Moisturiser
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| Birchbox November 2017 |
In contrast to the somewhat un-exciting Birchbox offerings in the last few months, I was very impressed with this month's offering so much that I decided to write about it.
It came with the usual cardboard drawer box featuring this month's collaboration with Vogue. I think this was a good thing as the product samples provided were mostly from known brands.
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat - Full Size RRP £9
I've been a loyal fan of Seche Vite Dry Fast top coat since I started blogging and have gone through at least 3 of these, that's impressive considering I have never finished a bottle of nail varnish! My latest bottle is on its last coats and I was happily surprised that a full sized version came with this box.
Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream Sample Size - Standard Size is RRP £21
This box came with a handy travel sized version of Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream. This cold winter season is the best time to receive this to keep your hands (feet, body, anywhere else!) soft and supple. I'm a strong advocate for moisturising to prevent premature ageing skin. My skin soaks this up without any greasy residue, and it smells of cherry blossoms too!
Benefit Hoola Bronzer Travel Size - Standard Size is £24.50
This is one of my favourite bronzers and the handy travel size is perfect for short trips.
Percy & Reed Volumising No Oil Oil Sample Size - Standard Size is £14
I admit, despite these years of beauty blogging, I am hopeless when it comes to fancy hair care. My hair routine is simple - grease-fighting shampoo for my oily scalp, air-drying my hair naturally and brushing down with a tangle-teaser. I'm not certain whether I would get much use of this one and I'll probably end up giving it away.
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| Birchbox Brush Cleaner on (Tiny) Size 6 Hands |
Birchbox Brush Cleaner £5
I currently use this larger grooved silicone oven glove from Amazon to wash my brushes with, but the Birchbox Brush Cleaner is a lot smaller and therefore perfect for travels to provide a deep-yet-gentle clean. I add a dollop of Dove Liquid Hand Wash with Shea Butter and Warm Vanilla to the mitt and swirl the brush on the brush cleaner until the bristles are clean and leave to air dry. Perfect.
As you can see, subscribing to this month's box is especially good value for money. If there's anything from this post you like, you can purchase a single box at £5 off using this link: Birchbox, no commitment necessary!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
I am frequently asked by patients what skincare I use to keep my skin in tip top shape and so I've written a post on a routine that I found works well for my combination skin. I am a firm believer in the US Navy's 'KISS principle' (Keep It Simple, Stupid!), and here are the skincare products I use in my daily routine.
At the beginning of the day, I wash my face with lukewarm water and a gentle milky cleanser like the La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Hydrating Cleansing Cream. To moisturise, protect my skin and to also provide a makeup base, I apply La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra Light Tinted Fluid SPF50+ and massage it into my skin.
At the end of the day, I use a micellar water cleanser. At the moment I use L'Oréal Paris Micellar Water for Normal to Dry Skin, but I find the cheaper Garnier works just as well. If my face is feeling particularly dry, I then wash with the milky cleanser above.
To treat my skin overnight, I find it is important to use a topical retinoid like Vichy Liftactiv Serum 10. I use two drops to cover the entire face. For added moisture, I apply La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra. The overnight version works better in cold winter days.
If I develop any new spots, I make sure to apply La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo twice daily to blemishes.
You'll notice that despite my combination skin (oily t-zone and dry cheeks) I use a lot of moisturising products.
It is important to keep your skin sufficiently hydrated to prevent flaky skin and inflammation, and it is also important to also clean your skin with gentle cleansers to avoid the building up of dirt which can clog pores.
A regular topical retinoid such as Vichy's offering above acts to destroy comedones, resolve the precursor micro-comedone lesions, prevent inflammation and allow for maintenance of clearance, preventing the formation of acne. I find that combining this with targeted treatment with salicylic acid (in Effaclar) works very well for my skin.
I hope this post helps. I am in no way affiliated with the companies mentioned above, but through my experience these products do the trick!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
A colleague at work got me interested in monthly beauty boxes again and the one she recommended was Birchbox.
I previously subscribed to other beauty boxes, such as Glossybox, but discontinued since I realised 1) I have more than enough skincare and makeup to last me a lifetime, 2) I already get sample sized products from beauty companies from blogging and dermatology reps that my excuse for 'travel-sized' products became redundant and 3) The samples I was usually provided ended up unused and less loved compared to the HG products I already purchased.
But there are also good things about the monthly boxes such as 1) As technology evolves, so does skincare and makeup and it is always useful to discover new products, 2) Beauty boxes tend to give a mix of makeup and skincare and boxes such as Birchbox takes into account your personal preferences, and 3) Receiving a new mystery beauty box every month makes it feel like its Christmas all year round!
There were three things that lured me into trying out Birchbox for May 2017. Undoubtedly these included the beautiful marble printed box that also doubles up as a drawer, the full sized Spectrum Collections C06 Tulip Eye Contour Brush with a white handle and gorgeous rose gold ferrule, and also that they had an offer for another box free. Bargain!
Here's a run through of the individual products and my initial thoughts on them.
Doucce Punk Volumizer Mascara RRP £18
This mascara has a jumbo fibre wand to add volume and thickness to lashes. I must say I am very impressed with this mascara. At first I was scared that the giant jumbo wand would smear my eyelids, but with a light hand, it avoids that, applies so easily and holds a curl on my stubborn straight lashes. This one's a winner for me!
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray RRP £19
I love this season-appropriate and trendy addition to the May Birchbox. Part dry shampoo and part texturiser, this sample travel-friendly size will save many holidays for lifted beachy hair.
Caudalie Vine Activ Glow Activating Anti-Wrinkle Serum RRP £36
This serum targets tiredness, stress and pollution. It contains an anti-cell burn-out complex to brighten dull skin and smooth fine lines.
Spectrum Collections Marbleous C06 Tulip Eye Contour Brush RRP £4.99
I love fluffy yet firm synthetic brushes for my eye contour and concealer. I think this brush will work for both. And I must say I am inlove with the rose gold ferrule!
Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow in Fifty Shades RRP £14.49
This shimmery gunmetal grey smokey loose mineral eyeshadow is paraben-free. Disaster always strikes when I use loose pigmented powders so this will find another home.
Manna Kadar Cosmetics High Definition Powder RRP £27
This pale vanilla powder has a velvety finish. Its an excellent travel size for the mobile makeup bag for touch ups through the day. I am likely to apply this on my oily T-zone which are also my 'highlight' areas so the paler shade wouldn't be much of a problem.
Baija Paris Creme Moana in Fleur de Tiare RRP £15.90
I had a silent squeal when I read the label. This is what I would expect a Disney's 'Moana' inspired moisturiser to smell like - shea butter and coconut oil - to smoothen parched skin. Of course this is in no way related to the Disney film, maybe just a coincidence.
Elemis Hydra-Boost Day Cream RRP £39
Everyone loves Elemis. This day cream has hyaluronic acid to improve the skin's hydration and texture. I would actually apply this for the day and night after cleansing. It makes your skin feel so smooth, I love it.
Polaar IcePure Gentle Scrub with Arctic Cotton RRP £23.50
Here's a skin smoothing body scrub that contains Arctic cotton for its moisturising properties. I would recommend limiting body scrubs to twice a week and following with moisturisers to avoid harsh effects on the skin.
ModelCo Eye Define Crayon Liner RRP £11
I am always on the look out for a HG eyeliner as despite these many years of beauty blogging, I still have not found it. ModelCo's offering is a twist-up pencil, so sharpening is not required. The formula is water-resistant but not as smudge or budge-proof as it claims. The formula isn't as creamy as one would hope, so there is a bit of tugging on application. It deposits a rich black matte colour that lasts long, with a thin tip that works well for my Asian eyelids.
Overall, while there are still some products I feel may go unloved from this set, I've enjoyed trying out my new products and my subscription will continue (for now). I look forward to the Birchbox in June!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
08/06/2017
Trying Out Birchbox
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| PRAI Beauty Luxury Skincare Review |
PRAI Beauty is a new upmarket skincare brand with some great high quality products enriched with key ingredients that help keep your skin youthful and vibrant. Nigel Barker (of whom I am a massive fan!) has just taken over as creative director.
I have tested these products for a while and I can say my favourite by far is the PRAI Beauty Platinum Firm and Lift Eye Serum*. I have noticed my under eyes magically transform and hydrate in prep for any eye makeup and I go to apply after. It contains platinum, nulastic silk and praisomes (the last two patented) with help lift and firm the skin and help erase fine lines and wrinkles. It is a firm textures and you can feel it working each time.
The PRAI Beauty 24K Gold Illuminator* is a rich creamy bronze formula which contains vitamin E and other antiaging peptides and vitamins. As it has a shimmery texture, I feel it is perfect for summer skincare. What I love is how it gives a beautiful and elegant glow, that is not overpowering, with its light reflecting particles.
The PRAI Beauty 24K Gold Illuminator* is a rich creamy bronze formula which contains vitamin E and other antiaging peptides and vitamins. As it has a shimmery texture, I feel it is perfect for summer skincare. What I love is how it gives a beautiful and elegant glow, that is not overpowering, with its light reflecting particles.
The PRAI Beauty Ageless Eye Dark Circle Corrector* is a slightly too light a shade and shimmery to work on my skin tone but its rich and creamy texture provides a good base to then apply concealer on top as it smooths out any wrinkles and illuminates the dark areas.
The PRAI Beauty 24K Gold Wrinkle Filler* is an extra thick texture and again provides a great base to put on concealer and has noticeably helped prevent and reduce creasing throughout the day. I have extremely sensitive skin and stress, cold weather and wearing makeup too regularly can really make my eczema flare, especially around my eyes. This product has really helped!
The PRAI Beauty 24K Gold Concentrate Retinol* firstly smells amazing. It has a lighter texture but contrarily gives a deep rich hydrating and really does make my skin glow.
I am in love with this range. The packaging is luxurious in gold and silver and products have been generously sized. These products are great for aging skin and those like me who have very dry/eczematous skin as they really moisturise to a new level.
Overall I think these products are great and would definitely recommend!
Shivanee | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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| Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment Review |
I have tons of these lil tubes trawled around the house and in different handbags, for a purpose. Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment is a non-scented multi-use greasy ointment that can cure a lot of woes.
This water-free ointment creates the ideal environment to support the recovery process of dry, damaged or irritated skin. The active ingredients Panthenol and Bisabolol are clinically proven to support the skin's normal functions. It also contains Glycerin to moisturise and strengthen the skin barrier. Other ingredients include Petrolatum, Cera Microcristallina, Ceresin, Lanolin Alcohol.
Many have compared this to cheaper Vaseline. Personally, I can't tell the difference between the two products due to the petroleum content, although I do prefer the tube packaging of Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment as opposed to the unhygienic Vaseline tubs.
Here's a list of uses:
1. Dry, chapped, cracked and irritated skin
2. Lip Balm
3. Treated skin eg. after laser therapy, chemical peels, dermabrasion
4. Foot salve for dry calloused feet
5. Hand & cuticle cream
6. Psoriasis, as a protective skin barrier
7. Tattoos
This is a sticky ointment and so I would advise using small amounts of this during the day time to avoid getting things stuck on the ointment. This product also contains mineral oil and petroleum so use caution if used on the face if you are particularly acne-prone. During the winter, you might want to use this in conjunction with a stronger moisturiser.
Top tip: Before bed, apply this liberally on your hands and feet, protect with gloves and soft socks while you sleep. You will wake up with super soft tips and toes!
Overall I do love Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment and I would repurchase this product once I've run out!
Livia | The Skin and Beauty Blog
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| La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Eye Contour Review |
I have suffered from eczema all my life. It was mainly in the creases of my elbows (flexural) then badly affected my hands, got better during my university life and since starting working again it affecting my hands and around my eyes (periorbital).
Cutting out certain allergens, for example biological washing powder, has helped but certain things e.g. work related stress can be hard to avoid. The eczema around my eyes has been the most difficult to deal with as it affects confidence as well as prevents makeup use to allow the skin to heal.
I have found as a result, the skin around my eyes have started to darken and I have been seeking products which help combat these.
La Roche-Posay have a product for just this. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Eye Contour* is marketed for 'sensitive eye contour'. This product seems to plug the gap between youthful skin and anti-aging (I hope I still fit into the pre-anti-aging product category!). It quotes 'anti-discomfort and anti-puffiness care' along with their Dermatological expert advise suggesting that dryness for contact lens wear, computer screen usage and other external aggressor can lead to.
I decided to trial this product for a full week along with their morning and evening regimen guidance to put this product to the full test. They recommend putting a small amount of product on your ring finger and dabbing from the inner corner of your eye around the contour and eyelid, then apply pressure underneath your eye and then on a closed eyelid.
In the short term, the product is great. I can visibly notice smoother skin around my eye contour and my eyes feel refreshed.
After a whole week the skin around my eyes are definitely smoother and tighter. I am in love with this product! I have not noticed whether my dark circles have improved but it may be a little early for that!
After a whole week the skin around my eyes are definitely smoother and tighter. I am in love with this product! I have not noticed whether my dark circles have improved but it may be a little early for that!
Shivanee | The Skin and Beauty Blog
*Press sample. All views are my own.
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