My Winter Skincare Guide

September 7, 2015October 29, 2016 - Vicki 1 Comment

As the seasons pass I love switching up my skincare routine to keep giving my skin just what it needs. I have been noticing a change in the temperature this past week and there is a chill in the air (which I am secretly excited about) so I have started to look out a few products that will add into my Winter Skincare routine to help my skin adjust to the dryer air & crisper temperatures.

When the temperature drops and we start to put on the central heating I notice such a change in my skin, it gets more dehydrated, irritated and can look more dull so I like to make sure I keep my skin nourished and hydrated. I don’t switch up all my products, there is no need too but there are a few that I swear by during the colder months.

I use a serum all year round but I do have a one that I keep specifically for Winter and that’s the Origins Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Face Serum. I love the whole Mega Mushroom range and have used it for years, the reason I like it more for the colder months is because its extremely hydrating, great at soothing redness and keeping the skin looking radiant. This serum has quite a few ingredients which are good for protecting the skin from the effects of Winter,

This potent serum is fortified with omega-rich Sea Buckthorn plus skin-repairing Reishi, irritant-soothing Chaga and Cordyceps mushrooms – long used in Chinese medicine to heal, promote longevity and improve health. Used faithfully, skin is transformed from reactive to resilient and from stressed to soothed to reveal a healthier, more radiant appearance..

A key part of any skincare regime is your moisturiser and I will be using the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+* this Winter, its such an Iconic product and I have used it a few times over the years. It has been reformulated recently and this new formula feels even more lightweight than before, which makes it a great lightweight moisturiser and it wears very well under makeup. There is no SPF or specific anti ageing benefits but it is a product that never breaks me out or irritates my skin and it gives a good amount of hydration without being greasy. It is 100% fragrance free, so thats really good if you have sensitive skin. Let me know if you have any Clinique makeup or skincare recommendations, I really want to try a few more products from this brand.

One thing I often forget to do in the Winter is use a body scrub, I know we’re not walking about with bare legs during the cold snap but its still important we keep our skin looking and feeling smooth and radiant. Scrubs are also a great way to get the blood flowing on a chilly Winter morning and I’ve fallen in love with the Prismologie Red Hour Foaming Body Scrub*. This has an uplifting Cedarwood scent which is invigorating and the scent is so luxurious. The scrub isn’t abrasive but it will leave your skin feeling incredibly soft, hydrated and by removing the build up of dead skin cells it helps your skin look radiant and healthy. This is a huge bottle which means it will last months so I’m hoping this will see me through the colder months & I really like the bright red packaging its quite festive looking which is perfect for using over Winter. One thing I know for sure is my legs will be Christmas Party ready after using this Scrub!

Oh & if you have time a body oil is a great way to lock in moisture after a shower and it keeps your skin extra soft.

We all know how bad the cold weather is for our lips, I find my lips really suffer. They always dry out and get chapped over the colder months and over the years I’ve tried so many lip products to combat this but the NUXE Reve de Miel Honey Lip Balm is the best I’ve ever tried. It has quite a unique rich formula, I think of it more of a lip treatment and apply it twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening. Its quite thick (but not greasy) so I don’t use it throughout the day but I have to say after applying it in the morning my lips feel nourished and protected for hours so you really don’t need to apply it like a lip balm. Its the perfect treatment to apply at night before you go to bed after a long day exposed to the dry cold Winter elements & it repairs your lips overnight leaving them looking and feeling soft and smooth. This pot has lasted me so long & I have looked it out now the weather is a little colder and it sits on my nightstand to remind me to apply it.

A face mist is an easy way of combating the effects of air conditioning & central heating, I always have one on my desk at work and I’m currently using the Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist. This is a very refreshing face mist and I spritz it so often throughout the day. I love how it stops my skin from drying out and the rose scent is very uplifting and calming. A few spritz of this leaves my skin feeling soft, soothed and hydrated. You can spritz it on top of your makeup without unsettling it and it just keeps your skin nourished and feeling fresh. I’m spritzing it as I type!

I like to use a face oil more often during the Winer and this new Merumaya Everything Everywhere Beauty Oil* is ideal for that and the exciting thing about this oil is that its not exclusively for your face it has a multitude of uses. It can be used on dry hands, heels, face, body hair, scalp lashes and brows. I have heard people say they even mix a few drops in with their moisturiser too. This is going to help in so many ways to nourish your skin and to keep it looking radiant. It will also combat the effects Winter has on your face, hair and body, Its extremely hydrating and nourishing because there are so many incredible ingredients included in this oil,

It contains Kahai Oil which has even more benefits than Argan Oil, 50% more Vitamin E and twice as much Linoleic (Essential Fatty Acids). It also has 3 times more anti-ageing Retinol than rosehip oil (traditionally used to combat scars and healing the skin). It also contains Oat, Grapeseed and Jojoba Oils, this exclusive formula provides moisture, elasticity, a reduction in lines, soothes, brightens and nourishes the skin. Squalane which helps prevent moisture loss whilst restoring skins suppleness. So quite the power house of ingredients. I am excited to see the results of prolonged use and I will be putting its multi functional benefits to good use.

A must for your handbag during the Winter is a good hand cream & for me this nspa Intensive Anti Ageing Hand Cream is ideal. It is a thicker formula which will be perfect for nourishing my hands when they’re cold and keeping them from drying out. I also like that this has SPF15 which means my hands will be protected during those chilly sunny days. I find my hands dry out so badly and I always like to have a hand cream with me in my handbag.

These are just a few products I plan on using as it starts to get colder, let me know what products you like to switch up when Winter comes & what you do different to combat the effects the cold weather has on your skin

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.

Oskia Super 16 Pro Collagen Serum

August 28, 2015February 6, 2018 - Vicki 3 Comments

OSKIA Super 16 Pro-Collagen Serum* £85.00 – 30ml

This is my first ever OSKIA product & I was so excited to try it because my skin was in need of some serious TLC and this product has such an impressive line up of ingredients that I knew it was going to be such a treat. This is marketed as an Anti-Ageing Super Serum & to put it plainly I agree 100%. Anti Ageing is a term that I don’t really like but if we can keep our skin looking healthy and radiant whilst boosting collagen production for as long as possible then I love using products like this serum that enables me to do just that.

I instantly loved this OSKIA Super 16 Pro-Collagen Serum but thats not to say I instantly thought it was worth the price tag, I’m a skincare addict but when I recommend something to you I want to be 100% sure I would purchase it myself and after about 2 months of almost daily use I can hand on heart say this is an incredible serum and although pricey it will be a wonderful addition to your skincare routine and if like me you’re edging closer to 40 it will give your skin exactly what it needs and more!

So this serum is a fusion of 16 super nutrients and bio-actives which address multiple ageing concerns. Interestingly this serum contains a new grown breaking ingredient called Bakuchiol – which is derived from Indian Babchi Seeds (historically used to heal cuts). This new ingredient works much like Retinol and is a natural equivalent which some say is more gentle on the skin and suitable for sensitive skin. Bakuchiol is a key ingredient because it stimulates 3 key processes (also normally associated with Retinol use) – healthier, younger looking skin – the reversal of the signs of ageing, prevention of future damage and reduction in the symptoms of problem skin. So it’s quite the super ingredient.

It is a refreshing and cooling serum which feels very gentle and lightweight on the skin despite it having a seriously long list of incredible ingredients. I love that it has a pipet because you will never use too much product or have any waste (being a pricey product thats very important to me). After massaging a few drops my skin instantly feels, plump, hydrated and smooth. The serum doesn’t feel at all greasy or like it sits on top of your skin, it feels like your skin drinks it up because within seconds it leaves your skin velvety soft.

Some of the key super nutrients bio actives and their benefits,

Bakuchiol, a clinically compared natural alternative to retinol but without the sensitivity, leaves skin firmer, lines reduced, elasticity improved (by boosting and regulating Type 1, III & IV collagen).
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract (a beautiful organic cactus) rich in highly anti-oxidant Piscidic Acid and Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 & C, blocks the release of stress markers from nerve cells to calm irritated skin while providing soothing & firming benefits.
Vitamin A Palmitate improves the appearance of mature & sun damaged skin without irritation.
Hyaluronic Acid hydrates and plumps to reduce the appearance of fine lines
Vitamins C & E deliver high-level anti-oxidant benefits.
Crithmum Seaweed Extract helps detoxify & restore tired skin.
Punarnava Extract delivers immediate & long term soothing effects to help reduce redness & discomfort.
OSKIA’s unique Moisturising Complex (OMC), together with Chondrus Crispus Seaweed Extract & Chicory Root hydrate, soften & refresh.
Dimethyl Sulfone (MSM) boosts collagen & soothes.

Over the past 8 – 10 weeks I have noticed my skin looks brighter, plumper and it feels a lot more smooth to the touch. It’s the more long-term benefits which get me most excited and the reason why I think this serum is worth the price tag & the main two are

Helping to reduce redness and pigmentation
Prevention of future photodamage (protecting against UV damage).

These are my main skin concerns and fingers crossed after a little more use I will see more obvious results This serum is like a bottle of heavyweight super ingredients which have nothing but positive results on your skin. It’s not an overnight WOW but if you use it regularly you will see subtle changes and I’m hoping the longer I use this in my regime I will only continue to see positive results. OSKIA is a British skincare brand committed to using only the best ingredients in their products and seem to have a really positive approach to skincare

‘We believe that the secret to a beautiful complexion lies not only in what you put on your skin, but what you put in your body. OSKIA products are therefore nutritionally-designed to improve the skin’s condition from both the inside and the outside’

OSKIA is a brand I would love to try more from so if you have any recommendations please leave me a comment & if you are looking for a serum that will help your skin to truly look its best and help prevent so many skin concerns then make sure you invest in this Super 16 Pro-Collagen Serum, you will not be disappointed.

OSKIA is sold on Cult Beauty, SPACE NK, Look Fantastic and at oskiaskincare.com

Favourite Summer Products 2015

August 22, 2015March 12, 2026 - Vicki 3 Comments

Clinique Super City Block SPF40 £18.00

As many of you will know I use a facial SPF on a daily basis and have a couple that I really like (La Roche Posay Anthlios & Balance Me) but I have wanted to try this City Block from Clinique for such a long time. This gives your skin a high level of protection against UVA & UVB rays as well as being oil free, so it is ticking all the boxes for me. It’s also a great primer for your makeup because its oil free and won’t slide off your face in the heat and my makeup sits so well on top. The cream does have a tint to it but once applied to the skin its adapts to your skin tone and makes your skin look and feel hydrated. It’s not just an effective broad spectrum SPF, but it also has many antioxidants which protect your skin from environmental damage and help boost sun protection.

I like that it’s not heavy or greasy, but it does give the skin a dewy finish. If this isn’t your thing you can lightly powder after you have finished your makeup & it will help it look less dewy (which is what I have been doing most days). I have been using it daily and haven’t had a reaction to it or a breakout which is good. I think one of the things that most impressed me about this product was the price, at £18.00 I think it is a bargain, you get 40ml of product which is going to last you a good few months. I have been recommending this to friends and family and really think it’s one of my favourite discoveries.

Olivine Atelier Love + Roses Beauty Mist £12.95

I have the smaller 2oz bottle & It’s just so cute! It is a glass bottle and the design is so sleek and pretty. This Beauty Mist has a really pretty floral scent which is refreshing and uplifting, it’s so nice to have sat on your desk to use when you feel a little tired or in need of a boost of hydration. This isn’t just a run-of-the-mill face spray Olivine Atelier have included lots of ingredients that will help hydrate, soothe and combat the signs of ageing. Its quite incredible & includes,

Rosa Damascena Flower Water & Rosa Damascena Flower Oil: known to refine and renew skin at the cellular level, with powerful anti-inflammatory action
Cassia Augustifolia Seed Polysaccharide: mimics hyaluronic acid to retain water on the surface of the skin and hair
Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract: a powerhouse adaptogenic herb that protects skin and hair from environmental damage, minimises fine lines and wrinkles, and assists with stress and fatigue management
Moringa Seed Extract: a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that promotes collagen production, supports skin firmness, and boosts the immune system
Andean Orchid Flower essence promotes youthful vitality and cellular regeneration
Rose Quartz essence + other precious gems: for soul-affirming aromatherapy, the revitalising and uplifting powers of self-love, confidence, grace, beauty and self-esteem

I’ve had my bottle for almost 4 months now and Its almost empty, although I’ve been using it most days, so I think It has lasted a good amount of time but in future I will be buying the larger 8oz size because It’s now a staple in my beauty routine & I think I need a bigger bottle!

The Body Shop Italian Fig Fragrance Mist £8.50

This is part of a new collection from The Body Shop and I love it, the scent is so fresh and for a body mist it has very good staying power, I can smell it for hours after I’ve sprayed it. For me Fig is just such a unique scent, and it smells sophisticated and complex. It’s quite a strong scent and I like that, it’s not for everyone but for me its just such a refreshing and pretty scent.

I have tried quite a few of The Body Shop Mists & they’re amazing quality for the price. I would love to try the EDT from the same range. What are your favourite products from The Body Shop?

& Other Stories Fig Fiction Body Lotion £7.00

The scent of this body lotion is so good & much like The Body Shop Italian Fig range but a little sweeter. This is my 3rd bottle and I will continue to repurchase over and over. It’s a great size and the pump makes it so easy to get the product out. It smells luxurious, and the cream makes my skin feel smooth and hydrated. I often use it as a hand cream too because its so hydrating and not at all greasy. I really like the simple packaging style, its one of the reasons I like & Other Stories products so much.

Rosewater Balancing Mist Intense Limited Edition

August 10, 2015August 14, 2017 - Vicki 3 Comments

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist Intense Limited Edition* £45.00 for 200ml

This new release is a more intense version of Jurlique’s classic Rosewater Balancing Mist (which I adore), this limited edition version contains,

‘Additional Rose extracts and potent botanicals to hydrate your skin and enliven your senses. Its deluxe formula contains precious Rose extracts to help condition, soothe and balance your skin.’

This mist is enriched with a unique blend of five precious rose extracts grown on Jurlique’s farm in Australia, including Rosa Gallica and Rosa Damascena. So its not only bursting with wonderful ingredients it smells incredible too.

This is a product that will hydrate your skin, keep it looking radiant, whilst the antioxidants protect it from natural aggressors. So its a great product to keep sat on your vanity / desk to use throughout the day too.

The packaging of this new release from Jurlique is beautiful, it comes in a pretty box embossed with roses & the empowering message ‘Bloom Where You’re Planted’. Inside you are met with a gorgeous ombre pink glass bottle. It looks and feels very luxurious, I’m absolutely in love with it & there is no way you will run out of this in a hurry because its huge at 200ml, its a whopper of a bottle. Its one for sitting on your dressing table thats for sure. I like to use it every morning & evening after I have toned, I spritz this all over my face and it feels so refreshing on my skin.

As a brand Jurlique is always helping to support the empowerment of women all over the world with their Ideas Of Beauty Fund which is not for profit, it focuses on supporting ideas that empower and educate women & supports charities that help people and nature bloom. So as part of Jurlique’ s 30th anniversary celebrations their Ideas of Beauty Fund will be donating a portion of the purchase price from each bottle to support London Wildlife Trust which is a UK based charity dedicated to protecting the capitals wildlife and wild spaces. So that is really in keeping with Jurlique’s ethos of giving back to the Earth and helping nature and people thrive.

This is such a lovely product and its nice to see a company giving back. Let me know if you treat yourself to this limited edition Rosewater Balancing Mist Intense.

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