Merumaya Gift With Purchase for 5th Birthday

Merumaya 5th Birthday Free Gift

One of my favourite British skincare brands Merumaya are celebrating their 5th Birthday with a bang & offering customers the most fantastic gift with purchase worth over £56. So between 13th – 19th October, when you spend £25 you will get this 6 piece GWP FREE!

Merumaya 5th Birthday Free Gift

I have been using Merumaya skincare since it launched and I’m so pleased to see the brand go from strength to strength. Their skincare helps you feel beautiful, uplifts confidence and boosts youthful radiance. I love that Maleka (the founder of Merumaya) & her brand have such a positive message and over the years with their #beautyhasnoage hashtag have built a fantastic, supportive community spreading a positive, inclusive message.

  • FULL-SIZE Mud Marvels Mask Deluxe travel size
  • Youth Preservation Moisturiser SPF 20 
  • Deluxe travel size Melting Cleansing Balm 
  • #beautyhasnoage makeup bag 
  • Daily Cleansing Cloth value
  • Everything Everywhere Beauty Oil 3ml

Merumaya Mud Marvels Mask

Merumaya GWP 2017

This Birthday GWP includes many of Merumayas best selling products, including the first product I ever tried 4 years ago, the Melting Cleansing Balm which is a gentle balm cleanser that will remove your makeup with ease and leave your skin looking radiant and feeling plump.

If you’re new to Merumaya this GWP offers a great selection of products for you to try and get a feel for the brand and if you are already a fan it offers a lovely range of products to help you refresh your skincare for the colder months.

Merumaya skincare is one of the most effective and affordable brands I have tried and I wish them a very happy 5th birthday.

Get your Merumaya 5th Birthday GWP here

Merumaya Gentle Exfoliating Toner

Merumaya Gentle Exfoliating Toner

Merumaya Gentle Exfoliating Toner

As most of you are aware British skincare brand Merumaya have been a favourite of mine for a while now, they’re always expanding their range with innovative and affordable products. The Gentle Exfoliating Toner is their latest offering and once again they have produced an affordable product that rivals even the more expensive brands.

Merumaya Gentle Exfoliating Toner* £17.50

I always like to use a toner as part of my skincare regime so I was very excited to start using this new Exfoliating Toner and see what the results were. The packaging is much like the rest of the Merumaya range which is simple and user-friendly The product itself is packed full of active ingredients some of which give immediate results and others that are more effective when used over a period of time, I have learned that skincare isn’t always about those instant gains but often about looking after your skin every day in order to see long-term positive results.

I will let Merumaya explain the most scientific stuff,

  • Natural Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) to gently yet effectively peel away dead skin, detoxify, cleanse and refine pores to reveal fresh smooth skin. It contains a complex of moisturising active ingredients to prevent skin drying out after the exfoliation.
  • Natural AHA’s Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are proven to act as exfoliants, loosening and removing the top layer of dead cells by decreasing corneocyte adhesion. This reveals the new skin cells below. Natural AHA Complex provides a superficial peel action resulting in an improved surface appearance for a fresher, smoother look to the skin. AHAs help to remove dry skin and can be useful in treating blemished or problem skin, unblocking and cleansing pores.
  • Hyaluronic Acid is highly prized for excellent hydration which helps provide plumpness and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Natural Betaine is an osmoregulator manages water balance in skin cells. It can hold 1.6 times its own weight in water. It hydrates and softens the surface of the skin resulting in a soft and even finish.

I found this toner to be very gentle despite their being acid in this product, so don’t be put off by that. The acid is great for gently removing the dead skin, dirt and stubborn makeup you may have missed when cleansing. Removing this build up on a regular basis keeps your skin clean, evens out skin tone and helps your skin look more radiant.

Reducing the build-up of dirt also stops your pores getting clogged up which helps reduce blemishes and blackheads. I have noticed my skin feels softer, smoother and fresher.

This 128ml bottle will last a good amount of time because you only need a small amount each time and the dispenser is good at only allowing a little product out at a time.

Once again Merumaya has made a product that will work on all skin types and that you can afford to repurchase time and time again. Let me know if you have any favourites from the Merumaya range, I would also recommend trying their Melting Cleansing Balm and the Iconic Youth Serum.

What I also love about Merumaya is their focus on promoting #BeautyHasNoAge – so their products are not focused or targeted at Anti Aging but feeling positive about our age and embracing the changes that happen as we grow older. I love this positive message and Maleka, the incredible lady behind the brand has made a video all about it which I encourage you to watch.

*PR Sample

My Holiday Skincare – Amsterdam Edit

At the end of August I spent a week in Amsterdam, its a city I have visited a couple of times before & I just love it there. Its such a beautiful and vibrant city. I thought I would share with you my travel skincare. I must say I was very pleased with myself as I normally over pack & this time I was determined to pack light & take samples and sachets which I had been hoarding for a while now.

First up is my blue and white polka dot Dirty Works wash bag, this was so handy as I was able to hang it up in my hotel bathroom & have easy access to all of my toiletries. It has two small compartments & a much larger one at the bottom with a zip.
Travel Skincare

Skincare for Amsterdam

My Amsterdam Skincare

Travel Skincare

In the top compartment I had:-

Bath & Body Works Hand Sanitiser in Vanilla Berry Sorbet. I never leave home without one of these bottles & once in Amsterdam I transferred it to my handbag.

Essence Makeup Wipes* – I used these as hand wipes & found them very useful. I used all 15 wipes throughout the week

Razor / Tweezers / Hair Bobble & Earbuds – All necessities.

Amsterdam Skincare sample s

In the middle compartment are my sachets & I had been hoarding so many. They’re perfect for holiday.

I took 7 Kleenex Face Cloths instead of my normal muslin cloths as they took up less space and I didn’t have to bring them back in my suitcase. These Kleenex Face Cloths have been discontinued

Estee Lauder Stress Relief Eye Mask – I love using eye masks & these ones are so hydrating and calming. I also took a set of the DHC Revitalising Moisture Strips Eyes – Another pack of eye masks. I like to sleep in these ones, so when I wake up my under eyes look fresh and my concealer doesn’t sink into my fine lines.

Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Sheet Mask – These are so nice after a long day sight seeing and just keep your skin looking plump and hydrated. It’s cooling on the skin and once you take the mask off you can pat in the remaining Hydraluron (don’t want to waste that).

Bio Beaute NUXE – I didn’t need to use this Moisturiser so I have it saved for my next trip

Kiehl’s Rosa Arctica Lightweight Cream – This was a very lightweight moisturiser and it had a velvet finish. It wore very well under my foundation. I’m tempted to purchase the full size of this.

Garnier Ultra Lift Moisturiser – I like how smoothing and hydrating this Garnier cream is. It always makes my skin feel instantly soft.

Amsterdam Skincare Essentials

Garnier Mineral Invisible Deodorant – I normally use a natural deodorant which is in a glass bottle & didn’t want to take that away so bought this Garnier one. It was good but I do prefer to use a natural one & didn’t bring this back home with me.

Palmers Cocoa Butter Natural Bronze Gradual Tanner – LOVE the sun kissed glow this gives. It looks so even and natural. Its one of my favourite discoveries of 2014. I couldn’t go away without it. It helps my legs look 100% better than they usually do.

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Body Lotion – This smells lovely & grown up. It was the perfect size for 7 days & I used it all up in that time.

Skincare Samples

Batiste Dry Shampoo – No one wants greasy hair! I always have a mini can for when I travel. It’s not my favourite dry shampoo but it does a good job.

Tresemme Heat Defence – Just a good lightweight heat protector. Since having my haircut short I do use heat a more often than I used to so I had to bring this with me to stop my hair drying out & I will purchase the full size.

Elemis Revitalise Me Shampoo & Conditioner – These were really nice and hydrating and left my hair feeling nourished and glossy.

Moroccanoil Treatment Oil – This is very nourishing and helps keep frizz at bay. I like how smooth and silky my hair feels after using this.

Travel Skincare

Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth  Face Balm – This is a lovely gentle balm cleanser with tiny granules in so it exfoliates away all the dead skin and leaves your skin feeling very smooth. It also removes every last scrap of makeup so you’re skin feels very clean and fresh. I loved using this each night and will purchase the full size.

Radical Peptide Infused Antioxidant Serum* – I love this serum & it keeps my skin looking glowing and healthy. I save it for special occasions & holiday.

Bioderma – Can we just have a moment for how cute this mini bottle is. I like using this to remove my eye makeup as its gentle and you don’t have to rub at your eye.

Merumaya Treatment Toner* – After a long day sight seeing and being in the elements this helped to keep my skin hydrated, bright and feeling soft. It feels very fresh on the skin and has that recognisable Merumaya scent (which I love).

ESPA Optimal Skin Pro Serum – The only product I used on my face over night & I LOVE this serum so much. If you need to wake up with skin that looks well rested and very healthy then this is the serum for that job. It is like great skin in a bottle. I don’t think I have used a serum / oil that is this nourishing. I only have good things to say about it & could go on all day. I have spoke about it many times on my blog.

Murad Essential C Eye Cream – This wasn’t very gentle & stung my eyes. I have used a couple of other products from this range & really liked them but this eye cream wasn’t a hit for me & after 2 days I stopped using it.

Apivita Face Cream SPF50 – This didn’t break me out & wasn’t too greasy. It was quite thick when I first applied it but after It was massaged in it felt nice on my skin & I like to wear SPF50 on my face. Even though we had mostly rain you can never be too careful.

Let me know if you think I managed to pack light for a weeks holiday. Also let me know what you take away with you.

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

New From Merumaya

Merumaya

June see’s two exciting new launches from British Skincare brand Merumaya. I’m a big fan of their Melting Cleansing Balm, Face Wash & their Iconic Youth Serum so was very very excited to get these pre launch samples in the post. Merumaya asked their customers what they felt was missing from their range and what they would like to see added to their line & the answers were a Bi Phase Eye Makeup Remover & a Treatment Toner – so that is exactly what Merumaya delivered. These products have been over 2 years in the making & will be launching June 30th.

Bi Phase Plus Eye Makeup Remover*

Merumaya’s research told them that their customers preferred a Bi Phase liquid to remove their eye makeup, I have tried a few in the past and many of them left my eye area quite greasy but this one has been in development for over 2 years in order to get the formula just right & I think they have done a wonderful job. I applied the liquid to a cotton pad and held it gently on my eye for about 1 minute just to let it soak in. Then with such minimal effort I swept it across my eye & my mascara & liquid eyeliner and it removed them both effortlessly. I was so excited to try this product when it arrived that I put it to the test & took my makeup off straight away.

If you’re worried about this being greasy, don’t be it is hydrating and gentle and won’t leave your eyes feeling oily at all. No need to rub vigorously, this gentle formula will remove your eye makeup just by letting it gently soak in & then lightly sweeping the cotton pad accros your eyes. It will leave the area feeling soft & hydrated. This product is suitable for sensitive skin & works on my waterproof mascara without leaving it smeared all over my eyes. It removes every trace of eye makeup & I even put it to the test on some stubborn lip stains & they posed no challenge either! I may have found my go to makeup remover! I think this is going to be a very popular product in Merumaya’s range.

Launched June 30th 2014 into select John Lewis Stores – online at www.merumaya.com & www.johnlewis.com £14.50 for 130ml

Treatment Lotion*

I have been getting in to using a toner over this past year and was excited to put this new Merumaya offering to the test. This has that fresh distinctive Merumaya scent. It is packed full of skincare benefits such as,

Hyluronic Acid to give hydration and plumping and help reduce the appearance of lines (this is an ingredient I look out for now in skincare).

A complex of brown & green algae provides a slow and lasting release of Natural Moisturising Factors these help deliver long term moisturisation and softening.

Ascorbyl Glucoside provides a potent slow and sustained release of Vitamin C that only activates on contact with your skin. This evens out skintone, aids the minimising of pigmentation & gives prolonged antioxidant protection.

Natural Betaine to help manage moisture balance and softens and soothes skin.

This toner really focuses on boosting hydration and keeping your skin looking healthy and youthful. It isn’t drying at all on the skin, so no tight feeling after use. It left my skin feeling very smooth, clean and hydrated. Merumaya have developed a Toner that not only gives you instant results in terms of smooth bright looking skin but there are also longer term benefits that come with prolonged use such as minimising pigmentation & giving you plumper skin.This product has slipped itself nicely into my skincare routine & I don’t go a day now without using a toner it just feels like I’ve missed an important step if I do. This is another great addition to the Merumays range & one I would highly recommend, especially if you have dehydrated, tired looking skin.

Launched June 30th 2014 into select John Lewis Stores – online at www.merumaya.comwww.johnlewis.com £14.50 for 130ml

Out of the two products my favourite is the Bi Phase Eye Makeup Remover, simply because it takes the hassle out of removing waterproof mascara! Let me know if you like using a Bi Phase remover & if you have any Merumaya recommendations.

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.