Tropic Skincare Clear Skin Blemish-Fighting Mask.

If you read my blog regularly, then you will know that I absolutely love Tropic Skin Care. Their mission has always been to create natural, cruelty-free products that will genuinely benefit the skin. With no toxic chemicals and instead just using nutritious ingredients, you are treated to luxurious, pampering products that always stay true to their ethos. The latest product that I have just absolutely loved using is the Clear Skin Blemish-Fighting Mask.

I love a good face mask, I love one that comes with a mission to do something other than sitting on your skin and make it just feel soft to the touch.

This spot-busting mask helps to control sebum levels, reduce redness and manage breakouts quickly and effectively by tightening pores. Created especially for acne and blemish-prone skin, this is a hero product for those who suffer from excessive oil production and a shiny T-zone.

Whilst I am lucky enough not to suffer from many spots, just the random ones which arrive around the time of my period along the jawline for a few days before retreating. But what I do have is combination oily skin and reduce on both cheeks, so there is always a need to try new things to bring issues under control.

This mask is everything you expect it to be and more, being bold green in colour and fairly thick texture, there is a spatula that you can purchase (£6) to help apply the mask and honestly, it does make the whole task a lot easier to do. 

The advice from Tropic Skincare HQ is to apply an even layer of the mask twice a week, avoiding the delicate eye area and then leave it on for around 10-20 minutes or until dry, and rinse using warm water.  Using ingredients which draw out all the build-up of grease, bacteria and pollution from the surface of your skin and from your pores whilst working to reduce oil and balance out your skin and they include:

• Bamboo Charcoal - Alongside goji berry extract, it reduces redness and calms skin while refining pores.
• Spirulina - Blended with green clay to draw out toxins and impurities, and tighten pores for a healthier-looking complexion.
• Ginger - Works in harmony with cinnamon and salicylic acids to kill blemish-causing bacteria at the source.

My skin often reacts badly to the use of clay in a mask and it intensifies the redness and makes my skin flare up and it becomes hot to the touch, so I always do a patch test before using anything with clay in it before covering my face with it.  

This mask is so incredibly gentle on the skin that it didn't exacerbate any existing problems, but what I do love is just how gentle this mask is on my skin, not only do you get that feeling of your skin being able to breathe (and yes it is just a feeling) but there is no uncomfortable dried-out skin, it isn't taut and feeling the need of moisture either, but it does look and feel clean.  I live in London and have days when I just want to scratch my skin clean because I have been out and about all day in among the pollution and the dirt and the grime and know that it is just sitting on my skin, which is why I am such a big fan of double cleansing every evening.

If you have blemishes, prone to breakouts and want something to help control that excess oil, then his mask ticks all of those boxes and many more and all for just £20 here.

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

Creative Ways to Add Colour to Your Home

AD| You will find that many people’s homes are a little bland and monotonous when you walk through the door. This is because people are often hesitant to add too much colour or style because they worry that it will not look good and go against interior design trends. The home should be a reflection of your personality so you should not shy away from adding colour and style if this is what you like.

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

Here are a few creative and unexpected ways that you can inject colour into your home. 

Paint the Ceiling

The ceiling takes up a huge amount of space in a room, yet it is usually completely ignored. Painting the ceiling an interesting shade can add colour and style to an otherwise bland room. 

Paint One Wall

Similarly, painting just one wall and having the others more neutral colours is a trend right now in interior design. This can change the focal point and make the room more visually appealing. 

Plant Life

There are many reasons why you should have plant life in the home and adding colour is one of these. Any kind of plant can add a healthy splash of colour, add visual interest, improve your mood and improve the fragrance amongst other benefits.

Curtains

Curtains can take up a huge amount of space in a room when they are drawn yet often they are an overlooked aspect of the room’s decor. Opting for a bright and colourful shade from a specialist like Direct Blinds can be a great way to add colour to any room and can work particularly well if the rest of the room is somewhat muted.

Throws & Cushions

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to add splashes of colour to an otherwise neutral room is to purchase colourful throws and cushions. These can look fantastic and highly stylish while also adding plenty of comfort to the room too.

Paint the Inside of Bookshelf

Painting the inside of a bookshelf can add colour to the room and improve the appearance of the unit. Not only this, but this is a great way to add colour without having to paint the walls (this may not be allowed if you rent) or without having to buy expensive new items for the home.

These are just a few of the most effective ways that you can add colour to your home. You should not shy away from bold injections of colour as this can make a home feel more welcoming, vibrant and a reflection of your personality.

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

It's Skin - Cookie & Hand Cream Strawberry

I love Korean Beauty, the whole subject just fascinates me and It's Skin is a brand I have started to get to know through various products, some of which I have featured on my blog such as Power 10 VC Cleansing Foam and Power 10 VC Effector Serum which I absolutely loved and I now have my eye on the Tiger Cica range, which sounds incredible. However, today it is the turn of Cookie & Hand Cream Strawberry (£9.50) which is one of three hand creams available from this range. 

Described as being a rich, sweet-smelling hand cream, it comes packaged inside a sturdy plastic tub, which could be forgiven for looking very similar to a tub of ice cream you might very well treat yourself too at the theatre. Once the lid has been removed, it looks very much like a dessert and smells good enough to be one, though the scent could have been a little bit fresher than it is.

The cream is said to instantly nourish and soften the skin and once applied, its ice-cream like texture, which is really easy to scoop out of the tub, melts onto the skin when it comes into contact.  What I like about the cream is that the little brown particles, which remind me of Oreo Cookie crumbs but they do have a purpose within this cream and that is to exfoliate the skin, which they sort of do, but because the pieces are not abrasive, they just dissolve and disappear on the skin.  The hand cream uses Macadamia Seed Oil and Shea Butter. Mango Seed Butter and Sweet Almond Oil gently nourishes and heals the skin.  

I have fairly dry hands, so I had hoped for a cream that would be intensely nourishing, but it isn't as good as I had hoped it would be, it is nice and I love the concept, but I just have better hand creams to use which work much better on my skin.  In its favour, it is lightly textured and it doesn't feel greasy or tacky on the skin and once it has absorbed, the scent only lingers for an hour max afterwards, so even if you didn't like the scent, it isn't too long lasting.

As mentioned, as well as being available in a Strawberry scent, there is also the option to have Mint or Original and you can find them right HERE* via Beauty Bay.

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

Verdant Alchemy Breathe In Bath and Shower Oil

I first came across Verdant Alchemy as a brand when it came to the Drift Off Mineral Bath Salts which I reviewed here.  Located in South East London, Verdant Alchemy was established in 2018 to provide a natural and non-toxic alternative to mass-marketed bath and skincare. Verdant Alchemy believes in harnessing mother nature most effective ingredients. Creating chemical and toxin free vegan products which are completely natural. They are committed to providing you with healthy and safe products that are sustainably packaged. They also encourage re-usability of all of the packaging.

New to my bathroom has been the Breathe In Bath and Shower Oil and if you are a follower of my Instagram, you will know that Sunday for me is all about me time and relaxation, so I can usually be found in a bath full of amazing products that helps me to wind down and get ready for the week ahead.

Take a deep breath, focus on slowing down. It’s time for some me-time, so fire up those candles, run the bath and unwind. This potent and luxurious bath oil with eucalyptus, lemon & thyme essential oils will soothe airways and unclog congested minds. Ideal for when you are feeling under the weather.

As the name suggests this product can be used in both the bath or the shower and depending on your mood. With the bath, all you need is one capful of the oil dropped into running water and at this stage, the ingredients work their way into the water vapour and the smell is just incredible.  To use in the shower, you simply shower normally and then add a few drops into the palm of your hands, take a mindful breath and inhale the wonderful scent before applying the oil to your neck and arms.  Those ingredients have all been chosen to ensure you slow down and they include:

• Apricot Kernal Oil - A nutrient-rich lightweight oil that will leave your skin moisturised and hydrated. Brimming full of Vitamin K, Vitamin E and Omega 6 fatty acids, the oil will nourish and soothe skin.
• Eucalyptus - An anti-inflammatory and decongestant oil that is cooling and refreshing. It helps relieve stress and muscle ache whilst soothing the respiratory system.
• Lemon - A citrus scent and natural energiser, it’s incredibly cleansing and helps improve mood.
• Thyme - An immune-boosting oil that has a green herbal note that lifts energy and relieves stress.
• Bergamot - A grounding citrus scent that creates feelings of relaxation and calm, helping relax mind and body.

Putting all of these together, what you get is an oil that works wonders to decongest, especially if you are full of cold and generally feeling really run down, the Eucalyptus working wonders alongside the citrus scents of Lemon and Bergamot and they come together to lift your spirits.

For me, this Breathe In Bath and Shower Oil has been a much-welcomed addition to the bathroom and at £32 for 140ml it is worth every single penny.

Are you a fan of bath oils?

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