ICONIC London Luminous Compact Powder

Jade Elliott started her beauty brand Iconic London from her own bedroom and it has now become quite the phenomenon within the world of beauty with professional makeup artists, celebrities, bloggers, leading Beauty Editors and even Kim Kardashian all raving about just how good the products are. A few weeks ago I shared my views on perhaps the most raved about product, the Iconic Illuminator and today it is the turn of the Iconic London Luminous Powder.

The description of this Luminous Powder reads "Like an Instagram filter in a compact, this gorgeous golden bronze finishing powder is here to answer all your perfecting, highlighting prayers" and the first thing I noticed was just how pretty the gold packaging is. Inside the compact is a mirror which sits in the top of the lid and in the bottom is the actual powder.

The pressed powder features a trio of silky pressed powders and they are in a pretty art deco design which makes it easy to see which shade is which because right here you have a warm gold bronzer, a deeper bronzer and a really light shade which adds a touch of highlight to the skin.  Using a unique combination of pearl and pigment not only does it give a beautiful soft-focus, golden sheen that not only blurs and perfects skin, but it also manages to leave a seamless, subtle finish. 

The swatches shown above are unedited, you see them as they were swatched onto my arm, but what I love is that this compact gives you the option to use each of the shades individually or you can use a brush to mix the three together, depending on your preference to create your own shade.  I tend to use this compact in a variety of ways depending on both my mood or the occasion, but what I love is the that the two lighter shades make a really great highlight that you can use just about anywhere and I tend to switch back and forth between using a Kabuki brush or a smaller eyeshadow brush to get the look I want, without making it look as though I am an extra from Twilight with my blinding glow.

This Luminous Compact Power is priced at £30 here and makes a great addition to any makeup bag.

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

Emma Hardie Exfoliating Brightening Tonic

It was only a few weeks ago that I was celebrating the 10th anniversary of Emma Hardie skincare with a limited edition 200ml Moringa Cleansing Balm that had been beautifully illustrated.  Emma is back with a brand new product once again and it is quite different to anything I can honestly say I have tried and it wasn't at all as I expected it to be.

The Exfoliating Brightening Tonic is described as being a natural and gentle daily exfoliator that smooths, brightens and evens the skin's tone and texture as well as improving skin clarity and increasing elasticity.  

Formulated using a blend of botanical ingredients, this Tonic has five key ingredients which include:

• Natural Pomegranate Enzymes - These are gentle and effective exfoliators which work to enhance cellular renewal, release trapped bacteria as well as sloughing away dead skin cells that sit on the surface of the skin, this helps to create a smooth and even texture.
• Sytenol A - Also known as Bakuchiol, this is a natural compound that works as a natural alternative to retinol and offers similar benefits, including the stimulation of collagen.
• Nettle Extract - Used to help tone and tighten pores
• Aloe Vera - Used within this Tonic, it helps to soothe and hydrate the skin
• Amino Acid Derivative Tego Cosmo C250 - This is described as being a natural active ingredient which contains skin brightening properties and it helps to improve the skin's clarity and tone.  This ingredient also helps to condition and regulate the skin's pH balance.

Putting these ingredients together you get quite the exfoliator and one which comes in the form a spritz rather than a cream, balm, mask or other liquid.

Designed to be used after cleaning, before you do anything with the bottle, ensure you give it a really good shake and then spray the exfoliating tonic onto a cotton pad and wipe thoroughly over your face, neck and décolleté. I have found that 1-2 pumps are more than enough and if you have any excess left press it on the skin's surface, gently press it into the skin.  Once you have completed this task, you can continue your skincare routine with serums, moisturises and whatever you use on your skin.

What I love about this Tonic is not only how easy it is to use, but just how effective it has been for me on my skin.  I have combination skin, which whilst being oily, also means I have dry patches of skin on my cheeks and they do wind me up, so anything I can do to ensure they don't make me feel even more self-conscious, I am doing.  There is no stinging, tingling or burning sensation on the skin when using this Tonic and naturally, it does smell pretty good too, but it is all natural and not synthetic,

Emma Hardie's Exfoliating Brightening Tonic is dermatologically tested, Vegan and cruelty-free.  It is available right now for £28 via Cult Beauty*

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