Take a look at this recent review blog created by our beauty collaborator, Nicola Londors. Discover more on her Instagram , click here Sustainable beauty is a huge talking point right now and rightly so. So much of what we use goes into landfill once we have finished with our beautiful products and packaging. A lot of you may or may not be surprised by two particular things that a lot of us use or have used that are a massive landfill and waste culprit. Cleansing wipes and cotton pads! ‍Take a moment to think of how many you might user per day, week or month of these two particular things that are going straight to landfill and then think, if every skincare junkie in the world was doing the same ……. It would amount to a shocking number, right? ‍With all of this in mind I am championing reusable cleansing cloth options. I made the change myself at the end of last year. Although I still on the odd occasion use a cotton pad, I am only using the ones I already have in my stash and have not bought any for months! I will not be purchasing anymore either.I have a few options to share with you all. All slightly different and just as effective. ‍Pretty Roots – These washable bamboo pads are super soft and wash up like a dream. You get 18 pads and a laundry bag in a pack and they are super affordable. These are my most used as I find them especially useful when using my toner as they don’t seem to soak up all the product like a cotton pad does. I also love that although they are soft, they provide a gentle exfoliation and a deep cleanse leaving skin super soft and clean.‍‍MicroPeeling Sensation – A facial cloth, flannel sized that is super soft and made from 86% Polyester & 14% Polyamide. This cloth deeply cleanses even waterproof mascara with just water and is washable for a minimum of 100 times. Benefits include blood circulation stimulation, antibacterial and suitable for all skin types.Eye pads and body cloths also available.‍ ‍Magnitone Wipe Out – Used this by this years Love Island contestants and so gorgeous! They feel like fleece blankets and washable 1000’s of times. All you need is warm water and they will deeply cleanse your skin of makeup (even oil based and waterproof) and debris. Other added benefits are their antibacterial properties reducing chance of blemishes and they are double sided and quick dry. These are your perfect cleansing companion both at home and away. I am defo taking these on holiday this year. ‍Smuka Reusable Makeup Remover Pads – This is a set made from Organic Bamboo Cotton which includes. 12 makeup remover pads, 1 face towel, 1 pack of eco-friendly bamboo cotton buds and 1 laundry bag. A full eco set that is perfect for home and travel. Suitable for all skin types and amazing quality.‍ ‍Beki Beauty Reusable Pads – A UK brand whose pads are made from super soft microfiber that can deeply cleanse the skin whilst keeping their soft plump fluffiness. Each pad has up to 200 uses each. They are suitable to be used with just water or in conjunction with your favourite cleanser. Suitable for all skin types. Available in packs or 1, 2 or 3. One of my favourite things about these is that they are big enough to also use on your body, also they feel like fluffy little clouds.‍ Face Halo Pro – These were featured iconically as a prop in Jess Glynns performance on The Britts 2019. Available in black (pro) or white (original). I prefer the black as they do not stain! Reusable up to 200 washes each and replace over 500 cotton pads. Just add water and the material gets to work deep cleansing the pores and removing makeup and debris.  These are a dream to use and keep their softness. Also, big enough to use on body too.‍ I hope I have enlightened you to ditch the throw away pads and switch to reusable. Please let me know how you get on.‍ *all products kindly gifted by the brands.‍Kisses‍Nicola XXX  

This is a great read from our beauty collaborator, beauty Blogger Nicola Londors, take a look at her beauty blog by clicking here, thanks for sharing Nicola!  Toners and why I feel they are so underrated. As a Beauty fanatic I often get asked what my top beauty tip is. Although I have many, my answer is always the same “Always use a toner in your skincare routine after you cleanse your skin”. Let me explain why. After you have cleansed you skin (step one of your skincare regime) your skin will feel clean and fresh and you will believe your skin to be completely clean, well you will be surprised just how much residue is left behind still. A toner (used by applying to cotton pad or reusable bamboo pad) will lift and get rid of any product residue with no need to rinse, oil/ sebum, dirt and makeup that remains on the skin, leaving your skin and pores fully cleansed. in turn this will help prevent breakouts. My pad is never clean, there is always something on it and for me it is so satisfying to see that filth on the pad. After using a toner your skin is clean and will reap the full benefit of the rest of your skincare regime. As well as cleansing, your skin toners have many other fantastic benefits, there are different types of toners too. I will explain a few below for you to help you decide which to look out for. Gycolic Toner Contains an ingredient called Gycolic Acid which may sound scary but acids work so well with the skin when used correctly. The Gycolic Acid will gently exfoliate the skin, eliminating dead skin cells leaving the skin looking smoother, brighter, glowy and youthful. This type of toner in particular is one of my favourites and works amazing with my oily skin type. Though if you have sensitive skin, use with caution as it can be aggressive. Rose TonerRose extract is the key ingredient here which has calming and hydrating qualities, excellent for dry or dehydrated skin. Rose can also help balance the skin which is beneficial to those with oily skin. Perfect addition to your autumn/ winter skincare regime and suitable for all skin types.  Aloe Toner  Aloe has hydrating and calming benefits. Perfect for inflamed, irritated skin. It will cool and calm. I especially like to use toners that contain aloe in the summer when my skin has been exposed to the sun for a lengthy period. Also perfect for sensitive skin types. Vitamin E TonerVitamin E helps the skin against ageing and also fights against free radicals (the sun, air pollution, every day stresses). This in turn will help prevent breakouts and signs of ageing. As well as protecting the skins barrier vitamin E is also moisturising and will give a moisture boost to dry skin. I hope this has given you a slight insight as to why I feel toners are important. There are many types of toners but I have listed the main 4 and you may even find toners to have a mixture of all the main ingredients I have listed above which will make them even more beneficial to your skins needs. I hope you have found this blog to be helpful and if you have any questions, further information or tips to share please either comment below or contact me on Instagram. Thank you for reading. KissesNicola XXX​

Thanks to MONU Skincare for sharing this video with us. Using their natural skincare products they show us how we get radiant skin in three simple steps. Watch the video below to find out how!

Dry skin is the worst and if you suffer with it, you’re sure to agree. Not only does it leave the complexion looking dull and flaky, it also increases sensitivity. Dry skin is slower at natural exfoliation, meaning it doesn't shed skin cells as quickly and is less able to absorb moisture. Without optimum moisture levels, the skin is unable to preserve and sustain the natural substances it relies on to keep it looking healthy and provide a better barrier from environmental factors, like cold weather and pollution. When skin is hydrated it looks fresher, younger and has a natural glow. If you suffer from dry skin, keep reading to find out what could be causing your dry skin and what you can do to turn it around. ALCOHOL Alcohol is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to dry skin. It’s a diuretic, which means it dehydrates the body and leaves the skin feeling dry and dull after a big night out. It also makes signs of premature ageing, like fine lines and wrinkles, more visible. Top Tip: Try drinking a glass of water between alcoholic drinks on your next night out and see how much brighter your skin looks the next morning DIET Diet plays a huge part in skin health and hydration. Foods that are particularly high in salt can make the skin look even drier whilst too much sugar in the bloodstream can affect collagen production, weakening and drying the skin over time. High intakes of coffee and black tea can also be harsh on the skin. Top Tip: Fruit and vegetables are rich in powerful antioxidants that help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals as well as promoting general skin health, so it’s important to get your five a day. Essential fatty acids like Omega 3 are also vital for hydrating and protecting the skin. Found in fish, walnuts and chia seeds, Omega 3 helps the body to produce anti-inflammatory compounds that help combat irritation caused by dryness. COLD WEATHER Cold winds, low temperatures and indoor heating systems deprive the skin of balanced oil levels and impair its protective surface. This is why flakiness, irritations and sensitivity can get worse during the winter months. Top Tip: Maximising the amount of water in the air is paramount when it comes to skin hydration. Try placing a humidifier in the room where you spend most of your time, like the office or your bedroom, to help increase the moisture in the air and help the skins barrier stay hydrated. CLEANSINGIf you’re not cleansing properly, chances are you’re not getting rid of all the makeup, dirt, oil and bacteria that accumulates on your face throughout the day. When this builds up on the skin and isn’t removed, it can leave the skin looking drier and duller as time goes on. What’s more, it also means that any skincare products you apply afterwards won’t work as effectively because they can’t penetrate through the layer of impurities. Top Tip: No matter how late it is or how tired you are, you need to cleanse your skin twice daily to keep it fresh and clean. Opt for a cleanser that is suited to dry skin, as this will help to calm and soothe any irritation whilst restoring your skins delicate moisture balance. OVER EXFOLIATING Exfoliating is an important step in any skincare regime, helping to get rid of dead skin cells and make way for new ones. However, if you suffer from dry skin it could be doing more harm than good. Harsh scrubbing can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leaving your face even drier, not to mention irritated. Top Tip: Use a formula that contains natural exfoliants that gently polish the skin, like diatomatious earth, 1-3 times a week, dependent on the sensitivity of your skin. We recommend using an Exfoliant in conjunction with a delicate Facial Wash. Both products are filled to the bring with skin-replenishing ingredients for maximum nourishment and hydration. CONCLUSION Boosting your skin’s natural ability to stay hydrated is the best solution to keep your skin looking happy and healthy. These are just a few of the simple steps that can be taken to help combat dryness and when done consistently, they can bring about an immediate and dramatic change in your complexion.  ​

If, like us, you’re no stranger to sudden breakouts, you’ll understand how frustrating they can be. Sometimes it feels as though, no matter how much you cleanse, tone and scrub they still appear from nowhere and often at the worst of times. Whilst they’re easy to conceal, wouldn’t it be great to say goodbye to troublesome skin for good?  If this sounds familiar, perhaps it’s time to study your skin a little deeper to understand what your breakouts are trying to tell you. There are certain patterns you could be repeating that can cause you to breakout or exacerbate your acne.  WHERE ARE YOU BREAKING OUT?  Are your spots concentrated to a certain area of your face? Looking carefully at your spots and understanding where your breaking out will help you uncover the route of the problem. This theory is called Face Mapping and suggests the location of your acne could present clues as to what’s causing it.  In this blog we help you explore some of the most common acne triggers and what you can do to control breakouts.  SPOTS ON THE FOREHEAD  If your spots are mainly concentrated to the forehead this could indicate to problems with the digestive system. Generally, this is caused by high fat intake, so to help your body break these foods down its best to cleanse your diet with plenty of fruit and veg and increase your intake of water. If things don’t improve, this could indicate a possible food intolerance.  SPOTS BETWEEN THE EYEBROWS  Spots in this area are linked to the liver, so if your finding a pimple or two after a night out or late-night takeaway, you know why! Stick with healthier choices as often as possible and trade in a night out for a night in every once in a while – trust us when we say your skin will thank you for it!  NOSE  Spots on the nose tend to be linked to the heart. The heart is part of an entire system that pumps throughout the body, meaning that anything that goes wrong with that system can be linked to the nose. This includes everything from high blood pressure to cholesterol levels and even stress. This area is also full of dilated pores so make sure to keep anything that meets it, like makeup brushes, clean. Check your blood pressure and try things like yoga to reduce stress, whilst replacing fatty foods with fruit and vegetables, nuts and omega-rich fish.  SPOTS ON THE CHEEKS - RESPIRATORY  Spots on the cheeks are generally linked to the respiratory system. So, if you smoke, work in the city or come into contact with polluted air you’re going to notice breakouts here. Whist it can be hard to avoid pollution altogether, there are things we can do to reduce its impact on the skin. For example, add plants to your home or office to help purify the air, or invest in a purifier, or take a walk in the countryside to increase exposure to fresh air. It’s also important to maintain a thorough skincare regime to ensure dirt and grime is removed from the skin.  SPOTS ON THE CHIN  Chin spots can signal a change in hormone, so you’ve probably noticed the dreaded chin spots rearing their heads around the same every month. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot that can be done to prevent these spots – just another treat from Mother Nature – however there are steps that can be taken to control them. For example, in the days before your period, paying extra attention to your skincare will make a big difference to your breakouts. Opt for face washes, tones and masks that contain clarifying ingredients like Witch Hazel or Salicylic Acid to control oil production.  ​

For busy mums this is a great video tutorial showcasing a quick and easy morning skincare regime. Created by our beauty collaborator, Nicola Londors. Discover more on her Instagram , click here

We all know a thorough and tailored skincare regime is a good idea but, with so many products to choose from it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together our ultimate guide to the perfect skincare regime, giving you the lowdown on each product, how often you should be using them and what they’re doing for your skin.  Keep reading for our everything you need to know to keep your skin cleansed, refreshed and glowing from morning to night.   1.     CLEANSE Cleansing the skin is the most important step in any skincare regime. It’s essential for removing makeup and also gets rid of sweat, impurities and bacteria that accumulate on the face throughout the day. Without a good cleanse, dirt and dead cells will soon build up on surface of the skin leading to blemishes and dullness. Cleansing should be done twice daily with a cleanser that’s suited to your skin type. To get the most out of your cleanser, massage the product into the face using circular motions and leave for a minute or two to ensure makeup and impurities are properly dissolved. Remove with damp cotton pads or a clean muslin cloth. 2.     TONE Every good cleanse should be followed by a tone. Not only will this ensure every scrap of cleanser is removed from the face, it also completely refreshes the skin.  Following the same pattern as your cleanse, this should also be done twice daily using a toner suited to your skin type. Soak cotton pads in toner and sweep them across the face, letting the toner dry on the skin. Pay particular attention to oily areas, like the t-zone, to ensure skin is thoroughly cleansed and revitalised. 3.     EXFOLIATION The skin naturally sheds dead skin cells which build up on the surface and, if we don’t get rid of them, they clog pores and cause blemishes and dullness. Exfoliation is a vital skincare step that helps to scrub way dead skin cells to smooth, improve and enhance the complexion.  We advise exfoliating 2-3 times a week. More than this and you could be at risk of over-exfoliating, which strips the skin of its natural oils and can cause irritation.    4.     MASK The power of a face mask is often underestimated, however they have so many benefits that give your skin the boost it needs to look amazing you’ll wonder why you don’t use them more regularly!  Masks cater to a range of skin types and often target specific concerns, like dehydration, which makes them the perfect skincare saviour no matter how troublesome your skin might be. They also provide a deeper cleanse by extracting dirt from deep beneath the outer layer skin – plus, they’re also ideal for de-stressing after a long day. We recommend applying a face mask at least once a week. 5.     SERUM If you want to see results, then we recommend investing in a serum to include in your skincare regime. Due to their ability to soak deeper into the skin, serums are great for giving you that extra boost of hydration that you just can’t get from other products.  To ensure your serum can properly penetrate the skin and deliver a highly-concentrated dose of active ingredients and essential oils, it should be used before moisturising. When it comes to application, less is always more; only a rice-grain sized amount is needed for the whole face.  6.     MOISTURISE No matter what your skin type, the final step to any good skincare regime should always be moisturising. Not only is it vital for your skin’s health, but it also helps protect from moisture-loss, ensuring your face remains soft, supple and plump throughout the day.  Skin should be moisturised both in the morning and evening, however we do advise using a lighter moisturiser with an SPF for the day and richer, heavier formula for the night. For maximum results, moisturisers should always be applied to clean, slightly damp skin.  ​