Botanics Skincare Review + New Packaging

Boots has always been my go-to place for majority of my beauty needs and I think it is the same for many people who live in the UK. There has always been a massive Boots store either close to my house and/or close to work so I always pop in there. Their Botanics range has been around for quite a while and I have enjoyed using them in the past. I was so delighted when I found out they were revamping their entire range while maintaining the high quality. I was unable to make the launch event but they very kindly sent me a collection of products to try out. It's been well over a month so I wanted to share my thoughts on this amazing yet affordable range.

Brief Overview of Botanics #theplantone

Botanics is a skincare range that has been developed by the plant experts at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (which is such a gorgeous place, if I might add). The brand was originally launched in 1995 and by 2000, they established a working relationship with the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. These experts have created skincare that is plant based, natural, effective and affordable. I have used the range for quite a few years and I have seen tangible results that has made me repurchase more than a few times. The great thing is that Botanics has a wide collection of products and I love how they are colour coded to help guide you. There are actually five ranges within the line and they include: Organic (Green packaging), All Bright (Pink packaging),  Hydration Burst (Blue packaging), Radiant Youth (Purple packaging) and Triple Age Renew (Lavender packaging). No matter what your skin type or preference is, there is a very high chance you'd find something for yourself. For reference, I have combination oily skin which tends to be slightly dehydrated during the drier months. If you want to find out more about the Botanics range, you can do so here.

Products I Received

The Botanics team were so kind to send me a generous amount of products from their different collections. I was sent their best-sellers which include the Hydration Burst Hydrating Day Cream*, Organic Facial Oil (100% Organic)*, Triple Age Renew Facial Super Serum*, Radiant Youth Refining Microdermabrasion Polish* and the All Bright Eye Roll-On*. As mentioned earlier, I had tried at least half of these products before their packaging was revamped so I was curious to try them out to see if there were any changes.

Packaging

Whoever designed or revamped the new Botanics skincare packaging deserves a standing ovation!! I absolutely love the minimalistic design and the various colour schemes they have chosen. Truly less is always more and these products looks so beautiful in my bathroom and dresser. I find that amazing packaging always makes me reach more for a product and the quality of the products keep me loyal. I love that they used glass bottles (which are travel friendly) and these bottles also have pipettes. Anything with a pipette always wins my heart. The vibrant colours used across the various collections in the range just makes them look aesthetically pleasing.




All Bright  Refreshing Eye Roll On*//Link // £8.99
I have lost count of how many times I repurchased this Eye Roll On and I believe I may have reviewed it at some point on this blog. It is from the All Bright range which is infused with Hibiscus Extract and known for brightening and perking up the skin. It has a lovely roller ball which feels very cooling and refreshing when I use it under my eye. It helps wake my eye up and removes any puffiness caused by lack of sleep. If you pop it in the fridge, the effectiveness shoots through the roof and I absolutely love it. I always use it even when I have other eye creams because I feel it has a special place in my skincare stash.





Organic Facial Oil (100% Organic)* // Link //£11
I don't think it comes any more organic than this especially from a product that's developed in  Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. It is their best-selling facial oil and I totally understand why. It is infused with Rosehip Oil which has various skin benefits including restoring the skin and helping with hyperpigmentation. It comes in a lovely glass bottle complete with a pipette which I love as it is easy to use. It has a medium texture in the sense that it is not too heavy or too light. I do tend to use it more at night because I can still feel it on my skin which I think is good for nights but may interfere with my makeup during the day. My skin feels very really radiant and I think it is a good oil to start with if you are considering adding a facial oil to your routine.





Hydration Burst Hydrating Day Cream* //Link // £8.99
This is a completely new product to me and I can't remember how it looked in its previous packaging. It is definitely one of my favourite products from the entire range or at least from all the products I have tried. The Hydrating Day cream is from their Hydration Burst range which is all about hydration. Botanics describe the Hydrating Day Cream as one that leaves the skin hydrated and luminous. One of the star ingredients is Clary Sage which is rich in nutrients and helps moisturise dehydrated skin for a long time. I love the simple yet classy packaging which contains 50ml of product. The texture is what made me fall in love with it because it feels silky.  It feels like a gel cream (similar to the Neutrogena Hydra Gel texture). It gets absorbed well into the skin and you can definitely feel its effect on your skin and there is no dryness in sight. I also agree with Botanics description of it making the skin luminous because that's how my skin feels when I use it. I feel this is one product that everyone, regardless of their skin type, will love. I absolutely love it and will definitely repurchase once it runs out.

Triple Age Renewal Facial Super Serum* //Link //£10.49

I was instantly attracted to this product because it was purple and you all know that's my favourite colour.  As the name suggests, this product is from their Triple Age range which is designed for matured skin. I had previously tried the Triple Age Eye Cream which was my go-to eye cream along with the All Bright Eye Roll-On. However, I don't think I got to try the serum so I was very excited to be trying it out. The Triple Age Renewal Facial Super Serum is designed to help hydrate, nourish the skin as well as improve the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles.



One of the main ingredients is Purple Orchid Extract which is known for plumping and renewing the skin. I really enjoyed and I am still enjoying using this serum as it keeps my skin hydrated which is important for me in this weather. I tend to use it shortly after I have cleansed and used my toner. It has a light texture (almost like a hybrid of a serum and lotion) which makes it easy to apply and suitable for all skin types. I don't have any deep wrinkles so I can't really comment on how effective it is on them. However, I think it may work over time because of its plumping actions. If you are looking out for a new hydrating serum to try at an affordable price, I'd highly recommend checking this out. 

Radiant Youth Refining Microdermabrasion Polish* //Link //£9.99

I thought I had tried this product before but I realised it was the No.7 version which I equally love. Botanics describe the Radiant Youth Refining Microdermabrasion Polish as a natural skin polishing treatment which helps boost brightness and banish dead skin cells. This polish is from their Radiant Youth range which is aimed at protecting the skin and giving a youthful glow. I remember how curious I was about microdermabrasion because I'd heard such good things about it. The actual process, if it is done in a beauty salon or with a dermatologist, is not cheap at all so brands started making products that could be safely used at home. This is where the Radiant Youth Refining Microdermabrasion Polish comes in. There is no need to go to the salon or dermatologist to apply it as it can be used from the comfort of your home. The Botanics version is formulated with two main ingredients Gingko plant extract (for a youthful skin) and Antioxidants (to help fight free radicals).



It has very finely milled particles which are very undetectable with the eyes however you can feel them on the skin. It has a nice creamy texture and you may even mistake it for either a body lotion or face wash. I love that the texture is not very abrasive to the skin; it's just the right amount suitable to slough away any dead skin cells. I don't think there's any need to apply pressure to the face while using it gently across the skin is the best way for me because the particles do all the exfoliating work without any additional pressure. I use it once a week on cleansed skin and massage it gently across my face. I usually focus around my cheeks, under my lower lips and around my nose because these are the areas that are problematic for me. I leave it on for a few minutes and rinse off with warm water. I have to say my skin feels really smooth especially around my nose and under my lips. Another thing I notice is how easily my foundation blends into my skin especially the first few days after I have used it. I will really highly recommend giving it a try especially if you are looking to try microdermabrasion at home.

Where to Buy 
I am sure you can already guess that the only place (as far as I know) where you can purchase this range is from Boots (both online and in-store). I don't think they have a stand alone website where you can purchase directly from but Boots is very accessible and I believe they also ship to other countries. I know I have said this many times but they are very affordable especially for the quality of products you get. The best part is that Boots always have one or two offers that are so enticing. At the time of this post, they had a Buy One Get Another Half Price offer and I picked up two more products because I love the range. I was restraining myself but I know I will be back for more.


Overall Thoughts
I am really impressed with the entire collection and I am happy that they have maintained the quality of the range. I do think that some of the products seemed to work slightly more effective than I remember. They are still one of the few plant based skincare brands that are effective and affordable. Their revamped look has made them even more attractive and I know some of my friends and beauty lovers feel the same way. I have since purchased more from the brand including the All Bright Serum which is amazing. Hope you enjoyed this review. Have you tried any products from Botanics Skincare?
*PR Samples, read my full disclaimer here.

Vichy Normaderm Anti-Blemish Care Review

You all know that Vichy is one of my favourite French Skincare brands and I can’t think of any products I have tried that has let me down. Their Normaderm range is designed for oily, acne/blemish prone skin. I was delighted to see that they had launched their Normaderm Beautifying Anti-Blemish Care* which is designed to maintain healthy skin even during our periods. Yes, that’s a super big claim and I was more than curious to put it to the test to see if it lived up to it. I actually wanted to test it for two cycles (of my period) so I can provide an in-depth and full review of my experience. If you would like to find out how we got on, then read on…

Packaging

I won’t dwell too much on the packaging but Vichy always seem to tick the right boxes when it comes to packaging. I love how they utilise various colours for their different ranges. I find this so useful because you can see at a glance what range it is even before you read the finer details. Light Blue is for the Aqualia range, Pink is for Idealia , Green is for the Normaderm range, etc. The Normaderm Anti Blemish Care comes in a 50 ml plastic bottle with a nice pump that dispenses the right amount for one application. It’s very light and it's so easy to pop it in my bag for travelling. The lid is very secure and does not move around in my bag as I travel.

How does Vichy describe the Normaderm Anti-Blemish Care?
Vichy developed the Anti-Blemish Care to combat adult acne known as late onset acne that many women from 25 and above suffer from. The key ingredients in the formula include:
Airlicium- Ground breaking and ultra light substance that disperses and evaporates sebum whilst visibly reducing pores
Salicylic Acid- Anti-inflammatory and exfoliating action
Caprylol Glycerine-Inhibits the growth of acne germs and sebum production and
PheResorcinol - Anti-bacterial that exfoliates and evens skin tone including UV induced pigmentation.
The Normaderm Anti-Blemish Care is designed to tackle the needs of adult skin whle treating hormonal blemishes  and providing 24 hour hydration. I was very impressed with these claims and I wanted to know if it worked. I do suffer from the occasional soul destroying under-the-skin bumps (especially during periods) and they drive me mad. So, I was very excited to give this a try to see how it fared.

Texture, Finish and How I use

I was surprised to see that it had a faint green colour which I quite like as it is different from anything I have tried. It feels like a light moisturiser once it is applied on the skin. I find it really easy to apply and it gets absorbed well. It settles into a demi-matte finish (like a velvet finish). I am a huge fan of anything demi matte because I know it would work as a primer and base for my foundation. I know people with dry skin may not like the idea of anything matte or demi matte but honestly, it would still work well with dry skin. It does not cling to dry patches or accentuate them  as it has a hydrating effect. It's quite hard to explain how it keeps my face demi-matte but still provides the needed moisture.  It can be used both in the day and at night. However, I reached for it more during the day because I enjoyed its canvas and primer properties which helps prep my skin for my foundation. When I use it in the morning, I apply it after my regular moisturiser (Eye cream->Serum-> Moisturiser-> Normaderm Anti-Blemish Care -> Sunscreen). At night, I do the same but skip the Sunscreen. I am sure there are other ways to use it but this way works best for my skin.

Cycle 1

I usually breakout around my cheeks and jaw when Mother Nature comes knocking on my doors. Some months, I am super lucky to escape her ominous knock but many months, I am not. I started using the Normaderm Anti-Blemish Care immediately I received it to see if it would stop any breakouts in its tracks. It feels really soothing on application which  is perfect for when my skin is up to no good. I used it for a few days before the period appeared and I got very little breakouts. I had a few on my cheeks but none on my jaw which is quite impressive. I am pretty sure I would not have broken out at all if I had started earlier which was why I wanted  to use it consistently for another cycle.

Cycle 2

This time around I had been using it for a longer period and I noticed that my skin seemed so much clearer than before. The odd breakout that happens when I eat something dodgy (like cheese and milk) did not happen and I was very impressed. When the period appeared, I had clear skin. I did not break out at all and then towards the end, I had an annoying one on my cheek. I think it was definitely my PMS cravings that caused that particular spot. I am very impressed with its efficacy and it’s now been added into my acne skincare heroes (would you like a post on that?). The spot resolved itself because I continued using the Normaderm Anti-Blemish Care.  This actually made me think that it works well even on aggravated skin while preventing future breakouts.

Cost// Link // £14.50

It retails for £14.50 but you all know what I would say; I just wait for 1/3 offers from Boots and Escentual to purchase. I think it is really affordable and the 50 ml would last a good while. The only thing with the pretty packaging is that you can't really tell when you are running low but I don't think that's too terrible. You can just guestimate based on the weight of the bottle. 

Overall Experience

I am really pleased with the Normaderm Anti-Blemish Care and I am impressed with it living up to its claim. I do have to mention that its efficacy is heightened with consistent use so you have to incorporate it into your regular skincare to see good results. I would classify it more as  a preventative treatment which I adore but I feel it would still work for any red/inflamed spots. I find it quite similar in the way it works as La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo but the main difference is the demi-matte finish it provides. If you want to see how well it works, I would recommend trying it at the beginning of your cycle and using it consistently through. I know combination-oily skin girls would love this formula as I don’t usually need a primer with it. Now, I need to test out how well it secures my foundation during the warmer season. I would definitely recommend trying out the Normaderm Anti Blemish Care. That’s pretty much my update!! Have you tried the Vichy Normaderm Anti-Blemish Care?
*PR Sample + Affiliate Links, read my full disclaimer here

Body Shop Spa of the World Range Review

I am sure everyone must be tired of reading about the Body Shop Spa of the Worldrange but it is one of the best ranges (in my opinion) that Body Shop has launched. I love how Body Shop has totally revamped some of their ranges, packaging and formulas. The Spa of the World range was launched during Summer and I was lucky to get  to try the African Ximenia Body Scrub* and the French Lavender Massage Oil*. Before I got the package, I had been in-store to check the entire range out and I was already obsessed. There is a wide range of products to choose from which you can find here. I hear some of the products are limited edition while others will be permanent. I just hope they make everything permanent because the entire range is fantastic.


Spa of the World Overview
The Body Shop Spa of the World range is designed to deliver a luxurious "me-time" spa experience all in the comfort of your own home. The ingredients used in the formulation of various products within the range have been hand-picked from all around the world which makes it a really exotic range. I am not surprised because Body Shop always uses high quality ingredients and I admire them for that. The range is categorised into various experiences that the products provide. These categories include:

Relaxing- Himalayan Charcoal Body Clay, African Ximenia Scrub, Egyptian Milk and Honey Bath, Japanese Camellia Cream and French Lavender Massage Oil.

Revitalising- Dead Sea Salt Scrub, Moroccan Rhassoul Body Clay and Thai Lemongrass Massage Oil.

Blissful- Polynesia Monoi Beauty Oil, Hawaiian Kukui Cream and Tahitian Orchid Massage Oil

Seriously, I have tried all the products in store and they are simply divine and it is very difficult to decide on what to purchase as everything is perfection. The sad thing is these products are not included in the regular offers and discounts Body Shop does so I can't really go crazy and do a large order. However, I know I would be purchasing either the Japanese Camellia Cream or the Hawaiian Kukui Cream. I need to also pick up the Polynesia Monoi Oil  which I had used a few years ago when it was in its old packaging.. They are currently high on my wish list. I feel super lucky to be sent the African Ximenia Scrub* and French Lavender Massage Oil* to try. They were sent back in August and I have enjoyed using them so much. You can find them featured previously here and here.

Packaging

One winning point for this range is the new packaging that really goes with the whole spa theme. It looks exotic and really encapsulates what a spa product should look like. I love the warm colour scheme and it makes the entire range look so much more expensive than it is. In my bathroom, it just looks divine and add some much needed warmth to an otherwise cool/neutral bathroom. The African Ximenia Scrub is a really large tub containing 350 ml of goodness. The packaging is made from very sturdy material and you can tell it is high quality. The lid is weighted which makes it easy to grip if you have wet hands in the bathroom. It's also easy to clean which I like and none of the inscriptions have cleaned off despite living in my bathroom all this while. I also like the packaging of the French Lavender massage Oil as it looks very cute with a small opening to help control the amount of product.

African Ximenia Scrub*// £18 // Link

This has to be one of the best scrub I have ever tried and I am aware that's a pretty bold statement to make. I currently have three scrubs I am rotating and they all have various purposes, however,  this is a good all-rounder. According to Body Shop, the African Ximenia Scrub is enriched from hand-picked Namibian Ximenia Fruit Seed also known as the "Tree of Life". It is well known for being an amazing body conditioner and this is exactly what makes the scrub one of the best I have tried. It has some granules  in it which aids with polishing the body and they are just the perfect size. I have some scrubs that have granules that are either too small/fine and they don't do much and others that feel slightly abrasive. However,  the African Ximenia Scrub granules hit the nail on the head with its texture and goes on so smoothly. It feel so luxurious on my skin and it's a pleasure to use.





It's very hard to explain these things but I suggest asking for a small sample when next you are in Body Shop (they are always good with giving out small samples). I start off with using a small amount and rubbing it in gentle circular motions around my hands (elbows), knees and my décolletage. These are the areas that need gentle exfoliation and this scrub has been so helpful in smoothing these areas out. The good thing about this scrub is it also has a moisturising element to it so it does not strip your skin out or leave it oily; it just leaves your skin supple. Lastly, it smells so divine. I know this sounds weird but I find the smell very relaxing and even when I am not using it, I just have a little sniff (sounds so wrong but I am telling myself it's normal). I can't think of anyone saying anything bad about this scrub as it's just so lovely. Plus, it's of African Heritage so I am super proud !!

French Lavender Massage Oil // £14 // Link

I was really delighted to find this French Lavender Massage Oil in the package I received because I was looking to try anything with lavender as I heard it is relaxing (I have since got more products with Lavender which I will be talking about soon). I am sure everyone must have come across Lavender Oil at some point because it is really one of the best/natural essential oils for relaxation. Body Shop have taken it a notch higher by sourcing lavenders from the South of France which I hear has one of the best types of Lavender. Lavender in itself is well known as a naturally calming scent that promotes well-being and helps de-stress body and mind. Lord knows I needed a lot of that this month (I will be updating you all soon). I already mentioned that I like the little opening at the top of the bottle because it allows you have so much control over the product. I only use a few drops after I take a shower and apply it around my pulse points. 



I love how easy the fragrance travels as I can feel its relaxing effects quite quickly. Sometimes, I use a few drops in between my palms and give a little rub and inhale it. It really helps me relax which is why I reserve it for night time and/or pamper session. I don't use it every day but it's always a treat each time I use it. It's also perfect for massaging but massages are only fun when someone else gives it to you. I am not good at giving massages at all but the BF had some pain around his legs and I used this around the area with a damp cloth and he said it was deeply relaxing. Maybe I am getting better or it may just be down to the French Lavender Massage Oil. One thing I really like about it is the texture which does not feel greasy at all. As much as I love oils, I prefer really light ones or dry oils and this oil feels super light (not drying though) and gets absorbed easily.

Overall Thoughts

I am obsessed with the Body Shop Spa of the World range and I am sure I am not the only one in this boat. I have read so many raving reviews about this range and it truly lives up to the hype. I love everything about the range down to the packaging and the quality of ingredients used. I do think most of the products are reasonably priced although the creams are slightly expensive at £23, however you are getting a huge tub/jar which would last a pretty long time. As mentioned earlier, the Spa of the World range is excluded from the usual Body Shop offers and discounts so it's full price all the way!! However, I am still definitely purchasing the Japanese Camellia Cream and the Polynesia Monoi Oil because I have checked them out in store and they are right up my alley. I also love to support brands that support my blog and Body Shop is one brand I love to support even way before they started sending me products to try. They are amazing and I am loving their new approach to redesigning their products. Have you tried any products from the Body Shop Spa of the World range?
*PR Sample + Affiliate Links used above, read my full disclaimer here.