Well firstly, if you haven’t already read Part 1 of my beauty recommendations for autumn, go and do it now! And come straight back!
In part one of this beauty bundle, I got to share some amazing hair products amongst other things, and now it’s time to move on to skincare. I believe your skin can benefit from changing it up a bit so I have trialled some products that will hopefully inspire and suit your needs.
The perfect travel trio
As I do a bit more travelling for pleasure now, I am always looking for products to fit in that small plastic bag that airlines insist upon. Dr PawPaw’s Your Gorgeous Skin collection has me sorted now. They sent me their 4 in 1 serum, Brightening Eye cream and the Rejuvenating Night cream.
The serum contains some great ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, bakuchiol and vitamin C. It absorbs quickly without making you feel like it disappears, allowing your skin to absorb all the goodness, the brightening eye cream is good for that sensitive under-eye area, giving deep moisture with its aloe vera and supporting the skin with the retinol. Just remember to not rub the eye cream in like you’re trying to exfoliate. Gently dab the product so as to not irritate the delicate skin under your eyes.
And as a cherry on top the night cream gives great moisture, now this is a rich cream so don’t use to much because you really don’t have to. I love the richness just knowing that my dry skin will get that extra care overnight.
For even deeper moisture
If your skin needs even more moisture whether it’s your face or body or even lips, I can tell you that Wonderbalm will give that to you, times over. This is at least what I have used it for so far, but it isn’t called a multi-purpose balm for anything. It will also help you with small cuts, burns and scrapes. A hair mask for your dry strands, lip balm, shave balm, makeup remover the list goes on beautifully.
I love massaging it thoroughly on my face before bed allowing me to wake up with smooth radiant moisturized skin as a perfect base for my make-up. The balm itself feels quite hard at first touch but once you have taken the required amount and warmed it up between your hands it becomes super smooth and blendable.
Don’t use too much because a little goes a very long way with this. 100% natural and vegan inspired by Korean beauty, packed with amazing ingredients to support your skin in a gentle way.
Skincare supporting the skin’s lymphatic system
IRÄYE has a very intriguing way of skincare, the first of its kind regenerative skincare collection, helping the underlying health and function of your skin. It’s easy to think that all we need to do is massage in any given moisturiser and that will be all, but what if your skin’s issues come from something deeper?
Starting with the Radiance Firming Serum, purifies, boosts and protects amongst other amazing properties. It also gives improved microcirculation and nutrient uptake, all such important things to improve the health and look of your skin. You only need a small amount of product to cover your entire face.
We then move on to The Cream, which gives the same wonderful properties as the serum alongside a deep moisture. But also helps decrease fine lines and irregularities. It beautifully brings back a radiant glow and gives your skin a barrier from the events of the day.
My first impression before even trying out the product was the packaging. Elegant and very shelf-worthy, easy to open and use with a pump feature. My skin feels great and non-greasy which is important especially if used before make-up. I highly recommend this for purifying, boosting and protecting your skin.
Preparing your skin
Now these two products from Contours RX are game-changing. I oftentimes forget to exfoliate but when I do, I have been using a brush rather than a product. Contours RX has sent me their Exfoliating vitamin B5 prep pads, and I love them! No need to rinse just use a pad and wipe the dirt away and you are prepped.
With the wipe of one of the single-use pads in a perfect little dispenser box, I can remove dirt, oils and dead skin cells from both eyelids and face all the while encouraging cell turnover. Even though it has a slightly rough feel it is indeed gentle enough for your eyes. As if cleansing and exfoliating weren’t enough, the pads also hydrate, brighten and protect.
With age my eyelids have become heavier, I don’t mind that per se but when my eyeliner is on fleek I hate that it’s slightly hidden. Contours RX has the solution, they have created a product called Lids By Design, which are handy cosmetic eyelid strips that hold that droopy eyelid up without anyone knowing. After preparing with the Exfoliation B5 prep pad you simply place a strip on the fold of your lid press and hold and you’re done. Such a great way to enhance your look without invasiveness.
Skincare on a cellular level
Calecim sent me their Multi-Action Cream with their patented PTT-6 active ingredient. It’s very technical but, to summarise, the PTT-6 ingredients which are linolenic acid, soluble collagen, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid and tocopherol, all help activate the body’s own cells to renew, repair and regenerate. So, on a deeper level, these products make the cells communicate which in turn produce beneficial proteins.
It boosts collagen and elastin production, which our skin loses over time and desperately needs, it also calms inflammation all the while of course giving deep moisture and protection.
It’s a very smooth formula that you only need a small amount of to cover your face and neck. Use both morning and night to really give your skin the support it needs renewing your skin from within.
If you have very dry skin, you can apply the Calecim Multi-Action Cream underneath your chosen moisturiser to really lock it in. I am so intrigued to see how this will support my ageing skin in the long run. I absolutely recommend you visit their website and read about it; it is truly fascinating.
A collection for your entire body
Last but absolutely not least I received a lovely collection of skincare from Ekó botanicals, for all areas even more delicate. The founder Apinke has a great passion for natural products and the healing powers of nature. Every ingredient is selected for its own healing property holding lush vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and nutrients, inspired by the ancient ways of healing.
Each product is named after a great African warrior queen and, as I tell you about the products I received, you will see how important these influences are to the brand.
The first product is the Ritual Cleansing Oil Amina, inspired by Amina, queen of Zaria in the 16th century. She led armies and ruled an empire. This deep cleansing oil helps remove dirt and make-up very gently all the while moisturising deeply as well as regeneration and brightening. Key botanical ingredients are camellia, lemongrass, peach kernel and rose geranium.
The second product is the Radiance botanical oil Makeda, inspired by the Queen of Sheba, in 960 BC. Makeda was one of a line of virgin queens who ruled Ethiopia a thousand years before Christ.
This radiance oil is good for so much, it replenishes, brightens and firms. But it also fights blemishes, relieves dryness and protects your skin barrier amongst other amazing properties. Simply place a few drops in the palm of your hands and rub them together gently to activate the ingredients. Press and push the oil into your skin rather than massage and rub. It absorbs quickly and leaves your skin glowing.
Next is the Sunrise Ritual Body oil Cleopatra, a queen many would know, so I will focus on the product more here. This is a very deep moisturising oil, with immense hydration and brightening properties. It improves the firmness of your skin which my thighs are thanking me for.
Ingredients supporting the skin are prickly pear, mandarin, rosehip and neroli. After that hot shower simply press 2-3 pumps of oil onto the palm of your hand, rub gently to activate the oils and then onto your damp skin. Work your way from your feet up.
Last but not least is a product that I might be most excited to tell you about. Mostly because – at least for me – this is to be used in an area where I have been neglectful. The Vaginal Intimate Oil Nandi, was inspired by the South African Zulu Queen whose name means “the sweet one”.
We are much more open to thinking about this area in recent years, but I haven’t come across many products in my life. As a woman, our hormones have a life of their own and they often create some less fun changes, including dryness, itchiness and sometimes even pain. No one should have to struggle if not needed.
Nandi helps relieve dryness and itching, all the while protecting and healing. It also hydrates and improves elasticity. It helps to alleviate the discomfort we might feel, but while doing all this it can also work as an enhancement when applied to the right spots supporting you to reach that big O. Did I hear you say: “That’s a win-win situation!“ You’d be right!
I hope you have found some products that hit the spot for what you needed, these products have been amazing, and my skin and body is thoroughly grateful for it!
