skip to main |
skip to sidebar
RRP: £25
--What does the promo say?--
"An anti-inflammatory concentrate of hibiscus flower and green tea acids fortified with salicylic acid for problem skin. Flower (Pyruvic) Acid peel comes in a soothing seaweed -based gel. Gradual exfoliation without irritation associated with alpha-hydroxy peels. Helps to decongest pores consistent with acne. Essential in treatment of rosacea. Allows basal cells to fully mature, strengthening the connective tissue matrix."
--Packaging--
The weight of the glass makes you feel like you're holding a higher-quality product in your hands, and the metallic banding is a thread that runs throughout the brand identity. The pump-action dispenser is convenient, and it's always nice to be able to see how much product you've got left at any given moment.
--Application--
It's recommended that you apply this at night, after cleansing, so that it has a few hours to work. You then wash your face in the morning as normal.
--Appearance--
A golden brown serum that leaves no visible residue on the face.
--Scent--
A really pleasant, naturally sweet, 'treacly' smell.
--Texture and consistency--
Neither too runny nor too sticky; however, I would definitely stick with the advice of only applying this at night, solely for the reason that when it dries it can feel a little taut on the face, as if you've applied a mask. In short, don't expect it to leave a completely smooth and absorbed finish like a moisturiser.
--Effects on the skin--
Skin does appear calmer, smoother and more radiant after use, and doesn't have the irritating qualities of many commercial peels in the short or long term.
--Value for money--
While £25 for a 30ml bottle can seem expensive, it's nothing compared to the cost of the equal number of spa treatments - one bottle does last a long time and yields good results. Great for giving yourself spa-level results at home. Would recommend.
perfect partner
Vital Energy Capsules, £25
RRP: £35
--What does the promo say?--
"A favorite of ours. This light Gel Serum blends Aromatherapy with a complex of Marine Algae active ingredients. Marine Serum nourishes and remineralises ageing and environmentally damaged skin. Continuous use strengthens the connective tissue matrix for firmer, healthier skin. Essential Oils provide Antioxidant protection and help to control blemishes."
--Packaging--
The metallic bands against the clear glass bottle are new and different and this concept across all products in the range clearly helps to unite the brand and create a clear identity. The pump action dispenser clearly controls the amount of product used, which helps to minimise wastage.
--Application--
Use underneath - or even in place of - moisturiser after cleansing and toning.
--Appearance--
A translucent white serum which leaves no visible residue on the skin.
--Scent--
Slightly salty, which I suppose comes from the seaweed. Subtle, though, so shouldn't overwhelm any other products that you want to stand out for their scent.
--Texture and consistency--
Really light and generally absorbs quickly, although perhaps not as completely as a moisturiser (leaving a slightly taut feeling when dry).
--Effects on the skin--
As with other products in the range, this increases radiance and calms problem skin.
--Value for money--
At £35 this is no small outlay, but it's nonetheless an affordable luxury that works well. Another great result for Spa Technologies.
perfect partners
Oxygenated Correcting Pigmentation Skin Brightening Booster, £59
Essential Kit, £59
Spot Cure Kit, £79
Restore Kit, £80
Repair Kit, £101
RRP: from £15
--What does the promo say?--
"An Isotonic Seawater Mist fortified with Hyaluronic Acid to attract and retain moisture to the skin and Antioxidants to restore lost minerals and vital elements. Use after cleansing or whenever skin needs refreshing."
--Packaging--
A chunky glass bottle with an eyecatching metallic blue band that looks sophisticated and modern while helping the brand name to stand out. I'm a fan of glass bottles - they are recyclable and help you to easily see how much is left. While this glass bottle is on the heavy side perhaps, this means it shouldn't shatter when travelling. The spray mechanism is good too and easily detachable from the bottle for recycling.
--Application--
Spray onto face directly after cleansing, or onto a cotton pad which you can then sweep over the face to pick up any excess dirt or makeup.
--Appearance--
A clear, watery liquid.
--Scent--
Slightly salty, but not overbearing. A natural scent that really evokes the sea.
--Texture and consistency--
The watery liquid goes on smoothly and leaves no visible or palpable residue.
--Effects on the skin--
As promised, it's immediately refreshing and keeps the skin hydrated. It also removes any excess dirt or makeup for optimum cleansing, meaning that you should see increased radiance, decreased dryness, and some overall improvement in skin condition, particularly thanks to the natural ingredients this contains.
--Value for money--
I was kindly sent the 30ml version by Spa Technologies, and while I loved it, I didn't find that this smaller bottle lasted as long as I was hoping, so when purchasing another bottle I would without doubt go for the better value 100ml bottle (which is only an additional £10). Natural, effective toners are hard to find, so this one definitely joins my skincare staples.
perfect partners
Vitamin C Moisturising Serum, £35
Revitalising Sea Cleanser, £25
Essential Kit, £59
Repair Kit, £101
RRP: £35
--What does the promo say?--
"Our bestseller, this Moisturizing Serum combines powerful Botanical Extracts and two forms of Vitamin C. Vitamin C Serum, delivers the moisture-locking properties of rich creams. Seaweed and Antioxidants stimulate collagen synthesis for firmer, healthier-looking skin."
--Packaging--
The glass bottles used by this brand are substantial, practical and sophisticated. The double metallic brand (which is a different colour depending on which product the bottle houses) is a good identifier for the brand itself, proving modern, unisex and minimalist while still standing out. The pump-action mechanism is easy to use, and also to detach for recycling purposes.
--Application--
Smooth over face and neck at night-time after cleansing.
--Appearance--
A creamy yellow (a colour which, I suspect, comes from the buriti as well as the shea) serum that in fact has the richness of a cream rather than the typical wateriness of a serum. However, it leaves no visible residue on the skin.
--Scent--
Again, the Amazonian superfruit, the buriti, is responsible for this serum's creamy orange-like scent. Delicious and different!
--Texture and consistency--
Rich and creamy, but sinks in instantly.
--Effects on the skin--
While I felt this was a bit too rich for my oily/combination skin type, clogging my pores a bit on my face, it did a terrific job on my neck (where the skin is more 'normal'), keeping it naturally smooth and moisturised.
--Value for money--
While seeming a bit expensive on the face of it, this product lasted me a very long time - more so than the cleanser and toner I was sent by the same company. The ingredients are also of high quality provenance and the serum's moisturising properties speak for themselves. Even though I snagged this for free, I would genuinely spend my own money on this product thanks to its natural formulation, pleasant texture, and excellent moisturisation. Based on the quality of this product, I would also be inclined to try the company's Marine Serum, which I understand is more tailored to acneic skin.
perfect partners
Laminaria Oil, £22
Luminous Eye Serum, £35
Restore Kit, £80
RRP: £35
--What does the promo say?--
"Brighten up your eyes. Formulated with Marine Extracts and a blend of Peptides and Transresveratrol to reduce the appearance of dark circles and fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Seaweed Polysaccharides firm the skin’s connective matrix and repairs sun-exposure damage to cellular DNA."
--Packaging--
The brand's characteristic double metallic band adorns this chunky glass bottle, which all makes you feel like you are getting something substantial yet sophisticated with a clear brand identity. The pump action system is efficient and easily detachable for recycling.
--Application--
Use your ring finger (why? It's got the weakest muscle of all your fingers and will pull at the delicate skin around the eye area the least) to gently rub the cream into the skin around the eye area morning and night.
--Appearance--
A translucent white cream that leaves no visible residue on the skin.
--Scent--
Nothing from the ingredients list particularly stands out; it just seems clean and natural.
--Texture and consistency--
Sinks into the skin instantly and feels rich and creamy without weighing the skin down.
--Effects on the skin--
Moisturises well and adds radiance too. Skin seems to regain some elasticity with dark circles being reduced.
--Value for money--
This easily competes with some high-end labels price-wise (the eye serums of Estee Lauder, Shiseido and Origins are all priced similarly), but it's still affordable, and even the tiny sample pot I was sent lasts FOREVER (I'm still using it a couple of months later!), so by my reckoning this bottle would last you a good year at least. Luxurious, utilitarian and natural? Simply brilliant.
perfect partners
Laminaria Oil, £22
Firming Booster Kit, £59.99
Skin Brightening Kit, £59.99
RRP: £25
--What does the promo say?--
"A deep pore cleanser formulated with a rich paste of organic Laminaria Algae imbued with aromatic essences that revitalize the skin by stimulating micro-circulation to restore a healthy glow. Ideal for oily/congested skin types."
--Packaging--
This appears to come in a pump-action bottle, while my sample came in a tiny pot with a screw-top lid. Based on the other samples I was sent that did come in full-size pump-action bottles, it likely dispenses efficiently and the bottles from this company seem quite robust. The bottle is also not too crowded/busy in terms of writing or images, making for a sophisticated overall appearance.
--Application--
Massage a small amount into damp skin before rinsing off. Easy really.
--Appearance--
The khaki colour is not terribly appealing (even if it clearly connotes the sea), but it leaves no residue on the skin.
--Scent--
The mint comes through most strongly, which is both pleasant and unusual, as well as supporting the general notion of the refreshing cleanse.
--Texture and consistency--
Very smooth, does not lather, and washes off well.
--Effects on the skin--
Seems to visibly calm the skin in the short term, but unfortunately my sample was a bit small to be able to test any effects on my acne long-term. No signs of any irritation.
--Value for money--
Based on the immediate results of my week's sample, I would definitely be interested in investing in the full-size bottle to give it a chance to work more completely. The products I have sent have a pared-down, high-quality set of ingredients that so far seem to be doing the skin good, and I would thus recommend this cleanser to those with acneic skin.
perfect partners
Marine Serum, £35
Vitamin C Mist, from £15
Spot Cure, £14.95
RRP: £35
--What does the promo say?--
"This silky-smooth Tinted Moisturiser protects delicate skin with fortified Antioxidants and reflects the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 45. It is formulated with the added benefit of Mineral Makeup creating a flawless base and even skin tone."
--Packaging--
This convenient pump-action bottle is decorated with a double band of metallic blue, which helps to give the brand a clear identity. Blue is also an unusual packaging colour in the world of foundation and the glass bottle means that you can always see how much you have left - a definite bonus.
--Application--
After washing your face, apply over primer to commence your makeup routine. Add concealer and powder as necessary to complete your base before proceeding to other makeup.
--Appearance--
Is pale upon emerging from the bottle, but on the face provides no coverage whatsoever.
--Scent--
The cucumber extract comes through strongly, which is unusual and not at all unpleasant.
--Texture and consistency--
Smooth and creamy without weighing the skin down. It also doesn't add white streaks to your face like conventional sunscreen. In that respect it's the best sunscreen I've ever used, whether commercial or natural - it's like using a luxurious face cream rather than the traditional, medicinal 'creaming up' process before going into the sun.
--Effects on the skin--
Given the raft of natural antioxidant and sun-protecting ingredients present in this cream, I have no doubt that you could expect anti-ageing effects over time and that you would avoid sun damage as well. However, as a tinted moisturiser it does not fulfil the brief due to the non-existent coverage. However, I acknowledge that I have acneic skin, and so that this may not be suitable for my needs.
--Value for money--
If I were looking for a tinted moisturiser that offered me coverage as well as protection I would be sorely disappointed to pay £35 for this as it does not keep its promise of creating a "flawless base". However, it's the best sunscreen I've ever used - perfect for the delicate skin on the face, and natural too, with a beautiful consistency, that without doubt protects you from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Price-wise it competes well with other brands offering natural sunscreen such as BareMinerals, as well as luxury brands such as Obagi and Kiehl's. For this reason, I would definitely shell out my hard-earned for it.
perfect partners
Spot Mask Treatment, £35
Restore Kit, £80
