Dove Summer Glow Nourishing Lotion

I know I have been posting a lot of sunscreen reviews recently, so it might seem like I am anti-tanning. But if I am honest, I feel better with a bit of colour to my skin. At the same time, I find the fake tan routine a bit cumbersome.

So gradual tanners are a great for adding colour without the risk of streaks and orangey-ness from fake tanning and without the risk of burning when you live in an oven.

Dove Summer Glow Nourishing Lotion is a moisturiser with a hint of fake tan. It is a good moisturiser, the consistency is thick, but creamy so it spreads really easily on the skin and the tan is even, It doesn't smell like fake tan, which is a bonus. The colour develops quite quickly, within a day, and with one application I notice I am about one shade darker.

I particularly like to use this to on my neck to help even out my colour. My face is naturally lighter than my neck, so foundation just highlights this difference. By using gradual tanner on my neck, I can balance everything out.

The tan lasts for about five days before fading, assuming you aren't topping up every day. Obviously, the more often you apply the deeper the colour you get. The only downside is it takes a while to sink in, so I reserve this for application at the weekend or in the evening when I am not in a hurry.

Dove Summer Glow is on promotion at the moment for at Boots where you can get 3 for 2 (normally £5.25 each).

Benefit Dream Screen

Another SPF review today and this time an offering from Benefit. As you’ve probably guessed by now, I’m keen at the moment on finding good daily SPF’s especially a facial one that works under makeup. Alpha-H’s offering is very good, but this wouldn’t be a very interesting beauty blog if I wasn’t the curious type when it came to trying new products.

Benefit claim that their Dream Screen, is ultra lightweight and that ‘you can’t feel it, you can’t see it, but it’s got you covered.’ And I would agree. It’s an oil sunscreen, which you immediately think won’t absorb into the skin and won’t work well as a makeup base. But, it does. That said, it doesn’t absorb quickly, you need to give it a few minutes, and the finish isn’t matte like Benefit claims.

It is meant to be an SPF of 45+, great for extreme temperatures, but it isn't waterproof so it's not one I would suggest for a poolside/beach holiday.

Dream Screen costs £25 and can be purchased online or from Benefit stores/counters.

Current skincare and makeup, less is more?

I'm slightly embarrassed to admit my skincare and makeup routine has been lacking recently. I'll blame the weather.

That said, my skin seems to be looking better for it. My makeup application these days is minimal, part laziness, part not having learnt how to make makeup stay in place for any length of time in 40^oC+ conditions. So all I use is Bourjois CC cream (which seems to be never ending), Smashbox BB cream concealer, a bit of bronzer, and Benefit's Gimme Brow, and I'm done.

Skincare wise, I'm still using my Kiehl's cleanser, I am so impressed with how little of this you need to clean your face. I use it both morning and night, and because my makeup application is so little during the day I only need one cleanse to remove everything. I also haven't been using my Clarisonic and have just been using my hands or a flannel depending on my mood.

I also use La Roche Posay's Effaclar Duo+ morning and night now as a moisturising/treatment step. This product has holy grail status to me now as I am pretty sure it is the main reason my skin is clear. I haven't had a major breakout in a while, and when at night I notice small, red spots have started to surface by the morning they are gone.

I also recently introduced Bioderma's moisturiser and I am, so far, really enjoying it. It is light, almost serum like, and considering that it is so hot now and air conditioning is on full-time it has helped with some dry patches that have been developing.

When I know I will be outside for any length of time I also apply Alpha H's protection plus daily, which is my SPF step. I have a full review of this coming up, but, in short, I love it. It is non-greasy and also acts a great primer.

Keeping it simple seems to be working for me at the moment. Does anyone else find this?

Foreo Luna Mini Cleanser Review

As a BzzAgent I was very excited when I got the chance to test and review a new skin care tool, The Foreo Luna Mini.

The cleansing device using T-Sonic™ technology, essentially sonic pulsations, as "a radical new approach to cleansing that is both deeper and gentler at the same time”.

Sample session: Murad Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask

You may have noticed that my sample session posts have been lacking. Surprisingly testing samples hasn’t been as much fun as I expected.

I’ve had to stop using Liquid Gold while I’m testing out a new serum and I noticed that my skin wasn’t feeling as smooth as it normally does.

Cue Murad Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask, which works by dissolving dry skin and is meant to keep skin looking fresh, clear and bright. There is no manual exfoliation action here, as you may spot in the ingredients list it is fruit enzymes and alpha-hydroxy acids doing the work.

Alpha-H Anti-Ageing Cleanser

I have a love-hate relationship with this cleanser. I love how it makes my skin look but I hate how it feels to use.

The Liquid Gold Anti-Ageing Cleanser is the newest cleanser from Alpha-H. The cleanser contains gylcolic acid, lactic acid and shea butter and promises to kick starts the skin’s cell renewal process to help achieve poreless looking skin.

Spray Clay! Pore Refining White Clay Mask

There aren't many times that I come home from an event and immediately want to tear open the product to try. But that's exactly what happened with Clayspray.

Regular blog readers will know that I love face masks, but I also love anything that is novel. When I received the event invite, the image and name had me picturing myself literally spraying a mask onto my face, which thinking about now isn't the best idea anyway — packaging that includes protective eye wear wouldn’t be very cute.

The properties of this clay and it's delivery is what makes it special. Clayspray is made from a pure clay blend with minerals and is 60-65% clay. After blending it is left for 15 days to mature and all the good properties of the clay are maintained.

The mask is the first clay mask that comes in spray format. The air is separated in the canister from the clay so it cannot react, keeping it fresh.

The range has five types of mask for different skin types and concerns and there is even a hair mask! I was given the The Pore Refining Masque mask to try, which was lovely to use but not one I would recommend for dry skin because it does leave your face feeling tight immediately after use. 

So what’s it like to use?

Clayspray recommends that you use their mineral water spray to dampen your face before applying the mask and then use it to soften the clay at the end to remove it.

In my experience you need quite damp skin before applying the mask because it begins to set immediately and you need the water to be able to spread the clay and get a thin layer. I tend to wash my face, not dry it and then spray the mineral water on top before applying the mask.

As with other masks you then lie back and let it set. This masks sets quickly, in under 5 minutes, although I usually leave it on for about 10. At this point is it solid and after softening the mask with the water spray I wipe it away with a  flannel/muslin cloth. But I found that I had to do this at least twice because the mask left a residual layer. 

I've used the mask once a week for a month and overall I can say that my skin is better for it. The day after using the mask my skin was brighter and any small blemishes were reduced. 

I would definitely consider picking up another tube but of a formulation more suited for dry skin. Realistically I wouldn't pay the £18.50 for the mineral water, as much as I am willing to invest in skin care this step seems unnecessary and I don't think you get any better or worse results by not using it. 

The mask costs £41.71 and can be purchased on the Clayspray website. 

So, I’d love to know if there was a spray on mask would you try it?

Discover Nuxe

I was invited to an event to Discover Nuxe, which was perfect because apart from seeing their products on shelves in Dubai didn't know anything about them. 

Nuxe is a French natural origin cosmetology brand that has been around since the end of the 1980s. It has its own research and development labs and numerous patented ingredients, which is something that really impresses me. 

At the event were walked through their product range, each designed for either a different skin type/concern and had the chance to feel the products and take in the lovely scents while admiring the new artwork designed to complement the range.

In terms of stand out, must try products, I loved the sounds of the Nuxellence youth and radiance revealing fluid and the Creme Fraiche beauty mask. The Reve de Miel (honey) lip balm also felt great on the lips and was much more nourishing than any lip product I have tried before. 

One of Nuxe’s most famous products is the Huile Prodigieuse, multi-purpose dry oil, which can be applied to face, body and hair.

I've been using this recently and have been surprised by the versatility and how much I like it. I love oils generally but I tend to save them for night time use. Because this is a dry oil means there is no greasy feeling and it dries quickly so I've been able to get dressed straight away without the oil transferring to my clothes.

The smell is gorgeous and I have used this on my legs to moisturise and on my hair to add shine. I have also tried it as a hair mask by applying it to my roots and wrapping my hair in a towel for a few hours before shampooing. After washing my hair felt softer than it has felt it in a long time so I will definitely be using the oil like this again. You can also mix in the oil with your normal moisturiser or foundation to give a smooth and nourished base.

The spritz is quite powerful and I would recommend spraying close to the skin or directly onto your hands and then rubbing where ever you need otherwise you will get a light layer of oil all over the bathroom floor! 

There is also a shimmer version of the oil available. I squirted a little too much on my hand at the event but with the right amount the shimmer would provide a very pretty glow and would be perfect with a tan or for use on sunny days.

You can see Nuxe's full product range and find out more about the brand on their newly launched website. 

I'd love to know, how did you discover Nuxe? 

Sample session: Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation

I’ve really tried hard to love this product. But I just don’t. I’ve applied it sparingly, slapped it on, buffed it in, let it settle, but whatever I do I can’t seem to achieve that flawless skin everyone else describes.

The No Foundation Foundation by Perricone MD is meant to correct skin undertones, blur lines, wrinkles and pores and offer all-day moisture with an even, dewy finish. It also contains lots of anti-ageing ingredients to help to firm skin and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles over time.

The first few times I used this my skin was at its worse, lots of spots and scars and the dewy formula just made me look greasy. The orange tint it left my skin also did nothing to tone down the look of the spots and I didn’t notice any reduction in the appearance of my pores.

So I decided to let my skin settle and try again. This time it did even out my skin tone but the orange hue remained. I did hope that by leaving it to settle product would adapt to my skin tone but I didn’t find this to be the case.

My conclusion is that if you have flawless skin the first place and need the security that comes with applying something on your face then this is for you. But if you are someone looking for more coverage, then this wouldn’t work. That being said if the colour does work for you this would be a great choice to use on holiday — although it wouldn’t provide much in the way of coverage the skin benefits would make up for that. 

At £47 for a full size bottle, this isn’t something I would repurchase right now. If I ever achieve my goal of flawless skin it may be something I revisit but only because I would want to benefit from the ingredients it contains. 

Let me know if you have tried this and what you thought, am I using it all wrong? 

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil Review

Long long ago I attended an event by DHC cosmetics, which is a brand from Japan and is one of the biggest Asian skincare and cosmetics brands.

I hadn’t heard of the brand before so the event was a nice introduction to the brand and their existing skincare line as well as new cosmetics collection (which I will be reviewing separately).

Their most famous product is the Deep Cleansing Oil. The oil is a water soluble based cleanser containing vitamin E and olive oil.

I was a bit concerned that with the hype around this product I would end up disappointed but I in fact I have been really impressed.

To use, you apply a small amount of oil to dry skin, massage your face and remove with water - I've been using either a damp muslin cloth or my Clarisonic. I've used this to remove eye makeup and although I was a bit nervous I didn't experience any irritation and my eye make dissolved immediately and was removed in one go. The cleansing process is quick and a small amount of product goes a long way.

The product smells just like olive oil, but the scent is light and not offensive. I haven't bothered to double cleanse with this because I haven't felt the need to, my skin is left clean and there is no oily residue on the skin. I've had no issue with break outs since using this.

The cleanser comes in three sizes, the smallest bottle is 30ml, and you pour it to get the oil but I the two larger bottles have a pump dispenser.

I love that the mini bottle is available for purchase so you can try the oil before you commit to a larger size. The price of the 30ml bottle is £4.50, 70ml is £11 and 200ml is £21.50, and they can be found on the DHC website.

First impression: Estee Lauder Advanced Eye Night Repair

The only place I am concerned about signs of ageing is my eyes. Maybe because I have actually started to notice fine lines developing. The worst thing is I’ve always found it hard to incorporate an eye cream into my routine.

The Estee Lauder Advanced Eye Night Repair is meant to help reduce fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, dark circles, dryness and uneven skintone.

What I didn’t realise before writing this post was that the serum is suitable for use during the night and day. I took the name quite literally and didn’t even bother to read the instructions. So for the last week I have only been using this at night and was actually looking for a cream that I could use during the day — a nice bonus for my wallet.

There is something very luxurious about using this product, and for the price you would expect it to be! The product comes in a cute pot with a dip applicator, which you use to remove the product and wash after each use to keep everything hygienic.

The product has the consistency of a serum, and is much thicker than anything I have used on my eyes before. A small amount goes a long way and because I have been using it at night, the time it takes to absorb hasn’t been an issue.

So far I have noticed a reduction in my crows feet, the lines look softer and overall my eye area feels smooth and hydrated. I’m not sure how much of this is the placebo effect, because I didn’t take any before pictures, but before I write my final review I plan on taking some photographs to compare.

I picked this up in a set with the Advanced Night Repair serum but alone this would normally cost £37 for 15ml. Until I’ve tested this a little longer it’s going to be hard to comment if it is worth the money.

If you’ve tried this I would love to know if I can expect good things in the next few weeks.

Quick review: Filorga Sleep Recover Anti Fatigue Night Balm

A couple of months back, I attended an event for skincare brand Filorga, a French brand that specialise in dermo-cosmetics.

Sleep Recover Anti Fatigue Night Balm is the newest addition to the range and is intended to be used to invert what Filorga refer to as the 'V lines of fatigue’ so that skin/face looks younger and less tired.

Filorga say that the balm is compensating skin care that takes advantage of your sleep to regenerate the skin and fight against signs of fatigue. These are things like under-eye shadows, puffiness and the appearance of tired, drawn features (the down-ward V).

The balm is intended to be used every night, after cleansing. It has a light texture, smells lovely and fresh and absorbs into the skin well.

As directed, I applied this on to a clean face each evening. My skin did feel smooth and soft in the morning but having used it for a couple of weeks I still didn’t see any major improvements in my skin overall.

I suspect that I am not at the right age to see what this product has to offer. I have the initial signs of skin ageing but nothing major yet.

There isn’t a link yet online but Sleep Recover and other Filorga products can found in Marks & Spencer beauty halls.

Have you tried any products from the brand? I think the meso-face peel will go on my to purchase list.

The Skin Regime

I have always been on a mission to create beautiful skin. I actually managed to get pretty close but going back to college and the stress of the course meant my skin broke out and has now scarred badly and I feel like I am back at square one.

So when I was offered a chance to read The Skin Regime and have a test of the routine, I jumped at it.

The author of the book, Dana Ramos, is a skin care enthusiast and her book presents a way of reversing sun damage and ageing and achieving beautiful skin using an inexpensive home skin care routine.

The routine is based around weekly skin peels that you would usually have done professionally and using a simple, gentle products in between the peels for a period of 6 to 12 weeks. 

The book is written in a simple and fun style, I managed to whizz through it after a day of commuting. After an introduction (which you can read free on the website) it dives in to how you can create beautiful skin and explains who the treatment is and is not suitable for. There is then a chapter on maintenance — including what to do if you don’t want to try peels — and some advice on how to show off your nice skin (make-up talk). There is also a chapter on treatments beyond the regime, things like fillers and liposuction, and whether or not they can actually work. Finally there is a chapter looking at the regime on the rest of your body and how it differs from the face.

I was sent a small sample of peel to try, and although I was a little nervous using it and convinced I had done something wrong, the next day my skin felt very smooth and looked a little clearer. I still have a long way to go in terms of clearing up the scarred areas but I do believe that over the suggested 6 week course the routine would work.

I am hoping to continue the regime for a few weeks and share my results with you. In the mean time if you want to learn more about The Skin Regime and see before and after photos as well as an amazing photograph of the author without makeup, take a look at The Skin Regime website.

You can also follow on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Sample session: GlamGlow tingling and exfoliating mud mask

Having tried the other mask in the GlamGlow range last week I thought I would give the star product a try. GlamGlow say that their tingling and exfoliating mud mask delivers both instant and cumulative results and leaves your complexion revived and glowing for 3 days after each application.

The benefits include:

• Skin collagen synthesis for a noticeable 3 day glow
• Brighter, radiant skin in minutes
• Leaves skin noticeably soft and smooth
• Multi-level resurfacing exfoliation
• Penetrates into the deepest layers of the skin to soften fine lines and wrinkles
• Tightens, tones and lifts the skin
• Relieves dark circles and minimises pores
• Absorbs impurities without removing natural oils
• Suitable for all skin types, ages and for both men and women
• Contains no artificial colours or fragrances

The mask is dark grey/green in colour and has a gritty texture with some larger bits also thrown in.

I applied a thin layer and the mask immediately started to dry, which made the application difficult. The texture is like sand, so rubbing it into my skin I felt a bit concerned that it might be too rough.

After a few minutes the tingling began and this lasted about 5 minutes, at which point the mask had dried completely. The tingling is intense but not uncomfortable to the point that you wonder if you should remove the product.
I left the mask on for 15 minutes in total before removing with a damp face cloth. Again the texture felt like sand but this is the exfoliation step of the treatment.

Immediately after my skin looked bright and clear and felt so smooth. My face did feel tight, but not uncomfortable and this was easily fixed with face oil.

The next day my skin still looked bright and clear and my scars lighter. On day two my skin still looked bright and clear and my pores less noticeable and the same on day three.

A big factor for me when using face masks is the luxury/treat element. I can't say that I enjoyed using this but the results after one use were so impressive that I would be tempted to purchase a full size tub.

Starting at £22.50 for 15ml of product (there is also a 50ml tub), it's not a cheap mask, but a little produces good results and based on the immediately results, I believe that over time my skin the mask would provide the cumulative effects that it promises.

GlamGlow can be found in online and in Space NK and M&S stores. You can also purchase the sample I had for £4.99 from the GlamGlow website so you can try before you buy.

Have you tried GlamGlow? I'm always on the hunt for the ultimate face mask so let me know what your favourite is.
 

Eve Lom cleanser review

I wanted to try this cleanser ever since I heard Mouldy Fruit feature it as a one of her monthly favourites.

The cleanser has been described by Vogue as “probably the best cleanser in the world”. It claims to be suitable for all skin types and conditions and even though you are meant to see results immediately, in terms of skin looking more radiant and feeling smoother, this is only meant to improve with use.

The cleanser has a balm like texture, and with the heat of your hands it spreads easily on the skin. It does contain tiny granules, which feel lightly exfoliating (but I don’t think that’s the point of them). It is not a great sensation when it comes to rubbing over the eyes so I usually take a little product in between my fingers and melt it down as much as possible before gently massaging over my eye area.

The scent is strong but not overwhelming, I can smell clove and eucalyptus and overall I think it is a herbal scent. I have days when I like it and others when I don’t….go figure!

Using the product is a nice experience, I haven't followed the long winded instructions included for a facial massage, which is a nice touch but not practical on a daily basis. But I would like to try and incorporate the technique once or twice a week as it is meant to help decongest and drain toxins.

The instructions recommend that you massage the cleanser onto the face and neck, then soak the muslin cloth in hot water and press the cloth against sections of the face and neck for a few seconds, repeating up to three times, before working the muslin cloth against the skin in small, circular movements to remove the cleanser. As a final step the brand recommends rinsing the cloth in cool water and pressing against the skin. This doesn’t take a long time, and is fine as a routine in the evenings, but in the mornings I have been massaging the product into the skin and immediately using the cloth to remove the cleanser. I haven’t found that it is suitable for use with the Clarisonic.

Ingredients: paraffinum liquidum (mineral oil), cetearyl alcohol, peg-30 lanolin, bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, aluminum stearate, theobroma cacao (cocoa butter), peg-75 lanolin, chamomilla recutita (chamomile oil), eugenia caryophyllus (clove oil), eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus oil), humulus lupulus (hops oil), phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, p-chloro-m-cresol, eugenol, isoeugenol

Overall I'm in mixed minds about the product. It is very effective at removing eye makeup as well as other makeup from the skin but I have noticed my skin is more congested recently. I haven't broken out but I seem to have more blackheads. Being that the first ingredient is mineral oil (which I’ve never had any issues with) I’m wondering if this is one of those instances where I have to use a toner to remove any residual cleanser — a step I usually skip.

For a lot of products I am not a fan of tubs as containers, but I assume for this product there isn’t much of a choice because of its texture.

I purchased mine at Space NK as part of a Christmas box set, but usually a 100ml tub would cost you £55, which includes a muslin cloth (which is huge and a nice quality btw). There are also 50ml and 200ml tubs, which cost £40 and £85, respectively. It’s not a cheap cleanser, and I’m in two minds about whether or not I would purchase it again. It is lovely to use and effective, but a 50ml tub lasted me approximately two months when used day and night, which doesn’t make it the best value for money. There is a very good chance I was a bit generous with the application though, so I will see how long the 100ml tub lasts before I make up my mind.

Is the Eve Lom cleanser your holy grail?

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix review

I didn’t expect any product to challenge my love of Alpha-H’s Liquid Gold…..but Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix has done just that.

I received these after attending a press event they held long before Christmas. On the day I was treated to a mini facial, which gave me a chance to get a feel for the products on my skin. The first thing I noticed about the glycolic pads was that they didn’t make my skin feel dry or tight, in fact they immediately made my skin feel smooth and hydrated.

The pads contain glycolic acid (the same star ingredient as liquid gold) and are recommended for use up to twice a day (morning and night). Very simply, you take the pads (which have a refreshing lemon scent) and sweep it all over your face and neck after toning and before moisturising.

I’ve already raved about how liquid gold treatment did wonders to brighten my skin, making it smoother, helping to clear up scars and reduce redness too. Having used liquid gold for so long, these have helped to maintain my skin condition, and I’ve used it as a 'top-up’ treatment. I only use these at night, and I like to skip using a moisturiser when I do. I have tried using these several nights in a row and I haven't had any problems with my skin drying out. I found that they are good for reducing redness as well as clearing up any small blemishes. Over time they are also good at faded scars and acne marks. Overall I think my skin looks clearer and more refined having used this.

I’ve used the tub over the last few months and I’m glad to report that the pads haven’t dried out. There are 60 pads contained in each tub, which if you use as instructed will last you 1-2 months, but I think you can get away with using these once or twice a week, depending on your skin condition, which means that it will last much longer.

Regardless of weather you’re using this in the morning or evening, whenever using glycolic products you should protect your skin during the day with a sunscreen. I read on All that Slaps review that the Nip + Fab product contains 4% glycolic acid. Liquid Gold contains 5% glycolic acid but even though it is a 1% difference the recommendations for frequency of use are quite different, unfortunately I don’t remember my chemistry days well enough to be able to explain why that might be.

The cost of 60 pads is £12.95, which is significantly cheaper than a bottle of liquid gold and makes this  a great value alternative product. Personally I will be skipping repurchasing liquid gold in favour of this for the purpose of keeping my skin in the condition it is in now.

Nip + Fab can be found in Boots as well as some department stores and online.

Pond’s cold cream review

What seems like an age ago I attended a Pond’s event at the Dorchester Hotel, which was celebrating a new look and the addition of Laura Whitmore -- most recently seen on I'm a celebrity get me of here now -- as their brand ambassador.

Prior to the event, I had largely ignored Pond's as a brand, I strongly associate it with my grandmother and always assumed it was for older skins.

We were kindly given a bag of goodies and I was most excited to try the Cold Cream, which is a product that historically has been around since Ancient Greece. The product is multifunctional and can be used as a cleanser, face mask and hand cream.

I have primarily used it as a cleanser and makeup remover, and I was surprised just how good it is at gently removing foundation, lipstick and even eye makeup (although generally I have a quick sweep with a eye makeup remover and rely on the cream to remove anything residual). It can be removed with cotton wool but I prefer to use a damp face cloth. I then use a toner and moisturiser.

Pond's recommends that this is suitable for all skin types. I have dry skin and immediately after using this for the first time my skin felt soft and smooth, a feeling that lasted through until the morning.
The product is quite thick in consistency and does feel greasy. I haven't reacted negatively by breaking out but I expect that anyone with oily skin is not going to like the feel.

On the event night, I was treated to a hand massage (which felt lovely) and although it can be used as a hand cream, because it feels so greasy, I would suggest using it as a hand mask instead.

The scent of the product is very delicate and overall I think it is a treat to use. The only negative for me is the packaging, I'm more of a fan of tubes than pots in general, but in the case of cold cream I think the pot is historic.

I think this is a great, good value product for gently removing makeup and, being multifunctional, would be great to take on travels so that you do have a face mask on hand if needed.

You get 50ml for £4.07, which lasted me about a month, but I think I have been slapping on a bit more than I should have so it could possibly stretch to more.

Christmas 2012 sale haul

Today was a day of impulse purchases. I am a sucker for box sets and nothing is better than a half price box set.

To start I hit Space NK, I noticed that their website didn’t have any of the skin care sets on sale but luckily this wasn’t the case in store.

I picked up two Eve Lom sets, the day time collection and the luxury collection. I've always admired the packaging of Eve Lom and having heard good things from Mouldy Fruit about the cleanser, which is their cult product, I was curious to try it for myself. The only thing that stopped me was the price…..and of course the fear that I will love it and then want more!

The day time collection contains a cleanser, muslin cloth, morning time cleanser, rescue mask and kiss mix. The luxury collection contains the cleanser, rescue mask again and a moisturiser. The kits were £65 and £85 respectively, but I essentially got two for the price of one with each of them 50% off. Of course I will have reviews up as soon as I have tested all thoroughly. 

The next stop for me was Boots, I was on the hunt for the Umberto Giannini curl friends kit, which I spied before Christmas but it was sold out in my local store. Instead I brought two Sanctuary sets, a hand wash and moisturiser duo, half price at £5. I would like to get into the habit of moisturising my hands after washing them and I thought that having the products neatly side by side might be a good way to start.

The second kit was the winter facial in a box. The kit contains 6 products for a 30-minute home facial. They are all sample sizes and for the original £20 price tag, there is no way I would have purchased this but at £10 I think this will be a great way to test some products in the range. The kit contains a polishing hot cloth cleanser, radiance exfoliator, firming youth serum, a 5 minute thermal detox mask, life and brighten eye complex and stop the clock moisturiser SPF 15.

Next I picked up a Big Fat Hair hair care set as a gift for my sister. These are the sets that I think are the best value for money because the cost of the kit (in this case £8) almost makes it the equivalent of buying one full sized product with three thrown in for free. 

Finally, my most impulsive purchase of all, a Mark Hill wicked waver! I have always been intrigued by these odd barrel shaped wavers and at half price (£29.99!) I thought it was worth trying. I’ve never tried anything from the Mark Hill range before so this will be an experience all round. I’m hoping that is will be a great tool for reviving my hair two to three days post wash, when I am too lazy to wash but the curls have fallen out. Again I’ll have a full review up when I have had a chance to test this out. 

I think I will stop myself from visiting any more sales for a while, although I do have a voucher for Debenhams so I may be taking a quick peek……

Let me know, what has been your best sale bargain?