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 - 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.

Kate Somerville Nourish Hydrating Firming Mist

OK I know I've already posted my Top Spritz's but this hadn't been in rotation for long enough to make the grade. :)

Kate Somerville are one of my Desert Island brands. No surprises there for regular readers but they are. Top 10 picks from all of my favourite brands are in the making - in Kate Somerville's case, my only problem would be narrowing it down. This new Mist is part of the Nourish family - Nourish being one of my favourite moisturisers of all time.

What is it?

'A weightless alcohol-free formula that delivers a surge of hydration to your skin.'

Who is it for?

Anyone. It contains actives suitable for older skins and combination skins alongside the hydrating ones.

What’s in it?

Water/Aqua/Eau, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Beta Vulgaris (Beet) Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Starch, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Butylene Glycol, Algae Extract, Linalool, Ethylhexylglycerin, Montmorillonite, Adenosine, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Carbomer, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?
Essential oil
Glycols

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?
Man made with natural ingredients. 

Tested on animals/sold in China?
No/No.

What's not in it?
alcohol
parabens
mineral oil
phthalates

How do you use it?
Mist after cleansing or as and when needed throughout the day.

What’s good about it?

This is actually a really good choice for an older person with adult acne/combination skin. It contains Montmorillonite clay and peptides - it's a nod to the Far East 'essences' rather than a straight-up 'spritz'. While I don't see it being a problem for other ages or skin types, if you are someone that is oily by lunchtime, or a greaseball by 3pm, this would help that situation calm itself down. It's a way to give you a hydration boost without any greasy residue or 'shiny-face-syndrome'.

What’s not so good about it?
It's not cheap. It's great if you can afford it, but $48.00 on a spray mist is no walk in the park. Hence, my thinking that the peptides etc push this more into the older market. 

Where to use in your routine?
As above.

Similar products?
Everything on this list! :) 
The Top 10 Spritz Toners

Kate Somerville Nourish Hydrating Firming Mist is $48.00 and available from katesomerville.com

The Top 10: Spritz Toners

The Acid Toning Top 10 was so well-received I thought I'd follow it with the most logical choice. These spritz toners/floral waters are ideal as either a second tone (spritz) or just your general tone for those of you that don't use acids and/or on days you aren't using acids.

These are a mix of budget chemist buys and high-end luxury. The differences being that some are water with added minerals such as zinc and magnesium, whilst others have added peptides, rice bran oils, rose oils etc - just more 'oomph'.

All are used frequently in my routine.

In no particular order.

Bioderma Crealine Eau Dermatologique - a great budget buy - similar to Serozinc except this has added zinc, magnesium and softening sugars including rhamnose. Lush.

La Roche-Posay Serozinc - finally made available in the UK last year, this is great for those of you with combination skin and acne - but can be used by all skins, including the most sensitive.

Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray - reviewed only last month on here, this is borderline liquid moisturiser. Use this if you need a 'wet' face after you've spritzed. In the best way.

Vita Liberata Skin Plumping Peptide Mist - aloe vera, added peptides, a ton of flower extracts give you this beautiful mist from VL. Their tanning products are amazing but their skincare deserves more attention.

Cowshed Camomile Refreshing Toner - lavender and chamomile waters make this refreshing, soothing and calming. Another good 'wet' one.

Caudalie Organic Grape Water - frequently overlooked by the Caudalie Beauty Elixir, this is soothing, calming and very affordable. I use this far more than the Elixir.

Melvita Organic Rose Beauty Mist - rosewater with added glycerin - this packs a little more punch than your regular rosewater. Again, not extortionate, in a tin, great for travel.

Chantecaille Pure Rosewater - a beautiful, luxurious rosewater - usually only available in the summer months due to limited source ingredients, this is one of the Rolls-Royce Rosewaters. it also forms the base water of all Chantecaille skincare.

Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist - this is the 'busiest' product. It contains everything from Royal Jelly to red algae to green tea to rice extract. Very, very soft on the skin.

Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence - aloe vera comprises the base of this product, making it extremely hydrating and soothing before you even get going with gotu kola, rice extract and willow bark extract. Absolutely beautiful.

N.B. I'm taking it easy on here this week/next as the children are on Easter break. I'll reply to as many comments/questions here and on social media as and when I can, but it may take a little longer than usual. Thanks!

Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray

What is it?

'Water your skin. Take along a refreshing face spray for showers of thirsty skin relief.'

It's a hydrating, moisturising spritz with a major kick.

Who is it for?

Everyone. Especially dehydrated and dry skins.

What’s in it?

Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica (Hydrocotyl) Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Yeast Extract\Faex\Extrait De Levure, Caffeine, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile), Trehalose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sucrose, Sorbitol, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?

Not really.

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?

Predominantly MM with natural elements.

The product is completely vegan, however...

Tested on animals/sold in China?

Clinique do not test on animals, but they are sold in China, who 'reserve the right to test imported products on animals'. Doesn't mean they do, just means they can if they want to. Ironically, you are much more likely to be tested in this way if you are a smaller, niche brand that is unknown to the Chinese authorities. Something Estee Lauder Companies usually don't have an issue with..but there we are.

What's not in it?

Synthetic fragrance

Parabens

Mineral oil

Animal derivatives

How do you use it?

Spritz when needed. 

What’s good about it?
Everything. It's an oil-free hydrator that actually does the job without dehydrating your skin ten minutes after you've sprayed it...
Much more than a 'spritz', this is really a liquid moisturiser. Essential for people with dry or dehydrated skins, great for helping really shiny skins calm down a tad, can be used over makeup and is 100% the first thing I am packing for my next flight anywhere.
Fragrance-free, so you're not spraying essential oils in your eye, which, let's face it, is always a bonus.
And as an aside, the best 'spray' function in a product, ever. Even distribution all over the face, no soaking of your clothes or hairline.

What’s not so good about it?

From a formula perspective, nothing. 

Where to use in your routine?

After acid toning or as and when you need it. I carry mine around like the sad woman that I am. 

Similar products?

Not really. This is kind of on its own. Serozinc is water with added zinc (albeit great for that purpose), Melvita's Pulpe de Rose contains oil, so is not great for over makeup or the already-shiny. 

I can't think of any - if you can, leave a mention in the comments and I'll check them out.

Available priced £21.00 for 125ml from all Clinique counters and Clinique.co.uk (which incidentally, is still one of those Lauder Companies websites that I'd like to get my hands on, but I digress).