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Chuffed to receive this to trial – I know that L’Oreal makes excellent skincare products, so for me, this was already a winner before I opened the box... Brown glass is so practical for maintaining product efficacy; however, it can be pretty boring. But not in the hands of the innovative folks at L’Oreal though - they’ve managed to turn boring into beautiful! The bottle is faceted almost Art Deco style with a ritzy gold trim, and what a clever idea to reverse the ombre shading with the lightest part is at the base so I can see when the product level is getting low – love it! There’s a standard dropper cap that screws on tightly, but more on that later... The pale gold serum is quite thick but spreads effortlessly and has a cooling effect when massaged in. Non-sticky, it disappears in seconds leaving a relatively matte surface of soft, soothed and nourished skin, all prepped and ready for moisturising. The fragrance is a delicate floral with a teeny hint of citrus and a twang of something slightly chemical, but not enough to bother me, and it doesn’t linger on the skin... The recommendation was for 3-4 drops morning & night, but I found it difficult to dispense by-the-drop so I went for a whole squirt for each application to my face, neck and chest – turns out it was exactly the right quantity for an even and thorough distribution... To be honest, I noticed very little change in my complexion in the first few weeks – I’ve been using quality serums for many years, and at my age, miracles aren’t likely so I wasn’t expecting much of an improvement. But…around about week three, I caught a glimpse of myself without makeup in a decidedly unflattering light and was surprised how great my skin looked – slightly curvy instead of flat, glowy instead of blotchy, and not showing the impact of a lifetime of gravity to the same extent... Despite working long hours, my skin simply doesn’t look as worn out as I feel, and with no other change to my skincare routine, I’m crediting this pumpkin-hour serum with the upgrade. Thank you L’Oreal & beautyheaven – I was perfectly happy with the serum I was using, but I’d much rather go with this beauty to see how much more glow and lift it can deliver, especially in the wee hours.

After trialling this from the Best in Beauty Box, I've come to the conclusion that I don't need any other body moisturiser in my kit... My skin has seen many moons and is becoming drier as I step into senior citizen's territory. While I've sorted the shower gel situation to only include those products that inject moisture, I still need a little something extra to keep my skin supple and smooth, especially in the colder months... This Dermaveen lotion provides exactly what it says on the label - extra hydration & intensive moisturising. The 500ml bottle is sturdy and stable on my bench, and the pump is made with quality and performance in mind. The product consistency is quite thick - halfway between a lotion and a cream and has a delicate oatmeal scent, which I love as it smells real. As the formula is fragrance-free I know that the scent comes directly from the high concentration of colloidal oatmeal, which past experience has taught me is SO good for my skin, particularly for its soothing properties... The lotion is non-greasy and absorbs fast enough to not delay me getting dressed, and that's another bonus. Oh how I wish I'd discovered this years ago when I was dealing with itchy lumps and bumps on my arms and torso and cracked skin on my legs, but it's never too late to give your skin exactly what it needs to be healthy. Thanks bh and Dermaveen for the opportunity to test this wonderful skin product, and give it a permanent place in my routine

This was the only product in the Best in Beauty trial bundle that I had concerns about, only because of the uncomfortable experiences I've had with similar products, but I'm delighted to say this meal replacement shake is a winner... I've tried at least 10 other brands and not one of them has agreed with me. I experienced major bloating and intestinal discomfort from every single one and had actually given up on the whole concept as simply not for me. But thanks to beautyheaven I'm back in the game... I was sent 2 sachets of the vanilla flavour - not something I would normally go for (I’m a chocaholic), but I have to say it was delish. I mixed the powder with 250mls of water in my shaker as a substitute for my breakfast. Like all meal replacement powders, it took a while for my brain to register that I had something substantial in my belly, but once the recognition hit, I was totally satisfied till lunchtime - didn't even think about having my usual supplement serving of nuts, or berries and yoghurt... I found it didn't dissolve or mix as easily as some others, but after an additional minute of shaking it blended into a smooth and tasty drink which kept me going through a busy morning. I was waiting for my belly to blow up, but it never happened - yay! And at only 205 calories, you can bet on me trying the chocolate one!...

I'm a massive fan of the SheaMoisture brand and was so happy to find this Colour Care masque in the Best in Beauty goody box - I dye my hair regularly, and products that help maintain the colour and condition are vital to keep my tresses in top shape... In this generous 227g pot is the most divine-smelling (from sweet violet extract) pale lilac paste that works magic on chemically damaged hair. The first time I used it I applied more than I needed - it seemed to instantly absorb so I kept scooping out more from the jar and working it through my hair. After a few minutes though I could tell that I could have used way less as it became more creamy and spreadable once it combined with the wet strands... The great news is that it didn't weigh my hair down in the slightest, which is a problem I've had when I've used too much of other masques. The second time I was way more cautious with the quantity and spread it between my hands and then worked it through my hair, concentrating on the ends. Perfect... The recommendation is to leave it on for 5 minutes, but I prefer 10. I rinsed till the water was clear and my hair felt crazy soft, same when I blow-dried - super soft, fragrant, glossy and no colour-fade. Love it!

Hard to believe but I've not tried a Blistex product before, so thanks bh for the chance to sample this little lip wonder via the Best In Beauty trial bundle... Lip balm is as essential to me as deodorant and moisturiser on a daily basis, and this one is both delicious and effective at keeping my pout soft and protected. The other balms I use don't contain sunscreen so I welcome the fact that this product has SPF30 for those days when I know I'm going to be outside for an extended period of time... It's the cutest little pot of gold-coloured ointment that smells (and tastes) like vanilla and contains vitamin e and cocoa butter. Only 7g of product, but so little is required to give my lips complete coverage so it will no doubt last a while. When applied my lips tingle a teeny bit, but in a pleasant way and there's also a kind of cooling effect which is a bonus in the hot weather... Unlike other balms, the softening effect of this little beauty seems to continue even when it's worn (or eaten) off, so it truly is a lip conditioner.

Crikey, I wondered why the Best in Beauty Trial Box was so heavy, and this massive 1L bottle was the culprit - it would have to be the biggest container of face and body wash I've ever seen, and a bargain price tag too... Refreshingly hydrating, the sebamed Face Body Wash is highly likely to be the answer to any dry and/or sensitive skinned folk's prayers. This high sudsing spearmint green cleanser is made in Germany and is specifically designed for skin that doesn't react well to regular soaps or shower products. The formula's pH value is 5.5 which is the same as normal skin and therefore is less likely to cause any issues for skin that is prone to irritation. Ingredients include vitamins, Allantoin and something called Pentavitin (Saccharide Isomerate) - I had never heard of this before but research tells me it is plant-derived, 100% natural and its main benefit is major hydration of the skin for up to 72 hours. Apparently it can't be washed away and only comes off through the natural skin flaking process, so it keeps on protecting the skin from moisture loss even if you don't use it every day - interesting stuff, and while my bod has a problem with SLS (which is also one of the ingredients), I've not experienced any kind of itchiness or inflammation, and my skin has remained soft and supple, as well as deeply cleansed... The only reason I haven't given this wash 5 stars is the fragrance - gee whiz it bothers me something fierce. It's very strong and starts off being slightly minty, but quickly becomes quite medicinal, like something you'd smell in a hospital. Such a shame as I'd rather no fragrance at all than one that I don't like. But my quirky scent preferences aside, this is an excellent product for anyone that experiences dry flaky skin that is aggravated by regular cleansers and shower gels, plus it's readily available at Priceline.

Beautyheaven trials of some truly awesome products have been responsible for changing my beauty habits over the years, and after testing out these delicious munchies, I can add food to the list!... These little clusters of dry-roasted pistachios, cranberries, cashews, almonds and sesame seeds are nothing short of delicious. In a handy resealable pack, they're an absolute treat for the taste buds - not too sweet, not too savoury, just the right balance to satisfy any snack-attack. The texture is a delight as well - they're crunchy but not hard enough to be a problem for sensitive teeth or gums. The only problem is that a serving size of 444kj is only 4 pieces, and I've yet to be able to stop at that many lol... Although they have relatively high sugar content, there's lots of goodness in these little plant-based bundles, so much so that the pack scores a 4 in the Health Star Rating system. My current fave snack pack only scores a 1 so I'm both relieved and delighted to have a far healthier alternative on my shopping list. They are also free of dairy, honey, soy, gluten and artificial additives... Available at supermarkets, there are a handful of other flavours that I'll be munching my way through over the next few weeks of delectable discoveries - so far the pumpkin seed one is awesome too. Thanks bh and munchme - I'm a convert!

Another lovely product that came in the Natural Beauty Month box, this Age Renew Soothing Day Cream is elegantly presented in a 50g dark brown glass jar with a metallic copper lid, and joy of joys, and expiry date on the label… The cream has a light consistency, but is deceptively potent and provided ample moisture for my dry winter skin without causing any pore congestion, which is something I’m prone to, especially when I change skincare products. It has a very mild fragrance, and overall the formula is a delight – it's vegan, cruelty- free, very smoothing and soothing, and I was delighted to see the usually reddish areas around my nose and chin had calmed down to a soft pink hue, and that was after only a few days use... I so enjoyed the opportunity to try this cream and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to my friends and family, however, it’s not something that I would normally buy as it contains no sunscreen. I need a day cream that includes 30 SPF as my skincare routine is already made up of five products…

Having used the night cream in this range, I was very happy to find this day-time variety in the Natural Beauty Month bundle of goodies… I do love moisturisers that come in a tube – way more hygienic, and they take up far less space on my bench. This 125ml one is ever so pretty with its cheery orange floral motif, and there’s a foil seal under the cap. Consistency is actually quite runny – not as liquid as a body milk but about halfway between a cream and a lotion. But because it’s so fluid I found it absorbs very quickly, which is a bonus in the morning rush… The scent is very similar to the night cream, but more potent – a kind of herbal/floral fragrance that isn’t quite my cup of tea. I’m a total scentophile, fragrance being very important to me and my whole experience of a product, and while it’s not at all unpleasant I actually find it a bit strong. The formula is a wonder though - contains natural and organic ingredients like Evening Primrose, Patchouli & Rose Oils, Vitamins A, C & E, and incidentally, Blessed by Nature is 100% Australian owned, and they don’t test their products on animals… While this is a lovely cream, in the short time I had to test it out, I found it wasn’t powerful enough for my mature skin in these cooler months when my complexion needs a potent anti-shrivelling formula. But come summer when my facial oil production kicks in, I will welcome its lighter texture and performance, however, I will restrict it to indoor days only as there’s no sunscreen content...

This massive 390ml tub came in the Natural Beauty Month box, and it sure is a natural beauty. With a deliciously zesty and fresh fragrance (hard to nail down but I’ll say lemony coconut) this versatile product can be used in three ways – as an after shampoo conditioner, a hair mask or as a leave-in treatment… I first tried it as a mask and slathered on a generous amount. The instructions say to leave it on for one minute, which is only 30 seconds longer than using it as a conditioner. I thought this was strange, and assuming it was a misprint I left it on for 20 minutes after my monthly colouring, which as it turns out was way too long (and I used too much) as it made my hair too soft and it wouldn’t hold the style. I never thought I’d say that my hair was too soft after using a product, but there you go - I should have followed the instructions! The second time I worked it through my tresses as a post-shampoo conditioner – I applied about half what I did the first time, rinsed it out almost immediately, and was much happier with the more manageable results. It’s pretty clear from my experience that this formula simply doesn’t need a lot of product, or time, to work its magic… My hair isn’t long enough or dry enough to use it as a leave-in conditioner, but I reckon folks with dehydrated and/or damaged locks will find it an absolute blessing…