Skincare

Garnier Ultimate Blends Restoring Lotion

- Vicki 2 Comments
Garnier Body products

Garnier Ultimate Blends Restoring Body Lotion

After the success of their Ultimate Blends Haircare range, Garnier has released the new Ultimate Blends Body, which caters for targeted skin concerns. There are four blends to pick from, including

  • Marvellous Oils
  • Mythic Olive
  • Delicate Oat
  • Honey Treasures

I have been using two products from the Honey Treasures range, which is the range targeted at restoring very dry skin. So if your skin is suffering in this cold dry weather, and you want to get your legs Spring ready, then I think you will love the results of this blend. It is blended with what Garnier call 3 treasures from the Beehive, which are

  • Royal Jelly – A revitalising elixir renowned for its restoring properties
  • Propolis – A remarkable ingredient which acts as a protective barrier
  • Honey – A nourishing and smoothing nectar

Garnier Ultimate Blends Restoring Lotion Honey Treasures*

This comes with a pump, always handy when applying body lotion, and the texture is lovely and creamy. It feels rich and instantly smoothing on the skin. I like to use this one in the morning as out of the two it is more lightweight and leaves my skin smooth, soft and gives just enough hydration so it doesn’t feel greasy under my clothes. I hate that feeling.

Garnier Honey Treasures Body Lotions

Garnier Ultimate Blends Restoring Body Butter Honey Treasures*

This, as you would guess, has a much thicker texture than the lotion, so I like to use this at night when I have more time to let it sink in. If I put it on before bed, my skin feels supple, smooth and nourished. This is a great product if you suffer from dry skin, it’s extremely hydrating. It is a little more tacky on the skin than the lotion, but after it has been on for 10 minutes or so, it feels lovely.

Also, the scent of this range is rich, and I think smells quite like caramel. It’s lovely sweet, and I can smell it on myself for hours after applying it. I am a big fan of these new additions to the Garnier range, and they are helping me get my skin ready for the warmer months, Spring is on its way.

Garnier Ultimate Blends

*PR Sample

Aldi Lacura Caviar Skincare

- Vicki 5 Comments
Aldi Caviar Skincare

Aldi Lacura Caviar Skincare

When Aldi first released its eagerly awaited Caviar skincare range it sold out almost immediately which isn’t surprising after all the rave reviews it received, from the likes of Good Housekeeping to the Guardian. I have tried a few skincare products from budget-friendly supermarket Aldi and I have to say they have always impressed me. I love to find purse friendly alternatives that work.

So the Lacura Caviar range has ingredients that you expect to find in more expensive brands but Aldi are known for bringing affordable alternatives to the masses and they hit the headlines with this range. The key ingredients that everyone’s talking about are

Caviar – This ingredient is known to revitalise and promote regeneration and collagen production. As well as protecting skin from environmental aggressors.

Snow Algae – This ingredient is known to help restore your skins natural glow and increase hydration

Affordable Aldi Caviar Skincare

Lacura Caviar Illumination Day Cream SPF15* £6.99

This moisturiser isn’t lightweight as I hoped but it doesn’t feel greasy on the skin, I like to take a minute to massage it into my skin and I don’t use too much product. It has a generic cream scent which isn’t unpleasant or overpowering. The cream feels very hydrating and leaves my skin soft. I like that it contains SPF15 UVA & UVB protection as well as Hyaluronic Acid which has become such a popular and sought-after ingredient in skincare because of it ability to help skin retain moisture, it’s also good at protecting skin from environmental aggressors. It contains the two ingredients mentioned above, Caviar & Snow Algae so for a very affordable price you’re getting an ingredient rich moisturiser. I can see why this flies off the shelves and has become so popular.

Alsi Caviar Moisturising Day Cream

Lacura Caviar Illumination Night Cream* £6.99

This has a similar texture and scent to the day cream, it’s slightly creamier in colour. This has been a really lovely night cream and it leaves your skin feeling supple, hydrated and smooth by morning. It contains mostly the same key ingredients as the Caviar day cream but it also has Pro-Vitamin B5 which helps soothe and repair skin, so by morning your skin is looking and feeling a little better. Again this night cream contains that sought-after Caviar, Snow Algae and Hyaluronic Acid so if you use both the day & night cream in your routine you’re giving your skin a real boost of hydration and nourish your skin so it looks more radiant.

Aldi Lacura Caviar Night Cream

The packaging of both products feel luxurious, the pots are glass which is quite weighty with silver plastic lids. The design looks simple and a lot more expensive than they are. Yes, I’m very impressed with this range, I wasn’t expecting much but they’re as good as many of my more expensive products. I will be recommending it to my mum, I think she will really like the night cream especially.

I think this duo is pretty fantastic and the price point just makes it all the more incredible. People with oil-prone skin may find the day cream a little heavy but I would recommend trying these out and for the price, I think you will be surprised at the positive results.

Let me know what your favourite affordable skincare products are.

Lacura Caviar Skincare is available in Aldi stores nationwide.

*PR Sample

Merumaya Gentle Exfoliating Toner

- Vicki 8 Comments
Merumaya Gentle Exfoliating Toner

Merumaya Gentle Exfoliating Toner

As most of you are aware British skincare brand Merumaya have been a favourite of mine for a while now, they’re always expanding their range with innovative and affordable products. The Gentle Exfoliating Toner is their latest offering and once again they have produced an affordable product that rivals even the more expensive brands.

Merumaya Gentle Exfoliating Toner* £17.50

I always like to use a toner as part of my skincare regime so I was very excited to start using this new Exfoliating Toner and see what the results were. The packaging is much like the rest of the Merumaya range which is simple and user-friendly The product itself is packed full of active ingredients some of which give immediate results and others that are more effective when used over a period of time, I have learned that skincare isn’t always about those instant gains but often about looking after your skin every day in order to see long-term positive results.

I will let Merumaya explain the most scientific stuff,

  • Natural Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) to gently yet effectively peel away dead skin, detoxify, cleanse and refine pores to reveal fresh smooth skin. It contains a complex of moisturising active ingredients to prevent skin drying out after the exfoliation.
  • Natural AHA’s Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are proven to act as exfoliants, loosening and removing the top layer of dead cells by decreasing corneocyte adhesion. This reveals the new skin cells below. Natural AHA Complex provides a superficial peel action resulting in an improved surface appearance for a fresher, smoother look to the skin. AHAs help to remove dry skin and can be useful in treating blemished or problem skin, unblocking and cleansing pores.
  • Hyaluronic Acid is highly prized for excellent hydration which helps provide plumpness and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Natural Betaine is an osmoregulator manages water balance in skin cells. It can hold 1.6 times its own weight in water. It hydrates and softens the surface of the skin resulting in a soft and even finish.

I found this toner to be very gentle despite their being acid in this product, so don’t be put off by that. The acid is great for gently removing the dead skin, dirt and stubborn makeup you may have missed when cleansing. Removing this build up on a regular basis keeps your skin clean, evens out skin tone and helps your skin look more radiant.

Reducing the build-up of dirt also stops your pores getting clogged up which helps reduce blemishes and blackheads. I have noticed my skin feels softer, smoother and fresher.

This 128ml bottle will last a good amount of time because you only need a small amount each time and the dispenser is good at only allowing a little product out at a time.

Once again Merumaya has made a product that will work on all skin types and that you can afford to repurchase time and time again. Let me know if you have any favourites from the Merumaya range, I would also recommend trying their Melting Cleansing Balm and the Iconic Youth Serum.

What I also love about Merumaya is their focus on promoting #BeautyHasNoAge – so their products are not focused or targeted at Anti Aging but feeling positive about our age and embracing the changes that happen as we grow older. I love this positive message and Maleka, the incredible lady behind the brand has made a video all about it which I encourage you to watch.

*PR Sample

February 2016 Product Empties

- Vicki 4 Comments
Feb Empties 2016

Feb 2016 Product Empties

Vichy Pureté Thermale Fresh Cleansing Gel

I loved using this in the evening as a second cleanse, you apply it to damp skin and massage the gel to give your skin a deep cleanse. It has a thick gel consistency and at the heart of the formula is the expert anti-pollution complex Purisoft, which is composed of Amilite Technology to soften the effect of hard water, Glycerin to moisturise, and Moringa to cleanse dust, excess sebum and pollution from the skin. It leaves your skin feeling clean without it feeling tight and stripped. This bottle lasted me almost a year & I used it about 3 times a week, the pump dispenser meant that I used just the right amount each night without any waste – one pump was enough product!

Merumaya Confidensual Handwash

This was a really gentle but effective handwash, it has a creamy consistency and is very moisturising. I wash my hands a lot during the day, I work from home & I like to have nice products by my sink and this was a pleasure to use. This handwash has a sophisticated fragrance and If you are familiar with Merumaya products then you will recognise their signature scent, which I love. You can smell this on your hands long after you’ve washed them. This bottle lasted me months and I will 100% repurchase. If you’re looking for a gentle handwash that will leave your hands soft and nourished then I highly recommend checking out this one from British brand Merumaya.

DHC Resveratrol Ultra Hydrating Lotion*

Cult Japanese skincare brand DHC released their Resveratrol range last year and I have only good things to say about it. There are three products in the range, a moisturiser, essence (serum) and a toner and they’re aimed at combating the first signs of ageing. The key ingredient Resveratrol is a polyphenol antioxidant found in the skin of red grapes which helps fight visible signs of ageing and from what I can tell it’s doing a great job at keeping my skin looking plump, radiant and very smooth. It is also good at protecting skin from environmental aggressors which play a big part in causing your skin to look dull and feel dehydrated. This toner is perfect for all skin types and is hydrating, soothing and feels really refreshing, I like to use this morning and night. I am using the whole regime but I seem to have used the toner a lot faster than the other two steps. This is quite an expensive range but if you are looking for some new skincare additions then I recommend checking them out.

Jurlique Nutri Define Superior Retexturising Facial Serum

This is like magic in a bottle, I used this serum as part of my night-time skincare regime and it makes my skin look and feels amazing. It might feel lightweight but it’s jam packed with skin benefits including ‘Rosemary leaf extract, glycogen, peppermint leaf and horseradish, the innovative formula gives an instantly cooling effect, whilst unique Biosome5 technology helps to improve skin texture. Also containing licorice, ginseng and mulberry root extracts, this facial serum promises to redefine and replenish the skin’. 

So many wonderful ingredients and this serum really works to make your skin look its best. Its refreshing, hydrating and so nourishing. I have missed using this these past couple of weeks and can’t wait to have it back in my routine.

*PR Sample