Phytomer Cyfolia Skincare

September 5, 2022 - Vicki Leave a comment

#Gifted Anyone who loves skincare will know just how well the French do it (I mean, how exciting is a trip to a classic French pharmacy), French Skincare always seem to deliver results, and rarely are the products expensive!

I have been trying out a new (to me) French skincare brand called Phytomer which is almost 50 years old (3 generations of the same family) and still produced in Brittany, the stunning bay of Saint-Malo. I am so impressed, not only with the trio of products I have been testing, but also with their ethos of using high quality, local ingredients that are not harmful for the sea.

‘At PHYTOMER, we promote eco-friendly cosmetics that use locally-sourced ingredients from Brittany, with respect for both the sea and the marine farmers who supply us. In our research department, we develop production methods with low environmental impact at every step.’

I have been using three products from their quite newly released, Cyfolia collection. These products centre around one wonderful ingredient, organic Cyfolia algae, which is native to Brittany, France. This collection is vegan, certified organic and contains all-natural formulas that are manufactured in the Phytomer laboratories in France, it really is science lead skincare at its finest.

There are 5 products in this Cyfolia collection, from cleansing, exfoliating and toning right through to a mask and an incredible moisturiser. So everything you need for a complete skincare regime.

Cyfolia Organic Radiance Cleansing Cream

The backbone of a good skincare routine has to be a cleanser. It is the product that washes away makeup, dead skin, environmental aggressors and the dirt of the day, The starting point for the rest of your routine. I love trying out new cleansers, especially cream or balm ones. This one from Phytomer is a classic rich cream cleanser, that feels gentle on the skin. Its hero point for me were that it breaks down makeup well, so many cream cleansers fall short at this. As well as the wonderful marine ingredients (listed below) It also contains,

‘Vegetal accord of aloe vera, rose, and cedarwood enhanced by a spice accord formulated with pink peppercorns’

All in all it’s gentle, leaves skin very soft, clean, less oily and looking refreshed. A good daily cleanser, or a wonderful second cleanse if you wear heavy makeup.

Cyfolia Organic Radiance Exfoliating Cream

I love how good my skin felt after using this exfoliator for even a week. The natural and gentle argan kernel and pomegranate seed particles make extremely effective scrubbies, whilst the creamy texture makes it easy to massage in to the skin. Removing all the dead, dry skin, helping to unclog pores and smooth out your complexion, to reveal a natural radiant glow.

I have been using this exfoliator a couple of times a week, and that has helped to stop my skin looking dull and textured. it is a great skincare step to included in your routine if you’re looking for smoother, brighter, balanced skin, give it a go!

Radiance Hydra-Comforting Cream

I found this moisturiser to have a rich creamy texture, that leaves the skin velvety to the touch and not greasy. It delivers hydration without having that heavy feeling on the skin, it smooths out the skin which means my makeup looks great on top! Think hydrating, luminous, calm skin. A great product to complete your skincare routine.

The marine specific ingredients included in this collection.

Organic Cyfolia Algae – Native to Brittany: Leaves complexion luminous and radiant once more.

Organic Orange Water – Native to Italy: Source of vitamin C and radiance.

OLIGOMER – Native to France: Stimulates cell vitality to leave skin remineralized, strengthened, healthier and better equipped to combat damaging outside factors.

Organic Immortelle – Native to France: Soothes and relieves skin.

Organic Vegetal Oils: Sunflower – Native to France – Sesame – Native to Africa: gently removes make-up for a softer, more supple and perfectly-nourished skin.

If you want to discover more about Phytomer and their wide range of skincare, body care and spa treatments, be sure to visit them at Phytomer.co.uk

*This post contains PR Samples

Jurlique Exclusive Edition Five Roses

July 29, 2022 - Vicki Leave a comment

#gifted Each year, Australian skincare brand Jurlique launch limited edition versions of their hero products and for 2022 they have teamed up with Tokyo born, Canada based artist Raku who created the stunning packaging for their Five Roses collection.

It is a stunning collaboration and if like me, you love their face mists, you are going to want to snap up this latest release!

Jurlique Exclusive Edition Five Roses Hand Cream

The blend of five roses in this product is beautiful it gives this collection a unique rose scent, it is floral, sweet and very romantic. If you love authentic, real rose scents, then this is the collection for you. It does not smell sweet or synthetic, you get a genuine rich rose scent, and the cream is rich, moisturising and soothing for your hands! Such a lovely gift idea for a loved one, the packaging makes it look extra special too.

The Five Roses Family includes:

THE HERO ROSE: Growing since Jurlique started in 1985, the Rosa gallica is the brand’s staple rose; a unique ingredient in almost all Jurlique’s skincare formulas, known for its deep velvety rose scent which helps to moisturise and hydrate the skin.

THE SWEET ROSE: this rose almost smells like candy as it dries, and tastes wonderful in cakes and rose syrup. It has a dark fuchsia colour, is low growing and repeat flowers.

THE ARTIST’S ROSE: Rosa centifolia, it has a mild powdering scent and is a medium sized shrub. It loves to be pruned after it flowers, which then increases its growth and blooms for the next season.

THE WHITE ROSE: Rosa canina, this is the only white rose to grow at the Jurlique Farm and has a beautiful lemony centre. It only flowers in later spring, early summer and almost looks like a Camellia flower with an array of folding petals.

THE ESSENTIAL ROSE: Rosa damascena, is the first rose bush to flower at the Jurlique Farm. It has a light but enveloping scent that lingers and is the rose known to produce very high quality essential rose oil.

Exclusive Edition Five Roses Balancing Face Mist

The perfect addition to your Summer skincare routine, this face mist is lightweight, hydrating and so refreshing. I keep my bottle in the fridge, it is such a nice way to cool my skin down. It was perfect during the heatwave, it kept my skin nourished and refreshed. You can spritz this under or on top of your makeup, it’s perfect to use throughout the day to refresh your skin and keep it hydrated.

Again, the five roses scent is beautiful and quite relaxing, it is just Summer in a bottle!

For 2022, Jurlique has partnered with Tokyo born, Canada based artist Raku. The artist draws his inspiration from nature that he has foraged. Inspired by Jurlique’s belief in a healthy ecosystem and working in harmony with nature, Raku created unique packaging designs for the Five Roses Exclusive Edition Collection.

The Five Roses are lovingly grown on Jurlique’s biodynamic* farm, following holistic and sustainable farming practices that naturally look after plant health and soil, ensuring nothing harmful goes into the earth.

If you want to snap up a bargain, both products are currently half price in the Jurlique Summer Sale.

*This post includes PR Samples

Shakeup Cosmetics

July 22, 2022April 20, 2025 - Vicki Leave a comment

Introducing Shakeup Cosmetics, a skincare brand that up to this point has largely been male focused. I think most skincare can be unisex, and this brand intrigued me as it is a good price point, its range is concise and I liked the look of the sleek green packaging. So I was game to put it to the test.

Their product range includes everything you need for a skincare routine, daily face wash, clarifying toner, serum, moisturiser as well as some great extras for a little more pampering, clay mask, volumising lip gel and even a face mist. I also noticed that they offer makeup in the way of a BB Cream and Under Eye Concealer.

Shakeup Skincare

All their range is as male skincare & makeup, but I have been testing out 3 of their core skincare products and I just wanted to let you know how I found them.

Shakeup Cosmetics Face4ward Daily Face Wash

I found this to be quite gentle, fragrance free and although it did not remove my mascara I thought the formula was hydrating & it didn’t leave my skin feeling tight. I think as a first cleanse (if you wear makeup) this is a nice, simple option that will help refresh your skin and remove dirt and environmental pollutants. I was surprised at just how many skin loving ingredients it has, considering its affordable price tag!

Willow Bark Extract: Aids cell regeneration to reveal a clearer complexion. A natural source of salicylates can help to clear pores, alleviate acne and even skin tone.

Fruit AHA Complex: Stimulates skin cell renewal. Gently exfoliates to penetrate dead skin cells, smooth skin and improve the appearance of dark spots.

Aquaxyl™: Boosts circulation of moisture throughout all skin layers. As a super hydrator, moisturising and healing benefits protect against damage to your skin barrier.

Shakeup Skincare products

Shakeup Skincare Face 4ward Clarifying Toner

I have been using this product every other day, it helps to keep your skin looking fresh and radiant by exfoliating the dead, dull skin away using glycolic acid and fruit AHA complex. A great step in your skincare routine, if you like your skin to have that glowing, velvety smooth appearance.

Glycolic Acid: Speeds up skin cell turnover rate. As a natural exfoliant, it can help brighten skin, prevent ingrown hairs and reduce pores.

Witch Hazel Extract: Aids in relieving inflammation, especially great for razor bumps. It acts as an astringent for sensitive skin, which means it helps fight acne, shrink your pores and combat skin conditions.

Shakeup Skincare Moisuriser Stick

Shakeup Skincare Moisturiser Stick

Out of the 3 products I tried, this was the one that I liked the least. I thought it was a fab concept, great to take to the gym or travelling, the stick formula is compact and fuss free. For my skin the level of hydration just wasn’t enough, my husband on the other hand thought it was great. He liked that it wasn’t greasy or heavy and that it was easy/quick to apply.

Cucumber Extract: Hydrates and soothes your skin. Its calming properties can help to reduce irritation, puffiness, and inflammation.

Hyaluronic Acid: Increases hydration on the surface of your skin. Having hydrated skin reduces the appearance of wrinkles, redness and smooths skin texture.

Vitamin E: Strengthens your skin’s natural barrier. As an antioxidant, moisturising and healing benefits prevent damage to skin cells.

Witch Hazel: Aids in relieving inflammation, especially great for razor bumps.
It acts as an astringent for sensitive skin, which means it helps fight acne, shrink your pores and combat skin conditions.

Shakeup Cosmetics are vegan and cruelty-free, and although the brand is primarily targeting men, many of their products are also great for female skin. I do like that men’s makeup and skincare are becoming more mainstream and that brands are providing an entire skincare routine and not just a simple moisturiser!

*this post contains PR samples

Klorane Cupuacu Butter Haircare Collection

May 16, 2022 - Vicki Leave a comment

*Gifted. Like many other people, I am on the constant quest for the perfect shampoo and conditioner, and I have been putting the Klorane Cupuacu Haircare Collection to the test. I have 3 products from the range, which claims to help tame frizzy, wavy hair and strengthen from root to tip. How have I never tried Klorane when it has been ‘Named the no.1 haircare brand by European pharmacies, Klorane marries science and natural ingredients to create innovative formulas that also respect the environment. And, with 50 years of expertise in botanical hair care, you can trust that your hair is in safe hands.’

The Cupuaçu used in this collection has been sustainably grown in the Amazon, following the rules of organic farming, and the Cupuaçu butter is certified as organic. So Klorane are paying particular attention to the ethical sourcing of ingredients and being more environmentally conscious, which is always fantastic to see.

‘Klorane are committed to respecting the biodiversity of the Amazon through sustainable planting of Cupuacu trees. The organically-sourced formula is biodegradable, vegan, and cruelty-free and the eco-friendly packaging has been created using 100% recycled and recyclable plastic.’

Cupuaçu Butter is rich in fatty acids (Omega-6 and Omega-9), molecules with ultra-nutritive properties, and is very effective at intensively repairing and nourishing the hair fibre, which makes it a wonderful ingredient for looking after your luscious locks. It’s also 1.5x more nutritious than shea butter, which is great news for your hair

Klorane Cupuacu Butter Shampoo £9.00

The creamy, lightweight formula of the shampoo leaves my hair feeling clean, without stripping away moisture. I have used the shampoo on it’s own without following with either of the conditioning products and my hair still looked glossy & frizz free. If you are pushed for time then this shampoo is nourishing enough and your hair will still get all the benefits of the lovely ingredients, like the, Cupuaçu Butter, Coconut Oil and Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, which help it to be silkier, stronger, smoother, flexible, shiny, and easy to comb.

I would say be conservative with how much product you use, I have a short bob (jaw length) and I use about a 50p sized amount any more and my hair looks greasy, so less is more with this shampoo.

The conditioner is creamy, luxurious and instantly feels lovely in your hair, and that is before you even wash it off. I have been using this twice a week and find it helps my curls look defined, healthy and more bouncy. If you struggle with knotting or tangling after you wash your hair, then this is the conditioner for you. Your brush will glide through your hair when it is wet, which means you get less breakage and damage.

Apply to the length and ends of your hair, and leave on or up to 10 minutes. The scent of this entire collection is very nice, it is creamy and very much like a rich buttery cocoa aroma, which I like a lot.

Klorane Cupuacu Repairing Mask £15.00

The repairing hair mask is such a treat, ideal for those pamper days or to use before a special even, so your hair is looking and feeling its absolute best! It has a very thick formula and a buttery texture, but once on your hair it doesn’t leave it feeling weighed down.

This mask is a 3 in 1, it can be used in 3 ways, in the shower as nourishing conditioner (left on for up to 10 mins then rinse off), as an overnight hair mask or left on as an intense treatment mask. This mask gives your hair a real boost of nourishment from root to tip, leaving it stronger, more supple and frizz free. I like to use it 2-3 times a month.

If you have quite thick wavy/naturally curly hair, this entire Capuacu Butter Collection will hydrate, smooth and strengthen your hair. As well as giving it that glossy, healthy finish.

This range is vegan and free from, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Silicones, Parabens.

Klorane Capuacu Collection exclusive to Escentual and it is currently 1/3 off, so if you want to switch up your haircare regime now is the time.

*this post contains PR Samples.

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