This post contains gifted products, which are marked "AD". Read my full disclaimer here.
Having fallen in love with Antipodes skincare last year, I was thrilled to receive an email from their PR team recently offering to send me a few products, and intrigued to discover that those products were lipsticks. I had no idea that Antipodes made lipsticks! Would I like them as much as I liked the skincare? I had very high hopes.
From left: Forest Berry Red (AD), Piha Beach Tangerine (AD) and South Pacific Coral (AD)
In due course, three super pretty, summery shades arrived and I set about putting them to the test. I filmed my review, and you can watch it over on YouTube or right here if you prefer.
If you'd like to check out the full range of lipsticks (there are so many stunning shades!) you can do so via the Antipodes website here. Have you tried these yourself?
Kate x
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I always feel as though my skin needs that little bit extra TLC in the cooler months, and perhaps for that reason, the whole ritual of my skincare routine feels a bit more like a treat at this time of year than it normally does. One thing I've particularly been enjoying lately is layering face oils under my moisturiser for extra nourishment and protection. I've been lucky enough to have been gifted two really lovely ones, and I've found one of them to be an ideal addition to my morning routine, while the other has become a night time favourite. Below, you'll find a concise review of both products, why I like to use each of them at different times of day, and links to where you can shop them.
Oh, and if it's the day time oil you like the sound of, you're in for an extra treat, as I also have a discount code which you can use to get 20% off your purchase. Read on, and all will be revealed!
My Current Favourite Day Face Oil
As soon as the Dr Botanicals Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil* arrived on my desk, I knew I was going to love it. It has rose in it, for one thing, and we all know how obsessed I am with rose as an ingredient. It's also pink (pink makes me happy, what can I say?!), and has the most beautiful light, sweet fragrance.
There are a few reasons why I love using this in the mornings. Firstly, it's super light and absorbs into the skin almost instantly, meaning I don't have to wait around before applying my moisturiser and moving on to my makeup. It's also rich in anti-oxidants, so I feel as though I'm helping to protect my skin against free radicals and pollutants in the atmosphere by applying this before going out and about during the day. Finally, it has Vitamin A as a main ingredient, which helps to even out skin tone. When I apply this, I feel that my skin looks instantly clearer and brighter, with any redness calmed - definitely ready to face the day!
In addition to Vitamin A, the other main ingredients in this product are Vitamin C, which stimulates collagen production for younger looking skin and Almond Oil, which adds moisture and also helps to brighten the complexion.
Designed to be suitable for all skin types, I think a lot of people would find this a great addition to their routine. If you like the look of it, you can find the Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil here. Entering the code KATELOUISE at checkout will get you 20% off your purchase, and that applies not just to the oil but across the entire Dr Botanicals site. Their products are natural, vegan and cruelty free, and having had a good browse myself, I would say it's well worth a look as there were quite a few things that made me "ooh" and "ah". You might even, dare I say it, want to get a head start on some skincare related Christmas shopping?! (No? Too early? Ok, let's all forget I said anything and just look for treats for ourselves.)
I've already talked about the Antipodes Divine Face Oil with Rosehip and Avocado* in my Post Holiday Skincare Routine, but I'm still absolutely loving this product and it's perfect to use at night after the Dr Botanicals oil in the morning, so I just had to mention it again.
While both oils are rich and nourishing, you feel it a lot more with this one, as it's much oilier in consistency as opposed to the super light, almost watery Moroccan Rose oil. This makes it feel very comforting to apply at night. It's also packed with Vitamins, as well as Organic Avocado Oil, which boosts collagen production while reducing the appearance of fine lines and scarring. Rosehip Oil also adds moisture and repairs damaged skin. With all that repairing going on, I think that the evening is the ideal time to apply it, as it can really get to work to aid the skin's natural healing process.
Are you using any facial oils at the moment? Which are your favourites, and do you prefer to apply them in the day time or at night? And don't forget to use the code KATELOUISE for 20% off anything from the Dr Botanicals website.
Kate x
In addition to Vitamin A, the other main ingredients in this product are Vitamin C, which stimulates collagen production for younger looking skin and Almond Oil, which adds moisture and also helps to brighten the complexion.
Designed to be suitable for all skin types, I think a lot of people would find this a great addition to their routine. If you like the look of it, you can find the Moroccan Rose Superfood Facial Oil here. Entering the code KATELOUISE at checkout will get you 20% off your purchase, and that applies not just to the oil but across the entire Dr Botanicals site. Their products are natural, vegan and cruelty free, and having had a good browse myself, I would say it's well worth a look as there were quite a few things that made me "ooh" and "ah". You might even, dare I say it, want to get a head start on some skincare related Christmas shopping?! (No? Too early? Ok, let's all forget I said anything and just look for treats for ourselves.)
My Current Favourite Night Face Oil
I've already talked about the Antipodes Divine Face Oil with Rosehip and Avocado* in my Post Holiday Skincare Routine, but I'm still absolutely loving this product and it's perfect to use at night after the Dr Botanicals oil in the morning, so I just had to mention it again.
While both oils are rich and nourishing, you feel it a lot more with this one, as it's much oilier in consistency as opposed to the super light, almost watery Moroccan Rose oil. This makes it feel very comforting to apply at night. It's also packed with Vitamins, as well as Organic Avocado Oil, which boosts collagen production while reducing the appearance of fine lines and scarring. Rosehip Oil also adds moisture and repairs damaged skin. With all that repairing going on, I think that the evening is the ideal time to apply it, as it can really get to work to aid the skin's natural healing process.
Are you using any facial oils at the moment? Which are your favourites, and do you prefer to apply them in the day time or at night? And don't forget to use the code KATELOUISE for 20% off anything from the Dr Botanicals website.
Kate x
*Gifted product. Some links may be affiliate links. This poses no extra cost to you, the customer. All opinions, as always, are my own.
If you saw my What's In My Travel Makeup Bag post the other week, you'll know that I travel (reasonably) light when it comes to the makeup I take away with me on holiday. Well, the same is true for skincare. While I like to make sure I have everything I need to keep my skin cleansed, moisturised and protected from the sun while I'm away, I tend not to bother with masks, serums, exfoliators or any of the "extras" that form part of my weekly routine when I'm at home. As a result, while I don't return from my holidays with terrible skin, I definitely feel as though it's in need of a bit of a pamper when I do get home.
My recent travels were no exception. With my skin feeling a little congested, dull and dry from my two weeks in the sunshine, I was excited to get back to my stash and give myself a mini facial. I loved the way my skin looked and felt afterwards, so I thought I would share what I used. So here it is - my post holiday skincare routine.
Step 1: Garnier Micellar Water
What did we do before Micellar Water was a thing? Seriously, how did we ever manage to get our skin clean enough?! Whether I'm at home or away, I'm never without this product, and it's always the first step of my evening routine to make sure I've swept away every last trace of makeup before moving on to actually cleansing my face. My favourite Micellar Water is the original Garnier one. I find it so effective at removing makeup, even waterproof mascara, but it doesn't dry out or irritate my skin in the slightest. I like to soak a large cotton pad or two in the product and gently wipe them over my face until it's completely makeup free.
I have a couple of cleansers on the go at the moment. The one I took with me on holiday was the Jurlique Radiant Skin Foaming Cleanser, so purely in the interests of giving my skin a break, I decided to switch back to the Image Skincare one for my post holiday skincare routine. I wrote in more detail about this product a while back, but essentially it is a gentle yet effective product, leaving my face feeling thoroughly cleansed, yet still soft. Exactly what I wanted for my slightly stressed, post holiday skin!
With my skin thoroughly cleansed, it was time to start giving it that little bit of TLC it had been missing during my holiday. Just before I went away, I was sent the Manuka Doctor 24k Gold & Manuka Honey facial peel to try, and now seemed like the perfect time. Housed in a very pretty white and gold tube, there is an addictive smell to this product that I can't quite put my finger on - sweet yet fresh. It's also lots of fun to use, applying as a pure golden mask that's perfect for face mask selfies, if those are your thing!
The product contains Kaolin Clay to draw impurities out of the skin, Hyaluronic Acid to moisturise, Vitamin E for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, Manuka Honey to boost moisturisation and elastin, and Purified Bee Venom to nurture natural collagen formation and increase skin's elasticity. As per the instructions, I applied a thin layer of the mask and allowed it to dry, and I found that this took a little less time than the 20 minutes indicated.
When I peeled the mask away - again, fun to do! - I was impressed with how much brighter my skin looked, and by how smooth it felt. Having neglected exfoliation during my holiday, it had been a little dull and somewhat rough in texture, and this sorted it out straight away. I love this product and will definitely be incorporating it into my regular routine as a one or twice weekly treat.
Another product I had recently been sent was this luxurious looking face oil from Antipodes. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, it feels incredibly nourishing on the skin yet still absorbs quickly without leaving any stickiness behind. The Organic Avocado Oil in this can apparently boost collagen production by up to 51%, while also reducing the appearance of fine lines, age spots and scars and nurturing the skin with essential fatty acids and key vitamins. In addition to this, the Rosehip Oil adds moisture and helps to repair parched and damaged skin - definitely what I needed post holiday!
Having only used this product a handful of times so far, I can't say anything about its long term benefits, but it feels wonderful to use - so much so that I find myself looking forward to getting ready for bed at night just so that I can put this on! My face is lapping this stuff up, and because it's suitable for all complexions, it's not upsetting the balance of my combination skin. Again, a product I've fallen in love with at first use and one which will be incorporated into my routine for the foreseeable future - nightly, in this case.
No night time routine is complete without eye cream! The No 7 Protect & Perfect eye cream is one I always go back to - in fact, you could say the same for the whole range. Eye creams can be tricky as it is the one area where fine lines tend to show the most for a lot of people, and it can be difficult to find an eye cream that really makes a huge difference. This one is no miracle worker, but it does a decent job at keeping my under eye area hydrated and fine lines softened. I don't suffer from puffiness or bad dark circles, but it's designed to target those as well, with its combination of peptides, antioxidants and pro-retinol Retinyl Palmitate.
The final step in my post holiday skincare routine was to apply a moisturiser before snuggling up in bed, and I chose an old favourite. I reviewed this Vitamin E mask almost a year ago when I first tried it, and I still love it now. Containing a blend of ingredients designed to both brighten and hydrate, including Vitamin E, Niacinamide and Adenosine, this product always seems to make me look fresh and awake in the morning after applying it the night before. The perfect finishing touch!
Do you keep up your full skincare routine on holiday, or do you opt for a good old pamper session once you get back? Or both?!
Kate x
Step 2: Image Skincare Ormedic Balancing Facial Cleanser*
I have a couple of cleansers on the go at the moment. The one I took with me on holiday was the Jurlique Radiant Skin Foaming Cleanser, so purely in the interests of giving my skin a break, I decided to switch back to the Image Skincare one for my post holiday skincare routine. I wrote in more detail about this product a while back, but essentially it is a gentle yet effective product, leaving my face feeling thoroughly cleansed, yet still soft. Exactly what I wanted for my slightly stressed, post holiday skin!
Step 3: Manuka Doctor 24k Gold & Manuka Honey Facial Peel*
With my skin thoroughly cleansed, it was time to start giving it that little bit of TLC it had been missing during my holiday. Just before I went away, I was sent the Manuka Doctor 24k Gold & Manuka Honey facial peel to try, and now seemed like the perfect time. Housed in a very pretty white and gold tube, there is an addictive smell to this product that I can't quite put my finger on - sweet yet fresh. It's also lots of fun to use, applying as a pure golden mask that's perfect for face mask selfies, if those are your thing!
The product contains Kaolin Clay to draw impurities out of the skin, Hyaluronic Acid to moisturise, Vitamin E for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, Manuka Honey to boost moisturisation and elastin, and Purified Bee Venom to nurture natural collagen formation and increase skin's elasticity. As per the instructions, I applied a thin layer of the mask and allowed it to dry, and I found that this took a little less time than the 20 minutes indicated.
When I peeled the mask away - again, fun to do! - I was impressed with how much brighter my skin looked, and by how smooth it felt. Having neglected exfoliation during my holiday, it had been a little dull and somewhat rough in texture, and this sorted it out straight away. I love this product and will definitely be incorporating it into my regular routine as a one or twice weekly treat.
Step 4: Antipodes Divine Avocado And Rosehip Face Oil*
Another product I had recently been sent was this luxurious looking face oil from Antipodes. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, it feels incredibly nourishing on the skin yet still absorbs quickly without leaving any stickiness behind. The Organic Avocado Oil in this can apparently boost collagen production by up to 51%, while also reducing the appearance of fine lines, age spots and scars and nurturing the skin with essential fatty acids and key vitamins. In addition to this, the Rosehip Oil adds moisture and helps to repair parched and damaged skin - definitely what I needed post holiday!
Step 5: No 7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Eye Cream
No night time routine is complete without eye cream! The No 7 Protect & Perfect eye cream is one I always go back to - in fact, you could say the same for the whole range. Eye creams can be tricky as it is the one area where fine lines tend to show the most for a lot of people, and it can be difficult to find an eye cream that really makes a huge difference. This one is no miracle worker, but it does a decent job at keeping my under eye area hydrated and fine lines softened. I don't suffer from puffiness or bad dark circles, but it's designed to target those as well, with its combination of peptides, antioxidants and pro-retinol Retinyl Palmitate.
Step 6: Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask
The final step in my post holiday skincare routine was to apply a moisturiser before snuggling up in bed, and I chose an old favourite. I reviewed this Vitamin E mask almost a year ago when I first tried it, and I still love it now. Containing a blend of ingredients designed to both brighten and hydrate, including Vitamin E, Niacinamide and Adenosine, this product always seems to make me look fresh and awake in the morning after applying it the night before. The perfect finishing touch!
Do you keep up your full skincare routine on holiday, or do you opt for a good old pamper session once you get back? Or both?!
Kate x
*Gifted product. Some links may be affiliate links. This poses no extra cost to you, the customer. All opinions, as always, are my own.
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