Detox and brighten: dermalogica charcoal masque to the rescue!

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In skincare, there is nothing quite satisfying like a good face mask.

The new dermalogica charcoal rescue masque ticks all the boxes in the satisfaction list: it applies well, you feel working, upon washing acts as a gentle exfoliant and the best part: it sets! Ok, maybe not the best but a pretty satisfying one.

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Its star ingredient is the activated Binchotan white charcoal, from Japan, made with Ubame oak using ancient methods resulting in ultra high porosity charcoal, which means much superior (more than 1,000 times its weight) impurities absorption.

As it’s a multitasking mask, it also contains 5% sulphur which removes dulling cells, combats breakouts and revitalises, volcanic ash, sea silt, bamboo stem extract, phytic, lactic and mandelic acids for exfoliation, pantenyl and naringenin, both anti-inflammatories and Chilean wild mint, which is refreshing but also acts as a temporary pore minimiser.

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I have to say, its grey colour is great fun to use (I am silly like that), even though it sets very hard, it feels comfortable while on the skin and washes off easier than I thought.

Because of its particles, you can give your skin a gentle exfoliating massage while removing it; it has a good grit to it without being too abrasive.

Skin feels super soft, brighter and healthier from the first use.

Dermalogica has many fantastic face masks and now with the multi-masking beauty trend, it is very easy to find a combination right for you.

You can have a consultation with the dermalogica specialists at their concessions in gorgeous places like Liberty, and come out with a face mask (and why not full skincare regime) which is right for your skin conditions and concerns.

The dermalogica charcoal rescue masque costs £38 launched exclusively at Liberty last month but is now available online and at dermalogica concessions 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.

Anti-blemish care from Vichy: Normaderm Beautifying day cream

vichy-normaderm-beautifying-blemish-care-review - 1That my skin is problematic is no news. I am always on the lookout for products that will give my skin what it needs – hydration, radiance, exfoliation, whatever – without aggravating it or breaking the delicate balance between an ok skin day and weeks of awfulness.

When I heard about the Vichy Normaderm range, I had high hopes, especially as it brings in some products that are not that common for blemished skin.

I tried the Beautifying anti-blemish care 24h hydration day cream and was impressed.

Although prone to breakouts, my skin is quite dry, so anything that delivers some extra hydration in on my good books.

The colour is very light green, the consistency medium and the smell is quite prominent – a classic fresh that does not overpower.

It does sink in very well and make loves being on top of it. I did notice texture and plumpiness remained for longer, a sign of good moisture.

vichy-normaderm-beautifying-blemish-care-review - 2While I can see immediate results – more even skin tone, less shine – the effects are meant to get better over time. I have to say that my monthly breakouts did not make an appearance, so thumbs up!

It contains salicylic acid, which is a traditional ingredient to combat breakouts for its anti-inflammatory and exfoliating properties; caprylol glycerine, which reduces growth of bacteria and sebum; airlicium, which disperses sebum and has a soft focus effect and pheresourcinol, which is a great exfoliator and anti-bacterial that helps with pigmentation.

For me, a great day moisturiser. A huge shame it hasn’t got SPF.

The Vichy Normaderm range is quite extensive and counts with great products I am dying to try such as Night Detox, Hyaluspot and Anti-ageing, apart from this fab all rounder.

The Vichy Normaderm Beautifying anti-blemish care 24h hydration day cream costs £14.50 and can be fond in retailers 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.

Celebrating World Fragrance Day with Dove Soft Feel deodorant

dove-soft-feel-review - 1Love at first spray: Dove Soft Feel has been my deodorant since I tried it for the first time, when it launched last year.

As the launch was in one of the most stunning places I’ve ever been in London, every time I smell it, I think of the luxury and sophistication that day and of this fragrance – people would not believe it is a deodorant!

dove-soft-feel-review - 3The stunning powdery fragrance, developed exclusively for Dove with French fragrance house Givaudan, for me is the perfect way of celebrating today (21 March), World Fragrance Day.

Apart from carrying the lovely smell with me all day, Dove Soft Feel also keeps my underarms protected and cared for, as this deodorant is as soft as it powder, and, as all Dove deodorants, contains 1/4 moisturising cream and no alcohol.

dove-soft-feel-review - 4I’ve been using it since June last year and the effects of that extra moisture boost really show; my underarms not only smell great but feel fab!

My relationship with fragrances is very strong: I remember full stages of my life when I smell perfumes I used to wear; I feel a sense of happiness and longing every time the first drop of rain water hits the floor on a hot day; I miss the smell of fresh guavas in the fruit bowl.

dove-soft-feel-review - 2Because I love this aroma, Dove has challenged me to guess which notes are part of Soft Feel fragrance.

Armed with a (so soft) blindfold, I went on to have a guess. And got 2/4 right. Bad times – but I was close enough with the flower; I went for jasmine. Not quite.

In its beautifully warm, powdery and flowery fragrance there is sandalwood, ylang ylang, vanilla (yum!) and the powdery scent, For me is just heavenly, I love warm delicate and feminine scents.

Even though the fragrance is a super high point in this product, it is in no way overpowering.

dove soft feelSoft Feel comes in three sizes: Compressed 125ml (£3.79) and 75ml (£2.99 and perfect for flying!) and roll on 50ml (£2.39, also great in-flight).

I won’t tell anyone I will be using the fragrance in a bottle Dove sent me as a perfume.

You can read my full review here.

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This is a sponsored post, but my love for this deodorant is not!

Prime, blur and hydrate: dermalogica hydrablur primer

dermalogica_hydrablur_review - 1I am very lucky to be a friend of dermalogica, a brand I’ve been a fan of for a while. Everything I try agrees with my skin, and their new hydrablur primer is no different.

Launching on the 1st February, this product is a primer with blurring and extra moisturising properties.

It is off-white in colour and has a thick-ish consistency, as most blur products. It comes in a tube and I love it has a “squeezer” so you get every single drop out!

dermalogica_hydrablur_review - 2It does spread ok, there is a bit of drag and a little does not go such a long way, but upon application, you can clearly see the blurring properties: skin is smooth, even and slightly mattified.

Makeup applies well on top and the finish is refined. It also sat well, with minima flaking throughout the work day.

It smooths pores, fine lines and small texture imperfections, prevents shine and keeps thirsty skin happy. Mine for once, feels super dry by the pm, and I felt this (with the moisture boost) really help.

Among the ingredients are H20Release complex of sodium hyaluronate, algin and trehalose (optimises hydration levels), abyssinian seed oil (smooth and tone), mattifiers, mushroom extract (pore size reduction), wu-zhu-yu fruit extract (radiance) and micro-encapsulated tint (for a neutral coverage).

dermalogica_hydrablur_review - 3Overall, this product delivers in its three promises and I am quite impressed.

It is really good to see skincare crossing over into makeup without losing its core proposition. I love to see a product working hard and tackling multiple concerns well.

The dermalogica HydraBlur is available from dermalogica shops, concessions and online, as well as from a variety of retailers, such as Liberty, from 1st February 2016.

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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.

Lifting and refreshing: ole henriksen ultimate lift eye gel

ole_henriksen_eye_lift_gel - 3Ole Henriksen is a brand I came across quite recently. I was very pleased to try a couple products and their ultimate lift eye gel did not disappoint.

The first thing I noticed is, of course, its colour. It’s bright blue and looks like a hair gel I used to wear when I was very young, for ballet.

ole_henriksen_eye_lift_gel - 1The gel has a firm consistency in a the pot but melts well on the skin.

What I really love is that it feels super fresh and is very light, so perfect to use during the day, as it sinks in straight away and residue – creaminess or greasiness – is left.

To be used overnight, this helps de-puff, soothe, tighten and lift the skin around the eye.

My round the eye area is kept hydrated and nourished. In the morning is a joy to use, as it’s so fresh it helps you wake up and de-puff, by plumping and hydrating.

ole_henriksen_eye_lift_gel - 2Full of goodness, it contains biopeptide el-6, which firms & restores elasticity; diminishes crows feet & wrinkles, hyaluronic acid, which plumps and creates long lasting moisture barrier, red micro algae, for instantly lift and tightening and calming, cooling and de-puffing cucumber extract.

Another little gem to my skincare routine!

The Ole Henriksen ultimate lift eye gel costs £36 is available from Debenhams 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.

Microdermabrasion at home: the PMD Personal Microderm

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.

A BB for blemish-prone skin: New La Roche-Posay Effaclar BB Blur

larocheposay_effaclar_bbblur_review - 1Many a times I said I’m not a fan of BB creams and other multi-function products.

It’s time I stopped, given that so many proved me wrong last year! The La Roche-Posay BB Blur, although carries another thing I don’t quite like (blur) has once again proved me wrong.

This mousse consistency product, however, is tinted, offering a really great coverage and is light as air.

It applies very well, but doesn’t set too quickly and it has all the Effaclar goodness to care for blemish-prone and sensitive skins. Plus, it has SPF20.

Look is flawless and I can see that blur working hard.

larocheposay_effaclar_bbblur_review - 2Durability wise, it’s not amazing in the long haul (10 hours on a work day), so I wouldn’t say it will replace my foundation, but it’s perfect for less makeup days and speedy makeup. Because it is from the Effaclar range, not only does it make my skin look good, but it’s also looking after my blemish prone skin.

I love wearing it for the gym or hoop classes (where might be photography involved); it hangs in there pretty well and combats shine.

The technology behind it is airlicium, a mattifying ingredient which combats shine and imperfections; perlite, which protects against humidity and has absorbing powers and BB pigments which offer a great colour adapting coverage.

For that, it absorbs oil, blur fine lines and wrinkles, smoothes texture, softens, scatters light for better tone, covers blemishes, blur marks, masks redness, minimises pores and evens out skin.

somanylovelythings - la roche posay effaclar bb blur I must admit that I notice all benefits above, but mainly even tone, a slight radiance and better texture, which is quite amazing, bearing in mind it is one product.

It does come in two colours, Light/Fair and Light/Medium, but sadly not suitable to darker skin tones. The medium is already on the light side for my skin, which is not a very fair shade, but not dark.

A fabulous surprise from a brand that entered So Many Lovely Things recently and is certainly here to stay. La Roche-Posay has opened 2016 with a bang.

The  is now available exclusively at Escentual (at a promotional price of £11), will be sold Boots and pharmacies nationwide from April 2016 and costs £16.50.

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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.

Fighting adult acne and ageing signs with SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense solution

skinceauticals_belmish_antiage_defense_review - 1Wow, 2016 sees really to be about skincare! Acne, as most of you know, has been the bane of my life for a very longtime. So long that at this point my main concern should be ageing signs and not spots.
Caught between preventing ageing signs and fighting blemishes, there is very little on the market that will cover both aspects of my skincare needs, furthermore, one usually aggravates the other, as anti-acne products are extremely drying and aggressive, and anti-ageing products are usually quite rich.
Imagine my happiness when I came across the SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Potent Treatment solution at Dermacare Direct. Sounded perfect!
This product is a clear solution, very slightly viscous, which is oil-free and contains salicylic (1.5%) and salicylic capryloyl (0.3%), dioic (2%), glycolic (3.5%) and citric (0.5%) acids. It’s the first to market to have dioic plus alpha and beta hydroxy acids in its formulation, to fight blemishes and fine lines and uneven skin tone and texture.
It applies and absorbs very well. The feeling is slightly tingly when you apply, but only for a few seconds.
There was no redness, no irritation and better still, no dryness, of any sort. Prolonged use did cause my lips to chap more than usual this winter, as I apply on the chin, where my blemishes are, twice a day, but that is expected with any acid products.
I’ve been using at night on the whole face and day on the problem areas only (mainly chin) and noticed an improvement, not only in blemishes but skin in general, mainly tone and radiance.
Using now over a few weeks, I can now notice an overall improvement. I feel it does target all the promised areas.
skinceauticals_belmish_antiage_defense_review - 2I’ve been using this product in conjunction with the SkinCeauticals B5 solution for extra moisturisation, as my skin suffers at this time of the year, plus other serums and moisturisers in my skincare routine.
Overall impressed. I had never tried SkinCeauticals before, but heard great things. This certainly lived up to the reputation of the brand and more.
I am already panicking when it gets to the end, but I have to say it is worth the price tag.
Dermacare Direct is an online cosmeceuticals company that stocks the best brands on the market. They also have the lovely Andrea, a cosmetic nurse, who is qualified to give the best, honest advice when picking your skincare to best suit your needs. Plus, she is super lovely!
You can get the SkinCeauticals Blemish + Age Defense for £64 for 30ml from Dermacare Direct.
They so stock other SkinCeauticals lines and various other cosmeceautical brands at great prices!
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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.

Scrubbing it off: the Alpha H Micro Cleanse Exfoliator

alpha_h_micro_cleanse_exfoliator_review - 1This time of the year is tough on my skin. I usually keep a small arsenal of gentle exfoliating products, from peels and exfoliating toners to microdermabrasion devices but the extra dryness of my skin in the winter rules most of them out.

When I got my hands on the Alpha H Micro Cleanse Exfoliator scrub I was excited and worried in equal measures.

Would it be too strong?! It is a scrub and acid after all.

On the other hand, all the flakiness and dryness left my skin begging for a good exfoliation. I noticed my complexion was duller and makeup wasn’t performing.

The scrub has a medium grittiness to it, not being to harsh on the skin. I applied with soft circular moves, paying special attention to forehead, chin and nose.

I left it a minute after massaging in so the acid could get some extra action in the skin. There was a very mild tingling, like peppermint oil, and no redness.

alpha_h_micro_cleanse_exfoliator_review - 2I applied the soothing Dr. Jackson face oil immediately afterwards, followed by a serum.

I don’t think my face has ever felt that soft after a scrub. After only one application, the softness lasted and when I woke up in the morning, it was even better.

Skin looked clearer, more radiant and overall with better texture. Makeup sits well and the radiance seeps through.

I am now using it weekly, sometimes more often and I love it.

This scrub contains 12% glycolic acid, jojoba beads (which are eco-friendly), caffeine extract, cucumber extract and peppermint oil.

Acid scrub in the winter for this problem skin?! Yes. I can have my cake and eat it.

The Alpha H Micro Cleanse Exfoliator cost £26.50 and can be purchased from QVC.

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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.

Well oiled: the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour All-Over Miracle Oil

elizabeth_arden_eight_hour_all_over_miracle_oil_review - 1A couple years ago I developed a serious love of facial oils. The effect oils made for my skin is quite amazing.

The Eight Hour Cream is a must have classic and lives in my makeup bag – it’s great for everything.

When I found out about the Eight Hour Miracle Oil, I had a little silent squee and just needed to try. I was intrigued by the multi functionality of this product, as I can be used on face, body and hair.

When it arrived, I was going away for the weekend, had packed and boyfriend was picking me up from the office and bringing my bag. He mention a parcel had arrived, and there it was! I immediately told him to throw it in the suitcase.

It was a god send as I forgot my body moisturiser and hair conditioner!

Used it after washing my hair with shampoo only and my hair immediately felt soft and manageable. Plus it dried shiny and it didn’t weigh hair down.

elizabeth_arden_eight_hour_all_over_miracle_oil_review - 2Feels great on the body too. It is super light in consistency, spreads and absorbs very well.

Where it shines, however, for me, is on the face. It’s supple but light enough to use during the day under makeup, just beware it does compromise durability a bit, just like any oil.

I’ve been massaging it deeply on face a neck. It delivers superior hydration throughout the day, something very welcome as my skin is suffering a lot with the weather at the moment.

At night, can be combined with a thin layer of the traditional Eight Hour Cream; I woke up to replenished, hydrated, soothed, soft and radiant skin.

It contains tsubaki oil (extracted from camellia flowers), omega 6 and 9, grapeseed, avocado, sunflower seed oils, ginger root extract, boswellia resin and vitamin E.

Overall, a superb product. And the price is quite something too: £29 for 100ml.

It’s available at Elizabeth Arden online, concessions and retailers 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.