Lip products and lip balms in particular are my vice so when I saw this trio on sale for half price a couple of months ago I thought it was about time I saw what all the Pat McGrath fuss was about!
The set includes three of the sheer lip fetish lip balms in the shades Clear, Blow Up (a warm beige) and Flesh 3 (a bronzed rose). The formula is shea butter based and glides on so easily. The balms feel very lightweight but also hydrating and are infused with soothing emollients, antioxidants and vitamins that protect from free radicals and restore softness and elasticity and they leave a gorgeous sheen behind!
Pat McGrath’s packaging is instantly recognisable with the little gold lips on the casing and while the white outer packaging is plastic it feels really secure. There is 1.2g of product inside each of the minis and I believe the full sizes contain 3g at £28 each. I know a lot of people complain about the wasteful packaging as a con of buying from the brand but as I first time customer I found it to be quite a novelty! I still have the sequins and I need to find someone crafty to see if they can reuse them!
l-r: Clear, Blow Up, Flesh 3
Like I said, I got these on sale for £10 instead of £20 but I don’t think I would pay full price for them! I am getting through Blow Up especially quickly as it’s my favourite and with regular use these won’t be the most long lasting bullets as they are so small! Flesh 3 will probably get more use from me throughout winter and though I don’t see these lasting long I am going to enjoy them while they do!
Unfortunately, this set doesn’t seem to be on the website anymore but Pat McGrath Labs regularly do sales so keep an eye out if you are interested! They also had free delivery with no minimum spend which was a nice surprise!
Have you tried any Pat McGrath before? What is your favourite lip balm?
Danielle xx
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It’s been a while since I did one of these so I thought I would gather up a few current favourites to share today!
Although Olaplex will always be my favourite hair treatment, the Phyto PhytoJoba Maskis a great option that leaves my hair soft and manageable as well as hydrated and healthy looking! It's concentrated so a little goes a long way and it smells like coconuts. I leave it on for as long as possible and it acts as a conditioner. If your ends are as parched as mine are you need to try this, they will thank you for it!
While I was repurchasing my beloved OUAI North Bondi perfume I decided I would also splash out and pick up the OUAI Melrose Place Eau de Parfumand I am so glad I did! Melrose Place also lasts longer on my skin than North Bondi so that’s a plus too! If you have sniffed the OUAI rose hair and body oil or their scalp and body scrub you will know what this smells like already! It’s beautiful! I’ve included the notes here for anyone who is more of a perfume buff than I am but I just know that I love it! It’s not overpowering at all yet still unique and I can’t get enough of it!
Top Notes: Champagne, Pink Peppercorn, Berry, and Lychee.
Heart Notes: Peony, Rose, Freesia, Jasmine, and Bergamot.
Base Notes: Amber, Sandalwood, White Musk, and Cedar-wood.
My latest lipbalm love is the Sol de Janeiro Cupuaçu Brazilian Kiss lip butter. It’s huge and leaves a gorgeous hydrating sheen behind and it lasts so long between top ups! It contains cupuaçu, acai and coconut oil and makes my lips feel so soft! The scent is not overpowering at all and once it’s on you can barely smell it!
I’ve got a new budget powder contender in the Collection Primed and Ready Invisible Setting Powderwhich was an impulse buy a few months ago. I hate wasting my Laura Mercier as I obviously haven’t been going anywhere so I thought I would try this and at £3.99 (and I think there was money off when I bought it) I have been super impressed! It’s a very finely milled mattifying powder that doesn’t cling to dry patches and does a very good job of keeping my oils at bay! Not bad for under £4!
After trying the Nature Lab Tokyo Perfect Shine Clarifying Scalp Scrub(Affiliate link - 10% off with code Danielle10) in mini form from a GWP I knew I had to get the full size. It contains sugar crystals to exfoliate and is my go to when I leave my hair for an extra day and use dry shampoo instead of actually washing it. It does a great job of getting rid of build-up and makes my scalp feel invigorated. I find with some scalp scrubs I can’t even seem to get it worked into my scalp but this is the most amazing formula – it’s sulphate free however lathers up well and it’s really easy to get it worked into the scalp! It leaves my hair shiny and feeling hydrated but not weighed down. Love it!
Let me know if you have tried any of the products I’ve mentioned or what you have been loving recently!
P.S. I hate the new blogger layout, anyone else? (if that's what you use!)
Danielle xx
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About two months ago, Dermalogica sent out the most beautiful care package to help with breakouts which included their new Retinol Clearing Oil*, AGE Bright Clearing Serum*, AGE Bright Spot Fader* and a satin eye mask! I’ve gathered my thoughts on the products after trying them out now for the last 7 weeks and here they are!
To give you a bit of background, my skin has troubled me for around 15+ years now with varying levels of acne which right now is quite moderate and to be honest I will probably be looking for a referral to a dermatologist for another bout of Roaccutane should it get much worse. I’ve got combo skin that leans towards more oily in the summer and though that’s not the most positive intro, I do have plenty of good things to say about these three products! However, they are not the cure to acne, I’m still on the lookout for that :P
The newest product to the Active Clearing line up is the Retinol Clearing Oil*RRP £69. This is a luxurious dry oil that contains time-released retinol, salicylic acid, argan, rosehip seed and jojoba. It is usually recommended that you use either retinol or salicylic acid, not both at once, however, Dermalogica have created a formula that is both gentle and effective in this oil and you can apply moisturiser over the top of this if you wish before bed. The retinol has been working well to minimise the fine lines I am becoming conscious of on my forehead and especially my “elevens” between my eyebrows as well as helping with stubborn pigmentation while the saliciylic acid gets to work on my breakouts and also works as an exfoliator. I haven’t experienced any sensitivity or irritation with this formula and the oils really help nourish and protect my skin while the active ingredients work! I always wake up to smoother, calmer skin and this has been helping with my leftover pigmentation. I am still breaking out with the same consistency as always though like I mentioned before so the results for me are short lived as I seem to enter into a revolving circle of breakout/treat/heal/breakout again. The bottle is also luxurious with its ombre print and fancy dropper!
The AGE Bright Clearing Serum* RRP £65has been a nice addition to my AM routine. Like the oil, it also contains salicylic acid as well as niacinamide and white shitake mushroom for even skin. AGE Bright complex promotes clearer and brighter skin and phytoactives from the resurrection plant hydrate and smooth skin. Again, this hasn’t cured my breakouts completely but I have noticed a much quicker recovery time while using this on active breakouts which has impressed me and my skin looks more even and bright! It sits really well under makeup and doesn’t dry out my skin at all. The scent is not my favourite thing in the world but you can’t smell it once it dries in.
Lastly, the AGE Bright Spot Fader RRP £45*was sent over to me which to be honest is the one I forget about the most! While I have been using the oil and serum about 4-5 times a week I have probably remembered about this targeted treatment gel maybe 1-2 times a week. It contains salicylic acid, niacinamide and hexylresorcinol which all work together to clear breakouts and improve skin tone. Any time I do remember to use this I do find it calms the area and like the clearing serum, contributes to a quicker healing time on active breakouts but I wouldn’t say I have noticed any major differences using this specifically on pigmentation though I will keep testing!
Overall, I am impressed with how quickly these get to work on active breakouts though it is difficult for me to see long term results as once I get rid of one patch of breakouts the next one seems to make its way onto my face! This is also a common pattern for my skin and not something I would say any of these products has contributed to. I start a new job on Monday where I think I will have to wear a mask all day so that will be a new test for my skin as I've only had to wear them for short amounts of time so far. I will be sure to keep you updated on how these continue working for me! Have you tried this range? What are your favourite products for clearing breakouts?
The Dermalogica Active Clearing range can be bought directly from their website as well as many UK retailers such as Look Fantastic, John Lewis and Feel Unique and is cruelty free, vegan, paraben free, gluten free and free from artificial fragrances and colours!
Hi everyone and welcome to another bumper edition of empties! Not sure what happened but I was collecting these slowly then seem to have finished a bunch of full sizes within the last week so let’s get to it!
Bodycare
Soap and Glory Clean, Girls Body Wash
Hands down my favourite body wash ever and also the best Soap and Glory scent! And one I also fear they have discontinued because after a quick search it’s not even showing up on the Boots website. They recently revamped the body mists and to be honest the new version of Mist You Madly (Clean, Girls scent) has changed ever so slightly but it’s very noticeable to me as a regular user and it doesn’t last as long. They seem to be introducing numerous new products and scents so I fear it’s the end for my favourite but I would repurchase this in a heartbeat as it feels so hydrating, smells incredible and is excellent value for money! Also don’t understand why they ever got rid of the pump on these too, OK rant over!
This is such a beautiful dry oil that feels so nourishing and really does make my skin feel soft and supple. I like the scent though its’s nothing amazing but it is subtle and non-offensive and I love the spray bottle as it’s so easy to dispense! Also really affordable at £13.50! Would repurchase!
Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream
One of my OG faves, creamy, moisturising and smells so fresh and clean, I repurchase this constantly!
Marks and Spencer Magnolia Hand Cream
Pleasant hand cream, this was the last in a set of three. Nothing special so wouldn’t repurchase.
Cath Kidston Rose Hand Cream
The scent was a little too fake for my liking but this felt lovely and moisturising. Have other hand creams I prefer so wouldn’t repurchase.
Haircare
Batiste Dry Shampoo and De-Frizz
I don’t know why I bother with Batiste, it’s been a few years since I last bought it and I saw this new packaging and the promise of the invisible formula so thought I would give it another chance but I shouldn’t have bothered. It’s the same old formula that doesn’t soak up any oil and leaves a white cast and the scent is so old fashioned. Hopefully I have learned my lesson, will not be repurchasing!
OGX Keratin Oil Shampoo
Really nice, nourishing shampoo that felt very hydrating and smelt good! Can’t say much for the anti-breakage claim as I use so many other products after shampoo to help with that haha but it’s a nice affordable sulphate free shampoo I would repurchase!
Klorane Anti-Pollution protective conditioner
Super fresh smelling conditioner (I love the peppermint!) This is quite lightweight for a conditioner and I do prefer something thicker as my ends are so dry but it doesn’t weigh hair down and does make my hair feel softer. Klorane products are so gentle I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend but I won’t be repurchasing this.
KMS Free Shape
I used this as a hairspray and ended up quite liking it but after a quick google it doesn’t seem to be easily available in the UK anymore. I would repurchase but it’s not the end of the world that’s it’s not available (unlike Clean, Girls bahahah)!
I got this in a Cult Beauty GWP a while back and recently picked up the full size that’s how much I love it! Unlike most scalp scrubs I have tried, this one actually makes it to my scalp and really cleanses it from product build up. It’s sulphate free but gently foaming and leaves my hair so shiny and not dried out at all! £15 for a huge tub that will last ages and I couldn’t recommend more! Already repurchased!
This is a super gentle alcohol free toner that contains licorice root extract, arbutin and vitamin C as well as niacinamide. With continued use it targets uneven skin tone, dullness and visible pores and I do think this made my skin brighter and helped with ongoing pigmentation issues I have! It’s also super affordable at $14! Would repurchase! Read more about Good Molecules here!
Disciple Night Shift Cleanser
Really luxurious cleanser full of fruit oils and AHA’s - it removes makeup with ease (it comes with a face cloth too) and I love the green packaging however it does seem to collect some product buildup around the pump making it sticky which I hate. I wish this was scented a bit more like the facial oils as that would really have sold it for me but my skin does feel calm and plump after use! At £27 I won’t repurchase.
January labs Moisture Balancing Lotion
I have lost count of how many tubes of this stuff I have gone through now and sadly this will probably be my last one as Cult Beauty stopped stocking it and there is no new UK distributor! I am gutted more so about their Restorative Tonic Mist as that is one of my favourite skincare products of all time. The lotion is a lovely lightweight hydrating cream that I use in the daytime as it’s great under makeup. Would have repurchased if it was easily available L
Boots Glow Brightening Mist
Purchased this on a whim when I was browsing Boots online one day and saw that Niacinamide was high up on the ingredients list. To be honest I used it as a makeup refresher during the day so can’t say much for the skincare benefits but it felt cooling and hydrating and at £4 I would repurchase again though I will say I find the scent quite sweet and I don’t like it!
Containing tranexamic acid, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid this is a gentle serum that helps promote an even skin tone. It has a lovely formula that doesn’t feel tacky and it sinks in quickly working really well to target pigmentation. It’s $12 as well so amazing value for money and I would repurchase! Good Molecules have actually just sent me the updated nothing to hide ingredients list version of this so I am excited to get it back into my routine!
Can you tell I like Niacinamide haha? This serum also contains copper tripeptides and works as an antioxidant to help premature aging, retain hydration and enhance suppleness among other things! Just a great everyday serum to promote overall healthy skin and one I will repurchase!
Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electolyte Waterfacial
This is a heavily hyped overnight hydrating mask and one I just cannot get on board with. Every product I have tried from DE, I have felt very “meh” about and this is no different. Aside from their rep for bad customer service, I find the products overpriced and while this one did moisturise I didn’t wake up with thinking my skin looked or felt any more hydrated than when using a cheaper alternative! Would not repurchase!
REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
Another one that didn’t live up to the hype for me! I don’t mind essential oils or fragrance in some products but in this It feels a little too astringent for me. It also contains lactic acid and salicin to exfoliate, brighten and hydrate with aims to leave a smooth, even and energised complexion. My skin definitely felt smooth, brightened and energised after using this but I just don’t love it, wouldn’t repurchase!
Malin + Goetz Revitalising Eye Cream
This is like Vaseline for your eyes but I really liked it! Perfect for night time as its quite thick and felt really hydrating! Fine lines were softened and I would consider getting this in the future when I am more concerned with deeper wrinkles round my eyes as opposed to the fine lines I have now as it’s on the pricey side at £68 for 15 mls (for reference this sample was 2.5ml).
I’ve gone through yet another pot of these and I really just can’t tell what they are doing for my skin *shrugs*, I am going to make my current pot my last as these are expensive and my skin is just still always breaking out. I also realised that I should have been taking 4 a day then moving down to 2 a day but whatever way I read it I thought it was 2 then 1 so I probably shot myself in the foot by not taking the higher dose. If you have any other supplement recommendations specifically for maintaining good skin please let me know!
Obsessed with this scent which is the same as the wave spray and leave in conditioner if you have ever had a sniff of those! I don’t find this the longest lasting on my skin but I forgive it as it smells so beautiful! I talked more about it in this post and I have already repurchased!
Congratulations if you got to the end of that! Let me know if you have used any of these up and what you thought!
