Speed Review: Radox Feel Relaxed Shower Gel

I like to use a different shower gel depending on my mood or the time of day. I reach for uplifting, energising fragrances for use in the morning, whereas in the evening I prefer those which are designed to help relax and unwind. As such, when I was recently sent Radox Feel Relaxed Shower Gel from the new Feel Refreshed Herbal Scents range, it was an obvious addition to my evening shower routine.

I like the ethos behind the new Feel Refreshed Herbal Scents range, which is inspired by the fact that Radox has been producing fragrances designed to transform mood since 1908 when they introduced their popular bath salts. The new range includes nine scents, with Feel Relaxed being one of the most popular.

It's clear from the packaging that Radox is an affordable brand and I was intrigued to learn from the PR that Radox is the number one shower brand in the UK, selling products to 17 million households each year. I liked that the key ingredients of lavender and waterlilly are highlighted in the design. The packaging is functional with the option of hooking it onto a shower fitting or standing the plastic bottle upright. I liked that the transparent packaging enabled me to see how much product was remaining. The flip top lid & non-drip value meant that it was easy to control how much was dispensed, without wastage.

Radox Feel Relaxed Shower Gel is a lilac tinted gel. As an affordable shower gel, I was unsurprised to note the inclusion of SLS within the formula and as a result of this, it produces a generous, soft lather & a little goes a long way. I felt the need to moisturise following use as I generally find products containing SLS to be quite drying.

I was surprised that Radox Feel Relaxed Shower Gel didn't have an obvious lavender scent but instead, had quite a warm, soft & powdery floral fragrance which I found pleasant & comforting. I was unable to detect the scent on my skin after my shower. Equally, I didn't notice any relaxing benefits but I can't say that I was particularly disappointed by this as I hadn't truly been expecting such results from an affordable shower gel.

Radox Feel Relaxed Shower Gel isn't anything special but as a basic shower gel, it does the job perfectly well.

Radox Feel Relaxed Shower Gel costs £1.99 for 250ml and as it's often on offer for just £1, I feel that it's fairly priced.

Speed Review: Nanogen Root Boost Hair Thickening Spray

Nanogen Root Boost Hair Thickening Spray isn't the sort of product which I'd ever have tried, had it not been gifted to me by the PR. Despite the fact that I'm always looking for ways to add the appearance of volume & thickness to my fine hair, the minimalist packaging of this simply wouldn't have appealed to me if I'd seen it on a shop shelf.

Nanogen describe Root Boost Hair Thickening Spray, which is a new addition to their range, as being a light, fast-absorbing hair thickening spray that lifts each root & thickens every strand.

Despite the packaging not particularly appealing to me from an aesthetic point of view, I appreciated the clear, easy to follow step-by-step directions. I also liked that the clear plastic bottle enabled me to see how much product was remaining. The spray was easy to control, both in terms of targeting the spray and controlling how much was delivered to the desired area. I absolutely loved the scent which was comforting & luxurious but unfortunately, I couldn't detect it once my hair had been dried & styled.

I feel that Nanogen Root Boost Hair Thickening Spray delivers on the claims. My hair was left looking noticeably thicker, fuller & texturised. The downside was that it left a sticky residue in my hair (similar to that which can be left by some dry shampoos) & whilst this may add grit for styling, I personally didn't like the feeling and couldn't wait to wash my hair. It also left a mattified finish to my hair.

Nanogen Root Boost Hair Thickening Spray costs £9.95 for 100ml which I feel represents good value for money.

Speed Review: The Body Shop Beautifying Oils (Coconut, Chocomania, Satsuma)

Regular readers will know that I love using oils within my beauty regime- whether it be a hair oil, a facial cleansing oil or a body oil, I simply can't get enough of the formula. With this in mind, I've recently been trialling The Body Shop Beautifying Oils, specifically those in the Coconut, Chocomania (discontinued but returns in the regular sales) and Satsuma fragrances.

The Body Shop describe Beautifying Oils as being made with a lightweight blend of nut oils including Community Trade macula oil. They say that the oils can be used on face, body and hair to give instant hydration and a shimmering finish. There are eight scents available including Shea, Moringa,  Mango, Olive, Pink Grapefruit and Strawberry.

The 100ml plastic bottles seem quite small on first impressions but I actually grew to like the packaging. Each scent is clearly communicated through the design on the front of the bottle. It's functional, with a flip top lid for easy & controlled dispensing. I liked that the transparent bottles allowed me to see how much product was remaining. What's more, the 100ml size means that the multipurpose oils are travel friendly. That said, I haven't tested the Beautifying Oils on my face or hair, preferring to use them as body oils and I was surprised at just how long the bottles lasted using them in this way. It's fair to say that a little goes a long way!

Used as body oils, The Body Shop Beautifying Oils are easy to apply to skin. I like to use them by applying to damp skin after a shower in order to lock in moisture and thereby, obtain optimum benefits from them. The oils absorb easily. Whilst I was able to tell that there was something on my skin immediately following application, it felt like a lightweight dry oil rather than being sticky or greasy.

The oils all seem to be the same in terms of texture and are distinguishable by their scent so it's simply a case of choosing the fragrance which suits your personal preference. I found the chocolate scent of the Chocomania version to be quite fun. The Satsuma version boasts the brand's popular scent of the same name and the Coconut version has a warming, tropical fragrance. That said, I found it difficult to detect the scent on my skin following initial application, which I personally liked as it means that it doesn't interfere with my perfume.

The Body Shop Beautifying Oils cost £10 each for 100ml which I feel is a fair price given how long the bottles last.

Speed Review: Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF30

Whilst a foundation is my base of choice, I understand the appeal & popularity of BB Creams and have recently been putting a few to the test. BB Creams are one of the big beauty trends of the last few years and today, I wanted to share my thoughts on Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF30. 

Clinique describe Age Defense BB Cream SPF30 as a medium, buildable coverage cream that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, helps conceal imperfections & enhances skin's complexion. They state that the formula calms skin & helps protect against UV and environmental damage while working to help balance the skin and provides oil & shine control for all day wear. 

The packaging in the signature Clinique colours isn't the most exciting but the slimline tube is admittedly functional and also convenient for travel. Whilst I tend to avoid foundations with SPF owing to the risk of flash back in photography, I feel that a true BB cream should contain an SPF. The inclusion works well for me given when I'd choose to wear a BB cream- i.e. on more casual days when I want a minimal makeup look and am unlikely to be photographed and as such, I appreciated the inclusion of SPF30. That said, I have tested this for flashback & noticed that a white cast is apparent.

The BB Cream is available in four shades. I opted for shade 01, which has a pink undertone & is the lightest shade, and I found it worked well on my MAC NC15 skin. In keeping with the Clinique branding, there is no fragrance.

Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF30 has quite a thick consistency but nonetheless, I found that it applies smoothly, blends fairly well and builds to a medium coverage, thereby delivering on the claims. Skin tone was evened out & I only needed to do minimal concealing work. It left a dewy, skin like finish which looked very natural, fresh and youthful. I also tested this under foundation and found that it worked well underneath, for those who prefer a fuller coverage.

My mum (who is a regular BB Cream wearer) hated this product & said that she felt as though she was putting cement on her skin because she found it heavy and as such, those with oily skin may not like this. Conversely, (as aforementioned) I tend to use foundations more than BB Creams and I personally thought that it felt quite lightweight & comfortable on my skin.

In terms of the wear, I noticed some transfer throughout the day, e.g. onto my mobile after a phone call but overall, felt that it held up fairly well, bearing in mind that I don't tend to find that BB Creams have the longevity of foundations. 

Clinique state that the BB Cream may look a little light on initial application but that the tone will even out in 10-15 minutes. Personally, I couldn't notice any oxidisation of colour (either initially or during the day) and for me, this was a good thing. Even on my oily areas (in my T-zone), the coverage stayed in place without breaking down although I did notice some patchiness in other areas of my face after approximately 5 hours wear.

Overall, I really enjoyed the usage of Clinique Age Defense BB Cream and for me, the only downside is that it causes my acne prone skin to break out, which is a real shame. For this reason, I'd be unlikely to repurchase despite really liking the BB Cream itself. However, if you don't have such issues then I'd highly recommend this and feel that it is fairly priced at £28 for 40ml.

Speed Review: Good Things Deep Clean Blackhead Exfoliator

I tend not to like physical exfoliants as I can find them to be too harsh and instead, prefer the effective exfoliation offered by chemical exfoliators. That said, I've generally liked everything I've tried from the Good Things brand (my only complaints have been minor, packaging related gripes) and trust its founder, Alice Hart-Davis so when I was sent the Deep Clean Blackhead Exfoliator, I decided to keep an open mind. 

The company state that Deep Clean Blackhead Exfoliator has been specially formulated for skin which is prone to breakouts and congestion. It is my personal opinion that those with active breakouts should avoid physical exfoliants which can take the "head" off blemishes and cause bacteria to spread as well as increasing the risk of scarring. 

The exfoliator is described as containing smooth micro-beads to polish away dead skin cells that block pores & make the skin appear dull. It contains anti-inflammatory, brightening & clarifying licorice, exfoliating papaya extract to boost radiance and soothing willow bark. 

On first impressions, I liked the packaging which is lighthearted and in keeping with the affordable price point. The fact that it highlights the inclusion of superfood ingredients appealed to me, as did the fact that it's free from "nasties" such as parabens. The functional tube has a flip top lid & allows for controlled dispensing of product. The directions were clear & easy to follow although I disagree that the Blackhead Exfoliator should be used daily in the morning and evening as I feel that this encourages over exfoliating which can cause problems with skin. Whilst I appreciate that regular exfoliation is key to sloughing off dead skin cells which can cause pores to become blocked, over exfoliating can over stimulate skin & cause it to process excess oils, which isn't beneficial to those with acne prone skin. 

Good Things Deep Clean Blackhead Exfoliator has quite a runny, gel texture with a high concentration of finely milled exfoliating particles. I was both surprised & disappointed to note that the exfoliating particles are small polyethylene granules (plastic) which is not environmentally friendly (owing to plastics ending up in the oceans). To me, this isn't in keeping with my perception of the brand (for example, the brand's cleansing wipes are biodegradable). That aside, the exfoliant feels quite gentle on the skin whilst the scrub still provides a deeply cleansed feeling.

Despite the formula being sulphate free, I was able to work Good Things Deep Clean Blackhead Exfoliator into a lather. It has a tart, fruity fragrance (I couldn't detect a licorice scent) which was pleasant if a little overpowering. Parfum is listed fairly high up on the ingredients list so it's perhaps unsurprising that I found the scent to be a little strong during use. I wasn't able to detect the scent afterwards though.

Following use, my skin was left feeling soft & smooth, with the texture looking refined. 

There are some elements which I hate about Good Things Deep Clean Blackhead Exfoliator but if I put those aside & focus solely on the usage and results, then it's a good basic scrub which I feel is a better choice than many which are offered at such an affordable price. I'd love to see Good Things offer a chemical exfoliant or one based on fruit enzymes, which I feel would tie in well with the brand's focus on super fruit ingredients.

Good Things Deep Clean Blackhead Exfoliator costs £4.99 for a generous 150ml.

Speed Review: Philip Kingsley One More Day Dry Shampoo

I rarely use dry shampoo, with the reason being that I have an easily irritated sensitive scalp (which dry shampoos tend to aggravate) and I usually wash my hair on an every day basis. However, there are inevitably times, particularly when travelling, that dry shampoos come into their own. The Philip Kingsley version appealed to me because the brand is known for its emphasis on good scalp health and I'd heard that their One More Day Dry Shampoo is less likely to irritate than most.

In keeping with the brand's image, the design on the packaging is minimalist and it's unlikely to have caught my attention on a shop or salon shelf if I wasn't already a fan of the brand. Having said that, I appreciated the aerosol spray functionality, which allows for a targeted application and also liked that the 50ml can is travel friendly. The directions are clear and easy to follow.

Both upon and following application, the scent is incredibly subtle and I was barely able to detect it. Although Philip Kingsley One More Day Dry Shampoo is suitable for use on colour treated hair, I noticed a white cast on my natural brunette hair if I sprayed too much product. For this reason, I'd recommend applying with a light hand. That said, the white cast was effortlessly massaged away and I was pleased that I couldn't detect any sticky or gritty product residue. It's not the most volumising product (and nor does it claim to be) but it did help to freshen my style and add a subtle yet revitalising lift to third day hair. The main benefit of this product is that it is very effective at absorbing grease and therefore, I feel that the One More Day name is fitting.

Philip Kingsley One More Day Dry Shampoo is available in a travel friendly 50ml size for £6.50 or 200ml for £14.50.

Speed Review: Origins Clean Energy Gentle Cleansing Oil

Regular readers will know that I love to cleanse my skin using oils & I'm always keen to try different cleansing oils, with the latest one that I've been reaching for being Origins Clean Energy Gentle Cleansing Oil.

Origins describe Clean Energy Gentle Cleansing Oil as having a lightweight formula with non-comedogenic olive, sunflower, sesame & safflower oils to remove dirt, makeup & pollutants with high efficiency. They say that it also contains kukui nut & macadamia to help protect natural moisture, vitamin E to help reduce the effects of environmental irritants & the energising aroma of grapefruit, orange & lime to renew spirits.

On first impressions, I liked the minimalist aesthetic of the packaging which reflects the "clean" name. The directions were clear & easy to follow and I liked that the transparent plastic bottle allowed me to see how much of the product was remaining. That said, I absolutely hated the functionality of the bottle with its screw top lid and pouring system (instead of a handy pump) meaning that it's difficult to control how much is dispensed, resulting in wastage.  A pump is available to buy separately but I feel that for the price of the product, it should be incorporated into the design of the product itself. It's this, aside from any other factor, which would put me off repurchasing.

That said, the oil itself is pleasant. It has a medium density, silky texture which means that it is easy to apply to the face and as an oil, inherently lends itself well to facial massage. The delicate citrus fragrance is indeed, uplifting (but not overpowering) and makes Origins Clean Energy Gentle Cleansing Oil particularly well suited to use in the mornings.

I found Origins Clean Energy Gentle Cleansing Oil effortless to remove. It rinsed away quickly & easily,  efficiently & effectively removing makeup and leaving no residue.

Origins Clean Energy Gentle Cleansing Oil costs £23.50 for 200ml.

Makeup Monday- Speed Review: theBalm Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick

The trend for matte lips combined with our desire for pigmented colour that doesn't need to be constantly reapplied means that liquid lipsticks are hugely popular at the moment, with brands ranging from Anastasia & Stila to Essence & Bourjois offering them.

ASOS recently sent me four of the five shades (there are 12 shades in total & a good range of hues) that they offer from theBalm's Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick line and I wanted to share my thoughts.

theBalm describe Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick as having a long-wearing formula with a comfortable matte finish.

On first impressions, I liked the packaging and quirky product name which is in line with theBalm's fun branding. The outer box features clear directions. The colour is referenced on the top of the box and is visible through the clear tube inside, making it easy to pick out your desired shade in a crowded makeup collection. The shades I was sent were Committed (rose toned nude), Honest (warm coral), Devoted (bright red with a hint of cherry) and Chivalrous (bright pink), as pictured from left to right.

I found that the doe-foot applicator allowed for a precision application of the product. Whilst the colour pay-off is good with one coat, I found that it built well with two coats to give fully opaque colour. The formula felt lightweight & it quickly dried down to a matte finish, without stickiness or gloopiness. I loved the vanilla mint fragrance, although I wasn't able to detect it following the initial application.

Whilst they're obviously not a hydrating formula, I didn't find theBalm Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long-Lasting Liquid Lipsticks to be drying, certainly not to the extent that MAC's Matte Lipstick formula is. I found them comfortable to wear.

The lipsticks aren't 100% transfer proof but there was very little movement throughout the day. I found that there was some slight bleed & as such, I'd recommend lining lips if opting for the brighter shades.

I'd say that the colour stays on lips for approximately five hours, throughout eating & drinking and wore off evenly and as such, feel that it delivers on the long-wearing claims. Even when the colour had worn off, a pretty stain was left on my lips. When it came to removing the liquid lipstick, I found that I needed to use an oil-based makeup remover but when I used one, it made light work of the removal process.

I'd highly recommend theBalm Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long-Lasting Liquid Lipsticks, which I feel are reasonably priced at £13.50 for a 7.4ml tube.

Speed Review: Avene Soothing Moisture Mask

I've been trying to get into the habit of using face masks on a regular basis, rather than simply adding them into my regime as & when I feel that my skin needs something extra and I recently included Avene Soothing Moisture Mask within my Sunday evening pampering routine.

Avene describe Soothing Moisture Mask as being designed for dehydrated and weakened sensitive skin which has become reactive, showing signs of redness, tightness & stinging. They state that the pampering mask is very rich in Avene thermal spring water to soothe, nourish and moisturise, thereby promoting skin hydration to leave skin soft, supple & radiant. 

The simple white packaging is in keeping with the Avene branding. The functional matte tube is presented in an outer box. I didn't mind that the mask is presented in a relatively small 50ml size. It means that it's travel friendly and seeing as it's rare that I finish up an entire tube of mask before the "use by" day, I'd probably be more likely to finish the smaller size. On this note, I liked that the packaging features a "use by" date and what's more, found that the directions were clear & easy to follow. 

The mask itself is a white, lightweight, milky lotion which I found easy to smooth onto skin. The texture was lighter than I was expecting. As the name suggests, Avene Soothing Moisture Mask felt soothing on the skin both during the initial application and during use. It has a pleasant, fresh scent which was reminiscent of lotion.

The mask needs to be left on skin for 10-15 minutes which seems to be the standard suggested time for most moisture masks. After 15 minutes, the mask had absorbed into my driest areas. It was easy to remove the remaining residue with a tissue. Following use, my skin was left feeling nourished and looking plumped & moisturised.

It's worth noting that Avene Soothing Moisture Mask contains mineral oil so it won't be for those who prefer to avoid this ingredient. I feel that the mask would be a good choice for those with dry skin but the formula may be a little rich (despite the lightweight texture) for those with acne prone skin.

Avenue Soothing Moisture Mask costs £11.50 for 50ml. 

Speed Review: TIGI Bed Head Superstar Queen For A Day Thickening Spray

When I watch YouTube videos, my most recurring emotion is hair envy. I wish I had good hair. You can get away with a lot when you have good hair. Alas, I have fine hair which seems to have a mind of its own, despite the fact that I follow a good hair care regime. As such, any product which claims to boost volume or thickness appeals to me so it's no surprise that when I was sent TIGI Bed Head Superstar Queen For A Day Thickening Spray, I had high hopes.

TIGI claim that Bed Head Superstar Queen For A Day Thickening Spray creates long-lasting volume, body & lift, with light hold & natural feeling, without stickiness. It is aimed at those with fine to medium hair texture, of any length.

On first impressions, I liked the packaging. The bright spray canister and fun name is in keeping with the young, party-loving target market of the brand. I found the directions a little difficult to follow and was initially unclear as to whether the product should be applied to wet or dry hair (it is heat activated and should be applied to wet hair prior to blow drying). I was also unsure whether the product offers any heat protecting benefits.

That said, I found the packaging functional for use and was pleased to note that it delivered a fine spray. It was quite a liquid spray but I found the lightweight "lotion" easy to distribute through my hair. I applied a generous amount in the hope that it would really volumize my fine hair & create the impression of thickness.

TIGI Bed Head Superstar Queen For A Day Thickening Spray has a fresh, fruity fragrance which reminded me of sweets but which I didn't find sickly. When it lingered delicately in my hair, it smelt fresh and clean.

Following use, my hair looked sleek and shiny. Whilst my fine hair wasn't weighed down, I wasn't able to notice any thickening results. One positive was that I wasn't able to detect any sticky or uncomfortable residue in my hair but nor did I notice the hold which the company states that this provides.

Perhaps the thickening benefits are more apparent when TIGI Bed Head Superstar Queen For A Day Thickening Spray is used in conjunction with other products from the range but at £14.95 for an admittedly generously sized 311ml, I'd like to see this product being a bit more results driven on its own.

Speed Review: Ruby Red Reviving Body Cleanser

Today's review is of Ruby Red Reviving Body Cleanser, which I've recently been using as my morning body wash.

On first impressions, I loved the effortlessly cool packaging which I was happy to have on display in my shower. The brown plastic bottle is sufficiently transparent so as to be able to tell how much product is remaining.

The functional pump dispenser works well with the relatively liquid formula of the body wash. Despite being free from SLS, I was able to work the body wash into a lather.

Ruby Red Reviving Body Cleanser is naturally fragranced with pure essential oils from the peel of ripe limes and red mandarin, crushed coriander seeds and wild cedarwood to invigorate and energise. I absolutely loved the fragrance which I found delivered on the reviving & invigorating claims. Fresh lime is the predominant note but I was also able to detect cedarwood, which added a grown up depth to the scent. It's a fragrance which would appeal to both men & women and which is wonderfully fresh, not synthetic. Unfortunately, I couldn't detect the scent on my skin following use.

I didn't find the shower gel to be particularly drying on my skin but I did need to moisturise following use.

At £32 for a generously sized 500ml, Ruby Red Reviving Body Cleanser is undeniably expensive but I thoroughly enjoyed using it. I feel that this would make a wonderful gift or simply as a special treat to self to add extra enjoyment to the everyday ritual of showering.

Speed Review: Garnier Micellar Oil-Infused Cleansing Water (& comparison to original Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water)

Beauty bloggers have been raving about the new Garnier Micellar Oil-Infused Cleansing Water so when I was gifted a sample I couldn't wait to give it a try, not least because I adore the original Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (reviewed here) and rate it as one of my top drugstore buys.

Before we start with the actual review, I'd like to address the name. I'm slightly confused as to why it's described as an oil-infused cleansing water. If my understanding is correct then by their very nature, all micellar waters are oil infused. Here comes the science bit... Micellar water is made up of micelles, which are tiny balls of cleansing oil molecules, suspended in water. As micelles are attracted to dirt & oil (like attracts like), they can draw out impurities without stripping or drying the skin. Garnier make a distinction between micelles being cleansing agents and the added oils in their description of the product and as such, I can only assume that the name has been chosen to appeal to the mass market and to pick up on the oil trend (it contains the ubiquitous Argan oil).

On first impressions, I liked the packaging which looks sleek and is also functional, allowing for controlled dispensing of the product. The directions were clear & easy to follow and I also liked that the transparent plastic bottle means that it's easy to see how much is remaining.

The packaging clearly communicates that Garnier Micellar Oil-Infused Cleansing Water is targeted towards those with dry or sensitive skin. Based on the ingredients, I feel that the original Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is a better choice as the new version contains alcohol and perfume, whereas the original does not and therefore, is more suited to those prone to irritation.

When it comes to removing makeup, the bi-phase Garnier Micellar Oil-Infused Cleansing Water comes into its own. It's highly effective at removing makeup and even makes light work of removing heavy eye makeup & long-wearing lipsticks. It's quick and effortless to use and as it doesn't drag or pull the skin, feels very gentle. It has a subtle floral fragrance.

Owing to the oily formula & the fact that no rinsing is required, I expected to feel some residue on my skin following use but I couldn't. That said, my skin didn't feel tight or stripped but instead felt wonderfully soft and I was able to forgo moisturiser. I wouldn't use Garnier Micellar Oil-Infused Cleansing Water on a daily basis but I'd certainly be keen to keep a bottle to hand for removing stubborn makeup. Whilst I don't particularly rate the ingredients, the fact that it removes makeup effectively means that I feel it's a better choice than standard cleansing wipes when tired or too worse for wear to bother with a full cleanse (although there are also oil-infused cleansing wipes in the range which I'd be intrigued to try).

At £5.99 for a generously sized 400ml, it's £1 more expensive than the original Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water but I feel that it still offers good value for money. This value is highlighted on the bottle which states that the 400ml size should last for approximately 200 uses (I'd say this depends on how heavy your makeup is as I needed to use a couple of pads to cleanse my entire face) and what's more, Garnier is often on offer.

Speed Review: Elemental Herbology Facial Detox Purifying Facial Mask

After a few days in Central London and a couple of nights out recently, I felt the need to detox my skin so I reached for Elemental Herbology Facial Detox which is a purifying facial mask. The mask contains Manuka honey, aloe & calendula to soothe skin, oat flour & allantoin to gently exfoliate & help with congestion, along with Amazonian clay to help eliminate toxins from the skin. It also contains eucalyptus, cedarwood, lavender and rosemary essential oils to help balance sebum production. It is designed to boost radiance and has anti-bacterial properties whilst being free from "nasties" such as mineral oil, synthetic fragrance and parabens.

On first impressions, I liked the packaging which is fairly minimalist & gives the impression of purity. Despite the "green" credentials of the brand, the packaging isn't worthy. I liked that key ingredients and their benefits are highlighted on the outer box. Furthermore, the skin type which the mask is aimed at (oily & congested) is clearly communicated. The tube inside is functional for use and I found the directions clear & easy to follow. The mask should be left on skin for 10 minutes so there's relatively little time commitment required.

As Kaolin (clay) is the first ingredient listed, I was unsurprised to note the grey-green colour of the mask. It's a smooth mask which was easy to apply to skin and despite the description stating that it contains exfoliants, I couldn't detect any exfoliating granules on application, meaning that it felt gentle & would be a good choice for those with active breakouts. I felt as though I needed to apply quite a lot to cover my entire face.

The botanical scent won't be to everyone's liking but I personally rather enjoyed it & felt that it was reflective of the high quality ingredients in Elemental Herbology Facial Detox Purifying Facial Mask.

The mask felt soothing & slightly cooling on my skin following application. After approximately 5-7 minutes, the mask had set on my skin and it felt tight but not drying or uncomfortable.

Following use, my skin was left feeling soft & smooth, with tone looking more even and the appearance of blemishes diminished.

I feel that Elemental Herbology Facial Detox Purifying Facial Mask contains high quality ingredients and although fairly expensive, I feel that the pricetag of £28 for 75ml is justified.

Makeup Monday- Speed Review: Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation

I'm treating you with a double whammy of makeup reviews today because I wanted to share my thoughts on what has become one of my favourite everyday foundations for achieving a natural look. Despite the range including a number of bestsellers, I must confess that I'd never have thought to try a Benefit foundation, had it not been sent to me for review, simply because the brand doesn't offer a wide variety of foundations and therefore, I honesty didn't expect their base products to be very good!

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation is described by the company as a brightening liquid foundation which has a buildable light to medium coverage, providing a natural finish. They say, "it's you.. just more luminous and healthy looking". The foundation is oil-free, with hydrating benefits and  broad spectrum SPF25 PA+++ protection (the highest level). Personal preference will dictate whether the inclusion of SPF is a positive or negative. Some people appreciate the additional protection that this offers to their skin on a day-to-day basis whereas I personally prefer to gain my SPF protection from skincare & tend to opt for foundations without SPF to avoid the risk of flash back in photography.

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation is presented in an outer box which isn't as outstanding or attention grabbing as some Benefit packaging. That said, it's perfectly fine and I guess that for many, foundation is less of an impulse purchase than say, a lipstick or blush and therefore, there's less need for the packaging to stand out. To me, the plastic bottle looks a little cheap and is reminiscent of drugstore brand packaging. Having said that, the plastic means that it's suitable for travel and I also appreciated that it's transparent so that it's easy to see how much product is remaining. It has a functional pump dispenser & I feel that this is well suited to the relatively liquid formula of the foundation.

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation is available in nine shades, with there being three options per depth of colour (light, medium & dark). They range from Ivory (I'm Pure For Sure) through to Nutmeg (Gotta Know Me). I liked that the names are cute & quirky in line with Benefit's branding. I opted for the second lightest shade, Ivory (Believe In Me) for my MAC NC15 skin and I feel that it's a good colour match. That said, I'm not convinced that those with very pale skin will be able to find a shade to work for them. Of course, with Benefit being a counter brand, a beauty consultant will be able to help with colour matching and in my experience, Benefit are good at providing samples to try at home. I haven't experienced any colour oxidisation when wearing this.

The foundation feels very lightweight on the skin and I don't feel as though I'm wearing foundation when using this. The hydrating benefits mean that it feels comfortable on the skin.

Despite the lightweight texture, I found that it delivered on the claims of having a buildable light to medium coverage. The finish is very natural and I feel that it's best described as "my skin but better". I wasn't able to detect a discernible fragrance.

I found that it wore well on my combination skin & didn't break down as much as other foundations throughout the day in my oily areas. Likely owing to the high concentration of dimethicone (which is the second ingredient), it's impressively long wearing.

Being familiar with Benefit's pricing, I expected Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow to be approximately £25. It's actually £26.50 for 30ml which isn't cheap, however, I do feel that this is a good foundation and that the price is in line with other high end brands. I'd highly recommend checking it out if you're looking for an everyday foundation which gives a natural finish.

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Makeup Monday- Speed Review: Makeup Revolution New-Trals vs Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette (& MAC comparisons)

Compared to other bloggers, I haven't really jumped on the Makeup Revolution bandwagon but I recently picked up the New-Trals vs Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette as the colours appealed to me based on the swatches I'd seen online. In particular, I liked the concept that this eyeshadow palette contains the standard neutral colours along with some which are an unexpected twist on that.

The palette is presented in an outer cardboard matte black packaging with the signature Makeup Revolution rose gold metallic writing. The palette inside is made of sturdy black plastic, with the front being matte and the back being shiny, which I liked. There's a full sized mirror in the lid and a double ended synthetic brush is included. Whilst I probably wouldn't reach for the brush except if I were in pinch, I liked that the brush is a step up from the standard foam tipped applicators which many brands include (& which I never use). It has a flat brush at one end for packing on shadow and a fluffy brush for blending. My only complaint about the packaging is that the names of the shadows aren't printed on the palette itself but only on a transparent plastic sheet.

Makeup Revolution New-Trals vs Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette contains 16 eyeshadows, each of which is 1g (as a point of reference, a standard MAC pan eyeshadow is 1.5g). There's a range of cool and warm tones in matte, satin and shimmer finishes and I really liked this selection.

First up, the top row from left to right:

Bias is a soft Champagne with a shimmer finish which works well as a single wash of colour over the lid or as a highlight shade.

Neutral is a light mauve with a matte finish, ideal for blending through the crease.

Personal is a frosty peach with a subtle gold sheen. It is very similar to the now discontinued MAC shade, Shimmer Pink. I found this to be the only shade which was a little patchy but it can be built up.

Vogue is a vibrant coral with a satin finish. To me, this is the hardest colour in the palette to wear and I'm almost wondering if I'd get more use out of it if I tried it as a blusher.

Trend is a matte rust coloured orange-brown. It's the perfect warm toned "Jaclyn Hill" colour and would again, work well in the crease. It's one of my favourites within the palette.

New-Tral is a cranberry colour with a satin finish. It is a brighter pink than MAC's Cranberry and not a dupe.

Tone is deeper cranberry with a matte finish. It's another shade which works well in the crease as well as to deepen the outer "V".

Custom is a deep, cool toned brown with a matte finish. It is very similar to MAC Embark and as such, would double up well as a brow powder for those with dark hair.


The shadows along the bottom row are equally stunning:

Cool is a matte cream shade that's ideal as an all-over base colour or brow bone highlight.

Style is a very light pink with a highly shimmery finish. Nonetheless, it's smooth without chunky glitter.

Partial is pinky lilac colour with a foil finish. It's similar (although not a dupe) to MAC Star Violet.

Mode is a rose gold shade and again, has a foil finish. It's another favourite of mine in the palette and looks stunning paired with Trend.

Adapt is mauve toned brown with a matte finish. It's perfect to using in the crease as a transition shade.

Buff is a lilac toned taupe with a shimmer finish. It's very similar to MAC's popular Satin Taupe. It's another favourite of mine within the palette and pairs well with Adapt, Suit and Strong.

Suit is another lilac toned taupe but the satin finish means that it has less intensity than Buff.

Strong is a blackened purple with pink shimmer particles. It's very similar to MAC Beauty Marked.


Overall, I've found the shadows to be highly pigmented, buttery soft and easily blendable. It's a well put together palette and whilst I may have mixed up the order of the colours so that the pairings are more obvious, I love the unusual selection of colours and have found myself inspired to try different looks since picking up this palette. Even though I've highlighted the similarities to MAC shadows in the case of some shades, the vast majority are shades which are unique even within my crowded makeup collection.

It's hard to believe that Makeup Revolution New-Trals vs Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette costs just £6.99. I'd highly recommend checking it out.

Speed Review: Bumble & Bumble Quenching Masque

If you follow me on Instagram (Skindeepblogger) then you may have spotted my latest Sunday pampering photo, where I showed that I had incorporated Bumble & Bumble Quenching Masque into my routine to treat my tresses. I wanted to follow up on the photo by sharing my thoughts.

As with all Bumble & Bumble products, I liked the packaging. I think of Bumble & Bumble as an effortlessly cool brand and as such, I was happy to have the product on display in my shower. The packaging clearly communicates the hair type that the mask is targeted towards and the directions were clear and easy to follow. What's more, I appreciated the functionality of the tube packaging.

I personally prefer the convenience of masks which get to work in under 5 minutes. Bumble & Bumble Quenching Masque should be left on hair for 10 minutes so it's not too much of a commitment albeit longer than I'd like (& when it came to using the mask, I reduced the time that I left it on my fine hair). That said, some may enjoy the pampering element that this affords.

The rich cream texture was easy to work through my hair. Likewise, I found it rinsed away with relative ease. The mask has a pleasant, high end scent which wasn't overpowering and didn't linger in my hair once it had been dried & styled.

Following use, my hair felt soft and was very shiny. My fine hair was slightly weighed down despite not leaving the mask on for the full 10 minutes and as such, I feel that this mask is best suited to those with thicker & dry hair (which it is targeted towards).

At £31 for 150ml, Bumble & Bumble Quenching Masque is undeniably pricey. Whilst I enjoyed the usage, in terms of delivering results it's not my favourite mask out of those I've tried (I love the Macadamia Deep Repair Masque, reviewed here) but may be worth a look if you have dry hair.

Speed Review: Lush Ultrabland Facial Cleanser

Lush Ultrabland was the first cleansing balm I ever tried- back when I was a teenager & long before I'd become familiar with the term "cleansing balm". Back then, it was presented in a glass jar and had a peanut oil base (which has since been replaced with almond oil). I repurchased it time & time again. I was excited to revisit my old favourite and see if it would live up to my fond memories, or if it would have been usurped by newer and more luxurious products which I've since tried.

Whilst I appreciate the ecological stance, I don't find the Lush black tubs to be aesthetically appealing. What's more, I tend not to like tub presentations as I find them to be messy & unhygienic although in the case of Lush Ultrabland, it is admittedly well suited to the product formula. I appreciated the inclusion of a "best before" date on the packaging and feel that this reiterates the Lush "fresh, handmade cosmetics" brand ethos. The directions are clear and easy to follow, however, they state that the cleanser can be removed with a hot flannel or a cotton pad and I don't agree that it should be removed with a cotton pad as I simply don't feel that it would remove the product effectively.

The texture is creamier than I recall. I'd describe it as a hybrid between a very rich, buttery cream & a balm. It's not completely solid but the texture is firm and there are beads of beeswax within the formula (which I couldn't feel on application but which are visible). A little goes a long way.

Lush Ultrabland melts into skin and lends itself well to facial massage. It works effectively to remove makeup, although (as is often the case), I needed to use a separate eye makeup remover to remove stubborn traces of mascara.

It has an earthy scent which won't be to everyone's liking but personally, I found there to be something quite comforting about it.

Lush Ultrabland has a rich texture and those with oily or acne prone skin may find that they dislike the rather heavy feeling on the skin. That said, I haven't experienced any breakouts on my acne prone skin as a result of using this and actually find it to have a balancing effect.

It takes a little more effort to remove the cleanser than others I've tried but following use, my skin is left feeling wonderfully soft & nourished and glowing with radiance.

Overall, I feel that Lush Ultrabland contains good ingredients and at £7.50 for 45g, it remains a very good & affordable cleansing option.

Makeup Monday Speed Review: Illamasqua Single Powder Eyeshadows in Slink & Heroine

It's been a couple of months since my last eyeshadow review here on Skin Deep so I wanted to share with you the single eyeshadows I've recently been reaching for on a day to day basis. Instead of the sometimes overwhelming selection offered by a palette, two single eyeshadows have become staples within my routine. Step forward Illamasqua Single Powder Eyeshadows in Slink & Heroine.

I'm a big, longtime fan of Illamasqua and can still remember the frenzy surrounding the brand's launch around 8 years ago. I can't think of a product from the brand that I've tried and haven't liked.

Both of the powder eyeshadows are presented in an outer box & then packaged in sturdy, square plastic compacts, with a front window showing the colour inside. There's no mirror but I'm happy to forgo that in favour of being able to find the desired colours quickly within my crowded makeup collection.  Each of the compacts contains 2g of product (as a point of reference, a MAC standard pan eyeshadow contains 1.5g).

Illamasqua describe Slink as a soft Champagne colour with a shimmer finish and I feel that this describes it perfectly. It's ideal for wearing as a single wash of colour over the lid, either on days when I want something quick & easy yet polished or when I want a simple eye look (when I pair it with a flick of black liner) to balance a bold lip. The Champagne colour means that it instantly adds a brightened effect to the eye area & is wonderfully awakening. Slink doesn't contain chunks of glitter but is smooth and soft. It's pigmented but blends easily. What's more, it's impressively long-wearing and doesn't crease or wear off even on long work days.

Heroine is described as an ash taupe with a matte finish. Unlike many matte shadows, Heroine isn't chalky in the slightest but is pigmented, buttery soft & easily blendable. I like using this in the crease to add definition to my eye but the cool tone means that it also works perfectly as a contour shade on the face. It's a little light for me to use on my brunette brows but those who are fairer may find that this also works as a brow colour. This versatile eyeshadow single is the perfect addition to any collection & in particular, to include in a travel makeup bag.

Pictured: Slink (l) & Heroine (r) in natural daylight

Pictured: Slink (l) & Heroine (r) with flash

Illamasqua Single Powder Eyeshadows cost £16.50 each and whilst this isn't cheap, I feel that the quality means that the price is justified, particularly as Slink & Heroine are great staple shades which are wearable and likely to be reached for time & time again.