Axiology Lipstick ASOS launch!

Axiology lipsticks and crayons are launching onto ASOS* and if you are wanting to find some new lipstick products which are not only 100% vegan, natural, palm oil-free, dye-free, fragrance-free, cruelty-free and sweatshop-free but also use boxes made from recycled waste and proceeds help save orangutans, then you have found that match.  I was first introduced to the brand in 2017 and Enchant was a shade I wore every single day until it ran out.

Now, you can find Axiology on ASOS and to celebrate, I was kindly gifted three products that you can find featured.  Whether you like lipsticks or crayons, Axiology creates products which are described as being 100% clean makeup and are made with entirely natural ingredients such as super-rich coconut oil, avocado butter and candelilla wax.

The three shades I have are called Brave, Enduring and Clarity and all three shades are incredibly wearable and each one has a different finish.

The first shade is Brave and it is a beautiful warm Plum shade, which has the least pigmentation of the three shades but is a shade I love with my complexion. 

Once applied it has a matte finish and it has a lastability of a good 3-4 hours before it needs to be re-applied.

The second shade is called Enduring and it comes in the form of a Crayon Lipstick. Of all the shades I have tried, this one has been one of my favourite Axiology products to date.

It has high opacity and a semi-matte finish and is best described as being a deep shade of rose which is perfect, in my opinion, all year round wear. It is one of the longest-lasting shades that I have used on my lips from Axiology and almost feels like a balm when applied.  

The final shade is Clarity and it is best described as being a very berry shade which is made up of bold fuchsia and a hint of red.

It is completely opaque has incredibly colour payoff and is a perfect transition from winter to spring shade, though in fairness you could probably wear it all year round.

With swatching each of these shades, I've not edited the photo, something I never do with swatches but as you can see, each of the three shades is completely different to the next.

Alongside these three shades, on ASOS you can find 15 others of which two of those are Lipstick crayons and they are broken down into three different colour payoffs with the choice of a Sheer Balm, Soft Cream and a Rich Cream finish. 

Prices for the lipsticks are £24 with the Lipstick crayons being £23 each and if you are looking for a product which is made without animal testing, is 100% vegan and helps save Orangutans, then Axiology is a brand to be looking at right now!

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

Burt's Bees Hemp Collection

Burt's Bees has been offering distinctive earth-friendly, natural health and beauty care products for over 35 years, the journey starting from a beekeeper's backyard in Maine to the brand it has become today.  The latest collection from Burt's Bees is the Hemp Collection, a deeply hydrating range which encourages you to feel the deeply hydrating benefits of Hemp Seed oil.

Each one of the products within this range features a fresh Verbena and Basil scent and I was kindly sent three products from the collection to try.

The product is the Hemp Seed Oil Body Lotion (£10.99).  This body lotion is a 99% natural, rich, non-greasy lotion which is formulated with hemp seed oil. Designed to leave the skin feeling thoroughly nourished and moisturised, it absorbs really quickly when applied. As well as Hemp Seed Oil, this lotion also contains Vitamin E and Omega 3 and 6 as well as being blended with the fragrance of Basil and Verbena.  

This is a body lotion that isn't overly thick and I love how refreshing the scent is when you apply it and that scent lingers on the skin for a good few hours after application. Having worn thick tights and leggings for the past few months during the winter months, I always find my shins are quite dry, so I rely on a nourishing body lotion, as well as exfoliation to shed that lizard-like feel and instead leave me with silky, soft smooth skin.

One product Burt's Bees are known for is their lip balms and I always have 1-2 in my bag and on my desk at work.  This time we have a 100% Natural Origin Moisturising Lip Balm Hemp with Beeswax (£3.99) which moisturises and conditions dry lips and leaves them looking and feeling soft, smooth and healthy. As well as having the scent of Verbena and Basil, this balm is formulated with hemp seed oil, which is rich in vitamin E and has the optimal balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. This lip balm is also infused with beeswax and other nourishing ingredients which not only gives a smooth application, it also keeps your lips feeling nourished and moisturised.

The third and final product from this range is the Burt’s Bees® Hemp Hand Cream with Hemp Seed Oil (£9.99) for Dry Skin. Described as being perfect for restoring moisture to dry skin,  this hand cream, like the rest of this collection, is formulated with hemp seed oil, which is rich in vitamin E and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. What I love about it, is that as well as rich and luxurious, on the skin, this cream absorbs quickly and is totally non-greasy. Alongside the fresh scent of Verbena and Basil, this hand cream uses additional oils and moisture restoring butters to help keep your hands feeling soft, supple and healthy. 

I am already a huge fan of this collection and I really like the scent, the freshness of the Verbena with the earthy scent of Basil works incredibly well and I love how soft my skin is, especially on my hands, which are quite dry.  

The Burt's Bees Hemp Collection is available via the Burt's Bees website right now and I would love to know whether or not you are a fan of the brand.

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

Roccabox 3rd Birthday Edition

This month Roccabox celebrates their 3rd birthday and from the very first box, which I shared on my blog, it is great to see them hit another milestone.  This birthday box is designed to celebrate all the amazing women who have made it possible - mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and of course female bosses and to say thank you to all of those women, Roccabox has gathered up some of their absolute must-have hero products and this is what you will find inside.

The Hero product of this box comes from Huda and it is the Beauty Lip Contour Matte Pencil, which I have in shade Trendsetter. Described as being a multi-tasking liner-meets-lipstick, this pencil is enriched with hydrating ingredients which work to both define, shape and cloak the lips with a velvety-matte veil of conditioning colour. 

Trendsetter can best be described as a nude-brown shade and it can be worn alone with gloss or balm as well as being perfect for use with lipstick.

Next is a product from Murad, one of my favourite brands and it is the Retinol Youth Renewal Serum.  As the name might suggest, this serum is packed with Retinol and it works to instantly brighten and smooth the skin. 

Using Dr Murad's exclusive Retinol Tri-Active Technology to unlock the power of retinol with three different ingredients: fast-acting retinoid which accelerates results, time-released retinol which delivers sustained benefits and finally the retinol booster which enhances efficacy.

Hair care is really important and from Umberto Giannini comes the Banana Butter Vegan Leave-in Conditioner and it smells absolutely amazing. 

This silicone-free repairing and moisturising leave-in conditioner is designed to restore the bounce, shine and manageability to thirsty curls as it works to repair, strengthen and de-frizz naturally curly and super curly hair without weighing it down.

From Smashbox is one of the products I first ever tried from the brand and it is the Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Foundation Primer. Described as being a transparent, oil-free gel that enhances makeup application and wear, it also works to blur visible pores, fine lines and imperfections to give that much lusted after picture-perfect canvas. 

This prime also helps to defend against pollutants, stress and environmental aggressors with an antioxidant blend of peptides and vitamins A and E.

The final product within this box comes from Oh K! with their SOS Facial Steam Mask. This sheet mask is designed for use in steamy conditions and is perfect for being applied when you are in the bath or the shower. 

The face mask clings to the skin which helps to prevent it from sliding and to ensure it fits securely. The gently warming sheet mask works to open and cleanse the pores and draw out all the dirt and toxins from your skin.

As a treat, Roccabox has included a Bumblezest Calm & Comfort Superfood Shot Drink and it is said to help you relax and unwind.

I wasn't too sure about how this would taste, but thankfully it tastes mainly of lemon and mint and is quite refreshing and it doesn't leave a horrible aftertaste in the mouth.

This months edition of Roccabox is a great Birthday Edition and if it has persuaded you to give them a try, It is priced at just £10 per month if bought separately, Roccabox is a subscription service and there are further subscription offers available to choose from. However, before you run off, I have a discount code for you use the code 'BEAUTY20' to grab yourself 20% off a monthly subscription plan. It can only be used once per customer and it means that you can grab your first box for £8 (plus p+p)

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

Mother's Day Gift Guide

With Mother's Day on the horizon in just a weeks time, shops have been filled with cards and chocolates as well as balloons and candles in an attempt to get you to send your Mum/Mam/Mummy/Mother/Ma-Ma or however you might address her, a little something to celebrate the day.  If you haven't thought that far ahead because the news is full of other stories and you've been slightly distracted, I have a little gift guide that might just save the day!

I know not every Mam is the same, some are much older, some are younger, some are fitter and some not so, but I am hoping to have covered absolutely every angle with this gift guide.

If you saw my Glossybox Mothers Day post earlier this week and was lucky enough to get your hands on the box, then you have quite an amazing gift to give. 

Packed with 13 products from different brands it features everything from candles and facemasks to makeup and perfume and all for just £30.

If you mum likes to look after and style her hair, then Boots have an amazing range of products from InStyler.  Over the last few weeks, I have been using the GLOSSIE Ceramic Styling Brush which is described as instantly delivering shiny, straight and smooth styles that last. 

It features 65 powerful ceramic heated plates that simultaneously section and style as you effortlessly brush through your hair and with 4 different heat settings, whether your hair is thick, thin or somewhere in the middle, there is a setting that will work with your hair.  I have been so impressed with the Instyler Glossie Ceramic Styling Brush that there is a dedicated post coming next week to show off just how good it is and why I have liked using it so much.  It is currently on offer for less than £55 in Boots* and if you have a Mum who isn't quite ready to use hair straighteners to style her hair, then this might just tick the boxes.

For those who want to have a good nights sleep is the Sleep Master Eye Mask. It came into being after extensive research, the inventor of Sleep Master, who is also an insomnia sufferer, couldn't find a sleep mask that combined the conditions necessary for deep sleep: light elimination and sound reduction. Traditional sleep masks didn't fit or last. They all had thin elastic straps that shift uncomfortably during sleep, fray apart quickly or simply snap off after only a few uses, never mind the disastrous results from washing them!

It is a well known fact that my sleep pattern is quite erratic, so trying this mask has been quite the find. The Sleep Master utilises an incredibly soft to the touch, cool satin fabric which is not only lightweight but it is comfortable, flexible, it is a wide fit and it uses a velcro fastener. What makes it different to any other sleep mask I have used is the ear area, on the Sleep Master it is padded and this helps to muffle sounds, for anyone who is a light sleeper and finds the slightest sound disturbs them, this might just be what you are looking for. The Sleep Master is simply an all-in-one, one-size-fits-all product, which eliminates light and reduces sound, giving you a deep, refreshing sleep by shutting out the world in an immediate, intimate way. Priced at £19.95 via Amazon*.

One of my favourite skincare brands Emma Hardie has collaborated with the charity Look Good Feel Better and has launched a limited edition Pink Moringa Cleansing Balm.

At 50ml and priced at £25 from Marks & Spencer*, from every sale of the limited edition Moringa Cleansing Balm, Emma Hardie Skincare will be donating a percentage of proceeds from the sales to Look Good Feel Better, their goal is to raise £100k for the charity during the year of 2020.

For someone who is always on the go we have the Ember Travel Mug², an absolute revelation in re-usable cups which keep those hot drinks hot!  Everyone is trying to do their bit for the environment, using less take-away cups and more re-usable has been a huge change for me, but I find that those claims of keeping drinks hot for around 6 hours are not always that true.  Then I tried this!

Designed to be used on-the-go, the new Ember Travel Mug² does more than simply keep your coffee hot, this smart mug not only allows you to set an exact drinking temperature but it also keeps it there for up to 3 hours, so your coffee is never too hot, or too cold. I have been so impressed with this mug that I have written a separate blog post all about it, but if you like your technological gadgets and gifts, then this is the one!

There is no doubting every Mum needs at least an hour to herself and from Marks & Spencer, who right now have some amazing bathing products in store. My latest find has been these Rose Bath Salts.

These rose-scented bath salts are described as being perfection for the ultimate relaxation experience and they are infused with notes of pink peony and lily and when they come into contact with warm water, that floral fragrances comes to life and smells as wonderful as a freshly opened bunch of flowers and they cost me just £4.99.

I really like Shea Moisture as a brand and I have the Fruit Fusion Energizing Bath, Body & Massage Oil and there is something about the sharp fragrance of this oil that I absolutely love. Shea Moisture describe this oil as being one which helps to restore hydration as well as to revitalize dry, dull skin.

As well as the use of Shea Butter and Coconut Oil which replenishes moisture deep below the skin surface, there is the use of Imbe Oil which helps to protect against the damaging and ageing effects of external aggressors to leave skin feeling nourished. Then the fruity fragrance of both Green Apple and Lychee Berry are said to help stimulate the senses and for me, this is my favourite of the two products.

A brand I see a lot on my social media is Embryolisse and for Mother's Day I am including the Limited Edition London Lait-Crème Concentré.  In its Limited Edition packaging, this iconic French skincare brand is quite the cult product.  

As a multi-tasking cream, it works not only as a three-in-one moisturising lotion, but can also be used as a primer and as a make-up remover.  It has a lightweight but rich texture, this cream contains essential fatty acids and vitamins which help to reduce irritation especially after shaving and they also plump the skin for firmer results.  The inclusion of nutrients and water to balance the skin and promote cell renewal also lead to much more supple-looking skin too. You can find Embryolisse in Boots stores, and online via Cult Beauty, Feelunique and Lookfantastic where it is priced at £17.99. 

If you Mam is quite partial to a brew, which mine most certainly is, the gift of tea is definitely a worthy gift.  The Tea Makers of London work closely with the most celebrated tea gardens in the world as well as independent artisan tea farmers who continue to use traditional methods, which have been lovingly preserved and passed down to them by their ancestors over many centuries.

So the inclusion of a gift of tea is one which would always be welcome, whether that is a selection of fine loose leaf tea or a tea set, it is definitely something a little bit different and much about.

As a brand, Rubis isn't one I have come across until recently, but their Nail Scissors are definitely something my mum would have in her knitting box.  With their slightly curved, hand-sharpened blades which are crafted out of hardened martensitic steel, these scissors are designed to cut your nails to perfection. 

I am sure we have all had a pair of nail scissors which are as blunt as blunt can be and instead of trimming your nails, they hack at them.  Rubis scissors have ergonomically shaped handle grips which are said to offer supreme comfort and stability. The biggest claim however is that after many years, Rubis state that their scissors lose none of their original functionality thanks to their high-quality materials, design and workmanship.  You can find these scissors priced at £23.50 via Cult Beauty.

When it comes to haircare, I am always aware that as you get older, your hair changes. I am lucky enough to have a lot of hair and it has yet to show signs of thinning, but friends of mine are not so lucky, so this is where Nanogen Haircare comes in. 

The 7-in-1 Shampoo is described as taking a multi-targeted approach to hair thickening for women in one simple step. You don't need 7 different products, just this one. Best described as being a multitasking haircare treatment that cleanses, thickens, moisturises, strengthens, protects, balances and optimises for hair that’s thick, healthy and in prime condition. It uses hardworking surfectants which deliver the primary purpose of removing impurities, oil and dirt to clean the scalp and hair. It is also enriched with Glycerin and Panthenol, the formula drenches hair in vital hydration without weighting tresses down, whilst the brand’s patented Hair Growth Factor complex works to rejuvenate hair follicles to promote healthy growth and maintain hair anchoring. Priced at £10 from Boots*.

The Ramer Cleansing Shammy for Sensitive Skin is a little gem of a product and are a great alternative to using wet wipes, which we all know we shouldn't be using anyway.

We all know the importance of skincare and removing makeup, so these handy little shammy sponges work to remove all traces of make-up. The shammy can also be used with skincare such as cleansers and too and I love how soft they feel on the skin.  All Ramer sponges are made from a magic material, all Ramer Sponges harden as they dry, helping to prevent the growth of bacteria, and will instantly soften when soaked in warm water, ready to re-use again. Super-soft, non-scratchy, hypoallergenic and ideal for sensitive skin, Ramer Sponges are machine washable at 40o C, durable and long-lasting. Prices start around £4 per sponge from Amazon*.

Recently launched to the UK is a brand called African Extracts Rooibos and it is one of South Africa’s leading skincare ranges and is infused with the potent antioxidant powers of Rooibos, a plant found and grown only in the Cederberg mountains of the Western Cape, South Africa. 

Rich in heritage, African Extracts Rooibos skincare strongly believe in the power of nature, and therefore Bio-Active Rooibos is supported by a host of proven natural active ingredients, carefully selected for their skincare benefits.  So included within this gift guide is the 3-step Everyday Starter kit which is the brand’s best-selling range and is suitable for women of all ages and most skin types. It contains a Cleansing Lotion (60ml), Toner (60ml) and Day Cream SPF15 (20ml) all in perfect handbag travel sizes.

Then for the more mature skin I have the exfoliating face scrub which uses Rooibos leaves and apricot kernels to gently remove dead skin cells and surface impurities to leave skin feeling clean, smooth and soft, followed by the Tissue Oil which comes in a spray bottle and is really light as well as being non-greasy. This oil is a bit of a multi-tasker because it can be used on your face, body and hair. It is formulated using antioxidant-rich Bio-Active Rooibos extract, Vitamin E, Soy Bean and Geranium botanical extracts in a blend of Grapeseed and Sweet Almond oils.  Prices for African Extracts Rooibos start as low as £7.99.

As well as this Mother's Day gift guide, I also featured the lovely brand Evolve Organic Beauty with their Facial in a box which also makes an amazing gift, as would the Gus and Bella 'Best Mum' Cat Box for those who have and adore cats, both would be a great alternative to flowers and chocolate!

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