Patchology Night Restoring Cloudmasque

Until recently, Patchology was not a brand I had come across until an email landed in my inbox and the Cloudmasque arriving back in December.  Formed over ten years ago, Patchology was formed around the idea that the truly effective delivery of great skincare ingredients, on your terms, is a game changer.  For Patchology it is all about creating products that work for you, on your terms and work with your busy schedule, so if you only have five minutes to spare, then there should be a product that you can and should use during that time.  Within their arsenal of products, there is a whole host of masks, patches, gels, creams and kits for everything you can think of.

No matter how busy life is, the one product we all have the time to apply and utilise is a sleep mask. A product which looks after your skin as you sleep and from Patchology we have the 'Restoring Night Cloudmasque'.  Described as being weightless and whipped, this mask works to hydrate and restore moisture to your skin as you sleep. What I love about products like this is that they take little effort to use and if you pick the right product, it can make a whole world of difference.  

Patchology Cloudmasque is packed full of amazing ingredients which include 17 skin-conditioning plant extracts such as Rosemary, Fig and Chamomile. It also includes Niacinamide which my skin absolutely loves alongside three main ingredients:

• Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates skin to help improve elasticity
• Retinol: Helps speed cell healthy turnover
• Peptide Complexes: Reduce fine lines and crow's feet

Putting everything together, you have a masque which does all the hard work whilst you sleep and lets you wake with refreshed, hydrated skin.  Anyone who knows me, knows I adore the scent of Jasmine and that is the one dominating scent of this mask, it is a fresh scent of Jasmine which I find really relaxing and it is a fragrance which also helps you drift off to sleep.

To use this mask, I always ensure I have double cleansed my face and added my oil, if I am using one at the time and then, around 15 minutes before I want my head to hit the pillow, I apply an even layer of this masque to my skin and allow it to slowly penetrate my skin. If my skin is feeling dehydrated, it literally hoovers up this product really quickly, if my skin isn't dehydrated, then I often find I need to massage in the final bits of the masque. Waking up the next day, there is no transfer onto my pillow case and my skin always feels soft and smooth to the touch, better still, it is alway as hydrated as I hope it will be.

Priced at £35 for a 50ml jar (here), I use this masque at least once a week depending on how my skin feels and it lasts quite a long time.  As mentioned, my jar arrived towards the middle of December and I am still using it now, some three months later.

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

Pixi Beauty UK - What's New for 2019!

Last week I was very lucky to have been invited to the Pixi #HouseofGlow Event here in London, an event that was so beautifully put together transporting you from a gloomy wet and windy spring day to a brightly lit and colourful store.  Inside, Pixi was showcasing the newly launch products and I was literally in Pixi heaven.

If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you will know how much I adore Pixi as a brand and just recently, I shared my views on the Rose Infused range (here) which came packaged inside the most amazing travel bag.  

At the Pixi event, I was lucky enough to have a closer look at the newest Pixi launches, speak to the girls for advice on which would suit my skin, ask what the products do and get a sneaky peek of what is yet to come!

So first up we have the Vitamin C range which launched a good while ago now but this was the first time I have got to see it up close.  The range consists of a Tonic, Caviar Balm, a Juice Cleanser, a Lotion and a Serum.  The Vitamin C range is designed to brighten, protect and preserve the skin and as we know, Vitamin C has a potent antioxidant power which promotes healthy collagen production and is known to boost skin luminosity.  

Then we have the Pixi Milky Range and this is the one which intrigued me the most and it is referred too as the Hydration Range and it is designed to soothe, nourish, balance and protect sore, dry skin.  This range consists of a cleanser, lotion, makeup remover and a peel.

One product that did catch my eye is the Pixi In-Shower Steam Facial and essentially it is a gel-to-oil cleanser that can be applied in the shower to give that mini facial feel and it contains collagen and peptides that act to hydrate and plump skin!

If you are a huge fan of Pixi Glow Tonic then keep your eyes peeled for the Pixi Glow Tonic Cleansing Gel! Described as being a hydrating cleansing gel that doesn’t strip skin of essential oils while gently exfoliating and brightening with glycolic acid, horse chestnut extract, aloe and ginseng - essentially making it Glow Tonic in a gel!

If eye patches are something you absolutely love (and I do) then Pixi has a choice of two products for you.  Packaged in pots of 30 eye patches there is the choice of Pixi FortifEYE Firming Eye Patches which work to firm, hydrate and depuff the skin under your eyes using peptides and caffeine.  The second option is DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches and these are hyaluronic acid and caffeine-infused hydrogel patches which work to hydrate the skin under the eyes whilst helping to retain moisture and reduce the appearance of puffiness.

One item I always needs to have within my stash are facemasks and again Pixi are ticking all my skincare need boxes right now because again, there a few choices!  The first is the GLOW Glycolic Boost Mask and it is designed to instantly brighten and hydrate. Next we have the Pixi Plump Collagen Boost Mask which is a collagen and Peptide infused sheet mask which helps to improve and maintain elasticity while firming the skin.  These sheets masks are sold in boxes of three.  If you prefer a more traditional mask then Pixi has the Pixi Collagen Plumping Mask and it is a botanical collagen and amino acid mask which works to restore glow to the skin whilst plumping.  

If you like gel products when we have pHenomenal Gel which is perfect for dry and sensitive skin and it is ideally pH balanced to keep the skin barrier strong and healthy, while aloe vera hydrates and soothes.

Whilst those are just some of the amazing products I have seen, there was a whole host of products I spotted as I left the event and they come in the form of oils.  If you follow me on Instagram, then you might very well have seen my excitement!

Oils are not a new product for Pixi to introduce to their line up because there is already quite a few, the Rose Blend Oil being one of them.  These, however, are the Rose Quartz, Rose Blend, Pearl, Pink Salt and Gold Luminous Oils and each one has its very own role to play from cleansing and brightening to soothing and hydrating.  Having covered myself in them before leaving, I literally cannot wait for these to launch!

I was lucky enough to get my hands on a few of the products mentioned above, so keep a look out for those reviews once ive had time to properly try them out!  If you love the Pixi makeup range, there is a whole host of newness there too!

Are you a fan of Pixi products and have you seen anything you like the look of?

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

Merumaya Effective Skincare - Mineral Cleansing Paste

Merumaya is a brand I have a lot of time for and it is one I am yet to find something I dislike and I have featured them on my blog a few times now with products such as the Retinol Resurfacing Treatment (here). The latest product I have almost finished using up is the Mineral Cleansing Paste, a Vegan cleanser which is gentle enough to be used daily but effective enough if you just want to use it a few times a week. 

If you feel your skin is dull, has large pores and blackheads, is flaky, oily, dry, dehydrated, is uneven in both skin tone and texture, there are dark spots, if your skin is fatigued or sleep deprived, patchy, sluggish, sallow or if you have spots and scars, then Mermumaya claim that this cleanser is for you.  Cleansing is a huge part of my skincare routine and I love discovering new products to use.

This Mineral Cleansing Paste has a beautifully thick texture, so you only need to lightly squeeze the tube, otherwise, you will have more than you need.  Full of amazing minerals, what I love about this brand is that there is always a reason to include key ingredients and every time there is an explanation as to why Meleka (Founder of Merumaya) has included them. As the name might suggest with this product, it does contain some minerals and they include the likes of:

• Magnesium - Over the past few years, magnesium has appeared in more and more beauty products and it is known for its anti-stress and anti-fatigue properties. For the skin, it provides cells with the energy to combat daily stressors and also facilitates the metabolism of fatty acids required to maintain the skin’s protective barrier, and Vitamin C needed to synthesise collagen.
• Zinc - Another ingredient I am slowly learning more about. Described as being essential for skin healing and it also provides antioxidant protection. Deficiency in Zinc is attributed to skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema. It's antimicrobial properties prevent acne and breakouts
• Copper - I have seen Copper in a few skincare products and within this cleansing paste it helps form elastin, which in turn helps to keep the skin supple and gives it bounce. It is also critical for the absorption and use of Iron as well as the production of melanin, needed for skin tanning
• Iron - It is said that Iron is essential for oxygenation of the skin, which gives a healthy glow. It also hosts anti-inflammatory properties which in turn stimulates collagen production.
• Silicon - Described as being the key in the formation of collagen to keep skin firm and prevent fine lines and wrinkles. It also improves skin’s strength and elasticity
• Corindon 100 - An ingredient I have not come until now, but within this paste, it provides microdermabrasion thanks to its powdery-fine texture. It exfoliates and polishes skin, leaving it super smooth and glowing. It's so gentle even sensitive skins can benefit. It's also biodegradable, so won’t harm fish or add plastic to our seas.
• Sweet Almond Oil - High in Vitamin E for antioxidant protection, it also acts as a ‘wash-on’ moisturiser to comfort and nourish dry and sensitive skins.

As a micro-exfoliator, there is nothing harsh or abrasive to irritate the skin and when I use it, I apply a thin layer to dry skin but then with wet hands, massage the paste in circular motions to make it work my skin.  I have combination oily skin which means I have dry patches of skin which need a little extra TLC from time to time otherwise the dryness turns flaky and it just looks horrendous.  So with this Mineral Cleansing Paste, I have the option of using this daily or a few times a week depending on how my skin is feeling. After using, my skin feels soft and smooth to the touch, not in any way dry or taut and it smells just divine.

Priced at £18.50, if you need something to give your skin a boost, then this Merumaya Mineral Cleansing Paste is definitely the one you need to be trying.

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

Simple Human Sensor Mirror Pro

I was forever moaning I didn't have a decent mirror or enough light to do my face and makeup, we have so far whilst living in this flat successfully managed to break 3 mirrors, one has survived which is part of my wardrobe, but it just isn't big enough and it isn't near enough to the light for me to see very much!  Then I was sent a Simple Human Sensor Mirror, which is just incredible.  Now, I have been using this mirror for almost a year now and this is the first time I have reviewed it and the reason is because I simply wanted to get to grips with it, give a real run for its money to see whether or not I thought it was worthy (it is) of its price tag and now I have got used to it, it has become an integral part of my life, so much so, it is used multiple times a day and I just love it. 

The clever beings behind the mirror have a simple mantra in life and that is to design everyday tools to help people become more efficient at home and they are always simple, functional, and built to last and there are quite a few products within the range which make you go 'Ah yes, that would make life easier', one of them being this Sensor Mirror.

Now it is a bit techy but it is the technology that is important and having used this mirror pretty much daily for the last three months, I think I have got to grasps with how it actually works properly. Designed so that you can see yourself in the best life, this sensor mirror lights up automatically as your face approaches and for me, it is this simple motion that is just so clever, no buttons to press, no dials to twist to get the right light, it is all done for you.

Using surgical grade LED's to disperse the light evenly with a unique pattern of micro-reflectors throughout the ring it ensures there is no loss of light and by also using its tru-lux light system to simulate natural sunlight you get to see full-colour variation. The claim is that the LEDs are supposed to outlast you even with daily use and you should never have to change a bulb:

Our mirror’s LEDs have been rated to perform like new after 40,000 hours — that’s an hour a day, everyday, for more than 100 years.

With a colour rendering index (CRI) of 90, the tru-lux light system closely simulates natural sunlight and the full colour spectrum to show every detail. So if your makeup is slightly off, or you have missed a bit of foundation when applying, this mirror will let you see what you have done because it gives 5x the magnification. If you have dry flaking skin on your cheeks like me, but from afar your foundation looks fine, using this mirror, you will see absolutely every detail.   The mirror also tilts back fully so you always have a clear, comfortable view — even while standing up. 

I wear glasses, so squinting into an ordinary mirror can be a royal pain in the backside because I just cannot see everything. The lighting with this is incredible and it really does do a good job of mimicking natural sunlight without there being any direct light and of course, because it is a ring of light, it illuminates evenly. The light isn't hard on my eyes, as it is not so bright that it’s going to light up a room and wake anyone who happens to be sleeping, it is just right for the person sitting in front of it. I like the size and magnification because again, wearing glasses means I have probably always missed something as I can't apply most of my makeup whilst wearing them, with this mirror, I can see my features more closely and I think I have done a better job at applying my products. 

It has also been designed to be cordless which is something I cheered about because I then don't need to have yet more wires everywhere and it easily recharges with the included USB cord and plug adapter, and one charge lasts up to 5 weeks and cleverly when you have finished, it automatically turns off.  I also like that there is a bit of weight to the mirror, mainly within the stand, but having three cats who like to see quite close up exactly what it is you are doing, knowing that it won't fall over easily with a waft of a tail is really reassuring.

I just love that despite the technology, this mirror is simple and easy to use. There are no long overly-complicated manuals to read, there are no parts that need to be put together, you simply open the box, take out the mirror and use it.  It is priced at £169.99 here and there are different sizes available, depending on your preference.

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