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

Dundee Photo Diary

July 20, 2022April 5, 2023 - Vicki Leave a comment

Dundee is where I am originally from and where my parents moved back to after my dad retired from the Army, my entire family live there – apart from me. So going back to visit is always lovely. Dundee has changed so much in the past 10 years, especially, with the opening of the V&A and the development of the waterfront. It is looking very modern & has become a very vibrant and fun city.

The opening of the V&A a couple of years ago has completely transformed the river front with so much investment in the outside spaces down there too. The gardens and promenade are lovely and are a great place to sit with a coffee to watch the world go by and take in the beautiful view across the river Tay to Tayport/Newport. I haven’t made time to visit the V&A yet, but my dad said it’s good, and it has a nice café inside ( I do love a good museum café and gift shop).

The building itself is quite imposing, and I wonder why it is so dark and large, especially as it blocks out a big section of the view. There is no denying that it is unusual and looks different from every angle. I will see if it grows on me as the trees and gardens around the building mature.

Another classic visitor attraction are both ships, the first one is the RSS Discovery which is docked right next to the V&A. It was the vessel Captain Scott took to Antarctica (Scott of the Antarctic) back in 1901. Well worth a visit, the ship, and the exhibition inside the main Discovery point are very good.

The other vessel you need to visit is HMS Unicorn (photographed below), first launched in 1824, it the oldest ship left in Scotland, as well as one of the six oldest ships in the world. It is just a short walk from the V&A along Riverside Drive, it is a pretty walk along the river, especially on a sunny day.

The Birchwood was such a lovely café in the centre of Dundee, serving a wide selection of Vegan options, including the best Vegan Breakfast Bap, but unfortunately it seems to have closed down, let’s hope it is just temporarily.

I can also recommend The Bach (great vegan options) The Little Things Café (fantastic coffee and cupcakes) and Serendipities (a non profit café who, train, work with and give opportunities to adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health barriers). It is a lovely positive space and the food is AMAZING, I highly recommend going here for lunch. Their menu is 100% Vegan, which is incredible.

You can’t go to Dundee and not take a walk along the river all the way to the Tay Rail Bridge, it is such an impressive sight rising up from the water. This bridge has a tale to tell. The Tay Rail Bridge disaster took place on the stormy night of 28 December 1879. The central navigation spans of the Tay bridge collapsed into the Firth of Tay at Dundee, taking with them a train, 6 carriages and 75 souls to their fate. The bridge was rebuilt in 1887 and is still in use to this day.

My grandad used to always point out the old foundations that are still in the water alongside the new structure.

Who could forget one of Dundee’s most loved and famous characters – Desperate Dan, they were first written & illustrated back in 1937, and I just love the statue that stands in his honour in the City centre. There is Desperate Dan, his dog and Minnie The Minx, they are great fun.

Dundee is quite a fun place to spend a couple of days, with lots to explore. There are so many great cafe’s, bars and places to eat as well as museums, galleries, and lots of outside spaces to visit and enjoy. Let me know if you have ever been and what you enjoyed most.

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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