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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Organic Beauty | Conscious Skincare | Make Up Melt, Sweet Orange & Frangipani Body Butter and Hydrolat Tea Tree review

As a beauty blogger and a self-confessed skincare addict, I'm constantly bombarded with emails about the 'latest must-have'. Whether it's a trend or a new product, my inbox is always full of everything that's 'new, new, new!'. So it's been a pleasant change to sit back and revisit some old green beauty favourites from Conscious Skincare instead.

I was first introduced to Conscious Skincare around ten years ago when I featured one of the brand's body butters in a post called 'Cold Weather Proofing the Beauty Routine'. Since then, I have used their products sporadically over the years and recommended certain items to friends and family who are into natural skincare.

For those new to Conscious Skincare, they are an established indie organic, vegan, and natural skincare company based in Wales. All of their products are cruelty-free, lovingly handmade, produced in small fresh batches, and packaged as eco-friendly and plastic-free as possible. 

Below you'll discover three of the brand's bestsellers; Make Up Melt, Sweet Orange & Frangipani Body Butter, and Hydrolat Tea Tree.

Conscious Skincare Make Up Melt* (100ml, £16 with pump, link)

Made with just five natural and organic ingredients, Make Up Melt is an award-winning makeup remover that's wonderfully simple, but very effective. Composed of a blend of cold-pressed Sesame and Castor Oils, this product quite literally breaks down and 'melts' away all traces of makeup, leaving your skin perfectly clean and nourished without feeling stripped. The addition of Rosemary, Eucalyptus, and Myrtle essential oils have each been carefully chosen for their natural benefits. Rosemary helps to rejuvenate the skin, Eucalyptus is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory and Myrtle has some impressive balancing and astringent qualities.

How to use: I apply a pump's worth to a reusable cotton pad and gently wipe it across my face. For stubborn waterproof mascara/liquid eyeliner, I'll hold the pad over closed eyes for a minute or so to allow the oil to fully dissolve the waterproof formula. After that, I rinse my face with warm water and follow up with my regular evening skincare routine.

For those wanting an entirely plastic-free option, you can purchase the Makeup Melt without a pump for £15, and there are also makeup pad bundles and refills available.

Conscious Skincare Sweet Orange & Frangipani Body Butter* (250ml, £15, link)

Dry skin will simply adore Conscious Skincare's Body Butters which come in three different formulas; two fragranced and one fragrance-free. Packed full of nature's best nourishing and hydrating ingredients such as Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Vitamin E, and fairtrade Cocoa Butter, this version I have is also beautifully fragranced with uplifting Sweet Orange, Sandalwood, and heady Frangipani essential oils. The water-free formula means there are no additives or preservatives either.

What I love the most about this body butter is how intensely thick and rich the texture is, yet it melts and sinks into the skin easily once you massage it in. If you're yearning for baby-soft, silky skin, this is the body butter for you.

Conscious Skincare Organic Hydrolat Tea Tree* (100ml, £13 with pump, link)

As we move into the warmer months of the year, my combination skin always gets a bit more oily so I've been looking forward to trying out this tea tree toner which is especially suited to oily and blemish-prone skin types. A properly pure and natural product, this hydrolat contains just 100% organic tea tree water and that's it - nice and simple! 

You can use this in your skincare routine morning and/or night depending on your skin type, and it's recommended to use it on freshly cleansed skin for the best results. Tea Tree is famed for its natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties which help to keep your complexion toned and clear, so if you've been struggling with breakouts, definitely give it a try.

Shop these products and more at conscious-skincare.com

Have you fallen back in love with any old skincare favourites lately?

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Luxury Mother's Day Gift Idea: Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Hydro Mist & Rose Cleansing Balm review

Need a last-minute gift for Mother's Day? Elemis is always a surefire winner with their Pro-Collagen Rose collection being a bestselling range for many years. Maybe your mum already has some in her bathroom cabinet and would appreciate a top-up?

Elemis feels like one of those luxury British brands that have been around forever as it's become such a well-loved part of the beauty community, particularly with older women. Launched back in 1990 by Noella Gabriel, Elemis has gone from strength to strength, and was one of the first true 'skin wellness' brands, marrying together a love of nature, science, and aromatherapy. 

I've tried quite a few products from Elemis over the years and particularly love their body care range, as well as their bestselling Pro-Collagen Rose collection, which my skin is enjoying now it's nearer 40, than 30!

Here are two products that I'd highly recommend picking up; the Pro-Collagen Rose Hydro Mist and the Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm. These would be perfect to add to a DIY pamper basket for your mum, along with a lovely candle, flowers, and some of her favourite foodie treats.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Hydro Mist* (50ml, £46)

A mist doesn't sound very exciting but this is no ordinary mist. Oh no! This is a super hydrating serum-in-a-mist which is actually pretty interesting concept wise and works beautifully for more mature, dull and dehydrated skin types. Dubbed as a 'high-performance anti-wrinkle serum-in-a-mist', this clever multi-purpose skincare gem has an incredibly soothing effect on the skin, leaving it smooth, softened, and hydrated for 24 hours.

Hero ingredients in this innovative formula are Padina Pavonica (a clinically proven seaweed extract that boosts collagen production), Microalgae extracts (to freshen and hydrate), and Organic Rose Hydrolat (famed for its natural moisturising properties). Use it after cleansing, and it also doubles up as a fantastic makeup setting spray.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm* (prices start from £13 for 20g)

Based on its famous big sister, the original Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm (one of which is sold every 13 seconds in the UK!), this Rose version has become equally as popular thanks to its delicate fresh floral fragrance. Infused with Rose and Mimosa waxes with Elderberry, Starflower, and Elemis' trademarked blend of Optimega Oils, this mineral oil-free balm is just so beautiful and luxurious to use. The texture is rich and effortlessly massages into the skin to remove all traces of dirt and impurities - you can see why it's used in the Elemis spas from the minute that you try it.

Super nourishing for the delicate skin barrier, the balm emulsifies into a hydrating milk when water is added, leaving skin soft, clean, and properly feeling pampered and nourished. A tiny amount goes a long way as expected and it can also be used to remove makeup, as well as a weekly hydrating facial mask for dry skin.

Shop the full range at uk.elemis.com

What are your favourite Elemis products?

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Bring Sunshine To Your Bathroom with Sol de Janeiro | Bom Dia Bright, Brazillian 4-Play & Coco Cabana Body Washes review

The weather may be horrible outside, but you can beat the winter blues with these sunny delights from Sol de Janeiro. Bursting with summery, uplifting fragrances, you can daydream of your next holiday in the sunshine whilst you're in the shower!

Everywhere I look on my socials, there's always someone mentioning Sol de Janeiro lately, and truth be told, I hadn't really explored much from the brand until now. I've used their bestselling Brazillian Bum Bum Cream on and off for years and have enjoyed that gorgeous signature scent (which you really must try if you haven't already) so it was definitely time to see what else was on offer.

Although Sol de Janeiro isn't an entirely natural brand, they are cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and have a transparent 'clean philosophy' which means that they have banned over 100 'nasties' from all of its formulas. These include parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, phthalates, microplastics, aluminum salts, talc, and oxybenzone to name just a few. 

In addition, all of their sunscreens are certified reef safe, they don't use cyclic silicones (the ones linked to buildup on the hair and in our water systems), and the preservative phenoxyethanol is only present in clinically safe amounts (less than 1% of total formula). You can read more about their clean philosophy here.

With this in mind, I was keen to try some of their bestselling Body Washes which a friend recently raved about to me, and with their delicious summery scents, I couldn't say no. I picked up the smaller travel-size bottles as they were on offer when I was in Boots but larger sizes are available. They are pricey but mighty!

Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright Clarifying AHA BHA Body Wash

Bom Dia Bright is a newbie to the Sol de Janeiro range and is a clarifying Coconut based sulfate-free body wash that's packed full of fruit-derived AHAs, vegan Lactic Acid, and Salicyclic Acid. This combination packs a punch when it comes to gently exfoliating your body, visibly brightening and smoothing it. If you suffer from ingrown hairs, this is perfect as it'll get rid of any congested lumps and bumps. Bom Dia Bright is delicately scented with the sunny Cheirosa 40 fragrance which is wonderfully warm, energizing, and floral. Best used 2-3 times a week.

Sol de Janeiro Brazillian 4-Play Moisturising Shower Cream-Gel

If you love the scent of Sol's bestselling Brazillian Bum Bum Cream, then you'll automatically love this cheekily named Brazillian 4-Play Shower Cream as it has the same iconic fragrance with notes of Pistachio, Jasmine, and Salted Caramel. The product itself has an interesting shower cream-gel texture which lathers up beautifully and feels so silky and rich on the skin thanks to moisturising ingredients such Coconut Oil, Cupuaçu Butter, and Açaí Oil. 

Sol de Janeiro Coco Cabana Moisturising Body Cream-Cleanser

For an even more moisturising shower experience, dry skin will drink up the delectable Coco Cabana Moisturising Body Cream-Cleanser. Super luxurious and even richer in texture than the Brazillian 4-Play, Coco Cabana shares many of the same skin-friendly ingredients as the above but is enriched further with a unique CocoSugar blend of nourishing Coconut Oil and fermented Sugar that helps to draw more moisture to your skin. And the scent of course is coconut heaven! Think juicy, creamy young Coconuts mixed with tropical Orchids and toasted Praline; a pure sunny paradise fragrance.

Sol de Janeiro Body Washes come in various sizes with refills available for the bigger bottles. Travel sizes, 90ml, are around £10 each. Available from various stockists including Boots and Look Fantastic.

Which one sounds the best to you?

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In My Bathroom: Dr. Hauschka Rose Nurturing Bath Essence review

 

Bath like Cleopatra with Dr. Hauschka's luxury Rose Nurturing Bath Essence; a real bath-time treat for dry skin!  

You guys know how much I love Dr. Hauschka and I honestly feel like their bath and body products are just not spoken about enough, despite the fact that they have so many hidden gems (check out their Lemongrass Vitalising Body Milk in my recent Empties post). 

If you love luxury bath products as much as I do, this is the blog post for you!

What Is It?

Dr. Hauschka Rose Nurturing Bath Essence is a luxurious, ready-to-use bath milk that aims to calm and harmonise the mind and the senses with its natural Rose fragrance, whilst delicately softening the skin.

What's In It?

Key ingredients include Rose Essential Oil, Rose Petal Extract, Rose Flower Water, Jojoba Oil, and Almond Oil. There is some Alcohol and Parfum in this formula, however, they are from natural origin sources as all of Dr. Hausckha's products are 100% certified natural. Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. Free from synthetic ingredients, artificial fragrances, dyes, and preservatives. 

Who Is It For?

This bath essence is especially useful for those for have dry skin, though as always, if you have sensitive skin as well, be sure to do a patch test before using it in the bath.

How Do I Use It?

You can either pour a few capfuls under a running tap to infuse your bath, or simply drizzle some in. You know you've used enough when you can smell that beautiful rose scent which is a fragrance that quickly fills your whole bathroom.

Overall Thoughts

Dr. Hauschka's Rose Nurturing Bath Essence is one of those truly luxury bath time treats that you always want to have in your bathroom as soon as you try it for the first time. It's an easy product to fall in love with if you're a fellow rose fan, and this natural rose fragrance is just beautiful. It smells like freshly picked rose petals, rather than something powdery and old-fashioned that you might find in your grandmother's bathroom. Did I mention it makes your skin feel like silk afterward too? Add it to your Christmas wishlist now.

P.S - Please note this bottle is made from glass so be extra careful when using it in your bath.

Dr. Hauschka Rose Nurturing Bath Essence* (100ml, £19) available from various stockists including drhauschka.co.uk

Do you love rose scents?

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New In Beauty: Tisserand Nature Spa Range - Uplifting Mandarin & May Chang Hand Cream and Hand & Body Soap review

 

Earlier this year, Tisserand released their brand new Nature Spa Bath & Body Collection so if you're in the mood for some self-care pampering at home, this is the range for you!

For those who aren't familiar with Tisserand, they are one of the UK's leading natural wellbeing brands with a vast range of aromatherapy-based products. Based in the beautiful countryside of West Sussex, Tisserand has become hugely popular, and I just love exploring all of the different essential oil blends that they have to offer. 

The new Nature Spa Bath & Body Collection has something for everyone and I was very kindly sent a Hand & Body Soap and Hand Cream from my personal favourite fragrance; the Uplifting Mandarin & May Chang.

Starting with the Tisserand Uplifting Mandarin & May Chang Hand Cream* (75ml, £12, link), this hand cream is a real pleasure to use thanks to its silky texture that is easily absorbed without any hint of greasiness. Packed with moisturising natural ingredients such as Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Aloe Vera, and Vitamin E rich Sunflower Seed Oil, it delivers instant hydration to dry hands and is something that I like to keep on my bedside table to remind myself to apply before going to sleep. Come the morning, my hands are so smooth and soft!

Another must-have in this new range is the matching Tisserand Uplifting Mandarin & May Chang Hand & Body Soap* (100g, £6.50, link). It's the ideal addition to your bathroom sink and a super-easy way to help reduce the amount of plastic that you use as this solid soap is simply packaged in a neat cardboard box. Embossed with the Tisserand logo and bursting with that gorgeous uplifting Mandarin & May Chang fragrance, this soap is enriched with moisturising Coconut Oil and Shea Butter to keep hands soft and supple throughout the day.

Shop the full range at tisserand.com

Have you used any products from Tisserand before?

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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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Give Your Hands Some TLC - Balmonds Intensive Hand Cream & Skin Salvation Balm review #BetterWithBalmonds + 20% Reader Discount Code

Are your hands prone to dryness, eczema, or sensitivity? If the answer is yes to all or any of those, you must try the award-winning Balmonds Intensive Hand Cream.

I've suffered from eczema since I was a child, and whilst my skin condition is tolerable most of the time, there are specific times of the year when I tend to experience nasty flare-ups. The change of seasons is definitely a trigger for me as my skin severely dislikes the often rapid fall in temperature here in the UK when Winter is on its way, so I've been taking extra special care of my skin right now to manage it.

Luckily, there are a lot of natural and cruelty-free skincare helpers out there who can alleviate the worst symptoms of eczema, and one such English brand which truly excels in this area is Balmonds. They have made it their mission to help sensitive skin and common problems such as eczema and they have a wide range of natural and safe products available.

If you're new to the brand, I would start with these two below; the Intensive Hand Cream and the Skin Salvation Balm.

Balmonds Intensive Hand Cream* (50ml, £10.99, link)

Suitable for all skin types, this vegan-friendly Intensive Hand Cream is the perfect remedy for dry and irritated hands this Winter. The 99% natural formula is fragrance-free and manages to be light and non-greasy, yet feels incredibly nourishing at the same time. Perfect for the most sensitive of skin types, it uses natural ingredients such as Sea Buckthorn, Organic Hemp Oil, and Shea Butter to instantly soothe and moisturise. It's also so gentle and free from a long list of nasties that it's safe to use on babies from 6 weeks of age. 

Balmonds Skin Salvation Balm* (30ml, £7.99, link)

Skin Salvation is a pot of magic that everyone who has eczema should have in their skincare stash for those impromptu flareups. This 100% natural moisturising balm is a paraffin-free alternative to most eczema products you'll find in the chemist, and it's also free from synthetic additives, fragrances, and parabens. Highly emollient thanks to a blend of just eight carefully chosen natural ingredients like Beeswax, Safflower Seed Oil, and Hemp Seed Oil, Skin Salvation delivers results fast, helping to bring down inflammation and irritation quickly. Best of all, it can be used anywhere on the face and body, and a tiny amount goes a long way.

Shop the full range of Balmonds products at balmonds.co.uk and use the discount code BEAUTYWOLFGIRL for 20% off your next order

Do you have eczema?

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Introducing: Florena Fermented Skincare - Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream, Antioxidant Night Cream, Regenerating Facial Oil & Firming Face Mask review

Last month, I had the pleasure of being introduced to a new-to-me natural skincare brand called Florena. They specialise in vegan-friendly and sustainable skincare, with everything they produce being certified by COSMOS Natural. 

What really sets Florena apart from many similar brands is that they are the first company who are dedicated to the fermentation of flowers and oil - an intriguing area of protective and regenerative skincare that boasts many benefits for all skin types.

The fermentation process begins by carefully selecting plant-based oils and flowers to extract their key components and then natural fermenting agents are added. After fermenting for a period of time, the solution is filtered so that only the fermented actives are retained for their use in the skincare formulas.

I was kindly sent a package of Florena skincare to try out and all of the below are from their anti-aging range. For those who haven't come across Florena before, they are an affiliate of the German beauty giant Beiersdorf and are cruelty-free.

Florena Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream* (50ml, £24.99, link) & Antioxidant Night Cream* (50ml, £24.99, link)

If you only try one product from Florena, I'd recommend either their Day or Night Creams so let's start there! I've been most impressed by both of these. The Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream is a beautiful concoction that's made from 99.47% natural ingredients and enriched with fermented Honeysuckle, Hyaluronic Acid, and fermented Olive Oil. Due to the fermented Olive Oil content, this moisturiser boasts 50 times more Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acids than non-fermented Olive Oil so it's great for hydrating dry skin, smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and protecting against everyday free radical damage. I love the texture of this as it just sinks into the skin immediately, yet feels instantly nourishing and hydrating.

For your evening routine, the Antioxidant Night Cream is packed full of those essential Omega 6 and Omega 9 Fatty Acids, with Vitamin E and fermented Portulaca and Lactobacillus. It will give your skin a big drink of moisture to enjoy overnight, whilst boosting the level of antioxidants to repair and protect the skin's natural barrier against the elements. As you'd expect from a night cream, this is a little more richer and thicker than the Day Cream so a little goes a long way, but it absorbs easily without any greasiness. 

A note about the packaging: these moisturisers come in jars which are made from 97.5% recycled plastic and thus it's more lightweight to help reduce the CO2 impact and the amount of plastic needed overall. The content is still the same as a full-size 50ml moisturiser, it's just that the packaging is more compact. I thought I'd point this out as many customers on the Boots website appeared to be moaning about the jars being so small!

Florena Regenerating Facial Oil* (30ml, £24.99, link)

You guys know how much I love using facial oils so of course I was excited to try this out. Florena's Regenerating Facial Oil does not disappoint; it's a powerful elixir made from 100% natural ingredients that includes fermented White Helichrysum, Argan Oil, Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Passionfruit Seed Oil, and Safflower Oil. Like the moisturisers above, it's high in essential fatty acids Omega 6 and 9 to feed and nourish the skin, whilst the silky texture of the oil gives the skin an instant boost after a glorious pampering facial massage with it. This feels like a real treat for your skin!

Florena Firming Face Mask* (8ml, £5.99, link)

For a quick and easy skincare treatment, Florena's Face Masks get to work in just 5 minutes and there are currently two types available; a Hydrating and a Firming solution. Described as a weekly anti-ageing treatment, I tried the Firming Face Mask which has 99.47% natural ingredients and features fermented Honeysuckle and Hyaluronic Acid to deliver a firming, plumping, and revitalising result to tired, older skin in need of a pick-me-up. I thoroughly enjoyed using this cream mask, though my main criticism is that it comes in single-use packaging, when a much easier to recycle jar seems more appropriate these days. One to save for traveling perhaps?

Florena Fermented Skincare is available from Florena.co.uk

Have you tried fermented skincare before?

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Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - March 2021 review

 

If you love green beauty products as much as I do, you'll love the monthly beauty subscription box from LoveLula! Filled with a surprise selection of natural, organic and cruelty-free products, it's a great way to discover something new!

Here's what's inside the March LoveLula Beauty Box:-

Sukin Rehydrating Gel Cream (RRP £17.95)

Specially formulated for dehydrated skin types, this Rehydrating Gel Cream from Sukin has arrived at the perfect time this week for me to test out during this mini heatwave! I love the light texture which instantly sinks into the skin, so if you hate the feeling of heavy or greasy creams, this is a brilliant lighter alternative. Key ingredients include a Bio-Matine blend of Sea Algae with Hyaluronic Acid and Maize Complex to deeply hydrate and plump up dry and tired skin.

Giovanni Frizz Be Gone Hair Serum (RRP £7.99)

I don't know about you, but my hair needs all the help it can get when it comes to frizz - any kind of humidity causes it to look so messy so I'm thrilled to be able to try out the bestselling Giovanni Frizz Be Gone Hair Serum. As usual for serums of this nature, a few drops is all you need to make a difference and it does a great job of smoothing and adding beautiful shine.

Balmonds Skin Salvation (RRP £7.99)

Next up, I was also pleased to find this cute mini pot of Balmonds Skin Salvation which is a rich, oil-based balm/ointment that helps to lock in moisture. It can be used on any dry skin area that needs some extra TLC so give it a go on feet, hands, cuticles, rough elbows, chapped lips and more. It does contain beeswax though so it's not suitable for vegans, unfortunately.

Ayumi Neem & Tea Tree Face Mask (RRP £6.99)

If you're on a budget, Ayumi is a lovely affordable, green beauty brand to check out and this Neem & Tea Tree Face Mask is ideal for anyone who has oily skin that's prone to breakouts. It's an intensive treatment that deep cleans and refreshes the skin, removing all traces of dirt and impurities from pores for a smoother and clearer complexion. 

Madara City CC Cream SPF 15 (sample sachet)

The last product is a free sample sachet of the award-winning Madara City CC Cream SPF 15. With an innovative Hyaluronic Acid infused formula and an antioxidant blend anti-pollution blend, this CC Cream reduces the appearance of redness and dark spots and adds some sun protection with SPF 15.

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.

Have you subscribed to LoveLula's Beauty Box?

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Winter Skincare: Natura Siberica SOS Soothing Night Face Mask + Anti-Fatigue Eye Patch-Effect Mask review

Baby, it's cold outside! Whether it's currently snowing where you are, or an icy forecast is on its way to you soon, it's time to reach for those Winter Skincare staples to protect your skin against the freezing temperatures. Here are two mask-style treatments from Natura Siberica to add to your skincare routine this month.

When it comes to cold weather, it's always best to look towards those countries which handle it far better than we do here in the UK! So it's no surprise to learn that my inbox has been inundated with skincare brands that are based in the chilly Nordic countries as well as further east across the icy expanses of Siberia and beyond.

Focusing on the latter, I particularly love an affordable brand called Natura Siberica who ethically work with local tribes across Siberia to wild-harvest the most potent natural and organic ingredients for their products. These adaptogenic herbs and plants contain extraordinary antioxidant properties which help them to survive the freezing temperatures and harsh conditions of Siberia, and in turn, these offer many benefits to the skin to protect it from the same elements.

I've been trialling the following two mask treatments from Natura Siberica since December, and with the recent snowfall across England, it's been the perfect time to put them to the test!

Natura Siberica SOS Soothing Night Face Mask* (50ml, £10.49, link)

An award-winning face mask which was recently shortlisted in the ASOS 2020 Beauty Awards, Natura Siberica's SOS Soothing Night Face Mask is an overnight leave-on treatment mask that you can use once or twice a week whenever your skin is feeling dry, tight, stressed or sensitive. Simply apply to cleansed skin like a normal moisturiser and let it do its magic as you sleep! Key ingredients include everyone's favourite skin hydrator Hyaluronic Acid, as well as Vitamin E, Organic Siberian Pine Oil, Organic Rhodiola and Rose Hydrolate to quickly bring back life to tired, lacklustre complexions. Come the morning, my skin feels as soft as a baby's bum and I've noticed that I need to use far less face oil and moisturiser on the other days of the week following just one treatment with this.

Natura Siberica Anti-Fatigue Eye Patch-Effect Mask* (50ml, £11.49, link)

Give your eyes some TLC this winter with this ingenious Anti-Fatigue Eye Patch-Effect Mask. As the name suggests, this product works in a similar manner to those popular single-use undereye patches that you see all the time on Instagram, but without the plastic waste - win-win! Perfect for sensitive skin, it features many of the same hardworking plant-based actives as the SOS Soothing Night Face Mask, but in a lighter, gel-like texture instead. To use it, just apply a small amount in a thin layer under the eyes and leave on for 10-15 minutes, before gently wiping away with a warm flannel/cotton muslin cloth. It's great for reducing puffiness and relieving tired eyes so they feel soothed and more comfortable. I love it!

Have you tried anything from Natura Siberica?

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Sensitive Skincare: Odylique Lemon Butter Hand Smoothie and Honey & Oat Cleansing Bar review

If your hands are feeling worse for wear after all that hand sanitiser and extra hand washing, you need the Odylique Lemon Butter Hand Smoothie in your life ASAP.

English green beauty brand Odylique has been a favourite of mine for a long time - in fact, they were one of the very first British companies that I discovered when I was looking for natural skincare many years ago! Their Gentle Herb Shampoo is one of the best products that I've ever tried for a sensitive scalp and one that I regularly recommend to family and friends.

Based in Suffolk, Odylique's products are made from natural ingredients, most of which are also certified organic by the Soil Association, and everything is tested by human volunteers who have sensitive skin. This is a great brand for anyone who has dry, sensitive, eczema and psoriasis prone skin as there are no 'nasties' anywhere to be found here - everything is free common irritants and allergens. 

This month, I wanted to shine a spotlight on one of Odylique's hidden bestsellers, their Lemon Butter Hand Smoothie* (60ml, £12, link), a product that really should be raved about more often. This intensely rich and ultra-hydrating hand cream is made from 100% natural ingredients (93% of which are certified organic), and it has a beautiful buttery consistency thanks to lots of plant-based oils and butters such as Coconut Oil, Cocoa Bean Butter and cold-pressed Avocado and Sunflower Oils. 

Surprisingly though, this natural hand cream absorbs into the skin pretty quickly without any lasting greasiness and the moisturising effects are immediate. In addition to the oils and butters, there's Aloe Vera, Calendula and Sea Buckthorn which have been chosen for their healing, soothing and regenerative natural properties, whilst Vanilla, Geranium, Lemon and Lemongrass deliver a fresh and uplifting scent.

If you're struggling with dry hands this winter, Odylique's Lemon Butter Hand Smoothie is the intensive hand cream that you've been searching for and even better, they have 10% off this superstar on their website until the end of November so now's the perfect time to try it for yourselves!

On a side note, I wanted to quickly mention Odylique's Honey & Oat Cleansing Bar* (100g, £6.50, link) pictured in the background in my sustainable PoaPoa Coconut Soap Holder above. This is a very gentle moisturising and exfoliating soap and solid cleanser which you can use for face and body, and it works a treat for sensitive skin that seems to react to everything. Made from just saponified Extra Virgin Olive Oil, saponified Coconut Oil, Oats and Honey, it produces a light lather that leaves skin feeling soft and cared for.

Shop online at odylique.co.uk

Have you tried any products from Odylique?

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