Friday, 23 June 2017

Emulsifying Cleansers...


I decided to do a post dedicated to my favourite type of cleansers of late. Emulsifying ones! Not to be confused with gel/foaming cleansers, these are typically balm like formulas that can be massaged into skin and rinsed off like a cream/milk once water is added. They are perfect for my combination skin. This means that any dry areas are soothed and comforted, but the oily/congestion prone areas are balanced without feeling stripped or the skins barrier being compromised. I have been preferring the quickness of applying an emulsifying cleanser to a typical balm which you have to hot cloth off. I enjoy how faff free they are and it means I don’t have to be washing lots of flannels throughout the week!

Instead of doing full on reviews of each, I am simply going to go through what’s in my collection and my general thoughts. I will be doing in depth posts on some of these anyway and some I have already reviewed fully (Jordan Samuel and Farmacy!)

Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel

I’ll get straight to it. This is the most joyless cleanser out of the bunch. There isn’t much of a scent and I feel there is almost a plastic/artificial smell to it which I don’t particularly like. That aside this is an excellent cleanser that removes makeup extremely well. It has a silky texture which transforms into a lightweight oil without much massage needed. Upon contact with water it turns into a milk almost immediately. I wouldn’t use this for anything other than as a makeup remover as it does this job brilliantly and cuts through heavy eye makeup without any irritation. The ingredients aren’t anything to write home about, it contains a lot of synthetics and fillers which I can’t say appeals, but I am basing my thoughts on how its designed to perform and for that alone it does the job very well. I think this cleanser would suit most skin types as its very gentle but not sure if the ingredients would bode well with very sensitive skin types…

Ingredients:

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Stearyl Heptanoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Glycerin, Aqua/Water/Eau, Cyclomethicone, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Parfum/Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Tocopherol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, BHT, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, CI 19140/Yellow 5, CI 17200/RED 33

You can buy here from Escentual for £18.45 (on special offer)

Jordan Samuel Plie

This is my one true love. I adore everything about this cleanser. The texture, packaging, smell, formula, ingredients, all are perfect. It helps the man himself is also wonderful! I’ve already done an in-depth review here so won’t bang on, but this is the ultimate cleanser for me. I will be opening my 2nd tube of this once I have finished Oskia, and will soon be placing another order as I want a backup.

It destroys makeup and leaves skin feeling super nourished, balanced and clean. When emulsified it turns into a silky milk which doesn’t leave any residue, just plump and glowy skin! I know some prefer to remove this with a cloth but I find it works perfectly well rinsed off with warm water only. It also doubles up as a mask which I love! I find that this is a fantastic all-rounder for a 1st and 2nd cleanse, I personally don’t think you can get better than this in its pricing category. If you don’t already follow Jordan on IG then do! He posts his ‘Friday Facial’ which shows you different ways this can be used and other tips on his products. He also has a Youtube channel where he posts his ‘Skin Talks’ videos. These are a must see as Jordan is a fountain of knowledge and is hilarious too! I can’t wait for Jordan’s new releases...;)

You can buy here from Jordan’s website for $20.00

Farmacy Green Clean

This is another product I have reviewed recently here so will keep things short and sweet. I love this to remove makeup and it has become my favourite in the makeup removing category. It smells like lime sherbets and cuts through makeup like a knife through butter. The soft silky texture is a dream to apply and I will be repurchasing for sure! It emulsifies extremely easily and rinses off cleanly leaving no residue. I love it, one of my favourite discoveries of 2017!

You can buy here at Cult Beauty for £32.00 (there is currently a waitlist)


Evolve Gentle Cleansing Melt

This is a new purchase from the UK Artisan/Natural brand Evolve. I decided on the travel size of this as it’s such a good way to try the product out before committing to the full size. I will be doing an in-depth review of this soon but I wanted to give you my first impressions...

The texture of this is thick and it looks a bit like glue! But surprisingly it is extremely soft and pliable. Once applied to skin this gives an excellent massage and is soothing and nourishing. I have been using this as a 1st and 2nd cleanser and I enjoy it both ways. The scent is mainly of soft but not too sweet vanilla, unlike anything else I’ve tried. It emulsifies nicely and turns into a creamy milk that rinses away clean. The after affect is calm and happy skin. One of my favourite things about the brand is the packaging, it’s gorgeous. I just love how clean and stylish it looks with apothecary style bottles/jars. Will continue to use and report back but so far so good, a great emulsifying cleanser!

Ingredients:

Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Oil*, Sucrose Laurate, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Seed Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Water*, Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Fruit Extract*, Tocopherol, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil*.
* Ingredients from organic farming.

You can buy the 120ml size here for £20.00 or the travel size 30ml here for £8.00

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel

Considering I have been using this daily for a few months I still haven’t got around to uploading a full review of this, I think partly because every blogger and their mum has raved about this so not sure what else I can add. I started using this after I ran out of my Jordan Samuel Plie as they seemed similar in terms of formula. Without a doubt this is an excellent cleanser and one I would highly recommend …

The smell and appearance of this is like Turkish delight which to be honest I hate to eat but seemingly I love to rub all over my face! The texture is silky and the balm transitions into an oil easily. I wouldn’t use this as a 1st cleanse but it works brilliantly as a morning or 2nd cleanse. I like to give myself a good massage with this and then hop in the shower, leaving it on as a mask before emulsifying and rinsing. It’s packed with some excellent ingredients such as Omega 6, Vitamins A, C and E, Starflower Oil and Pumpkin Enzymes. I think it would be a good option for most skins and I would recommend this to people who don’t want to pay the shipping and custom fees for Plie but want similar results.

You can buy here for £29.50 at Cult Beauty

Ingredients:

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Aqua, Cetearyl Olivate, Sucrose Laurate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Sucrose Palmitate, Parfum (Natural), Geraniol*, Dimethyl Sulfone (MSM), Citronellol**, Dehydroacetic Acid, Lactobacillus/Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Ferment Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Sucrose Stearate, Linalool**, Retinyl Palmitate, CI77491 (natural iron oxide), Jojoba Esters, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate.
**Component of natural essential oils

Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm

Again, as you can see this is a travel size which I got in a beauty subscription box but thought I would include it as it’s a very worthy contender in this range of cleansers. The big selling point being the excellent price tag. This is the cheapest option out of them all and I would say it does the same kind of job as the Clarins but smells nicer and has better ingredients! It’s a perfect 1st cleanse, obliterating everything including eye makeup. The balm is rich and silky and has a fantastic texture to massage with. It rinses off cleanly leaving no residue. It is formulated without beeswax, petrolatum or any pore clogging ingredients and the scent is Merumaya’s ‘Signature Essence Blend’ which smells very spa like. I would purchase the full size for makeup removing purposes and at under £20 I haven’t got any complaints!

You can buy here for £16.50 from Amazon

Ingredients:

Caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycerin, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, aqua (water), sucrose laurate, glyceryl dibehenate, echium plantagineum seed oil, phenoxyethanol, sucrose palmitate, parfum (fragrance), sucrose cocoate, sucrose stearate, citronellol, ethylhexylglycerin, garcinia mangostana fruit extract, limonene, linalool, caprylyl glycol, chlorphenesin, tetrasodium edta, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol.

So, there you have it, that’s my round up of emulsifying cleansers in my collection. Out of those I would say Farmacy and Jordan Samuel are my favourites! What are yours? I’d love any recommendations…

Thanks for reading xx
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Tuesday, 20 June 2017

Lightweight Bases...



Seeing as we seem to be into the summer season good and proper here in the UK I thought I would talk you through some of the lightweight bases which I will be alternating throughout the warmer weather. As I have got older heavier foundations are becoming less and less appealing to me. I find myself wanting coverage but in the lightest and quickest way possible, especially during the day. Comfort is key and these 3 below fit that category. 

Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF30
This has been a long-standing favourite of mine but I have been particularly loving this recently. I know I am the same as many but I fall in and out of love for foundations/bases quite often and this one had been sat neglected for a while (since beginning of the year) till last month when I dusted it off and started using it daily.

When I first bought this I was sceptical to say the least as there had been quite a lot of hype surrounding it, but I can see why it is so popular. This is the most hydrating base out of the bunch but not in the sense that it will leave skin looking greasy. It is a thick cream but once applied on the skin it immediately transforms into a lightweight gel texture, hence the name. It feels very refreshing and soothing on the skin.

I find this is best applied with your fingers like a moisturiser. It is instantly blends into the skin leaving it looking healthier. Perfect for when you look knackered and need to look better! It is easily buildable and although you can achieve a good amount of coverage with this I always need concealer to cover any dark circles or blemishes. It just isn’t heavy duty enough for that. I set it with a powder and I am good to go. It lasts all day and doesn’t oxide, but I do have to top up with powder every few hours. I personally like using a small amount and building it gradually. I made the mistake initially of applying too much in one go and it just wouldn’t settle on my skin causing the product to slip and slide all over my face. I have also tried it with a buffing brush but again the results aren’t as good for me.  

A stand out factor of this base is that it contains some skin loving ingredients such as olive derived squalane, marine botanicals and humectants, all of which hydrate and nourish the skin. It is also fragrance, silicone, paraben and oil free which is pretty impressive. It is supposedly a best of a BB, CC and any other letter of the alphabet! I would agree that is multitasking, not only does it contain SPF 30 but it has enough hydration to potentially be used in place of a moisturiser for oily/dehydrated/combination skinned individuals. The claims say that when a clinical study took place on 62 people it was reported it increases hydration by 215% in one week. I personally cannot vouch for this, but I might experiment with it and see how it fares!

Surprisingly this base has worked well for me during the recent heatwave, usually its one I’d turn to in winter when my skin needs a little extra loving that my other bases can’t provide. There are 16 shades to choose from which I think is excellent, it originally started with 10 but due to popular demand they added more. I am shade 02 Vanilla which I think is perfect for my skin tone (lucky guess thanks to A Model Recommends blog post).

I already have a back up of this so that tells you how much I like it! It's currently on offer here at Escentual for £22.95



IT Cosmetics CC Cream SPF50


Firstly, excuse the horrid packaging, it’s been in all kinds of weathers as you can see! This base has already appeared in my beauty favourites a couple of months ago, it didn’t take me long to figure I loved it! Again, this has been hugely hyped in the blogging world but I believe for good reason.

I have been alternating this and the Bareminerals over the past few months. It gives more coverage than the Complexion Rescue and is better suited to oilier skins. The texture is thick and a little goes a long way. I use 1 small pump and that’s enough for my whole face as it is highly pigmented. This does an excellent job of evening out skin tone (as you would expect with a CC!) and concealing any redness and small blemishes, I still use concealer but if I am having a good skin day then sometimes I can go without as it gives a uniform look. I personally wouldn’t say it’s ‘high coverage’ as such, but gives more than most BB, CC creams. It leaves a non-greasy almost matte but not flat effect; I still use powder with this as I want to prevent my oily t-zone from appearing too quickly! I end up having to reapply powder every few hours but that isn’t an issue for me, and completely expected when using these kinds of bases, despite this the staying power is fantastic.

I find the best way to apply this is again with the fingers, when I purchased this through QVC it came with a brush but it applies better without it. I’ve found the product sort of disappears when used with a brush whereas the warmth of your fingers helps spread the product and provide seamless coverage using a lesser amount.

The most appealing factor for me is that it has SPF 50, this does not mean I go without sunscreen it just means my skin is better protected in the first place. It is another ‘do it all’ base with the addition of collagen, peptides, niacin, hyaluronic acid and vitamins A, B, C and E. I personally don’t see the benefit of these but it’s nice to know they are there. I haven’t seen a difference in brightening, skin texture or hydration with this as the claims state. To me this isn’t a replacement for a moisturiser or a sun cream, just a foundation/base with benefits.

I have the colour 'Fair' and this works very well for my skin, maybe a touch too pale but nothing that a bit of bronzer can’t fix. There is a downside, this cream only comes in 5 shades which proves quite limiting but I am sure that selection covers most bases. I would recommend using shade adapting drops if you do want to try this but can’t find an exact match. It’s worth the extra effort.

You can buy here at QVC with the Heavenly Brush for £35

(Left Bareminerals, Centre IT Cosmetics, Right Estee Lauder)

Estee Lauder Double Wear All Day Glow BB Moisture Makeup SPF30

Out of all 3 this is the one where the colour match isn’t great, I have Intensity 1.0 which is a little too peachy and light for my skin tone. It doesn’t look bad and with bronzer it’s fine. The big point to mention about this before I go any further is that since I purchased this over 6 months ago I have noticed that it has started to be phased out across most of the beauty retailers. I had a look around and most of the lighter shades are out of stock, I contacted Estee Lauder and they have confirmed that it has indeed been discontinued due to advancement in technology. They told me the Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick is apparently the closest match to this giving sheer to medium coverage whilst promoting natural radiance and a "no makeup" look that lasts all day (up to 8 hours).

Either way I will tell you my thoughts on this as it has been one I’ve been using on and off over the past few months especially during Spring…

The oil free formula is thick as you would expect from the Double Wear range. The foundation is one of my favourites so I thought this could be a good alternative for the warmer months. Despite the texture it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. I think I was expecting this to be more pigmented and heavier coverage than it is to be honest, it’s very lightweight and gives sheer – light coverage. It applies smoothly and blends into the skin easily, drying down quickly, leaving skin perky and fresh. I wouldn’t say it covers blemishes but it imparts an overall glow and healthiness to the skin.  

Although the description says ‘all day glow’ I was a little concerned I would end up a greaseball by the end of the day, but not so. It mirrors the same fantastic long lasting qualities that the foundation does and when set with powder my t-zone can stay oil free for quite some time! In fact, I would say this is better suited to oilier combination complexions like myself as opposed to drier skin types as I feel it has the potential to cling to dry patches and look patchy.

Even though this has been discontinued I’ll enjoy this tube while I have it and may look to try some other EL offerings in the form of the Daywear Makeup range going forward.

What are your favourite bases for Spring/Summer?

Thanks for reading xx
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Tuesday, 13 June 2017

Farmacy Beauty - A few of my favourite things...



As soon as I learnt about Farmacy I knew I wanted to try their products. Their rustic eco-friendly packaging is gorgeous and their products look so enticing. The ethos behind the brand is ‘using science to enhance the goodness nature provides’. I like that idea and I believe it works. I think combining science and nature can produce some excellent results and this brand is an example of that. All their products are powered by Echinacea GreenEnvy which is a unique patented protected variant of Echinacea Purpurea. This is Farmacy’s special ingredient. It contains a potent natural antioxidant, Cichoric Acid which helps protect and firm the skin. This ingredient also assists in promoting a more even toned complexion, normalising the skin pigmentation process.

The first product I tried is the Sleep Tight Firming Night Balm. I managed to find 2 brand new sample/travel sized pots of these on eBay so I snapped them up.

Upon first use I was surprised at the texture of this, it is extremely unique and not like a night balm I’ve come across before. It is a thick non-sticky gel which melts into oil upon contact, a tiny bit goes a long way. It is worth noting that upon application it does feel greasy and it takes a while to sink in but it doesn’t suffocate or feel overwhelming on the skin like some balms do, if that makes sense. I find that when I wake up the next day my skin looks bright and rested and the product has disappeared into skin leaving it hydrated, plump and glowing. Interestingly it contains vegetable derived ‘retinoid-like’ ingredients which is most likely what contributes to that radiance and smooth skin. As you can see below the ingredient list is impressive and I did fear that all the different oils would break me out but so far so good.

In terms of the scent although it is packed with some gorgeous smelling citrus fruit oils it doesn’t smell particularly like anything, faintly herbal I’d say. This may be a bonus for some. I have nearly finished my first pot of this and wouldn’t hesitate to buy the full size when the time comes. If you are looking for a light balm which works well on combination oily dehydrated skin, then I would give this a go!

You can buy this here at Cult Beauty for £42.00

Ingredients:

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Coco-Caprylate, Dextrin Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Octyldodecanol, Patented Echinacea Purpurea 'Greenenvytm' Root Extract, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Amber Powder, Amino-Esters-1, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Cor Urcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ormenis Multicaulis (Chamomile) Flower Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Silica Silylate, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Spilanthes Acmella Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Water (Aqua), Zingier Officinale (Ginger) Root Oil.

The next two products I bought whilst in the US from Sephora. I could have easily bought everything from the brand but I limited myself!

Sunscreen options are everywhere with so many brands releasing them but Green Screen stood out to me. It bases itself on being an environmental protector as well as protecting the skin from UV rays. It claims to guard against free radicals emitted from smart phones and computers, which can lead to accelerated photo aging. I never like the idea of using a cream which is packed with chemicals but this one is a blend of mineral based SPF actives, Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, along with the GreenEnvy, Black Chokeberry and Marigold extracts. I’ve been using it for just over a month, out of this and the other SPF I have, this has been the one I’m reaching for most days.
 (Firming Night Balm Left, Green Screen Right)



It’s a true cream but does not feel in the slightest bit greasy, nor does it leave a white cast. It blends well with all products applied underneath and glides over skin with ease leaving a perfect base for makeup. Almost a semi-matte finish. One of the issues I have with typical sunscreens is that they clog my pores and break me out but I can confidently say this does neither and I love that it doesn’t have a typical SPF scent. I cannot rave about this enough! I am disappointed that it’s not currently available in the UK but I am hoping Cult Beauty will eventually start stocking it!

I bought this here at Sephora for $36.00

Ingredients:

Water, Ethyl Macadamiate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Propanediol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polysorbate 80, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract, Aronia Melanocarpa Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Verbascum Thapsus Flower, Tagetes Erecta Flower Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Malic Acid, Tocopherol, Myristic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Panthenol, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Isostearate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Alumina, Behenic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl, Methicone, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Triethoxysilylethyl, Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cellulose Gum, Sorbitan Oleate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate

Last but certainly not least is Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm. Oh my! I love this stuff!! There is no way I needed to add another balm to my stash of about 7 but I couldn’t resist, as soon as I laid eyes on it I knew I needed it! The plastic tub is super lightweight and has a plastic insert which sits tightly as a seal, this holds a spatula so you can easily scoop the product out hygienically. Genius!



As you can see the balm is a pale mint green colour and smells like chocolate limes but not in an overpowering way. It contains lime, bergamot and orange essential oils which seriously give an uplifting and revitalizing experience. Papaya extract gently smooth's the surface of the skin and acts as a natural exfoliant, while Sunflower and Ginger Root Oil gently cleanses and nourishes.

The texture of this is super silky and incredibly lightweight. Only a small amount is needed although I can’t help but use a big scoop of this! It breaks down into an oil texture quickly. I’ve found the best way to use this balm is as a makeup remover, it seriously breaks down everything and quickly! Including eye makeup without any irritation or causing me to go blind. One of my favourite things about this is that it emulsifies so well. As soon as you add water it immediately transforms into a milk which is easily rinsed off. See demonstration pictures below...
The only other product I can compare this to is Clinique Take the Day off balm but with more sass. I would say it is easier at melting and is softer to the touch. My face is left super soft, comfortable and completely clean without any film or greasy residue left behind. All without the use of cotton pads or a cloth to remove! It is fast becoming one of my favourite cleansers for both the 1st and 2nd cleanse step. I am a little bit addicted and I will be repurchasing! I’d say it would be ideal for all skin types including sensitive. Farmacy you have hit the jackpot with this!






You can buy here at Cult Beauty for £32.00, unfortunately due to the popularity there is a wait list. I’d say sign up! Quick!

Ingredients:

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Peg-10 Isostearate, Polyethylene, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Amino Esters-1, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Amber Powder, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid.
Have you tried anything from Farmacy? I'd love to know your experiences. Next on my list to try from them is the Sheet Masks and Rise 'N Shine Moisturiser!Water, Ethyl Macadamiate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Propanediol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polysorbate 80, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract, Aronia Melanocarpa Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Verbascum Thapsus Flower, Tagetes Erecta Flower Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Malic Acid, Tocopherol, Myristic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Panthenol, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Isostearate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Alumina, Behenic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl, Methicone, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Triethoxysilylethyl, Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl, Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cellulose Gum, Sorbitan Oleate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate
Thanks for reading xx
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Friday, 9 June 2017

Dr Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Moisture Cushion...



When I saw this moisturiser going for sale brand new on Instagram I had to snap it up. I am all for seeking out lightweight hydrators that work for my dehydrated oily skin. I’d been loving Zelens Hydro Shiso but knew I would need a replacement when that ends. Enter this pot of blue loveliness.


This is the first Dr Dennis Gross product I’ve tried. The brand has been on my radar for a while with quite a few of their products piquing my interest. Dennis Gross is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon who has been in the industry for 25 years. He seemingly knows his stuff and has been recognised for his expertise in skin health and his approach to creating and maintaining natural looking skin. My interests in this brand are for the same reasons I am interested in Zelens, dermatological innovative formulas that are accessible to consumers without visiting a practice. In fact, there are quite a few similarities between Dr Dennis Gross and Dr Marko Lens. Those being they are both recognised for detecting and treating skin cancer and use their extensive research to find the most effective ingredients, providing skincare lines that use cutting edge dermatologic technology with powerful yet gentle ingredients.
I’ve been using this oil free gel-cream moisturiser daily for just over a month and I absolutely love it. The texture is super soft and a little goes a long way. It glides over the skin and instantly plumps and softens without any greasiness or sticky residue. It contains my favourite ingredient, hyaluronic acid which binds moisture to skin while feeling weightless and leaving skin looking and feeling healthy. I think the name of this is extremely apt as it does feel like a cushion on your skin! It works brilliantly with other products and SPF layers well over this. Although this contains silicones it isn’t heavily packed with it and certainly doesn’t put me off. It has excellent ingredients including Watermelon Fruit Extract, Collagen Amino Acids, Aloe Vera and Lactic/Glycolic Acids. I haven’t suffered any breakouts with this so don’t let the ingredients list put you off. It hasn’t exacerbated congestion or left my skin irritated. It instantly calms and soothes my skin leaving is feeling comfortable.


Although this isn’t a cheap moisturiser it works brilliantly as a day or night cream. It works perfectly to seal moisture into skin and I think this would be a great option for those whose skin is a little confused. I have found it effective at balancing out oiliness whilst addressing any dry skin concerns. It won’t work miracles but it will do exactly what it says. I’ve found pairing this with a hyaluronic serum boosts the plumping effects and leaves skin in excellent bouncy condition. This will be my chosen moisturiser until it is empty and then I am sure I will repurchase at some point. It has beaten Sunday Riley’s Tidal to the top spot which was my favourite for a while! So far Zelens and this are leading…

Ingredients:

Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octadecane, Glyceryl Behenate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Phospholipids, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Citrus Sinensis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Acrylates/Carbamate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isododecane, Ceteareth-20, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA-Copperhttps://d.adroll.com/cm/aol/outhttps://d.adroll.com/cm/index/outhttps://d.adroll.com/cm/n/out



You can buy this moisturiser from here for £50.50.



Have you tried any Dr Dennis Gross products, if so what are your experiences? I am looking at the Daily Peels and the Hyaluronic Marine Moisture Cushion next!



Thanks for reading xx
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Tuesday, 6 June 2017

May Beauty Favourites...



Better late than never…this month has been all about new discoveries for me. I’ve been using quite a few new things all of which I’ve loved! Instead of listing them all and rambling I have cherry picked a few loves and then I will be doing upcoming detailed posts about them all individually plus the ones I’ve missed out…

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk

This is my first ever CT lipstick! I have been eyeing them up for ages so decided to bite the bullet. I went with this shade as it looked like a natural easily wearable colour. I am pleased to confirm I have been reaching for this all month! It is quite unusual for me to love a lip product so much. Usually I put them in my bag and forget all about them but with this I have been constantly reapplying. It leaves lips so comfortable and the staying power is excellent, even without a lipliner. The colour is perfect for me, a nude which enhances the natural colour of my lips. I love it!

Foreo Luna Play

I decided to purchase this as I had been wanting a ‘gadget’ for my skin and I didn’t want to spend huge amounts of money or buy a clarisonic. This little device is the size of a cotton pad and fits perfectly into your hand. I have been using it every other morning with the Oskia Renaissance cleanser, and have found it’s done an excellent job of bringing any congestion to the surface and leaving my skin much more radiant. I will be doing a full review of this shortly.

Jordan Samuel etOILe with Retinol

This is Jordan’s latest release which I managed to pick up when I met him and Jane Scrivner at the recent event they did in London last month. Aside from the fact I adore the man this product is seriously good. I’ve been using 4 drops every other day and I wake up with soft glowing skin. This is the first retinol I have been consistent with (I had used Sunday Riley Luna on and off previously) and I can definitely see the results from the ‘little and often’ mantra. Again, a full blog post is coming up on this…

Leahlani Mermaid Mask
Over the last month I have fallen in love with this mask. I apply to damp skin at least twice a week and leave for about 20-30 minutes. It’s truly gorgeous. My skin feels so calm and soft afterwards, it’s become my favourite weekly treat. I already have a backup of this ready and waiting so that tells you how much I like it! Packed with beautiful ingredients it really is superfood for your skin! I am looking forward to doing a review soon of all the Leahlani products I picked up during my trip to Hawaii, (hint I’ve been loving everything!!)

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Powder

This is not a new product for me but it’s been a firm favourite this month. With the warmer weather approaching (although as I write this its pouring with rain and blowing a gale :/) it has done an excellent job of preventing makeup melt down. I only use this for touch ups during the day as I keep it in my bag. It instantly mattifies without leaving skin flat and looks natural on the skin. I have recently hit the pan as you can see! I am not sure if I would repurchase as I love trying new things but I would definitely consider it. Plus all CT packaging is just beautiful!

What have you been loving this month?

Thanks for reading xx
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Friday, 2 June 2017

Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara - My New Favourite




I picked up this mascara from Sephora when in the US. Actually, I lie. My husband picked up this mascara when in the US! This was not on my ‘list’ but when he saw the name of it he wanted me to get it. Such typical male behaviour! He bought it for me, so of course I went along with it!
This mascara has been full of hype in the blogger world so naturally it wasn’t something I was eager to try, but I am so glad I did! It takes quite a lot for me to love a mascara fully, usually I find ones that tick a few boxes but not all. It has to be volumizing, lengthening, smudgeproof, clump free and work well on the top and bottom lashes. Not much to ask I know. The usual problem I have is that the brush works great on my top lashes but I can’t use it easily on the bottom tiny lashes. So, I always end up using 2 mascaras!


As you can see by the packaging Too Faced make some bold claims so I was fully expecting to be let down, but fortunately it was quite the opposite! I mean it’s not better than sex but we won’t go down that route...


The hourglass shaped brush which is supposed to mimic the bust-waist-hip ratio of a silver screen blonde bombshell is apparently the perfect silhouette to create voluptuous lashes. And I have to agree. When I saw the size of the brush I was certain I wouldn’t get on with it but I’ve been using this every day for the last month or so and I am on the love train. A few coats of this very intense black mascara lifts and lengthens my lashes to new heights. I couldn’t believe it when I looked in the mirror. The formula is quite thick but extremely buildable with no clumps. It gives a real nice curl and volume. In fact, I look like I have more lashes than I actually do! If that makes sense!
1 coat lifts, lengthens and separates, 2 coats adds more volume and curl, 3 coats and my lashes are pumped! I’ve ashamedly only worn false lashes twice in my whole life but this is as good as for me without the faff of glue and mess. The application is flawless despite the big brush and it is extremely easy to apply an even coverage. I start with the outside lashes and work my way into the corner of my eyes.  The brush is perfect for bottom lashes as the curve fits so nicely over them and one coat is enough to make them stand out.


So, there you have it, I love love love this mascara. It creates gorgeous blacker than black lashes and make my eyes stand out. I haven’t got any complaints with it! I want to say it ticks all the boxes, I am trying to find something wrong with it but I don’t think I can!
You can find this mascara here for £19 which I think is a fantastic price compared to some of the others I love (particularly the Lancome Hypnose range).
What is your favourite mascara? I'd love to hear!
Thanks for reading xx
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