Skincare Review: Origins V Ren #glowedition

If a product claims to be energising, encourage glow and likened to caffeine for the skin, I am ALL OVER IT. These two sets are very similar in that you are saving a lot of money with the extras which are being thrown in for free*. The Origins GinZing moisturiser is usually £24 for 50ml but in this set, for an extra £14* you are getting 75ml moisturiser as well as 30ml GinZing Scrub Cleanser, 15ml Rose Clay Mask, 15ml Renewal serum and a nice travel bag (total saving £21).

The Ren set is a another great deal. The Glycolactic Renewal Mask is £32 on its own, but in this set your are getting 30ml Polish Cleanser and 15ml BB cream with SPF, as well as a sample of the night-time facial and a handy travel bag for free (a total saving of £15).

Origins Energising Essentials – £38

I have been using this moisturiser for at least 2 years now so I knew what to expect and that I wouldn’t be disapointed. What I love about this moisturiser is the way it sinks into your skin after a few seconds, meaning your can put your make up on straight away. It primes the skin well, making the make up sit nicely. My skin does feel energised and slightly more plump when I use this so I would agree with the claims the product makes. I would say that if you have very dry skin this would not be enough for you as it is extremely light. If you have combination to oily skin this would be perfect. My skin can often be dry in the winter and I do feel the need for extra moisture around this time. It is however, perfect for the summer months and really wakes you up with its zesty orange scent!

Now onto the other treats included in this set. The Renewal serum is beautiful, it has a lovely texture and leaves the skin feeling silky soft. This is lovely paired underneath the GinZing moisturiser for added moisture. I wasn’t madly in love with the Scrub Cleanser or Clay Mask because my skin if very sensitive to products with exfoiliatibng beads in, I did have a few breakouts after using these. If you haven’t got a problem with sensitive skin and enjoy using exfoiliating products you will enjoy these products.

Ren Get Your Glow On! – £32

I had heard a lot of good things about this mask on YouTube so when I saw that lookfantastic had this set on offer for £21 (orginal price £32) I couldn’t resist. The mask has a strange marmalade-like texture and does sting the skin during the first few minutes. The stinging is caused by the Glycolactic ingredient in this mask which effectively dissolves dead skin cells. I was worried that the stinging would result in a breakout after use and I was right, I did get a few spots shortly after washing this mask off. My skin was however brighter and softer. I am not sure that I would buy this product again as the results did not blow me away but I am glad I tried it at this bargain price!

The BB cream is lovely and will be perfect for a light coverage whilst on holiday as it is sheer and light with a hint of glow. The Micro Polish is very abrasive and good when you have a lot of build up on the skin. Again, this is one that I need to be careful with as my skin can get angry with me when I use these beady bruisers!

Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette

   
 

This palette has fast become one of my all time favourites. The colours are interesting but at the same time very wearable, I find that I am reaching for this most days. The good thing about these eyeshadows is that they are buildable, you can use lightly for work days or build up for anevening-out, smokey eye. The shadows are very pigmented but I have noticed no fall out whilst applying these. The staying power is excellent but improved by using a primer prior to application. 

The palette contains 4 matte shades and 6 shimmer shades. Freshly Toasted is a beautiful chocolate with terracotta undertones, lovely used on its own with slightly more intensity in the crease. Shades Substitute For Love and Pure Ganache compliment each other well and will be stunning in the summer months. Warm notes is very much like Mac Cranberry and is beautiful in the crease with Sweeter End washed over the lids. I have to say that I think shadows are just as good, if not better than Mac eyeshadows. Considering the fact that you are getting 10 eyeshadows for little more than what you would pay for just one Mac eyeshadow, you really are getting good value for money. 

The Zoeva Cocoa Blend palette currently retails at £18 on beautybay.com. I did happen to pick this up when it was only £15 which (in my opinion) is a total bargain for the quality and pigmentation you’re getting with these eyeshadows. I know which brand I will turn to when I need want a new eyeshadow palette!

Feel Good Recipes #SweetToothEdition

Banana Bread – Cookie and Kate Recipe

I have mentioned before that I have a major sweet tooth, especially in the morning. I have to stop myself from going into Marks and Spencers every morning to get a Pain au Chocolat, now its strictly a Friday treat (ahem). So I was looking for something to satisify my breakfast cravings which wasn’t going to make my sugar levels suddenly crash at 10am. I thought a healthy Banana bread might be the answer and came across Cookie and Kate’s recipe.  Theres no refined sugar in this recipe, only honey. The recipe states that you can use coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil instead of butter. I used the olive oil option as that was all I had in the house. The olive oil and bananas keep the bread extremely moist and this is the type of bread which gets better after a couple of days as the bananas ripen further. I added chopped walnuts which go perfectly in banana bread but I think some dark chocoalte chips would be amazing in this recipe! So if you’re looking for a moist, healthy sweet treat on a morning, why not try Cookie & Kates receipe?

Date Energy Balls

I’ve recently purchased the Magimix 3200XL Food processor and because of the price, I was hoping it will be a good investment – so far so good! Before it arrived I did my research and came across some healthy snack ideas which I could whizz up when it arrived. I liked the idea of the ‘energy balls’ I had seen so much of Instagram and YouTube but I was a little put off by all the coconut oil and maple syrup which were being used. I really didn’t think they were needed due to the sticky, sweet nature of the date.

When the Magimix arrived I thought I would create my own take on energy balls and I am happy to say they were a success! With only 3 ingredients to chuck in and go – you can’t go wrong really. With this kind of recipe I really don’t think you need to follow strict measurements as its not being baked. It’s just a case of checking you have the right consistency to roll the mixture into balls. If too dry, add another date or a little water. If too wet add a few more nuts or some more Cocao powder – I use this one. As a guide I roughly used the following to make around 8 balls.

4 Medjool Dates

50g Almonds (or any nut you prefer)

1 tbsp Cocao

Once whizzed up to the right consistancy and rolled into balls you can then roll them into some chopped hazelnuts, chia seeds or anything that takes your fancy!

I took three of these balls to work for my breakfast and found that they kept me full until lunchtime. They are great to use as a snack and they keep for up to a week in the fridge.

Raw Carrot Cake – by Lorraine Pascale

I love me some carrot cake, it must be my favourite type of cake! And you guessed it, I was looking for a healthy alternative. This recipe by Lorraine Pascale happens to be raw, vegan and gluten free which is great for those with intolerances or perhaps you just prefer to eat this way. As this is a raw cake there is no baking involved and all the ingredients can be whizzed up in a food processor. The icing is made from soaked cashews, dates and vanilla extract and I was amazed at how good this tasted! I think this icing would be a great, refined sugar-free addition to lots of different types of cakes and desserts.

Lorraine this recipe is genius!