A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

“He loves me, He loves me not…” is a rhyme that many of us will remember from the days when Summer holidays seemed to stretch an eternity and the biggest worry we had was whether or not we’d be able to sneak a jammie dodger from the biscuit tin before bed.

Of course, that particular rhyme meant very little unless we were clutching a fistful of daisies in our hands (we needed more than one incase we got the dreaded “he loves me not”).

Yardley LONDON, one of England’s oldest fragrance houses, re-launched last September with reformulated and repackaged products in a bid to re-energise the brand.  I would imagine that re-launching a brand so quintessentially English, with 240 years of history is not an easy task.  Obviously they need to stay true to their heritage and their loyal customers but in 2011, they clearly need to look to enhance the image of the brand in the eyes of the younger generations aswell.

Enter the Royal English Daisy Collection…

Perfume house Yardley LONDON have introduced the new fragrance collection to coincide with the imminent Royal Wedding.  Based around the perceived fragrance of daisies (the flowers have no actual fragrance), the limited edition range comprises of three products.

Royal English Daisy Eau de Toilette 50ml (£9.99)
Royal English Daisy Body Spray 75ml (£2.49)
Royal English Daisy Moisturising Body Lotion 250ml (£5.95)

Daisies have long been a favorite of many, as they represent loyal love and innocence. They have the ability to bring a smile to a face or brighten a room like a golden ray of sunshine.

Yardley London’s Royal English Daisy is an elegant dewy fresh, green floral fragrance, reminiscent of flower filled meadows in the spring sunshine. It opens with a burst of energetic top notes in the form of fresh green leaves and apple, combined with a heart of hyacinth and white rose, enhanced with warm base notes of sandalwood and musk.

It seems fitting to me that the brand who (are in possession of 2 Royal warrants), be the ones to commemorate and combine this Royal extravaganza with the classic British daisy.

The fragrance itself, was inspired by the future princess, Miss Catherine Middleton.  Yardley London wanted to create a new youthful, light and fun fragrance and they believe that they’ve successfully encapsluated her beauty, energetic and fun-loving character within the scent.

I find the fragrance in all three products to be light, airy and most definitely spring-like.  Not intoxicating enough for warm Summer evenings but perfect to spritz on in the mornings.  It reminds me of cool linens and long grasses… it’s sharp at first, the EDT… alcohol-heavy… but the dry down removes the acidity and what remains is crisp apple and white flowers.  It’s fresh, floral and a bit fruity.

My particular favourite from the range has to be the Moisturising Body Lotion, though I’d personally describe it as a light lotion.  It contains the same gentle scent that manages to linger on my skin for a surprising length of time.  It absorbs quickly, leaving behind softened skin that also feels slightly cooled.  For me, this product is going to be a Summer essential.  I’ve enquired about whether or not Yardley London have any plans to introduce the body lotion formula to their other scents.  No plans at the moment, but my goodness they must!

The range is available to purchase now from Boots, Lloyds Chemists and online.  Be sure to go and give it a sniff while it’s still available to buy, you may be pleasantly surprised at what you discover from this re-invigorated, heritage brand.  I certainly was.

Smelly men. Let’s face it, they’re a real problem.  Stinky brothers, shower-dodging boyfriends and husbands who think that turning their undercrackers inside-out consitutes a legitimate change of clothes.

Thankfully LUSH are on the case and have introduced a whole range of pampering goodies for the fellas in our lives.

The inspiration behind the range comes from the original men’s Dirty scent that was released in 2009 by B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful (LUSH’s defunct sister brand).  The scent proved to be such a hit that LUSH wanted to find a way to re-incorporate it into their current range of products.   That all sounds straightforward enough, launch a range of men’s products that smell like an old favourite cologne and watch the pennies roll in!

Though it gets a bit more interesting than that because Mark & Simon Constantine, otherwise known as The Gorilla Perfumers decided to introduce men to the concept of layering.

Us women know what layering is all about right?  Usually… we get our Xmas gift sets of our favourite fragrances and on special occasions we’ll use the shower gel followed by the matching body lotion before spritzing on the EDP before we walk out the door.  Simple!  A lovely layered scent that has been built up to full intensity and is guaranteed to last longer than our dates.

With the new Dirty range from LUSH, each product contains single notes from the original Dirty cologne.  Thus, instead of layering the same complete scent over and over, you’re actually building the fragrance from the ground up!  How freaking cool is that concept?!?!

Let me show you some of the products available in the new range:

Spring Wash Shower Gel (£4.25 100g / £8.50 250g / £14.95 500g) is a skin-softening and skin-tingling shower gel for the body and hair.  Sodium Bicarbonate works to soften the water and deodorise the skin, whilst the spearmint, menthol and fine sea salt will leave you feeling refreshed and revitalised… like you’ve showered in a mountain spring!

This smells like Spring and Summer rolled into the perfect package… it’s zingy, fresh and invigorating.  Mr. L likes it because he can wash his hair without having to reach for another bottle *tsk*.

Verdict: Steal it

Read the rest of this entry »

I really don’t like to rush reviews on skincare, there are always so many claims to consider and sometimes skin takes its sweet time to get used to new products.  I received the Biotherm Skin.Energetic Concentrate serum for review consideration almost 2 months ago and have been using it every morning, I’m just about ready to give you my thoughts and impressions of this serum that claims to “fight the most visible signs of fatigue”.

The product recommends itself to morning and nightly application but I prefer to use serums and oils that target my low hydration levels in the evening… that’s just a personal preference.  However, I’m the total opposite in the mornings and have been known to skip moisturiser entirely purely because I hate to feel like I have a heavy mask of skincare on throughout the day.

The Biotherm Skin.Ergetic Concentrate is not your usual anti-aging serum.  It’s designed for a younger market who may be just noticing the first effects of the aging process but instead of claiming to reverse those signs, the Skin.Ergetic serum promises to boost moisture, radiance and dampen the effects that a busy lifestyle can have on tired, dull or stressed skin.  This in itself has me sitting up and paying attention.  Radiance?  Freshness?  Did someone say perky?  I’m all about the perky.

First things first… what a total bugger this is to open and ‘mix’.  It comes in two parts, the ‘serum’ (think of it as a carrier oil) and then a ‘powder’ (think of that as the active ingredients).  You need to dispense the powder into the serum and shake thoroughly to mix.  I can do the shaking but the dispensing had me stumped for a little while.

I read the instructions, re-read them properly… made a cup of tea and glared at the bottle.  Then I gave the thing to Mr. L, throwing my arms up in the most Gallic way I could muster and pointed at the instructions.  About 15 seconds later he gave it back to me fully mixed with a pitying look on his face that left me with no other option than to refuse to say thank you and KMT at him instead.

The concentrate smells divine.  It’s fresh, zingy and above all else, apple… er… y.  It makes for a positively uplifting experience in the mornings on my freshly washed skin.  A white lotion that spreads thinly and without resistance over my face ensuring that a little prodcut goes a very long way.

I was unconvinced that it would give me enough moisture and in patches, I don’t think it does.  I definitely need to use my normal day cream over this but in fairness, you’re not supposed to use it alone anyway.  Moot point.

The concentrate is enriched with things such as: Broccoli (a novel way to get your 5 a day), Soy, Apple, Lemon and Sugar Cane… all of which promise to improve radiance and skin texture.  In honesty, I can’t say I noticed a huge difference to my skin texture first nor last… but radiance?  Well… it was only when I stopped using it last week (thinking that I’d had enough of it not doing anything other than smelling and feeling good) that I noticed how much duller my skin was looking by the middle of the day.  The Biotherm Skin.Ergetic concentrate seems to bring a brightness to my complexion that it’s visibly lacking without.

Priced at £35 for 50ml… I’m not even close to being halfway through the bottle after 2 months (1x a day) usage so have no problems expressing that I believe it provides value for money.  My only concern is chasing after something that gives more than just visible brightness.  Admittedly, it provides most things I want from a daytime serum… non-greasy, easily absorbed, refreshing, value for money, brightening… but it doesn’t give me smoother skin or plump out fine lines.  Does anything?  Well… I’m still chasing that particular pot of gold.

All in all, if fatigue is your main skin concern and you want something light and refreshing for the summer months that will brighten your complexion and leave you looking more refreshed.  I’d seriously give Biotherm’s Skin.Ergetic Concentrate a second look.

Biotherm Skin.Ergetic Concentrate is priced at £35 and available to buy from most department stores and online at Boots, Debenhams, House of Fraser and Beauty Expert.

What do you look for in a serum?

Thanks for your submissions ladies!

I’ve had a read through and would be delighted if Lucy from MissLucyLoves would be the next guest reviewer for Lipglossiping.com – simply because I think that loads of us can totally relate to those under the skin blemishes that are plaguing her at the moment!

Thanks Lucy, could you please email me your details and I’ll pop the kit in the post to you this week.

Look out for Lucy’s review shortly!

I’m looking for a guest reviewer please to trial and review a range of skincare products for blemish-prone skin.

The reviewer will receive a The Doctor Brand Blemish Relief Kit (£19.95) which includes a 3-step programme to help clear skin.

Step 1 – Purifying Cleanser – 75ml
Step 2 – Pore Clearing Gel – 30ml
Step 3 – Oil Free Soothing Lotion – 30ml

If you’re up for the challenge, please register your interest below and remember to put your email address in the bit where it asks for it so that I can contact you!

I’d like you to give the range a minimum 3 week test period before letting us know your thoughts…. so if you can commit to a new skincare routine for that period and are happy to share your thoughts with my readers then let me know in the comments below!  I’ll chose a reviewer on Tuesday 15th March.

Thanks ladies!

Since the 90s, I’ve been in posession of at least one form of blemish busting treatment.  Hence my excitement at devices like the LMS Spotlights… it all stems from growing up with ads like these (and Grange Hill!):

They must have made a long-lasting impression!

I think it’s the promise of being able to regain some control over your skin at a time when your hormones are doing everything in their power to relinquish you of any say at all in how your body behaves.

How times have changed!  Sure, many of the active ingredients remain the same: salicylic acid, witch hazel, benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil, toothpaste… (not really), but blemish-busting is a slick, billion-dollar business and far less blush-worthy than it used to be!

Here’s some blemish-busting treatments to suit all skin-types and budgets:

1. Murad Blemish & Wrinkle Reducer – £57.00

More sophisticated than your average zit zapper, Murad’s Blemish & Wrinkle Reducer is aimed at those of us who are (quite frankly) too old to be putting up with spots!

On the blemish-busting side, it features encapsulated salicylic acid to deliver a slow-release, prolonged treatment alongside Silver Citrate, the product’s anti-bactierial of choice.  The formula also claims to minimise fine lines and wrinkles with something called Kombucha Collagen Defense™

A good option for anyone with problem skin over the age of 30.  You can buy online in the UK from LookFantastic.

2. Proactiv Repairing Night Lotion – £17.95

A Salicylic Acid/Retinol blend that is known globally for its brand affiliations with some of the biggest teen-sensations on the planet: Jessica Simpson, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber…

This is one targeted toward younger consumers with skin concerns and a quick google shows just how well-known and widely-used the brand’s products are.

You can buy online in the UK from their website.

3. Origins Spot Remover – £10.00

Origins Spot Remover promises to be a gentler alternative to the harsher side-effects of chemical zit zapping!  We’re all familliar with the dryness that can be left behind once a spot has been busted.  It’s sometimes just as annoying to deal with the flaky skin as it is the initial blemish!

Another Salicylic Acid based formula with the added antibacterial benefits of witch-hazel and clove.

This seems to be a good all-rounder for many skin types.  You can buy online in the UK from the Origins website.

4. Nelson’s Pure & Clear Anti-Blemish Treatment Gel – £8.17

Tea Tree Oil and Arnica extracts work together to calm blemishes in this high-street treatment gel.  I’m a fan of Arnica’s ability to relieve aches and hopeful that it can work its herbal magic on zits too!

A natural, purse-friendly option with ingredients that suggest a more gentle approach.  You can buy online in the UK from the Boots website.

5. ELF Zit Zapper – £1.50

An impressively priced product that still manages to squeeze in active ingredients such as Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree Oil, Witch Hazel and Camphor.

Housed with a convenient roller-ball delivery method, this would be a great option for those of you who only need something for emergencies.

You can buy online in the UK from the ELF website.

6. The Doctor Brand Blemish Relief: Step 2 Spot Eliminator – £6.95

As the name suggests, this is step 2 of a 3-step programme designed to clear the skin from blemishes.  Interestingly, it bucks the common ingredient trend and lists Sulfur as the top active ingredient (though good old SA still puts in an appearance further down the list!)

I’m also pleased to see Allantoin in the list which is known for it’s anti-irritant properties and is something I used to actively look for in mineral foundation mixes that I wear.

You can buy online in the UK from the Boots website.

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What are some of your favourite anti-blemish treatments?

Bare Escentuals may be more well-known for their foundations than their skincare formulas but the brand are bringing a new range to high streets, salons and boutiques up and down the country.

Officially launching in the UK next month (though an introductory kit went live on QVC last Sunday), I had the pleasure of sneaking a peek at the new BareMinerals Skincare range yesterday afternoon…

BareMinerals Deep Cleansing Foam 119g – £15.00

Our new, luxuriously rich cleanser deep cleans pores and lifts away impurities.  Powered by our RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex, this non-drying formula bursts into a rich lather when activated with water to clean and instantly refresh skin for a soft, smooth complexion.

BareMinerals Purifying Facial Cleanser 177ml – £15.00

In our underground U.S. prelaunch of this product, customers called this a super cleanser and gave it stellar reviews.  Powered by our RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex, it removes makeup, dissolves impurities and rebalances skin for a soft, smooth complexion.  Skin is left perfectly clean, instantly hydrated and renewed.  It’s also gentle enough for eye makeup removal.

BareMinerals Purely Nourishing Moisturizer 50ml – £27.00 (for combination skin )

This moisturiser effectively hydrates skin while improving firmness, elasticity, radiance and overall skin texture.  Powered by our RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex with its unique electrolyte delivery system, it’s formulated to perfectly moisturise combination skin.

BareMinerals Purely Nourishing Cream 50ml – £27.00 (for dry skin)

Specially formulated for dry skin, our new luxuriously rich cream deeply nurtures skin.  Powered by our RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex with its unique electrolyte delivery system, it’s formulated to provide the ultimate amount of moisture for dry skin.  The result is soft, smooth and incredibly luminous skin.

BareMinerals Firming Eye Treatment 15ml – £23.00

This dramatically effective treatment helps to restore firmness and reduces puffiness around the eyes.  Powered by our RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex, this formula delivers smoother, younger-looking skin around the eye area.

BareMinerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment 4.2g – £45.00

This breakthrough night-time treatment is powered by our RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex to replenish skin for smoother, brighter, more even skin tone with improved texture.  Proven to visibly reduce pores, increase firmness and improve elasticity, this multi-tasing product reveals remarkably healthier-looking skin.

Available in four tones – clear, light, medium and tan – to instantly diffuse imperfections.

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Now a little rant about the marketing for this new range.  About this RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex…

The press info states:

We know what you’re thinking… soil?

Yes, that’s pretty much *exactly* what I’m thinking.  Well, that and “biffidus boffidus digestivum”.

The proprietry complex in our skincare line is extracted from effective, mineral-abundant soil containing a comprehensive blend of beneficial macro and micro minerals that exist in nature.  When extracted through a unique method, these minerals yield a densely rich, efficacious concentrate capable of transformational skin-renewing benefits.

“Unique method”, “Proprietry complex” – the whole blurb makes me desperate to read between the lines and actually UNDERSTAND what the hell it is.

The vague information encourages almost mystical connotations, talking about infusions of energy and how the soil is powerful. I understand that the marketing of this particular ‘rare’ mineral is hyped because the ‘ingredient’ is exclusive to the Bare Escentuals brand but blimey, please just explain HOW it benefits skin so amazingly?

Thank god I uncovered this video before I burst a blood vessel:

It’s high in antioxidants.  Now, as a consumer, I understand (and appreciate) that snippet of information FAR more than being told that it’s a densely rich, efficacious concentrate capable of transformational skin-renewing benefits. Or maybe that’s just me.

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Now, back to the products – did you notice the BareMinerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment?

I’m massively excited to trial it.  In the simplest terms, it looks like a mineral foundation that you wear in bed.  Makeup… in bed.  I’m half horrified and half delighted!  It’s supposed to make you look ah-maze whilst giving you visibly-reduced pores, increasing firmness and improving elasticity.

Frankly, I’m just squealing about not scaring the bedbugs away.

There’s a fine line between gimmick and revolution and I’m looking forward to finding out on which side of that line this product belongs.

LMS Spotlights are described as a new skin care range that uses red light therapy, a natural skin treatment that’s clinically proven to help clear spots fast.

A new “skin care range” seems an odd way to describe a device powered by batteries… I guess I’m used to “skin care ranges” referring to lotions and potions.  Nevertheless, what we’re talking about here are three electronic devices that are designed to emit a red light that encourages spots to heal twice as quickly than they would without this ‘red light therapy’.

A red light.  That gets rid of spots.

Yeah right.

I had about as much faith in these devices as I did in my ability to doughnut-dodge.

They’re also designed to look like cosmetic products (lipsticks, face compacts etc..) but I’m not too sure about that claim.  They just look… like something I’d want to ask the owner what the hell it is to be honest.

I don’t have acne and I don’t have particularly blemish-prone skin… but that doesn’t mean that I don’t get spots like the best of ’em.  Infact, I get great big juicers that start as a lump under the surface before developing some nice bold colour and impressive prominence.

Of course, at this point I do the only sensible thing and squeeze them… but nothing happens.  They sit there, headless and mocking. For weeks on end sometimes.  Whenever I do partake in a bit of squeezing, it angers the headless horror into getting more lumpy and sometimes turning a nice shade of purple for the duration of it’s takeover.  Then, when it finally begins to flatten, the colour can often remain for a couple of months afterwards.

So, whilst I don’t get regular breakouts… I still live in fear of one of these monsters invading purely because I know they generally move all their stuff in, get comfy and change the locks while they’re at it.

The LMS Spotlights device* is designed to be used three times a day.  If you own the smallest of the devices, you’ll need to use it for 3 minutes, whilst the others’ only require 1 minute usage at a time.  You could be glamourous and tote this around in your handbag or do what I do and leave it on a shelf next to the loo.  Let’s face it, we all need to pee and if we’re drinking enough water… then we should be doing it at least 3 times a day!  Seems like a perfect place to spend a minute zapping your face in complete privacy to me!

To begin with, I thought it wasn’t having any effect.  And I don’t believe it was… I think I was holding the device too far away from my skin.  It was only when I was sat at my computer one day that I felt this MOTHER of a zit appearing under my chin.  I literally ran to the bathroom and grabbed my LMS device and in desperation, aimed it at my skin literally a cm from the surface.  Within a couple of hours… the spot had retreated!

Since then, I’ve been careful to focus the light tightly on the area that I’m wanting to treat.  I can’t do a controlled test to see if the LMS Spotlights device is making a difference to the longevity of my zits but my instincts on it having a positive effect are enough to keep me using this three times a day, every day.  In the time I’ve been using it (properly), I haven’t had a single spot last for longer than 3 days.  Of course, this could be a coincidence… it really could, but I’ve been using it for about 5 weeks now and have been more impressed with it than I ever anticipated.

However, I’m not the only one.  I gave the largest of the three devices to my sister-in-law who unlike me, does have issues with blemishes and mild adult acne.  The largest of the three devices is designed to cover a greater area of skin and she is in love with it.  Which is a shame, because I’d really quite like it back now that I’ve fallen for my little one!

When I saw her last week, she extoled its virtues and told me that she was only wearing a bit of concealer.  I could see an improvement in her blemishes and also in the general evenness of her complexion.

So back to the ‘how does it actually work’ thing (taken from the LMS Website)…

How does Red Light Therapy heal my spots?

When cells are stressed (for example by a spot) Nitric Oxide levels increase which inhibits the cell’s energy manufacturing process affecting the skin’s natural ability to heal itself.  The primary effect of the RLT in LMS Spotlights is to penetrate the skin cells to force out Nitric Oxide and stimulate anti-oxidants.  This has been shown to reduce cellular stress and increase cellular energy (ATP) leading to improved healing and repair of the skin in a wide range of medical conditions including spots and acne.

So, it’s not that it directly targets or ‘kills’ the spot… more that it dispenses with the stuff (Nitric Oxide) that inteferes with your body’s own healing process.

I’m loathe to say that I’m convinced by this gadget purely because I can’t assign my recent good skin experiences to this device with absolute confidence.  I don’t like to encourage hype around products that have the potential to affect quality of life without concrete proof… but I also can’t ignore the fact that my instincts are telling me that this is making a tangible difference to my skin.  And that’s really all I have to go on.

I’m going to keep using it and Hel, if you’re reading this… give it back give it back give it back, kthanksbai.

The LMS Spotlights devices are available online at www.lmsspotlights.com and at Harrods.  Priced from £29.99.

* press sample

…any good for the super-pale/super-pink?

That’s the question I was asking after watching a Pixiwoo video that mentioned this Estee Lauder tinted moisturiser.

Available in a ‘one-size-fits-all’ option, I found it hard to believe that it would work on my cool skin-tone without tango-ing me.

A tube of this will set you back £32 thanks to a recent price increase but the purse hit is softened if you consider this product to be your foundation, moisturiser, sun protection and anti-ageing solution all-in-one. Plus you get a generous 50ml of product and you only need a v. small amount to get full coverage.

That’s all well and good… if it fulfils those multiple criteria. Well does it?

Firstly… let me get the fun stuff out of the way. The application.

It dispenses from the tube a rather unattractive grey blob with a slightly grainy texture, not rough enough to exfoliate… but not as smooth as a cream. As you rub the product into your skin… the magic happens! The product transforms from this insipid putty grey colour into a warm tan before the texture sinks in completely and you’re left with only the colour remaining.

I took some shots of the ‘transformation’ in progress… you need to click the picture below to enlarge it and see the results.

As a moisturiser… It’s not *quite* moisturising enough for me at the moment but I think it would be fine for normal/combo skin. In the Summer, it’ll probably work well for me – but for now, I still need to apply a moisturising base before I dot this on top.

As an anti-ageing solution… Well, it’s all there on paper. If you’re a fan of Estee Lauder’s original DayWear, this incarnation promises to deliver “all the advanced protection benefits of DayWear“. I haven’t been using this long enough to give any conclusions as an anti-ageing product.

As a sunscreen… I usually go for SPF30 as a minimum. I also don’t subscribe to the belief that a moisturiser/foundation with built-in SPF is enough protection for an average day unless I’m only going to be spending a couple of minutes outdoors! So, in a nutshell… no.

On the plus side, there’s no Avobenzone in this to conflict with alternative sunscreens you may want to apply.

It’s not looking very good though is it?

And yet… I love it and will be repurchasing it in preparation for the Summer once this tube runs out. This goes against everything I’ve just said when you consider that I’m essentially going to pay £32 for what I’ve described as a large tube of tinted moisturiser.

And as lame as this statement is going to sound, I’m loving it because, well… it’s a really, really, really GOOD tinted moisturiser!

Click the picture above to enlarge (you’ll probably need to enlarge to see the subtle shift in skin colour)…

On the far left… sans makeup

In the middle… just a small amount of the Estee Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint warms up my complexion and reduces the redness. I’d be good to go at this stage if I weren’t quite so vanity-driven.

On the right… fully made up (skintone further evened out with a quick buff of Bare Escentuals foundation in Fair)

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I’m a big tinted moisturiser fan and I buy a new one every Summer without fail. I don’t have the most even of skintones, so usually combine with a light buff of mineral foundation to mattify and further cover. Most of all? I love that weightless feeling of those two products combined.

And the Estee Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint Release* is easily the most weightless of any I’ve tried. It really does sink in to nothingness leaving only the tint behind. And how about the glow? I know that there are many pale ladies who embrace the pale… and if I were milk-bottle porcelain, I would too. But I’m fish-belly pale and look far more polished with the ruddiness toned down. This product does that without the need for faffing about with face tanners.

If you are pale, don’t expect to apply this and not see a difference to your skin tone… you will be noticeably warmed up a shade, but it blends well and is a point in favour rather than against for my needs.

I’m genuinely torn. My head says that £32 is too much to pay for a tinted moisturiser but my heart is already leading my head down to the EL counter and waving my debit card in the face of the SA.

Estee Lauder DayWear Sheer Tint Release is available to buy online or on counter, priced at £32.00

What are your favourite warm weather foundations? Are you a TM girl?

* press sample

If you’re still trying to shake off the signs of overindulgence that Winter has left on your skin, you might find this offer from Liz Earle tempting…

The Clear Skin Kit contains a 50ml Gentle Face Exfoliator, a 75ml Deep Cleansing Mask, a 6ml Spot-On treatment, 2 x sponges, and a white headband.  The kit is available from 14^th February to 23^rd May 2011 for only £20.65 which is a saving of £12.50 on normal prices.

The three products included in the kit are designed to be used as a 3-step plan to help exfoliate, rebalance and treat blemish-prone skin.

I will unashamedly admit that I have a soft spot for Liz Earle press releases because I always learn something new reading them, look…

To avoid seasonal breakouts omega-3 is essential for making the body less inflammatory, so as well as eating oily fish, consider a supplement of fish oils.

Liz Earle recommends taking a probiotic supplement to help normalise the balance of gut bacteria, as two thirds of the body’s immune receptor cells are found in the gut.  With the right diet and skincare great skin is within everyone’s reach this spring.

Chocolate.  That’s anti-inflammatory right?

Do you pay attention to feeding your skin from the inside out?

I never get round to doing “products of the month” posts because there’s inevitably something else that I wanna blog about when the ‘critical’ time is approaching.

I do love reading other people’s picks though so instead of giving up on these type of posts completely I think I’ll just throw random ones out there when the mood takes me instead.  Who needs time restraints anyway?

1.  Gielly Green Argan Rescue Oil (£19.50)

This has given my dry, overprocessed hair such a lift these last few weeks.  I don’t know how it compares to the likes of Moroccan Oil which I haven’t tried yet but the Gielly Green Argan Rescue add shine, softness and smooth ends without being too heavy on my fine (but lots of it!) hair.

You can buy the Gielly Green Argan Rescue Oil here.

2.  Elemis Melting Cleansing Gel (£19.40)

I received a sample size of this tucked into my last Debenhams order and “uh oh”, ‘cos it’s on the repurchase list!

I’ve been trying to work out a morning skincare routine that suits my combo/dry skin and this has become my morning cleanser of choice.  Normally, I use a ‘cleansing gel’ to remove my makeup but this one is so light that a pea-sized amount cleanses my bare face beautifully.

It has a delicious ‘wake me up’ grapefruit scent and is the only cleansing gel/oil/balm type product I’ve used that makes me feel clean without doing a double cleanse.  Add to that the fact that it’s one of the least drying cleansers I’ve discovered and I’m delighted to start the day with this gem!

Now, I’ve said that… watch me hate it once I purchase the full size.  It’s always the way right?

You can buy the Elemis Melting Cleansing Gel here.

3.  Balenciaga Paris Eau de Parfum 20ml (£34.00) *

Now available in a travel-friendly 20ml bottle, Balenciaga Paris is simply exquisite.  I’m not sure how it manages to capture so much in one small bottle.

It opens with a crisp, floral freshness that announces itself with all the fervour that BIG openings bring before mellowing into something quite creamy yet grown-up.

It seems to capture both a lightness and a depth that feels more sensual, darker… naughtier!

My only gripe is that it needs a top-up every 3 hours or so as the fragrance sadly doesn’t last the day… but I guess that’s the benefit of a 20ml bottle!

You can buy Balenciaga Paris Eau de Parfum 20ml here.

4.  Bliss Blood Orange & White Pepper Hand Cream (part of a duo set that cost £8.00)

Beautifully citrusy with a hint of spice, this hand cream is light, fast-absorbing and nourishing.  The scent lingers for a short while and will keep you sniffing your hands until it fades!  It’s a great daytime moisturiser that sadly only comes in a 30ml tube.  I think it may be limited edition too…

Oh well, as much as I love it – I guess I’ll have to find something else to replace it.

You can buy Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Hand Cream here. (on offer!)

5.  Vicks First Defence (£7.14)

I know this is a bit of a weird one… but I’ve used it twice now at the onset of a cold.  As soon as I get that “drowning feeling” in the back of my throat, I pull this out and use as often as the directions allow me.  Whilst it hasn’t killed or cured the ensuing snuffles, it’s made a real difference to it’s severity.

The last two times I’ve used it, my cold hasn’t progressed into full-blown face ache/streaming nose type horrors as it normally would.  I’ve been able to get on with day-to-day life with a couple of paracetamol and this nasal spray nearby quite happily!

You can buy Vicks First Defence here.

6.  Sheer Cover Refreshing Face Mist (£12.95) *

Since my run in with the Prai o2 Infusion I reviewed yesterday, my skin has been in dire need of TLC and the Sheer Cover Refreshing Face Mist has provided this well.  Once made up in the mornings, I obviously can’t moisturise with normal creams and this refreshing spray gives my skin a hydration boost with a couple of squirts throughout the day.

It’s alcohol-free and at 60ml is handbag-friendly.

You can buy Sheer Cover Refreshing Face Mist here. (Guthy Renker sells products through a ‘membership’ scheme and you may need to cancel your membership if you don’t want automatic product topups every 90 days)

7.  Melvita Eye Contour Gel (£18.00) *

Organic brand Melvita failed to impress me first time round… I tried a particularly stinky oil that I just couldn’t bring myself to use because of it’s… um… aroma.  However, the Melvita Eye Contour Gel is a delight!

Incredibly lightweight and fast-absorbing, I’ve finally found an eye cream that I’m happy to wear under my makeup.  I’ve noticed a decrease in puffiness since incorporating this into my routine… not sure it does much for fine lines or dark circles but it feels wonderfully refreshing and lifting for bleary morning peepers!

You can buy Melvita Eye Contour Gel here.

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What are you currently using and loving?

* press sample

…side effects, that is.

I was sent a tube of Prai’s new o2 Infusion last month which is described as an “innovative formula (which) contains oxygen molecules to help deliver additional oxygen to the surface of the skin, giving lackluster skin a more youthful and a refreshed look”.

I’m in two minds about this product.

For me, it does what it says on the tin.  After using it just one time, my skin did look brighter… the tone seemed more even and gave an impression of (dareisayit) outright perkiness!

But the next day?  My skin was ALL kinds of flakey.

So, I brought my ever-faithful, heavy duty skin oils into play and a week later my skin was back to normal.

Being me though, I couldn’t help but eye up this lovely, neat tube of product every time I stood at the sink washing my face and it wasn’t long before I was slathering it over my skin again, watching it get foamier and foamier as I waited the requisite 2 minutes before rinsing it off.

“Oooh, nice fresh looking skin again!”

Until the next day, when I was back to square one and looking more Mumm-Ra than Yummy-Mummy.  My foundation looked like crap and I was moisturising 3 times a day just to try and inject some life back into my skin.

Third time’s a charm right?  Wrong.

I feel like this…

I experience no sensitivity when using it and no dryness issues immediately afterward.  I moisturise straight after use and in fairness, I suffer from normal/dry skin anyway.

So what do I do… do I recommend?

Well… at under £20 for 40ml it doesn’t break the bank (and a little goes a VERY long way thanks to the foaming action), so I’m happy to recommend under one condition; you have oily skin.

[stextbox id=”custom” caption=”Ingredients List” ccolor=”ffffff” bcolor=”b0c4de” bgcolor=”e6e6fa” cbgcolor=”b0c4de”]Water (Aqua), Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Sorbitol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Isononyl Isononanoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Sodium Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Sodium PCA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Mica, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Zingiber Cassumunar Root Oil, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 40 (CI 16035)[/stextbox]

If you have a propensity toward dry skin?  I would stay away as I think this might just be a tad too harsh for our sensitive souls.

Prai o2 Infusion with Vacuum Technology should be launching on QVC this month, priced at £19.75

* Press Sample