Tag: skincare

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. 

    5 Essential Beauty Products for Autumn 

    The clocks have gone back and we are officially heading towards winter. As the nights are drawing in and it’s gets chillier my beauty needs inevitably change. I have certain products that I have returned to  time again over the past few years. They are hard working and get me through the season. This year I’ve discovered a couple of extras to add to my beauty routine. 

    So here I am sharing 5 of my Autumn/winter beauty must haves;  

     Evolve Organic Beauty Hyaluranic Serum – £28

    Now I have succumbed to putting the heating on my skin is starting to feel dry and tight. 

    I have added this Hyalauranic acid based serum to my morning skincare regime before I apply my moisturiser. As Hyaluranic acid can hold up to a 1000 times its weight in water it grabs on to all those moisturising ingredients making them work harder and more effectively. I have really noticed the difference in how my skin feels. 


    The Bodyshop Shade adjusting drops Lightening – £10

    Summer has officially passed and I’ve returned to a very pale version of myself meaning my current foundation options  are way too dark for me. Not wanting to leave them to expire by the time next summer comes around these lightening drops are the perfect solution. 

    I did a full review of these drops in a recent blog post that you can check out here.

    The Bodyshop Hemp Hand Protector – from £5 

    Anyone else suffer with hands that chap and bleed as soon as it hits November? Not only does it hurt, but it’s not pretty! This is the hand cream I reach for every year as it seems to be the only one that actually works to prevent that from happening. 

    I’m not going to lie the hemp scent is a bit funky but I can over look that as the cream itself is so effective. 


    Soap & Glory Heel Genius – £5.50

    Now, boots not only look fab but are great for keeping your feet warm and dry throughout the Autumn and winter months.  What they aren’t so great on is the skin of your feet. Nope prolonged wear can leave feet looking a bit dry and crusty, yuck! 

    This particular foot cream works a treat though to keep my feet looking and feeling great even when I’ve been wearing nothing but boots. I apply it each night before bed. The peppermint scent is also soothing if you’ve got aching feet. 

     Avon Advance techniques dry shampoo – £3.50

    I love a bobble hat at this time of year to keep me warm and cosy on my walk to work. What I don’t love is hat hair. That is why I keep a can of dry shampoo in my bag for an instant freshen up once I’ve got to work. This one from Avon is great as it doesn’t leave a cast plus it also acts as a volumizer to get rid of that flat hat hair. 


    Please bear in mind Avon have changed the packaging of all their Advance techniques products recently but the formula is still the same (mine is still the old packaging). 

    What are your must have beauty products for Autumn? 

    Please note any Avon products featured link to my Avon representative selling page. 

    An Introduction to Acid Based Toners with Bravura London 

    Acid based toner??? Sounds a bit scary doesn’t it? I can assure you that its not. As I’ve discovered recently, thanks to Bravura London, an acid based toner can actually bring huge benefits to your skin.

    Our skin has a natural PH level of approximately 5.5. Most cleansers, though great for removing dirt, will actually raise the PH level of your skin creating a breading ground for that breakout causing bacteria. An acid based toner, used post cleanse, will help to lower your skins natural PH inhibiting bacteria growth. Yay clearer skin!

    I’ve recently had the opportunity to try out the Bavura London Revitalising Gingseng Toner with Glycolic Acid 5% £12.40*. 


    This has a PH of 4.5 and is alcohol free so is a gentle yet effective toner suitable for even dry and sensitive skin.

    As it also provides a gentle exfoliation it helps to remove dead skin cells leaving you with brighter smoother skin.

    Having used almost my entire bottle of this I have noticed a great improvement in the appearance of my skin. It is much brighter and smooth to touch.

    For the most part I haven’t had any trouble with breakouts. I will say that this hasn’t been a miracle cure as I still have suffered from hormonal breakouts around my period. These do seam to be clearing up much quicker though.

    There are two other toners available in the range each with a different percentage of the active ingredient Glycolic Acid. I shall be trying out the middle strength Purifying Calandula Toner 13% AHA next as I don’t suffer from skin sensitivity or dryness. I feel I could see yet still clearer skin using it. I shall keep you posted on that one.


    Don’t worry if you are vegan as all these toners are vegan friendly and not tested on animals. Bravura London also get bonus points for creating such gorgeous packaging. I’m a sucker for a bit of coloured glass.
    *Post features PR samples.

    #FacemaskFriday | Origins GinZing Peel-Off Mask

    I haven’t produced a #FacemaskFriday post in some time. Girls slacking bit, sorry. Having said that, it has been a little while since I’ve come across a facemask that I thought was worth actually talking about. It’s a good job I got my grubby little mitts on a luxury sample size of Origins GingZing Peel-off mask as this one is actually worth talking about. Oh the perks of having to invest in some spot treatment gel!

    This mask retails for £24 for a 75ml tube. So let’s be honest here, in my opinion that falls towards the pricey side. The question is then, is it worth the price?


    It pains my pocket to say this, but actually yes it probably is.

    The mask is described by Origins as a refreshing peel-off mask that is fortified with coffee beans. It claims to help lift away stubborn dead skin cells, dirt and debris to leave skin smooth, refined and glowing.

    The mask is a sticky formula that dries on the face so it can then be peeled away, removing any nasties lurking on the skin with it. It gets bonus points for being a gorgeous copper colour.

    It doesn’t have a coffee smell either, which is great,as though I love coffee I can’t tollerate the smell close to my nose for a prolonged period of time.

    I found that the mask didn’t take very long to dry. I do feel I could have actually applied a lot more of the product.

    This was evident when I came to remove the mask as the thinner areas were a bugger to peel off. Don’t be shy in application, go for a thicker layer and you’ll find it so much easier to remove. Lesson learnt there Katy!

    Once removed this left my skin feeling very clean and smooth. My skin was definitely glowing as you can see in the picture below. I do recal having applied moisturiser before taking this picture, but my skin never normally looks this good. (Ignore the unflattering angle, I have such as huge honk).


    My sample is a 15ml size and I used a bit under half of it. Realistically I would say you would get 10 uses out of the full 75ml product. So price per use is £2.40. When you look at it like that it actually isn’t that expensive considering how effective a product it is and when compared with a comparable single use Facemask.

    This is recommended for dry, normal and oily skin types so is one I would recommend to most people. If you have sensitive or a fresh breakout I would be cautious about using it as the peel-off aspect could cause you problems.

    Thanks for taking the time to read schoolrunbeauty.com. Don’t forget you can keep up to date with my latest posts on either bloglovin or Twitter.