Late to the Party

Terre Verdi - Acqua Di Rosa Balancing Mist* £17.00 for 100ml * Disclaimer: This product was gifted in exchange for an honest review. Who? Terre Verdi, founded by Sicilian-born Alessandra de Gregorio, make the most beautiful ethically-made products using the finest organic ingredients.  Terre Verdi were one of the earliest UK companies to manufacture COSMOS Organic products, certified by The Soil Association. Products range from 84 - 100% organic and all products are 100% natural. All products are vegan and contain no synthetic ingredients. What is it? Acqua Di Rosa is a pure rose floral water - 100% organic and 100% natural. It comes packaged with the usual Terre Verdi care and beauty. Housed in striking black miron glass, which not only looks stunning on the shelf but also helps to keep the product fresher by protecting the contents from sun damage. I only recently learned that the gold crest on the label is actually the de Gregorio family crest, which is a lovely to...

This is the first bi-monthly box from Skin Organics Clean Beauty and it was certainly worth the wait! The September Box celebrates 'Organic September' with the important message of 'One small swap can make a world of difference'. This is a sentiment I wholeheartedly embrace. It's so overwhelming with how wantonly destructive humankind can be and like many, I often suffer from 'eco guilt', my efforts feeling terribly insignificant in such a big picture. Organic September is an annual campaign led by The Soil Association . Their main aim is to encourage more people to try organic produce as a way to educate people about organic food and farming practices. Even if we just make small changes to our consumer choices - then 'one small swap can make a world of difference'. The Soil Association are also leading campaigners to stop companies from 'greenwashing'. Products that bear the Soil Association certification stamp have passed their strin...

Consistency is key when establishing a skincare routine. It's always tempting to keep adding and trying new products, but by doing that, you're minimizing the chance of seeing results from consistent use of a product - particularly treatments. I do try and keep my morning routine pretty consistent - but during the warmer months, my skin has different needs and therefore I need to adjust my routine accordingly. Unfortunately, my skin tends to veer towards the oilier side during summer, so I'm not able to use as many oil-based products in my morning routine - which is a bit of a shame, as I do love my oil-based products! Cleanse   Most days I use a simple floral water as a morning cleanser. My current choice is Manuka Floral Water from Naturally Thinking. It's light and fresh with a delicate scent. A couple of times a week I'll opt for a gentle exfoliating cleanser. The Ishtar Skinlights Cleansing Clay is the perfect choice for summer. The cooling clay d...

Pixi - Vitamin C Tonic What is it? An exfoliating toner containing Vitamin C and Ferulic Acid.   Vitamin C has potent antioxidant power, promotes healthy collagen production and is known to boost skin luminosity.  Probiotics help fortify skin’s barrier while willow bark & fruit extracts gently exfoliate.   Alcohol free and suitable for all skin types. Ingredients Aqua/Water/Eau, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ascorbic Acid, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Ferulic Acid, Tocopherol, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Extract, Microcitrus Australis Fruit Extract, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Citrus Glauca Fruit Extract, Caffeine, Sodi...

    Pixi by Petra - Retinol Tonic RRP 100ml £10/ 250ml £18.00 What is it? This potent youth preserving tonic features a unique time-release Retinol to help rejuvenate the skin for a natural glow. Powerful antioxidants and botanicals replenish the skin for a smoother, softer appearance while soothing sensitive skin .( From the Pixi website)     Ingredients:   Aqua/Water/Eau, Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-8, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-27, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Retinol , Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower/Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grap...

  Another month and another selection of products that I want to use up. I'm actually finding it harder to choose products as this project rolls-on. Maybe that's a sign that I'm finally getting my stash under control? So I've decided to run the 'Use it Up' project till the end of the year and then maybe start an anti-haul project in the new year.     Here's what I chose to try and finish off in November:       * Pixi - Glow Tonic Although I think this glycolic toner is great, I don't think it's the best. I've also noticed that I get better results when I haven't used it for a while.   * The Body Shop - Vitamin E Toner Like The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng and Rice toner that was selected for the last Use It Up project, this Vitamin E is extremely hydrating. But fortunately, unlike the Chinese Ginseng and Rice toner, it doesn't ever irritate my skin.   * Dove - Derma Spa Body Oil I bought this from a clea...

    A great month of managing to use up products in October - 5 of the 6 products chosen got finished, with the exception of the smallest item, which is taking forever to finish!   1. The Body Shop - Chinese Ginseng and Rice Toner Positive aspects of this toner was that it's incredibly hydrating. But this won't be a repurchase as there must have been something in the ingredients that didn't always agree with my skin - some days it would sting, so not particularly soothing for me personally.   2. Elemis - Skin Bliss Capsules I'm not entirely sure that these weren't 'off'. I'd get tiny little bits of the plastic capsule in with the oil every time I used these. Not a repurchase for me.   3. The Hero Project - Vit C-30 Serum This was my Vitamin C 'Product of the Year' for 2017 and I did really love this serum. However, I'm currently trying out a new Vitamin C product as I really wanted one that I could use in my morning r...

  I only finished 3 out of 6 products from last month's Use It Up project, so I'm determined to do better this month. I'll hold my hand up to it - I may have slightly tipped the balance in my favour this month so that the outcome is more successful!     * Decleor Micellar Oil I didn't finish this last month so it remains in this month's project.   * Rosewater I initially bought this rather basic Rosewater to use as a spray mist and also to mix with powder clay masks. However, recently I've been enjoying using it as a morning cleanser. Floral waters have a pretty restricted shelf-life so I need to use this up soon before it expires. I also have some of this decanted into an old Pyunkang Yul mist bottle (as I really loved the fine spray on that bottle) so there's a bit more to use up than what is shown.   * Espa Floral Fresh Toner This was my least favourite item from the Espa Optimal Skin Experience set. Luckily, it's only a sm...

      I don't want to jinx it but my skin has been looking pretty okay recently. This is what I have been using in the mornings to achieve that healthy summer natural glow (which means I can stick to wearing BB and CC Creams rather than full-on foundation!)     This is a post-swim, post-cleanse routine:   * The Ordinary - Glycolic Toner I've been using this a lot recently to try and finish it up. I used to think that the 7% Glycolic acid was just a little too harsh for my skin, but this time around, it's not been as irritating.     * May Coop - Morning Dew Mist This was a T.K Maxx bargain find! This mist has the most delicious scent. I can't figure out what it reminds me of, but it's made of Acer Maple Water - maybe that's the scent? It has a nice, reasonably fine spray mister and it absorbs nicely into my skin with minimal tackiness.     * Bielenda Dr Medica - Capillaries Serum The one product that...

Every six months on Instagram, there is a monthly challenge where you photograph your entire skincare stash (a day for each category). And I have been partaking, because it's a great way to account for what you actually have to use up and helps to put the brakes on unnecessary spending and (hopefully) impulse buys!   Since doing the first challenge of the year back in January, I've definitely been a lot more conscious about what I'm buying and have only replaced items rather than bought extras. Obviously, I've been no angel and there have been a couple of impulse buys (plus all the items from Beauty Boxes and review items). But generally, I've been quite pleased with my progress in using up my stash first before buying more.   One major thing it has taught me is that I'm now having to pay for all those impulse buys that I made in the past couple of years as my skincare routine often includes items that I'm not particularly fond of and just need to u...