What a month October has been! Such a busy month for me with so much happening with the upcoming wedding, work, seeing family and friends, blogging and also getting back into the fitness (which started last week and if you follow me on Instagram you would have heard a lot of complaining about muscle pain hahahaha). The funny thing is, I know that life will just be even busier as we now entering into November and then the festive season that is Christmas – October is only just the beginning of the craziness that will unfold later. Yes…everyone…Christmas is EIGHT WEEKS away. So with another month of 2016 over and the year looming towards an end, I share with you my five favourite skincare products for October. Enjoy!
*** Please note that anything marked with * has kindly been gifted to me, with no expectation of a review or mention on my blog or social media. I have included these * products because I genuinely have enjoyed using the product and this month some of these products have opened my eyes to something different and new! All opinions expressed in all areas of my blog are honest and are my own and that includes the products mentioned below.
The Beauty Chef Antioxidant Boost*
I was kindly sent this in the middle of last month and have been drinking the recommended 15ml of this almost everyday. Whilst I haven’t quite seen the results on my skin as of yet (I have been naughty and had a week where I did not drink it every day!) I do notice a huge difference in energy levels when I skip this in the morning. When I drink this in the morning, I feel a real boost of energy to begin my day that lasts well into the afternoon. It is a really uplifting feeling. I also notice that my general gut health seems to be much better and without going into ‘too’ much detail or oversharing, everything seems to be much more consistent. I also do not feel bloated after meals on the days that I have been drinking this which is fantastic (because who doesn’t love a flatter looking belly?). I do believe that this does come down to the probiotics used in each of the Beauty Chef formulations and the antioxidant boost is not exception.
In terms of better skin, the Beauty Chef Antioxidant is supposed to brighten dull skin, help boost skin repair and over time help to fight the signs of ageing. In all honesty, I think boosting and encouraging skin repair will not occur overnight, and results such as fighting free radical damage that contributes to ageing is something that you really cannot tell until later in life. As I have only been using this recently, I haven’t noticed a huge improvement in skin but I have noticed differences in other areas of my own body such as digestion and energy levels. I do believe that this Antioxidant Boost from The Beauty Chef most definitely does help to improve general gut health due to their unique fermented probiotic formulas and in turn, this will overtime help to improve overall skin quality as when we are healthy in the inside, it does truly show on the outside. I have enjoyed drinking the Antioxidant Boost so much, that I recently purchased the Glow Inner Beauty Powder as well from the range!
The Beauty Chef Antioxidant Boost 500ml retails for AUD$39.95 from The Beauty Chef and can also be purchased from Selfridges in the UK (GBP£29) and Anthropologie in the US (USD$50)
Lilfox Chlorophyll and Tourmaline Brightening Mask
One thing I have to say that I love about the brand Lilfox is the artwork found on its boxes and website. Founder Alexis Rose has recently collaborated with artist Natalia Jheté to create a visually stunning website which you cannot help but stop to admire. It is colourful and eye catching and captures the carefree and whimsical essence of the brand so well. It is this gorgeous artwork that initially attracted me to Lilfox, a brand based in Miami in the United States. I purchased the Chlorophyll and Tourmaline Brightening Mask on the basis that it contained matcha green tea and I absolutely love anything with matcha – whether it be food related or skincare related. This dry powdered mask also contains nutrient rich French green clay as well as superfoods such as chlorella and spirulina which are said to help detoxify the body and are also packed full of antioxidants. The ingredients of this mask are full of skin nourishing ingredients that al serve a purpose in the formulation, nothing is added ‘just because’:
Montmorillonite (French Sea) Clay, C.vulgaris (Chlorella Algae)*, C.sinensis (Matcha Green Tea), Kaolin (Amazonian White) Clay, A.platensis (Spirulina)*, Green Bentonite Clay, Brazilian Tourmaline Crystals, H.rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit*, B.carterii (Frankincense)**
*Organic **Wildcrafted
I am normally quite lazy with powdered masks and cleansers, but I think I will make more of an effort with using the Lilfox Chlorophyll and Tourmaline Brightening Mask as the results I get from this are fantastic. It does not leave the skin feeling dry like some clay masks, instead the skin looks glowing, purified and radiant. I have only used this face mask a few times now but each and every time I am so impressed with the results. When I wash this off, the first thing I notice is an even skin tone that looks firmer and brighter than before. It really lifts dull, tired skin to reveal a radiant complexion that still remains surprisingly quite hydrated considering that this is a clay based mask. Currently, my favourite way to use this mask is actually mixing it with freshly brewed green tea and sipping a wonderful cup of this tea whilst masking. Its a wonderful way to spend the evening and I do think the green tea further enhances the brightening, dewy effect that this mask gives once washed off.
The Lilfox Chlorophyll and Tourmaline Brightening Mask can be purchased from the Lilfox website for USD$68 for a 100ml jar. The website does ship internationally!
Wyld Skincare Konjac Sponge*
I was contacted by the lovely Joy of Wyld Skincare some time ago to see if I was interested in using her Konjac sponges. I was quite hesitant at first as I have read about Konjac sponges before but was quite skeptical of how it would benefit my skin. However, in the spirit of being open to new things, I said yes and I am so glad that I did. Konjac sponges are made from the vegetable plant fibres of the Konjac (Konnayaku) plant. These sponges are considered to be very natural and also to be environmentally friendly due to the fact that it is made from plant fibres. A Konjac sponge generally has a very unique net like structure that helps to gently exfoliate the skin and is very popular in Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan.
I took this Konjac sponge with me when I travelled to Seoul in September and I have to admit I was quite impressed with how well my Wyld Skincare Konjac Sponge performed. I experimented with using this in place of a muslin cloth to see how well it removed my cleanser and make-up and I was overall quite happy with how my skin was left feeling. The sponge does gently exfoliate my skin in the cleansing phase but it does not feel as harsh as what a muslin cloth can feel at times. I also don’t feel inclined to ‘scrub’ as hard when I used the Konjac sponge, which is something I find that I often do with a cloth. What I find when using the Konjac sponge is that after cleansing, it reveals a smooth, fresh and soft complexion as not only does it remove cleanser residue quite well (although it won’t work as well with a heavy balm cleanser) but it also acts as an excellent gentle exfoliator. This is something that I love about this sponge and why it is part of my October favourites. I love the fact that this sponge is so incredibly gentle and is in no way is it ‘rough’ or ‘harsh’ on my skin. It can be used every day if need be, or if you are like me and have really angry skin from eczema, its serves so well as a gentle exfoliator as it doesn’t create further damage or broken skin. For me, it gently gets rid of those flaky dry patches as well helps to buff away any debris when I can’t use AHAs due to sensitivity. I find that after using this my skin is quite soft, smooth and ready to take on the rest of my skincare routine.
The Wyld Skincare Konjac Sponge can be purchase directly from the Wyld Skincare website for USD$9.70 and Joy was also kind enough to offer a 20% off code using ORCHIDSANDPEONIES (I do not get anything from this, it is just a discount code for you all!).
Cremorlab Triple Bright White Bloom Floral Toner*
Cremorlab is one of those Korean skincare brands that has a huge following in the Western beauty world due to its gorgeous packaging and clever marketing in the US. I recently received this in my South Korean themed luxury beauty box from the gorgeous girls from Maslow & Co and I have been so impressed at how wonderful this makes my skin look and feel. The ingredients to this beautifully scented toner is the following:
Water, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol , Dicaprylyl Carbonate , Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride , Niacinamide, Betaine, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Cetyl Alcohol , 1,2-Hexanediol , Arctium Lappa Root Extract , Phellinus Linteus Extract , Hydrogenated Lecithin , Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Glucoside , Glyceryl Stearate , Portulaca Oleracea Extract , Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract , Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract , Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract , Soluble Collagen , PEG-75 Stearate , Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract , Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Extract , Lilium Candidum Flower Water , Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract , Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice , Xanthan Gum , Onsen-Sui , Ceteth-20, Steareth-20 , Sodium Hyaluronate , Disodium EDTA, Rice Ferment Filtrate (Sake) , Bisabolol, Cetearyl Alcohol , Sodium Polyacrylate , Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate , Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil , Sucrose Distearate, Ceramide 3, Folic Acid , Cholesterol, Raffinose, Tromethamine, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 , Panthenol
This toner is from the Triple Bright range which aims to brighten the complexion of the skin and aid in any pigmentation. As mentioned in this post here, I have been getting a few hormonal breakouts which have lead to some scarring on my skin. After using this at least once a day, almost everyday since I received this a few weeks ago, I have definitely noticed a change in the appearance of the scarring on my skin. The one on my left cheek has almost disappeared within the first week of using this and the more recent one on my right is well on its way to healing. The formula is incredibly hydrating as well and its texture and feel makes me think it might be more like an essence (a Korean skincare product that is a cross between a toner and serum) than a toner, especially due to the fact it does seem to be quite potent. The White Bloom Floral Toner feels extremely lightweight and sinks in beautifully into the skin and other products whether it be an oil or serum layers over the top with ease. Skin is left soft, hydrated and plump after using this and I have been really impressed with how this has performed so far and is probably my pick for the month!
The Cremorlab Triple Bright White Bloom Floral Toner comes in a 150ml bottle can be purchased for AUD$43 from Maslow & Co and Aniqa Australia.
Antipodes New Zealand Aura Manuka Honey Mask
This isn’t a new find for me, I have had this Antipodes Manuka Honey Mask in my skincare stash for sometime now, since before blogging! I have recently rediscovered how much I love this mask since I have been back home in Australia, as I find it is such a beautiful gentle mask that helps to nourish, brighten, tone the skin. As per the name, this mask features Manuka honey in its formulation which is a well known antibacterial, humectant and anti-inflammatory. This mask is marketed for blemish prone skin but I would say that it is suitable for all skin types. I find that this works extremely well as a hydrating or calming mask as it soothes the skin incredibly well. Redness is reduced and this works to replenish the skin with moisture after a clay or detoxifying/purifying mask which sometimes can be a little drying on the skin. For those that are curious, the ingredients listing for this mask is as below:
Aqua, Leptospermum Scoparium mel (manic honey), Persea Gratissima (avocado) Oil Glycerine, Ceteryl alcohol, Stearic acid, Glyceryl stearate, Geogard ultra (vitis vinifera), Daucus Carota Sativa, Metrosideros Excelsa, Tocopherol, Vanilla planifolia (and) Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil courmarin†, d-limonene†, linalool†.
† component of essential oil
As you can see, the ingredients listing for this mask has quite a natural feel to it, with nutrient rich Manuka honey and avocado oil being part of the top three ingredients. I personally love to use this as a quick pamper mask to help brighten, calm or soothe my skin and also as a secondary mask from a clay mask for extra nourishment. It has a wonderfully thick velvety cream texture that is easy to apply over the skin and once applied it feels amazing on. Skin feels calm and soothed on application. Once this is washed off, I find that skin tone is even, redness is reduced and my skin feels extremely soft, smooth and hydrated. I don’t necessarily get a glow from using this mask, but I definitely do notice a more brighter, fresher complexion. Due to the gentle yet effective nature of the Antipodes Manuka Honey Mask, it is an incredibly versatile mask that can be used by itself for a pick me up or as a second mask in a more detailed routine.
The Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask comes in a 74ml tube that can be purchased from Priceline for AUD$48.99, Antipodes US for USD$48.50 or for my UK readers from Feelunique
So those are my five favourite skincare items for the month of October! Have you tried any of the above? What has your experiences been like? I would love to hear all about it in the comments section below!
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