Lush Bright and Beautiful Vitamin C Exfoliating Facial Scrub

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. 

Sunday Rain Rose Body Care

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

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

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

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

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. 

Trilogy Bakuchiol+ Booster Treatment

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.

LoveLula Beauty Box March 2022

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:

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. 

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. 

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. 

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! 

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

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.

Garden of Wisdom (GoW) Vitamin C Serum 23% + Ferulic Acid

Incorporating a vitamin C into your skincare routine can be beneficial for all skin types because not only is it able to hydrate and brighten the complexion, it can also promote collagen production for plumper and firmer skin. Neutralising molecular free radicals by acting as an antioxidant while also having anti-inflammatory properties, the multitasking ingredient is also able to fade hyperpigmentation and improve sun spots, age spots and melasma by inhibiting melanin synthesis by downregulating the activity of an enzyme known as tyrosinase. The Garden of Wisdom (GoW) Vitamin C Serum 23% + Ferulic Acid is alcohol-free, fragrance-free and essential oil-free while the formulation includes pure L-ascorbic acid with another superb antioxidant Ferulic acid. Keep reading to discover the ingredients and benefits of the serum, disclaimer: The links used are not affiliated and are placed for you to discover the product.

Presented in opaque sealed packaging (ideal for any L-ascorbic acid vitamin C product because it is highly unstable when exposed to air and light) though it is stable in this solution with water because the pH is 3.1-3.4, the pH has to be less than 3.5 to be effective and for the skin to absorb it. The properties the other beneficial ingredients provide are emollient, antioxidant, humectant and moisturising the skin while the full ingredients are as follows:

Distilled Water - Purified and deionized, it acts as a solvent for ingredients to dissolve in. 

L-Ascorbic Acid 23% - Vitamin C that boosts the skin's own collagen production, works great as a antioxidant and UV protection booster, while also being able to brighten the skin. 

Alkyl Benzoate -  Emollient for softer and smoother skin with antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits.

Panthenol-D - Soothing moisturiser and humectant that supports the skins barrier function while also having anti-inflammatory and skin protecting properties. 

Carbomer - Helps to change a products texture to the desired state while also stabilising water and oils in a formula so they do not separate.   

Ferulic Acid - Antioxidant with UV protecting abilities while being able to penetrate the skin and also stabilise the unstable vitamin C in a formula. 

Sclerotium Gum -  Sugar molecule that helps stabilize emulsions so water and oil ingredients do not separate while also acting as natural thickener and gelling agent for improved texture.

Optiphen -  A unique liquid preservative formulation which consists of phenoxyethanol with an emollient base which is Caprylyl Glycol. Provides protection against microbial growth from bacteria and yeast while giving the finished product an exceptional feel. 

Hyaluronic acid - Skin identical moisturiser and humectant to improve hydration and hold on to it. 

The pump applicator dispenses the perfect amount which should be 1-2 pumps onto clean skin either in the morning and evening. My preference is to use any vitamin c in the morning to provide antioxidant protection throughout the day while also wearing it under a broad-spectrum SPF boosts its UV protection and with the Ferulic Acid included it doubles the photoprotection effect of Vitamin C. I was impressed on how quickly this absorbs and no pilling or flaking off was experienced because there are no silicones in the formula but you may experience a tingle that is often associated with potent vitamin c products. The tingle soon disappears and with frequent applications your skin will soon become accustomed to this wonderful antioxidant and hydrating serum that works effectively to protect and brighten the skin. Priced at £10.00 and available here: Vitamin C Serum 23% + Ferulic Acid x Neil.