30.9.21

GIVEAWAY! Win a New Outfit with YesStyle

Win a New Outfit with YesStyle

Win this full outfit from YesStyle!

To enter you must:

1. Follow me and YesStyle on Instagram
2. Comment "done" on this post.

And that's it!

Get extra money off your YesStyle order with code NAV2019.

YesStyle will pick 5 winners from the #MyYesStyleFit (+1 follower of each winner) and issue the prize in the form of a coupon. Full T&C on YesStyle's post.

xo

28.9.21

The Inkey List Retinol

The Inkey List Retinol

Since receiving the Inkey List Retinol Serum as a gift, I'd been using it on and of, or not very frequently to see any changes, but recently I've been using it more consistently and have noticed some improvement to my skin.

The Inkey List Retinol is designed for ages 25+ and to help to reduce wrinkles. Formulated with 1% Retistar (a stabilised retinol compound) and 0.5% Granactive Retinoid in a slow release formula to avoid irritation, plus Squalane to help hydrate and protect the skin.

Other ingredients worth mentioning are brightening Sodium Ascorbate, two forms of soothing vitamin E, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 which work as anti-inflammatory and collagen boosting peptides, respectively. 

At first I was scared of it drying out my skin as I've used pure retinoic acid before however this didn't cause any of the extreme dryness and peeling that retinoic acid did. As I got more comfortable using it I began alternating it with glycolic acid and my skin got extremely dry so I stopped using either product.

Fast forward to a month later and I finally started using the Inkey List Retinol almost nightly. I have noticed that my skin feels very smooth in the morning (when I've used it the previous night) and it also has helped reduce some hyperpigmentation, both from breakouts and stubborn sun damage, which is great. 

In terms of pores and texture, there seems to be some improvement as well, however I don't really have any reference pictures from before using it so unfortunately I can't compare. 

The only thing I don't love about the Inkey List Retinol is the packaging, as the serum is quite runny and trying to put the cap on the tube to close it becomes tricky as I try not to let the serum run down my finger and drip on the floor. I had to keep the tube stored upside down until near the end to avoid this. A pump bottle would work so much better for this serum.

If you are new to retinoids and are looking for an affordable retinol serum that won't cause peeling or irritation then I would definitely recommend giving the Inkey List Retinol a try.

Find the Inkey List Retinol at Cult Beauty, Feel Unique and Look Fantastic.

Have you tried this serum?

xo

21.9.21

Vitamin C Invigorating Skin Booster

Vitamin C Invigorating Skin Booster

This is actually my very first vitamin C serum. It is one of those ingredients that everybody was talking about but I didn't see it as a necessary step in my routine. Last year I got it as a gift on my birthday and have slowly but surely been using it up and applying it during my morning routine. 

This Vitamin C serum from Superdrug claims to "detoxify" the skin, and leave it brighter and softer. It is infused with vitamin C and Kakadu Plum & Goji Berry extracts (Kakadu Plum has the highest known ‭concentration of Vitamin C of any food on the planet and ‭Goji Berry is known to induce calm, ‭wellbeing and energy).

There isn't that much information about this serum on the packaging or the website but it is common knowledge that Vitamin C can help brighten the skin, fade hyperpigmentation and increase collagen production.

While this serum only uses the vitamin C derivative Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate at a concentration of 1%, I did notice it helped fade some hyperpigmentation from both breakouts and sun damage. The effect was more visible on the more recent pigmentation though. 

The product also mentions that it leaves skin softer and it is definitely noticeable at the end of the day when I wash my face and feel my skin being softer. The serum is also lightly moisturising thanks to the glycerin in the formula, however it does not feel heavy or sticky on the skin.

Vitamin C serums can be irritating in some cases, but as this product uses a derivative instead of pure vitamin C it is more gentle and I believe it would be suitable for more sensitive skin types. 

The Vitamin C Invigorating Skin Booster is very affordable, costing only £4.99 at Superdrug so it is a great option if you are looking to start using a vitamin C serum.

I would definitely recommend the Vitamin C Invigorating Skin Booster if you are looking for a gentle brightening serum that won't break the bank.

Find the Vitamin C Invigorating Skin Booster at Superdrug.

xo

16.9.21

Benton Snail Bee Ultimate Eye Cream

Benton Snail Bee Ultimate Eye Cream

A couple of weeks ago I received the Benton Snail Bee Ultimate Eye Cream, which is a multitasking eye cream enriched with Saccharomyces/Snail Secretion Ferment Filtrate, Peptides and Bee Venom to smoothen and vitalise the eye area. 

The first thing to notice about this eye cream is the size of the tube, you get 30g which is double what you usually get for an eye cream, so it makes it better value for money.

As well as the ingredients mentioned earlier, it also contains Lactobacillus/Collagen Ferment Filtrate, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Olive Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, 5 types of Hyaluronic Acid, Bifida Ferment Lysate, various plant extracts including Elm, Willow and Aloe; Beta Glucan, Panthenol, several Amino Acids, Ceramide NP and vitamin E.

The Benton Snail Bee Ultimate Eye Cream is packed with many beneficial ingredients that will help moisturise, soothe and plump the skin, as well as improve lines and texture over time with Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (aka Argireline) and Copper Tripeptide-1.

This eye cream has a light to medium texture that feels velvety when applied onto the skin. It helps diminish the look of fine lines instantly thanks to its hydrating properties. It is not sticky or pore clogging and it wears well under other products.

Because of the size of the product I have not only been using it on the eye area but also on the areas above my eyebrows and nasolabial folds.

I have been really enjoying the Benton Snail Bee Ultimate Eye Cream and am looking forward to seeing what the long term effects of this product are. 

If you are looking for a nourishing but light eye cream with multiple benefits such as moisturising, plumping and line reducing, that is also good value for money I would definitely recommend trying the Benton Snail Bee Ultimate Eye Cream.

Find the Benton Snail Bee Ultimate Eye Cream on YesStyle and use code NAV19 for money off your order!

xo

14.9.21

Alien Goddess Eau De Parfum

Alien Goddess Eau De Parfum

Another perfume sample I recently received is Alien Goddess by Mugler, which is the newest addition to the Alien feminine fragrance family. 

Alien Goddess is a Floral, Oriental, Woody Eau de Parfum, which consists of "3 olfactory revelations":

  • Radiant Revelation: a top note of sparkling Italian Bergamot essence.
  • Miraculous Revelation: middle notes of Jasmine Grandiflorum, an intense solar flower.
  • Mindful Revelation: base notes of warmth-evoking Bourbon Vanilla.

Upon first application of Alien Goddess I perceive very faint citrus with a stronger note of coconut, which quickly evolves into a light floral mix which includes jasmine and heliotrope, before finally settling on the skin as a warm vanilla base.

While I like the overall scent of this fragrance, I find that it does not last very long on the skin and once a couple of hours have passed it is barely perceptible (which I find quite disappointing for a premium fragrance), leaving only a hint of dry vanilla and mostly musky cashmeran wood, which I'm not the biggest fan of. 

Alien Goddess would make a nice summer fragrance, especially on more hot or humid climates because of the tropical notes, as well as the lightness which will prevent it from becoming overpowering.

Find Alien Goddess at Feel Unique and Look Fantastic.

xo


9.9.21

All Used Up #11

All Used Up #11

Welcome to another instalment of the All Used Up series! This time it is an all skincare exclusive post:

Naturally Radiant 5% Glycolic Tonic: this exfoliant mentions that it can be used daily in the morning and evening, which is too much and unnecessary. Only a couple of times a week is more than enough (I learned the hard way). It leaves skin smoother and softer, will probably purchase a full sized bottle.

The Body Shop Strawberry Smoothing Face Mist: I really enjoyed the fruity scent of this face mist. It contains blueberry, strawberry, sugar cane, orange, lemon, maple and guava extracts to exfoliate and brighten the skin, so a great option if you are looking to start using chemical exfoliants.

Garnier Organic Lemongrass Detox Gel Wash: a nice non-drying cleanser for combination skin types. It contains glycerin and mild surfactants however it is fragranced with lemongrass essential oil. I would probably repurchase however I have a couple cleansers I'm excited to try now!

Simple Kind to Skin Protecting Moisture Cream SPF 30: a great moisturising cream with chemical and mineral UV filters, plus glycerin, niacinamide, almond oil, vitamin E, allantoin, lactic acid, serine and urea. It evens out the skin and smoothes texture while reducing shine. It unfortunately was discontinued so will be trying its replacement very soon.

SNP mini Moisture Petal Toner: a hydrating toner that leaves skin super soft and supple, while moisturising. Great as a first step after cleansing for light moisture, also ideal for traveling because of the size and packaging. Will probably repurchase.

SNP mini Eye & Facial Nourishing Cream: a lightweight multi-use moisturiser that is great value for money even if used not only as an eye cream. Leaves skin soft and contains many great ingredients including peptides. Will probably repurchase too. Full review here.

Naturally Radiant Glow Prebiotic Booster: a serum that calms the skin and helps reduce breakouts without drying out the skin. I did find this product to be effective and a gentle way to prevent breakouts so will probably repurchase it as well (even though it's gone up in price since I bought it back in March). Full review here.

Have you tried any of these products?

xo

7.9.21

b. Makeup Brush Cleaner

b. Makeup Brush Cleaner

As part of the B. Vegan Gift Box I received for Christmas a couple of years ago, I got the b. Makeup Brush Cleaner, which is meant to clean and condition all types of makeup brushes. 

The antibacterial formula also disinfects as it cleans the brushes, while being gentle enough for everyday use on both natural and synthetic brushes.

It is very easy to use, you only need to spray 2 - 3 pumps directly onto the brush hairs then rub it onto a tissue to clean and sanitise the brush. Alternatively it can be used to just disinfect the brush if you only spray the brush without wiping the product off.

The formula contains alcohol denat to disinfect, while glycerin, panthenol and hydrolysed proteins of soy, corn and wheat leave brush bristles soft to the touch.

I would definitely recommend the b. Makeup Brush Cleaner as it can remove product build up from brushes in between washes while disinfecting them, which is ideal if you have acne prone skin like me. 

This cleaner will be very handy as I am running out of my denat alcohol which I normally use to sanitise my makeup and brushes (which I get in Mexico but haven't been able to go back in over 2 years and for some reason is not sold in the UK!).

You can find the b. Makeup Brush Cleaner in store in Superdrug, or get it as part of the B. Vegan Gift Box. There is also a smaller can version of this brush cleaner, as well as an Antibacterial Makeup Brush Shampoo.

xo

2.9.21

A $8 YesStyle Skincare Haul

A $8 YesStyle Skincare Haul

A couple of weeks ago I placed my 3rd YesStyle order and managed to get everything you see in the picture for less than $10, including delivery.

The only thing I actually purchased was the Benton Deep Green Tea Lotion MINI, which was on offer at $5.15, but I had 492 YS Points which paid for the product almost in full.

When I placed my order, with any Benton purchase you could get a free 30ml Benton Snail Bee High Content Skin MINI, worth $6.44. 

That day YesStyle were giving away a Skin 1004 Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule 30ml so I added it to my order at no cost. 

As I am on the YesStyle Influencer Program I was able to claim a full size Benton Snail Bee Ultimate Eye Cream (worth $24.84) which I've just started using yesterday so expect a review coming soon (!)

Last but not least, they have been giving out free samples with orders recently and when I placed my order I was sent a pack of the COSRX Propolis Toner, Ampoule and Cream, as well as a Skin 1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Sleeping Pack.

If you place an order on YesStyle use code NAV2019 for extra money off ;)

Have you purchased any skincare goodies recently?

xo