Beauty Before Bed #2

I've had the same evening "before bed" beauty routine for quite a while now and the same four products have been making an appearance. I wrote a beauty before bed post a little while back at the end of last year so I thought I'd do a follow-up post before I completely shake up my routine!

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist 15ml* |  rrp £21.50/100ml

As much as I love toners, I do often forget to use them. My usual toner is Murad's Hydrating Toner* but this lives in my bathroom, so if I forget to use it I have my mini Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist to-hand by my bedside. I simply mist this all over my face and just leave it there, I find that it dries down relatively quickly but still leaves my skin feeling more refreshed. I haven't tried anything else from Jurlique before I do really love rosewater and the packaging - even of this mini - feels wonderfully high quality. It's definitely a brand I'd like to explore more in the future, and this little bottle of Balancing Mist will be staying on my bedside until it's all used up!

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream 10ml* | rrp £20.00/20ml

This has been my go-to evening eye cream for months and months - but sadly this is my last tube, and it's very close to empty! Balance Me's Wonder Eye Cream is light enough to not overload my skin but still does enough to keep me completely hooked. Not only does the skin around my eyes look better than it did before but it's no-longer dehydrated, which will make a difference to the appearance of my eyes in the long-term. I've also found that using an eye cream has transformed the way that makeup wears on my skin throughout the day. Under eye concealer lasts so much better on skin that's in condition, and I no-longer find that it disappears throughout the day. It's a really worthwhile part of my beauty routine and I'll definitely be repurchasing this eye cream in the future as I'm incredibly happy with it.

Steamcream "Message Neko" 75ml* | rrp £13.95

Steamcream is one of those products that just hooks you. It's a natural moisturiser with an incredibly light feel but it sinks into my skin quickly and acts as the finishing touch of my beauty routine. It really gently rehydrates my skin without feeling heavy or aggravating - it's perfect for those with sensitive skin types. I've been using Steamcream for about six weeks now and I'm about a third of my way through the tin. In my opinion, this makes the product quite good value for money as a little goes a long way. I really like that it's lightweight feel and I think it will be especially nice to use in the summertime. I don't think I'm going to continue using it all up in one go, but I will be reaching for it again in the future. And I'd definitely repurchase it for myself or even for friends and family as the tins are just so aesthetically pleasing and the product itself is a great all-rounder that would work for so many different people. It's been a real pleasure to use this moisturiser and with it's availability on sites like FeelUnique I'm surprised that more people don't snap it up!

FairSquared Almond Hand Cream 100ml | rrp £4.49

I don't think that you can go wrong with this hand cream, it's just wonderful on so many levels. Once I know I'm completely finished with my skincare routine I always like to apply a handcream before going to sleep. I have really dry skin on my hands and FairSquared's Almond Hand Cream has a gorgeously thick and nourishing texture that still absorbs quite quickly. It's the perfect thing to use if you're not really "into" hand creams but you'd still like something to keep your hands looking and feeling soft. It's always a bonus to go for a natural and sustainably sourced option, and even with it's affordable price tag  FairSquared includes Fairtrade ingredients from Chile and Pakistan. I like supporting brands like this one but I'd very happily repurchase the product for the quality of the cream alone. In my book, this makes FairSquared a winner all round. 

Have you tried any of these before?

What beauty bits have made it onto your bedside table?

Have you entered my international beauty giveaway? Win a new lipstick for everyday of the week

As Nature Intended Beauty Haul

One of my places to browse for beauty products is a natural and organic shop called As Nature Intended. It isn't a dedicated beauty store but it does have a very well stocked beauty section full of gorgeous brands such as A'kin, Pacifica, Antipodes, Dr. Bronners and Lavera (as well as many others). I'm lucky to have an As Nature Intended store located relatively near where I live, and it's on the local high street where I regularly go to do my food shopping. This means that I often have the occasion to pop in to have a little browse of the beauty stock. However, on my last visit I did a little bit more than browsing…

I've always wanted to try more of Lavera's extensive natural bodycare range and I finally bit the bullet and decided to pick up a couple of their body care bits. First up is Lavera's Soft Moisturising Cream which has a creamy, medium-thickness texture which seems to offer a good dose of hydration. I also picked up Lavera's Mositurizing Body Lotion which has a much lighter consistency (with a little going a long way) but this seems like the least hydrating option out of the three. Lastly, I picked up Lavera's All-Round Cream which seems to have the heaviest consistency but was my instant favourite. I think all three would be great for those of you with dry skin and I think the pricing is very reasonable considering the quality of the products. All in all, I'm very happy to be giving these a go and I'm sure that once I've had longer to test them out then they'll make future appearances where I can review them more fully.

Have you tried anything from Lavera before? 

What body moisturisers do you like using?

Click here to enter my Steamcream Giveaway to win a limited edition tin of your choice

Love Lula March Beauty Box Review

For the last few months I've been receiving Love Lula's Natural Beauty Box - a monthly beauty subscription box that contains only natural beauty products. For £12.50 a month I've found it to be a cost effective and fun way to try out new brands and new products that I otherwise might never think to buy for myself. I received my Love Lula March Beauty Box last week and I was really, really happy with the contents. Not only does it contain some wonderful natural beauty brands but it also represents excellent value for money. I've listed the contents below (you can read more about each one by clicking on the name of the products);

Acorelle Youth Protector Eye Serum 

RRP £21.00

Acorelle Cleansing Oil

RRP £17.00

John Masters Organic Birch and Cedarwood Cleansing and Shaving Bar 

RRP £7.00

Dudu Osun Black Soap (25g)

RRP 150g £6.00 - sample value £1.00

B.O.N Natural Oils Pure Tissue Oil

RRP 15ml £3.99 - sample value £1.33

Madara Skincare Samples - Time Miracle Day, Time Miracle Night, Time Miracle Eye Cream

If you're looking to subscribe to a new beauty box, or if you're interested in incorporated more natural and cruelty free beauty into your routine, then I'd definitely recommend LoveLula's Beauty Boxes. I've yet to be disappointed!

Lippy Girl Vegocentric Lipstick in Rosie Posie

I discovered LippyGirl's Vegocentric Vegan Lipsticks at the end of February and I'd have to say that they've been my best beauty discovery so far this year. Earlier this month I talked about the shade Coral Me Maybe*, but today I'd like to share my thoughts on the shade Rosie Posie* (which I'm wearing on my lips in the photo below).

Lippy Girl's Vegocentric Vegan Lipstick in Rosie Posie* is a dark-ish, cranberry red with a slight shimmer - but nothing too frosty, just enough to give a reflective sheen that makes your lips appear fuller. I don't find the colour of the lipstick that appealing in the bullet, or even swatched, but I absolutely love how it looks on my lips. I find the colour noticeable but not dramatic, and the formula of the lipstick makes it incredibly easy-to-wear.

Lippy Girl's Vegocentric Vegan Lipsticks are made with organic natural oils and waxes, and only natural pigments. They're also all 100% vegan, gluten and chemical free. Instead, they're packed full of certified organic Castor Seed oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Carnauba Wax and Shea Butter. This gives them a smooth and creamy formula without any compromise on a pigmented colour. I've found that these lipsticks aren't so creamy that they bleed, smudge or slip off the lips (you don't even need to use a lip liner) but, because of the nourishing ingredients, they're still moisturising and comfortable to wear. I've been really, really impressed with the two shades I've tried so far and Rosie Posie* is definitely my favourite out of the two. It's going to suit a lot of different skin-tones and it's also a classic and smart colour. Wether you're a makeup obsessive or just like having the one go-to lipstick, I think Lippy Girl Lipsticks won't disappoint you and Rosie Posie is a very wearable shade to choose.

You can find Lippy Girl Makeup's Vegocentric Lipsticks on the online organic and natural beauty website Botanical Brands for £12.50*. They sell all twelve shades of Lippy Girl's Vegocentric Vegan Lipsticks and I've already got my eye on some of the other colours…

Monu Spa Enriched Body Cream and Warming Ginger Massage and Body Oil Review

I discovered Monu as a brand through beauty boxes a couple of years ago, but then towards the end of last year I started using Monu's Illuminating Primer* and I was hooked (and it's now a daily staple in my routine). Since then I've tried more of their range and I haven't been disappointed! All of Monu's products are cruelty free and feel incredibly luxurious to use as they're packed full of high quality natural ingredients.

Monu Spa Warming Ginger Massage and Body Oil

available online from Monu at £26.00* for 100ml

This is an interesting product as it can be used as a normal body oil but I think that it actually works best as a shower oil. You massage some of the product into your skin before you have a shower and then when the product mixes with the water it emulsifies into a really beautiful milky consistency that's both gentle and moisturising. It has a really powerful scent - the result of a mixture of Ginger, Lemongrass and Orange essential oils - and the scent-combination really does give a very spa-like feel to an otherwise normal shower experience. And with ingredients like Calendula and Jojoba Seed Oil - as well as Vitamins A and E - it's full of nourishing goodness that will leave your skin soft and supple. I'm a big fan of shower oils as they can completely transform your mood, which is something not every body product can do. I'm not the biggest fan of such a powerful ginger scent but if you like ginger then this will be just be wonderful to use. I like the consistency, the quality and the packaging - I just hope it's available in another scent that I can fall in love with!

Monu Spa Enriched Body Cream

available online from Monu at £24.00* for 200ml

For me, out of the pair this is the standout product. I'm always on the look-out for seriously hydrating body products that feel great to use, smell gorgeous and, most importantly, sinks into the skin as quickly as possible. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I've found what I've been looking for - and as far as I'm concerned Monu's Enriched Body Cream is just perfect. It has the perfect thick - but not too thick - consistency that feels beautiful when its massaged into the skin. It has a delicate but noticeable citrus scent, the result of a mixture of Orange, Lemon, Rose and Geranium Essential Oils, and you really don't need to use a lot to get noticeable results. It leaves me skin incredibly smooth and soft, probably due to ingredients such as Marine Collagen, Cocoa Butter, as well as Vitamins A, E and B5. Overall, the experience of using this body cream is very luxurious with incredibly effective results. It's great for everyday use or a weekly pamper - whatever your schedule (or your budget) allows for. I personally like reaching for it a couple of times a week and I'd definitely, definitely repurchase this as I think that it's great value for money. 

Have you tried anything from Monu before? 

Do you like the sound of their MonuSpa products?

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap: An Essential Repurchase

I featured a pretty rave review of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap in Green Tea* towards the end of October last year. Well, I've just finished that original little bottle and I've replaced it with a much larger bottle of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap in Almond - which, as you can imagine, has a lovely sweet scent.

 I was really surprised by how long the small 59ml bottle lasted me as since I discovered Dr Bronner's Magic Soap I haven't used anything else to wash my makeup brushes - it has become an absolute staple in my beauty routine. Not only do I find it infinitely easier and quicker to use than baby shampoo (which I used previously) but it's also far less wasteful as you don't need very much Magic Soap to get perfectly clean brushes. It does have other uses - you can use it as hand soap or as shower gel - but for me personally it's main job is to get that weekly brush cleanse over and done with as speedily as possible!

There are lots of products that I use fairly regularly that don't get enough mention on my blog and Dr. Bronners' Magic Soap is definitely one of them. If you're looking for a new brush cleanser - or a fair-trade and organic body cleanser - then I'd definitely recommend giving this a try. You can find it on ASOS and Feel Unique - and I'm already eyeing up the brand's other products!

Have you tried Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap before? 

What do you use to clean your makeup brushes?

Lippy Girl Vegocentric Vegan Lipstick in Coral Me Maybe Review

This Lippy Girl Vegocentric Vegan Lipstick in Coral Me Maybe* is the first product that I've ever tried from Lippy Girl Makeup's range - and it has not disappointed! I didn't really know what to expect from the product as the natural lipsticks I've tried so far have been incredibly hit  (Living Nature and Ilia) or miss (Honeybee Naturals). However, as soon as I first applied Coral Me Maybe I knew I was going to love it, as it immediately had all the tell-tale makings of a really great lipstick.

The Lippy Girl Vegocentric Vegan Lipstick packaging is compact but sturdy, with a weightiness that imbues it with a sense of luxury. Furthermore, the lipstick itself is very secure in the tube, twisting up and down easily. The formula of the lipstick is also really nice as it isn't too creamy which means that depending on your preference you can apply it quite sheerly or layer it up for an opaque colour. Lippy Girl's Vegocentric Vegan Lipsticks also contains lots of natural oils and butters (castor seed oil, jojoba oil,  feels very smooth on the lips which makes it easy to apply evenly and very comfortable to wear. They strike a really nice balance between offering a moisturising application of colour, but one that isn't too thick and doesn't just slip off your lips. As a result, I found that I didn't need to use a lip liner to get a precise looking finish, and equally I didn't need to exfoliate my lips either. Overall, it's just really easy to apply, comfortable to wear and I loved the semi-opaque colour achieved in a couple of layers. Below, you can see what Lippy Girl's Coral Me Maybe looks like in natural daylight (both images show the colour and finish achieved with two-three layers of lipstick).

Lippy Girl's Vegocentric Vegan Lipstick in Coral Me Maybe* is my idea of a perfect spring/summer lipstick shade. It's a very pretty pinky-coral shade that really brightens up the complexion without actually being all that bright itself. Coral Me Maybe has a very subtle frost finish that not only makes my lips look bigger than they really are but also catches the sunlight in a really beautiful way. The overall effect is very flattering but it isn't a "natural" looking lip colour as you can definitely notice it on your lips. I personally really like the shade and although it doesn't last all that long on my lips it does fade evenly which makes me feel comfortable wearing it  on a day-to-day basis. Overall, I think the colour is fresh, modern and perfect for the summertime - and considering that the lipstick is also 100% vegan, and that the metal packaging can be recycled, I'm really, really impressed. 

Lippy Girl Vegocentric Vegan Lipsticks* can be found on MyPure for £12.50* - there's a range of really gorgeous shades and I've already lusting after quite a few more!

MyChelle Dermaceuticals: Advanced Argan Oil & Incredible Pumpkin Peel

Founded in 2000, MyChelle Dermaceuticals is a natural and cruelty free (listed on PETA's list of certified cruelty free companies) beauty brand that specialises in products that "deliver fast, powerful, visible results without nasty ingredients or toxic chemicals". I first heard about MyChelle last year when I started to see their products appear on some of the beauty blogs that I follow. I was impressed with the positive reviews I read and I started to follow the brand and learn more about their extensive range of natural skincare products. I've always been particularly interested in MyChelle's face masks but when I read Lauren's review of MyChelle's Advanced Argan Oil I decided that I really wanted to give that a try too! I was very kindly invited to pick a couple of products for review, and I chose two products that I thought would be suitable for my combination skin.

MyChelle Incredible Pumpkin Peel

Available online for £21.00*

Packed full of ingredients such as; Pumpkin Pulp, Enzymes, Fermented Juice and antioxidants - this face mask is quite unlike anything I've tried before! First off, it is a wonderfully rich orange colour which makes you look incredibly silly when you apply it to your face (in my opinion, this is a plus, because who doesn't secretly enjoy looking a little bit silly in the privacy of their own home). However, the only negative I have to say about this peel is to do with the smell which is almighty and takes no prisoners. It is the kind of smell that you "have to get used to". But if you can look past it, which I can, and you get around to using this exfoliating enzyme peel once a week for a meagre one-to-three minutes you absolutely will notice an immediate difference in the appearance and texture of your skin. I can see the difference ever time I reach for this mask, my skin is left looking visibly brighter and smoother without any redness or irritation. I love that I've found another effective chemical exfoliating product but I particularly love that I can actually understand all of the ingredients list. I think this is a great product to incorporate into your skincare routine, especially if you have combination, oily or blemish prone skin - but I will remind you that I warned you about the smell!

MyChelle Advanced Argan Oil

Available online for £16.95*

I have been a skincare oil advocate ever since I discovered them two years back, but this is my first foray into the world of Argan Oil for your skin. It has a very different texture to some of the rosehip oils I've used in the past, it feels richer without being thick and more hydrating without feeling heavy. In short, I immediately liked it and swapped it into my daily skincare routine as my nightly serum - applying it after cleansing, before my moisturiser. I've found that it's done a fantastic job of dealing with the dry patches that I get on my cheeks, without clogging my oily t-zone or causing any blemishes. It's definitely an oil that I think I should have embraced sooner as I love how it leaves my skin feeling. After applying a couple of drops into my hands, I massage the oil into my skin in gentle upwards motions. I find that it absorbs quickly but not instantly but when it has all been absorbed my skin feels very plump and hydrated. I think that this would work for a range of skin types and I've found that it's been tremendously good for my combination-type skin.

Have you heard of MyChelle before? Do you use chemical exfoliation or skin oils? 

Getting Your Legs Out: Smooth, Tanned and Hydrated

Introducing Narynda Skincare

Balance Me Radiance Face Mask Review

When I went for my Balance Me skin consultation back in December one of the products that was highly recommended to me was Balance Me's Radiance Face Mask*. It was recommended to me because I have clogged pores and combination (dry/oily skin), and I needed something to help me gently but effectively exfoliate my skin - and this mask is good for all these skin concerns. It's first ingredient is water, followed by clay, so it is a clay mask but it's very light and the high concentration of sweet almond oil keeps it from being too drying. Essentially, the complex base formula is a creamy, light clay mask that does some cleansing but also helps to soften and balance the skin, making it perfect for combination skin-types.

In and among the clay you can also find small particles of walnut shell which add a touch of exfoliation. It's quite a gentle exfoliation but it might still be too harsh for incredibly sensitive skin, however, for me it's just enough to brighten and soften my skin without leaving it looking red. I like to gentle work Balance Me's Radiance Face Mask into my face when I first apply it, I find that this gets all the exfoliation out of the way at the beginning of the application so that the rest of the mask's ingredients can really get to work on my skin. I wait about ten minutes and find that a lot of the product seems to sink in and disappear. Once this has happened, I remove the face mask using a flannel soaked in warm water using small circular motions. The product is incredibly easy to remove so it won't irritate sensitive skin, and I find that the brightening and softening effects are immediately noticeable.

I've used a couple of 15ml mini tubes of Balance Me Radiance Face Mask before and they tend to give about three to four full applications. This means that a 75ml tube will give you approximately 15-20 applications, which I think definitely justifies the price. I picked mine up on MyPure.co.uk for £18.00 with free delivery, but you can also find the 15ml tubes which are available for £4.50. 

Have you tried any Balance Me products before? 

What's your favourite face mask?

Recycle Lush's Black Pots for a Free Lush Face Mask

Oh dear- look what I've gone and done, I've finished all the goodies. I love a good Lush haul, there's something really enjoyable about opening a new little black pot and some of the products I used last year were really lovely (I was a particularly big fan of Let the Good Times Roll). What you might not know is that when you've gathered together five empty black Lush pots you can return them to a Lush store where they'll recycle them and in exchange you can choose a free fresh Face Mask or fresh Hair Mask.

I recently recycled my empty pots and exchanged them for a pot of Lush's Cupcake Face Mask. I can hardly believe it but it's been almost two years since I used this face mask but I'm soooo glad that I picked up another pot. It's a wonderful mask for anyone with oily and blemish-prone skin and there's something really lovely about applying these face masks fresh from the fridge - they just feel so much more like a treatment than other face masks in my collection. And when I finally finish Cupcake (Lush's Fresh Face Masks usually last about six applications) I'll be saving the pot to eventually cash-in for another freebie…

What's your favourite Fresh Face Mask from Lush?

 Do you recycle your Lush black pots?

A'kin Orange Blossom & Chamomile Refreshing and Soothing Toner Review

This month, I've absolutely been loving A'kin's Orange Blossom and Chamomile Refreshing and Soothing Toner*. During the winter - expecially December - my skin can be quite temperamental, and it often tends to reach for the extremes, getting quite a lot drier and oilier than usual. To compensate, I like to swap in gentle products that will help refresh and restore my skin to a happier middle-ground. 

A'kin's Orange Blossom and Chamomile Toner* does a wonderful job of removing those last traces of cleanser, makeup and sebum - helping to regulate the oilier parts of my face without causing any stress to the drier areas. It's suitable for even sensitive skin and I for one can't get enough of its beautiful, natural fragrance. A'kin are a really lovely Australian brand whose products are all-natural and certified vegan, using ingredients that are all animal-testing free. If you're looking for natural, cruelty-free skincare that not only works but feels great to use, then I'd definitely recommend trying out some of their products. You can find A'kin's Orange Blossom Chamomile Refreshing and Soothing Toner on MyPure.co.uk for £12.00*.

Green People: Impressive Natural Makeup

I "discovered" Green People in September and ever since day one I've been really impressed with their products. I've tried their facial oil (which is just beautiful), their makeup remover (which I loved) as well as talc-free powder blush, and I wasn't disappointed! Today I've got three more of Green People's beauty products to share with you - their Volumising Mascara, their Illuminating Eye Duo and their Night Forest Eye Duo. I've been trying these out for a while now and I've been very glad to have some more natural makeup in my routine, especially some talc-free eyeshadows. I've shared my thoughts on each product in a mini-review format but if there's anything else that you'd like to know then please do leave me a comment or tweet me (@OneLittleVice) for a quicker response.

Green People Volumising Mascara in Black*

available online for £14.75

As far as I'm concerned, Green People's mascara wands are totally on point - I love these sorts of lash, separating and defining brushes which seem to add tremendous length! The formula is also really good, especially for a product that contains 98% natural ingredients, using natural pigments to achieve it's dark black colour. However, I don't personally think this mascara offers much in the way of volume but it does seriously lengthen my lashes and lasts from morning until night without any flaking or smudging. I actually found that on my lashes it outperformed my Maybelline the Falsies Mascara in terms of longevity, and I feel much more comfortable reaching for a Green People's makeup especially when it comes to an everyday essential like mascara! Overall, I'm really impressed and I'll be reaching for this mascara over others that I own because I really like it. 

Green People Illuminating Eye Duo* (pictured above left)

available online for £17.50 (currently on offer for £10)

Green People's Illuminating Eye Duo really does what it claims - it brightens and enlivens eyes, making your face look brighter and more 'awake'. The shades are subtly different, one is a pure shimmering white and there other is a very pale, pearlescent pink. I love using both of these on the inner corners of my eyes, but I do find that I need to use a primer to help them last throughout the day. Because these eyeshadows don't contain talc (to which my skin is sensitive) I can also use them as skin highlighters - applying them on my brow bone or across my cheek bones. I really like both of the colours, they're very wearable and aren't too stark, and they aren't too powdery. These will be particularly good for anyone ensitive to talc who's looking for an easy-to-wear, multi-tasking addition to their everyday beauty routine.

Green People Night Forest Eye Duo* (pictured above right)

available online for £17.50 (currently on offer for £10)

The Night Forest Duo really appealed to me because I loved the look of the colours - a deep brown that's perfect for a brown smokey eye, and a lighter, golden brown that's good for both brightening the eye area and adding some subtle definition. I find that these eyeshadows need an eye primer to last throughout the day on my oily eyelids but they also work really well when used as liners. Below, I've included photos of me wearing the dark brown shade along my upper and lower lash line. You can see that it gives a deep smokey look that isn't too dark or harsh. I love that these eyeshadows contain Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E, and I feel as though Green People offers wonderful skin-friendly makeup that I feel really comfortable reaching for on an everyday basis. 

Have you tried anything from Green People before? Did you like the look of any of the products featured in today's post?

Inika Certified Organic Rosehip Creme Colour for Cheeks and Lips Review

Each month the online natural beauty store MyPure lets me pick one or two beauty products to try out and review. Today I'm going to be sharing my thoughts on Inika's Certified Organic Rosehip Creme Colour for Cheeks and Lips*. I actually featured it a couple of days ago in my make-up multitasks post because it really is a dual function product - it works really well on both cheeks and my lips. If you want an idea of the colour it gives, I'm wearing it on my lips and my cheeks in the photo below.

When you go to apply Inika's Rosehip Creme Colour* it an almost liquid consistency that's incredibly easy to blend, and you only need a tiny amount to get a really beautiful dose of colour. It shows up as quite bright on my lips but it looks really natural when worn as a blush. If you've tried  straight-up red blushes before and thought that they didn't suit you then this shade would be a great alternative. It's has a really brightening orange undertone that just completely wakes up my complexion.

I also find that the colour lasts really well on my cheeks. Once you've blended it out, it sets into a stain-like finish that doesn't smudge or over emphasise pores. It also isn't a really drying formula, so it actually works well on the lips too. Again, it starts of quite wet before it dries down into something resembling a stain but it doesn't feel uncomfortable. However, it does transfer so this isn't the best thing to put on before lunch or if you intend to give anyone a kiss on the cheek! 

You don't get a lot of product for your money but I think that what you do get is incredibly good quality. It's a certified organic beauty product that's cruelty free and suitable for Vegans. It's free of parabens, preservatives and fragrances and full of skin loving oils. I'm so glad that I've been able to try it out for myself and if you like multi-purpose cream products then I'd definitely recommend it. You can find Inika's Rosehip Creme Colour* online from MyPure for £17.00.

Natural Beauty Products: Living Nature Concealer in Light Review

This month I've been wearing Living Nature's Concealer in the shade Light*. I got mine from MyPure, a great website for shopping for natural beauty products (especially at the moment as they have some great free gifts with purchase). I tried one of Living Nature's lipsticks last month and I really loved it, but I just haven't gotten on so well with this concealer. It isn't "bad" by any stretch of the imagination, but even the lightest shade is just a bit too dark for my skin at this time of year when I'm at my palest - if you have very fair skin then this will be much too dark for you.

Living Nature's Concealer* has a similar scent to another natural concealer that I've tried out - it's quite a heavy scent but it isn't unpleasant. The concealer has a thick, liquid consistency and a little goes a long way. The best way I've found to apply it is by squeezing some onto the back of my hand and using it a little bit like an artist's palette. I dip a brush (usually Real Techniques' Contour Brush) into a dot of concealer and swish it around on the back of my hand. As you blend the concealer out, it lightens considerably and it is essentially to really blend it out onto your skin in order to achieve an even finish.When you apply it to your skin (I've been using it under you eyes and around my nose) it lasts really well and offers medium coverage that doesn't look too thick or heavy. 

Overall, I'm really impressed with the performance of the concealer but I do wish that it came in more shades (there are only three) so that I could get more use out of it. For now, I'm resigned to mixing it with another concealer that's lighter in tone to make it wearable. You can find Living Nature's Concealer* online here for £21.00.

Last Week's Lipsticks: HoneyBee Gardens Lipstick in Superstitious Review

Last week I wore a number of different lipsticks and really enjoyed playing around with some bold shades. When I felt like sporting a bright pink I opted for Oriflame's Fuchsia Hype*. When I wanted a berry lip I chose Revlon's Kissable Balm Stain in Crush. When I wanted red I chose MaxFactor's Colour Elixir Lipstick in Ruby Tuesday. And, finally, when I wanted a really vampy dark purple I opted for my new HoneyBee Gardens Lipstick in the shade Superstitious*. HoneyBee Gardens are a natural beauty brand based in America and their lipsticks are paraben free and full of skin loving ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter and vitamin E. In the photos below you can see what Superstitious looks like when first applied and what it looks like after the glossiness wears away and leaves behind a stain. 

It won't be to everyone's tastes but I absolutely love the shade. It's really dark but surprisingly easy to wear as you don't need to add much to it - just a tiny bit of blush and mascara. Although I love the colour, the actual formula of HoneyBee Gardens Lipsticks isn't the best. In the bullet, the lipstick feels very fragile and if I'm not incredibly careful when using it I think it will break and be unusable (which isn't a concern I've had with any of my other lipsticks that I've tried before). Additionally, the formula is also quite patchy which makes it hard to build up an even, opaque finish - and with a shade like Superstitious any unevenness is very noticeable. Long story short, this lipstick is such hard work to use that I'm considering finding the same shade but from another brand who offer a better formula and better packaging. 

I love that HoneyBee Gardens offer on trend colours and that their lipsticks are full of good ingredients. I also love that their lipstick left a slight stain behind on my lips. Based on my overall experience I'd definitely like to try other products from their range, but I can't recommend Superstitious as it just didn't live up to my expectations. 

Hair Masks: Moisture vs Protein

I like supplementing my day-to-day beauty routine with little extras. Partly it's because the routine of using face masks and hair masks is something that I enjoy, but really it's because my hair and skin benefit from having a little bit of extra attention throughout the week. 

When I was in my third year of University I hadn't quite learnt how to manage my stress and my body's reaction was hair loss. It wasn't extreme, but it was noticeable and it's had a lasting effect on my hair. Recently I had a hair consultation at Trevor Sorbie's flagship store in Covent Garden and a hair professional explained that my hair wasn't actually "frizzy" as I've been describing it for the last few years, the word she used instead was "fragile". All those little baby hairs (that are happy indicators that my hair is regenerating) may appear as frizz when in fact they're actually just short and delicate newly grown hairs that I need to look after rather than battle against. 

As part of this process I learned an important difference between moisturing hair masks and protein hair masks. Moisturising masks combat dryness and coarseness - they might help with lustreless ends or the dryness brought on by too much central heating or air conditioning. Protein masks, on the other hand, help restore hair by strengthening fragile new growth and working towards repairing the damage caused by heat.

For a long, long time I've assumed that slathering on a hydrating hair mask is all the hair treatment that my hair would ever really need. Well, if you have similarly fragile hair (for whatever the reason) what you might actually need is some sort of protein mask or treatment. When I want to rehydrate the ends of my hair I reach for A'kin's Gingko and Jojoba Intensive Moisture Masque*, but when I want to do an all over restorative protein treatment I've been reaching for KeraStraight's Protein Mask*. It's too soon for me to give this protein mask a full review but I can say that I'm really enjoying using it and I do believe that it will improve the overall condition of my hair.

Do you use a protein hair mask?