Decleor Green Mandarin for Glowing Skin Collection

As a brand, Decleor isn't one I had been all too familiar with until fairly recently when this little bundle was kindly gifted to me and it has been such fun getting to try out each product. Decléor is a very luxurious skincare brand who use as many natural ingredients as possible and these four products from the Green Mandarin Skincare Collection* have been just heavenly to use. 

With their bright yellow outer packaging and the orange almost terracotta-coloured pots and bottles, this is definitely a collection that will go unnoticed on your shelf.

The first product I started to use which is the Jasmine Eye Cream (£37) as I had run out of eye cream when this bundle arrived. 

An anti-fatigue, illuminating and anti-ageing Eye Cream to leave the skin luminous & radiant. With Jasmin Absolute it fights against wrinkles and lack of radiance all day long.

The main benefits of using this eye cream are that it is described as being a cream which delivers an instant brightening effect to the under-eye area. As someone who suffers with bouts of insomnia, dark circles and puffiness are part of my arsenal. 

This eye cream, which is really lightweight, is described as delivering an instant brightening effect to the under-eye area. It does all of that using a combination of Jasmin Absolute which aids that fight against the lack of radiance. Then there is the use of stimulating Caffeine, Vitamins B3 and CG and finally, Orange Pigments which aid drainage, protect and brighten the eye area, to deliver an instant illuminating effect. 

The tube comes with what Decleor refers to as a 'cannula' dispenser and it is designed to ensure that when used, it gives a precise application. You are advised to apply it to both the lower and upper parts of the eye contour, using your ring finger.

The next product is the Aromessence Essential Oils-Serum (£55) - This 100% natural origin concentrated daily serum is powered by a blend of Citrus essential oils - Green Mandarin, Lemon and Orange.

The texture of the oil is one that is non-greasy and non-sticky, it absorbs really quickly into the skin and leaves it feeling incredibly smooth and looking healthy with a natural glow. It comes with a pipette dispenser and you only need three drops into the palms of your hands and then, once the oil has been warmed using your skins natural temperature, breathe in the scent, which is really uplifting, then apply to the face and neck using light tapping motions, avoiding the eye area.  This is my favourite product of the four. I love the scent, I like how it feels on my skin and I like how it leaves me skin looking.

The one product I was not too sure about is the Sunkissed Cream (£42), it definitely wasn't what I was expecting to find when I opened the tub, but it is definitely something I am glad to have been able to try. 

With its natural orange tint, this cream is described as being an anti-ageing moisturiser that works to revive the skin’s luminosity with an antioxidant blend of citrus essentials oils extracted from Green Mandarin, Lemon, Grapefruit and Orange. On the skin, this creams, which smells just incredible, melts effortlessly and instead of turning your skin orange, it actually gives a sheer finish and gives just a hint of luminosity, perfect for those no-makeup days for a bit of a glow.

The final product within this collection is the Night Balm (£50) which again is a product I absolutely loved using.

Described as being an illuminating moisturiser that works overnight to deliver anti-fatigue and anti-ageing care. The balm is non-greasy when applied to the skin, it melts almost instantly on contact and as it does so, it used an array of ingredients to ensure your skin is left feeling hydrated, smooth and plumped.   The balm itself is made from the moisture-replenishing duo of Beeswax and Carnauba waxes, that balm is then formulated with a blend of citrus essential oils extract from Green Mandarin, Grapefruit, Lemon and Sweet Orange. 

As a collection, this is stunning, not a single product I disliked, if anything I liked all four of them a whole lot more than I was expecting too and my skin did too. Right now, this collection is on offer with LookFantastic* and Escentual*, so if you are looking for a treat, this is a great place to start! 

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

Dr Dennis Gross 20th Anniversary Alpha Beta Peel Extra Strength Formula

I was incredibly lucky to meet the amazing Dr Dennis Gross* recently as he launched the new  B₃Adaptive SuperFoods™ Complex range, which will be coming to this blog shortly and he was just incredible to listen too with his passion and infectious energy for skincare. The chance to be able to listen to and question someone such as Dr Dennis was an incredible opportunity and I got to try out and play with some pretty amazing skincare too.

One product which is insanely popular on my social media is the Alpha-Beta Peel Extra Strength Formula* and I had tried them once, via a Beauty Box a long time ago, so it was so nice to learn more about them, their history, why Dr Dennis invented them and perhaps more importantly how to get the best use out of them.  I was very kindly given a box of the Pads to celebrate their 20th Anniversary.

Twenty years on from his industry-shaking development of a daily peel to boost radiance, lift away impurities and consolidate texture and tone, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare has blessed the world of beauty with limited-edition releases of his iconic Alpha Beta Peel range. 

These Alpha-Beta Peels are described as being perfect for anyone who might have used many other anti-ageing products and treatments but has had limited success with them. They are also for those who have a complexion that is perhaps scarred, uneven and a bit lacklustre. 

If you have not seen this product before and have no idea what it is, it is best described as being a two-step anti-ageing facial peel which works to quickly address fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, blemishes, dark spots and redness, whilst at the same time fortifying the skin’s fabric with free radical-fighting antioxidants.

This Extra Strength Formula is, I am told, the only peel on the market to combine five alpha and beta-hydroxy acids with potent, wrinkle-wrestling antioxidants - including retinol (vitamin A), ubiquinone and resveratrol. Together, those ingredients work to simultaneously smooth, refine and protect your skin in double-quick time. I was told that with regular use, I would quickly see a difference in the visibility of pores, redness and uneven skin tone and because these pads are suitable for all skin types and don’t cause any discomfort, irritation or unsightly skin-shedding.

As with most products, the advice is to always do a patch test behind your ear before using any glycolic acid-based products. Once you have done that, then you apply Step 1 to clean, dry skin and you should do so using circular motions, working from the forehead to neck. Then having done that, you wait for two minutes before applying Step 2 and for this, you should use the same technique as Step 1 with the circular motions and you keep doing this until pad feels dry. Once these two steps are complete, you should not rinse afterwards or use products containing alcohol.

After I had used these pads, I had expected some reaction but I didn't have a single tingle, no excess redness, no itching, no flare-up - I had absolutely no reaction whatsoever, instead, what I did experience was a soothing of my redness, it feels as though that dullness has gone entirely along with dead skin cells that had been hanging around far too long has gone and my complexion, as my colleagues commented, looked so much brighter. So what I am trying to say is that these pads are absolutely brilliant, they live up to their hype and I have an order of more somewhere in the postal system on their way to me because, after this lockdown, I can imagine my skin will need a lot of TLC!

These Alpha Beta Peel Pads can be found via sites such as Cult Beauty*, SpaceNK*, Selfridges, Harrods* and Lookfantastic with prices ranging from £19 up to £89 for the Red Anniversary Tin.

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

Nanogen 7-IN-1 Shampoo for Women

Looking after my hair is as important to me as it is to look after my skin and over the past six months or so, I have been working my way through a few brands and their products to see how they affect my hair. I have shoulder-length naturally wavy dark blonde hair and whilst my hair is fine, there is a lot of it, I also have what is best described as being 'combination' hair which means I have greasy roots and very dry ends.  So finding a shampoo that can deal with both of those issues is sometimes testing.

From Nanogen, I was kindly gifted the 7-in-1 Shampoo, Thickening Conditioner for Women and the Root Boost Hair Thickening Spray. All the products I had seen on my social media and a brand I had yet to try.

The Nanogen 7-IN-1 Shampoo for Women Thickening Hair Treatment is described as being a powerful formula which provides a multitargeted approach to hair thickening. 

The 7-in-1 formula gives the following benefits:

• Cleanses - This formula contains hard-working surfactants that grab onto oil and dirt particles and pull them away from the hair to deeply cleanse the scalp.
• Moisturises - With hydrating powerhouses glycerin and panthenol, this product gives amazing hydration without weighing hair down.
• Thickens - Formulated with Nanogen's own unique Hair Growth Factors, it works to rejuvenate hair follicles, support natural hair growth and maintain hair anchoring.
• Strengthens -The use of keratin within this 7-IN-1 formula helps to strengthen the hair by penetrating the cuticle and supporting the hair’s natural keratin from the inside out.
• Rebalances - Formulated with prebiotic beta-glucan, which nourishes and rebalances the scalp’s natural microbiome. Not only that, but salicylic acid actively exfoliates the scalp to help prevent itchiness and flakes, as well as breaking down sebum and dirt which can clog the pores.
• Fights pollution - Using green tea extract as a powerful antioxidant to neutralise free radicals, therefore minimising damage to the hair and scalp. Green Tea also helps to soothe an irritated scalp.
• Optimises for fibres - Nanogen 7-IN-1 contains surface resin polymers that work to create an optimised canvas for the Keratin Hair Fibres. These polymers make the hair strands strongly positively charged, therefore strengthening the bond with our dipolar charged fibres.

Alongside all of this, also included within the formula is Chamomile and Aloe which possess natural anti-inflammatory properties that may help soothe and calm the scalp.

What I like about 7-in-1 is the texture of the shampoo, it isn't thick or too runny, and once applied to your hair, the advice is to leave it for around a minute before rinsing out and my hair after using feels incredibly clean, it is soft without static and flyaways plus, my scalp doesn't itch and is not irritated after using.  This product can be found in Boots and it costs just £9.95.

Alongside the 7-in-1, I was also gifted the Nanogen Conditioner for Women Thickening Hair Treatment. This conditioner is described as being scientifically formulated with hyaluronic acid which intensely hydrates the hair and scalp, leaving you with weightless, shiny, volumised hair. 

This treatment is incredibly lightweight, so it doesn't weigh your hair down after using. I often find that because I have fine hair, many conditioners leave my hair feeling lank and many are just too heavy to use.  Once on the hair, the advice is to leave this conditioner on for around 4 minutes before rinsing out. This product can be found in Boots and it costs just £8.95.

The final product within my trio is the Nanogen Root Boost Hair Thickening Spray. Described as being a weightless, fast-absorbing hair thickening spray that lifts each root and thickens every strand. If you have dull, flat and lifeless hair, then this might be the product you need to have within your stash.

This easy to use non-greasy hair thickening spray contains a cocktail of ingredients to care for your hair and scalp while providing instant volume and lift to each strand in just a few sprays. Those key ingredients include:

• Niacinamide and green tea help soothe the scalp and protects from free radical damage caused by our environment.
• Provitamin B5 attracts water molecules for intense hydration in the hair follicle. Hair is moisturised, shiny and with less static and flyaways.

When using, Nanogen advises that to get the maximum results, blow-dry to activate more thickening proteins and to use it every time you wash your hair.  I have used the spray a few times and what I like is that less is definitely more and rather than my roots sit flat against my head if I straighten it, there is a slight lift at the roots. This product can be found in Boots and it costs just £9.95.

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

Perfect Chaos - Luxury Hand Poured Natural Candles

Life is quite how it once was right now and there is a chance that it won't be how it used to be, throughout the lockdown we will have all discovered things about ourselves that we didn't know, have realised how much we take for granted and many of us have adapted to working from home instead of being in an office.  Working from home for me has come with its challenges, no work colleagues to chat to, my routine is thrown out of the window to a degree and the daily commute now being non-existent.

One brand who captured my attention a few months ago was Perfect Chaos, two working mums with families leading busy lives who want to inspire their children that if they really want to achieve something, anything is possible! The brand was born out of the need to create a little bit of calm amongst the chaos. 

There’s nothing more enjoyable after a long day than kicking back, lighting a candle, grabbing a glass of wine and reflecting on a job well done!

A notion I can definitely agree with, for me candles are a huge part of my life, they create an atmosphere that I find relaxing and a glass of wine is always welcomed.  So when the two ladies behind the brand asked if I wanted to try their products I jumped at the chance.  Whether you like candles, Reed Diffusers, Room Mists, Pillow Mists, Essential Oils, Bath Salts or even Pulse Point roll on products, Perfect Chaos has many products to choose from.

The gift set I was kindly sent contained two products, the first being And Energise Lime and Ginger Candle which is designed to uplift your mood and improve focus. 

I absolutely love how the candle looks, with its dimpled copper pot which has been handmade and it is incredibly pretty to have on display.  The candle is 100% natural soy wax and it has been hand poured. It contains 100% essential oils and as soon as you open the lid to the box, the fragrance is immediately noticeable. It is fresh, it is zingy and once alight that aroma comes to life even more and fills every single room in my house, I absolutely adore it.  It is definitely a day time fragrance and is the one I need when I am working with the devil that is Excel!

The candles are priced at £8 for a travel candle and they rise in price to £40 for a 3-wick candle.

When it comes to winding down of an evening, Perfect Chaos have got you covered there as well, especially with this Reed Diffuser which is nestled on my bedside table.

This Reed Diffuser is called And Relax and it used a blend of essential oils to help you do just that - Lavender, Rosewood and Jasmine. By using this blend of essential oils, this Reed Diffuser is designed to promote calm, fight stress and aid sleep by relaxing the mind.

The diffuser has a wooden cap and the reeds are made from natural rattan and for me, the difference with these reeds compared to those you might have accompanying a highstreet brand is their ability to hold and carry the scent of the oils around the room. This is one of the most potent scented Reed Diffusers I have ever used and by potent I mean the scent it should produce, it most definitely does. Whilst you are in the room the scent is noticeable and as you enter the room for the first time, that fragrance really relaxes you.

The price of these diffusers range in price from £12.50 to £25 with the option to also purchase just a refill or a mini set of three.

What I love about Perfect Chaos is that a lot of thought has gone into the production of each and every one of these products starting with how they are presented and how, when they arrive, they have that wow factor. They make an incredible treat or a gift and what's more, there is also the option to match your candle to your reed diffuser so that they have the same scent, which would intensify that fragrance or you can of course mix and match and move through the ranges which include - And Breathe, And Escape, And Enjoy and And Revive, each range have different fragrance combination.

As a brand, I am most definitely wowed by what I have seen and would quite happily work my way through each and every collection without hesitation, you definitely get what you pay for and when it comes to that luxurious feeling, Perfect Chaos well and truly ticks that box.

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