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It’s been a while since I last posted a clean beauty review, and I thought there’s no better way to get start than by sharing 5 products I’m loving right now. These are current staples in my skincare and makeup routine that not only deliver great results, but are so unique, there’s nothing quite like them.
(click to skip to the review)
VOTARY Super Seed Serum is a hydrating, skin softening facial serum formulated to reduce redness and calm sensitivity and irritation. It works! I’m turning 50 soon, and due to hormone changes and getting a little older, in recent years my skin feels sensitive, reactive, prone to redness and dryness. This serum delivers rich and lasting hydration while being cooling and calming to the skin.
It’s formulated with peptides, hyaluronic acid, rosehip and broccoli seed oils to nourish, calm and strengthen the skin barrier. For me, the standout ingredients are Oat Kernal Flour and Oat Kernal Oil. Oat (Avena Sativa) is known for it soothing, protective, and anti-inflammatory properties. Reminds me when I was a kid and had chickenpox and I’d take oatmeal baths to relieve the itching and irritation. VOTARY Super Seed Serum has that same soothing quality, and also packed with hydrating and nourishing ingredients, so it not only calms the redness and sensitivity, but gives skin a good boost of moisture and hydration. Using it daily, over time my skin has become much less red, less reactive, my skin tone is more even, and my skin feels softer and noticeably stronger.
The texture of the serum is also really nice. It’s richly hydrating but not at all oily, sticky, greasy or heavy. Unlike many hydrating serums, it doesn’t feel sticky or tacky when it dries down on your skin, nor does it make your skin feel tight. It’s quite the opposite, it reminds me of a hair conditioner but for the skin. As soon as you put it on, your skin feels silky soft and smooth – instantly replenished. It’s definitely multi-tasking, combining hydrating humectants, barrier supporting peptides, and nourishing oils to smooth texture and lines. During the day, I use it under a moisturizer or facial oil, followed by sunscreen. At night, if my skin is feeling sensitive or reactive, I like to apply VOTARY Super Seed Serum first, before applying any strong actives like retinol – this helps to buffer the actives and keeps my skin hydrated, soothed and balanced while the actives go to work. If your skin isn’t at all sensitive but you like the replenishing and soothing qualities of Super Seed Serum, you can apply your actives first, and then Super Seed Serum on top, and then moisturizer.
VOTARY Super Seed Serum is a great serum for anyone prone to redness, irritation, or has reactive or fragile skin. It’s suitable for all skin types prone to sensitivity. So even if you have oily or acne prone skin, Super Seed Serum can help alleviate the redness and inflammation without clogging pores. If your skin is very dry or ageing, you’ll love how hydrating and replenishing this serum is, giving your skin a plumping hydration boost it needs to keep it smooth and supple.
This is a serum, so in most cases you will need a moisturizer on top, whether that be a facial oil or cream. If your skin is very oily, and/or you live in a very humid environment, you might find this serum is sufficient without needing an added moisturizer or face oil on top – you know your skin! I use it daily, and I apply it generously on my face and neck (use a full pump). It absorbs quickly and this is one product you really want to saturate your skin with.
I normally like switching up my serums, alternating them, but since I started using Super Seed Serum I’ve been consistently using it every day (it’s that good!). This is one of the few serums that really works for my overall skin health, rather than targeting a specific problem. My skin has become a lot more balanced, less dry and dehydrated, more resilient and overall less problematic since using it. I truly believe healthy skin is the way to glowing skin, and this definitely fast-tracks it.
CLICK TO SHOP: VOTARY Super Seed Serum
I’m always trying a lot of different moisturizing facial oils, and LOA Skin Botanical Recovery Serum is one of the few oils I keep returning to. I must of gone through at least 4-5 bottles over the years. Recently I started using it again, and first thing I thought was “why did I stop using it in the first place?” It’s so good! It’s moisturizing, soothing, firms and softens skin, has a beautiful velvety texture, absorbs well without being greasy, and smells amazing. It kind of has everything you’d want in a facial oil!
Now, don’t be deceived by the name – it says its a “serum” but its more of a serum-moisturizer hybrid, meaning it’s an all-in-one serum AND moisturizer. Like a serum, it’s formulated with a concentration of active botanical ingredients and extracts, this product in particular is rich in antioxidants that targets inflammation and signs of ageing, while at the same time, it’s oil-based, made up of a mixture of plant oils rich in fatty acids that are deeply moisturizing and nourishing.
The founders and creators of LOA Skin both had numerous inflammatory skin conditions and when formulating the Botanical Recovery Serum, they wanted to create a one-and-done product that calms and reduces inflammation while keeping skin nourished and balanced. Anyone with irritated skin or an inflammatory skin condition knows that too many products feeds the fire of inflammation and usually makes the condition worse. The less skincare steps and products you use, the better. In this case, you could even use LOA Skin Botanical Recovery Serum as your oil cleanser and makeup remover, followed by using it as your serum-moisturizer – having a one-product skin care routine!
What makes this product standout from the rest is how moisturizing it is while also targeting inflammation, irritation, and the signs of aging – while also not clogging pores or contributing to pimples or breakouts. Most serums or moisturizers target one issue, not all. I also find most hybrid, all-in-one serum-moisturizers are not nourishing enough for skin that is depleted from chronic irritation, inflammation, sun damage/environmental damage, aging, or dryness. And the beauty of this oil, it’s suitable for all skin types, you just need to adjust how much you use (for oily skin, you just need 1-3 drops, for very dry skin use a generous amount, 1/2 – 1 full dropper/pipette full of oil).
Don’t be scared of using oil on your skin, or how much you use. The LOA Skin founders both previously suffered from acne and specifically formulated this product to be acne-safe and to support skin healing. Many users remark how much it helps not only with breakouts and acne, but also eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and inflamed skin.
When I first started using LOA Skin Botanical Recovery Serum I didn’t have any breakouts or acne, but as I mentioned before, I have sensitive, reactive skin that is prone to redness, broken capillaries and overall, easily irritated. I saw that Calendula is in the formula, which is another one of my favourite skin-soothing ingredients. One thing that I observed that I wasn’t expecting – not only is it moisturizing, balancing and soothes redness and irritation, but it has a significant firming effect on my skin (and without making my skin feel tight), in particular around my eyes where the skin sags a bit from ageing. This was definitely a welcomed benefit, and one reason I’ve continued using this product all these years. I believe it’s the Gotu Kola and/or Astaxanthin in the product, which are commonly used as “retinol alternatives” in natural skincare due to their firming and collagen stimulating properties.
Overall, this is a beautiful moisturizing facial oil that is gentle and soothing on the skin and delivers a myriad of benefits. Its suitable for all skin types and ages, and plays well with other products. For example, you can use it on its own as a serum moisturizer, or use it as the last step in your skincare routine after cleansing and serum. If you are using serums with strong actives like retinol, vitamin c or an exfoliating acid serum, LOA Skin Botanical Recovery Serum complements these types of products well because it soothes, moisturizes and replenishes your skin while keeping it healthy and balanced.
CLICK TO SHOP: LOA Skin Botanical Recovery Serum
Have dull, dehydrated or dry skin? F. Miller Toning Mist is one of the most effective hydrating toners I’ve ever used, and I’m not saying this lightly. It truly hydrates the skin, and best of all, it’s lasting hydration (all-day and all-night hydration). You’ll see – you mist your face with this in the morning, apply serum and moisturizer on top, and all day your skin will feel soft and dewy with a radiant glow. Use it at night, and the next morning you’ll wake up to skin that is plump, smooth and rejuvenated.
Its such a simple product, but does so much. I recommend this if you find your current moisturizer isn’t hydrating enough, or, no matter how much moisturizer, serum or oil you use, your skin always appears dull and lacklustre – this really delivers mega hydration to the skin. I also strongly recommend it for maturing skin in need of extra plumping and a revitalized glow.
Normally, I’m not the biggest fan of toners and mists – it’s not that they are bad, I just don’t find them completely necessary. But, this Toning Mist from F. Miller has really changed my whole perspective. I’ve seen such a big difference in my skin using it – not only in terms of hydration, but my skin is smoother, texture and fine lines much less apparent, and overall my skin is much more radiant and supple. The best way I can describe it, it makes your skin look juicer – like a plump grape instead of a shrivelled up raisin.
F. Miller Toning Mist is made with rose hydrosol, aloe vera, botanical extracts and probiotics to soften, plump and replenish dehydrated skin. For me the standout ingredient in the formula is glycerine. If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I’m a huge fan of glycerine for dry and dehydrated skin. I find it’s one of the most effective ingredients to deeply hydrate and replenish dry and dehydrated skin. I use pure glycerine as a body moisturizer, but, I can’t use it undiluted on my face, it’s too strong. Instead, for my face I’m always on the lookout for products made with glycerine as its active ingredient. F. Miller Toning Mist pairs glycerine with other humectants like aloe vera and floral hydrosols to supercharge hydration.
Because it delivers such a mega dose of hydration, I find F. Miller Toning Mist best suited for normal, dry, dehydrated or mature skin. If you have oily skin, you’ll probably find this makes your skin way too dewy and moist, and better to use a toner that is more clarifying, or even a touch astringent to balance the natural oils in your skin. F. Miller Toning Mist is most beneficial for dry or parched skin, and could very well be the missing piece in your skincare routine.
CLICK TO SHOP: F. Miller Toning Mist
I’m a big fan of Manasi 7 makeup and when they came out with these tinted lip, cheek and eye oils, I instantly feel in love. Everything about the product is a win – the texture, the colours, the buildability, the comfortable feel, the easy application, and the warm, delicious scent.
Manasi 7 Tinted Beauty Potion is so easy to use and so pleasant to use. Not only does it come in a beautiful array of wearable colours, but it’s super nourishing and protects your skin as well.
Like all Manasi 7 makeup, the Tinted Beauty Potions are versatile. You can use them on your lips, cheeks, and eyes. They are pigmented and buildable – you can apply it lightly for a sheer wash of colour or apply a few layers to create a more deep or dramatic look. They have a soft, non-sticky glossy finish, and pair well on top of Manasi 7 Eye And Lip Definer or All Over Colour for a richer, more defined look.
Manasi 7 Tinted Beauty Potion is described as a “lip, cheek, or eye oil” – but I find it has a much denser texture than regular lip oils, and in a good way. Personally I find a lot of lip oils can sometimes be too thin and runny, especially for mature skin, they can sometimes bleed into fine lines around the lips or move around. The Tinted Beauty Potion stays put when you apply it, whether you build it up or sheer it out. I find the texture to be closer to a creamy lightweight lip gloss. When worn on the cheeks, as long as you pat the product in, it won’t leave any sticky residue, and the colour blend beautifully. What’s nice it has a subtle glossy finish, which makes skin appear healthy and luminous.
Manasi 7 Tinted Beauty Potion comes in 7 shades that vary in depth and colour – from muted nude tones to deep brown and berry, with a few shades of pink in between. I use them on my lips and cheeks. My personal favourites are shades Hayata, Callas and Chameli.
Manasi 7 Tinted Beauty Potion Hayata is a deep rosey brown hue with a touch of burgundy. Its a beautiful rich colour that brings out my green/grey eyes. This I wear regularly on my lips – both daytime and at night. The colour is deep, but not overly so for a daytime look, it’s so effortless and flattering, and instantly gives your complexion a healthy flush colour.
Manasi 7 Tinted Beauty Potion Callas I like using as a cream blush on my cheeks. This shade is a muted peachy coral shade that adds youthful freshness. There’s something sunny and cheerful about this colour. You just dab it on your cheeks and blend it out with your finger tips. I find the Tinted Beauty Potion colours look a lot more concentrated on lips, but when you apply them to your cheeks or eyelids, they blend and sheer out effortlessly, making it easy to achieve a more natural look.
I also really like Manasi 7 Tinted Beauty Potion Chameli, which is a sheer iridescent shimmer. This is an easy, on-the-go clear gloss that moisturizes, volumizes and plumps lips. I use it on its own, and on top of Manasi 7 All Over Colour and Eye And Lips Definers to add depth and luxurious shine. Like all the Manasi 7 Tinted Beauty Potions, its very moisturizing and protective, so it not only looks great, but also softens, protects, and nourishes dry lips.
If I were to choose my top favourite shade out of them all, it would be Hayata because I find the shade to be so unique and flattering, and being that it’s quite deep and pigmented, its still effortless to use. I wear it almost daily, I like it that much, and this is definitely a shade you can wear year round – winter or summer, it’s timeless.
CLICK TO SHOP: Manasi 7 Tinted Beauty Potion
I feel like I’ve been searching for a good facial mask for a while. My favourite mask, Verdura Naturalternatives Fruit Complex Mask has been discontinued for many years, and I never found anything remotely like it, until this!
The first time I used Odacité Synergie(4) 4-in-1 Powder Masque I honestly didn’t think much of it. Like other clay masks, it deeply cleansed my skin and left it feeling soft and smooth. But after a few uses, I started to notice a very interesting pattern. Always the morning after using the mask, my skin would look remarkably good – much brighter, my skin tone completely evened out, no dark patches, super hydrated, smooth, supple, and even pores and wrinkles visibly reduced. I’d always think to myself, “wow, my skin’s looking GREAT, what did I use last night?” At first I didn’t connect it to the mask. But after a few uses it became obvious that the results weren’t coming from a serum, it’s Odacité Synergie(4) Powder Masque!
Have you ever used a facial mask that is still working its magic on your skin even hours after rinsing it off? For me this is definitely a first, and a welcomed benefit. I love what this mask does to my skin, it makes my skin look so refreshed, smooth, clear and radiant. And best of all, it’s so gentle and non-abrasive, and for a mask that contains clay, it doesn’t dry out your skin, in fact its the reverse, its very hydrating.
This mask is multi-tasking – it’s formulated with fruit acids and enzymes to dissolve surface buildup and smooth texture, while activated charcoal and clays deeply cleanse the skin and pores. Vitamin C brightens the skin, evens out skin tone, and helps diminish the appearance of dark spots and blemishes. Probiotics in the formula helps firm, hydrate and balance the skin. Its a power-packed mask, yet remarkably gentle.
Basically if you are looking for an all-in-one mask that will exfoliate, brighten, target dullness, pores and texture, help fade dark patches and spots, and overall hydrate and refresh your complexion – this is it. And its great for all skin types, whether you have dry or oily skin, young or older skin, or looking to improve acne, hyperpigmentation, or the signs of ageing – this can help.
This is my go-to refresher and gentle exfoliator. If my skin is looking patchy, dull or tired, this is what I reach for. I use it 1-2 times a week to keep my skin looking smooth, bright, and supple. If you find exfoliating scrubs or acids too strong or harsh, this mask is a great alternative. It will give you all the same resurfacing benefits minus the downtime, harshness, redness and sensitivity.
Synergie(4) 4-in-1 Powder Masque also comes with a little recipe book on how to supercharge the mask with different ingredients. Even though I prefer activating the powdered mask with plain water, I think its a great addition, and definitely fun to get creative with mixing in different ingredients to see what else it can do.
Overall great mask, and one I can’t stop recommending!
CLICK TO SHOP: Odacité Synergie(4) 4-in-1 Powder Masque
Hi, I’m Natasha St. Michael, founder of Inspire Beauty. I’m also a Certified Holistic Health Coach and Natural Health Educator accredited by the Institute For Integrative Nutrition. I’m obsessed with all things skin care and self-care. I’m 49 years old, struggled with adult acne until I was 30, and now I’m all about preserving the youthfulness of my skin (and sharing all my tips and tricks). If you have a question about a product or need a recommendation, feel free to contact me anytime.
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