New In Beauty: B'KATE Pro Powder Brow Pencil & Brow Oil Roll On review

 

All about those brows! B'KATE are the new kids on the block, having recently launched into the UK. This female-founded Dutch brand is cruelty-free, vegan and gluten-free, and promises high-performance cosmetics that provide exceptional results.

Founded by Marlies Gregorius, who is an International Brow Artist in the makeup industry, B'KATE stands for confidence, ambition, growth, authenticity, and possibilities, and is a brilliant example of a brand that's designed by women, for women.

I'm not overly obsessive about my brows, but I do like them to look defined and groomed as it helps to frame my face well. Like many millennials, I've experimented with a vast number of different brow products in search of 'the one', and I've discovered several that I really like, including these two newbies from B'KATE.

B'KATE Pro Powder Brow Pencil in Tatum* (£14)

Available in three natural-looking shades, the bestseller from this range is the Pro Powder Brow Pencil. This easy-to-use pencil combines all of the elements of a soft powder into something more solid that allows you to effortlessly fill in your brows and shade them exactly as you wish. You can also use it to create an on-trend ombre brow and the in-built spoolie at the end helps to blend everything perfectly. I absolutely love the shade Tatum which is a dark brown that isn't too dark if you catch my drift, and it compliments my dark brown hair colour in just the right way. 

B'KATE Brow Oil Roll On* (£6.95)

If you want thicker-looking brows, this Brow Oil Roll-On will quickly become your new BFF. Made from 100% pure and natural Castor Oil, this wonderful soothing and hydrating oil has anti-inflammatory and nourishing properties to encourage healthy hair growth. It's free from colourants and preservatives and comes packaged in a handy glass rollerball. Using it couldn't be simpler; just roll it over your brows (or dab it onto any gaps in your brows where you want new growth), and let the oil work its magic. Best results are seen when you use this daily - I like to apply it before going to bed and you should start to see some noticeable differences after 4-6 weeks.

Shop the full range of B'KATE brow products at everlastingatelier.com

What are your favourite brow essentials?

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Summer Skincare: Nourish London Summer Sun Kit review

 

Nourish London's brand new Summer Sun Kit is here to help you stay safe in the sun during your weekends away and holidays this year, plus it has some soothing skincare treats for all your after-sun needs.

For those who haven't heard of Nourish London before (and where have you been?!), they are an award-winning, high-end British natural and organic skincare brand. Holding independent certifications from the Soil Association, COSMOS Natural, the Vegan Society, and the Cruelty Free International (leaping bunny), Nourish is a well-loved and trusted brand within the green beauty and wider skincare community. 

I've been a fan of the brand for many years and you can check out lots of my previous reviews and features on their products here.

To celebrate summer, they have released a brand new Summer Sun Kit which comprises of three travel-sized skincare essentials, all packaged in an ethically made Freeset black drawstring bag. All products are 100% vegan, made with certified natural organic ingredients, alcohol-free and cruelty-free.

Nourish London Skin Protecting Daily Moisturiser SPF 25 (15ml)

The star of the Summer Sun Kit is the Skin Protecting Daily Moisturiser SPF 25. Not only does it protect against both harmful UVA and UVB rays thanks to its non-nano mineral sun filter zinc oxide content, but it also protects against everyday environmental pollution and is packed full of skin-friendly antioxidants. Best of all, it doesn't feel like a traditional thick sunscreen; instead, it has a much lighter and easily absorbed texture and delivers more of a fresh matte finish which I love.  I reviewed the full size earlier in the year when this product first launched which you can read here.

Nourish London Argan Skin Rescue (5ml)

The ideal multi-tasker that can be used all year round, Argan Skin Rescue can be used morning and night to prep and protect your skin against the elements. Just a few drops are all you need to thoroughly hydrate your complexion thanks to its formula of natural plant-based moisturizing oils and Vitamin C. I sometimes apply a little bit to extra dry skin areas like my nails and cuticles for a hydrating top up before bed and it works a treat!

Nourish London Probiotic Multi-Mineral Repair Mask (5ml)

I actually have the full size of this Probiotic Multi-Mineral Repair Mask currently in my skincare stash, and I tend to use it once or twice a month. It has an interesting composition of probiotic minerals such as Magnesium, Zinc, Copper, and Iron, that feed essential nutrients to your skin and repair damage for smoother, younger-looking skin. Suitable for all skin types, this facial treatment has a creamy wash-off formula enriched with soothing Damask Rose and Lavender to boost collagen, reduce redness and maintain healthy skin elasticity. 

Nourish London Summer Skin Kit* retails for £15 from nourishskinrange.com

What's on your summer skincare wishlist?

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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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Currently Loving: Nourish London Soothing Muscle Bath & Shower, Complete Me Charge Up Supplements & PMD Kiss

 

November has been a month of personal highs and lows, but focussing on the positives, I've been enjoying some lovely new releases from the likes of Nourish London, Complete Me, and PMD. Let's jump straight to it, shall we?

Nourish London Soothing Muscle Bath & Shower* (300ml, £16, link)

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that I've been pretty ill for most of November thanks to a combination of flu which then developed into pneumonia. Let me tell you, having pneumonia is NOT fun! My whole body has been aching all over so it's been the ideal time to test out this newbie from Nourish London which launched last month - talk about a silver lining, eh?

Their new Soothing Muscle Bath & Shower has been a godsend for my weary muscles thanks to a revitalising formula of Epsom Salts, extracts of warming Turmeric and Ginger, and specially selected essential oils such as Lavender, Lemon, Pine, and Juniper. I'm not exaggerating when I describe this product as heavenly because it does such a great job of making you feel relaxed and renewed. As the name suggests, you can use this in both the bath and the shower, but I strongly recommend the bath for the best spa-like experience. Perfect for the end of a busy week or after doing sports. 

It's cruelty-free, 100% natural, SLS-free and vegan-friendly, plus the recyclable bottle is made from 100% recycled plastic.

Complete Me Charge Up Energising Supplements* (30 capsules, £19.99, link)

Having been impressed with Complete Me's Sleeping Beauty blend last month (reviewed here), I was excited to try more from the brand and after such a long period of illness, the Charge Up supplements were definitely calling my name!

If you've been feeling run down and tired, these are for you. Each capsule contains 200mg of Vitamin C, 5mg of Thiamine (B1), 5mg of Riboflavin (B2), 5mg of Niacin, 200mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid, and 50mg of CoEnzyme Q10. Designed to give you an all-natural boost when you require it the most, the combination of the key vitamins C, B2, and B3 work together to help you combat tiredness and fatigue, whilst B1 supports and regulates healthy energy levels. The addition of antioxidants ALA and CoEnzyme Q10 further support a healthy metabolism and help the body to turn enzymes into energy.

These are vegan-friendly, gluten-free, non-GMO, and free from artificial colours and preservatives.

PMD Kiss Anti-Aging Lip Enhancing Treatment* (£129, link)

Lastly, I wanted to feature the latest release from PMD who has just brought out some new additions to their bestselling PMD Kiss System just in time for the upcoming festive season. Now available in soft blush pink (as pictured above) and teal green shades, the PMD Kiss is a smart anti-aging lip enhancing and plumping device that uses a pain-free and non-invasive form of pulsating vacuum technology to create the appearance of fuller and smoother lips.

I've found this is quite different from other similar products that I've trialed in the past as it also helps to smooth out lip lines and wrinkles, hence the anti-aging tagline, so if these have always bothered you, definitely give this a try as it's much safer than using injectables. Each kit comes with a specially formulated lip serum, lip sheet masks, a USB charging cord, and a one-year warranty.

Do you have any beauty favourites to share?

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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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New In Beauty: Nourish London 100% Natural Essential Oil Blends - Full Range Review

 

As many of you know, I'm a huge fan of aromatherapy so I was delighted to discover this brand new range of Essential Oil Blends from Nourish London.

This new range has been created by the renowned organic skincare expert, Dr. Pauline Hili, who has over 30 years of experience within the industry including being the founder of Nourish London and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

“Scent is one of the most powerful triggers of emotions. Having spent most of my career working with essential oils and seeing their benefits in wellbeing, I am delighted to be launching this carefully blended range of oils to enhance and support daily life. We hope these expertly created blends sourced from some of the best suppliers of essential oils in the world will make your days happier and lighter.” - Dr. Pauline Hili

I have always found aromatherapy to be a beneficial way to naturally boost my mood, and with so many different essential oils out there to discover, it's fantastic that consumers have an easy way to find what they need through this carefully curated new range.

There are four Essential Oil Blends to explore, all of which are made from just 100% natural essential oils. Like everything else made by Nourish London, these are also certified vegan and cruelty-free as you can see below.

Let's take a closer look at each blend, shall we?

Calm

A soothing blend to help calm and relax, this one is compromised of nine essential oils including Lavender, Geranium, Rose, Bergamot, and Frankincense. Calm has a classic relaxing scent that's quite heavy on the Lavender which I personally love, but there are enough other notes coming through to help it stand out amongst similar products of this nature.

Sleep

If you struggle to sleep like I do, I highly recommend incorporating some specially formulated products like this into your bedtime routine as I do find them very helpful when you're trying to get a restful night. Eleven different essential oils have been carefully chosen for this Sleep blend so you'll find the likes of Lavender, Frankincense, Chamomile, Neroli, and Petitgrain. Very relaxing with a more herbal and earthy fragrance, accentuated with light floral notes.

Energy

An uplifting blend to help energise and recharge, Energy boasts nine different essential oils such as Bergamot, Orange, Neroli, and Grapefruit for a really invigorating and awakening fragrance that's fresh, warm and summery. I love using this first thing in the morning to set me up for the day!

Focus

Developed to help focus and sharpen the mind, Focus is the essential oil blend for anyone who struggles to find motivation and inspiration at work or study during busy or stressful days. It's made with a stimulating blend of ten essential oils and includes Lavender, Frankincense, Peppermint, Ylang Ylang, and Eucalyptus.  A lovely fresh and herbal scent.

How To Use

There are a number of ways that you can use these Essential Oil Blends every single day to boost your mood, so I'd recommend trying out a couple of different methods to find what works best for you. You can add a few drops directly to a diffuser or oil burner to fragrance a room, or add 3-4 drops to a warm bath to enjoy some me-time. Alternatively, you can try adding a few drops to a base/carrier oil to create a bespoke massage/body treatment, or for a more intense aromatherapy experience, add a couple of drops to a bowl of hot water, place a towel over your head and breathe in deeply for 5-10 minutes.

Nourish London Essential Oil Blends* (10ml, £17 each) are available from nourishskinrange.com

Are you a fan of aromatherapy?

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Getting Ready for Spring with Typology Tinted Serums - Review & Swatches

 

Spring may be a couple of weeks away at the moment, but I cannot wait for the warmer weather, longer days and this miserable lockdown to finally lift! Spring is also a great time to experiment with some lighter bases for your makeup and these Typology Tinted Serums will be demanding a place on your vanity table.

I'll have to admit that I haven't been wearing much makeup at all recently, which probably explains why this particular review is so long overdue. I received these Tinted Serums from the Parisian luxury brand Typology late last year, and it's only been in the last couple of weeks that I've felt the desire to pick them up (lockdown has not been kind to the state of my mental health). 

Thankfully, this extended period of time has allowed me to properly play around with these serums and they really are pretty special indeed!

These cruelty-free, vegan-friendly Tinted Serums are made from 99% naturally derived ingredients and are enriched with plant-based actives such as Vitamin C, Squalane and Aloe Vera to care for your skin and protect it against the elements. Think of them like 'makeup with skincare benefits', rather than just a stand-alone makeup base and they are free from a long list of common nasties and irritants such as fragrance, silicones, parabens and nanoparticles. 

Packaged in sleek square glass bottles, they feature a very long dropper applicator as shown above which I have a bit of a love/hate relationship as sometimes it dispenses just the right amount and sometimes it can get a little stuck and nothing comes out - argh! You definitely need to give these Tinted Serums a good shake as instructed!

Available in just six shades which are based on the Fitzpatrick Phototype Scale, Typology promise that there's a shade to match every skin tone and they can be mixed & matched to create the perfect bespoke colour. Usually, I would raise my eyebrows at such a tiny shade range, however, as they are tinted formulas, I believe there is some truth in the matter here as they do blend effortlessly into the skin.

As the name suggests, these serums are ultra-light, adaptable and feel like water, just like a regular serum. The concentration of pigment is higher than I initially imagined so you can use more product for a little more coverage if required, but they won't, of course, cover blemishes or facial marks so you'll still need a concealer for those.

I have tried the shades 3 (bottom swatch) and 4 (top swatch), and 3 is definitely more of Spring/Summer shade for my Olive skin tone. I would wear 4 in the height of Summer when I'm at my most (fake) tanned, and the finish of these is truly beautiful with a radiant glow.

It's worth noting that if you find that you're between shades, you can purchase the second Tinted Serum for half price which allows you to mix two shades together for less - thank you Typology!

At the end of the day, take it all off with these lovely Reusable Makeup Remover Pads* (£15.80 for a pack of 8 pads in a canvas bag) which are made from sustainable bamboo fibres. They are super soft and high-quality, and you just pop them into the washing machine after each use - easy and eco-friendly!

Typology Tinted Serums* (£24.80, 30ml each) are available from typology.com

Are you a fan of light makeup bases?

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The Treat For Your Home: La Montaña Scents Of Spain Home Fragrance Discovery Set review + Exclusive Reader Discount Code!

We may not be able to enjoy a holiday in Spain right now, but you can transform your home and any room's atmosphere with this innovative Scents Of Spain Home Fragrance Discovery Set from La Montaña.

If you're a fan of luxury candles and unique scents, you may already be familiar with the high-end brand La Montaña. I was first introduced to them back in 2015 (they were featured in one of my Christmas Gift Guides) and loved their Spanish inspired scents. It's been a pleasure to see the brand grow over the years and they're now stocked on Net-a-Porter which is a huge achievement - well done guys!

Last month, I received an email from La Montaña inviting me to review their latest release, an exciting new range of Home Fragrances. A few days later, their beautifully presented Scents Of Spain Home Fragrance Discovery Set arrives through the letterbox and I couldn't wait to start spritzing them around the house.

The set consists of 9 x 2.5ml Home Fragrance samples, packaged neatly in a card wallet, each with a description of its unique scent. These incredible luxury room mists have been created using sustainable, plant-derived and biodegradable ingredients to ensure a low carbon footprint, and most importantly for home fragrance products, they are non-toxic to humans and the environment.

Inside the wallet, you'll also find a set of mini blotter strips to test out the sprays with, or simply mist a few pumps into any room, wait a few seconds and then step into the fragrance to fully experience and appreciate it. The concept behind the Discovery Set is to allow customers to find their new favourite fragrances and then they can be repurchased as candles or reed diffusers.

So which ones are my personal favourites? They are all beautifully interesting fragrances so it was difficult to choose. Winter Oranges immediately jumped out at me as it's a lovely uplifting and juicy scent of Oranges, Cinnamon and Cloves so it's perfect for this time of the year. I also love Cloudburst which evokes a fresh and clean scent of a mountainside after rain, and Fig Grove is another gorgeous fragrance of Fig Trees and Jasmine. You can't beat Siesta though which is the perfect calming balance of Lavender, Juniper and Thyme - I may need to order this one as a candle ASAP!

La Montaña Scents Of Spain Home Fragrance Discovery Set* (£25) is available from Lamontana.co.uk

Exclusive reader discount code! Use beautywolfgirl at the checkout to get the set for just £5!

Do you love home fragrances?

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