Summer Beauty: Tropic Sun Care Discovery Kit + Sun Balm SPF 50 review #MineralSunscreen

Jetting off on your summer holidays soon? Need some sunscreen for yourself and the family? Don't forget to pack this super handy Sun Care Discovery Kit from Tropic before you go if you're looking for the best in mineral-based sun protection.

Chemical vs Mineral

Most big brand sunscreens that you'll find in the shops are called 'chemical' sunscreens because they absorb UV rays which are converted into heat energy on the skin. 'Natural' or 'mineral' sunscreens on the other hand, use minerals such as Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide to reflect the UV rays, and this acts as a physical barrier which stops them from penetrating the skin. Both methods have been scientifically proven to be effective against sun damage, however, I have noticed a trend in more consumers wanting to go natural with their sunscreens because they don't contain certain ingredients which are harmful to the environment, and are less likely to cause allergic reactions in sensitive skin types.

A recent study by National Geographic found that a staggering 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen washes off swimmers into the oceans worldwide every year and this has been causing a problem because Oxybenzone, a common ingredient in chemical sunscreens, has been linked to coral reef bleaching which causes them to die. When you think about how vital coral reefs are to our ecosystem, it makes sense to switch to a sunscreen that doesn't contain Oxybenzone!

Thankfully, there are plenty of natural/mineral sunscreens out there, including this cruelty-free, vegan-friendly Sun Care Discovery Kit from Tropic which is perfect for the whole family to use. The kit contains a full set of travel-sized, mineral sun protection products and I've been enjoying testing these out recently during these wonderfully sunny spells that we've been having here in the UK. 

Inside the sunny tropical print, cotton drawstring bag, you'll find the following contents.

Tropic Skin Shade Mineral Sun Protection SPF 30 & SPF 50 (100ml each)

This water-resistant, broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen will protect against both UVA and UVB rays so you have the peace of mind that you're fully covered, whether you're in the UK or holidaying abroad. As mentioned earlier, the mineral sun protection in this formula comes from Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, and there's also Kahai and Roucou oils included to keep your skin feeling softer and hydrated for longer, whilst extracts of Kakadu and Illawarra Plum have been added for their natural antioxidant properties. 

Both of these have the same kind of texture and once fully rubbed in, don't leave a white residue on the skin. I have also tried these on my face and haven't had any problems with breakouts, but I do prefer using the specialised Tropic Tinted Skin Shade Mineral Facial Sun Protection (reviewed here), just because I like the tinted finish that it gives.

Tropic Sun Soothe Cooling Aftersun Lotion (100ml)

Even with the best of intentions, it can be all too easy to want to stay out in the sun for longer than you know you should, which is why I always, always pack an aftersun product in my suitcase. Tropic's Sun Soothe Cooling Aftersun Lotion ticks all of the right boxes that I look for in a high-quality aftersun that I can trust to work when I need it the most, and with Aloe Vera as its first ingredient, you know it's going to be good! 

In addition to Aloe Vera, it also has Argan Oil, Vitamin E, Bisabolol and Eucalyptus, to instantly soothe redness and irritation, as well as hydrating and repairing the skin at the same time. Needless to say, it feels absolutely lovely on and also helps to prolong your tan which is a welcome bonus.

Tropic Sun Balm SPF 50 (20ml)

This convenient travel-sized balm has been specially designed as a top-up sunscreen, and comes in especially useful as a way to keep those tricky areas that are prone to burning (such as ears, noses, cheeks, shoulders etc) fully protected whilst you're out and about. I was expecting this to be quite thick but was pleasantly surprised by how light it actually feels. As well as the water-resistant SPF 50 factor, key ingredients include Tamanu Oil which helps with healing the skin, Vitamin E, and Rosemary Leaf Oil to protect the skin from free radicals. Worth £16 on its own, you can add Tropic's Sun Balm SPF 50 to the Sun Care Discovery Kit for an extra tenner and given how much use I've gotten out of it recently, it's something that I would definitely suggest spending the extra money on!

Tropic Sun Care Discovery Kit* retails for £40 or £50 with the Sun Balm added. Available from tropicskincare.com

Do you use mineral sun protection?

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Foodie Friday: Summer Chocolate Ganache Cake with Strawberries & Rose (Vegan/Dairy-Free recipe)

Since I've been on a bit of a fitness kick lately, I've had the most insane cravings for chocolate, so earlier this week there was only one thing that I could do - make a chocolate cake of course! This one's vegan-friendly, dairy and refined sugar-free, but this is no low-fat version as it's still seriously rich and utterly decadent. 

Out of all of the cookbooks that I own (and I own quite a lot), the Deliciously Ella books are the ones that I keep going back to again and again. Not only are they packed full of healthy, plant-based recipes, but there are some seriously indulgent ones in there as well, so it made sense to have a browse when I was looking for something to satisfy my chocolate craving.

I stumbled upon the following Chocolate Ganache Cake recipe from the Deliciously Ella Every Day book and I just knew that I had to make it! Luckily, I already had most of the ingredients at home as this cake is made from seven ingredients that I use on a regular basis, so it was mostly a case of simply blending everything together and popping it into the oven - super easy!

This cake is incredibly rich and satisfying. It's wonderfully chocolatey and fudgey, and one small slice with a cup of tea is more than enough to put a smile back on my face after a long and busy week. As it's Summer, I decided to add some fresh Strawberries and a sprinkling of edible Rose Petals over the top to finish it off (these work so well with the chocolate flavour too), so this would be a really beautiful cake to share with friends and family over the weekend.

Ingredients: (makes 1 cake)

• 3 ripe Avocados
• 7 tbsp of Almond Butter
• 8 tbsp of raw Cacao Powder
• 11 tbsp of Maple Syrup
• 140g Ground Almonds
• 3 tbsp Chia Seeds

(For the frosting)

• 4 tbsp Coconut Oil
• 4 tbsp Cacao Powder
• 4 tbsp Maple Syrup
• Fresh Strawberries & edible Rose Petals (optional)

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 180C and line a 20cm cake tin with baking parchment.
• Scoop out the Avocado flesh and discard the stones and skins.
• Add the Avocados to a food processor with all the other cake ingredients and blend until smooth. Gently scoop out the batter into the cake tin and smooth out the surface.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until a knife pressed into the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool and bind together for at least 20 minutes before turning it out of the tin.
• To make the frosting, warm the Coconut Oil in a saucepan over a low heat until it melts, and then stir in the rest of the frosting ingredients (minus the Strawberries & Rose Petals if using).
• Apply a generous layer of frosting all over the top of the cold cake and leave to set. Add some chopped fresh Strawberries and sprinkle over a handful of edible Rose Petals to finish. 

Have you baked any cakes recently?

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New In Beauty: PMD Clean Smart Facial Cleansing Device review #SkincareRoutine

Skincare fans listen up! There's a brand new facial cleansing gadget in town, but is it worth the money? Let's meet the latest innovation from PMD and put it to the test.

Whilst I'm utterly addicted to trying out new skincare products, I don't have quite the same enthusiasm for skincare gadgets. Why? When all the hype around the Clarisonic saturated the blogosphere several years ago, I rushed out and bought one along with everyone else, hoping that it would somehow magically transform my skin. Want to know what happened next?

I ended up selling the damn thing on eBay less than three months later because it ruined my skin. The combination of too-harsh bristles and over-exfoliation was too much for my poor complexion to handle, and I was left dealing with more breakouts than I've ever had in my whole life. Needless to say, I avoided all facial cleansing gadgets for a long time afterwards until a facialist friend of mine used a Foreo Luna on me, and my skin loved it. I've been eyeing up buying one for a while now, but when I received this package from PMD for their latest launch called the PMD Clean last month, I think I changed my mind.

At first glance, the new PMD Clean looks suspiciously similar to the Foreo Luna in that it vibrates and is made from silicone, but that's about as far as the comparisons go. When I was playing with the Foreo Luna, I thought it was rather fiddly to hold and it's only since using this that I realised how satisfying it is to hold something that has an actual handle, especially when your hands are wet.

The PMD Clean uses 'SonicGlow' technology' which basically means that it vibrates over 7,000 times per minute. This allows the device to really break down any embedded dirt and impurities trapped within the pores, thus giving the skin a deep down clean and leaving it feeling much softer and smoother afterwards. The vibrations/pulsations also allow you to indulge in a nice anti-ageing facial massage, so it's one to look into if you're after a cleansing device that can also help to tone and boost the overall circulation of the skin. 

Looking closely at the head, you can clearly see that there are two types of bristles, all of which are short, but one section has chunkier and bigger bristles than the other. This section can be used to target more troublesome areas like the chin and jawline, though I found it worked just as well when I used it in circular motions all over my face.

This device has four settings so that you can change the speeds according to your skin's needs. I've mainly been using the first mode at it's the gentlest, so I'd recommend starting with that one, especially if you have sensitive skin, and then working your way up to the more intense mode two.  Flip the head over and you'll see three wider ridges (see the first selfie photo above). These can be used with the modes three and four to massage in serums and moisturisers after exfoliating, and they have more of a 'pulsing' sensation, rather than a vibrating one.

As the PMD Clean is made from silicone, it's waterproof, anti-bacterial and far more hygienic than the bristles that you'll find on the Clarisonic. It's also much easier to clean, plus you don't ever need to replace the head so it's more cost-effective in the long run.

Overall thoughts?

Having tested out the PMD Clean for about six weeks now, I can say that it's something that I can imagine myself continuing to use on a regular basis in my skincare routine. As I have combination/ sensitive skin, I've only been using it once or twice a week, but it's been doing a great job of blitzing some stubborn blackheads and helping to make my skin look and feel a lot less congested. The ease of using it and how gentle the silicone is has really won me over, and for hygiene freaks like me, I much prefer using something that I know I can clean properly after every use!

It's certainly an investment, but it's not as hideously expensive as similar cleansing devices on the market, so if you're looking for an effective, relatively budget-friendly option, the PMD Clean may just be what you're after.

PMD Clean* is available in three colours and retails for £89 (link)

Do you use a facial cleansing device?

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Home Decor: INFINI London Pink Roses review

Fresh flowers are one of life's little luxuries and a beautiful way to decorate your home, but if you've ever been disappointed by how long they last, INFINI London offer an interesting alternative option.

When I can afford to, I love buying fresh flowers. There's just something so satisfying about bringing home a bouquet, trimming the stems and arranging them in a vase - I'm sure I was a florist in a previous life! However, watching the flowers wilt and wither over the next couple of days is always depressing, and I've never personally liked the plastic gaudiness of fake flowers. 

So what's a girl to do?

Whilst searching for alternatives to fake plastic flowers, I came across INFINI London who specialise in real roses that last up to a year. I know it sounds cliché but roses are one of my favourite flowers, as they always remind me of the rose garden that my grandparents used to tend to near their retirement home. I have many fond memories of running around the garden as a young child, often stopping to breathe in that classic floral fragrance (this is also why I still love rose-scented beauty products!), admiring the delicate structures of the petals and appreciating the various hues of red and pink.

Presented in various gift-appropriate ways (the Signature Black Cube box is shown above), INFINI's roses are picked and cut at their most prime state, and each one is carefully treated with a special eco-friendly solution which perfectly preserves them in all their glory for up to a year.

When the box above arrived, I was absolutely enthralled by how perfect these pink roses are. The preservation treatment is truly outstanding as they have managed to maintain their delicate petals and structure, and even their natural rose scent is still detectable - my mind is blown as to how they do this!

With no watering required and only a light dusting needed every once in a while, you can place these INFINI roses anywhere in your home, making sure to avoid exposure to direct sunlight and high humidity so that they stay in tip-top condition. They are so beautiful and would make a wonderful housewarming gift. 

P.S Although INFINI recommends that you don't remove the roses from their box, I couldn't resist picking one up to provide a better close-up photo!

INFINI London Signature Black Cube Pink Roses* (£59, link)

Have you ever bought any preserved flowers like this?

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