Glossier Cherry Balm dotcom - Worthy of the Hype?

When they first burst onto the scene, Glossier dotcom balms exploded across my social media feed with people raving about them. I have tried a few Glossier products, the Milky Jelly Cleanser which I really liked and the Glossier Solution Exfoliating Skin Perfector but today it is the turn of the Glossier Cherry Balm dotcom.

The dotcom balm (£10 here*)comes packaged in a metal tube and there is a choice of 8 different flavours to choose from - Cherry, Original, Rose, Birthday, Mint, Coconut, Mango and Berry. Each tube of balm is coloured according to their shade, in this instance, cherry is red and therefore both the tube and the balm is red. But what exactly is the product?

The Glossier dotcom balms are hydrating lip balms which are packed with antioxidants and natural emollients which work to nourish dry, sore and chapped skin. Dermatologically tested, these balms are formulated with what are referred to as being “nature’s heavy-duty moisturisers” which to you and I is Castor Oil, Beeswax, and Lanolin.

The dense almost wax like texture which takes a little warming to get out of the tube for the first use, but every tome after that has been fine. The wax like texture works to seal in moisture and as it does so, not only leaves the lips hydrated and smooth, it does so without being greasy, tacky or sticky. It also doesn’t leave any shine on the lips but it does impart a hint of colour which I really like.

This dotcom balm is nothing like Vaseline as people claim it to be, it is one of those products that you don't need to constantly apply because it lasts a good few hours on the lips and like all Glossier products, these balms are cruelty-free.

You can find all 8 of the Glossier dotcom balms right here* on the Glossier website.

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

Lush Minamisoma Shower Oil

I love a product which has a story to it, its reason for existing and with Lush, there is always a story to tell, usually about the ingredients they use, but this time it is the Minamisoma Shower Oil and I loved the story and the description so much, I bought it.

The story goes that back 2011, a small place called Minamisoma which makes up part of a small city in the Fukushima prefecture in northern Japan, was hit by the Tohoku earthquake, one which is said to have been its strongest ever recorded. That earthquake caused a Tsunami which sadly left more than 450,000 people became homeless and more than 15,500 people dead. Most of its residents were evacuated and over five years later, in 2016, the residents were allowed to move back. In place of their ruined rice crops, the locals began growing crops of rapeseed instead. Rapeseed plants remove cesium from the soil and their seeds are turned into oil which is radiation free and safe to use. 

Within this Minamisoma Shower Oil, Fukushima rapeseed oil is used and the oil helps the skin to feel softened and moisturised. As always with Lush, there is a plethora of ingredients and within this shower oil we have:

• Lemon juice - packed full of antibiotic and antioxidant properties as well as being both an astringent and antiseptic ingredient, this fresh and zesty juice cleanses the skin without stripping it of its natural oils whilst at the same time helping to keep the skin firm and protected.
• Bergamot and Olibanum Oils- Both of these oils work together to give the most incredible uplifting citrus scent which works really well alongside the lemon juice and it is great for those times of anxiousness and tension.
• Turmeric Powder - this is an antibacterial and an antioxidant, as well as a soothing ally to the skin.

Added to those you will find kinako powder, a flour made from roasted soy beans which leaves the skin smelling sweet.

Not everyone has a bath and some that do have one actually don't savour the same joy I get from laying back and shutting the world out for an hour or two, enjoying a bubble bar or an oil.  These shower oils from Lush are not only designed to provide the skin with a mild cleanse, but could also be used as the last step in your routine to give skin a moisturising boost. 

To use they could not be more simple. The advice is to simply stroke the Shower Oil bar over the body and rinse away for soft and strokable skin, whilst at the same time, taking time to soak up the freshy zesty sherbet lemon scent to uplift the mood. Once used with warm/hot water there is a slight lather that is created and at this point, all of those scents come to life and all without being greasy or tacky on the skin.  After showering, there is a remarked difference in the softness of the skin and it is a delight to use.

You can find the Lush Minamisoma Shower Oil on sale at just £5.

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

Time Of Your Life Beauty Box - May Edition

Just when I didn't think a beauty box could get any better than the previous month, in walks the Time Of Your Life box to prove me wrong. This months Time of Your Life (TOYL) Beauty Box is simply incredible, not only because it is brilliant value for money, but the contents are ones everyone and anyone can use and here it is in all its glory.

If luxury hair care with a bit of luxury skincare thrown in is something you are needing in your life, then read on to find out more about this box. The lovely Karen, who is the curator and owner of these TOYL boxes not only has an amazing eye for good products, there is also a Youtube channel which teaches you how to get the most out of your products too.

As you can see, the prominent brand within this months box is WeAreParadoxx. As a brand it is one I have seen on my social media feed, but until now, wasn't one I had tried. Describing themselves as the sustainable, plastic free beauty company, WeAreParadoxx are committed to using natural and organic ingredients in our formulations where possible and their packaging, which is made from aluminium goes towards fighting the war on plastic. They are also PETA and Leaping Bunny approved and that means they are Vegan, Cruelty Free and they only source from suppliers who do not test on animals. Within this months TOYL Box you will find four products from the brand.

Making up a Hair Hydration Kit we have the WeAreParadoxx Moisture Shampoo, Conditioner and Superfuel Face, Hair and Body Oil. Described as being the trio to give you instantly glossy, hydrated hair and glowing skin. The Moisture Shampoo is said to be just the tonic for those of us who haven't yet found the time to visit a hair salon and are suffering from dryness and brittle ends - this is definitely me! Enriched with Vitamins B, C and E along with Argan Oil, the rich formula not only cleanses your scalp and strands, but it also helps to promote a silkier, healthier-looking finish. To add to the hydration of your hair, the Moisture Conditioner uses Argan oil alongside a blend of minerals and vitamins B, C and E to nourish and condition with the likes of Jojoba oil which is said to not only mirror your hair’s natural oils, but also helps to moisturise without leaving that greasy feeling before Carrageen moss comes in to enhance shine and smooth your hair.

The WeAre Paradoxx Superfuel Face, Hair and Body Oil which is packaged inside a sleek looking flask, is described as being a serial multitasker, is formulated to deliver the ultimate hit of hydration to dry skin or hair, even colour treated locks. Enriched with blend of Maracuja, Abyssinian and Argan oils which work to instantly hydrate, smooth and soften. Alongside the oils, you will find a whole host of vitamins and antioxidants. So whether your skin needs a pick-me-up, your hair needs some help with moisture retention or everything needs some TLC, this oil ticks a lot of boxes without being greasy, tacky or too heavy on the hair and skin. Finally hiding inside the box is the cutest little keyring, which is actually a hair care product too. The Moisture Handover Hair Elixir is described as being a leave-in treatment come finishing oil which smooths frizz, restores shine and adds a bounce to the hair. What I love about this product is that it uses Irish Whiskey as one of the ingredients and it is said to help strengthen weak hair and enhance shine as it works alongside the likes of Argan, Coconut and Soya oils.

Next out of the box is the best Dry Shampoo I have ever used and it comes from Living Proof, which I have featured on my blog a few times now.

This Dry Shampoo is powered by the patented Healthy Hair Molecule ofpma, which is said to be a superior way to care for hair without silicones, instead this molecule creates a weightless, invisible shield over each hair strand meaning your hair stays cleaner for longer, eliminates frizz by blocking humidity, polishes and protects hair strands, smoothes the hair without weighing it down.

This Dry Shampoo has what is referred to as a 'Triple-Action Cleaning Technology' which not only absorbs and removes oil, sweat and odour, it also makes your hair look and feels clean. One of the paranoias for me, when it comes to using a Dry Shampoo is that it actually does nothing other than produce white flakes of dried powder or irritates my scalp further. I don't get that with this at all. What I love is that it has a time-released fragrance to deliver a light, clean scent throughout the day, the scent is pleasant, my hair smells nice and most importantly, I am not sat wondering whether anyone has noticed I am on day 3 or 4 without washing my hair.

Is any luxury hair care edition complete without the inclusion of Philip Kingsley and the iconic Elasticiser? Well in this box you have a tune of the much loved and revered product, which was originally created for the amazing Audrey Hepburn and us now available for everyone to try. 

Described as being a pre-shampoo super moisturising intensive treatment which adds silkiness, suppleness, elasticity, bounce and strength. The clever ingredient combination also continues to provide UV protection even after washing which in turn helps to prolong the life of colour treatments too.

With hair care covered, there is also two skin care products inside this months box.  The first comes from Eve Lom with the Cleansing Oil Capsules.

This refillable travel pack is great for keeping with you on go, for those long weekends away or even longer. Described as having a hydrating formula which not only dissolves all traces of makeup, excess oils and impurities to leave your skin feeling silky smooth and clean they are also 100% biodegradable. Using essential Omega fatty acids combined with a signature blend of botanical oils such as Eucalyptus, Clove, Egyptian Chamomile, and Hops, this cleansing oil works to ensure that your skin stays hydrated for up to 12 hours after use.

The final product in this box comes in the form a treat and for me it is an introduction to a brand I have not as yet come across. Sisleya L'Integral Anti-Age Day and Night Cream comes packaged inside a cute little 5ml jar.

Part of the Sisley-Paris brand, this cream is described as being one that combats the visible signs of ageing and damage from lifestyle choices, genetics and environmental factors. Using a formula which blends phytostimuline, rhatany and lady’s mantle extracts with ursolic acid, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids, soy peptide plus white willow leaf extracts not only does this cream work to significantly stimulate, and regenerate skin cells but also to  restructure them.  There is also the inclusion of natural extracts such as Persian acacia, lindera which work alongside a yeast and soy protein complex which interact with the skin to promote what is referred to as being cell longevity and energy.  You will also find Shea butter and vegetable glycerin then work to soften and hydrate the skin to give that supple and smooth complexion.

Now if this isn’t an incredible box for May then I don’t know what it is. Seven amazing products from some incredible brands, all full-sized and for just £35 a month, I think this box is incredible value for money when you consider it is worth £129 if you purchase these products separately.

Find out more about the Time Of your Life and what is on offer right here and remember to use the code BQUK to grab yourself £5 off!

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

CULT BEAUTY TRIED AND TESTED GOODY BAG – APRIL 2021

If ever there was an amazing Beauty Bag, it has to be a Cult Beauty one and launching today we have a brand new goody bag which is filled with products from some incredible brands which is worth over £295 and it can be yours entirely free *if you spend £150 on the site.

The ‘Tried and Tested’ beauty bag features a plethora of products, in fact there is 22 pieces within this edit and five of them are full sizes including a Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre in Pillow Talk. 

CONTENTS

• Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Brag Volumizing Mascara 2.5ml MINI
• Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil 12ml DELUXE SIZE
• Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum Complexion Correcting 10ml DELUXE SIZE
• Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre – Pillow Talk 3.5ml FULL SIZE
• Dr Dennis Gross Skincare All Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 7ml DELUXE SIZE
• Elemis Skin Nourishing Milk Bath 60ml DELUXE SIZE
• Emma Hardie Skincare Moringa Cleansing Balm 15ml DELUXE SIZE
• ESPA Bergamot & Jasmine Body Lotion 30ml DELUXE SIZE
• Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream 7ml DELUXE SIZE
• Gallinée Hydrating Face Cream 30ml FULL SIZE
• Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner 40ml TRAVEL SIZE
• Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes 4ml DELUXE SIZE
• Honest Beauty Everything Primer Matte 30ml FULL SIZE
• Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick – Dirty Thirty 3g FULL SIZE
• IT Cosmetics Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream 5ml DELUXE SIZE
• Medik8 C-Tetra 8ml DELUXE SIZE
• Oskia Renaissance Mask 15ml DELUXE SIZE
• Pai Skincare Rosehip Bioregenerate, Rosehip Seed & Fruit Universal Face Oil 10ml TRAVEL SIZE
• REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic 100ml DELUXE SIZE
• Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions – Rio Sunset 30ml TRAVEL SIZE
• Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 30 15ml TRAVEL SIZE

Alongside all of these products there is the Cult Beauty Kraft Paper Make Up Bag, which I think looks amazing.

This gift with purchase is available right now. To get your hands on it, you simply have to spend £150 right here*.

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