The Cornish Seaweed Bath Co

August 20, 2025September 4, 2026 - Vicki

I have lived in Cornwall for 10 years now, and I am always impressed with how many incredible businesses are founded here. The Cornish Seaweed Bath Co is my latest discovery. Founded in Cornwall in 2013, they’re a natural beauty brand that harness the natural power of organic seaweed, Cornish seaweed and if I know anything from living here it is that there is no shortage of seaweed or coastline.

It’s so refreshing to find a local brand producing high-quality products in small batches, using fantastic ingredients to deliver the very best results, Cornwall has outdone itself again & I am very grateful to have been sent me two products from their collection to try out and get to know the brand.

Revitalising Eye Gel

The first thing I noticed was the scent, which is a coastal ocean scent like you are by the sea. I like it a lot, it is refreshing and very calming. It comes with a lovely roller ball applicator – which makes it so cooling and soothing to apply, helping reduce puffiness around the eye. It is a product that helps refresh, hydrate, and brighten tired eyes, which I have to say is everything I want, and it is all thanks to the naturally powerful blend of seaweed and botanicals,

100% Natural & Gentle – Formulated with seaweed, flowers, and plant-based ingredients.
Kind to Delicate Skin – Calms, hydrates, and supports the sensitive eye area.
No Harsh Additives – Free from silicones, parabens, and synthetic fragrance.
Flower-Powered Formula – With Organic Seaweed, Buddleia, Chrysanthemum, Skullcap, Cypress & Aloe.
Cooling Texture – Lightweight and refreshing, never heavy or greasy.

The silicone-free formula means it absorbs beautifully, it is lightweight, non-greasy, and perfect for hydrating the under-eye area. If you want to refresh, brighten and smooth fine lines, this eye gel is the answer. Light enough for daytime, soothing enough for evening, and its natural formula makes it suitable for every skin type.

Nutri-Therm Hair Serum

This lightweight serum blends seaweed with nourishing botanicals to protect hair from heat, whilst smoothing, strengthening and giving it a healthy glossy finish, all without a trace of silicones. Not having silicones helps prevent that greasy feel and look, and my hair feels fresher and cleaner for longer.

Organic Seaweed – Packed with vitamins and minerals to deeply nourish, fortify, and strengthen hair from root to tip.
Bamboo Leaf – Boosts hair strength, encourages growth, and adds a healthy natural shine.
Eclipta – Celebrated for supporting hair growth while helping to reduce hair fall.
Broccoli Seed Oil (Brassica Oleracea Italica) – Loaded with vitamins and fatty acids to hydrate, smooth cuticles, and enhance softness.
Essential Oils of Clary Sage, Lavender, Ho Wood & Rose Geranium – A soothing, aromatic blend that calms the senses while leaving hair lightly fragranced and refreshed.

This lightweight serum absorbs beautifully, protecting your hair while leaving it smooth, shiny, and full of life. A true multitasker, it delivers protection, strength, and nourishment in every drop. It protects against,

Heat damage from styling tools
Environmental stressors like UV and pollution
Moisture loss, dryness, and brittleness
Cuticle damage, split ends, and frizz

It also helps with,

Strengthen & Repair – Reinforces hair fibres, repairs bonds, and restores resilience
Smooth & Shine – Seals the cuticle for softness, shine, and frizz control
Hydrate & Nourish – Seaweed and botanicals deeply moisturise and protect
Body & Volume – Adds lightweight lift and fullness without heaviness
Fresh for Longer – Non-greasy, silicone-free formula keeps hair looking cleaner

Even their packaging is aesthetically pleasing, it is beautifully minimal with a fresh, coastal-inspired blue and white stripe. It is also environmentally friendly and completely recyclable. They have bundles and sets available which make lovely gifts or are a great way to try the brand whilst making a saving.

I am looking forward to trying more of their skincare, top of my list is their Super-Nutrient Facial Oil and Renewal Facial Cleanser. The Cornish Seaweed Bath Co have a wide range of haircare, body and skincare products to pick from. So be sure to visit their website and have a browse.

The Cornish Seaweed Bath Co.

All products are formulated and crafted in Cornwall utilising only natural, organic, and sustainably sourced ingredients centred around wild-harvested Cornish seaweed.

Five Foundation Bases I Am Loving 2025

August 10, 2025September 4, 2026 - Vicki

A few of the foundations I am using right now, it seems I have a type! Dewy, radiant and buildable coverage.

*Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

This is my go-to for special occasions, it has incredible staying power and still looks flawless even after a full night out. My current shade is a touch too light in the summer, but I just warm things up with a bit of bronzer. Like many of the foundations I’ll mention, Armani Luminous Silk delivers a glowing, radiant finish while offering great coverage and impressive skincare benefits.

It blurs imperfections, evens out redness, and never settles into fine lines. It feels lightweight yet looks polished, and the formula delivers on quality. They have over 40 shades to pick from, which is fantastic, and more brands should be offering this kind of range. Yes, it’s an investment, but it’s absolutely worth it.

Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Foundation Stick

I’d been looking for a foundation that was light but gave a nice amount of coverage, a nice healthy glow and lasted well throughout the day, this answered my prayers. I popped into Selfridges, and asked the lady on the CT stand if she had anything that would fit the bill, and she delivered, she applied it to my skin and I loved how fresh and awake my skin looked. It’s a nice buildable, creamy foundation that glides on and your skin instantly looks glowing (not greasy), healthy, and they offer so many colour options that I got the perfect match for my skin tone.

If you want a hydrating, buildable foundation that will help give you a dewy glow, this is the one. It is the perfect hybrid of makeup & skincare, infused with, Collageneer™, multi-molecular Hyaluronic Acid, nourishing Daikon Radish Seed Oil and antioxidant-rich Vitamin E. So it has great skincare ingredients that will look after your skin whilst also giving you a great dewy base.

L’Oreal True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum Foundation

This is one of my favourite foundations because of its gorgeous dewy finish. The serum texture is infused with hyaluronic acid, which hydrates and plumps the skin, giving it that smooth, blurred look. It’s lightweight, buildable, and feels really nice on the skin, I love the natural, fresh glow it gives.

If you tend to get oily during the day you might want to apply a light dusting of powder on your t-zone, My only complaint is I do not like the dropper applicator as it is messy. I wish it came in a pump bottle.

bareMinerals Bareskin Perfecting Veil Finishing Powder

This isn’t exactly a foundation but on lazy days I do use it on its own, just to even out my skin tone and give me a hint of colour, but If you like to have that flawless, smooth finish to your makeup then this Mineral Veil makes the best finishing powder.

It gives your skin a little added coverage with an illuminated (not glittery) finish. It’s gorgeous and so lightweight. This helps keep my oily t zone in check and makes my makeup look like I have made an extra special effort. It doesn’t look like much in the pan but don’t be fooled, it’s understated but just finishes your look off by giving it that soft focus, flawless effect. This is a really great product to have in your handbag to refresh your makeup out & about.

*Erborian BB Cream

I used to wear a lot of BB Cream, but this Erborian one is my go-to and the only one I have repurchased. The whole premise of a BB cream was to combine the effects of skincare with a light coverage and most BB Creams don’t actually have any skincare benefits to boast of, but this Korean one has some fantastic skin benefits including,

Ginseng: stimulating, toning and energising
Licorice and Ginger: anti-inflammatory, firming and anti-oxidant
Titanium Dioxide: solar filter

It hydrates and protects the skin whilst also evening out skin tone, concealing blemishes and giving a nice light coverage. It is the perfect everyday base and I always pack this in my holiday makeup because it has SPF25 in too.

What are your favourite, most used foundations? I would love to hear your recommendations.

*this post contains affiliate links, If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Products marked with a * were gifted or received as PR.

Photo Diary

July 27, 2025September 4, 2026 - Vicki

Back in 2020 / 2021 I really fell back in love with Cornwall, before that I thought I was over living here, it felt too remote (it still does at times), and I was yearning for city life. Being unable to leave the county for so long made us appreciate what we have right on our doorstep. We made the most of Cornwall being quiet (again) by exploring the local area and getting out walking. I noticed throughout 2021/2022 that I was going out less and less, to a point where I was avoiding leaving the house. So I made a pact with myself that, even if it was just a short walk around my neighbourhood, that I would try to get out as often as I could. Not setting any set rules or even committing to going out daily, just that I would try very hard to leave the house as regularly as I could.

Photography gave me that reason to go out, I had forgotten how much I loved taking pictures, and being stuck at home had taken away the joy for me, but on my walks I started to take my camera with me, and it worked, I stayed out longer than I thought I would, and I began to appreciate my local area.

The photos in this post were taken on my journey to better mental health. Although as I write this in my mental health is not 100%, and I still find it hard some days to leave the house, but I know that I’m not alone in feeling like that. My camera is still my creative outlet, and I need to remember just to do my best and when the world starts to feel too busy those are the moments that I need to remember to slow down and not take in all the negative noise.

Some things that make me happy are, the Flamingo ice cream van at the top of Fistral beach in Newquay which has the best vegan raspberry ripple! I can’t resist, it is well worth a visit if you’re ever in the neighbourhood. Oh, & Sprout Health Food Shop has the cutest courtyard where you can have a coffee, and they serve amazing Vegan food. It is such a peaceful space, and it feels like you’re on the Amalfi Coast not Newquay.

I do pop up to Manchester to see family, It’s nice to have an excuse to leave the county and enjoy one of my favourite cities. We always try to visit a couple of times a year, we always squeeze in a trip in August, as we got married in Manchester 17 years ago (and lived there for many years). We love visiting all our favourite places and seeing how the city has changed in the last 20+ years.

It is a place that always gets my creative juices flowing, and I leave feeling energised and full of ideas. Although the drive up from Cornwall can be a trek, it is always well worth braving the M5/M6! Especially knowing that my favourite tea shop, Bird and Blend is there, as well as Fig & Sparrow ( the best Matcha Latte in Manchester!). I soak up all the hustle and bustle, visit every coffee shop, museum, and bar that I have time for. Then by the time I leave to head back to the quietness of Cornwall, I am ready for the peace and quiet (and a beach). Best of both worlds .

I think it is impossible to take a bad photo of Cornwall, its landscapes, pretty towns and villages and stunning coastline make for an endless subject. I never get bored with taking pictures of the same cottages, beaches, and coffee shops. But there is nothing like not being able to go further than your local area for discovering hidden gems that you might have overlooked before. Even after living here for 10 years, there are still so many places on my list that I have not visited yet, and this Summer I fully intend to tick some off. Cornwall has so many secret spots to swim, and also river swimming is popular, and I want to do more of both this year.

If you have any recommendations of things to do in Cornwall that are a little different or not to be missed. I would love to hear them.

Skincare products I have used up 2025

June 28, 2025September 4, 2026 - Vicki

*Samaya Ayurvedic Pitta Renewing Exfoliant

This creamy exfoliator is great if you have sensitive or redness prone skin, the lightweight formula combines natural fruit enzymes and Botanical actives to gently remove dirt, makeup and grease to promote cell renewal and even out skin tone without irritation. The Samaya exfoliant requires no scrubbing which is fantastic, simply apply, leave on for 20 minutes, and rinse off, so if you are prone to irritation this is the perfect non-abrasive exfoliator. There are such a wide range of wonderful, natural and effective ingredients in this exfoliator, this is well worth the price tag, think spa quality at home.

Jasmine flower extract – to soothe sensitive skin, reduce redness, and tone gently.
Gotu kola oil – boosts collagen, supports healing, and strengthens sensitive skin
Neem oil – purifies, calms irritation, and helps prevent breakouts.
Saffron extract – brightens skin tone, improves radiance, and supports even pigmentation.
Aloe vera leaf juice – soothes, cools, and replenishes moisture.
Vitamin E – softens skin, offers antioxidant protection, and supports repair.

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum

This is the cool looking pink serum, if you haven’t seen it before it looks so fun and unusual (it gets its pink colour from vitamin B12). As with a lot of my skincare, I’m always looking for products that help calm redness and protect my skin, and I think this serum is one of the best I have found. It has so many ingredients which are all focused around being gentle, protecting, soothing, strengthening for your skins’ barrier whilst reducing irritation and redness. I really loved this serum and will be getting another bottle ASAP. I always forget how affordable The Ordinary products are.

Vitamin B12 – reduces visible redness and dryness.
Gallic acid derivatives – calms and soothes irritated skin.
Bisabolol – alleviates redness and discomfort.
Soothing complex – eases tightness and irritation.
Centella asiatica phytotechnologies – protects against external irritants and supports calms skin.

Super Facialist Vitamin C Brightening Polish Wash

This took me a while to use up, because you need so little product, a little bit is very effective. I would say this is a gentle exfoliator, with a lightweight gel texture, packed with biodegradable microbeads that exfoliate away dead skin and daily grime. I used it at least 2 times a week, it’s been perfect for keeping my skin smooth. It is enriched with ferulic acid plus vitamins C and E, it helps brighten dull skin and smooth rough patches, especially around the nose and chin. My complexion has looked fresher and more radiant, and my makeup goes on like a dream after using it – my skin feels soft, clean, and glowy. A great, affordable exfoliator, it doesn’t irritate or strip the skin. I highly recommend it.

Aveeno Nourishing Oat Cleanser

I thought this product was just OK, didn’t blow me away, and I really didn’t look forward to using it up. I wear SPF every day, and I felt like this cleanser left behind a residue and made my skin feel like it wasn’t properly cleansed. I know this is a gentle formula, but I think it is lacking in being able to clean your skin if you are wearing makeup or SPF. I am sure it would be better if you used it as a morning cleanser, but I like a deeper clean and this didn’t cut it.

Garnier Rose Toner

You can’t go wrong with Garnier toners. They’re affordable, effective, and there’s a version for every skin type. I’ve used loads over the years and liked them all. I get redness on my cheeks, especially in colder months, and this rose toner is always gentle and calming. It’s one I keep repurchasing – a forever favourite

We can see that I like gentle products that soothe and calm my skin, as well as brighten. If you have any recommendations of products you have been enjoying.

*this post contains affiliate links, If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. All products mentioned were purchased by me and not gifted or received as PR.

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Unbiased beauty product reviews & tips

Author: Vicki