Goodbye 2016

Saturday 31 December 2016

Here is my reflection video of this year.
2016 has been a hard year and i feel that difficulty in life can make you stronger. I'm not going to quit my dreams because it takes time to accomplish them. The time will pass and i will get there sooner than i think.
I have learnt this year to appreciate everything good in my life and to be grateful no matter what. 

Every now and then it's good to stop climbing and appreciate the view from where you are.

So let's celebrate and have a better, happier and successful 2017.

I'll drink to that...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL
💖
Bunny Hugs,

Hayley

xxx
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It's OK To Turn Off The News

2016 has been a year with many creative souls leaving this earth such as David Bowie, George Michael, Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, Alan Rickman, Joe Alaskey, Prince and Christina Grimmie.

When we hear the sad news of someone passing away from this world and starting a new life in another (i believe in the afterlife). We mourn for them and reflect on the amazing impact that they had in their lifetime.

I'm a highly sensitive person and the news can be overwhelming for me to handle sometimes. I want you to know that it's OK to turn off the news or have a social media detox.

This does not mean that you are being selfish or acting like you don't care.

Looking after yourself shows that you do care by putting yourself first.

It's time like this that we all need each other more. We are all balls of light in this dark world and......

💡💡YOUR LIGHT MATTERS💡💡

I'm sending everyone a hug who needs one right now.

Bunny Hugs,

Hayley

Xxx
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Why I'm Not Making Any New Years Resolutions For 2017

Tuesday 27 December 2016

Because of the enormous amount of....
PRESSURE
I put a large amount of pressure on myself every year to achieve the goals which I have for the next year. I am  hard on myself if I don't achieve them. It's that time of year when the online community are starting to share New Years resolution blogs, videos or posts on social media.

This gives yourself pressure. I think that you should do what makes you happy as long as your not hurting anyone. Concentrate on your own needs and goals at your own pace.

I'm motivated to start now and here are a few things which I am doing as from today.

Be more active on social media

I started my YouTube channel and blog in 2014 with the idea of making new friends and meeting like-minded people. Rather than just reading and absorbing information by scrolling through my Twitter newsfeed, Facebook or YouTube. This New Year, I will be commenting, tweeting and replying to fellow creators and inspirers with the hope of attracting more friends and subscribers.

Believing in myself 

My YouTube channel and blog has helped me realise my self-worth and that I have many talents and skills to offer. I am grateful to have been given a voice and tools to communicate with. I believe that no matter how big or small my videos or blog posts are, they are essential to my well being and creativity. If my online presence makes you smile or inspires you - that's just a bonus :)

Letting go 

Accepting my perfectionism traits. I don't have a fancy camera, lights or even a clue how to start my videos most of the time. My camera is currently on its last legs (broken shutter, the black spot which is unremovable and which i call the black dotted demon). I realise that the best way to let go is to concerntrate on my progression instead. The lessons that i learn in life i will grow from.

Loving myself

Because nobody knows you better than you know yourself. You are the key to your own happiness.

Bunny Hugs,

Hayley

xxx

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Missing You At Christmas

Saturday 24 December 2016

Tonight I've lit a candle to represent all of the loved ones and family members who aren't with us anymore to celebrate Christmas tomorrow.
I just wanted to write this small post and let you know that it's OK to be sad and have a good cry if you need it.
Try to concerntrate on the people who bring joy to your life and the good things.
Bunny Hugs,

Hayley

xxx
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Waitrose Hydration Range - Shea Butter Allergy

Hi everyone

I decided to go cruelty-free with my beauty products in April this year and I have been researching and finding alternatives which I can use. I love sharing with you, my best buys and bargains.

Waitrose own brand of skincare products are cruelty-free, vegan and leaping bunny logo certified and this makes me incredibly happy.

I had been wanting to try and review the Waitrose Pure Hydration range for a long time. The Hydration range says it's suitable for sensitive skin and fragrance-free which is what I require for my skin.
Last night I applied the Hydration Face Mask (£2) all over my face and within minutes my face felt like it was burning.
I washed the facemask immediately off and my face was bright red. I was in shock that I was having an allergic reaction to a product which was supposed to be for sensitive skin. 
The main ingredient used in the Hydration range is Shea Butter.

I have identitfied this as one of my allergy triggers and i will be avoiding these products from now on.

After researching and googling about Shea butter I found that some Shea butter formulas contains a natural latex.  I am aware of my allergy to latex as I had a patch test in 2009 but i didn't know that it could be in Shea butter.

I have used Shea butter products before and my skin has been fine. I think this is a case of it being a bad batch.

Waitrose have another range of skincare products which is called "Pure" which is in the blue packaging. This does not contain shea butter. 

I popped into my local Waitrose this afternoon to return the items.  I got an apology and a full cash refund.

Bunny Hugs,

Hayley

xxx

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5 Top Legitimate Websites That Offer Free Stuff

Monday 12 December 2016

Hi everyone

Everybody loves freebies and most will agree with the fact that saving money is an extremely good virtue. However, being able to take advantage of free stuff is that much more gratifying. There are various places that you can take advantage of brand-name products on a regular basis for fee. Some of these businesses include Sainsburys that often give away samples that are free. Just a quick search when on the Internet will pull up an extensive range of freebie and samples for free.

Unfortunately not all the freebie websites have been created in the same way and in fact many of them are pretty useless. These sites often bombard your email inbox with so much mail everyday which causes you to keep reading and clicking in the false hope of getting free items that may be of use to you.

Below is a list of 5 top websites that actually give free items that you may use or need.

1.BzzAgent

This website is associated with product testing which offers the opportunity to try out all types of products in your home. However, you will need to be prepared to invest a bit of time in order to test out these products as well as writing a review once you have tried them out. This is the type of website that will also reward you if you are able to assist in making their products popular within your contacts and friends circles. This is why the website is named Bzz Agent.

2. FreeStuff Baby

This website offers free products which are not only restricted to only sample products. They also include coupons, great deals and entry into the sweepstakes that offer a way for you to get hold of even more free stuff. Organized a bit like Pinterest, you can expect to view fantastic deals and all the  latest freebies in pictorial vivid illustrations which make it far easier to locate what you may be interested in.

3. Gratisfaction

This is the website that is aimed at pets. So if you have beloved animals in your home you may want to take advantage of a few of the free samples on offer. They also offer freebies UK and whatever you may be in search of this site will not disappoint you.

4. Freegle

At the end part of 2010, the rival to the site Freecycle was established known as iloveFreegle.org. Most of the Freegle groups formed a part of the Freecycle Network. However, they soon broke away in order to form their own sites due to the untenable changes. Once you have signed up for free on the website you are able to post offers on what you would like to give away or post wanted ads on items you need. It is far smaller that Freecyle but has over 354 groups in the UK along along with 1.3 million members it seems to be catching up.

5.Gumtree

Gumtree.com is described as the “classified community” which is available in the majority of towns and cities in Ireland and the UK. This site is one of the best sites to advertise items for sale for free as well as smaller ads for jobs and rental properties. It also features what is known as a freebie-section. Some of the freebies on offer include free haircuts, animals and unwanted pieces of furniture or household items.

Why Do Businesses Give Away Free Items?

Many people often wonder what can companies gain by giving away free products? This is due to that these companies believe that the individuals who receive these freebies often turn into customers. If the recipient is able to enjoy the product, the company is able to grow their customer base.

Giving away free items often does not translate into immediate buying and the fact that the products are in active use is a far better proposition for the business. However, the person who receives these free items is the one to gain the most.

Takeaway

There are various websites which give away free products and samples but this is often accompanied by a bombardment of junk emails. Receiving mails from these websites is expected. 

The deal is that in exchange for the free items they will send you advertising in the form of emails. But unfortunately there are a variety of websites that will offer these freebies that will often never materialize. In addition, they have your email address which means they will continue to send you junk emails.


For this reason it is advisable to only use legitimate and safe sites that actually offer real stuff. Stay away from the sites that will only be able to offer you with “free” junk emails in exchange.

Here is a picture with some of the amazing things which i have recieved from these legitimate free websites.
Will you be signing up for free stuff now i have told you about these websites? 

Let me know in the comments below.

Bunny Hugs,

Hayley 

xxx
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Katjes Magic Candy Factory Comes To Nottingham

Thursday 1 December 2016

Hi Bunnies!
On Friday 25th November I was invited to come and have a look at Katjes Magic Candy pop up shop in Victoria Centre, Nottingham.
Katjes Magic Candy store was located at the back of Victoria Centre opposite HMV.
Katjes Magic Candy Factory has the worlds first 3D candy printer and it allows you print your own customised gummy design. This is created by a tablet device which connects to the printer. You can choose from a large variety of designs, shapes and text. The tablet also allows you to be able to print your own photograph or selfie.
I decided to get my brand name "BunnyMoonstone" printed with my horoscope (Aquarius) symbol underneath. The 3D candy printer also contains a little camera on the top right-hand corner which records a time lapse of your design being printed. This will be sent to you in an email which you can access to through a web link.
The customised printed candy is retailed at £10 which I think is a fair price as it's a customised service and the packaging which it comes in is beautifully presented.
The magic mix and make was on the opposite side of the shop from the printers. This is were you could pick and choose your own sweets in a personalised box, jar or in a christmas bauble. Prices were from £6. The candy is vegetarian, vegan,  gluten free and gmo free (depending on what you choose). The coloured labels on each dispenser tells you what dietry requirements is in a particular candy.
After i visted Katjes Magical Candy Factory then i looked and filmed around Nottingham's Winter Wonderland.
Watch the vlog below :)

Enjoy!

Bunny Hugs,

Hayley

xxx
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Your Most Budget-Friendly Christmas Ever

Monday 28 November 2016

Hi everyone

No matter how much you eagerly await Christmas, the expenses involved can make you dread it too.  However, it is possible to keep your costs under control with a bit of forward-planning. Here is how:

Each year in January you swear that the coming Christmas is going to be cheaper, but it seems that it is suddenly here again: decorations for the house, buying of presents, caring for guests, as well as turkey and all the trimmings you need to cook. It does not have to be stressful. With a bit of creativity and careful planning, it is possible to keep spiralling costs at bay and keep your budget under control.

The following tricks and tips can help in planning your Christmas down to your last penny, to ensure that you never have to tighten your belt once more in when January rolls in. 
Budgeting For Gifts

1. Create a budget and don’t deviate from it: think of the total maximum amount you are willing to spend then divide this figure between the number of people you plan to buy gifts for, weighting both down and up according to expectations and importance. If a couple of gift items go beyond the individual budget, you can quickly even it out by ensuring that the next set of purchases are below the budgeted figure. 

2. Propose a spend limit for the family: Christmas is mainly about the children, so the entire family should find it a relief to have at least a spending limit for adults on the very least or simply a Secret Santa arrangement.

3. Shop online and ahead: Avoid leaving everything until the last minute. To get amazing bargains, do your research online early on – you will discover discounts in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas and you should always seek out voucher codes too. Multi-purchase deals also offer you a lifeline but only if the gift recipients don’t live under one roof.

4. Do secret Santa with close family members, it can save a lot of money. Also set a budget or you could even be extra frugal and get loads of free samples from WOW FreeStuff, box them and give them as a present. I've recieved perfume samples, make up and chocolates which i have saved for gifts at Christmas. 

4. Making your own: Homemade gifts can help you save some cash and look extra-thoughtful.

Cutting Costs on Decorations and Cards 

1. Saving on postage: Rather than spending a fortune on stamps, you can consider sending free e-cards online or send charity e-cards for a small donation. It is the thought that counts after all!

2. Getting crafty: You can make lovely, endearing gift tags and cards from old cards sent to you in the previous year, scraps of paper, ribbon, etc. Cut ribbon loops out of old skirts and tops since they make for perfect gift tags. This year i am making my own felt decorations for all of my friends and family. I get all of my ideas and inspiration from Pinterest.

Eating, Drinking, and Being Thrifty

1. Planning your parties and meals: Itemize all they you will need to prevent over-buying. If you encounter deals on non-fresh or frozen items, you can buy them in advance then cross them off your list. If you can buy them in bulk, party foods become cheaper.

2. Avoid panic buying: you obviously don’t want to be worrying about if your turkey is still in date or throwing away veg that has gone off. However, on Christmas Eve, supermarkets reducing their supply of fresh meat can offer a bargain you can use for your Boxing Day festivities or freeze it to make life in January easier.

3. Buying with friends: if you find something you can enjoy savings on by bulk buying, or foods such as cranberry sauce, which you only require a small amount of, plan to buy then share the food and associated costs with a neighbour or friend.

4. Ditching the turkey: It might sound radical, but in the absence of a massive gathering, chicken or other types of meat may be cheaper since the Christmas mark-up is not included and will save you from having to eat turkey curry all week. 


Do you normally stick to your Christmas budget, or do you always find your costs spiralling out of control?

Let me know in the comments below.

Bunny Hugs,

Hayley

xxx

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Christmas Craft Fair At The Walled Gardens

Tuesday 22 November 2016

Hi Bunnies

On Sunday 20th November I visited the Christmas craft fair at the Walled Gardens in Beeston Fields Golf Club, Nottingham. It was free entry and open from 10am-4pm.

I love going to craft fairs as you buy handmade gifts for loved ones or if you are creative like me then you can gain ideas of what to make. 

My favourite items were the felt penguins and home made bunnies.
 



Watch my video below incase you missed it :-
Enjoy!

Bunny Hugs,

Hayley

xxx
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#TodayImGrateful

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Hi everyone.

I saw the hashtag #TodayImGrateful on Twitter and I wanted to write a blog post saying what I'm grateful for. Twitter can only fit 140 characters in one tweet and this is not enough space. I thought i would write a blog post instead.

I believe in having a attitude of gratitude. I think it's important to be grateful for everything that you have in life because someone would love to have what you have.

Today I'm grateful for.....

My home
I am grateful that I have a house to live in. I am blessed to have my own room and a place to sleep peacefully. I am protected and safe.

My family
I have a mum and dad who are alive and healthy who love me unconditionally. If it wasn't for my parents then I wouldn't exist. I'm grateful to have Magic in my life. She's my pet rabbit and my best friend.

Food
I have food in my belly right now and food in the house.

Water
Clean fresh drinking water is available from the taps to drink. I am able to wash my body by having a shower and bath. I can wash my clothes in a washing machine.

Electricity
Because of electricity i can keep warm, have a shower, charge my laptop, phone and other gadgets.

Friends
I'm grateful for my friends who support me and love me. The friends who make the effort to see me on a regular basis. The friends who ask how I am doing and care about the response. The friends who phone me up for no particular reason just to talk about life. The friends who are supporting my YouTube channel and blog who tell me that I am doing a great job (I need to hear that I am doing a great job otherwise I will curl up into a ball, hibernate and not be very functional - so thank you!)

The Internet
I wouldn't have met half of my friends if it wasn't for the internet. I wouldn't be uploading videos to YouTube or writing this blog post. I wouldn't be able to look at cute pictures of rabbits or Maltipoo dogs on Instagram on a daily basis. The internet brings great joy to my life.

Ex-boyfriends
I'm grateful to my ex-boyfriends and the relationships which didn't work out for whatever reason at the time. I am single and able to find the right partner who gives me the love which I deserve and desire.

The Past
I'm grateful to the roller coaster which is my past because without everything which has happened to me and the people who I have met. I wouldn't be the person who I am today.

The Present
Right here in this moment, i am in charge of my own life. I am taking steps every day towards my goals and dreams. I'm grateful that I have the opportunity to go for what I want right now.

The Future
I'm very grateful that I have a future in front of me and i will use my time here on earth to make a difference in some way. I'm looking forward to the future to achieve my goals and to live each day to the maximum.

What are you grateful for?

Let me know in the comments below.

Bunny Hugs,

Hayley

xx
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Betty Crockers Devil's Food Cake Mix Review

Monday 14 November 2016

Hi everyone
It's that time of year again when I find myself eating more sweet foods due to the colder weather. A slice of cake seems more appealing to me rather than a healthy soup or salad.
I brought a Betty Crockers Devil's food cake mix from ASDA last week and I wanted to share my thoughts on it with you.
After researching on the Betty Crocker website there are gluten free alternative kits available which I would love to test and blog for you. 
The cake mix comes in a packet inside the box and you have to combine your own eggs, vegetable oil and water in a large bowl. The ingredients are easy to mix together to create a beautifully smooth texture. Cakes which I make from scratch the mixture never comes out as good.
I divided the mixture into 2 cake tins and put in the oven (180 degrees on the middle shelf for about 25 mins)
As my two cakes were baking in the oven. a delicious smell of chocolate spread around my entire house and my mouth was drooling the entire time. 
When the cakes were baked I was shocked with how well they had risen. I placed them to cool on a cooling rack and as I waited for them to cool i made my own butter icing. After smothering Morrisons Strawberry value jam on each cake, I added my butter icing to help it all stick together.
I sandwiched the cakes together and TA-DA a beautiful cake was created. 
The cake was very moist and tasted delicious. I would recommend buying Betty Crockers Devil's Food Cake Mix. It's easy to make if you follow the instructions.
Let me know in the comments below if you have tried making any Betty Crockers products before.
The cake says it serves 12 people but seeing as though i'm 5ft 10 tall i would probably count for about 3 people. 

Well.... that's my excuse to eat more cake anyway.
;)

Bunny Hugs,

Hayley

xxx

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Dig In Allotment Harvest Festival

Thursday 27 October 2016

Hi everyone.
On the 22nd October from 1pm - 4pm. I attended Stapleford's Dig In Allotment Harvest Festival. 
At the harvest festival all various activies were on offer such as pumpking carving competitions, glass jar decorating, willow weaving and pancake making.
My favourite part of the afternoon was seeing and learning about the chickens which they have on the allotment. The chickens are well taken care of and friendly. One kept pecking at my wellington.


I won a bottle of Isla Negra Rose Wine, The Body Shop strawberry soap and Di Palomo's Wild Fig Grape Body Mist on the raffle.
Watch the video below -
Bunny Hugs,

Hayley

xxx
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Go Ahead Snacks Review

Tuesday 25 October 2016

Hi everyone.
Go Ahead kindly sent me some of their snacks to try out and test in exchange for my opinion.  I love how Go Ahead are low calorie and are a healthier alternative.
Go Ahead cookie bites are products that have just been launched Crunchy mini cookies with chocolate chips and small bursts of fruity flavour, they have 2 flavours out at the moment. I wish that they would make more. I would like Go Ahead to make an orange, apple and cherry cookie biscuit.
Retailed at £1.99 for 6 packs. 9 biscuits per pack. The cookie bites are my favourite as they satisfy my sweet craving. The white chocolate and raspberry are the best in my opinion. The Cheeky Chocolate and orange, tasted slightly artificial and i preferred the other one better.
Golden baked bars are packed with delicious fruit flavoured filling. £1.99 for 6 bars.129 cal per bake bar. I love the fruit flavouring i think it's delicious.

Crispy slices are light crispy biscuits with fruit filling. Retailed at £1.65 5 packs of 3 slices. 87 calories per slice.
The crispy slices are delicious but why is there 3 in a packet? I think that 3 is too many 2 would be ample. I like the Yoghurt Break bars, which have two in a pack.When testing these slices out, I could never eat the 3rd slice and I would have to save it until later in my bag. 

Bunny Hugs,

Hayley

xxx
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Rush Hair And Beauty Salon Launch Party In Nottingham

Sunday 23 October 2016

Hi everyone.

On Thursday 20th October I was invited to see the new Rush Hair and Beauty salon which opened in Nottingham on Long Row. The event was from 6.00pm until 8.00pm 
When I walked into the salon I was given a name tag which made me feel like a VIP.  I will treasure this name badge for a long time as this is the first event which I've been invited to through my YouTube channel.
Glasses of prosecco with strawberries were offered at the front desk. I couldn't wait to grab a glass and have a look around the salon. 

I think that the interior of the salon was classy, stylish and bright. The salon felt more like a spa than an everyday hairdressers  If you want to treat yourself and escape pressures of everyday life then I would recommend coming here.

The staff were very friendly and were offering my fellow bloggers tours of the salon. I decided to  film my own virtual tour for the internet on my Instagram story. I've uploaded this to my YouTube channel in case anyone has missed it. 

Watch the video below here -
Downstairs was being used for colour consultations on the night if any bloggers wanted to book themselves in for a future appointment. Party snacks and nibbles were offered to us as we went round the venue.
Upstairs had GHD styling, braiding and hair up stations avaliable.
I decided to have my hair straightened by GHDs(good hair day) as i wanted to try it out. having heard so many good reviews on their products. My hair was so shiny and sleek after it was straightened. I felt like a princess.

The brand of products which i noticed mostly at Rush hair were Kerastase, Redken and 72 Hair.
The only cruelty free brand which i'm aware of is 72 Hair.  In a ideal world i would love if all hair salons would use cruelty free products.

Bunny Hugs,

Hayley

xxx

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Grove Avenue Allotments - Heritage Open Day 2016

Monday 12 September 2016

Hi everyone.
On Sunday 11th September I visited the Grove Avenue Allotments in Chilwell as part of Heritage Open Day weekend. Heritage open days are to celebrate England's architecture, culture and history, offering free access to properties and events which aren't usually open to the public.
Heritage days are to bring local organisations, societies and individuals together. I've lived in Nottingham all of my life and it's amazing to see how many events are happening locally which you can go to. 
I went to the Grove Avenue Allotment plot as I am a green party member at heart and I'm interested in natural growing produce and encouraging honey bees to pollinate. If it wasn't for bees then humans wouldn't be able to survive.
The allotment is huge and it was heartwarming to be approached by so many lovely gardeners who were all helpful and willing to answer any questions. My favourite flowers are the giant sunflower which towered above me.
Things that I enjoyed were being reminded of the film Wallace and Gromit "the curse of the Were-rabbit" as the vegetable competition was the most exciting part of the year in the film. I also thought about my dwarf lop rabbit Magic and how she would probably eat the entire allotment contents within 2 weeks. My rabbit always seems to be hungry and after eating the entire allotment she probably still would be.
Let me know in the comments below if you have been to any local events in your area or visited any venues as part of Heritage day weekend.

Bunny Hugs,

Hayley

xxx
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Inecto's Naturals Coconut Infusion Range

Saturday 10 September 2016

Hi, everyone.

Inecto is one of my favourite cruelty-free brands for toiletries because they are :-

- Vegan Friendly
- Not Tested On Animals
- Have No Unnecessary Nasties
- Paraben Free
- Made In England

Inecto has kindly sent me their naturals coconut infusion range to review which is available for a limited time at Body care and Savers. All of the range contains organic coconut oil in shower gels, body sprays and body lotions.
The 2 scents in the infusions range are tropical coconut (which contain papaya oil and organic coconut oil) and is lime & mint coconut (which contains zesty lime and organic coconut oil.) The design is beautifully high quality, vibrant and colourful. The products brightens up my bathroom nicely
The body lotions (£1.99 each) are creamy white and light in texture. The moisturisers absorb easily into the skin with a strong scent which leaves the scent lingering on your skin for days. My skin smells lovely and it feels very moisturised.  No dry patches on my elbows or on my knees. Success!
The shower gels (£1.49 each) are a creamy white texture which lather up very easily. I would recommend using a sponge or a loofah for a extra clean feel.
The body sprays a £2.99 each and are a fantastic travel size for your handbag. They contain 90% natural origins I find that 3 pumps are plenty to cover your whole body.  It's recommended to use the shower gel and lotion.

My personal favourite scent out of the 2 is the tropical coconut infusion as it transports me to an exotic location. I would very much like to be sat on a sunny beach drinking pina coladas. The range is perfect for summer as I wear more fruity scents around this time.
Watch the video below on my review and recommendation of Inecto - Coconut moisturiser cream.

Bunny Hugs,

Hayley
xx

This is not paid for advertorial. All opinions are my own. I only talk about products which are cruelty free and which i like. 
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