Superdrug Optimum Phytofreeze Swiss Ice Wine Eye Cream

Hi beauties

I’ve been testing Superdrug’s Optimum Phytofreeze Swiss Ice Wine Eye Cream for a whole now, so it’s time to tell you my thoughts.

Optimum is a Superdrug own brand, it came to my attention when they launched their Swiss Apple Stem cell collection, a high street version of brands like Oskia and Lancome. This was years before I was blogging so I haven’t actually reviewed any of the range.

It’s quite a thick cream and feels very comforting after application. You only need a wee small amount, I use the size of two grains of rice as I find my eyes are quite dry. What I found with this eye cream is that it does plump out the lines, but not as well as my favourite Dr Organic Snail Gel Eye Serum which is the same price at £12.99 And I found if I needed to reapply my skin could feel a bit heavy and sticky. I felt that this eye cream would “dry out” and the comforting effect wouldn’t last all day either.

I wouldn’t repurchase this, it was ok but not wow like Dr Organic. I would probably try some more products form the range but the brand wouldn’t be high up on my wish list.

Till next time,

Lucy xxx

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LA Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ SPF30

Hi beauties,

An SPF today, La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ SPF30. I bought this a wee while ago and have been testing, I’m a big fan of the original Effaclar Duo+ treatment serum so I thought I would give the SPF a try.

This is a very lightweight fluid SPF that applies very easily over serums and moisturisers and I have used it alone. As the colder and less sunny days appear I tend to drop down to an SPF30 and this I find perfect for my skin. Effaclar doesn’t pill like I had with Anthelios, despite the love for that SPF, I really couldn’t get on with it. What I love about Effaclar it is has all the benefits of the preventing breakouts, and refining your skin without making you a greaseball!

It’s super easy to apply and doesn’t feel heavy at all. Effaclar is the best SPF I’ve tried I just wish it came in an SPF50 version! I bought mine from Feel Unique at £16.50 which I think is a really great price for such a fab product.

Till next time,

Lucy xxx

Merumaya Mineral Cleansing Paste*

Hi beauties

I received this gift of Merumaya Mineral Cleansing Paste* a little while ago now, so I thought it was a good time for a review.

One thing I will say is this: I don’t usually use mechanical exfoliators. I love them, but have broken capillaries and I’m aware that process isn’t the best for them. Plus I am awful heavy handed and tend to go a little wild in the aisles and make my skin red.

Anyhoo, down to the product. You all know my favourite cleansing balm is made by Merumaya, it smells divine and is a complete joy to use so I was interested to see how Mineral Cleansing Paste is different. One, it is not a makeup remover. It’s great as a morning or second evening cleanse so use your normal makeup remover first. Secondly the ingredients. Again you guys know that I am oily and can get the occasional hormonal breakout along my jawline so the zinc is definitely useful in this formula. Magnesium, Copper, Iron, Silicon help increase oxygen, develop collagen and elastin, and is anti inflammatory. Sweet Almond Oil makes sure your skin doesn’t feel tight as a drum afterwards. In fact my skin is left feeling uber smooth, soft and comfortable.

The exfoliating particles are extremely fine, the finest I have ever used to be honest. I am aware I go too mad with scrubs so I make sure I am extra gentle, I only tend to use this on my face and underneath my jawline. Any lower gets a bit too sensitive and I do limit the use to once or twice a week.

Would I repurchase this? Yes, I would. It’s a brilliant product and I have found a way to use it for me that gets great results. You only need a small amount anyway so 100ml tube is lasting me many months. MCP has the same beautiful smell as Melting Cleansing Balm which I love and it being Merumaya, brilliantly affordable at £18.50 a tube.

A big thank you to Maleka and Rosie for sending me a tube to try, it’s gorgeous! To find out more from this underrated brand go to http://www.merumaya.com

Till next time,

Lucy xxx

*GIFTED

Green Keratin Precious Cacay Timeless Oil Elixir*

Hello beauties,

I have today Green Keratin’s Precious Cacay Timeless Oil Elixir*. This was kindly gifted to me by the brand in a wonderful gift parcel with some other beautiful goodies.

Precious Cacay Timeless Oil Elixir is a gorgeous fine textured silky facial oil. It can be used in the morning or evening, it contains Amazon Cacay Oil, Camellia Oil, English Poppy, Tomato Seed Oil, Macadamia, Thistle and Borage oils.

It’s a light yellow colour, it applies very easily and sinks into the skin quickly, only a couple of drops are needed. The fragrance is Rose Otto and Rose Geranium which smells so beautiful. Precious Cacay feels like an excellent quality oil, I have tested quite a few in my time! It’s a pleasure to use and so affordable at £21.95 for 30ml. If you are in the running for a good quality oil but are on a budget, you can’t go wrong with this gorgeous facial oil.

Till next time,

Lucy xxx

*Gifted by the brand

Beauty Pie Plantastic Deep Nourishing Moisture Balm

Hi beautiful people,

Today I have an offering from Beauty Pie, Plantastic Deep Nourishing Moisture Balm.

I’ve been using this on and off now for quite a while and even during the day while we have been having this cold weather. At first I was using it as a night cream and considering it’s luxurious velvety buttery texture, this works so well for my oily skin type. In fact I wasn’t expecting it work as well as it has.

When you look at the ingredients it sounds heavy, Shea Butter, Murumuru Butter, Sesame and Coconut Oils I wondered if it would break me out. Not so! Deep Nourishing Moisture Balm also plays well with others, I’ve layered oils and serums underneath with none of the dreaded pilling you can get.

Plantastic has a beautifully smooth texture, it absorbs well and you can feel that it’s that more nourishing without the heavy occlusive feeling a thick cream can have. It definitely feels luxurious and a treat to use, I’ve reached for it a lot lately. The smell is delicate, not as heavy as the Cleansing Butter but it is similar. I love this moisturiser and would certainly repurchase. A beautiful formula for such an affordable price of £9.98. Another Beauty Pie winner!

Till next time,

Lucy xxx

Ishtar Skinlights Perfect And Glow Serum

Hi beauties,

Today I have a Vitamin C Serum that I tested out last year, I’ve been struggling to find one that I like that is reasonably priced so when I spotted Perfect and Glow from Ishtar Skinlights I thought I would give it a try.

Ishtar Skinlights are an independent UK brand based in Truro, they use active ingredients, and organic where possible, and were the first company in the UK to introduce Mandelic Acid products.

The Perfect and Glow Serum with Vitamin C in liposomes, making it more stable. The formula also includes Superoxide Dismutase the “free radical scavenger”, it’s oil free and very hydrating. I was looking for a difference in my hyperpigmentation and have read so much about Vitamin C I was excited to try this.

The texture is lovely, sinks in so easily with no greasy feeling. Perfect for first thing in the morning whether you wear makeup or not. That aspect of Perfect and Glow I really liked. Unfortunately, not only did I not notice any positive results on my skin apart from increased hydration, I couldn’t get on with the smell of it at all. To me it smelled like Beconase Nasal Spray, which to me is rather unpleasant.

Although I didn’t get on with Perfect and Glow, it certainly hasn’t put me off trying other things from the brand. Their Retinol Serum is on my wish list along with their dark spot brightening serum, pretty much all of their cleansers and Polyhydroxy Acid toner. Ishtar’s prices are extremely reasonable, Perfect and Glow retails at £14.00 for a 30ml bottle. You can find them at http://www.ishtarskinlights.com

Till next time,

Lucy xxx

Technic Metalix Cream Eyeshadows

Hi beauties,

Today is the turn of Technic Cosmetics Metalix Cream eyeshadows.

I have three colours:

I love this formula, the pigment is bold and it’s so easy to apply. It’s also very long lasting, I have very oily eyelids so some shadows don’t always last on me. These are fantastic, enough sheen and brightness without looking over the top I reach for these a lot when I put a face on.

I got mine from eBay at all under £3, a brilliant bargain! You only need a little of the product so they would last a very long time. Perfect every day shadows that are quick to put on so you can get out of the door.

Till next time,

Lucy xxx