Look Fantastic May Beauty Box #LFHello

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum Review

Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep Review

My 2015 Beauty Favourites

My Derma Center's Deluxe Gift Set Offer

Black Friday Deals on French Pharmacy Skincare

Vichy Dermablend Foundation in 05 (Porcelain), 15 (Opal) & 25 (Nude)

New Skincare Goodness from Vichy

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Review (My Favourite Summer Moisturiser)

My Current Skincare Routine: Dehydated, Combination Skin Type

10 Quick and Easy Everyday Makeup Products

Escentual Skincare Haul

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation in Opal

Beauty Products for Oily and Combination Skin

I have combination skin - dry cheeks and an oily t-zone - and I'm always looking for beauty products that help keep my skin looking healthy, whilst also keeping shine at bay. Today I'll be sharing some of the skincare and makeup products that I think are really effective, and I hope they help anyone with a similar skintype who's looking recommendations on what to try next.

Organic Surge's Ultra Light Oil Control Lotion* is a really gorgeous moisturiser that works to regulate the skin's naturally produced oils. The bottle pumps out just the right amount and although the product initially feels quite thin and fluid, once you start rubbing it into your skin it starts to emulsify and transforms into a richer, thicker consistency that my skin just drinks up. It's packed full of rose damask, geranium and sweet orange oil that make it really hydrating as well as giving it a delicate rose and geranium scent. I find that it's a really lovely product to use and I think that it would be great for anyone who's looking for a moisturiser to help balance combination skin issues as its nourishing and softening without overloading your skin. I'd also like to state how lovely the packaging is which gives the whole experience of moisturising an added luxurious feel. Overall, I think it's a great option - suitable for vegetarians, vegans and sensitive skinned folks - and even at £21.50 it still feels like great value for money.

If you have oily skin then you might be a little bit afraid of using a facial oil. However, in my experience they're really good for all skin types as they do a great job of rehydrating your skin which can really help regulate the natural oils it produces throughout the day. Kadria's Balancing Face Oil* is designed with hormonal skin imbalances in mind - for instance, the hormonal imbalances that occur in women during pregnancy or throughout their monthly mentrual cycle. My skin definitely changes before and during my "time of the month", becoming oiler and more spot-prone. I definitely think that Kadria's Balance Face Oil helps to regulate the imbalance in my oil production, keeping all my skin looking hydrated and more even. Despite being packed full of high quality oils, it has a light texture and absorbs quickly. I use one pump a night and I've gotten through around one fifth of this bottle in the course of a month. I think that this does help justify the cost of the facial oil, which at £36 a bottle feels expensive but I do think that it does a lot for my skin that other facial oils don't do and it's a particularly good choice for combination skin types - you can find it online here.

If you're looking for an instant solution to oily skin then let me recommend some products that I think are all really effective. Origins' Zero Oil is a fluid that you apply onto your oily skin with your fingers, after moisturising but before applying makeup. It sets down to an incredibly matte finish, giving you a smooth base to apply your makeup and helping keep your skin matte for longer throughout the day. I especially like to use this during the summer when I'm more oily as it is very effective. However, it doesn't work so well over the top of makeup. If you want something to use throughou the day then I'd point you in the direction of Makeup Revolution's Pro Fix Oil Control Fixing Spray* or Vichy's Dermablend Powder*. Both of them really extend the wear time of my makeup and help keep my face looking less shiny for much, much longer. The Vichy Dermablend Powder is one of the best I've ever tried but it does contain talc so I don't like to use it everday. If you want something for regular use that's also really affordable then I would recommend Makeup Revolution's Oil Control Spray as it makes a marked difference. Although I would say that it's better for those with oily rather than combination skin as it is very effective and can feel overly drying on already dry, or non-oily, skin.

Do you have any other products that you'd recommend for those with oily or combination skin?

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Looking for Dupes

Ever found something that you really love but there's just that little something wrong with it… it's limited edition or discontinued or maybe contains an ingredient to which you're sensitive. Well, this is exactly my problem. I've got a couple of products in my collection that I absolutely adore but I need to find a dupe. 

First up is my Mac Cremesheen Lipgloss in the shade Colour Saturation. It's a beautiful product, I love the formula so much and the shade is just dreamy. It's that perfect berry tone that's effortless to wear but looks so damn good. Sadly, it was a limited edition shade and I now have to hunt down an alternative become mine is definitely past it's use by date.

Then we have my Vichy Dermablend Powder* which is hands down the best setting/mattifying powder I've found so far. It just holds my makeup in place for ages and does such a terrific job of keeping my oily t-zone matte. However, this is 100% talc - straight up, talcy goodness. Or, in my case, badness, because my skin doesn't get on with talc all too well. I've had to swap this out of my routine (I've replaced it with a mattifying balm) but I'd love to find a powder that's as  effective that doesn't contain talc.

Lastly, we have my Dainty Doll Powder Blush in Money Talks, the perrrrfect neutral blush that effortlessly works to sculpt and shape my face. I love the colour so much but once again talc is the main ingredient, and my skin just doesn't love this blush. I've only hung on to it for this long because I want to try and colour match a dupe. If anyone has any recommendations of where to look then please do let me know in the comments - I'm dying to find a replacement. 

Are there any dupes that you're looking for?

Refreshing Products for Morning Skincare Routines

Today's post is all about starting your day the right way. It's really easy to forget to look after your skin in the morning - all too often we're in such a rush to get out of the door that our skincare routine takes a back seat! I'm going to walk you through a quick and easy routine that will get your skin clean, nourished, primed, protected and brightened in just four simple steps. 

Reach for a gentle, refreshing cleanser

It's really important to cleanse your skin in the morning to remove the natural oils that build up on your skin overnight. I'm really enjoying using Murad's Essential-C Cleanser* in the morning. I find the pump bottle makes it incredibly east to use (even in the shower if you want to save on time) and helps me manage the amount of product I use, saving me from wasting any. It's a light, refreshing gel cleanser with a zesty citrus scent. It isn't too drying and it's a perfect way to kick off your skincare routine in the morning. I've been enjoying it so much that I'm considering trying the rest of the Murad Essential-C line.

Use a light moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated

Once my skin is cleansed and dry I like to apply a light moisturiser. It keeps my skin soft and smooth and really improves the way that make-up sits and wears on my skin. I've just discovered Amie's Morning Light Hydrating Daily Moisturiser* and it's a really lovely option. It's an affordable option that isn't a compromise on quality. 

Apply a light reflecting eye cream to brighten up your under-eyes

Once I've moisturised my face I like to focus on my eye area. I have dark circles under my eyes and I find that I look so much more awake (with or without makeup) if I reach for a brightening eye cream in the morning. I really like Vichy's Idealia Eye Contour Idealizer*, it offers light hydration along with a pinky pearlescent glow that does my skin so much good. If you're interested you can read my full review here.

Prime your skin to prepare if for your day ahead

Once my skin is hydrated, I like to use a primer. I've found that Flint+Flint's Primer* works well under make-up and also offers SPF 30 protection. I've been reaching for this most days, even when I'm not planning on wearing makeup. I think that wearing SPF really helps maintain youthful skin in the long run and I'm hoping to get into the habit of wearing SPF to minimise sun damage throughout my life.

Best Makeup Remover: What to Buy

Best Makeup Remover for Sensitive Skin

My Pick: Bioderma's Sensibio H2O Micellar Solution

If you have sensitive skin then I'd definitely recommend Bioderma's Micellar Solution. I find that it removes all my make-up so easily and doesn't irritate my skin at all. It's on the pricier side but if you're a skincare junkie then it is definitely worth trying. It's puts a lot of other makeup removers in perspective!

Best Makeup Remover for Oily/Blemish Prone Skin

My Pick: Vichy's Normaderm Micellar Solution*

If you have skin that's still on the sensitive side but that is also oily or blemish prone then Vichy's Normaderm Micellar Solution is a great solution. I found that it wasn't harsh on my skin but it did work really well at combatting blemishes, not only removing my make-up but also helping to clear my skin.

Best Drugstore Makeup Remover 

My Pick: Garnier's Micellar Water

If you're looking for a drugstore micellar solution that will remove all makeup (even waterproof eye makeup) then I think you should definitely give this one from Garnier a try. It's very affordable and very easily available in the UK. I don't think it is as good for cleansing skin as my other recommendations, by I love it for removing my makeup.

Best Cult Makeup Remover

My Pick: Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish is a cream cleanser that you rub into dry skin and then remove with a muslin cloth soaked in warm water. It dissolves all your makeup upon application and makeup removal is so quick and easy. I find that it will remove everything - even tough waterproof eye makeup and lip stains. If you're looking for a makeup remover that also does a tremendous job of really cleansing the skin then this is my recommendation. When I use it regularly I find that my skin is left clear and bright and I enjoy reaching for it.


BONUS: The Makeup Remover I'm Currently Using
A-Derma's Sensifluid Micellar Water*

This is another really skin-friendly makeup remover. A-Derma's Sensifluid Micellar Water reminds me a lot of Bioderma because it is incredibly gentle on the skin and yet does a tremendous job of removing even waterproof make-up. It's designed especially for those with dry, sensitive or eczema prone skin.


I hope my recommendations have helped you find something new to try. I really like all of the products I've mentioned in today's post but I'm always on the look out for new makeup removers so I'm sure I'll have a follow up post with more recommendations in the future.

Beauty Before Bed

This post is going to be talk you through my bedside beauty stash. Some months all you'll find here is a stack (a literal stack) of lip balms, other months it will be hand creams but sometimes I fall nicely into a little bedtime beauty routine, and that is exactly what I'm going to be sharing with you today.

First up is the night cream that I inevitably forgot to apply after my facial oil. I pulled Vichy's Normaderm Night* out from the depths of my stash last month and I'm a day or two away from finishing it for good. I'll be sad to see this go, it's a lovely balancing night time treatment for oily, blemish prone skin that's on the more sensitive side. Another product I always forget to apply is eye cream, so I've been keeping my Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream* close by for last minute applications. I've been really enjoying using this and I've noticed that my under eye area has become noticeably softer and is more hydrated since I started using it last month. Next up I pull out my This Works Deep Sleep Plus Pillow Spray and gently douse my bed linen in its lavender scent. I find that this does actually help me fall asleep as the scent is very calming. Whilst enjoying the aroma I move on to the last steps in my routine, which are always applying a lip balm and hand cream. I'm currently loving Malin+Goetz's Lip Moisturiser because it is incredibly thick and hydrating and seems to stay in place for an exceedingly long time, giving my lips every chance to drink up. I'm trying to use up my Roger & Gallet's Rose Hand and Nail Cream* because it's been lingering in my collection for about a year now. It isn't super hydrating but it has a pleasant delicate scent and sinks in quickly which is exactly what I want at the moment because afterwards I normally reach for a book!

Have you tried any of the products I've mentioned? What products do you reach for last thing at night?

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Vichy Dermablend Powder Review

I've had Vichy's Dermablend Powder* in my collection for a while now and although I have almost completely cut talc out of my beauty routine I did made an exception when it came to trialling this powder. I was interested in it for two reasons. First, I have quite an oily t-zone that needs a helping hand to stay matte and shine free throughout the day. Secondly, I'm a big fan of cream blushers and highlighters (I'm currently obsessed with a couple of new cream products from RMS Beauty) and I've been looking for a setting powder to prolong the wear of these sorts of products. 

I've tried powders before - mainly drugstore ones from the likes of Rimmel and Maybelline - but none of them even come close to Vichy's Dermablend Powder*. Honestly, it has completely transformed my opinion and expectation of setting powders. It's a transparent powder that doesn't add any coverable but does entirely live up to its claim of offering "a 16hr hold and resistance to perspiration, bathing and rubbing". I find that not only does it keep my skin looking matte all day long but it also does a fantastic job of prolonging the wear of my make-up without making my skin look dry and powdery, or emphasising my pores. It's also a great product for those looking to add more SPF into their everyday routines as it offers SPF 30 (that could easily be topped up with reapplications throughout the day). Basically, it's a one pot wonder and if you're not sensitive to talc based products then I would highly, highly recommend it. It's my first foray into Vichy's makeup products, but with such great results I know it won't be my last! 

You can find Vichy's Dermablend Powder* on Escentual for £17 for 28g.

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Vichy Idealia Eye Contour Idealizer

I've seen people using brightening under eye creams for a long time now but I never considered using one myself until I found out that Vichy made one. I've tried quite a few of Vichy's skincare products (I've reviewed a couple here and here) and I've always been really impressed with them. I've been using Vichy's Idealia Eye Contour Idealizer* since the beginning of the month and I've found that it works really well as a daytime eye cream. The formula is quite light (it has a very thin cream consistency) so it doesn't take too long to absorb and it leaves behind a pearlescent pink-toned sheen that does visibly brighten the under eye area. 

The product is delivered through a flat, flexible plastic applicator and although it is definitely a lot more hygienic than a sponge or pot it isn't necessarily the best for achieving an even application of product. However, what it does help with is reducing product waste as it slows down the speed at which the product is released. I apply Vichy's Idealia Eye Contour Idealizer* after I moisturise but before I apply primer. I squeeze some of the cream onto my finger before gently dabbing it under my eyes until it's applied evenly. By the time I'm finished with my primer it's been completely absorbed and I'm ready to crack on with my make-up. 

This isn't an eye cream for those with a severely dehydrated or dry under-eye area but if you have dark circles (like me) and you like brighten them (hell yes I do) then this would probably be a welcome addition to your skincare arsenal. You can find Vichy's Idealia Eye Contour Idealizer* on Escentual where it is currently on offer for £15.33 (RRP £23).

What eye cream do you use?

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