Biotherm Skin Ergetic Anti-Fatigue Serum

I'm a little obsessed with serums lately and while I don't want to go overboard on serum related posts, I feel that this product definitely deserves a special mention,

Presenting Skin Ergetic Anti-Fatigue Serum by Biotherm

At first glance, this just looks like your average serum, but I can assure you that it's definitely far from average. The really unique aspect of this potion is that it comes in 2 parts that are combined by you, which makes for a seriously fresh skincare experience. Extracts of Soya and Apple (to increase cellular energy) and Sugarcane and Lime (to gently exfoliate and enhance radiance) are the active ingredients in one of the components, while Broccoli extract is the star ingredient of the other.

So how does it work?
When you open the box, you'll come across the glass bottle filled with liquid (as pictured above) and a silver sachet that looks a bit like something you'd find at a space station.

Zip it open, and inside you'll find a little white capsule.

This mysterious little customer contains 'sulforaphane-rich'broccoli extract in the form of bright yellow powder. In case you were wondering, sulforaphane is a compound that works on defending the skin as it stimulates the production of detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes. Each little capsule contains approx 150 broccoli sprouts :o

Once the capsule has been removed, you then unscrew the dropper from the serum bottle and screw the capsule on in its place.

Then you simply press down on the top of the capsule until it clicks...

...releasing the powder into the serum. Hurrah!

Then it's just a matter of replacing the dropper top and giving the bottle a jolly good shake to combine the ingredients.....

...then waiting 24 hours to ensure the powder dissolves properly.
I haven't photographed it, but there's actually a section on the side of the label where you can write the date you mixed the two components together. This is a good idea because the mixture is only active within a 3 month period, because the aformentioned Sulforaphane has a limited shelflife when suspended in liqud. A very fresh concept indeed!

The end result is a milky, gel like serum with a rather fresh fruity scent. It smells a lot like apples and a bit like broccoli, and i find it a real pleasure to use. Skin experts Biotherm claim that this serum will make you look more awake and radiant with a smoother complexion.
I've only been using it (morning and night) since last monday so I can't comment on the end result just yet, but I'm loving it so far. The texture of my skin is distinctly softer and smoother and my foundation seems to be smoothing on more easily.
The serum is available on Amazon.
Have you tried Biotherm Skin Ergetic Anti-Fatigue Serum? What do you think of the 'click, mix, apply' concept?

Thanks for reading!


*PR sample

Lipstick I Love: Collection Volume Sensation Lipstick

Hello beautiful people! Now I know that I recently featured this lipstick in a recent post but I've become so impressed with it I thought it deserved a post of its own!

I'm an avid believer in the power of the red lip and have been sporting one at work everyday in an effort to appear at least a little bit groomed and ladylike. I work in a well known indpendent book shop and one of the lovely things about my job is that we don't really have a dress code so we're free to express our personal style (to a degree of course!) so I like to do strange things with my hair and wear fabulous lipstick. I switch between shades and brands but in the past week something strange has happened - three different customers have complimented me on my lipstick and each time I've been wearing the same one - Collection 2000 Volume Sensation Lipstick in Cherry Pop. Two very nice ladies asked me where they could find it and were gobsmacked when I told them it was £2.99 at Boots or Superdrug :)

I've found it to be a really wearable colour - Cherry Pop is vibrant, densely pigmented and Christmas perfect. On top of this, it sort of stains my lips a bit, and is quite difficult to wipe off, surely a good thing when lipstick is concerned?

in the tube...

on my lips :o

I put it on before I leave the house and usually don't need to re-apply until my break, especially if I've put a cheeky layer of Lipcote over the top.

Cherry Pop is my pick, but it's also available in the following shades: Forever Heather, Perfect Pink, Ruby Red, Plum Perfection, Pretty Please, Sugar Pink, Hot Chocolate, Grape Glitz, Sea Shell and Peachy Keen.

P.S. Next on my Collection 2000 to-try list? Cream Puff lip creams - the name alone has caught the attention of my very sweet tooth :)

Skincare Gets Personal

So we all know that no two skins are the same and when it comes to the epidermis, we've all got our issues. Dehydration, breakouts, smile lines, crows feet, oily in bits, dry in parts, flakey on the cheeks, spotty on the chin, I could go on but I'll spare you. :)

Today I was introduced to something created on the basis that our complexions are as unique as we are - a personalised skincare system called Forest Secrets.

Forest Secrets Try Me Set

Of course there are already loads of great products on the market that are tailored to individual beauty concerns, but Forest Secrets is particularly interesting for a few good reasons:

1. There are only 3 (very concentrated) serums/elixirs in the line which are mixed together according to your skin needs.
2. It's up to you to combine the products yourself. You can't get more personalised than that!
3. The products are 100% natural, GMO free and vegan

The Serums

iRejuvenate PLUS Elixir

Containing Lupin Seed extract for elasticity and collagen promotion, Organic Argan Oil for nourishment and antibacterial Honeysuckle extract, this face oil is easily absorbed and light. Used in conjunction with the iRejuvenate PLUS Serum, the elixir forms one half of the iRejuvenate PLUS anti-ageing system. 

iRejuvenate PLUS Serum

So this serum is the second half of the anti-ageing system, and contains Chlorella Extract which fights collagen deconstruction, radiance encouraging Monk's Pepper and plant derived Kinetin to improve texture.

iBright Serum

This serum is designed to tackle skin pigmentation and contains the extract of the very rare and rather expensive Matsutake mushroom. The mushroom was used in ancient China as a means of brightening the complexion and preventing/ treating discolouration.

The serums/elixir are housed in very cute glass bottles with pipettes.

Forest Secrets personalised skincare consists of 2 core systems: Anti-Ageing and Anti-Blemish.
The Anti-Ageing system consists of the iRejuvenate PLUS Elixir and Serum, while the Anti-Blemish system includes the iRejuvenate Plus Elixir and iBright Serum. Each product comes in 15ml bottles.

A great way to discover the system is to go for the Try Me Set containing all 3 products in little 2ml bottles. This way you can find out which serum combinations work the best for you.
The products come with 'recipe' suggestions according to your skin concerns. For example, here is the suggestion for combination skin:

Morning: For the face and neck, mix one drop of the iRejuvenate Plus Elixir with two drops of iRejuvenate Plus Serum and apply to the skin. For the “T” Zone (the forehead and nose area) use one drop of iRejuvenate Plus Serum.Night: Blend 1 drop of iRejuvenate Plus Elixir and three to four drops of iRejuvenate Plus Serum and apply to the face and neck area.

It's way too early to tell you if this range works for me but I wanted to share it because I think it's a really cool concept. I love the ritualistic feel to Forest Secrets, it just adds that bit more to that little pampering buzz I get from using gorgeous skin products. The serums have a light, sort of velvet texture, while the elixir is more oily and nourishing. Did I mention how lovely the products smell too? Beautiful!

The Anti-Ageing and Anti-Blemish systems retail for £70 (for two 15ml bottles) while the Try Me Set is £15. You can also purchase the products individually for £35. The products are very highly concentrated so a 15ml bottle should last you up to 6 months.

To discover more about Forest Secrets or to try out the products yourself, visit their website here.

Have you tried Forest Secrets? I'd love to hear you thoughts :)

Hannah Rose xxx


*PR samples



Review: A Very Yummy Face Treat

My skin has really been feeling the wrath of the Autumnal climate lately, so you can imagine my delight when beauty gurus Montagne Jeunesse asked me if I wanted to review their latest offering - the ultra hydrating Very Berry Face Masque.

This masque is packed with skin loving natural ingredients including antioxidant rich cranberries and blueberries, nourishing peach kernel oil and soothing Aloe. I thought it sounded amazing, so naturally I couldn't wait to get it out of the sachet and on to my face!

Cranberries contain Omega 3, 6 and 9 to fight premature aging, while mood-boosting blueberries are extremely high in vitamins and  great at clearing blemishes, so this masque is perfect for combination skin like mine.

The first thing I noticed when I opened the packaging was the scent - it smelled exactly as I'd imagined it would - really fruity and sweet. The product is a blue/purple colour and the texture is very thick and creamy and I found it really easy to apply as it smoothes onto the skin like a dream.

The masque works the same as most - cleanse, apply over face and neck, chill out for 10 minutes, rinse. Unless you're me, in which case you cleanse, apply over face and neck, act like a moron in front of a camera for 10 minutes, rinse.

 Oh dear...

As you can see above, it's best not to answer the door/ be seen in public while the masque works its magic.

How did it feel on my face? A little cold, even slightly tingly initially, but after a while I actual forgot I had it on. It doesn't dry (I can't use masques that do as my skin is too sensitive), so it just feels like a rather thick layer of nourishing face cream. Overall, it felt really nice and soothing on my face.

How did my face feel after I rinsed it off? I used a muslin cloth and warm water to remove every trace of the masque and I'm happy to report that my skin felt really nice - nourished and more 'plump'. It also felt really smooth, with no uncomfortable tightness and I felt clean and refreshed but also totally nourished.

I applied my night serum immediately after rinsing and drying my face, followed by Creme de la Mer and I'm really happy with the results. My face feels soft and hydrated - almost like I've just indulged in an expensive facial at a spa.

This delicious masque is the perfect remedy for winter-dry skin and is an absolute steal for around £1. Got to love a little affordable luxury :)

The new Montagne Jeunesse Very Berry Face Masque retails from £1.01 and is now
 available at ASDA, Boots, Clare’s, New Look, Savers, and of course http://www.montagnejeunesse.com/


Hannah Rose xxx

*This product was sent to me for review

Just Off To Powder My Hair....

I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to powder styling products for your tresses. This is probably for 3 reasons:

1. I thought they probably wouldn't do what they claim to
2. I was naturally a bit sceptical about shaking something white and dry onto my black hair
3. I just didn't get it

I have used dry shampoo in the past and I hated it - I can't remember the brand (think it was Batiste) but it left my scalp itchy beyond belief! I know many people swear by dry shampoo, but I'm not one of them, which probably added to my reservations about powder styling products!
In the past month however, I have not only taken the hair powder plunge for the first time, but also managed to aquire 2 very similar products in the process.

Boots had a 2 for £6 deal (I think) on Tresemme a few weeks ago, and because I am on an eternal quest for bigger hair, I took advantage of the offer and snapped up 2 products from the new 24 Hour Body collection - the Finishing Spray and the Sky High Plumping Powder.

Then about a week after I made the Tresemme purchase, my monthly beauty box from Feel Unique arrived, including a full sized Osis Dust It Mattifying Powder!

So then I was faced with 2 products I'd never used before...and I was equally afraid of both.
What to do?
What any self respecting beauty blogger would do of course - figure out how to use them, then decide which one I prefer!
Both of these products feel the same, look the same and claim to do the same thing - give quick and easy (and considerable) lift and volume when dusted on and massaged in.
 This was going to be a tough one.

Tresemme

Osis

I tested these products over two days, washing my hair in between tests, and this is what I found:
Both powders have a really weird, dry texture that sort of absorbs all the moisture out of your hand.
In terms of fragrance, Osis doesn't really smell like anything, while Tresemme has a really nice clean, shampoo type scent.
To use, I tapped the powder directly onto the roots, massaging and messing up as I went.

Both these products gave really impressive results and it was a genuine surprise to use something that does exactly what it says on the packet. Hurrah!

They really lifted my hair from the roots, provided great volume and had pretty good staying power in terms of hold. I've used these powders to create a lightly backcombed look, a bouffant ponytail style and to provide hold for some faux victory rolls I wore to work the other day.
The white powder didn't turn my hair grey at all, and I found both these products were great for re-styling throughout the day -the powder seemed to stay put even when my style had fallen a little flat, so I just used my hands to give it some oomph again. Easy!

Even though they're quite similar, my favourite is definitely the Tresemme Sky High Plumping Powder - it just has a really nice scent and I found it delivered slightly longer hold.

I love!

Osis Dust It retails for £9.55 for 10g from Feel Unique while Tresemme Plumping Powder is available at Boots for £5.50 for 10g. Both are really good products, but I'll be sticking with Tresemme for the scent and the price tag :)

Have you tried hair powder volumising products? I would love to know about any other brands who do them. :)

Thanks for reading!

Hannah Rose xxx

Pin-Up For a Day? Yes Please!

As you may have gathered, I have a growing infatuation with vintage beauty.
When I say vintage, I mean the unrivalled glamour of pin-up sirens and Hollywood darlings from my 3 favourite beauty decades - the 1940's, 50's and 60's.

Think Rita Hayworth with those tumbling curls, Veronica Lake with her sultry stare and the girl-next-door smile of Betty Grable. Gorgeous!

I've previously blogged about the stunning work of vintage make up and styling experts Lipstick & Curls, but today I'm going to tell you about how you can take the experience once step further - with your very own pin-up photoshoot!


In collaboration with leading international pin-up photographer Rocco Rolls, Lipstick & Curls run regular studio sessions so ladies can indulge in vintage fabulousness and discover their inner pin-up cutie!

These ladies are true experts, and photographer Rocco has been featured in magazines including Harper's Bazaar and Vogue, so you're guaranteed a truly wonderful experience with fantastic results.

Just look at this!

The Lipstick & Curls girls provide a complete vintage makeover including the hair and make up that's perfect for your pin-up shoot. It's up to you to decide the kind of pin-up goddess you want to be, whether that's a Mad Men inspired glamazon, a flirty Marilyn-esque vixen or a cheeky bondage beauty a'la Bettie Page, the girls will work their magic to make you the best pin-up Queen you can be. The know-how of the Lipstick & Curls girls, coupled with the expertise of Rocco Rolls means you'll be guaranteed photographs that are unique, professional, and above all, absolutely gorgeous!
The pin-up photography sessions are private and the girls will make sure you feel comfortable and confident as you blossom into the vintage beauty you were always meant to be. Upon booking you are asked to bring along four different outfits, so you will feel at ease in your own lingerie or two piece, but  all props are provided to ensure an authentic vintage vibe and you'll even be given professional posing tips :)

The next Lipstick & Curls pin-up studio session takes place on the 10th of  December, so if you're interested, make sure you get in quick so you don't miss out on securing your place!

So, the big question - how much does this cost?

The whole session, including four prints of your choice (A3 12x16 inches or A3 + 12x18 inches) is priced at £250.

Here's a break down of what you'll receive for the cost:

·  A complete vintage makeover from the Lipstick & Curls experts
·      A photo-shoot with leading international pin-up photographer Rocco Rolls
·      The use of an extensive props collection
·      Direction and advice on posing and getting the look.
·      Four photographs of your choice  A3 12x16inches or A3+ 12x18 inches
*To enquire about group shots, additional prints etc, drop the girls an email and they'll be happy to help.

I think this is a pretty good deal personally as it's one cost up front. A lot of 'makeover and photography' studios lure customers in with an unbelievably low session cost, then charge extortianate amounts for the photographs at the end!
 With this Lipstick & Curls pin-up session, you get a unique and glamorous experience with no hidden costs - and for this, I commend them!

I think I know what I want for Christmas...

To book please email info@lipstickandcurls.co.uk or call Amanda on 0787 907 6449
or Natasha on 0776 5166 460


Hannah Rose xxx

*As always, I'm not affiliated with this company in any way - I just really dig their stuff!

http://www.lipstickandcurls.co.uk/

A Bloody Original Concept

With Twilight fans already camping out for the Breaking Dawn premiere this Wednesday, I thought now would be the perfect time to talk about a rather vampy new fragrance range.

Let us bask in the utter weirdness that is Blood Concept.

Blood Concept Compatability Test Kit

Blood Concept is a brand new Italian perfume house driven by the unique idea of creating four different scents especially for each blood group - 0, A, B and AB.

You would be forgiven for jumping to the grotesque conclusion that this range either contains blood, or smells like blood (I did), but it doesn't! Not only would that be completely gross, but most certainly extremely illegal too (unless it was unicorn blood or something, that would be pretty cool).

In fact, these perfumes don't contain any far out and freaky ingredients, but they are certainly anti-floral, with a distinctly 'metallic' note that lingers on the skin.

These fragrances are a little difficult for me to describe, because I am yet to try them and there's not much information on the Blood Concept website - how very elusive! I think this is actually quite a clever marketing angle - the less information provided, the more mystery surrounding the product, thus enticing inquisitive types like us into the store for a sniff.

What I can tell you is that these scents are unisex and contain spicy, earthy components, rather than traditionally girly ones. You can go for the one that matches your blood type, or just choose your favourite, though I think it'd be more special to go with the first option.

Blood Concept is available exclusively at Liberty London. The 60ml spray fragrances retail for £98 a pop, the 40ml 'droppers' are £115 and the 'Compatability Test' containing four 10ml fragrances is £88.

In keeping with the quirky concept theme, here are a couple of 'unique' fragrances I've come across in the past.

Smiley eau de toilette

a spray on antidepressant? I remember trying this out ages ago, and I thought it was ok. Can't say it perked me up, but it did make me laugh at its outlandish claims of guaranteed euphoria! Then again, maybe I'm just a cynic :)

Escentric Molecules - Molecule 01

This cult fragrance is based around a single ingredient known as Iso E Super which reacts with individual body chemistry to create an alluring, pheromone effect. :o. On its own it has a woody smell - sort of like cedar or sandalwood, but transforms significantly from one person to the next.I'm a fan of woody scents and I think this one is an interesting concept.

What do you think? Do you like a scent that pushes the boundaries, or do you play it safe with your perfume?

Thanks so much for reading my ramblings :D

Hannah Rose xxx 



I have too many...Red Lipsticks

To me, cold weather means it's time to crack out the red lipstick. I feel like make up can be a little heavier in the chillier months, probably because it's less prone to smudging or sliding off my face in a tube induced sweat, so I've been digging out my scarlet lippies, some old, some new and thought I'd give you a little look. Yep, this is my saturday night. Hardcore.

First off the bat (and my current favourite) is the Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick in 001

This smells kind of like cherries and contains a 'black diamond pigment complex'. I'm not sure what that means, but I really dig this lipstick. It stays put for a long time but doesn't feel like a long wearing product. I got mine from Boots for £5.49


And this pot of loveliness is the Crimson  Rouge by Besame

I wrote about this stuff in a previous post. It's essentially a rouge for the cheeks, but makes a great long lasting lipstick. To apply I just press it onto the lips with my fingers. I got mine from the What Katie Did London Boutique. I've had it for a couple of weeks, use it everyday, and have barely made a dent in it!

This one is New CID i-pout in Scarlet

The i-pout is smooth and creamy and glides on pretty effortlessly. The staying power isn't great, possibly because it's packed with vitamin E, but the built in light and mirror mean you can reapply it anywhere. It feels really hydrating and I love the brightness of the colour. I bought this one from New CID at Debenhams, Oxford St for £15.

Chanel Rouge Allure in Passion

This is the lipstick that started it all! I first purchased Rouge Allure a few years ago. I'd just been offered a job at a magazine so I decided it was time I treat myself to a red lippy and make an impression :)
I bought this from David Jones in Australia, but over here you can get a little Chanel of your own from department stores or larger Boots stores for £24.

Collection 2000 Volume Sensation in Cherry Pop 8

This was one of those impulsive lunch break purchases. Cheap and cheerful, I found this lipstick to be great value at only £2.99 from Boots. The formula is supposed to be moisturising with 40% 'volumising' ingredients. While it definitely is hydrating, I'm not particularly sold on the volumising aspect. This lipstick has an unusual minty/ menthol feeling which I don't personally like too much but minty fans would. I really like the brightness of this one and the pigment is incredibly strong, especially for something so affordable.

Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Lipcolor

This was my first venture into the realm of stay-put lipsticks. While I love the colour of this one, I have found that it doesn't stick around for as long as other long wearing lipsticks (Maybelline Superstay is the best I've tried) and it has a rather chemically smell. I've seen a few mixed reviews about this one, and a lot of people really rate it. I don't detest it but I do find it really drying - perhaps this could be remedied by adding my own balm over the top? This liquid lippy is £8.99.

Lastly, the latest edition to my red wardrobe is Sleek MakeUp Pout Paint in Pin Up

I've done a post about this before and it's truly amazing. I can't believe how intensely pigmented it is and I think it's pretty cool that you can mix Pout Paints together to create a custom colour. Pout Paints retail for £4.99 and you can find them at Superdrug.
So there you have it, that was the best of the reds that I own. I'm hoping to get my paws on a tube of MACs Ruby Woo because I've read so many great reviews on it. Could it be the ultimate red? Hopefully I'll find out soon enough ;)

Thanks so much for reading.

Hannah Rose xxx

P.S. sorry about the mildly terrifying self portrait pics :o

Beauty Brand Rave: Rituals

I finished work at Westfield London the other day, and feeling a little worse for wear couldn't wait to get home, put the kettle on and get under a blankie on the couch, stat! Despite my determination to hot-foot it out of the place, I was stopped in my tracks by the indulgent ambience of a store I've only visited once before - Rituals.

This place is not only unique in the fact that it stocks clothing, home and body products, so your living space can be just as gorgeous as you, but you are also offered a relaxing cup of tea as you explore the shop, adding a  really lovely touch to the shopping experience.

The assistants in this particular store really deserve a mention. Professional, knowledgable and above all, very friendly and approachable, the girls talked me through the products I was interested in, explaining the active ingredients and ethos behind each particular 'ritual'.

I tried out a few different products, including the best selling Foamsensation in Yogi Flow - a gel to foam shower treat containing organic sweet almond oil and Indian rose. This smelled absolutely gorgeous, and the ingenious formula means you only need to deposit a tiny amount of gel for loads of foamy fun :)

Yogi Flow Foamsensation rrp £6.50

I could get lost for hours trying out all the lovely products in here, but something I'm particularly keen on is the make up range, mainly because the products are enriched with amethysts and rubies!How luxe is that?
Indulgent it may be, but why add gemstones to make up?

 According to Ayurvedic priniciples, rubies give their wearer strength, courage, passion and energy, while amethysts promote inner peace and a healthy balance within the body. Applied topically, rubies improve circulation, restoring elasticity in the skin and giving it a healthy glow, and amethysts encourage a smooth and firm complexion.
The whole concept of enriching cosmetics with gemstones may seem a bit weird to some people, but I think it's a lovely idea and people interested in Ayurveda would definitely apprecatiate it.

I tried a couple of products from the make up range, including the Finishing Touch ultra-soft face powder.

Finishing Touch rrp £16.90

This powder is super soft, blends like a dream and is perfect for setting foundation or wearing it alone. The formula really impressed me and I'm thinking a purchase may be in order next pay day.

Next time you're at Westfield (the White City one) be sure to drop in and meet the girls - Natasha, Sarah-Marie and Rebecca, and discover the gemstone make up range for yourself. Why not?

Visit Rituals on Level 1 at Westfield London, or give them a call on 020 8740 0398.

Hannah Rose xxx

See it, Want it...Can I Have It???

I saw this in Selfridges on Oxford St last week and I'm still thinking about it. Could this be love?

Introducing St Tropez Skin Illuminator in Rose. This product works the same as the best selling skin illuminator in Violet, but is best suited to skins with blue or pink undertones. St Tropez illuminators were a backstage staple at London Fashion Week last year and they're also used by the X Factor MUA's, so that's a pretty good indication that this is a worthy product.
When applied to the cheekbones it creates a gorgeous flush, and is a lot more subtle than the violet and gold shades. Very user friendly! I haven't purchased this one yet and only managed to swatch it in store so apologies for the lack of photos :o
St Tropez Skin Illuminator is available at department stores (such as Selfridges) and Boots for £12 for 50ml.

P.S. I know this has been around a little while but I just wanted to give it a shout out!


Hannah Rose xxx

Star Product: EH Natural Lift & Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm

Ok, so I wasn't going to do a post tonight because I am beyond exhausted, but then I experienced an amazing product and felt I needed to share it. :o

Those of you who subscribe to the monthly Feel Unique Beauty Box will already know about this cleanser and I don't know about you, but I'm already hooked :).

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Cleansing Balm

 I mentioned in a previous post that this balm reminds me of the cult cleanser from Eve Lom - a sort of thick, lumpy concoction once touted by Vogue as 'the best cleanser in the world'. To an extent, it is similar - like Eve Lom, this balm is fairly fragrant and looks quite a lot like solidified honey, but when it comes down to results, I actually prefer the Emma Hardie cleanser! I really enjoy using Eve Lom, so for me this is quite a bold statement.

Before I tried this product, I didn't research it at all.  I didn't google, trawl blogs or even visit the brand's website to find out 'what to expect'. Why? Because I wanted to see what I would really think about this cleanser without any preconceptions whatsoever. All I did was follow the instructions on the box, and here's what happened:


Following the instructions, I mixed a little of the cleanser in my palm with some warm water and massaged it into my face, before removing it with the dampened EH cloth that also came in the Feel Unique Box. I repeated this, using the softer side of the cloth initially, before using the harsher side for light exfoliation as I removed the cleanser for the second time.

The results? Well let's just say that there's a reason this is in the 'Amazing Face' range!

My skin has seriously not felt this soft since I last had a professional facial (which incidentally was years ago in Australia) and it's so nice to find a cleanser that feels pampering yet still gives me that 'clean' feeling.

I think the secret to the amazingness (not a word) of this cleanser lies in the key ingredient - Moringa seed extract. Moringa is known as a 'super plant' renowned for it's antibacterial and antioxidant properties as well as its extraordinary levels of Vitamin A and calcium.

Behold! The Moringa Plant

Other skin loving ingredients include: Wild Sea Fennel, Vitamin E, orange, cedarwood, rose, jasmine, neroli and mandarin extracts. So basically, it's packed with really good stuff!

 I have combination skin with dehydration in the cheek/eye area, so I love cleansers that are moisturising, but not too 'creamy'. This one really hits the spot because even though it looks rather like a pot of solidifed oil, once the cleanser is combined with water, it transforms into a light and milky consistency. It removed a full face of makeup and cleansed my skin to perfection and, though I hate to use a cliche, it really did leave me glowing, and my night serum seemed to sink into my skin more quickly than usual.

Once I've used up my beauty box sample I'll be purchasing the full size 100ml balm from Cult Beauty for £38.

I'd love to know what you think of the Emma Hardie Natural Lift & Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm - hope you love it as much as I do :)

P.S. The cleanser can be used as an ultra nourishing mask - just apply a layer and leave it on the skin for 10 minutes before removing as normal.

Feel Unique November Beauty Box

Since receiving my first Feel Unique box last month, I'd been eagely awaiting the November edition, so you can imagine my delight when I returned home from work to find a little note from the Postman on Saturday :)

Unfortunately i had to wait until this morning to collect my box (oh the agony!) but judging by its contents, it's well worth the wait!

I love the black / hot pink colour theme of the Feel Unique Beauty Box



This month's theme is PRIMED TO PARTY so the products are all perfectly suited to the festive season

My November goodies!

First up - Bella Pierre Cosmetics Shimmer Powder

I received the 'Penny' shade, which I'm really pleased with as bronze/ coppery tones suit blue eyes. This is a multi purpose powder but I'll definitely be using it as an eyeshadow. This is a full sized product worth £12.99 for 2.5g. Excellent value!

The shimmer powder is a beautiful richly pigmented product

There are 2 hair products in the November Box (both voluminising) and the one that I'm probably most excited about is the Goldwell Dualsenses Ultra Volume 60 Sec Gel Treatment

Apologies for the  dodgy pic!

This gel is to be combed through shampooed hair and left to activate for 60 seconds - much like a conditioner I suppose, but with super volumising power. I'll be testing this one out tonight and shall report back! We received a 50ml sample of this. The full sized 200ml product retails for £7.70

The next hair product we received: Schwarzkopf Osis+ Dust It Mattifying Powder

Had I received this earlier, I would have been over the moon, but I actually bought something very similar by Tresemme last week! I think powder styling products are pretty revolutionary because they actually do what they say they will so I will definitely be getting a lot of use out of this one. At 10g this is a full sized product that retails for £9.55 - that's nearly the cost of the whole box :)


Xen-Tan Deep Bronze Luxe Weekly Self-Tan in Dark

I'm a bit of a faux tan fiend (in the warmer months anyway) but I've never tried anything by Xen-Tan so I'm excited to give this one a go. It has a guide colour and a pleasantly sweet scent so it should be a treat to use. This is a 30ml deluxe sample with the full size 236ml retailing at £21.50

The perfume sample in this month's box is Prada Candy

With notes of Musk, Benzoin and Caramel, this sweet and flirty offering from Prada certainly lives up to it's name - it actually smells like candy! Because of the almost sickly sweetness of this fragrance, I'm sure it won't be everyone's cup of tea. If, like me, you're a fan of Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb, you'll probably really like this one. Priced from £40 for 30ml. In the November box you'll find a standard 1.5ml sample - perfect size for your purse. Mine's already found a home in my Vivienne Westwood clutch :)

And to take off your party face and pamper the skin: Emma Hardie Amazing FaceNatural Lift & Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm + Dual Action Professional Cleansing Cloth

I'm a massive fan of hot cloth cleansers, especially balms. This one reminds me a lot of the Eve Lom cleanser as the consistency is quite similar - sort of like congealed honey. The scent of the balm is quite strong and floral thanks to the moringa component and I really like the smell so I think this will be a joy to use.I'm an Emma Hardie virgin so I'm keen to test this one out on my dry skin. The November box includes a generous 15ml of the balm and a full sized cleansing cloth. The balm retails at £34 for 100ml and the cloths are £10 for a pack of 3.


Feel Unique has kicked another goal by producing such a fantastic box this month and I can't wait to see what's in store for December!


P.S. Like what you see? Sign up for  your very own Feel Unique Beauty Box for £9.95 a month. Edit: No Longer available