Jurlique Activating Water Essence

September 21, 2016May 6, 2017 - Vicki 2 Comments

We are seeing Asian beauty influences in so many products being released by Western brands, only last week I blogged about the latest Lancome Cushion Makeup and it seems that the latest trend to hit our skincare routines is the Essence. I had to do a little background reading on just what exactly an Essence was and how best to use it in my skincare regime.

I thought I had a pretty rigorous regime and didn’t realise that there was room for one more step, a step that the Asian market have deemed to be one of the most important. So an Essence is not a toner, nope its used after both cleansing and toning, it can replenish moisture, balance skins PH levels and help skin look glowing. You use your hands to pat the product into your skin and let the rich, nourishing ingredients work their magic. One of the latest to hit the market is the Activating Water Essence from Australian skincare brand Jurlique & I have been putting it to the test.

**Jurlique Activating Water Essence* £40**

I thought adding another step to my skincare routine would be pointless and even more time consuming but I have to say this extra step has become one of my favourites. The action of patting the product into my skin is quite relaxing and my skin has felt a lot better too since introducing this. This product activates your skin in 3 ways

Hydrates – Delivers continuous hydration and lasting moisture
Conditions – Smooths skin to provide a soft, supple complexion
Revitalise – Revitalises and re-energises for healthy-looking skin

At the centre of its highly concentrated formula is their star ingredient – Marshmallow Root Extract, which is great at deeply hydrating skin and improving its ability to retain moisture. So what is it about Marshmallow Root that makes it such a good skincare ingredient,

Marshmallow Root Extract has been used throughout history as a healing treatment, it has anti inflammatory properties, its gentle and soothing on the skin whilst also being a natural hydrator.

The Marshmallow Root’s ability to attract and retain water allows it to provide lasting hydration to the skin. It forms a protective barrier that helps rebalance dry skin and prevent moisture loss to leave skin feeling soft and smooth.

Along side the Marshmallow Root there are also quite a few other natural ingredients including,

Neem – Conditions and soothes
Lavender – Hydrates and calms
Rosemary – Invigorates and restores
Horsetail – Hydrates and balances
Witch Hazel – Clarifies and firms
Nettle – Rebalances and refreshes
Peach Leaf – Revitalises, regenerates and protects

Since using this my skin doesn’t look as fatigued or dull and it has been really good at reducing the redness in my cheeks. I am pretty pleased to have this step in my routine and can see why it is so popular. This bottle is going to last ages, you only need to splash a few drops into your hands and because it is so fluid a little goes a long way.

Let me know if you already have this step in your routine & if you’re a fan of any other Korean / Japanese beauty regimes or products.

*PR Sample

Ideal World The One Stop Beauty Shop

September 20, 2016February 8, 2018 - Vicki 2 Comments

I’ve been trying a selection of beauty products which are available exclusively in the UK through Ideal World TV, who have an extensive range of makeup and skincare brands available on both their TV Channel & online shop. I have been aware of them for some time now but they’re constantly adding new product lines and always offering incredible deals. I thought I would share with you a few of the products, so you can get a little insight into a couple of the brands available.

Liquilift Slender Wrap

These come in a pack of 4, you place the wrap around the target area and they say you will see the best results if you’re able to leave it on overnight (not sure how comfortable that would be). These wraps are designed to smooth, tighten, hydrate skin leaving it more slender. These contain skin-loving ingredients including, Seaweed, Ivy, Rosemary, Jojoba, Menthol and a range of essential vitamins. I love a face mask but not sure how I feel about a body wrap. I guess the results may be short-lived, I haven’t used this yet & if I am honest I’m not overly excited to.

Beauty Pro Rejuvenating Collagen Mask

Now, this is 100% more my cup of tea. Sheet masks are so popular right now and I love using them. If you’re new to the craze that is the sheet mask, they’ve been hugely popular in Korea for years and are a one use cotton / cloth mask saturated in powerful ingredients to help keep your skin looking its best. There are so many varieties on the market and are specific to your skin needs. This one from Beauty Pro is formulated with Green Tea Extract which combats oil, rehydrates skin and gives your skin a beautiful healthy glow. This one has a great amount of liquid which feels cooling and relaxing on the skin, I left this on for a little over 20 minutes, my skin felt instantly hydrated and did look fresher. These masks are great to travel with as they’re compact and help refresh skin after flying, or during your long haul flight if you’re brave enough to apply it. These come in a pack of 5 individual masks.

Elizabeth Grant Firming Eye Pads

These eye pads are on a similar vein to the sheet masks but these are specifically a treatment for your under eye area. These are so easy to apply and give an instant result to puffy tired eyes. I leave them on for as long as I can, to get every ounce of benefit out of them. They’re great to use before an important event or again after travelling and help revive and brighten your under eye. After I take them off I pat in what product is left under my eye. You get 12 sets in each pack.

Elizabeth Grant Hydra Cell Active Hand Cream

This is a nice rich but lightweight hand cream it helped hydrate my hands and stop them looking dry. Its lightweight formula sinks in quickly but leaves hands feeling protected. You can never own too many hand creams, I have them stashed all over the place but especially in my car and handbag.

Elizabeth Grant Wonder Effect Glycolic Mask

I have yet to put this to the test but Glycolic Acid products are really popular in the beauty world right now because of its exfoliating and skin rejuvenating qualities. This mask is a creamy, hydrating clay mask and loaded with 10% glycolic acid and Torricelum. The mask helps draw out deep impurities, encourages healthy new skin cells to reveal themselves, tightens pores, reduces lines, and moisturises. So with all those potential benefits I am excited to use this.

Skinn Cosmetics Makeup

I have tried a couple of products from this brand and I really liked the eyeshadow palette, so was excited to test out more from their range. The Plasma Fusion Full Pigment Lipstick in the shade Natural Kiss has such a creamy, hydrating formula and it felt so smooth and comfortable on the lips. Its a very wearable pink and the perfect everyday shade. This range of lipsticks offer, ‘the best of four worlds in one handy tube. The outer layer is filled with rich, full-pigmented pure colour lipstick that goes on smooth and even, with the staying power of a stain. While the inner core is infused with Argan Oil and Rosehip Oil to sooth and nourish lips, adding a subtle glossy finish to those rich coloured lips’

I have also been trying the Skinn Luxe Waterproof Eyeliner in Rich Black. This wasn’t too smooth to apply and I did notice it feathered out in the fine lines on my eyelid. I will say the colour is very pigmented and once it dries there is no budging, it stays in place all day. So if you want to smoke this out you have about 2 minutes before it won’t move. It didn’t irritate my eyes but you will need a good cleanser to get this waterproof liner off.

Wet Brush Detangle Professional

These brushes are a must of you struggle with knotty hair after washing, these are specifically designed to be used on wet hair. Wet brushes come in a range of sizes and styles, this one is neon green & yellow and the rubber coated handle for grip, the super thin, flexible bristles detangle tough knots with ease. The great thing about these brushes is they doesn’t tug, snap or damage your hair so you can detangle it knowing your hair isn’t getting damaged. Also because they’re so gentle they prevent split ends.

If you haven’t already browsed the beauty department on Ideal World TV make sure you pop over. You might discover some interesting new brands and great offers.

*PR Sample

Eye Products & Skincare Edit

September 15, 2016October 16, 2016 - Vicki 1 Comment

I’m sharing a few of my favourite eye products (makeup & skincare) in this post & one of my all time favourite facial cleansers too.

Lancome Grandiose Mascara

As most of you know I love Lancome Mascara’s (all of them) they’re fantastic quality, extremely black and they never dry out. I don’t rate many high-end mascara’s but Lancome just never disappoint, they never irritate my eyes, flake or smudge. I have repurchased them over & over again and when people ask me to recommend a high-end mascara I always point them in the direction of Lancome, simply because they won’t let you down. The Grandiose comes with this innovative wand which allows you to get right down to the lash line & also right in to the corner so every eyelash is coated. It also gives that fluttery lash effect by pushing up your lashes and fanning them out, giving them length and volume.

Zoeva Cat Eye Pen*

If you like a your eyeliner to be the blackest of black then this Zoeva Cat Eye Pen is a must, its so pigmented and applies smoothly without dragging. The tapered nib gives you fantastic precision, so you can achieve a very neat cat eye flick. I have to say I always opt for liquid liners and in particular the felt tip style as they’re so effortless to use. Let me know if you have any liquid liner recommendations.

Merumaya Luxury Face Wash

I have loved this face wash for 3 years now, its one of Merumaya’s cult products and one of mine too! I find this face wash calming on my skin and it leaves it feeling very clean but not stripped or dry. It is a very good cleanser for blemish prone skin and helps reduce, calm any active breakouts. Although I wouldn’t recommend using this on your eyes, its one of my favourite face washes to use after removing my eye makeup with a separate micellar water.

Pomegranate Enzymes help exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells
Mangosteen and Baobab extractprovide antioxidant protection
Great for blemish prone skin & Anti Ageing
Helps keep oily skin balanced
Unclogs pores and helps keep skin radiant

Elemis Smart Cleanse Micellar Water

This micellar water is a quick and easy way of removing the bulk of your makeup, especially if you’re wearing a lot. You soak your cotton wool pad and gently sweep it across your face to remove your makeup (pressing it gently on your eye for a minute or so to help loosen your eye makeup), I only use this as a pre cleanse, but it is a quick, easy step to help remove stubborn eye makeup without rubbing your eyes & loosing all your eyelashes. This Elemis one is lovely and gentle and it removes my makeup, particularly my eye makeup with ease. It contains quite a few skin loving ingredients too,

‘Cleansing micelles, attracting both water and oil-based grime are enhanced with a complex of natural surfactants derived from Apple amino acids, Rosehip Seed oil and Indian Soapnut to lift impurities from the skin. Infused with organic English Rose water and soothing anti-oxidant rich Chamomile, skin is gently cleansed, whilst the natural moisture barrier is maintained’

I am saving this 30ml bottle to take with me on my city break to Amsterdam later this month, I have already packed my skincare. I know I am premature but I like to be organised.

JustBe Eye Makeup Remover

If you like to use a product that is specifically for removing eye makeup then the JustBe Eye Makeup Remover is one of the best I have tried. It even stands up to stubborn waterproof mascara. This has a fluid, gel like texture and it smells beautifully botanical. You simply apply the product to a damp cotton pad & press down gently on your eyes, holding in place for about 1 minute. Then sweep across your eye, removing eye makeup & any dirt and grime from the day. This is very effective and leaves my eye area feeling clean, smooth and hydrated. JustBe are a lovely natural, handmade brand based in Scotland & their products all sound incredible. Let me know if you have tried anything from them and what you’d recommend.

Liz Earle Eye Bright Soothing Eye Lotion

This is such a wonderful product if like me you struggle with early mornings. I keep my bottle in my fridge so its much cooler, I soak two cotton pads and hold them over my eyes whilst I wait for my kettle to boil. This helps sooth and de puff my sleepy eyes and helps me wake up (a little). As with all Liz Earle skincare is contains some lovely naturally active ingredients, including the herb eyebright, witch hazel, aloe vera and cornflower to cool and soothe the delicate eye area. Ideal for those early mornings.

*PR sample

NIOD Flavanone Mud QVC Exclusive

September 12, 2016January 21, 2018 - Vicki Leave a comment

I have always had my eye on so many NIOD products because they get such incredible reviews and the packaging is right up my street. Simple, clean and modern its so cool. I have been testing out their very popular Flavanone Mud (FM) Mask which for the month of September is available in a SUPERSIZED 100ml edition exclusively to QVC. So if you are a fan of this mask and prefer a tube instead of the original 50ml jar packaging then what are you waiting for, you need to stock up.

This is also an incredible deal as 100ml is only £38 whereas 50ml will set you back £24.50. So you’re getting fab new packaging and a deluxe supersized version for a bargain price.

How to use:

Use once a week
Apply a thin layer of Flavanone Mud to your entire cleansed dry face, avoiding the lower and upper eyelids
Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm water
There will be a stinging sensation which increases for a few minutes after the product is rinsed off

This comes out a very unusual orangey, brown shade and does tighten on the skin over the 10 minutes but it is not uncomfortable and the stinging sensation isn’t as dramatic as I was prepared for. So don’t panic. I smoothed a very thin layer over my face using a brush & just left it to work its magic.

So the magic is that this is one of the best mud masks I have tried and I have tried quite a lot. This mask works in three phases

Purifying Phase

This phase is the simplest one in the formulation and the one that is most closely aligned with masques as they are known today. In this phase, surface impurities—which include oil- and water-soluble pollution, cosmetic product build-up and excess sebum activity build-up—are physically solubilized and removed.

Protective Phase

This phase of FM’s formulation offers the most innovative approach to decongestion by introducing technologies that offer a physical shield against external build-up.

Responsive Phase

This phase of the formulation introduces mechanisms that fight against environmental congestion factors. This phase is the most important phase of FM as it respects health and longevity. The presence of “Flavanone” in the name of the product emphasizes the importance of this phase.
The result of this combined approach is a topical purification process that allows for a form of sustained visible radiance that is not “fabricated” through short-term inflammation or peeling.

There are so many wonderful ingredients included in this mask and NIOD are very cutting edge with the designing and formulation of their products, they like to go about things a little differently. Which is very intriguing and exciting.

With a commitment to be at the very forefront of science, NIOD (Non Invasive Options in Dermal Science) brings new innovations out ahead of the curve, adapting to the needs of modern-day skincare and pioneering next-generation beauty.

Quite a few whiteheads came to the surface after using this but after using it over the past 2 weeks. My skin is now looking healthy and feels smooth and soft.

‘FM is designed to be used once per week. Its action may lead to a stinging sensation which actually increases for a few minutes after the product is rinsed-off. The product should be applied on clean, dry skin as a very thin even layer and left on for 10 minutes. Some benefit will be seen immediately after the first use, but the benefits will be more evident 24-48 hours after application and will continue to be maintained with continued use. Note: An accelerated method of use would be to use FM once per day for the first five days followed by weekly maintenance applications.’

So as you can see the mask is a dark burnt orange and its formula is thinner and feels almost like a serum when applying it, it is very easy and smooth to apply and surprisingly easy to remove with warm water and a flannel. Even after one use, you will notice a difference in the texture of your skin.

If you often see very little results from your regular Mud Mask then I think its time you tried this Flavanone Mud Mask. It’s a fantastic decongestant and I usually have quite a few small spot like bumps around my jaw and chin, after 6 or so uses they have all but disappeared. Also, mud masks can be drying and leave your skin feeling stripped but this NIOD release does the opposite. Your skin feels hydrated and nourished after using it despite it drawing out all the dirt, sebum and grime from your skin. It really is a multi-purpose mask and I can see why it always sells out so fast, they struggle to make it quick enough to keep up with demand.

If you like this kind of exfoliating, resurfacing mask then I guarantee you are going to love this NIOD one.

NIOD Flavanone Mud 100ml £38