Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask

I have been on a hunt for a reasonably priced hydrating mask after I have run out of the Glam Glow one which is extremely pricey and not in my budget at the moment. Having looked around I decided to pick up the Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask and see if it's any good. I have been using it for a good few months and now feel comfortable sharing my thoughts with you. 

As always let's start with the packaging. It comes in a squeeze tube with no outer cardboard packaging. The design is pretty basic and non-offensive. You get 118ml of product which is a good amount and should last for quite some time. It has a shelf life of 12 months after opening. It has no distinct scent. It's cruelty free, non-irritating, fragrance free and made in the USA. It's suitable for normal, dry and very dry skin.

When it comes to ingredients it's packed with various oils such as borage seed oil, evening primrose oil, olive fruit oil and apricot kernel oil. It doesn't contain PEGs which I personally try to avoid in my skincare. 

In terms of consistency it's on a thicker side but non-greasy. It glides over the face easily and absorbs quite quickly without leaving a sticky residue, which I appreciate. You can use this product as a typical mask leaving it for 20 min and rinsing it off or as an overnight mask. I prefer using it as an overnight mask. Occasionally when my skin feels exceptionally dry I use it as a night cream on consecutive days and it has worked well in this way too.

I will continue using this product and think it's a good one if you want a basic straightforward hydrating mask. It won't do miracles but no skincare will, but it will help relieve dry, irritated skin. It doesn't cost a fortune and the squeeze tube packaging helps retain the properties of light and air-sensitive ingredients.

I hope you found this helpful. I'd be happy to hear if you have tried Paula's Choice skincare and what you would recommend!

Until next time,
Muffy

Kalamazoo Beard and Facial Wash

I am such a sucker for Lush products. This time around I had an opportunity to try the Kalamazoo Beard and Facial Wash. Don't get put off by the name, you don't need to have a beard to use this product. As a matter of fact I was positively surprised by how well it works for me. 

Kalamazoo Beard and Facial Wash

As with all Lush products it comes in a minimalistic plastic packaging that is recyclable. You can bring 5 empty black pots (or spray bottles, which I was not aware of but since they are made of the same plastic they do count as well) and get a free fresh mask. You can purchase this product in two sizes. I grabbed the smaller one just to see how I get along with it. I do have to say that I am not a fan of dipping my fingers into the pot as opposed to having a pump, but that is just a minor inconvenience. 

When it comes to ingredients it includes: almond oil, apricot kernel oil, organic jojoba oil and fresh pineapple juice just to name a few. It's vegan and cruelty-free. This product does contain perfume and parabens, so keep that in mind if that is something you are wary of. 

Kalamazoo Beard and Facial Wash

It has quite a strong but pleasant scent of something citrusy and spa combined. I find it up-lifting especially in the morning. That being said if you don't like strong scents you might not like this. I am pretty picky when it comes to scents and very often prefer un-fragranced skincare products but weirdly enough I don't mind this one.

The product has a creamy texture, like that of a body butter. It's incredibly soft and silky. It doesn't dry my skin out but leaves it feeling super clean and soft. It hasn't broken me out or caused any sort of irritation to my sensitive skin. 

Overall I think it's a good cleanser with no extra bells and whistles. I would recommend using it as a second cleanse, after you have taken off your makeup or spf. I think the small pot (100g) would last a reasonable amount of time, since you don't really need much. As said I am a little bit iffy about the whole pot concept for something that I use on a daily basis. However, I can understand that perhaps the consistency could be troublesome for squeeze tube packaging.  

As always I hope you found this helpful. Do let me know what are your favourite Lush products, if any!

Cheers,
Muffy

Laura Mercier Highlight 01

I have been eyeing this product for over a year, but it hasn't been easy to get it where I live due to shipping restrictions or the product being simply out of stock. However, I was lucky enough to get it as a birthday present from my friend, oh boy was I stoked. The product I am referring to is the Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Highlight 01, also commonly known as the Highlight 01. Spoiler alert - it did not disappoint, but to find out all the nitty-gritty details keep on reading!

Laura Mercier Highlight 01

Let's start with the packaging first. The product comes in a sleek black plastic compact, which in my opinion is unnecessarily bulky. Personally I would have preferred a slimmer packaging but I can understand where the company was coming from. Highlighting powders tend to be extremely fragile so I guess a heftier packaging makes it more secure. If that is the case or not, I am not sure and hopefully wouldn't have to find out.

You get 7,5g of product which is a generous amount, considering how little you need per application.For comparison Dior Glowing Gardens Illuminating Powder in Glowing Pink contains 6g of product. In terms of ingredients it contains vitamin E and jojoba oil, which makes the formula less drying. It does however contain talc, therefore if you are sensitive or simply want to avoid it, this might not be the product for you. On the outer packaging it does say that the product has been dermatologically and allergy tested to minimize the risk of allergy and irritation. It hasn't broken me out, but this is just my experience. This product has a shelf life of 18 months. According to the research I have done I consider Laura Mercier to be cruelty-free. 

Laura Mercier Highlight 01- smooth baked powder formula

The product itself is of a dome-shape and is super silky and smooth to the touch. It doesn't contain any chunks of glitter or shimmer. When I dip my brush into the product, it does kick off a bit of powder. As a result I expect the compact to get messy especially with a prolonged use. That doesn't bother me, as I am pretty real with my makeup, but wanted to throw it out there just in case.

I would describe the highlight colour as a nude. It's not too cool nor too warm. It's extremely brightening on the cheekbones. Due to its finely-milled formulation it doesn't emphasise any texture on the skin and believe me I do have plenty. It provides an ethereal glow without being too obvious. If you want you can build it up for a more intense glow without looking like a disco-ball. It has a very good lasting power, when I come home in the evening I can still see it. It's a perfect highlighter if you work in an office environment or for those days when you don't prefer to be seen from outer space. 

Laura Mercier Highlight 01 swatch in a day light

Overall, I am very pleased with this product and will happily continue using it. If you have been afraid of highlighters because they would emphasise every pore and unevenness on your skin, or you can't decide what colour would work you, I would highly recommend checking this one out. It's not cheap but you get a good amount of product that will last you a long time. If your primary concern is finding a highlighter that doesn't contain talc I would keep my eyes peeled out for the new Makeup Geek highlighters that should be launching sometime in the near future.

Let me know what is your go-to highlighter and whether you prefer a subtle or a popping glow!

Until next time,

Muffy

Bamford Botanic Lip Balm

I have to say that I am quite picky with lip balms, as such I am always on the hunt for a perfect one. In the past I have really enjoyed Nuxe's Reve de Miel Lip Balm, but Nuxe is not cruelty free. When I came across the Bamford's Botanic Lip Balm it visually reminded me of the Reve de Miel Lip Balm but also ticked the boxes in terms of ingredients and being cruelty-free. I decided to pick it up and give it a go. 

In term of packaging it comes in a recyclable glass pot with a clean design. I know that many people will say that pot containers aren't the most hygienic nor user-friendly but I personally don't mind it.  You get 15ml of product. The list of ingredients is very lean including coconut oil, beeswax, cocoa seed butter, grapefruit peel oil, bergamot fruit oil, sunflower seed oil, peppermint herb oil, rose flower oil and arnica herb extract. It's 100% organic and free from parabens, petrolatum and mineral oil. It has a shelf life of 12 months.  

The lip balm has a minty scent, since it contains peppermint. Usually I am not a fan of minty lip balms as I don't prefer the tingly sensation they provide. This one however has a very mild barely there tingly sensation which I don't mind at all. The texture of the lip balm is not too thick nor gloopy. It feels very comfortable on the lips. It doesn't sit on top of my lips like a lot of lip balms containing petrolatum do. I can feel that it's actually doing something for my lips by keeping them hydrated and soothed. I usually use it before going to sleep or if needed throughout the day. It also works really well under a liquid lipstick. 

Overall, I am very satisfied with this product. It has an affordable price point, it's cruelty free, doesn't contain any nasties and does a good job at protecting my lips. If you have been looking for an effective organic lip balm, I think this one is worth checking out. 

Let me know what's your go to lip balm! 

Until next time, 

Muffy

The Natural Deodorant Co. - Gentle Deodorant Cream

I have been on a hunt for a new natural deodorant, since Net-a-Porter has ceased to offer the occasional free shipping option. I have been previously using the La Vanilla one, which is too expensive now with shipping costs being more than the actual product itself. However, not so long ago I came across a completely new brand, at least to me, called The Natural Deodorant Co. As the name implies this independent British company specialises in organic natural deodorants. I decided to give it a go and see if it's as good as it claims to be.

The Natural Deodorant Co. Gentle Deodorant Cream in Tangerine

Let's start with the packaging which I personally really like. It's a simple yet sturdy glass jar which might not be ideal for some people but I highly appreciate that I can later re-use it, without just throwing it away as I would a regular deodorant stick. I think the whole product presentation has a retro vibe to it which I do enjoy. 

The Natural Deodorant Co. currently has three types of deodorants in their offering: Clean, Active and Gentle. I picked up the Gentle one as it's aimed at sensitive skin and does not contain baking soda. In each category they have a few scent options, I personally went for tangerine. 

Consistency of the deodorant

In terms of consistency and ease of application I was pleasantly surprised. The texture is not too runny. In a way it reminds me of a non-gritty cookie dough. I just scoop a pea-size amount of deodorant and apply it directly to the armpits. It's non-sticky and dries instantly to a powdery finish. You don't have to wait around for it to soak in, instead you can just proceed with your normal routine. It doesn't leave white marks on clothes which is a big plus. The tangerine scent is very pleasant without being too overpowering. 

When it comes to the ingredients list it's short and clean. It contains: Arrowroot, Magnesium Oxide, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Clay and Tangerine Oil. The deodorant is vegan and cruelty-free. It's free from gluten, parabens, petrochemicals, artificial fragrance, fillers and aluminium. You can also find the best before date handwritten on the jar.  

Now, does it get the job done? Absolutely yes. It has kept me feeling fresh and comfortable all day. I do have an office job, therefore I can't say how well it will hold if you have a more active lifestyle. I think in that case I'd recommend checking their Active deodorant line. 

Overall, I think it's a great option if you have been looking for an everyday natural deodorant that actually works and doesn't cost a fortune. I have picked mine from Naturisimo but you can also get it from The Natural Deodorant Co:s own website. If you don't want to commit to a full size product you can order samples from Naturisimo and The Natural Deodorant Co. as well. This is super handy and I think more online retailers should do that!

Let me know if you have tried The Natural Deodorant Co. deodorants and, if yes, what your favourite scents are!

Until next time,

Muffy