Beauty Review

Jurlique Activating Water Essence

- Vicki 2 Comments
Jurlique Activating Water Essence

Jurlique Activating Water Essence

We are seeing Asian beauty influences in so many products being released by Western brands, only last week I blogged about the latest Lancome Cushion Makeup and it seems that the latest trend to hit our skincare routines is the Essence. I had to do a little background reading on just what exactly an Essence was and how best to use it in my skincare regime.

I thought I had a pretty rigorous regime and didn’t realise that there was room for one more step, a step that the Asian market have deemed to be one of the most important. So an Essence is not a toner, nope its used after both cleansing and toning, it can replenish moisture, balance skins PH levels and help skin look glowing. You use your hands to pat the product into your skin and let the rich, nourishing ingredients work their magic. One of the latest to hit the market is the Activating Water Essence from Australian skincare brand Jurlique & I have been putting it to the test.

Jurlique Activating Water Essence* £40

I thought adding another step to my skincare routine would be pointless and even more time consuming but I have to say this extra step has become one of my favourites. The action of patting the product into my skin is quite relaxing and my skin has felt a lot better too since introducing this. This product activates your skin in 3 ways

  1. Hydrates – Delivers continuous hydration and lasting moisture
  2. Conditions – Smooths skin to provide a soft, supple complexion
  3. Revitalise – Revitalises and re-energises for healthy-looking skin

New Jurlique Skincare Release 2016

At the centre of its highly concentrated formula is their star ingredient – Marshmallow Root Extract, which is great at deeply hydrating skin and improving its ability to retain moisture. So what is it about Marshmallow Root that makes it such a good skincare ingredient,

Marshmallow Root Extract has been used throughout history as a healing treatment, it has anti inflammatory properties, its gentle and soothing on the skin whilst also being a natural hydrator.

The Marshmallow Root’s ability to attract and retain water allows it to provide lasting hydration to the skin. It forms a protective barrier that helps rebalance dry skin and prevent moisture loss to leave skin feeling soft and smooth.

Along side the Marshmallow Root there are also quite a few other natural ingredients including,

  • Neem – Conditions and soothes
  • Lavender – Hydrates and calms
  • Rosemary – Invigorates and restores
  • Horsetail – Hydrates and balances
  • Witch Hazel – Clarifies and firms
  • Nettle – Rebalances and refreshes
  • Peach Leaf – Revitalises, regenerates and protects

Since using this my skin doesn’t look as fatigued or dull and it has been really good at reducing the redness in my cheeks. I am pretty pleased to have this step in my routine and can see why it is so popular. This bottle is going to last ages, you only need to splash a few drops into your hands and because it is so fluid a little goes a long way.

Let me know if you already have this step in your routine & if you’re a fan of any other Korean / Japanese beauty regimes or products.

*PR Sample

NIOD Flavanone Mud QVC Exclusive

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NIOD Flavanone Mud 100ml

NIOD Flavanone Mud 100ml

I have always had my eye on so many NIOD products because they get such incredible reviews and the packaging is right up my street. Simple, clean and modern its so cool. I have been testing out their very popular Flavanone Mud (FM) Mask which for the month of September is available in a SUPERSIZED 100ml edition exclusively to QVC. So if you are a fan of this mask and prefer a tube instead of the original 50ml jar packaging then what are you waiting for, you need to stock up.

This is also an incredible deal as 100ml is only £38 whereas 50ml will set you back £24.50. So you’re getting fab new packaging and a deluxe supersized version for a bargain price.

NIOD QVC Exclusive Flananone Mud

How to use:

  • Use once a week
  • Apply a thin layer of Flavanone Mud to your entire cleansed dry face, avoiding the lower and upper eyelids
  • Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm water
  • There will be a stinging sensation which increases for a few minutes after the product is rinsed off

This comes out a very unusual orangey, brown shade and does tighten on the skin over the 10 minutes but it is not uncomfortable and the stinging sensation isn’t as dramatic as I was prepared for. So don’t panic. I smoothed a very thin layer over my face using a brush & just left it to work its magic.

So the magic is that this is one of the best mud masks I have tried and I have tried quite a lot. This mask works in three phases

  • Purifying Phase

This phase is the simplest one in the formulation and the one that is most closely aligned with masques as they are known today. In this phase, surface impurities—which include oil- and water-soluble pollution, cosmetic product build-up and excess sebum activity build-up—are physically solubilized and removed.

  • Protective Phase

This phase of FM’s formulation offers the most innovative approach to decongestion by introducing technologies that offer a physical shield against external build-up.

  • Responsive Phase

This phase of the formulation introduces mechanisms that fight against environmental congestion factors. This phase is the most important phase of FM as it respects health and longevity. The presence of “Flavanone” in the name of the product emphasizes the importance of this phase.
The result of this combined approach is a topical purification process that allows for a form of sustained visible radiance that is not “fabricated” through short-term inflammation or peeling.

Super Sized NIOD Flavanone Mud

There are so many wonderful ingredients included in this mask and NIOD are very cutting edge with the designing and formulation of their products, they like to go about things a little differently. Which is very intriguing and exciting.

With a commitment to be at the very forefront of science, NIOD (Non Invasive Options in Dermal Science) brings new innovations out ahead of the curve, adapting to the needs of modern-day skincare and pioneering next-generation beauty.

Face Mask

Quite a few whiteheads came to the surface after using this but after using it over the past 2 weeks. My skin is now looking healthy and feels smooth and soft.

‘FM is designed to be used once per week. Its action may lead to a stinging sensation which actually increases for a few minutes after the product is rinsed-off. The product should be applied on clean, dry skin as a very thin even layer and left on for 10 minutes. Some benefit will be seen immediately after the first use, but the benefits will be more evident 24-48 hours after application and will continue to be maintained with continued use. Note: An accelerated method of use would be to use FM once per day for the first five days followed by weekly maintenance applications.’

So as you can see the mask is a dark burnt orange and its formula is thinner and feels almost like a serum when applying it, it is very easy and smooth to apply and surprisingly easy to remove with warm water and a flannel. Even after one use, you will notice a difference in the texture of your skin.

NIOD Flavanone Mud Face Mask

If you often see very little results from your regular Mud Mask then I think its time you tried this Flavanone Mud Mask. It’s a fantastic decongestant and I usually have quite a few small spot like bumps around my jaw and chin, after 6 or so uses they have all but disappeared. Also, mud masks can be drying and leave your skin feeling stripped but this NIOD release does the opposite. Your skin feels hydrated and nourished after using it despite it drawing out all the dirt, sebum and grime from your skin. It really is a multi-purpose mask and I can see why it always sells out so fast, they struggle to make it quick enough to keep up with demand.

If you like this kind of exfoliating, resurfacing mask then I guarantee you are going to love this NIOD one.

NIOD Flavanone Mud 100ml £38

*PR sample

August 2016 Product Empties

- Vicki 2 Comments
August Product Empties 2016

August Product Empties 2016

Lacura Thermal Spring Shower Gel*

Aldi certainly know how to do affordable skincare well! This Thermal Spa Range is nourishing, lightweight and purse friendly. The range includes an eye cream, moisturiser and shower gel and is infused with natural thermal water to soothe and moisturise the skin. I will be repurchasing this next time I am in Aldi & highly recommend checking out the eye cream too.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

This is one of the most gentle cleansers I have used and Its easy to see what it is such a cult favourite with almost every beauty editor & beauty blogger. It removes makeup with ease without leaving your skin feeling dry and the hot cloth helps dislodge dead skin to keep it looking radiant. Its a ritual I look forward too in the evening and the distinctive botanical scent is also calming. This creamy cleanser contains these skin loving ingredients, Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Cocoa Butter, Rosemary Essential Oil/Extract and Chamomile Essential Oil/Extract so very gentle, soothing and antioxidant rich.

CoLab Dry Shampoo in Rio

Yes, this is AS good as everyone says. Its has been developed by blogger Ruth Criley and it is the best dry shampoo I have used, I have tried so many brands. I have the Rio version which smells amazing, it has tropical notes of papaya, pineapple & a heart of cassis. It just does exactly what you need a dry shampoo to do, it absorbs oil without weighing hair down or leaving behind a powdery residue. It has helped me out of many a bad hair day situation and if you are able to get it when its on offer in Superdrug make sure you stock up! You won’t want to try any other dry shampoos after this one.

LUSH Rose Jam Shower Gel 

I’m not sure how this LUSH offering evaded me for so long, this was my very first time trying this and I can say that I am now very much addicted to the scent of this, Rose Jam who knew it could smell so good?! Its quite a thick consistency and it feels incredible and luxurious on the skin, its hydrating and leaves your skin very soft. I need to stock up on this so I never ever run out.

NUXE Rêve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm

I have had this pot for a couple of years and I have found myself reaching for it less and less. For me its more of a Winter product as its quite thick and feels heavy on this lips much like a lip treatment. It comes in a pot which over time does become quite grubby and with it being a couple of years old I though it was time to say goodbye to it. I wouldn’t repurchase this and if I had to recommend a good lip balm it would be the Dr Paw Paw Ointment – its is amazing if you suffer from dry lips.

Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex Shampoo*

I was introduced to this brand earlier in the year and have been really impressed with this range. I ran out of the shampoo before the conditioner because after a few uses I realised how hydrating this SuperFruit range was and if I used too much product it weighted my hair down. So I use the conditioner every other wash and that works really well for me. This range contains some really great ingredients including,

  • Superfruit–a blend of red raspberry, ketones, goji, acai and guava extracts rich in anti-aging antioxidants
  • Marula oil–contains natural plant peptides that help support hair’s elasticity
  • Biotin–nourishes individual strands for thicker, stronger hair
  • Shea butter–deeply moisturises while conditioning hair and scalp

It leaves my hair feeling glossy, less frizzy, hydrated and more manageable. The fact that it doesn’t lather up took little getting used to but my hair feels a lot healthier for using it and SheaMoisture is a brand I highly recommend checking out. Their haircare range is available in Boots and they have an extensive selection for most hair types.

I would repurchase all of the products in this post apart from the NUXE Lip Balm. Let me know if you have tried any of them and if you would repurchase them too.

*PRSample

Current Favourite Cleansers

- Vicki 5 Comments
Four Favourite Cleansers

Four Favourite Cleansers

Clinique Take The Day of Cleansing Balm

I have two balms to talk about in this post & the Clinique one is the first balm cleanser I have ever tried. It has been a love story ever since. This is such a lovely product to take your makeup off with because its so gentle on the skin. I take a 10p sized amount and really massage that into my skin to breakdown the makeup and help loosen all the grime from the day. The balm starts off in a solid form, once you start massaging it in to the skin it turns in to a fluid oil.  I use a warm cloth to remove the product and all my makeup and grime. My skin is left soft and clean, Its a HG product for me.

Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm*

This is another fantastic balm to oil cleanser, you need a little less product and I find if you use too much of the Pixi one its a lot harder to remove the oily residue. If you use just the right amount this is a really nice nourishing cleanser that removes your makeup with very little effort. With these balm cleansers make sure you take the time to massage them in to your skin, I spend a good couple of minutes doing this. This balm contains sweet almond oil, shea butter and vitamin E, so as well as removing makeup & impurities this leaves your skin silky soft, hydrated and soothed. I really couldn’t pick a favourite out of the two but I think the Clinique one is slightly less greasy on the skin but the Pixi one is better if you wear heavy eye makeup.

Makeup Cleansers

Korres 3 in 1 Cleansing Emulsion

This says to use a cotton pad to rub this on to your skin, I like to use my hands and massage the soothing, cooling milky formula on to my skin. I do wash this off and its really good for the days when my skin is irritated or feeling especially dry, the soothing formula helps calm and hydrate. I wouldn’t repurchase this as Its not great at removing makeup, I would only use this in the morning or on days I don’t have makeup on. I much prefer my trusty Liz Earl Clean & Polish.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Grapefruit & Patchouli

I always have a bottle of the original C&P on the go, this is a cleanser that never lets me down. I haven’t used any of their limited edition scents and I’m kicking myself for not getting one sooner. This Grapefruit & Patchouli version smells so fresh, fruity and uplifting, I love to use this in the morning. Cleanse and Polish is a cream cleanser that you apply to dry skin and take off with a warm cloth, its great at removing makeup but I like to use it in the morning because the scent is just perfect to wake me up.

Cleansing Balms

What cleansers are you using in your routine?