Skincare Review | Glowing Skin with Sand&Sky

 

This brand overview has been on my to do list for the longest time but with up to 40% off on the Sand&Sky website for the Black Friday weekend there is no time like the present! Sand&Sky are an instantly recognisable (just look at that packaging!) Australian cruelty free, vegan brand founded by twin sisters Emily and Sarah Hamilton. Using Aussie botanicals in their products, they are committed to responsible sourcing and recyclable packaging! There are three ‘lines’ if you will – Australian Pink Clay to detoxify, Australian Emu Apple to brighten and Tasmanian Spring Water to hydrate – can you tell they are a proud A-Beauty brand yet?! I have four of their products here from each of the lines that I’ve been using for quite a while now and I honestly couldn’t recommend them more! 

 

The Sand&Sky Enzyme Powder Polish RRP £44.90* is a beautifully gentle exfoliator that was even suitable for me when I was on Roaccutane and couldn’t use anything too harsh! The powder is ultra-fine, full of antioxidants and, on contact with water, it turns into a pink foam! It doesn’t feel gritty but my skin always looks smoother, more even and brighter after use and never looks red or feels tight or dry! It is similar to Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant and Good Molecules Pineappple Exfoliating Powder but this is the gentlest of the three though no less effective! It also contains Vitamin C and Australian super berries to nourish and hydrate. I use this a couple of times a week and you only need about a coin size amount so this tub has lasted me forever and I am only about half way through! I spoke about it more in this Five Things I’m Loving post here!

 

Next up, we have the Australian Emu Apple Dreamy Glow Drops RRP £50.90* which is definitely one of their most famous products! It’s a really unique bi-phase serum that you shake to activate and the result is hydrated, brighter skin! The formula feels very lightweight though it is oily and I’m not sure how I wouldn’t have got on with this if my skin was still oily/combo but it’s more on the normal/dry side now and drinks this up! It contains 5 types of Hyaluronic acid, Australia Emu Apple - an antioxidant to combat ageing, boost brightness and add glow, Kakadu Plum, a source of Vitamin C to target pigmentation and hemi-squalane to lock in moisture. It really is a dreamy formula and my skin looks more even and bright and glowy with use! Despite the lightly oily formula this works well with my other skin products and makeup and never makes it separate or pill! 

 

Another insta fave is the Sand&Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Mask RRP £36.90* (for 60g – mine is 30g) and for good reason! It’s a detoxifying face mask, using Australian Pink Clay to draw impurities, toxins, and pollutants out of the skin. This works to tighten pores, tackle pigmentation and even skin tone and as well as pink clay it contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C again in the form of Kakadu Plum and Pomegranate to act as an antioxidant. You only need to leave it on for 10 minutes to get the benefits and the tingle is real with this! My skin feels smoother and tighter (but not dry), pores look smaller and my skin looks brighter overall. Love the dinky little brush that comes with it too! Read more in this Five More Facemasks post!

 

Finally, the newest product to my stash – the Tasmanian Spring Water Hydration Boost Cream RRP £44.90*. This is a hydrating gel-cream containing, you guessed it, Tasmanian Spring Water to strengthen as well as hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture, fermented sea kelp to smooth and target fine lines and red seaweed extract to prevent dehydration. The texture makes it feel both lightweight and rich at the same time and it immediately feels cooling and soothing. It has become my go to night cream and I wake up to plump, hydrated skin and I love the subtle marshmallow-y scent! I find the formula a little too much sometimes during the day, depending on what other serums/SPF or makeup I use on occasion it pills slightly along my hairline and with other products which is a pet peeve of mine but I don’t have this issue at night so that’s my preferred time to use it! 

 

I also have to take a moment to mention the packaging again – I am obsessed with how bright and weighty it is! It’s so eye-catching and luxurious feeling and the brand is almost 100% recyclable (the aluminium droppers in the serums are the only part that isn’t!). 

 

Like I said at the start of the post, there are hefty discounts across the website ending today (28th November - sorry if you are reading later than that!)! As well having their own website, Sand&Sky are also available from ASOS and BeautyBay! Have you tried anything yet? Let me know your thoughts! 

 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me. Affiliate links included All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here.

 

Danielle xx

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Wellness | De-Stressing with Sanctuary Spa

I’ve been meaning to post about the Sanctuary Spa Wellness range for the longest time now and I am finally getting round to it and it’s actually perfect timing as we move into winter! Sanctuary Spa is not a brand I have tried much from despite them being readily available and affordable but I’ve been using these for a while now so read on to hear my thoughts!

 

The range consists of four products designed specifically to help you relax, de-stress and aid sleep and first up we have the De-Stress Bath Salts with Magnesium RRP £8*. While I shower more often than I take a bath, there have been a few occasions over the last couple of months were I have been feeling more stressed than usual and these salts have been a welcome addition to my nightly routine! I’ve drawn a bath, added a few handfuls and the whole ritual has helped relax me before bed and ensure a full nights sleep! I have struggled in the past with salts that don’t dissolve properly leaving me feeling uncomfortable in the bath but these are amazing, they are so finely ground, dissolve straight away and the scent is so relaxing! The magnesium also helps to sooth tired muscles so these have become a firm favourite when I want to wind down and have some me time before bed!  

 

 

I haven’t noticed much difference with CBD oil before (I used to have one safe for ingesting) but the Calming CBD Oil RRP £12.50* is a nice little multi tasker – it’s a body, bath and shower oil scented with jasmine, patchouli and frankincense. I hate the scent of jasmine on its own but this blend matches the rest of the range and is very subtle and relaxing. I like to add a few drops into my bath or rub over my body before stepping into the shower but this can also be used on pulse points. It releases the scent, softens my body and helps me wind down!

 

I have previously spoken about the De-Stress Warming Body Balm RRP £10* back in this post and like I said then, forget warming, this stuff is HOT! At least to begin with! While I enjoy this I can imagine it would be a bit much for some people and whatever you do, wash your hands thoroughly before touching your face! Like with the rest of the range, I like to use this just before bed and let it do its work soothing any tight or tense muscles across my shoulders and calves. It warms up slowly so I would recommend starting with less product as it feels a little hot for a while before calming down to a lovely relaxing sensation and it feels so comforting! As well as the jasmine, patchouli and frankincense scent this is also infused with ginger and rosemary oil.

 

Finally, the Sleep Mist RRP £12* which I like to spritz over my pillows and duvet as I am getting into bed and from using the rest of the range, I’ve come to associate this scent with relaxing and bedtime so it’s become so soothing to me! You can also use this over your face as it includes hyaluronic acid as well as queen of the night extract and blue light protection. While I don’t have huge problems sleeping, I am pretty stressy and I do think these products help me relax and sleep deeper! This and the oil are also perfect for travelling with if you want something comforting if staying away from home! Sanctuary Spa have also conducted a study where the results show these products are clinically proven to help aid sleep and relaxation and 93% agreed the scent helped relax body and mind so don’t just take my word for it!

 

Sanctuary Spa is available from their website, Boots, Superdrug, Look Fantastic, Feel Unique and Next among others! They have a few bundles out at the minute for Christmas and are also often discounted or on 3 for 2 promotions!

 

Have you tried anything from Sanctuary Spa before? What is your nightly ritual?

 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me.

All opinions are my own. Affiliate links used.

See my full disclosure here.

 

Danielle xx

 

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DECIEM | NIOD Review and Slowvember Sale Picks

I’m sure you all know by now what a huge DECIEM fan I am with particular emphasis on NIOD and The Ordinary! This year it’s Slowvember and you are encouraged to shop slowly, only buying what you need while taking advantage of a 23% saving through the entire month. Furthermore, on November 26, they will 'Take Back Black Friday', the DECIEM website will be on pause and products will not be available to purchase at any of their stores. So, to coincide with their annual sale, here is a review of some recent additions to my routine and some old favourites! An absolute dream PR parcel for me! You can also read my 2019 post here!

 

Starting with Sanskrit Saponins (SS) RRP £34*, this is a cleanser but not a makeup remover, and it’s perfect as a second or morning cleanse and one I’ve been through multiple tubes of over the years! Don’t be put off by the scent – it’s made with ayurvedic plant saponins and day old coffee beans is the best way I can describe it! It’s a thick paste and works to clean oil and dirt from my face making pores look minimised – despite it removing oil, my skin never feels stripped! This has worked particularly well for me in the past when my skin was more on the oily/blemished side of things as it really removed build-up and helped clarify my skin and even now with my skin type being more normal I am still enjoying it! Talked about it more in this post here too!

 

Next up, the Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist (SSDM2) RRP £34*, and this one is a bit of a cult favourite and I can now see why! Fun fact, I did have this for a while back in 2017 before I did my visa in Canada but as you can see from the packaging, it is rather on the bulky side so I left it behind and now I know what I have been missing out on! This is a protective mist, acting against oxidative stress, water loss and inflammation of the skin. I love the fact it’s antioxidant and my skin feels so calm and hydrated with every use! I already mentioned the bulky packaging but that means I don’t feel so guilty for wasting this and I have been spraying over my chest area too as I am starting to target early signs of aging there too. 

 

Moving onto serums now and starting with a couple of my most repurchased skincare items! The Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex (MMHC2) RRP £38 is my one true Hyaluronic Acid love – this to me is the gold standard and one I can see and feel immediate results with. It contains 15 forms of hyaluronic compounds designed to plump and hydrate the different layers of the skin and has a watery consistency - a little goes a long way and it spreads easily over my face. My skin drinks this up and nothing works as quickly or as long as this on my smile lines – usually throughout the day I can see the fine lines setting in as my face dries out but not with this, not even sitting in central heating working from home all day with makeup on, it is magical! It also works to encourage production of collagen and my skin just looks and feels so plump and well supported with this! 

 

If talking to someone new to NIOD, I always recommend MMHC2 and the Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3 1:1 (CAIS3) RRP £60* as starting points. These are two serums I have been using for years now (since around 2016 – see this best beauty discoveries post!) and always go back to. CAIS is now in its third generation now and working just as well as ever for me. It is no longer required to premix the serum yourself - good that there is less packaging but I had gotten kind of use to playing scientist ;)! CAIS3 is a watery, blue liquid with a slight scent of vinegar (don’t worry it dissipates very quickly!) that maintains healthy looking skin by targeting signs of skin ageing including textural damage, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores and a lack of radiance. This has been a constant repurchase for me over the last few years and will continue to be – it is easily my favourite serum! My skin really does look and feel much healthier when I use this consistently. It’s more even, clear and firm, it really does what it says on the tin! A must have!   

RE: Pigment (RP) RRP £50* is a newer NIOD product to me. It’s a multi-pathway brightening serum and feels very lightweight and doesn’t pill or interfere with my other serums. It is formulated to target uneven skin tone and treat pigmentation and contains gallic acid and white shiitake ferment to aid this. I haven’t seen any major improvement in some targeted pigmentation I have from old acne but overall my skin is looking bright and even so I will update once I have used the whole bottle – it’s been about five weeks so far! I should also mention this targeted pigmentation is only immediately noticeable to me as I am my own biggest critic and I tend to be harsh on products designed for treating pigmentation as it’s one of my biggest skin concerns! 

 

Moving on to another couple of tried and tested serums, Modulating Glucosides (MG) RRP £21* targets sensitive, irritated skin encouraging a calmer complexion. It supports the skin barrier, encourages hydration and repair and contains oat synthetic analogues, ceramides and purified ginger root to help reduce redness, itching and burning. Despite its viscous appearance, it feels lightweight and sinks in easily - I find the scent a bit like paint though it doesn’t linger. I used this a lot while I was on Roaccutane earlier this year and it only occurred to me after I finished my first bottle that it was one of the reasons my skin had been so calm while on the drug. Such a comforting, soothing serum, can’t recommended it enough if you struggle with sensitivity! 

 

I used Survival 0 (S0) RRP £20* alongside MG at night and it’s another one that impressed me so much! It’s an antioxidant, reparative serum targeting damage caused by environmental stressors like pollution, smog and blue light. It also comes in 10, 20 and 30 which offer some SPF protection. It’s a lightweight, orange serum that absorbs easily and has a faint herbal scent. Overtime, this reduces photo damage and I have noticed my skin tone is healthier overall. It also feels hydrating (includes glycerin and squalane) and layers well with other skincare! Like I mentioned earlier when talking about SDSM2, antioxidants are something I am loving incorporating into my routine and this one is special *heart eyes emoji*. MG and S0 have their own dedicated blog post here and also feature in this how I repair my skin barrier post!

 

Another couple of newer products to finish up this review! The Fractionated Eye-Contour Concentrate (FECC) RRP £43* is a step up for me in terms of eye creams/serums as this one targets visible aging whereas previously I was mostly targeting dark circles/puffiness. FECC does that too using 28 technologies to target concerns. Despite being a serum this is hydrating enough for me during the day and overnight. It plays well with the rest of my skincare as well as my makeup and the biggest difference I have noticed with aside from reduced puffiness and less visible fine lines is the difference on my upper lids! I have hooded lids so it is a bit of a revelation to feel like I can actually see a (small) bit of lid space and have them look firmer! Looking forward to seeing continued results with this one! 

 

Finally, Flavanone Mud (FM) RRP £38*, a burnt orange, decongesting three phase “system”, this is billed as much more than a mask. It purifies the skin, offers a barrier against external pollution and it responds and works to improve the skins defence mechanisms. It’s advised to only use once a week for ten minutes and this tingles while it’s on and for a while after its washed off (though my skin doesn’t go red)! I have really been enjoying the decongesting properties of this especially along my jaw line and my skin always feels soft after use while looking brighter too!

Congratulations if you made it to the end of this bumper post! DECIEM are known for their scientific explanations and I am the first to admit a lot of the terminology goes over my head but there is more information available on their website as well as information on what order to use the serums in and regimen builders if you are just starting out with a skincare routine! I honestly can’t recommend NIOD enough, I am a huge fan of The Ordinary too but NIOD is probably my favourite skincare brand ever – it’s well worth the money and especially now with 23% off but as DECIEM say, don’t rush and only buy what you need!

 

Find more recommendations here in my Sale Picks post from 2019! You can also see some more The Ordinary picks here and here! Let me know if you picked up anything from the sale!

 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me.

All opinions are my own. Affiliate links used.

See my full disclosure here.

 

Danielle xx

 

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