Hi Hunnis!

This mask has been reviewed so much and I have really enjoyed reading these very mixed reviews but I also wanted to put my thoughts and opinion out there too.  Since receiving this in the Bloggers Xmas and Birmingham Blogger Meet Up goodie bags I have used this about four times now so I have tested it well and  I feel I can give you all a well rounded honest review.  

These sachet samples have only 5ml of product enclosed which on the scale of things is a tiny amount, but this is just the first reason Glam Glow is great, that is all you need to cover your whole face, yes even a round face like mine.  The only thing is if I designed the packaging and wording on this product I would have missed out the multiple use of the word 'sexy'.  Describing a product to improve my skin as sexy is not what im looking for really, I want my skin to be clear and beautiful not sexy.  Sexy is lingerie, silk bed sheets and red glossy lips not a  face mask that makes me look like the hulk. 

The mixture is quite runny for a clay mask but this helps with even application and quick drying.  I like the bits of green tea leaf running through the mask even if it does make my face look like I have warts when I have applied the mask. This smells really fresh and earthy and I like this as overly fragranced facial products always worry me as I wonder what is in them to make them smell like that and how it will react with my face.

'Ten minute facial used backstage in Hollywood's entertainment, music, fashion and award industries'

I leave this on for about 10-15 minutes and unlike many reviews I have seen I do not get a tingly feeling that is uncomfortable, once it has all dried up I begin to remove it,  this is when my favourite feature of the mask unveils itself.  I slightly wet my face with lukewarm water and turn the mask into an exfoliating facial wash and lightly scrub my face with the paste like mixture before rinsing completely.

Glam Glow claims to leave skin noticeably radiant, glowing, smoother, brighter and softer which it does but this only lasts for about three days, which is not long enough in my eyes, I want these results for at least a week before I feel the need to apply another mask.  It does provide me with tighter skin and less visible pores and these results last slightly longer before I start to notice the difference, so this product does do what it says it will but not for a prolonged time period.  This is fitting to the product as it is used a quick fix and quick boost before big events or appearances. 

This is a lovely mask to use, I do love the quick effective results I can achieve after using Glam Glow but I will stick to using this as a quick fix before special occasions rather than a staple in my skincare routine.  

Have you tried any of the Glam Glow range?

Gemma

xxx

Hi Everyone, 

I  like a moisturiser for the daytime that is light, hydrating, oil free and works well with my foundation, and I have found one that does exactly this.

This is the first product I have ever tried from Dermalogica as it is out of my budget but after a friend bought this and it was no use to her it became mine, this has now become one of my must have skincare products.

Dermalogica Active Moist

£43 100ml - Available here 

The packaging of this product is great, simple and clean looking, exactly what I like from skincare packaging.  I also like that all the dermalogica range is the same design, I am slightly anal when it comes to products from the same range matching, anyone else the same?  I like that it is squeezy tube as it makes sure you can get every last drop, I have also been known to cut the tube of products I want to get every last drop from, this will be a definite with this due to the high price tag.

The moisturiser itself is a lovely consistency and applies with little rubbing in it just soaks into the skin leaving it smooth in no time at all, which helps in the morning with my lengthy make up routine.  It is white in colour with no strong scent, to me it smells fresh and very refreshing when applied again very good to give my skin a gentle wake up in the morning.  I love the non greasy oil free formula as it feels light and cooling on my skin.  I love that it reduces the excess oil that my skin is prone to.

"A lightweight, oil-free lotion for daily moisture protection that actively combats surface dehydration while smoothing the skin’s surface"

I think its safe to say I love this product, even though it is too expensive for my budget I think I would save to repurchase (if I cannot find a cheaper alternative), a little really does go a long way and this 100ml tube is lasting me in excess of 6 months.  It has never left me feeling clogged up or caused any breakouts.  This gives me hydrated skin while controlling the excess oil I experience on my t-zone, it works well with my make up and other skincare products. This product is definitely NOT one of those overnight or 14 or 30 day "miracle" products. Instead it's a healthy way to actually change your skin from the inside. So if you're one of those instant people... move on. But if you have the patience to stick it out and really invest in your skin  this is for you.  To me this is a luxury product but definitely worth the money.

Do you know of any cheaper alternatives to this please let me know in the comments below

Lots of Love

Gemma

xxx

Hi Hi, 

As part of my skincare routine I tend to use different a moisturiser for day and night as I prefer a lighter moisturiser for daytime and a thicker one for overnight.  This is the moisturiser I have been using at night for  about six weeks.

Soap and Glory's Wish Upon A Jar Wonder Face Cream

Available for £15 per 50ml pot on the Boots website - HERE

Image Source - trying to photograph this product was a major fail so I borrowed this image

Firstly this product is packaged in the most beautiful mirrored sphere, a really pretty little pot to sit on your dressing table, this is the nicest packaging out of all of my skincare products, I love it.  The writing is minimal on the actual pot which is good so all the information about the product can be found on the outer typical Soap and Glory vintage-ey pink packaging.

The 'wonder cream' inside the silver sphere is scented with what I can only describe as chocolate orange, it took me a while to put my finger on this scent but it is definitely that of one of my favourite chocolate treats-yum.  It is a pale pink thick cream, I have read some reviews of this product where people claim to see specs of glitter, not lots of glitter but enough to notice, I cannot see this no matter what light I look at the product in.  As before it is a thick cream but not too thick so that it would feel heavy on your skin, it feels luxurious but light.  With the consistency being as it is a little really does go a long way, the time this product lasts justifies the fifteen pound price tag for me.

Sold as a 21 day collagen overhaul cream with the magical formula including shea butter, antioxidants and oxygen boosters.Soap and Glory describe this as a superactive formula and warn not to overuse due to this being a peptide infused super-boosted intensive facial regenerating treatment and say that using one jar a season (once every three months for the 21 day period) is the intended use.

They recommend to use this morning and night for 21 days under or as your facial moisturiser and after this time go back to your usual moisturiser.

Using it as directed claims to boost moisture levels, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, brighten up tired skin and hide flaws, really sounds like a wonder cream.

When I first purchased this at the end of September 2012 I used it for the 21 days as directed and wasn't sure about it and it definitely was not my favourite moisturiser  due to the lumpy spots I developed on and along my jaw line, I was unsure if it was this product making me break out or maybe it was too much for my skin to use it morning and night. So after the 3 month break I decided to give this product another go but to use it in a different way.

In the middle of January I started using this as just my night cream and using my lighter day cream in the morning, using it like this has worked much better for me no breakouts and visibly brighter and glowing skin.  I am lucky enough to have very minimal fine lines and no wrinkles (hope iv not jinxed myself) so cannot comment on how is combats these areas.  Even though I don't use this the way the brand recommends it works for me and gives me the results im looking for and expect from a moisturiser.

Lots of love

Gemma 

xxx

Morning lovlies, 

You might be wondering where this has come from as it was not in My Skincare Routine Product Introduction, there is a reason for this. I bought this at the beginning of the month after I had started this series, but had to include it as this is a big part of my daily routine now.  

Before I purchased this I had ever used a facial cleansing brush of any type, I had longed to own a Clarisonic after reading a review of it HERE.  As much as I longed for the Clarisonic my budget does not allow for such   purchases especially as I wasn't really sure it would suit my skin, so when I seen this budget dupe I knew it was my time to decide if this type of product would work for me.

No 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Brush 

Available here £24.95 (This was on introductory offer when I bought it at £15.00)

 The appearance of this cleansing brush is delightful, I love how clean, simple and compact this is.  It is shaped to fit in your hand perfectly and with only two AA batteries powering the brush head it is quite lightweight too. 

The brush head may look scary to some, myself included. I have not suffered with acne since my early teens, only the occasional monthly spot on my chin and jawline (damn you mother nature), but I was worried using this may cause my skin to panic and have a breakout as it looks like it could be quite harsh on the skin and more exfoliating than just cleansing, I was wrong.  The bristles are really soft and on my oily/combo skin this didn't feel harsh or too at all.

The brush has two speed settings, the first one being slower than the second, these are set with button on the handle.  1 click activates the slower setting, 2 clicks activate the faster setting and 3 clicks turn the device off.

 "This clever cleansing brush gently exfoliates and deeply cleanses the skin, removing more dirt, oil and make-up than manual cleansing alone. Easy and quick to use, discover super clean, soft, radiant and healthier looking skin in less than 60 seconds." - Boots.com

I use this with my Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean (read the review here).  I don't use it every single time I cleanse only at night and alternate between the different speeds depending on how much make up I have been wearing.  On heavy make up days I use this on the faster setting and on light make up days I use it on the first slower setting.  If I have had a make up free day I do not cleanse using this brush.  This is just my personal preference and Im sure depending on your skin type you could use this more often or less often its completely down to you.

Using this with my Peaches and Clean has been working perfectly for me even though these are recommended for use with a foaming cleanser, I didn't want to change my cleanser as it works so well for me.

Using these two together leave my skin feeling soft and deeply cleansed more so than ever before. In the first few days of use I did experience a tiny breakout on my jawline but this was more than likely down to mother nature than a reaction to the brush, after this I have not experienced any other breakouts at all.  My skin looks healthier with no make up on, with reduced redness and more even skin tone. This is such a huge improvement that I no longer wear foundation to work at all, only concealer and some powder on my nose. This makes me feel like im being good to my skin when I use this like my skin is saying thank you by rewarding me with no spots and better skintone. 

Tips for use (I am not an expert)

Tie your hair up, it gets caught in the brush and tangles - not cool

Do not use for longer than the recommended time of 30-60 seconds

Remove eye make up before use, I feel this would be too harsh on the delicate eye area

Do not press the brush to hard onto skin, this will stop the brush from moving and damage the effectiveness of the brush

This is not recomended for overly dry and sensitive skin, I do not have dry or sensitive skin so cannot comment on this

For a fraction of the price of a Clarisonic I am delighted with the results, but I am now more curious about the Clarisonic because if I can get such amazing results from this I wonder what the results would be like from something over 100 pounds more expensive, does the price matter?

Lots of Love

Gem

xxx

Good Evening Hunni's

This little bottle of goodness has been a regular in my skincare routine since I discovered it around October/November time.  I discovered the brand first through twitter which led me to visit the website where I ordered my free sample and after my sample had ended I knew it was love at first drop.

I am of course talking about 

Skinetica - Anti Blemish Lotion

Skinetica £9.99 100ml - Buy yours Here

First impressions on the visual appearance of this product are not to high to be honest this is purely down to the white packaging, I think I just have a strong dislike of white packaging.  I think it looks cheap and doesn't sell the product like it should, yes the branding is clear and the uses are well displayed, but I want a pretty bottle that would look nice on my dresser.  I think this would be better presented in a clear bottle to show the clarity of the hidden product, with simple wording similar to what is has now, just something a bit more classy I suppose.

The product inside is a hidden treasure, the water like consistency has no scent.  I apply to a cotton pad and takes only a couple of squirts to cover the cotton pad, just make sure you don't get it in your eye, it stings like crazy.

I use this as directed, applying to a cleansed face twice a day in the morning and at night.  I let this dry before applying my usual moisturiser, it is important to apply before any moisturiser or make up as it will not work if applied afterwards. The great thing about Skinetica is once on the skin it stays active for 12 hours and washing in between the two applications will not affect with the results as once it is applied to the skin it is there and already working its magic.  You don't feel this on the skin at all, it doesn't tighten or leave any coating which is fabulous as I use this as a toner.  I have been using this all over my face not just on blemishes and even though this could potentially be drying on the skin I have not had any issue.

Since using this I have not suffered any major breakouts just the odd hormonal appearance which is just natural for me.  There were 3 days when I did not use this and I did notice a massive difference, my skin was beginning to have withdrawal symptoms so since that day I have not missed an application.  I do feel that this has no lasting effects after using for a long time, you need to continue use to benefit results.

When this bottle is finished I want to try a new toner I have but will have a bottle of Skinetica on standby just in case-im that attached.

What are your thoughts on using this as a toner?

Lots of love

Gem

xxx

Peaches and Clean 200ml £7 - Available from Boots official website Here

The packaging of this is typical of Soap and Glory with the well known wording and font and pink themed  bottle.  It is fitted with a pump which is great.  I prefer cleansers with a pump than a squeezy bottle as when you have wet hands a tube can be difficult to keep a hold of it resulting in dropping the tube and product squirting everywhere, yes I am talking from experience.

The product is  thicker than I expected with it being described as a cleansing milk, but love the consistency.  I need about 2 pumps to generously cover my face. The name of this product gives a clue of what it smells like, peaches.  I think it smells of peaches with a splash of mint, I love the scent so much when im using this I sound like I have a terrible case of the sniffles, as I cannot stop sniffing the gorgeous scent.

 Te special clogged t-zone formula is full softening and purifying ingredients including, Peach Extract with  skin smoothing fruit acids and Jojoba Oil  the emollient skin softener. It also contains exvoliating alpha hydroxy acids which can make your skin photosensitive, so while using this I make sure I am using a moisturiser containing spf.

I have been using this since the end of December so with just over four weeks of use I have only used about a quarter of the bottle.  So I can see this lasting about four or five months making it very good value for money.  

I love the slightly foaming texture that is achieved and leaves my skin feeling squeeky clean after every use, I feel my oily t-zone as improved since I began using this making me very happy with the results so far.  This is suitable for all skin types but I think it works very well with my oily/combination skin.  I have recently started using the No7 cleansing brush with this cleanser and even with a couple of days experience im sure im going to love using these two as a combo.

Have you used Peaches and Clean do you love it as much as me?

Lots of Love

Gemma

xxx

Hi Hunnis!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend, mine went far to quickly for my liking, but they say time flys when your having fun.

Iv been saying for a while I wanted to start a monthly series and I have decided on 'My Routine'.  I will cover skincare, haircare, bodycare in the next few months. These will all start with an introduction to the products I use followed by reviews on the products included in the intro. I will also do an extras post for products I use every now and then for an added boost and equipment I use.  The first week of the month I will cover skincare, the second will be haircare, third week is body care and the forth will be any extras.

 I wanted to start with skincare as this is something I am very new to, for years I was really niave to all the amazing products that are available and only used baby wipes and a face wash. My knowledge and interest in different skincare products has increased hugely since discovering blogs that feature skincare regularly such as Pampered Prince and Tattooed Tea Lady.  With this new found knowledge and interest of what products would suit my skin and how they could improve it have seen my skincare routine improve and I have come a long way since my baby wipes and facial wash days.

Above are the current products im using in my skincare routine, please note the word current as I chop and change some of these products monthly or when they are finished so I can try out new things in the hope of finding my wonder products.

Make Up Remover - Simple 'Kind to Skin' Eye Make Up Remover

I only use an eye make up remover as I expect my facial wash to remove all traces of make up at the end of the day.

Facial Wash - Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean/Purity Exvoliating Facial Wash

I use these two on alternative days so one day I use Peaches and Clean and the next I use the Exvoliating Facial wash.

Toner - Skinetica Blemish Clearing Lotion

I use this as my toner/lotion every morning and night, as it is intended.  This is a permanent fixture in my routine.

Eye Cream - Murad Hyrdo Dynamic Ultimate Moisture for Eyes

This was a sample I recieved in the #bbloggersxmas goodie bag so I am just trialing this at the moment. Eye creams and gels are something I am quite unsure of and very new to.

Moisturiser -  Dermalogica Active Moist/Soap and Glory Wish Upon a Jar

I use the Active Moist as a daytime moisturiser and the Wish Upon a Jar as my night moisturiser at the moment, this is only intended for 21 day use at a time but im naughty and dont follow them rules.

I hope you are looking forward to this series, which product are you most excited for me to review?

Lots of Love

Gemma

xxx