Conversations through the middle

Life from a (slightly) more mature perspective

Face mask with less fuss – Yon-Ka Masque No 1

Skincare is very important to me (and as I get older it gets more important), but I’m often pushed for time and can’t be doing with lots of faffing around. That’s why I’m particularly taken with this hydrating face mask from Yon–Ka: you apply it and then just leave it, no wiping away, no rinsing, you just let it get on and do its job.

I tend to use it at night, just before bed, when I’m too tired for anything more complicated, and when I wake up in the morning my skin feels soft and more plump, there’s no trace of product.

Of course, you can remove it if you want after 10 minutes or so, but unlike many other face masks you don’t have to, which makes it a good friend for time-pressed mums.

It has a lavender-y fragrance, is quite light and just a bit sticky in consistency. That disappears though as the product is absorbed. It’s also made with natural ingredients – plant and marine extracts, and essential oils, which is a big bonus as far as I’m concerned. Find out more at www.yonka.com.

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Winner – Living Nature giveaway

Congratulations to Emma Walters, who is the winner of our Living Nature giveaway. Emma wins a Skin Essentials Nourishing gift pack, worth £28, which contains cleanser, toner and moisturiser as well as samples of Firming Flax Serum and night cream. 

We have more gorgeous giveaways to come in 2013 so keep checking in with us for your chance to win.

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Beauty review – Orico Full Cup Bust & Neck Enhancing Elixir

When I first read about new Orico advanced pure urban skincare and requested a sample from the PR for some reason I thought I would receive an eye treatment. I hadn’t registered the various other products in the range, so I was more than surprised when a bottle of Full Cup Bust & Neck Enhancing Elixir dropped through the letter box.

Now large breasts are not something I long for – after breast feeding my daughter my bosom is more than ample enough, having gone through the rocket stage and now, coupled with the gravity associated with passing years, is sadly heading south. Long gone are the days of being a pert and pretty 34B. So the product’s promise to increase my cup size fell on deaf ears I’m afraid.
According to Orico “The clinical active in organic Full Cup Bust & Neck Enhancing Elixir has been proven to enhance breasts by 2 to 4cm after six weeks of use while improving skin quality. Powerful natural moisturisers and antioxidants intensify its action by toning and firming the bust and neck area.” Now I’m not of the opinion that a beauty product can grow breasts – they’re not plants that respond to feeding after all – but according to the brand they have clinical evidence in their favour and a wonder ingredient, mukul extract, which has been used for many years in Ayurveda and does have proven plumping properties.
What I was more interested in were the moisturising and firming effects of this oil, so that’s what I’ve been looking for when using it these last few weeks.
I have applied it after showering and found it sinks in quickly and leaves my skin smooth, which could be thanks to the vitamins, essential fatty acids and antioxidants it contains. I have used the elixir both daytime and at night, and as with any oil, you just have to make sure it has absorbed properly into the skin before putting on clothes or PJs. My reasoning for using the product at night was so I could test whether or not it helped diminish the lines that form at the base of my neck and on my decolletage after sleeping in the same position for hours – and yes, I was less creased in the morning when I got up.
Besides its moisturising and anti-ageing properties, what I like about this product are its natural credentials: it’s paraben, mineral oil and sulphate-free, all of the ingredients are natural and most are organic, and it contains essential oils of orange and lime, creating what Orico calls a happiness booster, an aromatherapy blend designed to lift your mood. I’m going to continue using the product and long may the anti wrinkling effect continue.
Other products from Orico include facial oils, cleanser, moisturisers and of course, the aforementioned eye treatment – Hi Rise Rejuvenating Eye Elixir. Find them here.

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Beauty – Melvita face, body and hair oil

New from Melvita, Nature’s Gold Extraordinary Oil is an all-round beauty product, suitable for face, body and hair. Choc full of nourishing extracts from around the world, it contains Inca inchi oil from the Amazon, kendi Oil from Indonesia and the skincare wunder kind of 2012, argan oil from Morocco.

I haven’t used it on my hair yet, but on the body, it sinks in quickly and does not leave a sticky, greasy feel afterwards. The fragrance is subtle – lemon, orange, rose, jasmine, fig and Sicilian bergamot, blended skilfully together in Grasse, the historic heart of French perfume. Find it here.here

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