I’m back again with another round up of
the current facemasks in my collection! First up is the NIOD Flavanone Mud (FM) RRP £40.30*and as with every DECIEM product, there is a fair bit of
science behind its fancy name that we won’t go into in too much depth here but
you can see on their website! Burnt orange in colour, this is a decongesting
mask that purifies the skin, offers a barrier against external pollution and
responds and works to improve the skins defence mechanisms. It’s advised to
only use once a week for ten minutes and let me tell you the tingle is real
with this one while it’s on the skin and for a good bit after! I don’t
experience any redness or reaction to it though and it’s my favourite of the
bunch I have here today. My skin always feels so smooth after use and looks so
much more refined and brighter. I tend to use it on a Sunday evening as a
detox/reset for my skin for the week ahead! Read more about it along with some
other NIOD products here!
Sticking with DECIEM, and I got the The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque RRP £10.30 in a Space NK box last year. Since
finishing up Roaccutane last year, my skin concerns have changed so where once
I probably would have used a mask for blemish prone skin like this at least
once a week, these days it’s far less, *touch wood*. Saying that, this is a
lovely formula that I tend to use on specific areas of my face rather than all
over and I also put some on my chest as and when needed too! Along with the BHA,
it contains charcoal, Amazonian clays and squalane and works to exfoliate dead
skin cells, cleanse pores and reduce inflammation and blemishes. My skin always
feels smooth after use with any spots drying up (not out!) and while my skin
isn’t as oily as it used to be, this would work wonders on anyone who does have
oily skin! Such a good price too!
I still can’t get over the size of the Pixi Vitamin-C Remedy Mask RRP £20*, I don’t think I’ll ever get through it! I
got sent this along with the Milky Remedy mask and Rose Remedy mask and while
there is no difference in their jelly-esque textures, I think the Vitamin C one
is my favourite simply because of the antioxidants included! The mask is
cooling to apply (though it can take some extra work getting it off as I apply
a thick layer) and hydrating too! It contains ferulic and ascorbic acid but
they are quite far down the ingredients list so I’m not sure how effective
these are in a wash off mask! Overall, this is a nice cooling experience, and
my skin does look fresher and brighter straight after use! I also like to use
this on my chest too especially as it’s such a big tub and I am taking my neck
and dec care more seriously these days! It also comes with a little spatula that attaches to the side, hygienic! If you shop around, this is regularly
on offer for around a third off making it good value
I’m finally getting round to trying out
the cult favourite Oskia Renaissance Mask RRP £68 (for full size 50ml)
and I can see why its reputation precedes it! This is a rose scented and
coloured balm that, on contact with the skin, turns to a white colour so you
know it’s applied correctly. I usually leave on for 10-20 minutes then before
fully washing off, I massage some water to emulsify it and activate the second
phase. This contains natural fruit AHA’s and lactic acid to gently exfoliate
the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and leave skin feeling smooth. It
never leaves my skin red and despite feeling so gentle, I have been really
impressed with how soft and refined my skin looks after! I’m gutted the full
size is so expensive as I prefer to spend money on serums rather than masks but
this one crops up in GWP’s and beauty boxes quite often so look out for it in
those if you want to try before committing to the full size!
Lastly, the Inkey List Madecassoside
Mask RRP £8.99*which I can’t find online anymore so I am wondering if it’s
been discontinued already – it only came out last year? Anyway, this is billed
as a mask to provide instant relief to stressed skin and on first use I was
surprised to be met with a toothpaste-esque scent, indicating menthol, which is
one of the ingredients in this mask. I think it’s a strange inclusion for a
calming mask as I know some people with sensitive skin who can struggle with
this ingredient! My skin didn’t react however, and the cream formula feels very
cooling and invigorating on my skin so I think it would be perfect after a
workout etc when you want to cool down! Madecassoside is found in Centella
Asiatica and helps to reduce inflammation, redness and itching but personally I
have found other calming masks such as the I’m From Mugwort mask to be more
effecting in calming my skin!
So that’s what’s in my current
collection! If you want to read Part One or Part Two of this series, I have
linked them for you! Let me know your favourite face mask!
It’s just over two months since my last empties post so slower progress than I would have liked but let’s get into the
mini reviews!
Haircare
OUAI Super Dry Shampoo
I really dragged this out as it’s more
expensive than I usually go for, but I loved this! Gave me an extra day out of greasy
hair, no residue, added volume and smells incredible – also has my favourite
Melrose Place scent! Would repurchase on a good offer.
Olaplex No.3
A staple in my haircare routine, I love this,
and you can read more here! My hair feels stronger and it’s harder for me to
find split ends after use/between haircuts. Already repurchased and using the
supersize version!
Sol de Janeiro Hair Repair Treatment
I love SDJ’s body care offerings and I
love this mask too! It smells the same as the body cream and looks the same too
so be careful you don’t mix them up! This is thick and creamy but isn’t hard to
wash out and makes my hair so soft and swishy and the smell lingers too!
Already have a backup along with the shampoo and conditioner to try from a
Christmas set!
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair
Density
I love this! I notice much less hair fall
when I use it consistently so hopefully that is contributing to my hair looking
thicker! While you can definitely tell there is something on your scalp it
doesn’t necessarily look greasy but at the same time, I am glad I have been
working from home and can get away a few extra days not washing! 100% worth a
try if you suffer hair loss or thinning hair as it’s so affordable! Will
repurchase and spoke about it more here!
Innersense Pure Harmony Hairbath and Pure
Inspiration Conditioner
Loved the orange scent and these felt
super gentle, but nothing compares to my OUAI shampoo and conditioner so not a
repurchase for me!
Virtue 6-in-1 Styler
Another one I really enjoyed the scent
of! This is lightweight so worked well for me on dry hair when I wanted to tame
frizz without weighing my hair down! Would repurchase but I just have too much
haircare right now!
Skincare
Huxley Secret of Sahara Sleep Mask
This is a beautiful, cooling, gel like
formula that contains Pricky pear seed oil, hyaluronic acid and centella
asiatica. For an overnight mask, it feels super lightweight and absorbs
quickly! I initially thought this wouldn't be hydrating enough but I was wrong! My skin feels nourished, and I wake
up with calm, hydrated, smooth and plump skin! Full review here and I will repurchase in the future!
Mario Badescu Facial Spray
I’ve lost count how many bottles I’ve
went through of this and it’s great to have by my desk throughout the day which
is how I use it as opposed to a skincare step. I actually have a large bottle
of this in my back up stash but to be honest I am sick of it so will use up
some of my other mists before opening! Read more here!
Gutted to be finished this serum as I
absolutely loved it! It hydrates, firms, brightens and soothes depending on
what you skin needs. It contains glycerin and niacinamide and instantly calms
skin and makes it feel soft and supported! What I don’t love is the price haha
at £129 it ain’t cheap and right now I can’t justify repurchasing but in the
future I definitely will! More on this serum here!
A quick google tells me this has been
discontinued now which I was surprised by! This was a nice lightweight, calming
oil with futuristic packaging (you push the bottom to dispense!) I generally
prefer my oils to be fattier so this wouldn’t have been a repurchase for me!
I first started using this serum prior to
going on Roaccutane and my skin was so bad nothing was really working for me
unfortunately! My skin has been clear since coming off it so I used this up on
my neck and chest and overall it’s a nice gentle serum that doesn’t dry the
skin out but does help with recovery time. Not a repurchase for me but you can
read more here!
Really enjoyed this cream and surprised
myself by getting through it so quickly (for me!). It’s a hydrating gel-cream that
locks in moisture, smooths and targets fine lines and prevents dehydration. It
felt cooling and soothing and was my go-to night cream. I woke up to plump,
hydrated skin and I loved the subtle marshmallow-y scent! This formula didn’t
work for me during the day as it caused pilling but for night-time it was
lovely and I love the packaging too! Not a repurchase for me right now but
would consider in the future! Read my full review here!
Fenty Skin Fat Water
Really enjoyed this mini, my skin looked
more even, and it reduced my oiliness. I loved the texture as it’s a hybrid
toner/serum and I just patted in with my palms so perfect for travelling and I
plan to pick up the full size in the future!
Origins Mega Mushroom Relief &
Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion
I’ve been through quite a lot of minis of
this too and it lasts forever! It’s a watery formula and feels calming on the
skin and helps with redness while hydrating. Will repurchase in the future!
Emma Hardie Protect and Prime SPF 30
I wasn’t expecting to love this one as
much as I did but it’s amazing! It’s a creamy formula but ribs in easily
leaving no white cast and a lovely glow behind! It sits so well under makeup
and doesn’t pill with other products and the only thing that could make it
better would be if it was SPF 50! I took this on a trip to Prague with me and
my skin felt protected, and my makeup looked really good over the top if I do
say so myself! Will repurchase in the future once I get through a few other
SPF’s!
Dr Jart Ceramidin Cream
Another favourite and long-term staple in
my skincare stash! This contains five ceramides and hyaluronic acid, and it
manages to be both lightweight (so perfect under makeup) as well as rich enough
for overnight! My skin drinks this up and I always go back to it! It’s
hydrating, soothing and restoring and you need to try it! I also took this with
me on my trip but I already have a full size back up! Read more about it here!
Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum
I’ve been through few minis of these now,
but I think because it’s so small I never get the full benefit of the dark spot
correction! I know so many people are a fan of this so I might need the bite
the bullet and buy a full size at some point as the consistency etc is lovely! Might
repurchase!
Farmacy Green Clean cleanser
Really nice cleanser, not quite as luxurious
as something like the Emma Hardie Moringa balm but this works well to break
down makeup! Would repurchase!
Bodycare
Nivea Body Moisturising Mousse
I actually thought this was a shower
mousse not a moisturiser when I first got it! It’s a really fun texture, has my
favourite Nivea scent and felt moisturising even though it’s not as thick as
their usual creams. I felt I did get through it quite quickly though so would
probably repurchase their standard creams over this again!
Everyone should have a product like this
in their stash! Perfect for sensitive or eczema prone skin and it works a treat
on random dry patches I get on my legs! It’s soothing and lasts overnight,
keeping the area moisturised and stopping me from itching! As well as on the
body this can be used on your face and its really lightweight but powerful! Can’t
recommend enough if you need a do it all body/face cream for any emergency skin
situations! Read more here!
Bath and Body Works Eucalyptus and
Spearmint Stress Relief Body Lotion
This on the other hand I loved! This is a
lightweight moisturiser that really does smell so stress relieving to me though
the scent isn’t the most long lasting. The packaging is lovely but it’s
difficult to get out once it gets near the end I also have the body cream in
this scent in the squeezy tube so I might repurchase this again but will
probably stick to the cream! Read more here!
Necessaire The Body Serum
I have a full post on these Necessaire products here but overall, I was quite disappointed with them based on the
hype/price. I really like the brands ethos, and this was my favourite product
out of the four I had. It’s a Hyaluronic Acid treatment that’s a gel formula
and it absorbs into the body quickly and it helped with extra hydration. While
it feels more luxurious than the hyaluronic acid I usually use on my chest, I
don’t see a massive difference in result with them, so this won’t be a
repurchase!
Necessaire The Body Lotion
This is unscented so I found it a little
boring/basic. It has a thick formula and takes some rubbing in before it’s
fully absorbed and left my skin hydrated. Same with the serum though, I didn’t
notice any massive benefit to using this than my normal more affordable
lotions! Not a repurchase.
Necessaire The Body Exfoliator
I am surprised how quickly I went through
this as it normally takes me a bit longer with exfoliators but again, it was a
bit of a disappointment to me. Not “scrubby enough” for me personally and the
scent wasn’t strong enough either. I’ll stick to my Frank Body coffee
scrub/exfoliating gloves in future! Not a repurchase!
Neutrogena Hand Cream
Really nice intensive hand cream, I used
this overnight, and a tiny bit goes a long way. Sinks in quickly and made my
hands soft. Would repurchase!
Makeup
Revlon Colorstay for Combination/Oily
Skin in 150 Buff
My favourite drugstore foundation!
Affordable, long lasting and full coverage! Already have a couple of backups as
I stock up when it’s on 3 for 2! Read more about it here!
Clarins SOS Primer
Really liked this both for mixing in with
foundation and as an illuminating primer. I don’t think it helps with staying
power but it gives a nice lit from within look! Could be a contender for my
beloved discontinued Becca Backlight Priming Filter! Might repurchase!
Miscellaneous
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides and
Marine Collagen
I didn’t notice a massive difference
between the two of these so won’t bother with the Marine Collagen again as it’s
more expensive, but I love the Collagen Peptides. I hope it’s working on my
skin/hair, but I notice it most on my joints which aren’t painful going down
stairs etc anymore! I’ve been taking this for about a year now and have already
repurchased!
Also not pictured because it’s so ratty
is my old wet brush which I have finally binned/decluttered since repurchasing last month! It has more bristles missing that remaining but served me well over
the last 5/6 years!
So that’s it for this edition! Do you see
any of your favourites or anything you’d like to try?
