Sweet Serenity - A Vibrant Treat For My Skin

"You look wonderful! " said the lovely random lady, stopping me on the street staring at my face. Well, I definitely felt very good and radiant while running errands with little Faye in tow.

I can't say that it was the skin care that led to this compliment but I know that Max&Me Oils have this very therapeutic effect, they somehow uplift my soul and put me in a great mood.

Is it the beautiful packaging with Elf illustrations or the organic & wildcrafted ingredients? There is surely some magic involved when it comes to this luxury skin care brand! 

I hinted that this month is a little over-scheduled (to avoid saying stressful, which is just a little too negative) for us and on top of everything my kitchen flooded today, but that's a story for another time. Or actually hardly worth telling. Ever. 

To change things up from my usual skincare routine, this month is asking for some extra treats:

I have been oil cleansing with Purity&Grace and moisturising with Sweet Serenity Beauty Balm. And what can I say? Magic! 
Both are balancing for all skin types and can be used day & night, which came in handy when travelling.  

The magic happens when you inhale the aromatic Oils prior to massaging the balm into the skin. They are both vegan, organic, and packed with luxurious natural ingredients. 
Highly recommended!  

I will share some more about this line and a few surprises over here soon. Stay tuned.  

Liv's Radiant Rawnola Recipe

This Rawnola is the perfect snack when you have a sweet craving, a yummy dessert and perfect topping for smoothie bowls!
Best of all it's packed with vital nutrients for radiant skin and overall health.
Oh, and did I mention that it's super quick and easy to make?

If you haven't heard of Rawnola before: It's a cereal substitute for baked crunchy granola.
While it does get crumbly it stays chewy and tastes more like cookie dough. Yummmmmm!
If you prefer more crunch add some "Buckinis" which is Activated raw Buckwheat to the final mixture. As always use certified organic ingredients of the best quality and without any additives or preservatives.

Equipment:
You can use a food processor or high-speed blender. I used my Vitamix. It's important to only use the lowest setting and not to overdo it with the blending! And a jar for storage. That's it!

Ingredients:
1 Cup of Organic Oats
1 Cup of Organic Dried Mulberries
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Tbsp Chia Seeds
1/2 a Cup Coconut Flakes or Shredded Coconut (organic and preservative free)
10 Dates (in the pictures I ran out of enough Dates and added some mixed dried berries instead, you can also use just Mulberries and other dried berries, but Dates are stickier and have the perfect sweetness)

How To:
Basically, you just chuck it all in and switch that thing on. I like to add two dates at a time and blend, add another two and so forth until you have the right sticky/crumbly texture.
Start with the Oats and add Mulberries then add all the other ingredients and 2 dates.
Blend. Add another two dates.... Until done! You might have to give the jug a shake ever so often.

I hope you enjoy! And don't eat it all at once ;)

Beauty Hacks For New Mums - MASKS

Masks are like a mini facial at home. They are so fun and give your skin a boost.
While finding time to mess with a traditional clay or creme mask can be tough, I have found some clever next generation masks that are perfect for new Mums. Or at least they work for me :)
I have been drafting on this Beauty Hacks post for a while and I always end up adding more and more tips and content...
This is not just for Mum's but for everyone that is time poor but feels in need for some special treats and boosters :)
I am in no way suggesting that Mum's need to look good at all times. I personally love to pamper myself a little bit and do something healthy for myself. Nutrition, rest, movement and meditation are most important as self care! But there is nothing wrong with Masking either :)

So: I was deciding to turn this into a little series instead!

1. Overnight Masks - Think Sleeping Beauty
While we miss out on a little bit of our beauty sleep we can help our skin by using night time masks. The next generation of these combines cleansing actions of clay masks with hydrating and regenerating oils for the perfect balance. Of course, you can use them during the day too.
I put mine on the evening when we sometimes get to watch a movie (or Star Trek Episode... we are totally addicted guys! How good are all these old Star Trek Episodes?) or read or chat. By the time we go to bed it has absorbed enough so I can leave it on over night without making a mess. It actually happens pretty quickly but I don't want to risk smothering my pillow cases.
If you want to apply it right before bed, use a thin layer instead.
The next morning my skin glows! I then wash my face as usual and am fresh for the day.

There are two new masks that I like:

Divine Ultra Perfecting Mask
Ultra Perfecting is a pretty high claim. What is perfect anyways? I surrender to the imperfect beauty of things these days...
But: This mask does really balance the skin. It's a clever combination of White Clay (cleansing), Hyaluronic Acid (hydrating) & a combination of nourishing oils. It's certified organic and without nasties.
 

& Sleeping Beauty Purifying Mousse
This has made me waking up radiant, which is pretty amazing. It's a real treat to use in the evening especially since this has the most luxurious natural scent of Rose Otto! But besides that it feels good for the soul the ingredients are top notch.
 Australian Pink Clay and the volcanic mineral Zeolite purify the skin, removing impurities to prevent breakouts whilst at the same time support skin cell renewal and rejuvenation. Avocado Oil (5 Alpha Avocuta) reduces excess oil production and soothes whilst Acai and Snowflower Seed Oil hydrate and nourish the skin, promoting flawless radiance.

2. Sheet Masks

I can't get enough of sheet masks. Easy-Peasy, rinse free and immediate results. Can be used any time of day! These are best for an immediate glow effect.
My favourite is this one, which I have already told you about.
Make sure not to use Sheet Masks on very dry skin though, you want to moisturize and treat your skin first. Sheet masks are hydrating boosters but they don't offer the richness or comfort of a cream mask. That's why I love them most in warmer weather! Also perfect for holidays, for plane travel and to bring to little getaways.
If your skin is dry/flakey you want to use a balm or right night cream as a treatment instead and use the sheet mask when your skin is back to normal.

I hope you got inspired! Mask On Mamas!

Osea- One Fine Line Of Vegan Skincare

Powered by the Ocean, as the name promises Osea is a range with active ingredients derived from Organic Seaweed. I have been dying to try this range ever since I first saw it.
I just knew this would be a winner when I looked at the ingredients, the simple packaging and the philosophy of this beautiful brand.

Fast forward a few centuries and I finally got to try out a few staples of this beautiful product line. This line has been around since 1996 and is vegan, absolutely toxin-free, the packaging is eco-friendly and the ingredients are safe, natural and effective, all made in Malibu, California USA.

The textures are just lovely, the scent is very luxurious but not overpowering. They do feel in the best possible way like conventional luxury skincare. Hold on, no: Of course, they feel better! Because they are better for you and you can feel that difference.

This line is great for any skincare junkies who are not too fond of herbally scents and homemade textures and oils. It feels and works just like any high-end skincare line but without the junk.
The packaging is simple and reminds me of a good professional spa skincare line.
The glass is frosted but clear, so I would recommend keeping these goodies out of direct sunlight. IIt's great that you can see exactly how much you have left.
The range is rather extensive with products for all skin types and concerns and includes face as well as body products.

Here is what I have tried:

Atmosphere Protection Cream
Lightweight moisturiser for Day & Night for normal/combination skin.
Not greasy glides on very easily and leaves the skin supple. Provides a fantastic base for makeup. It's so nice and straightforward I don't know what else to say. A very good moisturiser full stop.

Ocean Cleanser
A non-drying gel cleanser, it's very balancing to the skin. It gently exfoliates with vegan lactic acid, leaving your skin radiant.

Sea Minerals Toner Mist
Extra hydrating mist can be used as toner in your skincare regime as well as to set and refresh makeup during the day. The scent is subtle and pleasant. The mist comes out really nice and fine, which is a plus. (not all companies master this and as a pro makeup artist it is VERY annoying if hydrating sprays squirt out and potentially ruin your makeup) So: extra vegan brownie points for the packaging!

Sea Vitamin Boost
I have been keeping the Sea Vitamin Boost on my desk and spritzing my face with it in this dry Winter air. With the heater running due to our little baby in the house, my skin wasn't too impressed and was showing signs of dryness and dehydration. This helps me through the day.
(in combination with a humidifyer in the room and nightly leave on masks!)
This one is a great one for the handbag and desk. Loaded with antioxidants it has some age defying powers and really locks in moisture.

I like to be critical in my reviews but this brand has nailed natural skincare! Of course, I haven't tried the whole range but everythign that I have been using has impressed me. Have you tried this range? Do you have any favourite products?

Probiotic Smoothie Bowl For Healthy Skin

I love my green smoothies for breakfast but it's fun to mix it up every now and then.
Lately, I really got into making myself a smoothie bowl by using my smoothie and adding some delicious toppings.
I have also been adding Probiotics! There are so many great options, from capsules to yummy powders or eating fermented foods. Of course, real foods are always the best option and I do include Kimchi, Coconut Kefir and Tempeh into my diet on a regular basis.
Still, I like to add some probiotic supplement. Like the Pono Probiotics Gorgeous Greens Probiotic Powder (this one is the only vegan one in their range!) it combines the goodness of green superfoods with probiotics. Perfect addition to any smoothie or smoothie bowl.
Probiotics are good for everyone and can make a huge difference on your skin! If your gut is healthy your body can absorb nutrients properly, which will leave you with more energy, glowing skin and a stronger immune system.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, it's a good idea to keep your gut flora as healthy as possible, probiotics taken by Mum during pregnancy can prevent skin conditions such as eczema and allergies in babies!
(During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Always consult your doctor or midwife before taking any supplements!)

My Smoothie Bowl Recipe:

For the Smoothie:
1 ripe banana (frozen)
1/2 Mango (optional, also works well with frozen Mango)
1 handful of organic kale
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1 Tbsp fermented vegan protein powder (optional! see link for my favourite one)
1 tsp Pono Gorgeous Greens Probiotic Powder
1 cup Plant milk of your choice or water (when using protein powder water works well, if you skip the protein powder I recommend using a creamy milk, to get that yummy creamy texture!)

Throw it all into a high-speed blender until smoooooth!

Toppings:
1 handful Buckinis
1-2 Tbsp Goji Berries
Mango (optional)
Get creative! Decorate, Sprinkle and add whatever feels right and looks pretty!

I know my creation is a pretty humble one compared to the artworks I see on Instagram all the time. But this one is real, it's my actual breakfast unstyled for the photo, just the bowl that I actually made for myself.