Apivita Suncare Face Cream for Sensitive Skin SPF50+

I know that Summer is well and truly over with for another year atleast and that I shouldn't be harping on about sunscreen esecially when it's been raining and feeling very cold recently. However, we shouldn't stop wearing sunscreen just because the season changes as wearing SPF can protect your skin even from the lowest of sun rays during the winter months.  I received the Apivita Suncare Face Cream for Sensitive Skin SPF50+ back in April in my #NottsBBMeet Goodie Bag and it's taken me a while to make up my mind on this product.

The Apivita Suncare Face Cream for Sensitive Skin SPF50+ has been specially formulated using natural ingredients including sea lavender and algae to be used on the most sensitive of skins to help protect it from the harmful UV rays. It's a light brown cream which feels rather thick when first applied. I find that this takes quite a while to sink into my skin and after a while, it leaves my skin feeling rather sticky and tacky to the touch. I wouldn't say that this is fragrance free at all as I can specifically smell it on my skin although I cannot pinpoint exactly what ingredient/s it is that I'm smelling. I haven't noticed a difference in my skin whilst I've been using this but I'm sure that over time when my skin ages, I will then notice the results. Whilst I haven't noticed any results, I have noticed that it hasn't made my skin break out at all which is a good sign as most facial SPF's can sometimes break out on me.

If you're after a good facial sunscreen and prefer using natural products then this particular product is right up your alley. It's been created with natural and organic filters and the water within the product has been replaced by an infusion of organic green tea. It does not contain alcohol, parabens, silicones, mineral oil, propylene glycol, ethanolamines, pythalates pcm or nm. It is also water resistant which is a bonus too although you would still need to re-apply it after being in the water just to be on the safe side.

You can purchase the Apivita Suncare Face Cream for Sensitive Skin SPF50+ from Apivita Online or Marks & Spencer for £22.50.

Abahna Frangipana & Orange Blossom Hand Cream

Out of all the many beauty products I own, there are quite a few that I simply couldn't live without and one of those is hand cream. I don't personally suffer from dry hands however I do like keeping them moisturised and hydrated especially through the cold winter months. I've long been a fan of my beloved Superdrug Hand Therapy 2-in-1 Hand & Nail Cream however after finishing up my last tube of it and realising that I didn't have a backup, I dug out the Abahna Frangipani & Orange Blossom Hand Cream which I received in my #NottsBBMeet Goody Bag back in April.

The Abahna Frangipani & Orange Blossom Hand Cream contains a blend of super nourishing organic cocoa butter and organic shea butter which has been combined with sweet almond oil and artemisia oil to help keep the skin moisturised and hydrated. It also contains frangipani and orange blossom which when combined create a rather delicate feminine, soothing scent that is meant to restore inner peace.

I've been using this hand cream whenever I've been sat at my vanity and I've noticed that my hands feel a lot more moisturised especially after I've used this. It's a rather thick yet creamy lotion which sinks into the skin within seconds without leaving your hands feeling sticky. The scent of this is rather overpowering at times yet it relaxes me due to it containing many essential oils which are known to be very relaxing especially at night. In terms of moisturisation, I would say that it keeps my hands moisturised for a few hours but that depends on if I'm washing my hands/doing things in between.

The Abahna Frangipani & Orange Blossom Hand Cream is £8 for a 50ml tube which may seem rather pricey to many however it doesn't contain SLS, SLES, parabens, petrochemicals nor artificial colour. The brand is also against animal testing which makes this hand cream very good value for money as many hand creams out there are tested on animals. You can purchase this from the Abahna website where each order comes with free samples and there is the option to have your order gift wrapped if need be.

Kiehl's Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream

Kiehl's is a brand that is fairly new to me and after purchasing and using their Midnight Recovery Concentrate every night for the past three and a half months, I can see why Kiehl's is such a successful brand when it comes to skincare. Make up wise however, they've only just started to branch out in and I was rather sceptical when it came to trying out their Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream which I received in my #NottsBBMeet Goodie Bag. So much so, that it was only a month ago that I finally dug it and gave it whirl. After using it for a few weeks now, I think it's about time I shared my two cents on it.

The Kiehl's Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream claims to be much more than a normal BB cream. Its ingredients work to instantly perfect the skin by evening out by visibly correcting the appreance of any skin tone irregularities whilst preventing the formation of new ones with continued daily use. It also helps to reduce the apperance of pores and fine lines as well as concealing any imperfections and blemishes whilst keeping the skin hydrated all day. What makes this BB cream stand out from the rest is that is has two massive selling points - one being that it has SPF50 which is incredibly high for a makeup product and the other being that it contains Vitamin C which is known for it's powerful clarifying action as well as helping to perk up the skin.

It is available in three shades only - fair, light and medium which translates across as light, medium and dark respectfully. I've been using the shade Light which contains a lot of pink undertones in it which sadly comes across as being too dark/orange. As the consistency of this BB cream is quite thin, it means that it buffs into the skin quickly. Whilst this is too dark for me at the moment, I've noticed that when I buff and blend it into the skin, you can hardly tell that it doesn't quite match my skin tone. I find that it gives a very light coverage meaning that it doesn't quite cover scars and blemishes however using concealer will soon sort that out. As it is very thin in consistency, it feels very soft and almost weightless on my skin which gives the impression that you're not wearing any make up at all. I find that this lasts a good six-ish hours without powder which to me is very impressive. It's definitely one of those products that you can simply pop on in the morning and not have to worry much about it as it gives a dewy, almost flawless complexion.

The Kiehl's Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream comes in a 30ml tube and costs £23.50. You can pick this up from the Kiehl's website and Selfridges.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

Last month, I reviewed the Superdrug Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser and I mentioned that I've been using that along with the Vitamin E version for well over a year now. Whilst I still do love using it, I found myself getting bored of using it twice a day so when I attended the #NottsBBMeet back in April, I was glad to see the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish in our goodie bags. I've been using this almost four months now and I'm now ready to share my two cents on this raved about product.

The one thing that I love the most about this product is the packaging. It comes encased in a tiffany shade blue tube with a pump. You just pump out as much as you need (one pump is more than enough for the face) which then ensures that there's no mess and no un-necessary squeezing which is something that you really do appreciate when you are coming towards the end of the tube and find it near impossible to get anything out of it. Whilst the packaging is all rather swanky, you cannot tell how much product you have left in it so you have to guess by how light it feels. 

Many cleansers are aimed at either dry skins or oily skins however this is designed to suit all skin types which means that anybody can use it. It is packed full of natural ingredients including cocoa butter, rosemary, chamomile and eucalyptus which makes it one hell of a moistursing cleanser. As with most Liz Earle products, this has a very distinctive herbal aroma which I personally find to be quite soothing and relaxing.

The product itself is designed to work in two phases. The first phase being cleansing where you add a pump to your fingers and then work it into the skin by gently massaging it in with circular motions. You can either use this on dry skin or on a full face of makeup which makes it a great multi-use product. I tend to massage it into my face first, massaging it on for roughly thirty seconds each side before moving onto my eye area where it doesn't sting. The second phase is polishing where you use a muslin close and soak it in hand-hot water before wringing out and then gentling polishing off the cream. I personally like to use rather hot water and put the muslin cloth all over my face and leave it there for a few seconds before removing it with circular motions. After removing it, I like to then repeat the second phase again but this time using cold water to make sure that all the product is definitely off.

I've noticed that since I've started using this, my break outs have calmed down a lot especially when paired with face masks such as the Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask and the Balance Me Radiance Face Mask. I've also noticed that my skin doesn't look quite as red as before and it just looks normal for once. My skin actually looks more radiant than before and feels soft as a peach! I've even had compliments on my skin on the many make up free days as my skin just looks so much better than it was six months ago. I've actually already repurchased this and will continue so as it seriously is a miracle worker.

You can purchase the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish in the starter pack which comes with two pure muslin cloths and comes presented in a zip up bag for £14.75 from a variety of stockists including Liz Earle online, QVC and John Lewis. Please note that you can purchase the Cleanse & Polish in a variety of sizes and in various bundles.

NARS Laguna Bronzer

The NARS Laguna Bronzer is one the cult products that many people love and adore. It's the perfect bronzer for most complexions which has earned it holy grail status amongst many bloggers. This has been on my wishlist for quite a while and it wasn't until the #NottsBBMeet back in April that I finally caved in and bought it.

NARS Laguna is described as being a diffused brown powder with golden shimmer running throughout which I quite agree with. It comes encased in NARS' standard rubber packaging which is prone to getting very mucky however it does look very professional and luxurious none the less. It has a massive mirror meaning that its perfect to chuck into your bag and to touch up on the go which is a bonus.

The one thing that I keep on forgetting with Laguna is that a light hand is needed! Too much swirling of the brush can result in having orange mud patches for bronzer which has happened one too many times for me and sadly, no amount of blending it out would help. With that being said, I cannot fault its pigmentation as it only requires one sweep and you're good to go. When using a light hand, it gives the skin a nice healthy glow which just a hint of bronze shimmer. This is not a matte bronzer like many people say it is as it contains gold shimmer. However, it does mean that Laguna is perfect for contouring with.

Despite it sounding like the perfect bronzer, I just don't reach it for it on a daily basis due to it being so pigmented. I much prefer being able to build up the bronzer rather than taking a risk of looking like an oompa lumpa with one sweep. I know many people love pigmented products it's just down to personal preference, I much prefer using the Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer over this. Although that doesn't mean that I won't change my mind in the near future as I'm pretty sure that with a tan, I'll be reaching for this a lot more. However for now, it's being pushed to the back of my makeup drawer. You can purchase NARS Laguna from many stockists including Space NK and House Of Fraser for £26.

What are your thoughts on the NARS Laguna Bronzer? 

Balance Me Radiance Face Mask

Face masks are only something that I've introduced to my skin care routine in the last four-ish months or so, well since April to be precise. I've dabbled around with the one satchet, one use wonders and I've lusted after many high end ones but it wasn't until the #NottsBBMeet that I finally found a face mask that I actually enjoy and love using despite it's rather herby scent.

When I first used this, I couldn't help but turn my nose up at disgust at the smell. It's got a rather distinctive herby smell when applying it which lingers on the skin throughout the duration of the face mask which has now started to grow on me. The scent may be down to the bespoke blend of angelica, rose geranium, palma rose, lavender and Roman chamomile oils which help to make the skin brighter which also softening, calming and cleansing the skin. Another thing that I didn't particularly like is the fact that it's a exfoliating face mask. You apply the mask to dry skin as normal but then using circular movements, massage it into the skin to allow the ground up walnut shells particles to gently slough away dead skin cells. I've never encountered a face mask like this but it's definitely worth it especially for the results it gives.

Like many face masks, they aim to give you smoother skin blah blah blah. However, this face mask truly gives you smoother skin. I've never felt my skin feel as silky smooth like this before and that is just after one use! Smoother skin after one use is not all that it gives - after using it twice a week for a fortnight, the majority of scarring on my jawline and down my neck from previous breakouts have completely disappeared, and my complexion in general is just a lot clearer and brighter. I'm sure that with continued use, the results will only get better in time.

Whilst the Balance Me Radiance Face Mask is rather expensive, weighing in at £18 a pop for 75ml, it is definitely worth it for the results especially in the long run. You can purchase this and other products from the Balance Me Range from the Balance Me website and Look Fantastic.

Organix Macadamia Oil Shampoo & Conditioner

For those of you who have been reading my blog for a long time, you will know that I'm a massive fan of the Organix Macadamia Oil - so much so that I'm already on my third bottle! So it wasn't until I was in Boots at the #NottsBBMeet back in April that I finally picked up the matching shampoo and conditioner. I'm already a big fan of their products and I loved using their Morcoccan Argan Oil Shampoo + Conditioner which saved my hair back in April/May time.

Both the shampoo and conditioner within the Macadamia Oil range is infused with nutrient rich macadamia oil which instantly hydrates and smooth parched, dry hair whilst the exotic sugar cane extract and bamboo extract help to soft and reduce the appearance of spit ends for a luscious, vibrant mane which has a brilliant shine.

I've thoroughly enjoyed using the shampoo as it's not too thick nor too light and it always leaves my hair feeling silky soft. However, I'm not too keen on the conditioner - it's far too light and runny meaning that I use up far too much than necessary. I'm not sure if I've got a dodgy batch of the conditioner but it's just not what I was expecting. It makes my hair feel a lot healthier and softer when combined with the shampoo don't get me wrong just I feel that Organix should make all their conditioners the same consistency.

I wouldn't say I've noticed a huge difference in my split ends apart from the fact that my ends don't feel quite as dry as before. The one thing that has definitely changed about my hair is how much shinier it looks after each use especially after using the matching hair oil. It also feels a lot thicker and fuller which is a definite improvement in my thin, limp hair.

The Organix Macadamia Oil Shampoo and Conditioner can be found at Boots and Superdrug for £6.99 each a long with the rest of the Organix range.

Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask

Whenever you feel in need of a pick-me-up you can depend on this quick-fix treatment to come to the rescue in just a few precious minutes, leaving skin radiant and revitalised.

I still remember Sophie from Candy Cane Heart being completely shocked that I didn't own any face masks and how I needed one or three in my life ASAP! Fast forward a few months and I now proudly own four with many more on my wishlist to buy. The Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask* was one of the goodies in our #NottsBBMeet goodie bags which has made me fall in love even more with the Liz Earle Range. With naturally active ingredients such as organic aloe vera, white clay, witch hazel and camphor oil to name just a few, this mask aims to leave your skin radiant in just a few short minutes.

What I like the most about this face mask is just how user friendly and mess-free it is. Instead of a squeezy tube, it's a bottle with a pump which means that only two squirts is all that is needed to cover a full face instead of squeezing out far too much and getting messy hands. When I first used this, I couldn't stand the smell of it. It smells very much like chemicalfied minerals with a dash of witch hazel thrown in however after using it a few times since, the scent has started to grow on me. I like to use this after washing my face and before cleansing to really perk up my skin. You're meant to leave it on for between thirty seconds to two minutes in which you will experience a slight tingling sensation which means that it's doing its magic. Depending on how much of a thin layer you apply, it will dry out but not so much that it will crack whenever you try to laugh.

After washing this off, I always notice how much brighter my skin looks and how any spots I have seem to have reduced in size and in redness. I've also noticed that my complexion in general looks a hell of a lot better before applying it. Although it's only a short fix solution, it does help in the long run with spots and helping to keep them at bay. I try to use this at least once a week and sometimes more if I've got quite a few blemishes.

You can purchase this face mask along with many other products in the Liz Earle range from Liz Earle online and John Lewis for £14 for just the face mask alone or £14.75 for the Starter Kit.

Smooch Lipstick in Gossip

Smooch Cosmetics is a brand that I haven't really heard that much of apart from the odd review here and there. So when I opened up my goodie bag at the #NottsBBMeet to find a lipstick by them in the shade Gossip, I was rather pleased. I would personally describe Gossip as an everyday burnt peach with pinkish neutral undertones which I'm sure would suit a variety of skin tones. It reminds me a lot of MAC's Cremesheen formula lipsticks as it applies very creamy on the lips. I find that it lasts on the lips for a few hours before it needs re-applying which is standard with most creamy lipsticks.

You can purchase Smooch Cosmetics Lipstick in Gossip from their online website for £7.50.

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

Ever since I started blogging, I started noting down products that other people were talking about that I personally wanted to try. The Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation has been on my wishlist for the longest time and I finally took the plunge and parted with my pennies at the #NottsBBMeet back in April. £33 is a lot of money to spend, especially on a foundation however after using it for a couple months now, I've finally made up my mind on it.

Silk Creme is a medium to full coverage-ish foundation with a luminous finish. As the name suggests, it is a cream formula which means that it blends out nicely and it leaves your skin feeling soft and silky. It doesn't cling to pore as it contains silicones which adds to that flawless, polish look that many bloggers crave for. Just like a silicone based primer, it helps to fill in those areas and almost airbush over them. It doesn't cover all blemishes but it does cover scars left from old blemishes. A fifty pence sided blob is enough to cover your face - not a tiny blob as many people say which doesn't cover half a face no matter how much buffing you do! One of the only things that I like about this foundation is how radiant it leaves my skin looking which is properly down to its light-reflecting properties which add natural glowing highlights to your face without leaving your face greasy. I also like how long lasting it is on the skin as well - I've worn it for a good ten hours straight without powder and only minimal fading!

I was matched to the shade Rose Ivory which is the second lightest shade which is a perfect match for when I first apply it in the morning. Fast forward a few hours later and my face is looking a couple shades darker than my neck which I wasn't expecting at all. If I'm tanned which is very rarely then I can get away with it however most of time, I just feel so self conscious of it. I understand that many foundations tend to oxidise but I was just not expecting it to oxidise and change colour completely. Perhaps I've just got a dodgy tube?

With this in mind, I just don't like this enough to wear it over my other foundations. I like the consistency and the way it leaves my skin looking don't get me wrong, I'm just not a fan of how it looks on my skin a few hours after applying it. I will probably use this more in the Summer for when I'm a tanned as I'm sure it will look better then but for now, it's being pushed to the back of my drawers until a few months time.

The Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation can be purchased from Space NK, House of Fraser and Selfridges for £33 along with the rest of the Laura Mercier range.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate

Ever since I started blogging, I've been looking after my skin with various moisturisers and cleansers. It wasn't until the #NottsBBMeet when I had a skin consultation at Kiehl's that I really started to look after my skin. I have Normal/Dry skin which means I need to start drinking more water as well as start using more products aimed towards my skin type. During my skin consultation, the lovely Kiehl's assistant recommended to me to start using the Midnight Recovery Concentrate which had been on my radar for a few weeks thanks to Sophia from Tattooed Tea Lady. It didn't take her long to sell it to me and I found myself quite a few pounds lighter.

The Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate is a light weight elixir that effectively restores skin's healthy apperance overnight which results in a smoother and much more radiant complexion by morning. I've been using this for the last two months now and I couldn't imagine my night time skin care routine without it! I normally use two drops to apply to my face and massage it in after cleansing it toning. It absorbs into the skin pretty quickly and by morning, I found that my face looked a lot better than it did the night before. I sadly don't drink enough water so by using this, it helps to hydrate my skin as well as improve my complexion.

Although the Midnight Recovery Concentrate is rather pricey, coming in at £36 for a 30ml bottle. It would last you for a very long time especially as because you only need two drops to cover your face. I cannot imagine my skin care routine without this!

You can purchase the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate from Kiehl's, Space NK & House of Fraser.

Mandara Spa Amber Heaven Exfoliating Sugar Scrub

The Mandara Spa Amber Heaven Exfoliating Sugar Scrub is a product that I only started reaching for last week as I had treated myself to a fake tan as I was going to a Wedding Reception over the weekend. On first glances, it looks like a very rich body butter which melts when it comes into contact with your skin. However, it contains very fine granules of sugar which help to exfoliate your skin much like the name of this suggests. To say that this smells good is an understatement as it smells so delicious that I simply cannot put my name onto what it smells like. But looking at it's description, it's a blend of sandalwood and patchouli which gives it it's very luxurious scent.

A little goes a long way with this as you only need a small amount to exfoliate your skin with so I can definitely see this 450g lasting for atleast a year. When teamed with a shower puff, it helps to exfoliate your skin more and leaves your skin feeling ultra soft due to the moisturising shea butter which is what gives the Sugar Scrub its' body butter appearance. A bonus of this is that the scent lingers on your skin well after you've used it. I can easily see my Dads' partner using this as well so I'm sure I'll buy her a tub of this herself as at £10.50, it's hardly going to break the bank when it's going to last for absolutely ages.

A quick google search shows that it's available from Sainsburys of all places and Time To Spa which has free shipping.

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Amie New Leaf Skin Exfoliating Polish

After recently switching the majority of my skin care routine to more natural products that are suited to my skin type, I've been turning to the Amie New Leaf Skin Exfoliating Polish for those times when my skin needs a little perk up. The New Leaf Skin Exfoliating Polish aims to cleanse deep down into pores, removing excess oil and dirt whilst the bamboo and jojoba beads gentle slough away dead skin cells. The mango seed butter helps to soften and moisturise the skin which in turn helps to keep the pores clear.

I've been using this twice weekly as recommended for a little over three weeks now and I've noticed that my skin is looking a lot more perkier than normal which is definitely down to this product. It's a very creamy, subtle exfoliator with little beads in it that you massage onto wet skin in circular movements and then wash away with warm water. I prefer washing this off with a muslin cloth as I find it helps exfoliate my skin that little bit more. This smells exactly like mangos which I'm sure would appeal to many people.

I've noticed that not only is my skin looking a lot more brighter, I'm not having nearly as many break outs which is a definite bonus. Whilst the entire Amie range is primarily aimed at young, teenage skin, I do believe that the New Leaf Skin Exfoliating Polish would work for most people as it's main aim is to cleanse deep into your pores whilst leaving your skin moisturised. I would quite happily repurchase this when I run out as well as look into more of the range.

The Amie New Leaf Skin Exfoliating Polish is available on their online website, Amazon and in Supermarkets for £4.95.

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