Overnight recovery

At night, your skin heals. Our bodies pretty much rest themselves – that’s why sleeping well is essential for good health. 

Temple Spa is giving an extra helping hand with the Repose Aromatherapy Relaxing night cream, not only with a fabulous face cream that contains natural plant extracts and anti-oxidants to supporting that overnight replenishing process, but also a fusion of relaxing essential oils to help us achieve a good night’s sleep. 

The cream has a great, cashmere consistency and is absorbed quickly by the skin. In the morning, skin feel supple and plump. I love that this night cream is not too rich, as my skin tends to get congested after wearing those.

And when I wake up and wash my face, there are no traces of my skincare, a sign my skin really took it all in.

Now, the smell is soothing and calming and great to put your head on the pillow with, thanks to a gorgeous blend of hops, valerian, chamomile, frankincense, lavender, patchouli, geranium, bitter orange and clary essential oils which have a reputation to aid deep relaxation and bring a sense of calm, as well as a great moisturisation.

It is suitable or all skin types and does help fight fine lines and wrinkles – it really helps settles the skin.

This fabulous Repose Aromatherapy Relaxing night cream costs £40 for 50ml and a little goes a long way and you can get it online.

Temple Spa is a lovely British skincare brand founded by people who had years of experience creating business and products for others, and decide to create their own. They are stocked in Harrods and you can also find them in many spas around the UK, with amazing treatments.

written by Dani

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

Living with No B.S.

If the boys won’t let me live my life free of it, at least my skincare can now be no b.s.

Yes, you heard it: a skincare brand that says we should put up with no bullsh*t – and they live up to it in their formulations.

Retinol is one of my favourite ingredients, mainly due to my skin type and condition, and the no b.s. Retinol Night Cream is a dream. 

Because it has no nasties, it relies on the line smoothing, scar fading properties of retinol with the added benefits of moisturising hyaluronic acid, protecting vitamin E and soothing aloe vera to do its job. 

And what a job it does – from the first use, skin wakes up plumper, smoother and overall feeling great. 

Over time, the retinol gets to work its wonders, especially when pigmentation fading is concerned. 

If I weren’t before, I just became a bigger fan of no b.s. and was glad to extend the motto to another part of my life! 

No b.s. is an American company that has a simple message: say no to toxic crap. And their products, apart from the sassy name and bright packaging are leaded full of clean ingredients in potent formulas, to create a simplified routine.

They are cruelty free, free from synthetic fragrances, parabens, phtalates and sulfates; their packaging is recyclable and with exception of one product (SPF 20 moisturiser), all products are vegan.

I am really into their whole range – it’s straight forward and packed with goodness, so you can truly #LiveNoBS skincare wise (boys, help us here, it’d be great to extend that to you, just saying).

The no b.s. Retinol Night Cream costs £58 for 30ml (it goes a long way). In the UK, you can get your hands on them at FeelUnique.

written by Dani

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

ps: the butterfly was mounted by me and it is ethically sourced – it lived its full life in a sanctuary and died naturally before making its way into my wall.

Night time skin rituals

this-works-no-wrinkles-review-1I have that kind of skin that goes downhill during the day – it loses hydration, lines and scars become more visible, even if make up does not sink. Add the weather and the stresses this time of the year and boom! Skin nightmare!

Night time is very important for skin; it’s the time it restores, heals and resets itself. And because This Works develops its products based on our circadian rhythm, it caters for all skin needs at different times of the day.

In my search of replenishment, I have fallen in love with their No Wrinkles range, which supports my skin natural restoring abilities.

this-works-no-wrinkles-review-2The amazing Wonder Essence (£30) is a water like product that works to brighten and rejuvenate skin. I apply after cleansing and its natural protease enzymes gently exfoliate while antioxidants protect and hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin. It’s a great start to the night routine.

this-works-no-wrinkles-review-1Then I move on to the eyes with Tired Eyes (£42), a tightening serum that fights puffiness, tiredness and lines. Containing detoxing Persian silk tree extract and counting with the retinyl palmitate, hyaluronic acid, botanical oils and plant extracts super blend, present throughout the range, this eye cream combats both the signs of ageing and tiredness.

this-works-no-wrinkles-review-5After that I apply the Night Repair (£45) serum, which has a thicker than expected texture for a serum, but absorbs super quickly. It works by reducing the signs of tiredness and it attacks glycotoxins, which are produced when we don’t get enough sleep.

It contains Persian silk tree and cactus flower extracts, as well as retinol to prepare the skin for its natural night repair rituals.

this-works-no-wrinkles-review-4Then comes the Midnight Moisture (£46), a super nourishing moisturiser (which some days I feels is on the richer side for my skin, so I replace with another or an oil) that works hard to accelerate and support the overnight repair and detox of the skin.

Persian silk tree extract works on the detoxification, retinol on collagen production and cell renewal, hyaluronic acid on hydrating and plumping, with evening primrose and jojoba oils and shea butter adding extra moisture richness.

Add a little (ok, maybe not just a little) of their Sleep Plus Pillow Spray and voilá: a great night sleep awaits! And a beautiful radiant morning ensues!

You can get the whole No Wrinkles range on the This Works website. And I hear they are having a sale preview – 25% off on some of their hero products! Hurry – it ends at midnight 23rd December!

signature1You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains a mix of products I have bought myself and PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

More oil: The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 10When I heard The Body Shop was bringing out a whole range based on oil blends, I was very excited.

The first product from the Oils of Life range I wrote about was one that intrigued me. After all, the Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion is a different product that added new step into the routine.

The second one I am going to talk about is more traditional. A facial oil, which is a type of product I love (I tried hard not to say I love oils, again! Failed!).

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 12The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil, however, is slightly different, it feels lighter in its consistency.

It is absorbed well by the skin, and it feels very soft after application, although I need a good 4-5 drops just for the face, whereas usually for richer oils, 3 is enough.

What it does, however, is to enable me to wear an oil during the day. It’s great to wear alone, with moisturiser or serum on top or mix to your face day cream to give it a little bit of winter skincare richness, without weighing it.

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 13Either way, it behaves very well under makeup and adds that extra moisture and protection so needed in this weather.

Currently, my skin is super mega dry, so I am pulling at all stops to replenish it. This product has proven to be very handy.

Oils have really changed the appearance of my skin. Since the introduction of them to my routine I feel the texture and radiance have improved dramatically. This product has contributed to that too.

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 11Packaging is a lovely ombré glass bottle with pipette. The oil itself is light yellow.

It’s made from 99% natural origin and contains three precious seed oils: black cumin, camellia and rosehip, ingredients are known for their repairing and revitalising properties.

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil costs £28 and it is available online and in the shops nationwide.

You can also read about the product I count on for when the weather is not treating my skin very well!

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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.

Pillow face no more: meet this works light time skin plumper

thisworks_lightime_skin_plumper_review - 1This works is a brand I like more every time I use a product or discover a new one. They don’t seem to do much wrong in my eyes.

The light time skin plumper is one of those things we all need in the morning. I am definitely not a morning person,so welcome anything to make me feel or look alive.
It’s a face moisturiser with a very fluid consistency and a lovely “wake-me-up” smell.
The secret? Hyaluronic Filling Spheres that help smoothen up the skin appearance. Although the effect is quite subtle, I do feel some plumpness in my skin after application.
It’s absorbed quickly, skin feels good and the cream behaves very well under makeup.
thisworks_light_time_skin_plumper_review - 2
Antioxidant vitamin C and Persian silk tree extract help the hyaluronic acid work in moisturising, plumping and smoothing the skin.
Overall, a good morning product. It is recommended for day and night use, but I think this is more a day cream than night, to be honest, especially in the winter.
The this works light time skin plumper cost £29 for 30ml and is available online and from selected retailers.
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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 Body Shop Oils of Life: fuelling my obsession with oils

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 1As if I weren’t obsessed enough with oils, here comes The Body Shop and adds more fuel to the fire with the amazingly luxurious Oils of Life range.

It contains a massager and four great products: two creams, an oil and a lotion, with which I will start with, as it is a bit different from all skincare products I tried before.

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion has, of course, oils, mixed with water, making it a bi-phasic solution, much like the best eye makeup removers out there.

As every item in the collection, this contain three precious seed oils: black cumin, camellia and rosehip. Lovely, no? These ingredients are known for their repairing and revitalising properties.

The Revitalising Lotion is a pre moisturising step, preparing the skin to receive the care and it should be applied after cleansing and toning.

I have to say that my skin routine has enough steps, but this ones adds something extra. Apart from making skin feel softer and helping spread the products that follow, it proved to be particularly valuable in the morning, as it is a helps to wake me up with its freshness and subtle lovely smell.

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 2Obviously, it is super light, feels like water and really gives the skin that pick me up before the nourishing routine. You just need a few drops, after shaking to mix, for the whole face and neck.

Packaging is quite simple; a plastic orange bottle with a sturdy cap, not exactly luxurious but gives you that apothecary look (but the feel as it is not glass!). I like the label is small and you can see the solution mix as you shake it.

It does make me wonder that this product would make a fab spray to be used during the day; I might put it in an atomiser to carry around, being the huge fan of face mists I am.

Doubtlessly helps boost radiance as part of the routine, but for me, its “wake me up effect” is its best feature.

The lovely Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion costs £15 for 150ml and can be bought online or at The Body Shop shops 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.

Product review: Balance Me Natural Protection Moisturiser SPF 25

natural protection moisturiser spf 25

I was familiar with Balance Me, but I will admit I didn’t really know the extent of their range or the natural goodness of their products. Good thing they had a lovely skin analysis event at their concession at Debenhams Oxford Street and I got to not only have my skin analysed but also find out about their products and try a few!

Balance Me has recently launched their Natural Protection Moisturiser, which has SPF25, just in time for the warmer (we hope) season.

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Garnier launches: Ultimate Blends and Miracle Skin and Eye Cream

Don’t you just love beauty launches – the idea of a brand new product you never tried before is sooooo exciting!

Garnier has loads of news on that front and we were invited into their British garden – inclusive of wind, thunder and all – to get a sneaky peek at their new products hitting the shelves in the next couple of months.

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Product review: Simple Regeneration age resisting night cream

simple regeneration night  creamIt is no secret I am past my 20’s and that the fact I suffered from acne for most of my life means my main focus has only been attacking the blemishes and less on age defence and deep hydration.

Recently,I decided it was probably past the time to combine both, as breakouts are still happening but I cannot stand the aggression of anti-acne products any longer.

So I really welcomed this Simple night cream, part of their Regneration age resisting range, which “contains a special blend of active ingredients to repair and protect your skin whilst defending it from the early signs of ageing”. I knew Simple, but only their Kind to Skin range, so was pleasantly surprised at the breadth of their different ranges, aiming at different skin concerns.

The moisturiser is very light, which surprised me as it is a night cream, so no greasy feeling. As other Simple products, it is fragrance free, which I really like. It has a medium consistency, absorbs really well and I applied in the face and neck at night, of course, and in the morning, my skin woke up hydrated, soft, non greasy, a bit plumper and calmer, including my breakout areas.

Here’s what they say:

“Our special blend of Simple moisturising goodness containing Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin E, Mushroom Extract, Oat-Beta Glucan, Chamomile, Ginkgo Biloba, Borage Seed Oil, Shea Butter and Green Tea Extract, helps to moisturise, soften and tone the skin and help fight the signs of premature ageing.

No perfume, no colour, no unnecessary ingredients so it won’t upset your skin, dermatologically tested and approved”

I’ve been using it daily and can say I am very happy with the product. The packaging is simple, in an very easy to use pump, clip top, with the trademark green branding of Simple products. At £5.99, this night cream is truly amazing value!!!

You can find the Regeneration as well as other great Simple ranges here.

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