Kate Somerville // Goat Milk Moisturising Cream Review

Kate Somerville // Goat Milk Moisturising Cream
RRP £55 for 50ml

This is the full size 50ml jar that I chose in the FabFitFun Winter 2019 box.

First Impressions

It kind of smells like PVA glue and has a thin, watery consistency more akin to a lotion than a cream. This shouldn't be in a jar to the liquid form and would suit a pump bottle more as it was a little annoying trying to get a good scoop of product.

Usage

I started using this immediately at the beginning of November 2019 when I got the box and it lasted me until the end of January with twice daily use.

Would I Buy It: ...Perhaps....maybe....probably not.

Overall Impressions

I liked this moisturiser, it was fine. There was a point half way through using that I was convinced I was going to buy a full size and that this was my new HG moisturiser however by the time the jar was up, I was glad I hadn't hastily bought another because it's hella expensive and probably not worth the money.

By the end of the jar, I was convinced that it wasn't a holy grail product but just a nice moisturiser that doesn't do well with the harsh winter weather. My skin was glowing and moisturised for about an hour after application but dying for some hydration by the time I got home from work. I think this would make a great summer cream though as it was a perfect primer for heavier foundations.

It didn't make me break out which is great as is advertised for those with sensitive skin, even though it has a truck load of oils in the ingredients. I think if I ever saw this on sale for £25 I would definitely purchase it again but I just don't feel like it's worth £55 when other creams half the price do the exact job (aka the Origins Ginzing).

NassifMD // Hydro-Screen Hydrating Serum Review

NassifMD  // Hydro-Screen Hydrating Serum Review
RRP $80 for 60ml

This is the full size 60ml product that I bought as an Add-on with my Winter 2019 FabFitFun box for $19.

First Impressions

This stuff stinks. It smells exactly like cheap and nasty soap. It reminds me of those sweets that look like lips and they taste just like soap; disgusting. This product also has a greasy, silicone texture akin to vegetable oil; not great.

Usage

I started using this when I received the box at the beginning of November 2019 and finished it at the end of January 2019. So it lasted a good 3 months of twice daily use. Each time I would use a full pipette (or well I tried to...the pipette doesn't work).

Would I Buy It: Hell to the NO.

Overall Impressions

How is this even $80? Who buys this stuff?? Well I did but that's because there are ZERO reviews anywhere of this stuff and I'm really enjoying the detox pads so I thought $19 was a good price for this piece of garbage. Never again. I somehow managed to force my way through this product because I couldn't bring myself to throw it away.

It didn't make me break out in spots but it did little else for my skin. It honestly feels like your spreading chip fat on your face it's so full of silicones and grease. It has the texture of the Benefit Pore Primer but in liquid form. It's just bloody awful and then you get the 1960's soap smell and it's a match made in hell.

Another thing that annoyed the crap out of me is that you have to leave this serum on your skin for about 5 minutes before applying anything else. I would usually apply it then go brush my teeth and floss and by the time I finished it had absorbed enough to apply my moisturiser. It was so annoying.

It also stained the rubber top this awful yellow shade. Honestly it looks like the serum has been smoking 20 a day. The bottle design is stupid as well because you can't get out the last 10ml of serum as the pipette doesn't reach all the way to the bottom; even when it's fully closed.

After all the faff I was so relieved when I finally finished it and I could go back to actually hydrating my skin like this product was supposed to do. I thought my skin had been replaced in the night when I started using a new serum after this because it became plump, soft and youthful looking.

This product is a nightmare; stay away from it at all costs.

Sand & Sky // Australian Pink Clay Flash Perfection Exfoliating Treatment Review

Sand & Sky // Australian Pink Clay Flash Perfection Exfoliating Treatment
RRP £36.90 for 100g

This is a 10g that I received in the Birchbox August 2019 box.

First Impressions

This has a nice almond/marzipan smell to mask the clay smell with a nitty gritty texture that isn't too rough on the skin. You can leave it on for a couple of minutes as a mask as well and then scrub and wash off.

Usage

This took me about 5 months to use up but only because I kept forgetting to use it. That said, I did get a good 10 uses out of it as I used it as a scrub instead of piling it on my face as a mask. It has extremely fine grains like caster sugar as well as some darker, chunkier ones.

Would I Buy It: Yes actually. I really enjoyed using it.

Overall Impressions

This has been added to my wishlist for when I get a higher disposable income as Sand & Sky products are quite pricy. That said, I do feel it is worth £37; this is not your basic exfoliator. The grains are super fine and it really feels like dirt and debris is being lifted away.

Sand & Sky do have some before and after photos on their website (which I've linked above) but they do look proper sketch though as they're very low quality and to be honest, the skin looks exactly the same but with a blur filter applied.

This product also contains AHAs so I think it is a good thing I didn't use it too often; I tend to only use products containing the chemical once/twice a week so 100g will go a long way. Because I used it so inconsistently I can't say definitively if it did anything for me but I enjoyed the sample so much I'm will to shill out £40 on the full size.

Ecooking // Night Cream Review

ECooking // Night Cream
RRP £32 for 50ml

This is a 15ml jar that I chose in a Latest In Beauty box in May 2019 (..i think...it was around april/may last year).

First Impressions

I was excited to use this initially and I remember choosing it for one box and then enjoying it so much I chose it for next months box as well as they still had it in stock. It's quite a thick, heavy cream that's more like a butter with a slight patchouli scent.

Usage

One of these 15ml tubs lasts me a good month and a half and I use around a pea size amount. Even though the cream is thick is spreads well and doesn't feel oily but leaves that slight feel of grease on the skin which I don't mind at night.

Would I Buy It: No.

Overall Impressions

I completely finished the first pot and initially enjoyed it and thought it was better than my favourite Origins Night-A-Mins however I then finished that pot, began using other products and didn't get round to this pot until December 2019. My skin was not great in December due to a horrendous diet and little water and I was convinced it was this product (and some others) making me break out in spots so I stopped using it and it was left half empty (as seen in the photo). However, having sorted my diet out in January I decided to finish the rest of the pot starting February because I really hate wasting products.

It did not make me break out which is great however, my skin doesn't look or feel any better than it did. It does feel soft but I don't believe the claim of "helps visibly reduce fine lines" as I would expect my skin to look plumper and more youthful. Which it doesn't. So far, I still haven't found a product that can beat the Origins Night cream.

Rituals // The Ritual of Sakura Soothing Hand Balm Review

Rituals // The Ritual of Sakura Soothing Hand Balm
RRP £9.90 for 70ml

I received this 70ml size in a Look Fantastic box sometime last year.

First Impressions

A Rituals scent I actually like! This was the first Rituals product I enjoyed (and have since gone on to enjoy the Ayurveda and Holi ranges). It is quite greasy though and takes a while to absorb but leaves your hands feeling soft.

Usage

I can't remember when I started using this, I've been using it on and off for so long that I was surprised when it eventually ran out.

Would I Buy It: No.

Overall Impressions

It was alright, nowhere near as nice as the Ayurveda range but then nothing is. I found this a little too greasy for my liking as well and constantly felt like my hands were coated in something. it also didn't moisturise or hydrate my cuticles as much as I would like for a £10 product.

Skin&Co Roma // Truffle Therapy Essential Face Toner Review

Skin&Co Roma // Truffle Therapy Essential Face Toner
RRP £31 for 200ml

This is a 200ml full size product that I received in the Autumn 2019 FabFitFun box. It only appears to be sold on Amazon in the UK for £31 as Skin&Co UK website has been down for maintenance for a while.

First Impressions

It has a light earthy fragrance and doesn't leave the skin feeling dry or tight. It didn't cause any redness but there were no noticeable differences to begin with. I wasn't blown away with it.

Usage

I started using this as soon as I got the Autumn box in late August 2019. It lasted me until mid December with twice daily use. During that time I didn't suffer any breakouts because of it. Skin&Co describe this product as a "not traditional" as it's supposed to cleanse and purify the skin by removing dead skin cells and bacteria.

Would I Buy It: No. Not because it was awful though, it was just meh.

Overall Impressions

This was a very boring product to use. The scent was lacklustre, the packaging is uninspiring and I don't feel like it did much for my skin. There is no way that I would pay £31 for this when my HG toner from Too Cool For School is £24 and ticks all the above boxes.

I don't know if this brand is more prevalent in the US and Europe but before receiving it in FabFitFun I had never heard of the brand. Overall I don't really have much to say about it as I've used better however this product has good steady reviews online with the main points being that it doesn't dry out your skin and leaves it feeling moisturised. Which I agree with.

I would say if you're having a problem with breakouts, this would be one of the products to add to your routine as a 'safe' item while your skin calms down.

Nuxe // Insta-Masque Exfoliant + Unifiant Review

Nuxe // Insta-Masque Exfoliant + Unifiant
RRP £19.50 for 50ml

This is a 15ml sample I received in the August Birchbox 2019...At least I think it was the August one.

First Impressions

It smells of rose...not good. My skin and rose do not do well. It kind of feels like spreading melted Turkish Delight on your face and leaving it for several minutes. 

Usage

I have a confession; I haven't fully used this. I just can't bring myself to finish it. I have another 15ml pot in my skincare drawer as well which I'm planning to take to work to see if someone wants to take it off me. I used around half the pot in the 5 months I had it but I just kept forgetting to use it as I'm not quite sure what it is. It doesn't seem to fit in with my sheet masks days where I focus on moisturising and it doesn't fit inw ith my clay mask days where I focus on cleansing/purifying.

Would I Buy It: No.

Overall Impressions

After some research I think this is supposed to be an exfoliator as it has tiny grains in it. I eventually tried using this before my clay masks but I don't think my skin enjoyed the rosewater ingredient. It always kind of felt a little bit itchy whilst I used it. I did like that this was 2 minute mask though as I could stick it on in the shower.

I do like the only review on the Nuxe website though which was clearly written by an employee:

This product isn't unique; it's an exfoliator.

Salcura // Antiac Daily Face Wash Review

Salcura// Antiac Daily Face Wash
RRP £11.99 for 150ml

This is the full size product that I chose for a Latest In Beauty box some time ago...I can't actually remember when....I think it was early 2019 or late 2018.

First Impressions

This doesn't foam up but effectively cleanses the skin without leaving it feeling bone dry. It has a slightly herbal/soapy smell and a light brown colour. 

Usage

I started using this August 2019 and finally finished it up mid December. It took me so long to get to it because cleansers became the "in thing" during 2018 and 2019 and I got one at least every month in beauty boxes. It also didn't help that at the time I was subbed to 6 boxes a month....I'm now subbed to a respectable 2 (plus FabFitFun every 3 months).

Anyway, I started using this every morning and it didn't make me break out in spots, in fact my face was clearer whilst using it. The lack of foaming always bothered me however the cleansing is fine for the morning. I don't like my skin feeling overly tight or dry. I actually no longer use cleansers anymore apart from milk ones.

This doesn't remove makeup by itself and I would use an oil cleanser first followed by this one.

Would I Buy It: Originally I was going to once it finished as I did enjoy using it in the morning however I've cut out all oil stripping products now and I only use oil cleansers and micellar water to remove make up and cleansing milk to generally "cleanse". If you need to use a soap cleanser though I think this is the one I would recommend.

Overall Impressions

This wasn't half bad for a cleanser and it's relatively cheap. It does start to look a bit nasty after a while as the colours start to stain the plastic. If I was going to continue using soap cleansers I think this would be the one I'd start using.

Balance Me // Super Moisturising Hand Cream Review

Balance Me // Super Moisturising Hand Cream
RRP £14.50 for 100ml

The empty one is on the right. Both were bought from TK Maxx, the 50ml (right) was £3.99 and I purchased it August 2018. The left was £5.99 for 100ml and purchased a few weeks ago.

First Impressions

I remember when I bought this because it was the last time I did ride the lights in Blackpool. It always takes place in August and I had forgotten my handcream that day, so whilst I was out cycling I nipped in TK Maxx for some. This has quite a thick cream consistency and smells strongly of patchouli. It moisturises well and doesn't take too long to absorb.

Usage

I finally finished using the 50ml size a couple of months ago. That was with irregular use as it was kept in a bag I only used on certain occasions. The 100ml I've taken to work and I'm already half way through it. So I imagine the larger size would last a month and a half with use several times a day. In all honestly I don't like the smell' it's herby and smells like a new age crystal shop. That said, every single time I use this someone comments how amazing it smells so I think it might just be me. The scent is quite strong so keep that in mind if your sensitive.

Would I Buy It: Even though I detest the smell I would definitely continue to buy this. I remember this being £10 full size so it's gone up a bit but I see it quite a bit in TK Maxx. They've also redesigned their packaging so the older batches will probably show up in stores soon.

Overall Impressions

At the moment this is my go to hand cream; it's one of the first creams I've used in a while that doesn't leave my hands feeling dry 30 minutes after application. I use a pea sized amount and my skin is visibly smoother and more youthful. I've used a few products from this brand and I actually quite like it; especially the micellar water and eye cream.

Origins // High-Potency Night-A-Mins Review

Origins // High-Potency Night-A-Mins
RRP £30 for 50ml

This is a 50ml jar I bought from Feel Unique in July 2019.

First Impressions

This is actually my 2nd jar of Night-A-Mins that I've finished now. It has a lovely citrus/orange peel scent that I just can't get enough of. It reminds me of the old Sunny Delight orange juice. It's quite a thick cream and you don't need much either and it spreads easily across the skin.

Usage

I started using this jar at the beginning of August 2019 and finished it mid December, so it can last a good 4 and half months of daily use. You don't need to use much but I always like to really coat my skin and night and let all that goodness sink in whilst I'm sleeping, so I tended to use a good scoop (about a 5 pence piece).

Would I Buy It: Yes, this was my second purchase.

Overall Impressions

I enjoy using this night cream; it's not my HG product. That belongs solely to the Guerlain Orchidee Imperial but I am nowhere near rich enough to afford that stuff on the regular...or even once every five years (a Guerlain sales assistant once gave me 2 5ml samples of the stuff...they were worth about £30 each).

I've tried both the old formula (that didn't have the AHAs) and I've found this cream to be exactly the same. I didn't notice any exfoliating or differences to my skin in a way that you get with an AHA exfoliator but then again this may have a weaker solution of AHAs.

This is the night cream I use when I'm between trying new products because it's reliable and doesn't cause any breakouts. 

Prismologie // Rose Quartz & Rose Comforting Hand & Cuticle Cream Review

Prismologie // Rose Quartz & Rose Comforting Hand & Cuticle Cream
RRP £30 for 75ml

This is a 40ml sample I chose in a Latest In Beauty box in either September 2019 or October....I can't quite remember now.

First Impressions

It's like cheap, generic hand cream that you could get from Home Bargains with a bland rose scent. It takes a while to absorb and leaves a lot of grease on your hands; leaving many greasy fingerprints on the keyboard.

Usage

This 40ml sample size lasted me about 3 weeks at work as I use handcream constantly. I felt myself using this more though as once it finally does absorb, my hands felt dry. As though they were covered in some sort of powdery substance.

Would I Buy It: No. I'm not sure what planet the owners are on either to charge £30 for this overpriced tat.

Overall Impressions

Like the oud foot cream I reviewed earlier, more emphasis seems to have gone on the packaging and curation of a "luxurious" looking product than creating an actual luxurious product that does something. On the website they pretentiously tell you to apply the cream then "cup your hands over your nose and let the calming effects of pink wash over you".

Mate it's a handcream. I want it to moisturise my skin and help prevent wrinkles; not start a new age movement. What are these people thinking?