Affordable skincare

Autumn Skincare At Very.co.uk

- Vicki Leave a comment
Best Autumn Skincare

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The transition from Summer to Autumn is always tough on my skin thanks to the cold weather, turning on the central heating and the lack of sunshine, which tends to make my skin look dull, feel dry and have less bounce. I seek out products to help give my complexion the things it lacks during these cooler months, like moisture and radiance. I also like to use soothing and products that won’t irritate or be abrasive, Autumn is for me a time to adapt my routine to nourish my skin and with the help of these products from Very.co.uk I am well on my way to a glowing, healthy complexion. Let me know if I have added any of your favourite products to my Autumn skincare regime, or if you have any suggestions of products I need to try.

Garnier Organic Rejuvenating Lavandin Smooth & Glow Face Oil*

This is such an affordable face oil which you must try, so please don’t be scared of using an oil on your skin. Even if you have an oily complexion, oils can really boost hydration and nourish skin. This Garnier one is a great overnight oil, the consistency is much like a serum and that’s how I like to use it, after toning but before my evening moisturiser. It is enriched with Organic Lavandin & Argan Oil and Antioxidant Vitamin E, so it is soothing, smoothing and very hydrating. I really like this overnight sleep range from Garnier.

Garnier Lavender Sleep Skincare
Garnier Rejuvinating Lavender Skincare

Garnier Organic Anti Age Sleeping Cream*

This cream, much like the Lavandin face oil, targets dry sensitive skin and helps calm, smooth and hydrate. This cream is nice and rich it feels lovely on the skin, very cooling and instantly hydrating. It is enriched with organic Lavandin essential oil, argan and jojoba oils for night time nourishment. I highly recommend this alongside the face oil, they’re a great overnight duo for Autumn.

Autumn Skincare at Very.co.uk

Trilogy Clarifying Cleansing Gel*

Now, this cleanser has been wonderful in helping combat my dry skin. It’s non drying, rebalancing gel formula is gentle on the skin and is a must for the colder months. Formulated with mildly astringent witch hazel to tone and refresh, salicylic acid from willow bark to lightly exfoliate dull and tired skin, and omega-rich rosehip, jojoba and grape seed oils to nourish and soften. It also has such an energising scent of mint and melon, a combination that really works well together, (surprisingly). If you hate that tight, dry feeling after you cleanse, this is a great product to add to your routine.

Elemis Superfood Cleansing Butter
Autumn Skincare Update

Elemis Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter*

Well, this is a game changer for me, one of those products that you instantly fall in love with and wonder how you managed without it. It is bright orange, which I thought was quite fun, and the thick buttery texture makes it so nice to cleanse with. A unique blend of a fermented Pumpkin enzymes and Acerola Cherry, naturally rich in AHAs helps to brighten skin, while Mango Butter and Chia Seed Oil, rich in omega fatty acids, nourish and hydrate the skin. If like me, your top skin concern is dull, tired-looking complexion then you need to try this cleansing butter. It will make your skin look so radiant, and I mean really healthy! It’s like a pot of gold, and I have fallen head over heals for it. You can use it morning and night, but I like to use it in the am, as it gives my skin such a smooth finish and that lovely glow.

Autumn Skincare Routine

Nip & Fab Salicylic Fix Serum 2%*

Nip and Fab have such a great range of skincare and their Salicylic Fix products are some of my favourites. We all get blemishes and uneven skin and this salicylic acid serum helps unclog pores & gently exfoliate skin which promotes cell turnover and treats/prevents blemishes. It is also enriched with Soothing Aloe Vera helps to hydrate and calm the complexion to keep the skin feeling smooth. The concentrated serum helps to regulate sebum production to banish excess oiliness with Purple Ginseng Extract.

Favourite Skincare Products

Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream SPF30*

Not every luxury moisturiser is truly worth the price tag. With moisturisers, you are often left wondering what you are paying for but not with this Elemis Po Collagen Marine Cream, this is the real deal. It is fantastic quality and very effective. I’m 43 and when my skin is dry/dehydrated my fine lines look so much more defined and my skin is less plump. It is easy to see why this moisturiser is a beauty icon and has won countless awards. This rich but lightweight cream is designed to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and increase hydration, leaving your skin feeling smoother and firmer, with the added benefit of broad-spectrum SPF 30 sun protection. Blended with a cocktail of three seaweeds – padina pavonica, porphyridium and chlorella, plus ginkgo biloba, rose and mimosa a powerful combination which tones, improves hydration and elasticity to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I love it, and it wears so well under makeup.

REN Overnight Glow Dark Spot Sleeping Cream*

This smells like fresh oranges and is so zesty, the cream is perfect if you have some sun spots after the summer or uneven skin tone. This cream specifically targets those sun spots whilst you sleep. It also helps skin to be plumper and radiant a rich, hydrating sleeping cream – almost like an overnight mask
These key ingredients help with pigmentation and dark spots, Encapsulated algae – to target the appearance of excessive pigmentation. A bend of Encapsulated Algae Complex – targets the appearance of excessive pigmentation and PhytoGlycogen helps recharge skin for a smoother, more radiant complexion, So if you suffer from hyperpigmentation this is a wonderful addition to our Autumn skincare routine.

These are some of reasons we experience pigmentation. ‘Hormonal changes, ageing, pollution and UV damage can leave skin looking uneven, tired and cause or worsen dark spots, and these are mainly down to melanocytes. Classed as part of the immune cells, they’re known to react to and protect us from sun damage, but also react to pollution, inflammation and spots, causing areas of skin to darken over time’.

PIXI ROSE Travel Kit*

How sweet is this skincare set from PIXI, it includes 4 deluxe travel size products in the most beautiful pink packaging. You get Makeup Melting Cleansing Cloths, Rose Cream Cleanser, Rose Tonic and Rose Ceramide Cream. It’s 4 steps to nourish, gently cleanse, sooth your skin. Great for sensitive skin, the Rose Tonic is my favourite product in this kit, it is so gentle and helps boost radiance.

Switch up your skincare for Autumn

Very.co.uk offers a wide range of skincare brands to suit every budget and skin concern. From Garnier to Elemis and Emma Hardie to REN. Pop over and browse their Beauty section. Whether you want to update your skincare regime for Autumn, have an important occasion coming up or just want to target a specific concern, Very.co.uk have you covered.

*Products marked with an * have been provided as PR samples

Five Beauty Favourites 2020

- Vicki Leave a comment
Five Beauty Favourites 2020

*Gifted. It’s safe to say it’s been a dark, wet and miserable start to 2020, I don’t think we have seen the sunshine so far this year and my skin has been bearing the brunt of this. My skin has felt dry and dull, what with the effects of the central heating and lack of sunshine, I have really been relying on my skincare and makeup to help revive my complexion. I thought I would share with you a few products that have become staples in my routine which I’ve been using religiously over the past couple of months.

Five Beauty Favourites 2020

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 30ml

I love so many products from The Ordinary Skincare but this serum is pretty epic. I have used it for over a year now and can’t imagine my skincare routine without it. Apart from the fact this brand is incredibly affordable their skincare is fantastic quality and shows real results. This didn’t irritate my skin despite it having quite a high concentration of Retinoid, it is easy to apply and doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy. I apply it at night 2 – 3 times a week, as my first step after cleansing and I wake up with smooth, bright, plump skin. Over time this serum helps increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen which helps to reduce the signs of ageing, like uneven skin tone, age spots and reduces fine lines & wrinkles.

This product is a great way to achieve that youthful, healthy glow, in terms of long term use you really see your complexion improve. It is like liquid gold! Just remember Retinoids can react with more sensitive skin, so dilute at first if you are concerned (or use the 1% version) also please remember to use a high factor SPF as your skin will be more vulnerable to the damaging effects of UVA & UVB rays.

Vegan & Cruelty Free

Tropic Beauty Booster Sheer Foundation SPF35*

Although I’m someone who doesn’t like to wear much makeup on a daily basis, I still like that look of being put together and like my skin to look evened out with a little glow. This Beauty Booster from Tropic gives me just that. It is lightweight and I just apply it with my fingers on top of my moisturiser. It leaves my skin with a nice touch of colour, helping to reduce redness, uneven skin tone and gives the illusion that I haven’t seen the sun for MONTHS! The other wonderful things about this lightweight, almost tinted moisturiser (with a bit more coverage) is the fact it has UVA, UVB and HEV (artificial light) protection and SPF35, so if you do venture out you know your skin is well protected.

Antioxidant-rich resveratrol and vitamin E help to condition the skin, while building defences against daily pollution. Titanium dioxide gives a mineral SPF of 35 to shield against everyday exposure. So if you’re looking for a base that gives you an even, lightweight, natural dewy finish then this Tropic Beauty Booster is the one. I have been loving it and using it every day as my base to combat my tired, dry winter skin!

Vegan & Cruelty Free

Miller Harris Peau Santal Perfume

Miller Harris Peau Santal Perfume*

This is my happiness in a bottle, it smells beautiful and so luxurious, it makes me feel amazing whenever I wear it. The scent is uplifting and just gives me a reminder that warmer, brighter days are on the horizon (even if it is raining cats and dogs). It has such a rich, warm creamy scent but you get a hint of fresh, airy crisp notes as it settles. I am not exaggerating when I say this perfume is the most sophisticated and beautiful perfume I have ever owned, and I love quite a few Miller Harris perfumes but this one has something special.

The woody notes add a real touch of warmth and class whilst the bergamot and cashmere give it creaminess and class. The pink pepper, amber and vanilla make it modern and very sexy.

Top Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper and Saffron
Heart Notes: Olibanum, Violet Leaf and Papyrus
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Cashmere Woods, Crisp Amber, Vanilla CO2 Extract and Moss

This would make the most luxurious, thoughtful gift or treat to yourself, it’s a beautiful perfume and the scent lasts so long, I can smell it on my scarf/coat days after I have spritzed it. The quality is second to none. The bottle is also beautiful, the minimal dusky pink give it a subtle, classy feel and the simple gold accents on the font and the lid add a touch of luxury, the bottle is very weighty too and feels so nice in your hand and also looks great on your vanity.

Ark Skincare Firming Serum

ARK Skin Perfector Firming Serum*

I tried a few products from UK based ARK skincare last year and was very impressed with their ethos of products that target specific skin concerns depending on your age, as our skin changes so much as we get older and ARK have targeted skincare so it is easy for you to include it in your routine and see fantastic results.  This Firming Serum has been a skincare saviour for me this year as it targets your skins loss of elasticity and works to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and with my skin being so dry from the weather it has helped smooth, hydrate and plump! So if like me you’re in your early 40s this is a wonderful product to use for long term results. I like to mix the serum in with my moisturiser and apply it as part of my morning skincare regime.

It is jam packed with some wonderful ingredients that help keep your skin looking fresh, smooth and healthy.

Micro Algae Extract – Highly purified microalgae extract delivers an instant and long-term tightening effects

Hyaluronic Acid – Active 100% natural Hyaluronic Acid locks moisture in the skin matrix and improves collagen synthesis. Skin appears firmer and more flexible, while fine lines are plumped and smoothed.

Biomimetic Lipopeptide Idealift – targets skin sagging and improves resistance to gravity by promoting skin’s elastic fibre architecture

ARK Skincare is proudly developed & manufactured in Britain. Cruelty Free, with many of their products being Vegan friendly. They use Bioactive, natural ingredients that are gentle on your skin but give effective results.  You can browse their entire range on their website www.arkskincare.com  and tailor your skincare for your specific skin concerns and age.

The Ordinary Retinoid SerumSkincare

Delilah Illuminating Powder in Aura

I love this compact, not only the fact that it is a beautiful rose gold & pewter but it has a good size mirror which makes it perfect for keeping in your handbag. This stunning bronzing/highlighter is also a wonderful product to add a touch of radiance to that Winter complexion without going OTT on the glow. It’s a mix of rose gold, soft peach and lavender pink and I just swirl my brush to pick up a little of all the colours and it gives my cheekbones a nice bronzy warm touch of colour. Such a beautiful product and a very luxurious and not so well known brand, their blushers are super nice too.

*Products have been provided as PR samples but reviews are 100% my own.

Five Skincare Favourites June 2019

- Vicki Leave a comment
Favourite Affordable skincare Products

Alex Steinherr Miceller Cleansing Gel

I was so excited back in May (after months of waiting to get to a Primark that stocked it) to finally get my hands on the Alex Steinherr skincare collection. I bought 4 products and all under £10 each, and they have all slotted right into my skincare routine. I love them all. This cleansing gel is gentle, soothing and will remove light makeup, I love using it in the morning to freshen up my skin. It works perfectly for a morning cleanser, as it will only remove light makeup, although you could use it as a second cleanse in the evening if you removed your makeup with a balm or something a bit more effective.

Tropic Skincare Pure Lagoon Serum*

If I only had one word to describe this serum I would use the word incredible. I received this serum at a time when I needed it more than ever, I was turning 40 and my skin had decided to breakout and go nuts like never before. It became my skincare saviour, I used it religiously for months and low and behold my blemishes calmed down, my pesky blackheads all but cleared up. This blue (yes it is really blue) serum has been formulated to prevent blemishes and blackheads as well as reducing sebum production. If you are blemish prone, your skin is in seriously good hands with this in your skincare arsenal.

It is jam packed with so many fantastic ingredients such as Blue Spirulina and Malachite Crystal Extract – which give the serum its blue hue, they’re also rich in copper and are anti inflammatory. The serum calms angry red spots and help your skin become calmer and have a more clarified complexion. It has Hyaluronic acid and watermelon fruit extract think amazing hydration and boosted moisture levels. This might be a lightweight feeling serum but it is very hydrating too. The fact that this is a preventative skincare product is what I love most about it, it prevents the build up of dead skin cells and sebum, so over time skin produces less blemish causing bacteria and is smoother, calmer, hydrated and it helps your skin break the spot forming cycle.

Favourite Affordable skincare Products
Favourite Affordable skincare Products

Tropic Skincare Face Lift Brightening Mask*

This is a wonderful mask that targets skin that needs tightening & lifting. It helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles whilst helping to keep saggy skin at bay. I use this mask on a weekly basis and apply it to my forehead, chin and neck. It has a very thick, almost clay like texture and I leave it on for around 20 mins. It is a great mask to use when multi masking, I apply it to targeted areas, to get maximum results.

It contains so many incredible skin loving ingredients, including – Agave nectar (rich in amino acids) and sea buckthorn extracts (rich in carotene) which work to hydrate and plump skin. Turmeric and glycolic acids promote a brighter, more even complexion and electric daisy extract works to tighten skin and minimise fine lines. So this mask is packed with nourishing, hydrating and firming ingredients which promote long term results. This is my 3rd pot in 2 years and I wouldn’t be without it.

B Radiant Day Cream SPF15

Rich, creamy, hydrating and a wonderful moisturiser to wear under your makeup. It keeps your skin smooth, soft and very hydrated. I love applying my foundation after this, it just goes on with ease and blends so well, I really like this B By Superdrug skincare, it is very affordable, and they have such a great selection of products. I’m slowly working my way through them and have tried quite a few products to date, the highlights so far have been this day cream, their acid retexturising pads and the Hyaluronic Face Mist.

This day cream contains some great ingredients to keep your skin looking its best including Tetrapeptide which improves elasticity and is great for plumping which reduces the appearance of those pesky fine lines. Hyaluronic Acid locks in moisture and keeps your skin hydrated throughout the day. Olive leaf and Jujube Seed extracts calms skin and fights the build up of bacteria whist Niacinamide improves moisture retention and boosts skins radiance.

SuperFacialist Vitamin C Micro Polish Wash

I wrote about this in my recent Skincare For Radiant Skin post & I am on to my second bottle. Still enjoying as much, if not more a couple of months on. It really gives your skin that refreshed feeling, it smells of citrus and I love that it is such an invigorating uplifting scent. Think gentle but effective & in short that is this exfoliator. It has a refreshing gel texture which is infused with biodegradable micro-beads (good for your skin and the ocean) to softly remove dead skin cells & daily impurities and dirt. It is boosted with antioxidant ferulic acid and vitamins C & E to promote brighter looking skin, help protect against environmental aggressors. So if you have quite dull skin and get a little texture where dead skin forms around your nose, chin area then this is perfect for addressing that! Packed with Vitamin C and natural skin brighteners, it encourages skin’s renewal and energises the complexion to keep it looking fit, radiant and youthful. I also like how well my makeup applies after using this and that my skin is smoother and super soft! Affordable and great for daily use!

*Products marked with an * have been gifted as PR samples. The words and opinions are my own. This post also contains one affliliant link.

New Skincare for Spring 2019

- Vicki Leave a comment

I always like to add a few products to my skincare regime at the beginning of a new season. It is the perfect time to asses your skin and revamp your skincare, I love organising and decluttering my products on a regular basis. It is always good to remember that what your skin needs in the depths of a cold Winter might not be the same during Spring. I have been on the lookout for some new cleansers as I have used up my beloved DHC Cleansing Oil & my Superdrug Scrub, I bought both my new additions from Boots and noticed that Garnier had this new Fresh Lemongrass Collection which is labelled as being both Vegan and Organic. I also bought a product from one of my favourite skincare brands SuperFacialist, their skincare is always such incredible value or money and really good quality. I needed a scrub and this Vitamin C Scrub sounded like it would help brighten my skin after winter!

I have been using both products for a couple of weeks now and I am pretty pleased with my purchases.

Skincare for Spring

Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brightening Gentle Daily Micro Polish Wash

This face scrub smells like citrus fruits, zesty and fresh. I love it and it reminds me that the warmer weather is on its way! This is a gentle scrub that you can use daily, I have been using it every two days and that’s been working well for me. It has a lightweight gel texture which is infused with biodegradable micro-beads to softly remove dead skin cells & daily impurities and dirt. It is boosted with antioxidant ferulic acid and vitamins C & E to promote brighter looking skin. So if you have quite dull skin and get a little texture where dead skin forms around your nose, chin area then this is perfect for addressing that!

Packed with Vitamin C and natural skin brighteners, it encourages skin’s renewal and energises the complexion to keep it looking fit, radiant and youthful. I also like how well my makeup applies after using this and that my skin is smoother and super soft!

Vegan-friendly, paraben & SLES free.

Garnier Organic Fresh Lemongrass Detox Gel Wash

So Garnier now has a range of Organic & Vegan products, who knew! I loved the smell of the Lemongrass collection and opted for the Gel Wash but I think I’m going to pop back and get a few more bits because the whole collection was on offer in Boots (I think it was a save 1/3 deal).

This has such a refreshing, uplifting scent, it smells so luxurious and like a high-end spa (very fancy indeed).

  • Cleanses away dirt, oil and pollution residues without drying skin out
  • Formulated with organic lemongrass essential oil, Organic cornflower water, botanical glycerine and a 100% natural

It feels cooling on the skin and the gel texture is super lightweight, I like to massage into my skin for about a minute before washing it off with a warm flannel. It leaves my face feeling very fresh and clean (but not squeaky clean). Lemongrass is known for its purifying properties, it purifies and mattifies the skin whilst removing all the day’s dirt, oil and pollution residues without drying skin out. It has really impressed me and now I want to get their Konjac Sponge (which I have heard great things about) and also the Moisturiser. 

Let me know if you have tried anything from these new Organic Collections from Garnier & if you have any recommendations.