Globenfeld Jetmaster Sports Watch Review

Now if you or your other half are a fan of statement watches that don't break the bank then you should seriously consider checking out the rather handsome Globenfeld Jetmaster watch.

The Jetmaster is a tough and rugged sports watch which is designed for practical use but also looks stylish. The watch comes in a stylish magnetic close box so would make an ideal gift, it also comes with an impressive 5 year warranty.

It has a large face which is 51mm width which is surrounded by a stainless steel case which has a tachymeter edging. The face contains digital alarm, calendar and stopwatch displays which all can be backlit blue at the touch of the top left button.

The face is black with stainless steel number indicators and hands.You have not one, not two but five raised and textured buttons to aid for easy setting and functionality of your watch.

The strap is made from hard wearing silicone rubber which they state will last for years. It is intertwined with silver slats which enable the bracelet to be adapted to suit wrist size. 

The watch itself even though it looks quite bulky is fairly light but you can feel the weight in the watch face. Overall aesthetically its quite impressive, however if you are not a fan of large face watches then this may be too big for you.The face has a tough, scratch and shock resistant glass which makes it perfect for sports and activity use.

So to the tech spec.......it has a multitude of functions which include:

• Quartz movement
• Dual analogue and digital time display - allowing you to display different time zones
• Alarm function
• Date function
• Timer function
• Stopwatch function - with general, split and cumulative options
• Blue backlight
• Calendar function 

The buttons have specific functions as detailed in the manual (which i would suggest you read as there is so much to set). The normal pull out crown will set date and time settings. There is also a start/stop button, reset button, backlight button and mode button.

Takes a little time to set up but thankfully nothing as advanced as some watches can be. The chunky, raised and textured buttons make it easy to use - so no fiddling trying to grasp the pull out crown.

The best thing about this watch is the price.....£49.98 on Amazon!! But even better they currently have it on sale for £29.99....absolute bargain. 

The watch looks, feels and functions like a much more expensive watch, its well made and sturdy and look great when on.....the watch certainly does not reflect the price.

Overall this is a fantastic purchase and would made a great gift without breaking the bank.

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Review: Karmin 5 in 1 Epilator

So whether you shave or epilate your hair....having both options in 1 product means the best of both worlds and that's where Karmin steps in with the 5 in 1 Epilator Set. This multi functional set from Karmin covers all bases and has a multitude of attachments including:

• 1 x Epilator Head
• 1 x Shaver Head
• 1 x Exfoliating attachment
• 1 x Pedicure attachment
• 1 x Massage attachment
• A Protective Cap and cleaning brush
• Charger (European 2 prong so you will need a converter adapter)

Other features include:

• Can be used dry or wet
• LED light at the head to illuminate the skin
• Has 2 speed settings 
• Chargeable unit with charging Indicator light and 90 minutes use on a full charge

Aethetics and packaging
The set comes in a really attractive and minimal white box which looks really good quality. On opening, the set is cream and rose gold and does look really lovely.....excellent gift potential!.

The main base unit
So the main base unit is very sleek in appearance and really lightweight. There is a small button the back that pops the head off, and on the front is the main power button. You press once for the first speed (indicated by a small light) and then twice for high speed. At the bottom of the unit handle is the battery indicator which will glow when charging. Each head is really easy to attach, just click in place and then pop off when you want a change. 

Epilator Function
So the epilator head comes with a nifty little addition of a light at the base of the roller....this illuminates the skin as you go making it much easier to see smaller hairs. The 2 speeds make this ideal for either the first time user or regular user. I would suggest the slower speed if you haven't used one before, simply to get used to the sensation of your hairs being pulled out. The best length for you hair to be to use an epilator is around 3-4mm. 

To use...hold it perpendicular to your skin and move against the growth of your hair. It takes a few goes to get the right pressure and too hard or too light it wont perform that well. Once you get the hang of it the process is really easy. It does take alot longer that shaving as you have to go over areas a few times to get all the hairs.....so if you are looking for a quick fix - switch heads and use the shaver. 

This epilator head does a really good job, areas like arms it works really well, I did find with the lower legs it did take alot longer, maybe because the hair was thicker, I had to go over some areas several times which meant is was pretty time consuming, but once done skin was really smooth. You do get reddening in certain areas but it doesn't last and will fade - obviously bit more painful on on the inner thighs, underarms and bikini line so take your time in those areas. If you do find it too sensitive to use on dry skin, try it in the shower instead and you can use it on its own or with the addition of shower gel, shaving cream etc.

Shaver Function
This is a pretty standard shaver, great for a quick fix before a night out. It cuts fairly close but certain areas you do feel slight stubble but not massively.....and once you have moisturised, it feels fine.....it basically does the job, not the best shaver in the world but handy none the less. 

The Pedicure Function
So this pedicure attachment is perfect for those with really rough skin or heels, just buffs away, doesn't hurt and leaves skin in those problem areas feeling so much better and smoother. Really surprised at how well this tackled hard skin - my heels feel great and look ten times better....definitely be using this on a regular basis.

The Massager function
So another addition to this set is the massager head. It has 5 roller balls and the head basically spins around, i would suggest using on the lowest speed as it runs away from you on the higher one. Not really sure this attachment works with the speed of the base unit - I think its too fast even on the lowest speed, its really noisy, drags your skin and doesn't feel relaxing at all. I think the idea in principal was a good one...but practically it just doesn't work for me.

Body Exfoliation Brush Function
So if you are fancying a bit of a body buff then there's a head for that......so this head fits onto the same head unit as the massager, the top part clicks off and you just swap it out. The bristles on the head are quite soft.....a bit too soft I think and I didn't really feel that it aided exfoliation, in fact I didn't feel this head did much really.....bristles need to be alot firmer to enable good exfoliation which is a bit of a shame. 

Conclusion
So for me I would say 3 out of the 5 functions works really well - the epilator, shaver and pedicure functions were great and all worked really well. The body exfoliator and massager however not so well....a nice addition in principal but just didn't really work for me. I wouldn't let that put you off however - that is just a personal view and for some these 2 attachments may work fine.

Overall this is a lovely little set - and would make the perfect gift. I love the multi function element, the charge on the unit lasts really well and the heads are easy to switch. 

At the moment you can only purchase this online direct from the Karmin website, currently retailing at $129.95 (about £97) which is a pretty average price in comparison to some of the similar sets out in the market. 

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SENSSE Eye Massager Review

So this SENSSE eye massager is basically designed to reduce the signs of ageing and puffyness around the eyes by using sonic vibrations and LED light therapy.

Im lucky to say i have minimal lines around my eyes however puffyness and dark circles are a re-occurrence which is where im hoping this rather lovely looking gadget will help.

Aesthetics: So firstly packaging and design - its comes presented in a very chic and minimal white box which looks expensive, its then let down when you open it as, well.... its so tightly packed you spend 5 minutes trying to help it escape from its packaging. The actual gadget itself is very sleek and simple looking. It take one AAA battery(which isn't included) and its a simple push up and down to change modes.

Functionality: So the massager has 2 modes, first is a sonic cleansing mode which has a blue LED light. This mode helps to remove impuritites as well as sooth the skin around the eyes and has a slow/long vibration. The second mode is high frequency which has a red LED light. This mode is said to help reduce find lines and wrinkles and uses much faster and shorter vibrations.

The actual massager wont start working until it touches the skin. To make the experience and enjoyable one I don't recommend using it on dry skin as it will drag. Remove your make up and apply cleanser, with the cleanser on then start the sonic cleansing mode (blue LED) and gently massage the eye area for about 15 seconds - you can also do your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin if required. Its quite a nice feeling and it promotes increased blood flow to the skins surface - so that's got to be a good thing!!

Once rinsed and dried, simply apply a moisturiser or eye gel and then switch up to the high frequency mode and massage again where required.

The overall process is quite enjoyable and its like giving your face a salon treatment at home (and way less expensive).

So am i seeing results......well nothing hugely drastic as yet though the skin does feel smooth around my eyes. Id need to give this type of product a good few months usage before i make a final judgement on whether it works or not, but first impressions are good and its now part of my weekly beauty regime......If it banishes my dark circles, then Ill happily give it a 5 out of 5. Lets wait and see........

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Xtava Pro Satin Flat Irons Review

So if you are in the market for a new set of straighteners but have a tight budget then this brand just might be right up your street. 

The Xstava straighteners use infra red technology which is meant to be much kinder to your hair, essentially heating it from the inside out, couple that with the tourmaline plates which prevent drag the combination should essentially leave your hair soft, straight and glossy. 

Aesthetics: So for a lower end of the market product i have to admit packaging wise I wasn't expecting alot.....how wrong was I, firstly when it arrived, it comes in a huge box....very classy black and gold exterior with a glimpse of what the product looks like on the sides. When you open the box you then pull out another which is a sleek black presentation box which Xtava embossed on the front - its looks expensive, Im impressed!!
Flip open the lid and inside is a black zip case (heat resistant foiled) which contains the straighteners.

So the straighteners themselves - some great plus points already:

• The wide plates, really good size and perfect for thick hair
• Nice thick handle which is easy to hold
• There is an LCD screen display so you can clearly see what temperature its at.
• The controls and on the inside of the handle meaning you don't accidently press them when using them
• Has a shut of safety feature if you leave them on for too long

There are 11 heating settings available between 130°C and 230°C and it takes about 1 minute/1 min and a half to heat up to full temperature,The screen is a massive bonus as you can see the temp rising, once it hits your desired temp you are ready to go.

The test: So my hair is pretty thick, wavy and coloured. I found the plates glided over my hair pretty easily with no drag, however for some areas i did have to repeat a couple of times to get the desired smooth result I wanted. 

Are they currently better than the straighteners I'm currently using? - I would say no, but, they do the job, just not first time in some areas which essentially is what you want. i think if you have finer hair then these would work like a dream for you.

Conclusion: Overall looks wise and price wise I'm really impressed, the whole packaging and design of the item is really good, and anyone getting this as a potential gift won't be disappointed. Love the wideness of the plates and how they glide through my hair - Id rate them 4 out of 5......they lose a point for not giving me the desired finish the first time round in certain areas. 

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Tech Review: Anthony James Emperor Sports Watch

So when it comes to watches I'd say I've bought a fair few in my time (hubby is obsessed) so always on the look out for the next design or brand to wow him on his next birthday. 

So a brand I haven't tried as yet is Anthony James, which is basically the little brother to the already well established Globenfeld watch brand, and this particular bad boy above is their rather handsome Emperor Sports watch.

Presented in a stylish flip top open grey box, its screams style and quality from the get go so perfect choice for a special gift.

The main build and overall look of the watch is heavy duty and robust with a stainless steel moving bezel surrounding a part roman numeral galaxy black dial face. 

The strap is equally as detailed  - thick rubber tyre track style with a metal mesh detailing near to the face and pin hole type adjust-ability - so no need to remove any links.

Watch Features

• Weight: 132.1g
• Case diameter: 45mm
• Case thickness: 17mm
• Water Resistant: 30 M
• Open Cut Calendar Window

Set up is straightforward with no complicated settings. Once on the watch feel sturdy and comfortable on your wrist.....it also looks expensive, and with the added weight of the face, it feels expensive too.

So onto the price - well this varies depending on where you purchase it from. Amazon are selling them for around £50 however it has a suggested retail price of up to £435 so price can vary considerably dependent on seller.

Another added bonus with this watch is the 5 year platinum warranty giving you that added piece of mind and again another statement that this is a quality piece of kit.

So all in all this is an attractive looking watch, from the box it comes in, to the face and strap - every part is well made, feels sturdy and has impeccable detailing. A win win gift for any man in your life and i can assure it won't disappoint. 

Check out the full range of Anthony James watches at: http://anthonyjameswatches.london/

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Alcatel Pop 4 Android Phone Review

So Alcatel are what i would class as the budget end of the mobile market. Not a phone brand you tend to hear about alot, however that may all change with their latest budget model the Pop 4. 

The Pop 4 is part of a range of stylish budget smartphones which are said to combine design and performance at a very affordable price.

General Phone Stats

The phone boasts the following:

• A large 6-inch IPS LCD 1080 x 1920 resolution screen
• Sleek and slim curved design with metallic finish 
• An Octa-core MediaTek P10 processor
• 2 GB of RAM with 16 GB of internal storage (maximum user storage 11GB)
• A 13-megapixel main camera along with a 5-megapixel front facing selfie camera
• Fingerprint sensor
• Micro SD storage expansion slot
• 4G Connection
• A powerful battery life offering over 15 hrs of talktime

Design
Now considering this is a budget phone the actual design is pretty good, nice brushed metallic finish, sleek curved design and nice overall screen ratio. Also considering the size of phone, which is rather large - it also feels nice and light. The main thing is it doesn't look like a budget phone.

Screen Quality
The screen quality is excellent even though it has mid range resolution with a 367ppi screen (medium pixel density). Colours are vivid and clear and the screen expands right to the edge giving you ample screen space for taking photos, gaming and surfing the net.

Processor Power and Storage
The phone has a Octa-core, 1800 MHz, ARM Cortex-A53, 64-bit processor and it comes with a pretty standard 2gb of RAM. The general function of the phone is quick and responsive with email, internet and general apps all running and performing easily with no lag. With regards to gaming and streaming music i found no real issues at all - you can comfortably play without any drag and music streaming was great.

The phone has 16GB of internal storage which is pretty standard, but you can expand this up to an extra 32GB with the Micro SD capability. 

Battery Power
This is a huge plus point with this phone - battery life was excellent. My current phone is a Samsung and pretty much most evenings after a standard days use of email, text messages, browsing, using social apps etc - I'm getting the battery low warning every evening - this just wasn't the case with the Pop 4 and most evenings it would be at about 25/30% so big gold star for that!! Another plus is the quick charge feature which allows you to charge your phone up to a max of 50% within 30 minutes.

Camera
The phone has a 13MP camera as well as a 5MP front facing selfie camera. The large screen is a huge advantage however the overall quality of the photos taken isn't the sharpest I have seen, but for general every day usage its great. Simple to use with 6 different modes:

• Auto mode: just aim and shoot, it also auto focuses for you. Also if you hold down the shoot button it goes into burst mode and takes a series of shots whilst you hold the button down. These are then displayed in order and you have the option to then save them as individual images.
• HDR: High Dynamic range - basically balances the shadows and highlights of a photo
• Panoramic mode: which has a cool onscreen features which shows you the image being built as you pan across
• Manual mode: where you have control and can take the photo your way
• Scanner function mode
• Face Beauty mode: Applies a soft focus to the photo when taking selfies

The video camera option has zoom capability whilst recording which is really handy and there is an option to trim the video once taken. 

Set up and Applications
Set up is pretty straight forward and pretty standard for an android phone - just follow the on screen instructions, link your google account etc. etc. and you are up and running in no time. The phone comes with your standard set of factory fitted apps and you can download new from the Google App Store. Standard apps include:

• Calendar
• Contacts
• Camera
• Email/Gmail
• One Drive
• Maps
• Messaging
• Google Play Store
• Weather
• File Transfer
• Gallery
• User care: basically an online warrenty and hardware testing app
• And comes with some standard social apps including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Messaging/Keyboard function
The benefit of the large screen is that the keyboard function on this phone is alot larger - its not only large but it has a multitude of features:

• Don't like a large keyboard - there are 5 different sizes to choose from as well as 3 different keyboard layouts. 
• You can unlock the keyboard from the bottom of the screen and move it to where you want it
• You can add, change, activate different key functions
• You can even change the theme of the keyboard

There are a load of other functions also - maybe a bit OTT for a keyboard function, however if you spend alot of time flexing those thumbs this vast functionality allows you to set your phone just how you like it. 

Value for money
So this phone retails anywhere between £89 - £120, prices vary dependent on retailer and deal offered. Considering this is a budget phone you don't feel compromised on quality and it holds its own against the more pricier options on the market. For a simple to use, everyday day phone you can't go wrong.

Overall Conclusion
As far as budget phones go I have to say I'm quite impressed. Sleek robust design and large vibrant screen makes it look like a much pricier model. Major pros are the excellent battery life and a easy functioning camera. The cons to this phone i would say are the storage - internal storage isn't massive but the 32GB expansion option is a blessing ( just remember to format SD as internal). Alcatel have packed alot into this budget version and it offers excellent functionality and value for money. 

Thank you to Alter Agency for allowing me to review the Pop 4 Phone.

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Tech Review: Lee Stafford 'No Strings Attached' straighteners

So cordless is finally a thing now and being a 'corded straightener' aficionado the prospect of having a cordless version was an exciting one........

freedom to finally style where i wanted and Lee Staffords version doesn't disappoint.

So firstly packaging - So the box comes in Lee's trademark dark pink and black box which easily stands out on any shelf and looks like a quality product.

The box contains:

Black heating mat

Pink weighted heating base

Carry case

Cable and the straighteners themselves

    Headline grabbers for these straighteners are:

• Soft touch rubberised finish - sleek and striking looking but also make it a whole lot easier to grip when in use
• Can be used cordless or corded - you have to place these in the base to heat up. (note they DO NOT contain a rechargeable battery so you have to place it back in the base to heat up between styling sections) - having the corded option gives you the flexibility if you are styling for a longer period.
• Heats up quickly - up to 230 degrees and then stays hot for up to 15 mins (this is dependent on hair type)
• Long lasting - retains the heat for a good 15 minutes depeneding on hair type
• Anti Frizz with tourmaline-ceramic coated plate
• Comes with a nifty carry bag and heat resistant mat.
• 2 years manufacturers warranty

So usability - obviously the massive bonus with these straighteners is the fact you are not tied to a plug socket - meaning freedom to style your hair where you like. 

The base charger is compact and sturdy, made in the same pink rubbery finish as the straighteners. Just pop the straighteners in, switch the base on, switch the straighteners on and wait for it to charge (takes a couple of minutes). The soft rubbery grip makes them excellent to handle so perfect when using various hair products. 

So for tackling my hair the tourmaline/ceramic plates  just simply glided through......and my hair is pretty thick. I have to admit i was initially sceptical regarding the performance of a cordless version - would it heat up hot enough?, would it retain the heat?......well yes and yes, it does both.....It retains the heat very well and gave me the ability to complete a few sections before having to return it to the base to reheat up. Styling your hair without a cord is so much easier.....definitely a convert.

Please note - because these are cordless it doesn't mean they are also designed for travel - the base is pretty heavy and cumbersome for packing -  they are purely designed to make styling at home easier. That said you can take these away as a corded option no problem.

Conclusion
All in all if you are looking for a quality set of straighteners that offer you the best of both worlds (corded and cordless) then look no further - the plates produced excellent results and took a lot less effort to get the desired finish.....why didnt they come up with these sooner!!

If you fancy grabbing yourself a pair then hop on over to Amazon as they are currently retailing for £49.99 instead of the usual £69.99.

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Tech Review: Lee Staffords CoCo LoCo Irons

So these straighteners are part of Lee Staffords Haircare range and the main difference between these any other similar straighteners out in the market is that these ones come with coconut oil infused ceramic plates, which are said to help protect your hair.

Packaging & Aesthetics
The straighteners come in quite basic packaging, which after reviewing Lee Staffords Academy Hairdryer (see my review here) I was pretty disappointed with, but i suppose it goes with the lower end price these irons are being sold at. The straighteners themselves are a pearlised pink colour with dark pink buttons and gold floating plates. The cable is a good length and its a swivel cord meaning you don't get the dreaded cord tangle issue.

Design & Usabiility
The plate end has a nice rounded curve feature and the benefit of this is it gives you the ability to create different styles - so not just pure straightening you can curl and flick also.

The straighteners have variable temperature settings ranging from 120 - 200 and the heat is controlled by 2 buttons on the side to reduce or increase the heat. When switched on there is an LED display on the top panel which displays the current heating setting which is really handy. They heat up fairly quick and i normally go for 200 as i do like really straight hair.

The plates are a really good width and this is where the coconut comes into play - when heated up the plates transfer the coconut onto the hair so when you pull the hair through it slides through easily and leaves your hair with an added shine and smooth finish. I have pretty thick hair and these glided through no problem - i have to admit that the low price of these made me a bit sceptical as to their performance but for a lower end pair of straighteners i was really impressed. 

The rounded curve design of these does help with the curling element should you wish to use these to curl your hair. I do find sometimes curling with straighteners they can stick and jar whilst twisting - these don't which means less risk of hair damage.

The straighteners have 2 safety features which include a shut off function after 45 mins and also a handy lock feature which closes the plates shut. They also come with a 2 year guarantee.

Conclusion
Overall this is a decent set of irons - however i must admit that i still prefer my previous straighteners as they gave me a more sleeker finish, but these do work better for curling than my last ones. The price is an absolute bargain at around £27.50  so if you are looking for a bargain set of irons that do the job then look no further.

Thank you to Review Directory for giving me the opportunity to try these irons.

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