Upcircle Beauty Body and Face Scrubs

I absolutely love the scent of coffee, whether it is being freshly brewed, is within a fragrance or a candle and even within skincare.   One of the brands I came to know and love, Optiat, have rebranded themselves and are now known as Upcircle and just when you think a brand couldn't better what you came to love, but manage it, you want and need everything within their range.  

I was kindly sent the Face Scrub and Body Scrub by Anna, one of the brand owners to try and having used them for the past few months, I can confirm that they are absolutely brilliant, but then I kind of knew they would be.

The Upcircle Face Scrub with Coffee and Floral Oils (£12.99) was the product I was most wanting to try and the fact it is perfect for sensitive skin makes it all the more appealing.  The scrub which is made from reused, repurposed and reloved top-quality Arabica coffee grounds which are sourced from artisan coffee shops. The coffee grounds themselves make an incredible yet gentle exfoliator on the skin and it has some amazing properties. It helps to stimulate blood flow to the area of application, it is high in antioxidants and caffeine has natural anti-inflammatory properties which help to calm swelling and redness.

Alongside the coffee grounds, this scrub also uses Chamomile which is renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties and chamomile also helps to soothe redness and irritation. Rosehip Oil which is rich in essential fatty acids, including linoleic and linolenic acid. Rosehip oil is also effective in hydrating dry, itchy skin and my skin absolutely loves it as an ingredient. Jojoba Oil which is rich in vitamins E and B and interestingly, jojoba has a very similar composition to sebum, so it helps the skin to maintain a balance and prevent an excess build up of it. Jojoba Oil is also deeply moisturising and helps dry, dehydrated skin regain hydration.

Bringing all of those ingredients together, this scrub, which is a little bit messy but not the messiest I have ever used, feels just so soothing on the skin. Packaged inside a metal tube, the scrub is always fresh feeling and smooth on the skin.  The best advice when using this scrub is to vigorously shake the tube to mix the ingredients together inside the tube and then apply it to damp skin in circular motions and leave it on the skin for between 1 and 2 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Similar scrubs I have used leave a slight tackiness to the skin after rinsing, but this one leaves no residue on the skin at all.  Instead, what it does is leave soft, smooth and refreshed skin.  Designed to be used 1-2 times a week.

The second product is the Upcircle Body Scrub with Tangerine (£14.99) and again, as with the face scrub, it comes packaged inside a tube to keep the ingredients as fresh as they can be.

Again using top quality ground Arabica coffee, again it works as a gentle exfoliator as the caffeine stimulates blood flow and minimises the appearance of cellulite. The high level of antioxidants also helps to minimise the appearance of the signs of ageing, including fine lines and wrinkles. One of my favourite skincare ingredients is Shea butter and within this scrub, we have unrefined raw which is not only naturally high in Vitamins A, E but also in essential fatty acids. In a scrub like this, Shea butter helps to provide intense moisturisation to the skin post-scrub. To give it a tangy scent, this scrub is blended with grapefruit, tangerine and lemongrass oils which create a beautiful citrusy, uplifting scent that not only gives your skin a revitalising boost but it also helps to lift the mood and awaken the senses. 

As with any scrub of this nature, it is a little bit messy but again, not as messy as other products that I have used. To use, again, shake the tube vigorously for a couple of minutes to mix together the ingredients and then apply it to damp skin in circular motions to encourage the ingredients to work on the skin. Once on the skin, allow it to sit there for a few minutes before rining away. Again, my skin feels so soft and smooth after using and the citrus scent lingers on the skin and it is the perfect remedy for dry, scaly legs that have spent the winter trapped under jeans and chunky knit tights. Ideal for using 2-3 times a week.

Alongside this face and body scrub, there is a whole range of products to choose from within the Upcircle range and now you can choose my skin concerns such as oiliness, redness, dullness or even dry skin to name just as few.  From there you will find bars of soaps, oils, cleansers and other exfoliants as well as pamper kits and bundles. If you love the scent of coffee but with a slight twist then both of these products tick boxes.  They are both sustainable, Vegan and cruelty-free as well as having no SLS, SLEs, parabens, mineral oil, parfum or sulfates.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

XO Balm

I love a good multi-purpose product. Something you can just shove into your handbag and use for a multitude of things. 

XO Balm is one of those products and I have been using it for a good few weeks now and I love both the product, the story behind it and what it stands for.

XO Balm does not sacrifice product efficacy for texture, feel or fragrance. The scent is only of the natural beeswax and oils to avoid stressing the skin. The formula is concentrated on active ingredients, no filler, so a little goes a long way! If it is a little cold, the balm may firm up, use the spatula provided to remove the amount you need and it will warm up in the hand.

Consideration of the three pillars for sustainability; environmental, social and economic, is built into the XO Balm business plan. These sustainability practices are an important part of the XO Balm business, to help people, protect resources and prepare for the future.

XO Balm has supported local UK businesses, with packaging components, ingredients, testing and manufacturing all sourced from smaller UK suppliers. We are also an ongoing supporter of the Oxfordshire charity Give Bees a Chance, whose work allows healthy bee populations to live and grow.

Arriving in a tin which looks like a button, XO Balm features a hand mirrored lid and a really useful scoop which is small enough to live inside the tin but big enough to help you scoop the balm out and I prefer to use a scoop because it helps keep everything as germ free as possible and it saves on wastage. 

With four main ingredients - Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Olive Oil and Chia Seed Oil together they not only have amazing benefits for the hair and skin but used together they help to deliver a unique blend of hydration, protection and nourishment.  

• Coconut oil - not only contains fatty acids which help prevent moisture loss from the skin it is also a great source of vitamin E which improves elasticity.
• Beeswax locks in moisture and protects skin from damaging environmental factors. It also has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties which are ideal for fighting chapped skin and bacterial infections.
• Olive oil has an occlusive and emollient effect which helps prevent moisture loss. It contains Oleic acid which helps to soften the skin, while Vitamin A and C protect from free radicals and environmental factors. It is also rich Vitamin E.
• Chia oil is said to be the richest source of botanical fatty acids which includes both Omega 3 and 6. It also helps to reduce skin inflammation and itching. It helps to soothe any discomfort as well as protect the skin.

All of which come together in this one little balm. Now, this is a balm which means you need to warm it before you can use it and to do that you simply need to use your own body temperature once you have extracted what you need with the scoop.As it is a multi-use balm it can be used as a lip balm, on your cuticles, on dry skin particularly the elbows and knees where I often find dry skin an issue, it can also be used on other parts of the body which include the hands, feet, nails, face, brows, scalp and hair - it is perfect for smoothing flyaways! It can also be used to help make perfume last longer.

Priced at £12.50 per tin, you can find XO balm here.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Beauty Kitchen Daily Skincare Heroes Kit

Beauty Kitchen always make 100% effective, natural and affordable products and this Daily Skincare Heroes Kit features a Tartan bag, which is handmade in the UK using off-cuts from the production of kilts that would normally go to waste, you will find 3 super-powered goodies to cleanse, moisturise, rejuvenate & deeply nourish for healthier, younger-looking skin.

Abyssinian Oil is the main feature if the products within this kit and it comes from the Crambe Abyssinian plant and its seed oil is described as being a multi-tasking miracle! High in intensely hydrating Omega 9 and clinically proven to be more effective than Argan oil, it rapidly penetrates the outer layers of the epidermis, deeply nourishing the skin whilst providing protection against dehydration, the main cause of fine lines and wrinkles. Closely mimicking human sebum, it’s suitable for all skin types, even problem and oily skin!  So inside this bad the three products includes: 

Natural Cream Cleanser 50ml - Fragrance free natural cleansing and age defense for sensitive, oily or dry skin.

This fragrance free, non-greasy, cleansing cream simply melts into the skin and easily removes impurities such as dirt and grime as well as make up to reveal soft, supple, glowing skin. It contains nourishing Shea Butter and Abyssinian oil, a turbo charged version of argan oil, to help replace essential skin lipids without blocking pores, to restore the skins natural elasticity.

The Aroma Facial Concentrate 30ml - Intensive daily hydration and age defence treatment for sensitive, oily or dry skin.

This intensive daily moisturising oil is suitable for all skin types. Again, it contains Abyssinian oil, a turbo charged version of argan oil, magnolia oil and palmarosa to balance the production of sebum and rosehip oil, which help to promote cellular development and collagen synthesis, which is important for keeping skin smooth and supple.

A 50ml Facial Moisturising Cream - Fragrance free natural hydration & age defence for sensitive, oily or dry skin.

This fragrance free moisture balm is said to be perfect for anyone that wants natural hydration but hasn't yet converted to facial oils. It contains Abyssinian oil, a turbo charged version of argan oil, to help replace essential skin lipids without blocking pores, to restore the skins natural elasticity.

I think this is an incredible gift for those who love their natural skincare and the Tartan bag within which is comes in, is so beautifully made. With an RRP of £40, you can find it HERE for less than £20.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Samaya Ayurvedic skincare

I absolutely love skincare and throughout my blogging journey have been blessed to work with some amazing brands and it has enabled me to get to know my skin a whole lot more. I now have more of an understand of what does and doesn't work for my skin and how to deal with break outs, dryness, oily tzone and how important a double cleanse is.

So let me introduce you to Samaya, a brand I have been getting to know and it is a new Ayurvedic skincare range. At the core of Ayurveda lies the concept of achieving harmony between the mind, body and soul. When these three elements are in balance with each other, you will be able to feel the positive effect on your health and wellbeing, and in the radiance of your skin. Founded on the ancient Ayurvedic principles of working with each bodies’ individual dosha be it Vata, Pitta or Kapha. A few short questions and you can then select the individual SAMAYA range that will work best for you – this is skincare that is specially formulated to work with your specific constitution type to help bring you into perfect balance. Within the range is a cleanser, facial oil and face cream for each of the Vata, Kapha and Pitta types.

My dosha s Pitta which tells me I am "Well-proportioned and compact build, with a focused mind and a love of order. Confident and passionate, enjoying challenges. Prone to anger and impatience when out of balance. Benefits from gentle skincare as skin can be sensitive and irritable, susceptible to wrinkles, sunburn and inflammation". For this there are three products Pitta Hydrating Cleanser, Pitta Anti-Ageing Cream and Pitta Anti-Ageing Treatment Oil. From those three, I have been using the cleanser and have absolutely loved it.

The Pitta hydrating cleanser is a unique formulation providing hydration while cleansing and purifying skin. Developed with powerful Ayurvedic botanicals such as Jasmine, Neem, Lotus, Turmeric, Saffron, Shatavari and Gotu Kola, this cleanser melts into the skin, helping to remove make-up and lift impurities, leaving skin feeling balanced, purified, softer and more radiant.  As you can imagine it smells just absolutely incredible and I find ingredients fascinating and always strive to find out why certain ones are used and in this instance there is a reason for everything.

• Jasmine Flower Extract - Beautiful aroma with proven mood-boosting effect; improves energy; reduces anxiety and stress; helps to balance moisture levels and increase skin’s elasticity while soothing mind and body; antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help protect skin.
• Neem Oil - Promotes skin healing; helps reduce itching and roughness; purifies skin; neutralises damaging free radicals to help skin achieve a radiant glow.
• Saffron Extract - Valued for its skin toning abilities; can impart a natural radiance as it helps to reduce pigmentation; has mood-enhancing properties; is considered to be an aphrodisiac and is often used as a tonic to improve general health.
• Lotus Seed Extract - Sacred anti-inflammatory ingredient; contains zinc and anti-ageing enzymes which can repair damaged or sensitive skin while soothing and calming the mind; beneficial for blemish-prone skin.
• Manuka Honey Extract - Natural antioxidant and anti-bacterial; helps keep skin supple and toned; contains Lignin which is a natural organic substance that binds cells together.
• Saccharide Isomerate - A 100% natural, plant-derived, effective and long-lasting active moisturising ingredient; provides sustained hydration; protects against future damage; restores and replenishes skin.
• Gotu Kola Oil - Anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing herb; helps fight chronic skin conditions by repairing damage done to the skin; stimulates collagen production in the skin.
• Shatavari Extract - Considered in Ayurvedic tradition to be the female equivalent to Ashwagandha, Shatavari’s name in Sanskrit translates as ‘she who possesses one hundred husbands.’ It has long been used as a tonic for female health concerns and as a means of reducing stress and tension. Shatavari also has nutritive and rejuvenative properties for skin, contributing towards a renewed, youthful appearance.
• Aloe Leaf Extract - Antibacterial, anti-ageing ingredient; soothes and promotes healing; hydrates skin; contributes to the natural production of collagen and elastin in skin.

So you will find no parabens, no synthetics, just trusted ingredients that have properites to work on and with your skin.

This is a premium skincare range and the cleanser is on the pricey side at £69 for 100ml but it does melt into the skin like an absolute dream and it literally melts all the dirt, grime and makeup off your face in such an effortless way, it is a treat to use it. A little does go a very long way and there is absolutely nothing I don't like about it, I am simply fascinated by the whole concept of Ayurvedic practices and how it can use its ancient principles to create such a fantastic and beautiful skincare range.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Antipodes Skincare

Antipodes skincare is one of those brands I have recently been introduced too and I am left wondering why I hadn't tried these two products that I am sharing with you today much sooner. A brand which hails all the way from New Zealand, its creator, Elizabeth Barbalich had a desire to create premium, scientifically validated, organic beauty products. She wanted them to be made from fully sustainable sources that could be used everyday plus the packaging features fully recyclable bottles and aluminum tubes, and 100% biodegradable card from sustainable forests.

Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask is described as being a deeply moisturising, cleansing and antioxidising treatment that leaves dull skin instantly soothed and intensely hydrated. Featuring a traditional remedy of New Zealand Maori people, manuka honey, it powerfully draws moisture to your skin to hydrate it and working alongside the ruby red pohutukawa bloom, which contains one of nature's finest antioxidants and has antiseptic properties.

I love the texture of this mask which is thick but too thick enough that when you are slathering it on it is as luxurious as it is lovely on the skin. Once you have slathered it onto your skin, you leave it for up to 15 minutes before removing what is left with warm water and a muslin cloth (which is my preference) and your skin feels just incredible. I use this mask when my skin is really playing up, so when it is dry, it feels sore and there is a threat of breakout with small bumps under the surface, all of which is usually when I am under the weather or under stress.  The Fragrance is also wonderful, slightly of vanilla with an undertone of Mandarin, they come together to create a really uplifting scent that is amazing to relax too. This mask retails for around £21 is such an amazing treat.

Antipodes Joyful Hand & Body Cream is described as being a high-performance velvety moisturiser with a berries & hibiscus scent to enchant the trials of everyday life with moments of fragrant joy. This cream is incredibly luxuriously and really very fragrant. Designed for the hands and body, this moisturiser is for all skin types With a rich velvety texture, a little goes a very long way. On the skin it neither greasy or tacky to the touch and it begins to absorb on contact. It is enriched with Avocado oil which provides moisturising nutrients to the skin ,glorious Berry and South Pacific Hibiscus Flower Extracts which create the beautiful scent and it is just amazing on dry, tired and stressed skin.  

I have used this cream mainly on my legs and arms as the warm sunshine turns to a really hot day to rain and then we begin the start of Autumn. Keeping my skin moisturised, soft and smooth on both my arms and legs is something I am pretty rubbish at, but give me a pretty product and one that I grow to love, I will use it all up, just as I have done with this. I love how it leaves my skin feeling dewy and fragrant without any oily residue.  Retailing for around £29 this is one incredible cream.

It is fair to say that my introduction to Antipodes has been incredible and I absolutely adore both products and it has made me want to work my way right through the brand to see what other treasures and treats I can find.  Antipodes products can be found online from sites such as LookFantastic, Love Lula, FeelUnique and BeautyBay.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Ochre Body and Skincare Range

Natural Skincare is something I am always interested in trying and one brand I have been using of late is Ochre Body and Skincare. A philosophy which states "Ochre Body and Skin is designed to care for you and our environment and to be affordable for everyday use. We avoid the use of any ingredients that could be considered harmful to your skin and minimise the amount of packaging in the product or used in delivering the product to you".

So, having been sent three products to try - Enliven Shampoo, Harmonise Conditioner and Cherish Body Lotion, each one brightly coloured and eye catching whilst sitting on my shelf in the bathroom.

Enliven Shampoo is the first product I used, in fact I enjoyed using it so much, there is just a small amount left. Described as being for frequent use this shampoo is suitable for all hair types. I tend to use it once or twice a week as a sort of in-between shampoo because I find it really gives my scalp a good cleanse, whether that was its original purpose or not, for me this is what it does. When you flip the lid and first use this shampoo, the first thing you do notice is the scent because it combines both Rosemary, which is used in many hair products to improve scalp problems and Peppermint which acts as an antiseptic, together they smell amazing. 

 There is also coconut and vitamin B5 rich panthenol included and they enhance the appearance of your hair by increasing body, suppleness and sheen plus there are sea minerals to condition, moisturise and protect. Putting all these together results in your hair feeling soft, smooth, hydrated and your scalp clean.

As someone who has dry ends and greasy roots, I tend not to put too much conditioner on my hair regularly, it doesn't like it, instead I tend to use it once a week and then at least twice a month, I use a conditioning hair mask.

Harmonise Conditioner uses arginine, which is a natural amino acid and an essential component of your hair to help your hair regain its natural thickness. Again using ingredients such as geranium and lavender oils to help regulate your hairs natural oils and stimulate the scalp, it leaves your hair feeling clean and frizz free. Also included is coconut, sweet almond oil and vitamin B5 rich Panthenol again to enhance body, suppleness and sheen. As with the Enliven Shampoo, there is also sea minerals to condition, moisturise and protect.

Once the conditioner is on your hair, if I use a small amount, my hair feels really hydrated and silky soft and being used once a week as a treat, my hair has really taken to this conditioner. Gone is the horrid straw like feeling I sometimes get. The scent is light enough that it doesn't overpower the senses but it is most definitely noticeable as you wash your hair and as your hair dries, whether naturally or with a hairdryer. What I do like is how easy the conditioner lathers as soon as it touches your hair and comes into contact with water, thus meaning you need only a small amount. I tend to use this everywhere buy my roots.

The final product from this trio is the Cherish Body Lotion. Packaged in the similar bottles to the shampoo and conditioner and like those two products it using nutrient-rich sea minerals to revitalise and renew. As a formula it is non-greasy and is really easily absorbed into the skin where upon which it is so gentle, you can use it on all body parts, though I have never used it on my face.

Ingredients wise, there is a combination of sweet almond oil which smoothens, softens and protects to help the skin retain its elasticity and suppleness. Arginine is again present and in a body lotion it is said to benefit the radiance and vitality of the skin to help it maintain its elasticity and suppleness as with the sweet almond oil. There is also Cedarwood Oil which on the skin helps to soothe itching and is great for those with oily skin, as a scent it is calming and soothing. Patchouli Oil which is very effective in helping to deal with rough, cracked and overly dehydrated skin and as a scent it is hosts grounding properties which calm and relax.

The reason I like this body lotion is because it is really hydrating, particularly after being in the shower or a hot bath. It goes onto the skin really smoothly, is quite luxurious and absorbs really quickly with a little going a very long way. It has been some time since I have had a body lotion that I have continued to use like I do with this.

  Ochre Body and Skin products are all free from sulphates, PEGs, parabens, animal ingredients, synthetic colours, synthetic fragrances and other potential irritants. So if you are a big fan of natural skincare or just want to try something new, then I cannot recommend these three products highly enough, they are an absolute delight to use and smell amazing.  You can find more information about Ochre and the rest of their product line HERE along with any other information you might need.

Ruby Red Cosmetics Natural Skincare

Ruby Red is a company I came by after an opportunity arose in an email and I have to say, if you want a product to make you go "Wow" then read on.

The brand Ruby Red is a combination of Mike’s surname (Ruby), the owner and Red for their London roots. Ruby Red as a company believe that healthy, radiant skin needs vital nutrients from the outside as well as the inside. Their Skin and Body care ranges are full of plant nourishment combined with distinctive pampering aromas made from oils without SLS, parabens, sulphates, petrochemicals and dyes as well as never tested on Animals.  

I was sent two products in the form of a Reviving Body Cleanser** and a Renewal Shea Skin Cream** which as you can see below arrived really well packaged and inside two very different containers.  

The Body Cleanser, which was a finalist in the Best Shower Gel category at the 2014 Beauty Shortlist Awards is described as follows:

"Botanical glucosides found in sugar and coconut makes an effective cleansing agent which does not irritate the skin; botanical extract of Aloe Vera soften and soothe the skin. A warm, invigorating, citrus aroma of Lime, Red Mandarin, Coriander and Cedarwood boost circulation while toning and refreshing the skin"

The first thing about this cleanser is the scent, it is absolutely phenomenal, one of those scents you need on a morning when you feel really sluggish, annoyed that you have had to leave your bed and a morning when no amount of caffeine is going to wake up - well this product will! To use you simply apply a generous amount onto your hands or onto a cloth and then massage over your damp skin whilst in the shower, as soon as the clear looking gel leaves the bottle the scent wakes you, but when it hits the steam you become more alert than you probably have done in a long time, after wahsing you simply wash it off, again using a damp cloth and it leaves your skin not only squeaky clean but smelling so good and the scent lasts pretty much all day, even as it fades it is still wonderful. it is also worth noting that this Reviving Body Cleanser can also be used as hand cleanser, something I am yet to try.

The second product is the Renewal Shea Skin Cream which is in this 60ml glass jar and when I first removed the jar, I didnt find what I was expecting. I was expecting to find a runny cream not a solid, so I was very much intrigued to use this. It comes with the following description:

"The healing enzymes in Lemon and Honey work together to improve cell renewal while Vitamins A, E, & F in our pure, hand processed organic Shea butter help to restore the skin’s elasticity lost through dryness or sun-exposure. A small of cream amount will moisturise, softening and smoothing the skin".

Even though this skin cream contains lemon and honey, the scent isn't as strong as the body cleanser, but it is subtle enough for me to absolutely love it. To use you simply warm a really small amount in your hands and on the Ruby Red site they make a point of stating that by small they mean no bigger than a raindrop, the reason being that as soon as it comes into contact with your skin it begins to melt, so it literally absorbs without no amount of effort on your part and as you massage it into the skin, the lemony scent comes to life and reminds me of sherbet lemons, a scent I happen to adore. Once massaged onto the skin, within a matter of minutes there is no trace that anything was actually there, instead you have soft, smooth skin. If like me you spend a lot of your working life, days and sometimes evening dealing with paper, I find it dries my hands out, hence my love of hand cream, well I have been using this for the last 2 months and it is a perfect remedy for my dry hands, not to mention I use it on my shins, elbows and feet as well.

These products I cannot rate highly enough, they have caused no adverse reactions to my skin, they smell more wonderful than I can give them credit for and I absolutely love using them.  You can find more information about Ruby Red on their website which is HERE and their products can be bought online through the Ruby Red shop or from places like Amazon, Fortnum and Mason and soon to launch in Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge.