Incredibly Affordable Retinol Products from Biovène

Have you heard of Biovène Barcelona? This cruelty free beauty brand is all about effective formulas at accessible price points and these two retinol products have made want to try more from the brand.

The *Retinol Night Lift Power Tightening Night Cream is formulated with Retinol, and Strawberry and Cherry extracts to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, brighten, and fight free radicals.

The *Retinol and Squalane Serum is a blend of nourishing Squalane and 1% Retinol, designed to promote elasticity and collagen production, brighten dark spots, smooth wrinkles and fine lines and combat blemishes.

Both products have a luxurious texture and are a real pleasure to use, but the serum is my pick of the two and it sits beautifully under a thick night cream.

Results I've noticed so far after around 6 weeks of using the serum consistently every night include softer skin and a slight reduction in the pigmentation on my forehead that I've had since pregnancy. It's also worth mentioning that the hormonal spots I get on my chin and cheeks every month have disappeared a lot faster than usual.

In fact, now that I think about it, my skin is clearer in general than it has been in a long while. I've never really had much of an issue with pimples or very visible black heads, until recent months when I had noticed a bit of an increase in congestion and spots. It may be coincidence, and my skin has settled down on its own, or it could be down to the Biovène serum. Either way, I'm pretty happy with the overall texture and clarity of my complexion at this moment, so I'm inclined to purchase a bottle once this one runs out. As if mentioned, I've used it consistently every night, so it's worth noting that this has not irritated my skin at all - maybe a little sting when applied immediately after cleansing at the beginning, when I first started using it, but now it just feels like applying, say, a hyaluronic acid serum or something else that doesn't traditionally irritate. I guess my skin likes the mix of Retinol and Squalane?

 

The cream retails for £14.99 and the serum at £5.99 for 50ml and 30ml respectively. I'm actually delighted to find a retinol product I like for £5.99! Incredibly affordable and certainly worth a try. Find them at Morrison's, Just My Look and biovenebarcelona.com

*samples

Ultra Violette SPF 50 Daydream Screen

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 Ultra Violette came to the UK market a couple of years ago now and if you’re an avid reader of beauty blogs in general, you’re probably already familiar with the Australian brand. They’ve trademarked the term ‘Skinscreen’, which is a combination of skincare and sunscreen and a concept I am very much here for.

Ultra Violette have plenty of SPF and related products available but as I’m about to finish my Chanel tinted moisturiser and wanted a tinted high protection SPF, my first experience with the brand comes in the form of this: The Daydream Screen Tinted Veil.

I went for a colour match in Space NK and was matched to V2, which seems to suit my complexion pretty well though I have a feeling it’s going to look a little pale come summer. The colour spectrum for this product is actually quite good – it’s good to see the darkest shade is designed to blend into actual dark skin, not white-person-with-a-tan-dark.

The formula is lightweight, almost serum-like, but buildable, so you can customise how much coverage you would like. On application, Daydream blends in nicely and, although it feels slightly tacky and ‘sunscreeny’ at first, it does end up feeling pretty weightless once it settles. The fragrance free formula contains plant-derived Pentivitin (Saccharide Isomerate), a hydrating extract that boosts skin’s hydration levels and protects against environmental damage. The SPF is also free from Silicone, Oils and Alcohol.

This product makes my skin look healthy and even with a little bit of a glow and I would certainly wear it after the sun goes down too as my make up base. There's no pilling or rolling and I didn't notice any obvious separation, though I confess I didn't scrutinise it with a magnifying mirror or anything like that.

Even though it offers broad spectrum SPF50 UVA and UVB protection, Ultra Violette recommend to not rely on Daydream alone for your sun protection. In fact, it’s designed as a secondary sunscreen/makeup hybrid to apply after your daily sunscreen. I wish I had researched a little more before I purchased because I was after an SPF with a bit of a tint, not a skin tint with SPF, if you know what I mean. Applying a ¼ teaspoon of Daydream to your face would not result in a barely-there-glowing look and would probably even feel a little uncomfortable on the skin so it does make sense when you look at it that way. It’s worth mentioning that I really like the bottle – it’s nice and soft, easy to squeeze, with a narrow nozzle that delivers a custom amount of product.

As a side note, the box of the SPF says SPF 50+ Daydream Screen Tinted Veil while the bottle says SPF 50 Dream Screen Tinted Veil. I’m not sure why there is a discrepancy there, it’s just something I noticed!

I bought my bottle of Ultra Violette SPF 50 Dream Screen Tinted Veil from Space NK for £38 for 50ml.

3 Alternative, Natural Ways to Look After Your Skin

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Everyone wants their skin to look and feel as nice as possible, but they often don’t know what they’re doing. A skincare routine can be great, but many products can be filled with chemicals people mightn’t want to use.

If you want to look after your skin while avoiding any harmful ingredients and chemicals, you could feel like you don’t have many options. Thankfully, there are more than a few things you could do. Three of these can help a lot more than you’d think.

Look After Your Skin: 3 Alternative, Natural Ways

1. Hydrate Often

One of the best things you can do for your skin is to make sure you’re as hydrated as possible. Dehydration leads to more than a few issues with your skin, with dry patches just being the tip of the iceberg. It’s worth avoiding these as much as you can.

At least seven or eight glasses of water a day is recommended. If you exercise regularly, then you’ll need much more than this. You shouldn’t have to go out of your way to do this, so you’ve no reason not to drink enough water every day.

2. Control Your Stress Levels

Stress plays a large role in how you feel, but it can have an impact on how your skin looks, too. It’s worth cutting down on this as much as you can, and there are plenty of ways you can do that. If you’re taking medical cannabis or CBD, then lowering your stress levels could be a welcome side effect.

There’s also yoga, meditation, and more than a few similar techniques. The better you’re able to deal with your stress, the better your skin should look. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t put some time and effort into it.

3. Cut Down On Fast Food

Fast food is more popular than ever, despite the fact it can be unhealthy for you. This doesn’t just affect your health, however, and obesity is far from the only thing you risk by eating it a lot. It can also have a serious impact on your skin and how it looks.

It’ll make your skin look greasy, and it can even lead to minor skin irritations when eaten too much. Cut down on this as much as you can to avoid that. You’ll also help with your overall health, so you’ve no reason not to cut down on it or avoid it completely.

Look After Your Skin: Wrapping Up

Trying to look after your skin can feel like a chore at the best of times, but it can be more confusing when you’re trying to avoid harmful ingredients and chemicals. Thankfully, this doesn’t need to be as complicated as you could think.

By using a few particular strategies, you shouldn’t have a problem doing this. While it can still take a little time, it shouldn’t be as confusing or as complicated as you could think. You’ll have healthy skin that looks and feels great before you know it.

Everlasting Brows NEW Double Sided Eyeliner Pencil

 (sample)

 I had been thinking about buying a new eyeliner for a few weeks (I know this is a lot of time to spend pondering something so menial) before I was gifted the Everlasting Eye-Edge Double Sided Eye Pencil from Everlasting Brows. I was after something that was easy to work with and versatile, with good staying power and decent pigment, and it just so happens that this eye pencil ticks all those boxes.

Made in Italy, the eyeliner feels like it’s of very decent quality and, at a similar price point to many big-name-brand eyeliners you’ll find in Boots or Superdrug, I think it’s fantastic value too. The eye pencil is currently available in Heavenly Black and Glitter, with a rich black shade at one end and a beautiful, iridescent glitter at the other.

Both shades glide on smoothly, with minimal tugging and the black shade ‘sets’ in a few minutes, so there’s plenty of time to smudge out your line if you’re wanting a smoky look. Equally, the lasting power of the liner means it’d be perfect for a cat eye or extended liner look, though I’ve lost my nerve lately when it comes to creating a cat eye. I’ve used the black pencil on my upper and lower lids and found that it stays put pretty well – I was actually a little amazed that it still clung to my upper lash line and waterline after walking my son to school and back again in the wind and rain last week!

I’m not a very glittery person, so to speak, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from the glitter end of the pencil, but it turns out that it’s one of those ‘fairy wing’ shape-shifting, glowing glitters, that’s sort of holographic and absolutely gorgeous. This glitter will be featured on my eyelids at least once this festive season I think.

If you don’t already know about Everlasting Brows, I’ve written about them before here. The company specialise in professional Microblading and Permanent Makeup, so they know their stuff.

The Everlasting Eye-Edge Double Sided Eye Pencil is £7.95 at Everlasting Brows.

Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil

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A decent cleansing oil or balm really should be considered a staple in every bathroom cabinet. Whether you prefer an all natural oil that needs to be removed with a flannel or cloth or a silky balm that emulsifies and turns milky on contact with water, balms and oils are simply the best when it comes to taking off that first layer of makeup, dirt and/or SPF.

The cleansing oil by affordable, no-nonsense skincare brand Simple is a really good option whether you're a skincare enthusiast with plenty of existing products or you're looking to try an oil cleanser for the first time. I've tried my fair share of cleansing balms and oils over the years and this no frills option should, in my opinion, be a staple in everyone's bathroom cabinet.

Formulated with no colour or artificial fragrance, the unscented cleansing oil might seem basic - and it is - but basic is often best, especially when it comes to removing makeup and doing that first cleanse that takes all the grot off your face. If you have sensitive skin then this was made for you as it's hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested and approved for skin that's on the sensitive side. That said, if you don't experience sensitivity then this is still perfect, I think it's that good!

The Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil is a blend of Grapeseed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, emollients and Vitamin A and E. It leaves skin feeling hydrated and comfortable, even before you follow up with serums and moisturisers.

How to use an Oil Cleanser

If you've never tried an oil cleanser before, you might be wondering how best to use one. It's quite simple really (pun?) but the key thing is to make sure you have a dry face and hands to start with. Simple Cleansing Oil is packaged in a recycled plastic bottle that you use by tipping it upside down and squeezing gently to dispense the product. Add a few drops to dry palms, then massage the oil onto a dry face - this oil provides plenty of slip so it's really easy to massage into the skin. Once you've given your face a nice little massage, either rinse with warm water to emulsify or use a wrung-out warm flannel or cloth to remove the oil, taking dirt and makeup with it.

As it's an emulsifying formula, the oil transforms into an easily removed milk once water is added, so it does the job pretty quickly.

When removing mascara and eye makeup, it's a good idea to add a drop or two to a cotton pad or reusable/washable round, press on the eye area gently to help the oil loosen the makeup, then gently wipe away vefore rinsing.

Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil seems to be pretty widely liked thanks to the effective formula and afforable price point. I'll continue to use it as a first cleanse and leave the pricier, more sensorial cleansers for the second cleanse.

The cleansing oil has an rrp of £6.99 for 125ml but it's often on special at Boots.