Product Review: Nature's Own Super B Complex

Nature's Own super b complex rrp: $26.95

you may be thinking, how is a vitamin b supplement relevant to a beauty blog? well, let me fill you in! the b group vitamins are integral to your skin's well-being and condition. for example, a deficiency in niacin (vitamin b3) is directly linked to sudden onset of dermatitis. vitamin b is also a highly esteemed ingredient in anti ageing serums/creams and skin lightening/brightening products. when applied to the skin (topically), studies have found skin to appear more smooth, soft and less wrinkled.

so, wouldn't it make sense that taking vitamin b orally would help your skin from the inside out? i think so, lets run with it!

the reason i picked up this particular vitamin is, since winter settled in, i've become very tired/lethargic and lacking energy. as a result my (normally rigorous) exercise regime as tapered off (to almost nil), and it's also made me particularly grumpy (sad but true). in an attempt to recharge body, and mind, i thought that maybe a b group vitamin supplement might help. the Nature's Own super b complex packaging displays their "energy & vitality" symbol on the front, and to the side of the label reads "super b complex facilitates energy production in the body and provides support to the nervous system". sounds good to me!

i've previously been a fan of the Nature's Own balance + glow multivitamin, which i used for (approximately)the last 3 months, and noticed a definite improvement in the strength and condition of my nails and hair. so with these results in mind, i was confident in choosing the Nature's Own b vitamin option, over another brand's variation of the supplement.

i have now been taking the Nature's Own super b complex, since (and inclusive of) saturday (today is day 6), and am already noticing a change in myself. i have been much less agitated and grumpy, and have felt much more awake and prepared for the day ahead. you may call this a coincidence, however the way i had previously been feeling, had been constant for the last 2 months (at least). i'm so impressed by effect of the supplement. i would highly recommend this to anyone who is after a bit of a spring in their step, a sparkle in their eyes and an overall happy persona.

rating out of 5: 5

reason in a nut shell: so far, so good! and at approximately $0.35 a day, it's cheap as chips!

where to buy: supermarkets and most chemists

number of uses (promised on packaging): 75 tablets = 75 day's worth
product tagline: everyday energy

ingredients (for those who care to know): actives: vitamin b1 (thiamine nitrate), vitamin b2 (riboflavine), vitamin b3 (nicotinamide), vitamin b5 (calcium pantothenate), vitamin b6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), vitamin b12 (cyanocobalamin), vitamin c (absorbic acid), folic acid, biotin, choline bitartrate, inositol inactives: calcium hydrogen phosphate, cellulose - microcrystalline, crospovidone, calcium lactate pentahydrate, silica - colloidal anhydrous, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, macrogol 6000, talc-purified, iron oxide red, iron oxide black, vanillin, ethanol, water-purified, silicon dioxide

B xoxo

Saturday Night Shop

a typical saturday night, for most girls my age generally involves going out having dinner, or a drink, or a dance... or at the very least, enjoying the company of a close friend or two.

me? i was doing a spot of shopping at my local Chemist Warehouse (conveniently located just a stone throw from my door step). i made my way down there with the intent on buying a thermometer! apparently there's not a much of a demand for said item, and consequently CW don't stock them. great. what a waste of an outing! ummm as if!! surround my 100s of beauty related products that i do not need...i'm in heaven!

after promising myself that i wouldn't get carried away and spend up big (particularly on items that i have 10 similar of at home in my bathroom cupboard), i did my usual browse, making sure each and every isle was carefully inspected, looking for my next life changing purchase! life changing? perhaps CW is the wrong place to search for an item with that much expectation, but you have to start somewhere, right?

getting back to the isle browsing, i found myself at hair care...and what do you know?! i actually need shampoo! just ran out of my dearest Redken extreme shampoo, this is great! i can actually justify this purchase! the wall of options i face is so pretty, products in every colour, from the gold and champagne Organix vanilla silk products to the ravishing red John Frieda full body range. i'm instantly drawn to the Herbal Essences range. not only are they on special (very reasonably priced), but the products sound utterly delicious! for those who aren't familiar with my dilemma, the options in front of me include hello hydration (a fusion of with hawaiian coconut and orchid), dangerously straight (pink lily and asian silk) and body envy (white nectarine and pink coral flower), just to name a few. however given the sad state of my damaged long locks, i feel that range titled long term relationship is an appropriate fit for me (not to mention the product features a red raspberry and brazilian silk infusion, which sounds utterly divine).

ok, i can tick shampoo of my (mental) shopping list.

as i proceed to exit this isle, i spot (of out of the corner of my eye) the new Garnier pure volume fortifying dry shampoo (that's quite a mouthful). well i have to have this now don't i? i really do need it, to add to my growing collection of Klorane and Batiste dry shampoos which seem to be located in every room of my house (and every handbag and floating around my car). i was being a tad (actually very) sarcastic there. i don't need it, but in the name of beauty, i'd like to give Garnier a whirl, and see how their dry shampoo matches up to that of their (very) well established and hugely successful competitors (cult status products, if you will).

the next isle which catches my eye, is body care. it never ceases to amaze me, just how many different body moisturisers, cremes, cream, lotions, smoothers, glosses (etc, etc) there are on offer. it is extremely overwhelming. however in this instance, i am particularly drawn to the range of Aveeno on offer. i don't really know very much at all about this brand (however i have picked up on their vibe of mainly natural ingredients, from their advertisements which i have noticed in magazines). i recently tried a sachet sample of their daily moisturising lotion (which i think was in a Marie Claire mag) and was really impressed with the (small amount of) product i was able to trial. the marketing team have got me here, a little taste and i was left wanting more. so with out much further ado, i grabbed the Aveeno skin relief moisturising lotion (which boasts a special formulation for 24 hour relief and protection from dry/aggravated skin), as i have suffered from horrible itchy skin on my legs since winter settled in and i was forced to wear stockings/tights to work everyday, to ward off the looming frost bit whilst i sit at my reception desk.

i'm starting to accumulate a nice little armful of loot, so i start heading back to the register, worried the old EFT card might decline if i stay much longer!

but of course, it's very rarely a direct journey, i get distracted by all the fluro yellow stickers which are boasting a sale price, covering the vitamins shelving. i'm a bit of a fence-sitter when it comes to vitamins. my doctor says that they are just a scam, however i am of the mentality that even if they aren't prove to have the positive effects which their packaging claims, it's not as though they will have a detrimental effect on ones health. so why not? the worst case scenario is that you will not notice any benefits, in which case you can count your losses and simply move on. i always read about the super dooper benefits (particularly regarding the appearance, condition and ageing of skin) which are able to be achieved from a diet high in B vitamins, so i decide to invest in Nature's Own super b complex. this little superhero contains 75 days worth of essential B vitamins, and claims to facilitate energy production and provides (some much need - in my case) support to the nervous system. sounds good to me!

i hastily made my way to the counter and kept my eyes to the floor, determined on not add any more items to the small collection i had already managed to gather, paid for my products and made my way home.

on my arrival, i inspected my new purchases.

not bad, not bad...even if i do say so myself. and thanks to CW for pointing out how much money i have just saved (according to them of course), as i feeling even better about the spontaneous purchases! with the satisfaction, which can only be felt after a successful and savvy shopping experience has occurred, i settled in with a glass of red (it's a saturday night after all) and marvelled over my new products.

for those of you who can't make out the figures, total was $36.45 and just below that the receipt reads "you have saved $20.18"

jumping forward now to today, i have been using the Aveeno moisturiser and taking the super b complex each day, and the shampoo and dry shampoo twice each. following this post with be a product review on each of my CW purchases.

i would love to hear (in the comments section) any great products you've picked up at your local supermarket or pharmacy!

B xoxo