review: Avène gentle cleanser

Avène gentle cleanser (100ml) - £6.80*

I enjoy trying out new cleansers marketed for those with sensitive skin. The Avène cleanser is advertised as being extremely gentle and that it is. Up until very recently it was very hard to find a gentle enough product that wouldn’t cause break outs or rashes. This gentle cleanser is perfect for those who’d like a fragrance-free cleanser that still has the strength to take off a lot of makeup. This cleanser is; "Non-comodogenic, hypoallergenic, paraben-free, fragrance-free, colouring agent-free”.

I have been trailing this cleanser for a few weeks now and gentle it is. I personally don’t like cleansers that require you to use a cotton pad to wipe it off like this one but I adapted it and after massaging the cleanser into my face I used a lukewarm muslin cloth and wiped off the excess cleanser from my skin. I found this removed my makeup effectively whilst also cleansing my skin. Compared to other ‘gentle’ cleansers this is actually quite a bargain. The Avène gentle cleanser feels velvety on the skin when you are cleansing it and also once you have wiped it off.

For all those lazy people out there this cleanser is great because it doesn’t actually need to be washed off, you just wipe any excess cleanser on your face with cotton pads.

The skin feels nourished once cleansed and unlike some other cleansers it isn’t harsh on the skin at all and doesn’t leave it feeling tight. Compared to other ‘gentle’ cleansers this is actually quite a bargain at only around £6.80.

Hope you enjoyed this review? Let me know if you’ve tried this product or other products suitable for sensitive skin.  

Empties #1

I recently cleared out my makeup and skin care drawer again - yes I have a dedicated drawer. This obviously shows I own way too much! I don’t even use most of it. Anyways I found so many samples  which have been dumped in and never used. I thought it would be good to use a few of them as I might find something I like - an empties post sounded ideal. Depending on how this post goes down I will make it a series in the hope of downsizing my collection even more.

GOSH Velvet Touch Line perfecter

I got this sample so long ago and finally used it up, I am pleased with the results! I feel the title  of the product doesn’t really explain the purpose of the product well enough - it is basically a primer. I used this before my foundation and it makes your skin feel so smooth! It evens it all out as well as providing a god base for your foundation to stick to. I also noticed foundation stays on a lot longer with this product and it is perfect for those who have dry skin. 

Benefit ‘That Gal’ primer

This is another face primer. I can’t really say much on it in regards to it being a foundation primer though as it makes no difference to when foundation is applied on top of it at all but I did wear it on its own too and my face looked more even and brighter. For the price I don’t think I will be purchasing a full sized version.

Mac Prep + Prime

Forever hyped! I actually love it too as it provides such a smooth base for your foundation but it broke me out so bad! It is quite shimmery so if you apply a matte foundation over it it will essentially turn into a dewy foundation.

Benefit ‘Porefessional’

I really liked this product. Aside from masking pores it is also suppose to reduce the appearance of fine lines which I found it did very well. This is especially great around the nose area!

Frizz Ease Miraculous recovery Intensive mask

I love the Frizz Ease range, I think people who don’t even have frizzy hair should still go out and try the products! This mask is a ‘treatment’ so you leave it on your hair for a couple of minutes and then rinse it off. It adds a lot of moisture back into your hair and repairs it. It makes your hair look a lot healthier and nourished! The great thing about it is that you can use it on coloured hair too. (this might not have been a sample, i’m not 100% sure!)

Herbal Essences Smooth and Soft shampoo

Herbal Essences shampoos are always winners; I have since repurchased this as it smells really good! I have noticed all the herbal essence shampoos also make your hair tangle free?!

Aveeno skin relief moisturising lotion with shea butter

This is such a great nourishing moisturiser, I know a few people who have eczema use it too and have found it soothing.

Philosophy’s Hope in a jar

Another hyped product and I can see why. This hand lotion is lovely and really hydrates your skin but the strong lavender scent put me off a little. I’m so picky aren’t I?!

Kedem hand cream

I got this sample at the start of last year and finally used it. This thick hand cream contains dead sea minerals and plant extracts and leaves your hands feeling super smooth. 

I am glad I downsized my make range again, it’s great finding the products you love again. I think writing empties posts will persuade me to finish off products rather than just going out to buy new ones! 20 mascaras anyone?!

Let me know what you think of this post? Do you often have a makeup clear out? 

Chanel Executive Tote dupes - that CITY bag

1. H&M

2. Accessorize 

3. Zara

4. Zara 

Not many people were aware of the Chanel Executive Tote bag that came out recently until Zara made a dupe - the Office City bag then made an appearance. Unsurprisingly this soon became The Blogger Bag and everyone snapped it up; to the point were it sold out in most Zara stores and people started selling theirs for hundreds on eBay. Yup, true story.

Anyways, I compiled a few alternatives that are perfect for those on a budget. I just very recently purchased the Accessorise version and I love it! It is so sophisticated looking and I can fit so much into it too. A majority of the bags are big enough to fit in folders etc.

On my recent travels to Primark I also saw they now sell it too for around £12, absolute bargain!

What are your thoughts on this bag?

Fitness: Nike running trainers (£22.99)

Oh hey there! I can’t believe we are into February already, where has the time gone?

From my Best Of 2013 + Resolutions post I wrote I’d like to be more healthy and keep fit. Cliché right?! Well the fitness regime is going well, I also recently brought a pair of running trainers.

 Nike Revolution 2 Running Trainers - £22.99

I was scouring the web for a while before finally placing an order on these beauts! I, like most of you  don’t particularly want to spend over £70 on a pair of trainers. So when I came across this bargain I knew I had to purchase them. Nike is such a popular brand so I was drawn to there collection. I never knew there were so many different style of trainers but I settled for these in the end. I love them, though I may change the laces into black ones to tone down the blue a little.

They are the comfiest trainers I have ever owned; when you walk it really does feel like you are walking on a cloud. The great thing about Nike is even though the trainers are made in order to support your feet they also look really great too! I have only had these for a few weeks but already want to wear them all the time: 2014 SS - Sports Luxe trend anyone?!!

I also saw an offer on the Argos website for 3 sets of weights for less than £10. I brought them obviously. Bargain! I am hoping to lose a little more weight this year. HIIT workouts are best I’ve read so I’ve been following a few youtube channels and they have been great!
Tone It Up
Fitness Blender
XHIT Daily
Shayloss

On to other things, I have been a little sporadic on the blog recently - apologies. Aside from life I have been so overwhelmed with the amount of blog header and template orders I have been receiving. I am so grateful and happy that you like them. I have set the prices in order to keep those who are on a budget in mind. Prices start from £2.50 :)
                      I think I just need to organise my time better as I do thoroughly enjoy posting on my blog and don’t want to abandon it!

Anyways I think that’s all! I hope the start of the year has been good to you. Let me know what you’ve been up to in the comments and if you like the new trainers?

     

Review: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish (hot cloth cleanser)

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish

Another product I was late on the bandwagon with. I first came across the Liz Earle cleanser a few years ago now; it was raved about by so many bloggers and you tubers. I however didn’t feed into the hype because my skin is so temperamental.

Suffice to say I regret that now, I should have tried it sooner. I still very much love my go-to cleanser of around 5 years - the Clinique Anti blemish cleanser but this Liz Earle cleanser is definitely running on the same league (if not slightly ahead!) This cleanser is branded as being suitable for all skin types. And I personally think it does, I haven’t experienced any break outs or irritation with the product.

I purchased the starter kit which retails at £14.75. The 100ml pump bottle comes with 2 muslin cloths and is stored in a gorgeous light blue waterproof zip bag. The presentation and packaging is a full 10 without a doubt. It looks and feels luxurious and is still within a decent price bracket. It also smells very similar to lime Starbursts! Zingy!

The Liz Earle cleanse & polish is a cream cleanser and is applied to the face exactly like a cream. One pump is enough for the whole face. You then wash the muslin cloth with warm water and essentially polish your face with it. I have noticed such a difference in my skin. It looks a lot brighter and coupled with the Radical skincare pads I am currently also using my skin is a lot more even toned and much smoother. This product is perfect for removing eye makeup too, it is so gentle and removes all traces of mascara.

I am glad I brought this product it’s great! Have you ever used Liz Earle Cleanse and polish?