Review: Clarins Daily Energizer Cream-Gel

If you're looking for a light day cream that sinks in quickly, smells fresh (a plant-like scent), and provides a good base for make up, then look no further! The last few weeks I have been looking forward to using this every morning, I used a probably about 3 pea sized blobs and then gently rub in. The gel/cream formulation means spreads really nicely, making a small amount go a lot way, while leaving your skin feeling fresh. I really wish I could get away with not wearing foundation, as this really does leave your skin looking healthy, but as I mentioned it is great under make up too. My skin feels hydrated, and the feelings uncomfortable feelings of tightness are no longer there. I've used this once or twice without the serum, and honestly, my skin is just as supple as when I use it with it. It really feels great, and I can't say my I've ever appreciated a moisturiser as much as this. My has also started to feel a lot smoother & definitely softer...it's loveeee. I will be repurchasing this when it runs out.

What Clarins say: 'combination of vitamin C, alchemilla and turmeric extracts : energizes skin and helps eliminate minor imperfections.'

I've read that tumeric is supposed to help with skin pigmentation, and I have to say that since using the combination of these three products, I've definitely noticed a reduction in my red marks. The night oil did make a difference before I started using the serum & this moisturiser, but the combination seems to be working a right treat!

(If redmarks/pigmentation is an issue for you, I would definitely recommend you read my review on the Face Treatment Oil which should be up soon.)

This range is specifically aimed at younger skins, it's non-oily with a matte, yet fresh, finish. I really love this line, and have got a deluxe sample of the cleansing melt, which is really lovely too.

£20 for 30ml

(They also do a full cream version, which would probably be better for drier skins, and those less prone to break outs.)

Do you have any recommendations from this line? I would love to try more out. 

Nic xxx

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Review: Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum

The HydraQuench Intensive Serum is mixture of oil and solution/serum (not sure exactly what you call it) so it needs a good shake before you use it. I use two pumps in the morning only, as the Blue Orchid oil (review coming) is little heavy to wear under make up. This, on the other hand works great, it's super light, and sinks in quickly with no greasy residue at all (it can be used in the night time as well if you don't want to splash out for both.) I apply it in dabbing motions from the centre of my face outwards, and within a minute, it's sunk it, my skin feels smooth and soft, with a natural finish. 

The reason I picked this up was because, although my skin was nice and supple when I woke up, within a few hours of applying my foundation, my skin seemed to dry up again with dry patches popping up! I do wear Double Wear, which is generally quite drying, but I had problems when trying out different ones too.  Whether it's been a combination of the moisturiser & serum, or just the serum, my skin has definitely improved. My skin is more supple, feels nicer to touch, and dry patches are kept at bay.

What Clarins say: ' a bi-phase serum which restores vitality to very dehydrated skin, even in exteme climates.' It contains Omega 3, Inca Peanut oil, as well as hyaluronic acid and Katafray bark to restore natural hydration.

Just to let you know, they have recently changed the packaging and formulation of this serum, it's got a runnier consistency, but apparently apart from that the formula is similar. (This is what a sales assistant told me!) I was a little peeved as the new one came out a week after I bought this, and the original girl who helped me didn't mention it! I would have much rather waited a week to try the new one. But hey, never mind.

I have read some reviews saying it can cause breakouts, but I haven't experienced that at all. But for those that can have reactions to products (which I don't) they may need to keep that in mind.

£40 for 30ml (same for the new formula)

It probably was a bit excessive of me to splash out for this, but I do genuinely feel it's been making a difference, as it really gets down into the skin and keeps working all day. I haven't regretted it at all.


Any products you rely on for dehydrated skin? Tried this product yourself?
Let me know!

Nic xxx

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I'm baaaack!

Hello! I am sorry for the silence, between essays/exams/ no internet I haven't had a chance! But I am officially finished Uni forever!! Yaaay. So, I will be back to blogging from now on, (minus the spontaneous trip to Barcelona my housemate and I just booked an hour ago! So, if anyone has any recommendations they would be much appreciated, we are staying in Sitges as we wanted a little beach break out of the city!)

My first post will be on some recently acquired Clarins bits, but I've had to split them up, as together it was just one long ass post that I'm sure no one would read, and they're amazing products so they deserve some special attention.

A little preview!

 

I'll get the first post up either this evening, or tomorrow.

Hope everyone's exam/essays/ etc have all gone well.

Thanks for sticking with me.

Nic xx

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Easter/ Westfield Haul

Helloooo, I'm back!

This posted was supposed to be up two weeks ago, but Uni has taken over my life, and when I do have some time I just don't seem to have to energy to think of anything to write that would not bore you to sleep, and I really didn't want to put up a half-arsed post! It's now 3am, and I've just finished my prep for my second essay and really felt motivated to get this up!

This is a bit of a mixed haul, but mostly it was from a little trip to Westfield while I was at home at Easter. It was mostly an excuse to meet up with Yu, and we had a lovely time- hope she appreciated me getting up before 9, that doesn't happen too often. We started off at Pain le Quotidien (great place for breakfast/brunch and reasonable too! Definitely recommend) and discussed our mutual appreciation for runny eggs before showing her my make up bag, and being told 'ouu you're one of those', (my used lipstick takes on a sort of scooped slop, rather than being flat.) We then spent a good few hours milling round the shops, swatching, oogling at handbags through windows, and spending too much money, more me than Yu, but I had cash burning a whole in my pocket. Anywho, on to my purchases...

Good Things Miracle Mattifier Moisturiser

Continuing on with the idea of simplifying my skincare, and reducing the amount unnecessary chemicals that go on my face I picked this up. I had already picked up the night cream version which I am actually in love with and will do a full review on it soon.  After a couple weeks use, I've really enjoyed this, although next time I think I'll go for the normal version, but it works really well as a mattifier, I just find with Double Wear (my foundation of choice) my skin doesn't really need extra mattifying.

Kleenex Facial Cleansing Wipes

These were on special in Tesco, and I'd read they're quite good and 'moist' (urgh, horrible word). I like to keep some wipes at my boyfriends house just incase I forget my make up remover, and I've only used these a couple times but I'm seriously unimpressed. I feel like they just tug on my skin a lot- maybe I got a bad pack, or it just doesn't work well with Double Wear.

NARS Luster Blush

Definitely influenced by Yu's raving about it, and although I wasn't planning on picking it up when I saw her, it had been on my wishlist for ages and I decided to just go for it. And I really really love it, and will definitely do a review and hopefully face of the day!

Benefit dr feelgood Primer

Yu and I looked at this at Westfield, but I didn't actually buy it until I was back up at uni. My best friend from home used to wear this when we were younger and I was always fascinated by it. My POREfessional had nearly run out so I decided to bite the bullet. At the moment I'm a little undecided about how I feel, and will do a full review when I've used it a bit more.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir 

Totally gave in to all the blogger hype, yes it's refreshing, but no I don't notice any improvements to my skin or brightening, no wows here and it's running out ridiculously quickly. So again, I'm very torn- it's a nice enought product, but I don't think it delivers on all it's claims. But then again, I've only been using it 3 weeks.

Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil (for dehydrated skin)

I'm sososo glad I listened to Yu and picked this up, okay more like invested, as it's not cheap. It really deserves it's own post, gets a massive thumbs up from me! 

Topshop Innocent Lipstick

I originally wanted Infrared, but decided I don't wear my bright orange's enough so justify buying a third one, so when for a more wearable everyday pink. I had previously bought the Strawberry Shortcake Revlon lip butter, but lost it, so decided to go for something different!

Dove Nourishing Oil Conditioner

I've spoken about my love for the express treatment before, but decided to try out the normal version as well to see how it compared. I've only used it twice so far, and have really liked it, not sure if it's going to replace the express version though!


I would quickly like to wish everyone luck who's coming up to the end of year exams/assignments, or are doing them at the moment. It's really not a fun time of the year is it!?

Full reviews of some of the products above will be coming when I can squeeze them in.

Have you bought anything new lately? I love reading haul posts, so feel free to send me your links (and youtube channels).

Nic xxx

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Saturday Night Pampering: LUSH, Liz Earle, Garnier

Saturday night called for a little chill out session, I really fancied getting in a hot bath and just forgetting about Uni work and impending exams and watch a bit of the Sopranos, (just started the boxset- hooked already). I had a bath bomb from LUSH to use and it sounded like it would really help me relax and unwind.

So, I ran a bath and popped in my Avobath* bath bomb, and let the lemongrass scent fill the bathroom, it's a really fresh scent, and mixed the rosewood and bergamot, it's supposed to help 'banish negative thoughts' and help raise your spirits.  LUSH say to 'use this when your skin is thirsty and your mind is blocked'. Exactly what I needed. I  really loved the way the bath bomb changes the water a lovely shade of green, and when the lights are on you can see the water almost looks shimmery, so pretty! I am a massive avocado fan, and I know how good it is for your skin, so seeing avocado and olive oil both are contained in this bath bomb, I knew it would amazing to add some moisture back into the skin.

 My skin needed a bit of scrub, and I found Happy to Scrub sitting in the bathroom which I had bought in the summer, an absolute bargain at £1.50 from Asda, it's a pretty gentle scrub but was enough for what I needed, but I wouldn't recommend if you needed something a bit more hardcore/ to remove fake tan. It's vanilla and patchouli scented, and reminds me a lot of the original Soap and Glory scent.

 During my bath I treated myself to a few Guylian chocolate shells which came with my Easter while I tried to enjoy my bath... but I've got to be honest, my idea of a nice hot relaxing bath didn't exactly go as planned. I stepped into bath and turned on the hot tap to find luke warm water, so I had to do my scrubbing and 'relaxing' covered in goosebumps. Major fail.

While I was waiting for my bath to run, I used a body brush from the Boots Botanics to get my circulation going (ideally you're supposed to this first thing in the morning), I try to do this as often as I remember, always do it on dry skin, Liz Earle explain the benefits much better than I can on their website! After my bath, I then used the Liz Earle Energising Hip & Thigh Gel, which I would love to rave about and tell you it does miracles for toning, but in all honesty I don't use it regularly enough to comment. But I do think if you can get into a routine where you body brush, and then use vigorous massaging it may help with fluid retention and dimples. I've never particularly suffered with cellulite but I like to do what I can (when I remember) to prevent it happening.  I can definitely comment that the gel does feel tingly and refreshing, and there is a sort of tightening feeling- I really like it and it makes me feel it's doing something, whether that's physiological or not!

Once the gel had dried I applied Garnier Replenshing Mango Lotion, (the mango is aimed at dry skin, which I don't have, I just really just love mango!) It's really lightweight and sinks in really quickly, which I love. It does make claims about keeping your moisturised for 7 days, which are some pretty bold claims but I can't comment as my skin often goes weeks without moisturiser- no matter which one I use- with no problems! Combined with the moisturising effects of the Avobath, my skin really felt lovely!

Hope you all had a more exciting weekend than I did, although it seems to far away now. Bit of a delay getting this post up. Today I had fun, went and met Yu at Westfield and did a bit of shopping so there will be haul post tomorrow, as well as some bits I picked up from Feel Unique!

Do you have any products you rely on for helping you relax or unwind?

 

Nic xxx

(*) given to me for consideration purposes, but that in no way influences my opinion. as usual this review is 100% honest.

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