#TeaTuesday Løv Organic Løv is Beautiful Organic Herbal Tea

I don’t generally commit to teas, variety is the spice of life and all that, which is why I prefer mini tea tins. You get to try many flavors without having so much that you get bored of them. So imagine my surprise when I decided to commit to a whopping 113 grams (4 oz.)  of tea without having tasted it first. What can I say, when you know, you know! Let me introduce you to the lovely Løv Organic Løv is Beautiful Organic Herbal Tea.

This tea is an amazing blend of organic white tea, green tea, green rooibos, pieces of mango, pineapple and apricot, natural peach flavor and natural flavors. To me this is the most delicious way of getting in antioxidants from the different teas and it is so tasty you want to come back for more. It really tastes like peaches and the other fruits included in the blend, there is no bitterness from the green tea at all and it is not sickly sweet either. There are actual pieces of fruit mixed with the leaves, but you can’t see them in the picture below because I’m at the end of my tin (you can see them online here). Luckily, Løv Organic offers refills of their teas so you don’t have to buy a new tin every time. I’m planning on getting mine soon because as you can see, I absolutely loved this blend.

As a brand, Løv Organic has really great ethics focused on being environmentally friendly and offering high quality organic teas certified by ECOCERT and other certifying organizations. The metal tins are refillable as I mentioned and the brand only uses plastic when necessary and when they do, they go for the safer kind. You can read more about the brand and what they are doing here.

You can buy the Løv Organic Løv is Beautiful Organic Herbal Tea from their website (they have various international ones) as well as from many health/food stores.

Tea Tuesday: Stash Green Tea Pomegranate Raspberry with Matcha

It’s the holiday season and along with gingerbread cookies, tea becomes an everyday staple for me. This is why I’m bringing back Tea Tuesday, my collection has grown quite a bit in recent weeks and I want to share the love with you all. I see a lot of green tea and herbal teas in the future for this blog. Let’s start with the Stash Green Tea Pomegranate Raspberry with Matcha.

I rely on fruity green teas a lot because I want to get those antioxidants, but I’m not a fan of plain green tea. This Stash one is the perfect solution for my problem and I love that it contains matcha because it is even better for you than regular green tea. It has a great balance of sweetness and tartness so it is not too fruity, but it completely masks the taste of green tea. It leans more towards raspberry than pomegranate which is what I prefer because I don’t need to add any honey to balance it.

I love Stash’s herbal teas in general, they have flavours that are different from other brands, but I think this is a very unique concept. I feel like this is such an easy way to add a healthy boost of antioxidants to your diet, why not do it if it tastes delicious!

You can find the Stash Green Tea Pomegranate Raspberry with Matcha in most grocery and health food stores as well as on the Stash website. 

Innisfree Skin Clinic Catechin Sheet Mask

Innisfree recently released a new line of sheets masks called Skin Clinic Mask to replace their Skin Solution masks. I really enjoyed the previous line so I was quite excited to give these new one a go and see how they compare in terms of quality and results. To get me started I picked the Catechin Skin Clinic Sheet Mask.

The original Skin Solution masks featured an amazing natural cotton sheet that looked almost transparent on the skin and it also adhered better than regular sheet masks. Thankfully, the Skin Clinic mask stays on the face just as well and it does have the same discreet look when on the face so you are less likely to scare people. The sheet is made of 100% natural cotton and I find it helps your skin absorb the essence better and keeps the mask soaked longer.

Now let’s talk about that catechin essence. This is basically a green tea extract and it is supposed to make your skin firmer and help even your skin tone. I personally found it super hydrating in a non-oily/greasy way. What I enjoyed the most however, is how it really smoothed my skin and diminished the appearance of little dehydration bumps. I was actually really surprised to see that the results were long-lasting and my skin has been better ever since I use it. Also this mask was very cooling, it actually lowered the temperature of my face and it felt cool to the touch after use. This is great after a long day at work or whenever you need a refreshing kick. 

I have to say, I am super impressed with the new Skin Clinic sheet masks and I cannot wait to try more. The Innisfree Skin Clinic Catechin Sheet Mask is available on their website and currently part of a buy 5 get 5 promo.  

Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi Cleansing Oil

I am slowly getting back in the swing of things with the blog and regular posting should (hopefully) go on. My whole reorganisation process also led me to discover I have quite a few products I meant to review ages ago that I still had not gotten around to. It’s shame really, because most are long-time favorites that I kept delaying since putting my excitement into words was difficult. So today I finally bring you a review on my beloved Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi Cleansing Oil, also known as the only cleanser I will ever use. 

I kid you not, this is the most amazing makeup remover I have ever tried and I am currently on my fifth bottle in a row. That kind of commitment to the same cleanser shows how much I love it. This is hands down the best cleansing oil I have ever tried, it has a light non/greasy consistency and it emulsifies and rinses clean super easily. It will leave you with clean, balanced skin that feels soft and moisturize, but there is no oily residue left behind. It also does not irritate my eyes and removes any mascara like a charm. 

I have tried other cleansing oils from various brands and other Shu Uemura offerings, but none compare to this one. More than being a simple makeup remover, it has an undeniable effect on my skin, leaving it brighter and smoother. I think this is due to the great plant extracts it contains like moringa, green tea and gingko leaf. These are all great antioxidant and the moringa extract is particularly good at refining and purifying the skin.

Shu Uemura qualifies this cleanser as an anti-ageing one because the extracts it contains help fight the oxidant effect of pollution, helping it fight against aging stress of the skin. I was honestly shocked to see actual skincare benefits from this, because cleansers never usually leave visible results on my skin. This is a truly outstanding product that lives up to its claims.  

The Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi Cleansing Oil is a star product in my skincare routine and one of those rare products I cannot see myself without. You can find it at any Shu Uemura counters and on their website as well as in Sephora. It comes in both a regular size and a large one so you have good options for both travel and at home. 

Tea Tuesday: Kusmi Green St. Petersburg

I reviewed the Kusmi St. Petersburg tea a few months back and I really liked it. It also made me very curious to try the Green St. Petersburg to see how it would compare and which one I would like best. So for today’s Tea Tuesday I am bringing you my review of Green St. Petersburg by Kusmi.

This green tea version of the blend contains the same notes as the original: bergamot, caramel, red fruits and vanilla. The main difference between the two for me is the taste of the base tea. The green tea is quite strong and the main thing I taste, whereas the original blend with black tea allows for the different notes to be more present. Here the caramel and red fruits are more present but the green tea can be a bit overpowering.

It is still a very pleasant tea to have and the added antioxidants are a great bonus, but I have to say the original St. Petersburg is more flavourful and complex. That being said, I found that a touch of honey really helps tone down the bitterness of the green tea and it nicely brings out the sweetness of the vanilla and red fruits notes.

All in all, I think green tea lovers will probably enjoy this quite a bit and it is a nice way to incorporate more green tea into your diet if you prefer something a bit sweeter. You can find the Kusmi Green St. Petersburg in many health food/tea stores and the Kusmi website ships internationally. 

What I Bring in My Carry-On Beauty Bag

Hello everyone today I have a little round-up of what I always keep in my carry-on bag beauty-wise when I’m flying somewhere. I try to keep it minimal but effective. The recycled air on a plane can really dry your skin out, so it is super important to take care of it whether you’re on a long-haul flight or a short one.

First of all I always have a mini bottle of Bioderma micellar water (reviewed here) to remove my makeup. My skin hates flying, so I cannot wear makeup on a plane or I always get spots, clogged pores and uneven texture. None of that makes for a pleasant landing. I simply pour the a little bit of the water on a cotton pad and gently wipe it around my face. Voilà you have clean skin in seconds.

Next I apply a moisturizer, this time I was using the Innisfree Canola Honey Serum (link) and the Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream. Honestly the products I use usually vary depending on the samples I have on hand, but I love Korean moisturizers because they are super hydrating.

Afterwards, I seal everything in with a nice facial mist. I often use simple rose water, but I also love the Innisfree Olive Real Oil Mist (link) for a more hydrating effect. Also it has a super fine mist so it doesn’t get everywhere and it doesn’t have a strong scent that might offend other passengers. Throughout the flight I will usually keep misting every hour to make sure my face stays moisturized and because I love how refreshing it feels.

Lastly if I’m flying at night or am on a long-haul flight, I will also apply a face mask. My absolute favorite is the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, an amazing mask that moisturizes your skin and nourishes it so you can wake up to softer, plumper skin. It also smells divine and the mask goes on clear so you won’t scare off the other passengers. I always try to have samples of this on hand or I will put some in a little travel jar. I also want to start using sheet masks like the Innisfree Green Tea It's Real Squeeze Mask (reviewed here) to further help soothe and nourish my skin during a long-haul flight.

I pack everything in a clear pouch, the one pictured above is an old one from Sephora that I love, and make sure nothing is over 100ml so I don’t have any troubles going through security. I also carry a lip balm and hand cream with me but those are usually in my purse. I hope this will give you some ideas of what to bring with you on your next flight. 

Tea Tuesday: Kusmi BB Detox Tea

The main reason I like to drink tea is for its known health benefits, but as with everything else, certain teas are much better for you than others. Luckily, choosing a healthier tea does not mean you have to drink something weird and grass-tasting. Kusmi makes some of my favorite teas and its BB Detox Tea is my pick for today’s Tea Tuesday.

This is the first detox tea that actually makes sense to me in terms of ingredients. This blend contains a base of green tea (antioxidants), mate, rooibos (anti-inflammatory), guarana, dandelion (detoxifies the liver) and it is flavored with a hint of grapefruit so it tastes great. The taste is quite light and sweet with a definite citrus base and I surprisingly enjoyed even though I am not typically a fan of citrus fruits. It is great to have in the morning as the grapefruit scent/taste is very uplifting and energising.

In all honesty, I have not experienced any spectacular effects from drink this, but I haven’t been drinking it daily. Kusmi does not state you should use this for a tea cleanse or a detox so it is different from other detox teas on the market. In my opinion this more like a great tea that can have health benefits over time and that contains ingredients that are known to have positive effects on the body. It can be a healthier option for your morning drink of choice and it is simply a good-tasting tea.

I have almost finished my little tin and I will purchase the larger size when it is done. Out of all the Kusmi teas I have tried, this is my favorite and the one I would recommend most. You can find the Kusmi BB Detox Tea on their website as well as in many health food/tea stores.

Disclaimer: I am not a health specialist, I just listed some of the known effects of the ingredients in this tea. Before making any substantial changes to your diet or starting a cleanse/detox you should talk with a health professional. 

Tea Tuesday: Kusmi Imperial Label

People often say there is nothing a cup of tea cannot fix and I have to say, there is something undeniably comforting about a nice cup of hot tea. The key is in finding the right blend, some are invigorating while others relax you. When I’m seeking comfort, I usually opt for the Kusmi Imperial Label, a lovely tea that I want to introduce you to for this Tea Tuesday.

Label Imperial has a base of green tea enhanced with orange, cinnamon, liquorice and a hint of vanilla. Just the scent of this is comforting, the cinnamon is quite strong and it feels like a warm blanket for your senses. Taste-wise however, the orange comes out more and it is actually made softer with the vanilla that adds just a hint of creaminess and sweetness. When I first read all the ingredients and notes, I was not sure how this would turnout but it’s a truly unique and lovely blend. 

The Kusmi Imperial Label Tea is available online here and from many health food/tea stores. 

Innisfree Green Tea It's Real Squeeze Mask

Another day, another mask, to pamper myself on weekends I mostly rely on sheet masks because they’re quick and efficient. I recently tried the Innisfree Green Tea It's Real Squeeze Mask and was quite impressed with the results. It moisturized my skin quickly and it felt very refreshing, perfect after a long week. As usual, the mask itself was of great quality and did not rip when I unfolded it. The typical Innisfree green tea scent was as pleasant as always, it soothed my mind as the essence soothed my skin.

This one is definitely going on my must repurchase list. You can find it for 1.52$ on the Innisfree website.