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?