Showing posts with label Brand Week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brand Week. Show all posts

Sunday, 1 June 2014

BRAND WEEK | Powerful and effective skin care with Rodial






Brand week has come to an end and I'm finishing it off with what can only be described as a powerful skin care brand. I've seen incredible results from this brand and I'm excited to share it with you. Rodial have many different ranges and each targets a different skin concern (wrinkles, age spots, cellulite, stretch marks etc.). They use both science and nature to create exceptionally good products and all of their products are dermatologically tested and have been recommended by British dermatologists and plastic surgeons.

This face scrub has been specially formulated to refine, brighten and renew the skin from the first use. It uses purifying bentonite clay beads and micro-scrub beads to buff away dead skin cells and unclog the pores. Two other fabulous ingredients included in this scrub are glycolic and salicylic acid and both of these retextures the skin and reduces imperfections. As well as this, the scrub uses vitamin E and shea butter to calm, soften and moisturise. You can tell that this scrub uses wonderful ingredients as it's extremely effective. Gentle but tough, it reduces the appearance of pores and leaves the skin looking radiant. 
Oooh isn't this a pricey little so-and-so? Using azelaic, glycolic and lactic acids, this face mask reveals a new layer of skin to minimise the appearance of imperfections, fine lines and wrinkles. It promises a significant brightening effect after 30 days and aims to prevent and correct sun damage, correct and even out skin tone and brighten and increase radiance. Strong claims, and I did see an improvement in my skin texture. My mum has even commented on how good my skin is looking recently, saying my scarring has decreased massively. 

This is probably the only product from the range that I thought was just okay. It's a resurfacing clay mask that deeply cleanses and exfoliates the skin. I like clay masks, I do, but I've never tried one that is outstanding - they all seem to do the same thing. This one clears out the pores, without drying the skin out and leaves the skin looking better and not congested. 

I've raved about this in my May Favourites and my SPF post, and I'm sure it's a product that I'll be using for years to come. I won't go into too much detail about it as the other posts are quite detailed, but basically it's fabulous. It's an SPF moisturiser that treats and corrects the skin whilst protecting it and preventing further damage. It's lightweight yet nourishing and smells wonderful. I can't find a fault. I love it.

And finally we have these little beauties. I like cleansing pads, I think they're useful and easy to use. And as someone with quite large pores and a lot of oil in my t-zone, these have worked a treat. I use them in the morning before applying my moisturiser and my pores instantly appear reduced. The pads use apple amino acids, olive oil and salicylic acid and also boost hydration. As well as smaller pores, the skin feels instantly refreshed afterwards and my t-zone is mattified down.

If you are wanting to try out this brand then I also saw that they do a Super Acids Hollywood Peel Kit with the scrub, sun protection and peel mask for £130 - a massive saving of £35! I'm not going to lie, the entire range is pricey, but it does use some powerful ingredients. All the products were effective, and I believe they're most definitely worth the price if you have pigmentation problems, particularly the sun protection. As I mentioned earlier, I've seen a massive difference in my skin and my scarring, and so have my family members. I'd recommend skipping the Hangover Mask and going straight for the sun protection, cleansing pads and peel, they're true gems.

BRAND WEEK:
#1 freshskin by Elemis
#2 Clean & Clear
#3 John Frieda
#4 Rodial

Have you tried anything from this range before?
*PR Sample
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Saturday, 31 May 2014

BRAND WEEK | Affordable hair care with John Frieda


If I'm ever in need of an affordable hair care product, this first brand I'll always look at? John Frieda. As a brand, I trust them - they seem to know their stuff - and their range is incredibly extensive. Recently, the Frizz Ease range has had a bit of a make over and at first, I wasn't that keen on the packaging. But after trying a few products out, I've found them all splashed across my dressing table...

As someone with naturally poker straight hair who loves a bit curl and wave, I covet curling sprays. I'm always on the lookout for the perfect one and this one is nice, but sadly still not perfect. You use it on wet hair (around 10-16 sprays is recommended), blow dry with a diffuser and finish with curling tongs. It leaves my hair looking nice, and holds the style for a couple of hours longer than it would usually stay. 

Oh this serum is something else. I'm used to using serums as the finishing step in my hair care routine, but this is supposed to be used on wet hair. At first, I didn't know how it was going to react with my hair, but after one use I realised how incredible this product is. It eliminates frizz, leaves the hair feeling silky soft and looking glossy and also resist humidity, which is absolute perfection. I just can't find a fault in this product, it's truly lovely.

I do love my oils and this is no exception. In all honesty, I can't tell the difference between Moroccanoil's, L'Oreal's and this one's offering (they all leave the hair beautifully soft and nourished), but the reason I prefer this to the other two I've tried is because of the bottle. I'm someone who moves around a lot; uni, friends, home etc. And this one is perfect for travelling as it comes in a plastic bottle with a pump lid. No mess and no breakages. 

BRAND WEEK:

Have you tried anything from this brand before?
*PR Sample
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday, 29 May 2014

BRAND WEEK | Affordable skin care with Clean & Clear






Since my teenage years, spot-fighting brands have come a long way. I tried them all back in the day, and none of them actually helped my spots properly, instead they completely dried my skin out. Regardless, Clean & Clear is a brand that I've loved, especially when it comes to their face washes. Their Deep Action Cream Wash and Clear & Soothe Foaming Wash were pleasures to use; did the job but gently. I've been trying out two newbies from the brand recently...

Clean & Clear Blackhead Clearing 2-in-1 Wash & Mask* - £4.49 (currently on offer for £3.29)
I absolutely love face washes that can also be used as face masks. I find them wonderful for leaving on for a couple of minutes at night whilst I proceed to brush my teeth. This one is no exception. An oil-free daily wash, this product aims to remove dirt and impurities and reduce blackheads. For the past few months I've had a nose full of blackheads and nothing has shifted them, but after two days worth of use, this face wash eliminated them, and they haven't come back since.

Clean & Clear Truly Gentle 3-in-1 Facial Wipes 25 Wipes* - £3.05 (currently on offer for £2.16)
I'm not a face wipe fan. I'm a true believer in the double cleanse, so face wipes go against everything I believe in. But I always have a packet in my collection. That's because some nights, a face wipe is what you need. And as far as face wipes go, these are some of the best ones I've tried. They're suitable for sensitive skin and and the skin is left feeling nourished and as soft as a baby's. They remove every single trace of make up - even waterproof mascara - and I've loved using them. My new favourites.

BRAND WEEK:

Have you tried anything from this range before?
*PR Sample
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday, 27 May 2014

BRAND WEEK | freshskin by Elemis






As I've been trying out a few different brands over the past few months, I've decided that each post this week will focus on a particular brand (John Frieda, Clean & Clear, Rodial and Elemis) and the products that I've been loving - and not loving so much - from them. First up is the freshskin range from Elemis, a brand I've never explored before. The freshskin range is targeted at young skin, doesn't contain any unnecessary anti-anging ingredients and helps to construct a great, healthy skin care routine. I'm all about promoting healthy skin and a good skin care routine from a young age, so I was extremely intrigued by this range.

This skin pampering duo contains three 7ml sachets of the Deep Clean Purifying Facial Mask and three 7ml sachets of the Magicial Moisture Quenching Face Mask. I managed to get two uses out of each sachets (and I have a big head!) and this is my only complaint. I'd rather have 12 smaller sachets as I'm someone who hates the look of opened sachets.

But putting that little tiny niggle aside, the two face masks themselves are absolute gems. The Deep Clean mask reblances the skin and uses natural clays, goji berry extract and frankincense oil to draw out impurities and vitamin E to soften the skin. This mask really is a lovely clay mask. My skin was left looking brighter and balanced and my pores were reduced, all without drying my skin out.

The Magical Moisture mask injects an instant moisture boost into the skin and uses white lupin, artic cranberry seed oil and apple extract to instantly moisturise the skin, while aloe vera soothes it. This mask truly is a pampering treat. After using it, my skin was left looking radiant and plump and feeling soft. As I have combination skin, moisturising masks normally leave my dry areas moisturised and my oily areas shiny, but this one balanced the skin out beautifully.

After one use, this eye cream instantly found its way into my skin care routine. I've been using this every morning to de-puff my eyes and leave them looking bright and awake. This eye cream uses aloe vera to soothe the delicate eye area and give an instant cooling and hydrating effect. I found this eye cream (well, it's more like a gel) wonderful during the late nights of my dissertation and final assignments. I adore it.

I absolutely love night creams and this one is no exception. It's been specially formulated with vitamins A, C and E and helps to promote and improve skin radiance whilst sleeping. The blackcurrant seed oil and barley extract both work together to refine the skin's texture and increase the smoothness. This moisturiser is literally a facial in a bottle. I go to sleep looking like a zombie and wake up looking like I've had the most perfect night's sleep. It also has a beautiful, calming scent which is perfect for aiding a good night's sleep.

Overall, I've been loving the freshskin range. The entire range contains no nasties and is perfect for those in their teens and 20's. It promotes a healthy skin care routine which during the early years of our lives, is extremely important. Whilst searching FeelUnique, I also noticed their wonderful little sets. I'm planning on buying one for my holiday in July, so if you have any recommendations please do let me know!

BRAND WEEK:

Have you tried anything from this range before?
*PR Sample
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________