SBC Propolis TSV - Head to Toe Ritual from the Hive

SBC or Simply Beautiful Collection is a brand I became acquainted with last summer (review here) and they are a British beauty brand who was founded in 1988. Described as being a fuss-free, practical, effective, affordable pampering, which includes skincare gels, moisturisers, serums, polishes, cleansers, bath & body essentials to create a dynamic range that delivers pure, natural vitality to the skin.

Today I am sharing with you an SBC Propolis QVC TSV which is incredible value for money (it will cost less than £40) and it features a brand new product which is launching with this TSV. Propolis, if you have never come across it before, is a powerful substance made by honeybees. The bees collect resin from trees and combine it with beeswax and honey to make Propolis. Bees use Propolis to protect their hive and keep it sterile but it also has amazing properties for the skin too. The Propolis Collection is not only rich in amino acids but also in minerals, vitamins and bio-flavonoids all of which lavish face, body and hair with natural nourishing and protective care for the hair, scalp and skin.

Included within the TSV are five products which are:

A one Litre of Propolis Skincare Gel (£36 for 500ml) - Infused with natural propolis, this gel is incredibly lightweight on the skin and because it is water-based, it absorbs really quickly. What I like about this Gel is the scent because it combines sweetness with an earthy aroma. The use of Manuka honey which is sweet and moisturising works alongside the delicate ancient cypress which has quite a wood scent to it, but on the skin, it is said to host calming properties as well as working to decongest the skin, sweet basil which is said to cleanse the skin and neroli flower which again intertwine the sweet with the earthy scent.  There is also the inclusion of frankincense, patchouli and cedarwood which are all woody scents and they work alongside vanilla and amber.

I have only been using this gel for a short time, but I have been applying it after showering because I do like to have hot water when I shower, I can't stand a warm shower.  On the skin, this gel works to provide relief for dry skin as it helps to restore moisture and hydration by reducing water evaporation. it also helps to desensitise and calm very sensitive skin and strengthens fragile skin by reinforcing skin’s natural barrier and for me, most importantly, it combats many of the environmental stresses that we are exposed to every day, while an abundance of vitamins, amino acids and minerals nourish the skin.

A 500ml bottle of Propolis Scalp Care Shampoo (£24) - I have a love-hate relationship with my scalp. When I am stressed I really suffer from dryness and itching and often have to resort to medicated products to help soothe it.  From SBC we have a shampoo which is described as being a refreshing and soothing shampoo is enriched with naturally soothing Propolis, White Nettle, Ginger and Pro-Vitamin B5 for healthy scalp and hair. Formulated for those with a dry/itchy scalp in need of relief, this shampoo doesn't contain silicone, SLS or parabens.

The fragrance of the shampoo is exactly the same as the Skincare Gel and the ingredients come together to cleanse and remove build-up and impurities to refresh the scalp. This shampoo also works to help control scalp sebum secretion to ease an oily scalp, restoring balance. I have only used it a few times since it arrived, so I don't feel I have a good enough insight as to whether or not it works for me, but what I have noticed is how shiny my hair has become.

A 500ml bottle of Propolis Hair Care Conditioner (£24) - With every shampoo, there is usually a conditioner and from SBC we have one which is formulated with 3 ingredients from the hive including Propolis which is rich in antioxidants and bioflavonoids which helps soothe a sensitive, itchy scalp whilst caring for the hair follicle. Honey and Royal Jelly which work to nourish and smooth out the hair to leave locks soft and shiny. Then finally there is Argan Oil, Pro-Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E which help improve the appearance of the hair’s elasticity, leaving it looking fuller and healthier. 

Again, I have only used this a few times and what I like is that it doesn't weight my hair down or leave it feeling lank and greasy after use.

A 100ml of the brand new Propolis & Safflower Hand & Foot Cream (£18)  - This is the brand new SBC product.  Described as being a rich and sumptuous hand and foot cream, formulated to soothe, protect and hydrate dry and cracked skin. Like the rest of the products within this range, this cream is enriched with nurturing Propolis which is rich in amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and bioflavonoids. Alongside those, we have Safflower Oil which is said to be an ideal hydrator for dry, sensitive skins, due to it being rich in essential fatty acids. Finally, there is the inclusion of both Shea Butter and Glycerin which provide intense moisturisation to leave hands and feet, nails and cuticles soft and nourished.

I have been using this since it arrived. If you follow me on Instagram, you will have seen that I managed to fall over and tear my ankle ligaments and a tendon, so that has resulted in a few months on crutches and 6 months of wearing an ankle protector, the skin has become quite dry, so I need something with intensive moisture to soothe and I get that with this cream. This cream has what can best be described as a more powdery floral fragrance than anything else within this TSV and that is largely due to the heart notes of lily and rose but there is also the inclusion of sandalwood as a base note to the fragrance which I really like.

The final item within this TSV is a huge one Litre bottle of the Honey & Almond Shower Crème (£21 for 500ml) and I absolutely love this product.  As someone who hates Marzipan (devils food) but absolutely loves the scent of Almonds, this could not be a more amazing product.  Inspired by the soft, sensual feeling of cashmere against bare skin. This gentle formula won’t strip your skin of moisture because it has been specially formulated to respect your skin’s natural moisture barrier and pH. 

Enriched with Honey deeply moisturising and rich in antioxidants and Sweet Almond Extract which works to soothe and nourish skin with its high vitamin E and Protein-rich content, it feels absolutely divine on the skin and smells just as amazing. With a hint of Coconut, there is also a few floral notes which come through too and this gives it a beautiful freshness.

This is possibly the biggest TSV I have ever seen and had the pleasure to review, each one of the bottles is huge and all come with a handy pump to make them easier to handle.  I absolutely adore the Shower Creme and am quite looking forward to seeing how my hair and scalp copes with the shampoo and conditioner too.

This TSV is on sale from Midnight tonight and the price is so incredible at less than £40, it is well worth looking out for!  I would love to know if any of these products have caught your attention and whether or not you have tried anything from SBC before?

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

By Wishtrend - Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water

Korean Beauty is a trend that has fascinated me for some time and it is something I just love learning more about, so much so that right here on my blog, I have a page dedicated to all of the Korean Beauty brands that I have tried.

Today sees the turn of By Wishtrend and the Mandelic 5% Skin Prep Water. Described as being a hydrating and non-irritating exfoliant that can be used daily. Formulated with Mandelic Acid, it acts as an exfoliating treatment that improves the skin tone and texture while boosting the effectiveness of other products.

As the name suggests, the main ingredient, besides water within this product is Mandelic Acid. Mandelic Acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) made from the extract of bitter almonds, it’s name is actually derived from the German word for almond - “Mandel”. Designed to accelerate cell turnover, remove dead and dry skin cells and to brighten complexion and improve fine lines, what I love about this product is just how gentle it is on my skin. Mandelic Acid also helps with pigmentation to improve the skin's tone and texture and it also hosts antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Further ingredients include:

• Beta-Glucan - A soluble fibre extracted from oats and it helps with reducing redness as well as being moisturising and soothing it also has anti-inflammatory properties too.
• Liquorice Root Extract - Know for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which help to control oil production to calm and soothe skin.
• Panthenol - Also known as vitamin B5, it acts as a humectant and moisturiser which improves the skin’s abilities to regenerate and to maintain hydration. It is also used to help prevent inflammation and to prevent itching.
• Sweet Almond Oil - Naturally high in fatty acids and Vitamin E, Sweet Almond Oil is a great moisturiser and it helps to keep the skin soft and supple.
• Centella Asiatica Extract - Helps to regenerate damaged skin.
• Sodium Hyaluronate - Reaches deep into the dermis of the skin to attract moisture and helps retain moisture within the skin, preventing dryness after exfoliation.

Together these ingredients work together to make quite the product and it is one I absolutely loved using and have bought a back up of.

To use, you apply a few drops to a cotton wool pad and wipe and pat it onto the skin, avoiding your mouth and eyes, just as you would do similar products. There is a slight scent of almonds, but nothing that is too overpowering but what I like about Mandelic Acid is that it feels incredibly lightweight on the skin and has an almost water like texture which absorbs incredibly quickly.   Unlike other AHA's that I have used, there was definitely no tingling of the skin, a sensation I have got used to experiencing and actually quite like to feel, it is as though the product is letting you know it is doing something, that aside, if the tingling sensation is not for you, then Mandelic Acid might just be.  After using, my skin does not feel dry or taut but instead clean, soft and smooth.  I always double cleanse before using this and then apply a hydrating toner.  Naturally, because of the nature of the product, I only ever us it of an evening and ensure I wear sunscreen the following day (which I do without thinking anyway).  I love that my skin is given a really good cleanse to remove it of all dirt and debris, including dead and dry skin.

Designed to be used 3-4 times a week, if you have very sensitive skin then you can limit the usage to 2-3 times a week.  The bottle should be kept in the fridge or somewhere which is dark and cool and it comes packaged in a dark see-through bottle to prevent oxidizing. Priced at £21 (here) Mandelic Acid is Cruelty-free, Vegan-Friendly, Ethanol-free, Paraben-free, Silicon-free, Steroid-free, Artificial colouring-free and Artificial fragrance-free.

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

Antipodes Reincarnation Facial Exfoliator

I absolutely love Antipodes as a brand and have featured them quite a few times on my blog (here, here and here) and I have yet to find something I dislike. A brand which hails all the way from New Zealand, Antipodes creator, Elizabeth Barbalich, had a desire to create premium, scientifically validated, organic beauty products. She wanted them to be made from fully sustainable sources that could be used every day plus the packaging features fully recyclable bottles and aluminium tubes, and 100% biodegradable card from sustainable forests.  Today I am sharing the Antipodes Reincarnation Facial Exfoliator.

Exfoliation as we all know if a vital part of any skincare routine and I try to ensure I use an exfoliator at least twice a week as directed to do so by a few experts that I have seen over the past few years.  From Antipodes, we have a product that is described as being a product which nurtures the skin during this innate regeneration process by cleansing, hydrating and balancing.

Suitable for all skin types, Reincarnation Facial Exfoliator has an incredibly luxe creamy formula that is vegetarian-friendly and uses Avocado Oil and Jojoba Beads work together to eliminate dead and dry skin cells whilst Calendula Oil which is known for its healing properties gently nurtures the skin. Also, included is Carrot Seed Extract helps to clear and revitalise the skin's surface.  Reincarnation Facial Exfoliator utilises an exotic blend of Sandalwood, Sweet Orange and Tonka Bean Essential Oils which not only rejuvenate the senses but also leaves the complexion feeling incredibly clean, clear and exceptionally fresh.

It works best when applied to dampened skin and when I use it, I massage it onto my skin in circular motions and then allow it to sit for a few minutes whilst I soak my flannel in warm water and then remove it using circular motions and what I love about this is just how divine it feels on the skin, not overly abrasive but you do notice it does work to remove the dead and dry skin, but it doesn't scratch or irritate because it is also designed to calm and balance the skin too.  

Priced at £21.99 via Lookfantastic (aff link) it is worth every single penny, more so knowing that the box and tube can be recycled!

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

Ouai Treatment Masque

Like my skin, hands, body and feet, a hair masque is an absolute essential in my life and at least once every month I use a hair mask on my hair. The most recent addition to my stash comes from Ouai, a brand I have got to know pretty well and just absolutely love. This isn't a new masque, it has just been re-packaged from a sachet to a tube, so it is much easier to use, less messy but just as brilliant.

Described as being a restorative healing mask that’s formulated to repair damage in minutes, leaving strands incredibly soft and smooth after just one treatment. Made with Artichoke Leaf Extract to seal the cuticle and protect hair from future damage, there is also the use of Tamarind Seed Extract which infuses the hair with a moisture barrier, making it velvety-soft before Ouai's own Smart Technology Complex infuses hair with essential Amino Acids and Keratin to help strengthen and nourish each follicle while shielding against environmental aggressors.

What I absolutely love about this mask is that you only need to use it for 5-10 minutes each time.  After washing your hair, squeeze out excess water and then apply the mask, running it through your hair with fingers or a wide tooth comb to ensure it has been dispersed equally.  Then once the time is up, simply wash out.

What I absolutely love about this hair masque is how soft and smooth it leaves my hair feeling after using not to mention that just walked out of the salon glossy look.  As with all of Ouai's products, they have a distinct scent and this masque smells just the same as the limited edition Ouai Melrose Place Eau de Parfum (review here) and it smells delightfully of  Rose, Bergamot, Lychee, Cedar-wood, and White Musk. This scent really makes my hair smell incredible and it is one that lasts a good few days.

If you are in need of a new hair masque and want something that does a little more than leave your hair feeling nice, you need the Ouai Treatment Masque. Priced around £30 you can find this scrub and the rest of the Ouai collection here.

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