Beauty Favourites #2: A Tale of Two Serums (and more)

Product Junkie

I’ll start this review by saying once again that I’m not a beauty blogger, nor do I claim to have any expertise in the field. I am however a bit of a “product junkie”. I always enjoy trying new things and I do so with an open mind.

Did you know that blue light from devices causes ageing? Neither did I until recently. I have an excellent serum to help protect your skin. As well as that there is a gorgeously illuminating and seriously WOW CBD serum and some of my favourite daily hair products. I have included current special offers too.

Some of the products in this review were PR samples. I will identify these as such (Pr). The rest I bought myself. So, without further ado, here are the products I’ve finished this month, that I recommend and that I will buy again.

WOW Serum with CBD that’s WOW (pr)

*The Wow Serum is an illuminating serum designed to enhance vibrancy and give long-lasting plumpness. The combination of CBD, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, squalene and light reflecting pigments claim to provide deep hydration and radiance for all skin tones. This serum has a lot of hero products and a lot of 5-star reviews so I had high expectations. It’s by Mantle, a Swedish professional luxury skincare brand which uses CBD from hemp plants. It is a new brand to me and I love it; the diversity of the models, the witty product names- it’s brilliant.

So that’s the background, now the product. The Mantle WOW Serum is a joy to use. The texture is smooth and creamy and it feels truly luxurious- like a treatment. It’s slightly tinted but it doesn’t tint the skin, so it is perfect for every shade and colour of skin. The light reflecting particles even the skin tone beautifully so it’s a great product to use on make-up free days. It is also perfect for wearing under make up for extra radiance. A fabulous product and a fabulous brand. You really should check it out.
Starting from today Wednesday 25th May until Tuesday 31st May, get 3 for 2 on all Mantle skincare. I shall be stocking up.

Blue light protection Digital Defence Serum (pr)

“Protecting against harmful blue light from the sun and digital devices, this light textured triple-action serum is packed with natural ingredients that create a natural barrier for free radicals, whilst brightening and toning skin. Its deep hydrating effects nourish skin to help to minimise visible lines and wrinkles.Organic argan oil is rich in vitamin A and E and omega oils, whilst grapeseed oil moisturises and tones. This serum is also infused with cornflower for its soothing and astringent properties.Digital Defence incorporates the unique formula DigiTect®, a powerful complex of four natural ingredients which combine to block 100% of blue light and reduce the harmful effects and photo-ageing caused from day to day exposure to blue light from the sun and digital screen technology. Including Lycopene, Knotgrass, Rice oil and Verbascum, this formula has been expertly developed to protect skin from the damaging effects of high energy (HEV) blue light emitted by screens which cause visible signs of premature ageing.”

Blue light from devices causes ageing

I copied the above blurb about Digital Defence Day & Night Protection Serum because it gives a lot information and makes quite bold claims that blue light from devices causes ageing I’m fully aware of the impact of cumulative daily UV exposure, but does blue light from devices cause ageing? I did my due diligence and a quick online search came up with numerous medically/clinically verified citations which support this. My next question was does an SPF moisturiser protect the skin from blue light? The answer is obvious once I thought about it. Sunscreens are designed to protect our skin from UVA and UVB rays and not from visible light. Blue light is part of the visible spectrum of daylight and it has a different wavelength to damaging ultra-violet rays. Therefore there is a valid place for skincare which to protect against blue light from devices.

So what about the product? Well, I think it is excellent. (I am currently almost at the end of their cleanser too- more about that when I’ve finished it.) It is organic and vegan and is lightweight and non-sticky with a lovely scent. It makes for a good base under SPF moisturiser and comes in a glass bottle with a dropper for ease of use. I am going to order another to use when I’ll be working on a screen all day and to layer under my usual SPF moisturiser.

Excellent “growth promoting” conditioner

If you read my beauty favourites post from last month, you’ll remember that my favourite daily shampoo is Charles Worthington’s Everyday Gentle Micellar Shampoo. It’s the one I have used daily, almost without exception for over two years. I tend to mix things up with different CW conditioners though. One of the reasons is that CW hair products are often on 3 for 2 at Boots, (*this offer is currently running here), so it’s a good opportunity to mix and match and try different specific conditioners. The Grow Strong Protein Conditioner envelops each hair strand with a blend of strengthening proteins. I comb it through my hair with a wide -tooth comb after shampooing (and rinsing), and I can feel the softness straight away. I have my hair highlighted twice a year and I use heat on it almost every day so this conditioner seems to help reduce associated breakage and damage without leaving a residue. It’s paraben-free, vegan friendly and the tube is 100% recyclable.

Effective blow dry/ heat protector spray

Also from the same Charles Worthington range is the Volume and Bounce heat protector and blow-dry spray. This is also paraben-free and vegan friendly. It protects without being sticky and it doesn’t add weight. I use this when I use the Dyson Air Wrap to curl my hair. (Side note- I love the Air Wrap but my hair needs a LOT of product in it for the style to hold. I’ve find a combination of three or four products that work best. This is the first step). I use a different product – a cream-when I straighten my hair. This is also *available on the 3-for-2 offer here.

Affordable peptide moisturiser (pr)

The Lacura Multi-Peptide Moisturiser came with the bundle of Aldi beauty dupes that I was sent to try. (Read my review of a wide range of Aldi beauty dupes here). I went on the Aldi website to order this again but it is out of stock. It is being sold on Ebay though for about four-times the original cost and I’m tempted to buy one. This is a beautiful product to use. The texture is divine and the pot has a pump action so minimising waste and contamination. This left my skin feeling so soft and worked beautifully under make up. I’ll be stalking the Aldi website (and my local store) to see if it gets restocked.

Soothing hand cream (pr)

I got a deluxe sample size of Stress Check Kind Hands by Thisworks in a recent GlossyBox, ( Use code LIZZY and get your first Glossybox for £11.) This is has got a very nice, and if I may say, unisex botanical scent, (lavendar, ylang ylang) that doesn’t compete with body lotion or perfume. It’s very moisturising and sinks in quickly. and nice to use at bed time. It is paraben, phthalate and sulphate -free and is vegan.

Beautiful body butter (pr)

This full-sized Grace Cole vanilla blush and peony body butter was also in a Glossybox. This has a gorgeous sweet floral scent courtesy of jasmine, peony and vanilla with a woody base. It is definitely a body butter which is thick and smooth. The formula combines the antioxidant properties from grape juice with Shea Butter and sweet almond oil so it’s very nourishing. If you spend £40+ at Grace Cole, you get a free full-sized body butter. (Offer correct at the time of writing).