Summary for 2015 - Skincare.

Over the course of 2015, I have tried to convert to more ethical beauty products, mainly trying to switch to more organic and natural brands.  Here is a very brief rundown on the brands that I tried.

I have ranked them in order of my favourite, with number 1 being the top spot.

1. Moa:  http://www.moa.london/
2. Antipodes:  http://www.antipodesnature.us/
3. Lyonsleaf:  http://www.lyonsleaf.co.uk/
4. Balm Balm:  http://balmbalm.com/
5. Balmology:  http://balmology.co.uk/
6. Organic Surge:  http://www.organicsurge.com/
7. 100% Pure:  https://www.100percentpure.com/
8. Evolve Beauty:  http://www.evolvebeauty.co.uk/
9. Trevano:  http://www.trevarnoskincare.co.uk/
10. Pixi:  http://www.pixibeauty.com/

I have awarded them hearts based on the following.  However, some of these brands also donate to charities too, so buy purchasing their products you are supporting a worthy cause - wow!

• Red:  Great British brand
• Green:  Organic/Natural
• Blue:  Cruelty free
• Yellow:  Purse friendly
• Purple:  Effective

1.  MOA - Magic Organic Apothecary

Products used:

• The Green Balm

I got the little 15ml pot for £4.99 to try it.  I used it as a cleanser and it had a lovely earthy natural
smell that would be suitable for men and women.  As this can also be used as a moisturiser, I never was too worried whether I got every trace off.  When I was using this product I was moisturising with antipodes as part of my skincare routine.  My skin looked it best.

My son cut his thumb pretty bad.  Once his bandage was off and the hospital said he no longer needed a dressing or a plaster, I would apply this balm to his wound as it can be used for that too.  My son loved the special green healing balm and his cut healed lovely and he felt loved. 

I must buy some more of this EVERYTHING miracle balm in 2016!  They also have a facial oil that looks promising but is more on the pricey side. 

 2.  Antipodes

Products used:

• Divine Face Oil Organic Avacado Oil & Rosehip
• Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream
• Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replensih Serum
• Avacado Pear Nourishing Night Cream

These were travel sizes in their Anti Aging Minis (night) set and Moisture Boost Minis (day) set.  Brilliant sizes to trial the products and lasted me about a monthfter a bad experience with Glow Tonic I needed a major moisture boost and abandoned my gentle Organic Surge. 

At the time I was started cleansing with MOA.  My skin improved drastically.  It kept getting better and better.  It had never looked so good.  I wanted to buy the full size but each product is about £20 and I couldn't afford all four at once and I couldn't decide.  It has inspired me to include a serum in my skincare routine as I suspect that is the secret to the power of this bundle. 

I would love to try their kiwi eye cream and their immortal (spf) moisturiser.  I would love to try this cleansing balm.  The whole range looks amazing and very high quality. It is worth the price tag.  This brand deserves its cult following. 

3.  Lyonsleaf

Products used:

• Beauty Balm
• Calendula cream
• Body Butter

The beauty balm can be used to moisturise, exfoliate and moisturise.  I really enjoyed it.  It was slightly firmer than MOA.  Again, I loved how I wasn't worried that it would irritate my skin if traces remained after cleansing.  It can even treat acne. 

This beauty balm is right up there with MOA due to its versatility.  The Calendula cream was really moisturising, I used it as an eye cream and to heal acne. 

The body butter was the only one that really didn't float my boat.  It was nice but I found it tricky to apply, but I prefer an oil for my body so this could just be personal preference. 

These products are great value and high quality.  The sample tins are suitable for travel.  The scent is unisex but sweeter than MOA. 

You can see my full review of here:  http://allyaldridge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/lyonsleaf.html

4.  Balm Balm

Products used:

• Coconut Cleanser
• Muslin Face Cloth
• Hibiscus Face Mask
• Little Miracle Rosehip Serum
• Witch Hazel Toner

I got this as a gift set (for myself) in the January sale before I tried Organic Surge.  The mini facial set of travel size products came to a grand total of £13.25.  That's an absolute steal if you ask me!

I really enjoyed the cleanser.  The muslin cloth wasn't anything special.  The Toner went really fast and was really good.  The face mask didn't work because it is a powder and I mixed too much water - whoops!  The rosehip serum was really good.  The set lasted about two weeks.

I easily could have bought full size of these products. I wanted to try other brands rather than settling for the first one I tried.

5.  Balmology

Products used:

• Neroli & Sweet Neroli Cleansing Balm
• Calendula & Chamomile Comfort Balm
• Neroli & Frankinscense Beauty Balm

I ordered samples from Naturismo to see how I got on with these.  Samples are a great way to test if a product suits you without having to spend a lot of money on a full size that might need to be thrown away.  The samples were £1.50 a pot and lasted me a couple of weeks whereas a full size would have cost over £20 each. 

The hot cloth cleansing balm was lovely and smells beautiful.  It was a little harder than MOA so I had to warm it up first.  I was aware that I needed to make sure I washed it all off .  The beauty balm was nice to put on before bed.  I found I didn't use the comfort balm very much - I still have some of this left.

6.  Organic Surge

Products used:

• Daily Care Refreshing Face Wash
• Eye Gel
• Orange Flower Toner
• Blissful Daily Moisturiser
• Overnight Sensation Night Cream
• Perfecting Face Polish

This was the first brand I bought full size products because it is so affordable. They do bundles so you can bulk buy your products at an even cheaper rate.  I bought one of their mystery bundles which is great value for money and encourages you to try products you wouldn't ordinarily try. You do get a lot for your money. 

This brand is ideal for sensitive skin as it is very gentle.  Unfortunately, I felt I needed something more moisturising as I have quite dry skin.  I loved the Orange Toner and it was the first product to run out.  I wasn't a fan of the face polish but I'm not a face scrub type of girl.

7.  100% Pure 

Products used:

• Organic Cucumber Juice Facial Cleansing Foam
• Charcoal Konjac sponge

I got the pair in a Black Friday deal for £7 (RRP £27).  It is really nice how the cleanser comes out already foamed.  The cucumber scent is quite refreshing.  I have been using it to remove my Evolve cleanser.  I also really like the little sponge, its firm but gentle against the skin. 

The cleanser is very mild and I think it would struggle to remove waterproof or long wear make-up.  My son usually washes his face with just water but over Christmas I have let him squirt some of this foam on his flannel and it has helped him feel whether he has done both cheeks and his nose and mouth.  It is gentle enough for a toddlers skin and he finds it fun to use.  I'm going to have to look for a cheaper organic alternative for him when it runs out. 

8.  Evolve Beauty

Products used:

• Gentle Cleansing Melt
• Multi Action Double Cream

I got these full size in a sale (both for £10).  Sadly, I'm not in love with the products at all and now I am stuck using them until they are used up.  It is good at removing long wear/waterproof make up. 

The cleansing melt smells gorgeous but I struggle to remove all of the product from my face and end up with more blackheads than I've ever experienced in my life.  The double cream is the least moisturising moisturiser that I have ever used.  However, the products I bought were in a purple candy coloured tub.  The melt looks like a put you'd by a Body Shop body butter in. 

However, when you visit Evolve's website, their products are in their scientific looking brown bottles.  I wonder if I have got an out of date product that isn't cutting the mustard like a brand new fresh designed version.  Their website have got some travel size versions of their products available enabling you to buy them for as little as £3 to try out.

9.  Trevarno

Products used:

• Rose & Jojoba Cleanser
• Rosewater & Camomile Skin Toner (ingredients include lavender) 
• Rose & Jojoba Moisturiser (ingredients include lavender) 
• Overnight Replenishing Cream (ingredients include lavender) 
• Organic Revitalising Facial Oil

The cleanser toner and moisturisers all came in a Skin Starter Set.  I added the facial oil due to my positive experience with the Anitpodes. 

I should start with a positive note which is how immediately you will identify how aesthetically pleasing the products look.  Everything I received was in frosted purple glass bottles and looked beautiful. 

I kept the oil, despite my frustration with the poorly designed bottled.  Anitpodes has a droppler that enables you to suck the oil out of the bottle and then apply to your face.  Trevarno have a vinegar bottle style stopper that is designed to let next to nothing out.  I was shaking that bottle like a frustrated teenage boy who didn't get laid on prom night.  Eventually, I pulled the stopper out and I have to very carefully pour the oil into my hand and apply to my face.  Forgetting the poorly designed bottle, the actual product is amazing.  The oil smells divine and feels good on my skin. 

The other products I had to give away to my best friend.  The names of the products is not clear that they are going to have a strong lavender smell.  My friend fortunately loves the smell of lavender whilst I on the other hand hate it.  It made me feel like I was being suffocated by an old lady in my sleep.  I very rarely refuse to use up a product as I can't stand wasting money. 

I made the mistake of buying Pixi Glow Tonic.  It had amazing reviews and a huge cult following.  This product has AHA which it does warn can make you more sensitive to the sun and as a redhead I should have known better than to apply this to my face and go out without sun protection, in the summer!  My nose got vert dry and crusty and looked terrifyingly like skin cancer!  I stopped using it and ordered some high moisturising products (hello antipodes to the rescue).

   

10.  Pixi

This is not an organic/natural product

Products used:

• Glow Tonic

I made the mistake of buying Pixi Glow Tonic.  It had amazing reviews and a huge cult following.  This product has AHA which it does warn can make you more sensitive to the sun and as a redhead I should have known better than to apply this to my face and go out without sun protection, in the summer!  My nose got very dry and crusty and looked terrifyingly like skin cancer!  I stopped using it and ordered some high moisturising products (hello MOA/antipodes to the rescue).

I love how this product can get every last grime of dirt off your skin.  It was addictive and I was using it every morning and evening.  Little did I realise that I was striping my skin of its natural protection.  If you have sun sensitive skin like me then it is probably best to use this as an evening treatment and perhaps only once or twice a week.  If you use it in the morning, be sure to team it with spf protection. 

I have tried some of their make-up products which I do love. 

Wish list for 2016

I definitely want to buy MOA cleaner and Lyonsleaf beauty balm again.  I want to try more Anitpodes as well as purchasing those golden products that saved my skin.

I received Caudalie for Christmas and I'm looking forward to trying their cleanser, moisturiser, shower gel and divine oil.  I'm going away in May so may save them for then... but the oil smells so good, I just don't know if I can wait.

The top three brands on my "wish to try" list are:

• Speiza
• Aurelia Probiotic Skincare
• Alba Botanics 

I also am tempted to try A'Kin, Grown Alchemist, Lavera Skincare, Jason Naturals, Juice Beauty and Jurlique.  If I saw them on offer they might take precedent over the top three on my "wish to try" list. 

July Beauty Buys

I ordered some treats from Cult Beauty on 1 July which arrived on 8 July (see above). 

The order came to £55.

I was meant to just order Skyn Pure Pore Minimiser and Pixi Glow Tonic but they had some very tempting offers running at the time.  

PIXI offer

One offer was that if you spent £30 on Pixi then you got a 4 Piece Try Me Kit for free.  I was sold.  I orders my tonic and bumped up my order with the brilliance balm in Rosy and got the following samples: 

* Primer 

* Brilliance balm in Unique pink 

* Corrector concentrator

* Endless eyeliner 

PIXI GLOW TONIC

Wow! I can see why this has become a cult staple.  After washing my face this makes my face even cleaner.  It helps with blemishes and dry skin because it exfoliates whilst toning.  What a super star.  

I still get the hormonal blemishes but I recently dared to go into town with nothing but powder and mascara on because this has helped the condition of my skin to feel less ghastly.  

PIXI BRILLIANCE BALM - ROSY 

This is a rich cherry red.  It costs the lip in a vibrant juicy nourished red.  It feels great.  The balm gives the lips a gently stain so when it runs off you still have a hint of colour.  

The crayon has a twist at the end to push the product up.  It can be applied to the lips and cheeks which makes it extremely useful when in a rush each morning.  

I love vibrant reds but some people might find it too bright.  For me it is a great alternative for my Benefit Benetint balm and stain.  Exactly what I was looking for.  

PIXI BRILLIANCE BALM - UNIQUE PINK

The tester is in a shorter tube that the full size and doesn't twist up so once it is gone, it is gone.  

I never would have ordered this because I  was disappointed with the magic green lipstick from Barry M.  It reacts to the ph for your lips to give you your personal unique shade of pink.  The Barry M version was dried my lips, went a harsh horrid shade that I didn't feel suited me and went patchy.  It was fun but a waste of money - very disappointed.  

The PIXI balm is firstly incredibly moisturising and feels like a delicious minty treat (it has a minty taste - very refreshing).  It gives a rich sheen.  The unique pink reacts with the ph in your lips to bring out a gorgeous subtle natural shade - your lips but better.  

I will be purchasing a full size of this because I love it.  I apply it to my lips and cheeks.  On my cheeks it has an illuminating effect which is very now.  It's subtle and natural - perfect for everyday. 

PIXI ENDLESS EYELINE - NOIR BLACK 

The eye liner is very soft and creamy, it glides on and delivers a rich colour that is waterproof and doesn't smudge.  

I loved this eyeliner and used it up quickly - I did have a sample size.  I think because it is so soft it will run out fast, that's the only problem.  

The tester didn't twist up but I believe the full size does so you don't need a sharpner.  I will buy a full size one because it is lovely to wear and very pigmented. 

PIXI CORRECTION CONCENTRATE 

 

This is dabbed under the eye to brighten the face.  For my pale skin it looked orange.  I won't buy this again.  

PIXI FLAWLESS AND PORELESS

It was a decent primer.  I wore it to a wedding and it kept my makeup on all night through drinking and dancing.  

I had no problems with it but I don't feel compelled to buy the full size of this (because I just bought Skyn).  

Based on the quality of this, I am interested in trying PIXI's green primer to cancel out redness. I'm wondering if it would help neutralise my chin, nose and between my brows which has a pink tone. I've never tried the whole green thing.  

SKYN offer 

Cult Beauty did have a deal that if you spent over £30 on Skyn then you go some free Skyn samples (I can't remember what).  I didn't do the offer because to bump up the order would have meant spending a lot more than I planned as their products are quite expensive.  

SKYN PORE MINIMISER

I first saw this product on Marks & Spencer's but with my £30 budget I often have something else that takes precedent over trying out such an expensive (for me) primer.  The draw was that it is silicone free.  

I never notice I had enlarged pores until I saw the improvement using this.  I like to apply it on my T Zone - just a pea size amount.  It gives a lovely smooth texture to my skin that makes an excellent base for make up.  

If I can afford to buy this again, I will.  

This product pushed me over my budget in July so I've bought any treats this August but added a lot to my wish list for September.  

FREEBIES

Cult Beauty let me choose two free samples that I have not tried yet.  

As I spent over £50 I was entitled to free shipping.  

June Beauty Buys

For June, I ordered a blending sponge and Pixi eye shadow palette (in Emerald Gold) from Beauty Bay.  The Grand total was £15.70.  I ordered Missha BB Cream (in #13 Light Beige) from Yes Style.

My Beauty Bay arrived promptly.  I had to wait for the BB Cream to arrive before I could try out the blender sponge so the first thing I played with was my new eye shadows.

Pixi, Mesmerizing Mineral Pallette in Emerald Gold (£13.20)
Wow!  This was not something I needed in my life until I tried it.  

I love when a product can just be opened and used right away.  The brush is of good quality.  The case is good but I had expects it to be hinged along the long side but it's the narrow side.

The shadows are highly pigmented so you don't need much powder to get the colour to show.  In addition, all the colours work well with each other so you can either use the light colours for a natural look or the dark colours for an evening look, you can go gold tones, brown tones or my favourite, green tones.  You can even wear a colour on its own.

My only disappointment is nothing to do with the product.  I stupidly left the eye shadow on the dining room table and my toddler thought it would be fun to throw it on the floor.  Now, the hinge is broken and the lid doesn't shut properly.

All the other eyes shadow palettes in this range are now on my wish list and want to try more Pixi products.

Beauty Bay, Blender Sponge (£2.50)
Missha B, Signature BB Cream in #13 (£21.90)
I bought these to use together as I heard the BB cream applies better when you use a blender sponger.

The BB cream looks a lot like foundation to me - the same consistency and colour.  On my hand, the colour was so close to my skin tone that I could hardly see it.

I put the cream on the sponge and then bounced it all over my face.  I then added some small drops around my nose and the corner of my eyes and used the pointy end to get in close.  The cream went on really well and covered up my blemishes enough that I did not feel the need to apply concealer too. 

From Beauty Bay, I bought their blender sponge for £2.50 (pink was sadly the only colour left).  I then treated myself to the Pixi Mesmerizing Mineral Palette in Emerald Gold at £13.20 to ensure I got free delivery (free 2 day tracked delivery on spends over £10 otherwise £1.95).  My grand total came to £15.70.

From Yes Style I have ordered Missha B Signature BB Cream #13.  This cost £21.90 with free shipping (7 to 14 days).  I did see I could get it cheaper on eBay but I wasn't sure if it was the real thing.

Maybelline BabySkin Fatigue Blur Primer £7.99

Maybelline BabySkin Instant Pore Eraser Primer £7.99

Maybelline Great Lash WTP - Very Black £4.99 

Boots had a buy 3 for 2 offer, so I also bought my best friend the waterproof mascara which is her favourite.

Both the baby skin products smelled strongly of harsh chemicals which was unpleasant.  

I used the pore minimiser under my BB cream.  It looked like a gel.  It went on easily.  Once applied it created a smooth layer on my skin that was an effective makeup base.  

The fatigue blur is designed to brighten the complexion to give a refreshes awake look.  However, it disappeared under my BB cream making it pretty pointless.  I then tried it as a highlighter over my BB which was more effective but I wasn't that impressed.  

Baby skin wasn't for me and I won't buy either again. 

I gave the mascara to my best friend as I know it is her favourite.  I have tried it myself and it is good.

Ordered

I ordered my beauty treats for this month:


From Yes Style I have ordered Missha B Signature BB Cream #13.  This cost £21.90 with free shipping (7 to 14 days).  I did see I could get it cheaper on eBay but I wasn't sure if it was the real thing.


From Holland and Barrett I got Dr Organic Snail Gel Cream (£19.99) and four Dr Organic Snail Gel Masks (£1.99 each).  I've had my eye on this cream for ages but the price is really steep.  I almost bought it when it was reduced to £12.99 but didn't realise what a bargain that was until the price jumped back up.


Well... today, H&B have an amazing offer on!  "Buy 2 or more get 25% off.  Buy 5 or more get 50% off all dr. organic".  I added the cream to my basket and then looked up the cheapest Dr Organic product (the masks) and added four of them.  This came to £13.97 + £1.99 postage (grand total of £15.96).






From Beauty Bay, I bought their blender sponge for £2.50 (pink was sadly the only colour left).  I then treated myself to the Pixi Mesmerizing Mineral Palette in Emerald Gold at £13.20 to ensure I got free delivery (free 2 day tracked delivery on spends over £10 otherwise £1.95).  My grand total came to £15.70.