Spring Beauty Edit | 5 Products To Take You Into Spring & Beyond

Let's face it, most of us don't need an excuse to have a little splurge and treat ourselves to some shiny new beauty products, but a new season is always a good excuse anyway! Believe it or not, there are practical elements to swapping out and adding in a few different products as well, as we (hopefully) move into the warmer and sunnier months ahead.

Here are five beauty products to take you into Spring and beyond.

Treat Your Skin To A Facial Massage | PMD Gua Sha RQ* (£32, link)

If you haven't tried Gua Sha yet, make Spring the time to give it a go! Gua Sha is the ancient traditional Chinese practice of using a tool, usually a shaped stone, to 'scrape' the skin or body to help stimulate new blood flow to the area, thus boosting cellular repair and collagen production. It may sound a little strange at first, but once you get the hang of it, you'll never want to stop doing it, and many people say it helps to lift the contours of the face so it's a good one to try if you want a more naturally sculpted look.

All you need to practice Gua Sha at home is your favourite facial oil and a tool such as the new PMD Gua Sha RQ. Start by adding a few drops of face oil to your skin to provide lubrication and then gently scrape the tool against your face in upward and outward sweeping motions, applying more pressure as you get used to it. There are loads of tutorials on YouTube to help you get started. I particularly like the PMD Gua Sha RQ as it's made from Rose Quartz and has five unique points, edges, and curves to really get a good deep massage into the skin. The rubberised grip in the center is also very well-thought-out to make the tool much easier to use so it's a great choice for beginners.

Swap Your Cleansing Balm For An Oil | Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Skin Renew Cleansing Oil* (100ml, £4.99, link)

As the season changes and especially as the weather starts to (slowly) warm-up, you may find that your skin becomes less dry and more oily. This is especially true if you have a combination skin type, and I can usually start to see and feel my complexion begin to change around this time of the year. If you've been using a thick cleansing balm over winter, why not try swapping it for a much lighter cleansing oil? Most skin types will enjoy the change and if you've always been concerned about using an oil-based product because your skin is oily, don't skip this; it's a common misconception and can actually improve your skin instead - win-win!

A fantastic budget-friendly option is Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Skin Renew Cleansing Oil which you can pick up on the high street from places such as Boots. This cruelty-free cleanser transforms from an oil into a lightweight milk once you add water, removing all traces of impurities and makeup along the way. The pro-collagen formula contains active Vitamin C to visibly brighten your complexion and the blend of Olive, Grapeseed, and Rosehip Oils ensures that skin is left nourished and not stripped.

Embrace The Relaxing Powers Of CBD Into Your Bathroom | KLORIS CBD Bath Block Melt in Recharge* (140g, £15, link)

These days you'll find CBD in virtually everything from skincare to health drinks, such are its revered natural abilities to help us stressed human beings relax and recover from our busy lives. It's no surprise then to see CBD popping up as a key ingredient in many luxury bath products and these Bath Block Melts from KLORIS are so popular that they frequently sell out as soon as a new fresh batch is released.

Substantially chunky just like a brick, these bad boys are like a supersized bath bomb and are available in a range of different blends such as Recharge, Revive, Relax and Restore. I've had the pleasure of trying all of them and if I had to pick a favourite, it would be the Recharge one. Infused with two of my all-time fave essential oils, Ylang Ylang and Patchouli, each block also contains a whopping 100mg of premium CBD oil and a super luxurious cocktail of Hemp Oil, Coconut Oil, and Cocoa Butter to soften your whole body. Add to a warm bath, watch it fizz, and indulge in some me-time for at least an hour for the full benefits. Pure bliss.

Swap Powder Blush For Cream | Fenty Beauty Freestyle Cheeks Out Cream Blush in Petal Poppin (3g, £21, link)

One of the easiest makeup swaps for Spring is to replace your powder blush with a cream one instead. Why? In bright sunlight, powder blush can look a little too harsh and even glowy ones can start to look a little cakey, whilst cream formulas tend to look much fresher and more youthful. I've always been one to steer mainly clear of cream blushers as most don't tend to last very long on my combination skin, however, after reading a string of positive reviews about the Fenty Beauty Freestyle Cheeks Out Cream Blushers, I felt compelled to pick one up to try out.

I opted for the shade Petal Poppin which is the most gorgeous medium pink shade with a warm undertone that I feel would work really well for a range of skin tones. I love everything about this blush. From the super cute compact to the ultra-lightweight cream formula that blends like a dream, you can't go wrong with the sheer buildable pop of colour that it offers. Non-sticky, non-greasy, and lasts on my skin a good 6-8 hours before a little touchup is required.

Discover A Fresh New Scent | Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 68 Perfume Mist (90ml, £22, link)

My fifth and final top pick for Spring is of course, a fresh new fragrance because who doesn't love changing up their perfume to fit with a new season?! You've no doubt seen this one all over social media so I'll keep this bit relatively short. Since reviewing Sol de Janeiro's Body Washes last month, several people on Instagram recommended their Perfume Mists to me so I obviously had to try one out. 

There are about five or six different fragrances to choose from and the one that I was attracted to the most was the Cheirosa 68 Perfume Mist which is popular as it has some strong Baccarat Rouge vibes (and I really don't hate that). It's a sweet and sexy floral fragrance that reminds me of sunny days with notes of Brazillian Jasmine, Hibiscus, Pink Dragonfruit, Lychee, and creamy Vanilla. 

What's on your Spring beauty shopping list?

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Health & Lifestyle: Heaven Skincare Collagen Drops review

 

Collagen supplements are big news in the beauty industry with many skincare gurus swearing by them for helping to keep their skin looking and feeling younger. One such brand which are creating a buzz are Heaven Skincare with their easy to use Collagen Drops.

Collagen is naturally found in large amounts in younger skin, but as we age, the amount that the body produces becomes less and less the older we get. This sucks because collagen helps to maintain the skin's elasticity so the less that you have, the more prone your skin is to sagging and showing those tell-tale signs of ageing. 

In addition to collagen, our skin cells also naturally produce Hyaluronic Acid; an ingredient I'm sure you're all aware of when it comes to skincare products. And yes, you've guessed it, Hyaluronic Acid also decreases as we get older.

The solution? Find a supplement that incorporates both Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid to help replace what we lose! This is where Heaven Skincare's Collagen Drops come in.

What's In Them?

Heaven Skincare's Collagen Drops are made up of six natural ingredients which are easily absorbed by the body. These are Marine Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid, Biotin, Glucosamine, Magnesium, and Vitamin C.

How To Use

Packaged in small, squeezable bottles, these Collagen Drops are super easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Simply add one or two drops to a glass of hot or cold drink, or add to food if you prefer. You can also apply one drop to your daily moisturiser, serum or facial oil, or massage it directly into the skin.

What Are The Skincare Benefits?

With regular usage, you should start to see a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, improved skin hydration and elasticity, stronger nails and healthier hair growth.

Are There Any Other Benefits?

Yes! In addition to the skincare benefits, you may also see other physical and mental benefits such as improved gut health, a reduction in joint pain and inflammation, a strengthened immune system, and improved sleep and memory to name but a few.

Heaven Skincare Collagen Drops* (3 x 10ml bottles, £37 for a two-week supply) is available from heavenskincare.com

Do you use collagen supplements?

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Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - February 2021 review

Treat yourself to a LoveLula Beauty Box subscription, and every month you'll receive a box full of natural, organic and cruelty-free products from a wide range of exciting brands. Curious to find out more? Here's what's inside this month's box.

Bass Brushes Bio-Flex Style & Detangle Brush (RRP £15.99)

Made with low carbon production, this clever patented Bass hairbrush has been created using sustainable materials so that it's kinder to the environment. The handle is crafted from Bio-Flex, a unique combination of corn, potato and cassava starch which is strong and durable, but when it comes to the end of its life, it will biodegrade into carbon dioxide and water making it an ideal fertilizer. The bristles are made from 100% wood pins which can withstand the heat of hairdryers, unlike nylon pins that melt over time, so this brush will offer excellent styling and detangling properties for a long time!

Sukin Natural Balance Shampoo & Conditioner Travel Duo

Free from sulphates, silicones and harsh chemicals, this haircare duo from Sukin promises to be gentle for your hair and scalp, and keeps everything nicely balanced for healthy-looking hair. I'm always interested in trying out new shampoos and conditioners as my hair is notoriously fussy, so I'm looking forward to testing these out shortly.

Woobamboo Toothbrush (RRP £4.99)

It's never been easier to swap your single-use plastic toothbrush for a more sustainable alternative thanks to brands such as Woobamboo. Made with natural and biodegradable, fast-growing bamboo, this toothbrush works as well as a mainstream toothbrush, just with 95% less plastic. LoveLula has also included a mini Bubble Berry Toothpaste that kids and adults can try out with it.

Naturtint Strengthening Shampoo & Conditioner Bar (RRP £12.99)

Finally, that last product in this month's LoveLula box is a zero-waste Shampoo & Conditioner Bar from Naturtint.  Each bar delivers around 75-90 washes which is the equivalent of three bottles of 300ml liquid shampoo so that's saving a lot of plastic waste in your bathroom! This solid strengthening formula is 99% natural and is perfect for weak and damaged hair types.

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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Health & Lifestyle: Bioglan Superfoods Digestive Boost review #GutHealth

 

A new release from Bioglan Superfoods, Digestive Boost is an easy to use daily supplement that you can use to boost your gut health, whilst also giving your immune system a helping hand.

Busy modern lifestyles, stress, a poor diet and a lack of exercise can all have a negative impact on your gut health, and as we learn more about our 'second brain', it becomes clearer that we need to look after our gut to benefit both our physical and mental health. 

Digestive supplements can be a useful addition, but if you're not a fan of swallowing capsules, why not try a powder product instead? 

What Is It?

Bioglan Superfoods Digestive Boost is a superfood powdered blend that's full of microbiome-friendly ingredients to benefit and support your gut health. Each 5g serving contains 500 million live cultures in addition to carefully selected plant-derived ingredients, which are each chosen for their unique health properties. It's also high in fibre, high in calcium and high in Vitamin B12 so it's especially useful for vegans as an alternative way for them to get that all-important B12 into their diet (each serving contains 400% NRV Vitamin B12 and 306% NRV Calcium).

What are the key ingredients?

Digestive Boost contains key ingredients of Inulin (a fibre found naturally in vegetables such as chicory), Psyllium Husk, Turmeric, Ginger, Dandelion Root, Nettle Leaf extract, a Multi-Enzyme blend, and added Calcium and Vitamin B12. Sweetener (in the form of Sucralose) and natural flavouring is also added to make it more palatable.

Who Can Use It?

Any adults who want to give their digestive and immune systems a boost can use it, but do check with your GP if you have any concerns that may need to be addressed. It's completely plant-based so it's suitable for vegans and there are none of the 14 common allergens in the blend.

How Do I Use It?

I found the Digestive Boost really easy to incorporate into my daily routine and the recommended serving is 5g per day - each pack contains 14 servings. Being a powdered blend means that you can easily add it to drinks such as juices and smoothies (I made a delicious Mango & Banana Smoothie above), or you can stir it into yoghurts and cereal. You can add it to basically anything that isn't hot as hot temperatures can destroy the enzymes in the blend. On the back of the packet is a recipe for No-Bake Vanilla Cookie Balls which I can't wait to try!  

What Does It Taste Like?

Although there's some natural Vanilla flavouring added to this product, I'd say that the flavour of Turmeric comes through the strongest, with more of a hint of sweet Vanilla following afterwards. You can't really taste it once it's blended into a juice or smoothie drink though.

Overall Thoughts

As mentioned earlier, looking after your digestive health is vitally important for your overall wellbeing and it's essential for both your physical and mental health so a supplement like this will certainly benefit many people, especially those who struggle to eat enough fibre which is most of us. Vegans will do well with this as it contains more than their daily requirements for both Calcium and Vitamin B12. The addition of antioxidants such as Turmeric, Ginger and Nettle help to support a healthy immune system which is also important as we head into the colder months. I enjoyed how easy it was to add to my breakfast routine too so it gets a thumbs up from me!

Bioglan Superfoods Digestive Boost* (70g - 14 servings, £12.99, link)

Do you take any digestive supplements?

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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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