Lumene Nordic Skincare Review and Swatches

Lumene skincare is described as being the Nordic's best-kept beauty secret. Hailing from Finland, it launched here in the UK back in 2018 and has become quite a hit, in fact, they even have their very own brand beauty advent calendar!  Surprisingly, Lumene was actually established back in 1970 and it takes its name from Finland’s Lake Lummenne, which if you Google, is just the epitome of beauty and everything you expect a Nordic landscape to look like with its beautiful idyllic scenery.

As you might expect, all of the products within the Lumene range are in keeping with Finland’s lifestyle, their formulations draw upon the most precious and natural ingredients, including birch sap, pine bark and Spruce Knot extract and all of these ingredients are known for their incredible soothing and regenerative powers on the skin.

I have been using two products from the Lumene range - Lumene Glow Boost Essence and the Instant Glow Fresh Skin Tint and like all these skincare, I am intrigued as much by the ingredients as I am about brand history and textures and these two did not disappoint.

First was the Lumene Glow Boost Essence (£29.90) is described as being a super-concentrated serum that works to brighten and energise the look of tired skin.

This Glow Boost Essence has been formulated with arctic spring water and hyaluronic acid that is said helps to boost tired-looking skin to leave it plump, youthful and hydrated. This Essence also contains vitamin C and Cloudberry which help to protect against free radicals and brighten the skin.   Now I love an Essence in my skincare routine, especially if my skin is in need of a boost of hydration.  

The Essence comes packaged in a slim matte orange glass bottle with a silver and white dropper dispenser to make the application easy. The formula for this Essence is best described as being lightweight whilst at the same time being slightly more watery than a serum and it has the most delicious orange fragrance which is really uplifting.

The second product I have tried is the Lumene Invisible Illumination Instant Glow Fresh Skin Tint (£32.90).  Described as being a moisture-packed skincare and makeup hybrid that hydrates and perfects the skin for a youthful and perfected second-skin look.

It comes available in four different shades - Light, Medium, Dark and Deep and I was kindly sent the medium shade to try.  

Anyone who knows me or reads my reviews will know that I am very much a British Rose when it comes to skin tone, in fact I am so pale I am almost translucent and never does fake tan ever touch my skin (I fear it).  So whilst the sun does bless my skin with a touch of colour in the warmer months, friends joke that I go a deeper shade of beige rather than a delightful sunkissed brown.  With that in mind, I really wasn't too sure what to expect from this Skin Tint.

As with the Glow Boost Essence, this Skin Tint is also formulated with radiance-boosting Arctic spring water and antioxidant-rich Arctic cloudberry seed extract.  It has a fresh, gel-like texture which is almost bouncy under the fingertips and when applied to the skin, it blends really well, ideal for those who like to have a foundation which gives really sheer coverage.

The swatches above are unedited as my swatches usually are, I prefer them to be seen as they are rather than over-edited.  On my skin, the Skin Tint does look darker than my own skin tone, the photo being taken in the middle of the day.  Blended in there is a slight darkening, perhaps too much, so I would definitely need to use the lightest shade available to be happy with how it looks on my skin, currently, I mix it with my moisturising cream and wear it that way.   I like how it feels on the skin, I like the texture and the consistency and I do like that there is a bit of a glow too.

This has been my first try of products from Lumene and I really like both of these products and I have my eye on one or two other products from the range to try. Lumene products are vailable from Feelunique.

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

4 things to invest in when moving into your first home

When it comes to decorating, are you someone who takes inspiration from design trends? Or perhaps you like to follow your own style instead? 

Photo by Med Badr Chemmaoui on Unsplash

Either way, when you’re looking to spruce up your home, there are some key pieces that we think are crucial to invest in. 

A comfortable bed

It’s true what they say — you should always invest in your sheets and your shoes because if you’re not in one, you’re in the other. Your bed and mattress can have a significant impact on your health and well-being, which is why it’s vital that you choose high-quality options here.  Old, worn-out mattresses aren’t beneficial to anyone — they could be causing aches and pains and stopping you from having a good night’s sleep. Ensure that the next mattress you choose is perfect for you. After all, you will be spending 7-9 hours per day in it for many years to come!

Help to Move

When we moved into our first home, we needed a big vehicle, so we used a moving company who happened to come from man with a van Peterborough to ensure that we could move as many of the heavy items as we could, but using professional help.

Artwork

No matter whether you are a fan of modern wall art, funky neon lights or abstract paintings, your choice of artwork could have a significant effect on your living space. From providing a pop of colour in neutral rooms to helping to create a focal point in your favourite space, there are many reasons to spend a bit of extra cash on some key decorative pieces for your home. However, we do know that decorating your home could get expensive, which is why it is important that you also consider all your different financial options before investing in these beautiful items. 

Lighting

From feeling cosy in your bedroom to preparing your dinner in the kitchen, it’s important that you have the right lighting for each space in your house. Bright spotlights won’t help you to feel relaxed in your living room and dull lamps won’t brighten up a dark area on a rainy day, so when you’re out purchasing new items for your home, make sure you get the lighting right too. 

Sharp knives

If you’re known to throw fancy dinner parties or experiment with different recipes at home, sharp knives are essential to have in your kitchen. Not only will they help to make food preparation easier, they are also a lot safer too, as you know they won’t slip when you’re slicing your food. If you have them out on display, a funky set of knives can also add to your décor! 

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

Tamaar London Balance Advanced Natural Sebum Balancing Cream Complex

One of the things I love the most about blogging is the opportunity to try brands I have never heard of or come across until an email has landed in my inbox.  Sometimes you find products you don't like and sometimes there are products you just love using.  Tamaar London is one of those brands.  I have never heard of it, come across it or knew it existed until an email arrived. 

I was kindly gifted the Tamaar London Balance Advanced Natural Sebum Balancing Cream Complex (£42) and it is designed for oily but sensitive skin.  I have combination-oily and that means I can have dry skin too, but predominantly, my t-zone is where the afternoon shine creeps in, so a cream, lotion, gel or even primer that claims to regulate or balance the production of excess sebum is much welcomed.  Tamaar London is new to me and this is what they say about themselves:

Our products bring to you natural ingredients both used traditionally around the world for centuries to newer innovative multi-functional blends. Our first range of products have been clinically proven and provide a, safer natural solution to commonly found skin problems such as Hyperpigmentation, Acne, Ageing Skin, Dry Skin & Eczema. 

The ingredients and unique formulations we use are gentle, yet effective, hence do not irritate the skin as would some traditional synthetic ingredients, just clean plant based products. 

Our founding member and Pharmacist has spent several years researching natural active ingredients to develop high performance, results-driven skincare products that do not compromise with quality.

The Balance Advanced Natural Sebum Balancing Cream Complex is described as being a unique formula contains oils and extracts that have been carefully selected for their antimicrobial, skin calming and nourishing properties. It helps balance excess sebum without over-drying the skin and it uses the following ingredients to do just that:

• Tamarind Extract - Taramind is the fruit of Tamarindus indica, a species which originates from India. They are shiny and black and boast a number of health benefits. Taramind seeds can help improve the elasticity of the skin as well as helping to keep skin smooth and hydrated, some say it is more beneficial to the skin than Hyaluronic Acid. It is the perfect antidote to the effect of ageing.
• Annatto Seed Extract - Contains a more potent form of Vitamin E and helps to reduce the damage caused by harmful UV light as well as dryness, hyperpigmentation and loss of elasticity.
• Holy Basil - Used for its antibacterial properties
• Tumeric Root Extract - So many people I know swear my Turmeric being a miracle ingredient. Within this cream, it is used for its powerful -anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities.
• Kefir Milk Probiotics - Rich in beneficial probiotic bacteria, it’s proven to increase skin ceramide levels and has been shown to improve inflammatory skin conditions such as Acne, Rosacea and Ezcema.

For me, this is a product full of fascinating ingredients that you might not find elsewhere. It is also worth noting that all of Tamaar Skincare's products are formulated with a climate-responsive emulsifier which is based on patented technology that transforms natural waxes to automatically adapt to the local environment and climate.

The cream has a really lightweight texture and I find I need just a few pumps from the bottle is enough product to be used.  The directions are to apply to a freshly cleansed face both morning and evening, but taking care to avoid the eye contour area.   When it comes to the scent, I really like it, the Tamarind Extract is the something that really stands out to me with its sweet almost citrus-like aroma.  On the skin, it absorbs super-quickly, every time I use it, gone within a nanosecond of application and there is no greasy film or tackiness left behind on the skin.

Having been using this Balancing Cream Complex for a good few months now, what I have noticed is that on the days I use the cream, my skin is less shiny, it hasn't stopped the excess sebum, it just isn't as noticeable.  On the days when I haven't used the cream, that mid-afternoon shine is definitely there and I am glad that this cream does make a difference to how my skin feels and behaves.

Availability

Priced at £42, Tamaar London Balance Advanced Natural Sebum Balancing Cream Complex and other products can be found via the brand website.

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

You Beauty Advent Calendar - Content Reveal

I used to subscribe to the You Beauty Box monthly which sadly came to an end in 2016, but it was amazing value for money.  However, there is a You Beauty Advent Calendar, which for the price of £65* is a real bargain.

Packed full of 24 premium beauty products to help you begin the countdown this festive season. With brands inside which include Murad, REN, Jurlique and Molton Brown to name a few, you will also receive a selection of brand discount – many which are valid until 2020 so you can have even more of a treat.

If you don't want to see the full reveal of contents, then scroll quickly to the bottom of this post to find out how to get your hands on such an amazing calendar because the contents are brilliant and they have been split into sections - Skin Sensations, Repair & Rejuvenate, Shine & Sparkle, Relax & Unwind, Heavenly Hair and Everyday Essentials and within each of these categories will be 4 or 5 products.

Contents

Skin Sensations

• MURAD AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, 30ml
• ROSE PIXI TONIC Pixi Rose Tonic, 100ml
• NUXE Crème Prodigieuse Boost Multi-Correction Gel Cream, 15ml
• EMMA HARDIE Moringa Cleansing Balm, 15ml

Repair & Rejuvenate

• MARKS & SPENCER Formula Absolute All in One Cream SPF20, 15ml
• JURLIQUE Herbal Recovery Signature Moisturising Cream, 10ml
• REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask, 15ml
• AURELIA PROBIOTIC SKINCARE Cell Repair Night Oil, 15ml
• PRAI Beauty Ageless Throat and Décolletage Crème, 15ml

Shine & Sparkle

• STUDIO 10 I-Lift Longwear Liner, Full Size
• SKIN REPUBLIC Prep + Glow x Olivia Buckland Face Mask, 1 Treatment
• RIMMEL Lasting Finish Lipstick in shade ‘Birthday Suit’, Full Size
• LORD & BERRY 20100 Maximatte Lipstick Pencil, Here And Now, Full Size
• CLINIQUE High Impact™ Mascara, 3.5ml

Relax & Wind

• MOLTON BROWN Orange & Bergamot Bath & Shower Gel, 30ml
• HEYLAND AND WHITTLE Clementine & Prosecco Votive Candle
• AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Bath & Shower Oil, 9ml
• SKYN ICELAND Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels, 1 Pair

Heavenly Hair

• PHILLIP KINGSLEY “Elasticizer”, 40ml
• WINDLE & MOODIE Windle London Texture Cream, Full Size
• LIVING PROOF Full Dry Volume Blast™, 95ml

Everyday Essentials

• BATISTE Dry Shampoo + De-Frizz, 50ml
• REGENERATE Enamel Science™ Advanced Toothpaste, Full Size
• HEATHCOTE & IVORY Neroli & Lime Leaves Hand Cream, Full Size

As you can see, this Calendar has a mixture of full size and deluxe size products to enjoy and I am delighted to see a Molton Brown Candle included as I have been wanting to try one of those for a long time.

This Calendar costs just £65 with free postage for £229-worth of contents – that’s a saving of more than 70 per cent. Plus, for a short time only, there’s an offer for YOU readers: use the code YOU50 at the checkout and pay just £50, including delivery.

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