Beauty and Fashion by Natje

Starting the day with The Plant Base is the best way to start your day! Prove me wrong! ❤️

Head over to YesStyle (linked below) and use my code NATJE9999 to get a nice discount!

From the first time I sniffed this bottle in our local beauty shop, I was madly in love with the Kayali Eden Sparkling Lychee! What a magnificent scent! For months, I went back and forth about buying this fragrance, trying to figure out it was worth buying a bottle, because I literally own (well, not literally, but you know what I mean...😉) a trizillion perfumes already, but I just couldn't resist this amazing scent anymore and decided I deserved it! 😁

I've also put the Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato on my wishlist, and I hope to add that one to my collection soon. It was hard to choose between these two amazing scents but my hubby loved the Lychee fragrance more so I opted for the Lychee fragrance this time and will get the Pistachio in the future.

Anyway, the Kayali Eden Sparkling Lychee contains notes of, you guessed it, Lychee, together with notes of Black Current, Apple, Lemon, Violet, Rose, Jasmin Sambac, Sugar, Vanilla, Musk, Amber, Sandalwood and Cedar. The result is a very sweet, sugary and fruity, bubbly, feminine scent that screams summer to me. It's scent is almost candy-like, or like a sparkling, fruity lemonade. Therefore, it's really suitable to wear on hot spring and summer days and can be worn on every occasion during the day. For nighttime activities (dinner, dancing or erhm... other activities! 😉😁), I personally prefer my nighttime fragrances to be a bit more heavy, like my all time favorite, YSL's Black Opium, but if you like less heavy scents, it certainly can be worn during an evening date, a dance with friends or other activities too and even during the winter months. It's your choice, after all!

The scent opens really sweet, warm and fizzy, almost girly, and gets more feminine and sophisticated as time goes by, when the flowery, the Amber and the Musk notes really kick in. It's a young, vibrant, fun and bubbly scent that reminds me of careless days in the sun with friends or warm and sunny holidays, sipping fruity and sweet cocktails on a tropical beach.

It's longevity is okay, as it's still noticeable after a day at work, but it isn't quite heavy or strong so if you want the scent to be stronger, you will have to reapply some more during the day. And that immediately is the one downside I noticed about this perfume. But in my opinion, it's still worth it's value though, because it's such a joyful and playful scent!

To me, it's sunshine, cocktails, lemonade and candy. It truly is summer in a bottle!

Speaking of bottles, the coral pink colored glass bottle features the name of the brand and it's scent engraved on the front and a list of it's fragrance notes on the back. It looks nice, glamorous and feminine and the glass cap, looking like a diamond, is the icing on the cake! It makes this bottle of perfume a real asset for your vanity table!

Highly recommended for those who, like me, loves sweet and candy-like scents!

Hi guys,

Say hello to the newest addition of my always expanding Furla collection! ❤️😁

Since I spotted the new Furla Autentica Eau De Parfum on Fragrantica, I was looking everywhere to get my hands on a bottle of those, because well, the brand! It’s Furla, obviously, one of my favorite brands ever, and it’s description sounds just like the kind of fragrances I like!

Furla Autentica EDP is a new fresh, floral, fruity and femimine Aquatic Fresh Chypre scent for women and was created by Italian brand Furla, known for it’s high quality leather goods, bags and accessories and loved by fashionistas all over the world.

Autentica was released earlier this year and contains topnotes of Pear, Raspberry and Mandarin Orange, a heart of Peony, Lily Of The Valley and Cherry Blossom and closes with basenotes of Musk, Patchouli and Cashmere Wood. It advertises as a joyful burst of sparkling and juicy notes with a soft heart in a colorful, modern and real Chypre scent. The name Autentica stands for and enhances the authenticity, the strong identity and the heritage of this famous and iconic fashion house.

A fashionable Italian style, attention for details and the use of high quality raw materials is what forms the base of the creation and the launch of this fragrance.

Earlier this week, Autentica finally showed up at Zalando (yay! 😁) and I immediately ordered myself a bottle, without even smelling the scent first. I took a risk by not trying this scent before buying it (I couldn’t find it anywhere in any fysical store and wasn’t able to find many reviews online either) and to be honest, it’s a scent that I don’t think I would have buyed if I did have the chance to test it first. When sniffing the bottle immediately after my package arrived, it smelled really good. A bit flowery, but still good, perfect for spring and summer. But when I sprayed it on my wrists, there was a note of something very heavy and strong in there, a razor sharp edge, that I don’t really like that much and that certainly isn’t there when sniffing the bottle. I believe it’s the Patchouli which is reacting to the natural scent of my skin. I do find it a bit odd though, because almost all my perfumes contain Patchouli, which I absolutely adore, and I never experienced a reaction like that. But I must admit that after a few hours, that sharp edge is almost gone, leaving behind a similar floral scent to the one in the bottle itself.

Because of that sharp edge, it’s not exactly my favorite fragrance, and I don’t think I will be wearing it on special occasions, because YSL’s Black Opium still holds that spot and earns that privilege, but it’s okay to wear on an everyday base, for work, to go shopping or when taking a walk or something. It’s not the best scent that I ever encountered, but it definitely isn’t the worst either, especially not after wearing it for a few hours, when that sharp edge has dissapeared. But it’s still just okay. Nothing special. A plain, ordinary everyday scent for doing plain, ordinary everyday stuff! 😉

When sniffing the bottle, the floral notes are the most noticeable, but after applying it, the Patchouli appears quite fast. It really is a scent for everyday use, not too heavy (apart from the Patchouli reaction on my skin), not too sweet, quite innocent and girly and yet modern and feminine. It’s quite heavy scented when just applied, but it dries down rather quickly without losing it’s floral scent. In my opinion, this scent is suitable for any age and it’s really longlasting too. Just make sure to test it first, to test the way the fragrance reacts to your skin! 😉

The bottle, which creates a bold link between fashion, perfumery and beauty, is just gorgeous and was created with their iconic Metropolis bag in mind. The shape, the gold details like the engraved plaque with logo, the matte looking top half and the line carved in the bottom half of the bottle does reminds me of these iconic Furla bags, which I absolutely love. I do own several Furla bags myself, including the Metropolis and the 1927. It’s my favorite brand when it comes to bags! ❤️

The perfume itself has a pretty soft pink colour that suits the look of the sophisticated and femimine looking bottle.

Furla Autentica is now available at Zalando (in sale!) for €54,95 for a 50ml bottle and €55,95 for a 100ml bottle. I went for the 100ml bottle because of the difference of €1. Can’t blame me, right? 😉😁

My very first Kylieskin product! Yay! 😁

The KylieSkin Lip Oil looks like a gloss, applies like a gloss and, unlike many other Lip Oils and related lip products, doesn’t feel sticky at all. Personally, I think that’s a big plus, since I really don’t like big, glossy, sticky lips. The wind, blowing your hair against your sticky lips when going outside is so annoying! 😉

This Lip Oil has a subtle and pleasant but slightly chemical coconut scent and comes in a small, beautifully designed glass tube. The applicator is soft, fluffy and big. On the downside, it’s actually a bit too big, taking up almost the entire inside space of the tube, not exactly giving you value for your money that way. Plus, it isn’t really convenient to get the applicator out of the tube. The applicator does feel pleasant and soft on the lips while applying the oil though. The large size of the applicator does make it easy to apply and spread the oil, but also comes with quite a bit of excess product, while you don’t really need that much.

I usually use this Lip Oil in the evening, before going to bed, to give the oil enough time to fully absorb and to optimally care for my lips, giving me the ability to start my day with soft, cared and hydrated lips in the morning, but since the oil also gives a nice shine, it sure can be used like a lip gloss during the daytime hours too. After applying this Lip Oil, my lips feel soft, hydrated and intensely nourished, without feeling sticky. I’m rocking a subtle shine and dry lips and flaky skin are a thing of the past. I personally didn’t experience the promised plumping effect, but I already have fairly full lips and I’m not exactly looking for that Kardashian pout right now! 😉

I am satisfied with the KylieSkin Lip Oil, which is vegan and contains Vitamin E in addition to coconut oil, but I do believe that there are balms and oils that do the same job while being cheaper. That, in combination with the enormous applicator and the small amount of product inside the very small tube, gains this lip oil 4 stars for now. It’s definitely not bad, but not the very best either.

Question:

Hi guys,

Are you familiar with German brand Giesswein? Not only do they create the most beautiful collection of sustainable footwear, made out of natural materials like Merinowool, Cactus, Wood and recycled materials, they also have sustainable made accessories, pillows and blankets and they just released a line of comfy socks, also made out of Merinowool!

It’s been rather chilly out there lately, well, at least, here in The Netherlands it has. A few weeks ago, the sun was shining, spring was in the air and the temperatures were rising up to almost 20°C and bam, 1 day later, it was snowing! Really, I kid you not! I hardly can’t remember what I’ve ate yesterday but I do remember this because it was the 1st of april and I was thinking by myself: “this must be an aprils fool day joke!” 😉😁

Anyway, as I was saying, it’s rather chilly out there nowadays and a pair of Merinowool socks are just what I need on days like these! They keep my feet warm and comfy, even when it’s snowing or raining!

Although the socks tend to feel a bit rough when putting them on, they also feel soft at the same time, it’s quite a particular feeling. And they’re really comfy too! Thermoregulation ensures your feet will be cool during summers and warm during winters. The socks come in a pack of 3 and are available in different sizes, models and colors.

Use my couponcode BBCH3401 at checkout to get 15% off your entire purchase at Giesswein!

Start your discountshopping experience by clicking the link below! 😊

Question:

What fabric do you prefer when it comes to socks?

Hi guys,

As some of you may know, my birthday is coming up (and by some of you, I mean my daughters, my hubby and my sister, I know you’re all reading this! 😉 Everyone else who didn’t know that my bday is coming up, I don’t blame you, I actually don’t know your birthdays either! 😉)

Anyway, as I was saying, on my bday, may the 31st, I will be on my way to beautiful Paris!

Mais oui, jolie Paris, je’t aime! ❤️

I’ve never been to Paris before so I’m literally counting the days and I’ve been planning all kinds of things for my hubby and me to do and see out there.

One of the things I planned for us, is seeing a show in the world famous Moulin Rouge and I was thinking about wearing my Louboutins that evening. Because if that isn’t the perfect opportunity to wear Louboutins, then when is, right? 😉 But then, my next question comes to mind and I hope to get some help from you guys.

What else should I wear? Should I go for a full glam gown? A pretty Cocktail Dress? A classy black Jumpsuit maybe? A pair of Dressy pants and a Blazer? Enlighten me please! 😊

Have you been to Paris? Any tips or tricks to share? What do see, what to do? Where to eat and where to shop? Feel free to leave them in the comments because I can’t wait to read them all! 😊

My iconic black pumps are from Christian Louboutin and the framed Paris fragrance poster is from Desenio. Use my Desenio code XS6B5NA at checkout to get 10% off your entire purchase at Desenio! Just click the link below! This code is not valid on handpicked or personalized posters and frames!

Hi guys,

As a Pafumado tester, I was sent a sample of the Biotherm Blue Therapy Uplift Day and I can't wait to share my results with you!

The Blue Therapy Uplift Day Cream, containing ingredients like Red Algae and Collagen Peptide, promises to make fine lines and wrinkles less visible, while lifting and firming the skin.

This rose colored cream applies easily and smooth, thanks to the pleasant gel like texture and absorbs quickly, without leaving a greasy feeling.

During application, the cream feels not greasy at all and after application, my skin feels really soft, firm and hydrated. Any fine lines and wrinkles around my eyes area are looking slightly less visible and I'm rocking this healthy looking glow all day.

My skin wasn't feeling irritated and I didn't get any outbreaks after using it.

For a really optimal result you have to use this cream for longer, but even during my short testing period, I was pleasantly surprised by the result.

The cream smells pleasant and not too powdery. It is quite a subtle fragrance which is not too present or too heavy. Also, the scent fades away quite fast.

From what I've seen from the packaging online, the cream typically comes in a gorgeous and luxurious looking red colored glass jar but I obviously received the sample version, which is a small white tube with a red cap. But the full size packaging is looking really nice and will definitely earn it's spot in your bathroom or on top of your vanity table.

I highly recommend the Biotherm Blue Therapy Uplift Day Cream!

Hi guys,

A while ago, reviewing platform We Are Eves has send me the Max Factor Miracle Prep Pore Minimizing + Mattifying Primer to test and review. My review has been on We Are Eves for quite some time now, but I haven't shared it here yet, so here we go! 😊

The Max Factor Miracle Prep Pore Minimizing + Mattifying Primer comes in a convenient plastic bottle and looks simple, yet beautiful. The pump bottle is easy to use, hygienic and has a convenient size, so you can take it with you in your make-up bag or handbag!

This very lightweighted primer has a thin, liquid and slightly milky texture which is easy to apply. It melts directly into the skin and does not leave a greasy feeling. After application, my skin feels soft and smooth. My face is looking healthy and I have this, nice matte look going on. My skin does not feel dry or tight at all and outbreaks or allergic reactions are not an issue either. So far, so good! 😊

As I continue with my makeup, I notice that this primer is indeed the perfect base for applying makeup. My make up lasts longer and is looking bold and more beautiful. However, I did notice that greasier spots, like my T zone, are starting to shine again after a while, so doing a touch up every now and then is certainly not a luxury. My pores seems to be just a little less visible. Even without make up, this primer is a great base, as it contains SPF20 and gives your face that nice matte finish we all crave.

This primer is scented really neutral, the scent, doesn't irritate and disappears quickly.

I am actually very satisfied with this primer and I absolutely recommend it, especially for people with oily or combination skin and even for people with sensitive skin, like myself!

Read more honest and genuine reviews or write one yourself at We Are Eves! Just click the link below!

A huge thanks to We Are Eves and Max Factor! ❤️

Question:

Do you use a primer when wearing make up?

Hi guys,

When Picky offered me the chance to test the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule, I didn’t hesitate for a moment! I didn’t know this Korean skincare brand or the product at all and I love testing new products so I was like “yes! Count me in!” 😁

The first thing I noticed is the packaging. This product is neatly packed in a transparent glass bottle of 100 ml. That’s a huge amount of serum and is rarely seen, especially for a skincare product! There’s some kind of coating over the box, which feels nice. The combination of gray and white tones gives the box an elegant and clean, almost sterile look. The quite heavy glass bottle oozes luxury and is environment friendly, which obviously beats plastic packaging every time! 😉

Thanks to the included dropper, this serum is also very easy to apply. Just put a few drops on your hands, massage them into the skin and you’re done! Easy does it!

The texture of this serum really is fantastic! It has a very light, watery and non-sticky texture that melts into the skin, without feeling greasy or tight. The serum contains small white capsules that, just like the serum itself, absorbs into the skin rather quickly. There’s no notable scent. I really like that, since many skincare products are enriched with perfumes that irritate the skin or have a scent that just is way too heavy and strong.

The Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule contains Centella from Madagascar and 4% Niacinamide, or Vitamin B3, which helps against redness, pimples, pigmentation spots, fine lines and more and can be used by all skin types and for almost all skin conditions.

After using the serum, my sensitive skin feels soft, smooth and firm and after a few weeks, my fine lines and the pigmentation spot I discovered some time ago are clearly less visible. My skin looks radiant and firm.

The Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule is cruelty-free and contains no parabens or sulfates.

I’m a fan!

Wanna learn more about skincare and it’s ingredients? Feel like reviewing skincare products yourself? Join Picky now!

Click the link above and use my invitation code 9F07D613 to join and to have a chance of winning skincare products to review monthly! It’s a win win situation because if you join using my code, we both earn points to use for a chance to win free products! 😉 So hurry up and join now! 😊

A huge thanks to Picky and Skin1004!

Question:

Do you use Korean Skincare products?

Hi guys,

A while back, I saw this ad on Facebook to order a free pack of TravelSana's Relax and Ficus Gummies and since I'm all about trying new things and sharing my thoughts and experiences with you guys, I went on and ordered myself a pack of these delicious looking gummies.

TravelSana is a food nutrition brand, founded in 2019 and launched in 2021, dedicated to bringing health, comfort and wellbeing to travellers, to make travelling safer, easier and more enjoyable. Their products are scientifically proven to be efficient and claim to contain the highest quality active ingredients available, such as multiple vitamins, Selenium, Zink, Melatonin, Saffron and more.

Relax and Focus is a supplement recommended when you need to be mentally fit, focused and concentrated, like when you're facing a high workload. It contains Saffron, which is shown to be effective in treating mild to moderate depression symptoms as a result of an interaction with the serotonin and noradrenaline system. It also contains Chicory Root Fibers, Water, Tapioca Starch and Citric Acid. For travellers, it's recommended to take 2 gummies before departure, to help you to stay calm and to relax while flying, while still being focused and awake.

Unfortunately, I won't be travelling by plane for another few months. My boyfriend and I are currently looking at multiple countries and cities to travel to but we haven't made any decisions yet. (Tips and suggestion on where to travel to and what to see or do are most definitely very welcome! 😉) Most likely, we will be travelling in september, and I will make sure to give you an update on how I experienced the Relax and Focus gummies and it's effect on me as soon as I get off that airplane or when I've taken them to keep focused at work, so keep following me for more!

Question:

What kind of supplements do you take regularly?

A huge thanks to TravelSana!

Hi guys,

I's been a while, I know.

Life has really been hectic the past few months.

As you all know, I've been quarantained due to a covid infection a few months ago. Approximately a month after my quarantaine, I was told the store I was working in for the last 4 years was forced to closing it's doors so I had to go look for another job. I've spend all my free time browsing for job applications and going to job interviews. Luckily, I managed to find myself another really similar job and after my final day at work, I was able to start at my new job. And all ends well! 😊

To celebrate my new job, I treated myself to a pair of shoes I've added to my wishlist a long time ago. I bought myself a pair of the famous red soled pumps! 😉

I really have a weakness for shoes, especially heels and a pair of Louboutins really is the cherry on top of the cake! ❤️

Louboutins are very recognizable, thanks to the red soles. French designer Christian Louboutin felt like something was missing when creating his first pair of pumps. When seeing his assistant polishing her nails in bright red, he incorporated the colour in his designs and the world famous red bottoms were born.

This gorgeous and elegant looking lady is Kate, she has a 9cm high stiletto heel and a pointy toe and is made from suede. Also featured are the world famous red soles, obviously.

I bought them (in sale! Yay!) at designer webshop Fashionette and the ordering and delivery process all went very easy and smooth. I will definitely order more designer products from Fashionette!

Click the link below to head over to Fashionette right now!

If you happen to have the golden tip to walking on Louboutins (or any other heels) without feeling pain, feel free to share in the comments below! 😉

Question:

Hi guys,

Another year has passed! And a new year has started, yet again! This is the last year I willl be celebrating my thirties because next year, I will be a women in her forties! Can you imagine? 😱 Anyway, that made me wonder, what's your age? I know, I can check my statistics, but that's quite general. It's more fun to be able to add an age to your face! 😉

Talking about age, my fine lines and wrinkles are getting more visible every day, so it's about time to put a hold to that! In addition to my new anti-aging skincare routine (more on that later!), I also started to take the Nutraskin Collagen Drink, to help my skin to maintain a more youthful look.

Collagen is a substance produced by the body itself, found in our hair, nails, muscles and skin. When we get older, the collagen production decreases, resulting in less elasticity, causing wrinkles and lines. Taking collagen supplements doesn't just improves the skin, it also improves the condition of hair and nails and can help you to minimize the visibility of cellulitis.

NutraSkin contains 7,5 gr Verisol and Vitamin C and the collagen powder arrives in easy to use individually packed sachets. One sachet a day, dissolved in a glass of water, tea or juice, is all you need to maintain a youthful and healthy, plump looking skin. The powder doesn't have any scent or taste and it's easy to use and drink. You just have to make sure to use room temperatured drinks because in cold drinks, the powder doesn't dissolve that easily. When using room temperatured liquids, the powder does dissolve quickly and completely.

After using NutraSkin for a few weeks now, I don't really notice much changes in the lines and wrinkles departement, but I do notice that my skin is feeling more plump and firm and looks healthy. My skin feels really soft and hydrated too. Any changes in lines and wrinkles should be visible after a month or two. The only downside is the fact that NutraSkin isn't vegan friendly, since the collagen powder is derived from bovines. But other than that, I'm really satisfied and definitely will keep taking my daily sachet! ❤

Question:

What do you prefer to use to keep and maintain your youthful and healthy glow?

Get your own box of Collagen Drink by clicking the link below!

Hi guys,

Some time ago, I ordered myself the most beautiful high heeled overknee boots at Zalando. These gorgeous looking cuties are by Even and Odd and they fit my rather large calves like a glove! I really was afraid they wouldn't fit my calves, but it turns out I was worrying for nothing, as usual! 😉

The stilettoheels are long and sexy (10,5cm! Yas queen! 😁) but yet they're easy to walk on.

The boots are made of grey immitation suede and they stay in place perfectly. And if they should slip off anyway, there's nothing that a bit of fashion tape can't handle! 😉

Worth mentioning is that the fit is rather small, so it's best to size up one size. I usually wear a European size 38 to 39, depending on the fit, and I bought these in size 39.

The only difficulty is how to wear them. A pair of overknee boots paired with the wrong outfit quickly becomes cheap and tacky, but when paired with the right outfit, they look glamorous, sexy and classy, so I guess I just have to dive into my closet to see how I'm gonna pair these cuties! 😉

Question:

Hi guys,

Aproximately a week ago. I made some changes in my skincare routine. I started using the Beauty Boost Giftset by Synergie Skin

I’m right in the middle of my testing fase right now, but I wanted to take the time to tell you some more about the brand and the products, before sharing my full reviews.

Synergie Skin was created in Australia, way back in the year 2005 and gained international fame rather quickly. Right now, it’s distributed in many countries, including here in The Netherlands. Synergie Skin is highly recommended and often used by Beauticians and the cosmetic medical staff in Beauty Salons, Spas and Skin Clinics all over the world. The Synergie Skin skincare line has over 50 products for every skintype and every skin issue and they also offer other products and lines, like a mineral make up line.

The Beauty Boost Giftset contains 3 products: the BioCleanse, the Vitamin B Serum and the LumiBalance. All 3 together, they form a full skincare routine for beautiful, glowy and healthy looking skin. The BioCleanse is a milky and mild, PH balanced Cleanser that doesn’t contain any irritation or drying ingredients. It’s perfect for sensitive or dry skin. The Vitamin B Serum contains 13% Niacinamide, for youthful looking skin and the LumiBalance is a facial oil containing 8 lipids to nourish the skin and protect the skin against free radicals. The LumiBalance doesn’t contain any filling oils or added scents.

So far, I’m really happy with the results but I will keep testing the Beauty Boost set for another week and will have my full reviews up in a week, so stay tuned for more! 😊

A huge thanks to Synergie Skin Netherlands for giving me this opportunity! ❤

Order the Synergie Skin Beauty Boost Giftset yourself by clicking the link below!

Question:

Hi guys,

My boss really is the best boss ever! She knows I love pink, she knows I love beauty and skincare products and she knows I love Rituals! ❤

Isn't she the best? 😊

If you ever read this: thank you so much Tine! ❤😊

The Ritual of Sakura is my favorite Rituals Cosmetics collection, not just because it's pink, (I do love their otther collections too, especially The Ritual of Mehr and The Ritual of Happy Buddha), but because of the amazing scent this entire collection has! The scent is best described as sweet, delicate and flowery, very femimine and really longlasting.

The Anti-bacterial Hand Foam looks like a liquid when it's in the bottle, but when you press the pumping system on top of the bottle, it transforms into a foam that looks and feels really luxurious. The foam also makes my hand feel silky soft and smooth and makes them smell absolutely divine! I adore that scent! During times like this, I also really appreciate the fact that it has desinfective properties and kills 99,9% of all bacteria and viruses we carry on our hands.

The Instant Care Hand Lotion has the same divine Cherry Blossom and Rice Milk fragrance, but the scent is even stronger. When combining both products, you're in for a real scent treat! 😉 The Hand Lotion does contain alcohol (though the Anti-bacterial Hand Foam mentioned above doesn't), it absolutely doesn't dry out my hands. Apart from the alcohol, it still contains 95% natural ingredients. After applying the Lotion, my hands are feeling soft and smooth and they smell amazing. As mentioned above, the scent is quite longlasting. The Lotion melts right into the skin and doesn't make my hands feel greasy. You just need a small amount so it's quite a longlasting product too.

Question:

Hi guys,

During my quarantine, this No Rinse Hand Cleanser from Azra Botanical Simplicity was my best friend!

I was quarantained in my bedroom, to make sure my family didn’t catch Covid and I obviously spent most of my time up there alone. When I came downstairs for dinner, I always used this handsanitizer before touching anything. I was the only one that got sick, none of my family members did, so I guess we can say the Azra Hand Cleanser really did a good job! 😉

The brand Azra Botanical Simplicity was created by Azra Secerbegovic, the owner of Beauty and Skincare Salon Aspa Den Haag, a beauty and skincare clinic in the city of The Hague, The Netherlands. Her mission was to offer a natural skincare routine which is both effective as simple, by combining high tech ingredients with natural ones. The Azra Botanical Simplicity skincare range contains only a few ingredients, to make sure they don’t cause irritations and can be used on any skintype, even the most sensitive ones. Obviously,I did receive some skincare products, but since catching Covid, I wanted to take a moment to tell you some more about their No Rinse Hand Cleanser too. I will get deeper into the skincare range very soon!

Some handsanitizers cause irritations to our hands. others are so greasy and sticky it feels uncomfortable. While the Azra No Rinse Hand Cleanser feels a bit sticky after applying, it doesn’t feel uncomfortable at all. The sticky feeling dissolves rather quickly, leaving your hands feeling clean and soft. It has a nice scent too, fresh and minty. I also experience a hint of some sort of clinical scent in there, caused by the alcohol it contains. While alcohol often causes the skin to feel dry, my hands aren’t feeling dry at all, because this hand cleanser contains glycerin, which ensures the hands not to dry out. It also contains Water Lily Extract, Peppermint Essential Oil, known for it’s aromatherapy properties, and Comfrey Extract, a medicinal herb that helps to protect and condition the skin.

A full list of ingredients is published on the back of the bottle.

The bottle is easy to use, thanks to the pumping system on top, and the slim design makes it easy to carry the bottle with you. My quarantine is over now, but I always carry my bottle of No Rinse Hand Cleanser in my bag, just to make sure I can clean and sanitize my hands at any moment!

With every purchase of Azra Botanical Simplicity No Rinse Hand Cleanser, Aspa Den Haag donates to the Emina Foundation.

Find your Azra Botanical Simplicity products by clicking the link below!

Or if you’re looking for a treatment in the Aspa Beauty and Skin Clinic in The Hague, you can find all their treatments and more information by clicking the link below!

Question:

How do you keep yourself Covid safe?

Hi guys,

Ici Paris XL kindly sent me a vial of Philosophy Nature In A Jar Skin Reset Serum to try and review as part of their Beauty & You Community.

This serum consists of 95.9% natural ingredients, is clean, vegan and contains Bakuchiol, a natural alternative to Retinol.

As we all know, Retinol is an antioxidant & a form of vitamin A that aids in cell and skin renewal. I’ve done some research on the difference between Bakuchiol and Retinol as Bakuchiol is said to be a natural alternative to Retinol but I honestly don’t see much of a difference as Retinol can be found in certain kinds of vegetables. However, for some people, Retinol is just too harsh  For people with sensitive skin or known allergic reactions to Retinol, Bakuchiol is indeed a better alternative.

Anyway, back to the Nature In A Jar Serum!

After using this serum for a while now, my skin feels soft, smooth and firm. Fine lines and wrinkles are less visible and so is the redness on my face.

It’s a lightweight serum which is easy to apply. The application itself is a bit more difficult, since the pipette in the cap is not a pipette but a glass rod, making it quite difficult to get enough product out of the bottle. It also feels a bit greasy, which I personally don’t like. The serum has a very light and neutral scent. In fact, it hardly has any scent. I personally think that’s an advantage, because I don’t really like heavily scented skincare products.

The bottle itself has a young & fresh look, thanks to the bright blue colour.

For now I give this serum 4 stars, because of the greasy feeling and the pipette which actually isn’t a pipette at all. If this changes, this serum is definitely worth 5 stars!

Question:

Do you prefer Retinol or Bakuchiol?