You Beauty Box: October

This month You Beauty Box is titled the Changing Seasons and this edit is a compilation of powerful new season saviours that promise to leave you feeling refreshed and energised. After last months box being a bit of a letdown, I had high hopes for this one as soon as I saw the contents that I could choose from.

As ever there are always treats inside the box and this time there are three within the box and the first comes from 7th Heaven who used to go by the name of Montagne Jeunesse and there is a Soften Glove Masque which is infused with ultra-moisturising rose flower and shea butter to banish dry hands, so I am looking forward to giving these a try.  The other sachet is a pair of sock masques which are infused with Shea Butter and Almond Oil to nourish dry skin and help repair cracked heels along with Peppermint and Soyabean to freshen and rehydrate your feet.  Both treatments are easy to use with instructions on the back of the packet.  Priced at £2.99 each I am hoping these are a real bargain.

The second treat is a voucher for a company called Everdine. Everdine is a subscription box service of gourmet yet clean meals delivered to your home on fortnightly basis. We believe in clean eating and shun artificial flavours and processed foods. We focus on the positive goodness of the best ingredients. We think eating clean should not compromise the delight. Our chefs trained in Michelin-starred restaurants and keen on creating delicious and clean dishes that will surprise you and won’t be harmful for your wallet. Your time is precious for us. Our meal plans are delivered every other week and contains curated selection of exciting and wholesome heat-to-eat meals which can be ready in less than 10 minutes. Having looked at the online menu, there is an impressive list of food to choose from and it is something I think about trying, just so I can see how good it really is.

Aromatherapy Associates Revive Body Gel - Now this is a full size 200ml tube which has an RRP £35. The first thing you notice about this gel is the amazing aroma before it is even removed from any packaging, it is just absolutely divine, the kind of scent you get from entering a spa. The description which accompanies the gel says "Experience the refreshing and invigorating powers of grapefruit, rosemary and juniper to even out skin tone and texture and to maintain a healthy microcirculation. Massage into your skin each day, focusing on areas of concern, like hips, thighs, stomach, ankles and feet". 

Also included as an ingredient is Eucalyptus Oil, which has added benefits for sing this, more so because I have just had the onset of a cold coming, this is perfect for helping clear the sinuses making breathing that much easier.

Foreo Day Cleanser is my second choice and again this is a full sized bottle at 100ml thus giving it an RRP £25. Anyone who reads my blog will know what a fan I am of the Foreo cleanser tools and I also like this cleanser too. Designed to awaken and protect, the creamy yoghurt like texture turns into a foam that works to lift away dirt, makeup and impurities from the skin with 95% natural origin ingredients.

Formulated specially to complement the T-Sonic™ pulsations of the LUNA™ device, the cleanser works in tandem with the vibrations to enhance performance; actives are stimulated and absorption is maximised for deeper delivery. Its blend of bergamot and mandarin extracts (rich in vitamin C and essential antioxidants) leave skin feeling refreshed and purified, whilst its dose of apricot oil and pressed probiotics nourish, moisturise and protect. Pores are targeted and a deep penetrative cleanse is achieved. Skin feels clean, protected and radiant.

Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Face Lifting Soft Cream comes in a sample size 15ml tub and has an RRP £14. New from Caudalie, this intensely nourishing day cream has a really lightweight ‘soufflé’ texture which melts within seconds helping to replenish precious moisture and diminish signs of crêpey-ness, fine lines and sagging.

Described as being 'Deeply penetrative', this cream has a patented combination of Vine Resveratrol and micro-hyaluronic acid, two of the most powerful anti-ageing ingredients, it leaves the skin smooth, plump and re-defined. The addition of ‘soft focus’ mattifying powders then create a flawless base for make up – priming skin and blurring visibility of imperfections.

So there you have the October You Beauty Box and I think there is an interesting mixture of products and I am happy with my choices at £8.95. What do you think?

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Capsules

Over the past few weeks I have been away for a long weekend and Wales and back home to my parents for a few days.  In doing so, I have been able to use a few products which are perfect for travelling with and Elizabeth Arden Ceramide capsules are just amazing.

We all know how hard it is to decide what to pack into our bags and when it comes to toiletries I often need a suitcase just to take everything I use with me. Partly why I love mini products and perfume samples is that the smaller they are, the more you can take and it is always good to try out new products and use your trusty faithfuls.

The two Ceramide Capsules that I have been using from Elizabeth Arden are the Ceramide Time Complex Daily Youth Restoring Serum and Skin Illuminating Brightening Night Capsules with Advanced MIX Concentrate.  What I love about these is that they are stored in the amazing tube like bottles, but even more important than that, they are amazing for travelling with, just look how small each one is and they take up no room at all.

The Ceramide Time Complex Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum is designed to revitalise your skin. They are described as being 'Lightweight, silky and youth-enhancing' and the anti-ageing formula helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by replenishing the skin's natural production of ceramides, whilst retexturising and hydrating the epidermis. Phew! Using essential fatty acids which help to firm and strengthen the skin, I love that serum is non-greasy and it quickly absorbs into the skin upon application and leaves behind no sign that it was ever there in the first place, other than your skin looking and feeling hydrated, moisturised, soft and smooth to the touch. For a little capsule, you get more than enough inside each for one application of the entire face and neck. 

For the evening, I have the Skin Illuminating Brightening Night Capsules With Advanced MIX Concentrate™. These capsules are designed to work their magic to leave your skin looking brighter whilst you sleep. Now I love a lotion or potion that I can apply to my skin as I sleep, especially with this constant change in weather which really aggravates my skin. Using the exclusive Advanced MIX Concentrate they are described as a concentrate to work synergistically with skin’s natural repair process to help minimise the appearance of excess pigmentation and dark spots and support skin’s natural collagen and elastin matrix. In doing this, it gives the skin a smoother, brighter look.

These capsules are extremely satisfying to squash and roll between your fingers and then they are so good to open, the kind of satisfaction you gain from popping bubble wrap!  I find that gently rolling them between my thumb and forefinger before opening makes it easier to gather the cream into one space before squeezing it out on my fingertips to apply to my face - I do this with both capsules.

Priced at £82 for 90 capsules for the day time capsules and £60 for the night time capsules they are on the pricey side but you do get 50 capsules which is just over £1 per capsule and in my opinion worth absolutely every single penny!

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Roger & Gallet Le Soin Aura Mirabilis Skincare Range

When it comes to skincare, Roger & Gallet is not a brand I would think of I have to admit, I put them within the French Fragrance department and soaps that I am more familiar with. A few weeks ago I was treated to an event which taught me the history of the brand which is Roger & Gallet and it was simply fascinating. Now as they launch their new skincare range – Roger & Gallet Le Soin Aura Mirabilis, I would urge you to find it and try it because it is tout simplement magnifique.

Aura Mirabilis is at heart of this new skincare collection and it stems from the great adventure of Roger & Gallet which started back in 1695. Jean-Paul Feminis, who came from Italy and settled in Cologne, claimed to have been given the secret of a unique formula for water with amazing healing properties known as Aqua Mirabilis. In 1806, Jean-Marie Farina, the heir to the formula for Eau de Cologne, opened a perfumery business in rue Saint-Honore, Paris. He supplied the great courts of Europe. Napoleon was a wholehearted user and had a boot flask specially made for him to carry in his boot. It was then in 1862 that the heirs to Maison Farina, Armand Roger and Charles Gallet, formed a partnership which sealed the company's future and the brand Roger & Gallet.

Fast forward to 2016 and the inspiration behind this new skincare collection takes its inspiration from that history and using the original formula have used 18 distilled officinal plants to create this new range.

The four part Roger & Gallet Le Soin Aura Mirabilis skincare which are designed to be used in conjuection with one another and as a four step process includes:

Extra Fine Cleansing Mask £15

This is step one and it is inspired by oil-based formulas that are known for working wonders on the skin. It concentrates all the natural powers of 18 officinal plants combined with the extra fine Helianthus flower oil (Sunflower).  This mask can be used in two ways - firstly to remove your makeup. Once on the skin the mask turns from a gel into a fine oil when massaged in and you simply can apply to dry skin or mix with water.  Its second use is that of a detoxifying mask.

Beauty Vinegar £15

Step two and one of the products I was most fascinated by, purely for the world Vinegar. This product is inspired by the vinegar based formulas that are known for their refreshing and purifying properties. Delicately scented, it can be used to remove makeup residue, smooth your skin or eliminate dead cells. It helps to refine the skins texture, tighten your pores, clarifies and refresh your complexion.

Then the two that I was kindly given from the collection which are:

Double Extract £40

Step three and again this unique treatment concentrates the 18 officinal plants and distilled plants in a unique fluid formula.  It penetrates the skin quickly and works to restore the skin’s barrier, corrects irregularities in your skin while adding radiance. It also offers a protective barrier against dirt and grime referred to as external aggressors and leaves your skin feeling hydrated and revived.

Legendary Cream £32

The final step in the skincare process is with the Legendary Cream.  Again, the creamy formula uses the natural powers of the 18 officinal plants combined with an extract of white lily, which is said to have been particularly effective at tackling redness and irritation.  This cream melts instantly on application and offers the freshness of a gel in that it is cooling to the skin but the comfort of a cream, which I find really refreshing.  The cream is designed to re-hydrate your skin while boosting your skin’s radiance and texture.  Again,  it also offers a protective barrier against external aggressors.

This collection of skincare is designed to help your skin look the best it can and I love that it is centered around its own history in an attempt to do just that.

The new Roger & Gallet Le Soin Aura Mirabilis is available to order online here.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

The Greatest Family Activities To Do In Sicily

Sicily is a lovely place and a great destination for families to visit together since there is something for everyone. Parents and kids are well catered for when it comes to accommodation in Sicily. With a bit of planning, you can easily rent one of these beautiful villas in Sicily online , which is a great way to relax and enjoy your stay while exploring the place. that is a great way to put up while exploring the place.

Mount Etna - Mount Etna is the tallest volcano in Europe and it is still active! It has a very special place in history as a sacred mountain and still retains its fascination. Children and adults alike will enjoy a trip up the mountain. You can also go on a ride on the cable car, which given an excellent view of the mountainous lava and the surrounding scenery.

Siracusa - Founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC, Siracusa is one of the oldest cities in Sicily and a UNESCO heritage site. The site contains many buildings from ancient times and is also the birthplace of the mathematician, Archimedes. You can also learn a lot at the Archaeological Museum and the Archaeological Park of Siracusa, where there are also activities for children.

EtnAvventura - Located on the southern slopes of Mount Etna, EtnAvventura is an adventure park. The park offers a fun day out for the entire family, with adventures for different ages, cafes, and picnic spaces. It is also provides a very scenic setting and is apt even if you are travelling with older people who don't want to partake in adventure activities.

Stagnone Salt Pans - The Stagnone is the largest lagoon in Italy and the salt pans there are a captivating sight. Watching the huge piles of salt drying in the sun is an experience not to be missed, and you can learn more about this ancient tradition. The Stagnone is also a marine reserve with a large wildlife population as well as a historical settlement.

*this post is written by Mary Johnson