Introducing: MoMineral - Loose Mineral Foundation and Mattifying Setting Powder review

Mineral foundation has been a staple in my makeup bag for many years now, and whilst I like to switch things up by using different formats and formulas, I often find myself going back to mineral foundations whenever my skin is feeling fussy, breaking out, or when the weather starts to get warmer and I want something lighter on my face.

Like any kind of foundation though, finding the right one for you takes some trial and error which is why I'm a big fan of makeup brands that offer a good sample service. In fact, I tend to query why a makeup brand doesn't offer foundation samples these days, and it's even more important to have this option available when you're shopping online.

A few weeks ago, a 100% natural, cruelty-free and vegan-friendly, British indie makeup company called MoMineral got in touch to ask if I'd like to review their Mineral Foundation. Instead of sending me any old shade like some brands automatically do, they asked me to try out a sample kit first.

MoMineral is committed to providing a foundation shade for everyone and they offer six different Mineral Foundation sample packs that you can test out. Each one contains a range of shades so that you can find the perfect match for your skin tone. I opted for the Light Neutral set which has five shades and I was really impressed by the variety included. 

I tend to fall into the mainstream 'Light Beige' category, however, sometimes foundation shades can be too orange or dark for me, so I find a good neutral toned one usually works very well for me as I have neither dominant cool or warm undertones in my skin. To understand the differences in undertones and with help finding the best foundation shade for you, I highly recommend watching Lisa Eldridge's video here and then you can choose your sample pack from MoMineral here.

MoMineral Loose Mineral Foundation in Ilu* (8g, £20, link)

The concept behind MoMineral is that they believe that makeup should even out your skin tone, provide nourishment and protection for the skin and enhance your natural beauty, which is certainly something that appeals to me! If you're a fan of 'makeup with skincare benefits', this is a brand for you.

The Loose Mineral Foundation has a smooth, silky and weightless texture which is easy to blend and buff into the skin. It gives a lovely matte finish that doesn't feel drying and offers some sunscreen protection which is a welcome bonus. I found it easy to build up the coverage from a light to a good medium level, so I just needed a few dabs of my regular concealer here and there to cover up some stubborn old acne/blemish marks. This foundation stayed put throughout the day when I used it in conjunction with the Setting Powder below, and it faired well on its own too, with only a minor touchup needed on my T-Zone area after 6/7 hours of wear.

After trying out the sample pack, I found that my perfect shade was called Ilu and it gives me a very natural and 'real' skin finish if that makes sense - very much like 'my skin but better!'. Formulated without any fragrance or glitter, it's suitable for sensitive and acne prone skin types, and with 24 shades to choose from, there's a foundation for everyone.

MoMineral Mattifying Setting Powder in Pure* (10g, £12, link)

A high-quality setting powder can make a big difference to the overall longevity of your makeup and as I have oily/combination skin, it's something of an essential in my makeup routine. MoMineral's Mattifying Setting Powder comes in two shades; Pure - a whiteish translucent shade for fair to light complexions and Safi - a warmer yellow translucent shade designed for tan to deep skin tones.

Made with a blend of Rice and Cornstarch powders, it expertly absorbs any excess sebum/oil from the skin, to create a smooth, flawless and mattified finish, which also helps to minimise the appearance of pores and subtly brightens up the complexion at the same time. I love using this all over to set everything into place and it's great to use underneath the eye area if you're a fan of the 'baking' makeup trend. As with all mineral powder products, this 10g jar will last a long time!

Shop the full range of mineral makeup at MoMineral.co.uk

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Health & Lifestyle: Viridian Aronia & Cacao Frappé review #WellnessWednesday

If you're on the lookout for a healthy way to start your day, why not try swapping your coffee for Viridian's new Aronia & Cacao Frappé? The latest launch from the ethical supplements brand, this vegan-friendly drink is easy to prepare, and full of immune-boosting and fatigue-fighting benefits.

What is it?

Viridian's Aronia & Cacao Frappé is a nutritional supplement that comes in a powder format, which is packaged in a recyclable/reusable glass jar. It contains just two ingredients; Aronia Berry and Raw Cacao, so it's suitable for vegans and is free from gluten, wheat, lactose, dairy, soy, added sugar, salt, yeast, preservatives and artificial colourings. Each jar contains 25 servings and each serving gives you 695mg of Raw Cacao (providing 200mg of flavanols), and 505mg of Aronia Berry (providing 200mg of polyphenols). 

What are the benefits?

Aronia Berry is a less familiar superfood than other berries here in the West, but it's been popular with the Native Americans for centuries, and the Mayans were a fan of them too. More commonly known as the Chokeberry or Wild Gooseberry, Aronia berries are native to North America and have a really vivid, dark purple colour which gives the berries their high anthocyanin and antioxidant properties. Rich in Vitamins B, C, K and minerals such as Zinc, Magnesium and Iron, they help to boost the immune system, protect your vital organs (especially the heart, liver and stomach), and research is currently being carried out on their abilities to reduce blood pressure, regulate blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation in the body.

Anyone who is a 'healthy' chocoholic will already know why Raw Cacao is amazing, but to recap, it's the unfermented, non-heat treated form of the cacao seed so it retains all of its wonderful nutrients. Packed full of flavonoids, catechin and epicatechin, Raw Cacao also boasts a high level of antioxidants which protect against cell and tissue damage, and is high in Magnesium, Iron and Calcium.

How do I use it?

To make an Aronia & Cacao Frappé, simply add half a teaspoon to a glass of cold milk or dairy-free milk alternative of your choice. Give it a good stir and enjoy! You can use a frother if you're feeling fancy for an even more indulgent result.

What does it taste like?

I'm used to the flavour of Raw Cacao, but having never tasted Aronia Berry before, I wasn't quite sure what the two combined would taste like. It's definitely more Aronia than Cacao which gives it a somewhat bitter and berry-ish edge, but it's palatable and the more I drink it, the more I've started to like it. I find that it works best with creamier plant milks such as Cashew, Coconut or Macadamia, and you could add a tiny bit of Honey or Agave to sweeten it if necessary.

Overall thoughts?

If you're looking for a new and different healthy start to your day, I think you'll love Viridian's Aronia & Cacao Frappé as it's a nice drink to alternate with the usual Turmeric Lattes and Green Juices to keep things interesting throughout the week. I've noticed that I've been feeling less tired since drinking it which is a massive bonus for a poor sleeper like myself, so if you suffer from fatigue, stress or are feeling run down, you may find this beneficial to your morning routine.

Viridian Aronia & Cacao Frappé* (30g, £30) is available from independent health food stores and online at viridian-nutrition.com

What do you like to drink first thing in the morning?

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February Empties: Products I've Used Up

The shorter month of February has certainly caught up with me time-wise so this latest edit of Empties is here a little later than usual! Here's everything that I've used up recently - spot any of your own favourites among them?

Ogario Revive And Shine Conditioner* (reviewed here)

Ogario are one of the most underrated natural haircare brands in my opinion, and I've gone through several bottles of this incredible conditioner. It really does live up to its name as it always manages to add shine to my lacklustre hair, and helps to repair any damage that I've done with the straighteners and curling tongs! Repurchase? Yes.

Tropic So Sleepy Pillow Mist* (featured here)

I'm usually a big fan of most of Tropic's products, but this So Sleepy Pillow Mist was a little disappointing if I'm being honest. I loved the scent of it but the spray applicator kept clogging up and I found that other similar products were more effective. Repurchase? No.

Organyc Organic Cotton Pads* (reviewed here)

I've cut down on my use of cotton pads for environmental reasons, though I do still use them for things like removing my nail polish. I really like these ones from Organyc because they're organic and feel soft, but don't disintegrate when you add liquid to them. Repurchase? Yes. 

Benecos Natural Lip Balm in Mint (reviewed here)

If you're looking for a budget-friendly natural lip balm, you can't go wrong with Benecos! I've used this Mint one in the past and think this might be the third tube that I've finished up - it's that good! Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some of my other lip balms.

Weleda Evening Primrose Age Revitalising Concentrate* (reviewed here)

Oh, this was such a beautiful serum! I really enjoyed using it throughout Winter - it hydrates, plumps everything up, evens out skin tone and just made my complexion look a lot brighter and healthier looking than usual.  Repurchase? Yes.

Weleda Body Oils in Pomegranate, Sea Buckthorn, Wild Rose and Lavender* (reviewed here)

These are all gorgeous, it's hard to pick a favourite but I'd have to say that Pomegranate and Wild Rose are two must-trys if you haven't used any of these before. The formulas are just on-point and feel so luxurious to use. Repurchase? Yes, I'd happily buy all of these in the full-sizes!

Organiqua Hair Oil* (reviewed here)

My hair has been very dry lately so I've been using this hair oil treatment about once a week to deeply hydrate and condition it. It's been doing a good job, but I feel that there are better ones out there that I've tried from other brands in the past. Repurchase? No.

ESSE Gel Cleanser (trial size)

If you're into probiotic skincare, you'll love ESSE and this Gel Cleanser was a lovely morning facial wash. Great for most skin types, including combination/oily, it thoroughly cleanses without leaving the skin feeling tight or stripped afterwards. Repurchase? Tempted!

Vestige Verdant Organic Peat Mask* (reviewed here)

I reached for this face mask whenever my skin was feeling particularly oily or congested, so I've been impressed by how long this jar has lasted, as a little goes a long way. Brilliant for drawing out impurities and stubborn blackheads. Repurchase? Definitely, but I need to use up some other face masks first!

Madara Time Miracle Total Renewal Night Cream (trial size)

Sadly, this night cream was a little too rich for my combination skin type, but I would recommend it to those who have dry/mature skin instead. Repurchase? Not for me.

What have you used up recently?

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Foodie Friday: Healthy Blueberry Pancakes (Gluten-Free, Vegetarian / Hemsley & Hemsley recipe)

It's Pancake Day next Tuesday and if you're looking to make a healthier version this year, these Blueberry Pancakes from the Hemsley sisters are wonderfully fluffy and utterly satisfying! 

Any excuse to make a fresh batch of pancakes and I'm all for it - whether it's to celebrate Pancake Day (aka Shrove Tuesday) or to simply enjoy a leisurely weekend brunch at home, I have yet to come across anyone who won't devour a plate of hot pancakes that's served in front of them. I was flipping through some of my favourite cookbooks and the pancake recipe that I've probably used the most often comes from the Hemsley sisters, and this one is actually the very first recipe that I tried from their bestselling debut called The Art Of Eating Well. 

It's a healthy version of the thick and fluffy American style pancakes that many people love, but these are grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free, and they taste so good! This recipe calls for Coconut Flour which you should be able to find in the free-from section of your local supermarket. I picked up an organic one that was on offer in Aldi recently, so you needn't spend a fortune and if you enjoy gluten-free baking, it's a worthwhile staple to have in your cupboard.

Ingredients: (makes four pancakes)

• 150g fresh Blueberries (plus extra for serving)
• 2 tbsp Coconut Oil or organic Butter
• 2-4 tbsp warm Water
• 2 free-range, organic Eggs (at room temperature)
• 1 tbsp Maple Syrup (plus extra for serving if desired)
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 2tbsp Coconut Flour
• 1/4 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
• Pinch of Sea Salt

Method:

• Melt the Coconut Oil or Butter over a low heat in a frying pan and allow to cool.
• Meanwhile, beat the Water, Eggs, Maple Syrup, Vanilla Extract and pinch of Salt together in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
• Sift in the Coconut Flour and Bicarbonate of Soda, and blend with the melted Coconut Oil to make a batter, without washing up the frying pan. Leave the mixture to thicken up for about 5 minutes.
• Pop the frying pan back onto a medium heat and add 2 tbsp of the batter to form one pancake. Push in a couple of Blueberries into the centre.
• After a couple of minutes, the bottom of the pancake will have set and you can flip it over, but be extra gentle with it as there's no gluten in the mixture. Once done, place on a heated plate and repeat the process with the next pancake. Once they're all cooked, you can pop them under the grill to warm up before serving if necessary.
• Serve with extra Blueberries and a drizzle of Maple Syrup if desired - enjoy!

What's your favourite healthy pancake recipe?

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