products Ive used up

October 2018 Product Empties

- Vicki Leave a comment
October Empty Beauty Products 2018

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

I really like DHC skincare & this cleanser is up there in my top 5 skincare products, I’ve used this cleansing oil for years and have found nothing removes my makeup quite as effectively. It melts away even stubborn mascara and removes lip-stains with gentle ease. I like to spend time really massaging it into my skin which is a great way to give yourself a mini at home facial (oils are so good to use as they make massaging the skin super easy). It is a good cleanser for protecting skin against environmental aggressors, is extremely gentle and leaves no greasy residue behind (which a lot of oil-based cleansers do). If you haven’t already tried this you really need to.

  • Olive oil – Rich in antioxidants, it helps fight damage caused by free radicals without clogging pores
  • Rosemary leaf oil – Extracted from the leaves of the plant, it contains invigorating properties and imparts a refreshing scent.

The Ordinary Buffet

I always feel like a scientist when I use products from DECIEM as they all come in very scientific looking bottles with intelligent sounding names & most of them have you dispensing the product using a dropper, I love it! I do use quite a lot of The Ordinary products in my skincare routine – I just love the affordable price point and I see real results in my skin. I have used up their Buffet this month and this is a serum that I really miss when I don’t have it in my skincare routine. It appears to be nothing special but let me tell you it is a wonderful serum with a multitude of benefits.  This Peptide Serum is designed to tackle the signs of ageing and includes some really effective anti ageing ingredients including hyaluronic acid and Matrixyl 3000 (which is an anti-wrinkle peptide).

This serum is plumping, nourishing and will diminish those fine lines. I use this daily and love how lightweight it is on my skin. It is a great product to layer other skincare on top of and I think it is a must-have product for anyone worried about fine lines and a dull looking complexion. It is so affordable that you need to add it into your routine.

October Empty Beauty Products 2018

Hand Chemistry Pro Repair Skincare

I suffer terribly from dry hands and find that a lot of hand creams just put a greasy layer of cream on my hands but they never feel nourished and 10 minutes later they’re dry again. That was not true of this one from Hand Chemistry – this is so good at keeping my hands feeling supple and hydrated whilst the skin looks smooth and bright. I also like how it helps improve skin tone on your hands. It is a gem of a hand cream and I always have a 30ml one in my handbag & the 100ml one by my bedside.

Korres Black Pine Anti Wrinkle Serum

Although this serum had quite a sticky consistency and I wasn’t a big fan of that, I did like the results I saw from using it. I felt it really helped my skin look more firm, feel plump and hydrated whilst looking less tired. It contains some fantastic skin loving, anti ageing ingredients,

  • BLACK PINE EXTRACT & EPIGALLOCATECHIN Protects and strengthens connective tissue, firms and boosts connective tissue’s resilience, has strong anti-inflammatory properties combined with exceptional firming action as well as protecting against free radicals and collagenases.
  • HEXAPEPTIDE 11 THE 1ST NATURAL POLYPEPTIDE: Strong firming action, skin elasticity increase.
  • ACTIVE AGENT DERIVED FROM FERMENTED BLACK TEA: Restores the ‘volume’ of the skin, while providing radiance and luminosity, thus improving the overall appearance of the skin.
  • NATURAL OLIGOSACCHARIDES: Enhance elastin and natural hyaluronic acid synthesis and improve skin resilience.

Although I wouldn’t rush out & repurchase this serum again, I really did like it and if you’re 40+ you will really see the benefits. This product lasted me for almost a year and that was using it 3 times a week.

NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 1.00%

Another product from the DECIEM group and this is an interesting one as it is a product that really encourages your skins ongoing health and wellbeing. It promotes your skin to be the best it can be. When I use this my skin is more glowing and looks very healthy and fresh.

This CAIS helps to prevent and reverse largely all aspects of visible skin ageing, including textural damage, uneven pigmentation, loss of elasticity, lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores and general lack of a healthy radiance present in younger skin. In short, the skin will act and look younger starting within 5 days with continued improvements over time.

I don’t 100% understand all the science & ingredients included in this product but from the results I have seen I am 100% buying it again – if you want to learn more/understand what exactly goes into all the DECIEM products their website is a wealth of information and really breaks down all the percentages, active ingredients and makes the science jargon a little clearer. So I would direct you there.

superdrug naturally radiant pads

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Acid Pads

One of my favourite affordable exfoliating treatments. These pads are a godsend for lazy people like me. They already come soaked in the glycolic acid so all you need to do is sweep it across your skin as part of your skincare regime. The glycolic acid and fruit acids gently exfoliate away dead skin to reveal bright, radiant skin. You get 60 pads in a pot and they’re an affordable way of keeping your skin from becoming congested but also keeping it looking bright and refreshed. I am a huge fan of these and have repurchased them countless times.

60 pads soaked in a specially developed blend of Glycolic Acid & fruit AHA’s. Help to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin leaving it fresher. With witch hazel to help tone the skin and added Aloe & Pro Vitamin B5.

Previse Vitamin e Body Oil

This is quite a pricey product but it is a plant-based beauty brand and this range is entirely unscented, specially formulated with dermatologists, free of artificial fragrance and essential oils and is really popular amongst green beauty enthusiasts. I liked to apply this product after a shower, it comes in an easy to apply spray bottle so you can spray the oil on a targeted area. I used it mainly on my thighs and chest as that is where I have cellulite and very dry skin. It is very nourishing, smoothing and left my skin feeling soft and deeply hydrated.

Previse’s nourishing Bodymist Vitamin E Oil features silky and dry, eco-certified sunflower and botanical oil extracts for long-lasting non-greasy comfort. This plant-based body oil includes sustainably sourced oils that are naturally rich in vitamin E to promote supple, elastic skin.

nspa Expert Rejuvenating Serum

Another affordable brand that I really enjoy is nspa – they’re available exclusively in ASDA and they have a wonderful selection of skincare and body care. I really loved this Rejuvenating Serum which is part of their Expert Skincare Collection, and if you haven’t already guessed from the rest of the empty products in this post I like skincare that is for more mature skin, evens skin tone, plumps and helps my skin look radiant and this serum ticked all those boxes & for only £10 that is pretty amazing in my book.

This light-weight, effective formulation has been developed to support your skin. With a blend of anti-ageing actives including Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb extract and Millet Seed Extract, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and rejuvenate your skin. Reveal a radiant, smoother, firmer looking complexion and love your skin.

 

Skincare Empties March 2018

- Vicki Leave a comment
Skincare Empties March 2018

Skincare Empties 2018 March

You know some months you seem to run out of all your favourite products at once? Well, that’s what happened to me in March. Almost every product I use in my daily skincare routine came to the end of its life and it made me so sad. I will be repurchasing every single one of these products and I don’t think I have ever said that in an empties post before, there is usually at least one product that was a somewhat underwhelming but not this time, I have a lot of love for all 5 of these and I need them back in my routine ASAP.

Tropic Vitamin Toner Pore Refining Mist

If you’re looking for a toner that feels instantly refreshing and energising on your skin then this is 100% for you. It not only helps keep skin hydrated, feeling fresh and drenched in vitamins but it’s also infused with vitamins and amino acids that help to balance pH and reduce pore size. This is so easy to spritz on cleansed skin in the morning to kick off your skincare routine or I’ve even sprayed it on top of makeup throughout the day to refresh my skin. It is bursting with so many skin loving ingredients such as organic rose water, aloe vera and cucumber juices which are nourishing, soothing and deliver a boost of hydration. I used this religiously both morning and night,

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

I have used this cleansing oil for years and nothing removes my makeup quite as effectively. It melts away even stubborn mascara and removes lip-stains with ease. With it being an oil it is easy to use when giving your skin a mini facial, I like to spend time really massaging it into my skin which wakes my skin up and helps it glow. It is a good cleanser for protecting skin against environmental aggressors, is extremely gentle and leaves no greasy residue behind (which a lot of oil based cleansers do).

  • Olive oil – Rich in antioxidants, it helps fight damage caused by free radicals without clogging pores
  • Rosemary leaf oil – Extracted from the leaves of the plant, it contains invigorating properties and imparts a refreshing scent.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

This has to be one of my most repurchased skincare products EVER, I mean are you even a skincare addict if you don’t have one of these in your stash? Even if I don’t use it daily, or try other products and overlook it for a spell, I always find my way back to the Liz Earle C&P. It just never lets me down.

It removes makeup with ease without leaving skin feeling dry and the hot cloth helps dislodge dead skin to keep it looking radiant. Its a ritual I look forward too in the evening and the distinctive botanical scent is also calming. This cream cleanser contains so many skin-loving ingredients which include, Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Cocoa Butter, Rosemary Essential Oil/Extract and Chamomile Essential Oil/Extract so it is very gentle, soothing and antioxidant-rich.

Liz Earle Superskin Face Serum

I received this for Christmas as part of a gift set and fell in love with it after a couple of uses. It is a serum which is perfect for my skin type and my age, turning 40 this year I’ve been more focused on using products that are nourishing, firming and target those early signs of ageing and this serum is ideal for that. Enriched with some of nature’s most powerful naturally active ingredients, including Persian silk tree to even skin tone, pomegranate flower to lift and firm, and rhubarb to plump and smooth. This deluxe sample size lasted me a surprisingly long time but I am looking forward to getting the full 30ml size.

Tropic Super Greens Nutrient Boost Serum

I have spoken about this green miracle worker so often on my blog over the past 6 months but it is just that good. I used the last of this serum a little over 2 weeks ago & I have missed it so much in my evening routine. This is what I use when I’ve been burning the candle at both ends, or if I haven’t been eating as well as I should, because it just helps your skin look refreshed, glowing and plump in the morning like you’ve had 10 hours sleep and have drunk a green juice. The visual results and incredible.

The key ingredients are Super Greens (which you might be more familiar seeing on your plate rather than in your skincare) such as Kale, chlorophyll and maca root extracts which help rejuvenate dull skin and organic tamanu oil helps to repair inflammation and heal blemishes. Green coffee extract not only stimulates skin cell renewal, it protects against pollution which is a major factor in premature ageing and dull skin.

If I had to recommend only one of these products for you to add to your skincare regime it would be this Super Greens Serum, I think everyone would benefit from the wonderful ingredients and see visual results in the skin.

December 2015 Empties

- Vicki 2 Comments
December Empties 2015

December Empties 2015

Ponds Contour Eye Cream

This was a really great eye cream & I wasn’t expecting it to be at all. It was very gentle and hydrating not too heavy or greasy. It was easy to massage in without leaving the area feeling like I had piled on the product. I have been using it morning and night and It worked a treat to keep my skin hydrated and smooth. It contains some great ingredients,

  • Vitamin E: helps improve the skins hydration.
  • Pro-Vitamin B5: helps restore and soften the eye contour skin.
  • Essential Nutrients: Jojoba Oil and She Butter help protect, nourish and calm the skin.

I wear an eye cream daily and I was very sad when this ran out (although it seemed to last forever) I can’t seem to find it in Superdrug and I am hoping it hasn’t been discontinued. If I can find it I will 100% repurchase. It’s a great affordable eye cream

MUA Eye Define Lengthening Mascara

This £3 mascara is so good if you like your lashes to look fluttery and long. I seriously love it, plus it lasts ALL day without flaking or transferring. This is a very intense black so if you like your mascara to be jet black this is a great option. I do like many products from the MUA range but this mascara is one of the best products I have tried from then and its well worth adding to your makeup stash. When I next need a mascara I will be repurchasing this one.

Bee Good Honey & Wild Water Mint 3-in-1 Cleansing Water

This is a lovely cleanser for removing your eye makeup or for doing a pre cleanse. Its gentle and great at dissolving makeup. It feels soothing and instantly cooling on the skin so if you use this in the morning its a nice way to sooth tired eyes. It contains some really good natural ingredients.

  • Moisturising British wild flower honey
  • Brightening red algae
  • Refreshing wild water mint and propolis.

I have tried a couple of products from this British brand & I have only good things to say about them. Bee Good skincare is bursting with the finest blend of ethically sourced bee based ingredients, naturally active botanicals and plant oils. They harness the very best from nature to create hard working, luxurious and dependable skincare. Their whole range is free from parabens, synthetic colour, mineral oil, silicone, SLS/SLES – so no nasties here. They are also the only British premium skincare brand to exclusively use British honey, propolis and beeswax in all of their products.

Its skincare that is getting back to nature & I am totally on board.

Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara

This mascara is good at preventing clumping and I liked that it was jet black that said it wasn’t the best at staying put and quite often it ended up on my upper lids or under my eyes. Not a cute look! I’m not in a rush to repurchase. With this being an American release it’s not easy to get hold of so I am quite glad I didn’t love it, also the MUA Mascara I mentioned above is so much better and more affordable.

Balance Me Natural Protection Moisturiser SPF25

I really liked this moisturiser and the fact that is was an effective SPF ticked all the boxes for me. I even wore it to a wedding that was outside on one of the hottest days of the year & my face didn’t burn at all. I was very impressed,

Balance Me say ‘Our rich yet easily absorbed SPF 25 face cream is specially designed to care and protect skin in everyday life. To support your skin’s own defence system, our SPF 25 moisturiser contains an innovative natural titanium dioxide-based sun filter to block out both UVA and UVB rays. A blend of super hydrating hyaluronic acid and powerful anti-oxidant blackberry leaf extract with essential fatty acid-rich rosehip, camellia, kukui nut and jojoba oils work gently yet effectively to soothe, firm and shield your precious skin as well as enhancing the activity of the sun filter.

It didn’t leave a white cast on my skin or break me out, I thought this was a great way of protecting my skin from the harmful UVA & UVB rays. Although it is slightly heavier on the skin than your average daily moisturiser you’re getting so many more benefits and after a week or so I really didn’t notice it. I made sure to massage it into my skin thoroughly before applying my foundation and it never left me feeling greasy or shiny. I would 100% repurchase this.

Vichy Purete Thermale Beautifying Cleansing Micellar Oil

I think I used this almost daily since I got it & these past few days I have really missed not having it in my skincare routine. I massaged two pumps in to dry skin to dissolve makeup and the dirt from the day, using a warm face cloth I wipe it all away. The fact that it is an oil really made it easy to massage in to the skin and it doesn’t leave your skin feeling dry or tight. People that enjoy doing a double cleanse will find this so good as the first step. At the heart of the formula are,

micelles (Micelles are attracted to dirt, grime, and oil, and they draw out impurities without drying out your skin), which gently remove waterproof make-up, impurities, sebum excess and dead cells with no need for rubbing. Also it contains Vitamin E which provides antioxidant protection and Camellia Oil which moisturises and soothes the skin. This can be used on even sensitive skin and the formula contains no parabens.

I will be repurchasing this ASAP, I loved using it.