Tata Harper® Superkind Refining Cleanser 125ml RRP £79

Throughout my career as a Beauty Editor, one of the questions I was often asked was ‘what skincare product should I spend my money on and what should I save my pennies on’? My answer is still the same which is, spend on serums and eye creams but save on cleansers and toners. So when I’m reviewing a ‘cleanser’ that costs £79 I need to find out why you, the consumer, should spend that money on essentially a product that you are just ‘washing off’.

Firstly, a look at the ingredients. The top ingredient is Calendula Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Juice (organically grown). This immediately stands out amongst a ‘normal cleanser’ where the top ingredient is often Aqua. 

Calendula is otherwise known as Marigold, and in skincare it acts as skin soothing ingredient, ideal for acne, eczema and inflamed skin conditions. It helps promote wound healing by increasing blood flow to the skin, it helps with hydration making skin appear plumper and retaining moisture. It also has strong anti-inflammatory benefits so ideal if you suffer with tight, itchy and irritated skin. 

Other ingredients (note not in order), such as Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, which is anti-bacterial and ideal if you have acne prone skin, as reduces swelling and redness, which also helps with psoriasis and dermatitis. It stimulates collagen so helps regeneration and cell renewal. It is often used in after-sun as helps alleviate itching and sunburn. 

However, the special ingredient for me, personally is the Oryza Sativa (Rice) Powder. A finely milled powder which gently exfoliates the skin, leaving it feeling incredibly smooth and full of radiance. It sloughs away dead skin cells but without scratching the surface of the skin. Often in exfoliating products, ‘beads’ are used that are far too harsh for the face. However, Rice Powder is gentle enough to use on all skin types including sensitive. 

Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract has many benefits for the skin including helping to lighten pigmentation and dark spots. Full of salicylic acid that helps to naturally refine skin tone with its astringent properties. The natural sugars also gently exfoliate the skin, reducing oil production and clearing pores. 

Pyrus Malus (Apple) Seed Oil, again helps give the skin radiance with its natural sugar exfoliants.  However, Apple has several vitamins such as A, C and K that help protect the skin from environmental pollution such as sun radiation, smoke and pollution. 

Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract - Chamomile, soothing, wound healing and again used in many sunburn remedies. It can also help lighten blemishes and even out skin tone. 

You only need a very small amount as the product gently emulsifies. The Rice Powder gives almost an micro-dermabrasion effect without the harshness of a full on dermabrasion. Work it into the face and, as it’s so gentle into the neck, concentrating on areas where you may have large pores such as nose and chin. 

Simply rinse off with warm water, and you will notice an immediate difference. I tested on the back of my hand for the photos, and it left it feeling super soft.

Having reviewed this cleanser, it cannot be categorised as just a ‘cleanser’ more of a skin treatment, which brings me back to my original quest. Why should you spend £79 on a cleanser? That is because it is not. It’s also vegan and most of the ingredients are from organic farming, with 100% of ingredients are from natural origin. 

If you go on to the Space NK Website by clicking the link HERE you will see the hundreds of five star reviews from happy customers. 

 

Olverum Bath Oil 60ml RRP £28

 

I only wrote about this British brand a month ago however, last week I had a press release ping into my email to say that the brand Olverum had been granted a Royal Warrant by his Majesty King Charles ‘a mark of recognition for it’s long-standing commitment to quality, care and craftsmanship’. A much deserving award due to the ingredients used and the sustainability on how they are sourced. 

One of their best selling products is the heavenly scented Bath Oil, filled with essential oils from plants and fruits. The cocktail of potent and heady oils include:-

Siberian Fir Needle Oil

Calms inflammation, soothing, helps calm the nervous system, cleansing, reduces acne, calms the mind. 

Rosemary

Stimulating, excellent for circulation, gives mental clarity, ideal for tension relief, promotes skin circulation, combats acne, helps stimulate lymphatic drainage and thus prevents cellulite, anti-inflammatory, reduces redness.

Maychang Fruit Oil

Uplifting, calming helps with anxiety and can lift depressive moods, helps with conditions such as eczema, anti-septic and supports the immune system. 

Lavender 

Calming, soothing, helps promote good sleep, wound healing, treats acne, mentally reduces anxiety, anti-microbial, reduces eczema, reduces the appearance of scars, fights bacteria. 

Geranium 

Hormone balancing, antiseptic, full of antioxidants, balances sebum production, helps prevents breakouts, fades dark spots and pigmentation wound healing. Is an uplifting scent that produces a well-being effect. 

Eucalyptus Leaf Oil 

Head cleaning, stimulating, helps clear foggy mind, anti-inflammatory, good for respiratory conditions such as colds and sinusitis, natural pain relief for aching muscle and joints, stress relieving. 

Lemon Peel/Lime Oil 

Both these oils have astringent and toning properties and are good for circulation. Natural exfoliants, help keep skin smooth, clarifying, kill bacteria, rejuvenating and brightening. Full of vitamin C, adds radiance, increases elasticity and anti-fungal. 

Juniper Fruit

Rich in vitamin C, ideal for skin cell renewal, anti-inflammatory, helps soothe inflamed skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, hydrating, detoxifying and deep cleansing. Good for arthritic pain and rheumatic aches and pains. 

You only need a couple of drop of the Bath Oil to fill the room with the delightful aromatic scent. It’s like stepping into a spa that really clears the head. Ideal after a hot day, after sports, if you are unwell or just need a pick-me up. Vegan and cruelty-free. You can purchase by clicking the link HERE

Olverum Skincare Review

 

I’ve not done a skincare review in a while, and so it’s nice to kick off my beauty reviews with a skincare one that is new to me. Spring is all about new growth, beginnings and the start of what hopefully is a brighter time ahead. Not only is it a time we associate with change in weather, but it also has an affect on our skin condition. Many find that their skin changes with the heat and so will have to adjust their products accordingly. 

The Olverum range is one that I have not reviewed before however, I have chosen to review it out of the many releases I get sent daily as I liked the ‘purity’ and at a quick glance on the press release also liked the sound of the ingredients!

Before I begin, a brief synopsis about the company. I do love a good heritage background and Olverum certainly doesn’t disappoint. Its first ‘oil’ was made in the 1920s by Franz Otto, who was an experienced winemaker, and his wife Edith a pharmacologist. Sourcing the finest essential oils they produced a blend that would later on become so in demand, it was used in a spa. Unfortunately during the war, it became impossible to source the essential oils however, by chance it was was discovered and eventually acquired by Michael and Betty Hawksley (founder of perfumery Les Senteur). In 2015 the oil was rebranded and today Olverum is a successful product range stocked in places such as John Lewis and Space NK.

Alpine Revive Cleansing Balm 100ml RRP £55

I have been testing cleansers for the last 20 years as a Beauty Writer and, once in a while, one tops my list of must-haves. For me a cleansing balm must have these two things. The ability to easily remove make-up and an aromatic smell that makes the ritual of removing makeup a pleasure. This has both and more. 

The buttery soft texture, melted immediately into my skin, making it effortless to massage my sinuses and pressure points. It dissolved my makeup instantly however, the fragrance was just incredible, that beautiful spa, aromatic fragrance that makes you breathe a little bit clearer. 

Ingredients are in abundance and have too many to write down but include:-

• Jojoba Seed Oil - has anti-microbial properties so helps protect the skin from bacteria, also calms irritated skin. 
• Squalane - mimics the skin’s own oil, helps plump the skin and prevents moisture loss so skin is left feeling supple.
• Rosehip Fruit Oil - helps reduce scarring, brightens dull, dehydrated skin types, is anti-inflammatory so ideal for those with acne. Has a high vitamin C content which helps with brightening the skin and gives radiance. 
• Clary Sage Oil - stimulates cell renewal, repairs the skin and protects it from bacteria. 
• Eucalyptus Oil - helps soothe conditions such as acne and eczema due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps prevent blemishes due to anti-bacterial properties. 
• Rosemary Leaf Oil - rich in carnosic acid, this helps protect the skin from environmental aggressors such as pollution. It also stimulates circulation so helps improve the condition of skin as well as getting nutrients to the skin. 
• Juniper Fruit Oil - anti-inflammatory so again helps with redness and skin conditions such as psoriasis. It also has strong astringent properties so ideal for oily and acne prone skin types. 
• Green Tea Extract - contains an anti-oxidant called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which helps protect the skin against UV aggressors. Green Tea is often used in eye creams as it also helps reduce puffiness and dark circles. 
• Geranium Flower Oil - skin balancing this helps calm the skin especially if you suffer with hormonal flare ups. 

The quality of the Alpine Reviving Cleansing Balm is, as listed above far superior to many of its competitors. A little goes a long way and so this pot will last a good 6 weeks. I also like to use it as a mask and let it sit on my skin for a while before removing, or added to a little facial exfoliator to give a spa like exfoliation. 

Procellular™ Defence Day Cream 50ml RRP £70

A quick glance at the ingredients on the back and I knew this was a must have for my dull, sallow skin. Before even glancing at the ingredients and testing the product, I could see that the formula was based around Vitamin C. 

The orange, lightweight cream, dissolved instantly into my dry, dehydrated skin and made it instantly feel comforted. 

The cream is based around Olverum’s ‘hyper-antioxidant complex’ a powerful blend of antioxidants known for their healing and anti-aging results. Ingredients such as:-

• Astaxanthin Extract - reduces hyper-pigmentation, sun damaged skin, regenerates tissue and gives elasticity. It is an incredibly powerful anti-oxidant giving maximum protection against pollution, UV rays and other environmental elements. It is so strong that it can repair DNA damage such as brown spots in 2 weeks. 
• Reishi Mushroom Stem Extract - contains compounds that protect skin care health by promoting collagen production. It’s anti-aging, skin soothing and ideal ingredient for hormonal skin types especially menopausal. 
• Cica Leaf Extract - full of amino acids and beta carotene that help protect the skin from environmental stressors. 
• Cardamom Seed Oil - brightening, gives dull skin radiance. 
• Lavender Flower Oil - calming, soothing and ideal if you suffer from any redness.

These are just a few of the ingredients, the Day Cream is packed full of oils, extracts that work in harmony to give you a clear and youthful complexion.

Procellular™ Renewal Night Cream 50ml RRP £80

A little goes a long way with both the Day and the Night Cream. The Night Cream has ingredients that really get to work whilst your skin is repairing itself. 

Ingredients focus on strengthening the skin’s barrier and plumping the skin. Ingredients such as:-

• Cacay Seed Oil - rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which help with scarring and restoring the skin. It’s a natural retinol which gently eradicates wrinkles and ideal to use if retinol is too harsh for your skin type. 
• Rose of Jericho Extract - also known as the ‘Resurrection Plant’, due to it’s ability to thrive in dry conditions, it’s an ideal extract to help prevent moisture loss, keeping skin hydrated and supple. 
• Xanthophyll Extract - these carotenoid pigments are derived from plants, algae and fish that help protect the skin from pollution, wind, sun etc. It is often called Lutein which is used for its protection against sun damage. 
• Spirulina Platensis Juice - a blue/green algae that helps reduce inflammation and improves skin tone and texture. It is rich in the anti-oxidant ‘phycocyanin’ that helps protect the skin from free radicals. 
• Melatonin - helps reduce redness, irritation and skin inflammation, whilst also repairing and improving skin cell regeneration. 

The products have all five star ratings from loyal customers and it’s easy to see why. The quality of the ingredients and the quantity put the far above other products sold at similar prices. All the products are vegan, and once opened have a shelf life of 6 months. 

You can purchase the products by visiting the Olverum website or by clicking the link HERE

L’Occitane En Provence Sensitive Shower Cream / Body Rich Lotion Review

 

The sunny weather seems to have finally made an appearance this week in the South East, and has left the majority of us all bright eyed and bushy tailed! However, it also means exposing more skin, and if mine is anything to go by, it’s really not that fair on the public! At the moment my pins are not even resembling crocodile skin, think more on the lines of hessian. Having spent the last 4 months covering up my legs, it’s now time to up that skincare and make them public worthy rather than cringe worthy.

This means upping the game on products, choosing products that will give my dry, parched and thirsty skin the much needed nourishment to banish any signs of reptile skin.

L’Occitane Sensitive Skin Shower Cream 250ml RRP £17.50

The 5% Shea Shower Cream is one of the first products I like to swap when my skin is feeling dry, neglected and suffering from hormonal imbalance.  It’s ideal if you are menopausal, recovering from illness, pregnancy and is suitable for all skin types. It’s a universal product that can be kept in the bathroom for the whole family to use. 

It contains both Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil and Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Oil, ingredients that have a multitude of benefits such as:-

• Rich in antioxidants, help protect the skin from environmental aggressors such as smoke and UV rays. 
• Helps calm irritated skin types, especially if you suffer with itchy, hormonal skin.
• As it’s lightweight it helps balance both oily and dehydrated skin making it ideal for acne prone skin and dry skin.
• Sunflower Oil has a high linoleic acid content, so helps maintain the skin’s moisture levels.
• Shea Butter is anti-inflammatory, aiding in soothing conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. 
• Shea Butter also helps boost collagen production, so skin feels more elastic and firm.

You only need a small amount to get a lather. The fragrance is reminiscing of comfort, warmth and enveloping softness. It leaves the body freshly cleansed, and unlike other shower gels, softly moisturised.

15% Body Rich Lotion 250ml RRP £29

The 15% Shea Rich Lotion is your emergency SOS for dry, dehydrated skin types. It instantly transforms dry skin, cracked heels and parched knees, elbows into nourished, soft skin.

It has so many active ingredients to help heal dry, dehydrated skin. As well as Shea Butter and Sunflower Seed Oil, it also contains:-

• Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract - rich in anti-oxidants, anti-microbial, this ingredient is a good all-rounder for protecting skin from bacteria. It’s ideal if you suffer with acne, and, unlike many other ingredients it doesn’t ‘strip’ the skin. It’s non pore clogging and very hydrating. 
• Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract) - soothing and improves skin elasticity, ideal if you suffer with sagging skin. It’s full of essential fatty acids so really aids in keeping the skin supple. 
• Mel Extract/Honey Extract - this rich source of honey is a humectant so draws water to the skin and holds moisture. It’s also healing and soothing. 
• Althaea Officinalis  Root Extract - otherwise known as Marshmallow Root, this ingredient helps protect the skin and promotes skin repair. It’s ideal if you suffer with sores, pimples as again is anti-microbial. 
• Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Fruit Extract - contains high vitamin E content which is good at lightening scars. It also helps soothe irritated skin types such as excuse an and psoriasis. 
• Jojoba Esters - skin tightening, this ingredient supports the skin’s natural barrier function. 

The consistency is that of whipped Greek yoghurt, thick but easily spread onto the skin, without the need for any vigorous massaging in. Use just a small amount every time you shower, or before a night out, on extra dry areas such as knees/elbows before fake tanning, and my personal favourite use to massage into feet at night, before putting on socks to allow the product to absorb. 

Like the Shower Gel, it smells utterly divine, a gentle and soft honey, that is not overpowering and suitable for the whole family. 

Of course it’s also Mother’s Day coming up soon, and these would make fantastic gifts for anyone who’s in need of a treat - and some nurturing. 

As with all the L’Occitane products the packaging is recyclable and it’s most definitely worth checking out their website to see their sustainability goals, especially on the Shea range, where only organic is used and sourced from Burkina Faso (West Africa). You can read more and purchase the products by clicking the link HERE

Living proof.® Air-Dry Styler 148ml Sample Review RRP £27

It seems that every day there’s a new hair product being launched, often many of them doing the same job (de-frizzing, giving volume) etc. The products are ‘glorified’ and given creative names, I imagine in a similar way to my days in the advertising world of ‘naming brainstorm’.  However, I was intrigued to try out the new ‘Air-dry Styler’ by Living proof.® as a) I love their products and b) it’s not a serum, mousse or cream, but an all in one product that actually does something rather remarkable.

Before I go into the before, afters etc a little bit about the product. Their claim is it ‘creates effortless, lasting styles’ without the need for blow-drying or using heated appliances. It gives definition, de-frizzes and gives shine however, it also acts as a styler and gives straight hair, waves and light curls definition without that dry, crispiness other products give.

I’ve given a step-by-step of my hair before and after. As you can see before, my hair is frizzy, neither straight nor curly, looks dry and lacks any kind of style. I do have layers but there is no definition. 

I washed my hair and conditioned as usual, I then applied about a 10p piece which I then spread onto my fingertips and worked through my hair. It coats generously and on my fine (lots of) hair, this was enough.

I then simply left to dry naturally. I didn’t scrunch my hair or brush it, I just left it to see the full benefits of the product. Even as it was damp, it felt conditioned without any tackiness that mousse leaves, or greasiness that serums can give and without feeling heavy that often leave in conditioners do.

The final result (it’s still a little damp here), is shiny, separated and soft waves. For someone, like me who is often so busy this product is a definite ‘staying in my bathroom cabinet’. 

It has the added benefit of Sunflower Seed Oil, so is conditioning and helps protect against environmental aggressors. The product is free from sulphates, parabens, is colour safe and cruelty free.

You can see all the five star reviews and purchase by visiting their website HERE. At the moment you can also get 15% off and get a FREE travel size PhD Dry Shampoo (no code needed).