vegan skincare Archives - frozen spring

Empties Vol. I

05/09/18

In today’s post I’m sharing products I’ve used up in the past few months. As you can see, it’s mostly skincare, which isn’t surprising. It is a lot easier to use up skincare than makeup. There is not a lot to say about these products since I’ve mentioned them before on my blog, so I’ll just quickly go through them.

I’ll start off with estelle & thild. A few days ago I reviewed the BioCleanse Make Up Remover so there isn’t much to say about it except that I already have a new bottle ready for use. Next two products are as well from their BioCleanse range – Fragrance Free Cleansing Gel and Multi-Action Facial Toner. I repurchased those as well. I think I’m using my third tube of cleansing gel and fifth bottle of toner! Needless to say – I love these products! Last year in February I wrote about my first impressions and I still stand by them. I really do love this toner and I’m happy with the cleansing gel as well! I don’t think I’ll change them any time soon, I just don’t feel like it’s necessary and, to be honest, I don’t feel like testing something new all the time. I’ve come to the point where I want consistency in my skincare. :)

The next product I used up is Skintegra Hydra B Advanced Hydration Serum. I’m actually on my third bottle already! This si a really light, and yet hydrating serum that kept my skin under control this whole winter. Of course, it’s important to mention that this is not the only product I’ve been using, but it definitely is one of the few I keep going back to. The thing that I like about this product is I can use it all year round – it’s hydrating enough for winter, and yet light enough for summer. This product can be used both in the morning and evening, but I use it mostly in the morning since it suits me better. I will be reviewing this and other Skintegra products in my upcoming post(s).

My last skincare product of the bunch is Green Girl Cosmetics Hydrating Serum LIGHT. This is the first time I used a product that contains niacinamide, and I was so glad I tried it! I don’t think niacinamide is talked so much about, but if you haven’t tried it – be sure you do! I instantly noticed my skin texture improved and any spots left over from ocassional pimples faded much quicker thank usual! I have to write a more detailed post about this serum as well, and I can tell you right now that I will order it again for fall!

My last empty product is a product I mentioned many times, over and over again, and it’s no surprise I used up another bottle of Rouge Bunny Rouge Aqua Primer. I don’t think it’s necessary for me to repeat myself since you can read all about it in my review that I wrote back in January, 2015! I think I’ve been using this primer for almost four years now! Of course, I already repurchased it! ;)

What are yours recent empties? :)

Vesna ♥

estelle & thild BioCleanse Eye Make Up Remover Review

05/05/18

estelle & thild Biocleanse Eye Make Up Remover

Last year in January, I wanted to test some new skincare brands (Swedish ones) and estelle & thild was one of those brands. At first I purchased only their toner and cleansing gel, but with time I ended up buying a few more products. So far I have four products from the BioCleanse range: multi-action facial toner, cleansing gel, eye make up remover and micellar water. I’m satisfied with all four products (I already repurchased all of them except for micellar water which I still haven’t used up) and I’ll share my reviews on them in upcoming posts. Today I’m sharing my review on the eye make up remover.

The main reason I purchased this product is because I needed something that’s suitable for sensitive eyes. My eyes have gotten really sensitive in the past 2 years or so and I haven’t been able to use just any product to remove my eye makeup so I’ve been trying out different products until I came across this one. I was already using estelle & thild toner and cleansing gel (which I liked) before I purchased the eye make up remover so I was really hoping it will be good because back then I already tested (and wasted money on) 4-5 different eye make up removers which did not work for me. And, well, this one did work for me! Just recently I purchased another bottle of it so you can imagine that I really do like it!

So, what do I like about this product? First of all, my eyes don’t react to it and it removes all my makeup without any issues. Since it’s dual-phase, it’s great for waterproof makeup. It’s fragrance free (it has this typical estelle & thild scent which isn’t perfume but rather clean scent?). Even though it contains 150 ml, which at first I thought wasn’t enough, but it really is since you don’t need a lot of it for each use, even if you have heavy eye makeup. I always place the cotton pad on my lid and I wait around 30 seconds for my makeup to dissolve. That’s much easier, better and more effective than rubbing.

What I don’t like? I really don’t have anything negative to say about it.

Details

Suitable for vegans / cruelty free? Yes
Where to buy? Sweden: most stores carry estelle & thild (Åhléns, KICKS, apotek hjärta, etc.); if you don’t live in Sweden then you can get it through estellethild.com or naturisimo.com
Price? 189 SEK / £18.50 / $21.5 / €18
Ingredients: aqua, simmondsia chinensis seed oil*, aloe barbadensis leaf juice*, glycerin**, gluconolactone, disodium phosphate, sodium chloride, sodium gluconate, citric acid, sodium benzoate. *Ingredient from Organic Farming. **Made using organic ingredients.

Vesna ♥

Review | Hylamide SubQ Anti-Age Advanced Serum

04/04/17

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Note: I’m 32 years old (time really flies!), with combination skin + dehydration issues during winter, some fine lines, but nothing too “serious” ;)

It’s been 7 months since I purchased my first Hylamide products, and I think it was about time I wrote my review. I’ll start with the SubQ Anti-Age Advance Serum, but before I get into details, let me just cover some basic information about this brand (though I’m sure you’ve probably heard it all by now). Deciem, the company behind Hylamide (and a few other brands), made a certain break through a while back since their approach and products are somewhat revolutionary (at least, that’s my view). If I had to use one word to describe them, I’d probably use the word simplicity. Additionally, I’d say that when it comes to Hylamide, I would describe it as “what you see is what you get”. By the time I’m writing this, I’m already on my second bottle of the SubQ Anti-Age serum, so I guess it’s fair to say that I took my time to test it properly ;)

The reason I purchased this product in the first place is because I have combination skin which can be dehydrated during the winter, especially here in Stockholm (it’s really windy and winter is quite harsh to put it mildly). Last winter I had a bit of an issue with dehydrated skin, so I figured I’ll do something about it for the next one. That’s how I came across Hylamide and I decided to give it a try. Long story short, it was a good decision. Of course, I haven’t used only this product, but I’m quite sure it did most of the work and my skin is really grateful now that the winter is almost over.

ABOUT THE PRODUCT

SubQ Anti-Age Advance Serum is “a highly active concentrate of advanced hyaluronic complexes, next-generation peptides and biotechnological technologies to target rehydration, while improving the look of lines, wrinkles, sagging skin and textural damage. “

It comes in a blurred pipette dropper glass bottle. The formula of the serum is on the watery side so I have to be a bit careful when I apply it since occasionally it can drip here and there. I apply it after my toner, morning and night, directly onto my skin, a drop on the forehead, cheeks and my chin. It goes on smoothly and I don’t wait too long before I move on to my next step.

RESULTS

What have I noticed? For one, no dehydration, even if I skipped using it for a few days on certain occasions (like, when I was sick / didn’t feel like doing anything, let alone taking care of my skin. I know, not a great thing to do, but it happens from time to time). Additionally, my skin looks fresher and firm(er). My skin tends to look dull and tired because I do have issues with sleeping, so anything that can help with that is more than welcome. And, last but not least, I seriously see a difference when it comes to some fine lines and nasolabial folds (smile lines). I swear that lines between my eyebrows have improved and my right nasolabial fold is less obvious. You might think I must be exaggerating, but I do have quite visible smile lines. I have big mouth and I laugh/smile a lot! :D I wasn’t actually thinking about it before, but I do notice the difference now that I look at them. I purchased this product primarily to deal with dehydration issues, but I see that it does offer much more than that. I mean, they do say it offers more than just hydration, but that wasn’t mine concern. Well, if you are concern about fine lines and wrinkles, you might wanna consider buying this serum.

WOULD I RECOMMEND IT?

You bet I would! To anyone who has first signs of aging – some lines and mild wrinkles / you have issues with keeping your skin hydrated / you just want to add an effective and yet affordable serum to your skin care regime. Especially if you’re 30+. ;)

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Ingredients: aqua (water), glycerin, hydrolyzed yeast extract, sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, pentylene glycol, ethoxydiglycol, tamarindus indica seed gum, palmitoyl tripeptide-38, myristoyl nonapeptide-3, copper lysinate/prolinate, methylglucoside phosphate, hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate, sodium hyaluronate, ahnfeltia concinna extract, saccharide isomerate, polyglucuronic acid, lactobacillus/ eriodictyon californicum ferment extract, pseudoalteromonas ferment extract, phospholipids, lecithin, salicylic acid, hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin, cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose, polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, hexylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, sodium citrate, citric acid, trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, potassium sorbate, ethylhexylglycerin, sodium benzoate, caprylyl glycol, phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin

Suitable for vegans / cruelty free? Yes
Where to buy? here if you are in Sweden (out of stock at the moment) or here
Price? €36 / 340 SEK

Vesna ♥

Save

Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil (mini-review)

11/30/16

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It’s been two weeks since I started using Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil so I felt like it was time for a mini-review / first impressions post. First of all, let me start by saying that I discovered oils quite late, and by that I mean – last year. Not that I wasn’t aware of their existence, I just didn’t use them as a part of my skincare routine. Why? Well, I didn’t really think I needed them (wrong) , but after my first winter in Sweden I quickly realised how I definitely need at least one face oil to be part of my skin care routine. After some research, I purchased rosehip oil from trilogy, but since I wasn’t feeling it really, I decided to search a bit further and try the same oil but from another brand. That’s how I came across Pai.

It’s described as “The most concentrated Rosehip Oil on the market today, to improve skin firmness, elasticity and suppleness, and reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks, sun damage and fine lines. “
I wouldn’t know about stretch marks or sun damage since those aren’t my skin issues, but I can definitely say it does help when it comes to skin firmness, elasticity and scars. I had two scars recently and they really healed much quicker than they would otherwise. It usually takes a month for my scars to completely disappear / heal, but now they’re almost gone after only 2 weeks! That’s super fast if you ask me!

Additionally, I see a difference in improved skin firmness, elasticity and suppleness. Since it’s really cold right now and the air is super dry here, this oil makes a big difference for my skin. Without it, even though I have a good skincare regime, I could feel like my skin was still missing something. The very first time I applied it, I knew this was what was missing. It moisturises, nourishes and protects my skin more than great and I can’t imagine not applying it every day. Winter is definitely easier with this product by my side. ;)

This is one of those products which quickly becomes a holy grail product, and not for nothing. Since it’s suitable for all skin types, even sensitive ones, I’d urge you try it. It has a light texture (considering it is an oil) which absorbs quickly, especially if you apply it onto lightly damp skin (that’s how I do). 3-4 drops are enough to cover your entire face. Also, as you can see on the photos, it is orange, but fear not, it won’t stain your skin or anything. Once it absorbs, any trace of it disappears.
The packaging is another thing I love about it – it comes in a frosted-glass bottle with a pipette – so simple, yet so nice. Important thing to remember: it needs to be stored in a cold and dark place.

Anyway, once I test it properly, I’ll come back with an update (late January or early February).

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Ingredients: Rosa Canina Seed Extract [CO2]*, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract [CO2]*, mixed Tocopherols.
Suitable for vegans? Yes
Where to buy? Here (free shipping)
Price? £22.00 / 30 ml

Vesna ♥