I hope the New Year brings you happiness and prosperity doing what you love! May you explore more, enjoy life more and be able to spend more time with and feel closer to the people you love. Happy New Year!
xo
I hope the New Year brings you happiness and prosperity doing what you love! May you explore more, enjoy life more and be able to spend more time with and feel closer to the people you love. Happy New Year!
xo
A few weeks ago I was kindly sent the Bioderma Hydrabio Serum as a free sample by a beauty review app.
The Bioderma Hydrabio Serum is a moisturising concentrate for very dehydrated and sensitive skin. It uses the Aquagenium complex patent (comprised of niacinamide and apple seed extract) which reactivates the natural moisturising process and boosts water circulation within cells, retraining the skin to generate its own moisture. It also contains hyaluronic acid, xylitol and glycerin to help improve hydration.
The serum promises to leave skin intensely and durably moisturised, with regained comfort, suppleness and radiance. It also mentions to have very good tolerance, to be paraben free, hypoallergenic, and non comedogenic.
What I really like about the Bioderma Hydrabio Serum is the lightweight gel formula that is easy to apply. I also like the faint soapy fragrance. It lightly hydrates without feeling heavy or greasy however I didn't think it stopped my skin feeling tight and even though it claims to be non comedogenic it actually made me develop some clogged pores/blackheads (which is unusual for me even though my skin is prone to breakouts) that got inflamed and have left scarring on my face.
Unfortunately, even after giving it a couple of chances I think this serum is not for me and I'm not willing to risk any more scarring on my face for the sake of using it up so will be probably giving it away.
Find the Hydrabio Serum at Feel Unique, Look Fantastic and Escentual.
Have you tried the Bioderma Hydrabio Serum?
xo
Wishing you a lovely Christmas accompanied by all your family, friends and loved ones! Hope you enjoy the most delicious dinner, have a lot of fun and receive everything you have wished for.
Much love,
Naville
xoxo
Last month I got a few skincare items and a new little bag.
From Superdrug I've been purchasing a lot of skincare, including the Me+ Hyaluronic & Niacinamide Cleanser, Optimum Retinol Serum Extra Strength 0.3%, and Simply Pure Hydrating Serum. I got all 3 items for less than the price of the retinol serum - sometimes they have really good offers and I cannot resist ha!
A few free samples I receive last month are Vichy Mineral 89 Serum, Avon Renewal Power Protinol Serum, Dr Jart Ceramidin Liquid, Serum and Cream; 2 Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace perfumes and a Good Girl by Carolina Herrera perfume.
Also from Superdrug I got the Simple Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water, Garnier Aloe Refreshing Gel Wash and a sample of Cetraben Cream.
Last but not least, a cute burgundy leather crossbody bag which was originally from Next and £24, from Choice and for just £6.
Did you get anything nice last month?
xo
Having tried and liked this product in the past (see previous review) I decided to repurchase as I knew I enjoyed using it and it worked well with my skin.
The Nivea Naturally Good Regenerating Night Cream is of 99% natural origin and contains organic argan oil plus glycerine, sweet almond oil, shea butter, jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil and vitamin E.
It still has the same moisturising properties that I remember and when I wake up my skin does feel soft and supple, my skin also looks less red in the morning as it helps maintain moisture while sleeping. The only thing I do not like about this new version is that it is not as easily absorbed as it used to be, now it turns white as I apply it, instead of disappearing into the skin and feels a bit oilier than it did before too, so I'm not sure if I will be repurchasing once more which is very sad as this once was one of my favourite night creams.
Find the Nivea Naturally Good Regenerating Night Cream in FeelUnique.
xo
Mug // iPhone Case
Sticker Gift Tags // Notebook
Cushion // Sticker Collection
xo
A new instalment of the All Used Up (aka Empties) series is finally here after approximately 3 months! With half of it being skincare and the other half body and haircare. I've been trying to use up as many products as possible as I've been doing some shopping and also need to make some space in case I receive any more beauty products for Christmas ;)
Avon Buttermilk & Cocoa Rich Shower Creme: from their Moon Milk Collection, this creamy body wash is enriched with glycerin, vitamins B5, E and cacao extract. The scent reminds me a bit of carrot cake, very spicy with cinnamon and nutmeg notes. It leaves skin very soft and would definitely use it again.
Avon Nourishing Body Wash with Coca Butter: I love anything chocolate scented (and vanilla and rose too!) so I wanted to try this body wash. It contains glycerin, vitamin E and Cacao Seed Butter. This doesn't smell that much of chocolate, but still has a sweet scent and leaves skin very soft and smooth. Would buy again.
L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Conditioner: designed for dry to very dry hair, this thick cream conditioner leaves hair feeling softer and has a delicate scent which I like. Contains several natural oils like Coconut and Sunflower, plus flower extracts from Camomile, Calendula, Linseed, Gardenia and Rose. It is very rich and nourishing however, if you have fine hair it could weigh it down. Would buy again.
E45 Dry Scalp Shampoo: A perfume free, hypoallergenic shampoo to help soothe dry scalps and reduce itchiness and dandruff thanks to the use of Climbazole. It is very gentle and does not really lather up when massaged on the scalp, however cleanses well and leaves hair soft without weighing it down or making my scalp drier. I did like it but towards the end of the bottle it stopped working however it is a very gentle product that I would use again. Ful review here.
Naturally Radiant Renewing Night Cream: Rich but not greasy, very nourishing and helps skin look plumper and more even in the morning. It has a fresh scent and is suitable for all skin types. This is my 2nd or 3rd pot of this and I would keep repurchasing. Full review here.
The Inkey List Retinol: this serum contains two forms of retinol (1% Retistar stabilised retinol compound and 0.5% granactive retinoid) to help increase collagen production and promote skin renewal. Every morning after using this my skin would feel so smooth and I believe it helped smooth out some scarring and even out skin tone. Full review here. I would use it again however there's another serum I've bought that I want to try first.
Superdrug Vitamin C Booster: using a vitamin C derivative, this serum helps brighten the skin while leaving it moisturised and soft. It is very affordable and I like the citrus scent. Don't expect extreme results with it but if you are new to vitamin C it is worth a try. Full review here.
xo
Winter is almost upon us and with that the need to update some of our skincare routines and wardrobes also comes along. Below is a breakdown of my top picks for the season:
A decongesting product if you are prone to breakouts. The Ordinary are releasing a new Salicylic Acid 2% Serum in an oil base to avoid drying the skin out and contains a 4-t-butylcyclohexanol, to help reduce sensitivity.
Another way for preventing breakouts would be salicylic acid in a different format, like the Me+ BHA Toner or even a moisturiser like the Glow Hub Purify & Brighten Moisture Lotion, which would be ideal for oily or dry skin respectively.
A hydrating serum without hyaluronic acid (which when central heating is on it can end up dehydrating the skin) to use along the BHA product. The Ordinary Marine Hyaluronics is HA free, plus contains amino acids for extra nourishment. Other options include the Me+ Prebiotic Booster, a hydrating serum that can help soothe the skin and reduce redness; or the Glow Hub Barrier Builder, which also has amino acids plus ceramides to improve the skin's barrier function. A set of products from any of the 3 brands will do for me.
As cold weather means wearing a lot of bulky layers most of the time, I want to keep my accessories more streamlined, so I'm looking for a tiny purse like this one from Paul Costelloe which has slots for cards so a separate card holder isn't needed!
xo
Recently I was kindly sent another product by Trendhim to review. Trendhim is an award-winning men’s accessories brand established in Denmark in 2007. This time they allowed me to select a wallet from Lucleon, one of their 13 house brands.
As I wanted this to be a gift for my dad which I haven't been able to see in nearly 3 years, I asked him to pick his favourite one, and he chose the Lucleon Montreal Dotty RFID Leather Wallet in navy.
The Montreal Dotty Wallet is made of genuine buffalo leather and features a perforated exterior for added interest, with a diagonal panel on the front and the Lucleon logo embossed on it.
The dark navy colour is barely perceptible and initially I thought it was black, however under certain lighting you are able to pick up the blue shade with green undertones, which I really like.
The Montreal Dotty RFID Leather Wallet has 6 card slots plus a dedicated mesh ID section, a press-stud pocket for change and 2 compartments for notes and documents.
This design isn't one that I would have chosen myself but after seeing it in person my opinion changed. I love that it has so many compartments and the quality of the product is also great.
If you are looking for a gift for any men in your life or even to treat yourself this Christmas then do take a look on the Trendhim website as they have many more designs to choose from.
xo
*This is a sponsored post.
It's been nearly 3 years since our restriction-free world came to a sudden stop, and while many of us were able to continue working from home this was not the case for medical workers, who have given so much for the rest of the population.
We can give thanks to our medical heroes by showing our appreciation with a dedicated mug from the Medical Workers Club: with designs for Doctors, Paramedics, Nurses, Intensive Care Unit, Healthcare Workers and more, there is a design for everyone.
Let's show our medical workers how valuable they have been!
Find the full collection of double sided mugs here.
xo
The most wonderful time of the year is almost upon us again, so here is my classic yearly Christmas gift guide with everything picked by yours truly and costing £50 and under. Do check out every link as I always use full prices even when the products are on offer for a pleasant surprise ;D
xo
Black Friday discounts are available already, so here is my roundup of the best savings across multiple beauty, fashion and even stationery shops. Get ready to stock up on Christmas gifts and to treat yourself this week!
Will you be taking advantage of the Black Friday sales?
xo
A couple of weeks ago I was kindly sent the new edition of the Lancôme Advanced Génifique Serum to try and review. Having tried the previous version before, it was interesting to see how they compared.
The Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate now contains a new complex of pre and probiotic derived fractions to help strengthen the skin's functions of recovery and defence against external aggressors.
Other important ingredients in the formula include glycerin, vitamin C, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, salicyloyl phytosphongosine, alpha-glucan oligosaccharide and rosa gallica flower extract.
It claims to make skin look younger and "youthfully radiant" in just 7 days, and after using up a full bottle, major signs of ageing such as radiance, firmness, fine lines, evenness and smoothness will appear improved.
While I have only used it for a couple of days, I have noticed already some of the effects that the serum has: it instantly moisturises the skin with a very lightweight veil of hydration, leaving it feeling softer; it soothes and diminishes redness which evens out the skin tone almost immediately after application, and makes the skin appear smoother thanks to plumping hyaluronic acid.
Prolonged use will help increase radiance thanks to the vitamin C, which can also improve collagen production, leading to diminishing of fine lines and wrinkles.
All in all, a great all-rounder serum that can be used to help prevent and also improve various age-related skin concerns. The only downside for me would be the price, as being a luxury brand it is not in the price range I would normally go for, however, it would make a nice treat for a special occasion.
Find the Lancôme Advanced Génifique Serum on Feel Unique, Look Fantastic, Lancôme and Escentual.
Have you tried this serum?
xo
You may remember I recently wrote about the current probiotic cleanser I've been using, and how I wanted to compile a list of probiotic cleansers that are readily available as my Cogérie one was one of those rare TK Maxx finds.
In general, probiotic cleansers are soothing, suitable for sensitive skin and very gentle, which makes them great for the colder months or if you are using actives in your routine. Take a look at my top 6 of probiotic cleansers to try this season:
Naturally Radiant Glow Cleansing Milk £8
With vegan coconut yogurt, this cleanser helsps reduce irritation, redness and breakouts.
Aurelia London Miracle Cleanser £22
Comes with a muslin cloth to wipe off this cocoa butter and Vitamin C enriched cleanser.
Liz Earle Pro-Biotic Balancing Milk Cleanser £18
A soothing cleanser with jojoba oil and oat extract to soothe and replenish the skin.
Elizabeth Arden Superstart Probiotic Whip to Clay Cleanser £22
A mineral rich foam with a blend of pink and green clay, this one is ideal for oily skin.
Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser £21
With amaranth extract and honeysuckle, this cleanser will reduce redness and make skin supple.
Balance Me Pre + Probiotic Cleansing Milk £20
Contains willow bark, salicylic acid and antibacterial manuka honey, making it great for breakout prone skin.
Have you tried any probiotic cleansers?
xo
*This is a sponsored post.
If you are anything like me, you might enjoy a bit of interior decorating and buying new items to make your space reflect more of your personality.
Maybe you have been looking for a new interesting website to explore what interior trends or items you could try in your own home. With that in mind, you may wish to explore the Aoin website, as they have 30 years of experience in delivering decoration, bathroom, kitchen, dining and daily home essentials directly to your door.
Speaking of home décor, you can find a selection of indoor decorative planters, of which I have shared my favourite from Aoin below:
On the left is the 3 Tier Hanging Basket Hanging Basket Organizer, which features a macramé design that uses 100% natural cotton, with 3 different sized areas, which can accommodate various sized plants, this versatile hanging basket can also be used as a fruit basket that will add a touch of boho to any kitchen or dining area.
On the right is a stone effect planter with synthetic lavender flowers, which will come in handy if you are not very apt at keeping plants alive. The soft lilac flowers will help bring the look of a spring garden to the indoors, without the need to worry about them needing any of the maintenance real plants require.
If during the last year or so you have been feeling a bit lonely as we distanced ourselves from everyone due to these uncertain times, you may have welcomed a new pet into your family to help keep you company and your spirits up. So if you fancy spoiling your new pet this Christmas you can take a look at the Aoin pet toys section.
Every dog loves to play catch, and now you don't even have to risk straining your muscles trying to throw as hard as you can with this Tennis Ball Shooter Launcher, which comes with 2 squeaky tennis balls included. And you also won't have to worry about your little companion getting cold when playing outside as you can also find Dog Outdoor Waterproof Windproof Warm Jackets at Aoin, they have a foldable fur collar, and are waterproof, windproof and even snow proof.
xo
*This is a sponsored post
With all of the time that we have had on our hands thanks to the unmentionable situation that we have been dealing with for nearly 2 years (you know what I'm talking about) some people decided it would be a great idea to find a new hobby to pass the time.
There are infinite options out there for things to try, be it dabbling into your creative side with some painting (watercolour, oil, gouache) or illustration (ink, coloured pencils or even digital), testing your skills in the kitchen with some new recipes or delicious bakes, or attempting to increase your fitness levels by commencing training on a physical activity, be it alone like running or just heading out for a walk, or sports teams if the restrictions allow - nothing like a bit of friendly competition to get things going - like a football match, tennis or badminton (where there's less of a risk of bad weather ruining your game). This is where Kameymall comes in.
Kameymall is a b2c shopping platform wihich originates in China, and even though it was only founded this year, it already has a presence in over 220 regions and countries. B2C refers to the process of selling products and services directly from a business to a consumer who is the end-user of a product or service. This creates no need for a middleman, which in turn helps provide consumers with a more reasonable price.
The Kameymall website has a wide array of categories to choose from, including Women and Men's fashion, Phones, Computers and Office, Electronics, Home Appliances, accessories like Jewellery, Watches, Shoes and Bags; Toys, Beauty, Tools, Sport and even Home Improvement.
At Kameymall you can find a vast selection of inflatable air track mat styles, all of which have variations in colour and size available. So whether you want to try dancing, gymnastics, parkour, martial arts, or even cheerleading - those pyramid formations can be dangerous if not rehearsed properly! - you can find an air track mat that suits your needs.
An air track mat can be very useful to help boost your skills, as you will be able to train without having to worry about having to wear excessive body protecting equipment thanks to the added safety of the mats, which are highly resistant to impact during training. Plus they can be used indoors and outdoors, giving you the flexibility to train wherever you like or need. They are suitable for stadiums, gymnasiums, children's play areas, pools and even to use in the comfort of your own home.
Because of the versatility of air track mats, given that you can use them for many different activities and in several areas, they would make a great investment. As they are lightweight they can be carried around to switch between areas or activities easily, and when they are not in use, they can be simply folded and stored in a cool, dry place, ready for your next training session.
There are all sorts of shapes and sizes of air track mats to be found at Kameymall, however if you are only going to be using it as a hobby you might not want to invest too much money on it. If that is the case for you I would recommend taking a look at the one in the picture below:
October was a month of many free samples!
I received a couple of full sized products, one is the Garnier BB Cream Oil Free (full review here) and the Lancome Advanced Génifique Serum, and I purchased the Bioderma Sensibio AR BB Cream for about £3 in Boots.
Some double samples I got include YSL Libre, Kiehls Retinol Serum and Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream.
Also received samples of YSL Black Opium Extreme, YSL Touche Eclat Foundation, Lancome Advanced Genefique, Valentino Voce Viva Intensa, and the benefit Bad Gal Bang! Mascara came with a magazine.
A couple of erborian samples, the Ginseng Super Serum and the Skin Hero, a sachet of the La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum and the new Garnier Cherry Lip Mask.
A few more perfume samples include Paco Rabanne One Million and Lady Million, plus YSL Y.
Last but not least, a YesStyle Haul which I got for about £6 (more details on how I managed that on this post) and included the VT Cica Spot Patches, samples of The Skin House Marine Active Cream, Purito Snail BB Cleanser, CommonLabs Triple Vita Balancing Toner, coxir Black Snail Collagen Cream and a Pyunkang Yul Highly Moisturizing Essence Mask Pack. Also received a CloverCove Chocolate Notebook as the free gift of the day and the Neogen Dermalogy Real Bakuchiol Firming Serum as my sponsored product of the month.
If you are placing a YesStyle order don't forget to use code NAV2019 for an extra discount, and you can join their influencer program to receive free products too.
xo
A couple of months ago I managed to find the Cogérie Paris Purity and Radiance Facial Cleansing Foam in my local TK Maxx store after discovering it online on the TK Maxx website.
This facial foaming cleanser is designed for all skin types and features probiotic technology to gently clean and purify the face. It also mentions that it has excellent foaming power that leaves skin perfectly cleansed, fresh and soft.
The main reason I purchased this product is because of the probiotics in the formula (in the form of yogurt filtrate and lactobacillus), having tried a couple of probiotic serums prior, which really helped improve the look of my skin.
Other ingredients that caught my eye are glycerin as the second one, rosa damascena flower water, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, panthenol, moringa oleifera seed extract, alpha glucan oligosaccharide, polymnia sonchifolia root juice, and the use of very gentle surfactants.
As you can see, this cleanser is designed to be very mild and moisturising and since converting to gentle treatments for my skin in order to avoid a damaged skin barrier, I was very interested in trying it.
The Cogérie Paris Purity and Radiance Facial Cleansing Foam comes in a bottle with a self-foaming pump, which instantly dispenses a light foam that cleanses the skin very gently. The soft foam dissolves on the skin as you massage it on, moisturising and softening the skin at it cleanses.
I really like the floral scent of the formula, and how mild it is on my skin. It also leaves it feeling very soft and does not break me out. The only thing to consider with the Cogérie Cleansing Foam is that you might need to double cleanse if your skin is very oily, but I don't mind doing that or a pre-cleanse with some micellar water.
I would definitely recommend this cleanser for all skin types, even sensitive ones, so if you happen to find it at your local TK Maxx, definitely snap it up.
Unfortunately I was unable to find the cleanser online but stay tuned for a compilation of probiotic cleansers coming very soon. (Update: you can find the list of my Top 6 Probiotic Cleansers live now!)
xo
Last Saturday we went to see Bauhaus at Alexandra Palace in London. Before this concert they had only played two dates in Mexico the previous week. This was our first concert since seeing The Strokes in 2019.
Seeing Bauhaus live was one of those things that I didn't think I would experience, as I got into Bauhaus around 16 years ago, when they weren't as active, even after they brought out a new album in 2008.
They played many of my favourites, including She's In Parties, All We Ever Wanted Was Everything, The Passion of Lovers, In The Flat Field and Terror Couple Killed Colonel.
There were 2 encores and they played a few covers: Telegram Sam and Ziggy Stardust, the song by which I discovered Bowie ♥
Before they left the stage Peter Murphy said "This is not the last show we'll ever do" so I look forward to seeing them again, even if they play nothing but all of their classics.
Below is the full setlist, with links to videos I took from some of the songs:
xo
*This is a sponsored post.
On the Waistdear website you can find a wide range of cheap shapewear, including full body shapers, seamless shapers, lifters, accessories and waist trainers in latex or neoprene, as well as sportswear like leggings, shorts, crop tops and sets.
My latest YesStyle haul included lots of free samples!
The only thing I purchased this time was the VT Cica Spot Patches, my first ever spot patches. I've tried only one so haven't got a review for them just yet, but they are very affordable and because of this purchase I received the following samples: The Skin House Marine Active Cream, Purito Snail BB Cleanser, CommonLabs Triple Vita Balancing Toner, coxir Black Snail Collagen Cream and a Pyunkang Yul Highly Moisturizing Essence Mask Pack (which happens to be my first ever sheet mask).
I was also lucky enough to receive the free gift of the day which was a CloverCove Chocolate Medium Notebook and the sponsored item which was the NEOGEN Dermalogy Real Bakuchiol Firming Serum, for which you can find my review here.
If you love trying out new skincare products then you can also join the YesStyle Influencer Program to receive a sponsored product each month!
And if you are placing an order use code NAV2019 for an extra discount ;D
xo
There has been a couple of new retinoid product releases recently, which is quite exciting as it's always nice to have more options when it comes to non-prescription retinoids.
Avon Anew Renewal Protinol Power Serum £22
With Protinol™ Technology, which gives skin a better-quality collagen boost, and niacinamide, which protects collagen and helps renew skin at the surface.
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Retinol Night Serum £75
An encapsulated Retinol formula that targets signs of ageing to promote smoother, younger-looking skin. With peptides and ceramides to avoid drying out the skin.
Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum £62
Contains Pure Retinol and Ceramides to promote surface skin cell turnover while strengthening the skin barrier function. Also uses neurosensine, a sensitivity-reducing peptide.
StriVectin Advanced Retinol Nightly Renewal Moisturizer £70
Uses two forms of vitamin A: Retinol and Retinal (or retinaldehyde), the latter being a stronger and faster acting form of retinoid, plus a patented form of Vitamin B3 to soothe the skin.
Will you be trying any of these out?
xo
You may already know that the Garnier BB Creams have been reformulated and relaunched recently, and a couple of weeks ago I was sent the new version of the Garnier BB Cream for Combination to Oily Skin to try out.
The Garnier BB Cream for Combination to Oily Skin is marketed as a perfecting care all-in-one that provides the benefits of using a moisturising cream, an SPF 25 and a foundation, and it promises to even, mattify, reduce pores and feel hydrating while offering SPF 25.
This new formulation "lets skin breathe" and contains Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera and ultra-thin Mineral Pigments. Other ingredients worth mentioning are Titanium Dioxide, Squalane, Vitamins E and C, Grapefruit Water and Perlite.
Like the original formula, it features a strong floral scent which might be overpowering for some but it doesn't bother me that much.
When it comes to its claims I find that it definitely evens out the skin tone and reduces the look of pores and some texture, while leaving a natural matte finish on the skin. It doesn't dry my skin out and I like that it provides higher protection than my usual SPF 15 day lotion.
Would I change anything about it? Maybe reducing the strength of the fragrance, using an airless pump tube for easier dispensing and introducing more shades would be nice as I found the Light one a bit dark for my skin.
Find the Gariner BB Cream for Combination to Oily Skin in Look Fantastic and Feel Unique.
Have you tried the new formulations of the Garnier BB Creams?
xo
As we are fast approaching Christmas it might be a good idea to start thinking about the gifts you are planning on giving. Here's where Trendhim comes in - they are an online shopping destination that specialises in men's accessories. Established in 2007 and with 13 unique house brands, you are sure to find the perfect accessory to complement any outfit.
Trendhim were kind enough to send me a pair of their Salt & Hide belts in Walnut Brown and Treacle Black. Made using 100% Italian leather and nickel free zinc alloy buckles, the Salt & Hide belts are well made, stylish and great quality. The belts come in reusable canvas pouches and would make an amazing gift for Christmas or any occasion!
xo