Friday, 8 April 2022

Sustainable Luxury Gifting From Haute Florist

sustainable flowers

Seeking sustainable luxury gifting items can be a tedious task to not only find that meaningful gift for that special someone but also be mindful of the impact it can have on the environment. Haute Florist not only pride themselves with providing the best quality flowers that are carefully selected from ethical and sustainable flower farms from across the world, but they also ensure sustainability efforts are also their top priority by sourcing flowers with the happiness of both farm-workers and the environment at the forefront. The sustainable luxury gifting company recycle 104 tonnes of green waste into compost, which is equivalent to eight double-decker buses whilst also recycling all of their cardboard (60 tonnes) to be the equivalent to that of six Blue Whales! Presenting themselves as virtually zero-landfill and always finding new ways to reduce their impact on the environment, all of their staff are committed to protecting the environment and even use recyclable/reusable bottles. 

sustainable flowers

Once you have chosen your sustainable luxury gift you can be rest-assured that Haute Florist still have those environmentally-friendly core values still active and present by replacing most plastic packaging with sustainable paper alternatives, replacing the ribbons with raffia which is a recyclable form of hay and they have even stopped using the ribbon ties but instead use sustainable wooden holders. The individual flower food packaging has even been transformed to now be fully compostable and even the ink printed on it is dissolvable to ensure that it degrades, what a great idea! 

sustainable flowers

Available from Haute florist is the beautiful and 100% organic garden rose that not only would make the perfect sustainable luxury gift for someone but it is also ideal for planting in any garden to watch it bloom throughout the seasons. Growing naturally with no chemicals, agents or fertilizers and being very climate-resistant to thrive in most weather conditions, it does arrive with care information to maximise its potential in case you are not sure. I personally received the graceful beauty flowers that have been expertly designed to feature contrasting colours such as the deep shades of Veronica Blue and blue Lisianthus to the lighter-coloured Memory Lane Roses and White Snapdragons whilst also including Stallion Chrysanthemums, Tanacetum, Green Bell, and Blue Eryngium to add dimension and texture. Perfect for all occasions including birthdays, anniversaries, to say thank you, or celebrate any other important event, take a look at the many choices of sustainable luxury gifting available from here: Haute Florist x Neil. Disclaimer: The links used are not affiliated. 

Thursday, 7 April 2022

Lush Bright and Beautiful Vitamin C Exfoliating Facial Scrub

skincare

Refresh your skin when incorporating the recently launched Lush Bright and Beautiful Vitamin C Exfoliating Facial Scrub into your skincare routine. The first ever Lush Vitamin C product contains a 10% Vitamin C formula that provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits while also containing the physical exfoliants charcoal and the fine-grained caster sugar that gently buffs away dead skin cells but also hydrates being a natural humectant. Keep reading to discover the two ways you can use this vegan-friendly and new skincare product from Lush. 

Presented in a tub with a twist-off lid, your senses will be overcome from the luxury scent the bright and beautiful omits while the oily and grainy texture is accompanied with the deep purple colour of the product when applied, but soon changes colour when rinsing off to a light pink! The two ways you can incorporate this into your skincare routine are to either: 

1 - Apply it as a mask to a clean but dry face and leave for 1-2 minutes before washing off.

2 - Dispense a small amount out and add water, before gently applying to the face to use as a gentle foaming face wash. 

I personally like to use the bright and beautiful as a mask when my skin is looking dull and slightly congested while i did experience a slight tingle which can expected when using any Vitamin C product. My skin felt purified and clean but not overly stripped of its moisture thanks to the emollients and oils included in the formula because some foaming products can overly strip and leave your skin feeling tight and dry. Incorporate the product 1-2 times a week as a mask in your skincare routine to decongest and improve texture and tone. Priced at £14.00 from Lush and available here: Bright and Beautiful Vitamin C Exfoliating Facial Scrub x Neil. The links used are not affiliated and are placed for you to discover the product. 

Wednesday, 30 March 2022

Sunday Rain Rose Body Care

skincare

Elevate your self-care routine when incorporating the Sunday Rain rose body care into your bathing regime. The vegan-friendly products not only envelope the skin with care but they also help rebalance the mind and body to help you feel recharged and looking your best! Transforming your home to a spa environment is easily achievable but i warn you.... when using anyone of the rose body care products you will need to switch your phone off and place the DO NOT DISTURB sign firmly on the door because the luxury scent will indulge all your senses while the formula's pamper the body. Disclaimer: The links used are not affiliated and are placed for you to discover the products. 

Sunday Rain Rose Bubble Bath 450ml

skincare

Pouring 2-3 caps under a warm running tap, the beautiful rose scent from the Rosa Damascena Flower Water and parfum included in the formula will captivate your senses while relaxing and calming any busy mind. The bubbles created are from the Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) included which are mild and less irritating than the infamous foaming and bubble making sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). A luxury smelling bubble bath that not only supports your wellbeing but is cost effective at £4.00 and available here: Sunday Rain Rose Bubble Bath 

Sunday Rain Rose Body Scrub 265g

skincare

Exfoliating the skin helps to remove dead skin cells to improve texture while also helping your body products to absorb better and combat ingrown hairs. Twisting the lid off the tub you will notice a more concentrated rose scent that is achieved by the Rosa Rugosa Flower Oil and parfum included in the formula. The physical exfoliant used is sucrose which is a type of sugar that acts as a humectant to help the skin stay hydrated while emollient and moisturiser benefits are included from the Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil) included. A lovely emollient exfoliator to use for softer and smoother skin, priced at £6.00 and available here: Sunday Rain Rose Body Scrub 

Sunday Rain Rose Exfoliating Cubes 150g

skincare

The exfoliating cubes contain the same exfoliant as the body scrub which is sucrose, a type of sugar that acts as the physical exfoliator but these cubes contain more emollients. Perfect for any shower user or for those bath users that want a quick and mess-free product to exfoliate, you crumble one cube in your hand or work one cube in circular motions over your body. The heavenly scent of rose from the parfum and Rosa Rugosa Flower Oil captures your senses while hydrating glycerin and the emollients Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil and Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil help the skin feel nourished after rinsing the skin clean. Priced at £7.00 and available here: Sunday Rain Rose Exfoliating Cubes 

Sunday Rain Rose Bath Crystals 500g

skincare

Dispensing and swirling 3-4 scoops using the wooden spoon included into a warm bath until dissolved is the perfect solution to destress and unwind. The sea salt crystals not only stimulate circulation but also ease muscle aches and stiff joints while the calming rose aroma from the Rosa Rugosa Flower Oil relaxes all the senses and busy minds. You can still use these in the shower by sprinkling a little at the base of your feet and as they dissolve they will create a soothing steam while you can even add a scoop into your at-home foot bath to soothe tired and overworked feet. The perfect wellbeing treatment to reach for that smells luxurious and really works, priced at £6.00 and available here: Sunday Rain Rose Bath Crystals       

The Sunday Rain rose body care products not only smell amazing but they are so lovely and enjoyable to use while also being extremely affordable! Check out the full range here: Sunday Rain Rose x Neil. 

Monday, 28 March 2022

Trilogy Bakuchiol+ Booster Treatment

skincare

Applied morning and evening, the Trilogy Bakuchiol+ Booster Treatment is presented as an anti-ageing oil to help rejuvenate the complexion. The concentrated formulation features specific ingredients to target the signs of ageing while also boosting the skins radiance. Treating the skin for at least two weeks to reap the benefits the booster treatment provides, all you have to do is apply it to clean skin every morning and evening. Keep reading to discover what ingredients are featured in the formula - Disclaimer: The links used are not affiliated and are placed for you to discover the product. 

The Trilogy Bakuchiol+ Booster Treatment includes 4% bakuchiol which is a retinol alternative that influences the skin in a similar way as a retinol when applied, but chemically has nothing to do with any of the retinoids you may have seen or have used in your skincare products. It does regulate and influence skin cell behaviour which means producing more collagen such as collagen I, III and IV while also decreasing the enzyme in the skin MMP which attacks collagen resulting in loss of firmness and the signs of aging. It also helps influence hydration factors within the skin while also being suitable for acne or spot prone sufferers by decreasing a sebum controlling enzyme 5α-reductase while also having anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and hinders the oxidative process that begins early in the process of spots/acne. The other interesting benefits are that it has melanin-inhibiting properties while also improving photo damage, but more importantly can help stabilise retinol when used together. Research has also shown that bakuchiol between 0.5-2% are ideal to get visible benefits but as you may have read this trilogy product contains 4% combined with highly emollient oils that are known for their skin-nourishing fatty acid contents. The full ingredients are as follows:  

Limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil -  Emollient plant oil that has a high fatty acid content as well as containing phytosterols and antioxidants. The rapidly absorbed oil is non-greasy and leaves the skin feeling smooth and silky.

Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil -  Emollient plant oil that contains oleic acid and linoleic acid which are skin-nourishing fatty acids while also containing antioxidant vitamin E and vitamin B to supplement the skin leaving it feeling smooth and nourished. 

Squalane 5% -  Skin-identical oil that occurs in human sebum which is what are skin produces, this emollient oil is suitable for all skin types while absorbing quickly to leave skin nourished without feeling greasy. 

Bakuchiol 4% -  Also named Sytenol A or Phyto Retinol, it has cell-communicating, antioxidant, antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits.

Cannabis sativa (hemp) seed oil - Emollient plant oil that contains omega fatty acids, phospholipids, plant sterols, amino acids and antioxidant vitamin E. 

Rosa canina (rosehip) seed oil -  Emollient plant oil that contains linoleic, linolenic and oleic fatty acids while also containing antioxidants vitamin E and carotenoids pro-vitamin A.

Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil - Emollient plant oil that has a high fatty acid content that helps to improve a compromised or damaged skin barrier.

Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract - Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits because of the active rosmarinic acid it contains while also having anti-bacterial, astringent and toning properties.

Parfum (fragrance), citronellol*, geraniol*, limonene*, linalool*

*Components of natural essential oils

100% of total ingredients are from natural origin.

Gently massaging 3-4 drops into clean skin morning and evening you will notice the fragrance included on application but soon disappears because this treatment absorbs quite quickly by the skin. It does not leave the skin feeling greasy but quite the opposite which is perfectly smooth and soft by touch, you can then follow on with your skincare routine by applying your current serum, moisturiser and SPF if used in the morning. I like the formula but its a shame it contains fragrance and components of essential oils because some people cannot tolerate these, but if you know your skin accepts them and you perform a patch test then im sure you will enjoy using this concentrated formula that absorbs quickly to rejuvenate the skin and the complexion by improving the appearance of fine lines, dullness and dryness. Priced at £31.50 and available here: Trilogy Bakuchiol  x Neil.

Thursday, 24 March 2022

LoveLula Beauty Box March 2022

skincare

The element of surprise each month is welcomed by natural beauty lovers in the UK and international, when receiving the LoveLula beauty box March 2022 full with organic goodies. The monthly beauty box features exciting brands and their products that are available from the easy-to navigate LoveLula website, whilst also introducing products to you that you may not be aware of to purchase. The selection of products you receive each month are varied whilst there are many subscription plans available for you to choose from (details at the end of blog post) to enjoy your delivered beauty box. Disclaimer: I received the beauty box free as part of the LoveLula accredited blogger program, this does not influence or change my honest opinions expressed in my blog posts. The links used are not affiliated and are only used for you to discover the products that were featured.

What Is Inside The LoveLula Beauty Box March 2022?

The LoveLula beauty box March 2022 edition arrives in secure recyclable packaging and each product inside is protected by the recyclable filling to keep your products valued at £52.00 in tip-top condition. The printed card inside details all the products included whilst also including a voucher code that can be redeemed if you would like to purchase any products from the brands included. The products featured are as follows:

skincare

The Madara micellar water features a host of ingredients that benefit the skin by soothing, acting as humectants, while also providing moisture. I am typically not a fan of micellar waters in general because the surfactants typically used act as detergents to remove makeup, oil and products designed to stay on the skin like sunscreens while also not ensuring a thorough removable method to get clean skin as it is not a cleanser! I would suggest that if you do use any micellar product to rinse it off and then follow-up with your typical cleanser to not only remove the film that can be left behind but also your know your skin is fully cleansed and ready for application of your skincare products. I was impressed with how gentle and hydrating this left the skin feeling and is great for cleaning up makeup mishaps, removing sweat after workouts, and typically ideal for when your travelling but nothing will replace a thorough cleanse standing by a sink and applying a facial cleanser. 

skincare

The Balm Balm super light coconut cleanser is an high emollient cleanser that features Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride that comes from coconut oil and glycerin while the other ingredient is Cocos Nucifera Oil which is coconut oil that features saturated fatty acids especially Lauric Acid. The oil is ideal for drier skin types though not so good for acne or spot-prone skin because it has a very high comedogenic rating but if u haven't had any problems with other coconut oil products, you may love this one. Dispensing one or two pumps in your hands and then applying to the face and neck with massaging movements, the oil instantly absorbs while you can remove excess with a damp cotton pad or a hot muslin cloth. I reach for and use it as the first-step in my second cleanse in the evening because its cleanses effectively but still respects the skins integrity by leaving it feeling nourished. 

skincare

The SOULTREE ayurvedic mascara effortlessly separates each individual eyelash while also boosting length and ensuring specific care. The innovative formula features aloe vera, castor oil and blackseed oil to nourish and strengthen with each application but you must be aware that natural mascara's do apply and behave differently than your typical drugstore mascara's. Typically drugstore formula's contain ingredients to maximise length and dry-down for instant results while natural mascara's contain ingredients such as waxes to hold the length and can take longer to dry. The liquid of the soultree mascara does distribute perfectly on the shaped brush while with one coat applied on the upper and bottom lashes achieves a natural look. Applying again on the lashes will ensure a bolder and dramatic look but it does take 3-4 minutes to fully dry but without looking clumpy or flaky and does not leave the eye lashes feeling stiff. 

skincare

Maintain a healthier scalp while nourishing the hair when incorporating the AYUMI bio active growth hair oil into your haircare routine. Specifically featuring castor, sesame and organic coconut oils which are rich in fatty acids omega-6 and omega-9 to nourish every hair strand. The other beneficial ingredients are carrot seed oil, bringaraj, amla, shikaki and aritha that all contribute to restore circulation to the scalp when performing a gentle massage.  Presented in a squeezable bottle for easy applications you may notice at the bottom of the bottle the coconut has become solid in the hair oil but all you do is run the bottle under a warm tap and it will turn to a liquid again. Applying a tiny amount into your hands and then massaging into your scalp and hair roots, you can either wait 15-20 minutes before rinsing out or apply more to the rest of your hair for an overnight treatment. I typically apply this before a hair wash and apply a warm towel over my head for a hot oil hair treatment, it not only washes out the hair easily so the hair is not left feeling or looking greasy but it still manages to leave the hair feeling stronger and nourished! 

skincare

The AYUMI argan & sandalwood shampoo ensures a delicate cleanse, though this isn't a sulfate-free shampoo as it contains Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate to ensure it foams and lathers, the formula does contain specific oils to nourish such as organic Argan while also featuring amla, ylang ylang and lavender for their beneficial properties. I only needed a little amount when applying to damp hair and when massaging the formula it helped lather it up to ensure a cleansed but nourished scalp. I then followed up by applying the AYUMI argan & sandalwood conditioner that features coconut, argan, babassu and pumpkin oil that instantly detangles and nourishes while the ayuverdic botanicals Shikakai, Aritha, Amla, Bhringraj and Java root work together to strengthen and protect the delicate hair strands. I loved using both products that not only smell divine and work effectively together but they also combine cleansing the hair with nourishment to ensure good hair days than bad!

How To Purchase The LoveLula Beauty Box March 2022

The total value of the LoveLula March beauty box is £52.00 while the many subscription plans available for the UK and International customers are varied but are excellent value for your money!

The UK Prices:                                                                   

Just Try One Box £19.95                              

Monthly Recurring £14.95                          

3 Months £42.60 (save 5%)                         

6 Months £80.70 (save 10%)

12 Months £152.50 (save 15%)

The INTERNATIONAL Prices:

Just Try One Box £24.95

3 Months £52.50

6 Months £100.00

12 Months £200.00

*Prices Correct At Time Of Writing - March 2022

skincare

Enjoy the selection of products for yourself, or buy as a gift for someone else to enjoy, when purchasing or subscribing to receive a beauty box to your door. I wonder what the April beauty box will contain and what will be featured for you to discover products you may not be aware of to purchase? Purchase any LoveLula beauty box March 2022 available here: LoveLula x Neil.

© Blonde Male
Maira Gall