Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

For many years I wrote for the paper as a Beauty and Lifestyle Editor, testing hundreds of products monthly. Since going freelance and working on other projects, my time is limited. However, this means that I can write up on the brands I love and Elemis has long been my favourite brand. Whatever skincare journey I'm on I always come back to Elemis. My favourite product is by far the Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm.

Thankfully, I have a good relationship with Elemis going back many years, and so I was lucky enough to be sent the cleansing balm as a sample. The balm is a treat for me, in fact I purchased the Rose version for myself at Christmas. It was my Christmas gift to myself for being a very busy single mum. 

Why do I love this product so much? Quite simply it's a ritual, the cleansing stage instantly sets me up for the day. As soon as I open the pot, warm the buttery textured balm into the palms of my hands, I take a few deep breaths and massage it into my dry, parched skin.  It's often dehydrated from menopausal hot sweats and the balm just soaks into my skin.  Next, I take the muslin cloth provided and run it under hot water, I let the cloth air for a few seconds before pressing it into my face and simply breathe in the aroma of Rose and Mimosa. After dissolving, my face is always left feeling clean, supple and like I've had the best hours facial. 

You can also use it as a mask by simply leaving on for 10 minutes. Sometimes I also apply a facial scrub, mixed into the balm (a tip I learnt from a therapist). 

The ingredients read like an English summer garden, Elderberry, Starflower, Rose, Mimosa and have anti-aging algae and Padina Pavonica a brown algae found in the Indian Ocean. Algae is commonly used in skincare to help with hydrating and revitalising the skin. It also helps with fine lines and wrinkles and, most importantly, a little goes a long way!

The RRP for the cleansing balm is £44 for 100g (Elemis often have special offers).  You can purchase at www.uk.elemis.com

Earthy Nail Polish Collection 'In Bloom'

Last year my nails had a good needed break from the chemicals found in gel colour etc.  They were strong, grew and for once didn't have ridges across them. As soon as the restrictions were lifted I decided to treat myself to some gel colour. Of course I will never learn not to pick off the colour, and within 2 weeks my strong nails were a distant memory. Not only that but I seem to have developed a seasonal allergy that results in itchy dots on my fingers not nice! 

So I was intrigued and quite happy to be sent the Earthy Nail Polish Collection as a sample. You may guess from the name, the nail colours are free from many of the chemicals found in ordinary nail polish, and so suitable for sensitive and damaged nails like mine. Launched alongside The British Beauty Council Patron, the set comprises 4 high shine colours in 

Damson in Distress - a beautiful rich and glossy magenta

Maya's Rose - a subtle and delicate ballerina pink

Pearls of Wisdom - a glossy, skin tone neutral

Peaches and Cream - a tangerine sorbet shade

It's advisable to use a base coat, but I did one swipe on my daughters false nail tips. The brush spread easily and unlike many pastels only needed one coat (although her nail tips are opaque). A great gift set or just to treat yourself! 

The whole set is £24.95 and available from www.earthynailpolish.com

Dove Pro Age Range for Mature Skin

 

Sent to me as samples for review - I was interested in testing this as, being in the thick of it - literally, I'm in menopause and those bugger hormones are playing havoc with my skin. Dry, itchy and very dehydrated from those lovely hot nightly sweats.

The Dove Pro Age range is aimed for 'mature' skin. The type of skin that is more lined, drier, sensitive and not so nicely put aging. It happens to all of us. 

I am not one for gimmicky products, for me it’s about results. I also am not one for spending a fortune when I don't have to. These products fall into that category of does the job, smells divine and leaves my skin feeling very hydrated and soft.  

Whilst before the age of 49 I would have bypassed hand cream, I am now finding myself using it daily. Especially as my hands are constantly being sanitised before every shop visit. I can always tell a ‘Botoxed' face and am usually proved right as one can tell an age by looking at their hands. This hand cream is a delight. It's not greasy (my pet hate) and it also leaves a slight iridescence due to the oils. It helps with the appearance of age spots and only costs £3.99

Next up is the Body Butter, a luscious thick butter that is ideal for very dry skin. It's suitable for very parched, dry areas such as elbows, feet (fully recommend after a long dog walk) and is incredibly nourishing. I slathered some on before bed, put some little trainer socks on and the next day my feet were baby soft.  They also do a Body Lotion which is lighter -  I prefer this for all over the body after the shower. Both are £6.29

Finally the Pro Age Body Wash £4.99 - ideal for sensitive skin as it's Sulfate free and like all the products dermatologically tested too. It's creamy and leaves skin so soft that you can, if rushed for time skip the moisturiser. Dove's spin is that it protects your microbiome (the skins protective living layer), so leaves the skin it's nutrients to protect itself. Regardless of the blurb (it confuses me and I've had years of writing beauty...), it's so good my daughter has nicked it and I haven't a hope in hell of reclaiming it (even if she isn't mature). 

Now I haven't mentioned much about the fragrance. This is what sells products to me, most of the time (that and they cosmetically work obviously).  The fragrance is a cocooning scent of vanilla. Some people may find this sickly, but I like that indulgent smell - it's buttery, sweet and soft. 

You can buy these products from Superdrug

Sanctuary Spa White Lily & Damask Rose Himalayan Salt Scrub

I was recently sent this to test as a sample.  Due to being a very busy single parent, time is stretched and so I can only review a few items a week.  However, with the sun shining and my crocodile legs on full display, it was more of an essential need rather to test out a body scrub.  For me body scrubs are an essential part of my beauty regime, quite simply as I like to keep my skin soft and I occasionally like to wear shorts.

The Sanctuary Spa Himalayan Salt Scrub is a real treat. Firstly, as it suggests the base is made of Himalayan salt, mixed in with sweet almond oil this leaves the skin baby smooth. It also has the added benefit of Vitamin E and kaolin clay, so helps detoxify the skin (although the salt will also do this).  This is what stands out for me above the rest of the scrubs on the shelves. Firstly it works - none of those jojoba beads that quite frankly melt and do bugger all. The salt in this leaves your skin baby smooth. Secondly it smells utterly divine - lightly floral and lastly it doesn't leave skin greasy, just smooth. 

Sanctuary Spa have a range of body scrubs - check out their 5/5 reviews on the Boots website! 

RRP £10 Boots

L’Occitane Solid Shampoos

So I’m starting off 'blogging' again after a long spell of absence from the beauty industry.  A quick re-cap, I wrote for the regional papers for many years with my weekly page ‘AskMollyBeauty’ covering everything beauty and lifestyle. I have also for the last 7 years appeared on Phoenix FM radio with a regular beauty and lifestyle slot. 

My writing days were taken over by way of kids, dog, running a volunteer group and ill-health. My MacBook also broke and unable to fund a new one, I am very frustratingly coming to terms with my Ebay £150 laptop replacement. 

When I wrote for the papers, I didn't get paid (but had my weekly page), and this meant I had free reign on content, and so I only put in products that I loved. Not sustainable as a business I know that advertorials have taken over, and so brands are often paying for their excellent reviews. It's due to this that I have started blogging again, as if I don't like the product - I am not going to spend my free time writing about it! 

Kicking off with one brand I love is L'Occitane en Provence, and very kindly, they recently sent me their new Solid Shampoo bars. I had actually only just bought some of their Shea Butter from LookFantastic, and so I was very happy when they sent me these new bars to test. 

Their USP is Aromachology, which from the name you can probably guess is a mixture of aromatherapy, essential oils and active ingredients blended into a solid shampoo bar. Also for guilt free pleasure without harming the environment, all packaging used has been recycled. 

I was sent the ‘Gentle and Balance, ‘Intensive Repair’ and ‘Purifying Freshness’ to test out. Hands down my favourite being the Gentle and Balance as it smells like babies. Each shampoo bar has its own benefits, so every hair type is catered for. All contain a blend of 5 essential oils and active ingredients.  

To use simply wet hair, apply soap, lather and rinse. Unlike many shampoos they don’t contain sulphates etc making them extremely kind to damaged hair. Unlike many shampoos that are sulphate free, they give that satisfying creamy lather. 

My hair smelt utterly amazing after. I did use a conditioner as my hair is very dry but I’m a sucker for fresh smelling hair especially the comforting smell of lavender. My daughters hair is very thick and full of hairspray, and she's been delighted using the Purifying Freshness as not only does her hair feel squeaky clean but the uplifting peppermint seems to wake her up...

These shampoo bars will last ages and cost only £10. You can buy online www.loccitane.com from 13th May 2021.