Hydraluron From Indeed Labs - The Every-Skin-Type Must Have!

We've all been there, freaking out over oily skin and reaching for the harshest, most stripping products to get rid of it. Truth is, when you remove all of the skin's natural oils, it goes in to overdrive and actually produces more oil - it's a vicious circle. It wasn't until I started getting interested in skincare (and frustrated with my own skin!) that I researched and found this out, and my whole skincare routine completely changed. I am now as gentle as possible with my skin, and I have seen massive improvements as a result. 

One thing that I thought my skin would never ever need was hydration. Afterall, with naturally oily skin and twice daily application of moisturiser, surely that's enough? Wrong. Standard moisturisers cannot penetrate the skin deeply enough to provide sufficient hydration, and as many of us oily skin girls are very frugal with moisturiser application anyway, this leads to dehydrated skin. Dehydrated skin cannot repair itself as efficiently as when it's hydrated, leading to numerous skin problems.

Hydraluron by Indeed Labs contains hyaluronic acid, which can penetrate to the deeper levels of the skin, and therefore delivers thorough hydration to your skin, where it really counts. Infact, it can hold up to 1,000x its weight in water, making it an incredible ingredient for hydrating and plumping the skin, as well as refining the overall texture. I use Hydraluron in the place of a serum at the night, so after cleanser and toner (Serozinc for me, review here), but before moisturiser. It disappears in to the skin within a couple of minutes and that's it. You don't necesserily wake up the next morning and think "Wow!", as if you were using Alpha H's Liquid Gold. Instead, it's more of a gradual effect. Your moisturiser will glide on to your skin, it will glow and feel plump and youthful. I have noticed that breakouts calm down and heal twice as fast as before, which is amazing as the red marks left behind after spots are, in my opinion, more annoying than the actual spot! Hydraluron is also supposed to be fab for smoothing out fine lines, but I can't comment on that as I don't have any.

I think Hydraluron would be beneficial to everyone - hydration is so important for preventing facial ageing, and preventation is better than cure, right? 

Have you tried Hydraluron?

xxx

Avene Cleanance Exfoliating Mask - Review

Chemical exfoliators are a hot topic in the blogosphere as of late. Gentle, low concentrations of those such as glycolic, salicylic and lactic acids, which gently remove dead skin cells and renew the skin, tend to be favoured for problem skin as they minimise the irritation that physical exfoliators can cause. Following my success with Avene's whole Cleanance range, I was eager to try the latest addition to their acne-fighting arsenal, the exfoliating mask.

I love to use face masks twice a week, as they are the perfect excuse to ensure I get a little bit of time to myself to relax during a busy week. Combining effective yet gentle AHA and BHA with kaolin, this absorbant mask is perfect for detoxing and renewing sluggish skin. It also contains miniscule grains to manually exfoliate the skin. I must admit, it took me a couple of uses to even realise they were there because they really are that small and gentle! Although it isn't branded as a multi-use product, I think it would also be perfect as a gentle exfoliating cleanser if you don't have time to use it as a mask.

The mask dries up any impurities extremely fast, while refining the texture of the skin and leaving it silky soft. What really sets this mask apart from others is how it doesn't dry solid leaving your face feeling cemented and uncomfortable. Instead, after washing off, my skin feels lightly moisturised, and not tight and dried out like many other masks. Of course, it does contain acids so always follow up the next day with at least spf 20 (which you should already be doing!)

Since using the mask, my scarring has definitley reduced, my face glows and the texture is a lot smoother. For a really intensive treatment when my skin is playing up, I like to mix the mask with a pea sized amount of Avene's spot treatment, Triacneal (reviewed here). They really are a dream team when used together, and my skin is a lot calmer and has been put back in its place by the following morning. All in all, another fantastic product.

If you are suffering with acne, I strongly recommend you give the Cleanance range a go. It is very affordable and the products are fantastic - the reason my skin is now under control. I always have the range on standby for skincare emergencies and will continue to repurchase them. You can buy Avene's cleanance mask from Boots for £15, or Escentual, where it currently has 10% off.

Have you tried anything from Avene?

xxx

The Big "Muslin vs Flannel Debate" - Why I'm A Flannel Convert...

I've always had a sort of irrational fear of flannels - the sight of one would bring back memories of childhood, where my Mum would make me wash my face with one, and I've hated them ever since. A couple of years ago, after trying Liz Earle's infamous Cleanse and Polish, I introduced the muslin cloth in to my skincare routine. While they are fabulous for the first few uses, after a couple of washes, they are pretty much soft and useless. The past few days, I swapped  my trusty muslin for a Washi flannel (part of the Skin polishing set), and I am converted.

Washi Face Cloth 

From using the Washi for the past few weeks, I have come to the realisation that muslins are useless. Girls, put down your muslins and order yourselves a set of these bad boys! Thicker than the muslin, they are much more effective at retaining heat, so your skin gets more of a spa-like steam with use. They are deceivingly gentle, unlike a brand new muslin, which is scratch-your-face-off rough. When I first tried the washi, I didn't really feel like it was doing anything - it's that soft on the skin. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that my skin was glowing and extremely soft, even softer than after using a muslin - score! You really have to try it to believe it, but be incredibly gentle because that really is all you need for optimum results. After using the Washi just once, all of my useless, soft muslins went in the bin - seriously. Being a muslin devotee for years, if that's not a sign of a good product, then I don't know what is. You can buy a pack of 5 Washi's here for just £5.25, a lot cheaper than Liz Earle muslins!

Washi Skin Polishing Towel

Along with the washi face cloths, I received their skin polishing towel. If you suffer from skin problems such as acne, it is so important to have a seperate towel for your face, and to change it regularly. These towels are the ideal size so you can change it a couple of times a week, and not fill the washing machine up while doing so. They have a similar texture to the flannel and are to be used on damp skin to gently buff away any dead skin cells and leave the skin very glowy. It is very nice to use, but I wouldn't say it's a necessity if you are already regularly exfoliating. However, if you don't currently use a seperate towel for your face, you need one of these. And they're only £2.95 here, what have you got to lose?

If you fancy giving both the washi face cloths and polishing towel a go, they do a set which includes 4 face cloths and a towel, here, for just £5.95, usually £6.95. The products come packaged in the most gorgeous tissue paper, with information cards and even stickers - it is like christmas receiving your washi goodies (as if you didn't need another excuse to buy a set!). 

Which team are you on - flannel or muslin?

xxx

Banishing the Blemishes #002 - Ren Clearcalm

Part 2 of my Banishing the Blemishes series comes from a natural skincare company called Ren. Again, having heard amazing things about Ren all over the blogosphere, I was so excited to be able to try out the Clearcalm range. Ren pride theirselves in producing products free from synthetic fragrance/colour, PEGS, parabens and propylene glycol. 

I received the Clearcalm range to try out, best suited to blemish-prone skin. The set compromises of cleanser, mask, moisturiser and night serum. Unfortunatley, the day moisturiser has been discontinued, but the tzone balancing fluid is a fanatstic substitute.

Clearcalm Clay Cleanser - £18/150ml

This cleanser is unlike anything I've ever used before, it is clay-based, so has quite a firm consistency, very similar to the mask. It is full of gorgeous natural ingredients such as french clay, salicilin and mayblossom to deep cleanse and detoxify the skin. I really like this cleanser, I feel it really calms down my skin and also any angry blemishes I may have. It is quite hard to remove on its own, due to the clay-base, so I like to use a warm muslin to remove, in the same way you would a hot cloth cleanser. I have already ordered the full size version of this, and would highly recommend it if you currently enjoy using a hot cloth cleanser, but maybe your skin is acting up a little.

Clearcalm Clarity Restoring Mask - £30/50ml

This mask is fantastic, the real star of the range. In conjunction with the cleanser, it works wonders. It contains very similar ingredients to the cleanser, and does a wonderful job of clearing up any blemishes you may have. It has a very potent scent, but nothing too awful - I can definitely ignore the scent for the results it gives! I only apply the mask to areas where I have an active breakout, because it is very concentrated and can be a little drying. I think I've hit a winner here! I even apply it to individual under-the-skin spots as it does a great job of drawing them to a head. I am counting down the days until payday, when I can indulge in the full size!

T-zone Balancing Day Fluid - £26/50ml

This moisturiser really lives up to its name. This lavender scented gel contains an exotic mix of essential oils to mattify and balance the skin, as well as protecting the skin from free radicals. This would be the perfect moisturiser for combination skin had it contained some SPF. I always use SPF during the day, so was a little disappointed at this. For this reason, I like to apply a moisturiser with SPF after, which also gives me a little more moisture for the colder months. Nevertheless, it is a great mattifying moisturiser and keeps me shine free (almost) all day.

Clearcalm Replenishing Night Serum - £22/50ml

The serum-gel hybrid contains licorice to reduce sebum production and lingonberry extract to correct hyperpigmentation. It feels extremely light and comfortable on the skin, and is absorbed by the skin almost immediately. I can't really comment on hyperpigmentation, because if something drastically improved hyperpigmentation in 2 weeks, it would be a miracle worker. However, when applying this, I wake up with super soft and glowing skin, almost as if I've applied a liquid exfoliator such as Alpha H liquid gold. It's not quite moisturising enough for winter, however, I will definitely be reaching for this gem during the summer months when my skin is an oily mess!

I have thoroughly enjoyed trialing the Ren Clearcalm range, and it definitely contains some gems! As aforementioned, I have already bought the full sized version of the cleanser, and am waiting on payday before I buy the mask! If I had to recommend you one item from the range, it would definitely be the cleanser. I can't see my skincare routine without it, and in the long term, I'm sure it will whip my troublesome skin in to shape.

Have you ever tried anything from Ren?

xxx

Macadamia Deep Repair Hair Masque - Review

Hi everyone! A couple of months ago, I reviewed Moroccanoil's restorative hair mask, and I really liked it. I still use it, however the process is a little lengthy, as you need to condition post-mask. I also received a lot of feedback on the article (thank you!), with most of you commenting on how it's a little too expensive for you. Since receiving the Macadamia version of this mask from Hairtrade, I am completely blown away, and the Moroccanoil mask has been pushed to the back of my beauty cabinet.

First off, the mask may not smell as nice as the Moroccanoil version (it has a subtle scent, not offensive, but not as pungent as the Moroccanoil mask), but the results using this mask are amazing! The texture is a lot nicer than the Moroccanoil version, it is much more creamy and luxurious-feeling, in comparison to the foam, mousse-like texture of the Moroccanoil mask. The instructions say to leave in for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse for deeply nourished, reconstructed, and shiny hair. It also states how the mask should be used twice a week.

I use this mask once a week on a Sunday, as I am too busy during the week to use it twice a week. I find that once a week is perfectly sufficient for good results, and the tub will last a lot longer that way! The thing I  like the most about the Macadamia mask is that you don't need to condition post-application - horaaaay! If you read my review on the Moroccanoil mask, you'd know you need to condition after applying the mask, which I found quite a pain. I much prefer a one-product-wonder, and can't really be bothered applying a thousand lotions and potions - I would much rather slap one on and relax with a good book!

The results from using this mask were amazing - from having it applied to my hair for just a couple of minutes, I could already feel the difference. My hair was so so soft! This is the feeling I didn't get from the Moroccanoil mask, so I was really pleased. Once my hair was dry, it was bouncy and silky smooth. I can't really comment on the shine because it's hard to tell for yourself in artificial light - I'll have to ask someone when I next apply it! As for the condition of my hair, I wouldn't say it improves damage that you've already incurred to your hair - come on, only a hair cut can get rid of split ends! - but I find it fabulous for keeping my hair in a good condition.

The price is also something I really like about the Macadamia mask. A 250ml pot will cost you just £18.40 from Hairtrade (£5.55 off the RRP!), compared to £29 for 250ml of the Moroccanoil version. As I prefer a conditioning mask, I would definitely repurchase the Macadamia version over the Moroccanoil. However, the Moroccanoil version is ideal for hair that really has been abused, such as bleached hair.

Do you have a favourite hair mask?

xxx

Banishing the Blemishes #001 - Skinetica

Hi everyone! If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll know I suffer with my skin. I have tried numerous lotions and potions, routines and spot treatments, but nothing has completely cleared up my skin. Therefore, I am creating a new series on my blog called Banishing the Blemishes. I am currently trying out products from some lovely companies in the hope of returning my skin to its post-blemish state. The first in the series is Skinetica.

Anti-blemish Skinetica is a colourless liquid for spots and blemishes, that claims to clear the skin quickly and kindly. What's more, Skinetica contains no harsh chemicals, is non-greasy, and works best applied directly to the skin twice a day with a cotton pad. 

I was extremely excited to try Skinetica as I have seen so many rave reviews about it from other bloggers. When my Skinetica arrived, my skin had (conveniently) broken out in a cluster of 5/6 spots, which were perfect to trial the product on. They were quite red, sore and inflammed, so I was pleased to find when applied, it didn't sting at all. I applied it twice a day religiously and within a couple of days, the spots were all but a distant memory. Perfect! I did notice however, that the area of application was left quite dry. I presume this is down to the alcohol in the product, as I find it dries my skin out. 

I found Skinetica works best on whiteheads, as opposed to "under-the-skin" spots. When I applied to said spots, it didn't really make a difference, just dried out the surrounding area. Overall, I would really recommend you to try Skinetica if you suffer from whiteheads, as it is definitley very effective, albeit a little drying, for clearing them. In my experience, whiteheads cleared within two days, and didn't leave a horrible red mark behind - horaaah!

If you'd like to give Skinetica a go for yourself, you can order a free sample via their website and contribute just £1 towards postage! Alternatively, full size bottles are available for just £9.99 including postage, which is great considering the great effects it has!

Thanks for reading, look out for part 2 of my Banishing the Blemishes series!

xxx

Final Review: Avene Cleanance Range

Hi everyone! Over the past 4 weeks, I've been updating you with my progress with the Avene Cleanance Range. As it's been a month since I started using it, I think it's about time I gave you a full review on the range! Please note: this range is best suited to oily, blemish-prone skin.

The products I was sent to try: Soapless Cleanser, Purifying Toner, Anti-shine Regulating Lotion, and Exfoliating Hydrating Treatment Gel.

Cleanance Gel Soapless Cleanser 200ml - £8.25

I have really enjoyed using this cleanser! It is a thick, luxurious-feeling gel which produces a light lather on contact with water. It glides across my skin and leaves it feeling unbelievably smooth and feeling deeply cleansed. It has a fresh, clean scent which isn't too strong - always a plus! It is a little drying, which is nothing a little bit of moisturiser can't fix! However, as a result, it is fantastic at oil control during the day, in combination with the Anti-shine regulating lotion. These two will be a match made in heaven for the summer months, where my skin goes in to oil production overload! I can see this bottle lasting quite a while as I've been using it twice daily for a month and it's just under 3/4 full still! All in all, a perfect cleanser for the summer months, which I shall continue to use! I will however revert back to my Cetaphil Cleanser during the winter months, as it does dry my skin out just a little.

Cleanance Purifying Mattifying Toner 200ml - £8.75

Next up is the toner. Unfortunately, this, in combination with the cleanser was a little too much for my skin. Bearing in mind, the weather was wintery when I started using the range, my skin was a lot drier than normal, and was too dried out by them both. However, I plan to reintroduce it in to my routine during the summer, when my skin is a lot oilier. I will definitely let you know how I get on!

Cleanance Anti-shine Regulating Lotion 40ml - £10.50

I can't sing this gem's praises enough! If the thought of putting moisturiser anywhere near your oily blemish-prone skin makes you cringe, look no further! This lightweight, easily absorbed cream sinks in to the skin beautifully, and aids the healing of old blemishes. It keeps my skin hydrated all day without breaking me out, or leaving my skin like an oil slick a few hours later - a miracle! I actually look forward to applying this moisturiser, as it balances my skin out, and calms everything down unbelievably! It's a pleasure to use, and I would highly recommend it. The star product of the range, in my opinion! I can't wait to have a calm-looking, matte face mid-summer, as long as I'm using this wonder moisturiser!

Cleanance K - Exfoliating Hydrating Treatment 40ml - £10.50

Finally, another wonderful product from this range! This gel , best used as an overnight treatment, combines AHA's (Glycolic & Lactic Acids) with the BHA Salicylic Acid to gently but thoroughly exfoliate and refine the skin. It leaves my skin feeling amazingly soft and literally glowing by the morning! It, in conjunction with the other products, has also reduced the appearance of my post-acne scars, which is fantastic! I feel chemical exfoliatants are miles better for acne-prone skin than granular exfoliants like scrubs, as they are less irritating, and don't scratch the skin to smithereens (St Ives Apricot Scrub, I'm talking about you!) They can also aid healing by stimulating the skin's cells to regenerate. I will definitely continue to use this exfoliator as opposed to my old facial scrub, and I would highly urge anyone with acne-prone skin to try a chemical exfoliator, as they are truly fantastic! 

The range has definitely improved my skin - I have had one tiny (and under-control!) breakout since I started using this range, which is such a joy, compared to my previous 3/4. My oil production has definitely reduced and I haven't had to use oil blotting papers at all this past month! As well as fighting my acne, the range also keeps my skin so calm-looking and reduces redness, which is wonderful. In addition to the products I was sent, I purchased their Hydrance Optimate UV Light SPF 20, which is a holy grail product for me. It is incredible - no word of a lie, it is the first facial SPF I have ever used that hasn't left my skin feeling tacky or looking shiny after a couple of hours. It has a very similar texture to a light moisturiser, and also sinks into the skin extremely quickly. It leaves my skin feeling extremely soft, and also looking matte ALL DAY, yes, all day! I would highly recommend this as a daily SPF for people with troublesome combination/oily skin, especially during the wonderful weather we've been having recently!

If you're looking for a reasonably priced range to sort out your oily blemish prone skin, while totally calming it down, then this range is for you! A big thank you to Avene for giving me the opportunity to try these products. I'm so excited to see my skin getting better day by day! You can purchase the whole range from Boots, E-Chemist, and Escentual.com, where all Avene products are 33% off at the moment!

I hope you've enjoyed the series of updates and reviews I've posted, and they've been somewhat helpful! How do you keep your skin under control during the warmer months?

xxx

My Favourite Perfumes

Now, I'm a sucker for perfumes. Whether it's a beautiful, grown-up looking bottle, incredibly tacky or vintage-esque with one of those little pumps, I love it. I really like sweet, fruity, girly scents, and these are a selection of my current favourites:

1. Midnight Fantasy by Britney Spears

"A limited edition fragrance under the Fantasy umbrella. It is a sexy and mischievous fragrance with the strapline Magic begins at Midnight. A delicious combination of florals and musks including freesia and amber."

I wasn't expecting much from this perfume - it's designed by a celebrity which I find kind of tacky, and the packaging is a little tacky! However, whilst bored in Boots, it caught my eye, and it smells delicious and girly, slightly fruity too! The bottle looks pretty on my dressing table and it's dead cheap, too!

2. Love ETC by The Body Shop

"Our irresistible fragrance in a lasting eau de parfum: a heart-stopping fusion of jasmine, vanilla 

and sandalwood notes."

I received this perfume as part of a swap with a lovely lady from the Lush Forum. I didn't really know what to expect as I've never tried any of the Body Shop's perfumes before, but it is really nice! Again, a light, girly, floral scent. This is also extremely cheap, and they also sell body lotions with this scent too! I really want to try them as I love this perfume!

3. NYC by SJP

"Sarah Jessica Parker NYC is a delicious fruity-floral fragrance opens with fruity notes of wild strawberry and osmanthus flower. The heart is a chic bouquet of mimosa, gardenia, honeysuckle and red rose, over a creamy and sensual base of sandalwood, vanilla, musks and a touch of rum."

This perfume is quite a bit more expensive than the other two, but it is my ultimate favourite and it's only used on special occasions! My sister bought it for me last Christmas and it is just gorgeous! This one is more fruity than the other two, and still has a lovely sweet fragrance. If I were to recommend you just one of these perfumes, this would be the one!

Have you tried any of these perfumes? What is your favourite perfume? 

xxx

Week 1 Update - Avene Cleanance Range

Hi everyone, so it's been a week since I started using the Avene Cleanance Range, so it's time for my first update! Just in case you missed my introductory post (link here), I was sent the Cleanance range to review by the lovely Katie at Avene. 

I received the whole range and I must say, I am extremely impressed! Although it is still only early days, I am really happy with the effect the range is having on my skin! The moisturiser doesn't contain SPF, so I purchased their Hydrance Optimale Light SPF 20, which I will also include in the review. I have used all the above products twice daily for the past week, with the exception of the toner. When I first used the range, the cleanser followed by the toner was a little too much for my skin, as it is already a little dry due to the cold weather. However, I hope to re-introduce it to my routine during the summer, when my skin is a lot oilier. So, this is how my routine looks at the moment:

First off, the cleanser. This is an absolute pleasure to use, and even beats my beloved Cetaphil. It is a thick, luxurious-feeling gel which produces a light lather on contact with water. It glides across my skin and leaves it feeling unbelievably smooth (something which Cetaphil didn't!) and feeling deeply cleansed. It has a fresh, clean scent which isn't too strong - always a plus! However, a little warning: keep it away from your mouth as the taste lingers and isn't too pleasant! It does a great job at controlling oil production (in combination with the Emulsion moisturiser) and hasn't broken me out. In addition, it calms down the redness on my skin fantastically and isn't harsh at all. Overall, a fantastic cleanser which I actually look forward to using!

Next up: the Emulsion and SPF 20. The emulsion itself is a very light gel, which vanishes in to the skin immediately, leaving no greasy residue at all. This is too light for me during the day in the winter months, but I'm sure it'll be perfect for the summer, when my skin is an oil-slick by noon. However, I use it underneath the SPF 20, and the combination is fantastic!

The SPF is amazing - no word of a lie, this is the first facial SPF I have ever used that hasn't left my skin feeling tacky or looking shiny after a couple of hours. It has a very similar texture to a light moisturiser, and also sinks into the skin extremely quickly. It leaves my skin feeling extremely soft, and also looking matte ALL DAY, yes, all day! I would highly recommend this as a daily SPF for people with troublesome combination/oily skin.

Finally, the Cleanance K. This is an exfoliating gel which I use as a night cream. I really rate chemical exfoliators - I feel they are perfect for acne-prone skin as they won't shred your skin to death! This product leaves my skin feeling silky-smooth in the morning, and is a pleasure to use. Although I haven't seen any reduction in scars/blackheads/open pores, it is still early days.

Since using this range, I haven't had any new breakouts, so, so far, so good! I feel the range is effective, yet also extremely gentle - which is a must for acne-prone skin. I look forward to continuing to trial this range, and will update you again a week today!

xxx

The Big Skincare Revolution - Revealed!

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll have seen I reviewed a mystery, unbranded face wash a little while ago (link). Well, the brand of the product has been revealed via The Big Skincare Mystery Facebook page! Without further a due, I give you...

Clearasil's Daily Clear Wash & Mask with Avocado & Pomegranate Extracts!

"A creamy 2 in 1 cleanser that can be used as a daily wash or an indulgent treat when left on the skin as a three-minute mini facial mask. It contains clarifying salicylic acid with a blend of avocado, pomegranate extracts and vitamin E known to nourish the skin, so it’s extra gentle but strong enough to clear away impurities. 150ml for £4.99"

-Taken from their Facebook Page

I assumed the product would be made by a company along the lines of Clearasil/Clean and Clear/Neutrogena, so no huge surprises for me. Although, I must say I am really surprised with the packaging! It looks really neat, "grown-up" and attractive, which is a definite positive.You can read my review on it here, I was definitely impressed with it, and would recommend it! I think the PR for this product was a fantastic idea, and would love to participate in one of these mystery trials again in the near future!

What do you think of the new product? Are you going to try it out now it's been released?

xxx

Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets (Powder Free) - Review

Hi everyone, hope you are all well! I noticed these little gems on one of my occasional ventures to Superdrug. They were on a huge display along with several new Kleenex facial products at half price, so I decided to try some. I've never tried oil absorbing sheets before, and I have to say I'm pretty impressed! My T zone gets a little oily towards the end of the day, but these gems sort it out a treat!

"An essential for every busy woman's handbag, the Shine Absorbing Sheets provide an effecient and discreet way of blotting excess shine caused by oil that builds up on your skin during the day. The sheets remove the shine without disturbing your makeup so are fantastic for quick touch-ups to keep you looking immaculate."

 These are priced at £2.99 for 50 which is extremely good value, seeing as one tissue is enough for my whole face! I paid £1.50 for mine as they were on a half price introductory offer - complete steal!

I can't really comment as I haven't tried oil blotting sheets before but I really like the fact that they are powder free. I hate the idea of putting something powdery on my skin! The colour of them and print on the reverse are just beautiful and the packaging is really cool. It comes with a peel off adhesive, so when you open the packaging, it automatically pulls you out a sheet! Cool, huh?

I'd really recommend these to people whos faces get a little oily during the day for a quick touch up. Furthermore, they leave your makeup intact, which is a bonus!

Have you tried oil blotting papers before? Which are your favourite?

xxx

The Big Skincare Mystery - Review

A few weeks ago, I stumbled across a free sample of an unbranded facial wash/mask. Intrigued, I trotted over to their Facebook page and ordered myself one. On Friday morning, a 3ml sample sachet arrived, and I'm going to let you know my thoughts on it.

"Wash & mask cleanser. As a wash, wet face and squeeze a small amount into hands. Massage gently on to face avoiding the delicate eye area. Rise thoroughly and gently pat dry. For best results, use twice daily. As a mask, use up to 3 times per week. Apply to wet face. Leave on for up to 3 minutes and rinse off"

My first impressions of this mask were ok. The smell was a little artificial, but never-the-less fruity and pleasant. The texture was very runny - I advise applying it to a nearly dry face, as the texture is much runnier than normal face masks, say Neutrogena 2 in 1 Wash/Mask. This made me question its abilities, but I wasn't disappointed.

I left it on for longer than the recommended 3 minutes as it hadn't dried out in time. After 10 minutes, I was pleasantly surprised! It hadn't dried solid and cemented my face at all!

After I'd washed it off, my skin felt clean, smooth and refreshed! I can't wait to discover the brand of this product. Whoever they are, they have a fantastic PR team as I really enjoyed taking part in the unknown sampling process. I'd really love to see more of these in the future as it prevents you from having "Product Prejudice". 

If you'd like to try this product yourself, head over to the Skincare Revolution Facebook page!

Have you tried this product? What did you think of it?

xxx