It has been absolutely fantastic to be introduced to and reacquainted with some top British brands this year! A massive thank you to all of the brands, entrepreneurs and PRs that have gifted me items to test and review!
As many of you know, my blog strapline is: Black. British. Beautiful. Proud.
As much as I am a champion of #brownbeauty, I also love to see British beauty brands continue to launch new products and grow the very lucrative British beauty market!
Here is a round-up of some of the products that I have reviewed and tested this year!
The New Kids On The Block!
The Body Shop
Brit. superbrand TBS got me all kinds of excited when it launched it new primer/face perfector ‘Instablur’ earlier this year – as the global campaign featured ‘The Face’s #brownbeauty model Racquel Smith.
I reviewed the campaign and tested the product here!
I also recently blogged about the Musk offering from the brand. It was really a pleasure to discover more about the TBS White Musk portfolio. Quality fragrances at an accessible price…that also uses crulety-free musk…what’s not to love!
My favourite of the selection is the Smoky Rose option. Read more about my experience here.
Bodhi & Birch
I was invited to the Bodhi & Birch rebrand launch in August and it was an absolute joy to meet with the founder of this eco-luxe brand, Elijah Choo.
He effervesced with excitement and pure passion, as he talked about the re-brand (the company had been renamed – it was originally just called bohdi and the packaging had also been re-staged) and the new products that were also being launched. The brand draws inspiration from the healing power of nature and traditional botanical remedies, bringing together Eastern and Western skincare and well-being philosophies.
I tested the Ylang-Ylang Incensa Bath & Shower Therapy, which was a delight to use. The warming and sensual combination of Ylang-Ylang and Atlas Cedarwood, Honeysuckle, Neroli and Pink Peppercorn creates an indulgent aroma that envelopes the bathroom. This high quality body wash is super concentrated, so a little went a long way! This product and the brand as a whole is both efficacious and aesthetically pleasing and would make the perfect gift for the bath and body aficionado.
B.Makeup
Another brand to make its mark with me this year is Superdrug’s own-label, premium offering, B.Make Up. November saw the launch of the B.Even foundation range – suitable for many skin tones, which I featured here. Look out for my review of the foundations – which will be published early in the New Year.
I was also sent a few more items from the range to trial, including the new B.Prepared Illuminating Makeup Primer and B.Fixed Eyeshodow Primer. I was impressed with the consistency of these products and they did not leave a white film on the skin either! A fantastic budget range for makeup prep perfection.
delilah
I attended the launch of new British colour brand delilah Cosmetics in August and I was instantly enamoured by the luxe packaging and presentation. The compacts and lipsticks are weighty, conveying an air of quality and sophistication.
According to the brand, delilah was born out of ‘friendship, a passion for cosmetics, and the desire to help women of all ages to look and feel beautiful’.
The team behind delilah is Rupert Kingston, Hannah Nicholson and Juliet White. Rupert spent many years in the industry as a make-up artist and Creative Director and has developed numerous award-winning cosmetics. Hannah has had a long career as a beauty buyer and specialised in product development and worked with some of the world’s most prestigious cosmetics manufacturers. Juliet, a photographer whose work has featured in The New York Times and Rolling Stone, brings her expertise in imagery, graphics and design to the brand.
I was buoyed by the fact that the brand launch two shades of foundation for darker skintones in the initial offering – for a small brand this is always good to see! The darkest shade, Truffle, is a perfect match for me in EVERY way….but again look out for my full review in the New Year!
Eylure
The iconic British lash brand that recently celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2012 and 2014 say the launch of a new look and feel for the brand.
The new packaging is clean and fresh and it is easy to select the right look for you!
The brand also introduced a new look brow grooming range it included this Brow Control and Shape Gel.
This is a great product for those no make up days, to keep brows looking tamed. Unlike other product for the brows that I have used in the past, this formulation is non sticky and does not dry to hard. It is a winner!
The #BeautyExchange Entrepreneurs
I attended and spoke at Enterprise Nation’s inaugural #beautyexchange conference in September which was an awesome privilege!
As well sharing my passion for all things #brownbeauty, I also got to meet some pioneering and enterprising British entrepreneurs including:
Shea Moooti
#brownbeauty entreprenuear Violet Reid launched her award winning her range of organic shea butter based products for mother and baby after her first son suffered from severe eczema when he was born. The range is available on-line and is also listed in Fortnum and Mason and on mothercare.com
Violet kindly sent me a couple of items (shiwn below) to test. The formulations are of a high quality and the body balm is intensly moisturing and hydtarting. The products do lack a distinct fragrance however – something which I do prefer, but if you suffer from sensitive skin or are allergic to fragrances, these products should be added to your shopping list!
I will be featuring Violet and more about her brand in the New Year…so watch this space!
Sam Farmer
Sam Farmer, an affable stay at home dad, shared his story of how he went to buy his children their first teenage personal care products. He was met with the rows of products – pink, pouty and submissive packaging aimed at his daughter and steel grey, macho stuff intended for his son, and he was NOT impressed and resolved to do something about it!
Thus Farmer returned to school to study cosmetic science and have formulated a unisex range, specifically for adolescent skin and hair.
I love the concept and the products a wonderfully presented! I was also happy to see that the communications and marketing materials featured young adults of all backgrounds!
I gave my samples to two teens to test. A 12 year old girl tested the Face Wash and the Moisturiser. The product made her feel very ‘grown up’ and they did not dry out or irritate her skin, which was prone to bouts of teenage acne.
A 17 year old boy tested the Body Wash, Shampoo, Conditioner and Deodorant.
He gave the performance of the products 10/10 and was impressed with the packaging…and the price! With the highest price point at £8, this range is effective and affordable! Highly recommended for the teens in your life!
Look out for my review of the Brit. #brownbeauty products that I also tested this year – the post will follow very soon!