Clinique Smart Custom - Repair Serum: A review

Normally I'm a little bit slack with my skincare products. But I had been thinking about buying a serum for a while, my skin gets quite blotchy and red and dry in patches and I thought a serum could help. Then I saw that Clinique had launched a brand new product they were hailing as their best serum yet - The Clinique Smart Custom Serum. It was created after 5 years of research with patented technology and apparently can solve ALL of your skincare issues in one go.

I picked up a sample sachet in store in the summer and thought I'd try it out. Of course the sample only had enough product for 2 or 3 uses, which is no way to properly test out skincare. However, it felt quite rich and moisturising and a little went a long way. A few weeks later I decided to buy my mum a bottle for her birthday present and accidentally ended up with some for myself too (oops).

The packaging is really sleek - a tall silver pump action bottle, a departure from Clinique's usual green bottles. The pump dispenses the right amount of serum so that you don't waste any - which given the price of this stuff, is very important! I think what appealed to me was the claim that the serum is for all ages and all ethnicities. The sales assistant explained it by saying that the serum can sense the individual needs of your skin and is activated to repair and improve it. Now I can't vouch for the science on that but I was swayed. Being a serum-novice I liked the idea that this one would solve all of my issues and I wouldn't have spent my money only tackling wrinkles OR pores OR skin tone.

Review: L'Oreal Skin Perfection Micellar Gel

I have been raving about micellar water as a fantastic make up remover for months. It started when I discovered the L'Oreal Skin Perfection Micellar Water. I reviewed it fully HERE but I was really impressed with how it removed even waterproof eye make up without scrubbing. So when I saw the new L'Oreal Skin Perfection Micellar Gel in the supermarket last week, I bought it straight away!

Seeing as I rely on my micellar water to remove eye make up I really liked the idea of gel rather than the water solution. I have always been an advocate of how effective micellar water is at removing make up without scrubbing at your eyes with cotton wool. But I will admit that as a force of habit I do tend to wipe at my eyes with the cotton wool pad - I know I shouldn't but it just happens! I thought that gel was a great idea because it would really coat my lashes and dissolve mascara and eye liner.

Sure enough - I was right! It feels gentle and cooling on my eyes too and because I can feel the gel on my eyes it stops that urge to wipe and pull at the skin around my eyes in the process. So far so good, but unfortunately it isn't without some issues.

MAC Monday: Sharon Osbourne Collection part 4 - Peaches & Cream Powder Blush

This week's MAC Monday post is dedicated to my final purchase from the recent Sharon Osbourne collection. It is the much hyped Powder Blush in Peaches & Cream. When I read some pre-release posts about this collection it was this blusher that everyone was getting excited about. I will admit that I was so keen to get my hands on this collection that I gave into the hype and added it to my online shopping basket without much thought.

I think the name is a little misleading as this is a rose blush rather than a peach one. I assume the name references the idea of creating a 'peaches & cream complexion' - with a natural rosy tone. On me it is quite close to the colour that I turn when I blush. A make up artist once told me this is the shade of blusher you should aim for. (I will admit that I'm not sure about that seeing as I am prone to blushing and don't really want to emphasise it). However it is a pretty shade.

MAC Monday: Sharon Osbourne collection part 3 - Mineralize Skinfinish in Refresh

So here it is - my third installment of my recent MAC Sharon Osbourne Collection haul. This was a collection that I was really drawn to because the products are just so pretty! As you will know from my previous posts, I really indulged myself with the beautiful Duchess Eye Shadow Quad (review HERE) and the Patentpolish Lip Pencils (review HERE). But this week's MAC Monday post is dedicated to the MAC Sharon Osbourne Mineralize Skinfinish in Refresh.

Normally I'm not fanatical about bronzers, highlighters and blushes. I will buy them if I think I need the shade but I don't have the same irrational need that comes into play when I am choosing lipsticks (where I need ALL of the lipsticks in the same shades...). I chose the Sharon Osbourne Mineralize Skinfinish in Refresh because I liked the idea of a bronzer and a highlight in the same pan. I will admit that a certain element of shopping frenzy came into play when I ordered, as the collection had literally just gone live online and I didn't want to miss out!

Like the rest of the Sharon Osbourne Collection, the packaging is red instead of the standard MAC black. The clear plastic lid also has Sharon Osbourne's signature across it in lilac. The lid clicks shut so I would be confident that the packaging is sturdy enough to protect the product if you kept it in a make up bag or a handbag.

Lancome Galateis Douceur Cleanser: A review

For the past several months I have been using micellar water as my go to cleanser and make up remover. In particular I have been loving the L'Oreal Skin Perfection Micellar Water (see my review HERE). It is amazing eye make up remover but I have read reviews recommending that you also use another cleanser.

This is where the Lancome Galateis Douceur Cleanser comes in. I haven't used a cleansing milk for years and years, so when I was lucky enough to be sent a bottle - I was keen to give it a try!