I will start with skincare, after the sad departure of my beloved Liz Earle cleanse and polish (I ran out) and my love affair really had gone on long enough, it was about time I moved on. I decided to take Caroline Hirons advice and try two different products. First, Soap and Glory The Ultimelt deep purifying hot cloth cleanser. I am so glad I did. Its a great cleanser. From the moment you massage the grape size amount over my face and neck you are hit with a delightful smell of essential oils, lavender and orange. I found this very relaxing, yet invigorating, yet I would not use this to take your make up off with. Although, it would do the job, its just you cannot put it near your eyes to take your eye make up off, because of the essentials oils. This to me is a big downer, as I want my cleanser to just take all my make up off, but saying that it is a fantastic first cleanser. To use this first thing in the morning, is a dream, and I would prefer to have all the pro-vitamin B5 goodness, which soothes, moisturiser to help heal and regenerate the skin. The Almond oil, which is great for removing dead skin cells, impurities and brightens the skin. So if you were to use this to take your make up off with, all that goodness would go to waste, as it will not penetrate the skin as it has to break down the layers of make up first. The cloth though is rough, and needs a wash first to remove the starch build up from it, after that it was better. For the price point on this product you cannot overly grumble. Its great first cleanser for only a tenner.
My second skincare product recommendation from Caroline Hirons is the The Body Shop Drops Of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask. This is one of the weirdest mask I have used. Its texture which has been described as like a memory foam mattress! This gel like substance binds together, and you need to use a spatula to scoop out what you need. You apply the product on your face and neck massaging it into the skin and let it absorb. At this point it feels almost sticky and tight on the skin, but as it settles down it absorbs slowly, so you may need to find something to do while you wait. I go and brush my teeth. After about 10-15 minutes you are good to go and ready to hit the sack for some well earned rest, while your face mask works hard to provide you with the following benefits that you will feel in the morning. your skin feels bouncier, smoother, refreshed, recharged and renewed. The main ingredient it has in it Edelweiss stem cells. Now, not to bore you all but I will touch on this briefly. Stem cells from plants are the newest anti-aging ingredients. Plants stem cells have the ability to be immortal! They play a key role in tissue development, regeneration and cellular renewal. Who doesn't want a bit of that on your skin!. Particularly with the Edelweiss stem cell, it is a tiny flower which grows in Switzerland and is able to grow in extremely harsh conditions (freezing temperatures, hardly any water). This is an exciting product, and from what I have just said, I am scratching the surface on what this particular plant can do. So far, I am really pleased with the results, and look forward to the coming months on how this product will improve my skin even further.
My Last skincare product is No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Advance Serum which tackles the first signs of ageing, from the age of thirty onwards. Although I still cannot believe I am in that bracket, I have come to realise that I must succumb to a more intense skincare routine, if I want to avoid wrinkles. I adore this serum, it hydrates your skin as soon as it touches your face, and you can just feel it doing good things. I have put this on day and night for the last month, and so far I have no complaints, and I don't think this is a one hit wonder. For a budget serum, I think its worth a whirl, if you are looking for a serum which is packed with Matrixyl 3000, which is shown in high concentration levels to improve elasticity, and that No7 claim if used over a period of time, will improve signs of ageing. Which is clinically proven that products that are packed with sunscreens, retinol, and l-ascorbic acid (active form of vitamin c) if used over a period of time will improve signs of ageing. So its a win,win situation.
My second L'oreal purchase is the Brow Artist Genius Kit. I was in the market for a new brow kit/pencil, and really wanted to find a budget alternative to my Anastasia Beverly Hills dipbrow. I really like the packaging to this, its a cute compact with a coloured wax, same colored shadow, tweezers, a angled brush one end with a spoolie at the other end and a nice mirror. Great bits and bobs, but unfortunately that's where it ends for me. I picked up the light to medium,which would normally be o.k, but for me its far to warm. It caters for the very light blonde who have a warmer toned brow, rather than darker blonde, where you would need a cooler toned shadow. I checked the medium to dark, but that looked far to dark for me. The wax pigmentation was poor, you could'nt add any 'hairs' with this, it would just be suitable for combing through the brows to keep them in place. Its a shame, I really wanted to like this product because the gadgets that come with it are good. This is only my opinion, have a try yourself and let me know.
My last beauty product is the Maybelline Lash Sensational lash multiplying mascara. I am always on the hunt for a great budget mascara, and I have found one here. The mascara itself does exactly what is says, lashes look visibly multiplied and fuller, my only bug bear with this, is the wand is plastic, which I do not like, and kind of gloops your lashes together, so I have to comb my lashes through afterwards, but for the price point you cannot complain. Great mascara, Love it.
These are my Hits and Misses for July. What have you liked this month? Let me know in the comments, I would love to hear from you.
Love Nay x
Disclaimer- I have not been paid to advertise any of the products mentioned above, I just like to share.
