YOPE Linden Line Body Care

- Vicki Leave a comment

(Gifted) This package couldn’t have landed on my doorstep at a better time, what with our hands taking a battering these past few months with all the extra handwashing, sanitising and on top of that, the cold dry Winter weather. My hands had started to really look and feel dry and in need of some serious TLC. This parcel of body care products were a welcomed sight and I have been using them religiously for months now. They’re from a Polish brand called YOPE, who I had never tried before but had seen their products in Waitrose (you can’t miss their adorable packaging). I have been trying 3 products from the Linden Line, and they’ve become a very soothing and nourishing part of my body care routine.

This trio is the perfect way to transition your skin from the dry days of Winter to the freshness of Spring. They have a lovely fresh, floral scent with a hint of sweetness. The fragrance is light but the body lotion in particular leaves your skin with a crisp scent that is more noticeable than the liquid soap and body wash. YOPE describe the Linden Line scent as follows,

‘These products feature our signature fragrance inspired by the scent of sun-kissed linden blossoms on a warm spring day. And because both are rich and nourishing, they leave skin supple and softly-scented with a subtle fragrance that lingers.’

YOPE Linden Natural Liquid Soap*

This lovely, light liquid soap is made with 93% natural ingredients, it’s gentle and moisturising formula includes lovely botanical ingredients like flower extracts of linden, marigold & chamomile. Those combined with YOPE’s TGA formula (mixture of natural washing substances) which includes coconut oil, sesame oil and corn glucose & all which are kind to your hands, leaving them feeling clean, soft and hydrated. Plant extracts-from linseed, linden, marigold and chamomile flowers-have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, so your skin is in safe hands and will also smell incredible.

YOPE Linden Line Shower Gel*

Similar to the lovely handwash, this shower gel has a calming and fresh scent and will leave your skin feeling refreshed, supple and smooth. It is made using 93% natural ingredients, which includes the star of the show, Linden flower extract which contains flavonoids, vitamins and mineral salts whose nutritional properties cannot be overstated. Thanks to its gentle ingredients and neutral pH, the gel doesn’t irritate even the most sensitive skin.

YOPE Hand & Body Lotion*

This product has been wonderful in combating the complete destruction of my hands with all the hand sanitiser over the past few months. It is made using 98% natural ingredients, so lovely, gentle and bursting with hydrating ingredients including  shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil and allantoin for lasting moisture and comfort. This creamy lotion also contains nutrient-rich flaxseed oil and soothing extracts of chamomile and marigold flowers. With added antioxidant linden blossom extract, rich in protective flavonoids and nourishing vitamins and minerals, it leaves the skin looking smooth, healthy and plump. I have been using it religiously, and I like the handy pump bottle, it makes applying it so easy and quick. This is my favourite product of the three, I love the scent, the creamy but not greasy formula and just how soothing it is on my hands and body.

Products range in price from £7.99 to £9.99, they are affordable and superb quality.

The exciting thing about this YOPE collection is that it has a wonderful environmental and conservation mission at its heart:-

This year, we are working with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust to expand our activities globally. By purchasing YOPE Linden Line products, you are joining #beeYOPE and helping the bees with us!
5% of profits from Linden Hand Soap and Linden Shower Gel supplied to Waitrose supermarkets is donated to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. In this way, we will be able to effectively protect pollinators living in British cities.
When you buy YOPE you’re getting quality, eco lead products that contain no nasties.  I like their eye-catching bottles and packaging it is appealing and quite fun. Now that I have discovered them I really want to try their Body Butters and Hair Care.
Let me know i you have tried this brand, or spotted its quite unique packaging out and about.
You can learn more about YOPE and their collections here yopeme.com
Or purchase at your local Waitrose or Amazon online
*gifted

Fowey Cornwall – Goodbye Summer

- Vicki Leave a comment

We are well into October now & the weather has turned colder. Autumn is in full swing, I look forward to this time of year, it is my birthday month (always a plus) and I love the changing colours and the cosy darker evenings. That being said I am sad to say goodbye to Summer. 2020 has been an odd year to say the least and this Summer has felt up and down. I didn’t do very much at all, staying very close to home. I am lucky to call Cornwall home and although it has been so much busier this year with people holidaying in Britain & doing their staycation, I still managed to get out and enjoy what is essentially my own backyard. Nothing like a pandemic to force you into being a tourist in your local area.

I have been browsing through the photos I took over the past few months, April – Sept and thought I would share them almost like a photo diary of some beautiful places we visited. Cornwall did not let us down, the weather was exceptionally warm this year, and I am so thankful for that. The sunshine made such a positive impact on my mood and helped me feel less isolated and cooped up.

Make sure you head off the beaten track a little, the high street is of course worth a visit but the small, pedestrianised backstreets are quiet and beautiful. Winding streets are everywhere, lined with classic Cornish cottages which are often painted in lovely pastel colours & will make you daydream about packing in the 9-5 and moving to the peace and quiet.

Also, Fowey river is a popular place to kayak, sail and enjoy the water. They have guided boat tours or you can hire a small boat or kayak and explore the river yourself, or head out around the coast.

One of our favourite places to stop in Fowey, is Readymoney. It is a beautiful sandy cove and if you time it right it can feel like your own private beach. The beach shop is incredible too, you can get a coffee and treat yourself to a slice of cake, ice cream or even a locally made sausage roll. They have a number of vegan options, which is always fantastic to see. They also have a lot of lovely gift ideas and mementoes, mostly locally made. The beach & shop are well worth the short walk from the village, along the river. I always have to get a tub of the vegan ice cream.

Fowey is a charming, small harbour town and over the past 5 years we have seen a number of quality restaurants and independent shops and cafés open. Less classic seaside beach tat and more locally made, handcrafted quality goods and wonderful food. Fitzroy, Bufala Pizzeria and Brown Sugar are amongst our top places to get food. Although if you want something quick and Cornish, Fowey has quite a few Bakeries, so you will be spoilt for choice.

Have you been a tourist in your local area? Let me know if you have ever visited Fowey, or where your favourite destinations are in Cornwall.

Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum

- Vicki Leave a comment

Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum £120

So it has been quite a while since I last posted on my blog. I have been jotting down ideas for posts and taking product photos here and there but let’s face it, 2020 has been a roller-coaster of a year and I just couldn’t focus on too many things at once. Health, family and getting through the days became a priority. I didn’t feel like I had anything to say that was relevant or helpful over the past few months. I have just been here in Cornwall, working from home and trying to stay positive.

I did manage to leave the county for the first time in 7 months, to visit family in Manchester & Scotland which was amazing and very needed. Whilst I was away I treated myself to something that I have lusted over for so long and with this year being a bit of a nightmare I felt like this was the perfect time to get it, you’ve got to treat yourself, right!

I finally bought the beautiful Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum and let me tell you I am IN LOVE with it. I knew I was going to like it as I have sprayed it every time I went into Selfridges, but I always talked myself out of buying it. I’m so glad I didn’t do that this time as it has brought me a lot of joy, even though there are not many calls at the moment to get all dressed to go to parties or events I have been using it (sparingly) on a daily basis. It feels decadent and luxurious to use it as my every day fragrance but life is so full of restrictions and negativity that it feels good to wear my favourite perfume. When I wear it I feel happy and I can smell it on myself all day long, this perfume has some serious staying power. It is intense and rich and luckily a few sprays is all you need (I don’t want it to run out too quickly).

This perfume has been on my wish list for so long, because I adore fig scented products and this is one of the best I have tried. It is fresh but intense and sweet all at the same time. I also like that is is quite romantic and earthy too. It has layers of notes that you can smell throughout the day, as it settles. I know most people would associate this perfume with Summer but I will be wearing it into Autumn & Winter, I think the crispness of the notes make it a nice fresh scent for the colder months too.

Top Notes – Fig Leaf

Middle Notes – Wood, Coconut

Base Notes – White Cedar

What perfumes have you been loving this year, have you treated yourself to something a little special? Let me know any recommendations, I love to try new fragrances.

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.