Antipodes Hero Products

Coconut oil has been the focus of so many blog posts, magazine articles and newspaper articles last year but has coconut oil had it's day - avocado oil may be the new coconut oil. Avocado oil contains essential fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins A, E, B1, B2 and D; also it contains high levels of plant compounds called photosterols which reduce inflamation and the look of tired and stressed skin. Avocado oil can deeply moisture the skin and Antipodes have included avocado oil in it's hero products including: the Divine Face Oil, Vanilla Pod Day Cream (which I adore), Avocado Pear Night Cream and the Joyful Hand and Body Cream.

I have kindly been sent two of their hero products to test out and I was so excited to try them as I adore every single products from the brand! My skin is dry, sensitive and prone to eczema around my eyes and cheekbones which makes it really difficult to find products but Antipodes products tick all of the many boxes that I need for a product to work well for my skin.

- *Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream (£33.99, 60ml): If you follow me on twitter or if you follow my blog then you will have seen this brand mentioned in quite a few reviews as well as in my favourites posts. I have very temperamental, dry and sensitive skin which is prone to eczema flareups and it is always difficult to find skincare that will not irritate my skin and that will also moisturise - I never thought I'd be able to use so many products from a brand and that my skin would LOVE them but I have found that in Antipodes.

I adore all of the products I've tried from them and I know I can use them when my skin becomes so irritated, dry and itchy and this moisturiser is no exception. The night cream has a sweet but earthy scent, similar to products you would find in Lush. It is quite thick but it applies smoothly and leaves my skin feeling so smooth, moisturised and comfortable - it relieves the look of very dry, flaky and tired skin almost instantly. I have been using this moisturiser as a day and night cream as recently, because of the weather and a minor eczema flareup, it has been very dry. I cannot recommend this night cream enough and if you also have eczema or sensitive skin then you definitely need to check out Antipodes! Overall rating: ★★★★★. 5/5.

- *Antipodes Joyful Hand and Body Cream (£28.99, 120ml): As well as skincare and a small range of makeup, Antipodes also have a small bodycare range - this is the first body product I've tried from Antipodes and as always I have very high hopes. I love the packaging, it is unusual for a body cream to come in a giant metallic pink metal tube but I love it.

The cream itself contains blackcurrant, South Pacific hibiscus flower and avocado oil. To me the cream smells heavenly and quite nostalgic as it reminds me of something from my childhood (maybe sweets of some kind). I've been using it mainly as a hand cream as I've been keeping it on my desk since I received it and I am nearly half way through already as I love it so much.

I love the scent and although the cream isn't the quickest to absorb *it doesn't take ages either*, it is incredibly moisturising. I have a patch of eczema on both hands which can look extremely dry and flaky most of the time as well as feeling so uncomfortable and tight but this cream rectifies that immediately. It's such a nice product simply to use and as with every other product I have used from Antipodes I genuinely cannot recommend it enough! Overall rating: ★★★★★. 5/5.

Have you tried anything from Antipodes? 

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Antipodes Worship Serum + Vanilla Day Cream

Antipodes is a certified organic, certified vegetarian skincare, bodycare and makeup brand that I have reviewed on my blog before - I reviewed the amazing Antipodes Hosanna Serum which has been in a monthly favourites post. So when the opportunity arose to review more from the brand, I jumped at the chance! It's a gorgeous brand, I love their ethos and my skin (which is dry and sensitive, prone to eczema on occasion) gets on well with Antipodes products. 

Antipodes have released a new serum, the *Antipodes Worship Superfruit Antioxidant Serum (£34, 30ml) which is 100% natural and claims to fortify the skin against the early signs of ageing and free radical damage as well as hydrate and plump the skin. The serum contains kiwi fruit extract, raspberry water, coffee berry extract, vitamin E, blackcurrant extract and more - the ingredients list is a dream, no nasty chemicals, colourants or parabens in sight! 

The serum comes with a dropper, it is red and smells like berries which to me makes it more enjoyable to use! The serum is very runny so the dropper makes it easier and far less messy to use. It feels very gentle and hydrating on the skin but it does absorb quickly. I've been using both products consistently for just over two weeks and I love them; when I use this serum it leaves my skin feeling hydrated, plumped to an extent and it doesn't irritate my eczema or cause any other negative effect. 

As the serum is water based, it feels light on the skin and it just adds a much need moisture boost to my dry skin as well as protecting it. Since I opened the bottle, which is glass and very luxe, I have noticed that the scent has changed slightly from a very strong and sweet berry scent to a more subtle scent which I imagine is to be expected with a product that is all natural. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

I have wanted to try the *Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream (£27.99) for so long so I was really happy to receive it! Firstly, I have to say that this cream is one of the nicest smelling skincare products I own - it has a heavenly creamy vanilla scent. As with the serum, the cream is natural and vegetarian society approved. The cream contains avocado oil, rosehip oil. grapeseed extract, shea butter and manuka honey, among other natural ingredients. The cream is very thick but applies and absorbs into the skin easily. It leaves my skin so moisturised, radiant and comfortable; it doesn't irritate my eczema. I find that during the hotter days we have had then it can be a little too heavy on my skin so I've been using it as a night cream on those days but this cream in the autumn and winter will be a lifesaver! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5. 

Overall, I'm so happy with both products on my dry, sensitive skin! I love the packaging, natural organic ingredients and the effectiveness. The only reason the serum has one less star is because on the whole I prefer the Hosanna serum for my skin personally but all three products are fantastic for those with dry and or sensitive skin types, although keep in mind that everyones skin is different. Antipodes have such a great range of products, from their almost cult status Manuka Honey mask to cleansers, hand creams, foundation and setting powders. 

Have you tried any products from Antipodes?

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Antipodes Grapeseed Butter Cleanser

When it comes to skincare, I have to be a little bit cautious as I do have dry and sensitive skin which is prone to eczema. Thankfully I've found a few brands over the past couple of years of blogging that work so well with my skin such as Nivea, Bioderma, Lush skincare and Antipodes. I've reviewed a couple of Antipodes products on my blog already including the Antipodes Hosanna Serum which I adore, the Antipodes Vanilla Pod Day Cream which I use every single day and the lovely Worship serum which is one of their latest releases - all three products have featured in my monthly favourites posts. 

I have been testing the *Antipodes Grapeseed Butter Cleanser (£22.49, 75g) over the past few weeks which contains 100% natural ingredients such as Vinanza Grape, Harekeke Flax and Hibiscus Bloom. The cleansing balm/butter is suitable for all skin types but I would really only recommend this cleanser if you have combination, dry or very dry skin. 

The cleanser looks a little unusual, I don't know if you can see from the photo above but the yellow balm has small white bits in it that looks like miniature clouds - I think it's the Hibiscus Bloom. The cleanser scent is also a little unusual, it is floral and sweet but also quite earthy and natural; it might not be for some but I personally love it. 

I've tried a few cleansing balms and I love them especially at this time of the year when my skin is even drier and needs a nourishing protective layer. I use the cleansing balm on dry skin or if I have worn makeup that day then I will remove it with a micellar water first, then cleanse with this balm. The cleanser is very thick but when massaged into dry skin it almost instantly turns into a silky oil with the white particles acting as mini exfoliators - they do actually feel like they exfoliate the skin fairly well. 

It leaves my skin feeling clean but very moisturised, smooth and nourished, if that makes sense as it is like a comforting rich layer over the skin which is why I wouldn't recommend it unless you have dry skin or dry patches. The cleansing balm doesn't irritate my skin, even if I have an eczema flareup and it also doesn't make my skin feel greasy. 

Overall, I love this cleanser, as I love all of the other Antipodes products I have tried which is fantastic as I do sometimes struggle to find products that work for my temperamental skin. I love the use of all natural ingredients as well as certified organic ingredients (it is still #OrganicSeptember after all). Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5. 

Have you tried any products from Antipodes? What are your favourite organic products/brands?

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New In: Antipodes Manuka Honey Skincare

When it comes to sincere, I'm always looking for better and more effective products which isn't an easy task as I have eczema prone skin so it can be extremely dry, tight, sensitive, irritated (stinging, itchy, burning) and generally just awful when I have a bad flareup - yeah, finding skincare isn't the easiest task for me. In comes Antipodes *angels singing* as I've tried maybe eight products from them and I LOVE every single product and my skin couldn't be happier!

I was sent a couple of new products the lovely, natural New Zealand based brand. The two new products are inspired by one of their best selling products, the Manuka Honey Mask which I have and it's wonderful! All three products contain Manuka Honey which is one of 'natures most powerful healers' as it's antibacterial and it is hydrating. 

The *Antipodes Manuka Honey Skin Brightening Day Cream (£39.99, 60ml) contains bee venom, Vinanza grape (which is scientifically proven to brighten the skin), kiwi and Manuka Honey. It's approved by the vegetarian society and you cannot use it if you are allergic to bee stings. The cream is designed for those with normal to oily skin - I have an oily t-zone and dry everywhere else and I find this moisturiser works well for me. I apply a generous amount morning and night, with a little extra on the drier areas of my skin. 

One of the main things I love about both of these products is the scent, they both smell incredible (two of the best smelling skincare products I've ever tried). The scent to me is creamy, almost chocolatey/food like and when I've applied it, I can still smell it for the next couple of hours - I LOVE it! The moisturiser is rich and it leaves my skin baby soft, incredibly smooth and moisturised. It also creates a great base for makeup. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5. 

The second product is the *Antipodes Manuka Honey Skin Brightening Eye Cream (£35.99, 30ml) which also contains Persian silk flowers, jojoba oil, vitamin E, sunflower seed oil and many more fantastic, natural ingredients. The eye cream comes in a heavy, luxe feeling glass jar as most Antipodes products do and it's a really rich, thick eye cream but it is very silky smooth and applies quickly and easily. It's designed for normal to oily or blemish prone skin and while I don't ever really get blemishes, this eye cream still works very well. It's perfect to use before foundation/concealer as it eliminates dryness and provides a smooth base for makeup. The price may be a little high but the 30ml jar will last forever as you only need a tiny amount.  Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5. 

Overall, I cannot recommend these products enough! They both work so well for my annoying, temperamental and sensitive skin. They smell heavenly and the packaging is fantastic as always. I know skincare isn't a typical christmas gift but I really don't think you could go wrong with Antipodes and they have great bodycare products too - if you want more information on Antipodes products then check out my reviews.

Have you tried anything from Antipodes? What skincare products are you loving recently? 

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Veganuary 2018 + Cruelty Free Favourites

Last month was the third veganuary I have taken part in and to be honest, it was my worst attempt...in my defence, I couldn't prepare fully beforehand and my diet is 90% vegan already but enough of making excuses! Today's post is going to be a review of some of my favourite products from last month that are crueltry free or suitable for vegans.

*Antipodes Immortal Face & Body SPF 15 Moisturiser (£28.99, 60ml)

For the past three or so years Antipodes have been my favourite skincare brand! I've been using their products almost consistently for a while, through amazing skin days to horrendous fortnight long eczema flare-ups and I cannot recommend their products enough, especially if you have dry and sensitive skin as I do - they are heaven sent products!

For the majority of December and January I've been using their vanilla day cream which I adore but recently I've been trying their Immortal SPF 15 moisturiser which is perfect for this time of the year when my skin still needs nourishment and moisture (it's still snowing here as I'm typing this) but we are having lighter, sunny days so the SPF 15 is definitely needed. Unlike other Antipodes moisturisers, this one barely has a scent and it's very lightweight but it's still great for my dry, sensitive skin. I know I'll get so much use out of this moisturiser in the upcoming spring months.

*Antipodes Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator (£21.99, 75ml)

I've tried so many of their serums, moisturisers and a couple of cleansers but this is the first exfoliator from Antipodes that I've tried and I love it! It contains wonderful ingredients as every Antipodes product does and both of these mentioned are suitable for vegans. The exfoliator is so gentle but very effective, it's one of the best exfoliators I've ever used as it leaves my skin so incredibly smooth, soft and clean without it feeling uncomfortable or harsh. I cannot recommend Antipodes as a brand enough, especially these two products which I've been loving recently.

*Beauty Blender Original - Powder (£16)

Last week I received an amazing package from no other than Beauty Blender UK as they are celebrating 15 years of perfectly blended foundation! I have had so many Beauty Blender dupes as well as the original pink Beauty Blender and none of the dupes compare to the original, in my opinion. The original is fluffy cloud compared to the other dupes as it's so incredibly soft, squishy and when damp, it's the most ideal tool to apply foundation over my dry, sometimes flaky skin.

Brushes tend to emphasise the dryness of my skin when applying foundation or concealer so the best option is a damp, soft Beauty Blender as it applies and blends my foundation and concealer perfectly providing a seamless finish, blended to perfection foundation and it's amazing for my dry skin. If you also have dry skin and find that brushes just emphasise the dryness then check out the original Beauty Blender. I have searched online and I think that they are cruelty free and suitable for vegans to use, let me know if this isn't correct!

*Perricone MD No Makeup Foundation (£45)

Last year I was very kindly sent the Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation and I adored it but it was a little too dark for my ghostly pale skin but thankfully they've just released a lighter shade. I have the lightest shade available (Fair, F) which is the most ideal match for my skin! I love the packaging, it contains SPF 30 which is amazing and for me it provides a radiant, skin-like finish, light coverage and it helps to even out my skin tone.

On New Years eve I finished up the last of my all time favourite foundation and I've been using all of my disappointing foundations since then which obviously results in awful looking skin but since I received this foundation, it's been the only foundation I've used and now I've had nothing but amazing foundation days! It makes my skin look radiant, even and provides the coverage I want on a daily basis, it doesn't irritate my skin and it claims to visibly improve the skin's appearance over time.

*Perricone MD No Makeup Concealer (£29, 9g)

As well as the foundation which I absolutely adore, I also received their new concealer (thank you!) which doesn't seem to be on the website yet but you can sign up to receive a notification when it is in the link above. I love the packaging for the concealer, the shade is another perfect match and it claims to provide instant coverage for imperfections, dark circles and discolouration. As well as the foundation, the concealer has amazing SPF which is ideal for the upcoming sunny spring days.

The coverage is fantastic (it's medium to buildable coverage) and as I have the lightest shade it adds so much brightness under the eyes which is definitely needed as my dark circles are stubbornly intense. I apply the foundation and concealer with my Beauty Blender and it's the most effective trio for my dry skin during the still chilly winter days.

My vegan meaty pizza!

Baconlicious Seasonings 

Last but not least is a food favourite! Baconlicious very kindly sent me a tonne of samples of their products all the way from sunny Australia. Their products are suitable for vegetarians and some are suitable for vegans, either way, they are all delicious.

The main product I've been using is the Maple Glazed Bacon Seasoning which is suitable for vegans! To me it tastes like bacon flavoured crisps and it's gorgeous within creamy smoky vegan sauces and dips or just sprinkled onto vegan pizza and salads. A little goes a long way so it will last a while and there are so many uses for the seasonings. They also make BBQ glazes and spray on seasonings, I have a few of them and I also love the garlic spray on seasoning. All of the products I've tried so far have been incredible, it's hard to believe that they are vegan as they taste amazing, smoky and moreish. Even though they are based in Australia, they offer world-wide shipping so definitely check them out. I will have a couple of recipes using these products on my blog over the next couple of weeks.

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think of the Baconlicious Bacon-Free Seasonings? 

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Organic September: Antipodes Skincare

Today is the start of Organic Beauty Week and the whole of the month is Organic September. Today I have a post all about a fantastic organic brand that I cannot recommend enough - Antipodes. I have tried quite a few Antipodes products over the past year or two, all of which have been amazing for my temperamental, dry and eczema prone skin.

I was very kindly sent the *Antipodes Divine Face Oil (£19.99, 30ml) which is perfect for the upcoming colder months (if the English weather ever gets the memo that it is now Autumn!). The facial oil contains avocado oil, rosehip, jojoba oil, vitamin E and many more natural ingredients - numerous ingredients are certified organic as well as vegetarian society approved.

When the colder months come around I always change my skincare, I add in more hydrating and richer products such as facial oils to my routine. The oil has an unusual scent, as most Antipodes products do; it's very earthy and musky scent which I personally like but it may not be for everyone. The facial oil is quite rich and leaves my skin very moisturised, smooth and comfortable although I don't use it under makeup as it is a bit too rich. It doesn't irritate my skin at all and it's perfect as part of my evening skincare routine! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Next up, this product was such a cult classic a year or two ago with so many youtubers raving about it - the *Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask (£22.99, 75ml). I have wanted to try this mask for ages and I'm so glad that I now have it as it's such a lovely mask, especially for my dry and sensitive skin. The mask is creamy, it doesn't dry down and it doesn't strip my skin. It leaves my skin smooth, so, moisturised and comfortable - it's well worth trying especially if you do have sensitive skin. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Have you tried anything from Antipodes? Do you change your skincare during the colder months?

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Antipodes Mineral Foundation + Kabuki Brush

If you have been following my blog this year then you will have seen me raving about the brand Antipodes over and over again. I have tried a few of their products and I LOVE all of them (especially the amazing vanilla pod day cream which I definitely need to purchase!) and I cannot recommend their skincare enough so when this foundation arrived I was so excited to give it a go.

I received the *Antipodes Performance Plus Mineral Foundation (£27.99, 01 Pale Pink) which is a loose mineral powder foundation that contains SPF 15, vinanza grape and kiwi. It is dermatologically tested, suitable for normal and sensitive skin and it is scientifically proven to help improve skin health which is amazing so as well as being a foundation, it actually benefits the skin too!

I didn't know whether to choose the 01 Pale Pink shade or the 02 Light Yellow shade because I do have pink undertones and redness but I chose the first and presumably lightest shade and I'm glad I did as it matches me well. It doesn't emphasise the pink tones in my skin thankfully - so if you have a similar skintone to me then it might match you well. The only downside to this foundation, in my opinion, is the very limited shade range.

The foundation packaging is gorgeous and luxe and it does have a sifter dispenser so it isn't very messy; as you can see from the photographs above, I dispense some into the lid and then I use the *Antipodes Kabuki Brush (£16.99) which is so cute to buff it into the skin. Although it isn't the softest brush ever, it is fantastic for applying this mineral foundation as it buffs in the product well. I'm surprised at how easy, quick and fuss free it is to use and I'm also surprised by the finish as it doesn't really look powdery, flat or heavy on the skin; it leaves my skin looking more even and radiant. However if you have very oily, very dry skin or flaky skin then this might not be for you. The coverage is light to buildable as you can apply more and it almost reaches medium coverage in my opinion. It covers pores, redness and very minor blemishes really well as it almost airbrushes my skin so it looks much better although if you are looking for full coverage then this might not be the foundation for you.

Overall, I'm pleasantly surprised and impressed with this foundation and cute kabuki brush. I love the packaging, ingredients and cruelty free and natural ethos of the brand. The foundation is easy to use, it has a fairly good amount of coverage (for me anyway) and it leaves the skin looking radiant and even although as mentioned previously if you have very dry skin or very oily skin or if you want full coverage then this isn't for you. I have been using this foundation over my regular liquid foundation to set it and to add more coverage and I love it but I also adore it on its own as it looks so natural on the skin and it personally doesn't highlight dryness on me. It is one of the best foundations I've tried for a while! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Have you tried anything from Antipodes? 

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Antipodes Grace Cream Cleanser

Antipodes is probably my favourite skincare brand, I have tried quite a few products from them and every single product is bloody amazing! I adore their moisturisers and serums in particular but I'd recommend every product I've tried from them - I have reviews on my blog so you can check them out if you want.

I was very kindly sent the *Antipodes Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser (£24.99, 120ml) which contains anti-inflammatory vinaza oxifend as well as avocado oil and marigold flower. I love the packaging, it comes in the same tube packaging as the amazing Antipodes Joy Body Lotion which I adore.

The cleanser has a creamy consistency and texture as the name would suggest, it feels nice on the skin and as with every product from Antipodes that I've tried, it doesn't irritate my skin which is fantastic as my skin is sensitive, eczema prone and quite temperamental so to find a fantastic, effective and natural range of products that don't irritate it, is amazing!

I mainly use the cleanser after I have removed my makeup with Bioderma or on a makeup free face and it leaves my skin feeling smooth, cleansed and comfortable; I find it doesn't remove makeup well so I use it after using a micellar water. It doesn't dry out my skin as some cleansers can but it isn't massively moisturising either; it's a great no-fuss cleaner that is perfect for my sensitive skin! Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5.

Have you tried anything from Antipodes? 

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Antipodes Hosanna Intensive Serum

I have wanted to try Antipodes skincare for so long and I finally have my hands on one of their products! I chose this serum as I do have dry/dehydrated skin especially at this time of the year so I couldn't wait to start using this serum however as stated on the box, I did a patch test to check that it didn't irritate my skin. 

The *Antipodes Hosanna H20 Intensive Skin-Plumping Serum (£28.99, 30ml) which is a Harpers Bazaar Beauty Award Winner and it contains so many natural ingredients that are also 100% organic. Some of the ingredients are as follows: Mamaku Black Fern, Lavender, Grapeseed Extract and more! Also Antipodes products are scientifically proven to stimulate collagen in the skin cells by up to 72% which is fantastic for skin plumping and anti-aging as far as I am aware. 

Since the path test didn't irritate my skin, I carried on using it daily. I love the packaging, it looks so luxe and it comes with a pipette which I love as I can control the amount of product I use very easily. The serum is a reddish cloudy colour - to me it looks like strawberry yoghurt! The serum is to be used after cleansing and before your moisturiser, I have been using it instead of my facial oils. It absorbs really quickly, even while I am massaging it into the skin so it feels like it is actually doing something to deeply hydrate my skin rather than just sitting on top of the skin. 

I have been using this serum every evening and sometimes in the morning for about two weeks now and I love this serum! From the first use, I liked it but I wasn't sure if it was as good as it claims but I was wrong. My dry/dehydrated, sensitive skin has NEVER looked and felt as smooth as it has since using this product (I have also been drinking herbal tea and oil pulling which has been helping too) and I cannot get enough of this serum. It deeply hydrates my skin, almost completely banishing dry, flaky patches while also thoroughly smoothing and plumping my skin! 

Overall, I am so impressed with this product and even though it is expensive, I will be buying another bottle when this one runs out. I love it more than my beloved facial oils! I would definitely recommend this serum. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5. This product was supplied by the Nutrition Centre.

Here are the Antipodes products on my wish list ft. the Gentle Rich Toner, Vanilla Pod Day Cream, Skin Brightening Finishing Powder and the Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser. 

Have you tried this product or anything from Antipodes? 

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New In: Skincare, Haircare, Beauty + Pamper Products

It's that time of the year when the weather is changing and so is my skin; I need to switch up my skincare routine to include the richer, more moisturising products in my stash. Today's post is all about the skincare, makeup, beauty and pampering products I've been loving recently as well as a few new bodycare products that are perfect for the autumn and winter months! Thanks to KiraKira, Antipodes, Shea Moisture, Essence, Sensationail and Dr Botanicals for getting me autumn ready!

*Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream (£34.99)

It's organic September so I thought I'd mention one of my favourite organic products/brands in this post. We all know that I genuinely and absolutely love Antipodes products, literally every single product! I have so many reviews of their products on my blog already that you can read and I cannot recommend the brand enough especially if you have dry and sensitive skin as I do. This new addition to my skincare routine is one of the nicest smelling Antipodes products I've tried which makes it even nicer to use.

Even though it is a night cream, I've been using it during the day as my skin is becoming increasingly dry due to the colder weather. It is very nourishing, moisturising and smoothing as well as being gentle, effective and perfect for this time of the year. I haven't stopped using it since I received it and I couldn't recommend it enough - if you're looking for the perfect autumnal moisturiser then look no further.

*KiraKira AHA Cleanser (£19.99, 190ml)

Next up, my favourite cleanser of the past couple of weeks and it happens to have the cutest cleanser packaging I've ever seen! The KiraKira Studios AHA Liquid Cleanser is made in Japan and is formulated with three AHA's (alpha hydroxy acids/food acids) to gently remove makeup. It is free from parabens, mineral oil, silicones and artificial fragrances/colours.

The cleanser has a pump dispenser which I love and it has a lovely gel like texture that lathers slightly. I have sensitive skin so I'm always a little cautious when it comes to new skincare but this cleanser doesn't irritate my skin at all. It leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean, very smooth, soft and deeply cleansed. I don't think I've been as impressed by a cleanser for a long time!

*Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose Light Summer Cream (£19.99 - SALE)

Now onto the body products! As well as my skincare, I also change up my body products during the colder months to include items that are more moisturising and soothing. Two new products that I've been using recently are from Dr Botanicals which are not only effective, gentle and smell amazing but they are natural, vegan and cruelty free.

The packaging for the cream is so cute, it would make a lovely gift! The cream itself actually has a smooth gel like consistency and texture, it absorbs quickly and it leaves my skin so incredibly smooth, soft and moisturised without being greasy, oily or tacky. The scent is sweet and floral but not too strong so it is ideal as a hand cream which is the main way I've been using it.

*Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose Concentrated Body Oil (£70.90, 50ml)

I'm usually not a fan of oils, especially body oils as they can be very greasy and slow to absorb but this one is fantastic and it smells amazing. It has a similar scent to the gorgeous moroccan rose cream above. I've been using it as a cuticle oil and on elbows, feet and legs when needed. It leaves the skin so incredibly smooth, moisturised and supple but I particularly love it as a cuticle oil as it's an area that is always dry and in need of TLC. It absorbs quickly for a body oil and as with all Dr Botanicals products, it's 100% natural.

*Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Shampoo (£6.65 - SALE)

I tried a few products from Shea Moisture a few months ago and really liked the products, the brand ethics and the natural ingredients. This range is designed for fine, wavy and curly hair and it's colour safe, sulphate free and cruelty free which is amazing! The shampoo and conditioner contain imbe oil and aloe as well as coconut water and fresh fruit extracts.

Naturally, both products smell amazing! To me they smell so fruity, fresh and sweet which I love and I think everyone will love them. As with the previous shampoo I tried from Shea Moisture, it lathers really well and leaves my hair feeling very clean but not stripped. It's a great shampoo at a fantastic price!

*Shea Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Creme Rinse (£6.65 - SALE)

So many Shea Moisture products are on sale on the Superdrug website or on offer as I'm writing this (23/10/2017) so it's a great time to check out their products. The conditioner has a similar scent to the shampoo but it's a little more coconutty...that's not a word. It leaves my hair pretty much completely detangled, smooth and soft as well as well moistened but not weighed down. It's a brand that you definitely need to check out.

*Pure Potions Skin Salvation Hand Cream, Moisturising Cream & Moisturising Ointment 

I have eczema on my face and hands so I'm always interested in finding new eczema focused products! I have a few samples from Pure Potions, let's start with the intensive hand cream. It is 99% natural and contains shea butter, olive oil, hemp seed oil and many other fantastic, natural ingredients. The hand cream is amazing, it leaves my eczema prone hands so smooth, moisturised and comfortable!

Next up, the intensive moisturising ointment which as with the other products, is suitable for people who have very dry, sore, sensitive or eczema prone skin and it's 100% natural. It's a solid ointment with a rather unpleasant colour with a slightly plastic scent but it is very moisturising and smoothing which is what my hands and cuticles need. Lastly, the daily moisturising cream which is a basic but effective moisturising cream that would be perfect for those sensitive skin as I do.

*Essence Matte, Shimmer Lipsticks and Lipgloss

Now onto some exciting new makeup items from the lovely people over at Essence Cosmetics! I have loved Essence products for years and these are no exception. I was kindly sent a few of their new lipsticks and lip glosses. Here's a rundown of the finishes and shades I received:

- Essence Matte Lipstick in 08: Deep burgundy wine shade
- Essence Lipstick in 07 Sparkling Miracle: Shimmery mauve pink
- Essence Shine Wet Look Lipgloss in 09 One Woman Show: Bright hot pink
- Essence Matte Longlasting Lipgloss in 05 Simply Be An Icon: Burgundy red
- Essence Matte Longlasting Lipgloss in 03 Girl Of Today: Natural rose pink

I have been a fan of Essence lipsticks for years and these are fantastic, especially for the low price! My favourite shade is 08 as it's a perfect autumnal shade and I'll definitely get a lot of use out of it. I also love the matte lip glosses in 05 and 03 which are great for everyday autumnal and winter looks. The formula is gorgeous and velvety, it is long-lasting and amazing for the price.

*Sensationail Peel Off Polishes (£6 each, 14.8ml)

I tried the Sensationail gel nails kit a few months ago and I loved it, I'm still using it now so I was interested to try these new peel off polishes from the same brand. I was kindly sent the shades 'set in rhine-stone' and 'winosaur' - I love the polish names! The polishes have a large brush which is great to apply the polishes quickly and easily although the formula is quite sticky/gloopy so it does take a while to get used to; however it is pigmented and looks so glossy on the nails.

The glitter shade is gorgeous and I'm loving the way it looks on bare nails! The best way to apply these two polishes is to apply a very thin coat otherwise it takes ages to dry but with a thin coat it dries within around 10-15 minutes. The wear isn't great as it isn't meant to be a very long-lasting polish, it is designed to peel off which is does really easily after a couple of days of wear. While it isn't great for a long lasting mani, it is perfect for special occasions, those with damaged nails or if you like to switch up your polish very often.

Have you tried any of these products? Which beauty products are you loving? 

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#OrganicSeptember Beauty Wish List

If you didn't know, this September has been 'organic september' and earlier in the month it was organic beauty week so I know I'm a little late with this post but here are my organic beauty wish list picks from Tisserand, Antipodes, Korres, Jason, Jurlique, Dr Bronner and Vapour. I've only tried a few organic brands such as Tisserand, Korres, Dr Organic, Jurlique, Green People and Antipodes (I think Caudalie might be organic too) and I have loved pretty much everything so I'm always on the hunt for new organic bath, beauty and cosmetic products to try!

Korres Vanilla Cinnamon Shower Gel  -  Dr Bronner Lavender Shave Gel  - Jason Lavender Deodorant  -  Antipodes Delight Hand and Body Cream  -  The Organic Pharmacy Cleopatra's Milk Bath  -  Jurlique Lavender Body Lotion -  Tisserand Soothing Wheat Cushion  -  Vapour Atmosphere Luminous Foundation  -  Tisserand Lavender EDT  -  Antipodes Skin Brightening Finishing Powder  -  Korres Vanilla, Freesia and Lychee EDT

Do you have any of the products I've featured? What are your favourite organic brands/products?

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2016 Beauty Favourites

Images from Google

Yes, this post is quite late but I've had a bit of an unproductive start to the year..oops. I love reading end of the year favourites posts rather than monthly favourites as you know the products included are consistently effective and worth buying! I've published my end of year favourites for the past couple of years which you can look back on. Today's post is all about the beauty products I've loved throughout 2016 and a few honourable mentions too because I can't just choose a reasonable amount of products...

Skincare

My favourite skincare brand over the past couple of years is definitely Antipodes! I've tried quite a few of their products and I have been extremely impressed with every single product which is a bit of a miracle as my skin is dry, sensitive and eczema prone so it's one of the worst skin types to have and it makes finding effective but gentle and natural products very difficult. However, Antipodes is a wonderful brand and I'd recommend any product from Antipodes but I've particularly loved the Manuka Honey Day Cream the most this year!

Another fantastic natural brand that has impressed me in 2016 is Supermood which is a natural skincare brand based in Finland. I was lucky enough to try a range of their products back in March and I've loved both of the serums since. I used up the gorgeous Beauty Sleep Serum a few months ago and now I'm using the Egoboost Serum - both are so effective, natural and they don't irritate my skin at all. I definitely want to try more from this brand!

Bodycare & Haircare 

It's well known and kind of inevitable that Lush is one of my favourite brands and it has been since well before I started my blog back in 2012. I've tried so many of their bath bombs and I adore the skincare that I've tried; while in college my whole skincare routine consisted of Lush and my skin was fantastic so I'm definitely going to have to start using their products again. Anyway, tangent over, I have been using the Silky Dusting Powder consistently for the past four or so months and I've remembered why I loved it so much years ago - the scent is so nostalgic to me. It's amazing as a scented talcum powder for the skin but I've also been using it to sprinkle over bed linen too.

Another bodycare product that I have loved in 2016 is the Mama Mio Liquid Yoga Bath Soak which I  reviewed fully in 2015 and I've been using it very sparingly since. If you have tense muscles or sore muscles then you need this bath soak, it's one of the most effective bath soaks I've ever used and it came in so handy while learning to drive last year. After a stressful day of driving for over five hours, having a bath with this product helped SO much.

The only haircare product is the Moroccan Oil Dark Tones Dry Shampoo which is surprising as I have hated drys shampoos for the longest time but luckily I've found two that work really well. The most effective dry shampoo for my hair is this one from Moroccan Oil (I love Moroccan Oil products!). It mattifies my hair, absorbs oil and makes my hair look quite frankly amazing even when I haven't washed it for three days. It also makes my hair so soft and smooth too unlike most dry shampoos which leave my hair feeling weighed down, tacky or built up with product.

Makeup 

Now onto the most exciting part, makeup! I've loved two fixing powders in 2016, the amazing and super inexpensive Essence Fixing Powder which I cannot recommend enough and the equally fantastic Vichy Setting Powder - if you want your makeup to last all day without looking cakey then check these out.

Speaking of long lasting makeup, the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita has been a favourite of mine for about two years and it has become a product that I'll definitely repurchase in the future as the natural rosey red shade is my perfect everyday shade, it lasts almost all day even through eating and it feels very comfortable on the lips. I need more shades now!

Well, it seems like I loved relaxing products in 2016 as well as long lasting makeup and the Too Faced Hangover Primer has been a favourite since starting driving lessons back in the spring last year. The primer doesn't irritate my skin, it feels so lightweight and it helps my makeup last all day - what more could you ask for!

Honorable Mentions 

• Tweezerman Rose Gold Eyelash Curler and Contour Brush
• Lush Intergalactic Bath Bomb
• Jurlique Balancing Mist
• Benefit Gimme Brow
• Eylure Brow Pomade in No.20
• NYX Lingerie Liquid Lipstick in Bedtime Flirt

What beauty products have you loved the most in 2016? Have you tried any of these products?

Can you believe that this is my 1,200th blog post! 

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Favourite Vegan Beauty Products

This post is quite late today as I wasn't happy with the photographs that I took so I had to re-take them today with some gorgeous pink roses! I'm really happy with these photos and this is one of my favourite topics to talk about - natural and amazing skincare and bodycare. Veganuary is almost at an end so I'll have a few round-up posts coming soon including this one.

Skincare 

Let's start with my favourite vegan skincare products so that obviously means talking about Antipodes! Do I even write a skincare post without talking about Antipodes? I am currently using their amazing *Divine Facial Oil which is perfect as part of my winter skincare routine as it's very moisturising, smoothing and nourishing but it isn't very greasy, heavy or irritating. I'm also using the *Rejoice Light Facial Day Cream which is 100% natural and a fantastic day cream and it will be even better during the spring months. If you have dry and sensitive skin then you NEED to check out Antipodes, I cannot recommend them enough! Both of these products are vegan as is the lovely *Joyful Hand & Body Cream.

Bodycare 

A long term favourite of mine is the Mama Mio Liquid Yoga Bath Soak which is the most effective bat soak I've ever tried - it's an essential if you have sore muscles or suffer with anxiety or stress. The scent is so relaxing, calming and heavenly so the newer Mama Mio Space Spray is on my wish list!

Another lovely, vegan and natural product is the newest release from Amphora Aromatics (I've tried a few of their products before and loved them). The new *Amphora Aromatics Ylang Ylang, Argan & Rosemary Shower and Bath Gel has such a unique, deep and earthy scent that is so different to any other product I have in my stupidly vast beauty product collection.

Tisserand was one of my favourite brands of last year as I love the Tisserand Sweet Dreams Bath Oil which contains lots of lavender so I'm happy! I also have the *Tisserand Sweet Dreams Aromatherapy Roller Ball and since receiving it I've been using it before bed most nights as it's a lovely product that helps me unwind.

Lush is also an amazing, natural and ethical brand, obvs. I have so many favourites from Lush including the Angels On Bare Skin Cleanser (I need to buy it again ASAP), the glittery *Intergalactic Bath Bomb and the multi-use Silky Underwear Dusting Powder that's perfect as a talcum powder alternative and as a linen powder. I've used it pretty much constantly for months and months and there is still so much left even though the bottle only contains 60g of product!

Winter drys out my skin so much therefore body creams and butters are an essential for me and the two I've been loving the most recently have been the *Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose & Shea Butter Body Repairing Cream which is so incredibly rich, moisturising and nourishing so much so that it feels like a comforting, rose scented blanket over my skin. The second body cream is The Body Shop Instant Glow British Rose Body Butter; it's also fantastic but not as deeply moisturising or as luxe as the Dr Botanicals cream. However, both are lovely and suitable for vegans!

There are my top picks of my vegan beauty and pampering products and my current winter favourites! I cannot recommend these products enough and they are all of my winter essentials. Some of the products are from vegan brands but others are from brands with a few vegan products and other non-vegan items too.

Have you tried any of these products? What are your favourite natural or vegan beauty brands? What are your favourite Lush products?

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July Beauty Favourites

How is it the end of July already, this year is going by so fast! Another month ends which means it is now time for my monthly favourites roundup. This month I have been lucky enough to receive quite a few amazing products, a lot of which I have been loving and using constantly throughout July. 

Makeup

Lets start with my favourite category, makeup! I was very kindly sent a range of products from the Australian company, Eye of Horus and their Dynasty Dual Brow Perfect pencil and gel is my favourite product from the range. The pencil is a perfect shade for me, the gel has amazing hold and it is perfect for travelling - I took it with me on our mini staycation in York earlier this week and it was so handy! Next up, another new addition to my makeup collection, the MeMeMe Correct and Perfect Concealer Kit which is actually a great shade for my super pale skin. I thought the concealer would be quite waxy and cakey on my dry skin but it isn't and it blends so well; the powder is great too. I will have a makeup look featuring a lot of lovely MeMeMe products on my blog soon. Lastly, in the makeup category is the Spectrum Atlantis Flat Top Buffer Brush has been my go to foundation brush; it looks so pretty and it is perfect for blending foundation without those annoying streaks.

Skincare

I've already posted my review of the two new Antipodes additions to my skincare routine and I have been loving both since I received them earlier this month. I use the Antipodes Vanilla Pod Day Cream everyday and I use the Antipodes Worship Serum on days when my skin is extra dry; they work so well and they are all natural. Another product I have been using almost constantly is the Skin and Tonic Steam Clean Cleansing Balm which is a luxe but basic cleansing balm that is perfect for my dry, sensitive skin.

Bodycare

Lastly a couple of products I've been using on my hands, the first is the Sweet Cecily's Soothing Skin Cream which to be honest doesn't look or smell very nice but it great for soothing and moisturising the eczema I have on my hand. Lastly, the hand cream I have been keeping on my desk is one from last Christmas, The Body Shop Glazed Apple Hand Cream; it smells lovely, it absorbs quickly and it doesn't irritate my eczema. 

Just a couple of honorary mentions to a few products that I used over the few days of our mini staycation in York earlier this week which came in so useful. Firstly, the Fancy Witch Brushes (available at Beauty Crowd) are fantastic, very smooth and the foundation brush is a dream. While away from home the DHC Blotting Papers were so useful, I didn't know my t-zoe as that oily but they really helped control shine. Lastly, my favourite foundation/powder combo is the Max Factor Smooth Effect foundation and the Essence Fixing Powder - they look so natural (but have good coverage) and make my skin look so much more even. 

Have you tried any of the products I've mentioned? What products have you been loving through the month of July?

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January Beauty Favourites 2016

Firstly, sorry about the awful quality of these photos - I know they are overexposed *even though I love that look* but it is winter in England and that means the weather is worse than normal. Anyway here are the beauty products I have been loving throughout January and some I was loving throughout November and December too.

- Mio Body Brush: I have tried a few products from Mio and I've loved them so when my Sanctuary Spa body brush broke for the millionth time, Mio was the brand I turned to. I love this body brush, it is more gentle than my previous one but it is still effective and leave my skin smoother. If you are looking for a gentle-ish body brush that is going to last then look on further.

- Antipodes Hosanna Serum: I have raved and raved about Antipodes skincare so I will keep this short and sweet. If you have dry skin then you need this serum in your life. It is hydrating but it absorbs super quickly and it doesn't irritate my eczema at all.

- Mio Liquid Yoga: Another product from Mio, the liquid yoga bath soak which has to be the most effective bath/body products I've ever tried. It is amazing at relieving muscle tension and stress, to an extent so I would highly recommend. I now need to try the liquid yoga spray!

- Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream: Marc Jacobs make some of my favourite perfumes, I've loved the daisy range since before I started my blog back in 2012. The daisy dream version is amazing, it is so feminine, floral and perfect for everyday wear. I am nearly out of this bottle so I need to pick up another.

- Ciate Status Grow: I have wanted a nourishing polish or treatment for ages so when this arrived in a lovely surprise christmas package from the lovely people at HQHair, I was excited to give it a go. I was a little sceptical but my nails definitely grow quicker when I use this polish - it's well worth a try, I'm so impressed!

- Too Faced Hangover Primer: There are two products that I forgot to photograph for my January favourites, one of which is the new primer from Too Faced. When I have been wearing makeup this month, I have been reaching for this primer. It keeps my makeup looking good pretty much all day and it doesn't contain silicones which is a big plus for me.

- Pai Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser: My final favourite is one of my current hero products (one that I reach for all the time and never lets me down). The cleanser is gentle on my sensitive skin but it is such an effective makeup remover - it is amazing and you need to try it! I definitely want to try ore from Pai now.

Have you tried any of these products? What beauty products have you been loving in January? 

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December + January Beauty Favourites 2017

I didn't post my December beauty favourites as I posted my 2016 beauty favourites instead but I still wanted to mention some of the products that I've been loving over the past two months so I've combined my December and January favourites. Today's post features two amazing foundations for dry skin, natural skincare that would be wonderful for anyone with sensitive or eczema prone skin, a long lasting lip liner and a few miscellaneous items. 

Skincare 

Winter is an awful time for my skin as it's dry and sensitive most of the time but so far this winter my skin has been incredibly dry with frequent eczema flareups *yay...*. Anyone who reads my blog will know by now that Antipodes is my all time favourite skincare brand so it's not surprising to see one of their vegan products in my favourites post. I have been using the *Antipodes Divine Oil for the past couple of weeks and I love it as part of my evening skincare routine. I haven't been using it in the mornings as it's too rich but I have been using the *Supermood Egoboost Serum which absorbs so quickly but it adds a boost of moisture to my skin as part of my morning skincare routine.

Now onto a skincare tool that I love! I won the Foreo Luna Go for Oily Skin back in November (maybe?) last year via the HQHair Twitter giveaway and I've only just started using it...I have the original Clarisonic Mia but I wanted to give this one a go and I might like it more than my Clarisonic *shock*. I don't see how it's designed just for oily skin but I've been loving it with my dry and sensitive skin as it helps to cleanse my skin so well leaving it squeaky clean and smooth but it doesn't irritate my skin. It looks a little dubious, especially as it vibrates like the Clarisonic and Magnitone cleansing tools...and it's a little harder to hold as it's tiny but I couldn't recommend it enough if you're a skincare nerd as I am!

The cleanser that I've been using with the Foreo Luna Go is the Bioderma Atoderm PP Ultra-Rich Foaming Gel which I think is suitable for the face and body. It's a very basic, gentle cleanser that lathers slightly with the Foreo Luna Go - they work so well together.

Bodycare & Toothpaste...

My hands also suffer so much during the winter months therefore hand cream is an essential. I have one in my bag, one next to my bed, one in the car and one on my desk which might be overkill...The *Tisserand Lavender & White Mint is my favourite of the three that I have tried, mainly because I adore lavender! It's everything I want in a hand cream as it doesn't irritate the eczema on my hands and it's very moisturising but it doesn't leave a residue.

Another product that smells floral and heavenly as well as being vegan is the *Amphora Aromatics Ylang Ylang, Argan & Rosemary Shower Gel. It smells very unique so I don't know if it will be for everyone although I love how different it is as well as being very musky and earthy. Even though it contains lots of fantastic natural ingredients, it lathers well and it doesn't contain parabens, artificial fragrances or colours.

This next item is a little unusual but I cannot recommend it enough and I'm seeing some results so I wanted to mention it. If you have been following my blog around christmas time then you may have seen my post featuring Sensodyne; I started using the new *Sensodyne True White Toothpaste back then but now I've used it for about a month, I'm seeing results. It's a really gentle toothpaste with a subtle minty flavour. it has been helping with my sensitivity and it has had a noticeable effect in terms of whiteness so if that's what you're looking for then check this toothpaste out!

Makeup 

There have been two foundations that I've been going between over the past couple of months, one is a high street offering and the other is a little pricier. The cheaper option is the Yves Rocher Comfort Cream Foundation which is great for my pale, dry and sensitive winter skin. The yellow undertones help to reduce my redness, it doesn't really emphasis dryness and it doesn't irritate my skin. Also the coverage is medium which is almost just enough to cover my redness, pores and dark circles.

The second foundation is the Lancome Cushion Foundation that is even better for dry skin types as it doesn't emphasise dryness at all, it gives a gorgeous glow and it is lightweight, comfortable and perfect for cold winter days. I don't use the sponge it comes with, I just use my foundation brush and sadly I think I'm running out of it so if you have any cushion foundation recommendations then send them my way!

My last makeup favourite is the *Laura Geller Pout Perfection Lip Pencil in Claret which is a lovely rosy red shade that I've been using almost overtime I have worn makeup. The pencil is creamy, it feels comfortable to wear and it lasts really well even through eating.

Have you tried any of these products? What beauty items have you been loving recently? 

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