Leahlani Skincare Bless Beauty Balm

I'll admit that when this little glass pot of pink balm arrived all the way from Kauai I wasn't 100% sure what to do with it. I had been obsessively researching products that contain Blue Tansy when I happened across the Leahlani Skincare Bless Beauty Balm and sort of purchased it 'just because'. As the formula sounded so rich I didn't think I'd use it as a facial moisturiser so figured it would be perfect as an extra special treat for my hands/cuticles and any dry patches that appeared (I bought this when things were still pretty Wintery). However, as the months have passed I've found myself reaching for it as both an occasional cleanser and a facial oil/moisturiser and have basically fallen pretty hard for it.

As a cleanser, I use it like any other balm or oil formula, that is, massage it in and then remove with a warm damp muslin cloth or flannel.  As a moisturiser/face oil/facial balm, I use a pea sized amount of the Bless Balm warmed between my finger tips and pressed onto my face. It's particularly gorgeous after toning too because it's so calming and comforting.

As mentioned before, I really thought this was going to be too rich and thick for my face but it actually absorbs beautifully leaving a subtle dewy sheen rather than sitting on the skin like an oil slick. And the scent? Oh my goodness. It's a bit floral, a bit tropical and entirely addictive. Officially, the scent is orange blossom and blue tansy but to me it just smells like unicorns and dreams. 

The ingredients: 

Organic cold pressed argan oil (Argania spinosa), organic cold pressed camellia seed oil (Camellia oleifera), organic Shea butter (Butyrospermum Parkii), organic cocoa butter (Theobroma Cacao), organic cold pressed maracuja passionflower oil (Passiflora Incarnata), organic cold pressed moringa oil (Moringa Oleifera), organic cold pressed marula oil (Sclerocarya Birrea ), cymbidium grandiflorum orchid extract, wildcrafted blue tansy oil (Tanacetum annuum), neroli oil (Aurantium Dulcis), organic rosehip fruit (Rosa Moschata), rose clay and LOVE.

I love that LOVE is listed as the last ingredient! The founder of Leahlani, Leah, comes across as genuine and passionate about her products (of which there are many more) and each and every one is created by Leah herself in micro batches in a small studio in Kauai. Doesn't that just make it seem that little bit more special? What began as a brand on Etsy has now spawned quite a cult following- you just need to search Instagram or Twitter for #leahlaniskincare or #mermaidmaskmonday to see what I mean. It's no surprise that the brand is so popular really - each and every one of the products sound utterly delicious - Kokoleka Ritual Dessert Detox Mask for example. Yes please.

I bought the Bless Beauty Balm from Leahlani Skincare directly and it took about two weeks to get all the way from Kauai to London, which is pretty standard. I also had to pay a ransom of around £18 in customs charges, which was annoying but it's always a gamble ordering products from the states! Edit: Leahlani is currently available in the UK from Naturisimo .The balm is £53 so is not particularly cheap, but to me it's worth every penny.