Discover Aurelia’s 3-Step Probiotic Routine

Let me ask you a question – when you scroll down your Facebook feed, do you notice adverts? I usually do and one of those that caught my attention was a possibility to claims a free Aurelia 3-Step Probiotic Routine (all in sample size) for free, I just had to pay £3 postage and I could also choose another free sample at checkout.

Aurelia is organic multi-award winning luxury skincare that promises to protect, restored and balance your skin from within. They source their ingredients ethically and cruelty free and you will not find any parabens, sulfates, mineral oils or other questionable ingredients.  At the time I saw it, I just started using sample of their Miracle cleanser and really loved it and considering it also has higher price tag, I told myself it is definitely worth a try. All of the products mentioned contain baobab to revitalise, kigelia africana to firm and hibiscus as antioxidant.

Step 1: Cleanser

Aurelia Miracle cleanser (15 ml) with chamomile, eucalyptus, rosemary and bergamot comes with a bamboo muslin. It is a gentle creamy cleanser that is suitable for all skin types. Despite the fact that you can really feel eucalyptus (btw, one of my favourite essential oils), I didn’t feel any discomfort when I remove my eye make up. I don’t use waterproof make up so I cannot comment on how effective it is with it but it melts my eyeliner and mascara beautifully. I don’t feel my skin right but perfectly cleansed. 120 ml size costs £42 and 240 ml £64.

Step 2: Serum

Revitelise & Glow Serum (4ml) with jasmine, plumeria, tuberose and mandarin essential oils provides luminous, dewy and radiant glow in an instant. It is milky and its scent reminds me of pharmacy (in a good way). It is light, non-greasy and sinks in a flash. 30 ml is sold for £64.

Step 3: Moisturise

Cell Revitelise Day Moisturiser (20 ml) also contains same essential oils as serum and baobab, kigelia africana, hibiscus, borage, mongongo and argan oils provide vitamin E, antioxidants and omegas to reduce impact of pollution and stress on your skin. It looks a bit like whipped cream that doesn’t feel heavy on skin. 60 ml comes to £58.

Cell Revitelise Night Moisturiser is just slightly richer than day moisturisers and besides baobab, kigelia and hibiscus contains other great ingredients like rosehip, mongongo and avocado oil, aloe vera and shea butter. Essential oils like neroli, lavender, rose and mandarin help prepare your senses to your down time. Price is the same as with day moisturiser.

As I mentioned I could also choose a free sample and I chose this Sleep Time Top to Toe Cream from their children’s care range.

I wanted to provide you with the link for the offer but it looks like this was tíme limited but if you sign up with Aurelia’s Skintool, you’ll get a code for £10 off your next order.

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Lookfantastic October 2017 Box

After I got a confirmation that my Powder drawer subscription is cancelled (hopefully) and I also cancelled my Latest in Beauty subscription because it again sold out almost everything I wanted when it was time for me to choose content of my box, I decided to finally order the box I was always eyeing and last month I was hesitating ordering it for so long that their box sold out before the end of the month – Lookfantastic. What I like about the box is that it’s got a good variety of products that I cannot easily get in highstreet drugstore, doesn’t charge extra postage and I also get a copy of Elle magazine.

This month’s selection contains 6 products worth around £68 and the edit name is Indulge Me to help you indulge spending more cosy your time sa the weather is getting colder. The design of the box calls for all the rose gold lovers.

My first choice is Skimono Intense Nourishing+ hand mask. I heard a lot of good about this brand and I just basically waited till I could make a picture of the box (around a week) so that I could finally give myself permission tonuse the mask.

Bean Body Coffee Bean Scrub in Coconut (50 g) is your coffee scrub with coconut oil, vitamin E and sea Salt. I know that some people might be fed up with all the coffee body scrubs popping in every other beauty box but as I use them 1-2 times a week, it is a welcome necessity in my bathroom, plus I love the smell of coffee and coconut, especially in October weather.

Lancer The Method: Polish (14 g). As I don’t watch Kardashians, I only read that Dr Lancer is a dermatologist toany celebrities but I heard about his brand before and although I don’t use physical face polish that much lately, sample size is bearable for me and a good way try try the expensive brand. This one contains pure minerals, pumpkin and pomegranate enzymes.

Monu Skin Fuji Facial Oil is supposed to be for dry/sensitive skin and I also have a few oils in my stash already (it takes me ages to finish one up) but I this is also the first item from the brand so it is for testing.

Modelco Instant Radiance Concealer is Lookfantastic exclusive in full size. I don’t suffer from horrible dark under eye circles but there are days when I do look tired and use radiance concealer. This promises creamy, long wear formula so I hope it does deliver that without creasing.

Ciaté Wonderwand Mascara in travel size got me excited. I had a mascara from Ciaté before and was very underwhelmed when I tried it as it was heavy for my fine sparse lashes but once it dried a bit, it became my go to mascara for creating big volume. This is a newer mascara but I am hoping for similar results.

Overall I am happy with this box as it orders good mix of products for everybody and love the design of the box as well as the idea of having a magazine in my beauty box.

 

Holika Holika Pig-nose Clear 3-step Kit

Back at the beginning of summer, I ordered Holika Holika Pig-nose Clear Black Head 3-step Kit but as I still had Biore strips and by my experience it is not worth to extract blackheads on my nose more often than once a month (if I remember with that frequency), so it is only now I got to try it.

Ingredients

Step 1 – Water, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Viscum Album (Mistletoe) Extract,  Caprylyl Glycol, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Root Extract, Arctium Majus Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hypericum Perforatum Extract, CitrusMedicaLimonum(Lemon)FruitExtract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Propanediol, Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, RosmarinusOfficinalis (Rosemary)LeafExtract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, ThymusVulgaris(Thyme)Flower/LeafExtract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, CitrusAurantiumDulcis(Orange)FruitExtract, Fragrance(Parfum)
Step 2 – Water, Kaolin, Titanium Dioxide, PVP, Dimethicone Copolyol, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, VP/VA Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Methylparaben, CI 17200
Step 3 – Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Erythritol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trehalose, , Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, CitrusMedicaLimonum (Lemon) FruitExtract, Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceChlorphenesin, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Vitis Vinifera

I didn’t have any English but I found English directions on Glamour Flare website where I bought it from.

Step 1

The idea of this step is that to be able to extract the blackheads easily, you need to soften the skin. I usually use extraction strip after shower for the same reason.

When you open Step 1, you’ll find something like a nose sheet mask that you apply to your nose for 15-20 minutes.

Step 2

Step 2 is extraction strip that you use after you wet your nose with water. Wait around 15 minutes or until completely dry and carefully remove with many of your blackheads extracted.

Step 3

A nose gel sheet is to moisturise and treat the extracted area.

It removed my blackheads well although not better than Biore strips. However, the additional steps make sense to me and with the price of £4.50 for three kits, it is also comparable to ordinary strips from a good brand on promotion, even cheaper alternative.

October 2017 Powder Beauty Subscription Drawer

I wrote last month about the Powder Beauty subscription. I quite liked what was inside but the lack of ease of customer support and basically zero communication about whereabouts of my order made me feel kind of underwhelmed.

After I cancelled my subscription with them I got an e-mail that they will forward my request to subscription team. It is possible that it is just one person because I didn’t hear from them for almost two weeks, only on 1st of the month my credit card was charged £18.50, so I was only hoping that I would at least get another box and decided to wait till the end of the week before I would write to them another email. On Thursday I got an e-mail that they’re sorry I am cancelling the subscription and that I would still get this months box and then my subscription is fully cancelled. And on Friday I received the box and here is what I got.

Nip+Fab Dragon’s Blood Fix Plumping Serum (20 ml) to deliver a shot of moisture to the skin in cool weather. I wanted to try this serum so was pleased to see this.

Lottie London Blush Crush in Nick (other available colour is Harry) in full size. I have never tried Lottie make up and this claims to be super blendable and has got a bit of glitter look that I am not sure about so we’ll see.

Look Good Feel Better Sculpting Sponge should be a good multitasker for contouring, highlighting, strobing and foundation. It seems soft and bouncy. I  am actually glad about this one because I was looking at getting a sponge with a flat edge and I like the feel of this one. I tried it with my Revlon foundation and it gave me brilliant application. So this is a winner for me from this box.

Blaq Mask (15 ml) is one those infamous black masks that internet was full of some time ago that pulls out the life of your face. I personally was not that interested in destroy my face this way but I am interested in trying it on my nose and  T zone.

Urban Veda Daily Purifying Wash (20 ml). Available were three kinds and because Powder customises box according to the form you fill in with your first order. I got one for oily skin. I had a toner from the same range last year and I really liked it as it felt very refreshing without drying alcohol.

By the booklet I should have received Nails Inc Correcting pen but I had Nails Inc nail polish in Futures Bright.

Last but not least is 1,2 ml sample of Calvin Klein Obsessed EDP.

Besides that you get also vouchers to 15 – 25% from the brands featured.

I felt similar to when I got my Birchbox – underwhelmed by the size of products, there seemed to be more paper shreds than beauty but the product I liked once I checked them better. Although I think that £18.50 is quite an expensive subscription box and would appreciate better ease of use of their website and better communication, I can certainly see its value. I also found a deal for this box (pity, I didn’t find it when I was signing up). When you sign up with Groupon, you can get 6-months subscription for £39 + postage and that is definitely a good deal.

 

 

Skinsider Mini Haul

K-beauty industry is growing in popularity and so is demand and number of sellers here in Europe. One of those new companies selling Korean skincare is a company called Skinsider that started popping out on Instagram of my favourite UK based beauty bloggers.

To be honest I didn’t need anything in particular but when I saw that they give three Blossom Jeju 2-step sheet masks with orders plus I would get another 10% off as a new customer and a subscriber to Skinsider club.

The brands available are Blossom Jeju, Dr G, Klairs, DermaBUD and LJH. After putting different items in my basket, I decided to treat this order as a taster only and bought a set of 10 Dr G Snail Wrinkle Masks and one Klairs mask (I would have very probably bought Midnight Blue Calming Cream if I had noticed they have it and I am now angry at myself I didn’t).

When the order arrived, after I opened the box, I found all the products wrapped in a nice parcel wrapped in a paper mesh and logo with a card and message from the owner and her team. Besides the three freebie masks, I also found an envelope with 6 mini  a samples, so truly in the spirit  a od K-beauty shops who are not stingy with samples. I think all the impotant details like that made me as a customer feel appreciated and I do plan to come back for more. I am pleasantly impressed (and hopefully will also be with what I bought) and wish Skinsider to be a successful business. Now, I just have to start some sheet mask marathon (although, if you check my empties posts, you’ll notice, I did start using more and more sheet masks).

Latest in Beauty and Red Magazine Box

Oops, I did it again, I got another beauty box. Latest in Beauty had a few colab boxes releases lately and when I saw Red box, I got sucked in. I know, £35 is quite a lot for a beauty box but if you consider that there were 15 products, it brings price you pay for one to around £2.33.

When I picked the box from local post office, it was heavy for its size (good sign for me) and when I opened it, you could smell spa.

What was inside?

Olverum Bath Oil (125 ml) is by describtion a luxurious blend of warming eucalyptus, relaxing lavender and soothing geranium.

Sanctuary Spa Purifying Charcoal Bubble Sheet Mask is one of the products I am excited about as I always wanted to try a bubble sheet mask but didn’t get to trying one till now. I might even write a review about it once I try it.

Jurlique Moisturising Cleanser (20 g) is another sample I am glad to see as I like using them in winter.

The White Company Orange Grove scented candle. Although since I have children, I am not that big on burning candle, I do like having one or two when weather is getting colder and we are cosing up at home. I like easthetics of The White Company and I like everything with orange fragrance so I have good hopes for this.

Soigné nail polish. This was the firts polish I used from this brand but I fell inlove how smoothly it applied on my nails and it looked very glossy. Plus the vibrant cool toned berry red looks good in any season and even more so in autumn. I didn’t expect it, but this was definitely love at first application ☺️

This is the nailpolish applied in one layer without a topcoat with wonderful glossy

The White Company Seychelles Hand & Nail Cream (30 ml). I like handcreams in handbag format so this is also a welcome addition in my stash.

Balmi Super Cube Lip Balm in Mint. This not only looks appealing with its pastel colour but it also has SPF15.

Dr Organic Rose Otto Facial Serum (30 ml) is a blend of rose Otto, calendula and jojoba oil promising keeping skin clear and smooth. So far I only tried a handcream from the brand so I am excited to try some skincare.

Argan + Moroccan Spice Oil Infused Body Wash (200 ml) contains Vitamin E and mix of ginger, pepper and cinnamon should be ideal in winter shower.

Lipstick Queen Nothing But the Nudes is available in 3 shades in this box and although I was a bit worried when I saw that this shade is slightly paler than my natural lipcolour with matte finish, I was relieved to see that it didn’t look like I used a concealer on my lips.

Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Hair Healer Leave-in Conditioner (30 ml). Leave-in treatments and conditioners are a must in our family so again, very happy tto try this.

JF Lazartigue Soy Milk Strengthening Shampoo (50 ml) . I never heard of this brand but this shampoo days it is gentle enough to be used every day, so it should be good for my curly hair.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum (10 ml). I know, another box with this sérum but I actually really don’t mind as I like it and at least don’t have to buy a full size.

Kneipp Mineral Bath in Balancing Lavender can’t really use at the moment, as I have only shower but will definitely try when I visit my parents🤗

Margaret Dabbs glass nail file. I like the look of glass nail files and how they gently buff away sharp edges on my nails and they also last long, so again, happy to have this.

I might seem easy to please but that is also the reason I chose this box – I like what’s included and will use each item.

 

Current Favourites – September 2017

It didn’t take a long time to choose products I enjoyed the most this month and felt I want to share with you (well, I only do favourites if I have something I want to mention) and these month I had 7 products I loved in particular.

Yves Rocher Organic Vanilla Body Exfoliant. Give me some vanilla fragranced beauty product and there’s a good chance I will hate it – artificial, opressive vanilla is something I hate BUT I mentioned it on my blog before when I used matching eau de toilette – this is for me the best vanilla fragrance ever (my compliments to the ‘nose’ who made it). Smelling just like when my mum was baking vanilla sponge when I was a child and she gave me to lick a bit of egg meringue before she added flour. For me that means a true vanilla and this is a body product as it should be – my senses enjoy every second using it.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 helped me to continue keeping my skin supple after the Lomi Lomi Scheduler pack, without being greasy or expensive, who wouldn’t love that?

Max Factor Masterpiece Nude Palette in 03 Rose Nudes after I wrote about this palette I used it only a few times (as I was buying a lot of palettes at the time) and I got it in this September rotation and only now I realised that this is really amazing for a drugstore palette. Sometimes I use some a drugstore palette that I used to like a year ago and I feel like I am not sure what I liked about it (yes, I am beginning to be a bit of a beauty snob) but it was the opposite – I had a feeling I didn’t give it love it deserves. I love rose nudes and these work well on my lids – they blend well, have a good colour pay off, don’t crease inside my hooded eyelids and fallout is not bad.

B. Radiant BB Under Eye Concealer is one of those that B. discontinued over a year ago before they brought new make up range. They were sold for peanuts, so I bought light and medium and then forgot about them till I found it lately when I was rearranging my stash and it is what I want from my under eye concealer – creamy, light, covers well, brightens and doesn’t crease.  Pity, I tried it so late I cannot buy more backup.

Manna Kadar is a 3 in 1 eyeshadow, blush and highlighter that I received in September Birchbox and once I used it I just kept pulling it out for my everyday lowkey no make up make up. I love products like that and I think shade Fantasy looks good on most complexions. It is just pity it was in September box as I think that the minimal make up you can create with it would be great in the summer. I admit, if you want a blinding highlighter, it is not for you but if you like something to give you a bit of glow with a healthy colour, this is the right thing.

BareMinerals Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lip Colour in Juju was another beautybox gem from QVC’s Tili. It is satin matte but lightweight and rosy mauve. Loved it from the very first time I used it.

Ciaté London Pretty Stix in Sweetheart with its light pink colour might be more suitable for spring but I still love wearing it because it feels nourishing on my lips and the colour matches most of my daily makeup unless I use brown toned eyeshadows.

So these were my current favourites, what were yours? Have you got any beauty recommendations for fall?