Jurlique Rare Rose Collection

January 13, 2023 - Vicki Leave a comment

#Gifted I have been using Jurlique products for almost 15 years now, it is a brand that I always recommend to friends and family because they cater for all skin types, skin concerns and ages and their products are fantastic quality. I also love the brand’s history, their commitment to being sustainable and eco-friendly, and their dedication to harnessing the very best of nature to include in their skincare. I am very excited to try the Rare Rose Collection, especially Jurlique’s first ever facial oil, what a treat!

I always like to switch up my skincare, especially during Summer and Winter, and starting a New Year also feels like the perfect time to add a few fresh products into your routine. So that is what I have done, my skincare for 2023 is all about radiance and hydration and the Jurlique Rare Rose Collection targets those skin concerns (and more). I am 44 now and my skin needs have changed, I look for nourishing, rich products that are going to give me long term results.

‘The Rare Rose range helps elevate your self-care and skincare ritual, providing nourishing all-day hydration for soft, smooth and naturally glowing skin. Powered by Jurlique’s exclusive Rose Extract and potent botanicals extracts, Rare Rose’s glow-boosting face oil, skin serum, lotion and cream provide the ultimate hydration ritual for nourished and radiant skin.’

The Rare Rose Collection has these three ingredients at its core.

Jurlique Rose – has been shown to improve the skin barrier function, helping to retain essential moisture levels within the skin for a dewy, smooth look, restoring skin radiance and smoothness.

Calendula – known for its bright yellow and orange flowers, Calendula has intense soothing properties and has been used to rebalance sensitivity on the skin and throughout the body.

Lavender – has a hydrating and calming effect when used in skin care and aromatherapy. It is used to rebalance dryness on the skin, leaving it feeling refreshed and hydrated.

Jurlique Rare Rose Lotion £41

What a treat this is for the skin, you apply it before your serum to sooth and boost radiance. It is lightweight in texture, but manages to feel very rich and luxurious on the skin. It is that perfect balance without being greasy or heavy. Ideal if you like to layer your skincare, it makes your skin feel smooth and ready for your serum.

Jurlique Rare Rose Serum £51

Serum has to be my favourite skincare step (or at least one of them) it can be such a game changer, if you get the right one. The Rare Rose Serum is a very good all rounder, one that can be used by all ages. The key ingredients target quiet broad skin concerns, that most people would benefit from using. Like dull, dehydrated skin, this is, 10000% my skin over the colder, dry months. It is a gentle serum so easy to introduce into your routine and one that will boost hydration, help with moisture loss, keep your skin plump whist also refreshing your natural glow. It is a lovely, lovely product.

It is small but pretty mighty, packed full of some superpower ingredients like Jurlique Rose & Dwarf Lilyturf Root extract to protect against moisture loss while helping you to really get your glow on.

Jurlique Rare Rose Cream £41

This beautiful moisturiser has the brand’s signature Rose Scent. This product, to my surprise, has an almost water like texture which gently glides over the skin and instantly soothes and smooths skin’s texture. It wears so well under makeup, providing a nourished and non-greasy base for your makeup to sit on top of. Don’t think that because it is lightweight that it isn’t very nourishing, because you would be wrong, this is a rich cream that deeply hydrates and slowly releases moisture over 24 hours. Perfect cream for the Winter months!

It helps revive dull skin, giving you dewy, radiant, and supple skin that is also protected against environmental polluters. Cupuacu Butter deeply nourishes and adds a healthy, moisturised glow. Then, the Senna Seed Polysaccharide Extract adds a protective layer on the skin that locks in and intensifies the moisture. A very good daily moisturiser to add to your morning routine.

Jurlique Rare Rose Face Oil £41

I can not tell you how excited I am to add this to my skincare routine, I love oils, they’re incredibly nourishing and this new offering from Jurlique sounds right up my street. Of course, it smells divine, that classic rose scent, soothing and luxurious. This lightweight oil will be a welcomed addition to my evening skincare routine as it promises to restore suppleness, elasticity, and the skin’s natural glow, while the oil’s beautiful rose scent helps relieve stress, looking after mind & body, love that!

‘Its subtle scent also helps to lower cortisol levels, helping to reduce the negative effects of stress on both body and mind’

It has so many powerful skin benefiting ingredients, this oil has the Jurlique exclusive farm-grown Jurlique Rose at its core, elevated with the green and clean Supercritical CO2 extraction method that helps capture additional plant components. It is also infused with antioxidant Vitamin E, Olive, Jojoba, Soybean, Carrot & Castor oils and Squalane to help moisturise, balance and reveal a more luminous complexion. So a wonderful mix of ingredients, so your skin is in good hands.

Jurlique also say you can also use this product as a multi-purpose oil when in need of hydration, radiance or to reduce stress. Perfect for day or night care, or as a glow-boosting oil by adding a few drops in your cream.

In a nutshell, this Rare Rose Collection is the perfect way to beat the Winter skincare blues, keep your complexion smooth, lock in moisture and boost radiance all whilst helping reduce stress in both your skin and mind! What is not to love.

Jurlique Rare Rose Collection is available at www.jurlique.co.uk

TEMPLESPA Christmas Gifting

December 11, 2022 - Vicki Leave a comment

Gifted.

TEMPLESPA are a British brand with Mediterranean influences, which started 22 years ago, their award winning products have become well known for their quality and results. Thats why, I think they make fantastic Christmas gifts, for both loved ones, or as a treat to yourself. They have gifts, ranging from makeup and skincare stocking fillers to luxurious Truffle skincare routines and the ultimate relaxation rituals. If someone you know deserves a pamper this Christmas, then a gift from TEMPLESPA will be perfect.

Their Christmas collection this year is called ‘Spread Your Wings And Fly’ inspired by the colours, textures, and structure of feathers, as they’re symbols of hope, strength, and freedom.

I have been trying out their luxurious Time To Glow Gift Set, a 4-piece skincare set with a velvet headband. This gift set is perfect for anyone who is looking for radiant, glowing skin, it contains TEMPLESPA’S most powerful glow-giving skincare heroes. The Time To Glow Set gives you a skincare routine in 4 steps.

The Most Revealing resurfacing, peel cleanser is a powerhouse of ingredients to help achieve that healthy skin glow! From rich vitamin c to a cocktail of glycolic, malic, lactic, citric and hydroxy acids which all work together to say goodbye to dull skin. Whilst botanical extracts of apple, kiwi, and chamomile soothe and vitamins A & E nourish to help keep skin look rejuvenated, calm and healthy. The Glowcolic toner sweeps away dead skin with its natural glycolic acid, whilst Mediterranean extracts of grape, apple, lemon and orange, rich in natural acids and vitamin c lifts away impurities

Next up in this set you have the Let’s Concentrate, this is one of my favourite skincare products, this serum has the most invigorating zesty scent and is a great way to wake up your natural glow. This powerful serum helps deliver a daily dose of vitamin C, plus potent alpha arbutin which together help eve out skin tone and the appearance of scaring. It also helps reduce blemishes with, antioxidant rich zinc and magnesium. This serum is a boost for your complexion and is very nourishing and a great way to help your skin look its very best.

MOST REVEALING 50ml – Oxygenating bubble peel powerfully transforms your complexion from lacklustre to positively glowing.

GLOWCOLIC 50ml – Resurfacing toner to nourish and balance your skin.

LET’S CONCENTRATE 10ml – Vitamin C skin serum to give your skin a smooth, toned and glowing finish.

SMOOTH TALK 15g – Exfoliating lip scrub to polish your lips in a new delicious orange flavour.

Candles are always a welcomed gift at Christmas. If you are unsure what to buy someone, but want to get them a thoughtful gift, then a candle is great. They’re often a luxury you dont treat yourself too, they make your home smell incredible and are a nice way to make a space cosy and festive, The TEMPLESPA Rise Up Aromatic Christmas Candle, has the most beautiful scent. It has a very sophisticated festive scent, think aromas of a festive Mediterranean garland! Vibrant citrus notes are balanced with rich plum, leather, and a hint of delicate florals, rose and jasmine, while base notes of oakmoss and tonka bean. It is rich, warming and a luxurious take on a Christmas scent. I love anything with notes of Tonka Bean or leather, so this candle is a little bit of me.

Both of the TEMPLESPA Gifts I have arrived beautifully packaged and would make the most thoughtful Christmas gifts. Let me know which TEMPLESPA treats you would most like to unwrap on Christmas Day, or what you are gifting to someone special this year.

You can browse their full seasonal gifting collection via their online shop, www.templespa.com

Manchester Photo Diary 2022

November 6, 2022April 5, 2023 - Vicki Leave a comment

Manchester was home for me for over 5 years, and it is where my husband went to University and where we got married. We still have so much love for this city and visit as often as we can (our hairdresser is still based here!). So a couple of times a year we head up from Cornwall for a bit of city life and a decent haircut. I always take so many photos and thought I would start sharing them in a bit of a round up post. Manchester has changed so much over the past 20+ years, with lots of great new places popping up, but also some of that Northern grit and magic is being lost.

It is crazy to see the change in the Manchester skyline, so many new glass tower blocks in between the historical red brick buildings. The old and the new side by side. I also love just how much street art there is, if you look for it. Beautiful murals and graffiti dotted about all over the city. The Manchester Bee has become such a positive symbol, one of hope and community. Manchester is a city that wears its heart on its sleeve, very friendly and full of energy.

Manchester has become a dream destination for foodies, you are spoilt for choice in terms of variety. I am vegan, and you are never short of options, I have always wanted to go to the curry night at The Deaf Institute and OMG it was epic. The entire menu was Vegan friendly, it was very reasonable in price and the food was all cooked fresh to order. What can be better than a curry and a cold pint of beer. If you get the chance to visit, you must eat here!

The Northern Quarter is still a very cool place to eat, drink and shop, although a few places have gone now, there are always new spots popping up (some good some are a little meh). Fred Aldous has always been one of my favourite places to shop for stationery, cards and art supplies, it moved locations a few years ago now, but it is still the same vibe. Oh & it even has a black and white old style photo machine. So much fun and a sweet way to remember your trip.

Now, I am not sure if I should let you all in on my number one place to get food, it is the best kept secret. What, The Pitta in tucked away on the edge of the Northern Quarter, and it serves up the most incredible ALL Vegan Doner Kebabs. They’re HUGE, packed full of salad, doner meat and chips. It will fill you up for days, they have expanded their menu to include a Vegan Chicken Burger, Falafel Wrap and Gyros too. Oh and their soft serve ice cream is hard to resist. I always go here when I am in Manchester, such a treat, and my non-vegan friends always request to go here too! Oh & it is dog friendly too, always a bonus.

We always stay at Whitworth Locke, it is a great central location, right by Canal Street, it is not too far from where we used to live. It is a gorgeous space, each room is like a mini apartment, you get a comfy seating area, dining area a lovely fully equipped kitchen. I have stayed in a variety of their rooms, and they’re all so stylish and comfortable. It has become a home from home for us.

When you’re staying somewhere regularly for quite a few days at a time, it is nice to have space and the facilities in your room to cook and relax.

The lobby, which is a huge glass atrium full of plants, has a really charming bar, coffee shop, restaurant, and lots of space to sit and relax, it is very friendly. The rooms are very reasonably priced, I have found it as little as £85 a night, which for the location and the quality of the hotel is remarkable.

I have also stayed at the Locke hotel in Edinburgh, which was just as cool and stylish, they have them all over Europe now, so if you’re heading away anywhere, check to see if there is one in your destination.

I love exploring Manchester, there is always something new to see, I used to work around Spinningfields and in the years since I left it has become a great area for restaurants. The Ivy has opened up there and there is quite often a pop-up on the green there, and recently they had an outdoor cinema and lawn club bar.

We stumbled upon El Capo in the Northern Quarter, we use to regularly go to Kosmonaut but decided to try somewhere new (very daring), we do love The Whiskey Bar too, but this new Tequila Bar is pretty EPIC. The decor is so cool, the tequila selection is impressive, and they serve delicious Mexican food. It gets very busy, but that adds to the atmosphere.

If you like an independent micro brewery, then I highly recommend Fierce Beer, they’re a brewery based in Aberdeen and have bars in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and one in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. They have a fantastic selection of beers, if you like fruity beer, larger, IPA’s or even stout they have a beer for you. They offer vegan and gluten free options, which is quite unusual but very welcomed. The staff are knowledgable, friendly and the bar has a great atmosphere. Always nice to support a small brewery.

Manchester is also a great place to get good coffee, or in my case Matcha. Fig & Sparrow is always our first port of call when we arrive, it is in The Northern Quarter, they have a delicious selection of cakes, a seasonal lunch and breakfast menu. You can sit inside and out, we love the friendly welcome and the relaxed vibe.

Since we lived in Manchester, Ancoats, Green Quarter has changed so much, so many of the Mills and Warehouses have been developed, and it has become the place to live. I can see why, so many cafés, restaurants, and it has a community vibe. We came across The Flat Baker (tucked up a side street), sadly it was closed on the day we were there. I have since learned that it is owned by a couple who started baking during lockdown and recently opened their first premises. It looks so cute, and their Brazilian inspired pastries and bakes look irresistible. Next time I am in Manchester, I will be sampling a few of their treats!

Takk is also one of our go-to café stops, we used to always go to the one on Tibb Street, but we quite like their University Green one, it is bright, and you always get a seat. We like to sit in the window and watch the world go by, it looks out on to a busy square and its a nice space to take some time out. They serve THE best matcha latte.

So thats my little Manchester Diary for you, it is one of my favourite cities, I have lived there, got married there, my northern husband did his degree and Masters there, and It’s where I set up my own business. It is a place that always makes me feel creative, excited and reenergises my heart. It is a city with lots of memories, and we love popping up every 6 months or so to make new memories and just soak in all the energy. Cornwall, where we live now, is quiet and relaxing, every so often you just need an injection of city life to keep your soul alive. Where is your favourite city in the UK to visit? Let me know where & why.

Erborian Korean Skincare

October 13, 2022 - Vicki Leave a comment

#Gifted It has been so nice to try a selection of Erborian’s best selling/hero products, a great introduction to a brand I have heard so many wonderful things about. Let’s start with the 3 skincare products, Red Pepper Paste Mask, Ginseng Super Serum and the Ginseng Infusion Total Eye Care, all three are focused on reviving tired, lacklustre skin. Exactly what I look for in skincare, I have quite dull, dehydrated skin and being in in my mid-forties I need smoothing, invigorating and energising products.

Erborian skincare combines the effectiveness of traditional medicinal herbs with sophisticated Korean technology. What is also pretty cool about this brand is that they create hybrid products that combine skincare and make-up, like their iconic BB Cream and award-winning CC Cream. I do enjoy make-up products that also give effective skincare benefits too, the Korean’s seem to be damn good at this!

Erborian Red Pepper Paste Mask

This mask is all about radiance and energising! It’s a powerhouse of skin loving ingredients, and because of this it quickly transforms tired skin,

Red pepper extract – Known for its energizing and antioxidant properties, it boosts the natural radiance of the skin.
Exfoliating enzymes – (fermentation): They smooth and improve the texture of the skin.
Niacinamide – Known for its illuminating properties. It helps to maintain skin’s hydration.
Licorice root extract – Known for its illuminating and antioxidant properties.

This mask has quite a thick consistency, and the red pepper means it is bright red. The mask is a paste, and it applies easily, and smoothly it feels cool and soothing on the skin. After 10 – 15 mins, wash it off to reveal a refreshed, velvety smooth complexion. It is quite astonishing how instantly it transforms your skin. A great addition to your Autumn/Winter skincare routine, to keep your skin looking healthy and radiant during the colder months, it is a great product to help protect skin from external stress that can accelerate signs of ageing.

So all in all, this Red Pepper Paste Mask is good skin health in a bottle! It gets 10/10 from me!

Erborian Ginseng Infusion Total Eye Cream

Fantastic at reviving tired, dark under eyes, gives the skin a soft focus finish whist hydrating and invigorating. This rich, lightweight eye cream wears so well under make-up, concealer glides on and stays put, looking smooth and fresh. It’s not hard to see why this is not only one of Erborian’s best selling products, but also an award winning product and a beauty industry favourite too (oh & a firm favourite of mine).

The name is to be believed, it is a total eye cream, it’s anti-ageing, reduces the appearance of dark circles, fine lines and fatigue whilst nourishing and protecting the delicate skin around the eye area! This is a morning skincare must have, even if you don’t feel awake, your eyes will look fresh and bright.

White Ginseng Complex – known for it’s anti-ageing benefits, is full of antioxidants that help soothe, smooth and protect the skin.
Corn oil – Ginseng Infusion moisturiser helps strengthen skin’s barrier function whilst Sesame oil and Shea Butter which help nourish and soften the skin.
Flecks of Vitamin E – help fight against the signs of ageing and protect the skin against environmental aggressors

‘Composed of white ginseng root, licorice, wild yam, horsetail plant and Kigelia fruit extracts, this unique complex is known for its protecting, smoothing and moisturising effect on skin’.

Erborian Ginseng Super Serum

Right away after applying this serum you will notice how smooth your skin looks, it is that effective. Lightweight and smoothing, this serum is pretty incredible, I am quickly learning that the Ginseng products from Erborian are up there with the best skincare I have tried, especially for my age group.

Great for morning and evening, this serum will keep your skin looking naturally radiant, serum is one of my favourite skincare steps. I love the added hydration this serum gives my skin, how plump and healthy it looks after applying it.

80% Ginseng extracts, 90% natural origin ingredients

White Ginseng Extract – prevents the appearance of the signs of ageing and helps to smooth wrinkles.
Fermented Red Ginseng – helps to preserve the youth of the skin.
Ginseng Aqueous Extracts – obtained through a process of steam maceration of Ginseng, they contain minerals necessary for the balance and the hydration of the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid – plumps up the surface of the skin
Peptides – maintains collagen levels for a firming and smoothing effect
Complex of Tara fruit and Red Algae extracts – smooths and reduces wrinkles

Now on to the make-up products. I’ve testing out 3 of Erborian’s make-up/skincare hybrid products, make-up with the benefits of skincare. I’m sure most of you have heard of, it not used at least one of Erborian’s iconic, BB or CC creams, they’ve won countless awards, and really put Korea at the centre of the beauty industry.

‘With a lighter texture than foundation, not only does it provide full coverage with a flawless matte finish, but it also moisturises the skin all day long and protects it against sun damage. Part skincare, part make-up, this hybrid product is the ideal alternative to foundation’s instant results, with long-term results on top. Erborian BB Cream is one of the best guarantees for year-round beautiful skin!’

Erborian BB Créme in Nude

This is a 5 in one BB Crème (beauty balm), with buildable coverage, it evens out your skin tone and minimises imperfections giving you a healthy, radiant flawless base. This formula is lightweight, hydrating, nourishing and looks very natural. It is a real powerhouse of skin loving ingredients, including a highly concentrated selection of herbs used traditionally in Korean skincare, to promote skin healing.

Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Liquorice Root Extract and Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract: these help to reduce blemishes and make the skin more radiant.
Licorice & Ginger: Act as anti-inflammatories, helping to protect the skin against free radicals
Titanium dioxide: Sun protection SPF 20

I’d say it is a great everyday product, fantastic to help your skin look fresh and radiant with a light (buildable) coverage of make-up. If you feel more confident wearing make-up but do not always want to apply heavy foundations, then a BB cream would be a great option. I wear the shade NUDE, which is the middle swatch below.

Erborian Super BB Crème in Nude

This is the newest addition to Erborian’s make-up products. Think BB Crème but with the ability to cover more imperfections which gives your skin a more flawless, but natural finish. This is the third swatch in the photo above, a slightly lighter shade than the BB Crème but still a good match to my skin tone. If you have redness, dark spots or uneven skin tone, the Super BB Crème is a must-have for your make-up bag. It is still very lightweight but offers a higher coverage, with the added benefit of amazing skincare ingredients too. This also provides SPF20.

Super BB – combines two Korean super-ingredients: White Ginseng and fermented Ginseng flower, in a formula that instantly reveals a smoother and moisturised skin. In order to visibly reduce imperfections (pimples, pores, blackheads, etc.), this BB cream for acne prone skin has been enriched with Niacinamide, a powerful active ingredient for clearer skin.

Erborian CC Crème in Clair

This is a game changer and works like magic. It comes out of the tube almost like a moisturiser, in that it is white, so the magic is that colour controlling pigments self-adjust to your natural luminous beauty. The intelligent, hybrid formula transforms your skin, to give a velvety, ultra-soft spotless finish, I have the shade Clair which is a light beige, very natural and flawless finish. You can wear this as your base, for a luminous, radiant finish, or underneath a BB Créme or foundation for extra coverage and glow. lightweight. It is easy to see why this product is an industry favourite, it is so easy to use and it is so effective! This also provides SPF25.

‘At first glance cream appears white, but upon application, it adapts precisely to match your skin tone, naturally revealing a more even complexion, leaving skin luminous and soft, while reducing the appearance of blemishes.’

Centella Asiatica: Helps increase collagen production and antioxidant activity. Anti-ageing active ingredient.
Adenosine: An anti-ageing active ingredient. Improves skin elasticity and softness.
Vitamin B3: Protects from free radicals. Strengthens skin barrier and reduces skin unevenness.
Tiger Grass – Anti-inflammatory benefits and helps with healing
Honey Extract – Softens and firms the skin
Vitamin E – Has anti-free radical properties and helps protect the skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

Trying a selection of their hero products has given me such a lovely introduction to Erborian, who are a brand that I’ve heard so many positive reviews of, and I am now on that band wagon. I am here to say, they’re all true, and they have not only lived up to all the hype, but quite possible surpassed it.

I am converted, addicted, in love with this brand (not an exaggeration). Every single one of the products they sent me to try out, are now in my everyday routine. I am very much looking forward to trying more from them, especially the Ginseng Collection – which targets fine lines and wrinkles.

Let me know what Erborian products you have tried, what you’d recommend or if, like me, you are new to this brand what would you like to try out.

If you want to learn more about Erborian and their product range, visit them at www.erborian.com

Let's talk beauty

Unbiased beauty product reviews & tips