Showing posts with label essence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label essence. Show all posts

5 Products To Try This Month #JanuaryEdit

Friday, 6 January 2023

 5 Products To Try This Month #JanuaryEdit

Want to add some new products to your daily routine, but don't know where to start? My January Edit is here to help! From a 100% natural multi-purpose balm to eco-friendly biodegradable face sponges, here are 5 products to try this month.

Dr. Pawpaw Shea Butter Balm review
1 - Dr. Pawpaw Shea Butter Balm* (from £3.95, link)

I'm never far away from a high-quality multi-purpose balm and you'll always find one (or two) in every handbag, desk drawer, and suitcase. A must-have for all those tricky dry skin areas like lips, cuticles, heels, elbows, etc, I'm a huge fan of Dr. Pawpaw Shea Butter Balm which is 100% natural, vegan-friendly, and fragrance-free so can be used by pretty much everyone. 

Apply a tiny amount as and when needed to areas that need some extra TLC and don't forget that this can also be used to soothe sensitive irritated skin, insect bites, and minor abrasions. You can pick up travel-size tubes for under £4 from places like Superdrug, or stock up on a bigger tube for the whole family.

Nourish London Ceramide Moisture Boost Essence review
2 - Nourish London Ceramide Moisture Boost Essence* (100ml, £25, link)

Released towards the end of last year, I've been enjoying using this newbie from one of my favourite British natural skincare brands, Nourish London. Their Ceramide Moisture Boost Essence is a lightweight, but ultra-hydrating essence that's suitable for all skin types to use. Packed full of ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, Trehalose, Kale Sprout Extract, and Probiotic Minerals, the essence rapidly absorbs into the skin, feeding it with nutrients and delivering an essential boost of moisture. The end result is beautifully plumped up, nourished, and happy skin!

If you're wondering how to add an essence to your evening skincare routine, I apply a few drops onto my fingertips and massage it into my skin after cleansing and toning. Let it absorb for about 5 minutes or so, then I'll follow up with my regular serum and moisturiser/facial oil.

Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial Oil review
3 - Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial Oil* (30ml, £39, link)

With its ability to increase moisture levels and improve elasticity whilst boosting radiance and balancing the skin, it's no wonder that Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial Oil is a bestseller! I absolutely adore the blend of natural plant oils such as Sweet Almond Oil, Blackcurrant Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, and Camelina Sativa Seed Oil that work so well for my skin, and this multi-rich complex is the perfect partner for evening facial massages. 

As with all facial oils, a little goes a long way and you only need to use 2-3 drops each time. It makes my skin feel much smoother and adds a protective layer that strengthens the skin's natural barrier as you sleep. Brilliant stuff indeed, plus it smells lovely.

One Pure World LUFO Eco Face Sponge Kit review
4 - One Pure World LUFO Eco Face Sponge Kit* (Kickstarter campaign link)

If one of your New Year resolutions is to make 2023 the year that you make more eco-friendly consumer decisions, a great place to start is at One Pure World. The online retailer not only stocks a range of zero-waste everyday products but has also launched a Kickstarter campaign for their LUFO Face Sponges which has already raised €10,218! I was very kindly sent one of these brand new LUFO Eco Face Sponge Kits to help raise awareness of their campaign which you can directly support by clicking the link above. 

The LUFO Sponge is made from 100% biodegradable and compostable compressed cellulose (wood pulp) which expands like magic when you add water to it. Before that, they look like thin discs as you can see above which makes them ideal for traveling with. This kit contains the classic LUFO Sponge with the black sponges; the latter are infused with Activated Charcoal for a really deep cleanse that helps to unclog pores and remove impurities from the skin. Also in the kit is a sponge-drying tray which is made from Diatomite (fossilized algae) - this natural material instantly absorbs water and dries the sponge between uses - pretty neat, huh?

These sponges are a great way to say goodbye to single-use plastic products and are so soft to use every day with your favourite cleanser for a little natural exfoliation.

Fushi Gurmar Leaf Supplements review
5 - Fushi Gurmar Leaf Supplements* (60 capsules, £10, link)

My last pick for January are Fushi Gurmar Leaf Supplements and I highly recommend these if you are looking to cut down on your sugar intake. Gurmar Leaf is a natural extract that's well known in Ayurvedic medicine and is nicknamed 'the sugar destroyer'. It's been traditionally used for centuries to help people deal with their sugar cravings and each capsule features 340mg of 100% pure Gurmar Leaf. As they're from Fushi, these are high-quality, all-natural supplements that are certified organic by the Soil Association, are free from any nasties, and come packaged in a glass bottle.

What are your top products for January?

High End Beauty: DHC Beauty Lift Lotion, Essence and Milk review

Sunday, 10 April 2016

 DHC Beauty Lift range review
As I'm getting closer to 30 than I am 20, I'm starting to look for skincare that may help to delay the signs of aging and give my skin more of a hydration boost in the evenings. One of Japan's much-loved luxury skincare brands, DHC, has a Beauty Lift range which may tick most of the right boxes.

New In: 4 Brand New Skincare Products To Try Out from Dermalogica, B., Masque Bar & REN

Sunday, 13 March 2016

4 Brand New Beauty Products To Try Out from Dermalogica, B., Masque Bar & REN
Is your skincare routine in need of a Spring shake-up? I've been testing out these four new releases from the likes of Dermalogica, B., Masque Bar & REN over the past month, so here are my thoughts on them!

5 Popular German Beauty Brands

Wednesday, 19 December 2012


Since getting back from Frankfurt, I've been chatting to a few of you about European beauty brands, discussing what you look out for when you go abroad and which products you pick up that you can't readily get hold of here in the UK.  I love discovering foreign brands, so I thought I'd compile a quick 'top five' of the best beauty brands that you should look out for when you visit Germany.  Where possible, I've also listed where you can get these brands in the UK too, but given the exchange rate, if you're visiting Germany anyway, it's probably going to be much cheaper to buy them there!


1. ARTDECO

ARTDECO is a very popular high-end cosmetics brand in Germany and is described as the country's No.1.  It had huge displays in every department store that I visited in Frankfurt and is often available in higher end pharmacies as well.  ARTDECO are well known for their 'beauty boxes' which are essentially make up your own palettes, and you'll often see women with one of these in their hands at the display stands as they pour over the shade selections.  A beauty box is basically a sleek empty magnetic palette available in various sizes, which you can then customise with your own choice of eyeshadows and blushers.  As you can see from the first photo above, there's an enormous range to choose from!  

Aside from the beauty boxes, when I spoke to one of ARTDECO's make-up artists she said that the recent Dita Von Teese collection was also selling well, particularly the lipsticks .  Prices for ARTDECO's products generally start from around £5-6 for an eyeshadow refill and go up to around £30-35 for a liquid foundation.

Available in the UK?  Yes, you can purchase ARTDECO online via Debenhams, Beautybay & Tender Loving Skincare. 


2. SANS SOUCIS

SANS SOUCIS is a German natural brand which uses thermal spring water from Baden-Baden (the much loved and revered spa town in Baden-Württemberg) in its products.  It uses this unique selling point to mainly promote its range of botanical and mineral rich skincare line, but has also branched out into offering high quality natural cosmetics (as pictured).  Prices are mid-high, but there are often good special offers on new products.

Available in the UK?  I can't find anywhere that stocks SANS SOUCIS over here.  If you know anywhere, please comment below and I'll add it to this post.


 3. WELEDA

Oh Weleda!  If you've been following my blog for a while, you'll know that I absolutely love Weleda.  This Swiss/German hybrid of a brand is incredibly well known amongst fellow natural/green beauty lovers because Weleda have such a strong ethos about their products being natural and never being tested on animals.  Their simple yet effective products come in many forms, with several ranges being available to suit everyone's tastes, and they stock everything related to bath, body, skin and haircare.  I'm a big fan of their cult multi-purpose cream Skin Food and their Pomegranate range.  Prices are mostly around the mid-high range mark, with skincare being on the higher end.

Available in the UK?  Yes, Weleda are available in larger Boots and health food stores, as well as online (Feel Unique, Naturisimo, LoveLula etc).


4. DR. HAUSCHKA

I always like to think of Dr. Hauschka as a natural version of Clinique or Estee Lauder; their displays are very similar and I often find their sales assistants to have the same kind of mannerisms too oddly enough!  Dr. Hauschka pride themselves on creating natural and sustainably sourced products that work wonders on the skin and its these ethics (and products that deliver real results) which has seen Dr. Hauschka become a firm favourite of royalty and many celebrities.  Primarily known for their skincare and luxury bath products, they also have a make-up range which I really want to try out.

Dr. Hauschka's quality doesn't come cheap; prices start from around £10 for a body wash to around £60-65 for skincare treatments.  That said, I always find that the SAs are more than happy to give you free samples of products to try if you ask nicely, and many of their skincare products are available to purchase as handy travel sizes.

Available in the UK?  Yes, you buy Dr. Hauschka from John Lewis, Debenhams and Harvey Nichols to name a few, as well as the usual online sites like Feel Unique, and Beautybay etc.


5.  LAVERA

Lavera are quite similar to Weleda, but better suited to those on a budget, with most things being very purse friendly typical high-street prices.  They stock a fantastic range of great quality toiletries, so it's a good place to start if you happen to lose your luggage on the way to Germany!  You'll find everything here from skincare, bodycare, haircare and all the things in between.  Like Weleda, most of their products are set out in ranges, so you have their Basis sensitive range where I'd recommend their amazing All Round Cream, and then their Honey range, Rose range and so on. 

They also have a good range of make-up which is well worth looking into as well.   The prices for Lavera were significantly cheaper in Germany than in the UK, so I stocked up a couple of bits!

Available in the UK?  Yes, some larger health food stores like Holland and Barrett stock it, as well as online via Pravera, Naturisimo and Cult Beauty.

I also want to give a quick mention to the budget make-up brand, Essence, who have a fab range of nail polishes for less than 2euros a piece!


Do you love any of these German beauty brands?
Have you ever visited Germany / would you like to?

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TOP 5: Xmas Party Glitter Nail Polishes

Friday, 14 December 2012

From L-R: OPI - Teenage Dream (NOTD), Essence - Disco Disco (NOTD), Barry M - 150 Red Glitter, China Glaze - Luxe And Lush (NOTD) and Revlon - Facets Of Fuchsia (NOTD).

What are your favourite glitter nail polishes?

P.S: The winner of my German beauty giveaway is Daniella!  Congrats!

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NOTD: Essence - Circus Confetti & Urban Decay - Perversion

Friday, 16 November 2012


This has been one of my favourite combos to wear on my nails recently: black (or almost black shades) with chunky multi-coloured glitter!  Here I'm wearing Essence's Circus Confetti over Urban Decay's Perversion.  The confetti glitter needs a good top coat to smooth out the bumpiness, but that's to be expected with glitter particles this big.  If glitter on all nails isn't your thing, just give it a go and do an accent nail instead.  Happy Friday!

What are you wearing on your nails this weekend?

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August Favourites

Saturday, 1 September 2012


I know I must say this every month, but doesn't the time just fly by these days?  Can't believe it's September today!  Here are my favourites for August which are split into skincare and make-up sections below.

NOTD: Nails Inc Power Pink & Essence Disco Disco

Tuesday, 21 August 2012


I'm feeling super girly today and decided to wear this combo of barbie pink and silver glitter.  The Nails Inc Pink Power polish was an InStyle mag freebie a few months ago and the glitter is called Disco Disco from Essence's range of Special Effect Toppers.

What are you wearing on your nails today?

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