December Empties: Skin Care

Continuing on from the last Empties Post, I'm back with some more empties, but this time it's skin care!  I've really been enjoying my skin care routine lately and have really enjoyed finding some lovely products that really work well with my skin.  Some bits I've been using haven't been great, but oh well...

My first empty is this pack of Yes To Cucumbers Face Wipes.  I don't remember the last time I bought a pack of face wipes, and I actually won this pack - I used to use face wipes daily, but y'know...Caroline Hirons and all that.  Basically my skin care has come on in leaps and bounds.  These weren't bad face wipes, but I don't think I'll be buying them again in the hope that I actually stop being lazy and use water and an actual cleanser.

Next up is The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye Make Up Remover.  I love this.  So much so, I've already bought and am onto my second bottle.  I don't use this daily, but it really is great for travelling and using on the days where your mascara needs a little extra help.  It needs a shake as it's got an oily layer, but it's amazing at removing your make up  - I love the entire Camomile range, and would definitely recommend you try it!

This Nuxe Nuxellence Jeunesse Youth and Radiance Revealing Fluid was a real favourite of mine.  Unfortunately for me, this was only a sample size, but I got so many uses out of it.  It's a really light weight moisturiser that applies beautifully to skin.  It feels really velvety and not at all heavy.  I would love to own this again, but at £47 for the full size, it's not something I'll be purchasing any time soon.  But if this is in your price range, I'd highly recommend trying it out!  There is 20.15% off it at the moment at Escentual!

The Garnier Pure Shine Control Moisturiser was one I really liked at first.  It was great before it started to get really cold - it's a  light blue formula with a jelly like texture, and smoothes on really nicely.  I didn't notice anything spectacular with the oil control aspect, but I did notice how tacky it made my skin feel.  I don't think I'll be picking this up again.  I also wasn't too keen on the Neutrogena Visibly Clear Spot Stress Control Cleansing Lotion.  First up, it's not your typical lotion - it's not creamy, it's a full on fluid.  I didn't use this regularly, just in times of need when I thought that something must be able to help me battle my skin - I didn't notice any real action from this lotion, but I guess I was using it irregularly.  I just found it to be quite drying, and stripping so my skin wouldn't have liked daily use.

Finally, my favourite from the lot - the Origins Make A Difference Plus Rejuvenating Moisturiser.  I can't even begin to explain how much I loved using this, and how gutted I was when it ran out.  Firstly, it smells amazing - really uplifting, slightly fruity, but mostly refreshing.  It was really light weight, but also really hydrating at the same time.  A little does go a long way, so despite the £34.50 price tag, I really would like to pick another one of these up.  The pot I had is best suited for combination/dry skin, which was nice on my skin, but I would like to try the Make A Difference Plus Rejuvenating Treatment for combination/oily skin to see how it compares.

What skin care bits have you been loving lately?

Mini Mentions: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

Sometimes it's hard to commit to buying a full sized product, either because you aren't sure if you're going to like it, or it's just too much money to risk buying a full size for it to not work as you had hoped.  Sometimes, you might just get a decent sized sample in a monthly beauty box and have managed to test it enough so that you have something to say about it - a mini mention perhaps!

This sample size of the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil actually came in a Glossybox that I got sometime last year!  I had never heard of DHC at the time, and back then never dreamed of adding an oil to my already oily skin.  It's safe to say it was shoved to the back of my drawers, never to see the light of day again until recently.  I went to Spain in July and was aiming for light packing, which is when I rediscovered this little bottle of goodness!

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is something I have heard of now -  a lot.  Turns out it's a beauty cult classic which originates from Japan!  You put a small amount of this oil onto your hands and massage onto your dry face; I found that it easily removed all of my make up and even managed to dissolve my waterproof mascara.  I didn't break out which says wonders for me, as on holiday SPF usually just has a disaster with my skin (back especially, but let's not go there...) so I think it managed to thoroughly cleanse my skin including any unwanted SPF in the evening.  It also rinsed off very easily, and left my skin feeling cleansed, smoothed and not at all oily.

The scent of this is a little strange to me.  I'm not the biggest fan of it, because it's made with rosemary and olive oil and I don't love the smell of olive oil.  It also reminds me of cooking, and I just can't get it out of my head that it smells like cooking oil in a greasy way.

Whilst I like this cleansing oil, I don't love it as much as I thought I might considering it's done its rounds like Bioderma.  I think I'll be sticking with The Body Shop's Camomile Cleansing Oil purely for the fresh, light floral scent that one has!  You can try the same 30ml sample that I have from Escentual for £4.50, or take the plunge with a larger size from £11!

Have you tried the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil?

Montagne Jeunesse Hot Chocolate Face Mask

Good day fellow beauty lovers.  It has been a while hasn't it...sorry about that!  I haven't got anything particularly exciting to report, I've just been a bit quiet lately despite having so much to write about!  Unfortunately, my laptop has completely broken now so blogging has taken a step back because I can't edit my photos as I would like to!  And what's a blog post without photos...  I've managed to get something done on Liam's laptop though, so here I am!

I thought I'd ease back in, and start with a review of a new face mask I have been trying in recent weeks.  It's the Montagne Jeunesse Hot Chocolate Face Mask!  I actually bought a few sachets of these before I went on holiday to Spain, because I spotted them in my local Wilkinsons for a bargain ten pence!

I'll be honest...I usually bypass anything from this brand and honestly only bought a few because they were ten pence!  I hate a face mask in a sachet because I find them to be so messy, and I think that you get a lot more product than you actually need, so it goes to waste unless you are having a girly gathering or can persuade your man to swipe some across his chops.  I also really don't like the design of the packaging - for me, there is just so much going on and it's all just a bit busy for me.

Packaging aside, I really enjoyed using this face mask.  I haven't used a sweet scented face mask in what seems like forever, and usually opt for the more refreshing cleanses.  This one smells exactly like a melted Terry's Chocolate Orange, and it looked good enough to eat!  It is made with dark chocolate and orange oil, which give it the amazing scent, but also contains Mediterranean Clay which helps to give your skin a deep clean whilst the oil softens skin.  The Hot Chocolate Face Mask is also self heating, and I absolutely love using a face mask which warms the skin.  I think that a warming face mask is all the more pampering, and helps you to feel super relaxed!

It seems quite runny when first getting the product out of the packaging, but once applied to the face it doesn't run or drip off.  I even went for quite a thick layer too to make sure I got a fully opaque finish to my skin - I think that face masks are all the more fun when they actually mask your skin!

I'd definitely try this again, as it left my skin really nice and smooth and after a couple of uses, and I've noticed that my t-zone is a little less congested!  My skin after use is also a lot less oily!  But I just really wish that it came in a bottle!  I had noticed a few bottles of masks coming from Montagne Jeunesse, but looking on their website, the Hot Chocolate wasn't one of them unfortunately!  You definitely can get two applications from a sachet, but because it's such a messy application, storage isn't particularly easy!

Have you tried anything from Montagne Jeunesse?

Eucerin Dermo Purifyer Cleanser

I have had the Eucerin Dermo Purifyer Cleanser* so long that this has now become an empties post- it's all gone.  Finito.  But I guess that means you're about to get a really good review of the product, as I've had enough time to give it a thorough test!

To get straight to the point - when I first used this cleanser, I thought "YES.  This is the one."  It was refreshing, left my skin feeling super clean and it wasn't stripping at all.  The clear gel, soap free formulation was really gentle, had a nice and light lather, and did a really good job at removing any traces of make up leaving that nice clean feeling behind.  I can't comment on whether or not my skin cleared up from using this cleanser, as I ended up taking prescription tablets to sort out the total mess of my skin, so they have had a huge impact on clearing my spots and blemishes.

I can say however, when I stopped taking my tablets but was still using my Eucerin Cleanser, the cleanser didn't prevent any blemishes from returning.  Oil wise, for my skin it seemed a lot more under control when I first started using it.

You might have noticed a lot "was" and "when I first" slipped in the above paragraphs...  That's because I felt as though my skin got used to the cleanser and it stopped becoming as effective after a couple of weeks.  My skin stopped feeling super nice and clean afterwards, and it just went back to a standard feeling face wash.  My oily skin stopped being so under control, and honestly, I don't know if I'd repurchase it.  At £9.00 a bottle, it's not the cheapest of cleansers, but at the moment it is discounted in the Escentual Sale for £7.19 if you did want to give it a go!

I even shared some of this bottle with Liam, and he has agreed that it felt amazing at first, but it just doesn't feel as amazing anymore!  But sad Carly is still on the hunt for the perfect cleanser...

Have you tried the Eucerin Dermo Purifying Cleanser?  What's the best cleanser you've found?

*This product was sent to me for consideration.

Avène Extremely Gentle Cleanser & Soothing Hydrating Serum

I am always on the look out for new bits to try, and a few months ago I was given the opportunity to try something from Avène - the Extremely Gentle Cleanser*.  It sat in my draw of spares waiting to be used, and when the Avène Soothing Hydrating Serum* made its way into my mitts, I decided to pair the duo up and finally give them some attention.

I have been using the Extremely Gentle Cleanser in the evening to remove my make up as my pre-cleanse.  It says you can use this both morning and night, but I don't feel comfortable, or clean, using a formulation like this to clean all my night grime from my face in the morning.  It is a gel like texture which you apply with your fingers, and wipe off any excess using a cotton pad.  I found that the cleanser often just disappeared into my skin, so I never found that there was too much to wipe off which is probably why I never felt particularly clean.  The gel itself though is really soothing, and does leave skin feeling really soft but it doesn't effectively clean eye make up and I'm often left with under eye smudges.

The Soothing Hydrating Serum on the other hand...well, that was amazing.  It absorbed ridiculously quickly into my skin, and left practically no residue.  My skin has been feeling a little dehydrated lately, and I really felt my skin was drinking this up.  I mainly used this in the evening over the top of my Effaclar Duo+ and underneath my chosen moisturiser.  If my skin was feeling particularly dry, I did a couple of layers of the Hydrating Serum to ensure my skin was properly hydrated!  What I really loved about the serum was being able to use it in the morning - it provided a perfect, even base for the days make up.  It isn't heavy, but leaves my skin feeling perfectly smooth.

I don't know if I would personally recommend the Cleanser, but I'd one hundred percent recommend trying the serum!  If you did want to try them, the entire Avène range is currently on offer at Escentual.

Have you tried any Avène?  Will you be trying the Cleanser or the Serum?
*PR Sample.  These Avène products were sent to me for review.

Soap and Glory The Fab Pore

Ohhhhh....the first product I have got from Soap and Glory with their new packaging!  I love Soap and Glory, I don't know anybody that doesn't love it!  And as always, I'm not disappointed.

This is The Fab Pore, which is a two in one pore purifying mask and peel.  It is part of the Fab Pore range, and...well, leaves you with fab pores.  I use this mask on dry skin, straight from the pot, and you can leave it on for five minutes for a quick fix, or fifteen minutes for a real, deep clean.  

The mask comes in a gorgeous smooth, matte pot.  The white kind of makes me think of super clean clinics or something, but I like that medical feel because it just looks nice, and perfect.  But my favourite is the feel...I could touch the pot all day.  What a weirdo...

The product itself is mint green in colour, and smells a little minty really too; don't worry though, because it's not a horrible smell.  I actually quite like it, and I feel it adds to making me feel super clean.  I also like that you get that fresh, deep clean feeling on your skin after use!  It's got tiny exfoliating, bursting beads inside too.  I usually apply it quite thickly, and leave it on for the full fifteen minutes - I have oily skin, and have quite large pores around my nose.

For me, I can see a real difference after use.  My skin is bright, clean, smooth and most importantly, I think there is a difference in my pores.  Now I'm not saying that there is a pore that has totally disappeared...it's not a miracle mask, but I do think there is a noticeable difference.

At £10 a tub, it's not the cheapest, but I would definitely buy it again.  It's available at Boots, and I'm sure there'll be some vouchers for extra Boots points/money off in the Yule Monty boxes if Santa was spoiling you girls this year!  Soap and Glory can do me no wrong, and a product specifically formulated for clogged pores, problem and oily/combination skin is a winner in my eyes.  Another product I need to get into the habit of using for perfect pores all the time...

Any recommendations for problem skin?  Have you tried this?

The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Make-Up Remover

This is The Body Shop's Camomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Make-Up Remover*.  I have to admit here and now that I've never really bought into the whole make up remover thing - I usually just wash my face properly with face wash in the bath or shower, and prior to me becoming quite into my skincare routine, I just used face wipes - I know, I don't anymore and they're now banned!

The only eye make up remover I bought before this was the Simple one - it was okay but I was never really taken with it so I didn't get used very much, so I'll say now I didn't have high hopes.  But oh my god, wow.  This is one of those cleansers where you have to shake it to wake it, you can see below that it's a layered solution; one is an oily liquid, and the other is a watery one.  Once shaken, it turns into a milky mixture which is just perfect.

The cap is the only downside - I find it quite difficult to actually get the product out compared to other liquid cleansers that kind of just soak onto the cotton wool.   I think it's because of just how small the hole is in the cap, but I can get by!  I'd still buy this again.

To test the make up, I used my brightest red lip which usually leaves a stain behind, and my Maxfactor False Lash Effect Mascara, teamed with a Body Shop one as well for maximum mascara layers seeing as the only waterproof mascara that I own is my other Maxfactor False Lash effect mascara, which as I said in my previous review here, isn't waterproof.

I was pleasantly surprised.  My lipstick was removed easily, and no red lip was left behind!  I had no staining, and was left with my natural lip colour.  Removing mascara required a little more effort as expected, but just holding the soaked cotton pad over the eyelids for a few seconds allowed for a gentle and effective removal!  I was expecting to have some sort of oily residue left behind, but I couldn't notice anything dramatic, just clean, make up free skin.

So all in all, like the Camomile Cleansing Butter, I love this product and would definitely buy it again.  At £8, it is more expensive than I would normally pay, but as I'm researching more into skin care, I am starting to be willing to pay that little bit extra as you really do get what you pay for.  This is just perfect; simple, effective and will last a while too thanks to the product control from the small cap!

What are you favourite make up removers?  Will you be trying this?

*I received this Eye & Lip Make Up Remover from The Body Shop after winning a Twitter competition

The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter

As promised, here is my first review for The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing range.  This is the Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter* and I have to say, I absolutely love it.  I've never really been a fan of balmy cleansers; I got the RMK Cleansing Balm in a Glossybox before and found it to be far too greasy on my skin, and as I've got oily skin, this worried me.  This is just a perfect balance - it's a bit different texture wise to the RMK balm, that feels more waxy where as I think that this is more creamy which I guess is expected as it's called a Cleansing Butter.  

You literally need a pea sized amount of this cleanser, it just melts in your fingers and applies amazingly well across the skin.  It removes all traces of make up with ease, and because you only need a small amount, I can see it lasting a long time.  It has a clean, fresh, very light floral scent which I personally love because it's not at all overpowering.  On the skin, it looks and feels quite oily so to make sure I removed it all, I did the good old double cleanse, and washed it off in the shower with some face wash.

Having washed it off, I was amazed at just how smooth my skin felt!  I felt amazing, and whilst I haven't noticed any massive skin differences just yet, I absolutely love this Cleansing Butter and couldn't recommend it enough!  It costs £12 in The Body Shop, which is usually more than what I would pay for a cleanser (because I'm a bit tight) but The Body Shop almost always has offers on - the last one I saw was for 40% off everything - so keep your eyes peeled if your purse strings are knotted as tight as mine!

Have you tried any of the Camomile Range?  Will you be trying the Cleansing Butter?

*I received this Cleansing Butter from The Body Shop after winning a Twitter competition.

The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Range

This week I will be sharing with you my thoughts on The Body Shops Camomile Cleansing range.  I was lucky enough to win the range, complete with a muslin cloth, on a Twitter giveaway with The Body Shop.  I have been very lucky lately with my wins on Twitter!

I have been using these since I won them a few weeks back, and am excited to share my thoughts with you!  I received the Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil*, Camomile Waterproof Eye and Lip Make Up Remover* and the Camomile Cleansing Butter*, as well as the Grow Your Own Camomile plant and Muslin Cloth.  Keep checking back, or be sure to be following me on Bloglovin' for instant access to my review on this range!

Have you tried this range yet?  Or have you been lucky on any giveaways lately?

*I received these products from The Body Shop after winning a Twitter competition.