Xmas 2015 / Dermalogica Our Favorites Set

Give the gift of healthy, clear skin this Christmas with Dermalogica. They have 6 Limited Edition sets to choose from, targeting different needs: from intense hydration, to problematic skin, to a selection of top sellers. 

... and Dermalogica Our Favorites* is - indeed - my favourite! ;)

It contains 4 super-taskers, suitable for all skin conditions. The minis meet travelling standards and are perfect for trying out these products, if this is your first approach to the brand. 

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is a well known raved about product in the blogosphere. It is a dry scrub, in the form of a rice-based powder; you just mix it with some water and massage on the face to reveal a smoother texture. It's pretty amazing and you can really custom the exfoliating action, best suited for you.
Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner comes in a pump bottle and it's ideal to prep the skin, before moisturization; it contains arnica and cucumber extracts to hydrate and refresh - especially after air travel.
Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque is an high performing treatment to inject much needed moisture to dry or stressed skin; it has a unique cross-linked hyaluronic acid that delivers hydration over time for, lasting results.
Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm is one of my all time favourite eye product! It has a silicone/balm feeling that smoothes lines, protects against further damage and improves elasticity; it is really a cream & primer & treatment all together in one. Highly recommended!

Have you tried Dermalogica before? Which are your favourite products?

Introducing / Maple Holistics + #Giveaway

I was recently contacted by an over-the-sea brand - Maple Holistics - to be featured on my blog.

After a tour on their website, I was taken by their unique and committed approach to deliver a range of high quality, effective and natural products.

They kindly sent me their Maple Holistics Ancient Clay Facial Mask* to try; face masks are a paramount step of my beauty routine and I use 2/3 times per week.

My skin tends to be combination, so I make sure that I use a clay/charcoal mask once a week.

Clay is brilliant at drawing out impurities and this product in particular contains only 100% blend of french green clay, bentonite clay and fuller's earth. They all have their own therapeutic benefits and play their part in synergy to deliver impeccable results: french green clay absorbs and removes impurities from the skin; bentonite clay revitalises and softly extracts toxins; fuller's earth helps clearing from white and blackheads whilst hydrating.

The mask comes in powder form and with a measuring cup; you need to mix 1 cup of product with 2 cups of water to create a paste and then you leave it on the skin for around 10 minutes. 

I love the dry composition which means the product will last longer; you also get a very generous amount so you can decide to use it for a body detox session.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

You can also get the chance to try their products, thanks to the generous people at Maple Holistics, join the giveaway below (sponsored by edumuch.com).

The lucky winner will receive :

- Maple Holistics Hydrate Shampoo for dry & itchy scalp with oil treatment;

- Maple Holistics Silk18 Natural Hair Conditioner with Shea Butter & Jojoba Oil.

Giveaway is running for 1 month and the prize will be sent from Maple Holistics directly. Giveaway open internationally... and Good Luck!!! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New In / REN Rosa Centifolia Hot Cloth Cleanser

Creamy Hot Cloth cleansers are my favourite type of cleansers and an unmissable step in my evening routine; I have tried many - of course some I like less, some I like more - and the new REN Rosa Centifolia Hot Cloth Cleanser* is already part of the latter. It ticks so many boxes!

First of all, it does NOT contain parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, synthetic fragrance, synthetic colours, silicones and other nasty chemicals - in line with the brand ethos.

I found many cleansers to be way too thick, like a paste, but the REN one is very creamy and light, easy to spread and suitable to use on eyes too; it's a pleasure to massage onto the face and the soothing herbal scent is also relaxing for the mind.

You massage the product onto dry skin to help loosen dead skin cells and make up; then, it's recommended to wet the cloth with warm water and to place it on the face to open up the pores; finally, use the cloth to remove the cleanser and polish the skin.

It doesn't leave any oily residue and, at the same time, my skin feels nourished and not tight at all. 

It comes in a handy pump bottle that cleverly allows to see how much product is left and a stay-warm cloth. 

I got to say that I'm so glad to see REN adding another great product to their already successful skincare range.

This cleanser is now part of my evening rotation... and it's here to stay!

 I first saw a sneak peek of the REN V-Cense Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial on Instagram back in November and I can't tell you how excited I'm to finally try this product.

Sad news is that it's not going to be released until the autumn :( ...but I simply couldn't wait to share it with you guys.

The mask is a green balm with a sweet citrusy marzipan/almond scent.

First, you massage the mask into the skin and then add a bit of water, to activate the powerful Vitamin C exfoliant; it suddenly starts to tingle and you leave it on pose for only 60 seconds.

Once removed, the skin felt smooth and soft to the touch, it looked plumped up and rosy.

In the short term, I'm definitely impressed and I can't wait to get my hands on a full size bottle since it promises to help with UV damage and uneven skin tone too, in the long term.

Do you use hot cloth cleansers? Have you tried REN products before? 

Haul / Philosophy

A couple of months ago, I received a discount code in the post from Philosophy; it was for £15 off on £60 spending, which I thought was very generous and silly not taking advantage of.

So this is what I ordered:

Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Facial Wash

I had recently finished  a sample of this wash (link) and I loved it so much that I decided to buy the full size bottle. The consistency is perfection: the micro scrubbing particles are very effective but, because of the gel consistency, is also gentle at the same time. 

Philosophy The Great Mystery One-Minute Daily Facial

I also picked up this mask to try… sounded pretty intriguing.

When you massage it in, it foams up on the skin and you can feel it fizz actually; it's kinda of weird and worrying at first but, when you see that no damage is done to your face, it becomes a pleasant experience.

Plus, acts in 1 minute and it's delicate enough that could be used every day; again, a great purifying product: leaves my skin super-clean! 

Philosophy Senorita Margarita Shampoo Shower Gel & Bubble Bath

Loved the idea of a margarita scented shower gel (plus, I had to reach the minimum spending for the offer) but again not impressed with this Philosophy body washes. It's my own fault: I have already been disappointed before in the formula (link) and the smell just doesn't last out of the bottle. :(

Have you tried Philosophy yet? Which are your must-have products?

Review / Naisture Collagen Mask Pack

I was recently sent this mask to try from the lovely people at A Beautiful World which is an online beauty boutique and sells interesting and hard to find brands; basically, they did all the hard work of researching and scouring the globe and bring those brands to the UK market.
They offer Uk Free Delivery on orders over £20 and run a loyalty scheme where you can use your points for money off your next purchase.
They are also releasing a beauty box twice a year - the first one already sold out - to give us the chance to try some amazing and promising products.

The Naisture Collagen Mask* comes directly from Korea in the form of a sheet mask and it's mono-dose. I really enjoy using paper masks but I'm always paranoid to break them: the Naisture one is made of 100% pure cotton and very resistant. It's also soaking wet in all the ingredients and they get perfectly absorbed into the skin on application.
It contains vegetable collagen derived from carrots that helps improve skin elasticity and firmness; you'll also find hyaluronic acid, panthenol, shea butter to help achieve smoother and radiant skin.

First of all, it's recommended to prepare the skin with some toner and then leave the mask on pose for 10-15 minutes. As mentioned above, the mask is saturated in the product which also helps to keep it into place; it feels soothing and it's a pure pleasure to put your feet up and rest your eyes, whilst doing this treatment. It smells really fresh too and I feel all my senses are engaged in this relaxing and luxurious (deserved) me-time!

When you remove the mask, you just need to spend a couple of minutes and massage the solution into the skin and the active ingredients will have the time to work overnight as well.

This morning, I woke up with baby soft skin and my cheeks look plumped and my skin rejuvenated. 

Have you tried this mask before? You can get it on A Beautiful World, a pack of 5 for £10

Clayspray Pore Refining White Clay Masque

Clayspray is the world's first clay emulsion in a spray!

The innovative design allows the clay and the water to be separated in a dual-chamber container and preserve the purity of the product and optimize the level of efficacy.

This packaging also ensures that the clay stays air tight and remains hygienic until the last drop. 

Clayspray Pore Refining White Clay Masque* contains the highest percentage of clay compared to any other similar product on the market. The quality of the main ingredient is also impressive: this white clay is one of the purest on earth and it's sourced deeply inside the Iberian Mountains in Spain where is rich in minerals thanks to the natural erosion of granite stones for million of years.

This mask - in particular - has been enriched with cardamom and spring water to awake and firm the skin as well as clarifying and detoxing. Clay masks are known for their purifying properties but Clayspray also nourishes the skin with minerals and helps preventing ageing; you'll find silica to boost collagen, calcium to promote regeneration and potassium to add moisture.
All these star ingredients together make Clayspray a SuperMask, really!

First of all, you need to wet the skin - ideally with mineral rich water - and then apply the mask to face and neck; the moist on the skin makes it really easy to spread and I'm surprised how fast it dries. It's an ideal quick fix for an instant pick-me-up and such a treat to use
My skin is left super-soft and radiant - wow, a visible improvement from 5 minutes ago!

There is actually a whole range from Clayspray with white clay masks - for moisturizing and anti-aging benefits - red clay masks - aiming at improving circulation and healing. There are also two H20 Sprays, perfect to prepare the skin before application.
Clayspray is also free from preservatives, parabens and perfumes, not tested on animals and it's available on www.clayspray.com and www.feelunique.com

Review / Dirty Works Power Berry Detox Mask

It's no secret that I love Dirty Works skincare! Their Wake Up Call Face Wash, in particular, is one of my all time favourite cleanser and I'm already on my third bottle.
When I heard about Dirty Works Power Berry Detox Mask*, I knew it was going to be another great product, bound to be added to my must-have list.

This is a purifying mask, thanks to the green clay that detoxes the skin drawing out impurities but with added benefits of superfood berries!
I'm  quite the connoisseur when it comes to clay/charcoal masks: I've been using them since I was a teenager and tried many brands. They are very effective but can also be pretty aggressive and leave the skin feeling tight.
The Dirty Works Power Berry Detox Mask is a totally different experience!
It feels really fresh on the skin, like a splash of water thanks to the blueberry extracts which are rich in antioxidant that protect and nourish the skin, too.

I go to say that this product has been my saviour, recently.
As mentioned in my Monday's post, I've been having some skin trouble, due to the Konjac sponge. It's been pretty upsetting and worrying since I don't usually have skin issues - blemishwise. 

My skin felt very congested and unclean - I wasn't really sure what to do to get rid of impurities without being too aggressive.
This mask just came at the right time and is doing wonders to restore the balance in my 'tender' skin, calming it down and banishing spots.
I really can't recommend it enough and for £4.99 you're getting a great bargain, too. Available in Sainsbury's nationwide now.

Review / Dr Hauschka Rejuvenating Mask

Dr Hauschka is a brand that I have always rated very high because of the natural commitment and great quality ingredients.

Sometimes your skin needs some extra care and attention, especially during change of season.

If your skin feels a bit sluggish and lacking radiance, Dr Hauschka Rejuvenating Mask* is the perfect preparation to address several issues in a gentle way.

Dr Hauschka skincare is based on an holistic approach to help restore the balance and rhythm of the skin and this mask is a unique blend of plant ingredients including quince, camomile, anthyllis, jojoba, apricot kernel and wheat gem oils.

The product comes in an aluminium tube which I really like because it's sealed and you can be sure of the integrity of the item.

The mask is not thick, more like a cream consistency which is easy to spread on the skin and smells lovely and soothing, too.

It is ideal for all skin types, even sensitive and helps purify and nourish as well as calming any redness.

You leave it on pose for 20 minutes, including neck, eye area, earlobes (?) and chest and during this time it kinda of disappears, working itself into the face and leaving the skin very soft and hydrated; finally, you just wipe off any residue with a warm cloth.

The product actually doubles up as special treatment for refining scars and pores: you apply a thin layer underneath your moisturizer daily.
Also, it's particularly beneficial for sun damaged skin and couperose sufferers.

I just found out they also do a facial steam bath which I really want to try next (to add to my steamer, of course) and the make up range looks lovely too.
Have you tried anything from Dr Hauschka? Which products do you recommend? :)

Empties / February

This post is a bit late this month, I can't believe it's nearly mid-march o.O

Anyway, here are the products that I finished in February.

Nivea Firming Good-bye Cellulite Gel-Cream: I have used this body cream before; the texture is really smooth and light and absorbs quickly. Ideal to apply in the morning and the scent is also really fresh.

Repurchase: yes

Evolve Skin Cocoon Body Wash: another lovely body product that I highly recommend! Evolve is a quality organic brand with a great ethos and that performs well, too; definitely looking into try more from them.  I prefer to use this body wash in shower because it doesnt' foam up a lot so it's not the best for a bubble bath. Smells like candies... yum

Repurchase: yes

Ysl Forever Youth Liberator Serum: I can't say I was particularly impressed with this sample. Maybe I was expecting too much but It didn't perform better than my favourite serum: Estee Lauder Night Repair Serum. I would probably score 6 out of 10 because I still didn't have any bad reaction and moisturized well but it definitely didn't wow me. Also, it smells kinda of alcohol-y.
Repurchase: no
StriVectin-SD Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles: this has become one of my favourite eye cream. It seems to target wrinkles but I actually saw a huge improvement in my dark circles and chuffed to bits about that. It also absorbs nicely and allows a good application of make up afterwards.
Repurchase: yes
Caudalie Vinexpert Radiance Day Fluid: another great product from Caudalie! The consistency is kinda of a runny cream and a little goes a long way. It gave me perfect hydration for the whole day and didn't break me out (always a plus!). I should just mention that I love the Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet-Creme better but lovely lovely cream. The scent also is so comforting, reminds me of relaxing days by the sea. :)
Repurchase: yes
Renu Radiant Skin Peel: I can't believe how impressed I've been with this tiny sample; I managed to squeeze 2 uses out of it but I already saw great results after the first use too. You just keep it in pose for 10 minutes and then wash it off with warm water. Afterwards my skin looked and felt purified, my pores visibly clean and smaller... I couldn't believe my eyes!
Repurchase: yes

All in all, a great month - I discovered some lovely products and my stash is starting to get smaller, too... hehe... I was running out of space! ;)
xxx

Empties / January

***

Sanctuary Mandelular Sensuous Bath Creme - I've been loving this scent for years and years and I keep re-buying it.

Very comforting, ideal for a relaxing bubble bath and fills the bathroom for hours; but because it's so strong, I need to take 'breaks' from using it otherwise I would get sick of it. I actually bought this bottle last Christmas and I have just finished it now. Also, very moisturising on the skin.

Re-purchase: Absolutely!  

Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover - Yes, I also got sucked into the hype around this product. It started well but the foam inside started to break after few uses... not sure if my bottle was faulty but not impressed!

I decided to finish it to take off my Christmas glitter polish but is definitely time for the bin now.

Re-purchase: Nope.

Renu Age Defence Balm SPF15 - this tiny sample lasted a week, actually.... maybe because it's pretty thick to be an hand cream.  Really like the smell and the fact that it has spf.

Re-purchase: Maybe.

MonuSpa Enriched Body Cream - again pretty small sample but first impression not too good: left a greasy residue on my skin. Smells lovely, tho.

Re-purchase: No.

Vinies Luminous Skin Mask - when this mask was sent in a beauty box, last year, many people didn't like it so I was able to grab few pots in swaps. I just finished the last one and - oh my god- I still love love love this mask! It does leave your skin red after use, but nothing terrifying in my experience... plus the results are incredible. The skin feels soft and purified and in fact I also used it as a pre-wedding treatment.

Re-purchase: Yes.

Boots Aqua Balance Hydrating Eye Cream - I bought this cream ages ago but then just put it at the back of the drawer, whilst trying other products. I decided it was time to finish it off and am I glad it's over! I can't say I enjoyed using it  - in fact I didn't even bother cutting up the tube to use every little drop. It did nothing for my eye area and, although it says it's for dry skin, I didn't think it was particularly moisturizing, either.

Repurchase: Definitely not!

Neutrogena Multi-Defence Night Moisturiser - pretty ordinary, inexpensive night cream but one of the best i have used - in fact my current favourite! It looks a bit thick and white when first applied but it sinks really well and it's the perfect amount of hydration for my needs. I highly recommend it!

Re-purchase: Yes.

Have you tried any of these products before?
What do you think?
xxx

Empties / December

Philosophy shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath trio: I really struggled to finish these off. The scent pay off is not great - you can read my opionion here as it hasn't changed.

Repurchase: nope.

Lush Helping Hands: I really like this hand cream; I have used it in the past and always go back, periodically. It's very moisturising but a bit greasy so I only use it around the house. Also love the kinda of yeasty smell. :)

Repurchase: yep.

Sanctuary 5 Minutes Thermal Detox Mask: this is one of the deep cleansing mask that I use once a week, after my steamer session. I like that it's fast acting and the charcoal purifies the skin very well but the consistency is kinda of gluey and you end up using more than needed. Also, it needs to go on wet skin which doesn't help on spreading the product on the face.

Repurchase: probably not.

Dr Nick Lowe Dark Cicles Correcting Cream: this is a decent eye cream but I wasn't blown away - plus it din't make any difference to my dark circles. I need to mention that I, instead, really liked another Dr Nick Lowe eye cream... you can check the review here.

Repurchase: no.

Sprout Toner: I loved spritzing it over my face, every morning! It's very refreshing - perfect to start the day - and also balancing - ideal to keep the odd spots at bay. The pump works great and I will definitely re-fill the min bottle for travelling. The only thing I would mention is the smell of vinegar (one of the main ingredients is organic raw apple cider vinegar, actually) which doesn't linger on the skin so it doesn't bother me but you're warned! :)

Repurchase: yes. 

Liz Earle Advent Calendar / 23

Day 23 - Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask

Fantastic - This is one of my all time favourite masks. I really recommend you try it too... if you want to know more: full review here.

Liz Earle Advent Calendar / 7

7th December - Liz Earle Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask

I absolutely adore Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask - it's an amazing product, if you haven't tried yet, I highly recommend you do so immediately! ;)

Anyway, if this mask is just half as good - I'll be an happy bunny!

My Steamer and I

I've been using a face steamer forever... which translates to about 17 years now.

My loyal steamer decided to pack it in and stop working about 6 weeks ago and I shouldn't really complaint because it has always worked perfectly for nearly 2 decades.

Anyway, I decided not to buy another one straight away because I wanted to see if I would experience any difference in my skin or if I could live without it.

Well, BIG mistake!!!

Two weeks after I stopped using it, I started to experience some unusual break outs, I didn't really connected the dots straight away, to be honest.

But then, even though I managed to keep the situation under control, I noticed that I kept getting the same blemishes just few days after they cleared out.

During this time, I didn't change anything else in my beauty routine so I put it down to the lack of my deep cleansing weekly appointment and decided it was the time to get back into the routine.

I got my new facial steamer in Argos - there are a few different ones available but I went with the My Spa Revitalising Facial Steamer by Homedics.

I thought this was reasonably priced, you can control the steam and it's a brand that I know.

My routine:

I only need to use it once a week and I personally dedicate my Sunday evening to this treatment.

Once the water starts to heat up and the steam starts to rise, I tie my hair back and place my face on the rim of the bowl. I give it 10 minutes, making sure to move my face around during this time and when the heat gets too uncomfortable.

After that, I use a face exfoliator on the wet skin and follow with a purifying mask.

The steam will gently open up the pores so you skin can get the best benefits from these products and get a proper deep cleansing.

This routine works for me and I definitely recommend it; I do have sensitive skin and I don't think the steamer worsened my problem in any way, but I would be cautious if you have rosacea or delicate skin.

Have you ever used one of these face saunas before?

xxx