Estée Lauder Gift With Purchase

September 9, 2016 - Vicki Leave a comment

Estée Lauder Gift With Purchase, Exclusively at House of Fraser*

During September at House of Fraser you can pick up this fantastic Estée Lauder Gift With Purchase when you buy 2 products from their counter (1 is to be either skincare or foundation).

Inside this lovely blue and white printed bag you get a fantastic selection of 7 Estée Lauder beauty essentials, including some of their best sellers and a lovely mix of skincare and makeup. All the products are deluxe samples which are a really great way of getting to know a brand and also testing out if you’d like to buy the full sized version. I think a lot of you will be heading back to the counter to do just that after trying out a few of these products.

Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion 30ml

This is a gentle makeup remover which promises to remove even stubborn waterproof mascara. This will leave your skin soft, clean and smooth leaving behind no greasy, oily residue. Also this is a very decent 30ml sample, which will last for quite a few face washes!

DayWear Advanced Creme SPF15 15ml

This lovely lightweight day cream is rich in antioxidants and also has broad spectrum SPF15 so not only does it fight the early signs of aging it will help protect your skin from further damage which causes premature aging. It smells fresh and feels cooling on the skin. You get a 15ml deluxe sample which comes in a luxurious glass jar. I was so excited to try this out and will be taking it with me on an upcoming City Break.

New Dimension Shape & Fill Expert Serum 7ml

Serums are always a step I really enjoy in my skincare routine & Estée Lauder do some of my favourites although this is a fairly new release so its new to me & I’m very excited to try it out. This serum is all about plumping, lifting and improving facial contours with Estée Lauder’s Shaping Technology and pro-collagen complex which are designed to help improve both visible volume and structure. So this sounds like a power house of a serum and I am excited to have a 2 week sample.

Advanced Night Repair 7ml

I am already a massive fan of this and have raved about it on my blog before, but it’s just a fantastic serum for making your skin look even, radiant and well rested. It 100% works and I am excited to have this mini sized version to take away with me. This is a great product to see included in this Free Gift and one I know a lot of people will fall in love with.

Advanced Night Repair Eye 5ml

So this is a fantastic eye cream, well its more like a gel formula which is so fluid and lightweight. It is designed to tackle a whole list of skin concerns including, every key visible sign of eye ageing: fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, dark circles, dryness and uneven skin tone. Its pretty wonderful and a pot lasts for a very very long time as you only need to apply a very small amount.

Pure Colour Intense Kajal Eyeliner in Blackened Black

A kajal pencil eyeliner is a staple in every makeup bag, they can be applied lightly for a little definition, smoked out for a more intense look or just smudged along the upper & lower lash lines for that sultry effortless look. This is smooth, easy to apply and jet black. This is the perfect travel sized liner & is going straight into makeup bag.

Pure Colour Envy Sculpting Gloss 4.6ml

I am not a huge lipgloss wearer but I think I am in the minority there. This gloss is in the shade Reckless Bloom and is a shimmery pink. These glosses are formulated to make your lips look more plump and give you that perfect pout. They’re a hydrating gloss for smooth, lasting shine that starts with a subtle hint of colour and builds to the intensity you desire. Immediately, lips are moisturised with no stickiness.

This Free Gift With Purchase from Estée Lauder is jam packed with everything you need to keep your skin looking and feeling amazing. It includes 7 Deluxe Samples and amongst them are new releases, international best sellers and some of Estée Lauder most iconic products.

So head to the Estée Lauder counter at House of Fraser and take advantage of this offer during September (whilst stock lasts).

Origins Three Part Harmony Moisturiser

September 5, 2016January 21, 2018 - Vicki 1 Comment

Origins Three Part Harmony £60

Over the past 15 years as my skin has changed, aged and matured, Origins skincare have really been a consistent part of my skincare journey. At some point along the way I have used almost all of their options, some I have moved on from but there are still a few which I have never stopped loving, like their Mega Mushroom Range & also the very popular GinZing Range. They have such a fantastic range of skincare which caters to a spectrum of skin concerns and ages too.

I have been using this Three Point Harmony Cream (the three-point refers to Renewal, Repair and Radiance) for a whole year now & its a really great option for me, now I’m almost in my 40’s, as I said my skin has changed so much and I find I’m reaching for skincare which is more nourishing and keeps my skin hydrated which in turn stops my fine lines looking so prominent. This has been a very good moisturiser for making my skin look its best, not younger or less old but radiant and refreshed.

This does have a rich, thick consistency but once you massage it in, it feels luxurious and your skin is so moisturised, without leaving behind any greasy residue. It leaves the skin feeling very smooth, supple and instantly radiant. Post application you do notice an instant smoothness and the scent is beautifully sweet & uplifting.

This cream has some really lovely skin beneficial ingredients, specifically to pep up your skin and help it look more rejuvenated and glowing.

‘This intensely rich cream with Tazetta Lily Bulbs, White Myrtle and Japanese Knot Weed helps produce youthful supplies of natural collagen to help visibly repair skin’s structure. Fine lines and wrinkles are softened. With deeply nourishing plant butters plus Vitamin E, this luscious cream renews skin’s hydration levels. With Scutellaria, it helps reveal radiance, refine tone and brighten skin to impart a healthy, vibrant glow.’

This cream tackles those skin concerns which become more prominent as our skin matures and its exciting that Origins have extended their range to cater for more mature skin types. I am hoping they add a toner and a face mask to this range in the near future.

I am very much enjoying this cream but I’ve only got a tiny amount left so I have been saving to get a new pot, as I don’t think I can be without it in my routine. Its made such a difference to my dry, dull complexion that I am willing to spend the £60 on a new jar.

Speaking of the jar, this Origins cream comes exquisitely packaged in a luxurious weighty glass jar with a lightly coloured faux wooden lid. It looks pretty, understated and luxurious.

I have heard so many positive reviews about the Serum from this Three Part Harmony Collection that I am very tempted to also purchase that too. If you have tried this range let me know your thoughts & if I should get the Serum too.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ Unifiant

August 30, 2016April 20, 2025 - Vicki 3 Comments

I think everyone has heard of the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo(+) range & quite rightly too because it’s nothing short of wonderful. This is a range of skincare is formulated to be an effective anti imperfection treatment, it helps reduce and control blemish breakouts as well as tackling those pesky blemish scars. It’s also fantastic at controlling oil, reducing redness and acting as an anti-inflammatory – so it’s soothing and calming on the skin. This range knocks it out of the pack when it comes to looking after blemish prone skin!

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo(+) Unifiant

The exciting news is that La Roche Posay has released Effaclar Duo(+) Unifiant which combine their best-selling Effaclar Duo+ formula with mineral pigments that give the skin a light tint to even out skin tone and add that healthy glow to the skin. It’s like a proper BB Cream, combining incredible skincare benefits with makeup. I was very excited to give this a go because I prefer to wear a light coverage base most days and the fact this is giving you the same skin loving Effaclar Duo+ formula, so I know my skin is in great hands alongside providing a nice coverage, is super exciting.

This product feels lightweight on the skin and is easy to blend out to ensure you get an even coverage. It provides me with a good light natural coverage, but don’t worry it does a fantastic job of neutralising redness and evening out skin tone so you get a healthy radiant but natural semi-matte finish.

At its core, this product is a blemish treatment with the added benefit of giving your skin a beautiful lightweight tint, so it lets your skin breathe, won’t clog pores and leaves your skin looking smooth. I am a huge fan and have been wearing it a lot these past few weeks. It is a very nice option for the warmer months because it does feel so lightweight on the skin.

Key Ingredients & Skincare Benefits

Piroctone Olamine – to combat bacterial infection
Linoleic Acid – to regulate sebum
Niacinamide – an anti-inflammatory ingredient for intensive smoothing
Procerad – a pluripotent ceramide to diffuse inflammation within 1 day and prevent and treat post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
LHA – for keratolytic action (speeding cell renewal)

At the moment this only comes in two shades Fair/Light & Light/Medium, and I have the Fair/Light shade which is an OK match for me during the Summer months but will be too dark for me as we head into Autumn / Winter.

It’s exciting to see La Roche Posay extending their Effaclar Duo(+) Range, and for me this newest release ticks so many boxes. I could go on about its benefits for a very long time, but keeping it as short as I can, Unifiant is great in controlling shine, reducing redness, evening out skin tone, reducing blemish scars and providing a natural tint without clogging pores.

I did notice that La Roche Posay also offer an Unifiant version of my favourite Anthelios Facial SPF which I am excited to try next.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] Unifiant 40ml*

*PR sample

5 From bareMinerals

August 23, 2016October 16, 2016 - Vicki 3 Comments

I really like doing these 5 From One Brand posts & this one has been a long time coming. I have used bareMinerals makeup for years & first discovered it on a trip to NYC back in 2006. So its a brand I have stuck with for years now. They have recently released their skincare collection and if you haven’t already you must pop to your nearest counter to check it out. I have included a mix of skincare & makeup and to be honest I could have included at least 10 of my favourite bareMinerals products in this post but I was very disciplined and managed to narrow it down to my 5 absolute favourites which I would recommend to anyone in a heartbeat.

Pop of Passion in Pink Passion Lip Oil Balm

These lip balms from bareMinerals have a hydrating oil-rich formula so your lips feel nourished whilst also giving them a beautiful wash of colour. They come in 8 easy to wear colours and I have two shades, a more neutral beige and this gorgeous sweet pink. These aren’t as sheer as some lip balms but they’re also not going to give you the vibrancy of a lipstick, they offer a happy medium which I think make them the perfect everyday lip option. The formula contains passion fruit seed oil and vitamin E which nourish and hydrate the lips for maximum comfort and gives them a lovely glossy finish.

bareSkin Complete Coverage Serum Concealer

This concealer ticks so many boxes, it offers incredible hydration whilst giving amazing coverage. It has a very fluid formula which initially makes you think its not going to stand up against dark circles, redness or blemishes but you would be very wrong. The lightweight, fluid formula is so easy to blend out and gives you a very seamless finish which you can build up depending on what you want to coverup. This concealer also has a brightening effect so its not going too look dull or heavy on the skin, its beautiful to apply and is long wearing. This along with the Complexion Rescue have been my Summer Dream Team.

SkinLongevity Vital Power Infusion

This is the most recent addition to my skincare routine and also a new release from bareMinerals. Their skincare collection has been very well received since its launch earlier this year and this product in particular seems to one of the most recommended items form the range. It comes packaged in the most beautiful sleek glass bottle, its so weighty and feels luxurious. The product itself has a very fluid formula, much more so than your average serum, once applied to the skin it absorbs quickly but does leave behind a slight residue on the skin, after using it for a couple of days this didn’t bother me.

It contains Long Life Herb Extract, California Poppy and Lempuyang Ginger to promote vitality and give the skin a lovely radiance. When I apply this essence / serum my skin feels and looks smooth, bright and hydrated. This has really helped my tired, often dull skin look a more refreshed and naturally glowing and because its so nourishing it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines by hydrating the skin and giving them that smooth, soft focus look. If you are into skincare and don’t mind splashing out (just a little) then this might be one skincare item to check out. The 50ml of product you get is going to last months, because its a fluid and you only need 2 pumps for you whole face & neck.

Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream

I have mentioned this base a lot on my blog & I can say honestly say its one of, if not my favourite light to medium coverage base. It gives your skin a natural, even, radiant finish and it wears very well throughout the day. I prefer to wear a base with SPF during the day and the Complexion rescue offers a Broad Spectrum SPF30 so you’re well covered. Its a skincare, makeup hybrid which is fab & it contains lots of skin loving ingredients including

Olive derived squalane – nourishing, hydrating and boosts the skins ability to regenerate
Marine botanicals – help refuel thirsty skin and enhance skins appearance
Water loving humectants,Tehalsose and glycerine– which locks in moisture
Heart leaf globe daisy – an antioxidant, defends skin from from environmental aggressors
Calcium and Magnesium – help replenish the skin and promote the skins moisture balance
SPF30 PA+++ this also contains a broad spectrum SPF to protect the skin against UVA & UVB rays

I could say wonderful things about this product all day and I have done in many a post. So I won’t go on & on, all I will say is if you’re looking for a beautiful lightweight base with a decent amount of coverage then this has to be top of the list! If you want to read a more in depth review & see what it looks like on the skin click here —> bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Review

Mineral Veil Finishing Powder

Another best selling product from bareMinerals and one that most people associate with the brand. I have been through many a pot of this loose setting powder, although these are not great to travel with it is still one of my favourite setting powders. It has such a lightweight, finely milled formula that instantly gives your makeup that soft focus finish. It never feels heavy or like you have too much makeup on, instead it can really refresh your makeup and help keep it in place all day. I have quite oily skin so a powder is a step I always do, this mineral powder is fantastic at helping eliminate oil and keep your skin looking radiant but with a slight matte finish. If you are on the fence about trying a loose powder don’t be, this one lives up to its reputation and a pot will last you so long. Its a worthy investment and a product you need in your makeup bag! I have the original shade in this which is translucent so it doesn’t add any more colour to your skin, bareMinerals does do a tinted version if you prefer.

What are you favourite products from bareMinerals?

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