Pixi Lash & Line Love

Pixi Beauty packages are without a doubt, ones which will put a smile on your face. Inside the pastel green boxes comes an array of products to try and over the last few years I have really enjoyed getting to know the brand and discovering some amazing products.

The Lash and Line Love Collection contains six different products, all of which are available via Pixi Beauty as part of their makeup collection to purchase.   Inside my box, I was kindly given a Lash Primer and Mascara alongside a collection of eyeliners and over the past few months, I have slowly worked my way through using them.

Black Lacquer Lash Primer (£15 here) - Described as being the essential first step in the quest for full, fluttering lashes. It has a unique comb applicator which has been designed to define and volumise as well as separate and coat each lash.  

Enriched with vitamins A and C to fortify and help prevent breakage, and panthenol to hydrate and help promote elasticity. I have used a few other lash primers in my time, but this one is the best I have tried. I have fairly long lashes, so I don't want to use anything which makes them look clumped and the great thing about this primer is that you can use it before the application of your mascara or you can use it on its own.

Large Lash Mascara (£14 here) - As well as having an amazing lower lash mascara, Pixi have this Large Lash Mascara which comes in two shades - black and brown. Described as being a mascara which grips and separates each lash to amplify with glossy, long-wear pigment, it is enriched with nourishing vitamin E, strengthening panthenol and moisturising bamboo extract to enhance elasticity.  

I love the oversized brush which is lightweight and easy to use, picks up just the right amount of formula to coat the lashes and as it does so, it isn't an overly wet formula which leaves the lashes feeling clumpy and caked. Being smudgeproof but easy to remove, it is perfect for everyday wear.

When it comes to eyeliners, admittedly they are not the makeup item I would ordinarily look to purchase and it isn't an item I wear every day, more something for a special occasion. Pixi has an incredible range of different styles and types of liners and there are four I am sharing with you today.

Lash Line Ink (£12 here) - With the pointiest of nibs I've ever used on an eyeliner, this deep black liner is described as being a waterproof, non-feathering, quick drying formula which gives the effect of increased lash volume.  

If like me, you are not the master of applying your liner, this is one worth trying because even I have found it a breeze to use. Deep black in colour, it is perfect for creating that natural line look or the full-on cat eye flick look.

Eye Define Waterline (£12 here) - If ever there was a product which makes applying eyeliner tightline your lashes, this is it. 

Again, described as being a retractable waterproof slim liner it is long lasting and smudge proof, it features a retractable 'pencil' does not need sharpening. Ophthalmologically tested it doesn't drag or irritate the skin and it gives great colour pay off.

Extra Eye Bright Liner (£12 here) - One item I always do have in my stash is a bright liner and this one from Pixi is described as being a waterproof precision inner rim liner is designed to brighten the eyes and make the eye whites look whiter. 

Again with a retractable 'pencil' which does not need sharpening, the pale white-pink-lavender colour enhances the whiteness of the eye white, giving the illusion of larger, more bright and awake eyes.

Endless Silky Eye Pen (£12 here) - These are award-winning eye pen's for Pixi and they are described as being no-smudge, no-budge eyeliners which are incredibly pigmented, they’re long-wearing and water-resistant, as well as phenomenally easy to apply. They are available in over 20 shades I was kindly sent Matte Mulberry, Rose Glow, Colbolt Blue and Velvet Violet.  

Firstly these shades names pretty much describe the colour of each pen incredibly well and Rose Glow is my absolute favourite shade and it is perfect for day and night time. The formula of each pen is enriched with Vitamin E which nourishes and protects delicate skin, the pen glides along the skin with no snagging or dragging feeling. Once applied these liners set incredibly quickly and do not budge or smudge, so if you want to smoke it out, you need to be quick.

I think Pixi have thought about absolutely everything you might ever need in your stash for eye makeup and nothing you see here is over priced.  One thing I love about Pixi as a brand is that absolutely every product is affordable.

Are you a fan of Pixi?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Isla Apothecary

With Clean Beauty products becoming more and more popular, London based Isla Apothecary is a new brand to me and if you like your products to have that little bit of a kick when it comes to scent, then this is one not to miss. Described as being a clean beauty and wellness range, delivering and celebrating ritualistic skincare and self-care that marries natural and organic ingredients, I have been using two products from the range and they have made quite the impression.

Every product within this range is hand crafted and beautifully packaged, each product is housed in brown glass jars with a rose gold label around the middle which details the name of the product, its ingredients and how to use it. There is also notes of caution and information to inform you that the product is Vegan, all natural and cruelty-free. 

Anyone who reads my blog will know how much of a fan I am of Bath Salts, something which in my opinion are totally undervalued and not written about enough. The Relax + Recover Bath Salts (£20.00) is described as being a comforting and grounding blend of essential oils designed to transport the mind and body into deep relaxation.  Removing the lid, the first thing that hits you is the scent of those essential oils which really come to life.

If you have one of those days when you just need to soak away all those aches, pains, woes, worries and stresses, these bath salts tick every single box. A sweet floral bath soak made up of dried Lavender and the oils of Rose Geranium, Bergamot and Cedarwood Atlas with Epsom salt, the first thing you notice is just how relaxing that scent is and as soon as it comes into contact with the steam from the running bath water, that scent only intensifies. Added to the list of ingredients is a pure boost of Magnesium Sulphate which helps to assist the body's recovery post-exercise as well as where there is any muscular tension and tiredness.  For me, these bath salts are an incredible way to relax and unwind and more so when I am struggling to sleep, after using them, you feel so relaxed that all you want to do is drift off.

The second product I have been using from Isla Apothecary is the Blood Orange + Vanilla Sugar Scrub (£13.00) which is again 100% Natural and 99% Organic. I use a scrub a few times a week and what I love about this is just how beautiful it feels on the skin.

Using Italian Blood Orange Oil which is both sweet and tangy alongside Indian Vanilla which together smells just absolutely incredible, good enough to eat in fact. Added to that comes the use of Shea Butter which deeply conditions and moisturises the skin, Coconut, Peach Kernal and Vitamin E oils which cocoon the skin with a protective barrier against water loss.  Finally, Organic Raw Cane Sugar forms the scrub part of this polish and it buffs the skin to eliminate dead and dry skin as well as impurities.  Coming together these products essentially cleanse, tone and moisturise the skin for you in one swoop and as it does so, smells just divine.

After using there is no greasy residue left on the skin, the only thing you will notice aside from an amazing aroma, is just how soft and smooth your skin is. 

So here we have two amazing products full of incredible ingredients and I love the thought that each product has been hand made.  Have you tried anything from Isla Apothecary?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Filorga Oxygen Peel – Bring on a new radiant re-oxygenated skin for Spring

Filorga is a brand I have tried precious few products from, but what I have used, I have loved. Founded by Michael Tordjman in 1978, a leading doctor in skin aesthetics, Filorga skincare is formulated with innovative ingredients, unique technologies and scientific research. 

Oxygen Peel is the newest product to come into my possession and it has quite the description:

Say goodbye to a dull complexion, Oxygen Peel is described as being a 3-in-1 product which is the first micro-peeling, oxygen-replenishing lotion. The innovative triple action formula resurfaces, plumps and re-oxygenates the skin.

Oxygen Peel is a daily treatment which should be applied to the skin in an evening after cleansing. Designed to combat the effects of environmental stressors and fatigue, the anti-ageing face lotion uses ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid which restores moisture and plumps the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Then there is what are referred to as Bio-Active Oxygen Sensors which stimulate the production of oxygen in cells, this in turn refines pores and smooths the skin surface.

Living in London there is no denying that the daily hustle and bustle of busy streets, pollution and smog do absolutely nothing for my skin.  If you are a regular tube dweller then you will know all too well what happens when you blow your nose!  Keen to ensure my skin does not have anything lurking on it for longer than possible, I've been trying a range of new products and this is one of them.  Oxygen Peel has what is called 'three actions' which are:

• Action One: Resurfacing with gentle exfoliation. Using a cocktail of ingredients which Filorga refer to as 'the stars of aesthetic peels' you will find AHAs, including anti-wrinkle Glycolic Acid, radiance boosting Phytic Acid, pore refining Citric Acid, perfecting Salicylic Acid and complexion unifier Mandelic Acid. 
• Action Two: Hydration and Plumping. Using pure low molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid which moisturises and plumps the skin whilst the signature FILORGA polyrevitalising complex NCTF® boosts cell regeneration to erase visible signs of ageing. 
• Action Three: Express reoxygenation and revitalisation. This lotion contains what Filorga call 'an Oxygen-Captor complex' and whilst it is quite scientific it is comprised of bioactive oxygen sensors which work to improve the diffusion and regulate the level of oxygen among the cells. This regulates the hypoxic stress phenomenon (which is caused by low levels of oxygen in our cells) and stimulates cytoglobin; the protein which delivers oxygen to the cells. What this does is give your skin a new lease of life and gives you a complexion which looks fresher and brighter.

What I like about this product is that despite some of the complex language used to describe what it does, it does do exactly what it says it will. So removing the science to make it easier to understand you will find that alongside the Hyularonic Acid and the Bio-Active Oxygen Sensors which stimulate the production of oxygen in cells, you will find that this product has got a mix of 6 micro peeling agents (gylcolic acid, phytric acid, citric acid, saliclic acid, mandelic acid and gluconolactone) which together work on reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, even out your complexion, improved radiance, reduce spots and gently resurface the skin. 

Ideal to be applied all over the face and neck using a cotton wool pad (avoid eye contour area), it is gentle on the skin, it doesn't irritate or sting and it doesn't have an unpleasant smell.  To be used of an evening only, it is ideal for use after removing your makeup and before you apply serums and any other skincare, you simply swipe around your face and don't have to rinse it off.  After using, my skin feels silky soft and smooth to the touch, but the real magic comes the following morning when my skin not only looks incredible but feels it too.

FILORGA OXYGEN-PEEL 150ml is £20.00 and it can be found here in Marks & Spencer.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here