Review: Ren Resurfacing AHA Concentrate

Hi everyone, it's the end of January, and as promised, I'm here and I'm ready to get posting again. 

If you weren't already aware, I've been spending the past two or three months with my head in some books in a bid to better myself and the skills I have to offer, not to mention getting on with my NCTJ studies. While all this has been going on, it hasn't left me a huge amount of time to blog, and while I will be continuing along the journey of self-improvement, I'm now keen to dedicate a bit more time to this little space again. I miss the days of daily postings.

Today I want to share one of my favourite secret skincare weapons with you, namely the glorious Ren Resurfacing AHA Concentrate. Now, I'm sure most of you remember the huge buzz surrounding Alpha Hydroxy Acids last year, and I was right there at the forefront, cheering them on. At the time, my product of choice was the wonderfully gentle Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner, but I have to admit that after a few weeks of use, I began to feel a bit disheartened, as the beneficial effects became less and less.

A bit of background, for anyone who was living under a rock last year and has been left scratching their head.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids are a class of either naturally occurring or synthetic (we all know which I prefer!) chemical compounds,  often used in the cosmetics industry in products claiming to reduce lines and wrinkles,. Essentially, they are chemical exfoliants - much less abrasive than scrubbing away at delicate skin with coarse grains - and gently remove dead skin cells to reveal a new, smoother, softer layer of skin underneath - amongst other things.

The Ren Resurfacing AHA Concentrate is comprised of glycolic, lactic, tartaric and citric acids - all naturally occurring in pineapple, passion fruit, lemon and grapes - and aims to promote skin cell turnover, gently resurfacing and decongesting the skin so that pores and fine lines appear reduced,  leaving the complexion bright, smooth and radiant.

At night, apply one pipette onto clean skin, avoiding the delicate eye area. You can follow up with serum if you like, but personally I like to leave this magic potion to do its thing, uninterrupted, so I generally leave it at that. "What, no moisturiser!?" I hear you ask. Well worry not, as this little beauty aids moisture retention too, and as you only use it for a week or so at a time, it certainly doesn't have any detrimental effects on the skin in that department.

Generally speaking, I tend to use this product in two week cycles to get a really dramatic effect without overdoing it, but you can also try using it every other day over a longer period, which works just as well.

This smells divine - reminiscent of all the tropical fruity goodness it contains - and for me, is an absolute pleasure to use.

But does it work? Oh yes. After use, my skin feels baby-soft, plump and smooth, and is left glowing with radiance after a two-week stint. It definitely helps keep skin decongested and free of any unsightly blocked pores too, which is always an added bonus. 

I would recommend this for people of absolutely all skin-types - it may sound scary, but in reality it is extremely gentle and I have never experienced any adverse effects while using it. That said, if you are extremely sensitive then you may want to do a patch test first, and probably only use it a couple of times a week to start with in order to gauge how your skin responds.

TheRen Resurfacing AHA Concentrate may be pricey, coming in at £30 for 30ml, but it lasts an age and is well worth the splurge. And now that it's available from M & S as well as directly from the Ren website, it's even easier to get hold of.

Go forth and buy!! You won't regret this one.

Are you new to AHAs, or are you an old hand? What are your favourite resurfacing products?

xx

The Weekly Selection

It's been a few weeks since I last did one of these, and suffice to say, there are one or two beauty treats I've been very much looking forward to sharing with to you. Ok, make that four.

I'm often found loitering around the Bumble & Bumble stand in Boots, desperately wanting to grab all they have to offer, throw it into my shopping basket and sprint for the till point. Alas, I usually have to summon the strength to peel myself away, as at pushing thirty pounds a pop, their products are definitely not cheap. Imagine my delight then, when I stumbled upon a little shelf of miniature Bumble & Bumble goodness, tucked sneakily away in the depths of the general haircare oil. For between £7.50 and £10, you can pick up all manner of coveted haircare products, for a fraction of the price of their heftier cousins, in miniature. Genius, I tell you. Needless to say, one or two items definitely did venture till-wards with me, one of those being the lovely Buble & Bumble Shine On Finishing Spray, £10 for 60ml. Granted, it might be still a little bit on the pricey side for the amount of product, but if you're a fan of trying before you buy full-size then this is a great idea. I've been spritzing this onto my dull mop after styling each day, for a bit of extra dazzle, and it's not half bad.

Speaking of lank locks, I couldn't help but pick up the Charles Worthington Salon at Home Moisture Seal Intense Rescue Melting Balm (aaaand breathe....), a novel concept if I may say so. Rather than slathering this onto wet hair as you would expect with a hair masque, this thick balm is rubbed between the palms where it becomes an oil, and slicked generously onto dry hair. Leave for twenty minutes, and hey presto, you're ready for your shampoo and conditioner as normal. Having only used this once, I'll reserve full judgement until later, but I did definitely find my hair to be more manageable after dipping my toe in for the first time.

Another new product welcomed into the fold has been the Ren Resurfacing AHA Concentrate, which has been on my shopping list for an age. I finally cracked last week, after much umming and ahhing over whether or not it was worth it, given that I already have and enjoy the Clarins Brightening Exfoliator Toner. Once again, we aren't yet full acquainted, but after a couple of uses I can report that this smells fruitily fantastic (much like the Glyco mask from the same range) and leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth in the mornings.I shall report back soon!

Last but not least is this delightful Indulgent Fig & Orange Oil Moisturising Hand and Nail Cream from M&S. Smells divine and does the job, which is all you can ask, really!

Candle-wise, I've been loving the warming scent of my latest Christmas Yankee in Fireside Treats - sweet and toasty, without being sickly or overpowering. Definite winner.

Which products have been floating your boat this week?
Have you entered my Christmas Giveaway?

xx

Mirror on the Wall: Christmas Giveaway!

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and in my eyes, there couldn't be a better time for a bit of a festive giveaway. Not only that, but for my first ever competition on Mirror on the Wall. 

Yep, that's right, in all the time I've been posting on here, never before have I given you the chance to win a bundle of fantastic treats, and now that I'm settled back in the UK, I just want to say a big thank you to all of you for getting me through my time living abroad. If you're a regular reader then you'll know what a difficult time it was, and finding the blogging world and making friends with some of the lovely people behind my favourite posts played a huge part in helping me push on through the final stretch!

I wanted to share some really great prizes with you, so with that in mind, I have lined up a bundle of goodies that I myself just can't live without.  To be in with the chance of winning:

1) Small Yankee Candle Jar in Christmas Eve

2) Ren Invisible Pore Detox Mask

3) Bumble and Bumble Shine Finishing Spray (small)

4) Indulgent Fig & Orange Oil Moisturising Hand and Nail Cream

5) Seventeen Quicker Slicker Colour in 'Potion'

6) Bourjois Colour Boost in Red Sunrise

All you have to do is fill in the Rafflecopter form below. I've made a point of not including a ridiculous amount of different entry options, because frankly I find that quite annoying! However, there are a few things you can do to get yourself into the prize draw, and I wish all of you the best of luck! 

The competition closes at midnight on Christmas Eve, and for anyone who goes getting any funny ideas about cheating, don't do it - I will be checking each entry to make sure there hasn't been any foul play going on, and if it does turn out to be the case then you will, of course, be disqualified. Just saying.

*All prizes will be brand new and unopened.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xx

Holy Grail Beauty

It's not often that I will go so far as to declare a beauty product a 'Holy Grail' item, and in oder for me to do so it really does have to be something special. There are so many fantastic products out there, but often I am left with the feeling that there must be something better out there, even when it comes to the products that I love. Let's face it, there's not really such a thing as a miracle product. But upon thinking about my own beauty collection and which products I really, truly couldn't live without, I came up with these six little gems. If I love them that much, then it's only right that I should share them with you, so here goes.

Topping the list, it has to be the Elemental Herbology Eye Elixir Reparative Serum. Of all the products I own, this one has made the single most dramatic difference to both my appearance and to the way I feel about myself, and a good eye cream is most certainly not easy to find. Generally, they tend to be over-priced and promise the world, but when it comes to delivery there is usually a lot to be desired. This little beaut, however, does exactly what it claims to on the tin, reducing the appearance of dark circles and taking down puffiness like no other. The only area in which I haven't noticed as vast a difference is in the reduction of fine lines, but in my eyes (excuse the pun) there really isn't much that can be physically done about those once you've got them. I'd highly recommend this eye cream to anyone who struggles with any under-eye issues, and will continue to buy this again and again. Unfortunately it is rather pricey, but it lasts for months on end, and I'd rather pay out for one cream that actually works than five cheaper ones that don't change a jot. Full review here.

Next up is the MUA Pro Brow Kit, which at just £3.50 is an absolute bargain. Now, I know you're going to be annoyed with me for not showing you the inside, but trust me, you really wouldn't want to with the current state it's in. Let's just call it well-loved, and I'll refer you back to my full review here if you want to see it in all it's brand-new glory. The kit contains two brow shades (one lighter, one darker) and a contour which can be used beneath the browbone. There is also a rather handy pair of mini tweezers, as well as a flimsy slanted brush which I must admit, I never use. What I love about this product is that the darker brow shade is an exact match for my own, and once applied it stays put all day. I love how sculpted and groomed it leaves my brows looking, and how natural the finish is. I suppose the fact that I literally just use the one colour and the pair of tweezers is a bit of a shame, and perhaps doesn't say a lot for the product as a whole. But at a bargainous price, it gives me exactly what I want as does the job to perfection. It's rare that I will pick up the same product, day in, day out, but that's exactly what I do with this little kit, so for me it deserves HG status.

Two blushes I can always rely on to perk up my complexion no matter what are Nars Deep Throat (review here) and Mac Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Peachykeen. Deep Throat is a soft peachy pink which would flatter any skin tone, and Peachykeen (review here) is more of a dusky burnt peach. Both add a subtle, glowing sheen to the cheeks without making you look like a glitterball, and when I am feeling really tired and run down, or just generally having a bad face day, one of these two can always manage to sort things out and get me looking alive and awake again.

Last up, two skincare products. I reach for the Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser every single morning, and it works wonders at keeping any excess oil at bay. Even better, it leaves kin feeling soft, smooth and comfortable - not dry or tight as you might expect. If you've got an oily t-zone or blemish-prone skin then this one is a must-have (full review here).  The Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner is another daily necessity for me, as containing AHAs, it gently exfoliates the skin, removing any pore-blocking debris which as a result, keeps blemishes and breakouts to a minimum. It's not a miracle worker, but then I don't think there is a product in this world that can curb hormonal breakouts completely (if there is then please do let me know!). It has, however, made a noticeable difference since I first began using it, and it leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft to boot.

Which products would you be willing to give the coveted Holy Grail Status?

xx

The Weekend Beauty Wishlist

Well, there's a surprise - as per usual, my beauty wish list is packed full of skincare and not a lot else. It's not that I don't like makeup - I really do. But the quest for normal skin has got the better of me, and I just can't rest until I get it back! It's so ironic that back before I got into blogging, and (brace yourselves) would often go to sleep with a face full of makeup after a night out, relying on face wipes far too heavily the rest of the time, I had absolutely perfect skin with rarely a spot in sight. And yet now that I take care of it meticulously and have a healthier lifestyle in general, it basically hates me, and I hate it.

Anyway, enough of my moaning - we've been there, done that enough times already. But today I thought I'd put together a little list of the products that have been playing on my mind of late, one or two (!?) of which I'm hoping to pick up on my way through duty free. You may remember me doing a specifically duty free wish list a couple of weeks back, but times are a-changing and so is my shopping list. Saying that, I'd still love to get my hands on the majority of products featured, so I'm not really that fickle. Just greedy, perhaps.

A lot of the products on my list this time are for Clarins, a brand which is really, really appealing to me at the moment. I have always liked them, and grew up sneaking bits of my mother's products here and there, but it's only since trying their Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner that I've really been bitten by the Clarins bug. 

I'm in need of a new cleanser, so first on my list is the Pure Melt Cleansing Gel with Marula oil., which turns into an oil and then a milk upon application, melting away every last hint of makeup while leaving skin nourished and hydrated. I've also got my eye on the Lotus Face Treatment Oil for oily/combination skin. I do have a bit of an uncooperative t-zone, so a soothing oil which also aims to balance the skin and tone the pores would definitely come in handy. I've heard a lot about the HydraQuench Cream-Gel for normal to combination skin, and I find it notoriously difficult to get my hands on a good moisturiser for any skin type other than normal to dry, so I'm really intrigued by this one. Last of all, I quite fancy trying the Instant Smooth Self Tanning to add a bit of colour to my face, and the One-Step Facial Cleanser with Orange Extract, which sounds handy for travel as well as delicious-smelling.

It isn't just Clarins that's been calling my name lately. I'm already a big fan of the Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser, which does a fabulous job of keeping oil at bay in the mornings, but I feel that I need to add something more to my routine in the fight against blemishes. The Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarity Restoring Mask will fit nicely into my current routine, and hopefully will produce the desired results. I really trust in Ren skincare, as I have loved everything I've tried from them so far. If you haven't given them a go yet then I highly recommend starting with one of their masks. I'm also planning on testing out the Origins Make a Difference + Rejuvenating Treatment, which is supposed to be great for problem skin. I got a gift set from the Make a Difference range for Christmas, and was really impressed with the quality of the products and all that they did for my skin. Sadly though, this one wasn't included in the kit, and the ultra-rich moisturiser that was proved to be a bit oo heavy for my skin.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronised Recovery Complex II is new on the block, and in a nutshell claims to make you look younger overnight. Well, who wouldn't want that? Sadly, I fear this might be a slight exaggeration, but with fine lines and crinkles already beginning to appear around my eyes I'm not really in a position to argue. Frankly I'll try anything.

What's on your beauty shopping list this week?

xx

Summer Beauty Essentials

When it comes to summer, we all have different ideas about which products are absolute essentials, but there are some things which we can all agree on. Today I thought I'd share with you my most reached-for products over the summer months, and it wasn't easy narrowing them down!

I definitely have to have a tinted moisturiser on hand in the summer, as when the weather heats up there is nothing I like less than the feeling of a heavy foundation on my skin. My current weapon of choice is the Caudalie Teint Divin Tinted Moisturiser in Light-Medium, as it blends easily, gives a healthy, dewy finish and adds a bit of colour without looking artificial. On my cheeks, I love a bright cream blush, and my favourite of all is the Topshop Cream Blush in Flush (yep, that old chestnut). I got this a couple of months ago and have been pretty much in love with the vibrant coral pink shade ever since. You may have noticed, since I have mentioned it a fair few times before! 

Bright lips and nails are an absolute must for me in the summer time, as I'm all for using cosmetics to reflect the current season. Vibrant shades tend to perk me up and leave me feeling energised, so I've been going for Revlon Posh and Make Mine Mango on my nails, and Mac Impassioned on my lips. Saying that, I do seem to have a plethora of orange, coral and pink lip colours on hand to see me through this time of year - other favourites include Topshop Infrared, and Mac Coral Bliss, Vegas Volt and Lady Danger.

Skincare-wise, I like to keep things light, and the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask is just the ticket when it comes to weekly treatments. The manuka honey intensely moisturises the skin, and helps combat blemishes with it's antibacterial properties all in one go. The Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner will also help to keep things running smoothly, aiding the skin's natural exfoliating process by sloughing away any debris and dead skin cells. The result? Soft, smooth skin. Do make sure you use a really high SPF on your face if you are going out in the sun after using this though - the AHAs it contains can make you more susceptible to sunburn, and nobody wants that.

In terms of moisture, I often struggle to find a cream that will keep everything balanced and hydrated without being too rich or heavy, but the Ren T-Zone Balancing Day Fluid does a great job.

I like to go for fruity-scented body products and fragrances when the sun is shining, so the Nip & Fab Mango Smoothie Body Butter and Nina Ricci Eau de Toilette make the perfect finishing touches. The former smells exactly as you'd expect, while the latter has a gorgeous aroma of deliciously sweet apples, and has been a favourite of mine for some years now.

What are your Summer essentials?

xx

Review: Ren Clearcalm 3 Clay Cleanser

Ren is a brand that had my vote from the off. With a wide range of skincare products catering for all skin-types, they sum up their 'clean' philosophy in three words: Performance, Purity and Pleasure.

You will never stumble across a Ren product that has parabens, sulphates, mineral oil or synthetic fragrances on its' ingredients list, and being someone who tries their very best to avoid such chemical nasties, this suits me jussst fine.

The Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser (everyone likes a bit of alliteration, no?) is designed for blemish prone skin - something which mine now unfortunately seems to be - and aims to combat the three key causes of breakouts and blemishes: excess sebum, build-up of dead skin cells and blemish causing bacteria. Sounds quite grimey when you put it like that, but we all know that it happens, no matter how well we look after our skin.

This cleanser is really quite unusual, in that it does indeed have the consistency or a slightly smoother and easier to work with clay mask. It's thick and creamy, with a herbal clay scent, and massages easily into the skin. Personally, I find that one large pump is plenty for me, though I do tend to use this only as my morning cleanser as it doesn't remove makeup. I generally work it into my skin for a good couple of minutes, really taking the time to massage any congested areas extra-well, before adding warm water and removing a muslin cloth. 

Like a clay mask, this gets right down into the pores for a deep-down cleanse, purifying and gently exfoliating the skin as it goes. As an added bonus, it does tend to leave pores looking a little bit more refined, and after use my skin feels comfortable and soft - not at all dry, as you might expect from a clay-based product.

So, which ingredients do what? Well, the Clearcalm Cleanser boasts French clay, known for it's oil-absorbing properties, and zinc gluconate to reduce the production of sebum. Antibacterial salicilin mildly exfoliates the skin, while Mayblosson tones enlarged pores. All of that is topped off with a bit of Manuka extract to soothe and nourish.

I find this a pleasant cleanser to use in the mornings, and it does leave my skin looking and feeling matte, creating a great canvas for applying my makeup. I can't say that it has eliminated my hormonal breakouts completely, but I have noticed that I have been getting far fewer big, angry blemishes. I'm now interested to try some of the other products in the Clearcalm range, such as the Clarity Restoring Mask and the Replenishing Night Serum, as with most skincare ranges, I expect they would do their best job when used in conjunction with one another.

I love the fact that I can always rely on this cleanser to start my skin off on the right path in the mornings, and for that reason I think I will always keep a tube of it on hand.

The Clearcalm 3 range is available direct from the Ren Skincare website.

Have you tried anything from the Clearcalm 3 range?

What are your favourite Ren products?

xx

Cleanser Confidential

When it comes to cleansers, there is such a vast array to choose from, with different types for different skin concerns, and a plethora of varying ingredients to sift through. With the world of information available to us on the internet today, you'd think choosing the right cleanser for you would be a piece of cake, but it only takes a quick Google search to realise that it's just not the case. Bombarded from every angle with different opinions and pieces of advice, it's difficult to know who to believe, making the whole thing a bit of a minefield, but with a bit of time and effort, there are some trustworthy sources to be found, and it's possible to filter out all the marketing jargon and get to the truth. Add to that a bit of trial and error, and you're well on your way to finding a product that your skin is going to love.

Having previously been blessed with normal skin (now combo with hormonal breakouts! Yay), I've been through the mill when it comes to trying out cleansers, and have built up quite a little collection. In doing so, I've definitely learnt what works for me and what doesn't, and being an avid researcher, I've picked up some invaluable hints and tips along the way. I am by no means suggesting that I am an expert on the matter, but I thought it was about time I shared with you what I have come to take as gospel when it comes to cleansers (thank you, Caroline Hirons!), as well as taking you on a little tour of the different types in my collection and the purposes they serve. There really is something for everyone, so whatever your skin type, I hope you will see something that tickles your fancy. (If you are an oily/acne-prone skin-er who uses gel cleansers in particular then you might hear something you weren't expecting in the final section!)

The Butter/Balm Cleanser: Antipodes Grapeseed Butter Cleanser (certified organic)

If you haven't heard about the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm by now then frankly, where have you been? It's taken the beauty world by storm over the past few months, with cleansing balms becoming the ultimate must-have product for all skin types. While they might not suit everybody as a morning  cleanser, they will generally do the trick for anybody when it comes to removing makeup in the evenings - you can always follow up with a second cleanser if you are worried that it might be too rich for you, and if you have problematic or congested skin then keep an eye out for the ingredients list and go for one that doesn't contain shea or cocoa butter, which can be comedogenic (pore-clogging) for some.

The Antipodes Grapeseed Butter Cleanser looks exactly as it sounds, and is warmed between the fingers before being massaged onto the skin in small, circular motions. This has quite a pleasant herbal scent that is almost menthol, and really does melt off all your makeup in one fell swoop. Unfortunately for me, I neglected to notice that this one contains coconut oil, something I know full well that my skin won't tolerate, so inevitably it ended up breaking me out. Don't let that put you off though, as for many, coconut oil does absolute wonders for both skin and hair.

As for me, I've already got my eye on a couple of other balms worth trying out - namely the Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm,  Elemental Herbology Purify and Soothe Facial Cleansing Balm and the Ren No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm.

The Cream Cleanser: Tropic Organic Hot Bamboo Smoothing Cleanser*

Cream cleansers are great for normal to dry skin, but it's wise to keep an eye on the ingredients in them if you've got slightly oilier or more blemish-prone skin as they often contain botanics and essential oils which may not suit you best as they can be comedogenic. If you haven't been living under a rock for the past couple of years, then you probably will have heard of the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish , a product which has paved the way for a whole host of new hot cloth cleansers, and one of the best I have come across is this one, by Tropic. I find the ritual of massaging a creamy, herbal-scented cleanser into dry (not damp) skin, before removing thoroughly with a muslin cloth soaked in warm water so relaxing at bedtime, and equally as invigorating in the mornings - so much so, that hot-cloth cleansers have changed the way I think about my skincare routine entirely.

Recommended: Pai Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, Antipodes Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser (great for sensitive or problematic skin).

The Milk Cleanser: Elemental Herbology Bio-Cellular Super Cleanse*

Milks are often recommended for dry or sensitive skin, but that doesn't mean that they are off-limits to everyone else. Often, though, milks can be so light that it is difficult to ensure that every last scrap of makeup has been removed, so some might say they are a better option for your second cleanse. The Elemental Herbology Bio-Cellular Super Cleanse, however, is much thicker in consistency than traditional milk cleansers, and does a fantastic job at leaving my face feeling clean, soft and smooth. As an added bonus, it also contains apple AHAs, which are great at encouraging cell turn-over and in turn, keeping blemishes to a minimum. This little gem is my current go-to evening cleanser, and my skin really seems to get along with it well.

Recommended: Origins Make a Difference Rejuvenating Cleansing Milk.

The Clay Cleanser: Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser

Although this one gets a category of it's own, I must admit that it's the only one of it's kind I've ever stumbled across. Recommended for problem (blemish-prone) skin, this is a thick, creamy cleanser with a slightly denser consistency, and smells exactly like a clay mask. This is a great one to use as your morning cleanser (as I do) if you do suffer from blemishes, breakouts or oiliness - it won't remove makeup, but it will leave skin feeling fresh, clean and comfortable with it's purifying, anti-bacterial formula.

The Gel Cleanser: La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel

Now, I'm going to be honest from the off here: I really don't like this cleanser, and I bought it only because I found myself in an emergency situation, which involved having nothing to wash my face with and no access to anything I would usually go for! My skin really did not get on with this at all, and I definitely will not be reaching for it any time in the future.

 Traditionally, gel cleansers have been recommended for people with oily or acne-prone skin, and to this day they are still touted by many brands as being the best thing to use for this skin issue. However, the reality is that most gel cleansers on the market contain strong chemical detergents such as Sodium Laurel/Laureth Sulphate to make them 'foam' (the LRP Effaclar included). What's the problem with that? Well, have you ever washed your face and afterwards felt pleased with yourself because your skin seemed to be so squeaky clean? It might seem like a desirable result, but actually it couldn't be further from it, as it means that you have stripped your skin of all it's natural oils. The result? Your skin will over-compensate by producing excess sebum, putting you right back where you started, and if you've got any visible blemishes then you may well find that the SLS chemicals only irritate them further. 

However, this is not to say that all gel cleansers are bad - brands like Ren, for example, offer some lovely light gels which are sulphate free and won't strip your skin of the essential oils it needs.

Recommended: Ren Mayblossom T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel (combination skin), Ren Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel (normal skin), Ren Hydra-Calm Cleansing Gel (sensitive skin).

I hope you've enjoyed having a little nose through my cleanser collection, and perhaps learned something new. If you are already quite clued up on the subject then do let me know your personal favourites in the comments below, as I'm always on the look out for new gems to try.

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Mac All About Orange Lipsticks in Tart & Trendy and Sweet & Sour, Mac  //  English Pear and Freesia Home Candle, Jo Malone  //  Malin + Goetz Acne Treatment, Space NK  //  Wild Fig & Cassis Cologne, Jo Malone  //  Diptyque Eau Moheli Eau de Toilette, Space NK  //  Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Masque, Cult Beauty  //  Ren Resurfacing AHA Concentrate, Cult Beauty  //  Diptyque Mimosa Scented Candle, Space NK  //  Mac All About Orange Lipstick in Sushi Kiss

It's one of those weeks where beauty products have most definitely monopolised my wish list, and I'd say that's probably for three reasons:
1. The new Mac collection, 'All About Orange', launched this week, and I for one am a little bit over-excited. Every time I go into Mac, I'm left a little bit disappointed that they don't have a wider range of oranges, peaches and corals in their permanent collection, particularly when it comes to lipsticks, so I'm eager to get my hands on most of these new offerings. The ones which stood out to me most when perusing the Mac website were definitely Sweet and Sour (soft peach cream), Tart and Trendy (bright, neutral orange cream) and Sushi Kiss (midtonal coral). I must say, however, that for me Sushi Kiss  is a pretty repulsive name for a lipstick, and that's coming from a fan of sushi - who wants to think about fish when applying your lipstick!?
2. I am all about updating my fragrance collection for summer, and Jo Malone's collection of personal and home fragrances has pretty much blown me away. I mean, Wild Fig and Cassis!? English Pear and Freesia? That's just for starters, and don't they sound just delectable? I'm a huge sucker for anything fresh and fruity, and with a hint of sweetness and a dash of summer gardens thrown in I am well and truly taken in.
Diptyque have also got a lovely new fragrance out, namely Eau Moheli Eau de Toilette,
3. Yep, I'm still suffering with my skin, and yep, I still love my skincare. I must say, it's become far less enjoyable for me now that I've got an actual problem to solve, and I find that I have to be much more careful about what I'm putting onto my skin. Having decided that I need to get this sorted once and for all, I've been back on Caroline Hirons' blog, Beauty Mouth - which is a regular read of mine anyway - sifting through all the comments of her past 'clinic' posts, and have come to the conclusion that the one thing I haven't yet tried is a resurfacing concentrate. Containing AHAs, these are basically chemical exfoliants, which can be used overnight to slough away dead skin and unblock pores, hopefully minimising breakouts as a result. I've had my eye on the Ren AHA concentrate for some time now anyway, so now that I actually have some sort of need for it it's probably time to bite the bullet. However, I've now picked myself up a bottle of the Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Toner, which I am using on a daily basis, so watch this space for an update on how I'm getting on with that. I do also tend to use the Elemental Herbology Facial Glow Radiance Peel on a weekly basis, which does also exfoliate using AHAs, so now it's all about stepping it up a gear and seeing what kind of a difference it can make.
Having said all that, I have now finally come to the conclusion that my contraceptive injection is behind these sudden outbreaks, as I've now noticed other related symptoms popping up alongside them. I'm planning on changing to something else at the end of the month and have got everything crossed that it'll put paid to these ridiculously annoying and frustrating issues!

What's on your wishlist this week?

Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!

xx

Monday Wishlist

Crop Tee, Topshop  -  Peach Studded Shorts, Miss Selfridge  - Necklace,  Miss Selfridge  - Aztec Ring, Miss Selfridge  -  T-Zone Balancing Day Fluid, Ren  -  L'oreal Paris Nude Magique CC Cream, Feel Unique  -  ClearCalm 3 Clarity Restoring Mask, Ren  -  No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm, Ren  -   Moisture Surge CC Cream, Cllinique

Wishlists are usually reserved for weekends, but with Mother's Day taking front seat this time around, there just wasn't time, unless I wanted to post twice in one day, which I didn't, as I was sure nobody would be back to read a second post. So instead, once again we are breaking the rules, and I've saved all my goodies for this dreary Monday morning. Now, if I was actually buying these then it would be a great way to start the week, but instead I'm going to have to make do with admiring from afar.

Having gone through a phase of trying out some skincare products that didn't agree with me, my skin has not exactly been looking its best lately, so I want to get settled into a regular regime and not bombard it with too many different ingredients at once. That said, I still stand by not wanting any nasties in my skincare, so I'm going to try and switch my day-to-day routine over to Ren. Of course, I'll still reserve the evening slot for trying out new products, but I'm going to be a lot more careful about checking out the ingredients first and making sure there are no comedogenics (pore cloggers) in there before forging ahead.

I'm intrigued by CC creams at the moment. Having been thoroughly disappointed with BB creams, I'm hoping that this time, there really is something to shout about. Two of the best I've heard about are the L'oreal Paris Nude Magique one (available in three varieties - anto-fatigue, anti-redness and anti-dullness) which rings in at just £9.99, and the Clinique Moisture Surge CC, which I can't actually find for sale anywhere as yet.

Besides that, I'm lusting after some Spring clothing and accessories. and could have included far more here, but I decided to exercise some restraint. These items are my top picks from the lot, and it's torturing me.

Well, that's it for this week's wishlist, I hope you've seen something you like.

Have a great week.

xx

Last Minute Mother's Day Dash!

Ren Moroccan Rose Experience Gift Set, Marks and Spencer  -  Spring Days Bouquet, Marks and Spencer  -  Orange Grove Signature Candle, The White Company  -  Indulgent Spa Day for Two, Marks and Spencer  -  Mini Macaroons, Marks and Spencer  - Home Scenting Gift Set, Neom  -   La Petite Patisserie Quartet in Creme de Pistache, Laura Mercier  -  Full Moon Soak, Soak Yourself

It's Saturday night. You've forgotten it's Mother's Day tomorrow. That, or you've been so busy all week that you just haven't had the chance to pick up something lovely for the special lady in your life. Cue a mad Sunday morning dash to the shops to find something equally special.

If that's you, then fear not, because there are loads of gorgeous gifts out there to please any mother, and here I've put together a selection of my top picks. 

First things first, why not surprise her with this Ren Moroccan Rose Experience Gift Set, which contains a selection of Rose Otto products, including body wash, body cream, bath oil and body oil. I nearly got this one for my own mum, as it's got everything in there to have a nice, luxurious Sunday afternoon pamper session. 

On the subject of baths and pampering, I can't imagine any mother who wouldn't be thrilled to bits to receive the Soak Yourself Full Moon Soak Box, which is packed with goodies such as handmade soap, candles and a relaxing blend of tea. It's quite pricey at £40, but I love the idea and think it would be perfect for unwinding at the end of a stressful week.

There seems to be a bit of a theme here, as next up is the luxurious Neom Home Scenting Gift Set, containing aromas of lavender, jasmine and Brazilian Rosewood. You get a warming candle designed to evoke feelings of peace and tranquility, a gentle pillow spray for refreshing sleep and of course, a diffuser through which to enjoy the wonderful scents provided. I think this is probably my favourite of the lot, and it comes in at £50 - not cheap, but just think how much enjoyment can be had from it.

I have been lusting after the Laura Mercier La Petite Patisserie Creme de Pistache Quartet since Christmas. All the products smell absolutely divine, from the Souffle Body Creme and Creme Body Wash to the hand cream and Eau Gourmande - literally like you have just stepped out of a French bakery. I don't know a mum who deosn't like hand creams, and I think the scent of this little lot is enough to win anyone over.

If you're after something calming and relaxing, but without the hefty price tag, then I love the look of the The White Company Orange Grove Signature Candle, which is a more purse-friendly £20.

And if all else fails, you can always give her an Indulgent Spa Day Experience (£199), some delicious Marks and Spencer Mini Macaroons, or of course the classic bunch of flowers - my favourite this year is the Marks and Spencers Spring Bouquet, £30.

I hope this have given you a few ideas if you were feeling a bit stuck, and if not then perhaps you've seen something you might like to treat yourself to!

What are your plans for Mother's Day?

I hope you have a lovely day.

xx

Ren Keep Young and Beautiful SH2C Serum

As you have probably realised by now, I do love a skincare brand that uses lots of natural goodies in its ingredients, and avoids nasties such as parabens, sulfates and mineral oil (amongst other things). In fact, I have already bigged Ren up a fair bit on here in the past, being quite the fan of their delightful face masks (the infamous Glycolactic Radiance Peel being my favourite - not alone there). So, it'll come as no surprise to you at all that when I found myself in need of a new serum, Ren was my first port of call.

Yes, I know I'm only in my twenties, but having developed some rather alarming creases and crinkles below my eyes, it seemed only right that I start proviing my skin with the defence it needs against the dreaded ageing process. So, with this in mind, I chose the Keep Young and Beautiful SH2C Serum to come and join my skincare collection. After all, prevention is better than cure, as they say (but I was kind of hoping for both...)

According to Ren, the SH2C Serum is an advanced bio-active serum, formulated to keep skin looking smoother, firmer, younger and more radiant', and promises to reduce and prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leave skin looking plump, firm and lifted, correct skin tone and give a healthy, glowing radiance and - the big one - keep you looking younger for longer.

Bio-extracts include hexapeptides from yeast, to stimulate skin renewal, native peptides to smooth expression lines, glycosaminoglycans to provide lasting hydration and hyaluronic acid to increase moisture levels and plump the skin. Joining them is sirtuin, which increases the longevity of skin cells and promotes natural repair, and vitamin C to correct skin tone and brighten the complexion.

I was pretty impressed by these claims, especially as I've had such success with Ren products in the past. A serum which provides radiance as well as having anti-ageing properties is just fine by me. However, at £46 for just 30ml, this product had a lot to live up to.

On first impressions, the serum seemed to have the vague scent of tea, and it's thin and milky in consistency, spreading easily over the face and sinking in completely within a few seconds. My skin feels immediately plumper and firmer, and it's even gentle enough to use under my eyes, which is a huge bonus for me.

However, after the first couple of uses, I noticed the smell beginning to change somewhat, and noticed that it was leaving a rather unpleasant, fishy scent on my hands (niiiiiice!). The product itself doesn't smell like this, but I have begun to notice a rather soy sauce-like aroma upon application on a regular basis now, which frankly is a bit off-putting. The tea fragrance is still there too though, and it seems to veer between the two, which is all very odd.

I can't say I've noticed any smoothing of the lines under my eyes, but perhaps a month isn't long enough to see those kinds of results. I can say that the serum has definitely left my skin feeling plumped and  lifted after use, though I do feel that it could be more moisturising. Of course, I follow this with day and night creams, but I don't feel that the moisture stays locked in in the same way that it did with my previous serum. It has given my skin a nice glow, as Ren products tend to, but I can't really speak for the long-term effects and whether it really is keeping new wrinkles at bay! Only time will tell.

Would I repurchase?

Probably not. I've tried better serums, and for the price I'd expect a little bit more in terms of moisture and a nice scent. There  are lots more serums out there I'd like to try, and this one hasn't done enough to persuade me to stick with it. I hope I won't regret this in years to come!

Have you tried any of the Ren serums? If so, I'd love to know your thoughts.

xx

Ren Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask

I had wanted to try this mask for ages, but at £30 for 50ml, I wasn't happy to part with my hard-earned pennies until I was sure that it was the product for me. So, I managed to get my hands on this 15ml sample. I have used this about four times so far, suffice to say, the tube s nearly empty. You can probably get about six applications out of this, seven at a push.

Just a little foreword about Ren as a brand, before we move onto the product itself. 

All of their products are formulated WITH 100% natural active ingredients, and WITHOUT any parabens, sulfates, petro-chemicals, synthetic dyes/fragrances or phtalates. On top of this, they do not test/have their products tested on animals. With all this in mind, I was already holding Ren pretty high in my estimation, as most of you will know that I am a huge fan of organic skincare, and products which use natural or naturally derived ingredients where possible.

So, what does this product claim to do? Well, it's a potent bio active skin peel mask, designed to improve radiance by renewing the complexion, as well as reducing the appearance of fine lines and combating congestion. Fruit acids from passion fruit, grape, pineapple and lemon, as well as Papain - a bio extract from papaya - to exfoliate the outer layer of skin and encourage cell turnover, are the active ingredients in this skin treat.  Do give this one a miss if you've got extremely sensitive skin though, as Ren say that it's probably not the mask for you.

So, first impressions.

The mask is a thick, sort of lumpy consistency, orange in colour, and smells like orange marmalade, or something similar. For me, that's completely fine - it only makes me more aware of all the natural goodies the mask contains, and I love to know that I'm using things like this on my skin, rather than nasty chemicals . Plus, I love the smell of fruit.

(Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of what the mask itself looks like, and the consistency, so please forgive me for using this image from Google, below. I really wanted to show you how it looks, and what to expect.)

source

To use the mask, you basically apply a generous layer to the skin, (at which point it really does feel like you're slathering on a good coating of sticky marmalade), being sure to avoid the eyes. Leave for ten minutes, and wipe away using a muslin cloth soaked in warm water.

What struck me most about this mask is that, despite being a skin peel, this mask doesn't harden. In fact, it doesn't dry at all. In fact, this is the first skin peel mask I have used where this was the case, and so I was worried it might not do as great a job as I was hoping.

Upon wiping the mask away, I noticed that my skin looked really clean and fresh, but I was just about to go to bed and so chose to reserve judgement until the morning. The next day, my skin was absolutely glowing with health, and my makeup went on a lot smoother than normal, the radiance showing through. I can't really vouch for it's affect on fine lines, as the only ones I have are around my eyes, and obviously these were left free from the mask.

I'm not going to say that this is a miracle worker, but it does do the job. It perks up my skin, and is a pleasure to use if, like me, you like the smell of fruit! I've been using this mask once a week, and am planning on buying the full-size version once I run out.

Have you tried anything from Ren? What did you think?

xx

Beauty SOS (September)

In last months's Beauty SOS (here), I asked for you lovely people to call upon your vast experience with beauty products and help me out with four beauty emergencies. Let's do a quick recap on what those were, the suggestions I received and whether or not I've had much luck with them, before moving onto this month's beauty nightmares!

I asked you to suggest the following:

1. A good clay face mask

Suggestions included Origins Clear Improvement, Queen Helene Mud Pack Mask and Ren Invisible Pores Detox Mask.

Well, I must admit that I've been trying to stash away some pennies this month, so unfortunately I haven't yet been able to try out all of these suggestions. I did have a look for the Queen Helene mask, but as yet I haven't been able to find it, so if anyone knows where I might be able to get it then please do let me know in the comments below. As for the Ren and Origins masks, I have been wanting to try both for a long while now, but as they don't come cheap Im am holding off on purchasing them until next month. This month, however, I have tried out a couple of other masks, those being the Laura Mercier Clay Mask and the Nourifusion Multivitamin Clarifying Mask, as I was able to get them both for a good price, so I will be popping up reviews of those two in the not too distant future. If you were one of the lovelies who suggested the other masks then please don't think that I have ignored your advice as I genuinely am itching to try them and will be doing so just as soon as my bank balance allows.

2. A moisturising facemask

I was given one suggestion for this, which was Clarins HydraQuench Cream Mask, and I actually did purchase this today, so I'm looking forward to trying that out.

3. Something to banish dry lips once and for all

Some of you suggested coconut oil, and one of you suggested Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Lip Protectant. I'm already a huge fan of coconut oil for various other uses, and I do take a spoonful every day for it's wonderful health benefits, so I was more than happy to slather this yummy-tasting stuff on my lips. I was also given a sample size of just the normal Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Cream this month (review here) so I've been giving that a go, and between the two of them I must say they have left my lips feeling softer, smoother and without any flakiness. Hurrah!

4. An amazing deep-conditioning hair mask

I was recommended Aussie Three-Minute Miracle, which I actually already use, and again, coconut oil.

Now, I had tried coconut oil on my hair once before, and I must admit that it really didn't seem to make much of a difference. But I thought I'd give it another go, since many of you swear by it and, as I mentioned before, I am very much a fan of it for other uses. Well, I'm sorry to say that for whatever reason, it just doesn't work for me. It left my hair feeling limp and slimy despite a couple of good, thorough washes, and after I did eventually manage to get my locks clean they were much the same as they had been before the treatment. My hair seems to be resistant to EVERYTHING I put on it, so I guess there is just no helping me! :(

Now for this month's beauty emergencies. The idea of this series, by the way, is that you can all gain a bit of inspiration from the lovely suggestions left by others in the comments box and perhaps find a solution to a beauty problem of your own, so do pop back and have a look to see what ideas other bloggers have got, and let me know if any of them work for you.

1. A Blemish-Fighting Product.

I keep getting blemishes on my chin of late, since my t-zone has become more oily, so I'm on the hunt for something that'll clear the little blighters up quick-smart.

2. A Good Volumising Product for Hair

I am after something that will give me big hair without any stickiness or crispiness, be it a shampoo, spray or something else.

I'm just going to stick with those two for this month, as I have already been chatting to some of you on Twitter about a couple of other things and received some great suggestions for those. I will be sure to include the details in next month's Beauty SOS, along with my verdict on the suggestions I receive for these two, and I will also strive to get my hands on those facemasks from last month and try them out!

If you have any ideas for this month's SOS issues then do please leave a comment below with the deets.

Hope everyone has a great week!

xx

Weekend Wishlist

So, I hope you can forgive me for not providing the direct links and the prices for this week's Wishlist. The reason for this is that my internet is playing up yet AGAIN, but I won't go into the boring details too much as you've heard it all before. All I will say is that I have extremely limited connectivity that keeps cutting out, making it very difficult to put together a  post for you at all. To make things easier, I have chosen all of this week's must haves from Topshop, so if you head over to the new in section then you should be able to find all of these lovely bits, bar the Ren face masks, which you can track down over at Ren's own site, here.

I'm finding that my Wishlists have become a bit of a mad mix over the past week or two, as while I am still busy lusting after pretty Summer pieces, the Autumn/Winter trends currently hitting the shops combined with the rubbish weather have got me also eyeing up some cosy jumpers and printed jeans to snuggle up in. I love these dusky pink heart-print jeans, and think they would look great now with white basics and sandals, continuing on into the Autumn and Winter with cosy knits and boots. Speaking of cosy knits, I'm a little bit in love with this lovely pony-print jumper. It does actually look quite thin though, again making it a versatile piece  suitable for year-round wear.

Topshop have got some gorgeous new nail polishes in at the moment, including this Crackle Topcoat in Black Dynamite, and the beautiful lilac/purple glitter polish in 'Firework'. But my favourite find of the week is, without a doubt, these gorgeous studded leopard-print shoe-boots. You can't actually see the stud detail very well in the picture, but if you look closely then you will see them decorating the toe area. I love a good statement boot, and live for them in the Winter when clothes tend to be from a darker colour palette, as they can be a fantastic way to brighten things up a bit and add interest to an otherwise basic outfit.

I am absolutely itching to try both of these Ren facemasks, as lately I have been really enjoying having a bit of pamper time, but as I mentioned in this month's Beauty SOS, I am yet to find the perfect product for my skin. Really, I am looking for both a clay mask to combat any oiliness and clear up blemishes (I don't get many, but my skin has been misbehaving a little bit recently) and a lovely, luxuriously moisturising one just for a treat. I have been hearing whispers about Ren's masks for a while now, and one of you recommended I try the Invisible Pores Detox Mask, but while having a browse on their website, the Glycolactic Radiance Mask also caught my eye. So there you go, call me greedy but I want them both!

I just would like to say in advance that I don't think I'll be doing a 'Week in Pictures' post this Sunday, as it takes a bit of work to edit and put the photographs together, and obviously with my current internet woes this would prove quite difficult. Instead, I'll be posting a couple of other things I had already prepared for other days, and then maybe next week when I have got things sorted I will be able to get the missing post up. You will still be hearing from me on a daily basis though, as luckily I have been very organised this week and written lots of posts in advance, so I will be able to just publish those from my phone.

Hope you've had a great week and are enjoying a weekend of relaxation and release.

Have you been watching the Olympics?

What's on your Wishlist this week?

xx