New in Skincare: Aveda Botanical Kinetics Intense Hydrating Masque, Toning Mist & Radiant Skin Refiner

Aveda's hugely popular Botanical Kinetics skincare range has now been extended to include a full core essentials collection which contains several cleansers, toners, treatment lotions, exfoliators, eye creme, moisturisers and face masks. Phew - that's a lot of products!

If you're new to Botanicals Kinetics, it's one of Aveda's skincare lines which has been formulated on the basis of using key botanical extracts that have been proven in in-vitro TEEP (trans-epidermal electrical potential) testing to help increase the skin's natural cellular energy - think of it as a serious boost for your skin! This boost helps to support several key skin benefits such as hydration, so it's a range to definitely look into it if your skin feels like it needs something extra in the moisturising, balancing and replenishing departments.

With this recent extension, Aveda have really got everything covered to meet all of your skincare needs, so I thought I'd share with you all my top three favourite products from the Botanical Kinetics range to give you a taster of what's available.

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Intense Hydrating Masque* (125ml, £28.50, link)

There's nothing better than drinking a cold glass of water on a hot summer's day, and this Intense Hydrating Masque feels just like that, but for your skin. Being in the sun all day can really suck the moisture out of your skin, leaving it feeling dry, dehydrated and tight, so this oil-free face masque is a true summer skin saviour! It contains a blend of potent, plant-derived humectants which rapidly increase the skin's hydration levels by helping to lock all that moisture in. There's also Aloe, Kelp, Lavender and Rosewater in this light gel formula to soothe and rehydrate, plus this masque feels wonderfully cooling when you apply it. Just leave it on for 5-10 minutes, rinse off and enjoy soft, happy and moisturised skin! Suitable for all skin types.

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist* (150ml, £18, link)

A revitalising toning mist is an essential in my bag during the summer months, and this one is especially beneficial for normal and oily skin types. It contains White Oak, Witch Hazel and Peppermint which helps to tone and balance oilier skin thanks to their naturally mild astringent properties, and this toning mist is also great for giving the skin a boost of hydration whilst you're out and about which helps to keep sebum levels in check. Best of all though, it feels so nice and refreshing - perfect to take with you in the car, to the beach, anywhere really!

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Radiant Skin Refiner* (100ml, £32, link)

At the end of a long day, my skin can feel pretty grimy and congested in this heat, and all I want to do is wash my face straight away when I get home. If your skin feels the same, give this Radiant Skin Refiner a go. After removing any makeup and sunscreen with your regular cleanser, this clay-based manual exfoliator will gently get rid of any extra dirt and impurities, as well as dull dead skin cells, leaving your complexion feeling smooth, refreshed, decongested, and looking much clearer and brighter. Use it no more than twice a week to see the best results so this huge tube will last you for months.

Have you tried anything from Aveda's Botanical Kinetics skincare range?

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Project Pan #3: 6 Months' Worth of Makeup Empties

Project Pans are a fun way to use up products in your makeup stash, and they've become a popular hashtag across social media as beauty junkies from around the world share their makeup empties with each other. 

I don't know why, but it's strangely satisfying to finish off a beauty product like a face cream or a body lotion, and it's even more satisfying to finish off a makeup product, simply because they seem to last forever! My monthly Empties posts on here are some of my most popular and most read posts, so I've been starting to collect my makeup empties too and putting them in these 6 monthly Project Pan posts (you can check out my previous Project Pan posts here and here). 

The general idea behind a Project Pan is to select a bunch of makeup that you want to 'hit pan on' or use up within a certain time frame, but it's pretty flexible and you can set your own rules and goals. As I managed to finish off 20 products last time, I set my goal for 20 again this time around, but I fell a little short at 15! Nevertheless, I'm still very happy with what I did use up as it's cleared out some much-needed space in my makeup collection which is always a good thing.

So then! Here's a rundown of everything that I used up makeup-wise in the past six months, and whether I would repurchase them again or not.

Foundations, Primers & Face Products

• INIKA Mineral Foundation in 04 Nurture - Unsurprisingly, I only managed to use up one foundation as I have quite a lot that I rotate between which means that I never seem to fully finish off any! However, INIKA's Mineral Foundation is by far the one that I use the most as it gives such a beautiful, natural looking finish to the skin and this shade Nurture is a perfect match for me. I've been using this foundation for years and have gone through a good number of them over that time. I don't think I'll ever be without it now. Repurchase? Already have! 

• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - I have oily lids so an eyeshadow primer is a must for stopping shadows from creasing or fading on me. UDPP is a firm staple in my makeup bag and like the INIKA Foundation, I've also been using this for years. It never lets me down! Repurchase? I'm on the hunt for a cheaper alternative, any suggestions?

• Liz Earle Healthy Glow Powder in Nude - You know you're onto a winner when you realise that this is the second Liz Earle blusher that you've ever used up! This shade is such a perfect, everyday nude-apricot pink colour for the cheeks. I think I've had this one on the go for about two years and I'm very sad to see it empty. Repurchase? As much as I love it, as I have so many blushers in my collection to use up first, but I'd definitely pick it up again in the future. 

Mascaras, Eyeliners & Eyeshadows

• Givenchy Noir Couture Volume Mascara in Black Taffeta - A gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous mascara! It's been a long time since I was so impressed by a high-end mascara, but this beauty just hit the ball straight out of the park. Super pigmented, gives big volume lashes, doesn't smudge or flake and is just fantastic all round. Repurchase? The full size is a splurge, but I may treat myself if I see it on offer!

• Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Supreme Lash Building Mascara in Black - Whilst this is a good mascara, it doesn't build volume as effortlessly as the one above, and being in a similar high-end price bracket I would always pick the Givenchy over this one given the choice. Sorry LM. Repurchase? No. 

• Eyeko Black Magic Mascara in Black - Usually I'm a big fan of everything by Eyeko (especially their liquid liners), but this mascara fell short for me. I found it quite clumpy and it dried out pretty quickly. Repurchase? No.

• Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara in Black Ice - I'm still struggling to find a natural based mascara that works as well as mainstream ones, and sadly this Jane Iredale mascara wasn't good at all. It flaked, smudged, clumped and dried out quickly. Repurchase? No.

• Benefit They're Real Tinted Lash Primer - I really enjoyed using this sample; it's basically a light brown tinted mascara which acts as a primer that you apply before your mascara. It gives your lashes a real boost and works with any mascara. Repurchase? Definitely considering buying the full size at some point.

• Illamasqua Precision Ink Eye Liner in Abyss - This is a fantastic liquid eyeliner. The nib is flexible but precise, and the formula is richly pigmented like a glossy black. No problems with smudging or fading and it lasts all day! Repurchase? Yes. 

• Maybelline 24h Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze - I finally finished an eyeshadow - hooray! Loved this cream eyeshadow as it was so easy to apply with just a finger and looks great swiped all over the lid for a quick look in the morning. Repurchase? I have so many eyeshadows and similar products to use up first, but again, it's something I would pick up in the future.

Lip Products

• Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey and Precious - Remember when these were all the rage a couple of years ago on Youtube and the blogosphere?! I bought my fair share of them and these two shades have been my most used and repurchased. Honey is a great everyday pink and Precious is a simple nude/neutral that looks gorgeous with a smokey eye. Repurchase? Not right now as I have too many similar colours and lip products already!

• PIXI Tinted Brilliance Balm in Unique Pink - This was a cute little sample that I had in my handbag for a long time. Unique Pink is one of those shades that changes depending on the colour of your own lips so it looks a little different on everyone. It gave me a really pretty hint of pink and was nice to use when I just wanted a more subtle wash of colour on my lips. Repurchase? Tempted!

• Dolce & Gabbana Shine Lipstick in Precious* - I'm a sucker for a pretty rosy pink lip and this lipstick was just so perfect in many ways. The colour really suited me (see my swatch of it here), the formula was nice and moisturising, and the finish was lovely and glossy. Repurchase? I think this shade may have been Limited Edition, but I have similar ones from other brands in my makeup stash.

Nails

• Nail HQ Strengthener* - If you're looking for a budget friendly alternative to OPI's Nail Envy, check out this one from Nail HQ. I get the same results as Nail Envy but it's cheaper - yay! 

Have you ever done a Project Pan like this?

Have you tried any of the products that I used up?

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A Face Oil For Every Skin Type & Concern: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Mini Gift Set review

Face oils have got to be one of the best products that I've ever added to my skincare routine, and I have several different bottles that I like to reach for, depending on how my skin is feeling that day. I think it's really important to try and understand what your skin needs, rather than just slapping on a 'fix it all' type of product, as these rarely work for everyone.

Instead, grab a mirror and take a good look at your complexion. Is it looking dull? Feeling tight? Are there any oily parts?  Or any extremely dry areas? Is it red or feeling irritated? Can I see the first signs of ageing? Am I breaking out? Next, ask yourself what, if anything, you'd like to address with your skin. Do you want it to feel softer and have a more even skin tone? Be less oily? Feel more hydrated? Look more radiant?

All of these questions can help you to find the best products for your skin at this present moment and don't be alarmed if your answers are different the next day or within the next week or month - that's totally normal! Your skin can change depending on lots of different factors such as seasonal changes with the weather, what you're eating or drinking, stress levels and of course for us ladies, whether Mother Nature is dropping off her monthly 'treat' or not. 

So if you're new to face oils and want to introduce one (or more) into your skincare routine, I'd recommend getting your hands on some samples or travel sizes to try out first. This way, you can find out which oils work best for you and your skin, before you splurge on some full-size bottles. To make this slightly easier, I've been testing out the Ooh Oils of Heaven Mini Gift Set which is a brilliant way to try out five 100% pure and natural oils that you can use on their own, or you can mix and match them to create the perfect blend for your skin's needs. Easy!  

 Best for Sensitive, Sun Damaged, Oily & Problem Prone Skin: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Baobab Rejuvenating Face Oil

If you're a health and fitness fan, you may already be aware of the benefits of taking Baobab as a superfood supplement, but did you know that it's great for your skin too? Derived from the seeds that come from the pods of the African Adansonia tree, Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Baobab Oil is carefully cold-pressed to retain as many of its nutrients as possible. Rich in vitamins A, D, E and K, it also contains a range of fatty acids including the essential omega 3, 6 and 9 which means this oil is amazing for helping to heal any skin damage (especially from the sun) and is ideal for anyone who has eczema, rosacea and psoriasis thanks to its natural anti-inflammatory properties. It's also easily absorbed and feels balancing, making it a good one for oily skin types to try out as well.  

 Best for Dry and Damaged Skin: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Argan Moisture Retention Face Oil (full size is 30ml for £19, link)

Argan Oil has soared in popularity over the past few years and for good reason. It's incredibly rich in Vitamin E and contains essential fatty acids such as Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid and Oleic Acid which really help to lock moisture into the skin, keeping it happy and hydrated for longer. Argan Oil is also great for anyone who has damaged skin as it helps to repair delicate skin tissue - those with wrinkles and scars may see some noticeable benefits by using it on a long-term basis. Sadly, due to Argan Oil's popularity, there are a lot of poorly diluted versions on the market (often blended with much cheaper oils), so always make sure that you purchase yours from a reputable brand or retailer. Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Argan Moisture Retention Face Oil contains just pure Argan Oil that has been cold-pressed from Argan kernels in Morocco, with nothing else added to it.

 Best for Anti-Aging & Mature Skin: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Natural Cacay Anti-Aging Face Oil (full size is 30ml for £39, link) 

The newest discovery in the world of natural face oils is Cacay, and this superstar oil has been making some serious waves in the beauty world due to its incredible anti-aging benefits. Made from wild Cacay nuts that are harvested in the Columbian jungle, Cacay Oil contains 50% more Vitamin E and twice the amount of Linoleic Acid than Argan Oil, as well as three times more Retinol than Rosehip Oil, so there's no wonder that it's quickly become a go-to oil for anyone who wants to fight the signs of aging! It also helps to seal in moisture, fend off ageing free radicals and it promotes healthy collagen production. Ooh! Oils of Heaven Natural Cacay Anti-Aging Face Oil is 100% pure and cold-pressed, making it a must-try for those seeking a more younger, fresher, smoother and plumped-up complexion. I highly recommend it as a night treatment in your evening skincare routine!

 Best for Normal, Oily & Combination Skin: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Natural Moringa Anti-Oxidant Face Oil (full size is 30ml for £19, link)

Ooh! Oils of Heaven Natural Moringa Anti-Oxidant Oil is the one that I tend to suggest the most for people who have 'normal' skin as it's a fantastic all-rounder, but it's also useful for oily and combination skin types as I find it's rather balancing and it helps to promote a clearer complexion overall. Moringa Oil is packed full of antioxidants and contains high levels of  Oleic Acid, Vitamin A and Vitamin C which not only help to heal acne scars and blemish marks, but also make it suitable as a natural defence against free radicals and for tackling the first signs of ageing. It's been a well-used beauty treatment oil throughout time and was regularly used by the ancient Egyptians - no surprise then to hear that it's harvested from the Himalayan 'Tree of Life'. 

Best for Uneven Skin Tones, Scars & Pigmentation: Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Rosehip Nourishing Face Oil (full size is 30ml for £19, link)

Along with Argan Oil, Rosehip Oil is another hugely popular oil and features regularly in many skincare gurus' daily routines. Ooh! Oils of Heaven Organic Rosehip Nourishing Face Oil is cold-pressed from Chilean Rosa Canina seeds and contains Vitamins C, K, and A, alongside Oleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, and Linoleic acid. Rosehip Oil is well known and revered for its powerful cell-regenerative properties that make a noticeable difference in improving skin tone and reducing areas of pigmentation. It's also brilliant for helping to fade scars, boost collagen production and it's great for smoothing out any fine lines and wrinkles. 

How do I use Face Oils?

Spotted a face oil that you want to try? To incorporate it into your skincare routine, simply apply 2-3 drops after your serum (or after cleansing and toning if you don't use a serum), making sure to massage it gently into the skin, and that's it! Think of it as the last step instead of using a moisturiser - you don't need to use anything else after applying an oil. I mainly use face oils in the evening, but you can use them in the morning as well if you prefer (I sometimes like to mix 1-2 drops into my morning moisturiser if my skin needs an extra boost). If you want to mix and match any of the oils above to create your own custom blend, go on right ahead! 

Ooh! Oils of Heaven Mini Gift* (5 x 5ml, £12.50) is available exclusively from Lovelula.com who offer worldwide shipping.

Have you tried Ooh! Oils of Heaven?

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June Beauty Favourites

Can you believe it's July already?! I think it's time for my June Favourites then - here's a roundup of everything that I've been loving in the world of beauty this past month.

 Image Skincare I Masks - Biomolecular Hydrating Recovery Mask* & Anti-Aging Radiance Mask* (£9 each, link)

Regular readers will know that I'm obsessed with sheet masks, so I was very excited to try out these new I Masks from Image Skincare when they dropped through my letterbox a couple of weeks ago. These masks have been formulated with the latest German skincare technology and feature a new, patented 'next-generation' hydrogel material that's derived from Red Algae and Carob Tree which allows the active ingredients to penetrate the skin better. It feels like a second-skin when you put it on and fits really well. 

The Hydrating Recovery Mask is infused with mineral charged Volcanic Water, Ginseng Root Extract, Amino Acids and Antioxidants to deeply hydrate the skin, whilst offering anti-inflammatory and anti-aging benefits at the same time. I particularly love this one - after 30 minutes, my face feels so plump and soft and I noticed that the results lasted for around 2-3 days. The Anti-Aging Radiance Mask, on the other hand, is a fantastic mask for anyone who is starting to see the first signs of ageing and has dull skin. It's packed full of Peptides, Amino Acids and active Botanicals to help give the skin a real boost of radiance - a lovely pampering treat! I was lucky enough to win some more samples of these recently, so I can't wait to use them again for a special occasion.

 Rio Rosa Mosqueta Antioxidant Facial Oil* (30ml, £24.99, link)

A new face oil that I've been loving all month long has been from a natural and organic brand called Rio Rosa Moqueta. Their Antioxidant Facial Oil is one of the best new oils that I've tried this year and I can imagine most skin types getting on well with it. This oil features an interesting Cityshield Anti-Pollution Complex to protect the skin from ageing free radicals and environmental aggressors, so it's perfect for anyone who works in a city or travels frequently. Some of the key ingredients include Cranberry Seed Oil, Rosa Mosqueta Seed Oil, Sacha Inchi Seed Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, so you get a really powerful blend of several multi-functioning natural oils in just one bottle! 

It also contains Vitamin E and Vitamin A, and I love how light and easily absorbed this oil is. I've mainly been using it as the last step in my morning skincare routine as it sits so well underneath makeup. So if you're in the market for a new facial oil, be sure to give this one a go.  

Bellapierre Kiss Proof Lip Creme in Antique Pink* (£20, link)

This was my favourite product in last month's Love Lula beauty box and I've been wearing it almost every day since it arrived. Antique Pink is one of those beautiful, easy to wear shades - I can just apply this in the morning and I'm good to go. It dries down to a matte finish but doesn't feel drying, and the colour stays put throughout most of the day (sometimes needs a little touch up after drinking, but holds up well throughout meals!). 

Bondi Sands Self Tan Eraser* (200ml, £14.99, link)

Given the sheer boom of new self-tanning formulas that have exploded onto the market in the past couple of years, it seems long overdue for a brand to launch a proper self-tan eraser, as we all know that removing self-tan or fixing any mistakes can be a bit of a pain in the ass, to say the least. Described as a 'world first', one of my holy grail tanning brands Bondi Sands, has finally come up with a product that will put an end to harsh scrubbing and dodgy DIY methods that never seemed to work. Meet the Self Tan Eraser, a rather nifty foam that will remove any self-tan within just 5 minutes!

I must admit that I was slightly sceptical when I first saw this product, but thankfully it does work. To use it, you just pump out some of the foam, apply to dry skin and massage it in. No scrubbing or exfoliating mitt needed. The formula then gets to work and 5 minutes later, all traces of self-tan are gone with a quick wipe. Best of all, it doesn't feel drying or stripping on the skin and instead leaves it feeling soft and smooth. Genius! 

Green People Scent Free Sun Lotion SPF 30* (200ml, £22 - full review here)

We've had some pretty intense heatwaves here in the UK recently and with another one planned for this week, it's more important than ever to remember to slap on your sunscreen! This fragrance-free sun lotion from Green People is great for anyone who has sensitive skin, and it offers broad spectrum SPF 30 protection against both UVA and UVB rays. It sinks into the skin quickly and doesn't feel greasy or sticky, so it's ideal for anyone who hates that 'thick' feeling of sunscreen on their skin.

Schwarzkopf got2b Fresh It Up Dry Shampoo in Dark Brown* (200ml, £2 in Primark)

With the warmer weather, I've been using dry shampoo a lot more than usual to freshen up my hair and I've been particularly enjoying using this new one from Schwarzkopf's popular got2b range. There are lots of different ones available, but Dark Brown suits my hair the best as it doesn't leave any telltale white cast or residue, and you can use it to cover up any root growth if desired. It's a really good dry shampoo for sucking up any excess oil or dirt and only costs £2 for a big can in Primark - bargain!

What are your current beauty favourites?

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