ESPA Haul and Mini Reviews

ESPA Balancing Herbal Spafresh Spritzer £18.50 // ESPA Essential Cleansing Mask £27.50

Way back in July 2013, I attended the FABB event in Manchester. Tickets for the event were £10 but we received a £30 gift card for ESPA so it was totally worth it! I completely forget I hadn't reviewed these products until I was transferring all my pictures over to my external hard drive. Oops! The total cost of my order was £46 and delivery was free if you spent over £40. As I had my gift card, I only paid £16 for these two great products. I have been using them for quite a few months now so I thought I would share what I thought as well. 

ESPA Balancing Herbal Spafresh Spritzer £18.50

The first product I chose was the Balancing Herbal Spafresh Spritzer. I chose it as I really like the Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer, it's really refreshing. The ESPA spritzer promised to clarify, balance and revive. I suffer from oily skin and it's suitable for all skin tones especially oily and combination skin. It helps to refresh, decongest and protect the skin. Active ingredients include peppermint which revives and refines pores, while witch Hazel and elderflower help guard against congestion, outbreaks and blemishes for beautifully clear, revitalised skin. 

This is a luxurious product and I save it for times when I want a pamper or I'm feeling a little bit down and I need a bit of cheering up. It smells gorgeous. I'm awful at describing scents so I couldn't tell you what it smells of but I'm guessing peppermint, witch hazel and elderflower! I haven't used it enough to experience 'beautifully clear, revitalised skin' but I may just have to add it to my daily skincare routine. 

ESPA Essential Cleansing Mask £27.50

As soon as I looked at ESPA products online, I knew I would love this face mask. It's a deep cleansing mask which aims to calm, ease congestion and balance. ESPA say it's "an intensely nourishing, cleansing clay mask, formulated to calm and clarify skin. Mineral-rich kaolin clay and antiseptic rose geranium help clear excess oils, impurities and congestion. Benzoin nourishes, while soothing rose damascena and marshmallow soften and calm." It's suitable for all skin types especially sensitive, oily, combination and congestion skin. Congested is a great word to describe my skin, especially around my mouth. My hormonal acne has really gone crazy at the moment.

My favourite thing about this mask is that it tells me to relax for 20 minutes. In this busy world that we all live in, a chance to take 20 minutes to relax and unwind is a welcome distraction. This is a deep cleansing clay mask. I have used many in my time and this is definitely my favourite. It also smells delicious and is a beautiful mix of rose and marshmallow. I apply a layer all over my face, avoiding the eye area, and sit back and relax for 20 minutes. Once the time is up, I use a clean muslin cloth to gentle remove before splashing my face with cool water to close my pores. I use this mask about once a week but I do like to use a face mask twice a week. Usually on Wednesday and Sunday while participating in #bbloggers chat. 

As well as free delivery, I was able to select four samples to arrive with my order. I opted for 24 Hour Replenishing Eye Moisturiser, Skin Radiance Mask, Refining Skin Polish and Smooth & Firm Body Butter. So far I have only used the eye cream and I really liked it. It felt really nourishing and moisturising on my delicate eye area. Unfortunately, I cannot justify £35 for an eye cream. 

Have you tried any products from ESPA? What is your favourite skincare brand?

Rachel x 
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Skincare Haul + First Impressions

I found these pictures on my computer - I completely forgot about them. Last month, I bought a few new skincare products mainly due to the 3 for 2 offer on at Boots. As it has been a month since purchasing them, I thought I would do a haul plus my first impressions because I have now had a month to try them out.

I have been wanting to try some products from La Roche-Posay for a while now. Mainly Effaclar Duo as I was curious if it worked for my skin or not. I had read many reviews about it and some people appear to love it and about half say it did nothing for them. When I saw the 3 for 2 offer in Boots, I couldn't resist any longer. I was tempted to just get 3 but I was worried in case it wasn't for me. So I decided to explore and see what else they had to offer. I picked up their Micellar Water to compare it to the one I picked up in Superdrug by B and some SPF for my face. 

La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution

So far, so good. I think it's better than the one from Superdrug by B as it dries quicker on my face allowing me to cleanse afterwards. (I only use Micellar Waters to remove make up.) I haven't tried it to remove eye make up yet as I'm scared of it irritating my eyes as they are sensitive but I will give it ago soon! It does a good job of removing my face make up, I use three small cotton pads soaked and it does a great job. It doesn't irritate my skin and it hasn't broken me out. 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

There has been quite a lot of attention surrounding this product lately, some good, some bad. I have suffered from spots half of my life and hormonal acne for the last few years. I really wanted to try it out and see if it worked for my skin. After just one week of using it day and night, I noticed such a difference in my skin. I used up a full tube and I knew instantly I was going to purchase another one. However, it was about a week before I could and my spots came back! I knew it was down to not using this super product. I have since purchased another tube and my skin is slowly calming down again. I will now make sure I always have at least one stocked up! 

La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 30 Melt-In Cream

I had seen a few people mention La Roche-Posay SPF before but when stood facing all the products, I was overwhelmed as there appeared to be so many different varieties. I had decided on a facial SPF though as I take more care over protecting my face so I'm willing to spend more on facial products. I knew I wanted a high SPF for my face so 30-50. I saw this melt in cream and saw it was for sensitive skin. I don't particular have sensitive skin, sensitive eyes but not skin. I thought it must be gentle enough and shouldn't break me out. That's what worries me about SPF, I don't want it to clog my pores. I like the texture of this one but I do find it takes a while to soak in so if I'm applying make up afterwards, I have to wait a while. 

I have used Simple skincare for a few years now, in particular the eye make up remover which I purchase over and over again. Why fix something that isn't broken?! As mentioned above, I couldn't resist the 3 for 2 offer so I decided to see what else Simple had to offer.

Simple Eye Make Up Remover

For some reason, I didn't take a picture of this on its own. I think it may be because I have repurchased it a million times. To be honest, I thought I'd have a photograph of it but I don't! This is an effective eye make up remover and it does the job of removing my eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara. I cannot comment on waterproof mascara as that's not what I use but I think it does mention waterproof. 

Simple Pore Minimising Toning Cleanser

I was attracted to this product as it promised smaller pores. To be honest I haven't used this much as I'm not sure I like the texture. It's like a thick, but watery, gel. Also, I'm not entirely sure if I use it as a cleanser and toner so cutting two steps into one or as a cleanser or as a toner. For that reason it's just sat in my basket of skincare products. If you can enlighten me, please do so!

Simple Deep Cleansing Face Mask

Last but no means least, I bought a deep cleansing mask. I think they are favourite types of masks, I love a bit of clay. I usually use Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask but I'm running low so I thought I could see how this compares. So far I like it. It definitely deep cleanses. If I use regularly, it keeps me skin looking clear and healthy. If I forget to use it for a while and then use it, I break out as it brings all the dirt to the surface of my skin. Lovely! I must try and get back into my face mask routine of Wednesday and Sunday. I seem to have fallen out of it.

Which skincare products have you been buying lately? Which products do you recommend I should add to my wish list?

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick

June Empties

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser / Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic / Simple Eye Make Up Remover / Percy & Reed Splendidly Silky Moisturising Conditioner /Avon Advance Techniques Moroccan Argan Oil Mask / Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer / Liz Earle Lash Definition Smudgeproof Mascara / Impulse Tease Body Fragrance Spray / Gucci Rush 2 Eau De Toilette 75ml

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser - Another month, another Cleanse & Polish! I actually ran out of this and didn't have a back up, nightmare! I had to use another cleanser and I broke out like crazy. Liz Earle for life! You can read what I think in more detail here. 

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic - This has been amazing recently. When I wake up at 6am for work, my eyes and whole face is so puffy. (Thanks hayfever!) I just soak a cotton wool pad and sweep over all of my face and it does a fantastic job of waking me up and refreshing my puffy face! Read my full review here. 

Simple Eye Make Up Remover - Another regular part of my skin care routine. This is the only make up remover that doesn't sting my eyes straight away. It only does if I don't cleanse straight away. I have been using Micellar Water to remove my make up before cleansing but I haven't had the confidence to try it on my eyes yet. I'm just worried it will sting. One day, I will give it a try!

Percy & Reed Splendidly Silky Moisturising Conditioner - This was a magazine freebie from Glamour. I think it was actually from last year but I only got round to using it recently. I'm not sure of the smell, I recognise it but I can't put my finger on what else smells similar. It's a very thick conditioner but it doesn't make my hair greasy or weigh it down. However, I have dry, thick hair so it may be a different story if your hair is the opposite to mine. 

Avon Advance Techniques Moroccan Argan Oil Mask - At first, I was impressed with Avon Moroccan Argan Oil hair care but since using a variety of other shampoo and conditioner brands, mainly ones that are SLS free and learning more about sulphates, I have noticed a difference with the texture of my hair. So I will not be repurchasing again and I am not going to purchase anymore hair care with sulphates in. I still have some products left which contain sulphates, so I am going to use up those first. I don't want to waste them.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - If you haven't tried this concealer, where have you been and why not? It's £4.19 worth of amazingness! I always make sure I have at least one back up for when I run out. Usually I have two or three back ups because it can be difficult to find my shade so when I do find it, I go crazy! It works really well at covering up my blemishes but as I've said before, I find it too thick for under my eyes. However some beauty bloggers do use it under their eyes. You can read what I think in depth here.

Liz Earle Lash Definition Smudgeproof Mascara - When I made my usual Liz Earle order back in December, I received this as a free gift. It is honestly the best mascara I have ever used. Mascara doesn't have a great shelf life and I know people only use them for 2/3 months but it did have 6 months on and it hasn't ran out or dried up so I continued to use it for six months because it is that good! It's fairly pricey compared to my usual Rimmel mascara but when my current back ups have ran out, I may have to repurchase it because I am missing it already! 

Impulse Tease Body Fragrance Spray - I don't need to tell you again that this is my favourite body spray fragrance. I use it for work as I work in a school and I don't want to use perfume. Body spray is a nice alternative to perfume when the occasion just doesn't warrant wasting my perfume! I always keep one in my handbag so I can smell nice at all times. Does anyone else use body spray on a day to day basis but perfume for special occasions/evening? 

Gucci Rush 2 Eau De Toilette 75ml - I bought this in September with some birthday money from Debenhams. I got the 75ml bottle as it was half price so it actually worked out cheaper than the 30ml bottle! (Don't you love it when that happens?!) I absolutely love the smell of this perfume and it's perfect for summer days as it's light and refreshing. At the moment I have four other perfumes so I don't currently need a new one. But I do have lots and lots of Boots points so I'm thinking about using them for a perfume. But there are so many different perfumes, I don't know where to start! I currently own Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, Dior Miss Dior Cherie, Armarni Diamonds and Hugo Boss Orange. I absolutely love all of those so based on them do you have any recommendations? 

Which products have you used up this month? Have you been loving any of these products?

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick

January 2013 Favourites

Another picture in the snow! Sorry I just couldn't resist. January has flown by. It'll be March before we know it! These are 6 items that I have been loving this month. Surprise, surprise it's Liz Earle heavy! I admit it, I am obsessed with their products, especially skin care. I am hoping to do one of these posts every month. along with my monthly empties. I am making a really big effort to save up empty products to photograph towards the end of the month. I love reading other people's monthly favourite posts and watching their videos. I hope you enjoy mine. (I'm taking bets now - how many Liz Earle products will be featured next month?!)

Paul Mitchell Strength Super Strong Liquid Treatment - I received this in a set at Christmas along with the shampoo and conditioner. It was a present from my mum and dad and I think it was purchased from a local hairdressers. I may be wrong as my mum does order quite a bit online. I have been using this product since Christmas and it's so easy to use. I just spray onto damp hair and comb through before blow drying. Afterwards my hair feels smooth and silky. It looks a lot shinier and healthier and I cannot stop 'stroking' my hair.

Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer - This has a gel like consistency and it sinks into my skin right away which allows me to apply my make up straight away. It provides my skin with an extra boost of moisture without making my skin greasy. It makes my skin feel velvety smooth but I'm not sure that my make up applies differently. Or if it lasts longer to be honest. Despite this, I still love using it in my skin care routine and it's a great price. I purchased mine from Tesco while it was on offer for £3.99 rather than £4.99 but you can buy it from Boots and Superdrug. 

Liz Earle Skin Repair Normal/Combination Moisturiser - I won't go into too much detail here as I recently reviewed this product. You can read my review here. Since October, I have been using this product every single night after cleansing and toning. It gives me the moisture that my skin needs in these colder months. I am addicted to Liz Earle! (There are worse things I could be addicted to!) You can purchase this direct from the Liz Earle website or selected Boots stores have began to stock Liz Earle, you can find out more information on the website. 

Liz Earle Lash Definition Smudgeproof Mascara - I actually received this mascara free through the monthly essentials offer on the Liz Earle website. I now use this mascara every single day and it has replaced my beloved Rimmel mascara. I love how it's buildable. For everyday wear when I'm at work, I just apply a few coats. But if it's evening and I'm going out, I apply more coats to create a more dramatic look and it doesn't clump together. You can purchase this direct from the Liz Earle website or selected Boots stores have began to stock Liz Earle, you can find out more information on the website. 

MUA Lipstick in Shade 15 Juicy - I have five MUA lipsticks altogether and this is one particular shade that I have been reaching for over the others. I love the formula of these lipsticks. They are creamy and moisturising, which helps them glide on your lips, and they last a few hours. For just £1 these lipsticks are amazing and are worth having in your lipstick collection. I have reviewed two other MUA lipsticks which you can read here and here. You can purchase MUA products from Superdrug or MUA have an online store. 

Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask - Another Liz Earle product! I read a lot of reviews online before I purchased this product. A lot of them claimed that this product was amazing for spot prone skin and I have to agree. At first I was just using this mask once a week. However, after about five days I could tell my skin needed another face mask. Therefore I now use this mask twice a week and I've gotten into the habit of using it on a Wednesday and Sunday. I often have it on while taking part in the #bbloggers chat! It's a clay mask and I'm left with a green Shrek like face, which my fiancé has a good laugh at! You can purchase this direct from the Liz Earle website or selected Boots stores have began to stock Liz Earle, you can find out more information on the website. 

What are your favourite products this week? Have any of my favourites made your list?

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick

January Empties

Sorry guys I had to take this picture in the snow! It was too hard to resist! I think it looks pretty cool and it's making the most of the natural light that we have at Winter time (which is not a lot). This is my very first empties post and I'm excited to be doing it. I love reading blog posts and watching videos on YouTube of empty products. It shows which products people are actually using and get their real opinions once they've used all the product up and not just for one day! Some of these items I have reviewed and I will leave the links for them below. But I plan to leave a mini review on this post anyway. 

Schwarzkopf Kids Supersoft Detangling Spray - This has lasted a long time! I use it every time I wash my hair. I have long, thick hair and after shampooing and applying conditioner my hair can become quite knotty. I simply spray this all over my hair, focusing on the ends, and comb through. My hair is very damaged and I'm always worried that I will damage it further by combing whilst knotty. It doesn't make my hair greasy or weigh it down. I absolutely love the scent of milk and strawberries. It's sweet yet refreshing. I will definitely be repurchasing (if they still make this). If not, I will be on the look out for another detangling spray. Do you have any recommendations? I think I want a Tangle Teezer too!

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser - This needs no introduction! This is probably Liz Earle's most sold product and it has won a variety of awards. I have been using this for a year and I have repurchased it several times and I will continue to repurchase it for a long time. I love how luxurious it feels on my face and I like how it dissolves my make up. I use a muslin cloth with the cleanser and it gives my face a daily gentle exfoliate, which leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft.

Impulse Body Spray Tease - You can't beat an Impulse body spray! I reckon everyone has bought at least one Impulse body spray in their life! Out of all the fragrances that I have tried, Tease is my favourite and it's the one that I bulk buy when I see it on offer for 99p! Bargain. I have noticed actually that they have repackaged them. I have been using them that long, I remember them having a different packaging before the above design! I use a body spray on a daily basis. I want to smell nice but I work in a school so I don't particularly want to waste my perfumes. Especially as I have an expensive taste in perfume!

Simple Eye Make Up Remover - I have sensitive eyes and I've found this the only bearable eye make up remover that I have tried. But I still have to rinse if off straight away. If I don't, my eyes sting so much. Not good. I use this to remove my eye make up then follow with Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish to remove the rest of my make up. The remover isn't oily, which is a good thing as I can't stand putting oily removers on my eyes. This is another product that I have purchased over and over again and I will continue to unless I find something that doesn't sting my eyes!

Liz Earle Skin Repair Normal/Combination Moisturiser - I bought this in October and I have been using it every night since. It's lasted me three months before I ran out, which I think is pretty good going. Luckily, I had already repurchased it so I will continue to apply it each night until mid Spring to keep my skin moisturised. I think it will be too much for my skin in Summer and possibly late Spring/early Autumn so I will use it for a half a year each year before switching back to using just the light version morning and night.

Avon Advance Tecniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil Mask - Another product that I've already repurchased. I'm not stuck in a beauty rut! Why fix something if it's not broken? I use this hair mask 3 to 4 times a month. Usually once a week if I remember! As I mentioned in my review, I only apply this to the ends of my hair. It leaves my hair feeling smooth, soft, silky and manageable. Result! This is supposed to be £5.50 but it's almost always on offer for around £3. 

Which products have you used up this month? Have you been loving any of these products?

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick

Avon Advance Tecniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil Mask - Review

Avon Advance Techniques Moroccan Argan Oil Mask £5.50 (currently £3.75)

This is a weekly hair treatment which aims to strengthen, nourish and protect your hair. I apply it when I feel my hair needs a boost of moisture. It might be once a week or sometimes twice a week. I have fairly dry hair, but it is improving slowly thanks to all the treatments I have been using. As I have dry hair, over washing it can cause it to dry out even more and break. I can get away with only washing my hair two/three times a week. I usually wash my hair and then leave it two days before washing it again. 

Avon suggests applying the mask all over your hair, from root to tip. Even though I have dry hair, my roots can get quite greasy quickly especially if I apply too many products. Therefore, I only apply the mask to the ends of my hair. I can tell when I have used the mask. My hair feels smoother and healthier afterwards. It's a lot more manageable and it gives my hair a subtle shine. I use the mask once or twice a week and leave it on for about 5 minutes.

I have the full range of Moroccan Argan Oil products from Avon. You can read my review of the shampoo, conditioner and oil here. After using the shampoo and conditioner more, I am on my second bottle, I have to admit I don't think it is actually that great and I won't be purchasing it again. However, I love the oil and this mask and I will continue to repurchase these. I have actually repurchased the mask and I'm waiting for it to arrive.

Do you use any Moroccan Argan Oil products? Have you used Avon's version? 

Rachel x
Lost In Lipstick