Review| Dr Organics

Dr. Organic as the name might suggest sell organic products, which are paraben, SLS, artificial colour and fragrance free, also vegan and vegetarian. The have a number of lines including Organic Moroccan Argan Oil, Organic Manuka Honey and Organic Pomegranate among many others. As well as selling a variety of face products the brand also sells hair and body products. And the best bit – not that pricey! These 50ml jars of face cream sells for £8.49* complete in a rather expensive looking glass jar – which I love.

I came across this brand while reading a fellow blogger’s website and thought why not give it a try.

Manuka Honey Rescue Day Cream

The Dr. Organics website says this about the Manuka Honey range:
“Manuka Honey’s wonderful properties make it a powerful and effective ingredient in skincare products. As a moisturiser it restores and hydrates dry, cracked and damaged skin enhancing natural cell regeneration and improving skin tone, creating younger and softer looking skin. Manuka Honey also nourishes and revitalises the scalp and helps in maintaining healthy looking hair.”

This is a great product. This really has worked wonders for my skin, really hydrates it and leaves it so soft. You only have to use a tiny bit at a time, the first time I used it I put on far to much and ended up with really greasy skin. Being an emollient cream I find that you just need a tiny dab a little on your cheeks, chin and forhead then rub it in and after a while it sets in – a little goes a long way. So I would say that you definitely get your moneys worth. I would only reccomend this product to people with really dry skin, and even then, use it sparingly, not suitable for people with combination skin.

There were some claims when I read online about this product that it would help get rid of redness, and although it has got rid of my dry skin I still have a patch of red skin on my cupids bow. However my skin looks brighter, clear and healthy, which in my book is all fantastic I haven’t had that for a while.

Virgin Coconut Oil Nourishing Night Cream

The Dr. Organics website says this about the Organic Coconut Virgin Oil range:
“A moisture surge overnight rescue with Organic Virgin Oil. It improves firmness and tone and protects against cell damaging free radicals. It is ideal for a deep penetrating overnight hydration. Leaving the skin more supple with a youthful appearance, stimulating the contraction of collagen fibres and protects the skin support tissue.”

I wake up with a lovely complexion every morning when I use this. I was thoroughly impressed with this cream, it’s thick in the jar, making it feel luxurious and rich – it is however not as thick and the manuka honey rescue cream. But melts perfectly into the skin to give a coverage that isn’t to heavy. The jar says this is also anti-aging, but that’s something very hard to test not having many wrinkles myself.

I’ve found both of these creams really effective for my skin, I have however gotten some blemishes while using these creams but nothing major, I feel that the look and texture of my new found skin out weights this problem. I would say if you have seriously dehydrated and dry skin on your face and neck the Manuka Honey cream will be perfect for you, I only had slight dryness and this has done more than enough – although the smell isn’t my favourite thing, I think it’s a Love/Hate smell but its not big deal.

However both of these creams are on the thicker side and with summer coming I would love to try out another of their creams that is slightly lighter but that still gives great effects.

I brought these creams from my local Holland and Barratt store but you can also purchase them online (click here).

Have you tried out any of the Dr. Organics products? Let me know how you found them.

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Tried & Tested| Body Moisturisers

Another tried and tested post, here are a number of moisturisers I have in my collection. I’ve reviewed each of them in a short but sweet way. I hope you enjoy…

Diprobase Cream Emollient:

Currently this is my daily moisturiser. On a prescription from the doctor this is an emollient cream meant to help treat eczema and other dry skin conditions. It helps to moisturise and protect the skin as well as soothing and relieving dry and redness causes my skin conditions. I use everyday after having a shower of bath. I find moisturisers work better when the skin is wet because it soaks in more, in my experience; I do something find when putting moisturisers on dry skin it can make me feel dirty and the skin feel especially heavy but this can go on dry skin without irritation to the skin, and soaks in just as well as having a shower.

Aloe Vera Gel: Olea

I’d never used a gel before but when my parents were holidaying in Greece they brought this back for me by someone who recommended it the shop. Its an all natural product and came with a pamphlet that explained all about the brand. I really enjoyed using this, it hydrated my skin, helped soothe my red itchy skin and left my skin the softest its ever been. This was only a small tube – my parents didn’t know if I would react to it or not, so small is always a good to go for if its a new product – I’ve repurchased another brand of the same product, also natural and I’m seeing the same effects on my skin. Currently I put this on as I get out of the shower/bath do my face moisturising/cleansing etc and then put on my diprobase cream. My skin has never felt so good. Great Combo!!
(My new gel was from Dr. Organic which can be brought online or at Holland and Barrett and was about £5 something)

Garnier Body Intensive 7 Days

When this first came out I went online to get a sample before they all ran out and it really hydrated my skin. However personally this is better for my body and legs, where my skin is less sensitive and dry. It leaves your skin hydrated and soft. On my arms and neck where I have the bulk of my eczema and dry skin it wasn’t enough. But is is a great light moisturiser for the summer.
(This can be purchased at any local drug store for around £1.99)
Cyclax Moistura, Super Rich Moisturising Lotion

This cream was given to my by my Gran who also suffers from an itchy skin condition. I found the smell of this to be quite overpowering, its a very ‘perfumed’ fragranced cream, but it hydrates well. But like the Garnier cream this was better for my body and legs rather than my arms. It has a light smooth textures and would be great for people who just needed a little hydration in the winter months.
(This retails about £4.99 I haven’t seen it in any drug stores but it can be found online.)

Clarins Body Rich Moisturising Body Lotion

LOVE THIS LOTION! Great hydration, I love all Clarins products. I found when I first started using this it helped clear my skin, hydrated and soothed my skin and had a great scent. Its not a majorly thick cream, but in the middle of light and thick, going on very smoothy. But it is on the expensive side (£24-30) and hate over spending when I have so many other products to use up but I definitely think I will be repurchasing this product.

I Love… Raspberry & Blackberry

Another product given to me by my boyfriend. He’s always getting me things to help with my eczema, he hates watching me itch etc. it is horrible. But anyways this has a great scent – you smell like a dessert which is excellent ha ha and it is a good moisturiser, I really liked it. I found it to be a strange texture however, it almost has a jelly look to it but its creamy at the same time – its quite hard to explain but it doesn’t really matter. (This retails around £2-3)

Coconut Body Butter: The Body Shop

This is one of my all time favourites. I’ve always had a pot of this in my draw, I have tried other body butters, but I aways return to body shop. Its application is good, not sticky and I dont have to spend loads of time rubbing it in. The results are instant with my skin displaying immediate softness and rehydration. It brings the smell of Summer to the cold of Winter especially during the winter months when my skin is suffering from the cold and I use this more and more.
(Depending what size you want this can be brought from £5 – £13 – but the body shop always has offers on).

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What’s in my Overnight Beauty bag?

Ok so I am spending the night at a friends tonight because we’re out celebrating her Dad’s 60th birthday – which is quite an accomplishment ha ha. Both my friend Sophie and her family have been in my life since we we’re 5, so I felt honoured to be invited to their birthday feast tonight – which is going to be Indian food YAY…I am very excited it should be a lovely evening.

So due to this ‘staying over’ girly night I decided sharing what’s in my over night bag would be a good post – you can tell me if its not ha ha – anyway shall I go on…

Fragrance: Flora by Gucci, my boyfriend brought me this and I love it, great sweet but grown up scent. It is definately as my friends call it a ‘Laura Smell’ haha.

In my skincare bag I have the following:

Camellia & Rose hydrating cleanser (Pai)
Love this cleanser great for dry skin, click here to review my post on the samples I purchased.

Aloe Calming Facial Cleanser (The Body Shop)

Vitamin E Hydrating Toner (The Body Shop)
Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream (The Body Shop)
Vitamin E Moisture Serum (The Body Shop)
Coconut Body Butter (The Body Shop)
As I’ve said I am a huge lover of the Body Shop, I enjoy a vast variety of their products and for the last few years been a repeat buyer of the Vitamin E products as well as their body butters. Great hydration and results, but as currently you all know my skin has become even more sensitive so my quest for new products is on going, but for now they are great to use, great smelling and great moisturisation.

Intense Lip Moisturiser (Blistex)
I have a variety of lip creams but over night when we regenerate our own skin cells I like to add an extra hint of moisture to my lips, which are constantly needing lip care. it comes out very white and I just apply a thick layer and then go to sleep.

Q 10 Plus Eye Cream (Nivea)
I do tend to go for eye creams made of anti-wrinkle purposes but thats not because I have a fear that I am getting wrinkles at 24. I tend to find eye creams for this type of age are more sensitive around the eye area than those that say their for sensitive eyes. I have been using this one for about 3 months now, I quite enjoy it, it is a good cream and does help with the dryness at times. But I am always on the look out for a good eye cream, if anyone can recommend one.

Gentle Eye Make up Remover (L’oreal)
Wearing heavy eye shadows I prefer taking off eye products first. Currently this product has been in my routine for about 2 months or so and although it does the job, there are in my opinion probably better products out there but I’ll wait until I finish this bottle.

And Cotton Pads

———————————————————–

In my Make-up Bag I have the following:

Naked Basics Palette (Urban Decay)
I’m in love with this palette it’s something I return to everyday without fail. I was never much of an eye shadow wearer, because I felt that all the colours were too dramatic for my simple tastes. I like the natural look and coverage that these shades bring, you’re able to create so many different looks with just these 6 shades.

Naked Flushed Palette (Urban Decay)
I brought this on a wimp because I was so in love with the Naked basics creation (I will point out I do not own any of the other Naked Palettes just the basics – I feel this is all I really need but you never know in the future I might do) Anyho…. The colours in this palette are extremely pigmented and although I like it I don’t Love it as much…. I find them quite hard to blend into the skin sometimes But I do LOVE the highlighter that comes with this set – which is why I am taking it with me tonight.

Pump up the Volume (Collection 2000)
This is not my favourite mascara but because you end up having to change your mascara every few months anyway i like to use it all up and get my money’s worth. This is a good mascara don’t get me wrong, I just really dislike the brush, its too big and clumpy and I find myself constantly getting it on my eye lid – not a good look.

Lychee Lip Gloss (The Body Shop)
I’ve mentioned this in a previous post so I won’t go on about it again. I’ll just link the post here for you to read.

Lip Liner: Nude (BAREminerals)
Same with this product I’ve mentioned it in a review so I’ll link post here.

Wake Me Up Concealer (Rimmel)
My favourite concealer at this time I know the Wake Me Up products from Rimmel have got everyone in the blogsphere chatting about them but this is an all time favourite especially for my Hook under eye dark circles, this products is a MUST HAVE for me.

Stay Perfect Foundation: Warm Ivory (No. 7)
A great foundation. I got this after A Model Recommends recommended it ha ha in one of her posts (click here to see her blog). And I have to say this is a great foundation, although not meant for dry skin, I only seem to get small patches of dryness on my face, and this foundation doesn’t seem to bother them at all. It gives a great finish and matches my skin colour perfectly – and it does last a long time. On nights out this is my go to product because you never know what will happen and you want to look your best at all time – stay perfect as they name it.

Convertible Colour: Gerbera (Stila)
This is yet another product recommened by loads of bloggers who seem to have it in their make-up bags and I have to say it is a great blush, it is the oy cream blush I’ve ever owned and I will at some point buy more. I currently have it in Gerbera which is a lovely peachy pink colour, but I would like to get a richer pink and redish one for the summer/winter months coming up this year. I dab this on my cheeks with my fingers and then blend with a blush brush, great coverage.

Blush Brush (ECO Tools – boots)
Mini Brush Set (The Body Shop)
Red sequin Make-up bag (Superdrug)

I won’t go into detail about the tools I use to apply make-up. We all find different things that work for us all. But these brushes are softs and last well.

Hope you all enjoyed this post, let me know what’s in your beauty bag

Laura xxx

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Review| Pai Skincare Trial Pack

I wrote a post a little while ago about purchasing the Pai Skincare organic sample set (Click here to read post)- I thought it would be a good idea to review the samples for you to see how I got on.

Pai Skincare is a British made certified organic range, free from parabens and petrochemicals and a whole bunch of other unfriendly skin chemicals. The set is of course aimed at providing a taster to potential new clients, at a very reasonable £5.00.

It comes beautifully packaged in a little card box, with a pull out drawer to hold all your pots, this will slip neatly into an overnight bag. I thought these would be perfect for travelling, weekends & overnight stays etc especially if you were buying the products again.

The set contains 6 very sweet little pots of the following, plus a muslin cloth:

• Camellia & Rose x 5ml
  gentle hydrating cleanser
• Macadamia & Rose x 5ml
  dry skin cream
• Avocado & Jojoba x 4ml
  

  Pai Skincare Samples

  hydrating day cream

• Kukui & Jojoba Bead x 5ml
  skin brightening exfoliator
• Chamomile & Rosehip x 5ml
  sensitive skin cream
• Geranium & Thistle x 5ml
  combination skin cream

The smells of the products were all very nice, but from past experiences I was worried the strong scent would be a trigger for my eczema, but they weren’t.

The set is moisturiser heavy, but it’s a excellent way to try out all their lovely moisturisers, so you can be sure which one is right for you and although 5ml sounds a small amount there is plenty there for a good 3 or 4 days use. I of course having dry and sensitive skin I opted to just use the moisturisers for my skin type and gave the other 2 to my mum.

I really enjoyed using both the Avocado & Jojoba day cream and the Macadamia & Rose samples. The smells were incredible and I felt they really moisturised my face. My skin felt smooth and hydrated afterwards, however they didn’t hydrate well enough for me currently as I still had dry patches in places, where my skin is very dehydrated. But the creams worked well and I enjoyed them immensely.

Personally I’ve found the exfoliator and the cleanser has enough for 1-2 uses. I can’t say a bad thing about the cleanser I loved it so much I brought the 100ml bottle online – the smell again was A-MA-ZING! The texture of the product, out of the sample, was rather thick but you didn’t need to much of the product honestly. I rubbed it over my face and neck and then gentle exfoliated it into the skin in circular motions with the FREE muslin cloth, that came with it. I could feel it hydrating and moisturising my skin there and then – so soft. Another good product was the muslin cloth I’ve used it everyday since I received the sample set.

The brightening exfoliator was nice, strong scent and the texture was very fine, you could barely feel them until you started using it on your face. First time I used this my skin reacted a little and I was apprehensive about using it a second time – but my skin was already a little sensitive so thats probably why. But I noticed my skin was brighter and clearer after one use and the second time I noticed the same, I was even complimented on how great my complexion looked! Big positive!

I will definitely be purchasing and trying other Pai Skincare products in the future. I enjoyed using them and love the philosophy behind their brand.

Have you used any Pai Skincare products? Which do you own and recommend? 

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Eczema Kit Product #1

Now I’ve mentioned this product in my 1st Haul post previously but since I’ve been using it for a while now, it has slowly become a staple in my daily ‘help my eczema routine’ kit lol.

This is just one of my current products which I think will remain – it is the Dermol 200 emollient shower cream.

My doctor recommended this to me when I went to see him about my skin and I have to say I don’t know why I hadn’t used it before. You can get this on prescription but it can be cheaper if you buy it – if you google it there are many stores that do sell it (unfortunately Boots isn’t one of them). It can also be brought in a bath version, I just shower more so this one made more sense to me. But the basic premise of this product is that its a moisturising cream you put on in the shower!

Now this is a total multi-tool product, it is suppose to be used instead of a shower gel, but I’ve used it as a shower gel, a face wash, a moisturising mask, a cleanser after my make-up is off AND a moisturiser – that’s a lot of uses!

Now when I say I’ve used it as a moisturiser I mean just that, it can be used for both in the shower and after. Which I have found beneficial lately with my skin being so dry, like most of you.

It is an emollient, which is in a lot of eczema products from the doctors – for example it is in my diprobase cream, it is suppose to be super hydrating to help with dry skin and people with eczema or dermatitis.

Now I will say the standard ‘what works for me may not work for you’ line but for me this has been a perfect base for the rest of my products.

It even has a clever lid that when you take it off can be transferred to the top of the product so it hangs in the shower just like a normal shower gel. It has a squeezy dispenser so that none of the formula falls out (it looks a bit scary in this picture – right).

Thanks

Laura x

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Review| First Aid Beauty Kit

Hi guys, another review for you all. I’d never heard of this product until I got an email from beautybay.com about their top selling products, and at the time my skin was very dry and reactive. Anyways one of the brands shown was First Aid Beauty (F.A.B) which I had never heard of before, it said that all products contained NO parabens, harsh chemicals or colorants and was safe for sensitive skin. I read really good reviews about all the products online so I thought I’d try the products out. I brought the First Aid Beauty: Fab Favs to go Kit, which contains a face cleanser, facial radiance pads and their ‘cult product’ the ultra repair cream, which cost £19.50.

Fav Favs to Go Kit

First impression was that I loved the packaging – stars and stripes, fitting for it being an american brand. The sizes were relatively good for the price, especially when you look at the price of the products individually.

Packaging: Stars and Stripes

The Cleanser is nice and light and silky. The description says that it has a ‘whipped texture that transforms into a rich cream when blended with water’, which I’d say is pretty accurate. It doesn’t smell of much – its kind of just plain soap smell? It leaves your skin feeling really clean although I thought it was a little bit drying. But I liked it and thought I could just moisturise after, which I do anyways. It replaced the daily cleanser that I was using however I’ve now found a new cleanser recently which is really hydrating on the skin and have stop using the FAB one.

After cleansing, you use the Facial Radiance Pads on your face, which are easy to use – once I was able to get through the most difficult product seal I’ve ever encountered! They’re a bit like the Oxy pads that I’m sure most of you are familiar with from your teenage years – they have a bumpy texture to them and are meant to exfoliate, tone and brighten the skin.

Facial Radiance Pad

Now I liked the idea of these, gently exfoliating the skin without the use of a harsh scrub on the face and although they contain chemical exfoliators, because the FAB range are produced for sensitive skin customers, they’re suppose to NOT irritate. However I found that they did on mine, more around my neck and chin where my skin is more reactive, I also found them to be really drying on my skin and I didn’t finish the pot of pads. I was really disappointed, I was ok with them when I first started using them but when I started using them everyday – it really wasn’t beneficial for my skin, personally.

The final thing in the kit is the Ultra Repair Cream, which can be used all over face and body. It provides intense therapy for parched skin, relieves minor irritation and itching due to eczema and other conditions. I was skeptical about how a body lotion could also be used on your face cream, and vice versa – however I just used this on my face and not the body as I’m currently using Diprobase. Like the cleanser, the texture is light and whipped, and a little goes a long way.

Ultra Repair Cream: texture

Again this product, like the cleanser, doesn’t have much of a smell, which didn’t bother me much but I had to get use to it because my daily face cream I have been using for the last 2 years smells amazing (The Body Shop Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream). I wasn’t blown away by this product tbh. Yes it hydrates, but the way my skin is atm it just wasn’t hydrating enough, but it is a product I would probably use more in the summer, when my skin is at its best.

All in all, the products do what they say on the tin, but I didn’t have a lightbulb moment where I was like “I can’t live without having these products”. But they are good products, just not amazing ones. Sorry First Aid Beauty!

Have any of you used any of their products? What did you think?

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First Haul Post

We all need some retail therapy and since I haven’t had the chance to do any lately, when me and my friend Liz finally met up we decided to go for lunch and spend some of our hard earned cash.

There are a lot of skin care products because of how sensitive my skin has been lately, I just wanted to try everything in there. 90% of the products purchased from Boots were on 3for2; products were also brought from Feel Unique.com, Beauty Bay.com, River Island and Dorothy Perkins. Let me know what you think of my first video –>

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