Yardley London are synonymous with floral fragrance, this iconic perfume house dates as far back as 1770, they’re a British brand who have specialised in creating fine fragrance for over 250 years. They have really evolved over the years becoming modern and fun but still holding on to their classic, and timeless florals offering fantastic value for money. More recently, they released a collection of 6 beautiful flower based scents. They range from the more fruity to the fresh and even a stunning woody option too. I have been trying the classic Decadent Mimosa, which is a lovely zesty, modern take on a classic floral perfume.
Opening with the spicy fruit notes of mandarin, pear and pink pepper, the indulgent green floral fragrance of Decadent Mimosa leads to a beautiful sunny heart of fresh, sweet and bright mimosa flowers.
Combining powdery violet, iris and lily of the valley, resting on a sensual base of sandalwood, vanilla and musk.
This dewy, fresh & rich scent will transport you to Spring/Summer days, it has gorgeous floral notes that are not what you’d expect from a classic Yardley fragrance. It is a real nod to more modern and luxurious perfumes. This budget friendly perfume really surprised me. I love the opening fruity notes, they’re very zesty and fresh and the heart notes are fresh and floral whilst the musk and sandalwood base notes give it a very romantic edge.
A perfume inspired by bountiful, beautiful and blossoming floral bouquets.
Opening with the spicy fruit notes of mandarin, pear and pink pepper, this indulgent green floral fragrance leads to a beautiful sunny heart of fresh, sweet and bright mimosa flowers combining powdery violet, iris and lily of the valley, resting on a sensual base of sandalwood, vanilla and musk
The packaging is simple but pretty, the box is very bright and is covered in lovely yellow mimosa flowers. The bottle is timeless and elegant. These fragrances make thoughtful gifts, especially for Mothers Day. They’re budget friendly and the Flowerful Collection has 5 floral options to pick from, so there is a perfect scent for everyone!
Yardley have come such a long way since they first started out over 250 years ago with a very small selection of floral soaps and fragrance, and today they now carry a wonderful product selection ranging from eau de toilette, eau de parfum for both men and women as well as body mists, hand sanitiser, and an extensive range of hand care (soaps, washes and hand creams). Their gifting options are lovely too, they make thoughtful presents, and they come beautifully packaged and ready to treat someone special!
Discover six fragrances from the Flowerful Collection, from the fruity Decadent Mimosa, woody Elegant Iris, the big white floral of Luxe Gardenia, the voluptuous bouquet of Opulent Rose, the fresh, pretty Exquisite Peony, or our NEW Sunshine English Daisy!
#Gifted
Heathcote & Ivory have just released their charming ‘By The Sea Collection’ – an array of luxurious vegan-friendly hand creams, washes, soaps and much more. As the name suggests, its products have a real fresh, sea breeze feel to them which helps transport you to the bracing British coastline and beautiful endless Summers. I am lucky enough to live by the sea in Cornwall and this collection captures being by the sea in every way, the scent, packaging and the products help keep your skin feeling soft, nourished and soothed. Ideal after a day of being in the salty air, windswept beaches and sunshine.
The, By The Sea Collection is classic Heathcote & Ivory, exceptional quality for a great price. From the simple, pretty, spa like packaging which is made from sustainably sourced sugarcane, to the fantastic quality of the products themselves, which are vegan, cruelty free and enriched with a seaweed complex infused with kelp and sea oak. Oh and finally the ‘By The Sea’ scent which captures the essence of the coast, both the calm and relaxing escapism as well as the energy and exhilarating strength of the ocean and coastal landscape. Using citrus and woody notes alongside, fresh violets and soft musk, you’re left feeling revived.
I have been trying out a few products from the collection and the trio of travel sized hand creams have been a godsend, like almost everyone using hand sanitiser a lot means my hands are dry and in dire need of some TLC. So I have popped one tube in my handbag, one in my car and the other is on my desk. So I can apply it when my hands are feeling dry throughout the day. The cream is enriched with vitamin E, aloe, glycerin and a seaweed complex, leaving your hands feeling comfortable (not greasy) and protected. At the heart of this new collection is its scent, and that beautiful, calming yet energising scent lingers on our hands long after you have applied the cream. It is so nice.
This not only has the most fresh, soothing scent, but the walnut shell and sea salt scrub helps smooth and polish your skin. The scrubbies help gently exfoliate away dull, dry skin, leaving your body feeling soft, clean and smooth. Very much needed after a day on the beach, wearing suntan lotion. It is enriched with seaweed extracts, aloe vera and extract of arnica flower. It has a rich, gel like formula has the perfect amount of scrub without being abrasive, think gentle and reviving!
I just love the body duo, the shower gel is the perfect way to refresh your skin after a long day enjoying a coastal walk and the body lotion helps revive and nourish your skin after being out in the elements, as it is enriched with sweet almond oil, moringa oil, cocoa seed butter and a seaweed complex. Infused with the By The Sea fragrance, notes of lemon and bergamot, fresh violets and soft musk, woods, a hint of tobacco and musk. It really does make your bathroom feel like a high-end spa! Such a Summer treat for your skin.
By The Sea bottles are made from ‘green’ plastic from sustainably sourced sugarcane. They are 100% recyclable. It’s always nice to see brands taking bigger steps to be more green and environmentally friendly.
Pop over to Heathcote & Ivory to browse the By The Sea Collection. Their products make really thoughtful gifts, or treats for yourself too! Let me know what your favourite product is from the range, I love the body duo and the body polish. For me, they are the perfect body care trio for the Summer months.
{gifted} ARK is a British Skincare company that has a refreshing, modern approach to skincare. They acknowledge that age plays a big roll in how our skin changes and so our skin concerns change alongside. They have developed what they call ageintelligent skincare, which focuses on treating skin by age as well as concern.
You start by picking your ageintelligent range, then if you need any targeted treatments you select their skinperfectors for effective treatment (like redness, hydration and de-stress) and then their core skinessentials collection which is daily skincare to enhance your regime.
All their products are easy to understand and incorporate into your regime. They are clear, specific and fuss free.
The three ageintelligent ranges are,
ageprotect – for teens and 20’s
agedefend – for 30’s and 40’s
agedefy – for 50’s and over
I have been trying 2 products from the agedefend collection and 1 from the skinessentials
This collection aims to boost skins collagen production, protect skin from free radicals and nourish skin to reduce the signs of ageing. The key ingredients in this collection are,
Kiwi and Passion Fruit lipids – packed with Omega 3 fatty acids to boost skin’s moisture
Blue Lotus – a powerful antioxidant which boosts firmness and elasticity
Vitamin A – keeps skin strong, plump and increases collagen production
This replenishing moisturiser contains natural moisturising agents Shea Butter and Olive Oil which are rich and hydrating, leaving your skin feeling soft and velvety smooth to the touch. It is also helps skin look plump and toned, which reduces those fine lines and wrinkles.
I have been using this cream as part of my morning skincare routine and love the way it feels on my skin, not too heavy but very moisturising and my skin looks fresh and healthy after using it. I think it’s a fantastic cream to add to your routine for Autumn/Winter to keep your skin hydrated, boost elasticity and keep skin looking radiant whilst targeting the early signs of ageing with all its fantastic skin loving ingredients. Your skin is in good hands with this in your skincare arsenal.
The packaging is hygienic and feels very luxurious. The product is dispensed by pushing the lid down, I find that two pumps is enough product for your face and neck. It is a slick and easy to use, I like that you get the right amount of product, which means no waster and you don’t have to scoop out product which keeps everything clean and germ free.
This lightweight cleanser is great at keeping skin not only clean and washing away the build up of dirt, grime and impurities from the day. It also nourishes skin, protects against moisture loss and gently exfoliates helping remove dead skin cells to keep your complexion looking rejuvenated and blemish free.
Moringa Oil – rich in Vitamin A and C and helps skin retain essential moisture.
Kiwi and Passion Fruit lipids – packed with Omega 3 fatty acids to boost skin’s moisture levels
Blue Lotus – a powerful antioxidant which helps skin firmness and elasticity.
I use this in the morning and night, I find the botanical scent uplifting very fresh. The cleanser leaves my skin looking energised and although I do not typically remove my makeup with it, I have used it to remove a light face of makeup and found that it did it with ease. I have been very impressed with both products I have used from the agedefend range and if like me you’re in your 40’s, I think your skin would benefit from the extra boost of antioxidants, lipids, and vitamins that this collection provides. This collection helps you achieve beautiful, healthy, radiant skin.
I never leave my house without wearing a facial SPF as we are all fully aware by now, the best way to protect your skin from the damaging effects of UV rays (the primary cause of premature ageing) is to wear a good quality broad spectrum UVA & UVB SPF. So when my primer contains SPF30 this makes me very excited. This lovely product has taken pride of place in my skincare line-up, I have been using it religiously for a couple of months now and LOVE it.
Vitamin E – antioxidant and provides photo protection
Shea Butter – nourishes skin and protects from free radicals
Sunflower – packed with vitamins and minerals
Hyaluronic Acid – helps skin retain moisture keeping your complexion plump, smooth and radiant
Its not as heavy as a cream but is more like a thicker serum, I like the consistency and it instantly feels refreshing on the skin. The fact that it is lightweight is important to me especially when layering quite a few products, quite often a primer can feel slippery or tacky on the skin. I like them to be almost weightless, like they’re not even there. This is quite hard to find in skincare products that contains a high level of SPF protection, but ARK have managed to pull it off. This primer is for me a multi tasking product, you can use it not only as a primer, your SPF too and I find it to be hydrating enough to use as my moisturiser. I do this on really warm days, where you do not want to wear a heavy cream under foundation and that works well to keep everything in place without becoming greasy. This primer can also be worn alone, it helps my skin looking very fresh, that classic healthy, natural glow. Its wonderful.
I have enjoyed using all three products over the past few months and although I would say the Primer is my stand out product I think they all have enhanced my skincare regime. My skin looks healthy and feels hydrated. The agedefend collection is perfect for me in my 40’s. I have my eye on a few of the oils from the skinperfector range to see how they help tackle a few more targeted skin concerns, like pigmentation and redness. Let me know if you have tried anything from ARK and if so what products would you recommend.
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.
I am sure so many of you are already aware of Tropic Skincare as a brand but just in case it has passed some of you by I just wanted to say a little about their ethics and values. Tropic is a 100% Natural, Cruelty-Free & Vegan company who base themselves out of their Surrey beauty kitchen & warehouse. They endeavour to keep as much of their processes in-house as possible, from development to manufacturing and marketing to dispatch. They produce effective products at such a reasonable price and they never, ever compromise on the quality of ingredients they use.
I’m excited to introduce you to the Tropic Skincare 4 piece Sun Care Kit. This kit includes their mineral suncare saviours in handy travel-friendly sizes.
I was very excited to put it to the test and the UK certainly came through with the warm sunny weather! The Sun Care Discovery Kit Includes,
Sun Soothe Cooling Aftersun Lotion
Skin Shade Mineral Sun Protection SPF 30
Skin Shade Mineral Sun Protection SPF 50
Sun Balm SPF 50
Why is mineral sunscreen best I hear you cry! I think Tropic can explain it better than I can so here is their scientific take on mineral sunscreen:-
There are currently two types of sunscreens on the market, ‘chemical’ and ‘mineral’. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and convert them into heat energy on the skin. Mineral sunscreens use natural actives to act as a physical barrier to UV rays. Tropic’s no-negotiations ban on harmful chemicals paved the way to developing a game-changing range of 100% mineral sun protection heroes your summer wouldn’t be complete without. Harnessing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to protect your skin against UVA and UVB rays, as well as an abundance of skin-boosting tropical ingredients, these luxury sunscreens are summer essentials.
Tropic sunscreen is gentle on your skin as well as protecting you from the harmful UV rays (which are linked to skin cancers) so your skin is in good hands! I live in (sunny) Cornwall and spend a lot of time outside so this kit is perfect to take with us in the car & the ideal size to keep one of the sunscreens in my bag for reapplying throughout the day.
Included in this Sun Care Kit are cabin-friendly 100ml versions of Skin Shade Mineral Sun Protection in SPF 30 and 50, as well as Sun Soothe Cooling Aftersun Lotion – so it is ideal for taking with you on your upcoming travels.
Tropic Skin Shade SPF 30 & 50
These smell just like the summer holidays and I love it. Despite them being mineral sunscreens and quite high factors they’re not too thick and once massaged into your skin feel smooth and lightweight on the skin. The SPF50 is a touch thicker and when applied has a slight white cast but after a couple of minutes that completely goes away. These are both broad spectrum and water-resistant so if you’re off on a beach holiday you will be set!
You can use these on both your face & body and I found them gentle on my skin, and they didn’t break me out. They also wear well under makeup. Although if you’re looking for a tinted SPF for your face then you need to try the tinted version, The Tropic Tinted Skin Shade SPF 50 – this is fantastic and a great makeup/skincare product.
• 100% mineral protection from zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
• Exotic kahai and roucou oils, rich in omega fatty acids, keep skin soft and hydrated
• Extracts of antioxidant-rich Australian kakadu and illawarra plum protect the skin
Sun Balm SPF 50
This is such a versatile, handy little product. I have been popping this into my handbag and taking it everywhere. It is a balm which can be applied pretty much anywhere including the ears, lips, face, feet or even your hairline. All those places that are exposed to the sun all day and are more prone to burning. I like to apply this throughout the day, or even if I’m just popping out for lunch or a quick walk I will apply this to those exposed areas. I always worry about my lips and ears burning so have been slapping this on at every opportunity.
It is a fantastic product to have to help protect against sun damage and contains natural ingredients which help soothe, heal and shield the skin from UVA, UVB and free radicals.
With nourishing extracts of tamanu oil, vitamin E and rosemary leaf oil
Zinc oxide provides broad-spectrum protection
Because this comes in a balm it won’t leak in your bag and is fuss-free and very easy to apply. It isn’t thick or tacky and you can reapply it super easily.
Tropic Skincare Sun Soothe
Apart from a cold shower, what feels better on the skin after a long day in the sun than a nice soothing after sun lotion!? Replenishing your skin after being out in the sunshine is almost as important as protecting yourself whilst in the sunshine.
This Sun Soothe not only relieves redness it hydrates and nourishes sun-parched skin whilst also prolonging your natural tan. It instantly cools and feels comfortable and lightweight on the skin. This is one post-sun skin saviour that will keep your skin in tip-top condition.
• Aloe vera juice and menthol help to cool skin and relieve redness
• Argan oil and vitamin E deeply nourish
• Bisabolol and eucalyptus repair and calm skin in need of TLC
Tropic mineral suncare is not only kind to your skin but is also kinder to the environment too,
A recent statistic shows that 4,000 – 6,000 metric tons of sunscreen washes off swimmers into the ocean every single year*. It’s also no secret that ingredients found in some chemical sunscreens have been linked to the bleaching of up to 10% of coral reefs across the globe, while also inhibiting the growth of baby corals*. These same ingredients have also been identified as hormone disruptors when absorbed into our bodies**, which of course, isn’t ideal when these products are applied regularly throughout the sunnier months. Tropic’s range of mineral sunscreens keeps skin protected with formulations that are truly good for you, and the environment, without compromise on efficacy.
Tropic Sun Care Discovery Kit is available online from tropicskincare.com and retails at £40 or £50 with the Sun Balm added.
Tropic Skin Shade SPF 30 & 50
