Have you ever had your hair cut into such a style/length that you regretted it almost instantly? I have and I'm still paying the price for it. I used to have such long hair that was an absolute pain to dry/style as it was just so long and thick so when I was 13, I asked for it to be cut short to about shoulder length which has never truly grown past that length since. Fast forward seven years and with continuous hair cuts, heat defense and highlights, my hair is now almost at boob length which I'm so delighted with and it's all with thanks to Alpecin.
Alpecin (£5.49) is targeted as a caffeine shampoo that helps stimulate hair roots whilst washing which in turn reduces hair loss and promotes hair growth. Ideally, you apply it just like any ordinary shampoo but you leave it on the scalp for two minutes or more before washing out. The idea is that the caffeine is absorbed into the scalp which helps stimulate hair growth directly and the longer you leave it on for, the more caffeine will be absorbed.
I use Alpecin after finishing up a shampoo and conditioner duo which normally tends to be a week or two before my next hair appointment which I use every other day with a intensive hair conditioner being applied afterwards. I prefer to leave it on for up to five minutes whilst giving myself a head massage which I believe helps my hair absorb more of the caffeine. I've noticed that since using this, my hair grows rather quickly now with visible root growth a few weeks after my last hair appointment which just goes to show how incredible Alpecin works. One thing to remember is that everybody is different with different hair growth rates so this may or may not work for you.
Unlike most months where I use up lots of samples, this month I've found myself only reaching for Lancome's Visionnaire which has resulted in using up six samples of it. What I love about Visionnaire is that it changes your skin texture within as little as two days as well as improving your skins hydration for an all round smooth, plump complexion. As much as I love using it, I cannot commit to purchasing it in full size due to how expensive it is so I'm hoping that my large sample stash of it will tide me over until I'm next in duty free where it'll be slightly discounted.
I'm a drugstore girl through and through as I much prefer getting more for money which is unheard of with high end items. With that being said, I haven't tried much from Revlon as I find their products to be a little overpriced although that hasn't stopped me lusting after a few things. For the longest time, I've been wanting to add some radiance to my base makeup and although my L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer does the trick nicely, it doesn't give that particular glow I craved so I decided to bite the bullet and purchase two of the Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminators whilst out in the States.
The Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminators (£11.99) are a liquid highlight consistency that are packaged in a coloured squeezy tube based on the shade. They come in four different shades; Bare Light, Pink Light, Peach Light and Bronze and all claim to barnish dullness and even out skin with light-capturing crystals and photochromatic pigments.
I personally have the two lighter shades - Bare Light and Pink Light but out of the two, Pink Light is my most used. I tend to mix these in with my foundation, pouring an equal amount of foundation to an equal amount of the face illuminator onto a damp Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge before applying it onto my face. I find that using a sponge makes it more natural looking as it helps blend it in more to give off a natural glow/lit from within. Although that might seem a little excessive, you could use it by itself as a highlighter or to help perk up the skin on days when you're not wearing makeup.Overall, these are a brilliant product to have in your stash and a little certainly goes a long way as with daily use, one tube can last a good six months.
If you're a long term reader then you will know that I used to exfoliate every single day which does more harm for you skin than good. Nowadays, I stick to mainly chemical exfoliators which some of my favourites include Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner and Botanics All Bright Cleansing Toner. However, I miss using a manual exfoliator for those days where my skin looks a bit tired and dull so I've been using the Sanctuary Radiance Exfoliator for the best part of eight months which has been doing just the trick.
The Sanctuary Radiance Exfoliator (£10.50) is unlike any other manual exfoliator I've used which is partially down to it containing ultra fine apricot granules and grape seed which helps get into every nook and cranny. Whilst the apricot granules and grape seed help exfoliate, a trio of pumpkin, pineapple and papaya extracts hep to increase cell renewal and leave the skin soft to the touch with a glow of radiance. Just like with other manual exfoliators, this comes housed in a transparant squeezy tube which is very appealing to the eye as you can clearly see how much you have left.
As I mentioned above, I've been using this on a weekly basis for the best part of eight months and I'm slowly dreading the day that I've used up the very last dregs as this is truly a wonderful manual exfoliator. To use, I simply use a clean muslin cloth and put it under running warm water and then proceed to wash my face with it - ensuring that my pores are open as well as my face being damp before squeezing out a generous 50p sized blob. I then dot it over my face before massing it in circular motions for a few minutes before using the same muslin cloth to remove it. I find that doing this twice a week really helps to awaken my skin and reveal its natural radiance. I personally find that the size of the exfoliating granules are the perfect size to really help exfoliate the skin whilst not aggreviating it and cause damage. As I like to think that this is a more natural offering compared to the likes of my previous love, Neutrogena Visibly Clear Gentle Exfoliating Wash, I believe that this helps more with blemishes and active breakouts as it helps to reduce the size and redness and within a few days, the blemish is gone entirely. Overall, I thoroughly enjoy using this facial exfoliator and I will definitely be repurchasing as soon as I've gone through a few more in my stash.
