Avene Triacneal

Alongside using Avene’s Cleanance cleanser, I also used Avene Triacneal to diminish pigmentation and post scarring caused by blemishes. The product itself is rather expensive, retailing at £23.00, however I decided to give it ago based on positive reviews. The product itself is a yellowy creamy formula- be careful as it may stain your pillow cases. It must be used only in the evenings, after cleansing and toning, and not forgetting to use a sunscreen during the day as it does make your skin rather sensitive to the sun (plus you don’t want your pigmentations/dark spots to get any darker).

I used this product nearly every night, for up to two months. I like how it absorbs into the skin very quickly. However, like the cleanser, my face felt greasy afterwards. Unfortunately, I did not notice a big difference and I breakout a lot more too. I’m not sure if that’s meant to happen. But I’ve stopped using it since last summer 2012 and I am giving it another go this month. 

Avene Cleanance Cleanser

This was one of the cleansers I had used during summer 2012. It was on a promotion at the Garden Pharmacy website, so I thought I’d give it a go after hearing so many good reviews. The bottle itself lasted very long- I finished the bottle in 3 months. It lathers nicely on to the face and cleans off makeup well. However, my face still felt slightly greasy after.

I’d definitely recommend it for those with dry and sensitive skin, it’s a lovely gentle gel cleanser. But personally, it did not control the oil on my face.

Haul - Forever 21 & Primark

 Chain - Primark 1.50 GBP

 How cute is this little heart chain!!
 Chain - Primark 1.50 GBP

Tops: Forever 21;  White flower lace top left side 12.95 GBP; Sweater right side: 14.95 GBP (This sweater looks like the famous heart sweater from Wildfox, but sooo much cheaper. Amazing! It has fleece on the inside and is super comfy.)

 Watch: Fossil
 Bracelet: Forever 21

Shoes: Primark 8 GBP


Hope you guys are well,
xxxxx

Dry Shampoo: John Frieda, TRESemmé, Batiste

I am absolutely loving dry shampoos at the moment!

As my hair is super thin and gets greasy very quickly too I am literally trying out all hair products I can find with the word 'volume' in the title.

When I was younger I had a fringe, a full one, just like Rory in Gilmore Girls, and I was forced to wash my hair daily to make it look ok. One day my mum brought me some dry shampoo and I started using it on my fringe. I got all excited and used it every other day instead of washing my hair. After a while I realized how white my hair got after using the dry shampoo. I was so proud of my dry shampoo... haha ... but I stopped using it after classmate asked me why I already have grey hair.

Now dry shampoos seem to be reinvented. I tried out three:

1. John Frieda Luxurious Volume Anytime Volume Refresher Spray

This was the first dry shampoo I purchased. It had the word 'volume' written all over it so I simply could not resist. It promises that it "revives volume when hair falls flat". In my opinion it does make the hair look less greasy but I could not see a lot more volume. The way I use dry shampoo is the following: I part my hair into sections and then spray it on my roots. I leave it for a few seconds and then massage it into my hair with my fingers. When doing this using the John Frieda spray I felt every time that something sticks on my fingers. They felt so dirty. The John Frieda dry shampoo costs around 5 GBP and contains 125ml.

2. TRESemmé Instant Refresh Voluminising Dry Shampoo

This dry shampoo is especially made for fine to oily hair. I think it is amazing! I love the smell of it (it states that it consists lemongrass) and I also do not feel that there is a layer of white powder left in my hair after using it. For 200ml I paid 4.79 GBP in Boots which is cheaper that the John Frieda Refresher Spray. Nevertheless, with both products I had the feeling that they finish very quickly. I do use some dry shampoo every other day and had to replace the product after around one month.

3. Batiste Dry Shampoo (Floral & Flirty Blush)

This dry shampoo is my absolute favourite out of all the three. It is very light and I really feel that it is absorbing the grease out of my hair roots. Additionally, it comes in different designs and smells. I love the floral & flirty smell, it is sooo yummy. And how cute and retro is the pink bottle?! The price is 4.99 GBP in Boots for 200ml.

Big Love, 

Biotherm – Biopur Starter Kit, Combination/Oily skin

Hi Everyone!

Sorry for not posting for so long, it has been very busy for us both for the past two months. I have been volunteering for the Olympic Torch Relay and straight after I had my graduation ceremony. Now it’s time for me to join the big world of work, whilst Helen will start her postgraduate studies in September. Exciting time for us both!!!

I want to do a quick review on a starter kit I bought from Biotherm. As I was new to Biotherm, I purchased a starter kit from Debenhams for £9.50. The kit included:

-          Purifying Moisturiser 20ml

-          Biopur Cleanser 20ml

-          Biopur Toner 30ml

I didn’t have high expectations when I first purchased the kit. At the beginning of July my skin was extremely oily, the cleanser I was using didn’t help control the oil on my face and as such I broke out a lot.

After two weeks of using the kit, I have noticed that it has helped reduced the appearance of shiny skin on my face. I was extremely impressed with the cleanser and moisturiser and will definitely repurchase. As for the toner, I felt that it was not doing much.

Overall I would give this 4/5

Clarins Lisse Minute Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch - Primer

Hey peeps,

We are so sorry for not having posted anything in such a long time. Life was so busy and we have been enjoying the wonderful sun in the past week.

Buuuut today I wanted to show you this super amazing primer that I have been using for the past month: 'Clarins Lisse Minute Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch'. I have acne prone skin which gets very oily during the day so that when I put on my make up in the morning it literally has melted away in the evening. I also have very big pores in my T-zone. Very annoying!

In the blogging world the Clarins perfecting touch primer has the status as a miracle product. I had to try this!! I got mine in House of Fraser on Oxford Street in London for 25 GBP. Not cheap and I was a bit shocked when I saw the actual size of the product in the shop as it is tiny. Nevertheless, you only need so little product that it still lasts for a long time (You can see on the picture below how much I used up in one month).

I am using the primer every day and I have been loving it! It is gorgeous! I do not put the cream all over my face but only on my T-zone, mainly on and around my nose and on my cheeks as these are the parts where my skin is most uneven. I put the primer on after my moisturizer and before my foundation. It is also possible to mix it with your foundation but I did not try that yet.

The primer is very sticky but not in a negative way. I find it very moisturizing and it makes my skin feel very silky too. My pores do not disappear completely but combined with foundation and powder they are a lot less visible than without the primer. Plus, for some reason I feel that my skin looks a lot nicer and more even on pictures. It is a must have for me!

Love,

Essie Resort Collection 2012

I purchased the Essie Resort Collection 2012 which includes four different colors of Essie nail polish: Sure Shot, No More Film, Pink-A-Boo, She's Picture Perfect.

You can save a whole bunch of money if you purchase the mini collection which includes the same colors but in mini form (5 ml). The mini collection costs 10 GBP and is available for example via ASOS. Because I love trying out new shades I hardly ever finish one nail polish bottle so that the mini collection was just the right thing for me.

                                                                                    photo taken in daylight (sunny)


The first shade I tried out was Sure Shot, a lovely shimmery pink. I find that it is a very warm shade, like a candy. I applied two coats but I thought that one coat was already quite covering. I loved the result, pefect for a warm summer day :)