Travel Skincare from Nourish London

 (post features samples)

 If you’re fortunate enough to be jetting off to somewhere a little less dreary this summer, you’re probably thinking about the beauty bits you’re going to take with you. So many of us travel with hand luggage only these days, so we’re unlikely to be taking our full-sized favourites with us. With that in mind, Nourish London have us all covered with their range of beauty minis – perfectly portable and ideal for popping in your zip lock bag before you head through security.

Not only do Nourish have ready-made skincare kits packed with mini versions of some bestsellers, but they also offer a great selection of travel minis. If you’re a frequent reader you’ll know that I’ve tried a lot of the range over the years, so here are my picks.

Argan Skin Renew Moisturiser – Travel Size (15ml)

Designed to soothe and quench dry and dehydrated skin, this moisturiser is perfect for use after sun exposure. Omega-rich Argan Oil is the star of this cream, with Tripeptides to boost collagen and antioxidant Vitamin E also in the mix. It contains Frankincense, Myrrh (no gold though unfortunately), Borage and Rose of Jericho, and you can really smell the Frankincense on application, though this dissipates quite quickly so don’t fear if you’re not a fan of that scent. I like this cream at every time of year but particularly during summer and when winter dries my skin out and I need some relief.

Shop the Travel Size Argan Skin Renew Moisturiser for £11

Kale 3D Cleanse – Travel Size (30ml)

I’ve actually just finished a full sized bottle of this cleanser so I’m very much prepared to sing its praises! Kale 3D Cleanse is unique in that it changes colour as you cleanse, which adds a touch of novelty to the whole experience. My son in particular likes the fact that it turns green, Hulk style! The 70% organic cleanser is gentle yet effective, with Kale, Griffonia (a touch of shrub) Hyaluronic Acid, Probiotics and oxygenating ingredients leaving the skin feeling fresh, clean and comfortable. I really like using this cleanser for my second cleanse.

Shop the Travel Size Kale 3D Cleanse for £9.50hop the Travel Size Kale 3D Cleanse for £9.50

Argan Skin Rescue – Travel Size (5ml)

Skin Rescue is my current post-retinol skin treat. This is a thick, nourishing oil treatment formulated with Argan Oil, Abyssinian and Neroli Oil to improve the skin’s suppleness, elasticity and hydration levels. It’s designed to soothe and repair stressed out skin, enhance collagen and protect from future damage. This stuff is like a fire blanket for your skin – instantly calming and comforting. It’s very rich, so you only need the tiniest amount for your whole face, making the £10 price point very much worth it.

Shop the Travel Size Argan Skin Rescue for £10

Antioxidant Multi-Tasking Super Balm – Travel Size (15ml)

One of my favourite beauty products. Seriously. I’ve been through pots of the Super Balm since I was introduced to Nourish years ago, which is a pretty good indication that it’s one of my personal ride or dies. I can almost guarantee that if you try the travel size you’ll have the full size ordered and waiting at your doorstep for when you’re back from holiday. With natural plant oils and extracts, antioxidants and Marine Algae, this omega-rich balm does it all. Use it as a cleanser, paired with a flannel or muslin to exfoliate, as a really nourishing overnight mask, as a makeup primer, highlighter, dewy moisturiser and much more.

Shop the Antioxidant Multi-Tasking Super Balm for £13

 

Christmas Gifting with Nourish London

(samples) 

Looking for some gorgeous, organic and vegan beauty gifts this festive season? Nourish London have once again got you covered with their offering for Christmas 2022! Here's a look at what's available this year.

Argan & Kale Collection £75

I have this collection myself and can confirm it is a standout, luxury skincare gift option. It contains four full sized items and takes care of all your cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising needs! So if you know someone who needs a whole new routine, this is a good shout. This gift contains Kale 3D Cleanse 100ml - a lovely cleanser that changes colour as it works, Kale Enzymatic Exfoliator 50ml, Argan Anti-Ageing Peptide Serum 30ml and Argan Skin Renew Moisturiser 50ml.

Like all of the gifts this year, this collection is presented in a sturdy black card box which is easily reused (and recycled).

Geranium & Jasmine Body Duo £20

This sweet-smelling pair includes a Geranium & Jasmine Shower Gel (200ml) and Geranium & Jasmine Contouring Body Cream (50ml). The shower gel and cream contain soothing Jasmine and Geranium essential oils, moisturising and protective shea butter and Trehalose and firming prickly pear and brown algae. I think this is a great little fail-safe gift because not everyone has a bath but most people will have a shower in their house! The packaging for both products is fully recyclable too.

Lemon & Black Pepper Handcare Duo £25

This gift features a Lemon & Black Pepper Hand Wash and Lemon & Black Pepper Hand Lotion (both 300ml) and I think it would make a wonderful present for anyone really! I've tried the Lemon & Black Pepper Hand Wash before (you can read my blog post here) and really like it. It's made with 100% natural plant-based cleansers (Potassium Oleate and Potassium Cocoate) and has been lab tested to kill 99.9% of bacteria. Ho Leaf Oil and Lemon Peel Oil are blended with Black Pepper Seed Oil - which are all naturally antibacterial- to create a fresh, invigorating scent that takes hand washing to another level. The Hand Lotion has the same refreshing scent and features a blend of Shea Butter and Sunflower Oil blended with humectant Glycerin.

Nourished Hands Trio £30

This set contains three 50ml Hand Creams including the Lavender Hand Cream, Kale Anti-Ageing Hand Cream and Damask Rose Hand Cream. The Hand Creams are designed to nourish and hydrate and feature natural, organic essential oils. Like every one of the gifts from Nourish, this is presented in a recyclable and reusable black card box.

Antioxidant Duo £15

This set includes the Antioxidant Multi-Tasking Super Balm (15ml) and Antioxidant Peptide Mist (15ml). The Multi-Tasking Balm is one of those does-everything products that every bathroom cabinet, handbag or bedside table needs. It works as a gentle but effective cleanser (and exfoliator when used with a flannel or muslin) that emulsifies and rinses away, makes an instantly hydrating and moisturising mask that can be left to work overnight (perfect in this cold weather) and is also brilliant on dry patches virtually anywhere on the body. It's also great as an intensive moisturiser for lips and cuticles.The Peptide Mist is a dual-phase formula that you shake to activate, which can be used to protect and prepare the skin as well as refresh a bare face or makeup throughout the day. Of course you can also use this in the 'misting' step of your skincare routine, before or after your moisturiser or both! I've reviewed these products separately before and rate them both, so I think that this not only makes lovely gift but it's a great-value way of trying out both products yourself. You can read my review of the balm HERE and the mist HERE.

 

  

Nourish London Summer Sun Kit

(post contains sample)

 The Summer Sun Kit from Nourish London is a dinky little skincare trio perfect for travel or just trying out the brand. Presented in a Freeset black organic cotton bag, the skincare set includes the Argan Skin Rescue (5ml), Skin Protecting Daily Moisturiser SPF25 (15ml) and the Probiotic Multi-Mineral Repair Mask (5ml).

The idea is that this kit is ideal for sunny days; prep the skin before you go out in the sun with the Argan Skin Rescue, protect and moisturise with the Skin Protecting Daily Moisturiser (you can read my post about that here) and then soothe skin at the end of the day (or overnight if you fancy it) with the Probiotic Multi-Mineral Repair Mask.

The Argan Skin Rescue is rich in Vitamin C and nourishing oils. It can really be used anytime and does feel really soothing on the skin so is a good option for post-sun treating. The inclusion of Vitamin C makes it perfect to apply in the morning though because Vitamin C is not only great for brightening, but it provides some protection against sun damage too.

I reviewed the Skin Protecting Daily Moisturiser quite recently but to recap, this is a Zinc Oxide based sunscreen with antioxidants including Camellia and Rosehip oils. The consistency is quite thick and I noticed that Nourish have added the following to the product listing on their website in case customers are confused about how best to apply it:

“Please note, the consistency of the product needs to be thicker than normal moisturisers without SPF to ensure that once applied to the skin the level of SPF is at the level stated on pack (in this case 25).  The product can thicken over time, particularly with fluctuations of temperature.  We would recommend applying a serum before hand which will prep and hydrate the skin to help the moisturiser skin into the skin more easily.  Also if you massage the product between your fingers for a few seconds to warm it up it will help loosen the product so that it will then apply more easily.”

The Probiotic Mineral Mask is just gorgeous – I’ve actually got it on now as I type! It’s a thick cream mask that feels beautifully soothing and cooling. Exactly what’s needed after a hot Summer day in or out of the sun. With calming Magnesium and infused with Damask Rose and Lavender, the mask is designed to calm inflammation, boost collagen, firm and restore. You can leave the mask on for anything from 5 minutes to overnight and remove it gently with a damp cloth. Strictly speaking, it’s a single use sachet but I think you could squeeze a couple of uses out of it to be honest!

As with all Nourish London products, the serum, moisturiser and mask in this kit are 100% vegan and made with organic ingredients.

If you're interested in trying these three products for yourself, this is a great, affordable opportunity to do so. The Nourish London Summer Sun Kit is £15 at Nourish.

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.

Dafna's Personal Skincare Nutrition Night Treatment

I love an eco-luxe skincare product and this rich, buttery night treatment really is no exception.
Dafna's Nutrition Night Treatment is one of those products that pretty much ticks every box for me; Natural? Check. Effective? Check. Luxury? Check. Great scent? Check!

Housed in a decadently heavy black glass jar, Nutrition comprises of 21 natural active ingredients including essential oils and botanical extracts and has a subtle yet utterly heavenly scent that perfectly complements the overall vibe of the cream- that is, natural and distinctly luxurious.

Active ingredients include ginseng, propolis, green tea, reishi, and rosewood and vanilla SOIL registered essential oils blended in a rich base of silky shea butter, glycerin, rosa damascena flower water, rosehip seed oil, macadamia seed oil, olive oil, argan oil and jojoba seed oil. The result is a gorgeously thick, almost caramel hued cream that instantly moisturises and sinks into the skin quickly. At first glance, I assumed that Nutrition would leave an oily feeling on my skin- it is super rich after all- but it really doesn't. In fact, to use a cliched phrase I type far too much on this blog, my skin really does drink this up. In other words, it absorbs like a dream. Because the texture is so thick, only a pea-sized amount is needed for my whole face and neck. Nutrition is part of Dafna's DR2 wellness range, which is a collection of products developed to counteract the environmental stressors that come with city living - perfect if you live in London really! The cream is designed to protect the skin from free radicals and strengthen its natural defences, build collagen and elastin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and hydrate the skin. Nutrition also has aroma-therapeutic benefits and brings a sense of calm and wellbeing when applied. I was surprised by the scent when I first tried it, actually, because it is really quite subtle so not likely to alienate skin care lovers who aren't all that keen on heavily scented products for the face. 
Overall, Nutrition is a truly stunning creation, so it's little wonder that it's quickly gaining cult status.
Dafna's Nutrition Night Treatment recently won a Beauty Shortlist award in the Best Night Cream category and is available at Dafna Skincare and Love Lula where it retails for £75.

EKIA // Organic Skincare with a Difference

For the past year of so I've been particularly interested in natural and organic skincare. There's just something so intriguing about the science behind a lot of natural products that don't rely on fillers or fragrance to give them appeal. One brand that I have recently discovered is EKIA - a certified organic range from France. EKIA is unique in that the products are designed to complement three different mature skin types. In other words, it's not a 'one size fits all' anti aging range and regimes are 'prescribed' according to each individual's needs. The creator of EKIA, Carine Mudry worked with Dermatologists and conducted a clinical study to find the ideal natural anti-aging ingredient.
Carine has this to say about her brand: “We designed Ekia to give women looking for organic skincare products an alternative to the heavy textured, poorly fragranced and unproven formulations dominating the market at the time.”
Carine's work led to the discovery of the brand's signature active ingredient- Sangre Del Drago Sap, also known more simply as Dragon's Blood Sap. Incredibly, this deep red sap comes from the Croton Lechleri Tree which grows in the Amazon Rainforest and has been used for thousands of years by local tribes for its healing properties. That's saying something now isn't it?

Intrigued by the inclusion of this interesting-sounding, almost mystical sap I was keen to try some bits from EKIA and received a skincare prescription of my very own so I could do just that.

Creme Originelle Preventative Face Cream
From the moment I first put this on my face, I knew I was onto a winner. This cream is thick and buttery, which is just what I want at the moment, and feels lovely and rich on the skin. The cream is designed to reduce the first signs of ageing and is made up of 99.2% of  ingredients from natural origin. Ingredients include the Dragon's Blood Sap, Maca Root, Cork Oak, Paracress, Pracaxi Oil, Marine Microorganisms(!), Baikal Skullcap, Bearberry and Green Caviar. Nope, I hadn't heard of most of these before either. You'd think all of these ingredients would produce a most interesting scent but in reality, Creme Originelle does not smell of much at all. The scent is subtle with almost a hint of almond. This cream seems to instantly have an effect on my skin - it makes things plumper and brighter and leaves my face feeling unbelievably hydrated and cared for. RRP £43 for 50ml.

Velvet Cleansing Milk for Dry or Sensitive Skin
This is a no-rinse cleanser designed to remove make up and general muck. The milk is massaged over the skin, eyelashes and eyelids (it doesn't sting) and then removed with a cotton pad. Although this cleanser does leave my skin feeling refreshed and cleansed, I have never been one to be content with not actually washing my face so to me this is a first cleanse/ make up remover. The cleansing milk is enriched with a combination of oils, butters and waters from the Amazon including Andiroba Oil (an anti-inflammatory), organic Pracaxi Oil (to moisturise) Brazil Nut Oil (to nourish and restore), Cupuacu Butter to relieve dry skin and fair trade Guarana Water which has a toning and decongesting action.The cleansing milk also features extracts of Argan, Barley and Shea Butter, Acai and Candeia extracts and the signature Dragon's Blood Sap. RRP £19 for 90ml.

Highly Active Radiance Serum for Dull Pigmented Skin
I feel like everyone needs to know about this one, especially if you're interested in brightening up your complexion. This opaque serum (I don't know why but I always assume serums are going to be clear) is packed with fruit acids and Licorice Extract to exfoliate and even out skin tone/ pigmentation then nicely rounded off with hydrating Cranberry Extract and, of course, regenerating Dragon's Blood Sap. I love an active serum and this one is no exception. I feel a very, very slight tingle on application as the Blueberry, Lemon, Orange and Sugar Cane acids do their thing then my face is left feeling and looking super smooth and happy and ready for application of Creme Originelle. RRP £56 for 30ml.

Eyelid Lifting Serum for Sagging Eyelids
This serum is one of those products that has an instant effect and works to improve things over time. At 31 I am still a bit young to have an age-related issue with my eyelids sagging, however I do have quite deep-set, hooded eyes so anything that's going to firm up the area is more than welcome round these parts. The gel-like serum has a cooling effect and is applied to cleansed upper eyelids using gentle 'smoothing' movements from the inner to outer corners of each eye. As the formula dries, you feel an instant lifting sensation - this is down to the inclusion of Carrageen Moss Extract which forms a micro mesh on the surface of the skin. While the moss extract is working on the instant results, other ingredients focus on long term effects; Hyaluronic Acid hydrates, Alpine Sea Holly extract firms and strengthens and Dragon's Blood Sap lifts and regenerates. RRP £38 for 15ml.

It's worth mentioning that EKIA products come with little leaflets that include dietary tips and step by step instructions for firming facial massage, which I think is a nice little bonus! You can find EKIA at Whole Foods stores in the beauty section, .

Post contains samples

Leahlani Skincare Bless Beauty Balm

I'll admit that when this little glass pot of pink balm arrived all the way from Kauai I wasn't 100% sure what to do with it. I had been obsessively researching products that contain Blue Tansy when I happened across the Leahlani Skincare Bless Beauty Balm and sort of purchased it 'just because'. As the formula sounded so rich I didn't think I'd use it as a facial moisturiser so figured it would be perfect as an extra special treat for my hands/cuticles and any dry patches that appeared (I bought this when things were still pretty Wintery). However, as the months have passed I've found myself reaching for it as both an occasional cleanser and a facial oil/moisturiser and have basically fallen pretty hard for it.

As a cleanser, I use it like any other balm or oil formula, that is, massage it in and then remove with a warm damp muslin cloth or flannel.  As a moisturiser/face oil/facial balm, I use a pea sized amount of the Bless Balm warmed between my finger tips and pressed onto my face. It's particularly gorgeous after toning too because it's so calming and comforting.

As mentioned before, I really thought this was going to be too rich and thick for my face but it actually absorbs beautifully leaving a subtle dewy sheen rather than sitting on the skin like an oil slick. And the scent? Oh my goodness. It's a bit floral, a bit tropical and entirely addictive. Officially, the scent is orange blossom and blue tansy but to me it just smells like unicorns and dreams. 

The ingredients: 

Organic cold pressed argan oil (Argania spinosa), organic cold pressed camellia seed oil (Camellia oleifera), organic Shea butter (Butyrospermum Parkii), organic cocoa butter (Theobroma Cacao), organic cold pressed maracuja passionflower oil (Passiflora Incarnata), organic cold pressed moringa oil (Moringa Oleifera), organic cold pressed marula oil (Sclerocarya Birrea ), cymbidium grandiflorum orchid extract, wildcrafted blue tansy oil (Tanacetum annuum), neroli oil (Aurantium Dulcis), organic rosehip fruit (Rosa Moschata), rose clay and LOVE.

I love that LOVE is listed as the last ingredient! The founder of Leahlani, Leah, comes across as genuine and passionate about her products (of which there are many more) and each and every one is created by Leah herself in micro batches in a small studio in Kauai. Doesn't that just make it seem that little bit more special? What began as a brand on Etsy has now spawned quite a cult following- you just need to search Instagram or Twitter for #leahlaniskincare or #mermaidmaskmonday to see what I mean. It's no surprise that the brand is so popular really - each and every one of the products sound utterly delicious - Kokoleka Ritual Dessert Detox Mask for example. Yes please.

I bought the Bless Beauty Balm from Leahlani Skincare directly and it took about two weeks to get all the way from Kauai to London, which is pretty standard. I also had to pay a ransom of around £18 in customs charges, which was annoying but it's always a gamble ordering products from the states! Edit: Leahlani is currently available in the UK from Naturisimo .The balm is £53 so is not particularly cheap, but to me it's worth every penny.

Kahina Giving Beauty Prickly Pear Seed Oil

Did you know prickly pear seed oil is really quite good for your skin? Well that's one thing we have in common because neither did I. In fact, I didn't know prickly pear was much good for anything other than growing in deserts and being exceptionally prickly.

Do not underestimate the power of the mighty cactus.
As it turns out, the seeds of these spiny plants are high in amino acids, Vitamin K, fatty acids and antioxidants - in other words, a whole load of good things that just so happen to be great for skin.
Amino acids smooth and tone the complexion, Vitamin K has been proven to lighten dark under eye circles and spider veins, fatty acids improve moisture levels in the skin and antioxidants aid in reducing wrinkles. The impressive part is all of these benefits exist within just one ingredient - Prickly Pear Seed Oil.

I have been trialling the 100% organic Kahina Giving Beauty Prickly Pear Seed Oil for just over a week now, which in fairness is probably not quite long enough, but I just got so overexcited by this product that I sort of couldn't wait. After cleansing and toning in the evening, I've been smoothing 2 or 3 drops of the oil onto my face before applying my night cream and I've got to say I'm a little bit in love with it. The oil is 'thicker' than argan oil and has an odd yet not unpleasant 'hay' scent. It absorbs quite nicely and leaves me with a glow rather than the shine you might expect from an oil.

The Kahina Giving Beauty Prickly Pear Seed Oil is touted as an anti-aging treatment to soften, moisturise, restore elasticity, brighten undereye circles and minimize spider veins. The main benefits I've gained from its use (so far-early days) is definitely a noticeably softer feeling face and reduction in under eye darkness. I've read a few reviews that comment on how effective the oil is in reducing under eye circles, so if this something that you struggle with I definitely recommend you give the Prickly Pear Seed Oil a go.

If you've not heard of Kahina Giving Beauty before, the company have a wonderful ethos that you can read all about here and keep an eye out for the oil when it launches at the end of the month at beingcontent.com for around £25.


This post contains a sample

Fake Tan Files: Tan Organic Tanning Oil

After reading a few reviews of Tan Organic Tanning Oil I decided to give it a go myself and can tell you straight away that I reckon it lives up to its fairly good reputation!
 Even if I hadn't read about it, I think I would have grabbed it anyway had I seen it on the shelves just because the packaging is just so gosh darn appealing. The heavy glass bottle with wooden lid is just so different to what you usually find and would look perfectly sophisticated on any dressing table.

But I'm sure you're not reading this to hear about the bottle so let's get down to the actual contents.

The name is a bit of a giveaway really- the Tan Organic Tanning Oil is an oil formula, obviously. The tan has a dry oil feel that doesn't feel too slippery on the skin and absorbs pretty well and contains a bevy of natural ingredients including Sweet Orange Peel Oil and Aloe Leaf Juice which nourish the upper layers of skin while the DHA gets to work and gives you the faux glow.

Despite claims that it is odourless, it is not scent free by any means. That said, it certainly smells different to more conventional faux tan products as this has a sort of fresh, citrus scent that I quite like myself though I have read a few reviews from people who weren't keen on the scent at all. Still, it's better than smelling like a wet dog/ biscuits/ wet-dog-biscuits, right?

To use, you just apply it as you would any other body oil, slather it on and rub it in, making sure you don't miss any bits. This part can be a bit tricky because the oil doesn't really contain a guide colour but I've found its best to just coat yourself with reckless abandon to be on the safe side! I use my hands when applying the oil because it just absorbs into my tanning mitt, so obviously just take care to scrub my palms with soap afterwards. It does feel a little bit clammy on the skin for the first hour or so - just exactly like most body oils do, but it does sort of dry down after a little while.

The colour the tanning oil produces is quite subtle- I'd say light to medium but it is buildable so if you want to go deeper just pop on another coat or two.

I thought the best way to show contrast between the fake tan and my normal skintone is with this photograph of my wrist. I have a habit of wearing hairbands on my wrists even though my hair isn't long enough to really put up at the moment and I had a bit of a beauty fail by failing to make my wrist hairband-free before applying. For this purpose though, it worked out for the best!

Tan Organic Self Tanning Oil Result

Overall I think Tan Organic Tanning Oil is a genuinely lovely product that does what it says on the bottle and is particularly nice on the face - though it doesn't last long on my face because I'm such an exfoliation enthusiast these days! I'll continue to use this as it (eventually) warms up to maintain a subtle glow when I can't be bothered doing a full on fake tan routine.

I picked up my bottle from lookfantastic.com for around £21 though it has an rrp of £24.99.

Nourish Argan Beauty Collection

Ah what a beautiful Christmas gift set! The Nourish Argan Beauty Collection is perfect for the skincare lover in your life and acts as a lovely introduction to this natural brand too.

Containing three skincare treats, Nourish describe the Argan Beauty Collection as ' A luxurious collection of shimmering gold, rejuvenating frankincense and revitalising myrhh, with omega-rich organic Moroccan argan oil and a stellar array of ultra-moisturising and radiance-boosting bioactives, to enhance your natural beauty.'

I've got to say, their product copywriter has got it pretty spot on with this description!

A very clever play on the Gold, Frankincense and Myrhh aspect of the story of Christmas, the set contains a 15ml pot of Argan Skin Renew cream, 5ml of Argan Skin Rescue treatment and 15ml of Golden Glow illuminating face shimmer.

The Skin Renew is a super-hydrating cream with Rose of Jericho and Frankincense that's applied after cleansing and toning. This cream feels quite dense at first, but melts away effortlessly when massaged in and has quite a heady frankincense scent that disappears pretty quickly once applied, which is good for me because I'm actually not that keen on the smell of frankincense. The Skin Renew cream sinks in quickly and you only need to try a little on the back of your hand to feel how baby-soft it makes your skin.

The Argan Skin Rescue is essentially an oil-serum that smells delicious and is designed to enhance collagen and natural skin lipids to protect against signs of ageing. 5ml is not an awful lot of product but one little pump is enough for the whole face (and I have a pretty big face!) so I don't see the size as a negative at all. It's recommended the Skin Rescue is applied to slightly damp skin for more intense hydration too, so you can smooth it on straight after your shower.

The third product is the very beautiful Golden Glow Illuminating Face Shimmer that evens out skintone instantly and imparts a slight shimmery glow. This is full of skin-loving ingredients so acts as a skincare/ makeup hybrid that's perfect for the festive season and would also be ideal for setting of a summer tan. It's not a scary, sparkly cream by any means, rather it adds a subtle shimmery sheen to the complexion when applied sparingly and is a fantastic highlighter for cheekbones and décolletage.

The Nourish Argan Beauty Collection makes a fantastic gift this Christmas and is complete with pretty, festive white and gold packaging that is bound to delight! So grab it for your sister, mum, friend or treat yourself :)

The *Argan Beauty Collection is available for the purse-friendly price of £25 from www.nourishskinrange.com, feelunique. liv.co.uk, Planet Organic, and selected Debenhams stores.

Raw Gaia MSM Beauty Cream

First things first - if I could try everything by Raw Gaia I would. When I recently logged onto the website I spent a good hour just swooning over every single product!

I've had my hands on the MSM Beauty Cream since last Saturday and I've found myself dipping into the pot a good few times a day just to pat a little bit extra on my face or massage it into my hands.

MSM Beauty Cream is essentially a brilliant organic cacao butter based moisturiser with added skin-loving bits and MSM. Formed naturally as a by-product of algae, MSM stands for Methyl-Sulphonyl-Methane, a 'nutritional sulphur' that is commonly used to treat the effects of arthritis and helps to form collagen, elastin, cartilage and keratin.
MSM is also known as 'The Beauty Mineral' as it promotes a clearer, more radiant complexion and healthier hair.
The MSM in the Raw Gaia Beauty Cream is there to bring a glow factor to the skin and while I can't comment on any long term effects at this stage, I can say that my skin is definitively 'glowier' once I've massaged it into my face.
Consistency wise, the cream is like a solidified oil that melts with the warmth of your hands. I find this particularly pleasant as it sort of adds to the whole ritual of a skincare routine. The MSM crystals are actually noticeable too- once you rub a little of the cream on your hands you can see (if you look closely) and feel the little transparent particles.

The Raw Gaia MSM Beauty Cream is particularly good for dry or mature skin as it contains organic apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, organic frankincense essential oil and myrhh essential oil all mixed up with organic cacao butter and MSM crystals.
The scent of the MSM Beauty Cream is definitely something to write home about too. The combination of cacao and frankincense gives the cream a rather indulgent dark chocolate aroma - and you can't go wrong with that!

Raw Gaia MSM Beauty Cream is £25 for a 50ml jar and is available online at Raw Gaia. I challenge you not to spend far too long pondering the Raw Chocolate Face Pack, Shikakai Hair Wash or Grapefruit and Lime Bath Salts.

*Post contains press sample

Dr Organic Manuka Honey Face Scrub

My honey obsession is still going strong so this month I'm placing a focus on skincare containing my favourite sweetener.
Dr Organic Manuka Honey Face Scrub has been a sweet little find thanks to its gentle yet effective formula that's perfect for winter.

What makes it the bees knees?
Encased in a user friendly tube, the face scrub contains organic 30+ active Manuka honey renowned for its antibacterial and healing properties. 

The grainy bits in this are pumice and ground fruit seed, which should feel quite scratchy, but don't - probably because the graininess is counteracted by the creamy honey formula it's suspended in.
As expected, the Dr Organic Manuka Honey Face Scrub smells utterly scrumptious, almost good enough to eat really, though I wouldn't recommend actually ingesting it.

The face scrub is a genuine pleasure to use and makes my skin feel smooth and supple afterwards with no tightness. I wholeheartedly recommend it, especially in colder months as it feels so nourishing and oddly soothing for something that is essentially sloughing away bits of dead skin.
As with most scrubs, the honey face scrub is designed for use two to three times a week, though it's a bit difficult to resist reaching for this every time I'm in the shower.

You can find Dr Organic Manuka Honey Face Scrub at Holland and Barrett for £5.99 for a 125ml tube.

Thanks for reading!

Nourish Revital-Eyes Kale Eye Cream

I think it's pretty fair to say that 2013 has been the year of the Kale. From kale smoothies, to kale crisps, the crinkly cabbage has certainly had its time in the spotlight thanks to the fact it's rich in Vitamin K, Vitamin C and Calcium. So eating Kale has become very popular, but what about incorporating this vitamin-rich vegetable into you skincare regime?
That's where Nourish Revital-Eyes Kale Biomimetic Anti-Ageing Eye Cream comes in.

Packed full of peptides, amino acids, B Vitamins and antioxidants, this eye cream targets wrinkly bits and dark circles with the help of maqui berry and pomegranate enzymes and, of course, kale extract.

Scent-wise, I've found the Revital-Eyes cream to smell quite fresh with a very slight citrus tinge that, for me, only adds to the overall joy of the cream. I've been using the eye cream before bed and occasionally in the morning for a couple of weeks and I can report that my eyes seem to look a little more 'awake', with less prominent dark circles. I've definitely not been getting more sleep, so I'm going to go ahead and put it down to this kale-enriched eye cream.

Kale has been praised as a superfood, so it makes perfect sense for the clever folk at Nourish to incorporate it into an eye cream. If you're a kale convert, you like your natural skincare (this cream is 79% organic) or would simply like to try something new to brighten your eyes and smooth pesky lines and wrinkles, I suggest you visit Nourish and give this little tube of goodness a whirl.

Nourish Revital-Eyes Kale Biomimetic Anti-Ageing Eye Cream is £29.50 for 10ml from Nourish Skin Range HERE.

P.S. Spend over £24.95 at Nourish and receive free UK delivery.

*Gifted Item - opinions and words are my own

Neal's Yard Remedies Honey & Orange Facial Scrub

 I was at Westfield London last week looking for something to spend my birthday giftcard on and found myself poking about in Neal's Yard. This may be blasphemous to some but I'd never actually been inside a Neal's Yard store before so I spent a good half hour in there trying out various lotions and potions. I've been a bit obsessed with any beauty products containing honey lately, so when I spotted the Honey & Orange Facial Scrub, I made a beeline for it (!). I only needed to have a sniff of this stuff to know I was going to get it. It smells amazing - refreshing and delicious. Pretty much exactly like honey and orange. Go figure.

This is a gritty, bitty facial scrub that buffs away dirt and dead skin yet doesn't seem to irritate or feel too abrasive. To use, you just scoop a little bit out and mix it with a tiny amount of water before scrubbing it gently in circular motions. The Honey & Orange Facial Scrub is of a muddy paste consistency which is a little too thick to use as it is, so adding a bit of water thins it out a bit and makes it easier to apply.
I'm not going to lie, the formula may not be the most user friendly - for one, it comes in a glass jar, which adds a bit of a luxurious element but could also result in broken glass in your shower if you're a bit clumsy like me. Secondly, the formula is a little bit fiddly and often results in me losing some down the plughole before it's been anywhere near my face.

Back to the positives, the Honey & Orange Facial Scrub not only smells incredible, but it does a great job in leaving my face clean and smooth but not tight, which is always a bonus and I'm enjoying using it in the evening to prep my skin for serums and moisturisers. Containing 77% organic ingredients, the scrub is a yummy combination of honey and propolis (soothing and antibacterial), kaolin ( absorbs excess oil and clarifies) and ground rice (exfoliates) with orange, neroli and sunflower oil to tone and balance the skin. I will also add that I accidentally got some of this on my lips and not only discovered that it's pretty good for exfoliating lips but it doesn't taste bad either. :0

I'm no skincare expert but I know when I like a product and I really like this. It smells divine and it works well for me. You can find the Honey & Orange Facial Scrub at Neal's Yard Remedies stores across the land and online. It costs £15.50 for a 75g jar.  If you haven't tried it, do it. Do it now!

Black Chicken Balm of Ages Review

You've gotta love a multitasking beauty product and this little tin of beautiful balm by Black Chicken Remedies is no exception.

"Don't carry lots of products - choose a clever one!"

That's a quote taken from the Black Chicken website that describes the Balm of Ages pretty well.
A lovely thick, buttery yellowy balm, the Balm of Ages is made up of 19 specially chosen ingredients that work together to nourish, repair, hydrate, soothe, protect, cleanse and balance. Phew.

The ingredients:

• Shea Butter
• Coconut Oil
• Bees Wax
• Cocoa Butter
• Jojoba
• Camelia Tea Oil
• Sea Buckthorn
• Calendula
• Arnica
• Hemp
• Lavender
• Patchouli
• Frankinsence
• Cajuput
• Mandarin
• Sandalwood
• Geranium
• Ylang Ylang
• Vitamin E

It's worth mentioning that 18 of the 19 ingredients in Balm of Ages are certified organic (only the Vitamin E isn't) which is a massive bonus for those who like to live the most natural existence possible! Scent-wise, the balm has quite a soothing herbal smell with the lavender and mandarin oils coming through pretty strongly - not a bad thing in my opinion as lavender is obviously renowned for its comforting and soothing effects.

I'll be honest, when I first got the press release through for this, the first thing I noticed is that it's an Australian product, which is a huge selling point for me personally. In fact, one of the ingredients, Cajuput oil (which is similar to Eucalyptus) has been used by Australian Aboriginals for a loooong time (we're talking centuries here) as a powerful antiseptic. Fun. Fact.

I've mainly been using the Balm of Ages as a lip balm but it can be used as a topical ointment for pretty much EVERYTHING from removing make up to soothing dry elbows and knees and comforting shaving rash to conditioning lips and softening hands. I have a feeling this little tin is going to be living in my handbag through the autumn and into winter. 

Black Chicken Balm of Ages is available to purchase from selected boutiques and online at Black Chicken. It's only currently available in Australia but they do ship internationally.

Have you got a favourite multi-purpose beauty product? Let me know! x

*PR Sample

A Beautiful Brand: Beauty Works West

If you've been visiting Lippy in London for a while, you may have noticed that I've featured a few products from Notting Hill based Medispa and Online Boutique Beauty Works West. What you may not know however, is that Beauty Works West is also a brand in itself, offering a range of scrumptious body, hair and bath products as well as beautiful candles.

The luxurious concoctions were all developed by world renowned anti-ageing expert, Dr. Daniel Sister, so you know you're in very capable hands with these gorgeous products!

I've been trialing the Anti-Ageing Body Cream and the Cleanse Organic Facial Cloths and I'm so pleased with the performance and all round gorgeousness of these products that I wanted to share my thoughts.

Beauty Works West Anti-Ageing Body Cream

This fresh, thick and decadent body cream is pure luxury in every way.

Made with super nourishing Cocoa Seed and Shea Butter, this cream is very rich yet quickly absorbed, leaving the skin incredibly soft and smooth without the grease factor.

The scent is a gorgeous, long lasting citrus heavy, slightly spicy concoction that keeps the skin smelling lovely and fresh - even during perilous Tube journeys in June.

The Anti-Ageing Body Cream is £41.50 for a generous 225ml tub of luxury. Have a closer look at the body cream at www.beautyworkswest.com or click here.

Beauty Works West Cleanse Organic Facial Cloths

I get home from work close to midnight some evenings, so I'm a huge fan of using facial wipes to remove make up and impurities quickly and easily. I do however have trouble finding wipes that don't irritate my skin to the point where I have to get out of bed and wash of the residue and this is why I love these.

These organic cleansing wipes are infused with soothing Aloe Vera and anti-ageing Pomegranate extracts, so they comfort my face rather than infuriate it and they're so gentle I can even use them to remove mascara and eyeliner. When I find a facial wipe that doesn't irritate my eyes, I'm not going to forget about it anytime soon and I think these are just perfect.

The wipes retail at £7.95 for a box of 25 and you can find them by clicking here.

Along with the Beauty Works West branded products, you can also find a range of beautiful products from other brands by visiting the company's online boutique. They stock all kinds of gorgeous goodies including La Bella Donna mineral make up and the iconic Egyptian Magic all purpose skin cream.

To find out more about Beauty Works West visit beautyworkswest.com

Thanks for reading!

*These were kindly sent to me for consideration but remember, I'm an honest kinda gal ;)

Want Glowing Skin for Summer? Kahina Argan Oil is where it's at!

Hello!

Tonight I wanted to write about a recent facial skincare discovery I've made.
Yes it involves a certain type of oil and yes I put it on my face.

Before you jump the gun and click away from this page in protest over the suggestion of smoothing oil on your face, give me a moment to explain :)

The oil in question is 100% organic Argan Oil by natural, ethical beauty brand Kahina Giving Beauty.

I've been trialing the Argan oil for the past couple of weeks and it's impressed me so much that I thought it deserved a little airtime on Lippy in London.

How Do I Use It?


For the face, I like to use it in the evening after I've cleansed my face.
 I put 2 drops on my palm, rub my hands together slightly, then pat it gently onto my face just as I would with a facial serum.
I've only used it once for my hair, applying a drop or 2 to the ends where there is some serious damage going on. I stopped using it on my hair because I felt that it was too precious to waste on split ends!

What Does It Do?


Argan Oil is naturally rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants and these benefits are only amplified depending on how pure the oil is, and this is probably the purest you can get!
This oil soothes irritation, minimizes fine lines, restores elasticity, neutralizes the free radicals that cause wrinkles and other signs of ageing, protects the skin from various nasties such as pollution (hello London) and improves the overall texture and tone of the skin. Not bad for one ingredient, in one little dropper bottle.

What Makes Kahina Special?


Basically, Kahina Giving Beauty is all about 'giving back' to the women in Morocco who source the argan nuts and extract the oil that ends up in the glass bottles. Kahina is so committed to celebrating these women, that their signatures adorn the packaging of every Kahina product. I think that's such a special touch :)

Another factor that sets Kahina apart from other Argan Oil manufacturers, is the quality of the product, please read this extract taken from the brand's website to learn a rather amusing fact about the oil of the moment:

The most important factor in determining argan oil quality is the “goat factor”. The argan nut is a hard almond-like seed, encased in an external shell and a fruity outside pulp. The nuts that are gathered for oil must have the exterior pulp intact. If there is no pulp, it means that the nut has been eaten and digested by a goat (goats love to eat the nuts) imparting a foul smell to the oil.

Often, these “goat nuts” will be sold at a low price and then the oil will be deodorized, a process that destroys the essential nutrients in the oil. This is typically the case of the lower priced oils on the market. 

All in all, I've fallen for this Argan Oil - I can honestly say my skin feels more 'plump' and hydrated and I look a little more awake than I did before I started using it (though I certainly don't feel it).
If  you're scared of putting this on your face, don't be. It absorbs really quickly and doesn't leave my face feeling oily - just lovely and soft.

*From what I've read about this company, they're pretty outstanding in terms of environmental responsibility and sustainability. You can read more on what Kahina is all about by visiting the website here.
Here in the UK, the Kahina range (including facial cleansers, serums, masks and more) is available at Beauty Works West. The 30ml size of the Argan Oil retails at £22.

Have you heard of Kahin Giving Beauty before? What do you think of facial oils? How do you feel about 'goat nuts'? :)

Thanks for reading! x

*This was kindly given to me for consideration, but I'm a terrible liar so rest assured that the above is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.