Lockdown 3.0 Skincare Picks

Lockdown 3.0 Skincare Picks

Wednesday, 10 February 2021

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Here in the UK we are in the midst of our third lockdown. You read that right, THIRD! While lockdown is necessary and vital and really important, it's also fucking hard. It is. The novelty wore off some time ago. Now we're all just collectively finding things to get us through the never ending days. Is it 4pm on Monday 11 January or 5am on Friday 5th February? Who knows? Time is no longer a concept I subscribe to. Nor is non-elasticated waist bands... what even are jeans? So that's where I'm at mentally, slap bang in the middle of an existential crisis. 

My original point - before things got just that bit too dark for comfort, that's Lockdown Lauren for you - was that anything that makes lockdown feel just that bit more bearable has to be a good thing, right? Regardless of what it is. For me it's The Masked Singer, the Cadbury orange bunnies and also my skincare routine.  

In the before times, some 76 years ago, skincare was something I loved and did everyday but only enjoyed sometimes. I'd regret it if I didn't do it but more often than not it felt like a mission. Especially at night time. I mean how bad is falling asleep with winged liner on really? It turns out its pretty bad, don't do it. 

However in these current Corona-times, my skincare routine has become a source of daily joy. It gives me some structure to my day and makes me feel like I'm doing something to take care of myself. Even if that something is slapping some very expensive moisturiser into my parched chops. Dryness has been a big issue for me this winter, but I'll get to that. 

Experimenting with my skincare in lockdown 3.0 has also given me the chance to shop my skincare stash and come up with some real gems that would've otherwise stayed forgotten in the back of my beauty drawers. Here are some of my picks from the past couple of months. 

Aromatherapy Associates Anti-Ageing Overnight Repair Mask - Described as a 'deeply nourishing anti-ageing face mask', this AA mask is a leave-on treatment that acts as an overnight facial. Its formulated with rose and frankincense essential oils to rejuvenate tired skin, while strawberry seed extracts restore moisture levels and leave the skin with a plump, healthy appearance. Millet seed and rice germ oils, to nourish and protect the skin from external aggressors and environmental damage, complete the lineup.  

It offers a rich, hydrating texture that feels really lovely on dry skin, while the essential oils make it smell incredible!  

I've been using it a couple of times a week since Christmas and it has made such a difference to my parched skin. My skin is softer, more hydrated and just looks so much better. In my experience the mask is particularly good when paired with a facial oil, I've been using it over the Elemis Superfood Facial Oil and I just love the combination. 

The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid -  The Inkey List is a brand I've been dying to try for sometime now.  Like The Ordinary, which it has been compared to many times, The Inkey List aims to deliver straightforward and effective skin care at a low price point and without all the beauty jargon. 

I decided to start off with the Hyaluronic Acid Serum because, like I said, dryness has been an issue for me recently, and it is insanely good. Truthfully, I've never experienced a product that has made such an immediate difference to my skin. 

Formulated with 2% hyaluronic acid, this wonder serum is capable of holding more than 1000 times its weight in water and works as a 'moisture magnet' drawing water particles from the atmosphere into the skin. In my experience it works best when applied to still damp skin to lock in moisture. It has worked an absolute miracle on my parched chops. Thanks to this serum my skin is noticeably softer and smoother, plump looking and oh so hydrated. I've even found that it's increased the efficacy of my other products, which is really impressive.

Tata Harper Hyaluronic Gel Moisturiser* -  Now I'm not the kind of person who saves things for best, especially when it comes to skincare because I just don't see the point. I never have. But I was saving this. It just felt too fancy for little ol' me to be using everyday. Then a global pandemic happened and put an awful lot of things into perspective. And now my feelings are simply this: If I'm going to be stuck indoors for another year I'm going to use the fancy shit, damnit! 

This innovative gel moisturiser is designed to boost hydration for combination, oily and uneven skin types. It features Gel Water Technology, which offers multiple hydration and anti-oxidant sources in its formula. Key ingredients include: tremella mushroom, marsh samphire and chia seed water. 

Offering 'ultra-light' hydration, it boasts a lightweight gel texture that feels so good on the skin, and leaves it feeling fresh, hydrated and comfortable. I've been using it sparingly, because it's super expensive and I don't just have £104 to spend on moisturiser, but it is lovely and I'm a really big fan. 

The cherry on top of this delicious moisturiser is the packaging, which is sustainable, completely recyclable and also completely gorgeous.

Comfort Zone Remedy Serum* - Fun fact this was the first beauty product I was ever gifted, way back in 2017 when I first started working as a beauty journalist. I'd never quite got round to using it, even though I finished - and loved -  it's sister product Comfort Zone Remedy Defense Cream many moons ago. Wasn't that fact fun? Anyway...

The Remedy Serum is a fast-absorbing and fast-acting serum designed to soothe and protect sensitive and reactive skin. It contains 93% naturally-derived ingredients, including Marvel of Peru and Mexican hyssop flowers to leave the skin calm and comfortable. While Alpha Glucan Oligosaccharide, a prebiotic extracted from natural sugar, protects from external aggressors and free radicals. 

I've been using this product for a couple of weeks now and I like it. Its really soothing and feels really comforting and light on the skin.  My skin isn't particularly reactive but it does let me know when I used something it doesn't agree with and, so far, it's responded really well to this. 

Garnier Ambre Solaria Sensitive Advanced Face UV Face Fluid SPF 50+ - And of course I had to mention a sunscreen, I am the Sunscreen Queen after all, or was it SPF Fiend? Anyway the point still stands, I love sunscreen. It's been a while since I've tried a new SPF having been pretty committed to the Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense SPF 30* for quite some time now. But then I ran out. Because you'd better believe that, even with no place to go, I've still been slapping on the SPF like there's no tomorrow. And it's 2021, there might not be!   

Enter Garnier's new(ish) and much talked of UV Face Fluid, an ultra-light weight SPF containing hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to provide skincare benefits as well as sun and broad spectrum protection. If you're worried about photo-ageing then you definitely want this bad boy in your corner. 

A nifty little multi-tasker, this hard working SPF also offers protection from pollution and oxidative stress AND it's factor 50! It literally can't get better. Oh wait it can! It's non-comedogenic meaning it doesn't clog pores or break you out. It's also fast absorbing, doesn't leave a greasy residue or white cast on the skin AND it makes a great base for makeup.  Add to that a FANTASTIC price point, it's £8, and you have a damn near perfect product. I LOVE it! 

What are your lockdown skincare picks? 

Putting three SPFs to the test

Putting three SPFs to the test

Wednesday, 17 June 2020

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L-R: Soleil Toujours SPF 30, Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense SPF 30 and Avon Distillery Shade The Day SPF 25

*Disclaimer* This post contains gifted items. Products denoted with a '*' have been gifted. I was NOT paid to write about them and under no obligation to do so. All views and opinions are my own. 

You guys know that I never like to disagree with Haim at any point but I am NOT a summer girl. Like at all. Some people come alive in the summertime. I am not one of those people. I thrive in spring and autumn, when the world is coming to life and then dying. Summer is not my time. 

My Quarantine Skincare Situation

My Quarantine Skincare Situation

Wednesday, 22 April 2020

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*Disclaimer* This post contains gifted items. Products denoted with a '*' have been gifted. I was NOT paid to write about them and under no obligation to do so. All views and opinions are my own. 

You'd be forgiven for thinking that when I packed up to come to my mum's I just stuck out my arm and swept everything off my dressing table into a bag, because that's pretty much what I did. However, there was a method to my madness, for amongst this motley crew of products are some real gems, from tried and tested favourites to some newbies I packed just to test out, it's all here.

The Best Skincare for When You Have a Cold

The Best Skincare for When You Have a Cold

Wednesday, 30 October 2019

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Guys as I write this I’m laid up in bed with a 38°C temperature and the worst cold I’ve ever had, complete with the kind of hacking cough that makes me sound like I’m about to die of consumption on the streets of Victorian London. I know, I'm being overdramatic, but I do feel awful. And what’s really not helping is that I look it too. Both my skin and hair are drier than the desert, my nose and lips are chapped and I have a very pleasant outbreak of spots around my jaw. Sexy thy name is Lauren! Luckily, there is a handful of products that I come back to time after time that are total lifesavers. Here’s my pick of the best skincare for when you’ve got a cold.

Avon Distillery Skincare

Avon Distillery Skincare

Wednesday, 23 October 2019

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Avon, the catalogue-based beauty brand popular with old ladies the world over, has launched Distillery, a new high-performance vegan beauty range offering both skincare and make up.

Elemis Superfood Collection #gifted

Elemis Superfood Collection #gifted

Wednesday, 20 February 2019

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Guys, let’s be real here, I’m not a big name in blogging. To be even realer I’m barely a name in blogging. I’m just a small voice in a sea of thousands and because of that I don’t tend to get invited to a lot of events. However, in my real life I’m a journalist, and sometimes I get to do some really cool shit because of that fact. Like when I was lucky enough to go to the press launch of Elemis’ new Super Food products for instance.

Current Skincare Loves

Current Skincare Loves

Wednesday, 9 January 2019

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Me and my skin have been on quite the whirlwind adventure* these past five years. We’ve had our ups and downs, mostly downs to be honest, adult acne, clogged pores, sensitivity and a complexion that can't decide if it'd rather be too dry or too oily. But now, finally, I’ve struck the right balance between my skincare and medication and my skin is looking good. I’m still prone to a spot or two, currently rocking four right now, hiding behind my fringe. But for the most part my skin is generally clear and smooth now, and these products are playing their part in keeping it that way.

*It was a pretty shit adventure

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

Designed to quench thirsty skin Origins Drink Up Mask has been a lifesaver for my parched chops this winter. Something of a cult classic in the online beauty community, and for good reason, Drink Up contains a host of natural ingredients - including avocado oil, Japanese seaweed and apricot kernel oil - that hydrate the skin, replenish it's moisture reserves, and repair the barrier function to prevent further dehydration and premature ageing. If that wasn't enough, it also protects the skin from pollutants and environmental damage, and is paraben- and sulphate-free. It's probably the most hardworking face mask I own, and I've got quite few... I bloody love the stuff.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

Be warned this stuff is intense. It stings like a mofo and it makes you look like Red Skull from Captain America, but it is the best chemical exfoliator that I’ve come across and the results are more than worth it. Whilst it has a very scary, science-y sounding name, it's essentially an exfoliating facial in a bottle. It's formulated with Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Beta Hydroxy Acids that basically feed on dead skin cells. Sounds gross - it is -but it's worth it. Other ingredients include Tasmanian pepperberry to reduce irritation from the acid, vitamin B5 to aid healing and black carrot, which acts as an antioxidant. It's also cruelty-free, suitable for vegans and free from silicones, alcohol and oil.  I use it once a week and it has left me with a brighter, clearer and smoother complexion. Plus, at £6.25, it is a total bargain!

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

Similar to my beloved Pixi Glow Tonic, and just a fraction of the cost, this toner has quickly become a firm favourite. Containing slightly more Glycolic Acid than the Glow Tonic, which only contains 5%, this solution refines and mildly exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion. It also contains ginseng and aloe vera to soothe and Tasmanian pepperberry to prevent irritation. Like most of The Ordinary's products, it's incredibly effective and incredibly cheap which means its a  nightmare to get hold of, but boy is it worth it once you do. It even comes with a twisty lid, which is very satisfying to play with.

Ren Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream 

Towards the end of last year my skin became super sensitive, becoming inflamed and red at the slightest change in my make up or skincare routines. It seems to have passed now but I still don't know what caused it, probably just general winteryness. Anyway during that time Ren's Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream was one of the only things I could put on my skin without it reacting. The Global Protection Day Cream is a really gentle and lightweight moisturiser, designed especially for reactive skin. It's formulated to soothe, hydrate, strengthen and even 'train' sensitive skin to become less reactive. And it totally works. My skin is so much better.

La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5

An oldie but a goodie, La Roche Posay's Cicaplast Baume is one of my absolute favourite skincare items. A bit of a nifty multi-tasker, Cicaplast is an intense hydrating balm, designed to aid recovery from chemical peels and soothe irritated skin. It has a non-sticky gel texture that absorbs into the skin almost instantly, and is formulated with a ‘mineral complex’ including zinc, copper and manganese which have anti-bacterial properties. It's a great moisturiser, and also works really, really well as a primer, but it really shines when you have a cold and you get a flaky, chapped nose. Hence, why I love this bad boy so much. 

Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil Facial 

I do love a facial oil, but they do tend to be on the pricier side of things.  Enter Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil, one of the best high-street offerings that I've come across. Packed with cocoa butter, retinol and vitamin C to intensely hydrate and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It has a silky, non-greasy texture that is fast absorbing and packs a serious punch in the hydration stakes, it leaves my skin glowy and juicy-looking. Plus, it's  hypoallergenic, paraben-free and cheap as chips. Love it! 

Mini Supermarket Beauty Haul

Mini Supermarket Beauty Haul

Wednesday, 25 July 2018

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On a recent trip round Sainsburys I was shocked to discover that their beauty offering was looking really rather good, it looked better than I'd seen it look in ages as a matter of face, and there was a whole host of brands, that I'd never normally associate with Sanos, that I was desperate to try. Naturally, I couldn't stop myself from having a rummage and before I knew it I was at the self-checkout, debit and nectar cards in hand, shouting IT IS IN THE BAGGING AREA, YOU BELLIGERENT BITCH! Anyway, here's what I bought.

Mane 'n Tail The Original Body Shampoo and The Original Moisturiser Conditioner - £5/£5

Originally developed for horses, no I'm not joking, Mane 'n Tail promises longer, stronger, thicker and fuller hair. And I want all of those things! It also smells lovely. Now, I'd  been wanting to try these for a while, I've heard very good things about the leave-in conditioner, which they didn't have, so when I saw the range in Sainsburys - I went in for Gyoza and came out having spent £60 on beauty products and haribo! - I snapped them up. BUT after having a quick peruse of the ingredients I'm slightly concerned as the shampoo contains 'high lathering cleansing agents' which means that it definitely isn't SLS-free, so might actually be quite drying, which I really don't want. However, the 'micro-enriched protein formula', whatever that means, also contains moisturisers and emulsifiers, so I'll just have to try it out and report back. The conditioner claims to leave the hair looking visibly thicker and healthier after just one use and contains natural oils to nourish the hair and scalp, as well as moisturisers to prevent drying and protect the hair from sun damage. Honestly, it all sounds great but I'm a bit dubious, blame it on the SLS-es, but have you ever seen a horse with bad hair? Apart from the one on the internet who was given a really dodgy haircut, obvs. Poor thing.

Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Gentle Daily Micro Polish Wash - £10

I've been looking for a new everyday face wash, after finishing my Skin Regimen Anti-Pollution Facial Wash, which I loved, when I spotted this jaunty, orange offering from Super Facialist. Designed to brighten the skin and boost radiance whilst gently cleansing the skin, this daily facial wash is formulated with vitamin C, antioxidant-rich ferulic acid and plant-based micro beads to remove dead skin cells, as well as dirt and impurities to reveal 'a fresh, glowing complexion'. It has a light gel-like texture, which I really like, and an absolutely incredible citrus-orange scent, which smells almost exactly like the Mandarin soap from The Body Shop. Very excited to try this, which I will be first thing tomorrow morning!  

Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Skin Renew Cleansing Oil - £11

As a beauty journalist by day and a beauty blogger by night I'm in the very lucky position where I sometimes get sent beauty products. So its very rare for me to repurchase things, because I have a lot of unused skincare, just waiting for its moment in the sun. I think that says a lot about how much I like this facial oil, because I did repurchase it and I bloody love it.  Part of Super Facialist's Vitamin C+ Brighten range, so it has that amazing orange scent, Skin Renew is formulated with vitamin C (duh), olive, grapeseed and rosehip oils, as well as vitamin E and passionflower and cucumber oils to gently cleanse the skin. Once worked into the skin it transforms into a milky emulsion which leaves the skin feeling smooth and hydrated, but most importantly, clear of any make up, dirt or impurities. I strongly recommend this if you like cleansing oils because its one of the best I've come across. Second only to the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, which will always have a very special place in my heart. 

What have you been buying lately? xxx

The Elemis Travel Set of Dreams

The Elemis Travel Set of Dreams

Wednesday, 27 June 2018

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Summer holiday season is upon us, and even though my poor passport is gathering dust, with no plans of jet setting on the horizon (sob!), I can still appreciate a good travel set, because travel minis are one of my favouritest things. Really. They're just so cute. Speaking of cute, this Elemis x Lily & Lionel luxury travel collection is the very definition of the word, and is packed full with bloody lovely skincare bits to keep your skin in tip top condition while travelling. Let's have a closer look. 

To create this, quite frankly stunning,  travel set, Elemis partnered with Lily and Lionel, a UK-based fashion house known for creating beautiful and quirky prints. Think Cath Kidston, but way cooler. Called Daydream, this Elemis-exclusive print is pretty and cool, and just screams summertime, with its pastel geometric shapes and cute, kitschy badges. It’s such a pretty print, and I love it that much that I'm actually tempted to use it as a handbag. BECAUSE LOOK HOW PRETTY! If I was a little bit cooler I could even get away with it. Want to know the best part? The bag isn't even the best part. Oh no, this travel bag of dreams contains even dreamier skin care!

A Major Glossier Haul

A Major Glossier Haul

Wednesday, 23 May 2018

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Glossier has been creating a major stir in the beauty industry ever since it launched a couple of years ago. Created by Emily Weiss, CEO and founder of renowned beauty blog Into the Gloss, Glossier aims to deliver simple, easy-to-use and effective products. 

The brand has gone from strength to strength and has received reviews so glowing that I'm tempted to ask exactly where they got their highlighter.  So when it finally became available in the UK I was online and punching my debit card details into the checkout faster than you could say overdraft. And naturally, I went a bit overboard, for research purposes of course. How else am I supposed to properly dip my toes in and get a real feel for the brand if I don't try almost everything? I mean really, I'm just being a responsible blogger. 

Milky Jelly Cleanser - £15

The Milky Jelly Cleanser has become something of a cult favourite ever since it launched, and it was one of the first things I added to my basket.  Essentially the MJC is a gel cleanser that emulsifies into a milk on contact with water. It's designed to cleanse, soothe and purify the skin, whilst being very gentle,  and features some amazing ingredients including rosewater, comfrey root extract and pro-vitamin B5 to calm, heal and moisturise. Now full disclosure time I haven't actually tried it yet - I'm currently using the Skin Regimen Anti-pollution Cleansing Cream, which is very nice by the way, thanks for asking - but based on the ingredients, the reviews I've seen and the kind of cleanser it is.,  I think we're going to get along famously, and I can't wait to get stuck in. 

Priming Moisturiser - £18

The Priming Moisturiser is exactly that, a light and buildable priming moisturiser that promises to deliver soft, smooth and dewy skin, primed and ready for make up. It contains hyaluronic acid and mushroom extract to plump and hydrate the skin, and an anti-redness complex featuring tea extracts and honey to calm the skin and reduce the appearance of redness. I've actually been using this for about a week now, and I like it. It has a really nice, light texture and it does leave my skin feeling hydrated and smooth. Would I buy it again? I don't know, I don't love it. 

Birthday Balm Dotcom - £10

Balm Dotcom is a universal lip skin salve designed to nourish and repair dry and chaffed skin. It contains bees wax, extracts of rice bran and rosemary leaf and castor seed oil to protect from free radical damage and seal in moisture. I chose the Birthday balm, because I thought it would smell amazing, and I was right. 

Generation G in Zip - £14

 Generation G is a super lightweight sheer matte lipstick which features less pigment to create a diffused 'just blotted' effect on the lips. Interestingly, they're designed to adapt to the wearer's natural lip colour so it'll look different on everyone who wears it. I chose Zip, which is a poppy red shade, but I was torn between that and Crush, a raspberry pink which is also very pretty. I'll be honest , when I first tried this I wasn't all that impressed, I like my mattes super-pigmented, Kat Von D pigmented. However, since wrapping my head around the concept I actually quite like it. It has an amazing texture that's so comfortable to wear, and it's a nice lipstick on those days when I want to make an effort but don't want to look too 'done'. I like it. 

Boy Brow - £14

Since having a fringe cut two months ago there's been no need for me to do anything to my brows because you can't see them anymore, so I haven't tried this yet. Having said that it is known for being one of Glossier's hero products and is something of a must have for anyone with visible eyebrows. Boy Brow is a styling pomade that is designed to fill and shape the brows. It has a teeny tiny brush that is really good for combing through without getting any product on your forehead, and it contains natural waxes: beeswax and carnauba, that are designed to hold the brows in place without making them stiff or crunchy. To be honest I might end up giving this to my sister, purely because my fringe ain't going nowhere, and I don't need it. 

Priming Moisturiser Rich - £29

First of all I cannot stress how amazing this smells! The scent is incredible. Second of all it's sooo nice! The Priming Moisturiser Rich is essentially the Priming Moisturiser kicked up a gear, and I like it so much because of it. It contains a blend of murumuru and shea butters, to give the cream a non-greasy, meltable texture that is quickly absorbed into the skin. Other ingredients include: lavender oil (which is probably responsible for the beautiful scent), red algae and fatty acids to lock in moisture, comfort and soothe. I love this. 

Super Pure Serum - £24 

I love a good serum! Serums and facial oils are my favourite skin care items, so when I spotted this during my Glossier frenzy I couldn't leave without it. My skin, as we all know, is shit, hormonal and shit. And I am always looking for some miracle product that will rid me of my imperfections. Could this be the one? Well, realistically, no... I'm pretty sure no such product exists. Having said that, this seems to come pretty darn close. Designed for problem skin types the Super Pure serum is formulated with Vitamin B3 and Zinc to fight blemishes, rid the skin of impurities and excess sebum, reduce redness and soothe irritation. And can we talk about that dinky packaging, tho? Adorable!

Stretch Concealer - £15

Last but not least, and well done if you've made it this far, is the Stretch Concealer, a buildable concealer that offers flexible coverage. This nifty little concealer has an elastic consistency, due to the presence of beeswax and crystalline wax in the formula, which allows the concealer to move with the face, rather than sitting on the surface. It doesn't cake, bunch, crease or clump and offers a nice level of coverage that, like I said, can be built up something more full. I'm a big fan of this! 

What are your Glossier recommendations? xxx

Some High Street Skincare Loves

Some High Street Skincare Loves

Thursday, 21 September 2017

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Skincare might be my one true love. Really. I love it. Truly, madly, deeply. It's my thing. Once upon a time my thing was all of the lipstick. Now it's skincare, although I do still love lipstick. 

Garnier Moisture Bomb.... is it da bomb??

Garnier Moisture Bomb.... is it da bomb??

Sunday, 16 April 2017

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First of all can we just all take a moment to appreciate my unicorn bed sheets? I've had them since October and I'm still so obsessed with them. They are the exact opposite of elegance and sophistication and I love them for it. Now that the unicorn appreciation is out of the way let's talk about Garnier's Moisture Bomb collection, and answer that most important of questions: is it actually da bomb?

My High End Skincare Wish List

My High End Skincare Wish List

Saturday, 5 November 2016

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Skincare is one of my favourite things. I could, and frequently do, wax lyrical about my favourite skincare items, so that's exactly what I'm going to do today. Last week I shared my Budget Skincare faves (read it here), so this week I thought I would share my ultimate high end skincare lust haves. The products that are dying to make their way into my collection and become part of my skincare routine.

Budget Everyday Skincare Picks

Budget Everyday Skincare Picks

Sunday, 30 October 2016

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Once upon a time I wasn't that bothered about skincare, back then I was young and stupid and had no problems sleeping with a full face of make up on. Ironically I had amazing skin. Nowadays it's a different story, my skin is a temperamental beast that will breakout at the slightest provocation and going to sleep with winged liner, lipstick and foundation on makes me feel vaguely sick. I really try to take good care of my skin, but this can get a bit pricey. I think skin care is so important and personally I like to invest in my skin care, but there are definitely some gems to be found on the high street, if you know what you're looking for.

Now before we get into this I have to tell you that I have the strangest skin type ever. It's actually bizarre. My skin is prone to blemishes and breakouts, but the thing I suffer with most is blackheads, but I don't have oily skin. My skin is very sensitive and incredibly dry, with no oiliness whatsoever. See I told you it's weird. So just a quick disclaimer these things work really well for me and my very specific skin type but may not work as well on different skin types.

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Eye Cream - £5.99 from Superdrug

Superdrug's own brand skincare is seriously underrated. It's so good, it's so cheap but I rarely hear about it. One of the hero products in the range is this eye cream, I've been using it for a really long time and I've even got my mum and sister using it too. The skin around my eyes is really sensitive and it doesn't take much to get irritated and inflamed. I can't actually use a lot of eye creams for this reason, so this is the only eye cream I use because I don't react to it and it's really good. Formulated with Mulberry, Kiwi and Sugar Beet extracts to smooth, brighten and moisturise the under eye area, it also reduces puffiness and the appearance of tired eyes. It has a really light weight consistency and absorbs into the skin quickly, I tend to use it mostly at night but you could use it in the mornings before make up and it would work just as well. Love. It.

Simple Spotless Skin Anti-Blemish Moisturiser - £4.59 from Superdrug

Simple is my favourite affordable skin care brand, their Micellar Water is my favourite on the high street and I love their Micellar Cleansing Wipes too. But in the interest of keeping this post relatively short and sweet, I thought I would focus on the Spotless Skin Anti-Blemish Moisturiser, because I've been using it so much recently. It's designed specifically for acne prone/problem skin, which I have, and works to clear and prevent breakouts, promising results from the first day of use. Formulated with Chamomile, Aloe Vera, Tapioca Starch and Zinc to soothe, soften and mattify the skin and Phytosphingosine, a natural anti-bacterial, to clear the skin, this moisturiser is light weight but leaves the skin clear and comfortably hydrated. I like it a lot.

Nivea Men Sensitive Cooling Post Shave Balm - £2.50 from Tesco

I wrote a whole blog post (read it here) raving about Nivea Men's Sensitive Cooling Post Shave Balm as a primer, so I won't bang on about it too much here. It's amazing. It feels really cooling and soothing on the skin and it really does make my make up last longer. There's a noticeable difference in wear time on days that I use this to  the days that I don't. It's also a good little multi-tasker, I really like using it after shaving my legs, I cut my legs shaving every damn time without fail and it stops the sting. It's awesome.

Superdrug Naturally Radiant 2in1 Moisturiser & Serum - £5.99 from Superdrug

Since the weather has turned colder, and my skin has got duller and greyer, I've been using two pumps of this serum before my moisturiser to give my skin an extra boost of hydration, which it has desperately needed. It's formulated with fruit extracts to energise, brighten and nourish the skin. It has a soft, smooth texture and a thick, gel like consistency that applies beautifully. I really like it. It feels so nice, it smells lovely and it really does brighten up my sallow and pasty complexion.

What are your favourite budget skin care picks? Let me know by commenting below - I always reply so check back -, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx

Nivea Men's Cooling Sensitive Post Shave Balm as a primer...worth the hype?

Nivea Men's Cooling Sensitive Post Shave Balm as a primer...worth the hype?

Sunday, 10 July 2016

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There has been a ton of hype surrounding Nivea Men's Cooling Post Shave Balm. Ever since Nikkie, from Nikkietutorials, brought it to the world's attention, it's become one of the most highly sort after primers on the high street. Even being dubbed 'the world's best primer', by the Daily Mail so let's not get too excited. After testing it out for the past 5 weeks I thought that the time was ripe to throw my 2 pence into the mix. With the hope of answering the question, with all this hype surrounding it, is it really worth it? 

In a word... Yes! It's so worth the hype! This stuff is amazing. It's a light weight, non-greasy, liquid balm that is quickly absorbed into the skin. The balm is alcohol free and enriched with Seaweed and Chamomile to gently calm redness and relieve irritation. It doesn't contain any silicon so it doesn't have that plastic-y, silicon feel to it. In fact it feels really nice on the skin, really cooling and soothing, and it dries down almost instantly to a smooth, matte base that's perfect for make up. It has a very masculine scent to it, like a lot of scented products I can see this being a bit of a love/hate thing. Personally I love the way it smells, it's kind of a generic sexy man scent, but I really like it. For those who don't thought, it doesn't stick around very long once it's been rubbed into the skin.

One of the primary ingredients used is glycerine, an ingredient found in most primers. Glycerine makes the skin tacky, but not sticky, so that any make up applied is going to stick around for a while. Since using it I have seen a noticeable increase in my make up's wear time. It keeps everything in place and looking good for ages. All day and well into the night. I've really enjoyed using this product, the only teeny tiny niggle I have with it is the packaging. It's housed in a rather hefty porcelain bottle, which is really not ideal, for travelling or if you're especially clumsy like me. It also doesn't have a pump which means that wastage is a problem, especially when you end up accidentally  spilling half of it all down yourself and onto the floor. Not that I'm speaking from experience...

Now I've read some rave reviews and I've read some really bad reviews of this product and I just think, like everything, this will work or not work for you depending on your skin type. I have very sensitive, sometimes acne prone skin that errs on the drier side of things, so it works really well for me. But for any oily skinned lads or lasses I can't see this working for you. However if you have skin like me, sensitive or normal to dry,  then it will work really well for you. I'm such a big fan of it, it really does work wonders as a primer. Nivea Men's Cooling Post Shave Balm is only £5.35 for 100ml (a fricking steal) from Boots

Have you tried Nivea Men's Cooling Post Shave Balm as a primer? What did you think? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx

T.K. Maxx Skincare Haul

T.K. Maxx Skincare Haul

Thursday, 12 May 2016

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Ahh the beauty aisle of T.K. Maxx a place where all my bargain beauty hunter dreams come true! It's become a bit of a hobby of mine, browsing the beauty aisle to see what high end products I can find for high street prices. Admittedly it does take some patience. It's bit like rummaging through a car boot, sometimes there's nothing but crap, but it's always worth it when you find something amazing for a ridiculously low price. Here are some of the lastest skincare bits I've picked up.

Good Things Acai Berry Muti-Tasking Micellar Water - £2.99 in store at T.K. Maxx

I love micellar waters. Until recently Garnier's Micellar Water held my heart, but lately I've noticed a really strong chemical, almost plasticky, smell when I use it. Which is really off putting. So I was on the market for a new one when I spotted this paraben and cruelty free offering from the good people at Good Things in T.K. Maxx.  It's formulated with blueberries, mango and acai berry, super fruits known for their anti-oxidant properties, and hyaluronic acid to keep the skin hydrated. I've found it to be really gentle on the skin and it removes my make up so quickly, leaving my skin feeling so clean and refreshed. And it smells amazing, really fruity and sweet. I love it. Plus, added bonus, it's really affordable, retailing at only £4.99 for 250ml in boots... Bargain!

Good Things Deep Pore Anti-Blemish Cleanser & Toner with Fig & Wild Strawberry - £2.99 in store at T.K. Max

Like their micellar water Good Things Deep Pore Cleanser & Toner is formulated with a ton of natural ingredients that are gentle on the skin, whilst yielding some pretty decent results. This time it's wild strawberry extract to add radiance to the face and willow bark and liquorice extract to fight spot causing bacteria. Aimed at acne prone skin - which I have. Sob! - it claims to unclog pores and clear the skin of excess sebum to prevent new sports forming, without stripping the skin of its natural oils. I've been using it for a couple of weeks and have noticed an improvement in my skin. I don't know if it's this or my tablets have started working, either way I'm a big fan of my clearer skin. Again it's really affordable - £4.99 for 200ml from boots -  and smells really sweet. I've really liked using it.


Kiehl's Dermatologist Solutions Blemish Control Daily Skin Clearing Treatment - £12.99 in store at T.K. Maxx

And now onto the real star of the show Kiehl's Dermatologist Solutions Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment. Now I haven't actually got round to using this yet because I'm scared it'll work and I'll get addicted to it and then have to pay full price for it. But it sounded so amazing that I couldn't really resist. The oil free formula promises to clear blemishes, prevent new spots forming and reduce the appearance of acne scarring.  I'll have to keep you posted on whether it actually works or not but I've got a good feeling about it.

What are your favourite skincare bits? Any recommendations for me? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx

A Massive Avon Haul

A Massive Avon Haul

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

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L-R: Avon Gel Shine in Moondust, Avon Gel Finish in Alaska, Avon Gel Shine in Lavendar Sky & Avon Nailwear Pro + in Lavished Blue

Swatches L-R: Raspberry Rush, Splendidly Fuchsia, Ravishing Rose, Adoring Love

If you're anything like me then you'll have a ton of misconceptions about Avon, and you won't be too good at keeping your balance either. I was kinda under the impression that Avon was a bit old and well... irrelevant. Now I don't need to tell you how stupid that was! For someone who loves make up as much as I do you'd think I would've learned to never judge a product by it's brand by now but apparently not. Anywho after having a flick through a catalogue I stumbled across at home I was suitably impressed, and then a haul happened. Because obviously, this is a haul post. So do you wanna see what I got? 

Avon Gel Finish & Nail Prowear + Nail Enamel - £7.00/£6.00 from Avon

I may have gone a little bit overboard on the nail polish, but in my defence they were on offer,  so they were ridiculously cheap and they're lovely. I picked up the shades Moondust -  a pale grey, Alaska - a muted mint green, Lavender Sky - a blue toned lilac and Lavished Blue - a metallic navy blue and they make me go all heart eyed. The formulation is really good: thick, creamy but easily workable, with a reasonable wear time and opaque in just one coat. I like them a lot.

Avon Ultra Colour Lip Crayon in Raspberry Rush & Avon Perfectly Matte Lipstick in Ravishing Rose, Adoring Love & Splendidly Fuchsia (sample size) - £5.75/£5.00 (on offer, full size) from Avon

The Lip Crayon is my absolute favourite purchase! Simply put it is gorgeous and was an absolute bargain. The colour is stunning - right in my berry pink loving wheelhouse - with a satin finish. It's nicely pigmented, lasts nicely and feels really nourishing on the lips, it even fades into a nice even stain. It's a great lipstick. The Avon Perfectly Matte Lipsticks are a new release so I picked up 3 of the sample sizes for £1, but I will definitely be getting the full size versions on my next order. The finish is super matte and really long lasting but they are so comfortable to wear and not at all drying. My favourite is Ravishing Rose which is somewhere between a fuchsia and a red but is completely gorgeous. But seriously I love them all. 

Advance Techniques 360 Morrocan Argan Oil Shampoo, Conditoner & Serum - £1.60 /£2.99 (on offer) from Avon

These are all repurchases as I've tried them before and I loved them. The serum is the best serum I've ever come across. It is amazing! It's a nourishing, conditioning, frizz taming wonder in a bottle. The shampoo and conditioner are also good. They leave my hair feeling really soft and smooth and give my dry, frazzled ends a much needed hydration boost. But like I said the serum is the real star.

Clearskin Range - from £2.10 (on offer) from Avon

Normally I avoid skincare specifically designed for blackhead prone skin, I know this doesn't make a lot of sense for someone who's main issue is blackheads, but the majority are designed for oily skin, which I don't have (... it's weird I know), and are really stripping on my skin, which tends towards the drier more sensitive side of things. But after a quick google search and a load of very positive reviews and testimonials I was convinced and decided to give most of the Clearskin line a go. I haven't given everything a proper test so I'll hold out on giving my opinion just yet. But so far so good.

Everything I've tried so far has really impressed me, so I really recommend having a flick through the next catalogue that comes through your door. If you're in the Stevenage area and fancy picking up a few bargains then Carly, my avon lady, - yeah we're on a first name basis! - is an absolute babe.  You can find her on instagram &  facebook, her online store here, or give her a ring on 07584901032.

What are your favourite Avon products? Let me know in the comments below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat - search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Mini Skincare Haul

Mini Skincare Haul

Thursday, 21 January 2016

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You've all heard about my problem skin by now, if you haven't then, to cut a really long story short, it's pants, my skin is pants (that means bad for any non english people reading this). I've recently taken to browsing the aisles of boots, and the sephora website and basically anywhere that sells skin care, to try and find the miracle product that will turn my skin around. Here are some of the bits I've picked up on my travels.

La Roche-Posay Serozinc - £8.50 for 150ml from boots.com

Serozinc is essentially a water spray containing Zinc Sulfate, an active ingredient in a lot of acne treatments. The spray dispenses a fine mist, which can be sprayed directly onto the face, although this does take some getting used to, or applied to a cotton pad and swept across the skin. There is a lot of hype surrounding this particular product, like A LOT a lot, but for very good reason. It. Is. Awesome.  I really do struggle with my skin, I get breakouts, blackheads, big juicy blemishes galore - oh for the days when it was just the occasional blackhead and sensitivity -  and I have tried everything, and I really mean everything, and this is one of the first things that has made a real, noticeable difference to my skin. I've been using it in place of a toner for the past week or so and it's incredible.  It reduces redness, calms particularly aggressive spots and clears smaller spots. It is seriously amazing. Just a quick warning though ALWAYS cover your eyes when spraying on your face. I got some in my eyes and I swear I've never known pain like it. Other than it's awesome and I'm sure I'll be adding the Effaclar System to my basket at some point in the very near future. 

Soap & Glory No Clogs Allowed Super Self Heating Mask Deep Pore Detox Mask - £11.50 for 100ml from boots.com

Okay so this mask is amazing. I've only used it once but I already love it. It's a self-heating mask that begins to heat up as soon as it's applied to the skin. It gives the skin a real deep clean, really getting into the pores and getting rid of dirt and bacteria to prevent new spots forming. It also reduces the appearance of spots and pores and leaves the skin looking, and feeling clearer. It works wonders on congested skin. The best part is that the mask turns blue once it's been activated which is SO COOL! I love it. 

Superdrug Naturally Radiant 2 in 1 Moisturiser & Serum - £5.99 for 50ml from superdrug.com

This 2 in 1 Serum is a seriously lovely offering from Superdrug's own skincare line. I'm actually super impressed with what I've tried so far. It's really nice quality but also really cheap which is always a bonus. This serum has a lovely silky smooth texture that just melts into the skin. Normally I'm not a massive fan of serums, some I've tried have felt really sticky on the skin, but this applies really smoothly and just feels so nice on the skin, it's also really nourishing. My skin gets really dull and grey, particularly in the winter time, and this serum has done a lot to restore some radiance, and general glowiness to my skin and make me look more alive. It's very nice. 

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Eye Cream - £5.99 for 15ml from superdrug.com

The skin under my eyes is really sensitive, to the point where if I don't moisturise regularly then it becomes dry and sore and starts to look and feel like tissue paper. The worst thing is it really doesn't take much to irritate it, so I have to be super careful with what I use. It's a bit of a vicious circle really. Superdrug's Naturally Radiant Brightening Eye Cream is really nice, and one of the few eye creams I've come across that doesn't have any adverse affects on me. It's quite rich but also lightweight and fast absorbing. It's really moisturising and oh so gentle on the skin. It doesn't irritate me at all but leaves my under eye area feeling nourished and looking refreshed and awake. I almost can't believe how good it is. Especially when considering how cheap it is. It is so good. 

What skin care bits have you been loving lately? Any recommendations? Let me know on twitter by commenting below, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat - search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates. 

Love love love xxx