Review: Raw Gaia Skincare

I've talked at length in the past about how much I believe in using good quality skincare with lots of natural, nutritious ingredients, and nothing has changed much on that score. That isn't to say that I go 100% natural 100% of the time. But where possible, I do like to go for organic and natural products in order to really nourish my skin, without bombarding it with harsh chemicals and the like.

Recently, I stumbled across Raw Gaia, and couldn't wait to treat myself to an evening pamper with their 

Raw Chocolate Face Pack* and Cold Pressed Organic Rosehip Oil*. The products are raw, vegan, cruelty free and fair trade, and made up of 100% natural ingredients.

The Raw Chocolate Face Pack smells absolutely divine, and if I didn't know any better I'd believe I was smothering my face in nothing but chocolatey goodness. Actually, the product is packed with lots of other lovely, natural skin treats, including red clay, turmeric and Amla fruit powder.  Red clay is a powerhouse of iron oxides, brightening skin and renewing cells. Turmeric is probably something you've got in your kitchen cupboard, and is packed with anti oxidants to fend off aging free radicals and even out skin tone. Amla - also known as Indian gooseberry - also offers a whole host of benefits, from clearer skin to a brighter complexion. It all sounded pretty good to me, and I knew I would enjoy putting it to the test.

The mask comes in powder form, and to use, must be mixed with warm water to form a paste. I popped a teaspoon into a bowl and stirred in a few drops at a time to ensure that the consistency was thick enough, before applying liberally and leaving for ten minutes. To be honest, it can be quite a messy process, so it's important to make sure you've got the right tools to hand rather that hashing together a mixture in the lid, which I must admit, is what I did the first time! The face pack quickly dries to a reddish-brown mask, and though you can definitely tell it's there, it doesn't feel heavy or prevent you from moving your facial muscles, as some do!

After rinsing with warm water and patting skin dry with a towel, skin feels soft, nourished and comfortable.

*

Like the face pack, the Cold Pressed Rosehip Oil comes in frosted glass packaging , and this time, it's a bottle. Personally, I would have preferred a pipette applicator in order to make it easier to dispense the right amount, as in its absence there is a risk of spilling excess product, which would inevitably go to waste.

Rosehip oil is a fantastic source of vitamins, anti-oxidants and essential fatty acids that play a vital role in the regeneration and health of skin cells. With the ability to actively reverse damage caused by sun exposure and environmental stress, it's something I've been meaning to try for some while now, as if you've been following my posts for some while then you'll know that I went through months of skin issues last year. I've always been really lucky in that department, with barely a spot to contend with even as a teenager. But last year, out of nowhere, I started suffering from quite bad breakouts, which lasted for some months, and although my skin is now back to normal, I can still see a few little marks that have been left behind when I haven't got any makeup on.

A couple of drops of this patted into the skin sink in easily without leaving a greasy, and leaves skin feeling super soft in the morning. I'll be reporting back on this one further down the line, as I am going to be keeping an eye on how well it works in terms of skintone. But as yet, I'm really enjoying using both the products and would definitely recommend Raw Gaia to anyone who is into natural skincare - and especially those of you who are trying to cut chemical nasties from your routines.

Do you use much natural skincare? If so, I'd love to know your favourite products, as I'm always on the lookout for new things to try.

xx

Mini Review: Nature's Extracts Indulgent Fig and Orange Oil Bath & Body Range

                         Nature's Extracts Indulgent Fig & Orange Oil Bath & Body Range                               

Shower Gel  //  Moisturising Hand & Nail Cream  //  Moisturising Body Butter

I present to you, the most incredible smelling bath and body range I have stumbled across in quite some while. And by quite some while, I might possibly mean ever.

I happened upon the Nature's Extracts Indulgent Fig & Orange Oil collection when hunting for tree presents in  the Marks & Spencer beauty section back at Christmas time, and couldn't resist sneaking a few of them into my shopping basket along with the gifts I'd chosen for everybody else. The fragrance is really  juicy, with just the right balance of zinginess and sweetness, and the products themselves are wonderful too.

The handcream is a snip at just £1, and I always keep one in my handbag or on my desk at work for a bit of a pick-me-up whenever my hands are feeling dry or tired. I must admit, I often pop some on just for the sake of it, as I enjoy the fragrance that much.

The Moisturising Body Butter is thick and luxurious, a dense cream that leaves the skin feeling soft as can be. An absolute dream to apply after my daily shower, and just the right scent for spring.

The only slight qualm I have is with the Shower Gel - but not because there's anything wrong with it. Personally, I much prefer shower creams to gels, as I find that they leave my skin feeling more comfortable after use, so I'd like to have this option in the range. However, the gel smells equally as incredible as the other products and combining the three is an absolute joy. 

All the Nature's Extract products are extremely purse friendly - ranging from £1 - £2.50, with the exception of the Body Butter, which comes in at £5. There are also a selection of other fragrances to choose from if fig and orange aren't your cup of tea - try Peach & Almond, Lemon Verbena, Coconut and Aloe Vera, to name but a few.

Have you tried the Nature's Extract range before? If so, what is your favourite find?

xx

The Sunday Pamper Session

Sundays are a day for relaxing, recharging, and most importantly, a bit of pampering to get you ready for the coming week.

If you'll excuse the quality of this photo (I'm currently camera-less and having to make do with my Ipad), this week I'm sharing all of the products I'm using to treat myself a little bit.

We recently moved house, and when we arrived, there was a problem with the water pressure that meant filling the bath was impossible. Thankfully, that has just been rectified, so tonight is bubble bath night!

I pop the taps on, and let the hot water fill up about halfway before adding a dash of Radox Stress Relief Bubble Bath. This stuff is seriously bubbly, and with the calming fragrance of rosemary and eucalyptus, it's perfect for a pre-bedtime bath.

While the bath is running, I usually apply a dollop of Charles Worthington Intense Rescue Melting Balm to dry hair, leaving it to work its magic for around twenty minutes. It's quite thick and waxy in consistency, but when rubbed between the palms it becomes more of an oil. It's great for dry or damaged hair, as it's highly nourishing, leaving locks soft and shiny. You do need to take extra care when rinsing it out though, as not doing it properly will result in a bit of an unsightly oil slick. I rinse mine with my Aussie Aussome Volume Shampoo, and I'm ready to go.

Once in the bath, I apply Bumble & Bumble Quenching Masque to my hair, and pin it up out of the way. It's a thick, creamy conditioner which really adds life to hair, replenishing any lost moisture and making hair all the more manageable.  I wouldn't usually go for two hair treatments, but as this is a weekly treat, I like to go the whole hog and keep all bases covered.

Tonight, I'm trying out the Raw Gaia Raw Chocolate Face Pack*, a lovely, 100% natural mask made from (you've guessed it) raw organic chocolate, red clay and turmeric, as well as some other skin-friendly goodies. It comes in powder form, so before my bath I mixed a teaspoon with warm water in a bowl to form a thick paste. Now it's time to spread it on to ready-cleansed skin - it dries quite quickly, and absolutely smells good enough to eat. It's a great choice for detoxing the skin, leaving it soft and comfortable, and over time it also offers healing benefits such as the evening out of skin tone.

I leave it for ten minutes, then wash off, also rinsing the conditioning mask out of my hair.

I'm going for a double whammy this evening, so next up it's time to pop on a radiance mask. I've gone for the Apivita Pomegranate Face Mask. Once again, I pop some on and relax for ten minutes while it gets to work.

I'm not one for reading in the bath, as much as I'd love to, I always end up getting the pages wet. I wouldn't dare read anything on my Ipad either, for fear of dropping it, so instead, I pop it onto a stand and catch up on some of my favourite Youtube channels while I enjoy my soak. 

Time to rinse off my face mask once again, and once that's done, I'm generally ready to get out. I'm a bit of a fidget, and can't stay put for too long, so off I go, slathering on some Elemis Skin Nourishing Milk Bath* as I go. I've spoken about this one before - I like to use bubbles and bath bombs when actually in the tub, which doesn't leave an awful lot of room for milks. But luckily, this one doubles up as an absolutely mind-blowing moisturiser, so I always pop some on for insanely soft skin whenever I have a bath.

At this point, I wrap my hair in a towel and get into some warm, cosy pyjamas, and mix a couple of drops of Raw Gaia Cold Pressed Rosehip Oil* with some of  the Body Shop's Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil and press into the skin. These are both really, really nourishing, and my skin feels incredible the following morning. Rosehip oil is great for fading any old scarring, and the Vitamin E leaves skin feeling plump with health.

That's pretty much it - now, I might sit on the sofa for a while under a cosy blanket, grab a cup of chamomile and catch up on my Bloglovin' feed, or go on Twitter for a while until it's time for bed! Not very rock and roll, I know, but on a Sunday night, it's exactly what I need.

Do you have a pamper session on a Sunday evening?

If so, which products do you usually go for?

xx

The Weekly Selection

This one has been sitting in my drafts since the last time I blogged, and I thought I had might as well let it see the light of day, in spite of being a couple of weeks old. The only reason it wasn't posted earlier was because, as you may have noticed, I haven't posted everything. We've been on the move again, and unfortunately that meant that once again, I was without the luxury of internet - at least, on anything other than my phone, and personally, I find blogging solely through an iphone little short of a nightmare. The uploading of photos and the adding of links both become unnecessarily difficult, and I wanted to wait until I was all set up again, as I strongly dislike the feeling of not being able to do things properly.

Luckily, all of the products in today's post are still very much up there with my favourites - particularly the Revlon lipstick in Cherries in the Snow. I can honestly say that I have finally found my perfect shade of red - it suits me down to the ground, and has barely been off my lips since I picked it up a few weeks ago. A true cherry red, it's bright but wearable, and truly flattering. It's love.

I'm a die hard fan of Topshop's cream blushes, and with spring well and truly in the air, I've been only too happy to dig them out. Morning Dew is a new addition to my collection, and I couldn't be happier - it gives a subtle, dewy, peachy glow, and really wakes up my complexion.

I have often wished I could apply a perfect line of winged liner, and while I'm still a long way from perfecting the classic winged look, the L'oreal Blackbuster Superliner is the closest I've ever been. With a chunky felt-tip style nib, it's really easy to apply, and doesn't smudge or fade to grey like lots of similar formulations do. A definite winner for makeup on the go.

Last but not least, the Balance Me Radiance Oil* has been making something of a reappearance in my routine. A couple of drops, patted gently into the skin after my evening toner, leave me with a healthy glow come morning time, and have helped me through the seasonal transition no end.

In the background, you might have spotted my current favourite candle - Diptyque Noisetier. It's by far my favourite candle for spring. If you want to hear more of my thoughts on it then I'll be posting a review next week.

Now, time to enjoy the bank holiday weekend - my plans consist of a long hot bath (the water pressure is finally back to normal so I can actually fill the tub!) and catching up on some of my favourite blogs this evening. Tomorrow is breakfast, Body Balance and drinks with friends, and if the weather permits, a trip to the seaside on Sunday :) As for Monday, I think I'll wait and see.

Hope everyone has a lovely few days off work.

Which products have you been loving this week?

xx

Hydrating Skincare: From Winter to Spring

The weather may be getting warmer, and the evenings longer and lighter, but that doesn't always mean you can slack off on the skincare front. In fact, a sudden change in the climate, and weather that can't make up its mind can wreak havoc on the skin, making it more important than ever to ensure that it's taken care of.

When it comes to hydration, I have a few trusty favourites that I know I can reach for whatever the time of year, and they will always get things sorted in no time. A common mistake a lot of people make is to think that if they haven't got any dry or flaky patches, then their skin is not dehydrated, but actually, this is a long way from the truth in many cases. Personally, I don't tend to suffer from the former, but I'd definitely put a tick in the latter box from time to time. Usual triggers for me are leaving makeup on for too long or skipping on exfoliation (I tend to use AHA toners rather than manual scrubs), but often, an unstable climate is to blame.

The Elemental Herbology Cell Food Serum* is a favourite of mine when I feel that my skin could do with a boost. Containing a powerhouse of proteins, vitamins and minerals, a couple of drops of this applied after my toner and before my moisturiser in the mornings make all the difference when it comes to radiance and vitality. On its own, it doesn't pack enough of a moisturising punch though, so I follow up with my go-to morning and evening moisturiser, Origins Make a Difference Rejuvenating Treatment Plus. With a deliciously orangey fragrance, this is a gel-cream, so although it's incredibly hydrating, it won't feel heavy or greasy on the skin like some products can. It sinks in like a dream, leaving my skin soft and plump, and I know it's a product I can always rely on to keep things in check.

The Balance Me Radiance Oil* is an extra little night time treat, and if my skin is feeling particularly out of sorts then I often mix a couple of drops of this in with my night cream. With a divine herbal scent, it sinks in fairly well - but I'd always recommend pinning your fringe back if you don't want to have to wash it in the morning. The Radiance Oil really does do what it says on the tin, and my complexion looks brighter and healthier after a couple of uses.

I really do find that hydration makes the biggest difference to the appearance of my skin as a whole, as when it's in need of a little extra moisture I look tired and drawn by comparison. It doesn't take much to get things back on track, and it's always worth the extra effort.

What are your go-to products when it comes to giving your skin a moisture boost?

Have you added any new products to your skincare arsenal of late?

xx

Balance Me Radiance Oil review
Elemental Herbology Cell Food Serum Review