Philip Kingsley Moisture Balancing mini's (from Marks and Spencer)

Having long been a fan of Philip Kingsley's Elasticizer I've often looked at their other products but always walked away, purely due to the price tag. I have never bought a designer/high-end shampoo or conditioner, I like most of the drugstore/budget ones I have tried so have never been able to justify a splurge to myself. Then Marks and Spencer sent me a 20% off email....cue hours of filling up my online basket pretending I was able to afford it all! Instead I settled on this cute wee box;



 

The Soft and Shiny Try Me Kit contains 20ml tubes of Moisture Balancing shampoo, Moisture Balancing conditioner, and of course Elasticizer.

 

This kit cost me £4 from Marks and Spencer (free delivery to store), and was a great way for me to actually try a posh branded shampoo and conditioner. It is a real shame that it isn't easier to pick up proper trial sized high end products like this, I would love to try some of the TIGI line and the much raved about Kerastase brand but I am not prepared to pay A LOT of money on something that may be no better than a supermarket's own brand/value product.

 

 

The shampoo is clear with a slight yellow tinge, it has a slight herbal scent to it but it is not revolting. Once the shampoo is lathered up, the scent changes to a pleasant 'clean' smell. The lather is creamy and effortless, this was a surprise to me and a lovely experience. The shampoo rinses out extremely well and doesn't leave that horrid squeaky clean feeling, not does it leave my hair feeling coated in silicone (I always think THIS is going to happen!).

 

The conditioner's scent is almost non-existent and is coloured white. It feels just like any other conditioner to be honest, however, I have substituted my hero Aussie 3minute Miracle conditioner and I do prefer the combination of the Kingsley products together. They do seem to work beautifully together, and I can get to day 3 without washing my hair using them (as opposed to washing every day- I need my hair to feel clean, smell good and shine like the moon on a calm sea!) which has never been achieved using drugstore products. I don't have greasy hair, neither is it particularly dry, I would describe it as 'normal' (the neurotic owner not so much!).

 

The Elasticizer is a real Marmite product; some swear by it (me!!) and some people can see or feel no benefit in using it whatsoever. Personally I use it at least once a week, whack a whole heap ontop of sprayed wet hair and leave it on for as long as possible (all day and overnight when possible) before washing it out. The instructions say at least 10 minutes before shampooing, but I would really recommend leaving it on for at least 40 minutes (optimum time for the hair shaft to absorb the product). It makes my hair feel softer, look bouncier and shinier and even my husband notices the difference......it is a pricey item though, and I really think it needs to be used regularly for its full effect to be seen, which obviously is going to cost serious money in the long run. I would be prepared to keep paying for the effects though-luckily I have quite a few mini tubes from previous beauty boxes I was subscribed to last year, and some that came free in magazines (yes I bought the magazines purely for the Elasticizer!), so don't need to shell out just yet.

 

Overall I enjoyed this wee taster box and will absolutely be keeping an eye out for the Moisture Balancing range being on offer (Christmas sales woohoo!) as I'm actually missing the products now they have been used up.

 

This particular kit is no longer available on Marks and Spencer's website, but these are.

 

What are your experiences of using high-end/professional hair care ranges; are there any that really stand out (positively and negatively)?

 

*UPDATE- I couldn't go back to using other shampoo's so brought a 200ml bottle from Feelunique.com and a 75ml of the conditioner (I have short hair so don't need a big bottle). Feel Unique also have the try me kits that M&S no longer have in stock for the same price. To be a complete enabler I recommend looking at the Half Discount website for codes (and signing up to the Feel Unique newsletter for their very good sales). Happy shopping :0)

 

 

Caiti xxx

 

 

*Products purchased with my own money*

 

 



 



Current skincare routine 2014

I'm rapidly heading towards the ripe old age of 35, and have never taken my skincare so seriously as I do now. My skin went a bit loco when I hit 30, and when I was 33 I had acne (cystic nasty acne on my chin, chest and back) for the first time ever....I was not impressed! I'm assuming it was a toxic combination of hormones and the copious amounts of hideous medication I had started (and remain on), but trawling the internet on the subject it seems to be a common occurrence amongst 30 something's to have a total skin nightmare. I also discovered the Goddess Lady Caroline Hirons and her no nonsense advice has really changed my skin for the better.

I have tried many products over the years (one of the reasons I decided to start blogging) and have eventually found products that work for me, and my previously dry and dehydrated super sensitive skin with some nasty jaw-line and chin huge spots thrown in for good measure. Thanks Mother Nature.


CLEANSER: My absolute favourite is Superdrug's Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser. It is a cream but has a slight balm texture to it, and is so comforting on my face. It has a slight herby scent to it, but a pleasant one, and is a dream to massage into my skin.

I don't use it for eye make-up removal, instead I use Garnier 2in1 Eye and Face Make-Up Remover (lovely bi-phasic mascara munching stuff!) or Avon Extra Lasting Make-up Remover (oily goodness that really does remove every scrap of eye make-up).

I also don't use the muslin cloth that comes with it; call me old fashioned but I only use flannels! Muslin cloths just don't give me the same 'clean' feeling, and flannels are thicker so I can use both sides if I need to without transferring wiped off product back onto my face. I use a new flannel each morning and night-luckily I have tonnes of them in various colours and states (hate throwing holey and frayed ones away, they literally have to be falling apart for me to do so!).

The cleanser claims to "awaken skin's natural glow" and I haven't seen any demonstration of this, however my skin is calmer and hasn't reacted even in the slightest to this product, which is more important to me than achieving a glowing radiance.

This cleanser really is super fantastic, so much so that I actually cut open the squeezy tube (nice design too!) to get the last bits out! I have never done that for any other product, not even super expensive ones.

Overall a cheap but nourishing cream-balm cleanser with a light scent and plenty of oooomph to remove make-up. I use it morning and night with a flannel, and don't intend to go looking for another cleanser any time soon.


TONER: If you read Caroline Hirons' blog (or watch her now on You Tube *Bob's your uncle*) you will know I am not talking about old skool toners. If you have no idea what I am talking about, you need to visit her blog and unearth the differences and why it is now OK to 'tone' after cleansing (you would have stripped every piece of natural barrier from your skin if you used to use the old skool ones, which is why I didn't use them).

So once my face is cleansed and rinsed, I swish a cotton pad with Dr Organic Rose Otto Skin Toner from Holland and Barrett to prep my skin for acid toning (yep Aciiiid!). There is no alcohol in this toner, and it is hydrating and smells gorgeous. I hate the scent of 'fake' rose, but this stuff smells good. Really good.


ACID TONING/EXFOLIATING: By far, this is my favourite step in my skin care regime. In the morning I use an AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid, such as glycolic acid) to help skin cell renewal and diminish age lines. I am currently using Pixi Glow Tonic which has a distinctive scent that I can't put my finger on, but you get used to it pretty quickly.

In the evening I use a BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid, such as Salicylic acid) to keep pesky spots/invisible under the skin bumps away. I have seen a huge improvement around my jaw-line and chin where the unwanted visitors used to congregate despite my protests. The BHA I am currently using is Paula's Choice CLEAR Extra Strength Targeted Blemish Relief Toner 2% Salicylic Acid and it has cleared up the marks left from the cystic acne beautifully.

 

If acid toning/acid exfoliation is a new concept for you, there are some super helpful guides from Paula's Choice here and here and here.

 

**Note- Caroline Hirons' advice is to use a hydrating spritzing toner post exfoliation, however I personally prefer to use my hydrating toner before exfoliating. No reason why, it's just what I do**

 

 

 EYE CREAM: I am head over heels in love with Balance Active Formula Snake Venom Eye Cream absolutely smitten in fact!

 

 

This stuff is wonderfully hydrating, without upsetting make-up application, and doesn't cause millia. It has softened my crows feet and got rid of the tightness I used to feel by mid-afternoon when using other eye creams.

 

 

SERUM: The serum that beat all others hands down is the Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Facial Serum. It is pricey, but Boots tend to have brilliant offers on Indeed Labs products periodically so wait for them and stock up then. My dry and dehydrated skin totally transformed into hydrated and comfortable skin (with no flaky dry patches around my nose and temples) after using 3/4 of my first tube morning and night.

 

 



The hyaluronic acid retains moisture, and over time you will need to use less moisturiser....I really thought this was utter tosh until I used the product. I no longer have to use heavy duty moisturiser (Oilatum, Skin Food, aqueous cream), I can use 'normal' moisturiser which is great for make-up application. I use a pea sized amount all over my face (including eyelids!) and another pea sized amount for my neck and décolletage. I think it is unlikely I will switch serums, this really is a precious skin care staple/Holy Grail product.



MOISTURISER: Now my skin is behaving itself impeccably, I am trialling many moisturisers and tend to use which one works best with my foundation choice (powder or liquid) of that day. One I have been reaching for quite regularly is Good Things Manuka Honey Daily Moisturiser which smells delicately of delicious honey. It can leave a bit of a sheen on my skin (I prefer the matte look) if I use too much, but my husband always says I look lovely when I have been heavy handed and retain the sheen....so I'm trying to embrace the slight sheen, but cannot deal with the 'dewy' 'glowing' or 'moist' look. Ever.

I'm enjoying testing out moisturisers, it is a real novelty for me, so I cannot imagine I will still be using this particular one in a month or so. That does not mean this isn't a lovely moisturiser, because it is, I'm just revelling in having the chance to finally use pretty much any moisturiser I fancy. I am currently using this moisturiser both day and night.

I spend my money on acids and serum, and save with my cleanser, eye cream and moisturiser. SPF on the other hand is not about price, but how it sits on my skin and reacts with my make-up.


SPF: I use SPF all year round, every day. I choose to use at least factor 30 and one that had UVA and UVB protection. I am super pale and up until this summer have had to hide from the sun due to hives and distressed skin from the sun (no burning, but very tight unhappy skin).

I don't really like SPF in my moisturiser because I'm concerned that it will react with the SPF protection I get from the pure SPF I apply after my moisturiser. I used to use Clinique Super City Block SPF 40 but the 'subtle' yellow tone of it made me look jaundiced on non-make-up days. I then tried La Roche-Posay Anthelios Face Comfort Cream SPF 50 but found it too heavy on top of my previous heavy duty moisturiser......but I have now discovered a total winner....

.....meet the fabulous Soap and Glory Make Yourself Youthful Sunshield Superfluid SPF50 a true hero in my eyes. I was initially put off when I tested it on my hand in Boots as it was tinted, however it is completely colourless/totally invisible when it is rubbed in. I can't even feel it on my skin once applied, and it does not affect my make-up in any way whatsoever. S&G products are pretty much always on offer in Boots so I have stocked up to see me through winter and into spring. If you haven't tried this I really recommend doing so.

**SPF 30+ broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) is imperative when using acids as they are revealing lovely new skin cells, and if no SPF (or poor quality, low rated SPF) is used you are just damaging those lovely new skin cells, thus wasting your money on acids. Also, if you are trying to avoid skin cancer and slow the ageing process down, there is nothing better than broad spectrum SPF daily. Every day. Yes even in the UK!**


I wasn't expecting this post to be so long, congratulations (and thank you!) if you have made it to the end. I hope this inspires and helps anyone who is looking to switch up their skin care routine, or even to start one.


Caiti xxx

*Products purchased with my own money*

The Liebster Award

The lovely Becki Lewis from Beauty & the Brunette kindly nominated me for the Liebster Award, in a nutshell it is a way of welcoming new bloggers (with under 200 followers) into the blogging community. Needless to say I was really touched, and being a very nosey inquisitive person enjoyed reading Becki's previous answers to the many questions she had been asked by other bloggers nominating her see here and here.

Becki's questions are as follows:

1) Do you have a favourite beauty/fashion magazine? I haven't bought a magazine for years, however I do really enjoy flipping through Dare magazine from Superdrug and Health and Beauty magazine from Boots. I also subscribe to TWO magazine (online) from the Pixiwoo sisters.

2) How long have you been blogging for? I wrote my first post in March 2014 and have been sporadically posting ever since.

3) What's your favourite foundation? My favourite liquid foundation is Lancôme's Photogenic Lumessence, as it is the closest match I have ever found for my super pale cool toned skin, and doesn't make my dry/dehydrated skin look worse. My favourite powder foundation is Clinique's Superpowder Double Face Powder, again the colour match is great and best of all it doesn't cake up or make my skin even drier. I tend to use the powder more than the liquid as it is quicker to apply, easier to blend and I prefer the more natural look (and my freckles still show through if I don't use too much).

4) Is there one type of product you can't stop yourself from buying? Pretty much anything that Boots or Superdrug sell to be honest! My husband doesn't like me going in there alone as I always spend too much, same with Lush, Home Bargains and Hobby Craft. Ooops. It's more fun dragging him around with me though, plus he can carry the basket leaving my hands free to pick up more items :0)

5) What's your current favourite item of clothing? I just got a beautiful grey/beige/brown waterfall jumper from ebay, which is stunning and gets the seal of approval from my children and husband- translated to 'age appropriate' rather than my usual hoodie obsession!

6) Bold or Nude lips? On me definitely nude, I like muted and soft pinks/browns/mauves, however I love seeing girls with really bold dark colours like blue and purple. I would love to still be able to rock that look but my lip lines are too deep and sadly I look ridiculous.

7) What's your favourite TV show right now? Melissa and Joey. The kids and I have been watching it on E4 over the summer holidays and we all love it. It finished last week and we are not impressed!

8) Why did you start blogging? I'm currently off sick from work and having some harsh medical treatment, meaning I'm rarely able to leave the house. So I was spending ages catching up on blogs and You Tube videos that I never really had the time to keep up with whilst I was working, and thought blogging would keep my mind active and give me 'a happy place' to escape to prattling on about beauty! That is why my blog isn't a professional one, I blog when I feel up to it and when it suits me. It is purely for pleasure.

9) What was the first make-up product you used? My Mum's Rimmel lipstick! I was a toddler and did a pretty good job of applying it apparently! I played with her make-up until I was about 7 years old then saved my pocket money to buy products from my friend's Mum's Avon catalogue. When I started secondary school I spent every weekend in Superdrug and Boots with like minded friends, and when I started working I would go on a spree every pay day. I think I may have a problem?!

10) Who is your celebrity style icon? I have two- Victoria Beckham for her clean lines and beautifully fitted but not tarty style, and Sarah Harding for her casual effortless chic. Both for their short hair styles.

11) What's your favourite restaurant? Not a restaurant as such, but a pub that serves gorgeous food called the Logan Rock Inn in a tiny west Cornwall village called Treen. If you are ever in the area it really is a wonderful idyllic pub tucked away with a sun trap garden and incredible service. 

 

 



My 11 questions are:

1. What is your favourite perfume and why

2. Scented candles or wax/oil burners?

3. Favourite flower?

4. If you could have permanently great hair or great skin, what would you choose?

5. Describe your ideal day.

6. What is your dream car?

7. Current favourite skin care treatment?

8. Who is your celebrity male and female crush?

9. What one piece of advice would you give your younger self?

10. If you could have magical powers, which one would you choose?

11. Why and when did you start blogging?

 

 

I nominate:

 Karen from And So To The Mirror

Kirstie Pickering

Monica from The Green Eye Effect

Sarah Scribbles

Little Tiny Sun

Danielle from The Dolled Up Diary

Molly, Sophie and Paris from Cosm(etics, )etc.

Katie from Vanilla in November

Chris from My Happy Place

Karen from Raising Mighty Girls

Sophie from Floral Sophie

 

And of course anyone reading this is more than welcome to join in!

 

I look forward to reading your answers, and thanks again to Becki for getting me involved :0)

 

 

Caiti xxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

Snake Venom Eye Cream from Balance Active Formula

So I was in Home Bargains, drooling over all of the hair and beauty aisles, and spotted Snake Venom Eye Cream from Balance Active Formula. I am down to my last eye cream sample from various beauty box subscriptions I was signed up to last year, and have been looking for a cheap but moisturising eye cream that wont upset my sensitive skin. As this eye cream was only £1.89 for 15ml, I grabbed it thinking that it would probably end up in the bin anyway....it didn't!!

This eye cream does not contain snake venom, and the packaging clearly states '...a snake venom-like neuropeptide'. How refreshing to see a company use non BS, clear as day, truthful spiel (and in big readable letters!) on their packaging.

The active ingredients are Syn-Ake (the snake venom-like neuropeptide) which claims to soften the look of wrinkles and reduce expression lines, and EyePro 3X which claims to reduce under eye bags and dark circles and boost collagen production and hydration. The product is also paraben free and contains a small amount of lactic acid.

I don't suffer from under eye bags (yet!) nor dark circles, but I do have some beautiful laughter lines rapidly appearing. My main need in an eye cream is continued hydration and for it not to upset my sensitive skin. I would dearly love the crows feet laughter lines to disappear, but am well aware that unless I'm prepared to have Botox injected it's never going to happen. I would just like them 'softened' and to look better by being hydrated.

This eye cream is utterly fantastic for what I want an eye cream to do. My eye area is instantly soothed and moisturised on application, the cream does not affect my make up and I have not had one iota of sensitivity since starting this cream 3 months ago. I cannot comment on any of the under eye claims, but I can certainly vouch for the hydration claim. Even at the end of the day my eyes feel comfortable, and there has been a definite improvement in the softness of my under eye area. I use it day and night after cleansing and application of serums and before moisturising. My laughter lines do look better and less harsh, but obviously they are still there. I use this cream all over my eyelids and have no intention of looking for another eye cream as this is,by far, the best I have tried in years.

I cannot believe how good this cream is whilst being so cheap! You can check out their other products here and if your local Home Bargains does not stock it, you can purchase from here or look on Amazon.

I will definitely be trying out some of their other products, if anyone else has please let me know what you think.

Caiti xxx


*Product purchased with my own money*

Superdrug Superberry Mud Mask

I am nearing the end of my beloved Sanctuary 5min Thermal Detox Mask which although pricey (around £10), has lasted me around 8months per 100ml tube. I only apply it to my T-zone and use it once or twice per week. I have also started using it on my teenage son's T-zone to help combat newly emerged oily/blackhead prone/upset skin.

Not wanting to spend £10 on future masks (as now sharing with aforementioned son) I picked up the Superdrug Superberry Mud Mask on my last online haul.

It is a china clay based mask with exfoliating raspberry seeds (I don't recommend using this mask as a scrub!!) and contains 'antioxidant rich Superberry Extract to help protect the skin from free radicals' which makes no sense to me whatsoever, but it smelt nice so I bought it!

My skin does not like this mask at all. It felt fine when I put it on all over my face and wasn't particularly uncomfortable, however when I washed it off, my face looked sunburnt and was very sensitive for about 3 days afterwards. I have dry sensitive skin (which was dehydrated until I finally managed to combat that-blog on my new skincare regimen to follow) so I shouldn't have really put it all over my face, but I'm an 'all or nothing' type of person :0)

My son's skin did not react in the slightest to this mask, in-fact it definitely cleared up his face and I could see his skin becoming less oily for a few days. He has (reluctantly) continued to have this slapped on his T-zone every Sunday and will continue to until it has run out.

So I've reasoned with myself that I should not try a new one for me until this Superdrug one has run out, incase my skin doesn't like it and I end up using it on my son.....ooops I seem to have placed an order for the Sanctuary 5min Thermal Detox Mask! No guilt though as I used my Boots Advantage points ;0)

Caiti xxx


*Products purchased with my own money*

Herbal Essences 'Bee Strong'

I haven't used Herbal Essences products for donkeys years. Not since I was at secondary school (19 years ago!!). I loved the scent and the incredible shine they gave my hair; I have no idea why I stopped using the range. I suspect I was seduced by newer products with flashier packaging and inflated prices *hangs head in shame*

The 'Bee Strong' shampoo was absolutely gorgeous, a lovely yellow pearly colour with a subtle happy summer scent. Not exactly 'honey' but lovely all the same. The kids loved it, my husband liked it, and I loved it. It lasted around 6 weeks with all of us using it. My boys have very short hair and my husband rocks a shaved head, I have a short pixie crop so none of us have to use much shampoo. I could definitely see the boys had very shiny hair from using this, and mine was just as shiny as my previous shampoo (but at a fraction of the price).

This shampoo is supposed to strengthen your hair shaft and is aimed at damaged hair, I'm not sure if it made a difference strength wise but my hair was definitely sitting well/looking less ravaged despite my serious love affair with my straighteners and hair dyes.

This will be repurchased unless the 'Hello Hydration' version is better- it is the next one from my Superdrug online haul to try. My eldest son has asked me to get again just for him, and took some convincing that we need to try and use the next one before buying any more.


I also purchased the accompanying 'Bee Strong' strengthening intensive conditioning mask. I never buy 'normal' conditioner as I have so many tubes from all the box hair dyes I use, and only use a tiny bit as I have such short hair. I am running low on hair treatments, so thought I would try this for an intensive once weekly conditioning treatment.

The mask has a thick creamy consistency and is white in colour, with the same scent as the shampoo. As I intended to use this as a weekly pampering treat, I washed my hair and slapped this on all over my hair and left it in all day as I did face masks, my nails, caught up on You Tube videos......it never seemed to rinse out as the tub says it will, so I always ended up having to wash it out. I don't mind doing this as I like to wash my hair daily anyway (I know I shouldn't but I like my hair and scalp to feel clean) and as I leave it in all day it's nice to wash from head to toe in a steamy shower.

As a conditioner it is so-so, as an intensive conditioner it seems no better than leaving a regular conditioner on my hair all day. I will finish using it up (or putting it in the 'bag of crap' my girlfriends and I share out with each other) but definitely will not be repurchasing. Perhaps if I had long hair it would be a fairer test, but I can see no benefit to using this over any other conditioner, whereas the shampoo has become a firm favourite.

I got these from Superdrug online when they were on offer, and having just checked they still are! Find the range here.


Caiti xxx


*Product purchased with my own money*

Rio Total Body Deluxe Soft Wax

I bought this wax as part of my Superdrug online haul (see previous post), but I already had a wax heater at home. I only wax my eyebrows (bye bye mono-brow, and those pesky ones way above my actual brow) and top lip. I have tried and failed miserably at waxing my underarms, bikini line and legs myself, and leave that to the professionals at my local salon. However, after constant skin damage to my eyelids from various beauty therapists I now only pluck my eyebrows (super sensitive eyelids apparently!), and nobody can ever remove my top lip hair as well as I can so I prefer to do it myself.

The Rio soft wax is absolutely hands down the best wax I have used for my face in years, and removes hair easily without causing any skin irritation or the need to go over any areas again (I know I shouldn't, but I have had to when using a few other brands). There is no scent and the wax spreads well, meaning it is all lifted off with wax strips with one movement (again with some other brands I have had to go over the wax again to lift it all off, which has obviously irritated the skin).

The price point is great (currently £5.95), it is fantastic that you can get such a good wax from a drugstore (I am not a professional so do not have access to any local beauty/salon supplies stores) and I have nothing bad to say about this product whatsoever.

I will spare you the before and after moustache photo's :0)

 

You can purchase the Rio waxing kit from Superdrug for £39.99 if you do not already have a wax heater (it also includes a DVD, spatulas and wax strips, plus hot film wax (no strips needed to remove it). If you only require a heater, or only spatulas and strips I recommend Amazon or Ebay for the best prices, much cheaper than salon websites and exactly the same products!

 

If you have never waxed your top lip or brows before, I would strongly suggest getting a professional to do it first. There is a skill/technique to waxing (head to You Tube for hours of entertaining tutorials on how to/how not to do it!) and although it doesn't hurt at all when I do it to myself now, it did when I first started years ago. My skin cannot tolerate the pre-waxed strips that you warm up between your hands, plus I found they do not remove the hair effectively, but one of my friends swears by them- so you will spend time and money on trial and error before you find the right system and right wax that works for you.

 

Also, if you are planning on waxing your eyebrows for shaping purposes, please see a professional first and then you will be able to maintain the shape yourself. I speak from experience. I didn't wax them off in the 90's I plucked them into the 'trendy' thin line, they have never recovered fully and are permanently wonky requiring 10 minutes everyday of filling/shading/shaping with make up. Not cool. Don't do it. Ever.

 

Caiti xxx

 

 

*Product purchased with my own money*

Superdrug online hauling!

So, after 'rediscovering' Superdrug (after being a Boots only shopper) I decided to buy some products online as my local store doesn't carry very much at all.....not only was the website easy to navigate, the shipping cost was free (when you spend over £10), the items were well packaged, delivery was super fast, and I received two free samples (I was not expecting this!).

 

L-R: Lady Gaga Fame EDP 30ml, Herbal Essence's Hello Hydration shampoo, Bee Strong shampoo and Bee Strong rinse out conditioning mask, Schwarzkopf Color Mask hair dye in shade 586 Warm Mahogany, Sleek Face Form (bronzer, highlighter and blush) in shade fair, Anelco Beer shampoo and coditioner 2-in1 (didn't this used to be called Linco Beer??), Superdrug's own brand Superberry exfoliating mud mask, Rio Deluxe Soft Wax, and the two free samples of Ghost Eclipse EDT 2ml and Garnier Ultimate Blends The Sleek Perfecter Oil (with pure coconut oil).

Everything but the face mask, Sleek palette and Rio wax was on offer, Lady Gaga's EDP was only £10 total bargain!

I will be reviewing these products as I use them, and I have to admit that I am pretty excited about this haul :)

Caiti xxx

*Products purchased with my own money*

Superdrug's Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser

Having been a Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean fiercely loyal fan for a very long time, I decided to try a more moisturising cleanser for my dehydrated and dry skin. Cue many hours of You Tube and blog post researching a budget friendly but result giving cream cleanser....obviously Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish came up again and again as the most nourishing and skin softening cleanser on the market, however, I was surprised to see almost as many posts raving about Superdrug's Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser (with Muslin cloth).

 

 

I rarely go to Superdrug, preferring Boots, unless I want some MUA make up (also excited to try their new Make Up Revolution range!)- this has now changed due to their stunning skincare range (more posts to follow as I shamelessly purchased quite a few own brand products). I was actually blown away by how much Superdrug has changed since I last had a proper look approximately 8 years ago, plus they appear to have much better deals than Boots do and more regularly. I duly signed up for Superdrug's Beauty Card, and due to their 30 points per £1 spent I bagged myself a whole load of points which I then spent the following week on 'boys stuff' for my husband and children. Bargain!

My skin absolutely LOVES this cleanser, way more than the Peaches and Clean, not a single hint of breaking out or pH upset. My skin feels moisturised and nourished, and looks visibly calmer and far more hydrated than I was expecting. I don't think Superdrug are aware of what a wonderful product they have created, and they should absolutely be advertising this brand as I only stumbled across it from beauty bloggers/You Tube.

I use my hands to really massage it into my skin in the morning and follow with a warm flannel (I just cannot get that 'clean' feeling with any Muslin cloth). In the evening I use an oil based eye make up remover (I cannot bear cream cleansers on my eyes) and then massage in a generous amount of the Naturally radiant cleanser followed by my Philips VisaPure (which was on offer in Boots last Christmas and quite possibly the best skin care product I own) and rinse off with my trusty flannel.

The cleanser has a slight herbal smell but it is faint and not unpleasant, the consistency is a lovely creamy balm, and absolutely no residue is left on my skin after I rinse it off. I don't think I will be looking for another cleanser for a very long time as I cannot fault this at all, and my skin is also super impressed!

Superdrug also has a new fan in me- there will be more reviews of their skincare products and I intend to spread the word on this great product.....go and try it for yourselves (flannel is optional!).

Please leave me a comment if you have tried it or anything else in Superdrug's own brand ranges, or if you have found any unsung hero products we should all try.


Caiti xxx

*Product purchased with my own money*