Superdrug Haul 007

Superdrug is one of those stores that I rarely go into unless it's something that I cannot get in Boots. I'm forever receiving their emails but their offers never seem to entice me until very recently when there were a few offers that I simply couldn't resist which is down to Superdrug celebrating their 5 Years of their Health & Beauty Card.

Long term readers will know that the Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser is one of the most talked about cleansers on my blog so it seemed only right to pick up two more especially when they were on offer. It's rich in natural Vitamin E and high in antioxidants and helps to defend skin against environmental damage. It's also one of the most creamiest cleansers I've come across that truly helps with dry skin. In addition to picking up those, I couldn't resist picking up two of the Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser. This is essentially a more radiant version of the Vitamin E except with a different scent altogether. It contains many brightening ingredients to help awaken your skins natural glow whilst being very nourishing on the skin too.

I've recently been getting into wearing fake lashes on a daily basis as I just love how they make my eyes look especially with a smokey eye. I'm very late on the band wagon to using the Ardell Demi Wispies but I've definitely made up for lost time as I picked up a multi pack which contains four pairs that can be reused multiple times. I actually got a killer discount on this which worked out to be the same price as two individual pairs by themselves. Luckily, I've got quite a few teeny tiny Duo Lash Glue samples as this multi pack doesn't come with any glue.

The main reason why I ordered from Superdrug is after seeing that they've recently brought out a Hyaluronic Acid Facial Spritz which everyone and their cat knows that Hyaluronic Acid can hold up to a thousand times its weight in water to help keep skin moisturised for longer. Considering that it was on a buy one get one free offer, it seemed rude to not pick up two. I cannot wait to start spritzing this when I do my skincare and who knows, it might even be a dupe for Hydraluron! 

Feel Unique Skincare Superstars

Considering the fact that this month is my birthday month and I haven't asked for anything in particular from my family, I've decided to do what I do best which is of course treat yo'self! As I have more than enough skincare for any normal person and a stash to rival even the likes of Caroline Hirons at times when I came across the Feel Unique Skincare Superstars Beauty Box, I instantly caved in and bought it! The box itself contains everything needed to give your skin some much needed TLC with some of the best complexion boosting products around and with a value of £87 at the bargain price of £30, you would be mad not to!

I'm a huge fan of La Roche Posay products and in particular the Effaclar Duo+ so with the box containing a decent sized sample of the Physiological Micellar Solution (£12) I was a very happy lady! It's essentially a micellar water to remove makeup and acts as your first cleanse however this particular one is suitable for even the most sensitive of complexions. The real test with this is if it can remove even waterproof makeup so if it does, I'm sold!

Next up is a full size Balance Me Radiance Face Oil (£30) which I've had on my list of products to try for the longest time! It's ideal for transforming dull, dehydrated skin into a radiant, dewy and glowing complexion which creating a perfectly even tone by calming areas prone to redness. I've been really getting back into my facial oils recently and have even started mixing them into my morning moisturiser to help make my skin appear more dewy so I'm excited to start giving this a go. This actually costs the same price as the box so everything else is just extra!

I've never tried the This Works In Transit Camera Close Up (£30) and I've heard nothing but good things about it so I'm really happy to see that it was included in the box. It acts as a mask, moisturiser and primer all in one so it's the perfect product to take away on holiday with especially when it's a long haul flight! I'm hoping that my skin loves this as much as everybody raves about as I could easily see myself buying this in full size!

Another addition to the box is the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Night Spa (£26.50) which as the name suggests is a night time moisturiser. It's enriched with hyaluronic acid, aquabioryl and Vichy Thermal Spa Water which provides intense hydration for the skin that looks visibly nourished and radiant come morning. I absolutely love using thick, rich creams at night as my skin feels naturally dehydrated no matter how many different serums/oils/creams I use so I'm hoping that this works a treat.

I appear to have acquired a few sample sized products from Ole Henriksen recently so I was excited to see the Truth Sugar Glow Polishing Mask (£38) included in the box. This contains sugar and pomegranate seeds to refine skin texture with honey to nourish, soften and sooth the skin with rose hips and pumpkin extracts to help naturally brighten and boost radiance. I love anything that helps add radiance back into my skin so I cannot wait to start using this!

Saving the best till last is a full size REN Wake Wonderful Night Time Facial (£32) which is an overnight transforming treatment that leaves skin visibly brighter, refined, more luminous and even toned come morning. I've tried quite a few of these kind of products and have always seen great results from them so I have high hopes for this and I'm hoping that this works wonders for my skin.

Liz Earle Cleanse + Polish Orange Flower & Chamomile

I am a complete sucker for limited edition products whether it's makeup or skincare, if it's something I've used a variation of before or something that's right up my street there is no mistaking that I'll purchase it! Which was the case with the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish in Orange Flower & Chamomile which I actually picked up back in 2014 but have only just come around to start using it.

The Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Orange Flower & Chamomile (£20.75) is very much like the original in the sense that you can use it as either a first cleanse to remove your makeup or as a second cleanse or both except that it smells completely different. It's laced with delicate, fresh notes of orange flower water that's been paired with the familar warm glow of English chamomile that helps create an iconic twist on a beauty classic.

I tend to use this both morning and night as I find that it's the perfect consistency to both wake me up in the morning as well as cleanse my skin in the evenings after a long day at work. As much as I love the original and will forever have a bottle or two in my stash, I'm not exactly keen on this limited edition scent. Personally to me it smells of something you would find in a hospital; not that it smells anything like clinical products just it reminds of a product that would belong there. It also feels slightly thicker in consistency to the original in the sense that when you massage the original into the skin, it almost disappears whereas with this version, you can still see it on the skin as it's so creamy.

Sadly as this was a limited edition product, you can not buy it online although I'm sure you can still find some on the likes of eBay and I'm pretty sure that Liz Earle will re-release it at some point again as it was released in the Cleanse & Polish Trio Giftset that they released late in 2015.

No7 Instant Illusions Airbrush Away Primer

Long terms readers will know that I'm loyal to the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer and I use every single day, without fail. However being a beauty blogger, I'm always looking for new products to try out and make my makeup last that little bit longer so I decided to try out the No7 Instant Illusions Airbrush Away Primer to see if it makes any difference to my makeups longevity.

The No7 Instant Illusions Airbrush Away Primer (£16.50) helps magic away any visible signs of ageing by containing clever light diffusing particles that are designed to instantly make the skin look younger by putting fine lines, uneven skin tone and pores into soft focus. It contains hyaluronic acid moisture locking spheres that help to fill out the skin and thus creating the appearance of smoother looking skin.

Whilst I may not necessarily have visible signs of ageing skin, I do have a few fines around my under eyes and am willing to try absolutely anything to help reduce the appearance of them which is exactly what this primer has been doing. It's been filling out my under eye area to make it appear as if it's completely smooth however this is short lived as the minute you apply any foundation/concealer/powder, they reappear which is a real shame. With that being said, I do however find that it creates the perfect base for my foundation as it just applies a lot better and doesn't settle in any dry patches. I haven't noticed my makeup lasting any longer than usual as I do find that my makeup lasts a very long time what with doing a full shift at work and then perhaps an hour at the gym or so. I'm currently on my third tube of this so I guess it's fast making it's way to becoming one of my holy grail makeup products.

What is your favourite primer?

Beauty Box || The Radiant Skin Edit

One of my biggest bug-bears with my skin is that I can create radiant looking skin with makeup however when it comes to wearing no makeup at all, my skin can look quite the opposite and be rather dull. One morning at work, a fellow blogger shared a link to her blogpost citing how incredible value the Feel Unique Radiant Skin Beauty Box was which instantly made me purchase it, especially after googling for a cheeky discount code too!

The only product that I've tried from the box is the Caudalie Beauty Elixir (30ml, worth £11.50) which stupidly I did not review at all despite it being such a cult product in the blogging world. It is essentially a facial spray that is packed full with natural waters and essential oils that smells both incredibly refreshing and instantly perks up the skin. I used to use this as my toner daily however with this travel size, I'm going to preserve it for when my skin is in need of a pick me up.

Next up is a product that I'm most excited about trying which is of course the REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial (75ml, worth £32) which is the quicker acting sister of the REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask just without the quite as dramatic results. I've never used this before but after reading up a few reviews, I'm rather excited to start using it! To use, you simply dampen your fingers and apply the mask whilst gently massaging it in as you apply it. Leave it for one minute so that the Vitamin C can do it's thing before rinsing it off.

Another addition to the box is the Glam Glow Youth Mud Exfoliating Mask (15g, worth £15) which despite being a rather small sample, it definitely packs a punch! This is another product that I haven't used before either however it is a cult product that I should have tried out sooner. It's a grainy feeling texture that you leave on the skin for up to ten minutes before removing it off which essentially manually exfoliates the skin whilst also chemically exfoliating the skin from having left the mask on. After removal, the skin instantly looks more clear and radiant. I'm truly hoping that I don't fall head over heels in love with this product as the price tag for it in full size.

Saving the best till last are the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (x28, worth £12) which I've been debating about purchasing for the longest time ever! These act very similar to the Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pads which I've reviewed in full here albeit being slightly more travel friendly. Depending on your skin type, you can use these twice a day after cleansing to help gently exfoliate the skin which in turn will help make the skin appear more radiant. I'm literally so excited to start using these and I bet this will turn into a long love affair too!

Skincare Addition || Soap & Glory Drama Clean Micellar Water

Micellar waters are one of the few beauty products that took the blogging world by storm last year with the majority of skincare brands bringing out their own version including the likes of L'Oreal, Garnier and Simple; not forgetting that Bioderma were the ones who started the trend. Whilst I've tried my fair share of micellar waters, I've recently been reaching the Soap & Glory Drama Clean Micellar Water who as a brand can do no wrong especially when it comes to their infamous body range but in terms of skincare, I've only tried a few products including The Ultimelt which has to be one of the better hot cloth cleansers I've used after the likes of Liz Earle.

The Soap & Glory Drama Clean Micellar Water (£6) is an oil free, non-drying formula that helps remove makeup, dirt and impurities in as little as one sweep which leaves the skin feeling both fresh and smooth. As it contains a number of ingredients including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, rich peach and goji berry extracts, cool cucumber water juice, botanical cornflower extract and aloe vera leaf juice, it is suitable for all skin types.

Whilst all micellar waters pretty much do the exact same thing, the cute pink packaging is certainly a winner for me and makes it stand out amongst the rest of the Soap & Glory lineup. I use this in the evening and tend to soak about three to four cotton pads, depending on if I've wearing heavier makeup and it's almost all of. There is no constant rubbing or tugging at the eyes which means no irritation - winning! Despite this, I do feel that I'm going through this as quickly as water so I won't be repurchasing it for that reason although with that being said, they have made the bottle a lot bigger so it should last slightly longer.

No7 Youthful Eye Serum

Whilst most people believe that all your skin needs is a good cleanser, toner and moisturiser, I believe that it needs a little more than just your average products. It needs a few serums, both manual and acidic exfoliators as well as a half decent eye cream amongst everything else in order to keep your skin happy and hydrated. Whilst I may tweak and perfect my skincare routine, I am forever changing up my eye creams looking for the perfect one to help banish my dark circles whilst hydrating the area. Despite still not finding the one, I have however found an eye serum to help target fine lines and wrinkles whilst smoothing and brighten the under eyes and just generally hydrating the eye area.. Say hello to the No7 Youthful Eye Serum!

The No7 Youthful Eye Serum (£19.50) targets key signs of ageing around the eyes with the advanced blend of hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and soft focus spheres to instantly smooth, revitalise and brighten the skin around the eyes for a more youthful appearance. In addition, an effective fusion of vitamin A, cassava and anti-ageing peptides work day by day to visibly reduce wrinkles including crow's feet, imroving skin firmness and reduces the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.

In my opinion, the No7 Youthful Eye Serum is a suit all ages kind of eye product - it is gentle enough for young skins to boost hydration yet boasts enough repairing qualities than even more maturer skin can benefit from using this. As it is a serum, it sinks in really quickly leaving behind nearly no traces of excess product, which is ideal for us heavy handed beauties who tend to over apply products! It quickly gets to work by banishing any signs of dry and puffy skin whilst prepping the skin for the next dosage of hydration coming from your current eye cream. Despite it being targeted as more of an eye serum than an eye cream, you can definitely get away with just using it as an eye cream if you prefer as it's hydrating enough without feeling too heavy on the skin. I have noticed that since I've started using this with my current eye cream, my dark circles have somewhat become less visible and the area in general just looks more hydrated than before. Whilst this may seem like an unnecessary step, I do believe that prevention is key with fine lines and wrinkles and will carry on using this will all my eye creams.

Pixi Glow Tonic

Out of all the hundreds of billions of beauty products that we have access to, there are only a few that take the beauty world by storm and gets everybody all in a huff when they're no longer in stock. Last year, there was one product in particular that could not stay on the shelves long as everybody and their nan was trying to get their mitts on which is partially down to the Caroline Hirons effect as whatever that woman says to buy, you buy it! And this said product is Pixi Glow Tonic.

Pixi Glow Tonic (£18) is exfoliating toner that is infused with ginseng, fructose and aloe vera to help tighten and brighten the complexion whilst feeling cooling no the skin with the added bonus of 5% Glycolic Acid that will gently remove dead skin cells to reveal brighter, more plumper skin.

I will admit that I have the old packaging of this infamous product which I much prefer as it has a pump so I can semi-control the amount of product that I use. Despite my love for the old packaging, I just can't seem to get on with the actual product itself. I've stuck with it for the longest time now, using it most nights and I'm just not seeing results. This could perhaps be because the ingredients are no longer active or because it has no effect at all on my skin. I will definitely continue using it until I've finished it and will most likely buy a new bottle just to see if this one is a dud.

Origins Ginzing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser

Early on last year, I was quite lucky in the fact that my local Boots had hundreds of Origins products on clearance which I took full advantage of! Out of all the products there, I managed to find a few of the Ginzing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser which at the time had only just been released and I was very curious about so I couldn't resist buying a few of it!

The Origins Ginzing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser (£18.50) is a two in one cleanser that is filled with radiance boosting panel ginseng and caffeine. It also contains jojoba and carnauba wax to gently exfoliate the skin and help unclog pores whilst the added essential oil blend of grapefruit, lemon and spearmint help perk you up ready to face the day ahead.

Unlike most cleansers that I've become accustomed to that don't foam up, the Origins offering foams up within seconds of applying onto the skin whilst behaving just like a gel cleanser. This has made me quite unsure of using it on a daily basis as I've had foaming cleansers are a no go drummed into me. Whilst the tiny exfoliating beads may be a nice added bonus, I personally don't agree with them as they literally do nothing to my skin in terms of exfoliating which is probably down to the fact that they're man made beads rather than something natural. To use, I simply squeeze out a small-ish size before blobbing it all over my face before proceeding to massage it in. To remove, I simply take a muslin cloth and remove like you would any cleanser. Whilst it may not do anything for my skin in terms of exfoliating, it does however cleanse my skin but I always follow up with an additional cleanser as I tend to use this more as a extremely gentle exfoliator than an actual cleanser. Since I've started using this on the occasions when I'm not using a acidic toner, my skin does appear slightly more radiant after use however it always feels slightly tight and dry in areas so I always have to follow up with a very hydrating toner afterwards. Overall, I wouldn't say that this is a miracle product as it's far from that however it's something passable that would do the job. I for one will not be repurchasing this as I have far too many of these in my stash to use up which will probably last me forever.

Clearasil Ultra Blemish + Marks Scrub

There is no denying the fact that when we all started out using skincare, we used really gritty manual scrubs that were probably too harsh for our sensitive skin and which probably did more harm that good. Fast forward a few years and I like to think that we've all come to terms on what works best for our skin, myself included. I've learnt that whilst a manual scrub is good for my skin, using it every single day does more harm so I've restricted myself to using it only twice a week whilst using a chemical exfoliator inbetween. The only manual scrub that I've been reaching for recently has been the Clearasil Ultra Blemish + Marks Scrub which although it may be targeted specifically for blemish prone skin, it's been working wonders for my skin!

The Clearasil Ultra Blemish + Marks Scrub (£5.99) is one of the more typical scrubs with beads in it to help provide a deep skin cleaning experience. This scrub has been designed to work on your skin from the very moment a blemish appears. It contains a unique ingredient complex with Vitamin B3 which helps fight the blemish itself whilst fighting the appearance of marks and to help enhance the skins renewal process.

As mentioned, I only use this twice a week mainly in the evenings to avoid over exfoliating my skin. I like to squeeze out a generous amount before placing it in each quarter of my face before proceeding to scrub it onto my skin, concentrating on any key areas like on my nose and cheeks before washing it off completely with a warm muslin cloth. Since I've started using this, my skin has changed completely. The texture is now a lot more refined without the usual under the skin bumps and active blemishes and it's almost entirely smooth. I've noticed that whilst I have had a few active blemishes, they've pretty much disappeared completely after a few days especially after using this scrub. Whilst there is a lot of controversary surrounding scrubs with beads in it, I personally don't read into it as I like how they make my skin feel. Nothing beats a freshly scrubbed face! If you're after a good scrub that doesn't break the bank then I urge you to try this for yourself, especially if you suffer with blemishes!

No7 Soft & Soothed Gentle Toner

Toners are one of those marmite products in the blogging world with many mixed reviews about whether or not it's a necessary step in anyones skincare routine. I personally believe that using toners are a very necessary step as they can both hydrate and soothe the skin, especially on the days when you're just an acidic toner. Recently, I've been reaching for the No7 Soft & Soothed Gentle Toner.

The No7 Soft & Soothed Gentle Toner (£8) helps to gently hydrate and soothe the skin whilst not upsetting your skin by drying it out. It aims to work in harmony with your skin to leave it clean, toned and supple.

As it comes in No7's typical pour style bottles, I like to pour a generous amount onto a cotton wool pad before sweeping it over my face, concentrating on any key areas such as my cheeks and forehead. Once I've finished sweeping it across my face, I like to fan my face a little just to help it sink in that little bit quicker. I've been using this for the best part of two months and unlike previous toners that I've used in the past, this doesn't leave my skin feeling dry and stripped of it's essential oils. This instead makes my skin feel more hydrated and soft to the touch. The only thing that I do dislike about this toner is how fast I'm going through it as it feels like I've blinked and I've almost finished it! Overall, this is a good budget toner especially those who are just beginning out with skincare. I personally wouldn't repurchase this as I'm wanting to remain loyal to Serozinc but to keep a bottle or two round the other halfs won't hurt..

 

Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Exfoliating Pads

I will admit that I do spend more time at my other halfs than I do at home and I try to stick to the same skincare routine although sometimes it's hard, especially when you don't fancy carting round your skincare and risk leaving it there. As I don't want to spend a fortune on buying the same products but having them at the others halfs, I've instead decided to buy cheaper alternatives and one such product is the Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Exfoliating Pads.

The Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Exfoliating Pads (£4.99) are essentials 60 pads that are soaked in an exfoliating concocotion of antibacterial tea tree oil and skin calming witch hazel that helps to keep the skin clear by fighting spot-causing bacteria, unblocking pores and smoothing the skins surface.

As I don't use these consistenly, I can't really say that these have vastly improved my skin. However when I have used them, I have noticed that my skin does look slightly more smoother than before and any existing blemishes are reduced in size and redness. I would assume that if you used these consistently then you would see greater results especially if have blemish prone skin. These definitely do the trick whilst I'm inbetween my better skincare products and I'll carry on using them for the time being.

Taaj Himalaya Micellar Water

When it comes to skincare, if I like something then I buy it in bulk and this is definitely the case when it comes to the Taaj Himalaya Micellar Water as I so wish that I bought more of this when I saw it at the barganious price of £7.99 in T K Maxx last year. I will admit that I had never heard of Taaj before until Zoella mentioned it back in 2012 which I'm sure will be the case for majority of us!

The Taaj Himalaya Micellar Water (£16) is a micellar water unlike others that cleans and removes makeup and impurities all in one step, using natural water from the himalayas along with chamomile, rosemary and green tea. It quite literally cleanses, tones and soothes the skin without stripping it of it's essentials oils whilst being suitable for all skin types.

I like to use this for the bulk of my makeup whilst using a seperate makeup remover to remove my eye makeup. I take a cotton pad or two, pour out a generous amount onto the pad before sweeping it across my face which takes off majority of my makeup within one sweep, literally. Unlike other micellar waters that I've used in the past, this doesn't irritate my skin nor cause me to rub at my skin vigorously. What I like the most about this makeup remover is not how well it removes my makeup but actually the scent as it's a revitalising zesty citrus scent which is neither overpowering or weak - it's just the right amount. This truly is one of those dealbreaker products that can truly revolutonize your skincare routine like it has mine as I don't have to deal with lots of dirty cotton wool pads and irritated skin! I truly do wish that I did buy more bottles of this at the time but for now, I'll make do with the half bottle or so that I have left and truly treasure it.

Soap & Glory The Ultimelt Deep Purifying Hot Cloth Cleanser

Out of all the different types of cleansers that I've tried, I always remain loyal to the hot cloth/cream based variety. This is not because I'm too lazy when it comes to balms or I don't like the mess when it comes to oils, it's simply because the cream based types are one of the first cleansers that I've tried and is one that works well for my dry skin. Recently, I've found myself trying out different cleansers and the one that I've been putting to the test for the past few weeks is the Soap & Glory The Ultimelt Deep Purifying Hot Cloth Cleanser.

The Soap & Glory The Ultimelt Deep Purifying Hot Cloth Cleanser (£10) is unlike any other cleanser that I've used before as the packaging is not far from being a very large toothpaste which not only makes it more easy to use but it means that you won't be wasting any product! The cleanser intself is a blend of sweet almond oil, orange oil and lavender oil with provitamin B5 which makes the scent of it very similar to the Balance Me Radiance Face Mask.

I like to squeeze out a decent sized amount and blob it onto my face before massaging it all in, concentrating on any key areas which may still have makeup on. After massaging it in and depending on how keen I am to jump into bed, I leave it on for roughly two minutes before taking a warm muslin cloth and removing it. Since using this, I've noticed that I've been having some really good skin days which I believe is down to finally using products that are better suited to my skin which definitely includes this cleanser! As I use this as both my morning cleanser and my second cleanser in the evenings, my skin hasn't been feeling stripped nor dry and instead, it feels really soft and hydrated to the touch. This is by far one of the better hot cloth cleansers that I've used and is one that I will be repurchasing for sure!

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Buttercream

When it comes to bath and body products, I much prefer using products from the same scent/brand to get a better feel of said scent especially when that particular scent is one that I've had mixed thoughts about for quite a while. Sugar Crush by Soap & Glory is simply one of those scents that when first launched, I instantly took a dislike to however fast forward a few months and I can see why everybody loves it so much!

The Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Buttercream (£10.50) is a mouthwatering, irrestible blend of shea and cocoa butter mixed with kiwi juice water, lime and almond oils which makes this one of Soap & Glory's thickest body butters yet! It's not quite on par with The Body Shop when it comes to consistency but it certainly comes close!

I like to be quite generous when it comes to moisturising my body so I tend to scoop out a decent sized amount before massaging it into my body, concentrating it mainly on the driest parts. No matter how little or how much I apply, this will not sink in instantly so I tend to do the hurry-up-and-dry-body-dance if I'm in a rush or if it's just before bed, I prefer to stick my PJs on almost straight after applying. Unlike some body butters where the scent fades away after only a few minutes, this particular one lingers on the skin for literally hours and I can even still smell it the morning after applying it the night before! What I like the most about this body butter is just how moisturising it truly is - it leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and smooth whilst leaving it feeling really hydrated. Once I use up the bulk of my body butters, I will definitely be repurchasing this in a heart beat!

The Body Shop Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

As much as I love applying makeup, I love removing my makeup especially after a long day at work! For the best part of just over a year, I've gone from using just one makeup remover to two - one specifically for my eye makeup and the other for the bulk of my makeup. Recently, I've found myself reaching for The Body Shop Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover which definitely is more on the gentler side..

The Body Shop Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover (£8) aims to gently melt eye makeup away within seconds whilst conditioning the skin around the eye area. It helps leave lashes and lids feeling soft and clean and is suitable for even the most sensitive of skin.

Unlike eye makeup removers that I've used in the past, there is no need to shake the bottle as it's just a clear liquid that is ready for whenever you are. I like to pour a generous amount onto a cotton wool pad before holding it onto my eye for a few seconds and then sweeping away. As the name suggests, it truly is gentle in the sense that it takes a lot more than just a few seconds to remove the bulk of my eye makeup and even then, it makes my eyes water. I find that whilst it does remove eye makeup rather well, it doesn't remove mascara that easily especially stubborn waterproof makeup. I find that no matter how much I apply or how long I hold it onto my eye, I still end up rubbing at my eyes which irritates them. I wouldn't recommend this at all if you wear a lot of eye makeup as you will be there for a short while until it's all removed.

 

No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum

Eight years ago, Boots caused hysteria across the globe after unveiling their now infamous No7 Protect & Perfect Serum which was proven to actually reduce wrinkles which caused massive queues and woman stockpiling the serum in their hundreds. Since then, it's been reformulated a little to make it even more effective especially for those in their early twenties like myself or in their late eighties. Say hello to the No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum!

The No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum (£23.95) is just like the original except more advanced with it containing Matrixyl 3000 Plus which is a combination of Matrixyl plus peptides that work together to help restore more youthful, radiant looking skin. With a patented antioxidant complex, it promises to help protect skin from future signs of ageing whilst keeping the skin looking younger for longer. It also contains salicylic acid to help promote blemish free, radiant skin.

Unlike most serums where you can see results almost instantly, the No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum is one serum that you need to have patience with and use it continuously in order to see results. The No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum is a light weight, gel consistency that can be used both morning and night that sinks into the skin almost immediately after applying. I've been using this continuously since early March time so I've definitely given it more than it's fair share of trialling it out especially considering that I've repurchased it despite not finishing the tube just yet! Whilst it does make my skin feel incredibly soft and smooth after applying, it doesn't seem to have any effect on my imaginary fine lines under my eyes almost immediately. It's only until I've continued using it continuously that I see a little improvement in them and that they appear slightly reduced in size. That's not the only improvement in my skin, my skin looks more radiant and toned and any blemishes that pop up, disappear completely within just a few days. I will admit and say that I am still on the fence about the product itself however No7 do state that the results keep getting better with continued use so I'll continue using it for a little while longer or until I've definitely fallen in love with it. Whilst this is a product that you need patience with, it's definitely a product worth investing in especially if want to help prevent any visible signs of ageing!

Clearasil Superfruits Refreshing Pads

As I'm slowly making my way through my skincare stash, I'm discovering products that I bought ages ago which are now making their rounds and being hailed as one of the skincare products to try. One product in particular that is currently making its rounds is the Clearasil Daily Clear Superfruits Refreshing Pads which I've finally started using after I finished up my previous morning exfoliator.

The Clearasil Superfruits Refreshing Pads (£4) contains 65 pads which are soaked in a refreshing yet highly effective concoction of glycerin, salicylic acid, raspberry extracts and cranberry extracts which help to exfoliate the skin and keep it looking clear without irritating the skin.

I prefer to reach for these in the morning as the strong smell of cranberry definitely wakes me up. I tend to take one and sweep one side all over my face before flipping over and repeating. This helps to not only wake me up but it helps to gently exfoliate the skin without irritating the skin. Since I've started using these, the amount of small lumps under my chin have reduced dramatically and I haven't experienced quite as many blemishes and have instead been embracing good skin days. Despite the fact that they do contain alcohol, my skin hasn't been feeling tight after using them which I'm pleased about. Overall, these are a brilliant budget buy and a good product to try if you're just starting out with acidic toners.

Sanctuary Body Butter

One thing that I love more than having a bath is actually pampering myself after a bath which often consists of a mixture of various oils and lotions to keep my skin and hair hydrated. As I like to use similar bath products, I've found myself reaching for the Sanctuary Body Butter which has been helping keeping my mitts hydrated for the past few weeks..

The Sanctuary Body Butter (£10) is a luxuriously rich body butter and intensive skin booster which is crammed with nourishing cocoa butter and creamy shea butter to help keep skin hydrated and nourished for longer.

I like to scoop out a generous sized amount for each body part before massaging it in, ensuring that I concentrate mainly on the drier areas of that particular body area. I find that no matter how little or how much I massage it in, it never truly seems to sink in instantly so I end up having to do the hurry-up-and-dry-body dance which I'm sure we've all done plenty of times. Once it's finally absorbed, my skin feels soft and hydrated to the touch with Sanctuarys' signature scent lingering on my skin for hours after applying. What I like the most about this body butter is not how soft it makes my skin feels or the scent but how a little goes a long way so I can easily see one tub lasting a good while or so.

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Velvety-Soft Toner

I've been trying to vary my skincare routine and use different products from both drugstore and highend in order to find my holy grail routine. Whilst this does consist of a lot of trial and error, I am actually enjoying finding out which products work for me and which ones don't. One of the products that I've been trialling for what feels like the longest time ever is the L'Oreal Skin Perfection Velvety-Soft Toner

The L'Oreal Skin Perfect Velvety-Soft Toner (£3.99) is a toner that is infused with softening actives that help tone the skin and remove impurities whilst soothing the skin making it suitable for even the most sensitive of skin without dryness or any discomfort.

Now I wouldn't say that I have sensitive skin as it's actually quite far from it however this toner and my skin do not go! Immediately after the first use, my skin felt dry and tight in places which resulted in piling on many hydrating serums and oils in order to get my skin back to where it was. This was a vicious, continuous circle which carried on for about a few weeks until I could not take it anymore. The reason being is that this was breaking me out horribly which I've only now just overcome completely. This was the only new product in my routine and I changed nothing else so I blame this entirely for my break outs. Bearing in mind, I started using this at the beginning of last year, I cannot bring myself to finish using it in fear that it will break me out again so I'm chucking it out after having it on my skincare shelf for what feels like forever. Now despite this not working at all for me, this could work wonders for you so it's definitely worth using it with an open mind.