Hurraw! Lip Balm [Review]

Hey guys it's been a LONG while!!

I went to visit my aunty in Kent, London for a few days and saw a lip balm called Hurraw! in Earl Grey flavour! Yes, EARL GREY TEA! Mmmmm! Sadly, I didn't pick one up as I was a bit rushed for time - gahhh! >,<

"Hurraw! lip balm is all natural, vegan, made from premium raw, organic and fair trade ingredients!" 

Soooo, when I got back home I did some research and decided to order some online :)

Price & where to buy: I got mine from eBay (£3.99), Super Smoocher (Having a closing down sale at £2.42 & £2.73 for special flavours) and Cute Cosmetics (£3.99 & £4.29 for special flavours). The prices are pretty decent for an all natural brand!! ^__^

Size: 4.3g

You can check out the official Hurraw! website here ;D Go check out their range of flavours!

 L-R: Cinnamon (Tinted), Chai Spice, Pitta, Earl Grey, Coffee Bean

From my Hurraw! Haul, I decided to purchase interesting flavours you don't see often in lip balms (mainly tea flavours - I freaking love my tea: Cinnamon, Chai Spice, Pitta, Earl Grey, and Coffee Bean *drooools*

The lip balm has an oval shape and contains quite a lot of product of 4.3g in a tube

About Hurraw! (Read the full description on the website)

"Super smooth, not draggy, not sticky, not sweet, not too glossy, not too smelly, never grainy, long lasting; 

plus, it had to hold up to being in a back jeans pocket all day without melting! It took us several obsessed years to formulate Hurraw! Balm and put it through all the rigors."

- Vegan

- Raw

- Organic

- Gluten Free, No GMO's

- Non toxic

Core Ingredients: 

- Almond oil

- Coconut oil

- Cacao butter:

- Jojoba oil

- Olive oil

- Castor oil

- Candelilla wax

Flavors:
All of the flavors we use in our balms are derived from 100% natural sources.
Most come from pure essential oils, the others (Rootbeer, Chai Spice, Chocolate, Green Tea, Black Cherry) are made for us from 100% natural, organically derived flavor compounds through various processes of distillation and extraction. 

Chai Spice and Earl Grey

Chai Spice - This one smells spicy and slightly creamy sweet. However, unfortunately not my kind of smell. Its rather pungent and I find it pretty nauseating on my lips as I can constantly smell it. I prefer a more delicate scent. The balm itself is smooth and creamy. This is my least favourite flavour.

Earl Grey - This smells quite like the real thing (perhaps a bit tangy) - Earl Grey Tea! But when my sister came and smelt it she replied: "It smells like kiddy glue!" Like #@&£$%!! Now all I smell is glueee!! @.@ Noooo!! The balm is smooth and buttery on the lips.

Pitta and Coffee Bean

Pitta - (New special flavour) Coconut, Mint and Lemongrass as it says on the tube. You know what? ALL 3 flavours are distinctive and can identify them clearly. When mixed together it's a creamy, refreshing and mildly sweet concoction - yum! I just wish the Lemongrass would be less concentrated as I am not a big fan of Lemongrass. However, those who want a refreshing yet citrus-y scent  this is perfect for you. Application is smooth and glides on easily.

Coffee Bean - Coffee lovers! This is for you! :')) Smells slighty bitter and dark. Mmmmm! Wish it was a bit more sweet tho as I have a very sweet palette :P Hehehe!! Overall, quite a yummy scent and glides smoothly on the lips.

Cinnamon Tinted Lip Balm

Cinnamon Tinted - This smells just like cinnamon sugar! Very sweet, spicy and strong! :PP All of the other lip balms are colour-free and this was my only tinted purchase. This has got to be my favourite one forgiving the strong smell. And the colour? If you've tried the Vaseline Rose Pot  its very similar to that - has a slight pinky-red tint to the lips, however may not be visible on those with more pigmented lips and I would recommend the Tinted Black Cherry one from the same line. Texture is the same as the others - smooth, butter with the non-heavy feel. When applied on my lips there is a tingling burning sensation (caused by the cinnamon?) and seems to give it a more plump, fuller look ^___^ Whooo! All good! What girl doesn't like plump kissable lips? ;PPP

OVERALL OPINION

Pros:

- Quite affordable for a vegan, organic product that uses raw materials

- All natural with natural scents

- Soft and smooth that glides easily on the lips

- Light texture with light hydration (applies on richly without the heavy feeling and absorbs quickly)

- Can withstand heat better than other lip balms

- Unique oval shape that distributes product better on the lips

- Strong smell gets milder with time.

- Simplistic and attractive packaging: I just love love love the packaging + I love how the casing feels haha!! xDD

Cons:

- Strong scents, may be a bit nauseating for some but does fade away after some time

- Only hydrates for a limited time - not suitable for those with very dry lips

- Limited to only a few organic stores where not all flavours are available therefore have to buy online

- As it contains natural ingredients, will not be suitable for those sensitive to any of the ingredients 

Would I recommend: Yes, If you are into all natural products with unique flavours and don't mind strong scents. Why not try a few? ;))

Would I repurchase? No! I personally can not stand the strong initial scent ¬_¬"

Until Next Time :)

xoxox

Choize Collagen White Plus+ 2 in 1 Aqua Hydration Gel Review

Hello, to all my beautiful ladies out there :))

Boy, have I got a product to share with you today!

It's not well known and it may be quite a rare find ;PP

One word: A-MA-ZING!!! *Light shines down with the sound of angels and bells*

I have never found a hydrating gel as good as this one before! Because I have combination skin leaning more towards the dry side (especially now its Winter), not many "gel" moisturisers have worked for me in the past as they weren't hydrating enough and my skin would begin to feel tight after 1 hour of use :((

Then comes along this baby :DD

Frosted glass packaging. Has a luxurious and expensive feel to it . The picture does it no justice at all!

This miracle gel has restored the smoothness and suppleness of my cheeks after having my eczema outbreak 2 years ago as I could not get rid of my dry rough cheeks as a result of that  >_< This took time and with continuous use day and night my dehydrated cheeks were back to normal once again :)) This took me around 2 months and is totally HG quality! It also contains a spatula (not shown in pics) therefore is very hygienic ^___^

Description:

Choize Collagen White Plus+ 2 in 1 Aqua Hydration Gel 50g

This 2 in 1 Aqua Hydration Gel can be used as an overnight mask. With a high penetration Aqua ingredients formula, this product is similar to Natural Moisture Factor “NMF”of human body. Associated with hyaluronic acid, it retains hydration of skin for 24 hours.  It immediately soothes the skin and restores damaged hydrolipid film.  Amino Acids and VIT C helps skin elasticity and activates collagen.  With continuous use, skin with roughness, dryness and dehydration conditions will be improved.

Directions

For Basic Care:  Before applying lotion, take appropriate amount over face and neck with gentle massage until absorbed. Use daily in the morning and evening.For Intensive Night Care: Apply adequate amount over face and leave it overnight and rinse on next day morning.  This treatment is ideal for extremely dry and dehydration skin. Use once or twice a week.

Skin Type

For all skin types including sensitive skin type

Size: 50g / 1.7 FLOZ

Ingredients:

Unfortunately, I long threw away the box it came with and cannot seem to find the ingredients list online T___T So sorry about that guys! 

Comes with an inner lid - keeps it fresher for longer

[My Verdict]

Texture, Sensation, Scent and Appearance:

Texture? This gel formula is very light and but quite firm in the jar. Once touched to the heat of your skin it transforms into a watery consistency and liquefies. It is very soft and smooth and glides on effortlessly. It absorbs rather quickly as well ^_^ Gives a soft-focus finish and a very slightly dewy look :))

Sensation? Once applied on the skin, it feels very cooling (just like water). This is a very comfortable sensation for me as it helps calm down my heated red cheeks after cleansing :PP

Scent? It has a nice fresh relaxing scent and reminds me of the ocean for some reason o__O..? I don't know whether this is natural or not.

Appearance? The product comes in a frosted glass jar with a silver lid. It feels rather luxurious and expensive in hand. The gel is milky translucent white in colour with a hint of baby blue. Once again, I don't know if this is natural or not as silly me threw away the box >_< DOH! 

I loved it so much. Not much product left :(( Took me so long to do a review :PP The colour of the gel looks more intense in pictures. In real life it is milky translucent white with a a tinge of baby blue.

Hydration:

Due to its lightness, I was sceptical whether it would provide enough hydration for my eczematic skin. It certainly does! This product can also be used as an intensive night mask - just slather it on generously over your night moisturiser before going to sleep and wake up to baby butt smooth, firm, plumped up skin in the morning :))

For extra hydration for times when I need it. I top up using the Sky Lake Green Essence (reviewed here). When I get a really bad eczema flare up, I just use an emollient such as E45 for these areas only --> SLATHER THAT STUFF ON >:PP

Quality and Results:

This product was developed in France - says something already hmm? ;)) The French creates some of the most  beautiful skin care products around without sacrificing skin sensitivity. Think Clarins, Chanel, Caudalie, La Roche-Posay, Avene etc.. :DD

From the ingredients list you can see there are only a handful used in creating this product. From this, you can ensure that even the most sensitive skins are able to use this (especially mine! whoop!). The less ingredients put into the product, the less likely you are to react to it! :))

Choize 2 in 1 Aqua Hydration Gel was actually recommended to me by a sales assistant as she noticed I had  slightly red irritated skin with little surface bumps on my cheeks at the time (not a pretty sight!) and nothing I used could restore the smoothness of my cheeks I once had before my eczema outbreak 2 years ago! >__<

She told me because it is such a gentle product it is able to repair the damaged barrier of my skin. She was right! Fast forward 2 months, my skin has never looked so good, so smooth, so pinchably soft! :DD

Whitening? I think the moisturiser evened out my skin tone a bit as it contains a mild whitening agent. I'm surprised that I didn't react to that as I usually react to any product that claims to whiten. 

Collagen? As for the collagen bit to it. Umm I don't think I see a dramatic difference because I suppose my skin is still young and don't experience a lack of elasticity just yet? *Touch Wood* Just losing my baby fat hehe! But a lil prevention from ageing doesn't hurt now does it at my age of 22? ;PP I think it tightens my cheeks a little bit making them look firmer - could this be the result of the collagen working? xDD

Soft jelly-like texture. 

Turns into water once smoothed and  heated up on the skin

Non-sticky and non-oily once smoothed in. Gives a cooling sensation that lasts - me likey! 

Fully absorbed. Instantaneous softness and super smooth skin ^___^ Doesn't feel like you have anything on apart from the slight cooling sensation hehe (Eww look at my veins! bleugh!)
Gives a soft-focus velvety finish with a hint of dewy-ness - Love love LOVEE!!

Price:

I bought this whilst holidaying in Hong Kong in a beauty shop called Aster. This retails at HK$ 245.00 (approx £19.74) but was on offer at HK$ 196.00 (approx £15.80) for 50g worth of product. Total Steal (if I must say so) for something that works and repairs and restores damaged skin. I cannot stress the amount of money I have spent on products that claim to work the same way as this product does with no prevail >:((

Where to Buy:

If your in HK you can find this in beauty supply shops such as Aster, and possibly Colormix.

Can be found online here at Aster.

If your living in the UK like me, I believe that they only seem to sell this in Asia? I can't seem to find any online stores/sellers that is willing to ship to the UK :'(( Nooo! *Heart Broken*

Overall:

FINALLY, I FOUND A PRODUCT WITH POSITIVE AND EFFECTIVE CLAIMS! As you can see, I am most satisfied with this and cannot rave about this enough! 

Pros:

- Repairs and restores damaged skin

- Maintains healthy skin

- Non oily and hydrating

- Makes skin soft, smooth and supple

- Quick and easy absorption - provides a good base for make up

- Does not cause break outs

- Reasonably priced

- Spreads easily therefore a jar can last you quite a long time.

- Can be used as an intensive night mask

- Can be used in conjunction with other creams if you need extra hydration

- Cooling sensation on skin 

- Elegant packaging

- SUITABLE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES INCLUDING SENSITIVE SKINS (eczema-prone, irritable, acne-prone) :))
- Has a little spatula to scoop out the product - super hygienic! 

Cons:

- Very difficult to find for those not living in HK

- Does not contain SPF (This does not bother me as I am quite sensitive to SPF) for all you guys who prefer having a bit of sun protection with your moisturisers

- Has a scent (fresh and slightly floral)

- Has a bit of colouring (though this could be natural)

Would I Repurchase?

A solid YES (if I can get my hands on this again though) *sob sob*

But I suppose I have to look for an equivalent seeing I wont be going back to HK to repurchase for a while :'(( UNLESS any of you guys are able to purchase this and is able to sell me this beautiful product - I'll LOVE you forever! Haha! 

Thanks for reading beautiful's, 

Until next time, Kayleigh xoxo