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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Health & Lifestyle: Samaya Ayurvedic Skincare Supplements - Kapha Oily Skin review

Skincare specific supplements are a great way to give your skin all the right nutrients that it needs to look its best, and if you're looking for one that offers a more holistic approach for your complexion, health and overall wellbeing needs, look no further. This brand new release from the Ayurvedic skincare specialists SAMAYA will be right up your street!

What Is Ayurveda?
Many of you reading this may already be familiar with the concept of Ayurveda, but here's a quick and simple overview for any newbies. Ayurveda is one of the world's oldest and most interesting natural systems of medicine and it takes it names from two Sanskrit words; Ayur meaning 'life' and Veda meaning knowledge or science - so Ayurveda is basically the 'Knowledge or Science Of Life'.

Originating from India over 3,000 years ago, in Ayurveda, everything is linked together - the mind, the body, the spirit and the environment, and at its core is a lifestyle which helps to bring back and maintain balance to these key areas. To help you live your 'best life' and to keep everything in check, it's useful to know what your 'dosha' is.

Doshas

Your Dosha is made up of three energies which incorporate the five elements of life (earth, ether, air, fire and water) and these are called Pitta, Vata and Kapha. Each energy type is responsible for its own set of physical and emotional traits. The composition of these energies is unique to you so you may find that one is dominant or you may share most of your characteristics between two. Some people are also tri-doshic meaning that you have an equal share of all three energies. To find out more and to discover what your own dosha is, you can answer a short series of questions here.

Ayurvedic Supplements

There are many Ayurvedic supplements available which can support and balance your dosha in different areas, and I was pleased to discover that the British Ayurvedic natural skincare brand SAMAYA have recently launched a range of Ayurvedic skincare supplements. Their luxury, award-winning skincare has been featured many times on my blog in the past (read those reviews here), so these new supplements are a fantastic way to complement their skincare and boost your skincare routine from within. 

The Ingredients - What's In Them?

SAMAYA's supplements are available in the three main dosha types of Pitta, Kapha and Vata, so the ingredients are different in each one, but they are all made with 100% natural active ingredients. All capsules are cruelty-free, non-GM, non-irradiated and vegan-friendly, and there are no artificial fillers, binders, bulking agents or colours in them. The packaging is in frosted glass with a plastic lid and a cardboard outer tube.

I have been trying out the Kapha supplements which are made up of:-

Samayaplus™ – Proprietary Blend Of Turmeric, Triphala, Gotu Kola, Aloe Vera Concentrate 78mg | Ashwagandha Extract 67mg | Amla+ – Natural Vitamin C: Providing Vitamin C 40mg (50% EC NRV*) 80mg | Seaweed – Ascophyllum Nodosum: Providing Iodine 26mcg (17% EC NRV*) 37mg | Hyaluronic Acid 33mg | Triphala Extract 30mg | Vitamin E (Natural D-Alpha Tocopherol): Providing 10mg (83% EC NRV*) 10mg | Ginger Extract 7.5mg | Cinnamon Extract 7.5mg | Rosemary Extract 7.5mg | Green Tea Extract – 90% Polyphenols 7.5mg | Sage Extract 4mg | Aloe Vera Extract/Concentrate 4mg | Grape Seed Extract (Source Of Proanthocyanins) 4mg | Coq10 4mg | Alpha Lipoic Acid 4mg | Astaxanthin Extract 4mg | Capsule Shell: Vegetarian Cellulose.

What Do They Do?

The supplements have been formulated to help balance your dosha and this usually relates to your skin type as well - I would recommend checking out the 'find your dosha' link as mentioned above and seeing if they match up. My dosha is an almost equal composition of Pitta and Kapha, however, my skin definitely fits into the Kapha category more, so these supplements help to support and balance out oily skin types.

The Ayurvedic specific herbs such as Turmeric, Gotu Kola, Ginger, Ashwagandha and Triphala stimulate the Kapha metabolism, whilst balancing the extra sebum/oiliness in the skin. These work together with the more well known skin-boosting ingredients of Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Vitamin C and CoQ10 to promote healthy collagen production and repair tissue damage. In addition, the ingredients in these supplements also help to strengthen your overall immune system and combat tiredness and fatigue which is common amongst those with a Kapha dosha.

How Do I Take Them?

Simply swallow 1-2 capsules a day with a meal.

Overall thoughts?

SAMAYA's skincare supplements are ideal for anyone who is interested in a more holistic approach to their daily skincare routine, as we all know that good skin starts from within. They are, of course, not a substitute for a healthy diet and lifestyle, but I believe they can certainly bring many benefits to your complexion and overall health by providing it with essential vitamins and nutrients that it needs to look and feel its best as a useful daily supplement. The Ayurvedic specific herbs that are included provide an additional 'X-factor' level of protection and support which is warmly welcomed, and it gives them a USP against more generic supplements, so they are well worth considering if you want something different to try.

SAMAYA Kapha Supplements* (60 capsules, £39, link)

Are you interested in Ayurveda?

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Tried & Tested Skincare: 4 Products To Try This Winter From Samaya, Daytox, Weleda & Tropic

My social media feeds are currently full of Winter Skincare posts and I'm not surprised, as this time of the year can often wreak havoc with your complexion. Keep yours in check with these products from Samaya, Daytox, Weleda and Tropic which will help to smooth, hydrate, boost and clear up your skin.

Samaya Renewing Exfoliant in Kapha* (50ml, £59, link)

Fans of Ayurvedic skincare will adore this latest release from luxury eco brand Samaya. Available in three different formulas that are specially tailored to suit the main doshas of Vata, Kapha and Pitta, the new Renewing Exfoliant is a powerful all-natural exfoliant that quickly removes dull dead skin cells on the surface of the skin to reveal a clearer and brighter complexion. Packed full of Pineapple Enzymes, Avocado Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe, Jojoba, Vitamin E, and Ayurvedic herbs such as Amla, Gotu, Kola, Vetivert, Sandalwood, Turmeric, Neem and Ashwagandha, this 20-minute liquid exfoliant treatment is highly effective and gentle at the same time. It's also brilliant for unclogging pores and drawing out impurities, as well as helping other products to absorb into the skin better afterwards.

Daytox Volcanic Mud* (100ml, £20, link)

The ever-widening range of vegan-friendly beauty brands that are now available at Waitrose continues to impress me, and Daytox is one of my latest discoveries from them. Cruelty-free and formulated without parabens or silicones, the Volcanic Mud is a great 2-in-1 product for your bathroom as you can use it as a daily purifying cleanser, and as a weekly deep cleansing mask treatment. Featuring a base of Mineral Volcanic Mud, it also contains key ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Broccoli and Citrus extracts to protect against oxidative stress and free radicals, absorb excess sebum, banish blackheads, unclog pores and improve the overall texture of the skin. I prefer to use this as a quick 5 minute face mask as I have combination skin, but if yours is oilier, you could definitely try it as a cleanser as well to keep your skin looking clear without drying it out.

Weleda Evening Primrose Age Revitalising Concentrate* (30ml, £37.50, link)

Regular readers will know what I'm a big fan of Weleda's body care ranges, but I haven't properly explored much of their skincare. Their Evening Primrose Age Revitalising Concentrate arrived on my doorstep a few weeks ago, and although it's been technically made for skin that's more mature than mine, I was eager to try it out as a night treatment to give my tired complexion a bit of a boost, and it's certainly helped with that! Part of Weleda's popular Evening Primrose line, the Age Revitalising Concentrate targets fine lines and wrinkles, whilst increasing elasticity, intensely moisturising and firming the skin, and promoting a more even skin-tone, so it can definitely be used by most ages, especially anyone who's 30+. This concentrate is a beautiful 100% natural serum that's lightweight and smells fresh with subtle floral notes. It has organic Evening Primrose Oil which is rich in essential fatty acids to promote cell regeneration, and there's Aloe Vera, Witch Hazel, Centella Asiatica and Inca Nut Oil to further hydrate, soothe and boost collagen production. If your skin feels like it's lacking something this Winter and has lost its glow, give it a go!

Tropic Pure Lagoon Blemish Prevention Serum* (30ml, £42, link)

With the most indulgent time of the year just around the corner, you may find that your skin will throw a wobbly and break out with all the excess sugar and fat that's in all those tasty Christmas treats (I know my skin always does this, and judging by similar complaints from fellow bloggers on Instagram, I'm not alone!). Help is always available though and I've been enjoying using the new Pure Lagoon Blemish Prevention Serum from Tropic which not only deals with existing blemishes but helps to keep your skin from erupting in the first place.

It's very different from a lot of similar products that I've tried in the past as it's not drying at all, and instead focuses on the skin's health by treating the bacteria that causes spots with a specialised formula of Bioflavonoids, Prebiotics, Hyaluronic Acid, Watermelon Fruit Extract, Zinc PCA, Vitamin B3 and PHAs. These are combined with Blue Spirulina and Malachite Crystal Extract which are known for their powerful anti-inflammatory properties and they also give the serum its beautiful natural blue colour!  I love the super lightweight texture of this serum because it feels like water on the skin, and so far the results have been very promising as my complexion looks much clearer, and my pores appear smaller since using it. 

What skincare products are you enjoy using at the moment?

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May Empties: Products I've Used Up

Another month is rapidly drawing to a close, so you know what that means - it's Empties time! I've managed to finish off a lot of products that I've had on the go for a while, plus a decent amount of travel sizes as my samples stash was getting a bit out of hand!

Samaya Kapha Anti-Ageing Cream* 

I thoroughly enjoyed using this daily anti-ageing moisturiser and my skin loved it just as much. Beautiful texture and perfect for morning use. Repurchase? I've been lucky to be gifted two of these in the past, but sadly it's way out of my budget to buy myself.

DHC Beauty Lift Eye Care Essence Roll On*

I've been using this on and off for the past couple of months and sometimes I love it, and other times I'll just reach for another product. I think the main reason is because it's such a light essence, it's not always hydrating enough for my undereye area, but I do like the cooling roll-on applicator. Repurchase?  Probably not.

Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment

This is my favourite mask from Glamglow, but I've never purchased a full-size tub because I seem to have accumulated lots of these travel sizes from various GWPs and beauty boxes! It's a brilliant treatment for congested skin and really does draw everything out. Repurchase? Already have a bunch of these minis!

Naobay Calming Face Toner*

It takes me ages to get through toner and I've had this one from Naobay on the go for such a long time. It's a gentle soothing toner which is perfect for when my skin is feeling more sensitive than usual, but I generally prefer toners in spray bottles to be honest. Repurchase? No.

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Lotion*

Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm obsessed with the scent of Weleda's Pomegranate range and their Body Lotion formulas are just amazing. They sink in quickly and provide a lot of hydration. Repurchase? Yes, will definitely pick up a full-size at some point.

Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm*

I often seem to have one of these in my stash somewhere and these huge pots always last me several months! A brilliant cleansing balm that removes all makeup and daily grime, as well as being lovely to use as a second cleanse product. Repurchase? Yes. 

Westlab Detoxing Salt Body Scrub* 

Another product that's taken me ages to use up is this body scrub from Westlab - the tub is huge! I loved using this before applying fake tan because it always makes my skin so much smoother afterwards. Repurchase? Currently using up their Reviving Salt Body Scrub at the mo. 

Melvita L'Or Bio Huille Extraordinaire 

Multi-purpose oils are something that I like to carry in my travel bag and Melvita's L'Or Bio Huille Extraordinaire is a firm favourite. You can use it on the face body and hair, and it smells absolutely delicious. Repurchase? Yes.  

Weleda Lavender Creamy Body Wash*

I highly recommend Welda's Creamy Body Washes for anyone who has dry skin and doesn't have time to apply moisturiser after a shower - these work a treat! The Lavender scent is lovely to use in the evenings to help you relax. Repurchase? Yes.

Epic Blend More Moisture Lip Balm in Grape*

These Epic Blend lip balms really do live up to their name and this one definitely saved my lips during those chilly Beast From The East storms! The grape flavour is super yummy too. Repurchase? Will do once I've made a dent in my existing lip balm stash.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster

I've gone through a couple of these travel-size serums in the past (again, they seem to be a regular in GWPs and beauty boxes) and I really like it. Certainly helps to brighten up a dull complexion thanks to the Vitamin C based formula. Repurchase? Already have some more minis in my samples stash.

Dr Organic Virgin Olive Oil Hand & Nail Cream

This was OK but nothing amazing - I ended up mainly using it up as a foot cream. Repurchase? No.

Evolve Organic Beauty Superfood Shine Shampoo
This was OK, but I felt it was maybe better suited to a different hair type to mine as it left my hair a little frizzier than usual afterwards. I also tested out the matching conditioner but hated that one - it just wasn't moisturising enough for my dry ends. Repurchase? No.

Madara SOS Hydra Repair Intensive Serum*

I loved using this serum during those freezing months a while back, and I've finally just finished it up as I've been alternating it with a few others in my routine. It's definitely more of a cold weather essential for me, but if you have dry or dehydrated skin, you'll love it all year round I'm sure. Repurchase? Will do around Winter time.

Which beauty products have you used up this month?

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January Empties: Products I've Used Up

This month, for the first time ever, I've managed to use up just skincare products, how strange is that?! Here are my January Empties and my thoughts about whether I'll be repurchasing any of these again in the future.

Evolve Organic Beauty Daily Defence Moisture Mist* (reviewed here)

Hydrating mists are a firm staple in my skincare routine and I absolutely loved this one from Evolve. It contains the likes of Hyaluronic Acid and Moringa Peptides which help to lock in moisture and protect the skin from the elements, including everyday pollution. Loved using it in the mornings and whenever I needed a quick refresh. Repurchase? Definitely.

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant (reviewed here)

I've gone through a couple of bottles of this over the years and it still works very well for me. It's basically a liquid exfoliating toner/treatment that helps to shift dull dead skin cells for a brighter and more even complexion. Similar to PIXI Glow Tonic, but uses Salicylic Acid instead of Glycolic. Repurchase? Yes.

Antipodes Hosanna H20 Intensive Skin-Plumping Serum* (reviewed here)

If you have oily or combination skin and are struggling to find an oil-free hydrating serum, I highly recommend picking up this one from Antipodes. Hosanna H20 is one of my favourite products to add to my Winter skincare routine every year, as it makes a massive difference to my skin, yet absorbs quickly and feels super lightweight. Love it! Repurchase? Yes.

Temple Spa Trufflesque Ultra Hydration & Radiance Masque* (reviewed here)

Although I enjoyed using this face mask, I've come to the conclusion that it's incredibly expensive for what it is, and that I have lots of other hydrating/radiance masks in my skincare stash that I love a lot more. If you have the cash to splash that's great, but personally, I'd say save your pennies and buy something cheaper that does the job just as well, if not better. Repurchase? No.

Samaya Anti-Ageing Treatment Oil Kapha* (reviewed here)

One product that I feel is worth the money, but is still very pricey, is this beautiful face oil from the Ayurvedic skincare brand, Samaya. I almost cried when I finished this! It's my second bottle and this stuff literally makes my skin look so beautiful and glowy whenever I use it. I did find it a little heavy to use during the Summer months though, so it's definitely more of an Autumn/Winter treat. Repurchase? Sadly out of my price bracket at the moment!

White Rabbit Chamomile & Carrot Seed Eye Cream

A lot of people have recommended White Rabbit to me, so I decided to purchase this eye cream a couple of months ago to try out. It's very hydrating which is perfect for my dry under eyes and I mainly used it in my nighttime routine for this purpose, but I felt like it didn't do anything else for me. Repurchase? Probably not.

Living Nature Firming Eye Cream* (reviewed here)

This eye cream, on the other hand, gave me a lot more bang for my buck as it hydrates and does an excellent job of firming everything up, plus it perfectly smoothes out any fine lines and wrinkles. I think this is my second tube and I'll be sure to cut it open tonight to get the last bit out! Repurchase? Yes. 

Which beauty products have you used up this month?

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Luxury Green Beauty: SAMAYA Kapha Hydrating Cleanser & Anti-Ageing Cream review

Late last year I raved about a wonderful facial oil that featured in my October Favourites from a luxury natural brand called SAMAYA. To trial more of a complete skincare routine from them, I decided to try out the cleanser and moisturiser from the same range, which I've been using for just over five weeks now.

SAMAYA are a skincare brand who are all about products that create the right balance for your skin, and your overall health and wellbeing. Their all-natural formulas are based upon Ayurvedic principles, which use specially selected herbs and natural ingredients to balance your 'dosha'. There's a huge amount of literature available online that goes into more detail about Ayurveda and Doshas, but this video on Youtube here, sums up the very basics about the different Dosha types in relation to your body and personality traits. With regards to matching this up with how it can help you to understand your skin type, you can take a little quiz on SAMAYA's website to find out your Dosha here.

Mine has been identified as 'Kapha' and this was a perfect match as it covers skin types which are oily/combination, and that have a tendency to get clogged pores/breakouts when their skin and health is out of balance. As I mentioned earlier, I've been currently using SAMAYA's Kapha Anti-Ageing Treatment Oil with good results, so I was curious to try out the matching cleanser and moisturiser.

SAMAYA Kapha Hydrating Cleanser* (100ml, £69, link)

SAMAYA's packaging is beautifully luxe, with its simple and elegantly clean and crisp, white frosted glass bottles, and I'm pleased to say that the contents are just as beautiful. I've been using the Hydrating Cleanser in the mornings, and it has a wonderful silky texture that's easy to massage into the skin. There's a whole range of natural ingredients included, ranging from the well known such as Aloe Vera (antibacterial, soothing), Sandalwood (astringent, antimicrobial) and Frankincense Oils (purifying), to more exotic herbs like Ashwagandha Root (known as Indian Ginseng) and Gotu Kola Oil (anti-flammatory). Each ingredient adds its own benefit to the cleanser, which leaves my skin feeling thoroughly clean and refreshed, but without being tight or stripped afterwards. I've also used on occasion in the evenings, and it will happily remove the majority of my makeup in one sweep with a muslin cloth or flannel. Though I do feel it's just too nice to use as a makeup remover alone, so it's definitely more of a morning luxury for me.

SAMAYA Kapha Anti-Ageing Cream* (50ml, £89, link)

The matching face moisturiser features a lot of the same ingredients that form the core of this Kapha range, and it shares the same natural scent which is fresh, herbal and quite earthy. The moisturiser has a lovely consistency that absorbs easily into the skin, and it instantly smoothes and hydrates like a dream - great for using in the morning before applying makeup. It is very moisturising though, so a little definitely goes a long way. I think this may be too heavy for me to use during the Summer months, but during this cold wintry weather, my skin has been lapping it up!

Summary: If you've got the cash to splash and you're into Ayurvedic skincare, I have no doubt that you'll love SAMAYA's products, and will find them a worthy investment to your skincare routine. 

Do you use any Ayurvedic products?

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October Favourites

Skincare and makeup have been two passions of mine for such a long time now, but I still get excited like a little kid on Christmas day, when I discover new products to fall in love with. This small, tried and tested handful are my October Beauty Favourites.

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