Freya + Bailey Limited Edition Collection

Freya + Bailey skincare is a brand I am not at all familiar with.  I have seen it pop up on my social media feed but it isn't a brand I know much about.  For the last few months, I have been sharing a lot of Beauty Advent Calendars on my blog, mainly with the premise that if there is a brand you know little about and they create an Advent Calendar, it can be a really good way to try out some of their products.

This limited edition collection by Freya + Bailey of glow-giving delights, in the form of an Advent Calendar arrived a few days ago with my postman and I am really looking forward to getting to know what they have to offer as a brand. Hidden inside each drawer there is a boutique sized product of multi-award winning and acclaimed treatments!

Contents

Awake! Recharge Face Cleanser (30ml) - Described as being a Skin Pick-me-Up, this oxygen-absorbing cleanser is a powerful moisturiser with hydrating coconut oil and Vitamin B5. 

It has high antioxidant properties that help combat stress and environmental impact on skin, restoring balance and radiance.

Exhale! Decongesting Face Toner (30ml) - Described as being an exfoliating facial toner rich in Vitamin C and aloe vera to rejuvenate and rebalance skin. 

This purifying face toner is enriched with Citric Acid to gently yet effectively dissolve dead cells, tighten skin and remove excess oils and impurities

Brightening! Boost Serum (10ml) - Described as being a seaweed derived brightening serum.

This serum, which is fortified with antioxidants to protect from external damaging factors to prime, set and refresh.

Forte! Collagen Face Moisturiser (30ml) - Described as being a collagen-based moisturiser to combat the loss of elasticity and dullness.

This luxurious care agent is naturally active, rich in nourishing ingredients and uses hyaluronic acid to make skin smoother, brighter and plumper.

Crave! Stimulating Body Scrub! (30ml) - This is described as being an indulgently creamy, aromatic blend of essential oils that nourish the skin deep down, unblocking unhealthy pores. 

Enriched with a luxurious blend of Shea, Avocado and Mango butters and Oat Silk Grains, it will help to restore natural shine and skin suppleness

Slay! Reveal Face Scrub (30ml) - Described as being a cleansing formula which is rich in Oat Silk, Strawberry extracts and Vitamins, to combat free radicals exposure. 

It's also enriched with fruit oils including coconut, to leave skin polished, soft and even toned.

Rendezvous! Souffle Body Cream (30ml) - Said to be an intensely hydrating and restorative soufflé body cream.

This cream is formulated with a luxurious fusion of vitamins and fruit extracts promotes a smoother, more toned body contour with a silky-smooth glow 

Peep! Eye Cream + Eye Lift Tool (10ml) - Described as being a specially formulated deep moisturising eye cream with strawberry, Papaya extract, Vitamin B3 and Shea Butter. 

This cooling eye cream helps to hydrate, nourish and improve elasticity around delicate eyes. 

Shrew! Deep Bodywash (30ml) - Described as being a deep cleansing, Sulphate free body wash packed with Aloe Vera to rejuvenate skin. 

Bring back natural shine and suppleness with this superior Soap bark and five vitamin (incl ACE) blend to help quench skin thirst and promote natural healing. 

Throwback! Detox Face Mask + brush Applicator - Said to be a detox delight which harnesses the natural power of Dead Sea minerals to brighten dull complexions and improve skin elasticity. A free radicals attacking detox mask contains apple extract, zinc oxide and hyaluronic acid, developed to support your skin’s defences and build barrier fortification from the everyday environmental onslaught.  

The accompanying brush helps to ensure you evenly apply the mask to the skin.

Polish! Night Cream (30ml) - Hydrating and firming, this cream is formulated to replenish skin with dullness busting ingredients.

Enriched with ingredients like Oat silk to gently remove dead skin cells and nourishing Shea butter, Argan oil and hyaluronic acid to ensure hydration and suppleness. 

Then we have Scotch, a multi-tasking formula that works to cleanse, soften and moisturise hands

This hand wash is enriched with skin nourishing Aloe Vera and combined with purifying lime extracts to leave hands feeling refreshed while working to deeply cleanse your skin.

Sitting in the middle of this Advent Calendar we have a mini Exfoliating Bristle Brush.

Ultra Soft Bristle Applicator gently exfoliates the skin to remove excess sebum, dead and dry skin, blackheads and more.

If this Freya + Bailey Limited Edition Collection has caught your attention, it is on sale for just £90 and it is such a good way to get to know a brand, there is quite a few products listed above that I cannot wait to try!

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

Botanical Lab expands its Anti-Blemish Range with two new launches

Since the launch of their Anti-Blemish range, Botanical Lab has added to it with the introduction of their Purple Ginseng + Niacinamide Mattifying Moisturiser and Witch Hazel + Salicylic Acid Cleansing Pads.  Botanical Lab, describes themselves as being an unconventional, stylish and affordable range for clear skin. Together they bring a range of effective skincare that marries the power of nature with a dash of science for a clear, healthy-looking complexion.

These two new products from Botanical Lab are designed to help those with oily, combination, and blemish-prone complexions to simplify their skincare routine, without compromising on performance. Sounds impressive right?  Well they are and better still, they create a two step routine to compliment one another.

STEP ONE: CLEANSE & EXFOLIATE with Botanical Lab Witch Hazel + Salicylic Acid Cleansing Pads (£9.99).  These cleansing pads have been designed for use primarily on the face, however, they can also be used on the neck, chest and back too.

The formula contains 2% salicylic acid and witch hazel, so it works to exfoliate the skin which in turn reduces the appearance of pores, breakouts, and blemishes. Its non-drying formulation also works to removes dirt and impurities to help reduce the appearance of oil and shine, leaving skin looking clearer.  What I like about these pads i that they are big enough that you only really need to use one for your face and a maximum of two if you move down to your neck and chest.  

The cleansing pads are plastic-free, composed of 60% Tencel and 40% Wood Pulp and each one is nicely soaked with enough solution that they are wet but not dripping, nor is the scent of Witch hazel too overpowering, which I like.

Once you have finished with the pads, the second product, which makes up Step Two can be used.

STEP TWO: MOISTURISE with Botanical Lab Purple Ginseng + Niacinamide Mattifying Moisturiser (£12.99).  This is a really lightweight lotion which is formulated with purple ginseng, salicylic acid and niacinamide.

It is designed to help prevent breakouts and blemishes, without clogging pores as well as to help to absorb excess sebum, mattify, and minimise the appearance of pores which in turn leaves the skin looking clearer and feeling smooth and hydrated. But that isn't all, this little lotion also helps to protect the skin against free radicals.  Easy to use, the instructions are to apply a pea-sized amount onto your face and neck twice daily.  On the skin, the lotion, which has a slight pinkness to it, absorbs really quickly and isn't stick or tacky when applied.

Vegan-friendly and free from phthalates, synthetic colours, and artificial fragrances, the NEW Botanical Lab Witch Hazel + Salicylic Acid Cleansing Pads and Botanical Lab Purple Ginseng + Niacinamide Mattifying Moisturiser is such a lovely duo which work so well together and the price point is incredible, better still because they are both on offer right now with Botanical Lab.

 

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

Luxe England Sleep & Relax Hamper

Because there’s no better gift than a great night’s sleep…  How true is that statement! Who can remember the last time they actually slept through the entire night without waking up? I honestly cannot and even with my bout of Covid19, I still didn't manage to catch up on any sleep at all, if anything the cough that accompanies the disease kept me more awake!  

So when Luxe England sent me their beautifully packaged Sleep & Relax Hamper, I just about remembered to take photos before I was covering myself in every product in the hope it would send me to sleep.

Our Sleep and Relax pamper hampers for women are the perfect gifts for loved ones in need of some rest and relaxation. A treasure chest of sleep-well treats, it is filled with aromatherapy goodies infused with the soothing scents of lavender, chamomile and aloe.

Help them unwind and feel utterly pampered before the perfect night’s sleep with this aromatic relaxation pamper hamper gift.

If ever there was a perfect gift for your Mam, best-friend, work colleague or even for yourself, this has to be one of the most thoughtful that I have come across.  

Luxe England is a small female-led business which develops and supplies ethical make-up products and gift hampers.  Everything is thoughtful, from the packaging to the experience and, just in time for Christmas, they have introduced a series of hampers which are all just absolutely stunning and when they arrive, you can tell from how it is packaged to the products inside, that a lot of thought has been put in to them.

Inside this gift box you will find six Lavender scented gifts in a variety of products and what you get is everything you need for a good old fashioned pamper session that should help you to relax, unwind and drift off to sleep with ease.

Contents

• Luxe England - Lavender Pure Essential Oil (10ml)
• Wharfedale Candle Co - Black Amber and Lavender Candle (60g)
• Bubble and Bathe - Sleepy Shower Steamers (4 x 32g)
• Niré Beauty - Aloe Vera with Lavender and Chamomile Soap (100g)
• Luxe England - Lavender Dreams Bath Bomb (150g)
• 1 More Tree - Lavender Jute Bag (6 x 8cm)

Plus, this Sleep and Relax Hamper also comes with a blank Gift Card so that if you plan to gift it to someone, you can write your own message.

The first product within the box Niré Beauty Aloe Vera with Lavender and Chamomile Soap (100g) and it is absolutely delightful.

This soap has been hand-crafted soothing soap bar cleverly combines lavender, chamomile, and aloe for a healing touch. What is so delightful about this soap, is not only just how soft and smooth it is on your hands and of course it smells just incredible.

The next product in this box is the 1 More Tree Lavender Jute Bag and it is a small jute bag measuring around 6cm x 8cm and it is the perfect size for carrying around in your bag.

I have a few Lavender jute bags in various drawers as my Nan claims they keep moths away and I also have one in m desk drawer which is slightly larger than this, the reason it is there is whenever I have a migraine attack or am feeling stressed, I hold it to my temple and breathe the scent in, because it is so relaxing.

The next item within this box is the Luxe England  Lavender Dreams Bath Bomb and it comes really well wrapped so that it doesn't break or squash inside the box.

I haven't used the bath bomb yet but what I can tell you is that it smells absolutely delightful and come the weekend when I enjoy that hour to myself, it will be in that bath.

I am a huge fan of essential oils, I mention them a lot on this blog and Lavender is one of my favourites to use.

As an Oil, Lavender has so many different uses, for example, it can also used to relieve headaches, anxiety and for many, it is probably better known for its insomnia. What I like about this oil is the calmness the scent promotes and it is perfect for those times when you just need to relax and wind down.

I really don't think I need to mention my love of candles, I always have one burning and this candle is one that you don't need to burn because the scent is so lovely and strong.

This candle is described as being a rich oriental fragrance opening with sparkling citrus top notes leading to a heart of lush lavender and resting on a substantive base of tonka bean, vanilla, precious woods and amber.  So for anyone who isn't too keen on the scent of Lavender the notes of tonka bean and vanilla are right in there.

Finally in this box we have the Sleepy Shower Steamers from Bubble & Bath. For anyone who doesn't have a bath, products such as these Shower Steamers are a really fab thing to try.

Sleepy is scented with Lavender which smells like freshly picked lavender flowers and is bursting with a floral aroma, as soon as the steamer comes into contact with water and begins to fizzle away, the scent intensifies and it is perfect for use before bed to help you relax and wind down.

Alongside this hamper there is also the choice of a Pamper & Treat Hamper which is filled with a mix of handmade home-spa delights from small British boutiques or you can have the Ultimate version of this hamper too. Then we have the final choice which is the Winter Wonderland Hamper and it is described as being the perfect gift to welcome in the festive season, brighten cold dark nights, and cure those winter blues.

You can find this hamper and every other hamper from Luxe England here

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

Q&A Skin Christmas Crackers

I do love a good beauty cracker, the ultimate goal is to have a Christmas Tree which features a whole host of beauty baubles and crackers, which is more than possible right now! Today I am sharing the Q&A Skin Christmas Crackers.  

As a brand, Q&A described themselves as being a natural, clean and ingredient focused skincare brand on a mission to demystify skincare. Their skincare range is 98% natural and predominately vegan and cruelty-free! These crackers are the perfect gift for anyone who hasn’t come across the brand but wants to know more about them! There is three to choose from and here they are.

The first cracker is the Festive Favourite Cracker which at just £5 is an absolutely incredible bargain! 

Inside the cracker is the Liquorice Lip Oil, which is designed to glide onto lips to give a boost of hydration and a lovely shiny finish. It contains three main ingredients:

• Liquorice Root which is known for its ability to help aid the production of collagen and it is also plumping and moisturising. 
• Soyabean Extract. Used because the natural plumping active in Soybean is designed to give your lips more volume. 
• Prickly Pear Oil which is enriched with Vitamin E & K, as well as those much needed essential fatty acids.

With these ingredients, they all come together to soothe , moisturise and nourish the skin.

The second cracker within this trio is the Q+A Let It Glow Cracker which is just £12.

Inside this cracker you will find two products for your skin with the Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum and the Hydrating Cleanser and this duo is described as being the perfect treat for skin feeling the not-so-festive effects of winter, restoring a bright and beautiful complexion.

The Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Cleanser is described as being a product which is designed to deeply hydrate and keep you skin consistently soft, youthful and protected skin. To do that, again there is the use of some key ingredients:

• Hyaluronic Acid Crosspolymer which rejuvenates, hydrates, and promotes healthy skin. Q&A then state that their use of a Crosspolymer means it’s designed to stay in your upper skin cells for longer, so you look and feel hydrated!
• Rice Bran Extract - Thanks to bring enriched with soothing and hydrating Vitamin E and lots of antioxidants, Rice Bran helps to promote softer and brighter skin whilst at the same time protecting your complexion against environmental stressors.
• Polyglutamic Acid - This helps to draw moisture into your skin and works to promote healthy skin repair, whilst working with Hyaluronic Acid to keep your skin cells nourished by forming a protective barrier to keep the Hyaluronic Acid right where we need it most.

Then we have the Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum which is perfect for skin which is described as being dehydrated, in need of a refresh. Again it has three key ingredients:

• Hyaluronic Acid which rejuvenates, hydrates, and promotes healthy skin. 
• Biosaccaride Gum which provides intense moisturisation whilst helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines. It will leave your skin velvety soft and feeling fresher than eve
• Beatine which helps to balance moisture levels, and it also prevents products from feeling sticky.
• I really like the feel of this serum on my skin, it’s lightweight but without being too runny and it absorbs in double quick time.

For just £12 this is a really good cracker and would make an amazing stocking filler.

Then the final cracker Merry + Bright Christmas Cracker which is described as being perfect for skin which is dehydrated, feeling unbalanced or in need of a refresh. Inside this cracker is a mask duo that will satisfy every skin craving and all for just £12!

This cracker contains a full sized and again there is three notable ingredients:

• Activated Charcoal which works to draw out impurities from the skin, especially those stubborn blackheads!
• Bentonite - This is a natural clay which has the power to absorb excess sebum from your skin and is said to be the perfect ingredient for oily and acne-prone skin types. 
• Kaolin - this is a natural clay that helps to detoxify the skin and give the Activated Charcoal Face Mask its luxurious texture.

The second product within this cracker is the Vitamin A.C.E Face Mask and it is described as being an antioxidant rich face mask that is packed with favourite Super Food ingredients.

• Acai - rich in vitamins B1, B2, B3, C & E, it absorbs quickly and helps to restore your skin's elasticity and is deeply moisturising.
• Cranberry Seed Oil - rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, Cranberries help to protect your skin against the damage caused by UV exposure, strengthening your natural skin barrier to help achieve your healthiest complexion. There is also the inclusion of omegas 3 & 6, omega 9.
• Camu Camu - these berries contain a naturally high Vitamin C and it brightens your skin as well as helping to even out the skin tone and texture. It also protects against UV damage.
• Cherry - packed with antioxidants and a whole host of vitamins such as A, B, C and D.
• Algae - Dunaliella Salina which is a micro-algae that is rich in beta-carotene; a carotenoid and precursor to Vitamin A which your body can covert to retinol for healthier, smoother skin!

This mask, which warms upon application works to brighten and rejuvenat. Highly moisturising and nourishing, this is a delightful mask.

So there you have three wonderful crackers which make amazing gifts, or they would look just as fabulous on your tree alongside the rest of your baubles and decorations.

All three of these crackers are on sale with Q&A Skin

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