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.

Colourful and confident at Goodwood

dove-invisible-dry - 4It is no secret I love bright colours. Although, like most of us, I fall back into black most of the time, I usually feel very comfortable being colourful.

60% of British women feel happier when wearing colour, but 79% are not confident enough to actually don the brights.

I can say I notice that quite a lot, especially when I wear brights; I always get comments such as “so summery”, “so bright”, “how colourful”, that carry in that tone that they do like it, but feel I am brave for wearing it.

Dove started, a while ago, a campaign to boost colour confidence, with the help of Invisible Dry deodorant, which won’t stain your blacks and other 99 colours!

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And because it is one of my favourites, of course I’ve been using it for a while: you can read my full review here.

You can rest assured you are protected, your armpits are kept soft and you won’t have marks on your favourite colourful attire.

Dove Dress of 100 Colours Revealed at Goodwood Ladies' Day

Dove Dress of 100 Colours Revealed at Goodwood Ladies’ Day

This summer, Dove got together with Gok Wan, who is a fabulous advocate for body confidence, to create a bespoke dress featuring 100 colours, to inspire women to be more colour -confident.

The dress was revelead at the Goodwood races, and I was there displaying all my colour confidence and looking for inspired looks.

We stayed at box number 1 with fabulous views of the races and I might even have made some money!

Colour confidence expert Annie Ashdown gives us some tips, if you are still a bit shy about embracing colour in your life:

  • replace your socks for a colourful pair. I am into pop socks at the moment, and they makey it really easy to add a touch of colour.
  • wear turquoise – it’s the confidence colour!
  • magenta is powerful – the perfect choice for that business meeting!
  • gold says you have high standards; it’s high time you donned those skinny golden heels.

Dove Invisible Dry is available from retailers nationwide and costs £2.39 (50ml roll-on), £32.79 (compressed 75ml) and £3.79 (compressed 125ml).

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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.

Round the clock hydration: La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Serum

larocheposay-hydraphase-intense-serum-review - 1Skin hydration as become a huge issue for me and I am always welcoming products that not only deliver that but also maintain it.

The La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Serum does just that with is smoothing and re-hydrating concentrated formula.

larocheposay-hydraphase-intense-serum-review - 2I do love a serum, and this one has a water-like consistency and applies extremely well, being absorbed really quickly by the skin.

Perfect under makeup, can be used with other product to maximise hydration even more. Personally, it is perfect with a light moisturiser and SPF during the day.

larocheposay-hydraphase-intense-serum-review - 3Always worth remembering La Roche-Posay cares for sensitive skin types. It contains thermal spring water associated with hyaluronic acid fragments alongside arginine and serine. It does not contain parabens.

The price is also very exciting – £19 – and makes this product a great option to complement any skincare routine.

You can get the Intense serum, and other fab products from the Hydraphase range in retailers nationwide, like Boots and Superdrug, as well as 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.

 

Lifting and refreshing: ole henriksen ultimate lift eye gel

ole_henriksen_eye_lift_gel - 3Ole Henriksen is a brand I came across quite recently. I was very pleased to try a couple products and their ultimate lift eye gel did not disappoint.

The first thing I noticed is, of course, its colour. It’s bright blue and looks like a hair gel I used to wear when I was very young, for ballet.

ole_henriksen_eye_lift_gel - 1The gel has a firm consistency in a the pot but melts well on the skin.

What I really love is that it feels super fresh and is very light, so perfect to use during the day, as it sinks in straight away and residue – creaminess or greasiness – is left.

To be used overnight, this helps de-puff, soothe, tighten and lift the skin around the eye.

My round the eye area is kept hydrated and nourished. In the morning is a joy to use, as it’s so fresh it helps you wake up and de-puff, by plumping and hydrating.

ole_henriksen_eye_lift_gel - 2Full of goodness, it contains biopeptide el-6, which firms & restores elasticity; diminishes crows feet & wrinkles, hyaluronic acid, which plumps and creates long lasting moisture barrier, red micro algae, for instantly lift and tightening and calming, cooling and de-puffing cucumber extract.

Another little gem to my skincare routine!

The Ole Henriksen ultimate lift eye gel costs £36 is available from Debenhams 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.

Microdermabrasion at home: the PMD Personal Microderm

pmd_microdermabrasion_review - 3I was a bit nervous about using this product at first. It is a professional grade microdermabrasion device for use at home.

What if skinned my face out? Fear not, the PMD Personal Microderm Microdermabrasion Device device is a joy to use.

For peace of mind, it comes with all the instructions you need. There’s a DVD and plenty of online resources on how it works, how to use properly and make the most of your device, as well as all safety information.

For me, that’s very reassuring and made me want to start using it immediately.

pmd_microdermabrasion_review - 2This device has the vacuum suction and exfoliation action, similar to the ones in the facialists’ equipment.

The exclusive patented spinning disc with aluminum oxide crystals to exfoliate away the dead, dull cells on the surface of the skin. There are four roughness of discs, from training to coarse.

After assembling it with the test head, I turned it on and with sweeping movement, ran though my whole face.

I started with the training disc (white) and after a few days, with my skin taking to the test well, I used the blue disc head and did the same.

pmd_microdermabrasion_review - 1After first use with the new disc, skin felt a tiny bit red, which faded by the morning.

Immediately after application, skin felt very soft and absorbed my skincare products extremely well.

I’ve been using it weekly (with a recent break due to the weather changes and my skin condition) and I love it. I feel overall improvement in texture, tone and pigmentation.

Skin feels smoother, radiant, and my normal product routine seems optimised: less product, quicker absorption, as the dead cells barrier between your skin surface and deeper layers (where you want your skincare to go) is lifted away.

It’s compact, quick and effective, giving you a professional treatment at home. My skin has just normalised after dealing with weather changes and I am straight back on it!

It comes with a few exfoliating discs (they last about 3 uses each) and two different size headers, for larger areas, such as elbows and feet.

The PMD Personal Microderm Microdermabrasion Device costs £139 from Amazon, with free P&P.

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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.

Scrubbing it off: the Alpha H Micro Cleanse Exfoliator

alpha_h_micro_cleanse_exfoliator_review - 1This time of the year is tough on my skin. I usually keep a small arsenal of gentle exfoliating products, from peels and exfoliating toners to microdermabrasion devices but the extra dryness of my skin in the winter rules most of them out.

When I got my hands on the Alpha H Micro Cleanse Exfoliator scrub I was excited and worried in equal measures.

Would it be too strong?! It is a scrub and acid after all.

On the other hand, all the flakiness and dryness left my skin begging for a good exfoliation. I noticed my complexion was duller and makeup wasn’t performing.

The scrub has a medium grittiness to it, not being to harsh on the skin. I applied with soft circular moves, paying special attention to forehead, chin and nose.

I left it a minute after massaging in so the acid could get some extra action in the skin. There was a very mild tingling, like peppermint oil, and no redness.

alpha_h_micro_cleanse_exfoliator_review - 2I applied the soothing Dr. Jackson face oil immediately afterwards, followed by a serum.

I don’t think my face has ever felt that soft after a scrub. After only one application, the softness lasted and when I woke up in the morning, it was even better.

Skin looked clearer, more radiant and overall with better texture. Makeup sits well and the radiance seeps through.

I am now using it weekly, sometimes more often and I love it.

This scrub contains 12% glycolic acid, jojoba beads (which are eco-friendly), caffeine extract, cucumber extract and peppermint oil.

Acid scrub in the winter for this problem skin?! Yes. I can have my cake and eat it.

The Alpha H Micro Cleanse Exfoliator cost £26.50 and can be purchased from QVC.

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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.