Dr Andrew Weil for Origins

As a big fan of Origins skincare, I was delighted to be able to try the Origins collaboration with Dr Andrew Weil. Dr Weil is a Harvard-trained physician and world-renowned leader in holistic health. I have enjoyed using Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief and Mega Bright Dark Spot Correcting Night Mask.

It is no secret that I like products that are a little out of the ordinary - Bee Venom, Dragons Blood, Snake Venom and Colostrum to name a few. So it won't come as a surprise that something called Mega-Mushroom caught my attention. 

Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Face Lotion which is suitable for even the most sensitive skin types, is a lightweight lotion which both hydrates and calms the skin to deliver long-lasting comfort. Free from parabens, sulphates and phthalates, this lotion is specially formulated with what are referred to as 'miracle mushrooms' known as Reishi, Chaga and Cordyceps which were discovered by Dr. Andrew Weil on his visits to china.  

It is said that the Mega-Mushroom blend helps to restore the skin's resilience for a firmer appearance and prevents damage caused by UV rays, everyday stresses and environmental aggressors to leave skin healthy-looking. It is also enriched with Sea Buckthorn which is healing and acts as an anti-inflammatory to repair the skin. Antioxident ginger and tumeric help with premature ageing and Holy basil helps to relieve the skin by reducing redness and irritation. All of those leave calm, soothed and rejuvenated skin. 

What I love about this lotion is how lightweight it is. The handy dispenser gives you enough from one pump to cover your entire face and it doesn't smell like a mouldy funghi patch either, what you do get is a hint of ginger which is incredibly fresh and as soon as it comes into contact with the skin, it begins to absorb leaving behind soft, smooth and hydrated skin. I have been using this for a good few weeks now and have seen a slight difference to the redness which flares up on my cheeks when I am stressed, it is something only I have noticed at this stage and I am hoping that in a few weeks time, others will also notice.

The Mega-Bright Dark Spot Correcting Night Mask is again suitable for all skin types and is a luxurious mask that you wear overnight to boost resilience and radiance whilst you sleep. By using a blend of Vitamin-C rich Rosa roxburghii plus Mulberry, White Peony, Chestnut Seed Extract this mask is said to visibly reverse skin tone damage, revive translucency and fade dark spots. Skin’s awakens radiant, refreshed and Mega-Bright. 

I really like the texture of this mask, it has a creamy consistency that feels like a moisturising cream and it glides onto the skin with minimal effort before being very quickly absorbed. Once this has happened, it feels incredibly lightweight and there is no sign that there is a mask on your face, especially given that you don't have to peel it or wash it off after a few minutes. Once I have completed my double cleanse in an evening, I apply my mask, giving it the best opportunity I can to work its magic on my skin.

The scent is equally divine, it is fruity yet fresh and reminds me of Origins Night-a-Mins which I absolutely adore. My skin is always in need of extra hydration and this is why I love to use overnight masks, giving them a chance to work whilst I sleep. The following morning after using this, my skin does feel incredibly moisturised and hydrated and whilst I don't have any discolouration or dark spots, it does leave my skin looking and feeling refreshed and I do look as though I have had a good nights sleep.

These two products together are just amazing and they work so well on my skin. I love the texture of both, neither are greasy or leave residue on the skin and both are effortless to use.

Have you tried any Dr Andrew Weil for Origins products?

LookFantastic Beauty Box December Edition

For the last three months, LookFantastic have been doing their Christmas Edition boxes and you can see boxes one which came in October and two in November on my blog. The third box has arrived a little earlier than usual, so it was a nice surprise when it arrived.

Again a beautifully designed white and gold box to tempt you in, this months box features six products to test and try out and again there is a cute little eight page magazine which has information on each of the products and a guide that tells you have to achieve the perfect facial - something I will definitely be reading and trying out.

The first item out of the box this month is from Eve Lom an it is a 50ml Morning Time Cleanser. This cleanser is a lightweight rinse-off balm that cleanses the skin of makeup and dirt without stripping it of moisture. Papaya fruit enzymes help brighten and gently exfoliate while carrot oil nourishes and stimulates collagen production. Suitable for all skin types, this is a product which is perfectly designed for those on the go because you only need to massage it onto dry skin and leave for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water, so for me perfect for when I am waiting for the shower to warm up in a morning.

Lord & Berry Pailette Glitter Eye Pencil - Pailette is a classic black eye pencil which is infused with glitter, therefore making it perfect for the party season. It is said to have a subtle finish but long lasting effect. I never ever use eyeliner, I think it makes me look weird, so thankfully this has already found itself a home.

I was chuffed to see another the Wet Brush Squirt in my box and in a colour I don't have, in this case yellow. This brush helps you to detangle with no pulling, tugging or pain to leave our hair healthy with no split ends and less breakage. The Wet Brush Intellifelx bristles glide through hair effortlessly and the ultra-soft polytips SoftTips make this brush ideal for sensitive scalps and also provide a massaging action. I have a pink and now a yellow Wet brush and I am a big fan.

Codage No.3 Radiance & Energy Serum. Codage is a brand I am slowly getting to know through beauty boxes and this is one of the reasons why I am a fan of beauty boxes, without them, this is the sort of product I would not have tried. Described as being a genuine elixir of cellular replenishment, this serum is formulated to detoxify and restore brightness to lacklustre skin whilst helping to erase signs of fatigue. To be used on a morning and/or evening onto cleansed skin using your fingertips.

Eyelure Double Lash in No.156 Exaggerate - Described as being big and beautiful, these double-layered effect lashes are handmade, 100% natural and reusable. I am not the most patient person when it comes to the application of false lashes and anything that has a glue with it is not going to be used because it usually irritates my eyes. That said, I know they are a popular brand with bloggers and I am sure I can find them a home.

The final item in the box comes from Molton Brown and it is in the form of a body wash. I have Coco and Sandalwood as a scent and it isn't once I have come across before. Sounding quite masculine, this scent is actually really nice and uses a combination of Coconut and Jasmine alongside the sandalwood to give it a really nice scent and one that I will definitely be using.

So that is the third and final installment of the Christmas Edition Boxes and I have really liked all three and have enjoyed the nice mixture of brands and product types included, I have made some new discoveries with brands such as Codage that I really like and it is nice to be reacquainted with brands such as Ole Henriksen Wet Brush and Ren.

Mio Liquid Yoga - an incredible combination for relaxation!

Mio is a brand I am completely new to yet is one I absolutely love already. I was kindly send two products from the range - Liquid Yoga Stress-free Space Spray* and Liquid Yoga Restorative Bath Soak. 

Mio have a mantra which I really like and it is "We believe in giving you Fit Skin For Life" simple, straightforward and easy to understand. You will also not find any parabens, petrolatum, mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, artificial colourants, sodium laureth or lauryl sulphate, xenoestrogens, phthalates, PEGs or glycols within the range.

Mio Liquid Yoga Stress Freer Space Spray is designed for calm, especially important for those of us who are stressed, have busy minds, find it hard to switch off, cannot fall asleep easy and just need the chance to take a deep breath and let life catch up with us. This time of year is notoriously busy for everyone and I have really enjoyed spritzing this on my pulse points when I am sat at my desk being angered by many things, rather than pick up the computer screen and launch it, I reach for my Mio. I also use it as a pillow spray before going to bed if I am wide awake and need some help drifting off. It also doesn't stain any pillow cases it just smells incredible.

This spray uses at least 8 powerful essential oils including V-Tonic™ blend to give you incredible emotional benefits through aromachology. It therefore isn't a surprise to see Lavender, Mandarin and Mentha Arvansis (wild mint) all of which are incredibly calming. There is also Lemon which is stimulating and is said to help with concentration and alertness plus Cypress which is rebalancing.

Mio Liquid Yoga Restorative Bath Soak is heaven in a bottle. It is well known that I love bathing, I find it incredibly relaxing and it is something I look forward to doing to escape from the world for an hour. Add some of this bath soak and I am wanting to stay there all day. This Liquid Yoga bath soak has three main properties and that is to help ease tense, tired muscles and to calm and restore.

Again, Liquid Yoga Bath Soak again comes packed with amazing ingredients such as Magnesium-rich Epsom salts and Arnica, again there is the inclusion of the amazing V-Tonic™ blend which is a blend of essential oils such as spearmint, cypress, lavender, mandarin and chamomile essential oils all of which help to ease your stress and anxiety. Alongside those you will find Arnica which is renowned for its soothing properties and Andiroba Oil which is especially good for helping ease muscular aches and pains, plus Murumuru Butter which is really hydrating and moisturising for your skin. Put all of those together and it is bath heaven. Not only does it smell absolutely amazing with a mixture of Lavender and Arnica, it is one of those scents which is instantly relaxing and is the perfect tonic if you need some chill out time and want to wind down.

With these two products, you have an incredible combination for relaxation, tense easing, de-toxifying and re-energising. I have never tried anything quite like Liquid Yoga and these are definitely products that will remain in my bathroom and in my handbag for those times of need.

Have you ever tried Liquid Yoga?

MyShowcase: Christmas Dolores Ltd Edition Beauty Bag

Meet Dolores, isnt she just amazingly cute? Dolores is the Limited Edition Beauty Bag* from MyShowcase and she has just landed on my mat. Looking as though she is straight off the catwalk with this seasons trends, Dolores has her berry red lips and gold lids ready for any festive soiree or get-away.

So what is she? Dolores is the perfect sized back who is big enough to hold all of your beauty products, she measures 7inches x 8.5inches and has a depth of 1.5inches. Made from embroidered canvas with a handy wipe clean front cover, inside there is a beautiful festive red lining and it opens and closes with a zip.

I think this would make a brilliant Christmas gift for fellow beauty lovers, any female in your life, be it your mum, girlfriend, sister, wife or even best friend, it is such a lovely gift to give and as you can see, she does hold an awful lot of products!

Retailing for just £19.50 you can find Dolores right here on the Myshowcase

website, though you will have to be quick because she goes out of stock exceptionally quick.