Dr Botanicals Apothecary Range

Dr Botanicals is a London Based brand that aims to provide aesthetic skincare, body and haircare products that are clearly labelled to help you with your personal buying choices. The products available are free from ingredients such as synthetic perfumes and colourants whilst also being paraben free, your also be pleased to know that all the products are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. The wide choices available in their range can easily be identified with the colour coding packaging that appears in their apothecary range that quickly assist you in selecting specific products that cater to and for your needs. I have previously blogged about Dr Botanicals products but i wanted to share my thoughts on the four products mentioned in this blog post that i have never used or applied until now. I hope you enjoy the read and don't forget to use the discount code provided below if you wish to purchase any products from Dr Botanicals. 

Cleansing is one the most important structures to any skincare routine by removing impurities, makeup, excess oil and eliminate pollution your skin picks up. The Grapefruit & Watermelon Refreshing Cleanser cleverly combines antioxidants with natural botanicals in the humectant glycerin gel-textured formula. Applying one pump to wet hands and working all over the face and neck, you will notice this cleanser gently foams using two mild surfactant/cleansing ingredients Cocamidopropyl Betaine and Coco-Glucoside that effectively work together to cleanse the skin without drying it out by over-cleansing, whilst coconut acid is included to cleanse with emollient benefits. Exfoliating benefits are included in this cleanser from the polyhydroxy acid (PHA) Gluconolactone included that improves texture by exfoliation without making your skin sun sensitive whilst also having antioxidant and anti-ageing benefits and can even be used by sensitive skin types! Citrullus Vulgaris Seed Oil known as watermelon seed oil boosts skin-conditioning with its restoring properties of Omega 3, 6 and 9 and high linoleic acid content whilst Citrus Grandis Peel Oil known as grapefruit not only adds to the scent of this cleanser but also provides vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, flavonoids and antibacterial properties. Calcium Gluconate and Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed aid in skin moisturisation and skin conditioning which is something you want when using any cleanser, not that tight and taut feeling! I was pleasantly surprised in how effectively this cleanser cleanses the skin leaving it feeling refreshed but without over-stripping it of its important moisture barrier. A perfect product to use in the morning to refresh the skin, use after any sports or sweaty workouts, and in the evening to ensure all the days products and stresses are washed away leaving it perfectly ready to accept your further skin treatments. 

Providing an essential boost to your skincare regime, face masks are one of those treatments that should be in your arsenal of skincare products to reach for to not only to support your wellbeing but also give your complexion that extra care it needs, in one application. Face mask products not only draw out impurities that sometimes your cleanser wont even reach or touch, but this all-in-one treatment will also instantly revive your complexion by increasing hydration and exfoliating any dead skin cells away for a more refined skin tone and smoother texture. The Turmeric Superfood Restoring Treatment Mask features key ingredients in its rich and emollient base (emollients help keep skin soft, smooth and nourished) to not only help balance the complexion but also brighten it. Humectant and skin-identical ingredient glycerin is included to draw moisture to the skin, support the skins lipids and barrier function, whilst also protect against irritation. Exfoliating benefits are also present in the mask by the polyhydroxy acid (PHA) Gluconolactone included that improves texture by exfoliation without making your skin sun sensitive whilst also having antioxidant and anti-ageing benefits and can even be used by sensitive skin types. Antibacterial and antimicrobial properties are achieved by the Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil present and the emollient plant oil Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Fruit Oil achieves skin-soothing, skin-protecting and Vitamin E antioxidant benefits from its rich fatty acid content. The multitasker Curcuma Longa Root (Turmeric) Root Extract has an active component curcumin which not only provides anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, but it also is a great antioxidant with skin-brightening benefits. Using 2-3 times a week and applying a layer onto clean skin after cleansing, the creamy and hydrating mask is really easy to apply and instantly feels nourishing providing that extra care your skin craves and needs. The scent of lavender instantly calms any busy mind and your senses to help you relax and let the mask get to work for the 20 minutes you are directed to leave-on. Rinsing the mask off with warm-warm water you will instantly notice how soft and smoother your skin feels, when patted dry, to reveal a revived and glowing complexion that is perfectly nourished and cared-for. 

Formulated specifically to use around the eye area, eye serums are essential to incorporate in your skincare regime to target and address the concerns you may have. Opting for a serum instead of an eye-cream may work to your advantage because serums in general penetrate faster and deeper without overloading the skin with product, though that's not to say you cant use a cream-based eye product, just apply a serum first and then a cream over the top to act as an emollient barrier. The Dr Botanicals Pomegranate Superfood Brightening Eye Serum is suitable for dry skin because of its highly emollient oil-based ingredients which also contains antioxidants. Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil not only features nourishing and skin-loving fatty acids oleic and linoleic acid but it also contains vitamin E and vitamin B varieties whilst Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride is also included to act as an emollient to boost the skin's softness and smoothness. Ideal for dry skin the Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil contains oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids whilst also containing polyphenols, tocopherols, and carotenoids that all act as antioxidants to defend the skin from free radical's that can damage and influence collagen. Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil is a non-greasy but easily absorbed emollient oil that has a skin-loving fatty acid content which are eicosenoic, docosenoic, and docosadienoic whilst also containing antioxidants vitamin e and phytosterols. Soothing and antioxidant benefits are also included from the Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract ingredient which contains flavonoids that are known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil has a fatty acid content of erucic acid that helps seal in moisture and protect against dehydration while Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and antimicrobial properties whilst also being a great antioxidant, emollient and moisturiser. Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil not only helps speed-up healing of the skin barrier but its fatty acid content also keeps the skin hydrated and nourished preventing irritations. Tocopherol not only acts as an antioxidant to protect against damage from UVB rays but it also is an ideal emollient whilst Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Extract is another antioxidant included in the formula that helps improve the appearance of aging skin whilst soothing. Dispensing one to two drops from the pipette dropper and applying to the whole eye area after cleansing, i was pleasantly surprised with how light this feels regarding the many emollient plant oils it contains. Rich in texture, it instantly glides over the whole eye area without any tugging and absorbs beautifully to leave the skin perfectly comforted and nourished. A must-have oil-based serum that is suitable for those looking for that extra-care and boost from an eye product! 

Moisturisers are incredibly important for all skin types because many factors can strip the skin of its natural oils such as face washes, face product treatments containing active's and even temperature changes that can wick away that important skin element moisture! Applying a moisturiser at night is ideal to support and supply moisture to the skin whilst also supporting the skins regenerating and repairing process that takes place, it is noted you lose more water overnight when you don't have the protective layer of natural oils on your skin. The Dr Botanicals Artichoke Superfood Firming Night Moisturiser features key ingredients to hydrate, smooth and brighten the complexion when you are fast asleep. The water and oil moisturiser features humectants Calcium Gluconate (also a moisturiser) and skin-identical ingredient glycerin which helps draw moisture to the skin, support the skin's lipids and barrier function, whilst also protect against irritation. The non-greasy and light-textured emollient Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride comes from coconut oil and glycerin which helps to keep the skin soft, smooth, and pro-long water loss from the skin whilst the other emollient's included are Glyceryl Stearate SE, Stearic Acid, and the non-drying alcohol Cetearyl Alcohol. Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract (cucumber) has soothing and emollient benefits whilst also containing amino acids to support the skins natural acid mantle and provides anti-inflammatory properties. Exfoliating benefits are also present from the polyhydroxy acid (PHA) Gluconolactone included that improves texture by exfoliation without making your skin sun sensitive whilst also having antioxidant and anti-ageing benefits and can even be used by sensitive skin types. Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Seed Oil is rich in antioxidants to help defend the skin from free radicals that cause Oxidative stress whilst also having anti-inflammatory properties to help the skin repair and heal. Applying the moisturiser on its own or over your night-time serums you will discover it appears like a heavy cream but the texture is actually lightweight thanks to the added Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/​VP Copolymer ingredient that stops it from feeling sticky or tacky. The scent and slight cooling sensation from the cucumber is a refreshing nice addition and i was pleasantly surprised in how quickly this absorbs and leaves the skin feeling silky smooth and soft! A perfect moisturiser that not only delivers on hydration and nourishment but also improves skin tone and texture whilst supporting the skin overnight.

Don't forget to use the my code to get 20% off all products, discount already applied at the checkout when clicking the link here : blondemaleblog

Checkout the full range of products on my affiliated link here: Dr Botanicals x Neil.

skinChemists Youth Series Green Caviar Eye Serum

Formulated specifically to use around the eye area, the skinChemists Youth Series Green Caviar Eye Serum is the perfect product to use after cleansing and toning the skin. Incorporating an eye serum into your skincare routine will not only address specific concerns such as puffiness and texture problems with their concentrated ingredients they contain, but you will also discover their lightweight and hydrating texture also respects one of the delicate areas of the face.

Presented in a squeezable tube, the skinChemists youth series green caviar eye serum is clear in colour when dispensing a pea-sized amount onto your fingertips and should be the first product applied so it can work effectively rather than if there was a barrier there from your other products if they were applied first. Tapping the product along the eye socket starting from the inner corner of each eye and taking the product right up to the temples, you can then proceed to take the eye serum across the upper area of the eyes feeling the orbital bone and then finish when reaching the inner corner of the eyes. 

I was pleasantly surprised with how great the serum hydrates the eye area from the humectants included that draw moisture to the skin which are Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Maltose, and Butylene Glycol whilst soothing benefits are boosted by the Allantoin and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder which also has emollient and moisturising properties. The peptide Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 also included in the formula supports and boosts the skins matrix which are collagen I, III, IV, fibronectin, hyaluronic acid and laminin 5 which is why its used in most eye products to improve crows feet around the eye area. 

The hydrating eye serum does have a slight lifting effect when drying down thanks to the moisturising Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin included whilst the eye area will look brighter because of the light reflecting properties of Mica. Keeping the products active ingredients on the skin longer, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract forms a film on the skin to support the skins natural barrier function against aggressors whilst also stopping water-loss, boosting hydration efforts. The formula does include fragrance but upon application the scent is not over-powering and soon disappears from trace when the product is absorbed. 

A lovely lightweight but hydrating eye serum that contains specific ingredients that each have their individual benefits but work together to improve elasticity, moisture, and help rejuvenate the whole eye area with continued usage. 

Checkout the full range of products on my affiliated link here: skinChemists 

Use my discount code to get 20% off your purchase, discount should be already applied at the checkout when clicking on this link: blondemaleblog x Neil. 

BEAUTY PIE Latest and Greatest Kit

Treat yourself or that special loved one this holiday season when purchasing the BEAUTY PIE latest and greatest kit that features a bundle of Christmas beauty gifts. In fact housed in a luxury velvet dark green vanity case that is soft to the touch with gold-tone hardware and a soft vegan-leather handle, the products sit safely inside and are individually wrapped. Unzipping to open the case you will find 14 full size items in 12 packages + 1 deluxe size EDP + 1 signature tote bag + 1 surprise.

I love how easy it is to order from beauty pie and the fact you are constantly updated once your order is completed at the checkout and with the delivery process. Now, im not going to lie, but i was surprised with how heavy the case is when i received it but couldn't wait to open it. The informative guide inside details all the products included whilst also having 4 x three month memberships for you to give to family and friends if they haven't already signed up.  

All the products are beautifully packaged with numbers on them that if you wish you can open one gift a day for 12 days or just open them all at once. I'm sure your be busy discovering and using the products included but another brilliant idea would be to use whats included as stocking fillers or just gifting to that special someone who likes that specific product. The full contents can be viewed over on the links provided below whilst with every purchase of this kit a donation is made to Magic Breakfast who offer nutritious breakfasts to over 200,000 children in the UK every school day.

Not a member yet? Click here: Beauty Pie to receive £10 off your first purchase and benefit from a FREE TRIAL (and free shipping) too! All information and to purchase the limited edition kit here: Latest and Greatest Kit x Neil.

LANEIGE Midnight Minis Lip Mask Set

The five choices available from Laneige's midnight minis collection all promise to not only soothe compromised lips, but also aid in moisturisation. The overnight, leave-on lip masks contain humectants to aid in hydration, emollients to nurture and boost moisture, whilst also containing a derivative but stable-form of vitamin c that provides antioxidant benefits. Lip masks are a great product to use because not only do they stay on the lips overnight with no transfer of product (this is helpful for maximum treatment benefits) but they are also a great product to reach for if you lips have dried out from makeup products that are designed to stay on the lips, but can be drying, whilst cold air can be a factor in wicking away moisture.

The LANEIGE midnight minis collection features five different scented variations that are also housed in coloured pots to suit their specific name. The fragrances included in the lip masks are well formulated because they do smell exactly like their name suggests, but if you know you cannot tolerate fragrance then these might not be for you. The options in the set arrive as:

Purple - Gummy Bear

Pink - Sweet Candy

Brown - Chocolate

Pale Tint Yellow - Vanilla

Bright Yellow - Lemon Sorbet 

Unscrewing the pot lid and applying to clean and dry lips, it is ideal to make sure you apply a generous amount that covers the whole area even going over the lip line border if you wish. I was impressed in not only the highly emollient formula that glides over the lips with ease but with how this leaves the lips feeling nurtured, moisturised, and pampered the next morning! Priced at £15.00 for 5, which works out as £3 per-pot, this overnight lip moisture therapy collection is also ideal for those who want to try before they buy the full-sized product. Available here on the non-affiliated link: Laneige Midnight Minis Lip Mask Set x Neil  

Ordo Sonic+ Electric Toothbrush

Revolutionise your oral care regime when introducing the Ordo Sonic+ Electric Toothbrush into your daily routine. The water-proof toothbrush not only presents itself with eye-catching unique designs but it also delivers 40,000 Sonic pulses to achieve that deeper and cleaner feeling. Designed and approved by dentists, you can choose between four different modes which are Clean, White, Massage and Sensitive whilst you can also be assured that you are cleaning your whole mouth by the smart 2-minute timer with quad-pacer that is present.

Featured in the box of your new Ordo Sonic+ Electric Toothbrush will also be a Ordo Sonic+ Brush Head that features high-quality, individually rounded bristles to achieve optimum oral-care performance. A hygienic travel cap and a Ordo Sonic+ Charging Base with USB connection is also featured to charge the Lithium Ion battery your new toothbrush is powered by. The easy-to read user manual details all the information you need and answers any questions you may have, so i would suggest reading through this before using. 

The smart LED indicator has a low power reminder and also achieves a power-off protection function that helps prevent battery damage, to keep your toothbrush working at optimal levels. Switching through the four different functions is relatively easy by pressing the main button and the LED display will show which mode it is on, whilst it will pulse every 30 seconds to tell you to move onto the next area of your mouth. I love how effective this is at not only cleaning the tooth surface but also cleaning between the teeth whilst also respecting the gums.

Offering the same features as the higher priced electric toothbrushes available, the Ordo is budget-friendly affordable whilst being easy to clean and easy to use. Just remember to allow the Ordo Sonic+ Electric Toothbrush to do all the work (instead of using a back and fourth motion) all you have to do is place on each tooth at a 45 degree angle to the gum line for 3-5 seconds for a cleaner and brighter smile! The affiliated link and discount code are below! x Neil. 

Visit the affiliated link here: www.ordolife.com/blondemaleblog

Use The Ordo Discount Code At The Checkout: BLONDEMALEBLOG