Top 3: Budget Cleansers

 

When it comes to cleansers I have tons. I can't help myself, I'm forever buying new ones. I have high end cleansers and budget cleansers but they all essentially do the same thing. And whilst you may think paying out for a higher end cleanser is going to mean better quality, sometimes it just doesn't work out that way. Sometimes the more budget friendly cleansers are better than those you can pick up from higher end brands. So today I thought I'd share with you my Top 3 Budget friendly cleansers.

The first is one I always find myself going back to. I intially brought it because Khila from MissBudgetBeauty recommended it in a video but it soon become a skincare staple for me after a few uses. The Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean Cleanser is a lightweight, cream based cleanser that breaks make up down easily and can even remove waterproof mascara. It doesn't sting the eyes or leave it skin feeling dry or irritated after it's been removed and can be used even on sensitive skins. There is a slight tingling feeling when you use this but instead of irritating the skin or leaving it feeling tight or dry, it leaves it feeling refreshed and squeaky clean. Plus a little goes a long way so the generous size bottle takes a good while to get through.

Another cleanser that I can't get enough of comes from Botanics. Their Dual Effect Hydration Burst Cleanser not only removes all signs of make up and daily dirt whilst also hydrating the skin, alleviating the dry tight feeling a lot of cleansers can leave behind. This thick gel like formula transforms into a milk when activated with water and breaks down even the most stubborn of make up. It's perfect for those with dry or sensitive skins but those with combination to oily skins I'd advise trying a different cleanser as this would more than likely clog skin. Again this is a cleanser that requires very little to be effective which means it will last a good while making it brilliant value for money.

And the final cleanser is one I adore but don't reach for as much as I think I do. Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser is effective both as a make up remover but also as a daily facial cleanser. It also contains Hyaluronic Acid and not much else which means that it instantly boosts skin's hydration levels with every use. A little goes a long way and always leaves skin feeling clean, refreshed and hydrated but it's strong fragrance is just a little off putting. I've been using this for a good six months now and haven't had any breakouts or reaction to this cleanser but it's fragrance does always make me wonder if one day it's going to cause a reaction with my skin and I have to stop use. If you're skin is one that barely ever reacts badly to products then this cleanser would be perfect for you but if you're skin is easily irritated then I'd say stay away from this. That being said I'm not going to stop using it because I adore how it makes my skin feel and how clean and clear my skin looks after every use. Plus it comes in a pump which is my favourite packaging design when it comes to cleansers.

Review: PS Matte Lip Kit

I'm a big fan of a matte lip product, especially those that come in a kit with a matching liner and with brands all bringing out their versions of Lip Kits I'm in my element. Barry M do fantastic Lip Kits in a variety of shades but apart from them there aren't many more on the market, espcially ones that catch my eye. And when I noticed that Primark had released their own version of a matte lip kit I just had to pick one up.

The Lip Kit that costs £3 consists of a lip liner and a matching liquid lipstick. Now I don't know the colour of this as it I've thrown away the packaging and there isn't a shade name on either the lip liner or liquid lipstick. What I can tell you is that it's a stunning berry purple shade that on fairer tones is going to pop and be a vivid berry shade whereas on darker skin tones will be a more muted yet still bold purple shade. The lip liner is unsurprisingly creamy like the other liners that Primark sell and just glides along the lips, leaving behind a highly pigmented colour. It doesn't drag or scratch at that the lips when you apply it and you can easily fill in the entire lip with it. It can be slightly drying if worn on it's own but a little lip balm underneath soon remedies that.

The liquid lipstick is thin and lightweight in consistency. It applies opaque in one coat but does have a tendency to dry down a little streaky. That can of course be remedied by applying another coat but then there's the risk it's going to dry and look even more uneven or it'll start to crack or peel away from the lips. That's why I advise using the lip liner all over instead of just outlining the lips with it, it helps give an even colour all over. The doe foot applicator is standard size and has just enough flexibility to glide almost effortlessly over the lips. It takes slightly longer than normal to dry down and even when it's completely dried down it has a slight tackiness to it that could possibly lead to it peeling away over time, especially if you eat or drink.

I've worn this quite a lot to really give it a fair test. I've tried it just outlining the lips with the liner, filling in my entire lip with the liner and even just the liquid lipstick on it's own and everytime I've needed to go in with a moisturising lipstick over top to even it out and to make it more comfortable to wear. The slightly tackiness to it means it wears from the inner corners of the lips quicker and leaves a slight uneven finish to the lips. It did become slightly drying and uncomfortable after a few hours and I was grateful to take it off when I could. Which is very disappointing because the concept and the shade of this product are both very promising. However there is something just lacking in the formula which makes it harder work than it should be. If I were you I'd spend a bit more and buy one of the Barry M Matte Me Up Lip Kits, they're lightweight, comfortable and you'll forget you're even wearing it.

Review: Naturally Radiant Glycolic Tonic with 5% Glycolic Acid

I love any product that has Glycolic Acid in it. I always have to try a new release if it has Glycolic Acid in it and I'm pretty sure you're all sick of reading about it from me. However I couldn't help but pick up this new release when I saw it.

The Naturally Radiant Glycolic Tonic with 5% Glycolic Acid is a toner/treatment type product that as it says contains 5% Glycolic Acid. This can be used in place of a toner and works to exfoliate, retexturise and rejuvenate skin. It awakens skin's natural glow and helps with cell turnover and rejuvenation that if left can leave skin looking dull. This product is very similar to Pixi's Glow Tonic except it doesn't contain the Aloe Vera or Ginseng that Glow Tonic does but works in the same manner and costs a fraction of the price. And it's so easy to do. All you have to do is pour some onto a cotton pad and then swipe it across your face as you would any other toner.

I really like this product. I find myself reaching for this on a daily basis after I've removed my make up because it's not only rejuvenating but also refreshing and gives my skin that boost it can sometimes need after cleansing. A little goes a long way and it doesn't leave skin feeling dry or tight after use and serum or moisturiser can be applied over top no problem. If you have sensitive skin, don't worry you can still use this and enjoy the results this product gives. Preferably I wouldn't advise using it daily if you have sensitive skin or are new to using AHA based products, I'd start once or twice and build up to whatever your skin is comfortable with. However if your skin is used to AHA based products or reacts well to Glycolic Acid then I'd say go in with what your comfortable. Because it reminds me so much of the Glow Tonic I went straight in with using it daily but if that's too much than every other day or twice a week is a good place to start.

This product has received a lot of hype and some really good write ups recently and usually that's enough for me to want to stay away from a product but I couldn't and I'm glad I didn't. It's really changed how my skin looks and feels and used in conjunction with the rest of my skincare routine, has left my skin looking the best it has in a while. And the best bit, it's ridiculously inexpensive for a product of this kind. Coming in at £5.99 a bottle, this is a fraction of the price of Glow Tonic and other AHA/Glycolic based products on the market, including others you'd find in the skincare aisles of Superdrug or Boots. If you're a fan of Glow Tonic and are in the market for a more budget option then I'd highly recommend checking this out. I promise you, you won't be disappointed. 

Review: Simply Pure Hydrating Night Serum

Simply Pure is one of my favourite of Superdrug's own brands. The products are brilliant, well priced and suitable for those of us with more gentle skins. One of my favourite serums is their Hydrating Day Serum so when I saw they had released a evening version I couldn't resist picking one up.

The Simply Pure Hydrating Night Serum is essentially a thicker richer version of their Hydrating Day Serum. It's packed full of Allatonin, Soothex and Hyaluronic Acid to soothe skin as well as hydrate, the Hyaluronic Acid working over a longer period of time to give skin slow release bursts of hydration instead of one hit, allowing skin to dry out a few hours after application. It's fragrance free, hypoallergenic and suitable for all skin types even the most sensitive of skins.

As I'm a big fan of the Hydrating Day Serum I knew that I was going to like this and I wasn't wrong. It's a lot thicker in texture and feel on the skin and takes longer to sink into the skin but that means it's just giving the Hyaluronic Acid more time to work and bond with the skin. This isn't a product you can layer something over top so in a way it eliminates the need of a night cream over top. However I still put a night cream over top, I just wait until right before I go to sleep so that this has been giving a chance to really sink in and moisturise the skin and then my night cream just tops up the moisture levels. The Allatonin in this makes it perfect for those nights where I've gone in with a strong acid toner or treatment and want to make sure that my skin doesn't become irritated afterwards whilst simultaneously moisturising it.

If you're looking for something new to add to your evening skincare routine or are just a fan of really hydrating products then I highly recommend you check this out. It's readily available in Superdrug stores and on their website and doesn't break the bank. Now a lot of people don't believe that inexpensive own brands work but Simply Pure and Superdrug's Own Brand products really do work, with visible results and ridiculously good prices. I recommend checking this out when you're in your local Superdrug next.

Review: KiraKira Studio AHA Liquid Cleanser

A few weeks ago I saw a new brand called KiraKira reaching out on Twitter for bloggers to try out their new cleanser. And as soon as I saw that it was called AHA I knew I had to reply and enquire more. And they ever so kindly sent me a bottle of their new cleanser to try out. I will say now though, that I'm not being paid to write this post but they did ask me to share my thoughts on their product as they get ready to launch this cleanser.

Their AHA Cleanser is a mixture of Glycolic, Citric and Sterarlic acid and this cleanser easily breaks down make up but can also be used on bare skin to remove the daily build up of dirt, grime, excess oil and other impurities that can cause havoc with skin. The effective AHA concoction also helps repair and rejuvenate skin and cell turnover without drying skin out or leaving it feeling irritated or tight. That means that any texture or uneven skintone that you may have will feel diminished after you've used this and skin will be left feeling supple and softer to the touch. And the best bit about this product, it's all natural and free from parabens, mineral oil and palm oil, some of skincares nastier ingredients.

I've tested this for an entire week to gather my thoughts on this product. I've used this as an initial cleanse whilst wearing make up, as a second/double cleanse as well as on my bare skin as a morning and evening cleanse. And whilst I do like it to remove my make up, it really breaks it down with very little effort, I don't really like it as a cleanser on bare skin. It doesn't seem to really cleanse the skin as well as I would like it to. I find I need to go in with another cleanser afterwards to make sure my skin is properly clean before applying the rest of my skincare routine.

When it comes to trying out new face washes/cleansers I don't tend to break out and after having used this for a week, I haven't had any breakouts but that may be because my skin loves products that contain Glycolic Acid. If you have sensitive or reactive skin I'd say you'd still be able to use this but just a little less often than others with more normal or combination skin's. It's lightweight, doesn't clog pores and doesn't leave a film over the skin which makes it suitable for even the oiliest of skin types and the combination of AHA's will help with any excess sebum that skin may be creating.

KiraKiraStudio are starting to launch this product over here in the UK and market themselves as a brand that's bringing Japanese inspired skincare and beauty to the forefront of their products and brand in general. The packaging of AHA is very reminiscent of that of Japanese beauty products and certainly fits with the aesthetic and style they are promoting. The AHA Cleansing Liquid is £19.99 a bottle but for the price is a larger than normal cleanser size, coming in at 190ml a bottle. This is the first of many products they're planning on launching, details of which you can find over on their social media platforms and website..

Review: Murad Essential-C Cleanser

Murad is a brand I'd heard a lot about but never had the chance to try out. And in a way I didn't want to try out any of their products because of their high price tag. That was until I saw the Mark's and Spencers did travel miniatures of certain higher end brands including Murad's Essential-C Cleanser. And I just couldn't resist picking one up.

The Murad Essential-C Cleanser is a lightweight gel cleanser that is perfect for everyday use. Enfused with citrus extracts this works to cleanse skin whilst renewing it's radiance and awakening skin's senses. This cleanser also has an enviromental shield which claims to neutralise the damage that pollution and other daily aggressors that can leave skin feeling irritated. The enviromental shield is something I don't pay much attention to as I don't quite believe a product can do that.

However I do absolutely love this product and would happily pay the price for a full size bottle. It's not the best cleanser for breaking down and removing make up but used on bare skin as a second cleanse or an inital morning cleanse, it's fantastic. It really works to rejuvenate and awaken the skin whilst cleansing away dirt or grime. It doesn't leave skin feeling dry, irritated or tight after use, skin in fact feels softer and smoother to the touch but clean and ready for any skincare or make up you place over top. It's suitable for all skin types, even oily and sensitive and it's somewhat gentle yet effective formula really works wonders on the skin without stripping it of any essentials oils or moisture. If you're in the market for a new day to day cleanser then I highly recommend you check this one out. Yes it's slightly higher on the price scale but it works and I'm a firm believer of paying a bit more when necessary.

Why I Can't Wait To Say Goodbye To Summer

I like many other people am counting down the days until it's Autumn. Autumn/Winter is my favourite time of the year, I feel like it's when I'm at my best and that's more than okay with me. But that also means saying goodbye to Summer, something a lot of people don't want to do just yet. However I can not wait to see the back of Summer and today I thought I'd talk you through some of the reasons I can't wait to say goodbye Summer and Hello Autumn.

The Weather: The main reason I can't wait to say goodbye to Summer is also saying goodbye to the rollercoaster weather we're having at the moment. We started Summer with a blistering heatwave that made every move had work. I couldn't sleep, eat or even move without breaking out into an unladylike sweat that made me grumpy, snappy and just unpleasent to be around. Then it seemed to be cooling down and everything wasn't such a burden anymore before it skyrocketed back up this weekend and left us with a layer of humid air which is worse than the aforementioned blistering temperatures. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a Winter baby or if I just don't get on with heat that I find the colder weather Autumn brings is the weather that makes me thrive and my productivity skyrockets.

Summer Clothes: I'm not the most body confident person so having to wear as little as humanly possible to stay cool during 32C heatwaves both indoors and outdoors wasn't my idea of a good Summer. Sure I wore shorts and strappy tops but I'm much more comfortable in sweatpants and oversized sweat tops. And there were times when getting dressed was more hassle than it was worth. Which is one reason I can't wait to say hello to Autumn. I'm much more in my comfort zone during the colder months and find it so much easier to put together cosy yet hopefully cute outfits without worrying if people are staring at my curvier figure.

Make Up: Now this may sound like a very vain reason for wanting Summer over but I can not wait for those months where my make up doesn't slide off my face as soon as I step outside my front door. There have been a good few weeks where I've gone free of make up because it's futile trying to keep it in place for longer than five minutes. Not that I'm uncomfortable in my make up free face, I love not wearing make up and letting my skin breathe but in the name of my job and the joys of having good make up days I do prefer wearing make up. And during the colder months I find I get the most out of my extensive lipstick collection. And because of my dark hair and fair skintone I find that I suit the darker tones that are associated with the colder months and

Halloween, Birthday and Christmas: And my last reason for wishing Summer gone is that three of my favourites times of year all occur from September onwards. Apart from celebrating my best friend's birthday during Summer, nothing really exciting happens. However when September rolls around it becomes a countdown to Halloween, my birthday and everyone's favourite Christmas. And again my productivity around this time goes into overdrive. And for someone who get's very frustrated when she's feeling unmotivated, it's heavenly. So as soon as September 1st hits I'll be counting down until it's socially exceptable to decorate for Halloween and post all kinds of Halloween themed posts, keep your eyes peeled this year, I've got some exciting ones planned.

So this may make me sound like a miserable cow but I'm just not that big a fan of Summer. Sure I like the longer days, the brighter days which makes photos look gorgeous and the general happiness a bit of sun brings out but I'm more than ready now for Autumn, cosy jumpers, pumpkin spiced lattes and Christmas (yes I went there).