Missha - The Global K-Beauty Phenomenon has landed at Feelunique

Korea's No.1 Cosmetic Brand, Missha has recently launched on Feelunique and I have been lucky enough to have been sent a few products to try.  I am a huge fan of K-Beauty products and have a dedicated section on my blog (here) to all of the K-Beauty brands I have tried or am trying.  Missha is described as being the beauty aficionado's must-have and it features everything from the iconic Snail Gel and Bee Pollen ranges to its super-luxe Time Revolution and Super Aqua Solutions.

Within the Missha range is six hero products which include a Snail Sleeping Mask, BB Cream, Vitamin B12 Booster, Night Repair Borabit Ampoule, Waterful Cream and a Bee Pollen Sheet Mask.  From those six hero products, I have been trying three of them and because it isn't a brand I have come across or heard very much about before, I wasn't too sure what to expect.

The first product to capture my attention was the Super Aqua Waterful Cream (80ml £30) and it is described as being a moisturiser that's like a big glass of ice-cold water for the face.  What it is, is a beautiful lightweight cream which is designed to give your skin long-lasting hydration. 

This Waterful Cream is infused with nourishing, mineral-rich bedrock water from the Blue Mountains of Australia which really helps to moisturise the skin, it works along Baobab Seed extract which helps to draw in water for a deep moisturising effect, whilst what is referred to as a powerful Vitality Complex, which is comprised of Cactus, Birch Tree and Sap extracts, help to restore luminosity and resilience. On contact with the skin, this cream immediately melts and it is one of those products that you notice the difference with almost instantly. I love that there is virtually no scent to this cream at all and it comes with its own spatula for application, so you don't have to use your fingers, something I am beginning to want more and more with products that are not in a pump action bottle.

The second product I have used is the M Perfect Cover BB Cream in shade 23 (£50ml £24). Unfortunately, this shade is much too dark for my skin tone, even though it is said to be a natural beige.  Said to have sold over 30million tubes worldwide, this BB Cream is a little, unlike any others that I have in my stash.  It not only hydrates and brightens the skin, but it also helps to reduce inflammation and it has both UVA and UVB protection.

On the skin it is lightweight, it blends with ease and it uses key ingredients such as:

• Gatuline RC, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide: help infuse moisture for firmer-looking skin with reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Rosemary and chamomile extracts: fragrant herbal botanicals that help the complexion appear calm and balanced.

Even though it was too dark for my skin, what I did like about this BB Cream is just how easy it is to work with.  The swatch shown above is completely unedited, but as you can see, it is darker than my skintone, even blended. There are seven shades currently available on Feelunique and I think I would need the lightest shade 13 to work with my skin.

The final product is my favourite of the three and that is the Vitamin B12 Double Hydrop Booster (£45 195ml). This is described as being a boosting toner which is perfect for anyone who has dry skin. 

Designed to be used after cleansing your face, you apply a few drops of this booster to a cotton wool pad and apply directly to the skin. It is quite a thick texture, so you only do need just a few drops.  Enriched with a rich complex of Vitamin B12 and ceramides, the booster helps to give the skin a hydration boost whilst protecting and nourishing. It helps prepare your skin for the next step of your routine to ensure it gets the maximum benefits.

What I have found whilst using this booster is the difference in how my skin feels, particularly on my cheeks, which is often where I suffer from dryness.  I have used this Booster only on my cheeks, sides of my nose and forehead for the last 5 weeks and slowly over that time, the dryness has become less noticeable, especially if I use products such as a liquid foundation, no longer does something stick to my skin (even with a primer), it glides on and stays in place much longer.  There is a cream version of this Booster which sounds just as delightful as this product.

As an introduction to Missha as a brand, I have really loved getting to know some of their hero products.  It is worth noting that none of the products within this range are free of parabens, artificial fragrance, and mineral oil and are all dermatologically tested.  My skin has reacted well to both the Super Aqua Waterful Cream and the Vitamin B12 Hydrop Booster and I really do love the idea of the BB Cream too.  Over at Feelunique (here*) there is a whole host of products from Missha to discover and there are one or two products I've got my eye on!

Have you tried anything from the Missha range?

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

Too Cool For School - Korean Beauty

I have a bit of an obsession with Korean Beauty, which, if you are a regular visitor to my blog, you might well have noticed, I even have a dedicated K-Beauty section HERE. New to my collection is Too Cool For School, which is said to be one of the most sought-after cosmetics brands in Korea, with Egg Mellow Cream, the brand's bestseller, selling one unit every 12 seconds in the US and globally. Here in the UK, Too Cool For School recently launched at Feelunique, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic and in larger Boots stores across the UK.

I was very kindly sent some products from the range to try and the one thing that stands out is that although the products look and sound quirky, they are actually incredibly innovative and are presented in some of the most playful of packaging I have come across.  One notable stand out ingredient for the brand is 'Egg' and the three products I have been getting to know all have that Egg theme.

The first product in my arsenal is the award-winning Egg-Zyme Whipped Foaming Cleanser (£18 here*). Described as being a gentle exfoliating cleanser formulated with naturally derived enzymes from egg powders which turn into a rich, creamy cleanser, this is the quite an amazing product.  It is a very mild and rejuvenating facial foam which to all intents and purposes is powered by eggs and their job is to effectively remove pore-clogging debris as well as dead and dry skin cells to leave your skin looking radiant and feeling fresh.  

Naturally, I always want to know what is in any product I am putting on my skin and within this Egg-Zyme Whipped Foaming Cleanser, you will find it is packed with anti-bacterial enzymes which are found in egg whites and they are called lysozyme particles. On the skin, this low-pH face wash creates what is best described as being a gentle chemical exfoliation on the skin and it is at this point the cleanser works to dissolve impurities and excess oils whilst at the same time decongesting those pores. As it is doing this, Too Cool For School's Bubble Puzzle technology helps to create a fine and dense foam with a cushiony texture and it such a brilliant product to use. My skin can often feel congested as I spend many weekdays on and off public transport for work meetings and getting home from work, I often just want to scratch my face clean of all the dirt, grime and pollution that I know is sitting on my skin.  This cleanser does an incredible job at leaving my skin feeling incredibly clean, soft and as though it can breathe.

The second product is the Too Cool For School Egg Cream Mask and I have the Pore Tightening Mask (£6 here*).  A single-use sheet mask which has been specifically designed for oily, blemish-prone skin.  Infused with egg white extract and vinegar extract to help minimise pores, remove excess oil and clarify the skin as well as helping to clear the skin of blemish-causing bacteria and impurities.

Taking the mask form the packet, I am glad to report is that this mask does not smell like a bottle of vinegar which was my biggest worry, instead what you get is one of the softest microfibre masks I have ever used and on the skin, it feels so refreshing.  Covered in a serum-like texture, you apply the mask to the contours of your face and for me, this is one of the best fitting masks I have used in some time, once on the face, you leave it for up to 20 minutes and then discard, patting in gently, any excess serum.  After using, my skin felt incredibly hydrated and soft, the only thing I didn't notice was any pore tightening, but what I did find in its place was much cleaner looking pores,

The final product of my Too Cool For School trio is the Egg Mousse Body Oil (£24 here*).  I hold my hands up and admit that I am the absolute worst at using any body lotions and moisturisers, I start off using them daily and then after a week or two, they get pushed to one side and pretty much forgotten about, unless they really capture my attention.  With this Egg Mousse Body Oil, curiosity got the better of me and I have stuck to using it religiously every single day.  

This Mousse is in an airtight can and upon release, what you get is a really lightweight mousse which, upon contact with the skin transforms into an oil to hydrate, nourish and moisturise your skin.  I hadn't expected it to be so easy to use or as much fun, I love the texture of the mousse as it comes into contact with my skin and I love that it turns into a non-greasy oil too.  Enriched with a blend of five botanical oils such as Sweet Almond Oil, Avocado Oil, Jojoba Oil and Olive Oil to replenish vital moisture and nutrients without clogging pores. Then we have Egg yolk extract working alongside the albumin in egg white extract to boost the skin’s natural ability to repair and regenerate, supporting natural cell turnover and collagen production for firmer, more supple skin. Honey extract and milk protein extract supply needed nutrients to help repair and protect at the deepest level.  As you might expect, it ticks all of those boxes for being nourishing, hydrating and moisturising and my legs no longer resemble those of a snake part way through shedding its skin!  I love how easy it is to use, it dries incredibly quickly and it smells incredibly sweet of almond oil.

For me, these three products have been a great introduction to the Too Cool For School Brand and it has me intrigued to want to try other products. As well as skincare, the brand also has a perfume, a makeup range as well as a hair care range too which I am keen to try.  If the egg range doesn't quite sound right for you, then there is also a Coconut or Pumpkin option too.

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

Love on Rose - Roseheart Brightening & Moisturising Two Step Masks

One of my favourite ways to relax is with a facemask and if it happens to be a K-Beauty facemask, chances are I am totally in my element given my love for Korean Beauty.  Roseheart face masks are a best-selling range in Korea and until these two beauties landed on my desk, I hadn't come across them.

I have the Roseheart Daily Brightening Pink Mask and the Roseheart Deep Moisturising  Pink Mask.  Beautifully infused with rose, Roseheart facemasks combine the innovation and technology of Korean skincare with rose, a delicate yet powerful beauty hero and a popular ingredient in skin care. It is said that the beauty of roses extends far beyond their pride of place in the garden because as an ingredient, a rose has long been recognised for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. 

These masks are two-step masks and the first mask I tried was the Roseheart Deep Moisturising Pink Mask.  Removing the detachable heart pouch at the top of the mask, which contains your step two, inside is a sheet mask, which isn't too overloaded with a serum that it feels soaking wet on the skin, but there is enough product on it so that you know it is doing something. It is worth noting that these masks are made of a cotton fabric rather than a thin sheet.

Using the key ingredients of:

• Rosa Centifolia Flower Water - Contains vitamins and antioxidants to help moisturize dry skin.
• Polyphenol - An antioxidant that helps moisture retention and protects the skin against UV rays.
• Xylitol - Coming from birch trees, this humectant helps moisture retention and boosts levels of hyaluronic acid.
• Glucose - An ingredient that comes from wheat to provide rich moisture to dry skin.

I really love how snug this mask fits and for added cuteness, the holes for the eyes are also heart shaped. Once you have removed the mask, usually after 15-20minutes depending on your preference, massage in any leftover serum into the skin and then grab the little heart pouch that was removed already and open it to find inside a cream is a hyaluronic based treatment containing Papaya Fruit extract and Evening Primrose Flower Extract to intensely moisturise the skin. Both the mask and the cream have a slight rose scent to them, neither is overpowering.

The second mask is the Roseheart Daily Brightening Pink Mask and as with the first mask, it is also a two-step treatment.  This mask features:

• Rosa Centifolia Flower Water - Contains vitamins and antioxidants to help moisturize dry skin.
• Ardisia Crispa Extract - Helps to brighten the complexion
• Albumen - Helps to Nourish and perk up dull skin

Again, this mask is designed to be left on the skin for between 10-20 minutes to work its magic and once the time is up, massage in any excess product before opening the heart-shaped pouch.  Again, the cream inside the heart-shaped pouch is hyaluronic based and it contains Papaya Fruit extract and Evening Primrose Flower Extract to intensely moisturise the skin.

What I have loved about using both of these masks is not only the feeling of the sheet mask on my skin, which is more like a cotton mask and this does feel more luxurious, but just how good my skin feels after using.  With ever-changing weather moving from warm to cold in a matter of days, my skin really doesn't like it, plus the heating is still on which doesn't help matters, so I find that it becomes quite dry to the touch, so I am reaching for sheet masks more and more right now because I can also use them as a reason to relax and have a few minutes of peace to myself.

You can find both of these masks readily available online and a pack of 5 costs just £19.95 from Amazon*.

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

Erborian Magic Transformask

K-Beauty excites and intrigues me and I absolutely love Erborian, one of my favourite products is still the black cleansing oil (review here). As a brand and every time there is a new release, it excites me because having met Katalin, one of the brand co-founders, she is an absolute wealth of knowledge and to see so many new launches is amazing.  

The latest addition to the Erborian family is the Magic Transformask and if the rose gold box and packaging doesn't draw you in, then the texture and the hybrid formula definitely should because it is wonderful.  Everything within an Erborian product has a reason and a purpose and the fact this mask takes on the role of both a cleanser and a mask isn't an accident.

Described as being a nourishing skincare mask that helps to calm and revive the skin, it is enriched with seven botanical and herb extracts which include:

• Tiger Grass Extract
• Japanese Knotweed root extract
• Baikal Skullcap
• Green Tea leaf extract
• Licorice root extract
• Wild Chamomile flower extract
• Rosemary leaf extract

These ingredients come together and work alongside African yellow wood bark extract which helps to regulate excess sebum and silica powder to soothe, detoxify and balance for clearer skin and a more radiant complexion.  In Korean skincare you get used to seeing medicinal herbs in the form of roots, stems, bark, leaves and even flowers and it is from this ideology that Erborian has built its reputation and time and time again, you will see the mentioning of 7 Herbs and the 7 Herb Complex and that is because they are used to cleanse the skin and help fight off free radicals but to also soothe, protect and defend the skin too.

With its dual-transformation texture, which feels a little bit like putty. What I love is just how easy this mask is to use, it applies like a dream and once it is on the skin, it needs just ten minutes to work its magic. Transformask transforms from a pink-tinted gel into a powder and then from a powder to a milky film when it comes into contact with water all to remove impurities, refine the pores and detoxify the complexion.  Once it has been washed away, it leaves behind a rose gold shimmer that lingers on the skin, giving it a subtly pearly glow. 

Said to be designed for oily or combination skin, I think most people could use this in all honesty. I wanted to ensure I had used this mask more than a few times before writing my post and sharing my views because I like to get to know a product and its fair to say that I absolutely have loved using this mask. I love how the mask makes my skin feel, I love how it leaves my skin looking and it does give you that refined pore, mattified skin look whilst at the same time some luminosity due to that shimmer I've already mentioned, but it doesn't leave you looking like a disco ball.

Priced at £34 for 50ml you can find it stocked via Erborian, SpaceNK, Indulge and other stores online.

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

ASOS K-Beauty Box

As soon as I saw this box from ASOS I snapped it up! I adore all things K-Beauty and have been, slowly over time, introducing new brands to this blog and they have all been Korean Beauty brands such as Klairs, Touch in SOL, Tony Moly and By Wishtrend to name just a few.

If you are new to K-Beauty, are intrigued, curious and want to give something a try, then this box, which costs just £12 features some amazing products and brands! Inside you will find five products and they include:

1 x Holika Holika Baby Silky Foot Mask Sheet: - Like a face mask, this one is a moisturising sock mask and it uses multiple flower and vegetable ingredients nourish and soften the skin of the feet,

1 x Dr. Oracle A-Thera Peeling Stick: - Described as being an innovative peeling stick which is shaped like a huge cotton swab, it allows for precise application to get into the nooks and crannies. Lactic acid gently lifts dead skin cells while glycolic acid works to exfoliate and resurface the skin, smoothing bumpy skin texture. A blend of tea tree extract, lemon extract, and bamboo extract works to naturally exfoliate without irritating skin. Blemishes will disappear faster and skin will look calmer after using these peeling sticks!

1 x It's Skin Power 10 Formula VB Effector: a powerful face serum with Vitamin B6 Provides ultimate hydration and controls sebum production for a moisturised, clear complexion. Vitamin B6 – Restores the Skin’s moisture balance to prevent further blemishes.

1 x Masque Bar Silver Foil Sheet Mask - a mask made of silver foil material. Its aim is to visibly hydrate and soothe your skin and leave it with a youthful glow complexion. It does this because it is enriched with Aloe Leaf Juice, Anise Fruit Extract and Camellia Leaf Extract.

1 x Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Discovery Set - This kit contains a toner, serum and a cream. Working together, this trio aims to plump and seal dry, dehydrated skin for all day moisture. This set alone is worth £12 and covers the price of the box!

This makes a great box for an introduction to K-Beauty, something which is a growing trend in the UK and with a range of skincare brands to discover, this box brings you some of the best!

Have you tried any K-Beauty Brands?

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

Klairs Gentle Black Cleanser and Exfoliator Duo

The posts I am being asked to write more about currently are all K-Beauty themed, with so many questions about cleansing and masking, today's post is all about cleansing with Klairs. Klairs, if you have never heard of the brand was founded back in 2010 and state that Klairs is respectful of the beauty of the environment and carries healthy values regarding the earth. The brand has three simple philosophies which include no harsh ingredients, no animal testing and high-quality products at reasonable prices.

The two products I chose for cleansing by Klairs are the Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil and the Gentle Black Sugar Facial polish which work really well together.  If you love to double cleanse and want to try something new, these will definitely tick your boxes.

The advice I was given when it comes to cleansing is to use something that is either oil or balm based as your first cleanse followed by something water based such as a gel or foam to give that deep cleanse.  So the Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil is the one I have been using as a first cleanse and I admittedly did expect the oil to be black in colour, but it is clear and smells absolutely amazing.  

It is actually formulated with natural oils and they include:

• Black Bean which helps to control sebum production, increase the skin’s elasticity, and provides a soothing effect.
• Black Sesame Oil which helps to prevent dehydration and skin ageing while at the same time providing powerful effects from antioxidant through various useful components such as Beta-carotene, Rinolenic acid, Sesamin, Sesaminol and Tocopherol.
• Black Currant Seed Oil works to strengthen the skin's protective layer to prevent the evaporation of moisture from the skin. It promotes skin cell regeneration and provides antioxidant effects by containing various minerals.

I love the simpleness of this oil and how effective it is as a first cleanse.  Some cleansing oils are a little too greasy and can leave the skin feeling pretty horrendous, so I want to use an oil that doesn't cling to the skin and leave me feeling as though I have rubbed my face my a chunk of lard.

The second product I have been using is the Gentle Black Facial Polish and I use this once or twice a week depending on my skin is feeling.  It is formulated using black sugar which aids in the removal of dead skin cells and blackheads. The fine particles of sugar and unsaturated fatty acids melt onto and into the skin to aid the removal of deeply rooted blackheads and sebum within the pores. It also exfoliates the skin removing anything that dead or dry is its place and as the texture is quite thick, you only need a small amount to work your entire face and to use, you mix it with a few drops of water to make a paste and then massage it onto the skin in circular motions. What I love is that although this scrub contains black sugar, it isn't overly abrasive, but you can feel it working its magic. 

I have combination skin, so with an oily t-zone I also have dry patches of skin, usually on both of my cheeks, so in order to keep my skin as smooth as possible, products like this are a godsend to use. Alongside the black sugar, you will also find Shea Butter and Cranberry which work to smooth and moisturise the skin and then there is the inclusion of both Vitamin A and E which hydrate and comfort the skin.

Klairs have so many incredible sounding products that it is hard not to just purchase them all and give them a try, but if you are in the market for some new cleansing products, then these two are currently on offer with Tonic15 for just £38 (here)

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

By Wishtrend - Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water

Korean Beauty is a trend that has fascinated me for some time and it is something I just love learning more about, so much so that right here on my blog, I have a page dedicated to all of the Korean Beauty brands that I have tried.

Today sees the turn of By Wishtrend and the Mandelic 5% Skin Prep Water. Described as being a hydrating and non-irritating exfoliant that can be used daily. Formulated with Mandelic Acid, it acts as an exfoliating treatment that improves the skin tone and texture while boosting the effectiveness of other products.

As the name suggests, the main ingredient, besides water within this product is Mandelic Acid. Mandelic Acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) made from the extract of bitter almonds, it’s name is actually derived from the German word for almond - “Mandel”. Designed to accelerate cell turnover, remove dead and dry skin cells and to brighten complexion and improve fine lines, what I love about this product is just how gentle it is on my skin. Mandelic Acid also helps with pigmentation to improve the skin's tone and texture and it also hosts antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Further ingredients include:

• Beta-Glucan - A soluble fibre extracted from oats and it helps with reducing redness as well as being moisturising and soothing it also has anti-inflammatory properties too.
• Liquorice Root Extract - Know for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which help to control oil production to calm and soothe skin.
• Panthenol - Also known as vitamin B5, it acts as a humectant and moisturiser which improves the skin’s abilities to regenerate and to maintain hydration. It is also used to help prevent inflammation and to prevent itching.
• Sweet Almond Oil - Naturally high in fatty acids and Vitamin E, Sweet Almond Oil is a great moisturiser and it helps to keep the skin soft and supple.
• Centella Asiatica Extract - Helps to regenerate damaged skin.
• Sodium Hyaluronate - Reaches deep into the dermis of the skin to attract moisture and helps retain moisture within the skin, preventing dryness after exfoliation.

Together these ingredients work together to make quite the product and it is one I absolutely loved using and have bought a back up of.

To use, you apply a few drops to a cotton wool pad and wipe and pat it onto the skin, avoiding your mouth and eyes, just as you would do similar products. There is a slight scent of almonds, but nothing that is too overpowering but what I like about Mandelic Acid is that it feels incredibly lightweight on the skin and has an almost water like texture which absorbs incredibly quickly.   Unlike other AHA's that I have used, there was definitely no tingling of the skin, a sensation I have got used to experiencing and actually quite like to feel, it is as though the product is letting you know it is doing something, that aside, if the tingling sensation is not for you, then Mandelic Acid might just be.  After using, my skin does not feel dry or taut but instead clean, soft and smooth.  I always double cleanse before using this and then apply a hydrating toner.  Naturally, because of the nature of the product, I only ever us it of an evening and ensure I wear sunscreen the following day (which I do without thinking anyway).  I love that my skin is given a really good cleanse to remove it of all dirt and debris, including dead and dry skin.

Designed to be used 3-4 times a week, if you have very sensitive skin then you can limit the usage to 2-3 times a week.  The bottle should be kept in the fridge or somewhere which is dark and cool and it comes packaged in a dark see-through bottle to prevent oxidizing. Priced at £21 (here) Mandelic Acid is Cruelty-free, Vegan-Friendly, Ethanol-free, Paraben-free, Silicon-free, Steroid-free, Artificial colouring-free and Artificial fragrance-free.

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

Tonic15 - the new site for K-Beauty

I am a huge K-Beauty fan and even have a page dedicated to all of the K-Beauty reviews I have done to date, detailing all of the products I have bought, been sent and used. Over the last 18 months, Korean Beauty has started to seep into the UK market pretty rapidly, gone are the days of struggling to get hold of the most basic of brands and that is thanks to sites such as Tonic 15. 

Tonic 15 is my current go-to K-Beauty site and it exists to bring simple K-Beauty methods to create flawless beauty to the Western market. Sourcing the finest products from Korea, the founder Jin Kwon (Jin and Tonic get it!), whom I have had the absolute pleasure to meet, is the fountain of all knowledge when it comes to some pretty incredible brands and also believes that spending just 15 minutes every day just focused on you in a skincare routine can make not only a huge difference to your skin but also to your overall wellbeing.

What I love about Tonic15 is the ability to search for products by brand or by concern, the two important factors for me when it comes to purchasing new products.  When looking at skin concerns you have the choice of oily, dry, sensitive, blemishes, pigmentation or anti-ageing and from here you will be directed to a page with products dedicated to that particular issue.  I have combination oily skin so I would need to look under both the oily and dry sections of the site and decide which products I want to try.  For me, my t-zone is oily but my cheeks are often dry and to combat this, I do tend to use different products on different parts of my face when I am really suffering.   From your designated page you will be presented with a whole host of products across a wide-ranging spectrum - facemasks, toners, Emulsions, eye patches, mists, oils, moisturisers, serums and exfoliators to name but a few.

I was very kindly gifted some credit to use on Tonic15 to grab some products and try them out.  Despite wanting to try a whole host of products, I did manage to pick four products which I have been using over the past few months and they will be appearing on this blog in coming weeks.  But I chose the following:

Aromatica, which has been around since 2004, is a registered partner of the Vegan Society and uses only organic botanical ingredients and never uses animal-derived ingredients.  I chose the Aromatica Orange Cleansing Sherbet which I loved the scent of this when I was introduced to it by Jin and couldn't wait to get my hands on it.  

I am a huge fan of cleansing balms and this cleansing sherbet is literally like heaven in a tub.

I then chose products from Klairs whom I have had my eye on for some time now after reading rave reviews. Klairs is a Vegan-friendly, cruelty-free brand which is developed specifically for sensitive skin. Klairs include the most essential ingredients (no colourants, no alcohol, no parabens and no artificial fragrances/fragrance-free). Klairs products are extremely gentle  on the skin and suitable for all skin types

Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Mask - I absolutely love sheet masks and try to ensure I do at least once a week. 

From Klairs, this mask is perfect for those with oily skin because it uses ingredients to help balance sebum levels.

The final products I chose also come from Klairs and they are the Gentle Black Cleanser and Exfoliator work together a duo to provide deep cleansing and exfoliation to your skin. 

I love that the two of these products come together to provide an incredible skincare experience and it is one that I will be sharing on the blog soon.

Alongside Aromatica and Klairs, you will also find brands such as Huxley who have the most amazing sounding Sleep Mask which is on my wishlist to try, JayJun who are best known for their eye patches, Lotus Skincare who have the most amazing story to share, By Wishtrend  Mandelic 5% Skin Prep Water and so many more brands to be discovered.

If K-beauty is somewhere you have been wanting to explore then Tonic15 is an incredible place to start.  Delivery is free on orders over £15 and if you use the code LunarNewYear you can currently grab yourself a 15% discount.

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

touch in SOL Pretty Filter Waterful Glow Cream

I have made no secret of my love for touch in SOL ever since I was introduced to it last year. In that time I have featured quite a few of the brand's products here on my blog - Primers, Mascara, Eyeshadow, Lipstick and so much more, I guess you could say it has grabbed me and hooked me. If you didn't know, touch in SOL, the brainchild of Korean Beauty innovator Sean Lim is a fusion of life, energy, colour, innovation, and fun, which helps the brand to transcend the skincare and makeup realms of beauty. The drive to satisfy the growing demand for newness can be attributed to the breakthrough formulations that go into the creation of every product.

Today sees the turn the newly launched touch in SOL Pretty Filter Waterful Glow Cream which is described as being the secret to bouncy, glossy skin. 

Ideal for daily use, Pretty Filter Waterful Glow Cream can be applied to the face, neck and decolletage as the final stage of your skincare routine and it should be applied to the parts where your skin appears visibly dry or dull. For me, I apply it to my cheeks and forehead and tap it into my skin and what it does is add luminosity. You can also apply this product after you have applied your makeup for that dewy look and I simply pat it on using my beauty blender. If all of that isn't enough, you can also use it as a sleep mask and this time you apply a thicker layer and allow it to seep into the skin. I have done this a few times now because my skin is not liking this cold spell we are having and I also love an overnight mask and what I have found it does, is hydrate my skin incredibly well.

The texture is quite a bouncy gel which turns to an almost water like substance on contact and I love how it feels on my skin. It uses an advanced formula of key ingredients which include hyaluronic acid, 3 layered hyaluronic, Centella Asiatica extract which is said to have potent antioxidant properties as well as being a rich source of amino acids, marine collagen extract and garcinia fruit extract all of which come together to hydrate, deeply moisturise, smooth, nourish and best of all it is cruelty and paraben free.

I have pretty much finished this pot of Glow Cream and have loved every minute of being able to use it.  It retails for £23 and is worth every single penny.  Better still, if you want to try it or any of the other products I have raved about on my blog, then you can grab yourself 20% off by using the code BQUKxSOL20 right here and the code is valid until 1st March 2019 and if you spend over £15 you can also grab free shipping by using the code SHIPSOLFREE!

I would love to know if anything from touch in SOL grabs your attention!

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

MasqueBAR Charcoal Cleansing - Three New Releases

Following on from the success of their facemasks (review here) and indeed the Charcoal facemasks, Korean Skincare brand masqueBAR has launched three new charcoal cleansing products which I am sharing with you today.  This bundle of products arrived before Christmas and rather than rush out a review, I again wanted to actually give them a try and get some thoughts on how they work.  My skin absolutely loves products which contain Charcoal, so I had high hopes for these.

The first product is the Charcoal Cleanser (£10) and it is described as being a Charcoal foam cleanser which draws out the dirt and excess oil that can clog pores.  Suitable for most skin types, this cleanser uses Charcoal Power, Oatmeal Extract and Rice Bran Oil as its main ingredients.  

When it comes into contact with water, the cleanser foams very slightly to produce a soothing, gentle foam which works to lift impurities, detoxify and purify the skin, leaving it feeling fresh and rather than stripping the skin and leaving it taut and dry to the touch, I find my skin feels incredibly soft and smooth.

The second product is the Charcoal Exfoliating Pads and these are my favourite of the three products. These duel-sided pads are specially designed to sit on your fingers to make them easy to use. Formulated with Charcoal Powder, blackberry fruit extract and primrose flower extract which come together to cleanse, renew and refresh the skin.  

The first time I used these pads I was quite taken aback that once out of their sachet they are black in colour, as you would expect them to be given that Charcoal is the main ingredient, however, once you massage them around the face, the pads turn white and on them you can see the impurities that have been removed from your skin.

The final product in this trio is the Charcoal Cleansing Wipes (£10) and it has taken me a while to get used to using a wipe again because it is something I stopped using completely years ago, but intrigue got the better of me with these.   

The wipes, of which there are 30 in a packet, are black in colour and are enriched with Charcoal Powder, Vitamin E and Bamboo Extract these wipes remove absolutely everything from your face, even waterproof mascara and again, rather than leave your skin feeling taut and dry because your skin has been stripped of everything, my skin felt soft and smooth to the touch.

If you are a fan of Charcoal products, have been wanting to give Charcoal products a try or love masqueBAR and these products intrigue you, then you can find them via Urban Outfitters, Skinnydip London and soon to come to ASOS.

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