Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
This is a brilliant stocking filler – a ‘pen’ which can be taken anywhere thanks to the click-down selection. Yes ,you do remember these from school! With the same format as a Biro, you can click to have an eyeliner (black), lip liner (pink), brow liner (light brown) or highlighter (white). The are all inter-useable in this lightweight pen style which can be put in a handbag or on holiday in a make-up bag where space is tight. Also brilliant for a night out when you don’t want to take many items!
The liners have different textures so I wouldn’t recommend mixing them together, but the eye liner could be used as a brow liner if the light brown colour isn’t a match for you. I personally wouldn’t use the highlighter that much but the light pink lip liner would be very well used by me daily. They’re all really good quality though, and there is a good supply there in the pen.
This is the type of product that would change how you do your make-up just because it’s so convenient to carry around, and it’s really easy to use. Teenagers would particularly enjoy this as a way of carrying make-up around but I know I’ll be taking this on holiday with me!
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
The Rosalique beautiful gift set of Miracle Brush and the 3 In 1 Anti-Redness Miracle Formula SPF 50 combines a skincare concealer with a beautiful (and oh so soft!) brush to hide away those rosy cheeks. The 3 in 1 Anti-Redness Miracle Formula works by covering, treating the skin for long term redness and protects from outside irritants like pollution and the sun. The SPF 50 help protect on a UVA and UVB basis too.
Combined in this gift set, the 3 In 1 Miracle Formula has a brush for applying it daily. The two of them work together to create a long term anti-redness. The coverage works, and also feels very soft and light against your skin. It’s great for using instead of a standard foundation but also works if you’re not wearing make up at all for the day but still want some protection from the sun and elements, and something that gives you the even colour daily.
This is a great gift for Mum or Gran who might want to have some colour coverage as well as something more medicated for redness. I’d also recommend taking this on holiday with you in case you end up burnt or a bit red from alcohol too!
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
I have become a big fan of facial oils in the last year. Facial oils are no longer greasy and pore-clogging, but contain added vitamins and minerals to repair and replenish your skin and make it feel smooth. Essentially, the oil works to keep moisture trapped and in your skins’ layers instead of evaporating away. Olverum Pure Radiance Facial Oil does just that, with a specially formulated combination which leave skin feeling soft. I tried it out this week as part of the Christmas gifts at Space NK and loved every minute of it!
Olverum Pure Radiance may be called an ‘oil’ but it’s very light in texture when you add it to your skin, and completely translucent. It smells absolutely divine as well so it’s a real treat to be able to apply it. It’s very light and absorbs easily but gives a light dewy glow. With the fragrance as well, it’s like a very delicate essential oils mixture when you wear it, so it’s perfect for days when you’re not wearing make up or if you put it on first thing in the morning before you apply make up later on. Within about a minute, there was no oiliness, just a light glow to my skin.
Olverum Pure Radiance Facial Oil contains high potency vitamins C and E to work together as an alternative to retinol. There’s also Bakuchiol, Cacay Oil and Rosehip Oil (which give it the fragrance) and Patchouli Extract which mimics the CBD properties. Finally, Cardamom Oil calms your skin, including fine lines so that your appearance is luminous. Suitable for all skin types, it’s light enough to not cause any acne (which I am usually prone to.)
I love facial oils now as a way of nourishing my skin without having to think about it. Used daily, it keeps fine lines at bay but doesn’t make your skin oily, and has the same nurturing effect as a facial but with less time. I did use Olverum Pure Radiance Facial Oil after a face mask to keep the moisture in and the germs out but you can happily use it daily as a base, or to cleanse your skin as it is an oil after all. My preference is to use it instead of a moisturiser when I’m working from home during the winter months and don’t need SPF, but I do get exposed to air conditioning or central heating which leaves my skin dry. It also works on lips and hands so there’s nothing that goes to waste when you apply it.
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
For the woman in your life, at Christmas, there’s nothing easier than getting her a paper set, especially one from Sanctuary Spa. This year the Perfect Pamper Parcel contains all she needs for pampering in 2026 and we were sent this selection to be able to test out its contents before the holidays. Lucky us!
The Sanctuary Spa Lily & Rose Perfect Pamper Parcel contains Bath Float, Body Wash, Body Scrub and a body sponge for the pampering, plus Body Lotion and Hand Cream for the finishing touches. With the floral Lily & Rose scent in each of the bath and body products, the light fragrance carries through from bath to bed and all day long. I like how you can mix and match too by having just the bath set, or the body wash or hand cream available and it makes for a multi-use hamper of treats that can be used any time of day.
At just £20 it’s a steal too, saving money but in a lovely gift set that can be given to teenagers right up to Gran!
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
If you’ve never used oil to remove dirt, make-up and clean pores before, then let me enlighten you… most make-up removers used to be 100% oil. This was a long time ago, when they weren’t fragranced though, and if you held onto them for too long, they would go rancid and smell. Think Petroleum Jelly but a bit softer! Oil does indeed remove dirt, but nowadays we have a more sophisticated approach and a much nicer selection to use.
Anua Heartleaf Pore Control is a cleansing oil which removed make-up, but also dirt, build up and generally anything that gets into the pores on your face. It’s lighter than most oils, and has a slight, fresh fragrance about it but nothing heavy. To use Anua Cleansing Oil, it takes just a small amount distributed over the dry skin of your face and massaged in for a minute or two. You can feel the softness of the oil as it works over your skin. To remove the cleanser, use warm water and I like to use the reusable make-up remover pads that you can put in the wash. They seem more robust than most cleansing pads, and yes, they help remove both the oil and the dirt that the oil removes!
After a light brush of warm water, my skin is cleaner and Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil manages to remove traces of make-up and dirt, including stubborn mascara. The cleansing oil also kept my skin hydrated, which is what you’d expect from an oil but in these autumn and winter months, air conditioning and heating really don’t help your skin. If you are in need of some de-puffing during the Christmas season, then I can highly recommend Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil for some facial massage too. Oil is essential for facial massages and this lighter, more nutritious oil worked a treat!
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Ah, acne. I suffered greatly right into my 20s and now that I’m ‘that age’ it’s evident that I’m going to suffer again! Topla Dermo have a range of face products for those suffering from acne and associated scarring or inflammation so they offered to send me some to try in this hot weather.
Tolpa Dermo products were a nice arrival a few weeks ago before the sunshine came, and now they’re invaluable as we battle the hot weather, air con and dehydration. I was sent the Serbio+ Face Wash Gel, 4-Molecule Serum and CICA Correcting Cream, the latter two mainly for night time skin repair and the Face Wash Gel for daily use. How have I been getting on with it?
Night time repair is essential to skin and this summer I’ve been using the combination of the 4-Molecule Serum and CICA Correcting Cream. Before bed, I applied a few drops of the 4Molecule Serum and worked it into my skin. You don’t need much, but the serum is really light and takes minimal effort to massage into your face. Next, I used the CICA Correcting Cream which is a slightly richer but not oily correcting cream. It works at night to minimise acne as its anti-bacterial, unclogs hair follicles and pores and smooths skin discolouration.
The Tolpa Dermo Face Sebio+ Face Wash Gel contains two acids; AHA and LHA for a deep cleanse and exfoliation without feeling tight. It works with the skin to reduce active acne legions and acne prone skin and can be used daily. I put this in the shower to use when I’m conditioning my hair but it’s gentle enough that you can use it more often. My skin was clean afterwards, but not tight and the use of the 4-Molecule Serum helped rehydrate my skin even more after I came out of the shower.
The combination of all the Topla Dermo Face products together was having a clean, hydrated face that repaired at night. The CICA Correcting Cream was particularly good at smoothing out blemishes that arise during the day and the overall texture of my skin has improved despite the hot weather! Even today, I can feel the effect of the Tolpa Dermo Face products in how smooth and soft my skin is.
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
I was very excited to be offered a red light mask by Sensse, having seen them on social media but knowing that I didn’t want to buy one without trying it out first. Sensse actually sent me their Elite LED mask though, which is not only a red light mask but also contains all the other colours of the spectrum which brings with it the different healing properties. So when it arrived, I was super excited!
Red light has healing properties for the skin which includes reducing fine lines and therefore slows aging. However, the other light frequencies have properties too such as cyan light for calming and white light for revitalisation. The Sensse How To Guide that comes with the mask explains the different lights and their properties, as well as showing you a pictorial of what the lights are and which modes to use.
Before using the mask, you have to set up the Velcro straps and controller which is plugged in with the included cable. There’s a tiny bit of charge already in the mask but it’s best to charge it fully and the How To Guide tells you how to charge it from a USB-C point and how to know when it’s fully charged. There’s also instructions of how to test the LED lights on your forearm just in case you’re allergic or have a reaction to the lights. The timetable builds up your resistance to the light but if you do have a reaction, stop using it and contact Sensse!
After setting up and reading the instructions (they’re not complicated so don’t worry) I had a test of 5 minutes with the NIR mode. This is Mode 8 on the controller. It is above the white light range and contains all the colours so it was a good test of my skin sensitivity. The controller sits in your pocket and makes a sound when the time is up (it defaults to 10 minutes but you can adjust it the first few times to 5 minutes). Success! No reaction, so I can leave it a few days to try the other colours for 5 minutes.
2 days later, I tried the red light (mode 2). This is the famous anti-aging frequency which over time should slow the aging of your skin. Again, I tried it for 5 minutes. Not only would I suggest shorter amounts of time to test light sensitivity, but I found this time I had to adjust the straps so that the mask fitted properly on my face. This also affected how I held my head (tip: don’t try and work on a laptop with the mask on!) and I could feel a headache coming on from the weight. Sitting back or lying down is preferable which is what I was doing the first time, so I shall be doing that most of the time I’m wearing the mask until I get used to the weight. It’s not that the mask is heavy, it’s that my head, neck and shoulders aren’t used to the forward weight or the straps around my head, which is why I had to keep adjusting it.
Wearing it around the house was easy though, and it’s not uncomfortable (the Velcro straps are easy to adjust even when you’re wearing it). The light isn’t too bright, although you shouldn’t aim the light directly into your eyes, and it doesn’t get hot or sweaty at all, even in the hot weather. I would suggest using the 10 minutes of light time to relax though, as it’s a good reminder to slow down whilst your skin rejuvenates.
This is a beauty tool which you can keep using for months in different ways. Not only the red light, but in time you’ll find the yellow light helps brighten your skin and with lymphatic drainage, blue light helps improve rough uneven skin texture and purple improves dullness, hydration and resilience. From using the red light this week, it feels nurturing even thought I won’t be able to see any long term affects for a while.
I have only been using the Sensse Elite LED Face Mask for just over a week, so long term improvements will take a while. However, after just one session of red light, I went to meet a friend who commented that my skin looked glowing, and the only reason I can put it down to is the Sensse Elite LED Face Mask! I am also aware that this is summer and the LED mask will come into its own in the autumn and winter when the natural light starts to wane and we rely on other methods to get light therapy. The versatility of this mask and the fact there are so many lights and it’s so easy to charge the mask, it makes a great companion whilst working from home or trying to relax. I can feel comfortable whilst wearing it, which is part of the process, and I’m looking forward to the long-term effects.
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Along with the delicious Mangoscience and Hydroboost, I have also been testing Harley Street Skin’s Luxeclarity and Nightcalm. Perfect for bedtime and therefore easily tied with Nightcream, Luxeclarity is a neck and décolletage elixir. It’s incredibly rich cream help restores youthfulness when massaged in, and although I used it at night, it can be used by day as well, especially under make-up. You only need a small amount though as it’s very rich!
I liked using this as part of a wind-down skin cleanse and moisturiser before bed, and I don’t normally moisturise my neck and décolletage so this is a real treat. It’s lightly fragranced but not overpowering and leaves skin with more hydration that it had before.
I also slathered my face in Nightcalm every night to restore my skin whilst I slept. I enjoyed letting Nightcalm work its magic thanks to the enzymes, Niacinamide, Bakuchiol and Albatrellus Confluens among other ingredients that leads to a less flushed appearance. It also cleans skin and the massaging effect is really soothing too. I felt my skin relax down into the night routine before I slept with hydration and no tightness. In the morning, my face was still moisturised and plump, which was great with the Hydroboost too. Every morning it feels like I’ve had a facial before bedtime!
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
The lovely team at Harley Street Skin have sent us this box of gorgeous skincare products to try this summer so we’ve set about looking our best as the weather gets warmer!
I’ve started by looking at the Hydraboost – Ultrahydrate Replenishing Serum and Mangoscience – Mango & Papaya Mousse Exfoliant. If they leave your mouth watering then I don’t blame you! I’m sitting next to them here loving every second of testing them out and have been for the past week now!
Starting with the Mangoscience, you know you’re going to enjoy it when you open the jar to a fabulous aroma of mango and fruit fragrances. The Mangoscience is a light mousse exfoliator which can be used up to 3 times a week to wick away dead skin cells and brighten your skin. Containing 6 different natural exfoliating agents including both mango and papaya fruit extracts and pumpkin enzyme. Silica an bamboo stem powder give the mousse its gentle exfoliant and blackcurrant extract nourishes the skin with vitamins and antioxidants. It sounds delicious – but it is not for eating!
I used Mangoscience after a run and when I was in the bath, letting the mousse work for a few minutes before washing off gently. It exfoliates gently with no tightness when cleaned away and left my skin soft and clear.
In conjunction with Mangoscience, I used the Hydraboost Replenishing Serum. This pipette and very light serum is rich enough that you don’t need much of it to cover your skin, so I added some to my neck and decolletage as well. It provides lasting hydration from the immediate time you use it and over time has a more permanent effect. It absorbs beautifully too, and is great to use after Mangoscience so that the exfoliation and hydration work together to give a lovely skin base before make up. I can certainly recommend using both of them, one after the other.
I have also used Hydraboost at night, once I’ve taken my make up off and cleansed my face. It’s great for working at night whilst you sleep and your skin repairs and in the morning I can still feel that my skin is supple. I do add moisturiser too though, and the Hydraboost works very well under it, keeping my skin hydrated literally all day!
Boots are now stocking a new skincare range called Topla, aimed at improving the condition of skin with conditions such as acne, rosacea and dehydration. Hailed from Poland, the new range combines minimalist skin treatments in a new collection termed ‘Skinimalism’ which has been recognised by dermatologists as a new approach to tackle skin conditions by reducing the number of products used.
In order to treat acne, rosacea and dehydration, all of which can affect anyone and are conditions that are very noticeable, Tolpa have created just 10 products. There’s no need for lengthy skin routines, just these 10 are all you need for cleansing, day cream, night cream and eye cream. We were sent two products from the Rosacal range (for rosacea) and the Lipidrio Nourishing Regenerating Cream.
The Rosacal Strengthening Soothing Cream works best on sensitive skin, and helps strengthen the capillaries over time, where the red capillaries at the surface is the noticeable sign of rosacea. It also helps to moisturise the skin and calm down any allergies or redness. This is a very light cream, worn in the day and also has a SFP 10.
Rosacal Strengthening Regenerating Cream is a night cream, which also reduces redness of rosacea and strengthens the skin, helping to even out the colour which might be affected by the rosacea capillaries. This cream is heavier, which is what you’d expect at night and also has a freshness to it that makes it soothing to put on.
The Lipidrio Nourishing Regenerating Cream massively increases the hydration of skin and can moisturise for up to 24 hours. It’s a day cream but it’s incredibly rich, and takes a while to rub in but does leave skin feeling soft and hydrated. It works particularly well when you apply it straight out of the shower and skin is still damp. I like this as a day cream because it’s so nourishing and rich, and it improves the texture of my skin before I put on make-up, which always helps!
I have been using these Skinimalism creams now for a few days so the long term effects won’t be seen and I’m not a sufferer of rosacea although I do have acne. I’m loving how rich the creams are and how easily they are absorbed and the fact that they are not complicated or over engineered but instead are a pleasure to wear!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
As summer is here, there’s always a need for a more enhanced beauty regime and what better way to brighten up your skin than with a face mask. Face mask that also exfoliate, like the Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask have the added benefit of allowing your skin products to absorb into the skin better, which also helps with summer make-up. I tested the Kora Organics Face Mask this week, knowing that I haven’t used a face mask in the winter and my skin needed some serious brightening!
Kora Organics was started by Miranda Kerr in 2009 under the belief that healthy skin is beautiful skin. Miranda and her team wanted to make a brand which was organic, cruelty-free and natural to detoxify and nourish your skin. The Turmeric in Kora’s Brightening Mask has anti-inflammatory properties and also reduces pigmentation of the skin, which is often found in older women. There are other natural ingredients too, including aspen-barn and peppermint for their antibacterial properties, and papaya enzymes which clear pores. There’s finely crushed amethyst creates the glow and the positivity of this popular crystal.
To use, it’s a gentle cream which is spread over the face, avoiding the eye areas. It’s best to massage into damp skin, so I used this in the bath and let myself soak for 15 minutes, but you can let it work in just 5 minutes. To remove, you can wash away but I liked the idea of the extra exfoliation of massaging away with finger tips or a damp cloth.
The smell of the turmeric is very powerful so if you’re not a fan of spices, you are in for a shock! The turmeric left a slight tingling on my skin but it was nothing like the sensation of a hot curry or burning so it soon went away. I assumed it was the ingredients which were working to clear away the dullness of my skin. It’s very refreshing and doesn’t feel heavy on the skin while you let it sit and work. I rather enjoyed the feeling of the exfoliating taking away the winter and allowing the summer to hit my skin, and it wasn’t drying at all so my usual face products glided on and absorbed beautifully. I could feel that my skin was cleaner, clearer and it looked brighter and after just one application of 15 minutes, there were tiny improvements to some of the discolouration of my face through age. Added bonus!
I’m very happy to continue using the Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask throughout the summer and seeing the long lasting effects of the Kora organic products.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Acne can be damaging to the self-esteem as well as the skin, even in the summer when UV damage can make skin worse, or when our lifestyles change and can play havoc with the condition of the skin. There’s no getting away from the acne though, it’s there for everyone to see. Bare Addictions specialises in acne skincare, from serums and cleaners to the Daily Defence Moisturiser which we were sent to test. It may not be summer yet but you can still be prepared!
Formulated for teens and twenties who have the most acne-prone skin, the Daily Defence Moisturiser both protects and moisturises in the sun. With an SPF30, that’s enough for daily life in the UK and may places in Europe (you’ll need something stronger in the summer and if you’re out in direct sunlight). The Bare Addictions Daily Defence Moisturiser protects against UV rays, shine and spots by targeting excess oil. There’s also the added advantage of protecting against blue light stress – blue light comes from appliances like laptops, tablets and phones which so many of us use daily for both work and home.
Daily Defence Moisturiser SPF30 contains several active ingredients including Indian Ginseng Root extract which is for the protection against blue light stress, and Vitamin B3 to combat hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. The specialised UV filters give a level of protection against both UVA and UVB rays too.
The 50ml pump tube is easily carried in a handbag and won’t spill thanks to the pump design. It’s very light weight and absorbs into the skin easily with a very light fragrance that is neither perfume nor medicinal and doesn’t linger long. I felt that it was very hydrating whilst giving a matt finish when it dries. The directions say to put on 15 minutes before sun exposure, so either during the summer whilst you’re at home and moisturising for the day before you go out, or on holiday before a day in the sunshine, make sure you give your skin some time to absorb the Daily Defence Moisturiser.
It doesn’t matter if you have acne or not, this day moisturiser still works, but also has the added bonus of having UV protection, being easily absorbed and has SPF30. The richness of the cream makes it super hydrating too, which is never a bad thing and as summer approaches we all need a bit of help!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Mother’s Day is a great excuse to buy Mum some luxury skincare and with the Olay Protect Gift Set, it’s not just the day cream, but a night cream and Vitamin C eye cream that’s included! This gorgeous box set contains Olay Retinol24 Night (50ml), Olay Niacinamide SPF30 Day (50ml) and Olay Vitamin C Eye Cream for Day (15ml), all in a pretty gift box.
Starting with the Olay Niacinamide SPF30 Day Cream, the hydrating, renewing, age defying cream works perfectly as day cream either under make up or just on its own, especially as it is SPF30. For British weather, it’s a must to both moisturise and have some sun protection as we’re not used to the high temperatures in the summer and like now, the biting cold and wind that the winter can bring. Your skin will love you for looking after it with a rich day moisturiser! Couple this with the Olay Vitamin B3 24 Eye Cream. Packed with lots of vitamins to work for as long as possible, this eye cream hydrates the delicate area around the eyes and acts as a barrier too, to prevent free radical damage.
The final piece to the Olay puzzle is the Olay Retinol 24. This cream moisturises and smooths skin overnight using the powers of Retinol and helps give your skin that healthy glow. It’s fragrance free too so you still wear a scent with it. This is a lovely indulgence to put on at night as part of your bedtime routine because it feels so soft against the skin and gives you a luminous glow before bed and when your skin regenerates as you sleep.
Each of the creams are lightweight and don’t feel greasy at all. They’re fabulous on their own, but in combination and over time they work together to give your skin a continuous glow and make it feel hydrated and smooth. They’re so light in fact that you can wear them under make up and it won’t matter but the vitamins help protect your skin when you’re out and about.
If Mum (or Nan!) love Olay, then this is the perfect gift for her. You know she’ll use it, love it and appreciate having it all together in one box set is a thoughtful gift for Mother’s Day.
And if you don’t give it? You could just keep it for yourself!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Martha Hills are one of the brands available from the Beauty Naturals team, the natural beauty company since 1980. Their extensive range of beauty items online covers everything beauty related, and this Anti-Aging All Day Crème Gel is no exception.
The new Anti-Ageing Crème Gel is new to the market, formulated with natural probiotics preBiulin FOS™ to protect and restore the skin’s natural microbiota barrier. What does that mean? Well it means that it protects the ‘good bacteria’ on the skin that is needed for your skin to be healthy and therefore keeps a balance that’s more favourable to clear, well-nourished skin.
It’s suitable for all skin types and not oil based so it absorbs in easily without a greasy shine. The Anti-Ageing All Day Crème Gel keeps your skin moist and nurtured all day to give a glowing complexion and the gel seals moisture in. Along with the preBiulin FOS™ to protect the microbiota barrier, the All-Day Crème prevents wrinkles, protects from UV damage and acts as a buffer between pollutants and harsh chemicals. It also works wonderfully under make up to create a beautiful skin texture. Over time, the crème will build up protection along with keeping moisturiser in to give you ongoing defence.
I have been using the Martha Hill Anti-Ageing All Day Crème Gel for a few weeks now. It’s not heavy at all, and keeps skin light and hydrated. It works well under make up, and if you’re wearing it to bed or with exceptionally dry skin, you can still add a moisturiser over the top. It’s fragrance free too!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
If you’re popping into Aldi this Christmas to get all the party food, Christmas day meal and all the trimmings plus general festivities, then have a look at the Lacura beauty range by Aldi. Every year they have something lovely and this year is no exception. We were given the West Hollywood Eye Make-Up set and Brightening Concealer to try our as part of their extensive range. Are you feeling in the festive mood yet?
The West Hollywood Eye Make Up set is 16 shades of the gorgeous Natural Radiance range, with 8 of the shades a matt colour and finish and 8 highlighting shades to compliment them. You don’t have to use the complimentary shade with each block, and you can mix and match them (I have already!) and create a whole new look but there’s enough range there to give you a whole host of choice. From the base neutral colours which would suit various skin tones to more vibrant and sparkly golds and metallics, this pallet isn’t just for Christmas but for all year, and all day too. There’s a lovely Espresso dark charcoal colour which is great for smokey eyes, and teaming it up with either a shiny top colour like Glam or Auburn would give you great ‘party eyes’ or something more subtle like the shade Toasted would make it more of a day wear colour. Whichever shades you like to use, there is plenty of choice and it glides on beautifully with little effort and doesn’t go sticky or rub off easily.
The Lacura Brightening Concealer, which is in the palest shade Lacura produce (yes, I am that pale!) is a rich concealer that needs a minimal amount to blend in. You can see from this test patch on my hand that the colour is deep and you don’t need much to give all the coverage. Depending on what you need to cover (such as under eyes, or maybe a scar) you only need the tiniest amount as it goes so far so quickly. If you do use too much though, it has a tendency to be a tiny bit chalky so start small and build up layers if you need to. I don’t think you would need to though as it gives great coverage and don’t forget it’s just a concealer, not a foundation that give all over coverage.
The West Hollywood Eye Set and Brightening Concealer aren’t on the Aldi website yet so they won’t be in stores for a while, but when they are, get them asap! The Lacura range often sells out early!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Rarely do you find skincare companies who pride themselves of creating products which are solely for preventing acne, and if like me you’ve been in that vortex of severe acne, antibiotics, dermatology and all of the medical world that involves skincare, then you’ll be very grateful that Purifide is out there and has some beautiful products on offer to help.
Purifide products help treat ailment such as acne, dry skin, discolouration, redness and the side effects of some medical treatments. We were sent Purifide Post-Breakout Serum and Purifide Power Patches for acne breakouts. Thankfully my acne days are mostly behind me now but it’s still worth having these on hand for when the inevitable happens!
The Purifide Power Patches are translucent patches, much like plasters [Band Aids] which go over a spot when it appears. The technology behind the Power Patches shrinks the visible spot, protects it from the elements and sooths any redness away within 4 hours. Putting these on before bed also has the advantage of preventing a spot from developing overnight, or limiting how far it gets before it become a bigger problem. Power Patches contain Salicylic Acid, Centella Asiatica and Canadian Willowherb to help with all the symptoms of acne and reduce the redness and swelling we all hate.
Purifide Post-Breakout Serum reduces the damage caused by acne, which can be permanent on facial skin. This rich serum reduces dark marks, smooths skin texture and helps with skin tone overall. It’s very rich, and although it helps in the short term, a few months of using the serum will be more beneficial. It contains Bakuchiol and Niacinamide to help healing. In combination with the Purifide Power Patches and other products, your skin has a good chance of both healing and fighting off acne.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
There are a host of different skincare brands and products on the market, all aimed at different ailments or even have different objectives that we find irresistible to choose. Cetaphil are the sensitive skin experts, specialising in moisturisers for face and body plus cleansers which are all aimed at sensitive skin and the ailments around it.
We were sent a batch of different products including; Cetaphil Gently Clear Clarifying Blemish Cream Cleanser, Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Blemish Moisturiser, Cetaphil Pro Tinted Moisturiser Day Cream SPF30, Cetaphil Moisturising Night Cream for Redness Prone Skin and Cetaphil Gentle Clear Triple-Acton Blemish Serum. If that’s not a full medicine cupboard full of skincare, then I don’t know what is!
The Cetaphil Gently Clear Clarifying Blemish Cream Cleanser is just what it says it is – cleans the skin gently especially after make up and when you’ve been out in polluted air. It’s cool and easy to use with white tea and aloe vera to keep pores clean but not dry them out. Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Blemish Moisturiser contains Salicylic Acid to reduce the size and appearance of pores whilst still keeping the skin fresh and moisturised. It also contains prebiotics which help keep the bacteria on the skin in balance which is important for overall health. Cetaphil Pro Tinted Moisturiser Day Cream SPF30 is probably my favourite because it’s made for sensitive skin so is ever-so-light and absorbs beautifully. The SPF 30 is a big help with day to day wear so you don’t have to think about going out in the British summer and wearing sunscreen on your face because you know that Cetaphil has the sun protection covered for you. The tinted nature of the moisturiser covers like a foundation, giving you a flawless complexion.
Cetaphil Moisturising Night Cream for Redness Prone Skin is more of a specialist product, again designed for sensitive skin but skin which is already prone to redness due to allergies, acne or general dryness. As a night cream, it’s slightly richer and takes a little while to absorb in, but also cools and calms skin thanks to the vitamin E, B3 and Pro-vitamin B5. It’s cool and gentle which can sooth any skin type regardless of whether you are prone to redness or not. Finally, the Cetaphil Gentle Clear Triple-Acton Blemish Serum is another friend to sensitive skin especially skin which suffers from breakouts. The serum reduces post-acne scaring and sooths skin, helping it heal whilst also preventing breakouts with the added Prebiotics, PHA, BHA and succinic Acid.
In combination or as individual products, Cetaphil has you covered for all of your sensitive skin problems. Find out more here:
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
We are all aware of the effects of hyaluronic Acid on our skin to give us glowing, tightened and hydrated appearance so the Dermatologically recommended brand Cetaphil is a lovely choice as a Christmas gift this year.
We were sent both the Daily Hydrating Moisturiser and Hydrating Night Cream this week. Both fight the 5 signs of skin sensitivity, don’t clog pores and are either fragrance free or have no added fragrances.
The Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Moisturiser for sensitive skin boasts long lasting hydration that fights dryness, irritation, roughness and a weakened skin barrier. It works for 24 hours, but can be added throughout the day. The handy 88ml size is great for handbags and as it’s under 100ml, it can be taken on a flight as hand luggage to keep skin hydrated and keep away the effects of jetlag and flight dehydration. The cream itself is cool and fresh, absorbs easily and isn’t heavy at all.
Cetaphil Hydrating Night Cream is a heavier cream, designed to be absorbed into the skin during the night when the body repairs skin the most. This 50ml tub protects skin from dryness for over 24 hours, so working in combination with the Daily Hydrating Moisturiser, it will enhance the effects of each other. This cream is for normal to very dry skin, hence the richness. It’s still luxurious though, and you can feel the moisturiser seeping into your skin, and your fingers, as you apply it.
The combination of both the Daily Hydrating Moisturiser and Hydrating Night Cream give a lovely combination of daywear and nightwear creams that work together to give 24 hours of skincare. They’re so gentle on the skin as well that it’s hard not to keep them handy to just top up throughout the day to give you that silky feeling. As we go into winter, this is a lovely gift for Christmas to anyone who appreciates the change in seasons but not the changes to their skin.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
If you’re looking for a way to moisturise and at the same time a way of conditioning skin so that you don’t get blemishes, then Oxygenetix have a product which might be of help.
The Oxygenetix Blemish Control Moisturiser works as a foundation to create a smooth canvas of your skin whilst using Salicylic Acid to clear the skin. As a product it has skin care benefits as well as making you look great and reducing the need for multiple products.
Most make-up products block the skin from ‘breathing’ but not allowing oxygen to the skin surface, upset the pH of the skin and can cause pores to be blocked when either too much make-up is used or is used frequently. Oxygenetix products all contain Ceravitae™ which promotes collagen production. The aloe vera base also helps to calm, soothe and cool the skin and is the friend of those with sensitive skin. Oxygenetix Blemish Control Moisturiser also has an SPF of 25 UVA/UVB to protect against the sun and prevent skin damage.
How well does it work? The Oxygenetix Blemish Control Moisturiser is cool to the touch and glides on your skin beautifully. It’s very rich so takes a little while to absorb into your skin but once it does, it leave a lovely base for either a moisturiser to go on top, or for your make-up to be applied. I found that the moisturising effect lasted all day, and my make-up didn’t slide off after a few hours. It left my skin very dewy and soft, which is a relief when I don’t get time to reapply my skincare throughout the day.
Oxygenetix Blemish Control Foundation is available from £90 at:
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