Beauty review - Yes to Cucumbers facial wipes? Just say no

I can safely say that these wipes are easily the worst beauty product I've ever tried.  Ever.

Within a couple of minutes of using them, my face started to feel like it was burning.  My skin very quickly became red, inflamed and slightly swollen.  I'm not exaggerating when I say it felt like a mild chemical burn.  It took about a day to fully subside.  I'm not the only person who's had this problem - about 80% of reviewers on Makeup Alley reported something similar.

They're advertised as hypoallergenic soothing facial wipes for sensitive skin but they're nothing of the sort.  In fact, I'd go as far as to say that they're potentially dangerous for sensitive skin.  Boots were very good about refunding me when I returned the wipes, (thanks guys) and the pharmacist was so concerned he encouraged me to call the Boots customer service to give my feedback (which I've done).

Any good things about this product?

Well, the packing was all cutesy and hippyish.

Hero beauty product - Garnier Ultimate Regenerating Oil Anti-Age Skin Perfector

There's something rather comforting about using oils on the skin so I must admit I was rather excited to find this Garnier body oil in my local branch of Boots.  I've always used baby oil on my legs whilst they're still damp from the shower so I was looking forward to amping it up a bit with this.

Image via Tesco.com

It certainly didn't disappoint.

The first thing I noticed was the gorgeous smell - warm yet floral somehow.  The smell lingers on the skin all day too which is rather nice.  

It's easy to apply and a little goes a very long way.  All I needed was one spray on the shins and two on the thighs to cover the whole leg. As a consequence it lasted an awfully long time.  

It's a dry oil.  I wasn't sure what a dry oil was until someone explained it to me like this...

You know how if you get olive oil on your hands, no matter how much you rub it in, you still have to wipe your hands? That's because it's a wet oil.  Dry oils don't feel 'wet' to the touch and they rub in really easily.

So that was me told.

My skin did feel wonderfully moisturised and supple for ages, especially if I applied it after the shower but I did find that I couldn't use it every single day because it wasn't quite enough long lasting moisture for my uber dry legs.  It was a really good treat to use a couple of times a week or before a night out.

   

Hero beauty products - Superdrug facial masks

My Superdrug addiction crept up on me quite stealthily.  I'd find myself popping in for cotton wool pads but somehow leaving with £20/30 worth of stuff.  Before I knew it, I was shopping there almost every week.  The problem is, the stock is just too well curated.  It's the combination of niche brands and high street names, all very reasonably priced, that makes it so seductive and hard to ignore.

My favourite items are the individual Superdrug mask sachets, all priced at a whole 99p each.  Yes, I could drop £30 plus on a high end mask which would last me about six months but my skin needs change and sometimes that particular mask wouldn't be appropriate.  However with a stash of different mask sachets, all bases are covered.  

Looking tired because you've had a stressful week at work with lots of early starts and no time to eat properly?  The De-stressing mud mask will take care of that.

Image via http://www.superdrug.com

Just done 6 thirteen hour days on the trot in a dusty theatre and no matter how much you clean your face at the end of the day, you still look slightly grimy?  Look no further than the Deep Cleansing Fruit mask.  

Image via http://www.superdrug.com

Raisin face syndrome because you've done a long day teching a show and haven't drunk enough water because you can't keep running to the loo?  The Anti-Aging Moisture mask is your friend here.  The anti-aging bit is pretty handy too.

Image via http://www.superdrug.com

My favourite is definitely the Detoxifying Dead Sea Mask.  I adore the lavendery smell and it just perks up the complexion when you're looking a bit grey & dull.  

image via http://www.superdrug.com

P.S.  I wasn't paid to write this review.  I just really like Superdrug.

Hero beauty product - Kiehl's Fig Leaf & Sage Aromatic Mist perfume

I bought this perfume for myself as a reward after one of my crazy work-all-hours-god-sends periods.

It's an unusual one for sure.  People either seem to love or hate it, but I really like it.

The packaging is clean & somewhat minimalist but retro.  White background, black lettering and a picture of the bottle inside.  No nonsense there.  The bottle itself continues the same minimalist retro theme - simple shape, clear glass, the retro Kiehls font embossed on to it and a silver cap.  With so much rather verbose, over the top perfume presentation around, I found this rather satisfying.

Image via http://thegroomingguide.com

The perfume itself is strong.  The sweetness of the fig is counteracted by the sharpness of the sage.  It shouldn't work but it does.  Initially the sage is the foremost note but it settles into a rather warm, pleasing aroma.  At the risk of sounding like a press release, it really did remind me of sitting in a Mediterranean garden on a hot day.

I also liked the fact that you can buy it in both small and large size. Sometimes you want to treat yourself but can't spend too much money.

I think it's a great perfume for (hopefully) warm summer days.

*Edited 10/4/14

 

Hero Beauty Product - Eve Lom Intense Hydration Serum

I wish I had more than a small sample of this.

Image via www.sephora.com

It's one of those products that really worked for me right from the start.  

It feels more like a gel than a regular serum - clear in colour, thicker and slightly sticky in the way that gels often are.  I applied just like a regular serum by smoothing it over the face.  As it dried, I could feel it tightening.  For someone like me who has a droopy, jowly face this is a Good Thing.

I'd been through a tough stretch at work & my complexion was feeling particularly parched.  I can safely say that after applying this serum just once, my face felt noticeably less dry.  Not completely re-hydrated, because that would be impossible after just one application but that tight feeling you get with dry skin had subsided to easier levels.  

The sample only had three applications in it but even so, people started commenting on how good I was looking.

I found it worked best if I exfoliated my face first.

Beauty review - Jo Malone Wild Fig & Cassis candle.

There's certainly an impressive ritual to buying a Jo Malone candle.

The sales assistant will theatrically wrap the candle in black tissue paper then gently seat it in a posh black and cream box, spray some more sheets of black tissue paper with Jo Malone's latest fragrance, (in my case, Earl Grey & Cucumber), stuff the scented tissue paper around the candle in the box, put a cream ribbon around the box, put the box in one of those terribly chic Jo Malone carrier bags and put yet more scented tissue paper into the carrier bag around the box. The whole thing reminded me of that scene in Love Actually where Rowan Atkinson wrapped Alan Rickman's illicit purchase for his fancy woman.

After all that effort at presentation, I was very disappointed at how insipid the (extremely expensive) candle actually was.  If you stuck your nose on the candle and had a good sniff, it did smell gorgeous but the problem was, when you burnt it, the scent was very faint.  You could hardly smell it at all.  To be honest, I've had better results from a Yankee candle.  Occasionally, if I'd burnt it for a long time, like three hours, you could start to smell something but even then it didn't linger.  

Quite frankly, it was a waste of £39.

 

Beauty review - Yon Ka Phyto 52

Yon Ka Phyto 52 - firming, vivifying.

Image via http://skintrends.com

The first thing I had to do was find out exactly what 'vivifying' actually meant.

According to my online searches, this means to 'give or bring life to' or 'endow with life'.  Interesting claim for a face cream to make.

Let's see how we go...

The first thing I noticed was, how strong an odour it had.  I initially assumed it was camphor but camphor is not listed in the ingredients. The smell comes from a blend of lavender, geranium, rosemary, cypress and thyme essential oils.  It was so strong it actually made my eyes water slightly!  Seriously, pull back on the smells, Yon Ka.  Red watering eyes is not a good look.  And no, I didn't put it round the eye area.

Moving on from the overwhelming smell, it was very easy to apply. The texture is creamy and it absorbs quickly.  My incredibly parched complexion felt & looked fresh & rehydrated after just the first use.

And the firming bit?  It was difficult to tell.  I only had a small tester and I think things like that only become apparent after prolonged use.

My overall verdict is definitely meh.  The smell was overpowering.  The results were ok but I can get similar results without the watering eyes.

Film review - The Dallas Buyers Club

We haven't seen a film in ages, mainly because there's so much rubbish out there, so The Dallas Buyers Club sounded intriguing.

It's the story of Ron Woodroof, (played by an almost unrecognisable Matthew McConaughey) a red neck, homophobic Texan electrician & rodeo guy who contracted HIV through intravenous drug use & unprotected sex with prostitutes.  He was given 30 days to live by the doctors.

At the time, mid 80's, AZT was the only known drug available for treating HIV positive patients and unfortunately it was still in the testing stages.  Ron refused to accept the prognosis and started learning about his condition as well as other treatments available in other countries. He was able to exploit a loophole in the law of the time which allowed terminally ill patients to import drugs from other countries and set up a buyers club.  This brought him into contact with a transvestite, Rayon - a fantastic performance by Jared Leto - with whom he forms a tentative and unlikely friendship.

Image via http://www.unnomdeguerre.com

Given the subject matter, it's actually quite an uplifting and even life affirming film.  Matthew McConaughey's intelligent, nervy performance makes the film.  If he doesn't win an Oscar for it, frankly there's no justice in the world.

It's by no means a perfect film.  It's very long and could easily have cut twenty minutes of unnecessary scenes.  Jennifer Garner as a sympathetic doctor was all cliche and surface which jarred against the moving performances from McConaughey & Leto.

Definite recommendation from me though if you want something a little different from the standard gaming inspired/rom com/action movie fare.  

Hero Beauty Product - Matriskin Collagen Serum MP

I spoke here about receiving extra free samples at a promotional give-away.  The second sample I received was Matriskin Collagen Serum MP.

Image via birchbox.co.uk

It claims to have 'a lifting effect without surgery' and blow me, it actually works!    I've reached that stage in life where I'm starting to look a bit like this so I'm very interested anything that will counteract it. After application you can actually feel the product tightening the skin. Following a week or so of use, my complexion was visibly less saggy and far clearer & healthy.  I received a lot of complements on how great I was looking.

One of the active ingredients is hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan) which is a component of human skin and is involved in tissue repair so I guess that's the anti aging bit of the formula.  The company has also run clinical trials on it's products, the results of which are published on it's website.  The nerdy part of me was impressed by this because there's a lot of smoke & mirrors and frankly down right deception in the cosmetics industry.

It's really easy to apply.  Just put about half a stopper's worth of product in the palms of your hands and smooth over the face.

The only problem is, it doesn't seem to be widely available in the UK. You can get samples through beauty box companies like Birchbox or on eBay but I couldn't find a UK website for it.  It's also eyewateringly expensive - $157 on the US site or €95 on the French site.  I'd buy it all the time if I could afford it but I think I'll have to restrain myself and use it only before big events.

Hero beauty product - Yu-Be moisturizing Skin Cream

I've decided to restart my weekly beauty reviews.  I do miss writing them and I have a stack of products which I'm currently trying.

I'll try and publish every Thursday, (work schedule permitting) so here goes with the first review of 2014...

*

I was walking through Covent Garden recently when I came across some girls handing out little cardboard boxes containing cosmetic samples for a promotional event.  I was lucky enough to be given two little boxes (it pays to be nice to people), one of which contained a sample of Yu-Be.

I'd never heard of Yu-Be but it turns out it's very popular in Japan.  It's one of those multi purpose products, a bit like Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream or Lucas' Papaw Ointment that can used on dry areas all over the body including the lips.

Image via http://www.beautybar.com

So is it any good?

Oh yes, it most certainly is!  I actually prefer it to Eight Hour Cream or Lucas' Papaw Ointment because it's glycerin based whereas they're both petrolatum (petroleum) based.  I find that petroleum products tend to dry out my skin because they seem just to sit on the surface and once they've rubbed off/been washed off, my skin's just as bad as before.  

Yu-Be, however, is a different kettle of fish.  It's got a really rich creamy texture which soaks in quickly and it's incredibly moisturising. I've got these dry spots on my knees and Yu-Be really is the only thing that works on them.  It's also very good on the lips and any other dry patches that occur. 

I love the faint camphory smell to it too.  I know it's probably some placebo thing but it makes it seem medicinal.

I've been jealously eking out my little tube but it's going to run out soon.  You can buy it from Boots & Space NK but I bet it's cheaper at Japanese stores.  If anyone knows of a Japanese outlet where I could stock up, do let me know.  x  

Beauty review - Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus

I was childishly pleased to receive a free sample of Clinique's Repairwear Laser Focus with the October copy of Marie Claire.  I'm a cosmetics junkie lover of beauty products - for better or for worse, these kind of things excite me.

Before I begin, let me clarify - this was the serum I was trying.  There seem to be a lot of similarly packaged items called Repairwear Laser Focus.

Image via http://www.clinique.com

I'll be honest, I was somewhat sceptical right from the start.  'Laser focus'?  Their blurb says, '63% of the visible wrinkle-reducing power of a laser at 12 weeks'.  A laser and a face cream are two completely separate things. They react on the body in very different ways. Mmm...

The claims were that the cream 'smooths, restores and corrects'.

Let's start with 'smooths'.  I found this rather curious.  Unless you are unfortunate enough to suffer from acne scars, human skin is generally pretty smooth.  I have smooth skin so I really didn't see any difference.

'Restores'.  Restores what?  C'mon Clinique!  I think the French text was more accurate - reparation (repairs).  I was doing some long hours at work and coming home looking pret-tay haggard.  I do think I looked a little less knackered and worn after applying this.  Or maybe it was to do with the fact that I could sit down, relax and have a cuppa. Difficult to say really.

'Corrects'.  Again the French text - correction anti-age provided more of a clue as to what they really meant.  To be honest companies which suggest that ageing is a mistake to be corrected actually really annoy me.  I don't want to look 16 again, I just want to look good for my age.

So my overall verdict?  It was ok.  I had no adverse reactions, I certainly didn't look worse but, then again, I didn't really look better. As for the laser thing - surely no-one's that gullible.  

   

Beauty review - Crabtree & Evelyn's Rosewater Eau de Toilette

It's funny how the weather can really affect your perception of a perfume.

When I first smelt Crabtree & Evelyn's Rosewater Eau de Toilette, I loathed it.  I thought it was an overly sweet, yet somehow insipid little scent that disappeared after an hour.  I tried it a couple of times then the sample rolled to the back of the drawer and I forgot about it.  But, of course, that was during the winter.

Then this glorious, hot, sunny summer came along and I was looking for a light perfume to wear so I thought I might as well give it another go.

Image via shopstyle.com

Well, what a difference a season makes!  

In the heat, it didn't seem sweet, it smelt appropriate, like an English country garden - fresh, light and more importantly, not too overpowering.  Heavy perfumes in summer actually make me feel slightly nauseous.  Weirdly it seemed to last longer too.  I kept getting very faint whiffs throughout the day.

Great perfume but choose carefully when you're going to wear it. 

Beauty review - Bumble and bumble thickening hairspray

I really had high hopes for this.  Thickening hairspray - would my fine, dry, fly away hair finally achieve a full bodied bouncy look?

Image via http://imabeautygeek.com

How my hair usually looks (except it's normally messier)

Image via http://beautyworksonline.com

The kind of full bodied hairstyle I hope to have one day

The short answer is no.  I did not achieve anything close to a bouncy, glossy, perfect look.  What I actually achieved was a dry, frizzy ball of a hairdo that made me look like a low rent Cousin It.

Image via http://www.westpawdesign.com

This hairspray may work on someone with greasier hair but it's a definite no from me.  

  

Hero Beauty Product - The Body Shop Hemp Moisturising Hand Wash

I really, really love this one.

Previously I'd been using a godawful Radox hand wash which dried out my hands so much they were cracking & splitting & bleeding.  I have to wash my hands more than normal.  Besides the usual daily activities, I get very dirty at work and occasionally I deal with dangerous chemicals but my hands were so painful, I was avoiding washing them unless absolutely necessary.  Unhealthy and potentially dangerous I know so I was desperate to find something to solve the problem.

The Body Shop's Hemp Moisturising Hand Wash was recommended by a colleague so I decided to give it a go.

Image via http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk

 

What a relief!  I could actually feel the difference from the first use. My hands didn't have that painful desiccated feel that they used to have after using the Radox hand wash, they felt soothed and supple and, most importantly, my hands had time to heal because they weren't being stripped of moisture every time I washed them.

There's an faint, slightly medicinal aroma to it but I've decided that I quite like it. Ha, ha, maybe this smell has become linked in my mind to relief and comfort?  Who knows?

It's certainly pricier than regular handwashes - currently on sale for £3.50 for 250 ml (usually £5) but in my book, it's worth every single penny and I'm definitely going to continue buying it.

If you suffer from very dry skin, I can't recommend this highly enough.

Book review - A Street Cat named Bob by James Bowen

One of the reasons I love books are they allow you to see into areas of life that you wouldn't normally experience.

'A Street Cat named Bob' is a wonderful little book.  It's the story of how a mangy ginger tom cat decided to adopt a homeless heroin addict, James, and how the simple fact of having another living being who needed him enabled James to turn his life around and get off the smack.

Image via amazon.com

It's a simple book about ordinary things like how James tried to dissuade Bob from living with him, (but Bob was having none of it), taking the cat for his vaccinations, getting excited about earning a bit of extra money and being able to afford a nice curry & some extra special cat food but there's something life affirming about it.  We all need someone (or some cat) to stick with us in spite of everything and we all need responsibility beyond just taking care of ourselves  to give our lives meaning.

I think I've actually seen James and his cat busking in Covent Garden so it's nice to read about the back story.  That cat was actually giving him high fives! 

Sunday afternoon

Yesterday really was wonderful.  One of those perfect days that really sets you up for the coming week.

We started off by going up to Hampstead to see 'The Stars that play with Laughing Sam's Dice' by Robert Calvert (from Hawkwind) at the Pentameters Theatre.

I knew it was going to be special the moment we walked in. Pentameters is a fringe theatre above a gastro pub in Hampstead. Audience seating was wooden chairs with a selection of mismatched, old cushions.  A joss stick was burning in the corner and the back wall was covered with pictures from previous shows.

The lights didn't just dim before the show started, the founder of Pentameters actually came on stage and chatted to us about the show.  She'd met Robert Calvert whilst she was visiting a friend in a mental home back in the 70's and had encouraged him to write this script!  It was so interesting to hear the personal aspect to the production.  She also told us a little bit about everyone involved in the production, even down to the technician.

The play was about a meeting between a young, black, American paratrooper called James Marshall Hendrix and a staff sergeant back in the 60's.  The paratrooper went on to become Jimi Hendrix.  It's very much of its time, which believe me, isn't a problem as far as I'm concerned.  There was premonitions and talk of pacifism and a bit of psychodelia.  The only problem I had was with the casting of the sergeant.  He was obviously younger than the guy playing Hendrix and that didn't really ring true with me.  Still, it was a minor quibble.

It's such a shame that yesterday was the last performance otherwise I'd be urging everyone to go and see it.

*

After the show, we decided to go for a walk as it was such a gorgeous evening.  We didn't have any particular destination in mind other than following our noses down interesting looking streets.

We ended up walking through the leafy streets of Hampstead, dreaming of living there one day,

through Swiss Cottage and into Regents Park.

We came across a flying trapeze school but sadly they weren't practising.

After dismissing the tourist trap that is Baker Street, we ended up in The Real Greek just off Marylebone High Street.  Good fresh food was the perfect end to the day.

Book review - The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

I finished this book by one of my favourite authors, Kate Morton a couple of days ago and I can't stop thinking about it.

Image via http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Secret-Keeper-Kate-Morton/9780330477598

It begins as a fairly standard but well written family mystery novel. A young girl, Laurel, is sitting reading in a tree house on a warm summers day in 1961.  She witnesses something that afternoon which changes her life for ever.  The act that she sees is a lot more 'full on' than is usual for the genre and this was the first sign that this book was going to be different.

Action switches between 2011, the 60's and wartime London as the adult Laurel tries to uncover what actually happened that afternoon and why.  She realises that something happened to her mother, Dorothy during the war which triggered the event she witnessed as a young girl.  I must admit, I very nearly stopped reading the book because I found the character of Dorothy incredibly irritating, manipulative and self absorbed but I continued reading & I'm so glad I did.  The twist at the end of the book is shocking and completely unexpected and yet emotionally satisfying.  It subverts the conventions of the genre in a rather good way.

The Secret Keeper is a very rich, multi layered book - very much my favourite kind of read.  A definite recommendation from me. 

Hero Beauty product - E45 Lotion

Today's beauty product is effective, multi-tasking and very cheap.

Ladies, I'm talking about E45 lotion.  Regular readers of these beauty reviews will know that I have dehydrated, sensitive skin.  I struggle to find products that  work without irritating.  E45 lotion is, in my opinion, nothing short of miraculous.

Image via http://www.superdrug.com

I use it as a daily body lotion but during the winter months when my complexion becomes especially dry thanks to a combination of central heating & cold outdoor weather, I use it on my face.  I do use it during the summer but sometimes I find it a little rich then. 

It's unperfumed.  I love gorgeously scented body lotions but they can irritate my skin. 

Texture-wise, it's thick and rich but it does sink in quickly.  My skin is supple and hydrated all day when I use this.  It's especially good if I spend a lot of time outdoors because my skin retains moisture levels.

It's also useful for travelling because I just need to take one bottle with me instead of one for body and one for face.

And the best thing?

It's only £5.50 for 500ml!  Seriously, half a litre of really good product for the princely sum of £5.50.

You're welcome.

Beauty review - Origins Starting Over Age-erasing moisturiser with Mimosa

'Starting Over Age-erasing moisturiser' - the name immediately annoyed me.  I'm 47, I like being 47, why on earth would I want to 'start over'?  The implication is that there's something wrong with being older, you've somehow made a mistake and woo hoo, Origins has kindly given you a chance to make good your error for only £38.  Mmm...

Anyway, onto the product.  It has a gorgeous citrusy smell.  The texture is thick but easily absorbed which I did like.  It can be used morning and evening but I chose to use it as a day cream.  I found it relatively moisturising for my dehydrated complexion but towards the end of the day, my skin started to dry out a little.

Image via http://www.sephora.com

All in all, not a bad moisturiser but they really need to change the name.

Hero beauty product - Balance Me Radiance face mask

What a curious thing this mask is - an exfoliator, cleansing face mask hybrid.

Image via http://www.naturisimo.com

It comes out of the tube looking like an exfoliator - grey with noticeable grains (walnut shells) in it - but you smooth it all over a cleansed face and leave it on for five minutes like a mask.  Then you remove it with circular movements and warm water which exfoliates the skin.

It's very good.  True to it's name, it did leave my skin looking radiant. The mask bit did a good job of drawing out impurities and the exfoliator bit left my skin smooth.

A great multi tasking product.