Review - Eau Thermale Avene High Protection Compact Foundation SPF 50

Phew...that's a mouthful of a name. As I am always on a foundation search I requested a sample of this beauty to try. Alot of my clients would ask me about different foundations to suit their skin types and as its coming into summer most want something lighter in coverage. Now, I am definitely a fan of medium to full coverage and wasn't expecting much from this for me, as it states its a tint -  that word actually scares me. Boy was I shocked with this. It has now replaced all my usual day foundations of MAC, Estee Lauder and Christian Dior. I tried it the first day with a sponge provided and it applied way too thick and mucky, but I then used the Real Techniques buffing brush and it goes on like a dream. Once you apply your concealer for the olde bags and set this with powder you are good to go. I think its just the best idea, not only have you lovely fresh looking skin, it has factor 50 and excellent coverage. Irish people tend to forget about any kind of sun protection but apart from the whole skin cancer fear there is also the dreaded fear of ageing!!!!...I think I'm really now starting to think of skin and aging now that I'm hitting mid thirties..sob sob..why did I fry myself in baby oil when I was younger!!!
What I also love about this is that its a compact, I haven't used a compact for years since I used the muck that is Elizabeth Arden but I find it so handy to whip this bad boy out if I need to have a quick touch up.
I think this foundation will be brilliant for anyone that doesn't have very oily skin. I have normal skin type with an oily t-zone and this is perfect for me - once I set this with powder. It doesn't leave me very shiny and find I'd only touch up my makeup once after about 8 hours. This would look fab on someone with very dry skin as its going to add natural dewiness to your skin. You don't need a separate sunblock, and it's very gentle on your skin. One thing to remember with this foundation is that it has an SPF of 50 so its not camera friendly, perfect for every day but not good if your planning on having photographs as the SPF diffuses light and make you look ghostly.

Eau Thermale Avène High Protection Tinted Compact SPF 50

·Handbag friendly size

·Protects against UVB/UVA sunlight

·Conceals imperfections and evens out skin tone.

·100% mineral free

·No chemical filters

·Fragrance free

·Paraben free

·Water resistant

How to use

Before sun exposure, apply thin layer (at least 1g) of product onto facial skin, reapply frequently (every 2 hours) and after towel drying, swimming, or perspiring.

Avoid contact with eyes.

Eau Thermale Avène High Protection Tinted Compact SPF 50 Beige €25.41,10g

Pros: • Provides SPF50. • Gives flawless natural skin and blends easily • Suitable for sensitive skin types. Cons: • Limited shade range. Only two shades are offered, and while both are workable for me, this is really not right see as there are more skin shades out there...get on it Avene. The lightest shade, which is the one I have Sable/Beige is about a NW25 from MAC and the darker shade is the Dore/Honey shade, which can turn slightly peach on skin. Its about a NW30. • Not suitable for oily skin types. Laters...xx

Review - La Roche Posay Physiological Micellar Solution

Howdy...
I have been on the hunt for a new cleanser for a while now. The last cleanser I have just used up is the La Roche Posay Physiological Micellar Solution.

A micellar cleanser is a water-like cleanser specifically tailored to sensitive, imperfection-prone skin. It cost me 15.00euro from Cassisy's Pharmacy Ennis which I thought was great until I realised I had the whole thing used up in under 2 weeks. If you're on a budget, using this as a makeup remover, especially if you love slapping on the muck like me, will end up being a very expensive product. I will repurchase this but will keep it only for a morning cleanser or maybe as a quick fix after I come in from a night out.
What I think this would be perfect for is someone suffering from breakouts or Rosacea or even a cleanser to take on holidays if your planning on being sunburned. It doesn't irritate sensitive skin and eyes, isn't drying and this cleanser will leave your feeling clean and refreshed.
I wouldn't recommend this for teenagers and early twenty-somethings, who often prefer a more aggressive cleansing process due to higher oil production, I might suggest using this as a toner--it will sweep away dead skin, but it won't irritate skin, which can often be counter-productive for dealing with oiliness or acne.

 Hope this helps.

Review: Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

This product is definitely one product I need. This is 8 hours sleep in a handy tube! I use this on clients that need to brighten their skin or I find its brilliant if you've had a bad night(or a hangover), and it works wonders. Beauty Flash Balm is a great product to use as a primer underneath foundation. It smooths out the skin and makes it more radiant and fresh. I keep it for special occasions like if I'm going to a wedding or a night out...x

The secret to getting a good finish with this is all in the application.When your applying the Balm you're trying to spread it out (like butter on toast) don't rub in in. Put a thin layer on the skin (you don't want it in your skin, you want it on your skin)

Immediately apply your foundation using the same method. You're not 'rubbing your foundation in' you're trying to spread it out so you won't ruin the Balm effect.

Long-winded but it works It's hard to describe the effect it has. It just seems to enhance your complexion by balancing out any unevenness and makes skin look more luminous. You could wear this alone if you are feeling a bit lazy and fancy a makeup free day. The only downside of that is that it contains no SPF and the hefty price tag but then again a little goes a long way.

 

p.s. Its great if you want to touch up your foundation during the day as well, apply the Beauty Flash Balm over your face (no need to cleanse foundation first) and then apply fresh layer of foundation. It gives my skin a glow and the foundation glides on.
Laters..x

My New Skin Saviour - Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream

I have been scouring every bloody Boots and Chemist looking for this cream for ever and I finally got my hands on this in Cassidy's Chemist in Ennis. Everyone is raving about this cream on YouTube. Its 11.00 euro and worth every penny. This is selling like hot cakes and is sold out in most places in Ireland and the UK.
What it says on the tin...x

Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream is an innovative new therapy specially formulated to intensively nourish an repair your skins natural barrier. Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream penetrates deeply to rehydrate facial skin relieving tightness and irritation and leaving it feeling smooth. Suitable for dry and sensitive skins. Free from fragrances, preservatives and emulsifiers.

 The texture is somewhere between a cream and gel and it just sinks into your skin leaving it feeling gorgeous and smooth. I've been using as a night cream for the past few nights and its made such a difference. My skin looks clearer and less old hag looking. It definitely can be used as a day cream(make sure and let it sink in for 10 mins before applying make up) under make up but I wouldn't use it myself as there is no SPF in it. This product is safe for anyone with skin problems like eczema etc. My son is having awful patches of eczema on his cheeks, from having the central heating on so much and this cleared up his little face over night.

This stuff feels incredible on, a little really does go a long way and leaves your skin feeling deeply soft and nourished. I think this would me a must have for anyone with dry skin. Bye bye crocodile skin..xxx

My new fave body treats....xxx

For a long time now I've had my eye on a new range of products by the company Soap & Glory. All the products have fab names, and are packaged in kitschy pink 50's style packaging. The 2 that I bought are : The Righteous Butter Body Lotion and Flake Away Body Polish.

The Righteous Butter comes in a 300ml round tub with a screw top lid, or is also available in a travel size of 50ml. I love the packaging of this product - baby pink, with grey and white retro lettering and pictures of pin-up girls, giving a fun feel before you've even got the lid off. If you like the retro style Benefit products then these will be right up your street.

This smells gorgeous, a lovely clean and fresh smell but with a hint of underlying muskiness. The cream itself is white and the consistency is what you would expect from a body butter - thick, but feels far more silky to the touch than the Body Shop Body Butters. You only need to apply a little as it goes a very long way and it's absorbed so easily into the skin that it almost seems to melt in - the packaging claims that this will be like wearing velvet on your skin and I would agree - my skin felt really smooth and silky to touch. The cream is packed with Shea Butter and Aloe Vera so is both moisturizing and soothing. This amazing body butter as featured on the hit TV series 'How to look good naked', does exactly what is says on the tin; " A body moisturizing formula so virtuous you might swear you were wearing velvet". I can honestly say my skin has never felt smoother.

Flake away body polish!

This scrub is fantastic on dry skin and as soon as you dry off you feel so moisturised and clean. Now if you genuinely have dry skin this is the answer to waving bye bye to it. It leaves skin soft, clean and thoroughly moisturised to the touch. If you have very very dry skin this and the 'Self 'Righteous Body Butter' is brilliant applied afterwards.

This is a wonderful product,  it's great to use before applying fake tan because it removes any old tan or any dry skin
! Word of advice,
DO NOT USE IT ON THE FACE....its only meant for your body.

Check out boots for special offers, they often do 2 for the price of 3. It is definitely worth looking out for the offers.

Beauty Bargain from good old Tesco.....xxx

Tesco Skin Wisdom Revitalising Fruit Peel Off Face Mask

I love any kind of peel off masks, I love sticking one on and then spending ages picking it off(lol)...sad I know!! I spend ages trying to get as much off in one go...much to my poor child's dismay..screaming at his momma to stop..he thought my face was falling off...!!

This mask is available at Tesco for just 1.49euro. Now Tesco is not exactly renowned for its skincare, but it should be -- especially its Barbara Daly and Skin Wisdom ranges, which are both high on quality and low on price. The main reason for this is the woman behind it, Bharti Vyas, who is a famous holistic beauty therapist who developed the range.

The mask removes impurities and dead skin cells. It makes my skin clearer and brighter each time I use it. It's a nice alternative to using a face scrub(which I hate using)...
I think this would be great to use one a fortnight or even once a month to give your skin a boost.....
Laters...xxxx

What do your spots mean...???

Do you ever wonder if it's a coincidence that when you're hormonal you break out with a juicy second head on your chin (the last thing you need at that time of month!)? Getting spots on certain parts of the face can tell you what's going on in your body .

So what exactly do spots on certain areas mean? And once you've identified what could be the cause of blemishes and flare-ups, can you treat the cause to prevent them?


Spots on the forehead :
Whilst a fringe may help to hide a blemished forehead it could also collect grease from styling products and sweat causing spots in the first place. But fringe or no fridge it could be all down to your diet.

Alot of spots can indicate that you have been doing the dog on having too much red meat, saturated fats, proteins and alcohol, so cut down on these food groups and the boozing. Try doing a bit of a detox; cutting out meat and booze in favour of fresh veggies, herbal teas and water.

Spots on the cheeks :

Cheeks can be one of the most tender areas to find a spot - and the hardest to deal with so try addressing the cause.
Spots on the cheeks maybe the result of too much meat, sugar and dairy products.

Spots on the jawline :
These spots are again diet related. Spots on the jawline can indicate congestion in the large intestine, often caused by heavily processed foods.

Processed foods can mean anything from ready meals to biscuits so think about what you're eating. I have started get getting these recently..but I think that is because I've started living in the biscuit aisle of Aldi...ohhh but they are yummyyyyy!!!

Spots on the chin :
Few girls don't get a spot (or four!) once a month that makes your chin feel like its set to explode but ‘period spots' are not products of our paranoia, they really can be hormonally related.

Spots on the chin generally relates to hormonal fluctuations often at period or ovulation time. Unfortunately there's little you can do about this, unless it's a very bad problem in which case discuss it with your doctor.


To treat spots the advice remains the same as ever - try hard NOT to squeeze or pick them with dirty fingers and use a medicated products to treat and conceal.

Laters...xxxx