​And So My Love Affair Began:
​I've pretty much always stuck with my MAC brushes, because to be fair, they work just fine and the price is pretty fair. However, whilst on my most recent trip to Tokyo in Japan, I was at a lovely department store called "Mitsukoshi" in Ginza. (It would probably somewhat compare to Selfridges in London or Neiman Marcus in the US). I just so happened to be walking around the "Natural Beauty" area of the Beauty floor, when I did a double-take type of look at these wonderful creations - these brushes simply drew me in. They were so sleek looking (trust the Japanese to come with an elegant, streamlined product). And once I felt the smooth, light handle and the actual lush and gentle brush itself, I just fell in love.

The counter lady was unable to explain much as she only spoke Japanese, but she handed over a Shaquda pamphlet with a simple explanation as to what I was seeing. They were pricey, so I decided to just start with two brushes: 

SHAQUDA PRICE: 4,000 JPY | $37 USD (Price as of July 2019)

My Experience:
​When I applied my eyeshadow with this brush, I kid-you-not I was able to do things an amateur such as me, has never been able to do before. It was literally magic. It picked up a lot of product and delineated the smoky eye so perfectly. Even my husband, who rarely notices anything, complimented me on my eyes and the pretty makeup. I was in awe - this was a true winning brush.

What They Say:
Our Smoky eye Brush is best for applying smoky eye color. Sensitive hair creates a deep but natural gradation on the eyelid. Great for eyebrow color blending with a natural look. 

Usage:
•Eyeshadow  •Highlight
Compatible Cosmetics:
•Eye color (powder type, cream type)  •Eyebrow (powder type)
Material:
Hair : Pony | Handle : Walnut
​

SHAQUDA PRICE: 5,000 JPY | $47 USD (Price as of July 2019)

My Experience:
I was blown away by the other brush, so my skeptical mind was ready for this one to fail me, however, again I was pleasantly surprised. I dipped the brush into my concealer and like an airbrush machine, it covered my blemishes and under-eye shadows like no other brush I've tried before.
So worth the hefty price!

​What They Say: With a dense, flat shaped tip that corresponds perfectly to the skin, the Touch up Brush is the perfect blend of pony and synthetic hair. Its elasticity is great for applying concealer. Great for firm application of eye color powder as well. 

Usage:
•Concealer  •Eyeshadow  •Highlight
Compatible Cosmetics:
•Concealer (cream type)  •Eye color (powder type, cream type)  •Face color (powder, liquid type)
Material:
Hair : Goat/ Synthetic  | Handle : Walnut
​
I was now dreaming of buying more brushes and could not stop thinking about them, so on our last day in Tokyo, I dragged my Hubby back to Mitsukoshi to get some more brushes. I had been doing some more research on them and the "Classical Face Brush" seemed like the perfect "general" brush to go for.
​

1. Moroccan Rose Otto Ultra-Moisture Body Oil by REN Clean Skincare.
2. Rose Lip Polish​ by FRENCH GIRL.
3. Wild Rose Creamy Body Wash by WELEDA.
4. Rosee Visage Toning Cleansing Lotion by PHYTOMER.  
5. Coco Rose Coconut Oil Lip Conditioner by Herbivore Botanicals.​

Oh Rose! I love you so...
Roses remind me of my English Grandmother, of her beautiful rose garden, and of everything pure and English. She also had the most perfect skin, white like china, blemish free and barely any wrinkles despite her years. To top it off, her name was Rosamund (world of Roses), so how could I not fall in love with this magical, powerful flower. In honour of her and my favourite botanical, I created this post, with some of my most favoured Rose products. I haven't listed them all, but have selected a fair few for you to try out. Let me know your thoughts. As always, when possible, my selections are natural and toxic free.

REN's Moroccan Rose Otto Ultra-Moisture Body Oil is one of the most pure and luxurious oils I have had the good fortune of trying, a real treat that actually works. I apply it onto humid skin, straight after my shower and it leaves me feeling itch-free and leaves a light lingering scent, which brings me nothing but pleasure.

Rose Lip Polish by FRENCH GIRL. This is a little treat, that works particularly well during weather changes, be it winter or summer. Chapped lips are unsightly and a gentle little scrub with this polish, will leave your lips smooth and moisturised. The scent is divine too. You Pampered lips will appreciate this and so will your kissing partner.

Rose Creamy Wash by WELEDA is Nourishing, pampering and harmonising. Velvety soft rose petals on your skin will feel like the ultimate luxurious experience, without the hefty price. Deepy nourishing Rosehip, which is know of its essential lipids and vitamins plus the essential oil from Damask Rose Petals will leave you feeling glorious. Don't take my word for it, indulge and try for yourself.

​Rosee Visage Toner by PHYTOMER is my ultimate toning lotion for removing makeup. It works beautifully, smells amazing and just always works. I've been using this for years, and no matter what I try, I always return to this. Definitely one of my top 10 beauty products!

The HERBIVORE BOTANICALS Coco Rose Lip Conditioner is simple, sweet and just yummy. I keep this one in the car, on hand, and obsessively just apply and apply all day long. Thankfully it is natural, so I don't think over-doing it can be bad for you. Ticks the clean beauty box and the purse box too, which is always a plus!


Collage by Alexandra Black

Natura Bissé NB Ceutical | Tolerance Enzyme Peel  $240.00
Natura Bissé NB Ceutical | Intensive Tolerance Booster  $105.00

La Española in me wanted to love this range from Natura Bissé. I mean, if it was good enough for Judith Mascó, it should be good enough for me, right? And at that price, I'd expect it to do miracles.

Despite it not falling within my completely natural skincare parameters, (although it is free of nasty parabens), I was willing to venture out and look for something that would work, just work! I was going through a tough time with Hormones (yet again) and those unsightly breakouts would just not go away. I, of course, as per usual, wasn't helping matters, (in fact I was causing even more havoc), with a million and one topical drying agents ( that was before I discovered Marie Veronique and True Botanicals). I would just about put anything on my face, hoping it would help those pesky spots. 

Type Of Skin: 
Sensitive Skin.

What It Claims:
The Tolerance Enzyme Peel is paraben-free, alcohol-free and hypoallergenic—designed especially for sensitive skin types. Keep your skin free of blemishes without irritation. Gentle, chemical exfoliants remove dead skin and dirt from yor pores to unveil softer, smoother, more luminous skin.

NB Ceutical Intensive Tolerance Booster from Natura Bisse effectively combats dryness and irritation even for the most sensitive skin. Formulated without alcohol, this face serum includes an exclusive peptide complex that quickly soothes irritation and discomfort. Aloe vera and shea butter combine to alleviate tightness and deeply condition your skin.

My Verdict: 
I have had these products in my medicine cabinet for two years now, I have struggled to throw them away because of the price, which seems like a complete waste. As with some previously reviewed items, this was unimpressive and underwhelming. Highly disappointing. I expected the Enzyme Peel to leave me glowing, perhaps not as rosy as other peels, because it caters for sensitive skin, but SOMETHING people, SOMETHING. Nope, nada de nada. The smell was nice enough and texture was smooth, but I had to wash my skin with face wash afterwards as it felt like a waxy film had been left on my skin, after removing with a warm, moist flannel towel.

The same opinion goes for the Intensive Tolerance Booster, it has a pleasant scent but felt sticky and didn't sink into my skin. I could not wear it during the day as it felt uncomfortable under make-up. I left it on overnight, hoping to see results, but again there was absolutely no difference. It is actually quite shocking that they can charge so much for this and show no results.  

I used this for a whole month, but saw no difference. I still have a lot of product left, but I have left it in my cupboard for so long, I suspect even with preservatives, it will be long out of date. I feel like it is time to throw them out. Lesson learned!

​I will not be purchasing this again as it unfortunately didn't give me the results 
I was hoping for (or any results for that matter)!

Photograph: Alexandra Black

Peeling Végétal - Vegetable Exfoliant by PHYTOMER

Type Of Skin: 
Oily Skin, Dry Skin, Combination Skin,Normal Skin, Mature Skin

What It Claims:
Phytomer Vegetal Exfoliant gently scrubs away dead skin cells to reveal a revitalized texture and luminous, youthful skin. Evening out your complexion for effortless makeup application, this exfoliant uses natural enzymes to encourage cell turnover without scrubbing or irritating your skin.

My Verdict: 
I have had this for about a year now, and the first few times I used it were unimpressive, so much so I forgot to use it again for a few months and purchased another enzyme peel (more of that in a dedicated post). Don't get me wrong, I love numerous PHYTOMER products including their Rosee Toning Cleansing Lotion and Night Recharge Youth Enhancing Cream, but the Peel just didn't do it for me. I like to see immediate results, i.e. red flush,  shiny glow, smooth skin, seemingly shrunken pores, but the Vegetable Exfoliant provided none of those. Such as shame, cause I wanted to love it. I still haven't found an exfoliant that I love, but the next product I am going to try is the fully natural Yam and Pumpkin Enzyme Peel by Eminence. 

​I will not be purchasing this again as it unfortunately didn't give me the results
I was hoping for, however I don't completely dislike the product and would suggest that
​those with sensitive skin give it a try!

Photograph: Stock | Collage: Alexandra Black