Tag: skincare

Dr.Jart+ Rubber Firming Mask – gimmick or not?

Korean beauty products are known for their innovative formulas and ‘outside of the box’ approach to skincare. The Shake & Shot rubber firming mask from Dr.Jart+ is no exception to that rule.

At first glance the packaging is definitely quirky, if not a little bit creepy. It looks like a milkshake but with a weird purple baby on the lid. The fact that you have to mix and ‘shake’ up the mask to activate it also adds to the fun. This definitely ticks the box for gimmicky products.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from a rubber sheet mask. I did expect something that was malleable and with a slightly denser texture than a standard facemask. To begin with the mask was very creamy but then set to rubbery sheet mask over a period of 15 – 20 minutes. It was actually a bit more of a looser and runnier consistency than I was expecting before it began to set. I would definitely suggest taking the time to lie back and let it do its thing rather than it dripping everywhere.

I needed pictures for this post though so had to roll with it. Once the mask had set it peeled away very easily. It actually felt a bit like those little silicone under eye masks that you get.

The skincare benefits that this particular mask promise are:

  • Target the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Improve skin elasticity.
  • Leave skin looking heathier and firmer.

I wouldn’t say that there was a drastic visual difference in my skin after using this facemask. I did think that my skin felt nourished and a bit tighter but not in a dried out uncomfortable way, just firmer. Overall it was a pleasant experience. If you want to try this out for yourself it can be purchased from ASOS for £8. They also stock the shake & shot masks in three other varieties.

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eviternity Vitamin C Super serum | Review & giveaway

I am a bit of a self confessed skincare junkie and just love trying out the latest new ingredients. Of course then, when I was offered the chance to try out eviternity’s Vitamin C Super serum, I jumped at the chance.

So you’re probably thinking Vitamin C in skincare is nothing new. The Vitamin C in this serum though is sourced from the Australian fruit Kakadu Plum. This little super fruit contains 100 times more vitamin C than Oranges, so it’s powerful stuff.

The serum promises to reduces the signs of aging, improve radiance and act as a natural antioxidant. It also contains Hyaluronic Acid, one of my favourite skincare ingredients, making it very hydrating.

I have been using the serum for a couple of weeks now and very pleased with it so far. The serum has a cloudy appearance and is not too tacky or sticky. It has a very light citrus scent that is nice and refreshing. The packaging is a brown class bottle with a handy dropper that helps to control the amount you use. Based on my use so far I would say a 30ml will last me approximately two months. With and RRP of £14.99 that makes this a great value product.

My skin is definitely looking brighter and feels very healthy at the moment. I have also noticed that I have managed to avoid the usual pre menstrual breakouts this month. For me that is a big deal. I feel it is to early to comment on the anti-aging benefits after two weeks but to be honest I don’t really have what I would consider to be wrinkles, just a few fine lines next to my eyes, not bad too bad for my 36 years.

Overall I am really pleased with this serum. I usually try to list any cons I find in product reviews but can’t actually think of any for this serum.

If you like the sound of the eviternity  super serum it is available either directly from their website or from Amazon. I also have a bottle to giveaway to one lucky reader.

Entry is via Rafflecopter and closes on 16th July. One winner will be picked at random.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!

Feel Unique’s sample service| My latest picks

I love getting my hands on a variety of different beauty products to try out. This can prove costly though especially, if you have a weakness for high end products. This is why I love Feel Unique’s sample service. I get to try out some of those high end products without committing to a full size product.

This can avoid a lot of costly buyers remorse. Let’s face it not all products are going to suit everyone.

The service offers you the chance to pick 5 samples to try out at home. There is a small handling fee of £3.95 however you do receive this back in the form of a voucher to use against future purchases. If you remember to use this you are basically getting the samples for free. Some of those samples are worth a fair few pennies as well. So you can find yourself getting a really good deal. 

These are the samples I picked up in April. 

Burt’s Bees lemon butter cuticle cream rrp £6.49 15g 

At 8.5g this is a good sized sample and worth about £3.46. It comes in a sturdy tin as well, perfect for keeping in my bag. 

This is such an effective product. My cuticles had been looking quite rough and dry. After a couple of uses they are looking so much better. I love the refreshing lemon scent as well! I shall be purchasing a full size once I’ve finished my sample. Though as you only need a tiny amount this is going to last me quite a while. 

Elizabeth Arden Standing ovation Mascara rrp £22 8.5ml 

This is another decent sized sample. The 2.5 ml tube is worth £6.47. It gives you a good chance to try out a high end mascara before committing to purchasing the full size. 

The brush is supersized promising to amplify, build and curl lashes to create a bold volume look. 

Based on first impressions I really like the formula. It is very black, and most importantly stays put. I do find the oversized brush a bit cumbersome though. 

Clarins Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover rrp £20 125ml

This 10ml bottle is such a cute sample and actually would be perfect to hold onto for a weekend away. I couldn’t wait that long though and wanted to test it out straight away. It is worth £1.60. 

Clarins say the eye makeup remover has been ophthalmologist tested to be suitable for sensitive eyes and those that wear contact lenses.

 My eyes can be sensitive so I do have to be careful with some eye makeup removers. This though actually felt quite soothing and refreshing. It did a good job at removing my eyeshadow and eyeliner. I’d did have to hold it over my mascara though to allow it to soak in a bit. Considering I was wearing Benefits BADGal Bang, I feel it held it’s own. 

I’m not sure if I would rush out and buy the full size as it is expensive. It is perhaps worth considering if you have specific needs such as being a contact lens wearer or you have very sensitive eyes. 

Also from Clarins, I choose the Hydra-Essentiel moisturising reviving eye mask. Mouthful! 

This 5ml sample is worth £4.83. The full size is 30ml with an rrp of £29. 

This is an interesting product created to help combat dehydrated eyes and visible signs of fatigue. It can either be used as an express 10 minute treatment or overnight. 

So far I have only tried it as an express treatment. The product has a creamy gel texture. 

Below are my before and after pictures. 

Ignore my broken nose it makes my whole face look very wonky. That will be why I rarely show a straight on picture of myself. Needs must though for this post! 

There is a definite reduction in puffiness and an overall improvement in the appearance of my eye area. (These pictures were taken in different rooms so the lighting is slightly different.) 

I have to say I’m quite impressed with this product. 

Lastly I opted for another sample pot of Nude by Nature radiant loose powder foundation. Rrp £25 for a 10g pot. This 2g sample pot is worth £5. 

Having tried this in the past I quite like it with B.B. cream. It stays matte throughout the day with even wear. I’m still trying to find my correct shade though, hence another sample pot. This actually though seems to be the one! 

Combined these samples are worth £21.36. So a bit of a steal really considering you only pay a £3.95 processing fee for your five samples, and your getting a voucher. 

Here is a little tip also if you are looking for the larger samples. Refine your search by sample types. Select the options pot and tube, these tend to be the larger sized samples. 


Have you used the Feel Unique Pick n mix sample service before? Do you think it is worth it!

The 7 magical ingredients of Garnier Miracle Sleep Cream

I talked about Garnier Miracle sleep cream in a recent skincare favourites post. Before I wrote that post I was doing some research into the product’s ingredient list. I like to know what I’m putting on my skin, and to be be honest, who doesn’t?

Several of those Ingredients however I had never heard of let alone knew what they were doing for my skin. Are they even safe? I consider myself to be quite passionate about good skincare so its no surprise then this triggered a spontaneous research session. 

Now I understand why Garnier Miracle Sleep cream is so good! These 7 magic ingredients are why;

  • Lavender Essential Oil – Aside from smelling nice and  being relaxing, Lavender oil also has disinfect properties and can help with circulation. 
  • Extract of Albizia – This is a tropical plant extract. Usually this is taken as an oral supplement. Source (Organic facts.net) It has many benefits including helping to keep skin healthy. 
  • Andenosine – This is a type of Yeast. It actually can be found naturally in the body. Used in this way it can help to energise the skins surface and has anti-wrinkle properties. Source Paula’s Choice. 
  • Jojoba Oil – This can help to soften the skin whist also unclogging pores. 
  • Hyaluronic Acid – This is one of my favourite skincare ingredients. It has moisture binding capabilities so helps to improve the performance of the other ingredients on the skin. I swear by any product with this in. 
  • LHA – This is an abbreviation of beta-lipohydroxy acid and is similar to Salicylic Acid. As it has a PH of 5.5, similar to the skins natural PH level is it suitable for sensitive skin. Source laroche-posay . It has antibacterial properties, lifts dead skin cells and unclogs pores. 
  • Ruscus Extract – This is another plant extract that has calming and soothing benefits. Source Weleda.com. 

My skin has definitely benefited from this combination of ingredients. I would even go as far as claiming Garnier Miracle Sleep cream has achieved holy grail status with me. Priced at a very reasonable Rrp of £12.99 this is an all rounder skincare product that is worth investing in. 

3 Skincare favourites for use at Night-time 

Every now and then I like to give my skincare routine a little bit of a shake up. Before Christmas I felt my evening skincare routine was not as effective as it could be. My skin was tired and lack lustre.

Given I am such a skincare hoarder I had  a rummage through my stash. I found I already had quite a few unopened products, specifically created for use at night time, just waiting to be tried out. 

Now Ive had a good old play with most of them I thought It was time I shared my favourite discoveries;

AD skin synergy nourishing night treatment 

I received this 10ml sized bottle of facial oil in my tili beauty advent calendar. It’s a good thing as this isn’t a product that I would normally gravitate towards. It is a very luxurious feeling oil and my skin seems to love it.  I’ve been using this for two weeks now and my skin is feeling much softer and smoother. 

The facial oil contains both cold pressed organic rose hip seed oil and organic rose essential oil. Not only does it smell nice but it is good for anti-aging. 

The rose ingredients are ethically farmed and traded on the slopes of the Andes mountains in Chili. No parebens, artificial perfumes, pertrochemicals or phenoyethanol are used in the oil so It’s no surprise that it has won three awards from BeautyBible.com. 

The full size 50ml bottle is £38 with free delivery. 

Garnier Miracle Sleeping Cream 

This purse friendly night Cream has been inspired by Asian skincare sleeping packs. It has a highly concerntrated formula of 7 key ingredients. When you feel it in the pot it has a unique tacky texture. I expected it to feel quite heavy on the skin. This is not the case though. It absorbs instantly so doesn’t feel heavy, greasy or sticky.  

I’ve almost finished an entire pot of this and am about to repurchase. My skin loves this stuff! It feels smoother and much plumper.

I actually could talk for ages about the ingredients in this cream however that would make this a very long post. 

My curiosity saw me doing a bit of research into  Some of those magical 7 are ingredients as I had never heard of several of them, and Im a bit of a skincare junkie. 

I’ve decided that this deserves its very own in depth blog post so that will follow soon. Watch this space! 

Lastly this next product is something I keep on hand for skincare emergencies. Fortunately I don’t have to use it very often, maybe once a month If I get hormonal breakouts. 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Fade Lotion is very effective at calming down pesky raised spots. When needed I will apply this before bed and by morning, though not completely vanished, the appearance of those raised spots is much improved. 

Often I find spot treatments can dry my skin out but this doesn’t do that. It is also suitable for most skin types as it has worked well for both my teenagers that have quite greasy skin. 


The rrp of this is £10 although The Bodyshop always have some kind of promotion running. Currently it is 30% off full price items if you use the code 14673. 

It is definitely worth using products specifically designed for use at night. The body recovers from tiredness best when it is  sleeping at night so the same should apply to your approach to skincare. 

I can testify that my skin is looking so much better since I’ve introduced these three products to my bedtime routine. 

Moral of the story…don’t hoard that night time skincare…use it! 

Brand Focus | Exuviance Skincare

Today I thought I would share with you one of my favourite skincare brands. US skincare brand Exuviance has been scientifically developed by renowned dermatologists Drs Van Scott and Yu. They are the creators and patent holder of the first gylcolic peel. 

The brand offers Salon quality skincare, using clinically proven ingredients, that you can access in your own home as part of your daily skincare regime. 

There are specific ranges available for different skincare needs including dry and sensitive skin, oily and acne prone skin and age reverse. As well as targeted treatments and makeup and skincare hybrids. 

I sometimes find it difficult to know what skincare products are suitable for my skin type.  I have had my fair share of skincare fail horror stories. Thankfully Exuviance has this covered. The Patient Condition checklist area of Exuviance’s website is very helpful as it matches products to specific skin concerns, helping you choose the right product for you. 

I have had the opportunity to try out a variety of products as I was gifted these at various blog events. Here’s a little run down of the products I’ve tried. 

£35 age reverse eye contour 

I was absolutely gutted when I ran out of this eye cream. I will most definitely be purchasing it in the future. (I’m just using up the other ones I have first).

I was starting to see fine crows feet before using this but they have virtually disappeared. Not a bad look for someone in their mid thirties.

Don’t expect instant overnight results, but with prolonged use and a little bit if patience you can see great results. 

free shipping Skinoracle.com

£23.39 gentle cleansing cream 


This is such a lovely cleanser. Every time I use it, it feels like a treat for my skin. The milky cleanser feels super gentle yet still provides effective cleansing. 

You can use this cleanser in two ways. Either as a classic cream makeup remover that you would massage in and tissue it off or use with water to increase the creaminess of it and achieve a deeper cleanse. 

I use this as part of my morning skincare routine. I love that I still get a true clean feeling without stripping my skin of moisture. The knock on effect of this has been far less breakouts. (Previously I had been told by a dermatologist that dehydrated skin was the cause of my breakouts). 

£20.89 purifying clay masque 

This clay mask has quite a tingling feeling on the skin. I would describe it as similar to the feeling you would get if you put toothpaste on a spot but the difference is it doesn’t dry your skin out. 

This mask really does work hard to lift and extract the dirt from you pores. Do be prepared to see the odd breakout post use. These minor pimples cleared up superfast though so are literally the dirt being lifted to the surface. Sounds gross I know, but effective! 

I am yet to come across an Exuviance product that has disappointed me. It is truly great skincare that gets better the more you use it. 

I would love to try out more of their products in the future. Let me know if you have tried any of Exuviance’s other products. I’m always up for recommendations.

Product Review | Xen-Tan Fresh Tanning Mouse 

I don’t know about you but I am so ready for summer now. I’m desperate to put away the winter jacket and get into my shorts and floaty dresses. One thing I’m not ready to do is expose my milk bottle legs. Yay for fake tanning products then! 

It was definitely time to shop my stash and dig out my sample of Xen-Tan Fresh Tanning Mouse rrp £33.99 for 236ml. Yes that’s pricey but I’ve done some digging and found that Justmylook.co.uk currently have this on offer for £17.99. That’s is by far the cheapest I have seen it available for. 
This celebrity favourite tanning brand has won numerous beauty awards including from the likes of Harpers Bazaar and Elle Beauty. 

The brand was developed by US tan enthusiast Dera Enochson after she found the already available tanning products were not fulfilling her desire to achieve that much coveted natural looking olive skinned tan. 

Xen-Tans lightweight foaming mouse claims to provide a buildable natural looking tan whilst also providing antioxidant, cellular protection and moisturising skincare benefits from a range non toxic ingredients including Green tea, Aloe Vera, Ginko Biloba and Vitamins D and E. So how does it perform? 

I certainly found this easy to apply. I used a tanning mitt which I found helped to blend the formula evenly into my skin. 

It dries down very quickly so I was able to get dressed after about five minutes. I didn’t experience any product transfer onto my clothing. 

This isn’t an instant tan, the colour develops   over time. You are advised not to have any contact with water for at least three hours after application.

PRO’s 

  • No horrible smell. It is supposed to be grapefruit scented though I feel it has a cocoa type smell to it. 
  • Easy to apply. 
  • Can use on face.
  • Added skincare benefits.
  • Doesn’t leave dark looking pores. 
  • No staining. 

CON’S

  • Does feel a little bit sticky. 
  • No guide colour.

Below is a before and after shot after using 1 layer of application and allowing to develop for several hours. The difference is very subtle. Where I do notice the the tan the most is on my shins. They are very white in the first picture. 

    I am happy with this level of tan for everyday wear. It is very natural looking and certainly doesn’t have that fake orange look to it. Zen-Tan do advise applying a second layer for a darker tan. 

    I found this a really easy to use product. My only negative is the lack of guide colour to ease application. I did miss a patch on my foot, whoops! Good job a shoe will be covering that! 

    If you have any recommendations for easy to apply fake tans do let me know as I’m always open to trying out new ones. 

    My April Latest in Beauty Box 

    I have had my fair share of beauty boxes in the past. I went as far as cancelling them all I’m over the previous appeal of the monthly surprise now. Particularly when you end up with a back log of products that aren’t right for you. 

    This is where Latest in Beauty is different. Each month you choose exactly what you want to receive in your box from an extensive menu.

    There are three tiers of subscription level. 

    • Beauty Novice £9 for 3 products.
    • Beauty Enthusiast £15 for 6 products.
    • Beauty Guru £18 for 9 products. 

    All levels of subscription include postage. 

    I have the Beauty Guru subscription, this works out as £2 a product.

    I’m really enjoying the service and see it as a cost effective way on getting my hands on the beauty products that I actually want to use.

    The value of my picks for April is £84.09, that is a huge saving!

    Here is what I chose.
    Omorovicza Refining Facial Polish (worth £21.67)

    Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Thirdt Quenching Serum (worth 9.67)

    St Tropez In Shower Tanning Lotion (worth £3.44). 

    I love this stuff! It took some getting used to when I first tried it out back in 2015 but I’m a pro now! I always add it to my beauty box when available. I have done a full review off this user friendly tanning lotion previously on the blog which you can check out here.. 

    The White Company Mini Orange Grove Candle (worth £10) 

    I work very close to a branch of The White Company and love popping into smell all the candles. They are rather pricey though So I usually only treat myself to one at Christmas. Yup this was going right in my basket! 


    Nugg revitalizing face mask (worth £3.99) 

    Masque Bar Green Tea Sheet Mask (worth £3.33) 

    This is supposed to help with dark spots and pigmentation irregularities. I have a fair bit of scaring from recent breakouts so I’m hoping this will help. 

    Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Blue Streak (worth £6.99) 

    This is a great formula so I was happy to be able to grab another shade of this polish. 

    OGX weightless hydration coconut water shampoo & Conditioner duo (worth £5) 
    I’ve had my eye on this particular shampoo and conditioner for a while as I love anything with coconut in it. These handy travel sizes are a great way of trying it without committing to the full size product.

    Lastly I nabbed another 111Skin Bio Cellulose Treatment Mask. (Worth £20) 

    This is something I will always add to my box as long as it is featured on Latest in Beauty’s Menu. For a single use mask it is so expensive. The trouble is the more I use one of the masks the more I love it. 

    This is another product I have previously reviewed on the blog. You can check that out here. 

    If you want to see any of these products featured in a review let me know in the comments section. 

    My Weekly DIY Facial Routine 

    One of my favourite indulgences is to have a facial. Now I can neither afford to do this on a weekly basis or have the time for that matter. I do like to give myself a bit of a DIY facial once a week though. If you want to know my routine and the products I use then carry on reading…

    The Double Cleanse 

    I like to use a cleansing oil to break down any makeup I might be wearing. I am currently using the Sanctuary Spa Ultimate Cleansing Oil £12 When massaged in with water this turns into a lovely milky constistency. 

    I then like to follow with Bioderma Sebium Miceller water from £5.10, to remove any last residue. 

    Exfoliation

    I’m not the worlds biggest fan of exfoliating. This is because I usually end up feeling like my skin has been over stimulated and have some kind of reaction. Exfoliating is important though as it stimulates and speeds up cell renewal. 

    At a recent facial appointment I was recommended Decleor Phytopeel £28. 

    Rather than containing abrasive exfoliating particles this exfoliating cream contains lemon, marjoram lavender and thyme essential oils to provide a much gentler form of exfoliation. 



    Facemask Time

    My current facemask of choice is Origins Out of Trouble Mask, £24. I might be in my mid-thirties but I still have problems with frequent break outs. This helps to combat that and calm the inevitable redness. 

    I have written a full review previously, you can check that out here.

    Toner

    Once I’ve removed my mask I like to follow with a natural toner. This makes sure I’ve removed every last drop of mask and also helps to prime my skin ready for moisturiser. 

    My current toner of choice is Madre Labs Unscented Witch Hazel Toner, from £1.61. 

    This is a really cheap toner that is worth picking up from iherb.com. 

    Serum 

    I think of serum as an intense hit of superfood for my skin. In the past I have been told that my skin is dehydrated so I opt for a serum designed to maximise hydration. 

    Clarins new Hydra-Essentiel range is perfect for this. The Intensive Moisture Quenching bi-phase serum  £44 has had a dramatic impact on my skin since I started using it. 

    Moisturiser 

    If I am giving myself a DIY facial I tend to do this in the evening. It makes sense for me to use an Intensive night cream at this step. I am currently using The Body Shop Oils Of Life Sleeping Cream £29. 

    This feels very luxurious and indulgent on the skin and I do feel my skin is looking and feeling plumper Since I started using it. 

    Eyes 

    The skin around the eyes is a lot thinner and much more delicate. I always use specifically targeted products for this area. 

    I am currently using Exuviance Age Reverse Eye Contour £41.

    Now this is very pricey in my opinion but I was lucky to be gifted this at a blog event last September. I am still working through the same bottle so it does last a long time. 
    It was explained to me at the time that with Exuviance products the effect isn’t instant, the benefits are seen over a period of time (I’m talking months). Six months in I am definitely seeing the results. There are no lines around my eyes whatsoever! Big claim I know….

    So I know that sounds like rather a complicated skin care regime. Do bear in mind that this is my once a week DIY facial. On a daily basis I’m too lazy to double cleanse and if I exfoliated everyday I’d have no skin left. Using a good nightcream and eye cream though are a daily essential for me. 

    Pre Party Beauty Prep | #Blogmas Day 3

    With the Christmas Holiday season rapidly approaching those long awaited parties are starting to happen. I have 3 to attend in the space of a week yay! Obviously then I want to look my best so I have been indulging in some pre party beauty treats. 

    My nails really have been shocking of late so were desperately crying out for some TLC. Now was a good time to try out these Strengthen Nail & Cuticle Finger Mask by 7th Heaven. 


    These little finger masks are part of the 7th heaven spa range and are aimed at people with damaged nails. That will be me then! 

    The pack contains a full set of paper finger masks which contain a blend of Argan and macadamia oils as well as anti-oxidant rich pomegranate extract. 


    They looked like they would be very fiddly  to apply but actually they weren’t too bad. I found the best thing to do was pre open all the masks before applying on any of my fingers. Also be aware that they are sized to fit individual fingers and thumbs so don’t mix them up. The finger ones will not fit on your thumbs. 

    After relaxing for 15 minutes you then remove the masks and massage the residue into your nails.

    This left my nails looking far less dry and brittle making applying my manicure so much easier. Even my cuticles needed little work. 

    Priced at £2.49 and available from Ocado and Primark these are a purse friendly treat perfect for when you are in the mood for making that little bit more effort before a special occasion. 

    Whilst all the was happening I also used a Moisture Bomb Tissue mask from Garniers  new skin active range. 

    This is the perfect inexpensive treat to rehydrate your skin leave it looking extra radiant. 

    Key ingredients include Hyalauranic acid, pomegranate extract and plant serum. It is super comfortable and refreshing to wear and really does provide an indulgent pampering session. 

    I’ve used these masks a couple of times and love how soft and smooth my skin always feels afterwards. Perfect then for applying flawless party make-up. 

    These are so cheap at just the usual rrp of £1.99 and are available from plenty of different retailers. Boots currently have them on offer for 99p so its worth picking up a couple like I did yesterday. I haven’t left a link to Boots.com though as they are not currently on the website. 

    Do you have any pre party beauty rituals? If you have any recommendations for budget beauty treats I’d love to hear them.