Tag Archives: serum

A shift on my skincare routine

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

Image skincare - So Many Lovely ThingsFrom time to time I like shifting my skincare routine and over a month ago I introduced five Image Skincare products to it. I had never heard of the brand, so was very excited to see that they are paraben free and have an extensive range catering for all different skin concerns.

After describing my skin, I was sent a mix of products from a few ranges, including the gorgeous the Vital C Hydrating Anti Ageing Serum, the Ageless Total Eye Lift Cream, the Prevention+ Daily Matte Moisturiser, the fabulous ClearCell Salicylic Clarifying Gel Cleanser and the Biomolecular Hydrating Recovery Masque.

I used them almost exclusively for over 4 weeks and here’s what I found…

The serum

Because I am a sucker for serums, that’s where I’m gonna start: the Vital C Hydrating Anti Ageing Serum (£72) is fluid and spreads very well on the skin, sinking quickly. I felt it gives my skin radiance; and that seem to be persisting throughout the day and not only in the morning.

Image skincare - So Many Lovely ThingsThe hydrating serum has oil-soluble Vitamin C which helps soothe the visible effects of environmentally damaged skin. Vitamins A, E and highly potent anti-oxidants help on the nourishment front, for that youthful glow.

Keep it clean!

Image skincare - So Many Lovely ThingsOne product I am in love with is the Clearcell Salicylic Clarifying Gel Cleanser (£28). Foamy and with a light scent, this cleanser makes skin feel super clean and not a tiny bit dry.

I feel it’s been a god send on these hot days where you sweat a lot at night. It contains a 5% blend of salicylic acid, neem leaf extract and granactive acne, and does a decent job of removing makeup, even eye. It has anti-inflammatory properties and gives skin a gentle exfoliation, so perfect for blemish and acne prone skin.

The eyes (always) have it

Now, eye creams are amongst my favourite type of skincare and the Ageless Total Eye Lift Creme (£48) delivers extreme hydration and nutrition to the area. I use at night as it has a richer consistency, but it applies super well and absorbs super quickly, not upsetting my sensitive eyes.

It contains a retinol-derivative glycolic blend  to help tighten the skin, chamomile, green tea and coneflower soothe and a peptide blend to reduce inflammatory processes, as well as potent antioxidants.

Image skincare - So Many Lovely ThingsDaily protection

I was looking for a multitasking face moisturiser and that’s exactly what I found on the oil-free Prevention+ Daily Matte Moisturiser (£46).

With a microsponge technology that absorb surface oils to mattify and leave skin shine-free, a blend of anti-oxidants that scavenge free-radical, and broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 32+, it helps reduce the damage caused by the sun and environmental exposures, so it’s the perfect shield for everyday.

As all other creams from the brand, it applies well, absorbs great and sits amazingly well under makeup. All points!

The treat

Image skincare - So Many Lovely ThingsAnd because everyone loves a sheet face mask, I also tried the Biomolecular Hydrating Recovery Mask (£9), which is laden with concentrated ultra-hydrating ingredients: amino acid Complex, Jeju volcanic oxygen water, Onsen-Sui mineral charged water, hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica extract, portulaca, oleracea extract, green tea, ginseng and beta glucan.

Skin feel plumped and hydrated after use; a real treat (and treatment!) suitable for all skin types.

Overall, a great brand discovery with products that kept my skin in check. And they have so many more exciting products I think would work for me!

You can browse their range on the Image Skincare website.

Also, I tried to take pics where the products live, my bathroom. Needless to say I won’t be doing that again, so the conclusion is the products are WAY better than my photography in this instance…

written by Dani

You know the drill, but I’ll say again: this post contains GIFTED PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

My lips aren’t sealed…

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

Lately, my lips have been terribly dry, flaky and cracked? Am I kissing too much, you ask?

Well, I don’t kiss and tell, but what I can tell is that I freaked out when I saw a crevasse, which for me was Grand Canyon sized, and that got me thinking about around the lips ageing and how I haven’t come across a specific product for that.

Obviously, as it was around my birthday, I started thinking my lips look like those of a 100-year old with (no, I’m not dramatic, no, there is absolutely no exaggeration on this statement) and I started thinking about what I was going to do about that…

Enter the super compact (and rather effective) Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Concentrate. I mentioned the Hyaluron-Filler range before on the blog and absolutely love their CC Cream and the eye cream and realised their Concentrate would be the perfect boost to care for that so often neglected area.

This intensive anti-wrinkle in a serum form, it is great for the area as it is very light and absorbs so quickly.

The combination of high and low molecular hyaluronic acid and bio-active glycine saponin helps target prematurely ageing skin where the wrinkles originate and support skin’s natural production of hyaluronic acid. Nifty, eh?

I’ve been using it morning and night, and have already felt a small improvement on the area. And while I am there, I also dab a bit around the lines coming from the edge of the nose to the corner of the mouth (known as “Chinese” moustache).

So, with six of those vials coming in each pack, I am sure I can be laughing through to 2018 without worrying about those lines (too much)!

The Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Concentrate costs £30 for 6x5ml., which I think is very good price indeed for a serum this potent. You can get it from major retailers and the Eucerin website.

written by Dani

You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

 

Skincare, for all pockets

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

nspa-skincare-review-4Be honest: would you say, by looking at the gorgeous nspa skincare products, that they carry a tiny price tag? I don’t think so.

Nspa is a brand created by spa experts in the UK, exclusively for Asda. Yes, you heard right. Asda.

In fact, Asda beauty has a great range of products, including nspa, whose products are benchmarked against big brands in the market.

I tried some of their Beauty Rituals Ever Youthful anti-ageing products, which are all enriched with a hyaluronic acid and tetrapeptide complex.

The whole Beauty Rituals line carries four steps of skincare: cleanse, exfoliate, treat and moisturise. All products are dermatologically approved and free of parabens.

nspa-skincare-review-3As I love a serum, I’m going to start with that. The Ever Youthful Double Action Serum, which costs £6.40 (no, you didn’t read it wrong), contains ginseng and and anti-oxidant rich Vitamin A, E and Pro-Vitamin B5 complex.

The serum is light and sinks in the skin very well. Skin feels soft , nourished and moisturised after use. It is also vegan friendly.

Eye creams are also a little vice of mine and the Ever Youthful Eye Cream (£5) is very good. Light upon application and quickly absorbed, it does not irritate my sensitive eyes.

Can be used overnight and also during the day under makeup; it behaves very well.

nspa-skincare-review-2It helps support the delicate round the eye skin, plumping and nourishing, working against crows feet and fine lines.

They also have a day and night cream: the recharging and restorative Ever Youthful Bouncy Night Cream (£6.40), which is admittedly is a bit rich my my skin type, but has real bouncy texture and does feel nice on the skin once applied.

The Ever Youthful Day Cream, £6.40,  (obvs!) with protecting SPF 15 and is possibly thicker than I would like, close to the night one, but absorbs well and feels lovely on the skin. The smell is very nice too – in fact, all products have a lovely smell.

Not pictured, because it lives in my bathroom, is probably my favourite product from the range, the Deep Cleansing Face Wash (£4.50). Its pump delivers a rich foam that cleanses without stripping the skin and does a very good job of even removing eye makeup.

The nspa Ever Youthful range is really goo, especially when you think about the price point – the most expensive products cost £6.40 and at the moment they have a 2 for £8 deal on.

Plus, you can get it while grocery shopping at Asda, in-store and online.

signature1

You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Round the clock hydration: La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Serum

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

larocheposay-hydraphase-intense-serum-review - 1Skin hydration as become a huge issue for me and I am always welcoming products that not only deliver that but also maintain it.

The La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Serum does just that with is smoothing and re-hydrating concentrated formula.

larocheposay-hydraphase-intense-serum-review - 2I do love a serum, and this one has a water-like consistency and applies extremely well, being absorbed really quickly by the skin.

Perfect under makeup, can be used with other product to maximise hydration even more. Personally, it is perfect with a light moisturiser and SPF during the day.

larocheposay-hydraphase-intense-serum-review - 3Always worth remembering La Roche-Posay cares for sensitive skin types. It contains thermal spring water associated with hyaluronic acid fragments alongside arginine and serine. It does not contain parabens.

The price is also very exciting – £19 – and makes this product a great option to complement any skincare routine.

You can get the Intense serum, and other fab products from the Hydraphase range in retailers nationwide, like Boots and Superdrug, as well as online.

signature1

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 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.

Continue reading →

Review: Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Daily Moisture Balancing serum

Posted in Beauty, Skincare by

jurlique rose serum Serums have become an obsession of mine in the past years. Jurlique is responsible for the latest addition to my skincare kit: the Rose Moisture Plus Daily Moisture Balancing serum

Continue reading →

Product review: L’Oréal Paris Skin Perfection Advanced Correcting Serum

L'Oréal Paris Skin Perfection Advanced Correcting Serum

Boy, do I love a good serum. Because of my problematic skin history, I avoid very rich nice moisturisers. To make sure I give my skin the hydration it needs, I top it up with a lovely serum. And the serum du jour here at So Many Lovely Things is the L’Oréal Paris Skin Perfection Advanced Correcting Serum.

First, I am gonna give you the facts: this beauty is aimed at people in their 20’s and 30’s and contains LR 2412 which is derived from Jasmonic Acid and already being used in high-end products from the L’Oréal family for more mature skin, in higher concentrations.

This ingredient is combined with Perline-P, which is composed by a plant derived sugar (which is said to reduced the appearance of pores), a potent but gentle on the skin exfoliant (HEPES) and a bark extract, which helps to soothe the skin and reduce redness. This combination of LR 2412 and Perline-P should tackle pores size, uneven skin tone and texture, showing visible improvements.

L'Oréal Paris Skin Perfection Advanced Correcting Serum

The shot didn’t capture how pretty the pink in this serum is!

Now, I tried Lancôme Visionnaire for 2 weeks and really loved it. The Skin Perfection serum has a very similar effect on my skin – I also felt it on the first application. Applied at night, I wake up with suppler, plumped skin, looking rested, brighter.

Two weeks on, I noticed the general aspect of my skin is better, make-up sits much better, even my scars seem less visible. It is worth noting that Visionnaire contains the L’Oréal patented exclusive ingredient LR 2412 at a 4% concentration, so double the Skin Perfection concentration.

The products colour is the very same – a pearly milky white with a gorgeous translucent shimmery pink when you smooth it over. It smells lush too. The skin feel very satiny after application.

My skin is loving it. I am also using others product from the range, the day moisturiser (which I will review soon) and the toner.

To make all this even better, Superdrug has an amazing promotion on the range at the moment, the serum was only £11.32, but even at full price, this is a bargain (RRP £19.99, full price listed at Superdrug is £16.99). You can also find it in Boots and other retailers nationwide.

Obviously, I will keep using this, and will certainly re-purchase. With such a problematic skin, you really need to hang on to what it likes!

For more information on the Advanced Correcting Serum, visit the L’Oréal Paris website.

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

My 2012 beauty revelation

Yes, you read it right. It is 2012. I know, it is indeed a bit too late for this kind of post, I am still getting back to my blogging saddle after the holidays (yeah, maybe I am a bit lazy).

I use many beauty and make-up products on a daily basis. Foundation, eye shadow, mascara, face wash and moisturiser are staples I cannot think about living without.

However, I get really excited when I get a new product, something completely different that works for me. So for 2012 I have two highlights: face serum and pre-cleanse oil.

credit maccosmeticsI will start with the serum. This thing goes on your face before your primer. Yes, before. And there was me, at some point, thinking foundation was the first thing. Then something before the foundation came into my life – the primer – and that was a game changer. Now, there is something before the primer (I thought the clue was on the name, but no. My primer shall be renamed “seconder”). Jokes aside, I really enjoy using the serum: it kinda prepares and protects your skin to receive all the rest. It is refreshing and light. And mine is also brightening. I have been using the MAC Prep+Prime Skin Brightening serum since July last year and love it. One little bottle lasted me all this time – I just purchased another one in January 2013. You can read my full review here.

image credit: dermalogicaNow, a true revelation was the  pre-cleanse. Seriously, I keep adding layers of complication to my beauty routines, and the trend for ’12 was to introduce steps in preparation… What really surprised me about it is this is an oil. Yes, oil. I never, ever in a zillion years considered slapping oil in my more than problematic skin. Oil. On acne skin. No. That shows I’ve suffered from this for too long, Technology is an amazing thing and it was love at first rub. I put it on my face and was sold. Applied to dry skin, it melts make-up with no need for vigorous rubbing or repeated washing, Those of you out there with sensitive (and often irritated skin by acne products, acne itself and other delights), know how much a difference no rubbing to remove heavy make up makes. Gentle circular motions sees all the slap coming off. Miracle. Delicate rubbing on the lashes removes most of mascara and liner, cutting the eye make up remover job in half at least. As it warms into the skin, you can almost feel it sinking in and removing the grub.

Once I am done massaging it in (and have grey, red and skin colour patches of molten make up all over my face), I wash it off with water and it turns into a milky consistency, washing away easily, not sticking as oil to your face. Trust me. I was scared I’d throw water in it and it would just slip away. That wasn’t the case.  I then proceed to use my normal face wash and the work is quick and effortless. I use Dermalogica precleanse and love it – a bottle goes a long way, bought in September and it is probably still halfway. I use it, on average, 4 times a week.

So there you have it – those two were my best beauty discoveries of 2012. What are yours?

Product review: MAC Prep+Prime Skin Brightening Serum

I went for a makeover at MAC last week; I do this quite often, every time I need to buy foundation of powder, as the £25 booking fee, redeemable against products, is just the right amount to get these two beauty staples. Obviously, being me, I can never stop at that amount and damage is always done!

On this occasion, I had a wedding to attend, so nothing better than to have your make done and your lashes put on for you!

I was introduced to another product from their Prep+Prime range. I am no stranger to them; I have used them for ages – from primers and fix+ (another saver) to the setting and fixing translucent powder. But this is different.

The Prep+Prime Skin Brightening Serum is described as a “serum formulated to instantly brighten, smooth, firm and hydrate the skin while providing a plumper, more evenly toned finish to the skin. Natural anti-oxidants help to strengthen the skin against UV-related damage while MAC charged water ensures deep, long lasting hydration.”

At a first glance, what really appealed to me was the serum consistency – it is quickly absorbed by the skin and leaves a lovely sensation. It spreads well and you don’t need a lot to cover the whole face. The make-up artist described it as a treatment as well, as it will contribute to general skin brightening over time, with constant use. Another thing that drew me to it is that you use it before your primer.

However, what really made me fall in love with it were the visible results: used in conjunction with another new discovery (yeah, I may have gone a bit overboard), the Fortified Skin Enhancer in adjust, which works as a primer and has SPF 35, my skin looks more radiant, brighter, and the make up definitely lasts longer, looking good, hydrated and fresh.

So, I am sold. I have already incorporated it into my daily make up routine!

And just for the sake of it, here is the whole lot purchased; yes, I need to start exercising self-control!

Do you have any skin prepping products you swear by?