Look Fantastic – Wandering.Mother

Last minute Father’s Day gift ideas for 2022

June 13, 2022June 14, 2022Leave a comment

Father’s Day is just around the corner!

I was supposed to have written this gift guide at the start of the month but it’s been MEGA busy! We had the Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 4-5 which we attended and the kids also attended one on the Thursday before that and this Saturday we had another one!

If you’re looking for that last-minute inspiration, I’m here to give that to you. Whether it’s a gift for your dad, grandad or hubby, I’m sure they will appreciate at least one item from my top picks below…

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The Wandering Mother blog | Look Fantastic Birthday Beauty Box Review

Look Fantastic’s 2020 Birthday Beauty Box Review

September 10, 2020September 11, 2020Leave a comment

It’s arrived!

I was slightly excited to open this box and boy was I in for a treat! This month’s box has one of the best selection of products inside (one of the main reasons why I subscribed this month) and I’m so glad I wasn’t left disappointed. I’ve also received my Birchbox this month and I’m a little underwhelmed with the products but that’s for another post!

Beautifully wrapped and sealed with a metallic foil sticker, Look Fantastic really go all out when it comes to their box presentation. Compared to other beauty boxes I’ve had, LF boxes are one of best wrapped and filled. If you open the box neatly enough, you could reuse the tissue paper and the shredded paper can definitely be reused for other presents or gifts.

The box (same size it’s always been) won’t fit in the letterbox so if you’re expecting your beauty box, make sure you’re in to open for the postman or have someone at home to accept your parcel.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream*
Illamasqua mini-OMG highlighter
Diego Dalla Palma lip pencil
ESPA pink hair & scalp mud*
Luxie 209 large shader brush*
BrushWorks jade facial roller (full-sized product)
LF BeautyBox phone pop socket

*my favourite products!

Get yours now (£15)

A seriously good line-up right?! There are lots of good premium products to try in this box, and with the jade roller being a full-sized product that’s worth £9.99 alone, you’ve basically got everything else in the box for just £5.01 more!

Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream

I really love the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream – it’s been one of my all-time faves for a while but because it’s so expensive it’s just completely out of my price range. The scent of the cream is great and this British brand is one of the leading spa skincare brands out there. What makes this moisturiser really special is the algae extract, Padina Pavonica that they use in their Pro-Collagen range, which is proven in their formulations to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles and firms up ageing skin. (No wonder it’s the brand’s number one bestselling product!)

ESPA Pink Hair & Scalp Mud

I was so pleasantly surprised that this ESPA pink mud mask is fully CG approved! Before using it, I was curious to see if there were any non-CG approved ingredients in the list and Curlsbot gave me the green light (literally!) so I was very happy about it. The product smells fresh and fab, like a mild citrus scent. It’s currently SOLD OUT on Look Fantastic and ESPA website so if you want to give it a try, you might have a hard time looking for it. But be aware, it’s not a cheap treatment mask – for a list of other hair treatment masks, check out my CG approved products list.

Luxie 209 Large Shader Brush

As I mentioned in a previous post, I really love the Luxie brushes. They are super soft and super pretty to look at. The pink handle is very girly but it’s a nice shade that would suit anyone. I received my first Luxie brush from a different beauty box and loved the way it applied my highlighter and this shader brush is perfect for applying my eye-shadow. I’m not a big eye-shadow fan but I have a few I like using so now I actually have a tool to apply with than just my fingers. Also, this is a beauty brand with a conscience – their synthetic brushes are cruelty-free and entirely vegan so all you plant-based peeps out there you can be rest assured your beauty tools are as animal-friendly as you are. 🙂

BrushWorks Jade Roller (full sized product)

Facial rollers are a new one for me. I’ve seen them about and highly recommended by beauty bloggers and editors but never tried them myself. This roller from BrushWorks is only £9.99 which is the cheapest one I’ve seen around and if I hadn’t had gotten in this box, I would’ve never thought about getting one before. It’s super cooling on the skin and would really soothe any irritated skin. It can also be used as a tool to help you massage in your serums or moisturisers. I like applying a slightly firmer pressure with it around my jawline and cheekbones to alleviate facial tension (did you know we unknowingly clench our jaws more when stressed!) and I use the smaller end gently around the eyes and browns to encourage lymph drainage which helps to reduce puffiness around the eyes.

Illamasqua Beyond Powder Highlighter (shade OMG)

This Illamasqua highlighter is extremely pigmented – and if I must say – it’s even more pigmented than my previous highlighter from REAL HER and I seriously love that highlighter. I also used this highlighter as an eye-shadow and its silky powder stayed on really well and was a lovely champagne colour on my eyelids. You can also use it as a body highlighter on collarbones for a beautiful light-reflecting sheen. Its versatility means that I can definitely make the most out of it, especially as I’m now starting to build up a little mini collection of beauty products!

Diego Della Palma Lip Pencil (Shade 80, Antique Pink)

This lip pencil is a really pretty colour and suits light-medium to deep-medium skin tones. The dusky pink is a great for wearing as a natural lip colour as it’s a muted, dark beige-pink and it’s one of my favourite shades to wear. It pretty much goes with everything. I like using this lip pencil as an all-over colour on my lips but it can also be used as just a lip liner. Either way, it glides on really well and has a matte look. If matte isn’t your thing and you prefer a glossy or sheen effect, you can wear a lip gloss or lip balm on top for the desired look.

LF Beauty Box pop socket

I’ll tell you the truth… I had NO IDEA what the hell this thing was and had to google other LF beauty box reviews to figure it out LOL! There’s no mention of it in the LF Beauty Box magazine that the box comes with and there’s no instructions or labels on what it is inside the box! So now we’re clear it’s a pop socket, these little bad boys go on the back of your phone to make it easier to hold your device and prevent slips of the hand. Not sure how reliable it can be with most iphones weighing a ton but apparently it works! Unfortunately for me, Little Miss got to it before I managed to get it on my phone and she’s peeled off the adhesive side completely so I can’t use it at all. Bummer!

NB. this post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission on qualifying transactions.

My Top 5 natural facial cleansers for all skin types

April 22, 2020January 14, 20211 Comment

Cleansing your face should be one of the first and most important step in your skincare routine. It preps the skin for the next steps in your routine and is a must for those who don’t have a routine in place. With slightly more time on our side now, kick-starting your skincare routine might be a good idea plus it allows you to have more self-care time. 🙂

Why use a facial cleanser?

Cleansing helps to remove dirt and debris sitting on the skin – this goes for men and women. Think of it like washing your hands. Most cleansers will removes face makeup effectively but not all of them will remove eye-makeup or waterproof mascara so read the labels carefully. If the cleanser doesn’t state it removes eye-makeup then it won’t be gentle enough to use on eyes or take it off effectively. Micellar water is usually your best option for eye makeup removal and they’re usually a 3-in-1 (makeup remover, cleanser, toner) which means you can use it all over the face with no need to rinse off.

Skin types can be broken down into the following categories:

Dehydrated – skin that lacks water; parched skin can feel tight, it can look dull and sallow, uneven skin tone/texture, can also become red, sensitive, congested
Combination – a combination of two or more skin types, generally combination skin is oily and dehydrated
Dry or Ageing – skin that lacks oil; rough texture, looks dry and flaky look, can be itchy, dry skin is more prone to ageing ie. visible lines and wrinkles are more prominent
Oily – skin texture may be thick and consistently shiny, may also be congested and/or acne-prone, if acne is active the skin can become red and sensitive
Sensitive – skin that suffers from redness, feels sore or irritated, affected by the environment (sun, heat, cold), may suffer from rosacea, reactive to ingredients in products, medication or diet, may also become prone to breakouts

I’ve not listed ‘normal’ skin types as even this skin type can become dehydrated so if you have normal skin, look for products that can improve dehydration and/or radiance.

The different types of facial cleansers out there:

Balm – rich texture that is nourishing and comforting
Cream – medium-rich texture that is heavier than gels or oils but lighter than balms, moisturising and hydrating
Gel – lightweight texture that usually foams, leaves skin feeling refreshed and/or slightly astringent
Oil – lightweight to medium-rich texture that glides on the skin smoothly, usually great at removing all types of makeup including waterproof eye makeup
Micellar water – very lightweight, used on the face to remove makeup usually including eyes, cleanses and tones the skin without the need to rinse off

There are other types which include foaming washes, cleansing milk, 2-in-1 cleansers, solid bars, and cleansers that emulsify to a ‘milk’ before washing off.

Everyone’s skin type is a little different and can change depending on climate, weather and even the environment. Check out how your skin looks and feels regularly and if needed, switch up your cleanser but no more than twice a year (cold and hot seasons). I live in London, UK which is usually cold but I can tell that in ‘summer’ months, my skin is a little more dewy and hydrated so I’ll switch to a lighter cream cleanser or gel/foaming wash cleanser.

My top natural skincare cleansers for your skin type

As a natural skincare junkie (and spa therapist) I’ve come across quite a few skincare cleansers. Some I love, some others love and some that are questionable. All of the cleansers I’ve listed below are labelled as suitable for all skin types but I’ve included my recommendations for which skin type I think is would get the best results from them. Ingredients like rose, aloe vera and glycerin are great for hydrating the skin – something which all skin types can benefit from.

None of these cleansers do not contain sulfates, parabens or silicones. As good practice, I’d advise you to always check the full ingredients list just in case. A cleanser might market itself as sulfate-free but could still contain parabens or silicones.

I’ve included the full list for you below too… you’re welcome! 🙂

Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Renewing Rose Cleanser

This light but creamy cleanser smells gorgeous and feels so smooth on the skin. We use the AA brand at the spa – this natural brand that really does its job. As the cream is lightweight, it really is suitable for all skin types especially normal/dehydrated, sensitive and combination skin types. This is one of the few cleansers that can be used directly on the eyes to remove eye makeup and doesn’t sting the eyes.

Apply on with clean hands using circular motion and rinse off with water. As an extra step I like to rinse then use my wet face cloth to buff the skin so I’m getting a deeper cleanse and a little exfoliation. It’s really easy to use.

[Full ingredients: Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride,Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Rosa Centifolia (Rose) Flower Water, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Flower Oil, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citronellol*, Geraniol*, Linalool*.]
*Natural Essential Oil Contents.

I’d highly recommend this for: dehydrated skin, dry/ageing skin, combination skin, sensitive skin

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

The Pro-Collagen range from Elemis has been their bestselling collections for over 5 years. I used Elemis during my training days and it’s a wonderful brand; it smells divine and products incorporate a lot of science to deliver on results. It’s much more science-y than Aromatherapy Associates and so they used to contain more chemical nasties however their new formulations now are more gentle and they’ve cut out a lot of those chemicals. This product doesn’t state it can be used on eyes to remove eye makeup so I wouldn’t suggest it. If you do, then do it with caution at your own risk.

It’s only rich once you put it on but that’ll change. Massage the cleansing balm into the skin using circular upward motions to work it into the skin to loosen up the makeup and dirt. Add a little water (emulsify) to get it going, this will allow the makeup to lift off the skin. Once it turns into a milk you wash it off and pat dry, leaving you with baby soft skin.

[Full Ingredients: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, PEG-8 Beeswax, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry) Oil, Sorbitan Stearate, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Silica, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Glycerin, Lecithin, Borago Officinalis (Starflower) Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Cera (Wax), Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Acacia Decurrens (Mimosa) Flower Cera (Wax), Rosa Multiflora (Rose) Flower Cera (Wax), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Flower Oil, Tocopherol, Lavandula Hybrida (Lavandin) Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora (Ho Wood) Wood Oil, Mentha Arvensis (Mint) Leaf Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Menthol, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Leaf Oil, Citric Acid, Linalool, Geraniol, Eugenol, Citronellol, Limonene]

I’d highly recommend this for: dry/ageing skin, dehydrated skin, combination skin

Liz Earle’s Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

This cleanser was one of the first natural products I tried and I do love it still. The smell of the cocoa butter with the menthol aroma of eucalyptus reminds me of chocolate-minty goodness. It can be used over the eyes to remove makeup but the menthol might sting a little if you have sensitive eyes.

This rich cleanser needs to be applied similar to the Elemis cleanser, dispense 1-2 pump(s) into your hands and massage onto your face and eyelids. Make sure you massage all of the cleanser in then rinse the cloth in hot (but not boiling) water and wring out excess water. Use circular motions to remove the cleanser off.

[Full ingredients: Aqua (water), Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetyl esters, Cera alba (beeswax), Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan stearate, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, Humulus lupulus (hops) extract, Chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, Propylene glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Benzoic acid, Dehydroacetic acid, Sorbitol, Limonene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyaminopropyl biguanide, Citric acid, Sodium hydroxide.]

I’d highly recommend this for: oily/congested skin, combination skin, dehydrated skin

A’kin Cleansing Micellar Water

Micellar water is actually one of my favourite beauty bag staples. Simply because you can take it with you anywhere, use it to remove makeup or even just freshening up your skin when out and about. A’kin’s micellar water is super gentle and can be used on all skin types. It’s cooling on the skin and removes eye makeup pretty well. It has a really fresh cucumber scent (one of its main ingredients) so if you’re not a fan of cucumbers, this may not be one for you. This micellar water is totally water-based however you can find some other micellar water includes oils.

Can be used to remove eye makeup. Simply use with cotton pads and wipe over eyes, face and neck area. No need to rinse off.

[Full ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water *+, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Green Tea)*, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Water*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Juice*+, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract*, Glycerin*, Ethylhexylglycerin, Heptyl Glucoside*, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate*, Sodium Levulinate*, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid*, Linalool^.]
+Certified organic. *Botanical source. ^From essential oil.

I’d highly recommend this for: sensitive skin, dehydrated skin, combination skin

REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel

I’m not a massive fan of gel cleansers however they are slightly better for my dehydrated skin in the summer than full-on foaming wash cleansers. Gel cleansers are super lightweight but will contain some lightweight oils to keep skin moisturised and balanced. I find gel cleansers also work best on combination and oily/congested skin types but ideally could be used for all types. Dry/ageing skin types might find that gel cleansers do not provide enough moisture or hydration and will probably do better with a creamier cleanser.

Apply onto skin with wet hands or emulsify gradually with water to cleanse the skin, avoiding the eyes. Rinse off with water and pat dry.

[Full ingredients: Aqua (Water), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Coco Glucoside, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Potassium Sorbate, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Parfum* (Fragrance), Rosa Damascena Extract, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Lactic Acid, Citronellol, Geraniol]
*100% Natural Fragrance – Parfum 100% Naturel

I’d highly recommend this for: combination skin, oily/congested skin, dehydrated skin, sensitive skin

There you go!
It’s not a comprehensive list but enough to get you looking around and get you started this Spring on your skincare journey. Do you have a favourite cleanser? Let me know in the comments section what you think of these recommendations and whether you agree. x

Happy #WellnessWednesday

NB. this post contains affiliate links

The Greenwich Mummy Blog | Look Fantastic Black Friday 2019 Beauty Box review

Black Friday Edition: Look Fantastic beauty box review 2019

December 22, 2019August 1, 20201 Comment

With the lead-up to Christmas, I always end up taking forever to write up my Black Friday beauty box. You may remember a few years ago I finally wrote my 2016 Black Friday box review… a year later! LOL It’s a mix between procrastination, being busy with family and the children (I had Little Miss in April 2016) and then being sleep-deprived meant that anything I did, I took like a million years to do so. I’m a little faster this year, only a month out! Haha! 🙂

The Black Friday Edit box: first impressions…

On first impressions, the box looks pretty fancy!

I really like the black and gold marble design and the gold text ‘The Black Friday Edit‘ adds modernity to the box. I can’t seem to find the 2017 design however the ‘Back for Black’ 2018 was super sleek and was actually my favourite design but I never bought the box. I’m happy with the design of this year’s box and the products look really good. I can see one repeat product (the eyeliner) from last year but the others are new. I think for 2020 I would love to see a new design however something similar to this year’s or last year’s would be fantastic. Now let’s get on to the products…

What’s in the box?

Here are the products I got in my Look Fantastic Black Friday 2019 box:

Luxie 504 Large Angled Brush*
Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Exfoliating Moisturiser*
Eve Lom Cleanser including facial cloth
Ciaté London Glow-To Highlighter
We Are Paradoxx Hangover Hair Elixir
Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm (Scarlet Sorbet)*
Eyeko Eye Do Mini Liner
Seoulista Beauty Charcoal Mask
Naobay Radiance Body Lotion*
Crystal Clear 10-minute Glow mask

The majority of the items are full-sized products. I’ve added a star (*) next to my favourites which I am still using now. I’ll write a little more below about why I love them so much…

Luxie 504 Large Angled Brush *my fave!

I absolutely ADORE this brush! I’m not sure if it’s because of the pretty pink handle or the softness of the synthetic bristles, but I do know it’s a really good brush. One of my favourite angled brushes and currently my go-to for when I need to apply my bronzer or highlighter across cheeks and hollow for contouring. It’s super soft and so easy to use whether you have powder or cream textures.

I can’t seem to find the brush for sale on the LF website, I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s because it’s sold out. There is the Luxie 741 angled contour brush which would be a good alternative.

Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Exfoliating Moisturiser *my fave!

For a long time I really thought I had combination skin with an oily t-zone. Turned out that my skin isn’t actually oily but dehydrated. When the skin is severely dehydrated (lacking in water, tight-feeling skin) it will start producing excess sebum. To re-balance the skin, I introduced serums and facial oils into my skincare routine which has helped a lot.

Dr. Dennis Gross’ Alpha Beta exfoliating moisturiser is a product that really works. I love this moisturiser so much and was actually sad when it finished. The ingredients list checks out and even though this product does contain silicones (dimethicone! there are other cones too) which I am not keen on but they are nearer to the end of the ingredients list which is a little more forgiving. The creamy texture is lightweight but hydrating and once applied, my skin feels super smooth and matte soft. It never clogged up my skin or left that horrible feeling I get when silicones are higher up on the list.

Packed with a cocktail alpha-beta acids and fruit actives, this moisturiser not only hydrates and brightens the skin, it also improves radiance (ginger) and re-balances the sebum production (lavender). When I’m using this moisturiser, I avoid using my usual peeling exfoliator (The Ordinary AHA/BHA peeling solution) on the same day. I’d use my facial oil and day cream in the morning then use the peel in the evening before my night routine.

Remember to use a sunscreen during the day when using skincare products with AHA acids (Alpha Hydroxyl Acids; Glycloic, Lactic, Tartaric and Citric). Also be aware that excessive exfoliation can over-stimulate the skin which can cause uneven skin tone, hyper-pigmentation, sensitivity and redness. So use with caution – you’re using two or more exfoliating products daily or regularly, you could be over-exfoliating.

Eve Lom Cleanser

I’ve heard so much about this Eve Lom cleanser. It’s a trending product and so many beauty magazines rave about it so I was very intrigued to see it in my box. I haven’t tried it out because when I look at the ingredients, the first ingredient is Paraffinum Liquidum… also known as Mineral Oil – same stuff baby oil is made from. Not bad, but it doesn’t scream out luxury to me like how the brand markets itself. They also use lanolin which is a great emollient for dry skin (it’s used in nipple creams) but again, I expect more from Eve Lom. Where’s the high quality oils like rosehip oil, jojoba oil or evening primrose? There’s none.

I’m not impressed… and the 8ml sample size pot is even more laughable.

If you love rich balm cleansers, you’d be better off with the Elemis Pro-Collagen cleansing balm which is only £43.00 for 5g/5ml more (1ml = 1g) and contains skin nourishing oils however you can’t use this product to remove eye makeup. Another great value-for-money alternative is the Trilogy Makeup Be Gone cleansing balm 80ml for £20.50 (more than half the Eve Lom price!) which is on my to-buy list and can be used for both face and eyes. Winner!

Ciaté London Glow-To Highlighter (shade: Celestial)

The packaging of this highlighter is so pretty. The Ciaté Glow-To highlighter is a powder texture, almost baked-like. The Celestial shade is beautiful (an iridescent peach/gold shade) and perfect for my medium olive skin tone. Little Miss likes putting this stuff on herself too and it also looks beautiful on her caramel complexion. The shimmer is very strong so you really only need a light sweep and you’ll be good to go! I liked brushing it over the top of my nose, under the brow bone and lightly dab over cheekbones. The little mirror is really helpful and a useful tool for anyone who likes doing their makeup/touch-ups as they go. Be careful as it does crumble easily, well… mine did anyway.

We Are Paradoxx Hangover Hair Elixir
Free from parabens, PEGs, sulphates, perfume, mineral oil and toxins.

I’ve not used this leave-in hair treatment just yet but will get round to trying it once I’ve washed my hair. I’m glad that Look Fantastic are including more vegan-friendly products in their beauty boxes. The We Are Paradoxx hair elixir contains silica and alcohol which is also why I am a little hesitant to try out the product. It does says that the alcohol content comes from the Irish whiskey and the silica (natural quartz, absorbs moisture) – which is different from silicone (a synthetic plastic). The hair elixir isn’t exactly CG-friendly but if you decide to give it a go, see how your hair reacts then make sure you give your hair a good cleanse the next wash day with a low-poo cleanser or an ACV (apple cider vinegar) or rice water rinse.

The Greenwich Mummy Blog | Look Fantastic Black Friday Box review — Inside this year’s LF Black Friday Box

Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm (shade: Scarlet Sorbet) *my fave!

Infused with shea butter, this Pixi lip balm keeps my lips soft and hydrated throughout the day. I do find that I have to re-apply but no more than my usual lip balm. The Scarlet Sorbet is really pretty like a bitten lip red colour but because it’s a lip balm, it’s more of a subtle tint than full on pigment.

It’s one of my favourite product because it’s something I can use daily and it does the job very well at keeping my lips moist. I also like using it in-between top-ups with my Doucce liquid lipstick (fave shades are rusty red and red velvet). It’s one of the best tinted lip balms that I’ve tried and is a staple item in my beauty bag.

Eyeko Eye Do Mini Liner

So this eyeliner is the only product that made it into both last year and this year’s box. Perhaps people just really love the Eyeko Eye Do eyeliner! I think I had this product from another beauty box before and did enjoy using it. I never got the chance to use it this time round as Little Miss got her hands on my box when I was at work one day and decided to use it like a marker pen… then left the lid off. Yep, it died that same day which is sad times as it seems like a really good eyeliner.

I love pens as they give the user much more control when drawing the line. Liquid brushes create the best thin lines but are so tricky to get right and when you’re short on time, it’s way to fiddly. If you like doing your makeup on the go, I’d recommend using a pen like this one by Eyeko.

Seoulista Beauty Charcoal Mask
Free from parabens, sulphates, mineral oil and artificial colours.

Seoulista is a Korean skincare brand and everybody knows how amazing Korean skincare is so what’s not to love about this natural purifying face mask? Get a thorough deep-cleanse without stripping the skin thanks to the charcoal and volcanic ash extract. Unfortunately my skin is too dehydrated to use this mask so I’ve given it a miss.

Seoulista offer a few other types: super-hydration (hydration) version as well as a gold glow (anti-ageing) and brightening (radiance) so I’ll have to get my hands on one of these instead!

Naobay Radiance Body Lotion *my fave!

I love this body lotion so much. It’s lightweight but totally hydrating on the skin… no wonder why it’s completely sold out on Look Fantastic! Hopefully they will restock this item soon as I’m sure many people will be chomping at the ankles for this.

Naobay is a natural skincare and body care brand hailing from Australia. I do love my Aussie natural skincare brands! Enriched with olive oil, shea butter and avocado oil, Naobay’s radiance body lotion is going to leave your body feeling super soft and nourished. The soothing aloe vera extract helps to calm and protect the skin, this lotion would be gorgeous in the summer.. better stock up now!

Crystal Clear 10 Minute Glow

Another sold out product on Look Fantastic! This peel-off mask is said to work its magic on your skin in just 10 minutes, leaving you with a radiant glow. Again, it’s another deep cleansing product so a pass from me but lots of people seem to love it. You can choose to apply this Crystal Clear 10mins glow mask over the whole face or just on targeted areas ie nose, forehead, chin.

With alcohol denat present, I would assume that this product will leave your skin feeling ‘squeaky clean’ and matte soft. Just be careful if you have skin that’s a little on the dehydrated side as it will make it drier.

…and that’s a wrap!

I hope you enjoyed this beauty unboxed review – I really love reviewing beauty boxes but I get so lazy to write it all up! I guess one of my new year’s resolution can be to make sure I always review my unboxing. I need to find a better way putting up the content because I can never get those beautifully curated shots like other beauty bloggers. When you have two messy-wild kids to manage, the house is always a state and I’d be lucky to find a corner of peace where I can shoot from… however, there is a little co-working space next door to me so I might have to take a look and see what they can offer. 🙂

Happy Holidays!

p i n t h i s p o s t

The Greenwich Mummy Blog: LF Black Friday Beauty Box Review

My Look Fantastic Black Friday Bumper Beauty Box 2016 Review

November 24, 2017August 3, 20201 Comment

Firstly, I am so sorry that it’s taken me a whole year to finally publish this Beauty Box review! I hadn’t realised that it was never published and thought what better day than today to post it up. My apologies guys but at least you’ll be able to compare your box this year with my last year’s contents!

Okay, as you know Black Friday has become a MASSIVE thing in recent years. It’s one day (apart from Cyber Monday and New Years sales) when people go crazy and splash out the cash on everything from food to football shorts. For me, I decided to indulge myself and my debit card in purchasing a lovely beauty box.

The Look Fantastic team created a luxury bumper box for Black Friday which was priced at £20.00. It contained no less than 10 samples and I’m going to go through what I got in my box and give you my thoughts on each product and the overall beauty box.

So here’s what I got in my box…

First Impressions

There’s a LOT of products but a lot of products I’ve actually had before!

Now, my main reason why I desperately wanted to buy this bumper box was because I saw their launch post which showed a list of ‘promised’ brands that would be in the box. These included my faves – Rituals, BareMinerals and Benefit… I really wanted to get at least one of these. Even the image they used to promote the bumper box which you can see on my Black Friday Promo post had an Elemis product in it but apparently the image is for “display purposes only”… I didn’t get any of the brands I wanted but I did get two of the ‘promised’ brands, Nuxe and Caudalie.

Not being funny but what disappointed me about this box was that it was so many products were repeats from previous boxes. At least include more different products that customers wouldn’t have gotten before in your limited edition boxes! As an LF affiliate I really do love their stuff and adore their beauty boxes but this Black Friday box slightly let me down. I felt like I could’ve put that £20 to better use like buying a REN skincare kit from their site which is even cheaper (£15!)

Moving on, let me show you what else I got…

Tan Organic Self Tan Oil

I do like this tanning oil – it’s super easy to apply and goes on quite evenly, no streaks. I do like the citrus scent of this oil, it’s fresh and different from the usual biscuit-like smell. For me personally, I am a big St. Tropez and Bondi Sands fan, their colour pigment just seems to work better on my skin and gives me a lovely golden glow in one application. This tanning oil is better for fair to light/medium skin otherwise you’ll have to top it up every few days to get it to darken.

Cowshed hand cream

The Cowshed moisturising hand cream was a surprise for me as I didn’t think I would get something from this brand in the box so it was a nice surprise. I do like Cowshed and never used any of their stuff before and quite liked their hanf cream. It’s not too heavy in terms of texture and sinks into the skin well.

This Works 3-in-1 moisturise

Okay so this product… when I first tried it I completely hated it. I thought it was heavy and did nothing but sit on my skin but oh how wrong was I?! It’s now one of my skincare staples. I already got one in a previous box which I’m currently using so I am glad to see this repeated product in this box.

Yes the 3-in-1 moisturiser is slightly heavier than what I’m used to but what do you expect? It’s a primer… and a mask… and a moisturiser, of course it’s going to be heavier than a lightweight moisturiser.

I think if you have very oily skin you might want to just use this product as a mask or just as a night cream. For all other skin types including combination it’s great for any one of its purposes. I’ve got combination skin; hydrated/normal and oily t-zone, cheeks and chin. It’s got shea butter, argan oil, borage oil and aloe vera in it which will give your skin just enough moisture without leaving it feeling heavy. Once it’s completely sunken into the skin after application (which takes about a minute) it’s semi-matte to the touch which is probably why it makes a great primer. My makeup did last a little longer with this on underneath. Absolutely amazing stuff and I definitely recommend it!

Mr. Blanc teeth whitening strips

Okay this product I didn’t use at all. I am not a fan of teeth whitening strips as my teeth are quite sensitive so didn’t try them out even though I do need them for all the large amounts of tea I drink!

They’re still sitting there in the box and to be honest I thought it was a random addition to the box. So sorry guys but I can’t comment on this product. Maybe they’re great but you’ll have to look for another review on these.

MiTi hair bobbles

I am in love with these anti-snag hair bobbles. When I first heard about them I refused to get them but after trying them in a previous beauty box I actually fell in love. I have completely swapped all of my hair bands for these now and haven’t gone back since. Okay, maybe for an intense cardio or kettlebell workout I might switch to a normal hairband as I need a seriously tight grip on my thick hair but for 99% of the time these bobbles do the trick. They do end up stretching but I find when you leave them alone for a little while they shrink back. A friend of mine told me you can place them in hot water to shrink them back if they don’t go back naturally. I’ve not tried it yet but will do if it gets to that stage. Luckily my hair bobbles have always regained shape albeit being a little stretched out than before.

They don’t leave a dent in your hair unless you wear them tight or wear them for a long time. I wear them to bed and can’t feel them at all. I don’t wake up with head tension like I used to with standard hair bands either. They’ve actually been a life-changer. They also make a great teething ‘toy’ for babies lol.. well my little girl loves to snatch them from me to chew… then she snapped one with her sharp growing tooth so now I hide them from her.

Kebelo Silk hair cream

One of my local salon raves about this product. I do like this lightweight yet moisturising hair cream and found it really helped my frizz. I’ve just found out I have wavy hair (will post about this soon) and have embarked on my Curly Girl Method journey so won’t be able to use this product anymore (it’s not silicone-free!) and will need to find a good alternative. I definitely would recommend it to people who need help with taming the frizz or flyaways. A little goes a long way so use sparingly and apply to towel-dried or slightly wet air-dried hair. Also, the cream smells absolutely divine!

Nuxe multi-purpose dry oil
I love the Huile Prodiguese range. It smells amazing and this multi-purpose dry oil makes it great for everyone. My favourite time to use the dry oil is in the evening after a relaxing bath. I put it all over my face and body. I don’t use it in my hair but you can do (the beauty of a multi-purpose oil!) Going to sleep smelling of this stuff makes me feel like a million dollars haha!

Sad I know but seriously. this. stuff. smells. good.

Okay so the reason why I am not a massive fan of the golden shimmer version is because I am quite light in complexion so I personally don’t like shimmery products unless I’ve got a bit of a tan and I’m not going to tan myself just to use the shimmering dry oil. I also hate seeing the shimmer on my hands after application which means I’d have to wash my hands and that defeats the purpose f moisturising my hands with the oil. It is a lovely product and I highly recommend it but if you’re not into a shimmer finish, definitely go for the original!

And there you have it!
I hope you guys enjoyed this post. Let me know what you guys got in your 2017 Black Friday bumper box… I’m intrigued! 🙂

NB. This post contains affiliate links

The Greenwich Mummy Blog | LookFantastic Beauty Box Review

Look Fantastic August beauty box review

August 1, 2017December 27, 2019Leave a comment

I can’t believe it’s been nearly a year since I wrote my LookFantastic July beauty box review – it was quite popular review on my blog. I’m not going to deny it, it was a pretty good box. I never got round to posting this beauty box review last year so thought I would do it now… now that it’s August again! 🙂

Look Fantastic August Beauty Box

LookFantastic’s August box has a bold British theme, “Best of British”. I liked this box because it contained products just from UK brands. 100% British, high quality brands! Some brands I had heard of but others were new to me.

My top three products from this August box are:

REN Flash Defence anti-pollution mist toner (60ml, £24.00)
Balance Me congested skin serum (15ml, no longer available individually)
Bee Good honey & vanilla lip balm (10ml, £4.75)

REN anti-pollution mist toner
The REN anti-pollution mist was really nice to use. Whenever I needed to freshen up my face, a little spritz was very welcomed. It felt light and fresh on my skin and because it doesn’t have a scent I could use it again and again without being sick of a smell. It’s the ideal product on a hot, sticky summer’s day. The packaging is sleek and minimal which I really love – let the product do the talking right?!

What I didn’t like about the spray was that for a sample size it’s teeny weeny at 9ml. I used it daily and it was almost finished in two weeks but saying that, the full size version is 60ml so you’d get six times of two weeks worth (12 wks) which is pretty decent but slightly pricey at £24.00 a bottle.

If you do fancy giving it a try, I’d recommend going for the REN Urban Grey skin kit which is cheaper at £13.00 and has the mist (in the 9ml sample size) as well as the flash balm 1-minute facial cleanser (15ml) and the anti-ageing day cream moisturiser (15ml). This sample sized kit would be great if you’re travelling or need something small you can take on holiday.

Balance Me congested skin serum
This facial serum was also extremely lightweight and easy to use. I love the tube of the serum. In terms of packaging, its tip-application tube means that you could squeeze out every last bit of product before throwing the tube away. Definitely cost-effective.

I think this product is no longer available as a stand-alone product. Maybe Balance Me are planning to discontinue it… I dunno but it’s a little disappointing because it is actually a really good product. If you’re familiar with the Balance Me range and want to give this serum a try, it’s available in the Deluxe Clearer Skin kit which you can buy from LookFantastic.com.

Bee Good’s honey & vanilla lip balm
This lip balm smells absolutely divine! I love the smell and the consistency of the lip balm. It goes on very smoothly and feels very lightweight on the lips. The packaging is cute – the yellow colour I guess represents the honey and vanilla and the honeycomb design goes well with the bee logo and the brand name, “Bee Good”.

The honey and vanilla provides a good amount of moisture for the lips however for me personally I felt the lip balm was too lightweight. I’m used to the thicker consistency of Carmex balms but most days I can overlook this because of its delicious scent. 🙂

The other products in the box:

RENU Lip And Eye Active Lift (25ml, £11.00)
This is a lightweight lip and eye cream. The natural ingredients in this eye cream helps to stimulate collagen in the skin which plumps and firms the skin. The arnica extract in this product will also help to combat puffiness. If you have ageing skin or looking for a product to help give you a more youthful appearance, this RENU lift cream is right for you.

Percy & Reed Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Balm (75ml, £18.00)
A great little hair saviour. Percy & Reed is a brand that I am familiar and this wonder balm has some great reviews. It can be used alone or as a hair primer for other styling products. It’s best to apply it to towel-dried hair but can also be used on dry hair sparingly to give volume.

Bloom And Blossom Rejuvenating Facial Spritz (100ml, £15.00)
Two facial spritz in the same box! This one was bigger than the REN one which was my personal favourite out of the two. This Bloom & Blossom spray has a scent which smells quite earthy but don’t let that put you off because it’s a very light scent. The spray can be used over make-up and at anytime of the day. The aloe vera extract soothes the skin and leaves it soft to the touch. This spray is made without any parabens, SLS or synthetic nasties and is not tested on animals. Perfect for those who are looking for a green and ethical product.

And that’s it!

Out of all the six products, I had three faves but that’s not to say the other three weren’t good they just weren’t to my personal taste. If you liked this review, check out my other box reviews using the search bar at the top of the blog page.

NB. This page contains affiliate links

The Greenwich Mummy Blog | Black Friday Beauty Box

LookFantastic Bumper Beauty Box Special Edition

November 25, 2016December 5, 20191 Comment

The LF Bumper Beauty Box Special

If you adore beauty subscription boxes do not miss out on this fantastic super-duper limited offer. LookFantastic.com have just put together a special beauty box in honour of Black Friday and included not five but a minimum of TEN beauty products worth over £100 in this bumper box… for just £20!

Hurry though as it’s limited stock only.

Buy Now

…

If you don’t quite fancy a beauty box, here are some other fantastic offers you can indulge in:

20% off site all Cyber Weekend + free makeup brush when you spend over £65
Use Code: LFCYBER

Valid: 25/11/2016 – 28/11/2016
Shop Now

3 For 2 on Elemis Products
Exclusions apply. No code needed

(ends midnight Tue 29th Nov)
Shop Now

[Exclusions apply. Please see website for more details.]

NB. This post contains affiliate links

The Greenwich Mummy | Look Fantastic Beauty Box Review

My July 2016 LookFantastic Beauty Box Review

July 18, 2016August 4, 202010 Comments

I’ve been a strong fan of these beauty subscription boxes for a little while now. Before LookFantastic, I had only subscribed to Birchbox and a few times with Glossybox which I never got round to reviewing on my blog. Maybe I will one day soon.

Anyway this post is all about my LF beauty box and what I got in the July edition.

I no longer subscribe to any boxes for longer than a couple of months simply because I don’t ever use the products quick enough. I have a habit of saving the goods and either giving them away to friends or family. Saying that, I may just use some to host a blog giveaway instead! 🙂

Let me start by saying that the Look Fantastic box is GIANT compared to Birchbox and Glossybox and so I assumed there would be bigger samples – yay! I was wrong. They were the same travel-sized products but just in a larger box. I found the box a little hard to open too as the box is not as smooth as the other two I mentioned previously.

Here’s a few snaps of the contents in my #LFSUMMERLOVIN box…

I got a lovely travel-sized edition of Elle magazine which was lovely to read as I’ve only been reading my Gurgle magazines recently. The following goodies I got in my #LFBeautyBox are:

MiTi snag-free hair bobbles (pack of 3)
Bella Pierre lip and cheek tint
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse (shimmer multi-purpose dry oil)
This Works ‘In Transit Camera Close Up’ (mask, primer & moisturiser)
Benefit Goof Proof eyebrow pencil
Kebelo Silk anti-frizz hair serum

MiTi hair bobbles
Because I tie my hair back quite a bit, normal hairbands leave a bit of tension against my scalp due to the pulling but these bobbles are a godsend as I can’t feel them in my hair at all.

Bella Pierre lip and cheek stain
The lip and cheek stain is a little too pink for me but that is just my personal preference. I preferred using it as a cheek stain than lip stain as it has a slightly matte look on my lips. My lips get dry really easily so I think that’s why it’s not really right for me.

This Works ‘In Transit Camera Close Up’
This all-in-one mask/primer/moisturiser was nice and easy to apply. It did feel rich when I applied it on to my face but it soon sank in really well and felt almost weightless on my skin. My skin is going through a little dehydration at the moment and this moisturiser helped to keep my skin moisturised without leaving a heavy feel like some other moisturisers I’ve used before.

Nuxe Huile Prodigeuse
I got the original Nuxe dry oil in my April Birchbox which I have really enjoyed using and said I wanted to try the shimmer version. The golden shimmer is subtle and perfect on sunny days or on holidays.

Kebelo Silk anti-frizz hair serum
Humidity can sometimes cause my hair to frizz which I usually tame with a leave-in conditioner. This hair serum worked really well on my hair and didn’t leave it feeling greasy at all. My hair was left more manageable and felt less bulky. Perfect!

Benefit Goof Proof eyebrow pencil
I’ve always known Benefit to be a really good make-up brand and they didn’t let me down with their new eyebrow pencil. The pencil stayed on all day which is perfect for me as I am not good at topping up my makeup throughout the day. It was slightly tricky for me to first it during the first attempt as it’s an angled shape but I got used to it super quick. I actually prefer it over my Sleek brow kit which I never thought I’d say!