Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser

Ever since Caroline Hirons showed the Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cleanser* in one of her videos, I've been itching to try it for myself. There are a couple of reasons why it's taken me years to get the goat milk cleanser into my bathroom. Firstly, like all Kate Somerville products up until recently it was only available in the US and secondly, it was being reformulated so wasn't available to anyone! Now though it's back in a better formula (this one is a cream whereas the original was a balm) and it's now stocked at Space NK and at Kate Somerville online in the UK so those of us who've been desperate to try it can now do so with ease! 

Prior to this cleanser I'd been using Kate Somerville's Exfolikate Cleanser* daily, which I did like but feel that it's more of a 'summertime' cleanser for me. With daily use I found it a little bit drying for my skin and really should have been using a hydrating cream cleanser, which is what my skin really craves at the moment.

I've only had the goat milk for a couple of days but I already feel like this is the start of a beautiful relationship. After my very first cleanse with it (pea sized blob massaged into damp face for 30 seconds before rinsing) it was as if my face did a huge happy sigh of relief. It was like it was grateful to me for bestowing such a glorious thirst-quenching gift upon it's parched contours! My face didn't feel tight in the slightest after rinsing, which is something I've experienced lately with virtually every cleanser, even Cerave, and it sort of frothed up as I massaged it in which was a happy surprise given that it's a cream formula. It has to be mentioned that the goat milk cleanser smells superb. It's a bit sweet, a bit vanilla-ry and a touch goat milky. I guess like a scoop of goat milk vanilla ice cream? It's a delicious scent, however you describe it. The cleanser contains goat milk, Manuka honey and jojoba and avocado oils and is sulfate free. The sulfate alternatives used in this are Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate and cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine which are partly derived from coconut oil and are said to be less harsh on the skin than classic SLS. 

Which leads me to my next point- the goat milk cleanser is so gentle and comforting to use it's unreal, so I imagine it would be absolutely brilliant if you've overdone it with your active skincare (acids, retinols etc) and need something that is not going to disturb your skin in the slightest. All in all, I love this cleanser. It is a high end brand so comes with the price tag to match at £32 for 120ml but my word it is glorious. You can find it at Space NK* or Kate Somerville.

*Affiliate Link

Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar Reveal #24

Drawer number 24 holds a fabulous gift for Christmas Eve - a pot of the iconic Eve Lom Cleanser.
This is actually the first balm cleanser I ever tried nearly ten years ago and I remember how much I loved the ritual of following the little instruction sheet that came with it and massaging the balm in using the different techniques and then wiping it away with the warm damp cloth. It does contain mineral oil, but this balm doesn't cause me any issues whatsoever. It's quite nice to be reunited with a first love on Christmas Eve.
It's £55 for 100ml at Liberty here.

Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar Reveal #15

Today in drawer number 15 we have a tube of Espa Optimal Skin ProCleanser. Espa is another brand I am yet to discover so the cleanser could be a brilliant introduction to the brand. The Optimal Skin ProCleanser contains Moringa Seed Extract, Jojoba Spheres and Pumpkin Enzymes to cleanse and exfoliant. It can be rinsed away or removed with a cloth/flannel or left on for 15 minutes as a mask. Really looking forward to trying this one. The full sized 100ml cleanser retails for £30 though I can't seem to spot it on Liberty online - here's a link the ProCleanser on the Espa site.

May Lindstrom - The Honey Mud Cleansing Silk

I often write about wanting to eat beauty products but this one takes the cake. See what I did there? Food. May Lindstrom The Honey Mud Cleansing Silk is quite simply the most scrumptiously scented cleanser or mask I have ever had the pleasure of sniffing. Fact.
Not only does it smell like an indulgent chocolatey-caramel pudding, but it looks like one too. You know those wobbly, calorific treats cleverly disguised as 'yoghurts' that you find in the dairy aisle? The Honey Mud Cleansing Silk is pretty much one of those. Except it's packed full of ingredients designed to feed your skin rather than your belly box.

The Cleansing Silk contains raw honey, white clay, plant oils and butters that combine to create a luxurious cleanse that exfoliates, decongests and nourishes. In case you were wondering (which I was), the difference between 'raw' honey and normal honey is that raw honey still has all of its natural enzymes, nutrients and anti-fungal properties intact. This is because raw honey still contains pollen, whereas more often than not, your average store bought honey has had the pollen filtered out. Every day's a school day...

The Cleansing Silk is designed to be used as either a cleanser or a mask - because it's clay based, the formula dries if you apply a thin layer and leave it for five minutes or so.
As a cleanser, I feel that it does a pretty decent job and it feels very, very nice on the skin. To use, you just scoop out a little dollop with your finger tip, spread over your face (wet or dry - I prefer it on dry skin), work it in gently using circular motions and then rinse. Now, while this cleanser does rinse away easily, I have trouble just rinsing it off of my face because I am such a cloth cleanser type, so I use a flannel or a muslin cloth afterwards to remove any traces that might be left behind.

I need to mention the consistency of the honey mud cleanser because it's just so weird. Weird in a good way of course. It's deceptively thick, almost like smooth peanut butter and has an almost putty-like quality. By this I mean, when you scoop some out, what's left in the jar 'self smoothes' and the surface evens itself out again. If that makes sense.

Holy mackerel I love this stuff.

May Lindstrom The Honey Mud Cleansing Silk is £64 for 100ml from Cult Beauty. The pot you see in my picture is a much smaller sample size.

Rodin Facial Cleansing Powder

Rodin is just such a luxurious brand and I'm yet to try a product of theirs that I don't like. Fact. It's been a while (years in fact) since my precious sample bottle of the cult Olio Lusso Face Oil came to an end so I am enjoying rediscovering the brand with the latest offering - the Facial Cleansing Powder.

It seems that this has really been the year of the facial cleansing powders and I myself have tried different versions from Givenchy, Nude, Indeed Labs and DHC and each have had significantly different formulas and selling points (foaming, exfoliating etc). The Rodin powder, however, is in a whole different ballpark and for me takes the crown for the most luxe of the bunch.

Fistly, let's talk about this packaging. While glass may not be the most practical packaging for the bathroom, the weight and feel of this bottle really adds to the whole luxurious ritual of using the contents. The bottle comes with a little stopper that fits very snugly in the top and effectively stops moisture getting in and spoiling the product itself.

The powder is granular and can be used in two ways - for an extra exfoliating cleanse, pour a small amount of the powder into damp palms before massaging over the face. For a richer lather, add more water and work with your hands until it reaches your preferred level of foam.

You then just rinse your face clean and away you go. I use a facial cloth to remove this but have used the rinse away method too and there was no residue left behind - just soft, clean feeling skin.
The Rodin Facial Cleansing Powder contains rice bran and moisturising sea algae and doesn't leave the face feeling stripped or tight. It just feels clean and smooth. And that's what we want, isn't it?
The real cherry on top is the scent - the cleansing powder has the same aroma as the facial oil thanks to the addition of the signature Olio Lusso blend of jasmine and neroli. It's just a gorgeous cleanser/ exfoliator that feels fantastic on and leaves my face feeling perfectly clean and rather blissed out really. It's got me lusting after a new bottle of Olio Lusso Face Oil now.

Rodin Facial Cleansing Powder launched last month and is £32 at Liberty.

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Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm Review

I'm always interested to try skincare from brands I haven't used before and the Melting Cleansing Balm has been a nice little introduction to Merumaya.

I'm a major fan of balm cleansers but have only ever used ones that come in tubs, so the Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm has been a bit of a revelation for me.

Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm Review

Not only is it packaged in a tube (which some may argue is more hygienic than sticking your finger in a tub countless times) but the balm cleanser is a pretty special formula that actually turns into a milk when water is added. This little trick makes it relatively easy to rinse away and you don't have to put in as much elbow grease as you might with a traditional balm cleanser. 

Designed for use on a dry face, the cleansing balm spreads easily and pretty much annihilates makeup with the help of some gentle massage. You then add a little warm water and continue to massage as the balm turns milky.

I've removed the cleanser using just my hands and found it wasn't quite enough (though this is just a personal preference) so tried again with a damp flannel, which is how I usually remove cleansers anyway and found it more effective. Once removed, you just go in for your second cleanse using the same motions.

The end result is cleansed, comfortable and conditioned skin. Conditioned might sound like an odd word to use in describing a cleanser but it's the best word I can think of- my face felt pillowy soft and 'fed'. It's not a 'squeaky' sort of clean (we don't want that anyway!) but sort of nourished and cleansed all at once. If that makes sense?

This wonderful, hydrated feeling is down to the addition of Sweet Almond Oil and Echium Oil, which is sort of like a vegetarian version of fish oil and is rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9. The cleanser also contains Mangosteen Fruit Extract which is rich in vitamins and anti oxidants, and is nicely rounded off with the signature Merumaya scent- something I've seen many people rave about!

Overall this is an incredibly gentle balm cleanser that is nothing short of a pleasure to use. It's a yes from me!

At £20 Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm has an affordable price point, especially when compared to other balm cleansers. You can find it at Merumaya.com and John Lewis.

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Sk:n Exfoliating Cleanser

When it comes to my skincare routine, exfoliating is probably my favourite step. There's just nothing quite like the feeling of sloughing away dead skin and prepping it to be smooth and ready to really absorb whatever serum/oil/moisturiser I'm currently obsessing over.

Sk:n Clinics has cleverly combined cleansing and exfoliating to create one simple product to eliminate the need for two separate products.

The exfoliating cleanser is deceptively smooth and creamy - at first glance it just looks like an innocent rich cleanser. In reality though, the cleanser sneakily exfoliates as you cleanse, thanks to the addition of two of my fave skincare ingredients- Glycolic acid and glycerine. If you're familiar with acid toning and exfoliants, you'll already know that Glycolic acid is an extremely effective ingredient found in many anti aging lotions and potions these days. In essence, it melts away dead skin cells and eliminates the need for those granular exfoliating scrubs so many of us grew up with (and occasionally still reach for when feeling extra grimey). Glycerine moisturises the skin while the Glycolic acid does its thing, so skin is left feeling super soft and hydrated.

The Sk:n Clinics Exfoliating Cleanser does create a slight tingling sensation, which I rather enjoy because I like to 'feel' glycolic acid working away. The creamy consistency and hydrating ingredients make it perfect for this time of year, if like me your skin gets a bit dry and tight in the cooler months- I'm definitely reaching for the cleanser more now than I was during summer.

All in all, I think this is a fantastic two in one product, especially if you like your skincare to pack a bit of a punch and still be a bit of a pleasure to use.

If you don't know much about Sk:n Clinics, you can find out more about their products here and also check out the range of treatments they offer in their salons here.

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DHC Face Wash Powder

Powder face washes seem to be having quite a moment don't they? I first got a taste (not literally, ugh) of the whole powder/exfoliating/cleansing combo in the form of Givenchy Hydra Sparkling One Minute Glow Powder in the #BBB Latest in Beauty Givenchy Box a couple of months back and was totally blown away/ sucked in by the rather simple concept of mixing powder with water. My second foray into this mysterious powdery realm was in the form of Indeed Labs Facial Powdered Exfoliator, which you can read about in a previous post and now I'm getting all sudsy with this little beauty - the DHC Face Wash Powder.

Unlike the aforementioned two, the powder from cult Japanese brand DHC is a cleanser and exfoliator in one and contains ingredients to do both jobs. This is not a new product but it has recently relaunched in this cute baby blue bottle with a flip top lid that allows you to pour the right amount of powder out.

Featuring a fine powder cornstarch base, the exfoliating action of the powder is delivered via protease enzyme - a kind of enzyme that aids in dissolving dead skin cells- while licorice, honey and lavender cleanse, soothe, soften and moisturise.

To use, you simply mix a little bit of the powder with water and massage it in to a wet face. The formula does lather up but not like traditional foaming cleansers or, say, a bar of soap. 

In other words it doesn't suck every last drop of water out of your skin but on the contrary my skin feels a bit moisturised once rinsed.

I found the exfoliation with this to be very gentle so I'd imagine it would be a good match for sensitive skins and, as is the standard with DHC products, it is fragrance free.

Overall I think this is a great little product and the powder formula makes it an ideal travel companion. I didn't find the exfoliation quite strong enough for my liking and I'm happy to use a separate cleanser and exfoliator but I can tell you that this little blue bottle came with me on an overnight break in Salisbury last weekend and it did the job just fine!

DHC Face Wash Powder is £9.50 for 50g of product and is available at DHC, Feelunique , Escentual and other selected retailers.

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The Glow Getters - Top 5 Skincare Edit

It's no secret that I have a (slightly excessive) fascination with Skincare.
Call it an obsession if you will, but moisturisers, lotions, oils, cleansers, serums, exfoliators and other potions have a special place in my heart/desk/ shower/ floor. Personally, I like to think of looking after my skin as an investment - after all I'm stuck with it for the rest of my life and now that I'm standing at the door of the big 3-0 I'm more inclined than ever to keep it looking healthy and feeling good!
To share some of my favourites, I've put together a little edit of my top 5 skincare picks for glowing, delicious (?), happy skin. These products actually work for me and they've made it onto this post because I saw results! No BS here, just a little run down of old faithfuls and a few new bits I'm loving lately.

Indeed Labs Facial Powdered Exfoliator
A recent purchase, this exfoliating powder hooked me in from all the great reviews on the Boots website and seems to actually deliver. Containing pineapple enzymes, the powder is mixed with water in your palm and foams up to create a slightly clinical scented concoction that fizzes away and leaves skin feeling super squeaky clean and smooth. £18.99 at Boots.

Pixi Glow Tonic

I've had this bottle of Pixi Glow Tonic for a good few months now and go through stages of using it religiously and sporadically. It gives my complexion a super smooth peachy glow directly after use and keeps try bits at bay with long term use. £18 at Cult Beauty.

Soap and Glory Beauty Sleep Accelerator Night & Flight Moisture Miracle
This one is a recent discovery and a bit of a revelation! While I can't comment on long term effects at this point, I can say that I wake up with healthy looking, bright skin after applying this the night before. It feels really, really moisturising and smells gorgeous- kind of like a tropical fruit salad. Love the minimalist packaging too. £13 at Boots.

Clinique Turnaround Daytime Moisturiser
The Clinique Turnaround Daytime Revitalising Moisturiser is a rather new release and delivers lightweight, oil free hydration with a tiny hint of luminous shimmer. I've found it to be a great quick fix on a tired face and leaves the skin lovely and soft. I have Turnaround Daytime in 'Rosy Glow' but it's also available in 'Golden Glow' which would be great for summer. £32 at Boots.

Nourish Rejuvenating Peptide Serum
I had the Nourish Rejuvenating Peptide Serum* very kindly sent to me about 6 weeks ago and have been using it almost every second day. It claims to 'enhance skin's natural luminosity' via light responsive bio-actives and seems to do just that! The peptide serum feels like water on the skin and has a beautiful natural rose scent that I just love - I imagine I will be reaching for this a lot this Spring. £20

So there you have my top 5 glow-inducing skincare bits. What are your go-to glow getters?

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water Review

Micellar water is a must have for many people these days and I myself have been converted by the universally loved Bioderma Sensibio H20 cleansing water.

                        

As a fan of Sensibio H20, I was curious about the new Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water so I played it against my beloved Bioderma to see how it faired.

I figured the best test for the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water would be to task it with the removal of my eye make up. I soaked a cotton pad with the water and gently pressed it over closed eyes before wiping it away. 

The results were as I suspected - my eyeshadow, liquid eyeliner and mascara all wiped away easily with very little effort and no stinging, which is obviously a bonus. Like Bioderma, it only took a few wipes to remove the makeup and leave my eyes bare. The water is also beautifully cooling and refreshing so it will be extra appreciated in the summer I think!

While there is very little difference between the two products, I will say that I thought the Garnier offering feels a little bit 'oilier' than Bioderma Sensibio H20, but other than that they feel virtually the same to me and both do a wonderful job at taking off makeup.

One way that they do differ significantly though is in the price point. The Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is £4.99 (currently £3.32 at Superdrug) for a generous 400ml while the Bioderma formulas are around £9.99 for 250ml. Overall, I think this is a brilliant product and I will be repurchasing, though I doubt I'll resist stocking up on Bioderma the next time I visit Paris.

Have you tried Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water?

Sjal Rose Aura Cleansing Set

Sjal Rose Aura Cleansing Set

For the last week or so I've had the pleasure of cleansing, toning and moisturising with the Sjal Rose Aura Cleansing Set.

I tried a couple of incredible masks from Sjal back in February (you can read about them here) and have been following this beautiful brand ever since, so it's been really wonderful to experience this totally indulgent collection of skincare goodies.

The Sjal Rose Aura Cleansing Set contains the Balans Deep Pore Cleanser, Mineral Kalla Energy Tonic, Cela Intuitif Light Cellular Renewal Creme and a natural Konjac Sponge.

The cleansing ritual has been designed to cleanse, detoxify and brighten the complexion using a unique blend of gemstones and minerals.

The Balans Deep Pore Cleanser

Sjal Balans Deep Pore Cleanser

When used in conjunction with the Konjac sponge (two or three   pumps applied directly to the wet sponge) the Balans cleanser works to deep clean the skin, improving the texture and targeting blackheads as it clears away sebum and excess oils. The cleanser is infused with gold, silver and , germanium, pearl extract, fig leaf extract, rice bran extract, Vitamin E and African Whitewood extract. The cleanser is quite milky and smells really beautiful and comforting- the perfect first step in an indulgent cleansing ritual.

The Mineral Kalla Energy Tonic

Sjal Mineral Kalla Energy Tonic

My favourite product in the set, this tonic is luxurious, refreshing and     completely decadent. Infused with skin-loving ingredients such as energising Siberian ginseng, the spritz contains Rose Quartz and little particles of gold and silver that you can actually see floating around in the bottle!

Sjal Mineral Kalla Energy Tonic

 The Mineral Kalla Energy Tonic is great for toning after you cleanse and as a pick-me-up throughout the day. I've also found it handy for setting foundation and, like the Balans Deep Pore Cleanser, it smells absolutely gorgeous.

The Cela Intuitif Light Cellular Renewal Creme
The perfect finishing touch to the cleansing ritual, the cellular renewal creme contains Vitamin C and fruit acids to promote gentle exfoliation and pearl and licorice to even out skin pigmentation. Light yet incredibly hydrating, the creme contains 'saphire elixir' and nano gold and silver to brighten, protect, clear and strengthen the skin. 

Sjal Cela Intuitif Light Cellular Renewal Creme

Sjal Cela Intuitif Light Cellular Renewal Creme

I haven't been using the Sjal Rose Aura Cleansing Set for long so I can't tell you about long term results, but I can tell you that this collection is incredibly indulgent and leaves my skin feeling baby-smooth and hydrated without any oiliness, and you can't argue with that!

The Rose Aura Cleansing Set is around £100 and available at Mankind.

Have you tried anything from Sjal?

Cosmetics 27 - Baume 27 & Cleanser 27 Review

Cosmetics 27 by M.E SkinLab is a skincare range dreamed up and created by Pharmacist Michelle Evrard containing eco-certified natural ingredients that have been tried and tested extensively to ensure they do what they say on the tin!
Every product in the range contains 27 key ingredients to encourage a gorgeous, glowing complexion.

For the past month I've been using Cleanser 27 and Baume 27 and have found both little pots work brilliantly with my winter-parched skin.

Cleanser 27

At a glance, the Bio- Balancing Cleansing Balm is a lot like other balm cleansers - thick and kind of waxy and emulsifying once water is added.

The difference with this one however, is that it performs in 3 stages - first a balm, then an oil, then an emulsion. Pretty cool hey?

The cleanser is excellent for removing makeup and contains 100% natural ingredients including Bamboo powder and Chamomile extract.

It's very subtly scented, so once again a great option for sensitive skins.

To get the most out of Cleanser 27, I apply a small amount to my dry face and massage for about a minute before moistening the face and massaging again. Then it's a simple rinse with warm water and I'm all done!

While the texture of this is similar to most balm hot-cloth cleansers, the bonus is that there's no need to use a cloth with this one. The Bamboo extract contains exfoliating enzymes so there's no scrubbing required!

Baume 27

Oh how I love a cult classic beauty product.
Nourishing. comforting and nothing short of brilliant, Baume 27 has saved my skin this winter.
A 'Bio Energizing Cell Repair Balm', this luxuriously thick balm moisturises, replenishes, smoothes, protects and regenerates (phew!) thanks to its antioxidant and anti-aging properties.
To apply, you take a small amount of the balm and warm it between fingertips to emulsify before massaging it in to the face.

It's designed for use in the morning and at night, but I only really use at night to allow it to really sink in while I snooze.
The balm contains zero parabens, petroleum derivatives and silicones but does contain a whole load of lovely  things such as Neem oil, Hibiscus extract, Vitamin E, Pure Lemon extract, Aloe Vera and Shea Butter.

I found both of these products to be pretty lovely. It can be difficult to find 'gentle yet effective' skincare, but these 2 really do the trick and to be honest I'll be sad when the pots are empty!

At £60.00 (125ml) and £115.00 (50ml) respectively, Cleanser 27 and Baume 27 are virtually investment products but if you're keen to splash the cash on some luxury skincare, I recommend you take a look at these.

You can find out more about the Cosmetics 27 range at Look Fantastic.

Thanks for reading!

*Samples - Words/ opinions are my own

Post-Christmas Cleansing with Aesop

Aesop is an Australian skincare brand with a strong focus on plant-based formulations to cleanse, purify and beautify every skin type.
I was lucky enough to receive two of the brand's cleansing products for Christmas from my fella and after using them for the past week or so I'm about ready to share my thoughts.

Purifying Facial Cream Cleanser

Packaged in a rather retro looking tube, this non-foaming cleanser is mild and creamy with a subtle lavender scent.
Lavender stem, white clay and chamomile bud combine to make this gorgeous cleanser suitable for normal/ dry skin, making it a fantastic cleansing option for cold weather when skin can really dry out.

To use, just squeeze a small amount into your palms, massage over your damp face and remove with warm water or a damp cloth.

This cleanser reminds me of Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, but with a thinner texture and more subtle fragrance.
For me, the purifying facial cream cleanser is a real treat to use as it's extremely gentle and non-irritating yet leaves my skin feeling cleansed and refreshed.
*When washing off a full face of makeup, I like to cleanse twice with this- it's not quite tough enough to wash away Estee Lauder Double Wear in one go!

Remove 

This grape seed oil based potion dissolves eye makeup (and MAC matte lip formulas!) in one fell swoop.

Perfect for waterproof makeup enthusiasts, the formula is laced with Blue Chamomile to soothe delicate bits such as the area around the eyes.

To use, apply the remover to a damp cotton pad, gently press onto the eyes to loosen stubborn mascara/ eyeliner/ shadow, then wipe the makeup away.

*Remove is also really effective when mixed with your regular cleanser to get rid of waterproof or long-wearing foundation. Just add a few drops to your cleanser and cleanse as normal - just remember to rinse really well!

I really like Aesop as a brand, not only because the products are really luxurious but for the fact that they make me a bit nostalgic for my homeland. I still remember my first sniff of Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream at David Jones in Brisbane many years ago!
As gorgeous as these cleansers are, they don't come cheap so for me they're definitely treat products!
The Purifying Facial Cream Cleanser weighs in at £27 for 100ml of product while Remove costs a hefty £25 for 100ml.
If you haven't yet dabbled in the delightful world of Aesop, I really recommend you do, even if it's just for a visit to one of their beautiful stores for a cheeky test of one of their lovely hand creams.
You can read more about Aesop HERE.

Thanks for reading!

Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser

As far as shower and bath products go, Philosophy is hands down, my number one favourite and now the cheeky American brand has gone and converted me to their best selling cleanser - Purity Made Simple.

It's actually quite rare for me to repurchase cleansers, because I'm constantly enticed by the plethora of new skincare products that keep popping up in Boots, but I'm on my second bottle of this, and for very good reason too.

Gentle yet effective, this award winning cleanser is a multi tasking wonder product that melts off make up, deeply cleanses the skin and conditions the complexion all at the same time.

The best bit? This stuff doesn't sting my (relatively sensitive)eyes, so removing mascara is fuss free and eyeball friendly.

How do you use it?
Massage a little dollop into dry skin for about 30 seconds and rinse with warm water. I usually repeat this but it's probably not necessary!

What's in it?
A few unpronounceable's (such as sodium trideceth sulfate) and a whole load of nourishing and cleansing bits including rosewood, sage, carrot and sandalwood oils and  pepper seed extract.

The Consistency
Somewhere between a gel and a cream that slightly foams upon contact with water.

The Scent
This is essentially unscented, but I can definitely smell something a bit peppery.

The Price Tag
I buy the little 90ml bottles of this from Boots for £8 (a great size if you just want to give it a try for a few weeks) but you can also get your hands on a 240ml bottle for £17.50.

The Verdict
Purity Made Simple is easy to use, effectively removes a full face of slap and leaves my skin squeaky clean yet hydrated in one step. All in all, I love this product.

You can find Philosophy products at Boots, online and at department stores.

Have you tried any of Philosophy's skin care products?

Thanks for reading :)

A Beautiful Brand: Beauty Works West

If you've been visiting Lippy in London for a while, you may have noticed that I've featured a few products from Notting Hill based Medispa and Online Boutique Beauty Works West. What you may not know however, is that Beauty Works West is also a brand in itself, offering a range of scrumptious body, hair and bath products as well as beautiful candles.

The luxurious concoctions were all developed by world renowned anti-ageing expert, Dr. Daniel Sister, so you know you're in very capable hands with these gorgeous products!

I've been trialing the Anti-Ageing Body Cream and the Cleanse Organic Facial Cloths and I'm so pleased with the performance and all round gorgeousness of these products that I wanted to share my thoughts.

Beauty Works West Anti-Ageing Body Cream

This fresh, thick and decadent body cream is pure luxury in every way.

Made with super nourishing Cocoa Seed and Shea Butter, this cream is very rich yet quickly absorbed, leaving the skin incredibly soft and smooth without the grease factor.

The scent is a gorgeous, long lasting citrus heavy, slightly spicy concoction that keeps the skin smelling lovely and fresh - even during perilous Tube journeys in June.

The Anti-Ageing Body Cream is £41.50 for a generous 225ml tub of luxury. Have a closer look at the body cream at www.beautyworkswest.com or click here.

Beauty Works West Cleanse Organic Facial Cloths

I get home from work close to midnight some evenings, so I'm a huge fan of using facial wipes to remove make up and impurities quickly and easily. I do however have trouble finding wipes that don't irritate my skin to the point where I have to get out of bed and wash of the residue and this is why I love these.

These organic cleansing wipes are infused with soothing Aloe Vera and anti-ageing Pomegranate extracts, so they comfort my face rather than infuriate it and they're so gentle I can even use them to remove mascara and eyeliner. When I find a facial wipe that doesn't irritate my eyes, I'm not going to forget about it anytime soon and I think these are just perfect.

The wipes retail at £7.95 for a box of 25 and you can find them by clicking here.

Along with the Beauty Works West branded products, you can also find a range of beautiful products from other brands by visiting the company's online boutique. They stock all kinds of gorgeous goodies including La Bella Donna mineral make up and the iconic Egyptian Magic all purpose skin cream.

To find out more about Beauty Works West visit beautyworkswest.com

Thanks for reading!

*These were kindly sent to me for consideration but remember, I'm an honest kinda gal ;)

Coming Clean: bareMinerals cleanser

Hello!

Since I visited bareMinerals at Debenhams to collect my foundation sample last week, I've been much more interested in the brand and was pleasantly surprised by the fact that bareMinerals isn't just about makeup, but skincare too.

Because Spring has *allegedly* sprung, I thought it could be time to put away the cleansing oil that kept my winter skin in check and make room in the shower for something a little more 'clean' feeling.

So, after a consultation at bareMinerals, I was steered towards their Deep Cleansing Foam.

The key ingredients in this cleanser are Grapeseed Oil, Avocado Oil and Starfruit, but the hero component is the bareMinerals ' rareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex'.

What on Earth is ActiveSoil you ask? 

The ActiveSoil Complex is essentially a concentrate made from organic, mineral rich soil! 

And here I was thinking that the point of cleansers was to remove dirt from ones face :0

The complex is supposed to tighten pores and encourage cell turnover, water absorption and general luminosity therefore promoting a softer, smoother skin texture.

To use, you only need a tiny pearl sized amount which you lather up on to your damp face. A word of warning: make sure you don't get this stuff in your eyes. Believe me, it stings.

I'm quite a fan of that 'soap and water' clean feeling some cleansers provide (like the Foaming Cleanser by Clarins I used in Australia) because I like my face to feel squeaky clean in warmer weather, and this cleanser fits the bill. It leaves my face feeling very clean, but not dry and and tight and has a nice herbal scent too!

Have you tried anything from the bareMinerals skincare range?? ?

Philosophy UK

I did a little squeal of delight when I got an email the other day telling me that one of my favourite beauty brands had officially launched online here in the UK.

In my opinion, Philosophy comes up with some of the most scrumptious bath and body concoctions (Maple Pecan Crumble shower gel, anyone?) and produces simple and effective skincare products that have already gained a cult following over in the US.

Of course, we already had access to some of Philosophy's offerings thanks to Boots and department stores, but the new website means that Brits can now enjoy the full range of delicacies once reserved for our American comrades.

Hurrah!

I'm testing out Philosophy's best selling cleanser Purity Made Simple at the moment and I can report that it is a lovely facewash if you prefer a fuss-free cleanse. It removes make up, cleanses, tones and hydrates in one step, so it's a fantastic option for busy ladies (and blokes) who want a squeaky clean finish fast. You can pick up a 90ml bottle for £8 so you don't need to fork out the big bucks to try it out. I likey!



Purity Made Simple £8 - £28.50


Treat yourself, and visit Philosophy UK to stock up on some truly delicious products and receive a free (very generous) sampler bag when you spend over £40 until January 16.

Yummy. :)

Thanks for reading, and sorry I've been out of action for a while...:o

Hannah Rose xxx

Star Product: EH Natural Lift & Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm

Ok, so I wasn't going to do a post tonight because I am beyond exhausted, but then I experienced an amazing product and felt I needed to share it. :o

Those of you who subscribe to the monthly Feel Unique Beauty Box will already know about this cleanser and I don't know about you, but I'm already hooked :).

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Cleansing Balm

 I mentioned in a previous post that this balm reminds me of the cult cleanser from Eve Lom - a sort of thick, lumpy concoction once touted by Vogue as 'the best cleanser in the world'. To an extent, it is similar - like Eve Lom, this balm is fairly fragrant and looks quite a lot like solidified honey, but when it comes down to results, I actually prefer the Emma Hardie cleanser! I really enjoy using Eve Lom, so for me this is quite a bold statement.

Before I tried this product, I didn't research it at all.  I didn't google, trawl blogs or even visit the brand's website to find out 'what to expect'. Why? Because I wanted to see what I would really think about this cleanser without any preconceptions whatsoever. All I did was follow the instructions on the box, and here's what happened:


Following the instructions, I mixed a little of the cleanser in my palm with some warm water and massaged it into my face, before removing it with the dampened EH cloth that also came in the Feel Unique Box. I repeated this, using the softer side of the cloth initially, before using the harsher side for light exfoliation as I removed the cleanser for the second time.

The results? Well let's just say that there's a reason this is in the 'Amazing Face' range!

My skin has seriously not felt this soft since I last had a professional facial (which incidentally was years ago in Australia) and it's so nice to find a cleanser that feels pampering yet still gives me that 'clean' feeling.

I think the secret to the amazingness (not a word) of this cleanser lies in the key ingredient - Moringa seed extract. Moringa is known as a 'super plant' renowned for it's antibacterial and antioxidant properties as well as its extraordinary levels of Vitamin A and calcium.

Behold! The Moringa Plant

Other skin loving ingredients include: Wild Sea Fennel, Vitamin E, orange, cedarwood, rose, jasmine, neroli and mandarin extracts. So basically, it's packed with really good stuff!

 I have combination skin with dehydration in the cheek/eye area, so I love cleansers that are moisturising, but not too 'creamy'. This one really hits the spot because even though it looks rather like a pot of solidifed oil, once the cleanser is combined with water, it transforms into a light and milky consistency. It removed a full face of makeup and cleansed my skin to perfection and, though I hate to use a cliche, it really did leave me glowing, and my night serum seemed to sink into my skin more quickly than usual.

Once I've used up my beauty box sample I'll be purchasing the full size 100ml balm from Cult Beauty for £38.

I'd love to know what you think of the Emma Hardie Natural Lift & Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm - hope you love it as much as I do :)

P.S. The cleanser can be used as an ultra nourishing mask - just apply a layer and leave it on the skin for 10 minutes before removing as normal.