Elemis

Beauty - Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm Review

3:59:00 pm

I'm sure I've said many times before that until I started blogging and reading blogs I didn't have any kind of skincare routine, it consisted of  whatever baby wipes were on special offer in boots and that was it.  I always suffered with extremely oily skin and breakouts when using this one step routine which is not surprising and is now shocking to think I did this for such a long time.  I would say for the best part of two years I have really got into skincare and my skin has thanked me for it, I don't suffer with breakouts and my skin has balanced out dramatically. 

As much as I followed a routine I never really fell in love with a product until I found Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish .  I really liked this product and used it for months but the down side was I always went through the bottles quickly as I felt the need to double cleanse with it.

This is why, to me, the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is ,even better I simply ADORE every single thing about it.


Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Available at Time to Spa £39.50 105g




The Packaging looks good, feels nice and even on my travels has never leaked or unscrewed in my luggage.

The smooth, firm, balm smells incredible as soon as the lid is removed and intensifies while warming the balm between your fingertips pre-application.  The lavender, geranium, eucalyptus leaf  and clove leaf oils are the ingredients that I would say mingle together to create this calming spa like scent.

For me balms are the easiest kind of cleansers to use and this one is no different.  I start by warming the balm between my finger tips to ensure it is completely drag free on the skin.  Once I am happy with the consistency I massage onto my face avoiding the eyes.  While I do this a wash cloth is under hot running water - the hotter the water the better the results - but not to hot that it would burn, common sense folks!  I squeeze out any excess water in the wash cloth so that it is just damp and begin to remove the cleanser from my face, with the cleanser comes any make up or dirt from the day.

I just want to take a moment to appreciate the wash cloth, flannel, whatever you want to call it that comes in the pack, it is so good.  Soft but with enough oomph to give you a gentle exfoliation.  It was refreshing to see a quality wash cloth with a cleanser like this rather than the usual muslin cloth.

The blend of almond, jojoba and coconut oil, flower and bee waxes as well as shea butter meant that immediately my skin felt softer, looked brighter and pores were not as visible. I continued using this but only on nights when I wanted a really deep, pampering cleanse as at £39.50 it is out of my budget to use everyday.  Unlike previous cleansers I have used only one cleanse is neccesary with amazing results. 

The only thing I would change about this product would be to make it suitable for removing eye make up.  Unfortunately during my first use I found out that this is not comfortable for use on the eyes as it can sting slightly.  I combat this by removing any eye make up before cleansing.

Thank you Elemis for allowing me to really fall in love and appreciate something so beneficial for my skin.

Gemma
x



*PR SAMPLE

Body Shop Lip Butter

My Lip Care Routine and Top Lip Balm Picks

11:44:00 am


So with the winter weather well and truly creeping up on us I have started to notice my skin and lips getting a lot dryer and before it gets any worse I have taken some drastic action and introduced a high level of lip care into my daily routine. 
In this post I will include mini reviews on the products I am using to keep my lips in the best condition I can during the colder months, because lets face it there is nothing worse than applying lipstick to chapped and cracked, dry lips. 
So this is how I keep my lips, lipstick happy.
 
Step 1
Every morning after I have brushed my teeth I lightly brush my lips, removing any loose dry skin.

Step 2
After removing the surface dry skin with the first step, I use a sugar lip scrub to remove the more stubborn dry skin.  The rubbing of the sugar scrub brings the blood to the surface making your lips appear plumper too and in turn smoother.  The sugar scrub I have been using recently is the,

Lush Bubblegum Sugar Lip Scrub £5.25
This lip scrub has been raved about on many blogs I read so I bought it to see what the fuss was about.  As this is the first lip scrub I have ever used I have nothing to compare it to.  The first thing that caught my eye was the colour, pink being my favourite colour this pleased me no end.  The first day I used this I was unsure what to expect but I did expect it to be a little bit more sticky, this crumbles when you pinch a bit between your fingers. As you rub this into your lips it tastes delicious, most of the sugar eventually melts into your lips and I can't resist but to lick my lips.  I rinse the excess sugar from around my lips with warmwater but can sometimes be left with an oily patch on my face where the sugar has been,  which worries me slightly incase this caused a breakout.  This product does the job I need it to at the moment but once it is finished I will be on the hunt for a new lip scrub that stays more together during the scrubbing. 

Step 3
Now my lips are all smooth I treat them to a generous helping of mango, mango lip butter that is.

The Body Shop Mango Lip Butter £4
I love the lip butters from The Body Shop they are so nourishing and smell delicious, I love lipbalms that are highly scented and the smell of mango is just devine.  I use this one in the morning as it requires your finger to apply and these can be messy to apply during the day so this one is kept in my make up drawer. I love the packaging of these as it is just a mini of the famous body butters. These last longer on the lips than any lipbalm I have ever used which is perfect when im walking to work with the wind battering on my face. I will repurchase this again and again but I might try out the different flavours.
 
When im at work or out and about I prefer my lipbalms that do not require you to use your finger to apply, this is more convenient and quick for throughout the day.  I use two different products, they are both extremely similar with two very different price tags.
 
Palmer's Dark Chocolate and Peppermint Lip Butter £2.89
This is my newest lip product so I have only been using it for a couple of days, it is the one I keep in my work locker.  I love the feel of this on my lips as it is extremely smooth but slightly more glossy than I like of a lip balm, although the would be great on top of a lipstick.  It smells so yummy the chocolate minty smell reminds me of After Eight after dinner mints and we always have them at Chirstmas, so for me this is very festive.  Im not sure if I would repurchase this yet as I have only been using it for a few days but first impressions are good.
 
 
Elemis Fresh Skin Loving Lips Balm £7.99
I have been using this on and off since March and it is still got lots left, the feeling on your lips is very similar to the Palmers Lip Butter but the finish it more of a balm finish and less glossy which I love.  It is scented with peppermint and is very refreshing on the lips. The packaging of this is very professional looking with the silver finish lid.I keep this in my handbag so I always have this with me when im not in the house. Due to the price I doubt I will repurchase this again as I can get the palmers one which is pretty much the same with the added scent of chocolate.  This is part of the Elemis Fresh Skin Range which I have reviewed in full here
Buy your Here
 
I repeat steps 1-3 again in the evening while removing my make up using the same products.  When in bed and just about to go to sleep my night time lip balm is a classic.  I apply it right before I go to sleep and before the morning it has dissapearing and soaked right into my lips. The reason I use this at night is because I have to use my finger to apply but with the extra little bits that are left on my finger I apply to my lashline, this is meant to nourish your lashes and promote growth.  How could I write a post about lipcare and not mention Vasaline, that would be a crime to beauty.
 
Vasaline Lip Therapy Cocoa Butter £1.99
This is one of the classics when it comes to lip care, vasaline has been around for so long and other companies have tryed to copy the formula but never got it quite the same, even after all the different lipbalms and butters I have tryed this is one I need to keep in my collection and always have a tub. This was the first time I tryed the cocoa butter one and it is definately my favourite due to the beautiful cocoa scent, it is just gorgeous.  This is my ultimate lipblam and I will repurchase again and again.
Buy yours Here
 
I hope you enjoyed this post and although it was long was able to give you some helpful tips.
 
What is your lip saviour?
 
Lots of Love
 
Gem
 
xxx

Beauty

Beauty - Elemis Fresh Skin Whole Range Mini Review

6:06:00 pm

This skincare range has been a breathe of fresh air to my skin, I have struggled to find something for years that is gentle yet effective for my sensitive skin.  This range is targeted at the teens to 20's age group, I am 20 now and just wish this had been invented when I was 15 when my skin was at its worst.

I was sent the whole range to try out from the lovely ladies at Elemis Fresh Skin, based in London, and I just couldn't wait to let you all know how much I am enjoying using these products and what a difference they have made to my skin. 

Elemis Fresh Skin, Elemis Skincare,



The packaging for this product is just excellent, aswell as being in my favourite colour, pink, there is also a different beauty tip relating to each product and the benefits of the ingredients are printed on the side of the box , so you know exactly what you are putting onto skin and why it should help.  A big plus about using these products , as a massive animal lover it states on the packaging "Elemis does not test on animals", knowing this made me love the products that little bit more

Peachy Perfect Gentle Face Wash
This everyday facial wash is so refreshing, perfect to wake
 up your skin early in the morning.  I use this day and night
by wetting the face with warm water to open my pores,
 massaging one pump of the gel onto my face to produce a
 foamy lather and thoroughly rinsing with cold water to close
 my pores. This gel has a very fresh smell with a hint of peach
This left my skin feeling very softeven after the first use.


 £12.00 for 100ml


Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash 
This facial exfoliator is perfect to give your skin a deep
clean, the jojoba beads gently polish your skin leaving
it extremely smooth.  The fresh aroma of mandarin and
 aniseed is gorgeous.  I only use this one night a week, a
treat for my skin on a sunday night to kick start the week,
also I feel that a scrub is to much for your skin if used daily.



 £12.00 for 100ml

 
Make Up Away Cleansing Wipes
These are fantastic when you need to remove make-
up in a hurry and dont have time to follow your
normal skin care routine, these can gently sweep away
your make up whilst softening and conditioning your
skin.  The wipes are textured with little bumps ensuring
maximum clensing in one sweep. Enriched with elderflower
and camomile the scent is very calming but not
overpowering.  Try putting these in the fridge and fold up one
wipe into a cooling eye pad, place over your eyes and relax.



£5.95 for 25 wipes


Softly Softly Daily Moisturiser
Moisturisers work by sealing water into the skin and
keeping it hydrated and supple, even young skin needs
a good moisturiser, hense the reason why I have always
used a moisturiser every single morning. This is the most
 hydrating, revitalising, non greasy cream I have ever used.
  This has definately helped balance my oily skin.  It has
a very faint scent of  lavender ,which is beautiful.  The
pump dispenser on the bottle is great to measure how
much you need, one pump allows me to smooth all
over my face and neck.                       




Dreamy Sleep Night-Time Moisturiser
Night time moisturisers are amazing as your skin works
overtime to regenerate and repair any damage from the day.
I have never used a night moisturiser religousy until I used this,
on waking I am aware of my skin being 10 times more radient
and soft.  I have had comments from friends about how my
skin looks glowing after using.  The smell is very similar to
the daytime moisturiser.  The texture is very slightly thicker
 but does not feel heavy or cloggy on the skin,one pump from the
bottle is plenty to cover the whole face and neck.



£22.00 for 50ml

Tired Eyes Soothing Eye Rescue
I have never really had any issues with puffy eyes,
on a regular basis, but having to work at 6am this
week I decided to give it a go, I pumped a very small
ammount onto my pinky and and applied using
a gentle tapping action around the eye.  Instantly
the skin felt tighter and refreshed, exactly what I
needed at that time in the morning.  Less is definately
more with using products around the delicate eye area.
Having never used an eye cream or gel before I was
pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness of this.

£15.00 for 15ml

Loving Lips Quenching Lip Balm
Harsh Winds, Cold mornings, Strong Sunlight and

changes in weather all contribute to dry or chapped
lips and I know this too well.  I have always suffered
with dry and chapped lips whatever the weather, and
I have tryed all the well known lip balms and always
find that they dont last long and have to reapplied
to often than  have time for. I tryed this hoping it would
be different and unfortunately not.  The scent is lovely, very
minty fresh and feels very smooth, not sticky or too oily
 when on but had to be reapplied sooner than I had wished.

£8.00 for 10ml

Super Boost Moisturiser Serum
This is a more intense moisturiser for those days
when your skin is extremely dry, and overly stressed. 
 I have only used this onceafter using a face mask and
found it very hydrating. Although I wouldnt use every
 day as my skin is in good condition thanks to using all
the other products, but it will definately be part of my
 holiday skincare routine as the sun drys out my skin.
  It can be used alone or under your daily moisturiser. 

£18.00 for 30ml


Deep Clean Purifying Face Mask
This mask claimed to re-balance skin, so it was
exactly what I normally look for in a mask.  After cleansing
my skin I applied this claymask with my fingers avoiding the lips and eyes.  After 15 minutes  I rinsed off and felt like I had new skin, it was amazing, I kept touching my face and couldnt believe the smoothness this mask had worked wonders. I have used many clay masks in the past but this was by far the best ever. I intend to use this every two weeks, as using a clay mask every week would definately dry out my skin. This is my favourite product from the range.


£15.00 for pack of 6 mixed



Magical Moisture Quenching Face Mask
This mask claimed to leave skin exceptionally smooth.  Not
a quality a normally look for in a mask, as I have normal-oily
skin.  I applied the white cream, like a moisturiser but thicker and
left on my skin for 15 minutes. When I looked in the mirror to see
before I rinsed, it had vanished into my face, something I had
never experienced whilst using a mask before. Because it had
all been assorbed into my skin I expected my skin to be silky
smooth and feel rehydrated but unfortunately it did not at all, 
much to my dissapointment all I wanted to do was cover my 
face in the intense moisturiser. Such a shame to have a bad
experience with this mask after such a good experience with
the one above.  This is a product that doesn't work well with
 my skin type, but could be perfect for someone else.



£15.00 for pack of 6 mixed




Girlies I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I have enjoyed writting it, thats why its been so long.


Let me know what you think about these products


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