ukbloggers – sarah fynn

Sunu Skincare Review

Hello everyone! I hope everyone is keeping safe and well. Today’s I’m talking about my bodycare routine featuring products I received from Sunu Skincare. This is a UK based natural skincare brand that reached out to me on Instagram. I received their Ylang Ylang Body Butter and the Evening Primrose Oil Scrub.

Evening Primrose Oil Scrub

I love a good bodyscrub and I have tried quite a few from Boots. This is a coffee based scrub (the scent is amazing!) that is very gritty. I have used this alone and mixed in with shower gel, both ways leave my skin very soft. It simply works. It’s a bit messy (no surprise) but it rinses off very easily and leaves no oily mess! You can use this for the face and body but I prefer to use gritty scrubs like this on my body only.

Ylang Ylang Body Butter

The Ylang Ylang Body Butter is shea butter based but also has mango butter as well as some nourishing oils like avocado and coconut oil. What I like about this? It’s not super greasy and easily spreads on the skin once I’ve warmed it up in my hands. The butter has also been whipped well because it has stayed soft ( if you have ever made shea butter body butter you would know that if it’s not whipped properly, it will harden over a few days!). Since its getting colder, I actually like using this on top of my body lotion to seal in moisture and it works really well. It doesn’t feel heavy on the skin even when used on top of the lotion. The only con I have and its personal- I’m not a huge fan of ylang ylang scent but of course if this is your fav essential oil then you will love this. The scent lingers for a while but it won’t last the all day. I don’t hate the scent I just prefer other scents. Luckily they also have this butter in lemongrass and sandalwood( I know I would love this scent)

Conclusion

These are very easy products to add to any bodycare routine. If you love natural bodycare/skincare then Sunu skincare is worth checking out.

Sunu skincare

Gifted products

Virgin Experience Days: Top Experiences Part 2

In Part 1 of my post I spoke about how much I have enjoyed using Virgin experience days so far. Here are a few more experiences I have booked with them.

iFLY Indoor Skydiving for Two

I bought this because I promised myself skydiving before my 25^th birthday but I didn’t lmao. Indoor skydiving was great ad our instructor was amazing. I highly, very highly recommend this experience.

Champagne Afternoon Tea for Two at the Courthouse Hotel, London

My friend wanted a taste of British and what’s more British than afternoon tea? The price is for 2 people so it’s the more affordable option I have seen so far around. It was really good (apart from the weather that day). Again no confusion on what to pay for at the end.

Visit to The View from The Shard with Signature Cocktail and Souvenir Photos for Two

My husband and I enjoyed this activity before heading off to dinner. This offer is also available via The Shard’s website so if you were to book this via Virgin Experience days with a discount code, you would be saving some coins for the same thing!

There are so many experiences available sometimes the hardest part is choosing who to go with and what to do! I will keep trying different ones: I have my eyes on a few hotel short breaks next! Check back for more reviews and as always my instagram for more updates

Catch you soon!

Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C Serum Review

For the last 2 years, I have always used a Vitamin C serum in the mornings. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to brighten the skin as well as boost sunscreen protection. I have used a lot of vitamin c serums and the latest one is the Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C Serum.

Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C Serum promises to brighten, diminish the look of dark spots and visibly firm skin. In addition to Vitamin C, it also has Tri-Peptide, Licorice Root Extract and Glycerin

Experience

I’ve been using this serum every morning from August this year and I’ve just run out. The serum has an orange soda scent and feels very light on the skin. I’ve experienced no irritation from it. It pairs well with other products with no piling: I use this under a 2^nd serum (currently using Inkey List Niacinamide), moisturiser and then SPF.

The serum uses 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid which is a vitamin c derivative. This form is more stable in water and oil and less irritating than pure Vitamin C but it still has brightening and protection benefits. Whilst I haven’t noticed a huge reduction in hyperpigmentation from the serum, my skin overall looks radiant. The serum also adds some hydration to the skin. My skin looks plump and healthy.

Verdict

I bought this on a whim because it was on sale and I had just run out of my serum. it’s a nice enough serum and I would recommend and repurchase it. I’m doing a ‘tour’ of Vitamin C serums so I won’t repurchase for now.

It’s a gentle enough vitamin c to try and the additional beneficial ingredients means you are getting a well-rounded serum.

Bliss Bright Idea Serum is £13.33 in Boots

Farmacy Honeymoon Glow Serum Review

Farmacy skincare is finally more readily available in the UK, they are now stocked in Boots! I have loved this brand since I tried their Green Clean cleansing balm (which is amazing btw) and the Honeydrop moisturizer.

Farmacy Honeymoon Glow Serum is an acid serum with AHA/BHA/gentle flower acids (14%) that promises to resurfaces, hydrates and clarifies dull skin for a healthy natural glow

Experience

I use the serum in my evening routine, after toning and before my treatment serum ( for pigmentation). The serum is very lightweight and pairs well with other products. I did not experience any irritation with it. It has a woody scent which I found pleasant. The scent lingers for a while.

14% acid serum was the highest acid serum I used at the time so I did experience a little stinging at first use. The stinging didn’t last long and a quick spritz of a hydrating mist helped soothe my skin. It did not go red. After a week, my skin built tolerance so I was able to use it every night.

The serum helps to retexturise the skin, and leaves it smoother and healthier. I love this serum! It leaves my skin glowing. For an acid serum, it’s also hydrating because of the added hyaluronic acid. I loved it so much that after using it for a few weeks I bought another bottle! I have finished my first bottle now and will start using the next one soon.

Verdict

In conclusion, this is well formulated acid serum! If you are new to acids I would advise to start slow- once a week for a few weeks. Also keep a hydrating mist nearby. Do not combine with other acids or retinols and PLEASE use sunscreen.

Farmacy Honeymoon Glow simply delivers on its promises and I highly recommend it. If you are not ready to get the full size, you can get deluxe sample sizes in gift sets, try the beehive gift set on BeautyBay

If you are already convinced then the full size is available on Boots

Virgin Experience Days: Top Experiences Part 1

If you have ever thought about getting a Virgin Experience days voucher but thought it was a ‘scam’, you won’t be a lone. I was the same. I used to think they were too good to be true and perhaps the service won’t be the same if you went without a voucher. I finally took the plunge last year and got a voucher for friend’s birthday and I haven’t looked back since!

Before I tell you what I have done so far with Virgin Experience Days, I should dispel my earlier thoughts: they are excellent value for money vouchers and the services I had received so far are amazing. I also did some double checking and some of the vouchers are actually just offers from the individual service providers: most, are the same prices( or double for 2 people) so no they are not ‘too good to be true’!

Tip: Always search for a discount code: there’s always one (sign up for their newsletters) they also offer student discounts. There’s also sales most of the time

How it works

Buy your chosen experience
Activate your voucher following instructions in your email confirmation
Book your experience following instructions once your voucher has been activate
Enjoy your experience and go back and look for more!

Below are some of the experiences I have done so far with Virgin Experience days vouchers, all paid for myself:

The View from The Shard and a Three Course Meal for Two at Marco Pierre White’s London Steakhouse Co

The first experience I booked! It went well and there was no confusion/issues with any of them. This one takes some coordination especially if you wanted to book both experiences in one day. The service at the MPW’s Steakhouse was impeccable. There was no confusion on payment at the end. (note they will still add service charge so depending on whether you ordered any extras (we did) you will have a very affordable bill at the end)

Tapas Style Afternoon Tea with Free Flowing Cocktails and Prosecco for Two at MAP Maison

This was so worth it and truly a free flowing experience for the duration of your slot. Our glasses were not empty and there was a good selection of cocktails to choose from. The afternoon tea/tapas were delicious too and quite filling. You will definitely leave slightly tipsy

Tropical Cocktail Masterclass for Two at Laki Kane

This one really is for cocktail lovers. For snippet of what went down. Check out my instagram reel here

There’s a few more experiences have done! Watch out for more in a second blog post.

Catch you later

Best Highlighters for Black Women Under £10

Who doesn’t LOVE a good highlighter? I mean when the light hits your cheekbones and the shine alone blinds your enemies! LOL I am obsessed with highlighters and I don’t think I can do a makeup look without them! But let’s face it, some of the best ones are pricey and God knows I am not using my Becca Topaz every day for work! No no!

My best liquid lipsticks post (read it here) was super popular so I thought I would keep the same concept for more posts. Makeup highlighters were the next idea I had and after a bit of research, I realised I actually have a few highlighters from the drugstore that are under £10 and perfect for women of colour!

Enough talk, let’s get into the post

Best Highlighters for Black Women under £10

Between these insta worthy shades, they are super pigmentated, blend hella easy and nicely milled to not highlight texture on the skin. I apply with a fan brush (I didn’t know these were hard to come by lol) or a small stippling brush for that glow from within look!

I chose these highlighters based on

Price

Shades

Accessibility

Makeup Revolution Strobe Highlighter In Rejuvenate, £3

Makeup Revolution Baked Bronzer In Rock On World, £4

MUA Undress Your Skin In Iridescent Gold, £3

Makeup Revolution Shimmer Brick In Rose Gold, £3

Makeup Obsession Highlighter In Tropical, £3

Makeup Obsession Highlighter In Flame, £3

BodyShop Highlighting Domes In 3, £9

Gosh Copenhagen Lumi Drops In Bronze, £7.99

Worth checking out

Sleek Contour Kit

Milani

Swatches of the highlighters are below. I would do individual swatches but time you see, but follow me on Insta and you will get swatches and moreeeee lol

Most of these I realised are under £5! Don’t sleep on the Drugstore guys, they have some pretty amazing products and they are super cheap too! I’m thinking of what to add to the Best Series next, I would love to hear your suggestions! Remember you can turn your fav shimmery eyeshadow to a highlighter or a shimmer blush into a highlight as well- break the makeup rules and play with it!

I just finished the Drugstore Setting Spray & Primers Review series! Make sure to check them out as well!

NIP + FAB Glycolic Fix Pads Review

I have been looking for Glycolic acid toners lately and decide to try budget friendly ones to see how my skin would react before investing in pricer ones. I run out of my Pixi Glow Tonic which I totally love but I wanted to try something new so went with these ones.

Btw, did u catch my post on how to have a successful hair app? (Shameless plug I know) if you haven’t already, head over and read it on Afrocks.

The Nip Fab Glycolic Fix Pads are supposed to exfoliate, brighten and re-texture the skin. You use them after cleansing and before moisturising. It contains glycolic acid to retexture and resurface, hyaluronic acid to moisturise and refresh and blue daisy to soothe and calm the skin.

Each tub has 60 pads.
Experience

My experience has been ok with them leaning more towards the disappointed side. The pads are very small and thin which make them slightly difficult to use. I use two pads, one for my face and another for my neck. The glycolic acid content is quite low, only 2.8% (I had to check the website for this as it doesn’t say on the product). They are ok to use but for what I wanted it for, I am disappointed with them. They haven’t made a huge difference in my skin or pores. I still managed to break out (just a few pimples) and get texture on my skin which I didn’t get at all from Pixi which has 5% acid content. I haven’t seen any improvements with brightening or hyperpigmentation.

They didn’t dry out over the course using them which I am very happy about. I always neutralise my acid toners with thermal water sprays, I have just finished the Caudalie Grape Water and on my 2nd bottle of the La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water. I’m not sure if you have to do this step as the acid content is quite low, but it’s better to be safe than sorry plus I really enjoy spraying my face (which makes sense because I am obsessed with makeup setting sprays!)

Verdict– I am disappointed with these, I thought they would be as effective as the Pixi Glow Tonic. I wish the tub said the glycolic content if I knew it was this low, I would have picked up the Extreme pads which have 5% acid content. I do like that they are very convenient: pre-soaked pads and good for travel. They even have smaller travel sizes for £2.50. I think if you are starting out or have sensitive skin these will be good for you but for me, it’s either I try the extreme pads or go back to Pixi. They just released Pixi Glow Tonic Pads!! The Nip Fab pads come in a pack of 60 pads which will last you a while roughly two months if you use one, once a day. I also think if you have used higher acid content products, you may be quite disappointed with these which is what happened to me.

I got mine in a half piece sale on Boots and bought two more lol. It will be a long 4 months for me. Maybe with continued used I will see better improvements, but for now 1 tub down and 2 to go.

UPDATE- I think the pads are good for what they are. For daily use esp in the mornings, 2% is good as you are going out into the sun etc. I have now used about 4 tubs now and I actually like them I still prefer my 5% AHA but this is perfect for starters or getting used to AHA. I use these now for travel as they come in smaller tubs and budget friendly!

NIP +FAB Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads are £12.95 and available from Superdrug

Invest in yourself

No Scrunchie Good Afro Salon Awards 2015

Loreal Academy Hammersmith — No Scrunchie Awards took place at the L’Oreal Academy, Hammersmith

How was your Sunday? Great I hope. I went along to the No Scrunchie Good Afro Salon Awards in L’Oréal and I am here to tell you all about the winners and nominees! Hopefully if you are looking for a new salon to try out, you can check these ones out! Remember I am doing my salon reviews? I will be sure to visit some of these (hopefully if my bank account will accept, some of the winners too) and let you guys know all about it!

First let’s talk about my AMAZING dress courtesy of Ankara House! I love everything about it. It’s a shame it was sooooo cold on Sunday (seriously!) and even though I braved it with no tights and flat shoes(bruh), I had to keep my blazer on at the event as it was really cold in there too. I had a few options to choose from…..but settled on this sezy number lol. Date for the night was the beautiful Tee from STWF

House of Ankara, African Print Designer — My amazing dress from Ankara House

We were treated to delicious cupcakes (I lost count of how many I ate on the night), jerk chicken, noodles and some potato cakes. There were 10 categories in total, I will list all the nominees and highlight the winner in each category. You will find more pictures on my Facebook so make sure you check there for it! Link in the side bar

NoScrunchieAwards2015 — Overview of pictures from the ceremony. My Facebook will have many more!

Natural/Loc

Angels Hair Nails and Beauty
Darren Scott
H and G International Hair and Beauty Salon
Hiikuss Hair Studio
Lockstafari
Mahogany Hair Spa- WINNER
Nefertiti Hair and Beauty
Plush Hair and Beauty
Rootz Hairdressing
Tip Top Salon
Ziuzo hair and beauty salon

Mobile Hairdressing

Hair by Lauralyn
Helen’s mobile styling
Natural Gloe- WINNER

Weaves

Angels Hair Nails and Beauty
GlamGorgeous Hair Boutique
H and G international Hair and Beauty salon
Kanni’s undiscovered beauty- WINNER
Natural Gloe
Rootz Hairdressing
Salon ABV
Tip Top Salon
Ziuzo Hair and Beauty Salon

Customer Service

Angels Hair Nails and Beauty- WINNER
GlamGorgeous Hair Boutique
H and G International Hair and Beauty Salon
Hair by Lauralyn
Hiikuss Hair Studio
Kanni’s undiscovered beauty
La Mode Hair & Beauty Concept
Lady Maude
Nefertiti Hair and Beauty
Samantha Beauty Salon
Sen Style Hair Salon
Tip Top Salon
Ziuzo Hair and Beauty Salon

Wigmaking

Kanni’s undiscovered Beauty- WINNER
Tip Top Salon

Braids & Cornrows

A touch Professional
Angels Hair Nails and Beauty
GlamGorgeous Hair Boutique
Kanni’s undiscovered beauty
Nadiva
Natural Gloe
Quality Time Hair
Rootz Hairdressing-WINNER
Tip Top Salon
Ziuzo Hair and Beauty Salon

Colour Technicians

H and G International-Hair and Beauty Salon
Inspire Beauty
Mahogany Hair spa
Ziuzo Hair and Beauty Salon- WINNER

Cut and Style

H and G International Hair and Beauty Salon
Inspire Beauty
Nefertiti Hair and Beauty
Tip Top Salon-WINNER
Ziuzo Hair and Beauty Salon

Mixed Race Hair

Sen Style
H and G International Hair and Beauty Salon- WINNER

Chemical Treatment

Angels Hair Nails and Beauty
Hiikuss Hair Studio
Inspire beauty
Kanni’s undiscovered beauty
Nefertiti Hair and Beauty
Rootz hairdressing
Sen style hair salon
Tip Top Salon
Ziuzo Hair and Beauty Salon- WINNER

For more information and reviews on these salons, please check at NoScrunchie. Also check out Ankara House if you love African prints and clothing. Check her website by clicking here

No Scrunchie Awards — Founder Leillah (Yellow dress) and MC of the night. I can’t remember her name but her jumpsuit was on point girl!

Until next time!

See you soon!

Cantu Soiree Event

I went to the Cantu Soiree Event hosted by Pelumi from CFYH and Award winning hair stylist Anastasia Chikezie, of Purely Natural Salon. Read about my Purely Natural Salon Experience here

The event had a huge turn out! So it was quite difficult to navigate around, nevertheless there were demos on hair using some of the Cantu products, tips and hints and Pelumi talking about her fav Cantu products.

Products were on sale for 3 for £10! And rightly so as everything was sold out by the end of the night! There was music, food, drinks and a nice and friendly atmosphere. I connected with new bloggers and old friends! Bukky, organiser for Curlvolution was there! Curlvolution 2016 is looking great! I will keep you up to date but hint: a well-known brand recently launched in the UK will be there! Read all about Curlvolution 2015 here

Check out my Facebook page for all the pics from the event (link to the right). I was a bit disappointed with the goody bag though, I thought it would contain more products but I haven’t used their conditioner before so I guess it ok?

I love Cantu products, I think they work well and are very affordable. Check here to read all my reviews on all my Cantu products!

Cantu Collection for Natural Hair Reviews — My Cantu Collection both products I was sent and purchased

I think its fantastic idea that Cantu hosted this event. I hope other brands can follow suit!

NuNAAT Brazilian Patauà Oil review

Hey loves! I hope everyone is doing great! This post will be a review on the new Revitalizing Sulfate Free Shampoo and Hydration Plus Moisturising Conditioner, part of the new NuNAAT Brazilian Patauà Oil collection

You guy know I love me some nuNAAT. I have featured them in my product collection series and have a few reviews for some of their products. Click on the Product Directory Tab for reviews and Natural Hair tab for the product collections!

The new NuNAAT brand is formulated with Pataua Oil which is rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9 and works to deeply nourish the hair and provide lustre. It also contains Pracaxi Oil which provides maximum softness and moisture to the hair. The full product range includes

Revitalizing Sulfate Free Shampoo

Hydration Plus Moisturizing Conditioner

Moisture Infusion No-Lye Relaxer System

Cuticle Protect Wrap Setting Mousse

Shine Enhancing Thermal Protect Hair Lotion

It’s a relatively small collection that boats of big things so does it live up to it?

The shampoo did a good job of cleansing my hair and scalp. I did find that it did not sud up easily, which is understandable because it is sulfate free. It smells pleasant too.

I love the conditioner! It gives amazing slip for finger detangling. It’s not a thick consistency but it’s not too runny either. It also left my hair really soft and moisturized.

The only downfall is that I was sent sample sizes (50ml) because they didn’t have the full sized products yet! Guys its brand new lol! I would love to use it again and give a more detailed review however for now I am very impressed and its two thumbs up!

I’m not sure when it will be available in stores in the UK yet but I know it will be available at the Natural Nights event this Sunday! I hope you guys are going!! If you can’t attend, watch out for my event cover for it.

Verdict: nuNAAT never fails to deliver! I love all the products I have from this brand and I will definitely recommend it! Be sure to check them out

Love

Sarah