Maybeline dream velvet hydrating foundation

I brought this foundation after I kept seeing it advertised on the TV, the applicator has to be brought separately, but I decided to buy both and give it a go, as a hydrating matte foundation sounded perfect for my skin.

On the back of my hand and wrist it was a perfect colour match in the shop, however on my face it seems to look a bit white and ghostly. This is not a good look for me! 

This doesn't suit my skin at all. It goes on patchy, instantly sinks into any fine lines and makes them more noticeable and is not hydrating in the slightest, if anything it actually drys my skin out even with moisturiser underneath. 

I normally really like Maybeline products but this one is not for me.

I do however like the applicator, I tried it with another foundation and the shape and texture works well and it's easy to blend using it. 

I brought mine from Superdrug, but both the foundation and applicator can be brought from any of the usual Maybeline stockists.

Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask

Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask

I decided to try this product on an impulse as I find my skin often reacts fairly well to the body shop products.

My impression’s of the packaging is good – it looks like a high end product compared to a lot of the body shop products, the mask itself comes in a pretty solid glass jar. The only thing I don’t like is that the pot is very shallow and quite large; I personally would have preferred a taller thinner pot – space saving in my already cluttered bathroom! 

The consistency of the mask itself is very odd; you do need to use the provided spatula to remove some from the pot, as it is very thick. 

I initially used it in the afternoon (although it is a overnight mask) just in case it reacted badly to my skin, I could wash it straight off.

I put a thin layer on after removing all of my make up and initially it did feel very sticky and although it was just sitting on the surface of my skin.

I then put a slightly thicker layer on about 15 minutes before going to bed, not putting it on directly before sleeping turned out to be a good idea, as it does stay sticky for some time and I cant bear having to peel my face off the pillow in the night!

Even so my long hair did keep getting stuck to my face in the night - maybe it'll condition my hair too?? 

In the morning my skin felt softer but no more moisturised then normal. My skin hadn’t reacted badly to it though, so that was one good thing.

I have now been using it for a few nights and in the morning my skin does look slightly improved and definitely feels softer, but through the day the effect wears off pretty quickly. 

This overnight mask is not cheap at £24.00 and is priced around the “designer” skin care ranges, but at the moment is does seem to be having some positive effects on my skin. I will keep using it and update further.

To buy this product visit here

Olay Complete BB cream with Max Factor - fair

I thought a BB cream/tinted moisturiser might be better for my skin then some heavier foundations so decided to try this one (as it was half price at the time!)

It has a rich very moisturising consistency and a pleasant but not too strong smell too it, the tube is a handy size for taking away with you.

It also contains a sunscreen of factor 15 which is a bonus for my easily burnt skin.

It provides a very light, sheer coverage, which I don't think would be suitable for some people, but it sinks in well and looks natural.

The main problem is it doesn't seem to have much staying power, it almost needs something like powder over the top to set it - which would for me defeat the point, as I wanted something light. That said it doesn't emphasise the lines or bumpy bits on my face like heavier foundations tend to.

I like it for wearing to work during the day as it's just enough coverage for me.

The moisturiser in it lasts fairly well, but by lunch time my skins feeling very dry again.

Olay Total Effects 7 in one Day Moisturiser

I tried this moisturiser after suddenly noticing I had developed a few wrinkles (I think the dry skin on my face made them look worse!) as it seemed to be the answer to my prayers – moisturiser that reduces fine lines and has sun protection in it – what more could I want?

I like the design of the pump action bottle, but I am wondering if it will leave a lot behind in the pot that cannot be reached and will go to waste. 

 

The cream appears very thick and looks more like a tinted moisturiser when you pump some out, but it goes on very smoothly and feels like a much more expensive cream. 

The cream sinks in fairly quickly, but doesn’t seem to stay that moisturising once it has sunk in. An hour after putting it on my skin begins to feel dry again. 

I’m not convinced the sun protection at factor 15 is anywhere near high enough as several times I have worn this and still got burnt cheeks and nose (although I do burn very easily) and I wish this could be slightly higher.

I have been using this cream now for a month and although my skin may look slightly better, I haven’t noticed any real improvement. On the plus side it does seem to suit my very sensitive skin. My wrinkles still look exactly the same – I fear I am stuck with them now!

I brought this when it was on offer in Superdrug and will stick with it for now as my daily moisturiser.

Clarins Gentle Peeling Smooth Away Cream

I had used this before a couple of years ago and after a particularly dry skin episode I decided to try it again. 

The packaging is very simple and instantly recognizable as Clarins.

I am always surprised at the colour of this product, as it appears silver when you squeeze it out of the tube, but once on your face its actually white.

Basically it is just a case of popping some on your face and neck and leaving it a minute or two (you can tell when its ready as it looks like plaster of Paris has dried on your face!) and then gently rubbing it off. You can see all of the dead skin coming away with the mask. Beware of doing this in a black top as all the bits you rub off end up stuck to you.

After removing wash any excess away with warm water and cotton wool.

Once I have removed it, I always have a very red face, but this goes away over night to reveal beautifully soft skin. 

I wouldn’t use this product too often, (I use twice a week) as I think the rubbing motion to remove it could be damaging to your skin is used more frequently, but you really can feel and see it has worked. 

This is the best rub off face mask I have tried and I would recommend it. If you are not sure if it is for you, then Clarins counters are usually pretty helpful and will let you try a sample before spending out on the whole product, as it's not a cheap product at £25.00 on the Clarins website, but I do think it's money well spent.

Visit the Clarins Uk website here