Tesco Beauty. // Conditioning Hand and Nail Cream Review

Tesco Beauty. // Conditioning Hand and Nail Cream
RRP £1.75 for 75ml

This is the full size 75ml tube that I bought from my local Tesco Express for £1.75

First Impressions:

March 27th 2020 - I ran out of hand cream and picked this up until some packages I ordered online arrived. It has a generic chemical/plastic scent that cheap hand creams have and it's borderline greasy. It moisturised my hands though which was the whole point.

Usage
First use - March 27th 2020
Last use - April 20th 2020

Would I buy it: Yes.

Overall Impressions:

In an emergency (which this was, lockdown had just started), this will moisturise your hands. It's a bog standard, no frills product that doesn't promise anything. It wasn't awful though and the scent doesn't last for long and isn't really that strong. I ended up mixing some essential oils into to give spice it up a little. For £1.75 I can't really complain and I'll probably buy another to leave in my car and bags that I don't use all that often.

Polaar // Northern Light Smoothing Cream Review

Polaar // Northern Light Smoothing Cream
RRP £35 for 50ml

This is a 25ml sample that I received in a Birchbox.

First Impressions:
A light, yet oily face cream with an odd scent. I'm not sure if I like it. It feels like it's sitting on top of my skin instead of absorbing.

Usage
First use - January 2020
Last use - May 3rd 2020

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

I used this on and off for the first two months as I wasn't sure if it was causing spots; turns out it was a different product. I finally started using it daily at the beginning of April 2020 and I was glad when it ran out because it did nothing for me. Sure my skin felt moisturised but it didn't do anything spectacular. I felt it was a weak point in my routine and it left my face far too shiny for my liking. I like to have the dewy look but this left the skin more greasy than dewy.

This is more expensive than my favourite day cream which is the Origins GinZing Gel moisturiser; and that does a better job and making the skin appear dewy, soft and moisturised.

Hollister // Pacific Beach Black Currant + Vanilla Exfoliating Body Wash Review

Hollister // Pacific Beach Black Currant + Vanilla Exfoliating Body Wash
RRP £13 for 266ml

I bought this from a Hollister in Birmingham on Black Friday 2019 for £3.90 (never again will I go to Birmingham on Black Friday).

First Impressions:

Smells fruity and delicious; very refreshing. It is difficult to get the product out though as it's thick with large granules which I suppose are the exfoliating bits. I used this with a shower puff so I didn't actually feel any exfoliation but it lathered up well and lasted long enough to wash myself thoroughly. 

Usage
First use - End of February 2020
Last use - May 2nd 2020

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

This product smells and looks great but it should not have been put in a squeezy tube as I really struggled towards the end of the bottle to get product out. It seems that the closer you get to the end the more it's just the granules left and it's almost impossible to squeeze product out. The amount of times the bottle went flying everywhere was riduculous. I ended up finishing it with product still left just because I couldn't be bother fighting with it anymore.

They do other scents and they all seem to match the body sprays (which I love) but they're all an "exfoliating" body wash which means they just have the same problem. I liked that the formula didn't leave my skin feeling squeaky clean (I hate that feeling, it just means the skin is ultra dry) but clean and soft. I always apply moisturiser after so I can't comment on how the skin feels sometime after showering. 

It was nice to use (and I did nail of the bottle!) but I would not buy this or another body wash from Hollister again unless they remove the exfoliating granules.

Carolina Herrera // Good Girl Eau De Parfum for Her Review

Carolina Herrera // Good Girl Eau De Parfum for Her
RRP £74 for 50ml (30ml and 80ml also available)

This is a 7ml sample that I chose in the Latest In Beauty Style Awards box in 2019.

First Impressions:

My new favourite perfume. Move over La Vie Est Belle, there is a new legendary perfume in town. I originally got this scent in a 1.5ml vial from a Feel Unique Pick 'n' Mix and loved it. I jumped on the chance to get this beautiful 7ml mini version. There is just something so very very different about the scent. It's sweet, yet musky, light but heavy. It makes me feel like a posh lady that does brunch when I'm wearing it.

Usage

I haven't put my usual usage stats here because perfumes are a bit different; I tend to wear different ones depending on my mood. I will say that a 1.5ml vial lasts me a good month of use so I imagine a full size would last me at least a year.

Top Notes - Almond

Base Notes - Cacao, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Coffee

Heart Notes - Sandalwood, Tuberose, Iris, Jasmine

Scent - Oriental

I think one of the reasons why I like it so much is because it reminds me of Tia Maria but mixed with more vanilla and chocolate. I'm not a big floral fan; I'm more of a gourmand scent person so the notes in this perfume really speak to me. My only main gripe is that it doesn't last as long as I'd like it to. 

Would I buy it: In a heartbeat...if I had money.

Overall Impressions:

This is one of those products where I want to buy it and yeah, I just spent £80 in the FabFitFun summer add-on/customisation but I got 7 items for that (and those 7 items if bought individually cost way more than £80). It's not an essential and so I tend to pick up the 1.5ml vials wherever I can. It's quite easy to pick them up from stores (when they open again...) or add it to the Feel Unique Pick 'n' Mix. When I have a higher disposable income this will be one of the first things I buy because I love that stiletto heel so much.

Elizabeth Arden // Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum Review

Elizabeth Arden // Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum
RRP £39 for 30 capsules

This is a 7 capsule sample that I chose as part of the Feel Unique Pick 'n' Mix selection a couple of months ago. The service cost £3.95 for 5 samples.

Usage
First use - 26th April 2020
Last use - 1st May 2020

I used one capsule every night.

Would I buy it: Yes.

First Impressions:

April 27th 2020 - I've tried these before about a year ago when I managed to snag another 7 capsule sample. However, the formula is said to be "new and improved". To me it's exactly the same; a greasy oil. I don't like the texture and after 10 minutes the serum still hadn't absorbed properly and I had to apply my night cream on top of the left over product.

I also have a sample of the Elizabeth Arden Skin Renewal Booster which they recommend to use before the capsules; so I'll be using that with the capsules.

Overall Impressions:

Ok, so by the last capsule I really wish that I could afford to buy the product all year round. They come in 3 different sizes, 30 (£39), 60 (£66) and 90 capsules (£84). Seeing as how I use one capsule every night I would need 365 capsules a year which at their cheapest would set me back £340 a year just on a night-time serum! This product is for those with a high disposable income and I'm very jealous of you all because it's a great product.

Sure it's greasy as hell and one capsule contains a lot of product but it kind of made me realise that perhaps I'm not using enough of other serums for them to be effective; I do tend to get a bit stingy to make things "last longer".

The capsules themselves are a bit annoying; the tips don't just "twist off" like the instructions say. if you try to twist them off, you'll put too much pressure on the capsule and product will just squirt everywhere like a big spot has just been popped. I tend to either cut the tip off or use my nails to "cut" the tip.

I'll keep my eye out on eBay for a set but until I'm rich I think these are out of reach for me right now.

MGC Derma // Anti Puffiness & Dark Circles Eye Serum Review

MGC Derma // Anti Puffiness & Dark Circles Eye Serum
RRP £80 for 15ml (new version)

This is the 30ml version that I received in a Latest In Beauty box in December 2018.

First Impressions

April 14th 2020 - I honestly forgot I had this because eye creams take so long to get through and then when looking through my stash for another eye cream I saw this and then remembered that this is getting pretty old. On the the bottom on the product there was an actual expiry date of August 2019 so I almost threw it away but I had never opened it and it didn't look off so I thought I would use it.

The lid on this thing is really stuck on there; I don't put it back on properly because of how tight it is. Also, the pump doesn't work properly. I was pumping away for several minutes with nothing coming out. I had to violently shake the bottle and move the product around inside to get it to work. Then when the pump did work; they appear to have use a pump that dispenses a huge walnut amount; far beyond what I would ever use for an eye cream. 

Usage

April 25th 2020 - I've been using it for just over a week now and nothing bad has happened. I have noticed that the product doesn't have a nice smell; kind of like musty clothes...maybe I shouldn't be using this on my face. I see now why they gave 30ml because the pump just dispenses so much. I don't know what to do with the rest of the product; I've been putting it on my neck.

I've started using it at night only and the Origins Ginzing Eye Cream in the morning. After using nothing but the Caudalie Premier Cru eye cream for the last few months (and hating it) I've seen a definite improvement in my area this past week.

May 3rd 2020 - I've now had to stop using this as the musty smell has really been making worried every time I put this near my eye area and then last night; I think some of it must have gotten in my eye and it was itchy, red and irritated all night. I woke up this morning with my right eye surrounded by white flakes and dry patches. Worryingly, when I took the lid off to see how much product was left, there was this black ball of something near the inside of the pump...I have no idea what that is but it's been there this entire time. Eurgh.

Would I Buy It: No. Nor would I buy any other MGC derma products for that matter.

Overall Impressions

When writing this post and researching it, it appears that this size and bottle no longer exists. This particular eye cream can now only be bought in a smaller 15ml with different packaging and design but strangely it's not listed on their own website; you can only find it on Look Fantastic or Harvey Nichols for £80.

Clearly this was a product close to expiry and rather than discount it on their site, MGC offloaded it to a bunch of beauty boxes. I always think this is a risky strategy because you can end up with people hating your brand because the product doesn't work (or worse; causes negative effects).

I would not spend £80 to try out an "in-date" version, especially since my £25 Origins eye cream does the job. Not worth the money.

ECooking // Moisturising Serum Review

ECooking // Moisturising Serum (Moisture Boost)
RRP £43 for 20ml

This is a 10ml sample that I received in the February 2020 Look Fantastic Box.

Usage

First Use -10th April 2020

Last Use - 25th April 2020

I used one pump twice a day after my essence and before moisturiser.

Would I Buy It: No.

First Impressions

I accidentally used two pumps and I really should've used one. This is a clear liquid/gel that takes about a minute to absorb. Because I applied too much it started to look like it was foaming up on the skin. My moisturiser also took a little bit longer than usual to absorb. It also left my skin feeling slightly sticky which I don't like when I'm not wearing makeup but is nice when I do apply it as it gives a good base for the foundation to 'stick' to.

Overall Impressions

I was a little shocked when I ran out as it lasted 2 weeks and the full size is only 20ml. That means you'd be forking out £43 every month to use this serum and I'm sorry but I'm not spending £516 a year on a serum...Who do they think I am? JLo? Thank god for beauty boxes.

I eventually got into a rhythm using it and I'm happy to report that I've not broken out in any spots the past 15 days so it works well for sensitive skin. Before this serum I had been using the Origins Plantscription serum which I loved and it made my skin soft and supple. I'd say there hasn't been much change in my skin other than it looking a little less plump. Given that the Origins one is £65 for 50ml (and would last at least 3 months) I'd buy that one instead.

Overall this serum was ok but too expensive for too little.

Caudalie // Premier Cru The Eye Cream Review

Caudalie // Premier Cru La Créme Yeux (The Eye Cream)
RRP £49 for 15ml

This is a 5ml sample that I received in the September 2019 Look Fantastic box.

First Impressions

A mid-weight cream that absorbs easily and doesn't leave the eye area greasy. After the first use there was no apparent differences in my eye area. It has no scent.

Usage

I started using the sample at the beginning of February 2020.

Would I Buy It: No.

Overall Impressions

April 10th 2020
I've been using this cream twice a day for 2 months now and I feel my eye area is looking worse than usual. This eye cream seems to offer no dark circle correction or even anti-wrinkle properties. I have slightly fine crows feet appearing that was for the most part kept at bay by the previous eye cream I was using (a Madara one). I often wake up with flakes around my eyes and the area looking dry. So far this eye cream has done anything that it says it will do i.e; reduce dark circles, wrinkles and puffiness. I can't wait to finish it and move onto something else. Kind of disgraceful for a £50 product targeted at more mature skin.

April 23rd 2020
I finally finished using this last week and have moved onto a new eye cream (which expired 6 months ago...It's a good thing I've stopped buying new products to use up my stash). I'm so happy to have moved onto something else...even a 6 month out of date product seems to be doing better things for my eye area than this. Save your money; buy something else.

L'Oreal Paris // Age Perfect Cleansing Milk Smooth & Anti-Fatigue Review

L'Oreal Paris // Age Perfect Cleansing Milk Smooth & Anti-Fatigue
RRP £4.99 for 200ml

This is the full 200ml that I bought from Asda for £2.50.

Usage
First use - December 23rd 2019
Last use - April 25th 2020

I would mainly use this twice day followed by my toner. On evenings when removing makeup, I would use an oil cleanser first, then micellar water and then this product.

Would I buy it: Yes. I've just started my second bottle. I bought that one last month from Sainsbury's when it was on offer again for £2.50. But £4.99 is an excellent price.

First Impressions:
This left my face feeling like it was coated in something and I was worried that I would wake up spots the day but I didn't. I haven't used a cleansing milk in years and I was worried that cutting out a foaming cleanser would leave my skin horrible but instead it looked fine. This product absorbed quickly as well and my skin looked refreshed and extremely hydrated; like I had already applied moisturiser.

Overall Impressions:
Quite possibly one of the best cleansing milks I've ever used. Way back in the day about 10 years ago I used to religiously use the Clarins cleansing milk because that is what my mother has been using for the past 30 years. I didn't really like it and I went off down a skincare rabbit hole of insane cleansers that kept trying to one up each other.

By the end of December last year I was just sick of having awful skin and so I decided drastically overhaul my products and how I used them; no more switching whenever I felt like it and consistency in application. Ever since I've ditched foaming cleansers and used this milk as my sole cleanser my skin has just completely cleared up. I can't fully describe how soft this makes my skin feel and it creates the perfect base for foundation after I've used my other products. I also noticed that my essence and serum absorb better when using it as well.

When I'm removing makeup this doesn't do very well at all and so I always use an oil cleanser first, wash that off with water and then follow up with micellar water to ensure that all traces of makeup have gone before using this cleansing milk. I've had no problems with clogged pores, and on the odd occasions I have use a foaming cleanser instead of this; I immediately broke out in spots again.

If you have sensitive skin give it a try and give up the foaming cleansers. I'm 30 soon and love using this product so don't be put off by the "For mature skin" label. You know what they say "prevention is the best cure".

Mudmasky // Hair Mask Scalp Treatment & Miracle Shampoo Review

Mudmasky // Hair Mask Scalp Treatment & Miracle Shampoo 
RRP £21.01 for 75ml

This is the full size 75ml tube that I got in the August 2019 Pink Parcel box.

Usage
First use - January 2020
Last use - April 25th 2020

I used this irregularly to start but then fell into a rhythm of every other wash. I wash my hair every 5 days and would use about two walnut sized amounts; massaged into my scalp.

Would I buy it: Yes. I've already bought two more 75ml tubes as they were on offer in the FabFitFun edit sale for $5; bargain.

First Impressions:
Not what I was expecting. It looks like it would have granules in it and would behave like a scalp scrub but it's just a cream that I massaged into my scalp. It didn't foam up or cause any tingling sensations; in fact it's hard to tell it's there. I also found it difficult to apply the product directly to my scalp; this product would benefit from a precise cone applicator.

Overall Impressions:
I enjoyed using the product enough to purchase two more tubes. I wouldn't spend the full £21 on it though; I definitely don't think it's worth that much. However $5 is extremely reasonable. I've been using this a "pre-poo" in that I use it before shampoo as a clarifier. I tend to use quite a few leave in products that are silicone heavy (as they really help control the curl and add slip) and my sulfate-free shampoos struggle to remove all the build-up. After using this beforehand, my normal shampoo foams up like a treat and my scalp and hair feel extremely clean but not squeaky clean which is the most important thing to me. Squeaky clean hair is not a good texture for hair; it causes insane frizz.

Overall, I enjoy using this product and I will continue to use it and buy it (if I find it for $5 or less again...)

Too Cool For School // Egg-ssential Fluid Moisturizing Toner Review

Too Cool For School // Egg-ssential Fluid Moisturizing Toner
RRP £24 for 200ml

This is a full 200ml bottle that I bought from TK Maxx for £5.99.

Usage
First use - December 2019
Last use - April 25th 2020

I used this twice day with a cotton wool pad after cleansing but before my essence.

Would I buy it: Hell yes. I've already bought 4 more. Every time I see it in TK Maxx for £5.99 I buy another because it's an insane price for such a great product. That said I would willingly pay £24 for it.

First Impressions:

I thought this was a strange Korean product that might actually have egg in it? Apparently it's egg protein water and shea butter. This really stands out as something different though because it contains no alcohol; it doesn't dry rapidly or leave the skin tingling. It just feels soft and hydrated. I absolutely love it. It also has a light baby powder scent which is oddly relaxing.

Overall Impressions:

I'm in love and this has become my HG toner. I recently received another toner in my Look Fantastic box so I'll be using that next to compare and if it's crap I can go straight back to my egg-ssential toner. The South Koreans are light years ahead anyway in the skincare game and it's not surprising that I tend to end up loving most products made in South Korea.

I just can't get over how much more moisturised my skin is whilst I've been using it. It's an egg-ssential part of my routine now (sorry not sorry). Even though I've been buying it for £6, this is worth the full price of £24 which is more than reasonable for a product that lasts around 5 months.

Sara Miller // Tuberose, Sandalwood and Vanilla Shower Cream Review

Sara Miller // Tuberose, Sandalwood and Vanilla Shower Cream 
RRP £15 for 300ml (currently discontinued)

This is a 300ml tube that I bought from TK Maxx for £4.99 October 2019.

Usage
First use - Beginning of October 2019
Last use - Beginning of December 2019

Would I buy it: Yes.

First Impressions:

Absolutely heavenly scent. I became so obsessed with this concoction that I immediately bought sandalwood and tuberose essentials oils so I could make a nail oil with this scent. Not only that but the packaging is amazing and it makes my shower look super fancy. I even did nail art inspired by this bottle!

Overall Impressions:

I thought this was a TK Maxx in-house brand but I've seen it pop up in John Lewis so I think it might be a John Lewis exclusive and they sold off a load of stock to TK Maxx as this brand just suddenly popped up over November/December (yes...I go in TK a lot....a lot).  I've since bought the matching hand cream and a lip balm from this brand. Unfortunately I've not seen the shower cream in this scent but in the others (and those one are still for sale on the official site). 

Apart from the scent, which is a beautiful blend of musky sandalwood and sweet vanilla, this shower cream lathers into a thick and creamy foam that feels expensive. Everything about this product feels like it's worth £15  and I don't think that's a crazy price to spend on a proper luxurious product. 

I will definitely continue to buy products from this brand and buy this product if I see it again!

Dr Botanicals // Hemp Infused Natural Nutrition Moisturiser Review

Dr Botanicals // Hemp Infused Natural Nutrition Moisturiser
RRP £15.99 for 30ml

I received this 30ml tube in either a Look Fantastic or Birchbox in January 2020.

Usage
First use - Mid January 2020
Last use - Beginning of March 2020

Would I buy it: No.

First Impressions:

I was not expecting a green moisturiser. I might be going mad but it looks like it leaves a green tint on the skin and slightly dries. My skin felt like I had left on a very thin layer of a face mask; it was weird. It felt moisturised but it rubbed off in flakes when I applied my BB cream.

Overall Impressions:

By the time this moisturiser was up I knew I wouldn't want to purchase it again. This is an odd product. It didn't cause me to break out in spots but it did cast a slightly green tinge to my skin. I have an olive skintone so it didn't look too strange on me but I could imagine it looking a bit odd on someone very pale. It also definitely left residue on the skin which would flake off; I absolutely hate it when products do that. I used this throughout the coldest months and my skin didn't become totally dry so I guess it did an adequate job of moisturising but it didn't leave me with a nice glow. By the end of work my skin felt dry and tight.

This cream is far too expensive for what it provides.

Crabtree & Evelyn // La Source Overnight Hand Therapy Review

Crabtree & Evelyn // La Source Overnight Hand Therapy 
RRP £19 for 75g (now discontinued)

I bought this 75g tube from TK Maxx around July 2019 for £4.

First Impressions

Not what I was expecting; a strong floral scent and a light lotion texture. When I woke up the morning my hands felt ridiculously dry instead of hydrated. I did not wake up with "smoother, softer, nourished hands" as it promises on the back of the tube.

Usage

This lasted me until December 2019 with irregular use. I just really hated the scent.

Would I Buy It: No. And you can't now because it's discontinued. They've started a new La Source hand cream with different packaging and it's supposed to remind you of the sea? This does not smell like the sea.

Overall Impressions

I think I bought this just because it had that red sticker on it and TK Maxx always gets me with the red and yellow discount stickers. I always forget that Crabtree & Evelyn is supposed to be a "good" brand but it just reminds me of that Bayliss & Harding brand that you see constantly in B&M Bargains. I just don't associate luxury with this brand which is why the price point seems so off to me.

This hand cream though has not convinced me to give this brand a second chance. My hands never once felt moisturised when I was using this; just greasy then dry.

Minus 417 // Time Control Firming Radiant Mud Mask Review

Minus 417 // Time Control Firming Radiant Mud Mask
RRP $39 for 100ml

This is a 20ml sample that I received in a Look Fantastic box last year sometime.

First Impressions

This is a clay mask. You put it on; it dries and then you wash it off...I wish I could write more about this however this has been lying in my "empties box" for quite sometime so everything in this post is going off memory. I've now started actually writing my first impressions after the first use but it's taken me a while to get into that routine.

Usage

I think this lasted me about 2 months with twice weekly use; I was using large amounts each time though because I have so many face masks that I need to get through.

Would I Buy It:  No.

Overall Impressions

This brand is so strange. They keep appearing in British beauty boxes but yet they are really hard to buy in the UK. They're an Israeli brand and I've had a few other products from them before but nothing has ever really stood out. I just don't get them.

This masl didn't really do anything for me; my skin looked exactly the same after use and there was no noticable improvements over the two month period...maybe I just wasn't paying much attention but I think that my lack of interest says it all really.

Being by Sanctuary Spa // Salted Caramel & Macadamia Body Butter Review

Being by Sanctuary Spa // Salted Caramel & Macadamia Body Butter
Discontinued

This is a 300ml tub that I bought from TK Maxx in August 2019 for £3.99.

First Impressions

The smell....oh my lord the smell. It's just like the Muller Corner Toffee yogurts. It's amazing and thick and buttery. I just love it.

Usage

A 300ml tub usually lasts me just over a month of daily use.

Would I Buy It: Yes. Whenever I see it in TK Maxx I buy it. I was already on my third tub when I took this photo. On top of that, I've just finished my 2nd tub of the Mango & Chilli one and now I'm using up two of the 300ml body lotion versions on the Mango & Chilli...I really loved this range.

Overall Impressions

I never used to like Sanctuary Spa products; they smell like chemicals to me. There is absolutely no sweetness; Then they brought out the Being range a couple of years ago and the Salted Caramel & Macadamia is amazing; not SDJ Bum Bum amazing...what is? But still close. Then in true fashion they discontinued the entire Being range and I've been hoarding whatever I see in TK Maxx. It's a shame really because the Salted Caramel body spray was also like spraying heaven on yourself.

So this review is late but I guess thats what happens when you only review when the product has been used. I'm so annoyed; I really loved that Being range, it was so much more exciting than everything else they do.

They remind me of the Body Shop Body butter formula which has been my go to body moisturiser for years. It just leaves my skin moisturised for 24 hours with no dry patches. The body shop ones I only buy when I can get them on offer for £7 per tub or less so it now looks like I'm going to have to go back to stalking the body shop for deals or find another moisturiser in the £5-£7 range that's just as good.