Zelens Z-22 Absolute Face Oil

I've been enjoying trying out a few bits and pieces from the Zelens skincare range recently. It's founder, Dr Marko Lens comes across as very passionate and also very matter-of-fact so I feel like it's a real 'all killer, no filler' beauty brand which can be very refreshing and definitely piqued my interest as a skincare lover. I actually first discovered the brand around 10 years ago when I was working for a magazine on the Gold Coast - I remember going to the launch at Mecca Cosmetica and we got to play with all the products which seemed very ahead of the game and full of promise at the time. Of course this was before I was obsessed with cleansers and serums so in hindsight I wish I'd asked a lot more questions!

I pretty much want to get everything from Zelens on my face at some point but I'm being sensible(ish) and pacing myself (sort of) by sticking to a couple of products. I'll start here with one I've had on the go for the last couple of months - the Z-22 Absolute Facial Oil.
Since I had a baby, and I often wake up with a tight feeling, dry face, facial oils have been my number one, must have beauty product. I use one at least once a day, and while I appreciate the simplicity of a great quality rosehip or argan oil, Z-22 got my attention because it's a blend of A LOT of oils - in fact it contains 22, hence the name.

Incredibly light and multi-purpose, Z-22 was designed to replenish and plump up the skin, restore elasticity and even out tone and texture and leave skin looking and feeling more youthful and radiant. Like every other product, this oil is not in fact the fountain of youth, but it is a pleasure to use and I'm sure it's helping to make me and my skin look and feel more hydrated and comfortable than before, which is always a plus.
As mentioned, Zelens Z-22 is a blend of 22 precious oils including:

• Perilla (Shiso) Oil - omega-rich and antioxidant. The richest plant-source on omega 3 available
• Rice Bran Oil - soothes and hydrates
• Squalene - derived from Mediterranean olives, not sharks
• Camellia Oil -  rich in omega 9 
• Rosehip Oil - contains a vast range of vitamins including A, C and E
• Grapeseed Oil - rich in omega 6
• Bergamot Orange Oil - antiseptic, cooling refreshing
• Lemon Oil - toning, tightening and antibacterial
• Petitgrain Oil - antiseptic and great for blemishes
• Litsea Cubeba Oil (May Chang) - antibacterial, antiseptic and calming
• Orange Oil - refreshing, antiseptic and contains powerful antioxidants
• Lemongrass Oil - antiseptic, antibacterial and toning
• Cardamom Oil - refreshing and toning
• Lavender Oil - antiseptic, antibacterial and toning
• Rosemary Oil - antiseptic, antibacterial and stimulates circulation
• Maritime Pine Oil - antioxidant, antibacterial and antiseptic
• Geranium Oil - balancing, antioxidant and antiseptic
• Rose Oil - calming, soothing and antibacterial
• Green Tea Oil - rich in polyphenols, green tea oil is antioxidant and has shown to inhibit collagen break-down
• Jasmine Oil - moisturing and soothing with antioxidant and antiseptic properties
• Labdanum Oil (Rock Rose) - toning and tightening
• Basil Oil - refreshing with antibacterial, toning and antiseptic properties

It's safe to say that if you are sensitive to essential oils, this will not suit you but if like me you can tolerate them, you'll probably appreciate the blend. Interestingly, for a product that contains such a plethora of different oils, it doesn't actually smell of much. To me, it smells a little bit citrusy with a hint of the Shiso (which I really like) which is the signature scent of most Zelens products. Overall, it certainly doesn't have an overpowering nor offensive smell so would suit you if you're not a fan of heavily fragranced skincare.

Z-22 is designed to be applied to cleansed skin - I mainly use it like a serum before moisturiser - and can be mixed with serums/ moisturisers to boost the effects. I can't find information on the kind of skin type that this oil is aimed at, so I'd say it's suitable for virtually anyone, whether that's dry and dehydrated or combination or oily.

Zelens is a high-end brand so the Z-22 Absolute Face Oil doesn't come cheap at £70 for 30ml but I think it's a great introduction to the range. I'm now itching to try the Power-D Treatment Drops because I can't seem to find anything similar and it seems to be quite a unique product! You can find Zelens at Look Fantastic, Feel Unique, Beauty Bay, John Lewis, Selfridges and Zelens.

Nourish London Vegan and Organic Christmas Gifts

I love browsing skincare Christmas gift sets - they're often really good value so it's the perfect time of year to grab a little gift for yourself as an introduction to a brand you've had your eye on, or stock up on some favourites. I've been acquainted with Nourish London for a few years now and their 2018 Christmas sets are particularly lovely. If you're new to Nourish, they are a London based vegan and organic brand that produce results-driven skincare products to protect, support and stimulate the skin's natural processes. Nourish focus on high quality, plant based and superfood ingredients and their products are fragranced with pure essential oils, making them as raw and natural as possible. They really are a lovely brand, and I've enjoyed every product of theirs that I've tried so far, so I'm loving their release of Christmas sets this year. The brand has released four Christmas sets ranging in price from £15 to £60, so you can experience a taste of the brand yourself or buy for someone special, no matter what your budget.

Nourish London Radiance Duet £15

Featuring 5ml each of the Firming Radiance Facial Oil and the Illuminating Face Shimmer, the Radiance Duo is an ideal stocking filler or secret santa gift for the beauty lover in your life. I've tried both products before and particularly like the face shimmer which is a beautiful, bedazzling liquid perfect for adding some festive cheer to your complexion at Christmas and all year round. The duo is presented in a kitsch little reusable tin, which is a very nice touch.

Nourish London Essential Travel Collection £25

An affordable introduction to the brand, this little selection of products is presented in a handy washbag, and as the name suggests, is great for travel as the four included products are under 100ml. The kit includes the Kale 3D Cleanse, which is a luxurious anti-pollution cleanser that changes colour as it works, the Protect Replenishing Peptide Serum which is rich in hydrating ingredients to keep the skin plumped and moisturised, the Probiotic Multi-Mineral Repair Mask to nourish and repair the skin and the Radiance Facial Oil.

Nourish London Radiance Beauty Collection £30

This little set is a great compilation of products with a strong focus on hydration; perfect for Christmas time really. The collection features the Anti-Ageing Peptide Serum 15ml which includes hyaluronic acid, tripeptides,argan and kale, Argan Skin Renew Moisturiser 15ml which boosts hydration and collagen production, Radiance Firming Facial Oil 5ml and the Illuminating Face Shimmer 5ml to round things off nicely.

Nourish London Luxury Argan Beauty Collection £60

The luxury collection features a mixture of full sized and travel sized products and includes everything you need for a full routine so you (or the lucky gift recipient) can fully immerse themselves in the Nourish brand. The generous selection includes the omega-rich Skin Renew Cleanser 30ml which lists argan, jojoba, borage and the brand's own unique kale extract in the ingredients to help replenish the skin's natural oils and fight the effects of pollution. The Argan Anti-Ageing Peptide Serum 30ml and Argan Skin Renew Moisturiser 50ml complete the routine while the Radiance Facial Oil 5ml and Illuminating Face Shimmer 15ml add a little something extra.

The sets and the rest of the Nourish London range (which is well worth a look) are all available online at nourishskinrange.com

Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial

Sarah Chapman's Overnight Facial has been on my wish list for some time now for two reasons;
(1.) I really enjoy putting oily serums on my face
(2.) I'm a sucker for a cleverly named beauty product

Prior to Overnight Facial, the only Sarah Chapman product I had any experience with was the Skin Insurance tinted SPF which is a product that I basically wore daily this Summer. I loved the effect and the finish of Skin Insurance, so it only made me more keen to try more from the brand. So now I've got Overnight Facial on the go and I've been using it most nights since I got it for my birthday two weeks ago. Thanks mum.

The name is a bit of a giveaway, but this serum is designed for use at night. You just massage it in and let it do its thing while you sleep.

An oil-serum formula, Overnight Facial was developed by Sarah Chapman to allow users to recreate the 'glow' of her famous Skinesis facials in the comfort of their own home. Pretty much nothing can compare to a really good facial but after trying this product for a couple of weeks, I can confirm that it comes pretty close - if only it came complete with an Indian head massage and ambient rainforest sounds.

Since I've just turned 33, which we all know is very, very old, I have started venturing out into the world of Vitamin A. It's good timing then that Overnight Facial came into my life when it did, because it's a main feature of this serum.

On top of Vitamin A, Overnight Facial is rich in anti-inflammatory omegas, antioxidants, a cocktail of vitamins including a stabilised version of Vitamin C and a brightening complex. The formula also features something called Renovage which claims to prolong the life span of cells and Dermaxyl which boosts collagen production via an advanced peptide technology.

As well as all of these super ingredients, Overnight Facial contains a blend of jasmine, tuberose, rose and frangipani essential oils for a soothing scent. On the topic of scents, I read a few reviews of Overnight Facial that raved about the amazing way it smells but I'll admit that the first few times I tried it I didn't really even notice much of a scent. It wasn't until just the other night when I took the time to purposefully breathe in the scent after swiping it across my palms and holding my hands in front of my face that I actually understood what these people were talking about. I totally get it now. This stuff smells gorgeous.

Pretty smells aside, the reason I wanted to write this review is because I'm thus far pretty impressed with Overnight Facial. I am convinced that in the short amount of time I've been using it, it has made a definite improvement on the overall texture and plumpness of the skin on my face. My crows feet (ugh I hate that term) next to my eyes are looking a lot smoother and sort of plumped out, which is quite remarkable because I have spent a large portion of the last few months squinting, thanks to that weirdly hot and sunny summer we've just had.

The packaging has its good and not-so-good points. It looks sleek and modern and lovely,, and the airless pump means the integrity of the active ingredients isn't compromised. However, you also can't see the product at all until you pump it into your hand so you therefore can't tell when you're about to run out. Overnight Facial is £49 for 15ml, which does seem a lot for such a small amount of product but I've found that one pump is the perfect amount for my face.

If you want to try it for yourself, Overnight Facial is available at Look Fantastic, Space NK, John Lewis, Feel Unique and Sarah Chapman.

Another Review of Glossier You

I know that Glossier's cult fragrance debuted around a year ago now, but I received it for my birthday a few weeks ago so it's new to me! Truth be told I've been a little bit in love with this fragrance since my sister got it for Christmas and I'm so pleased to have a little red capped pink bottle of my own.

You is quite a departure from my usual favourite scents. The majority of my perfumes are gourmands or are at least quite heavy on the sweet notes, whereas You doesn't really have any dessert-like qualities at all. In fact, to me it's almost got a savoury edge, probably thanks to the pink pepper top notes.

The really cool thing about this scent is that it's described as a personal fragrance - in other words, it was created for the wearer to enjoy rather than to be spritzed to impress anyone else. I personally really like this sentiment and think it's a much savvier way of marketing the fragrance rather than simply saying that You is quite a subtle scent. It also makes me feel marginally better about the fact that I'll often just sit there absentmindedly sniffing my own wrist.

Officially, Glossier You consists of the following notes (notes and descriptions borrowed from Glossier):
Base
-Ambrette (comfy, warm)
-Ambrox (smooth, salty, animalistic)
-Musk (long-lasting, addictive)

Top
-Iris Root (earthy, green, woody)
-Pink Pepper (spice, sparkling)

And then the final (or first) ingredient is you and the way your skin reacts with the fragrance.

Both the concept and scent remind me of Escentric Molecules 03 which I had the pleasure of sampling back in 2015 as it was one of the goodies in the Liberty Advent Calendar. 

I have read that others compare You to Molecule 01(the original), which I haven't actually smelled but can imagine that there would be definite similarities going by what I've read about that one.
The longevity of this scent seems to have mixed reviews; some people claim it lasts and lasts whereas for others it disappears within hours. I think i'm somewhere in the middle when it comes to how long it keeps my skin scented though I do stop noticing the fragrance quite quickly. Nothing a quick wrist-whiff can't solve though.

Right, onto the packaging;

I LOVE this bottle. From the thick frosted pink glass to the contrasting red cap, it's almost like they created this bottle with Instagram in mind. It's even ergonomic too, with an indent to place your thumb whilst you spritz away. Handy.

The 50ml fragrance bottle is perfectly handbag friendly and I've thus far had no leaking incidents whilst transporting it which is always a bonus. After all, I want You on me and not on my stuff.

If you've not already tried You, it can be ordered online at Glossier for £45 where it qualifies for free delivery as it's over the £25 threshold. There is also a kitsh solid perfume compact version which is £19.

In terms of other Glossier products I've tried, I like the Cloud Paint and Generation G matte lipstick (I have shade Cake and it's a very wearable and sheer your-lips-but-better nude) and don't mind my Coconut Balm Dot Com. I regularly use Boy Brow too, that's a fantastic, super quick and convenient brow product. I've also tried the Milky Jelly Cleanser (meh) and really didn't get on with the Body Hero products, though I think I'm in the minority there!

I think I'll be a long term fan of Glossier You though and am definitely keen to see what the brand will do next.

Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift

I'm going to put my hand up right now and say that this is one skincare product that has instantly wowed me. And by instant, I mean instant. We know that most serums and post-cleansing treatments and face creams have an accumulative effect. They work over time so you've got to wait it out and really give them a chance to work before you see any real benefit. While Liquid Lift does have ingredients that benefit the skin in the long term (I'll get to that bit later), it's the instant gratification that this product provides that has me impressed, and to be honest, a little surprised. It's not that I wasn't expecting great things (I've lusted over Kate Somerville products for literally years) it's that I've been taken back a bit by how much my skin loved this immediately after the first spray.

For total transparency, I actually ordered this by accident. Not one of those 'oh I tripped and fell with my credit card in my hand while feeding the baby in a sleep deprived stupor at 2am' kind of accidents but a genuine accident! I'd been reading all about Kate Somerville's Liquid Lift Retinol and, since I've recently started incorporating retinol into my skincare routines, decided I'd take advantage of a certain very well known Blogger's 30% off discount and try it for myself. Unbeknownst to me, I'd actually ordered the Liquid Lift sans retinol and it turns out the retinol version isn't currently available to those of us this side of the pond. I noticed pretty quickly after I'd placed the order that I had in fact ordered the wrong product but made the executive decision to let it be and see how things played out. Let's just say I'm pretty glad I did.

First and foremost, Liquid Lift is a spray. Rather than a quaint, gentle spritz though, this is more like a full-on blast. I mean you really do get a blast of product, right in the face, in the greatest way possible. I think the last time I felt a sensation like that was probably during a facial because I've certainly not applied product to my face like that in the comfort of my own home before.
The reason the product comes out at what feels like a million miles an hour is down to the delivery system which uses A 70 Propellant which is described on the Kate Somerville site as 'an Isobutane-Propane blend that evaporates when product is expelled from container, and dissipates prior to contact with skin.' 
The actual product itself is essentially a cream powered by Hyaluronic Acid and Oxygen. The Oxygen in the formula is delivered to the skin via 'PFC-Oxygen Carriers', which is a rather compelling concept if you're interested in the scientific aspects of skincare!
The formula also includes 'rare botanical extracts' which upon closer inspection refers to Nasturtium flower, leaf and stem extract and Lavender oil. The Nasturtium may well be responsible for the wonderfully cooling, almost numbing (?) effect that Liquid Lift has on my face when first applied.Whatever it is that does this, I am 100% here for it because it feels awesome. 
To use Liquid Lift, you press down on the top of the bottle, with the nozzle aimed at your face (with eyes and mouth closed, obviously) then immediately massage the product in. It's at this point that you will feel it doing something, though may not be able to quite put your finger on it, then if you're anything like me you'll do a proper Owen Wilson-eque "Wow" at your glowing and plumped-out complexion in the mirror.
It really does seem to instantly refresh and plump my skin with a dose of glowy goodness for good measure. I've only had DermalQuench Liquid Lift for about a week so I can't comment on any long-term difference that it's made to my skin, however it is supposed to refine tone and smooth wrinkles in as little as two weeks. 
As it stands though, the glorious plumping and glowing effect that Liquid Lift instantly delivers seems to last a good few hours. I imagine it would be brilliant to use before make up too and I've read reports that it does seem to make foundation apply more smoothly and evenly. Not a bad product at all.
Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift retailes for £80 and is available in the UK at Kate Somerville and Cult Beauty.

Naturally Tribal Skincare

I really enjoy discovering new green beauty brands and when I read the story behind Naturally Tribal Skincare I was keen to know more. Bound to be a favourite among clean and green skincare fans, the natural skincare brand is vegan, ethically sourced and free of synthetic additives. The current range includes body scrubs, polishes and body food - which is a thick, rich body moisturiser with a high-quality Shea butter base. 

I'm fortunate enough to be trying out the IYA Woman's Body Food at the moment and I've got to say my skin is very pleased with it in the aftermath of that intense heatwave we've just had. The Shea butter moisturiser is enriched with Bergamot, which is said to brighten dull skin, and it smells fresh and citrusy. The Shea butter really does melt into the skin and leaves it lightly fragranced. It's quite beautiful. 

Naturally Tribal Skincare products are split up into a few different ranges - Iya is the women's range and also includes an intimate shave oil, Agu is the men's range (and is enriched with cinnamon) and includes a body food and beard oil, Yara is the children's body food that's made from just two ingredients; Shea butter and coconut oil and Iyali is the family body food. The kind of all-rounder cream you'd keep in the bathroom for the whole family to use, Iyali is made from coconut oil and arnica - great for cuts and scrapes on little ones and comfortingly moisturising. I'm thinking of buying a tub of the Iyali body food in preparation for inevitable toddler accidents! The brand also have a lovely sounding range of scrubs and body polishes in their Exotic range including a rather enticing Kola Nut Scrub.

Shea butter is the core ingredient in Naturally Tribal Skincare's products but what makes it really quite special is the fact it's been ethically sourced from the Kingdom of Essan in Nigeria. The founder of the brand, qualified pharmacist Shalom Lloyd started her journey toward Naturally Tribal Skincare following the birth of her twins when one of her babies developed eczema. Adverse to the thought of smothering her child's skin in chemical emollients and steroid creams, Shalom began investigating natural skincare remedies from her African heritage. She experimented by creating natural products with a shea butter base, found the right formulation and within three days her son's skin softened and his discomfort eased. The next step in the journey was finding the right source for her Shea butter, which took Shalom to Nigeria where she now collaborates with the women of Essan by sourcing their ingredients from their community both ethically and sustainably.   The result of this collaboration is Naturally Tribal Skincare and their range of natural, high quality shea butter products. 

There's something quite comforting about knowing exactly where ingredients are sourced from and, quality products aside, I think it will really make people take notice of this brand.
You can find out more about the ethics and purchase the products at Naturally Tribal Skincare.

Hairburst Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

I have always neglected my hair. By that I mean I rarely actually make an effort to do anything with it and it's perpetually either scraped off my face in a half-bun-half-ponytail situation or it's flowing free in all it's un-brushed glory. Now that I have a fringe I sort of look a bit like I've made some kind of effort (isn't it weird how a fringe makes you look marginally sort of 'styled' and 'put together'?)but still, I'm slightly embarrassed to admit my hair is lucky if I even brush it these days. Because of my apparent  reluctance to spend any time doing anything to my hair, I like products that require the least amount of time and effort. Leave in conditioners? Love them. Fast-drying hair turbans? Yes please. Silk Pillowcases? You betcha bottom dollar.
In case you didn't know, silk pillowcases do wonders for your hair (and are pretty good for your skin too) and this one from Hairburst is no exception. 

The Hairburst Mulberry Silk Pillowcase is probably the most luxurious addition to my bedroom at the moment. Made from pure silk, the pillowcase is obviously really smooth (and silky for lack of a better word) and therefore the bed head look I've been rocking since forever has significantly toned down.
The smooth surface of the pillowcase can aid in reducing friction, which can cause damage to the hair and therefore create split ends and exacerbate hair fall.
Reduced friction can also help your blow-dries and heat styled looks looking better for longer. There are really no cons to having a silk pillowcase that I can think of!  Unless you're staunchly vegan because, you know, silk is made by worms.

Something I've particularly noticed since slipping the pillowcase over my favourite pillow (we all have one) is that my hair fall has significantly reduced. I had pretty dire post-partum hair loss which has only really eased up in the past few months and I've noticed that there are not nearly as many hairs on my pillow in the morning since I've had the silk case. True story. It makes sense that the hair fall would decrease during the night because of the lack of friction -hair sort of glides over the silk- so if you're currently experiencing postpartum hair fall or hair loss of any kind I'd really recommend one of these pillowcases. Of course it won't stop your hair falling out, it'll just make mornings a little more pleasant as you probably won't wake up with yourself/partner/baby covered in strands.
It's worth mentioning that a lot of people invest in silk pillowcases for skincare reasons too. Silk doesn't absorb moisture like cotton does so your nightly skincare routine stays on your face rather than ending up soaked into your pillow case. Pretty cool, yes?
It's also been claimed that silk pillowcases can help to reduce wrinkles and sleep creases due to their smooth surfaces. I guess every little helps if you're concerned that your current pillowcase is ageing you!

While I don't think I can give a fair comment on the skincare claims (though I do think there is something to those), I do think it's made a definite difference to the feel and condition of my hair.
The Hairburst Mulberry Silk Pillowcase is £34.99 and is available at Hairburst.

Jurlique Rose Hand Cream Handpicked Limited Edition

If you're already a Jurlique fan you'll know just how gorgeous the brand's rose scents are. Equally, if you've never tried anything from their range, now is the time because this hand cream is simply beautiful. Rich and emollient, Jurlique Rose Hand Cream Handpicked Limited Edition has the most stunning true rose scent. After rubbing it in and having that initial sniff, the first image that came to my mind was roses in the spring after a bit of rain. Earthy and sweet and real, the way roses should smell!

The secret to the limited edition cream is that the organic roses used are picked by hand at first bloom at the Jurlique farm in the Adelaide Hills in South Australia.
Interestingly, according to the World Health Organisation, the Adelaide Hills is home to some of the 'purest' air in the whole world. That is, pollution levels are significantly low, so in turn, crops and flowers that grow within the area are of superior quality. First bloom is the optimum time to harvest the roses as this is when the hydrating properties of the flowers are at their peak. The petals are then turned into a potent extract that can only be found in the Rose Hand Cream Handpicked Limited Edition. This makes it a pretty exclusive and rather luxurious addition to any handbag or bedside table really! If you like rose scents and you're hands could do with a little TLC you're going to LOVE this. You can find the limited edition cream online at Jurlique.

Complementing the launch of Rose Hand Cream Handpicked Limited Edition, Jurlique are offering two limited edition treatments at their flagship London store on Oxford Street.
Handpicked Express Rose Treatment (5 minutes) Enjoy a relaxing massage with the new Rose Hand Cream Handpicked Limited Edition that will leave your skin feeling velvety soft and smelling divine. Your Beauty Expert will complete your experience with the iconic Rosewater Balancing Mist to refresh your skin and indulge your senses.
Handpicked Luxury Rose Treatment (15 minutes)
Treat your hands to the ultimate softness with this indulgent experience. Relax and enjoy as your Beauty Expert shows you how to deeply nourish your hands with the Exfoliating Hand Treatment, Nail and Cuticle Treatment Oil, and luxurious new Rose Hand Cream Handpicked Limited Edition.
 Available from 2nd July for a limited time only in store at Jurlique, 489 Oxford Street, London W1C 2AU.

Scent Addict by The Fragrance Shop

I've enjoyed wearing fragrance for as long as I can remember but it occurred to me in recent years that I don't really have a favourite scent. In my twenties I was all about the Gourmands and enjoyed walking around smelling more like something you'd find in a bakery but as I've matured, so has my taste in fragrance. While I've spritized and sprayed my way through quite a few bottles over the years I'm yet to find my signature scent.
If, like me, you don't have a favourite fragrance or you just really enjoy trying a variety of different ones, ScentAddict by The Fragrance Shop is the perfect solution.

Beauty subscriptions have been popular for almost a decade now (can you believe it?!) but ScentAddict is a little different because it's allll about fragrance. The concept of ScentAddict is to allow you to 'date' a choice of fragrances before settling on The One. To do this, they send you a month's worth of fragrance in a refillable 8ml atomiser (approximately 100 sprays) and then post you out a new 8ml vial every following month, depending on how long you choose to subscribe for. The subscription is a measley £12 per month (and you can cancel anytime) and there are over 250 designer Eau de toilettes, perfumes and aftershaves to choose from, including some covetable high end offerings from brands such as Tom Ford, Chanel and Viktor and Rolf. The atomiser is chic, unisex and easily popped into your handbag or jacket pocket which is obviously much more convenient than traipsing around with a heavy glass perfume bottle.

I think this is a brilliant concept and is actually excellent value, especially if you choose to try a Tom Ford! Incidentally, in my first month I'm trying Tom Ford Neroli Portofino which is a scent I've wanted to properly try forever (spraying some on in John Lewis doesn't always cut it) but was not prepared to splash the cash on if I didn't really love it. And do you know what? I don't love it. I do like it in general but after trying it for a few days I came to the conclusion that I don't really like it on me if you know what I mean? If I hadn't given it a fair run and tried it properly via this service I would probably have been none the wiser though so it's actually made me appreciate the concept even more.
An added bonus of ScentAddict is that the £12 monthly subscription fee is redeemable against the full sized bottle of the fragrance if you do happen to fall in love with it. So in a way, if you find a scent you love you've gained an extra 8ml of your favourite smell for free ;).
ScentAddict was designed for everyone so it's not just women's fragrances on offer- they have over 100 men's scents to choose from too, which I think is brilliant. You can find out more and sign yourself up online at ScentAddict.

Aurelia 3-Step Probiotic Discovery Kit

I've got a lot of love for pro-biotic skincare brand Aurelia so I had to share this little kit because it really is amazing value. Aurelia is a luxury green beauty brand so the £10 price point of this little kit is surprising to say the least. The Aurelia 3-Step Discovery Kit features the brand's 3 step regime in handy travel sizes that should last you over a week when used twice a day. 

Worth £45, the kit includes: 

Miracle Cleanser 15ml and Bamboo Muslin Cloth 

Revitalise and Glow Serum 4ml 

Cell Revitalise Day Moisturiser 20ml 

Cell Revitalise Night Moisturiser 20ml 

As you can see, the samples are pretty generous and all of the items are contained in glass jars and bottles with proper labels, so they retain the luxury feel of Aurelia's full sized items.

I raved about the Miracle Cleanser years ago on Instagram- it's a gorgeous cream formula with the most refreshing scent. The aromatic cleanser contains eucalyptus, bergamot, chamomile and rosemary oils so it really awakens the senses and is absolutely brilliant if you've got a cold or hayfever and are feeling a little congested.

I feel like the cleanser alone at this size is worth the ten quid but the serum and day and night moisturisers are just as lovely. I have used all of these products before and dipped in and out of them when I've felt my skin needed some TLC.
The Revitalise and Glow Serum is lightweight with a milky sort of texture that absorbs beautifully. Containing the brand's highest concentration of probiotics, the serum performs the double duty of creating instantly radiant and dewy skin while also working to revitalise and firm. The serum is packed with BioOrganic botanicals including Baobab, which is rich in omegas, Kigelia Africana to firm the skin and Hibiscus which is rich in antioxidants. It really is a lovely serum which preps the skin perfectly for the next step - either the Cell Revitalise Day Moisturiser or Cell Revitalise Night Moisturiser.

The Cell Revitalise Day Moisturiser has an interesting texture - it's lightly whipped and luxurious and feels beautifully light and refreshing on the skin. It sort of melts into the complexion and would work in any sort of weather - I'm revisiting it at the moment during this heatwave and it's certainly not feeling heavy or cloying on my face. The award-winning moisturiser contains hydrating and soothing plant and flower botanicals and Mongongo and Argan oils that work together to create soft, smooth and radiant skin. The cream contains essential oils of Jasmine, Plumeria, Tuberose and Mandarin so it smells as gorgeous as it feels.

The Cell Revitalise Night Moisturiser is ultra-rich and comforting, making it a beautiful product to complete your evening routine with. The cream contains Shea Butter and Aloe Vera to nourish and cool the skin and is enriched with a special blend of sleep-friendly essential oils including Neroli, Mandarin, Rose and Lavender so you get a nice hit of olfactory goodness while a long list of BioOrganic ingredients get on with calming and hydrating while you snooze.
At £10, this really is a brilliant kit to either get yourself acquainted with a beautiful brand and the travel sized products are perfect for taking away on holiday.
You can find the 3-Step Probiotic Discovery Kit online at Aurelia.

Feather & Down Breathe Well

If you shop in Boots you've probably heard of Feather and Down and if you're already a fan you might be pleased to know they've just launched two new products. Just like the existing Sweet Dreams range, the new Breathe Well Pillow Spray and Breathe Well Bath Essence are designed to help encourage a restful night’s sleep.

The difference between these and the brand's already popular products? As well as Lavender and Chamomile, these contain Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Tea Tree essentials oils that are well known for their soothing and cooling properties, not to mention their ability to 'open the airways' a little.
With summer heating things up, Feather and Down have chosen the perfect time to launch the Breathe Well products. The Bath Essence creates just the right amount of pillowy bubbles and leaves the skin feeling sufficiently cooled and soothed. This is an ideal product for a pre-bed bath or shower before slipping between the sheets on a hot and humid night. I'll freely admit that I have been using the bath essence as a shower gel more often than not because I actually rarely find the time to soak away the day in a bath, but I assure you it's just as lovely when used in the shower!

The Pillow Spray is probably one of my new favourite things. I am a huge fan of room fragrances and pillow sprays with essential oils so it was almost a given I'd like this one. Like the bath essence, the spray features the classically comforting scent of lavender and chamomile spiked with refreshing eucalyptus, peppermint and tea tree. It really does make for a beautiful twist on your traditional sleep sprays and the addition of the three cooling 'breathe well' oils seem to lighten up the air when it feels a bit thick and humid.

An added bonus of these products is that I imagine they'd be a welcome addition to your bedtime ritual if you're feeling a bit sniffly and bunged up, whether that's down to catching a summer cold or suffering from hayfever. As it stands, I'm enjoying both products and so is my little family.

You can find Feather and Down Breathe Well Pillow Spray and Bath Essence at Boots in store and online where both products are very reasonably priced at £7 each.

Sister & Co True Cleanse

There's something quite special about an oil cleanse and this offering from cult brand Sister & Co Skin Food is no exception. Sister & Co are well known for their 100% natural line of skin, body, hair and oral health products and are hugely popular with green beauty fans in particular. They first grabbed my attention with the release of their Raw Coconut & Activated Charcoal Tooth Whitening Polish and since then I've kept one beady eye on the brand to see what they come up with next. Their newest release is True Cleanse Oil, which, you guessed it, is a rather beautiful cleansing oil. Suitable for all skin types, True Cleanse is a decadent blend of cold pressed organic Jojoba, Apricot and Grapeseed oils and is infused with Rose Otto and Frankincense. The oil has a very delicate scent and is designed to be massaged onto a dry face and then removed with the supplied organic muslin cloth. By cleansing the skin this way, make up and general muck is removed and you get a nice physical exfoliation as well, so it's a two-for-one job really.

I don't generally wear a lot of makeup day to day but I recently went out to celebrate my sister's birthday so I did have a full face of slap to remove at the end of the evening. This was a great opportunity to try True Cleanse's make up removing abilities and it did not disappoint. Unlike a lot of cleansing balms and oils, True Cleanse does not emulsify when water is added, so you really do need to use the supplied muslin or a flannel if you prefer, to properly remove the oil. I love oil cleansers and enjoy using ones that rinse away easily just as much as oils like this one, where you need to put a bit of effort in with a damp muslin. I did this using True Cleanse with my full face of makeup and felt a smug sort of satisfaction to see all the remnants of foundation, eyeshadow and highlighter on the muslin cloth. I had been wearing a smudge-proof Bobbi Brown mascara that day and that took a little bit of patience but True Cleanse did remove it, which was pretty great because I don't like faffing with my eye area for too long. And let's be real; a separate eye makeup remover just feels like too much effort sometimes! Swiping over my face with a cotton pad with toner is always a good indicator of how well I've cleaned my face-the less muck on the cotton pad, the better job the cleanser has done. True Cleanse had all but obliterated every bit of makeup as the cotton pad was virtually filth-free. I did go in with a second pump but this oil really did do a brilliant job with just the one go.
It's worth noting that the oil comes with a screw cap and is supplied with a pump as well as the aforementioned muslin cloth.

Sister and Co only use exceptionally high quality oils and at £30 the price point reflects this. If you like your skincare 'clean' and appreciate natural and organic ingredients, then True Cleanse would be a great addition to your stash. You can find True Cleanse and other Sister & Co products online at Sister & Co,  ASOS, Liberty, Fenwick, Selfridges and Anthropologie.

True Cleanse Ingredients:
Ingredients: Prunus armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil*, Vitis vinifera (Grapeseed) Seed Oil*, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Boswellia carterii (Frankincense) Oil, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Rosa damascena (Rose) flower extract, Limonene**, Linalool ** *certified organic ingredient **natural constituent of essential oil.

Diptyque Philosykos Perfume Oil Roll-On

Ever since I had the pleasure of owning the (heartbreakingly) limited edition L'Occitane Figuier & Osmanthus fragrance three summer's ago, I've been hooked on fig scents. In fact, I was so disappointed when I learned that it was limited edition and sold out, that I emailed L'Occitane HQ in the vain hope that they had a few bottles stashed away somewhere that I could secretly purchase (they didn't).

You know how scent has that amazing ability to take you back and remind you of certain places, events and people? For me, that figgy fragrance from L'Occitane will forever remind me of the week I spent in Alghero with my boyfriend for my 30th. Partly because I sprayed it liberally over the duration of our stay (before I realised the precious juice was limited edition!) and partly because the outdoor eating area where we enjoyed breakfast everyday was lined with fig trees with huge, ripe fruit hanging from the branches. Sigh.
Anyway, believe it or not, this post isn't about that scent, but my latest fragrance purchased recently in an effort to curb my olfactory appetite for all things fig.

Diptyque Philosykos is pretty much a cult perfume, and for very good reason. It's rich and woody with the tiniest hint of fruitiness and basically smells exactly like those fig trees in Alghero. According to Diptyque, the scent of Philosokos is: woody raw materials: fig leaves, fig tree sap, fig tree wood and black pepper which is a pretty spot on description really. It's not a gourmand by any stretch but to me it still manages to have precisely the right amount of fruity sweetness. I have the roll on oil version of the fragrance for three reasons - it's very travel friendly, it's easiest on the purse strings and because it's oil based it's perfect for clear summer days when alcohol based fragrances might irritate the skin a little when the sun hits it.

In terms of longevity and heaviness, i find it to be surprisingly light for such a woody-based scent and though it does linger on the skin, I think of it as a fragrance i wear for myself to enjoy rather than for others to catch a whiff of, if that makes any sense at all? The size of a chunky pen, the heavy glass 7.5ml perfume roll on comes complete with a suedette pouch emblazoned with Diptyque for an extra special touch. I'll be wearing this all summer while imagining I'm lounging in the sun somewhere in the Mediterranean when in reality I'll probably be nursing a teething baby.
You can find it online at Diptyque and stockists including Space NK for £35.

Sol de Janeiro Ipanema Sunset Glow Oil

I'm currently writing this post in 28 degree heat in my backyard in Greater London (during the hottest early May bank holiday on record I might add) but honestly the scent currently radiating from my skin is making me feel like I'm somewhere much more exotic!
I'm sitting here slathered in a mixture of 50 + suncream and Sol de Janeiro's latest UK release, Ipanema Sunset Glow Oil and I am, in fact, glowing. And sort of shimmering quite a bit too.

The skin-softening dry oil is the newest release from the creators of the iconic Bum Bum Cream and is one of two oils designed to quite literally highlight your best bits as the days get longer and shorts get shorter. Designed for use on the body as well as on the face, both oils are a mixture of skin-beautifying ingredients spiked with shimmer and finished off with beautiful scents. The other oil, Copacabana Bronze features a gentle bronze tint with gold shimmer and is infused with the brand's signature Cheirosa '62 fragrance (the same as the Bum Bum Cream) with notes of salted caramel and pistachio. I went with Ipanema Sunset mainly because I was interested to try the new, more tropical scent, Cheirosa '77. At first sniff I actually couldn't really tell the difference but as I actually applied the oil to my skin, the notes of fig, citrusy pomelo and gardenia crept through, making it a less sugary and more floral scent than the famous Bum Bum Cream's fragrance. Featuring a translucent champagne shimmer, in the bottle Ipanema Sunset looks a little like shimmering molten caramel and is even ever so slightly intimidating when first poured on the skin. But once it's rubbed in and blended it gives a slight wash of colour shot through with a pretty shimmer.

The oil features Sol de Janeiro's signature Brazilian Beauty Blend which is a fusion of skin softening and nourishing ingredients including Cupaçu Butter, Coconut Oil and Acai Oil.
Now, glittering body oils are obviously not a new invention and at £35 there are more affordable options out there but I think what makes Ipanema Sunset truly special is the unique scent. I really hope they release more products with the Cheirosa '77 fragrance because I find it to be a little less sweet and a touch more exotic then Cheirosa '66. I feel like a non-shimmering version would be good too because not everyone is a fan of glitter and shimmer. That said, beautifully perfumed dry body oils make summer holidays abroad and British backyard blogging sessions just that little bit more special, whether they're shimmery or not. You can find Ipanema Sunset Glow Oil and the rest of the Sol de Janeiro range at Cult Beauty.

5 Ways I'm Reclaiming my Mojo after having a baby

Mojo, groove, sparkle - whatever you want to call it. Like many new mum's, I've felt like mine has been missing for a while now. I don't know if it's the weather (slowly) warming up or I've just subconsciously decided it's 'time' but recently I've found myself in the mood to dust off the cobwebs and rediscover myself as an individual, as well as my baby's mum. It's a bit like a personal spring cleaning mission I suppose and with it I think I'm starting to regain a bit of self confidence that had gone slightly AWOL in the past year or so. I love being a new parent (even though it can be both scary and bewildering at times) but as I've mentioned before in this post self care is so important. Personally I am trying to be a bit kinder to myself and I feel like it's paying off so I thought I'd share a few ways I'm getting my 'sparkle' back nearly one year on after having my baby.

Cleaning out my closet 
 A couple of weeks ago I'd suddenly had enough of my wardrobe. Everything was grey or black and I was still living in river island vests that I'd bought about 6 years ago when I lived in Hammersmith. Most of my tops and cardigans were pilled and faded and a lot of clothes just didn't flatter me. I was even still wearing maternity tops - you know the ones with ruched sides to account for big baby bumps- and feeling distinctly un-sexy and generally frumpy in them. I decided that something had to give and I no longer needed nor wanted the majority of tat that had accumulated in my chest of draws. So I had a clear out and ended up with two sacks for charity shops and one sack of straight up rubbish. It felt good and weirdly liberating to be so brutal with my belongings but really, what's the sense of hanging onto a pair of disco pants with a broken zipper and hole in the crotch and what purpose does a bra that's now two cup sizes too big and never properly fitted me in the first place actually serve?

Indulging in beautiful lingerie 
...Or at least matching bra and knickers. Lately I've found myself revisiting that self confidence hack I used to be quite fond of. That is, wearing matching bra and knickers underneath any clothing to instantly make you feel more put-together and weirdly more in control. I don't know why but it really is an instant confidence boost! The good old matching bra and undies hack is even more special when they're in a super cute design like this one by Promise from UK Lingerie. Just add red lipstick for a little extra boost of self belief!

Rediscovering my love of skincare
Ah, skincare. My love of skincare is pretty much what drove me to start this blog in the first place back in 2011 and I've learned so much about ingredients and formulas along the way. I used to be genuinely fascinated by the science behind cleansers and serums and loved researching ingredients I'd not heard of before and I can feel myself becoming interested again. Skincare will always trump makeup for me and with so many innovative new launches happening lately I'm loving feeling inspired again.

Mastering the art of the 5 minute face
While I've never really been one for spending hours getting ready before I leave the house, now that I've got a tiny human constantly trying to scale the furniture/ me, I've had to step things up a notch to look semi-presentable at super speed. This is where multi tasking products and easy peasy makeup bits come in very handy. To get myself looking like a better version of me, I've all but ditched the foundation and opted for a touch of concealer and Charlotte Tilbury's latest innovation - Hollywood Flawless Filter. If you've not tried this incredible product yet, you really should because it's bloody marvelous. Once I've got my face looking glowy and dewy, it's time to groom and fill my brows with Glossier Boy Brow (I use shade Brown), pat on some Lord and Berry Sculpt and Glow Cream Bronzer and curl and lengthen my lashes in one fell swoop with a swipe of Benefit Rollerlash.

Ditching the Mummy Guilt
I'm not quite there yet with this one but I've found myself starting to get better at accepting help with the baby. Sometimes I even ask for it, which is a bit shocking for me! But there have been times in the past few months that I've fancied having my hair done or just wanted a few hours on my own to do blog-related duties, and I've done it. Whenever I'm away from my little one I'm always thinking about him but it's so good to just hang out with Hannah every now and then.

So there you have it - those are five ways I'm slowly reclaiming my mojo. I'd love to know how you helped yourself feel more like...yourself after having a baby or experiencing another life changing event. Let me know in the comments!

Green People Aloe + Citrus Toothpaste

Tomorrow is World Oral Health Day so it's perfect timing for me to share a new toothpaste I've been trying out. You might be wondering why I'm reviewing a toothpaste on what is predominantly a beauty blog, but you know, brushing your teeth is important (here's a secret- I sort of hate doing mine), good dental hygiene obviously keeps your teeth in check and looking their best and this one from Certified Organic brand Green People is actually delicious. Yes, you read that right. This is a tasty toothpaste. I've been using Green People's Citrus and Aloe Vera Toothpaste in place of my usual minty one and it's basically made me want to only brush with citrus flavours from now on. The fluoride-free and SLS-free toothpaste is made with organic essential oils and is perfect for people like me who have sensitive teeth and gums.

It doesn't sting or irritate like a strong mint toothpaste can and It's also a great option if, also like me, you don't like strong minty flavours. Made with ingredients including Vitamin C, dental grade chalk and Myrhh, the mint-free paste contains aloe vera leaf juice powder and essential oils of lemon, grapefruit and orange. Even though the toothpaste doesn't contain foaming agents, it still foams up naturally through the action of brushing and the paste mixing with the saliva in your mouth. Other toothpaste flavours in the range include Minty Cool, Fennel and Propolis and Mint. If you're a green beauty fan or you're just trying to live a little 'cleaner', this toothpaste would be a great addition to your bathroom cabinet.

Baby Tom has also been trying out Green People's baby toothpaste which is mandarin and orange flavoured (also available in a spearmint and aloe vera variation) and contains no artificial colours or flavours. It's worth noting that the toothpaste is perfectly safe to swallow which is obviously an important factor since babies don't know they're supposed to spit toothpaste out.

I've also got a new Velvet Matte Lipstick from Green People to try out which is in a suit-everyone nude-ish pink shade called Damask Rose and the Enrich and Enhance Lip Primer which I want to try out really thoroughly before I review it.
In the meantime, you can find the organic toothpaste range online at Green People.

The Latest in Beauty Women's Health Beauty Box

Beauty box fans rejoice - this one is an absolute cracker! Featuring just under £140 worth of wellness goodies, the Women's Health Beauty Box is really high quality - no fillers here. The box has been curated by Editor of Women's Health magazine, Claire Sanderson, and features 18 of her favourite products from the past year (and a 50% off voucher for Bobble water bottles).

Satisfyingly heavy, the box is £40 for some very decent products and has a really good mix of skincare, makeup and wellbeing bits. I'd say it's well worth a look if you're wanting to discover a mixture of well known and niche brands.
Inside the box you'll find:

• TULA Exfoliating Treatment Mask
• MURAD Youth Renewal Retinol Eye Serum
• THIS WORKS Stress Check Roll-on
• SPORTFX Sport Stamina Mascara
• 58 LIFESTYLE Balancing Ecosoy Candle
• ORIGINS GinZing Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturiser
• BUXOM Plumping Lip Liner
• WET BRUSH L'il Detangler in Punchy Pink
• SOL DE JANEIRO Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
• DR ORGANIC Lavender Deodorant
• FREE SOUL Hero Protein Blend (Chocolate or Vanilla)
• COLAB Dry Shampoo Tropical
• DR PAWPAW Original Clear Balm
• PUKKA Wonder Berry Green
• PHILOSOPHY The Microdelivery Exfoliating Facial Wash
• NIBBLE PROTEIN Nibble Protein Bites Lemon with Coconut
• DANDI Dandi Patch
• NARCISO RODRIGUEZ Fleur Musc for Her
• BOBBLE 50% OFF Voucher

As you can see, this really is a great line up - I'm most excited about the 58 Lifestyle Candle (It smells AMAZING), the Buxom liner and of course the skincare bits like the Philosophy Microdelivery wash, Origins moisturiser and the Tula mask. If you've not tried Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum cream, now is your chance to 'try before you buy' the full size but if you're anything like me, you're gonna want the full size!
You can buy the Latest in Beauty Women's Health Beauty Box for £40 online at Latest in Beauty.

Bilou Creamy Shower Foams

If you're into cute packaging and enjoy smelling like a dessert, I'm pretty confident you'll want to try these shower foams.

The foams are by German brand Bilou (which, incidentally, was founded by a Youtuber), and are already making an impression here in the UK thanks to their instagram-worthy packaging and saccharine scents. Speaking of Instagram, Bilou's (@mybilou) is actually Germany's most popular Instagram page, with nearly 1.4 million followers!

Designed to be 'extra creamy', the kitsch shower foams are available in five different fragrances - Cotton Candy, Tasty Donut, Coco Cocktail, Pink Melon and Fizzy Berry.
I have to hand the Cotton Candy and Tasty Donut scents, which are both as decadently sweet as expected. The vegan shower foams are super, super creamy and create satisfyingly pillowy clouds of fluffy foam when dispensed. The foams contain aloe vera as well as sweet almond and avocado oils.
Cotton Candy is described as smelling like fluffy cotton candy, caramelly & sweet - just heavenly! Sweet, fluffy fragrance- rainbow cotton candy, vanilla, sugary sweet.

Tasty Donut smells like freshly baked donuts and fruity strawberry icing- absolutely delicious! Sweet aromas of bakery items, strawberries, sugar frosting, sugar sprinkles and freshly baked donuts.

Of the two, Cotton Candy is my favourite as it has an almost coco-nutty vibe to it. While Tasty Donut  does smell quite like a strawberry glazed sugar donut, I find the scent just a tad too artificial for me. Scent is of course a very subjective thing though, so I'm sure plenty of people would prefer the donut scent over the cotton candy one!

I'm quite fond of shower foams in general and they just seem that little bit more fun when they smell like freshly baked donuts or candyfloss at a seaside fair. There are also matching moisturising foams and body sprays available if you fancy layering up the sweetness.

Bilou products retail for £3.99 in the UK online and in store at Superdrug.

Caudalie French Kiss Tinted Balms

Sweetly flavoured and scented but not sickly so, the French Kiss balms from Caudalie are a perfect makeup/ skincare hybrid. The balms launched last September but with Valentine's Day just around the corner, it would almost be rude not to treat yourself to one (or all of them if you're really feeling the love). The balms are available in three tints- Innocence, Seduction and Addiction - which add a flush of colour and a slight glossy finish while protecting and caring for the lips.

INNOCENCE, a natural pink, is infused with the scent of vanilla and orange peel.

‎SEDUCTION, a subtle pink, is vanilla scented.

ADDICTION is inspired by a syrup made from red berries. A raspberry red, this is the sassiest of the three tints and probably my favourite. You still get the confidence boosting feeling that comes on when you're wearing a red lipstick but with a much, much more subtle look on the lips.  ‎

The balms are designed to be applied with a finger so they really aren't heavily pigmented- you just get a lovely tint effect. If you like the feeling of cream blushers, there's no reason why each of the balms couldn't be used to add a touch of colour to the cheeks too. ‎Rich and creamy, the balms have a beeswax, aloe vera and sunflower and castor oil base enriched with Caudalie's signature antioxidant grape Polyphenols. Grape seed Polyphenols are naturally occurring antioxidants that protect the skin against free radicals (which, according to Caudalie are responsible for 4 out of 5 wrinkles...) and aid in preserving the hyaluronic acid content of the skin. Grape Polyphenols are also said to be 10,000 times more powerful than Vitamin E, which is quite incredible.
Each of the balms feel smooth and comfortable on the lips and I'm sure would be a welcome addition to any handbag. The balms retail for £10 each - you can find out more about them and purchase at Caudalie.