InstaNatural Retinol Skincare Range

December 30, 2015December 30, 2015 | blueskygirlie

I have been continuing to use a new range of face and body products as part of my beauty routine provided to me by US organic beauty company InstaNatural. I have reviewed a few of their facial and body products now (find my last blog here) and today I share my review of their much praised 2.5% Retinol facial products.

So firstly – what is Retinol? Well it is not for the faint hearted! While it’s true there is no magic bullet when it comes to perfecting skin, this one ingredient comes pretty close. It is a Vitamin A derivative which is proven to increase skin cell turnover and stimulate collagen synthesis as well as creating a skin tightening effect. With consistent use of a topical Retinol you can see improvement of fine lines, dark spots, texture, and tone. Most over the counter products have a 0.5%-2% concentration but the stronger stuff is where its at (usually via a cosmetic doctors prescription). Both these items from the InstaNatural range are 2.5% Retinol so on par with any cosmetically prescribed products on the market.

InstaNatural Advanced Action Retinol Moisturiser Cream – £17.95/100ml

Details: 2.5% Retinol, 10% Vitamin C, Vegan Hyaluronic Acid, Shea Butter & Jojoba Oil, Green Tea.

Although it’s a fairly thick cream this absorbed into my skin very easily with no residue. It makes your face feel so smooth within a couple hours of applying and isn’t drying as some Retinol products can be. It also made my skin feel tighter and look clearer and has dramatically improved my fine lines and also has proved great for a base for my make-up.

I love the packaging this comes in as you don’t have to dip your fingers in to get the cream out, it comes with a pump top that dispenses just enough cream to cover both your face and neck. As well as the instructions on the packet I was also emailed instructions re exposure to the sun which I thought was very good. It is also probably double the size of many competitors products. It is scent free (as far as I can tell) which some people might not like, but this is definitely a powerful little cream.

InstaNatural Age Defying 2.5% Retinol Serum – £17.95/30ml

Details: 2.5% Retinol, 20% Vitamin C, 10% Hyaluronic Acid, Astaxanthin, Niacinamide, COQ10.

This is another winning product for me! A strongly orange smelling and coloured serum (well it is 20% Vitamin C) that absorbed into my skin easily, it makes your face feel so smooth within a couple hours of applying and isn’t drying as some Retinol products can be. Its a bright orange colour but this fades very quickly as its absorbed. It also made my skin feel tighter and look clearer when used daily.

I loved the packaging this comes in too – a glass bottle with pipette – very scientific and clean looking! As well as the instructions on the box/bottle I was also emailed instructions re exposure to the sun which I thought was very good. Overall this was a very quick working and powerful product – this is definitely one of my favourite InstaNatural products I have tried so far particular when used with the Retinol Moisturiser. You don’t expect age defying products to work and you feel kind of shocked when they do…and quickly!

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I don’t usually rave about products but these definitely WORK! Give them a go – I definitely think I’m looking younger, my skin is looking brighter and dark spots are fading. They are strong and you need to be careful with them but used carefully I really think these are two of the best age defying products I have tried so far!

Please note – although this prescription-strength product works fast and has great effects, it can cause irritation, redness and peeling so anyone with sensitive or drier skin might want to proceed with caution. It also must be used carefully if you then have contact with direct sunlight.

The range is sold exclusively in the UK via Amazon.co.uk – find the full range here. All prices correct on Amazon at time of posting. Have you used any of the InstaNatural range? I’d love to know your thoughts on it…

All products – InstaNatural via Amazon*

Thank You!

December 25, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Merry Christmas to all my readers both via the blog and via social media. Thank you for the support over the last year as this baby blog has found its feet and grown – I can’t believe ‘Always a Blue Sky Girl’ is over a year old now! Here’s to a stylish and wonderful 2016 and another year of blogging! Love, Sarah xx

photo source

Finding my Dress of Dreams™

November 25, 2015November 25, 2015 | blueskygirlie

I think its fair to say I’m quite a bohemian at heart. Style wise I love a maxi dress or skirt or hippy style kimono. I’m always on the look out for great boho style pieces for my wardrobe but you tend to find they are mainly summer pieces.

When I saw this dress in H&M last week I grabbed it off the rail so quickly I almost gave myself whiplash! I don’t buy a lot of clothes but this sort of dress is a dream daytime dress for me.

The dress itself is a great A/W piece made from a silky yet thick material which hangs beautifully. Being only 5’2″ I knew the dress would be too long and as soon as I got it home I altered it taking 3″ off the bottom. I’m used to shortening things now when there’s not a petite section and a dress like this is pretty easy to do.

I added a thick belt for a more structured look, as being petite I often get a bit swamped by blouson styles but the dress has an elasticated waistband so can easy be worn without. It is available in sizes UK 6-16 and comes up true to size/slightly generous. I am wearing a UK size 10 here although as I mentioned it is shorted by 3″.

Little details such as bell sleeves and a tasselled tie to the collar really makes this dress looks much more expensive than it really was…

…Oh yes, did I mention it is instore at only £14.99!!! What an absolute bargain!Lace up boots keep the look relaxed yet still within a bohemian vibe although I kept the hem length to just above the floor so you can hardly see them.I kept my hair long and added some extra curls to the ends, make-up was a neutral daytime look with just a bit of mascara, brown eyeshadow and wine coloured lip gloss to complete the look. My autumn flower power inspired look was complete!

Dress – H&M

Belt – Vintage

Boots – New Look

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New in my Etsy Shop: Vintage Accessories

November 21, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Do you love vintage jewellery and accessories? I do, and you’ll often see me wearing items in outfit posts and on my Instagram. Often its hard to find pieces – they are getting rarer and rarer, and more and more collectable. I have just added some fantastic items to my Etsy vintage shop this week!

Here’s a selection of whats currently on offer – I have pieces from the 1950’s right through to the 1980’s. They make a great present too if you’re looking of a gift thats a bit different.

For a Mad Men style look these vintage brooches are just perfect…

Love modernist style? Then this signed 1960’s Pewter pendant by Norwegian designer Eivind Hillest could be for you…

Or how about a fabulous 1960’s beaded necklace? I adore the colour of this one…

Love the quirky style of the 1980’s? This necklace would look fantastic with its pop of bright colour…

For a bit of fun, retro earrings are perfect…and you don’t even need pierced ears!

diamante and glass bead earrings – £10.00

Don’t forget how well bracelets add interest to an outfit too…

Can’t resist a handbag? Be unique and pick a vintage one…

Find the full range of all my vintage items and more details on all the items seen on todays blog in my Etsy shop ‘Always a Blue Sky Girl’ here.

The thing I fell in love with this week…

November 14, 2015 | blueskygirlie

YD at Primark glitter skate shoes – £1 (from £6.00)

Anyone who knows me, knows I love a bit of sparkle and I also love a bargain…well in these shoes I have both!

Part of the kids range at Primark, these beauties are currently in the sale along with a pink version. They go up to a size 6 (EUR 39) too. Mermaid shoes? Definitely a must have for me!

What bargains have you bought lately that you’ve just loved?

Autumn Uniform

November 11, 2015November 17, 2015 | blueskygirlie

In todays blog I show you my forth and final ‘uniform’ to make dressing easy this autumn…

Todays uniform – dress, tights and boots

What you need in your wardrobe –

Winter dress (or add a polo neck under a shift dress)
Opaque tights
Ankle boots

This is really the easiest combination of all the autumn uniforms…just pick a winter dress you love and add thick tights and boots! I’ve gone for this one from Primark – I really love how easy it is to wear – its made from a stretchy material and has white collar and cuff detail. For sizing I have gone for a 12 (its available in sizes 8-20) and costs £14.00.
The dress itself is red and navy and works well with black accessories although you could easily use navy tights or if you want a quirky look, red boots would look amazing!
Keep the look dressy with ankle boots instead of knee length boots. Make sure you show off those legs! If the weather is cold, layer a slim fitting t-shirt (or thermal top if you feel the cold like I do!) underneath or add a light-weight cardigan. My tights are also Primark – 100 denier and cost £2.50 a pack. They are fantastic quality and I’d definitely recommend them. They are quite big though – I bought the size small and could still pull them up to bust level!

As it’s daytime, neutral make up and wavy hair complete the look. I created volume in my hair using some Batiste dry shampoo which I find is perfect for encouraging beachy waves and a full look without having to wash your hair every day.

I think I’ve found my new favourite dress and its a bargain one!

Find my blogs on creating uniforms 1, 2 and 3 here, here and here. I hope you’ve enjoyed my blogs on creating easy to put together outfits this Autumn and have mixed up a few ideas into your own outfits. PS THEY WORK FOR WINTER TOO!!!

Dress : Primark
Tights : Primark
Boots : Marks & Spencer

New Look Mini Haul

November 4, 2015November 4, 2015 | blueskygirlie

I love New Look and popped in the other day…and left with a carrier bag full of bargains! Want to see what I bought?

Camel boxy jumper – £7.99 This jumper has been used in a lot of New Looks adverts as its at such a good price. I wanted a simple jumper in this seasons big colour, camel, and this one was perfect and a total bargain. Its nice a roomy and a size small will easily fit anyone 8-12. It is also available in sizes medium and large.

915 glitter Mary-Jane block heel shoes – £6 (from £19.99) Ok, they’re not the Boden ones but if you have feet size 6 (EUR 39) or smaller then the 915 teen range has some amazing fashion shoes. I will team these with opaque tights and party dresses this winter for a festive fun look.

915 metallic silver brogues – £6 (from £19.99) How nice are these? A perfect way to jazz up an outfit of jumper and skinny jeans this winter. Again smaller feet = fab bargain shoes! Hoorah!

Leopard print skinny scarf – £1 (from £4.99) I am going to use this as a pussy-bow for blouses and fitted jumpers.

Orange slice novelty bag – £3.50 (from £12.99) I loved this in the spring when it came out but couldn’t justify buying another novelty bag (I have a few!) but at 70% off? It would of been rude not to!

I love a bit of New Look! What have you bought lately – I would love to know…

Desperately seeking Pearl

October 28, 2015November 2, 2015 | blueskygirlie

We were invited to the wedding reception of our friends Sally and Christian a couple of weeks back and jumped at the chance to dress up and have fun while celebrating the fact a fantastic coupled had got hitched!

I had been searching for a particular ‘dream’ dress on eBay for ages…a Pearl Lowe lace dress that had been produced by Peacocks back in 2010. At the time I bought a couple of the dresses (they ranged in price from £30-£60) but they were only in a few top stores and sold out really quickly, then Peacocks went into administration and the range was stopped. I was also a size 18 at the time so those dresses I did get ended up going to the charity shop and my search for a size 10 version of the most press loved dress began.

After a few months I finally found one and I’m so glad I did! It is a gorgeous dress and doesnt look like a high street product at all – in fact it made me feel like a million dollars!The dress itself has a fitted lace body with satin slip underneath. Its tight fitting on top and flares out into a lovely full skirt. The long sleeves show the detail of the lace off beautifully. It really is a beautiful dress and its such a shame they no longer produce the range. My bag was a vintage 1960s box bag. Its a lovely piece with gold chain and gold studded frame…and you can fit quite a bit in it! One of the things I love about vintage is you get a unique piece – who wants to turn up somewhere and someone else has exactly the same thing!I’m really fussy about shoes. I don’t like really high heels and I like to dance so they need to be comfortable. I came upon these Emilio Luca satin beauties purely by chance and they matched the colour of my dress perfectly…plus the kitten heel was comfortable enough to wear all night. Make-up was a dark red lipstick to match my dress, smoky eyes and winged eye liner. I also had my normally curly hair professionally blow dryed as I’m useless at doing it myself. We had a wonderful time and I got to hang out with this fantastic fella – I cannot wait till it’s our own wedding we’re dressing up for…

Dress : Pearl Lowe at Peacocks (via eBay)

Bag : Vintage

Shoes : Emilio Luca

Whats your Autumn Uniform?

October 21, 2015October 28, 2015 | blueskygirlie

In this weeks styling tips blog I show you my third ‘uniform’ to make dressing easy this autumn…

Todays uniform – shirt, jumper and jeans.

What you need in your wardrobe –

Crew neck jumper
Button down shirt
Skinny or slim fit jeans
Plimsoll type casual shoe

This is a great, easy to wear outfit for days when you want to feel comfortable yet still a little dressed up. Great for running around; wearing plimsolls and jeans is always a winner and the addition of a smart shirt under a jumper makes this look a little more dressy without any extra work.

Pick a blouse or shirt with some pattern on. I’ve gone for a H&M blouse in a star print which is everywhere at the moment…

This look works with any casual flat shoe but I personally love a pair of Converse All Stars as they go with anything. When a leather version of their iconic black trainer came out I had to have a pair…they are a mixture of casual and smart and can be worn whatever the weather! If Converse aren’t your thing, just replace with any plimsoll type shoe.