A quick one-two for Summer from January Labs

After the recent Fave Fives videos, I had so many comments asking about skins that are combination/oily/acne/sensitised/dehydrated and budgets that needed to be well under £40, that it made me look at the stash of blog posts I had prepped and rearrange them. So the reviews from the Instagram update of a couple of weeks ago are coming this week, but for now, those of you in the aforementioned categories could do worse than look at January Labs.

The Mist is old news to regular readers, but the range contains other great, simple-yet-efficacious products that won't break the bank.

The pricing is sporadic, with the more high-end eye cream, exfoliants and day and night creams pushing the top end. However, the Mist, Moisture Balancing Lotion and Pure & Gentle Cleansing Gel are all between £18.00 and £24.00, making them great value, especially for the sizes. 

The Cleansing Gel is not foaming, and is one of the few that does not strip or dry out my skin - and is a whopping 237ml/8fl ozs for £24.00. Combo skins and boys, this one is definitely worth looking at.

The main reason for the post is the lovely Moisture Balancing Lotion, which I have found myself recommending to quite a few people this summer. It rehydrates and rebalances, literally like it says on the pack, and does so without causing further irritation or clogging pores. Working on literally all skins, I tend to reach for it when I'm using a particularly active serum or pardon the phrase, sweating like a horse (sorry). A little goes a long way, and for £21.00, the 60ml is a good 20% larger than average for moisturisers.

January Labs is one of the brilliant up-and-coming independent brands based out of California and as such is not as easy to get hold of as some, but if you're daft like me, that makes you want it all the more. I know I know. I really should see someone about it. But it's FUN.

January Labs is available in the US from www.januarylabs.com and in the UK from CultBeauty.co.uk who do ship internationally to a lot of countries.

Cult Beauty lists all ingredients.

*This post contains some affiliate links. If you are happy to click on the link and support this blog in that way, thank you very much. If you would prefer not to, just google the brand and the item, it's all cool. :) For absolute clarity: I do not use affiliate links on products belonging to brands that I work with on a professional basis. (I do not work with January Labs)

See my full disclaimer here:

http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq

FAVE FIVES: SPRITZS/HYDRATING TONERS

Hi All!

Spritzs/Hydrating Toners (liquid moisturisers) – with loads more in the planning. As I say in the video if you are on a budget, these are where you can save money. If not, crack on. I also forgot to take a picture for the thumbnail so we have that very attractive pic of me mid-flow LOL.

WHAT I’M WEARING:

J. CREW Save the Bees T-Shirt: http://bit.ly/29p0HNn

Swarovski Celestial Pierced Earrings: http://bit.ly/29J3u8o

Nails: OPI Let’s Be Friends Gel from Hello Kitty Collection: http://bit.ly/29q3X9U

Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer in Mood Light: http://bit.ly/29pnskh

Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in Medium to Dark Tint (it’s not that dark, clearly): http://bit.ly/29nUkgE

Laura Mercier Candleglow Foundation in Buff: http://bit.ly/29nTG2T

Chantecaille HD Perfecting Powder: http://bit.ly/29p1lKx

Bronzer across forehead (my glow, basically): New CID I-Glow in Coral Crush (I will literally be buried wearing this): http://bit.ly/29nTIYJ

Used as Blush: Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Antigua (the perfect pink for me): http://bit.ly/29p1dL4

Brows: Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil in 2: http://bit.ly/29nTJM1

Lips: Gwen Stefani for Urban Decay Lip Pencil in Firebird (lightly all over lip): http://bit.ly/29p1OMN

Pixi LipLift Max in Petal Ice (on top):
UK - http://bit.ly/29DBnrl
USA - http://bit.ly/29ofv2f

Products Discussed:

January Labs Restorative Skin Mist:
UK - http://bit.ly/29xxzDC
USA - http://bit.ly/29QvfMN

May Lindstrom The Jasmine Garden:
UK - http://bit.ly/29EylOW
USA - http://bit.ly/29QvBCW

Sjal Mineral Kalla Energy Tonic:
UK - http://bit.ly/29xxHCT
USA - http://bit.ly/1Ib4Jm0

Leahlani Bohemian Ruby Balancing Toner:
UK & USA - http://bit.ly/29FaKjr

Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator:
UK - http://bit.ly/29CM4op
USA - http://bit.ly/29EsLNB


OTHER PLACES TO FIND ME:

Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/carolinehirons

Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/carolinehirons

Pinterest:
http://gb.pinterest.com/carolinehirons/

Snapchat:
@carolinehirons

Bloglovin':
http://bit.ly/1fuzPqQ

Caroline Hirons c/o
Gleam Futures
6th Floor
60 Charlotte Street
London W1T 2NU
caroline@gleamfutures.com  (skincare queries cannot be answered at this address)

I sometimes (not always) use affiliate links. If you are happy to click on the link and support this blog in that way, thank you very much. If you would prefer not to, just google the brand and the item, it's all cool. :)
For absolute clarity: I do not use affiliate links on products belonging to brands that I work with on a professional basis.
See my full disclaimer here:
http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq

The views expressed on this site are the author's own and are provided for informational purposes only. The author makes no warranties about the suitability of any product or treatment referenced or reviewed here for any person other than herself and any reliance placed on these reviews or references by you is done so solely at your own risk. Nothing on this site shall be construed as providing dermatological, medical or other such advice and you are always advised to seek the advice of a suitable professional should you have any such concerns.

January Labs Giveaway Winner

Hi Lovely People!

The winner of the January Labs Giveaway chosen by random through Rafflecopter is Rikki Ardagh from Australia. :)

I'll see you Monday - organising my life this weekend.

Congratulations Rikki and thank you so much January!

January Labs Giveaway

Hi Everyone! So the lovely January from January Labs was concerned that those of us outside the US were having difficulty getting hold of her brand, so is offering one lucky reader worldwide the entire range, including her eye cream and an exclusive not-for-sale spa mask (not pictured - but you'll see it in my upcoming LA video).

To win all of the above simply enter via Rafflecopter below:

Winner will be chosen next Tuesday. Good Luck everyone!

Thank you January. And yes, she is working on getting the brand over here. :) 

www.januarylabs.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

January Labs Moisture Balancing Lotion

*OK firstly - a quick note (that I will remove in due course) to apologise for the distinct lack of blogging action in recent weeks. My real 'day job' has been really, really busy - in a great way, and I've had to prioritise that over the blog/YouTube/social media etc. In a way it has sent me back to the early days of blogging where I did most of it at the weekends. This weekend I have a clear diary and will be blogging and hanging out in the kitchen like the good old days. Thank you for your patience lovely peeps. I'm genuinely SO excited to talk about all the newness I've discovered in recent weeks.*

So January Labs have been on the blog before, namely the Restorative Face Mist, which I literally use daily. I met with January when I was in L.A. recently and she very kindly gave me this moisturiser, which, as it turns out, is really lovely.

What is it?
'A mild plant-based lotion designed to re-hydrate and restore balance to all skin types.'

Who is it for?
Everyone.

What’s in it?
Water , C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Sunflower Oil, Polysorbate-60, Organic Cranberry Seed Oil, Organic Avocado Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Evening Primrose Extract, Linseed Seed Oil, Organic Cucumber Fruit Extract, Organic Shea Butter, Starflower Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behenyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palm Oil, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Carbomer, Jojoba Seed Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, Shea Butter Fruit, Avocado Oil, Lime Oil, Goji Berry, Chamomile Extract, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?
Nope. You're good. The shea butter is far enough down the inci to not be a problem for acnaic skins.

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?
A mixture of organic and natural - January has more information on her ingredients and formulas here: Our Promise.

Tested on animals/sold in territories that advocate testing?
No/No

What's not in it?
mineral oil
synthetic colouring
fragrance
sulfates
parabens

How do you use it?/Where to use in your routine?
Apply after serums as per usual, AM and PM.

What’s good about it?
This is just a really good, hydrating, non-sticky, moisturiser that makes the perfect accompaniment to a higher tech serum. It contains some anti-ageing benefits by way of peptides and great oils. It's light yet hydrating, fragrance free for those of you (and I know there is an increasing amount of you) that want to avoid fragrance whether its natural or synthetic.
Whether you've maybe splurged on an expensive serum and want to maximise that, or you're just looking for a good moisturiser that won't break the bank but will work, check this one out.

What’s not so good about it?
Honestly? Nothing. It's a good size, for a good price and it works.

January Labs Moisture Balancing Lotion is $28.00 for 60ml and available from www.januarylabs.com/moisture-balancing-lotion

VLOG WEEK 19 - L.A. Part 1

Hi All!

I fended off the jetlag for long enough to upload Part 1 of this week's vlog. Apologies for the lack of blogging last week, as you'll see I was pretty much asleep when I wasn't working. I'll be catching up with all your comments on both the blog and YouTube this week so thanks for bearing with. :)

People/Brands mentioned in this vlog:

http://www.pixibeauty.co.uk/

http://maylindstrom.com/

http://www.januarylabs.com/

Pixi very kindly paid for my flight and hotel to facilitate my appearance at their blogger event and Gen Beauty but there was no requirement or obligation at all to review or mention Pixi in any content or promotional way.

OTHER PLACES TO FIND ME:

The Blog:

http://www.carolinehirons.com

Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/carolinehirons

Instagram:

http://www.instagram.com/carolinehirons

Pinterest:

http://gb.pinterest.com/carolinehirons/

Bloglovin':

http://bit.ly/1fuzPqQ

Caroline Hirons c/o

Gleam Futures

6th Floor

60 Charlotte Street

London W1T 2NU

caroline@gleamfutures.com  (skincare queries cannot be answered at this address)

Some links may be affiliates.

See my full disclaimer here:

http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq

The views expressed on this site are the author's own and are provided for informational purposes only. The author makes no warranties about the suitability of any product or treatment referenced or reviewed here for any person other than herself and any reliance placed on these reviews or references by you is done so solely at your own risk. Nothing on this site shall be construed as providing dermatological, medical or other such advice and you are always advised to seek the advice of a suitable professional should you have any such concerns.

January Labs - Restorative Skin Mist

January Labs was a brand that originally sent me products in the latter half of last year. I had not heard of them before, but finding new brands is genuinely one of the best parts of what I do. This brand are so off the radar that they are unavailable in the UK (don't worry, I've had words, that's a temporary situation) and only in select spas/specialist retailers in the USA. They do ship, however, from their online store. Details to follow below. After playing with the products, this was easily the one I used the most and those of you on Instagram will have seen this repeatedly.

What is it?
'An alcohol-free toner that minimizes the appearance of pores and prevents breakouts. Designed to tone, rehydrate, and balance all skin types.'

Who is it for?
Everyone.

What’s in it?
Water, Aloe, Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Witch Hazel,
Sodium PCA, Rosa Extract,  Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium
Lactate, Polysorbate-20 ,  Pro-Vitamin B5, Lime Oil, Licorice
Extract, Horse Chestnut Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Calendula,
Gotu Kola, Butcher's Broom Root Extract

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?
lime oil maybe, but it's fine for me

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?
It doesn't specifically say, so I would say at the very least, natural and vegan.

Tested on animals/sold in territories that require testing?
No/No

What's not in it?
alcohol

How do you use it?/Where to use in your routine?
Spritz after acid toning or throughout the day. If you're particularly dehydrated like me, spritz and reapply a little moisturiser on top. Lovely.

What’s good about it?
I just really like this. Spritzs/facial mists are not something you want to spend a lot of money on if you're on a budget, most of them essentially acting as fancy water. For that reason, I do like ones that throw in ingredients that either soften, soothe, are antibacterial (like Serozinc) or help the hydration stick around a little longer etc.
This does all of the above and more.
Lifted from their site for ease!:
Aloe Extract: calms and soothes inflammation
Witch Hazel: aggressively fights acne-causing bacteria
Sodium PCA: a natural humectant responsible for binding moisture to the skin cells
Olive Oil: helps maintain the elasticity and softness of skin
Rosa Centifolia Flower: used to soften, balance, and restore the skin
Licorice: a depigmenting agent that inhibits melanin synthesis; performs as an effective antioxidant that treats blemishes and calms irritated skin
Calendula Extract: an anti-inflammatory antioxidant that contains antiseptic, astringent, circulatory stimulating, healing, and soothing properties

Spritz as and when needed. It's almost a moisturiser on its own. I have used this successfully at the same time as retin-a creams with no bad side effects.

What’s not so good about it?
Not much. The lack of availability in the UK?! :)
It's lush.

Similar products?
Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence
Kate Somerville Nourish Mist
Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist


January Labs Restorative Skin Mist is $24.00 for 118ml and available here: www.januarylabs.com/skin-essentials/restorative-tonic-mist - they're a small business so if you contact them, do give them time to get back to you.