Cult Beauty The Founders Goody Bag - worth over £270

The Founders Goody Bag from Cult Beauty* is one of the best Gift with Purchases (GWP) that I have seen in quite some time and it features some amazing brands. This 19 piece edit, which features five full-sized products is yours when you spend £160 and that is incredibly easy to do on Cult Beauty from the new releases alone.

Picture taken from Cult Beauty

Has this GWP tempted you in any way?

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

GO2 Inhaler Sticks

Everyday life can be stressful, it can be hard work and there is absolutely nothing wrong with admitting that life has been tough of late.  I have been learning how to use the power of smells and scents to change my mood and there are a few products which I have loved using, the first being these Go2 Inhaler Sticks and if you read my tips on getting a better nights sleep, you have noticed the inclusion of one right there.

Go2 Inhaler sticks are the brainchild of brothers Marc and Benjamin Shipman and are the first UK-based company to launch 100% natural essential oil inhaler sticks to the UK market.  I have always been fascinated by Essential Oils and their properties, wanting to know what they do, why they do it and what works best for which reason as well as knowing how to use them to the best of their ability.

Essential Oils can help you relax, deal with cramps, help with the symptoms of PMT, help with sleep, aches, focus and stress. So finding a product such as an inhaler stick has absolutely fascinated me since I came to have to them to try out and use. They came about when Marc found juggling life too much and what started out as small internal worries soon manifested themselves into stress-related anxiety, which in turn led to poor sleep and a lack of energy.  Having tried different routines and activities, it wasn't until the suggestion of essential oils was mooted to Marc that the idea of Inhaler sticks came about and wanting to ensure it wasn't a placebo effect, he spent over two years researching, trialling and testing. So, with all of that in place Inhaler sticks were born and they are not only affordable but also accessible at £3.99 each.

Why Essential Oils? When inhaled, the olfactory receptors in your nose are activated, once activated they send signals to the higher regions of the brain, the neocortex and the limbic system and it is the limbic system that then sends messages to the hypothalamus which in turn sends messages around the body.   The benefits of essential oils aren't something new, they have been known for 6000 years but thanks to today's use of science, those benefits are now proven. Essential oils come from plants and they create both the flavour and fragrance of that plant and it is how those oils are extracted to create a product which is important - cold-pressed, with water or by using steam distillation will determine the quality and purity.

There is essentially three ways to benefit from essential oil usage - through your skin, internally via your digestive system or aromatically such as Inhaler sticks.  When inhaling one of the GO2 blends, odour molecules are released and the olfactory receptors in our nose are activated and it is these different odour molecules which result in different messages being sent.  The GO2 essential oil blends are uniquely formulated to maximise the response for each described mood and with that, we have B.Calm, Sleep, Energy and Focus.

Each of the GO2 Inhaler sticks is packaged in bright colours so that you can see which one of which and each outer packaging gives details as to what the stick is for, how to use it and what essential oils it uses.

• Helping to boost your performance we have Energy. This stick which is recognisable from its bright red packaging is designed to support performance, be it with work, life, sports or just generally.  Made from 100% natural oils, this blend uses Eucalyptus which is uplifting and help promote clear breathing, Peppermint which helps to stimulate and aid focus before finally Lemongrass which helps to combat feelings of fatigue.
• Helping with focus is the Inhaler stick called Focus.  This stick which is packaged in bright blue is said to help with focus and concentration. Whether you are sitting in front of a computer, studying or just need to be completely focused on your task in hand, this is the stick for you. Using Rosemary which supports memory function, Peppermint which is stimulating and aids focus and then we have Lime which is uplifting for both the body and the mind.
• Helping to promote inner peace we have B.Calm.  With its baby blue packaging, B.Calm is said to help promote inner peace in those times when you are feeling stressed, anxious, overwhelmed or simply just need a break. The essential oils included within B.Calm are Cardamom which promotes the feeling of calmness and warmth, Lavender which is relaxing and soothing for both the body and mind, Bergamot which helps to promote inner calm and finally Sweet Orange which is deeply relaxing and works to promote well-being.
• The final stick is one I featured within my sleep post and it is called Sleep. Designed to help promote your quality of sleep, assisting to help give you a deeper and better sleep, this inhaler stick uses Lavender which is relaxing to the body and mind, Red Mandarin which helps support a restful sleep before Frankincense, which helps to promote a sense of inner peace and contentment.

Right now, whilst I have tried each and every one of these Inhaler sticks, I have found to be of most use is Focus because it works the best for what I need because I have just been in the middle of a huge work project and needing to just sit there and work my way through an Excel spreadsheet of doom is something I've had to get on with, so knowing that I can use Focus has been a huge help.

These GO2 Inhaler Sticks are priced at £3.99 each and can be found via Amazon or the Go2 website.

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

REN Clean Skincare Perfect Canvas Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser

Whenever there is a new release from REN Clean Skincare I am always as equally intrigued as I am excited to find out what the product is, what it does and why I need it in my life.  New to the Perfect Canvas family is the Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser* (£25) and I have already ordered another tube.

Cleansing is definitely one of my favourite parts of my skincare routine, especially of an evening when I get to take the day off and begin to wind down from a day in the office. This Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser is described as being an all-new makeup removing, 100% naturally derived oil-based jelly cleanser that melts makeup, impurities and SPF. 

Perfect for all skin types, including dry and sensitive skin, this three-phase cleanser is, as you might expect from REN, it is packed with three amazing oils, the first is Sunflower Seed Oil which not only protects skin’s natural moisture barrier to prevent continued dryness, it also contains Vitamin E which is an antioxidant helps to protect skin from free radicals and from adverse effects of the sun.  The second oil is Meadowfoam Seed Oil which helps to replenish the skin’s barrier with essential fatty acids Omega 3 and 6. Finally, we have Grape Seed Oil which is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, so it helps restore skin health and protect against free radicals. REN also include Glycerin which locks in hydration as you cleanse your skin.

Unlike some cleansers, this one should be used on dry skin, to use, you need a small amount which should be warmed between the palms of your hand until it becomes an oil. Then apply, using circular motions over your entire face, it is gentle enough to be used near your eyes. The oil this jelly turns too is rich, luxurious and it feels divine on the skin, as the oil comes into contact with warm water it emulsifies into a milky texture and once your skin is clean, you wipe away with a cloth.  I always judge a cleanser on how it makes my skin feel after using it, if it strips my skin of moisture and leaves it feeling dry and taut then it is a no from me, but this cleanser does neither of those, in fact, what it does is leave my skin feeling hydrated to the touch, as well as being free from all my skincare and makeup that had been on my face. 

As part of RENs pledge to become Zero Waste by 2021, in that all of their packagings will be 100% recycled, recyclable and reusable. this Jelly Oil Cleanser is housed in a 50% post-consumer recycled tube with a 100% post-consumer recycled cap.

You can see all of the products Ren has to offer online and here for those in the US here. 

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

Top tips for combatting sluggish and sallow winter skin with Emma Hardie Skincare

During the cold and dark winter months, our skin can often appear dull and flat and can definitely be in need of a bit of a radiance boost! Jane Foulston, from Emma Hardie Skincare, shares her top tips for combatting sluggish and sallow winter skin and all you need to use are 4 products.

When your skin starts to look sluggish and your complexion sallow, Emma Hardie Skincare has a few products which you can add into your routine to help it look healthier and reinvigorated. 

The first piece of advice is to look for products that contain brightening ingredients, such as Vitamin C, and then add them into your routine where you can.  Starting with the Emma Hardie Moisture Boost Vit + C Cream (£49), something I was introduced too just before Christmas as part of the Brightening Collection. This cream contains a pure blend of Vitamin B3 and time-released Vitamin C to reduce pigmentation and increase healthy collagen production, leaving skin looking brighter and clearer. It also contains Red Algae Extract which has a luminating effect to give you a gorgeous glow and it also aids in reversing the effects of UV damage and they work alongside Pumpkin Enzymes, Shea Butter and Grapeseed Oil all encourage increased cellular renewal and regeneration.

Evening skincare is my favourite and I enjoy the double cleanse part of my routine the most, something I honestly thought I would never say.  In the evening you can up the ante with a more supercharged product such as the Vit C Intense Daily Serum (£54). It is said that stable Vitamin C will release slowly overnight to help reduce pigmentation caused by UV damage, brighten the skin, and create a more evenly toned and refined complexion. You can then also use the Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial Oil (£39) again, a product I started to use before Christmas. I absolutely love having an oil within my routine, especially in the winter when I feel my skin needs a lot more help with moisture.  This oil is described as being a multi-active, lightweight and nourishing facial oil complex which is infused with nine essential oils including - Palma Rose, Orange, Mint, Vanilla, Geranium, Camomile, Lemon, Rose and Lavender. Coming together, these oils work to re-balance and replenish precious moisture while balancing sebum production. Also included within the oil is Omega 3 which helps to restructure the skin and promote elasticity and finally we have Camelina 'Gold of Pleasure' oil which is known for its powerful antioxidant properties to protect the skin from environmental damage.

The final product of the four is one of my favourites and it is the Moringa Renewal Treatment Mask (£49) which I fully reviewed on my blog some time ago.  A divine treat for the skin, this mask should be used at least once a week. With ingredients such as Resistem™ and Red Algae Extract to visibly improve the evenness of complexion and stimulate cell regeneration to restore skin’s natural glow. Moisturising and conditioning Hyaluronic Acid and Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil leave skin feeling vibrant, plump and radiant.  I love that this mask can be used in two different ways depending on your preference too, the first is as a treatment mask which should be applied to freshly cleansed skin and left for up to 15 minutes or it can be used as an overnight intensive treatment mask if you feel your skin really needs a little bit of TLC.  If you are familiar with the Emma Hardie Moringa products, then this one is up there with the deliciousness of fragrance!

Four products which add a little something extra to your skincare routine.  Have you ever tried anything from the Emma Hardie Skincare range or is there anything you have got your eye on?

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