The Body Shop Sumptuous Cleansing Butter Review

The Body Shop says -

Cleanse and nourish your skin with our rich cleansing butter. A luxurious way to remove every last trace of make-up, while purifying, cleansing and refreshing your skin, leaving it soft to the touch.

Suitable for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers
Camomile extract from Norfolk, England
Clean and silky-soft feel
Removes all types of make-up

Added to Wish List!RemovedMy thoughts 

My thoughts 

Well for a very reasonable £10 (even cheaper if you use a discount code/offer that is usual knocking around) this is a very effective cleansing butter. A small amount is really all that is needed. You apply to the skin and it melts in your fingers as you massage it into your face.
I bought it originally in the deep mid winter and wanted something really gentle and suitable for sensitive skin because I suffer from skin psoriasis. This was a brilliant purchase. True to its claims, it effectively removes makeup and is gentle enough to use on the eyes. After rinsing skin feels clean, fresh, hydrated and super soft. As an added bonus it has a gorgeous and very pleasant light floral scent. I can't fault it.

10/10

The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter costs £10 

The White Company New Skincare Range Reviewed

Just over three weeks ago I was sent a few items from the new Skincare Range from The White Company. Since then I have been using the items every day, trialling them out and putting them through their paces.

I have to say that I cannot pass by The White Company without popping in and especially since having children The Little White Company. I love the fresh and simple look of the products, the great home accessories and well everything really, I am a fan! So it didn't come as too much of a shock to me that they would expand into skincare, particularly as the founder is an ex beauty journalist. She has partnered with Global Skincare Experts DECIEM, who make products under the Abnormal Beauty Company.

True to The White Company branding, the packaging is white or clear, smart looking and beautifully simple. I think it has great bathroom appeal and I couldn't wait to add it to my shelf.

So what of the products

I was sent the following

Super Balm - Gentle Daily Deep Cleanser £25 for 150ml 

The White Company say 

Cleansing is an essential starting point to achieving a flawless complexion. This luxury cleansing balm is designed to deeply, yet gently, cleanse and dissolve all traces of make-up, including mascara, while instantly boosting hydration and radiance, too. Its special balm-based formula melts upon massage, giving all skin types a healthy glow and super-soft touch. Subtly scented with lemon and petitgrain essential oils and suitable for all skin types.


My thoughts 

I am going to come out and say it straight off - this was my favourite product that I tested and I would repurchase. I loved the citrus lemon scent that wasn't overpowering but hugely pleasant to use. The balm like cream comes out of the tube runny. To use you massage it into the face, it then melts into an oil and loosens up. To wash off you use a hand hot wet facial cloth, follow by rinsing with cool water.

I felt this was a really effective cleanser, I loved the way it changed from cream to oil. It removed makeup well and cleansed skin. Skin felt soft and smooth and radiant. I have noticed an improvement to my skin, absolutely. I would say this is ideal for most skin types.

Advanced Hydration Skin Perfecting Moisturiser £30 for 50ml 

The White Company say 

This clever daily moisturiser immediately nourishes and hydrates all skin types, creating a more flawless-looking complexion by helping balance your skin’s natural moisture levels. Blended with an advanced form of hyaluronic acid, nourishing Amazonian oils and soothing aloe-vera butter, radiance and hydration are visibly improved with every use. What’s more, this non-greasy formula behaves like a primer, too, creating a matte velvet-touch base that enables your make-up to stay perfectly in place for hours. Delicately scented with our exclusive blend of lavender, rose and orange essential oils, this is a gentle yet effective moisturiser with noticeable long-term results.

Advanced active ingredients:
Hyaluronic acid: instantly offers intense and long-lasting hydration to skin’s surface and epidermis
Amazonian oils: to deeply hydrate and improve the appearance of skin’s texture
Aloe-vera butter: helps to soothe sensitive skin, reduce inflammation and gently hydrate


My thoughts 

This moisturiser doesn't have much of a scent but that suits me just fine. The only thing I would like to see would be perhaps an SPF included in it. This is a great every day moisturiser (I have combination skin) and I feel I get the best results when used twice a day as recommended. Skin feels soft, hydrated and it is a nice base for makeup (funnily enough, I wrote my thoughts before seeing what The White Company say.. and they mention the fact that it behaves like a primer, good base for makeup... Good to see I agree!)

At the moment, due to hayfever, my skin feels sensitive around the nostril area and this is delicate enough to continue to use.

Night Oil Overnight Renewal Treatment £30 for 30ml

The White Company say 

Give your skin a full night of beauty sleep with this incredible facial oil. Massage a few drops of the fast-absorbing formula across the face and neck after cleansing, taking care to avoid the delicate eye area. Our enriching blend of Amazonian oils, anti-oxidants and poppy-flower extract ensure that you will wake up to deeply nourished, firmer-looking skin that feels as soft as silk and glows with health. Suitable for all skin types.

Advanced active ingredients:
Amazonian oils: to deeply hydrate and improve the appearance of skin’s texture
Anti-oxidant carotenoids: to help support firmer-looking, age-proof skin
Poppy-flower extract: to help visibly smooth skin’s surface and boost radiance

My thoughts 

This oil has a nice, pleasant scent. Calming and relaxing. Just perfect for before bed. I use one squeeze of the dropper which gives enough product to massage into my face. Strangely I don't feel it absorbing into the skin. It seems to sit atop, it must me doing something however as by morning it has disappeared and skin feels nice and soft and looks pretty good too. Personally I feel using the products together I have seen an overall improvement in my skin so I am happy. I will be using these products until they are finished.

Have you tried any products from the range?

Visit their website for more details The White Company

*PR Samples 

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gelée Milk Cleanser Review

Lazy cleansing for me equates to no water needed. Yes wipes have a place (usually used on holidays in my case), but actually I don't really want to compromise on good skincare routines if I can help it. But I get it, we all have lazy days where we want to flop into bed with little effort, that is where new Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gelée Milk Cleanser comes in...

Neutrogena say 

Neutrogena Hydro Boost® Gelée Milk Cleanser is an innovative cleanser combining the lightness of a gel with the efficacy of a make-up remover milk. The combination of Neutrogena® cleansing technology, hydrating agent and Hyaluronic acid which is naturally found in skin, help the formula to protect the skin barrier, boost hydration and help lock it in.

Boosts hydration

No rinse formula

Removes makeup

Leaves skin touchably supple

My thoughts 

This pump action cleanser has a lovely, fresh and fruity scent. The product comes in gelee form and feels really gentle on the skin as it effectively and easily wipes away and removes makeup including mascara. It does a great job of cleansing, I was surprised that it left skin feeling tacky to the touch but actually this only lasted a minute or two and then just like magic..skin just felt beautifully soft.

A great, no rinse formula cleanser.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gelée Milk Cleanser 200ml RRP £7.99

*PR Sample

Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil Review

Always on the lookout for a new cleanser I was intrigued by the latest launch by skincare brand Simple - Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Cleansing Oil. I do like oil based cleansers and so the last time I was in the supermarket I saw it was on offer and picked up a bottle to try.

Simple say 

Simple’s Hydrating cleansing oil is made with pure grape-seed oil and enriched with vitamin A & E. The formulation helps to dissolve impurities, removing make up, leaving your skin clean and instantly hydrated.
When rinsed with water our Cleansing oil is transformed into a milky texture so it won’t leave your skin dry or greasy, just clean and fresh.
For perfectly clean, nourished and smooth skin. Perfect for sensitive skin.
And as always for Simple, there’s no artificial perfumes or colours and no harsh chemicals, so it won’t upset your skin.

Suitable for all skin types and daily use.

My thoughts

There is no real scent to this light oil cleanser, as it is of course Simple. If I had to describe what it smelt like I would say like The Body Shop's Sesame Oil (anyone remember that?)

You apply the oil to dry skin and massage it on, then wet skin with warm water and watch it emulsify into a milky based cleanser. I tried it on a day I wasn't wearing makeup, a light makeup day and a day when I had full makeup - liquid liner, eye shadow. The day I had full makeup on I also had face paints applied to my skin as I was at a party.. what better time to test its effectiveness and claims! 

All I can say is that this cleansing oil made light work of the full makeup and face paint - as soon as I applied the oil to my skin the makeup was disappearing before my very eyes. It is also really gentle and left my skin feeling clean,  lovely and soft and not tight at all. There is no oily/greasy residue either which I know some people are concerned about if they use an oil based cleanser

An effective and gentle cleanser.

Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Cleansing Oil 125ml rrp £6.99 

Vichy Purete Thermale Cleansing Collection - Review

I have been testing out a couple of products from the new Vichy Purete Thermale Cleansing range and what a pure pleasure that has been. Both the Gel and the Micellar Oil have proven to be fantastic cleansers and really it just boils down to which cleansing format you prefer... See below for more details. 

Vichy Purete Thermale Beautifying Cleansing Micellar Oil 125ml £13.75

Vichy say 

Remove even the toughest make-up with the Vichy Purete Thermale Beautifying Cleansing Micellar Oil, suitable for all skin types.

Lightweight, effective and non-greasy, this luxurious oil ensures pleasurable make-up removal. Both oily and dry skin types will benefit from its clarifying care as it won’t overload the skin, instead transforming from an oil to a milk on contact with water..

At the heart of the formula are micelles, which gently remove waterproof make-up, impurities, sebum excess and dead cells with no need for rubbing. Added Camelia Oil moisturises and smoothes skin, while Vitamin E provides antioxidant protection.

Massage onto skin to loosen makeup, and rinse away with water.

Paraben-free, suitable for sensitive skin. Tested under dermatological and ophthalmological control.

My thoughts 

I am a big fan of oil cleansing and am smitten by this one from Vichy, it smells insanely lovely and fresh. I am completely hooked on its scent and how effective it is at removing makeup, including heavy eye makeup. It leaves my skin feeling luxuriously soft and I honestly cannot find a single fault with it. Gorgeous and gentle cleansing at its finest.

Vichy Purete Thermale Fresh Cleansing Gel 200ml £12

Vichy say

Remove every trace of the day with the Vichy Purete Thermale Fresh Cleansing Gel, an optimised formula for all skin types.

The perfect partner for city living, this lightweight gel cleanses deeply and protects cells against pollutants. The foam feels so fresh on the skin, leaving it pampered, clarified and extremely soft.

At the heart of the formula is the expert anti-pollution complex Purisoft, which is composed of Amilite Technology to soften the effect of hard water, Glycerin to moisturise, and Moringa to cleanse dust, excess sebum and pollution from the skin.

Apply to damp skin and work in circular motions to produce lather. Rinse away thoroughly.

Paraben-free, suitable for sensitive skin.

My thoughts 

The Gel has the same delicious scent as the oil which makes me exceedingly happy. The gel comes out clear and is quite thick. One thing to note about the gel is that it promises to reduce the discomfort caused by hard water. Now I live in a hard water area and so am perfectly placed to test this out. I am not a fan of gel cleansers in general as I find them drying, but this was different. The first thing I noticed instantly was that the product mimics the results as if it has been used in a soft water area..

Those in hard water areas may notice how your usual Cleanser/Shampoo product foams up more when on holiday/abroad (this is the result of soft water). I used just one pump of this gel and I had the most ridiculous amount of foam, definitely a nod to its amilite technology! After cleansing my skin was super, super soft and didn't feel dry or tight. A complete win win situation.

I have no hesitation in recommending either of this brilliant cleansers from Vichy.

They are available to buy from Escentual.com and I believe right now they have up to a 1/3 off which makes them even better value.

*Samples provided for review purposes

Bee Good Cream Cleanser Review

I have been trialling some products from the Bee Good skincare range and this is one of those stand out, shout it out from the roof tops type of product that you need to know about. 

Bee Good skincare say 

This Honey & Propolis 2 in 1 cream cleanser sweeps away make-up and grime without drying out your skin. Used with the included pure muslin cloth to gently exfoliate, it leaves skin bee-autifully clean, soft and silky-smooth.

Available in 30ml travel / 'try me' size and 100ml full-size packs.

Can also be bought as a duo pack of 2x 100ml tubes with muslin cloths for £19.50 saving £3.50!

The benefits of this Bee Good cream cleanser include:

• Contains British propolis which possesses well known 'healing' and ‘antimicrobial’ properties, and has been used for centuries for medicinal and healthcare purposes.
• Propolis has strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties making it one of the best ingredients for balancing problematic skins.
• Propolis stops bacteria spreading and enhances skin renewal. Rich in vitamins B, C and E it’s a natural skin healer.

Bursting with active ingredients including super-moisturising British wild flower honey, nourishing British crambe oil and British propolis, renowned for its antibacterial properties.

My thoughts 

I am loving using this cream cleanser as part of my daily skincare routine. The cream feels nice on the skin, it has a gorgeous sweet scents like refresher sweets or sherbert. This is a two step cleanse - apply cream and then use a muslin cloth (which is included) to wash off. A very lovely and effective cleanser.

My skin looks super clean and clear and feels incredibly soft. Just bee-autiful!

Oh and the bonus is that it costs just £11.50 for 100ml and doesn't contain any skincare nasties.

Top marks from me.

Bee Good 2 in 1 Honey & Propolis Cream Cleanser 100ml costs £11.50 and is available to buy from Waitrose or the Bee Good website. 

*PR Sample

Cleansing Milk Blind Trial - The Results Are in!

Back in March I took part in the Escentual.com Cleansing Milk Blind Trial along with 99 other beauty lovers. Seven cleansing milks were put into pots and labelled from A-G so we weren't influenced by brand names. Those taking part set to work testing them out (the fun part) and then all the results and our thoughts were recorded by a survey that we had to fill in.

The brands taking part (in no particular order) were -

Guerlain
Caudalie
Clarins
La Roche-Posay
Vichy
Nuxe
Eucerin

I had a few that I really liked, A & B were great and one that I LOVED and would buy without a shadow of a doubt - Sample G (good things come to those who wait!)

So I was itching to find out which one was my favourite, thankfully I didn't have too long to wait.

The results can be found here
http://www.escentual.com/cleansing-milk-blind-trial

My favourite, and it turns out, the overall winner, turned out to be La Roche -Posay Physiological Cleansing Milk - paraben free and suitable for dry to very dry sensitive skin.

Personally, I don't have dry skin but at the time I was taking part in the trial I was suffering from quite a patches of facial psoriasis. This meant that I had to avoid anything too harsh. This fitted the bill perfectly, skin felt clean and gorgeously soft and most importantly not irritated. A winner in my book.

The Cleansing Milk Blind Trial With Escentual.com

Two years ago I took part in a blind trial of Micellar Waters in association with Escentual.com which was great fun so when I heard they were looking for people to take part in a blind Cleansing Milk trial I applied to get involved. 

Those taking part have been sent 7 cleansing milks to try and I am just over half way through the trial now and enjoying trying out these cleansers without a clue which brand they are from. 

The brands involved this time around are (in no particular order)

Guerlain
Caudalie 
Clarins
La Roche-Posay
Vichy
Nuxe
Eucerin

I cannot wait to give my opinion and then see the results of this trial (did I agree with the others taking part?) and to, of course, find out which brand was my fave and which milk belongs to which brand. 

Exciting times!

Karin Herzog Professional Cleansing Face Cleansing Gel Review

I am already a fan of Karin Herzog products, I think I am now on my third or fourth pot of the Vita-Kombi Day and Night Cream Moisturiser which I like to use as a night cream. I loved the deliciously scented Finest Chocolate Cleansing Gel as well so when the opportunity came up to try another cleanser from the range I jumped at it.

Karin Herzog say 

A dual action cleanser and highly effective makeup remover that successfully removes
impurities while simultaneously conditioning the skin. Formulated with nourishing sesame oil and pure essential oils, this professional strength product helps to unclog pores, dissolve impurities and remove waterproof makeup without stinging or irritation, even in the sensitive eye area.

Benefits:

• Gently cleanses, without the use of harsh detergents
• Highly effective even for waterproof makeup
• Effectively removes dirt, sebum and makeup from the pores
• So gentle that it is suitable even for the most sensitive eyes
• Restores the skins optimal pH balance, priming it for the subsequent
  application of oxygen products.
• Leaves the skin feeling hydrated, soft and supple
• Contains no preservatives

My thoughts 

A tiny bit of product goes a long way, the slightly waxy gel balm comes out almost solid but melts with the warmth of the skin so that you can work it into the skin. It has a very pleasant coconut scent. I find it to be really effective at removing makeup and an exceptional, gentle facial cleanser. It leaves skin feeling incredibly soft, smooth and looking clear, bright and radiant.

A wonderful, rich cleanser now the weather is turning colder.

Karin Herzog Professional Cleansing Face Cleansing Gel 50ml £38 available online from Karin Herzog, Fenwick and SpaceNK 

*PR Sample

NIVEA Daily Essentials Refreshing Cleansing Mousse Review

A few months ago I was unexpectedly away from home with no toiletries and so made a mad late night dash to a Supermarket to pick up some beauty essentials. Not cleansing is simply not an option for me so this was top of my list and the aisle I spent the longest in!

I was tempted to pick up another bottle of a cleansing oil that I love and know works, but as I still had some left at home I wanted to try something new...

Nivea Daily Essentials Refreshing Cleansing Mousse for Normal & Combination Skin caught my eye with its liquid to mousse formula.

Nivea say 

Cleanses deeply & moisturises
Sensational cleansing experience leaving the skin feeling soft and refreshed

With Vitamin E & Hydra IQ

My thoughts 

Two pumps provides a rich and creamy cleansing foam that feels so lovely and soft on the skin and actually it is a really effective makeup remover too! It has the wonderful NIVEA scent that I just adore (it always reminds me of holidays) and leaves skin feeling soft, clean and fresh and unusually for a foam wash does not leave skin feeling tight after.

I give this cleanser 9/10 as I wouldn't recommend using it on eyes and instead recommend using a separate eye makeup remover.

Nivea Daily Essentials Refreshing Cleansing Mousse £4.99 

Inside The August Glossybox 2014 - Glossybox is 3!

It is hard to believe that globally Glossybox has turned 3, the concept of having beauty products delivered to your door monthly is hugely popular and it seems, certainly for now, that this enthusiasm shows no sign of abating.

I get very excited when my postman knocks with this monthly box and this month it was no different.. The outer carton this month was black and glossy with a pink bow as shown in the pics above. The actual box has had a little redesign and is not glossy and more box shaped. As ever the items were wrapped up with a bow, this time it was a smart black colour. Very pretty.

However, what is really important is the contents and this month, I personally was not disappointed. Every single item will be used.

A closer look at the contents

So the highlight for me is the Kryolan for Glossybox Highlighter in Cashmere FULL SIZE £12.95

Readers of BeautySwot.com will know I pretty much wear a highlighter every day so I cannot wait to wear this one. No glitter, just a beautiful natural shade cream highlighter for a velvety gleam.

Comfort Zone Essentials Cleansing Milk FULL SIZE 250ml £20

I have just finished my cleanser and although I have a few others to work through I don't have a cleansing milk so will be interested in giving this a go and discovering a new brand at the same time.

Figs & Rouge Mini Hand Cream 20ml (full size 80ml £6.95)

I can always do with a new hand cream and this one from Figs & Rouge is a fruity affair, now I am not a major fruit scent fan but this Mango and Mandarin one isn't bad at all, not overpowering and quite refreshing. The 20ml size is ideal to pop in my handbag.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer 40ml (full size 250ml £38)

I was pretty sure that this has already appeared in a previous Glossybox so I checked back to find that yes my memory was correct, this appeared in November 2011. OK it was ages ago but it seems I hadn't forgotten ;-) Philip Kingsley is also celebrating this year, 40 years of Elasticizer so the tie in is rather nice.

Anyway, my hair is in need of a good condition so this will be used up..just need to find a spare 20mins!

Lalique L'Amour EDP 2ml (full size 50ml £67)

Now I know that perfume samples of this size are not always appreciated but this is a really gorgeous scent and it does come with a hefty price tag...so in this case I think it was worth popping in the box. L'Amour is a truly sensational soft floral perfume with a hint of tea about it with the inclusion of Bergamot. It also features top notes of rosebuds, floral white heart notes and a musk base. Addictive.

Finally, a little birthday bonus

Yves Rocher Pink Nail Polish 3ml FULL SIZE £3.60

This dinky bottle contains a pretty creamy pink shade called Rose, it is very similar to a tea rose lipstick shade. I love it as a nudey easy to wear shade, you can see me wearing it in the top pic. I needed two coats to achieve opacity and smooth application. The brush is tiny but on my small nails it was ideal.

Final thoughts

This month my box was really rather good, excellent value with 3 full sized products and ALL the products will be used.

The August Birthday GLOSSYBOX is £10 (+P&P) and will be available throughout August 2014 from www.glossybox.co.uk while stocks last.

*PR Sample

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil Facial Cleanser

I am really liking oil based cleansing and this Deep Cleansing Oil from DHC is a firm favourite.

DHC say 

The ultimate makeup remover. This olive oil based formula completely dissolved away dirt, excess oil, makeup and even waterproof mascara, leaving your skin soft, fresh and never greasy.

My thoughts 

I know this may sound strange but I just got this cleanser out of the box and started using it without actually reading the info on the back. My first thoughts were ..ooh this smells just like olive oil, so of course everything fell into place when I finally read that it contained olive oil!

The scent took a little getting used to but after using it for so long (it really lasts) I don't even really notice it much now. One pump is all I need to cleanse my entire face and eyes.

How to use - dispense into dry hands, massage into dry face and then add water to rinse off.

Obviously it feels oily as you apply but once the water hits the oil it emulsifies to a milky liquid. Once all rinsed off, skin is left looking bright and feeling mega soft and not at all oily. So soft in fact, I can't help touching my face, naughty I know!

A super effective cleanser that leaves skin clean and incredibly soft.

Top marks.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil 200ml £21.50 

*PR Sample

Lush Let The Good Times Roll Cleanser Review

Lush's Let The Good Times Roll face & body cleanser was a Christmas special but has now become part of the permanent line due to popular demand.

Lush say

Made with maize flour and polenta to gently exfoliate, and cinnamon powder to stimulate and leave your skin feeling soft. Let The Good Times Roll is topped off with corn oil and popcorn to leave your skin with an irresistible caramel buttery scent and a natural glow.

My thoughts 

Opening the tub the product looks like playdoh and smells deliciously sweet. To use you take a small piece in your hands and mix with warm water to make a paste. Massage into the skin before rinsing off with water. The less water you use the more exfoliating it feels, if a little harsh. However, mixed with plenty of water it is smoother and more gentle on the skin.

Results - I am super impressed with this fresh cleanser I have to say. Drying my skin afterwards I loved how bright and clear it looked from the very first use and just how incredibly baby soft it has left my skin feeling. I have a wonderful glow to my skin that wasn't there before and no tightness after cleansing, just fabulous skin.

I have been using this for almost 4 days now and am loving it. A lot.

Let the good times roll indeed.

Lush Let The Good Times Roll 100g £6.35 

*PR Sample

Pond's Institute Cold Cream Cleanser Review

Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser was my very first recommendation and review on BeautySwot.com and four years down the line I am returning full circle and am pleased to say that I still recommend it.

Rebranded Pond's Institute and the pot having undergone a little makeover the contents are just as good as they always were...

Pond's Institute say

The Cold Cream Cleanser cleanses the skin deep down without drying it and leaves your skin perfectly clean.

The deep cleansing action removes hidden dirt and make up, even stubborn waterproof mascara.

Its special blend of ingredients softens the skin as they deep cleanse so your complexion feels smooth- never tight or dry.

My thoughts 

The cream has a delicate rose scent, to use you apply a layer of cold cream and massage it in, then I use a warm, wet muslin to wash it off and then finish with a splash of cold water. It removes makeup, including my eye make up effectively and skin feels so clean after. Skin is left super soft and positively glowing, looking and feeling clean it doesn't feel tight at all.

A classic cleanser at an incredibly budget, bargain price.

A winner in my book.

Pond's Institute Cold Cream Cleanser 50ml £3.40

Simple Kind To Skin + Radiance Brightening Wipes - Lazy Girl Cleansing

Party season equals party makeup but it also equals late nights.. and this is where some lazy girl cleansing comes into play. Facial wipes are perfect for the odd occasion, fast, non messy and convenient.

I find that a lot of wipes can be quite harsh on my skin, leaving it red and sore as I try to remove all my makeup so I was curious to try these ones from Sensitive Skin Experts - Simple. If I am going to scrimp on my usual cleansing routine I want to make sure the cheat's way is going to also be effective and is still taking care of my skin.

Simple say 

Radiance Brightening Wipes are a perfect blend of gentle cleansers, skin-loving ingredients and mango extract to cleanse and remove impurities. With added moisturisers. Perfect even for sensitive skin.

3 Skin loving ingredients
- Mango
- Glycerin
- Bisabolol

No alcohol or Oil - Non drying and non greasy

No artificial colour or perfume

My thoughts 

The wipes are a decent size, reasonably thick and are unscented. I find that they are gentle, they don't make my skin sore or red. Skin is left cleansed, feeling soft, not tight and not sticky. It effectively removes heavy makeup and is gentle enough to use on my eyes and mascara removal, I only need one wipe to remove everything. Great party season essential.

Simple Kind To Skin + Radiance Brightening Wipes costs £4.19 for 25 wipes

*PR sample

ARK Skincare Remove Pre Skin Cleanse & Age Maintain Conditioning Cleanser

I mentioned recently that I had been lucky to have been trying out some great cleansers recently and now it is time to share another gem (or gems) with you.

When I was approached to try products from ARK I have to admit of not having heard of them so I had a quick look on their website to get a better feel for the products and the ethos...

ARK Age Aware Skincare 

Your skin is the best indicator of your overall wellness and vitality. When it comes to boosting your confidence, great skin is the place to Start. ARK believes that to improve your skin you should also support its natural functions according to your age-related needs.

ARK have products in age categories.

Being in my mid 30's I was sent the Age Maintain Conditioning Cleanser (suitable for mid 30's -50) along with the Remove Pre Skin Cleanse for the famous double cleanse that is said to make a real difference to skin....

Remove Pre Skin Cleanse 125ml

ARK say 

A revolution in skin cleansing. This innovative product is the first step in our powerful cleansing routine. The multi-fruit lipid blend dissolves every last trace of daily grime, excess sebum and make-up – even waterproof mascara – while nourishing and soothing skin with a blend of natural ingredients.

Grape seed, Avocado and Kiwi Oil deeply nourish skin and protect against dryness
Margosa Leaf Extract destroys bacteria and inhibits its growth on the skin
Zi Cao is an Ayurvedic herb, which soothes sensitive skin

My thoughts 

This is a really smooth oil and gentle feeling oil. It doesn't really have much of a scent but it just feels like it is melting away heavy make up as you massage your skin. Once water makes contact with it it goes slightly milky like an emulsion as it rinses off. My skin is left feeling soft and ready for stage two, the cleanser.

Age Maintain Conditioning Cleanser 

ARK say 

This ultra-nourishing cleanser helps with skin’s natural exfoliation for a clear, radiant complexion. Effectively removes make-up and excess sebum to leave skin exquisitely clean, plump and supple. Perfect for sensitive souls as the natural ingredients soothe redness and inflammation too.

Kiwi and Passion Fruit lipids are packed with Omega 3 fatty acids to boost skin’s moisture
Blue Lotus, the ‘sacred flower of anti-ageing’ is a powerful antioxidant which helps skin firmness and elasticity
Moringa Oil is rich in Vitamin A and C and gently removes make-up and grime while retaining essential moisture

My thoughts 

The cleanser has a slight gel texture to it and a really pleasant delicate citrus scent. It gently lathers up and leaves skin feeling uber soft and silky and incredibly clean ready for applying the next stage of skincare.

I have to say that I saw (and am still seeing) a real difference to my skin using the double cleanse method, The products are so nice and gentle feeling that spending a little longer cleansing my face is not a chore at all and certainly doesn't feel like I am spending any longer on it. My skin feels beautifully soft, looks really clear. In fact I had some tiny white spots on my cheek bones that had been there for what felt like forever and these have disappeared (except for the odd hormonal appearance) making my skin look smoother and dare I say it more youthful!

Beautiful cleansing and incredibly gentle. Fabulous skincare.

ARK Remove Pre Skin Cleanse 125ml £24

ARK Age Maintain Conditioning Cleanser 250ml £23

Also available is a Double Cleanse Set featuring both these items for just £41

Visit www.shop.arkskincare.com

*PR Samples

Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm - Review

It is so lovely to find fabulous facial cleansers and I have been lucky recently with a couple that I am really liking.

The first one is the Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm with radiance-enhancing oatmeal.

Balance Me say 

Our sophisticated 100& natural oil-based balm is a daily must for its dual cleansing and smoothing action to remove make-up and enhance your skin's natural radiance.

Anti-oxidant rich Artic cloudberry, gentle Roman chamomile and skin brightening mandarin smooths away daily grime and make-up leaving skin soft, radiant and calmly clean. Gently polishing oatmeal sloughs away dead skin cells and encourages cell renewal. Shea and cocoa butter, softening rosehip, camellia , kukui nut and virgin coconut oils which are rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and lipids, provide a layer of skin boosting goodness which benefits both young and mature skin.

Suitable for normal/to dry sensitive skin.

My thoughts

My skin sits nicely between young and mature skin and can be a little sensitive (I suffer from slight rosacea on my cheeks) and as I wear make-up every day I am looking for a good cleanser to use twice a day. I don't like my skin to feel tight after and I want it to smell nice, be gentle and leave my skin really clean oh and preferably be able to use it to remove mascara ... and I am happy to say this Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm fits the bill completely.

It has a pleasant citrus lemon scent, not too dissimilar from Lemsip actually. The first part of the two phase process - Packed with lovely ingredients it is quite oily as it comes out of the tube, it loosens as you apply and massage to your skin,  it has fine pieces of oatmeal that gently polish the skin. In the second phase of the process you add warm water and continue massaging. The balm becomes thick and gloopy and at this stage you can apply it to closed eyes wiping over lids and lashes. Finally wiping off the balm with a damp muslin cloth/flannel.

This results in clean, clear and brilliantly soft skin that looks bright and feels comfortable. A wonderful and pleasant to use cleanser. One for my beauty essentials page.

Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm costs £20 for 125ml (comes with a muslin cloth)

Available in selected Debenhams stores and online

*Balance Me promise no parabens, sulphates, petroleum, mineral oils, silicones, dea, plegs, poropylene glycol, artificial fragrances and colours.

*PR Sample

L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfection 15 Second Miracle Cleansing Oil - Review

I am pretty thorough with  my cleansing and skincare routine and I will spend a reasonable amount of time morning and evening in doing so however I have been known to be lazy on occasion (who hasn't!), whether that is from a late night out or otherwise... and this is where L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfection 15 Second Miracle Cleansing Oil comes in very handy.

L'Oreal Paris say 

High performance cleansing for all skin types. Instantly dissolves even waterproof make-up, skin feels perfectly clean with a non-greasy finish. The oil formula helps to re-balance skin's natural oil production for healthy-looking skin. Dermatologically tested.

To use 

With your fingertips apply 2-3 drops onto dry skin, massaging over the lashes, lids and lips.
Then, rinse well with warm water.

My thoughts 

As the name suggests this is fast, effective cleansing. The oil smells absolutely wonderful, it feels light on the skin. As it mixes with water it becomes milky and is easily rinsed off the skin. It leaves my skin clean and feeling beautifully soft to the touch. The oil is a fantastic cleanser and it works particularly well on removing and making light work of my eye makeup.I sometimes just use it on my eye area (if I have been wearing heavy eye makeup) as it is so gentle. 

I like it a lot.

L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfection 15 Second Miracle Cleansing Oil 150ml costs £7.99

*PR Sample

Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream - Review

This 20g sample was just perfect to take away with me when I spent 4 days in Rome recently. Actually it is still going today and that is after 12 days use, using it twice daily.

Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

Burt's Bees say 

Burt's Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream is a rich, sulfate-free facial cleanser. It is made with a gentle, yet effective plant-based cleansing complex featuring quillaja saponaria (soap) bark extract and witch hazel. Luxurious lather foams away excess dirt, oil and make-up leaving skin feeling clean and refreshed. Extracts of chamomile, echinacea and aloe help calm skin while glycerin and cocoa butter provide a touch of moisture for naturally fresh, healthy skin.

My thoughts 

This deep cleansing cream is rich and creamy. I apply it to my face and then use my hands to massages it in. On holiday I didn't use a muslin cloth but at home I do to rinse it away. It has a pleasant sweet smell, smelling like refreshers. It is effective at removing makeup (but I don't use it on my eye area) On the first few uses it really tingled when I was using it and made my eyes sting a little and also for a little while after I had rinsed it off. I was mildly alarmed by this however It didn't hurt me and showed no effects on my skin either, ie no redness or irritation. This effect has lessened with use and I no longer notice any tingling. It leaves my skin feeling fresh, soft and clean.

A good cleanser.

Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream 170g costs £10.99

*PR Sample

The Micellar Cleansing Water Blind Trial With Escentual.com Results Are In!

Back in May I took part in the Micellar Blind Trial held by Escentual.com,7 micellar waters were put to the test and our thoughts were collated... you can read more about what we were asked to rate by clicking here. Yesterday they announced which sample was which product and which one came out on top

The products tested

A- Dior Instant Cleansing Water 
B - Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Petals
C - Caudalie Make-Up Remover Cleanser Water
D - Avene Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Make-Up Remover
E- La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution
F- Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution
G -Vichy Purete Thermale Calming Cleansing Micellar Solution

Well my favourite turned out to be Sample D the Avene Micellar Lotion Cleanser - I wrote the following comments "It felt so smooth, like cleansing with water and has a lovely soft, delicate scent. Absolutely loved it."

Avene say - 

The no-rinse formula is ideal those who suffer from sensitive skin, and those whose complexions are susceptible to repeated aggressions. Sensitised and fragile skin can often look dull, red, itchy and tight, meaning it requires extra gentle care to restore its natural balance.

However the sample that came out on top, being the favourite of 22.1% of trialists was Sample F Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution. What is interesting is that it is a rather iconic product with many raving about it in the beauty world, well now it seems it was the favourite in blind trials too.

Personally I liked the product and would use it again but it wasn't my outright favourite.

To read the full results of the blind trial click here

Thanks Escentual.com for allowing me to be part of the blind trial, I thoroughly enjoyed it.