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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New In Beauty: Beauty Cleanse Nearly Everything Powder Mask, Samaya Rejuvenating Eye Cream Kapha & Antipodes Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum review

 

Time for shiny newness in the green beauty world with these amazing new kids on the block from Beauty Cleanse, Samaya and Antipodes. Let's go!

The New Multi-Tasker: Beauty Cleanse Nearly Everything Powder Mask* (45g, £27, link)

Designed to declutter and simplify your skincare routine, Beauty Cleanse's new Nearly Everything Powder Mask is a true multi-tasking genius that will transform how you view your beauty products. As the name suggests, this is a 'do it all powder mask', which will help all skin types and concerns and is made from 100% natural ingredients such as Liquorice Root extract, Rice extract, Organic Aloe Vera extract, Vitamin C powder, Charcoal powder and Orange Turmeric extract. 

As it's waterless (which is better for the environment and your wallet as you get twice as much product), you simply mix a teaspoon of powder with a 1/3 of a teaspoon of water to create a smooth paste that you apply directly to clean skin. Leave for around 20 minutes and then rinse away with warm water. You can also use it as dedicated spot treatment, applying where it's needed, as well as a hand and foot mask too.

Thanks to the clever combination of ingredients, the Nearly Everything Powder Mask is brilliant for a deep cleanse to remove impurities and unclog pores, and it's amazing for giving the complexion a brightening and revitalised boost. A winner all round!

The New Luxury Eye Cream: Samaya Rejuvenating Eye Cream Kapha* (15ml, £59, link)

Fans of luxury ayurvedic skincare are going to fall in love with the new range of eye creams from Samaya. When I originally tried out Samaya a few years ago, I thought it would be a good idea for them to bring out an eye cream to compliment their cleansers and moisturisers, so it's fantastic to finally see this come to life and the wait has definitely been worth it!

Mixing together clinically proven plant-actives such as Probiotics, Caffeine and Green Tea, with specially selected potent Ayurvedic botanicals like Ashwagandha, Sandalwood, Vetivert and Gotu Kola, Samaya have created eye creams for each dosha type and I've been trialling the Kapha one with excellent results. Since using it over a month ago, my undereyes feel much smoother and my eyes look brighther overall. I'm also intrigued by the anti-pollution and photo-protection properties against different light forms such as UV and blue light to see what the long term results will be like.

The New Vitamin C Serum: Antipodes Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum* (30ml, £35, link)

The last product that I wanted to mention in this New In Beauty round-up is the latest release by New Zealand brand Antipodes, who you all know I'm incredibly fond of and have used a lot of over the years. Again, I was very excited to see this newbie come onto the market as Antipodes are famed for their serums and I've always felt like they've been missing a Vitamin C based one - lo and behold, the Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum has been born!

Suitable for vegans, this serum is described as 'golden hour in a bottle' and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and dull ones. The key superstar ingredient in this is called Kakadu Plum which contains 100x more Vitamin C than oranges. It's also rich in Bakuchiol and plant-based Hyaluronic Acid to plump skin, boost collagen and protect against free radicals that cause premature ageing. The brightening effects can be seen within less than four weeks of regular daily use, so get a head start on your glowing Christmas selfies and add this to your skincare routine now.

What's new on your beauty shelf?

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Currently Loving: New Skincare & Bodycare Favourites from NeuroSkinFeeds, Beauty Cleanse, PMD & Nourish London

I don't know about you, but this lockdown has felt like the longest one yet! Luckily, I've been able to test out many new and exciting beauty releases to keep myself occupied and my skin glowing - here's my latest favourites round-up to celebrate these new kids on the beauty block!

The New Luxury Oil Cleanser: Beauty Cleanse Cabbage + Cranberry + Hemp Anti-Pollution Deep Cleansing Oil & Makeup Remover* (100ml, £26, link)

OK, so this cleanser might have one of the longest names in skincare history, but don't let that put you off because it's a dream to use! This is the second product release from the natural London based indie brand Beauty Cleanse, and after I tried their amazing multi-purpose Serum-In-Oil Drops late last year (read my review here if you missed it), I couldn't wait to test this newbie out as soon as it arrived.

Packaged in a sleek square glass bottle, this wonderfully inclusive Anti-Pollution Deep Cleansing Oil is 100% natural, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and it can be used by all skin types and genders. It's also very eco-friendly thanks to the innovative upcycling of superfood Hemp and Cranberry Seeds which usually go to the waste as by-products of the food industry. Here, they're given a new lease of life in a beautiful oil cleanser formula which emulsifies into a light milky texture when it comes into contact with water. 

The result is a fragrance-free, lightweight, silky-feeling cleanser that effortlessly removes all traces of everyday dirt, pollution, impurities, SPF and make-up. I'd recommend it for anyone who lives or works in a city as it's brilliant for stressed-out skin and helps to combat blemishes too.

The New Home Beauty Treatment Device: PMD Personal Microderm Elite Pro* (£269, link)

What's this I hear you cry? A brand new Personal Microderm device from PMD? Yes, please! With spa days, beauty salon trips and facialist appointments all off the cards until this lockdown lifts, now really is the best time to splash your cash and invest in a high-tech beauty device for those essential home skin care treatments. 

Specially developed to deliver results that are on a par with those professional in-office treatments, the PMD Microderm Elite Pro is one of the most customisable microdermabrasion devices currently available on the market. This allows you to choose from a range of carefully crafted discs to cater for all your exfoliation needs, starting with ultra-sensitive to very intense. 

I first reviewed the original PMD Microderm Classic back in 2015 (check out my review here) and have enjoyed using that for many years, however, I did feel like I wanted something with a couple more bells and whistles, which is why I love this new Elite Pro version so much.

The Elite Pro has three speed settings instead of one which makes it a lot easier to control and customise to your treatment needs, plus a much wider range of exfoliating discs with new luxe Face, Body and Blackhead caps. It also comes with its own case to keep all the accessories tidy, a charger and a 1-year warranty. 

If you haven't tried microdermabrasion before, it's amazing for helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improving the overall appearance of blemishes and large pores. I try to do a home treatment session once or twice a month as part of my anti-ageing skincare routine and always recommend following up with a moisturising face mask. Give it a go!

The New Luxury Body Lotion: NSF NeuroSkinFeeds The MicroMilk* (250ml, £33, link)

For those who are in the market for a seriously luxurious and ultra-pampering body lotion to help their skin be the softest its ever been, look no further. This exciting new second product release from NeuroSkinFeeds is called the MicroMilk and it's simply the antidote to dry and scaly winter skin. It's gentle enough for sensitive skin types to use too. 

MicroMilk has an interesting holistic formula that features Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil with 1% CBD which is ideal for nourishing and regenerating sensitive skin thanks to its natural anti-inflammatory and moisturising properties. The CBD element assists in providing soothing benefits for the mind, whilst Aloe Vera Gel helps to hydrate and reduce any feelings of itchiness, and Shea Butter instantly softens, tones and conditions the skin. A must-try for anyone who is feeling stressed and has dry skin.

Nourish London Skincare Essentials Kit in Balance* (£29, link)

I often get asked what the best brands and products are to switch to when someone wants to make the change to the world of green beauty, and one brand that I recommend a lot are Nourish London. They have recently launched a range of Skincare Essentials Kits which makes testing out and compiling a new skincare routine super easy!

Each kit features a travel size of the four main products that every great skincare routine should have; a cleanser, toner, serum and moisturiser. There are currently five different kits to try to suit a wide range of skin types and concerns, so naturally I was drawn to the 'Balance' kit which is for oily and combination skin.

This kit includes Nourish's Balance Detoxifying Cleanser (50ml), Balance Refining Toning Mist (50ml, Balance Nutritious Peptide Serum (15ml) and Balance Essential Moisturiser (15ml). It's vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, made in the UK and comes packaged in a fair-trade cotton zip bag. Worth £38, you save yourself a neat £9 - bargain!

What are you loving at the moment?

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Multipurpose Beauty: Beauty Cleanse Mean Green Superfood Drops & Carrot Algae Marine Drops review #LessIsMore

Multipurpose beauty has always caught my eye and with many consumers shifting their focus to a 'less is more' approach to shopping, it seems that most of us are looking for hardworking products that won't clutter up our bathrooms and vanity tables. So let me introduce you to Beauty Cleanse and their very clever multipurpose skincare drops.

If you haven't heard of Beauty Cleanse before, it might be because they changed their name from 'WhackIt Beauty' last year. This rebrand suits the London based indie company perfectly and gives them a much more sophisticated appeal for the luxury green beauty market. Their products speak for themselves though as they've been shortlisted for numerous industry awards, and a quick scroll through my social media feeds often sees them pop up now and then, so they're certainly a brand that has a buzz about them.

Beauty Cleanse is on a mission to streamline our often confusing and needlessly cluttered skincare routines with simpler but still effective formulas. Their ethos is declared loud and proud on their website; all products are handmade in the UK with 100% natural and organic ingredients, certified cruelty-free and vegan-friendly with a strong emphasis on sustainability (all packaging is either 100% recyclable, upcycled or biodegradable).

I've put Beauty Cleanse's only two releases to the test; the Mean Green Superfood Drops and Carrot Algae Marine Drops.

Beauty Cleanse Mean Green Superfood Drops* (20ml, £45, link)

Suitable for all skin and hair types, Mean Green Superfood Drops are a gender-neutral 'serum-in-oil, with the name taking inspiration from the popular green juice which is at the core of many health and wellness circles. The INCI list reads like a power smoothie menu with Organic Broccoli Seed Oil forming the base, which is then blended with the likes of Organic Rosehip Oil, Olive Squalane Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Red Raspberry Seed Oil, Organic Tamanu Seed Oil, Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil, Organic Chia Seed, Organic Macadamia Nut Oil and Vitamin E.

The result is a super-rich and nutritious product which is absolutely packed with antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids (Omegas 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 are present) that are capable of delivering some serious hydration and protection for both skin and hair. And being a 'serum-in-oil' means the formula is surprisingly lightweight and non-greasy so it can easily balance troublesome oily skin types, whilst keeping dry and more mature skin happy and healthy at the same time.

How To Use?

You can use this as a Makeup Primer, Facial Oil (AM or PM or both), Nail & Cuticle Oil, Hair Styling and Leave-in Treatment and it can be added directly to your favourite moisturisers to give them an extra boost. I've tested it out as all of the above and can say that it does work incredibly well as a Facial Oil treatment, a Nail & Cuticle Oil and as a Hair Oil Treatment. I found it also combat flyaways and frizz the same as any other hair oil does, but I still prefer using a separate Makeup Primer as I personally find cream-based textures give my oily/combination skin a better finish overall. 

Beauty Cleanse Carrot Algae Marine Drops* (20ml, £45, link)

Whilst the Mean Green Superfood Drops can be used to replace both skin and haircare products, the Carrot Algae Marine Drops are much better suited for just skincare purposes and its innovative formula is targeted at addressing the first signs of ageing in particular. If like me, you enjoy spending time doing home facial massages, I feel that you'll definitely love the Carrot Algae Marine Drops.

In addition to the anti-ageing benefits, this serum-in-oil has been developed using COSMOS certified glucocorticoid technology with Marine Plankton extract which helps to block the effects of the stress hormone, cortisol, wreaking havoc on your skin. Those who have undergone a stressful time in their life will be able to appreciate this more because if you've ever looked in the mirror and suddenly seen lots of extra fine lines and wrinkles show up after a difficult period, you'll know what I mean!

Elsewhere in the formula, there are natural alternatives to synthethic Retinol found in the wild-harvested, cold-pressed Carrot and Rosehip Oils, and skincare favourites Squalene and Camellia Seed Oils help to boost elasticity and firmness. All of the ingredients have been carefully chosen to be suitable for sensitive skin types including for eczema and rosacea, so if you find that you can't use synthethic anti-ageing facial oils, this is a wonderful natural alternative to try instead.

How To Use?

Carrot Algae Marine Drops can be used as an intensive Night Serum, for Facial and Neck massages, as an anti-ageing Eye Serum and it can be added to your favourite morning moisturiser to give an extra boost of protection against the harsh winter elements. I'm pleased to say that it worked well in all the above methods and could easily be used as an all-in-one anti-ageing treatment.

I would happily recommend both products to anyone who wants to streamline their bathroom cabinet and although the initial cost is expensive, they are great value for money in the long term as a little goes a long way as the formulas are so concentrated.

Use code BeautyWolfGirl15 to get 15% off your order! 

Are you a fan of multipurpose beauty products?

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