BalanceMe Rose Otto Mothers Day Gift Set

March 19, 2017September 4, 2026 - Vicki 3 Comments

As Mother’s Day gifts go this beautiful Rose Otto Gift Set from balanceMe is the perfect trio of indulgent, pampering skincare treats. Mum’s can be hard to buy for so I always think products that encourage them to take some ‘me time’ are a winner.

These 3 products have been handpicked by balanceMe founders Rebecca & Claire and are packed with their signature blend of Rose Otto, Rose Geranium and Palma Rose essential oils.The delicate scent of rose is well-known for its stress-relieving qualities. So not only do they smell incredible they also soothe, calm and hydrate the skin.

Balancing Rose Otto Gift Set £40

Rose Otto Body Wash 280ml

Ideal for even sensitive skin this sulphate free body wash is both moisturising and soothing. The beautiful rose aroma and essential oils make for an indulgent treat for both your skin and your mind. The trio of Pure Rose Oils helps to strengthen fragile skin and deeply hydrate to smooth away fine lines. It is a lovely way to relax and pamper after a long day. The packaging is really nice too and it comes in a lovely apothecary style bottle with a simple pretty twist and the game changer for me is the fact it has a pump. I love body care that comes with a pump it makes applying it so fuss-free.

Rose Otto Body Cream 280ml

I adore this body cream, it feels so luxurious on the skin and very hydrating. The scent isn’t overwhelming, it’s quite delicate so if you’re not always a fan of classic rose products don’t overlook this range. It leaves a light scent on your skin and I like that because it is a calming scent. It has Aloe Vera and Rosehip Oils which soothe and Antioxidant Arctic Cloudberry which plumps and helps skin look smooth and healthy. This body cream has the same handy pump packaging as the body wash.

Rose Otto Hand Cream 100ml

I have used quite a few balanceMe hand creams over the years and they’re so good at hydrating, smoothing and also protecting your hands. I like that the formula isn’t greasy and it has the same delicate rose scent as the body wash & body cream. It contains some great skin loving ingredients like, Camelia and Kukui Nut Oils help to smooth away dry patches and also Rose Otto and Palma Rosa Essential Oils which help to soothe and strengthen skin in distress. In this gift set, you get a generous 100ml size which will last a good couple of months

Your set will come beautifully packaged ready to gift, which is very handy.

balanceMe have a lovely selection of Mother’s Day gifts available at www.balanceme.co.uk & balanceMe is also stocked at M&S, John Lewis, Waitrose and Feel Unique

*This post contains PR Samples

5 Beauty Products From Jurlique

March 16, 2017September 4, 2026 - Vicki 5 Comments

Jurlique Activating Water Essence

I discovered this product last year, and it was the first Essence I had tried. I’d heard using an Essence was a very popular step in Asian skincare routines, but was dubious whether I needed to add another step to my already quite rigorous regime. After using it for a while, I realised that it was that perfect step for refreshing and hydrating your skin before going in with your serum. Just to be clear, an Essence is not a toner, nope it’s used after both cleansing and toning, it can replenish moisture, balance skin’s PH levels and help skin look glowing, and it is now one of the steps in my routine that I look forward too.

At the centre of the Jurlique Activating Water Essence is their star ingredient – Marshmallow Root Extract, which is great for deeply hydrating skin and improving its ability to retain moisture. If you have yet to try an essence, I highly recommend trying one.

Rose Moisture Plus Balancing Serum

Jurlique are well-known for their incredible quality rose products, they have an Organic Farm in the Adelaide Hills of Australia where they grow many of the herbs, flowers (including their roses) and plants for their products. This serum is part of their Moisture Plus range, and it is fantastic at reviving tired, dry skin. It combines rosehip fruit oil, evening primrose oil and green tea extract to protect the skin’s barrier and provide extended moisture to keep skin cushioned, fresh and looking radiant.

PurelyAge-Defying Firming Face Oil

LOVE this product, in fact, I really like the whole Purely Age Defying range, if I was pushed to name my must-have product from Jurlique it would 100% be this Face Oil. I have used up so many bottles and always have one on the go. I use it at night, and it performs nothing short of a miracle because when I wake up my skin looks well rested and healthy, it also works to even skin tone and keeps skin looking plump. It is infused with a trio of potent anti-ageing ingredients; Blackcurrant Seed Oil helps to improve elasticity and firmness, Buriti Oil reduces fine lines and wrinkles and Rock Samphire Extract helps to support collagen synthesis and promotes a firmer complexion. So your skin is in good hands with this, and my skin always feels incredible after I have used it.

Jurlique Rose Silk Finishing Powder

Most people are unaware that Jurlique does finishing powder, I think it is the only makeup product they stock, but it is one of my absolute favourites. This loose powder is so fine & lightweight that it never feels heavy or drying on the skin. It’s a translucent powder so it’s not going to add coverage or leave a white cast on your skin. It is great for setting makeup and keeping that oily t zone in check. I like to apply this with a big powder brush & sweep the product across my t-zone & chin, it has a really nice floral scent and my go-to powder for eliminating that dreaded shine but leaving the skin with a slight matte velvety smooth finish.

It contains the key ingredients Corn Starch & Rice Starch which act as natural substitutes for talc, while Silican imparts a smooth texture on the skin, Glycerin helps to moisturise and prevent moisture loss and Arnica helps soothe and cool the skin. If you like your setting powder to leave your skin with a slightly matte finish without looking flat, then this would be a great product for you.

Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Ultra Firm and Lift Cream

This moisturiser does feel quite thick and rich when you first apply it but give it a minute and your skin will have absorbed it to leave you with a velvety soft finish. It’s so nourishing and instantly smoothing. It contains powerful natural ingredients such as Yeast Extract to help promote collagen synthesis, Amino Acid Lipid Complex promotes skin remodelling and contraction of collagen fibres, Rock Samphire Extract supports skin density while reducing the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles and finally Beech Tree Bud Extract accelerates the production of fresh new cells. For me, the one thing I noticed almost instantly from using this is my skin looked smoother, which is why I think it makes the perfect base for foundation. It helps give you that flawless base.

Have you tried any products from Jurlique that you would recommend?

Affordable Essence Makeup

March 14, 2017September 4, 2026 - Vicki 2 Comments

Essence has to be my favourite affordable makeup brand, it is available in Wilko stores and my local store always has a fantastic well stocked stand. If you have never tried Essence before you’re missing out they do everything well and most products are under £5 oh and they’re Vegan and Cruelty Free.

I have been trying a few products that I think we more aimed at Valentine’s Day but hey you can wear a red lip / nail polish any time of year, right!

Essence Longlasting Lipstick in Tres Chic

I have to say these Long Lasting lipsticks from Essence are always a safe bet, great quality and they’re really pigmented on the lips. This Trés Chic shade is a brownish red, the colour is intense without being too vibrant. I like that this is a wearable red and this formula is creamy and comfortable on the lips, these are long wearing but I do like to reapply after I eat & drink just so the colour stays even and with these more bold colours I hate the thought of them going patchy. These are so affordable that I challenge you not to want to buy the whole collection (there are 12 shades) – I think my next purchase will be, 04 On The Catwalk

Essence Forbidden Volume Mascara

I have tried quite a few Essence Mascara’s over the years and my all time favourite has to be their Plump No Clump (great all-rounder) but it’s no longer available. This For-Bidden Volume one I have been testing out is OK for Volume as contains fibres but I also like my mascara to give my lashes fullness and this I feel just gives them length. The formula is long wearing and holds a curl so I am not disappointed with it I just like my mascara to add thickness to my sparse lashes as well as volume. I think I will try their Rock nDoll Crazy Mascara next.

Essence 2in1 Eyeliner Pen

Liquid liner is my jam, I use it almost daily and have road tested super expensive brands, budget friendly ones and everything in between and I have to say this double ended Essence liquid liner is pretty good. I do prefer the standard pen nib end (thin end), simply because I find it easier to use and less fiddly to use. I can get right up to my lash line and create a very precise flick whereas the thick line I find to be more of a novelty. If you’re not so confident in applying eyeliner then it is a good way of almost stamping an outline for your wing / flick and then going back in with the thin end to join everything up but I do not see myself using both ends.

This liner is black but I do go over it twice to get that intense deep black colour and it stays put, make sure you leave it a couple of minutes to dry before curling your lashes just so the colour doesn’t lift off. Great addition to my makeup bag.

Essence The Gel Nail Polish in Do You Speak Love

If there is one thing Essence are well-known for it is their Nail Polish & Nail Care Products. Their range is huge and always expanding. I own so many of their nail colours and their top coat is my Holy Grail. I have had this beautiful red shade on my toes for about 2 weeks now and it still looks great. It’s a pretty deep, dark red and it is opaque in 2 coats.

Let me know what Essence products you love and would recommend.

Essence Cosmetics is available in Wilko Stores nationwide.

New Fragrance For Spring 2017

March 13, 2017September 4, 2026 - Vicki 2 Comments

I think it is nice to switch up a few products in your routine when the seasons change, as it’s almost time to wave goodbye to Winter (thank god) and say hello to Spring I thought I would share with you two lovely new Spring launches. What are your favourite perfumes for Spring?

Michael Kors – Sexy Blossom*

So many people I talk too are surprised to hear that Michael Kors do more than handbags and clothing and that their makeup and fragrance are equally as lovely. This latest fragrance release from Michael Kors is one for Spring / Summer and comes packaged in a beautiful, sleek hot pink bottle with a pretty gold cap and Michael Kors EST. 1981 embossed on the lid. It looks and feels luxurious, as you would expect from this brand.

This is a sweet floral scent with a sexy musky twist, very much my kind of fragrance. It has notes of,

Top Notes of Lychee, Rose Petals and Dewy Leaves
Middle Notes of Pink Peony, Pink Orchid Accord, Muguet and Freesia
Base Notes of Ambrox, Musk and Sandalwood

I think this fragrance would appeal to so many people as its layered with a real mix of notes and as you wear it throughout the day it settles from being quite juicy and floral to being much more woody, musky and sexy. This would work well for day or night and I know I will get a lot of wear from it.

DKNY Be Tempted Eau So Blush*

These DKNY fragrances are so familiar in the iconic apple packaging, each year they release a few fun limited edition versions and for Spring 2017 they have released the Eau So Blush which is a beautiful fruity / floral offering. It has notes of,

Top Notes: Pink Grapefruit, Blood Orange, Magnolia, Red Currant
Heart Notes: Peony, Jasmine, Cedarwood
Base Notes: Creamy Woods, Apricot, Musk

I like that you get a burst of zesty citrus which calms to a more sweet floral scent, its going to be gorgeous for the warmer months. I think its a nice fragrance for the daytime as it is quite fresh and light and the scent is easy to wear. I like the soft blush pink bottle and the more metallic lid, its pretty and feminine without being too girly or young, it strikes a nice balance between playful and pretty.

I can’t wait for Spring and the warmer days, it is always nice to change up your scent with the seasons and both these new releases are ideal if you’re looking for a fresh, scent with a floral twist. What is your go to Spring scent?

*PR Sample

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Author: Vicki