Evolve Organic Beauty - Facial in a Box

I am a huge fan of Evolve Beauty and have featured them here on my blog quite a few times now, but with Mother's Day on the horizon, the Facial in a Box gift set (£50) is incredibly special and it features some of my favourite products, which I think my mam would also like.

The lovely people behind Evolve Beauty believe that you can achieve amazing results and have a truly relaxing experience using their natural products in the comfort of your own home. I am always someone who will willingly have a facial, I find it incredibly relaxing, but there are also just some times when I would rather pamper myself at home, sitting in my jogging bottoms and a T-shirt not looking very glam at all.  This Facial in a Box gives you the opportunity to take some time out of your daily routine, light your favourite candle and indulge yourself - I don't need to be challenged twice.

This organic facial in a box comes with complete instructions and a headband, beautifully packaged in a gift-wrapped box and inside there are 5 organic skincare products from the Evolve Beauty range to get to know and use.  Each step is clearly labelled along with some straightforward instructions on how best to use each product and what I absolutely love about this is just how much thought has gone into ensuring you get the most out of it, whether you are a skincare queen or an absolute novice.  Alongside all of these products is also a headband, a vital part of any facial to ensure you don't end up mixing your hair in with each of the products, so before you get started, that is your first task - put on the headband followed by lighting a candle.

Step one - Gentle Cleansing Melt (60ml) - This is one luxurious cleansing balm and it is so silky smooth on the skin, it is an absolute delight to cleanse with.

Using nourishing organic baobab oil which soothes and hydrates, there is also natural sugar extracts which turn into a creamy milk as it comes into contact with warm water.  The inclusion of Vanilla, which also has strong anti-oxidant properties whilst having a sweet and soothing aroma which is relaxing and calming.  Once the balm is rinsed off your skin, using a flannel, muslin cloth or whatever is your preference, you will find that your skin feels clean, calm and really hydrated.

Step 2 - Miracle Mask (30ml) - I am a huge fan of the Evolve Radiant Glow Mask and the Miracle Mask is one I have never tried before. This incredible smelling AHA fruit mask is blended using 100% natural fruit acids which includes glycolic acid from sugar cane. 

Using Peruvian Maca, an ancient energy booster which has been used for centuries by tribes, within this mask it helps to increase cellular renewal and skin radiance. Then we have Papaya Extract which is not only a good source of Vitamin A and Papain. Together these help to exfoliate the skin to remove dead and dry skin cells.  Once applied to the skin, it needs to be left for around 5 minutes to work its magic before removing using warm water and either a flannel or muslin cloth, depending on your preference.

Step 3 - Hyaluronic Serum (10ml) - This clear serum is ideal for anyone who has normal to dry skin and it contains 200mg Hyaluronic Acid per bottle to ensure your skin is left feeling moisturised, hydrated and refreshed.

Also used within this serum is organic pomegranate which is high in ellagic acid which helps to regulate cell turnover and strengthen the cell membrane, therefore, limiting water loss and free radical damage extract.  This serum is also delicately fragranced with organic rosewater which smells just absolutely beautiful.  To use, you need one pump of the serum into the palms of your hands and then gently pat it onto the skin and then massage, never rub.

Step 3A - Hyaluronic Eye Complex (10ml) - Using Exotic Tuberose flower plant stem cells help to reduce the appearance of eye bags, fine lines and puffiness whilst firming and brightening the eye area.

Hyaluronic acid helps to reduce wrinkles thus making the skin look younger with an improved skin tone and Organic Cucumber Extract which is traditionally known to cool, reduce under-eye bags and helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles around the eyes. What I love about this Eye Complex is the coolness of the rollerball which gives the ample opportunity to give yourself an eye massage.

Step 4 - Daily Renew Facial Cream (30ml) - This is the final step of your at-home facial and it features this incredible natural and organic face cream. It works to restore normal to dry skin by using a blend of pure organic oils, coconut peptides and Hyaluronic Acid. 

On the skin, this cream feels really luxurious, it isn't overly thick and it isn't too thin in texture either, but you do only need a walnut-sized amount to cover your entire face. Using Hyaluronic Acid helps to reduce wrinkles, making the skin look younger with an improved skin tone as well as offering intense hydration to skin cells. Argan Oil nourishes and helps to improve elasticity and leaves skin feeling plump and soft and because it is lightly fragranced using soothing hypoallergenic vanilla & coconut, it is an absolute delight to use.

I think this is a wonderful box of products and whilst I am slowly working my way through everything Evolve Beauty has to offer, this box of products would put a smile on the face of anyone. There is nothing I dislike about the brand or what is included and more so because I am incredibly lucky to own one of the Evolve Organic Beauty Serenity Candle (£16), it makes this gift all the more special and definitely something I would add as an extra to anyone I gifted it too.

The candle, which is made using Soy Wax it is blended using delicate floral, zingy citrus and gourmand vanilla notes which include the likes of Rose, Jasmine and Orange Blossom and it is one of those instantly calm scents that make this facial in a box all the more pampering.

The Evolve Beauty Facial in a Box retails for £50 and is worth every single penny, whether it is a gift for you, your mum or a loved one.

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

Marks & Spencer Apothecary Range

I am a huge fan of the Marks & Spencer Beauty Hall, it has been through quite the transformation over recent years, gone is the feeling of feeling too young to buy anything as you approach the shelves to instead wanting to fill your basket with all the amazing brands and new products.  Just recently, Marks &Spencer launched their brand new Apothecary Spa range which has been designed to help you recreate your own at-home spa and frankly it is right up my street and I bought two products to try and if you have been wanting to find an affordable luxury, then consider that box well and truly ticked.

I am sure I am not the only one guilty of buying products from those more luxurious brands - think Jo Malone and Molton Brown for example, only to them use them sparingly or for a special occasion. From Marks and Spencer, they are offering you a choice of four different ranges - Calm, Restore, Balance and Uplift with prices starting as low as £4!  I was tempted by all four ranges and in the end, opted for the fragrance I felt I would like the most and found myself with the Restore Collection.

Within the Restore Collection, there is the option of a bath oil, hand wash, hand lotion, bath salts, body wash, room spray, candle, reed diffuser and soap.  I only had the option of a body wash, bath oil and bath salts and chose the latter and I'll be honest, whenever I see bath salts, I am most definitely buying them.  The Restore Collection is one which is described as having a fragrance containing essential oils of cedarwood, geranium and eucalyptus, all of which are considered to have soothing and relaxing qualities

On a cold wet day, there is nothing better than going home from the office and running a hot bath using a scent which is as soothing as it is calming and the bath salts are incredibly potent, so you need just a handful to sprinkle into the water, usually after there are 1-2 inches already in the bath and then, as with the bath oil, as soon as those essential oils come into contact with the hot water and steam vapour, the Eucalyptus and Lavender scent is really noticeable. With the bath oil, you need around a capful, two if you have a stuffy nose or the onset of a cold to help calm and soothe.

I absolutely love these two products and as a range, it just covers so many uses - it calms, it soothes, it helps relieve stress and tension, it relaxes and if you are suffering from a cold or are feeling run down, it definitely helps with that.  I am hoping the next time I get to the Marks & Spencer Beauty Hall they might have more of the Restore Collection in stock, especially the candle and I might even venture into the other collections too.

With prices as low as £4 and with packaging as fabulous as it is, the Apothecary range is definitely worth buying and trying!

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

Mother's Day Limited Edition Beauty Box by Glossybox

With Mother's Day on the horizon, it is no surprise to find brands promoting their gift ideas and products. Glossybox is about to launch of the 'Only for You' limited edition box and it contains 13 best-selling beauty products of which, three are full-sized items.

Photo from Glossybox

The box features some amazing brands and if you don't want to know what is inside, then scroll to the bottom now to find out how much it will cost and when it launches:

What's in the 'Only for You' Glossybox?

1. bareMinerals Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lipcolour
2. Laboratoires Filorga Time Filler
3. Aveda Damage RemedyTM Daily Hair Repair
4. Living Proof Perfect hair DayTM Dry Shampoo
5. Patchology moodpatchTM Down Time Eye Gels
6. Ecooking Firming Serum Capsules
7. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Forumla Skin Therapy Oil
8. MUA Makeup Academy Pro 6 Shade Eyeshadow Palette – Rusted Wonders
9. Yankee Candle Smell Jar Candle – Camellia Blossom
10. Jennifer Lopez Promise Eau de Parfum
11. Seoulista Beauty Brightening Instant Facial
12. First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser
13. Weleda Wild Rose Creamy Body Wash

I really like that there is a mixture of high street and luxe brands within this box.  I am a huge fan of Living Proof and know my Mum is a fan of Yankee Candles, so this box ticks quite a lot for me.

Price and Availability

This box will be priced at £25 for subscribers and £30 for non-subscribers this Mother’s Day limited edition box launches on 10th March at 9am for those of you who subscribe and 12pm for non-subscribers.  So if you don’t want to miss out on this incredible deal, you might want to sign up to the waitlist for the alerts.

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

Alpha-H Micro Cleanse Super Scrub

Having combination skin can be tricky to look after at times because it feels as dry as it is greasy. I have always been advised to exfoliate regularly and it is something I do at least 2-3 times a week and if possible, I use an exfoliating mask. New to my bathroom shelf is the Alpha-H Micro Cleanse Super Scrub (£36) which is described as being the nearest thing to microdermabrasion in a tube.

Containing 12% glycolic acid alongside eco-friendly biodegradable jojoba beads, caffeine, cucumber and peppermint oil, this exfoliator is designed to effortlessly remove impurities and dead skin cells as well as to unclog pores.  

As it is applied to your skin, the Jojoba beads burst as you massage the scrub over your skin and in doing so, it releases pure Jojoba oil, which has a molecular structure almost identical to the skin's own sebum, to help re-establish equilibrium and maintain moisture levels.  The addition of caffeine works to tone and tighten the skin, reduce redness and inflammation and helping to improve your skin’s ability to absorb other products, making them more efficient.

Further ingredients to this scrub include Cooling Cucumber extract which helps to soothe and calm your skin, then we have Peppermint Oil which reduces redness and invigorates the skin. The addition of cucumber and Peppermint oil adds a coolness to the scrub as it is applied to the skin and as an oil which is used in aromatherapy, the scent works to stimulate the mind, increase mental agility and to increase focus.  I really like the texture of this scrub, it isn't too thick or runny and the scrub part itself isn't overly abrasive, but it does an amazing job when used on my skin and not only does it clear my complexion and pores, it removes dead and dry skin, which I usually find an issue on both cheeks and on my forehead.

Anyone who is familiar with Alpha-H Skincare 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 I am always happy to try absolutely anything for my own skincare issues and concerns because I know a lot of thought and work has gone into creating each and every product. The Alpha-H Micro Cleanse Super Scrub can be found via Cult Beauty for £36 and it is worth absolutely every penny.

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