The Body Shop - Vitamin E Moisture Cream

I've never really had a go to moisturiser - one that I just have to repurchase over and over. When I run out of one, I tend to just grab the next product that catches my attention. However, lately my skin has become a lot more oily than usual, and my current stash just isn't cutting it anymore. On my hunt for a less rich, more balancing moisturiser, I discovered Cosmetic Lad by Lush, and I'm pretty sure that I've finally found 'the one' in terms of balancing my skin and keeping the grease at bay. Unfortunately, however, the sample I had ran out more quickly than I would have liked, and, until I can make my way to a Lush store, I have to make do with something else. Lucky for me, one of the amazing products in my #OxMeet stash was The Body Shop's Vitamin E Moisture Cream*. Originally intended to be an interim product, I'm actually super impressed with how good it's making my skin look! Not so great at tackling the oil, I feel like this will be the perfect product for me once my oil slick of a t-zone has returned to normal.

The Body Shop's bestselling moisturiser, it applies really lightly, almost to a watery consistency, and absorbs into the skin almost instantly. This is a godsend for my early morning starts, as I don't really have the time to sit around, leisurely waiting for my skincare to settle before I start slapping on my daily make-up. I absolutely love the way my skin looks and feels after using it - I almost glow. I think it might be the antioxidants of the Vitamin E that are giving me the supermodel sheen that I've been trying to perfect for years Whatever it is, it's amazing! As I stated before, its a little much whilst my oil levels are creeping up, but when they calm down, I'll be happily dipping into my little pot of vitamin goodness all the live long day. The only thing that it's lacking is SPF, which is so important to me, but hey, I guess you can't have it all, right? I'm so impressed with this moisturiser for creating the perfect base for the dewy complexion I crave. I'm sure it won't be long before I'm ducking into The Body Shop to get my mitts on the rest of the Vitamin E range - Illuminating Moisture Cream, I'm looking at you!

What's your favourite moisturiser? Are you a fan of The Body Shop Vitamin E range? Let me know! 

S.

*PR sample

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Bare Legged Beauty: My Go To Products For Perfect Pins

Admit it, we all spend most of the Winter months in a Yeti like state of being - woollen tights and comfy jeans mean that we don't really have to worry about the state of our overgrown legs. But with Spring (hopefully) just around the corner, shaggy chic is no longer acceptable. And if we want to dig our long forgotten Summer glad rags out of the depths of the wardrobe, and start parading our perfect pins around in the Spring sunshine, then it's time to start thinking about preening them to silky smooth perfection again. Here are the few of the products I turn to when I dare to bare.

Exfoliating

In order to ensure a silky smooth finish, it's important to exfoliate. Scaly is not a good look, my friends. My favourite product for doing so is Soap & Glory's Flake Away: a super effective body polish that smells divine, and couldn't be easier to use. Just massage it into your legs and then hop in the shower to wash it off. My skin has a habit of being quite sensitive, so I don't like products that are too abrasive, but at the same time, there's no point in spending money on a gentle exfoliator that doesn't do a thing. This, I find to be the perfect balance between the two. The grains are quite fine, not like rubbing gravel into your legs, but still substantial enough to make a huge difference to their appearance. And with shea butter and almond oils included in it's list of snack-worthy ingredients (sugar and peach powder? Yes please!), it's not at all drying, something I have previously found to be a big issue with exfoliators. 

Moisturising

Equally as important as exfoliating before shaving, is moisturising afterwards. For this, I like to use Soap & Glory's The Righteous Butter Body Lotion. Can you tell I'm having a bit of a moment with Soap & Glory products? I think it's got something to do with the mouthwatering scents. One of my favourite things about this product in particular, apart from it's fabulous fragrance, is the pump dispenser. I, like many others, am guilty of being a lazy moisturiser. I just want baby soft skin with none of the work - is that really too much to ask? Apparently so, but I find that having a product in pump form on the shelf of my bathroom makes moisturising a lot less of a chore, as it takes no time at all. Just jump out the shower and slather it on, baby! Another huge pro for me is the fact that it sinks in immediately, and doesn't leave a sticky residue. I hate having to wander around, partially nude and freezing cold, because I have to wait until my moisturiser doesn't double as an adhesive before I can dress myself. So a product that eliminates this ritual gets a massive thumbs up in my book. Bravo, Soap & Glory. Bravo.

Tackling that pesky cellulite!

A huge part of looking good is eating well and exercising regularly, and I do try to stick to a healthy diet and stay relatively active. Unfortunately, however, I've never met a pastry I didn't like. For that reason, whenever I want my legs looking picture perfect, I like to have a quick fix product on hand to give my cellulite an extra kick in the nads, if you will. My weapon of choice for combatting the dreaded orange peel is Bliss' fatgirlslim. A skin firming cream with QuSome-encapsulated caffeine (no clue, sorry!), you just work it into your troublesome areas for about 30 seconds, and watch this magical cream take effect. It's quite an odd sensation as you can really feel it working when it's on - the only thing I can compare it to is the mentholly feeling you get when you apply that 4head relief stick, but on your legs.  I enjoy the fresh feeling, and this stuff really packs a punch! Of course, it's no substitute for a good old-fashioned healthy lifestyle, but it's nice to have that fast working product to give you a little more confidence in your bum-skimming party dress. 

And there you have it; my go to products for when I want to flash some flesh and need the perfect legs to do so. Which products do you reach for when you seek photo ready pins? Have you tried any Soap & Glory or Bliss products? Let me know!

S.

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Skin Saviours

I'm usually quite lucky with my skin and, although always leaning towards the dry side, I never really have any problems with it. However, every now and then, whether it be due to diet, stress, or time of year, it needs a little nurturing. Here are the three products I reach for most when I want some extra help.

For Breakouts//Alpha H Liquid Gold

This stuff, quite frankly, is a good skin day in a bottle. If ever I have a bit of a spotty day, I wipe a little of this on my visage before bedtime, reassured by the promise that I will wake up with clearer, brighter, plumped up skin, feeling fantastic and ready to take on whatever the day might have to throw at me. It does sting a little when you apply it, which I actually quite like as I know it's working. Also, it smells a bit like a shot (not selling it too well am I?) but the fact that it's not packed with perfume is an attribute I also really like. It's a bit on the pricey side, but it works, and is definitely a product worth investing in. It really is 'like having a facial in your sleep.'

For Congested Skin//Origins Clear Improvement

If ever my pores are feeling a little on the clogged side, I reach for this Origins offering, as I know I'll be left with a fresher feeling complexion after I use it. A charcoal mask that I use about once a week, it's gentle enough that I can use it all over my face, whilst still packing quite a punch and clearing my pores considerably. I've tried other charcoal masks, all of which tend to leave me quite red without making an awful lot of difference, so Origins really comes out on top for me. 

For Dry Skin//Jurlique Herbal Recovery Antioxidant Face Oil

When my skin needs an extra kick of moisture, which is most of the time, I turn to Jurlique's face oil. I much prefer oils, particularly at this time of year when I really dislike applying cold creams to my person, and Jurlique are, in my opinion, the best of the bunch. I apply a few drops of this to my face every night before bed, pushing it into my skin, and wake up with softer, silkier feeling skin, which is substantially less dry than when I tucked myself in.  

And there you have it. A little insight into how I deal with my skin when it starts to misbehave. What are your go to products for when your skin starts to pose a problem? Do you like any of the same brands as I do? Let me know!

S.

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Review: Radical Skincare Hydrating Cleanser

I have incredibly dry skin. It plagues me all year long, but, as the days get colder, my skin seems to get more and more parched, and it's never long before it's in dire need of some TLC. This Autumn, that tender, loving care has come in the welcome form of Radical Skincare's Hydrating Cleanser. I'm always on the lookout for a cleanser that's soothing and hydrating, gentle enough for everyday use, whilst still effectively cleansing the skin, and this one definitely fits the bill.

Radical's ethos is to provide powerful and potent skincare, using a new technology called trylacel to deliver products that are antioxidant and anti-ageing. Now, I'm not going to pretend I know what trylacel technology is, but I will tell you that it works a treat!

The directions tell you to massage the cleanser into your face and neck, then rinse off with warm water. When you first put it on, it feels divine, almost like a moisturiser. It has the consistency of a lotion in the tube, but once massaged into the skin, I think it feels more like an oil, without being at all oily (riddle me that, eh!) I much prefer cleansers like this to things like micellar waters that you wipe on with a cotton pad. The action of physically washing your face is one that makes me feel a lot more fresh. 

I'll be honest, I can't really testify to how well it cleanses - worst cleanser review ever, I know - as I'm a double cleanse kinda gal, and this has always been the second cleanser in my routine. However, I can tell you how amazing it is for hydrating the skin, leaving it looking clearer and feeling softer. You don't get any of that horrible tightness that I often seem to get in between cleansing and moisturising. Also, my favourite factor, it smells incredible! Like chocolate oranges. Delicious! Apparently this is because orange is the smell that has been proven to make people happiest, and so Radical have decided that that's a good enough reason to whack it into their cleanser. I'm not sure how much truth there is in that, but hey, it makes me happy, so there you go! 

So, if you're looking for a heavy duty cleanser, then I have no idea whether this is for you or not (sorry!). But if you're in the market for a soothing, hydrating cleanse that leaves you smelling rather delectable, then the I'd highly recommend that you try the Radical Hydrating Cleanser. You can get it from SpaceNK or the Radical website for £30.

Have you tried the Radical Hydrating Cleanser? Or anything else in their range for that matter? What did you think? Let me know!

S.

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Not Worth The Hype: Products That I Found Disappointing

I'm usually pretty confident that I'm going to like a product before I buy it. I read blogs, consider the recommendations of friends, and pay attention to what is being talked about, so that I don't waste my hard earned cash on something I'm going to hate. But sometimes I make mistakes (I'm only human after all), and every now and then, a dud product slips into my collection and I find myself thinking, 'ohh, this is such a disappointment.' We all do it, so I thought I'd share my disappointing purchases with you, in the hope that I can help you to make a more informed decision before you buy one of those oh so raved about products, that actually might end up falling short. Or, so that you can agree with me and make me feel better about my pointless spends. On we go.

Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips Combo Pack - £10.99

The first on my hit list are the Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips. These do nothing. And not only that, they hurt too! So you peel it off, revelling in the promise of lessened blackheads and a clearer T-zone, and you're left with watery eyes, looking a bit like Rudolph, and you still have clogged pores! It's not on really, is it? And actually, I thought I was the only one that thought this, until I saw it mentioned on Imogen's blog, The Bluebird & The Robin. Subsequently, I mentioned it to a fellow beauty obsessive, and her reaction was, 'ugh, yeah they're s**t'. So what I want to know is why is everyone still raving about them , if no one thinks they work?! What type of mind game is this?! I have since been told that even though these awful things are nothing more than torture weapons, the Boots own brand are much more effective, and a fraction of the price. You're welcome. 

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation - £7.99

Next to take a verbal beating is Maybelline's Fit Me Foundation. I actually didn't go out and buy this. A friend who has a much darker skin tone than me, knowing full well that it would be way to light for her, bought it - no idea why. I always struggle to find pale foundations, particularly those that have a more yellow tone to them, so, after noticing the rather huge flaw in her foundation selecting routine, she gave me this to try out. Now actually, the colour is a pretty good fit, but the foundation itself is just so watery that I struggle to get any kind of coverage at all without looking like I've dipped my face in cake batter. Another aspect that irks me, is the fact that it has no kind of pump or dispenser. You just pour it out of the bottle. It's so messy and you get way too much product - I found it to be quite a traumatic experience actually. Now, I know you can go out and buy pumps for your products, but why should I have to? Why doesn't someone have the sense to put one on it before they try and sell it? I mean, honestly! Also, it has SPF 18 in it. I mean, yay for SPF and everything, but 18? I thought they went up in multiples of 5? Don't confuse me so. I have heard good things about the powder in this range though, and as I know the colour is such a good match, and I sincerely doubt that I'm going to have the same consistency issue with it, I think I might give it a whirl. 

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers - £6.49

Next up is the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer. This is one that really irritates me, because I actually think the product is amazing, apart from one flaw which ruins the whole thing. The colours are super pigmented, as well as leaving a decent stain once the glossiness has faded, and they don't dry and leave your lips looking all cracked and flaky, like a lot of lip lacquers tend to. Sadly, the fact that it doesn't dry means that the instant a light breeze catches you unaware, you end up with your hair stuck all over your lips, and any attempt to rectify the situation, more often that not, results in some Joker-esque style of pout, where your hair has left stripes of highly pigmented product all over your face. Thank goodness it stains, eh? I also seem to get a lot on my teeth as the day goes on, and I'm struggling to think of a situation where I'd want to rock that look. So I'm confined to the house if I ever want to wear these. Such a shame!

Benefit Porefessional Primer - £24.50

Another product that I was expecting to love and was left really disappointed by is Benefit's Porefessional Pro Balm Primer. Now, I'll put my hands up and say that I could have probably avoided this one. I saw it at duty free, and when the woman on the Benefit counter saw me looking and asked if I wanted a sample, I panicked, refused and bought the full sized product. It seemed perfectly logical at the time. If only I could remember why. Now this primer is OK, but it isn't great, and the one thing it claims to do, it doesn't do very well at all. With this on, I don't think my pores look minimised in the slightest. It does make my skin feel smoother and silkier, creating a lasting base for my make up, but I don't think it stays put any longer than other primers I've used in the past. I think that if this product wasn't so hyped, I might have enjoyed it a bit more, but as I was expecting spectacular, and all I got was spectacularly average, unfortunately it's getting the boot.

Benefit They're Real! Mascara - £19.50

The last is probably the most controversial of my disappointments, and it's Benefit's They're Real! mascara. For something marketed as the fastest selling mascara in the UK, I was expecting amazing things from this product, but it's just all wrong for me! For starters, the shape of the mascara wand is sound in theory, but in practice, I just don't think it works. The weird mace looking bit at the tip would be perfect for coating the lashes vertically, and I thought it would be particularly good for bottom lashes and getting right into corners, but it just picks up wayyy too much product for it to be effective. I end up with clumps all over the place and a lot of wasted product. I also find that it's difficult to layer when wet, and absolutely impossible when dry, which is rather irritating. I can't be getting that false lash effect with only one coat, and let me tell you, the only thing 'unreal' about this stuff is the colossal amount of flaking and clumping when you attempt a second. It does lengthen my lashes, but no more so than other mascara's I've used, and it isn't particularly good at holding a curl either. So yeah, I just don't rate this mascara. At. All. I much prefer my trusty MaxFactor False Lash Effect mascara's, which I've been going back to for years now. 

So that is my list of products that, in my opinion, aren't worth the hype. Suffice it to say, Benefit took a fair bashing there. It's odd, because I love Benefit. Their eye shadows are amazing, and their blushes, to die for, but their two most hyped and loved products, I think are so underwhelming it's ridiculous. The Benefit products, and the rest, may very well suit you, and I am by no means trying to say that they are universally rubbish, they're just not for me. So if you love any of these products, and feel like they need a bit of defending, then by all means, leave a comment. I'd love to hear everyone's different opinions - it's so interesting to hear how different everybody is when it comes to cosmetics!

Do you agree with any of the products I've mentioned? Do you disagree? What are your disappointing products? Let me know!

S.

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