little white truths: May 2015

I received this product as part of a free upgrade from Urban Skincare Co (see unboxing here). I wouldn't normally review something like this but I'm liking it so much that I thought I would say something about it.

Plus I couldn't see any detailed reviews of the product online, so this post might be useful if you're thinking of purchasing it: at $12.95 for a body mat, I would want to know that it's a good one!

Urban Skincare claims/product details:

Makes exfoliation easy
Compact design and innovative hand grasp allow access to even the most hard-to-reach places
Invigorating to use
An effective means of achieving youthful-looking skin
RRP $12.95 for one mat

Verdict

What I love about this mat is that it's somehow rough enough to exfoliate well but soft enough that it doesn't rub your skin raw.

I reckon it can be hard to achieve that balance with tools like these: I've used some that are too scratchy and others that are too soft and don't do enough. This one is the perfect middle point and it's one I'd consider buying for that reason alone.

As for product claims, it does make exfoliation easy and therefore does help make your skin look younger and fresher, but I've no idea why the hand grasp is called 'innovative' because it's a strip of fabric that you'd find on most tools like these (unless they're mitts). Hmm.

The test will be how long this product lasts before going mouldy. If it's anything less than two months, I don't think I would buy it because I'm not prepared to spend more than a few dollars a month on a tool that won't last. I'll check back in once this mat is ready to turf and let you know how long it's survived.

The other thing I like about this product is that the little bag it comes in is reusable, so you can keep it and use it to store the mat in when you travel.

In sum, I'm really enjoying using this and I'd recommend it if you're after a decent exfoliating tool. My skin is feeling much smoother since using this, and I'm happy to use it every day because you can use it as gently or as harshly as you need.

I thought I would write a short post covering what I received in my free upgrade from Urban Skincare. I got the pack back in February but I'm only starting to use the contents now because I had quite a bit of stuff to get through first, so I thought it was timely to do the unboxing.

You may remember that I was on a spending ban at the time, but my husband had asked for shampoo and conditioner because he'd run out (and he would need more soap soon enough), so when I saw that I could get 20% off (and free shipping) for a travel pack that contained those things and a couple of others for the grand total of $7.96, I jumped at the chance to buy this instead of going to the supermarket and hoped I would get the upgrade I'd seen others get online.

I was lucky! And when you're on a spending ban, free products mean even more : )

Not a bad little bundle for $7.96! With the travel pack I ordered, I should have received 35ml sizes of the Awaken Hair Wash, Intense Conditioner, Daily Hand & Body Cleanser and Repair+ Body Balm, plus two little 40g Body Bars.

Instead I received 100ml sizes of the liquids, a 100g soap, plus the Exfoliating Body Mat, Detoxifying Bath Salts and Chill Out Bath Bomb. Yay!

I haven't used Mex's shampoo and conditioner yet to test them, but I've now used all the other stuff and am working my way through the reviews.

I've reviewed the bath bomb here and the bath salts here. I didn't love those unfortunately but the exfoliating mat is awesome and I plan to review that today.

I suspect the shampoo and conditioner won't be heavy enough for my hair, and I'd have been better off picking the black products rather than the white ones if I'd been buying the pack for myself. But my husband uses 'normal' hair products rather than dry ones, so that's why I chose the white pack.

Also, I'd just used the body balm and loved it, so I wanted more. I thought I'd reviewed that but looks like I'll haven't, so I'll have to do that at some point.

I received the cleanser (reviewed here) in a later box and don't love that as much, but it's still something I'll use.

Verdict

What a great idea from Urban Skincare! It's a good way to entice new customers: I probably wouldn't have used the voucher if I didn't think I might get the upgrade, and I know others must have been the same.

Plus it's a good way to encourage loyalty. The bunch of products would have cost me almost $60 if I'd bought them, so it was an amazing upgrade and it's put the company front of mind when it comes to body products.

I would definitely recommend this brand. The body creams in particular are amazing.

I'm totally making the most of the bath we've got in our apartment while we're on holiday. As I've mentioned before, we don't have a bath at home and the ability to have a bath every day is something I'm really enjoying. Plus it's so much easier to bathe my four-month-old daughter in the bath with me, rather than squeezing her into the baby bath that she's almost outgrown, and I can't quite get my head around how we'll manage to wash her in the shower.

Anyhoo. I'm rambling. Bath salts is where I'm heading.

I received these bath salts as part of a free upgrade promotion that Urban Skincare was running for Lust Have It subscribers who made a purchase in Urban Skincare's online shop. I was totally over-mooned to receive the extra products, although these bath salts didn't really hit the mark for me.

I'm no bath salt expert (should there be such a thing ; )) because I haven't used them for years, but I'm pretty sure the ones I once used gave me a better experience than these did. I wasn't going to review them (I mean, they're bath salts) but I decided to because I couldn't see any other reviews of these online, so it might be helpful to say something about them.

Mind you, there isn't a hell of a lot to say about products like this, but I'll do my best.

Urban Skincare Co claims/product details:

Formulated using the purest rock salt
Gently infused with a fragrance that's specially selected for inspiring relaxation
Bath salts are a natural way to relax, providing a therapeutic treat for your body, mind and soul
RRP $6.95AUD for 60g

Ingredients:

Rock salt and fragrance.

Verdict

I'll start with the fragrance because the product claims suggest these have a relaxing one. When I sniffed the tin before using the salts, there was a barely barely detectable fragrance (and I've got a pretty good nose, if I'm allowed to say that(!)): I smelled jasmine. Dusty jasmine, but it was almost non-existent and it was definitely non-existent from the moment I chucked the salts in the bath. So I wouldn't buy these if you're after something that smells amazing, because these don't.

I started out by using half the tin, and when I couldn't smell anything, I thought what the hell and threw the lot in, hoping for the smell to rise up and do its relaxation work. Again, I couldn't smell anything.

What I could do however was see that the bath had been dyed yellow (a similar colour to the picture above), which was a little off-putting because it reminded me of urine. Fortunately the colour was gone by the time the bath was full enough to get in.

Once I was in the bath, I couldn't detect anything that told me I'd put something in there: the water didn't feel any different; I didn't notice any detoxifying action; and I was pretty sure I was just sitting in plain water. Unfortunately I felt no more relaxed than I would in a bath with nothing in it.

Anyhoo. What I do love about this product is the packaging - the tin is cute and the salts are nicely presented, so they feel special in that sense at least. But I wouldn't buy these for the packaging alone, although I will keep the tin and reuse it or display it. It might make a good soap dish for travel.

I've absolutely loved some of the Urban Skincare products I've tried (especially the body creams) but these salts didn't do it for me. Still, I'm glad I've had a chance to give them a go because I've really missed using bath products since not having a bath at home.

If you want something that smells wonderful, I'd look elsewhere.

After we received the Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser (reviewed here) from Violet Box, I just had to try other Suki products: that cleanser is easily my most exciting skincare find this year.

A 20% discount on Suki products is available in the Violet Box shop (use the code SUKI20 at the checkout) and I snapped up the cleanser as soon as I saw the code; however I didn't want to buy any other full-sized item until I'd tested it first.

I found this trial kit online and bought it for just over $30, and while I'm glad I did, I also didn't realise that the kit is for normal to oily skin: my skin is dry. Ooops! Nevertheless, I'm getting some use from it now that we're in Queensland on holiday and my skin isn't dry because the weather is warmer, plus I've got a few blemishes and this kit is designed for that so luckily the products aren't drying out my skin, while they might have if I'd used them back in Melbourne.

But enough preamble! I'll review the kit as a whole and also each product separately. I'm kicking off with the foaming cleanser since I've used it the most so far and am ready to write this review.

Suki claims/product details:

Formulated to draw out impurities and unclog pores with a non-drying, rich, sensual foam that never strips
The citrus blend refreshes the skin, uplifting your mood
Sebum-mimicking jojoba oil mingles with your skin’s fatty acids, allowing the apple enzymes to penetrate pore channels where bacteria resides, 'eating away' congealed surface oils and dead skin without clogging
Ideal for combo to oily and blemishing skin types
Provides real results
Addresses dull skin lacking lustre, enlarged/clogged pores and any forms of blemishing
Clarifies and purifies pores, helping reduce the appearance of toxic build-up, deep cleansing without stripping natural oils, promoting clarity and radiance long-term
To use: massage into wet face, then rinse; may leave on 10 minutes for added benefit
Available in the Violet Box shop
RRP $44.95AUD for 120ml

Ingredients:

Aqua, potassium cocoate (saponified coconut oil)†, alcohol (from sugar cane denatured with lavender oil)†, cyamopsis tetragonoloba (guar) gum, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, kaolin, euterpe oleracea (acai) fruit oil†, tocopherol, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, fragrance (parfum)*, limonene*, linalool*.
*components of 100% pure natural fragrance and/or steamdistilled/ cold-pressed essential oils.
†certified organic
total organic content: 36.7%

Verdict

I like this little cleanser, although not as much as the exfoliating cleanser mentioned above.

It has a handy pump top that squirts out a small amount of product so you can easily control how much you use each time. I personally need two pumps to clean my face, and I also double-cleanse (whether with this both times or by using another cleanser first) because I don't feel that one cleanse is enough.

The product is pale lemon in colour and is quite thin/runny in texture, so it spreads well and with little effort. It doesn't foam well on the first cleanse (I guess because of the dirt it's removing), but it does on the second.

It has a nice lemon scent that I like, but the smell isn't as wonderful as the scent of the exfoliating cleanser. It's still nice enough that I notice it though.

It feels wonderful on the skin - smooth and creamy - and also seems like it's doing a good job. My skin feels very clean and fresh after using it, and I reckon it has a slight tightening/firming effect that my face is loving. It doesn't strip my sensitive skin but it definitely leaves it feeling so much cleaner, healthier and refreshed. My face feels supple after using it too.

The product is a little on the expensive side but it's certainly not the most expensive product out there and I think it's good value because the 120ml size is larger than many cleansers. Plus you only use a little each time, so it probably works out cheaper than other products that cost less in theory anyway.

On the claims, I do think this unclogs pores without stripping skin: my blemishes have all but cleared up and I'm putting that down to the Suki kit, which I've been using for a week now. I do think the citrus scent is refreshing and uplifting, and I also think this cleanser penetrates the skin and really gets in there to give your face a good clean: not all cleanser do this and I would buy the product for that reason alone.

As for the other claims, I reckon this product does provide real results and has clarified my skin. My face is also looking brighter, and I'm putting this down to the Suki products too.

Finally, on the product usage: I've tried leaving this on for 10 minutes first but I don't think there's any added benefit to doing that, not that I've noticed anyway. Plus my skin starts to feel dry after a while, so I don't think that's the way to use it if your skin tends towards dryness like mine does.

In sum, I really like this product and would definitely buy it. Plus it pairs well with the awesome exfoliating cleanser, which I use every couple of days.

Recommended! I need to get my hands on more Suki trial products so I can decide which ones I want to buy in full size : )

I received this concealer in April's Violet Box (reviewed here). When I opened, swatched and smelled it, I didn't think it was going to be a very good product: it smells and feels like lip balm and I suspected it would be too sheer and would also slip off because of the texture. But happily it's better than expected and it's a good colour match for my skin, so I'll definitely use it.

About Evelyn Iona:

I thought I'd touch briefly on the brand because it's not well-known and it has an interesting story. A Canadian brand, Evelyn Iona was founded by two women who wanted to create a luxury line of organic and natural makeup that could help thousands of people: one dollar from every product sale goes to YWCA Canada to help address violence against women. One of the brand's founders has lived in a shelter herself, which is part of the motivation for the donations.

Sounds good to me!

Evelyn Iona claims/product details:

Contains vitamin E, cocoa seed butter, and organic coconut, jojoba and castor seed oil
For under-eye coverage and spot concealing
All-natural with certified organic ingredients
Line-softening, moisturising and imperfection-hiding
Formulated for sensitive skin
100% natural, 88% organic
Cruelty free, gluten free, eco-friendly and vegetarian
Free of parabens, chemicals and petrochemicals
'Flawless' is for medium skin with beige undertones
Available in the Violet Box shop
RRP $21.75AUD for 3g

Ingredients:

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, May contain [+/-]: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Tocopherol , Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract.

The above swatch is taken in sunlight, and the below in natural light. You can see that the coverage isn't bad at all, and it also blends out for a sheerer look (I've swatched it thicker on the right and thinner on the left).

There's my bare skin:

And there's me with the concealer on the inner corner of my eye and under my eye (and I've also got tinted moisturiser on the rest of my face, which is why my skin looks more even):

Verdict

As mentioned, I like this better than I thought I would. It does look, smell and feel like lip balm, so it feels a little weird to apply it on my face but I've gotten more used to the texture and now don't notice it so much.

Due to the balm-like, creamy texture, it applies like a dream and is easy to smooth out and blend. Also due to the texture, it's very easy to only apply a tiny amount and you can also build up the coverage if you want.

On the coverage, it actually has better coverage than I expected it to when I first felt the texture and swatched it on my hand. You can see from the above photo that it does lighten my under-eye bags but doesn't cover them completely, which I prefer because I don't like too much coverage and would rather look natural.

If you want more coverage, I'm sure you could apply more of it than I did and cover your under-eye bags and blemishes more, but I wouldn't call it a full coverage concealer - so if that's what you want, I'd look elsewhere. Having said this, you can always add some powder over the top to help build the coverage.

In any event, this product needs a powder because it's so creamy and it looks slick on the face if you don't set it with a powder. You can see that in the photo above: it does leave quite a bit of shine on the skin (again, it's like lip balm in that sense) and I would never wear it without a powder because it looks odd without one - at least on me.

Aside from the fact that the coverage of this is better than you might think when you first feel its texture, what's surprising for me about this one is that it lasts well and doesn't slip off. I do normally wear a powder over the top so this helps with the lasting power, although I have tried it without a powder just for trial purposes, and while a powder makes it wear longer, it still wears pretty well on its own.

At the moment I'm alternating this product with Benefit's Boi-ing Concealer (which is on my Project Pan list) and while I thought the Benefit product was pretty good, I reckon I like this one better. The Benefit one creases throughout the day because it settles into the fine lines around my eye area (so I need to keep smoothing it throughout the day), but this one doesn't and I can just leave it there without having to fix it up. That's of course a huge plus and I'm liking this product more and more the longer I use it.

In sum, this is one of the better concealers I've tried in a while. I'm yet to find an HG concealer, but this works for me because the coverage isn't too thick and paint-like - I wear lighter bases so a full coverage concealer would just look wrong on me. My only issue with the product is that it's shiny and needs to be set with a powder, but it's easy enough to do that.

Worth trying.

I received this bath bomb when I used a Lust Have It promotion that included a 20% discount for the Urban Skincare Co shop and also gave you free shipping, no matter the size of the order.

I only bought a small travel pack but Urban Skincare gave a bunch of purchasers an upgrade so we received a lot more products than we were expecting (huzzah!). This bath bomb was one of the extra products I received and I finally had an opportunity to use it yesterday because we're away at the moment and our apartment includes a bath (unfortunately and we don't have one at home).

About Urban Skincare Co

I thought I'd say a little about the brand because it's a relatively new company and you mightn't have heard of it.

Briefly, its products are designed to renew the texture and appearance of your skin and hair in any urban environment. The products are aimed at producing visible results and they're defined by unique enrichments and distinctive fragrances.

Also, Urban Skincare is committed to environmentally friendly practices. That means no animal testing, recyclable packaging and a commitment to sustainability.

Sounds good to me! For more information about Urban Skincare and its products, see its website here.

Urban Skincare Co claims/product details:

Formulated with skin-softening ingredients that gently dissolve in warm water and smooth over your body
Enter a cocoon of relaxation by immersing in the chamomile flowers, their rejuvenating fragrance soothing both the body and the mind
Cruelty free
RRP $6.95 for 100g

Ingredients:

Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Pentasodium Triphosphate, Sodium Sulfate, Cellulose Gum, Talc, Chamomile Dried Flower, PEG-400, Isopropyl Palmitate, Fragrance (Parfum), CI 19140.

Verdict

I should kick off by saying that I haven't used bath bombs for a decade because I haven't had a bath where I've lived since my early twenties. So I don't have other products in mind that I can compare this one to, although I do remember that I've had more enjoyment from bath bombs before and I didn't like this one much at all.

I was expecting a beautiful smell to be released once the bath bomb dissolved and some of the goodness floated to the surface, but I didn't detect any scent with this one (and it didn't smell like anything when I gave it a whiff before dropping it in the bath). I prefer my bath products to smell divine and this one didn't, so I wouldn't buy it for that reason alone.

Also, it took ages to dissolve and eventually I had to crush the last couple of (sizeable) chunks with my hand just to get them to disperse. Having said this, it's hot where we are in Queensland so the bath wasn't as hot as I'd normally have it, so this may have affected its ability to dissolve properly. Mind you, the bath was still pretty warm so I reckon it should have dissolved better and faster than it did.

This is of course personal preference, but I didn't like the little brown bits inside it (you can see those in the photo - that'll be the chamomile dried flower) because they floated to the surface and stuck to my skin, so it took a while to get rid of them once I got out of the bath and dried myself off.

Another personal preference thing: I've never liked chamomile. So maybe a slight scent was released and I couldn't detect it, but it was enough to contribute to my lack of enjoyment when using the product.

In sum, I didn't like this and wouldn't buy it, but that's unusual for me when it comes to Urban Skincare products: I've used a few now and love almost all of them, and you can't expect to love absolutely love everything from one range.

Not for me.

If you read this blog, you'll know that Shanghai Suzy creates my HG lipsticks and I've been looking forward to picking up a couple of shades from the Autumn/Winter 2015 collection.

I'm on a low buy so I wanted to limit myself to two colours from this season, and I ended up choosing this one and Miss Cassandra Peony (reviewed here).

As an aside, I hope Shanghai Suzy changes the packaging back to the old style: I preferred the black tube with the square colour on the top of the lid that shows what colour the lipstick is so you can quickly grab the shade you want without having to read the label. Those tubes look better on my lipstick stand and I don't like these as much.

Anyhoo, at least the formula is still as good as ever.

Shanghai Suzy claims/product details:

Thick and creamy formula that's long-lasting and won’t budge when challenged (colours can be matte or nourish formulas)
Super pigmented
Contains moisturising agents to prevent that typical matte dryness
Colours are limited edition
Long-lasting hydration
Bubblegum scent
RRP $12.95

See above swatch. Miss Tanielle Desert Rose is described as a 'taupey-rose' that's 'slightly edgy and a deeper take on pink'. On me it happily doesn't look pink at all (pink tends not to suit me), just a nice brown colour that almost pulls a little orange.

See below my bare lips for reference (note I've lined them with a lip liner):

The below shot is taken in natural light:

The sun came out for this shot (albeit not very much ; )):

Verdict

This colour is just gorgeous - I can see why Shanghai Suzy's creator Joanna Wheaton wore it at her wedding ceremony. It's a beautiful, everyday shade that I can see myself getting lots of use from. Plus it's an interesting colour and I have nothing else like it in my collection, so it's my favourite of the two shades I bought from this season's range.

As usual the formula of this lipstick is just brilliant. I've said it before but I'll say it again: I love the pants off these lipsticks and they remain the best formula I've found so far. So many people rave about MAC lipsticks, but I reckon these are better by a long shot. They last longer, they feel more comfortable on and they cost a fraction of the price.

The formula is just amazing and they far outperform any other lipstick I've tried (except Lime Crime lipsticks, which are on par). Plus they're some of the cheapest on the market. Praise the universe that this brand was created! I don't even bother looking at lipsticks from high-end brands anymore (yes, that includes the Nars Audacious range) because why would I spend $44 on a lipstick from an overseas brand when I can spend $12.95 on a home-grown one?

I guess the one bad thing about these lipsticks is that only sixteen shades are released each year and they're limited edition so if you find one you like, you mightn't be able to buy it again unless you can find older stock online or the colour is re-released (which some of the more popular shades are). Having said that, how often do you finish a lipstick before it goes rancid or you get bored of it? I can't remember the last time I bought a lipstick more than once - no matter how much I loved it - because I like trying new brands and colours.

I can't rave enough about these products and I'm loving Miss Tanielle Desert Rose - it's one of my favourite colours that the brand has ever released. It's a colour that's soft enough that you can wear heavier colours on your cheeks or eyes without looking overdone, and strong enough so that your lips stand out, but not in a way that's too in your face.

What else can I say about these lipsticks? If you haven't tried them yet, I urge you to give them a crack. You won't regret it!

I'm posting my next lot of empties a little early because we're off to Queensland tomorrow and I wanted to get these into the rubbish bin before we leave.

There's a very sad inclusion this month: my back up HG face mask, the Cellilux product. Awful is the day I finish this one - it's just so good. I'll have to see if I can find another one on sale because it ain't cheap!

Garnier Intensive 7 Days Soothing Hydrating Lotion with Sweet Almond Oil

Full review here. My husband bought this one and I'm glad to see the back of it because it wasn't hydrating enough for me and I definitely don't think it lives up to the 7 day hydration claim. I reckon if you prefer lighter lotions you might really love this, but it wasn't heavy enough for me. Purchase? No.

Swisspers Organics Makeup Pads

I bought these on special and I wasn't expecting them to be as good as the non-organic version for some reason, but they were and I liked them. They do the job well and don't leave fluff on your face (I really hate that). Repurchase? Yes.

Schwarzkopf Crystal Shine Conditioner for Dull, Normal Hair

Full review here. I got this in a Priceline baggie and it was actually better than expected. My hair is dry and I need more hydration than this delivers, but it definitely makes my hair shinier. If you have normal hair, you might really like this. Purchase? Maybe in the version for dry hair.

L'Occitance Verbena Extra Gentle Soap

As you may know, I'm not a soap person and I always give the soaps I receive in subscription boxes to my husband - but if they smell really nice and look fancy (as this one does), then I give them a few trial runs anyway. I liked this and it does smell divine and clean well, but it's not enough to turn me into a soap person. Purchase? Not for myself.

Cellilux Glacial Mineral Gel

Full review here. This is hands down the best face mask I've ever tried and I'm ridiculously sad that I've finished it. And since I'm on a low buy, I probably won't be getting another one any time soon because I have some lesser masks to finish before I can get another one of these. While this is expensive, it's so worth it. If you can find a sample, I urge you to try it. Repurchase? A thousand times.

Secret Key Color Recipe The Pink Cream

Full review here. This was a Memebox inclusion and I wasn't expecting to like it - I think I was turned off by the tacky-looking packaging and the cheap feel of the tub - however it ended up being not bad at all. It's a light gel that I used throughout the day over makeup because it kept my skin looking plump, although it wasn't hydrating enough to use as part of my normal skincare routine. Purchase? No.

Natio Spa Recovery Hand Scrub

Full review here. This is one of those products that was sitting in the shower for ages and I wasn't using it: a hand scrub is an extra step in my routine that I just don't have time for. But over the past month I made myself get through it, which reminded me how much I like it. Having said that, I probably won't be buying a hand scrub again because I'd rather just have one product (a body scrub) for everything except my face. It's a lovely product though and I'd recommend it if you think you'll use it. Purchase? No.

Evas Rose Mine Perfumed Hand Cream in 'Maybe'

Full review here. This was a Memebox inclusion and it was a really nice hand cream - rich, nourishing and great for dry hands - I'm just glad to see the back of it because I have so many other hand creams to get through and I was ready to open another one. Plus the smell of this was a bit sweet for me, particularly towards the end of the tube (I think I got bored of it). Purchase? No.

Asap Daily Exfoliating Facial Scrub

Full review here. I got this as a gift with purchase ages ago and I'm glad I've finished it because I didn't like it that much. It's ok but I didn't like the round beads (I prefer a harsher scrub) and it also irritated and dried out my skin a bit - I think because it contains AHAs. Also, it didn't feel special to use and I have other scrubs that I enjoy using much more than I do this one. Purchase? No.

Mac Fix+

Full review here. Oh it's a sad day when I finish this one too! This is one of the best face sprays on the market: it takes five years off my face each time I put it on. For this reason I carry it around in my handbag (which is why I tend to buy the travel size, rather than the full one) and spray it whenever my fine lines start to appear as my skin dries throughout the day. This all but removes them. I love it! Repurchase? Absolutely.

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow! in Honey

Full review here. This took me ages to get through because it ended up having too much coverage for me (plus this shade was too light, even in winter), so I've been mixing it with Stila's Bronzing Beauty Balm to darken it, as well as a moisturiser to thin down the coverage. I can see why many people love this foundation but it feels too much like paint on my skin, maybe because I'm used to tinted moisturisers and BB/CC creams (which generally have a lighter, more natural coverage). Repurchase? No.

In sum

The saddest thing about this empties post is the finished tub of my Cellilux HG face mask, and I'm also sad to see the back of my Mac Fix+ (although the latter is cheaper and easier to replace because in Australia you can't get the mask anywhere else but online). Otherwise there's nothing in here I would buy.

I'll probably have another empties post to write within a fortnight, since there'll be some things I'll get through while we're away: I deliberately packed things that I could finish so our packs would be lighter on the way back.

I've had this sitting around for ages because I wanted to get through some older eye products first before cracking open a new one.

I've now been using it for around six weeks and so far I'm not super impressed, aside from the enjoyment I get from using the cooling metal ball around my eye area. At least I can keep the container after the product's finished and use the ball to apply my other eye creams: I'm loving its cooling effect that much.

There aren't many reviews of this product online (at least that I could find) and those reviews are inconsistent - you either love this product or think it's pretty useless. I'm sorry to say that I don't think it's great, although it's certainly not the worst eye product I've used.

Talika claims/product details:

Encased in a roller ball design, this soothing, leave-on treatment works to hydrate and rejuvenate the skin under your eyes while you sleep
During sleep, the delicate skin around your eyes loses up to 50 per cent of its moisture; paradoxically, this skin is at its most biologically receptive to outside hydration and nourishing ingredients at this time.
This leave-on eye mask is specially formulated for sleep
Blankets the under-eye area and eye contours with hydrating active ingredients and botanicals to help lock in moisture and rejuvenate the skin, from the moment you drift off to the minute you wake
By pampering the skin with the premium hydrating and regenerative ingredients found in this product, it’s now possible to transform bedtime into an eight-hour long spa treatment for the eyes
Wake up younger every day
Dipeptides, soy proteins and horse chestnut extract regenerate cells deep down to prevent the formation of laugh lines and decongest the eye contour, slowing signs of ageing to a stop in 28 days
To use: release dose by pressing on the base of the spatula; apply every evening by gently tapping around the cleansed eye contour
RRP $62 for 15ml, but do shop around (thankfully I paid half price for this on strawberrynet.com)

See below the cool metal roller ball. This is the best thing about the product I reckon: it soothes the eye area wonderfully. Although, come to think of it, you could probably achieve the same effect by applying your eye cream with the back of a spoon ; )

Verdict

As mentioned, I've been using this for over a month now and I've noticed no change to my eye area. While I enjoy using it and it feels like a treat for my eyes, the formula has had no impact on my skin - at least, not that I've noticed.

It's a light, cream-coloured product that's more like a gel than a cream in texture. It smells like a cream (but the scent isn't too strong) and is suitable for use on my extra sensitive eyes.

When I apply the product, I feel a soothing effect (that'll be the metal ball, more than anything else) and my eye area does look brighter and healthier, but the effect is gone by morning and I almost wonder whether I'd be better off using it in the morning because I would see visible results for at least a couple of hours.

I think if you were younger than me you might really like this product - I reckon the issue for me is that it's not hydrating enough for my eyes to really make an impact. While it sinks in beautifully and really awakens my eye area on a temporary basis, by morning my eyes look the same and I still need to apply a super-hydrating eye cream to plump the area, because any effect this product creates is long gone.

As for claims, I can't say whether any of the ones relating to the long-term effects of this product are true because I've noticed no difference in my eye area, although some reviewers say they have. It may be that this is a better product for normal skin and not for those of us with dry skin.

Still, I do like using this and, as mentioned, I'll keep the container after I've finished the tube and continue using the metal ball to apply my eye cream, because it feels so wonderful and my skin loves the cooling, soothing effect of that at least.

Ok.

I've almost finished my two trial sizes of this product now so I feel able to write a full review. It has taken me a while however to know quite how I feel about this gel and what to say about it, because for me it's been one of those items that performs better or worse depending on how I use it, what other products I'm using with it, how much of it I use etc.

Ren claims/product details:

A radiance-enhancing, skin-firming serum that helps restore elasticity and suppleness to skin
Works to produce a visibly lifted appearance
An advanced form of hyaluronic acid nourishes and plumps the skin for a youthful, healthy-looking complexion
Anti-ageing phycocolloids treat the appearance of fine lines and produce a radiant glow
Helps improve skin's smoothness and decrease the appearance of wrinkles
Two hyaluronans work together to create the look of lifted skin that lasts for several hours
The ingredients support increased moisture retention in the skin and reduce trans-epidermal moisture loss
Free from parabens, sulfates and phthalates
To use: apply two to three drops to clean face, then follow with moisturiser; reapply over moisturiser or makeup throughout the day as needed (gently pat your skin until absorbed, do not rub)
RRP $72AUD for 30ml

Ingredients:

Hyaluronan 1 (Yeast Biofermentation), Hyaluronan 2 (Yeast Biofermentation), Phycocolloids (Microalgae), Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Pullalan, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Citronellol, Geraniol.

Verdict

I've read quite a few reviews of this because I'm always interested to see what other people have to say about the products I review and whether they agree with me etc. From what I've seen, the feelings about this gel seem split down the middle: you either love it or think it's pretty useless.

From what I can tell, you're more likely to love this if you're under thirty, and more likely to think it does nothing if you're older. This comment is based on the online reviews I've read, since the divided opinions of this product seem to relate to what age bracket you're in.

It's a clear, lightweight gel that has a rose scent. My skin is quite sensitive and I noticed no irritation from using this product, other than the tightness mentioned below.

As mentioned above, this is one of those products that took me a few goes to get right. While you're only meant to apply a tiny amount of it, I discovered it works better on my skin if I add more of it than suggested. If I don't add enough, it just feels a bit sticky and I notice no effect, but if I layer it on I definitely notice some firming and radiance-enhancing action. My skin does look brighter after use, but that's where the beneficial effects end for me.

Do note that I'm 34 and my skin is dry, so I need products that deliver hydration. I definitely can't wear this product on its own because it's drying on me - I guess that's why the instructions tell you to add it before your moisturiser. Due to the drying effect, I don't like applying it throughout the day over makeup: even though it does brighten up my complexion, it also dries it out and I don't like how my skin feels after using it (a little uncomfortable and tight). I think it brightens my skin up because it adds a sticky film over it, rather than plumping it up from within.

On the product claims: it does temporarily enhance radiance but I don't think it nourishes my skin because it seems to sit on top of my face, rather than sinking in. I suppose it does have a lifting effect but on me it feels more like a tightening one and I don't like it. I have to add extra moisturiser over the top of it to remove the discomfort it creates. I guess you could say that it firms but I don't think it does this in a good way on my dry skin. Also, it definitely doesn't decrease the appearance of fine lines and my skin looks and feels thirsty after using this.

I've got the product on now (I put it on again before I sat down to write this review) and I've just had a look at myself in the mirror: my skin does look quite bright and shiny but it also feels sticky. Also, since I wrote that last sentence Mum dropped by and, by the time she left half an hour later, my skin looked dry and lacklustre; so on me, any beneficial effects don't last very long.

I can see why people like this, but it's just not for me. If you're after a brightening product I would recommend Clarins' Beauty Flash Balm (reviewed here) or Eslor's Brightening Activator (reviewed here) - I don't think this one is worth the outlay. But that's just the opinion of someone over 30 with dry skin, so if that's not you, don't discount this product because I've seen many rave about it.

In any event, it's not cheap so it's worth testing before committing to buying it.

I received this travel sized dry shampoo in a Priceline haircare baggie, and while I think it's an ok product, I don't think it's as great as my favourite dry shampoo from Scandalous (reviewed here). Still, it's good enough that I'll use it and a good size to take away when we go to Queensland in a few days.

Klorane claims/product details:

A convenient alternative to cleansing and refreshing hair in between washes
Botanically infused
Gently absorbs oil, dirt and odours to instantly give hair lightness, body and bounce
Ideal for extending the life of a blow-wave and adding or maintaining volume and texture of the hair
A quick and easy spray that's applied directly to the hair and brushed out to restore body and bounce, delivering clean, shiny hair
Hypoallergenic, safe for sensitive scalps, smells fresh and won't leave any sticky residue
Contains high quality ingredients to produce salon perfect results
Can be used to clean your hair, pump up the volume of fine hair and extend the time of your styling
RRP $6.50 / $13.95 for 50ml / 150ml

Verdict

As mentioned, this isn't the best dry shampoo I've used, but at least it's better than the other dry shampoo I received in the Priceline baggie (Batiste XXL, reviewed here).

It smells soapy fresh and clean, which is a nice change from some dry shampoos that smell a bit chemical and synthetic.

Like many dry shampoos it sprays out white but the whiteness disappears once you brush it through. It does do something towards absorbing oil and giving you some extra time between washes, but I have to use a lot of it to get rid of the grease at my roots - much more than I use with other dry shampoos.

For this reason I don't think this product is good value: I'm going to get through this container twice as fast as I would other products.

On the product claims it meets: yes it absorbs oil but other dry shampoos do a better job of this (and as mentioned, I need to use less of them to get the desired effect). I can tell that it's gentle and it doesn't seem to contain any nasties because my skin is quite sensitive and this doesn't sting or itch. It does smell fresh and doesn't leave a sticky residue, so those claims are true.

The claims I don't think it meets: it doesn't add or maintain volume (at least on my hair), nor does it add bounce or make my hair shiny. It also leaves a dusty film on my hair that comes off on my hands when I touch it.

In sum, this is an ok product, but I think better ones exist on the market - and ones that are better value because they'll last you longer than this one due to how much you need to use each time to get it to work.

I bought this product in the Violet Box shop and loved the smell, texture and feel of it straight away. What I wasn't sure about was its quality as a body cream: on me it didn't absorb well at all and I struggled to rub it in, finding myself covered in white streaks that I couldn't seem to completely get rid of.

However, after some experimentation, I've managed to get it to work for me and I'm absolutely loving it.

Camille Beckman claims/product details:

Combines the soothing elements of almond oil with the intensity of shea butter to create the ultimate softening experience for those with dry, dehydrated skin
Babassu oil, meadowfoam seed oil and glycerin also comprise part of this creamy base and work together to retain moisture hours after application
Vitamin E and our signature herbal complex top off this incredible formula, working to reduce inflammation and soothe while offering antioxidants and nutrients to the skin
A little goes a long way
Free from parabens, phenoxyethanol, gluten, mineral oil and artificial dyes
Fragrance: 'notes of sweet wild plum and spring peony interwoven between pear, tangerine and spanish honeysuckle'
Cruelty free
Available in the Violet Box shop
RRP $21.95AUD for 148.8g

Ingredients:

Water (Aqua), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Triethanolamine, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Babassu Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Sorbic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Cera Alba (beeswax), Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra (Elder) Flower Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Parietaria Officinalis (Pellitory), Calcium Disodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum).

Verdict

This is a really beautiful body butter. As you can see from the photo above, it's a super thick cream that almost has a whipped texture, and I'm continually surprised by how good it feels to the touch - no matter how many times I've used it!

The product itself is so creamy and velvety that I love everything about using it, from that first moment I dip my fingers in the tub and feel its texture. Seriously, I haven't used a cream that's felt this rich before, and it's a stand-out for that reason alone.

Also wonderful is the smell. It's sweet but not too sweet, and strong enough to give you a lift each time you use it - plus it lingers gently on your skin but it's never overpowering.

As mentioned above, at first I felt a little disappointed about this because it's so thick that I had to use far too much each on application since it just wouldn't spread, and it went on so thickly that I couldn't get it to absorb - and no body cream should take that much work to rub in.

However, I worked out that if I took a small amount and rubbed it between my hands to warm it first before putting it on my body, it applied so much better and absorbed nicely. This took away the white streak problem and also means that this tub is going to last me a lot longer than I first thought, which of course makes it much better value.

Also, because it absorbs better if you warm it first, this means it's much more hydrating than it seemed to be when I first used it (because it doesn't sit on top of the skin, rather than sinking in and doing its job). My dry skin loves it: it's a great product if you prefer heavier body creams and it's especially good in the cooler months when skin tends to be drier.

All in all, a great product and one I'll consider buying again, although perhaps in a different fragrance because I want to try them all! If you have some points to use in the Violet Box shop, I'd definitely recommend this product.

Love. Yes it lives up to its claims and I've given it an HG tag : )

little white truths

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