Beauty Pie // Ultralight UVA/UVB SPF25 Review

Beauty Pie // Ultralight UVA/UVB SPF25
RRP £13.50/£23* for 50ml

I bought this on the 10th April 2024 for £13.50 from the Beauty Pie website. 

Beauty Pie is a membership-based company. I am a "pro" member which means I pay £59 a year. This enables me to purchase items at "discounted" prices as many times as I want in a year. Their £29 a year membership only allows you to place four orders a year. *If you don't have a membership it costs £23.

First Impressions:
Has that classic sunscreen scent but isn't too strong. It's very pleasant and reminds me of holidays. It slightly on the greasy side but I like the "dewy" glow it gives my skin. The best part is no white cast at all.

Usage
First use - ?
Last use - ?

I've been using this for the past year and half and I've just started the third tube.

Would I buy it: Yes. I bought another one a few months ago and it was on sale recently for £8.10 so I bought another.

Overall Impressions:
I love this stuff, even though I have no idea what rating the UVA is. Could be 1 star for all we know. I do love that this doesn't clog my pores or cause breakouts. I swear it even has a green tint to it and because of that it just melts into my skin, no clashes at all. The past eighteen months I've had no burning or deep tan lines on my face. I think it does a good job and works well with my existing moisturiser and makeup products. It does make your face very dewy, so if you want a matte look, you'll have to cake the products on a bit. I think £13.50 is very reasonable for this product, £23 not so much, I'd definitely go looking for a different product at that price.

Beauty Pie // Super Healthy Skin Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream Review

Beauty Pie // Super Healthy Skin Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream
RRP £19/£39* for 50ml

I bought this on the 10th September 2025 as part of an order I did from the Beauty Pie website. 

Beauty Pie is a membership-based company. I am a "pro" member which means I pay £59 a year. This enables me to purchase items at "discounted" prices as many times as I want in a year. Their £29 a year membership only allows you to place four orders a year. *If you don't have a membership, this item costs £39.

First Impressions:
This is actually the seventh jar I've finished since I started ordering from Beauty Pie last year. This was one of the products in my first order (26.02.24). The moisturiser, and the skin elixir serum, are the reasons I continue to use Beauty Pie. This cream feels luxurious on the skin. It's thick and comforting and leaves my skin feeling hydrated. At first, it looks like it will leave you with greasy skin but give it 5 to 10 minutes and you'll have a satin finish. I love mixing this with my foundation to create the perfect tinted moisturiser. It has a light, sweet, floral scent that disappears quickly.

Usage
First use - 15.09.2025
Last use - 30.12.2025

I don't always do a full skincare routine in the morning but I always do it before bed, so that can extend the longevity. However, I use a good amount of this everytime, I'd say half a walnut. I've learnt that using small amounts to make a product "last longer" is counter-intuitive; just use the product.

Would I buy it: Yes. I'm about to start jar number 8.

Overall Impressions:
This product doesn't pill, mixes with other products well and I can tell when I haven't been using it because my skin looks and feels tight and dry. I'm currently using a sample of a new Beauty Pie moisturiser before starting my next jar and I'm starting to look haggard again. I've been trying to find a dupe or alternative product for this moisturiser but I just can't. This is my holy grail moisturiser.

There's a "version 2" of this cream on the Beauty Pie website which is £29 (£49 non-members) and I have no interest in trying it. Maybe one day I will but the trial results for v2 score lower with testers than the trial results for the original so I feel that kind of says it all.

If you're interested in trying this out, Beauty Pie always seem to do trial periods. Give it a go and see what you think.

Origins // Plantscription Anti-Aging Power Eye Cream Review

Origins // Plantscription Anti-Aging Power Eye Cream
RRP £45 for 15ml

I received this as part of an Origins Advent calendar a couple of years ago. It took me a while to get round to using it.

First Impressions:
This has a light earthy scent to it and has the consistency of a thick, moisturising face cream. It absorbs well and leaves the eye area looking refreshed and hydrated.

Usage
First use - Around July 2025
Last use - 29.12.2025

Would I buy it: Maybe?

Overall Impressions:
I reviewed the serum in this range back in 2020. Back then, I was a massive Origins buyer and nearly my entire routine was Origins products. I haven't actually bought anything from Origins in years now. I think I can tell a difference when using this product. I'm not sure anymore as my current moisturiser and serum do a lot of heavy lifting. I will say, I don't suffer from dry patches around my eyes whilst using this and my laughter lines seem subdued.

I have two eye creams to get through but seeing as it takes me around five months to get through 5ml of product, I have a feeling I won't need to buy eye creams until the end of 2026. If I don't like either of them, I will probably end up re-purchasing this one when it's on sale, or as part of a gift as I do like it and I've always been a fan of the Plantscription range.

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.

Nuxe // Reve de Miel Ultra Comforting Face Cream Review

Nuxe // Reve de Miel Ultra Comforting Face Cream
RRP £27.50 for 50ml

This is a 15ml sample that I chose for my Lastest In Beauty box in March 2019.

First Impressions:

It took me a while to get round to get round to this. It's a lovely thick, rich cream and I used it once and woke up covered in spots. I check the ingredients and the 3rd ingredient is coconut oil which is a known comedogenic. This means that it's blocks the pores and causes breakouts. Now I love coconut oil; it's great for my hair but I always use it as a pre-poo and wash it off with shampoo otherwise my hair is a horrible greasy mess.

Usage
I used this once sometime in November 2019 and then promptly stopped using it. I didn't want to waste it though and finished the tube by using it has a hand cream which worked surprisingly well.

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

I've really started to go off Nuxe products; I just haven't found anything other than the creme fraiche cream to work. I love their perfume but the skin care products just seem to be full of cheap ingredients that should not cause the prices of the products to be as steep as they are. Take this product for example. The top 5 ingredients are water, glycerin, coconut oil, macadamia oil and rice bran oil. Moving on further down the huge ingredient list reveals more oils and many silicones. I used to think Nuxe were a luxury brand but not anymore; I'll be avoiding their products unless it's the Le Matin des Possibles perfume. I might do a review on that because it's a beautiful and unique scent.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.