Over the last year I have noticed a few fine lines beginning to appear under my eyes and the corners of my mouth (laughter and smile lines if you please) and although they don't really bother me I decided to try an instant filler to see if I could smooth them away albeit temporarily.
The Clarins Instant Smooth Correcter has had a lot of good reviews. It is a silicon based product that doesn't claim to improve wrinkles, just cover them and Claris say the effects are long-lasting and will ensure flawless makeup.
Unfortunately when I bought it I was in a rush and the Clarins consultants were busy with other customers so I didn't have time to let them show me how to use it.
Big mistake! I really cannot understand why this product is so hyped.
It comes in a pen style dispenser and when you click the base the product is dispensed through the top thorough a flexible plastic applicator. This method isn't at all precise despite claims to the contrary and I found it easier to dispense a little on to the back of my hand and apply with my fingertips.
When I applied it straight onto my clean face I didn't notice any difference at all except for a greasy film where the product sat on top my skin. And when I put foundation over it rubbed off in little bobbles. Over foundation it was no better - it simply sat on top making my complexion look uneven and actually drawing attention to my wrinkles.
I tried applying loose powder but again this made things even worse with the powder and silicon mixing together and leaving even bigger lumps on my face.
Having read some other reviews it seems that it may work better on drier skin. So I will try again in the winter when cold wind and central heating start to take their toll and see if I get better results.
However, for now I am not impressed and at £25.00 the Clarins Instant Smooth Correcter was also an expensive mistake.
Saturday 22 September 2012
Tuesday 18 September 2012
Thursday 13 September 2012
Romance By Ralph Lauren
In my late 20s and early 30s I used to wear Ralph Lauren's Romance almost exclusively. Prior to that I had worn John Paul Gaultier's Classique, again virtually exclusively and before that Calvin Klein's Eternity. I wore those two so much that I eventually fell out of love with them.
However, I never fell out of love with Romance. I stopped wearing it because for a while I stopped wearing perfumes and I can't remember why. In the last couple of years I have rekindled my love of fragrance and now own a number of different scents that I wear depending on my mood or the occasion.
So when I saw that Debenhams had a great offer on the 50ml bottle of Ralph Lauren Romance something nostalgic swept over me and I just had to have it.
With the first spray it brought back so many memories and I remembered why I loved it so much. Initially the scent is quite strong and chemical smelling but don't let that put you off. It's a big rush of flowers which settles after about half an hour to something much lighter with a little spice.
It's a very feminine scent with roses and freesia and I would describe it as a daytime, summery fragrance rather than a romantic fragrance. Although there is a touch of musk in there it's not really a sexy scent. The pale pink box and clean lines of the glass bottle suit its understated elegance perfectly.
I'm so glad I own it again. I will wear it during these last warm days of summer and when I'm feeling frivolous and girly. And one of the best things about it is its staying power. So many beautiful perfumes just don't last on me but this one lingers on my skin until the end of the day.
However, I never fell out of love with Romance. I stopped wearing it because for a while I stopped wearing perfumes and I can't remember why. In the last couple of years I have rekindled my love of fragrance and now own a number of different scents that I wear depending on my mood or the occasion.
So when I saw that Debenhams had a great offer on the 50ml bottle of Ralph Lauren Romance something nostalgic swept over me and I just had to have it.
With the first spray it brought back so many memories and I remembered why I loved it so much. Initially the scent is quite strong and chemical smelling but don't let that put you off. It's a big rush of flowers which settles after about half an hour to something much lighter with a little spice.
It's a very feminine scent with roses and freesia and I would describe it as a daytime, summery fragrance rather than a romantic fragrance. Although there is a touch of musk in there it's not really a sexy scent. The pale pink box and clean lines of the glass bottle suit its understated elegance perfectly.
I'm so glad I own it again. I will wear it during these last warm days of summer and when I'm feeling frivolous and girly. And one of the best things about it is its staying power. So many beautiful perfumes just don't last on me but this one lingers on my skin until the end of the day.
Wednesday 12 September 2012
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Time Repair
Debenhams are holding one of their regular Beauty Events this week which means you can save 10% on all their beauty products. You can also collect 500 bonus points (worth £5.00) on your Beauty Club card when you spend over £40.00 - what more excuse does a girl need to go shopping?
I have heard many great things about Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair serum so decided to treat myself. I've tried many, many nighttime skincare products but unfortunately have never found one that I am totally happy with. I tend to find that the ones that promise rehydration, although they may make my skin less dry and reduce fine lines, give me blocked pores and breakouts.
As with all Estée Lauder products the packaging is functional but glamorous which fits perfectly with the brand. The brown bottle and stopper makes me think of those lotions and potions you find in old-fashioned chemists.
I'm a sucker for Beauty marketing copy and Estée Lauder describe this Synchronized Recovery Complex as a "comprehensive, high-performance anti-aging serum - 30 years of innovation. Inspired by groundbreaking DNA research - brings your skin a dramatic reduction in the visible signs of aging". It sounds pretty scientific yeah? So it must work!
Well if the reviews are anything to go by it will. Women rave about this product claiming it can not only rehydrate the skin and reduce wrinkles but also unblock pores, fade acne scars, tighten skin and get rid of blemishes and redness.
The actual serum felt very light on my skin and the dropper dispenses exactly how much you need which is only 3 or 4 drops for my entire face and neck.
I will do a follow up post in a couple of weeks after I've decided whether this really is the miracle product I've been looking for.
I have heard many great things about Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair serum so decided to treat myself. I've tried many, many nighttime skincare products but unfortunately have never found one that I am totally happy with. I tend to find that the ones that promise rehydration, although they may make my skin less dry and reduce fine lines, give me blocked pores and breakouts.
As with all Estée Lauder products the packaging is functional but glamorous which fits perfectly with the brand. The brown bottle and stopper makes me think of those lotions and potions you find in old-fashioned chemists.
I'm a sucker for Beauty marketing copy and Estée Lauder describe this Synchronized Recovery Complex as a "comprehensive, high-performance anti-aging serum - 30 years of innovation. Inspired by groundbreaking DNA research - brings your skin a dramatic reduction in the visible signs of aging". It sounds pretty scientific yeah? So it must work!
Well if the reviews are anything to go by it will. Women rave about this product claiming it can not only rehydrate the skin and reduce wrinkles but also unblock pores, fade acne scars, tighten skin and get rid of blemishes and redness.
The actual serum felt very light on my skin and the dropper dispenses exactly how much you need which is only 3 or 4 drops for my entire face and neck.
I will do a follow up post in a couple of weeks after I've decided whether this really is the miracle product I've been looking for.
Wednesday 5 September 2012
Les Twin-Sets De Chanel For Vogue's Fashion Night Out
Peter Philip's, Chanel's creative director of makeup has designed a trio of limited edition sets of Rouge Allure lipsticks and Les Vernis nail colours for Vogue's Fashion Night Out.
Provocation is a deep vampy purple that looks as though it will be perfect for autumn, while Infidèle is a pretty pink ideal for everyday wear. The third shade is Délicatesse, a peachy nude.
The sets will be dispensed from matching vending machines located in Chanel's pop-up store in Covent Garden on the night and available at Chanel boutiques from September 6th.
Provocation is a deep vampy purple that looks as though it will be perfect for autumn, while Infidèle is a pretty pink ideal for everyday wear. The third shade is Délicatesse, a peachy nude.
The sets will be dispensed from matching vending machines located in Chanel's pop-up store in Covent Garden on the night and available at Chanel boutiques from September 6th.
Monday 3 September 2012
Night Time Cleansing
I'm not very good at routine and I have procrastination down to a fine art. But there's one thing that I do absolutely religiously every day.
No matter how late I get in or how drunk or tired I am I ALWAYS TAKE MY MAKEUP OFF BEFORE I GO TO BED.
Removing your makeup will help prevent your pores getting clogged and reduce breakouts and give your skin a chance to rest. If you use night creams there is no point in putting them on over a barrier of makeup. But it also means that if you wake up in the morning with a raging hangover at least your skin will look half decent and you won't have to deal with panda eyes staring back at you in the mirror.
I've used everything in the past to remove my makeup at night - facial soap bars, washes with beads, washes with scratchy bits, disposable wipes, cold cream and cotton wool(what was I thinking?), but I've reverted back to where I started from when my mother first gave me a bottle of cleansing milk and a flannel and told me to wash my face.
Of course it's now got a fancy name; hot cloth cleansing, and you can even buy expensive kits of cream and cloth. But women have been cleaning their faces in this way since time immemorial. It's cheap, effective and quick.
I use Simple cleanser which costs about 3 quid but you can use almost any cleansing milk or lotion. Massage the cleanser into your face and wipe off with a hot, wet cloth. That's it.
I still use a flannel which you can pick up in any chemist, department store or supermarket for pennies but you could use muslim cloths or terry cloths. Find what works for you. A slightly rough cloth will also exfoliate, whereas a softer cloth may be better for more sensitive skins. And use a freshly washed cloth every day. A damp, warm cloth is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and you don't want to be wiping bugs and other nasties over your face.
No matter how late I get in or how drunk or tired I am I ALWAYS TAKE MY MAKEUP OFF BEFORE I GO TO BED.
Removing your makeup will help prevent your pores getting clogged and reduce breakouts and give your skin a chance to rest. If you use night creams there is no point in putting them on over a barrier of makeup. But it also means that if you wake up in the morning with a raging hangover at least your skin will look half decent and you won't have to deal with panda eyes staring back at you in the mirror.
I've used everything in the past to remove my makeup at night - facial soap bars, washes with beads, washes with scratchy bits, disposable wipes, cold cream and cotton wool(what was I thinking?), but I've reverted back to where I started from when my mother first gave me a bottle of cleansing milk and a flannel and told me to wash my face.
Of course it's now got a fancy name; hot cloth cleansing, and you can even buy expensive kits of cream and cloth. But women have been cleaning their faces in this way since time immemorial. It's cheap, effective and quick.
I use Simple cleanser which costs about 3 quid but you can use almost any cleansing milk or lotion. Massage the cleanser into your face and wipe off with a hot, wet cloth. That's it.
I still use a flannel which you can pick up in any chemist, department store or supermarket for pennies but you could use muslim cloths or terry cloths. Find what works for you. A slightly rough cloth will also exfoliate, whereas a softer cloth may be better for more sensitive skins. And use a freshly washed cloth every day. A damp, warm cloth is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and you don't want to be wiping bugs and other nasties over your face.
Sunday 26 August 2012
Montagne Jeunesse Dead Sea Face Spa
I'm a big fan of Montagne Jeunesse Face Masques, particularly the deep cleansing ones which I find leave my face feeling really clean and soft. I usually use them once a week on a Sunday evening as part of a mini facial and to give me some relaxation time.
They have recently added a couple of new Clay Spa masks to the range - fabric masks that they claim will offer a unique, enhanced cleansing experience. The two masks are Dead Sea Mud and Glacial Clay and both have special clays infused into a natural bamboo fabric. I picked up the Dead Sea Mud mask in Boots and decided to give it a go this evening.
First let me say they are a lot less messy than their usual masks! You simply open the sachet and the fabric is folded up inside which you place over your face and leave on for 5 minutes.
My main criticism is that it was far too big for my face which means it didn't lie very well against my skin and I had to keep pressing it on to my face to get the full benefit. There was also a large unused part at the bottom which wouldn't tuck under my chin. And looking at myself in the mirror as I put it on wasn't a pleasant experience - like something out of a horror film or a burns victim. Shudder.
The mask was very relaxing and cooling on my face. It contains menthol, which worried me a little as my skin is quite sensitive but didn't seem to affect it adversely. The menthol also gave it a lovely fresh, clean smell.
I left it on for 10 minutes and afterwards my skin felt softer and smoother once I had rinsed it off. I'm not sure how well it cleansed - I find that some of the other varieties do a really great job at cleansing but felt this was more calming and soothing than anything else.
However, I will definitely be using it again and am keen to try the other variety.
They have recently added a couple of new Clay Spa masks to the range - fabric masks that they claim will offer a unique, enhanced cleansing experience. The two masks are Dead Sea Mud and Glacial Clay and both have special clays infused into a natural bamboo fabric. I picked up the Dead Sea Mud mask in Boots and decided to give it a go this evening.
First let me say they are a lot less messy than their usual masks! You simply open the sachet and the fabric is folded up inside which you place over your face and leave on for 5 minutes.
My main criticism is that it was far too big for my face which means it didn't lie very well against my skin and I had to keep pressing it on to my face to get the full benefit. There was also a large unused part at the bottom which wouldn't tuck under my chin. And looking at myself in the mirror as I put it on wasn't a pleasant experience - like something out of a horror film or a burns victim. Shudder.
The mask was very relaxing and cooling on my face. It contains menthol, which worried me a little as my skin is quite sensitive but didn't seem to affect it adversely. The menthol also gave it a lovely fresh, clean smell.
I left it on for 10 minutes and afterwards my skin felt softer and smoother once I had rinsed it off. I'm not sure how well it cleansed - I find that some of the other varieties do a really great job at cleansing but felt this was more calming and soothing than anything else.
However, I will definitely be using it again and am keen to try the other variety.
Wednesday 11 July 2012
Givenchy Prisme Libre Air Sensation Loose Powder
Loose powder - it's for ladies of a certain age right?
Wrong! Forget the idea you may have of chalky, orange powder caked on that emphasises every crack and crevice. Loose powder evens out your skin tone and gives you a really polished finish.
The problem is good loose powder is hard to find and since Clinique discontinued their Gentle Light face powder I've been on a mission to find an alternative.
Well I think my search may be over. After trying a number of samples and reading lots of reviews I finally bought Givenchy Prisme Libre Air Sensation Loose Powder in Delicate Beige. I've been using it daily for a couple of weeks and I'm very impressed with the results.
It comes in a pretty square box which is divided into four compartments of four different coloured powders. The lid has the Givenchy logo on it and it isn't the easiest to screw back on. Keeping the lid closed I shake the box and some of the powder is dispensed through the holes in the top which you can then apply over foundation or on its own.
I used to use a powder brush to apply loose powder but the Givenchy beauty consultant showed me another technique which works so much better. Take the powder puff supplied and roll it gently into your face. This way you get right into the corners around your nose and eyes and it goes on much more evenly. Then brush the excess away with a fat brush. Although it may seem that you use much more powder this way I don't actually think you do as when you go in with a brush you would tap the excess away anyway before you put it on your face.
The powder smells lovely and is very finely milled so does not look chalky once its on. It is so light on my face that I don't notice it at all during the day and it has great staying power. I find I just need to touch up around my T-zone with a pressed powder mid-afternoon. It corrects colour brilliantly and leaves my skin looking and feeling silky smooth. One of the powders has illuminating particles in it but they are so delicate that you don't need to worry about looking glittery. It makes you look healthy and glowing and in photographs you look almost airbrushed!
On days when I don't want to wear a lot of make up I use the Givenchy powder instead of foundation straight onto clean, moisturised skin. Add mascara and a touch of lip gloss or cheek stain and you have lovely natural looking makeup in about a minute.
It's not cheap but it will last for ages and I've got my fingers crossed this one doesn't get discontinued. My only criticism is that the puff seems a bit flimsy and may not last as long as the powder so I will have to buy a supply of replacements.
Wrong! Forget the idea you may have of chalky, orange powder caked on that emphasises every crack and crevice. Loose powder evens out your skin tone and gives you a really polished finish.
The problem is good loose powder is hard to find and since Clinique discontinued their Gentle Light face powder I've been on a mission to find an alternative.
Well I think my search may be over. After trying a number of samples and reading lots of reviews I finally bought Givenchy Prisme Libre Air Sensation Loose Powder in Delicate Beige. I've been using it daily for a couple of weeks and I'm very impressed with the results.
It comes in a pretty square box which is divided into four compartments of four different coloured powders. The lid has the Givenchy logo on it and it isn't the easiest to screw back on. Keeping the lid closed I shake the box and some of the powder is dispensed through the holes in the top which you can then apply over foundation or on its own.
I used to use a powder brush to apply loose powder but the Givenchy beauty consultant showed me another technique which works so much better. Take the powder puff supplied and roll it gently into your face. This way you get right into the corners around your nose and eyes and it goes on much more evenly. Then brush the excess away with a fat brush. Although it may seem that you use much more powder this way I don't actually think you do as when you go in with a brush you would tap the excess away anyway before you put it on your face.
The powder smells lovely and is very finely milled so does not look chalky once its on. It is so light on my face that I don't notice it at all during the day and it has great staying power. I find I just need to touch up around my T-zone with a pressed powder mid-afternoon. It corrects colour brilliantly and leaves my skin looking and feeling silky smooth. One of the powders has illuminating particles in it but they are so delicate that you don't need to worry about looking glittery. It makes you look healthy and glowing and in photographs you look almost airbrushed!
On days when I don't want to wear a lot of make up I use the Givenchy powder instead of foundation straight onto clean, moisturised skin. Add mascara and a touch of lip gloss or cheek stain and you have lovely natural looking makeup in about a minute.
It's not cheap but it will last for ages and I've got my fingers crossed this one doesn't get discontinued. My only criticism is that the puff seems a bit flimsy and may not last as long as the powder so I will have to buy a supply of replacements.
Saturday 7 July 2012
Thursday 5 July 2012
The Body Shop v Superdrug Tea Tree Pads
I have been using The Body Shop Tea Tree Exfoliating Pads for just over a year and they are one of those products that I just can't do without.
Made from tamanu oil, Community Trade organic tea tree oil and Salicylic Acid (that's the stuff that does the exfoliating) they're described as two-in-one exfoliating and cleansing pads. The Body Shop recommends that you can use them for removing makeup but personally I think they're much to harsh for that and at £6.00 for 40 pads a very expensive method of cleaning your face.
What they are brilliant for is removing blackheads and ingrown hairs. For blackheads, which I really only get on my nose, I just rub the pad over the affected area and you can literally see all the gunk rising to the surface which you can then just wipe off or gently squeeze out by pressing down either side. Whatever you do don't use your nails and don't squeeze too hard. If the blackhead is too stubborn to shift then give it another rub with a pad the next day and it should eventually work its way out.
For ingrowing hairs, and they're particularly great for the bikini line, just rub the pad over the bump and you will see the hair rising to the surface until it pops out and you can remove with tweezers. Again don't go at it too vigorously - leave for a few hours and try again and eventually the hair will come out.
They're also good at getting rid of the little red bumps I sometimes get on the top of my arms. Again, I rub them over my skin and after a few days find that my skin is a lot softer and smoother.
I also use them as part of a mini facial after a face mask for removing any impurities and residual and they're perfect for taking to festivals which is the only time I have used them for cleansing my face to remove makeup, dirt, suncream lotion and sweat. They're also good for a quick, cooling wipe-down and cleaning and soothing any minor scratches, cuts and bites.
They come in a little green pot, so handy for travelling, and one side of the pad is smooth while the other is textured. They are saturated with the product and despite the tea tree oil they don't smell too overpowering.
Superdrug have a similar product but their's also contain Peppermint Oil so they smell a lot stronger. Again, these are described as cleaning pads but be aware of the peppermint - if it gets anywhere sensitive it hurts! The pads are slightly thicker than the Body Shop pads so easier to get out the pot and the exfoliating side is much rougher.
I did try these on my face but they left it feeling 'squeaky clean' which I am always wary about as I wonder how much 'good oil' has been stripped away in the cleaning process and will my face start producing even more oil to compensate.
However, they are half the price of the Body Shop pads so great for ingrowing hairs and they feel lovely rubbed over feet on a hot summers day.
You can generally find both products on offer so stock up when you can. I got my last pots of Body Shop pads on a 3 for 2 offer and the Superdrug pads on a Buy One Get One Free Offer.
Made from tamanu oil, Community Trade organic tea tree oil and Salicylic Acid (that's the stuff that does the exfoliating) they're described as two-in-one exfoliating and cleansing pads. The Body Shop recommends that you can use them for removing makeup but personally I think they're much to harsh for that and at £6.00 for 40 pads a very expensive method of cleaning your face.
What they are brilliant for is removing blackheads and ingrown hairs. For blackheads, which I really only get on my nose, I just rub the pad over the affected area and you can literally see all the gunk rising to the surface which you can then just wipe off or gently squeeze out by pressing down either side. Whatever you do don't use your nails and don't squeeze too hard. If the blackhead is too stubborn to shift then give it another rub with a pad the next day and it should eventually work its way out.
For ingrowing hairs, and they're particularly great for the bikini line, just rub the pad over the bump and you will see the hair rising to the surface until it pops out and you can remove with tweezers. Again don't go at it too vigorously - leave for a few hours and try again and eventually the hair will come out.
They're also good at getting rid of the little red bumps I sometimes get on the top of my arms. Again, I rub them over my skin and after a few days find that my skin is a lot softer and smoother.
I also use them as part of a mini facial after a face mask for removing any impurities and residual and they're perfect for taking to festivals which is the only time I have used them for cleansing my face to remove makeup, dirt, suncream lotion and sweat. They're also good for a quick, cooling wipe-down and cleaning and soothing any minor scratches, cuts and bites.
They come in a little green pot, so handy for travelling, and one side of the pad is smooth while the other is textured. They are saturated with the product and despite the tea tree oil they don't smell too overpowering.
Superdrug have a similar product but their's also contain Peppermint Oil so they smell a lot stronger. Again, these are described as cleaning pads but be aware of the peppermint - if it gets anywhere sensitive it hurts! The pads are slightly thicker than the Body Shop pads so easier to get out the pot and the exfoliating side is much rougher.
I did try these on my face but they left it feeling 'squeaky clean' which I am always wary about as I wonder how much 'good oil' has been stripped away in the cleaning process and will my face start producing even more oil to compensate.
However, they are half the price of the Body Shop pads so great for ingrowing hairs and they feel lovely rubbed over feet on a hot summers day.
You can generally find both products on offer so stock up when you can. I got my last pots of Body Shop pads on a 3 for 2 offer and the Superdrug pads on a Buy One Get One Free Offer.
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