August/Holiday Favourites...

Bonjour!

These are my favourite products from this year's holiday (which was obviously in August!) ... photographed by the side of the pool - she says wistfully...must forget about the pool and the sun for another year!

Clockwise ... (sort of!) ...

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Cream Factor 30 - although the recent bout of eczema has cleared up on my face and neck I needed sun protection which was gentle but effective in case it re-appeared whilst on holiday - this was just the ticket.  I smoothed it on every morning over my face and neck after moisturising - super easy to apply and provided the protection I needed - a lovely product and one I would repurchase.

Barry M Gelly Nail Paint in Grapefruit - you can see it in action in my NOTD post here. Absolutely love this vibrant juicy colour. Don't want to put it away for autumn/winter - not going to just yet!

Wild About Beauty Multi-Purpose Tint -  a super summer and holiday product. Gives a natural flush which you can see in my review here.

Sanctuary Spa Skin Perfecting BB Cream (Medium to Dark) - can't believe I reviewed this a whole year ago here , it was also included in last year's August Favourites and here it is again! This is in fact the same tube with plenty left (and in date of course) so I've used it again.  I said it last year - because it's quite pigmented it's a lovely product to use on holiday and keeps that bit of glow on yer kite once you return. Another product I'm not yet ready to retire for the season just yet!

Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence Duo - I got hold of this from QVC on easy pay instalments during the the last Beauty Day. A leave-in conditioning spray, a leave-in Elasticizer?  It was certainly a lifesaver on holiday and kept the frizzies at bay good style. Full review to follow when I've done a bit more road-testing!

Daniel Sandler Instant Tan Face Powder - still loving this bronzer - perfect for holiday evenings - full review here.

Mally Perfect Prep Under Eye Brightener - been using this for a couple of months now and it works really well to lighten up those dark circles - full review to follow.

Oh - and then there was this little beauty ...

Now - I have to say I'm not a big drinker but I did find that this super-cheap vino from our local French supermarket went down very easily indeed and is - unfortunately a distant memory! Stupidly we only bought the one box. Must make room for more next year!

So ... those are the favourites. Still wishing I was beside that pool  ... however with the  kids back to school this week I'm pretty sure I won't have time to think about holidays, pools, sunshine and the like!

What were your August or holiday favourites?

Jen x

Vichy Idealia BB Cream - Review

Bonjour!

The Vichy Idealia BB Cream is one of those products I really wanted to try but kept telling myself I didn't  need - sound familiar...?  I tried to resist for a while but finally caved in when the most recent 3 for 2 was on at Boots...

The Vichy Idealia range appears to be all about 'Ideal Skin'...

"Visibly smoothes the appearance of wrinkles. Skin texture is refined and softer. Idealia re-awakens the skin’s natural radiance for a fresh and even complexion."             (source) 

The BB is aimed at dull, greying skin tone, uneven complexion and signs of ageing accentuated by everyday exposure to the sun.  It is suitable for all skin types including sensitive and is paraben free. Whether it will - in time - reduce dark spots remains to be seen but I'd tend to agree with the other 5 claims on the box above (on my own skin anyway).

I started off by applying it after my day moisturiser but found this combination too greasy so switched to using 'instead of' -straight after my serum.  Initially I thought the Medium shade may be a tad too pale for my skin tone but it actually works really well - must be the slight pink (but not too pink) tones.  It provides light coverage (I still need concealer in places), is a really easy consistency (almost fluid-like) to blend and I love that it gives my skin a lift and leaves it feeling hydrated with an SPF 25 .  I've worn my Bare Minerals over the top of it for work and it's worked fine as a base for make-up - doesn't clog pores and hasn't caused any breakouts.

Swatched and blended ...

Kite action...

So if you're a tad squeamish maybe I should have suggested you look away ..... anyway too late now! Left pic is bare skin with just a bit of eye stuff on (sorry I don't appear to have concealed my dark circles adequately!) and right is with a quick application of BB.  Maybe you can't tell from these pics - always difficult to capture this stuff on camera - but although it doesn't completely conceal my open pores I think it does a decent job of lifting and brightening the old complexion.

It can be built up a little to provide a bit more cover but if you're after something more full-on and matte then this ain't for you. It's all about the illumination and provides the sort of sheer, natural, 'your skin but better' thing I'm after in a summer BB. The Vichy Idealia BB Cream is priced at £21.00/40ml and is a product I'll definitely be re-purchasing.

What do you look for in a Summer BB? Have you tried any products from the Vichy Idealia range?

Jen x

It's a Haul Thing!

Bonjour!

Picked up a few items over the last month or so .... been making use of the current offers .... as you do...!

3 for 2 at Superdrug - got the MUA Undress Me Too palette and Sleek Make-Up Blush in Flushed (the 3rd item was a lip gloss for my daughter). Used my No 7 money off voucher on the Instant Radiance Concealer (which I've used before) and then  buy one get one half price on the No 7 Stay Perfect Amazing Eyes Pencil in brown.

You'll see from my recent empties post here that I've finished my Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum. I wanted to re-purchase as I really like this product and  feel it's helped to keep my skin hydrated. Also wanted to try the Aqualia Thermal Light (normal/combination skin) as a day cream. But then the 3 for 2 offer had me in a quandary because although I don't need anything else - how can you walk away from the third item? After much deliberation went for Idealia BB Cream - Medium shade, it seems to have a whole host of benefits which I could do with at the moment!

Been meaning to get myself a good topcoat for ages - quick drying and longevity is exactly what I need so let's see how the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat does. Since I've recently had loads of colour/highlights in my hair I picked up the John Frieda Intense After-Colour Conditioner whilst it was on offer at Boots (think it had £2 off) and then John Frieda Shampoo and Conditioners were half price at Sainsburys that same week (the offer was still on when I called in Friday) so went for the Brilliant Brunette Multi-Tone Revealing Shampoo (which I've used and liked before) to go with it.

So that's my lot for a while - I think I need to stay away from Boots and Superdrug and ignore any vouchers but you only live once right? Maybe just the odd lippie or two wouldn't hurt and maybe a new bronzer for summer?

What have you hauled recently?

Jen x

Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream - Review

Bonjour!

I received this sample of Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream in my She Said Beauty Box back in June.  Been meaning to try it out for ages as so decided to give it a go during the half-term week.

Some information directly from Ginvera -

Enriched with premium Green Tea, Ginseng, Chinese Angelica and Hyaluronic Acid, Green Tea Nude Cover BB cream provides the benefits of blemish free concealing, sun block effects, whitening, moisturising and reduction of lines, providing a long lasting smooth and ultra light feel to nourish and perfect your skin.

The product is almost milky in texture and gives surprisingly good coverage for such a lightweight lotion  - I didn't need to use too much extra concealer. It was pretty easy to apply and gave a dewy effect to my skin's appearance although it did 'sit' in my pores a little - but not too much of a problem.

However, Ginvera claim this BB to be suitable for all skin tones, in my experience this was simply not the case.  I consider myself to be of a paler olive complexion (in winter particularly). This did not suit my colouring at all - from the moment I applied it I felt really pale and washed out - I thought it may adjust to my skin tone after a while but it didn't.  I just looked 'like me' but with whiter skin as if I'd actually taken some sort of whitening preparation.  Just couldn't seem to make it work even with bronzer and blusher applied. (Even my husband commented and he doesn't usually notice anything like that!).

It is a shame because the Ginvera BB does seem to be beneficial to skin on many levels, I'm sure it's ideal for paler skin tones and I have read many rave reviews ... just not for me I'm afraid.

What's your favourite BB of the moment?

Jen x

Review - L'Oreal Revitalift 10 Repair BB Cream

Bonjour!

These sample sachets of L'Oreal Revitalift 10 Repair BB Cream in Medium Tint were given to me by my lovely friend  because she felt they would be too dark for her. Long story short - I tried them out, liked the BB and so went out and bought the full size (it was on offer at Sainsburys at the time which was a bonus!).

So -  L'Oreal claim the above 10 benefits...

Having used this for a few weeks, yes I would agree with 1 - 6 more or less.  It covers minor imperfections (I still have to use concealer in the usual places). I do feel that it enhances, evens and refines the look of my skin and does give a bit of a 'glow' whilst keeping it hydrated for the day. Luckily I haven't any large age spots on my face or deeper wrinkles (yet) - so not sure that it would completely conceal them or that it has significantly firmed up my skin.  The SPF 20 can only be a bonus in my book.

The pump is hygenic and fairly easy to use, you don't need to push it all the way down or you just end up with too much BB. The cream has a pleasant smell, nothing mind-blowing or overpowering.  This is the time of year when I begin to reach for products that counteract the yellow hues which my skin seems to take on once any summer colour has faded. This BB fits that bill perfectly it's what I would call a sort of deeper beige with pink undertones and seems to be an ideal shade for my skin. I would liken it to a very light foundation as opposed to tinted moisturiser.  The consistency is fairly thick (like a rich cream) and does require some blending but nothing too tasking. It provides adequate light coverage, on it's own, at weekends for example but I've also used it for work, applying it early in the morning and layered it for slightly heavier coverage,  together with my ever-present Bare Minerals Mineral Veil.  It's lasted all day and kept my skin looking fresh even after I've been to the gym on an evening (I'm sorry but I don't remove my make-up before exercising)! It doesn't prevent my t-zone from doing it's usual 'oily thing' but then also doesn't make it any oilier or break me out. I've used it in place of a normal day cream and also over the top of it and both ways have worked fine for me.

Obviously this won't be everyone's cup of tea, I've read some negative reviews about this BB in the Light option - mostly relating to the colour of the product - so maybe this is why I've fallen lucky with the darker shade. All in all this BB is an ideal Autumn/Winter option for me - from the first application I was impressed by the product, it just fits the bill, is reasonably priced at £14.99/50ml and suits my skintone and type.

You can check out the L'Oreal Revitalift 10 Repair BB Cream on Boots website here.  What's your favourite BB of the moment and why?


Jen x

Sanctuary Spa Skin Perfecting BB Cream - Review

Bonjour!

I've been continuing on the great BB exploration trail ... I've tried a couple more since my last review and this is one of them - Sanctuary Spa Skin Perfecting BB Cream in Medium to Dark.

Some information directly from 'Sanctuary Spa ' -

Key Ingredients:
Silica – Evens skin tone and helps to control oils within the skin. Naturally derived spherical powders diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles 
Hyaluronic Acid & Glycerin – Ensures skin remains moisturised and protected for 24 hours
Hydroviton 24 – Rejuvinates and protects the skin
UV Filters – Provide long lasting sun protection
Oils rich in antioxidants to combat free radicals

 So - I've used it as it says 'on the tin', in place of my usual moisturiser but also after moisturising, ie as you would a foundation. The latter is my preferred method, I leave my moisturiser to sink in a little and then apply where needed. I find I use less of the BB this way, although it's a good creamy consistency it's quite deep in tone and is easier to blend. It doesn't clog pores or break me out/upset my oily t-zone, seems to keep the hydration thing up and smells great - refreshing and natural.

I'm always on the lookout for products that take the 'yellowness' out of my olive skin and thankfully this has proved to be one of them! Creates a lovely golden hue and warms up my skin nicely without any 'orange stuff' going on! You only need a small amount for a healthy glow but it's also buildable if you want more coverage.  Took this on holiday this year for a bit of 'enhancement' and have also used it on office days with a bit of my Bare Minerals Tinted Mineral Veil over the top.

Good Creamy Thing!

Ready to Blend

Blended In!

The Sanctuary Spa Skin Perfecting BB Cream is available in two options, Light to Medium and Medium to Dark.  You can check out full details from Sanctuary Spa here.

I can honestly say this has been my ultimate 'go to' product this summertime, I really like it and will re-purchase.  Priced at £14.99/50ml, it's a lovely product and a real 'pick me up' for my skin!

What's been your favourite BB this summertime?

Jen x