French Skincare

Products Currently in Use

- Vicki 2 Comments

Current Beauty Products

I have been in my new house for almost 3 weeks (the weeks have flown by) and before I moved I had a product clear out which felt really good and meant my stash was de cluttered and easier to manage. Now that I have a lovely bathroom I didn’t want all my products out & looking messy and overwhelming so at the start of the week I have a look in my skincare cupboard (let me know if you’d like a post about that) and I select the skincare I want to use that week, sometimes I keep the same products out but more often than not I have a big shake up. This way I am rotating products more and also discovering products that are at the back of the cupboard and aren’t getting the love they deserve.

So these are products that I am currently using & really enjoying.

Origins Original Skin Mask*

I have been using this Retexturizing mask twice a week for a while now & I really love it. What I really like about this mask is that its a dual action mask, so you smooth a layer over clean skin (I apply it with a brush). Then you relax and leave it for 10 minutes then you wet your fingertips and gently massage the mask off and the little jojoba beads gently exfoliate and refine the skin. Leaving you with the most soft, radiant looking skin.

So you’re getting a 2 phase mask and its not one of those masks you need to leave on for ages, you just apply it & wait 10 minutes then massage the beads whilst removing the mask & you have fresh looking radiant skin. Its a great one to apply if you’re in a time crunch and need your skin too look great or your makeup to sit on your skin really well! The clay mask side will help balance your skin and unclog pores and its so gentle it won’t dry out your skin at all, I think thats because it is made with Mediterranean Rose Clay and also has Canadian Willow Herb which are soothing and won’t irritate. If you like Origins face masks you will want to add this one to your line up.

Sanctuary Body Scrub

This is quite a gentle scrub so I like to use it daily just to keep my skin feeling smooth. Its has cooling gel like formula with tiny scrubbies, its not at all harsh so if you have sensitive skin it won’t feel irritating or abrasive.The pumice grains are a very light coloured, frothy volcanic rock. The tiny grains help remove dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, thereby improving skin tone. It has that signature Sanctuary scent of rejuvenating patchouli and soothing orange oil and it makes your bathroom smell like a Spa!

Kiehl’s Calendula Foaming Face Wash

I have been using this cleanser a couple of times a week for well over a year & its a product I never see mentioned on blogs. It’s targeted at people who have sensitive skin are that are prone to redness which is me! I have to say its a really lovely cleanser for the morning because It leaves my skin feeling revitalised and refreshed, it also cleanses the skin without stripping away all the moisture. It is sulphate & paraben free too. Two pumps is enough for your face & neck and like I said this bottle is lasting me ages. I really like Kiehl’s skincare and it never seems to let me down and this is a cleanser I can always rely on, especially if my skin is a little sore or I have a few blemishes it gently cleanses my skin and leaves it feeling clean but not stripped of moisture.

Decléor Micellar Oil*

I have noticed a couple of brands releasing Micellar Oils, I like Micellar Water & Cleansing Oils so having them combined is exciting. This offering from Décleor works really well at removing my makeup I use this as my first cleanse and it is so gentle but effective. I use two pumps and massage it on to dry skin so the oil dissolves my makeup, I like to work it in to the skin for about a minute then once you wet your face it emulsifies the oil and I take it off with a hot cloth. It contains Sweet Almond Oil which is rich in essential fatty acids and will help strengthen and soothe skin & it also contains Vegetable Squalene which is derived from Olive Oil and helps maintain skins optimum hydration levels and leaves skin feeling supple and radiant. This won’t sting your eyes or leave your skin feeling greasy, I also really like that it has a pump and it will last a really long time.

HEMA Hand Soap

This was from a recent trip to Amsterdam & I bought it mainly for the packaging, I thought it looked quite luxurious and simple but it actually smells pretty good too. It is in the scent Cedar and has notes of amber and musk. Also for an affordable hand soap it isn’t too drying, I do always use a hand cream after but thats because I get very chapped hands in the colder months. I love HEMA & can’t wait to try a few more scents.

Let me know what products you are currently using too!

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.

Vichy Purete Thermale Skincare

- Vicki 2 Comments
Vichy double cleanse

Vichy Purete Thermale Calming Cleansing Micellar Solution

This Spring Vichy added two new affordable cleansing products to their extensive skincare range, the Pureté Thermale range has been developed to protect the skin against environmental aggressors & the negative effects of pollution. This is something that affects everyone’s skin but especially if you live/work in a city.

I have been testing out these new additions for over a month now & have to say I am now fully converted to the double cleanse. So first up is the Vichy Purete Thermale Beautifying Cleansing Micellar Oil* by now most of us have heard of & tried the standard Micellar Waters, but Vichy has come out with a Micellar Oil (how exciting).

So this is recommended as a first cleanse, you apply the oil (I find two pumps is enough) to dry skin and take a few minutes to work into the skin really breaking down makeup, grim and the dirt of the day. You then remove the oil with a hot cloth, the oil will emulsify into a milk upon contact with water, removing your makeup and leaving your face feeling soft, smooth and feeling reasonably clean.

Vichy Purete Thermale

I really like the lightweight texture of this Micellar Oil, it’s easy to massage into the skin, and it feels extremely soothing and quite cooling too. Don’t be frightened that it’s an oil, it’s in no way greasy or heavy on the skin. In fact, I have found it helps balance my oily skin and reduces sebum and breakouts.

At the heart of the formula are micelles (Micelles are attracted to dirt, grime, and oil, and they draw out impurities without drying out your skin), which gently remove waterproof makeup, impurities, sebum excess and dead cells with no need for rubbing. Also, it contains vitamin E which provides antioxidant protection and Camellia Oil which moisturises and soothes the skin. This can be used on even sensitive skin, and the formula contains no parabens.

Then you second cleanse with the Vichy Purete Thermale Fresh Cleansing Gel* much like the cleansing micellar oil, this is for all skin types and is designed to combat the negative effects of pollution on the skin. This has a totally different consistency to the oil, this is a thicker Gel but still gentle and easy to massage into the skin. You apply the Fresh Cleansing Gel to damp / wet skin, and it lathers up quite a lot, this feels so cooling and refreshing

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.

This second step is great at cleansing off my SPF. I wear SPF 30 or 50 on a daily basis and I find if I don’t cleanse properly in the evening I get really greasy skin and quite a few angry blemishes but since doing the Vichy double cleanse my skin has been looking fresh and less oily which makes me very happy.

Vichy Cleansers

This is a double cleanse I am onboard with, these leave my skin feeling cleansed, hydrated and very refreshed. Ideal for daily use, I have been using them as a double cleanse in the evening and that’s working well for me. Both formulas are gentle enough for even sensitive skin. I think they’re a great addition to the Vichy skincare line-up and are affordable too. The French sure know how to make great skincare, if you have any French Skincare recommendations, I’d love to hear them.

Vichy Purete Thermale Beautifying Cleansing Micellar Oil*

Vichy Purete Thermale Fresh Cleansing Gel*

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.

5 Current Skincare Favourites

- Vicki 6 Comments
5 skincare favourites May

5 current skincare favourites

Soap & Glory Peaches & Clean Deep Cleansing Milk £8.00

I took this with me on my recent trip to Scotland & I used it every evening to cleanse off my makeup. It is a very gentle creamy cleanser that doesn’t dry out or strip your skin. It’s not amazing at removing eye makeup but I do tend to remove that with a micellar water first then just make sure its all off with the cleanser. It leaves my skin feeling soft and clean and after 3 weeks of daily use my skin is looking bright and it hasn’t broken me out. This cleanser smells incredible and sweet and I have been surprised at how much I have liked using it as I tend to use a cleansing oil but this has been a nice alternative. It’s also so handy having the pump dispenser & this is the larger 200ml bottle so will last forever.

Balance Me Radiance Mask £18.00

I like to use this mask in the morning (when I have time). It has a thick creamy consistency with fine exfoliating walnut shells which you smooth over the skin & leave it to work its magic. You then massage it off lightly letting the fine walnut shells exfoliate your skin, to reveal smooth, hydrated & radiant skin. I promise your skin will feel so smooth after using this. Balance Me say you can use this product in two ways – if you’re in a rush then you can use it as a face wash or if you have time on your side you sit back, relax and use it as a treatment mask. I do like a multi-purpose product. This product removes dead skin, replenishes lost moisture and soothes & smooths your skin. I love it!

Vichy Idealia Eye Cream* 23.00

This is the perfect eye cream if your skin is dehydrated & fatigued but the first thing I have to talk about is the really cool applicator, It’s a silicone spatula & the product comes out of a little hole in the centre. It makes applying the eye cream very hygienic and really easy. This cream has quite a thick creamy consistency, so if you’re looking for a really nourishing hydrating eye cream then this is for you. It does take a couple of minutes to absorb but once it has you’re left with smooth, hydrated and brighter looking skin. This cream helps reduce the signs of fatigue as it contains caffeine & is enriched with instant illuminators and a combination of DRM-Bright complex and vitaminB3. I think it has helped reduce puffiness and dark circles too. It wears well under concealer & foundation, although the formula is on the heavy side it isn’t greasy. I really like this as part of my morning routine & have used hardly any product even though I have been using it for a couple of months. If you’re on the hunt for a new eye cream give this a go!

ESPA Naturally Radiant Gradual Tan*

This is a brand new product from ESPA & a great addition to their range. It is a lightweight nourishing formula that is no fuss or mess, you simply apply it like a body lotion and leave it to work its magic. It gives your skin a gorgeous natural glow which develops over four hours and intensifies each day. The formula has a combination of Shea Butter, Coconut and Sweet Almond Oil which leave the skin feeling deeply hydrated and soft whilst Jasmine, Rosewood and Ylang Ylang essential oils leave your skin subtlety scented. I can 100% say this smells incredible.

La Roche Posay Micellar Water

This is a great gentle but effective micellar water. I use it to remove my eye makeup before cleansing & it even removes my Benefit Roller Lash, which is very stubborn. It has a very light scent to it but nothing overpowering and it never stings or irritates my eyes. So if you’re in the market for a new micellar water then this is a great option & now that it is stocked in many Boots stores it’s so easy to get hold of.

What skincare have you been enjoying lately & have I mentioned any of your favourites?

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.

Eucerin 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing Fluid

- Vicki 13 Comments
Eucerin Micellar cleansing water

French Skincare

Eucerin 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing Fluid

I have used my fair share of cleansing/micellar waters over that past couple of years and really like using them as a pre-cleanse. Mostly to remove my eye makeup, especially if I’m wearing a lot of eyeliner, I find it easier than just going in with my Hot Cloth Cleanser and making a mess wiping it all over my face.

I have been using this Eucerin 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing Fluid* for a good month now and like most people, I compare all micellar waters to the HG Bioderma as this is the most effective one I’ve used to date. So they’re all put through their paces and have a lot to measure up to.

This is marketed as a 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing fluid and that means its a cleanser, eye makeup remover and toner in one. I don’t use it as my toner as I do a full face cleanse after using this with either an oil or cream cleanser and tone after that but as a face cleanser and eye makeup remover it does a very good job, not the best I have used (not quite as good as my bioderma) but it is up there with the best of the rest. It is gentle on my skin and I had no trouble at all with taking this around my eyes, no stinging or irritation at all.

It feels like a hydrating fluid and doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight. I find micellar waters handy to have around, I even use them if I make an eyeliner mistake or need to tidy up sloppy eyeshadow fall down. They are really easy to pop on a cotton bud & tidy up like it never happened.

Micellar Cleansing Water

I do like that this is fragrance-free, paraben free and alcohol-free so it is gentle and won’t strip your skin or sting your eyes. It took me two cotton pads to take off my eye makeup and sweep across my face to remove a little of my base too. It was quite quick at removing my eye makeup and I didn’t need to tug or rub back and forth. If you press lightly on your eyes and hold for about 20 seconds and this will make it easier to remove. It did leave a little more mascara behind than my Bioderma but as I cleanse after that it doesn’t bother me too much. I like the fact that this feels gentle around my eyes and that my makeup lifts off without fuss or the need to apply pressure to that area.

The packaging is simple and the product come out quite a small hole, I find its best to squeeze the bottle to get the liquid out. With the opening being quite small you won’t waste product which is always a good thing. I will be decanting some of this into a smaller bottle to take with me on my holiday later this month.

If you struggle to get your hands on Bioderma then I can highly recommend this as an option! Let me know if you have tried this or if you have any other Eucerin product recommendations for me.

Eucerin 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing Fluid £9.99 for 200ml

Products that are marked with a * 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.