Brand Focus: First Aid Beauty Skincare

Brand focus / Spotlight on a brand

F.A.B Skincare - First Aid Beauty

Lilli Gordon launched this skincare company in 2009 when she felt that products that worked felt like medicine or smelled great but irritated her skin. 
It is an american brand but is readily available at feelunique, lookfantastic and beautybay.

I get the feeling that at "First Aid Beauty" simplicity is a part of their ethos. Packaging is kept minimal and the products clearly state what they do, along with the ingredients list.

Their products are free from known irritants, harsh chemicals, parabens, phalates, fragrance, alcohol and artificial dyes.

Even suitable for sensitive skin types such as acnes and eczema.

Face Cleanser

This is a lovely gentle and mild creamy cleanser. Removes dirt and make-up from the skin without stripping it or making it feel tight or reddened.

Contains ingredients such as:

Feverfew, Licorice and Aloe to help clam irritation and redness

Glycerin to help protect and moisturise

Infused with antioxidants to scavenger those free radicals from the day.

I love how gentle this cleanser is on the skin, feels very soothing to use both morning and night. If I'm honest, not a huge fan of the scent - it's not overpowering or perfumed just more of a natural scent. This cleanser does such a good job that I am willing to overlook. I basically just breath through my mouth for a minute or two!
 I apply this to my dry face, then with a warm flannel the cleanser transforms into a milky consistancy. Leaves my face lovely and smoothe and freshly cleansed.

Facial Radiance Pads

When Caroline Hirons recommended these I knew I would end up getting them!

They are handy pads that contain both glycolic and lactic acid to keep your face .. well ... radiant.

Cucmber and Indian Goosberry tone the skin, helping to reduce visible pores.

Lemon peel and licorice root help to brighten and leave the skin glowing.

I use these after cleansing my face, usually in the evening as that's when I use a lot of my treatment skincare. Although it does say you can use both morning and night.

The tub has a screw top lid to keep the pads moist and fresh, the pad is so handy as it has just the right amount of product to swipe on my face. One side is embossed for trickier areas such as your chin and nose. The other side is smooth, great for cheeks and forehead.

Ultra Repair Cream

This is a very thick rich emolient cream. Great for those extra dry areas. Can be used on both the face and body. It is a lovely hydrating and soothing moisturiser, that helps to improve the natural barrier function of the skin.

Ingredients include oatmeal, shea butter and soothing eucalyptus oil, as-well as antioxidants to combat free radicals.

I use this as an over night moisture mask when my skin is feeling dry. A really lovely thick moisturiser that leaves your skin feeling smooth not at all greasy or irritated. I also use this on my elbows and any other dry patches that crop up. I find it absorbs easily and doesn't take forever to sink in like some moisturisers do.

Milk Oil Cleanser

I use this cleanser after I have removed my make-up with my bioderma micellar water, I then go in with this lovely 'no-rinse' milky cleanser, sweeping a cotton pad across my face to remove any left over make-up / sunscreen. 

I find this is a very gentle cleanser that at the same time really does help to nourish and hydrate my skin. Leaves it skin feeling supple and soft due to the coconut seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil and avocado oil. I tend not to rinse off although you could if you wanted to. 
This is my I'm feeling lazy 'go-to' face cleanser!

So those are the products I have tried from 'First Aid Beauty' Skincare. I really like how gentle the products are and how attention is paid to the ingredients that go into each skincare item as-well as leaving the harsh chemicals and other nasties out!

Highly recommend their skincare, if like me you have sensitive and easily irritated skin. So often cleansers leave my face feeling tight, stripped and red, these First Aid Beauty cleansers don't do that. Soothe and hydrate as-well.

The radiance pads although contain glycolic and lactic acid are gentle and have really helped my skin, with blemishes, oily t-zone as well as leaving my face feeling fresh without stinging or irritating my sensitive skin. I noticed a difference after my first use, my skin felt so much smoother the next morning! 

Have you tried any skincare products from First Aid Beauty?

How I use Lucy Bee Coconut Oil for beauty!

How I use Coconut Oil..

Where to start? ...

I use coconut oil as a cleanser, face mask, hair conditioning mask, body moisturiser and of course to cook with and eat!!

Basically it's a 'do it all' wonder product!!

The one I love to use is Lucy Bee's Extra Virgin Organic Raw Coconut Oil.
As not only is their coconut oil extracted from fresh, mature coconuts ... but out of all the jars I have tried this one smells and tastes the most coco-nutty!! Which I adore!

Is Unrefined - Meaning it is as natural as it can be. 
Cold pressed - This is the extraction method used. 
Extra Virgin - As nature intended. 
Organic - supports the environment. 
Raw - Never heated above 45 degrees Celsius. 
And lastly Fair trade - Helping to improve the lives of others.

Oh and it tastes great too!

To use coconut oil as a facial cleanser / eye make-up remover:

I scoop a 2p size amount. At room temperature coconut oil is a solid, so I hold it in my hands for a few minutes to let it melt. Then I apply to my face, neck and anywhere with make-up on, massaging as I go. I then take a warm flannel and wipe over my face to remove. It is so effective at removing make-up such as foundation, eye-liner and even waterproof mascara.  Doesn't irritate the delicate eye area and is very gentle for sensitive skin.
Alternatively to use as an eye make-up remover you could apply the coconut oil to your eye area, massage in to work loose the mascara, eye-shadow or eye-liner, then wipe away with a damp cotton pad.
To use as a face mask I leave it on for a good half an hour then rinse off. Leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth.

Hair Conditioning Mask...

One of the down sides of having long hair has to be the tangles and knots!! 
To remedy this I do a coconut oil mask once a week, usually on a Sunday. You would be forgiven for thinking that it would leave your hair greasy, which was my initial worry, however once shampooed out leaves your locks lovely and smooth no grease or frizz in sight.

So here's how I do it....

I get a tablespoon of coconut oil and place into a small bowl (the ramekin bowls are ideal) Then I place this bowl into a bigger bowl filled with hot or warm water. This is just so the coconut oil melts. Then I just start spreading in my hair from roots to tips. I leave it on for half an hour. 
You will notice the coconut oil goes back to being solid at room temperature, on your hair! Don't worry, this will be rinsed out with the warm water when you wash it out of your hair. 
Shampoo and wash your hair how you would normally. Et voila!!

A little bit can also be taken on your hands to smooth through your hair to tame any unwanted frizz or fly-away's.

Body Moisturiser...

This makes such a lovely smoothing and natural moisturiser. Warm up the coconut oil in your hands and massage where you wish to moisturise. I have found it particularly good for elbows and knees. 

To cook with you just replace your usual oil with coconut oil. Has a very slight taste of coconut but not over-powering. Delicious in stir fry's!

I also like a tea spoon in my tea in the morning, in smoothies and a tablespoon in my porridge.

Now for the science: Promise I'll keep it brief....
Coconut Oil contains Lauric Acid which is anti-fungal anti-viral and anti-microbial. 
Great for treating and preventing skin irritations and acne. 
Rich in proteins which help keep the skin healthy and rejuvenated. Able to get deeper than other moisturisers.

As for eating:
The medium chain fatty acids within coconut oil are easily broken down and therefore contribute to quick and easy energy release. Helps to increase your body's metabolism.

Have you tried this wondrous product?

What to look out for: You want to use RAW unrefined extra virgin coconut oil that has not been hydrogenated, refined or bleached. As this goes through the least processes and is closest to its natural state....

Lucy Bee Coconut oil ticks all these boxes!

It can be found over at lucy bee's amazon store
as well as sainsbury's, booth's supermarkets more info here

Lots more beauty and health related tips, as-well as gorgeous recipes can be found over at Lucy Bee's fabulous website www.lucybee.co.uk/beauty 
or
request a brochure packed full of nifty ways to use this wonderful oil.
The possibilities are endless!!

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo


P.S If you have any more ideas of how you use Coconut Oil, I'd love to hear them in the comments!! xx

How to treat Pre-teenage Acne breakouts

I was on the hunt for a gentle but effective cleanser and treatment lotion for my son, who as he approaches his teen years, has started to get a few spots! 

Now you know something works when it runs out and you feel a sense of panic if you don't have another one. 

My son felt this exact rise of panic when the tube of La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo he'd been using ran out. ... If it goes on the shopping list above milk and bread AND chocolate!! Then you know it's good-Un!!

I have to admit the two step attack on his pre-teen spots really seems to be keeping them at bay, with the odd appearance now and again which is to be expected. He is extremely happy and has stuck to the routine religiously!! Which surprised me.

So here's what I recommended for him.....

Which cleanser to choose... Oil, Balm, Cream, Micellar Water....?

A break down of cleansers, what they do and why.....

Strolling the aisles of boots its very easy to be overwhelmed by all the products on offer. Difficult to know what does what and if its right for you.

I'm going to focus on the different types of cleansers available and give a brief explanation of each....well my interpretation at least!.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water Review

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water Review

Another affordable dupe for the French brand 'Bioderma Sensibo micellar solution' has popped up!

Have to say this is a very affordable alternative. Do love my Bioderma, (my review here: Bioderma-Sensibo ) but I have found since picking this up from Boots, I reach for this a lot of the time. Possibly because it is a cheaper version, and my bioderma i am nearly down to less than a third left! eek.

The Garnier is a bigger 400ml bottle huge compared to the 250ml Bioderma.

Says 200 uses on the label, did originally try to jot down how many uses....but that didn't work out!

 Can tell you I have been using this for over a month now and as you can see from the photo has barely went down.  

A really nice gentle make-up remover for face eyes and lips, cleanser.

Suitable for even sensitive skin. Skin doesn't feel tight or stripped. Just feels like you are removing your make-up with water.

Bioderma Sensibo H2O Micellar Water Cleanser, worth the hype??

Bioderma Sensibo H2O

Micellar Water / Cleanser

Yet another raved about product, I was super eager to try out.

I am so glad that this lovely gentle cleanser has become readily available to us beauty geeks in the UK. I got mine from www.escentual.com

My Night Time Beauty Favourites featuring Bare Minerals Skincare

My night time beauty favourites

I thought I would share with you guys my favourite night time beauty products that I use and have found that work really for me. 

Especially when I'm finding it difficult to drift off to sleep, I find this routine helps me get in the mindset for sleep.

So here goes......

Firstly I'll start with a facial cleanser.

BareMinerals Left to Right: Purely Nourishing Moisturizer, BareMinerals Eye Cream & Bare Minerals Purifying Facial cleanser

 It's only the past few years I have really regularly cleansed and looked after my skin on a daily basis, morning and night. Shocking -I know!! Mainly due to the fact I never really found the perfect cleanser that didn't leave my sensitive skin feeling tight or shiny. 

I suffer from redness on my cheeks and it was only when Bare Minerals brought out their 'Purifying facial cleanser', I was truly happy with the results. I have been using this for a good few months now and have definitely seen an improvement in my skin's condition.