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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In My Bathroom: Absolute Aromas Soothe & Detox Epsom Salts + Lemon Myrtle Natural Room Spray review

 

Enjoying a long soak in the bath at the end of a busy week is one of life's small pleasures. The ritual of locking the door, turning on the tap, lighting a candle, and choosing to use one of your favourite bath products is something that I find so wonderfully relaxing.

As a beauty blogger, I'm utterly privileged and spoilt to be able to pick and choose from an array of bath oils, salts, bubble bars and all sorts of magical potions to help me unwind, but I often come back time and time again to bath salts, and in particular, Epsom Salts.

I've written about Epsom Salts many times in the past as I love they're naturally rich in Magnesium which is an essential mineral that many of us are deficient in. Luckily, you can boost your magnesium intake easily by adding a handful or two of Epsom Salts to your bath as your body readily absorbs them through your skin. The health benefits are well worth it too as Magnesium can help to relieve all manner of aches and pains, as well as anxiety and fatigue.

Needless to say, I have generally have a lot of Epsom Salts in my beauty stash and I love these two from Absolute Aromas. As one of the UK's leading aromatherapy brands, they certainly know a thing or two when it comes to creating some blissful bath salts and all of their products are 100% natural, cruelty-free and free from parabens and sulphates.

Absolute Aromas Soothe Epsom Salts* (1kg, £9)

Epsom Salts are often sold in big bags which makes them more affordable and Absolute Aromas have 1kg bags for a bargain £9! You can choose from a range of different blends and I personally love this one called Soothe which features essential oils of Tangerine, Petitgrain and Neroli. As the name suggests, it really does help to soothe not only your mind, but also your skin, drawing out toxins and relaxing the nervous system. 

To get the best results, I'd recommend using around a quarter of the bag per bath and pouring it under running water so that it dissolves easily. Deeply breathe in that lovely essential oil blend and let all your worries disappear for at least an hour. Heaven!

Absolute Aromas Detox Epsom Salts* (300g, £4.50)

If you haven't tried Epsom Salts before or simply don't know which blend to opt for, I would suggest trying out some of the smaller tubs from Absolute Aromas so you can try the different ones that they make. These come in 300g tubs for £4.50 and are available across their range. 

I was curious to see what the Detox Epsom Salts were like as the essential oil blend that's used for these is quite an interesting mix as it features Grapefruit, Juniper, Geranium, Palmarosa, Cedarwood, and Vitamin E. It's a gorgeous uplifting natural fragrance that invigorates the senses and would be suited for those who enjoy a morning bath at the weekend. I really enjoyed this blend and would certainly be adding the full-size bag to my next order.

Absolute Aromas Lemon Myrtle Natural Room Spray* (30ml, £5)

There's a lot more to Absolute Aromas than just bath salts and a quick browse on their website will reveal a huge range of spa and massage products, skincare, aromatherapy oils, and much more! For some reason their Natural Room Sprays were calling to me so I tried out a mini bottle of their Lemon Myrtle blend which is incredibly zesty and uplifting - it instantly puts me in a good mood whenever I use it for a quick spritz around the bathroom!

Shop the full range at absolute-aromas.com

Have you tried anything from Absolute Aromas?

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October Empties: Products I've Used Up

 

Better late than never as always! Here are my recent beauty Empties; all the products that I've managed to use up last month - do you spot any of your own faves in this round-up?

Ben & Anna Natural Deodorant in Persian Lime* (reviewed here)

Featured in my Plastic Free July post earlier this year, I've thoroughly enjoyed using this zesty and uplifting natural deodorant in Persian Lime from Ben & Anna. It kept me smelling lovely and fresh all day long and comes packaged in a recyclable card tube. Repurchase? Yes.

Dr. Konopka's Multi Purpose Cream* (reviewed here)

I've used up a couple of these over the years and still love it - a gentle but effective cream that you can use everywhere and anywhere to instantly soothe, soften, and moisturise dry skin. Particularly useful for hands and feet, and has a fruity pleasant fragrance. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some similar products first.

Antipodes Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream* (reviewed here)

One of my favourite new skincare releases of 2021, this night cream is perfect for virtually all skin types and has a beautiful light gel-cream texture that sinks in straight away. Packed full of probiotics and Hyaluronic Acid to nourish without any greasy/sticky feeling afterwards. Repurchase? Definitely.

Hurraw! Pitta Lip Balm* (reviewed here)

I discovered this in a LoveLula Beauty Box, and despite having used many Hurraw! Lip Balms in the past, I wasn't previously aware of their Ayurvedic inspired range. Pitta is a mix of Coconut, Mint and Lemongrass so it's a good one to try for Summer as it's cooling and refreshing. Repurchase? I have a million lip balms to use up but I'm sure I will come back to this range at some point!

Dafna's Purify Cleanser* (reviewed here)

Another skincare favourite that I've used on/off over the years is Dafna's amazing Purify Cleanser. If my skin is feeling oily and congested, this is the cleanser that I'll often reach for to help balance it out. It's quite pricey but luckily a little goes a long way. Repurchase? Will do next Summer.

Mádara Hyaluronic Collagen Booster Ampoules* (reviewed here)

Every now and then, my skin goes through a really rough dry patch which is usually linked to the change of season so I like to add a course of these booster ampoules into my evening routine. They specifically target dryness and irritation and they get to work instantly so you'll see results immediately - ideal if you have a big event coming up. Repurchase? I'm torn about whether I should repurchase these because they're single-use plastic, but they work SO well and I only use a pack once or twice a year. I'll have to think about it!

Isla Apothecary Renewing Foot Treatment*

My last empty is a luxury treat for your feet from Isla Apothecary. This is a proper pampering product that's made from a blend of Epsom Salts, Coconut Oil and the most gorgeous selection of uplifting essential oils. Amazing for restoring tired feet and perfect for a little 'me time' at the end of a busy week. Repurchase? On my Christmas list ;)

What beauty products have you finished up lately?

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Introducing: Moor Spa Skincare - Hydrating Serum, Nourishing Facial Oil & Kelp Enzyme Mask review

Moor Spa are a natural Canadian skincare brand who I was introduced to at the end of last year by the wonderful team who run the CertClean Beauty Awards. 

Unlike some green beauty brands which can be 90 or 95% natural, Moor Spa prides itself on only creating products that are made from 100% naturally derived ingredients which makes them an attractive brand, not just for skincare obsessed consumers like you or I, but also for spa destinations around the world. This strong commitment to natural formulas means that their products are happily free from the likes of synthetic preservatives, parabens, sulfates, artificial colours, synthetic fragrances and petroleum-derived chemicals, such as PEG, propylene glycol and mineral oil.

In addition, Moor Spa is certified cruelty-free by the Leaping Bunny programme and has been certified by CertClean, leading certification for safer skincare. Based in Vancouver, BC, this intriguing Canadian brand is also looking into ways to transform their packaging by sourcing biodegradable alternatives, so with all this in mind, you can see why I was excited to try out some of their bestsellers!

I've been trialling the following three products for the past month or so which has served as an excellent introduction to Moor Spa.

Moor Spa Hydrating Serum* (30ml, link)

A high-quality hydrating serum is an absolute must during the Winter months and the recent cold snap in the UK has provided an optimal time to put this serum through its paces! Featuring natural actives such as Marine Phytoplankton, Hyaluronic Acid, Kelp Extract, Vitamin C and Ectoin, this hard-working serum does a fantastic job of moisturising, protecting and nourishing the skin and I've found that it works well underneath any brand of moisturiser or facial oil to sandwich all that hydrating goodness in. Skin feels much less dry and more plumped up. I imagine all skin types will enjoy using it.

Moor Spa Nourishing Facial Oil* (30ml, link)

100% natural face oils are relatively easy to find in the green beauty world, however, the formula is truly what makes the vital difference here and I tend to use facial oils that are composed of a variety of plant oils, rather than just one singular ingredient. This perhaps explains why I love this Nourishing Facial Oil so much as it has a seriously hydrating INCI that boasts Rosehip Oil, Kukui Oil and Argan Oil, all of which are rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to feed the skin exactly that it needs. It also contains Vitamin E and is delicately scented with a hint of Rose Otto Essential Oil for a truly relaxing experience - very 'spa' indeed!

Moor Spa Kelp Enzyme Mask* (80ml, link)

No spa brand bestsellers feature would be complete with mentioning at least one face mask and it's clear to see why Moor Spa's Kelp Enzyme Mask is so popular with its client base. This exfoliating treatment is packed full of mineral-rich fossilized Sea Kelp enzyme which is made up of 70% calcium in a bio-available format and has an incredible profile that includes over 70 trace minerals such as Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Manganese, Selenium, Phosphorous and Iodine. It has a fresh and clean scent, and a thick layer applied to a clean face and neck allows the mask to get to work in just 10-15 minutes. As it dries, it has a tightening feeling similar to a clay treatment, and after rinsing with warm water, my skin looked instantly clearer and felt much smoother.

Discover the full range at moorspa.com and oshadhi.co.uk

Are you missing Spa Days?

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How To Create A Luxury Spa Experience At Home With Rabot 1745 Beauty #StayHome

Your favourite spa is currently closed but don't worry, it's super easy to recreate a luxury spa experience at home with Rabot 1745 Beauty!

Love at first 'smell' is how I would sum up my recent introduction to Rabot 1745 Beauty. This new-to-me brand is based here in the UK, but is influenced by the sunny Caribbean island of St Lucia where its star ingredient, Cacao, has been farmed since 1745 on their very own Rabot Estate (hence the name!). You'll find cacao at the centre of Rabot 1745's range of products which include skincare, body care, candles, fragrances and more, and given my love for all things remotely chocolate-related, I jumped at the opportunity to try out some of their luxe pampering treats. 

Everything is cruelty-free, paraben-free, and suitable for vegetarians (with many products also vegan-friendly), and I'm impressed with the company's ethics regarding their recycling investment with Plastic Energy. Plus, Rabot 1745 are currently helping the NHS with the #RabotHelpingHands initiative that includes donating hand creams and hand gels to frontline NHS workers which is fantastic to see.

Moving onto the products themselves, here are three easy steps to creating some much-needed personal relaxation time in your bathroom.

Start With Clean Hands

The importance of clean hands has never been clearer and I find that washing your hands thoroughly before a pampering session helps your mind to reset itself, as you shift your focus to the more blissful task of unwinding and closing the door to the outside world. The Cacao & Aloe Hand Wash* is a vegan-friendly cleanser that utilises the natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of Aloe Vera, alongside Cacao Seed Butter to keep hands soft and supple. 

Available to purchase alone or as part of a bundle with their brilliant Cacao & Coconut Hand Cream* - with each Helping Hand Duo bought, Rabot 1745 will donate a 60ml bottle of their brand new Hand Gel to the NHS so it's a good time to stock up (buy yours here). 

Prep With A Body Scrub

One of Rabot 1745's bestsellers are their amazing Body Scrubs which all come packaged in a reusable coffee cup - how awesome is that?! I decided to try the Sugar & Sour Orange Body Scrub* (280ml, £16, link) which has an instantly uplifting citrusy scent that's wonderfully awakening and summery. Made from a blend of plant-based oils such as Sweet Almond, Shea, Argan and Jojoba Seed with pure Sugar and lots of citrus essential oils, this easy-to-use scrub buffs away dull, dead skin cells for a smoother and softer result all-over.

Pamper Yourself In Liquid Chocolate

Body masks are often the pièce de résistance of many a luxury spa experience and the Liquid Chocolate Body Mask* (200ml, £14.95, link) is one of the most indulgent treatments I've ever had the pleasure of testing out at home. This utterly delectable creation does indeed smell like the richest chocolate on earth, and with skin-friendly ingredients such as Kaolin Clay, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Seed Butter and Sweet Almond Oil, it's easy to see why I'm such a fan. 

Smooth it all over, relax for around 10 minutes or so until it feels dry, resist the temptation to lick it off (seriously, it smells so good you'll want to eat it!), and instead rinse with warm water. It'll leave your skin feeling velvety soft and looking glowy and gorgeous - what more could you ask for?!

Shop the full range at rabot1745beauty.com

Are you a fan of chocolate and cacao beauty products?

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Mid-Week Pamper Treats: SenSpa One Minute Radiance Mask & Pure Luxe Serum In Oil review

Happy humpday! If you're looking for some budget-friendly skincare pampering treats from a luxury spa brand, this is the post for you. 

Last month I was introduced to SenSpa who run a luxury Thai-inspired spa based at Careys Manor in the beautiful New Forest. Spa days are simply little pieces of heaven on earth, but if you're pressed for time or watching the pennies, don't worry. You can recreate a spa experience at home using SenSpa's own range of products and best of all, they're affordable and cruelty-free. Everything is also free from parabens, sulphates, petrochemicals and animal ingredients, and all the products are made here in the UK.

I've been testing out these two skincare treats from SenSpa for the past month to give you a taster of what they have to offer.

SenSpa One Minute Radiance Mask* (100ml, £9.99, link)

The name of this face mask immediately jumped out at me when I first saw it - I mean who doesn't want radiant skin in just a minute?! This award-winning (it won a Natural Health Beauty Award last year) exfoliating mask is a real treat for anyone who's short on time. Made with a special 'triple action' formula, it utilises five main herbal extracts (Bilberry, Sugar Cane extract, Sugar Maple, Orange and Lemon) to effectively cleanse, exfoliate and revitalise the skin. 

This mask is a fantastic one to reach for when your skin is looking dull and feeling congested as it helps to unclog blocked pores and clear up the complexion. It's a manual exfoliating mask so there are tiny 'scrubby bits' in the creamy base, but they exfoliate the skin gently and don't feel harsh at all. Although you can leave the mask on for just a minute, I've been finding it much more effective leaving it on for at least five so that all the ingredients can work their magic for a little longer which gives me super smooth results!

SenSpa Pure Luxe Serum In Oil* (30ml, £14.99, link)

Serums are by far one of the most expensive skincare products that you can purchase, and it's hard to find affordable ones that work as well as higher end equivalents. This one however, exceeded all of my expectations and performs on a similar level to serums which I've used that are three times as expensive. Like the Radiance Mask, this formula is also 97% natural, and it's rich in Peptides, Amino Acids and Green Microalgae to deliver a real natural radiance and lifting boost to the skin. 

The texture feels like a normal serum but is really more of a serum/oil hybrid (similar to Caudalie Premier Cru Elixir which I love). It's lightweight and easily absorbed with no greasiness or sticky feeling afterwards, and makes my skin look healthier and brighter. It doesn't tackle fine lines as well as the Caudalie Premier Cru Elixir but for a mere third of the price, it's a worthy budget friendly alternative to check out.

Available from Waitrose and direct from senspa.co.uk

Have you tried anything from SenSpa?

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Mid-Week Pamper Treat: Temple Spa Trufflesque Ultra Hydration & Radiance Masque review

This week's Pamper Treat is a seriously luxe affair as it features a high-end face mask that contains truffles, champagne, silk and gold - intrigued? I've been testing out Temple Spa's Trufflesque Ultra Hydration & Radiance Masque for the past month to see if it's really worth the hype.

What is it and what does it claim to do?

The Trufflesque Masque is the latest addition to Temple Spa's award-winning, anti-aging Premium Truffle Skincare Collection. As the luxury spa brand is based around pampering and spoiling yourself, it made perfect sense for them to release a face mask into this range, and I was eager to try it out as I've seen a couple of raves from other bloggers who love Temple Spa's Truffle products.

Trufflesque promises "to help create an appearance of instant youthfulness, with plumper and more lifted skin that's super hydrated and silky smooth". It contains some interesting key ingredients such as:-

• Black Truffles (a natural antioxidant to brighten skin tone)
• Champagne Extract (gently exfoliates and regenerates)
• Syn-col (a trademarked complex of collagen boosting peptides to treat fine lines and wrinkles)
• Micronised Precious Gems (diamonds, rose quartz and sapphires to illuminate)
• Gold & Silk Actives (to fight free radicals and protect against skin stress)
• Happybelle-PE (a trademarked endorphin complex which gives a 'good news' glow to the skin)
• Kombucha (enhances skin smoothness and radiance)
• Strawberry Fruit Extract (tones and purifies)

The masque is an amazing gold colour, and it's insanely shimmery! I had a closer look at the ingredients and found that it contains a lot of Mica (it's fifth on the list) which explains all this bling. It's also heavily fragranced (again Parfum is about half way up in the ingredients) with a classic spa-like scent, so it's not something that I would recommend to those who have sensitive skin as this may be too much for you. Do a patch test first if you fancy trying it.

How do I use it?

After cleansing, simply apply a generous layer over your face and neck (avoiding the eye area). The masque comes with a little brush which works brilliantly as you can just 'paint' it directly onto your face, without getting it all over your hands - it's quite difficult to spread evenly if you try to use your fingers. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes, and then massage it in. Temple Spa have a dedicated Facial Ritual online which you can watch here for guidance on how to use it. After that's done, you can leave it on for another 2-3 minutes before removing it was a warm face flannel or muslin cloth. Recommended to use as a weekly treatment.

What does it feel like on?

At first, there was a slight cooling effect, but this quickly disappeared after a minute or so. From the anti-aging/lifting claims for the masque, I was expecting it to feel like it would tighten at some point, however it didn't. It felt sticky to the touch and didn't fully set towards the end of the application time, which made removing it a little messy. 

Results and overall thoughts?

When I removed the Trufflesque Masque with a warm flannel, I saw a slight difference in how much brighter my skin looked, but no real changes in how firm or lifted it was overall. However, the biggest positive difference for me was in hydration and smoothness - my skin was left feeling incredibly soft and smooth like silk, and it was also thoroughly hydrated and plumped up.

Due to the pricetag, this is the kind of face mask that I'd tend to reserve for special occasions only, but it's a lovely, luxury, pampering hydration skin treat to use during the cold winter months, and it helps to re-balance and restore the skin's moisture levels within a mere 20 minutes. I'm not sure that I would repurchase it for myself, but it's something that I'd love to receive as a gift if you know what I mean?!

Temple Spa Trufflesque Ultra Hydration & Radiance Masque* (75ml, £50) is available from Harrods and online from templespa.com

Have you tried any Temple Spa products?

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