Here some of the exciting things I tried, saw and loved in the past two weeks!
Pro-Collagen Range, Glow Lab
We were amped to receive Glow Lab’s latest products which have been formulated to boost collagen. Collagen is a type of protein found in connective tissue, skin, tendons, bones and cartilage and as we age, collagen production slows which means fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin start to appear.
A good skincare routine and effective products will help slow these signs of ageing and that’s what we all want, right?
Glow Lab’s collection includes three powerhouse natural skincare products: Pro-Collagen Plumping Moisturiser; Pro-Collagen Plumping Night Cream; and Pro-Collagen Plumping Face Mask. The products work to promote the skin’s natural collagen production and are made with natural formulations that are boosted with scientifically effective ingredients that help smooth, hydrate and plump the skin.
Developed right here in New Zealand, Glow Lab’s products have been created for those who want results-driven skincare, with preventative anti-ageing benefits and active ingredients to help achieve healthy, supple skin.
The Glow Lab Pro-Collagen Plumping Moisturiser is a lightweight cream, boosted with Collalift®18 and Functional Keratin® to stimulate Collagen XVIII, IV & VII, and reduce the appearance of fine lines for a firmer, smoother complexion. Hyaluronic Acid and Floraesters K-20W® have also been added to help protect the skin barrier and to quench and hydrate the skin.
After cleansing and applying your usual eye cream and serum, gently apply the moisturiser to your face and neck. Add your sunscreen, makeup, and you’re good to go.
For best results, use with the Pro-Collagen Plumping Night Cream. Take off all your makeup, cleanse your face and apply the light, yet rich, night cream. The cream is packed with natural oils such as shea butter, jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, macadamia, argan and avocado oils and is boosted with a powerful peptide to ensure it plumps and firms your skin whilst you sleep.
Face masks are the ultimate treat for your skin and Glow Lab’s Pro-Collagen Plumping Face Mask rounds off this beautiful range to give your skin an extra helping of amino acids, pentapeptides and nourishing oils to plump up and hydrate your skin.
Cleanse your skin, remove the serum-soaked mask from the packet and lay it over your face and leave for 15-20 minutes. Once removed, massage any leftover serum into your skin… don’t wash it off! You’ll find it’s quickly absorbed into your skin.
If you’ve got a glamourous night out, use this mask. It’s divine! I love the whole relaxing process of applying the mask and then lying back and enjoying 20 minutes of me time. There wasn’t too much serum over the first time I used it but I massaged whatever was left into my skin and it was quickly sucked up. My skin definitely looked smoother, fresher and less tired. The second mask I used had more serum left over at the end but I think that’s because my skin is more hydrated since I started using the Plumping Moisturiser and Night Cream on a daily basis.
I have to confess that I was initially sceptical about whether a skincare range that is affordable and available at my local supermarket would be effective BUT I have been pleasantly surprised. The quality of the packaging is also really good and I’ve purchased a few more masks to give my skin that spa-like glow.
Glow Lab skincare contains no added nasties – no parabens, sulphates, phthalates, silicones, SLS, or mineral oil and they don’t test their products on animals.
Craft Smoothie
Included in the Glow Lab goodie box that we received, were three Craft Smoothie packs and some fresh fruit.
So what do smoothies and fresh fruit have to do with collagen?
Well, citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, etc. are full of Vitamin C, and so are berries, which play a major role in the production of pro-collagen… the body’s precursor to collagen. Leafy greens and nuts also help in the formation of this all-important anti-ageing collagen.
Craft Smoothie was launched in 2016 by former New Zealand rugby player turned smoothie entrepreneur, Riki Hoeata, who was no stranger to the challenge of maintaining a nutritious diet with a demanding schedule.
Craft Smoothie delivers pre-portioned superfoods and fresh produce direct to your door each week so you have everything you need to create a healthy smoothie recipe. Every recipe is crafted with 100% plant-based ingredients and a wholefood source of essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, dietary fibre, healthy fats and plant protein. They are naturally gluten and dairy free, and they are vegan.
What an amazing idea to up your collagen with a smoothie PLUS collagen-producing smoothie! It was a great reminder that you have to eat well and put the right things into your body to get overall great results.
Each craft smoothie is individually packed with the dry and freeze-dried ingredients and the accompanying recipes let you know which of the supplied fruits needed to be used with each pack.
I love this idea. The smoothies were delicious and encouraged me to stay on track with my eating for the rest of the day.
Chocolate Coated Coffee Beans, Cocktail Collective
Alison: “Let’s just put this out there… I love a good coffee! And I l-o-v-e all things related to coffee… coffee rub for lamb, coffee slices and even coffee in a chocolate cake. And, now there’s chocolate coated coffee beans to add to my treats. YUM!
“I’m doing Dry July so I haven’t given these New Zealand made Chocolate Coated Coffee Beans a full stretch. They are intended to be used as garnishes in cocktails such as an Espresso Martini or a Black Russian but, for the time being, I’m just using them as a complement to a flat white coffee.
“When I say complement, I mean I can’t stop eating these sweet, yet bitter delectable morsels! I love sucking the chocolate off first and then crunching into the bean. It’s not an overpowering taste – not like swigging back an Espresso – and it leaves an aftertaste of regular coffee. Delicious!”
