O'Keeffe's Overnight Lip Repair Balm

Sleep is said to be food for your brain, body, and skin. If you don't get enough of it then you deprive each of its nourishment - something as a beauty blogger I hear a lot of and it is something that we should all take more seriously because there is absolutely no point in having the most amazing skincare routine if your body is not getting the rest it needs to use it effectively.  I was kindly sent a Sleep Tight kit from O'Keeffe's which features their Lip Repair Overnight Balm to try and because I was so impressed with the foot care products, which I featured here, I had high hopes for this product.

Everything you need to aid that good nights sleep - A Pillow Spray from Feather and Down, A Black Amber and Lavender Candle, a Sleep Mask and of course the Lip Repair Overnight Balm.

The balm is described as being an intense, restorative lip balm that works while you sleep. I am sure we have all suffered or are suffering from dry, cracked and chapped lips with this ever-changing weather. I do everything I can to ensure my lips are as protected as I possibly can and I am a huge user of lip balms, gels and serums. As part of my nighttime routine, the last part of my skincare is always a lip balm and in recent months, I switched from using my usual balm to this one, to see just how good it is.  

Packaged inside a bright orange and blue coloured pot, this balm is very much a solid, but it melts at the touch of your finger and it applies to the lips as more of an oil than anything else, but without being greasy.  It contains Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Jojoba Oil as just a few of the ingredients and they work absolute wonders on the lips. I noticed a huge change in how the skin on and around my lips felt after using this balm for a few weeks and I have since bought a further pot, ready for when this one runs out.

I really like the texture of this balm and I also love that there is no fragrance or scent to it at all. If that isn't enough, it costs less than £4 and can be found in Boots*.

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

Botanical Lab Skincare

Botanical Lab describes themselves as being an unconventional, stylish and affordable range for clear skin and they bring together a range of effective skincare that marries the power of nature with a dash of science for a clear, healthy-looking complexion. 

Admittedly until this package arrived in my hands, Botanical Lab wasn't a brand I knew very much about, though I had seen it on my social media. 

Packed with modern botanicals from around the world and science-led active ingredients, Botanical Lab expertly and gently cares for blemish-prone skin. From the wonders of turmeric and Indian clay (famously known as bentonite) to the world’s hidden gems like neem leaf and clove oil, Botanical Lab harnesses the power of nature and expertly combines it with science-led actives, such as salicylic acid, sulfur and allantoin. The outcome? Formulations that are easy to use and deliver great results. 

The four products that I was kindly sent include the Indian Clay Non-Foaming Cleanser, the Turmeric Blemish Control Clay Mask, the Clay and Sulpher Dry Lotion and the Pumpkin and Papaya Enzyme Exfoliator and for the past few months, I have introduced them into my routine to try them out.

The first product to catch my attention was the Botanical Lab Pumpkin and Papaya Enzyme Daily Exfoliator (£5.99) because I cannot stand the smell or taste of Pumpkin (keep your PSL's) but in beauty products, I don't mind it so much.  Said to have a pH level which is suitable for blemish-prone skin, this products lightly exfoliates to remove dead and dry skin cells to leave your skin feeling soft and smooth to the touch but most importantly unclogged.  

This exfoliator is formulated with pumpkin and papaya enzymes, Aloe Vera leaf juice, radish root alongside a blend of AHA + BHA acids.  On the skin, it doesn't tingle or leaves any redness behind after using and the advice is to use it both morning and evening after cleansing but before moisturising.  I tend to use this just in an evening with a reusable cotton pad and I have found it to do a really good job at leaving my skin smooth and soft to the touch.

Intrigue came within this collection of products from the Botanical Lab Clay & Sulfur Drying Lotion (£7.99). I have used another brands product in recent years and quite liked it, so I was intrigued as to how this would compare especially at that price point. If you hadn't guessed, this is a blemish treatment which is inspired by Korean skincare. It has a very clever formulation that combines sulfur and salicylic acid alongside clay which works together to help clear away dead skin cells that contribute to clogged pores and breakouts, while you sleep.

Told not to shake the bottle, you will need a cotton bud to use it and then all you do is dip the cotton bud into the drying lotion, right down to the white sediment at the bottom of the bottle and then dab it on to a blemish and leave it to dry.  It uses Zinc oxide which is a natural anti-bacterial agent to soothe blemished skin as well as agar, gum and lemon tree oil. I am lucky enough to rarely suffer from a breakout, if I do, it tends to be one spot which pulses under the skin, rarely ever breaking.  So products such as these really do help and I have been suitably impressed with this after my Christmas food binge.

I love a good cleanser and I use a few different ones depending on how my skin feels.  From Botanical Lab this Indian Clay Non-Foaming Cleanser (£6.99) is said to be a non-foaming product for one reason and that is because it has been purposefully formulated without the lather-producing sulfates. Some people love a foaming cleanser, others complain that it strips their skin leaving it feeling dry and in need of that moisture, I don't hold a strong view either way, from all of the foaming cleansers I have ever used, only one has had that effect on my skin.

Combing Indian Clay, kaolin, willow bark extract and salicylic acid, this cleanser not only works to remove excess oil, dirt and makeup it also works to detoxify and gently exfoliate away those dead skin cells. Also within the formula, you will find oatmeal, sunflower seed oil and allantoin, all of which help to condition skin.  I had no problems whilst using this cleanser, the lack of foam didn't bother me and it does a really good job at cleansing the skin and leaving it feeling clean, exactly what you need after a day of being out and about in London.

The final product I have to share is the Botanical Lab Turmeric Blemish Control Clay Mask (RRP £6.99) and this is the one product I was most worried about using because my skin can often react to a clay mask and in the past has blistered. Described as being a purifying and anti-bacterial deep cleansing treatment, this mask unclogs the pores and removes excess oil without drying out the skin.

This mask is formulated with the hero ingredient turmeric, Indian clay (also known as bentonite clay), kaolin, witch hazel and skin moisturising Zinc PCA and glycerin. I do love Turmeric for my skin and my skin loves it, so putting aside my worry of a reaction, I applied this mask, thin layer only, to my skin (after a patch test which was fine) and left it on my skin for around 15 minutes as advised. After that time was up, using warm water, I removed the mask and thankfully had no reaction at all. This mask not only a deep cleansing mask, but it is one which also gently exfoliates, removes impurities and excess sebum which in turn helps to keep blemishes at bay.  A tip from Botanical Labs for this product is to use this mask on other areas of your body, those which have a greater concentration of sebaceous glands, such as the neck, back, buttocks, and chest, all of which are prone to body blemishes.

The Botanical Lab range is suitable for all ages as well as being vegan-friendly, free from SLS, phthalates, synthetic colours and artificial fragrances. You can find it in Superdrug, Waitrose and Ocado.

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

Pixi 20 Years of Glow

When brands reach their 20th year in the beauty industry it is quite something. For 2019 it was exactly that for Pixi and to celebrate the Pixi 20 Years of Glow, Pixi gifted me a selection of their bestselling makeup and skincare products.  If you have never been to the Pixi store on Carnaby Street here in London, it is a must visit and one of my favourite places to nip into as I mooch about the West End, the girls in the store are really helpful when you can't decide which product(s) you need.  

I am a huge fan of Pixi, ever since I was introduced to Glow Tonic there has been stopping me and over the past few years, I have been lucky enough to try a lot of the brand's products and meet Petra who is the brains behind the brand.  This collection contains a mixture of makeup and skincare and it includes:

The first item out of the box is the Pixi Rose Ceramide Cream Intensive Moisturiser - When I first tried this cream via the Bon Voyage Rose Travel Kit which included a selection of Rose infused products, I loved it immediately and it has become one of my favourite Pixi products. 

Described as being an ultra-rich cream which is infused with Ceramides and Rose Oil which work to nourish and deeply hydrate the skin to give it a healthier, more supple appearance and feel.

The second product from the box is one I am sure anyone reading this post will have heard of, seen or even used and that is the iconic Glow Tonic and it is such a popular product, it even has its very own Glow Tonic family.

Glow Tonic is enriched with 5% glycolic acid, which if you are not aware, is a natural derivative of sugar cane and member of the alpha-hydroxy acid family, so the term AHA might be one you have seen a lot of. I have always found Glow Tonic to be gentle on my skin and of course, its job is to exfoliate the skin by breaking down and removing those dead, dull and dry cells that cling onto the surface of the skin. Also included is Aloe which soothes and hydrates the skin, Ginseng which helps to promote cell health and skin vibrancy, witch hazel which helps to firm and tone and then horse chestnut which works to encourage blood flow, giving your complexion a naturally fresh and dewy radiance. A definite must-try product from Pixi if you are going to start anywhere!

I love a good face mist and from Pixi we have Glow Mist, one of four mists within the Pixi collection.

Despite its name, this is not Glow Tonic as a spray but it is described as being an all-over glow mist for a radiant, dewy effect. Formulated with 13 natural oils plus propolis, aloe vera and fruit extracts which include Tea Tree Oil, Lavender, Rose & Lemon Peel Oil, Aloe Vera Juice, Avocado Oil and Hyaluronic Acid, this spray is a bit of a multitasker because not only does it hydrate, protect and nourish, it can also be used on your hair, skin and to set your makeup too. 

Skincare aside, Pixi also has an incredible makeup range and one of my favourite products if the Pixi Eye Reflection Shadow Palette.  Anyone who knows me will know how much I love a neutral eye shadow and this one just happens to tick a lot of boxes for me.

What I love about this palette is that every single avenue for a neutral eye is covered, especially if you like a bit of shimmer. With a mixture of both warm and cool-toned shades, the pigmentation if quite fantastic.

One item of makeup I never feel the urge to rush out and buy is an eyeliner, it isn't something I use a lot of, but from Pixi, the Endless Silky Eye Pen is one that I really like.

Described as being waterproof, long-wearing and smudge-resistant they glide on like no other eyeliner I have used, no scratching or grabbing your skin, no need to constantly run the pen backwards and forwards to get a bit of colour, one sweep along the lashline and that is all you need.  If black is usually a colour you opt for, then you will be pleased to know that Pixi has another 25 shades for you to choose from!

The Mattelast Liquid Lipsticks from Pixi is incredible and not too long along I shared a review featuring 11 different shades with swatches right here. 

Within this celebratory collection, Pixi has included one of the Mattelast Liquid Lipsticks in shade Berry Beauty which is a rather bright berry shade and on the lips, it feels really comfortable to wear.  Pixi Mattelast Liquid Lipsticks are infused with rosehip oil and leave your lips feeling really hydrated.  

The final product within this collection is the Pixi Liplift Max Glossy Lip Plumper and this is the only product within the box I have never tried! 

Available in three different shades Honey Sheen, Petal Rose and Sheer Ice, this lip plumper is infused with peptides that nourish, firm the lips. It is described as being a product which 'cools upon application', it features soothing aloe, conditioning jojoba oil and calming chamomile, while the fresh minty flavour leaves lips looking full and there is a bit of tingle. 

I thought this was an amazing way to showcase a brands cult and iconic products, a mixture of what you are good at, skincare and makeup and of course you can never have too much Glow Tonic!

Are you a fan of Pixi Beauty? Do you have a favourite product?

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

Good Housekeeping x Showcase Beauty Box

I love a good beauty box and I was really excited to learn that Showcase Beauty had partnered with Good Housekeeping to launch an Independent Beauty Edit, a beauty box that is packed full of some incredible brands. Showcase Beauty the new home of independent beauty brands and this beauty box is a collection of nine independent brands which includes eight full-sized products worth over £170 and it costs just £49. All of the brands featured within this box are all cruelty-free and many fully organic, vegan and pregnancy safe.

Each hand-picked independent brand has an amazing background story to tell based on performance, ingredients, approach to sourcing and sustainability. Each product has been “stress-tested” by a team of independent stylists, influencers and industry experts who give further feedback on each product before they become part of the Showcase Beauty collective.  

The first product out of the box is the MEMI, Lash to Lash in Carbon Black. Described as being a mascara to define, curl and lengthen your lashes with ease, this carbon black vegan mascara coats every single lash to give you flawless, water-resistant and smudge-free lashes every single day.

What I have liked about using this mascara is the wand which is slightly curved to follow the shape of your eye, as the wand coats the lashes, it does so without clumping.  The formula is wet enough to coat the lashes without dragging them down and because I have fairly long lashes, it does manage to hold the curl.

The second product comes from Studio 10 and it is the Lip Perfecting Balm Gloss in the shade Bellini. Described as being a universally flattering shade, this Balm Gloss with its sheer peachy-gold colour is non-sticky and tacky when applied and once it has been applied, it doesn't transfer. 

Using a blend of Omega-3 rich Plankton Extract and Volulip™, this product works to leave your lips feeling nourished and hydrated.

The third product comes from Vita Liberata with the Beauty Blur Skin Tone Optimiser in shade Latte which is a medium shade.  Described as being a multitasking skin tone optimiser, nourishing makeup primer and lasting self-tan for your most radiant, always on face glow.  

For me, this is quite similar to a CC cream in how it can be used, though I would need the lightest shade if I was to use it in that way. 

The next product comes from Dr Lipp with the Red Radish Tint.  I am a huge fan of Dr Lipp as a brand and have featured the original balm on my blog a few times.  

This balm uses protective medical-grade Lanolin which gives it a 100% natural formula, so it is free from fragrance, preservatives and as it protects, hydrates and repairs your lips, it adds a tint which is achieved through 100% natural vegetable pigments.

From Grown Alchemist we have the Hydra-Repair Day Cream Camellia, Geranium Blossom. Described as being a deeply nourishing facial day cream which leaves the skin feeling hydrated without being greasy or leaving a shine on the skin.

This cream is suitable for all skin types and is described as being botanically rich it contains camellia seed to lock in moisture and geranium blossom to calm irritated skin.  I really like the velvety texture of this cream on my skin and it makes a really good primer before applying your makeup.

When it comes to supplements, I am pretty rubbish at remembering to take them.  Within this box, we have a 7 Day Supplement Pack from Lumity, an award-winning day and night supplement to support the body's natural repair processes and nourish the skin, hair and nails.

Formulated without binding agents, fillers, coating, preservatives and flavourings what you will find is a formulation of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and omegas.

Getting the perfect nights sleep is high up on my list of things to do, its something that has plagued me for well over a year.  Within this box from Neom, we have the Perfect Night's Sleep Pillow Mist.

This Pillow Mist is blended with 14 essential oils to help you relax, the 100% natural and soothing scent of lavender paired with a touch of sweet basil and fresh jasmine which should help you prepare for a peaceful slumber. To use, all you have to do is spritz onto your pillow and inhale the calming fragrance to let your senses fully benefit from the wellbeing properties.

One of my favourite independent brands is Evolve Beauty, a brand I have featured on my blog many times.  Within this box, we have the Satin Body Gloss, a product I have fully reviewed on my blog here.

Described as being a lightweight multi-purpose silicone-free dry oil that is designed to nourish and deliver a satin-like finish. It can be used on the body, face and hair and thankfully, it comes packaged inside a brown glass bottle with a pump for easy distribution and on the skin, it leaves a lovely glossy, shiny finish.

The final product within this box comes from Jane Scrivner with Skinfoliate. This product is said to be a gentle exfoliator which is rich in natural AHA and BHA acids that naturally buff away dead skin cells to reveal brighter, softer and smoother skin.

Described as being step 2 of your skincare routine, Skinfoliate uses Malic, Glycolic, Lactic, Salicylic and Citric acids in a unique 'staggered penetration' blend to work on every level of skin exfoliation and stimulation, Skinfoliate works deep to stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis and cell renewal.

I am really impressed with the brands which feature in this box and cannot believe it costs just £49 with free postage and packaging, but you'll have to be quick as it is Limited Edition and will sell out pretty quickly.  

I would love to know what you think of this box and whether any particular product stands out to you?

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