Clarins HydraQuench Cream Review

 

  Clarins HydraQuench Cream Normal to Dry Skin £34 www.clarins.co.uk  

I've been using this moisturiser from Clarins for just over a month now. I wanted to make good use of it before I gave my opinion. I chose to purchase the product for normal to dry skin, although my skin is normal/combination it can get quite dry and dehyrdrated in the colder months and I wanted a moisturiser which was a little heavier than the ones I already own. Clarins also sell Hydraquench with added SPF15 and another variant which is a gel/cream version. I chose the basic HydraQuench cream as I wanted to use it at night so didn't feel like I needed added SPF, and I find gel/cream formulas can sometimes be more drying.

I've been using a 10p sized amount of the product every night after cleansing and toning. I like the moisturiser as it is quite basic and non offensive, it does what it says on the tin. I do feel like the cream hydrates and moisturises my skin but I'm not amazed by it. I don't think it's made a difference to my skin so I won't be running out to buy it again, I think there are many cheaper products available which do the same thing. I would recommend the product if you have sensitive/blemish prone skin and you are looking for a basic moisturiser that wont irritate your skin. Have you tried HydraQuench, what do you think?

 

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Things I bought today #1

 

   

 

Floral Top £22.99 Zara

Flats (black and nude) £6 each Primark

Jacket £22 Primark 

 

I finally have five whole days booked off work to do as I please, first chance I got I headed to Birmingham to do some much needed retail therapy. I've been trying to de-clutter my wardrobe to make room for some key autumn/winter pieces and have a wishlist as long as my arm, so I headed out ready to shop! I had a realisation when I was out that I do have rent and bills to pay so I only bought a couple of things to satisfy my shopping habit, until payday at least. I'm really happy with my purchases and I know I'll get a lot of wear out of them all. First stop was Zara where I saw this pretty floral tshirt, the top is made of quite thick material and I've seen similar floral pattern pieces in other stores, but nothing compares to the quality and finish of Zara items. I can't wait to wear it with my skinny leigh jeans and a leather jacket. I then went to Primark in a quest to buy new flat shoes as all of mine have gone really tatty, these two pairs of pointy flats were only £6 each so I had to snap them up. They are a suede finish which initially put me off, as I know any hint of rain will just ruin them, but for the price I just had to. Lastly I bought this jacket with the PU faux leather sleeves which will be perfect for the autumn weather.

 

I may have to make another trip into Birmingham as I tried on a beaut of a coat in Primark (an oversized boyfriend coat) I didn't purchase it as I couldn't decide if it drowned me making me look 2 foot tall. Now I'm home I regret not buying it. I was also eyeing up a chunky gold necklace in River Island, and Nars Chelsea Girl lip gloss which is so lovely. Me and my sister fell in love with this Zara coat, which she is modelling below, LOVE, it is £110. So expect to see another 'Things I bought today' post very soon!

 

 

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Rimmel Scandal Eyes Eye Shadow Paint 005 Golden Bronze

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Eye Shadow Paint 005 Golden Bronze £4.99 www.boots.com  

I don't wear eye shadow on a daily basis mainly due to my hooded eyelids and the fact I have to make a real effort for it to even show up. When I wear eye shadow I ALWAYS have to prime my eye lid otherwise it will disappear within a few hours (current primers of choice, ELF & Mac Soft Ochre) so I was intrigued to try the new Scandal Eyes Eye Shadow Paint from Rimmel as it promises to be a 'long wear liquid eye shadow' which 'lasts all day'.

 

I have worn this eye shadow a couple of times now, it's a liquid to powder finish which once dry really does not budge. I apply to my eyelids using the applicator and then rub and blend the eye shadow in with my finger. The range hosts a few colours which in my opinion are best used on the eye alone without mixing or blending with other shades. I love the shimmery bronze colour of the product, I don't own many bronze shades even though they help to accentuate my green/hazel eyes. I've worn Golden Bronze on my eyes to work and even after a long day and after rubbing my eyes the product stays put. I'm very impressed.

 

Have you tried any of these Eye Shadow Paints? What are your thoughts?

 

 

 

   

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L'Oreal Ever Riche Perfect Elixir Masque Spray

  L'Oreal Ever Riche Perfect Elixir Masque Spray £6.99 www.boots.com  

It's safe to say I'm quite liking the new L'Oreal offerings that have been released (did you see my post praising up the Micellar Solution here). Another product which has made its way into my stash is the L'Oreal EverRiche Perfect Elixir Masque Spray which aims to 'instantly replenish very dry hair leaving it with a soft flowing feel and healthy look'.  

 

The spray masque should be applied onto damp hair after shampooing and conditioning (after shampooing if hair is fine) and then rinsed out. Typical me, on my first use I applied after washing my hair and before blow drying (without rinsing) due to not reading the directions properly. From my first use however I found this product to be effective, my hair was left noticeably softer and more manageable without leaving any greasy residue. I have fine oily hair, but dry ends due to regular highlights and bleach so I've been applying the spray after conditioning avoiding the roots.

 

The product itself is so easy to use and takes a few seconds to spray onto the hair whilst in the shower, great if you're a bit lazy and can't be arsed with applying a thick hair masque and waiting for it to have an affect. The masque spray also has a gorgeous sweet scent. I have noticed after use that my hair is much easier to brush and detangle and once dry feels softer than normal. I'm very happy with the product, I think I'll have to purchase more from the L'Oreal Ever Riche range, have you tried any of their new goodies?

 

Whilst I'm on the topic of hair, can anyone recommend any decent products for oily hair? Which will help to prevent my roots getting so greasy?

 

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Brand Loving: Laura Mercier

 

Laura Mercier: Space NK

 

This is a post dedicated to my favourite products from a brand I love, Laura Mercier. The brand is renowned in the beauty world for its base products which help to create a flawless face, their foundations and primers are their most popular items. I like Laura Mercier's 'no frills' approach where their products focus on accentuating natural beauty rather than seasonal trends which may not suit many people.

 

Firstly I like to prime my skin before applying makeup with the Foundation Primer - Radiance (sample size) which adds a luminous base to the skin. I then apply Silk Crème Foundation in Rose Ivory £33 with a Real Techniques Face Expert Brush, this gives the most flawless finish, covering and concealing blemishes like no other - I tend to use this product on bad skin days because spots don't stand a chance with this bad boy. I also love the Laura Mercier Mineral Power Foundation in Real Sand £31, I like to use this over the top of the crème foundation to set my makeup where I apply a light layer using a kabuki. I also use the mineral powder foundation alone as I find the coverage is pretty good, it helps to cover red patches and conceal blemishes well. I finish off the face with a dab of the Secret Brightener £24.50 on the cupids bow, down the centre of my nose and on my cheekbones. This product gives a lovely subtle glow to the face without looking sparkly/glittery. My favourite HG lipstick has to be the Crème Smooth Lip Color in Pink Blush £20, it is such a natural shade (check out my full review here).

 

A final special mention goes to items within the skincare and bodycare Laura Mercier line. I am currently using a sample of the Flawless Skin Repair Eye Crème (sample size) which I'm enjoying, I find the product to be quite refreshing as it noticeably helps to reduce puffiness. I am also a big fan of the Souffle Body Cremes £43.50, especially 'Fresh Fig' however I find them to be quite expensive for body moisturisers!

 

So there we have a quick overview of my current Laura Mercier favourites. I am yet to be disappointed with any of my purchases from this brand, next on my wishlist is the Second Skin Cheek Colour in Lush Nectarine and the Mineral Illuminating Powder. What are your favourite Laura Mercier goodies?

 

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Fashionista Blush Quad

 

 

L-R Glowing Shade 11, Juicy Apricot Shade 6, Rose Glow Shade 2, Cinnamon Shade 12  

Fashionista Blush

www.muastore.co.uk

 

Another lovely product I purchased from Gaelle's blogsale (lipstickergosum) a few weeks ago now. I absolutely love these blushers, they are so pigmented and are beautiful colours. I've used them every single day since the quad arrived on my doorstep. I've mentioned before that I like my blushers to be quite pigmented because I look so pale/ill without wearing blusher, so I like something with a bit of colour like these. They blend into the skin well (I use a Real Techniques Contour Brush to apply) and they also last all day, no need for touch ups. I'm wearing my favourite out of the four 'Cinnamon Shade 12' in the photo below - this shade has been gracing my cheeks all week!

 

The quad has a very big mirror which is really handy when on the move and once closed the product looks quite sleek, it's very thin and small and doesn't take up much space. The blushers individually are usually £4 each but after browsing the website they are currently on sale for only £1.65 each! Bargain!

 

 

These are the only products I've tried from the Fashionista brand and I'm really impressed. After browsing their range online, I'm after a few more bits. Which Fashionista products would you recommend?

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L'Oreal Skin Perfection Micellar Solution

L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution £3.33 www.boots.com  

I picked up the L'Oreal Micellar Solution on my last spending spree in Boots (dangerous). I was getting fed up of making all my flannels dirty when cleansing my face (with Emma Hardie cleansing balm) so I have been using this solution to remove the majority of my face and eye makeup before using my normal cleanser. The brand claims this product 'dissolves make-up, unclogs pores, removes impurities and tones and smooths the skin'. I'm not sure about all of that but I find it is really effective in removing makeup, even on the eyes. I find it removes eye makeup (including waterproof) much more easily than Bioderma. This solution is much cheaper than Bioderma and much more accessible in the UK too.

 

The only negative is that I will probably run out of this product quite quickly. You only get 200ml compared to Bioderma where you get 500ml, but like I said it is much cheaper so I will more than likely buy in bulk next time. So it's not really an issue. If your looking for a dupe for Bioderma then I'd definitely recommend this product! Have you tried L'Oreal Micellar Solution? What are your thoughts?

 

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