Lumene // Nordic-C Glow Reveal Peeling Mask Review

Lumene // Nordic-C Glow Reveal Peeling Mask
RRP £16.90 for 75ml

This is a 15ml Sample that I received in the Birchbox 2018 Advent Calendar. Yes, it's taken me a long time to get round to using this.

First Use

Smells wonderful; the entire Nordic-C range does. It's light and fruity with a hint of orange and rose blossoms. I was expecting this to be a msk that dries and then you peel off but it's a slightly cloudy gel that sits on the skin for 10 minutes and doesn't dry. After washing it off my skin looked youthful and fresh and my skincare products applied well. It also made my skin slightly matte looking but not in a dry way. My skin felt super soft as well.

Usage

First Use - 4th April 2020
Last use - 19th June 2020

I used it once a week...or at least I tried to.

The instructions say to use a good amount each time; so I did. I'd say about 2ml (which doesn't sound much but when it comes to face products it really is).

Would I Buy It: No.

Overall Impressions

It's annoying because I like this product; my skin just doesn't like it. I'm convinced this made me break in tiny whiteheads and spots; as have other Vitamin C heavy products. It's become one of those ingredients that I'm having to avoid now or make sure that it's not the main 'star' ingredient of a product. It's a shame because I really like Lumene as a whole but they have many other ranges for me to try out and this hasn't put me off them.

Ren // Keep Young and Beautiful Instant Firming Beauty Shot Review

Ren // Keep Young and Beautiful Instant Firming Beauty Shot
RRP £42 for 30ml

This is a 10ml sample that I think I received in Feel Unique Pick 'n' Mix in February 2020. 

First Impressions:

13th May 2020 - This is a clear, runny gel-like substance very similar to the Ecooking serum. It has a very light scent and takes about a minute to absorb. It runs out of the tube easily and you can end up with more than you wanted. I've used a few Ren products before and I didn't rate them highly so I'm interested in how this will hold up.

Usage
First use - 13th May 2020
Last use - 2nd June 2020

Would I buy it: Yes actually.

Overall Impressions:

I'm actually surprised at how much I liked this; it didn't cause any spots or redness. My skin looked great whilst I was using it. It really did work like an instant beauty shot as I felt my skin looked plumped and refreshed when I used it. You can still select this in the Pick 'n' Mix which is only £3.95 so I think I might just go and get another one of those to try it out again before taking the plunge as £42 is alot (but not as much as my Origins serum which I feel this is almost as good as). 

It says you can use this on top of makeup but due to how runny it is I think it would just smear everything around and ruin it. I used it as a serum morning and night before my moisturiser and it fit perfectly into my routine.

Caudalie // Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser Review

Caudalie // Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser
RRP £16 for 150ml

This is a 30ml Sample that I received in a Look Fantastic box sometime in 2019 (I think...)

First Impressions:

Smells wonderful; like all the products in the Vinopure range. It's a liquidy clear, gel-like substance that doesn't really foam. My skin felt quite dry and tight after use.

Usage

First use - November 2019

Last use - December 2019

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

Unfortunately this was the last product I used in the Vinopure range as it just became too drying for my skin. I even had 2 full bottles of the toner to go through but I gave them away to friends because it was causing me to break out in spots. I no longer use cleansers like this anymore and rely on oil/milk cleansers and my skin has become less oily.

The problem with these products directed at oily skin is that they contain skin stripping ingredients like foaming agents in order to remove the excess oil however your skin then retaliates by producing more oil to counter what it lost. If you sufficiently moisturise your skin; it will eventually stop producing the excess sebum.

In looking up this product I discovered that Caudalie have a cleansing milk and it's not badly priced at £15 for 200ml. Once my current L'oreal runs out I will give it a purchase as whereas I won't be using anything from the Vinopure range; I still quite enjoy other Caudalie products (especially the cleansing oil).

Origins // Plantscription Anti-Ageing Power Serum Review

Origins // Plantscription Anti-Ageing Power Serum
RRP £65 for 48ml

This is 27ml bottle that I received as part of a Plantscription set that I bought off Origins for £30 on Black Friday.

First Impressions:

This is my first time using the product in an actual pump bottle. Before this I've used about ten 15ml sample tubes. I first tried it a couple of years ago after I chose one for my Latest In Beauty box and ever since then I've been hoarding samples of it and buying them off eBay. I do like the design of the bottle though with the twist lock and the pump that gives out just the right amount of serum.

Usage
First use - Beginning February 2020
Last use - 9th April 2020

I'm shocked at how long this lasted me. I don't think I was using enough though because I slipped back into my mindset of "preserve the expensive products; use lessssss". Of course you don't get the benefits if you don't use enough and I was using half a pump on my face in the beginning.

Would I buy it: In a heartbeat.

Overall Impressions:

So far, this is my favourite serum. I'm not quite ready to give it HG status but it's pretty damn close, it's just a shame about the price. For that reason I tend to buy up the gift sets on Black Friday and boxing day  and it gives me enough serum to just about last the year (as I use other things in between that I get in boxes).

This serum pretty much has no fragrence and is a light green cream. It isn't thick or rich; it feels more like a gel and my skin just feels comfortable when I use it. It really helps even out my skintone and reduce the appearance of red marks left behind by angry spots. I also don't tend to get any spots when I'm using this.

It's pricy but I can usually get hold of it via other means so it's ok but if I had the money I would definitely purchase it full price.

Oskia London // Renaissance Cleansing Gel Review

Oskia London // Renaissance Cleansing Gel
RRP £35 for 100ml

This is a 35ml sample that I received in the September 2019 Look Fantastic box.

First Impressions:

It smells like rose Turkish Delights, which I love. It adequately melts makeup but does not emulsify with water well. The oil parts still cling to the skin.

Usage
First use - November 2019
Last use - January 2020

I used this on and off as I don't wear makeup all the time.

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

Oskia describe this as "the cult and original gel-to-oil cleanser". I have doubts about that. I'd never even heard of oskia before this but the packaging looks cheap, the product feels cheap and to me it's nowhere near worth £35. 

My favourite oil cleanser is the Caudalie Oil cleanser which is £18 for 150ml. That rapidly removes makeup and emulsifies immediately on contact with water and washes everything way. This product is not even in the same league as that one yet they're charging almost twice as much. I don't really have much else to say about this product other than; there are better and cheaper products.

Grown Alchemist // Detox Night Cream

Grown Alchemist // Detox Night Cream
RRP £86 for 40ml

This is the full size 40ml product that I received as a 'mystery item' in the FabFitFun Autumn box.

First Impressions

Oh man, was I super hyped up to use this cream. The FFF forum boards go on and on about this brand and I was so excited to have received this as my mystery item as it's a staggering £86. It has quite a strong masculine scent to it that I wasn't expecting; it reminds me of my uncle's aftershave that he's been wearing for the past 25 years.

Usage
First use - November 2019
Last Use - 27th May 2020

I initially started using this in November 2019 but stopped as I felt the strong fragrance was causing me to break out after using a quarter of the tube. I started using it again at the beginning of February 2020 but, started breaking out again so I gave it rest. Another trial period began mid April; by this point I was halfway through the tube.

11th May 2020 - I have about a quarter left to go now and some cuts in the packaging have appeared due to creases, allowing product to seep out and go hard. You'd think for an almost £90 product the packing would be a little sturdier? I'm not impressed that the product left inside the tube is effectively exposed thanks to all these cracks. I've been quite gentle with the tube as well; with how it's acting you'd think I'd been rolling it up like toothpaste. I just want this cream to be over with though; it's not great.

18th May 2020 - I'm almost done. I think there must be another week left? More holes have appeared along the tube now and I'm having to be super delicate otherwise product is just squeezing right out everywhere. My skin has been fine though so I'm certain now that it doesn't cause spots but it still doesn't do anything. It's riding on the back of my hard working Elizabeth Arden booster and Ren Serum. If it weren't for them I would be looking awful right now.

Would I Buy It: No.

Overall Impressions

I finally finished this product after 7 long months. In the end I don't think it caused any irritation to my skin but it didn't seem to do anything else; it was a cream. I suppose my skin was adequately moisturised but that's it. £86 is daylight robbery. You could buy a £5 cream from Asda that would perform in the exact same way. I also started finding this brand in TK Maxx (just before lockdown) and this exact product was selling for £9.99 with no RRP price on it. I'm always wary when products in TK have no RRP; it often means it's an in-house brand.

Grown Alchemist appear a lot in FabFitFun sales and I can say that my money is safe. I will not be purchasing anything from this brand in the future.

Trifle Cosmetics // Sugar Pear Sublime Lip Scrub Review

Trifle Cosmetics // Sugar Pear Sublime Lip Scrub
RRP $9 for 10ml

This is a full size 10ml tube that I received in a Glossybox way back in either 2014 or 2015. Yes, this is a vintage lip scrub...don't worry, I haven't been using it.

First Impressions:

I remember way back in the day, the first time I used this I loved how it tasted. I think that's why I've held onto it for so long. It had a really sweet, pear scent and taste and I could've just eaten the product.

Usage
First use - Sometime 2014/2015
Last use - Several years ago

Would I buy it: Yes? Maybe?

Overall Impressions:

I think out of all the lip scrubs I've ever used this has stood out as my favourite. I came across it when doing a clear out of my stash as I've realised that you really should stop using products after their expiry date. You can read about my experiences with the 6 months out of date eye cream and 1 year out of date eye cream. It just goes to show though how little I go through my stash. It's only since I started seriously panning products in September last year that I've been going through items systematically and finally getting rid of all the samples I've been hoarding for years. Being subbed to 6 beauty boxes didn't help either.

Back to the product though; from the few times I did use this, I did enjoy it. This past winter I could've really done with a lip scrub but there's no way I'm sticking this on my lips (especially with my tendency to eat some of it...). For $9 this is pretty good and I'd be willing to pay full price for it. It's a shame that shipping is a $25 flat rate to the UK (and that's not even tracked). Trifle Cosmetics is featured quite often in UK beauty boxes which is odd considering they don't sell anywhere else. I've seen a few things in TK Maxx over the years but nothing is there regularly. It's annoying because their Lip Parfait (in the blue tube) is my favourite lipstick of all time and I reluctantly threw it away because it was almost 6 years old. 

I'm pretty sure that there was over half a tube of this lip scrub left when I binned it which means if I were to buy another lip scrub it wouldn't be a necessity. I think I would use this once a year, or whenever I felt like "pampering" myself. I think if you're wearing matte lipsticks all the time then you need one but if you just like to stick some lip liner on and mix it with lip balm, it's a product to skip. 

Balance Me // Vitamin C Repair Serum Review

Balance Me // Vitamin C Repair Serum
RRP £32 for 30ml

This is a 7ml sample that I received in the March 2020 Look Fantastic box.

First Impressions:

27th April 2020 - Has a strong herb/medicinal scent to it that reminds me of Kiehl's products. I'll be using this in the morning only for the next week as I'm using the Elizabeth Arden Ceramide capsules at night.

Usage
First use - 27th April 2020
Last use - 11th May 2020

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

I ended up using this morning and night after the capsules ran out and man did my skin go downhill quickly. I'm positive the strong scent caused issues with my skin and made me break out in many angry red spots that I haven't seen in a long time. I was very happy when I finally ran out of this because it did absolutely nothing for me. Not using a serum was better for my skin that using this. Absolutely unacceptable for a £32 product.

I just looked tired and dull. Balance Me claim that this serum helps reduce pigmentation and even out the skin tone; it made it worse. The dark red spots left behind by the spots would just not disappear until I stopped using it. It's been 4 days since I stopped and it's like my skin has done a 180; who knew a product could wreak such havoc. 

Malin + Goetz // Revitalizing Eye Cream Review

Malin + Goetz // Revitalizing Eye Cream
RRP £68 for 15ml

This is a 2.5ml sample I chose as part of a Latest In Beauty box in February 2019.

First Impressions:

5th May 2020 - This is not an eye cream; it's a face oil. I honestly just feel like I'm spreading coconut oil on my eyes, it's so weird. It just doesn't absorb in the slightest and I'm worried this is another product that's gone off.

Usage
First use - 5th May 2020
Last use - 11th May 2020

Would I buy it: Absolutely not.

Overall Impressions:

I've barely used the 2.5ml sample but I just can't go on using it anymore. I hate this product. I used it for 6 nights and the dark circles kept getting darker and my eyes would be dry with white patches in the morning. I was not impressed. Due to the greasy nature it kept getting in my eyes causing my vision to blur slightly due to the oilyness of it. It didn't matter how careful I was in my application; it still got in my eyes. It's funny because when writing this post I went to Malin + Goetz to look up what they claim this eye cream does and they say it doesn't migrate into the eyes!

Absolute lies. I'm pretty convinced this is just coconut oil despite what the ingredients say as it's somewhat solid in the morning and then after a shower it's this curdled gloopy mess that has separated from the warmth and you have to mix it back together again. This product had clearly gone off even when I received it back in February last year because even then when I quickly opened it, it was an off-white gel looking product with white granules in it. This is what it looks like on the website:

It has never looked like this. I've tried other things from this brand and been sorely disappointed by all of them. I really don't understand the extortionate price tag on them. I will definitely avoid this brand from now on.

Elizabeth Arden // Superstart Skin Renewal Booster Review

Elizabeth Arden // Superstart Skin Renewal Booster
RRP £45 for 30ml

This is a 5ml sample that I chose in the Feel Unique Pick 'n' Mix a couple of months ago. The service costs £3.95 for 5 samples.

First Impressions:

27th April 2020

I thought this was a serum but after reading the back I realised it said to be used before your serum, so right now I'm doing cleanse, tone, essence, booster, serum, eye cream, moisturiser then SPF. I've used it twice so far and I actually really like it. It's a lightweight gel that absorbs super fast but it doesn't feel drying. I have no idea what it's supposed to but I love adding products to my routine.

Usage

First use - 26th April 2020

Last use - 8th May 2020

2nd May 2020

I've been enjoying this product so much that I've just purchased four 5ml samples off eBay for £5. I really can't afford to be spending £45 every month on a serum but fortunately a lot of the 5ml samples go regularly on eBay for 99p. I've been using it morning and night before my serum and my skin is just glowing. Although that could also be the combination of this and the Ceramide capsules. I only have 2 of those left and they're just so expensive 😥

Would I buy it: Yes.

Overall Impressions:

What a fantastic product. I now have six 5ml samples thanks to eBay which has effectively given me a £45 full size product. In total it cost me £10. I've set up an alert now that emails me when more of them are posted on eBay and I will continue to keep buying the samples. After I ran out of the first sample on 8th May, I didn't open another until a week later to see if it had any effect on my skin; I had terrible skin that week. This booster just seems to 'boost' the effectiveness of other products and helps remove the dark redness left behind by angry spots. My skin looks flawless when I use this. I can't recommend it enough.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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.

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.