• My Favourite Daytime Hydrating Serum •

I don't know about you, but I am ridiculously picky with my skincare. As soon as my skincare routine is perfect, I'll stick to it for ages because I'm pretty scared of my skin going back to it's acne, oily self. 

And in terms of serums, it's even harder for me to try new ones, as I've had so many bad experiences with them in the past! Luckily, I've now found a brand that I can trust as I've tried a few serums from Oz Naturals (review of the Vitamin C Serum here) and they've done wonders for my skin. Natural products with beautiful ingredients which are preparing my skin for summer and (eek!) less make up - perfect.

For the past 3 weeks I've been through stress, illness and shitty weather, as have most people in the UK, so my skin has been acting up a bit and is much dryer than usual. I've been using the Oz Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum* every day to see if it would sort my face out, and it really has done. I didn't seen an improvement straight away like I do with some of my other skincare, but after a few weeks my skin was so much more plump, soft and healthy looking - not resembling how I felt inside at all! It sits really well under make up (as does the other Oz Naturals serum that I use) and keeps my skin moisturised all day. I really like this and I love how hygienic it is - you use the little dropper to dispense the product into your hands and then smooth it on your face after cleansing and toning - no dipping dirty hands in a pot (which I hate!!)

Have you tried any products from Oz Naturals?

What do you think?

Daniela xo

I just wanted to quickly add that obviously I was sent this product, but wasn't told to write a positive review of it. I'm usually sceptical of rave reviews like this, where I know that the blogger has been sent the product, but it was my choice to post this and I'm not being paid to write about it.

• The No-Nasties, Natural Deodorant That Actually Works •

I was a deodorant-whore - there, I said it. I'd flit from brand to brand, formula to texture, scent to packaging. Now that's out in the open, I have another confession to make...

I've found the one. And now, I am absolutely, truly, madly, deeply, converted to natural deodorants. You know, the kind that are free from the nasties, the chemicals, all of the crap that makes you stop sweating and bungs up your underarms (anti-perspirant). And now I can say that hand on heart, I will never go back to these shop-bought deodorants for as long as I shall live. Scouts honour.

I can't wait to share my thoughts on the La Vanila Healthy Deodorant, but first I'll address a few issues with natural deodorants. There's a stigma attached to them and people assume that they won't work because they aren't as powerful as anti-perspirants and the types of deodorants we might be used to. There is an element of truth in that, I have to admit - natural deodorants don't act as anti-perspirants, so you will still sweat but the sweat won't smell. But that doesn't mean they're not doing their job. The whole reason I went on the hunt for a natural deodorant was because I hated the thought of my sweat glands being blocked up due to chemicals that I apply every day. It's natural for our skin to breathe and sweat, so the idea of slathering on layers upon layers of chemicals to block sweat glands seems odd and unnatural to me. Without getting into detail, because 1. I'm not qualified/wouldn't feel comfortable posting about research I've found online and 2. I don't want to ramble on too much, I do think that we should try to reduce the amount of rubbish we put on our skin. If you think about how many products you use a day, and how many chemicals your skin absorbs, it's scary. I'll try and go eau natural where I can, if only just to make myself feel a little better!

So after hearing Tiffany rave about the La Vanila Healthy Deodorant on YouTube, I had to try them out for myself as they sounded like exactly what I was looking for. Creamy, pleasant smelling (and long-lasting), but most importantly, able to let my skin breathe. You'll see on the ingredients list that the ingredients are all natural and free of all chemicals. I've been using this deodorant for a few months after I picked it up in Canada after one too many trips to Sephora and it has worked for me every single day, whether that be a chilled day at home or a stressful day at work - it's truly amazing. I love the scents and I have the Vanilla Lavendar in the 2oz and the travel size of the Vanilla for on the go. They both smell gorgeous and I can still faintly smell them throughout the day, which is great.

Now I have skin that feels soft and smooth whilst smelling amazing - and not skin that feels tingly after shaving, due to the rubbish in them which interferes with sensitive, freshly washed skin. My conscience is clear, and I've added another healthy, natural skincare product to my collection. For me, that's priceless - and definitely worth £10.

Have you tried this deodorant?

Are there any other natural deodorants you'd recommend?

Daniela xo

• Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion // review •

I'm very loyal to my current moisturiser, so something has to 
really wow me for me to be impressed.

And for the most part, I do quite like this moisturiser. It's hydrating, has quite a thick consistency so it keeps my skin very moisturised, and it doesn't clog my pores or break me out. One thing I don't like about it, though? The fact that I can't wear it under make up. Now I have to make a quick note here - I have combination skin, so what might work/not work for me, may not be the same for you. However, each and every time I tried to wear this under make up (8 times, so I gave it a good run) my make up would just slide off. Even when I used my benefit Porefessional primer. Even when I used my Clarins Beauty Balm. Even when I powdered my skin to set my foundation. I'm not sure what on Earth else I'm meant to do to make my make up stay put, but in the end I gave up. 

For days when I don't wear make up, however, this moisturiser is an absolute dream. It is so so moisturising that I still feel moisture after a day of wearing it! It is thick but it feels light on the skin, you only need a tiny amount to be able to blend it onto your face and neck, and it doesn't have an offensive scent. So, for days when my face goes naked, this product is perfect. I'm still on the hunt for that under-makeup moisturiser though...

Have you tried this moisturiser?

What do you think of it?

Daniela xo

• The Battle of the Cleansers; Cream, Oil, Water, Balm, Paste, Milk •

Ooh I do love a good cleanser, me! I feel like since I was 

15 years old it's been my mission in life to find the 

perfect cleanser - and by jove I've tested many.

So I've thrown together a little 'guide' of different cleanser types, what I think they're good for, which skin they suit the best, which brands I recommend and my personal experiences with the products. By no means is this something to completely go by, as I'm no expert, but I have picked some information up on my quest to find some amazing skincare. I hope this post helps if you're a little stuck when it comes to cleansers - and even if you're not stuck, I hope it gives you some product recommendations! I love switching up my skincare to suit what my skin needs; my skin is combination so can be super oily one day, then as dry as a flip-flop the next day. It's very unpredictable to I always make sure I have a few different cleansing types to hand. Just to reiterate - I'm really not an expert and can only recommend the products that have worked for me and my own personal skin type. Disclaimers over and done with, let's get to the good stuff.

The Creams; Soap & Glory The Ultimelt, Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

Cream cleansers are known for being really gentle on the skin and are great for deeply purifying and cleansing, by getting deep into pores and clearing them of any gunk. They are so gentle that you can use them on a daily basis and are great for skin of every age and every type, and I would probably opt for this type of cleanser if your skin is acne-prone or in need of a really deep clean. Cream cleansers are also great if your skin is sensitive and you don't want to exfoliate or scrub at it, whilst still having the feeling of soft skin.

The ones I've chosen are hot cloth cream cleansers and you can also use them to remove your make up. All you do is massage the product into your skin, wet a muslin cloth with warm water and gently wipe it away. You're left with super soft skin which is in no way irritated, which is great as sometimes skin can take unnecessary batterings! I've tried my fair share of cream cleansers but I have to say that my favourites are the Soap & Glory Ultimelt and Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish; sorry, I couldn't narrow it down to one! The Ultimelt is a really good dupe for the Cleanse & Polish and to be honest I can't notice much of a difference, but they are both really lovely cream cleansers. They feel so smooth, smell fresh and make my skin feel soft to the touch.

The Oil; The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

Oil-based cleansers are fantastic at removing make up as oils attract other oils and dirt. They're mostly famous for effortlessly removing all forms of waterproof make up (yes, even mascara!) which is why they're preferable to wipes and other forms of make up remover. They're so nourishing and good for the skin, adding moisture back and not stripping the skin at all, so they would be good for all skin types, particularly dry skin types. There is the common misconception that oily skinned-gals can't use oil-based cleansers, which isn't true; cleansing oils are actually great for oily skin as the cleanser attracts human-made sebum and oils, so it will leave your skin feeling really clean.

The Body Shop cleansing oil is wonderful as it's so gentle, smells amazing and makes my skin feel so healthy after use. It's such a quick and easy way of removing make up and I also use it as my second cleanser, too. The way to use it is really quite simple; you take one or two pumps of the oil, massage it into your skin, eye make up, lipstick (etc), then rinse it off using water. The oil then transforms into a milky, silky texture that rinses off really easily. You're left with gorgeously soft skin, which is ready for the rest of your skincare routine. I love this product and I use it in the warmer months; in the winter, I use regular organic coconut oil - oils are basically just so good for your skin!

The Water; Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Micellar waters are so big right now and there is definitely a reason why; they. are. so. easy. The science behind it is that there are little micelles which are basically little magnets that attract all dirt, grime and make up away from the skin and onto a cotton pad. The cleansing waters can be used for sensitive skin and are hypoallergenic, meaning that they won't clog your pores. I would probably opt for something like an cleansing oil over a micellar water if your skin is on the dry side, as micellar cleansers doesn't include moisture like an oil-based cleanser would. Every micellar water I've come across is unscented so it won't irritate the skin, and it's another way to gently cleanse your face. The water can also be used on your eyes and lips, and it doesn't need to be rinsed off, which is a bonus.

I'm really loving this Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water as it's just so effective at what it claims to do. All you do is pour a little of it onto a cotton pad and gently swipe it over your face. Whenever I use it there is no make up left on the cotton pad so I'm confident that it's lifted all traces of everything from my face, which is so reassuring as I can't stand the thought of having make up left on before bed. I always use this cleanser when I'm feeling a little lazy and want a quick skincare routine, and it's absolutely amazing - I definitely recommend it.

The Balm; One Love Organics Skin Saviour Waterless Beauty Balm

Balm cleansers are quite new to me and I don't have much experience of them, but they contain so many skin-loving ingredients that I couldn't not include this type. They are usually thick in texture and transform into a soft balm/oil when heated (rubbed between your fingers or massaged into your skin). I'd say that balm cleansers are suited to every skin type, although they might drag slightly on older skin, so that's something to bear in mind.

I love this beauty balm cleanser from One Love Organics; it's so mild and gentle on the skin and feels so nourishing. It includes mango butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil and many other wonderful ingredients. When brands make the effort to use natural ingredients it makes me want to purchase it even more, as I know that whatever is going on my face is good for me. The texture of this particular cleanser is strange; it's almost grainy, but when warmed, transforms to a thin consistency. The way in which I use this cleanser is by taking a blob of it in-between my fingers, rubbing it together to warm it, massaging into onto my face and using a warm, damp muslin cloth to gently wipe away the make up and grime.

The Paste; LUSH Let the Good Times Roll Facial Cleanser

The texture of this type of cleanser is very strange; it's grainy and thick, and when added to water, can be made into a custom-made cleanser type. Depending on the texture you're looking for, you can make this thick, chunky and scrubby, or you can make it thin and milky. I love having this option as it means I can change my cleanser to suit what my skin needs. I believe that pastes are suited to all skin types because, as I just mentioned, they can be custom-made to suit your skin.

I've written a huuuuge informative (and gushy) post about how much I love the LUSH Let the Good Times Roll Facial Cleanser and you can have a read of it here, but to give you a brief insight into the product, I will just say that it is amazing. You pinch a bit from the tub, mix it with water in the palm of your hand, and massage it into your skin, then rinse it off. It smells incredible - like toffee popcorn - is made from natural ingredients and makes your skin feel soft to the touch and ready for make up application. It scrubs slightly so you get a very gentle exfoliation (depending on how thick and grainy you make it) so it's perfect at gently wiping away dead skin cells every day. Something to bear in mind though; it does not remove make up and is more suited as a second cleanser/a cleanser for when you're not wearing make up. Anyway, check out the post - I go into it in a lot of detail, explain why I love it and why I 100% recommend this product!

The Milk; Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean 3-in-1 Wash Off Deep Purifying Cleanser

Cleansing milks are so wonderful for sensitive skin and are great for skincare beginners. They are gentle and fool-proof, so I think they're suited more towards younger skins and combination skin. I think they're a great way to purify skin really quickly as they don't need much work; I never stand there and massage this product into my skin, I just rub it on and wash it off, and I'm good to go. Great for if you're in a rush/half asleep!

I'm cheating a little with this Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean cleanser as it's technically a cream, but when you add water to it it turns into a milk straight away. The trick with it is to rub a small amount onto your skin and splash water onto it, then start removing it, so the cream becomes a nice milky texture. I've found that this way makes your skin feel a lot cleaner than massaging it in for ages and then using a cloth to remove it. I've been using this for ages now - as you can tell I've nearly finished the bottle - and I really like it. It doesn't remove make up unfortunately (I've tried this and it was a disaster!) but it works well as the second-cleanse, or when you're make up-free.

Have you tried any of these cleansers?

Do you have any recommendations?

Daniela xo

• The product I'll use for the rest of my life // LUSH Let The Good Times Roll Cleanser // review •

 Everything about this product makes it "holy grail" for me. The scent, the fact that it's natural, the way it performs on my skin...I've converted so many people to using this product, and they've all come back telling me how they can't live without it. That's the kind of effect it has.

I have combination skin (which is a bloody pain in the butt if you ask me) as I have a semi-oily t-zone and dry patches around my cheeks, sides of my forehead and around my nose. This makes for a pretty tricky skincare regime as I was never really sure what to go for, until I spoke to a lovely lady at LUSH (they're always lovely in there, aren't they?) about two Christmasses ago. She recommended me the new cleanser, LUSH Let The Good Times Roll, which is packed full of skin-loving goodies to refresh, cleanse and moisturise your skin. I'm started to get ahead of myself here, throwing out a few spoilers...so let's move onto the review.

Packaging
Recyclable, re-usable, classic black and part of the LUSH deal where you can take 5 of these babies back and receive a free Fresh Face Mask. The only downfall about this packaging is that I'm not sure I like the idea of dipping my fingers into the pot to get the product out, simply for hygiene reasons. I do wash my hands with anti-bacterial soap before I do this, though, so it's not too bad.

Texture
The texture is grainy as it contains maize flour. It feels slightly exfoliating on the skin which is lovely as I really like a light exfoliation when cleansing. When mixed with water, the cleanser turns into a paste, so you can make it as water-y or as rough as you like - you just cater it to your skin's needs.

How to use
I wet my face so it's slightly damp and I take just over a pea-sized amount of the cleanser out of the pot. I then mix it with a little water in the palm of my hand so it turns into a light paste, depending on how much exfoliation I need. I then rub it in circular motions all over my face and down my neck, making sure I use much of the product on my chin, nose and jawline. I then like to take a little more of the paste and work it into my cheeks as I have acne scarring in that area and like to ensure that I'm lightly scrubbing away the dead skin cells to encourage the renewal and turnover of new skin cells. When sufficiently cleansed, I wash away the cleanser using either just my hands with cold water or with a damp flannel.

Ingredients
Maize flour, glycerine, talc, water, corn oil, polenta, cinnamon powder, perfume, gardenia extract and popcorn. Yep, popcorn. This is a little gimmick which I personally love, as the product is inspired by Hollywood Box Office hits (grab your popcorn and watch the film...yeah, it took me a while, too). You'll notice that all of the ingredients bar one (perfume) are natural, and even the perfume occurs naturally in essential oils. LUSH are known for their natural ingredients which makes it all the more enjoyable to put on my face!

Effectiveness
This amazing stuff moisturises my dry bits but mattifies my oily bits. I seriously don't know how it does it, but it just does. My skin feels so soft after use and putting make up on after is an absolute dream. When applying my toner afterwards, the cotton pad is completely clear as this cleanser seems to remove the left-over traces of make up that my make up remover may have missed. I also notice that I've had minimal breakouts since I've been using this which is a massive treat as I'm prone to breakouts around my chin and jaw area. My redness has calmed down and my pores seem smaller - what more could you want, seriously. I'd say it's absolutely 100% effective in what it claims to do, which is why I'll repurchase it again and again and again and again and again and again.

Opinion
Never in my life will I replace this cleanser (unless LUSH decide to discontinue it, in which case I'll just stock up on about 1000 pots and freeze them all). It's everything you want in a cleanser and smells amazing - have I not mentioned that yet? It smells like caramel toffee popcorn and the smell lingers lightly on your face for a while after you've washed it off. To me, this is a bonus as I'm a sucker for sweet smells.
A product that controls my oils, whilst moisturising my skin and decreasing pore size, whilst calming my redness and minimizing the amount of breakouts I get is a real winner. I can't believe the stroke of luck I had that day that I first purchased this from LUSH - I was set on repurchasing the LUSH Angels on Bare Skin (another lovely cleanser) but the sales assistant steered me in the direction of this pot of perfection. And rightly so, because I've steered many friends and family members to the doors of LUSH with this product on their shopping list.
Anyway, I think I've raved about this enough now. I just really recommend this product (if you haven't guessed!) and for £6.35/100g or £15.87/250g you should definitely give it a go. I would spend so much more on this product as it has worked absolute wonders on my skin, and I will never stop using this in my skincare routine.

The cleanser is currently £6.35/100g from LUSH, click here to be directed to the site.

Have you tried this cleanser? Which skincare product can you not live without?

PS. Don't forget to enter my MAC Giveaway!

Daniela