The Foundation That Made Me Break Up With Dior

Late last year I went on the search of a new foundation. I wanted something that could cover my redness, look natural and still let my skin breath. I thought I'd found the perfect foundation in the shape of the Dior Star Foundation. It covered my redness, let my skin breath and looked flawless yet natural. Sure it was pricey but I was so happy with the results I didn't mind the price tag. Fast forward to the beginning of last month and my relationship with Dior went right out the window.

And that's because Loreal launched their new Infallible Total Cover. This is a high coverage, matte finish foundation that claims to be able to cover redness, unever skintone and even tattoos. It's lightweight in feel and texture and doesn't clog pores. The only downfall to this foundation is that is only comes in seven shades and the jump from pale to medium then medium to dark is quite big. It does mean that some skintones may not be able to find the perfect shade for them which is quite disappointing.

I chose the shade 9 Light Sand, it looks darker than the shade Poreclain but that's only because it has more of a yellow undertone where as Porcelain has a pink undertone. Shade 9 suits my skintone perfectly and doesn't need a ridiculous amount of blending down my neck to look seamless. I'd prefer this if it came in a pump bottle as occasionally I do find myself using too much product. A dense flat topped brush is perfect for blending this out and creates an even, flawless base. I can sometimes have really bad redness but this covers it up and doesn't look cakey or unnatural on the skin. Once it's blended out skin looks flawless and shine free but if your prone to oily skin then I'd recommend powdering to set it in place.

I have never been so surprised by a foundation. This doesn't cling to any dry patches, doesn't fade throughout the day and doesn't look cakey if layered. I wore this for about two solid weeks and then decided to go back to my Dior for a day. Compared to the Loreal, the Dior was streaky and didn't give as good a coverage. Overall I wasn't happy with how my make up looked and went straight back to my Loreal the next day. And day after day my make up always look fresh and flawless everytime I use this foundation. And the best bit about this foundation, it comes in at under a tenner. A big difference from the likes of Dior or Bobbi Brown.

Monthly Favourites: February

I know I say this every month but where has time gone. It only seems like February began last week. But even though this month has felt short it's still given me plenty of time to find plenty of favourites.

Rosie For Autograph Lip Definer in Silk 
My first favourite this month has to be one of the new Rosie For Autograph Lip Definers. If you didn't know she released six lip definers shades to coinside with her lipstick collection. I have the shde Silk which is a deep mauve brown toned shade which works perfectly with a ton of nude lipsticks. I have never known a lip liner be so creamy. It just glides onto the lips and doesn't tug or pull at all. And the pigmentation is ridiculous, the tiniest of swipes and you have an opaque line that is crisp and precise. I'm definitely going to have pick up more shades in this range.

 Rosie For Autograph Lipstick in Silk Cami
Another Rosie For Autograph product I've been loving is one of her original lipsticks in Silk Cami. It's a beautiful peachy nude shade that not only looks stunning on my fair skintone but will also look stunning on darker skintones as well. It's a sheen finish lipstick but dries down to an almost satin/demi matte finish. I have quite a few lipsticks from Rosie For Autograph and all of them including this one are comfortable and long wearing. I always find myself reaching for these lipsticks over any of my others.

 Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Rollerball
This I've only had since Wednesday but I'm already loving it. My best friend Jasmin went to New York this month and ever so kindly brought me back the Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Rollerball. And I'm in love already. With notes of Musk and Peony this is floral and fresh but isn't too overpowering or sickly. A little bit goes a long way and once it's warmed on your skin you'll really notice it. Due to it's hard to buy nature this will be going alongside my Gucci Bamboo as a special occasion fragrance.

Primark Handbag
For the longest time I've been looking for a new handbag. I saw one in New Look but wasn't too sure if it was really me which essentially was too long to decide and I couldn't get it anywhere when I wanted it. So this year I've been trying to find something similar to that one and I've finally found it. This Primark Handbag is absolutely stunning and so so spacious. It doesn't have a zip fastening but it's locking mechanism is secure enough for it to not be a worry. Inside is just one big pocket that fits so much in it it's unbelievable. I took this out on a recent day trip to London and was impressed by how much I could actually fit in here. It's a little nicer looking than some of my other handbags but it goes well with so many outfits and has the ability to pull some looks together just so.

Loreal Total Cover Foundation
If you were reading the blog late last year you may remember I fell in love with the Dior Star Foundation. Well that was all well and good until Loreal released their new Total Cover Foundation. This claims to be able to cover up redness, uneven skintone and even tattoos, claims I was a bit sceptical of. But boy was I surprised. This is a very full coverage, matte finish foundation that covers redness, uneven skintone and tattoos. However instead of being cakey or heavy looking on the skin, it's extremely lightweight and natural looking; as well as a full coverage foundation can. I haven't even gone back to my Dior Star since this took up residence in my collection and I dare say I don't think I will.

Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara 
A mascara I was surprisingly obsessed with this month comes from Maybelline. It's their new The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara and whilst it's ultra thin, one sided wand makes it look like it wouldn't work on lashes, it actually does. It's multi bristle wand catches every lash and pushes them up and out to create a fanned out volumised look. It's a very wet mascara so you can easily layer it without it clumping but sneeze whilst applying and you're in trouble.

Loreal Pure Clay Glow Scrub
Last month Loreal released their Pure Clay Face Wash range. And within that range the released the Pure Clay Glow Scrub. It has exactly the same formula as the face mask but in scrub form. And boy does this scrub work. It's thin consistency makes you believe that it won't be effective but when you start to massage it into the skin it really gets to work and it's gritty texture works well to remove any texture or dead skin that's there. I used to be a big fan of Olay's face scrub but apart from one slightly stronger scrub I've been reaching for this more times than not.

Garnier Moisture Bomb Gel Cream 
I've been a fan of the Garnier Moisture Bomb range for a while so when I saw they'd released another cream into the range I just had to grab it. This is a water based gel cream that claims to add a healthy glow to the skin as well as locking in moisture all day long. And it really does. I normally don't use these types of products under my make up but I've been really enjoying this to add some extra hydration to my skin before I apply my base.

Garnier Micellar Gel Wash
Another new skin release I've been loving is this Garnier Micellar Gel Wash. It contains the same dirt grabbing technology that the Micellar Water contains but in wash form. I was quite nervous about trying this as I never got on with the original micellar water but so far I've had no problems with this. It foams up on the skin when you add water but never leaves skin feeing tight or dry after you've washed it away. I've been loving this for a second cleanse after make up or as an intial cleanse on bare skin.

Soap and Glory Scrub Your Nose In It AHA Scrub
The other scrub I've been loving this month come from Soap and Glory. This is their Scrub Your Nose In It Scrub which contains a mixture of AHA's that work together to exfoliate and refine pores. This looks and smells like toothpaste and is very strong on the skin. If you have very reactive or sensitive skin then I recommend staying away from this as it's very potent. It tingles as you massage it into skin and continues to do so as you leave it on for 1-2 minutes. Once it's washed away skin feels slky soft and revitalised.

Barry M Lip Kit in Runway 
And the last favourite of the month comes from Barry M. This is one of their limited edition lip kits which is very similar to the Kylie Lip kits but a good half the price. I have the shade Runway which is a stunning deep pink shade, perfect for a whole array of skintones. The kit comes with a lip liner and matching liquid lipstick. The lip liner is ridiculously creamy and easy to apply, definitely one that could be worn on it's own and the liquid lipstick is thin and lightweight in consistency. Together they create the most beautiful combination. Plus both are long lasting, comfortable to wear and easier to reapply. I'm definitely going to pick up another shade or two of these.

Review: Boots Sheet Mask

 

When it comes to skincare and pampering my self there is nothing more than a good face mask. Sure the standard face masks are brilliant and I love the results but lately I've really been enjoying sheet masks. And Boots have recently released a collection of sheet masks that brilliant.

The Boots Ingredients Sheet Masks are a range of masks individually designed to aid different skin types. There are five masks in total ranging from hydration to clarifying.

 You have the Safflower and Peony Mask to help aid skin's youthful appearence.

 Then there is the Lotus Flower and Tiger Lily Mask to help with skin's radiance.

There is the Charcoal and Willow Bark Mask which cleanses and purify's the skin.

 There is the Super Hyaluronic which helps boost skin's hydration levels.

And finally you have the Rooibos Mask that helps to energise and revitalise skin.

These are a thin cotton sheet masks that are drenched in serum. Each one is designed to aid a particular skin issue or skin type. They fit well against the skin unlike some sheet masks out there and there's no worries of getting any product in your eye as the pre cut slots are cut large enough to fit comfortably on the skin. And once it's smoothed into place they do no budge. You can bend down, carry on with housework or even just lay back and relax and they won't shift in the slightest.

Most of these masks you leave on for 15-20 minutes. There will be excess serum on your skin when you take the mask off but you can just rub that it in or leave it to soak into skin naturally. And that's when you'll start to see the results. If you use the Super Hyaluronic mask which contains Hyaluronic Acid your skin will feel instantly hydrated and plump once you remove it. Whilst specific skin types can use certain masks in this range, there is nothing in any of these that would stop you from using all of the masks.

Overall these are really good masks. My personal favourites are the Super Hyaluronic and the Safflower and Peony. Whilst they are saturated in product there was no dripping or unnecessary spillages. They fit comfortably against the skin and didn't bunch up or peel away. And the best bit is that they only cost £2.50 and can always be found on a save off or 2 for £3 offer in all Boots stores.

Top 5: Liquid Lipsticks

Liquid lipsticks have been big for a while now and don't look like their going anywhere soon. A lot of brands are attempting to create their own versions. Some brands fail spectacularly whilst others shine bright. So today I thought I'd share five of my favourite liquid lipsticks so you all have an idea of where to spend and where to save.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Outlaw
Kat Von D has to have one of the best liquid lipstick formulas I've tried. It's lightweight, long lasting and comfortable to wear. It's doe foot applicator has enough flexibility to it that it makes application easy but it's not that bendy that it goes everywhere. One thin coat of these liquid lipsticks is enough for a completely opaque finish that once dried down doesn't budge. I only own Outlaw at the moment but am definitely going to be picking up a few more shades in the future.

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso 
Another red liquid lipstick that I absolutely adore comes from Stila. This has a slightly more dry formula but it's still stunning and long lasting. It can be uncomfortable to wear but it all depends on your lips when you apply this. I always make sure to exfoliate and prep my lips thoroughly before I apply this. It's a bright tomato red shade that I reach for all year round. I've actually worn this that many times I'm already on my second tube.

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Serenata 
Another Stila liquid lipstick I adore is Serenata. Unfortunately this is a limited edition shade so whilst I absolutely adore this shade I have to wear it sparingly. If you're looking for a twist on the normal nude shade this is perfect. It has a greige undertone to it that just adds something a little extra to it. Again it's a slightly drier consistency and can be very unforgiving on the lips but if you prep your lips well enough then this will sit perfectly in place all day.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Rome
Now I don't know if this counts as a liquid lipstick but I consider it to be one as it does dry down and doesn't budge once in place. The NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams can be slightly hit and miss all depending on the colour you chose but if you get a good one then you're onto a winner. The shade Rome is a stunning neutral shade that even as a nude shade makes any look pop. It's long wearing, opaque in one coat and comfortable to wear. I love popping this on with a bit of BB Cream and mascara to just pull it all together.

NYX Lingerie Liquid Lipstick in Exotic 
And finally the NYX Lingerie Liquid Lipsticks are some of the better liquid lipsticks the high street has to offer. If you're into your ultra nudes then this range is perfect for you. I have the shade Exotic and sometimes find this can be a struggle to wear color wise but when I manage to pull it off I absolutely love it. It's more a dry consistency than the Soft Matte Lip Creams but with enough prep it looks gorgeous on the lips. It's doe foot applicator reminds me a lot of the Kat Von D applicator, flexible but not to the point where it'll end up everywhere.

Review: Garnier Ultimate Blends The Sleek Perfector Hair Oil

I'm terrible at looking after my hair. I don't know why I'm just not as interested in hair products as I am skincare or make up. I think it may be because I consider doing my hair a bore. Washing it takes forever and a day and because it's so thick it's hard to style and work with. However there has been a product that I've been thoroughly enjoying and it's perfect for girls like me who are lazy with their hair.

The Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Oil is the fourth product in the The Sleek Restorer range. It's multi use hair oil that is lightweight in formula which makes it perfect to use on both wet and dry hair. It contains Coconut Oil and Cocoa Butter to help ease frizz and flyaways whilst simultaneously nourishing dry or damaged hair. And it also contains a heat protectant so if you forget to use a separate heat defense spray you'll still be protected.

Depending on how long/short or thin/thick your hair is depends on how many pumps you need to use of this. I have long extremely thick hair so two pumps works wonders on my hair. On dry hair it smooths away any flyaways and helps me create sleeker hair styles. Whilst on wet hair it nourishes my lengths and ends and helps them dry softer and smoother than with any other product. Plus it smells absolutely divine and even when my hair has completely dried I can still smell it.

Overall I absolutely adore this product and can't understand why it took me so long to find it. It's not a product that can be used everyday as it will make hair greasy but every other day or with every wash is fine. If you struggle to keep your hair looking smooth, sleek and soft then definitely give this a go. It's lightweight enough to not weigh down thin hair but not lightweight enough to be useless on thick hair. If you're already a fan of the Sleek Restorer Range from Garnier then I highly recommend checking this out.

Haul: New Releases and More

First off I would like to apologise for the lack of posts this week. A mixture of not feeling a hundred percent and some family issues meant that I lacked the drive to post. However I'm feeling better now and normal posting will resume on Monday. But as I was putting away some purchases I made today I realised that my New In Box was brimming with bits I'd picked up over the last few weeks. So I thought I'd bung them all into one giant haul for you today, not only so you can see what new releases there are but also to make up for the lack of posts last week.

Let's start with skincare. Loreal has released a new range called Fine Flowers. It contains Rose and Jasmine extracts and is designed for dry to sensitive skin. There are two cleansers, a toner and face wipes in the range. I picked up one of the cleansers. This isn't like most cleansers, instead of washing it off over a sink with a flannel you use a cotton pad to rub it into and remove from the skin. I'm not usually a big fan of these types of cleansers but this one sounded a lot different to others on the market so I picked one up to try.

Recently I've been trying out different cleansing balms to see which work best. High Street Beauty Brands don't offer as many choices as higher end brands so I was pleased to see Sanctuary offering their own version of a balm. This supposed to warm as you rub it into the skin and help purify the skin whilst removing make up and daily dirt and grime. This is a very hard balm that takes some working into the skin but it does remove all signs of make up in one use.

I'm a big fan of facial mists so when I saw that Garnier was releasing one I knew I had to pick one up. It's a part of their Moisture Bomb range and contains Hyaluronic Acid and Pomegranate Extract to hydrate the skin whilst simultaneously protecting the skin. So far I'm on the fence about this product but definitely need to use it more to get a real feel for it.

A repurchase that I had to make comes in the form of my holy grail eye cream. I received a sample of the Skyn Iceland Icelandic Eye Cream. This is one of the best eye creams I've ever tried. It's significantly reduced the look of my dark circles, any puffiness and any signs of ageing that there was. No other eye cream has wowed me as much as this one has and even though it's price tag makes me cry ever so slightly it's so well worth it. Plus I received a sample pack of their Cooling Gels with any purchase which itself was worth £10.

Some face mask repurchases I've made are the Boots Ingredients Sheet Masks. These are very lightweight sheet masks that stay in place and work wonders for the skin. I picked up another of the Super Hyaluronic mask and the Rooibos mask. And then I picked up another of the Garnier Repairing Honey Mask. I tried this for the first time this week and absolutely loved it. It left my skin feeling super soft and nourished, plus I didn't have to fanny about with washing it off.

Another repurchase comes in the form of the Maybelline SuperStay Primer. I brought this when it first came out and instantly fell in love with it. It's very liquidy in consistency, easy to apply, leaves skin feeling velvety soft and tacky to grab onto any base product you put on over top. I've used this everyday since I brought it and am not surprised that I've run out of it.

A lot of brands are bringing out their own versions of Colour Corrector products but none of them have caught my eye like the Barry M Colour Correcting Wands. There are three in the collection but I only picked up the two that my skin need. The yellow shade helps eradicate dark circles, something I occasionally need help with and the green helps reduce the appearance of redness, something I need most days. They're very thin in consistency and blend out nicely so I'm assuming they will sit nicely under base products. And because I spent over £8 on Barry M I received the Chisel Cheeks Contour Kit for free. I've never contoured before but now I have this kit I may give it a go.

 A foundation that I instantly fell in love with is this Loreal Infallible Total Cover Foundation. It's lightweight in feel, high in coverage and matte in finish. It claims to be able to cover tattoos and extreme cases of redness. And most of it's claims are true. I'm seriously in love with this foundation. It covers my redness, doesn't look cakey on the skin, doesn't feel pore clogging and lasts all day long. And the best bit it's the third of the price of my once favourite Dior Star Foundation.

I picked up another of my Collection Pressed Powders. I go through this quicker than any other product but I don't mind as it only cost £2. But don't think it's bad quality because of it's price tag. It's lightweight, natural on the skin and doesn't oxidise on the skin like some pressed powders do.
I also brought a MUA Transparent Pressed Setting Powder to try. I'm not sure if I'm going to enjoy it because it's even whiter than my Collection Powder. However I will get back to you once I've given it a fair trial.

All that is left is lip products and as usual with me there is a lot of them. To start I brought these two liquid lipsticks from Barry M. They've recently released three limited edition Lip Kits, each very similar to the Kylie Lip Kits, containing a lip liner and coinciding liquid lipstick. And then they've released five liquid lipsticks which are permanent. I of course picked up the red shade and from swatching them on the back of my hand, I'm impressed. Very liquidy and lightweight, these dry down but don't feel dry or uncomfortable on the lips.

I took a trip to London this week and popped into a little beauty shop that caught my attention. I'm very glad I went in as they stocked Milani as well as other American brands. They had the Amore Matte Lip Creams and of course I had to buy one. I brought the shade Precious which is a stunning pink nude shade. I could have gone for the red but it swatched slightly patchy on the back of my hand. I'm looking forward to wearing this as I'm really having a nude lip moment.

Even though I haven't been wearing a lot of red lipsticks I've still picked some up. This gorgeous off red shade from Loreal is not only perfect for now but also perfect for the upcoming warmer months. It's a part of the new matte lipstick collection from Loreal and swatches beautifully. I'm not to keen on the Loreal lipstick scent but it's something I can easily overlook that when it looks so good on the lips.

And finally I've picked up quite a few new bits from the new Rosie For Autograph releases. She's released three new lipstick shades (pictured) and five lip liner shades. I only picked up on lip liner as it was the only one that swatched nicely out of them all. It's in the shade Silk which works well with quite a few of her existing lipstick shades. I've thoroughly enjoyed wearing this under her shade Silk Rose for a stunning nude lip.
The three new lipstick shades are stunning. From left to right you have Sour Grapes, Rosie Lips and Vintage Rouge. Rosie Lips is the shade I'm most excited to wear as it has an interesting mauve tone to it and I think it'll look stunning on a multitude of skintones.

Review: Garnier Micellar Gel Wash

 

For the longest time people have been raving about the Garnier Micellar Water but it was a product I just couldn't get along with. So to say I was a bit dubious about trying the Gel Wash was an understatement. However I've been pleasantly surprised by Garnier's new release.

It comes in two formulas. One for Normal/Sensitive skin and the other for Combination/Oily skin. This is a thin consistency gel wash that contains Micellar particles that grab onto make up and dirt as you rub this into your face. It washes away with a flannel or muslin cloth to reveal smooth, soft skin that doesn't feel tight or irritated. Whilst it does foam up on the skin, it's not the kind of foam that would cause skin to breakout or feel aggravated so if you have sensitive skin and are worried about it harming skin then you should be fine but of course everyone's skin is different so what may work for me might not work for everyone else.

As I said I was dubious about trying this. I'd not had good results with the Micellar Water and expected to get the same results from this. However I've been using this for a while now and haven't had any breakouts on my face. This doesn't leave my skin feeling tight or dry after each use and it removes all of my make up in one go. You can even go in and use this again as a second cleanse and it won't cause any issues with your skin. I'd advise against using this on your eyes as I'm not sure if it would irritate them but it does state on the bottle it can be used to remove eye make up.

Overall I really like this product. I like the fact it comes in a pump as it means you're less likely to waste product and it's easier to dispense with each use. Whilst it's a nice cleanser that removes make up and works well on bare skin it's not a product I think I'd rush to use every night or repurchase when it runs out. I have other cleansers and face washes that I much prefer even it means spending a bit more on them.

Review: Loreal Pure Clay Face Washes

Last year Loreal released a new line of face masks in a new range they called Pure Clay. The masks are brilliant and have recieved nothing but rave reviews from everyone who's used them. So they've released a range of Pure Clay face washes to coincide with their masks. And of course when I saw them in Boots I just had to pick up all three.

There is the Detox Wash which contains Charcoal and helps to deep clean and clarify skin.

Then there is the Glow Scrub. This contains Red Algae Extract to help exfoliate and brighten the skin.

And finally there is Purity Wash. This contains Eucalyptus and is perfect for combination/oily skin types.

All three of these masks are advised to be used before their masks counterparts as they're supposed to make the masks use more effectively. These washes are aimed at all skin types, even sensitive skin types. They contain no soap so they don't foam on the skin which means once you've washed this away skin isn't left feeling tight or dry in the slightest. The Glow Scrub is the one that you feel working the most as it leaves skin feeling ultra smooth and soft to the touch after just one use. The Detox Wash isn't as potent as it's mask counterpart but it does help draw impurities closer to the surface and purifies the skin all in one. The Purity Wash would be a good one to use before applying make up if you have combo/oily skin as it'll mattify the skin and keep oil and shine at bay.

Overall all three of washes can be used by a multitude of skin types but if you know that a particular mask from the original range works for you skin then you may just want to pick up the face wash to match. They're perfect for people with sensitive skin as they aren't as potent as the masks and soap free so they're less likely to cause any irritation or breakouts. My personal favourite is the Glow Wash as it actually feels like it's doing something on the skin when you use it but the Detox Wash is also a good wash for those who like to deep cleanse their skin reguarly.

Revlon Does Matte Lips

For the last year I've been doing a series of posts on high street brands and their matte lip products. I've already tried Loreal, Rimmel and Maybelline and today is the turn of Revlon. Revlon sometimes gets forgotten when it comes to lip products but they do actually have one of my favourite lip products on their stand.

Now Revlon don't have a lot to offer matte lip wise but there is some which is a lot more than some brands. The first offering they have is, comes in the form of their Colorburst Matte Balms. These are some of my favourite lip products on the high street and I'm always recommending them when people ask me for a matte lipstick. They were some of the first high street chubby stick lip products after Clinique originally released their Chubby Sticks. There is a huge shade range of these and are well worth their £8.99 price tag. Highly pigmented, opaque in one swipe and long lasting but not uncomfortable these were some of the first decent matte lip products on the high street. There is a shade in the range that will suit everyone including personal favourites Sultry and Fiery. They do have peppermint smell to them but it doesn't translate to the lips or cause any irritation to lip while you're wearing them. I personally wear them with a bit of lip balm underneath and a light outline of lip liner to give a statment lip without being too over the top.

A recent release from Revlon to add to their matte lip collection comes in the form of their Ultra HD Matte Lipsticks. This was Revlon's addition to the ever growing trend of liquid lipsticks but these turned out to be a bit of a fail. Sure they're a liquid, they're a highly saturated dose of colour but they are not matte. They don't even dry down to a demi matte or satin finish. Sure with a lot of work and a dry finish lip liner you might be able to get it to stay in place but if you're a lot like me and can't be bothered with that much faff then these are ones I'd give a miss. It's a shame as well as they've just released four new beautiful shades, a couple of which are screaming my name.

The only other matte lip products Revlon have to offer are they're Super Lustrous Lipsticks. I don't own any of these in the matte finish as the colours aren't colours I'd personally wear. From swatching them on the back of my hand they're drier in texture than the Colorburst Matte Balms but not that dry you can't wear them at all. I think a lot of prep would be necessary before wearing these as they would show any imperfections on the lips.

Overall Revlon is one of the better brands on the high street for matte lip products. They have a small range but they are all good quality products that are worth their price tags. My personal favourites are the Colorburst Balms but that doesn't mean the other matte lip products aren't any good. You may love them but I personally think they just don't work for me. Alongside Maybelline I'd have to say that Revlon is one of my favourite brands for lip products on the high street.

Review: Liz Earle Face Masks

Since early last year I've been using Liz Earle products. I'm a massive fan of both the Cleanse and Polish and the Instant Skin Boost Spritzer. But I wanted to try more and around the time of Christmas gifts arriving on shelves I spotted the Liz Earle Face Masks Gift Boxes. I put these both on my list and was lucky to recieve both. Now I'm a big fan of face masks and try a lot reguarly so I had high hopes for these and luckily for me they didn't disappoint.

There are two main face masks in Liz Earle's range. One is brightening and the other is nourishing. The first one I tried was the Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask. This has Apricot Kernel, Geranium Oil and Comfrey. It's designed to cleanse deep into pores and help purify skin whilst keeping skin feeling hydrated and soft. A little bit of this goes a long way which works well as you only need a thin layer of this to work it's magic. Leave it on for fifteen minutes and then wash it off with a warm wet muslin cloth or flannel. This is a nice mask and it leaves skin feeling soft, supple and clean but other than that it didn't really wow me. When I think of nourishing masks I think of thicker consistencies that are left to sink in rather being washed away. Maybe I need to use this more to make it work for my skin but if you have sensitive skin that works well with Liz Earle products then this would definitely suit you.

The other face mask is the Brightening Treatment Mask. This contains Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera and White Clay. This is a very quick mask, it's only supposed to stay on the skin for two minutes maximum. It's a little thicker in consistency than the nourishing mask but you still only need a little bit as it's so effective on the skin. This will tingle on the skin but that just means it's working. Thirty seconds to two minutes is the time you're supposed to leave this on for and then with a wet muslin cloth or flannel wash it away. This will leave your skin feeling revitalised, smooth, soft and radiant looking. It'll help the appearence and feel of any texture you may have and brightens skin in an instant. If you have sensitive skin though it's advised you don't use this mask because of it's quick tingle fix but if you're face can handle the GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment then using this should be fine.

Overall I really like these masks, they work nicely with my skin type and leave my skin feeling refreshed and ready for anything. The Brightening Treatment Mask is probably my favourite of the two as you can really feel it working on your face. If you have sensitive skin then the Nourishing Mask will be more up your street. They are a pricier face mask but seeing the results almost instantaneously makes the price worth it. And if you're into your natural skincare products that really love the skin I'd definitely recommend trying them out.