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

Marc Jacobs Beauty Exclusively at Harrods

- Vicki 4 Comments
Marc Jacobs Beauty

Marc Jacobs Beauty

I only ever hear positive reviews of the Marc Jacobs Beauty range and since its launch 3 years ago it’s been near impossible to get your hands on it in the UK, but a little birdie tells me that Harrods are now exclusively stocking Marc Jacobs Beauty in store and online. So we can finally see if the hype is justified, I have a wish list as long as my arm.

I think the first thing that strikes me about Marc Jacobs Beauty is the attention to detail right from the sales counter to the packaging down to the actual products, everything has been well-thought-out. It’s luxurious makeup which makes you feel like you have invested in a lifestyle. The sleek black packaging looks minimal and beautiful, and the products are just as beautiful and very hard to resist!

Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Mascara

I have been trying out the new Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Volume Mascara* which is inspired by Marc Jacobs’s first beauty memory, of his mother carefully shaving fibres from a velvet ribbon to create her own couture faux lashes. This mascara gives your lashes a coating of jet black mascara, the formula is quite wet but once it dries down it leaves your lashes looking extremely full and long.

This mascara can look pretty good after just one coat for more of a daytime look, or if you want to go for that epic false lash effect then 2–3 coats will make your lashes really stand out. The jet black pigment is smudge proof and won’t transfer throughout the day. This is a mascara that will keep up with you and still look great at the end of the night. No panda eyes here.

New Marc Jacobs Volumising Mascara

The packaging is everything you’d expect from this brand, it’s simple, classic and very sleek. Its jet black tube is very weighty and feels luxurious. The hexagonal shaped tube is very different, but it’s a nice shape to hold, and it feels comfortable in your hand when applying the mascara. The brush is an hourglass shape and quite big, which makes it easy to get into the little lashes in the inner corner and right down to the lash line for that full, dramatic lash effect.

I thought this would be a lot more expensive than it is, for a high-end luxurious brand it’s priced very well. At £20 this is well worth trying out, and I guarantee you will love the volumising effect.  To say I like this mascara wouldn’t do it justice, I am very impressed and think it’s going to become a favourite very quickly indeed.

What Marc Jacobs products are you excited to try? I have always wanted the Lolita Palette, it’s become such a cult product and the neutral shades look gorgeous.

Marc Jacobs Beauty is available in the UK exclusively at Harrods.

*PR Sample

GOSH SS16 Makeup Releases

- Vicki 4 Comments

GOSH 2016 Makeup Releases

GOSH have some really exciting releases for Spring / Summer 2016 and I have been testing a few of them out. I was most excited to try the Lip Oils & Lumi Drops but I have to say all these products are great quality and are worth trying out.

To Be Cool in Copenhagen* is a 9 shade all matte eyeshadow palette, these are beautiful cool toned neutral colours which are easy to wear. You can create so many eye looks & of course the classic smokey eye, I like that you get a good mix of shades from light creams to mid tone browns right down to lovely greys. This is quite a versatile palette and I think the fact all the shadows are matte is going to be such a selling point. Good quality affordable matte shadows are hard to find but GOSH have answered my prayers. The palette is compact and the mirror inside is a good size. This is one to add to your wish list for sure.

GOSH Matte Eyeshadow Palette

GOSH Lip Oils

The Lip Oils* feel and look very glossy on the lips, quite a slippy texture which I have to say felt nice and comfortable. They have some great ingredients including Sea Buckthorn, Macadamia Oil, Moringa Oil and Argan Oil. They do give a very slight tint of colour but nothing to write home about. These oils will nourish, soothe and add hydration to your lips and I think they do just that. I’ve loved using these and think they might be a good dupe for the Clarins ones. I have the shades Raspberry and Sea Buckthorn.

GOSH New Makeup Releases 2016

I’m a big fan of cream eyeshadow & even more so when it comes in a crayon so I knew I was going to get a lot of use from Forever Matte Eyeshadow Stick*. I have the shade Twisted Brown which is a gorgeous deep nude brown shade and again this is has a matte finish. This has a lovely creamy formula which makes it easy to apply and blend out then it stays in place all day. Its pigmented and such a wearable shade.

The Velvet Touch Lipstick* in the shade Nougat also has a matte finish (I think GOSH have a theme going here) this lipstick is a really pretty nude, its not going to make your lips look dead but instead gives your lips a little warmth. This is a subtle brown on me and feels comfortable and creamy, It lasts quite a while before needing to be topped up. Its an easy subtle nude to wear & I think it will look flattering on a lot of people.

GOSH Makeup Swatches

Rebel Eyes Mascara* has a plastic wand which is curved to help get right to the base of the lashes and coat every lash. The wand is a good size and it was great at brushing the mascara on without clumping. The formula contains Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil which protects your lashes so your lashes are getting some TLC whilst looking fab! I love that its jet black and makes my lashes look long, and thick. GOSH say this mascara contains a special polymer that gives lengthening and curling features. So if you like your lashes to stay curled and look fluttery all day then you need to try this one out.

GOSH Rebel Eyes Mascara

Lumi Drops* are available in 3 shades and I have Peach which is a beautiful glowing pink peach with a gold iridescence. These can be worn alone to give a pretty highlighter effect or mixed with foundation to add a luminous glow to your skin. There is no glitter in this the formula just pretty light reflecting pearl pigments with a hint of  shimmer so you won’t look like a disco ball. These are a great product to have & you need to use so little to achieve the desired effect. I think this is a great release for Summer and will look really pretty with a tan.GOSH Makeup Products

Primer Plus Illuminating Skin Perfector* so this is a primer and a skin illuminator in one, thats my kind of product. A product that will keep your makeup in place, looking flawless whilst adding a luminous glow to your skin, its perfect! You can use this on its own for a radiant look or use under your foundation for a gorgeous flawless glow. It is infused with beneficial skin ingredients. ProRenew Complex stimulates skin’s self-renewal helping the skins own glow to come through. Silsoft E- Pearl provides a moist feel, line blurring and creates an illusion of perfection. This isn’t a greasy slippy primer instead it feels like a moisturiser and it almost sinks in to the skin leaving it feeling smooth and soft, It has a peachy tint to it and I love how radiant my skin looks when I use it.

I think GOSH have some really exciting products in their SS16 range and I have been most impressed with the Lumi Drops, Forever Eyeshadow Crayon and the Lip Oils, Although all of the products I have tried have been great quality and really good value for money. Let me know if you update your makeup bag for Spring with any of these new releases!

GOSH SS16 releases are available in exclusively in Superdrug from February 2016

*PR Samples

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