Following on from my recent current cleansers post a couple of months ago, I thought it was about time to talk about
my current toners too!
First up, the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner RRP $24.36 and this was part of a large K Beauty
order I did just as I got back to Canada last year! It’s enriched with
fermented black rice and bamboo shoot extracts as well as hyaluronic acid and
beta glucan so its anti-oxidising as well as hydrating. The texture is watery
and I find it very calming. It hydrates my skin well but I do prefer the
Pyunkang Yul Essence toner which I will talk about later in this post!
I got the full size Fenty Skincare Fat Water RRP $46 after enjoying the mini so much! This one contains niacinamide
which helps reduce the appearance of dark spots, even skin tone, and fight
excess shine, Barbados cherry which is full of vitamin C and witch hazel to
reduce oil. The texture really is that of “fat water” and it’s also nicely
hydrating. With consistent use it’s helped the overall tone of my skin but the
packaging is not my favourite! It’s hard to get the product out and the lid can
get a little messy!
I’ve just finished the Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner RRP $66* and I really enjoyed it. It won’t be a
repurchase as the price point is a little high for me but it’s a lovely, thick,
milky formula. It’s acid free and contains niacinamide, hyaluronic acid,
peptides and trademark ingredients Exfolactive to exfoliate and Poretight to
help minimise the look of pores. Overall, my skin has been looking smoother,
plumper, and generally more radiant!
Next, I have the Versed Weekend Glow Brightening Solution RRP $25* and this one contains a four-acid complex
with lactic, glycolic, azelaic, and kojic acids plus Vitamin C. It’s gentle
enough to use every day and helps brighten uneven skin tone and fade hyperpigmentation.
It also has a fun push down mechanism to get the product on your face pad. This
is one of the newer toners to my collection but I am enjoying it so far!
Now onto two repeat offenders when it
comes to toners in my collection! Pixi Glow Tonic RRP $20* is a cult
classic for a reason and is a staple in my collection! It contains 5% glycolic
acid as well as ginseng and aloe vera for hydration. As well as dissolving dead
skin cells, it diminishes signs of sun damage, fine lines and scarring, smooths
uneven texture and never dries my skin out. It’s popular for a reason and one
of my favourite toners! Can we also take a minute for the personalised label –
a real pinch me moment for me with beauty PR!
Finally, the Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner RRP $15.95 which contains just seven ingredients including Astragalus
Membranaceus Root Extract and Arginine, filling it with vitamins, minerals and
antioxidants to moisturise and replenish the skin barrier. It’s thicker than a
normal toner, feels very gel like and is so gentle and hydrating. It is perfect
for when my skin is feeling sensitive and dry and my skin just drinks this up!
That’s my current roundup! Let me know if
you have tried any of these and what you thought! If you want to read about
more toners the other posts in this series are here – One, Two, Three, Four!
It’s been quite a while since I’ve done a
roundup of the cleansers in my current skincare rotation so here’s what on my
bathroom counter right now!
Starting with my evening or first cleanse,
I have the cult classic Dermalogica Precleanse RRP £49*.This is my
second bottle of this (see my original review here) and I got on a lot better
this time round! It feels luxurious and has a citrus scent but while I found
this too strong near my eyes last time, I didn’t experience it this time round!
I will preface that by saying I always use the Nivea Express Waterproof eye
makeup remover so I don’t tend to rub this over my eyes anyway but I had no
stinging and I got very close! I tend to wash off with a facecloth but you can
add water to turn this into a milky emulsion to cleanse further! I was shocked
to see this has gone up almost £10 from my original review in 2019 and while
this is on the more expensive side it has lasted me a long time as the oil spreads
easily meaning you don’t need a lot so it’s worth the investment if you want a
treat! It contains Vitamin E and Rice Bran Extract to
moisturize and soften skin, Kukui Nut Oil and Borage Seed Oil as well as
skin-barrier-supportive omega-3 fatty acids and Apricot Kernel Oil which nourishes
and soothes irritated skin.
Dear, Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing
Oil RRP $30 CAD is my other current PM cleanser and I have been loving it! More
affordable than the Dermalogica Precleanse but feels just as luxurious though
this one has no scent. It contains black sesame oil, blackcurrant seed oil and jojoba
seed oil which are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and moisturising! 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!
Moving onto my AM and second cleansers
now and the Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser RRP £43* made it into my
best beauty discoveries of 2022! It contains salicylic, lactic and glycolic
acids as well as physical exfoliants in the form of biodegradable jojoba beads.
I use this 2-3 times a week when I want a really good exfoliation as it helps
the rest of my skincare absorb and it gives me a good base for the rest of my
skincare and makeup application! Despite feeling “scrubby” it doesn’t feel harsh
or make my skin red or dry.
Similarly, the Burt’s Bees Refining Cleanser RRP $16.99 CAD* is also on the scrubby side of things. This cleanser
is part of their bakuchiol skin renewal line and as well as bakuchiol, contains
vitamin E to moisturise and natural exfoliators to smooth and refine skin. This
one feels a touch more gentle than the Murad so could be used every day and is effective
at cleansing my skin and leaving it well prepped for my next steps!
The Biotherm Cera Cleanser Cream to
Foam RRP $38 CAD* took me a while to get used to but has become a favourite.
It lathers up more than any other cleanser I think I have tried before and
leaves me with a “squeaky” clean feeling. I shouldn’t really have been surprised
– the clue is in the name - cream to foam! It is soap free and contains bioceramides,
niacinamide and life plankton and while leave my skin feeling squeaky clean and
soft, it never feels dry or tight. I haven’t been using much niacinamide in my
routine recently but I like having it in the cleanser for brightening. I also
love the scent though I know some people don’t like added scent! This is fresh
like the ocean!
Finally, I have the Versed Wash it Out Gel Cleanser RRP $17.99 USD* which is a lightweight gel containing rosewater,
seaweed extract and ceramides. It doesn’t lather up as much as the Biotherm but
still makes my skin feel cleansed and soft. It does have a strong scent of mint
however this doesn’t make my eyes steam at all! It feels the most basic of all
the cleansers here but my skin has been enjoying it! I am wondering if it has
been reformulated recently as the latest ingredients don’t say anything about
mint oil but mine does so bear that in mind!
I seem to be back on a roll with finishing
my products so long may it continue! I would say something else like long time
no see, but, I feel like every blog post I write recently says that so I am
just accepting the sporadic inspiration to post!
Bodycare
Vaseline Dry Skin Repair
Love this, smells to fresh and clean and
moisturises my body well. I got a jumbo pack in Costco so I have another one to
get through, but I will repurchase in the future as well!
Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream
One of my faves! Smells amazing and makes
my skin so soft and smooth! Already have a back up!
Lush Snow Fairy
A yearly treat to myself and this lasts a
long time! I love the scent but I know it’s very sweet and sickly to others but
I will repurchase at Christmas again!
Nivea Smooth Hands & Nail Care
Love this hand cream, very lightly
scented and sinks in straight away leaving my hands smooth and hydrated! Will
repurchase!
Haircare
TRESemme Volume Clean Dry Shampoo
Works really well to give me an extra day
out of my hair on a budget! Already repurchased!
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
Works really well to give me 2-3 days
extra out of my hair! As well as volume and a bit more life. It’s a bit pricier
but worth it in my opinion! Full review here! Already repurchased!
Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-Powder
Enjoyed this but a bit of a faff so I’ve
had it for ages. Worked well to add some volume into my hair but I usually used
it alongside a normal dry shampoo as it’s a powder and I didn’t want to put it
on my main parting! Not a repurchase!
Skincare
CosRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Love this! Works well to smooth my skin
but I use it mostly as a spray on the backs of my arms as it helps KP and makes
my arms t-shirt ready for summer! Full review here! Will repurchase!
Nivea Express Eye Makeup Remover
A constant in my empties, this stuff is
incredible at removing waterproof eye makeup and I can’t be without it! I have
4 backups in my stash as my mum recently came to visit and it’s a lot cheaper
in the UK! Full review here! Forever repurchased!
EVY Daily Defence Face Mousse SPF 50
Really enjoyed this though I found it
quite messy even when I rubbed it in my hands before spreading on my face like
the brand said! I’ll forgive it though as it sinks in quickly, doesn’t dry out
my skin and sits so well under makeup while protecting my skin! Will repurchase
in the future!
Dr Jart Ceramidin Cream
Another long term fave! This is possibly
my favourite moisturiser as it’s so nourishing and hydrating yet lightweight
enough for during the day! It sits perfectly under makeup and is a staple in my
skincare stash! Full review here! Already repurchased!
Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask
I was pleasantly surprised by this after
initially finding it a bit boring/basic! It’s a lovely creamy overnight
moisturiser that contains shea butter, squalane, panthenol and glycerin and it feels
rich and soothing and nourishes my skin leaving it plump the next morning! Will
repurchase when I finish a few other overnight moisturisers!
Biotherm Cera Repair Barrier Cream*
Loved this for daytime use as it sat so
well under makeup. It contains Biotherm’s famous life plankton to trigger skin’s
self-regeneration as well as bioceramides to strengthen and repair the skins
barrier. My skin felt soft and soothed and even though it feels like a thick formula
it sinks in straight away and I found I wasn’t getting flaky around my nose by
midday like with some other moisturisers! The only negative for me was that I went
through it so quickly as this was a 30ml and it’s on the pricier side! Would repurchase
on offer!
Murad Nutrient Charged Water Gel*
Another great moisturiser, this one feels
more lightweight so I saved it for summer! It’s made up of vitamins and minerals
(silicon, iron, zinc, copper and magnesium) and peptides to smooth skin, reduce
the appearance of fine lines, improve tone and texture and restore the skins
barrier. A little goes a long way with this one and like it promises, my skin
feels and looks plump, smooth and hydrated, fine lines are less visible and it
provides a lovely base for makeup, working well with any SPF I put over top! Full review here! Would repurchase on offer!
NIOD Survival 0*
This one needs no introduction and I have
featured it a few times on the blog over the years! It’s an antioxidant,
reparative serum targeting damage caused by environmental stressors like
pollution, smog and blue light. The formula is lightweight, and it’s an orange-y
colour that absorbs easily and has a faint herbal scent (I use at night).
Overtime, this reduces photo damage and I have noticed my skin tone is
healthier overall. It also feels hydrating (includes glycerin and squalane) and
layers well with other skincare! Already have a back up! Full review here!
Theramid Derma-Peptides*
A trio of Niche Beauty Lab must haves
next, starting with the Derma-Peptides! This is a multi-peptide serum
containing a mix of Matrixyl’s and bio peptides to improve visual signs of
aging, boost collagen and elastin, reduce fine lines and encourage smoother
looking skin. The results are subtle but very much worth adding to your
routine, I think peptides are so underrated! My skin feels smooth and supported
with consistent use! Would repurchase!
Theramid Ceramide Treatment*
My go to on retinal nights as this contains
ceramide, ectoin and cica and keeps my barrier supported! It’s a thick serum
that feels more like a lightweight moisturiser and it works so well to keep my
skin hydrated and protected. I absolutely love this product, and if you ever
suffer from a compromised skin barrier, it's a must-have.
Transparent Lab Protect + Correct Serum*
This is an antioxidant serum containing
Vitamin A, C, E, Ferulic Acid and Resveratrol. It aims to improve the overall
appearance of the skin while helping to prevent the appearance of new wrinkles.
I am a big fan of antioxidants and while you can’t always see their effects
straight away, I am confident they are working in the background and protecting
my skin! With consistent use my skin looks and feels more even! Would repurchase!
Full review of all three products plus one I haven’t finished yet here!
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
This was a lovely creamy moisturiser I used
during the day as it sank in so well and didn’t cause pilling with my SPF. I
find Tatcha on the pricy side so not a repurchase for me but I do have another mini
of this to enjoy!
Barry M Bubblegum Lip Scrub
Loved this! I am gutted as I think they have
discontinued their lip scrubs or at least in the flavours I liked but this was
so affordable and “scrubby” yet gentle so perfect for me to exfoliate my lips
with every day! Would repurchase!
Institute Esthederm Intensive Hyaluronic
Nice but such a tiny sample I can’t say
much! Not a repurchase!
Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer
This is the second one of these I have
been through and I love it! So hydrating and smoothing on my lips, leaving them
glossy and nourished for a long time. Will repurchase!
Burt’s Bees Lip Balm
My go to affordable lip balm! Hydrated
and smoothing and so handy to have in my pocket or bag! Already repurchased!
Clarins Lip Oil in Honey
Love this, so glossy and hydrating! I have
found it’s not as long lasting on my lips in Canada as it’s so dry where I live
compared to when I first tried it at home but I still love it even though I
have to reapply more often! Would repurchase but I already have a full size to get
through! Full review here!
Dr Dennis Gross Universal Daily Peel
Love these! So smoothing yet hydrating and
they really help even my skin tone and make it look more radiant! Again, a
little pricey so not a repurchase for me when I have other products that do a
similar job but I love when I get these as samples!
Makeup
Revlon Colourstay Foundation for
Oily/Combo skin in Buff
My favourite drugstore foundation! Full
coverage and long lasting, I have a full review here! Already repurchased!
Miscellaneous
Purely Inspired Collagen Peptides x3
Affordable and effective, I love these
for helping my joints and I hope they make my skin look better too!
Yay! You made it to the end! Let me know if
you have tried any of the products I’ve mentioned and what you thought!
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