Summer Beauty: Lavera Self-Tanning Body Lotion & Self-Tanning Face Cream review

Let's face it, the only healthy way to get a tan this Summer is to fake it, so I've been putting Lavera's Self-Tanning Lotions for Face and Body to the test.

Many of my regular readers will know that I love the popular German natural brand Lavera, but I didn't realise that they had a self-tanning range until recently. Now, my past experience with natural self-tanning products has been a little hit and miss, to say the least, but having loved pretty much everything else that I've tried from Lavera, I was keen to test these two out.

 Lavera Self-Tanning Body Lotion* (150ml, £14.90, link)

Most mainstream self-tanning products can be incredibly drying on the skin, but Lavera's Self-Tanning Body Lotion is completely different. Packed full of nourishing natural and certified organic ingredients, it features Macadamia Oil, Jojoba, Shea Butter, Calendula and Aloe Vera, so it feels lovely and hydrating. I found it easy to rub into the skin (it just feels like a regular non-sticky body lotion), and the colour developed in around 5-6 hours, with no streaks or staining the bedsheets issues. It has a scent, but it's not overpowering and doesn't smell like stale biscuits which is always a good thing! 

Colour-wise, it's certainly nowhere near as dark as some conventional tanning brands, but it gave me a light, even and subtle colour that looked very natural - more like a weekend away in Devon, rather than two weeks in the Bahamas if you get what I mean. This would be ideal for anyone who has pale skin as I feel you would get a much better result than what showed up on my light olive complexion, and it's perfect for those who are looking for a more natural tan colour with no orange in sight.

Lavera Self-Tanning Face Cream* (50ml, £11.90, link)

To complement the Self-Tanning Body Lotion, I also decided to try out the Self-Tanning Face Cream, which as you can guess, has been specially formulated so that you can use it on the face. Whenever I fake-tan, I always, always use a separate product for my face because I've experienced a lot of breakout issues with various brands in the past, so it's best to pick up a dedicated facial product like this one instead.

It has similar ingredients to the Self-Tanning Body Lotion, but the DHA comes up slightly higher in the INCI and the naturally derived fragrance is much lower down in the list. It feels like a moisturising face cream, has a pleasant scent, and it's best applied to clean, dry skin (I would also recommend exfoliating beforehand too). The colour develops within 4-6 hours and you can apply a second layer afterwards if you want a darker tan. I really loved the results of this as it looked natural, but gave a much more sun-kissed glow to the skin. Definitely one to try for the Summer!

Have you tried either of these?

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June Empties: Products I've Used Up

A little later than usual but here are my June Empties! I've managed to use up another bunch of products and there are some firm favourites in this particular pile, so let's jump right in!

Barefoot SOS Soothing Face & Body Wash*

If you have dry, sensitive and/or eczema-prone skin, Barefoot SOS is a really great natural skincare brand to look into. This Body Wash is 98% natural, SLS-free and is something that I always reach for when my skin is playing up because it's so gentle. Feels like a light creamy body wash and has a delicate fresh scent. Repurchase? Yes.

Madara Brightening AHA Peel Mask

One of my faves and I highly recommend it to those who are looking for an effective AHA-based exfoliator. Does a brilliant job and always makes my skin look brighter and better after every application. Repurchase? Already have a full size.

Bia Beauty Lemon Myrtle Hand Cream*

This is a beautiful hand cream that smells like lemon sherbert! It has a wonderfully rich texture, but it's not too thick consistency-wise and absorbs into the skin easily without any greasy/sticking feeling. I loved using this before bed. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some other hand creams.

Leonor Greyl L'Huile de Leonor Greyl*

As my hair is naturally dry, I like to use a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week to keep it hydrated, and L'Huile de Leonor Greyl is one of those cult French beauty products that just works wonders. You only need to use a tiny amount of the oil treatment and apply it an hour or so before shampooing. I'll often leave it on overnight for the best results and I absolutely love the fragrance! Repurchase? Yes.

Conscious Skincare Amyris & Vetiver Organic Body Lotion*

Another product that I fell in love with the scent of was this Amyris & Vetiver Organic Body Lotion from Conscious Skincare - it smells so wonderfully uplifting and comforting. It has a light lotion formula that requires a bit of effort to rub into the skin as it doesn't absorb immediately, but once it does, it's perfect for dry skin. Repurchase? I have too many body lotions open at the moment to justify buying anything new, but I'll definitely consider picking this up again in the future.

REN Flash Hydro-Boost*

Hydro-Boost is an amazing hydrating facial serum that you add a little water to in order to 'activate' it, so I mostly used this in the mornings and it made my skin feel really lovely and plumped up. Great as a base underneath makeup, so much so, that I rarely reached for a primer when I was using this. Repurchase? Yes.

CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture

This is one of the best natural eczema creams that I've ever used, which is really annoying as it's quite expensive and difficult to get hold of in the UK (it's quite a niche US brand). A friend picked up some samples for me when she was in New York last year, but this is sadly the last one! Repurchase? Not unless I can get it for the price in dollars.

ESSE Body Oil*

I'm a big fan of the organic, probiotic skincare brand ESSE and this Body Oil was such a pampering delight to use! It's rich and nourishing, but not greasy and smells incredible. The only downside is that it comes with a hefty price tag and given that's it's only a 100ml bottle, it doesn't last very long at all. Repurchase? Sadly not, it's just too expensive.

Beauty Pro Rejuvenating Collagen Mask

Received this a while ago in a beauty subscription box and I was very surprised by how much I liked it. It's infused with Green Tea extract and has a targeted anti-ageing formula which also balances oily t-zones and hydrates drier areas, so it's perfect for combination skin like mine. Left my face feeling balanced, plumped up and super soft - win win! Repurchase? Yes.

Geo Mitchell Relax Naturally Bath Salts*

Despite featuring a combination of Epsom and Dead Sea Salts as well as essential oils such as Eucalyptus, Lavender, Rosemary and Peppermint, I was very disappointed by these because they just didn't have any scent when they were dissolved into the bath. Repurchase? No.

Organii SPF 50 Sun Milk

This sunscreen has a thin and milky consistency, but once you apply it, it comes across as quite thick which is a bit odd! It leaves a white cast and is on the greasy side, so I wouldn't recommend it as a facial SPF, but for the body, it would be ideal if you're looking for a more natural, higher protection sunscreen. Repurchase? Not sure.

Have you tried any of these? What have you used up recently?

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Foodie Friday: Top 5 Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar + Comvita Manuka Honey Apple Cider Drinking Vinegars review

Apple Cider Vinegar has been a staple in my kitchen for a few years now after I first started looking into it as a way to help some of my IBS symptoms, and I'm still in awe of the many benefits that this popular natural superstar has to offer.

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple Cider Vinegar is traditionally made from a blend of apples, yeast and a little sugar. The yeast helps to kickstart the fermentation process, and it's this stage which ensures a final result that is high in a number of minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and calcium, as well as producing levels of healthy bacteria.

Not All Apple Cider Vinegars Are Equal Though...

Although ACV has been used as a common remedy for various ailments over the centuries, it was the '70s that saw ACV have its moment in the mainstream that helped to solidify its status as a health product. Since then, the quality of some Apple Cider Vinegars has dropped to meet the increase in consumer demand, so it's important to pick one that's unpasteurised, GM-free, and with 'The Mother'.

What's 'The Mother'?

'The Mother' is a strange sounding term that sounds like something from a horror film, but it's actually just all the good stuff that should be in your ACV. It's easy to spot because it gives a naturally cloudy appearance to the vinegar in the bottle (if you see an ACV that is crystal clear it's been filtered and pasteurised so it won't have 'The Mother'). 'The Mother' basically holds together all of the proteins, healthy bacteria, beneficial nutrients and acetic acid, and without it, you won't get anywhere near the number of proper benefits that ACV has to offer. 

Due to Apple Cider Vinegar being used so widely by so many people over the centuries, its name has become attached to virtually everything - from curing hiccups to fighting off certain types of cancer. Some of these claims have absolutely no substantial medical evidence to back them up, so I wanted to focus purely on the areas where ACV has helped me personally and what most people use ACV for. Here are my Top 5 Apple Cider Vinegar benefits!

1. Helps IBS & Digestion

Thanks to the gut-friendly, healthy bacteria in ACV, it can help with things like indigestion and heartburn, as well as minor tummy upsets and some IBS symptoms like bloating, due to neutralising stomach acid. I find that it really helps to reduce the bloating aspect if I consume a teaspoon in a glass of water before having a meal.

2. Sore Throat Soother

If you feel a sore throat coming on, mix a little ACV with warm water and gargle it. This seems to work as many of the germs causing the sore throat can't tolerate or survive after being dowsed with the acidic vinegar.

3. Supporting Your Immune System

The combination of healthy bacteria and acetic acid in ACV can help to stave off mild colds, and whenever your gut is in a healthy working state, your body as a whole can usually recover quicker from minor infections. 

4. Lowering Blood Sugar Levels

If you eat a lot of carb-heavy meals, drinking a glass of water with 2-4 teaspoons of ACV helps to prevent blood sugar crashes and spikes, keeping your levels better balanced.

5. Boosting Skin Health

It's not just internal benefits that you can reap from ACV. You can use ACV topically as it's naturally high in antibacterial and antifungal properties. I've used it as a facial toner before (diluted with water in a spritzer bottle) to fight off blemish breakouts during Summer, and it can keep your skin look clearer and smoother thanks to its natural exfoliating action.

How To Take It?

Due to its acidic potency, you must always, always, ALWAYS dilute your Apple Cider Vinegar. A good way to enjoy many of its benefits is to stir a teaspoon or two into a glass of water and drink it. It does have an acquired taste though, so if you prefer something a little sweeter to take the sour edge of it slightly, you can try Comvita Apple Cider Vinegar with Manuka Honey* (750ml, £7.99, link). This one is a lot more palatable and makes a delicious salad dressing when mixed with a little olive oil!

Comvita Manuka Honey Apple Cider Drinking Vinegars* (250ml, £2.99, link)

Whilst I was trying out the Comvita Apple Cider Vinegar, I also came across their Drinking Vinegars which are ready-to drink infusions of New Zealand Manuka Honey, Apple Cider Vinegar (with The Mother), and purified water. Each bottle contains two teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar and Manuka Honey, and it's still only 26 calories per drink. I tried two of the flavours, Natural and Golden Kiwifruit. Both of these are surprisingly refreshing, especially when they're ice cold, but they do have a light vinegary taste so they're a little tangy! Something to try out if you're looking for an all-natural drink with a difference though?

Are you a fan of Apple Cider Vinegar?

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New In Beauty: CND Vinylux Boho Spirit Summer 2018 Collection - Review & Swatches

One of my favourite things about the Summer months are all the new nail polish collections that come out, and CND's Vinylux Boho Spirit collection is giving me some serious holiday and festival vibes. Bring on the bright shades and try on some new pastel-esque hues while you're at it!

CND Vinylux is a specialist long-wearing nail polish range, and when used in conjunction with their Weekly Top Coat (which I've reviewed in the past here), you can usually get around 5-7 days worth of chip-free happiness on your talons. The brush is the perfect size for getting an easy level of coverage on in two quick coats and the shade range is vast and beautiful, with new collections being released all the time. 

Here are some swatches of CND's latest Boho Spirit Collection for Summer 2018:-

CND Vinylux - Gypsy

Most of the oranges in my nail polish stash are bright neons that often veer onto a matte-ish finish, so it's refreshing to come across a shade like this which still retains a summery brightness, but has a much more creamier and smoother finish to it. Gypsy is such a beauty and looks amazing on toes too.

CND Vinylux - Unihibited

If you're looking for something that's classically pretty and office-friendly, Unhibited ticks all the right boxes. It's a stunning peachy-nude pink that looks very flattering on and goes with pretty much any outfit. Applies easily in just two creme laden coats and although I was half-expecting a hint of golden shimmer with a shade like this, it's completely shimmer-free like all the colours in this particular collection.

CND Vinylux - Offbeat

I'm a sucker for a hot pink-red and Offbeat did not disappoint. It brings all those coveted bright summery vibes that will finish off your look in no time at all. I literally live in shades like this and it's going to be hard for me to want to wear anything else this Summer! Two easy coats gives you the shiny result above.

CND Vinylux - Vagabond

I'm not gonna lie - the first time that I set eyes on Vagabond, I simply thought it was going to be one of those colours that I really dislike because these creamy, pale, mustardy yellows can be super tricky to pull off. Surprisingly though, it's been growing on me, so if you're looking for something new, different and on-trend to wear, definitely check it out.

CND Vinylux Polishes* (15ml, £9.95 each) are available from various stockists including NailPolishDirect.co.uk

Which one is your favourite shade?

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