Intelligent Nutrients // Refining Micro Polish Review

Intelligent Nutrients // Refining Micro Polish
RRP £52 for 100ml

This is a full size that I received in the Summer 2019 FabFitFun box.

Usage

My first use was 10th April 2020 and that was also my last use.

Would I Buy It: Hell no.

First Impressions

This is not a "Micro" polish; it has grains the size of rice in it. The beads in it do not dissolve in the slightest and even after thoroughly cleansing there were tens of little beads stuck to my face, neck and hairline. This terrified me as I got a micro bead (from another scrub) stuck in my eye in December for 2 weeks and ended up going to the emergency eye clinic at the hospital. They eventually got it out by folding my upper eyelid inside out and swabbing the area with a cotton wool tip; this is not pleasant. It feels like tiny needles pricking the inside of your eye and you can't blink or move your eye.

I did not want a repeat of that experience (I even found one the beads dangerously close to my eye after rinsing) so I threw this product straight in the bin.

Overall Impressions

This product says it uses Jojoba Esters which are little balls of hardened Jojoba wax to exfoliate the skin. Apparently these are soluble but they didn't dissolve at all for me. I won't use this again though because the beads are too big and frankly, I don't want my eyelid turned inside out again.

Cuccio // Calm + Clean Epsom Salt Hand & Body Wash Review

Cuccio // Calm + Clean Epsom Salt Hand & Body Wash
RRP $39.95 for 236ml

This is a full size bottle that I received in the Winter 2019 FabFitFun box.

First Impressions

Doens't smell as nice as I thought it would and for some reason I thought Epsom salts were like bath salts and this would be slightly exfoliating...This is a hand wash. It's not special at all.

Usage

I started using this at the beginning of December 2019 and finished it near the end of February 2020. So it lasted around 3 months-ish with daily use. As a shower gel I would use two pumps and one as a hand wash.

Would I Buy It: No.

Overall Impressions

This had a bit of controversy surrounding it in the FabFitFun box as you could've received this or some NailsInc hand masks that were only worth $8; quite a price difference. However, the price of this 8oz bottle is very sketchy as the 32oz is only $10 more. That's quite a price per ml markup for the smaller bottle.

This definitely has a very lavender scent to it; no sweetness at all which is a shame because I prefer sweet smelling products. I'd say this was just your average body wash. I felt clean afterwards but it wasn't a joy to use or anything (unlike the SDJ Bum Bum shower gel...that stuff is heaven). I think I preferred it as a hand wash but $40 is a crazy amount of money to spend on hand wash when you go to TK Maxx and get super fancy stuff for a fraction of the price.

Not worth the money. If you can find the 32oz bottle on sale for $5 then go for it but other than that; avoid.

Isle of Paradise // Medium Self-Tanning Water Review

Isle of Paradise // Medium Self-Tanning Water
RRP £18.95 for 288ml

This is a full size bottle that I chose as part of the Latest In Beauty X Sunday Times Box in April 2019.

First Impressions

It looks fancy.

Usage

I used this once in August 2019. I remember doing it at night with a tanning mit and it just got everywhere; maybe I'm just awful at applying spray tan.

Would I Buy It: No.

Overall Impressions

I know this is empty skincare but seeing as how I used this once and never wanted to use it again i thought I would write about it. It's been left in my "tan" drawer for months now and when I was going through my stash for a clear out and I noticed that the product had gone a nice cloudy yellow/green. Not very nice. It kind of looked like a fish tank that had never been cleaned. So I took a couple of photos then promptly threw it away.

I decided to use this last year though when we were having a ridiculous run of beautiful sunny days. I used this after showering (although I hadn't exfoliated) and I thought I applied it evenly. When I woke up the next day my knees and hands were horrific. I applied this with a mit and washed them afterwards but never underestimated the power of fake tan; you will always get tan hands. I'd say it was patchy and not a great tan colour for my olive skin. I thought because it was green and for a medium tan that it would work better than most but it went way too golden and warm for my liking. I never used it again after that.

At this point, I think I might just avoid tanning products until I'm rich enough to afford whoever it is that does Ariana Grande's tan.

Origins // A Perfect World Antioxidant Cleanser With White Tea Review

Origins // A Perfect World Antioxidant Cleanser With White Tea
RRP £25 for 150ml

This is a full size 150ml tube that I recieved as a birthday gift in October 2018.

First Impressions

Smells lovely and the foam is velvety soft.

Usage

This took me a hot minute to get to. I had 6 beauty box subscriptions and kept receiving at least 2 cleansers every month and so I kind of forgot I had this in my stash and started using it December 2020.

Would I Buy It: No, but not because I don't like it; my skin just hates all foaming cleansers now.

Overall Impressions

Origins are my favourite skin care brand; there is just something about them that my face loves but when I switched to cutting out all foaming products on my skin in January; my skin drastically improved and I've practically had no breakouts since. I thought maybe it was down to diet however every time I introduced a foaming product I would have spots the next day.

It's a shame really because this product is really nice and doesn't feel harsh at all. I enjoyed using it but my skin just doesn't want to know anymore; it's become very sensitive to foaming cleansers. I have a couple more from the Plantscription range and I've given them to my friends because I know that they will just cause the same problems. I couldn't bring myself to throw it away and a friend gladly took it off me.

If foaming cleansers work for you then I would recommend this but stay away if you have sensitive skin.

Elemis // Ultra-Conditioning Lip Balm Review

Elemis // Ultra-Conditioning Lip Balm
RRP £21 for 10ml

This is a full size 10ml tube that I received in a Latest In Beauty Box sometime around summer 2019.

First Impressions

Quenching is the best word I can think of for this product. It's like a thick cream but my lips just feel instantly hydrated and tingly; it's a really nice sensation.

Usage

I started using it as soon as I got it and then took it to work with me and it became my work lip balm. It lasted til around December 2019.

Would I Buy It: Yes; if I had the money.

Overall Impressions

This was not what I was expecting. Usually, the only lip balms I can stand are Carmex Vanilla or Malibu Mint because they have that exact balm texture that I love; not greasy but the lips feel coated in something. It's hard to describe. This product doesn't leave that balm feeling as it absorbs so quickly but my lips were not dry afterwards; they stayed soft.

I'm not a big fan of squeezy tubes though as you can sometimes end up with too much or too little but this product isn't solid enough for a twist up and I can't stand balms in pots. It was a little difficult to get product out once it got to the end as well.

For £21 I think this is outside my price range...especially when I get angry when Carmex isn't on offer (It's usually £3.49 full price). If I was on 6 figures a year then yes I would purchase this but on my intern salary; no.

Lumene // Nordic-C Arctic Berry Oil-Cocktail Review

Lumene  // Nordic-C Arctic Berry Oil-Cocktail
RRP £29.90 for 30ml

This is a 15ml sample that I received in the Birchbox October 2019 box.

First Impressions

Looks beautiful, smells fantastic and it isn't greasy. A great start!

Usage

This did not last long. I would use a pump in the morning and evening and the bottle lasted just over a month. I was quite upset because I really enjoyed using this oil. I'm not sure if £30 every other month is worth it for a facial oil though...but I am tempted.

Would I Buy It: Absolutely.

Overall Impressions

I think this is one the best facial oils I've ever used. It's not really even a facial oil; it behaves more like a serum. I experienced no breakouts whilst using it and my skin was perfectly quenched throughout the month I used it. I work in a very dry, hot office (I love how warm it is but it's not great for the skin) and my skin stayed "dewy" for longer than an hour after arriving. I was using this after my moisturiser as the last step in the routine but if I bought it again I think I would replace my serum with it; especially in the warmer months.

Another thing I love is the bottle though! The pump works really well and you can easily unscrew the lid. I've been reusing it for my body oils that come in large bottles without a pump. I just decant some in and away I go. I never used to get through body oils before but now the pump dispenses just the right amount.

Nuxe // Créme Prodigieuse Boost Multi-Correction Gel Cream Review

Nuxe // Créme Prodigieuse Boost Multi-Correction Gel Cream
RRP £29.50 for 40ml
This is a 15ml sample that I chose in a Latest In Beauty box. I have two 15ml samples.

First Impressions

Has a strong floral/sanitiser scent to it and a true gel consistency. Sinks in just a bit too fast for my liking.

Usage

I started using this on the 12th March 2020 and abruptly stopped using it that same day after two uses.

Would I Buy It: No.

Overall Impressions

Not great. I actually didn't use this on my face because I was afraid to and I'm glad I didn't because my hands were not great after using this. At first I thought "hmm, feels quenching...my hands are getting a bit dry though, better apply again". That second time was what made me throw it in the bin. My hands stunk of alcohol; like I had used a hand sanitiser and sure enough, the very second ingredient is alcohol. I think they did this to give the appearance that it absorbs quickly; in reality it's just evaporating.

The first ingredient is water, followed by alcohol, then glycerine and a silicone. So it appears to be mainly made up of cheap items which isn't really acceptable for a £30 product. I can only imagine what this would feel like on the face; hydrating to begin then dry and itchy as the day wears on. I do not recommend at all.

If you're in need of a lightweight day gel then I suggest the Origins Ginzing Gel Boost Moisturiser which is £5 cheaper and far superior in every way possible.

Grow Gorgeous // Back Into The Roots Review

Grow Gorgeous // Back Into The Roots
RRP £24 for 150ml

This is a 60ml sample that I received in a Look Fantastic way back when. Seriously I think it was a mid 2018 box.

First Impressions

Kind of like a Trebor XXX mint but for your scalp; I honestly thought it was burning.

Usage

This has taken me at least 2 years to get through mainly because it's one of those hair care products that I just don't care about. It's not shampoo and it's not conditioner. However, since I became devout to panning things last year, it eventually made it's way into my main rotation and the half of the bottle that was left of over got used in two months. I only wash my hair every 4/5 days and this would be used on every other wash. So I can see a full size lasting more than a year so it's good value for money.

Would I Buy It: Yes I would.

Overall Impressions

I didn't think I would end up liking this product but the white hot sensation you get really grew on me...pun most definitely intended. I've also started upping my hair care regime again and got back into pre-poos. I've been enjoying watching Manes by Mel on YouTube and the importance of these scalp treatments has really been drilled into me. I think it's made a huge difference. I suffer from quite bad psoriasis on my scalp (thanks dad) and these clarifying treatments have done a great job at keeping the painful lumps at bay as well as banishing the flakes they create. The condition is still there but my scalp no longer irritates me.

I don't think this will product would actually make your hair grow any faster but any extra stimulation to your hair follicles is good and keeps them in tip top condition for growing beautiful hair.

Greenfrog Botanic // Natural Body Lotion Sweet Argan Review

Greenfrog Botanic // Natural Body Lotion Sweet Argan 
RRP £13.95 for 500ml

This is a 50ml sample I received in the January 2020 Birchbox.

First Impressions

Wonderful scent with a light silky texture.

Usage

This lasted me 4 uses. It honestly really annoys me when Birchbox gives out 50ml samples of body lotions, especially when the full size is less than £15. I get that the 500ml wouldn't have fit in the box but this sample is worth about a £1 in the grand scheme of things.

Would I Buy It: Yes.

Overall Impressions

Even though the ingredients are quite cheap, I still really liked the product. I didn't want to either, I wanted to hate it because it was such a tiny sample but I can't. I have a few body moisturisers to get through but if I see this on offer I'll definitely buy one as 500ml should last me about 2 months and I tend to spend £7ish a month on body moisturiser so it works out.

After 20 hours my skin wasn't peeling or dry and it did surprisingly well with the elbows and knees; I just wish the scent lingered as it's easily the best part about the whole product. It's got a light, fresh, sweet almond scent that I wish I could bottle for a perfume.

Whenever I go in TK Maxx, I'm on the lookout for this product now (if we can ever go back in TK Maxx...)