Office Shoes Haul

In my latest New In post I mentioned that I purchased a couple of pairs of shoes from Office and now it is time for the big reveal.

On Christmas Day I bought a pair of brown boots from Hotter and not long after on the Office website I found the Approval Low Square Toe Boots in Dark Tan Leather and fell in love with their retro look. 

As I fancied a change from pointed shoes (and to qualify for free delivery at the same time) I also got a pair of blush coloured Forefront Soft Unlined Ballet Pumps in Soft Nude Leather. I really like how they cover the whole toe area plus they will go with everything this spring and summer.

xo

The Simpsons x Revolution Makeup

Revolution Beauty is known for its interesting collaborations with all sorts of people and brands and this time it is no exception. 

One of the latest Revolution Beauty collaborations is with The Simpsons, which is actually their second collaboration after a Halloween themed one. This time the collection is called Summer of Love and features retro inspired shapes in vivid colours on the packaging.

Within this new The Simpsons Summer of Love collection there is a set of brushes, 3 shades of tinted lip balms, a setting spray, 2 eyeshadow palettes, a makeup bag, 2 highlighters, a liquid blush and a liquid bronzer; plus 2 different sets. My favourite items are pictured above, including the Lisa Eyeshadow Palette, Makeup Bag, Tinted Lip Balm and Cream Blush.

Find The Simpsons Summer of Love x Revolution Beauty online.

Will you be purchasing any pieces form this collaboration? 

xo

There's a Starman waiting in the sky

H&M Coat // Osprey London Bag // H&M Scarf // Clarks Boots

(Similar: Longline Coat, Black Leather Tote Bag, Cashmere Scarf, Chelsea Boots)

Because of earlier discouragement from not seeing a lot of results relating to my dedication on posting on my Instagram, I have not been uploading on there as much but there's a renewed excitement that has taken over me as of late so might start posting more frequently again.

From the same "photoshoot" as my most recent Instagram picture is another one of me next to the great Starman, who I wish would come back down to Earth.

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram so you don't miss out on the action.

xo

Estrid Steel Razor

Last month the team at Estrid reached out to me and kindly sent me a Starter Kit as a gift to try out. 

Estrid is described as a "fairly priced, cruelty-free, vegan, high-quality steel razor." Using cocoa butter, shea butter and jojoba oil for the moisturising strip, they avoid using animal derived ingredients, their packaging is completely recyclable, and their Starter Kits are priced at just £7.95.

A newly(ish) confessed fan of all things pink, I chose my Starter Kit in the shade Bloom, which contains a steel handle, holder and 2 razor blades. 

I really liked the packaging design and branding, plus the set also included stickers!

The handle is quite heavy, which surprised me at first as you can't tell it is made out of steel from just looking at it. The razor has 5 blades which help achieve a smooth shave in less time and passes, and the moisturising strip leaves skin feeling soft. 

Available in 6 cute shades, the Estrid Starter Kit is a great option to try if you are looking for affordable, high quality razors. Replacement blades are £9.95 for 4, and they always have free delivery.

xo

Neogen V.Biome Advanced Eye Cream

As part of the YesStyle Influencer Program I received the Neogen V.Biome Advanced Eye Cream as a sponsored product with my last order. 

The Neogen V.Biome Advanced Eye Cream is formulated to give the eye area a youthful appearance thanks to the 10% V.Biome Liposome™ + 10 types of peptides, which help improve elasticity and reduce wrinkles. This eye cream also contains 5% Niacinamide to brighten and Panthenol to soothe the delicate eye area. 

Other notable ingredients include Mallow Flower Extract, Chamomile Flower Oil, Adenosine, Vitamin C, Bitter Orange Flower Extract, Ceramides, Probiotics and Hyaluronic Acid.

It is a bit early to comment on results from the product but I will report back once I have finished the full tube, which because of the generous 35ml size can also be used on other areas on the face that are also prone to wrinkles to improve the look of them.

Have you tried the NEOGEN Dermalogy V.Biome Advanced Eye Cream?

Don't forget to use code NAV2019 on your next YesStyle order for an extra discount!

xo

Lush New Candle Collection

Due to the success of the Lush limited edition Snow Fairy candle in 2021, 3 of their best selling fragrances have been turned into candles and added to their permanent collection of products. 

Available in Orange Blossom, The Olive Branch and Sleepy fragrances, the new candles have a burn time of 12 - 15 hours approximately and come in a luxurious frosted glass jar. 

The candle base is comprised of rapeseed wax, coconut oil, coconut wax, and castor wax while being palm, paraffin, soy-free, and vegan.

I was kindly sent one of their new candles to try and I chose the Orange Blossom, which contains 3 floral and citrus oils including Bergamot, Neroli and Orange flower absolute, plus a touch of warming sandalwood for an uplifting fragrance. 

You can read more about the new candle collection here.

xo

All Used Up #14

Welcome to the newest instalment of the All Used Up series! 

This time we have 3 facial products and 3 hair and body products that I've managed to finish since the last time.

Dove Nourishing Secrets Invigorating Ritual Body Wash: this cleanser contains avocado oil and calendula extract and claims to make you feel revitalised. While I don't recall feeling that way after using it, I did really enjoy the scent of this moisturising body wash. I experienced no itching or dryness to my skin so would use it again.

Sanex Sensitive Shower Cream: with 0% sulphates, this gentle shower cream uses a prebiotic complex to soothe the skin and strengthen the skin barrier. It contains Glycerin as the second ingredient, plus Lactic Acid, Zinc and Whey Protein. It has a bit of a sour smell at times but it prevents my skin itching when I shower and have already repurchased!

Dove Nourishing Secrets Soothing Summer Ritual Conditioner: this hair conditioner is infused with aloe vera and rose water. Got it mainly because it mentions it is inspired by the rituals of Mexican women. It is a good hair conditioner however, the smell was just not for me - I expected a nice rose scent but it was more of a plant smell which I did not enjoy at all and would not repurchase because of that. 

haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner*: designed to deliver intense moisture and hydration to the skin, and formulated with 2,000ppm Black Rice Extract which is an antioxidant to prevent ageing signs. It is indeed very hydrating, easy to use and helps absorption of the following products. Would have it again!

Benton Snail Bee Ultimate Eye Cream*: very lightweight gel-cream consistency that gently hydrates the eye area. It can also be used on the face and it is a generous 30g size, so good value for money. Full of great ingredients such as probiotics, niacinamide, amino acids, ceramides and peptides (including Copper Tripeptide-1).  I believe it has even helped my lashes grow longer and they seem more dense too. Would also use this again.

Nivea Naturally Good Regenerating Night Cream: designed to help skin regenerate during the night and leave skin feeling supple the next morning, it contains Argan, Almond, Jojoba and Sunflower Oils, as well as Shea Butter and Vitamin E. The ingredients aren't bad however it seems to have been updated and it just doesn't feel as light or absorb easily anymore and for that reason I will not be repurchasing it.

Have you tried any of these products?

xo

Clarins Double Serum Eye

As part of a Clarins sampling campaign I received a pack with 3 samples of their new Double Serum Eye, which is described as a Global Age Control Concentrate. 

Just like their original Double Serum for face, the Eye version contains 2 formulas contained in different chambers to separate the hydric and lipidic parts of the formula.

The Clarins Double Serum Eye is an anti ageing serum that is designed to nourish, smooth, firm and brighten the eye area. thanks to 13 plant extracts, including organic wild chervil extract, turmeric, organic leaf of life, organic kiwi, organic oat sugars and organic white horehound.

To use the gel-cream formula you need to dispense a small amount onto the hand and mix together the 2 phases using your fingers to then apply the product over the eye area, including eye lids. I like the creamy texture as it was moisturising but didn't feel greasy or ended up migrating into my eyes.

After 7 days, the Clarins Double Serum Eye promises to intensely nourish, smooth, firm, depuff and reduce dark circles. 

Having used this serum for over 7 days I can confirm that it is very nourishing and makes the eye area feel moisturised and comfortable, which also helps reduce the look of dehydration lines, thus making the skin appear smoother. It may also have helped reduce some puffiness and the look of dark circles - though mine aren't severe, even after not sleeping very well my eyes don't look too tired.

With 4 weeks of continued use it claims to help achieve smoother, revitalised, firmer and even skin, however I haven't been able to use the serum for that long to comment on such effects. 

All in all, a nice serum to use if you need to nourish the skin around the eyes and reduce dark circles. 

Find the Clarins Double Serum Eye at Feel Unique and Clarins. 

xo 

New in: March 2022

Didn't get a lot of stuff last month, but here is my March 2022 haul:

After getting into Tarot, I decided to buy a couple of Oracle card decks, including Botanical Inspirations and Magical Unicorns. 

I won a competition on Instagram and won a copy of indie Moonsea Magazine, also received a sample of the new Mac Stack Mascara, and was sent a 3 month course of Viviscal to test and review.

From Office I bought a couple of pairs of shoes which will be revealed soon (if you follow me on Instagram you would have seen them already on my stories)

Last but not least, a YesStyle Haul (not pictured), which you can see in detail here.

Did you get anything nice last month?

xo

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Neon Eau De Parfum

A few weeks back I received a sample of the new Juicy Couture fragrance, Viva La Juicy Neon Eau De Parfum. Described as a scent that lights up the room, it features the following accords:

• Top notes: Pink Grapefruit, Lemon Primofiore and Raspberry
• Middle notes: Orange Blossom, Gardenia Brazil NaturePrint and Jasmine Sambac Absolute
• Base notes: Captive Musk, Tonka and Luminous Woods

The most noticeable notes for me are Pink Grapefruit and Orange Blossom. It is definitely an enjoyable citrus scent however I find that the Neon name might not be the best suited to it, as it suggests an electrifying, bright and sharp perfume and personally find the Viva La Juicy Neon Eau De Parfum to be more of a warm sweet scent, and would imagine it best suited to young adults and worn on a cosy summer evening or autumn afternoon.

The Viva La Juicy Neon Eau De Parfum is a beautiful and subtle fruity floral scent, which I would recommend if you like a warm, citrus and sweet fragrance. 

Find the Viva La Juicy Neon Eau De Parfum at Feel Unique.

Have you tried this perfume? 

xo

YesStyle Haul 07

Welcome to yet another skincare haul from YesStyle! Everything you see in the picture above was free ;D

The haul could have been bigger but I experienced some minor inconveniences that I managed to resolve. So in my latest shipment I received: 

Haruharu WONDER x PHANTACi Set: it contains the Serum, Toner, Cream and Oil from the Black Rice line, and a Black Bamboo Mist, all in travel sizes, plus a beautifully designed case, information card and stickers. 

Cheermo Faceted Ear Cuff: nice little accessory. It was the free gift of the day.

TROIAREUKE ACSEN Recovery Cream: enriched with  salicylic acid plus centella, marigold and portulaca extracts, it helps aid recovery for acne prone skin.

iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Eye Cream: contains 40% propolis, plus seabuckthorn, niacinamide, probiotics, peptides and soothing camomile, rosemary and licorice extracts. 

I won the haruharu Set and Troiareuke Cream in a couple of giveaways though almost missed out on the first item as I was waiting to claim it along the sponsored product of the month but they weren't updating their page and my link expired, however they did honour it in the end, which is amazing!

Sadly there was no sponsored product this time, but I'm waiting on a new delivery which will have one, so stay tuned for the YesStyle Haul 08 which is coming very soon!

Join the YesStyle Influencer Program to receive a free product each month and use code NAV2019 for money off your next order.

xo

Hask Keratin Protein 5 in 1 Leave-In Spray

Last year I got the Hask Keratin Protein 5 in 1 Leave-In Spray as I like to use a leave in product after washing as part of my haircare routine. 

The Hask Keratin Protein 5 in 1 Leave-In Spray is designed to smooth and protect, while providing the following benefits: 

1. Smooth and control frizz
2. Provide thermal protection
3. Hydrate and soften
4. Detangle to prevent breakage
5. Boost shine

The Hask Keratin Protein 5 in 1 Leave-In Spray is very lightweight and has a sweet fragrance reminiscent of strawberry jelly, which I like. It is easy to use, just shake and spritz all over the hair avoiding the roots. 

It does make my hair feel very soft and smooth, helps detangle and adds shine. After washing my hair tends to get very frizzy and it only settles down until the next day, so regarding frizz control I don't really see much improvement, especially if I only rough dry my hair or leave it to dry naturally. The following day however, it is much smoother. 

What I also like about the Hask Keratin Protein 5 in 1 Leave-In Spray is that it has 3 types of Keratin, and they are all listed very high in the ingredients list, so they make up an important part of the product. And while it also contains oils (albeit Jojoba and Sesame ones) it does not make hair greasy at all so it is great for straight hair, and even fine or thin hair as it won't weigh it down.

In case you are interested, here is the ingredient list:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Keratin, Hydrolyzed keratin, Keratin amino acids, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, Sesamum indicum (sesame) seed oil, Cetrimonium chloride, PPG-3 myristyl ether, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Silicone quaternium-22, Citric acid, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Benzoic acid, Sodium benzoate, Sodium hydroxide, Dehydroacetic acid, Parfum/Fragrance, Hexyl cinnamal

I would definitely recommend the Hask Keratin Protein 5 in 1 Leave-In Spray if you are looking for a lightweight leave in conditioner that smells nice, boosts shine and leaves hair soft while protecting from heat styling tools. 

Find the Hask Keratin Protein 5 in 1 Leave-In Spray in Tesco, Notino and Ulta

xo

Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules

Some time ago I received a sample of the Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules, which included 7 capsules of their Hydra-Plumping Serum that claims to visibly plump, firm and hydrate the skin using various sizes of hyaluronic acid to draw in moisture and ceramides to lock it in. 

When used daily, the Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules promise to "help redefine facial contours, hydrate and reclaim skin's youthful bounce".

The biodegradable capsules are relatively easy to use, just twist the tip to open then press and apply the product over the skin. I did find that when trying to open the capsules, as you need to hold firmly on to it while twisting, some product may rush out, making application a bit messy. Also found that one capsule would be enough for at least 2 uses, as when I tried to use even just half of one, my skin would feel a bit greasy and it was hard to apply any moisturiser over the top. 

The first ingredient in the Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules is silicone, to give it a silky feel and seal in moisture. It also contains Ceramides, 2 types of Hyaluronic acid, Lactic Acid, firming Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, and a variety of nourishing oils, including Sunflower Seed, Olive, Avocado and Castor. 

All in all, it is a very nourishing formula that would be great for dry and mature skin types or to apply after using any actives that may be drying (such as retinoids or acids). However, even though I did like the product, my skin is on the oilier side, so I don't think I will be purchasing it (in the near future, at least). 

Find the Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules at Look Fantastic and Feel Unique.

Have you tried this product?

xo

Ghost Orb Of Night Eau De Parfum

A while back I received a sample of the newest addition to the Ghost fragrance family: the Orb of Night Eau De Parfum. 

The Ghost Orb Of Night EDP is described as a woody floriental eau de parfum and features the following notes:  

• Top Notes: Cherry, Almond, Mandarin and Bergamot
• Heart Notes: Orange Blossom, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine and Freesia
• Base Notes: Caramel, Sandalwood and White Musk.

After applying, the most noticeable note for me is the Almond one, and after a while I am able to perceive more of the sweet Cherry note, until finally it settles into a warm Caramel note. 

While the floral notes are quite subtle, or at least I wasn't able to perceive them as strongly as the other notes mentioned above, I still enjoy this fragrance and would definitely purchase the full size Ghost Orb Of Night Eau De Parfum, especially as it is more affordable than many other perfumes currently on the market. 

I would recommend the Ghost Orb Of Night Eau De Parfum if you are looking for a warm, sweet and subtle fragrance that is also affordable (RRP £27 for 30ml, £38 for 50ml and £48 for 75ml).

Find Ghost Orb Of Night Eau De Parfum on Beauty Bay and Escentual (currently on offer and with a free gift).

xo

Sleeping Beauty: Products to Help Improve Sleep

Many of us have problems falling asleep at night or waking up feeling rested and ready to start a new day (and if you don't, tell me your secret!) which is why I have compiled this guide of products that can help you fall asleep at night and also improve the quality of time spent in the wonderful land of nod.

Better You Magnesium Sleep Body Lotion*: this moisturiser contains Magnesium Chloride which is a natural muscle relaxant, plus essential oils of Lavender and Chamomile for a relaxing effect. I find that when I use this body lotion I have a more restful sleep and don't wake up during the night.

Lush Twilight Sleepy Body Spray*: this sweetly scented mist contains essential oils of Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Benzoin and Tonka. I spray it in the room at night as part of my routine to help signal to myself that it is bedtime. This spray can also be used on the body, clothes, pillow and bedding however I find it a bit too strong for that.

Avon Naturals Dreamy Scented Spritz: this Lavender & Chamomile body mist promises an instant freshness effect and can also be used as a room spray for a mild and soothing fragrance. If you don't enjoy sweet scents you may prefer this one, which features mainly a chamomile scent with a more subtle lavender note.

John Frieda Overnight Miracles Hair Lotion*: this product is designed to erase 64% of surface damage while nourishing and smoothing split ends. This repairing lotion has a light texture that leaves hair soft and features a calming Lavender and Sandalwood fragrance. Full review here.

Lush Joints Massage Bar*: this CBD infused solid lotion contains nourishing organic Shea and Cocoa Butters, plus Patchouli and Sandalwood essential oils to help wind down and relax. Also features 25mg of CBD to further soothe and reduce any aching. 

Have you tried any of these products?

xo

5 YesStyle Products to Try This Spring

With spring in full swing, it is time to update our skincare routines with lighter products that will gently nourish and protect the skin barrier, without feeling heavy as the weather gets warmer: 

Dr. Ceuracle Kombucha Tea Essence - with green tea to balance skin oil and moisture levels.

PURITO Centella Unscented Serum - with niacinamide and centella to soothe the skin.

SOME BY MI Propolis B5 Serum - soothing and gentle care for breakout-prone skin.

TONYMOLY Watery Mist - refresh skin with green tea and rebalancing probiotics.

Farm Stay Dermacube Probiotics Toner - a gentle exfoliat to reduce lines and breakouts.

Will you be trying out any of these products?

xo

Sheepskin & Leather

Vintage Richard Draper Coat // Levi's Jeans // H&M Jumper // Clarks Boots // Osprey Bag

(Similar: Sheepskin Coat // Mohair Jumper // Chelsea Boots, Tan Croc Bag)

Even though it's already spring, it hasn't been that warm yet (it actually snowed today, though I missed it as I was in the shower ha!). So here is a more wintry outfit from a couple of weeks ago, wearing my first thrifted coat ever: a super warm, genuine suede and sheepskin coat which was an absolute bargain from Vinted. 

xo

Dupe of the Day: La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum

You know how I am a big fan of affordable skincare, so today I am bringing you a dupe for a popular Vitamin C serum.  

The La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C 10 Serum contains, as the name suggests, 10% Vitamin C in the form of Ascorbic Acid. It also contains salicylic acid to help further brighten while exfoliating, plus neurosensine, which is a soothing peptide to prevent irritation from the active ingredients. 

The Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Serum contains a more stable 3.5% vitamin C derivative in the form of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, plus a couple of brightening citrus extracts. It also includes salicylic acid, just like the LRP version, however instead of neurosensine it uses Niacinamide, know for its soothing and brightening properties.

Both products are owned by L'Oréal but one retails for £38 and the other £12, which is  less than 1/3 of the La Roche-Posay one.

Have you tried any of these serums?

xo

Top 3 Skincare Trend Predictions

After a couple of years going hardcore on high strength active ingredients and over exfoliating which damaged many skin barriers (including mine), the future of skincare is looking less harsh and much more soothing, so here are my top 3 Skincare Trend Predictions for the foreseeable future:

1. Ceramides: after all that exfoliating we need to bring back nourishment to the skin.

2. Probiotics: a gentle and non-drying way of dealing with breakouts is balancing the microbiome.

3. Low strength active ingredients: prepare to see lower percentages of actives and kinder exfoliants such as PHA everywhere!

If you are looking to try out any of these trends (which I'm loving!), then here are a couple of products that are also on my wishlist:

Naturally Radiant Glow Facial Tonic: with probiotics plus Gluconolactone to gently exfoliate.

BYOMA Clarifying Serum: with ceramides and PHA to prevent breakouts without drying. 

Vichy Normaderm Probio-BHA Serum: contains probiotics and a 5% combination of AHA and BHA.

Me+ Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser: with ceramides and niacinamide to avoid drying the skin out.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Fluide: this new formula now has soothing probiotics. 

Will you be trying out any of these ingredients?

xo

Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum

Near the end of January I was kindly sent the new Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum, which is the newest release by Lancôme and is designed in a triple chamber bottle to maintain each formula fresh until application.

The components of the Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum are Hyaluronic acid to help plump the skin, Vitamin C + Niacinamide to brighten and reduce pigmentation; and Ferulic Acid, an antioxidant to reduce free radical damage.

After having tried this serum for 8 weeks (using it morning and night during the first 4) I feel confident enough to write about it. 

The main benefits mentioned on the Lancôme website are that skin feels and looks firmer, plus the look of wrinkles and dark spots appear reduced.

While I don't suffer from deep wrinkles or lack of firmness to my skin, I do have some pigmentation, including a dark spot and did notice that it was reduced. It does help moisturise the skin and leaves it feeling very soft, which I liked. It also helped improved the look of texture on my skin and reduced redness significantly. However, these last two effects were not permanent and continuous use is needed to maintain them. 

What I didn't love about the Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum was that it is strongly scented, although I got used with time but this might be off-putting for some. Also the packaging is plastic, which is disappointing considering the price of the serum and that the Genifique ones from the same brand come in glass bottles. 

While the bottle is designed to maintain the freshness of the formula, I felt that having to mix it myself using my fingers might not be as efficacious as a formula that comes already integrated, which could lead to patchy application of active ingredients in some areas. 

All in all, it is a good serum that can help improve the look of texture, redness and pigmentation. While I do feel like there are many alternatives out there that won't break the bank, if you are looking to treat yourself or a special someone then this would be an option to consider.

Find the Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum with 25% off at Look Fantastic.

xo

Video: YesStyle Haul 06

You can now watch a new mini haul video with my latest YesStyle buys:

Jumiso Patches ❤ Laka Lip Balm ❤ Soon+ Skincare ❤ Etude Centella Set ❤ Gudetama Eraser ❤ Note Pad

Everything you see in this video was free (including delivery) using points, free gift of the day, a giveaway win and sponsored product of the month.

If you would like to receive a free sponsored product from YesStyle every month, join their Influencer Program. 

And remember to use code NAV2019 on your next order for an extra discount!

xo

Me+ Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser

A couple of months ago I purchased the Me+ Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser, motivated by the dry and tight skin feeling I have been experiencing as of late.

The Me+ Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser contains Niacinamide and Ceramides and is designed to gently cleanse while hydrating the skin, leaving it smoother and softer. It is suitable for normal to dry skin, and can be used daily on face and body.

This cleanser is very easy to use, just dispense a small amount and massage it onto wet skin, then rinse off with warm water. The Me+ Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser does not lather but after rinsing my skin does feel clean and soft; it has a cream consistency and is perfume free, however the smell of it reminded me of ballpoint pen ink when I first started using it.

As you only need a small amount it will last a really long time - I've been using it for nearly 2 months, morning and night and have only used less than 1/3 of the product.

I would definitely recommend the Me+ Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser if you are looking for a non-foaming cleanser with ceramides that won't dry skin out and is also affordable.

Find the Me+ Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser at Superdrug.

Have you tried this cleanser?

xo

New in: February 2022

We are already on the third month of the year and it feels like it was Christmas just a few weeks ago!

Last month I received a couple of serums including the La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 and Vichy Mineral 89. From The Works I bought The Magic of Tarot, and from TKMaxx I got the Bellapierre Best in Complexion Kit. My in-laws kindly gifted me a new pair of Disney pjs.

There was also a couple of samples that I got last month: the CeraVe Moisturising Cream, Clinique Serum Foundation, Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Neon perfume, and 2 mini Lancôme Advanced Genifique Serums.

In February I also got spoiled by Dotcito on Valentines Day; received a couple of John Frieda products;  was lucky enough to win not one, but two giveaways: one by Beauty Kick and one by YesStyle Influencers which I will share soon.

And last but not least, I placed a new order on YesStyle (which just arrived yesterday) but includes another item I won in a another giveaway!

Did you get anything nice last month?

xo

Dupe of the Day: SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Cleanser

I have been thinking about featuring a new section on the blog where I share dupes for popular or higher end skincare products. I do love a bargain and believe that most of the time it's not necessary to spend a lot of money for a product that will achieve results as good as an expensive one.

Recently I was made aware that a new L'Oréal product has pretty much the same ingredients as the SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Cleanser.

L'Oréal Paris recently launched a glycolic acid range, including a 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleanser, which has an almost identical formula to the SkinCeuticals version:

L’Oreal Paris 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleanser 
Aqua / Water, Coco-betaine, Propylene Glycol, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Triethanolamine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Disteareth-100 Ipdi, Parfum / Fragrance, Salicylic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Menthol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Disodium Edta, Linalool, Steareth-100, Citronellol, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate (f.i.l. C274108/1).

Blemish + Age Cleanser
Aqua/Water, Coco-Betaine, Propylene Glycol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Triethanolamine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Disteareth-100 IPDI, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Menthol, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Steareth-100, FIL D42553/1

The main difference seems to be that the L'Oréal Paris cleanser contains Aloe Leaf Juice and the SkinCeuticals one has no perfume and uses parabens as preservatives.

Find Blemish + Age Cleanser at SkinCeuticals, and the L’Oreal Paris Resurfacing Gel Wash at Feel Unique. 

What do you think of this new section? Do you enjoy discovering money-saving dupes?

xo

Houndstooth & Snakeskin

Primark Coat // Uniqlo Jumper // Levis Jeans // Osprey London Bag // Hotter Boots

(Similar: Houndstooth Coat, Leather Bag )

Back in December I bought this new pair of boots from Hotter, which even though they do have a bit of a heel, they're actually very comfortable. I love the snakeskin effect and the neutral colourway means they go with pretty much anything. The Uniqlo jumper was a Christmas gift from Dotcito and the coat I got for my birthday last year.

xo

BYOMA Skincare for a Healthy Barrier

Recently the boom of skincare with actives in high concentrations has lead to impaired skin barriers (read redness, dryness and irritation) on many people, including myself! Cue the rise of gentle and repairing skincare, which I predict will become very popular this year.

A couple of days ago I found out about this new skincare brand called Byoma, which aims to boost the skin's barrier to achieve balanced and brighter skin without the use of stripping, high-strength actives and repair any damage done by said actives. 

All of the Byoma products contain a proprietary Tri-Ceramide Complex with the 3-1-1 golden ratio of ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids, which is key to optimum barrier repair; plus other ingredients such as Niacinamide, PHA, Green Tea, Liquorice and Probiotics for extra soothing properties and a healthy glow. 

Above are the products I would love to try from Byoma, including the Creamy Jelly Cleanser, Balancing Face Mist, Clarifying Serum, Moisturising Gel Cream, or even the So Clear Set for a start. 

Find the full BYOMA range at Cult Beauty.

xo