Tropic Makeup Range Bases & Lips

August 3, 2019September 4, 2026 - Vicki

I’m sure you have heard of Tropic, they’re one of my absolute favourite beauty brands. A few of the reasons I like them so much include their positive ethos on the environment, the ingredients they use and and the fact their entire skincare and makeup collections are natural, vegan and cruelty-free. As a brand they’re proud to use naturally derived, sustainably sourced ingredients, that are free from harmful toxic chemicals. So your skin is in good hands.

They also use minimal packaging, and are embracing green technology. Tropic are a brand that produce quality products that deliver results, I honestly don’t think I have tried a product from Tropic that I didn’t like. Recently I’ve been lucky enough to try a few products from their revamped makeup collection.

Tropic Beauty Booster Sheer Foundation SPF35 – £22

This is my stand-out product, not only does it give your skin the most radiant, healthy dewy, even coverage it also offers UVA, UVB and HEV (artificial light) protection and a high SPF. I have been testing this Beauty Booster out at the best time of year, it has been so warm, sunny and very humid in Cornwall and the last thing I have wanted was to apply a heavy foundation – or up to a point any makeup at all. This lightweight serum based foundation is like a very, very good BB cream in that you get a light-medium coverage, so your skin feels like it can breathe, it is so hydrating and your freckles are still visible, but it evens out your skin tone, covers redness and gives you that natural healthy glow with the added layer of UV protection.

The consistency of this sheer foundation is very silky and fluid which makes it easy to apply and blend, I just use my fingers, but Tropic also have a makeup sponge if you wanted more precise, long wearing coverage. It comes in the newly revamped bright white packaging, which looks so fresh and classy. The tube is handy for travel and very light. It is the perfect product to take away with you on your travels especially if you’re trying to pack light, this is your skincare, base & SPF protection in one.

Antioxidant-rich resveratrol and vitamin E help to condition the skin, while building defences against daily pollution. Titanium dioxide gives a mineral SPF of 35 to shield against everyday exposure. So if you’re looking for a base that gives you an even, lightweight, natural dewy finish then this Tropic Beauty Booster is the one. I have been loving it and using it every day as my base, I love the coverage, glowing finish and the fact I can trust my skin is protected from harmful UV with the broad spectrum SPF35. It comes in 6 shades & I wear Warm Beige which is a perfect match for me.

Tropic Mineral Foundation £24

Mineral foundation used to be a no-no, it was cakey, dusty and oxidised as the day went on, but no more! The humble mineral foundation has made such advances over the past few years every brand has one in their collection and that’s because people want their mineral makeup to be nutrient rich, beneficial for their skin, and they want a natural finish but with incredible coverage. This Mineral Foundation from Tropic ticks all the boxes, it gives medium to full coverage with a silky smooth finish that won’t look dry and heavy throughout the day. My skin looks flawless, and it is so comfortable and very long wearing, if you need your makeup to last all day (and into the night) then this is ideal.

This lightweight powder applies effortlessly and is easy to blend, it gives an even medium to full coverage and looks like a second skin. The formula is enriched with active botanical extracts of olive leaf, sea buckthorn and vitamin E (which nourish the skin) whilst zinc oxide protects skin from UV rays with an SPF of 25.

Tropic are focused on their environmental impact and with that being said, the clever thing about this foundation is the fact this pot can be refilled with Tropic’s innovative compostable pouch. Simply remove the buffing plate of the pot, pour in your foundation, and pop the pouch into your compost bin – earth-friendly cosmetics couldn’t be easier. So you’re getting great looking skin and being kinder to the planet in the process. It comes in 6 shades,

Tropic Kabuki Brush £22

This flat top makeup brush is the perfect way to apply your mineral foundation. It picks up just the right amount of product and with a swirling motion you can buff it in to your skin to achieve that gorgeous even, velvety, smooth finish. Applying your foundation with a Kabuki Brush allows you to build up the coverage so you don’t apply too much product at once. This brush from tropic has a lovely white wooden handle and is made with vegan fibres, it is compact and a nice size to pop in your makeup bag for reapplying on the go.

Tropic Kiss Me Quick Lipstick

This is the ultimate Summer lipstick, it is pigmented, hydrating and has a super glossy finish. This Kiss Me Quick Collection comes in 8 shades that range from bold to everyday elegance. I have been wearing the Lush Lychee shade, and it is a pretty neutral that goes with everything. It is a universal, go to lip colour that would be a winner in everyone’s makeup collection. The creamy consistency makes it effortless to apply, and it looks smooth and feels smooth on the lips. Just what I need over the warmer months, a lipstick that’s hydrating, nourishing and has a good amount of pigment.

The handy Lipstick Colour Cartridge means you can easily refill your favourite shade, or collect them all and switch your daily colour into your case for on-the-go application. This luxurious lipstick has been named after one of its hero ingredients, Kiss Me Quick flower extract, which gently plumps your lips over time by stimulating collagen and hyaluronic acid production. The addition of vitamin E and oils of Shea, mango and jojoba give a rich, conditioning formula.

Skin Booster in Warm Beige / Kiss Me Quick Lipstick in Lush Lychee

Tropic Skincare is cruelty-free, vegan and 100% naturally derived.

*this post contains PR samples

QVC TSV Shay & Blue 4 Piece Portable Fragrance Collections

July 24, 2019September 4, 2026 - Vicki

{gifted} This is a Shay & Blue offer not to be missed, so mark your calendars as this is going to sell out fast! On Saturday 27th, Shay & Blue are doing their very first Today’s Special Value (TSV) on QVCs ‘Beauty Day’. Debuting from midnight to midnight, you will be able to get your hands on two Portable Fragrance Collections worth £100 for under £40. Making a huge saving of over £60.

These unique 4 Piece Portable Fragrance Collections from Shay & Blue come beautifully presented in a gorgeous signature blue gift bag, containing either the Summer or Winter option. If you’re a Shay & Blue fan then you might have noticed there is a brand-new scent included in the Winter collection, Blackberry Woods, which isn’t available to buy anywhere else right now. It is due to be released later in 2019, so you can be amongst the first to try it.

The summer option features 4 x 10ml Eau de Parfum Sprays bursting with scents that evoke British Summer. This collection has such a fresh, light feel to it and I love the juicy, zesty uplifting notes that give the scents such a Summer, holiday vibe. I adore the Dandelion Fig scent, it smells like long warm Summer nights.

Blood Oranges Eau de Parfum – a citrusy, revitalising scent with deep, sultry notes of hot napa leather and a fresh, juicy burst of blood orange
English Cherry Blossom Eau de Parfum – delicate blossoms mingle with a luscious blend of fig and cassis for a hint of warmth on a base of cherry wood
White Peaches Eau de Parfum – juicy soft peach captures the essence of summer, while cool elderflower granite and earthy silver wood birch add a fresh, modern finish
Dandelion Fig Eau de Parfum – with top notes of dandelion leaf and lemongrass, complemented by tomato vine, juniper and a heady blend of ripe fig

By contrast the Winter option features 4 x 10mls sprays of deeper darker fragrances. This is the perfect collection if you like scents that are quite spicy, bold notes layered with subtle warm, floral notes. All four scents are beautiful, my favourite of the four has to be Framboise Noire, it is sexy, quite masculine and very long wearing.

NEW Blackberry Woods Eau de Parfum – the essence of autumn, this heady blend features top notes of blackberry with a heart of neroli and lemon leaves, and a warm, woody cypress base
Atropa Belladonna Eau De Parfum – a decadent scent with rich notes of cassis berries blended with a white flower bouquet on a deep base of patchouli and sandalwood
Framboise Noire Eau De Parfum – a rounded combination of mixed forest berries on a bed of deep, black woods for a sensual fragrance reminiscent of a fine wine
Black Tulip Eau De Parfum – a modern floral with fresh, delicate sprigs of snowdrops with rich, black tulips, tart plums and a warm, balanced base of white chocolate

Let me know which scent you’re most excited to try, also these would make fantastic gifts if you have any special birthdays, or occasions coming up.

* Please note, customers can only order the winter option if they buy the summer option, this will then be dispatched later in the year.

Shay & Blue are an award-winning, cruelty-free, boutique perfumery creating modern and unique fragrances. Made with real flowers fruit and spices.

*This post contains PR Samples

Jurlique Rose Hand and Body Care

July 15, 2019September 4, 2026 - Vicki

(gifted) This gorgeous new duo from Jurlique has taken pride of place in my bathroom. There is something about a fancy hand wash & hand lotion that makes me feel like a proper adult who has their life together. Jurlique have revamped their hand care products and this duo are in their new beautiful packaging which has a very minimal, elegant feel to it. The bottles compliment each other and their subtle gold touches make them feel extra luxurious, they look fab in my bathroom.

They are both 300ml bottles which are fantastic value and it means they will last you a very long time. Both products have that classic, rich, floral fragrance which is thanks to their signature organic Rose Gallica scent which Jurlique is famous for. This brand is known for their organic roses and even if you usually shy away from rose scented products you have to give Jurlique a try, they have made a classic rose scent feel modern and fresh, it is really beautiful.

Jurlique Softening Hand Wash Rose 300ml*

Your hands are the part of your body which often get forgotten about when it comes to pampering. They get put through the ringer on a daily basis so having a product that isn’t going to be harsh, drying or strip them of moisture is so important. This soap free Jurlique hand wash is gentle and has been formulated to gently cleanse, soften and hydrate skin with its non-drying ingredients. Your hands feel clean, fresh and comfortable after using it and you can smell the beautiful rose aroma on your hands for ages after you have washed them.

This luxurious hand wash contains a special selected blend of natural botanicals and Rosa gallica extracts to cleanse and nurture your precious hands. Free from harsh chemicals, artificial colours and synthetic fragrances its pH-balanced formula leaves your hands feeling clean and refreshed while its delicate Rose fragrance uplifts your senses.

Jurlique Softening Rose Hand Lotion 300ml

Much like the hand wash, the hand lotion comes in a beautiful 300ml bottle in white with lovely gold details which is very fresh looking. The pump makes dispensing your hand lotion so easy and fuss free, I don’t only apply this to my hands, I like to use it right up my arms. The moisturising, lightweight formula means it doesn’t just sit on top of the skin making your hands feel greasy. It absorbs quickly and you can crack on with your day with velvety soft, hydrated hands.

Enriched with pure, natural extracts of Rosa gallica, Calendula and Chamomile this indulgent hand lotion deeply nourishes and hydrates the skin on your hands. Its powerful blend of natural antioxidants restore and protect the skin against environmental aggressors . Its lightweight, non-greasy texture absorbs easily leaving your hands replenished, soft and beautifully scented.

This duo is quite indulgent and luxurious but worth every penny. They’re fantastic quality and Jurlique use natural botanical extracts in all their products, so your hands are getting the very best treatment and you see and feel the difference in your skin after using this duo. Not to mention they are beautiful scented and look very stylish in your kitchen or bathroom (especially if you like that popular minimal Scandi look).

This post contains PR samples.

Five Skincare Favourites June 2019

June 28, 2019September 4, 2026 - Vicki

Alex Steinherr Miceller Cleansing Gel

I was so excited back in May (after months of waiting to get to a Primark that stocked it) to finally get my hands on the Alex Steinherr skincare collection. I bought 4 products and all under £10 each, and they have all slotted right into my skincare routine. I love them all. This cleansing gel is gentle, soothing and will remove light makeup, I love using it in the morning to freshen up my skin. It works perfectly for a morning cleanser, as it will only remove light makeup, although you could use it as a second cleanse in the evening if you removed your makeup with a balm or something a bit more effective.

Tropic Skincare Pure Lagoon Serum*

If I only had one word to describe this serum I would use the word incredible. I received this serum at a time when I needed it more than ever, I was turning 40 and my skin had decided to breakout and go nuts like never before. It became my skincare saviour, I used it religiously for months and low and behold my blemishes calmed down, my pesky blackheads all but cleared up. This blue (yes it is really blue) serum has been formulated to prevent blemishes and blackheads as well as reducing sebum production. If you are blemish prone, your skin is in seriously good hands with this in your skincare arsenal.

It is jam packed with so many fantastic ingredients such as Blue Spirulina and Malachite Crystal Extract – which give the serum its blue hue, they’re also rich in copper and are anti inflammatory. The serum calms angry red spots and help your skin become calmer and have a more clarified complexion. It has Hyaluronic acid and watermelon fruit extract think amazing hydration and boosted moisture levels. This might be a lightweight feeling serum but it is very hydrating too. The fact that this is a preventative skincare product is what I love most about it, it prevents the build up of dead skin cells and sebum, so over time skin produces less blemish causing bacteria and is smoother, calmer, hydrated and it helps your skin break the spot forming cycle.

Tropic Skincare Face Lift Brightening Mask*

This is a wonderful mask that targets skin that needs tightening & lifting. It helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles whilst helping to keep saggy skin at bay. I use this mask on a weekly basis and apply it to my forehead, chin and neck. It has a very thick, almost clay like texture and I leave it on for around 20 mins. It is a great mask to use when multi masking, I apply it to targeted areas, to get maximum results.

It contains so many incredible skin loving ingredients, including – Agave nectar (rich in amino acids) and sea buckthorn extracts (rich in carotene) which work to hydrate and plump skin. Turmeric and glycolic acids promote a brighter, more even complexion and electric daisy extract works to tighten skin and minimise fine lines. So this mask is packed with nourishing, hydrating and firming ingredients which promote long term results. This is my 3rd pot in 2 years and I wouldn’t be without it.

B Radiant Day Cream SPF15

Rich, creamy, hydrating and a wonderful moisturiser to wear under your makeup. It keeps your skin smooth, soft and very hydrated. I love applying my foundation after this, it just goes on with ease and blends so well, I really like this B By Superdrug skincare, it is very affordable, and they have such a great selection of products. I’m slowly working my way through them and have tried quite a few products to date, the highlights so far have been this day cream, their acid retexturising pads and the Hyaluronic Face Mist.

This day cream contains some great ingredients to keep your skin looking its best including Tetrapeptide which improves elasticity and is great for plumping which reduces the appearance of those pesky fine lines. Hyaluronic Acid locks in moisture and keeps your skin hydrated throughout the day. Olive leaf and Jujube Seed extracts calms skin and fights the build up of bacteria whist Niacinamide improves moisture retention and boosts skins radiance.

SuperFacialist Vitamin C Micro Polish Wash

I wrote about this in my recent Skincare For Radiant Skin post & I am on to my second bottle. Still enjoying as much, if not more a couple of months on. It really gives your skin that refreshed feeling, it smells of citrus and I love that it is such an invigorating uplifting scent. Think gentle but effective & in short that is this exfoliator. It has a refreshing gel texture which is infused with biodegradable micro-beads (good for your skin and the ocean) to softly remove dead skin cells & daily impurities and dirt. It is boosted with antioxidant ferulic acid and vitamins C & E to promote brighter looking skin, help protect against environmental aggressors. So if you have quite dull skin and get a little texture where dead skin forms around your nose, chin area then this is perfect for addressing that! Packed with Vitamin C and natural skin brighteners, it encourages skin’s renewal and energises the complexion to keep it looking fit, radiant and youthful. I also like how well my makeup applies after using this and that my skin is smoother and super soft! Affordable and great for daily use!

*Products marked with an * have been gifted as PR samples. The words and opinions are my own. This post also contains one affliliant link.

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Author: Vicki