Glossybox April Edition - Fruity or Floral?

To celebrate the arrival of Spring, this month Glossybox has curated quite the vibrant Fruity or Floral editions, of which you will receive one or the other.  Each box will be fruit-inspired or blooming with the florals.  Inside each box are five products to fit with the theme of your box, plus an extra treat.

If you follow me on Instagram, then you might have seen which box I was kindly sent and having seen no sneak previews as to what is inside, I couldn't wait to see what was waiting for me.  

The first item out of my box is 'Let Your Dreams Blossom' Eau de Parfum by Jeanne Arthes and the theme of the bottle matches that of my box. Jeanne Arthes is part of the Arthes Group, a French perfume company based in Grasse which was founded in 1978. 

The fragrance itself holds notes of rose petal, Cedarwood alongside the more delicate notes of Lily, Freesia and amber and together they create quite the floral fragrance and one that most definitely works for Spring.

The second product out of my box is from Soaper Duper and it is Fruity Green Tuberose Body Butter.   I was introduced to Soaper Duper back in 2016 (review here).  Formulated using 97% naturally derived ingredients which include moisturising Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter as well as nourishing Baobab and Macadamia Oils which come together to work with antioxidant vitamin E, and skin-softening pineapple and passionfruit.

What I love about this body butter is just how quickly they melt onto the skin. One bore I find with using a body butter is having to spend ages massaging them into the skin, so quite a lot of the time I get bored quite easily, not with Soaper Duper, this one smells incredible, it leaves my skin feeling silky smooth and there is literally nothing I dislike about it.

Next, I have the Pomegranate Superfood Regenerating Sleeping Mask from Dr. Botanicals and again, Glossybox clearly has been listening to what I love because I do love lazy skincare.  

Described as being something to help you sleep your way to an energised and refreshed complexion, this mask is infused with pomegranate extract which is not only moisturising but also high in antioxidants.  All natural and vegan, the formula nourishes and hydrates your skin and it also smells absolutely incredible too.

Next up is the Hydrating Water Infusions Raspberry and Rose Shower Gel from Original Source.  It has been a long time since I have used anything from Original Source admittedly, so I am quite keen to give this a try.

In keeping with the theme of the box, this shower gel is infused with fruits and flowers which in this case happen to be Rose Flower Water and Raspberry Fruit Extract. It also contains 3 moisturisers as well as a vitamin and antioxidant blend.   The formula is also paraben free and Vegan.

The final item is from Dr Paw Paw and it is the Hot Pink Balm.  Formulated using the moisturising properties of the pawpaw fruit, this balm is a newly launched take on the original product that most of us have now come across and used.

With a hot pink tint, this balm nourishes and hydrates the lips using Olive Oil and Sunflower Seed Oil and also adds a hint of colour too, you can also use it on your cheeks for a pop of colour if the mood suits.

This box also had what Glossybox call a treat, which is an extra product and in this case, it was a Natural Fusions Chia Seed and Argan Oil Hair Mask from Palmers. 

I absolutely love hair masks and I try to ensure I do one at least once a week if I heat style my hair or twice a month if I am not using my straighteners. Described as being intensive and deeply conditioning, this mask nourishes dry and damaged locks. Formulated with Argan Oil which helps with hydration and rejuvenation of the hair, Chia Seeds which help to protect your hair, this mask should be used on clean, wet hair and left to work its magic for around 15 minutes.  I am really looking forward to giving this one a try.

Again for me, this is another great themed box and I love that the contents match the theme. As always you can subscribe to Glossybox right here and if you use the code BQUEEN20 you can get yourself 20% off that first box!  

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

Atelier Cologne New Launch Pacific Lime

I am fragrance obsessed and love being able to play around with different scents, tones, layering and discovering new favourites. For me, a fragrance is something I need to have in my life, they can lift your mood, evoke memories, inspire or simply be a conversation starter. When I got the opportunity to spend some time in the vault of Atelier Colognes, I was totally within my element trying out everything I could whilst being told a wonderful story.

Having been surrounded by so many amazing fragrances, I was invited along to be introduced to the latest launch of Pacific Lime.

I am totally new to Atelier Colognes, I have walked past the boutique store in Covent Garden many times, but this was my first visit and I enjoyed absolutely every single part of it. The store itself has quite the historic boutique vibe with the dark wood and strategically placed bottles, which makes you want to try absolutely every single one, it is literally quite the place to visit. The brand came about through a wonderfully romantic story between the founders Christophe and Sylvie who met and fell in love back in 2006 and who wanted to not only keep their brand 100% French made, but also one which tells a story and evokes memories or as they eloquently put it "Memories in a bottle".

Pacific Lime lives within the Sunny Citruses family for Atelier Colognes and it is one which I absolutely loved at first spritz.  Think bright lime and coconut perfume, this fragrance is said to tell the story of an unexpected celebration on a dream beach. 

The scarlet fuchsia sunset was her only hint to their destination. He had spent months organizing this event in the greatest secrecy. Surrounded by everyone they loved, they savored the moment with joy and excitement. When the doors opened, she recognized the beach of her childhood. Everyone was dazzled by the vibrant colors, the exotic perfumes, and the exhilarating tropical heat. The party could finally begin!

The main ingredients of this unisex fragrance are limes from Mexico, lemon from Italy, coconut from the Philippines, spearmint from America and eucalyptus from China. As you can see, it is quite the story behind a fragrance and it is one which really does grab your attention. It brings about a mixture of sweet, soft and freshness alongside amber and woody notes which bring together all of those fragrances to create summer in a bottle.

What I love the most about this fragrance is the earthy notes mixing with the more zesty notes to give that fresh but sweet scent and ultimately the Lime and the Coconut just blew me away.  On the skin, it has one of the best-staying powers I have ever come across for a fragrance, it literally lasts for hours and I don't feel the need to top it up of an evening if I am going out.

Pacific Lime is currently exclusive to Selfridges HERE and the Atelier Cologne Boutique HERE and will launch nationwide in John Lewis in April. Gift Sets are also available and the brand also has a range of candles (which I really want to now try), Reed Diffusers (those too) as well as Bath and Body products.  Prices start at £30 increasing price per bottle size.

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

THE RITUAL OF NAMASTÉ GENTLE CLEANSING FOAM

For me, cleansing is part of my skincare routine that I really enjoy, I am aware that sounds a little odd but when you live somewhere like London with pollution, dirt and grime eating away at your skin, there is often nothing more satisfying than taking the day off and with it, all that detritus. It also helps that there are so many products out there that I want to try still!

The last product I absolutely loved using comes from Rituals and it is the Ritual of Namasté Gentle Cleansing Foam. I loved it that much that I used it all before realising I hadn't even finished writing my review.   I am a huge fan of Rituals products and have featured a few of them on my blog and it includes The Ritual of Ayurveda Body Mist (here) and The Rituals of Hammam (here). 

What I love about products from Rituals is that they are exactly that - a Ritual and with them is always an incredible back story and the Ritual of Namasté Gentle Cleansing Foam is no different.

Every soulful skincare ritual begins with a deep cleanse, and this gentle cleansing foam from The Ritual of Namasté has you covered. Using natural ingredients like holy lotus and moringa, this lightweight foam removes impurities, excess oil and traces of make-up. It reaches deep into the pores, leaving the skin feeling refreshed, calm and hydrated while also protecting against environmental stress.

The Ritual of Namasté is described by Rituals as being a new, advanced skincare range that shows the utmost respect for nature as well as your natural beauty. All of the products within the range have been developed with not only responsibly sourced natural ingredients but also with naturally derived ones too.  Within this Cleansing Foam there are two main ingredients which are:

• Moringa - The Moringa tree which is also known as the miracle tree comes from India and it contains a rich complex of nourishing substances that help make your skin feel moisturised and hydrated.
• Holy Lotus - Holy lotus is said to be a symbol of purity, beauty and wisdom and is known for its soothing and caring properties.

To use, you need to apply the cream, which smells just incredible, to a wet face and then massage it gently until it begins to foam, you don't end up with a whole load of bubbles on your face, it is quite a subtle foaming and then rinse off using warm water and a cloth or you can also use a hot cloth and give those amazing ingredients even more of a chance to work their magic.

I haven't been the biggest fan of foaming cleansers in the past because I do find some of them are quite drying on my skin and leave it feeling stripped of all moisture.  With this cleansing foam, all I am left with is clean feeling moisturised skin and having tried it, I now feel I need every other product from this collection which includes a Micellar Water, a Toner, Cleansing Balm, Exfoliator, Night Cream, Day Cream and a Glow Mask which really intrigues me, to name just a few products.  This Cleansing Foam retails for just £12.90 and is worth every penny!

Have you ever tried any products from Rituals before?

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

IT Cosmetics - Cult Beauty Brand of The Month

There is one brand that I am yet to get my hands on which so many of my fellow bloggers love and rave about, it is IT Cosmetics. I keep meaning to pop along to stand in Selfridges when I am on my K-Beauty mission to see what is new, but I either forget or it is always busy, so here we have my dilemma. If you didn't know, It Cosmetics was co-founded by Jamie Kern Lima alongside a team of leading dermatologists and as a brand, it boasts clinically proven, problem-solving products that combine skin-loving actives with innovative technology.

This month Cult Beauty* has chosen IT Cosmetics to be its brand of the month and what I like about this concept is that a different brand is chosen each month, so not too long ago it was Hourglass Cosmetics (my review here) and whilst they celebrate a brand per month, you also get free shipping and more often than not a free gift too, with this month offer, comes a free The IT Girl Deluxe Skincare Duo.

The first product I love the sound of is the Bye Bye Redness Correcting Cream - Neutral Beige ( 11ml £26.00) - I suffer from redness on my cheeks and between my brows and I use a few different colour correcting products to try and neutralise it as much as I can.  Having been seen by a dermatologist who assures me it is nothing to worry about, it tends to flare up when I am stressed or running a fever.  Having read 5-6 different reviews about it, I really like the sound of how it works with the skin.  Described as being colour-infused skin care, it starts its life as a hydrating, skin-calming cream that cancels out redness – all while delivering long-wearing, colour-correcting full coverage. 

The second product is Your Skin But Better CC+ Oil-Free Matte with SPF 40 (32ml £31) - This is possibly one of the most seen products on my Instagram timeline.  Described as being full coverage, sun damage-deflecting oil-free formulation which leaves a perfect matte finish. Created to improve the appearance of your skin’s texture, camouflage imperfections and minimise the appearance of pores, this formula leaves skin supremely smooth and even. Enhanced with SPF 40 and a host of skin-nourishing benefits

The third product is the Bye Bye Pores Poreless Finish Airbrush Powder ( 6.8g £22) - I love that this is a universal translucent shade, so there is no worry that you have bought the wrong one for you. Said to have been specially designed (with the help of plastic surgeons) to blur the appearance of pores and imperfections, this Airbrush Powder will leave your complexion smooth, even and ‘poreless’.  I love that you can wear this powder on its own or with your makeup. 

When it comes to makeup, I can never resist a Vitality Lip Flush 4-in-1 Reviver Lipstick Stain( 3.4g £18) - Described as being  a luxe treatment lip balm with a powerful stain that won’t dry out your lips, It is infused with plum oil, cherry oil, shea butter, aloe, jojoba, age-defying antioxidants, vitamins, green tea and white tea to treat, hydrate, condition and nourish your lips. That description alone draws me in!

Finally, if you are going to call a product the Superhero Mascara (£20) then as a mascara fiend, I want to try it.  Described as being like ‘skin care for your lashes’, the formula has been developed with plastic surgeons and clinically shown to give your lashes super volume, length and elastic stretch – all with just one coat. The formula is also said to be enhanced with lash-lifting polymers, volumising collagen, strengthening biotin, proteins and peptides combined with super black pigments for an eye-opening look.

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