WAGAMAMA - A FRESH TASTE FOR 2019

January 23, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

I was introduced to Wagamama a few years ago and prior to visiting the restaurant, I was under the illusion that they only served noodles and soup, which yes, they do, however I remember being pleasantly surprised to have seen that their menu had a lot more range than I initially thought!

Founded in 1992, Wagamama is an oriental restaurant which serves dishes which are mostly Chinese that have been inspired by Japanese food. I had been invited along for a complimentary meal with my friend at the Harrogate restaurant to see if I could bring myself to try something new other than Chicken Katsu Curry…

Starter: Tama Squid
I am a big fan of Squid, particularly the Chilli Squid which is what I usually go for but seeing Tama Squid on the menu jumped out at me and sounded rather tasty! Crispy fried squid balls drizzled with Okonomiyaki sauce and Mayonnaise topped with Aonori and Bonito Flakes. When the dish arrived we were told that parts of the Bonito Flakes moved whilst they were warm which was a pleasant surprise! They were delicious. One of my favourite dishes and I would even go as far as to say I preferred these to Chilli Squid! They were slightly hard to bite into and rather crispy but soon melted in the mouth and burst with flavour!
Main Course: Yasai Katsu Curry
Okay, I failed. (Kinda). I love Katsu Curry, what can I say!? However, this was from the Vegan/Vegetarian menu and it had been a while since my last visit so this menu was completely new to me. Differing from the main menu, the Yasai Katsu Curry comes in the form of Sweet Potato, Aubergine and Butternut Squash coated in crispy Panko breadcrumbs which has the infamous curry sauce drizzled on top. This also comes with sticky white rice and a side serving of salad. For me, this was the perfect alternative to the Chicken Katsu Curry! There was near enough no difference in taste other than the Sweet Potato circles which were soft and tasty. My only personal thought on this dish was that I found 4 of the Sweet Potato circles a bit too much… They were incredibly filling so I only managed around 2 and a half but with that being said, this was just a personal preference!
Dessert: Chocolate and Shichimi Ice Cream
Despite feeling fit to burst at this point, me and my friend always, have room for desserts… I opted for the Chocolate and Shichimi Ice Cream and as I took the first scoop, the chocolate was so creamy and rich and as I began to swallow, a whole explosion of the Shichimi burst inside of my mouth! At first it took me by shock as it was spicy and not something I had envisaged being inside of a chocolate ice cream! I persevered through as the chocolate was so delicious but the spiciness was a little overwhelming at times.

I had a wonderful time at Wagamama and it was a great way of trying out new dishes and being able to taste things I may have not noticed or ordered before! A big thank you to Caitlin and the team for inviting me along and I am already looking forward to my next trip for the Tama Squid again!

Have you visited Wagamama before? If so, what do you typically order? Have you tried anything from the Vegan/Vegetarian menu? What did you try? Have you tried any of the things I’ve mentioned within this blog? Do let me know your thoughts below as I would love to hear from you, and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button!

evo HAIR

January 18, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

I always struggle with a hairstyle for myself. One day I want to grow it long, the next I want it all short! Whilst experimenting with different styles and to help me make up my mind, luckily for me, I had been contacted by evo Hair asking if I’d like to try out a couple of haircare products from their range so naturally, I snapped their hands off!

‘You won't find unnecessary, over-marketed ingredients; no imaginary technology, no myths, no gimmicks. all ingredients in evo formulations are active; nothing is added only to make claims on the label.’

evo are taking a more environmentally friendly approach and have repackaged their products by getting rid of cardboard boxes and round packaging instead replacing them with sturdy, square ‘pucks’ that are easy to stack whilst being environmentally friendly! Inside each product you’ll find that they are all certified cruelty free products which are gluten, sulphate, paraben, dea, tea and propylene glycol free.

What I like about this brand is their whole tongue in cheek attitude with their products which you will see in the packaging and if I’m honest, it feels like a breath of fresh air in a rather stuffy market! I had been lucky enough to receive a whole bundle from evo, but for this particular blog I will be reviewing some of my favourites from the range such as;

box o’ bollox / texture paste - tells you what you want to hear; perfect for the friendless and those who need to spend a lot on jeans (see placebo in the dictionary)

Recommended for all hair types, this texture paste was easy and manageable to rub into my hair to create a style whilst still flexible enough to be able to move around if those pesky fly-aways weren’t behaving! Once set in style, I liked the matte effect it gave to my hair as I prefer my hair to look as natural as it can without looking shiny. The texture paste also added volume to it which gave the illusion of it being slightly thick which was a winner in my eyes as my hair is rather thin and fine. To purchase, click here.

casual act / moulding whip - there are those who don’t have to speak loudly to make a statement; whose actions speak louder than words

Again, recommended for all hair types, short - medium in particular, I worked this moulding whip between my hands whilst my hair was dry and began to rub it into my chosen style. The texture was light which at times was a little difficult to get the style right but with that being said, this made it easier to be able to restyle if needed. There was little shine with this moulding whip which for me was a bonus, and I liked how light it felt in my hair! To purchase, click here.

normal persons / daily shampoo - normal persons shampoo is practically latin for ‘smart-thinking hair care brand that jumps on the bandwagon and makes a good shampoo'.

This daily shampoo helps to cool and stimulate the scalp whilst reducing excess oil. I found this shampoo to be cleansing and it helped to rid of any product that was in my hair prior to cleaning it. The scent is fresh and has a cooling sensation to it!
To purchase, click here.

To find out more about evo Hair and what they stand for, read more here!

Have you tried any products by evo Hair before? If so, what did you try? Are there any others you think I should try out? Let me know your thoughts below as I would love to hear from you and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button!

ALLIES OF SKIN

January 16, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

A recent new find of mine in the skincare world comes in the form of Allies Of Skin. A skincare brand which has become an instant cult hit that focuses on smart, multi-tasking products to fit around modern lives. Allies Of Skin features many potent antioxidants and intelligent nutrients which work effectively together to adapt to your skins needs!

I was lucky enough to have been gifted 3 products from the brand which include;

All-Day Pollution Repair Mask
On first glance at the name, I immediately thought that this product was going to be a mask and I was rather excited to try this out, however, despite its namesake, I quickly learnt that this is in fact a moisturiser which has the potency and all of the benefits within a mask! Featuring ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid blended with Acai Oil which helps to infuse essential fatty acids, intense moisture and nutrients. I applied this first thing of a morning after cleansing my skin and could almost instantly see that my skin had a fresher, dewy glow to it and looked completely refreshed! The consistency of the All-Day Pollution Repair Mask was light on my skin and absorbed quickly and efficiently into my skin. To purchase, click here.
Promise Keeper Blemish Facial
This product is a leave-on mask and is used nightly which works as both a curative and a preventive measure to help keep skin clear. Formulated with alpha hydroxy acids, enzymes and antibacterial colloidal silver, this powerful formulation helps to soothe irritation, clear the skins complexion all the while unclogging pores and blemishes. I left this mask on overnight consecutively for a couple of nights before noticing a difference. To begin with, I experienced a breakout which was to be expected given that your skin needs time to adjust, however, once the breakout subsided, my skin looked a lot clearer and felt smooth to touch! I also particularly enjoyed the scent of the lavender which I found soothing, especially on a nighttime. The consistency again like the All-Day Pollution Repair Mask was light and easy to apply. To purchase, click here.
Fresh Slate Clay & Manuka Honey Purifying Cleanser + Masque
A multi-tasker formulated with Manuka Honey and salicylic acid, this 2-In-1 combination helps to keep your skin looking smooth, fresh and clean without feeling dry and irritated. I applied this as both as cleanser and a masque and I have to be honest, as a cleanser, this just did not work for me. I found the consistency far too thick to use as a cleanser and the performance of it as a masque was much better! I left this on for around 10 minutes before rinsing off and immediately my skins appearance was brighter, and had a fresh glow to it. To purchase, click here.

To conclude, these products were a great introduction to the Allies Of Skin brand for me and I would recommend trying out the All-Day Pollution Repair Mask as this was a personal favourite of mine! To get more of an insight into Allies Of Skin, click here.

Have you tried any of these products mentioned? If so, which ones and what are your thoughts? Have you tried any other Allies Of Skin products before? Are there any you feel I should try out? Let me know below as I’d love to hear from you and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button!

CLEAN RESERVE - TERRA WOODS FRAGRANCE

January 09, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

A couple of months ago I came across Clean Reserve by accident whilst browsing through Space NK and initially, it was the sturdy yet minimalistic design of their bottles and branding that caught my eye!

A day later, I received an email asking if I’d like to sample a couple of fragrances by Clean Reserve, now if that isn’t some Black Mirror stuff right there then I don’t know what is… Of course, I jumped at the chance and was kindly gifted two fragrances by the brand:

Terra Woods
Skin

In this particular blog post I will be reviewing the Terra Woods fragrance so check back soon for the ‘Skin’ fragrance review!

TERRA WOODS - CLEAN RESERVE

A unisex fragrance that is floral yet woody which launched in 2016.

Top Notes: Geranium, Jasmine Sambac
Middle Notes: Coconut
Base Notes: Musk, Woodsy Notes, Tonka Bean, Vanilla

Clean Reserve pledge to change the way you experience fragrances by creating a collection that highlights your individuality whilst tapping into their perfumers reserve of raw ingredients to remove the clutter, heaviness and complexity - so all you’re left with is CLEAN.

Each of the fragrances by Clean Reserve have been created so that you can pair it with another fragrance allowing you to create a fragrance that is truly special to become a firm, signature staple!

On the first spray I was immediately hit with the Geranium note with the ever so subtle hint of Coconut coming through which adds a warmth and a creaminess to the fragrance. The opening is quite bold but once the dry down begins, the scent stays pretty linear and fades after an hour or two… In terms of Terra Woods’ silage, I would say it begins medium/heavy but quickly wears down to a light and stays close to the skin and its projection again, starts off moderate but gradually becomes soft.

I did enjoy wearing Terra Woods for the initial scent itself, however, I wish it just lasted that little bit longer. With that being said, I would recommend wearing Terra Woods during the daytime and perhaps throughout Spring/Summer this may perform better?

To purchase Terra Woods, click here! To learn a little more about Clean Reserve and their brands message, click here.

Have you tried Terra Woods before? How did you find it? Have you come across Clean Reserve before and sampled any of their fragrances? If so, which one? I would love to hear your thoughts so leave me a comment down below and I’d love it if you could click the ‘like’ button too!

PERRICONE MD - CBx FOR MEN

January 06, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

Perricone MD was one of the first well-known skincare brands that I worked with back when I started blogging and still to this day remains a firm favourite of mine!

Perricone MD was created by Dr Nicholas Perricone after his life long passion for science inspired him to unlock the secrets to healthy ageing and continues to introduce revolutionary technologies into skincare which aim to get us one step closer to the fountain of youth!

PERRICONE MD CBx

The CBx range has been designed with men in mind, and has been powered by PHYTOCANNABINOIDS which are naturally derived from the hemp plant. The range delivers potent antioxidant benefits which aim to help stressed skin feel soothed, healthy and refreshed! Within the CBx range there are 3 products;

Super Clean Face Wash
Soothing Post-Shave Treatment
Lightweight Moisturiser

From this range I received the Super Clean Face Wash alongside the Lightweight Moisturiser as at the time of receiving these, I was sporting a beard so didn’t feel the need to try out the Post-Shave Treatment!

I applied the Super Clean Face Wash both at morning to apply the Lightweight Moisturiser, and at nighttime to remove any skincare products I had worn during the day. Prior to application, I washed my face first leaving my skin moist for the Super Clean Face Wash to be applied and whilst applying this, it began to turn quite foamy.

Once rinsed off, I found that my skin felt smooth and incredibly clean whilst some Face Washes can leave your skin feeling dry and tight, I found that this particular Face Wash didn’t have that feeling instead, leaving it feeling comfortable! I particularly enjoyed the scent of the Super Clean Face Wash which was woody with a green, earthy feel to it.

For the Lightweight Moisturiser, I applied this in the morning, ready for the day ahead and applied this after cleansing my face with the Super Clean Face Wash. The first thing I noticed about the Lightweight Moisturiser was the texture and how light it felt!

Granted, it is named as ‘Lightweight Moisturiser’ so it’s safe to say that it definitely lives up to its namesake. The Lightweight Moisturiser absorbed into my skin pretty quickly and I liked that it left my skin feeling hydrated and light without feeling too gloopy! My only personal critique is that there was a slight shine to my skin afterwards which some people may love, but for me, I prefer a more matte finish when it comes to the appearance of my skin.

Overall, another great range by Perricone MD! To view more about the range, click here. For more details on the Super Clean Face Wash, click here and for the Lightweight Moisturiser, click here!

Do check out my other reviews from the Perricone MD brand such as the Photo Plasma and Cold Plasma!

You can also read about my time at the H2 Elemental Energy Launch down in London here.

Have you tried the CBx range? Which ones did you try? Have you used any products from Perricone MD before? If so, which ones? I would love to hear from you so leave me a comment down below and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button!

SHOWstudio: 100 WOMEN

January 03, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

Towards the end of last year, I had the pleasure of being invited along to the preview night of the exhibition; 100 Women at SHOWStudio in London! I had previously viewed a few other exhibits at the studio before such as Moving Kate and Fashion Flora, so to be invited along to an exhibition where women in fashion were being celebrated as part of the Centenary year, was a must for me.

The exhibition was created by selecting 50 fashion illustrators to interpret 100 models, past and present, who have all been known to challenge the typical conventions of femininity such as; Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Halima Aden, Iman, Slick Woods, Stella Tennant and many more.

I made my way into the exhibit and was immediately drawn to the illustration of Naomi Campbell by Tobie Giddio. The artwork was strong, powerful and was the perfect representation of Naomi I felt!

Each model was asked to select an image or look of them that made them feel empowered at the time alongside a quote of how and why this was so impactful to them. It was interesting to see the models favourite looks and their accompanying quote to grasp a better understanding of how they felt empowered at the time.

100 Women is available to the public to view at SHOWstudio and is a must for any fashion lover out there! 10% of the proceeds from the sale of any artworks will be donated to Women For Women UK and you can view the full list of the illustrations alongside the models captions here.

SHOWstudio
22D Ebury Street
Belgravia, London,
SW1W 0LU

Have you visited the 100 Women exhibit yet? Can you spot any of your favourite models in my photographs? Have you been to any exhibitions at SHOWstudio before? If so, which ones? Do let me know your thoughts below, and don't forget to click that 'like' button!

GIVE THE GIFT OF CREED THIS CHRISTMAS

December 21, 2018 by Mr Luke Christian

For those of you who are frantically panicking for those last minute Christmas gifts, I wanted to share with you a fragrance that I have recently come across by the fragrance powerhouse; Creed.

CREED: ORIGINAL SANTAL

Inspired by the spiritual and royal splendor of India, Original Santal captures the essence of precious Sandalwood trees from India which are best known for spiritual strength, calming power and the beautiful scent of Sandalwood. I was already a fan of Sandalwood prior to smelling this fragrance, and I was also already a fan of Creed, especially their fragrance; Aventus. So much so, that I named this my number 1 fragrance of 2015!

Top Notes: Coriander, Juniper Berries, Cinnamon, Sandalwood
Middle Notes: Rosemary, Ginger, Lavender, Petitgrain
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Vanilla

A clean, sophisticated fragrance that felt light, dry and crisp during the opening, yet a little busy and manic with all of the different notes bouncing around off of each other. After 15/20 minutes or so, the fragrance began to turn a little more woody and with the Sandalwood note coming through which blends beautifully with the Tonka Bean and Vanilla notes which left the fragrance to feel creamy on my skin which was undoubtedly my favourite part of the fragrance!

The silage and projection began quite strong but sat closer to the skin a little quicker than I would have liked, which meant that every time I got a little hint of the fragrance on my skin, I kept wanting to go back to it. Original Santal lasted for up to 5/6 hours on my skin with the occassional ‘Ooo what aftershave are you wearing today?’ question being asked to me by my friends!

Overall, the fragrance had a really warm feel to it that may feel a little too rich to wear during the daytime, but would perform beautifully on an evening. To purchase Creed: Original Santal, click here!

Have you smelt Original Santal by Creed before? What did you think to the fragrance? Have you smelt any fragrances from Creed? If so, which ones? I would love to hear from you, so leave me a comment below and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button!