Thursday, 4 May 2017

Rediscovering Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula review

I think at some point or another everyone has had a bottle or a tub of Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula in some form in their collection. I know I certainly have so when I was recently contacted to see if I wanted to try a few products I couldn’t wait to rediscover the brand!

One of Palmer’s most well-known products to me is their Natural Bronze Instant Self Tanner* RRP £8.99. I went through a few bottles of the gradual version back in the day when I first got into fake tanning but then moved onto darker lotions so I was excited to see how this compared. First off, the scent of all Palmer’s products is instantly recognisable to me and so nostalgic for all the right reasons!

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze Instant self tanner review swatch

The first thing I noticed about the self-tanner when I pumped it out was that it has a tint to it which is always helpful! I pop some on a mitt and rub into my skin and then leave overnight – I don’t fully understand why this is called instant because I would expect something darker if it was but overnight this develops into the most beautiful natural looking tan! I personally prefer a darker tan so I will use this two nights in a row and the colour I am left with is perfect for me! It’s a medium tan that’s beautifully even and streak free and lasts all week! As it’s so moisturising it doesn’t dry out my skin at all and it doesn’t look patchy or mottled towards the end of its wear. I’m so impressed with this and it’s all I’ve been wearing since I got it! If you want a moisturising, long-lasting, easily buildable natural tan then you need this in your life! 

I’ve included a few unedited photos of my arm without tan, with one overnight layer and finally with two overnight layers in case you want an idea of the shade it can be built up to!  

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze Instant self tanner review

Next up is the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil* RRP £9.99 which I have seen crop up on Shireen’s blog a few times now so my interest had already been piqued! This promises to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, uneven skin tone and ageing skin with my main concerns being fine lines, pigmentation and uneven skin. The oil contains a blend of ten oils (sweet almond, sesame, coconut, macadamia nut, apricot, grapeseed, argan, rosehip, camelina and sunflower oils) to moisturise and smooth the skin, Retinol and Vitamin C to help improve and brighten skin tone and texture and Cocoa Butter so soften and even skin tone. It has a rosehip fragrance and if you’ve read my blog any length of time you’ll know I absolutely love Rosehip oil so I had very high hopes for this and I have not been left disappointed!

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil review

Although it’s an oil, it feels lightweight and absorbs quickly into my skin and I love it as the last step in my nightly routine as it’s so moisturising. In the morning my skin feels softer, smoother and my fine lines on my forehead aren’t as pronounced – yay! My skin looks plumper and feels firmer and I’ve noticed my last batch of hormonal acne and residual marks along my jawline healing and fading a lot more quickly with the use of this oil so I will definitely be keeping an eye on that over the next few months!

As there is retinol in this oil it’s recommended to always wear SPF as skin may be more sensitive so bear that in mind and the oil is also hypoalleragenic, non-comedogenic, paraben free, and dermatologist tested. The only negative I can think to say about this is that I find the bottle a little messy and I have it sitting on a piece of tissue paper as no matter how careful I am with it oil somehow always manages to drip down the bottle or get on the tip of the dropper! A small price to pay though for such a wonderful product and I’ve spent £30+ on facial oils before and not seen results with much longer use!

Lastly, I have the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Eventone Suncare SPF 30* RRP £9.99 and unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to fully test this just yet as I haven’t had the weather! Needless to say, this will be a staple for me over the summer when I finally get something booked but first impressions of the product itself are good. It’s a sheer spray with no white cast and as with all Palmer’s products it feels super moisturising. The spray comes out as a really fine mist that covers a large area of skin at a time – why have I never used one like this before? Standard sprays take ages and always seem to clog up as they get to the end but I can’t see that happening with this!

It’s formulated to leave a glowing radiant finish on the skin and I can imagine in the sun this will glisten beautifully! It transfers a little but this isn’t something I would mind if I was lying out in the sun! It does smell quite chemically when you first spray though when it settles in is isn’t strong As part of the Eventone range it’s made to prevent the formation of dark spots, uneven skin tone and premature ageing which is exactly what I look for. It’s also waterproof and it’s recommended that you apply 15 minutes before sun exposure and to reapply at least every two hours. As well as SPF 30, it also comes in SPF 50 and talking about it is making me want to go on holiday right now!

So, that’s my rediscovery of Palmer’s and boy am I impressed! As well as these products I’ve just finished their moisturising body oil which had been lost since we got the bathroom done so that will be in my empties next week!

Palmer’s is available from Boots, Superdrug, Feel Unique and most major retailers!

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here.

Danielle xx

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Monday, 1 May 2017

A Try Not to Buy Haul #3


try not to buy 3 spending ban haul

I toyed with just calling this post a collective haul but technically I am still on my version of a spending ban even though it didn’t go so well last month! Anyway, here is what I tried and failed not to buy! 

I got an email from House of Fraser a few weeks ago with their current promotions and 10% off CT is too good to pass up! Especially when you can nab a student discount code too and get a further 10% off so I took the opportunity to buy two things I’ve had on my wishlist for the longest time! Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow isn’t completely brand new to me as I do have a mini version of it in my Instant Look in a Palette but you’ll know from this post how much I love those two shades and how I don’t really rate the blushers and eyeshadows in the palette.  Although I haven’t hit pan on that palette yet, I didn’t think I would get a better offer than this so I snapped it up and I’m so glad I did!

I also picked up the Charlotte Tilbury Powder and Sculpt Brush, another item that I’ve had on my wishlist for the longest time and come close to buying but couldn’t quite justify it. I’m such a sucker for money off promotions aren’t I? Again I’m so glad I have this in my brush pot now, I have nothing like it, everything else is a lot bigger or not as tapered and this is a match made in heaven with Bronze and Glow! I might do a separate post on these two because I love them so much!

skincare haul mario badescu shiseido body shop

I made a mini Feel Unique order when they had 15% off and bought the Shiseido Ibuki Softening Concentrate as I loved the last Shiseido mini I had and read a good review of this on Naya’s blog as well as seeing Simone talking about it in her Instagram stories! I haven’t used this much yet as I’m testing a few other skincare items but I love the scent and it’s a very watery formula that is supposed to deliver moisture to the skin and leave it with a softer, smoother feel! I’ve enjoyed it the few times I’ve used it so I’m sure it will pop up again soon!

I bought The Body Shop Skin Defence Multi-Protection Essence SPF 50 last month when The Body Shop had their 40% offer on because I thought I had heard good reviews and I liked how lightweight it sounded. I’ve taken an instant dislike to it though because it smells like raw vodka when I’m rubbing it on my face so I’ve literally used it twice! I’ll try it again before deciding whether to pass on to my mum or not!

Beauty Bay was my next stop and with the introduction of a few new highlighters to my collection, I wanted to add a new brush! Ideally I would have got the Real Techniques fan brush because I have a feeling it would be a good size for my face and looks duo fibre so I could easily build intensity. However, it’s only available in a set and I already have the other two brushes. Instead I bought the Zoeva 137 Petite Fan Brush because I thought that though it looked a little smaller that the RT and I could work with it. How wrong I was, this is a lash separating brush which works fine when you have no mascara in but when you do it’s not strong enough to brush through! Waste of money!

To get the free delivery I also bought the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea as my Aloe Herbs and Rosewater one is almost out and whats one more facial mist in my collection. So far I’m loving this, its hydrating and calming and smells like my Gerard Cosmetics Green Tea setting spray!

yu ling jade roller medium review

Cult Beauty then did 15% off and I of course could not pass this up as they never seem to do them so again I went and had a look at my account wishlist and added a few things. I’ve heard good things about the Yu Ling Jade Medium Facial Roller and even though it’s expensive, curiosity got the better of me. My skin can be quite congested at times around my chin and I get hormonal breakouts on my jawline so I’m hoping this has a positive effect! I’ve using this most nights since getting and it’s a nice step in my routine, I usually spray a mist and then start rolling in an upwards motion and it’s very relaxing and refreshing. Will get back to you if it calms my skin down anymore! 

After my disaster with the Zoeva brush I picked up this Morphe M310 Large Soft Fan Brush and I’m loving it! I toyed with getting the Zoeva Luxe Fan Brush but it wasn’t included in the offer so Morphe won out! This one is a little stiffer than my other Morphe fan brush and its puts the perfect amount of highlighter on my face every time.

charlotte tilbury bronze and glow becca flowerchild

Lastly, I got myself the Becca Mineral Blush in Flowerchild which wasn’t actually on my list and I can’t  quite remember why I decided to get it but I am so glad I did! This along with CT Bronze and Glow have been the only products gracing my cheeks this week and I love it! The packaging is gorgeous and the blush itself is a beautiful peachy pink with subtle highlights and it’s really easily buildable. The formula is so smooth and I’m already looking at their other shades even though I shouldn’t!

There we have it, a very unsuccessful try not to buy challenge for me this month but one that’s made me feel great all the same! I feel like a junkie getting that next hit but I think I should be OK for a while now!

If you like this post you might also like installments 1 and 2! Let me know what you’ve been hauling lately or if you have tried anything I mentioned!

Danielle xx

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Thursday, 27 April 2017

Skincare Review | French Pharmacy Favourites

French Pharmacy Favourites Escentual

I’ve been getting a lot of promotional emails from Escentual at the minute about their French Pharmacy month so I thought I’d chat today about my favourite French Pharmacy brands and products before the up to 1/3 off offer is over this Sunday!

Klorane ultra gentle haircare review

I was introduced to this brand just before Christmas and I absolutely love how gentle it is! The shampoo is a lot more watery than any other brands I’ve tried and lathers up better on the second wash. My hair always feels super soft and looks shiny when I use these but what I’m most impressed about with these is how much less tangled my hair is! I’ve never used anything that makes it as easy to brush through as when I use this! The scent is really gentle too and not overly perfumed and the range is so gentle it can be used on all ages!  

I’d never tried a dry shampoo for dark hair until this and I’m impressed. It doesn’t spray tinted but I leave it for two minutes like its recommended then give it a quick rub into my scalp and brush through and my once greasy second day hairs looks shiny again with no white cast! I love the scent of this too; it’s really refreshing and instantly recognisable as Klorane!

eucerin complete repair intensive lotion review

I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about this countless times but I can’t be without it in my body care stash! It’s not a fancy moisturiser but I sometimes get itchy legs at the most random times for no reason whatsoever and this is the only thing that calms my scratching down and offers me relief! It also helps with any dry skin patches I get and it’s so basic but 100% effective and another product I always stock up on!

french pharmacy skincare facourites la roche posay vichy avene

This is a really refreshing, calming spray that I use either as a toner or just after toning my face before applying moisturiser. It works really well with my blemish prone skin and targets excess oiliness as well without drying my skin out!

This is another old favourite of mine and one I have went more bottles than I care to remember! It’s so hydrating, lightweight and smoothing and I think everyone should have this in their stash!
It sinks in really quickly and I always go back to this as it works so well with my oily/combo skin! I talked about it in this Forever Repurchased post too!

Avene TriAcneal currently £17.25
Excuse the really old packaging of this and I’ve probably had it longer than is recommended but a little goes a long way and I don’t like throwing out things when they still work! This helps dry out spots without drying out the skin around it and is something I always go back to when I have a stubborn spot that just won’t budge! I’ve linked the newer version which I haven’t tried but I’m sure it’s just as good and I really like the Cleanance range from Avene in general!

That’s it for my French Pharmacy favourites! I’m trying to save money at the minute (it’s not going well this month!) but it’s so tempting to stock up when Escentual do this 1/3 off promotion! Definitely take advantage of it if you want to try anything new!

If you liked this post you might also like my post on the Best UK Beauty Sites and how to save!

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here.

Danielle xx

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Monday, 24 April 2017

Skincare | BeautyRX by Dr. Schultz


BeautyRX by Dr. Schultz skincare review

Recently, I was asked if I’d like to try some products from the BeautyRX by Dr. Schultz line and being the skincare junkie that I am, I couldn’t resist! The brand was formed by Dr. Neal Schultz; an NYC dermatologist with over 35 years’ experience best known for his award winning, gentle but effective glycolic exfoliants, in order to offer them to people who couldn’t see him at his practice!

Although the brand is known for its chemical exfoliants, I went with a few products that I was running out of to see how they fared on my oily/combo, acne prone skin and after testing them out over the last 4 weeks here’s what I think!

This is an alcohol free toner and makeup remover that’s formulated for normal, dry and combination skin. It contains Sodium PCA which attracts water molecules to the skin to help maintain hydration as well as Cypress tree bark extract, a natural astringent that leaves skin feeling fresh. I generally don’t mind alcohol in my skincare but toner is the one product I like to be alcohol free and this fits the bill perfectly.

BeautyRX by Dr. Schultz clarifying toner skincare review

This is great at removing any leftover makeup or dirt from my face after cleansing (I always miss bits on my neck and near my ears!) and feels really refreshing. It doesn’t leave any residue on my skin but does leave my skin feeling soft and ready for the next step in my routine.

Its different to any other toner packaging I have in that it comes in a spray bottle which I love because I waste less product – I find 6-7 sprays onto a cotton pad is perfect for me and you can spray this onto your face during the day too if you wish – the mist is very fine and sprays evenly so its brilliant if you want a refresh! I do detect a light fragrance with this which I personally love but bare that in mind if you like fragrance free products!

A lightweight, water based, oil free moisturiser formulated for normal, oily and combination skin, this works so well with my skin as a daily moisturiser! There are number of ingredients in this including a patented BeautyRX compound called Triantiox – a hydrator that helps to replace depleted moisture and visibly improve the complexion. Other key ingredients include glycerin which helps maintain the skins hydration, lavender extract to soothe irritation and protect skin from the harsh environment and Vitamins C and E to provide antioxidant protection against free radicals helping to prevent the signs of premature ageing.

BeautyRX by Dr. Schultz skincare light rehydrating lotion review

I use a pea size amount of this every morning and there is no greasy residue whatsoever, it absorbs quickly into my skin and leaves me with a great base for makeup so I usually find myself skipping primer. You can also use this in the evening but I generally prefer a heavier moisturiser so have been saving this for the morning. I can tell already that this is going to be a staple over the summer for me when my skin tends to be on the oilier side of things – this one doesn’t have SPF but I will layer it up with another product that does!

Last but certainly not least is the Ultra Hydrating eye repair cream and this might be my favourite out of the bunch! Formulated for all skin types, this is an emollient packed; nourishing eye cream that treats and helps prevent visible signs of ageing. It works to brighten the eye area while decreasing the appearance of fine lines and improving tone and texture. Key ingredients include hyaluronic acid to improve hydration and two more BeautyRX compounds – Pentabright, to brighten and Tentrafoliant, a complex of four exfoliating ingredients (Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, and Phytic Acid) to improve texture and tone.

BeautyRX by Dr. Schultz skincare ultra hydrating eye repair cream review

This is a very rich, hydrating eye cream that is perfect for night time. I sometimes use it in the morning too but as it’s so rich I only take a tiny amount on my ring finger and pat around my eyes. Since using this, I’ve noticed my under eye area is much brighter and the sides of my eyes where I’ve recently noticed a few fine lines are much more hydrated and not as noticeable. $90 is expensive but the tub is massive so this will last ages! I know some people prefer pump packaging and that is probably the only thing that would make this a little better!

All the products are dermatologist tested and come boxed and I love the chic, white minimalistic packaging of the products themselves. The BeautyRX website is great and has a lot more information on the ingredients included within the products.

Shipping within the US is free on orders over $99 otherwise its $7.99 and they offer international shipping too though its $45 via USPS!

Overall, I am so impressed with the BeautyRX by Dr. Schultz products I had the opportunity to try and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them! None of the products broke me out and they do exactly what they say they are going to! Have you tried BeautyRX by Dr. Schultz before?

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here.

Danielle xx

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