Vegan Limited Edition Box by Glossybox

The Vegan Limited Edition Box by Glossybox has arrived and Glossybox has curated it as an introduction to Vegan products, meaning that everything within this box does not contain any animal products, any animal by-products or any animal derivatives. Going Vegan is a phrase I hear a lot from friends, colleagues as well as those who are on my social feeds. As time goes on, we are beginning to learn much more about being Vegan, not only from food sources but also beauty brands and even clothing labels.  So for Glossybox to put together such a box, is for me quite an eye opener as to how many brands there are to get to know, become reacquainted with and even discover for that very first time.

This is what you will find inside the box:

• KAT VON D Tattoo Liner Deluxe Mini  - She might have been in the news a lot recently with her stance on vaccines but the brand is well known for its stance on animal testing. This Liner is said to be the one Kat uses herself.
• TROPIC SKINCARE Lip Fudge Plumping Lip Conditioner in Rosewood Full Size - I love Tropic as a range and this Lip Fudge is just a delight to use with its mint and vanilla scent. Packed with plant extracts and the use of Mango Wax, this balm is just divine.
• ORIGINAL SOURCE Lemon and Lime Foaming Shower Gel Full Size - Well this was a nice surprise. I am probably one a whole group of people who will remember their very first Original Source product and I am sure the men amongst us too for reasons that still make their eyes water!  This Foaming Shower Gel literally is a burst of tangy scents and this one bottle lasts for up to 35 washes!
• DR ORGANICS Vitamin E Super Hydrating Cream - Packed with the goodness of Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, Shea and Cocoa butter, this cream is described as being a bit of a multitasker in that you can use it on your face and body.
• MARIA NILA Head & Hair Heal Masque Full Size - I've recently been trying some Maria Nila haircare products and I am really impressed with them so far. So having a masque to now try is really exciting.  Described as being a multifunctional mask to promote a healthy scalp and stronger, shinier hair, it is also said to prevent dandruff and itchy scalps!
• NOUGHTY HAIRCARE Noughty To the Rescue Anti-Frizz Serum Full size - I've seen this brand a lot on my social media feed this week, so I am incredibly intrigued. Packed with argan oil, sweet almond oil this deeply nourishing smooths, hydrates and tames locks and it also protects your hair in heat up to 220 degrees.
• SO ECO Eye Shading Brush Full Size - Ethically sourced and eco friendly, this brush is made from sustainable bamboo, recycled aluminium and cruelty-free bristles. Ideal for using both powders and liquids, it is really silky soft!
• TINTS OF NATURE Hydrate Shampoo Deluxe Mini - Said to be made from only the best Organic and natural ingredients, this shampoo uses Aloe and other natural extracts to cleanse and moisturise your hair. It is also pH balanced, free from damaging salts and sulphates and it has a really subtle sweet berry scent to it.
• WELEDA Birch Cellulite Oil Deluxe Mini - This Oil is formulated to firm, smooth and tone your skin and is made using organic birch leaf extract, nourishing plant oils of apricot, wheat germ and jojoba and it is advised that you should use it twice a day for four weeks and then daily afterwards for the best results.
• PURE CHIMP Matcha Tea Full Size - Made from specially grown matcha green tea leaves, this tea is packed full of antioxidants which are said to boost your metabolism and improve your concentration!

I think this is a great little introduction to the world of Vegan products and there are some brands included that I am already a fan of and some I am looking forward to getting to know.

If you’re an existing GLOSSYBOX subscriber you can get your hands on this Limited Edition Vegan Box for just £25. Non-subscribers can purchase a for £30. The value of the box is just over £80.00. Plus, everyone who buys a Limited Edition Box is entered into a prize draw to win a 1 of 100 Spectrum Glam Clam Brush Sets worth £59.99!

The Vegan Limited Edition Box by Glossybox is available now via www.glossybox.co.uk

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

VERSO Enzyme Peel

Named as the Latin for reverse, Verso is no stranger to this blog, i'd go as far as saying it is one of the best discoveries I've been lucky enough to make and in doing so have featured them quite a few times (here and here). Most of the products within the Verso range contains Retinol 8 which is an innovative complex of Vitamin A boosting retinol that works to increase the skin's production of collagen for a plumper and smoother finish. Joining the growing range of products is this Enzyme Peel and in short - it is blooming brilliant.

It seems that over the past few years scrub free exfoliators have become less popular, even more so since the ban on microbeads (yay) and instead brands now look to using what is called skin renewing acids which work to renew and revitalise the skin instead. Verso is one of the latest brands to join in with Enzyme Peel.

Using a clever combination of AHAs and PHAs which together break the bond between those pesky dead skin cells and the outer layer of skin and this clever clear gel also works to clear blocked pores. It is worth mentioning that AHAs also increase the skin’s thickness and bolster collagen density, while PHAs moisturise, purify and deliver free radiance protection. Within this product, the formula is also enriched with niacinamide, turmeric and pomegranate enzymes which adds antioxidant, skin-renewing, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to help defend skin and minimise signs of ageing. 

As well as having an abundance of amazing ingredients, this product is easy to use and you don't need a degree to understand it. Ensure your skin has been thoroughly cleanser and then gently spread Enzyme Peel over your face and leave it for 1-3 minutes before removing, with warm water and without rubbing. After using, I will always wash my face again to make sure I have removed all traces from my skin and then complete my night time routine of applying oil, eye cream, moisturiser and lip balm.  Verso Enzyme Peel can be used 1-3 times per week and for the best results, it is best used at night time.  

After using my skin feels just incredible, I haven't yet had any irritation, excess redness or stinging to the skin. Living in London I am always conscious as to how pollution, smog and dirty air can affect my skin and I love that Enzyme Peel fits right into my skincare routine, it removes that dead skin and makes my lacklustre skin look alive.  It is also worth mentioning that when using any products that are acid based, you need to use SPF, you should use it daily anyway, but with products like this, it is a definite must!

You can find Verso's Enzyme Peel right here from Feelunique and it costs £80.

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

Jurlique Rose Hand Cream Handpicked Limited Edition

I adore hand creams, Jurlique and of course Jurlique hand creams. So when this new Rose Hand Cream Handpicked Limited Edition landed on my doorstep I was excited to be giving it a try. 

If you have never come across or tried the brand before they have a great story to tell. Jurlique was founded by Jurgen and Ulrike Klein, a German couple who migrated to Australia armed with their natural expertise – his as a biochemist, hers as a botanist – and a vision to create the purest skin care on earth. What I love is that all of the ingredients used within the Jurlique products are grown on a farm and hand-picked for each item, they are also free from synthetic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and insecticides.

This new Rose Hand Cream is described as being a strictly limited edition version of one of Jurliques most iconic products. Its rich, luxurious formula features an exclusive Rose extract grown and handpicked at the Jurlique Farm in the Adelaide Hills. Jurlique hand pick their Roses at first bloom, making sure the exact moment is right to preserve the deeply hydrating properties.  Each petal then goes through a process of having the concentrated floral extract meticulously extracted and it is here, in this incredible hand cream that the scent comes to life.

I adore the elegant soft pink and rose gold packaging for this hand cream which makes this limited edition even more special. The cream itself is rich, it is luxurious and if you love the scent of fresh roses, then this hand cream has managed to capture that scent so exquisitely that it is hard not to love it. I have quite dry hands, so I am forever applying balms and creams to keep them supple. What I really love about this hand cream, aside from the scent, is just how quickly it absorbs into the skin and it does so without leaving that greasy feeling on the hands, they just feel moisturised and hydrated.

To get your hands on this cream, you will need to be quick because as soon as they are available they sell out.  Out on 2nd July (£29), you can beat the queue by signing up to be alerted about the release here and by signing up, you will also be entered into a prize draw to win one too!

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

AnimalStone Jewellery - Cecil The Lion

I don't wear a lot of jewellery, I am not someone who loves to be covered in bling, it just isn't me. I like my jewellery to have a meaning to it and other than my wedding and engagement rings, it is rare that on a day to day basis I would wear much else. I do sometimes wear a bracelet or my earrings if I remember, leaving everything else for special occasions.

AnimalStone is a purveyor of luxury animal-inspired jewellery and is a company who was founded on the principle that animals have shared this planet with us since time immemorial. I absolutely love animals, I have three cats and an aquarium full of tropical fish, my dream would be to have my very own cattery to take care of unloved and unwanted kitties, but for that, I need a very big lottery win. When Delane Cooper and I reconnected over Instagram, it was such a delight to Facetime with her and catch up, I first met Delane many years ago when I started blogging and she has since relocated to Toronto. Delane is an incredible jewellery designer, goldsmith and artist who expresses her creativity by making beautiful pieces that are accompanied by a story for the wearer. So Delane and I had a chat about the piece of jewellery she would make for me, we chatted for quite some time about personal memories, home life, my job, blogging, life, death and of course animals.

After our chat, Delane set about choosing an animal she thought best represented me and arriving a few weeks later came Cecil the Lion who was selected for me because of its meaning:

• Strength
• Personal Power
• Wisdom
• Courage
• Justice

The description which accompanies Cecil the Lion is "May you roar into action knowing that you have the courage to accomplish anything you want. Go beyond the sanctuary, explore the savannah and establish yourself as the peaceful warrior in your world". Explaining why Cecil was chosen Delane said:

When I had asked you your three animals, you selected cat as your answer each time. Though your answer broad but probably meant domestic cat vs the wildcat, I chose our Lion because it resonated with me as to who you are. The personal power you exhibit with every communication you put out into the world is clear and comes through only because of the personal strength you exhibit. 

When you shared the story of your nanny and the neighbour’s cat, I sensed that there is a deep respect and quiet connection with cats that you have. Even a fellow cat lover will never know the personal connection you have with these animals. 

I believe it takes courage to put yourself out there with every post you do to be in the public eye sharing your opinion/recommendations. Just as a lion must go out into the open and claim his territory or a female lion going out for the hunt to supply the pride with food. 

Whether domestic or wild, cats are full of mystery, magic and independence. The domestic cat gets its energy from the night where as the lion represents sun energy and the cycle of power year round.  May you wear Cecil the Lion as a reminder that you possess personal power/strength/courage and may he balance your energies when called upon when you are not able to visit the seashore.

At the time of speaking with Delane over the Facetime, I had no idea she would have listened to so much of what I was said.  When I am feeling stressed and a bit out of kilter with myself, the one place that makes me feel relaxed is anywhere near water - even the bath and I think this is perhaps why I enjoy bathing as much as I do.  I am never more calm than I am when I am near to the sea, just listening to the sea or the waves crashing is an instant soothing experience.  

When I opened the box with the beautifully packaged necklace inside, nothing quite prepares you for seeing something so amazing that has been created for you, it was and still is quite simply breathtaking to see.  The features of Cecil the Lion being so lifelike with every intrinsic detail there to see, the design of the mane, the eyes and even the detail on the paws is incredible.  It is such an honour to be the recipient of something so beautiful and something so meaningful. I love that Cecil is 3D shaped which adds a specialness to the necklace which is so shiny and stands out that I've been asked many times where I got my necklace from and I am always so happy to tell the story of how Cecil came into my life.

Sitting on this beautiful wheat chain, what I love is how wearable this necklace is, whether it is for everyday wear, a special occasion or even just because you feel the need to be wearing him, it works. I love the circle of life clasp which means you can take him from the chain and wear him in other ways - on a bracelet or even a keychain for example.

Whilst I received this as a gift, there are a lot of other animals available and depending on what it is you feel best represents you, some of my favourites include Rex the T-Rex, Kai the Sea Turtle and Mei Yu the Panda Bear all of which can be found here in the store.

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