MORNING SKINCARE ROUTINE EDIT: NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL YOU

Summer morning routine

It's been a long time since I've last posted about beauty. I could say I've been busy, but I just needed a break. I haven't posted here or on Instagram for weeks and I truly missed interacting with you. Most of you know as I mentioned it before, but I suffer from high functional anxiety. Any changes in my life can trigger me and lately, I've been just super happy. Happy with the amazing holiday, I've recently been on. Happy with positive changes at work and new challenges they've brought. Happy in my private life. Why anxious you may ask and the answer is simple, I don't know. I react badly to change, even the positive one, so I assume all the changes around me, had an impact on my well-being. A Little break was needed and I enjoyed not having to rush everywhere and just being in the moment. I've missed being active, I've missed writing and I've missed satisfaction it gives to simply share with you the snippets of my life's passions. What better way to come back than on my birthday right? That's right, I am turning 32 today and I'm scared and happy at the same time. I have been blessed with incredible friends who are taking me out for a dinner tonight and my blogging family have already treated me to so many beautiful gifts. I am truly grateful to have you all in my life!! Marta, Ania, Dagmara, Leanne, Siobhán and Dominika - I love and cherish you all! And happy birthday to me! I'll have a giveaway coming for you too, so keep your eyes peeled!!! And in the footnote, I'm announcing the winner of the last giveaway too, if it's you - congrats!!! Without further ado, let me introduce the latest additions to my skincare routine & even a single hair life and time-saver! It makes my morning's a little-coveted ritual when I truly prepare for the busy day ahead! Have a great Monday everyone! 

Cleanse & tone

Skinfood Black Sugar Perfect Cleansing Cream

Skinfood Black Dugar Perfect Cleansing Cream* | £16.00 for 230ml 

I can't tell you how much I love this! Cleansing Creams are usually thick but not this one. The formula enriched with rice wine, brown sugar and botanical oils not only deeply cleanses but also exfoliates. I'm not one for not treating myself whenever I can, so I tend to do a little face massas whilst I'm at it. The cream cleanser is silky and quite runny plus the scent is incredible!! It makes my whole morning so much brighter! 

♦ Ingredients/INCI

AQUA, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERYL STEARATE, PEG-100 STEARATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, CETYL ALCOHOL, PEG-20 GLYCERYL TRIISOSTEARATE, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRAETHYLHEXANOATE, DEXTRIN PALMITATE, CAMELLIA OLEIFERA SEED OIL, LIMNANTHES ALBA SEED OIL, MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA SEED OIL, OENOTHERA BIENNIS OIL, OLEA EUROPAEA FRUIT OIL, POLYSORBATE 20, POLYSORBATE 80, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS SEED OIL, BETAINE, DIMETHICONE, SUCROSE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, PARFUM, SODIUM PCA, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, SORBITOL, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DISODIUM EDTA, SERINE, RICE FERMENT FILTRATE, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, GLYCINE, GLUTAMIC ACID, LYSINE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, ALANINE, ARGININE, THREONINE, PROLINE, ALCOHOL DENAT., CARICA PAPAYA FRUIT EXTRACT, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS FRUIT EXTRACT, CITRUS LIMON FRUIT EXTRACT, PYRUS MALUS FRUIT EXTRACT, CHOLESTEROL, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, CERAMIDE 3, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, LEPIDIUM MEYENII ROOT EXTRACT, SARCODON ASPRATUS EXTRACT, PHENOXYETHANOL, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, LIMONENE, CITRAL, CARAMEL

Buy here: Boots | Amazon

Merumaya Treatment Toner

Merumaya Treatment Toner* | £16.50 for 128ml

I don't know what it is but I can't live without this toner now and I can tell straight away if I skipped a day. I need this in jumbo size Maleka, what can I say. Treatment Toner came highly recommended by my friend Sal (check out her blog here) and I now understand how addictive it is. Hyaluronic Acid and natural Betaine work work together to hydrate, complex of algae provides long term moisturising & softening whilst sustainable Ascorbyl Glycoside releases the brightening and protecting Vitamin C. This toner must be experienced, as I never thought I'd love a product this much. 

♦ Ingredients/INCI

AQUA (WATER), POLYSORBATE 20, GLYCERIN, BETAINE, ASCORBYL GLUCOSIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, MARIS AQUA, CHLORELLA VULGARIS EXTRACT, CELLULOSE GUM, HYDROLYZED ALGIN, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, CITRONELLOL, DISODIUM EDTA, LIMONENE, LINALOOL, GERANIOL, ISOEUGENOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL, BENZYL BENZOATE PARFUM (FRAGRANCE).

Buy here: Merumaya | Amazon

Weekend extra

Pacifica Hot Vegan Probiotic & Spice Rehab Mask

Pacifica Hot Vegan Probiotic & Spice Rehab Mask* | £14.39 for 59ml

Otherwise known as the mask to save my skin during its problematic turns. This clever 100% vegan formula helps my skin to de-stress. I have had a busy couple of weeks which culminated in a massive hen do party we've thrown my best friend, so my skin has been through a lot. Enter massive vulcanos around my chin. Enter Pacifica Mask to the rescue. Enriched with Black Pepper, Ginger, Coconut Water & White Willow Bark, the runny gel like formula goes on almost unnoticeably and can be used in as little as 5 minutes to soothe, decongest and clarify the hot mess that is my skin right now. It's my weekend treat to apply it just after cleansing and I remove it before toner. However the formula works superb overnight too so whatever your schedule, it can help your congested skin. A winner in my book! 

♦ Ingredients/INCI

AQUA, GLYCERIN, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, SCLEROTIUM GUM, ALGIN, SALIX NIGRA (WILLOW) BARK EXTRACT, ZINGER OFFICINATE (GINGER) ROOT EXTRACT, ELETTARIA CARDAMOMUM (CARDAMON) EXTRACT, PIPER NIGRUM (BLACK PEPPER) FRUIT EXTRACT, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) WATER, LACTOCCUS FERMENT LYSATE, SORBITAN, OLEATE DECYLGLUCOSIDE CROSSPOLYMER, PHENOXYETHANOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, PARFUM (ALL NATURAL).

Buy here: Naturally Better You

Tailored skin care to make a change

Bio-Extracts Eye Contour Age Defying Cream & Eye Contour Brightening Boost

Bio-Extracts Eye Contour Age Defying Cream & Eye Contour Brightening Boost* | £24.00 for 15ml & £19.50 for 10ml respectively 

Tailored skin care is surely the way to go? I adore the offering from Bio Extract and have a couple of boosters now. It changes the formula of the cream and makes it appropriate for any concern you may have. I tend to go with Brightening Boost in the morning, as the cream becomes super light, instantly brightens and sinks in like a dream. I love the smart packaging that dispenses a dose of cream when you press down on it. Then a little click of syringe dispenses the needed amount of booster. Brilliantly thought out, the formula is housed air tight and ready to go whenever needed. Can't wait to try more of Bio Extract Vegan-friendly formulas as the ones I own, stolen my heart already!

Buy here: Bio-Extracts Eye Contour Age Defying Cream | Bio-Extracts Eye Contour Brightening Boost

Face loves

Kotoha London Shoyaku Herb Essence Brightening Serum & Anti-Ageing Cream

Kotoha London Shoyaku Herb Essence Brightening Serum* | £35.00 for 50ml

I strongly believe there's a special place in heaven for great serums! If it's got 'brightening' in the title you know I need to try it. Well packaged, the runny cloudy water/gel hybrid formula goes on and sinks in instantly. Less than a pump is all I need to cover my face, neck and décolletage in one go! Enriched with Mulberry Root, Liquorice Extract and Moringa help skin prone to hyperpigmentation to brighten and lighten any pigment changes. No paraben, perfume and petroleum make the formula dry and sensitive skin friendly too. It preps the skin for the moisturiser and it really works for me in the morning. I have even stopped to multi-serum since playing with this. Highly recommended. 

Buy here: Kotoha London

Katoha Shoyaku Herb Essence Brightening Serum & Anti-Ageing Cream

Katoha Shoyaku Herb Essence Anti-Ageing Cream* | £45.00 for 50ml

I really like the serum but I really, really love the moisturiser. Can be used both evening and night, but I really enjoy it in the morning. Super rich moisturiser in light silky formula goes on beautifully. It takes couple minutes to fully sink in, but preps my skin for makeup and ensure it looks its best all day long. The dry and dehydrated skin saviour is enriched with Ginseng, CoEnzymeQ 10 and Kukui Nut Oil. High in antioxidants, vitamin A & C treats damages caused by the sun and other environmental hazards. I love how moisturising it is and makes my skin glow and look super healthy. Great all rounder! The pump dispenses a bit of product and one small pump will last all over face, neck & décolletage. 

Buy here: Katoha London

Great hair day

Klorane Gentle Tinted Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk Extract

Klorane Gentle Tinted Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk Extract* | £6.00-£8.00 150ml

Fine hair doesn't tend to look voluminous unless you treat them to blow dry every time. I rarely use heat in mine, so I need products to make them look full and beautiful. I wash my hair once every 3 days so dry shampoo is also a must. Enter Klorane. I don't know what I did without it. It removes oils quickly with little to none white residue and doesn't leave my hair matte either. I tend to use it daily to also add a little volume to my roots. It's a game changer. I have tried and tested many dry shampoos and this is a definite winner for me. Sure, it's slightly more expensive than your Batiste, but once you try it, it'll be hard to look back, trust me! 

Buy here: Boots | Escentual

What does your morning routine look like? Have you tried any of the products I recommend? Let me know your thoughts! 

Morning skincare routine for glowing skin

Etern'l skincare set giveaway winner is...

Congratulations to Tasha. The winner has been contacted andclaimed her prize. I hope she enjoys the skincare set as much as I do! Onto the next one... Coming soon! 

*pr sample, all opinions are as always my own
** some links may be affiliate

Please see my full disclaimer here

Thank You For Reading,

Love