Skincare, for all pockets

nspa-skincare-review-4Be honest: would you say, by looking at the gorgeous nspa skincare products, that they carry a tiny price tag? I don’t think so.

Nspa is a brand created by spa experts in the UK, exclusively for Asda. Yes, you heard right. Asda.

In fact, Asda beauty has a great range of products, including nspa, whose products are benchmarked against big brands in the market.

I tried some of their Beauty Rituals Ever Youthful anti-ageing products, which are all enriched with a hyaluronic acid and tetrapeptide complex.

The whole Beauty Rituals line carries four steps of skincare: cleanse, exfoliate, treat and moisturise. All products are dermatologically approved and free of parabens.

nspa-skincare-review-3As I love a serum, I’m going to start with that. The Ever Youthful Double Action Serum, which costs £6.40 (no, you didn’t read it wrong), contains ginseng and and anti-oxidant rich Vitamin A, E and Pro-Vitamin B5 complex.

The serum is light and sinks in the skin very well. Skin feels soft , nourished and moisturised after use. It is also vegan friendly.

Eye creams are also a little vice of mine and the Ever Youthful Eye Cream (£5) is very good. Light upon application and quickly absorbed, it does not irritate my sensitive eyes.

Can be used overnight and also during the day under makeup; it behaves very well.

nspa-skincare-review-2It helps support the delicate round the eye skin, plumping and nourishing, working against crows feet and fine lines.

They also have a day and night cream: the recharging and restorative Ever Youthful Bouncy Night Cream (£6.40), which is admittedly is a bit rich my my skin type, but has real bouncy texture and does feel nice on the skin once applied.

The Ever Youthful Day Cream, £6.40,  (obvs!) with protecting SPF 15 and is possibly thicker than I would like, close to the night one, but absorbs well and feels lovely on the skin. The smell is very nice too – in fact, all products have a lovely smell.

Not pictured, because it lives in my bathroom, is probably my favourite product from the range, the Deep Cleansing Face Wash (£4.50). Its pump delivers a rich foam that cleanses without stripping the skin and does a very good job of even removing eye makeup.

The nspa Ever Youthful range is really goo, especially when you think about the price point – the most expensive products cost £6.40 and at the moment they have a 2 for £8 deal on.

Plus, you can get it while grocery shopping at Asda, in-store and online.

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You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Beauty reimagined: Fabled by Marie Claire

fabled-by-marie-claire-review-1Imagine a gorgeous place where your favourite beauty brands come together. That would be enough, right?

Add some beauty experts edits and opinions, from a leading magazine, to make your life easier when choosing the best products for you.

fabled-by-marie-claire-review-2Then, top it off with a real shop full of friendly and approachable professionals in the counters.

Enough? Thought so, but there’s more: online shop with the superb Ocado delivery service, within a chosen 1 hour time slot.

Too good to be true? Maybe, but it’s real. All this is Fabled by Marie Claire.

And you can experience it right now as I have an exclusive 15% discount code for you, lovely readers, to start shopping online right now: VOU039323938, valid until the 26th October 2016. 

To me, the concept is genius: an online shop tons of amazing beauty brands covering makeup, skincare, hair and fragrance, supported by the magazine expert edits, reviews and trend watching.

Beauty lovers that might be short for time, or are not sure about what red lipstick to go for, now have a haven to make their lives easier and help them nail they beauty needs.

And The Fabled Shop in London’s Tottenham Court Road? Dreamy!

fabled-marie-claireI was about to place my order at fabled.com and decided I needed a new foundation. Took the opportunity to try the new Urban Decay All Nighter foundation.

So I went to the shop for a colour match, as I work nearby. Even though I told the lovely makeup artist on the UD counter I was not buying, she was lovely, helpful and super friendly.

I also wanted to get myself a new eyeliner – I went for Estée Lauder Little Black Liner. Obviously both will be reviewed soon!

fabled-by-marie-claire-review-3Now to the order. The site is clean, well categorised, so it is easy to use and find what you’re looking for. You can also look for specific brands, skin concerns, the Marie Claire edit and specific filtering within categories.

They have an online chat to help you in those decisive hours and placing the order is very quick and painless, with Ocado delivery (free over £15, £3.90 otherwise) slots from 5:30 am to 11:3pm.

And you can attach it to your grocery shopping. Now, that’s as exciting as it is dangerous!

Remember, you can get 15% off right now with my code VOU039323938, valid until the 26th October.

fabled-by-marie-claire-review-4At fabled.com and at their fabulous The Fabled Shop at 21 Tottenham Court Road, London, you can find Aveda, Aromatherapy Associates, Balance Me, Bobbi Brown, Benefit, bkr, Burberry, Clinique, Caudalie, Crabtree & Evelyn, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Essie, Eyeko, Estée Lauder, Eylure, ghd, Giorgio Armani, Gucci,  Hugo Boss, He-Shi, Lancôme, Lipstick Queen, L’Oréal Paris, Marc Jacobs, Maybelline, Nails Inc, NARS, OPI, REN, Rimmel, Seche, St. Tropez, Skin & Tonic, T3, This Works, The Balm, Tom For, Urban Decay, Zelens (breathe) and much more.

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You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

All natural, Naked Beauty (oil)

skin-tonic-naked-beauty-oil-review-1Now, I’ve had my eyes on Skin & Tonic London for a while and was thrilled to try their new product: the Naked Beauty Oil.

Yes, it’s an oil (although they call it a serum), so it’s more than halfway to winning my heart. More than that, its British produced, organic and from a company well worth knowing, they are really good people.

Starting with the deep reddish orange colour, this luscious oil applies and sinks well on the skin.

I love using oils overnight, and with this my skin wakes up plump and radiant.

With rosehip, apricot, pumpkin and raspberry oils, all containing vitamins A, C & E and omegas 3 & 6, this oil has healing, refining, soothing and hydrating properties for dry skin.

skin-tonic-naked-beauty-oil-review-2It is perfect for the colder season just coming in and at £25 for 30ml, it is a real bargain.

The Skin & Tonic London Naked Beauty Oil is available from their website and from shops like Selfridges, Anthropologie, Whole Foods Market and Fabled by Marie Claire. It is certified organic (99%), 100% natural, unscented, suitable for vegans and , non GMO and not tested on animals, so it’s all round goodness for you and your skin.

Remember when I said they are really good people? Skin & Tonic London use a maximum of 7 ingredients and they are organically certified.

Their small batches are hand crafted and they support small, local producers in the UK and France, as well as fair trade cooperatives in Ghana and Sri Lanka, and give 10% of their profits to charity:water.

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You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Gimme (more) oil!

dermalogica-phyto-replenish-oil-review-1Here I go say it again: I love oils. I know I keep going on about it but there are so many amazing products now on the market I cannot help but rave about it.

Dermalogica is a brand I am very close to and they have added yet another product to my love list: the phyto replenish oil.

What I like the most about this, apart from its amazing properties, is the fact is mixed well with other products, even makeup. No surprise as dermalogica was the first in the market to come up with the concept of skincare layering.

I’ve been adding a drop of it to my foundation before applying on my skin for that extra glow – after all, it is a luminous treatment oil!

Of course, that means the skin protection barrier reinforcement treatment is working thought the day, even if in a small dosage.

dermalogica-phyto-replenish-oil-review-2The best thing is that is does not compromise the foundation finish (except for a subtle added glow) and durability. Skin does not feel greasy, heavy or as if it is about to melt.

Alone, it is a fabulous replenishing oil with a great texture that sinks beautifully in the skin, which is left free from shine, but with enhanced luminosity.

It contains antioxidants camellia japonica, that helps reinforce the skin natural barrier and eating later collagen, tamanu oil, which combats free radicals, chia seed oil delivering fatty acids, balancing orchid flower extract, hydrating hyaluronic acid, sunflower seed oil and vitamin rich rice bran oil.

The dermalogica phyto replenish oil sells for £56.20 (30ml) and a tiny bit goes a very long way with amazing results.

You can get it from the dermalogica website or over their fabulous shops and counters nationwide.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Organic Beauty Week is coming!

soil-association-organic-beauty-week-hero-products - 1As a beauty lover, I am looking out for the best for my skin. And organic is proven to be better for the skin, and the environment, so I was really happy to get involved with the UK’s leading organic certifier, Soil Association, to promote their “Look for the Logo” campaign, as part of Organic Beauty Week, starting on the 19th September.

The biggest and best organic beauty brands and experts will be together to increase awareness of the segment and products available, as well as some of the ground work these companies are involved with.

The only way to be certain a product is certified organic is to look out for the logo. When you see the Soil Association logo in there, you know that product is truly organic, free from synthetics, sustainable for the communities and very importantly, kinder to the skin.

And to illustrate the depth and breadth of the organic beauty offering available, they picked a few hero products I am absolutely in love with.

I think what really comes across here, apart from the superb quality, is that organic beauty products can be much more than affordable than what we think and it is well worth exploring the possibilities and giving new brands a chance (which is my favourite thing to do!).

soil-association-organic-beauty-week-hero-products - 2I featured the Herbfarmacy before and of course, they have heroes here too. The gorgeous Mallow Beauty Balm is a multitasking product fit for many beauty needs – moisturising, nourishing and radiance-boosting, it can be used as a cleanser, moisturiser or deep skin repairer. Costs £18 for 30ml.

Skin & Tonic is a company I’ve been following at a distance and finally got to try one of their products: it was everything I was hoping for. The Naked Beauty Oil feels amazing on the skin and helps heal, refine, hydrate and soothe. It sells for an amazing £25 for 30ml.

Love at first sight was with Made for Life by Spiezia Organics. Not only they have soul mending products, but their ethos is fantastic. This little box of calm, energy and focus really makes a difference in busy lives. Costs £25 for 3x 10ml.

Plus, at the launch event, I got to meet the founder, the beautiful Amanda Barlow (also entitled Queen of Hugs) and that hug I received from her filled me with joy and hope, and still keeps me going just by thinking about it.

Most people are familiar with Neal’s Yard Remedies and their products never disappoint. The gorgeous Oil Free Hydrating Serum is a bliss for hydration boost in the daytime. Costs £30 for 30ml.

soil-association-organic-beauty-week-hero-products - 3Therapi is another beautiful company that has honey based products. Their Lemons Myrtle Honey Gel Cleanser is gorgeous on the skin and the

Pai is also known brand from the organic world and their Treatment Masks are great. Loaded with nutrients, they are gentle and effective. Costs £30 per 75ml.

A body oil also features amongst the horoes: Voya Nourishing Body Oil is super-hydrating and has citrus and sea fragrances, as well as added rosehip. Costs £32 for 100ml.

Organic face wipes? Natracare has it. Made of organic cotton, 99% biodegradable, they are infused with oils and SLS and parabens free. They are gentle an affective. Costs £3.99 per pack.

Bamford is a massive authority in organics and their Hand and Body Wash and Lotion Duo are gentle and plant based, to clean, nourish, protect and hydrate the skin. Costs £22 for 250ml.

Finally, Terri Verde FranChouliPom Facial Serum has frankincense, patchouli an pomegranate oils, as well as argan to boost skin suppleness and nourishment. Costs £27 for 30ml.

Organic Beauty Week also aims to clarify what organic certification means with events, shopping discounts, panel discussions, Twitter Q&As and much more.

Get involved – check the Soil Association website to find out how to get into a whole month or organic awareness and discovery.signature1

This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Love for your body and mind: find your Inner Strength

aromatherapy-associates-inner-strength-review - 2In modern society we many times concentrate on the physical and end up forgetting about our minds.

Aromatherapy Associates is here to help us to take some time to look after our skin as well as our minds, and maybe indulge a little bit on their fabulous products.

Inner Strength is an all over mind and body range that counts with the usual fabulous bath and shower oils, but also skincare to help rebuild our natural strength and protect our skin from the effects of environmental and emotional stress, designed for sensitive skin.

It contains camomile essential oil, calming for the mind and soothing of the skin, plant-based probiotics to rebuild and protect skin’s natural defence, cotton thistle flower, which restores skin layers and helps the regenerative process and arnica flower, a great anti inflammatory.

aromatherapy-associates-inner-strength-review - 1The Inner Strength Skin Recovery Moisturiser is a protective moisturiser that calms an soothes, helps build the skin protective barrier and helps restore the skin healthy aspect.

The moisturiser is light, applies and absorbs well and behaves under makeup. The scent is pleasant and reassuring.

It is perfect combined with the Soothing Facial Oil, which feels very luscious and replenishing on the skin, at night.

The Inner Strength Soothing Repair Mask is a bliss to use. I’m a big facial mask fan and this feels like a thicker cream.

The scent is reassuring, slightly more intense than the moisturiser; I like rubbing the Inner Strength Bath and Shower oil on my hands, then on my chest to inhale, while using the mask before the shower.

aromatherapy-associates-inner-strength-review - 3Skin, as well as the mind, feels revitalised. It’s moisturising, plumping, strengthening and soothing.

This mask contains, sodium hyaluronate from soy, camomile as plant based probiotics.

The full range, already available to buy contains, apart from the Skin Recovery Moisturiser and the Soothing Repair Mask, the Soothing Cleansing Balm, Soothing Serum and Soothing Facial Oil, which joined the already existent Inner Strength Body Oil, Bath & Shower Oil and Candle, which you can buy here.

And to see how much I love these guys, you can read my Aromatherapy Associates Clear Mind Bath and Shower Oil.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

 

The rise of makeup and skincare hybrids

effaclar-duo-unifiant-review - 1We all love makeup. And we need (ok, we do love it too) skincare.

When 49% of men and women in the UK suffer from spots, blackheads and oily skin*, and 21% of those look for some blemish coverage, how great it is to have products that work towards beautifying skin long and short term?

Many brands now are investing in innovative products that not only prettify, but also care for the skin.

Plus, if a brand caters for problematic skin, you can guarantee I’m already half way being a fan.
And when they work… that’s how love comes about.
La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar range covers all acneic skin needs and recently they started branching out into tinted products.
effaclar-duo-unifiant-review - 2I raved about the Effaclar BB Blur, which I use quite a lot still, and now they are pulling more out of the bag.
The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Unifiant tinted moisturiser carries the same formula as the best selling La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo + cream, but has  mineral pigments to make it a tinted moisturiser.
It delivers a very sheer and glowy coverage; used alone, for my skin, only in extremely good skin days. However, I find it’s a fabulous base for makeup. It is light applies very well.

I put it on after my primer, before foundation. Of course, I’m resting assured I have treatment on my face, as well as a sheer base that surfaces a bit of glow.

It contains anti-inflammatory niacinamide, bacterial infection-fighting piroctone olamine, healing/skin renewal agent LHA, sebum-combating linoleic acid and the ceramid procerad, which fights inflammation and helps minimise hyper-pigmentation scars.
Since getting it, I’ve been using everyday.
The new La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Unifiant comes in two shades: Fair/Light and Light/Medium, costs £16.50 and can be purchased from retailers nationwide.
*Influencers and path to purchase study, 2014.
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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

A fresh, hydrating breeze

avene-eau-thermale-review - 2I am a huge fan of face mists, there is no denying.

Now that the weather is slightly better, I feel I can talk about it and not feel that if I actually spray water on my face, it would freeze before reaching it. Yes, I am bitter with this lack of summer thing.

Avène Eau Thermale thermal spring water spray, however, is a bliss for any weather.

In the summer, it cools and refreshes. In the winter, it is perfect for soothing. Because the thermal water is captured straight from the source, it retains all its amazing natural soothing and anti-irritating properties.

avene-eau-thermale-review - 1All squeezed into in a handy spray. The very fine mist lands lightly and feels amazing on the skin, delivering immediate comfort. It is fabulous over makeup, to freshen up, but even better directly on the skin.

It is very pure, all it has is the purest water, and also leaves a barrier for a long-lasting effect. It is great for all skin types, but mainly irritated and sensitive skin.

I confess I am a bit addicted!

This is 50 ml (around £3.50) and the 2016 special edition of their flower girl, but you can get this size all year round in the normal packaging – perfect for handbags and flying.

The Avène Eau Thermale thermal spring water spray also comes in 150ml (£6.50) and 300ml (£10), and can be bought from big retailers, such as Boots, in-store and online.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Embracing the power and purity of plants in my skincare routine

herbfarmacy-skincare-review - 1The Herbfarmacy is a company you cannot help but love. They love their plants: they take good care of them, they nurture and give them time and space to create fabulous organic skincare.

They grow their own organic herbs and create their products from plant to jars in their farm in the Welsh border.

From the planting to the infusion process, all care is taken so we get the purest active ingredients into the products, which are suitable for sensitive skin and carry nourishing, conditioning and cleansing plants and oils, and are very fresh.

herbfarmacy-skincare-review - 6Now, I tried a few and have to say I am impressed.

Starting with the gorgeous Rose & Mallow Facial Oil (£24.50, 25ml), which combines plants and oils to hydrate the skin and promote radiance.

herbfarmacy-skincare-review - 2The damask rose is toning, the marshmallow, nurturing and protecting, the calendula, calming, the evening primrose oil, anti-inflammatory, the rosehip oil, regenerating and the hempseed oil, restoring and soothing. Phew.

With all this goodness packed in, it is not surprising that this rich facial oil makes skin feel supple, bright and moisturised.

I mentioned a few times I love a facial mist and once again, the Herbfarmacy offer does not disappoint.

herbfarmacy-skincare-review - 3The Rose & Echinacea Toner (£17.50, 95ml)  is fresh and cool on the skin. Echinacea is a natural astringent which helps detoxify and close pores. The damask rose is a skin tonic and also adds a lovely smell.

Sometimes, I just spray it to freshen up and give my face a mid-day uplift!

Beauty balms, for me, were never that highly rated, until now. The Mallow Beauty Balm is award-winning for a reason: it softens, moisturises and gives radiance, as well as healing and protecting, thanks to the marshmallow, mullein and calendula in its formulation.

herbfarmacy-skincare-review - 4It is also multi-tasking as it can be used as a cleanser or a balm directly on the skin for fine lines or deep skin repair. I like it on lips, battered hands from hoop, scrapes and grazes, as well as around the eyes.

Balms are “their things” and they have a fabulous, extensive range, including the Meadowsweet Muscle Balm, which is fantastic to rub on tired muscles post workout.

I’ve been using is an awful lot, and apart from working a treat on my shoulders and back, it also has the most amazing smell that comes from eucalyptus, pepper and ginger essential oils, which is invigorating.

It contains soothing and repairing comfrey, tension-easing and ache-calming hypericum and sore muscles-relieving meadowsweet.

Other balms, looking after body and mind, include the Skin Rescue, Temple and Easy Breathe. But there are many more in their extensive range of balms.

All balms mentioned are 100% organic and cost only £15 for 30ml (Temple and Easy Breathe £8.50 for 15ml), which goes a long way.

herbfarmacy-skincare-review - 5My obsession with face creams is never ending, so I was happy to also try their Replenishing Face Cream (£24, 60ml). It is pure skin food to rejuvenate mature or very dry skin.

With the nurturing and protecting properties of marshmallow and healing calendula, it promotes regeneration and restores radiance.

The Herbfarmacy has, apart from the Replenishing, a Calming (£19.50), a Balancing(£19.50) and a Nourishing Face Cream (£19.50) in their range.

The founder of Herbfarmacy, Paul Richards is absolutely lovely and we can feel the passion and care he has for the herbs and process, so it is not surprising you can actually see all that translated into each product.

I recommend watching their video on spring seedlings to feel the love!

Not to mention their amazing price point – exceptionally good value for money.

You can get your hands on the Herbfarmacy Skincare organic range on their brand new website.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

The sun is out – don’t forget your sun cream!

eucerin-anti-ageing-sunfluid-review - 2Maybe I am overreacting with my title… it’s sort of out. Ish. Ok, ok. Should be out.

It’s that time of the year when we can finally feel some rays hitting our face and sadly, when people start thinking about wearing sun protection.

Truth is, it should be worn all year round and whereas in the winter the high SPF in my makeup is usually enough to keep me protected, in the summer a proper sun cream 30+ daily is a must.

Last summer I fell in love with Eucerin’s mattifying fluid and their tinted SPF.

This year I thought I’d stick with them, but they brought out the Sun Fluid Anti-Age and the Sun Cream Tinted CC, which have quickly become favourites in my routine.

The Eucerin Sun Fluid Anti-Age comes in SPF 30 and 50.

It has broadband UVA and UVB sun protection, it also counts with biological cell protection in the form of antioxidants glycyrrhethinic acid, which supports skin DNA protection and repair and licochalcone A, which helps protect skin against free radicals.

eucerin-anti-ageing-sunfluid-review - 1To top it off, it also has two types of hyaluronic acid, to deeply moisturise and help plump those fine lines.

A serious protection and care product for everyday.

Now, talking about that, how about a bit of makeup? Well, a little bit!

Eucerin also brought out the Sun Cream Tinted CC. I’m a fan of their tinted SPF, so no wonder I’m into this one too!

With its huge 50+ SPF, it contains colour pigments for a natural, light and even cover. Perfect for the beach, pool or lazy makeup days.

It also behaves well under makeup, as its mattifying.

Just like the Sun Fluid, it contains UVA ABD UVB filters, glycyrrhethinic acid and licochalcone A, to protect and care for the skin.

Both are quickly absorbed, unperfumed, paraben-free, non-comedogenic and of course, suitable for sensitive skin.

The sun Eucerin Fluid Anti-Age costs £20 (available in SPF 30 and 50). The Sun Cream Tinted CC costs £18 and is available in light and medium.

You can find Eucerin in all major retailers nationwide.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.