Can you hydrate your skin with rhubarb?

September 20, 2015September 20, 2015 ~ Agata @BarkTime ~ 24 Comments

Can you hydrate your skin with rhubarb

Well, what do you think?

Can you hydrate your skin with rhubarb?

For the last week I’ve been trying the new Superskin Face Serum from Liz Earle, which contains rhubarb as one of the active ingredients. Not to worry, the serum isn’t just rhubarb based, it is actually packed with a lot of natural ingredients including: olive leaf, jujube, pomegranate and Persian silk extract.

Liz Earle Superskin Face Serum Active Ingredients

The full ingredients list includes: Aqua (water), Glycerin, Heptyl undecylenate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Borago officinalis seed oil, Albizia julibrissin bark extract, Rosa rubiginosa seed oil, Propanediol, Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) seed oil, Sclerotium gum, Olea europaea (olive) leaf extract, Citrus aurantium amara (petitgrain) leaf/twig oil, Lavandula hybrida (lavandin) oil, Anthemis nobilis flower oil, Rheum rhaponticum root extract, Zizyphus jujube seed extract, Punica granatum flower extract, Citrus aurantium amara (neroli) flower oil, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium polyacrylate, Glyceryl behenate, Polyglyceryl-6 distearate, Xanthan gum, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Levan, Benzoic acid, Hydrolyzed algin, Linalool, Jojoba esters, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Dehydroacetic acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetyl alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 beeswax, Decyl glucoside, Alcohol, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Parfum (fragrance), Citric acid, Sodium benzoate, Geraniol, Limonene, Ascorbic acid, Phenylethyl alcohol, Citral.

I have reached that stage in my life when a serum becomes a necessity not a choice, if I want to keep my looks for longer. Having dry skin means that all those age related imperfections show even quicker on my skin due in part to the dryness. I need something which will not only slow the signs of aging but most of all I need something to help me keep the right levels of skin moisture.

I am pleased to say that Superskin Face Serum delivered everything as stated on the packaging! The serum does even skin tone as promised, it does lift and firm; it does plump and smooth but most of all it does keep tabs on skin hydration.

I’ve been using this serum for just one week but I am not able to fault it in any way. It is simply perfect.

The Superskin Face Serum comes in a pump bottle, which makes dispensing of it a pure pleasure and a very easy job.

The serum itself is kind of greyish / greenish in colour (it reminds me of olives, so maybe it could be said to have an olive colour). Its texture is not too thick and not to runny, it is just right for spreading with ease. As to the fragrance, well I am not able to put my finger on it, it is herby, not too strong; I am normally quite fragrance sensitive but this one doesn’t bother me at all, at first I even thought it may be fragrant free… but no, the fragrance is there it is just gentle and it really doesn’t stay all that long either.

After application the Superskin Face Serum will leave your skin super smooth; you can really tell the difference between those parts of your skin where the serum wasn’t applied and where it was. The skin is really soft and it feels well moisturised. The serum is light and is absorbs into your skin within seconds, not minutes like some do; it has a non-sticky formula and it doesn’t leave any oily film on your skin also as some serums tend to do.

The Superskin Face Serum is priced at £48 for 30ml. It might not be super cheap but taking into consideration its ingredients and the fact that you only need one pump of it for a single application, I would say it is priced just right.

I can honestly recommend this serum. I couldn’t find anything wrong with it. Even the fact that it contains alcohol which normally would mean that it makes my skin even drier, doesn’t seem to have any effect this time. I guess another of the more active ingredients are counteracting the alcohol.

The Superskin Face Serum is a lovely product and if you are looking for a new skin serum to add into your daily routine then I suggest you look no further!

Have you ever used any Liz Earle products?

Which face serum would you recommend?

*I received this product for free as a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Network Research Panel.

#OrganicBeauty – Campaign for Clarity

August 25, 2015August 25, 2015 ~ Agata @BarkTime ~ 19 Comments

Have you ever wondered if that organic product standing on the shelf in your bathroom is truly organic?

Currently there is no legislation governing products labelled as organic; if the product contains just 1% of an organic ingredient it can be labelled as such but this isn’t really organic is it?

It’s really puzzling… once you start reading the labels instead of clarity and peace of mind most of the time you are met with confusion. I wish things were much simpler.

Wendy Stirling, founder of the multi-award-winning beauty brand Botanicals, is passionate about natural and organic beauty. She is sharing her tips on how to select true natural and organic skincare products:

Select products that are certified by key natural and organic certification bodies.
Check the ingredients list carefully avoiding any synthetic or chemical ingredients and opting for natural and a high percentage of organic ingredients instead.
See whether the company has won any awards and been recognised for its commitment to the natural and/or organic skincare industry.
Research how a natural and organic product is made. Usually they are produced with care, passion and dedication and in smaller batches, for greater quality products with better quality ingredients and enhanced benefits for skin.
Organic skincare products are usually no more expensive than many ‘luxury brands’ and, in many cases, provide comparable if not superior results, as well as being safer and kinder to your skin.

I have had the pleasure of using Botanicals products and I have no reservation of any kind in recommending them to others. Botanicals creates real natural products which are formulated with our beauty, health and wellbeing in mind by harvesting the pure power of plants. Botanicals has its entire range certified by the Soil Association.

Botanicals’ Soil Association Organic Certification Commitment:

no synthetic, petrochemical or toxic ingredients used
only certified organic ingredients
or ingredients from substantially produced natural resources
safe ingredients, both from a human and environmental perspective
fully biodegradable ingredients that are also certified non-GM
reassurance there is minimum processing of ingredients
clear labelling for informed choices about what to buy
strict ethics based on personal & environmental health & wellbeing

How many other brand can show such a commitment to being truly organic?

On 14th September, Organic Beauty Week will start with a Twitter Takeover and a Thunderclap of tweets surrounding this issue. Botanicals is showing its support for the Soil Association by using Botanicals’ blog and social media sites to promote the benefits of clarity in the organic skincare industry. Why not join in and help spread the word? Share your thoughts and campaign for clarity in the natural and organic beauty industry using #organicbeauty and #campaign4clarity.

Will you be joining in?

Chin Up Firming & Contouring Mask – Review & Giveaway

August 18, 2015August 18, 2015 ~ Agata @BarkTime ~ 20 Comments

When I heard about the possibility of non-surgical face lift I simply couldn’t pass on this opportunity. The idea that my face or especially chin can look slimmer within 30 minutes was too good to be true, I had to try it myself…

Chin Up Firming & Contouring Mask is designed to reduce 1cm of chin-fat within minutes. The results of it will last for several days, but repeat usage can provide you with a permanent effect.

So what are the benefits of Chin Up Firming & Contouring Mask?

Slimming - firming essence accelerates metabolism & boosts the lymphatic system effectively reducing chin fat.

Contouring - performs skin tightening and restores loose & sagging skin.

Ageing Defence - stimulates connective skin tissues and defends against any rebound. Defends against the visible signs of aging such as fine lines & wrinkles.

Lifting - lifts and tightens up neck and chin for a more angular facial contour.

Moisturising - gives immediate relief to dry & dehydrated skin. Defends against the visible sign of aging such as fine lines & wrinkles.

Firming - improves skin activeness and firm cheeks, jaw and chin. It helps boost the density of collagen and cell tension, instantly lifting and firming by up to 20%.

The mask itself is designed to be used with the slimming band. The main job of the band is to keep the mask tightly on your chin. So you have the mask and the chin strap, what next? Well the process is pretty straightforward… clean and dry your face, open the mask, apply the mask (correct way up… full instructions are provided on the packaging) then put the band on and relax for 30-40 minutes… or at least try to relax… I’ve never used a mask with a band like this, I found it quite uncomfortable. The movement of my face was quite restricted and my face was burning… or at least it felt like it. As much as I wanted to relax I simply couldn’t but we often suffer in the name of beauty so hey… I just had to take it 😉

When the time was up I was extremely glad to be able to finally remove the chin band.

So, was it worth it?

Well… yes. I could both see and feel the difference. Once I removed the band and the mask and once the leftover mask was absorbed completely by the skin all the “burning” feeling disappeared. The skin was left very smooth and extremely tight (but in the positive sense of tightness). Using the measuring tape provided it looks like 1.2cm simply disappeared over the 40 minutes.

Will I buy it?

Yes, and no. I would buy it if I had some important event coming up like a wedding, a big party or a school reunion. I will not be adding it to my daily routine, not so much due to the cost of the mask but because I didn’t really enjoy the experience of having my head locked in so tightly.

What do you think?

Would you like to try it for yourself?

I have one Chin Up Firming & Contouring Mask complete with band to giveaway. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is to follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter app below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

T&C:
1. Open to UK readers only.
2. This giveaway is sponsored by Chin Up Mask.
3. There will be 1 winner chosen at random from all valid entries.
4. The winner will receive 1 x Chin Up Firming & Contouring Mask Pack complete with a band. The prize will only be fulfilled by Chin Up Mask.
5. The winner will be contacted directly by Chin Up Mask.
6. Closing date for the giveaway is Tuesday 08/09/2015 at 23:59pm.

ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions
Loquax – Home of The Lucky Duck
SuperLucky Blog Giveaways Linky
Competition Hunter - UK Competitions Community

Replen 10 – Helping your skin stay younger for longer

August 11, 2015August 11, 2015 ~ Agata @BarkTime ~ 18 Comments

Replen 10 is a range of anti-ageing products created by Genève Labarotoire which contains an advanced collagen and hyaluronic acid formula clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

There are four products in the range.

Replen 10 Wrinkle Reducing Collagen Powder
It will instantly smooth the skin surface and fill in existing lines. Long term it can help with: reduction of wrinkles and fine lines, erasing of skin imperfections, preserving the skins strength, restoring the skins elasticity, hydrating and stimulating cell regeneration, protecting the adult stem cells in the dermis, rejuvenating fibroblasts, reactivating collagen synthesis.

Replen10 – Helping your skin stay younger for longer

Replen 10 Wrinkle Reducing Face Masks
Wonderful all round face treatment which will make your skin look and feel younger. The mask will tackle wrinkles and fine lines as well as dark circles around your eyes; it will help to even the skin tone out and improve the moisture levels of the skin; it can be also used as an after sun aid.

Replen 10 Wrinkle Reducing Eye Masks
These masks are especially designed to take care of your eye area. They will help with the reduction of wrinkles, dark circles and restore much needed moisture.

Replen 10 Wrinkle Reducing Lip Masks
Created specifically with the lip area in mind, this mask can help reduce any wrinkles and fine lines around the mouth area and again improve the moisture levels of the skin and thus minimise any signs of aging.

To get the products fully tested I asked my Mom for assistance. I wanted to get the opinions of someone impartial, but also from someone whom I can trust completely that they will tell me their truthful and honest opinion.

Well, so what did my Mom think about the range?

First complements came in regards to the packaging itself. The entire range looks and feels extremely luxurious and would make for a wonderful gift.

Replen 10 – Helping your skin stay younger for longer

Secondly, all the masks are easy to use and Mom found them extremely relaxing. The first time she had the full face mask on she actually fell to sleep.

Third, they work! I think this is the most important feedback I could receive. Mom told me that after a month of use she can see a huge difference. There was a slight improvement after just one use but not as significant as after long term use.

Now I have to buy some more as they recommend that to achieve maximum results you are supposed to use it once a week for a 4 week period… Oh, well I better go shopping!

Have you ever used Replen 10 products?

Would you recommend them to a friend?

*Products featured in this post were provided free of charge for review purposes.

Summer Feet & #win with Scholl

August 6, 2015August 6, 2015 ~ Agata @BarkTime ~ 235 Comments

Summer time, warm weather, open sandals, beach… now it is the time to take extra special care of your feet.

Don’t get me wrong, foot care is extremely important all year round but during the summer months out feet deserve even more attention than usual. Not because we show them off more often but because the hot temperatures and salted water (if you are lucky enough to spend some time by the sea) make them even more vulnerable – skin becomes hard and dry, the heels can crack and before you know it you have one giant disaster on your hands… or feet to be precise.

So what is to be done? Well, take good care of your feet on a regular basis and you will be fine. Use foot cream to soften the skin, also get rid of any dead, dry skin on a regular basis and your feet will repay you for this care tenfold. There is a reason why foot care products exist; they are designed specifically with our feet in mind and not as a generic skin care product. Feet are such a vital part of our body and have an extremely important role to play… after all health and comfort of your feet can affect the entire body – healthy feet make for happy feet!

For years now we have been and still are using Scholl products to take care of our feet, so when I was asked to review some of them I simply couldn’t say no. Scholl understands feet better than anyone else; they spend years trying to understand the structure and biomechanics of feet in relation to the body. After 100 years they still have the same passion and philosophy - to improve the health, comfort and well-being of people by caring for their feet.

The product I want to tell you about is called Velvet Smooth Express Pedi - it is a fast and more importantly, safe way to remove dry and dead skin from your feet in the comfort of your home with a professional level of results.

Does it work?

Oh yes, it does. It works better than I could have imagined. It is fast, yet gentle (there is no sharp blades); it leaves your feet velvet smooth just as stated on the box.

Scholl Velvet Smooth Express Pedi comes with two batteries and it’s ready for use within seconds… all you have to do is to open the packaging, locate the battery door and pull out the safety strap which will allow the batteries to be properly connected… after this you just turn the handle onto the “on” position and file away 🙂 It really is that simple.

Scholl was also kind enough to offer one of their foot care bundles to one of my lucky Bark Time readers. Just follow the Gleam app below and you might be the lucky owner of this lovely bundle of products:

#win foot care bundle from Scholl

Good Luck!

T&C:
1. Open to UK readers only.
2. This giveaway is sponsored by Scholl.
3. There will be 1 winner chosen at random from all valid entries. Winner will be chosen by Gleam.
4. The winner will receive Scholl foot care bundle: 1x Party Feet, 1x Fresh Step Foot Spray, 1x Instant Recovery Cream. The prize will only be fulfilled by Scholl.
5. The winner will have 7 working days to claim the prize, after this time, a new winner will be selected.
6. Closing date for the giveaway is Sunday 30/08/2015 at 23:59pm.

ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions
Loquax – Home of The Lucky Duck
SuperLucky Blog Giveaways Linky
Competition Hunter - UK Competitions Community