Getting That Coveted Glow with Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil and Hylamide Booster Glow Serum

I stumbled onto what I can only describe as the perfect synergy of natural and synthetic skincare. It's almost skincare meets some inverse Murphy's Law, because this little stellar combination of Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil and Hylamide Booster Glow Serum has definitely got it right!

On the face of it, these products have properties to help brighten, combat dullness and balance an uneven skin tone, and singularly, both these products achieve that expertly. But when used together, they combine to give the most wonderful natural glowing skin. Creating a really healthy and alive complexion that's balanced and brighter. Together they create an almost no-foundation foundation appearance.

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The Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil is a wonderfully nourishing facial oil designed to regenerate the skin, providing a healthier skin condition while repairing and improving with its potent omegas, vitamins and antioxidants skin fuel. Being blood orange in colour (or rosehip, if you prefer), this gorgeously warm and rich oil blends and absorbs seamlessly into skin. 

My skin feels so beautifully nourished when using this oil. Any tightness, dehydration or damaged skin is instantly soothed and rehydrated. For my particular skin type, this is a night-time only oil, as it is very rich and fairly heavy, so I prefer to let it work its rosehip magic while I catch my forty winks. 

Skin is balanced and radiant. With each use my skin appears healthier, smoother, brighter and very well conditioned. The almost tea-like smell of rosehip makes for a perfect complement and the effective absorption allows my skin to benefit from every last drop of this nutritious and warm organic oil. 

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The Hylamide Booster Glow Serum is a booster treatment, designed to provide more radiant skin within 2-3 days. That's a big promise, but boy does this stuff deliver. It helps boost skin's glow, creating a golden skin tone from the superstar ingredient ultra-purified keto-sugar (an alternative to DHA when used as a tanning agent).

The hybrid oil-like yet gum-like texture absorbs instantly into skin, penetrating deeply and quickly getting to work on that glow from within look. Instantaneously, skin is brightened, giving a wonderfully glowing and healthy complexion. Skin tone is also balanced, any unevenness or redness is reset, delivering a gorgeously even complexion.

The sweet as sugar booster is gentle to skin, ultra absorbent and quick to get to work. With continued use, my skin appears golden, an unmatched radiance above traditional methods. Helping to brighten and balance, this science-y little booster is a step in the right directions towards skincare meets cosmetics.

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From the surface, the Hylamide Booster Glow Serum is the main benefactor when it comes creating that golden no-foundation foundation look, but it works tenfold when combined with the Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil. At first, I thought it was the blood orange oil was staining my skin, when it fact, both products are working in complete synergy to create that brighter, balanced, tanned skin tone.

I am of a very pale complexion and tend to steer clear of foundations as they tend not to complement my oily and blemished skin. This is the perfect answer to achieving a flawless balanced skin tone with a brighter and golden finish. The skin conditioning properties of the Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil provides nutrition and combats dullness, while the Hylamide Booster Glow Serum brightens and tans the skin.

That being said, I tend to err on the side of caution. With frequent over use, skin can start to turn to the wrong side of orange. Use sparingly and use infrequently. Make sure to cover the whole face and neckline, blending it in right to the seams. These products are powerful and their presence will be very apparent if they aren't used correctly.

Together this is the perfect twin skincare to getting that coveted glow instantaneously, while achieving healthy and hydrated skin. Both Essential.

Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil can be purchased from Pai for £22.00 / 30ML. Hylamide Booster Glow Serum can be purchased from Boots for £20.00 / 30ML.

What's The Difference Between Bloom Skin Essentials Polish for Oily Skin and Polish for Combination Skin?

I'm one of those I-want-to-try-a-bit-of-everything types. So when you tell me there are different versions of the same product designed to target specific skin types, I can't help but find myself at least a little curious. Often, curiosities pay off, and trying out Bloom Skin Essentials Polish for Oily Skin and Polish for Combination Skin is absolutely one of those times.

My skin is oily. There's no question there. I'm oily, congested and have dramatically oversized pores. It was only natural that I picked up the Polish for Oily Skin from Bloom Skin Essentials. I love everything about it (as demonstrated by my full review here); it has become a skincare staple and a consistent repurchase. But, as I said, I was curious what the difference was with the Polish for Combination Skin, and you know what, I found myself yet another staple to add to my collection.

The Polish products contain a very simple list of 100% organic and super effective ingredients (ingredients for Polish for Oily Skin listed here, ingredients for Polish for Combination Skin listed here). There are only three ingredients that these products share: rice powder, whole milk powder and coriander powder. Meaning it's up to the three remaining ingredients to make a difference, and yes, they make a very welcome difference indeed.

Described as an 'Everyday Brightening Polish', this is like a very mild exfoliator that is gentle enough to be used every single day if you please. It also doubles up as a face mask, to either be combined with Glow. or, my personal favourite, with water. The ground powders, milled petals and fruit peel act as a very delicate way to buff the skin, helping to remove dead skin cells and reveal that bright and lovely complexion hiding beneath. 

There are three types of Polish in total, for Dry, Combination and Oily, each designed to match the needs of your skin type. As I'm oily, I want a buff with a little bite. These products suit my sensitive skin perfectly, effortlessly unclogging pores and evening out my skin tone without disturbing or disrupting. Not sure on your skin type? Bloom has a neat little test here.

When used daily, I am far fonder of Polish for Combination Skin. This is just a tad gentler, offering the same brightening effects but with a softer touch. Its texture strikes the perfect balance of being heavy enough to effectively buff, while being soft enough to cushion the granularity. 

As a daily exfoliator, it expertly unclogs pores, instantly giving me a brighter skin tone. It also wonderfully smooths my skin, giving me a soft and flawless complexion without any need for that harsh over-polishing. Furthermore, it completely balances my complexion. I have a very uneven skin tone, due to redness and inflammation, and the anti-inflammatory powers of Polish for Combination Skin helps to restore equilibrium no problem.

Polish for Combination Skin makes for the ideal daily exfoliant. It's powerful, it's effective, it's gentle and it offers instantaneous results. This is absolutely my favourite way to balance and brighten my skin, without question.

As for the Polish for Oily Skin, this little fellow has become my staple masking partner. As usual, you'll need to combine this with an oil like Glow or just plain old water, to turn it into a paste. You then take that paste and apply it to your face, wait 10 or so minutes, then remove, massaging as you go, for that extra exfoliation and that extra circulation. 

This mask is absolutely incredible for decongesting my terribly congested skin. Any impurities are extracted, any rough skin is removed and any clogged pores are completely cleared. The Polish for Oily Skin gives skin a run for its money, instantly providing a clearer and brighter complexion. 

With regular use, this two products have provided me with gorgeously balanced, brighter and clearer skin. They never, ever fail me. Their gentle but scrubby textures, their wonderfully delicious fragrances and their unmatched results are all reason for me to place Bloom Skin Essentials Polish as a solid staple in my skincare collection. 

Bloom Skin Essentials Polish can be purchased from Bloom Skin Essentials for $40.00 / 6 OZ. ($20.00 international shipping, subject to customs fees).

Completing My Balm Balm Frankincense Collection

Balm Balm are a brand that soared from who? to hero for me, and the Balm Balm Frankincense Range is the forerunner of it all. It all started with one little drop of the Balm Balm Frankincense Light Facial Oil (reviewed here), and I was hooked. I've finally completed this delightful Balm Balm Frankincense Trio and each and every product has a made a very welcome and permanent fixture in my skincare routine. 

Taking frankincense essential oils as the active ingredients, this trio is packed with skin rejuvenating benefits, particularly those of the anti-inflammatory variety. The frankincense featured in the Balm Frankincense Range is extracted from the boswellia neglecta and boswellia carteri (of the boswellia genus), by taking a component of the resin that is produced by the tree. All natural goodness, baby.

The Balm Balm Frankincense Deep Cleansing Balm and the Balm Balm Frankincense Hydrosol Soothing Facial Tonic have been nurturing, revitalising and invigorating. My skin is hydrated, balanced and controlled. This range provides a truly luxurious skincare experience at a remarkably affordable price tag.

Balm Balm Frankincense Deep Cleansing Balm

While I may have sold my soul to removing my make-up with oil cleansers, balms make for sort of their incognito counterpart. The Balm Balm Frankincense Deep Cleansing Balm is more like a creamed balm. It is delightfully soft and gorgeously whipped. When activated, it melts into the most delicate oil, that feels truly divine on my skin. It's warm, it's comforting, it's superb.

This makes for one super effective make-up remover. My face and eye make-up is instantly melted away and easy removed with out any irritation or that nasty eye stinging. As water and oil don't mix, this is something that needs to be removed with a cleansing cloth. But that's perfect, as it effectively removes all the product and helps to stimulate circulation.

The Balm Balm Frankincense Deep Cleansing Balm leaves my skin in a very nourished condition after use. My skin feels super hydrated and balanced, with a clearer and more even complexion. It also makes for lusciously soft skin too, my delicate skin feels completely revitalised. Effective, repurchase.

The Balm Balm Frankincense Deep Cleansing Balm can be purchased from LoveLula for £7.99 / 30ML. Alternatively, a larger value size (£15.50 / 60ML) is available here.

Balm Balm Frankincense Hydrosol Soothing Facial Tonic

Now, the Balm Balm Frankincense Hydrosol Soothing Facial Tonic, this, this has to be one of my all-time favourites. As a by-product of the steam distillation of frankincense essential oil, this tonic is revitalising, hydrating and soothing. Used as a toning mist, 1-3 spritz of this liquid gold provides instant hydration and nourishment.

This is a very lightweight toner that is easily absorbed. From the first spritz, skin feels hydrated and it helps to immediately balance out my complexion. You know what, it's also a superstar with aiding oil control. While I don't think this is the intended benefit of the product, it's a very happy side-effect. 

I can either use this where I would use a typical toner in my routine, or I can use this post-make-up application, to help set my make-up. That's right, if I use this after I've applied my make-up I get incredible oil and shine control. My skin is supported and nourished through the day, providing essential hydration and unmatched oil control. Essential.

The Balm Balm Frankincense Hydrosol Soothing Facial Tonic can be purchased from LoveLula for £7.99 / 30ML. Alternatively, a larger value size (£15.50 / 100ML) is available here.

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The Balm Balm Frankincense Range is unequivocally an all-time favourite. Every product in the trio is one I've fallen heels over head for. I'm planning to repurchase all three of the frankincense delights and use them as part of a 1, 2, 3 step routine.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the fragrance of frankincense, it's gorgeously aromatic, a little sweet and a little botanical, but, most of all, utterly luxurious. 

Are your empties even empty though?

I, as much as the next person, like to get my money's worth. I also loath wastage. Combine pricey cosmetics with flawed package design and we've got ourselves a problem. Are your empties really even empty though?

Product packaging is a toughy. I'll admit, I'm very often sold on pretty packaging, pretty fonts and pretty branding. All that's fine, it's all Capitalism, baby! But where I find fault is with packaging without real concern for function or design. How often have you come to what you rightfully assumed was the end of your product, only to find that there is a treasure trove hidden inside truly unreachable places? Apply intense pressure, summon the scissors, blind scooping, anything to get the product which you paid for out and onto your skin.

Functionality is everything. But functionality of packing has to mar with the type of product and its consistency. During the #MissionEmpties Challenge, I was able to burn my way through a whole heap of products in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Generally speaking, I found there were usually an additional 1-4 more uses in each product at the stage I would typically qualify it as 'empty'. The trick is, accessing those final 1-4 uses and making sure the product is 'really empty'.

Piecing together some of the products I've been storming through, I've noticed a crux or two with packaging flaws. I've had to get a little inventive, and some of it is a little frustrating, but anything, anything, to make sure I get what I paid for.

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Jars

I have a soft spot for products that come in jars; they have to be the easiest of the bunch. I can simply twist or pop the cap off and evaluate just how much product is left. While it is not the most convenient packaging design for some consistency types, when used correctly, it can prove to be super efficient.

As a twist cap, they are easy enough to reseal and seal securely. They are portable, but generally (not always) come in a smaller size. 

When it comes to empting out your jars, it's usually simple enough. Just scoop up what you can see and carry on as normal. However, if you're using your fingers to scoop, you'll find that they aren't always the best at gaining purchase on a product. Usually, there will be a few traces left behind which involves a lot of twisting and turning your fingers in the jar until all is recovered. Alternatively, if appropriate, you can use a cotton pad/face wipes/muslin cloth to remove and apply any remaining product.

Fussing around with the cap can usually prove a little slippery post-use. I always find I need to dry and clean my hands before I can gain purchase again. But jars, jars are good, we like jars.

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The squeezable ones you can cut

Squeezable tubes are very common amongst the more liquid-based product types. Think lotions and creams, anything that doesn't have a solid enough consistency to stand on its own two feet. Squeezy tubes are brilliant as you can pick them up, access your product and pack them away without any fuss.

However, squeezy tubes renders so much product completely inaccessible. There is product hidden in corners, hidden behind lips and it never wants to budge no matter how hard you squeeze and push. Cue scissors. 

Simply snip your tubes in half and, you'll have to do a bit of excavating here, but use your fingers or a spoon, or whatever instrument you please, to dig into the open tube and access your product. You'll be amazed just how much extra is stashed away in there. 

Once the product has been come open, I am often concerned about the product become oxygenated. Some products really don't like to be left in exposed air, it can reduce their shelf-life. So, if this is the case, I'll be sure to use cling film on the two halves of my squeezable tubes to keep them as air tight as possible. 

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The squeezable ones you can't cut

Not all squeezable tubes are tubes you want to cut. Sometimes, it's just plain inconvenient, stands against logic, or isn't designed in a way that can be cut open. I'm talking more specifically about any shampoo and conditioner and toothpaste bottles, I would never cut these open as it will be too messy and too difficult to control.

So, when you can't use scissors, you can use your next best asset: your thumbs. By massaging the top corners of the product down towards the lid, you can begin to force the product to the cap. Once there, you can push your thumbs into the cap, and, applying a lot of force here, squeeze out as much as you can.

While there will always be some inevitable bit of product still lurking inside your tubes, this is one of the only solutions I've found to accessing this product without scissors.

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Pipettes 

I generally only encounter pipettes will oil-type products: facial oils, oil cleansers, that type of thing. Pipettes are just tops for transporting oils and to help distribute a specified measurement. They offer a lot of control, and can help keep the packaging clean, as we all know how tough it can be to remove that pesky oil.

The most common trait with pipettes is, they just never seem to reach anywhere close to the bottom of the bottle. This means, you guessed it, you have no way of reaching those final few drops of oil. So, if you fancy, you can just turn the bottle upside down and have done with it, or you can tilt the bottle, to shift the liquid to a more accessible angle. 

Usually, not every last drop of oil can be squeezed out of the pipette. To solve this, I usually tap the pipette on the palm of my hand to remove those final drops, as squeezing the pump, usually seems to be tantamount to useless here.

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Spray Caps

Mist toners are complemented entirely by the delicate and refreshing method with with you apply them: spray tops. Without a spray cap, there isn't really an alternative way to use these types of products, so they need to be designed in a way that means you can always access every last drop.

When down to the few remaining spritzes, you may have to tilt the bottle to make sure the liquid is inside the slim tube that is attached to the spray cap. A spray bottle with flawed design will have a short tube, that won't reach the bottom. If it doesn't reach the bottom, you probably won't be able to access the liquid in any sort of reasonable fashion.

So remember, tilt if needed. Other than that, you're on your own here, because part of the soothing experience with this type of product is usually in the spritz-type application.

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The ones you can't see inside

Possibly the most frustrating of the lot; the products you just can't see inside. If you can't see inside your product's packaging, you can't ever be sure when you're about to run out.

This, coupled with not having a simple way to remove the remainder of the product leads to even more frustration. As I can't see inside these products, I don't know which way to tilt or manoeuvre, or which way to push and force. Some of them are completely indestructible and can't even be opened with scissors. 

Admittedly, these are generally the prettiest of all the packaged products, but I do always insist on functionality over aesthetics.

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This #MissionEmpties Challenge has made me very aware of just how much product that might have escaped me. From now on I am super thorough; the product isn't empty until I have scooped, forced and cut my way to emptiness. 

Alice & White Botanika Eco-Chic Subscription Box October 2015

Alice & White are a the most luxurious Scandinavian eco-retailer. Purveyors of natural skin/body/hair eco-beauty products, their stocklist is nothing but clean, free-from, eco-chic beauty. What's more, they have just launched their very own skincare subscription box, Botanika, containing a miscellaneous selection of 5 natural deluxe size skincare samples, allowing you to discover the beauty of natural.

The Alice & White Botanika Eco-Chic Subscription Box (199 SEK / per month + 100 SEK delivery charge for EU International orders, that totals in ~£24.00) is an indulgent selection of 5 luxury samples of skin and body products, including an additional sample sachet for good measure. The October box, the first of its kind, totals in at a value of ~528.05 SEK / £41.49 and contains the following eco-chic picks:

• Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser 462 SEK / 120ML + 1x Bamboo Muslin Cloth (30ML Deluxe Sample Incl.)
• Antipodes Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum 425 SEK / 30ML (10ML Deluxe Sample Incl.)
• Bodhi & Birch Rosa Rosa Hydrating Toner 339 / 100ML (5ML Trail Size Incl.)
• Mitchell and Peach Flora No.1 Luxury Hand Cream 239 SEK / 60ML (Full Size Incl.)
• TEATOX Pure Beauty 149 SEK / 50G (5G Sample Size Incl)
• Argentum Apothecary La Potion Infinie Face Cream 1,899 SEK / 70ML (5ML Sample Sachet Incl.)

Interestingly, a lot of the brands listed here are British, or made in Britain (Aurelia Probiotic Skincare, Bodhi & Birch, Mitchell and Peach and Argentum Apothecary), so we have very much sent products overseas only to send them back. But, it is very lovely to finally get my hands on some of these brands and discover their natural powers.

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser

This delightfully rich yet lightweight cream cleanser feels so beautifully soft on skin as it expertly removes any grime or impurities. The Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser is completely gentle, making sure to clear skin without causing any bit of irritation and allowing skin to retain hydration.

This rich cream just feels wonderful on skin. It builds up to a nice thickness while gliding over skin, leaving nothing but a softer, clearer face in its wake. Fragranced with essential oils, the eucalyptus and bergamot are the strongest scents here, providing a gorgeously fresh and natural fragrance; the perfect compliment to a morning routine.

A miniature Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Antibacterial Bamboo Muslin cloth is provided with the cleanser, one of the more effective ways to remove cleansing products. This delicate little cloth is exceptionally soft, allowing the cleanser to be easily removed while ever-so-gently stimulating circulation. The woven bamboo fibres are in no way rough, making this an effective and gentle way to clear and revitalise the skin during cleansing.

The Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser can be purchased from Alice & White for 462 SEK / 120ML.

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Bodhi & Birch Rosa Rosa Hydrating Toner

Pure floral waters are one of the most refreshing ways to hydrate and soothe skin. Simply spray this wonderfully fragranced and delicately gentle mist onto your face to be supplied with fresh and moisturised skin. 

The Bodhi & Birch Rosa Rosa Hydrating Toner is a delicate blend of Damask Rose, Orange Blossom and Camomile, making for a fresh and fruity scent, while delivering instant hydration. As a floral water, this toner comes in a pump mechanism designed to be sprayed directly onto the skin and left to dry. The act of being sprayed directly is instantly refreshing and the water absorbs wonderfully, making sure to supply your skin with all the hydration it needs.

While defined as a toner, this water can be used during your daily skincare routines or as a refresher throughout the day. As it effectively absorbs, its the perfect pick-me-up for when skin needs a little kickstart. The toner helps to hydrate, soothe and calm skin.

The Bodhi & Birch Rosa Rosa Hydrating Toner can be purchased from Alice & White for 339 / 100ML.

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Antipodes Joyous Protein-Rick Night Replenish Serum

This protein-packed little bottle helps to restore, purify and protect throughout the night. While serum by name, it's an oil in texture. A gorgeously rich consistency that is super comforting and nurturing to skin. This intensive blend of 100% natural ingredients is the ultimate night-time treat to help restore and hydrate.

The Antipodes Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum has a very subtle scent, but it is very deep and a little only the bitter side for me. As a night-time serum, it's fairly heavier than your regular day-time oil. It absorbs brilliantly around my neck and décolletage area, where my skin is a little drier, but takes a little longer to absorb on my oilier face. By the morning, it's absorbed and I wake up to a brighter, healthier looking complexion. 

This thick, rich oil is brilliant for providing comfort when my skin is dehydrated or irritated. It's gentle and nurturing, giving me soft skin by the morning. While the scent is something I disapprove of, it does provide just the softest feeling skin.

The Antipodes Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum can be purchased from Alice & White for 425 SEK / 30ML.

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Mitchell and Peach Flora No. 1 Luxury Hand Cream

This super lightweight hand cream effortlessly hydrates skin without leaving any of that greasy residue behind. It absorbs into skin after just a few massages, and leaves nothing but heavenly moisturised hands. I'd describe this as more of a lotion than a cream, as it a little on the runny side, but that's perfect, as it spreads just wonderfully.

The Mitchell and Peach Flora No.1 Luxury Hand Cream contains a healthy dose of Vitamin E, lavender oil, shea butter and English honey, all masters at moisturising and softening skin. My hands are instantly nourished and delicately soft.

The scent is lovely and fresh and very floral. Rose definitely being the championing fragrance here. But nothing here is overpowering, it just a pleasant, calming fragrance to compliment a pleasant, soothing hand cream.

The Mitchell and Peach Flora No.1 Luxury Hand Cream can be purchased from Alice & White for 239 SEK / 60ML.

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TEATOX Pure Beauty

Drink yourself beautiful. Tea is a centuries-old remedy said to wield all manner of health benefits, even beauty. While I don't exactly buy into that theorem, tea definitely does help to cleanse and purify the body. Taking that philosophy, the TEATOX Pure Beauty is a loose leaf organic tea, said to improve and restore the appearance of skin.

This detoxifying tea is jam-packed with antioxidants to help promote healthy and glowing skin. It's a mildly aromatic tea, usually to be taken neat with water (hot or cold if you fancy). It's cleansing and clearing and with long-term use, should detox the skin from the inside out. 

The TEATOX Pure Beauty can be purchased from Alice & White for 149 SEK / 50G.

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Argentum Apothecary La Potion Infinie Face Cream

In addition to the above 5 deluxe samples, Alice & White also included a cheeky little sample sachet of the oh-so luxurious Argentum Apothecary La Potion Infinie Face Cream. This anti-ageing face cream is a unique synthesis of powerful active ingredients: Silver Hydrosol and DNA HP.

Silver Hydrosol is, you guessed it, silver. These little silver particles suspended in purified water have several antibiotic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. DNA HP (Hyper Polymerised Deoxyribonucleic Acid (what?)), is something I'm a little unclear on, besides the description listed. It claims to have anti-oxidant properties, while fighting free-radicals, but this is something I'm a little hazy on, and would like to have cleared up.

As an anti-ageing product, this will be going in my little stash of products that I will one day have to face for real.

The Argentum Apothecary La Potion Infinie Face Cream can be purchased from Alice & White for 1,899 SEK / 70ML.

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I have already subscribed to a 6-Month delivery plan for this box, yes, I decided already just how much I like it. If you buy 6, you get one free. As stated above, these boxes can be purchased individually for 199 SEK + 100 SEK EU International postage. That works out around £23.58. Subscribers are also gifted with a 10% off code for brands featured within the box. 

To subscribe to Alice & White Botanika Eco-Chic Subscription Box, a monthly delivery of a random selection of natural and eco-chic beauty products, go here.