Missha - The Global K-Beauty Phenomenon has landed at Feelunique

Korea's No.1 Cosmetic Brand, Missha has recently launched on Feelunique and I have been lucky enough to have been sent a few products to try.  I am a huge fan of K-Beauty products and have a dedicated section on my blog (here) to all of the K-Beauty brands I have tried or am trying.  Missha is described as being the beauty aficionado's must-have and it features everything from the iconic Snail Gel and Bee Pollen ranges to its super-luxe Time Revolution and Super Aqua Solutions.

Within the Missha range is six hero products which include a Snail Sleeping Mask, BB Cream, Vitamin B12 Booster, Night Repair Borabit Ampoule, Waterful Cream and a Bee Pollen Sheet Mask.  From those six hero products, I have been trying three of them and because it isn't a brand I have come across or heard very much about before, I wasn't too sure what to expect.

The first product to capture my attention was the Super Aqua Waterful Cream (80ml £30) and it is described as being a moisturiser that's like a big glass of ice-cold water for the face.  What it is, is a beautiful lightweight cream which is designed to give your skin long-lasting hydration. 

This Waterful Cream is infused with nourishing, mineral-rich bedrock water from the Blue Mountains of Australia which really helps to moisturise the skin, it works along Baobab Seed extract which helps to draw in water for a deep moisturising effect, whilst what is referred to as a powerful Vitality Complex, which is comprised of Cactus, Birch Tree and Sap extracts, help to restore luminosity and resilience. On contact with the skin, this cream immediately melts and it is one of those products that you notice the difference with almost instantly. I love that there is virtually no scent to this cream at all and it comes with its own spatula for application, so you don't have to use your fingers, something I am beginning to want more and more with products that are not in a pump action bottle.

The second product I have used is the M Perfect Cover BB Cream in shade 23 (£50ml £24). Unfortunately, this shade is much too dark for my skin tone, even though it is said to be a natural beige.  Said to have sold over 30million tubes worldwide, this BB Cream is a little, unlike any others that I have in my stash.  It not only hydrates and brightens the skin, but it also helps to reduce inflammation and it has both UVA and UVB protection.

On the skin it is lightweight, it blends with ease and it uses key ingredients such as:

• Gatuline RC, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide: help infuse moisture for firmer-looking skin with reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Rosemary and chamomile extracts: fragrant herbal botanicals that help the complexion appear calm and balanced.

Even though it was too dark for my skin, what I did like about this BB Cream is just how easy it is to work with.  The swatch shown above is completely unedited, but as you can see, it is darker than my skintone, even blended. There are seven shades currently available on Feelunique and I think I would need the lightest shade 13 to work with my skin.

The final product is my favourite of the three and that is the Vitamin B12 Double Hydrop Booster (£45 195ml). This is described as being a boosting toner which is perfect for anyone who has dry skin. 

Designed to be used after cleansing your face, you apply a few drops of this booster to a cotton wool pad and apply directly to the skin. It is quite a thick texture, so you only do need just a few drops.  Enriched with a rich complex of Vitamin B12 and ceramides, the booster helps to give the skin a hydration boost whilst protecting and nourishing. It helps prepare your skin for the next step of your routine to ensure it gets the maximum benefits.

What I have found whilst using this booster is the difference in how my skin feels, particularly on my cheeks, which is often where I suffer from dryness.  I have used this Booster only on my cheeks, sides of my nose and forehead for the last 5 weeks and slowly over that time, the dryness has become less noticeable, especially if I use products such as a liquid foundation, no longer does something stick to my skin (even with a primer), it glides on and stays in place much longer.  There is a cream version of this Booster which sounds just as delightful as this product.

As an introduction to Missha as a brand, I have really loved getting to know some of their hero products.  It is worth noting that none of the products within this range are free of parabens, artificial fragrance, and mineral oil and are all dermatologically tested.  My skin has reacted well to both the Super Aqua Waterful Cream and the Vitamin B12 Hydrop Booster and I really do love the idea of the BB Cream too.  Over at Feelunique (here*) there is a whole host of products from Missha to discover and there are one or two products I've got my eye on!

Have you tried anything from the Missha range?

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

Too Cool For School - Korean Beauty

I have a bit of an obsession with Korean Beauty, which, if you are a regular visitor to my blog, you might well have noticed, I even have a dedicated K-Beauty section HERE. New to my collection is Too Cool For School, which is said to be one of the most sought-after cosmetics brands in Korea, with Egg Mellow Cream, the brand's bestseller, selling one unit every 12 seconds in the US and globally. Here in the UK, Too Cool For School recently launched at Feelunique, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic and in larger Boots stores across the UK.

I was very kindly sent some products from the range to try and the one thing that stands out is that although the products look and sound quirky, they are actually incredibly innovative and are presented in some of the most playful of packaging I have come across.  One notable stand out ingredient for the brand is 'Egg' and the three products I have been getting to know all have that Egg theme.

The first product in my arsenal is the award-winning Egg-Zyme Whipped Foaming Cleanser (£18 here*). Described as being a gentle exfoliating cleanser formulated with naturally derived enzymes from egg powders which turn into a rich, creamy cleanser, this is the quite an amazing product.  It is a very mild and rejuvenating facial foam which to all intents and purposes is powered by eggs and their job is to effectively remove pore-clogging debris as well as dead and dry skin cells to leave your skin looking radiant and feeling fresh.  

Naturally, I always want to know what is in any product I am putting on my skin and within this Egg-Zyme Whipped Foaming Cleanser, you will find it is packed with anti-bacterial enzymes which are found in egg whites and they are called lysozyme particles. On the skin, this low-pH face wash creates what is best described as being a gentle chemical exfoliation on the skin and it is at this point the cleanser works to dissolve impurities and excess oils whilst at the same time decongesting those pores. As it is doing this, Too Cool For School's Bubble Puzzle technology helps to create a fine and dense foam with a cushiony texture and it such a brilliant product to use. My skin can often feel congested as I spend many weekdays on and off public transport for work meetings and getting home from work, I often just want to scratch my face clean of all the dirt, grime and pollution that I know is sitting on my skin.  This cleanser does an incredible job at leaving my skin feeling incredibly clean, soft and as though it can breathe.

The second product is the Too Cool For School Egg Cream Mask and I have the Pore Tightening Mask (£6 here*).  A single-use sheet mask which has been specifically designed for oily, blemish-prone skin.  Infused with egg white extract and vinegar extract to help minimise pores, remove excess oil and clarify the skin as well as helping to clear the skin of blemish-causing bacteria and impurities.

Taking the mask form the packet, I am glad to report is that this mask does not smell like a bottle of vinegar which was my biggest worry, instead what you get is one of the softest microfibre masks I have ever used and on the skin, it feels so refreshing.  Covered in a serum-like texture, you apply the mask to the contours of your face and for me, this is one of the best fitting masks I have used in some time, once on the face, you leave it for up to 20 minutes and then discard, patting in gently, any excess serum.  After using, my skin felt incredibly hydrated and soft, the only thing I didn't notice was any pore tightening, but what I did find in its place was much cleaner looking pores,

The final product of my Too Cool For School trio is the Egg Mousse Body Oil (£24 here*).  I hold my hands up and admit that I am the absolute worst at using any body lotions and moisturisers, I start off using them daily and then after a week or two, they get pushed to one side and pretty much forgotten about, unless they really capture my attention.  With this Egg Mousse Body Oil, curiosity got the better of me and I have stuck to using it religiously every single day.  

This Mousse is in an airtight can and upon release, what you get is a really lightweight mousse which, upon contact with the skin transforms into an oil to hydrate, nourish and moisturise your skin.  I hadn't expected it to be so easy to use or as much fun, I love the texture of the mousse as it comes into contact with my skin and I love that it turns into a non-greasy oil too.  Enriched with a blend of five botanical oils such as Sweet Almond Oil, Avocado Oil, Jojoba Oil and Olive Oil to replenish vital moisture and nutrients without clogging pores. Then we have Egg yolk extract working alongside the albumin in egg white extract to boost the skin’s natural ability to repair and regenerate, supporting natural cell turnover and collagen production for firmer, more supple skin. Honey extract and milk protein extract supply needed nutrients to help repair and protect at the deepest level.  As you might expect, it ticks all of those boxes for being nourishing, hydrating and moisturising and my legs no longer resemble those of a snake part way through shedding its skin!  I love how easy it is to use, it dries incredibly quickly and it smells incredibly sweet of almond oil.

For me, these three products have been a great introduction to the Too Cool For School Brand and it has me intrigued to want to try other products. As well as skincare, the brand also has a perfume, a makeup range as well as a hair care range too which I am keen to try.  If the egg range doesn't quite sound right for you, then there is also a Coconut or Pumpkin option too.

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

Emma Hardie Moringa Light Cleansing Gel

Emma Hardie is a brand I absolutely adore, I cannot get enough of the Moringa Cleansing Balm which I have featured on my blog quite a few times and it is just a product I cannot get enough of.   New to the Emma Hardie family is the Moringa Light Cleansing Gel and it is said to be a product which 'refreshes, revitalises and balances the skin'.

I love the Moringa Cleansing balm as a first cleanse as I am a huge fan of double cleansing, there is something about the scent that is just so calming and relaxing and my skin absolutely loves it.  So now with the Light Cleansing Gel, it isn't a replacement for the balm, for me anyway, if anything it works amazingly well alongside it.   

I absolutely love this cleanser, from the first use.  It does, as the name suggests, have a really light texture, but even that doesn't stop it from doing an incredible job of breaking down your makeup and lifting away surface dirt, grime and impurities. As a cleanser, it is obviously most effective when massaged thoroughly in to wet or dry skin with added water to emulsify.  I use it on my face, neck and decollete and I love how refreshed my skin feels after using it.  If you love the scent of the balm cleanser, then you will love this because it smells exactly the same and it is just divine.  Suitable for all skin types, this cleanser is packed full of incredible ingredients which include:

• Moringa, Grapeseed and Sweet Almond Oil to nourish
• Omega 6, Vitamin E and essential fatty acids moisturise, smooth and soften
• Sea Fennel Extract improves barrier function and restores water balance
• Moringa Seed Peptides protect skin from pollution and purify

If you have slightly oilier skin, this cleanser also helps to balance the skin and as someone who is prone to that mid-afternoon shine on the t-zone, there has been a notable change in how my skin looks.

It comes packaged inside the very noticeable gold packaging that is synonymous with Emma Hardie products and the Cleanser itself nestled inside a pump action tube, so I've found that just two pumps is more than enough to cleanse my entire face, neck and decollete as advised by Emma Hardie herself.  You can use this cleanser on its own, as part of your in-shower routine which really does bring to life that Citrus-in-a-jar spa scent or you can use as part of a double cleanse with the Moringa balm.  The latter being my favourite way to cleanse my skin with both of these products when I have been out and about in London travelling around, which for me, makes my skin feel just grim.  I love using the light cleanser in the shower because I love how the scent lingers and scents the entire room.

If you are a fan of Emma Hardie and love the Moringa Cleansing Balm, then I have no doubt you will love the Moringa Light Cleansing Gel too.  It has launched already and can be found online and in Marks & Spencers* stores priced at £34.

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

Ancienne Ambiance London Goddess Argan Beauty Oil

I am a huge fan of beauty oils, whether they are for the bath, the skin, hair, face or body and part of me wishes I had discovered them sooner.  Ancienne Ambiance London is a brand that has been featured on my blog before, firstly with candles and secondly with some of the most delicate fragrances I have come across.  Today, it is the turn of a Beauty Oil, the Goddess Argan Beauty Oil (£40 here).

For me, using oil is an integral part of my skincare routine and depending on how my skin or hair is feeling, I introduce an oil.  This Goddess Oil is a blend of rare organic Argan oil, produced using methods which date right back to 1550 BC when it is said the Phoenicians first recorded it as a beauty oil. Naturally rich in Vitamin E, antioxidants and skin nourishing properties, it also contains Squalene, a unique component that hydrates and protects, working with the natural oils in the skin.

A skincare magic wand, Goddess Oil has so many amazing benefits. Ideal to infuse face and body with nourishing hydration, it is also perfectly created to enrich dry split ends and relieve dry scalp concerns.

The Goddess Argan Beauty Oil is a product which is a bit of a multitasker and it can be used in so many different ways, which include:

• A Face Oil: So nourishing it helps to regenerate skin cells overnight without clogging pores.
• A Cleansing Oil: This is one of my favourite ways to use this oil as it does an incredible job at not only removing every single trace of makeup but also those hard to remove waterproof mascaras. I always use a hot damp cloth on my face before using this oil and then simply let the oil remove every last trace of makeup on my face and along with it, all On sort of other nasties.
• On the hands and body: Goddess Oil strengthens skin elasticity, reduces the appearance of stretch marks and works to prevent skin peeling and cracking. So, I have been using this oil after showering whilst my skin is still damp and I love how smooth my skin feels, especially my shins which usually resemble lizard skin. On the hands, you can add a few drops into your hand cream as an added extra, or simply rub in any excess oil from other treatments, it is said to work amazingly well for the cuticles.
• On the Hair and Scalp:I am a convert to hair oils and the Goddess Argan Oil is great for use on dry or damp hair, it doesn't leave it feeling weighed down or greasy. You can use it to tame flyaways, as a hair mask before shampooing, to dry and frizzy ends or for the scalp, using a cotton bud, simply apply the oil to the irritated and dry areas, leave it on the scalp overnight and wash out in the morning - this is something I really want to try.
• On the feet: Much as the same way you would use this on the hands, I have smothered my feet in this oil, put on my moisturising socks and left it on overnight to soak in. The end result is soft and smooth skin on my feet.
• Massaging: If you have sore achy joints and muscles, for me it is usually my shoulders, then you can sweet talk your other half into giving you a massage and use this oil.

Such a relaxing oil which smells sweetly of Grapes and sweet almonds and both are fragrances I absolutely love and enjoy.  As this is an oil, it does have quite a thick texture to it, so a little goes a long way and once on the skin and massaged in, there is no greasy residue or feeling left behind, just the fragrant sweet almonds.

Do you use an oil in your beauty regime? Have you ever tried one if you don't?

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