Wednesday 4 July 2012

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet Review

First up, sorry about the 'stock' photo, I seem to be having a month where everything seems to break at once, in the last week both my camera and oven have needed replacing. Obviously my oven doesn't affect my blog, but having no camera does! I can't even use my iphone as I've fun out of 'photo' memory! Having a photogenic toddler will do that to you. Anyway, I digress...

I wanted to review this product as I've been dying to get my hands on a Caudalie product for ages. Every blogger seems to be raving about the Beauty Elixir, however I'd heard that people with sensitive skin were having reactions to it, which put me off somewhat. Luckily I was able to get hold of a sample of the moisturising sorbet so could try it without committing to buy a full size (A must for people with skin like me, that reacts to everything!)

Down to the review! It is described as a 'sorbet', I'd describe it as a gel-creme-mousse! It's texture is unlike anything I've used before. It has quite a pleasant, natural smell and seems to sink instantly into your skin. It's so light that at first it really doesn't feel like it's going to moisturise that well at all, but it does. A little bit goes a really long way, I do my whole face with a pea sized amount. I honestly love this product. I've often strayed from my beloved Jason Moisturiser and always regretted it, but the Caudalie gives me such a lovely glow. It's good enough to use as a night cream, after I've applied Argan Oil but the fizzy sorbet texture makes it lovely under make-up. I purchased mine from Naturisimo, as they have 10% off all Caudalie and free delivery, plus I like that you can order samples with your order.

Monday 18 June 2012

Santaverde and Simply Argan Review.




I decided to review these products together as they were both full size products from an Amarya Beauty Box, and I've been using them together.

Santaverde Aloe Vera Cleansing Gel.

Firstly, I'm really picking about cleansers. I have mega sensitive skin and find that most sensitive cleansers don't make my skin feel cleansed enough.  I've previously really rated Trilogy's very sensitive cleansing cream, however I'm always on the lookout for something new to try so I was really pleased when I got this in June's beauty box. I've been using it for about ten days now and I must say that I'm really impressed. I've found I only need a tiny blob for my entire face which I then remove with a hot flannel or muslin cloth.

My face feels really clean and 'fresh' after using this cleanser, I've had absolutely no irritation or breakouts and my skin and complexion looks more even. I've taken advantage of the 20% off code that came with the beauty box and ordered another one, which is very unlike me so I know it must be good! My one very teeny complaint is that it doesn't smell very pleasant, as anyone who's smelt aloe vera will know. However it's such a lovely, natural product that I don't have a problem with that at all.

Simply Argan 100% Argan Oil.

Years ago I visited Morocco and was introduced to Argan oil when I visited a traditional Apothecary, where I saw them extracting the oil from the nut. I did make a purchase, however I used the oil primarily for cooking, so when I received this in a previous beauty box (April, I think) I wasn't sure what I was going to use it for, even though I know it's a multi- purpose oil. I started using it on my hair as a hair oil, however I couldn't get the balance right and sometimes it was a little greasy, so I went back to using pure coconut oil. After having it sat on my bathroom shelf for a while I eventually started using it as a skin oil, when I ran out of Trilogy's rosehip oil.

Simply Argan's oil comes in a lovely pump bottle that delivers just the right amount for applying to my face and neck, after cleaning. I was a little worried about breaking out after switching to a different face oil but so far I haven't had any problems with it at all. I apply with when my skin is still wet and follow it with a little moisturiser.  Combined with the Santaverde cleanser above, my skin is looking better than it has done in a very long time.

I highly recommend both these products, I find it really difficult to find products that fill all my criteria, are good for my sensitive skin and are natural and these tick all those boxes. If you're an Amarya beauty box subscriber you get 20% off Santaverde until the 30th June. I might take advantage and try another of their products!

Wednesday 2 May 2012

Natural Skincare- April Favorites.

Trilogy Rosehip oil. I use this everyday after cleansing, before moisturising and it's fab. I haven'thad the guts to try any serums yet, so this is a good alternative. I can't see me changing to anything else anytime soon.
Jason Vitamin E 5,000 i.u. moisturising creme. I've tried tons of moisturisers, from high end (La Mer) to very cheap, and this tops them all. It's around £7 for a tub that lasts forever. It's quite heavy so best used as a night cream.
Waitose Bottom Butter. Becoming a cult favourite, it's a bit of a strange thing to have on a beauty product list but it's seriously good, not just for bottoms! I use it on very dry patches all over and it clears them up a treat, Plus it only contains 3 ingredients and it really cheap too!
Dr Hauschka Eyeshadow palette. Love it. Pretty pigmented colours for a natural brand, goes on really well and doesn't irritate my eye eczema. I don't get on well with lose mineral powders so this is ideal for me.

My product favourites change all the time as I'm a bit of a product junkie, however, aside from the bottom butter, I've been using all the above products for well over a month and they do not irritate my very sensitive skin, or break me out.

 Just a note that I've also lost my camera lead, so these, obvs, are not my photos! 

Kx

Saturday 10 March 2012

Amarya Beauty Box Review

I've seen beauty box reviews flying around different blogs for a while now. Although it was initially something I was interested in trying I was concerned that my sensitive skin would mean that I would be unable to use a lot of the products. Then I heard about Amarya. Amarya are an online company who stock organic and natural brands such as Dr. Hauschka, Trilogy and Weleda, all tried and loved brands by myself.

I quickly signed up to their beauty box scheme, which is £10 & P&P, and received my first box on Friday. My first impressions were that I was pretty pleased, there were 2 full size products worth £22 if you buy them from their website and 2 samples.

Box arrived a little bashed.

Inside the Box.

The contents.


I received:

John Masters Organic Evening Primrose Shampoo. (Full Size)
I'll be honest, At first I was a little disappointed as I'm pretty loyal to my Aveda Shampure, however after a look at the bottle and a research of the product online I'm more than happy to give this a try. The insert card claims this is best for dry and damaged hair and this is definitely how I'd describe my hair!

John Masters Lip Calm. (Full Size)
Describe as 'Soothing, moisturising and invigorating all in one delicious and aromatic treatment'. My lips are permanently dry and peeling so it's always handy to have an extra lip balm, especially one that's organic and SLS free.

REN Bio- Retinoid Anti- Ageing Concentrate. (Sample)
This little sample literally made me do an 'ooooh'. I've heard amazing things about REN but my skin is far too sensitive for me to pay for a full size product with trying it first. I'm very much looking forward to trying this and seeing how it affects my skin.

Inlight Daily Face Oil. (Sample)

I'm a huge fan of facial oils, they make my skin feel lovely and moisturised, at the moment I'm loving trilogy rosehip oil, but I'm not yet loyal to it! Inlight isn't a product I've heard much about to be honest, but they enclosed a card about their products- Oil and plant-based and 100% organic is enough to convince me that I might get along with them.

I'll be writing reviews about the products after I've used them for a little while, but I'm already ready looking forward to receiving my next box!

Kx