Prai Platinum // Firm & Lift Creme Review

Prai Platinum // Firm & Lift Creme
RRP £35 for 50ml

This is a 10ml sample that I received in a Look Fantastic box.

First Impressions:
(I can't remember)

Usage
First use - Not sure, definitely 2019
Last use - December 2019

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

I'm starting to make my way through my box of used products to write about so the details on this one may be a bit more vague. I know we received a Prai neck cream in a previous Look Fantastic box so I decided to use this in the exact same way even though it's not a dedicated neck cream. It is a luxe, thick cream and I like the texture but I don't feel it did anything for my decollete area. Due to this I don't feel it would do anything for your face either. Due to how rich it is as well it may end up being to much for some.

It does have good reviews which is strange with one reviewer saying "all women over 35 should be using this". I'm a few years off 35 but I've got some bad lines forming on my neck due to the dreaded "tech-neck". I feel other products have done more to combat these lines than this cream. 

At £35 it's not horrendously priced for a multi-purpose day and night cream but I'd prefer to use separate creams as your skin has different needs during the day than during the night. This cream also offers no SPF which I know can be a turn off for some. I apply an SPF separately as most SPF containing products only offer UVB protection (leaving you exposed to UVA radiation).

I have no desire to purchase this cream after using up the sample though.

The Botanica Lab // Collagen & Hemp Oil Body Lotion Review

The Botanica Lab // Collagen & Hemp Oil Body Lotion
RRP £4.99 for 739ml

This is 739ml bottle that I bought from TK Maxx for £4.99.

First Impressions:

The scent is not what I was expecting; it's way more lavender than vanilla and quite bitter. I was hoping it would be smooth and sweet. As a lotion it's cheap and cheerful. It takes a while to absorb and your skin kind of feels a bit dry after application.

Usage
First use - October 2019
Last use - January 2020

Would I buy it: No.

Overall Impressions:

After some research it appears that this is probably one of TK Maxx's "in-house" brands as I can't find it anywhere on the internet. There is a Botanical Lab sold in superdrug and a cuisine website called Botanica Lab but nothing on google about this product. It's clearly something you can only buy in stores.

I ended up buying this one because at the time I was in a bit of a bind and I needed a body lotion that would last me a good 3/4 months that didn't cost over a fiver. For that price point I wasn't expecting miracles and ended up purchasing this one due to it's hefty 739ml size. I managed to completely finish it as I don't like wasting products anymore but I wouldn't buy it again (or anything else from this 'range'). It left my skin feeling dry even though it wasn't really all that dry. I think crunchy might be a better word to use. Like when you're hair is crunchy and you need to scrunch the product to get it feeling soft again...only I can't scrunch my skin.

I was deliberately using more than I needed as well so I would go through it faster. I'm always wary of buying TK Maxx brands because of the cheap ingredients and whereas this didn't cause any negative effects it didn't wow me. It was adequate is the best thing I can say about it.

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. 

Look Fantastic Beauty Box // June 2020 Review

I think the bag that this months product came in is actually the best part about the entire box. It's absolutely adorable! A shame we can't travel anywhere but our gardens

Anyway, here are the items:

Polaar // 50 Factor Sun Lotion

20ml Sample

RRP £18.83 for 50ml

Finally! They've sent SPF products with both UVA and UVB protection. That said this doesn't have a star rating for the UVA so I don't imagine it will be very high. But some UVA protection is better than none. This isn't advertised as for face and body so I will stick it in my bike bag. It has a very light sun cream scent (it's really only noticeable if you stick you nose to your skin) and the consistency is very light and non greasy. It also doesn't leave a white cast on the skin. I like it 👍

Molton Brown // Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Bath & Shower Gel

100ml Travel Size

RRP £22 for 300ml

You can't buy the travel size individually but you can get 3 for £23 via their Pick n Mix service. I'm not a fan of Molton Brown. We've received 3 of these shower gels from Look Fantastic over the past couple of years; at least it's a different scent this time. I think this is the nicest scent so far; it reminds me of the beach in the morning. It's crisp and salty with some slight sweetness coming through. 

Ultrasun // SPF30 Lip Protection & Care

4.8g Full Size

RRP £6

Another product with UVA protection! You can never have too many lip balms and this one actually has a 3 star UVA rating as well as being SPF30 so it's an excellent lip balm to have. It's a lovely balm texture that isn't greasy or slippy; it reminds me of the malibu balms. I can definitely see myself buying another.

Josh Wood Colour // Everything Mask

30ml Sample

RRP £19 for 140ml

I have hair down to my butt so this 30ml sample will probably last one use. I colour my hair once a year (if that) but this claims to hydrate and condition in just 5 minutes; or it can be left on overnight. Looking at the ingredients I can see a few silicones (which is great for my type of 3b hair) and some proteins. So it appears to be a good all-round deep conditioner.

Glov // Mini Detangler

Full Size

RRP N/A

This is not for sale anywhere. It didn't come in any packaging and I have no idea what it's actually called as the booklet is online this month. I think this is a bit of a cop-out item as it must be something the brand had lying around that was bundled with something else and they wanted to get rid of it. I have 5 of these brushes now from various boxes (and brands) and they're all the same. I find them annoying to use in the shower as well because they slip out of your hand easily.

Shangpree // Aroma Blend Calming Mask

1 Sheet

RRP £3.50 each or £25 for 10

Can't go wrong with Korean sheet masks. I just wish they would give us a whole box instead of just one. 

An ok month with the highlight being the bag and the only item I don't like being the hair brush. For £13 it's not too shabby.

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.

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.