Review / Docteur Renaud 7-in-1 Apricot BB Eye Cream

As a new mummy, my dark circles have gone from bad to worst; apart from the chronic tiredness, I'm also super busy with my new bundle of joy and I have limited time to dedicate to my beauty regime or make up application.

Consequently, I've also developed quite dry skin in the eye area and my old long lasting concealer is just highlighting these problems, making things worst.

So I was looking for a new product that would act both as skincare and make up and I came across the Docteur Renaud 7-in-1 Apricot BB Eyes* which sounded just the perfect multitasking product for my hectic routine.

The pencil is super practical but I prefer to take and apply the product with my finger (for hygienic purposes); the creamy and soft formula is very easy to blend, doesn't drag on the skin and doesn't settle in fine lines.

The Universal Beige shade is suitable for most skintones and it perfectly camouflages dark circles; admittedly, this is not a full coverage concealer but it really brightens the eye area and adds radiance. The final result is a dramatic improvement with a natural finish.

The shea butter helps deliver moisturization and maintain elasticity to further reduce signs of ageing and tiredness; apricot butter is comforting and has restorative properties, it's rich in essential fatty acids to aid repair, nourish and protect the skin.  

Docteur Renaud is renowned for using organic flower, fruit and vegetable extracts to deliver both health and nutrition to the skin. Have you tried their products yet?  

New In / L'Oreal CC Cream

Are you a fan of BB Creams? The 2013 version has stepped up a notch - CC Cream - which comes with the all the skin caring benefits of the BB but with added colour correctiong properties.

L'Oreal has just launched their Nude Magique CC Cream* and there are 3 types available: anti-dullness, anti-fatigue, anti-redness.... I've been trying out the anti-dullness 'cause it's the best suited for my needs.

The first thing I noticed is that the CC cream seems to be thiner than a BB cream - definitely a bonus in my eyes 'cause I can't stand anything too thick on my face.

The colour pigment spheres come into a lilac emulsion that transforms into foundation once rubbed into the skin. The colour match is pretty good but I don't feel it significantly improves my skin tone - or at least no better than any other tinted moisturiser or BB cream that I have tried before.

I got to say, it builds up really well but It still doesn't give me enough coverage for my skin.

Together with the CC Cream, there is also a new Nude Magique BB Blush* on the market.

This is some serious glow-from-within! It's one of these formula that reacts with your ph so the colour couldn't be better customised and it's super flattering.

The fresh gel is easy to apply and leaves a velvety feeling on the skin... but unfortunately, it disappoints in the long run: it doesn't seem to ever set and hours later my cheek still feels slippery and uncomfortable - and sure enough doesn't last long.

I like the colour (similar to Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip & Cheek Stain) and the dewiness but I'm not impressed with the formulation.

I have never tried it but I reckon this could be a dupe for the Smashbox O Glow Intuitive Cheek Colour Gel Blush.

To summarize, I guess I'm pretty disappointed - I can't help but thinking that these CC creams are pretty much BB creams rebranded and unfortunately, they won't be miracles for me.
Have you tried any CC cream yet? :)

Samples/Swaps/Freebies Update

St. Ives Apricot Scrub Invigorating 

I think I requested this on Facebook - it's a good size tube and I'm liking it a lot. Enjoying using it so I will probably purchase after it's finished. Great budget exfoliator!

Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Toothpaste

I, actually, forgot about this - You could get it, signing in on their website.

Nothing too exciting (it's toothpaste!) but useful - again, a great size sample, also for travelling.

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Foundation & BB Cream

I, also, received this in the post few weeks ago; I haven't had the chance to try them yet but looking forward to the foundation, especially. I read great reviews!

Erno Laszlo - The Hollywod Collection

Unfortunately, due to the recent increase at the post office I'll keep the swapping to a minimum :(

I got this sent from Chloe @ Giada Beauty

This is a super super luxurious brand and there are 5 different skincare products in this set - very excited to put them to the test!! 

Rituals Wai Wang Body Scrub with Easy Living Magazine

Since receiving the shower foam in a GlossyBox few months ago, I'm adoring Rituals products!

I haven't tried this line yet and it smells amazing - there's also a choice of body lotion with the magazine.

Samples/Freebies Time

The girl at the Nars counter in House of Fraser recognises me by now... hehe... in fact, she approached me and asked me if I wanted to try the new Pure Radiance Tinted Moisturiser SPF30 (first time EVER i was offered a sample, without asking!!!) - She did mention she remembered me. :)

They just had 1 light and 1 medium shade to try so she just gave me the best suitable for me and she told me to go back and get properly matched once the product goes on sale.

I quite liked it but I still prefer their sheer foundation. Don't get me wrong, it's still a winner product but the foundation is more dewy and that's the look that I go for.

It's perfect for when you're in a hurry and I, definitely, prefer it to the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer.

Debenhams Facebook' page sent out an invitation to go in store and collect a sample of Bare Minerals Original SPF15 Foundation.

When I got there, the sale assistant didn't know anything about it - well, surprise surprise, it happened before - so I showed the screenshot on my phone and then she was happy to give me a sample.

The colour I got is medium beige N20 - which is a tad dark for me.

I don't think this is giving me enough coverage: my main concern is pigmentation and I still prefer liquid foundation for uniforming my skin. I do like the finish it provides so I'm gonna use it more like a finishing powder on top.

It, also, comes with a tiny kabuki brush: although it's pretty small, it's very dense and it works fairly well.

She gave me the cleanser and moisturiser but I haven't tried these yet.

Finally, I got a copy of Glamour magazine with the Percy & Reed - I went for the Totally TLC Hydrating Mask.
I used it last night and this morning my hair felt bouncy and light.
The only thing I don't really like is the smell - it smells like an aftershave to me.
It's a pre-shampoo treatment to apply on dry hair from roots to ends. Then you need to wrap hair and leave on for a minimum of 10 minutes.
I reckon, now that my hair are short, the tube will last for 4 applications.
Have you picked up one of these products? Which one?

Lancome Visionnaire LR2412 4%
I got this in the post ages ago and I, finally, got around to try it.
I used it like a serum, layered with my night cream, at night but to be honest I didn't see any improvement. It looks more like a cream than a 'runny' consistency of a serum and I felt it left my skin a bit sticky.

Dove Nourishing Oil Care Express Treatment Conditioner

You could order this on their Facebook page. It's a big tube - more a travel size than a sample, I'd say so kudos for that but I didn't think it was anything special. 

It has to be used as a conditioner, after shampoo and then leave it for a minute and some kinda of miracle should happen... well, it didn't.

I think it's an average conditioner... but that's it.

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm

I really like the masque and scrub from this line and I heard good review on youtube about this eye cream; supposedly, you can used it both day and night but I think this is more like a primer and not moisturising enough to become your only eye product. 

It feels like a balm and it takes ages to absorb... plus, it's supposed to fill in fine line and avoid creasing but I haven't noticed any difference, to be honest.

Anybody tried this product??

Estee Lauder Day Wear BB Cream

I ordered this on LatestinBeauty, as many others; it cost a couple of quid by txt - I know, paying for a sample... what was I thinking??!! ;)

The colour is 01 Light and it's perfect for me. It lasted well for 5+ hours without setting and I was never shiny. I'm not blown away and, in comparison with the Garnier one, I choose the Garnier - merely for the price point of view.  I find all these BB creams to be very similar in performance, to be honest.

Also, EL has a floral scent and - at first - it's lovely but It tends to linger on the skin all day.

Which samples have you been trying lately?
xx

More Samples

I popped in L'Occitane over the weekend to collect my 30ml hand cream. Basically, you had to apply on their Facebook' page and then at the end, they sent out a voucher to bring in store and get your free tube.

Another mascara to try - I have got like 5 on the go at the moment... yay!!
This is the Dior Diorshow New Look - just been released this month and I found an invite inside Elle Magazine to go and collect a sample at your nearest counter; wow, it was impossible to find but at the end they still had few left in Boots Buchanan Gallery.
Apparently, it has a serum which helps strengthen and repair; the brush is quite weird (and mine is also bent!)... tried a couple of days but not impressed! It really dries out my lashes super-fast and it's impossible to even do two coatings. :(

You can order your free sample of the following products on www.janiro.co.uk
They got sent really fast, I received them in 3 days with a nice wee handwritten note.
The Ginvera Green Tea Whitening Marvel Gel is supposed to be great for removing blackheads.
Unfortunately, my sample dried out after 1 application and I didn't see any improvement. Did you manage to use it for longer? Does it work?
The second is the Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream. Still to test.

You could request a sample of the Big Skincare Mystery on their Facebook page.
It can be used both as a face wash and mask cleanser... I have no idea of what product this is...
do you?
They will reveal it on the 1st of March... I'm quite curious but I wasn't wowed by it so I can positively say it's a no buy from me. I liked it more like a mask than a face wash, lovely smell and I didn't experience any tingling.

 

Finally, I got this in a magazine a couple of months ago; I didn't think much of it (ergo, the messy sample below because I didn't bother take a pic beforehand)... and then  few days ago i found it at the bottom of my makeup bag so decided to try it.

I'm so impressed! It gives a really nice healthy, natural look to the skin. Plus, it has serum in it so it's also a treatment - in fact it reminds me of a BB cream. It doesn't feel like a foundation but colour-wise, I could go a bit lighter, I reckon.

I don't think it has been realised long ago... and it's in 3for2 offer in Boots so I might pick a bottle up.

Have you tried Max Factor Ageless Elixir yet?

Garnier BB Cream

I, finally, received the samples by post. 

It's a great free sample if 'm honest - nicely packaged and you get 3 satchels.

You can get 2 uses out of 1 satchel so pretty much 1 week worth - enough to properly try the product.

Personally, I love it!

I'm loving it as a tinted moisturiser; a BB Cream is supposed to 'do more' and on that I'm not sure if you get all the possible benefits, promised by this type of products but as a tinted moisturiser is perfect. Nice light consistency, easy to apply and literally sinks into my skin. Also, the light shade is a good match for me (it reminds me of No7 Dual Protection Tinted Moisturiser SPF15, which I used a couple of years ago, but it's even a better match colour-wise).

Staying power is also very acceptable and I didn't even have to set it.

It's definitely a good budget buy - have you try it yet?

xx