Beauty: The Beauty Review

Here's a little round up of the beauty products I've been using recently.

Percy & Reed Totally TLC Hydrating Mask £20 BUY HERE

I have dry fuzzy hair which I make worse by my daily endeavour to iron out the kinks, so my hair needs the TLC that this mask promises. It's a rich and creamy formula that I use once a week. I rub it through the entire length of my hair, then pop on the included shower cap for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. It doesn't leave any heavy residue, my hair simply feels soft and thicker and looks healthy and shiny. It contains marshmallow to nourish and strengthen and coconut and mango oils to condition and moisturise. The smell, specially created by the brand, is fresh and pleasant with hints of apple, citrus and rose. A must buy if your tresses are in need of some TLC.

L'Occitane Angelica Exfoliating Gel £19 BUY HERE

I love exfoliating my skin, be it with scrubs, muslin cloths, brushes, gels, creams...you name it and I'll try buffing my skin with it. This formulation from French brand L'Occitane, is incredibly gentle making it ideal for sensitive skins and regular use. It has a grainy, creamy texture that contains natural gum micro-beads to tease away dead skin cells and massage the skin. It also contains organic angelica extract to hydrate. You only need a broad bean size amount to do the face and neck. It left my skin feeling fresh, clean and smooth with no sign of redness or irritation.

Cowshed Moody Cow Balancing Bath & Shower Gel £18 BUY HERE

A traumatic birth, a newborn to care for, sleep deprivation (the list goes on), have all contributed to me feeling out of sorts lately, definitely a bit of a moody cow. While using this gel doesn't help clean my home or soothe a crying baby, it does perk me up a little during my evening shower. The luxurious gel contains essential oils of rose geranium to regulate emotions and hormones, frankincense to calm and soothe and linden blossom to help relieve tension. I've almost finished this bottle and I think for the sake of my sanity I will be buying another toot sweet. 

The Beauty Review

I am a complete beauty junkie who love testing out different creams, hair products and make up. I get through lots of different lotions and potions so thought I would review what I'm currently trying.

Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, £19 for 75ml, Aesop

First up Australian brand Aesop's Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm. I like to apply this luxurious balm bursting full of botanical ingredients to my hands and feet each night before bed. A combination of mandarin extract, rosemary and soothing lavender creates a relaxing aroma while a blend of extremely hydrating oils including sweet almond, coconut and wheat germ instantly moisturise without being greasy. I work with my hands which makes them quite dry and rough so can honestly say this is one of the best balms I've tried for making my hands look fresh and healthy again.

Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator, £49 for 30ml, Estee Lauder

Estee Lauder's Idealist Skintone Illuminator has been a part of my daily beauty routine for years. I sometimes dabble with other products promising similar results but always return to this old faithful. Why do I hold it in such high regard? I suffer with melasma and while it isn't bad, I am still conscious of it and wear foundation whenever I go out to give the illusion of an even skin tone. I find that applying a couple of squirts of the Idealist after my moisturiser, but before my foundation gives my skin a luminous glow and reduces the appearance of my pigmentation. When my skin is behaving itself I like to mix half and half with my foundation for a lighter coverage. It's oil free so doesn't encourage spots, which in my 30s I thought would disappear (ha ha if only!), and its triple-optic technology smoothes out discoloration and the appearance of fine lines. You only need a couple of pumps to cover the entire face and so while expensive, a bottle will last a while. Even if you have great skin this product will encourage a glowing dewy complexion. 

Lovingly Light Foaming Treatment Mask, £20 for 150ml, Percy & Reed

Percy & Reed's Lovingly Light Foaming Treatment Mask is perfect for fine hair like mine. You apply the mousse formula (very 80s!)  as you would a conditioner post-shampooing. It's super light and doesn't feel at all heavy like lots of other hair masks, plus you only have to leave it on for a few minutes and it's ready to rinse. It's suggested you use this product once a week, but as I abuse my hair quite a bit with straightening irons and daily washing I used it in place of my regular conditioner and was happy with the softening and moisturising results it gave my locks. 

Look out for more beauty reviews coming soon!

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