Elemental Herbology Water Soothe Reed Diffuser 173ml £26.25 (usual price £35)

 

With less than a week until Easter, and having been pretty house bound following a spinal operation, I’ve left it a little late for Easter presents. Thankfully I’ve been sent a few products to review for Easter, and whilst I would ordinarily keep this for myself, I also think it makes a wonderful gift, especially if you are visiting family and friends over Easter.

Before I begin, this is not just a ‘reed diffuser’ that you would buy just anywhere. The reason it’s expensive is the quality of the oils and the beautiful glass bottle (display worthy in the lounge rather than the downstairs toilet)! 

It is made without any artificial colourings, mineral oils, sulphates, parabens and only uses high quality oils. This is reflected as soon as you open the bottle. Based on the 5 Chinese elements, Water epitomises stillness of a lake and returning our inner being to peace. 

The glass bottle comes with natural rattan reeds, to optimise the diffusing of the oils into the air. With notes of:-

• Bergamot, Bitter Orange, Red Fruits
• Jasmine, Neroli, Rose
• Sandalwood, Moss, Amber

This blend (I would like it in a perfume), is sophisticated, calming and evokes an instant shoulder drop of tension. Bergamot is an uplifting essential oil that induces positivity, whilst the woody fragrance of Sandalwood helps promote relaxation and reduces stress. 

The diffusers are cruelty free, currently reduced and you can purchase by clicking the link HERE

L’Occitane En Provence Shea Butter Beauty Easter Egg RRP £18.50

 

If you’ve recently been to the supermarkets or seen on social media, most Easter Eggs have gone up a whopping 50% this year. So this year I’ve decided to get a bit inventive with my Easter gifting, and thus made up paper bags, filled with some mini eggs and giving an Easter gift in each bag. 

The L’Occitane Easter gifting range is ideal to gift someone special. Especially for those who don’t actually eat chocolate, many of my friends follow a Keto diet, are lactose free and some, like me, only eat dark chocolate (where the eggs are super expensive).

These cardboard eggs are filled with best-sellers from the various ranges of L’Occitane. The Shea Butter Easter Egg comprises of travel sizes (more generous than sample sizes), that will last a long weekend. Inside you will find:-

    🐇 Shea Butter Hand Cream 30ml

    🐇 Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream 20ml

    🐇 Shea Butter Shower Oil 75ml

As you would expect the products have high quantities of Shea Butter. An ingredient that is full of fatty acids that help nourish dry, dehydrated skin and leave it incredibly soft. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe red, itchy and irritated skin types, making it ideal for those who suffer from skin conditions such as eczema. 

The Shower Oil has a high concentration of Grape Seed Oil, high in linoleic acid which helps to strengthen the skin’s barrier which in turn protects the skin from environmental pollution. It also contains vitamin E, known to aid in the healing of acne scars and sunspots.

The Ultra Rich Body Cream also has Sunflower Seed Oil, an oil that is non-comedogenic (doesn’t block pores) and its rich concentration of Shea Butter makes it ideal of the mos sensitive of skin types.

The Easter Eggs are recycled and recyclable and all the products included are vegan. You can purchase and view the Easter gifting range by clicking the link HERE

Elemental Herbology Harmony Bath & Body Oil 145ml RRP £33

 

I have a huge love of multi use products, as not only does it save on time but it also saves on money. I also have a huge love on good quality essential oil products, ones where the essential oils and oil blends are not artificial, and actually have an impact on the body and mind. The Elemental Herbology Harmony Bath & Body Oil ticks all the boxes.

Of course, the oil is not just skin healing and conditioning, but it’s main purpose is to soothe, calm and restore those who suffer with anxiety, tension, an over-active mind and create a sense of well-being.

Not only can the oil be used in the bath (just put a couple of pumps under running water), but can also be applied massaged into the body before showering. Upon impact with the warm water, the oils penetrate into the skin and really nourish the body leaving it feeling silky soft. You can also apply to the skin after showering or bathing which, makes the skin smell and feel amazing. Since receiving this, I’ve kept it next to my bed and massaged into my skin to help wind down my overactive mind!

So what are the active ingredients that make this stand out from the rest of the oils on the market.

• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride - derived from coconut oil and glycerine this is non pore clogging, so ideal for all skin types including those with oily skin. It’s anti-inflammatory and helps replenish dry skin types.
• Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil - rich in many vitamins including A and E. Protects against pollution, dust and grime as well as UV rays. 
• Prunus Persica (Peach) Kernel Oil - contains an abundance of fatty acids that really help to nourish dry skin types, as well as being anti-inflammatory so ideal for those who suffer with redness and irritation. 
• Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil - helps improve the skins elasticity, so ideal for sagging skin. It’s very similar to sebum, the skins natural oil and so aids in nourishing and preventing stretch marks. 
• Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil - helps reduce oily skin and acne, as it’s antibacterial and helps prevent breakouts. In aromatherapy, Mandarin Oil is used for uplifting and calming an overworked mind. 
• Cedrus Atlantica Wood Oil - Cedar Oil is used in body oils to help reduce bacteria that again, can cause breakouts. It also has antimicrobial properties so protects against fungal infections. 
• Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil - full of vitamin C, that helps give skin radiance. It’s an uplifting oil that gives clarity and positivity. 
• Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil - Geranium Oil, helps stabilise skin that is over reactive to dry or oily skin conditions. It’s balancing and often used in aromatherapy to balance hormones.
• Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil - Patchouli Oil, skin smoothing and adds radiance to dull, dehydrated skin types. It also helps with sensitive skin as contains anti-inflammatory properties. The essential oil leaves the mind feeling centred with a sense of calm and well being. 
• Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil - antiseptic and antimicrobial, again this prevents fungal infections, can help prevent bacterial infections and also has a deodorising effect on the skin. It is soothing to the mind and can help release serotonin in the brain.
• Boswellia Carterii Oil - otherwise known as Frankincense, this therapeutic oil helps repair the skin, and is good for inflammation, as well as releasing muscle tension.

The Oils come in a variety of formulas and are based on the 5 elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. This Oil is based on ‘Earth’, that represents stability, the home, love and being nurtured. It represents balance. 

The Oil will help clear your mind however, it CANNOT be used in pregnancy. Also caution must be taken when using in the bath due to the high concentration of oils that can make the bath slippery.

You can purchase by clicking the link HERE

The Body Shop Eau De Toilette White Musk® 60ml £30

 

I’ve been lucky enough to be sent some iconic products that have been part of The Body Shop from the word go. The White Musk® Eau De Toilette brings back such memories when I was 14 years old, it was and still is one of my firm favourite perfumes, I also loved the Dewberry range too! 

Before I begin telling you the notes, I can tell you that when I sprayed this my daughter, who loves her designer Tom Ford and Jo Malone perfumes said ‘oh is that Jo Malone’? She then had to listen to a full on lecture of how I used to visit The Body Shop when it had its local store in Brentwood. I used to go during my lunch break at school, when back then they had the little coloured bath balls and we would spend ages going through the testers. Back then scents were limited to Dewberry and White Musk®. 

White Musk is an innocent yet provocative, soft musk that is gentle, powdery and addictive! It has top notes of Musk, Lily and Ylang Ylang; middle notes of Lily of the Valley and Jasmine and base notes of Musk, Oakmoss, Amber and Vanilla.

You only need a couple of spritz on your neck, it’s not a strong perfume and is subtle enough that you can spray into your hair as well as pulse point. If you like the smell of Kenzo Flower, Avon Odysessy, Narciso Rodriguez then you will like this. The ‘baby powder’ scent is alluring and captivating. 

Vegan and cruelty free you can purchase by clicking the link HERE

The Body Shop Strawberry Shower Gel 250ml £8

The Body Shop Strawberry Shower Gel, has hundreds of positive reviews, and as soon as you open the bottle it’s easy to see why.

Like biting into a juicy strawberry, its sweet and refreshing fragrance is an awakening delight to the senses without smelling ‘artificial’. 

Of course, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from The Body Shop, this isn’t just a ‘shower gel’. It contains many ingredients that aid in skin condition and healing. Ingredients such as:-

• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder - not only is Aloe Vera, anti-inflammatory, cooling and aids in healing dry, irritated skin types, but the ethically sourced Aloe Vera is made from Community Fair Trade Organic Aloe in Mexico. The trade helps ‘support indigenous female farmers living on the edge of the rainforests’. 
• Fragaria Vesca Juice/Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Juice - strawberries contain salicylic acid which acts as a natural fruit exfoliator, removing dead skin cells and leaving skin looking brighter and more radiant. It also helps with hyperpigmentation and can help fight against acne. 
• Salicylic Acid - as above this helps by softening loosening dead skin cells and unclogging blocked pores, helping to reduce blemishes.

It lathers up well, you only need a small amount on a body puff to get a real pick me up. Cruelty Free and Vegan, you can purchase by clicking the link HERE

SOS Sensitive Cleanse 50ml £16 / Serum 50ml £16 Review

 

The SOS range has been developed for skin conditions that really do need ‘emergency’ treatment for their skin. Ideal for skin types that maybe suffering from acne, eczema, psoriasis, reactions to hormones, medicines, stress and damage from harsh weather elements. It’s a skincare range that remedies the above whilst, offering immediate comfort and relief from irritation.

SOS Sensitive Cleanse 50ml £16

Without even breaking down the list of ingredients, I can tell that the Sensitive Cleanse is gentle on the skin, as simply it doesn’t have lots of ingredients! 

The formula includes:-

• Isododecane (Plant Based) - a barrier that helps lock in moisture. 
• Propanediol (Plant Based) - again holds in moisture (humectant), derived from corn sugar this helps dissolve makeup and grime.
• Grapeseed Oil - an ant-inflammatory that is high in linoleic acid, which strengthens the skin. This in turn helps to reduce inflammation such as acne. 
• Glycerin - acts as a humectant, keeps skin nourished and hydrated. 
• Globularia Alypum Extract - Blue Daisy, used in skincare for its healing properties. This excellent anti-inflammatory is skin soothing and reduces itchy, irritated skin types.

The lightncream consistency melts into the skin quickly and dissolves all makeup and grime. Removed with a dampen cotton pad or wash cloth, all impurities are removed and skin is left feeling soft, supple and refreshed.

SOS Sensitive Serum 50ml £16

The SOS Serum contains a cocktail of ingredients to cool and relieve irritated skin types. This is the ultimate rescue remedy for teenage acne, sunburnt skin, weathered skin, hormonal skin for any skin condition that has been the result of illness and medication. 

Healing ingredients include:-

• Wasabia Japonica Root Extract (Wasabi) - instantly cools the skin, gives immediate relief to inflamed skin, it’s also a power antioxidant and can help decrease age spots.
• Arctium Lappa Extract (Burdock Leaf) - helps calm down skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis and rosacea. It also detoxifies the skin and promotes circulation. 
• Menthone Glycerin Acetal Extract (Peppermint) - cooling and increases circulation to the skin so promotes wound healing. Also helps prevent skin infection and is ideal for those who suffer from acne. 
• Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride - helps improve skin texture, is nourishing and also gives a protective barrier against pollution. 
• Hyaluronic Acid (Veg) - Helps bind moisture to the skin, so skin is left feeling soft and nourished. 
• Citric Acid - a natural exfoliator that helps get rid of dead skin cells, skin is left brighter and more receptive to other skin ingredients. 
• Undeclyenic Acid - antibacterial this ingredient helps fungal and yeast infections. Ideal if you are suffering from breakouts and gives immediate relief from sore, burning skin.

This light gel textured serum, sinks immediately into the skin. As mentioned it is ideal if you are suffering from breakouts and a good product to keep in your medicine cabinet as well as your bathroom shelf! It can be used over the face and body.

Both products are cruelty free, vegan, use plant based ingredients and do not use any chemical nasties such as Parabens, Sulphates, Mineral Oil and free from Fragrance. Made in the UK, you can purchase on their website by clicking the link HERE

Thayers Hydrating Milky Toner £16.99 / Barrier Bestie Ultra Whip Cream £24.99

 

I was surprised that I hadn’t heard of this brand before, as it has been going since 1847 and has a huge following of faithful and satisfied customers (looking at reviews on Amazon).

Hydrating Milky Toner £16.99

The Hydrating Milky Toner is not just ‘any’ toner. It is a toner that treats a variety of skin conditions from eczema to acne and thanks to the ingredients, is also super hydrating. 

Whilst the biggest ingredient (as with most toners), is water,  it has ingredients that help soothe and restore a variety of skin complaints. Such ingredients are:-

• Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccaride - otherwise known as Snow Fungus (mushroom), often used in Chinese medicine, this ingredient holds up to 500 its weight in water, making it an excellent humectant. Ideal for those who suffer with dry, itchy skin this wonder ingredient, really helps keep skin moisturised.
• Citric Acid - known for its natural exfoliation properties, so helps naturally buff away dead skin cells. Skin appears brighter and more radiant.
• Sodium Hyaluronate - another ingredient that binds moisture to the skin, so skin is hydrated and nourished.
• Sambacus Nigra Flower Water - otherwise known as Elderberry, this helps keep skin feeling soft and supple. It also has anti-inflammatory effects so helps reduce redness and also protects against free radicals, environmental pollution and so aids in cell health.

Whilst it can be used to remove the last traces of cleanser, it can also be used to freshen up throughout the day. You only need a small amount of the milky toner on cotton wool, lightly wiped across the face to leave it feeling refreshed and moisturised. 

Unlike many toners, it is alcohol free so won’t dry out the skin and is also fragrance free so will not irritate the skin.

Barrier Bestie Ultra Whip Cream £24.99

This moisturising cream, gives skin an intense injection of hydration without giving any irritation. It is ideal for those who suffer with dry or very dry skin types, and literally gives skin a cloak of comfort nourishment. 

There are lots of skin soothing and non-pore clogging ingredients such as:-

• Butyrospermum Parkii Butter - Shea Butter, rich in fatty acids that help moisturise the skin as well as creating a barrier against element aggressors, to protect the skin.
• Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil - this gives natural exfoliation to leave skin looking clearer and brighter.
• Squalane - this particular Squalane has been derived from sugar cane, which makes skin supple and helps get rid of tight, dry skin types. 
• Ceramides - the cream contains several types of Ceramide that all work to prevent moisturise loss from the skin. Ceramides also help reduce hyperpigmentation and protect the skin from radical damage (such as UV rays). They also serve to protect the skin from bacteria so help prevent infection. 

Super light in texture, this cream sinks immediately into parched, thirsty skin and immediately eradicates dry, tight and skin that has been ‘weathered’. Again it is fragrance free making it ideal for sensitive skin types.

You can purchase both these items off Amazon or by clicking the link HERE

Lab by Natura Siberica Biome Hydration Miceller Water / Removing Cleansing Balm Review

 

The new Biome Range Cleansers from Natura Siberica have a unique formula that takes them from just being a ‘cleanser’, to a skin treatment that actively aids in skin healing, whilst removing makeup and grime. Whilst both are essentially ‘cleansers’, each one has their purpose in your cleansing regime.

Lab by NS. Biome Hydration Miceller Water 400ml £12

A Miceller Water, is essentially ‘water’ with cleansing properties included. Used for their quickness in removing makeup, grime and pollution, they’re ideal to have in your bathroom or travel for many reasons. 

• A late night, too tired to focus on your skincare ‘ritual’, a Miceller Water is quick and easy, just apply to cotton wool and swipe over your face to remove all impurities.
• Ideal for travel, decant into a smaller bottle and apply after or during your flight to refresh your face.
• New mum, busy job again, this quick and easy removal process takes just seconds to remove grime.
• Not only does a Miceller Water remove make up but it also acts as a ‘toner and moisturiser’ so, often you can forgo any other skincare, if you’re in a rush.
• It acts as a ‘facial’ in a bottle, and whilst doesn’t substitute for a deep cleansing ritual, again it’s ideal if you’re short on time.

However, where the NS. Biome Miceller Water stands out from others on the market, is the high quantity of Sodium Hyaluronate, which binds moisture to the skin, leaving skin feeling soft and supple. It also has many other active ingredients such as:-

• Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolsate - hydrates the skin and acts as a humectant.
• Panthenol - skin soothing, helps inflammation and decreases redness.
• Angelica Archangelica Root Extract - ideal for acne this helps reduce redness and inflammation.
• Lactobacillus Ferment - comforts tight and irritated skin types. 
• Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract - aka Cloudberry contains fatty acids that help repair skin damage. Packed full of vitamin C this also helps brighten dull skin types.
• Aralia Mandshurica Leaf/Stem Extract - helps rejuvenate the skin, this acts as a toner giving skin a brighter appearance.
• Calluna Vulgaris Extract - the flower extract from this plant, is a powerful anti-inflammatory and helps aid in redness and acne. It also has natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties. 

Lab by NS. Biome Hydration Make-up Removing Cleansing Balm 100ml £12

The Hydration Make-up Removing Cleansing Balm is your skincare ‘ritual’ cleanser. It not only gives a deep cleanse, but the actual motion of moisturising the melting balm into your skin, can help drain your sinuses and give a sense of wellbeing. You can also leave on the skin for slightly longer acting as a hydration mask, and incorporate an exfoliator to make it into an exfoliation mask. 

You only need a small amount massaged into the face, to really give a deep and thorough cleanse. Make-up simply dissolves and once removed with a warm wash cloth, your skin is left feeling moisturised and fresh.

The main ingredient that makes up the base of the cleanser is Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, which contains a large amount of Linoleic Acid. Not to be alarmed by the ‘acid’, this oil helps strengthen and soothe, tight and dehydrated skin conditions.

It also contains:-

• Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil - aka Almond Oil, helps soothe conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
• Cera Alba - Beeswax, incredibly moisturising, this humectant draws water to your skin and helps with inflammatory skin conditions. 
• Squalane - derived from Squalene, that is a component from sebum, this helps soften the skin without blocking pores.
• Vitis Vinefera Seed Oil - otherwise known as Grapeseed Oil, this helps hydrate the skin and softens fine lines and wrinkles.
• Glycine Soja Oil - Soybean Oil, again has lots of antioxidants and helps replenish the skin, ideal for dry and sensitive skin types.
• Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract - helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines. 

Both are made using at least 97.5% natural ingredients, including wild harvested plants. They’re online to purchase at Natura Siberica or by clicking the link HERE