FoM London Skincare: Age Defying Hand Serum

FoM London Skincare are currently in the process of improving their formulations and will be re-launched shortly. You can sign up to be notified HERE.

You can however still pick up some products at Love Lula. (The hand serum is a bargainous £19.60). I've been trying their Age Defying Hand Serum 50ml* which is one of the nicest hand care products I've used.

A light serum type lotion it absorbs immediately and deeply nourishes the hands, protecting, smoothing and targeting age spots. 

It's absolutely stuffed full of anti-ageing ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid which increases the skins moisture retention, a Skin Brightening Complex which improves tone, Marula fruit which is rich in Omegas 6 and 9, Advanced anti-oxidant technology delivers intense age correcting protection, Geranium, Frankincense and Rose Absolute gives it a beautiful scent and soothes and protect the skin. 

Papaya AHAs, Liquorice extract helps to improve dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Eyebright is a skin regenerating active and Olive Squalane softens, improves elasticity and reduces signs of aging.

To use: apply to the hands as often as needed. It leaves them smooth, soft and nourished. I have a few ages spots (eek) on one of my hands and I'd say using this serum has helped them to fade.  It really is a lovely product.

*complimentary

Yogandha Relax Body Oil

I came across Yogandha Detox blend on an instagram feed and thought I need that in my life! 

After browsing online I spotted the brand on Love Lula and they had Relax and Muscle Soothe in stock so I bought the relax blend (I've since picked up Detox and awaiting it's arrival!)

The range includes body oils and Wellness rollerballs which are handmade in Ireland by founder and yoga teacher, Sinead Duffy.

Packaging is pretty, recyclable and products are free from sulphates, parabens, artificial colours and fragrances.  Ingredients are ethically sourced, the oils and rollerballs are hand blended and packaged. I always love companies which give a little back - Yogandha give 5% of profits to Women for Women International.

The oils nourish the body, mind and the spirit. Relax Body Oil (£18.71 - 125ml) is made with Organic Lavender & Vetivert.  Lavender relaxes and Vetivert grounds. It really is the perfect blend for unwinding and de-stressing at the end of the day.  It also helps to aid a restful sleep. The blend also contains Sweet Marjoram, Clary Sage, Atlas Cedarwood, Benzoin, Blue Chamomile, Apricot Kernal and Sesame Oils and Vitamin E.

You can use it as a body oil, for massage, add it to your bath and use in the shower (as this blend contains rejuvenating frankincense it can also be used as a facial oil). As you'll know I do love a multi-purpose product!

Have you used any products by Yogandha?

Nourish Radiance Firming Facial Oil

I've been testing out Nourish's Radiance Firming Facial Oil (15ml - £25)* which recently won Natural Health International Beauty Awards 2016.

The oil has a super-light texture meaning it absorbs instantly onto the skin and is full of skin loving ingredients such as omega rich Macadamia and Pumpkin oils, Rosehip and Borage oils, Marine kalpariane which helps stimulate collagen and also helps with skin ageing along with Geranium, Damask Rose and Frankincense essential oils.

Massage into the skin after cleansing and toning for glowy, healthy, nourished and luminous radiant skin.  I'm really impressed with this face oil - it makes my skin look and feel great. I absolutely love it and will buy.

See my previous Nourish reviews - Illuminating Golden Glow Face Shimmer*, Relax Hydrating Peptide Serum*, Protect Nutri Rich Body Cream*, Advanced Cellular Skincare Boxed Set (Ltd Edition)* and Kale Enzymatic Exfoliating Cleanser*.

*PR sample

February: A month of Samples: Perfumes: The Results

Back in February I decided to wear a different perfume each DAY and then report back as to which I'd buy full size.

Here are the keepers (14 in all):

Week 1:

2. 4160Tuesdays Sleep Knot EdP - this is a beautiful blend of jasmine, sandalwood, ylang ylang and black pepper.

5. Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel EdP - I own the very gorgeous Rose Silence by Miller Harris. This one is light with a hint of sea salt, flowers with vetivert, patchouli, oak moss and leather.

Week 2:

9. Ormonde Jayne Sampaquita EdP - I used to wear Ormonde Jayne Frangipani, a beautiful tropical floral scent. Sampaquita is also floral with notes of lychee, bergamot, grass oil and magnolia flowers. Going to pick up the Discovery Set soon.

10. .vero.profumo Rozy EdP - this came in my October Bloom Perfumery Subscription and has notes of honey, damask rose, passionfruit, lilac, peach, honey and sandalwood. It really is lovely.

Week 3:

15. Phaedon Oriban EdT - another one from Bloom Perfumery which came in my December pack. It is quite woody with ambroxan, incense, musk and sandalwood.

17. Le Labo Rose 31 - I adore their Tubereuse 40 (New York) which is hard to find. The Rose 31 is based on Grasse roses with woody notes of cedar, cumin and amber. You can pick this one up at Liberty.

18. 4160Tuesdays Dirty Honey EdP (not in pic have mislaid) - which is a sexy scent with honey and orange blossom.

19. 4160Tuesdays Who Knew EdP (not in pic) - this is beautiful. A heady scent of deep rose, green tea and a splash of smokey Lapsang souchong.

20. Agonist Vanilla Marble EdP - this came in my The Perfume Society Scent with Love Box and is an edible vanilla...so lush. With top notes of vanilla, almond and tiare flowers, a heart of orchid, white fig, amber and patchouli  with a base of sandalwood, vanilla, tonka bean and benzoin.

Week 4:

22. Carner Cuirs EdP (not in pic) - in November Bloom Perfumery mixed up the sample packs and the girls got the one for the boys. This scent by Carner was my favourite in November. It has notes of saffron, gaiac wood, sandalwood, Texas cedar, violet, Amyris wood, oud, patchouli, leather, musk, tonka bean, cistus and nagarmotha.  I also love Tardes by Carner - see my review HERE.

23. Robert Piguet Fracas EdP - a cult classic and a love or hate scent. A heady scent with notes of tuberose, jasmine, jonquil, gardenia, Bulgarian roses, orange flower, sandalwood vetivert and musk. This is an evening time scent for me.

24. L'Artisan Mure et Musc EdT - this was the first perfume I tried from L'Artisan and remains my favourite to this day. A luscious blackberry scent with hints of musk and fruits.

27. 4160Tuesdays Doe in the Snow EdP - a fresh peachy floral with woods. Full size of this is my next buy.

28. PG 15 Ilang Ivohibe - another from Bloom Perfumery subscription. I received this in my first sample pack. It has top notes of lavender and vanilla, a heart of Egyptian jasmine, iris butter, orange and ylang ylang with a base of patchouli.

Do you wear any of these perfumes?

Fitzjohn Radiance of Venus Advanced Skin Brightener

I've been testing Fitzjohn Skincare's Radiance of Venus Advanced Skin Brightener (£30 - 50ml)* for the last few weeks.

The brand is a new one to me and every product is expertly formulated and hand blended using where possible organic ethically sourced ingredients. 

The creamy scrub gently polishes the skin and is made with Vitamins, natural AHAs, Shea Butter, Honey extract with non-scratchy and environmentally friendly jojoba exfoliating grains and has a lovely rose scent.

To use: use as an express treatment in the shower or as a relaxing face mask

It really is a luxe treat. Skin is left feeling soft, smooth, radiant and glowy. 

You can get £10 off a £40 spend with code BBALM (valid until 30 April 2016)

See the online shop HERE

*complimentary sent for review

The Rose Tree: Luxury Candle No.1 Travel Size

I received this gorgeous candle in my Pure Natural Box recently. It's worth £19 and will burn for up to 19 hours.

The candle is made with 100% pure vegetable wax and a mix of essential oils which give it a rosey green scent. It really is a beautiful candle.

Burn it when you need to unwind and relax after a long day. When first lit it's best to burn for up to 2 hours to get an even burn and to prevent tunnelling - no problem there as it's simply a delight.

source

The Soothing Indulgence Set would be a perfect gift as it includes a travel size candle (you can choose your scent) and a Soothing Bath Oil.

See the range available HERE

See my review of the best sellers try me sizes here

Craft Gin Club: March 2016: Shortcross Gin

March's Gin of the Month was made exclusively for the Club by Shortcross Gin, which is based in Northern Ireland - Wild Clover Edition which is made with Juniper, Coriander, Orange and Lemon peel, Elderberries, Elderflower, Apple, Cinnamon, Cassia and Wild Clover.  It's absolutely delicious and I love it mixed with tonic and a slice of orange.

Also in the box:

Franklin & Sons Natural Tonic Water Light x 1 bottle (this made 2 x G&T)

World famous Tayto Crisps in Cheese & Onion

A packet of Viola Wild Flower seeds (grow the seeds and then garnish your cocktails with the flowers)

Suki Tea Goji Berry & Pomegranate - this loose leaf tea smells fruity and delicious (I also love their Peppermint tea)

In the informative magazine is a voucher to enjoy a free Shortcross G&T at The Jolly Botanist in Edinburgh (valid all month) and you can make a syrup with your suki tea and create a delicious sounding cocktail (yes, please)

Again, another month I've loved my box. You can get £10 off your first box with code BEAUTYBALM. Subscribe HERE.