New Skincare and Beauty Empties

- Vicki Leave a comment

I thought I would share with you the products that I have used up over the past couple of weeks, among them are quite a few products that I have already repurchased, like the L’Oréal Serums and the Essence Brow Gel.

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist

A product I always have in my skincare routine, I have used up so many bottles of this mist over the past 10 years. It is one of Jurlique’s most iconic products, I feel like everyone would recognise this product. It is refreshing, calming and a lovely way to hydrate your skin throughout the day. It is nice under makeup or to give your skin a pep as your makeup and skin gets a little dry & it does not disturb your makeup. Love it and all the wonderful natural rose ingredients, such a treat for your skin.

*Jurlique Supreme Conditioning Lotion

Well this is another gem of a product from Jurlique which packs a punch and I have to say it supercharged my skincare routine. This is a very lightweight crèam, and the texture is in-between a serum and a light moisturiser, I used it morning and evening before my moisturiser. It helps skin look brighter, more awake and hydrated. Over time, it evens out skin tone, and has collagen-boosting, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. So this is a fab product to add to your skincare routine.

The Ordinary Buffet Serum

The Ordinary are one of my favourite no BS skincare brands. I have tried so many of their science led skincare products, and they never ever disappoint. This serum plumps, revives and smooths skin. It is fantastic, the peptides in this serum stimulate collagen synthesis and hyaluronic acid, which we all know is the queen of hydration. So over time your skin is going to have less fine lines and look rejuvenated. You have to try this.

*L’Oréal Revitalift 10% Glycolic Acid

The entire revitalift range from L’Oréal is incredible. I have used quite a few products from it now & I have even got my mum (who is 65) using the night cream. The Glycolic Acid Serum is wonderful for skin like mine that is often quite dull. I use this serum in the evening, and it helps reduce dark spots, uneven skin tone, anti-ageing, and wrinkles. The Glycolic acid helps gently exfoliate skin, promoting the turnover of cells which helps give you that glowing, even toned skin. The aloe makes it gentle and soothing. For the price, it is so good. Just remember to wear SPF the next day.

Temple SPA Glowcolic Toner

There is 100% a theme with the products I really like, they all help with reviving dull skin! The Temple Spa toner is lovely, a great step in a routine for reducing dark spots, and exfoliates to help turnover skin cells for a glowing complexion. Ideal for refreshing your skin and combating the effects of winter. So if you are looking for a toner that will leave your complexion looking refreshed, nourished, and renewed, this is it!

L’Oreal Revitalift 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum

I think this serum is my favourite ever product from L’Oreal & that is a big claim! This hyaluronic serum is plumping, hydrating and fantastic at smoothing out the appearance of fine lines. I like to use it in my morning skincare routine, as it helps my foundation and under eye concealer look flawless all day. If you want a product that will actually work to smooth out your skin, reduce dark spots and help keep moisture locked in, then this is the one.
Have you tried this range yet? If you’re 30+ I highly recommend it. The day cream is so good too, and it has SPF50

 

Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm

One of my all-time favourite balm to oil cleansers, I have these in all different sizes, as I love to take it with me when I travel. It is my go-to evening cleanser, great as a first step, if you like to double cleanse. It removes makeup with ease, leaves my skin feeling clean, nourished and soft. Not only that, it is packed with so many beneficial ingredients, a blend of 9 essential oils including Lavender, Chamomile, and Eucalyptus. Formulated without mineral oils, it also combines Rose and Mimosa waxes with Elderberry, Starflower and Optimega Oils which leave skin feeling deeply cleansed, soothed and supremely soft. 10/10 from me. I am currently using their fig cleanser and seeing how that compares.

Garnier Lemongrass Detox Gel Wash

I have used up so many of these face washes and told you all how much I love it. Nothing has changed, it works, it is great and very affordable. I have bought them for my family and my husband even likes to use it. So there you have it, It’s refreshing, lightweight, gentle, and the perfect way to kick-start my skin in the morning. Oh, and it smells so fresh and like a high-end spa.

*Tea & Tonic The Meadows Secret Cleansing Balm

If you like your skincare to be more natural and botanical, then Tea & Tonic are a brand you should explore. Tea & Tonic are a small UK based brand, nestled in the beautiful Surrey Hills. They manufacture their products in small batches for optimal freshness and potency 👌🏼

This nutrient rich balm will gently cleanse your skin. It’s fortified with their adaptogen super herb complex, a secret blend of flowers, seeds, and herbs 🌿. To help de-stress, balance and protect skin from environmental aggressors.

bareMinerals Mineral Veil

Perfect translucent makeup setting powder. It is so lightweight and gives your skin a velvety smooth finish. I always have a mini one of these for my handbag & travel makeup bag. It just takes away that shine, makes skin look flawless and helps your makeup stay put and look fabulous for longer. Such a classic, I am sure you have tried it, but if not I highly recommend it. Reasons to love it,

  • Sets makeup and extends wear
  • Minimises the look of pores and fine lines
  • Absorbs excess oil
  • Delivers a naturally airbrushed finish

INIKA Mineral Foundation in Nurture 04

I used up two makeup products, this is monumental, as it takes me ages to use up makeup, especially powder products. This was a really lovely, natural foundation. I always forget how much I like loose powder foundations. They look so natural on the skin and instantly smooth out fine without being too heavy. It is buildable, and you can get quite a good medium coverage, and the minerals work to even the skin tone and reduce the appearance of acne, scarring, rosacea, or pigmentation. Meanwhile, Mineral Mica offers a gentle radiance and glow to the skin. Titanium and Zinc Oxide provide Natural sun protection (SPF 25) to safeguard against harmful UV rays.

CoLab Dry Shampoo

Not my favourite dry shampoo it did a good enough job, I mostly bought it because I needed a travel size and this was one of the few ones I could find. I tend to not use dry shampoo on a regular basis, but sometimes, needs must. if you have recommendations of good ones you have tried it, let me know.

Essence Brow Gel

The ONLY Eyebrow Gel I ever use, it is A M A Z I N G! It costs less than £3, it is Vegan, Cruelty Free and fantastic quality. I have tried a fair few of this type of product (brow gel), I have road tested lots of brands from high end to more budget friendly and this is the one I come back to, time and time again. I get shade 4 or 5 both for darker brows. I like the size of the wand, it’s small, which means less mess and helps you to be quite precise. The fibres make your brows look full and filled in, they don’t flake throughout the day, and the colour pay-off is very good. If you can get hold of it, you must try it. It is affordable, easy to use and makes doing your brows fuss free. ❤️

Products marked with a * are PR samples

Sunshine Cafe Penryn

- Vicki Leave a comment

The Sunshine Cafe is tucked away in the pretty Cornish coastal town of Penryn. I went just before the Summer holidays, as like much of Cornwall it can get a bit busy there, and with it being quite a small town there is very limited parking. I managed to go on an unusually quiet day and it was so peaceful and charming.


The Sunshine Cafe has been on my radar for a couple of years now, I have had friends recommend it to me & I have also been following them on social media, drooling over all their delicious vegan food and drinks. It did not disappoint, in fact it was a lovely place to stop for a bite to eat. The café space it bright, calm and a very friendly place, I loved the decor and how everything on the menu is plant based with an emphasis on using good local produce. I could have sat in there all day, I felt very relaxed. The food was delicious, I had the vegan beans & sausage on sourdough with a side of sweet potato fritters and an Almond Milk Matcha. I didn’t have room for a sweet treat, but I did spy quite a few options like a vegan croissant, brownies, and carrot cake. If you’re in Penryn, I highly recommend it even if you are not plant based, the food is incredible.

They also have a wonderful yoga space attached to the cafe they offer so many classes throughout the day, from pilates to yoga and guided meditation. I need to go back, so I can attend one of the vinyasa or pilates classes.

Sunshine Cafe and Yoga, Hill Head, Harbour Village, Penryn, TR10 8JU

www.sunshinecafeandyoga.co

Forest and Shore Thrive Hair Oil

- Vicki Leave a comment

#Gifted I had heard so many positive things about rosemary in haircare and how good an ingredient it was in hair oil for promoting growth, strength, and shine, so I was very excited to try the Forest & Shore Thrive Hair Oil. Right away I noticed how luxurious the packaging was, it has a high quality salon feel and look.

The box has pretty sketches of all the wonderful botanical ingredients, and the soft lemon colour is pretty against the white and the black illustrations. They clearly tell you how to use the product and the benefits. I even like the font they have used, I appreciate a good type face.  The bottle and the pipet are glass, the top is rubber (good quality) I like the nice minimal label, and you can clearly see how much product you have left. So the quality and aesthetic of this product gets a big thumbs up from me.

You can use this product in two ways, you can use it as an overnight treatment up to 3x a week, then wash your hair in the morning. Or you can add 3 – 5 drops after you wash your hair, which is how I have been mostly using it. I have a short bob, so only use 3 drops on the midlength of my hair, and I have noticed a big difference after 3 months of use. I had quite split ends which looked frizzy and dry, I also noticed before using the oil that I would get a lot of breakage and this has greatly reduced in recent months.

My ends never look frizzy, my hair is very glossy and less breakage means it is stronger. So I am thrilled. It took me a week or so to get the amount of product right, as I was being a little too liberal with how much I was putting on and my hair would go greasy, so 3 drops works well for me and my hair length.

If you want to see more results and stimulate hair growth, then using this oil overnight is the best way to achieve that. I wanted more targeted results, focusing on the ends of my hair, and this is where I have seen visible results.

Because Forest and Shore use a blend of the very best oils that are nutrient rich, your hair is in the very best hands! This oil is absolutely jam packed with, as the box says, earth loving botanicals (and hair loving too). You will also notice straight away that Thrive Hair Oil smells like a luxury spa, it has a relaxing and soothing fragrance. To me, I can smell the lavender, parsley, and rosemary which are beautiful!

Here are a list of all the fantastic natural ingredients in the oil and the benefits for your hair, there are so many!

This oil will nourish your hair and scalp, encourage hair growth, strengthen hair, reduce split ends and frizz and make your hair look, feel and actually be healthy and glossy. I very rarely use conditioner now, and the only other styling product I use (only when I am putting heat on my hair) is a heat protector spray. Otherwise I only use shampoo and my hair oil, talk about simplifying my routine, love it! You can’t beat a simple routine.


Not only is the Thrive Hair Oil good for all hair types, you name it curly, wavy or poker straight, it is also completely natural, certified organic and vegan-friendly. Made in the UK with high quality sustainably sourced ingredients. This oil is 100% natural, free from silicones and is cruelty free.

The founder of Forest and Shore, Emily Horrigan has done a lovely job with this brand & it is a slice of British luxury, with a focus on using natural botanical ingredients and really harnessing the power of plants.  Let me know if you have tried anything from this brand, if you want to learn more about their products head to Forest & Shore or you can purchase their products on Amazon.

* This post contains an affiliate link.

 

Beauty Product Empties June 2023

- Vicki Leave a comment

Sharing the products I’ve used up in the past few weeks. It is always interesting, I think, to see what people completely use up. I hardly ever use up makeup items, simply because I don’t wear makeup on a daily basis, so these posts tend to be predominantly skincare.

Diptyque Philoskos EDP

I adore fig scented products and this Diptyque perfume is gorgeous. It is a fragrance with richness and depth and smells like warm summer evenings. I used to live in Cyprus and this is what it reminds me of. Yes, it is an expensive product, but the quality and intensity of the scent makes it worth every penny. It smells so rich throughout the day, people always compliment me when I wear it, it is a perfume I recommend time and time again. I think it is a lovely fresh Summer scent, I am sad I’ve used it all up, hoping to get another bottle for my birthday, it is such a treat.

Top notes – Fig Leaf and Fig
Middle notes – Green Notes and Coconut
Base notes – Fig Tree, Woody Notes and Cedar.
Nip & Fab Salicylic Fix Serum

This was quite an intense serum, not ideal if you have sensitive skin. I used it at night and thought it was good at smoothing out textured skin. I don’t suffer from breakouts, but this would be a great addition to your routine if you want to reduce pores, control breakouts and help reduce uneven skin tone. I do like that it contains aloe vera to sooth skin and purple ginseng to help control oil. Nip & Fab have an entire Salicylic Fix collection, great if you want to help control oil, breakouts and get a healthy glow. I wouldn’t repurchase it, but I used it up and enjoyed it.

Wake Skincare Brightening Eye Gel

This is the second bottle I have used up, Wake are a skincare brand that you might not of heard of but that you should 100% check out. They have revamped their branding this year and introduced quite a few new products. I really rate their skincare and have enjoyed everything I have tried from them. The eye gel has a lightweight consistency, it is not tacky or greasy and sits well under makeup. It is great for soothing puffy, tired eyes and helping to combat dark circles. Cucumber and elderflower awakens and soothes puffy eyes, while Aloe Vera cools and moisturises. I really like it.

Garnier Anti-Age Super UV SPF50

This is an absolute gem of a facial SPF! Like most people over the past few years, I have become aware of how important it is to wear sunscreen on a daily basis, especially a facial SPF. Garnier Ambre Solaire do lots of variations, I like this anti-age one, but they also do an anti dryness, sensitive or anti-dark spot option. This sun cream offers advanced protection against immediate sun induced skin damage, caused by UVB rays, as well as protection from long-term damage and premature skin ageing caused by UVA rays. I recommend the Garnier sunscreen, it is affordable, easy to get hold of and gives you a high level of protection.

*Erborian Ginseng Super Serum

Korean skincare experts Erborian are a brand that just deliver incredible skincare, time, and time again. I love their BB & CC creams, which are always in my makeup bag. This serum was such a joy to use, It is instantly smoothing, lightweight and hydrating. This serum is pretty impressive, I have learnt after using a few products that this Ginseng collection from Erborian is up there with the best skincare I have tried, especially for my age group. Great for both 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

& Other Stories Arabesque Wood

This is a gorgeous fragrance, more affordable but equally lovely as the other two scents. This perfume is layers of woody, warm citrus notes that are light but rich. I wear this mostly in the day, as my everyday scent. The rich notes like ginger, citrus and amber make it feel indulgent and luxurious. & Other Stories have a such a wonderful selection of fragrances, they have something to fit everyone’s tastes.

The bottle is dainty but weighty, so it looks minimal and classy on your vanity. These fragrances make incredible gifts and the scents come in a body spray, handwash and hand cream, so you can go wild with your favourite scents!

Top notes: Lemon, Ginger and Watery Notes
Middle notes: Petitgrain and Tangerine
Base notes: Agarwood (Oud), Oakmoss and Amber

Sunkissed Gradual Tan

I do love a gradual tanner, there are so many on the market now and some really good quality affordable options. You just don’t need to spend a lot to get a nice one, I have used this one from Sunkissed for a good few years now, and I am always happy with the results, it gives a nice even, natural coverage. I like that it makes me look healthy and that gives me confidence to show my bare legs/wear shorts & dresses. Not only do you get a nice healthy glow, your skin is also nourished and hydrated with hydrating Shea Butter, Vitamin E and Aloe Vera whilst being free of nasties like parabens, alcohol, silicones, sulphates and phthalates.

*Decleor Clove Post-Hair Removal Cooling Gel

This is a product that isn’t overly exciting or one that is a must-have, but if you are someone that suffers from irritation after hair removal, then this is a great product for you. It took me a while to use up, mostly because it is a huge tube, but I did use it all up and actually enjoyed it. Post wax or shaving, I liked that the blend of Clove and Chamomile Essential Oils helped soothe and hydrate, as well as delaying regrowth and preventing ingrown hairs. One of those products you didn’t know you needed until you try it.

Products marked with an * are PR samples.