Spring Beauty Edit | 5 Products To Take You Into Spring & Beyond

Let's face it, most of us don't need an excuse to have a little splurge and treat ourselves to some shiny new beauty products, but a new season is always a good excuse anyway! Believe it or not, there are practical elements to swapping out and adding in a few different products as well, as we (hopefully) move into the warmer and sunnier months ahead.

Here are five beauty products to take you into Spring and beyond.

Treat Your Skin To A Facial Massage | PMD Gua Sha RQ* (£32, link)

If you haven't tried Gua Sha yet, make Spring the time to give it a go! Gua Sha is the ancient traditional Chinese practice of using a tool, usually a shaped stone, to 'scrape' the skin or body to help stimulate new blood flow to the area, thus boosting cellular repair and collagen production. It may sound a little strange at first, but once you get the hang of it, you'll never want to stop doing it, and many people say it helps to lift the contours of the face so it's a good one to try if you want a more naturally sculpted look.

All you need to practice Gua Sha at home is your favourite facial oil and a tool such as the new PMD Gua Sha RQ. Start by adding a few drops of face oil to your skin to provide lubrication and then gently scrape the tool against your face in upward and outward sweeping motions, applying more pressure as you get used to it. There are loads of tutorials on YouTube to help you get started. I particularly like the PMD Gua Sha RQ as it's made from Rose Quartz and has five unique points, edges, and curves to really get a good deep massage into the skin. The rubberised grip in the center is also very well-thought-out to make the tool much easier to use so it's a great choice for beginners.

Swap Your Cleansing Balm For An Oil | Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Skin Renew Cleansing Oil* (100ml, £4.99, link)

As the season changes and especially as the weather starts to (slowly) warm-up, you may find that your skin becomes less dry and more oily. This is especially true if you have a combination skin type, and I can usually start to see and feel my complexion begin to change around this time of the year. If you've been using a thick cleansing balm over winter, why not try swapping it for a much lighter cleansing oil? Most skin types will enjoy the change and if you've always been concerned about using an oil-based product because your skin is oily, don't skip this; it's a common misconception and can actually improve your skin instead - win-win!

A fantastic budget-friendly option is Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Skin Renew Cleansing Oil which you can pick up on the high street from places such as Boots. This cruelty-free cleanser transforms from an oil into a lightweight milk once you add water, removing all traces of impurities and makeup along the way. The pro-collagen formula contains active Vitamin C to visibly brighten your complexion and the blend of Olive, Grapeseed, and Rosehip Oils ensures that skin is left nourished and not stripped.

Embrace The Relaxing Powers Of CBD Into Your Bathroom | KLORIS CBD Bath Block Melt in Recharge* (140g, £15, link)

These days you'll find CBD in virtually everything from skincare to health drinks, such are its revered natural abilities to help us stressed human beings relax and recover from our busy lives. It's no surprise then to see CBD popping up as a key ingredient in many luxury bath products and these Bath Block Melts from KLORIS are so popular that they frequently sell out as soon as a new fresh batch is released.

Substantially chunky just like a brick, these bad boys are like a supersized bath bomb and are available in a range of different blends such as Recharge, Revive, Relax and Restore. I've had the pleasure of trying all of them and if I had to pick a favourite, it would be the Recharge one. Infused with two of my all-time fave essential oils, Ylang Ylang and Patchouli, each block also contains a whopping 100mg of premium CBD oil and a super luxurious cocktail of Hemp Oil, Coconut Oil, and Cocoa Butter to soften your whole body. Add to a warm bath, watch it fizz, and indulge in some me-time for at least an hour for the full benefits. Pure bliss.

Swap Powder Blush For Cream | Fenty Beauty Freestyle Cheeks Out Cream Blush in Petal Poppin (3g, £21, link)

One of the easiest makeup swaps for Spring is to replace your powder blush with a cream one instead. Why? In bright sunlight, powder blush can look a little too harsh and even glowy ones can start to look a little cakey, whilst cream formulas tend to look much fresher and more youthful. I've always been one to steer mainly clear of cream blushers as most don't tend to last very long on my combination skin, however, after reading a string of positive reviews about the Fenty Beauty Freestyle Cheeks Out Cream Blushers, I felt compelled to pick one up to try out.

I opted for the shade Petal Poppin which is the most gorgeous medium pink shade with a warm undertone that I feel would work really well for a range of skin tones. I love everything about this blush. From the super cute compact to the ultra-lightweight cream formula that blends like a dream, you can't go wrong with the sheer buildable pop of colour that it offers. Non-sticky, non-greasy, and lasts on my skin a good 6-8 hours before a little touchup is required.

Discover A Fresh New Scent | Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 68 Perfume Mist (90ml, £22, link)

My fifth and final top pick for Spring is of course, a fresh new fragrance because who doesn't love changing up their perfume to fit with a new season?! You've no doubt seen this one all over social media so I'll keep this bit relatively short. Since reviewing Sol de Janeiro's Body Washes last month, several people on Instagram recommended their Perfume Mists to me so I obviously had to try one out. 

There are about five or six different fragrances to choose from and the one that I was attracted to the most was the Cheirosa 68 Perfume Mist which is popular as it has some strong Baccarat Rouge vibes (and I really don't hate that). It's a sweet and sexy floral fragrance that reminds me of sunny days with notes of Brazillian Jasmine, Hibiscus, Pink Dragonfruit, Lychee, and creamy Vanilla. 

What's on your Spring beauty shopping list?

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Beauty Empties: Products I've Used Up

 

What better way to start the New Year than with an Empties post? It's always satisfying to clear the clutter so let's start in the bathroom! Here are all the beauty products that I've finished recently and my thoughts on which ones I'll be repurchasing again in the future.

Leaf People Neroli & Vanilla Body Serum Oil* (reviewed here)

I first came across Leaf People when I judged this same Body Oil in the Cert Clean Beauty Awards. The USA brand was kind enough to send me a little thank-you package after the event and I've loved their Neroli & Vanilla Body Serum Oil ever since. With a rich but light texture, this oil is great for a relaxing self-care massage and pampering session, especially after a long hot bath, and the Neroli and Vanilla fragrance is gorgeous, to say the least. Repurchase? I can't find a UK stockist, unfortunately, but I would definitely pick it up again if I saw it over here.

Beauty Cleanse Cabbage + Cranberry + Hemp Anti-Pollution Deep Cleansing Oil & Makeup Remover* (reviewed here)

The name is ridiculously long I know, but this is a proper indie beauty gem! It's packed full of antioxidants and has a luxury oil-to-milk, fragrance-free formula that just dissolves all traces of waterproof makeup, pollution, SPF, and daily grime, in a matter of seconds. I find it's so effective that you only need the tiniest amount which means this glass bottle lasts for months. Repurchase? Yes.  

Rahua Classic Shampoo* (reviewed here)

I've used Rahua's Classic Shampoo on and off for years, and it's one of those luxury haircare products that I only tend to buy when it's on offer due to how expensive it is. The Classic formula is brilliant for fine hair as it adds strength to the follicles without weighing everything down, plus it's safe to use for colour-treated locks too. Is it worth the price tag? This is something that I constantly um and ah about! Repurchase? Maybe if I see a good coupon code to use with it.

Terre Verdi AcquaDiRosa Balancing Mist* (travel size, reviewed here)

This is basically a fancy high-end, organic Rose Floral Water. Straight up and 100% pure, it's perfect for calming any redness and inflammation in your complexion, so lends itself well to those who have troublesome skin types that are prone to breakouts and irritation. Repurchase? As much as I enjoyed using it, it's not a unique product so I would probably shop around for a cheaper (but still organic) version.

Naobay Detox Illuminating Micellar Water (travel size)

Found in a beauty subscription box, Naobay's Detox Micellar Water is gentle but effective at removing makeup, including stubborn waterproof mascaras which is what I primarily use micellar waters for. Repurchase? Sadly this appears to have been discontinued :( 

Monpure Clarifying Scalp Scrub (travel size)

Another beauty box discovery that I was very excited to try out as a lot of people rave about this. However, I found it really difficult to wash out of my hair as it has a very thick, shea butter-rich formula with loads of jojoba beads. Repurchase? Not for me.

Burt's Bees Lip Balm in Cucumber Mint

You can't go wrong with a Burt's Bees Lip Balm and I've been buying them for years. By this point, they have become a beauty staple of mine and I must have tried all the different flavours that they do; Cucumber Mint is as refreshing as it sounds. Repurchase? Yes.

Green People CV Age Defy+ Cell Enrich Facial Oil* (travel size)

Green People's best range is their Age Defy line by their founder, Cha Vøhtz. This Cell Enrich Facial Oil is a really good find and has lots of nutrients to feed your skin everything that it needs to glow. If you're looking to nvest in a new facial oil this year, I highly recommend this one. Repurchase? Yes.

What beauty products have you used up recently?

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Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - May 2020 review

Worth over £50, this month's LoveLula Beauty Box has something for everyone with makeup, haircare, skincare and more! Everything included is cruelty-free and it's a great way to try out a high-end brand or a new product without breaking the bank. Curious to find out more? Keep on scrolling to discover what's inside. 

INIKA Organic Lip Crayon in Deep Plum (RRP £19.50)

Being a make-up junkie, I always look forward to receiving cosmetics in the LoveLula Beauty Box and I was thrilled to find this full-size chunky Lip Crayon from INIKA. I've had the pleasure of trying out a lot of makeup from INIKA and they are one of those green beauty brands that I regularly use - you can check out my previous reviews of their makeup here. 

This Lip Crayon is a gorgeous plum shade which is very flattering on and I imagine it will suit most skin tones too. The creamy formula means that it doesn't drag onto the lips and it's made from 100% natural ingredients, plus it's certified vegan and cruelty-free.

The Castillian Soap Company Natural Hand Sanitiser in Peppermint & Chamomile (RRP £9.50)

With hand sanitiser being in hot demand, I was incredibly grateful to receive another one of these Natural Hand Sanitisers from The Castillian Soap Company. I recently featured it in my Good Hand Hygiene post here and love the refreshing minty fragrance it has. It gets the job done and doesn't leave hands feeling dry or sticky.

Ayumi Naturals Hibiscus & Turmeric Shampoo (RRP £6.99)

The face scrub from this same range appeared in February's box (check out my review here if you missed it) so it's nice to try out this Hibiscus & Turmeric Shampoo as I haven't used anything from Ayumi Naturals' haircare range before. This one's described as being suitable for fine and dull hair types thanks to the brightening natural properties of Turmeric and Papaya extracts which sounds interesting.

Skin Alchemists Humble Warrior Cleansing Oil (RRP £15)

The last product in this month's LoveLula Beauty Box is a deluxe 30ml sample of Skin Alchemists Humble Warrior Cleansing Oil which is a new-to-me brand that I'm excited to try. Formulated to remove all traces of makeup and daily grime, this deep cleansing oil can also be used as a natural face mask, hair treatment and as a nail and cuticle oil - you guys know how much I love a multipurpose beauty product!

LoveLula Beauty Box* is a monthly subscription box priced at £13.95 with free postage in the UK. Visit lovelula.com to find out more.

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Currently Loving: Sister & Co Almond Milk Bath Soak, True Cleansing Oil, Raw Cacao & Coffee Sugar Scrub and PURE Hydrate & Renew Face Oil review

Last month, I was lucky enough to win a fantastic natural beauty giveaway on Instagram from Pure Spa & Beauty, and I've been enjoying the products that I won so much that I wanted to share a quick review of them on here!

Inside my prize package, I found three products from the London based luxury brand Sister & Co, plus a facial oil from Pure Spa & Beauty's own brand range which they were kind enough to include for me to try out.

 Sister & Co True Cleansing Oil*

I'm a huge fan of using cleansing oils to remove my makeup after a long day so I was delighted to discover the True Cleanse Oil from Sister & Co. Packaged in a luxurious glass bottle with a handy pump dispenser, this cleansing oil is made from 100% raw, natural and organic ingredients which are hand-blended here in England. 

This is a really lovely cleanser for all skin types as it's gentle but effective, so it would be perfectly suitable for even sensitive skin to try. Key ingredients include Apricot Kernel Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Frankincense Oil, Rose Flower extract and Vitamin E, and it feels as nourishing as it sounds! The scent is very subtle with just a hint of Rose coming through and 1-2 pumps is all you need to thoroughly cleanse your whole face - I like to apply it with my hands to dry skin, give it a good massage and then use a warm flannel to remove it. Hello beautifully soft and clean skin!

 Sister & Co Almond Milk Bath Soak*

Almond Milk is often the go-to milk alternative for those who are going dairy-free, but have you tried having a bath in the stuff?! This gorgeous Bath Soak features dehydrated Almond Milk so that you can reap all of its skin-softening benefits. There's also Kaolin Clay to purify and draw out impurities, and warm and fragrant Cardamom is added to the mix to create a seriously indulgent pampering bathtime experience that will instantly give you Cleopatra- bathing-in-milk vibes. 

Like the Cleansing Oil above, the Bath Soak is packaged in glass, made from 100% natural ingredients, is vegan-friendly and SLS-free.

 Sister & Co Raw Cacao & Coffee Sugar Scrub

Pouches of loose coffee and sugar-based body scrubs have been popular for a while now and for good reason - all of the brands that I've tried have delivered excellent results and this one from Sister & Co is no exception. Packed full of antioxidants thanks to the 100% raw and natural concoction of Coffee Seed Powder, Coconut Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Vitamin E, this scrub has an uplifting natural fragrance of Peppermint and Orange essential oils so it's a great product to use first thing in the morning to awaken the senses!

I generally use one or two large handfuls all over my body, concentrating on those 'wobbly bits' to promote a healthy circulation and smooth the skin. Yes, it's messy and you'll want to give your shower a proper rinse down after using it, but it's a lot of fun at the same time. Who doesn't want skin as soft as a baby's bottom afterwards?

PURE Hydrate & Renew Face Oil*

I'd not heard of Pure Spa & Beauty before until I started to follow them on Instagram, so I was thrilled to try out one of their own-brand products - the Hydrate & Renew Face Oil which I believe is used in some of their facial treatments. Made in the UK (the brand are based in Edinburgh), this 100% natural and cruelty-free Face Oil is free from parabens and boasts many of my favourite skin-loving ingredients. 

There's Macadamia Seed Oil, Safflower Seed Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, Calendula, Jojoba Seed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Tamanu Seed Oil and Vitamin E to name just a few of the hydrating and Omega-rich properties that this Face Oil has, and with additional essential oils of Orange, Rose, and Frankincense, it smells naturally beautiful too. I've been using it regularly in the evenings to moisturise my poor Winter battered complexion and I simply love the glow that it gives come the morning - definitely one to try out for yourselves.

Discover more at Pure Spa & bEAUTY online - purespauk.com

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Winter Skincare: Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten - Skin Renew Cleansing Oil, Dark Circles Eye Cream & Booster review

Looking for an affordable way to give your Winter Skincare routine a boost? Check out these Vitamin C infused helpers from Super Facialist and banish dull complexions for good!

I don't need to tell any fellow Brits this, but the lack of light that the Northern Hemisphere gets during the winter months can give everything a greyish tinge, including your skin, so you're certainly not alone if you've been feeling that your complexion looks a bit more lacklustre than usual recently.

The good news though is that there's an abundance of Vitamin C infused skincare on the market which can help to brighten and rejuvenate your skin, and when you see the affordable prices from Super Facialist below, these products will brighten your bank balance as well!

I've been testing out the following from Super Facialist's incredibly popular Vitamin C+ Brighten range over the past month, to see what all the hype is about.

Side note: Super Facialist is a cruelty-free brand and although the formulas aren't as natural as some other brands that I feature on here, everything is free from parabens, mineral oils, petrolatum and synthetic colours. 

 Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Skin Renew Cleansing Oil* (100ml, £5.50, link)

I love using cleansing oils for removing daily grime and make-up after the end of a long day, so when I saw this award-winning one, I knew I had to try it! Featuring nourishing ingredients such as Sunflower Seed Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Raspberry Seed Oil and that all-important brightening Vitamin C, Super Facialist's Skin Renew Cleansing Oil has a gorgeous silky texture which transforms into a milky cleanser when water is added to it.

This SLS and alcohol-free Cleansing Oil did an excellent job of removing all traces of impurities and make-up, including long-lasting liquid foundation, though it's important to note that this shouldn't be used to remove eye makeup such as mascara (I'd recommend using a separate micellar water for that job and then going in with this afterwards to use over the rest of your face). My skin felt soft, hydrated and thoroughly clean after rinsing with a flannel and I love the fresh citrusy scent. Available in two sizes, the handy 100ml bottle pictured above is great for travelling with and a good way to try it before purchasing the larger 200ml bottle.

Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Dark Circles Eye Cream* (15ml, £14, link)

As someone who has hereditary dark circles, there's little that you can do to change them as it's all down to winning the genetics lottery, unfortunately, but some targeted brightening eye creams can make them look a little less severe which is how I would describe Super Facialist's offering. 

This fragrance-free Eye Cream has Vitamin C, Caffeine, a Peptide complex and 'light diffusers' to help brighten up the undereye area, but after using it morning and night for four weeks, I can only say that I've noticed a slight difference. That said, it's great for smoothing out fine lines and provides a good base for applying concealer, so if you're looking for an affordable eye cream that does those, definitely try it. Just don't expect any miracles on the dark circles front.

Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Booster* (15ml, £18, link)

One of the newest releases from Super Facialist is their Vitamin C+ Brighten Booster, a supercharged serum that combines 1% Vitamin C, a naturally derived pro-collagen Vitamin C active and Allantoin, which all work together to deliver some serious glow to dull skin.

The fragrance-free and vegan-friendly formula has been designed to 'boost' your day or night moisturiser (from any brand), by simply adding 2-3 drops directly to the cream and then applying it as usual. This is a particularly useful product for any skincare fan who is on a budget, or for anyone to use during the darker Winter months to give their complexion a brightening helping hand.

I've really enjoyed using this and have tested it out with a couple of different moisturisers, all of which the Booster has worked and blended well with. A little goes a long way and you should see a noticeable difference within a fortnight of applying it on a daily basis.

Shop the full Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten range at your nearest Boots store or online at superfacialist.co.uk

Have you tried anything from Super Facialist?

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October Empties: Products I've Used Up

My little wicker basket is full once again just in time for this month's Empties post, so here's another rundown of the products that I've finished up recently. Which ones will I be repurchasing in the future? Keep on reading to find out!

Gallineé Body Milk* (reviewed here)

This is a lovely body moisturiser with a light and easily absorbed texture so it's been great to use throughout Summer. I love the fresh and clean scent that it has and I think this is the third bottle that I've gone through so you know it's good! Repurchase? I'll buy it again next Summer as I need something much more heavy-duty for my dry skin in Winter.

Bodhi & Birch Tomato Seed Cleansing Oil* (reviewed here)

From Bodhi & Birch's excellent Superfood skincare range, I enjoyed using this luxury cleansing oil as a first cleanse to remove makeup and daily grime and it smells absolutely delicious like a Bakewell tart! However, I prefer the overall texture and performance of the Avo Bao Cleansing Balm from this range more, so I wouldn't personally buy this one again. Repurchase? No.

Tropic Good Skin Day Resurfacing Serum* (reviewed here)

If you're looking for a natural AHA based exfoliating treatment, you must try this and I believe it's my second or even third bottle that I've used up. I have the old packaging as it's since been renamed the Fruit Peel Serum but I believe the formula is still the same. Brilliant for brightening dull complexions and smoothing uneven skin texture. Repurchase? If you follow me on Instagram, you'll have seen that I've recently been sent two brand new serums to try out from Tropic, so I'm going to see what they're like first!

Antipodes Manuka Honey Skin-Brightening Eye Cream* (reviewed here)

Another skincare product that I've used many, many times in the past is this gorgeous Eye Cream from Antipodes. Perfect for dry under eyes like mine, it hydrates and smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles, so it sits well underneath concealer. Plus, the pot lasts for ages too. Repurchase? I've gone back to the Dafna's Eye Care for the time being, but I would pick this up again.

Pai Gentle Hydrating Cleanser (reviewed here)

Whenever my skin throws a wobbly, I often come back to this ultra-gentle cream cleanser from Pai to help calm everything down. It always works a treat and usually restores my skin to its normal self within a week or so. This is another product that I've used countless tubes of and it's something that I'll always have in my skincare stash - I highly recommend it for sensitive skin types. Repurchase? Already have!

Yves Rocher Coconut Eau de Toilette

This travel-size bottle was an impulse purchase on holiday as I'd forgotten to pack a perfume with me. As the name suggests, it's a straight-up coconut scent which isn't too cloying like some others can be, but I found that it didn't last long before I needed to re-apply sadly. Repurchase? No.

Grace & Stella Activated Coconut Charcoal Powder Teeth Whitening Formula*

I was sent this from Amazon to try out and I have a real love/hate relationship with it! I love the fact that it's a natural teeth whitening alternative and it does help to remove stains and brighten up your teeth with regular use (it won't give you crazy white teeth as you can only achieve that through bleaching or by getting veneers, but I did notice a difference whilst I was using it). But I hated the mess as it's a loose powder and it gets everywhere. Repurchase? No, I'm using a different one from Laviish at the moment which I prefer as it's a solid formula.

P.S - Recycle your beauty empties with Terracycle! 

Most of these plastic and glass containers can be recycled through my local council service (blue bin in my area), however, things like the pumps have metal springs in them which are not accepted as they require a different method in order to be recycled. Luckily, Garnier have teamed up with Terracycle to recycle beauty and personal care waste which is deemed difficult to recycle. It's free, all brands are accepted and there are drop off locations all over the UK. Read more here.

What have you used up recently?

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Beauty Box: LoveLula Beauty Box - September 2019 review

This month is just flying by - it's time again for a look at the latest LoveLula beauty box! September's edit of cruelty-free, natural and organic products is worth £65, so let's check out what's inside.

Kathleen Natural Tranquil Fields Bubble Bath (full size, RRP £18)

It's that time of the year when I want to start reaching for the bath products again and I was pleased to see this one from Kathleen Natural in the box. I've used their gorgeous Body Oil in the same Tranquil Fields scent in the past and adored it. Perfect for a relaxing evening at home to unwind from a busy day.

Madara Infusion Vert Body Cream (full size, RRP £17)

Having dry skin means that I always appreciate receiving a body cream, especially a full-size, luxury one from Madara! Their Infusion Vert Body Cream is a seriously rich and pampering moisturiser which helps to rejuvenate and restore elasticity, leaving your skin softer, smoother and more supple overall. This will definitely come in handy as the colder weather sets in.

Emani Organic Soy Mascara in Midnight (full size, RRP £18)

For makeup this month, there's a full-size luxury mascara from Emani, a brand that I've been meaning to try for a long time. Featuring a vegan-friendly, soy-infused formula, this mascara acts as both a mascara and a lash treatment and promises to be smudge-proof which is ideal for sensitive eyes including contact lens wearers. 

Balm Balm Little Miracle Cleanser (deluxe travel size 30ml, RRP £12)

A new release from Balm Balm's bestselling Little Miracle range, this is a nourishing cleansing oil which effectively removes all traces of makeup and dirt, without stripping the skin. Instead, it leaves your complexion soft and perfectly clean - I've tried it twice so far and love it!

Urban Veda Reviving Body Wash (sample sachet)

As an extra bonus, LoveLula have included an assorted sample sachet from Urban Veda and I received the Reviving Body Wash which smells lovely - very fresh and floral.

LoveLula Beauty Box* is a monthly subscription box priced at £13.95 with free postage in the UK. Visit lovelula.com to find out more.

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New In Luxury Skincare: Bodhi & Birch Tomato Seed Cleansing Oil & Super 25 Botanical Serum review #SuperfoodsSeries

One of my favourite luxury British skincare brands, Bodhi & Birch, has launched an exciting new range of skincare called the Superfoods Series.

Described as a "capsule collection of five mixable, multi-use, natural and organic products", each one features skin-friendly, superfood ingredients to deeply nourish the skin, feeding it with a range of essential antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. I really like this concept as it makes you stop and think about what's in the skincare that you use on a daily basis, and if you eat a healthy diet that's rich in superfoods, why wouldn't you want to harness that same goodness in your skincare products?

As always with Bodhi & Birch, the packaging of this new range is absolutely stunning and they use biophotonic glass recyclable bottles to protect the purity of the ingredients inside. The products are all made by hand in micro-batches, and the 100% natural ingredients are ethically sourced, cruelty-free and suitable for vegans. To boost their green credentials even further, each product contains certified organic content which range from 60% to 90%. Perhaps most interesting though is that the Superfoods Series is entirely essential oil free, making it ideal for those who are pregnant or have skin sensitivities.

I was incredibly honoured to be asked to be part of the testing panel for the Superfoods Series, so I've been testing some of these products since before May. Below are two of my favourites from this new range, which I'm continuing to use the full-sizes of, as part of my current skincare routine.

Bodhi & Birch Tomato Seed Cleansing Oil* (100ml, £55, link)

The first ingredient in this Cleansing Oil comes from its namesake as Tomato Seed Oil is incredibly high in Vitamin E, antioxidants and phytosterols, which are all important for helping to smooth out fine lines and reduce the appearance of age spots. I particularly love this superfood ingredient for its healing abilities though, because it's brilliant for anyone who has acne or blemish scars. 

In addition to the Organic Tomato Seed Oil, there's also Organic Plum Kernel Oil which is rich in oleic acid, linoleic acid and Vitamins E, B, and B5 - it's a wonderful moisturising and super nourishing oil; Organic Rosehip Oil which my skin loves anyway as it's loaded with essential fatty acids and vitamins; Organic Pomegranate Oil that contains punicic acid, a unique omega 5 fatty acid, which has strong anti-inflammatory properties and does a brilliant job of fighting off free radicals; Organic Cranberry Seed Oil which is high in Vitamins A, C, E, and K - this is a great anti-ageing oil and helps to keep the skin healthy overall, and Organic Camellia Oil, a moisturing and nutrient packed oil full of Omega 3, 6 and 9 EFAs, Vitamin E and polyphenols.

Despite the range being essential oil free, this Cleansing Oil is still quite aromatic due to the natural ingredients inside, and it has a really interesting scent that a bit like a sweet, berryish marzipan with subtle spicy notes. The oil is a beautiful bright orange, but be warned - this can stain lighter fabrics, so it's best used with dark coloured flannels.  Applying it feels so luxurious, and after I've massaged 4-6 pumps into my dry skin, all of my makeup has dissolved, leaving my skin perfectly clean and feeling silky soft afterwards. Beautiful! 

Bodhi & Birch Super 25 Botanical Serum* (30ml, £75, link)

I've had the pleasure of trying many luxury face serums since I started blogging, and I can honestly say that this Super 25 Botanical Serum is up there with the best (Tata Harper, The Organic Pharmacy and Sunday Riley immediately spring to mind). It's even on a par with Vintner's Daughter and is something that I would recommend to those who found VD too essential-oil heavy for their skin type. So what makes Super 25 Botanical Serum so special?

The nutrient-dense formula boasts an impressive 100% natural, 75.5% organic, blend of 25 superfood botanicals which are all naturally derived from seeds, fruits, nuts and berry oils. Some of the key actives include Organic Plum Kernel Oil, Organic Baobab Oil (rich in Vitamins A, D, E and K and including all three Omegas), cold-pressed Blueberry Seed Oil (packed full of tocopherols, carotenoids and powerful antioxidants that act synergistically together), Organic Cranberry Seed Oil, Green Coffee Oil (high in chlorogenic acid which helps to tone and tighten the skin temporarily), Organic Rosehip Oil, Organic Prickly Pear Seed Oil (contains over 88% Vitamin E to deeply nourish and plump up the skin), Organic Maracuja Seed Oil (has impressive anti-inflammatory properties), Organic Macadamia Oil (super regenerating and replenishing), Organic Marula Oil (naturally rich in Omegas 6 and 9), Olive Squalane (derived from olives, it contains a unique antioxidant that protects skin from free-radical damage), and Co-Enzyme Q10 (helps restore the lipid barrier of the skin alongside Vitamin E). The full list of ingredients can be found here. 

Getting the right balance of all of these superfoods and putting them into a formula that works for the skin so exceptionally well is what's most impressive about this product, and whilst I was expecting it to feel really heavy in texture, it's actually a lot lighter than I expected. There's a lot of richness to this serum though and I'd suggest allowing your skin to have a couple of minutes of absorption before applying your moisturiser to fully reap all of the rewards that it has to give. 

Since using this serum, I've noticed that my skin feels much more balanced (for reference I have an oily/combination skin type), nourished, plumped up and it just looks 'fresher' and brighter overall. I'd recommend Super 25 for most skin types, but feel that it would particularly benefit mature skin and skin that's starting to show those first signs of ageing. 

Explore the full range of Bodhi & Birch's Superfoods Skincare Series via bodhiandbirch.com

Does this range appeal to you?

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Beauty News: DHC Bestsellers now available at Harvey Nichols!

Harvey Nichols' Beauty Stores have turned into a must-visit destination for many beauty fans, and now you can pick up some of DHC's best sellers during your next shopping trip.

DHC, one of Japan's most cult skincare brands that is loved worldwide, has launched an exclusive edit of some their best selling products into eight Harvey Nichols Beauty Stores this month. Here's what you can pick up:-

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil* (70ml, £12.50)

I've used this cleansing oil on and off for years now and it's something that I always have in my skincare stash. It's one of the best cleansing oils that I've used to remove makeup with, as it literally dissolves and melts away all traces, including stubborn waterproof mascara formulas. I love using this as a first cleanse in the evening to completely get rid of any dirt, grime and of course makeup, and as the oil transforms into a milky cleanser when you add water to it, you can get a really good massaging action going on. Afterwards, my skin always feels thoroughly clean and silky soft, so I can't recommend it enough. Apparently, one is sold every 10 seconds somewhere in the world and I can see why!

DHC Lip Cream* (1.5g, £8.75)

Although it's called a lip 'cream', this product is actually an intensely moisturising twist-up lip balm, and it's a fantastic lip balm, to say the least. Enriched with nourishing ingredients such as Aloe, Vitamin E, Lanolin, Beeswax, Olive Oil and Squalene, this lip balm is perfect to use underneath your matte lipsticks and is ideal to swipe on before going to bed so that you can wake up to soft, moisturised lips every morning.

DHC Olive Virgin Oil Swabs* (pack of 50, £6.75)

For the ultimate beauty quick fix, these clever little cotton swabs are soaked in 100% Olive Oil and you can use them to clean up and fix any eye makeup mistakes, so you can quickly say goodbye to wonky eyeliner and mascara smudges! The swabs are individually wrapped which means you can pop a few into your handbag, desk drawer at work, flight carry on bag etc, to also use as a cuticle and nail softener whenever you want to.

DHC Oil Blotting Paper* (pack of 100 sheets, £4.50)

Having an oily t-zone means that I always carry a pack of blotting sheets in my handbag, and these ones from DHC are made from natural hemp fibre to fully absorb any excess oil and they will mattify your complexion within seconds. The packaging is super pretty too!

This edit of DHC products are now available at eight Harvey Nichols Beyond Beauty stores, as well as online at harveynichols.com

Have you tried any of these from DHC?

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November Favourites

November was another great month for discovering some new beauty favourites and there's a little bit of everything in this post, from makeup to skincare to haircare. Enjoy!

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