Review: Loreal Pure Clay Masks

Last year Loreal launched their first range of face masks. The Pure Clay Mask Range was an instant hit, the uncomplicated ingredients and the ability to use them as part of the multi mask trend made them an instant hit. So of course it was time for them to launch some new ones, which hit shelves last week.

There are two new masks to add to the collection. The first is their Pure Clay Blemish Rescue Mask. Containing the same three clays as their original masks this includes Marine Algae. It's purpose is to unclog and clear skin of any noticeable blemishes as well as those nasty buggers that linger under the skin. Whilst the clay opens the pores and cleanses the skin, the marine algae works deeper to clear away any bacteria or dirt that can cause breakouts.

And then there is the Pure Clay Bright Mask. Like the others it contains the original three clays but with the addition of Yuzu Lemon to exfoliate and brighten skin. It has exfoliating particles within it's formula which when applied to skin work to loosen and remove dead skin cells, revealing glowy new cells underneath and restoring skin's radiance.

 Both of these have very different textures. The Blemish Rescue Mask is a lot thicker in consistency and feels heavier on the skin whereas the Bright Mask is a lot thinner and doesn't feel heavy or thick once applied on the skin. I had a horrible cluster of semi-healed blemishes and fading blemish marks on my chin and around my lip from a stressful few weeks and the Blemish Rescue Mask managed to not only help speed up the healing process of the semi-healed blemishes but also reduced the appearance of the already healed/leftover marks. It doesn't dry down completely on the skin and doesn't leave it feeling tight or dry if you leave it on too long. There's not heavy fragrance or chemical feeling to it when applied to skin so is perfect for those with blemish prone but sensitive skins.

The Bright Mask was contained exfoliating particles which did a brilliant job of removing any loose skin without being too abrasive or irritating on the skin. The Yuzu Lemon Extract was too overpowering on the skin and didn't leave any tightness or dryness behind. It's fragrance wasn't too much of an irritation either, in fact it was rather quite pleasant and refreshing, exactly how the skin felt when I removed this mask. My skin looked brighter and more revitalised, even more so then when I use the original Glow Mask from Loreal and I think a lot of that is to do with the Lemon in the formula.

If it came to picking them I'd obviously say go for the one that your skin needs but if you're a skincare junkie like myself I'd say treat yourself to both. There is always going to be a time your face will one or both of these masks and whilst their not the most inexpensive masks on the market, they are brilliant value for money and you get far more uses from them than suggested. Available now in both Superdrug and Boots, I'd highly recommend checking them out if you're into your face masks.

Let's Talk: Toning Mists

If there is a product that doesn't get enough acknowledgement then it's toning mists. Sure a lot of people use them and you'll see people mention them in their YouTube videos or blog posts but sometimes these people are very far and few between. Which is why today I thought I'd talk you through the use of a toning mist/spritz and share a few of my favourites to give you an idea of what they can do for your skin.

Toning mists are similar to toners in that they refresh, tone and hydrate the skin, alleviating any irritation or tightness that cleansing causes. The only difference is that they come in mist/spray form and can also be used as a multi purpose product that can go over top of make up as refresher. There are different types of toning mist as there are toners but they all have the same common goal which is to prepare skin for the rest of your skincare routine.

Most commonly found ingredients in toning mists are Vitamin E, Rosewater/Rosehip and Hyaluronic Acid. These are used to soothe, refresh and hydrate the skin as well as aiding preparation for any serum or moisturiser you place over top. Most toning mists are a very fine spray that don't drench the skin but aren't that pathetic that it feels like it's not doing something. Others come in aerosol form but personally I find them a little less effective than a general mist formula. Quite a few brands have their own take on toning mists both high street and high end but there are some still quite prominent brands that haven't caught onto it yet and here are a few of my favourites.

Let's start with my favourite spritz which comes with a higher price tag but works wonders on the skin. Liz Earle's Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer contains Aloe Vera, Calendula, Vitamin E and Shea Butter and works to soothe skin whilst toning and replacing any moisture that had been stripped from the skin when cleansing. It smells absolutely divine and works well to awaken and soothe skin at the same time. Perfect for layering under make up, it can also be used over top to help refresh skin without disrupting make up. It's slightly pricier at £15 a bottle but you do get a generous 200ml bottle that'll last for a good months.

Another higher end mist comes from Pixi. Their Vitamin Wake Up Mist contains fruit extracts that not only tones and refreshes skin but awakens skin and adds a radiance to it at the same time. It's not as fine a mist as the Liz Earle but doesn't leave skin feeling drenched or wet to the touch. It can be used under make up or over top. It comes in at £16 a bottle but you only receive 80ml of product which is my bug bear with this product. However the smaller sized bottle means it's easier to take on the go and easily fits into handbags.

A brilliant budget friendly mist is this one from Vitamin E. Packed full of Vitamin E as well as Aloe Vera, Horse Chestnut and a Multivitamin Complex including Vitamin A this is packed full of antioxidants that helps create a protective shield over skin from daily skin aggressors such as pollution and UV rays. And the best bit, it comes in at only £2.99 a bottle and it's a 150ml bottle that'll last a while and can be used under make up and over top.

Another brilliant budget spray is this one from Botanics. Containing Rosewater and not a lot else, this is brilliant at soothing skin and relieving any feeling of tightness that sleeping or cleansing can cause. It smells divine and really works at soothing the skin. If you have sensitive skin prone to redness then I'd highly recommend this spray. It helps diminish the appearance of redness and leaves skin feeling softer and smoother to the touch. It comes in at under a fiver a bottle and is quite a decent size bottle. I've been using this for a while now and haven't even reached halfway down.

A holy grail product of mine which is one of the best budget friendly facial mists out there, comes from B. Containing nothing more than Hyaluronic Acid, this sprays adds and retains moisture before slowly releasing it throughout the day when skin needs it most. It's lightweight in texture and distributes evenly across skin without leaving it feeling drenched or disrupting make up if applied over top. It comes in at £7.99 a bottle and isn't a overly large bottle but lasts longer than expected as you don't need a lot to get the full effect of this product.

And the final product recommendation I have doesn't come in your conventional mist formula. The La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water comes in aerosol form and consist of nothing but water. It can be used in place of a toner but is mainly used to refresh and hydrate the skin, something that has come in handy now the weather's heating up here. It really cools the skin when applied which helps soothe skin and the micro droplets in it's formula work deeper into the skin and slowly work over time instead of a quick hit before leaving skin as it was before. And the best bit it's come in three different sizes which means you can carry it around whenever you need to as well as keeping one with your skincare at home.

Now no matter whether you choose a mist or aerosol formula, toning mists take out the need for a liquid toner and save time during your skincare routine. You don't have to spend the earth to find a decent toning mist on the market but if you do like to spend that bit more then there are plenty of higher end versions that work wonders on the skin. If you feel your skincare routine is missing something I highly recommend you have a look around at the toning mists, you might just find what you're looking for.

Review: Botanics All Bright Radiance Concentrate Serum

Serum is one of the most integral parts of my skincare routine. It's the one product that seems to work the most on my skin and if it's missed either in the morning or evening, my skin really knows it. However one serum isn't always enough to meet my skins needs. And that's where this bargain serum from Botanics comes in.

The Botanics All Bright Radiance Concentrate Serum is a lightweight serum that works to enhance skin's radiance. Containing Hibiscus which is known for it's brightening qualities this works over time to enhance skin's natural radiance whilst the Hibiscus' naturally occurring AHA's work to gently exfoliate the skin. And it's these alpha hydroxy acids that add to skin's naturally radiance shining through as they work to loosen and remove any/all dead skin cells that dull the appearance of skin.

It's packaging is different to other serums I've tried. Instead of coming in your standard pump bottle this comes in a glass dropper bottle. Not only does it make look a lot more expensive than it is but you can also control how much product you use at once. The frosted glass of the bottle gives it a pink hue but it comes out of the dropper clear and thin in consistency. It's thin lightweight consistency means it absorbs quickly into the skin and doesn't leave it in a greasy or oily feeling film.

Usually there are only two serums I find myself reaching for constantly but since I've been using this I've found I'm favouring it over both of them. It's lightweight, works nicely under moisturiser and make up and surprisingly leaves my skin feeling hydrated even though it doesn't claim to have any hydrating properties. And my skin has looked brighter since I've been using this. Used either in the morning or the evening, I've noticed my skin looking clearer and more radiant after every use of this serum. I use a lot of other AHA based products so can't say much on the exfoliating side of this serum but the brightening side I can really see a difference. This serum paired with my Garnier Glow Enhancer Water Cream means I have a radiant glow that shows through make up and means that there's no need for highlighter or radiance based concealers.

And the best bit about this product. It only cost £2.50. That's right, it costs less than a coffee at Starbucks would put you back. Now don't let the price fool you, it's low price tag doesn't mean that this product doesn't work. Quite the contrary actually, it works wonders on the skin with visible results after a few days. It's suitable for all skin types and so far hasn't caused any irritation or breakouts. If you're looking for a lightweight day serum that works, doesn't break the bank and doesn't irritate skin I highly recommend checking this out, you won't be disappointed.

Review: Pixi Vitamin Wake Up Mist

Pixi is a brand I've been wanting to try more from for a while but nothing was really appealing to me. Until I spotted the Vitamin Wake Up Mist. A spritz of the tester bottle and I knew I just had to have it.

The Vitamin Wake Up Mist is a lightweight fine mist infused with Orange Blossom, Lavender, Arginine and Citrus Fruit Extracts to revitalise and awaken skin. It can be used as part of your skincare routine to awaken, strengthen and tone skin but can also be used after make up to hydrate skin as well as creating a protective veil over the top. The fruity infusions means that skin not only feels hydrated, revitalised and awakened but also appears brighter and adds a glow to the skin that can even translate through any make up you apply over top.

This is a nice product but I'm not sure if it's something I'd reach for reguarly or purchase again. It smells divine and is really refreshing on the skin, something that's been perfect for the increasing temperatures here. It leaves skin feeling awake and refreshed but there are other toning mists out there that leave skin feeling exactly the same if not more refreshed and hydrated. It's a very fine mist that doesn't drench the skin but also doesn't leave skin feeling like it's done nothing either.

There is only 80ml of product in this bottle and if you use this both during your skincare routine and after make up then this goes down pretty quickly. I purchased this back at the end of May and have already gone through almost half a bottle of it, just using it in the morning as part of my skincare routine. And that to me is the one let down to this product. There are other toning mists that are better value for money such as the Liz Earle Instant Skin Boost Tonic Spritzer and the Botanics Rosewater Toning Spritz. Sure they don't contain the same ingredients or claim to do the same thing as the Pixi but they are bigger bottles for less and work wonderfully on the skin. I'd say if you were a massive fan of Pixi as a brand then definitely go for this but if you're just in the market for a new toning spritz then I'd recommend you check out the Liz Earle, Botanics or even the B Beauty Hyaluronic Acid Spray, you won't be disappointed.

Top 5 Non-Beauty Favourites Of 2017 So Far

Pinterest
Fast And Furious 8
Beauty And The Beast
Wonder Woman
Handbag

Last week I shared with you my Top 5 Beauty Favourites of 2017 So Far and thought it only fair I share with you, my Top 5 Non Beauty Favourites Of 2017 So Far.

 My first non beauty favourite has to be Pinterest. I can lose hours on it, scrolling through baking recipes/ideas, fashion ideas, tattoos, piercings and cute kitten pics. I am literally obsessed with it and will go on there to have a 'quick' browse and still be there a good half an hour or more later.

My next non beauty favourite so far this year has to be Beauty And The Beast. From the moment I saw the final trailer I just had to go and see it. I drove my mum mad singing the soundtrack repeatedly on the countdown to seeing it and even as I write this I'm singing Belle in my head. Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans and Josh Gad are absolutely amazing and really captured the essence of the original animated characters whilst simultaneously bringing something of their own to it. I can't wait for it to come out on DVD and know I'll be watching countless times when it does.

Another movie favourite of mine this year has to be Fast And Furious 8. Now a lot people said that they didn't enjoy this installment of the franchise but I thoroughly did. Sure I wasn't keen on the whole Dom has a kid storyline but I liked the idea of it being centered around bringing the family back as one, something that has been strong since Day One. I also really enjoyed the additions of Jason Statham and Scott Eastwood and I'm still looking forward to seeing what installment nine has in store for us.

And it wouldn't be a mid year favourites if I didn't mention one of the best movies to be released this year. I'm a Marvel girl at heart but when it was announced that Gal Gadot would be playing Wonder Woman I decided I could be a bit more lenient with my loyalties. And I'm glad I did. Wonder Woman not only is a brilliant, action packed, thrill ride that leaves you amazed by the end but also leaves you feeling empowered as a women and makes you feel like you can do anything. I left the cinema with such a girl power rush it seemed unreal. I loved it and can't wait to see Gal as Diana Prince in Justice League which comes out on my birthday later in the year.

And my last favourite so far this year has to be my bargain handbag from Primark. I'd spent ages looking for a Chloe-esque dupe but couldn't find any that were remotely the same or the right size. Until I saw this in Primark one day. Sure it's not exactly a Chloe dupe but it's structure and style reminds me a lot of  the Chloe and other designers styles I've seen. It's so spacious but not overly clunky or cumbersome. It's a leather like material around the base of the bag and the closing flap is more suede in feel. It gives it a more expensive feel and really adds a little something to an outfit.

Review: Barry M Ready Set Loose Setting Powder

Pressed powders were always my preferred way of setting my make up. They seemed to sit better and prolong the wear of my make up and didn't look as cakey or powdery in finish. That's until Barry M released their new loose setting powder.

Their Ready Set Smooth Loose Setting Powder is a lightweight transparent powder that claims to absorb oil as well as leave skin looking shine free. It comes in a hand travel friendly compact with it's own mirror and powder puff. It's lightweight enough to be able to be used under the eyes as well as down the t-zone and the rest of the face.

And it's completely changed my opinion on loose powders. Instead of making my face look dry and powdery, it made it look matte but not flat and any healthy glow my skin had could still shine through where I hadn't place the powder. It works amazing under the eyes, concealer didn't crease or disappear throughout the day and unlike other powders beforehand this didn't leave the skin under the eye looking dry or crepe like. It did occasionally settle around my nose but there isn't a powder out there that doesn't do that to me but around the rest of my face it sat perfectly and didn't highlight any mishaps or issues I had with my skin.

I initially started using this product with a brush because I didn't think the puff would be much good but in fact it not only comes in handy for on the go top ups but inital application as well. Because it's soft and easy to move you can easily scrunch it up and use it in those places where a brush doesn't quite reach. The only downfall to it is that it gets grubby very quickly which makes it less than pleasant to whip out when you need to touch up on the go.

Overall I love this product, it's been the only powder I've been using since it's release and I already can say that I would/will happily repurchase this when necessary. It's inexpensive, easy to use, gives brilliant results and just doesn't disappoint. Readily available at Barry M stands in both Superdrug and Boots, I'd recommend checking it out when you're browsing the make up aisles next.

Monthly Favourites: May

 

When it comes to Monthly Favourites there are some months that absolutely fly by and I can never remember any of the products I've been loving at all. This month however has dragged a bit so I was able to gather my favourites without worrying I'd forgotten one.

My first favourite of the month are these Naturally Radiant Glycolic Cleansing Pads.These are pre soaked pads that work to cleanse and exfoliate the skin. The Glycolic Acid and Fruit Acid formula works to loosen and remove dead skin cells. Normally I would use the Nip and Fab version in the light blue packaging but I've found these had been more effective and my skin has seen more results from these. These are perfect in the morning for tightening skin before make up application or as an exfoliating toner type product in the evenings.

An old favourite of mine that I rediscovered this month is the Loreal Micellar Water. It's the only micellar water I've tried that didn't break me out instantaneously and I've tried a few. It's more water than anything and works to really clean deep into pores and remove all impurities from the skin. I've really enjoyed using this after I've taken my make up off to just refresh and soothe my skin and even though it doesn't claim to hydrate the skin there's something in there that just leaves my skin feeling hydrated after every use.

Another product I've enjoyed for refreshing and soothing my skin this month is the La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water. I've never tried anything from La Roche Posay before and thought this would be a good product to test the waters with. I absolutely love it, it leaves my skin feeling hydrated, refreshed and soothed but not drenched or dripping wet. This has been perfect over the last week or so to refresh my skin whilst I'm at work as it's been humid as hell and we have no air con. Definitely a product I'm going to pick up in a larger size next time I'm in Boots.

A product I initially put into my disappointed products post ages ago was this Neutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliator. However I picked up again this month and absolutely adore this. This is a gel exfoliator that isn't too harsh or drying on the skin and that's because it contains Hyaluronic Acid that locks in any moisture your skin already has. This has left my skin feeling and looking less textured and softer than any other scrub I have tried recently. It just proves that you can't always judge a product but one initial use.

A set of under eye patches I've been obsessed with this month comes from Rodial. Their Dragon's Blood Eye Masks have really worked wonders on my under eye area. I've been enjoying using these on days where my eyes look their worst and the results are amazing. My eyes don't look as puffy, the skin under the looks smoother and my dark circles look diminished. They are on the slightly pricier side of things but when the results are as good as they have been I don't mind paying out a little extra.

A moisturiser that I haven't used constantly used this month but have thoroughly enjoyed each time I have used it comes from Liz Earle. Their SuperSkin Moisturiser has been perfect for days when my skin has felt that bit drier and needed a little more TLC. Containing Cranberry and Rosehip Seed Oil, this soothes my skin whilst hydrating it in small bursts over a long period of time. I only have a small sample size I recieved at a Liz Earle event but I will definitely be purchasing a full sized pot when this runs out.

There have been a couple of new releases from Barry M this month that I've absolutely loved. The first is their new Lash Saver Volumising and Growth Accelerating Lash Primer. This is a white lash primer that can be worn under mascara to help condition and accelerate the growth of your lashes. I've not only been enjoying this because it's really helped the condition of my lashes but also helped prolong the wear of my mascara. Normally my lashes droop and fall flat but since I've been using this under my mascara my curl seems to last longer and if they look like their drooping I can push them back up into a curl. A full review is coming soon.

And the second new release from Barry M that I've been enjoying this month is their Ready Set Smooth Loose Setting Powder. This is a fine loose powder that is translucent in colour and is perfect for both under the eyes and around the rest of the face. It absorbs oil and helps combat shine without leaving skin looking to powdery or unnatural looking. It really helps prolong the wear of the concealer under my eyes without it looking caking or full of creases. There is no flashback with this powder so is perfect for prolonging make up especially for big events. A full review will be up soon.

The only non beauty favourite I have this month is these sunglasses from Primark. These sunglasses remind me a lot of the Celine Tilda Sunglasses but are not exact replica's and only cost a fraction of the price. As the weather has turned warmer and the pollen count has risen I've found myself reaching for these a lot more than my other sunglasses, their oversized, cover most of my face and actually protect my eyes from any irritations as well as the glare of the sun when we've seen it. And my favourite part of them is that they only cost £3.