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?

Empties / March

oh man, I've been away for a while!

I've been sick and literally stayed in bed for over a week and I'm still recovering, feeling very weak and generally tender in the throat/stomach department; actually, my husband also commented that he had never seen me so ill (and that's something because I'm notoriously a proper wimp!)

I usually write my posts daily and post them and yep, even typing was too much of a task... anyway, that taught me I should start to schedule!!!

Bit of catching up to do now... starting with my recent empties:

The Beauty Parlour Boob Tubes Day/Night: I got these creams for the breast area in Superdrug - they were around £6 on offer and they are huge size bottles so lasted a long time. I can't say I have been impressed by either: the day product is a cream, whilst the night is a gel. The performance was pretty similar but nothing special. I want high performance ingredients for this delicate area and these were just ordinary good moisturizers.

Repurchase: no.

Aveda Energizing All Over Body Cleanser: underimpressed by this item too. It has a lovely refreshing and herbaly scent and milky consistency but honestly, I would never spend that kind of money on a body wash. It was nice to try it but didn't particularly impress me.

Repurchase: no.

Clarins Extra-Firming Body Cream: I love Clarins body products and the Clarins High Definition Body Lift is one of my all time favourite.

This cream is pretty thick and I wouldn't normally need something so rich but It melts in the skin beautifully and has a gorgeous scent, too. I like to use it at night, for that reason and I bet it will do wonders if you have dry skin. Can't vouch on the firming properties because the sample didn't last long but I'd be glad to use it again.

Repurchase: maybe, if I find it on offer.

Sprout Lip Balm: this is an all natural cocoa lip heaven goodness! It melts on contact with the lips, it is extremely moisturizing and if you're a lip balm junkie, you definitely need to try this!

 I love the packaging of this range too - you can read more here.

Repurchase: yes - the citrus version is already on my wishlist. :)

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque: Originally, I got the first sample in a GlossyBox ages ago and then I managed to stock up on a few other bottles; I think this is the third one that I finished and I still love this mask as much as the first time I tried it.

It works very gently but leaves the skin revitalized and looking radiant like nothing else... will definitely need to invest on a full size real soon.

Repurchase: hell yeah!

BioEffect EGF Serum: my holy grail! Another GlossyBox discovery and again I have used few of this wee bottles in the past 2 years. I don't use only this thing as my skin routine, purely because I like to try different products but when my curiosity will reach saturation point, I will settle for this! Well, settle is probably not the right word since it's bloody expensive but totally worth it.

Repurchase: yes, for life!!!

Which products did you discover last month??

xxx

Introducing / Rodial

Few weeks ago, Rodial did a flash sale on Twitter with a promo code for 50% off everything on the website - been wanting to try this brand for a long time so this was the perfect opportunity!

First thing I wanted to try was the lip balm... but it was out of stock already (actually a bless in disguise... see below;))... so I went for the Glamtox Kit 'Skincare on the go', perfect way to discover the brand AND including the lip balm as well.

So, let's start with the Glam Balm Lip... it is my least favourite, mainly for the scent: it's a nice rose smell but it's too overpowering and - having that under my nose all day - it's like a fast-track to migraine.

The consistency is nice, tho and reminds me of the Dermalogica Renewal Lip Complex (review here)... so, you can see now why I'm glad I didn't buy the 20quid pot!

lip balm

Second product I tried is the Glamtox Night. This reminds of the Monu Skin Perfector (review here) both for the consistency and smell... and I adore the Monu cream!!!
It does feel a bit light to be a night cream but - apparently - the retinol formula transforms skin overnight and it's performing well so no complaints.

night balm

Then, Glamotox Day SPF15 is also a lovely product. It sinks well into the skin and my foundation goes on smoothly. Again, this has a nice, fresh smell.

day cream

Next, I tried used the Glamoxy Snake Serum. Unfortunately, the sample is so minuscule that I couldn't possibly experience any improvement in frown lines and wrinkles - it last for 4 applications!

Again, a light consistency that you would expect from a serum and I did enjoy using it (that 4 times) so I may give it another go with the full size, once I have finished my current one.

serum

Oh what a joy! I loved loved the Glamtox cleansing Balm and it's my favourite product of the lot, definitely.

It smells and perform as the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm (review here)... but unfortunately, I have to give the edge to EH because of the price. Yes, the Rodial is £50 for the same quantity and that's THE ONLY REASON why I'm not going to re-purchase.

cleanser

Finally, I ordered the Glam Balm Multi because I read so much about this product but I was expecting something different: I thought it was high performance, intensive face cream,  but I can't possibly see how you can use it all over the face, even with very very dry skin - It feels too greasy (you may notice in the picture)! In fact, you need to squeeze the bottle few times, before opening, otherwise you end up with a blob of oil on your finger.

I would compare it to Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream - without the nasty smell - and I have only been able to use it on my lips.

Overall, my first experience with this brand has been more than positive - I'd love to try some more but, for the price, I don't see it happening soon.

What surprised me the most was the scent.. very natural, floraly... I was expecting something more high-tech and chemical (I don't know maybe because of the polished/metal packaging)... nice surprise.. weirdo, the mind connection you do something, innit?! :)

Have you tried anything from Rodial before?

What would you recommend?

xxx