I'm From Rice Toner

If you read my blog regularly or even occasionally, it won't have escaped your notice that I am a bit of a K-beauty fan and have all the products and brands I have used on their own separate page to make them easier to find.  Today I am sharing another K-beauty product and it is one that caught my attention as soon as I saw it on my Instagram feed - I'm From Rice Toner. 

Designed to be used after cleansing, this toner is suitable for all skin types and is made using organic rice grown which is free from pesticides.  Its job is to moisturise and brighten the skin whilst at the same time gently removing impurities and excess sebum and what it does is to help rebalance and rejuvenate dry, dull and irritated skin.

I’m From products are inspired by the purest natural ingredients and they are all sources using only the highest quality ingredients which are exclusively from South Korea and this Rice Toner is one of the brands most popular products. Within this Rice Toner, there are two which stand out - 

KEY INGREDIENTS

• Organic rice to create radiant and moisturised skin
• Gamma Oryzanol to brighten a dull complexion

Within this toner, there are also other notable ingredients to mention is Niacinamide which not only helps to regulate sebum production but also helps reduce redness and hyperpigmentation and as an ingredient, my skin absolutely loves it. Then we have Adenosine which has soothing properties. Amaranth seed extract is an emollient and therefore within this toner it helps with moisturising.

As a bi-phase product, you need to give this toner a good shake before using to mix those ingredients together and this then forms a milky liquid. Designed to be used after cleaning, you need to soak a cotton wool pad with a few drops and then sweep over the face gently.  It quickly absorbs and what I like about the feel of this toner on my skin is how soothing it is without being greasy and it doesn't leave a residue on the skin either. If your skin is feeling really dehydrated, as mine has done of late, then you can add this toner using your hands and gently pat it onto the skin, the difference being is you do use slightly more product that doesn't get soaked up in your cotton wool pads.

After using, my skin always feels soothed and smooth, there is no irritation or stinging. It is a product which lasts and lasts, I have been using it for around 3 months and am not even halfway through the bottle, so definitely worth its money.  I purchased my Rice Toner from Tonic15 which is my go-to for K-Beauty brands and it was priced at £26.

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

Why use wax melts in your home

Using wax melts is a fun way of fragrance your home, a great way of avoiding the use of household chemicals. Wax melt is made from the same material as a candle. 

The method of using both is very different from each other. A scented candle is required to be burnt to release its aromas while a wax melt is heated. Most scented candles contain paraffin which can be harmful to your health. It can also cause discoloration to your walls and curtains. Using soy wax melts contains no paraffin and you will get cleaner fresher aromas.

Soy wax melts

Soy wax melts are made from soy-bean oils, they are fragrance with essential oils. Soy wax melts have a lower melting point than normal wax, be sure to store it in a cool dry place to preserve its fragrance and prevent it from melting. People that often react to paraffin within normal wax melts, using soy wax melts are a great alternative.

How to use wax melts

Wax melts are required to be heated, this can be achieved with an electric wax melt burner or an oil burner. Using an oil burner requires a tea light, the heat fro the tea light will melt the wax. Some people might be restricted using this method in the presence of children. An electric wax melt burner requires no open flame to melt the wax. A heated plate is heated, and you can melt your wax by a switch of a button.

Once there are no more aromas coming from the melted wax you will need to dispose of the old wax and replace it with a new one. Or you can simply add essential oils to your old wax melts.

Be creative with wax melts

There are hundreds of different scented wax melts to choose from, you can mix different aromas to your choice to create your own unique aroma. It is also very easy to create your own. You melt some old candles until liquid in a pan, and add you're essential oils. Place the liquid wax melts into a muffin tray, wait 24 hours for the wax melts to cool down.

Which wax melts to choose from

Some cheap wax melts are scented with chemicals, be sure to go for the essential oils used as a fragrance. For the best quality aromas go for soy wax melts.

If you are looking to fragrance your home with natural aromas be sure to check The natural gift for their great products.

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

Mankind Hero Edit

With Father's Day on the Horizon (21st June) there is a whole host of brands who have some incredible products, some of which I will be featuring on this blog in coming days. The first brand is Mankind and they have just released the Hero Edit, a grooming box which features 6 full-sized products!

The 6 full-sized products have a value of over £200 but this box is on offer for just £50 which makes it a bargain and one definitely worth grabbing whilst it is still available.

Contents of the Box

• Dr Botanicals Coco Noir Sensuous Night Repairing Moisturiser (50ml) – worth £59.90. Cruelty-Free and Vegan, this cream is designed to counteract daily stress and rejuvenate the skin throughout the night when it is most receptive to skin treatments. Formulated to regulate and balance the skin, whilst nourishing and hydrating.
• ECOOKING Clay Mask (100ml) – worth £26. This is an anti-inflammatory treatment which utilises a potent blend of Salicylic Acid, Vitamin A and Iris Extract to deliver deep hydration to the complexion, helping to balance sebum levels and decongest oily skin.
• ARgENTUM L’etoile Infinite Twin Enhancing Face Oil (30ml) – worth £82. Said to be a super-light oil that works as an anti-ageing formula for the face. Boasting antioxidant properties, the oil protects the skin’s elasticity whilst thoroughly nourishing. The enhancing treatment also aims to balance natural oil production, visibly unifying the complexion and leaving skin youthful and luminous.
• Marvis Whitening Mint Toothpaste (75ml) – worth £7.50. Said to be a refreshing, creamy teeth-whitening toothpaste in a cool mint flavour that whitens and protect teeth while freshening breath. Developed to keep teeth and gums healthy whilst preventing decay, the toothpaste utilises gentle a xylitol and sorbitan-based formula to cleanse and condition the teeth without irritation.
• ZIRH Shave Gel (100ml) – worth £12. A lightweight, lubricating formula, which uses a soothing blend of Aloe Leaf Juice, Algae Extract and Glycerin, which together work to soften, hydrate and lift facial hair and the skin beneath.
• Aveda Men Pure-Formance Grooming Clay (75ml) – worth £23. Formulated with kunzea, citrus and certified organic essential oils of spearmint, vetiver and lavender, Aveda Pure-Formance Grooming Clay is said to be ideal for adding thickness to your hair. With its rich, spicy and refreshing aroma, it will leave your hair smelling fresh all day.

I think this is a box that has been really well put together and is one which is perfect for your husband, brother, dad, grandad or even bestie!

Shop the box for just £50.

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

10 Mental Health Benefits of an Organised Bedroom & Home Office.

At the start of lockdown, I am sure, like most people, I wasn't the only one who wrote an entire list of things to do. Things that I had been meaning to do around the house, but had never quite got round to doing - everything from changing a lightbulb to fixing a door handle, cleaning out the oven, hoover and more besides.  It is reported that taking control of your home space can be really positive for your mindset.

Knowing I was going to be spending a lot more time at home for the foreseeable future meant that those breaks I would take at work to go and make a drink or chat to my colleagues, now meant I could do something else in that time - put the washing away, put the washing machine on, wash up, hoover and so on, the jobs that would be waiting for me when I got home from work and over the weekend. With two of us working from home, we needed space to sit with two laptops, phones and all kinds of cable and electrical equipment now needing space. So we decided one of us would sit in the lounge and the other in the bedroom and alternate, but that also meant a serious declutter and re-organisation.

I have a Futon Company Lap Table in place of a desk because we don't have the space for a desk/table anywhere. So in the lounge, we made a few changes which included tidying up the bookshelves, donating what we no longer needed to local charity shops (before they closed). Then for the things we really don't need to have around, especially during the daytime, The Works had a huge sale and I managed to pick up some amazing storage boxes, which come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes and patterns. We've used them we have put paperwork, beauty products and items that needed a home, so they're all out of the way, stored and labelled, so if there is something we need, we know where to find them.  Then in the bedroom, the wardrobes had a decluttering and there was a lot of moving furniture around and ensuring there was and still is enough room, light and space to work.

So why did we do all of this? Working from home isn't a new thing for either of us, we do it occasionally, when we have a lot of paperwork or reports to get through and you want to avoid distractions, for me, it means working from home for a day or two and then heading back to the office, but neither of us has done it for longer periods of time. It is also said that it is good for your health and mental health and these are the following reasons why:

1 - Helps to reduce stress. Seeing visual lists of things to do can be stressful, sitting here with an excel spreadsheet of data whilst out of the corner of my eye I can see a pile of washing waiting to be done isn't constructive. By ensuring it is being washed or is in the wash basket out of sight, does make me feel more relaxed.

2 - Reduced Anxiety. Messy homes, desks and spaces can make you feel overwhelmed. I know if my desk is covered with paperwork, stationery and books really makes me feel on edge, so it has to be tidy. Same for the bedroom, working in there during the daytime means I have to ensure clothing is put away, hung up, drawers are closed and then my day can begin. 

3 - Focus. Having a tidy desk space or work area is more likely to keep you focused and stop your mind wandering. I find that the less 'stuff' I have on my desk, the less chance there is of my drifting off to other things.

4 - Increase in Mindfulness - Knowing that the decluttering I have done has gone to help others does give you a sense of pride but equally, it makes you think about what and how much stuff you physically need at any one time.

5 - Reduce the mental load. When you are sitting, working, reading or even just lazing in the bath and your mind is wandering at 100mph with all of the things you still have to do. By working through your list of things to do, it does help to lighten that load.

6 - Sleep Better. I am the worst sleeper and there is nothing that keeps you awake at night more than wondering if you did this or that. Being organised and on top of your things to do, gives you that time to relax and wind down.

7 - More YOU time. I make the point of having at least one hour a week to myself to relax in the bath, have a lie in, read a book, play popular online slots or a bit of a pamper session, but I only feel really relaxed if I have nothing else that I feel I should be doing. 

8 - Family Time. Not spending the entire weekend doing all of the small jobs you could have done during the week, means you have more time to spend with your loved one, with friends, the cats and doing things you really enjoy.

9 - Eating. I have noticed that if I am on top of things around the house, I am not grabbing a biscuit here and there, I take the time to make a sandwich or a meal and not snack. 

10 - Exercise. Cleaning and organisation within the home is a great workout. I have been unable to do a lot of exercise owing to an ankle injury, so my cardio comes from housework and it is amazing how much of a workout you can get from emptying those kitchen cupboards, cleaning them and then restocking them. Since the lockdown, I have managed to clear out all of my kitchen cupboards and I was absolutely worn out afterwards, but it felt so good.

I know we all strive to be as tidy as Marie Kondo and as obsessed with cleaning as Mrs Hinch, but for some, it just isn't a reality. So, I started by having a list of things to do and slowly and surely worked my way through it - clearing out cupboards, tidying away paperwork right down to hanging some pictures on the wall which lived in boxes we didn't need cluttering us up. If you need to start somewhere then Youtube is full of helpful videos!

How have you coped with working from home?

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