Lookfantastic Discovery Bags with Full Content Reveal

Have you ever really wanted to try a brand but just haven't been too sure where to even begin with which product would be the best one to try?  Well, Lookfantastic have released, what I think is a great idea with their new Discovery bags which give you the chance to try some amazing brands for as little as £12.

There are seven different options to choose from and they include - Caudalie, Sukin, First Aid Beauty, Lipstick Queen, Keyvan Aucoin, Clinique and Eve Lom.  What I love about this idea of a Discovery bag is that you get 5 products to try.

What's included in the Lookfantastic Discovery Bag collection?

First Aid Beauty, £20 (worth £32)

• First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser (28ml) - A fragrance-free, gentle cleanser that effectively removes makeup, dirt and grime, leaving skin soft and supple. When blended with water, the whipped texture transforms into a cream.
• First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads - Gently exfoliate the skin with these Lactic and Glycolic Acid infused pads. Use daily for a natural glow and smoother complexion.
• First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum (7ml) - Give skin a daily dose of moisture for a soft and hydrated complexion. Able to be used with all skin types, this hydrating gel infuses skin with moisture, minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (59ml) - A fast-absorbing, rich moisturiser that provides long-lasting hydration, this award-winning repair cream immediately relieves dry skin. Safe for sensitive skin, this moisturiser is formulated with oatmeal to soothe and hydrate.
• First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturiser (10ml) - A superfood-powered, oil-free moisturiser that brightens and smooths, this is a makeup bag essential. A 2-in-1 primer and moisturiser, enjoy radiant and healthy skin after just one application.

At just £20 for £32 worth of products, this is a real bargain to have and the products are a delight to use.

Caudalie, £20 (worth over £33)

• Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser (50ml) - An airy, soap-free foaming cleanser that moisturises skin with grape extract and purifies with sage. With a luxurious foam texture, this cleanser refreshes skin and leaves it radiant.
• Caudalie Vinopure Clear Skin Purifying Toner (50ml) - Infused with natural salicylic acid, grape-seed polyphenols and organic essential oils, this toner combats breakouts. With a natural formula that purifies and prepares the skin, enjoy clarified and clearer skin with this toner.
• Caudalie Vinopure Skin Perfecting Serum (10ml) - Clarify the complexion with this silky formula that helps refine oily and combination skin types. Utilising Salicylic Acid to draw out impurities, the formula soothes irritation and protects against damaging environmental aggressors.
• Caudalie Instant Detox Mask (15ml) - Suitable for all skin types, this mask restores and rejuvenates skin for a purified feel. Rich in Pink Clay, this mask deeply cleanses skin and absorbs toxins.
• Caudalie Vinopure Skin Perfecting Mattifying Fluid (15ml) - This moisturising and mattifying fluid refreshes and balances the skin with organic Rosewater, Grape Polyphenols and organic Essential Oils. Featuring natural silica powders, this hydrating fluid absorbs excess sebum, reducing the appearance of imperfections and refining skin texture.

I make no secret as to have much I adore Caudalie as a brand and many of these products are featured on my blog.

Sukin, £12 (worth over £19) - 

• Sukin Signature Cream Cleanser (50ml) - Working to remove make-up, oil and dirt, this cream cleanser nourishes skin with a blend of natural oils including Rosehip, Avocado, Sesame and Wheat Germ. Rich in Aloe Vera, skin will be left soothed, purified and lightly hydrated.
• Sukin Super Greens Detoxifying Facial Scrub (20ml) - Made from a blend of detoxifying Kale, Spirulina and Parsley, this scrub leaves skin soft and glowing. Utilising Jojoba Beads and Bamboo to polish skin, with Pineapple and Licorice Root to balance oil, this scrub will help buff away any imperfections.
• Sukin Signature Mist Toner (50ml) - Utilising an alcohol-free formula, this mist toner blends soothing Chamomile and purifying Rosewater to cool and refresh tired skin. A multi-purpose product that can be used either as a toner or refreshing mist, this product is a skin saviour.
• Sukin Signature Moisturiser (50ml) - A hydrating cream that soothes and nourishes skin, this moisturiser is one of Sukin’s cult products. Combining a blend of Rosehip, Avocado, Sesame Seed and Jojoba Oils, this moisturiser helps to protect the complexion’s moisture barrier, leaving skin smooth and healthy.
• Sukin Sensitive Pink Clay Mask (20ml) - Formulated with a blend of Pink and Red Clay, this mask gently extracts impurities from the skin, leaving the complexion clear and radiant. Infused with Chamomile, this mask soothes any inflammation, reducing redness.

Eve Lom, £36 (worth £60)

• Eve Lom Cleansing Balm & Half Cloth (20ml) - Experience a deep, skin-reviving cleanse with a cleanser described by Vogue as ‘probably the best cleanser in the world’. A rich balm that softens, cleanses and nourishes – give your skin a treat with this balm formula.
• Eve Lom Rescue Mask (15ml) - Soothe and calm inflamed skin with this revitalising formula. Infused with Kaolin Clay and exfoliating Ground Almonds, this luxurious treatment deeply cleanses, decongests skin and promotes a smoother, refined appearance.
• Eve Lom Time Retreat Radiance Essence (10ml) - Restore a youthful glow with this powerful formula enriched with nine anti-ageing ingredients for a smooth and bright complexion.
• Eve Lom Moisture Cream (8ml) - Quench the skin with luxurious hydration with this soft, creamy moisturiser. Infused with Eve Lom’s PrimalHyal™ Ultrafiller, this moisture cream will create the effect of plumped and youthful skin.
• Eve Lom Radiance Transforming Mask (8ml) - Achieve soft and smooth skin with this deeply nourishing mask that gives skin a luminous glow. Rich in botanicals and exfoliants, this face mask envelops the skin in hydration, shielding against harmful free radicals.

Lipstick Queen, £36 (worth £80)

• Lipstick Queen Mini Morning Sunshine - An innovative colour changing shade, this yellow lipstick transforms to a sheer tone when applied, reacting to the lips pH levels to create a unique and flattering hue. Infused with Vitamin E and Shea Butter, enjoy nourished lips with each application.
• Lipstick Queen Mini Altered Universe Lip Gloss - Highlight the lips’ natural beauty with this multi-dimensional, shimmering lip gloss that creates an illuminating and captivating effect. Enriched with crushed pearls, this lip gloss can be worn alone or layered over a lipstick.
• Lipstick Queen Nothing But The Nudes ‘Blooming Blush’ Lipstick - Get the perfect nude lip with this rich-textured, classic shade. Enriched with Vitamin E, this lipstick hydrates and nourishes whilst wearing.
• Lipstick Queen Medieval Lipstick - Create a dramatic finish with this sheer berry-toned lipstick. With a silky finish, this sheer colour is universally flattering and enhances the lips whilst maintaining a natural finish.
• Lipstick Queen Invisible Lip Liner - Prevent lipstick from bleeding with this invisible lip liner that holds lipstick in place all day. A universal silicone lip liner, use this to prevent colour feathering and to make sure your lip colour never fades.

Lipstick Queen is one of my favourite Lipstick brands and again, I have featured a few of their products on my blog here.

Kevyn Aucoin, £36 (worth £97)

• Kevyn Aucoin Mini Expert Mascara - With a buildable and weightless formula, this mascara has a two-sided brush that helps to arch upper lashes and define the lower lash line.
• Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Liquid Liner ‘Black’ - A foolproof felt tip eyeliner that delivers intense colour without skipping, smudging or bleeding. Create either a dramatic cat-eye or a natural look with this ultra-fine applicator.
• Kevyn Aucoin The Sculpting Powder ‘Medium’ - Create the perfect contour shade with this matte sculpting powder. Designed to sculpt and chisel features, this cool-toned powder creates believable definition.
• Kevyn Aucoin Glass Glow - Radiant skin in a bottle – this highlighter boosts natural radiance and illuminates. A universally flattering shade, this can be used as an illuminating highlighter or worn on its own for a glowy finish.
• Kevyn Aucoin Mini Molten Gems Lip Gloss - Poppy Topaz - Achieve bold and high impact lips with this lip gloss. With a moisture-rich formula, this uplifting red tone can be worn on its own or layered over a lipstick.

Clinique, £20 (worth over £34)

• Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild (30ml) - A dermatologist-developed liquid soap that cleanses gently and thoroughly, this is step 1 in Clinique’s customised 3-Step Skin Care System. With a non-drying formula, this soap leaves skin feeling fresh and comfortable.
• Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 (30ml) - An exfoliating liquid lotion that buffs away pollution, excess oil and dead skin cells to reveal a fresh and radiant complexion.
• Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator (15ml) - A gel-based moisturiser rich in Aloe water, this hydrating formula works nonstop for 72 hours. Delivering an instant moisture boost when applied, this light formula keeps skin twice as hydrated at the end of the day than it did before.
• Clinique Moisture Surge 96-Hour Hydro-Filler Concentrate (5ml) - An ultra-light, cushiony water-gel that helps the delicate eye area replenish moisture for a full 96 hours of intense and plumping hydration.
• Clinique High Impact ™ Mascara (5ml) - A multi-benefit mascara that adds maximum volume with definition and length, this specially developed brush and formula dramatically thickens and separates lashes.

What I really like about all of these bags is that there is a mixture of skincare and makeup and as Santa will soon be paying a visit, they would also make a lovely gift too! All of these are available right now via Lookfantastic.

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

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.