Monthly Favourites

Five Beauty Favourites 2020

- Vicki Leave a comment
Five Beauty Favourites 2020

*Gifted. It’s safe to say it’s been a dark, wet and miserable start to 2020, I don’t think we have seen the sunshine so far this year and my skin has been bearing the brunt of this. My skin has felt dry and dull, what with the effects of the central heating and lack of sunshine, I have really been relying on my skincare and makeup to help revive my complexion. I thought I would share with you a few products that have become staples in my routine which I’ve been using religiously over the past couple of months.

Five Beauty Favourites 2020

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 30ml

I love so many products from The Ordinary Skincare but this serum is pretty epic. I have used it for over a year now and can’t imagine my skincare routine without it. Apart from the fact this brand is incredibly affordable their skincare is fantastic quality and shows real results. This didn’t irritate my skin despite it having quite a high concentration of Retinoid, it is easy to apply and doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy. I apply it at night 2 – 3 times a week, as my first step after cleansing and I wake up with smooth, bright, plump skin. Over time this serum helps increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen which helps to reduce the signs of ageing, like uneven skin tone, age spots and reduces fine lines & wrinkles.

This product is a great way to achieve that youthful, healthy glow, in terms of long term use you really see your complexion improve. It is like liquid gold! Just remember Retinoids can react with more sensitive skin, so dilute at first if you are concerned (or use the 1% version) also please remember to use a high factor SPF as your skin will be more vulnerable to the damaging effects of UVA & UVB rays.

Vegan & Cruelty Free

Tropic Beauty Booster Sheer Foundation SPF35*

Although I’m someone who doesn’t like to wear much makeup on a daily basis, I still like that look of being put together and like my skin to look evened out with a little glow. This Beauty Booster from Tropic gives me just that. It is lightweight and I just apply it with my fingers on top of my moisturiser. It leaves my skin with a nice touch of colour, helping to reduce redness, uneven skin tone and gives the illusion that I haven’t seen the sun for MONTHS! The other wonderful things about this lightweight, almost tinted moisturiser (with a bit more coverage) is the fact it has UVA, UVB and HEV (artificial light) protection and SPF35, so if you do venture out you know your skin is well protected.

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 to combat my tired, dry winter skin!

Vegan & Cruelty Free

Miller Harris Peau Santal Perfume

Miller Harris Peau Santal Perfume*

This is my happiness in a bottle, it smells beautiful and so luxurious, it makes me feel amazing whenever I wear it. The scent is uplifting and just gives me a reminder that warmer, brighter days are on the horizon (even if it is raining cats and dogs). It has such a rich, warm creamy scent but you get a hint of fresh, airy crisp notes as it settles. I am not exaggerating when I say this perfume is the most sophisticated and beautiful perfume I have ever owned, and I love quite a few Miller Harris perfumes but this one has something special.

The woody notes add a real touch of warmth and class whilst the bergamot and cashmere give it creaminess and class. The pink pepper, amber and vanilla make it modern and very sexy.

Top Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper and Saffron
Heart Notes: Olibanum, Violet Leaf and Papyrus
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Cashmere Woods, Crisp Amber, Vanilla CO2 Extract and Moss

This would make the most luxurious, thoughtful gift or treat to yourself, it’s a beautiful perfume and the scent lasts so long, I can smell it on my scarf/coat days after I have spritzed it. The quality is second to none. The bottle is also beautiful, the minimal dusky pink give it a subtle, classy feel and the simple gold accents on the font and the lid add a touch of luxury, the bottle is very weighty too and feels so nice in your hand and also looks great on your vanity.

Ark Skincare Firming Serum

ARK Skin Perfector Firming Serum*

I tried a few products from UK based ARK skincare last year and was very impressed with their ethos of products that target specific skin concerns depending on your age, as our skin changes so much as we get older and ARK have targeted skincare so it is easy for you to include it in your routine and see fantastic results.  This Firming Serum has been a skincare saviour for me this year as it targets your skins loss of elasticity and works to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and with my skin being so dry from the weather it has helped smooth, hydrate and plump! So if like me you’re in your early 40s this is a wonderful product to use for long term results. I like to mix the serum in with my moisturiser and apply it as part of my morning skincare regime.

It is jam packed with some wonderful ingredients that help keep your skin looking fresh, smooth and healthy.

Micro Algae Extract – Highly purified microalgae extract delivers an instant and long-term tightening effects

Hyaluronic Acid – Active 100% natural Hyaluronic Acid locks moisture in the skin matrix and improves collagen synthesis. Skin appears firmer and more flexible, while fine lines are plumped and smoothed.

Biomimetic Lipopeptide Idealift – targets skin sagging and improves resistance to gravity by promoting skin’s elastic fibre architecture

ARK Skincare is proudly developed & manufactured in Britain. Cruelty Free, with many of their products being Vegan friendly. They use Bioactive, natural ingredients that are gentle on your skin but give effective results.  You can browse their entire range on their website www.arkskincare.com  and tailor your skincare for your specific skin concerns and age.

The Ordinary Retinoid SerumSkincare

Delilah Illuminating Powder in Aura

I love this compact, not only the fact that it is a beautiful rose gold & pewter but it has a good size mirror which makes it perfect for keeping in your handbag. This stunning bronzing/highlighter is also a wonderful product to add a touch of radiance to that Winter complexion without going OTT on the glow. It’s a mix of rose gold, soft peach and lavender pink and I just swirl my brush to pick up a little of all the colours and it gives my cheekbones a nice bronzy warm touch of colour. Such a beautiful product and a very luxurious and not so well known brand, their blushers are super nice too.

*Products have been provided as PR samples but reviews are 100% my own.

Tropic Skincare – My Skin Saviours

- Vicki 1 Comment
Clear Skin Products from Tropic Skincare

Tamanu Healing Balm from Tropic Skincare

Let me introduce to you two best-selling blemish busting (and more) skincare saviours from Vegan beauty brand Tropic Skincare. I have been so excited to talk more about these products as I have been using them for a couple of months now and have really grown to rely on them in my beauty routine, in particular, the Tamanu Healing Balm which is simply one product that will very quickly become a ‘does all’ product in your daily life. It really has an endless list of uses!

First off, lets talk about the Clear Skin Blemish Fighting Mask – the lovely team at Tropic sent this out to me because for the first time in my adult life I was suffering from some really large, sore, stubborn blemishes and I wanted to get rid of them before my birthday (very important to have clear skin on your birthday, especially when you’re turning 40). I was really at a loss at how best to reduce them and the lovely people at Tropic suggested this face mask & I haven’t looked back!

Clear Skin Blemish Mask Tropic Skincare

Tropic Skincare Clear Skin Blemish Fighting Face Mask

This bold green blemish busting mask is white & green clay based so it is great at drawing out all the build-up of grease, bacteria and pollution from your pores whilst working with bamboo charcoal to reduce oil and balance out your skin. I slather it all over my face at least twice a week – but when I have a blemish I quite often just apply this to that area, more of a targeted treatment and that really works well to reduce redness and also calm the inflamed spot. It contains so many lovely ingredients that will help you not only reduce blemishes & mattify skin but also keep the build-up of blemish-causing bacteria at bay, so you’re less likely to suffer from breakouts.

● Willow bark extracts, rich in beta hydroxy salicylic acids, travel deep into your pores to unclog built up sebum.

● Cayenne pepper and ginger extracts kill blemish-causing bacteria at the source.

● Green and white clays work to dry out spots and stop them from increasing in size.

● Charcoal and spirulina work to draw out toxins and tighten pores.

● Raspberry leaf and goji berry extracts reduce redness and calm skin.

Another pretty cool thing about this mask, besides the fact that it is gentle, doesn’t dry out your skin or leave it feeling uncomfortably tight is that it dries dark green in more oily areas with larger pores and it dries a lighter green in more balanced areas so you can quickly see where your skin needs a little help. For me, my oily areas are my cheeks & chin.

I saw a huge difference in my skin and I know I have this mask to thank for that. My breakouts are less frequent and I always use this Clear Skin mask as soon as a blemish starts appearing. That way I know it has more chance of not becoming inflamed and It clears all the bacteria and excess sebum build-up ASAP. It is a great mask to have in your beauty routine, especially if you suffer from oily skin that likes to breakout.

Clear Skin Products from Tropic Skincare

Tropic Skincare Tamanu Healing Balm

Now on to what I think is the star of the show – this is one of those beauty/skincare products you stumble upon very rarely that completely blows you away. It looks quite ordinary, apart from being green and all in one beauty balms often get overlooked because people don’t quite know how they fit into their routine but this new release from Tropic is EPIC. I have been singing it’s praises to family and friends since it landed on my doorstep almost 2 months ago.

Green Gold Tropic Tamanu Healing Balm

So this skin-loving green balm is made with tamanu oil (also known as ‘green gold’), which is an age-old remedy trusted for centuries in the Polynesian islands to stimulate skin renewal, Tropic have blended it hydrating, soothing monoi and cocoa butters so it is hydrating and calming and if that wasn’t enough it also contains antioxidant-rich blackcurrant extract and raspberry seed oil.

So this balm has so many skin loving, healing and protecting ingredients. It really is the best multi-purpose product I have ever used. My favourite way to use it is as an eye cream because it is simply one of the most hydrating products I’ve used. I also dab it on the odd blemish to help calm and sooth the inflames skin.

I even took it on my recent trip to Amsterdam, in my hand luggage so I could use it on the plane. It does come in a handy 20ml travel size but I took my 60ml tub and I used it as my lip balm, eye cream, on my cuticles as well as on a few blemishes and a couple of pesky blemish scars. So I really put it to good use! I just love how hydrating, nourishing and gentle it is and I think it is incredible that it can be used in so many ways. It now comes everywhere with me!

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Signature Collection

- Vicki 2 Comments

Jurlique has completely revamped & remastered their iconic Herbal Recovery Range. Not only has the packaging received a (stunning) facelift but the new formulas are more potent, have a higher concentration of botanicals and the ingredients have all been meticulously selected to improve the overall appearance of dull, uneven skin. There are 5 products in this new range, including a serum, hydrating mist, eye cream, moisturising lotion and rich moisturising cream.

This collection focuses on minimising the signs of ageing, reducing dullness and helping your skin retain more moisture. As I Head into my 40’s this range this new Herbal Recovery Signature range is perfect for my skin type & immediate skin concerns.

New Jurlique Skincare Collection

I’ve been trying 2 out of the 5 products from this new collection and I’ve noticed a positive change in my skin. As we head into the more dry, cold weather of Autumn/Winter I think these products will really help replenish and nourish my skin.

At the heart of the new Herbal Recovery Signature range is a more potent signature blend of powerful botanical extracts. The Viola Tricolor is the pure Viola from Jurlique’s organic farm in the South Australian hills & they’re handpicked only when they’re at their peak.

  • Viola Tricolor: Our highest dose yet (more than triple) of our vital antioxidant botanical protects from signs of premature ageing
  • Yarrow rejuvenates and reduces the appearance of fine lines

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Eye Cream

Jurlique Herbal Recover Signature Eye Cream

I hear a lot of talk about whether or not an eye cream is a necessity and although I don’t think it is vital I still like to use a product that has been specifically designed for this area. The skin around your eye is so delicate and particularly thin and prone to damage. It is where I show signs of being tired and dehydrated so I prefer to use a cream that can minimise these by plumping, hydrating and adding luminosity to my skin, an eye cream is a really good way of doing that. So if an eye cream is within your budget I would say it is a great (not mandatory) step in your skincare regime.

This new addition to my skincare routine from Jurlique is lovely and lightweight, it feels almost like a serum in texture. I pat it all around my orbital bone and on the tops of my cheekbones too and it gives my skin a boost of hydration and leaves my eye area looking fresh, more awake and it helps makeup/concealer sit so much better, I think it is because it plumps, smooths my fine lines and is super hydrating.

Rich, hydrating and bursting with plant antioxidants, this eye cream contains extracts of Yarrow, Japanese Cedar Bud and Beech Tree Bud to firm, re-energise the delicate skin around the eye. As well as combat those pesky fine lines.

The hero ingredient is Persian Silk Tree which minimises the appearance of puffiness, dark circles and smooths skin! Everything you need in an eye cream!

• 80% of women agree skin feels replenished and hydrated

• 88% of women agree skin feels firmer

I am taking this with me on my 40th birthday trip to Amsterdam, I will need all the help I can get to combat those late nights, effects of travelling and all the pollutants from a city break!

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Eye Cream

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Signature Moisturising Lotion

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Signature Moisturising Lotion

If you like to use a lightweight moisturiser then this Herbal Recovery Moisturising Lotion will be right up your street, it’s not as heavy as your standard moisture cream and it won’t leave your skin feeling greasy. It has a very lightweight, fluid texture which is easily absorbed, it instantly makes my skin look fresh and feel so smooth. I like to use it as part of my morning routine as I find it works well under makeup but I prefer to use a heavier night cream. This lotion is jam-packed full of natural and effective age-defying botanicals including,

Cedar Bud Extract to help nourish and revitalise your skin’s glow, improves skins suppleness and reduces the visible signs of ageing. Yarrow, Viola Tricolor and Marshmallow Root replenish your complexion and smooths and softens skin helping reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Signature Range

It comes in a lovely pink ombre effect glass bottle with a pump dispenser, I’d say 3-4 pumps give me enough product for both my face & neck (and that is quite a generous amount of product).

• 80% of women agree Herbal Recovery Signature Moisturising Lotion reveals radiant younger-looking skin

I have really been enjoying using this moisturising lotion and would never have thought such a lightweight product could hydrate my skin so well. It has given my complexion a revived radiance (ideal as we head into the colder months) and I’m thrilled to have it in my skincare routine

Replenishing Skincare from Jurlique

I have to say the packaging is just stunning, I love the pink colour palette and the ombre effect adds a fresh modern look which I think It’s quite eye-catching.  Each product comes in a glass jar/bottle so it feels luxurious and has that quality feel to it. Top marks on the packaging for sure!

This new revamped version of Jurliques Iconic Herbal Recovery Collection contains their most concentrated formulas ever, optimised with advanced absorption, a more luxurious feel and a subtle scent inspired by the botanical drying shed at their Australian Farm. If you’re looking to add a few new products to your Autumn/Winter skincare regime then you might want to give this new Signature Collection a go.

www.jurlique.co.uk 

Everyday Makeup Favourites 2018

- Vicki Leave a comment
Current Beauty Favourites

Over the past year, I have been working towards a more minimal lifestyle and have been trying to declutter my life. One area that really overwhelmed me was my beauty stash. So I’ve managed to reduce it quite considerably, I now only have products that I love and use regularly. I don’t hang on to things just in case I might want to use them, or make excuses to buy new products when I clearly do not need them. Today I’m sharing most of the products that are in my everyday makeup bag and I would say it is a third of the makeup I now currently own and that makes me so happy!

Urban Decay Trouble Maker Mascara

Urban Decay Trouble Maker Mascara (gifted)

I’m usually the person who has multiple mascaras on the go at once, forever on the quest for the perfect all-rounder that ticks all the boxes. Well, I am here to tell you, I have found it and it is the Urban Decay Trouble Maker Mascara (please never let them discontinue it). I only have one mascara in my collection and it is this one. It is all I need. First up the packaging is super cool and looks like an oil slick, I love it. The wand has quite short bristles that apply the perfect amount of product to each lash & make them look thick, voluminous and the formula is so black! Zero clumping, no fallout and it doesn’t transfer or smudge. It is a pain to get off but that means it has some serious staying power. This is my number 1, my holy grail the ONLY mascara I need in my life. Oh, & it is Vegan, so that is a big plus.

Rimmel Brow This Way Eyebrow Gel (gifted)

I go between this and the Essence Brow Mascara, they’re almost identical and similar in quality, the Rimmel one I think has slightly better staying power. The Essence one is Vegan and Cruelty-Free but I can only get it in Wilko and that isn’t a shop I have locally so the Rimmel version is a good back up for me. This adds a nice amount of colour and texture to your brows, I like that you can use it alone for an effortless look or on top of your powder to set your brows and add a little more colour. It gives the illusion that I spend more time on my brows that I actually do and that’s what I want. I am all about that simple makeup life.

Current Makeup Favourites 2018

Vichy Dermablend SOS Cover Stick (gifted)

This is the creamiest stick concealer I have ever used. I tend to steer clear of stick foundations & concealers as they’re usually quite dry and hard to apply but this is buttery and blends like a dream. I use it everywhere, under eye bags, blemishes, redness and it covers all my imperfections with ease without looking heavy. I would say this gives very decent medium coverage. I quite often just apply this and feel confident enough to not wear foundation. It has been a lifesaver during the crazy heatwave because its formula is sweat, water and smudge resistant!

Enriched with a careful dose of mineral pigments, beeswax, carnauba wax and a lightweight oil, the formula allows for more spreadable and waterproof coverage that blends in effortlessly. 

Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Bronzed (gifted)

I do have a couple of other bronzers but I just always go back to this Urban Decay one because it is matte and the colour is perfect for giving the skin a subtle healthy sun-kissed warmth. It is a lovely natural colour (on me) and you can easily build it up without it looking muddy or orange. It has been my goto bronzer this Summer and for £23 I think it is a Summer Holiday must have!

Soap & Glory Radiance Powders 

These two cheek products are stunning – I have used them for years, I wouldn’t be without them in my collection. I like that they both have a highlight, glow feel to them. The blush is a stunning light pink, peach on the cheeks with a gorgeous gold glow running though. It adds a healthy fresh glow to any look. The bronzer is a beautiful golden glow and I often use it as an eyeshadow and brow highlight.

soap and glory makeup

Essence Fresh & Fit Foundation

This creamy foundation gives a nice medium coverage whilst feeling lightweight on the skin, I hate it when your base feels thick and heavy. This foundation is enriched with a complex of vitamin b3, e, pro-vitamin b5 and cranberry water, it is fantastic to see a budget-friendly foundation with such fantastic skincare benefits added to their formula. These ingredients are going to help your skin glow, look refreshed and awake. I use it as my everyday foundation and quite often I don’t even feel the need to powder, it does have a nice glow to it without looking greasy or shiny. For £5 you need to try it!

w7 Mid-Summer Nights Eyeshadow Palette

I always travel with this 9 pan eyeshadow palette. It’s super compact and has 9 wearable, versatile shades. I can create a simple, smokey or even a bold eye look with this palette and it has a really nice mix of matte and shimmer finishes. For under £4 the quality is pretty damn good & I’m here to tell you that you 100% need it in your makeup bag.

W7 Mid Summer Nights Eyeshadow Palette

w7 The Naughty Nine Eyeshadow Palette

NIOD Photography Fluid Opacity 12% (gifted)

This is nothing short of liquid magic, It’s flipping amazing. This is a highlighter, primer and serum in one (love a multi-use product) it instantly blurs imperfections and gives a healthy dewy, even-toned radiance. Designed to create a photo-ready finish on all skin types, this complexion perfector creates a lit-from-within glow in seconds with a wide variety of light-refracting prisms, tone and hue correctors, and photo-finishing technologies.

So you can apply to your skin alone or wear it under your favourite foundation to add a beautiful radiance and correct discolouration. It can also be mixed with other products for subtle radiance. It’s such an easy product to incorporate into your makeup routine. I haven’t ever used a product quite like this & I just can’t get across to you just how incredible it is and how radiant and glowing my skin looks when I wear it.

Dermablend Covermatte Compact Powder Foundation (gifted)

I am a loyal user of the Vichy Dermablend 3d Liquid Foundation and I am so pleased to have discovered this high coverage compact powder option. This is a really lovely foundation that has buildable coverage. The lightweight powder sits nicely in the skin giving you a velvety matte finish and it covers imperfections with ease. I wear shade 25 Nude and it’s a good all year round shade for me. When I want to achieve that full coverage, makeup last all day look I often set my liquid foundation with this powder simply because it makes my skin look incredible (flawless) and everything is locked in place all day! It is a great foundation if you have redness, acne scarring or just want a more full coverage look without your makeup looking heavy or dusty.

Imperfections are decreased by up to 60% day after day with active dermatological ingredients including sebum-regulating zinc gluconate and anti-imperfection salicylic acid and vitamin E. The appearance of pores is reduced and skin texture looks improved.

Everyday Makeup

Charlotte Tilbury Penelope Pink Lipstick

I must confess that I rarely wear lipstick or anything on my lips for that matter. I have a very small collection of lip products now and they’re all pretty much nude shades apart from a couple of more deep Autumnal colours. I like to wear quite a basic lip colour and go bolder on my eye look and I find Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks to be some of the most comfortable and long-wearing. This pinky nude shade freshens up any makeup look as works day to night. I love it and the packaging feels super luxe and special.

What makeup is in your everyday makeup bag?