Here’s some of the exciting things we tried, saw and loved over the past two weeks!
BLUNT METRO UV Umbrellas
Dee: “With an extraordinarily long rainy season and days where the wind has howled across the pavements, the amount of broken brolly frames has stacked up for most people. I’ve been lucky though as I am the proud new owner of a BLUNT UV umbrella which has the ability to keep gale-force winds at bay, without turning inside out!”
The framework of the BLUNT Metro is designed with polycarbonate fibreglass and anodised aluminium for durability and which supports a fully-tensioned canopy. The handle also features an auto-open/close button for easy opening and closing. The umbrellas also come in different canopy widths so you can choose something that will easily fit into your handbag or, choose a wider canopy for extensive rain protection.
Dee: “I was sent the BLUNT Metro UV umbrella in a gorgeous lilac shade. This brolly is made for year-long use, in rain or shine, as it has the additional feature of a special blackout canopy that provides a UPF rating of 50+, perfect for those times when you need protection from the sun too. And things don’t get overheated under the brolly either. As harmful UV rays are blocked, the temperature under the canopy reduces to keep you cooler. Perfect!
Yes, BLUNT umbrellas are more expensive than your average brolly but they have been wind tunnel tested to 115km/h and come with a two-year global manufacturer’s warranty – so they are built to last. The umbrellas are also fully repairable which means they don’t end up in landfill if there is an unexpected problem.
Envisioned in London, founded in Warkworth and designed in Auckland, BLUNT umbrellas are available throughout the world and are recognised as a quality, desirable brand. The BLUNT Metro UV umbrellas are available in three colours – lilac, yellow and navy blue. BLUNT has also done amazing collaborations with artists and designers so, whilst you are on their website, have a look at those too.
Dee: “Honestly, once you’ve owned a BLUNT, you won’t go back to an everyday umbrella.”
Recycled Quick Dry Towel, DOCK & BAY
Dee: “Included with my BLUNT umbrella was a lilac striped Dock & Bay 100% recycled towel. Honestly, these towels are amazing and when it comes to replacing any beach towels, the Dock & Bay’s will be the first I buy.”
The towels are a good size, soft and super-absorbent. They are so smooth that beach sand doesn’t adhere to them so with a quick flick, beach sand is left behind. And, they’re also quick drying – three times faster than normal towels – and they pack down into a cute compact pouch for travel, tramping, trips to the gym, or the beach.
Dock & Bay has a wide range of designs to choose from and, whilst you’re on their website, check out their range of towels for your fur babies too! Dock & Bay also sells hair wraps and reusable makeup remover pads which would make ideal stocking fillers this Christmas.
Glow Lab
It’s been 5 years since Glow Lab first hit New Zealand supermarkets with products that are natural and effective, without the hefty price tag. Starting out with a skincare range, Glow Lab has extended into haircare and personal wash ranges and is now the #1 natural personal care brand in New Zealand supermarkets!
We were sent five of Glow Lab’s hero products – SPF15 Facial Moisturiser, Pro-Collagen Plumping Night Cream, Body Scrub, Age Renew Retinol Booster Oil, and their Gel Cleanser – all of which we have used before and adore. But, here’s a recap:
- The SPF15 Facial Moisturiser offers hydration and protection against UVA and UVB damage – so important if you don’t want to end up with dehydrated and wrinkly skin.
- The Pro-Collagen Plumping Night Cream is a light, yet rich, night cream packed with natural oils such as shea butter, jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, macadamia, argan and avocado oils and is boosted with a powerful peptide to ensure it plumps and firms your skin whilst you sleep.
- The Age Renew – Retinol* Booster Oil uses a natural retinol alternative – Bakuchiol – which reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation. Research has shown that it boosts collagen and speeds up skin renewal and, importantly, restores firmness.
- Glow Lab’s Gel Cleanser is gentle enough for daily use and is a refreshing way to remove oil, pollution and product build up, without drying out the skin.
- The Body Scrub leaves your skin feeling gorgeously soft and smooth. The shea butter and sugar combine to create a scrub that gently buffs away dry, flaky skin whilst the coconut and almond oils nourish and hydrate your skin.
Jenny: “focus magazine put me onto these products about a year ago. They are really great quality and effective. Importantly, they are very affordable.”
Healthy Feet with Scholl
It’s definitely time for summer sandals and that means, exposing your hopefully, beautifully soft, cared for, feet.
And, if they’re still in need of some TLC, don’t worry, that’s where Scholl – global leaders in creating science-based footcare solutions – comes in.
Research shows that the skin on our feet is 20 times thicker than that on the rest of the body but we often overlook their care.
Enter the new and improved two-speed Electronic Foot Care System which runs on 4 x AA batteries (supplied) along with a coarse roller head and an interchangeable dry skin exfoliation brush – both of which can be used for wet and dry skin. The coarse roller head removes hard skin that has built up under pressure on your feet whilst the dry skin brush gently exfoliates dry, flaky skin and can be used on your lower legs too.
The brush heads are easy to swap around and with a flick of a switch you can pop these out and clean them. Replacement brushes/heads are sold separately and it’s suggested that these are replaced every three months for ideal performance. There is also the option to purchase an Ultra Coarse brush.
Another Scholl product that we recommend is the Scholl Eulactol Heel Balm Gold which gives you visible results in just three days! Repairing cracked and hard skin won’t just improve the look of your feet but will also improve circulation and provide smoother, softer feet, year round.
