Reviewing Some of InStyle's Best Beauty Buys 2015

Earlier this month I received an incredibly generous package from John Lewis in the post containing InStyle's Best Beauty Buys 2015 magazine as well as a selection of beauty products from the many wonderful brands that they stock. I haven't yet had a chance to try out everything that I was sent, but I  thought I would start by trying out the products that I was sent that also featured in InStyle's "best beauty buys list", so I'll be sharing mini-reviews of these products.

I'm always in two minds about these sorts of magazines as you always see the same brands and products being mentioned, and there isn't much scope for smaller brands getting recognition. However, that being said, I always enjoy reading expert recommendations and I did spot a couple of products that I hadn't seen before, which I now fully intend to go out and buy! Although all the products that I'll be featuring in today's blogpost are featured by InStyle (all of which have been very kindly gifted to me by John Lewis), I just wanted to make clear that this isn't a sponsored post and I wasn't obligated to write this blogpost. All my reviews today are entirely based on my personal experience with the products, which I fully enjoyed putting to the test!

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish*
available form John Lewis for £15.50 for 100ml

I discovered this cult cleanser when I first began writing my blog. I initially thought - because it had the word "polish" in the title - that this would be an exfoliating cleanser. However, since having the opportunity to try it for myself (I've gotten through two 250ml tubes in the last two years!) I now know that it is a thick, cream cleanser that you remove with a muslin cloth. And it's the exfoliating cloth that offers the "polishing"/exfoliating element. I was very grateful to receive a handy 30ml travel size tube of this cleanser as it really is a fabulous skincare product, and I especially like reaching for it when I have a lot of makeup to remove! 

Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash*

available from John Lewis for £18.00

I'm already a rose otto fan but I hadn't actually tried this Body Wash before! I've been using Balance Me's Rose Otto Body Wash for months and months and this Ren Body Wash is really similar but has a slightly thicker more jelly-like consistency. I really do quite like this product from Ren, I'd definitely repurchase it as it gives my daily shower such a luxurious feeling.

Clarins Exfoliating Body Scrub*

available from John Lewis for £29.00

Holy moly... this is a really nice body scrub. Like, really nice. It has the smallest little exfoliating particles that really get down into your pores and cleanse and scrub you into an oblivion of smooth-skin goodness. It's really gentle but incredibly effective - and also super easy to use. I like to use this on my arms and decollatage, applying the creamy scrub to dry skin, buffing it gentle across my skin before stepping into my shower and washing it away. It might seem expensive but it is a great option for sensitive skin and it really is one of the most effective yet gentle scrubs that I've ever used. Incredibly impressed! I can totally see why people would rave about it - good for you Clarins.

Balance Me Rose Otto Hand Cream*
available from John Lewis for £14.50 for 200ml

I'm already a very big fan of Balance Me's Rose Otto Range - I've gotten through two of their Rose Otto Body Washes in the last six months - and their hand cream doesn't disppoint! It has a thick, creamy texture with that same delicate rose scent that I've come to love. I really like this hand cream and I think it will appeal to so many people. Balance Me is one of the few brands that consistently impresses me and I'd highly recommend investing in their skincare and bodycare ranges.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair*

available from John Lewis for £48.00

I haven't given this a "proper" try as I've only used it for about a week. However, what I can tell you is how it compares on first impression to the other skincare oils that I'm used to. Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair has a lighter consistency than my MyChelle Argan Oil* and a similar consistency to my Mount Purious Rosehip Oil*. However, it doesn't feel as nourishing as either when you first use it. Instead, it seemed to do more overnight and the results were noticeable the next day when I woke up with smoother, fresher looking skin. Overall, my first impression is that this is a really good option to incorporate into your skincare routine and I can see why it featured in InStyle's Best of Beauty Guide - but it's just too expensive to tempt me to invest as I'm a really big fan of the oils I already use.

GHD Hairspray*

available from John Lewis for £3.95 for 75ml

This is sort of "cheating" as the hairspray itself wasn't listed in the Best of Beauty Guide, but GHD's  range did get a prominent feature so I thought I'd try out this hairspray anyway. I have to say, on first inspection I'm impressed with the hold and finish that it gives my hair. However, I think I have found my true hairspray love in L'Oreal Elnett so I don't think that I would repurchase this. But it definitely isn't a bad product and it's reasonably priced (even though you're almost certainly paying more for the brand name).

Aveda Smooth Infusion Naturally Straight*

available from John Lewis for £21.50 for 150ml
This is another "cheat" because Aveda's haircare range got a mention, but not specifically the Smooth Infusion Naturally Straight. This is a really nicely textured liquid-cream product that you work into your hair before blowdrying to reduce frizz and help achieve a naturally straight looking style. I found that it offered decent hold and did help keep my hair looking neater and less wavy than normal. However, my hair is naturally quite straight so I can't say if it does a truly tremendous job. But that being said, I love the texture of the product and the way it left my hair feeling so I'd definitely reach for it again if I had the choice!

I have to say a big thank you to John Lewis for giving me the opportunity to try out some of InStyle's Best of Beauty picks - and you can view all the winners on John Lewis' website here. I'd love to know if you've tried any of these products and what you thought about them. And you'll be happy to know that I'm now trialling the rest of the products that I was sent so that I can share some more mini-reviews next month :)

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