My Style: Nordgreen Philosopher Rose Gold Mesh Strap Watch S/S20 review + Nordgreen's Giving Back Programme

The simplicity and contemporary innovations of Scandinavian designs are admired around the world, and for a truly classic accessory to complement your daily attire, you can't beat a Nordgreen Watch. 

Based in Demark's impossibly cool and chic capital of Copenhagen, Nordgreen have partnered with the renowned Scandinavian designer Jakob Wagner to design their latest Spring/Summer 2020 collection. Well, I say it's an S/S collection, but these pieces are really investments that you'll want to wear for years and years to come!

I was lucky enough to be asked if I'd like to review one of their watches, and after browsing their effortlessly sophisticated range of watches on their website, I decided to choose the Philosopher Rose Gold Watch in the classic Mesh strap design.

Presented in a long navy blue gift box, each Nordgreen timepiece comes complete with a manual, an engraved serial number on the back of the watch and a Certificate of Authenticity that bears a unique identification number. The latter two are part of Nordgreen's Giving Back Programme which enables each customer to choose from one of their three great causes via their website by inputting their serial and identification numbers. These causes include Health, Education and the Environment initiatives by NGOs which bring about real and immediate change such as:-

• Health - Water For Good - each watch purchased provides two months of clean water to one person in the Central African republic.
• Education - Pratham UK - each watch purchased provides a month of education to a child in India.
• Environment - Cool Earth - each watch purchased preserves 50sqm of rainforest in Latin America.

I very much value brands that make commitments to causes like these and I was pleased to find lots of information on their website which explains in detail what these NGOs do so that you can choose the one that you'd like to support. For my watch, I chose the Cool Earth cause as the world's rainforests are in desperate need of being conserved.

Back to the watch, when I opened the box, I found it to be even more beautiful in real life than what it looks like online. Nordgreen's Philosopher watches have been designed to 'celebrate our ability to think differently, learn from the past, act now and create a better future', which I couldn't agree more with. The asymmetric second hand that appears to continuously slice through time, is designed to remind of exactly this, as the watch is acting as an instrument of time, whilst the conical shape of the face creates a sharp two-piece dial that draws the eye to the centre of the timepiece, a reminder of being present in the moment. Isn't that just a beautiful way of thinking about time?

This watch features a Japanese Quartz movement and is made from Stainless Steel that offers water resistance up to 3ATM (rain resistant). It also offers a fully customisable and interchangeable strap, and I love the classic mesh design which looks both timeless and contemporary. 

Available in Rose Gold, Gold, Silver and Gun Metal, it's a truly beautiful everyday accessory that I'll be sure to treasure as time goes by.

Nordgreen Philosopher Rose Gold Mesh Strap Watch* (£169)

Discover the full range at Nordgreen.co.uk

Do you prefer to buy from brands that support charitable causes?

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Mid-Week Pamper Treat: Evolve Organic Beauty Bio-Retinol Gold Face Mask review

British natural and organic skincare brand, Evolve Organic Beauty, have been on a roll with some amazing new releases this year, and the latest addition to their skincare family is this stunning Bio-Retinol Gold Face Mask.

I'm an avid fan of Evolve Organic Beauty and regular readers of mine will be delighted with this beautiful new face mask from the award-winning brand. You can check out my review of Evolve's earlier product releases this year including the Liquid Radiance Glycolic Toner and 360 Eye And Lip Contour here if you missed it.

Released back in May, Evolve Organic Beauty's Bio-Retinol Gold Face Mask is made in small batches in Hertfordshire and is cruelty-free and vegan-friendly (certified by the Vegan Society). In keeping with this luxurious organic brand's eco-friendly ethics, the mask comes packaged in a glass jar with a recyclable plastic lid and boasts a formula which is 100% natural, 85.1% of which are certified organic ingredients (certified by Ecocert COSMOS Organic). Its stunning shimmery gold colour comes from ethically sourced mineral mica. 

So what's in it?

This mask contains key ingredients such as a natural Retinol-like plant extract from Bidens Pilosa, an interesting bio-retinol ingredient as it helps to boost the skin's cellular renewal process for a younger and smoother looking complexion, but it doesn't cause the associated irritation that can arise from using regular Retinol. Rosehip Oil has been added for its natural anti-ageing and nourishing Omega-3 rich benefits and Argan Oil helps to keep the skin plump and hydrated thanks to its fatty acids and Vitamin E content.

Full INCI: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Glycerin**, Kaolin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Silica, Iron Oxide (CI77491), Sucrose Laurate, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil*, Parfum (Naturally derived Fragrance), Bidens Pilosa Extract, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Water*, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Sucrose Stearate, Sucrose Palmitate, Tin Oxide. *Ingredients from Organic farming **Made using Organic Ingredients.

Who can use it?

The Bio-Retinol Gold Face Mask is suitable for all skin types and it's a particularly good treatment to try for sensitive skin types who can't use regular Retinol based products. If you have sensitive skin please make sure that you do a patch test first, just in case. As the main benefits of this mask are focused on anti-ageing, I would recommend it for those who are showing the first signs of ageing, as well as more mature skin which already has fine lines and wrinkles. If you're under 25, you really don't need this in your routine - try Evolve's awesome Radiant Glow Mask instead.

How do I use it and how often?

Apply a thick layer to cleansed skin and leave on for 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, pat skin dry with a flannel and follow up with the rest of your routine e.g toner, serum, moisturiser/or face oil. I'd recommend using 1-2 times a week for the best results.

Overall Thoughts

My initial thoughts were a bit hot and cold in all honesty. I was of course, immediately drawn into that beautiful, shimmery gold abyss when I opened the jar as it's absolutely mesmerizing and it yielded a lot of instant admiration from my housemates, plus I couldn't wait to take a selfie with it on! However, I wasn't keen on the overly sweet fragrance which reminded me of a very sickly sweet type of bubblegum - it's definitely a love/hate thing, but I can imagine that some people may be put off by it as it's very cloying and overpowering, despite being a naturally derived fragrance. 

The texture of the mask is also similar to bubblegum in the respect that it's very thick, feels a little sticky and glue-like, and it's difficult to spread onto the skin. I'd recommend using a plastic face mask brush or spatula to apply it, which is not only more hygienic but also by far, the easiest method by which to use this mask. Once applied though, the Bio-Retinol Gold Face Mask stays perfectly in place on the skin and I liked the fact that it only takes 5 minutes to work its magic. 

Despite my initial concerns about the texture, the mask was super easy to remove as it transforms into a light creamy consistency once warm water is added and it was simple to rinse off without any sticky residue being left on - I didn't need to rub at my face or even rinse twice. This treatment left my skin looking brighter and noticeably glowy after just the first use, and this got even better the more I used it. My complexion feels smoother, softer and definitely more plumped up and hydrated than before so I absolutely love the results of this mask. I just wish that the scent of it was different, but each to their own, as it's been selling out like hotcakes!

Evolve Organic Beauty Bio-Retinol Gold Face Mask* (60ml, £24, link)

What's your favourite face mask?

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Introducing: Innersense - Organic & Cruelty-Free Luxury Haircare - Hydrating Hair Masque, I Create Finish Hairspray & Refresh Dry Shampoo review

Whether you've fully embraced a lockdown haircut or are eagerly counting down the days to when your favourite hairdresser can fit you into their busy schedules again, many of us are now choosing to invest more time and money into better quality hair care products that we can use at home. It's been a boom for the luxury haircare market and one such brand that is continuing to lead the way is Innersense.

I was introduced to Innersense during May, a time when my hair was in desperate need of some TLC. The lockdown days were beginning to merge into one giant disorientated jumbled mess of sleepless nights and sadly my self-care was not always high up on my list of priorities. So when a parcel from Innersense arrived in the midst of such chaos, it was a breath of fresh air to be able to take some personal time to sort some things out, including my wayward hair.

Innersense is a luxury family-owned business based in California which was founded by two friends who are both beauty professionals. They wanted to create a cruelty-free brand that embodies the best of wellness and beauty by inspiring consumers to make healthier, greener and cleaner choices. Innersense's products use certified organic ingredients which are ethically sourced and harvested, to create formulas that are not only effective but are better for your hair and better for the environment. 

They have a commitment to Beauty Without Compromise which means that their products are free from phthalates, ethoxylates, sulfates, silicones, parabens, propylene, butylene glycol, PEG, MEA, TEA, MIA, EDTA and artificial colourants. The range is a dream come true for beauty fans who love experimenting with luxury hair products and I was thrilled to receive three of Innersense's bestsellers to try out for myself.

 Innersense Hydrating Hair Masque* (118ml, £28, link)

As the lengths and ends of my hair are naturally very dry and frizzy, I'm a huge fan of hair masks and I love to include them in a weekly pampering session at home.  The Innersense Hydrating Hair Masque is packed full of ultra-nourishing organic ingredients such as Shea Butter, Monoi Oil, Flaxseed, Tamanu, Hydrolyzed Quinoa and Coconut Oil to hydrate, repair and strengthen dry and damaged hair, whilst adding lots of lovely shine for a gorgeous swish-worthy finish. 

Depending on how dry and/or damaged your hair is to start with, you can either apply the masque for 5-20 minutes after shampooing, or for a really deep and intensive treatment, you can leave it on overnight. I've tried it both as a 20-minute treatment and as an overnight job, and I would say that the 20-minute option is better if you have fine hair like I do as this is a very rich and moisturising masque so that was enough time for my hair to soak up all of that goodness without overloading it. Dry and thick hair will definitely drink it up overnight though!

Innersense I Create Finish Hairspray* (295ml, £24, link)

Unlike some other green beauty and organic brands which are sometimes a bit lacking in their product ranges, Innersense has a hair styling aid for every situation imaginable. Whether you want to enhance your curls, create beachy waves, add volume or prep for more elaborate hairstyles, Innersense has it all, and their I Create Finish Hairspray is a good place to start.

This is a versatile product which will work well with all hair types and can be used as the finishing touch for any occasion. Most mainstream hairsprays use plastic-derived resins to make the hair 'hold', but Innersense has opted for Organic Honey instead which works as a natural resin alternative. Rice Amino Acids, Aloe, Lavender and Rooibos Tea extracts have also been included in the formula to further strengthen and hydrate delicate strands for fuller and shinier looking hair in one quick spritz.

I must admit that it doesn't perform exactly like a mainstream hairspray, but it does deliver a decent amount of hold without any sticky or stiff residue and it's easy to brush out, so there are no complaints here from my fussy hair.

Innersense Refresh Dry Shampoo* (70ml, £22, link)

I try to only wash my hair once or twice a week so I'm an avid user of dry shampoo to keep it refreshed between these washes. Saying that, this is the first time that I've used a dry shampoo which has a foam-to-powder formula so I found this one quite interesting and novel to try out! 

Innersense's Refresh Dry Shampoo works like magic using a clever combination of Tapioca Starch, Witch Hazel, Hydrolyzed Quinoa and Rice Amino Acids which merge together to create a base that sucks up oil from greasy roots without the need to use any Talc (a dominant and somewhat controversial ingredient in many mainstream dry shampoos). The formula quickly changes from a foam to a light powder once it has dried, eliminating excess oil and impurities, and adding some volume and shine. To apply it, I simply added two pumps of foam to my hands and massaged it directly into my roots and left it to dry. Within a minute or so, it had transformed and I then styled it as usual.

Like all the products I've tried from Innersense, this Dry Shampoo has a gorgeous scent thanks to a relaxing blend of essential oils which help to promote further feelings of wellness, so if this sounds like a brand for you, be sure to check out the full range which is available from Cult Beauty and Innersense Organic Beauty. 

Have you been buying more haircare during lockdown?

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June Empties: Products I've Used Up

I know, I know, I'm a bit late with my Empties post again, but here they are! My little wicker basket has been filled once again with all things beauty that have come and gone in my bathroom recently. Here are my thoughts on the ones that I'll be repurchasing again and the ones that might not have made the cut.

Hurraw! Moon Lip Balm* (reviewed here)

It's been a while since I last used up a lip balm and this Hurraw! Moon Lip Balm has been the one that I've had on my bedside table for the last few months. I'm a huge fan of the Hurraw! Lip Balms and this Moon version simply has some relaxing essential oils added to it, so it's lovely to use before going to bed. Repurchase? I have a bunch of opened lip balms that I need to use up first, but I'd be more than happy to purchase this again in the near future.

Salcura Bioskin DermaSpray* (link)

I was recommended to try this by a friend when my eczema was flaring up as my skin wasn't tolerating my usual thick creams and ointments. Instead, the Salcura Bioskin DermaSpray is a light spray-on moisturiser and it absorbs quickly. It's 98% natural and steroid-free so it's a great option for those who are looking for a more natural alternative to soothing their eczema problems, and it can be used for psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea and any dry, itchy skin complaint. Repurchase? Yes, I really loved the convenience of the spray bottle and how fast-acting and effective it was. 

Laponie Balance & Prep Toner Spray (link)

I can't remember which beauty box this came in, but I do know that this is a gorgeous Laponie Balance & Prep Toner Spray and I've thoroughly enjoyed using it as part of my morning skincare routine. It's fragrance-free and specifically formulated for sensitive and problem skin. Repurchase? Laponie is a Scandinavian brand and I don't think I've seen them for sale in the UK sadly, but I'd love to try more from them if they do decide to come over here in the future.

Evolve Organic Beauty Cotton Fresh Deodorant Cream (link)

My sister bought this for me a couple of months ago when she purchased a few products from Evolve Organic Beauty that I'd recommended to her online, and I absolutely love it. Being a massive fan of their skincare (check out my reviews of Evolve Organic Beauty here), I hadn't realised they had a deodorant in their range so it was a brilliant find. Evolve's Cotton Fresh Deodorant Cream reminds me of Aurelia Botanical Deodorant in terms of consistency and how gentle it is for sensitive skin, so if you're a fan of that one, you'll love this just as much and it smells so clean and spa-like! Repurchase? I'm actually using the Aurelia one at the moment, though I will happily buy this again.

Tropic Skincare Glow Berry Brightening Serum* (reviewed here)

If a Vitamin C infused serum is on your shopping list, Tropic's Glow Berry Brightening Serum is one that I'd highly recommend trying. Used regularly, this serum delivers a noticeable brightening difference to dull complexions and I always feel that my skin looks 'healthier' when I've been using it. You do need to store it in the fridge though as it has a lot of active ingredients. Repurchase? Already have.

P'URE Papaypa Ointment* (reviewed here)

A multi-purpose staple, I've gone through at least three or four tubes of this stuff over the years and I always have one open somewhere. If you haven't tried it before, P'URE Papaya Ointment is a brilliant product that you can use to soften and instantly hydrate any dryness, so it's great for lips, feet, hands, cuticles etc, and I know a lot of new mums who have used it to soothe sore nipples when they've been breastfeeding. 100% natural and one tube lasts ages as you only need to use a tiny amount each time. Repurchase? I have the bigger sized tube currently on the go!

My. Haircare Rescue My Hair Pollution Patrol Shampoo Bar* (reviewed here)

My hair is notoriously fussy when it comes to shampoo bars and I've tried loads of different brands in the past, most of which have been disappointing. Thankfully though, my fussy hair loves this Pollution Patrol Shampoo Bar from My Haircare as it gently cleanses my scalp, removes all traces of dirt, pollution and product build-up, and doesn't leave my hair feeling stripped or ultra-dry afterwards. It's free from sulphates and silicones, plus it's vegan-friendly. One bar has lasted me about 3 months and I usually wash my hair twice a week. Repurchase? Definitely.

Skin & Tonic Calm Balm (link)

I was very kindly sent this by a reader who responded to one of my Instagram posts about anxiety and I felt really touched that she chose to not only purchase this for me, but also that she shared her own story about dealing with anxiety so that I didn't feel alone when I was dealing with a lot of stress earlier in the year. Calm Balm is an aromatherapy balm that you can apply to your pulse points and temples to help you to relax as it has a soothing natural fragrance thanks to a clever blend of essential oils. I found it very useful and it's something that I'll certainly keep on my desk to add some calm to my day. Repurchase? Yes.

Lavera After Sun Lotion* (reviewed here)

With the recent heatwaves that we've had in the UK, Lavera's After Sun Lotion has been a must-have. This is a lovely cooling and hydrating lotion for anyone who enjoys the sun (with SPF of course!) and you get a huge tube for less than a tenner so it's a really good affordable option for families who want to use something that's more natural. I think this is the third tube that I've used up and you can also use it as an everyday body moisturiser in the summer months. Repurchase? Definitely.

P.S - How To Recycle Your Beauty Empties!

All of the glass and easy-to-recycle plastic PET empties will be put into my council's blue bin kerbside recycling scheme, but for the harder-to-recycle stuff, I will be:-

• Recycling the pumps, lids and atomisers with Neal's Yard Remedies - more info at the bottom of their website here.
• Recycling any other products that my local council doesn't accept, such as flexible plastic tubes at The Body Shop, L'Occitane or with Garnier's Terracycle partnership - more info here.

What have you used up recently?

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