little white truths

Three weeks ago I introduced my next round of fun new samples to try (see intro post here), and now that I've had a good play, I'm back to give you my mini reviews.

In no particular order...

La Mav Gradual Tanning Moisturiser in Medium

This is apparently a nourishing blend of argan oil, macadamia oil, camellia oil, cranberry extract and green tea extract, and it should hydrate skin while building a bronze glow. It also contains aloe vera leaf juice and vitamin e to improve skin elasticity and texture for a streak-free tan that lasts.

I do like this and it definitely works as a gradual tanner - to the point where I accidentally applied too much on the first two uses and turned myself rather orange! But if I use a thin layer every couple of days, the product offers a natural, believable tan and I do like the effect it gives.

Mind you, I prefer the facial tanner from St Tropez (reviewed here) because I found that more hydrating and nourishing for my dry skin. While this is reasonably hydrating, the St Tropez version works better for me.

Glamglow Glowstarted Mega Illuminating Moisturiser in Nude Glow

This is described as a nutrient-loaded, light-reflective moisturising cream that replenishes moisture, blurs imperfections and imparts a beautiful glow with a hint of tint.

I hated it. It goes on nicely and feels cooling and hydrating when applied, but within a minute, it dries down to this weird powdery finish and it makes my dry skin feel really tight. Argh.

Plus it adds a coating and it balled up a couple of times when I applied my sunscreen over the top, so it's not something I would personally recommend. It does add some good glow - but not a tint on my light-medium/medium skintone - and it's super expensive for what it is. In my opinion, you're better off going for an illuminating primer or liquid highlighter.

Kevyn Murphy Plumping Wash and Plumping Rinse

Both products are designed to strengthen fine and thinning hair. Apparently they use an exclusive formula of eyelash thickening technology and a complex combination of tripeptides, plant extracts and oleanolic acid. They should promote lengthening of the growing phase of the hair for longer periods and give you thicker, fuller hair.

Ok, so the wash is absolute rubbish. It doesn't clean my hair at all so what I've had to do is double-wash with another shampoo (I always double-wash) and then use this afterwards to see if it did anything else (it didn't).

The conditioner, however, is lovely and it's left my hair feeling super nourished and soft (it smells nice too). Having said this, while I normally get four or five days between washes, with this conditioner my hair is dirty and gross by day two or three. Not ideal.

I didn't notice any plumping with either product - although my hair is textured, frizzy and wavy so perhaps that's why - and you might see more results on fine, straight hair.