In The Spotlight - Eye Creams

I'm 27 and I am not getting any younger. I believe that looking after your eyes at a younger age is much better than trying to undo the results of years of neglect. Even though I'm still young(ish), I have begun to notice a few signs of ageing; fine lines and dark circles. My body craves sleep more than it used to and the signs of a poor nights sleep is more obvious around my eyes, in particular, along with discolouration and dullness in my skin.

We all need to look after our eyes and an eye cream should be the first step you take; a simple addition to anyone's skincare routine. The skin around our eyes is very delicate and sensitive and should be looked after very carefully. My mum always taught me not to rub when I was removing make up and to simple wipe gently. This has been a great piece of advice which I have followed for years. Another great tip is to use your ring finger when applying eye cream as you apply less pressure with this finger.

Using an eye cream will look after your eyes in many ways and not only will it moisturise the area, your eyes will look brighter, more awake and any puffiness or dark circles will be reduced. I have been using eye creams for years now and here are three that I currently have in my skincare stash. I'll report back in ten years or so and let you know if using eye cream for all these years have made a difference but I'm not taking the chance!

Liz Earle Daily Eye Repair £14.75

As with all Liz Earle products, this contains naturally active ingredients. It contains beta-carotene, borage oil, Echinacea extract, D-panthenol (also know as pro-vitamin B5) and Titanium Dioxide. All these ingredients mean the eye cream has antioxidant properties, locks in moisture, helps stimulate cellular renewal and helps to reflect UV light. The directions recommend gently patting on fine lines around eye area, mouth and forehead every morning. It contains light-reflecting particles which conceal and brighten dark under-eye shadows and a premium quality mineral sunscreen which provides SPF10.

My opinions - This eye cream has a lovely texture; it's not too thin and it's not too thick which means it absorbs quickly so make up can be applied straight away. It has a slight scent but it is inoffensive.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Eye Cream £11

Obviously, this contains Vitamin E which is an antioxidant and protects the cells from damage. This moisturising eye cream hydrates, smoothes and protects the delicate skin around the eye. It also reduces the appearance of fine lines, puffiness and dark circles. Leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth. The directions state it's suitable for all skin types and to use morning and evening. Dot around the eye area and blend with your ring finger; gentle massage helps reduce puffiness.

My opinions - This cream has a light texture. In my opinion it's a little bit watery but it doesn't take too long to absorb into the skin. I'm not too keen on the smell but that's just me and my nose is far enough away from my eyes!

No7 Protect & Perfect Eye Cream £15

No7 Protect & Perfect Eye Cream protects young skin to delay the first signs of ageing. It boosts radiance & visibly improves fine lines. It reduces dark shadows and puffiness and gives the skin a brightening boost. Created specially for the delicate area around the eyes. The unique blend of protecting and renewing ingredients leaves skin soothed, smoothed and revitalised. No7 have a patent pending next-generation anti-oxidant complex to help shield against free radical damage, plus their skin firming pro-retinol peptides complex containing Lipopeptides and Matrixyl.

My opinions - This eye cream is again on the lighter side but absorbs very quickly leaving a smooth texture behind. It doesn't have a scent; not one I can smell anyway.

My favourite of these has to be the Liz Earle Daily Eye Repair and I will definitely be repurchasing in the future.

Do you use eye cream in your skincare routine? Which is your favourite eye cream?

Rachel x

The Body Shop Pulse Birthday Blogger Event

Last month, I was invited to The Body Shop in Preston to celebrate their first anniversary as a Pulse Store. The event was organised by the lovely Rachelle who also owns a blog (inspiredbytheretired.blogspot.co.uk).

Just before the event was due to start, St Georges (the shopping centre that houses The Body Shop) had a massive power cut. Rachelle was panicking and trying to think of a plan B as some bloggers had already started to make their way to Preston. Luckily, about five minutes before the event was due to start, the power came back on. Phew!

I met up with some lovely bloggers and headed to the store. On arrival, we were greeted by Rachelle and shown to the refreshments. Rachelle had made a smoothie which was delicious! We were also given a few sample pots so we could try some products out at home. 

Recently, I have become obsessed with The Body Shop so I had created quite the shopping list before the event! Luckily for me, and my bank account, we were offered 40% off any purchases we made on the day. I will save my purchases for another blog post as I have had a chance to try the products so I can share my first impressions. 

Once we had finished playing with the products and spending a small fortune, we headed over to The Mystery Tea House which is a really cool cafe hidden behind the shops. I ordered a pot of tea called Bora Bora which was delicious! If you're ever in Preston, I definitely recommend The Mystery Tea House and Bora Bora tea.

I had a lovely day in Preston and the weather was gorgeous. Thank you to Rachelle for organising a successful day.

Rachel x

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] - Review

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] £15.50*

I'm a massive fan of Effaclar Duo. Since discovering it, I have repurchased it about 3 or 4 times. It's always a tense moment when a product you love has been reformulated. What if I don't like the new version? How will I find a product that does the same job?

I have been using Effaclar Duo [+] for at least two weeks now and I can already see an improvement in my spots as well as scars left behind by old spots. Every morning and evening, I have been applying it after cleansed skin. La Roche-Posay recommend using a moisturiser as well if you suffer from dry skin but I don't have that problem as my skin is oily. Effaclar Duo [+] has been my daily moisturiser and it has provided enough moisture for my skin without leaving any dry patches.

Effaclar Duo [+] is clinically proven to improve the appearance of blemishes as well as the overall texture of skin. It reduces the appearance of red and brown brown marks (which I suffer from) as well as unclogging pores and controls the appearance of shine. I have noticed a difference in the size of my spots and I haven't had any red or inflamed spots. The scars left behind have also reduced in size and colour. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it continues and they disappear completely!

La Roche-Posay are so confident in their new formula that they are inviting you to take part in the Countdown to Clear challenge. They believe you will achieve clearer-looking skin and if you don’t see results during the 6 week challenge, they'll give you your money back. What do you have to lose? 

Luckily for me, I love the new formula and the improvements I have seen in just a few weeks. 

Are you an Effaclar Duo fan? Have you tried the new formula? What do you think?

Rachel x
Lost In Lipstick

Follow me on Twitter // Like me on Facebook // Follow me on Bloglovin' // Follow me on Instagram

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

My Skincare Routine - Morning & Evening

I love reading blog posts and watching videos of other people skincare routines. Although it can be dangerous, as I always end up adding products to my wish list! I know my current routine will change in the near future as I want to try more Clarins skincare as I always hear beauty bloggers singing their praises. This is a routine I have been using for a long time. I have been using Liz Earle for a year and a half now. My skin is relatively normal but I suffer from hormonal acne. 

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion // Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser // Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic // Anti-Blemish Skinetica* // La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo // Liz Earle Skin Repair Light Moisturiser for Combination/Oily Skin // Liz Earle Daily Eye Repair // Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Primer

Recently, mainly because of hayfever, I have been waking up with puffy, swollen, itchy eyes. The first thing I reach for is Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion. It does exactly what it says on the label - soothes my eyes. It also helps me feel, and look, more awake at 6am. I already have a backup and I will continue to repurchase, it's a miracle product! 

My next step is Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish. Like a lot of people, this was my first experience of Liz Earle as my mum bought me the starter kit one Christmas and my love for the brand has grown and grown! I have previously reviewed Cleanse & Polish so I won't go into too much detail but it's a lovely cleanser and really does remove dirt and make up - the evidence is on the muslin cloth! If my skin needs a little boost and I still don't feel awake, I will soak a cotton wool pad with Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic and sweep it over my face and neck. It smells delicious and really does soothe and revitalise my skin. After this, I am ready to start the day. 

Some days I don't feel like I need Instant Boost Skin Tonic and instead I will use Anti-Blemish Skinetica*. I received this in a goodie bag that I was kindly given at a blogger event. I have been using it along with La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo and the results have been amazing. I apply Skinetica with a cotton wool pad and sweep across my face. Once it has dried, I then apply Effaclar Duo just like a moisturiser. As I mentioned in my June Favourites, I don't know if it's the combination of the two or it's one product but they have really helped my skin. After a week of using both products, I noticed a massive difference in the appearance of my skin and my spots had reduced in size and quantity. 

During the warmer months, my moisturiser of choice is Liz Earle Skin Repair Light Moisturiser for Combination/oily skin. I have been using Liz Earle moisturisers for over a year now and since using them, I haven't had any dry patches of skin. I used to suffer from the occasional dry patch on my cheeks but they are now a thing of the past. However, being a beauty blogger, I read many many reviews and sooner or later, I will buy an Origins moisturiser. At the moment, the only thing stopping me right now is money and the amount of choice I have in making sure I choose the right one for me! 

I am almost 26, I'm old! I am starting to see lines around my eyes plus I don't sleep very well. I am an extremely light sleeper and I wake several times during the night. Liz Earle Daily Eye Repair helps  to repair the skin around my eyes and inject a little moisture. This is the only eye cream I have used and I do want to try others. So if you have any recommendations, leave them below. 

Before applying my make up, once my moisturiser is dry, I apply Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch. I suffer from quite large pores and this does a great job at smoothing and perfecting my skin for make up application. My skin almost feels like silk once applied. I use my fingers to apply this but I make sure they are clean. 

Evening

La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution // Simple Eye Make-Up Remover  // Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser // Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator // Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask // Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer // Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic // Anti-Blemish Skinetica // La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo // Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser for Normal/combination skin // Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning // Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate

I begin my evening skincare routine with La Roche-Posay Micellar Solution. I use about three small cotton wool pads to remove my face make up. I keep telling myself, I will pick up the larger cotton pads but do I remember when I'm shopping? No! As I have mentioned in previous posts, I have sensitive eyes. I haven't attempted to use Micellar water on my eyes yet but one day I will be brave. Maybe once my hayfever has died down a little. 

Next, I remove my eye make. As mentioned several times previously, I use Simple Eye Make Up Remover. I have been using this for years as it's the only remover that doesn't sting my eyes instantly! I have to wash it off almost straight away but if I do I'm fine and it doesn't sting. It does a great job at removing mascara and eyeliner. It says it removes waterproof but I don't wear waterproof mascara or eyeliner so I can't comment on those claims. Hopefully, I will be able to get away with just using Micellar Water to remove all make up so I can cut down on the number of products used. Then I use Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish to remove any last traces of make up and take the day away. If I use the make up removers and Micellar Waters, there's not much make up on my muslin cloth but sometimes there is a little. 

Twice a week, I use Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator. This is my second bottle and it really is gentle but I make sure I'm really gentle and don't scrub my face. I keep reading more and more posts about the negative features of manual exfoliators and bloggers are raving about chemical exfoliators. But if I'm honest, the word chemical scares me! I'm thinking of taking baby steps and purchasing Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner. I'm going to read a few more  reviews and make my mind up. 

After using the Exfoliator twice a week, I follow with a face mask. Usually after a bath/shower so my pores are open. At the moment I am using Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask. I really love it and I can tell it cleanses deep down. I leave it on for 10 minutes as suggested and then spritz Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer before removing with one of the sponges that are supplied. However, these are fairly rough so if you have sensitive skin, maybe use a muslin cloth instead. 

I follow with Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic to close my pores and soothe my skin. Then I use Skinetica again as it's recommended that you use it morning and evening. Once dry, I follow with La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo as I do in the morning. 

I then reach for my moisturiser of choice. As the evenings have been hot, I've been using Liz Earle Skin Repair Light Moisturiser but if my skin appears dry or dehydrated, I use Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser for Normal/Combination skin. If my skin looks lifeless and dull I will replace my moisturiser with Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate as it just gives my skin that extra moisture boost it needs. 

During Summer, I have been using Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning every other day to give my skin an extra glow. I am very pale and I use factor 30/50 on my face. But my face doesn't really tan anyway, I just get lots of freckles. So I apply this to a cotton wool pad and sweep it over my face and neck. It comes on as a beautiful colour in the morning and it's not too obvious that I have fake tanned my face. If you're scared of applying fake tan to your face. I definitely recommend this. 

What are your staple skincare products? Do you have any recommendations for me to try next? Particularly moisturisers, exfoliators and face masks.

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick