Empties / September 2013

Body Products:

Elemis Pro-Collagen Body Cream: this was an allright cream but tube too small to see any real improvement. A bit on the thick side but smells lovely and enjoyable to use in the evenings. 

Repurchase: maybe.

Bliss Blood Orange + White Pepper Body Butter: love this cream! The scent is unusual but awesome, I really liked it and very refreshing too. Again, semantics get lost here: I wouldn't call it 'body butter' because I'd expect something thicker. Also thumbs up for the paraben-free formulation and I love Bliss packaging.

Repurchase: Hell yeah! It's a lovely treat.

Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream With Macadamia Oil + Grapeseed Extract: another Bliss product that I've enjoyed using; actually, so far I liked every item from Bliss that I've tried. It's a great hand cream for mornings because the consistency is a cross between cream/gel and absorbs instantly. 

Repurchase: yes.

Doctor Duve Lifting & Firming Hand & Decollete Cream: kinda of a very specific targeting product here. I had a few samples and I used them on my decollete/neck areas since I have so many hand creams already. Again a very nice product but that I don't really feel the need for now. 

Repurchase: maybe, in 5 years time.

Face Products:

Chanel Huile Confort Silky Cleansing Oil: what a disappointment. I used to love Chanel make up removers, 10 years ago... but I guess I didn't know any better at the time. First of all, the oil gets everywhere! I've used oil removers that are not that oily - if this makes any sense - and much more manageable to use. You're supposed to be able to rinse this with water... in your dreams!

Then, it doesn't tackle eye make up one bit and I don't wear waterproof mascara or such.

A useless mess!

Repurchase: no!

Nivea Visage Pure & Natural Facial Cleansing Wipes: I use face wipes to take my face off before the gym and I then remove my eye make up/mascara properly, later at home. So, I don't need anything too powerful for a bit of foundation and blusher. 

I liked the ingredients list but I can't say I was particularly impressed with the product: they were pretty dry from the beginning and not as effective as they should be. Nothing majorly wrong with them but can't recommend them.

Repurchase: nope.

REN Maybloom Balancing Cleansing Gel: quite a nice cleanser that I use when my skin is particularly oily. It does a good job at leaving my skin squeaky clean but shame it's too thin to be used with the Clarisonic.

Repurchase: maybe.

Review / Laidbare Smooth As A Peach

Laidbare is a brand that puts much consideration into the ingredients used in order to achieve the promised results; their items are free from petrochemicals, sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrance & colours and free from animal testing. So if you're looking to switch to a more natural skincare and bodycare regime, don't look any further! I can't recommend them highly enough and prices are really affordable too. 

Laidbare Smooth As A Peach* is a body cream targeting cellulite prone areas like thighs, bum and tum.

If like me you go to the gym regularly, you may be able to reach your desired weight - have a toned body, thanks to the body pump classes - but you know that you still need a little help to firm the skin and those wobbly bits.

This cream is ideal to improve the appearance of the skin and it's also gentle enough that can be used on the chin (or double) too.

Main ingredients are Catappa Leaf Extract to firm and tighten skin tissues and Elder Flower Extract to brighten the skin and it's also got antiseptic properties; Caffeine that is a must in cellulite treatment since helps the body eliminate the fat and the dreadful orange peel and Chlorella Vulagaris also reduces the appearance of stretch marks.

The consistency is a bit thicker of what I'm used to, but it makes perfect sense because it requires some high duty massaging action which is all good and recommended to attack these dimples; for this reason it's ideal for winter especially, when the skin may not be as receptive and some extra tlc is needed.

Having said that, it still absorbs completely into the skin without leaving any residue on the surface and it has a comforting, delicate floral scent.

If you're lucky enough to have perfect skin, it's also a great everyday moisturizer and the skin is left soft and smooth.

Have you tried this cream yet?

FOTD - Coral Eyeshadow

Face: Clinique City Block Sheer Spf25, Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Estee Lauder DoubleWear Concealer in 07 Warm Light, Mac Cremeblend Blush in Something Special, Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal, Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder in Brightening Nudes;

Eyes: Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr in On And On Bronze, Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 29 Intensive Coral, Kiko False Lashes Concetrate Building Base Mascara, Clinique High Impact Mascara, Revlon GrowLuscious Lashliner in Expresso;

Lips: Revlon ColorBust Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie.

Food Delivery / Yoosli

Yoosli is a new muesli delivery service, based in UK.

When you go on the website - www.yoosli.com - you can choose from a wide selection of ingredients to create a truly personalised and delicious cereal box.

Personally, I think it's genius and you can choose the combination that mostly tickles your tastebuds; you see, I love muesli and porridge for breakfast but I always end up picking bits out - Damn you sultanas!!! And I'm sure I'm not the only one.

The selection is truly amazing: you can start with a cereal preference - rice pops, oat flakes, puffed quinoa - and there are at least 20 different types of dried fruit that you can add - like strawberries, papaya, mulberries. Then you can add some nuts (almond flakes, pine nuts), seeds... and if you feel a bit naughty some choc chips too!

They have recently launched a 5-Day Breakfast Box* that delivers 5 different combinantions in single portions, one for every day of the week.

Personally, I love food subscriptions as much as beauty ones and it's always very exciting to get a new selection in the mail.

My box got a bit damaged in transit but I blame the postman because it fits nicely through the letterbox.

I'm half-way through my week and I can honesty testify that they are sooo yummy... and most importantly sultana-free! ;)

I find the portions are also generous but still well balanced and you get all the nutritional info on the back too.

There's so much care and love in the packaging too, with cute illustrations and stories that I find myself reading (and smiling) during my morning 'fueling' sessions.
Then, if you like a particular combo, you can also easily order a full box, thanks to the Mix ID provided.

The Yoosli Breakfast Box is a bargain £3.49 (free delivery) and the best way to start your mornings because it's 100% organic and full of all the healthy natural goodness!
 Have you tried this box yet?

New In / Kiko Neon Glow Light Effect Serum

Kiko Neon Glow Light Effect Serum* came out with the recent Dark Heroine Collection.

Although it's called a serum, I feel this product acts like a primer too, with added skincare benefits.

It has an instant uplifting effect, in fact it does a great job in preparing the skin for foundation.

The gel formulation smooths fine line and it's refreshing on the skin. I love gels but often found that they are not particularly moisturizing; this product is a totally different story - It doesn't just sit on the skin but the ingredients also ensure an ongoing anti-aging and revitalizing treatment, with regular use. 

Active ingredients include green tea & hyaluronic acid to retain moisture, promote collagen production, improve elasticity and stimulate cellular renewal. And that's what it's really selling it for me: it's not simply a cosmetic that you wash off at the end of the day.

It doesn't have a scent and the packaging is also so pretty: I love these spiral dispensers, they always look super high-tech.

The pink helix contains reflecting pearls that add a healthy radiance to the complexion; you really need to massage the product into the skin so that the particles burst and transform into this pink milky gel.

I'm really liking using it: it never makes me shine and the subtle glow is perfect to transit into autumn, and enhancing the bit of tan that I still got!

Have yo tried Kiko recently? What do you recommend?