Super Sample Set Review | ORIGINS Skincare

Origins is a brand I've heard a lot of great things about so its no surprise that a few products were on my list to try. Though Origins isn't the most affordable brand for myself and many others so it wouldn't be the best idea to go straight out to buy the full-size products straight away. When browsing the Boxing Day sales I came across this sample set reduced from £35 to around £22, it contained a few products I've wanted to try so I snapped this up straight away. 

I've been using this set for about 3 weeks now so I thought I'd give my thoughts on the products. Rather than attempting to explain what each of the products are I'm going to include the description from the Origins website and say whether I agree with its claims and whether I'd repurchase.

Checks and Balances Frothy face wash

"When it comes to faces with dry and oily places, it takes a clever cleanser to balance the two. This Origins gentle, frothy face wash carefully does both jobs without cancelling each other out. It helps to seek out oil, soaks it up then keeps it well in-check, while it balances and protects dry prone zones. And Broadleaf Kelp breaks down dirt, disperses excess oil and sends dullness down the drain. Skin feels comfortably refreshed after cleansing, never tight, pulled or parched."

The verdict: This definitely breaks down any left over makeup on my face and leaves my skin feeling smooth. Though this facial wash does smell quite strongly of soap which I'm not keen on and I feel it leaves my skin feeling quite tight. Apart from that I think it's great although I wouldn't repurchase at £18.50.

High Potency Night-A-Mins Minerals Mineral-enriched renewal cream

"Put dullness to rest. Wake up radiant & refreshed. Now nature's famed night cream is newly fortified with a system of time-released resurfacers plus Vitamins C, E & H, minerals & moisture-rich replenishers. While relaxing aromas lull you to sleep, skin sloughs away dry, dead layers. Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins™ helps the appearance of dullness."

The verdict: I love this, my skin feels amazingly hydrated after using it and my skin definitely looks better when I've woken in the morning. I also really like the scent of this and it does relax me ready for sleep. I've noticed the difference when not using this so I'll of course be putting this on my to-buy list, although it is £34.50 I think its reasonable for a hefty 50ml.

GinZing Energy-boosting moisturiser

"Origins GinZing™ instantly hydrates and revs up radiance.
This lightweight, oil-free, skin energy drink, fortified with legendary skin-boosters like Panax Ginseng and Coffee Bean, jumpstarts hydration levels. Lacklustre-looking skin is rapidly refreshed and revitalised to create a healthy, vibrant glow."

The verdict: This is the product I've heard most about, I have been enjoying using this in the morning to wake me up and give my skin more life. My skin feels smooth and prepped for makeup, though I'm not completely blown away by this yet. I'll give this a little longer to decide whether I'd actually repurchase this product so watch this space.

GinZing Refreshing eye cream to brighten and depuff

"Nature's clinically-proven morning-after GinZing™ eye cream helps to reduce the look of dark circles. Unsightly bags and puffiness seem less visible. And Origins proprietary complex of Caffeine from Coffee bean, Panax Ginseng, Magnolia Extract and natural optic brighteners rapidly wakes up, refreshes and restores radiance to tired eyes."

The verdict: I'm not sure this reduces the look of dark circles but maybe that's just because mine are so bad. However I would agree that  this wakes up the eyes, making you appear more radiant and alert. I've been enjoying using this though at it's price for the full-sized product, it wouldn't be within in my budget to repurchase.

Clear Improvement Active charcoal mask to clear pores

"When environmental pollutants, dirt and debris get under your skin, its waste-filtering system gets jammed, pores get clogged, skin looks cloudy. Nature's complexion clean-up crew in Origins Clear Improvement® gets to the bottom of skins overcast condition and clears the way for it to act its best."

The verdict: This is such a quick face mask as it dries hard within just a few minutes of putting it on. Once washing away my skin feels so refreshed and although this mask is fast drying my skin didn't feel tight afterwards. I've definitely noticed a difference in the appearance of blemishes and the size of my pores are reduced. If i'm in need of a deep cleansing face mask, i'll definitely look at repurchasing this at £23 for 100ml. 

Modern Friction Nature's gentle dermabrasion

"Skin-refining Rice Starch cushioned in cream, rapidly removes sluggish cells, uneven patches and signs of skin damage and discolourations. Lemon Oil kick starts the process of illumination. Vitamin C mops up skin-menacing free radicals.There's no ouch, extra steps or other complications. No redness or flaking follows. With Origins Modern Friction™, skin looks perfectly polished, smooth and luminous."

The verdict: I've got combination skin so I do have patches of dryness. The grains in this scrub are so slight that they really get to work on dry patches by removing the flaking skin. I love how bright and replenished my face looks after using this and the Lemon Oil is very present, expect tingling nostrils after using this- haha! I would repurchase this as its £12.50 for 50ml. 

Make A Difference Rejuvenating hand treatment

"The resurrection plant Rose of Jericho, plus skin-reviving Trehalose and Sea Harictos work hand-in-hand to help hardworking skin rebound and recover from dramatic dehydration in Origins Make A Difference™ rejuvenating hand treatment."

The verdict: I've not got much to say about this product as I dont really dabble in hand care- oops! This product again is scented with Lemon which I'm a big fan of! The cream is very light and sinks quickly into the hands without leaving a greasy layer which is a bonus, as nobody likes oil slicked hands when attempting to open something sealed tightly. I won't be re-buying this as i'm not all that into hand creams so i'd rather use a more affordable brand but this is very popular as it's currently out of stock on the Origins website. 

I'm intrigued by the high quality products that Origins has to offer, though not all of these products were for me, I have no doubt that another few products will crop up on my 'to-try' list. Watch this space to see if and what I repurchase in due course *prepares to be skint*.

Have you tried anything from Origins? What did you think of it?

Let me know below!

Lauren Conrad Beauty | Book Review

If i'm honest i'm not really a reader of novels, though I do enjoy a quick flick through non-fiction and magazines. As you can probably tell one of my main interests is beauty so Christmas 2013 I asked for the Lauren Conrad Beauty book as i'd seen it was quite popular among beauty lovers.

I've had this for a year now and I wanted to write something different to the usual on my blog so I thought i'd do a review on what I think of it.

Immediately when unwrapping the book I thought how pretty it would look displayed on a shelf or coffee table as it's complete with a lovely dust cover. I love how simplistic the book is with a monochrome look throughout complete with beautiful images. 

I have to be honest my initial thoughts were exactly how the book spent the first few months of 2014, though I did have a quick nose through it, it's main purpose was to look pretty displayed on a shelf in my room. 

Once I had nothing planned for an evening I decided to sit down with a cup of tea and have a look through the book. The book features 12 Chapters based on skin and hair care, health, fitness and food, hair and makeup looks, nails and beauty through the decades. I wont go in depth on every chapter here but I will include my opinions on chapters that I thought really stood out.

Instantly I was drawn to the skincare section of the book as I believe having good skin is the basis to all good makeup. Though I don't have the best skin, I do try my hardest in order to put it in it's best condition. 

I was most intrigued by the section on ingredients to avoid which is very handy and usually avoids mishaps of purchasing products that could potentially make my skin worse, I always reference back to this when shopping online for products- so handy!

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Makeup Tips, Tricks and Techniques is a chapter I found really useful as it was only at the beginning of 2014 where I really started to get into makeup and beauty. This is great if you're just starting out in makeup or you feel you need more knowledge and hints to perfecting your makeup. The chapter also held pages on different brushes and what they can be used for which is again perfect if you're a beginner.

I still agree with my initial thought of this book being perfect for the coffee table as you can simply just pick it up, brush up where you think you need more knowledge and put it down without feeling like you're missing out. As I mentioned earlier the images in this book really catch the eye which I love when reading.

Featured are short, easy to follow tutorials on hair and makeup looks as well as nails- perfect for when you're planning to go out with the girls!

Beauty Through the Decades is the chapter I think most people will love demonstrating how beauty has changed through the years and how we're at this stage today. This section features look's from the 20's to the 70's to recreate yourself and look somewhat similar to beauty icon's mentioned throughout the years. 

Overall I think this book is perfect for teenagers or beginners who are just getting into beauty. Though this book doesn't recommend the best products you can buy according to Lauren Conrad, I think this is great as it will not make you feel like you need what another person is able to afford in order to look your 'best'.

The book is so handy to reference to when purchasing skincare, brushes and items to suit the individual best.

So add it to your basket if you feel like treating yourself or another!

I hope this wasn't too boring as it's the first time I've done a book review. Let me know what you think below in the comments and what else you'd like to see on my blog!

Much Love,

♥   ♥   ♥

Empties | Quick Product Reviews

Hello!

After rounding up a few finished products, I thought i'd give you an empties post! There isn't too much here as I don't tend to use up products that quickly and I wouldn't want this post to be too lengthy or boring by including unnecessary products! Without further ado I'll start here..

Garnier Moisture Match in Shine Be Gone.

I love this moisturiser, it has got to be my favourite! It's a perfect texture for me and locks in the hydration for 24 hours and my skin feels feather-like- i'm not kidding! I don't necessarily think this leaves my skin mattified but I do not look like a grease-ball once used so I can't complain! I purchased the one with SPF in for protection over the warmer months and I could not wait to repurchase this again, although the SPF one wasn't bad.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water.

Another Garnier product, I've discovered that my skin really gets on with Garnier so i'll definitely continue to try their products. This was no exception, I was so impressed with how well this dissolved my makeup and left my skin feeling clear of makeup and cleansed, although you can use this without washing the product off I still follow it up with a cleanser of which you'll see in this empties post. Overall, I can't fault it and it's very affordable! 

Collection Lasting Perfection concealer.

Do I need to say anymore? A concealer that is constantly raved about and I can see why! This covers pretty much all of my blemishes and dark under eyes! This is perfect for blemishes and although it covers dark circles it does tend to crease a little after a long while. I'm yet to find the perfect concealer for under eyes though so this is doing the job for now and I'll repurchase again and again!

Soap and Glory Scub of your Life.

Before I had the full-size of this and then a mini, I didn't really use body scrubs- oops! But i'll definitely be repurchasing this as it made my skin so smooth ready for moisturising and it smells great! I've seen there is a scrub which is lime scented, I may have to give that one a go too!

Garnier PureActive Foam Wash.

I'm sure you've seen this mentioned here on my blog before but if not you can see a review here. This is a great wash for the morning as it has quite a strong scent so definitely wakes you up! I find this is great for when I have more blemishes as it gives such a deep cleanse and it seems to reduce the redness and get rid of them quicker. This is another product i'll be buying again!

Lush Tea Tree Toner Water. (For some reason the picture didn't transport, but it can be seen above or below)

After having a few more blemishes I decided to opt for this to not only refresh my face but as it contains Tea Tree will act as an anti-bacterial, keeping my skin refreshed and cleansed at the same time. I really enjoyed using this product, especially during the warmer months as you get a little sweaty, disgusting I know but it happens to us all! My only bug bare with this is that as it is natural it doesn't last a very long time so i'm glad I purchased the smaller bottle of this, although I think i'll repurchase this when I next pop into Lush!

That's all of my empties done and dusted! I love seeing empties post as it gives an insight of whether somebody actually enjoyed using the product and to see whether they'd actually repurchase it, so I hope you liked this post! Let me know if you'd like to see my next batch of empties and i'll be sure to save them up for a post!

Until next time,

Amy X

Superdrug Dead Sea Mud Mask | Thoughts and Review

Hello!
Today I thought i'd do a review on a product that I purchased 3-4 weeks ago, the Superdrug Detoxifying Dead Sea Mud Mask.

Superdrug Detoxifying Dead Sea Mud Mask.

I had quite a few break outs so was in need of something to really clean out my pores of impurities and hopefully help to get rid of the spots that I had and ones that were developing at the time. I'm sure you will know that Dead Sea Mud is very common in face masks and of course good for the skin, so I thought I'd give this one a go as it was only £2.59.

Yes, that is my abnormally blotchy hand- please excuse it.

After reading about this mask, it's suggests you use it 2-3 times a week, so that I did. The first time I used this I applied it quite thinly as I wasn't sure how my skin would react to it and left it on for the suggested 10-15 minutes. The mask dried quickly and I was shocked when I looked in the mirror, it sank straight into the blackheads on my nose and rather large pores- for me that felt like it was definitely working to clean out my pores. Once removing the mask with a warm face cloth my skin felt rid of any grubbiness and definitely felt cleansed.

Featuring the Muslin Cloth I used once with this mask and will not turn white again, lesson learnt- do not use a brand new Muslin Cloth with a clay mask...

I continued to use this for the following weeks or week I should say, for some reason the 3rd or 4th time I used it my skin had a reaction. I noticed that it was getting a little warm while using it, I thought this was normal as it tends to happen with a lot of face masks for me. I left it until it was dry and I was so shocked when I took it off. Where the face mask has been, my skin was bright red- a perfect line around my face. 

Has anyone else experienced something similar when using the Superdrug face mask? I came to the conclusion that I must of had an allergic reaction to it, and in fact a lot of other face masks.

I wouldn't say this face mask is overall bad, it just didn't work for me. I'm sure if your skin isn't sensitive this will be great for you to clear you skin and rid it of impurities so it's definitely worth a try at less than £3 for quite a large tube.

Could anyone recommend a mask for sensitive skin? Something I never thought I had, so I'm not really in the know of gentle masks. 

That's all for now, until next time..

Amy X