Yes to Coconut Ultra Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner Review

Yes to Coconut Shampoo and Conditioner

I had to write a review on this new shampoo and conditioner I've been using. I love it!!! I have been going through a bit of a shift, where I'm trying to switch to shampoos that are more natural and that doesn’t strip my hair from it's natural oils. Pretty much all shampoos have irritated my scalp to the stage that I can feel my scalp burning. I've been struggling to find a good shampoo and conditioner that doesn't dry my scalp and that moisturises my hair, whilst still giving it some volume as my hair is so fine. Well, I think I found it! I ordered this product from a site called 'my pure', which is a fantastic place that offers natural makeup, skin and hair care products. I’ve been using this site for a while now and I haven’t been disappointed.

Both shampoo and conditioner are directed to those who have dry damaged hair and boy was my hair dry. The shampoo states that it is a “clinically proven shampoo to help smooth and restore dry, damaged hair”. It contains virgin coconut oil and argan oil to help moisturise parched hair. It is also free of sulfate, paraben and phthalate (harsh chemicals that can damage your hair) and to top it off, it is cruelty-free. So this is a vegan-friendly product to try, for those who are conscious about how their products are made and what is in them. 

So, the results? From the first wash, my hair felt smoother and it was super soft when I ran my fingers through it. My hair was still frizzy, but not as much as usual. As I continued to use it, my hair has definitely improved in texture. Unfortunately, my hair is still frizzy (just the annoying type of hair I seem to have), but not the type of frizz where my hair looked super damaged. One issue that I have found with this shampoo is that I struggle to get a good lather. In a lot of the reviews most people don’t seem to have a problem, but in my case, I do! This hasn’t stopped me though as I really like the end results, I just add a little extra to make sure all my hair has been covered. 

I am a big supporter of cruelty-free products and this one is one of my favourites. I would definitely recommend this for others to try as it doesn’t contain all those harmful chemicals or any nasty ingredients that may irritate your scalp. There are other shampoos by the Yes line for different hair types, like, yes to blueberries (for smooth and shiny hair), yes to cucumber (to give hair volume) and yes to carrots (for dry itchy scalp), which I would like to try next. The yes line also has a skin care range which I have not tried, but maybe soon!

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Hot Air Balloon Experience with Virgin Flights

My fiancé and I finally decided to go on our hot air balloon experience. We've had a voucher for at least 3 years now and we kept putting it off because of other commitments, so the day finally came and I was excited and nervous, more excited! We chose High Wickham as our site which was suggested as a good location by one of the Virgin staff. We have previously tried to book this flight, but due to weather change it had been cancelled, so be warned guys, there might be a chance that it could happen to you. The staff were very helpful and each time they cancelled they extended the voucher, so we could pick another time and place. 

On the day of the actual flight, there were some changes to the flight plan. The morning session was cancelled and our flight location had changed to one of their other landing sites. Luckily for us our laziness meant that we picked an evening slot for the flight, so instead of waking up at 5am and finding out the flight had been cancelled we were able to enjoy our bank holiday and sleep in a bit. They have 3 sites and we had moved to the backup site in Aylesbury. Luckily we hadn’t already gotten on the train, we called to confirm and got our train tickets extended for the massive cost of…60p. What hassle you say?? It was a bit, but it was worth it in the end. We had the loveliest time!

There were 10 others in the group and we all watched on as they blew up the balloon in front of us. Before we took off they went through the safety procedures and a test run of where everyone was going to be placed and how to get into the basket. Once the balloon was properly upright and ready to go, we had to rush to get into the basket before it floated off without us. Then we were off…

Once we were up in the air, the higher we went the colder the air got outside the balloon, so maybe it is better to layer up if it is not a sunny day. The views throughout were amazing (we could just about see the Shard), but the views at 5,000 ft were absolutely breath-taking, even something mundane like farmers’ fields looked amazing and almost carpet-like. It was fun watching people go about on their daily business.

The flight is meant to last one hour, however luckily for us, it turned into a 2-hour flight because we could not find a place to land. Eventually, we found a spot to land on a nearby airfield. Once on the ground, we all chipped in to help pack away the balloon. A few people were a bit annoyed at having to help with this, though once we got started we all found it surprisingly fun. The night ended with a glass of champagne and some extra pictures and a little certificate to say, we did it!

It was an amazing experience and I enjoyed every bit of it. The staff on the day were so helpful, they even gave us a lift to the nearest station :), that’s what I call dedication! I would strongly recommend using Virgin balloon as the staff were so helpful from start to finish. The group also included people who were scared of heights but they still managed to enjoy the experience, so I wouldn’t let this put you off from enjoying a hot air balloon flight!

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Home Remedies for Dark Under Eyes

Image from Pixabay.com

Dark circles under the eye can be unsightly and are often associated with aging, hereditary causes, signs of illness, lack of sleep, diet and even stress. The skin under your eyes is very delicate and can be damaged easily from excessive rubbing and pressure. Even though there are no serious issues related to having dark circles, most people feel self-conscious and try to cover it up with makeup or try differents products to reduce the effects. Using home remedies are by far the best way to tackle dark circles, as it does not contain chemicals to harm the skin compared to the chemically laden beauty products out there. 

Remedies:

• Cucumber Slices

Apply two thin slices of cucumber to each eye and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. The cucumber is very cooling for the eyes and very refreshing, do this at least once a day. It is a great way to wind down from the day’s events and just relax.

• Aloe Vera 

Apply pure aloe vera to the affected area to soothe and protect the skin. You can usually buy aloe vera from any health food stores. An even better option is owning your own aloe vera plant, so you can use it whenever you want and it is 100% natural.

• Turmeric and Milk

Mix together turmeric and the milk, equal parts till it forms a paste. Apply this paste onto the affected area. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and then wash off with warm water. Pat dry with a towel being careful not to drag the skin as this can damage the delicate area.

• Honey and Almond Oil

Apply a mixture of honey and almond oil onto the affected area. Leave on for 20 minutes and then wash off with warm water. Pat dry with a towel, being careful not to drag the skin as this can damage the delicate area.

• Mint Leaves and Lemon Juice

Make a paste from mint leaves and add a few drops of lemon juice to the paste. Mix the paste well and apply to your under eye area, taking care not to get too close to your eyes as lemon juice is a strong astringent. Leave on for 15mins and then wash off with warm water. Pat dry with a towel, being careful not to drag the skin as this can damage the delicate area.

• Potato Slices

Slice two pieces of raw potato and place one on each eye. Leave on for 15mins and then wash off with warm water. Pat dry with a towel, being careful not to drag the skin as this can damage the delicate area.

• Tea Bags

Place cooled tea bags on your eyes, any sort of tea bag should be fine. Leave on for 15mins and then wash off with warm water. Pat dry with a towel, being careful not to drag the skin as this can damage the delicate area.

•  Rose Water

Rose water is an old remedy that is great for cooling the skin down especially useful in the summer months, not just for the under eyes but for the face. Apply 2 to 3 drops on a piece of cotton wool or cotton pads and gently dab on to the affected area. 

• Water

Drinking plenty of water is essential for keeping your skin hydrated and for your body to flush out toxins that build up through the day.

•  Healthy Diet

Eating a healthy diet and exercising is vital for healthy skin and it is equally important to get at least 8 hours sleep a day. Learning ways to relax and unwind before bed is a very great way to reduce stress levels. Rather a tall order I know, but if you can manage all these things your problem dark circles should go away with time.

Disclaimer
 

All content within this column is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other healthcare professional.

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5 Minutes DIY Conditioning Lip Balm

Lip balms can be easily purchased from your local drug store, but have you ever tried to make your own?! Let’s face it, it’s quite fun making your own and oddly satisfying. This is a super easy lip balm to make and is very moisturising if you have dry chapped lips. I wanted to make a natural lip balm that was all natural and that didn’t have a whole load of additives thrown in. I haven’t tried making my own lip balm before, so I searched all over the internet for some ideas and came across a few that interested me.  I made a few tweaks and changed one or two ingredients to suit what I was looking for and voila, this is what I came up with. All ingredients I have used are raw natural ingredients and most can be found in your kitchen cupboard, with the exception of the beeswax and shea butter which I purchased online from Amazon. 

Beeswax can be used to soothe and alleviate dry chapped lips and should be able to effectively soften your lips. It is great for protecting your lips from future damage and forming a protective layer on your lips, which is super news for those very cold winter months. It also sets the mixture that you have made, so you don’t get a gloopy mess. Honey and coconut oil both work to condition deep down your skin layers to repair damage. Both ingredients have antiseptic, antioxidants and antibacterial properties. Shea butter has a high concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids which prevents the skin from drying, therefore making it incredibly nourishing and moisturising. It is also known for having anti-inflammatory properties which would be useful for someone who may have sensitive skin. It also contains a small amount of SPF, which is beneficial as it adds some protection from the sun. 

 What you need:

1 tsp of beeswax

1 tsp of coconut oil

1 tsp of shea butter

½ tsp of honey

Instructions:

1. Place the beeswax, shea butter and coconut oil in a microwavable bowl and heat in 10 second intervals, until it has all melted. 
2. Once the mixture is heated, stir in the honey. The wax hardens fast so you need to work quickly. If the mixture does harden too soon you can always reheat it in the microwave
3.  Pour the mixture in to little tins or tubs and leave it to cool. The mixture will harden within a minute or so.

There is an optional choice of adding a few drops of an essential oil if you feel that your lip balm needs some fragrance to it. Peppermint, sweet orange, grapefruit, lavender or red raspberry seed oil are great options. This recipe is made for two small lip tins, the measurements can be readjusted to the amount that is needed.

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Coconut and Olive Oil Mask- Dry Damaged Hair

Today I thought I would share with you a coconut and olive oil hair mask, with summer here our hair is more prone to drying out. I love making my own DIY hair masks as its all natural with no nasty chemicals in sight. My hair is naturally very fine, so I struggle to keep it in tip top condition. Using regular shampoo and with all the sun and wind exposure my ends can get pretty dry and damaged, no need for hot irons to do that lol. Using a hair mask once or twice a week is a great way to nourish your hair so that is it stays healthier, softer and shinier.

Coconut oil

Coconut is great as it is a light weight oil that penetrates deep in to the hair shaft conditioning the hair. It also contains antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties which keeps the hair strong and healthy. With regular use, it can reduce dandruff (which is caused by having a dry scalp) and can potentially reduce the chances of hair loss.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is rich in vitamins A, E and antioxidants, helping to protect the keratin in hair and seals in moisture. Olive oil could add softness and strengthen hair by penetrating hair strands and retaining moisture. Like coconut oil, it has antifungal and antibacterial qualities which could help in reducing dandruff on the scalp. It acts as a natural conditioner that nourishes and moisturises the scalp leaving the hair healthier and smoother.

Both oils cleanse the scalp to get rid of dust and dirt. Massaging the mixture on to the scalp will help improve blood and oxygen circulation, which stimulates the follicles to produce thicker hair strands. Using this mask is a great way to protect your hair from harsh weather and keep it in good condition, as it coats the hair like a protective barrier. Olive oil has a thicker consistency, so I only use 1 part olive oil to 2 parts coconut oil.

What you will need:

2 Tbsp. Coconut oil

1 Tbsp. Olive oil

 Directions:

• Mix together both coconut and olive oil in a bowl. This mixture can be adjusted depending on the thickness and length of the hair. I personally like to heat my mixture for about 10 seconds, so it is warm. I advise not to put oil that is too hot on the hair as it will do more harm than good.

• Apply on to the hair, concentrating on the ends as this is usually where the damage is greatest.

• Tie hair up and put on a shower cap or even a plastic carrier bag to lock in moisture. This step is optional, but I do think it makes a difference. Leave on for 2-3 hours or overnight if your hair is really quite dry.

• Rinse out in the shower and wash with regular shampoo and conditioner. Your hair should feel softer and smoother and more manageable. This can be used as a once a week treatment to soften frazzled hair.

Enjoy!

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