the hotel at my own leisure and see things differently that I hadn’t seen upon arrival. I asked a member of staff where to go for my breakfast as the restaurant I had planned to visit; Palm Court, was closed and didn’t open until 12pm! I was advised to go to either Neptune or Burr & Co. and by chance I just headed to the nearest one which happened to be Neptune… I had planned to add in a brief description about Neptune in this blog post, but because it was so magical, I have decided to review this in a separate blog post within the next week so keep your eyes peeled for that!

After the delicious breakfast I had at Neptune, I then took a shower which I could have stayed in for an hour or so given the chance, it felt like heaven! I then packed up my belongings and began to check out. Wherever I went within the hotel, the staff would always smile and say hello and ask if I was okay, which I found incredibly friendly and it made my stay feel more personal rather than just ‘feeling like a guest’. The whole experience of staying in Kimpton Fitzroy was magical from start to finish and epitomised the feel of a luxury hotel, but the friendly staff took away the notion and stereotype of luxury hotels being ‘stuffy’ and ‘miserable’!

If you ever get a chance to stay in London and you’re looking for somewhere that has that magic touch, then I strongly recommend checking out Kimpton Fitzroy. For more details, click here!

Thank you to Kimpton Fitzroy for this opportunity and I hope to pop by again very soon…

Have you ever visited Kimpton Fitzroy before? If so, how was your experience? Will you be checking this out for a future stay whilst in London? Let me know your thoughts below as I would love to hear from you, and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button below!

YOUTUBE; NEW BEGINNINGS | Mr Luke Christian

February 20, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

NEW BEGINNINGS | Mr Luke Christian

OMOROVICZA - DEEP CLEANSING MASK

February 19, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

My skin has been a little tired looking lately and I wanted to find a product that worked deeper into the layers of my skin and to restore my skins natural balance again!

As part of being an Ambassador for the Mankind Collective, I was lucky enough to receive their Christmas Grooming Box late last year and amongst all of the incredible Male Grooming products, I came across Omorovicza.

Intrigued by the name and its minimalistic packaging, I did a little background research on their Deep Cleansing Mask and soon learnt that this product had been created by Omorovicza who had worked with a Hungarian Nobel prize winning laboratory! Rich in Calcium and Magnesium, this Deep Cleansing Mask aims to clear congested pores whilst drawing out impurities.

To apply, I ensured my face had been thoroughly cleansed beforehand to remove all skincare products prior to application. I then applied a rather thick amount onto my face and massaged this across my face which was left on for 20 minutes.

The consistency of the Mask itself was a contradiction in itself as it felt rather heavy and dense on my skin yet felt gentle and tingled ever so slightly throughout the application… I then rinsed the Deep Cleansing Mask off thoroughly and at first, my skin had a glow to it and appeared radiant! I felt that it gave my skin that much needed boost and as a few hours passed, my skin felt soft to touch. It was only after the 4th time of using this that I then began to see my pores reduce slightly, which is to be expected with any new mask you use!

This Deep Cleansing Mask is also suitable for Vegans and Vegetarians whilst remaining Gluten free and Phthalate free. For more details, click here and to purchase, click here.

Overall, a great introduction to a new discovery of mine!

Have you tried the Deep Cleansing Mask from Omorovicza before? What did you think to it? Have you tried any products from Omorovicza before? If so, which ones? Are there any you would like me to review in future? Do let me know your thoughts below as I would love to hear from you, and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button below!

*Please note, this product had been gifted to me as part of a Gift-set, however, I was not asked to promote or review this. I simply did so because I enjoyed using it!