Madara - Organic Skincare

I absolutely love finding out about new brands, I love reading about their history, their ethos and I like those who are just that little bit different. So let me introduce to you Madara, an organic skincare range who believe that the best skin care is the kind of care that goes that little bit deeper. We all know that good skincare and a good skincare regime make us look and feel better and there is nothing quite like a double (or quadruple) cleanse when you have spent the day travelling around a polluted city!

Unlike other forms of skincare, Madara use 0% water and instead use birch water and this is where my interest was pricked. Birch water is described as being a revolutionary ingredient which is proven to reduce all key signs of visible ageing. Here in the UK, birch water is being hailed as the ‘new coconut water’ and you will see it in the aisles of Waitrose and health foods shops with slogans such as "4 times less sugar than coconut water" for example.  Madara take the benefits of birch water and utilise them for their skin care range. Birch water is one of the richest sources of bio-available nutrients including vitamins, proteins, amino acids and enzymes and is known to help cleanse and remove toxins from the body and help nourish the body’s cells with organic acids. Recognised as a pure, potent anti-ageing ingredient, Birch water is one of  Nordic women’s top beauty secrets.

From the entire range I have two products plus my very own bottle of birch water (which I really enjoyed drinking) and I am a huge fan, simple as that.  As someone who spends a bit part of their day in front of a computer screen, my skin does get dehydrated as we most of us.  Travelling around London means pollution, dirt and grime and I am more than willing to do anything and everything I can to ensure my skin stays looking and feeling its best.

So the first product is called the Cellular Nutrients Toning Mist and it is described as being a unique anti-aging toner with rebalancing Northern Birch hydrolate and hyaluronic acid improves skin structure and collagen synthesis. Putting it simply, it is an incredibly moisturising and hydrating mist which you can spritz onto your skin first thing in the morning as part of your skincare regime and/or throughout the day to ensure you keep your skin fresh, hydrated and moisturised, I did both.

On the skin, the toning mist is really lightweight and doesn't leave your skin drenched and wet, it is refreshing and a much welcomed mid-afternoon revival as you start to slump and want to find something sugary for a boost. I find on my skin, it is hydrating, so much so my last skin scan a few weeks ago at a blogger event revealed that my skin was actually not dehydrated (the usual issue) and instead, other than my redness, there was no other problems! This toning mist is also certified ECOCERT, Natural & Organic, Vegan, Cruelty Free and Gluten Free.

Moon Flower Rose Beige Tinting Fluid is the other product to have caught my eye. I am all about adding some illumination to my face and am obsessed with highlighters. This tinting fluid is a as described, a lighter alternative to foundation, which in the heat we have right now is very much welcomed, but it is also a little more than just a skin tint. It does as suggested illuminates and evens out your skin tone and it uses Northern Rose Hip extract and natural pigments which "instantly hydrate and perfect the skin’s appearance therefore helping to mask imperfections" and it helps with fine lines, something I don't really have a lot of. For me it is about the redness on my cheeks, something I am always keen to ensure I conceal and don't attract attention too, this does an amazing job. 

Again, it is packed full of amazing ingredients such as Rose Flower Water, Jojoba seed oil, Chamomile, Rosehip Extract, Calendula Extract and even Algae makes an appearance. It does leave my skin feeling hydrated, fresh and I like the fact I don't actually feel as though there is anything on my skin, a usual complaint from me with regards to fluid foundations is the feeling of something caked on your skin, I dislike the feeling immensely, but with this Tinting Fluid, it is lightweight, it applies with incredible ease and I actually forget I have it on.

I think Madara is an amazing brand and they have an entire catalogue of products which I have spent some time reading about.  You can find them available on sites such as FeelUnique,  LoveLula, Naturissimo and Essentials London.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

SEPTEMBER MAGAZINE FREEBIES

This month see's some absolutely amazing Magazine Freebies, making up for a few months where there has either been none or there is just one or two pretty decent ones, if you follow me on Instagram, I have featured them for this month. The ones that I have seen so far come from Elle and InStyle Magazines and again if you are a Benebabe and like a good Benefit Mini, as I showed here then go and find Elle!

Elle (£4.50) has teamed up with Benefit to give us the sample of their new Dew The Hoola which is a liquid bronzer. Benefit say "This liquid bronzer gives your face a year-round glow without the gleam. The smoothing effects and lightweight texture melt in for a shimmerless, natural look that’s so sheer, it’ll have you saying hoola-la".

InStyle have teamed up with Balance Me and there is an option to choose one of three samples; super toning body polish, pure skin face wash or a lip quenching lip balm. I chose the Lip Balm as I have had my eye on it for some time. A 100% natural lip balm with Spearmint fragrance, it hydrates and protects against chapped lips, gives lips subtle shine and mint fresh scent and uses Organic Shea, Cocoa and Mango Butters plump, soften and protect against the elements.

So, once again there are some fabulous freebies to be had this month which are more than worthy of being picked up. Have you picked up any yet?

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Escentric Molecules Escentric 02

I absolutely love perfumes and my tastes have changed quite a lot. Whilst perfumes such as Bvlgari Pour Femme will always remain special to me (wore it on my wedding day) I have over the years tried quite a few brands that I have come to love. I do like to change my perfumes around quite a lot but there is always a handful that I will always come back to and one of them is Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 which is just stunning and if you haven't tried it or worn it, hunt it down (Liberty) and give it a whirl! As with Molecule 01, Escentric 02 is designed to be different and alluring; unlike anything else on the high-street or in a perfumery.

Escentric 02 came into my possession a few months ago and as much as I adore 01 from the range, I was excited to see what 02 could offer. Described as being a fresh and sensual with a gin & tonic accord and hint of Austrian lemonade, it is designed around the aroma chemical, Ambroxan, with vetiver, hedione (green jasmine bud), muscone and orris incense.

Escentric 02 when spritzed has this really incredible zingy freshness to it and for me it is quite a masculine hit of fragrance until the point upon which it wears down and does 'its thing', at this point the wow factor kicks in sweet, it is musky and it is earthy all rolled into one and it then becomes your very own signature fragrance to the point where ive tried it out on a few people and the scent is different on every single person and it is something that, like 01, can be worn by both men and women.

Both of the Escentric Molecule fragrances have been ones which really capture people as you walk past them and I have had, on so many occasions, people asking me what perfume I am wearing. Both make such a statement, both are totally different to each other yet I adore them both.

If you're the kind of person that likes to make a statement with their scent, then Escentric 02 is definitely for you. Available in either a 100ml bottle and a 30ml with or without a sturdy travel case.

Get Rio Ready with Elegant Touch Nails

Right now I am totally obsessed with the Olympics, Team GB are doing just amazingly well and I am so proud to be British, we are such a small Island and there we are 2nd in the medals table with only the USA above us, whom, are a massive country! Elegant Touch are also clearly in the zone and have released two limited edition sets of nails which are perfect to get in the Rio spirit or even as a bit of fun for the summer.

Within the collection are two different designs specifically for the Rio Olympics and they are just so cute. Inside each box are more than enough nails for more than one wear and they come with everything you need for your application such as a buffer and some glue. Once applied they last for around 7 days before the wear and tear sets in and they start to fall off.

The two designs, Pineapple Party and Rio Ready are online exclusives (here) and retail for £7.95.

Pineapple Party are the kind if nails you can't miss. They have a very brightly coloured, very summery pineapple design print adorning each nail and they are a lot of fun.

Rio Ready gets you into the carnival spirit with two different nail designs which can be worn individually , for an accent nail or mixed and matched. The choice of blue and white stripes or a palm print on a yellow background are both striking and stand out.

Inside each box you will get 24 nails in ten different sizes so there should be a size to fit your own nails. I have personally always found Elegant Touch nails to fit my own fingers which are quite small and whenever I have worn them, they do last a full 7 days. Easy to apply, the nails come with easy to understand instructions and if nail glue isn't your thing, then I can highly recommend the nail guards (which ive run out of) to protect your nails from any damage.

I think these nails are a lot of fun and something a little bit different to get you in the party mood.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise