Lab by Natura Siberica Biome Hydrogel Eye Patch 60 pcs RRP £9.99

 

I was sent these a while back however, I wanted to save the review for the party season as they're an essential part of rehabilitation for the morning after, and certainly an essential treatment prior to the big event (be it Christmas party, having to get into work or just having to face the day)! 

There are a few different types of eye patches to choose from the Natura Siberica Biome range. They can be used to treat all types of eye ailments from dehydrated, tired, itchy, puffy, anti-aging, toning the list goes on. I was sent the Hyaluronic Eye Patch and the Refreshing and Smoothing Eye Patch. 

'The Biome Base: Postbiotic active 1%, Northern cloudberry and Wild raspberry fermented extracts help support your skin's microbiome, while maintaining  healthy skin and helping to keep your natural youthful looks'. 

Each pot contains 60 eye patches in your chosen serum. Simply take 2 out and press lightly under your eyes and leave for up to 15 minutes to allow the product to soak in. After removing and discarding, just tap lightly with your ring finger to press in any excess.

The Refreshing and Soothing Eye Patches are ideal after a heavy night, be it from partying, lack of sleep from menopause or being a new mum. The patches are formulated to specifically target puffy eyes, and include ingredients such as:-

• Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract - Cloudberry - packed with vitamin C this wonder ingredient repairs the skin and helps calm puffy, irritated eyes with its anti-inflammatory properties. 
• Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract - aka Raspberry fruit, high in anti-oxidants that help reduce the signs of aging, rejuvenate tired eyes and help protect the skin from UV rays. 
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract - soothing, cooling and toning ideal for tired eyes.
• Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract - field mint, refreshing, cooling and firming. 

The Hyaluronic Patch has Hyaluronic Acid a substance that is a natural fluid found in our eyes and joints. In skincare it helps retain water, so wrinkles look diminished and skin will look and feel plumper. Panthenol is known for it's skin protecting properties and helps alleviate itchy, red skin around the eyes. It rapidly hydrates the skin so your eyes look fresher and more wide awake! The patches also contain Cloudberry and Raspberry along with many other active ingredients.

Here are the after results from using the patch on my left eye (in this photo facing it is the right eye). You can see there is a remarkable difference between the two as my wrinkles and dehydration lines have evidently diminished. Whilst I haven't tested for the long-term benefits, there is no doubt that for short term use these most definitely work! 

The award winning products are cruelty free and have only 5 star reviews on the website! You can purchase them here at Natura Siberica

Odylique by Essential Care Prebioitic Rich Hydration Cream 50g RRP £29

 

Given my platform of readers are mostly Essex and the South East, I'm guessing that you've all had some snow - indeed in Brentwood, we've had over 15cm and so I've not been outside much as its been incredibly icy.  That saying, I have managed to get out of my road in my car, and finally walk a very much sulking dog! 

In these extreme weather conditions where you get the weather elements of bitter, cold winds combined with the warm central heating (or not, I've taken to wearing a hat and coat in the house), the elements play havoc on our skin. Now is the time when we really need to ramp up our skin care and for most of us that means a richer, more hydrating cream and one that gives a barrier to protect against wintry conditions.

When looking for a winter skin cream, you need to be looking for one that ticks all the boxes, hydrating, protecting and one that aids skin health and conditions.  The Odylique Prebiotic Rich Hydration Cream is not only 100% of natural origin but is certified organic, vegan and PETA cruelty free. It has a cocktail of ingredients to ensure your skin gets the best protection, such as:-

• Persea Gratissima (Avocado Oil) - contains vitamins A, C, D and E so helps protect the skin from environmental aggressors, shields the skin from UV rays, nourishing and hydrating. 
• Ricinis Communis (Castor Oil) - rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, incredibly moisturising, helps with inflammation from pimples and is anti-microbial so helps ward off spots. 
• Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Extract - enhances elasticity in the skin, giving a youthful appearance. Contains large amounts of vitamin C that gives radiance to dull complexions. 
• Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Extract) - toning and helps tighten the skin, whilst warding off bacteria with its anti-bacterial properties.
• Lactic Acid - helps improve texture and is a natural exfoliant without stripping the skin.

The cream is rich and you only need a small amount however, you can see from the photo (left is before) that there was a remarkable difference just with one application. Obviously this is superficial for the first use however, with continued use and the quality of ingredients I shall be interested in the long-term results. I loved how it immediately gave a plumping effect and my skin looked radiant. Often I gift samples once I have tested them however, this is staying with me throughout winter! You can purchase here at Odylique

Lotil Skincare Sample Review

 

Lotil is a brand that I have always recommended. Whilst it's marketed and sold on the shelves as a skincare brand, I often think that the line should be placed under the medical section as well as skincare, as the formula helps heal many conditions from chapped lips, dry patches, eczema etc, and it's non scented, basic formulas are suitable from birth to 99. A small tube should be in every medical household cabinet!

The British brand has a huge fan base from the moment it first launched 100 years ago and has become one of the top brands used by both men and women as a staple for moisturising dry, cracked skin. With prices starting at just £1.99 for the SPF30 lip care, not only is it rated 10/10 but also very cost effective.

The Lotil Foot Cream £5.92 114ml is a rich cream that is designed not only to lock in moisture but also contains Aloe Vera, known for its cooling and soothing properties. Ideal to use at night, simply massage into feet then for an extra treatment, apply cotton socks and in the morning, you'll wake up with super soft tootsies. The formula also contains Rosemary known to be antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral so will help keep fungal infections at bay. Ideal to use after swimming or on holiday, especially if you've been walking around barefoot!

The Original Cream £7 114ml (pictured above), comes in various sizes so you can pop one in your travel/handbag/nappy bag/desk etc. This rich cream sinks into the skin and doesn't leave any greasy residue. It's not only ideal for moisturising the body, but helps heal cracked cuticles and hands, especially in the colder, winter months. It can be used in the hot weather to help chafing legs and ideal to use in pregnancy to prevent stretch marks.  Key ingredients include: -

• Oleic Acid - hydrating and moisturising, helps keep skin nourished, soft and supple. Ideal for dehydrated, dry skin types.
• Glycerine - acts as a humectant, so allows the skin to hold in moisture. It helps protect the skin from environmental aggressors such as sun, wind, rain and extreme cold.

There is something for everyone in the range for Christmas, whether it's a mum to be, teacher, sportsperson. My 14yr son will love the lip balm, as it's non-scented and protects the lips from drying out and chapping as well as having the added SPF30 to protect against the suns UV rays. Whilst my 19yr daughter will grab the moisturiser, as the unscented base means she can have softer skin without the scent clashing with her body spray! You can check out the range here at Lotil

Wype Sample Review Christmas Mystery Gift Box RRP £20

 

I've not heard of the brand Wype before however, had I been sent this press release around 16 years ago I most certainly would've used the brand personally, as my children were toddlers and bio-degradable wipes, were not really common back then! 

Wype was founded by Giorgia Granata and Eli Khrapko who met whilst studying for an MBA. Their vision was to create a gel that would eliminate the way we use wet wipes, a gel that was natural, safe enough for babies and most importantly wouldn't clog up our seas. It was a task that would prove to be difficult, as not only did it have to be environmentally and skin friendly but also cost effective. However, with sheer determination within months Wype was born, and if you only look at the Trust Pilot reviews you will see it has a huge, loyal fan base.

This year to add even more fun to the brand, they've brought out an 'A**hole or Angel' Mystery Gift Box. The recipient won't know what they're getting, and you will not know what you are choosing - it will be left to the senders to decide, have you been 'naughty or good'. 

I was sent the 'A**hole' as Santa obviously thinks I've been naughty (for the record I'm a complete Angel)! Inside the box was a bundle of goodies that made up for a fun and novelty gift idea. 

• The 'Ring of Fire' Smokin' Ghost BBQ Sauce 100ml - this sauce has a heat level of 3 so perfect to add just a little tomato spice. The versatile sauce is vegan and vegetarian and can be used as a condiment to meat, fish, pasta etc. 
• Let it Burn Candle - this gorgeous candle smells utterly amazing, and has notes of tobacco and honey, making it the perfect unisex candle with smoky, woody undertones with a slight hint of sweetness.
• 3 x Wype Mini Natural Toilet Paper Gel - to use, simply add a pump of the gel to toilet paper and it instantly becomes a wet wipe. The 30ml size is ideal to take with you travelling, festivals or if using, in your nappy bag. It has extracts of Aloe Vera, known for healing and anti-inflammatory properties, Chamomile for soothing inflamed skin, vitamin E and moisturising coconut oil. The product is fragrance free, paraben free and pH balanced.

My only gripe with the set for the A**hole is the poem that came included. I would personally omit this, as it is rather 'harsh' and if you're sending this directly you won't know what gift they'll get.  Otherwise, if you know the recipient can take a joke, you have good banter or it's for your little brother who's constantly winding you up - then leave it in! 

You can purchase the Mystery Gift Sets for £20 here at Wype

Noble Isle 'The Greenhouse Sussex Country Garden' Sample Review

 

If you don't know about this brand, then I will begin by telling you it's quintessentially British, made in the UK, Vegan, Cruelty Free, Sustainable and uses extracts of flowers and plants, many of which are sourced as local as possible.

This year marks the brands 10th Year Anniversary, and I have been lucky enough to receive a sample of The Greenhouse Sussex Country Garden Candle and The Greenhouse Sussex Country Garden Bath & Shower Gel.

The fragrance is the epitome of an English garden and has at the base of its fragrance the scent of Sun Gold Tomato Leaf, sourced from the stunningly, beautiful Gravetye Manor. The Manor, based in the Sussex countryside is famous for its home grown produce, that is not just used in cooking but in fine fragrance. 

The Bath & Shower Gel 250ml RRP £22 turns a humdrum, basic wash, into a mesmeric spa ritual, one where your mind will be transported into an oasis of a walled garden, on a warm, summers day. With notes of bergamot, jasmine, honeysuckle, the floral sweetness is balanced by the grounding, gentle spicy notes of patchouli. Crispy, revitalising mint and cucumber add to this banquet of scents, giving that memorable and distinctive countryside freshness.

You only need a small amount under a running warm tap, to fill the bath with a delightful number of bubbles, or if you prefer a small amount onto a sponge, body puff to lather all over your body.  The Sungold Tomato Extract contains Lycopene an antioxidant that is known not just for anti-inflammatory, and skin balancing properties but also helps protect the skin from the sun's harmful UV rays, helping prevent sun damage. Skin is left feeling fresh, softly scented and nourished.

The Greenhouse Sussex Country Garden Candle RRP £42 has the same fragrance, and at 200g gives plenty of burning time. If I tell you that it gives off the crisp, floral scent by just being placed in the hallway without being lit, you may get an inkling of the quality of essences used. At that price, the quality of essential oils used mean that the fragrance is long lasting and will fill your house up with delicate fragrance.

These make amazing Christmas gifts; however, it would be very hard and tempting not to keep yourself. If you check out the website now, they have some amazing 'Black Friday' deals on although, you may find them being snapped up very quickly! You can view the whole range of different fragrances, home scents, body care here at Noble Isle