SOCIAL MEDIA

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Plant Based Skincare ♡ Boots Botanics

Hi My Loves!

I recently had the opportunity to try out some new skincare and makeup products from my very favorite English store, Boots. Boots Botanics is a UK natural skincare and makeup line with ALL NATURAL ingredients that is now available for all of us lucky ladies (and men) that live in the US at your local Target or Target.com. I have been trying out these products to let you know my thoughts on this line. 

Now you all know that I have very sensitive, acne prone skin, so I am always hesitant to try out new products for my skincare. But seeing as this is a natural skincare line and it's from my favorite cosmetics store since I was 13… I thought I would give it a shot. The products are all plant based and they have the specific plant that's in them on the front, so that you have an idea as to which plant you will be using. They are also color coordinated by skin concern, so it makes it rather easy and convenient when shopping. 

I have a video on my channel showing my very favorite products from what I received and here on my blog I'm going to show you everything that I got and a little more information about the benefits and then of course my thoughts. I have tried almost everything that's shown below minus a couple of the body products. 

WATCH MY VIDEO HERE:





Here is a little bit more about Boots Botanics and what they promise:

Kew Certified
Ensures that every formula developed contains high quality active plants.
Organic Policy
All organic martials used in the products are produced in a way that minimizes environmental impact and maximizes the essential nature of the source.
Sustainability
We work to improve the sustainability impact of products across their whole life cycle, starting responsibility with sourcing.
No Animal Testing
Products have not been tested on animals, only people who are willing volunteers.
No Animal Derived Ingredients
None of the ingredients come from animals, except beeswax. Suitable for vegetarians.
No Mineral Oil or Paraffin Waxes
Mineral oils and paraffin can be heavy on the skin and may clog pores. Products have instead nutrient rich plant oils and waxes.
No Parabens
Products have a safe preservative blend and no parabens to preserve the product. 

Their scientists work with plant experts at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 
Botanics skincare products are tailored for different needs, meaning each range gives naturally beautiful results.
All the products have been tested and proven to work with consumers. 

The following products have been SCIENTIFICALLY proven to work:
All Bright Radiance Concentrate Serum: Scientifically proven to brighten skin in 2 weeks.
  •  Age Defense Super Serum: Scientifically proven to boost luminosity in 2 weeks.

  •  Organic Facial Oil: Scientifically proven to lock in moisture for 8 hours.
    Ultra Calm Skin Calming Serum: Scientifically proven to reduce skin sensitivity in 2

    weeks and immediately calms skin. 

    They have a huge variety of products that are specifically designed for a wide range of skin concerns. 

     Let's get onto the specific products that I have and my thoughts. I do want to say that each and every single product that I have smells AMAZING. Subtle though, it's not overwhelming or too much. Just natural but delightful.

ALL BRIGHT:
Brightening Hibiscus has natural AHA's that act as a mild exfoliator to leave skin smooth and glowing.

The clear-oil phase of this Botanics Soothe Eye Make Up Remover effectively sweeps away impurities and makeup. The aqueous phase helps to soothe the eye area and condition your lashes.

This is a waterproof eye makeup remover with brightening hibiscus. It's gentle on the eyes and doesn't leave a super greasy residue. Just a nice moisturized feeling afterwards. It does remove my eye makeup with 2 cotton pads worth for each eye. 


Wipe away makeup, waterproof makeup, oil and other impurities quick and easy with these refreshing face wipes. Hibiscus extracts mildly exfoliate skin to leave it feeling smooth, bright and soft. Great for sensitive skin too. These facial wipes are the perfect end to a busy day and great for travel too.

These wipes are very gentle. They have a thinner but soft texture and remove my foundation, lipstick and even eye makeup very well. They don't burn or leave a gross residue on the skin. Your skin feels clean and soft. Plus they smell yummy!



This cleansing solution feels as gentle as water on the skin, to dissolve make-up, unclog pores and remove impurities. Skin feels toned and smooth in one easy step. No rising required for use on the face, eyes and lips.
 Suitable for all skin types.
Alcohol and soap free.
Fragrance free.
 Hibiscus is nature's brightness booster and a wonderful hue of pink. Natural AHA's from the flower act as mild exfoliators to help leave skin smoother and brighter.

I LOVE this stuff! It's what I use as my night time toner. It's super gentle. Feels like water. Leaves no residue on this skin and removes every last trace of makeup that the wipes might have not gotten. It smells good, feels awesome and refreshes and smoothes your skin. It doesn't leave skin tight at all and removes any extra eye makeup you have after a shower.


This Botanics All Bright Cleansing Foam Wash gently lifts away makeup and impurities, leaving you with beautifully cleansed skin.

This is a very nice creamy foam wash. It doesn't dry out the skin or leave it feeling too clean. 


This super lightweight active serum easily absorbs and works to energize the skin. It gives the skin a visible radiant glow and over time leaves skin looking brighter and revitalized.
 Hibiscus is nature's brightness booster and a wonderful hue of pink. Natural AHA's from the flower act as mild exfoliators to help leave skin smoother and brighter.
 Formulated without paragons.

This serum is for brightening the complexion. I use it at night time before moisturizer. It's a very thin serum that absorbs very quickly into the skin and doesn't feel greasy or thick. It's a silky formula and I feel like when I wake up in the morning my skin looks glowy and more even toned. I don't use this in the morning, simply because I have my acne treatment and try to keep my morning serums to a minimum. 



This revitalizing balm works to provide skin with an instant pick-me-up effect, promoting a brighter, fresher and more radiant complexion that lasts all day long. Minimizes visible signs of fatigue and stress leaving skin full of vitality.
 Hibiscus is nature's brightness booster and a wonderful hue of pink. Natural AHA's from the flower act as mild exfoliators to help leave skin smoother and brighter.
 Formulated without paragons.

 I love this as a highlighter over my foundation, blush etc. Underneath it's a bit too much for my oily skin, but over the top applied as a cream or liquid highlight, it's absolutely gorgeous. It smells amazing, and leave skin looking awake, alive and with a beautiful glow from within. Watch out JLo.




SHINE AWAY:
Clarifying Willowbark has salicylic acid that reduces the size of pores and improves blemishes.


This mattifying cleansing mousse from Boots Botanics dissolves excess oil as it thoroughly cleans. Part of the Shine Away collection, it instantly mattifies, refreshes and rebalances skin. This cleansing mousse is designed for use with oily or combination skin.


 I like to use this in the morning to freshen up my face after sleeping, remove all of the night creams etc from the night before and prep my skin for makeup. It's gentle but helps remove any excess oil and I feel like it really helps control my oil throughout the day. The foam is nice and silky, not stripping whatsoever


This invigorating scrub buffs away excess oils to instantly mattify, refresh and rebalance. Unclogs pores and leaves skin feeling smooth and even.
 Willowbark is nature's champion clarifier. Excess sebum, pollution and old skin cells can clog up pores, resulting in shine and blemishes. The bark of the willow tree is a natural source of salicylic acid which helps to refine skin texture and actively target imperfections.

I like this scrub. It's got a medium grit factor. LOL. Basically, it's not super ridiculous tiny grits that are everywhere and it doesn't have one bead every now and then. It's right in the middle. I think if I didn't have an obsession with mu current scrub that I've used forever, I would really like this but I'm hooked on my current one because it has the super fine grit that I love.



Take an essential step to reduce the appearance of pores and prepare your skin for moisturizer and makeup with Boots Botanics Complexion Refining Toner. The mineral oil and paraben-free formulation absorbs excess oil and removes any remaining cleanser, leaving you with softer skin that feels healthy and replenished. It’s also a major pore minimizer, so you get a gorgeous, radiant complexion too.

 I use this toner in the mornings, after the foam and before my toner spritz and acne treatment. It's very gentle and doesn't strip your skin or leave you tight. It just removed any excess oil and preps you for your makeup. I've used toners designed for oily, acne prone skin in the past and felt tight and super stripped so I love that this is so gentle and doesn't leave your skin feeling like that. 



Treat your skin to a deep cleaning with Boots Botanics Shine Away Ionic Clay Mask. It contains the clarifying ingredient willowbark, to help draw out and absorb oil and impurities without over drying the skin. This facial mask is designed for use on normal skin; the unscented, hypo-allergenic formula prevents irritation. The hydrating benefits of this mask leave skin feeling clearer, softer, smoother and less oily.

This mask is the business!! I love it. It's the best mask that I've tried so far. It leaves skin with a gorgeous, bright glow and your skin is more even and nice and clean afterwards. I leave mine on for 15 minutes after cleansing my face. It's very think and a little goes a long way. It covers very nicely without any weird patchiness. It's amazing. You have to get this! You will love it.


Provide balanced hydration with Boots Botanics mattifying day cream. Part of the Shine Away collection, its non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and visibly tightens pores. Suitable for oily and combination skin types, this day cream contains SPF 15 broad-spectrum sunscreen.

 I don't care for this cream unfortunately. I was really excited about it because I'm always looking for the next best mattifying day cream, but this one leaves my skin feeling bitty afterwards. So when I put my makeup on over it, I get a bunch of little bits on my face. Either it's not mixing with my acne treatment well, or it's just the cream itself. But I was disappointed with this product ;( I'll def have to try it by itself with no there product underneath. It might just be something that I could use for the days that I am going outside and not wearing makeup.



This ultra-light gel cream delivers balanced hydration and visibly tightens pores. This ultra-light gel cream refines and tightens pores and reduces the appearance of imperfections. The clarifying formula delivers balanced hydration to troublesome skin, to reveal skin that is mattified and healthier looking. 
Non pore blocking. 
Oily skin is characterized by an over-abundant secretion of oil from the sebaceous gland. Excess oil secretion can cause shiny patches on the skin surface. It can also combine with dry, dull skin cells to clog pores causing blemishes. Some products or ingredients can cause irritation to the skin by being too harsh or trying to dry out the oiliness 
The bark of the willow tree is a natural source of salicylic acid which helps to refine skin texture and actively target imperfections. 
Our beauty scientists use active plant extracts approved by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, to bring you beautiful skincare that's proven to work. 
We've taken steps to reduce our impact on the planet at every stage in this product's journey. 
• Formulated without parabens 
• People tested

This does the exact same thing as the day cream above. Super bummer :(


TRIPLE AGE RENEWAL: 
Smoothing Purple Orchid has natural sugars and polyphenols that help smooth and plump lines and wrinkles.


Reduce the look of deep lines, wrinkles and puffiness with Boots Botanics Triple Age Renewal eye serum. Formulated with smoothing Purple Orchid extract, it contains Boots' highest level of anti-aging ingredients. Hyaluronic acid intensely hydrates, while a blend of vitamins and soya protein helps improve elasticity, resulting in firmer, younger-looking skin.

I love this eye serum. It doesn't burn my eyes at all, super gentle and absorbs into the skin so quickly without leaving a greasy residue at all. I feel like this really has started to help the appearance of my eye wrinkles which have been driving me crazy. YES! You need this stuff if you are notching some aging under the eye. It's great for morning and night and does not affect your makeup in any way. 


Reduce the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles with Boots Botanics Triple Age Renewal facial serum. Formulated with smoothing Purple Orchid extract, it contains Boots' highest level of anti-aging ingredients. Hyaluronic acid intensely hydrates, while a blend of vitamins and soya protein helps improve elasticity, resulting in firmer, younger-looking skin.

This serum is awesome as well. It's lightweight but has a nice texture. It's silky but absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling soft and supple. I use this at night before my night cream to help out those darn wrinkles on my forehead, smile lines and on my neck. I apply it all over my face and neck and I wake up with beautiful, moisturized and soft skin.


Reduce the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles with Boots Botanics Triple Age Renewal day cream. Formulated with smoothing Purple Orchid extract, it contains Boots' highest level of anti-aging ingredients. Hyaluronic acid intensely hydrates, while a blend of vitamins and soya protein helps improve elasticity, resulting in firmer, younger-looking skin. SPF 15 broad-spectrum sunscreen helps protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays.

This cream is too heavy for my face in the day because I'm very oily, so I use it on my neck to help with aging. It's very creamy and leaves skin feeling super moisturized and silky but isn't super greasy or heavy. But it is too heavy for my face in the day.


Reduce the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles with Boots Botanics Triple Age Renewal night cream. Formulated with smoothing Purple Orchid extract, it contains Boots' highest level of anti-aging ingredients. Hyaluronic acid intensely hydrates, while a blend of vitamins and soya protein helps improve elasticity, resulting in firmer, younger-looking skin.

This night cream is super fabulous. It's creamy and leaves skin very soft and hydrated. I've been using this all over my face and neck at night and when I wake up my skin looks really fresh, even, glowy and  plumper.


No matter what your complexion (yes, even oily skin), applying facial oil can help deliver the hydration essential for soft skin and minimizing the signs of aging. Boots Botanics Organic Facial Oil is scientifically proven to lock in moisture for up to eight hours. Part of the Boots Botanics Organic collection, this moisturizing skincare product contains the plant extract rosehip, known for its rich Omega oils. Use it after cleansing to leave your skin soft, smooth and healthy looking.

I haven't used this as it's for dry skin. So I can't tell you anything about it. But now that I'm reading the description it says it's for oily skin too, so I'll have to give it a try at night ;)


This skin toner from Boots Botanics uses rosewater and other organic skincare ingredients to visibly tighten pores and remove those last traces of makeup. Ideal to apply day or night, it naturally cleanses without drying the skin, leaving it smooth, supple and toned. Simply spritz on this toning treatment after washing your face to prepare your skin for your daytime moisturizer or night cream.

This is a very nice spray. It's like a toner but in a spray version. It's supposed to tighten pores and freshen up the skin. I can't say I've noticed anything major but it does smell really good and feel really nice on the skin. I use it morning and night.


BODY:


Hydrate your hands and body with Boots Botanics nourishing body oil. Formulated with a replenishing blend of saltflower, jojoba and almond oil, it leaves even the driest skin feeling healthy and moisturized. Iceland moss instantly soothes chapped, irritated skin.

This is a lovely body oil. It smells so amazing and feels so good on the skin. It also leaves a beautiful sheen to the skin and leaves skin feeling super hydrated. It's not something I would recommend wearing on legs under jeans or sweaters because it's an oil and feels weird but it's perfect for summery clothes. 


Relieve dry skin with this soothing hand cream from Boots Botanics. Part of the Hand & Body collection, it is formulated with Iceland moss to instantly soothe dry, chapped skin. Its rich, non-greasy formula includes shea butter, almond oil and provitamin B5, leaving your hands noticeably softer and smoother.


If you have dry hands, you will love this hand cream. It's intensely hydrating, creamy and absorbs quickly so you don't get stuck with greasy, thick feeling hands. It's stays moisturized for a good amount of time as well. 


Relax your body and mind with Rebalance Relieving bath soak from Boots Botanics. Its soothing formula gently cleanses while rich, fragrant bubbles make you feel pampered. Formulated with quillaja and vetiver, this bath soak leaves tired skin soft, silky and subtly scented.


 I haven't had the chance to try this yet. I would love to but I don't really get much me time. Maybe one day haha!! It does smell like you are in a spa about to get a massage. Heavenly!


Reveal softer, healthier-looking skin with Boots Botanics Rebalance Revealing body polish. Formulated with reviving vetiver, this gentle, creamy exfoliator effectively smooths away dull, dry, flaky skin. Walnut shell reinvigorates and restores your skin's natural radiance.

I haven't tried this yet either. But I'm due for a self tan again and so I'm going to try this out to exfoliate all of the old tan off first. I'll keep you updated. 



MAKEUP:

This is the perfect peach blush. It's got a cry slight shimmer to it, but seems mostly matte. It's subtle and beautiful and give that perfect peachy tint to your cheek. It's also easy blend. Plus the packaging is adorable ;) But it does get fingerprints on it. Darn oily fingers haha!



This lipstick has a nice glossy finish, feels very moisturizing on the lips and isn't sticky at all. The packaging is simple and chic but again, does get fingerprints. 


This is a very shimmery, light reflecting lip gloss. It's lightweight with a doe foot applicator. It's not sticky at all and feels very nice on the lips. It doesn't dry the lips out either. It's not a super intensely pigmented or opaque formula but it does five a beautiful, glossy, light catching effect to the lips. It says it's volumising but don't mistake this for a tingly plumping lipgloss. It's not. It doesn't tingle or burn. It's just a nice, comfortable lip gloss. 


Okie dokie, that's my thoughts. I hope this has helped! If you do decide to purchase anything, head on over to your local Target or shop online HERE: CLICK ME TO SHOP :)

Don't forget to watch my review and favorites out of all of these products!


Thank you so much for reading and also a huge thanks to Boots Botanics for their generosity and for allowing me this opportunity to review these products. It's so exciting for me and I wish so badly I could call my Mom and tell her :) She would be so excited and I know she would come straight over and start trying everything with me. It was our favorite store to go and shop at when she was feeling good. 

Hope you have a great weekend!

Love

Sam
xx

Sponsored by Boots Botanics

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Natural & Glowy Makeup for Spring!

This post is sponsored by Target.



Hi My Loves!!

Today I'm going to show you how to get a gorgeous, natural makeup look using the Pixi by Petra Palette Bronzette that's perfect for spring. Glowy cheeks, soft peaches and pinks on the eyes and a very light coral pink lip. Everything that I'm showing you can be found at your local Target or online at Target.com. I used the palette for my eyes, cheeks, highlight and liner to show you how you can create a beautiful look without having to use too many different products. This is perfect if you will be traveling and don't want to pack too much.










Here's what I used:



After applying my foundation, concealer & powder I used this bronzer to warm up my cheeks, temples and then slightly contoured my nose, lower lip and jawline with it too. It's very subtle so perfect if you are fair.


Next I used this gorgeous cool toned shimmery pink blush. It's really glowy and makes your cheeks look so pretty and feminine. 



Then I applied this cool toned frosty highlight to the tops of my cheek bones.


On to the eyes. First I swept the bronzer that I used on my cheeks all over my crease with a fluffy brush. Then with my finger I applied this peach toned eyeshadow all over the lid. In the the outer corner of my crease, I applied a mix of the pink blush, bronzer and a tiny bit of this mauve color below.


For my liner, I got a liner brush and lined very softly with this shimmery brown color. I also applied this on my lower lash line and smudged it out with the peach color.


On the inner third of my lid I applied this golden color with my finger for more pigmentation and then I got the white gold and applied it to my brow bone and tear duct.


I finished off with two coats of my favorite mascara L'oreal Telescopic Carbon Black. 



For the lips, I didn't use a liner. I went with this beautiful color Pink Cognito from Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick.


I topped it off with the Maybelline Color Sensational Color Elixer in I'm Blushing.


I hope you enjoyed this post. Don't forget to check out your local Target for all sorts of fabulous makeup and beauty products. I know I always say this but if you haven't gotten your Target red card yet, go sign up! It's not a credit card, it comes straight out of your checking account and it saves your 5% on EVERYTHING… even clearance items! Plus you always get FREE SHIPPING on all online purchases. I literally get irritated when I'm in line and the cashier asks people if they want one and they say, "I can't" or "No I don't need that." WHO DOESN'T WANT 5% OFF!!!!! I just want to go and tell them it's not a scam and then shake them till they get one. Is that weird? Haha, maybe I'm just crazy but I'm telling you, I save SO MUCH using that fabulous little red card. It's every Target shopaholic's best friend. And you know I'm a Target shopaholic. 
Love you guys! Thanks for reading. Don't forget to tag me on Instagram or Twitter if you recreate this look or have any fabulous things I might need to get from Target. Use my handle @samschuerman and #TargetStyle.

Find your style @targetstyle



Sam 

xx