Spooky Skincare With Beauty Pro Pumpkin Infused Sheet Mask*

Hi Guys x I hope you're all having a good Halloween (despite the whole potential lockdown thing). It's been a bit of a funny one here x I took a picture for this blog post and then I went to carve my pumpkin only to find a rotting and liquified mess inside, so no sweetcorn and pumpkin soup of me this year, instead I'm making a version with butternut squash so fingers crossed it tastes just as yummy. 

I was originally going to share a Halloween nail post with you but instead I decided to bring two of the key elements of Halloween together, pumpkins and scary masks together in one beauty review post.
 

I've tried quite a few masks and targeted treatments from mask specialist Beauty Pro now, and I've always been pretty impressed so a few weeks ago I decided to add this one on to a NEXT order. 

From their Plant Based, vegan friendly range, this sheet mask is crammed full of plant enzymes, and AHA's and is designed to brighten and soften, and deeply moisturise the skin. 100% plant based, the mask itself is made from biodegradable bamboo fibre and contains a whole host of organic herb and plant extracts including pumpkin, ivy, bergamot, hibiscus, Chinese yam, chia and flaxseed. As I say the mask is suitable for vegans, and as well as being approved by PETA and the Vegan Society, it's also water free.

As you can see from this picture the mask was very, very wet, unlike the mask I talked about yesterday this one definitely had more of viscous serum texture. As it was so wet it was a little bit difficult to pull apart but the bamboo fibre was fairly sturdy so it didn't rip or tear. 

Since pumpkin has so little smell (unless it rotten :() I wasn't really sure how this would smell but it actually had a nice citrus scent, a bit like a cross between lemon bathroom cleaner (in a good way though!) and Earl Grey tea, probably down to the inclusion of the bergamot.

Before 

It initially felt very cool on the skin, but as time went on I did experience a slight tingling sensation, but it wasn't uncomfortable or painful. Also unlike the SUGU Beauty mask that I talked about yesterday, I didn't experience any problems with running or dripping.

On Application

I removed the mask after about 15 minutes and as you see in the picture below my face was still very wet, so I rubbed the excess serum into my face and neck.

Immediately After Removal

It took about 5 minutes to absorb, and as you can see my skin still looked hydrated and moist. There is a tiny bit of pinkness there but my skin didn't feel irritated, sore or dry. It still felt a tiny bit sticky but within half an hour or so that had disappeared and my skin felt a touch smoother

5 Minutes After Removal

I don't know how it obvious it is for these pictures but I definitely felt that my skin looked more awake and more refreshed after using this mask. I used the mask first thing in the morning and I definitely felt that it gave my skin a bit of glow and stopped my looking, and thanks to the scent feeling less tired.

The mask definitely isn't just for Halloween and I'll will potentially buy it again. This particular mask has an RRP of £4.95 but the price does vary slightly depending on where you buy it. It's available from various retailers including direct from Beauty Pro, from Beauty Expert, The Fragrance Shop, Look Fantastic and NEXT Beauty x What ever you doing tonight, whether it's sitting with a face mask on and watching scary movies, or having a social distanced Halloween gathering I hope you all have an enjoyable and safe night x 

*This Post Contains Automatic Affiliate, Added Affiliate And Non Affiliate Links 

Benecos Rouge Brush - A Review For My Pure*

When I first started out in make up I didn't give two hoots about what I applied it with, rubbishy sponge applicators, scratchy brushes and even cotton buds, I used anything I could to get as much product on my face as possible.

I can't imagine what I must have look like but what I didn't realise then though was the importance of a good make up brush. You can buy the most expensive and best make up products in the world but if you apply them with a bad brush then you're probably wasting your money.

Make up brushes come at all different price points, but what I've come to realise over the years is that a cheaper brush doesn't always mean a bad brush. I've bought brushes for a couple of pounds that I love and brushes that cost well into double figures that I can't stand. Buying make brushes is a minefield, you can't always tell how good something is just by looking at it, so sometimes you just need to take the risk and buy it anyway.

For one of this month's My Pure review I decided to give you guys a little bit of hand when it comes to brush shopping and review a brush from one of their newer brands Benecos. I've already talked about Benecos in a couple of my previous My Pure posts but just in case you're new to the brand, they are a BDIH certified German company, who produce a wide range of purse friendly cosmetics and toiletries, that are cruelty free and contain predominantly natural and organic ingredients, and no nasty chemicals.

My Pure have a few make up brushes from Benecos in their inventory but the one I decided to try was the Benecos Rouge Brush.

Unlike a lot of brushes on the market you don't get any unnecessary packaging with this one, it comes wrapped in plain cellophane to cut down on both costs and waste. This brush features a silver, tone, recycled aluminium ferrule and comes with a short, slightly ribbed bamboo handle. The textured handle means that it's easy to grip, and the shorter handle is specifically designed for controlled, easy application. The handle of the brush is also embossed with the Benecos logo.

Instead of having a flat or a domed brush head, this one is slanted, and is designed specifically to apply  a powder blusher  perfectly on the apples of the cheeks. Given the asymmetric shape though you could also use the brush to apply either a  bronzer or highlighter to create that perfect contour.

This two tone brush, is made from a high quality, densely packed synthetic fibre, so this brush is suitable for vegans and it's completely cruelty free. The brush is very soft and silky so it would perfect if you have sensitive or reactive skin. Whilst it feels it feels very soft at the same time, the hairs are quite dense so it picks  product up well, and it's makes blending and application effortless.

I've been using this brush mainly with blusher and I've been impressed with how well it's performed I haven't lost a single hair during application, and it was very easy to wash again with no shedding.

I'm a bit of brush obsessive and I've tried quite a few of the brands that are  out there, and I have to say that by far this is one of the nicest slanted, cheek brushes that I've ever used. I literally cannot find a fault with it. The price point is competitive, it does exactly what it should, it feels nice on the skin, it's well made, and it's cruelty free. The Benecos Rouge Brush retails at £8.95 from My Pure.

I'm definitely going to be trying out a few more products from Benecos in the weeks and months to come, and the other brushes are definitely at the top of my list. In the meantime I have another Benecos review going up over the weekend, I wonder what it could be? Maybe the photo below will give you a clue ;)

Thanks for reading and if you have any questions please leave me your musings below I'd love to hear your thoughts x

*Sample

Isle Of Wolf Natural Perfumed Candle - Rose Absolute*

After another couple of lousy weeks in LouLouLand, I've been in serious need of a bit of a meditative and reflective time, so every night I've been lighting a candle and trying to use it as a tool for relaxation. Over the last few months I've been burning a lot of food, and spicy fragrances but I'm trying to switch it up a bit and look forward to the lighter nights and the spring. I already have a nice collection of fruit and floral scented candles but I decided to shake it up and try something new from My Pure.

I've tried a couple of candles from  Latvian brand Isle of Wolf now (read my reviews here and here) and I've grown to love their ethos, and their subtle and natural aromas so I decided to try another fragrance- this time I went for Rose Absolute.

Based near the shores of the Baltic Sea, this family company operates out of the historic Vilksala manor house. Vilksala literally translates as Isle Of Wolf, and the house and it's gardens provide inspiration for all of the candles that they produce.

Every candle is made by hand, using traditional methods, from 100% pure plant wax. All of the soy wax that they use is free from genetic modification and their naturally sourced cotton wicks are lead free, for a cleaner, safer, and more even burn. Their fragrances are also carefully sourced and they only use 100% natural aromas taken from both essential oils and plant extracts, and they are also suitable for vegans.

All of their candles have a 40 hour burn time and come boxed, and packaged in either a white or a black glass votive, in this case it's a black one which gives a very high end end sophisticated feel, and contrasts brilliantly with the creamy whiteness of the wax. The votive also comes with an attached cardboard coaster to protect your furniture from scratches and the heat which is a nice touch.

Think of a rose fragrance and you automatically think of that powdery, true English rose aroma, this though has a little bit more depth. The Isle Of Wold Rose Absolute scent is based on the fragrance of the Vilksala manor gardens, it's described as "the bursting ripe sweetness of rose flowers with fresh notes of red fruits and green leaves plus subtle touches of powder musk"

Fragrance is a hard thing to describe but for me I can definitely see where the official description is coming form. I definitely get a bit of the traditional rose scent but I also get a hint of maybe some green, herb notes, and a bit of geranium, with an almost sugary, powdery finish

This candle burns cleanly and evenly but for me it just doesn't seem to have as strong a fragrance throw as the previous Isle Of Wolf candles that I've tried. You can definitely smell it but this candle is really a one for a smaller room, such a bedroom or a bathroom, rather than my large open plan living room. If you like strong, heady fragranced candles then this one isn't for you but if you like a more subtle, intimate fragrance, with a high end interior magazine appearance then this candle could be right up your street. The Isle Of Wolf Natural Perfumed Candle in Rose Absolute retails at £15 from My Pure. Are you a fan of rose fragrances? Leave me a comment and let me know x

*Sample

Foodie Friday - Upping My Protein Intake With Veganicity Pea Protein*

I've been a vegetarian for nearly 19 years now and during that time I've heard it all and pretty much seen it all. Thankfully people are a lot more accepting of special diets now but there are still those who make judgements and assumptions because of what you to choose to eat or not to eat. I've lost count of the amount of people who've suggested that my diet must be lacking in something because I don't eat meat or fish. Yes, vegetarians, and vegans can sometimes lack certain vitamins and minerals such as iron, protein and vitamin B12 but if you eat a balanced diet and a wide variety of different foods then you should be fine.

I'm a firm believer that you should be able to get all the vitamins, and minerals that you need from the food you eat but sometimes you just need a bit of a boost, particularly if you're lacking in energy or if you're stressed, unwell or if you've been eating badly,

It's funny how things become trendy or popular but at the moment you can't go on Facebook or instagram without somebody talking about protein powder. Although I follow a lot of fitness and wellbeing accounts where people are using protein powder to increase muscle mass and stamina and to aid weight loss, protein is something that we all need to help tissue regeneration and to provide the body with essential fuel.

Whilst I don't think my diet is too bad and I do still eat a lot of protein based foods such as soya, grains, and beans, I'm going through a bad patch health wise, so as a vegetarian, who wants a bit more energy and is trying to lose some weight, an extra boost of protein powder sounded like it would be perfect by me.

The problem is though where do you start - research protein powders and it really is a minefield, what is made from? what does it taste like? what do I do with it? So many questions so many options and answers and I have to admit I was a bit stuck. Thankfully though the lovely people from Veganicity came to my rescue.

Veganicity produce a huge range of vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements, all of which are 100% vegan and animal friendly, and are approved by the Vegan Society. Their products are also suitable for coeliacs and diabetics and anyone who wants to avoid unnecessary or artificial ingredients in their supplements. One of the supplements that they offer is Pea Protein, and I was kindly sent a bag to try out.

Okay, I know in this world of sweet flavoured protein powders, that pea protein probably doesn't sound too appetising but appearances and words can be deceptive. The humble pea is crammed full of vitamins and minerals, as well as fibre and protein.

The 250g bag contains nothing but pure pea powder, it contains no artificial fillers, preservatives or binders and 80& of the contents is pure pea proteins. When I opened the packet I assumed that it would be green but it's actually a very finely ground, cream coloured powder. It reminds me a bit of flour in both texture and in taste. It's classed as unflavoured but it actually tastes a little bit like raw flour. It certainly isn't overpowering and it definitely won't alter the taste of anything that you put it in.

Veganicity recommend that you take around 1 to 3 servings a day, a serving is about a heaped dessertspoon. You get around 25 servings in each bag and each serving contains around 39 calories.

There is no one way to use this, you can mix it into cold drinks, hot drinks, stews, soups, smoothies and milkshakes, and you can even use it to make pancakes. The pancake recipe is on the packet and it's both egg and dairy free, I gave it ago but instead of soya milk, I used normal semi skimmed and I used gluten free flour.

It wasn't the most successful recipe that I've ever made (thanks to the gluten free flour) but the pancakes, were really good, especially when I served them with some stewed blackberries and apple and some squirty cream. I know the cream wasn't the most healthy addition but I felt so virtuous with all the extra protein, I felt as though I deserved a treat.

Because of my poorly wisdom tooth, I'm eating a lot of soup at the moment and I've been putting spoonful or two of the pea protein  into my homemade soups and stews. It dissolves really well into hot liquids but it needs a bit of extra work when you add it to cold drinks. If you're going to add it to a milkshake or say a smoothie I would definitely recommend that you use a blender or a specialist shaker to make sure the pea protein is full dissolved because you don't want any lumps.

Here I've just made a quick milkshake with a spoonful of powder, some milk, some frozen raspberries and some frozen banana (just a tip peel your bananas before you freeze them to stop them going brown)

and here I've made a quick frozen smoothie, with some fresh orange juice, and some frozen banana and some frozen pineapple, and a spoonful of pea protein.

Whether or not all of this extra protein is doing me any good, I really can't tell but I do know that I can't be doing me any harm, and I certainly feel a little bit better for it. Although nothing can replace a healthy diet, supplements definitely can play a part when we need that little bit of something extra. If you are feeling a bit under the weather though, or if your not sure whether or not you should be taking supplements or vitamins, it's worth having a chat with your GP or another health care professional. Veganicity From Health Plus Pea Protein retails at around £8.45 for a 250g bag and is available from the Veganicity website, Amazon and from various other health food stores x

*Sample

The Konjac Sponge Co - A Review For My Pure*

If you'd asked me a few years ago what Konjac was, I can pretty much guarantee that along with 90% of the western world that I wouldn't be able to tell you. Now though it's a totally different story, this Asian grown, vegetable fibre ingredient is everywhere, from slim noodles, to bubble tea and skincare, the majority of us will either have ate or drank something with it in, or we'll have used it at some point in our skin care routines.

Over the past year or so there has been of a buzz in the blogging community about face and body cleansing products from The Konjac Sponge Co, but I have to admit that by and large it's passed me by, Konjac for me was for eating in a stir fry, and not for putting on my face! Last month though I was browsing the My Pure website and I noticed that one of their newest brands was The Konjac Sponge Co so I thought I'd give them a try and see what all the fuss was about.

The sponges are made from natural vegetable fibres from the Konjac Potato or Konnyaku plant. This plant which contains 97% water is not only an excellent food source but it's also pH neutral so it's an excellent skincare ingredient for sensitive skins. The Konjac used in all of the products from The Konjac Sponge Co, is free from chemicals, colourings, irritants, pollutants and additives. The Konjac fibres that they use also comes from a sustainable source, and their products are both vegan and cruelty free,

The plant fibres are mixed with various other ingredients, depending on the sponge that you choose, and they are mixed together with the purest, cleanest, water possible, that is filtered through volcanic rock. Depending on your skin type there are various sponges to choose from but the one I decided to go for was the one with nourishing, rich, green clay.

Containing French green clay noted for its antibacterial properties, this sponge is designed specifically for oily, combination skin, and is designed to exfoliate, and deep cleanse the skin, whilst at the same time, refining pores and leaving the skin soft, smooth and radiant.

The sponge itself comes packaged in a plastic pouch and it contains full instructions on how to use it. It's round in shape, pale green in colour and comes with an attached, string hanging loop. When you first take the sponge out of the packet and it's dry, it feels quite hard, and almost scratchy to the touch.

The sponge when it's dry is way too hard to use so what you need to do is wet it. The first time you use it you need to wet it completely through, and give it a good squeeze, and then you're ready to go.

Dry

When it's wet the sponge feels more like the conventional sponges, that we're used to, it's soft and squidgy to the touch with just a hint of texture.

Wet

Then all you do is wash your face, you can either use the sponge on it's own, or you can use it with your favourite cleanser. There is no discernible smell or residue, and when you use it on it's own, it leaves the skin feeling surprisingly fresh and clean, and very smooth once it's dry. Use it with cleanser and you get a similar result but you seem to need less product.

Once your done you just rinse the sponge and leave it dry till the next time you want to use it. It you look after your sponge it should last for around 2-3 months before you need to replace it. Even then the sponge is full biodegradable so all you need to do is put it in the garden or in the compost bin.

I get it! I get it! I really do !I finally understand the hype surrounding these sponges! I've mainly been using this on a morning and on my no make up days but I can honestly say even with using specific face scrubs and masks, my skin has never felt smoother! From something rock solid and rough, to something smooth and soft, with just a quick soak in water, this sponge is gentle on the skin, yet you feel as though you've given it a good scrub without any of the roughness or the abrasive action . I can't recommend this sponge enough and I'll definitely be buying another one when this one gives up the ghost. 

If you have skin! I would thoroughly recommend that you add one of these to your routine. If you don't have oily, combination skin that's fine, there are plenty more sponges in the range with different ingredients for different skin conditions, so even if your skin is super sensitive this product could work for you. You can find a full selection on My Pure, but the one I got, The Konjac Sponge Co 100% Natural Vegetable Fibre Face Sponge With Nourishing Mineral Rich Green Clay For Oily And Combination Skin retails at £7.99 from My Pure, Have you tried Konjac sponges yet, or even the noodles ;)? Let me know below x 

*Sample

Lippy Girl Vegocentric Lipstick In P-Bomb - A Review For My Pure*

For as long as I can remember I've loved lipstick and to me it's pretty obvious why.  Although my mum doesn't wear a lot of make up, you never ever see her without her lipstick, she has tubes in her bag, in the car, down the side of the settee, wherever you look in my house you'll probably find one of my mums signature pink lipsticks.

Maybe it was a strange act of rebellion but I've only started wearing pink lipstick in the last 3 or years, before that I saw it as my mums colour but as I've got older I've realised how flattering  pink lipstick actually is.

I have lots and lots of lipsticks in my collection but I'm always looking to try new products and new brands so for one of March's My Pure reviews I decided to try a lip colour from one of their newer ranges,  Lippy Girl.

Created by ex model Darcey Dieh, Lippy Girl is one of the biggest brands in Canada, when it comes to vegan make up. Yes you heard correctly, vegan make up, the range is completely cruelty free and animal friendly and contains no animal products of derivatives. Containing a mixture of earth minerals, plant oils and waxes including organic Castor Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Carnauba Wax and Shea Butter, the Lippy Girl range is also bee free, chemical free, gluten free and lead free.

There are currently 12 shades of lipstick to choose from neutrals, to brights and berries,

but I went for the quite, oddly named, Lippy Girl Vegocentric Vegan Lipstick in P-Bomb.

The 5g lipstick comes boxed and packaged in a black and hot pink  100% recyclable aluminium tube. 

Smelling ever so slightly of citrus fruit, the shade that I chose P-Bomb is a pretty, pale baby pink shade. In the tube it almost appears to have a darker veining to it but it goes on as one shade, with just  the smallest hint of shimmer.

When I first swatched P-Bomb, it did seem to drag slightly, but by the time I used it on my lips, the application was smooth, and pigmentation was fine. It's not the most moisturising lipstick I've ever used by any means, but on the same note I didn't find it drying or uncomfortable to wear. The wear time was pretty good, and I still had quite a bit of product left on my lips even after and cookie and a latte.

I'm going to hold my hands up and admit that my experience in the past with natural, vegan and cruelty free lipsticks hasn't been that great, I've generally found them to taste, and smell unpleasant and to have quite a stiff, dry texture but despite my initial cynicism this one has nearly proved me wrong.

I would have loved this lipstick to have been a bit more moisturising but other than that I can't really fault it. It feels okay, applies well and it lasts. I also love the colour way more than I thought I would. I love baby pinks but they can sometimes by a bit too cool and blue toned to be flattering,but not this one, it's definitely got a little bit of warmth to it that makes it a bit more wearable.

There aren't too many vegan lipsticks on the market so Lippy Girl have found themselves a real successful niche, by producing a cruelty free product that does exactly what it should. I'm still a touch cynical though so I will definitely be trying one of the other shades and I'll be crossing my fingers that it performs as well as this one does. Lippy Girl Vegocentric Lipstick In P-Bomb retails at £12.50 for a 5ml tube from My Pure. Have you tried a lipstick from Lippy Girl yet? Let me know your thoughts x 

(*Sample)