New Skincare Staples

For those who enjoy wearing make-up on a daily basis, a thorough skin routine is simply a must-have. As much as I love beauty products, it's no surprise that piling all these different products onto your skin can cause it a lot of distress if it's not taken care of properly. Adopting a great skin routine is great for tackling spots, redness, dullness and creates an amazing blank canvas that makes applying make-up an absolute dream. It's taken me a while to find a combination of products that work well for me as my skin doesn't react very well to change and it jumps between normal, combination and sensitive, but I think I may have finally found it! So here are my new skincare staples that I just can't stop raving about: 

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

I've been using this for so long now and I am absolutely in love with it. It's a one-step make-up remover and cleanser that's amazing for removing almost every trace of product on your skin, including waterproof mascara. It's not irritating, heavily perfumed or dry in any way and makes removing your make-up an absolute breeze. It comes in such a big bottle (400ml, which is crazy!) but remember that you really only need a small drop to start breaking down the make-up. The only issue I have with this is that the bottle is just so big that I wish it came in a mini size for when I travel1 Other than that, I have absolutely no issue with this product and I know for certain I won't be looking for anything else. 

Origins A Perfect World Deep Cleanser

I've been using this foaming cleanser since the beginning of the year and i've been absolutely loving it. I was sceptical at first as it was described to me as a cleanser for all skin types, which I immediately interpret that it wouldn't actually focus on any specifics, but I was definitely proved wrong. Containing detoxifying White Tea, it's an amazing antioxidant that leaves the skin feeling squeaky clean and expertly cleansed. I use it morning and night before applying my moisturiser so it takes off any last trace of make-up and preps my skin for the rest of my skincare routine. 

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

This is my latest addition and is definitely the most luxurious. I decided to take the plunge and give it a try after hearing about it on various Zoella blogs. Containing cooling avocado, this moisturising eye cream is super thick and extremely hydrating. Sometimes I do struggle with the amount I need to put on as a little does go a long way, but i've only been using it for about a month and I already see a huge improvement. It's designed to reduce darkness underneath the eyes as well as reduce any puffiness, which it most certainly does. My eyes feel brighter and look more awake than they ever have done! I usually put on a slighter thicker layer at night and give it the whole night to sink in and then continue with my moisturiser. 

Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser

I've gone through so many moisturisers i've lost count. I get really impatient that I don't see or feel the results straight away so I move onto the next one, but with this Origin's moisturiser I really feel like this could be the product. Enriched with energising GinZing and Coffee Bean, this light, oil-free moisturiser glides onto the skin and instantly brightens and refreshes. I notice especially in the morning after my evening application that my skin looks considerably more vibrant and effortlessly soft. It makes my skin look amazing underneath my make-up as it gives off just enough glow to shine through and make it look like i've had 12 hours sleep! It is quite expensive (Prices start from £23), but if your skin feels really dull, dark and in need of a boost, I would definitely recommend investing in this skin saviour. I've used it morning and night for around 6 weeks and i'm hooked! 

Garnier Moisture Match Moisturiser

I have such a love-hate relationship with my skin. There are days when I couldn't be happier with it, but on the days where my skin seems to hate me it couldn't get much worse. I've always had a mostly normal skin type, with the odd oily T-Zone and dry skin around my chin (Which is more recent.. beard rash is a total bitch!). However, my skin seems to be quite picky with moisturisers. If I switch to one it doesn't like, I wake up every morning with at least two new spots, and then they start bringing friends! So really I needed something that was just going to keep my skin balanced. 

Moisture Match is a range from Garnier containing five different moisturises specifically tailored for a certain skin type. This range caters for normal, normal/dry, dry/very dry, dull and combination/oily skin types, each boasting particular ingredients that normalise the skin and keep it looking at its best. I decided to go for the moisturiser for normal skin as I love anything with a bit of SPF into it, as well as its radiance-boosting formula enriched with lemon extract. 

I have to say, i've had no problems so far when using this moisturiser. I hate speaking so soon, which is why I waited a couple of weeks before reviewing incase I start gushing about it and then it completely backfires. This moisturiser is just as light as it claims and i've found you only need to tiniest pea-sized amount to cover the entire face. It's the first moisturiser that I feel comfortable massaging into my skin without fear of leaving it feeling greasy. So far no spots have emerged and my skin feels really soft and brighter, with no leftover residue after application.

I love the idea of tailoring a product to a certain skin type, there's something really personal about it that makes me feel that my skin's really being taken care of. However, I think next time i'll experiment with the moisturiser for combination skin so that my skin is always protected from the odd shiny T-zone day. For £5.99 this is such a bargain I feel like I can afford to experiment as it doesn't put too much strain on my bank balance as well as my complexion! Not sure what skintype you are? Head on over to the Moisture Match section of the Garnier website to see what moisturiser would be best for you! 

You can purchase the Moisture Match range from your local Boots, Superdrug or supermarket for £5.99.

Olay Essentials Complete Care Sensitive Beauty Fluid

My mum is in her 50's (Let's hope she doesn't read this and slap me for putting that on the internet!) and her skin is amazing. No spots, minimal wrinkles and is always looking hydrated and taken care of. Her secret? Water and Olay. No scrubs, cleansers or toners .. just one product (Or two, if you count eye makeup remover).

Being a beauty blogger testing a number of products is a given, which obviously doesn't do my skin a world of good. I've written countless routine posts, but I fail to mention that i'm also trying out a new blush, powder or facial wash every other day to search for the next best thing - queue the irritation.
With that being said, I knew there was no better time than the present to have a skincare detox.

Olay is a multi-award winning skincare brand dating back to the 1950's, specialising in beauty creams for all ages and skin types.
I chose the Essentials Complete Care Sensitive beauty fluid, due to its light consistency that will provide no irritation to my sensitive skin. Containing delicate aloe vera, it also comes with added SPF15 and skin-softening vitamins B3 & E and Pro-vitamin B5. You simply apply after your morning wash, although i've been using it in the evening as well.

It's been a month since I ditched my cleanser, toner and serum and so far i'm seeing excellent results. My skin feels rejuvinated and my spots are at an all-time minimum. My skin isn't oily in the morning and its reduced redness around my T-zone. It's refreshing to use a single product, which makes it a lot less taxing getting ready for bed when you've had a long day. I understand that ditching a heavy skincare routine isn't for everybody,  so this product is designed to come after a cleanser, but for me it was just a bit too much for my skin at this point to use multiple products.

Olay is simple, straight to the point and delivers excellent results, all at the reasonable price of £3.99. Why bother with overally expensive exotic creams when such a monumental brand gives you everything you need for under £5. Sometimes you need to strip your skincare back to basics to give it a break and Olay helps me do just that - and I have a feeling that's all i'm going to need from now on.

You can purchase Olay Essentials Complete Care beauty fluid for £3.99 at your local Boots counter or online here.

Tea Tree Toner Water

I love using toners. They prep your skin ready for your daily/nightly moisturiser, tighten your pores and remove the last .... of makeup that your cleanser has missed. I was always told that a three-step skincare routine of cleansing, toning and moisturising is the essence of great skin, so although toners aren't used by everyone, I couldn't be without it.

Tea Tree Water is a toner water from the LUSH skincare range, that targets spots and helps banish them due to the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of the key ingredient - tea tree.

The image is quite blurry, so here's the product description:
"Comes to the aid of skin that has emergencies. Tea tree is a wonder antibacterial, antiseptic and antimicrobal ingredient for anyone with oily or spot prone skin."

This toner water is wonderful for absorbing excess sebum, illiminating the final traces of makeup leaving you feeling fresh and squeaky clean. The antibacterial and antiseptic factors I think are essential in any skincare routine, because even if you aren't prone to spots they will help stop them from forming. My favourite thing about this toner water is that it is spring-water based as opposed to other toners that have added alcohol in them, which is obviously far better for your skin in general.
 For anyone that hasn't used tea tree oil before it has quite a strong medicinal scent, but the benefits that you gain from the product outweigh the slightly overpowering scent.

The spray bottle emits a large amount of product, meaning that you only need two or three sprays to cover the entire face and neck. I usually spray the product directly onto my face in the morning to wake myself up aswell as hydrate and prep for moisturiser, and spray onto a cotton pad to remove dirt at the end of the day. I then just leave it to absorb, sometimes fanning my face to speed up the already quick process if i'm in a rush.

I absolutely love this refreshing toner, it's light and unique. I used to use Benefit's Moisture Prep Toning Lotion, but it now feels so heavy compared to this. Waters are always ideal for people with oily or sensitive skin, but I believe that this would be appropriate for any skin type. It also comes in two sizes - 100ml for £3.95 and 250ml for £7.25, which I think is an extremely low price for how clean, smooth and moisturised my skin feels. Most definitely a skincare essential.

You can purchase LUSH's Tea Tree Toner Water at your local LUSH store or online here.


*Click here to enter my giveaway to win a MAC lipstick in a shade of your choice!*

Be sure to vote for Sophie Says for the NEXT Newcomer Blog Award at this years Cosmopolitan Blog Awards HERE!

The Beginners Guide To Skincare

If you would have asked me about my skincare regime a year ago, I would have only listed one product: A baby wipe. I complained about bad skin and break-outs for years, but was never educated as to why and how to ensure that my skin remained in top condition. There are so many cleansers, toners, scrubs and masks around that it's almost intimidating  as well as impossible to find a regime that's suitable for you, so here's my guide to skincare essentials so you get to grips with the basics:

1. Cleanser. 
This is the first step in a daily skincare regime. Cleansers aim to remove makeup, excess sebum (oil), dirt and more from your skin. They come in many different forms, they can be creams, milks, waters, foams, gels and lotions (there are also cleansing wipes, but I would advise using a proper cleanser before opting for a wipe!). These obviously do the same initial job, but different types of cleansers work for different types of skin. If you have dry skin you need to go for a slightly heavier cleanser (Like a cream or lotion) that remove less oil and aim to rejuvinate and moisturise the skin, whereas people with oily skin should opt for an extremely light cleanser (I tend to go for cleansing water as it was the lightest on my skin) and the product will remove all of oil and will add no extra to the skin. Everyone's skin is different, and depending if you want something that you need to wash off, or let it absorb in or leave to foam - the choice is yours.

When choosing a cleanser, you need to ensure that it contains to fragrances, harmful chemicals, parabens or alcohol as this could just irritate the skin and defeats the object of 'cleansing'. When choosing your cleanser to need to ensure that it's not too harsh and robs you of your skins natural moisture and oils. Your skin should feel quite bare are refreshed after proper removal of makeup with a cleanser, it shouldn't feel dry or overally sensitive, and definitely not irritated.

The proper way to use a cleanser is to apply onto a flat cotton pad (That way you can cover a wide surface area and you won't get the excess fluff from a cotton ball sticking to your face!) and gently apply in circular motions upwards and outwards. Obviously, it depends on the individual cleanser but be sure to have extra cotton pads at the ready to remove excess product or stubborn makeup and dirt that didn't quite budge the first time round.

2. Toner.
 Toner is used after cleansing the skin, and basically continues to cleanse and purify the face as well as reduce pore size and prep the skin for moisturising. I like to think of it as a base coat or a primer for moisturiser! These also come in different forms, as some are a liquid that is applied via a cotton pad, some are light sprays. Just as before, it is important that whatever toner you use is light, fragrance free and doesn't contain any drying-agents that will basically undo everything that your cleanser has achieved. Toner sprays are especially ideal for people with sensitive and drier skin as it hydrates, however if you want to ensure that you are completely clean and makeup free, a liquid toner is right for you.

3. Moisturiser. 
Words cannot express how must of a neccessity a good facial moisturiser is. With the world we live in today, our faces are constantly exposed to a huge variety of harmful toxins and pollutants, and our skin (being the sponge that it is!) absorb these toxins, robbing it of its hydration. Much like needing water to hydrate on the inside, your skin needs moisture on the outside too. This is where you have the opportunity to explore a lot of different ranges of moisturiser. Practically every makeup brand has a moisturiser, as well as drugstore ranges the choice is practically endless. It's hard to narrow it down, so all I can say is ensure that you have the right strength of moisturiser for your skin type - you want it to absorb into your skin, not sit on it and make it greasy. Once again, perfume and alcohol free is the way to go - you want to flush out the harmful toxins, not add any more!

Moisturiser is best applied after cleansing and toning as it means the skin is still damp and the use of the previous products ensures that your skin can absorb as much moisture to maximum capacity, keeping you moisturised even longer.

4. Scrubs & Masks.
Last but certainly not least are facial scrubs and/or masks. These are helpful additions that are to be used sparily, i.e. once a week or twice for oiler skin. They're not neccessarily harsher treatments, but scrubs aim to gently remove dead skin cells, and masks cleanse a lot more thoroughly and are a great treat at the end of a busy week, but overuse could be generally too much for your skin to take. There are countless scrubs and purifying masks, so you can really have fun with this one (peel-offs, self-heating and muds are some examples). Lush and Montague Jeunesse are favourites of mine, as they use natural ingredients such as fruits (which have endless benefits!) meaning that once again you're not piling unwanted chemicals and additives on your skin. 
Most scrubs and masks take minutes to apply and the effects are incredible. There are masks and scrubs for different types as well as other desired outcomes such as clearing blackheads and reducing pore size. They are especially great if you live in an area with higher pollution, such as London or Manchester, as your skins exposure to harmful pollutants is far greater - so a deep cleanse and purify is a must-have. They're generally the most enjoyable part of caring for your skin - I can't tell you how relaxing it is to get into your pyjamas and put on a face mask in the evening! 


So there you go! It's really not that intimidating, it's just a case of knowing what you want and what to look for. Skincare products range in price, and sometimes it is a case of trial and error, but once you find one that suits you you'll see the benefits in no time.

My Top Tips For Healthy Skin!

I wasn't really into skincare until about a year ago; before that the only product I used on my face was a Johnson's baby wipe!  But taking care of your skin is something we should all take seriously, and I consider it to be as equally important of maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regime. Follow these steps and create your own skincare guidelines and I can assure you that your skin will stay happy and healthy!


1. Limit your sun exposure. It's no secret that I have extremely pale skin, and I actually go to lengths to ensure that my skin stays fair and protected against harmful UV rays. Obviously that's not to everyone's taste, so just try and stay out of direct sunlight between 11-1 - That's the time the sun is at it's highest point so the rays will be stronger. Also ensure that you use makup and skincare that has added SPF, such as Benefit's 'Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow!' and Carmex lip balm so that your skin is protected all year round.

2. Keep hydrated. This seems like such a boring and tedious piece of advice, but drinking as much water as you can (You are advised to drink 8 glasses a day, but realistically that isn't achievable for everyone) can really help rejuvinate and brighten the skin, as well as increase skin elasticity and replenish skin tissue.

3. Weekly face masks/scrubs. Regardless of how much you look after your skin on a daily basis, after a while your skin does need a more intense treatment to revive it of all of the general wear-and-tear it's developed throughout the week. Depending on your skin type there is a limit to the frequency in which you use masks or scrubs, but I would advise to apply no more than once a week. I love the Good Things Five Minute Facial Face Mask, as it gives your skin all the help it needs to get back to top form in just 5 minutes. Remember, when you apply certain scrubs be sure to check that it contains no harsh chemicals (You can get some great natural masks, there's no need to bother with chemicals!) or that you exfoliate with the scrubs gently so that it doesn't strip your skin.

5. Remove makeup. This seems such a stupid point, but you'd be surprised at the amount of people that fail to remove their makeup properly, or commit the number one beauty sin - sleeping with their makeup on! Leaving makeup on for long periods of time clogs pores, which can result in blackheads, and layering fresh makeup on top of older product just makes things worse! I like to use larger cotton pads to remove makeup, purely because they cover a wider surface area (I use Body Shop organic cotton pads). If you can, remove your makeup as soon as you can, try and make it the first thing you do when you get in. If you know you aren't going out anywhere or seeing anyone that would require you wearing makeup, take it off - your skin will thank you later!
In order to eliminate unnecessary steps,  try and use a makeup remover that doubles as a cleanser .. which brings me onto my next point!

6. Cleanse, tone and moisturise. It really is as simple as that. I will do a seperate post about this, but getting into a daily skincare routine is the easiest way to ensure that you always look your best. Following those three steps twice a day will ensure that all the dirt and excess sebum (oil) has been removed and your skin is ready for the next day! I currently use Micellar Purifying Cleansing Water from Etat Pur, Moisture Prep Toning Lotion by Benefit, and Lush's Enzymion moisturiser. Suffering from oily skin is no excuse for skipping steps, there are products for every skin type so there's no excuse!

7. Blot away. Layering on extra foundation and powder in an attempt to mattify greasy skin will cake your pores and cause all sorts of problems, so be sure to always carry around blotting paper to absorb the excess oil and ensure that you don't have to apply extra product. These are very inexpensive, and are compact so they can reside in your makeup bag permanantly so you'll always have one handy!

8. Sleep! This seems like such a boring one, but getting a full 8 hours sleep every night will really do wonders for your skin. It will illiminate dark circles and bags, which are a sign of not enough sleep, and it'll make you feel better on the inside too - which, believe it or not, will give you a great healthy glow.

9. Sanitise. This is something that not enough makeup users do, i've noticed. So many people apply makeup with their fingers, but seem to forget where there hands could have possibly been beforehand. Therefore, essentially you are spreading bacteria into the layers of makeup, building up the dirt and oil that causes blackheads. Be sure to avoid that by adding a small bottle of sanitizer to your makeup bag so that you get into the habit of cleansing your hands before applying anything.

10. Clean your brushes. I had the shock of my life when a friend of mine said that she had never washed her makeup brushes. Bacteria grows from the mixture of old product residue, moisture from your body and dust, meaning that you could essentially be the owner of a bacteria breeding ground. And you're going to allow that to touch your face? Use a tiny blob of Johnson's Baby Shampoo (You can buy travel size bottles for less than £1!) or Tea tree wash on the brush, and massage the bristles under warm water until it runs clear. Reshape if needed, remove any dripping water by blotting with a towel and leave for up to 24 hours to dry naturally. This is so quick, and will extend the life of your brushes aswell as ensure that your makeup is applied hygienically. It is advised to clean your brushes weekly.

11. Don't touch! We all know how tempting it is to squeeze a blackhead or examine a coldsore with our fingertips, but it's actually one of the worse things you can do. Squeezing spots actually pushes the dirt and oil further into your skin as well as cause scarring, and the bacteria that can gather from touching both spots and coldsores is the fastest way to ensure that it will spread to other parts of your face. If you feel a spot or coldsore coming on, visit your local pharmacists who can advise a treatment for you.

11 is a really odd number, but my last tip isn't going to be a popular one. If you're like me and can go without makeup and don't mind people seeing you bare-faced (And that's only because I only started wearing makeup when I hit 18) try and have a day off from it once a week. Sunday's are usually my makeup free days, unless i've had a heavy night on the Friday therefore my 'natural day' would be the Saturday. Makeup is amazing for so many reasons, but regardless of how much water is in it or how organic it is, nothing beats being fresh face and allowing your skin to breathe without any obstructions. Give your skin a break and try it!

Review: Etat Pur Prescription

I recently entered a giveaway on Holly Arabella's blog, with the prize being a personalised solution from skincare specialists Etat Pur - and guess what? I won!

Etat Pur provide skincare products that are tailored for specific types of skin, and by using their personalised solution questionnaire, it allows customers to be educated on what types of products they should be using in their daily (and nightly) routine. To be honest, i'd never heard of this company before reading Holly's review, but I was instantly intrigued by the idea of being personally guided through hand-picked products as there are so many different skincare products out there it's enough to make your head spin. Etat Pur can recommend products targeting at different skin problems, ages or skin types - which means you really can find what suits you.

I was absolutely thrilled, purely because I never win anything. I was told to go onto their website and complete their questionnaire, which looks like this:

 

(The questionnaire is longer by the way, my screen just isn't big enough to view it all at once!)

From there, I was given a list of different products ranging from cleansing waters to spot treatments, and within a week or so I received this in the post:

Clockwise from top left: Purifying Cleansing Gel | Express Purifying Mask | Micellar Purifying Cleansing Water | Salicylic Acid 70 | Salicylic Acid 300 | Enoxolone | Oat

As you can see from the products I was sent that I focused quite a lot on cleansing, which is what I chose to be of great importance to me on the questionnaire. This is because I am obsessed with having clean and clear skin at the end of the day, as there is no greater beauty sin than leaving your make-up overnight (Seriously, you're asking for trouble!). I also find that my nose and general T-zone area gets quite red easily and I hate having spots, so I wanted to focus on those aspects too as well as ensuring that all the product were suitable for oily and sensitive skin. A tall order, right? You'd like to think so!

This review will be in two parts, the cleansing treatments and then the problem skin treatments, purely because with the skin treatments results are expected after days of ongoing use, so I cannot give an accurate review. But here's a few words on some of the products I did receive:

Purifying Cleansing Gel

 This light cleansing gel gently foams, removing excess subum (oil) and purifying your face without drying it out. It's great for sensitive skin as it's so fine and doesn't include any nasty chemicals. I like to use this in the morning because after rinsing off it feels as though you've just applied a face mask - your skin feels so nourished and ready for the day. It doesn't contain any soap or alcohol, so if you accidently get some in your eye it won't sting! This is great as it doesn't leave your skin feeling too heavy, so i'm not afraid to continue to tone and moisturise afterwards.
Purifying Cleansing Gel is priced at £7.70.

Express Purifying Mask

I was really excited about this product as i'm such a huge fan of face-masks. This 5-minute clay mask removes excess sebum as well as absorbs other harmful toxins, and unblocks pores. You only need a thin layer so 50ml goes a long way, and afterwards my skin felt rejuvinated and well moisturised. It's suitable for all skin types, but is recommended twice a week for combination to oily skin, and once a week for normal to dry. It leaves your skin feeling silky smooth, and without a single trace of dirt or make-up.
Express Purifying Mask is priced at £7.50.

Micellar Purifying Cleansing Water

This has been by far the most used and loved product that I received. It removes make-up and cleanses the face in a single wipe, which basically eliminates a step in my nightly skincare routine! It's alcohol and soap free, removes excess sebum, and is even suitable for removing eye make-up. It makes your skin feel clean and refreshed, as well as prepped for your toner and moisturiser. I can say nothing but good things about this! I tend to use this at night as it removes my make-up, and then use the gel in the morning, but they're both equally as great so it really depends on whether you feel like running to the sink to rinse or not.
Micellar Purifying Cleansing Water is priced at £7.40.

Like I said, once I have tested the spot and redness treatments as directed I will post my review, so stay tuned! But for now, click here to visit the Etat Pur website and fill in your personalised solution questionnaire. I highly recommend trying out some of their products, whether your new to skincare or you feel like your current products just aren't cutting it - trust me, these will!

Thank you so much to Holly Arabella, Etat Pur and Wizard PR for this amazing giveaway gift - I'm so pleased with it and I can't wait to try out some more of their products once it's time to stock up again!

Review: Good Things Five Minute Facial Face Mask

Ever since going on holiday, i've sort of become obsessed with spa treatments (I treated myself to a traditional Turkish bath, full body massage and hot stone massage!) and have since then aimed to find the perfect products to be able to recreate that experience in the comfort of my own home.

Good Things is a skincare brand that aims to provide quality skincare products to young people. Their philosophy is to educate in taking the appropriate steps to ensure that young skin has a great start in life. With a selection of cleansers, moisturisers and masks, it's great for people who are beginners in looking after their skin.
I'd heard great reviews on the 'Five Minute Facial Face Mask', and I have a weakness for the few hours following a face mask where you can't stop feeling how seriously smooth your face is - so I had to get my hands on this Five Minute Facial Face Mask. I was also curious to see how much difference it would make to my skin in just five minutes.

The packaging is absolutely gorgeous, the curls remind me of the doodles I used to do in the corners of the pages in my books at school. It's so simply labelled - no crazy vitamin names (apart from the sodium laureth sulphate listed as a 'free from', which is commonly found in soaps and shampoo's and can cause hair loss, as well as skin and eye damage!), which gives the indication that the product will be simple to apply and would not intimidate first-time users.

The mask contains superfruit extracts; an ingredient found in all Good Things products. In this product the superfruit is goji berry, which is used as an anti-inflammatory and is a natural skin energiser that keeps your skin soothed and energised. Other Good Things products use superfoods such as strawberries (and strawberry seeds!) and wild cherry extract which sound quite exotic, and it makes products much more appealing as they contain ingredients that are safe to eat!
 It also contains avocado oil which is rich in vitamins A, D and E which are great for keeping skin smooth and well moisturised.

The actual mask is really easy to distribute, but once it's on, it's on. It was completely dry within a minute, which is incredible, as most masks take at least twice as long and you have to wait for double the time to be able to feel the full effects of it. I accidentally left a little bit on my nails when I was spreading a thin layer (that's all it takes) across my face, and it was rock solid and was quite hard to budge. In other reviews it has been said that the smell is quite overpowering, but I disagree. When I was walking around my house with the mask on my mum had to back away from me, but I honestly didn't see the problem! It smells of berries and has a scent of the clay you'd find in face masks. I think it smells amazingly fragrant and it didn't bother me at all.

I cannot rate this product enough, my skin felt softer than it ever has done, and it was in just five minutes. Even though I cleanse, tone and moisturise twice a day my skin felt cleaner than it ever had done. The product claims to brighten the skin and it definitely did, but that also brought the redness out in it aswell. It felt quite raw, as I had to almost scrub it off with a flannel. Once it had hardened it was quite difficult due to the thin layer, but once i'd patted my face dry with the softest towel I had, my skin calmed down and I was left with fresh, squeaky clean skin.

It is advised to use weekly, or whenever your skin needs a quick boost. Personally, i'd love to use it every morning as I think it would provide a great base for makeup, and the fact that it takes literally five minutes is almost unbelievable. However, I think this would be a great face mask to use at the end of the week to prep yourself for the week ahead so this will become a regular occurrence every Sunday, and for £5.99 it won't break the bank to work it into your skincare routine.
To apply, spread a thin layer onto your face - avoiding the eye area - after cleansing.Wait for 5 minutes for the mask to dry, then use a hot damp flannel to remove the mask.
You can purchase Good Things Five Minute Facial Face Mask at your local Boots, Superdrug and Sainsburys. You can also click here to visit the Good Things website and read up on other skincare superfoods!




Good Things Five Minute Facial Face Mask, along with other Good Things products are available at your nearest Boots, Superdrug or Sainsburys. Click here to view the entire Good Things range, and read up on superfoods!

Review: My first Glossybox! The Harrods Edition - March 2012

I've been so excited to write this post. Ever since I started blogging i've wanted to start receiving a monthly Glossybox - a selection of luxury miniature products for a bargain price of £12.95 a month (Including P&P) delivered right to your door for you to sample and adore. To be honest, although it isn't an insane amount of money for what you receive, it took a lot to convince me to sign up. After reading lots of reviews on February's box, I saw that they were bringing out a limited edition Harrods box. They had me at 'limited edition', I could not wait to see what products I would receive.

First of all, let me apologise for the quality of the photos. I didn't have a lot of time to take them and only had my iPhone with me.

I love the gorgeous packaging, the chic white box definetely adds to the exclusivity of the limited edition box. 

Here's what I received in my first box:

Vanitas Versace Eau de Parfum

What a gorgeous little sample of one of Versace's newest fragrances that's perfect for spring. It's floral but not too overpowering, with hints of cedar wood to create a balance of innocence and seduction. The little bottle is so cute, it's great for my handbag. 

Clarins' Extra-Firming Body Cream

 I was so excited to see something from Clarins in my box, as I'm such a big fan. It aims to create firmer skin and a more 'youthful' body - Well, i'm only 20 so I'm unsure whether this applies to me. However, a full size version of this product costs £39.50 in Boots, so I'm happy with the tester to see if it tones and smooths my skin. As it is for the whole body, I don't know how far this product will go.. I can only see myself getting three or four uses. 

Bliss Blood Orange + White Pepper Body Butter

I don't quite know what to think about this product. I've never been too fond of the use of orange as a scent, I find it too tart and makes my face scrunch up like i've just bitten into a lemon. The back of the bottle describes the product as 'vibrantly-scented' - you could call it that! There's no need for perfume with this body butter! When I tested it, I found that my skin clearly felt softer, but I found the mixture quite thick and heavy on my skin and required a lot of rubbing in so my skin wasn't sticky. This will be a good travel product as the blood orange does give it a tropical feel and it's a good size, and luckily you can't smell any of the white pepper! 

Revive Intensite Creme Lustre SPF30 

 

This is the smallest sample of moisturiser I have ever seen! I didn't know quite to do with it. Much like the Clarins product, this moisturiser promises to produce firmer skin and reduce wrinkles (I suppose it's never too early to start trying to stop wrinkles - i'm sure to have visible laughter lines by the time i'm 25!).  I don't think this will do for more than two or three applications, however this is a generous size seeing as the full price product retails at £235! I haven't tested the product yet, but i'm unsure as to whether I will bother writing a review - £235 for a moisturiser is just plain ridiculous.

Lancome Juicy Tubes in Toffee

This was the product that immediately caught my attention, and what I was the most excited about! I've always wanted to purchase one of these legendary lipglosses, but never got round to it. It smells absolutely delicious, so much so that I will probably need to buy another tube as I keep licking it off my lips! The perfect end to the Glossybox, i'm so happy to have one of these gorgeously scented glosses to carry around with me at all times! 

Overall, I have extremely satisfied with these products. I read disappointed reviews on various other blogs about the limited edition box, but I can safely say that I will be continuing my subscription with Glossybox, and can't wait to show you all what I get next month! 

Review: Lush's 'Enzymion' Moisturiser

I apologise for my lack of posts this past week, once again University deadlines have left me with little time to blog. However, on my day off I managed to pick up a new facial moisturiser. My face has started to become oily again, and I ran out of my Porefessional primer that tends to dry up all the excess oil, so I thought I should really get a good moisturiser that does the job for me on a daily basis,  so I don't have to wear makeup in order to achieve good looking skin.

I chose Lush as I love using their cleansers and charcoal scrubs, which are both featured in this post, so I knew they would be reliable. I was immediately directed to a moisturiser called Enzymion, which is described as a 'fruity moisturiser to liven up oily skin'. Simple.

It uses fresh lemons and papayas, along with cocoa butter so it leaves your skin feeling smooth and moisturised but soaks up all that excess oil. It has a really fruity frangrance to it also, which can be quite overpowering at times. I'm not the greatest fan of the smell, however it doesn't transfer onto your skin so it isn't really a problem.

The great thing about Lush products is that they are sold in generous portions. Enzymion is sold in tubs of 45g, and as you only need the smallest amount to dot on your cheeks, t-zone, chin and neck it's really great value. It can be worn alone or underneath makeup. I have tried with both, and have found that it makes a really great base for foundation and helps keep my skin looking flawless for longer.

The oil is gone and my skin feels fresh and looks bright and healthy. For £13.50, you could say that it's quite steep. However, Lush products are always made with love and care, and use the finest natural ingredients so you don't have any harsh or nasty chemicals creeping their way into your skin.

This is now part of my daily cleansing routine, and will remain there for a long time. I love Lush, and I love what this moisturiser has done to my skin.

You can purchase Enzymion here, or at your nearest Lush shop.