Danielle's Beauty Blog

Finally empties time again! As usual, it seems to have taken me a while to get anything emptied then everything emptied at once! Let’s get into the mini reviews! 

 

Haircare

TRESemme Extra Hold Hairspray

Does the job! I just spritz after I straighten my hair, can’t say much for more complicated styles but it isn’t crispy and I have repurchased!

 

Living Proof Perfect hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo x2

No stranger to my empties posts and I love this dry shampoo! Soaks up oil and gives me an extra day or two out of my hair! There is no white cast or residue, and my hair feels manageable and actually looks clean! Already have multiple back ups!  

 

Bondi Boost HG Clarifying Rinse

Really enjoyed this as a prewash treatment for my scalp! It left it feeling very clarified, balanced and fresh! Would repurchase if I saw it on offer again!

 

Living Proof Triple Bond Complex

My favourite leave in treatment, this offers heat protection up to 232˚C to help prevent future breakage and leaves my hair feeling protected, smooth and manageable with a good shine and I have noticed my ends looking way healthier with less split ends even when my hair is overdue a trim! Read my full review here!

 

JVN Complete Pre-Wash Scalp Oil

Love using this to nourish and hydrate my scalp before washing and it’s just nice to have a bit of a scalp massage using it too! I notice less flakes and I’m happy with how my hair is looking and feeling. Already using my backup!

 

Living Proof Perfect hair Day High Shine Gloss

This was a bit meh for me, an extra step in my routine but I didn’t notice a difference with the shine of my hair! Not a repurchase!

 

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep Conditioning Treatment

A great pre shampoo treatment helps reduce breakage and hydrates hair. You need to use this regularly to see a difference so I haven’t seen much as it was just a mini but I know in the past when I used a full size my hair was breaking less! Would repurchase in the future if I saw a good offer! Read my full review here!

 

 

Bodycare

Nivea Repair and Care Body Lotion

Loved this, it was so soothing and hydrating and sank in quickly! It smells so fresh too, will repurchase when I finish some other moisturisers!

 

Josie Maran Body Butter in Golden Hour*

Love the formula of this body butter, it’s so hydrating and adds a gorgeous healthy glow to my skin! Golden Hour has a beautiful scent of amber, white musk and santal and this packet refilled my tub 2.5 times! Would repurchase but I think in the Topless Tangerine scent!

 

Byoma Smoothing Body Serum

This was a nice lightweight serum that softened my skin and sank in quickly! Would repurchase!

 

Rituals The Ritual of Mehr Body Mousse to Oil

Loved this, it smelt so fresh and citrusy and the scent lasted all day. It was a fun texture and made my skin soft! Would repurchase!

 

Rituals Tulip and Japanese Yuzu Hand Balm

This was a very rich formula so took quite a while to sink in and smelt quite strongly though I did like the scent! Not a repurchase as I prefer a lighter hand cream!

 

Josie Maran Pink Algae Pro-Retinol Body Butter*

This was amazing for targeting bumpy KP skin and keeping it soft and smooth and looking firmer. It contains a gentle form of Vitamin A to smooth the skin and argan oil to improve hydration and is fragrance free, feels so nourishing and got rid of dry patches quickly! Would repurchase! 

 

L’Occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream*

This is maybe the thickest body cream I have ever tried! It contains 25% shea butter, rich in omega-6 fatty acids to nourish and soften skin and despite it being so thick, it absorbed well and left a healthy sheen on my skin. It helped with dry patches and is scented of jasmine and ylang-ylang which smells strong at first but it doesn’t linger and I love the refillable aluminium packaging! Perfect for dry winter skin! Would repurchase!

 

Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Elasti-Cream

Another great moisturiser that hydrates and leaves my skin soft and supple! This one is scented with pink dragon fruit, Brazilian jasmine and vanilla. Prefer the original scent so not a repurchase! 

 

Skincare

Nivea Double Effect Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover

The best waterproof eye makeup remover there is! Always a repurchase!

 

Glow Recipe Cloudberry Bright EssenceToner*

Have found everything I’ve tried from Glow Recipe a bit blah until this which I loved! It felt cooling and was brightening and hydrating and contains Coenzyme Q10 which is antioxidant. It didn’t smell overpowering like their watermelon line but it’s only 75mls so I went through it quite quickly and it was hard to get the last quarter out but I would repurchase!

 

Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum*

One of my absolute favourite Vitamin C serums and I am so sad to be finished this! It’s an L-ascorbic acid (known for being the most effective) based serum that also contains glycolic acid to exfoliate. This makes my skin feel so smooth and helps it look clearer, brighter and even! The serum itself has a light citrus scent, absorbs quickly and stubborn pigmentation fades impressively with consistent use! I haven’t experienced any irritation with the inclusion of the glycolic acid either. This is 100% worth the money and definitely worth a try if you struggle with Vitamin C formulas that feel oily or pill as this does neither! Will repurchase! Read my full review here!

 

Clarins Double Serum

This is such a cult anti-aging serum and I can see why! It recently got reformulated, so I think this was a an older bottle but was a beautiful hydrating serum that I tended to use overnight on non-retinol nights. It felt so repairing and firming and I ma obsessed with the scent! I’m not exactly sure what the changes are to the formulation but I’m sure it's just as incredible and the new packaging looks so luxe! Would repurchase! Read my full review here!

 

Sioris Drops of Omija Calming Ampoule*

This is a beautiful, lightweight, calming serum that left my skin feeling soft and soothed. It contains cica, floral extracts as well as propanediol and trehalose for long-lasting moisture. This was great when my skin was feeling sensitised as it worked well to reduce inflammation and soothe redness! Would repurchase! Read my full review here!

 

Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Firming Eye Gel Cream

Really enjoyed this eye cream, it was lightweight and hydrating though I didn’t notice a huge difference with puffiness though I don’t with most eye cream! Would repurchase!  

 

Topicals Brightening & Clearing Serum

Never really reached for this for some reason (maybe the smell?) so I can’t say I saw much of a difference in brightening. I think they have managed to mask or change the sulphur scent since it’s been released but not a repurchase for me though it was a nice formula!

 

Augustinus Bader The Face Oil

A lovely nourishing face oil but again way out of my price range so not a repurchase!

 

Disciple Dreamy Skin

Another nice face oil but I didn’t see a huge difference in helping with discolouration. I is hydrating though and smells good! Not a repurchase right now.

 

Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2*

This is a gorgeous, ceramide filled cream that also contains cholesterol and fatty acids which are proven to refill skin lipids. It hydrated and nourished my skin as well as helping it look smoother. Worked great under makeup, kept fine lines at bay and felt super hydrating overnight too! Absolutely loved this but at $179 it’s sadly out of my price range, however if I had the disposable income it would be a repurchase for sure!

 

Farmacy Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer*

Another great moisturiser! This contains ceramides and honey and is hydrating and replenishes dry skin, smooths fine lines and sits perfectly under makeup too! It’s creamy and works equally well for both AM and PM and I love the jar it comes in too! Will repurchase! Read my full review here!

 

I’m From Mugwort Mask

This is a great, gentle wash off mask that’s perfect for sensitive and irritated skin! It instantly calms angry skin down and takes any redness out. It has a very earthy, textured gel consistency but the mugwort pieces are not abrasive at all and the slight scent is fine! It only needs to be on for 5-10 minutes to be effective and my skin always feels so soothed and calm after! Would repurchase! Read my full review here!

 

Pixi Vitamin C Energizing Infusion Sheet Mask

Patchology Illuminating Eye Gels

Evio Skin Hydrogel Eye Therapy

All three felt cooling and hydrating! I like using these up but don’t go out of my way to repurchase! 

 

Makeup

Revlon Colorstay Combination/Oily in 150 Buff

A great budget foundation that is long lasting and give medium to full coverage. Already have a backup!

 

Merit Volumizing Pomade in Brown*

Great brow product that quickly fills any sparce gaps and give some volume and hold! It leaves my brows looking natural yet groomed and the formula isn’t flaky or crispy. There is only 2.4g of product though and I held onto this a bit longer than I should have because I didn’t want to throw out the packaging but it’s been finished for a while! Would repurchase on offer! Read my full Merit review here!

 

iTCosmetics Superhero Volumizing Waterproof Mascara*

Clumpy and smudges easily, it’s a no from me! Not a repurchase!

 

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara

Have gone through quite a few of these but it also smudges on me (I have switched to tubing mascara which works much better for me!). It does separate better and give more volume than the IT Cosmetics one and I have a backup but this won’t be a repurchase!

 

Fenty Skin Hydrating and Strengthening Lip Oil in Melon Treat

Loved this, hydrating and smoothing! Possibly prefer the original cherry scent a little more and already have a back up of that one!

 

Kosas Plump + Juicy Lip Booster

Not the most long lasting lip balm and no scent so a little on the boring side. Not a repurchase!

 

Pixi Botanical Collagen Lip Gloss*

Also not the most long lasting and no scent but I preferred this one to the Kosas. Not a repurchase though!

  

 

 

Miscellaneous

Webber Naturals All Green Superfood

I take this every morning as I don’t think I get enough greens otherwise! Tastes good to me and makes me feel healthy haha already repurchased!

 

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum

Love this – I notice way less fall out in my brows and lashes when I use this consistently! Meant to add it in with the hair empties but forgot in in the picture so added it here! Would repurchase! 

 

And that’s the end of my empties for the last approximately three months! Have you tired any of these? 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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This is a post I have been meaning to do for the longest time now but then something else always comes up that I want to review or I don’t take my photos in time! I got there in the end though and today I want to talk about some of my favourite products I use to look after and strengthen my skin barrier which also work a treat if you have broken it too!

 

Your skin barrier can become damaged by a lot of things, for me it’s usually something like over exfoliation or dehydration and I experienced it right at the start of my course of Roaccutane too. It could also be due to things like sun exposure or too much tretinoin and you will be able to tell because your skin will probably feel rough and itchy and might look red or feel dry and sensitive too!

 

First things first, simplify your skincare routine and step away from actives like AHA’s, BHA’s and retinol. Cleanser wise, if I am removing makeup, I like something hydrating and balmy like the Emma Hardie Moringa cleansing balm. This feels so comforting and rich and never drags the skin, I use a soft, damp muslin or wash cloth to remove being careful not to tug my skin too much. For a second or morning cleanse I love the Cerave Hydrating Cleanser. This is a really simple gel formula containing ceramides and hyaluronic acid and my skin never feels dry or tight after use! See more about both cleansers in this dedicated post! 

 

For toner, the most gentle, hydrating formulas I have found tend to be K Beauty ones and you can’t go wrong with the Klairs Supple Preparation facial toner* (via Face the Future). It’s gel like, cooling and contains hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica so it nourishes and is anti-inflammatory too! Full review here! I love a spritz and the most gentle one I have thus far is the La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra 8 – it’s specially formulated for sensitive skin and it works to soothe and repair skin's barrier and relieve uncomfortable itching, burning and redness. More on this here!

 

 

Hyaluronic acid is a staple in my routine even when my skin isn’t feeling in need of repair and the Vichy Mineral 89* is a great option. It’s a gel texture and I apply to damp skin and it feels immediately hydrated as it gets to work plumping my skin and the feeling lasts all day! Read more here! Serum wise, Dermalogica Smart Response Serum* has been a beautiful addition to my skincare routine and one I confess I stopped using recently so I could save some for winter as that's when my skin tends to play up more. It responds to your skins changing needs to hydrate, firm, brighten and soothe depending on what it feels you require. It contains glycerin and niacinamide and instantly calms skin while feeling hydrating enough that sometimes I don’t even feel the need for moisturiser after! More on this serum here!   

 

Earlier this year, I fell in love with NIOD’s Survival 0* - an antioxidant and reparative formulation that targets damage from pollution and blue light and Modulating Glucosides*, an emulsion specifically for sensitive, irritated skin that instantly helps destress it and repair the barrier. These supported my skin so well while I was on Roaccutane and I have a full review here! On the topic of serums, I also have to mention my long term favourite Copper Amino Isolate Serum*, now on its third formula update, it’s one of my most repurchased serums and is such a good all-rounder to keep skin looking and feeling healthy, even and radiant. I am obsessed and you can read more here! 

 

Moving onto moisturisers and I really don’t think you can beat Dr Jart Ceramidin Cream. It contains five ceramides and hyaluronic acid and the cream manages to be both lightweight (so perfect under makeup) as well as rich enough for overnight! My skin drinks this stuff up and I always go back to it! It’s hydrating, soothing and restoring! A must have! If I want a little something extra I’ll add an oil on top and my current favourite is the Scientia Dusk Elixir*. It’s a mix of 23 oils, antioxidants and fatty acids and works overnight to support skin repair and recovery while plumping and hydrating! More info here! It also goes without saying that SPF is an essential for daytime protection and the La Roche Posay Anthelios Age Correct SPF 50* (via Face the Future) is formulated for sensitive skin and also packed full of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide so while protecting it works to target pigmentation too! No white cast or pilling with this either – I am so impressed!

 

Lastly, I want to mention a couple of extras I have in my routine for as and when I need them. The I’m From Mugwort Essence and mask are firm favourites and were lifesavers again when I was on Roaccutane! Mugwort is full of antioxidants, vitamin and minerals and ideal for irritated skin! They are both so calming and hydrating and I can’t recommend them enough - read more here! And, I can’t forget lips - Lanolips for me has been a constant recently and the 101 ointment is amazing, especially for overnight hydration! 

 

As you can see - I could talk about my favourite products for targeting sensitised skin all day! I would love to know what your go to products are if you have damaged your skin barrier?

 

*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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