Tag Archives: pele

The rise of makeup and skincare hybrids

Posted in Beauty, Make Up, Skincare by

effaclar-duo-unifiant-review - 1We all love makeup. And we need (ok, we do love it too) skincare.

When 49% of men and women in the UK suffer from spots, blackheads and oily skin*, and 21% of those look for some blemish coverage, how great it is to have products that work towards beautifying skin long and short term?

Many brands now are investing in innovative products that not only prettify, but also care for the skin.

Plus, if a brand caters for problematic skin, you can guarantee I’m already half way being a fan.
And when they work… that’s how love comes about.
La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar range covers all acneic skin needs and recently they started branching out into tinted products.
effaclar-duo-unifiant-review - 2I raved about the Effaclar BB Blur, which I use quite a lot still, and now they are pulling more out of the bag.
The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Unifiant tinted moisturiser carries the same formula as the best selling La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo + cream, but has  mineral pigments to make it a tinted moisturiser.
It delivers a very sheer and glowy coverage; used alone, for my skin, only in extremely good skin days. However, I find it’s a fabulous base for makeup. It is light applies very well.

I put it on after my primer, before foundation. Of course, I’m resting assured I have treatment on my face, as well as a sheer base that surfaces a bit of glow.

It contains anti-inflammatory niacinamide, bacterial infection-fighting piroctone olamine, healing/skin renewal agent LHA, sebum-combating linoleic acid and the ceramid procerad, which fights inflammation and helps minimise hyper-pigmentation scars.
Since getting it, I’ve been using everyday.
The new La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Unifiant comes in two shades: Fair/Light and Light/Medium, costs £16.50 and can be purchased from retailers nationwide.
*Influencers and path to purchase study, 2014.
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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

A fresh, hydrating breeze

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

avene-eau-thermale-review - 2I am a huge fan of face mists, there is no denying.

Now that the weather is slightly better, I feel I can talk about it and not feel that if I actually spray water on my face, it would freeze before reaching it. Yes, I am bitter with this lack of summer thing.

Avène Eau Thermale thermal spring water spray, however, is a bliss for any weather.

In the summer, it cools and refreshes. In the winter, it is perfect for soothing. Because the thermal water is captured straight from the source, it retains all its amazing natural soothing and anti-irritating properties.

avene-eau-thermale-review - 1All squeezed into in a handy spray. The very fine mist lands lightly and feels amazing on the skin, delivering immediate comfort. It is fabulous over makeup, to freshen up, but even better directly on the skin.

It is very pure, all it has is the purest water, and also leaves a barrier for a long-lasting effect. It is great for all skin types, but mainly irritated and sensitive skin.

I confess I am a bit addicted!

This is 50 ml (around £3.50) and the 2016 special edition of their flower girl, but you can get this size all year round in the normal packaging – perfect for handbags and flying.

The Avène Eau Thermale thermal spring water spray also comes in 150ml (£6.50) and 300ml (£10), and can be bought from big retailers, such as Boots, in-store and online.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Extra hydration: a touch of SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

skinceauticals-hydrating-b5-review - 1What if you could give your skin an extra shot of hydration, with no oiliness, stickiness or that heavy feeling or layering up products?

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 fits the bill: thin, water-like fluid glides on the skin and is absorbed immediately, with quenching effects.

It can be used alone or to complement the moisturising routine. I use it both ways; I find that in the winter, it’s a lifesaver and in the summer, it helps hydrate deeper without being too much.

It is also great during the day, especially around the eye, a few dabs to break dryness caused by air conditioning.

skinceauticals-hydrating-b5-review - 2Vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid are the main ingredients, for a smoother, suppler complexion.

Because its oil free it’s doesn’t clog pores, bring ideal for acne prone skin.

The vitamin B5 aids with tissue repair and hyaluronic acid helps bind moisture to the skin, providing lasting hydration.

I am a huge fan of additional hydration products that don’t weigh in the skin; as mentioned before, mine can’t take rich creams, but still craves that deep hydration, so layering is perfect for me.

skinceauticals-hydrating-b5-review - 3This product goes really well with another SkinCeuticals favourite of mine, the SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense.

You can get the SkinCeuticauls Hydrating B5 from Dermacare Direct, and it costs £38.

Dermacare Direct also stocks a range of SkinCeuticals products and also other cosmeceuticals at great prices. They also count with handy advice to help you choose the best regime for you.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Microdermabrasion at home: the PMD Personal Microderm

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

pmd_microdermabrasion_review - 3I was a bit nervous about using this product at first. It is a professional grade microdermabrasion device for use at home.

What if skinned my face out? Fear not, the PMD Personal Microderm Microdermabrasion Device device is a joy to use.

For peace of mind, it comes with all the instructions you need. There’s a DVD and plenty of online resources on how it works, how to use properly and make the most of your device, as well as all safety information.

For me, that’s very reassuring and made me want to start using it immediately.

pmd_microdermabrasion_review - 2This device has the vacuum suction and exfoliation action, similar to the ones in the facialists’ equipment.

The exclusive patented spinning disc with aluminum oxide crystals to exfoliate away the dead, dull cells on the surface of the skin. There are four roughness of discs, from training to coarse.

After assembling it with the test head, I turned it on and with sweeping movement, ran though my whole face.

I started with the training disc (white) and after a few days, with my skin taking to the test well, I used the blue disc head and did the same.

pmd_microdermabrasion_review - 1After first use with the new disc, skin felt a tiny bit red, which faded by the morning.

Immediately after application, skin felt very soft and absorbed my skincare products extremely well.

I’ve been using it weekly (with a recent break due to the weather changes and my skin condition) and I love it. I feel overall improvement in texture, tone and pigmentation.

Skin feels smoother, radiant, and my normal product routine seems optimised: less product, quicker absorption, as the dead cells barrier between your skin surface and deeper layers (where you want your skincare to go) is lifted away.

It’s compact, quick and effective, giving you a professional treatment at home. My skin has just normalised after dealing with weather changes and I am straight back on it!

It comes with a few exfoliating discs (they last about 3 uses each) and two different size headers, for larger areas, such as elbows and feet.

The PMD Personal Microderm Microdermabrasion Device costs £139 from Amazon, with free P&P.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

More oil: The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 10When I heard The Body Shop was bringing out a whole range based on oil blends, I was very excited.

The first product from the Oils of Life range I wrote about was one that intrigued me. After all, the Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion is a different product that added new step into the routine.

The second one I am going to talk about is more traditional. A facial oil, which is a type of product I love (I tried hard not to say I love oils, again! Failed!).

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 12The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil, however, is slightly different, it feels lighter in its consistency.

It is absorbed well by the skin, and it feels very soft after application, although I need a good 4-5 drops just for the face, whereas usually for richer oils, 3 is enough.

What it does, however, is to enable me to wear an oil during the day. It’s great to wear alone, with moisturiser or serum on top or mix to your face day cream to give it a little bit of winter skincare richness, without weighing it.

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 13Either way, it behaves very well under makeup and adds that extra moisture and protection so needed in this weather.

Currently, my skin is super mega dry, so I am pulling at all stops to replenish it. This product has proven to be very handy.

Oils have really changed the appearance of my skin. Since the introduction of them to my routine I feel the texture and radiance have improved dramatically. This product has contributed to that too.

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 11Packaging is a lovely ombré glass bottle with pipette. The oil itself is light yellow.

It’s made from 99% natural origin and contains three precious seed oils: black cumin, camellia and rosehip, ingredients are known for their repairing and revitalising properties.

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil costs £28 and it is available online and in the shops nationwide.

You can also read about the product I count on for when the weather is not treating my skin very well!

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

The Body Shop Oils of Life: fuelling my obsession with oils

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 1As if I weren’t obsessed enough with oils, here comes The Body Shop and adds more fuel to the fire with the amazingly luxurious Oils of Life range.

It contains a massager and four great products: two creams, an oil and a lotion, with which I will start with, as it is a bit different from all skincare products I tried before.

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion has, of course, oils, mixed with water, making it a bi-phasic solution, much like the best eye makeup removers out there.

As every item in the collection, this contain three precious seed oils: black cumin, camellia and rosehip. Lovely, no? These ingredients are known for their repairing and revitalising properties.

The Revitalising Lotion is a pre moisturising step, preparing the skin to receive the care and it should be applied after cleansing and toning.

I have to say that my skin routine has enough steps, but this ones adds something extra. Apart from making skin feel softer and helping spread the products that follow, it proved to be particularly valuable in the morning, as it is a helps to wake me up with its freshness and subtle lovely smell.

bodyshop_oils_of_life_review - 2Obviously, it is super light, feels like water and really gives the skin that pick me up before the nourishing routine. You just need a few drops, after shaking to mix, for the whole face and neck.

Packaging is quite simple; a plastic orange bottle with a sturdy cap, not exactly luxurious but gives you that apothecary look (but the feel as it is not glass!). I like the label is small and you can see the solution mix as you shake it.

It does make me wonder that this product would make a fab spray to be used during the day; I might put it in an atomiser to carry around, being the huge fan of face mists I am.

Doubtlessly helps boost radiance as part of the routine, but for me, its “wake me up effect” is its best feature.

The lovely Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion costs £15 for 150ml and can be bought online or at The Body Shop shops nationwide.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

A new tinted moisturiser in my drawer: Dermalogica Sheer Tint SPF20

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

dermalogica_sheer_tint_review - 1Remember when I said I didn’t like tinted moisturisers then it all changed? Yeah, it seems I’m on a roll, now with the Dermalogica Sheer Tint SPF20.

I’ve been using Dermalogica products for a while now and so far everything I tired is a hit. See for yourself how much I love my moisture boost and eye cream.

This one does not disappoint. It has a lovely texture and the colour medium is a good match for me.

dermalogica_sheer_tint_review - 3It has some shimmery particles, which are the light-diffusing iron oxides, but not too much; just enough for that lovely healthy glow.

It also contains hydrolyzed pearl amino acids, hydrating hyaluronic acid and antioxidant walnut seed extracts. All these ingredients help improve
 the texture and appearance of fine dehydration lines in the skin.

The coverage is extremely sheer, so perfect for a non-makeup day. After all, is is an SPF 20 face moisturiser and feels very comfortable on the skin.

dermalogica_sheer_tint_review - 2I’ve been using it a lot to go to the gym, used everyday on holidays and sometimes is just a nice brightening base for makeup, to be honest.

The Dermalogica Sheer Tint SPF20 is priced at £34.80 and can be our chased on line or at Dermalogica shops and concession nationwide.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Getting a bit of a spa experience with Dove Uplifted+ Massaging Body Roll-on

Posted in Beauty, Body by

dove_uplifted_body_rollon_review - 1Dove, a brand really close to my heart, has revamped their body skin care recently, and not only have the products have a fabulous new packaging and are full of new technologies, but they also have added something brand new: body roll-on!

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A new type of face serum from Liz Earle

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

liz_earle_serum - 1It is not a secret I love my serums. Also general knowledge I love Liz Earle, so when I was given the newly launched Superskin Face Serum to try, I was thrilled.

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My perfect day eye cream from Dermalogica

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

dermalogica wonder eye creamAs a beauty junkie, I am *slightly* obsessed with everything makeup, hair, nails, body and skincare. Eye creams are one of those products that are favourites of mine, I think because I can actually feel the difference they make.

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