Nourish Skincare Range: A Review

Following my review of some Organic Surge products (here), I was offered the chance to try some products from a new skincare range called Nourish. I am really in to natural, paraben-free skincare at the moment, so I knew these products would be perfect for me!

Nourish has four ranges featuring four different ingredients to suit different skin types. These include: Orange for Dry Skin, Apple for Combination Skin, Lavender for Sensitive Skin and Rose for Normal Skin. Each range features four key products: Cleanser, Toner, Moisturiser and Serum. This is one thing I really like about the company: they're not trying to sell you millions of different "wonder" products for every problem under the sun - it's just the basics (which are perfectly adequate, don't get me wrong!) 

I was sent two of their products to try out: The apple toner spritzer and lavender moisturiser. The first thing you'll notice about their products is the amazing scents! Really nice for waking you up in the morning!

"Balanced blend of vitamins and minerals. The refining mist restores the natural pH level of oily and dry skin after cleansing. Recommended for combination skin and to restore the skin's natural barrier. 97% Organic."

-Taken from their website

This is a really, really nice toner. I have always been a bit sceptical about toners as they've never really done much for my skin, except dry it out. This one is totally different: it soothes and calms my skin, without leaving it sticky or greasy. I have noticed that my moisturiser sinks in a lot quicker when I've used this, and I therefore use a lot less product. The scent is gorgeous - it smells of apple, but not a really artificial, sickly-sweet scent: It's very pleasant and refreshing. This would be perfect for taking on holiday for a quick refresh for your skin midday - the spritzer nozzle is perfect for this! The toner is free from alcohol so would be suitable for most skin types, and is a bargain at £8.95 for 100ml. I would really recommend this for the summer (if we ever get one!) as it is extremely refreshing and pleasant to use!

Next up, their Lavender moisturiser.

"With Organic Lavender Oil, Borage and special Shea Butter Nilotica, this delicate and light cream is rich is Omega Oils and balancing ingredients to sooth sensitive skin. Lavender is well known for its powerful anti-inflammatory actives that help to alleviate the effects of damaging free radicals, to reduce physical stress and relax the spirit and soothe the skin.97% Organic."

-Taken from their website

Now, I have to admit, this was a little too heavy for my skin. It broke me out, but I am pretty sure this is down to the shea butter content, as my skin doesn't get on well with it! I was determined not to let this lovely product go to waste, so I have been using it on my neck. My skin is ridiculously confused: my facial moisturiser gives me spots on my chest, but not my face, and this hasn't given me spots on my chest, but does on my face. Strange, right? Anyway, I'm not complaining as I really like this as a neck cream!

The moisturiser is quite thick - it reminds me more of a whipped butter than a cream, which would be very nice if your skin tends to be slightly dry. This makes it perfect for use as a neck/décolletage cream, as it is very moisturising and leaves my skin super soft by the morning. The gorgeous lavender scent makes this heavenly to use at night, as it really calms me down and helps me to sleep - big thumbs up! I also really like the extra little lid which comes with this moisturiser, it makes me feel the product is staying lovely and fresh! This pot will last you a long time - I have been using it for around a month now and I'm not even near half full. You really only need a little bit, as the moisturiser is very thick and nourishing, making it excellent value for money.

If your skin is fine with shea butter, then I'd really encourage you to try this, as it is a gorgeous moisturiser. If your skin is a little more combination, like mine, you'll probably be better off with their balancing moisturiser. 

Overall, I am really impressed with these products. They are extremely good quality for the price, and the ingredients really are something special. There is definitely something for everyone, and the products are extremely affordable and of an excellent quality. Both products mentioned are available on the Nourish website, and since I was sent them, the packaging has had a makeover. I liked the previous packaging, but the new is gorgeous! It makes the products look really up-market, and a lot more expensive than they actually are! Here are some examples of the lovely new packaging, and some of their products I'd love to try in the future.

Have you tried anything from Nourish?

xxx

Steal Her Style: Kendall Jenner *EXACT MATCH!*

Hi everyone! The other day, I stumbled across a dress on Motel Rocks which caught my eye. I could have sworn I'd seen it before, and I did!

Motel Goldie Bodycon Dress - £15 *ON SALE!*

Or, if pink is more your thing...

 

Motel Elsa Bodycon Dress - £18 *ON SALE!*

I actually couldn't believe it when I found these dresses as I LOVE Kendall Jenner! She always looks so gorgeous, and I'm so surprised how cheap these dresses are! What more could you ask for - exact matches, and they are both on sale!

xxx

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Face Mask Review

As most of you will probably already know, when you return 5 Clean Black Pots to Lush for recycling, you will receive a free fresh face mask of your choice! This time, I chose Catastrophe Cosmetic.

"You know those times when you get one or two spots and it throws you into panic? Well, this mask is here to lend you a bit of perspective, to tell you to calm down, it’s not the end of the world and it’s nothing that can't be sorted. Basically, this is your best mate in a pot. Irish moss gel will soften the skin, whilst almond oil will moisturise and leave it supple. Fresh blueberries are full of vitamins and minerals and are antioxidant. Rose absolute and chamomile essential oil will reduce redness and irritation. Calamine and talc will deep clean and soothe the skin at the same time. Combined together they provide your skin with a good deep cleanse without causing puffiness – leaving the face cool, clear and calm. This is a deep cleansing mask that it designed for regular maintenance to keep the skin clean and clear. Regular deep cleaning can avoid spots occurring and keep skin in top condition."

-Taken from their Website

This was a totally new purchase for me: previously, I have gone for either Cupcake or Cosmetic Warrior, both of which are much more powerful at spot-fighting. However, this time, I wanted to go for something a little more gentle and soothing. Unfortunately, I wasn't that impressed.

The mask itself has a pleasant aroma: quite sweet and fruity, and the texture is thick and feels quite chalky. There are also pieces of blueberry in the mask, which in my opinion, add nothing to it, but block up your sink, so watch out! As Lush's face masks have to stay in the fridge due to being preservative free, applying it to the face is a wonderfully relaxing feeling after a long hot day! It dries within around five minutes, but not too hard, which is great. It is relatively easy to remove from the skin with a muslin cloth, however, it left my skin really tacky, which I didn't like. You know that feeling where you don't think you've removed it properly? It made me really paranoid, and I just wanted to give my face a good scrub to remove it! 

I think it is just personal preference: as my skin is combination, I don't use hydrating products, and I don't  really like my face feeling tacky prior to skin care usage: I'm more of a "squeaky clean" feeling girl. All of the extra moisture on my face made me really paranoid that I would break out, however, I didn't. This mask wasn't for me, however, if you do have slightly drier skin which needs a little bit of moisture, this is definitely the mask for you. I think I'll stick to Cupcake in future!

If you don't have 5 black lush pots, you can also purchase their face masks online or in store. They all retail at £5.75 and will last around 5-8 uses, depending on how thick you apply them. Also, please be aware that Lush's face masks do need to stay in the fridge due to the lovely fresh ingredients and lack of preservatives!

What's your favourite face mask? Are you with me on the "squeaky clean" feel, or do you prefer your skin to feel more moisturised?

xxx

NOTD: Caviar Manicure

Barry M Pink Flamingo 305

Essie 3 Way Glaze

Micro Beads (here)

You'll probably have realised by now that I love Caviar manicure! Not only is it eye-catching and unique, it is amazingly quick and simple to do! I like to do it on one accent nail as I think any more than that would be too hard to pull off for an "everyday" nail. I find the beads last a good few hours, and even after they've fallen off, they leave a silver imprint on the nail, which gives you a polka-dot effect! Just a little word of warning with the microbeads: don't put a top coat over them, they'll discolour. I found this out the hard way! I do like to put a top coat on the base colour before adding the microbeads though, and the Essie 3 Way Glaze is fantastic! For my tutorial post on the caviar manicure, click here.

Have you tried Caviar Manicure?

xxx

My Favourite, Most Effective Spot Treatments!

Hi everyone! Today, I'm going to tell you about my favourite spot treatments. I have suffered with my skin for just over 5 years now, and along the way, I've found a few gems that have given me relief from dreaded spots, so here they are!

Lush's Grease Lightning - £5.65

"This is for those times when something erupts on your face and you just need it gone as soon as possible. Grease Lightning is a clever combination of natural ingredients that attack spots without taking it out on the rest of your skin. We use carrageen moss, a seaweed, to make a clear gel that we base this product on. Seaweed gel is very softening and won't dry out the skin around your spot"

I find Grease Lightning really effective for drying up spots (sorry, TMI!) without drying the surrounding skin too much. It is particularly effective for whiteheads for this exact reason. I used to have quite a lot of congestion on my forehead, and this cleared it right up within a week! The bottle lasts forever as well, it is fantastic value for money.



Nixoderm - 99p

"Nixoderm For Skin Problems Cream 15g is for all types of skin infections.

Eczema, Pimples, blemishes, rash, Athlete's foot, Ringworm, scaling skin due to external irritation."

This is a recent discovery for me, after a few bloggers mentioned it. It is very strong though, so I wouldn't recommend it for sensitive skin. The scent is also very strong, so keep it well away from the eye area, as it can cause your eyes to water a little! Again, this is very effective at drying out spots.

Avene Triacneal - £22.50

"Triacneal is a non-greasy emulsion which helps to eliminate severe imperfections. Efectiose enables targeted action on the mediators responsible for the irritation. Glycolic acid, a powerful exfoliant which has a peeling effect upon the surface of the skin. Paraben Free"

This is a star product for under-the-skin spots, which seem to lurk forever and hurt really badly! It dries them right up within a couple of days and also helps to reduce the appearance of acne scarring. A wonder product in my opinion, and the first I have ever come across to completely diminish under-skin spots. It is also yellow in colour due to one of the active ingredients, which I find is fantastic for toning down redness. 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil - £6.50

"Apply directly to skin using fingertips or a cotton bud. For facial steaming, add three or four drops to a bowl of hot water. Lean over the bowl, cover your head with a towel and steam for a few minutes."

Most of the time, I don't actually use this as a spot treatment - I add a few drops to a bowl of hot water and steam my face with it. It is fantastic at really detoxifying the skin, and also helps to combat spots. It is also fantastic if you have a cold: the tea tree really unblocks your airways! I do also use this as a spot treatment, however I dilute it a little as it is very strong.

What is your favourite spot treatment?

xxx

Fabulous Freebie: Ren's Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask

Hi everyone! Another fantastic freebie from Whats in My Handbag to let you all know about this evening! This weeks try comes from Ren, a fantastic skincare company producing natural, paraben free products. WIMH are giving you the chance to win a 15ml deluxe trial size of Ren's Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask, which has an RRP of £30! As far as I'm aware, they have several to giveaway, so there's a great chance of picking up one, absolutely free of charge!

The mask is a firm favourite of Model Lisa Snodin, who says: "I call this my red carpet facial - I do it before events and parties for an instant glow. It's quick, leaves my skin looking radiant, plup and firm, smoothes out imperfections and has also helped to lighten areas that suffer from hyper-pigmentation"

Sounds amazing, right? This is by far my favourite Try to date, and I've already signed up so fingers crossed! If you would like to enter (come on, who wouldn't want to?!), sign up here and then click the "Try" tab.

Have you ever tried any of Ren's products?   

xxx

Caudalie Beauty Elixir - Worth the Hype?

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few months, you'll have seen rave reviews left, right and centre on Caudalie's Beauty Elixir. I've always been a little sceptical about toners - to me, they're just a bottle of water with a few fragrances chucked in for good measure, and I've never really seen an improvement in my skin from using them.

However, I really am intrigued by this little bottle of goodness. The elixir claims to smooth, tighten pores and provide an instant burst of radiance to the complexion with extracts of grape essential oil, rosemary, orange blossom, myrrh, mint and rose. This sounds perfect for summer, however, it doesn't come cheap: a tiny 30ml bottle will set you back just under £10 and the 100ml full size is £28.80!

Have you jumped on the Caudalie Band wagon? I really am on-the-fence with this one, so if you have tried it, drop me a comment. I'd also be interested to know if it has any noticeable effect on spots, so let me know!

xxx

Liz Earle 30ml Cleanse and Polish for Just £3!

If you missed out on Red Magazine's free Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, this is the perfect opportunity to try the Cult product! Head on over to Latest in Beauty where you can add the 30ml Cleanser with Muslin Cloth to your basket. Furthermore, enter the code FREERAIN at the checkout to receive free postage! If you'd like to try this then hurry, I doubt it will be around for long. I have just ordered mine!

Have you tried the Cleanse and Polish?

xxx

What's in my Handbag Giveaway!

Hi everyone! If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll have seen my post on a site called Whats in My Handbag. It is basically a collection of "Whats in my Handbag" photos, and you can also see where to purchase the contents, and maybe even win them! They run weekly giveaways, and I was lucky enough to win one! I was so excited when turned up on my doorstep this afternoon...

I am in love with their gorgeous packaging and attention to detail!

As my prize, I received:

.Miller Harris Citron Citron Eau de Parfum 1.6ml

"The essence of citrus with all the bright, clean freshness that suggests. A vibrant spritz of Sicillian lemon, Spanish orange and Jamaican lime are given spin by cool mint and basil, while complex base of green moss, Moroccan cedar and cardamom provide a lasting background"

.Miller Harris Citron Citron Body Lotion - 35ml

These smell gorgeous and I am so grateful and thankful of Whats in my Handbag for choosing me as the winner! If you'd like to join the Whats in my Handbag site (which I highly recommend, it is amazing!), click here. Once you're signed up, you can sign up for the weekly giveaways by clicking the "Try" button.

Have you signed up to the Whats in my Handbag site?

xxx

Exfoliators: Once you go Chemical, You'll never go back!

My trial of the Avene Cleanance range was my first experience with chemical exfoliators, and I can safely say they are miles better than granular, physical exfoliators. The results I have seen while using a chemical exfoliator have been incredible, and hands down, beats any physical exfoliator I have ever used. The one I'm currently using is Avene's Cleanance K.

"Avene Cleanance K helps reduce spots, blackheads and blemishes. Based on exfoliating AHAs (glycolic and lactic acid) and BHAs (Salicylic acid), Cleanance K has a peeling effect on the surface of the skin"

-Taken from their Website

Chemical exfoliators use acids as opposed to particles to gently exfoliate the skin. They are the best type of exfoliator for spot-prone skin as they minimise irritation - scrubbing at your spots isn't going to do you any favours! I really like Avene's Cleanance K as it combines AHAs and BHAs, but more so, as it actually hydrates the skin, as well as providing the exfoliating action. This makes it perfect for use as an over-night moisturiser and exfoliator in one! 

The texture reminds me of a light moisturiser - it is absorbed by the skin immediately and leaves no tacky residue behind, which is a wonderful feeling on combination/oily skin. Come morning, my skin is left feeling amazingly soft and moisturised, and it literally glows! It has dramatically reduced the appearance of my post-acne scars, and helps to refine dilated pores. The Cleanance K retails for £10.50 for 40ml and can be purchased here. I can see the bottle lasting quite a while as I've used it for a month and it's no way near empty yet!

Following my experience with Avene's Cleanance K, I would love to try other chemical exfoliators in the future. Here are a few which have recently caught my attention:

Alpha H Liquid Gold with Glycolic Acid - £31.50 for 100ml

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid - £21.50 for 120ml

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant with Fruit Enzymes - £38.50 for 75g

Have you ever tried a Chemical Exfoliator? Do you have a favourite?

xxx