Budget Beauty | Boots 17 Makeup | Extreme Extension Lengthening Mascara, Glow Is Everything CC Cream & Second Skin Enhancing Concealer review

When it comes to budget-friendly makeup, you can't beat a trip to Boots to see what's on offer. These days, it's easier than ever to choose cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics that won't break the bank. As I've been feeling nostalgic this month, I thought I'd try out some of the bestsellers from the popular 17 makeup range.

If you grew up as a young girl in England, you're probably quite familiar with the Boots 17 brand. Like many teenagers, some of my very first makeup purchases were from this range (if I remember correctly, it was a bright pink lipstick and a lilac single eyeshadow with lots of glitter), so it's been an interesting experience to pick up a couple of products to try out and see how they feel as a mid-30's millennial. The brand has had a much-hyped revival after being discontinued in 2018 and there are plenty of new treats to discover with everything costing £5 or under!

I've played it safe and chosen some everyday makeup staples to see how they compare to what I generally use on a day-to-day basis, which may help those who are seeking some cheaper alternatives due to the cost of living crisis. 

17 Extreme Extension Lengthening Mascara in Black (12ml, £4 or £3 with a Boots Advantage Card)

I'll have to admit that it's been a while since I've used a mascara that cost less than a fiver so I didn't have high expectations. 17 has a couple of different mascara formulas on offer and Extreme Extension sounded like the ideal one for me as I typically look for lots of length and definition. The packaging is very basic and quite chunky, but the rubberized flexible wand looked promising. 

First coat on and I really loved the results; it definitely adds noticeable length to my short lashes, defines them nicely, and has great pigmentation. The second coat, however, caused my lashes to stick and clump together so it didn't work for me as a buildable mascara. That said, for a one-coat, everyday mascara, it stays put for a good 8 hours and doesn't flake or smudge which is £4 well spent in my opinion!

17 Glow Is Everything CC Cream (30ml, £4)

Packaged in a cute squeezy tube, I'd seen the Glow Is Everything CC Cream raved about on various socials so this one was an obvious choice for me to try out. Having been pre-warned about the very limited shade range (this CC Cream is available in only four shades), I picked up the oddly named 003P which looked like a standard beige colour online and IRL this was a decent match for my light-medium skin tone. 

Upon squeezing a little of the product out, I noticed a slight chemical/plastic smell but it wasn't too off-putting so I grabbed a beauty blender sponge and cracked on. The light coverage looked surprisingly good with a subtle dewy/glowy finish and lasted well for 7-8 hours of wear. Again, this would be great for every day and those fresh 'no makeup makeup' looks. I did find that it oxidized later on in the day, turning a little orangey on my skin, but I felt that I could maybe get away with it when my complexion is a bit more tanned in the summer months. Not bad at all for the price point. 

17 Second Skin Enhancing Concealer (£2)

The most talked about product was the 17 Second Skin Enhancing Concealer which retails for the bargain price of just two pounds. Two quid! I couldn't believe my eyes! Into the basket it went, although straight off the bat, the shade range is again very limited with just ten colours on offer. 

001P looked like my best bet which is suitable for light-medium skin tones. The texture and consistency of this concealer is amazing. It blends so easily and definitely delivers a natural skin-like finish which feels velvety smooth! The coverage is also pretty decent; it won't fully conceal dark circles but with a corrector underneath, it achieves a lovely flawless effect that didn't crease into my fine lines and feels creamy and hydrating. I'd say this worked better for my under eyes than a blemish concealer. Like the CC Cream, it does oxidize a little throughout the day so I'd recommend picking a lighter shade. This is currently my best budget buy of the year so far!

Swatches: 17 Glow Is Everything CC Cream in 003P (top) and 17 Second Skin Enhancing Concealer in 001P (bottom)

17 Makeup Summary

Pros:

- Amazing value for money, everything is under £5

- Cruelty-free

- Everything is vegan-friendly

- Great for everyday wear

- Easy products to apply & blend

Cons:

- Very, very limited shade range

- CC and Concealer do oxidise

- Packaging does feel cheap & basic

- Products have a slight chemical/plastic scent

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Currently Loving: Good Bubble Bubble Baths for Families & Sensitive Skin

 

Who doesn't love a bubble bath? Whether you're a baby or a grandmother, everyone in the family can enjoy Good Bubble's range of affordable, skin-friendly Bubble Baths!

Good Bubble is a Dragon's Den success story when founder Amy Wordsworth appeared on the popular TV show to secure £60,000 of funding to make her business become a reality. Fast forward to the present day and Good Bubble is bigger and better than ever, yet her bubble baths have remained the same thanks to their skin-friendly formulations which are developed by industry experts to be kind and gentle on newborn and sensitive skin.

Naturally derived, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, Good Bubble's products feature fruit extracts with mild allergen-free fragrances for a fresh and fun bathtime experience. Their 'no tears, no nasties' resonates with many who only want the best for the family, at an affordable price. 

It's safe to say that I've been a fan of Good Bubble for a very long time, so it was high time that I shared some of my favourites from their Bubble Bath range with you all.

Good Bubble Bubbly Gruffalo Bath with Prickly Pear*

There's nothing prickly about this gorgeous fruity scent that has a cool and crisp fragrance. Made with Prickly Pear extract to help maintain the natural moisture levels of young and sensitive skin, this bubble bath delivers a lot of sulfate-free bubbles with just a squeeze under a running tap. 

Good Bubble The Snail & The Whale Lotus Flower & Sea Minerals Bubble Bath*

If you love classic fresh and clean scents, you can't go wrong with this one featuring the children's book illustration from The Snail & The Whale. Bursting with breezy Sea Minerals and the delightfully heady and floral aroma of Lotus Flower, it's one that adults will love just as much as the little ones.

Good Bubble Super Bubbly Bubble Bath with Dragon Fruit*

A tried and tested bestseller for a reason, this Dragon Fruit version is hugely popular with its subtle fresh and floral fragrance. Ideal for those who don't like overpowering scents such as babies and young kids, it's a real crowdpleaser in the tub.

Good Bubble Super Bubbly Bubble Bath with Cloudberry*

My last choice is quite similar to the Dragon Fruit in that it's more of a milder, subtle scent, but still wonderfully fresh and of course very bubbly! Cloudberry has more of a fruity berries aroma and it's great for sensitive skin.

Shop the full range at Lovelula.com

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Currently Loving: Organic Works Daily Hydration Bergamot Range - Body Lotion & Shower Gel review

 

Spring is well and truly on its way, so why not add a fresh burst of sunshine into your bathroom with these everyday beauty treats from Organic Works?

Whenever I'm stocking up on my daily toiletries; I always try to choose products that reflect the seasons. As we finally head into spring after what seems like such a long winter, I've been finding myself opting for beautifully fresh and reviving scents that will help me to put a spring back into my step (pun entirely intended!). 

Top of my shopping list is Organic Works' gorgeous Bergamot range.

Organic Works are a Scottish brand that I was first introduced to through the LoveLula Beauty Boxes where they pop up every now and again (in fact, one of their Night Creams was sent in last month's box). This cruelty-free natural brand has a simple set of products that encompass skincare essentials and a handful of lovely hand washes, body lotions, and shower gels, the latter of which I'd like to mention because they really are top quality for the asking price.

I've become somewhat smitten with the scent of their Bergamot range and I have been loving using their Bergamot Shower Gel* (300ml, £12, link) for an awakening shower experience with a moisturising base of Aloe Vera and delicious Tropical Orange and Bergamot essential oils. 

To keep the good vibes going, I've been smothering myself afterward with the matching Bergamot Hand & Body Lotion* (300ml, £14, link) which comes in a huge bottle and a handy pump for fuss-free application. Hello, soft and gorgeous smelling skin!

Shop Organic Works at LoveLula.com

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A Natural & Cruelty Free Alternative To Vaseline: Beauty Kitchen Natruline Lip Treatment Will Rescue Dry Lips (And More) This Winter

It's time to step away from those ubiquitous tins of greasy petroleum, and instead, make a more sustainable and natural swap to Beauty Kitchen's wonderful Natruline Lip Treatments.

With temperatures plummeting across the UK and snow on its way, you may be noticing that your skin is feeling drier than usual and needs a little more TLC. Lips especially are at risk of cracking and chapping throughout Winter, but it's easy to keep them happily moisturised thanks to Beauty Kitchen.

Although not a new product, Beauty Kitchen's Nattruline Lip Treatments are new-to-me and they caught my eye in the recent Holland and Barrett sale where I immediately added two to my basket. 

I know what you're thinking; these look uncannily like a certain non-natural brand that has been pushing cheap and nasty mineral oil products onto consumers for over a century, and I doubt that the striking resemblance is a *wink wink* coincidence (well played there Beauty Kitchen!). 

The differences, however, are numerous as Beauty Kitchen is a British brand with all of its products being made here in the UK. They are cruelty-free and pride themselves on their innovative formulas which are created from natural and sustainable ingredients. On top of all that, Beauty Kitchen is a certified B Corporation that is widely seen as one of the highest accreditations when it comes to businesses that adhere to strict social, ethical, and environmental standards of performance, accountability, and transparency.  

So back to this natural and cruelty-free Vaseline dupe. Is it as good? No. It's better!

The problem with petroleum/mineral oil is that it doesn't properly moisturise the skin - it just sits on top and long-term use of it can actually make your skin worse by becoming more sensitive and dry. 

I love the Beauty Kitchen Natruline Lip Treatments because they look and feel like Vaseline, but thanks to their all-natural ingredients, they actually hydrate, soothe and help to protect dry skin. And just like Vaseline, you can use these in exactly the same ways, so apply to lips, cuticles, dry elbows etc.

A note on the ingredients; the original Natruline (blue tin) contains two types of Castor Oil, Carnauba Wax, and Beeswax, whilst the vegan version (green tin) contains all of the above minus the beeswax. Testing them out side by side, I honestly couldn't tell much of a difference between the pair!

Beauty Kitchen Natruline Lip Treatments* (20g, £2.99 each, link)

Is your skin struggling this Winter?

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Ayurvedic Haircare: Saach Organics - 100% Natural, Organic & Cruelty-Free Haircare Review

Combining elements of traditional Ayurvedic formulas with organic and cruelty-free ingredients, Saach Organics have succeeded in creating a full range of natural hair care which is sold globally and won multiple awards.

If you're curious about where the name comes from, 'saach' translates as 'truth' in Punjabi, which goes to the core of what the brand is all about by carefully choosing natural ingredients that are good for your skin, hair and the environment. 

Saach Organics products are 100% natural, using organically grown or wildcrafted plants and herbs grown in India. Saach Organics products never contain – petrochemicals, harsh sulphates, parabens, urea, propylene glycol, animal ingredients, artificial colours or fragrance. In addition, all products contain no animal ingredients and none of the ingredients or products has ever been tested on animals.

With this in mind, I received a very exciting package from Saach Organics last month with lots of their haircare to try, so grab a cuppa and enjoy this review below.

Saach Organics Shampoo, Conditioner and Shower Gel range

Starting off with the basics first, I tested out the full range of Saach Organics Shampoos. If you're after a strengthening shampoo for weak or fine hair, the Shikakai, Basil and Peppermint Shampoo* (200ml, £11.95) works wonders thanks to a formula that's rich in Basil, Amla, Ritha, Peppermint Oil, Shikakai and Ceramides. For something more aimed at repairing and revitalising damaged hair, try the Tea Tree, Rosemary & Lemon Shampoo* (200ml, £12.95) which also doubles up as an anti-dandruff treatment. Coloured hair? You can use the specially formulated Henna Orange Oil Shampoo* (200ml, £11.95) to moisturise and protect coloured hair from fading. All three shampoos are SLS-free and feel wonderfully refreshing to use due to the Ayurvedic herbs so they're quite 'zingy' on the scalp!

I'll go on to mention Saach Organics' powdered hair treatments in a minute, but for those who prefer a more conventional hair conditioner, you can't wrong with the Avocado, Jojoba Butter & Canola Oil Hair Nourishment Conditioner* (200ml, £11.95) which features a unique blend of Ayurvedic herbs and natural hydrating ingredients to nourish hair from root to tip. It's ideal for all hair types to use.

I also want to give a shout out to the Saach Organics Mint & Rosemary Shower Gel* (200ml, £10.95) because this is one of the most invigorating shower gels I've ever used. If you struggle to wake up in the morning, you need this in your life!

Saach Organics Hair Treatments / Hair Masks

Saach Organics have a special range of Hair Treatments that I feel really give you a proper feeling for their Ayurvedic roots. Each mask offers a different targeted treatment for your hair, for example, the Shikakai Hair Mask* is a nourishing treatment for roots to help stimulate healthy hair growth, whereas the Amla Hair Mask* provides a strengthening and hydrating treatment for weak and dehydrated hair. Coloured hair will enjoy the renewing and protecting qualities of the Neem Hair Mask*, and anyone who suffers from dandruff or hair loss should try the Ayurvedic Hair Mask* to reap the benefits of those carefully chosen herbs and plant actives.

Each hair mask comes in a pure powder format and the full pack (100g) will treat shoulder-length hair. As with any new beauty treatment, you should always perform a patch test 48 hours prior to using it to check for any allergies or skin sensitivities. Ayurvedic herbs are quite potent so I feel that a patch test really should be done as a necessity just in case.

To use these masks, simply open the packet and pour the powder into a non-metallic bowl. Gradually add in some lukewarm water and mix with a wooden spoon until you get the consistency of yoghurt. Try not to breathe in the powder as you're mixing as it can make you sneeze! 

Apply the paste all over dry hair and scalp and massage it in. I recommend having a towel around your shoulders and placing one on the floor as the mask paste can stain. Once applied, cover your head in clingfilm and leave for 30-40 minutes. After that, rinse out and shampoo as normal - you may need to do this at least twice to get everything out.

Although messy and time consuming to use, these masks are brilliant for treating their targeted problems and each one left my hair feeling super soft afterwards. Prices from £8.95 per mask.

Saach Organics Natural Hair Colour

Last but not least, Saach Organics are well known and loved for their Natural Hair Colour* (£11.95). Like the masks, these are presented as a purely plant-based powder formula based on Henna and the range contains colours from Golden Blonde to Browns, Burgundy and Black. I've been using these hair colours for years as my go-to henna product of choice so do check out my original review of them here if you're looking for a new product like this to try for yourself.

Shop the full range at saachorganics.com

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Keep Your Hands Clean with Organii Purifying Hand Gel + Surface Spray

Coronavirus is sadly still around and whilst the vaccine rollout is underway across the UK, we'll still need to stick to the rules until the coast is finally clear. Until then, these two from Organii can help to keep you and your family safer when you're doing your essential errands.

I've been getting a lot of search requests through the blog from readers who have been looking for greener, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free alternatives to mainstream hand sanitisers. Thankfully, there are now a number of green beauty brands who have launched new products in response to the pandemic. One such brand is Organii who has recently brought out a new Purifying Hand Gel and Surface Spray.

Organii Purifying Hand Gel* (80ml, £3.95, link)

This handy(!) Purifying Hand Gel contains a certified natural blend of 60% alcohol, Organic Aloe Vera, Vegetable Glycerin and Organic Tea Tree essential oil, to keep your hands clean and sanitised whilst you're out and about. The formula feels very much like most other hand gels that I've tried, but the addition of Vegetable Glycerin and Aloe Vera means that it's not as drying, which is important if you're using it on a regular basis. Thanks to Organic Tea Tree essential oil, it also has natural antibacterial and anti-viral properties and it gives the gel a fresh scent.

Organii Purifying Surface Spray* (75ml, £3.95, link)

We've all seen those messy cleaning stations at the entrance of supermarkets and after trying to use several bottles of disinfectant that were empty, I've come to the decision that it's best to carry your own just in case. Organii's Purifying Surface Spray is a handbag friendly 75ml spray bottle size that quickly sanitises surfaces and can be used on pretty much anything from supermarket trollies, door handles, handrails, ATM machines and more, thanks to its purifying blend of alcohol and Organic Tea Tree essential oil. I've recommended this to parents as well, as it's very convenient to carry in the car and is safe to use on kids toys etc. Both the Surface Spray and the Hand Gel are certified vegan and cruelty-free.

Are you using cruelty-free hand sanitisers?

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Mid-Week Pamper Treat: Biovène Barcelona Hair Wrap Treatment review

With many of us trying to squeeze in a last-minute summer holiday before school/work-life resumes, it's no surprise that I've seen an increase in search results for travel-friendly beauty essentials. An affordable option that has caught my eye recently are these handy Hair Wrap Treatments from Biovène Barcelona which I've been putting to the test.

Biovène Barcelona is a cruelty-free, natural beauty brand whose products are made without any of the main 'nasties' that most consumers are looking to avoid these days; so their formulas are free from all sulfates, SLS, SLES, Parabens, Formaldehyde, Phthalates, Mineral Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Oxybenzone, Hydroquinone, Triclosan, Triclocarban and they have less than 1% of synthetic fragrances. 

Their speciality is haircare and back in February, I reviewed Biovène's Moisture Volume Solid Shampoo & Conditioner Bars, and this time around I've been trying out the brand's Hair Wrap Treatments which are vegan, cruelty-free and suitable for all hair types.

Available in three varieties, there's an Oil Replacement Treatment (for dry and thinning hair), Thermal Repair Treatment (for sensitive and dandruff prone scalps), and the Hydrate Protect Treatment (for dry and damaged hair). 

Each Hair Wrap Treatment is a single-use product which is basically like a sheet mask for your hair. Depending on which treatment you opt for, you'll find the 'wrap' element to be the same in a pale pink colour and each one comes infused with its targeted formula to address your hair concerns - they range from 95.4% natural ingredients (Hydrate Protect Treatment) to 99% natural (Thermal Repair Treatment).

How To Use

You simply shampoo your hair as normal and then partially dry it with a towel so it's damp but not soaking wet. Open the sachet and unfold the hair wrap - now here's the tricky part. If your hair is shoulder length or longer, you'll need to gather your locks together and scoop them up into the wrap, before folding over the sticky part which keeps everything together. It took me about 5-10 minutes to get the wrap properly applied and my hair is quite fine!

Once wrapped up, massage your head gently to 'infuse' the treatment and leave on for 20 minutes. I'd recommend using this when you're having a bath for the best pampering experience. After the time's finished, rinse thoroughly and dry/style as usual.

Overall thoughts

Having tested out all three treatments, I found the Thermal Repair Treatment to be my favourite by a long shot as it really helped to soothe my irritated scalp and it left my hair lovely and soft afterwards. The Oil Replacement Treatment was a little too rich for my fine hair so if you have thicker and longer hair than mine, I think you'll love it, whereas I didn't notice much of a difference from using the Hydrate Protect Treatment in all honesty.

Although single-use products are something that we should all be using less of for environmental reasons, if you are travelling abroad and need a one-off hair treatment that fits into those stingy liquids allowance bags, Biovène Barcelona's Hair Wrap Treatments are certainly an affordable option for those who are looking for a cruelty-free and vegan-friendly alternative.

Biovène Barcelona Hair Wrap Treatments* (£3 each) are available from LoveLula.com

Are you taking any last-minute Summer holidays abroad this year?

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New In Beauty: Lavera Gloss & Shine Shampoo and Conditioner review

It's not always easy to find cruelty-free natural haircare that contains certified organic ingredients, is suitable for vegans and is affordable, but Lavera has managed to tick a lot of boxes with their new and innovative haircare formulas.

I often get asked about affordable natural haircare brands and usually struggle to recommend products which have good 'green' credentials, are effective and don't cost an arm and a leg to buy, so I was thrilled to discover the new ranges that Lavera have recently brought out which are priced at a very reasonable £6.95 per bottle.

The new ranges available cover all of the main haircare concerns such as dull and lifeless hair, greasy roots, dry and damaged hair, as well as a duo specially formulated to protect colour treated hair, and there's even one for all hair types that the whole family can use.

My hair is quite fussy as it can get greasy and dry at the same time, however, thanks to the lockdown, I've had the extra time to be able to give it some TLC with more at-home treatments and masks, so for the first time in a long time, it's been feeling in pretty good shape (but it could use a cut like everyone else right now!). One area that my hair does struggle with is dullness though, which is where the new Lavera Gloss & Shine Shampoo and Conditioner comes in to lend a helping hand.

A note on the plastic bottles: these are made from 100% recycled milk, juice and water bottles, which can then be recycled again.

Lavera Gloss & Shine Shampoo* (250ml, £6.95, link)

The Gloss & Shine range aims to bring back a healthy shine to dull hair with a mild and biodegradable 100% natural formula. Free from a whole host of 'nasties' such as silicones, SLS, SLES, parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, preservatives and GMO ingredients, I was pleasently surprised by how well this Shampoo was able to remove product build-up and thoroughly cleanse my scalp, without leaving it feeling stripped or dry. It creates a gentle lather and thanks to key ingredients like Organic Quinoa and Organic Avocado Oil, I found it helped to make my unruly hair much more manageable as it was easier to comb through afterwards and felt a lot softer overall. Fellow fine hair owners will also appreciate the light formula which doesn't weigh your delicate hair down. Plus the slightly larger 250ml bottle is ideal for those who have shorter hair or regularly use treatments and masks after shampooing.

Lavera Gloss & Shine Conditioner* (200ml, £6.95, link)

The matching 100% natural Gloss & Shine Conditioner is the perfect partner to the shampoo, making this a worthy duo to try out together. Like the shampoo, it has a pleasant fresh scent with a good consistency - it's neither too thin or too thick to keep fussy Goldilocks hair happy. I left it on as instructed for a couple of minutes before rinsing and then left my hair to air dry naturally to see how it felt. Whilst I wasn't blown away by mega glossy results (I feel you can only really achieve that look with lots of silicones), I can say it definitely helped to add a nice shine to my usually dull looking dark brown hair, and my hair felt silky soft and more manageable with less frizz, which is always a bonus in my book! 

Shop the full range of new haircare from Lavera at pravera.co.uk

Have you tried anything from Lavera before?

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Indie Beauty: Introducing Roselink UK Hello Glow - Rose Dust and Beauty Tabs review #ShopSmall

One of the few positives to come out of the global Coronavirus pandemic has been a resurgence in community spirit, with consumers actively choosing to seek out small and independent companies to support during these difficult times. #ShopSmall has been a popular hashtag lately, so I wanted to join in and shine a spotlight on an Indian-British natural skincare company called Roselink UK who I've been recently introduced to.

The story behind Roselink UK is an interesting one as it dates all the way back to the 1940s in India. A woman called Ma moves to Mumbai after getting married and hires a maid to help around the house. It later transpires that the maid also works for a famous Bollywood actress who has been experiencing problematic skin, and has consulted a team of skin doctors to find natural solutions to help her complexion. The maid watches the actress apply all manner of natural formulas to her skin and shares the information with the curious Ma, who writes everything down in a diary.

When Ma died, she bequeathed this diary of traditional, Indian natural skincare remedies to Roselink, with the hope that products could be made and sold to help empower and support local Indian women. Roselink did just that and created a 'Hello Glow' range of affordable products which are all 100% natural using the freshest ingredients that are directly sourced from Indian farmers, and packaged in recyclable aluminium containers.

I was kindly sent two of their most popular products to try out - Rose Dust and Beauty Tabs.

Hello Glow Rose Dust* (30g, £5.99, link)

Rose Dust is a loose powder exfoliator which is made up of just natural ingredients - Rose Petal, Milk, Rice Powder, Coconut Milk and Papaya. It's a simple but luxurious blend that smells fresh and delicate like a sunny Rose garden - it was love at first smell! To use it, you just need to mix a small amount of the loose powder into wet hands to create a smooth paste, massage onto clean skin and rinse off with water and a flannel. 

The combination of Lactic Acid in the Milk powder helps to gently remove dead skin cells and impurities, whilst Rice Powder is rich in Ceramides to boost collagen production and Vitamin C from the Papaya adds a brightening effect. It feels wonderfully nourishing thanks to the Coconut Milk, and Rose has been used for centuries in skincare all over the world due to its natural abilities to soothe, tone and moisturise the skin. Needless to say, I found that Rose Dust left my skin as soft and smooth as a baby's bottom and I think it's fantastic value for money at only £5.99.

Hello Glow Beauty Tabs* (1 month supply, £5.99, link)

For those who are looking for affordable and plastic-free skincare supplements, the Hello Glow Beauty Tabs come packaged in a reusable and recyclable tin and can be used by all skin types, though I feel that people who are experiencing the first signs of ageing will see the most benefit from using them.

These easy-to-swallow tiny tablets feature a potent combination of three well-known Indian ingredients - Tumeric, Neem and Honey. The golden yellow spice Turmeric is hugely revered for its antioxidant properties which help to reduce inflammation and repair damaged cells (essential for targeting ageing concerns), and Neem is included to further stimulate healthy collagen production and improve elasticity. Finally, Honey rounds off this tablet with its unique antibacterial profile.

Take two tabs a day and at this price, it's certainly a supplement that you can continue to use for the long term!

Shop for these products and more at roselinkuk.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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