Sleeping Beauty | Products That Go To Work While You Don't Have To

It all started a few years back with the Origins Drink Up-Intensive Overnight Mask, a mango-scented balmy mask that you slather on and then hit the sheets only to wake up to hydrated radiant skin. Before that, I slathered whatever moisturizer I put on for day use on at night, which while great for hydration, wasn't doing anything else for my skin. Since then I've had a full love affair with products that work the graveyard shift, and today's post has six of them.

Good Grease | 5 Different Balm Cleansers

Something that's come as a bit of a skincare epiphany to me in the last couple of years is the world of balm cleansers. They seemed terrifying at first, as if I was smearing grease all over my face, but once I felt the real effect of how thoroughly they actually cleanse the skin, I don't know if I could ever not use one in my routine. So here are five different types of balm cleanser that get my approval, and which I reach for when...

The 2015 Holiday Gift Guide | $75 and Beyond...

I'm finally rounding up Gift Guide Week with the the ultimate eye candy gifts. I started out the week with Gifts & Stocking Stuffers under $25, followed by my picks for the Under $75 range, and now we're talking about $75 and beyond folks... there are some really droolworthy gifts in here to give (or maybe keep for yourself... you've earned it, I promise you that!)

Clean Beauty Series | REN Skincare

REN Skincare started out 15 years ago in a stand alone shop on Liverpool Street in London by Robert Calcraft and Antony Buck. Since then it's grown into an award winning brand that follows the Clean Beauty Series mantra of created cutting edge products free of parabens, sulphates, mineral oil, petrolatum, synthetic fragrances and dyes, T.E.A, D.E.A and silicones. Oh and did I mention they are 100% against animal testing? Yep, that's a long list of things that sometimes crop up in our skincare folks! 

Today's post will break down the inspiration and ethos of REN, some of my favourites from the line as well as my wish list of products I can wait to try.

Using 100% plant and mineral derived actives, the nice people at REN believe that texture and fragrance should add to the overall experience of using their products, and I would have to agree. It's become no surprise to me that REN Skincare has grown a bit of a cult following around the world.

I've had the pleasure of trying out some of the products from the line (though not nearly as many as I want to try!) and here's what I am loving:

Evercalm Anti-Redness Serum* - I've struggled with reactive skin and jawline redness since I was young and I find this to be super soothing and calming. This is formulated to give instant relief from discomfort and sensitivity and I found it really did just that. I pump of this after a too-hot shower left my previously red splotchy face even toned and hydrated. Apparently, Evercalm is meant to strengthen capillary walls and 'trains' the skin to be less sensitive (which can protect against premature ageing) but that is a claim I wouldn't know the results of for some time.  The texture is milky, almost like a thin lotion, and includes the following ingredients which I've broken down into what the heck they actually do:
Milk Polypeptides -creates signals to your skin to regenerate collagen Beta-Glucan -strong anti-inflammatory agent  -aids reducing redness and sensitivity Antileukine -fights free radical damage Wild Canadian Rumex -reduces hyperpigmentation -protects blood vessels and helps decongest and stop swelling Hyaluronic Acid -boosts skin's moisture content as well as reduces moisture loss

Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial - Imagine last minute plans pop up and your skin is looking less than stellar. Now enter in the 1 Minute Facial which visibly rejuvenates skin almost instantly. It claims to banish urban grey, reduce fine lines and imperfections as well as tones and firms.  While I don't particularly care for the slightly metallic scent to this product, my skin looks great after using it and the recommended time frame actually fits into my life when I can rarely be reminded to apply a mask. The texture is grainy like a sugar scrub and has the following bio extracts:
Vitamin C -stimulates collagen synthesis and provides radiance Boswellic Acid -relaxes facial tissue to smooth lines Glycogen Magnesium - Boosts radiance and skin energy

Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask* - This is the mask for when you have more time (10-20 minutes) and want to give your skin a serious overhaul once a week or so. It's 6.5% Glycolic Acid removes dead skin cells, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, fights congestion and blackheads and improves skin tone.  I was initially worried about this product after reading slight tingling might occur, but I didn't notice any of it, and my sensitive skin reacted really well to this pumpkin hued mask. It exfoliates the skin using the following ingredients:
Natural Fruit Acids -Papaya, lemon, grape, pineapple and passionfruit encourage cell turnover 

So what's on my list next? Being a rose lover, I'd love to try the Moroccan Rose Range which looks gorgeously lush and hydrating. New to the brand is the Citrus Limonum Hand Wash and Cream, which look divine as well as the good people at REN have created a Shampoo and Conditioner which I would love to try, loving sulphate free haircare! 
What are your favourite REN products? Which ones should I try next?

Glow in a Bottle | Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist

Tatcha is a brand I've started to hear plenty about in the blogger circuit, namely the Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, which has gained a bit of a cult following recently. Up until using it, I assumed it was just another setting spray like so many on the market, but this folks is really something special! 

The Best in Beauty for September 2015

Another month gone, and another list of favourite beauty products to share with you all! This month has some really wonderful discoveries and new products, as well as a previous favourite or two that I've fallen back in love with again. Let's get right into it, shall we?

Getting the Glow | Tanning Innovations from Hylamide and St Tropez

There's been some serious innovations going on in the faux glow world as of late. Orange skin and tell tale tanner smell are becoming a thing of the past and we're moving into formulas that develop faster, last longer and look more natural. I for one am always interested in adding a little glow, and there have been two recent additions to my face self tanning routine that stand apart from traditional tanning products.  

Clean Beauty Series | MV Organic Skincare + GIVEAWAY

I'm so thrilled to be launching the Clean Beauty Series, which is devoted to spotlighting beauty brands all over the globe that create beautiful, high quality products, free of potentially toxic/reactive ingredients such as parabens, petrochemicals, sulfates, petrolatum, phthalates and artificial fragrances.  I'm also super pleased to kick start this series with the truly gorgeous MV Organic Skincare, which has developed a bit of a cult following, and earned a favourite spot amongst the likes of Emma Watson, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Poppy Delevigne and Maggie Gyllenhaal to name a few! Enjoy reading about this gorgeously refined skincare line, and make sure you stick around for the giveaway below!

The Australian born MV Organic Skincare range was created by Sharon McGlinchey in a bid to create products for those with skin sensitivities such as eczema and rosacea, but still using the highest quality organic ingredients so that skincare could still be an enjoyable experience. 

The website for the brand is jam packed full of incredible information, including a thorough list of ingredients they use (like Organic Rosehip, Camellia, Calendula and Avocado Oils to name a few) and ingredients they don't (things like parabens, petrolatum, alcohol etc) and the brand does not use any synthetic fragrances, which for this sensitive nose is a HUGE plus. 

The products are also housed in aluminum packaging, which protects the delicate and sometimes volatile essential oils from sunlight and keeps the product fresh. This packaging also comes with pump/spray nozzles which means no contamination like you can get with jar packaging. 

So here's my thoughts on the line and products I've tried:

I can see why MV Organic Skincare is becoming a bit of a cult classic - the quality of the products is noticeable on the very first use. The formulations feel luxurious, spa like and a total treat for your skin. It's no doubt to me that these products are worth every penny of their price tag. 

My favourites from the range:

Rose Plus Booster: This is the king of rose oils. It smelts softly of genuine roses, and makes me skin absolutely glowing. I use 2 drops of this at night sandwiched in between my serum and my night cream and in the morning my skin looks balanced, clear and radiant (Rosehip Oil is known for its healing properties and abilities to reduce some of the aging that occurs from UV damage. It works wonderfully to restore balance to hormonal, acne prone, dry and dehydrated skins equally)

Rose Soothing Protective Moisturizer: This is such a lovely and nourishing day cream, I find it very calming and it really soothes my sometimes red and sensitive skin. It also sits beautifully under makeup, and almost acts as a primer. 

Hand Rescue: This might go down in my books as one of the silkiest feeling hand creams I've used and it sinks in super fast leaving a soft satin feel rather than a sticky or greasy feeling to the skin. Given that I'm a trained silversmith who is used to working with and washing her hands many many times a day, I think I have pretty good standing on what constitutes a decent hand cream!

Gentle Cream Cleanser: A good old cream cleanser should be a staple in every skin routine, whether you use it every day, or just when your skin is being a bit reactive or stubborn. This is a nourishing, luxurious feeling cream cleanser that leaves my skin feeling soft, hydrated and smooth - really what more could you want!?

The Giveaway
MV Organic Skincare has kindly sponsored a giveaway for one lucky reader to win the MV Organic Skincare Luxury Travel Bag Bundle worth $250CND!
The set includes: 70ml Rose Soothing Protective Moisturizer 70ml Rose Hydrating Mise 70ml Gentle Cream Cleanser Muslin Cloth Organic Cotton Travel Bag (this bag is awesome!)
The Rules:
You must be 18+ years of age to enter. Open Worldwide. Winner will be contacted before end of day October 5th, and will have 3 business days to respond to the winner email before a redraw. Giveaway runs from September 16th 12am PST - Sept 23rd 11:59pm PST 2015. All entries will be checked for validity! If you already follow on social media networks please ensure you still use the form below to enter!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


*MV Organic Skincare is very kindly sponsoring this giveaway. The prize will ship directly from them. *PR Samples

Sunday Splurge | Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Cream

Here's a little #SundaySplurge for you that may very well take your skin from looking alright to looking absolutely amazing. Every time I treat my face to the much hyped Charlotte's Magic Cream, I am blown away not only for how incredible it feels on the skin, but how wonderful it makes my skin look. The name hits the nail on the head when it comes to this product - it really does seem like a bit of magic. 

World Wide Beauty Vol. 2 | Omorovicza for Hungary

Last month I introduced a new series here on Girl Loves Gloss called World Wide Beauty, which puts a spotlight on beauty brands from all over the globe. This month we take a little trip to Hungary with Omorovicza, and the healing properties of Hungarian thermal waters.

July 2015 Beauty Favourites

July seemed like an incredibly busy month for me, and flew by (insert classic beauty blogger line about 'where did the time go?' here.) I actually think every product in July's favourites list is new to me this month, so clearly I tested a lot of great stuff - there aren't always so many hits when it comes to new launches in one month! Let's take a look at what I'm loving right now, shall we?

Tata Harper Limited Edition Honey Blossom Resurfacing Mask + SALE

After hearing Caroline rave about the Tata Harper range for ages now, I almost knew I was going to fall in love. The brand boasts 100% natural and nontoxic ingredients that are grown, produced and packaged all on an organic farm in Vermont. They are cruelty free, certified by Eco Cert and have no artificial colours or scents. Sold yet? I was!
So naturally when I got the chance to try out the Tata Harper Limited Edition Honey Blossom Resurfacing Mask* I jumped at the chance...

The original Resurfacing Mask is one of Tata Harper's best sellers, so I knew they had to be on to something. It's a non abrasive beta hydroxy treatment that helps slough away dead skin cells, while accelerating cellular renewal. Unlike some chemical exfoliants or resurfacing products, there is no photosensitivity and has ingredients that help reduce redness and inflammation.  The Limited Edition Honey Blossom Resurfacing Mask* is blended with Vermont-harvested raw honey and floral extracts and let me tell you: It smells amazing.  I knew the minute it arrived I was in for a treat; The gorgeous green and gold packaging (100% recycled paper of course!) came with the Tata Harper wax seal and ribbon! When I opened it up, my jar was numbered 155/1500 which made me feel a little special, not going to lie. Only 1500 of these limited edition Honey Blossom versions are being made, just a heads up! Besides the absolutely gorgeous smell, the product inside feels so lush on the skin. As directed, you apply a layer on a clean face and leave for 10-30 minutes (10 for sensitive skin) then remove with warm water. Then you prepare to have your face feel like a baby's bum. Seriously. The next morning I woke up with my skin looking like a million bucks - it felt plump, radiant and so smooth!  This is definitely one of those masks you need for days when you're feel absolutely rubbish, because it will no doubt perk spirits! Tata Harper can be found online on www.tataharperskincare.com or or www.sephora.com/tata-harper Let me know in the comments below what your favourites from the line might be, or products you want to try from the line!

Follow

To celebrate Tata's Birthday, there is a 20% discount on purchases over $100 for July 29 & 30th at www.tataharperskincare.com only with the code HBDTATA1. I'm not affiliated with the brand, nor do I make a commission, it's just too good of a deal to pass up!

*I was kindly sent the denoted product for consideration. I am not contracted to positively review this product, nor am I affiliated with the brand. Just good old honest reviews around here folks, it's how I roll!

Current Beauty Wish List Wants

For the month of my birthday, I've bought an embarrassingly small amount of beauty product for a blogger. Great for my wallet, but the wishlist is growing. Here are six products that have piqued my interest this month!

December Beauty Favourites

December was a month of several 'new to me' products, and I always love it when I get a collection of products that just hit the ball out of the park. Not only were there some new bits, but some products that I had previously given the cold shoulder to, only to have them prove me wrong! (love that!)

CONDITIONER FOR YOUR SKIN? | Lush's Ro's Argan Body Conditioner

The post wherein I wish smell-o-vision existed, because this stuff smells ah-mazing.  After falling in love with Lush's Rose Jam Shower Gel with annoyingly is a holiday time only product (seriously Lush, I need this all year round) I was desperate to get my hands on anything else that had that juicy genuine rose (ie not old lady rose) smell to it. Enter in a unique product that kills two birds with one stone (I promise no birds were actually harmed in the discovery or making of this product!)

FAVOURITES | 5 Favourites for June 2014

The last day of June is upon us and it's time for me to round up my 5 favourite products for the month. Stay tuned later this week for the sister post - 5 Flops for June 2014!

GLAMGLOW SUPERMUD | Worth the Hype?

There has been so much hype about the GlamGlow products in the last few months. It seems I can't watch a beauty favourites video on YouTube without this product being mentioned, and given the $76 CAD price tag, I really had my doubts. So, naturally when a product has been this hyped up, I had to try it for myself, and thanks to some nasty hormonal breakouts on my chin I had just the reason to. Here's some thoughts...

FEELING LUXE | L'OCCITANE Amande Firming & Smoothing Milk Concentrate

As I mentioned in my birthday haul post, I was gift a few nice beauty bits this year. Now I always like to go buy gifts for people who maybe wouldn't justify purchasing for themselves, and this fits perfectly with my mantra. My wonder other half decided to treat me to something fancy, and made sure to tell me he specifically picked it out just for me. What a guy...