Virginia Coram Luxury Natural Soap

Virginia Coram is a brand I have never come across until recently and they are specialists in traditionally made pure liquid soap. Made in England, the natural bar soaps and collections of liquid soaps, lotions and bath oils are designed with scents created from uniquely exceptional blends of pure essential oils for a luxury bathing experience.  

Everything from the brand sounds just utterly divine and if like me, you love that little bit of something special for pampering, then this is ticking those boxes. 

At Virginia Coram, all our bath oil, liquid and bar soap recipes and essential oil formulations are proprietary and formulated in-house. Virginia Coram are one of the few English producers of pure liquid soap using the traditional method. We have developed a method to ensure that the soap we produce is of high clarity and consistency. We use Coconut, Olive and Sunflower oils in our liquid soap and saponify them using a potassium lye in to truly skin friendly hand and body washes.

I was very kindly sent two products from the Virginia Coram range: the Virginia Coram Bathtub Lotion in Rose Geranium & Sage fragrance and the Virginia Coram Governess Soap in Orange, Lavender & Vanilla fragrance.  Interestingly, both of these products can be used for the hands, within the bath or in the shower depending on your preference.

The first product I couldn't wait to try was the Rose, Geranium & Sage Bathtub Lotion which is described as being a delicious floral and herbal scent combination of Rose Geranium and Sage. It is anchored by the uplifting scent of Rosewood and accentuated by the refreshing, invigorating scent of Litsea Cubeba.   It comes packaged in a 250ml bottle with an accompanying pump dispenser and one pump dispenses enough product for both hands, but it can also be used on the body too. 

The lotion itself smells just absolutely incredible. On the skin, it is like velvet and as you massage it in, the scent really comes to life.  It is fresh and you can detect each of the three scents complimenting one another.  

The second product is the Governess's Soap in Orange, Lavender & Vanilla and it is a natural soap for the hands, bath and shower. Described as being a sweet and delicate combination of Orange, Lavender, Vanilla and Marjoram. Perfect for use on delicate skin with a rich, skin softening lather of Olive, Coconut and Sunflower oils. 

This fragrance is warm and fresh and I have been using it within the shower and as the steam and oils come together, the fragrances come to life and it is literally a luxury to use. Again, it comes packaged in a 250ml bottle with an accompanying pump dispenser and one pump dispenses enough product to wash with.

Virginia Coram really is such a wonderful brand and I especially love that you can choose your fragrance based on your own personal preferences, so if something more floral, Herbal or even Spicy then there is a great choice to choose from and prices start at just £18.

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

Creating the perfect bathroom for a beauty lover

The plight of the beauty lover: there’s never enough storage, there’s never enough light and your towels never hide all your fake tan or foundation that you were SURE you got off. Functionality is important for any beauty lover’s bathroom, as well as creating a relaxing, inviting environment for those long baths where you can finally enjoy all of those indulgent bath bombs and bath oils you accumulated. 

Now, speaking of long baths, I’ve been thinking about what the dream bathroom would look like for any beauty obsessive like myself if space was abundant and budget was aplenty. I’d start with a freestanding bath, as they are super aesthetically pleasing for all those dreamy Instagram pics. Investing in a bath rack would also be a pretty great idea so you can take all the important things in there with you, like your phone, books, beauty products…wine.

As pretty as it may look, keeping your makeup out in the bathroom could cause unwanted damage, and as we all know, the most sought-after foundations are rarely cheap, so this is something worth avoiding. Your makeup sponges and brushes are at risk of mould and bacteria if kept out in a damp warm room so should also be stored in a cupboard. The same goes for your fake tan, keep it stored in a cool dry place or it’s at risk of going green! Proper storage of your makeup and beauty products can make them last longer and save you some money, so I’d definitely invest in some aesthetically pleasing storage for my vanity bathroom. The thought of sourcing everything and making sure it not only all matches, but fits into your space is pretty daunting, but there are places where you can get everything in one go. When I was researching for my dream bathroom, I came across the huge range of Bathroom Suites from Better Bathrooms, which would be a great place to start. There’s so much inspiration in terms of how to design the layout of your dream bathroom, it’s hard to pick a favourite! 

Some products are so beautifully packaged that I know I for one don’t like to hide them away yet leaving them out can often look more cluttered than chic. Investing in some shelves to display those products that are too gorgeous to hide would work well, not only will this save some space, but attention will also be drawn in their direction, making them a focal point of the room. 

Another feature I'd definitely look to include at the top of my wish-list, is an illuminated mirror (as described in more detail on this page). Light up mirrors are a must-have piece of beauty tech as they enhance any flaws and leave no room for mistakes.  They’re also pretty multi-functional, in that they can also act as a creator of ambient lighting for a relaxing bath, enjoy bathing in the glow. Practicality wise, most illuminated mirrors are LED-based, meaning they’re cost-effective and pretty energy efficient too, plus they just look so pretty it’s unreal! 

How many white or lightly coloured towels have you been through that are now that weird pink-ish, tan-ish colour? And no matter how many times you wash them you still have these gross marble effect “ghost of tanning past” pieces of cloth? If I had a dedicated beauty bathroom, I’d definitely look into getting some darker towels. Not only can you make a bold statement in your bathroom by hanging out darker or bolder towels, but they’re also perfect for hiding any makeup mishaps. 

In the plight of my dream beauty bathroom, my plans have become more and more elaborate, and pretty costly at that! Maybe I could postpone that next holiday for a while…although I’m not sure that will go down too well with my husband!

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

RapidLash Party Prep Giftset

Party season is coming around pretty quickly and whilst many us are frantically worrying over what to wear, RapidLash has put together a little RapidLash Party Prep Giftset package to encourage you to leave those false lashes in your drawer and instead embrace your own natural beautiful lashes with a little bit of help.

The RapidLash party Prep Giftset is made up of four products which, when used in conjunction with one another for 30 continuous days could give you:

• Up to 50% longer-looking, more voluminous looking natural lashes
• Up to 108% improvement in the appearance of eyebrow density giving you that fuller-looking brow
• Rejuvenated, refreshes, primed and protected lashes
• An instantly smoother, more radiant complexion and visibly improve the appearance of skin texture

All of these could help you achieve that glam look by using RapidLash, RapidBrow, RapidShield and RapidRenew.

The first product is RapidLash® Eyelash Enhancing Serum (RRP £39.99) contains Hexatein™ 1 Complex, which is a blend of lash-enhancing ingredients including a scientifically advanced blend of Polypeptides with Amino Acids, nourishing Pumpkin Seed extract, Biotin and Panthenol, which work together to target eyelashes from every angle. RapidLash® helps to fight damaging environmental elements and premature fallout by nourishing and strengthening lashes and it does this by delivering those essential proteins, vitamins, and moisturising and rejuvenating ingredients.

What I love is how easy it is to use. Using the applicator brush, you simply apply RapidLash to the base of the upper eyelashes, starting from the inner corner of the eye working outwards. RapidLash is to be used once daily in the evening before bedtime. What I like about RapidLash is that it isn't a lot of hard work to use, it can sit on your bedside table with your nighttime products and it forms part of your routine without taking up too much of your time.

The second product is RapidBrow Eyebrow Enhancing Serum (RRP £37) and it is described as being a deeply nourishing formula that creates visible results in just 60 days helping to transform weak, uneven, sparse brows into healthier looking more beautiful brows.  In my teens, having over-tweezed brows was the in thing, the problem is, mine never quite grew back properly and if I want the fuller brow, then I need all the products.

RapidBrow is created using the exclusive Hexatein™ 2 Complex which is a unique blend of fortifying proteins, stimulating peptides and nourishing ingredients such as Keratin, Sweet Almond Extract and Polypeptides and they come together to help condition, restore and repair the appearance of eyebrows in 60 days. Designed to be used twice a day, you simply apply the brow serum using a few quick strokes and again, nothing too arduous with this product.

The third product within this gift set is the RapidShield Daily Eyelash Conditioner (RRP £28) and it is designed to protect against the daily external factors including pollution, makeup, makeup tools and other daily beauty treatments that can weaken lashes.  

RapidSheild is created using the exclusive Hexatein™ 3 Complex which is a unique blend of Polypeptides, Biotin, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Amino Acids, Soybean Oil and Pumpkin Seed Extract which helps protect, moisturise and nourish all day long to amplify lashes. To use, you simply apply RapidShield onto upper and lower lashes using the applicator brush, it can be used alone as a conditioner on clean lashes, under mascara as a primer, or over mascara as a refresher. Again, it is easy to use and you just apply it daily.

The final product in this gift set is the RapidLash RapidRenew Skin Perfecting Polish (RRP £34.99) and it is described as being a gentle exfoliator that works to smoothen and brighten the face, neck and décolleté with long-term, continuous effect.

RapidRenew™ is formulated with Hexatein® 5 Complex, a unique blend of highly beneficial ingredients which includes Magnesium Oxide Crystals to gently but effectively exfoliate the skin, Lime Pearl which is a precious source of AHAs which helps improve skin exfoliation and result in smoother, brighter complexion with a healthy, youthful, dewy glow, Bromelain which is found in pineapple and it aides enzymatically in the exfoliating process to gently slough off dead skin cells as well as Vitamins (A, C and E) which are packed with antioxidant benefits to help promote a clear complexion, even out appearance of skin tone, and shield against the elements.

Designed to be used 2-3 times a week, you massage a small amount onto a cleansed, wet face, neck and décolleté in small, circular motions. The cream itself is quite a thick coarse texture, so you only need a small amount. What I have found using this, is that it does an amazing job at removing that dry and dead skin that clings to everything and whilst being a coarse texture, I haven't found that it scratches the skin.

I am still working my way through each of these products and whilst I am yet to share my results, I think this is a fab gift set for someone, or even for yourself and everything detailed within this post is available via Lookfantastic as well as further products from the range.

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

Living Proof Hair Care

Haircare is one of those subjects I don't talk about enough, yet it is part of my everyday routine, whether I am washing, conditioning, using a hair mask, styling or depending on dry shampoo. Living in London has changed my hair, the hard water does it no favours and it is something I can tell the difference with when I visit my parents up north where the water is much softer.  Here in London, I have to wash my hair every other day, up north I can quite easily not have to wash my hair for 3-4 days.

Living Proof is a brand I have seen people raving about all over my social media feed and it is one I have been getting to know over the past few months. Living Proof has taken it upon themselves to solve the root causes of everyone’s top hair concerns: frizz, damage, and fullness to name just a few and their team of stylists and scientists analyzed 100s of competitive products that have been on the market the last 30 years and what they found was that the traditional beauty industry relies on heavy silicones that mask hair symptoms but don’t really solve them.  From these studies came three discoveries:

• Firstly there is ofpma aka the healthy hair molecule, a superior way to care for hair without silicones, instead this molecule creates a weightless, invisible shield over each hair strand meaning your hair stays cleaner for longer, eliminates frizz by blocking humidity, polishes and protects hair strands, smoothes the hair without weighing it down.
• Second, we have pabe aka the thickening hair molecule, described as being a better way to create thickness, body and fullness without stiff, sticky resins. This molecule creates a microscopic pattern of thickening dots on hair for long-lasting, touchable fullness, body and thickness. So if you have fine flat hair, this is definitely something to look out for.
• Finally, there is etas which is the volumising and texturising molecule, Living Proof have discovered a better way to create volume and texture on hair without heavy powders weighing hair down. It is almost as light as air and provides instant, weightless volume and texture that lasts, transforms fine, flat hair into voluminous styles and most interestingly it works on dry hair for results anywhere, anytime

Now my hair is best described as being combination hair.  I have greasy roots and dry ends and when I am stressed, one of the places that will flare up is my scalp which becomes dry and itchy. So over the past few months, I have been using a whole host of Living Proof products to see just how good they are and whether they live up to my own expectations.

The first products are the Living Proof Full Shampoo and Conditioner.  I don't use a conditioner every time I wash my hair, it is usually every second or third wash depending on how my hair feels at the time.  

The Living Proof Full Shampoo is described as being a gentle, yet thoroughly cleansing shampoo that helps to transform fine, flat hair to look, feel and behave like naturally full, thick hair. Within this shampoo, you will find ofpma, so it works to cleanse the hair by effectively eliminates residue and build-up. Lightweight in texture compared to some shampoos I have used, it has a lovely citrus scent which I really like, it is one which you really notice. After using, instead of finding my hair feeling oily due to excess silicone, what I have soft, shiny hair which feels clean.  The Living Proof Full Conditioner is described as being a lightweight conditioner that adds softness and shine while helping fine, flat hair to look, feel and behave like naturally full, thick hair. Again within this product, you will find ofpma and within this conditioner, it helps to detangle and smooth the hair. My issue with some conditioners is how thick they are, this one is lightweight and you need the smallest amount to make a huge difference.

At least once every three weeks, I use a hair mask on my hair as an extra treat and for the last few months, I have switched to using the Restore Treatment Mask. Described as being a deeply conditioning mask treatment, it uses the molecule ofpma and it works to repair dry, damaged hair by nourishing each strand, leaving hair visibly healthier, stronger, and shinier.

Without question, this is one very luxurious hair mask treatment and I love it so much, I have bought another as a back up. The formula is silicone-free and it works to repel dirt which gives you more time between washes. It uses Glycolic Acid which helps to smooth and soften each fibre for improved manageability. One the hair it isn't heavy, it doesn't feel greasy and nor is it a nightmare to wash out. Once removed, what I love is how hydrated my hair feels, how smooth it is to the touch and I also love the natural shine that comes back.

When it comes to styling my hair, depending on how much time I have and what I am doing that day, I will either have a ponytail which means I let my hair air dry as much as possible and then dry it off with a hairdryer if needs be.  If I am going to an event or feel the need, I straighten my hair or I let the natural waves do their thing and only slightly run my hair straighteners through my hair to ensure there are no wild flyaways.  To do any of these I either use a serum, a mist or a heat spray, but again, I have switched to using Living Proof for the past few months and there are two products that I have which are - The Instant de-frizzer and the Full Dry Volume Blast.

The Full Dry Volume Blast is described as being a weightless styling spray that adds body and bounce without crunchiness or stiffness and it uses molecule etas which are incredibly lightweight.

Back with the molecules mentioned above, within this product we have etas and what we have is a lightweight mist which creates instant volume, so if you have fine, flat hair, then this is the product you need. Silicone free and safe to use on colour treated hair. what I like about this spray is that I only need to use a small amount.  I am conscious about using too many sprays on or near to my scalp.

Next is one of my favourite discoveries from Living Proof and that is the No Frizz Instant De-Frizzer. Described as being a dry conditioning spray that restores smooth, sleek strands from root to tip. Using the patented Healthy Hair Molecule ofpma which helps to seal the cuticle, tames frizz, and smooths hair without any build-up or residue.

Using a blend of 5 oil which mimic the oils naturally found in healthy hair, this spray is one of the best that I have ever used to tame frizz and flyaways, especially after you have dried your hair using a hairdryer and then used straightening irons. For me, this tends to lead to flyaways, a bit of static and often some frizz. Likewise, if I allow my hair to air dry, there is often some frizz, so this spray really does help.

The final product is a case of saving the best till last mixed with a bit of 'now I know why people rave about it' and that is the Living Proof Perfect Hair Days Dry Shampoo. 

This Dry Shampoo is powered by the patented Healthy Hair Molecule ofpma and has what is referred to as a 'Triple-Action Cleaning Technology' which not only absorbs and removes oil, sweat and odour, it also makes your hair look and feels clean. One of the paranoias for me, when it comes to using a Dry Shampoo is that it actually does nothing other than produce white flakes of dried powder or irritates my scalp further. I don't get that with this at all. What I love is that it has a time-released fragrance to deliver a light, clean scent throughout the day, the scent is pleasant, my hair smells nice and most importantly, I am not sat wondering whether anyone has noticed I am on day 3 or 4 without washing my hair.

It is fair to say that I have really enjoyed getting to know Living Proof as a brand and there is so much more that I want to try.  Available from Lookfantastic, Marks & Spencer and also John Lewis with prices starting at £8.

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