Summer Savvy: Newbies from P&G

I've had the pleasure of exploring P&G beauty products for a while now, and although their formulas are solid, they continue to change things up as often as they can by introducing new scents and designs to their collection. I have a few things from their 'Summer Savvy' Must-Have package to introduce and share with you, not in-depth reviews but just an overview of some of their new stuff!

The new Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky Dandruff Shampoo & Conditioner duo has a light refreshing scent with a 3 Action Formula to cleanse, protect, and moisturize. Head & Shoulders is the only brand of shampoo my bf will touch! He actually stole my Instant Cooling Relief duo from me because he had a super itchy scalp over the winter so I'm excited to get to test this duo out now.

And from Olay, the Fresh Outlast Purifying Birchwater & Lavender Body Wash is one of their newer scents. The formula is designed to work with skin's natural pH and won't dry out the skin. I've never had a problem with Olay body washes drying me out at all. The scent of this one isn't anything special and I much prefer their fruity scents over this one!

The Gillette Venus Swirl isn't a new product, but with the warm weather here I've got to be stocking up on razors! I try not to shave my legs but I do always search for the best razor for my lady parts. I try to change things up so my body doesn't get too used to one product. The Venus Swirl promises flawless shave with 5 contouring blades, Flexiball technology on the handle, and water-activated MoistureGlide serum for smooth sailing.

Herbal Essences Bio:renew Curl Defining Mousse comes in a grey bottle, part of the somewhat new Bio:renew line. It is designed for girls with curly hair for a non-sticky and flexible hold against humidity. I wish I did, but I don't have curls! So this doesn't work very well for my super straight hair.

The bottle of the Herbal Essences Bio:renew Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo is beautiful and I love trying new dry shampoos, but I haven't had many successful tries. I used to really like the Herbal Essences Naked Dry Shampoo, it worked really similar to my favourite Batiste Dry Shampoo. But I then I started having issues with the nozzle getting clogged or just not working from the start. This one also contains tapioca to absorb the oil, as well as aloe, sea kelp, and antioxidants. Overall the ingredients list is quite small which is a good thing and I definitely feel the powder when sprayed onto the hair.

Olay Luminous Brightening & Protecting Lotion contains SPF 30 and is designed to hydrate, even skin tone, and protect against harmful UVs. I like this scent of this one because it has a light fragrance mixed with SPF, so you know the SPF is there. I don't believe there are any whitening ingredients, but it does have a very faint shimmer, and the SPF does work to brighten the face a bit.

And finally, the Secret Fresh Clear Gel in Ooh La La Lavender is a new scent of the Secret Fresh Antipersperant/Deodorant. It is a gel formula that dries fast and doesn't leave major marks or residue. It does dry fast and doesn't feel uncomfortable on the skin but the scent is a little strong for me. I will see how it holds up keeping me smelly-free!

ban.do super chill cooler bag - lemon style

I also received this AMAZING cooler bag by ban.do in the shape of a lemon! I am definitely NOT a sucker for cute things but I can't get over this bag! It is called the Super Chill Cooler Bag and actually comes in 4 different styles. After stalking their website I noticed they have other styles of cooler bags too (I had no idea this was a thing or I'd have been all over it sooner).

Find the ban.do cooler bag at amazon.ca, on Asos, and Urban Outfitters.

These products were received as press samples. This article is not sponsored but may contain affiliate links.

alba Botanica Facial Sunscreen Lotion & Continuous Spray SPF

This might be the first time writing about them, but alba Botanica is a brand I have had my eye on and have always kind of admired. They have actually been around since 1979, but I had no idea because I haven't heard of the brand until recently. Their products are 100% vegetarian, do not use animal testing and try to include as many botanical ingredients as they can.

"alba Botanica products are formulated without parabens, phthalates, artificial colours, propylene glycol, aluminum, mineral oil, petrolatum, oxybenzone, PABA, nan-particles, DEA, MEA, TEA, Pegs, and peg derivates, ethoxylated ingredients associated with 1,4 dioxane, formaldehyde donors, or GMOs."

Two newbies from alba Botanica that I have here, are the very emollient Continuous Spray Sunscreens with SPF 50+ ($16.99 CAD) in both Kids and Sport. The formulas seem to be quite similar, besides the Kids version providing only Water Resistance, and the Sport providing Sweat + Water Resistance. I was super excited for these because I am always looking for a sunscreen that doesn't need to be rubbed in. I HATE the feeling of my palms after applying sunscreen and I'll do anything to avoid that.

The Continuous Spray Sunscreens come in a 177ml aerosol can, and spray onto the skin colourless (clear). Actually, at first I was a little confused and thought that I hadn't shaken the bottle enough but I was wrong. It sprays as a mist and smells of a mixture of alcohol and sunscreen. I was concerned the formula would be a little drying on the skin but that definitely wasn't the case. Actually, the SPF 50+ formulas contain good ingredients for the skin like Green Tea, Aloe Leaf and Algae, Vitamin E, and Grapefruit Water.

Both contain UVA and UVb protectants, are eco-friendly and contain no chemical propellants, no artificial colours or fragrances, are hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested. I'd definitely recommend trying out the Continuous Spray Sunscreens, especially if you've been looking for something that applies clear!

The alba Botanica Facial Sunscreen Lotion ($9.99 CAD) contains SPF 40, claims to be fast absorbing and non pore-clogging. Containing botanicals like Aloe Vera, Ginseng, Lavender, and Calendula, and come in a 113ml sized tube. The sunscreen itself does not have a thick texture, but it does feel a bit heavier on the face than I'd like and a tiny bit greasy. I prefer a thin SPF for my face because I do like to wear makeup on a daily basis, and if the SPF is a little thick, it feels heavy under all my makeup.

I love the high content of SPF in alba Botanica products, and although the Facial Sunscreen Lotion was a bit too thick for me to wear under makeup, my aunt swears by it! I promised to give her the tube. She does not wear foundation and finds that this works really well with a moisturizer on her dry skin, and I wouldn't be surprised if she purchased one after she is done with this one.

These products were received as press samples. This article is not sponsored but may contain affiliate links.

Vichy Idealia Skincare Range!

I've reviewed quite a bit of Vichy skincare in the past and am such a big fan of their stuff. I am no stranger to the Idealia line but there are a few new/revamped products. Idealia focuses on those in their 30s (according to the website) that want to change their skincare routine and maintain more radiant skin. I have no idea why the focus is on people in their 30s; I am in my early 20s and I love the Idealia line. Idealia products contain an antioxidant complex, with blueberry extract, fermented black tea extract, and Vichy's Mineralizing Thermal Water. The complex is designed to make skin look more radiant, smoother fine lines, and reduced pores. 

The range is suitable for all skin types and ages but it specifically focuses on making skin look more radiant and "alive". Who, at any age, doesn't want that!?

The Idealia Smoothness & Glow Energizing Cream is a day cream, retailing for $45.00 (CAD) at 50ml a jar. It contains Blueberry Polyphenols (fight effects of aging and stress) and Fermented Black Tea Extract (energizing and detoxifying), Adenosine (anti-aging), and Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water. It provides 24-hour moisture with a lasting glowing, and claims to even complexion and refine pores. Personally, I really like this moisturizer, but I can't say I noticed it evening my pores or complexion. I definitely notice a radiance to my skin when using this and it definitely works well under my makeup. I've used the Idealia Skin Sleep Moisturizer before but I do prefer this one over that. I would definitely purchase this when I run out.

I reviewed the Idealia Life Serum a while back, but the product has been revamped and has a different texture! It is now called the Idealia Radiance Booster Serum now and has a lighter, clear texture. It retails for $49.95 (CAD) for 30ml and claims to create smooth and glowing skin. The new texture is non-sticky and instantly absorbed for 24-hr hydration. The Radiance Booster Serum contains Licorice Root (skin brightening, preventative, reduce pigmentation), combined with Citrus Flavonoids (skin brightening), Adenosine (anti-aging), and Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water. This serum is so light and absorbs so quickly into my skin. I can't decide if I like the new formulation over the old one. It definitely is different and provides skin with a different feel. It does give a bit of a radiance but nothing overpowering, which is good for me. I can wear this no problem at night, under makeup, etc.

The Idealia Peeling: Radiance Activating Night Peeling Care is something I didn't expect to see in the Idealia line. A peel is a little more of a targeted skin care product and not many people realize that they are quite beneficial to the skin. It retails for $39.95 (CAD) for 100ml and contains special ingredient, exfoliating Glycolic Acid, Black Tea Extract (energizing and detoxifying), Blueberry with Polyphenols (fight effects of aging and stress), and Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water. The peel is designed for dull and uneven skintone to eliminate excess dead skin cells and to stimulate skin regeneration, so over time, dark spots and acne marks will fade. This is perfect for me, I hate scarred acne marks and dark spots! The product itself does scare me a bit, because it requires reduced sun exposure and wearing more SPF. Therefore, I haven't been using it as much as I'd like, to notice any reduction in dark spots. I have had luck with previous Vichy products I've tried in removing dark spots (Vichy Proeven Line) so I have no doubt this would do a decent job as well.

The Idealia Smoothness & Glow Mattifying Sorbet-Cream retails for $39.95 (CAD) for 50ml. It comes in a cute decently-sized tube, and the texture is as-described; a light whipped sorbet. It claims to boost the natural glow, even complexion and blur pores, smooth fine lines, and control shine. It contains Fermented Black Tea Extract (energizing and detoxifying, enhancing skin quality). It absorbs into the skin quickly and I definitely notice a bit of radiance in my skin when I use this. Not sure if I notice any shine control, but it definitely creates a matte base for my foundation application. I think this works great as a primer and it illuminates my face while smoothing and blurring my pores as well. 

Overall the Vichy Idealia range is probably one of my favourite skincare lines! I love the radiance effect that the range promises, and it just works so well with my skin. I do feel that the ingredients are beneficial to the skin and will help slow down the process of aging (hopefully!). See the full range of Idealia products on Vichy.ca.

These products were received for consideration. All opinions are my own and are never influenced by anyone.