Lookfantastic #LFJETSETTER June 2016 Box

So Summer has clearly been slightly delayed but to make up for the miserable weather, this months the Lookfantastic June 2016 Beauty Box #LFJetSetter is bright and cheerful looking and contains specially chosen beauty products to have you looking a million dollars for your travels and because they are all handy travel sized items, you can even take them with you! 

First out of the box this month is the Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream (7ml woth £22). Described as being a wonder cream, it helps to improve and correct dark circles, wrinkles, puffiness and dullness, leaving your eye area looking younger and brighter. Silver, copper and iridescent pearlisers visibly reduce the appearance of dark circles by illuminating the skin to give the illusion of bright and radiant skin.  The cream itself is quite a thick texture, so you only need the smallest amount.  As it warms with the heat of your skin, it becomes easier to use.  Whenever I use an eyecream, I always use the fourth finger (wedding ring finger) and then using a dabbing action from the inside towards the outside of the under-eye. then, with what is left, gently spread it up to the temples and upper eyelid.

Naobay Oxygenating Cream Moisturiser (22ml worth £14.50) comes next and it is suitable for all skin types. Using its blend of Rosehip and Sweet Almond Oils to provide optimum hydration to leave your complexion soft, smooth and supple. Fast-absorbing and ultra-lightweight, the breathable formula creates a flawless make-up base. The cream is quite lightweight, absorbing almost on contact, it leaves behind absolutely no trace it was ever there, other than the sweet scent, which is incredible.

Korres Shower Gel in Basil Lemon (40ml worth £1.33). I am already a huge fan of Korres, so it is great to try out a product I have not used before. Basil Lemon Showergel has active aloe juice, rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and antioxidant enzymes which all help to enhance the immune system of your skin. It also contains wheat proteins to form a protective film on your skin, thus maintaining its natural moisture levels. When it comes in contact with water, it turns to a creamy foam which contains green spice, for dazzling freshness, and has a vibrant lemon zest touch.

TanOrganic Self Tan Oil (25ml worth  £6.25) is designed to help you get your glow on before you hit the beach and not only does it add colour to your skin in a safe way, it also moisturises to stop your skin from drying out. It has a really lovely citrus scent to it and the oil is really lightweight, it also neither oily or greasy when on the skin.

Cowshed Cow Pat Moisturising Hand Cream (50ml worth £3) is described as being a naturally nourishing essential for hard-working hands. Using a blend of chamomile and calendula and pure essential oils of lavender, grapefruit and cinnamon it smells just amazing and the texture is really light, so you only need a small amount to massage into both hands and once it is absorbed, your hands will feel hydrated and smooth. This cream contains no parabens, SLS or petrochemicals. It is 100% vegetarian and has not been tested on animals.

Dead Sea Spa Magik Beauty Balm BB Cream (15ml worth £4) uses Dead Sea minerals, pure plant extracts and antioxidant Vitamin E, the beauty balm applies and blends effortlessly for natural-looking coverage that adapts to suit individual tone, whilst stimulating collagen production and minimising the appearance of fine lines. It also has SPF15 and doesn't leave your skin looking at all orange.

The final item within this box is three sachets of Mr Blanc’s Teeth Whitening Strips (worth £1.80 each). These teeth whitening strips are peroxide-free and are clinically proven to safely and effectively whiten your smile, each flexible strip is coated with a whitening gel and fits perfectly to the contour of your teeth; a host of enamel friendly ingredients work on the surface and beneath, absorbing into the enamel to remove stains and prevent new ones from forming. Deeply embedded stains are reduced, and if used correctly, your teeth appear visibly whiter after just fourteen days.

I think this is a pretty fantastic box for getting yourself in the mood for summer and for your holidays and the handy travel-size products are even better for putting in your suitcase or even your handbag for a staycation!

As with last months box there is the latest edition of Elle magazine and it costs as little as £11.25 a month for the Beauty Box. Bargain!

Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque

I am a huge fan of facemasks, they are part of my pampering routine and you can never have too many in my opinion. Over time I have learnt that my skin reacts better to using different masks on different parts of my face and this was made even clearer to me at a Dermalogica Event when I was lucky enough to have a signature Face Mapping consultation.  Thankfully, I was told that the Charcoal Rescue Masque is one I can use on my t-zone or all over my face when the need arises.

My skin looks a little dull currently, it certainly isn't keen on the change in weather and work has been extensively busy, so at times like this, I need a little extra TLC. The Dermalogica Charcoal Masque is said to detoxify, brighten and invigorate the skin by using Binchotan Charcoal as the main ingredient, it helps to draw out toxins, excess oil and impurities, refine pores, calm redness and improve skin texture and smoothness. Additional ingredients include:

• Sulfur - promotes cellular turnover for brighter skin and is renown for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties when treating acne, sulfur is also ideal for calming rosacea, eczema and sebaceous dermatitis.
• Volcanic Ash, hot spring, marine silt (mud) and Bamboo stem extract are used as the exfoliants to remove dead and dry skin cells to leave your skin smooth and soft to the touch.
• Phytic acid, lactic acid and mandelic acid are chemical exfoliants which accelerate cellular turnover to help increase the production of collagen
• Niacinamide which helps to reduce redness and inflammation
• Chilean Wild Mint which clarifies the skin and helps refine pores.

For a clay mask, the Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque applies much easier than others that I have tried, even though it has a fairly thick texture. When I apply the mask, I ensure my skin has been cleansed first to remove any surface dirt and grime and then using an old make-up brush, I ensure my face and neck gets equal covering. Then leaving it on my face for a good 10 minutes. Once that time is up, I lightly massage the masque, using wet hands to enhance the exfoliation process during removal, which I complete using a Muslin cloth. As you massage the masque off your skin, you can feel the exfoliation particles working to remove dead and dry skin.

Having tried this you do see results almost straight away. I found my skin was much brighter and definitely smoother to the touch. It is a masque that truly lives up to its expectations and is a delight to use.

You can find the Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque 

to order online HERE