Darphin Aromatic Cleansing Balm Review

I’m going to start this review with a confession, well multiple confessions. 

1.I have been purchasing way too much skin care lately. I say that like its problem, but I live for this! 

2. I have been on the search for a thick cleansing balm. 

3. I love affordable skincare, but the last truth is I’ve been craving something luxe. Sure there are many affordable cleansing balm out there, but I desire decadence (within reason). 

Admired by many and respected in the beauty community I ended up with Darphin’s Aromatic Cleansing Balm and 3 weeks of thoroughly testing here are my thoughts.

Darphin was founded on the principal of perfection. There products smell divine, the ingredient list not only features the best components but it’s actually maliciously thought out too. Why does there packaging fit perfectly in the palm of your hand? It’s rounded and weighted. Why does there body range smell heavenly? There roses are painstakingly picked at dawn to ensue you are getting the scent of the unfolding flower… that kind of perfection. It’s actually one of the only companies that openly admits they don’t care how much their product costs, because they refuse to cut back on quality. So when I craved a fancy cleansing balm, Darphin was my number one choice. 

Despite the beautiful weighted glass and the lovely scent, for me this cleansing balm is all about the ingredients. This cleansing balm contains an hydrogenated polydecene base. This high end man made oil is commonly used as a replacement to mineral oil, it’s perfect for sensitive skin and oily too. While some swear in its antiaging benefits, I personally love the slip this gives. Meaning you can really work this cleansing balm into your skin. The good people at Darphin have also added nourishing jojoba oil and hydrating macadamia seed oil, both excellent lightweight oils perfect for most skin types. 

My favourite feature is the addition of rosewood oil. This oil is really a miracle product, because it balances all skin types, helps support healthy regeneration of cells and helps maintain elasticity to the skin. Also, on the aromatherapy side of things rosewood has anxiety, depression fighting qualities. Some also report that rosewood works as an aphrodisiac … what I’m saying is hubby stay away from my Darphin. 

This also has soothing, pure vanilla extract which makes this cleansing balm smell absolutely heavenly. In addition vanilla is also an anti-oxidant and yes, it too can be used by every skin type. My only knock on this product is that the website doesn’t feature a complete ingredient list, because if I was Darphin I would be plastering it everywhere. With that being said I called Darphin’s customer service and they emailed me one in less than 5 minutes time.

Despite the minor hiccup in ingredients, I have to say I love Darphin’s Aromatic Cleansing Balm. Its rich, luxurious, spreads easily over the skin, removes makeup and smells like a fancy spa. The formula is paraben free and features some excellent ingredients. It’s the perfect product for a lavish spa at home experience and it can be used by every skin type. From the weighted bottle to the heavenly scent if your craving a skin care treat look no further than the Darphin Aromatic Cleansing Balm.

March Favourites

What a month! Professionally I have been extremely busy. Not only has my 9-5 been extremely challenging but over the past couple of weeks I was offered a new job. Now, I love starting new things … Yes, I’m one of those rare breeds that loves to meet new people and feel inspired when I start new tasks. I am also excited that this job will require me to dress like an adult! Which means so long yoga pants (I’m going to miss you) and hello power lipsticks. 

I’m way off topic here, but what I’m getting to is: 

1. I can’t wait till next month’s favourites 

2. I have been busy, so expect easy-peasy favourites 

3. I’m still having a full on obsession with The Ordinary ( I believe I now own over 8 products from the range) 

Let’s get started!

The Ordinary Buffet

This serum contains venom, peptides that trick the skin… basically what I’m saying is there are a lot of high tech things in this serum and you need to go visit my review now (here). The glory is in the name, because this literally is a buffet for the skin. Buffet has anti-aging properties, hydrating properties and just about everything in-between. The best part is your getting some amazing technology but for a fraction of a price. If you wanted to try something from The Ordinary I would say Buffet is an excellent place to start. 

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%

I love Sunday Rileys Good Genes. It makes my skin luminous, even toned and just generally glow-y. However at $135 a pop Good Genes is an expensive. I’ve said this before and I stand by it… skincare is an investment! However, should I be able to save I am all for it. The Ordinary Lactic Acid is an excellent product that has similar effects as Good Gene’s and one that I plan on reviewing sometime real soon. 

Darphin Aromatic Cleansing Balm 

Aromatic Cleansing blam is a thick and luxurious. It removes makeup along with SPF, but it’s super gentle at the same time. I’ve had this product for just over two weeks now and I can thoroughly say I’ve look forward to using it each and every day. A fancy cleansing balm that definitely needs a whole review of its own, expect to a whole post sometime about this sometime soon. 

If you haven’t noticed I’ve been buying a lot of skincare as of late! 

Jean Paul Gaultier Classique

Vanilla, rose and rum make this perfume warm and cozy. While most fragrances I try these days are loud and sickly sweet Classique is soft and slightly powder like. If you needed an everyday, life friendly, classic perfume I can’t recommend this Jean Paul Gaultier master piece enough (review here)

Acure Organics Ultra Hydrating Body Lotion in Unscented 

If a body butter and body lotion had a baby it would be Acure’s Hydrating Body Lotion. This thick body cream is intensely moisturizing, yet is absorbs into the skin almost instantly. From using this on the baby to my partner reaching for the bottle, an Unscented lotion really never appealed to me before however having one on hand has proved itself super useful. Plus I really like that this doesn’t interfere with my fragrance! Like all of Acure’s product this ingredient list is filled with goodness, I can’t recommend the Ultra Hydrating Body Lotion enough! 

Skincare heavy I know! But what can I say when I’m busy it all comes down to skin. With that being said I can’t wait to see what next month brings. What have you been loving as of late leave me a comment below or on my social. Like always thank for reading and I can’t wait for all the reviews I have in store for you .

Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Review

I have always loved the world of beauty. In fact one of my first jobs ever was working as a perfume demo at a local department store. Yes I was one of those ladies! but I have to say despite the majority of shoppers finding us perfume demonstrators annoying I loved it. Demo-ing allowed me to talk to people about all things beauty, play with different luxury makeup and to discover the world fancy fragrances. Now I’m not one to knock a Brittany perfume, but while my friends were wearing Fantasy my access to fine fragrances allowed me to dabble in Chanel, Dior and Hermès. One of my favourites of the time was Classique by Jean Paul Gaultier and between you and I it still holds its own today and here’s why… 

The juice. Classique is a what I would call a traditional spicy oriental. While it’s not as spicy as Dior’s Addict or Chanel’s Coco it has that subtle warmness kind of like a cashmere sweater on a cool spring day. The notes also include warm vanilla, a subtle dash of rum and a touch of rose. The overall effect is smooth, slightly powdery with a slight touch floral. It’s a the kind of fragrance that’s a feels like a comforting hug, from a well-groomed lady. It’s classy and as it wears the vanilla, and amber make this one hell of an intoxicating fragrance. 

I wish I could sit here and say that it was the scent that attracted to me Classique, but the truth is it’s all about the bottle. I think over the years this women silhouette bottle has been replicated time and time again. However between you and I it’s never looked quite as good as the original Classique. While I’m not one to purchase any fragrance based on bottle shape I have to say I thoroughly enjoy displaying this on my dressing table. 

Classique is warm, easy to wear and inviting. While it might not be as popular as Chanel No 5 or Dior’s J’adore, Classique holds its own. It’s both loveable and kind to its wearer and the bottle is a standout. If you’re looking for a new fragrance put that bottle of celebrity fragrance down and try Jean Paul Classique, I can't recommend this stuff enough. 

Let’s Hit the Bottle… With Philips Avent!

With so many baby bottle options out there, finding the right one for your little one can be a daunting task. When I first had Everleigh I was all into a ‘hippy’, ‘earthy’, ‘natural’ lifestyle. Now I’m not knocking any lifestyle choices out there, but I use these terms very loosely on myself because this organic, hippy way of living only lasted 3 months (and I’m being generous). It basically ended when my cravings for donuts became a full-fledged addiction and when my exclusively breastfeeding ways became ‘I need sleep, someone give her a bottle’. 

Keeping up with the organic mama (but paired down) theme we opted to use glass bottles. It didn’t take us long to realize this option wasn’t the best. The bottles were heavy, breakable and as Everleigh learnt how to toss them off her high chair, these heavy bottles became a safety risk for our dog, Lola. The next bottle we opted for was plastic, lightweight and less of a hazard for the pets in our house. However the pitfall to this popular baby bottle was that it had about a million parts. Which means there are a million parts to wash and to inevitably lose. Should you want to skip out on the bottles inner workings, the bottle leaks and by leaks I mean they empty. Trust me I have a sour smelling diaper bag to prove it. 

Stinky, discouraged and now an owner of terrified dog my bottle experiences where nothing short of a catastrophe. What I was craving was a baby bottle that was easy to wash and toss friendly. Something that loosely resembled a breast, and something easy for Everleigh to hold. Just a simple, easy to use baby bottle… 

My bottle journey lead me to Philips Avent Natural bottle and between you and I haven’t looked back since. Firstly these bottles are easy to wash, and uncomplicated to put together. The bottle itself only contains 3 parts (not including the lid) and they can be easy washed by a regular kitchen sponge. You could use a bottle cleaner should you be feeling fancy… I truthfully never feel this classy. Next up, I love that the Avent nipples are interchangeable. Meaning should I want to make Everleigh’s sippy cup a bottle in a pinch I can do so. For trips and vacations packing an extra nipple as oppose to a whole bottle can really save room in your carry on. 

Breastfeeding moms also will be happy to know that this bottle really imitates the natural contours of a boob… I can’t believe I just said that! However as my own breastfeeding journey comes to an end it’s nice to see Everleigh take comfort in her bottle through this transition. Furthermore this bottle doesn’t leak, has an anti colic valve, it's easy for baby to hold and it’s BPA free. 

Whole heartily we have loved this bottle, in fact my only regret is not using this bottle sooner. If you’re someone who’s having a disaster bottle situation I can’t recommend the Philips Avent Natural bottle enough. Likewise if you are pregnant or know someone who’s pregnant this is a gift that will save a lot of guesswork. Definitely on the top of my Mama must haves is the Philips Avent Natural Bottle.

*This blog post is sponsored by Philips Avent and PTPA. All opinions on my blog are entirely my own. Our family has throughly enjoyed these bottles, and would recommend them for any parent out there!

Philips Avent Bottles Giveaway - March/April 2017

Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm

I’ve done so many skin care reviews lately I thought today let’s keep thing simple and talk lip balm. Not that skincare is complicated, but just because lip balm is one of those products that doesn’t require much research, testing or insight. It’s the kind of product that you can try once and even in the first application formulate some sort of opinion on. So with its cute mauve and mint green packaging let’s tackle Pixi’s Shea Butter Lip Balm. 

While Pixi calls this a lip balm, I would consider this an anti-lipstick. Meaning you’re getting all the pigmentation you would in a lipstick but as far as texture goes this is as light and as hydrating as a lip balm. The formula features moisturizing shea butter as well as protective vitamin C. In comparison to many glossy finished tined lip balms I’ve tried Natural Rose applies semi-matte on my lips. Actually I have to say natural rose is a stunning true your lips but better colour. Which is perfect if you want to get on the matte lipstick train but fear having dry prune like lips all day. 

Pixi’s Shea Butter Lip Balm the kind of lip product that you can just throw on, making it a perfect low maintenance product for girls on the go. In addition the packing is cute, the formula doesn’t contain any nasties and at $10.00 a pop it’s an excellent budget friendly lip product. For all those MAC lipstick lovers out there I find the scent almost identical. If you’re on the market for a new lip product or if your just a balm addict like myself, definitely check out the Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm.

The Ordinary Buffet Serum Review

I am really having a moment with Deciem products right now. There products and brands philosophy is completely cutting edge and their Ordinary range is dare I say revolutionary. Yes, other brands take note the Ordinary is all about effective ingredients that give you scientifically proven results but at a fraction of the cost. The Ordinary range can do this by using already established formula's. Meaning you are not getting cutting edge technology here, but you are getting well-known formula's that work. Actually the whole range has made me reevaluate the some of the skincare I already own; I love Sunday’s Good Gene’s but is it really worth it? Furthermore this range could bring quality skincare to the masses, which I am 100% in board for. I digress; today I’m reviewing Deciem’s Buffet Serum so let’s begin. 

Buffet really is an all you can eat experience for your skin. It features hyaluronic acid that helps plump and hydrate your skin by retaining 1000 times weight in water. I have to say my skin responds well to hyaluronic acid, making it one of my favourite ingredients of all time. Next this serum features Matrixyl 3000 which is a peptide that mimics the effect of broken down collagen. The damaged collagen structure actually causes your skin to react by making more collagen and elastin. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy this serum also contains Matrixyl and Matrixyl Synthe C. These two peptides help stimulate collagen and repair damage done to the face. 

Buffet also features Syn-ake. This ingredient mimics the effect of snake venom, allowing for temporary muscular paralysis. This totally sounds terrifying but it’s not trust me, I see Syn-ake like a topical form of Botox. It works, but just like Botox the effects are short-term. Interestingly products that usually use Syn-ake typically cost a small fortune, however since this is a part of The Ordinary range you’ll be happy to hear that this product is very affordable. 

So all this technology in one small glass bottle I know your dying to know how much does it cost. The truth is this serum is an absolute steal coming in at $14.80 per a 30ml bottle. The texture is light and the serum itself is easily absorbed by the skin. While some people have categorized this as an ‘anti-aging’ product I would say if aging is on your mind you can use this. Also since this serum is oil free and scent free oily skin types and sensitive skin types can use this too. I should add the Buffet is also cruelty free, paraben free, vegan and silicone free too. I can’t say enough positive things about Buffet because it’s the kind of product that you need to stop what you’re doing and get a bottle ASAP.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors Review

Lately I have been trying out some products from The Ordinary and I have to say they have changed the way I look at skincare. I would even as far as to say these products will change the skincare industry. The Ordinary Range features products that offers familiar technology, but at a fraction of the price. Meaning this line isn’t meant to be cutting edge, but the formulas are effective and fairly priced. Clinically tested formula’s, inexpensive prices, no nasty ingredients and no BS marketing tactics this is the kind of mission statement I wish more brands had. 

I love The Ordinary range, however my first experiences with Deciem (The Ordinary’s mother company) were not the greatest. Back in the day I was testing their hair removal serum. Between you I found this product hair removal serum slightly on the confusing side. Now three years later, I am happy to report there is nothing confusing about Deciem’s, The Ordinary range it’s just straight forward respectable skincare products. Over the past couple of months I’ve tried a few things about Deciem and the truth is I don’t have a single bad thing to say. 

… I can seriously talk all day. So let’s start my chain of Ordinary reviews with one of my favourite products thus far Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. 

Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF) is a simple moisturizer. This product aims at keeping the outer layer of skin protected and hydrated. This product despite being simple contains everything your skin needs this including 11 plumping amino acids, nourishing fatty acids and hydrating hyaluronic acid. The overall result is a moisturizer that really locks in moisture, but doesn't feel greasy or heavy. In fact this moisturizer is vegan, paraben free, fragrance free, oil free, cruelty free and the handy plastic tube makes it portable and sanitary.

So how much does this handy moisturizer cost? $5.90 Yes people this moisturizer happens to be one of the best beauty deals I've ever seen. In comparison to other moisturizers I've tried this bargain moisturizer holds it own. Perfect for most skin types including dry, sensitive and acne prone skin I can't recommend this enough. So if you were on the market for a product that has cutting edge technology this might not be for you. However if you needed a really good moisturizer, that works you need to stop what your doing and get this now. 

$5.90 and can be bought here.