So this is basically a quick review of a few skincare & beauty products I have finished over the past few months. I know there isn't a huge amount of makeup but that's because I am continuously buying new products and actually very rarely finish any of them!!!!! Eye Makeup Removers: - I LOVE smokey eyes and lashings of mascara so a good eye makeup remover is essential for me. I think the biphase formulas are much more efficient at removing stubborn liner/mascara so that's what I tend to stick to. So in no particular order these are the ones I have been using over the past couple of months: Garnier Express 2 in 1 Eye Makeup Remover (125ml €4.50 approx, available in pharmacies nationwide) - Fantastic, does the job brilliantly without leaving any greasy residue. Have repurchased this a number of times. Botanics Soothing Eye Makeup Remover All Bright (150ml €5.99 approx, available in Boots) - Another great one. Lifts mascara and liner away easily. Can be slightly oily but because I remove my eye makeup first this isn't a problem. I just bought a new bottle of this but have been reading that they changed the formula so I'm hoping it works aswell as my last one did. Elemis White Flowers Eye & Lip Makeup Remover (125ml €28.80 approx, available on www.feelunique.com.). I actually only had a travel size of this but it was perfect to bring on holidays with me. I try and use waterproof/sweat-proof/heatproof products on holidays to prevent my makeup melting off but they are always harder to remove. However this little bottle made quick work of everything leaving me with no panda eyes in the morning. This is a great one for your skincare routine if you have the budget for it. Vichy Pureté Thermale Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover (150mls €14.99 approx, available in pharmacies nationwide). Another great all rounder. Works on waterproof mascara and doesn't irritate my eyes. That's eye makeup removers sorted so it's on to skin cleansers now. Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (125ml €29 available in Clinique stockists nationwide). I LOVE this stuff...You just scoop out a small amount warm it between your hands where it changes to an oil and apply all over the face. It melts off all your makeup even mascara. Well worth the price tag and definitely a repurchase for me. Bioderma Micelle Solution (250ml €14.50 approx, available in selected pharmacies nationwide). I can't fault this...it is great at cleansing and removing makeup. But to be honest the Garnier Miceller Water does the exact same job at a fraction of the cost. L'Oreal Skin Perfect 15 Second Miracle Cleansing Oil (150ml €10.50 approx, available in pharmacies nationwide). Another great makeup remover. Two pumps, apply all over the face including lips & lashes and then remove with a damp facecloth. Ta Dah! All signs of makeup are gone. It does contain mineral oil though but to be honest it's not on your skin long enough to cause much damage. Will be repurchasing!!! Next up is Serums: I would highly recommend using a serum...I actually think they are more important than moisturiser. I use a serum to treat my skin problems (in my case dehydration/aging) day & night and don't mind investing a little money in a good quality one. Vichy Idéalia Life Serum (30mls €34.99 approx, available in pharmacies nationwide). This is a nice enough product but to be honest I didn't notice a difference in my complexion after using it. It makes an excellent base for makeup though and feels lovely and moisturising on the skin. I much prefer the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum which is a Holy Grail product for me. Clarins Double Serum (30ml €69.50 approx, available in Clarins stockist nationwide). This was the first serum I ever used and I loved it however I never actually got around to repurchasing it. My skin looked more even and had a lovely glow to it. I think it's just because I am a product junkie that I never got around to buying a second bottle but it is definitely on my list. Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner (225g €19.95 available in Lush Dublin). I LOVE this stuff and have already repurchased a new pot. You simply use this like you would use your hair conditioner. Apply to wet skin whilst you are still in shower then rinse off. Once you get out of the shower just pat your skin dry and Ta Dah! you have beautiful soft skin. And it smells AMAZING!!!!. I have a full review of it so just click here (http://makeupbyrubysue.weebly.com/blog/lush-after-lush-ros-argan-body-conditioner). My favourite makeup product would have to be mascara so this is actually one product I do get to finish.
L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara (€11.50 approx available in pharmacies nationwide). This is a fantastic mascara perfect for adding volume without clumping. It is a staple in my personal and professional kit. Lancome Virtuóse Mascara (€27.50 approx, available at Lancome stockist nationwide). I firmly believe that Lancome make the best high end mascaras and always have at least one on the go. This is my all time favourite as it adds volume and a great curl to the last. Definitely will be repurchasing. So that's it...I can finally throw these all in the bin!!!!. Thanks for reading. Until next time....Be Happy!!!! Susie xxx
0 Comments
Firstly apologies about the lack of blogging lately but life has been hectic. I am chairperson of our local 5 day festival, The Rose of Castlerea and it takes a huge amount of time to organise. This was my first year in charge so I really put my heart and soul into planning and I am delighted to say it was a huge success. Anyway on to my summer skincare routine. We have been blessed with lovely weather lately so the "pins" have been out on show more than usual. And because I am sooooo pale I have to tan regularly otherwise people would think I was ghost!!!!! So to keep my skin in tiptop condition for tanning I have been using the following products. Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow - €46 I am a massive fan of Elemis products and anytime I treat myself to a spa day I try to ensure I go to an Elemis Spa (My favouite Spa is the Ciuin Spa @ The Slieve Russell Hotel in Cavan - "Heaven"). However I don't get to go too often so I love the Elemis spa@home range of products. I recently got my hands on the Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow Body Scrub. This scrub is like a holiday in a jar. This scrub works by using mineral rich salts and frangipani particles which melt into the skin and buff away your dead skin cells. It exfoliates, removes any traces of old tan and leaves the skin cleansed & brightened. The Monoi & Coconut oils seals in moisture leaving your skin with an amazing delicate fragrance which lasts for hours. It is such a lovely product and I really do think that it leaves my skin silky smooth, soft to the touch and glowing. I know it is a little on the expensive side but it's my little bit of luxury at home. Eucerin Intensive Lotion 10% Urea - €12 I still suffer from Keatosis Pilaris otherwise known as those annoying little red bumps on the backs of your arms and thighs. I love the Eucerin Intensive Lotion 10% Urea. It is meant for people with very dry skin but it is also brilliant at helping get rid of KP. The urea acts as a chemical exfoliator working from underneath the skin. It isn't by any means a luxury cream, it doesn't have a smell and it can leave the skin quite tacky but it REALLY does work to smooth out your skin. I apply it at night before bed and simply hop into the shower the following morning to wash off any residue. After only a few uses you can really see the difference. It is also brilliant at helping fake tan fade evenly. Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan - €7.99 I'm sure I don't have to tell any of you about this next product. It has taken the tanning world by storm and rightly so. I am not hugely into tanning but in summer I have to do something to remove the "blue tinge" from my milk bottle white skin!!! And Cocoa Brown gives the perfect golden glow without a trace of orange in sight. It is a mousse which makes it super easy to apply, looks really natural and dries quickly without any stickiness. You can get a light glow after just one hour or leave it on for longer for a deep bronze colour. Oh and I think my favourite part is that once it does start to fade it scrubs off easily and evenly. Garnier Oil Beauty Nourishing Lotion - € So my skin is exfoliated inside and out and has a beautiful bronze glow from my Cocoa Brown tan. To finish off I use the Garnier Oil Beauty Nourishing Lotion. The first thing I love about this Garnier product is the pump...It makes life so much easier when you can simply pump the lotion onto your hands instead of having to squeeze a bottle with sticky hands. And one pump will cover about one limb... The second thing I love about it is the smell...It contains Argan, Macadamia, Almond and Rose Oil and leaves a beautiful light summery fragrance on your skin throughout the day. I actually don't wear perfume on the morning's I apply this. Overall this moisturiser absorbs quickly without leaving a sticky greasy feeling on the skin, it works great on dry skin and leaves your skin looking glowing and radiant. A perfect finish to my skin care routine. And that's it...It's quite a lazy routine but works perfectly for me.
I have loads of new additions to my makeup bag so stay tuned for loads of product reviews coming soon. Until next time...as always...Be Happy!!! Susie xxx Morning SkincareI am NOT a morning person and I could hit snooze 10 times before actually getting up. So it generally doesn't leave me with a lot of time to get ready before heading out the door to work. Therefore my morning skincare routine is quick and simple. I start my morning by cleansing with Garnier's Micellar Water. It removes any oils that might appear during the night, doesn't leave any residue and makes my skin feel clean and soft after use. I then apply my Botanics Hydrating Radiant Youth Eye Cream. I have been using this for about a month now and its a lovely simple moisturising cream that keeps the eye area well hydrated. It is a great cream for anyone looking for a basic everyday cream. I have however just invested in the NeoStrata Skin Active Intensive Eye Cream. It promises to "target tell-tale signs of ageing around the eyes by building and plumping the deep layers of the skin and crow's feet and puffiness are effectively targeted for exceptional results". I will do a full review on once I have had a chance to try it out. I have been using the No.7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum of late. I'm not quite sure if I like it or not. I had been using the Clarin's Double Serum and noticed my skin tone & texture had improved but since changing to the No. 7 serum I haven't noticed any difference. I am going to finish it anyway and will let you know what I think at the end. I then finish with Una Brennan Super Facialist Neroli Firming Day Cream. I absolutely love the smell of this product and it leaves my skin super soft. The Una Brennan Super Facialist range is great and cannot wait to try more of their products. Night SkincareI always try to double cleanse at night to really ensure my skin is cleansed of the days makeup dirt and pollution. I start with the Garnier Micellar Water as this takes off most of my makeup and eye makeup. I then use the Clinique Take The Day Off Balm. This is a lovely product. It is solid but liquefies when warmed between your hands. Apply all over the face and it melts off the day's dirt and any stubborn makeup. I use a warm muslin cloth to remove it and my skin always feels clean and fresh afterwards. I use my Botanics eye cream and No.7 Serum again and then use the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5. It is very rich and quite greasy but I love it. It soothes, protects and repairs whilst I sleep. Little tube of magic! Weekly TreatmentsOnce a week I use the Una Brennan Super Facialist Tea Flower Pore Purifying Clay Mask. It comes out white in colour, smells quite herbally (is that a word) and dries quickly. Leave it on for about 15 minutes then simply wash it off with a hot facecloth to reveal smooth well balanced skin. It doesn't dry out my face and leaves it feeling super clean. Then once a week I use the Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque. (Obviously not on the same night as the Clay Mask - I usually use this over the weekend or Monday night). This stuff is a life saver the morning after a night out, when you have had at least one bottle (of wine!!!) too many. It is super re-hydrating, packed full of vitamins and smells amazing. Simply apply a layer all over your face (I even apply it to the eye area) leave for at least 20 mins ( you can leave it on as long as you want) and then rinse off. You will be amazed by how radiant and refreshed your skin will look. About twice a week I use my Nip + Fab Glycolic Scrub Facial Polish or my Olay Regenerist 3 Point Super Cleanser Brush for a good exfoliation. The Glycolic Scrub contains both glycolic and salicylic acid which chemically exfoliate the skin and has fine granules to phsically exfoliate. It really improves the texture of my skin and leaves it bright and smooth. I use the Olay Cleansing Brush with whatever cleanser I happen to have in my bathroom at the time . My skin always feels soft and glowing afterwards like I have just had a facial. Oh and I always remove my makeup before using this brush otherwise it can stain the bristles. So that's basically it. Now my skin is still far from flawless but it has been looking better lately and I am putting it down to most of these products. Is there any product's you think I should try? Let me know in the comments below. Don't forget...Be Happy!
Susie xxx So if you have been following me on Facebook you would have seen that I bought both these two products over the last few weeks. Micellar waters are the new "big" thing in the skincare world. They have been a staple in most makeup artists kits with Bioderm been the most popular. However it isn't readily available in Ireland or the UK just yet. So when L'Oreal and Garnier both released their own versions of this magical water there was great excitement (Well I was excited anyway!!!) What is Micellar Cleansing Water? This is a God send for those of you who are still using those demon facewipes (Wipes don't actually cleanse worth a damn and totally dehydrate your skin because they are full of alcohol)... Or worse still you don't actual bother to remove your makeup at all!!!!!!! tut tut tut. Basically it's an non alcohol based cleanser that combines water and oil for quick and easy removal of daily dirt, grime and makeup. You just apply it to a cotton pad and swipe it over your face. Easy Peasy If you are a REALLY good girl you would then use an oil or cream cleanser to give your skin the cleanse it really needs as the Micellar Solution is only a quick fix. Anyhow back to the two I have been trying out. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water removes makeup, cleanses and soothes the skin. It is completely fragrance free and suitable for sensitive skin. It can be used all over the face including your eyes (even though it doesn't really take off all your mascara or very heavy liner very well). It comes in a huge 400m bottle and retails at €6.29. I love how affordable it is and it can be bought in pharmacies nationwide. The L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution DOES EXACTLY THE SAME THING - There is literally NO DIFFERENCE Why you may ask? Well because this is the EXACT SAME PRODUCT sold in different bottles. As you can see from the picture above both product contain the exact same ingredients. And as it happens L'Oreal own Garnier!! So basically L'Oreal launched their product first and a few weeks later they stick the same product in a Garnier bottle and sell to the unsuspecting public. So it really doesn't matter which one you buy. Both will remove your makeup quickly and easily, leaving your skin feeling clean and fresh. They are great for when you feel too lazy to do a full cleanse or are too tired after a night out to take off your makeup before bed. The Garnier is better value. You get 400mls for RRP €6.29 whilst the L'Oreal is a 200ml bottle and RRP is €6.69. Have you every tried any of the Micellar Waters? Let me know in the comments below or on Facebook
Until next time...As always...Be Happy! Susie xxx |
AuthorLover of all things beauty, Makeup Artist, Blogger & Wife . I am always on the look out for the perfect makeup or the best beauty product so keep reading to follow my never ending quest! Categories
All
Archives
April 2016
|