Clarins All About Eyes Review

Hi Guys!

As you may or may not know I was given this set for Christmas from my beloved auntie. I have been using the products for a few months now so thought I would share my thoughts with you all.

I was using my no 7 protect and perfect eye cream but after using it for...not all that long, just over a month I think it was, it started to irritate my eyes. It gave me like a burning sensation to my eye area so I stopped using it and gave my eyes a break then went back to it a week later. The same thing happened so I binned it. I gave my eyes another little break this time for a fortnight and then thought I would give this Clarins set a go. Clarins can be a gentle brand which is just what I needed for my eye area after my no 7 disaster.

In the set you get a full sized wonder perfect mascara and 3ml of the Eye Revive Beauty Flash (white tube) and 4ml of the Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch (red pot). The first one is an eye cream designed to minimize dark circles, tighten, decongest and depuff your eye area and the latter is an primer for your under eye area for use alone or under make up.

Lets get the negatives out of the way first, the mascara. The only full sized product in the set and its the one I have been the least impressed with. I just plain don't like it. It doesn't do anything for my lashes, it doesn't lengthen them, it doesn't make them look thicker, it doesn't hold a curl well and on top of that it clumps ALOT. I have tried to find away to use this and not hate it but I haven't managed to yet. I have to be soo careful applying it or it clumps on the first coat it always clumps on the second coat. it makes my lashes look quite spider like and that is really not the look I am going for. Its supposed to deliver maximum length, curl and volume and I can't say that I think it did any of those things sadly. I have passed this on to my mum to see if she has better luck with it. This retails for £21 for 7mls and comes in black, brown and blue.

Next up is the instant smooth perfecting touch eye primer. I freaking love this product! My eyes are generally quite puffy at the moment and a little dark due to disturbed sleep I have also noticed a couple of fine lines forming too, oh joy! Without this product my concealer and foundation settle in the lines making them look far deeper than they do when I don't have make up on. When I use this it almost acts like polyfiller or something because although the lines are still there they look ever so faint and nothing settles in them, its like the make up skims over them instead making them far less noticeable  I have used this every day since I started trying it and am so pleased with it. It says to apply to fine lines, wrinkles and diluted pores. I have some pores either side of my nose and tried using it on them and again my foundation skimmed them rather than settled in them making them less noticeable so I was even more pleased. Then I kind of took it a step too far and thought a little is good so more must be better and just slapped it all over my face underneath my foundation. This gave me a terrible breakout. Now this might just be me but I have now gone back to following the directions on the side of the tub and just putting it on my under eye area and occasionally on my diluted pores. I think my breakout was caused by a combination of things so I am not holding this product wholly responsible but it was certainly a contributing factor. Just using it on my under eyes and pores though has not resulted in any spots so I am a happy bunny. I still have a fair amount of this left too so it lasts well. This retails for £26 for 15 ml and I would imagine that would last ages as I am still plowing my way through 4 mls despite daily use, but none the less it is a pricey product.

Lastly the eye revive beauty flash eye cream, I also really freaking love this product! I have finished the 3 ml sample but ran out and bought the full sized version as soon as I had squeezed the last drop from the sample. This retails for £29 for 20 ml so is a bit more pricey than your standard eye cream but most eye creams are 15 ml so you get a bit more product too. You only need a tiny amount of this and I apply it morning and night. It has brightened up my whole eye area, it has made them less puffy and less dark. In fact I wouldn't say they are puffy at all anymore. When I touch my under eye area it feels a lot softer and hydrated than it did before and it never feels tight under there any more no matter how tired I am. The cream is quite thin and so is easily patted into the skin and it feels light so is great to use in the morning before your make up. I must admit I tend to feel that thicker creams do more for your under eye area but they aren't really practical to use in the morning as they take so long to sink in, as this cream is quite thin you don't have that problem but I really do feel like it is doing something for my problem areas.

To sum up...

I am really pleased with this set it was £20 and I think its a great way to try out some expensive products for not too bad of a price. As I mentioned above I have already purchased a replacement for the eye revive but I haven't bought the instant smooth as I still have a fair amount left. I am toying with the idea as it is quite expensive for a primer, especially as it only primes one part of your face but I am leaning more towards purchasing it because it just makes such a difference to my face when my make up is on. When your fine lines look like deep wrinkles you look ALOT older and like most of us I don't want that! Plus I think 15 ml will last you quite a while as 4 ml is lasting ages. I would avoid the mascara but I do think mascara responds to everyones lashes differently so just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean that it won't work for you but I think the clumping issue is something to bear in mind. I think this was a limited edition set for the Christmas period but is still available on ebay, it seems to have been released the last few Christmas' too so may be one to add to your Christmas list if you fancy trying it and can wait that long!

Sorry its such a long post! Have you guys tried any of these products? What were your thoughts? 

TTFN

Sianni xxx

Good SLS Free Shampoo for Babies

Hi Guys

Just a quick one today! I haven't wanted to use anything with sulphates on my little mans skin as its so delicate and baby shampoos like regular shampoos still have sulphates in them.

So I have been using this, Mini Naked Knee High De-tangler Shampoo, I got this in boots it was £4 for a 250ml sized bottle, which is considerably different to Johnsons baby shampoo which is £1.17 for 300ml. Sulphate free products can be on the pricey side but the Naked range is one of the cheaper ranges but is really good quality, so I thought I would try this and see how he got on with it.

It works really well. It lathers well, doesn't cause any irritation to the eyes, skin or scalp and it leaves my little mans hair beautifully soft and shiny. You only need a really small amount. On the first use I wasn't sure how it would lather so used a blob the size of a pound coin and this was far too much, now I use about half the size of a pea and this seems to be about right. 

The other products they do in the mini naked range are a bath foam, bath wash, body butter and the shampoo. Everything is £4 each, 97% natural and free from nasties. They are currently on offer in boots for £3 each here I think I'll buy the bath foam next as my little man loves bubbles!

All in all I'm really pleased with this, I know its a bit more expensive but in my eyes its worth it to protect his delicate skin, scalp and hair from being irritated or sensitized by sulphates. If you are wanting to avoid sulphates in your babies or children's bath products then I would definitely recommend that you check out the naked range in boots. They have all the mini naked products in the baby aisle but they also do a range aimed at older children in the children's section, these ones have some fun scents like jam sandwiches, view the full range here.

I know this is a bit of a baby related post but I thought I would share my discovery with you in case anyone found it helpful! I hope you don't mind the occasional baby related post?

TTFN

Sianni xxx

Nuxe Reve De Miel Lipbalm Review

Hi Guys

I bought into the hype once again, I really must start showing some restraint! Anyway I bought the much loved Nuxe Reve de miel lip balm during my last feel unique haul. I have heard so many good things about this I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about....

Feelunique £9.50 (here)

It smells divine, a lovely honey zesty smell which is one of my favourite scents. It is quite solid in the pot, and has a really thick consistency. It applies really well to the lips and is easily absorbed by them. It doesn't sit on top of them like vaseline so is nice a moisturising. It looks a lovely lemmony colour in the pot but is sheer when you apply it to your lips. As it is sheer I have been using this before bed to wear over night as that's often when my lips get the most chapped. 

I must admit I have been waking up to beautifully soft lips since I have been using this. So soft in fact that I find that I keep touching them upon waking because they feel so soft and smooth, and for as long as I can remember I have always woken up to painful chapped lips. This lip balm is specifically for dry and chapped lips so if you don't suffer with either of these complaints then it may be one to miss, especially as it has a hefty price tag.

Its so easy to slather on just before you get into bed, the lovely smell is nice as your drifting off to sleep and then you wake up to lovely soft, smooth lips. Perfect. 

I can see why this has been soo hyped up because it is such a good product. So many lip balms are quite thin which means they need reapplying frequently which you can't do overnight so its nice to find one thats thick and creamy like this that works all night.

All in all I'm really pleased with it and have been enjoying my lovely soft lips in the morning. I do think that its expensive for a lip balm but it does come in a large pot and has been doing the trick for me. I think if you get it in France is a lot more reasonable. 

Have you tried the Nuxe Reve De Miel? Do you think its worth the price tag?

TTFN

Sianni xxx

Caudalie Beaty Elixir Review

Hi Guys

I know there are loads of reviews out in the blogosphere of this product but I got it during my last feel unique haul so I thought I would review it.

Feel Unique £10.35 here

I have been using this to set my make up and if I need a quick refresh during the day. Some people also use it as a toner, it seems to have many uses!

Firstly the smell, it smells really strongly of mint and I must admit I am not a fan. I think if it was a subtle scent it wouldn't be too bad but its just too over powering for me.

Secondly the price, its quite expensive I got the 30 ml bottle and it was £10.35, a 100 ml bottle is almost £30 so this is not a cheap step in your skincare or make up routine. Having said that I got this bottle early February and I still have about a quarter of it left so it is lasting well. How long a bottle lasts you will depend on what you use it for, I think as if you use it for all of its many uses then it won't last as long due to constant use but for what I use it for, it is lasting quite well.

Thirdly performance. I must admit I don't wear much in the way of powder as my skin is quite dry and powder clings to the dry patches and makes them look worse. I tend to put a tiny amount on the end of my nose and my chin as they can get a touch shiny through the day. So I haven't noticed the beauty elixir making my face look less powdery as it doesn't look too powdery in the first place. I do think that it helps my make up face achieve the radiant look and I have found that this helps my make up to last longer which is always helpful. I haven't used it as a toner so I can't comment on its performance in that respect. I like that this sprays like a mist so fine drops of the product land over a good surface area of your face rather than those sprays that just get all the product in one spot. I also like the packaging. The glass bottle is very sturdy and you can see how much you have left so if this is a holy grail product for you, you can replace it in good time when you are running low which is a plus for me. 

At the moment I don't think I will repurchase this, I have enjoyed having a facial mist as part of my routine and have liked that it seems to improve the staying power of my make up so I think I will look into other make up setting sprays and maybe try some different ones for comparison. For me this one hasn't wow'd me as I thought it would and I am really not a fan of the strength of the smell so I would like to try something else.  I can always come back to this in future if I change my mind, which is a woman's prerogative after all! 

Have you tried the Caudalie Beauty Elixir? What are your thoughts? 

TTFN

Sianni xxx

Boots Extracts Mango Sugar Scrub Review

Hi Guys!

I got this scrub for Christmas, and included it in my what I got for Christmas post here and have been using it ever since so I thought I would share my thoughts with you.

Firstly this is part of the boots extracts line which uses natural and fairtrade ingredients so if you like being kind to your environment and the people you share your world with then this is a big thumbs up.

Secondly price wise I think this is very reasonable as some scrubs can be really quite pricey but this is only £7.95 for a whopping 400ml so I think its really good value for money. Boots also do a matching body butter also for £7.95.

Lastly, the review itself! The scrub smells absolutely divine, the mango scent is quite strong but not at all over powering. Just lovely. The scrub has a butter like texture and as you rub it in to your skin the sugar exfoliates your skin. I wouldn't say this is a harsh scrub but I wouldn't call it the most gentle either. It does the job without irritating my skin and I have quite sensitive eczema prone skin. It has shea butter in it which means that after you have washed the scrub off your skin feels not only exfoliated but lovely and moisturised too. The instructions say to follow with a body butter or moisturiser but I think you can get away without doing that as the shea butter gives you some moisture  Personally my skin is quite dry so time allowing I follow with a moisturiser. I find that the smell lasts well on your skin too.

I have really been enjoying using this. It leaves my skin beautifully soft and smooth, it doesn't irritate my skin and is not to harsh but also isn't so gentle that you don't feel like its doing anything. If you enjoy a good old scrub then I think you will like this. The boots extracts line has two other scents in this line, almond and cocoa butter, these also have matching body butters if you want to co-ordinate your scents. I will definitely repurchase this. They also often have this on 3 for 2 in boots so it is worth a try if you enjoy scrubs and fruity scents.

Have you tried anything from the boots extracts line? 

TTFN

Sianni xxx

Rimmel Apocolips Review

Hi Guys!

I indulged in a little 3 for 2 offer in boots the other day and got myself some Apocolips! I was soo looking forward to these as they looked amazing and let me tell you they do not disappoint.

I only went for the one shade as I didn't know how I would get on with them. I got the shade celestial which is a beautiful deep almost plummy pink. These retail for £5.99

The unique selling point of these Apocolips is that they have the colour pay off of lipstick but are moisturising and glossy like a lip gloss. They certainly live up to this claim. The pigmentation of these is amazing, they have quite a thick consistency compared to regular lip gloss but this all helps to pack in the colour. They feel hydrating to the lips rather than drying. These didn't dry my lips out at all which is great as I do suffer from really dry lips. They are glossy for a while but do eventually dry and look more matte. There is still good colour pay off when they are matte which is great as you can then pop a clear lip balm over the top rather than reapplying if you wish, they are a little bit like a stain in that sense.

Its a doe fort applicator which is my preferred method of application for lip glosses but unlike regular lip glosses it has a little well in it which has some product in so you can coat all of your lips with one application rather than keep having to dip the applicator back into the product. 

The only negative is that when they are looking lovely and glossy on your lips they do transfer to your drinking glass or anyone you kiss or anything that touches your lips. "Sian did you just take a bite of my sandwich?"..."urm no"..."I can see your lipstick mark on the bread"...oh dagnabit! This isn't an issue once they have mattified. I have read reports of bleeding but this personally hasn't been a problem for me.

All in all a fab product, I would recommend these if you love bold colour. I am really enjoying using it and am even eyeing up some of the other shades like Nova and Stella. 

Have you tried the Apocolips yet? What are your thoughts?

TTFN

Sianni xxx

Clarins Haul

Hi Guys!

I feel a bit strange calling this a haul as I ordered one thing from the Clarins website (www.clarins.co.uk) but when you order online you get three free samples to try and they also have an offer on at the moment where by you get three other free sample sized products to try. So although I only ordered one thing, 7 items arrived, so I'm calling it a haul.

You get to choose what samples you try from a selection but the selection doesn't include all of there products. The large box in the picture is my full sized item that I ordered which is the Hand and Nail treatment cream. This retails for £20 so is on the pricey side but it is my all time favourite hand cream. You get 100 mls and it lasts ages! I got my last one for Christmas 2011 and have only just run out even though I use it every day before bed. This is definitely a HG item for me.

The samples I chose are:

HydraQuench Rich Cream for very dry skin or cold climates

Daily Energizer Cream

Daily Energizer Wake Up Booster

Pure Melt Cleansing Gel

Bronzing Duo Compact

Colour Quench Lip Balm - it doesn't say what shade this is in but there is only one choice in the sample list.

I was so pleased the cleanser was in the choices because I have been wanting to try this for the last few months as my skin is soo dry at the moment. I have red, dry, flakey patches on my face at the moment and no amount of moisturiser is shifting it.I thought this would be worth a go as its meant to be quite hydrating. From reading up on it, it comes out of the tube like a gel, then as you massage it into your face it turns into like an oil then as you rinse it off it turns into more of a cleansing milk, it sounds like such an interesting concept am really looking forward to giving this a go.

I have used HydraQuench before and it is a good really intensely moisturising cream. This sample also comes in a whopping 15 ml where as the other samples are 5 ml so this is a good generous size. I know I will get use out of this.

Clarins Bronzing Duo Compact.

L-R Left side of Bronzing Duo, Right side of Bronzing Duo, Colour Quench Lip Balm.

The lip balm feels nice on the lips, not at all sticky. Couldn't resist slapping it on after I took the photo! Its a nice pinky shade too which is very wearable for most people. The bronzing compact looked good as it has quite a pale shade in it as well as a darker one but as you can see from the swatch they look a bit orangey on me so am not sure if I will get much use out of this. The powder is very finely milled though and feels very luxurious so if I can find a way to make it work for me I will! The compact comes in reflective gold packaging with a nice sized mirror in the lid.

The Daily Energizer range is a more affordable range of products from Clarins, still high end but more affordable than there other products. It is designed for people in there late teens and twenty's which technically I am so I thought I would give it a go but I do think I am probably too old for it to meet my skin needs but I will try them out and see. The wake up booster is a toner and the cream is a moisturiser. They do a lotion in this too if you want something lighter which is good but I thought the cream would be best for my dry skin. 

Sorry this is such a long post! Are you a Clarins fan? Have you tried any of these products? What are your thoughts?

TTFN

Sianni xxx