Danielle's Beauty Blog

 

Welcome back! I’m on a roll with blog posts at the minute thanks to a bank holiday weekend and some time off work for wisdom teeth extractions so trying to make use and get my empties up! Onto the mini reviews! (Ignore the mess I made of my background – sticky back plastic gone wrong!)

 

Haircare

Dove Dry Shampoo

Works well to refresh my hair and is affordable when on offer so would repurchase!

 

Batiste Plant Powered Dry Shampoo

As someone who usually avoids the classic Batiste as it’s my least favourite dry shampoo I was pleasantly surprised by this! Worked well on my dark hair, no white cast and definitely dulled down the grease! I have others I prefer so not a repurchase!

 

Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin 1 Shampoo for normal to slightly dry hair RRP $55*

Love this shampoo! It contains SLS and is lightly scented and smells amazing! It lathers well and makes my scalp and hair feel clean without drying it out. Despite being formulated for dry hair (I have an oily scalp and dry ends), this doesn’t weigh my hair down and it makes it feel soft and look shiny! Read my full review here! Would repurchase even though it’s pricey as it lasted ages and made washing my hair a good experience!

JVN Complete Air Dry Cream

This smoothed my hair and tamed flyaways but I am a serial blow dryer and straightener so I can’t say much for how it helps hair settle as it airdries! The main thing I look for in a hair product is heat protection which this doesn’t have so not a repurchase for me though I do have another mini to use! 

 

Bodycare

Olay Collagen Body Lotion

This was a nice lightweight lotion that sank in quickly and moisturised well. I have other body lotions I prefer the scent of and that are more affordable so not a repurchase for me!

 

Naturium Bio-Lipid Restoring Body Lotion

I really liked this! It’s thick but sank in quickly and kept my body well moisturised. The only bad things are the fact I went through it so quickly and I would prefer a scented product! A good price for the amount you get and often on offer. I have other more affordable moisturisers I like just as much but this was a treat so I would repurchase!

 

Lush Rose Jam Shower Gel

Love this and it lasted so long for me! I find it pricey so it’s usually a birthday or Christmas present to myself but worth every penny as it smells incredible and feels so good to clean my skin with! Will repurchase!

 

Cetraben Cream RRP £6.05*

A great cream to have in your stash for dry patches or itchy/sensitive skin! Will repurchase!

 

Lancaster Golden Tan Maximiser

A mini and I only got one use out of it so I can’t say much for the effects but it smelts good and sank in quickly! Not a repurchase! 

 

Skincare

Dear, Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil

More affordable than the Dermalogica Precleanse and feels just as luxurious though this one has no scent. It spreads easily, removes makeup with ease, emulsifies, doesn’t sting my eyes and leaves my skin feeling clean and hydrated with no film left behind! Will repurchase! Full review here!

 

Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner RRP $66*

Really enjoyed this toner! It has a lovely thick formula and helped smooth and plump my skin. On the pricey side so not a repurchase for me! Full review here!

 

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

This is a cult product for a reason! Felt very soothing and hydrating but I did get bored of it as it’s in a 100ml bottle! Good value for money so would repurchase in the future! Full review here!

 

Dermalogica Precleanse RRP £49*

A luxurious citrus scented oil cleanser that turns into a milky emulsion when you add water. This lasted me a long time and I enjoyed it but there are other oil and balm cleansers I enjoy more that are a lot more affordable so not a repurchase for me! Full review here!

 

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6

Another cult classic and another product I enjoyed! I felt zero irritation with this and woke up to smooth, plump skin with my fine lines less noticeable. Would repurchase but in the higher concentration!

 

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice and Probiotics SPF50+

I loved this so much I used it every day until it was finished and didn’t even get time to feature it in a blog or instagram post! It feels so lightweight, left no whitecast on my skin and sank in quickly leaving a great base for makeup. My skin felt protected, my eyes didn’t water and I can’t recommend it enough! Will repurchase 100% but I have a lot of other SPF’s to finish first!

 

Avant Brightening and De-Puffing Hyaluronic overnight Eye Recovery Mask

Another love! I think I got this in a beauty box and it’s pricey! The formula is lovely, it feels very hydrating and sinks in quickly and doesn’t pill around my eyes like some eye creams can. It’s not a miracle worker at brightening or depuffing my eye bags but I have been impressed! Sadly, not a repurchase right now because of the cost!

 

Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum RRP £145*

A nice formulation but this oxidised quickly on me I think because it’s in a 59ml bottle! It contains lactic acid as well as Vitamin C and worked nicely to brighten and smooth my skin! Not a repurchase as there are others I prefer!

 

Skinceuticals Serum 10 AOX+ RRP $118*

I really didn’t want to like this because of the price but it worked really well for my skin! This is more of an introductory Vitamin C serum containing 10% pure vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) and 0.2% ferulic acid. With daily use it lasted me just over 3 months and my skin looked even, brighter and fine lines were less noticeable. Would repurchase on offer but I do have a couple of their other Vitamin C’s to try first!

 

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA

I actually use this more on the back of my arms to target KP than my face but it works well on both! Very smoothing but I prefer the 10% and I have a back up of that so wouldn’t repurchase the 5% again!

 

Scientia After Facial Glow RRP £39 for duo*

This is part of a duo set with the tri action peel and is a polyglutamic acid serum to plump, hydrate and smooth skin. Worked well but only 15ml and I don’t believe you can buy it separately so not a repurchase for me!

 

Versed Zero-G Smoothing Eye Cream RRP $24.99*

Loved this and it was perfect for daytime for me under makeup as it gave me a really good base with no pilling! It has a subtle illuminating effect so looks brightening as well as being hydrating! Will repurchase!

 

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Mango

Love the lip sleeping mask and this was the first flavour other than original I've tried! It’s super hydrating and perfect for overnight. The scent was nice but I prefer the OG berry so not a repurchase but I already have a berry back up anyway!

 

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream

Loved this! Worked really well as a daytime moisturiser for me on some trips I had this summer and kept my skin hydrated and supported! Would repurchase if on offer!  

 

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream

Another nice cream, I used this at night on my trips and liked it but not as much as the CEO, so not a repurchase!

 

COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

Loved having these in my stash, they come in different sizes and worked well to reduce some bigger spots! Have a backup already! 

 

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Mask RRP £42 for 5 pack*

Love using these when I have an event or big day out planned, they feel nicely hydrating and help brighten and plump the skin around my eyes! Pricey so not a repruchase!

 

Burt’s Bees Advanced Relief Lip Repair RRP $10.49*

This was nicely hydrating and gave a nice shine to my lips but it also has quite a lot of slip so I didn’t find it the longest lasting lip product! I have another one but I wouldn’t repurchase!

 

Burt’s Bees Dragonfruit Lemon Lip Balm RRP $6.99*

I usually stick with the original mint flavour but this was a nice change and had a lovely sweet scent! The formula is one of my favourite lip balm formulas so this is a great option for no fuss hydration but the original is still my fave so not a repurchase!

 

Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Exfoliating Moisturiser

Loved this mini! It contains lactic and glycolic acids as well as ceramides and squalane and made my skin so soft and smooth! Would definitely repurchase, you guessed it, on a good offer!

 

Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate

I haven’t tried much Lancome at all but this serum was lovely! Very softening and brightening but I do have others I like just as much that are (a little) more affordable so not a repurchase though I have another mini and I will enjoy it! 

 

Pat McGrath Divine Skin Rose Essence

I liked this but didn’t notice much in the way of benefits as the bottle is so small and I find essences to be one of the skincare products I neglect most often so not a repurchase! 

 

Makeup

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara

Loved this! I’ve been struggling with mascaras recently that say they are waterproof and I still get smudging under one eye in a matter of hours but not with this one! It gives me such good volume, separation and length and there is no smudging or flaking! Have already repurchased!

 

Charlotte Tilbury Superstar Lips in Pillow Talk

One of my favourite tinted lip balms! This is so hydrating, long lasting and a beautiful pinky nude shade! I have way too many lip products to get through but I already repurchased this as I love it so much! See my full review here!

 

NARS Afterglow Lip Balm in Orgasm

Another great tinted lip balm option but this one is less long lasting and not as pigmented at the Charlotte Tilbuty! Orgasm is probably my least favourite NARS shade so this is not a repurchase but I did repurchase in the shade Dolce Vita and I would recommend Fast Lane too! 

 

Miscellaneous

Purely Inspired Collagen Peptides x2

Love these, I think they really help with my joints so have already repurchased!

 

Boka Ela Mint Toothpaste

Bit of a random one but I recently started using a nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste at night (and a fluoride based one in the morning) and I’ve been enjoying it! It helps remineralize and fortify teeth and I’ve already repurchased!

 

Congrats as always if you made it through all those, I hope to have another bumper edition before the end of the year! Have you tried anything I’ve mentioned? Let me know your thoughts!

 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me.

All opinions are my own. Affiliate links used.

See my full disclosure here.

 

Danielle xx

 

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Happy New Year! I have a quick little series on my best beauty discoveries from last year coming so will get makeup and haircare up soon but first, my skincare picks! I usually also have body care but I didn’t try many new things this year so my old favourites are the same! As always, these aren’t necessarily all new releases but they were new to me this year! 

 

Starting with cleansers, and I have really been enjoying the Dear Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil RRP $30 as a first cleanse. It spreads easily, removes makeup with ease, emulsifies, doesn’t sting my eyes and is affordable! I don’t get any scent from it and it leaves my skin feeling clean and hydrated with no film left behind! For my second cleanse or morning cleanse, I have been reaching for the Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser RRP £43*. This one lightly lathers and feels gentle despite containing physical as well as chemical exfoliants and has really been helping to keep my skin smooth and give me a good base for the rest of my skincare and makeup application! 

 

Toner wise, the Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner RRP £40* really stood out to me. It’s a lovely, thick, milky formula that my skin has been drinking up! It is acid free and contains niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides and ingredients to exfoliate and help minimise the look of pores. My skin looks smooth and plump while using this and it’s definitely made me want to try more CT skincare! See more in my Summer Standouts post here!

 

Moving onto serums and the Bondi Sands Skincare Thirsty Skin Hyaluronic Acid RRP £8.99* was my favourite HA this year. It’s a gel formula so a little thicker than a standard serum and it spreads easily over my skin leaving it feeling soft and supple, locking in moisture and plumping and filling out my fine lines! As well as HA, it also contains glycerin and it has a great price and cute packaging, definitely one to try! See my full review here!

 

I’ve also really enjoyed the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence RRP £24 for hydration as well. Since moving back to Canada that’s been top of my skincare needs list! This has an interesting texture that looks like it’s going to be sticky but it’s not at all. While I wouldn’t quite put it into the cult status as a lot of people have, it is a great hydrator and smoother and I have really appreciated having it in my routine this winter!

 

The Theramid Ceramide Treatment RRP $52* is a thick serum that contains ceramides, antioxidants, cica and glycerin and has been a perfect buffer for me under retinol keeping my skin hydrated and protected! It provides extra comfort to my skin in winter and I am so impressed with this brand, I will do a full review on the products I was sent soon but this one is the standout!

 

The Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum RRP £82* is probably my favourite skincare find of this year! Initially, I was worried about the addition of glycolic acid in case it caused irritation but I’m happy to say it hasn’t. This is a powerhouse antioxidant serum and after struggling with Vitamin C formulas that help brighten but don’t do much for specific areas of pigmentation, this worked better than I thought possible. The inclusion of glycolic acid gently exfoliates, making my skin smoother and helping ensure effective Vitamin C delivery. The Vitamin C in question is L-ascorbic acid, known for being the most effective as well! The serum itself has a light citrus scent and absorbs quickly and I have noticed stubborn pigmentation really lifting with consistent use! My skin is also much brighter and more even and despite being the priciest of the items I am featuring today it really has made a difference and my first bottle lasted months, so I think it’s worth the investment! Read more here!

 

Onto moisturisers and The Inkey List Omega Water Cream RRP $14.49* was my summer moisturiser of choice! It’s a lightweight, water-based gel that contains three omegas to help prevent water loss as well as glycerin and niacinamide. It sinks in quickly leaving no white residue behind (I’m looking at you Vitmain B, C and E moisturiser), works well under makeup and my skin feels hydrated all day long. Definitely the best moisturiser The Inkey List do! Read moreabout it here!

 

Something a bit heavier now and the Murad Intense Recovery Cream RRP £78* is my nightly moisturiser of choice this year! It is the ultimate comfort blanket for stressed out, dehydrated, sensitive skin and contains shea better, macadamia oil and microalgae extract to provide deep moisturisation and smooth the look of stress lines as well as reducing redness and irritation. My skin was really playing up at the start of last year and was red, inflamed, itchy and flaky and this came to the rescue! It feels instantly soothing on stressed skin and is so comforting! It reduced my redness as well as hydrating my skin and getting it back to normal. It feels like more of a balm than a cream and it melts into skin keeping it hydrated and protected overnight, a must have for sensitive skin! 

 

Finally, my favourite SPF of last year was the Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 RRP £66*. This is a mineral sunscreen that shields against UVA, UVB, pollution and digital blue light damage. The formula is lightweight and has a peachy tint that is easily worked into the skin leaving no white cast (I have pale skin for reference). It sits well over the rest of my skincare as well as under makeup and I love that its SPF 50, my skin feels protected and the formula is beautiful, I haven’t found any difficulty rubbing in or pilling issues either! Read more here!

 

So that brings us to the end of my best skincare discoveries of this year! Did you see any of your favoruites? Let me know what products you loved this year! 

 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me.

All opinions are my own. Affiliate links used.

See my full disclosure here.

 

Danielle xx

 

If you want to keep up to date with my posts, don’t forget to follow me on

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