I've been lucky enough to discover so many fantastic products recently, whether they are gorgeous skincare items, nourishing haircare, beautiful stationery or very useful tools. Today's post is all about the stand out products I've been loving over the past few weeks as well as the items that are new to my skincare collection and daily routine. For my initial impressions and unboxings, make sure you follow me on Instagram (@ofbeautyand).
During lockdown my skin has gone through so many changes, I think in part due to anxiety and a less than healthy diet, so I've had to re-think and switch up a lot of the products I was using to work with this new phase of my skin. I've had countless changes to my skin since my teens, from eczema (age 14 to 26) to normal skin (26 to 27) and now spotty areas with some dryness so there have been a few challenges to contend with over the past four or so months. However, I've thankfully been able to find a few products that seem to help including the Pixi Clarity Tonic, La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume and a couple of new skincare items from L'aves.
*L'aves Skin Riches Bright & Lift Extreme Performance Facial Elixir (£65, 30ml)
L'aves is a vegan friendly skincare brand that focuses on natural cruelty free ingredients, eco-friendly packaging and products free from potentially damaging or irritating ingredients. All of their products are handmade in small batches to ensure a high quality product as well as freshness. I've been using the facial elixir and toner for the past two or so weeks and my initial impressions are very positive.
The facial elixir contains camellia seed oil, sunflower seed oil, cucumber seed oil, broccoli seed oil and many more natural ingredients, some of which are organic. The elixir is designed to be used after cleansing and before applying your moisturiser, in place of a serum or facial oil, to help nourish, smooth and brighten the skin as well as adding radiance, elasticity and luminosity.
Firstly, I adore the packaging for both L'aves skincare products I've been gifted but the facial elixir is especially beautiful and practical; the pipette dispenser is very useful in terms of not wasting excess product. The elixir smells heavenly and it leaves my skin feeling very nourished, comfortable and moisturised which is what my skin needs after using acid toners for the past few months.
The second and final product from L'aves is their extreme performance toner which contains rose, lavender, rosemary, chamomile, aloe vera, bamboo stem water and vitamin B3. The toner is designed to protect the skin from environmental damage and free radicals while also hydrating, balancing, even out skin tone and also reducing the appearance of age spots over time.
I don't typically use a toner, although since using this one for the past couple of weeks, I love what it adds to my daily skincare routine. It adds a refreshing step to my routine that leaves my skin feeling fresh and looking more radiant and awake - the toner is fantastic over makeup as well to help reduce dryness and tired skin. Overall, I'm very impressed with my first experience of L'aves products and I love everything about the brand, from their natural vegan ingredients, gorgeous packaging and environmentally friendly ethos to the heavenly scent of the products and the effectiveness. You'll see both of these products again as part of my upcoming autumn skincare routine at the end of the month!
*Exfoliating Soap Bag - Happy Planet Box
Last month I reviewed a new subscription box, the Happy Planet box which focuses on vegan, natural and eco-friendly products. I loved all of the products in the summer box but my favourite has to be the exfoliating soap bag which is the item I've used the most from the box - it has become an item I use on an almost daily basis. The bag, made from natural plant fibres, is designed to contain a bar of soap and it not only lathers the soap well but exfoliates the skin too. It is such a simple product but one that I haven't seen before and now I know that I'll be purchasing another in the future; it is especially useful if you have smaller pieces of soap as they can fit into the bag together.
*Lee Stafford CoCo LoCo with Agave Shine Mask (£6.99)
Unlike my skincare, I haven't changed up my haircare products for a while, as I've been trying to finished mini or half-used products since lockdown but there has been one stand out haircare product recently. Lee Stafford is such a nostalgic brand for me as I used almost exclusively Lee Stafford products throughout my teens! I have been impressed with everything I've tried from their more recent ranges and the coco loco shine mask is no exception!
The mask is cruelty free, vegetarian friendly and contains coconut oil and agave essence to leave the hair feeling silky, soft and shiny. I have been using the mask a couple of times per week to make sure my hair is nourished and soft! The mask not only leaves my hair looking great but it smells fantastic too. I'd highly recommend this mask as well as their amazing 'keep it clean' dry shampoo.
*Old English Company Personalised Foil Notebook (£12.95)
Lastly, a stationery item that I not only love but it is very appropriate to how my mind has felt during lockdown (we're still in lockdown in Manchester)! I was very kindly sent the cute personalised foil notebook in the blush pink shade which also features my name on the front cover. There are so many other notebook designs and colours to choose from too. I think the quote on the front of the notebook of 'my brain has too many tabs open' is very apt for most of us during this pandemic.
I love the design, the gorgeous gold foiling, the size and the personalised aspect of the notebook; it also has the most perfectly spaced lined pages. I think this personalised notebook, along with any of their other gorgeous designs, would be fantastic gift ideas for stationery lovers this Christmas. They also have an amazing range of pins, keyrings, prints, planners, pens, gifts and more to choose from!
Have you tried any of these products?
