In my aim to be transparent and honest, I spent the whole week testing PR sent products to give you all the tea behind them…
When you see influencers or media outlets showcasing products or services, do you trust them? As someone who has worked in the media industry for quite some time and spent a lot of time testing PR products, I’m here to tell you that you should take it with a grain of salt
The truth is, a lot of the time, these influencers or media outlets say a product or service is good (when it’s not) because they’re either getting paid for it, reading off a PR-supplied script, or simply trying to maintain a good relationship with PR companies.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s great when the product being promoted is actually good. But with so little human element in sponsored posts, I don’t trust any of them.
I’ve always had a strong sense of right and wrong, of lies and honesty, the good and the bad. And Spectrum is no exception to that. While my bluntness and big mouth have gotten me in trouble quite a few times, I’d always rather speak my truth and face the consequences than stay silent when something isn’t right or good.
Needless to say, that’s exactly why I thought spending a week trying and testing PR products would make for an interesting feature. Because if there’s one thing you can count on me for, it’s an honest (and hopefully entertaining) read.
Review: Mash Gang Chug Non-Alcoholic Beer
Price: 4x pack £8.99
Would I purchase: Yes
Listen, you won’t often see me drinking beer, as I tend to think it tastes bitter, and let’s be real – it is hardly ever targeted towards girls. Whether you like it or not, it’s not portrayed as a feminine drink, not in terms of marketing or packaging.
But Mash Gang has really piqued my interest, especially after testing PR products like theirs, which have a unique and eye-catching design. I just think it looks so incredibly cool, and therefore, I was eager to try this one (marketing people, are you hearing this?). Looking at the ingredient list, I saw a mention of mango, and I just knew I was going to love it – strangely so!
The first sip proved me right – I actually loved it. Unlike most of the beers I’ve tried (there haven’t been many, mind you), Mash Gang’s does not taste bitter. It actually has lovely floral, fruity, and mellow tones. It reminds me of Lithuanian wheat beer that you typically drink with a slice of lemon in it, and anything that reminds me of my home country, I naturally love.
Review: Phizz Daily 3-in-1 Vitamin Tablets
Price: From £7.99
Would I purchase: Yes
If any ’90s kids are reading this, you’ll probably be somewhat familiar with this product. These are the daily vitamin tablets you drop into a glass of water for a bit of flavour. According to the packaging, these contain 16 essential ingredients, scientifically formulated for daily wellbeing, exercise, and travel. They help keep you hydrated and energised (there’s caffeine as well as electrolytes in them).
With plenty of flavours to choose from, including cherry, apple, blackcurrant, lemon, mango, and orange, they really don’t taste bad at all. My favourite was the apple and blackcurrant one, so much so that I shared half of my stock with a friend. Do they actually give you a bit of energy? I’d say so. I found myself popping a tablet into a glass of water around midday instead of reaching for my usual cup of coffee, so that says something, right?
Review: Harry Kane’s Breakfast Oat Cereals by 3 Bears
Price: From £3.99
Would I purchase: No (I need my sugar!)
Don’t get me wrong, I love a breakfast cereal every once in a while, but this isn’t something I’d choose to have on the daily. However, for the sake of this review, I’m trying all three versions: the original oat flakes, oat cinnamon loops, and oat cocoa crunch.
First off, my first spoonful confirmed that there’s no sugar in these cereals, which is a good thing, of course, but it doesn’t help the taste, unfortunately. I did somewhat enjoy the cinnamon loops and the cocoa crunch, but the original oat flakes tasted like dried cardboard dipped in milk. While the first two are tolerable options, and possibly a healthy alternative to your supermarket version, I really couldn’t recommend the original one. Sorry, Haz.
Review: Goodie by Cannumo
Price: £39.99
Would I purchase: Too soon to tell
Goodie is a big, round (and beautiful!) bottle of super-concentrated fermented drinks that contain 96 strains of live bacteria, which can support digestive health and promote overall physical and mental wellbeing. Wellness enthusiasts can either take two shots per day to improve their gut (and acne, apparently) health, or one can pour a spoonful into a glass of water. I opted for the latter.
With four flavours available, I went for the most familiar one, Blackcurrant. Other flavours include Chokeberry (what’s that?), Rye Malt (?), and Sea Buckthorn (??). There’s a very subtle hint of Blackcurrant in my glass, but I do somewhat enjoy it, nevertheless.
A little bit of digging confirms that two fellow Lithuanians created Goodie, so you know I have to praise them for doing that! As for Goodie’s effectiveness, it’s hard to tell! Let’s give it some time, and I’ll come back with a more in-depth report later!
Testing PR Products: Figgi Beauty Skincare
Figgi Beauty has generously sent me the entire range of their skincare products, and one of the first things I’d like to mention is the fact that Dr. Jeanne Retief straight-up told me there is no pressure for me to like them all. I found that so very refreshing, and therefore, I will now proceed to praise the whole Figgi Beauty range. I’m kidding!
The truth is, after testing PR products from so many different brands, I immediately loved Figgi Beauty’s packaging. The products look luxurious, girly, and incredibly well-made. Dr. Retief has also informed me that their packaging allows customers to use every last drop of the product through their airless system, so no more finger workouts trying to squeeze out the last bits. We’re off to a good start.
Figgi Beauty: Makeup Dissolving Balm-to-Oil Cleanser (Step one of the double cleanse)
Price: £29
Would I purchase: No
Before I start, let me just make this very clear: Figgi Beauty products are Rooibos infused, they’re fragrance-free, and tailored to people with dry and sensitive skin. While I do have very sensitive skin, it’s more normal-to-oily than dry, so keep this in mind as I go on my ramble.
I love balm-to-oil cleansers, as I think it’s a great way to take off makeup, with no waste of makeup wipes or cotton pads, so brownie points for that. With this one, I needed around three to four pumps to melt all my makeup off. It does a good job of removing makeup, but good luck washing this cleanser off your face! It feels slightly waxy, and as I was washing my face and gasping for air, I felt as though my face got coated with a layer of wax that I just couldn’t take off. However, this is just the first step in the makeup-removing process, so let’s move to step two (and hope for the best).
Figgi Beauty: Gentle Gel Cleanser (Step two of the double cleanse)
Price: £27
Would I purchase: Yes
As my waxy hands reach for the gel cleanser, I find myself praying to God that this does its job of removing the extra layer of wax from my skin, as I can’t imagine this not clogging my pores. A few pumps, and it seems like it’s all coming off. Not completely, though, as it leaves my skin slightly sticky. Since I only use a cleanser in the evening, I don’t mind going to bed looking like a slug, and I honestly think this would be great for someone who suffers from really dry skin.
The gel cleanser is light, and my skin seems to agree with it, as I don’t notice any redness, irritation, or tightness
Figgi Beauty: Miracle Mist
Price: £29
Would I purchase: No
Back when I was in my skincare junkie days, I remember reading that if there are two products you don’t actually NEED, it’s mists and eye creams. I’m not qualified to say whether this is right or wrong, but I do feel that Figgi Beauty’s mist is not a must-have.
It’s a refreshing spray moment, though I do feel like I could just be spraying water on my face. But nevertheless, it’s an indulgent experience. In other words, I like it, but would I purchase this? Probably not.
Figgi Beauty: Gentle Retinol Renewal Serum
Price: £53
Would I purchase: Yes
I have been using a retinol serum since I was 24, so that’s five years now. I’ve tried a few of them in the past, mostly sticking to The Ordinary one, as I find it works well for me. But this – this is something else.
Figgi Beauty’s retinol serum might just be my favourite retinol I’ve ever tried. It’s incredibly gentle and works so well for my sensitive skin, causing no redness or irritation. In comparison, The Ordinary one does make my skin ever so slightly pink, but I was told this is normal for retinol, especially with a skin type like mine. I’m positive I could use Figgi Beauty’s retinol every other day, and it would cause no issues. The next morning, my skin was actually glowing.
Figgi Beauty: Evening Rescue Cream
Price: £45
Would I purchase: Yes
This one is quite a heavy cream, which, again, makes sense, considering it’s for people with dry skin. As I apply it to my face, I can’t help but think that this might be perfect for someone who suffers from eczema. It reminds me of an ointment.
I think it’s perfect for nighttime – it’s creamy, easy to apply, and leaves you, quite literally, glowing. I like it!
Figgi Beauty: Antioxidant Enriched Day Cream
Price: £38
Would I purchase: No
Certainly a lighter cream, more suitable for day wear. However, if you’re someone with my skin type, you might find this just a little bit too heavy for daytime. I don’t mind it on days when I’m working from home, makeup-free. However, I didn’t like how it sat underneath my makeup, causing my face to become just a little bit too dewy for my liking.
Testing PR Products: 47 Skin
The USP of 47 Skin is their use of Silver Chitoderm, which is science-based and helps establish an invisible barrier that kills 99.9% of breakout-causing bacteria. Their products aim to clear blemishes and fade scars, and as someone who has blemish-prone skin, I was eager to try this. Besides, I really enjoy their packaging, as it seems somewhat old-school – straight out of the apothecary’s shelf at Beamish!
47 Skin: Anti-blemish & Scar Repairing Daily SPF 30
Price: £24
Would I purchase: Yes
With no fragrance in this product, we’re off to a good start. As I apply it to my face, I notice it leaves a subtle white cast, but it does disappear after I rub it in. White casts are quite common with SPFs, so I’m not too bothered by it. The product description does not lie, and I find this SPF to be very lightweight. Now, fingers crossed, I don’t get any breakouts throughout the week! (I didn’t!).
47 Skin: Anti blemish & Scar Repairing Serum
Price: £29
Would I purchase: Yes
The first thing I notice about this serum is the slight hint of scent. I don’t know how else to describe it except to say it smells like cucumber water at a very luxurious spa! I enjoy the scent, and this is coming from someone who never, ever uses products with scents in them.
The serum is very lightweight, and the product box suggests that customers can use it both in the evening and during the day. It even works as a primer before applying makeup. I have to say, I love the versatility of this serum. But that’s not what sold it to me.
Right before I started testing PR products and all of these skincare items, I could feel that there was a very annoying pimple forming on my chin. I could just feel it coming. But after I started using 47 Skin Serum, my pimple never made an appearance. And that says it all, don’t you think?
Review: Nourished Skin Protect Food Supplements
Price: £19.99
Would I purchase: Too soon to tell
I thought it was about time I started taking some collagen supplements, considering I’ve just turned 29 (send help), and these ones are gummy supplements developed to support youthful skin, combat oxidative stress, and enhance collagen production.
While they are packed with vitamins A, E, and C, as well as zinc and selenium, I do feel a little strange taking supplements in gummy form – it’s just hard to take them seriously! While I prefer my supplements in pill form, these ones taste relatively good. Since it’s only been a week of me consuming them twice a day, it’s too soon to tell whether they actually work or not. I will report back with an edit in a month!
Review: Blendsmiths ‘How Good!’ Range of Wellness Shots and Sodas
Price: 8x shots £20; 4x sodas £10
Would I purchase: Yes
First of all, I like how this whole range screams ‘SUMMER!’ without being too subtle. The ‘How Good!’ range includes two sodas and three functional shots.
The Lemon & Ginger soda has ashwagandha in it, so in the quest to ease my never-ending anxiety, I tried this one first. It has a slight kick to it, and it burns ever so slightly. I don’t mind the taste, but it does remind me of some sort of medicine. Now, their Thyme & Mint soda is incredibly good. It’s refreshing, I can taste notes of mint, and it shares some similarities with a classic Mojito, without the alcohol, of course. I could definitely see myself reaching for this on a very hot summer day.
When it comes to wellness shots, I think I like the idea of them more than the shots themselves. Blendsmith’s range has three of them – Turmeric, Ginger, and Mango & Ginger. They taste good, but boy, do they all have a kick to them. I think you need to be a true wellness freak to drink this first thing in the morning. I did enjoy them around 3 p.m., which is right about the time I would opt for a cup of coffee, so maybe this is a healthier alternative.
Review: Tenzing Natural Energy Drinks
Price: 12x pack £15.99
Would I purchase: Yes
As someone who does not drink a lot of carbonated drinks (I tend to just stick to water and coffee), I have to say I was impressed with Tenzing’s range of Natural Energy Drinks. Think Red Bull, but actually good for you! Their summer range includes flavours such as Fiery Mango, Lime & Mint, Pineapple & Passionfruit, as well as Raspberry & Yuzu.
Having tried all of these, I can safely say my favourite is the Raspberry & Yuzu one, which tastes incredibly refreshing without being too overpowering in flavour. Ironically, my least favourite was their original recipe, which tastes just like your everyday energy drink – if that’s your thing.
Full of electrolytes, vitamin C, and caffeine, this is a great and what seems like a safer alternative to a typical can of Red Bull. It even tastes better – but that’s just me!
Review: Pure Evening Primrose Oil by Efamol
Price: From £10.99
Would I purchase: Too soon to tell
So, if I’m reading off the back of the box of this product, it says that these capsules are supposed to help support skin appearance, cell protection, and women’s health. The capsules and their benefits have been researched in 69 (nice) scientific trials, with 82% of women agreeing that Efamol Evening Primrose Oil truly works.
Right off the bat, I have to say that I’m testing certain PR products for more than a week to truly know whether they work. So, I’ll keep taking the capsules twice a day and come back with an update in a month or so. But for now, I have to admit, my skin has been glowing lately. I can’t fully credit Efamol for this, though, as my skin has been introduced to a lot of new products this week.
Writer’s note: I just wanted to say a big thank you to all the brands who have sent me their products. Thank you for trusting me with them; it’s truly appreciated.