Samaya Skincare Review

July 12, 2017July 17, 2017 - Vicki 1 Comment

Samaya Skincare*

This is a ‘all natural’ brand based on ancient Ayurvedic principles (one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems) which focuses on maintaining balance through the health and wellness of your mind, body and soul.

SAMAYA is the perfect antidote to a stressful, busy and hectic lifestyle as it allows you to incorporate balance and wellness into your daily skincare routine. By answering a few short questions about your lifestyle and skin concerns SAMAYA will match you to your ideal dosha and the skincare range that will work best for your skin. For each dosha type the range includes three luxurious products, a rich Hydrating Cleanser, a powerful Anti-Ageing Cream and an indulgent Anti-Ageing Treatment Oil, all of which contribute to healthier, younger looking skin.

Vata – Dry skin
Pitta – Sensitive skin
Kapha – Oily skin

My dosha was identified as Pitta which tend to be:-

Well-proportioned and compact build, with a focused mind and a love of order. Confident and passionate, enjoying challenges. Prone to anger and impatience when out of balance. Benefits from gentle skincare as skin can be sensitive and irritable, susceptible to wrinkles, sunburn and inflammation.

Which I have to say is a damn good match for me & my skin concerns.

I’ve been testing out the Anti Ageing Cream from the Pitta range* (£89) and it has been such a lovely addition to my skincare regime. This moisturiser is absolutely jam-packed with fantastic skin loving ingredients which leave my skin feeling soft, soothed and radiant. It does have a very strong botanical scent which I found to be quite relaxing but just to be aware it is pretty intense.

This cream has such a lightweight consistency, it felt instantly hydrating and throughout the day my skin continued to feel really soft. To me this product does feel more like a serum than a moisturiser because it is so fluid and almost disappears on the skin. So you don’t get that greasy, slippery feeling that a heavy moisturiser can often leave behind.

The list of Ayurvedic botanicals and clinically proven anti-ageing ingredients included in this product is so extensive. It is easy to see why my skin felt and looked amazing whilst I was using it,

Jasmine Flower Extract – Beautiful aroma with proven mood-boosting effect; improves energy; reduces anxiety and stress; helps to balance moisture levels and increase skin’s elasticity while soothing mind and body; antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help protect skin.
Neem Oil – Promotes skin healing; helps reduce itching and roughness; purifies skin; neutralises damaging free radicals to help skin achieve a radiant glow.
Lotus Seed Extract – Sacred anti-inflammatory ingredient; contains zinc and anti-ageing enzymes which can repair damaged or sensitive skin while soothing and calming the mind; beneficial for blemish-prone skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate – Salt form of hyaluronic acid, this naturally derived anti-ageing ingredient has intense hydrating qualities (can hold more water than any other natural substance – up to 1,000 times its weight in water) which help boost skin’s elasticity, contributing to smoother skin with decreased wrinkles and a fuller appearance.
Gotu Kola Oil – Anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing herb; helps fight chronic skin conditions by repairing damage done to the skin; stimulates collagen production in the skin.
Saffron Extract – Valued for its skin toning abilities; can impart a natural radiance as it helps to reduce pigmentation; has mood-enhancing properties; is considered to be an aphrodisiac and is often used as a tonic to improve general health.
Shatavari Extract – It has long been used as a tonic for female health concerns and as a means of reducing stress and tension. Shatavari also has nutritive and rejuvenative properties for skin, contributing towards a renewed, youthful appearance.
Ribose – Naturally occurring corn-derived pentose sugar; promotes skin cell metabolism; helps alleviate wrinkles and fine lines; helps keep skin toned, firmer and more radiant.

I really like that the Pitta skincare focuses on healing, repairing and soothing which is so up my street and exactly what my skin needs. Over the past 7 weeks not only have I seen my uneven skin tone improve but my skin looks and feels radiant, smooth and dare I say it well-balanced. So this Anti Ageing Cream gets a thumbs up from me – I just wish the price tag wasn’t so steep.

SAMAYA are a premium skincare brand and they use key, concentrated ingredients to ensure it delivers results. I’m not 100% convinced by the dosha side of things although I think that is more because I don’t fully understand it all, but In terms of quality and results, the skincare is fantastic and well worth looking into.

Click here to find out your Dosha

All SAMAYA’s products are free from, parabens, sulphates, phthalates, petrochemicals, mineral oils, silicones, synthetic fragrances and colours.

*This post contains PR Samples

Rimmel Summer Glow Makeup

July 10, 2017July 10, 2017 - Vicki 1 Comment

With Summer finally in full swing it is the perfect time switch up your makeup look and go for more of a healthy, radiant glow. Rimmel have got you covered this Summer with their Ready For Radiance Collection which will help you get the ultimate Summer glow. I love wearing makeup with a cute beachy vibe and the fact that you can opt for more of a subtle radiance or go all out with that bronzed, golden sunkissed look it is completely up to you.

Rimmel Kate Sculpting Palette

This palette comes in two shades, I have the Coral Glow one which is the lighter of the two and perfect for my skintone. This is a handy trio to have in your collection and the packaging is super cute, I adore the rose gold touches it makes it look a lot more expensive. In this trio you get,

Soft shimmer powder to highlight
Shading powder to contour
Powder blush for colour and definition

The highlight shade is a pretty champagne shade but be warned it is a little on the light side, I wish it was more radiant but it still works and it makes a great inner corner highlight for your eye makeup too. The contour and blush shade are more pigmented and fantastic quality. The blush shade is my favourite from the three powders, it’s a gorgeous matte coral pink and is such a flattering colour.

Rimmel Radiance Brick

This is a new release from Rimmel for Summer 2017, it’s a multi tonal bronzing powder which will give you that pretty bronzed glow with a touch of highlight. It is available in three shades and I have the Medium shade which is a great shade for me during the warmer months. It has a very subtle shimmer running through it, just enough to catch the light and enhance that sunkissed, radiant look, as opposed to looking full on glitter face.

The powder is really finely milled and you can build up the intensity without it becoming cakey on the skin. It also makes a very pretty eyeshadow if you’re short on space in your makeup bag. I really like Rimmel powder products and this one did not disappoint.

Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan

This is a matte instant tan for body & face which comes in three shades, I have the medium one and it’s pretty dark (I have quite fair skin). I was shocked with how dark this looked when I first squeezed it out the tube but once I applied it to my skin it was a perfect caramel colour. It has thick gel texture which makes it really easy to massage in and get a very even coverage.

This contains no shimmer but gives the skin a nice glow and develops into a very believable tan, it isn’t orange or streaky but looks deep and natural. I use a mitt to apply and be warned that it dries down quickly so don’t dilly dally when applying it. It is buildable but for me one application is enough to give me a good natural looking tan and I love that the colour doesn’t transfer on to my clothes and the products leaves my skin feeling soft too. I think this is one of my favourite instant tan products and it has a really nice scent too. This tan is such an utter bargain, so make sure you check it out. Oh & this does come in a shimmer option too if you prefer.

Rimmel Insta Duo Contour Stick

If you like cream cheek products then these new Duo Contour Sticks from the recent Insta Rimmel Collection just might win you over. They are available in three shades, I have the lightest option and WOW is it pigmented. Both ends are so creamy and very easy to blend, the contour shade is very dark maybe a little too dark for me if I am honest. If you have the patience you may be able to blend it out enough so it works as a contour but I just looked like I have bronzed up the hollows of my cheeks & that wasn’t cute.

The Highlighter end of this duo was beautiful and the ideal tone for me. It gives my cheeks a pretty luminous glow. I do like the stick application, it makes it easy to apply and you can be very precise with where you place the product. Not my favourite Rimmel release but I am not the biggest fan of cream products – I always reach for powder when given a choice.

L-R Kate Sculpting Palette Bronzer & Blush / Radiance Brick / Insta Duo Contour Stick Contour & Highlight

What products do you have in your Summer makeup bag & will you be treating yourself to any of the new Rimmel releases?

Make sure you get involved with the latest Rimmel campaign by creating your Summer Glow look & tag your photos #ReadyforRadiance.

*This post contains PR Samples

Exploring Cornwall Week 15

July 5, 2017 - Vicki Leave a comment

This past few weeks we have had a heat wave, cold snap & torrential rain. I think the weather is confused and it means I have to keep my Winter coat, umbrella & wellies in my car boot at all times. Although I can usually be found wearing my flip flops no matter what the weather. We have done a few day trips but we have been staying mostly close to home and enjoying walking the coastal path and our local beach.

So, excitingly I finally managed to visit The Eden Project with my friend who gets free entry for herself and a plus one. The entry fee had always put me off visiting as it is £27 pp to get in which I think is pretty steep. I have lived in Cornwall for almost 2 years & I only live 2 miles away from The Eden Project so It was nice to visit and see what all the fuss is about. I have to say I wasn’t massively blown away, it was pretty and the biomes were incredible but the weather was rainy which meant everyone stayed in the biomes so that meant they were quite crowded. I would say that it’s really quite family friendly and dogs are allowed (apart from in the biomes) and there’s a huge selection of cafes and places to eat (especially Vegan options).

I have had so many people tell me how good Strong Adolfo’s is and so we took a trip along the Atlantic Highway and visited it for ourselves. We fell in love with the vibe and the delicious food and Chai. They have a great menu, inside & outside seating and the sun was splitting the pavements so we made the most of it.

Next door was the nicest farm shop and also a beautiful home / lifestyle shop called Jo and Co. I could have spend a fortune and have promised myself a trip back over there for my birthday. They had so many beautiful rugs, blankets and pillows, Oh & the sofa was my dream sofa – in fact I could just move in to the shop and be one very happy lady.

So they are a few photos from the last few weeks in Cornwall. I have been trying to remember to take my camera out with me and getting back into snapping a few shots from the day.

Shopping My Stash Summer Edition

July 3, 2017 - Vicki Leave a comment

If you have read my blog for a while now you will know that I’ve been on a bit of a mission to use the products I already have and not spend as much money on makeup (the struggle is real). That way I get to shop my stash which is always fun and it leads me to rediscover so many lovely products. I like to rotate my everyday makeup at least once a month so I thought I would share a few of the products I’m using at the moment.

W7 The Naughty Nine : Mid Summer Nights Palette

I bought this last year and I love it, it might be more of an Autumnal palette but this is such a fantastic budget friendly selection of eyeshadows. The quality is very good and much better that you might expect from such an affordable brand. It’s dubbed as a dupe for the MAC Burgundy Times Nine Palette. I can’t comment on that but the colours do look quite similar. You get 9 shadows in the palette and I like the range of nude toned neutrals & the fact you get a good selection of coppers, cranberries and a few nude pink tones. There is a nice mix of mattes, satin finishes and shimmers all of which are pigmented and blend well. It’s unusual to find good affordable matte shadows but these are very good quality, in fact regardless of price this is an outstanding palette and one I highly recommend checking out. I like this palette a lot!

NYX Vivid Brights Liner

These came out last Summer and would be ideal for a cute Festival look, I have the violet shade which isn’t as bright as some of the other shades in the range but it is still a pretty colour. This has a very fine brush which makes it easy and fuss free to apply, it gives you a very clean, precise line. The colour is quite bold but not overly bright and it lasts all day without smudging. I like wearing this violet shade in the warmer months it is a nice change from my usual black or brown liner.

Bioderma Sensibio AR BB Cream

This is a fantastic base if you suffer with redness or have acne scarring as this has amazing coverage without feeling heavy on the skin. It is a multi action skincare and makeup hybrid and gives you that perfect combination of dermatological care and a great tinted coverage. This will cover uneven skin tone, redness and give you a radiant, glowing finish without feeling heavy or greasy on the skin. It is a great Summer base because of its incredible skin loving ingredients – Ginkgo biloba, green tea and soy which help to inhibit the factors that cause persistent redness. The active ingredients also work to reduce inflammation and immediately soothe your skin. It is also feels very lightweight and comfortable on the skin but gives you great coverage and I love that it has SPF30 protection too.

Clinique Chubby Stick Super Strawberry

These crayon style lip products are some of my favourite to use and Clinique have some really lovely shades available. This strawberry one gives your lips a wash of hydrating colour. It has a fresh glossy finish and this light berry pink is very pretty and flattering, perfect Summer lip colour.

Rimmel Super Gel Polish in Coral Queen*

I have all the shades from this new Super Gel Beach Ready Collection but I really like this bright orange shade the best. I have worn it on both my fingers and toes and it is a fun Summer shade. It is vibrant and looks great with a tan. Rimmel nail polishes are always very good quality and the formula is easy to apply, fast drying and pretty long wearing too, so for me they tick all the boxes!

Garnier BB Cream 5-in-1 Eye Roll-On Light

This Garnier BB Eye Cream has a roller ball applicator which makes it a great travel concealer – fuss free and no brush needed. It has quite a hydrating / liquid consistency which is what makes it perfect to use under my eyes. It feels refreshing and it perks up my skin and makes me look more awake. It’s that ideal shade which brightens but still provides good coverage for those pesky dark circles. I love that the product doesn’t sink into my fine lines which is often a problem for me. This little tube lasts me for months and as I said it is perfect to travel with or pop into your everyday makeup bag.

Essence Blush Up Powder Blush

How beautiful is this peachy pink blush from Essence – it screams Summer.I love that this blusher has a ombre gradient effect and you get 3 different shades going from a stunning orange to a pretty pink. You can either use the colours individually or sweep your brush across the shades and pick up a mix of all three colours. This is really pigmented and not too powdery or chalky. I like that all three colours are matte so no shimmer in this at all. I’m excited to use this over the Summer to create some pretty looks.

MUA Luxe Glow Beam Highlight Cushion in Gold

Over the past few years we’ve seen quite a few of the luxury high-end brands like YSL, Dior and Chanel bringing out cushion products inspired by the Korean beauty market and it’s never long before the high street follows suit. I love MUA as a brand and their product selection is fantastic and really good quality too, so when I saw that they had released a cushion highlighter I was very excited to try it out. It is a peachy gold highlight and it can look quite subtle or if you want more on an intense look you can build up the colour & effect to be more intense. I use it on the tops of my cheeks and under my brow bone and it applies so well to the skin, it doesn’t accentuate my fine lines and when it catches the light it looks so pretty

Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Bronze*

This is a really nice warming, matte bronzer, Its perfection. It doesn’t look muddy or orange, it warms up your skin so you look more sun-kissed and less like you’ve been tango’ed. I think for £20 that this is a great product to add to your makeup bag for Summer, especially if like me you like to avoid getting a tan but like to look bronzed and healthy. The packaging is adorable and the palm tree detail on the compact and the packaging is good quality, slim and you get a great sized mirror in the lid which is handy for reapplying your lipstick throughout the day.

What products have you added to your makeup bag for Summer?

*This post contains PR Samples and Affiliate Links

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