Sinensis Skincare, Agave Gold Refining Toner - Review

Sinensis Skincare are a new beauty brand emerging in the UK market. With so many skin care brands out there today it can be overwhelming when trying to find the perfect fit for your skin. Ingredient lists can be scary and it's hard to tell where to draw the line between natural and non natural products. Personally I'm a fan of researching products on SkinDeep, but not all ingredients have been tested enough for accurate ratings. I therefore like to focus on products that are a little more natural.

Sinensis combine science with traditional Chinese herb wisdom when creating their products in order to get the "best of both worlds". The thing I love about Sinensis is that they have 20 banned ingredients that they will not use in any of their products. These are ingredients that have been proven or are potentially toxic. You can read through their banned 20 here. They are also cruelty free which is a must for my skin care. I was kindly offered a product of their to review, and so I chose their Agave Gold Refining Toner.

I haven't actually used toner in quite a while, apart from a little spray of rosewater to set my makeup in the morning. I was curious to see what a toner may do for me. I have been using the toner for a little over two weeks now and I have been pleasantly surprised.

I use this toner morning and evening after cleansing and before my facial oil. It's between a water and gel like consistency - which is unusual - but smooths over the skin and sinks in easily. Immediately after using it my skin feels soft and hydrated. Over the next two weeks I felt that my skin looked brighter and had more of a natural glow to it and my redness has decreased. There are a lot of wonderful ingredients in there, such as Jojoba Oil and Aloe Vera Gel (two of my personal favourites!). There's also grapeseed and witch hazel, which I've heard are good for acne. You can read up on more of the ingredients on their website - every product has a list of them and their properties on its page.

Overall I have loved this product and have recommended it to others. I also tried a sample of both the day and night creams. I loved them, but there wasn't enough there to see the effect on my skin. I may have to try them out in future! They do a small range of other products, such as creams, serums, cleansers and hair care for men and women. I also tried out some tester pots of their day and night creams and they were super hydrating.

If you're in the midst of changing your skin care, are switching to cruelty-free, or want to find purer products for your skin, give this brand a try! If the rest of the products are anything like the toner, they won't dissapoint.

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil - Review

A few weeks ago I was invited to a brilliant bloggers event by The Body Shop where we were given some great goodies to try out. One of these was their Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil.

I absolutely love using oils in my skincare routine, and regularly write about the benefits of using them and DIY-ing yourself stuff. However, not everyone is able to or wants to make their own skin care, and that's okay! There are many brands out there that have great products, it's just a matter of finding the correct ones.

The Body Shop's Camomile Silky Cleansing oil is part of their Camomile range for sensitive skin - it's even suitable for contact wearers (like myself!). Even if you don't have sensitive skin, there's nothing wrong with using products for that. Even if damage doesn't show, you don't know what some products may be doing to your skin.

I use this in the evenings if I've been wearing makeup to cleanse. I simply massage a little all over my face then stick a cloth under hot water and remove it with that. I always use a cloth to remove my cleanser now, as I don't find water itself to be that effective when trying to rinse away oil.

I've found this to be very effective and I'd recommend it to anyone who's interesting in cleansing oils.

Ps. Keep up with me on Instagram here.

Lush Rose Jam Solid Perfume - Review

Solid Perfume is one of those products most people would first turn their nose up at - I know I did. Perfume, to me, wasn't something found in little tins. Perfume came in beautiful glass bottles to sit out on the dressing table and look pretty. I couldn't imagine using perfume any other way than spraying it delicately on my wrists, inner elbows and throats quickly in the morning. Yet now I find myself reaching for my solid varieties more often than the sprays. Why? 

Anyone out there who loves Lush as much as me undoubtedly knows of their great range of interesting perfumes. It can be quite the struggle to find cruelty-free perfumes, so I'm always glad to have Lush's range to fall back on. It was when in store one day that I noticed the unusual small little colour filled pots lying at the perfume isle, and soon a member of staff was rubbing them in turn on my wrists for me to have a sniff.

Well what do you know? Solid perfume wasn't all that bad, and it certainly could hold a scent. The first solid perfume I picked up was Lust, in case it wasn't apparent by the almost illegible scratched surface as I've used it for so long. Not everyone seems to like this scent, as it does smell strongly of Jasmine, but I love it. The perfume is red tinted, but after it's been rubbed in for a while you can't see anything - just be watchful if you're wearing light clothes. 

The second solid perfume I purchased was Rose Jam. Rose Jam is my absolute favourite Lush scent to date, and I first discovered it with their Rose Jam shower gel. I was lucky enough to snap up this exclusive perfume from the Lush kitchen earlier this year and I adore it! I'm not looking forward to the day it runs out.

So why do I love the solid variety of perfumes instead of the fragrance? Well, firstly they're so easy to pop into your bag when you're out. There's nothing worse than finding out that your favourite, expensive perfume has leaked all over your bag. I don't have to worry about that with these, and they take up far less room which is great if you're on a night out with a teeny tiny clutch bag.

Secondly, I actually feel like these smell stronger. Although in store I was advised to use their normal perfume in the morning and top up with these during the day, I actually feel like these perform better. Usually when I spray perfume I don't really smell it most of the day, but with these I enjoy catching whiffs of my favourite scents occasionally throughout the day.

And lastly, they last for ages. I don't know about you, but I seem to go through a bottle of perfume pretty quickly. With these I only need a little bit and they last much longer.

Perfume is a pretty personal thing and the "best" formula is entirely up to preference, but if you haven't tried a solid perfume yet why not consider giving one a go? Or at least a sniff in your local Lush store!

Ps. Keep up with me on Instagram here.

The Body Shop Drops of Youth - Review

At a recent blogging event I was given some cruelty-free goodies to try by The Body Shop, one of which was the "Drops of Youth" youth concentrate. I've been using it on my skin day and night for the last week and I am pleasantly surprised.

For those of you who keep up with my blog, you'll know my love for my DIY facial oil. I struggled to put it aside for a week to test this out, but once I tried it I realised I need not worry.

This products has 99% of ingredients from natural origin and it is certified organic. Although it is designed with mature skin in mind you can never start protecting your skin to early. I gasp whenever someone tells me they don't moisturise!

The concentrate itself smells wonderful - it's a light, fruity/floral scent that is uplifting. The formula feels somewhere between an oil and a gel. Not too runny, not too sticky, but somewhere nice in between. It softens the skin and makes it feel full and plump.

The whole time I've been using it I've had no skin complaints and I actually feel like it has made my skin look brighter! I may have to tweak my own facial oil after this. I used this day and night and it was fine under make up once I let it dry in. If you've been looking for an oil or serum to add into your skin care routine I definitely recommend trying this out.

Ps. Keep up with me on Instagram here.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free at an event. This was not in exchange for a post but I was encouraged to write about my experience with the product. All my reviews are completely honest and I would never recommend something I wouldn't use on my own skin.

Five Reasons Aloe Vera Gel Should Be Part of Your Skincare Routine

I'm fairly new to the wonders of Aloe Vera Gel. I was always aware of its soothing and antiseptic properties, but it took me a while to add it into my beauty routine. Now that I have it won't be going anywhere! Here are five reasons it should be part of your routine too.

It's a great primer for make up.

I've tried a lot of primers: benefit, bare minerals, smash box, No.7 and just about every drug store brand. They have all either not worked or not made a difference. I'd given up on primer until I smoothed some aloe vera gel over my face one day and I am now in love. Along with smoothing out my skin it feels like I get a face lift every morning. It is the perfect base for my mineral make up.

It keeps your brows in place all day

Yep, aloe vera gel makes a great eyebrow gel, and my brows can be pretty unmanageable. All I need is a tiny drop of gel and my eco tools brow brush to keep them tamed.

It soothes and heals damaged skin

Razor burn? Eczema? Acne? Sun damage? Aloe vera gel is here to save the day. It helps calm damaged skin and speeds up the healing process. A little goes a long way!

It's a great DIY face mask ingredients

I love adding aloe vera gel into my face masks when my skin needs a little TLC. It's calming, cooling and helps keep the honey from dripping off of my face.

It helps tame flyaway hairs

The gel type formula of aloe vera is great for hair, although I'm not a fan of applying it neat. I mix this with some coconut oil and green tea for a great DIY frizz spray. I keep it in the fridge and use it every day to help tame my hair. Sadly I have a lot of broken, flyaway hairs just now thanks to my eczema, but this does help!

So there you have it. There are many more uses for aloe vera gel, and with a bit of creativity it's easy to use it in a lot of skin and hair care. Try to buy organic when possible, and try to get the purest formula you can. Companies will add preservatives to aloe vera gel, so it's up to you to find something safe for your skin!

PS. Keep up with me on Instagram here.

*All photos in this post are sourced from www.pixabay.com

The Skincare Routine That Rescued My Skin

This last year I've been picky with what I put on my skin. Nothing harsh. Nothing unnecessary. Nothing unnaturally scented. Nothing that's been tested on animals. Has my nit-pickiness and high standards been worth it? Yes, oh yes. I've always had bad skin. Not terrible, but bad. Mild acne, redness, dry skin,.. you get it. My skin just always lacked that "glow". I never woke up in the morning  and liked what I saw.

I've tried and tested near enough every drug store brand from Simple to Dermalogica and nothing worked. So I decided to take things into my own hands. Why was I trusting products with illegible ingredient lists the length of my arm? The answer to me seemed logical: Ditch these companies. Ditch the harsh chemicals, stop funding animal testing and start doing things for myself. 

My research has made me discover some amazing brands: Lush, Neals Yard Remedies, Balm Balm, Arran Aromatics, Lily Lolo and Honeypie Minerals, just to name a few. I also discovered that sometimes the best thing for your skin is lying in the kitchen cupboard: olive oil, coconut oil, honey, turmeric, oats... These are all ingredients I use often on my skin. Over the last year I have completely changed what I use on my skin and have watched acne disappear, redness fade, texture improve, and I can barely remember what an oily T-zone feels like. My make up applies much better and I also like how I look barefaced. So without any further rambling, here is the skincare routine that rescued my skin!

Morning

I try to start my mornings off with a short jog. Yes, exercise helps the skin, so try to get moving every day. Afterwards I wash my skin and mildly exfoliate with my DIY facial scrub. It contains oats, lavender and chamomile which soothe and soften my skin. When washing your face, always start with warm water to open the pores, and finish with cold water to close the pores.

I apply a few drops of my DIY facial oil to moisturise my face. This is currently a blend of jojoba, grapeseed, rosehip, lavender, patchouli and frankincense oil. I change the ingredients every time it runs out to suit my current needs, but a blend of jojoba, geranium and lavender is a great starting point for everyone. My recipe for this is here. Also, please never moisturise with oil on a dirty face or it will just seal in the dirt and make your face break out. Always cleanse beforehand. I point this out as people are always coming back to me complaining that oil broke them out. "Do you cleanse beforehand?" I ask. "No". 

If I'm wearing makeup I give the oil a few minutes to sink in, then wipe the excess away. I then apply pure aloe vera gel as a primer. I've only just discovered how great this stuff is. It's quick to dry and smooths the skin wonderfully. The first few times I used it I felt like I'd just gotten a face lift.  It's great for skin and is the best primer I've used for my makeup - it also helps my brows stay in place. 

I then do my makeup and I'm set to go. I use a mixture of products from Honeypie Minerals, Lily Lolo and Everyday Minerals. I won't go in to my makeup routine just now - perhaps in a future post!

I set my makeup with a rosewater spray. If you're prone to acne, witch hazel is a great alternative. I personally love the smell of rosewater and just wanted something to give me a burst of moisture and "set" my makeup. It gives my makeup a glowing, airbrushed finish (or as close as I'll ever get!).

I try and make sure to drink plenty of water during the day to keep my skin hydrated and looking good. Water is so important for good skin and this is why I count it in my skin care routine.

Yes, it's the same with food.  Make sure you're eating your fruit and veggies. You think 5 a day is enough? That should be your minimum. I never realised how important these were until I started eating more, so eat up as many different colours as you can. It's worth it in the long run and I have my skin to show for it.

SPF is also something you have to consider. Yes, even in Scotland we have to protect our skin from the long term damage of the sun. Especially us paler girls. My mineral makeup has a natural SPF, so when I leave the house I always try to have some on. If your makeup doesn't have an SPF, look into finding a cream with an SPF rating. I personally prefer my mineral foundation over an extra cream, but it's up to you. Just protect your face from those rays - you'll thank me when your less wise friends begin to wrinkle.

Evening

I like to cleanse my face in the evening rather than right before bed. I heard once that you should always wash your face before 10PM as that is when your skin starts repairing itself. Despite the many flaws in that statement (Time zones? Body clocks? Daylight saving hours? Doesn't the body repair when you're sleeping?) I've always preferred to cleanse the day off before it's too late.

I use my DIY facial cleanser to remove makeup. I massage the oil into my skin then wet a cloth with warm water and sit it on top of my face for a few minutes. This is called "hot cloth cleansing" and it is amazing.  The oil cleanses away any makeup, dirt or whatever I've managed to get on my face that day  while the hot cloth opens up my pores and "draws" the dirty stuff out. I then wipe it all away.

Twice a week I follow this up with a face brush and a face mask. I don't use the face brush in the morning as the harsher exfoliation (compared to me DIY face scrub) leaves my skin rosy. It is brilliant for getting rid of dead skin and leaving my face baby soft - no need for harsh scrubs or micro beads, yay!

Now that my pores are open it's the perfect time to tidy up any facial hair. I recently learned how to thread hair myself, and have used this technique to rid myself of any dark chin or stray brow hairs. My trusty tweezers are there for anything else that's too stubborn to move. 

My go to face mask is organic set honey from tesco, but a few other ingredients have made their way into it now. I add turmeric to help with redness and cinnamon for it's antiseptic qualities (but only a little as I hate the smell and taste). If my skin needs some extra loving I'll add in a dollop of aloe Vera.  I mix in a little cornflour to turn the honey into a paste to stop it dripping off my face. I leave this on for about 20 minutes before washing it off with cool water.

I then massage some of my DIY facial oil into my face.  I also use my DIY acne oil on any spots on my face or body. If my skin is feeling particularly dry (from not drinking enough water, being in the sun or drinking alcohol) I'll follow up with my nettle cream from Caurnie Soaperie.

And that is my daily skin care routine for an average make up-wearing day. I don't actually wear make up most days, so the routine is even simpler. So if I'm not wearing makeup and it's not a "facemask" day, the routine is more like this:

AM 

wash with DIY face scrub

moisturise with DIY facial oil

PM

cleanse with DIY cleansing oil

wash with DIY face scrub

moisturise with DIY facial oil

    

It may seem a lot, but in reality it's quick and low maintenance. It's also fairly cheap. I use the same ingredients in most of my DIY recipes, sourced from either the supermarket or online. 

When I started this routine my skin did take a few months to adjust. I had overly oily skin for a while and it seemed like every time I solved a problem another appeared. Once I got through the transition period I was amazed with my skin. I rarely get spots, my redness and dullness have dramatically reduced and my skin is as smooth as a babies bum. I have more of that "glow" I envied in others and I wear far less makeup. My own devised routine made up of DIY scrubs, masks and facial oils has done for me what big branded, drug store "miracle" products could not. More so, it has healed the damage they have done (bar a few spot scars that are still fading). 

So if you're having skin problems, want to shake up your routine or want to start using purer products, give this routine a try. The best thing about DIY skin care is that it can always be adapted to your own skin, but this routine works great for me and could be a great starting point for anyone.

All photos that are not my own sourced from pixabay.com

PS. Keep up with me on instagram here.

Help For the Switch to Natural Beauty - Moisturisers

So we've been getting some work done at the house this week and I haven't had WiFi access for my laptop, so my blog has been quiet... but I'm back! Continuing with my "Help for the Switch" series, I will be looking at moisturisers today.

Personally, I think moisturiser (along with make-up) is what affects your skin the most. As we tend to moisturise day and night the stuff spends a lot of time on your skin.When using the right stuff to moisturise it can really help, but when using bad stuff it can really damage your skin. Do you know what's in your moisturiser? That's a question I only started asking myself last year. Take a look at your moisturisers ingredient list and search them up on Skin Deep, have a look at exactly what is going on your skin every day.

Now there are hundreds of moisturisers out there. I used to feel lost in stores like Boots and Superdrug when searching for new moisturisers -because whatever brand I'd used before was never working.

Before I started using more natural moisturisers my skin would feel tight after washing. I'd moisturise right after washing my face to prevent this, thinking the product was working. Honestly, it wasn't. Now that I use better products, my skin is soft and silky before applying anything. That's how I know my stuff is working.

So where do you find the best moisturiser? Well there are a ton of great cruelty free and natural brands out there. It can be overwhelming at first, especially when you're just trying to find them. So I'm going to list some of the best moisturisers I've came across and what I think they are best for:

Arran Aromatics Feel Good Formulas Jojoba & Vitamin E All Weather Moisturiser

What a mouthful! While this moisturiser does not have the purest ingredient list, I have researched the stuff on Skin Deep and everything had a "low hazard" rating. I love wearing this under make up as it is light, primes the skin and still moisturises. And any followers of this blog will know how much I love Jojoba Oil. I've wrote more about this product here.

The Caurnie Soaperie Nettle Moisturiser 

This is my holy grail when it comes to eczema. I have had this clear up small eczema breakouts in less than a day. I'd never go back to the steroid creams from the doctor, which just thinned my skin anyway. Even for those who don't suffer from eczema it is a wonderful moisturiser. I'd say it's best for the body and moisturising dry patches. I personally didn't use it on my face a lot as it is heavy, although I do use it overnight sometimes when my skin is feeling dry.

Pai Skincare Geranium & Thistle Rebalancing Day Cream

I was first introduced to this whilst reading Kate's review on it on wildorganicbeauty* (one of my favourite blogs by the way, check it out!). She wrote a great post on it that will describe it better than I can. It's great for sensitive skin and it is another moisturiser that primes the skin perfectly for make up.

Lush Magical Moringa

I've loved every Lush moisturiser I've tried. Vanishing Cream was great for a light cream in the morning to prime before make up. Skin Drink was great at tackling dryness and healing my skin. But Magical Moringa is a different story. It's more a "balm" than a "cream" and feels unlike any other moisturiser I've tried. It also makes my skin look and feel amazing. Once absorbed I find it is great under powder/mineral make up. I'm not so sure with liquids because it contains cornflour. I think this is best for no make up days or when you want something that feels luxurious on your skin.

Facial Oils

These are my absolute favourite products for moisturising. Many brands do facial oils, but I tend to mix my own because I can switch up the ingredients to suit my skin's needs throughout the year. Many people are sceptical when I recommend facial oil to them. They either believe oil to be "dirty", they think it will make their skin more oily, or they tried some brand's facial oil from the chemist that was loaded up with awful ingredients that broke them out.

When you buy or make a good oil it is amazing for skin. My skin has actually stopped being so "oily" since I started using oils. Whenever my mix runs out I can look at my skin's current needs and make a unique blend that targets everything I need at that time. I do not have perfect skin - I have years spent using nasty products from the chemist to thank for that - but it has never been as good as it is using these products. My facial oils have finally got rid of my acne, they have decreased my redness, smoothed my skins texture and made it feel "good" again. If I had to recommend one product to anyone it would be Jojoba Oil, but there are so many great oils out there I think it really is worth looking for blends that will help your skin. I've been making custom blends for friends and family and so far they have been working!

There are many other brands out there that do great moisturisers, but unfortunately I've only sampled a small few myself. My blog isn't so popular (yet) that I get free samples to try, so everything I do try has been products I've used from start to finish out my own pocket. I still think facial oils are the best, but I understand how many people are more comfortable with a cream. So good luck in finding that perfect moisturiser and I hope this post has helped those of you looking to switch.  :)

*since I've made this post my favourite blog has actually disappeared! So I've had to remove all the links as they are broken.

Help for the Switch to Natural Beauty: Cleansers

Cleansers are crucial to good skin. A bad cleanser can completely mess up your skin, whereas a good cleanser can soothe, heal and rescue your skin so it is at its best. When using a cleanser we first wash our face with warm water to open the pores, so it is important to make sure you are using safe ingredients. Have you looked at the ingredients list on your cleanser recently? If not, I urge you to do so. Many cleansers out there bought from supermarkets and pharmacies are full of horrible, toxic ingredients. That's not what you're wanting to put on your skin! 

Let me explain why a more natural beauty routine is better. Lots of companies make skincare products full of stuff that is not good for your skin. Ingredient lists will be full of stuff we've never heard of, and if you researched into some of this stuff you would not be impressed (Try researching some ingredients here). You may be using non-natural products just now and think they're working, but they're not. What I've found with these kind of products is that your skin becomes dependant on them. They work against your skin rather than with it.

For example, whenever I used to wash my face I would have to moisturise quite quickly or my skin would become tight and sore. When I used the (non natural) moisturisers and felt my skin becoming soft and plump, I felt they were working. They weren't! My skin was dependant on these products: cleansers that stripped my skin of it's natural oils, moisturisers full of irritable ingredients... you get the idea. When you switch to natural products you have to give it time to adjust. I had overly oily skin for a while, a few breakouts, some redness. Now it's all calmed down and when I wash my face it feels plump and soft even before moisturising. 

So to continue with my "Help for the Switch to Natural Beauty" series I will be focusing on cleansing. I will list both branded cleansers and some of my favourite DIY cleansing ingredients.

I have made a table of cleansers from some of my favourite brands below. Highlighted areas in green show what each product is best for, using information gathered from their websites. Please note that this isn't gospel and that products work differently with different people's skin. Just because "Acne" isn't highlighted as that cleansers main benefit doesn't mean it won't help! It's always best to do your own research and try things out for yourself, but I hope this will help as a guide for where to start.

I've priced the products by average price per 100 ml/g.
£       =  £0 - £10
££     =  £10 - £20
£££   =  £20 - £30
££££ =  £30+

*I have visited the Caurnie Soaperie and have been advised that the Nettle Shower Gel is also suitable as a facial cleanser.

DIY facial cleansers are also a great alternative, especially if you're on a budget. When you DIY a product you know exactly what goes into it and you are able to personalise it exactly to your skin's needs. Here are some of my favourite ingredients for DIY cleansers.

Honey

Honey feels luxurious on skin. It is very soothing and leaves skin feeling like velvet. It is great as a cleanser or face mask even on it's own, but what I wouldn't use it for is removing make-up. Try to buy organic, as many brands add unnecessary stuff into their honey.

Oil

Yes, I never stop going on about oil. I use Olive Oil to take of my make-up and it works wonderfully. It catches on to everything and wipes it all away. It does leave skin greasy, so follow up with something else to get rid of the oil.

You can also make blends made up of oils if you want something a little more complex. Use a carrier oil like Jojoba, Olive or Castor oil and add a few drops of essential oils. For example, oils like Tea Tree and Lavender are great for acne. When working with essential oils please be careful and use the correct dilutions. I personally don't use an oil blend for cleansing make-up, as plain olive oil is cheaper. I keep my blends for moisturising.

Oats

Oats are an effective natural exfoliator. Simply take a small amount in your hand, add a little hot water, and make a paste. Massage it into dampened skin. Make sure to wait for the oats to soften before using, as the sharp edges may damage skin. Some people suggest sugar and salt for exfoliating your face. Again I prefer to avoid these for the facial area, as they are harsh and can damage skin. I do like to use them on my body, especially on rough areas like kneecaps.

Milk

Yes milk, although maybe not like this. Milk, Rice and Almond powders all work well to cleanse the face. Simply mix with some warm water (or some rose or hazel water if you're feeling fancy) and use to cleanse your face.

There are many more ingredients out there, but these are some of the simplest and best.

I hope this post helps with all of you out there who are interested in or are transitioning to a better skin care routine. Stick in there - it's for the best and your skin will thank you.

** Photos sourced from pixabay.com

Nettle cream, The Caurnie Soaperie - Review

My eczema was terrible as a child, but now it only seems to flare up for a month or two a every year. I have no idea what causes it, so it always manages to sneak up on me. I just have to grin and bear it until it decides to leave again, but that doesn't mean I can't make its visit more pleasant. 

Last year I discovered this Nettle Moisturiser cream at a local farmers market, specially designed for eczema sufferers by The Caurnie Soaperie. It soothed my itchy, dry skin and set my skin back on the road to recovery. The cream is thick, and for the two months of near constant use I still hadn't finished the small jar I had. 

For those who have never suffered from eczema or similar skin conditions it can be painful and, for me, extremely itchy. Products from the pharmacist and doctors barely seem to help, and can be dangerous as too much can sometimes irritate or thin the skin (so they warn). I can use as much of this cream as I want with no ill effect, and my brother even picked up the full size jar to use himself.

I checked the ingredient list on Skin Deep and they all had great scores.

It may seem ironic, or implausible, that a plant that causes rashes can be used to treat them, but nettle is the exact reason these products work so great. Nettle is packed with minerals and vitamins, is anti-inflammatory, astringent (helps tighten the skin) and bactericidal (kills bacteria). 

Even if you don't suffer from eczema the cream is wonderfully soothing. It's great for when your skin needs a little extra moisture, or a helping hand with some healing. I finished it off as a night cream and would recommend it.

Moisturiser and Eye Gel, Arran Aromatics - Review

Arran Aromatics is a Scottish brand based in (who'd have guessed?) Arran that creates beautiful products. They are definitely an ethical brand, as can by seen by poking around their website. They are against animal testing and their products are all hand finished. I was first introduced to this brand when my mother brought me back a beautifully scented lavender soap from a trip to Arran.

                   

The "Feel Good Formula" range is very affordable, and so far has been very impressive. The range is made with natural-inspired ingredient, extracts, essential oils and natural spring water. I decided to restock on some products when last in town. 

Their "Jojoba and Vitamin E All Weather  Moisturiser" (£7.50) is what first got me hooked. This little pot has become a holy grail in my beauty routine. 

                    

For those of you not familiar with jojoba oil, it's amazing on skin. It's the oil that has the closest resemblance to the skin's natural sebum. I find it great for controlling oily skin and keeping my skin matte but moisturised. It does take time to absorb into skin, so on rushed mornings before work I prefer to use this.

This is like a primer and moisturiser in one. I find that my primers have no effect when this is on because it does such a good job. It absorbs quickly and leaves my skin feeling soft and natural, without the greasy barriers some moisturisers leave. I doubt I'll ever stop singing this one praises. 

Another great product is their "Green Tea Eye Cooler Gel"(3.50) Green tea is known to be great for the under-eyes, especially when tackling dark under-eye circles (which I have due to sinus problems - apparently). I've seen a decrease in puffiness, it again primes the eye area wonderfully and it feels lovely going on. 

                         

I've also heard that eye gels and (light) oils are the best to use around the eye area. Heavier creams and serums can be too heavy for the skin and cause bags and sagging. At only £3.50  this is a great product, but don't judge it's small price tag - it's very effective.

The Feel Good Formula range has lots of great products, and I aim to try them all once I work through what I already have. The prices are great for the quality, as I find them just as effective as brands who are double, or triple, the price! It's a brand to check out. 

PS. Keep up with me on instagram here.

Ultrabalm, Lush - Review

I think our lips all suffer in the winter months, especially in Scotland. More often than not I'll find myself biting my lips and cracking dry skin, so I had to find a solution before there was nothing left! 

As always, I looked to Lush first. Although they did have a range of lip balms, I opted for Ultrabalm due to its larger size and minimal ingredients. 

I've got to say, this stuff has been working miracles overnight. My lips were velvet soft, and as long as I tackled any dryness when it appeared they remained that way! Unfortunately I tend to become lazy and let the cold get me again. 

Also, do you ever get a cold and blow your nose so much the skin becomes red and sore to touch? Yes, this is a great fix for that too. In fact, any dry or irritated skin around the body will be nursed swiftly back to health. I also use it for protecting skin from henna when using it on my hair. 

I've now had the tin for months and there's also not much of a dent - it's definitely became a beauty staple for me. 

PS. Keep up with me on instagram here.

Dusting and Deodorant Powders, Lush - Review

I'd like to introduce my readers to a type of product I wish I'd discovered years ago - deodorant powders.

Dusting/Deodorant powders are one of those products in Lush that you would first study with a raised eyebrow. "Powder deodorant? That'll never work". I've been using both their deodorant and dusting powders and let me tell you, they are amazing products.

Pictured above is: (From left to right) Fairy  Dust Dusting Powder, The Guv'ner Deodorant Powder and Silky Underwear Dusting Powder. 

So what's the difference between dusting and deodorant powders? Firstly, deodorant powders seem to have been formulated for the single use of deodorant. Although I'm all for embracing creativity and finding alternative uses for products, something tells me that the strong, earthy scent and dark colour of "The Guv'ner" is best suited to a deodorant. 

Dusting powders are advertised to be used on the body; to soak up massage oil, soften skin, or give your skin a light scent and glow. I find these work just as well as a deodorant, and often have a much sweeter smell.

There are several ways to use dusting powders. They can be used on the body to soak up lotions/massage oils or sweat. They can be used as a dry shampoo, and add a lovely scent to the hair. They can be rubbed on the under arms as a "deodorant" to help soak up sweat. They don't actually prevent sweat - Lush is against this as it is a normal and healthy bodily function. Instead the powder absorbs what you do sweat, therefore keeping you dry. I'll admit that no deodorant - from store or on prescription - has ever fully worked for me. I'd wash and be sweating again by the time I walked back to my room. Cream, gel, roll on or spray deodorants never seemed to dry in and just made me worse. These powders instantly absorb my sweat, and as long as I reapply when needed during the day (depending on my activities) it works perfectly well. I have heard of people layering these on top of other deodorants, but the powder alone has been enough for myself. 

Firstly I'll look at my latest purchase, Fairy Dust. 

Fairy Dust has the sweet, candy floss scent of the limited edition Snow Fairy products, which I'm sure any Lush fans have guessed by now. It has a glitter to it that really makes the body/hair shimmer and is coloured a pale pink which disappears on skin. It was limited edition, so I was unable to link to the product. Sorry :(

                          

The Guv'ner has a strong, deep and earthy scent. I like it, but it's definitely a love-or-hate product. This is what I use if I'm doing any strenuous activities, as I believe it is the most effective. 

It is a dark, stone grey colour, but surprisingly can disappear on skin if only a pinch is used. I tend to need more than that, so I only use it when wearing long sleeves. 

                         

Silky Underwear was the first dusting powder I bought, and is my most used. Its light colour and lack of shimmer means that it disappears on skin, and it has the same jasmine scent as my "Lust" solid perfume. 

If you've ever struggled with sweat, want to try something more natural or need something to layer with your normal deodorant I'd definitely reccomend the Lush deodorant and dusting powders. There are several more scents that I haven't tried, so if none above suit you have a nosey on their website!