Glossybox - The Best Time Of The Year Edition

The December Glossybox has arrived and it is absolutely stunning in all its pink and sparkle festive design, my favourite packaging of the year!  This box is made up of five fabulous products, handpicked by the Glossy team to get you into that festive spirit, whether it is your office party on Zoom, or a socially distanced drink with your BFF, each product within the box is Christmas inspired.

The first item I came across comes from Symbiosis and it isn't a brand I have heard of before, so curiosity definitely got the better of me. The product in question is the Glycolic Acid + R.N.A Overnight Rejuvenating Eye Serum.

Described as being a product which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes whilst at the same time encouraging a smoother, softer and more radiant eye area! This full-sized cream costs an incredible £102!

The second product is comes from Nailberry and it is the shade Strawberry Jam and when it comes to Christmas nails, this is the perfect shade.

The shade is described as being a  classic scarlet with a smooth pink undertones. Part of the brands L’Oxygéné range, which is a multi award-winning and toxin-free collection, it is said to be free of the 12, vegan, halal-friendly, water permeable, Gluten Free and much more besides.

The third item within the box comes from Wander Beauty Inc, another brand that I hadn't come across until now.  The product in this case is called the Baggage Claim Gold Eye Mask Packette.

These foil eye masks are designed to visibly brighten, hydrate and reduce puffiness while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and dark circles. Using Hyaluronic acid which, as we know, hydrates skin to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Aloe leaf extract which offers cooling, soothing, de-puffing and awakening effects to that under eye area. There is also a powerful blend of 17 amino acids helps maintain skin’s hydration, texture and healthy appearance.

The fourth product from this months box comes from SportFX which is the Blend and Go Make Up Sponge.

This particular Make Up up sponge is an  8-sided makeup blending sponge. It applies liquids, creams and powders perfectly and has been crafted for precision application, whatever the product.

Finally we have the iconic Palmers Cocoa Butter Original Formula, which I am sure everyone has used at some point in their lifetime.

Packaged inside the cutest little tub, this product has a whole host of uses. As an emollient, it is made from pure Cocoa Butter enriched with Vitamin E, which in turn leaves skin soft and silky smooth.

So there you have five products to make you feel festive and fabulous. The downside however is that this box is so amazing, it has already sold out.  As you will all know, Glossybox is a beauty box subscription service and if you use the code BEAUTYQUEEN, you can grab your for first box for £12 with free delivery.

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

Christmas Gifting with Living Proof

I am a huge fan of Living Proof haircare, particularly the Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo and have featured them many times on my blog.  Today I am sharing the Living Proof Volume, in an instant kit which would make an amazing gift.

Living Proof as a brand, has been developed by world-class biotech scientists and beauty experts, who have taken it upon themselves to solve the root causes of everyone’s top hair concerns - be it frizz, damage, and fullness to name just a few. With their team of stylists and scientists, who analysed 100's of competitive products that have been on the market the last 30 years, what they found was that the traditional beauty industry relies on heavy silicones that mask hair symptoms but don’t really solve them. So, choosing to approach haircare and the concerns it brings with them from the perspectives of pharmaceutical, medical and biotech's, who have continued to work with some of the world’s greatest stylists and industry veterans to create some amazing hair care.

This particular hair care kit, Volume, in an instant, brings together two of the brands Full Dry Volume in 95ml and 238ml cans.  Described as being a weightless styling spray that adds body and bounce without crunchiness or stiffness and it uses molecule etas which are incredibly lightweight. 

When hair falls flat, you feel flat – which is why the brains and beauty experts behind Living Proof’s bestselling Full Shampoo strove tirelessly to develop new and innovative technology, to create body and volume that lasts! Enter: the Full Dry Volume Blast, a wonderful spray supercharged with the brand's Volume and Texturizing Molecule (ETAS).

The etas which is referred to as being the volumising and texturising molecule that Living Proof have discovered, is a better way to create volume and texture on hair without heavy powders weighing hair down. It is almost as light as air and provides instant, weightless volume and texture that lasts, transforms fine, flat hair into voluminous styles and most interestingly it works on dry hair for results anywhere, anytime.

For me, I have fine hair but also hair which is dry at the ends and greasy at the roots, so I have to be careful about product build-up because it can irritate my scalp and equally, I am not a fan of crunchy hair brought about by many other styling products on the market. So for me, this is the best there has ever been to give that volume and oompf, without the tangles and the white powdery mess.

This kit, which is available on Cult Beauty, is priced at £30 which is an absolute bargain and alongside this particular kit, there is also a few others on offer too.  So if you need to switch up your hair care and your hair styling, Living Proof will tick a lot of boxes for you.

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

Creating the Perfect Winter Skin Routine for You

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Winter is coming! And that means dry skin is coming too. For those of you who battle with dry skin each year, it's time you created a full-proof winter skincare routine that will leave your skin thick, supple and hydrated. 

As the humidity drops, dry skin becomes an issue for a large number of the population. Moisturiser sales go through the roof, and people apply it religiously for months until spring arrives.

In this post, we look at the best winter skincare routine, as recommended by experts within dermatology. Follow these steps for brighter-looking hydrated skin throughout the wintery weather this Christmas season. 

Make Sure You Eat Well

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Rarely ever mentioned by anyone but absolutely key to healthy skin is that you need to eat well. Fish like salmon, mackerel and herring are packed full of Omega-3 fatty acids, which helps the skin become thick, supple and hydrated. 

Don't forget to eat plenty of plant foods too, such as:

• Avocados
• Walnuts
• Sunflower seeds
• Sweet potatoes
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Tomatoes 

All the above are proven to help improve skin barrier and function to achieve healthier skin that is strong and hydrated.

The Winter Skincare Routine

So, how do you keep your skin looking and feeling its best when the winter chills creep in, and the humidity hits rock bottom? Just follow these simple steps.

Gentle Face Wash

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A gentle wash is the first line of defence against dry winter skin, but you must make sure the product you use is suitable for sensitive skin. Choose a hydrating cleanser that excludes soap, fragrance and oils. A mild cleanser will allow for a gentle wash that won't strip your skin of its natural oils, which are essential during winter.

Whatever cleanser you choose, make sure it's natural and look for the key ingredient; Glycerin. This is a natural compound derived from vegetable oils and will help keep your skin naturally soft and supple. 

Moisturise

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Moisturising is the most critical step. As the humidity drops in winter, your skin is left with less moisture and therefore, needs a good boost in hydration. Without this boost, your skin becomes vulnerable to the dry weather and will start to become dehydrated, irritated, and for some, cracked and damaged. 

You have a few options for moisturising that are all equally suitable for winter skincare. One of the most popular ingredients to focus on is ceramide. This essential fatty acid is key to boosting your skin's natural defence barrier and improving skin cell function. You will find tons of great moisturiser products that include ceramides as the main ingredient. 

Other moisturisers may use a combination of ceramide and other moisturising ingredients such as the increasingly popular hyaluronic acid, which is a gooey-type substance naturally produced by your body. Hyaluronic acid has the incredible ability to draw moisture up to the surface of your skin, allowing your skin to stay hydrated for longer. Ceramide can then lock that moisture in, making the two a the perfect couple for winter skin treatment. 

An emerging trend in moisturising is the DIY beauty movement. Creating your own tailor-made moisturiser that is unique to your skin's every need has been a successful pursuit for many across the world. All you need are the cosmetic ingredients, including a base cream, essential oils, active ingredients and any antioxidants. You can choose the most beneficial ingredients for your skin type or any skin issues you may have. The result? The perfect moisturiser made just for you. 

Sun Cream

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Just because you can't see the sun in winter, doesn't mean it's not affecting your skin. There's very little difference between UV exposure during winter and summer. Therefore, dermatologists recommended that you use sunscreen during winter. Most moisturisers now come with an SPF content, but you can also use a separate sunscreen on top of your moisturiser. 

Key ingredients to look out for include Vitamin E and Photolyase contained in a zinc-based cream. Vitamin E helps to protect the skin from UV rays, while the Photolyase will help heal damaged skin in the process. 

Serum

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Finally, a serum is like the cherry on the top. Choose one with antioxidants proven to help fight inflammation and brighten your skin. You may even glow this winter!

Most serums contain a mix of peptides and botanicals. These work together to boost your skin's production of collagen, which helps to improve the firmness and elasticity of the skin. And, if you can find a serum that contains Vitamin C, you will benefit from the extra effect of collagen formation that may help to repair any damage to your skin during the winter.

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

Christmas Gifting with Tropic Skincare

Christmas with Tropic Skincare is always a wonderfully colourful affair and 2020 does not disappoint! I was lucky enough to be send a range of items from their Christmas Gifting options to share on my blog and whilst I have opened up most of them and used the products, they are fabulous gift options, not forgetting they are also vegan and cruelty-free!

This year's gift collections are a nod to the brands humble origins – Founder, Susie Ma, and her market days. Each product is designed to bring you or your loved ones little moments of joy.

Whether a collection reminds you of your favourite hot drink from your local café or it helps you to drift off into a more fulfilling night’s sleep, each one has been lovingly made to celebrate the little things that we no longer take for granted. If you want to show your appreciation for those you wish you could hold a little tighter this festive season, those whose love wraps warmth around your heart, however near or far, then you've come to the right place. Send a little love this year. Do a little thing.

I was kindly sent a cracker, a drum and a bauble, within which is a collection of products Tropic have chosen to be part of their Christmas set.

The first item I want to share is the Tropic Skincare Little Cracker of Joy - The Butterbalm Collection (£24) which comes packaged inside a beautifully bright and colourful cracker.

One of the best things about winter is all of the limited-edition coffee and hot chocolate options that appear on the menu, definitely the case for me anyway! Taking that into account, Tropic Skincare has a trio of indulgent butterbalms in Hazelnut Mocha, Almond Matcha Latte and Coconut Hot Chocolate. Having been decanted straight into their very own joy jars for a fresh-as-they-come treat, as soon as you remove the lid, the intense scent hits you and it is absolutely divine. You can apply the Butterbal,s to your lips, or any areas that need some extra tending to, such as your nails, elbows, knees and dry cuticles.

The next gift is the Joy Drum and I have the Unwind Me Collection (£28) .  I am sure we can all do with an excuse to take time out, relax and unwind and everything you see within this drum, is just that.

Featuring a selection of lavender-infused products, they have been chosen because they not only give you that excuse to press the mute button on a busy mind so you can get a restful night’s sleep without any tossing and turning, but also because they give you some me time for a pamper session. Inside there is three products which are - So Sleepy Bath Foam which I absolutely adore, it smells incredibly relaxing and really helps you to unwind, So Sleepy Whipped Body Velvet which is the perfect post-bath treat because it just melts into the skin leaving behind this most amazing scent and then we have the Temple Roll-On, a product which is ideal to be added to those pulse points before bed.

The final package I have to share with you is the Your Best Skin Bauble (£28) and this is perfect for any skincare fan because it really shows some of the best Tropic Skincare has to offer. Available in three different options - Clear, Glow and Nourish.

I have the Nourish COllection which is made up of 4 products plus a Bamboo Face Cloth, which is one of the best I have ever used! The Nourish Collection is designed for skin that’s fatigued and flagging, with the team over at Tropic selecting a bundle of products to give it a healthy boost. 

Inside the Bauble, as well as that Bamboo Cloth is the Smoothing Cleanser, an oilp-based cleanser which does an amazing job at melting away everything in its way - makeup, pollution and bacteria to name just a few. It uses jojoba oil that has similar properties to your skin’s own sebum, then we have green tea extract to fight free radicals, and finally aloe vera juice that provides a rush of moisture, it leaves the complexion soft and springy.

Then we have Rainforest Dew, a serum which floods the skin with antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, then with the inclusion of Elixir which is packed with omega-rich ingredients that nourish and hydrate the skin, along with vitamin E to stimulate collagen. Then Finally with Skin Dream, is described as being "mission to seal up any cracks in your skin’s barrier function (which happens naturally with age)". It uses shea nilotica and murumuru butters to give a melt-into-skin formula which is non-greasy or tacky. also included are the likes of olive squalane and oat oils for nourishment. 

This year, I think Tropic Skincare have done an amazing job at putting together a collection of gifts which contain everything you could need for a bit of me time or a pamper session and without pricing them at the high end of the scale, making them affordable and amazing value for money.  

Alongside the three gifts I have shared within this post, there is a whole lot more to choose from and you can find them all right here.

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