My Current Collection of Face Oils...

When it comes to face oils I am very fussy, this is mainly because I have had so many experiences of them breaking me out. I find that many are full of fragrances and are high in essential oils which tend to cause a reaction on me, causing small red spots and under the skin lumps. Not pleasant! Nowadays I usually go for high quality face oils that are full of natural ingredients as opposed to ones packed with fragrance and carrier oils, which surprisingly even some expensive brands use. Proving that expense doesn’t always mean quality.

Before I purchase a face oil these days I make sure I research the ingredients and try to go for 100% natural, unless I’ve heard lots of rave reviews then usually my intrigue gets the better of me! The oils listed below are the ones I currently have in my stash (not all successful purchases) and in fact I have learnt a lot from these, I think they have influenced my choices going forward. I do have a couple of other new ones that I am loving and currently trialling so will review these in due course.

Usually I would use oils nightly in between my serum and moisturiser but recently I have started incorporating oils into my morning routine. After serum in the morning and either using more drops than usual in place of a moisturiser or using around 3 drops and applying a light layering of moisturiser after. I have seen such positive result using oils and like using different ones to target different issues, I have seen them help reduce blemishes, deeply hydrate yet balance the oil production in my skin and over time even out any areas of pigmentation.

The below oils are the ones I have in my current collection….

Pai Rosehip Biodegenerate Fruit and Seed Oil Blend- £22.00 from Pai Skincare

This oil is a fairly new purchase for me, it has been raved about a lot within the beauty community but I have always been reluctant to buy because I have had bad experiences with rose as an ingredient before. I think its rose oil that’s been a problem for me which is different to rosehip oil in the sense that one comes from the actual rose petals and the other comes from rose hips which are the fruit of the rose plant. The oil from the rose petals are very highly perfumed which is why I think it causes a reaction on my skin.

This oil is unique in that it uses concentrated fruit hip oil with twice the regenerative sterols (which apparently have benefits to the immune system) and five times the caretonoids of seed oil and is rich in concentrated trans-retonoic acid which is an essential fuel for the skin’s natural repair function, delivering pro-vitamin A to the skin without causing irritation. I can confirm happily that this is the case, I have had absolutely no reaction to this at all. Apparently this particular oil is the most concentrated rosehip oil on the market today, premium CO2 supercritical extraction delivers the complete and concentrated properties of the plant, making this oil more powerful than any other simple cold pressed rosehip oils.

Now all of this information is well and good but the important part is whether it actually works or does anything beneficial. The first thing I noticed about this oil is obviously the bright orange colour! I was concerned that I would turn out looking like a tangerine/oompa loompa but after massaging in a few drops it does disappear from the skin and your left with super glowy skin! FYI it doesn’t really seem to smell of anything, kind of like herbal tea!

I did seem to get a couple of spots after the first few uses but I think this is fairly normal as it contains vitamin A which is commonly known as retinol in it’s over the counter form. After this the breakout subsided and I was left with clear skin.  I have continued to use this oil on nearly a daily basis as I love the light texture, it’s non sticky/non greasy and easy to massage in and I have found that it has really helped my skin when going through a breakout phase. It leaves my skin feeling well-nourished and hydrated without causing excessive oiliness which is isn't what I was expecting. Definitely do not rule this oil out if you are oily or acne prone as I really believe it would be beneficial for you, it balances excess sebum and really works wonders on blemishes.

Another good point to mention is rosehip oil is excellent for scarring and I have noticed that some scars I had from past blemishes have significantly faded and I believe it’s down to all the rosehip that I have been putting on my skin! I think most skin types will see great results from this oil and think it’s perfect for especially around this time of year! At £22 this is excellent value as it will last a long time, it’s a fantastic product worth buying. I will repurchase this for sure.

Ingredients:

Rosa Canina Seed Extract* - Rosehip CO2 Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract* - Rosehip CO2 Fruit Extract, Tocopherol - Natural Vitamin E, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract* - Rosemary Extract (Anti-Oxidant)

Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate - £37.00 from Kiehls

After singing the praises of the Pai oil I have to say this next oil is a thumbs down for me. I had such high expectations of the Kiehls Midnight Recovery. I think it’s because it’s a such a highly coveted oil which so many people love, not mention the numerous awards its won. But unfortunately it just hasn’t worked for me.

Let’s start with some of the main ingredients, these are Evening Primrose which helps boost radiance, Lavender essential oil which helps soothe inflamed and irritated skin and provide a more even/brighter look and finally Squalene which is a botanical lipid that is similar in molecular structure to the skin’s natural lipids, easily absorbed and helps restore moisture balance. All of this sounds fantastic but I was wary of the essential oil aspect because as previously mentioned my skin doesn’t always agree with products that have a high essential oil content.

The oil itself is clear and quite runny, I absolutely loved the smell (very relaxing and soothing) but found that when applied over serums it would cause peeling. This is a big pet hate of mine. I tried it over numerous serums and it still had the same effect. My skin did feel nice when applied, but I didn’t see a noticeable change in how my skin looked upon application, like I have with the other oils mentioned in this post.

Due to the name I was expecting to wake up to a radiant restful complexion but found this wasn’t the case. Overnight I developed some whitehead spots which is usually a tell-tale sign for me that the product isn’t suited for my skin, as my skin is very reactive. Despite this I persevered but every time I used it I always awoke with troublesome skin, and gradually my skin got more congested. I definitely put this down to the fragrant oils that seem to load this product. There are some very purifying oils in there - coriander, lavender and rosemary are notorious for presenting irritation. So for the price I personally wouldn’t recommend this, there are so many other lovely natural facial oils that have better ingredients! Definitely consider your skin type before purchasing this as I don’t think it would suit sensitive skins. Or at least carry out a patch test which is what I failed to do myself! You live and learn!

Ingredients:

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Squalane, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Coriander Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Lavender Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Linalool, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Citronellol, Geraniol, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Cucumber Fruit Extract, Turmeric Root Extract, Limonene, Citral, Sclareolide, Rose Flower Oil, Jasmine Extract, Sunflower Seed Oil

Nude Progenius Rescue Oil – £58.00 from Space NK

Firstly, I purchased this in a sample size from eBay as I wanted to try it but didn’t want to fork out on £58 before knowing if I liked it. I am so glad I did as this bottle lasts a while and gives you a decent amount so you can really decide if it’s for you. This is my second small bottle, they are so portable and ideal for not taking up too much space!

What I like about this oil is the texture, it’s extremely lightweight (almost water like) so perfect for the summer months and times when you don’t want to feel overloaded with product. The formula contains bakuchiol which is natures answer to retinol, this really interested me as I am wanting to dabble in anti-ageing products without the use of harsh chemicals or ingredients. Prescription medication is absolutely a no no for me, but each to their own! I would much rather go down a natural route that has less side effects etc. So this is where Nude’s Progenius rescue oil comes in. It helps repair and refine skin’s texture using purifying coleus root and organic rosemary extracts which clarify the skin and antioxidants provides protection against environmental aggressors.

Nude’s statement is that they are ‘beautiful without’ – parabens, sulphates, PEGs, TEA, DEA, Proylene Glycol, Phthalates, Petrolatum, Synthetic colour, Synthetic fragrance, mineral oil and silicones. Sounds exactly what my sensitive skin would love! And it does. Although there are some purifying ingredients in this it does seem to calm skin, reduce blemishes and prevent breakouts without causing irritation. I put this down to the quality of ingredients.

I personally wouldn’t use this oil every day or on the days that I exfoliate, just because I wouldn’t want my skin to freak out (due to the bakuchiol) but this is perfect for 2-3 times a week to brighten the complexion and clarify. I have used this under my moisturiser in the mornings because of how sheer and super-fast absorbing it is, but generally would recommend this as a night treatment.  Over time I think you would see that it creates smoother skin and reduces pore size, but because I don’t use this regularly enough I can’t comment too much on that. Also it’s worth mentioning that it’s all natural, vegan and cruelty free and is recommended for all skin types - although I wouldn’t rely on this oil to hydrate as I would say it’s more of a ‘dry oil’ as opposed to a typical face oil. But if you’re looking for something a little different and perhaps more ‘natural’ than Sunday Riley’s Luna then I would definitely check this out!

Ingredients:

Inca Gold Oil, Rosehip Seeds, Safflower Seed oil, Bakuchiol, Thyme leaf extract, papaya extract, hibiscus flower extract, jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, citronellol, linalool, isoamyl laurate, fragrance (parfum), squalene, coleus root extract, Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary leaf extract), carrot root extract, macrocystis pyrifera extract, rose canina fruit extract, citral, limonene

Balmology Rose Beauty Oil - £30.00 from Balmology

I won’t go into too much detail with this oil as I have already recently reviewed it, see here - http://www.blushandsage.co.uk/2016/10/best-of-natural-skincarebalmology.html but I have to say it’s one of my most favourite discoveries! I love how super nourishing this is without ever causing me to breakout. The ingredient list is delightful and it smells incredible!

I’ve been using this almost nightly usually either on its own (using 1 full pump) or using half a pump and applying a light moisturiser over the top. There is something so comforting about the scent and you can really give a good massage with this oil. I’ve also enjoyed applying this to my décolletage as it’s so beautiful. I may even start adding it to my body creams or just applying it alone after the showering….

I love the ethics behind this brand and the customer service is second to none. I urge you to invest!

Ingredients:

Argania spinosa kernel (argan) oil*, Macadamia ternifolia (macadamia) oil*, Corylus avellana (hazelnut) oil*, Rosa canina (rosehip) oil*, Persea gratissima (avocado) oil*, Tocopherol, Cymbopogon martini (palmarosa)*, Pelargonium graveolens roseum (geranium bourbon)*, Boswellia carterii (frankincense)*, Rosa damascena (rose otto)*, citral**, citronellol**, eugenol**, farnesol**, geraniol**, limonene**, linalool**.

*Certified Organic. **Naturally occurring in essential oils.

 Made with 99% certified organic ingredients.

What are your favourite face oils and have you tried any of the ones I’ve listed?

Thanks for reading xx

Korean Makeup - Innisfree Primer/Powder Duo

I stumbled across this brand when looking through Amazon at all the amazing Korean skincare and makeup available. These 2 particular products caught my eye. 1 because they had cute packaging and 2 because the price was amazing, so cheap! I paid £10.98 for the primer and £8.20 for the powder with free shipping! I am always on the search for a primer and powder that can keep my skin matte without looking drying, as of yet I have had no luck until now…

The ‘No Sebum Blur Primer’ comes in a compact squeezy tube which helps you get the product out easily and hygienically. The consistency is quite thick and a pale pink kind of colour which blends out transparent, you only need the smallest amount and you will see immediate results.

The product is designed to smooth skin and conceal any open pores. Due to the inclusion of natural mint and minerals I find that instead of ‘covering’ up any oil it actually works to prevent it. It seems to balance oil production and moisture within the skin whilst still allowing it to ‘breathe’ and remain soft and smooth. 

Another ingredient in this primer is ‘Jeju’, it works to keep skin supple and clear by tightening pores with Jeju green persimmon extracts, the Jeju green complex promotes healthier skin.

This has been my primer of choice every day since I bought it, I mentioned it in my post ‘What’s in my Makeup bag’ recently – see link here - http://www.blushandsage.co.uk/2016/10/whats-in-my-makeup-bag.html. I find that it really does create an excellent smooth base for makeup and my skin which is usually oily by lunchtime, seems to hold out for most of the day when using this! 

The only product I would compare this to is perhaps Benefit’s Porefessional but even then I think it has better ingredients, is more long lasting on my skin and the price is much more reasonable.

Although this is a primer, it also encourages clearer skin and improves texture over time which is certainly more appealing than some of the other brands I’ve tried. I will continue to use this and it will be a repurchase.

Full Ingredients:

CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, ETHYLENE/ACRYLICACID COPOLYMER, PEG/PPG-19/19 DIMETHICONE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAMELLIA SINENSISLEAF EXTRACT, SILICA, MINERAL SALTS, MENTHAARVENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, CAMELLIA JAPONICA LEAF EXTRACT, ORCHID EXTRACT, OPUNTIACOCCINELLIFERA FRUIT EXTRACT, CITRUSUNSHIU PEEL EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL, FRAGRANCE

The ‘No sebum Mineral Powder’ in this range is also the bees knees! It’s extremely fine milled and comes with a little powder puff but I don’t tend to use that. Instead I apply it with the Real Techniques setting brush as I find this distributes just the right amount and I can get into all the crevices of my face!

This powder is the same as the primer in that it’s designed to control and absorb oil to leave a smooth finish. I can confirm happily that it does this. You will find that the ingredients include mint and jeju (same as the primer) and I really think that it works effectively, especially when used in conjunction with the primer. My makeup stays put and lasts without any touch-ups for the majority of the day. I only use this to set my makeup, I have a different compact for when I’m out and about.

Full Ingredients:

SILICA, CORN STARCH MODIFIED, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, CAPRYLIC/CAPRICTRIGLYCERIDE, MICA, METHICONE, MINERALSALTS, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, MENTHA ARVENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, DIMETHICONE, GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE, ETHYLENE/ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, FRAGRANCE

I haven’t had any previous experience with Innisfree but based on these 2 purchases I am definitely up for trying some more from their range, especially their skincare!

Let me know if any of you have tried this brand or recommend any other Korean based makeup! Suggestions welcome….

Thanks for reading xx

Clay Masks I'm Loving...

I thought I would show you some of the clay masks that I am enjoying using at the moment, I like alternating between different ones depending on what’s going on with my skin. All of the below are different levels of intensity but all aim to do the same kind of thing – purify and reduce blemishes. If I can, I tend to use these types of masks twice a week and sometimes do a double mask with a hydrating one applied straight after. 

Ren Clearcalm Clarity Restoring Mask - £30.00 (Ren)

I bought this mask after I fell in love with the clearcalm cleanser in this range, it’s designed to purify skin without stripping it, leaving it soft, smooth and blemishes reduced. I like the ingredients in this,  some of which include sulphur, zinc gluconate and salicilin (derived from willow bark). It’s antibacterial and antimicrobial actives target breakouts and Bisabolol from English Chamomile helps inflammation and redness.

The texture is a thick, smooth white clay which applies easily to dry clean skin, it doesn’t really go hard as you would expect from a clay mask, which means it’s easy to wash off. After a 15-minute application the skin is left soft and looks calmer. This mask can also be applied to individual spots as an overnight treatment but I haven’t ever done this, because it doesn’t totally dry I would be a bit dubious about doing it in case you wake up with white marks all over your sheets!. This is a good mask to have in your stash when your skin is perhaps suffering a breakout but also feeling sensitive at the same time. I love it!

Ingredients:

Glycerin, Kaolin, Aqua (Water), Zinc Oxide, Calcium Carbonate, Colloidal Sulfur, Alcohol Denat., Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Polysorbate 20, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Zinc Gluconate, Benzyl Alcohol, Camphor, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Linalool, Leptospermum Scoparium Oil, Thymus Vulgaris(Thyme)Oil, Citral, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Citronellol, Crataegus Oxyacantha Stem Extract, Limonene, Glucose, Geraniol

Una Brennan Salicylic Anti Blemish Pore Purifying Clay Mask - £9.99

This is an excellent budget clay mask which I think is really effective on active breakouts, I tend to apply this only on specific areas which require complete detox. This pulls out toxins and impurities but also helps heal skin in the process.

Without stating the obvious this mask has salicylic acid as the main ingredient which helps unclog congested skin, dead sea mud which is rich in minerals, while vitamins A, D and E with Acacia honey help skin rebalance. I love the combination of the ingredients in this mask and it feels like a good at home facial. For the price you can’t go wrong!

The product itself is a thick charcoal grey clay which is easy to apply, it does harden fast so you have to be quick! I like to put this on individual spots before jumping in the shower as you only need to leave it on for 5 minutes to work. That’s why I love this one, because if I need a quick treatment, this is what I turn to.

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water), Kaolin, Silt, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan stearate, Butyrospermum parkii (Shea butter), Mel (Honey), Persea gratissima (Avocado) oil, Phenethyl alcohol, Citrus aurantium dulcis (Sweet orange) peel oil, Citrus aurantium amara (Bitter orange) oil, Canaga odorata (Ylang ylang) flower oil, Parfum (Fragrance), Maltodextrin, Caprylyl glycol, PEG-20 stearate, Xanthan gum, Coco-glucoside, Citric acid, Salicylic acid, Glycerin, Equisetum arvense (Horsetail) extract, Nasturtium officinale (Watercress) flower/leaf extract, Urtica dioica (Nettle) extract, Sambucus nigra (Elderflower) flower extract, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Amyl cinnamal, Benzyl benzoate, Benzyl salicylate, Cinnamyl alcohol, Geraniol, Hexyl cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Dipropylene glycol

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay - £9.49 (Amazon)

I bought this mask after hearing so many people say how amazing it was and for the price I just had to get it! You get a big 1lb tub of green powder which is 100% natural calcium bentonite clay, that’s it, there are no other ingredients in it!

Out of all the masks this is the one that gives the most effective results after one use, but also requires the most faff before even getting it on your face! For this mask you can use either water or cider vinegar to ‘make’ it. I use water as my skin is quite sensitive and I was a bit wary that cider vinegar may be too astringent for me. Apparently cider vinegar helps blend the clay into a mask texture a lot better, but I haven’t tried that yet. I did struggle to make the mixture without clumps but I just used the mixture that was smooth and blended out, and dodged the lumps. I used 1 tablespoon of the clay mixture and 1 tablespoon of water but I gradually added more water till I had created the texture I wanted. I highly recommend applying this mask with a foundation or flat brush as it can get messy!

You must also ensure that you don’t mix the product with metal as that will make the mixture non effective so to speak, as it removes the ‘negative charge’ which is what is formed when a facial or clay poultice is applied to the skin. According to the official website ‘Poisons and toxins stored in the epidermis have a positive charge - Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay lifts the pimple and blackheads into the clay bed to cause accelerated healing and nourishment to the skin with over 50 minerals’. Sounds serious stuff!

Now onto the mask itself, it dries very hard and can get a little uncomfortable after a while. You will notice that your face will start to pulsate! Something I had never experienced before and it made me feel like my face didn’t even belong to me! It was the most bizarre thing but it did feel like it was working! I leave it on for 5-10 mins but you can leave it longer, I don’t like to because of my sensitivity. Considering how this hardens its actually quite easy to remove with just warm water, it does leave skin a little red but that is normal with this mask. The redness will subside after around 30 minutes, so this isn't one to use before you're about to go out!

In regards to the results, they really do speak for themselves. I was expecting my skin to ‘purge’ after this but I actually found that it practically healed the blemishes I had! No other spots appeared but my pores looked more refined and my skin just felt ‘cleaner’. Bloody bargain! Would recommend that this is used once a week/once a fortnight just to prevent open pores, blackheads and blemishes. 

Loreal Pure Clay Detox Mask - £7.99 (Boots)

This is one of 3 masks released recently by Loreal, the idea is to combine 3 powerful pure clays to ‘unmask beautiful skin’. This particular clay mask has kaolin (to absorb sebum), montmorillonite (mineral rich designed to rid imperfections) and Ghassoul (concentrated minerals to help clarify). This one appealed to me the most because I love a good charcoal mud mask and this doesn’t disappoint. It comes in a sturdy glass jar and is filled with a soft whipped clay that applies beautifully to dry skin.

After 10-15 minutes I add some warm water and gently massage and rinse to remove, my skin is left refreshed, soft and smooth. I feel with continued use once a week it would remove congestion and prevent blemishes. Such a good high street find and it has made me want to try the others in the range!

Ingredients:

Aqua / Water, Kaolin, Montmorillonite, Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, CI 77499 / Iron, Oxides, Oryza Sativa Starch / Rice Starch, Moroccan Lava Clay, Charcoal Powder, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Xanthan, Gum, Polyglycerin-10, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Linalool, Limonene, Parfum / Fragrance, (F.I.L. B186966/1)

What are your favourite face masks and do you have any clay ones you'd recommend?

Thanks for reading

xx

Best of Natural Skincare...Balmology

I was introduced to this brand through a facialist based in the Oxford area called Victoria Partridge (I will be visiting her at the end of October so look out for an upcoming blog post!). When sharing her skin routines/favourites on her Instagram page it nearly always includes a product from Balmology, so I was intrigued to try them. After all, if an experienced facialist recommends them then they must be half good! ;)

The first thing that strikes me about this brand is how non-comprising they are when it comes to ingredients. Every single product in their range is 100% natural and is 99% certified organic, you won’t find any synthetics, fillers or preservatives. All the ingredients are cultivated without chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilisers and are processed at lower temperatures, the reason for this is Catherine (the owner and creator) believes they are ‘quite simply superior, gentler on our skin and kinder to the environment’. There are also no ‘bulking out’ ingredients like water which apparently can account for as much as 80% in creams and lotions in many skincare formulations! So the fact that the range is waterless has a certain appeal.

Now you won’t find tons of products available as Catherine has kept the range small but excellent. It consists of the following:

·         Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm 50ml - £27.00

·         Nourishing Beauty Balm 50ml - £29.00

·         Soothing Comfort Balm 50ml - £24.00

·         Post Shave Balm 50ml - £28.00

·         Rose Beauty Oil 30ml - £30.00

·         Discovery Set (3 balms – cleanse, nourish and comfort all in 15ml jars)

Each of the products are hand blended in small batches to ensure that all nutrients and the potency of active components are not lost in the process. This means you know you are receiving the freshest possible products!

Having done my research, I decided I wanted to try all products available apart from the Post Shave Balm! Aside from ordering direct with Balmology you can also pick them up through Naturismo. Seeing as I had a 10% discount with Naturismo, I placed my order through them. I purchased the Discovery Set as it meant I could ‘try before I buy’ and paid for a small vial of the Rose Oil. I wish more brands would do sample sets, so you avoid spending money on something you don’t know will work for you! It also sends out a message of confidence and belief in their brand as well.

Following my positive experience with the Discovery Set which I have trialled so far for just over 2 weeks, I decided to go ahead and buy the full sizes of each product direct with Balmology. They came in 1 day! Yes, that’s right, 1 working day! Excellent! Now onto the reviews…

Left-Right (Cleansing Balm, Comfort Balm, Nourishing Balm)

Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm – Organic Neroli and Sweet Basil

Oh my! This balm is so luxurious to use, its thick and unctuous with the most beautiful scent! I love massaging this onto already cleansed dry skin as a 2^nd cleanse to rid any excess makeup and deeply nourish. You can use this as a makeup remover but I feel the skin is likely to absorb more of the nutrients if it’s used as a morning or 2^nd cleanse. Due to there being no emulsifiers in the ingredients you won’t be able to simply ‘rinse off’ this balm. Removing with a hot cloth is essential, but this provides the most delightful experience! The scent really comes alive and inhaling it really de-stresses and relaxes you ready for bed time or the day ahead.

I honestly cannot recommend this product enough, there are so many cleansing balms on the market but there are few that I enjoy more than this at the moment. It leaves skin super glowy and seems to help decongest and brighten it up when its dull or tired. Only a small amount is required so it will also last ages!

Full Ingredients:

Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil*, Prunus armeniaca (apricot) oil*, Ricinus communis (castor) oil*, Persea gratissima (avocado) oil*, Cera alba (beeswax)*, Tocopherol, Citrus aurantium var. amara. (neroli)*, Citrus reticulata (mandarin)*, Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil)*, citral**, citronellol**, eugenol**, farnesol**, geraniol**, limonene**, linalool**.

*Certified Organic. **Naturally occurring in essential oils.

Nourishing Beauty Balm – Organic Neroli and Frankincense

This product is labelled to be used as an intensive overnight treatment or if you have particularly dry skin. You can also use it sparingly during the day to give your skin a boost of hydration. For me I prefer using this as a nighttime moisturiser over the top of my serum and oil. Like with all the Balmology products, the scent is amazing, really natural and soothing.

Only a small amount is needed to give a fantastic massage, it does sit on the skin for a little while before fully absorbing leaving a completely hydrated, nourished complexion. I notice a difference every time I wake up after using this, my skin looks calm and dewy without a patch of dryness. I was a little hesitant about using it at first because it’s so thick and I thought it may break me out, but I haven’t any issues yet! I think due to the high quality ingredients my skin just loves it! This would be excellent during the winter months and can see it becoming a ‘rescue’ product for me.

Full Ingredients:

Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil*, Prunus armeniaca (apricot) oil*, Cera alba (beeswax)*, Macadamia ternifolia (macadamia) oil*, Persea gratissima (avocado) oil*, Punica granatum (pomegranate) oil*, Rosa canina (rosehip) oil*, Tocopherol, Citrus aurantium (neroli)*, Boswellia carterii (frankincense)*, Citrus reticulata (mandarin)*, Lavandula angustifolia (lavender)*, citral**, citronellol**, farnesol**, geraniol**, limonene**, linalool**.

*Certified Organic. **Naturally occurring in essential oils.

Soothing Comfort Balm – Organic Calendula and Chamomile

When I saw that this was targeted for itchy, sore and irritated skin I immediately contacted Catherine via Instagram to find out if this would be suitable for eczema. My son has had bad eczema all his life and it tends to go and up and down in severity. It’s extremely frustrating and upsetting to see him suffer so I am forever on the lookout for something that helps ease his discomfort.

Catherine replied very quickly and said that this balm was actually formulated for a little boy with bad eczema and apparently it helped significantly. It’s also won a Gold Award for problem skin in the FreeFrom Skincare Awards this year so I was really excited to try it out on Charlie!

I did a patch test on his neck first which didn’t show any signs of irritation after 24hrs, so proceeded to massage it onto his bad areas. The first thing he said to me was ‘wow mum, this stuff smells amazing! I really think this is going to be good for me, I just want to massage it all over my body’, so certainly a positive start!! After applying this in the morning come evening his skin looked so much calmer and less red. I’m not going to say the eczema disappeared because it didn’t, the skin just looked much happier.

Due to the size of the pot I am reluctant to use this all over his body every day as I feel that his prescribed creams hydrate well enough. But I do use this when he has a flare up or if he is feeling itchy as it does an amazing job at keeping his skin ‘on track’ without the use of harsh steroids. I will continue to buy this for that reason alone.

I have also tried this balm myself and mixed it with the nourishing balm when my skin was feeling a little sensitive, it seemed to work for me as well. Certainly didn’t break me out and calmed some redness that was on my forehead. Such an excellent product!

Full Ingredients:

Prunus armeniaca (apricot) oil*, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil*, Cera alba (beeswax)*, Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter*, Persea gratissima (avocado) oil*, Rosa canina (rosehip) oil*, Tocopherol, Calendula officinalis, simmondsia chinensis (marigold) extract*, Matricaria chamomilla, Simmondsia chinensis (chamomile) extract*, Helichrysum italicum (immortelle)*, Lavandula angustifolia (lavender)*, benzyl cinnamate**, geraniol**, limonene**, linalool**.

*Certified Organic. **Naturally occurring in essential oils.

Rose Beauty Oil:

I absolutely love using facial oils every evening and I have also come to incorporate them into my morning routine as well because I feel they balance out my oily skin. I was really excited to try this as I love the smell of roses but previous history tells me my skin doesn’t particularly like rose as an ingredient. It tends to break me out and cause irritation, but since trying this one and another quality brand, I have discovered it must have previously been down to low quality ingredients.

But I can now officially say my skin loves rose, like proper quality rosehip oil! Especially this one! Yay!! I have been using a small amount at night and it’s wonderful. This oil smells like a million fresh roses have been crammed into the bottle. You can get a really good massage with it as it’s not too thick or gloopy and it absorbs beautifully. I can use the nourish balm on top and it doesn’t feel too much. I even went overboard and used what I thought was ‘too much’ the other evening but nothing drastic happened apart from my skin looked amazing come morning!! 

The past week or so I have started using this as my morning moisturiser, I just use more than I usually would (1 – 2 full pumps) and really massage it in before applying SPF over the top. I thought it would cause excess oil but in fact it does the opposite, really balances and hydrates.

For the price this is a fantastic oil and I will be re-purchasing this again for sure.

Full Ingredients:

Argania spinosa kernel (argan) oil*, Macadamia ternifolia (macadamia) oil*, Corylus avellana (hazelnut) oil*, Rosa canina (rosehip) oil*, Persea gratissima (avocado) oil*, Tocopherol, Cymbopogon martini (palmarosa)*, Pelargonium graveolens roseum (geranium bourbon)*, Boswellia carterii (frankincense)*, Rosa damascena (rose otto)*, citral**, citronellol**, eugenol**, farnesol**, geraniol**, limonene**, linalool**.

So all in all I am in love with Balmology, as I am sure you can tell! They are a simple, no fuss, high quality brand and I feel happy to be slathering their products all over my face without the fear that there will be any damaging side effects. It’s rare to find such a natural effective skincare brand that provides fantastic customer service, and I will most certainly continue to support them.

Have you tried Balmology or do you have any ‘green beauty’ favourites?

Buy here; www.balmology.co.uk/shop

Thanks for reading

xx

  

What's in my Makeup Bag...

I have been consistently using the following products for a while now with the exception of the powder and primer which are new additions for me :

Estee Lauder Double Wear in Ecru 1N2 £31.00 – I am loving this foundation after trying a sample from my local department store, I wasn’t sure whether I was going to like it as it’s sold as ‘full coverage’ and I prefer my foundations to be quite light on the skin but keeping it oil free (high expectations?!). This was a pleasant surprise for me as it covers very well but feels lightweight. I’ve been turning to this over the summer months because 1 layer keeps things covered and matte all day. Will be doing a full review on this shortly!

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Stick in Opal £15.00 – This was the first product in the Vichy makeup range that I tried, and I always come back to it. Such good coverage and only 1 little swipe is all it takes to ‘fix’ an area. Not heavy or clogging and stays put, sometimes I use this instead of foundation for a lightweight base.

Charlotte Tilbury The Retoucher Shade 3 £25.00 - I use this under my eyes to highlight and get rid of the dreaded ‘dark circles’, I think it’s ‘ok’ but I personally wouldn’t buy it again. I got this because my wedding makeup artist used it on me, but I think there are cheaper alternatives which are a better consistency. This one has a tendency to crease on me and so I have to make sure I set with powder. For £25 I want perfection!!

Innis no sebum mineral powder £7.12 and Primer £8.50 – I’m really getting into Korean Skincare/makeup and after a spontaneous Amazon session these both ended up in my basket. I’m constantly on the lookout for a powder and primer duo that sets makeup well for most of the day and I think this is it! Both products have mint in the ingredients and I love that they are designed to prevent sebum rather than ‘cover it up’ as it means they are non-pore blocking. Plus they are a bargain! Will do a full review on both of these shortly.

The Body Shop Honey Bronze Shade 1 £13.00 – I think this shade is a little light for me but I love how buildable and blendable it is. Such good value and is one of the best matte powder bronzers I’ve come across. 

Nars Blush in Orgasm £23.00 – This is my perfect blusher, excellent pigment, applies softly and produces a beautiful flush of peachy colour. I love how it gives me a natural glow (hence the shade name!!). Definitely my go to for all seasons.

Loreal Paris Volume Million Lashes So Couture Mascara £9.99 – I like a good budget mascara and this is an excellent one. For some reason I don’t get on with the original ‘volume million lashes’ but this is different. The brush isn’t so thick and the product applies evenly without clumping. Creates full lengthened lashes which doesn’t smudge or fade throughout the day. Good job!

Stila ‘Eyes are the Window’ Soul Palette £30.00 – This is a dream palette for me, I am not very adventurous when it comes to my eye makeup and so like to keep things simple with nice brown matte shades. This is the best one I’ve come across! So blendable and pigmented, these last well with no fallout. Truly gorgeous wearable shades. I use this palette every day without fail either to line under my eyes, do a simple eye or do a full on smoky look! Such beautiful packaging too! 

Soap and Glory Archery Brow Pencil and Brush in Hot Chocolate £8.00 – When it comes to eyebrow products I can never find a shade right for me or a consistency I like. But I am so glad I bought this as I love how easy to use it is, no sharpening required, just twist the pencil and go! The brush is great and means the product is so portable. It’s got to be one of the best value eyebrow pencils on the market!

Clinique Pop Matte Lip Colour + Primer in shade Cute Pop £16.00 – This has been my favourite lip colour of choice recently, such a wearable colour which is a nude plum kind of shade and perfect for the coming Autumn months. It’s really lightweight, soft and silky to apply but stays put well. I normally struggle to find a good matte lipstick that lasts on my lips without fading unevenly or drying them out. May buy some more in the collection, watch this space! Oh and excuse the lack of photo here, I stupidly photographed everything then realised I hadn't included this lipstick so you could all see the colour etc! And I certainly wasn't going to go back and re-edit everything ;) I promise I will be doing reviews on these sometime in the future :)

So that’s my current every day makeup bag, I do tend to switch up products especially foundation, mascaras and lip colours but this has been a solid routine for me over the last couple of months so thought I’d show you guys!

Do you have any recommendations for me over the coming months?

Thanks for reading!

xx