Supergoop! Mattescreen™ SPF30 Sample Review RRP £34

 

I've not heard of this brand before, but looking at the stockist info (Cult Beauty and Sephora), I was expecting quality and originality, comparing to many of the brands these beauty outlets stock. I wasn't disappointed.

Having gone outside to take the photoshoot, as you can see it's a lovely sunny day. Cold but definitely bright and, whilst we should be wearing SPF all year round, on sunny days it's definitely a must-have of mine.

I'm a huge advocate, as most beauty editors are that you should always wear a separate sunscreen. Having a moisturiser with a sunscreen added often dilutes the effects, and so I've always recommended to readers, as dermatologists have recommended to me that you should apply one separately. Often these sunscreens can be greasy, or leave a residue and this is where Supergoop! Mattescreen™ comes into it's own niche market.

For starters it's tinted in a universal suit all shade. This makes the base for an amazing primer, one that blurs imperfections, conceals blemishes, grips make up to make it stay put and best of all leaves skin looking flawless. It's ideal for those who suffer with greasy prone skin types, acne and sensitive skin as is non-pore blocking and oil free. 

The consistency is incredibly light, mousse like in texture and spreads evenly and smoothly across the skin. As you can see from the photo below there isn't any tell tale signs of makeup, it literally gives a soft focus effect so your skin looks flawless.

However, the best part of this little gem of a product isn't the superficial results it gives, nor the fact it helps make-up stay put, but that it protects your face from the damaging UVA and UVB rays. It's 100% mineral based and so is ideal for men and women with the most sensitive of skin types, especially those that may be menopausal, have hormone based issues and is so gentle it can even be used by children!

The main ingredient of Zinc Oxide gives the protection from sunburn and is resistant to water and actually helps regenerate skin cells, resulting in healthier looking skin. It also contains Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, taken from white ginger a plant that helps with inflammation, dehydration and soothes skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea.

Available to buy here at Cult Beauty/ Sephora

Eylure London ProMagnetic® Eyeliner & Lash System RRP £22

 

It's coming up to Easter which spells the start of a 4 day bank holiday, and that for many people means 1 thing, yes party time. For others like me, in means watering eyes and the start of hay fever and that for me also means no mascara. So it seemed like an apt time to write a review on Eylure's recent launches of false lashes. I've written up on them before and, whilst I don't wear false lashes I have decided to give them a try on rare nights out, especially as I struggle with eye sensitivity during hay fever season.

When it comes to false lashes, then Eylure is by far top of it's game. With the biggest range available and amazing quality, the lashes range from 'Luxe Cashmere', 'Volume', 'Dramatic', 'Light' etc. Whether you want full on lashes for glamour or simply natural daytime lashes, they're easy to apply and results are faultless.

ProMagnetic® Magnetic Eyeliner & Lash System Faux Mink Wispy No 11

Without the need for glue, these lashes are by far the quickest and easiest application I've tested to date. Instructions are on the back of the packet in 3 easy steps. 

The eyeliner pen is essentially what bonds the lashes to the lash line. Whereas some eyeliner pens can be messy to apply, the design of the nib means that just one swipe gives good even coverage. You need to apply 3 layers to get a thick 'bond' for the lashes to adhere (albeit I only used 2).

Simply apply the black felt liner along your lash line, then place the lashes on top, and as if by magic the eyelashes simply bond to the liner by way of 10 magnets. 

As a 50 year old, I struggle to often apply mascara unless looking into a magnifying mirror. The ease of the pen made them a doddle to apply, even for someone like me who also has shaky hands!

The lashes have 10 magnets on the back to ensure they stay absolutely put, indeed these are the strongest formula ever made to date. Yet, removal is easy as you simply peel off - however, until then these will last through sweat, hot weather and a night of dancing. 

They instantly open the eye up, and are ideal for any age to add some glamour especially if you have deep set eyes which is the case as we get older.

As always I despise the use of filters etc and do not use them in any of my photos (evidently), so you can get a true picture of what they look like. The difference is quite incredible, especially as I am completely make-up free.

I actually cannot find any negatives with using these. You can check out the huge range from Eylure here at Boots / Superdrug

L'Occitane En Provence Cherry Blossom Easter Egg Sample Review £17.50

 

Every year L'Occitane bring out their range of seasonal gifts including Easter. I'm always grateful to receive a sample of their tinned Easter Egg as I gift it to a friend who has a milk intolerance, and so can't eat chocolate. I think it's a wonderful idea, as so many people are lactose free, have allergies or, like me, have to watch their waistline. 

The tin is decorated in muted tones of peach and housed inside are 3 travel sized products from The Cherry Blossom Range. A scent that is softly floral, slightly fruity, sparkly and delicate. The products contain 'cherry extract from the Luberon region of southern France'.

🌸 Bath & Shower Gel 75ml - a light shower gel that emulsifies into a lather of delicately         fragranced florals. You only need a small amount on a body puff to wash the whole body, so the bottle will last a good couple of weeks. You can also pour a small amount under running, warm water to fill your bath with an oasis of frothy bubbles. The shower gel contains Bitter Cherry Extract, rich in vitamin C and helps calm inflammation, skin is left cleansed without feeling taut.

🌸 Shimmering Lotion 35ml - this lotion glides on smoothly, and contains shea butter known for its moisturising qualities. It's not a heavy lotion, so leaves skin looking and feeling smooth without any greasy residue. Despite it's name, it doesn't contain shimmering particles yet leaves skin with an underlying glow, a beautiful radiance that literally gives just a sheen.  Perfect for holidays, or when bearing the skin after months of wearing layers! 

🌸Hand Cream 10ml - L'Occitane is perhaps known for their amazing hand creams. Not only do they leave hands looking and feeling soft, but they also condition nails and the cuticle bed. Once again you only need a tiny amount to reap the benefits of youthful hands. Ingredients include nourishing shea butter, coconut oil and sunflower seed oil, ingredients full of anti-oxidants to protect the hands from environmental aggressors such as sun, pollution and ideal if you work with water. 

It's the perfect discovery kit to introduce someone to the L'Occitane products and also for anyone who travels. You can also reuse the tin or even 'pass the gift on' by refilling with products and gifting again. Check out the other range of gifts here at L'Occitane

Natura Siberica Lab Biome Face Serums Sample Review RRP £10.99 30ml

 

I've written a lot of reviews on the range from Natura Siberica as I'm always impressed by their quality of ingredients. Newly launched are the Lab Biome Face Serums in 'Hydration', 'Radiance' and 'Soothing'. It was only a short while ago I had tested the 'Eye Patches', and they've stayed firmly in my bathroom cabinet as they make an instant difference. So I was intrigued to test the new facial serums to see if they lived up to the same 5 star standard as the patches.

As you would expect from this brand, the products are vegan, organically grown and cruelty free.  The 'microbiome' products are formulated around adapting individual skin concerns. 

'Biome plays a positive role in helping to maintain a healthy glow skin and its barrier and perfectly helps to protect the skin from the negative factors of the urban lifestyle like stress and smog.  When your microbiome is balanced, your skin looks and feels healthy.'

Radiance Face Serum

The Radiance Face Serum is targeted for those with dull skin types, those who lack colour and have that sallow look. Ideal if you've been burning the candles at both ends, had lack of sleep or have been unwell. Formulated with 1% of Vitamin C, and 24K Gold like the others, this gives instant results.  The micro particles of gold dust give an immediate glow, that instantly awakens the skin and gives that inner glow. Ingredients also include:-

• Vitamin C - a natural exfoliant that leaves skin looking radiant.
• Lactobacillus Ferment - helps relieve dry, tight skin, keeps the 'microbiome' balanced.
• Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit - Cloudberry, packed full of vitamin C that instantly brightens and rejuvenates dull looking skin.
• Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi leaf ExtractWH - helps lighten pigmentation and dark spots. It's anti-inflammatory and astringent so helps minimise the look of large pores.

Soothing Face Serum

The Soothing Serum is perfect for anyone with dry, tight and sensitive skin, especially those who are suffering with menopausal or hormonal breakouts. It contains Aloe Vera Gel 10% proven to help calm down irritated skin, and Provitamin B5 3% highly moisturising that gives comfort to tight skin. An ideal serum to comfort skin that's had too much sun, or that feels itchy and irritated.  Other ingredients are similar to the Radiance Serum and also include:-

• Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract - high in anti-oxidants that protect the skin from pollution, as well as aiding sensitive skin. 
• Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract - Peppermint Oil, soothing and cooling, will help calm inflamed skin conditions.
• Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract - aka Sage a herb that purifies, cleanses and tones the skin. Ideal if you are suffering with blackheads or acne.

Hydration Face Serum

Whilst I love all of the serums, this is the one that I've been regularly using. It gives instant results on anyone with dehydrated and lined skin. Upon the first single use, it instantly sunk into my fine lines under my eyes and, as you can see from the photos on the back of my hand it gives immediate results.

As with all the serums, the consistency is light and non-sticky. You only need a small amount for the serum to instantly spread and soak into the skin. 

It's often very difficult to find the right lighting on photos and see the effects (you do need to zoom in on the photos), but I noticed the different immediately when I applied to the back of my hand. The Hydration Serum contains a 1.5% of Hyaluronic Acid, an ingredient that is well known in skincare that supports skin hydration as it can trap in moisture (water) within the skin. The outcome is that the skin is more hydrated and looks more plump, thus reduces the signs of aging by filling out wrinkles and fine lines.  The  Hydration Serum also contains Sakhalin Algae rich in nutrients that helps improve the skin's elasticity. 

For the price of the serums I was very impressed, especially by the quality and quantity of the active ingredients. You can check out more of the range here at Natura Siberica

 

Living Proof.® No Frizz® Smooth Stylers Range Sample Review RRP from £26

Last week I was in TK Maxx with my eldest, and as I passed the hair section I picked up a bottle of Living Proof.® Smoothing Conditioner. I was incredibly tempted to purchase, but as a single parent I couldn't justify spending out any money. However, I specifically pointed the brand out to her and said 'this is one of my favourite brands, I first purchased the thickening range about 30 years ago in Space NK'. Well they must have been listening as I was delighted to receive these samples through the post, just a few days later. 

The range has been designed for every hair type and condition in mind. From fine, medium to coarse hair and chemically treated, bleached and coloured hair. The products themselves are sulphate free, silicone free, safe for use on coloured and bleached hair, cruelty free and with one promise in mind - to banish frizz whatever the texture. 

My hair is wavy, fine and bleached and I am constantly on the quest to find the perfect cream to banish frizz, but retain the wave. It was only recently that I purchased through months of deliberation a well known social media brand designed just for waves. I couldn't justify the price tag and re-sold it a few days later on Ebay! It's a good thing I did sell it as my quest is seemingly over. 

Smooth Styling Spray for Fine Hair RRP £33 200ml

Directions for the Smooth Styling Spray are to 'Apply to clean, damp hair from roots to end. Comb through. Blow dry for a smooth style'.  Well obviously I disobeyed all the directions and simply scrunched through my mass of frizzy, dry hair. What transpired astounded me, so much so that I jumped on to my Instagram @askmollybeauty and did a short reel (something I detest doing). With all frizz banished what was left were soft, defined waves, that had taken literally seconds to form. 

Before

After

The shine was incredible and I felt like my hair had been renewed. So noticeable that my friend whom I met straight after for a dog walk exclaimed as she was coming up the path 'your hair it looks great'. Hence the next five minutes were spent talking about the product. It's often hard to tell on photos, so please look at my reel as you can see live just the transformation.

With the addition of Sunflower Seed Oil, Amaranth Seed Oil and Beta Vulgaris Beet Root Extract, these combined help give hair elasticity, give it bounce, restore dull dehydrated hair and smooth the cuticle shaft. Hair is left protected from environmental aggressors and so the spray not only gives a better superficial appearance but also works to treat damaged hair. 

4 hours later and my hair is still as shiny and defined. The product not only promised to make hair up to 6 x smoother, up to 75% less frizz and giving lasting smoothness for up to 96 hours (when used in conjunction with the No Frizz System), but also has heat protection of up to 232°c. You can use it damp as mentioned above, and evidently dry as I did! 

I haven't tested the rest of the range as my hair is fine however, I can presume that the results will be just as good for your chosen texture. You can check out the range here at Living Proof.®