Alpha-H Hyaluronic 8 - A dermal filler, but not as you know it!

Alpha-H is a skincare brand that excites me, I don't mind admitting that.  Each new launch means something new, something a little bit different and something I didn't know I needed until I had it.  Best known for Liquid Gold, the cult product that is just so good, it is no wonder it sells so well all of the time, Alpha-H has a new addition to their family called Hyaluronic 8.

Tom Ogden, European Business Manager for Alpha-H, best known to Alpha-holics as Tommy Alpha, spent an evening with a few of us to explain about this latest edition. The new Hyaluronic 8 Serum is said to act as a topical alternative to invasive dermal fillers and it includes eight multi-weighted hydrating ingredients including the next generation flash filling Hyaluronic Acid Primalhyal Ultrafiller™. The 'magic 8' instantaneously provide moisture to the surface of the skin while simultaneously penetrating deep into the lower layers of the dermis to build a sustainable moisture reservoir, giving us that much wanted hydrated and plump feeling to the skin.

Anyone who is familiar with Alpha-H and any of their products will know, that brand owner and director Michelle Doherty created Alpha-H out of her own skin struggles and personal need for effective skin treatments, so ingredients are really important to her and Hyaluronic 8 is no different. Within the serum you will find:

• PrimalHyal Ultrafiller™ - Said to behave like a dermal filler, but with no needle in sight. It penetrates deep into the lowest layers of the skin, this next generation Hyaluronic Acid has a flash filling effect which instantly hydrates and reduces lines and wrinkles. It also restores the skin’s antioxidant defences, helping your skin to fight against the free radicals which degrade collagen production. Alpha-H is proud to be the first A-beauty brand to formulate with this amazing new ingredient.
• Hydranov works to take it beyond just adding moisture of its own courtesy of its ability to boost your skin’s own natural Hyaluronic Acid synthesis by some 211%. This increased moisture helps to better hold cells together. As a result the appearance of lines and wrinkles are softened.
• New molecular complex, Patch20 is clinically proven to swell the skin’s moisture reservoir on contact and provides a sustained level of hydration for up to 48 hours.
• Biotechnological complex Cube3’s primary ingredient is Sodium Hyaluronate; the sodium salt of Hyaluronic Acid which is able to hold up to 1000x its own weight in water. Thanks to its smaller molecular size, it penetrates the deeper layers of the skin, thus encouraging softer, smoother skin and an all-round fuller appearance.
• Modern skin aggressors blue light, pollution, and radiation can damage the skin’s natural barrier function. Once this barrier is impaired, the skin is less able to retain moisture and is left vulnerable to factors which cause premature ageing. To fight back against this, Lumicease™, Pollushield™and Cureberry Extract work in synergy to protect the skin from these aggressors.
• Rounding out this genius formulation is Aloe Vera. This renowned botanical extract imbues the skin with its stores of vitamins, minerals sugars and amino acids to further hydrate, while also having a healing and anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.

Suitable for all skin types, Hyaluronic 8 is a product that has just fit into my routine and thanks to the inclusion of a pipette, it is even easier to use.

All you need is 2-3 drops of the serum each morning to a freshly cleansed face, neck and décolletage. What I have noticed with my skin since using this is the level of dryness on my cheeks is not as prominent. Usually, you can see a bit of flaking, especially on my left cheek, where I have dry skin, whilst it is still there, it isn't as noticeable and my foundation applies so much better and has very few bits of dry skin to grab hold of and sit on.

The serum is textured exactly as you might expect it to be, much runnier than a fluid and a cream, so those 2-3 drops really do go a long way.  On contact with the skin, the serum once patted on, disappears really quickly and leaves nothing behind, what you will immediately notice is how plump your skin looks and feels.

Hyaluronic 8 from Alpha-H is priced at £38 here* and I will be ordering a second bottle ready for when this one runs out because it has made such an impression.

Are you a fan of Alpha-H products?

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

Iconic London Illuminator

When you read that a beauty brand was started from the depths of someone's bedroom and has now become quite the phenomenon within the world of beauty with people such as professional makeup artists, celebrities, bloggers, leading Beauty Editors and even Kim Kardashian, you cannot help but be full of admiration. Jade Elliott did just that with Iconic London.

I was kindly sent some products from across the Iconic London range to play with and my gosh everything is just beautiful, so much more so than pictures make it look.  Rather than put them all in one big post, I have split them up to show individually.

The first Item I opened and am sharing on my blog today is the Iconic London Illuminator (£30 here*) a product I have seen raved about absolutely everywhere and it has had a wealth of endorsement from celebrity fans such as Jourdan Dunne, Jeffree Star and even Khloe Kardashian. If you love a good highlighter then you cannot help but absolutely love this, it is just stunning.

Described as being a concentrated liquid shimmer, this product is a little bit of a multitasker and can be added to your foundation, primer or moisturiser, or simply used on its own for a quite the highlighted glow.  You can also use it to contour if that is for you. My personal preference is to add a drop to my Primer and then with a tinted moisturiser over the top, I get a really lovely dewy glow. 

The Iconic London Illuminator is available in four shades and each shade comes in a 13.5ml bottle with a dropper for the application they include:

• SHINE: A pink based shimmer to add a pearly shine.
• BLUSH: A peachy antique-rose based shimmer that adds a warm rosy glow.
• ORIGINAL: A champagne-toned shimmer to add a golden shine.
• GLOW: A terracotta-toned shimmer that bestows a rich bronze glow.

I have the Original Shade and as you can see, it comes housed inside the most beautiful glass bottle, which is see-through and the shade you see within the bottle is the one you get on your skin. Thankfully, it comes with a dropper to make the application much easier than it could have been because, for me, I simply drop 1-2 large drops into my primer and then apply with a beauty blender for that flawless application.

The swatch shown above isn't edited, it was taken in my kitchen where I get the most natural light and this was from one drop on my index finger swatched across my wrist.  It is incredibly pigmented, it applies smoothly, it doesn't run, flake or clump, it sits on the skin without disappearing and best of all, it is lightweight and doesn't dry or feel drying.  One of my issues with a few liquid highlighters that I have purchased is that everything is fine and dandy until they settle and dry on the skin, then it feels as though I have a mask that might crack if I so much as move my face.  You don't get any of this with Iconic London.

I have used this bottle of loveliness ever since it has arrived, given the hot weather we are having right now, I really don't want a full face of make-up, so it has been just my go-to primer with a few drops of this Iconic London Illuminator and a tinted moisturiser to see me through the day and I have had quite a few compliments on my glow, with some people assuming that glow is something it most definitely is not!

Have you tried any products from Iconic London?

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

Happy 10th Birthday Emma Hardie Skincare

This year Emma Hardie Skincare is celebrating 10 innovative years of must-have, award-winning skincare products.  Launching back in 2009, the brands' best-selling product is the Moringa Cleansing Balm and not only has it gained cult status amongst beauty editors, Emma Hardie Fans, influences, celebrities, make-up artists and it is one of my must-have products too.

To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the brand, Emma Hardie Skincare are launching a limited edition 200ml Moringa Cleansing Balm complete with Rosehip Exfoliating Seeds and Dual Action Cleansing Cloth.  

You might also have noticed that the box has had a bit of a makeover too and that is because the 10th Anniversary limited-edition packaging features a botanical illustration design which references some of the brand's best-loved ingredients and it was created by leading journalist and illustrator Susannah Taylor.

If you have never come across the Moringa Cleansing Balm before, it is one of those products that you cannot help but absolutely love.   Described as being a purifying botanical cleansing balm that removes all traces of face and eye make-up, deeply cleanses the pores as well as balancing, hydrating and moisturising all skin types. Packed full of amazing ingredients, you will find:

• Grape Seed Oil and Sweet Almond Oil rich in essential fatty acids help to plump and soften
• Moringa seed extract, Wild Sea Fennel and Vitamin E balance, purify and help to minimise the appearance of open pores
• Essential oils of Orange, Neroli and Mandarin rejuvenate and revitalise the skin whilst calming the senses
• Jasmine and Rose help to recondition dull, dry, dehydrated and mature skins

For me, this is the perfect way to take off the day and it is a great first cleanser for my double cleanse. I apply with my fingers and gently massage onto the skin, moving in circular motions as I go. Then, when I am ready to remove, I use my Emma Hardie Cleansing cloth which will have been soaking in warm water, squeeze out the excess water and wipe away what is left. You can also use this balm as an overnight facial too.

I love the inclusion of the Rosehip seeds within this Anniversary set and I have used them before from the Christmas collection. The idea with these seeds is that you add just a pinch of the seeds to the balm for a gentle exfoliation whilst you cleanse, they are not at all abrasive on the skin and it really does give a wonderful bespoke at home facial.

Finally, the Dual Action Cleansing Cloth is perfect for use with the cleansing balm.  One side of the cloth is a gentle microfibre material for deep cleansing and removal whereas the other side is a muslin cloth for polishing the skin. 

To further celebrate 10 years of Emma Hardie Skincare, hidden inside 5 Limited Edition boxes are 5 Golden Tickets and each Golden Ticket entitles the winner to £500 worth of products from Emma Hardie.  If that isn't enough, throughout the year, Emma Hardie Skincare Facialists will be offering the Natural Lift and Sculpt Facial - described as being a unique non-evasive relaxing facial treatment.  This facial incorporates a rejuvenating one-hour linear massage technique which helps to drain away toxins, reduce puffiness as well as releasing tension in the face and boosting circulation - now this I would sign up for!

This Limited Edition 10th Anniversary Moringa Cleansing Balm 200ml is priced at £68 and is available at Cult Beauty*, M&S Beauty*, SpaceNK and the Emma Hardie Website right now.  

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

Fushi Sea Buckthorn Organic Oil

I have featured Fushi on my blog a few times now, I first got to know the brand via their Rose and Jasmine Collection followed by the Fushi Bio-Vedic Face Care Collection and most recently the Fushi Pomegranate Oil.  Today I am sharing the newest launch of the Fushi Sea Buckthorn Oil (50ml). 

Fushi (which means ‘eternal life’) began with the combined cultural heritage of the founders Rannesh Jansari and Ria Pattni. Both were handed down ayurvedic family recipes by their grand-parents who blended oils and infused herbs to create natural remedies. Fushi uses only the purest ingredients, sourced from the most ethical producers and freshly blend them in our London workshop to create award-winning products.

Sea Buckthorn Oil is renowned for its Palmitoleic Acid (Omega 7), Provitamin A (carotenoids, in particular, beta carotene) and vitamins E and K. This oil contains a high concentration of the incredibly rare Palmitoleic acid which is described as being a fatty acid that naturally occurs in the sebum of the skin. This fatty acid promotes nourishment, protection of the skin and is known to support skin cells and aid healing.

The robust deep red berries which produce our Organic Sea Buckthorn oil are the most nutritious and unusual of indigenous fruits, found primarily in Europe and parts of Asia, predominantly in mountainous regions. Our berries are grown sustainably in Germany from which this oil is extracted in its virgin form, using a pure mechanical separation procedure to retain the oil’s natural composition and potency. Our unrefined 100% pure Sea Buckthorn oil is of an orange hue and has a beautiful fruity scent.

It really does have a bright orange-red hue and when I first tried using it, I was so surprised by the brightness of that orange, I was worried I would turn into an Oompa Loompa if I put it on my skin, thankfully I haven't because it does wash off. I also happen to just absolutely love the wonderfully fruity scent.

As you can see from the photo above, which is unedited, the oil from the bottle is definitely a shade of orange-red you won't miss.

This Sea Buckthorn Oil is quite the multitasking product because as well as helping to regenerate the skin to help nourish dry skin, help with the healing of scars, sunburn and other conditions, it can also be used for the following:

• Rejuvenate and renew your hair - Due to its rich nutrient profile, a few drops of Sea Buckthorn Oil can also benefit your hair and scalp. It is packed with Vitamins A and E which as we know are super antioxidants and they help to fight aging in the hair and it does this by combatting dryness, brittleness, thinning and breakage. It also contains Vitamins B1,B2 and B6 and again, each one of these vitamins is essential for the rejuvenation and creation of healthy skin, hair and blood.
• Vitamins for the nails - Again the Vitamin profile alongside the Sea Buckthorn Oil can help fortify the nails by stimulating collagen production while smoothing and nourishing your cuticles.

It doesn't end there either. Sea Buckthorn Oil has been used as a natural remedy for thousands of years against various ailments. Taken internally, it is known to be beneficial for inflammation, supporting digestion and weight management because of its ability to help with balancing the sugar. It also promotes healthy skin, hair and eyes.  So using 1-2 teaspoons daily, or drizzled over a salad or blended into your daily smoothie.

This Oil costs £25 for 50ml from Fushi and it is a great oil if you are looking to purchase something that is a great multitasker and a product which looks after you inside and out.

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