Skincare

Delving into My Sample Stash #4

- Vicki 3 Comments

Beauty Product Sample Stash

This is the 4th post in this series and it has been a while since I rummaged around in my sample drawer and I have had some lovely products hidden away in there. Samples are a great way to try new products and get a feel for them before you splash out on the full size & who doesn’t love a miniature product they look so damn cute.

Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation SPF 30

I really really like this its so lightweight when you apply it and I found it so easy to blend into my skin for a flawless finish. It covers imperfections and redness without looking like you have a ton of product on. This is also one of those bases that actually looks better as the day goes on – I do have to powder because this is a dewy finish and my t zone can look quite oily but thats normal for me. I am using this sparingly because the full size does have a hefty price tag but I do think its worth the money.

Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil

I like to use face oils and this Blue Orchid one from Clarins is lovely and hydrating. Its so good for my skin over the colder months because it is packed full of incredible ingredients like –  extracts of Rosewood, Patchouli and Blue Orchid to tone, revitalise and restore radiance to moisture-depleted skin. Hazelnut Oil helps prevent moisture loss and the formation of fine lines. So if you have dry or dehydrated skin you might really benefit from using this. This mini bottle is just too cute & I’m taking it with me on my trip to Scotland to keep my skin nourished and combat the effects of the cold weather on my skin.

YSL Touche Éclat Blur Primer

Everything about this feels luxurious, the packaging is lovely and the product itself is a clear gel with the most beautiful golden shimmer running through it. It looks gorgeous in the bottle. I have only used this a couple of times but It helped my skin feel smooth and the shimmer didn’t look OTT on my face, once applied the primer has more of a subtle glow. I like that not only is this a primer but it also adds radiance to my skin. This primer feels comfortable on the skin and not greasy or too heavy. It did help my makeup last longer and it kept everything in place all day. It is a luxurious product so I am not too sure if I would buy the full size.

Caudalie Divine Oil

This oil smells so good, its a multi purpose oil and can be used in so many ways on your body, face and hair. I love products that have more than one use – they’re great for travelling. I like to use it on my legs after shaving and I also apply it to my cuticles before bed, its such a nourishing oil and leaves my skin feeling soft and supple. Divine Oil contains a blend of grapeseed, hibiscus, sesame, and argan oils combined with patented grapeseed antioxidant polyphenols to leave skin soft, firm, and radiant. Perfect as a post-sun product, its glamorous texture is instantly absorbed, imparting a subtle, floral, and sunkissed fragrance.

Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes Mascara

This gets the award for the most weird brush, its just has a ball at the end of the wand. Its quite hard to get the hang of & I’m not 100% sold on the design. It is good for getting a really neat coating of mascara on every lash so if you like that separated lash look then you might love this. I am going to have to try it a few more times before I decide if I want to try the full size. Let me know if you have tried this mascara & what you thought of the spherical wand design.

ESPA 24 Hour Replenishing Moisturiser

This is a lovely moisturiser for sensitive skin and I have found it helps calm my skin over the colder months. I work from home so I have the heating on a lot and that dries my skin out & I get redness but this ESPA cream helps reduce the redness and replenish moisture. It feels lovely on my skin and if i’m not wearing makeup I will reapply this throughout the day. It contains Potent Myrrh, Frankincense and Neroli stimulate cell renewal, while Vitamin E-rich Peach Kernel Oil protects against environmental aggressors. Nourishing Evening Primrose and Jojoba moisturise for soft, comforted, supple skin – so many beneficial ingredients to keep your skin looking its best.

Sisley Ecological Compound Day & Night Cream

I have been using this before my moisturiser as an extra step in the colder months. Its a very lightweight and fluid product so a little goes a long way. Its so easy to massage in to the skin and it doesn’t feel tacky or greasy. It is formulated with a synergistic compound of plants (Centella Asiatica, Ginseng, Rosemary, Hops, and Horsetail) selected for their stimulating and revitalising actions, its composition:
– hydrates the epidermis, and restores comfort and radiance,
– helps skin fight environmental stress (pollution, cigarette smoke etc),
– restores the skin to a more toned, supple state enabling it to get maximum benefit from future treatments.

For the price I would say its not 100% necessary as a skincare step but if you have the budget and you like trying new skincare then go for it, I have enjoyed using this but my budget won’t stretch to the full size.

Apivita Sun Care Face Cream SPF 50

I wear a separate facial SPF all year round, not always factor 50 but this one sits so well under my makeup and for a high factor it feels lightweight and doesn’t leave a white cast on my face. This Apivita one has so many skin benefits as well as being a broad spectrum SPF

  • Sea lavender, rich in sterols and vitamin E, along with panthenol help skin fight harmful radiation and irritations, while at the same time they provide moisturization.
  • Iodine-free red and brown algae extract protects from irritations and redness that might occur due to UV radiation.
  • Green tea water, lycopene and vitamin E provide antioxidant protection.
  • Patented propolis extract – an APIVITA innovation – with high concentration of polyphenols and flavonoids, provides consistently enhanced antioxidant protection from photoaging and free radicals, while supporting the formulation of collagen and elastine.
  • Photostable combination of broad spectrum natural and synthetic filters ensures up to 130% greater protection and stable SPF throughout the entire life of the product.

So I know my skin is being protected from UVA & UVB rays. What facial SPF do you use? This is one of the best I have tried.

Products Currently in Use #2

- Vicki 2 Comments
Products In Use 2

Products Currently in Use

So I’ve used up almost all of the products in my last ‘Currently In Use‘ post & thought it was time to switch things up and add in a few new products. I love switching up my skincare and consciously looking at my stash and rotating products, it means I use up more things and discover some gems that have been languishing at the back of the cupboard. These are just four products I have added to my routine, I do use more than this but these are the latest additions.

DHC Pore Face Wash

I have tried a couple of skincare products from DHC and never been disappointed, this is a Foaming Cleanser but don’t be put off by that, It is sulphate free and won’t strip or dry out your skin. It’s gentle but effective at removing makeup and dirt so your pores are not enlarged by dirt, I wouldn’t say it reduced my pores but its very good at unclogging them and helping remove dirt and excess sebum. This cleanser is also a gentle exfoliator and ‘has been blended with two caring exfoliants: pear juice alpha hydroxyl acids (AHA) which help refine the complexion, and softly abrasive baking soda which dissolves dirt and eliminates impurities’.

This cleanser leaves my skin feeling refreshed, clean and looking radiant, oh and Its has a light grapefruit scent which is nice and uplifting. I use this at night and you need the smallest amount, honestly a pea-sized amount, you will be surprised at how much it lathers up. Another fantastic product from DHC, it’s easy to see why they’re one of Japans best selling brands.

balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm

I love using balm cleansers and they’re my favourite way to remove my makeup and this one from balance Me has gone right to the top of my favourites. Not only is it a fantastic balm cleanser but it has tiny oat powder in too which act as a very gentle exfoliator so your skin is not only left extremely clean but it’s also polished and smooth. Love a good two in one! This has a thick balm consistency but it feels so nice to massage over the skin and really break down the makeup remove all the dirt and grime from the day. It’s great for both Normal & Sensitive skin

  • Normal skin: Shea, Mango and Cocoa Butters dissolve make-up and deeply hydrate, creating a radiant, balanced complexion for all skin types.
  • Sensitive skin: Rosehip Oils help to soothe sensitivities and encourage healthy cell renewal.

This has been getting a lot of use since looked it out & my skin has never felt as smooth and soft. This is a great affordable cleanser and if you’re looking for a new balm cleanser then look no further!

Liz Earle Orange Flower Botanical Body Wash*

This smells like a luxurious spa or a summer holiday to Italy, it’s beautiful and when I use it in the morning my whole house smells incredible. With foaming agents derived from soap bark, corn and coconut plus soothing organic oats it leaves my skin smooth and hydrated. This massive bottle will last me until this time next year, I have been using it every morning for over a month and it still feels like its full to the brim. It contains ‘Naturally active ingredients include organic oats, natural source vitamin E, plus orange flower water and ten pure essential oils to lift spirits and delicately scent the skin.’ It’s the perfect uplifting product, its crazy how a scent can affect your mood & these citrus aromas are so nice and refreshing. I’d say this product is indulgent by so very worth it.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

This product comes as a dry powder which you mix with water in your hands and massage over your face. It’s not grainy or abrasive but turns into a paste-like consistency. It smells like porridge which is strangely nice and familiar (I eat porridge every morning). This is meant to be used after you have cleansed, but I have used it in the morning & only used this, it left my face clean and smooth.

  • Rice Bran and Rice extract gently microfoliate skin surface to facilitate penetration of the brightening complex.
  • Papain Enzyme and Salicylic Acid help dissolve excess surface cells.
  • Skin Brightening Complex of Licorice, Aspergillus and Grapefruit helps even skin tone.

I have used this 3 times over the past couple of weeks, I’m not 100% sure if its a product I need in my skincare routine. Especially as the DHC & balance me products also have exfoliating qualities. I think I will do a more in-depth review of it once I have been using it a little longer.

Let me know if you have used any of the products in my current line up or let me know what new skincare you have added to your routine.

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However, if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.

Beauty Stocking Fillers 2015

- Vicki 2 Comments

Beauty Stocking Fillers

Stocking Fillers have to be my favourite items to buy at Christmas & each year beauty brands are bringing out more and more fab options. I also like them because on the whole they are affordable and packaged in the most sweet ways. I have rounded up my favourite Stocking Fillers for you.

Christmas Stocking Filler Ideas

Mavala Snow Blossom Nail Polish Set in Natural * – I adore Mavala Polishes, they come in the sweetest little 5ml bottle which is a great size. Mavala also pride themselves on being free from harmful ingredients such as parabens, formaldehydes, toluene, camphor, cellophane, animal ingredients and heavy metal so you’re nails are in good hands! This set comes with three shades a pretty pink Riga, a lovely nude Reno and a warm chestnut shade Marron Glace.

This Works Sleep Plus+ Cracker* – This is such a cute stocking filler, its a festive cracker and inside you get the a mini Sleep Plus Pillow Spray. I use this all the time and it works wonders if you have trouble relaxing and drifting off to sleep at night. Its an aromatherapeutic solution enriched with lavender so its soothing and very relaxing. Christmas can be a little stressful & full of late nights so it would be make a thoughtful stocking filler.

Roger & Gallet Fleur d’Osmanthus Hand & Nail Cracker* – Another cute cracker from one of my all time favourite brands. I always think a hand cream is such a safe bet for a gift because you can never have too many hand creams. I have them all over the place, especially in my car, on my desk and I always have one in my handbag. Roger & Gallet products smell incredibly luxurious and this one is richly nourishing and formulated with a shea butter base and natural ingredients that sinks straight into skin to repair and protect. It smells fruity with a hint of floral noted too, its not overpowering and I think would be lovely for your Mum or Auntie. These come in 3 different scents.

Beauty Products Stocking Filler Ideas

  1. Clarins Cupcake Stocking Filler £15
  2. balance Me Body Beautiful Rose Otto Body Lotion £6
  3. Burt’s bees Burt’s Classic Pomegranate gift set £6.99
  4. Melvita Christmas Bauble £11
  5. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara £10
  6. Tanya Burr Candy Cane Nail Polish, Lip Gloss & Nail File Trio £7
  7. Topshop Beauty Lip Bullet Duo in Tamed and Joyride £10
  8. Garnier Mini Micellar BB Gift Set £9
  9. Ted Baker Mini Golden Treasure £4
  10. Caudalie Winter Duo Rose De Vigne £8
  11. Tangle Teezer Compact Styler Twinkle £13.50
  12. The Body Shop Italian Summer Fig Treats £6

Let me know if you have bought any of my picks or if you’re hoping to get any of them in your stocking this year.

Mandara Spa Products

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Madara Spa Bodycare Products

Mandara Spa Products

From the same people that brought us Elemis comes this fantastic affordable bath & body care brand called Mandara Spa. Their International Spas are located in some of the most beautiful parts of the world but if like me there is no hope of you visiting paradise anytime soon their bath & body care products are a perfect way of creating your own at home spa experience. I have been trying out two products from the Bali Santi Range which smell heavenly and one of their indulgent body butters which is a Winter skin saviour

The Bali Santi Range smells like a far-off tropical paradise, it has smoothing sweet almond oil, nourishing coconut oil which are sweet and evokes memories of holidays. So this range makes you feel like you’ve jetted off somewhere warm, which let’s face it in the depths of a British Winter is always the dream.

Blooming Bath and Shower Oil* £7

This is a really nice indulgent bath product, I like that it is an oil it feels so grown up and luxurious. I found the scent of this so relaxing, and I felt like I was in a tropical holiday destination. The oil leaves your skin feeling so healthy and soft but not greasy, you don’t need to add much to your bath and I don’t like using it in the shower because it does leave it quite slippy & I am VERY clumsy, so I use this as a bath oil and it’s perfect.

Nurturing Body Milk* £5

I have to say I haven’t used many body milks in my time, but this one feels so cooling and soothing on the skin, and it is much more lightweight than the body butter. I have been using the milk as my morning body moisturiser and then using the more heavy body butter in the evening and that has been working wonders for my skin. This feels very gentle, and the scent is beautiful and a gorgeous mix of sweet, spice and floral scents.

Ylang Ylang & Coconut Body Butter Body Butter* £6

This is your standard thick deeply hydrating body butter, its is packed full of lovely ingredients including moisturising shea, cocoa and mango butters, soothing sweet almond oil, nourishing coconut oil, soothing frangipani flower milk, fragrant orange and ylang-ylang. It might smell quite fresh and summery, but this is a perfect Winter skin saviour, it’s so nourishing and keeps my body smooth and soft. I love using it in the evening after I’ve had a bath because I go to bed not only smelling so good, but I wake up with incredibly smooth skin. This is such a skin treat and if you like the more heavy feel of a body butter this is ideal for you.

Madara Spa Bodycare Products

Mandara Spa products are budget friendly, but that doesn’t mean they compromise on quality, they’re a very indulgent treat and I highly recommend them as gifts this Christmas. They have an extensive range of products and scents. I would say this range is an affordable luxury at its best.

Available online at www.timetospa.co.uk/mandara-spa select Sainsbury’s stores or online www.sainsburys.co.uk

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However, if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.