MADARA BRIGHTENING AHA PEEL MASK REVIEW

*This product was kindly sent to me by the lovely people at www.mypure.co.uk all opinions are my own.*

Hey Dolls!

I am back after taking a little time off due to my hectic workload! So today I am reviewing another product from one of my all time favourite skincare brands MADARA. Frequent readers of my blog will be aware of how much I adore this brand and their products and the one I am reviewing today is no exception!

Lately, due to stress my skin has been a little.....lackluster to say the least. Dull, dry, breakout prone, you name it, I had it. So I wanted to try something a little bit more heavy duty. 

Step forward the AHA Peel. 

This is a high strength face mask which main ingredients are fruit acids. 

It has five key purposes which are as follows:

• 1. Removes dead cells to uncover a smoother and more radiant skin surface.
• 2. Exfoliates the skin to stimulate cell turnover and regeneration.
• 3. Brightens skin, diminishes appearance of age spots and lines.
• 4. Helps to unclog pores for a deep cleansing action.
• 5. Improves the absorption and effect of other cosmetic products.

Let me say it does all of these things brilliantly! I also found it has a tightening effect on the skin which is another plus! 

This product does come with quite a long instructions booklet which I REALLY recommend reading before you apply this product to your face. It really is a potent product which you do not want to apply more frequently than you should. Also this product is NOT designed for sensitive or reaction prone skin so please do not use this product if you have sensitivity prone skin.

I absolutely love this product and it is another winner from MADARA. 

You can buy it HERE from the lovely people at www.mypure.co.uk

Hurraw Moon Balm Review

*This product was kindly sent to me for consideration by the lovely people at www.mypure.co.uk : All Opinions are my own* 

Hey Dolls, 

One of the things I dread every winter is the horrific, unsightly and quite painful annoyance of dry, sore, cracked lips. So I decided to try Hurraw's much raved about line of lip balms. Specifically their Moon Balm which is their richest formula designed for overnight usage. 

All the Hurraw lip balms are deliciously scented and the Moon Balm is no exception to this rule. This particular lip balm is scented with vanilla Peru Balsam and blue chamomile and it smells AMAZING. It is very soothing and relaxing and smells deliciously sweet. 

This is a lip balm with staying power. I really can't believe how moisturising it is and how smooth it leaves your lips after just one usage. It is very thick but it does not feel at all sticky on so I also use it during the day too. (I am such a rebel). 

Unlike SO many lip balms Hurraw's are vegan and not tested on animals which is fantastic. I also really love the packaging. This particular lip balm is absolutely incredible and I love it more than I can put into words. Now I have discovered the brand there are SO many of their lip balms I want to try: coffee, almond, chocolate, Chai Spice, etc etc. Their scent range is incredible and they would also make amazing cruelty free stocking fillers. 

The difference I have seen after a week of using this product is unmatched and I can't rave about it enough. I will 100% be investing in several other Hurraw lip balms (if not just for the yummy sounding scents) VERY soon. 

You can buy Hurraw's Moon Balm HERE for £4.49 from the lovely people at www.mypure.co.uk

Trilogy Ultra Hydrating Face Cream Review

*This product was kindly sent to me by the lovely people at www.mypure.co.uk all opinions are my own.*

Hey Dolls,

Today I am reviewing a product by the cruelty free brand Trilogy. Trilogy is a fantastic high end brand that does not test on animals and is Vegetarian friendly. 

I am reviewing their Ultra Hydrating Face Cream today which is designed for skins on the drier side. 

I absolutely ADORE the packaging. It looks sleek, minimalistic and straight out of a high end spa. This product also has some lovely ingredients in it such as lavender and Manuka Honey both of which are amazing, soothing and protecting ingredients. 

This is how Trilogy describes the product: 

Rich but easily absorbed, you'll banish dry skin with this intensely nourishing cream. The ultimate in hydration, it's designed to deliver immediate relief and lasting comfort for a soft, smooth complexion. 

You get 75ml of product for the £24.50 price tag which seems good value considering the key ingredients. 

It feels lovely on the skin, hydrating but absorbed quickly, leaving the skin feeling clear and non sticky. It is absolutely perfect for the winter months as manuka honey is incredible at healing and protecting the skin and it beautifully soothes dry patches of skin. 

All in all this is an amazing product, PERFECT for girls and guys wanting to look after their skin this winter. I love the fact it is so moisturising but doesn't make your skin feel heavy or congested like so many rich moisturizers can. 

You can buy this product HERE for £24.50 from the lovely people at www.mypure.co.uk 

Evolve Beauty Gentle Cleansing Melt Review

*This product was kindly sent to me by the lovely people at www.mypure.co.uk all opinions are my own.*

Hey Dolls, 

Today I am reviewing another product from Evolve Beauty, this time it's their Gentle Cleansing Melt.  This product is a sugar based cleanser designed for normal to dry skins. Like all Evolve products it is organic, vegan and NOT tested on animals. 

"Pure, unrestrained cleansing pleasure for normal to dry skin, and perfect for sensitive skin. Natural sugars melt away make-up and impurities leaving skin refreshingly clean, calm and hydrated.

This completely natural, soap free cleansing balm is beautifully fragranced with creamy Vanilla and can be used with a hot cloth for added pampering."

I have never really experimented with cleansing balms as part of my skincare regimen or professional kit but I must admit to being curious about them so when I was offered the chance to trial one, I leapt for it. 

The product itself is a thick cream/gel consistency that applies beautifully to the skin. On the application of warm water it transforms into a rich cleansing milk which dissolves make-up and leaves the skin feeling as soft as silk. 

It is supposed to be vanilla scented but I personally can't detect any fragrance to this product at all, which I do not dislike. 

It would be perfect for anyone with dry or sensitive skin or anyone who is searching for a gentle but highly effective way of cleansing their skin. I personally love this cleanser it is so gentle and it literally disolves make-up without stripping the skin. 

You can buy this cleanser for £13.99 HERE from the lovely people at www.mypure.co.uk

Evolve Liquid Crystal Cleanse And Tone Review

*This product was kindly sent to me by the lovely people at www.mypure.co.uk all opinions are my own.*

Hey lovelies, 

Today I am reviewing a product by a brand I have just discovered called Evolve Beauty. Evolve products are natural, organic, vegan and not tested on animals. Evolve Beauty also package their products in 100% recycled bottles. 

"Evolve Eco beauty is all about fair trade, recycled bottles, low carbon footprints and fabulous skin friendly hair & body care. All the products are made in the UK and are packed full of highly effective superfoods to make a real difference to your skin and hair."

The product I am reviewing is their Liquid Crystal Cleanse & Tone which claims to be a mild, 2 in 1 cleanser and toner. This is how they describe the product:

"An ingenious 2 in 1 lotion to effortlessly cleanse and tone even the most sensitive of skin.

Micellar encapsulated micro molecules lift and remove dirt without the harshness of soap whilst Hyaluronic Acid locks moisture into the skin, protecting the skin barrier and stimulating epidermal regeneration for younger looking skin.

This no rinse formula has the efficacy of an oil but with the freshness of crystal clear water. Delicately fragranced with rose oil, skin is left sparklingly clean, clear and glowing. "

First things first, I LOVE the packaging. It is very simple, pretty and practical with a distinctive design. I think it really differs itself from other natural skincare brands and has a real "brand identity" to it. 

The product itself is fantastic. It is a very mild cleansing water which removes light make-up as well as excess oils and impurities from the skin. It also lightly tones the skin and locks in the skins natural moisture which is an added bonus.  You get 200ml of product in the bottle and a little goes a long way. 

The product is designed for even the most sensitive skins and does not require the use of water so it is perfect for traveling or those who can not use tap water on their faces.

It leaves your skin so soft and feeling squeaky clean but most importantly it doesn't feel tight or stripped, just gently cleansed. It is also really effective at removing light make-up. It doesn't fully remove heavy make-up as there is no soap or harsh chemical base to this product. 

I think it is a brilliant light cleanser that is amazing for people who wear minimal make-up or 

You can buy this product for £13.99 HERE and check out more amazing natural products from the lovely people at MyPure here at www.mypure.co.uk 

Interview With Robert William

Hey guys, 

Today I wanted to share with you this interview I took part in, a huge thank you to the lovely Mary who interviewed me in front of her entire uni class. I hope you enjoy and I hope this give you all a better insight into my head. 

What inspired you to start your blog and what continues to inspire you?

“Well, I guess I wanted a platform to network and to share my knowledge, I am in a unique position as I started training to be a MUA when I was about 8, so I wanted to share my knowledge of products with people. I guess what continues to inspire me is change, I don’t just write about beauty but also politics, music and life in general. I am a very honest person and I wish to be transparent with my readers.”

What gave you the idea for the name Gothinista?

“I decided to brand myself a ‘Gothinista’ as I am fascinated by the effect alternate sub cultures have upon popular culture, be it the 60’s hippy, 80’s punk or 90’s goth scene. The creatives are always the ones who bring about change and I wanted the name of my blog to reflect that but at the same time for it to be a bit fun and quirky. Not sure if I pulled it off though as so many people pronounce it wrong…”

Your skincare posts often have a ‘natural is better’ vibe, how important is natural skincare to you?

“Hugely, I loathe using chemical filled products on myself or others. I am fortunate enough to have secured a job with my favourite company of all, Lush. The people are so friendly and are absolute sweethearts so I hope to stay there awhile.”

Doesn't it give you a headache working there?

“Everyone asks me that. Honestly, no. You get used to it very quick and it is just a general lovely smell. It is such a homely shop too. So I love it”

Other issues you are very vocal on are animal testing and gay rights, care to share your two cents on those subjects?

“Animal testing is a huge no for me. I hate it and am actively against it. I refuse to use products personally or professionally that have been tested on animals or that contain ingredients tested on animals. I would not say I champion gay rights, I would say I champion human rights. I campaign for us all to be equal and for people to think before they speak. I have been sent some truly hideous things by people online which I am lucky enough to find hilarious but they could be deeply upsetting to some people, so yes, I am an advocate for human rights.

Is it correct that you also have ties to the infamous LaVeyan Church Of Satan?

“I am not affiliated to them in any way shape or form. Religion and philosophy are of huge interest to me and in my teenage years I was deeply mesmerized by Anton Lavey and his writings. I would not say I am a devout follower or even a follower at all, but when I am asked if I am religious I always answer that I am a “LaVeyan Satanist” because I am curious to see how people react and how they approach the subject.

In your ‘secret diary of a male blogger’ post you jokingly compared yourself to Bridget Jones, so I wanted to ask what qualities you look for in a partner?

“Oh wow, I don’t think I look for anything in particular really. I don’t have a set type. I guess because I am very active I like athletic guys? Or at least a guy who’s in decent shape… As a general rule I like different, artistic or intelligent people. So my favourite people are usually writers, musicians, teachers etcetera. One of my best friends said on the subject of men “Have a dick, don’t be a dick”.

Would you ever consider becoming a YouTuber? 
"Loads of people want me to start doing YouTube but truth be told I do not have the time to dedicate to it currently. If I were to do it I would want to do it properly. So for the time being Gothinista is a blog only site. 

What do you expect for the future of your blog?

"Well I honestly can't believe how much it has grown in a year so I have no idea. There are a few brands I want to work with which would be awesome to try and get involved with. I want to tackle YouTube and do some colabs too. I am also going to start recruiting some guest bloggers too which will be exciting. So I hope to continue to expand when I am able to do so.

*If you are interested in guest blogging please leave a comment with a link to your blog OR contact me via the contact form*

MADARA Daily Defence Cream Review

*This product was kindly sent to me by the lovely people at www.mypure.co.uk all opinions are my own.*

Hey dolls,

Today I am reviewing a product I was SO excited to receive as it promised to help with something I suffer with all year round; the dreaded dry, flakey skin.  This product is by one of my favourite skincare brands, the up and coming MADARA. 

This is how the product is described:

"ULTRA RICH BALM FOR SKIN PROTECTION IN DRY AND EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS.

This all-over-body, hand & face balm helps skin dryness and roughness, protects skin from raw winds and cold. Vitamin-rich Northern cloudberry and sea buckhtorn oils soothe, hydrate and restore skin barrier providing softness. Helps to cure chapped lips and cracked heals, softens nail cuticles, and can be used as a soothing cream for the little ones.Gives comfort to your skin in winter as well as summer weather.

EFFECTIVENESS TESTED IN ARCTIC WEATHER To test the effectiveness of DD cream in truly extreme conditions, the MADARA team went for a challenging trip to the North and organised a photoshoot outdoors beyond the Arctic circle, in Lapland. The new DD cream protected the team’s skin, lips and hands from the cold and wind."

You get 60ml of product which seems like a fantastic amount to me as the standard size of a moisturiser is roughly 50ml. It will also last a HUGE amount of time too as it is very very concentrated. 

Like every MADARA product I have tried I adore the packaging, simple, natural but sleek and stylish. It slightly reminds me of Dermalogica in terms of packaging. 

You need the tiniest amount of product to reduce visible dryness, the amount of product on my hand was enough to coat my lips and the sides of my nose (the driest parts of my face). 

One of my absolute favourite things about this product is you can use it pretty much anywhere on the face or body, it also acts as an effective lip balm. 

After just one use of this product I saw and felt immediate improvement and after continued use I have virtually no dry skin at all. I really would recommend this product  as a miracle. It is no substitute for a good moisturiser however it is not marketed to be anything other than a skin balm and environmental shield PERFECT for autumn or winter weather.

You can buy the product HERE from www.mypure.co.uk for the bargin price of £15.  

MADARA Protecting Lip Balm Review

*This product was kindly sent to me by the lovely people at www.mypure.co.uk all opinions are my own.*

Hey guys,

Last month I discovered the amazing natural beauty brand MADARA and I reviewed one of their cleansers (review here) and a month on it is still the best cleanser I have come across. So with the autumn and winter fast approaching I have decided to review a product which I hope will solve the main problem I get every year: dry, sore, cracked lips. 

I love the box, it is made out of recycled cardboard and looks very high quality. It looks like it belongs to a product FAR more expensive than its £9 price tag. 

The product itself is packaged in a lovely green squeezy tube. You get 15ml of product which is better than average. Again it has a lovely high quality feel about it which I love. 

This is how the product is described. 

"Rich and comforting balm with healing extracts of Sea-buckthorn and Calendula. Protects and softens lips, restores moisture balance. Provides a supple and natural gloss."

And the ingredients are as follows:

"Castor Isostearate Succinate Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides Lanolin Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer Hydrogenated Castor Oil Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate Octyldodecanol Chamomilla Recutita (Camomile) Flower Extract* Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract* Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea-buckthorn) Fruit Extract* Beeswax Aroma**"

Like all MADARA products this lip balm is vegan, not tested on animals and organic. 

It leaves your lips soft and feeling conditioned and protects them from environmental damage. The only way I could fault it is that it feels sticky on the lips. Not so much lip gloss sticky...more runny honey sticky however it does add a very subtle natural gloss to the lips which I like.  It also has a subtle scent but for the life of me I can't work out what it is, I just know I like it...

You can buy the product HERE from www.mypure.co.uk for £9

You can also follow the lovely people at MyPure on Twitter to stay up to date with new products and offers @Mypure