The Body Shop Vitamin C Range

July 5, 2015January 18, 2018 - Vicki 6 Comments

Over the years (many years) I have used almost all of the skincare ranges from The Body Shop but the Vitamin C Range for some reason I hadn’t ever tried and I am kicking myself for not giving it a go sooner. The Vitamin C range is formulated to give your skin a boost of hydration giving it a gorgeous energising glow. I have been putting it to the test over the past 2 months and I’m absolutely smitten with the range. Earlier this year The Body Shop added two new products to this range, the first being

Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser* £16.00

This is such a lightweight water based moisturiser – it feels like a gel and I was very surprised at how quickly it absorbed into my skin, it was almost instantly. I like to use this in the morning because it’s a great way to give your tired skin a boost of hydration making it look and feel plumped and the Vitamin C helps your skin look glowing, making you look healthy and more awake. The zesty citrus scent helps energise you too, it smells so fresh and uplifting!

The packaging feels and looks luxurious, it’s in a weighty orange glass jar with a black lid, its sturdy and really good quality too.

There is no SPF in this which I know a few people are disappointed with but I like to apply a separate SPF every day so it’s not a problem for me but just something to note if you’re looking to use this as your daytime moisturiser. After using it almost daily for 2 months my skin feels smooth and is looking radiant. Its a welcomed addition to my skincare routine.

Being someone that has quite naturally dull skin I welcome any product that promises to give me a natural glow – most of the time the products end up being a little disappointing but The Body Shop seem to have hit the nail on the head with both these new releases. The second new addition to the Vitamin C Range is,

Vitamin C Instant Glow Enhancer* £14.00

I like to use this on top of my moisturiser, it has quite a creamy texture but it’s not heavy or greasy and to my surprise, it has a really flattering peachy tint to it. I apply this mostly to the centre of my face, focusing on my forehead, nose & chin as this is great at blurring pores and fine lines making my skin look smooth as well as giving it a slight peachy glow. You see instant results with this product, it really helps combat the signs of fatigue and is just the perfect base for your makeup.

It has a velvet finish and your makeup seems to glide on. It also helps keep my foundation in place and looking its best all day/night. There is no shimmer in this which I really like, it gives your skin more of a natural glow, the colour adjusts to your skin tone (like magic) evening out your skin tone and I love the blurring effect it gives the skin. I really like the tube packaging & the fact its bright orange and will be so handy to travel with or throw in your handbag for giving your skin a pick me up throughout the day. I also think its a great moisturiser too if you have oily skin, it adds another good layer of hydration to your skin which for me is always a good thing.

So this is a bit of a multi-tasker – a primer, lightweight moisturiser and tinted cream all in one. I really recommend trying this! Oh, & it also has the same zesty orange scent – smells good enough to eat.

Vitamin C Energising Face Mist* £10.00

This isn’t new but its new to me, I love using face mists and always have one on my desk but if I remember I do like to keep a couple in the fridge that makes them so refreshing and cooling especially in this crazy heat.

This face mist is an instant pick me up, it smells like oranges and it instantly cools the skin. Like the other products in this range it contains Camu Camu which is rich in vitamin C and aloe vera, so its hydrating, calming and helps boost the skin’s radiance. Its so nice on a warm day & you can spray on top of your makeup throughout the day to keep skin feeling fresh and hydrated.

I feel like The Body Shop has really stepped up their game over the past 18 months & are releasing some really great products. Let me know what products you have recently discovered from The Body Shop.

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue

May 26, 2015April 20, 2025 - Vicki 4 Comments

The Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30* is a new release from bare Minerals & is a great addition to their range. This lightweight base is perfect for a natural radiant coverage, and is described as a ‘freckle friendly multitasker, enabling skin to appear even toned and more awake’ It really is a multitasker, not only does it provide a gorgeous lightweight coverage, but it also has a cocktail of skincare benefits too,

Olive derived squalane – nourishing, hydrating and boosts the skins’ ability to regenerate

Marine botanicals – help refuel thirsty skin and enhance skin’s appearance

Water loving humectants, Tehalsose and glycerine-which locks in moisture

Heart leaf globe daisy – an antioxidant, defends the skin from environmental aggressors

Calcium and Magnesium – help replenish the skin and promote the skins’ moisture balance

SPF30 PA+++ this also contains a broad spectrum SPF to protect the skin against UVA & UVB rays

I would say this gave me a good light to medium coverage, it isn’t shear, and you could build it up if you wanted too. Even though it’s recommended to blend this in using your fingers, I like to use a brush & think that really gave me an even coverage.

This does give a beautiful dewy finish to the skin, so I think it is the perfect Summer base as it feels incredibly lightweight on the skin & the SPF30 means your skin’s protected. I have to say I have been quite impressed with the formula, coverage and the wear time of this, it seems to tick all the boxes.

When I wear it my skin looks radiant and that radiance lasts all day, I get about 7–8 hours wear from this. My skin looks plump and more awake & I think it’s because it has so many great hydrating ingredients, it also means this base sits really well on the skin and doesn’t sink into fine lines & pores but helps smooth them out. Being prone to an oily t zone I do like to powder lightly in that area, to ensure it stays in place without looking greasy, and it wears all day without oxidising or going patchy. This has quickly become a favourite of mine & I have even recommended it to friends & family of all ages.

The light was a little better for the after shots, but I think you get the gist, you can still my freckles and natural complexion showing through, but the Complexion Rescue does give a pretty natural dewy coverage to the skin. It doesn’t look heavy, it’s a great daytime base and I think it’s going to be a popular choice for the warmer months.

So if you’re on the lookout for a base that will help your skin look radiant and dewy whilst giving you an even coverage, then this bare Minerals Complexion Rescue needs to be added to your shopping list.

Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However, if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.

Rene Furterer Lissea Haircare

May 24, 2015March 7, 2018 - Vicki 4 Comments

Rene Furterer is and an expert hair care brand whose products are designed to enhance and reveal beautiful hair using essential oils and plant extracts.

This is a French haircare brand that I hadn’t come across before so I was intrigued to try a few styling products from them, they recently launched the Lissea range which is designed to smooth and tame unruly hair. We all know how great French Skincare is so let’s see if their hair care measures up. As I said this range is for taming, smoothing unruly hair & a few of the key ingredients that make this range so effective are,

Winter Cherry Extract – this active ingredient for its proven double smoothing efficacy and its particularly rich content in lipid, nourishing and protective elements.

Avocado Oil – this is laden with Essential Fatty Acids and Vitamin E which restores hair suppleness, silkiness and softness. Also thanks to its antioxidant property, Vitamin E contributes to neutralising free radicals that can accumulate in tissues, for more supple hair.

Rene Furterer Lissea Smoothing Conditioner* £15.00 – This has a lovely creamy texture and it leaves my hair instantly soft and smelling incredible. It is an effective express conditioning hair mask, you apply this after shampooing and leave it on for 2 minutes before rinsing. Not only does it hydrate, smooth and nourish your hair but it also works as a detangler. I hardly ever use hair masks that have to be left on for ages because I am lazy so this is perfect for me. It gives your hair a deep condition and leaves it manageable and feeling incredibly healthy.

Rene Furterer Lissea Leave-in Smoothing Fluid* £17.00 – This is the step I really like out of the three products because the one process I do the most is blow dry my hair & this product is designed to extend the length of your blow dry. You only need a couple of pumps of product which you apply to damp hair. This leaves your hair feeling smooth and doesn’t weigh my hair down but instead keeps my wavy hair looking healthy and tames the frizz. It’s a product that stops your hair from being frizzy and unruly after your blow dry. So for sleek, healthy looking hair, I would recommend adding this product to your haircare routine.

Rene Furterer Lissea Thermal Protecting Smoothing Spray* £18.00 – This is the product I reached for the least, not because it didn’t work but because like I said before I am lazy. This is a heat protecting spray that combats the effects of humidity on the hair, so if you suffer from Monica hair then this could be your secret weapon. It can be used on damp or dry hair which is handy, if you tend to curl or straighten your hair when it is dry then you can still give it protection from the heat (up to 220 degrees). I sprayed this through the lengths of my hair and apart from the incredible scent it didn’t leave my hair greasy or feeling sticky but did a great job of keeping my hair frizz free. I will try harder to use this every time I use heat on my hair because when I do use it the results are good & I know its important to protect your hair in order for it to stay looking its best.

This Rene Furterer Lissea Haircare is very affordable and has an emphasis on smoothing, taming and prolonging the sleek look of your blow dry. I have to agree with their claims, it has left my hair looking glossy, healthy and very manageable. I have to mention that this line smells sweet & luxurious which is always a bonus.

Rene Furterer Lissea Haircare is available online from Escentual – who currently have 25% off everything, so go & stock up.

Let me know if you have tried anything from this range, or any French hair care in general.

Products that are marked with a * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However, if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.

My 5 Tips For Happy Skin

May 15, 2015May 15, 2015 - Vicki 6 Comments

I always think that as Summer approaches its nice to get my skin looking its best as I like to wear as little makeup as possible when its warm & I feel more comfortable doing this when my skin is looking radiant & healthy. I thought I would share 5 of my skincare tips with you today, I always love hearing other peoples tips & tricks for keeping their skin looking radiant & healthy. So feel free to leave me a comment letting me know what your skincare secrets are.

5 Tips For Healthy Skin

I’d say my 1st and most important tip for healthy skin is using a broad spectrum Facial SPF – my skin is quite fair and I have been blessed with quite a few freckles so I like to make sure I protect my skin everyday. I like to use an SPF that has high UVA & UVB protection. UVA rays are not filtered by clouds or windows and are present all year round and UVA rays penetrate the skin deeply, causing greying of the skin, wrinkles/sagging and cause skin cancer. It is these UVA rays that cause the premature ageing of our skin. So rain or shine I use a facial SPF & hope that it helps protect my skin and in turn keeps it looking its best.

If we want our skin to look its best then we all know that it has a lot to do with what we physically put in to our bodies & thats why having a Healthy Diet is my 2nd tip to maintaining healthy radiant skin. I know diet is very personal and we all eat very differently but what works for me is eating as much fresh fruit and vegetables as I can, because these are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants (fresh smoothies & juices are a great way to increase your intake of fruit & veg). I don’t eat any dairy, meat or eggs so my diet consists of plant based foods only. I also try and eat as little processed food & sugary snacks as possible. You really can eat your way to healthy skin & I have noticed a massive difference in my skin since changing to eating a plant based diet 3 years ago.

My 3rd tip is Getting a Good Nights Sleep, for me its not how long I sleep that makes a difference but how well I sleep. If I have a disturbed nights sleep I look terrible the next day & my skin looks dull. I have made a conscious effort to not take my phone or laptop to bed as I end up checking social media & I find it hard to switch my mind off and relax. A good nights sleep helps me feel recharged and keeps my skin looking fresh & keeps my eye bags & dark circles to a minimum.

Skincare is my 4th tip, it plays a big part for me in helping keep my skin looking its best. There are so many wonderful products that help your skin look glowing and a step I never miss is cleansing, its important to remove not only your makeup but also the bacteria and dirt built up from the day that can clog pores and cause breakouts. I like to exfoliate too which helps remove dead skin cells revealing glowing fresh skin. You can get quite a few skin products that help give that instant radiance to the skin whilst also giving your skin long term benefits too – like The Body Shop Vitamin C Instant Glow Enhancer*, this is a great product for getting an instant peachy fresh rosy glow, it smoothes the skin and delivers a boost of vitamin C to help maintain a healthy complexion. This makes my skin looks healthy and refreshed, I think this is a summer staple for 2015.

The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Enhancer

Drink More Water is my 5th tip – I know this is along the same lines as eating healthy and we can consume a lot of our hydration through our food which is great but remembering to drink enough water throughout the day is something I challenge myself to do. I carry round a bobble bottle with me everywhere & fill it up whenever I can, this saves me buying bottled water (great for the bank balance & the environment). Staying hydrated helps your skin look plump and supple but also flushes out toxins that can dull the skin. I see people with fancy water bottles full of fruit – I think I will give that a go to liven up my tap water.

Let me know what your top tips are to keeping your skin healthy.

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