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?

Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster

Back in July, I went on holiday to Spain.  In preparation for maintaining my tan, I bought a gradual tanner from Dove (you know the one I mean...) and had my heart set on a Clarins treat for on the way home from duty free - the Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster.  I feel a bit odd applying a self tanner to my face that isn't specificially designed for facial use.  I just don't feel like a body tanner can be as good for my blemish prone skin as a specifically formulated facial tanner.

The Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster is one we've probably all seen over the Summer months.  I know for a fact I would never have heard about it had I not read rave reviews on it from other bloggers.  It comes in a small bottle, which was definitely smaller than anticipated; I'll talk in sizeable terms that we can all probably relate to - it's the size of a MAC lipstick.  The box itself makes the product out to be a lot bigger than it actually is, which I also think is a little naughty.  The bottle is a small glass bottle, with a small flexible button on the base which pushes out drops of the product from the concentrated nozzle at the top of the bottle.  It's really easy to use, and is actually pretty nifty in terms of how precise you can be when dispensing the product.

The product itself though...I'm just a little disappointed I think.  I think I thought the product was something different.  The idea is to use two to three drops of the concentrated liquid daily mixed within your moisturiser or serum to build the colour, and then one drop after your desired colour is reached to maintain a colour.  It's not that it's a bad product; it works beautifully.  It's seamless, streak free, doesn't make me break out and the colour given doesn't sit in my pores - but I just thought that the colour would be more noticeable?  Like you have put a self tanner on?  I usually work with Xen Tan, and the results there are beautiful - I love the colour I get from that.  This is literally exactly as it's described on the bottle - a glow.

The Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster provides a very subtle glow.  If you use this and suddenly stop, you won't go patchy and your "tan" won't look uneven.  The effect is a healthy glow, and to be honest I think it's perfect for bringing a bit of sun to the skin during the Autumn weather.  I don't think you'll look obviously tanned like you've been abroad for two weeks using this - it's just nice.  I haven't felt the need to change my foundation shade, let's put it that way.  I do feel pretty radiant in my complexion after using this, so I would feel a bit more comfortable going bare faced instead of feeling a bit dull with my Winter skin.

Whilst I do like the nice healthy glow it does provide, I want something that I can apply at the same time as I apply my more instant tans like Xen Tan, so my face will match my tan when I wake up in the morning without having to apply a body tanning cream or mousse to my face.  Or at least a gradual tanner which is a bit more noticeable than this so I am a similar colour to when I use my Dove gradual tanner.  It's not that I don't like this product, it's just I don't love it as much as I thought I was going to because I expected it to be a lot more noticable in terms of colour.  I can imagine myself buying another in the future though; it really is a great pick me up if your skin is looking a little dull!  I have found it cheapest on Escentual for £15.80.

Have you ever been disappointed with a blogger hyped product?

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream

You know when you get a sample sized product?  How often is it that you actually buy the full size?  For me, it's really not that often.  One product that I bought though as soon as I ran out was the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream.  And let me tell you...I won't beat around the bush here.  It's bloody good stuff.

The Wonder Eye Cream claims to soothe, brighten and lift the eye area - check, check and not entirely convinced, but the other two do such a good job, you know what?  I'm not bothered if it lifts or if I would even notice if it did.  This is the first eye cream that I have actually loved to use; I always (used to) buy an eye cream with the best intentions of slotting it nicely into my skin care routine, but always used to get bored quite quickly of applying them - I'm a lazy girl, and I like things to be simple and quick!

Containing an extensive list of skin loving ingredients (hyaluronic acid, coconut oil, carrot oil, rosehip oil, chamomile, cucumber oil, witch hazel...), this is an eye cream that I just can't get enough of!  If I have had a tiring few days, this re-energises my eyes and makes me look more awake.  I feel like it has a slightly zingy scent to it - maybe a faint bit of a citrus or ginger?  And the scent even helps to lift me into feeling more awake!  I feel as though it erases any dark circles, and completely smoothes over my skin.

It absorbs quickly into the skin, but still leaves it feeling really moisturised and...just amazing.  I love it so ridiculously much.  It comes in a tube with a pump making it easy to dispense the perfect amount - one pump is more than enough to do both eyes.  The only thing that I don't like is that the tube is opaque so I can't see when I'm running out!  I have the fear that one day, I'll go to do my morning or evening pump and be out...cold turkey on the eye cream.  And then...just maybe then, I think a tear or two may be shed.

At £20, it's not your cheapest eye cream, but this is by far the most effective eye cream I have ever used.  Maybe when I am a bit older, I might have to invest in something different, but for now, this is just perfect!  I just can't get enough of this Wonder Eye Cream.

Have you tried the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream?  What's your eye saviour?

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?

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.

HealGel Intensive

For the last month or so, my skin has been graced with an amazing product - the HealGel Intensive*.  It's not often that I am particularly bowled over by a skin care product, and usually hop from brand to brand picking up whatever I fancy or whatever is on offer at the time, but HealGel is something else.

As we know, I have oily skin which is often ruined with blemishes.  My spots are much easier to control now I'm older and am embracing a proper skincare routine, but I still have some scarring from old, bigger blemishes.  I must admit that I don't help myself though in the scarring department as I am a picker - I hate the thought of a big black head or white spot standing on my face for all to see, and I know it's a terrible habit, and I know people can't see what I see, but...well I'm just working on it.

HealGel has been cropping up a lot on blogs lately, and I can just about say that all the positivity surrounding this product, and no doubt the two others that are part of the Heal Gel range (Face and Eye), are totally justified.  This is a product that I definitely need in my life forever now.  At £37.50, it's very pricey for the 30mls that you get, but it's not a product that I use daily, only as and when needed.  I find that two pumps of product covers my face and neck properly, but you can use this to target specific areas that need it most.  I won this particular bottle on a giveaway, but I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it again myself.

HealGel Intensive has worked better on my acne and blemishes than any other spot treatment that I have tried, trust me - I've tried a LOT of treatments, as well as prescription medicines and tablets from the doctors and this little serum has really cleared up my skin.  It's made with a perfect blend of active ingredients which helps to soothe irritation, reduce redness and puffiness, helps repair the skin and helps to increase the skins natural collagen production!

On first use, my skin looked glowing and to me, noticeably plumper.  I felt fresh, clean and the light fragrance was really refreshing.  I love the light, gel texture which is absorbed easily into the skin, leaving little residue.  It's perfect for use in the morning as a make up base, and is very hydrating.  I also found that when used under my make up, it acted similar to that of a primer and definitely kept my shine at bay.  I'd love to try the other products in the range, and if anything, I really hope that they release some sort of body gel as I have the worst acne scarring on my back as that would be something I would definitely invest in - HealGel, if you're listening...pretty please!

Have you tried any of the HealGel products? What's your skin saviour?

*This HealGel was won through a Twitter giveaway.

Hasslacher's Chocolate and China Clay Face Mask

Liam seriously did well this year with my Christmas presents.  Everything was so thoughtful!  Another one of his gifts was this Hasslacher's Chocolate and China Clay Face Mask.  I've never done a DIY face mask with ingredients in the home, and the only face masks I've tried have been premade in tubs or tubes.  This one is so unusual and is just in the middle of home made and made for you!

I was a bit sceptical at first, because this is literally a kitchen face mask.  Normally, like most people, I put my face masks on in the bathroom.  I had to arm myself with a small mirror, and crack out the cooking pans for this.  Yes, you read that right...pans.

The packet holds enough ingredients to make four face masks.  In this little packet, there is a white powder which is the Cornish Kaolin clay, and in the powder, is a little plastic bag of eight Cacao discs.  You need two of these chocolate discs for each application, and four tablespoons of clay.

It felt pretty unnatural using chocolate in cooking that wasn't meant for eating, but the ingredients in this little pouch are amazing for your skin.  The back of the packet says that the clay is formed from Cornish weathered granite rock which has been geologically extracted and purified.  "Cornish China clay gently draws out impurities from the skin without removing natural oils, simultaneously exfoliating, cleansing and revitalising the complexion."  Sounds good, doesn't it?  Well it doesn't stop there...

The Cacao discs are ground Cacao beans, which still have some cocoa butter remaining.  "Cacao contains high levels of flavonoids, potent antioxidants which help protect the skins structural proteins, collagen and elastin."  Cocoa butter is also soothing and softening on the skin.  Amazing - get on my face.

It didn't take long at all to make the mask - four tablespoons of water, one of clay, two discs and some gentle heating.  You need to apply the mask whilst it's still warm, but be careful getting it from the pan.  I waited a couple of minutes, and it had cooled quite quickly.  I applied it quite thickly to my skin, and still had a little left over.  It says on the packet you can thin this out to your liking by adding a little more water, so I think if you were having a girly pamper evening, you could maybe get two out of the supposed one face mask.

I completely love this face mask.  At £6.99, it's not too pricey and I would definitely buy this again.  It smells amazing, literally like cake mix on my face and I need to eat it - I didn't.  But maybe one day...  My skin was amazingly soft, and kind of glowy afterwards.  My skin looked clear, but not dried up and too deeply cleansed.  I'd definitely recommend you guys giving this a go.  Liam bought mine from Firebox but you can also buy direct from Hasslachers where they have a few more face masks.  I'm eyeing up the Sea and Rock Organic Seaweed face mask!

Have you tried Hasslachers face masks?  What's your favourite face mask?

Yu-Be Moisturising Cream

I have had this tiny sample for months, waiting for the perfect time to use it, and winter has been it.  This little tube is ridiculously amazing and I knew that after a tiny test that I would be repurchasing this...the time is coming, but I think I can hold out a little longer!

I actually got this in a Birchbox in April, but it has been securely in my clutches these last few weeks.  It is a pale yellow in colour, and is beautifully rich.  It has a scent similar to a Vicks chest rub or something, which I personally really don't like, but it fades almost instantly, leaving skin or lips perfectly soft and smooth!

Yu-Be Moisturising Skin Cream is Japans top selling skin cream, and has been for almost fifty years!  The ingredients are free from artificial dyes, petroleum and fragrances, but I did spy a sneaky paraben hiding in there for those who are cautious!

I'll one hundred percent be buying this again; it is perfect for curing winter skin!  You can get it from Boots (think of those Boots points...) for £19.50, so it's not the cheapest, but it's definitely long lasting as a little goes a hell of a long way!

Have you tried Yu-Be cream?  What are your Winter skin saviours?

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?

Eden Organic Care Avocado Oil

It seems I'm getting an Avocado trend going on...this is my last avocado related post this month!  (Have any of you managed to make your own guacamole yet?!)  I promise it's a good one though.  A while back now, I won another competition on Olivia's blog, Beauty from the Fjord, and I got this bottle of Avocado Oil!

I've had cleansing oils, and hair oils before, but I've never had an oil that is a moisturising skin oil!  This avocado oil can be used on both skin and hair, so it's really a multi tasker.  I really like the design of the bottle, it's got like a clear casing with a cylinder inside, but I find the pump to be a little stiff so I can't get a very controlled amount of product on my hands.  Mine has also leaked a little in the casing which might have been because of it being laid down in the post?

I've mainly been using this on my skin and I've found it to be really nice for when you've got the dreaded winter skin; popping this on before bed is just amazing and I really find that my skin is sorted by the morning.

The oil is, I'm going to contradict myself a bit here, a luminous but murky green and the smell isn't the nicest but I've found that it disappears really quickly so it is fine for me to use.  It's completely natural so what you're getting is a natural colouring and scent.  But because of the colour, it is definitely an oil for the evening, or you might get a yellowy tinge to your skin!

The avocado oil has so many benefits as well, more than what I expected to be honest!  I photographed the box so I just wasn't quoting, but just look....Vitamins A, D and E, and acids!  If reading beauty blogs has taught me anything, skin and acid is just one big positive.  Except for the chemical/science acids...obviously.

I am really trying hard to start looking after my hair, so I really ought to try and get into a routine of using this regularly.  I've used it a few times, but I think to really see the results on my hair, I need a proper regime, especially improving my split ends.  Maybe when and if I get the chop, I'll start properly!  The few times I have used this though, my hair has definitely got an improved shine, seems much more manageable and generally smoother!

I'd definitely buy this again when this bottle runs out, and I have seen that Eden also do a few other oils including Argan, Rosehip and Jojoba.  At the time of writing this, they were updating their website for new product launches so I'll leave their Twitter as you should definitely give them a browse!

Also!  Something I found out whilst looking up general organic products...did you know that it's not illegal for companies to put the word "organic" on their label, even if it isn't organic?  I didn't!  Which is why you need to look out for the soil association logo on packaging as a sign that it is truly organic!  The Eden Organic Avocado Oil has it on the bottle and on the outside box!

What oils do you enjoy using?  Have you tried Avocado Oil?
*This bottle of  Eden Organic Care Avocado Oil was won through a blog giveaway.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

Okay, so you may have seen me mention this Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask in my previous Skin Saviours post which you can find here if you missed it!  But that was just a quick breeze by, and this product deserves an entire post considering I've been reaching for it so much recently.

I literally love this moisturiser.  I can't see myself ever not having a bottle.  It smells so good I feel like I want it in my mouth squirty cream style.  I obviously won't...maybe.  It's a gorgeous fruity scent; I predominantly get mango through but there's lots of fruit based oils in the ingredients list.  It contains avocado oil and apricot kernel oil.  Both of these together are instant hydrators and it also contains Japanese Seaweed that's used to repair your skins barrier, and helps to prevent your skin becoming dehydrated again.  So it's a winning moisturiser right here.

 

My skin by the morning is amazing, I feel like I'm glowing, or as my friend might say, I feel as though I'm looking pretty radiant.  I feel like my skin is nice and plumped, and whilst it's obviously a little oilier come morning because of the richness of the moisturiser, it's not an issue because I'll be having my morning cleanse any second.

 

I've not finished this tube yet, maybe just under half left, but I've already got its replacement in the form of a Chrismas present for myself.  I've wanted to try some more Origins products for a while, but have never forked out the extra cash to get some.  Enter Boots Christmas offers.  Boots, I love you.

 

 

This is the Merry Moisturisers Gift Set and it is currently half price in Boots.  That's £29 for this instead of £58.  It only has a half size tube of the Drink Up Intensive, but that alone is worth £11.  The main reason I wanted this was for the Make a Difference Plus Moisturiser.  This is full size and usually costs £34, which is more than what I paid for the entire set!  So if you fancy trying Origins, go out and run to Boots, grab your advantage card and make the most of this amazing offer.  Or find it online here!

 

Are you going to be trying this?  What other Origins products do I need to try?



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.

Garnier Pure Active Intensive Anti Spot 24 Hour Moisturiser

You might remember a few weeks back that I posted about the Garnier Pure Active Moisturiser in my Superdrug haul.  Well I've been using it since I bought it, which is about a month!  I'm here to report back.

It comes in a very practical container, comfortable to hold and I've even managed to squeeze it into my make up bag due its small size.  It also has a pump for dispensing the product, which I prefer to pots as I think they're more hygienic.

I have oily skin which is prone to break outs.  The last time I used this, I thought it was a God send and then forgot all about it until I spotted it again in Superdrug.  I had high expectations for it as I remembered it being so good last time, but this time I'm just not so sure on how to feel about it!

The moisturiser itself isn't particularly moisturising; it was great when the weather was hot, as it was nice and refreshing.  I put this down to it being a spot fighting moisturiser, so I think it leaves that fresh 'my skin has just been deep cleaned' feeling behind.  It also contains Salicyclic Acid, which helps to purify your skin.  This also makes it good at mattifying skin, but I prefer other moisturisers for this purpose.  Back to moisturising, now it's turning colder, I can't feel any nourishment on my skin, and it feels like I've skipped a step in my skincare regime.  So whilst this was amazing for summer, I think your skin might need something a little extra in this weather.

As far as spot fighting goes, I've had quite bad skin for about three weeks now, and it has only just cleared up this week.  I read a few weeks back that skin actually takes a month to regenerate, so if you've been using new skincare, the effects of using that won't take effect until the new skin surfaces which does coincide with my results from this, if that is in fact true - feel free to correct me.  One of the selling points is that you have noticeable results from day one, which I personally didn't, but keep at it!

I think I will carry on using this, and maybe even give in to another repurchase to see if it keeps my bad skin at bay!

Have you tried Garnier Pure Active?  What products would you recommend for spot prone skin?

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.