Cheap Thrills: CocoFloss.

I know - dental floss... not the kind of thing that I would normally get excited about, but honestly, as well as being a rather stylishly marketed product (there's a bit of a buzz about it at the moment with over a thousand Instagram posts of CocoFloss - say what!) CocoFloss is very, very effective.

CocoFloss is made from microfiber filaments which means it is super-strong so it won't break or shred when you use it. It also expands when used and this coupled with it's uneven surface texture means that it does a much better job of removing plaque compared to regular drugstore flosses. CocoFloss is also soft to the touch so it won't hurt sensitive gums (or your fingers!)
It comes in a cute package and the floss itself is brightly coloured which is fun (and apparently highly Instagramable).

If, like me, you are not too keen on mint you will be pleased to hear that CocoFloss comes in different flavours which are created by infusing the floss with natural oils. Of course there is a Fresh Coconut flavour (which is the one I have and I must say it's very nice indeed, not too strong, tasting fresh rather than cloying), as well as Assorted Fruit flavour, Strawberry, Cara Cara Orange, and for traditionalists Delicious Mint.

Now although it is a 'Cheap Thrill' Cocofloss does cost more than drugstore floss. It is $8.00 for 32yards (which will last you two months or so) but it should, fingers crossed, mean that over the years you end up spending less on your dentistry.

You can buy it direct from cocofloss.com Shipping is free on all orders, and if you buy three rolls at once it will cost you $21.00. Finally get this - there is a floss subscription plan available!

If you want to add a little fun to your daily tooth brushing you really should check this floss out.

(I can't believe I just wrote all this about floss but honestly it is that good!)  

Cheap Thrills - Nivea Express Hydration Body Lotion.

I'm a big fan of Nivea body care products. Sure, they're nothing fancy, but they are reliable, effective and offer great value for money. I am particularly fond of Nivea body lotions and the Express Hydrating Body Lotion is my favorite of the bunch.

It has a very light formulation - an almost a gel like liquid -  that is intensely hydrating and it's not heavy or sticky feeling. This lotion absorbs into my skin immediately leaving it feeling softened and it feels cooling and soothing.

 I use this year round but it is a very good product for warmer weather because of it's lightness. Although it isn't an after sun product, it's a great product to use when your skin feels a little tight from being in the sun or wind.

Fragrance wise, it has a light scent that lingers on the skin without being overpowering. There is definitely a base of that classic Nivea smell here but there is also a spa like freshness that feels very summery. It is a little powdery but isn't particularly feminine, it just smells clean so both men and women can use it.

And it is cheap! A 500ml bottle is around $8.00 (depending on where you purchase it obvs) but you can always find these on special offer, buy one get one, with cash back etc and there are very often coupons for them available. Finally it is paraben free (if that is something that concerns you).

Do yourself a favor and next time you are at the drugstore or in the supermarket throw one of these in your basket, you won't regret it!

NYX - The Hits and The Misses.

I don't buy a lot of drugstore make up but over the past year I have managed to accumulate a few things from NYX. They aren't a brand that I had much knowledge of but I'd heard good things about them and I noticed that their products tend to sell out pretty fast. After having tried out the above products I can see why they do - not everything is perfect but there's some darn good stuff by this brand. 

Which products are good, which are great and which not so? Read on...

NYX Butter Gloss

I have this in the shade 'Creme Brûlée'. Now the color doesn't really correspond to the color of the packaging (the tube is colored to what should be the product color rather than being clear so that you can see the actual product) or the name. I was expecting it to be a pinky, caramel nude but in reality it's a paler pink. Color issues aside it's pretty much everything I like in a gloss. As the name suggests it is smooth and buttery and it feels thick and moisturizing without being at all gloopy or sticky. The pigment is good and once it's on it hangs around for a long time. Not only is it cheap,  there's a great range of colors for all skin tones. 

($5.00 34 colors)

Verdict: Hit 

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream 

I tend to shy away from matte lip products as they can make your lips dry but this one really doesn't. It's easy to apply and once on it lasts (almost too well - you need a dab of eye make up remover to get rid of the last traces of it). This is another highly pigmented lip product and again the actual color is slightly different to the packaging. I have the color 'Antwerp' and it shows a little brighter than the tube suggests, but I liked it a lot. This is one of the nicer matte lip products that I have tried and again there is a great range of colors.

($6.00 34 colors)

Verdict: Big Hit

NYX High Definition Eye Shadow Base

Now while this isn't quite as good as Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base it's almost a quarter of the price (and I prefer it to Urban DecayEyeshadow Primer Potion). It is a light cream/liquid formula that you apply with a doe foot and tap in - you don't need much of this - it smoothes out very well. It is a light pink color to correct and brighten the skin around the eyes and it does a good job of keeping your eye shadow where you put it. (I had a nap in this and my eye color didn't budge!)

($7.00 1color)

Verdict: Hit

NYX Dream Catcher Palette

I'm not crazy about palettes, even though I love the idea of them as I always end up using a couple of colors and wasting the rest but this one caught my eye. 'Golden Horizons' has five matte and five shimmery colors, there's a creamy white, an almost black and a good range of neutral brown and pink colors that are flattering and easy to wear. They have good color playoff, blend well and they also lasted well on me. I think that they offer exceptional value for money - there is a mirror under the shadows and a double ended foam applicator (although I suggest you throw that away and use a proper brush!).  

($15.00 3 color combinations)

Verdict: Big Hit

NYX High Definition Concealer

This is a concealer that you apply with a doe foot that I bought as a possible replacement for Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. I found that the formula of this was much too thin to offer coverage and it was difficult to blend it without it spreading out over a bigger area than that I wanted  to use it on. The color range isn't great either. This one failed to win me over.

($5.00 11 colors)

Verdict: Miss

NYX Stick Blush

This blendable creamy blusher swipes on straight from the tube and has the consistency of a sheer lipstick. It's easy to blend, with quite a strong pigment and once in place it lasts. I have the shade 'Hibiscus' which is a fairly dark beige pink. These are a great 'on the go' product to carry in your bag.

($6.00 8 colors).

Verdict: Hit

NYX Rouge Cream Blusher

I picked up this in the shade 'Boho Chic', a light pink with blue undertones simply because it looked the least shimmery of the options. It gives a nice sheer wash that is extremely easy to blend and gives a very subtle natural color. Once on it isn't at all shimmery. It gives a fresh dewy finish and is great to use as a subtle highlighter as well as a blush. I'm very pleased with this and can see a few more of them making their way into my stash.

($6.00 9 colors)

Verdict: Big Hit

Overall I'm very impressed by NYX. Whilst the packaging may not be the nicest out there the products inside are mostly great and they are one of the cheapest drug store brands. The eye shadow palette, the matte lip cream and the cream blush are all wonderful and for me hold their own with much higher priced products.  I can see myself picking up a few more products by NYX!

You can find NYX in most US drugstores or at www.nyxcosmetics.com