Nip + Fab Overnight Glycolic Purifying Gel £14.95

I was really excited to see this new product from Nip + Fab launch, aimed at dull and oily skin helping to clear breakouts as well as reduce fine lines, revealing a more radiant and clear complexion. The perfect all-in-one product right?

The gel contains Salicylic Acid to help unclog pores and combat blackheads and reduce the size of existing spots. I have noticed in the last week I have been using the gel the pores on my cheeks seem less prominent and the dreaded blackheads on my nose don't seem as big. Another ingredient, one I've never heard of is Niacinamide, an anti-inflamatory which helps reduce production of sebum which causes pores to enlarge, ultimately reducing acne from forming on the skin. Of course we have the star ingredient, Glycol Acid which is the secret to reducing fine lines and wrinkles and help leave skin looking more firm and radiant. 

I really love the effect this product has on my skin, in the morning my skin feels firmer and pores appear tighter. The only down side to this product is application, i've not quite mastered this yet. The instructions for application merely state to smooth over skin after cleansing, I've tried applying before my moisturiser and after but the product seems to ball up and I end up with lots of dried bits of gel to rub off my face! 

Once I've mastered application this will be my favourite overnight treatment, for a mere £15 the results are fantastic. 

Garnier Ultralift 14 Day Challenge - Day 7

So, I'm halfway through my 14 day trial of Garnier Ultralift Complete Beauty Day Cream and I thought I'd check in and let you know how its going. First off a nod at Garnier for actually making sample sized sachets that cover your whole face and décolleté, a lot of companies give you the tiniest amount of product to try and you can never really judge fairly how well it will work based on that. 

Although I've been sampling a day cream I've actually had to use it at night as the cream is quite rich and my oily skin just can't take something that heavy in the day so I've been applying last thing at night, they say lotions and potions work best when we're sleeping right? The cream has a quite thick and almost oily texture to it, it does sink in well although I do wake a bit shiny but this isn't an issue as I cleanse first thing in the morning. The cream has that generic cream smell to it that most high-street creams have, you know that part baby wipe and part botanical smell? The pack comes with a 'wrinkle-reader' which is not much use to me as I don't have wrinkles anywhere as deep as the example pictures, we're just talking a few fine lines around my mouth and forehead. At present I can't see those lines have faded at all, but hey we're only on week one right?

I'm looking forward to seeing if there are any noticeable changes to my skin once the trial is up, I'll check in next Tuesday to let you know!

If you want to put Garnier Ultralift to the test click here for your 14 day trial pack.

B. Skincare Favourites

If you've not heard of or tried Superdrug's B. range then you are seriously missing out, all of the products I've tried to date have rivalled some of the highend skincare products I own. Here's a few of the products I repurchase every time they run out. 

B. Revealed Glycol Cleanser £7.99

We all know the general rule of using cream products on dry skin but despite me having oily skin this cleanser works so well! The cleanser comes with a muslin cloth, the idea is to either use daily or apply a few times a week for up to 3 minutes and buff off, I found the best results doing the latter. The cleanser contains Glycol Acid, Shea Butter and Cocoa, I've noticed a huge difference in my complexion over the last few months of having this product in my routine. 

B. Pure Micellar Water £4.99

This is THE best micellar water I've ever used, I've lost count of the amount of bottles I've been through. I use this micellar water to remove last traces of makeup before cleansing, it does an amazing job of removing even long wearing makeup in one swipe.

B. Quick 4in1 Cleansing Wipes £3.50

I use these wipes to remove the majority of my makeup, before fining with a swipe of micellar water. The wipes are soft and not at all scratchy as some I've tried can be and they stay moist right until the end of the packet, I've lost count of the amount of packets of wipes I've bought that have dried out before I've had a chance to finish them! I use the wipes specifically for makeup removal but they do cleanse, tone and hydrate in one swipe.

B. Vitalised Eye Cream £10.99

This product is quite new to my skincare routine and is aimed more at at ladies in their 30's but I'm enjoying it so far. B. Vitalised is a gel eye product that helps refresh tired looking eyes and smooth fine lines. The product dries quickly but leaves my under eye skin more hydrated and fresher looking. I'm looking forward to seeing the long term benefits of using it.

The B. range has a line for any skin concern, be it anti-agin or acne and they often have deals of up to half price, have a look next time you're in your local Superdrug, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Garnier Ultralift 14 Day Challenge

An anti-aging cream that guarantees to give visible results within 14 days is a bold statement to make, right? When Garnier offered a free 14 day free trial pack of their Ultralift Day cream I set aside my *ahem skincare snobbery and thought I'd give it a shot. With 23% of women seeing an improvement in skins firms within two weeks and 24% seeing fewer wrinkles in 4 weeks it had to be worth a try.

Now I don't have any major wrinkles but I am all for preventative measures when it comes to anti-ageing, anything has got to be worth a try, who wants to age gracefully?

Check back next week where I'll fill you in on my first week of using the cream!

Clarins Double Serum 2 Month Review

With being in my mid-twenties and starting to notice those little fine lines appearing I decided towards the end of last year to find an anti-aging product for preventative measures. After a lot of shopping around and reading a ton of reviews I decided to go with Calrind Double Serum (prices from £55) and I have to say it's incredible!

So the serum is a two-phase system (meaning it dispenses two products together) and contains 20 natural plant extracts to help boost the skins vital functions. The serum promises to minimise pores, smooth skin and skin firmer and glowing. After 2 months of use I can honestly say it really has delivered on those promises!

Like I mentioned I only really have fine lines and some expression lines which were getting more prominent but I can see those expression lines on my forehead are less visible and my skin definitely looks and feels more firm. The absolute god send of this product is that it's actually shrinking my pores! I have tried oodles of products which promise to smooth skin and erase pores but none have delivered so effectively and as quickly as this serum has. 

Double serum is suitable for most skin types, including oily skin like mine, as my skin is quite oily have found it best to apply the serum only at night although you can use it morning and night for better effectiveness. It may seem a little on the expensive side however with the small amount needed and the fact 2 months into use I'm not even half way through the bottle I see it more as an investment.

If you're looking for a preventative measure like I was then I would definitely recommend Double Serum, it's no wonder it's won so many awards!

A Drugstore Glycolic Peel To Rival A Premium Brand...

Ever since I purchased Dr LeWinn's Skin Renewal Overnight Exfoliator rrp £36 a few months ago and rapidly saw the results of an overnight Glycolic Peel my eyes make a b-line for any products containing that magical ingredient when ever I'm in Superdrug or Boots or even browsing online and I think I may have found my biggest ever drugstore dupe ever!

Superdrug's Naturally Radiant line is something I've admittedly overlooked every time I've shopped there but when out with my sister last week she picked up her regular moisturiser and sat next to it was their own Glycolic Overnight Peel rrp £5.99 which I scooped up for a mere £2.98. When I got home and compared my Dr LeWinn's to Superdrug's I was astounded to find they both contain (give or take a couple of ingredients) the same stuff!

So what is an Overnight Glycolic Peel? It's designed to give skin a smoother texture and a more even tone, helping to battle wrinkles and fade acne scars over time. You simply smooth the product onto skin after cleansing in the evening and apply your regular serum/moisturiser over the top. Both products promise to deliver the same results and after using both of them a few days apart I really couldn't tell any difference between the two, they both gave the same fabulous results.

With the two both containing the same key ingredients- Sugar Cane and Sugar Maple to gently exfoliate and resurface skin and Orange and Lemon extract to exfoliate and purify skin this hughstreet dupe really rivals Dr Lewinn's premium version. Superdrug's Naturally Radiant version has a few ingredients (Kiwi and Mulberry to brighten skin) that Dr LeWinn's doesn't contain and visa versa (Witch Hazel to clarify skin and Vitamin A to rejuvenate) but essentially these two products contain the same refining Glycolic Acid and Fruit acids.

So if you're looking for a completely purse-friendly Glycolic Peel I would definitely recommend Superdug's own brand. I know I won't be paying £36 next time round!

Trial-Sized Tuesday - ESPA Optimal Skin Proserum

I've been meaning to try this sample of Espa serum since I received it with an order back in January, I used it yesterday morning and last night and here's my initial thoughts on the sample...

Optimal Skin ProSerum combines the exceptional nourishment of a treatment oil with the active benefits of multiple plant extracts to deliver naturally beautiful skin. Enriched with nourishing Omega 3,6 & 9, vitamins A & E and proactive natural extracts Tumeric, White Lupin and Sunflower. This advanced formulation helps brighten and even skin tone, enhance elasticity, firm and protect against premature ageing

Whilst I can't comment on the effects on my skins elasticity, firmness or fine lines I can say that this was a real pleasure to use. After cleansing and toning I applied a few drops before moisturizing, it quickly absorbed into my skin and left it feeling soft with a subtle glow to it.

What I really enjoyed about this serum was the scent, I could really pick up the Rose and Patchouli essential oils. I have oily/combination skin and am always very wary of heavy creams or facial oils but this sank straight into the skin and didn't increase my oily T-zone at all.

There are so many active natural ingredients in this serum it really is like a multi-vitamin for the face! To name a few of the skin-loving ingredients - Tumeric to enhance skin's radiance and even skintone, Rose Hip oil to promote healthy skin, Vitamin E and Evening Primrose oil to protect and regenerate skin cells.

I really enjoyed trialing this sample yesterday, I'm going to continue using the sample up and see what/if any difference it makes to my skin.

Jodie

xoxo 

April's Beauty Favourites

Wow, where did April go? Yet again it was quite difficult to chose, as I have tried some fabulous products this month, so I thought I would go with the ones that I'm reaching for everyday. Here's a quick run-through of my favorite beauty and skincare products from April...

Astalift Light Analyzing Moisture Foundation  £29 30ml

I absolutely adore this foundation, it's the first medium to full coverage foundation I have found with a dewy, luminous finish. I chose the shade Sunny Beige after much deliberation, there are hardly any reviews on this foundation online...which shocks me as it's amazing! Here's a link if you want to read my full review on this foundation.

MAC Prep+Prime Natural Radiance Primer  £29 50ml

A fabulous illuminating primer which creates a flawless base for foundation and leaves skin looking healthy and renewed. Here's a link to my full review of this primer, trust me it's fabulous...a make-up bag must have for me now!

Molton Brown Rhubarb & Rose Hand Cream £10 40ml

 This hand cream literally smells good enough to eat! I first tried this after receiving a sample of it in my March Birchbox and I'm now hooked! It leaves hands moisturized without feeling greasy and lightly fragranced with the scent of rhubarb and rose...divine! Other than the cream itself I love the packaging Molton Brown products come in, cute enough to brighten up any handbag.

Premae Lab Definitive Eye Creme £17.50 30ml

I received a generous sample of this specialist eye creme in my April Premae Donna Box and I can honestly say I've not even looked at my Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream since! What I love about this eye creme is that it's lightweight, yet very moisturizing and acts as a fabulous primer for my eye concealer.  I've ordered a full size for my May Premae Donna box...post to follow!

Triumph Creme Balm £49 50ml

Another pick from my April Premae Donna Box is this fabulous anti-aging creme. I've been using this for a little over 3 weeks and my skin is already looking and feeling more renewed. This creme is packed full of antioxidants and vitamins, I apply before bed and it makes my skin so soft when I wake. Here's a link to my full review and product description. 

Clinique Chubby Stick in Two Ton Tomato £17

I have a real thing for red lipstick's, they are my go-to lip colour when I can't decide what to wear on my lips. Now we're moving into warmer weather I like to switch up my lipsticks for tinted balms or stains and Clinique's Chubby Stick in Two Ton Tomato is fabulous for this. Its a sheer tinted balm which can be built up to a medium intensity. Not only do they look great on your lips but they look great in your make-up bag!

Jodie

xoxo

Astalift Light Analyzing Moisture Foundation Review and Swatches

Let me start off by saying this foundation is INCREDIBLE! I can't believe how few reviews I could find on the internet about it.

I had been recommended this foundation by another blogger after saying I was still searching for my holy grail foundation, I wanted something with medium-full coverage but a dewy, luminous finish...Light Analyzing Moisture Foundation by Astalift delivers just this.

A couple of weeks ago I contacted Astalift to request some samples of their foundation to match my colour perfectly before committing to purchasing a full size. They sent me samples of the shades Sand and Caramel, I didn't even attempt the Caramel shade as Sand was way too dark for me...but I fell in love with the coverage and finish. I contacted them again and they said the only paler shade sample they had in stock was Ivory, the colour wasn't a bad match but I have quite yellow undertones in my skin so it wasn't the best match. Earlier this week I spotted that their foundation was half price so I decided to take the plunge and purchase the shade Sunny Beige and I'm pleased to say it is a perfect match!!

Light Analyzing Foundation in Sunny Beige

Sunny Beige blended

Sunny Beige is suitable for paler skin with yellow undertones, I would say this shade is very similar to my MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC15. 

By applying the science of light and colour, Astalift has designed a patented foundation that leaves skin radiant in any light. It's light analyzing powder mimics the way light is absorbed and reflected. Tones within light are absorbed and reflected to create a flawless complexion that's radiant from morning to night. The technology within this foundation reflects skin coloured light to reduce shadows and the appearance of wrinkles in daylight, office lighting or harsh fluorescent lights. On top of all that this foundation contains anti-againg technology caring for skin, collagen to help retain moisture and stimulate collagen production and a powerful antioxidant called Astaxanthin which is unto 1000 times more powerful than Co Q-10 which controls sebum for amazing coverage all day long.

What ever it's got in it I think it's incredible! Anyone that reads my blog knows that I suffer from hormonal breakouts of acne so I have quite a few scars around my mouth and jawline...one layer of this foundation applied with my RT Expert Face Brush completely evens out the redness in my skin, covering any scars or blemishes and leaves a totally flawless, radiant finish...I'm in love! In this photo I am just wearing the foundation, eyeshadow, mascara and a little blush...no highlighting products required as this foundation gives you a gorgeous glow all by itself. 

If you fancy giving it a go this foundation is currently 50% off on their website, only £14.50 for 30ml.

Jodie

xoxo

April's Premae Donna Box Selection

Anyone that reads my blog will know that I absolutely adore Premae's products for many reason's but the main being that it has cleared my acne up no end!

At the end of Febuary I signed up for their Premae Donna box, it's £65 for 2 months and gives you total freedom of choice and the ability of keeping stocked up with your favourite products at half the price. On the 1st of each month you are able to choose any 3 products you wish (you can't choose 3 of the same product however), the subscription is for 2 months and you can renew or cancel with no strings attached. As I won't use anything but Premae's skincare now I thought this was the most savvy option! This month I chose...

Balance Rescue Gel Face Wash 

I order this face wash every month, it's a solid part of my skincare regime now. This is a refreshing gel cleanser that cleanses and polishes your skin, delicately yet thoroughly. Ideal for oily or acne prone skin (as is mine) it really cleanses away build up's of excess sebum and keeps my skin shine free. Use this alongside their Balance Rescue Face Tonique and Harmony Serum you will have perfect skin!

Plush Therapy Masque

I had recently used up a sample of this masque which I absolutely loved so I decided to purchase the full size version this month. I use this once or twice a week to really decongest my pores. Used alongside the Balsnce Rescue products it really helps to keep excess oil under control thus preventing any nasty zits!

Triumphe Balm

I've only been using this balm for a few days and can already say that I love it! The Triumphe range is aimed more at ageing skin as it is packed with antioxidants and vitamins. Of late I have started to notice some fine lines around my mouth and forehead *gasp* so I thought I would give Premae's award wining balm a go. It has a rich formula, hydrating yet non-greasy and a gorgeous smell of frankincense. I have been applying before bed and when I wake my skin is so soft!

I couldn't add any links to the products I'm afraid as Premae's website is under a little construction at the moment, if you are interested in any of their products then just pop the lovely ladies and email, they're ever so helpful.

Jodie 

xoxo