Introducing: Dr. Konopka's Natural Herbal Skincare - Cooling & Regenerating Face Masks, Soothing Hand & Body Wash, Regenerating Eye Cream, Multi Purpose & Restoring Foot Cream review

I'm a sucker for pretty packaging and when I first saw the skincare range from Dr. Konopka's, I knew I had to get my hands on some to try out!

Dr. Konopka's is a budget-friendly, natural, organic and vegan approved skincare brand, whose products are all based on herbal recipes that were developed by Dr. Konopka when he was working as a pharmacist in the 1930s (hence the cool apothecary style packaging). In 1931, he opened his own small pharmacy in the suburbs of Tallin in Estonia and his passion for working with herbs and plants grew as he developed his own natural remedies for various common ailments.  Throughout the '30s, he created product after product, including a popular wound-healing cream which was made with the extracts of 48 beneficial herbs, antibacterial soaps and countless body and hair products which were tested on his beauty obsessed wife. He also came up with over 150 oil formulas just for hair!

Fast forward to the present time and Dr Konopka's original natural herbal recipes were re-discovered in 2013 by the Estonian Eurobiolab who developed them with modern technology for a wider audience, all in keeping with the company's strict ethical and organic certificates and standards (you can check these out here). 

It's wonderful to see a brand like this come back to life, so I was keen to try out some of Dr. Konopka's for myself when the opportunity recently arose. I picked the following products to give a little overview of what they have to offer, but they do have an enormous range! Everything is free from parabens, mineral oils, paraffin, synthetic dyes and artificial fragrances.

 Dr. Konopka's Cooling Pore Refining Face Mask* (75ml) & Regenerating Face Mask* (75ml)

Regular readers will know that I'm somewhat obsessed with face masks so naturally, I'm going to start with these two! Both come packed in recyclable aluminium tubes which I was really pleased to see and you get 75ml of product in each one which will give you plenty of applications. 

The one on the left is called the Cooling Pore Refining Face Mask and this has been developed for normal and oily skin types. It features a base of White Clay, Rosemary Oil, Organic Mint extract and Shea Butter, which is blended in with Dr Konopka's Herbal Essence No. 54 to help deeply cleanse the skin, unclog pores, remove impurities and hydrate the skin at the same time. I love these types of masks because it always feels like you're getting the best of both worlds as it's clarifying and moisturising, so your skin won't feel dry or tight afterwards. I left it on for 15 minutes and it has a pleasant cooling, slightly tingling effect for the first couple of minutes. After rinsing it off, my skin definitely looked clearer and less congested, felt nourished, and I noticed that some stubborn blackheads from my nose had also been removed. Result!

If your skin is normal, dry or mature, I'd recommend the Regenerating Face Mask which is infused with Dr Konopka's Herbal Essence 49, Glycerin, Sage Oil and Organic Rosehip extract. It has a lighter, creamier texture than the mask above and contains a range of vitamins and minerals, as well as several skin-friendly natural moisturising ingredients to hydrate. This is a lovely mask to use once a week to keep your skin feeling smooth and supple, and it gets to work in just 15 minutes. 

 Dr. Konopka's Soothing Hand & Body Wash* (500ml)

For the bathroom, this multi-purpose Soothing Hand & Body Wash is SLS-free (it uses Sodium Coco-Sulfate which is naturally derived from coconuts to produce a mild lather instead), which my sensitive skin loves. It contains Lavender Oil so it has a classic, naturally relaxing fragrance that always helps me to sleep better whenever I use it. Ideal to use in the shower, bath or as a hand soap, it'll gently cleanse your skin without stripping it.

 Dr. Konopka's Regenerating Eye Cream* (20ml)

I was drawn to this Regenerating Eye Cream because I've noticed that a lot of the eye products that I've been using lately have been on the luxury/high-end side of things, so I've been on the hunt for a more affordable alternative for a while now. I must admit that I wasn't expecting any miracles from this, but after using it for a month, I can say that it has exceeded my expectations and I've really been enjoying applying it in the mornings before putting on my makeup.

Made with 98.9% natural ingredients and featuring Dr Konopka's Herbal Essence 49 base and Organic Angelica extract, this eye cream has a light and easily absorbed cream texture, but it still manages to fully hydrate dry undereye areas, and would be suitable for sensitive skin types to use as well. It smoothes and gently tightens the skin, helping the eyes to look more youthful. If you're searching for an affordable eye cream, this is definitely one to try.

Dr. Konopka's Multi Purpose Cream* (75ml) and Restoring Foot Cream* (75ml)

Multi-purpose products are a constant staple in my skincare stash and this Multi-Purpose Cream is ideal to use on any area of the face and body that feels irritated, sensitive, dry or just needs some extra TLC. Packaged in the same recyclable aluminium tubes as the Face Masks, this cream contains an expert botanical blend of Organic Rose, Cloudberry and Mulberry extracts which are all rich in vitamins and minerals to help repair and restore the skin's natural barrier and improve its elasticity, whilst Shea Butter deeply moisturises and nourishes, eliminating any redness and dryness. As you'd expect from a product like this, it has a thickish texture and a little goes a long way.

To pamper your feet, you can use the Restoring Foot Cream which is a life-saviour if you've been travelling or have simply been on your feet all day. It has a rich Shea Butter base which is infused with Organic Raspberry and Lavender Oil to replenish and restore moisture to dry, cracked heels, leaving them feeling as soft as a baby's bum afterwards!

Find out more about Dr. Konopka's via naturesdream.co.uk

Have you tried anything from Dr. Konopka's?

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Sustainable Beauty: 4 Ways To Reduce The Amount Of Plastic In Your Makeup Bag

The world is finally waking up to the fact that its plastic consumption needs to change ASAP, and whilst there are some amazing developments underway with regards to future sustainable packaging, beauty consumers can start to take some steps forward today by making sure that as many of their next makeup purchases are as plastic-free as possible. Here are four tips to give you a head start in the right direction!

From top to bottom: NEEK Skin Organics Natural Lipstick in Come Into My World* (4.5g, £15.99, link), Aveda Feed My Lips Pure Nourish-Mint Lipstick in Acai* (4g, £17, link), Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner in Arabian Knights* (4g, £26, link) & NEEK Skin Organics Natural Lipstick in Mystify* (4.5g, £15.99, link). 

No. 1: Start With Lipsticks

If your makeup bag is anything like mine, you'll open it up and find a sea of lipsticks, but luckily for all of my fellow lipstick junkies, lipsticks are one of the easiest make-up products to buy plastic-free - especially if you love your higher end brands. Ilia are a firm favourite of mine and all of their Lipsticks and Tinted Lip Conditioners come packaged in recyclable aluminium tubes (be sure to check out their Illuminators and Multi Sticks which are packaged in the same way too). 

The new Aveda Feed My Lips Pure Nourish-Mint Lipsticks collection all feature tubes that are made from 40% post-consumer recycled aluminium and the cap can be easily recycled again after use. They have a wide shade range and the formulas are brilliant! 

For something completely different, why not try NEEK, an organic and natural Aussie brand whose Natural Lipsticks are not only 100% natural and vegan-friendly, but they are packaged in sustainable bamboo casing with an aluminium tube. Two of my favourite shades from them are Come Into My World and Mystify, which you can see pictured above.

From L-R: Charlotte Tilbury Bar Of Gold Skin Gilding Highlighter* (sold out) & PHB Ethical Beauty Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow in Almond* (3g, £9.95, link).

No. 2: Embrace Cardboard

Makeup packaged in cardboard nowadays is a lot sturdier than it used to be, and card-based options are fantastic for travelling with because they are so lightweight. The majority of makeup that I have which comes in cardboard casing features an aluminium metal pan to hold the product, so after you've used it up, you can dismantle it and recycle both parts. 

There are many green beauty brands which now use cardboard packaging, including PHB Ethical Beauty who sell pressed mineral Eyeshadows, Finishing Powders, Primers, Blushers, Bronzers and Foundations in this format, so that's just one brand with lots to choose from!

It's also worth checking out some of the mainstream higher end brands like Too Faced, Benefit and Charlotte Tilbury who all offer blushers, bronzers and highlighters in iconic cardboard boxes. 

From L-R: Josie Maran Coconut Watercolour Cheek Gelee (5.1g, £18, link), KIKO Cream Crush Eyeshadow in Pearly Chocolate (5g, £6.90, link) & Becca Ultimate Coverage Concealing Creme in Butterscotch (4.5g, £24, link).

No. 3: Make Friends With Glass

Glass is perhaps one of the most environmentally friendly packaging options to look out for because it can be recycled indefinitely without losing its quality. This is in comparison to plastic which can only be recycled around 7-9 times before it loses its structure and, even paper can only be recycled a handful of times before its fibres get too short to be of use.

A huge number of beauty brands have regularly used glass pots for years to house all manners of formulas such as cream eyeshadows, concealers, potted eyeliners, and many multi-purpose products like cheek and lip tints also often fall into this category (the popular Josie Maran Coconut Watercolour Cheek Gelees are a good example of the latter). 

Again, higher-end brands like RMS, Tata Harper and Becca are more likely to use glass as it's a more expensive material and makes a product feel more luxurious, but some of my high-street faves are starting to repackage some of their products into glass such as KIKO, so be sure to keep an eye out on your next shopping trip.

No. 4: Refillable Makeup

Makeup that you can refill has been a popular option in the green beauty world for many years, with luxury brands like Kjaer Weis (Lip Tint in Rapture* pictured, 3.5g, £41, link) leading the way and making the most beautiful cases that you'll want to keep and refill forever. Seriously, these weighty metal beauties are like a collectable work of art! 

As is often the case with refillable makeup, the initial outlay is usually quite expensive, but when you factor in only having to pay for the refills thereafter (as well as the environmental win of using a lot less packaging in the future), they can work out more affordable in the long term. 

Other brands that offer refillable makeup include Ecco Bella, Living Nature, Pure Anada, Alima Pure and Zao Organic Makeup, and I imagine many more will be launching their own refillable options in the near future!

Are you wanting to reduce the amount of plastic that you buy?

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Summer Beauty: Friction Free Shaving Gift Box review #MeetRose

The weather has been glorious this weekend and I have definitely been making the most of it by getting my legs out in some pretty summer dresses! If you choose to remove your body hair, you'll want to check out this beautiful Gift Box from Friction Free Shaving for the smoothest shave of your life!

Friction Free Shaving have become well known for their subscription boxes, which deliver high-quality razors, refills and shaving products direct to your door, operating as the world's first and only shaving club that's exclusively for women. In the first box, you'll receive the razor of your choice (which can be engraved with your name for an extra £5), a set of refills and the option to add full-size shaving products if desired. In the months that follow, you'll be sent a fresh set of refills so that you can say goodbye once and for all to dull, dirty blades and hello to a silky smooth shave every time! Plus ditching disposable razors and only buying refills is much better for the environment and your wallet. 

FFS also have one-off gift boxes available to purchase, and I was very kindly sent one of these last month to review. It contains everything that you could possibly need and is a fantastic introduction to the brand.

When I opened the box, I let out an excited squeal because not only is the razor ROSE GOLD (aka the best colour EVER), but it also had my name engraved on it and everyone knows that personalised products are the fastest way to impress someone when you're sending them a gift. This engraving is a free service as part of the gift box too - win win!

The razor itself is the best quality razor that I've ever had the pleasure of using. It's the world's first metal razor which has been specially designed for women and features a full 90 degrees pivot head to fit the natural curves of a woman's body. The handle is also weighted and has a rubberised grip underneath so it feels sturdy and comfortable to hold. And that gorgeous rose gold colour? It's not only pretty to look at - it's chrome plated to prevent rust meaning that your razor will stay happy in the shower and looking its best for longer.

But it's not just the razor handle that's impressive. The refillable German-engineered blade heads consist of a lubricated Vitamin E strip and six stainless steel blades which are diamond coated to give you the closest shave imaginable. I'm used to using razors that have three or four blades, and using one that has SIX really does make a massive difference (and I'm sure the sheer quality of the blades that FFS use also add significantly to its overall performance). These blades glide effortlessly across the skin and they whip off every hair that they come into contact with, even those tricky shorter ones that other cheaper or disposable razors might miss.

Flip the head to the top side, and you'll find a clever inbuilt bikini styling blade which is perfect for tidying up the bikini line and eliminating any strays - very handy to travel with!

To complete the Gift Box, you'll find three full-size shaving products from FFS:-

Pre Shave Scrub (100ml) - A gentle exfoliator which is made with tiny pieces of Walnut husks to get rid of any ingrown hairs and prevent any annoying razor bumps. I always find that exfoliating before shaving is a key step to prepping the skin and definitely shouldn't be skipped.

Shave Cream (100ml) - An award-winning Shave Cream that's packed full of moisturising ingredients such as Manuka Honey, Shea Butter and Coconut Oil. I loved using this and it complements the razor so well without it getting continually clogged.

Post Shave Balm (100ml) - Finish off your shaving routine with an ultra-soothing and hydrating Post Shave Balm which will instantly calm any irritation and leave your legs feeling in the best shape possible.

Friction Free Shaving Gift Box* (£32, link) or check out FFS' monthly subscription deals from £5 at ffs.co.uk

Have you tried Friction Free Shaving?

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Green Beauty: Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Firm & Replenish Body Serum & Botanical Cream Deodorant review

Aurelia are well known for their probiotic-infused skincare, and are a firm favourite amongst beauty editors, skincare gurus and green beauty lovers alike. Having been introduced to their incredible Eye Revitalising Duo (which I featured in my Hayfever post here) recently, I was very keen to try out some of their much-loved body care products, so I've been testing these two in my bathroom for the past couple of weeks.

Try if You Want to Indulge in Some Luxury Pampering: Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Firm & Replenish Body Serum* (250ml, £48, link)

As I have dry skin, I tend to use some kind of body moisturiser every day, and especially after baths and showers. My bathroom cupboard is full of body lotions, butters and balms, but this is perhaps the first time that I've had the pleasure of trying out a body serum.  Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, Aurelia's Firm & Replenish Body Serum is a brilliant luxury product to use if you're showing a bit (or a lot!) of skin this Summer as it's rich in antioxidants and helps to smooth out and firm up the skin's texture. The formula contains some of my favourite ingredients, including Shea and Cocoa Butters, Argan Oil, and Aurelia's signature African botanicals, Baobab and Kigelia, and it has a beautiful spa-like, fresh and clean scent thanks to a blend of steam-distilled essential oils (Mandarin, Angelica Root, Lemongrass, Chamomile, Bergamot and Cedarwood). 

Texture-wise, it's very lightweight and is somewhere between a lotion and a serum in consistency. It sinks in quickly, but leaves a bit of tackiness if you apply too much, so I'd recommend taking your time by using smaller amounts and layering them for a more pampering experience. My skin feels instantly soothed and nourished whenever I use this, and it's also lovely to use as an aftersun product.

Try if You're Looking For a Natural Deodorant for Summer: Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Botanical Cream Deodorant* (50g, £18, link)

I've been using natural deodorants for a couple of years now and I find that the ones which work the best for me often have a cream-to-powder texture, which perfectly sums up this Botanical Cream Deodorant. Having won numerous awards, I was keen to put it to the test over this recent hot spell we've been having in the UK and so far, it's been holding up incredibly well. 

This deodorant is aluminium and parabens free and includes only natural ingredients such as Corn Starch, Shea Butter, Arrowroot, Lavender, Vitamin E, Kaolin, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Orange Peel Oil, Bergamot, Eucalyptus, Rosehip Oil and Jojoba Seed Oil. The ingredients all have their own unique functions such as Arrowroot and Kaolin, which help to keep dry absorb perspiration throughout the day, Shea Butter to moisturise and soothe the delicate underarm area, and essential oils to provide antibacterial properties and a fresh scent to keep you smelling good. It comes packaged in a luxe glass jar and you only need to apply a small amount directly to your underarms, so 50g of product will last longer than you might expect! This is one that I'd definitely recommend if you're on the hunt for a gentle, but effective natural deodorant.

Explore more from Aurelia Probiotic Skincare at aureliaskincare.com

Have you tried anything from Aurelia?

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