Summer Beauty | Bondi Sands Face Tinted SPF 50+ & Hydra UV Protect SPF 50+ review

It might not feel very warm outside right now, but the UV is already hitting those medium levels here in the UK.  It's time to slap on that sunscreen if you haven't been doing so already! Why not try these two from Bondi Sands?

You may be more familiar with Bondi Sands' excellent self-tanning range (I'm a big fan of their self-tanning foams in particular), however, everyone's favourite Aussie brand also does sunscreen products which makes absolute sense when you think about it! 

Did you also know that Australia has much stricter regulations when it comes to producing sunscreen formulas? Again, this makes a lot of sense given their sunny proximity on the globe, and is perhaps one of the reasons why so many skincare gurus highly recommend using Australian-made sunscreen products.

Both of the Bondi Sands sunscreens below are certified cruelty-free, reef-friendly, fragrance-free, and suitable for sensitive skin types. They are also broad-spectrum sunscreens meaning that they fully protect against both harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Bondi Sands Face SPF 50+ Tinted* (75ml, £8.99)

Facial sunscreens are something that I wear all year round, regardless of how sunny it is outside, and this is mainly because sunscreens are the best form of anti-aging protection. You can use a million different types of expensive serums and fancy face maks, but if you're not wearing sunscreen, you're not properly protecting your skin!

Bondi Sands has a great range of facial sunscreens to choose from and my go-to is their SPF 50+ Tinted version. I personally find most facial sunscreens to be very 'white' for my skin tone, so a tinted version erases this issue and layers so much nicer underneath my foundation/base product. Plus on days when I don't want to wear a full face of makeup, it adds a little colour to my complexion. Not only is this a budget-friendly steal at less than £10, but it blends in easily and feels hydrating too without any stickiness.

Bondi Sands Hydra UV Protect SPF 50+ (150ml, £10.99)

For the body, there's the Hydra UV Protect SPF 50+ which I've recommended countless times to friends and family. Usually, I prefer a classic tropical/coconut-scented sunscreen to use on my body, but this one is a fantastic fragrance-free alternative and comes in really handy if I'm experiencing an eczema flare-up and can't use any scented products. 

It features a 4-hour water-resistant formula with a plant-based hydration complex with ethically sourced algae which is a godsend for dry skin. Once applied to the skin, it sinks in quickly and is invisible, whilst also being non-greasy. A real winner! 

Bondi Sands is available from numerous stockists including Boots where it's currently on a buy one, get one half price offer.

What are your favourite sunscreens?

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Introducing: Zuii Organic - Flora Gradual Tan Face Water, Dry Oil Tan Extender & Self-Tanning Foam review

Self-tanning is the safest way to get a gorgeous glow this Spring and if you want a more natural and organic option, Zuii Organic has a full range of cruelty-free and vegan-friendly self-tanning products which deliver pro results. 

I was recently introduced to Zuii Organic via LoveLula who is one of the brand's UK stockists. Since trying this trio of products from them, I've been pretty smitten as I've been looking for a brand like this for a while now! Made in Australia, Zuii Organic offers a wide variety of self-tanning products which include face and body tanners in a range of different formulas; body care, tanning accessories and some makeup in the shape of highlighters and bronzers. Everything is Cosmos Certified Organic, cruelty-free and suitable for vegans to use, and Zuii's main goal is to develop products that have natural, organic and sustainable ingredients which is why this brand appeals so much to me.

I've tested out a couple of products to introduce you to Zuii Organic, and I'm sure that after you've read this post, you'll be wanting to try them out for yourself!

Zuii Organic Flora Gradual Tan Face Water* (150ml, £22.50, link)

It can be tempting to want to use the same self-tanning product that you use for your body on your face, but don't! In my many years of experimenting with countless tanning brands and products, I've found that most body self-tanners can block pores and cause breakouts if you use them on your face, so it's always best to stick with a dedicated facial self-tanner. The good news is that lots of brands these days include some really great anti-ageing and general skincare benefits in theirs, and Zuii Organic's Flora Gradual Tan Face Water is no exception. 

Formulated with Fern Extract, Lichen and Bulbine Extract to hydrate the skin and improve elasticity, this Gradual Tan Face Water basically feels like a regular toner and you can apply a few drops to your hands and massage it in or apply with a cotton pad/round which is what I prefer to do. It doesn't have any tint or colour to it, but a subtle and realistic looking tan gradually develops for a healthy, glowy complexion with not a hint of orange in sight! I love how quickly this absorbs and it smells really nice and fresh.

Zuii Organic Flora Self Tanning Foam* (30ml sample shown, full size is 200ml for £32.95, link)

Foam is always my formula of choice when it comes to self-tanning for my body and it's a good option to try if you're new to tanning as it's virtually foolproof to apply. Zuii Organic's Flora Self Tanning Foam comes in three different shades, Light, Medium and Ultra Dark, and I tried out a tester of the Ultra Dark. Packed with Bamboo Juice, Grape Skin Extract and Raw Cacao, this self-tanning foam is super easy to work with when applied with a tanning mitt and I didn't have any problems with it going streaky or patchy. It develops quickly and can be rinsed off as soon as two hours after application, however, I would recommend leaving it on for at least 6 hours or overnight for the darkest results (you can also apply a second layer after two hours if you want to go even darker).

I love the colour of this and it definitely works well with my light olive skin and dark hair, so you may want to try one of the other shades if you're paler. There's no typical 'fake tan/biscuit' smell which I know puts a lot of people off trying self-tanning products, and instead, there's a pleasant, subtle fresh floral scent. This tanner lasted on me around 3-4 days before it started to fade, so it's not as long as some mainstream brands, but as the ingredients are much better, I don't mind too much and the product below can help it stay put further.

Zuii Organic Dry Oil Tan Extender* (100ml, £22.50, link)

Doing what it says it will do on the bottle, Zuii Organic's Dry Oil Tan Extender is an additional product that you can use to help lengthen the lifespan of your tan. Like the others in this range, it smells lovely and features a whole host of nourishing and hydrating ingredients such as Bamboo Juice, Sweet Almond Oil, Camelia Seed Oil and Cocoa Seed Butter. A little of this dry oil goes a long way to moisturise your skin, locking in the colour for longer - a holiday must-have!

Shop the full range of Zuii Organic at LoveLula.com

Have you tried anything from Zuii Organic?

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Currently Loving: Ere Perez Sesame Lip Liners - Review & Swatches

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! For the most kissable day of the year, I just had to feature these amazing Sesame Lip Liners from Ere Perez which I've been wearing practically every day since they arrived a couple of weeks ago. To say I'm smitten with them is an understatement!

Ere Perez are an Australian luxury, natural, cruelty-free makeup brand who I've reviewed several products from in the past (you can check out those here). A while ago, they underwent something of a makeover with streamlining their packaging and changing up some of their formulas, so it's been a pleasure to revisit them to see what's changed and what's new.

As many of my regular readers will know, I'm obsessed with lipsticks and lip liners, and when I saw Ere Perez's Sesame Lip Liners they were very quickly added to my online LoveLula basket! 

There are only three shades available at the moment which is a little disappointing for a makeup junkie like myself, however, the good news is that all three are absolutely beautiful and very wearable. In fact, if you currently don't have any lip liners in your makeup collection, these would make an excellent purchase to start you off in the right direction as they can be easily paired with most 'everyday' neutral colours of your favourite lipsticks.

What I love the most about these Sesame Lip Liners is that they're made with natural plant waxes such as Carnauba and Candellia, plus they're infused with Sesame, Jojoba and Sweet Almond Oils and have added Vitamin E. This formula makes the liners super easy to use as they're creamy, matte, glide on without dragging and I've found them to be long-lasting as well. You can use them as intended to line your pout, and I've also been enjoying wearing them all over the lips as you'll see in my swatches below.

If you're looking for a lip liner with natural ingredients, brilliant matte pigmentation, easy to wear shades and a long-lasting finish, I think you'll love these as much as I do!

 Ere Perez Sesame Lip Liner in Shy* 

Shy is a universally pleasing nude colour that will suit a range of skin tones. I have so many lipsticks in my collection that this works so well with, and as you can see, it's gorgeous just on its own as well. Perfect with a smokey eye for your next date night!

Ere Perez Sesame Lip Liner in Sweet*

If you're more of a fan of pretty pinks, Sweet is the one for you. This creamy, nude pink is the ideal match for many light-medium pink lipsticks and is another colour that looks beautiful worn simply all over the lips.

Ere Perez Sesame Lip Liner in Naughty*

The last shade is Naughty and this cheeky nude is a touch darker than Shy above, so it goes well with lots of on-trend, 90s nude lippies that lean more towards the darker beige/brown side of the colour spectrum. It's another one that looks great on its own too!

Ere Perez Sesame Lip Liners* (1.1g, £17 each) are available in the UK from LoveLula.com

Have you tried anything from Ere Perez?

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Tried & Tested: Grahams Natural Manuka Honey Soap for Dry Skin and Psoriasis Cream review

One of the best things about the internet is being able to find a wide range of products to help treat Eczema and Psoriasis, both of which I've had since I was a child. If you've been following my blog for a while now, you'll have no doubt seen me mention my struggles with eczema flare-ups, especially at this time of the year and when the seasons change.

Both Eczema and Psoriasis can be incredibly debilitating depending on the severity of the individual's symptoms, and I had one of the worst Pompholyx flare-ups (also known as Dyshidrotic Eczema) over Christmas which I'm still trying to get under control now. For these reasons, I'm always open to trying out products which are specially formulated to help these conditions as I have found that it can sometimes take a lot of trial and error before you find something that really works for you.

Lately, I've been trying out these two products from the Australian brand Grahams, and like so many companies that specialise in this area, Grahams was set up by a husband and wife team to help their son who was suffering from eczema and needed a more natural alternative to what was available on the market. After 17 years of perfecting their formulas, they now have a range of products which are dedicated to those who need something more natural based and steroid-free, to soothe their Eczema, Psoriasis and Dry Skin problems.

Grahams Natural Manuka Honey Soap* (100g, £6.99, link)

If you have any kind of dry skin condition, you may find switching your regular hand wash and/or your shower gel to a more gentle soap can really help to alleviate some of the symptoms. I personally find that my eczema is often triggered by SLS that's the commonly used foaming ingredient in many mainstream products, so I try to avoid it as much as possible. 

Grahams Natural Manuka Honey Soap is free from SLS and sulphates, and instead is made from just seven natural ingredients; Palm Oil, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Purified Water, Glycerin, Manuka Honey and Neem Leaf Powder. It produces a light lather and feels very moisturising, but doesn't have any noticeable scent to it so I like using it mainly as a hand soap, although it does work well in the shower if you want something that feels very neutral and 'clean'. The only negative is that I would prefer to use a soap that's made without palm oil, so I'm not sure that I would repurchase it.

Grahams Psoriasis Cream* (75g, £19.99, link)

I've had a stubborn patch of Psoriasis on both of my hands since the start of the year so this Psoriasis Cream arrived at the perfect time for me to test it out! Described as a 'Class 1 Formulated Medical Device' in Australia, this product is an effective, non-sterile topical emollient with clinical data to back up its formula. Key ingredients include Purified Water, Manuka Honey, Calendula, Urea, Avocado Oil, Gotu Kola Extract, Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter to bring instant relief to the symptoms of Psoriasis.

It's a relatively thick cream product as you'd expect from a product of this nature, but it doesn't feel overly sticky or greasy and depending on how much you apply, you may be surprised by how quickly this absorbs compared to similar emollients that I've tried in the past. The fragrance-free formula will also be appreciated by those who have sensitive skin, and the cream can be used anywhere on the body and face. It's not been a miracle worker for my psoriasis, but it has definitely helped to improve the worst of it by keeping the skin nicely moisturised, so if you're looking to try something different, it's certainly worth a go.

Grahams products are available in the UK via LoveLula.com

What do you use for managing eczema and psoriasis?

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Tried & Tested: 4 Everyday Vegan Beauty Products To Try From Hempz, NEEK Skin Organics and RosehipPLUS #Veganuary

I've really enjoyed taking part in Veganuary this year (both the food/diet and ethics/lifestyle sides of it), and I'll definitely be including more vegan beauty products in my daily routine from now on. If you're looking to do the same, check out these four vegan beauty products from Hempz, NEEK Skin Organics and RosehipPlus that you can use every day.

 NEEK Skin Organics Vegan Face Cleanser* (100ml, £14.50, link) and NEEK Skin Organics Vegan Face Moisturiser* (75ml, £18, link)

To accompany their gorgeous vegan-friendly lipsticks (check out my feature on those here), Aussie brand NEEK Skin Organics have recently launched their very first foray into skincare with these two exciting new products; a Vegan Face Cleanser and a Vegan Face Moisturiser. 

The Vegan Face Cleanser is a super gentle, light gel cleanser which can be used either in the morning or evening. Packed full of botanical extracts such as Aloe Vera, Sage, Calendula, Horsetail, Bladderwrack and Wild Peach, it's particularly useful for those who have blemish prone skin as it helps to keep spots at bay. However, it's equally suitable for anyone who wants a cleanser that will thoroughly remove all traces of makeup and daily grime so it's a great all-rounder! I love the uplifting fresh scent that this cleanser has too - it's very refreshing to use first thing in the morning and always leaves my skin feeling soft and not stripped or tight afterwards. It's free from parabens, phthalates, mineral oils, palm oil, perfume, phenoxyethanol, gluten, propylene glycol, EDTA, and animal by-products.

A great follow-up to the cleanser is NEEK's Vegan Face Moisturiser and these two really work well together. It's nicely hydrating for this time of the year, yet feels very lightweight and non-greasy on the skin as it absorbs quickly. Featuring nourishing, anti-ageing ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera, Green Tea, Chamomile, Squalene, Wattleseed, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, Rosehip Oil and Vitamin E, this moisturiser is perfect for mornings so that you have a comfortable layer of protection to face the day with.

 RosehipPLUS Certified Organic Cold Pressed Rosehip Oil* (30ml, £25, link)

Another Aussie beauty favourite that's now readily available here in the UK thanks to Amazon, is from RosehipPLUS. Their bestselling Certified Organic Cold Pressed Rosehip Oil is a 100% pure and natural Rosehip Oil with a difference. Not only is it organic and cold-pressed, but it's made from Rosehip Berry Seeds that has had all the flesh removed before the pressing process, which gives it a  unique warm golden colour, rather than the dark reddish hue that you see with many other cheaper brands.

I've spoken about my love for rosehip oil in numerous posts as I find it's such a brilliant oil to have in your skincare routine. High in natural bioflavonoids and essential fatty acids, it's great for helping to fight free radical damage, thus protecting the skin against the elements which in turn, helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. As with most oils, a little goes a long way (only 2-3 drops are needed), and this one especially feels very luxurious, hydrating and nourishing when massaged into the skin.

Hempz Herbal Healthy Hair Fortifying Shampoo* (265ml, £19.66, link)

If your hair is currently feeling weaker and drier than usual due to the Winter weather, switching up your shampoo can definitely lend it a helping hand. This one from Hempz is from their popular Herbal Healthy Hair Fortifying range which has been specially developed to hydrate and strengthen, so there's no better time to try it out!

It's 100% vegan-friendly, free from THC, parabens, gluten and harsh sulfates, and it does an excellent job of thoroughly cleansing the hair and removing any product buildup. Featuring a healthy dose of ultra-nourishing Hemp Seed Oil, alongside ingredients such as Sunflower Seed extract and Shea Butter, this shampoo will help to put the shine and bounce back into your hair, plus it'll make your tresses feel a lot less fragile and less prone to breakage with long term use.

Have you tried any of these vegan beauty buys?

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Currently Loving: Bali Body Bronzing Lotion review

As much I love the results of fake tan, sometimes the whole routine of prepping, exfoliating and developing the colour for several hours can be way too time-consuming, so what's a girl to do when she wants a sunkissed look in a hurry? Reach for the Bronzing Lotion, that's what!

You may have already spotted Bali Body on your Instagram feed lately as they've been constantly popping up on mine. The Aussie brand is famed for their tanning oils and lotions, and I was instantly won over by their cute square-ish packaging which is not only easy to hold, but also slim enough to pop into beach bags and suitcases without taking up too much space.

I took a closer look at Bali Body online and was pleased to discover that they're cruelty-free and vegan-friendly, and that their products are made mostly with natural ingredients (some have a few organic ingredients in there too so check the INCIs if you're interested). With this in mind, I was intrigued to try out their popular Bronzing Lotion to see what all the fuss is about!

The best way for me to describe the Bali Body Bronzing Lotion is that it's like a BB cream, but for your body. It's packed full of nourishing ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Camellia Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Argan Oil and Jojoba Oil, and has a thickish body lotion type of texture. With so many oils in it, I was expecting it to be a little on the greasy side, but was pleasantly surprised by how easily absorbed it is, without any stickiness or heaviness. A lot of products like this can be quite drying on the skin, so I've been loving how hydrating this one is instead.

As you can see below, the lotion has a rich chocolate brown colour which looks rather scary and dark, but once rubbed in, it gives the most beautiful subtle bronzed tint to the skin (second photo), thanks to Organic Caramel extract that's blended into the formula. If you want a slightly darker colour, you can also layer it, so I imagine it would work well for most light to medium skin tones. 

This sunkissed glow is instant so it's great to use when you're short on time and perfect for applying before an impromptu night out with the girls! It also has a lovely, slightly coconutty fragrance and will stay on the skin until you wash it off the next day.      

Bali Body Bronzing Lotion* (150ml, £22.95, link)

Are you a fan of instant bronzing lotions?

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QVC The Big Deal Offer: A'kin Skincare Hydration Collection review

I've been a fan of the Australian natural skincare brand A'kin for a long time now, and I recently featured some of the many ways that I use their amazing Rosehip Oil in my routine. There's a lot more to A'kin than just their superstar oil though, so I wanted to share this fantastic offer from QVC on their Skincare Hydration Collection.

I don't know about you, but my skin is feeling a bit parched after that recent Bank Holiday heatwave (which was absolutely glorious wasn't it?!), and if yours is also in need some of essential hydration, this four-piece skincare set will be right up your street! 

Comprising of some of A'kin's bestsellers, it's a great value-for-money way to try out the brand, and all of the products are 100% vegan, cruelty-free and free from a long list of 'nasties', e.g there's no sulphates, parabens, silicones, PEGs, phthalates, mineral oil, artificial colours or synthetic fragrances, which makes them suitable for all skin types to use. In the Skincare Hydration Collection, you'll receive all of the following:-

A'kin Certified Organic Rosehip Oil (20ml)

Certified organic by COSMOS, this 100% natural Rosehip Oil contains a minimum concentration of 80% essential fatty acids (Omega 3, 6 & 9), to give your skin an ultra-hydrating and nourishing boost. There are just two ingredients in this concentrated formula; pure Rosehip Oil and a small amount of Rosemary Leaf Extract to further boost its antioxidant content. This multi-purpose oil can be used in various ways; massage a few drops on the face after cleansing as a hydrating treatment, or rub a little into any dry skin area like cuticles and knuckles to give them some instantly softening TLC (check out my post here on my top 5 ways to use Rosehip Oil).

A'kin Cleansing Micellar Water (150ml)

Remove all of the day's dirt, impurities and make-up with this super easy to use natural micellar water which is infused with Organic Coconut Water, Green Tea, Cucumber and Lavender extracts. Soap-free and pH balanced, this is one of the most gentle micellar waters that I've tried, yet it does a brilliant job and feels nice and refreshing on the skin. I love using this as a quick first cleanse (just pour onto a cotton wool pad and sweep over the face), on days when I'm wearing mineral-based makeup as it removes all of this in less than two minutes.

A'kin Hydrating Mist Toner (30ml)

No hydrating skincare set would be complete without a refreshing toner and this travel-size bottle will be perfect for throwing into your handbag or suitcase this Summer. Like the Micellar Water above, the Hydrating Mist Toner is also infused with Organic Coconut Water and Green Tea, and it feels so lovely to use, especially on a hot day! Simply spritz all over the face as part of your regular skincare routine or whenever your skin needs an instant shot of hydration.

A'kin Hydrating Antioxidant Day Cream (50ml)   

To finish off the collection, there's a full-size Hydrating Antioxidant Day Cream which is worth £20 on its own! Packed full of ingredients such as Coconut Water, Aloe, Macadamia Oil, Shea Butter, Niacinamide, Olive Fruit Oil and Rosemary Leaf extract, this day cream has a gorgeous texture that absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving it feeling softer, plumped up, thoroughly hydrated and protected against the elements. You can also easily skip using a primer as this works so well underneath makeup, creating a super smooth base for a flawless look.

 A'kin Skincare Hydration Collection* is currently The Big Deal offer on QVC for one week only priced at just £29.98 - strictly whilst stocks last! 

Have you tried anything from A'kin?

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Green Beauty: Summer Makeup Trends with INIKA & Rosehip Oils review

It may be looking cloudy and overcast today, but apparently some more summer weather is on its way (fingers crossed!). Whilst we wait for the sun to reappear, here are some makeup picks from INIKA which are all very on-trend right now, plus a review of their new Rosehip Oils. 

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Green Beauty: Trying Out Ere Perez Makeup - Review & Swatches

Green beauty makeup brand, Ere Perez, are now available in the UK (online via Naturisimo), and I was kindly sent a few of their products to have a play with.

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Winter Skin Saviours: Hope's Relief Intensive Dry Skin Rescue Cream & Goat's Milk Body Wash review

I've had eczema since I was a child and whilst it comes and goes, when it's here, it's a huge pain in the ass so I'm always on the lookout for new products to try out. This month, I've been trialling these two Winter Skin Saviours from Aussie brand, Hope's Relief.

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Review & Swatches: Inika Mineral Blush in Blooming Nude and Mineral Bronzer in Sunkissed

If you've been following my blog for a while, I'm sure you'll know that I'm a big fan of Inika, especially their Mineral Foundation which I highly rate.  I've now fallen in love with their Mineral Blushers and Bronzers which are just as good!

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Summer Tanning with Bondi Sands - Self Tanning Lotion, Mist, Wash Off, Foam and Gradual Tanning Milk review

I follow a couple of Aussie bloggers so when I heard that Bondi Sands were launching in Superdrug over here in the UK, it was a good day indeed.  I love getting a tan the healthy way by faking it, so I couldn't wait to try some of their products out.

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Tried & Tested: Jurlique Clarifying Deep Cleansing Gel review

I'm a huge fan of Jurlique, so whenever one of their new products lands on my doorstep, I'm all over it.  I've recently been trying out their latest cleanser - the Clarifying Deep Cleansing Gel.

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Currently Loving: Inika Ultimate Lip Tint in Cosmic & Ultimate Lip Balm review

It's still freezing cold outside (that sun is very deceptive!), so I've been protecting my lips with these two luxury organic beauties from Inika.

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Luxury Valentine's Day Gift For Her: Inika Professional Brush Roll review

Do you have a generous admirer/partner?  If you're a makeup brush fan, you may just want to forward them a cheeky link to this post.

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Luxury Christmas Gift Idea: Jurlique Limited Edition Rose Body Oil review

For some serious luxury this Christmas, you can't beat Jurlique's range of high end, high performance, all natural gifts.  I have been a long time fan of the Australian brand and I'm thrilled to include one of my all time favourite products by them in this year's gift guide.

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Skincare Review: zk'in Clarifying Exfoliator, Hydrating Mist, Brightening & Hydrating Masque and Rejuvenating Moisturiser

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been putting the new vegan friendly, organic and natural Australian skincare brand, zk'in, to the test.  Here are my thoughts on four of their top performing products, all of which marry natural active ingredients with proven clinical results.

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