New In / Dr. Ceuticals Bodycare

Interesting new releases from Dr. Ceuticals this month!
Dr. Ceuticals Body Tone & Tan* is a firming body cream with an added gradual tanner. I think this product is genius because of his multitasking benefits! You see, I always use a self-tanner before going on holiday and when I apply it, I need to skip my firming/cellulite product because I don't like layering and mixing creams. It's a shame because I feel I need to make a choice... that I really don't want to make.
So you can imagine my joy when the same product tackles my dimples, whist also adding a beautiful glow to the skin. It has really changed my pre-holiday routine and I can now cater for both on a daily basis.
Of course, on top of the active ingredients that help toning the skin, the natural looking tan also disguises flaws and your skin is left looking healthier and radiant.
It's actually ideal as a post-holiday treatment to prolong your tan and easy your way into winter, too.
It comes out like a transparent gel with a refreshing scent and refreshing on the skin; it also dries very fast and doesn't leave any tacky residue, like some self-tan products.

I was also very excited to try the Dr. Ceuticals Hand De-Age Cream*. We all know that eyes and hands are the first areas that can dramatically age a woman and since I turned 30 few years ago, I have been paying special attention to these areas. Hands, especially, can really suffer from everyday simple tasks and the weather - sun or wind - can really affect the appearance of the skin around your digits.

I love hand creams! They are kind of a weakness of mine, I always have few tubes open at the same time and a stash that could compete with the Boots aisle. 

I'm guessing I apply (and re-apply) my hand cream about 6/7 times per day, but I have never used a age targeting one before. The Dr. Ceuticals product helps brighten dark spots, but also works on preventing new ones, thanks to the SPF15; using an hand cream with SPF is particularly important if you drive to work - for example - because the window glass amplifies the rays and the damage. It also improves hydration levels and elasticity and boosts the  regeneration of the thin skin on the back of your hands.

It's too early to see any difference yet, but I can tell you that I have been enjoying using it a lot, especially as a preventive treatment. It appears quite thick and very white (like an SPF?) and not like anything that I'm used to, but it actually absorbs really quickly and doesn't leave any greasy residue.

Have you tried Dr. Ceuticals before? I love their simple and sleek packaging and prices are really affordable, considering how well these products perform!
[More from Dr. Ceuticals here]

Introducing / He-Shi

I'm not a hardcore fanatic when it comes to tanning but I still appreciate that a good tan can really enhance the appearance of your skin. In particular, if you have to attend a special event or show a bit more flesh than usual, a tasteful tan can boost your confidence and generally make you look healthier.

Said that, I still think that sunbathing/tanning beds can be dangerous and pretty time consuming so my 'tool' of choice is always been a self-tanning product.

He-Shi is an award winning, professional brand with a wide selection of tanning products that deliver a beautiful and golden fool-proof tan!

The range includes liquid tan, foaming mousse, gradual tan but also 'preparation' and 'finishing' items like scrubs, moisturizers and bronzers.

He-Shi Quick+Easy Exfoliating Bodywash*

Man, i didn't know you could get sooo excited about a bath product. :)

This is, most definitely, one of the best scrubs that I have ever used; it smells divine of strawberries and it's a treat for the skin. It's super quick to use because doubles as a bodywash and, although used wet, it still provides sufficient scrubbing action. Also it cleanses gently, it foams nicely and a little goes a long way.

He-Shi Quick+Easy Day To Day Gradual Tan*

I was apprehensive to use a product formulate both for face & body: in my experiences, they tend to be too rich but the consistency of this self tanner is very light and fresh so sits very comfortably on the skin and didn't give me a greasy face.

I like the control you get from a gradual tanner - no mistakes or streaks in sight, no weird development overnight but gives a natural look because it works in unison with your skintone.

Personally, to achieve the grade of colour that I wanted, I had to apply the product for 6 consecutive days and now I top it up twice a week, to maintain the tan.

It also contains hydrating agents so my skin is also been taken care of all summer.

What's your favourite tanning method?

FeelUnique - November Box

Emma Hardle Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm

I love this product! It comes in a paste form that you need to mix up with few drops of water to create a cream and then massage on the face; pretty similar action as the Liz Earle cleanse but I thought the cloth was of better quality. In fact the Dual Action Professional Cleansing Cloth has 2 side - I use the muslin side to rinse off my face and the smoother side to finish off and the eye area.

It smells really nice, like almond & marzipan and the packaging looks expensive; my only criticism would be that I'm not too keen in sticking my fingers inside the jar day after day, for an hygienic point of view. Nevertheless, I was so impressed with it that this reason wouldn't stop me from buying it.

Schwarzkopf Professional OSIS+ Dust It Mattifying Powder

This product is to add control and volume to your hair.

These types of dusts have become popular in the last couple of years and I already have this powder from Schwarzkopf, which I found really really similar so I will swap the OSIS+ for something else. 

I have barely used the one I got only a couple of times but this was a great item to include, especially since it's a full size.

Xen-Tan Deep Bronze Luxe

I was so disappointed to see this self tan inside the box. First, I don't use self tan products and secondly I already received the same identical one in the July GlossyBox. Luckly, I managed to get rid of the previous one easily - I'm sure there's somebody else out there that can make good use out of it.

Goldwell DualSenses Rich Repair Ultra Volume 60 Sec Treatment

OMG - WORST ITEM EVER!!! I hated it so much that I'm even regretting trying it out.

I don't usually bother with styling products but I try to give a test run to every item I receive, in the beauty boxes - at least once.

It's a pre-wash treatment so I thought it wasn't going to mess my hair but instead it has been like putting blue glue on my scalp!!! I found it incredibly difficult to rinse and, also after washing a couple of time, it still left my hair sticky and tangled.
Personally, to avoid like the plague!!!

Bella Pierre Shimmer Powder in Noir
Nice product but I received the black version which is something I'd never use. If I do a smokey eye look, I usually go for brown or purple. Sorry for the lack of swatch but I've already exchanged this one as well, so I kept it sealed.
Btw, I was informed by the receiver that noir is not shimmery at all.

Prada Candy Eau de Parfum
the name says it all really: too sweet! I don't like it.

To summerize: I only like 1 item out of the box.
 Still, I'm in two minds about the FeelUnique box: I can appreciate the quality of the brands that I received but they don't seem to cater for my needs, really.
I'm thinking the JolieBox will blow it out of the water...

P.S.: I thought I also spare two words about the customer service. In my October box I received a faulty nail polish and after much emailing back and forth I was told that a replacement was sent on the 18th October ( I received the box on the 8th).
Then, a month goes by and when I receive the november box, still no sign of the other polish. I email them again but I get ignored for several days so I decide to contact them on the Facebook page - to much disappointed I notice they've deleted my message. So, I leave another message and guess what? It also gets deleted.
Anyway - bottom line - they, at least, contacted me by email and issued a new replacement.
I can understand that the first one, apparently, went 'missing' in the post but all that censorship is very very poor. You guys can really take no criticism? And as I consequence they created more fuss than necessary because now I'm ranting for half of this blog post. Not too clever, if you ask me!