Lets Talk Beauty

Backup Skincare

- Vicki 1 Comment

I can’t be the only person that has backups of their favourite skincare / beauty products?! I consider myself to be quite low-key when it comes to hoarding products or buying new things, even though I love beauty and skincare. There are just a couple of items that I will always have a spare of so that when I run out I have one to replace it straight away. I wanted to share with you the 3 items that I have religiously repurchased and recommend time and time again.

Q+A Oat Milk Cleanser

This Oat Milk Cream Cleanser is my go to hot cloth cleanser. It is a lovely rich cream and I like how gentle it is on the skin, but that it also removes makeup.

  • Oat Seed Oil – rich in fatty acids, omegas and oleic and linoleic acid, this moisturising oil is easily absorbed into the skin. Vitamin E and ceramides help to lock in moisturise, promoting a healthy skin barrier.
  • Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids – which are gentle and less stripping, they leave your skin feeling less dry. They protect the skin barrier and reduce water loss for a deeply moisturising and gentle cleanse.

The Q+A skincare range is very affordable and great quality. I have been through countless tubes of this. I just need a mini version to take away on holiday.

 

Garnier vitamin C Brightening Night Serum

This serum has been years in the making from Garnier and contains, 10% Pure vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid. It is of the best, affordable products I have tried for achieving glowing, fresh skin. It is great at reducing sunspot and uneven skin tone and rejuvenating tired skin, which is just what I need.

  • Vitamin C – A potent antioxidant with brightening properties
  • Hyaluronic Acid –  A humectant that retains moisture to hydrate the skin

I have to say that I like the day serum too, they make a wonderful skincare duo.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream 125ml

Both my husband and I swear by this cream, especially in the colder months. It is so hydrating and perfect if you have sensitive skin. It is non-greasy, lightweight and doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. It is what I reach for if the weather is cold, my skin is feeling dry or my makeup is not going on as well as usual. Fantastic at giving you that boost of hydration, and I travel everywhere with a mini pot of this.

  • Glacial Glycoprotein – Sourced from Antarctic sea glaciers to deliver intense hydration
  • Squalane – A natural moisturising agent and antioxidant
  • Pro-Ceramides to smooth skin and help boost hydration!

I would love to know what products you always stock up on.

 

Buy Fragrance Not Flowers This Mother’s Day

- Vicki Leave a comment
Mother's Day 2018 Perfume Gifts

Mother's Day 2018 Gift Ideas

This year’s Mother’s Day is going to be a special one because my Mum is coming to stay with me in Cornwall and it just so happens to be Mother’s Day whilst she is visiting. It is perfect timing. I don’t get to see my Mum as often as I’d like as she lives over 600 miles away in Scotland and although we talk and Facetime ALOT it just isn’t the same as being together.

So I’m very much looking forward to spoiling her and spending the week showing her all my favourite parts of Cornwall. I have so many day trips planned.

Fragrance Direct Mother's Day Gifts

I really enjoy buying and making my Mum gifts, she is so easy to shop for, but I know just how much she treasures fragrance and doesn’t treat herself to a new bottle of perfume often. So when Fragrance Direct asked if I would like to be part of their #BuyFragranceNotFlowers Mother’s Day Campaign I jumped at the chance because not only will my Mum enjoy the perfume for months to come but it is so much more practical for her to pack in her hand luggage to take back to Scotland on the plane, whereas flowers wouldn’t survive the trip. So this campaign was perfect for us!

Also Fragrance Direct has a lovely selection of Mother’s Day gifts so if you are struggling for ideas you will be spoilt for choice, but I instantly knew which perfume to pick, when you know, you just know, right!?

Top Perfumes For Mothers Day

My Mum and I have very similar tastes when it comes to scents. We like a fragrance that settles into being quite warm and rich, so I had to pick Chloé Signature EDP because I just know my Mum will fall in love with its unique mix of florals and warm woody musk notes. Its one of my all-time favourite perfumes because it is so easy to wear and I never tire of the scent, it always smells beautiful.

It’s such a pretty floral scent and ideal for the change of seasons from Winter to Spring. I like being able to introduce my Mum to new products and Chloé Signature really is the perfect mix of floral, rich and warm notes which for me makes it a great everyday perfume.

  • Top notes of Lychee, Freesia and Peony

  • Heart notes of Lily of the Valley, Rose and Magnolia

  • Base notes of Virginia Cedar and Musk

Buy Fragrance Not Flowers this Mother's Day

Chloe Signature Perfume EDP Review

The mix of bold floral notes with the freshness of the lychee and the warm hint of amber make this an Ideal Spring/Summer scent. It is initially quite bold and floral but the layers settle down to be the perfect mix of floral freshness with a sophisticated woody, warm twist.

Perfume bottles for me are almost as important as the scent inside, I mean it’s nice when a brand thinks about the packaging because for most of us our perfumes are sat on out on a vanity and take pride of place so it is extra special when the bottle is elegant and pretty. Chloe bottles are just that, they come in simple but sophisticated boxes with a light peachy colour and the bottle itself is a stunning mix of metal and cut glass, the simple ribbon on the neck of the bottle adds a lovely feminine touch. It’s timeless & sophisticated.

Chloe Signature Fragrance Direct

Favourite Spring Perfume Chloe

Perfume is always such a thoughtful, luxurious gift to give. I always treasure my fragrances because they tend to evoke memories and transport me back to so many happy times. I am so excited to introduce my Mum to the iconic Signature scent by Chloé because I know she will enjoy wearing it just as much as I do. As a bonus, the scent will always remind her of the Mothers Day trip to Cornwall and will bring back good memories every time she smells it.

What perfume that you wear would your Mum also enjoy too? Fragrance Direct has a great selection of Mother’s Day Gift Ideas so you can #GiveFragranceNotFlowers this Mother’s Day too!

*This post was written in collaboration with Fragrance Direct

Pretty In Pink Skincare Products

- Vicki 6 Comments
Pretty In Pink Products

Pretty In Pink Products

The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist

This is so refreshing and if you like rose scented products then you will love this. I like to spritz it on to my skin before applying makeup, it feels cooling and hydrating. Also, I often like to spritz it on top of my makeup to freshen it up, especially if I have applied powder & it’s a nice pick me up throughout the day. It’s perfect for keeping your skin protected and hydrated in the winter. I like that the product lightly mists your face & doesn’t soak you. A bottle lasts me a good couple of months. A winter staple for me, for sure.

EOS Hand Cream in Berry Blossom

This is a nice hydrating hand cream it contains shea butter and aloe so will keep your hands very smooth and soft. It’s great to have on your desk to keep your hands soft and smooth throughout the day. The scent isn’t too floral & is slightly sweet too. I love the unusual packaging, its fun & slim so great for your handbag & travel. It’s quite overpriced in the UK but if you’re lucky enough to visit America make sure you try a couple.

Jurlique Rose Love Balm*

This is a natural salve that moisturises, softens and protects dry or chapped skin. Infused with the natural scent of roses. It’s always in my handbag because as the weather gets colder & we start to use the central heating more my lips start to get very dry. This balm is a great product for combating the dryness, its hydrating but not greasy & has that lovely natural rose scent. I love it.

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.

Moisturising Facial SPF from Balance Me

- Vicki 6 Comments
Balance Me SPF25 Moisturiser

Balance Me

Balance Me Natural Protection Moisturiser SPF25*

When it comes to SPF and protecting my skin from the sun I haven’t always been very good at it, although I have been a lot better in my 30’s than I was in my 20’s. I know most damage is done before we are 20 but we still need to protect ourselves from the harmful effects of sun damage no matter what age we are. We are all becoming a little more sun aware & with products like this Balance Me Natural Protection Moisturiser, it’s getting easier to protect ourselves. I have been vigilant in applying a facial SPF this year & without fail, I have worn at least SPF25. I have made applying a broad spectrum SPF part of my skincare regime & it’s a step I will not miss out.

Balance Me SPF25 Moisturiser

 

Balance Me have this Natural Protection Moisturiser with SPF25 and it is for all skin types, It is quite a creamy white consistency (fairly lightweight) takes a little massaging in but once you have left it to absorb for a few minutes there is absolutely no white cast on your skin, you can apply your foundation over the top if you wish without it feeling greasy or like you have too many layers of product on. I think it makes a good base, hydrating and slightly dewy too.

Balance Me say ‘Our rich yet easily absorbed SPF 25 face cream is specially designed to care and protect skin in everyday life. To support your skin’s own defence system, our SPF 25 moisturiser contains an innovative natural titanium dioxide-based sun filter to block out both UVA and UVB rays. A blend of super hydrating hyaluronic acid and powerful anti-oxidant blackberry leaf extract with essential fatty acid-rich rosehip, camellia, kukui nut and jojoba oils work gently yet effectively to soothe, firm and shield your precious skin as well as enhancing the activity of the sun filter.

So this SPF is packed full of skin benefits which whilst protecting your skin from sun damage that will in turn help reduce the signs of premature ageing, shield it from environmental aggressors and keep it hydrated this is definitely a product to have in your skincare routine. The fact that it’s not only a very good SPF but also a very effective moisturiser mean that you don’t have to apply as many products whilst still giving your skin maximum protection from both UVA rays which penetrate deeper & are responsible for premature ageing & are always present even during the winter and UVB rays which cause your skin to burn & are stronger during the summer months.

Balance Me Skincare

The top photo is me starting to massage the moisturiser into my hand and the bottom photo shows you that after a few minutes the cream has been absorbed and there is no residue and no white cast.

This contains Hyaluronic Acid which is a bit of a beauty buzz word at the moment & we are all looking for products that contain it – its good because it provides your skin with deep hydration & it holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water. This is good for delivering water to your skin and also hold it there to provide hydration, plump skin which helps reduce the size of your fine lines & wrinkles. 

Balance Me Skincare

The thing that I like most is that it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a heavy sunscreen, it’s not tacky on the skin or greasy. This innovative formula has taken Balance Me over 2 years of research & it has been developed so it’s even suitable for people with sensitive skin. Its lightweight formula is soothing, nourishing and doesn’t block pores making it a great moisturiser to wear all year round. So you can benefit from not only its skincare benefits but its sun protecting qualities too. That’s a win-win situation in my book. I want to keep the wrinkles and age spots at bay for as long as I can.

Let me know what facial SPF’s you have been enjoying and let me know if you wear one on a daily basis?

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