Ladies, today I am sharing the final round up post from last month, my December First Impressions. These First Impressions posts are my initial thoughts on all of the products I tried out in the previous month. After adding all of the images to the post, I realise I didn’t try as many products in December as I usually do. I guess with my gran passing away early in December, I was consumed by grief for most of it. And although it has been just over a month, I still find myself in tears quite often when thinking about her, but I am so grateful for the memories I have of her and the time we spent together. Cherish those around you, before it is too late. Let’s move swiftly along before I get too emotional to write about beauty!
First up I have the Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Eye Serum. This is a silky serum contained in a capsule, you twist to break the cap and then apply with your fingertips around the eye area. One of the main reasons I wanted to try this, is that it claims to improve the look of undereye discolorations. I haven’t noticed any difference in my dark circles yet, but my eye area definitely looks and feels plumper and more supple.
I have mentioned Shades of Mink here before, where I stock up on a few of my favourite sheet masks. Well, they have just launched their own product under Mink Botanicals, a Luminizing Pudding called Pot of Glow, and I couldn’t be more excited! This multi-use product is infused with Tamanu and Marula Oil, as well as Sacha Inchi. Aside from the natural good-for-skin ingredients, the reason this is called the Pot of Glow, is because it literally makes you glow! A makeup-skincare hybrid, this pudding can be used in many different ways, my favourite being under my foundation for a dewy look, as well as over as a highlighter. I will have a full review including swatches up soon.
I was kindly sent a lovely press drop from *Thursday Plantation recently, the purest Tea Tree range I have ever tried, it is actually 100% pure and natural. Tea Tree Oil has been used in beauty for quite a while now, to fight breakouts, but there are so many more uses for it. It stops the itch on mosquito bites, it can be used on small cuts and abrasions as an antiseptic and it can even be used to treat fungal infections. Thursday Plantation has a lovely bunch of Tea Tree products, my favourite being the Cream and the 100% Pure Oil. It is such a handy product to keep around the house and while you are travelling. Meghan Markle recently revealed that Tea Tree Oil is her go-to skin remedy, and I completely understand why!
Moving onto some New Skincare on Trial, where I am trying a whole bunch of mostly new skincare launches from The Body Shop. I had actually already bought all of these products, and was then sent the same for review. But luckily I managed to exchange the ones I had bought for some Scented Candles and the Swietenia Eau De Parfum which you can check out here. I will have a full Skincare on Trial post of these in February, after I have tried them for enough time. But for now, here are my First Impressions!
The *British Rose Petal Soft Gel Toner is enriched with real rose petals and is such a luxurious treat to use! It instantly soothes my skin leaving it feeling softer and more supple, and it is great after a long hot day! The *Japanese Matcha Tea Pollution Clearing Mask has become one of my favourite masks, it is so cooling on the skin, with a slight tingle, and once removed my skin looks more refined and less dull. The Vitamin E Moisture-Protect Emulsion is a runny liquid moisturiser with a good sun protection factor which helps to hydrate the skin. I find that it is perfect for summer, since it is so light on the skin, although it may be too rich for someone with normal-oily skin. When paired with the Vitamin E Aqua Boost Essence Lotion which is to be used before moisturising and after cleansing as an extra hydration boost, I find the combination a bit too much for my skin in Summer, but when used alone I like both products. The Essence will be lovely in Winter! The Chinese Ginseng & Rice *Clarifying Milk Toner and *Clarifying Polishing Powder Wash blew my mind! The toner gives a slight tingle when applied, which as you all know by now, I love! It definitely leaves my skin looking less dull and more even. The powder is mixed with water to form a paste and then used to lightly exfoliate the skin both physically and chemically. I like that if it is too scrubby you can add some more water for a less intense physical scrub. I like to use this a few times a week before applying a face mask. If you have been after the dermalogica Microfoliant, but gasp at the price, then this is a good option!
One of my favourite parts of blogging, is discovering new local beauty products and sharing them with all of you! I will have a full review of these products up, but for now here are my thoughts.
The *Aloe Unique Detox Immuno Support & Revitalizer tablets are antioxidant tablets meant to support the immune system and assist the body in coping with stress and other lifestyle issues such as a poor diet by eliminating free radicals. When it comes to supplements, I think you need more than 3 months to see or feel a difference, but this seems like the perfect companion entering the new year. The *Spalicious Wild Ginger & Honey Self Heating Sugar Scrub is a warming clay mask that is applied to the body, and has the most luxurious spa-like feel. I don’t find it to be much of a scrub, but I love the warming sensation! The Matsimela Hand Made Soap and Bath Fizzer are both lovely scented products, and would make great gifts. I absolutely love the hand made soap, and if we weren’t in a drought, I think the Bath Fizzer would be a great treat! The *earthsap Hand & Body Lotion smells so fresh, it isn’t very thick, but it still moisturising, which makes it perfect for summer, it is also natural! I live for cuticle oils, and the *Spalicious Peach & Apricot Cuticle Oil not only smells amazing, but does a great job when my fingers are drenched in it. It is also really easy to apply, thanks to the roll-on. The Mies Hand & Body Oil is such a pampering treat, it smells amazing and leaves my skin soft and silky. The Healing Earth Hand & Body Lotion with its fresh lemon scent and super moisturising but non-greasy formula is living in my handbag, and will be used to the last drop!
I already have a full review with swatches of my Festive Makeup Edit, so you can check it out.
Thanks for reading ladies!
*Press Sample
So many incredible things! I love your photos gal x
Thanks so much Terri!
Ooh so many goodies here. I actually had Mlre first impressions in the month of December because of all the deals going on. I love that body shop range!! Xx
I love all of the deals!
The tea tree oil range sounds fab! I love a good cuticle oil too, even more so when they smell nice xx
It is amazing, been using it on every itch and scrape and it is so soothing!
that tea tree oil sounds wonderful! lovely collection,
It is, been using it on every itch and scrape, and it has worked wonders!
Great post! I really want to try some more of the body shop range! xxx
Thanks Robyn. Yup The Body Shop always has amazing new launches recently!
I’ve tried The Body Shop Vitamin E range but not the Vitamin C range and I’ve been lusting over it for ages 🙂 xx
Yasmina | The July Journal
I love the Vitamin C microdermabrasian!
I haven’t heard of these products, I love finding new ones in posts like these. Sorry for your loss xxx
Thank you Emma. Yip, I also love discovering new products!
So many brilliant products! Your photography is AMAZING!!!!
Thank you Jade. It is all taken with my Samsung S7. 😉
So many lovely new products I now want to try!
I love your roundup posts! x
Thank you so much.
I really want to try the Bodyshop Vitamin C range, it seems SO good x
Yup I’ve heard great things about it!
I really want to try more from the Body Shop, their products seem to be better than when I used them years ago! x
Yup they have really upped the skincare range and have been quite on trend! Definitely worth checking out.
It all looks and sounds amazing!! Your photos are so gorgeous, as always! x
Ah thank you Maisie. 😀
I’m just so obsessed with your images right now – they are incredible! Also the Body Shop Vit E range is one of my faves ever – can’t beat it x
Thank you so much! It means so much coming from you Adrienne! I agree it’s such a lovely range.
I definitely need to try out more of the Body Shop vitamin e range.
http://littlemissmelanie.com
It’s really a lovely range for dry skin!
That body shop mask sounds so nice x
http://www.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk
It is so lovely! Especially in summer!
The pot of glow sounds absolutely amazing xxx
UmmBabyBeauty
It is so wonderful! The glow is amazing, wait till you see the swatch!
Desperate to try this body shop range xx
It is a lovely range! And smells so good!
I love my body shop products, always use the toner and the pour minimiser!
Much love, Caitylis x x
Me too, they have some great skincare!
The pot of glow looks and sounds incredible! I would so love to try it out 🙂
Erin || MakeErinOver
It is absolutely incredible. It’s such a wonderful texture too.
Well like everyone else has said, that pot of glow sounds amazing!
It is so amazing, wait till you see the swatch!
That pot of glow sounds right up my street!
It is so amazing!
That Body shop toner sounds lovely! I must get my hands on one. I’m also huge fan of their vitamin c line xx
http://www.lpagebeauty.com
It is lovely! Oh yes that range is lovely too! The microdermabrasian is one of my favourites!
The Pot of Glow pudding sounds like a must have!
Suggestion: Please review the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask.
The Vanilla one is on my shopping list but first I want to read local reviews.
“When someone you LOVE becomes a memory …..
that someone becomes a TREASURE”
(eelsushan.blogspot.in)
It is such a lovely product and local too! And I love the packaging! I don’t own the Lip Sleeping Mask, but I do have the face sleeping mask. My friend has the Lip one I think so will ask her what she thinks and let you know.
Ah thanks so much Reonette she definitely is a treasure!
Thank you for letting me know 🍀
Pleasure Reonette. Let me know if you try it and how you like it?
She said she loves the mask, although in SA it is way over priced. Her lips are so soft the next morning!
I really love the look of the tea tree oil range. I hope you’re feeling better now & wish your family all the best!
Thanks Shelley. It’s such a lovely range!
I really want to try some more from The Body Shop this year now they’ve been sold again xx
Definitely stock up during the post Christmas sale!
Love how you spelt love with the elizabeth arden ceramide capsules! They’re some of my favs too xx
They are lovely aren’t they? I’m enjoying using them
Ooh I love the sound of Pot Of Glow! It sounds right up my street! xx
Beautylymin
It is honestly amazing! And it gives such an ethereal glow!