New skincare

Shakeup Cosmetics

- Vicki Leave a comment

Introducing Shakeup Cosmetics, a skincare brand that up to this point has largely been male focused. I think most skincare can be unisex, and this brand intrigued me as it is a good price point, its range is concise and I liked the look of the sleek green packaging. So I was game to put it to the test.

Their product range includes everything you need for a skincare routine, daily face wash, clarifying toner, serum, moisturiser as well as some great extras for a little more pampering, clay mask, volumising lip gel and even a face mist. I also noticed that they offer makeup in the way of a BB Cream and Under Eye Concealer.

Shakeup Skincare

All their range is as male skincare & makeup, but I have been testing out 3 of their core skincare products and I just wanted to let you know how I found them.

Shakeup Cosmetics Face4ward Daily Face Wash £12

I found this to be quite gentle, fragrance free and although it did not remove my mascara I thought the formula was hydrating & it didn’t leave my skin feeling tight. I think as a first cleanse (if you wear makeup) this is a nice, simple option that will help refresh your skin and remove dirt and environmental pollutants. I was surprised at just how many skin loving ingredients it has, considering its affordable price tag!

Willow Bark Extract: Aids cell regeneration to reveal a clearer complexion. A natural source of salicylates can help to clear pores, alleviate acne and even skin tone.

Fruit AHA Complex: Stimulates skin cell renewal. Gently exfoliates to penetrate dead skin cells, smooth skin and improve the appearance of dark spots.

Aquaxyl™: Boosts circulation of moisture throughout all skin layers. As a super hydrator, moisturising and healing benefits protect against damage to your skin barrier.

Shakeup Skincare products

Shakeup Skincare Face 4ward Clarifying Toner £15

I have been using this product every other day, it helps to keep your skin looking fresh and radiant by exfoliating the dead, dull skin away using glycolic acid and fruit AHA complex. A great step in your skincare routine, if you like your skin to have that glowing, velvety smooth appearance.

Glycolic Acid: Speeds up skin cell turnover rate. As a natural exfoliant, it can help brighten skin, prevent ingrown hairs and reduce pores.

Witch Hazel Extract: Aids in relieving inflammation, especially great for razor bumps. It acts as an astringent for sensitive skin, which means it helps fight acne, shrink your pores and combat skin conditions.

Shakeup Skincare Moisuriser Stick

Shakeup Skincare Moisturiser Stick £15

Out of the 3 products I tried, this was the one that I liked the least. I thought it was a fab concept, great to take to the gym or travelling, the stick formula is compact and fuss free. For my skin the level of hydration just wasn’t enough, my husband on the other hand thought it was great. He liked that it wasn’t greasy or heavy and that it was easy/quick to apply.

Cucumber Extract: Hydrates and soothes your skin. Its calming properties can help to reduce irritation, puffiness, and inflammation.

Hyaluronic Acid: Increases hydration on the surface of your skin. Having hydrated skin reduces the appearance of wrinkles, redness and smooths skin texture.

Vitamin E: Strengthens your skin’s natural barrier. As an antioxidant, moisturising and healing benefits prevent damage to skin cells.

Witch Hazel: Aids in relieving inflammation, especially great for razor bumps.
It acts as an astringent for sensitive skin, which means it helps fight acne, shrink your pores and combat skin conditions.

Shakeup Cosmetics are vegan and cruelty free, and although the brand is primarily targeting men, many of their products are also great for female skin. I do like that men’s makeup and skincare are becoming more mainstream and that brands are providing an entire skincare routine and not just a simple moisturiser!

*this post contains PR samples

Wake Skincare Collection

- Vicki Leave a comment
Wake Skincare Collection

#Gifted

Described as skincare for a generation who are always on the go, Wake skincare are a relatively new brand in the beauty world founded by Anton and Alex. Two friends who wanted to address lacklustre, tired skin, so they have created a range of products that do just that. Not only do they have a refreshing attitude to skincare, but their core values are inspiring too, their packaging is all recyclable, and they even work alongside Women’s Aid, a charity that supports and empowers women affected by domestic abuse.

The founders describe the brand as,

“A brand born out of the frustrations of being glued to screens, working long hours and always being switched on.”

Wake skincare eye cream

“Our generation are always switched on. Glued to phones, Surrounded by screens and always connected to work, our friends and family were forever complaining about dark circles, bags and lacklustre skin. Then our friends started having children and the tiredness really kicked in”

Over the past 3 weeks I’ve been testing out the three products in their range, Eye Gel, Face Mask and Face Cream. All of which come packaged in colourful boxes which are very eye catching and fun. The skincare products themselves are very sleek, minimal and look very cool in their white tubs with black font and silver lids. They feel luxurious and look very modern, I am a big fan.

Wake Skincare Eye Gel – 30ml – £22.98

Lovely fragrance free, lightweight gel formula, it is cooling and soothing whilst absorbing easily and leaving the skin around your eye smooth, hydrated and brighter. This collagen based gel will help combat crows feet and fine lines whilst plumping skin and boosting radiance. The cucumber, elderflower and aloe vera extract is gentle and non-irritant on this delicate eye area, as well as helping de puff, sooth and brighten. It is a lovely product to keep in the fridge, so it is extra cooling and refreshing on tired eye bags and dull skin.

You get a whopping 30ml of product and for an eye cream that is a lot this will last a long time, great value for money.

Key Features

  • Combats dark circles that result from late nights and early starts
  • Fragrance-free for the delicate eye area
  • Firms and refines eye contours
  • Hydrates your skin after spending long periods looking at screens
  • Contains vitamins and antioxidants to reduce signs of premature ageing
  • Protects the environment by using glass bottles to reduce plastic waste

Wake Skincare Facemask

Wake skincare Review

Wake Skincare Face Cream – 50ml – £24.98

This fragrance free, silky face cream contains the hero ingredients Hyaluronic acid and Coenzyme Q10, which holds on to water and boosts hydration, it is a fantastic way for your skin to look plump, smooth and radiant.  It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps skin look refreshed and awake. Not only is this face cream focused on being Anti Wrinkle, it is also Anti Blemish too, so its a great product to have in your skincare regime. Especially if you have a busy lifestyle and need a product that is an all rounder which helps with hydrating, evening out skin tone, preventing blemishes and helping to keep your skin looking youthful and healthy.

Key Features

  • Reduces blemishes caused by a non-stop lifestyle
  • Formulated to be cooling and refreshing
  • Fragrance-free
  • Targets fine lines that result from irregular sleeping patterns
  • Easy to apply before and after working out without feeling thick or heavy

Wake Skincare Products

Wake Skincare Face Mask – 50ml – £27.98

Lovely and thick, vibrant pink clay mask, ideal to detox the skin, exfoliate away skin cells and help achieve that natural healthy glow. It is gentle but thick and has a slight texture, I found it easy to apply (I use a brush) and it has a cooling feeling on the skin. It contains Kaolin, which helps draw out excess oil and sebum skin, helps prevent acne and helps reduce irritation and redness. Whilst zinc oxide helps calm skin, protects skin cells from being damaged and protects from harmful damage from UV rays.

Key Features

  • Australian pink clay mask designed to prevent breakouts
  • Reduces acne caused by blocked pores and dead skin
  • Combat dull skin immediately and achieve that radiant glow
  • Get a smooth complexion in just 15 minutes with natural exfoliants
  • Contains 100% natural exfoliants to help to detoxify the skin
  • Protects the environment by using glass jars to reduce plastic waste

New Skincare from Wake

I really hope Wake skincare add a few more products to their range this year, I would love to see a serum, a face oil or maybe eve an SPF. But that being said, I really like the 3 products they have at the moment all 3 are fantastic quality.

ECO Packaging

Wake skincare products are never tested on animals and are made and manufactured cruelty-free in the UK. Also for every Wake product that is sold they will make a donation to Women’s Aid, you can read more about their charitable pledge here.

These products are PR samples and have been gifted to me, I am not obliged to review them.

New Skincare for Spring 2019

- Vicki Leave a comment

I always like to add a few products to my skincare regime at the beginning of a new season. It is the perfect time to asses your skin and revamp your skincare, I love organising and decluttering my products on a regular basis. It is always good to remember that what your skin needs in the depths of a cold Winter might not be the same during Spring. I have been on the lookout for some new cleansers as I have used up my beloved DHC Cleansing Oil & my Superdrug Scrub, I bought both my new additions from Boots and noticed that Garnier had this new Fresh Lemongrass Collection which is labelled as being both Vegan and Organic. I also bought a product from one of my favourite skincare brands SuperFacialist, their skincare is always such incredible value or money and really good quality. I needed a scrub and this Vitamin C Scrub sounded like it would help brighten my skin after winter!

I have been using both products for a couple of weeks now and I am pretty pleased with my purchases.

Skincare for Spring

Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brightening Gentle Daily Micro Polish Wash

This face scrub smells like citrus fruits, zesty and fresh. I love it and it reminds me that the warmer weather is on its way! This is a gentle scrub that you can use daily, I have been using it every two days and that’s been working well for me. It has a lightweight gel texture which is infused with biodegradable micro-beads to softly remove dead skin cells & daily impurities and dirt. It is boosted with antioxidant ferulic acid and vitamins C & E to promote brighter looking skin. So if you have quite dull skin and get a little texture where dead skin forms around your nose, chin area then this is perfect for addressing that!

Packed with Vitamin C and natural skin brighteners, it encourages skin’s renewal and energises the complexion to keep it looking fit, radiant and youthful. I also like how well my makeup applies after using this and that my skin is smoother and super soft!

Vegan-friendly, paraben & SLES free.

Garnier Organic Fresh Lemongrass Detox Gel Wash

So Garnier now has a range of Organic & Vegan products, who knew! I loved the smell of the Lemongrass collection and opted for the Gel Wash but I think I’m going to pop back and get a few more bits because the whole collection was on offer in Boots (I think it was a save 1/3 deal).

This has such a refreshing, uplifting scent, it smells so luxurious and like a high-end spa (very fancy indeed).

  • Cleanses away dirt, oil and pollution residues without drying skin out
  • Formulated with organic lemongrass essential oil, Organic cornflower water, botanical glycerine and a 100% natural

It feels cooling on the skin and the gel texture is super lightweight, I like to massage into my skin for about a minute before washing it off with a warm flannel. It leaves my face feeling very fresh and clean (but not squeaky clean). Lemongrass is known for its purifying properties, it purifies and mattifies the skin whilst removing all the day’s dirt, oil and pollution residues without drying skin out. It has really impressed me and now I want to get their Konjac Sponge (which I have heard great things about) and also the Moisturiser. 

Let me know if you have tried anything from these new Organic Collections from Garnier & if you have any recommendations.

 

ASDA The New Destination For Beauty

- Vicki 1 Comment
Beauty Products at ASDA

Beauty Products at ASDA

As most of us know, ASDA is a very popular destination for affordable fashion. I always kick off my Summer Holiday shopping at George as they do fab bikinis & beach cover-ups. Most people are not aware that ASDA is also a great destination for all of your beauty needs. Last year saw ASDA update & revamp it’s George beauty line, introducing over 100 makeup products from Contour Kits and Eyebrow Products to Lipsticks and Eyeshadows, so ASDA really has you covered in the makeup department. Oh! and best of all is that nothing in the range costs over £6. So whilst you are shopping for your wardrobe updates you can also pick up your favourite skincare & beauty products.

They also stock one of my top skincare brands, nspa. This is a brand that offers quality products you can afford. I have tried quite a few products from their range over the years and I’ve never been disappointed. In fact, they always exceed expectations and I have my Holy Grail products that I will always repurchase. If you haven’t spent time in the beauty aisle at ASDA you’re missing out on some great brands.

Affordable Makeup Products From George at Asda

George Cosmic Baked Blush in Galaxy

I haven’t used a baked blush for so long. I remember back in 2014 when they were super popular and every brand was releasing their version. I had forgotten just how pretty this swirled formulation can be, this Cosmic offering from George is in the shade Galaxy which is a very pretty flushed pink shade and it gives just the perfect amount of colour. Enough to lift any makeup look and give it a fresh, radiant feel. I love the glow you get from a baked blush and this one is a good mix of highlight and blush, it reflects the light and leaves you looking healthy. It is a very wearable colour and it has gone straight into my everyday makeup bag & I have a feeling it is going to be my goto blush this Summer.

George Matte Lipstick in Smooch

I am so excited to see that ASDA have a range of soft matte lipsticks and there is no denying that they look stunning in their trendy rose gold packaging. You can’t go wrong with a classic pink shade and this one is a beautiful, everyday option. The formula is quite dry but that is to be expected in a matte formula it applies evenly and the colour is pigmented and so pretty on the lips. I am pleased with this shade and want to get a few more shades, I am tempted by a red.

Pretty Pink Makeup From ASDA George

nspa skincare exclusive to ASDA

nspa Expert Rejuvenating Serum

If you’re worried about the first signs of ageing or want to reduce fine lines and improve skins firmness this lightweight serum from nspa is perfect. It is fortified with:-

Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb extract, proven to help reduce the appearance of ageing skin, increase skins firmness and give the skin a smoother, more supple complexion.

Millet Seed Extract, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and rejuvenate your skin while helping to retain moisture.

It has a nice lightweight texture and it is a great step to give your skin a nice boost of hydration and a step that targets those long-term skin concerns.

Beauty Exclusive to ASDA

nspa Beauty Rituals Smoothing Eyecream

Eye cream for me is one of those products of which I’m never 100% sure that they’re totally necessary. Although I do use them religiously because I don’t want to look back in years to come and wish I’d made more effort to keep those pesky fine lines at bay! So when it comes to this step in my skincare routine I am never very loyal to one brand the only criteria I have is price, I like my eye cream to be affordable and at only £5.00 this nspa one is just that. Oh, and it does contain Hyaluronic Acid which is a cult anti ageing skin care ingredient that everyone in the beauty industry swears by, so if the experts love it I will get onboard.

It is enriched with Hyaluronic Acid & Tetrapeptide to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and crows feet. Specially selected actives help firm and plump whilst enhancing radiance for a younger, brighter looking eye area.

nspa Beauty Rituals Face Masks

nspa have released 8 masks within this range, each mask targeting a specific skin concern. They have clay, moisturising and hydrating masks which includes a sheet mask. With all 8 costing only £1.50 each, this is such an affordable way add a mask to your beauty regime and have a little pamper. I love the sheet mask best of all as it is perfect to use after a busy week it soothes and rejuvenates tired dull skin. I always have a couple of the nspa beauty rituals masks in my stash, they come in this handy pouches which make them travel-friendly and ideal to take with you on your holiday.

The nspa range is cruelty-free & available exclusively in ASDA.

Affordable Beauty Products From ASDA

I love trying out affordable beauty products because I think we all know that price doesn’t always guarantee quality, at both ends of the scale. ASDA is bringing its ‘A’ game with its own brand beauty range from George and the nspa skincare products are not to be missed. Let me know if you have tried anything from either range, I would really like to hear your recommendations.

*This post contains PR Samples