Review | Palmer's Purifying Mask

*Miracle product alert!*

My skin has been going through a pretty rough time recently. I've been working really hard at confronting my anxiety and taking positive steps forward but because it's involved a lot of emotional digging and determination I think my skin has gone haywire as a result! 

This morning I decided to treat my skin to some TLC. I purchased Palmer's Purifying Mask (£5.99 at Superdrug) a month or so ago but have only just got round to testing it out, and I wish I'd made use of it sooner! I know I often fall in love with beauty products, and I don't want to sound like an over-eager blogger who can't differentiate between good/great/life changing (well, in the beauty side of life!) but believe me when I say that in terms of sorting out my skin this mask really is life changing! My skin had gotten so rough and red from bouts of dermatitis and acne that I'd honestly forgotten what it felt like to have 'normal' soft skin on my face, particularly on my chin and forehead. After using this for the first time not only did my skin look far less red, to the extent that my mum commented on how healthy my skin looked, it felt like 'normal' skin again; smooth, soft and not at all rough. A real miracle product. 

Here's a heads up on my crazy skin and its complicated requirements *sigh* I suffer from outbreaks of dermatitis on and off, particularly on my chin and forehead. Along with these unsightly rough, dry, flaky patches my chin is acne prone, involving both under the skin cystic spots and blackheads. When dermatitis and acne combine I find it really difficult to control or shift either one. Products designed for spot prone skin dry mine out even further, while products targeted at very dry skin aggravate spots. I've found the best method of cleansing for me is using a hot cloth cleanser every evening, as it gently sloughs away dead skin and flakes while soothing spots and leaving my skin well nourished. I love using face masks for an extra deep clean but have found lots irritate my sensitive, crazy combination skin which is frustrating. Not this Palmer's miracle though!

The key ingredients in Palmer's Purifying Mask are kaolin clay for deep cleansing and sweet almond oil for softening. There's a handy ingredients chart on the back of the tube detailing other main ingredients and how they benefit the skin, which I love as it makes it so easy to see whether or not it might meet your skin's needs. Alongside kaolin and almond oil are moisturising cocoa and shea butters and antioxidant Vitamin E. If you've used any of the other facial skincare products in the Palmer's range you'll know that they actually have a floral white lily fragrance, rather than chocolatey cocoa butter, which I'm a little bit saddened by because I love the original cocoa butter scent! But I guess it might be a tad overwhelming applied to the face. I've used the sensitive skin facial wash gel and calming lotion before and loved those too, so I suspected the mask would be suitable for my skin, but I didn't realise just how fab this it would be!

I applied a light layer to my chin, forehead and nose and left it on for ten minutes to let it work it's goodness. It feels completely comfortable on my sensitive skin and although it hardens slightly it isn't too tight and it doesn't hurt, which is a problem I've had with other clay based masks. I then removed it gently with a warm muslin cloth. The results really are instant. The red inflammation on my chin was almost entirely gone; the skin was no longer rough in texture at all, and all bumps and blackheads had reduced in size. I ran my finger back and forth over my chin in wonder; how did it work so fast?! I honestly can't remember a time when my skin has felt or looked as soft and healthy as normal skin does. Plump, healthy, smooth skin. The results last, as my face still feels incredibly soft now, hours after and with a layer of make-up on. Because of how smooth my face feels I was able to apply foundation with ease, with no flaking or clumping. Everything looked better, from foundation to concealer to powder. 

I am totally head over heels in love with Palmer's Purifying Mask. I can't promise it will be a miracle product for everyone who uses it, but it definitely is for me. I feel like I've finally got my skin back, even if the results don't last forever. I feel much more confident today, as the redness is gone and my skin feels so much purer and healthier. It looks so much better than usual! I'd highly recommend this if you're looking for a gentle yet effective mask on a budget, as not only is it brilliant for sensitive crazy skin like mine it's also very affordable at only £5.99. I won't be without this from now on! 

Browse Palmer's products here

Imogen x 

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Thumbs Down | Garnier Moisture Match

Argh, the dreaded moment when a popular beauty product just doesn't do it for you. I've tried my hardest to fall in love with Garnier's new range of Moisture Match facial moisturisers, having bought, tried and discarded four of the varieties on sale. Yep, four bottles, out of five. You can't accuse me of not trying! I thought if I could find the 'right one' I'd be head over heels, but alas, that just hasn't been the case. The latest addition to my Moisture Match collection is the Mattifying Fresh Cream, aimed at 'combination to oily skin'. Mattifying Fresh Cream claims to provide 24 hour hydration and boasts the tagline 'shine be gone'. I figured this sounded pretty promising for my combination shine-prone skin, what with the heatwave we've been experiencing in the UK recently. My skin has gone into major oil overload and keeping it matte is proving to be a bit of a nightmare. 

Garnier Moisture Match Mattifying Fresh Cream, £5.99 at Boots (currently on offer for £3.99)

I'm beginning to wonder if I'm afflicted with some sort of alien skin because Garnier's Moisture Match range really doesn't seem to be doing anything for me *sobs* Each of the four creams I've tried have left a bizarre tacky, sticky coating on my skin, and never seem to absorb properly. I was hoping the Mattifying Fresh Cream might be different, but unfortunately not. According to the blurb on the back of the box, it claims to have a 'tailored texture', being 'oil free' and 'quick to absorb'. It also contains a 'patented hydrating active' to deliver '24h hydration'. The 'tailored formula' contains anti-oxidising 'green tea extract' to 'leave your skin feeling beautifully smooth and mattified all day long'. Apparently you can 'feel the difference instantly'. Hmm... 

Texture wise, it starts out fairly promising. It has a light cream gel formula that doesn't seem heavy on first application, and it's very easy to rub into the skin without dragging. A little goes a long way. Yet after applying, I have to wait for what seems like forever for the cream to sink in, and even when it eventually dries it leaves behind a slide-y, silicone type of texture. I really don't tend to like silicone primers so this isn't a sensation I particularly want from my moisturiser. While the cream gel has a refreshing, pleasantly floral scent, it just doesn't agree with me texture-wise and it makes applying my make-up on top a real difficulty. 

In terms of immediate and long lasting mattifying action, I have to disagree. My skin still looks quite shiny immediately after applying and because it takes so long to sink in and leaves behind an odd coating, it doesn't seem to mattify much at all. I tested this out on my arm just to see if my face was being particularly strange, but again the cream gel took a while to sink in and left behind a noticeable plastic-y shine. I guess it does moisturise in that my skin doesn't feel dry or tight; but that's not enough to win me over I'm afraid. Can I really 'feel the difference instantly?' That would be a no from me, unfortunately. 

After cleansing I usually apply moisturiser and then The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser as a primer (non-silicone feel!) followed by foundation/BB cream and concealer. I like my moisturiser to sink in and settle pretty quickly so I can get on with applying my make-up, but when I applied foundation on top of a light layer of Mattifying Fresh Cream (skipping my usual primer to give the cream a 'fair test' when used on naked skin followed directly by foundation) the foundation sort of slid straight off and refused to 'stick' anywhere. I ended up massaging foundation around and around in circles all over my face, trying to make it anchor to my skin but it turned into a bit of a slippery mess, which isn't ideal. I do use a dusting of loose powder to set my base but I prefer my base to have some of 'stick' prior to doing so! It doesn't seem to be 'quick to absorb' for me which is a shame as this is something I like in a moisturiser. 

Once I'd finally managed to get my foundation to settle somewhat, and set everything with powder, I decided to see how my skin would fare throughout the day. Considering the slipperiness experienced when applying my foundation I wasn't feeling very optimistic about the cream's all day long mattifying promise, to be honest. Sadly, after a few hours I was already suffering from an attack of the dreaded shiny forehead/chin/nose and I had to dab at my face with blotting papers and pressed powder quite extensively to sort it out. 'Mattified all day long'? Argh, sadly not *sobs again* Long lasting mattifying action is one of the main things I look for in skin care products, along with quick absorption, so this is a huge let down for me. 

I feel awful writing this review as I really wanted to be a fan of the Moisture Match range. After all, it sounds so promising, creating a range of tailored products for different skin types, and Garnier products usually suit me to a t. In case you're wondering, the other creams I've tried from the Moisture Match range are as follows: Start Afresh (normal/dry skin, used in colder months) felt very sticky and and greasy, and sort of peeled off my skin after applying. Goodbye Dry (dry/very dry skin, to target very dry patches on cheeks) felt even more silicon-y and left my skin looking like an oil slick. Didn't absorb on dry patches at all. Protect & Glow (normal skin, purchased because of its SPF20) found this left my skin looking very shiny and feeling very sticky; again, it didn't absorb and it left a weird coating on the skin. My skin's needs change throughout the seasons, hence why I bought so many different varieties. I was certain that the one tailored for combination to oily skin would be 'the one!' for controlling shine throughout the summer. 

As much as I'd love to say how well Garnier's Mattifying Fresh Cream works for me, it just really doesn't seem to suit my skin. I've read countless positive reviews of the Moisture Match range so perhaps my skin is just being strange, or it could simply be that we all have different preferences and favour different textures/scents/finishes which is of course perfectly understandable. It's important to try things for yourself, and I'm in no way suggesting you should avoid these products, I'm just giving my honest opinion. I guess I'm quite picky when it comes to lotions and potions and unfortunately Garnier's Mattifying Fresh Cream doesn't quite tick my skin care boxes. 

Have you tried the Moisture Match range? Are you a fan? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Read more on Garnier Moisture Match here

Review | Maybelline Dream Pure BB 8-in-1 BB Cream for oily skin

Recently I came to the conclusion that BB creams just don't seem to suit my skin type. Most aim to moisturise and hydrate the skin, but as my skin is combination/oily and therefore prone to shine, I've often found that moisturising drugstore BB creams turn to a not-so-hot greasy mess a few hours after applying. Additionally most drugstore BB creams offer lighter coverage than a foundation, whereas I'm a fan of high coverage formulas due to regular break-outs and blemishes that I'm always desperate to hide. So, while BB creams seem like a great option for many, I came to the conclusion that my skin type just isn't suited to drugstore BB creams, based on ones I've tried in the past (including Garnier, Revlon and Rimmel) *sad face*

However! I've been desperate to find something that feels light and comfortable on my skin during this heat wave we're currently experiencing, as my usual high coverage foundation is feeling a little uncomfortable, and while in Boots I stumbled upon Maybelline Dream Pure BB 8-in-1 BB Cream containing 2% spot fighting Salicylic Acid, designed for oily skin. Maybelline also have a Dream Fresh BB Cream available, which seems more like other drugstore BB cream formulas, and which a few of my friends have raved about in the past. When I spotted Dream Pure, aimed at oily skin, I had to give the little tube a go... Could this be the BB cream I've been waiting for?

Maybelline Dream, Pure BB 8-in-1 BB Cream, 30ml, £6.99 at Boots

Maybelline Dream Pure BB 'Light'

'Light' slightly blended

'Light' fully blended

Dream Pure boasts eight promising claims, as detailed on the back of the packaging:

1. Conceals imperfections
2. Helps protect against the appearance of blemishes
3. Oil-free, non-greasy 
4. Minimizes the appearance of pores 
5. Clarifies the skin's look
6. Conceals redness
7. Hydrates and smooths
8. Complements skin tone

Arguably numbers 1, 5 and 6 are very similar... But as I really like this product, I'll let that slide ;)

I went for 'Light', the palest shade available, and it matches my skin tone perfectly (8). I've found that BB creams often tend to have pinker undertones but this has a good balance in that it isn't too pink or too yellow. It's just right! It creates a nice healthy glow, as if I've caught a hint of sun, yet it isn't at all orange. It has a lovely non-greasy consistency and dries to a comfortable matte finish without emphasising dry patches or clogging around the nose/eyebrows. My skin feels smooth, soft and hydrated without feeling at all overloaded or greasy (3, 7). Pores are definitely minimised and the level of coverage is light to medium, verging more on the medium side which is perfect for my blemish prone skin (4, 1). It really helps even out my skin tone, covering past acne scars and small pigmentation patches as well as blackheads (1, 6), although I do still need to use concealer on current spots and blemishes to give full coverage. 

In terms of protecting against the appearance of blemishes (2) I have noticed that existing spots are healing quite quickly and I haven't had any major break-outs while using this. I like that it contains Salicylic Acid as it feels as if it might be helping to clear my skin throughout the day rather than clogging my pores, and it also contains SPF 15 which is great for all year round sun protection. I've found this makes a lovely base for concealer and blusher, and I tend to set it with loose powder to anchor it in place for as long as possible. 

Unfortunately it isn't quite as long lasting as I would like; after three hours or so I need to use blotting paper and pressed powder to tame emerging shine, which is a little disappointing. Yet it does feel so light and fresh on the skin, and not at all heavy like some of the full coverage foundations I prefer wearing in colder weather when I'm less likely to feel as if my skin is suffocating beneath layers of make-up in the heat! 

I will definitely be repurchasing this when it runs out as it feels lovely on the skin, helps even out my skin tone and blur blemishes, and it has a great matte finish. It works really well with my Collection Lasting Perfection liquid concealer applied on top over more stubborn blemishes, and it matches my skin tone so well. I think I'll try to find a good primer to help anchor it to my skin for longer, as it would be a shame to give up on a product that feels and looks so good overall.

To answer my previous question, it appears Maybelline Dream Pure is the BB cream I've been waiting for... I am now a true BB convert!

Maybelline Pure BB 8-in-1 BB Cream is available at Boots

Do you have a favourite summer base? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Review | The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser

My experience with primers hasn't been a wholly positive one so far. I'm yet to come across a primer that feels totally comfortable on my skin and keeps shine at bay for longer than an hour or so, and I really dislike the plastic-y texture of many primers I've tried in the past. I suffer from break-outs and blemishes quite frequently and the thought of layering on another product between moisturiser and foundation hasn't always appealed to me, as rightly or wrongly, it sort of feels like I'm overloading my skin with product. But I've read good things about The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser (£7.50) and as it's targeted towards blemish prone skin I thought I'd give it a go. What with the intense temperatures we're experiencing at the moment in London I'm desperate for something to lock my make-up into place!

The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser, £7.50, 30ml

Packaged in a sleek green tube, this fits nicely in my make-up bag without taking up too much room. Although not actually labelled a 'primer' in the product title, it does state on the tube that the Pore Minimiser 'smooths, primes and instantly matifies', which makes it a full blown primer in my book! It has a lovely smooth texture, not at all plastic-y but more of a refreshing cream gel consistency. It smells of soothing tea tree, which I love, and has a slight yellow-green tint to it which, thankfully, doesn't show on the skin at all!

Blob of Tea Tree Pore Minimiser 

Blob fully blended 

I love how cooling it feels on the skin when first applied; it really feels like it's calming my face and it does instantly mattify and create a smoother appearance, blurring pores and blemishes well. Rather than feeling clogging or greasy it feels extremely refreshing and very light weight, and it dries really quickly which is a definite plus. I hate it when primers sit on the skin with a greasy, 'sliding around' feeling for ages after applying. I feel as if this primer is doing good things for my skin with it's antibacterial tea tree goodness, and it works as a brilliant base for make-up. Foundation glides on easily without drying or caking, as does my favourite liquid concealer. 

The question is, does it work? Does it maintain a shine free complexion? Gah! This is where I have mixed feelings, as everything about the application of the Tea Tree Pore Minimiser is perfect! Unfortunately I haven't noticed a huge difference in the longevity of my usual foundations/BB creams. Usually I use Maxfactor's Face Finity 3 in 1 primer, foundation and concealer, which doesn't budge all day, even in the current hot weather, with or without using the Tea Tree primer underneath. But when I substitute Maxfactor for the more lightweight Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation or Maybelline Dream Pure BB cream my base does start to slide after three or four hours having used The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser underneath. I have to use shine control blotting papers and pressed powder to lock in a matt look and I usually end up retouching a couple of times throughout the day, especially my shine prone chin and forehead. 

It's such a shame as I absolutely love everything else about The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser! It's without a doubt my favourite primer in terms of application. From the texture to the cooling sensation to the scent to the immediate matifying and smoothing effect, I really wish this did boost my make-up's longevity a little more. To be fair, it doesn't actually claim to deliver a long lasting base as such, but rather describes itself as being an 'ideal base for make-up', which technically it is. I just wish the effects lasted longer *sobs* However, because of all its other plus points, and especially because it contains spot busting tea tree oil, I'm going to keep on using it regardless of it's unfortunate inability to keep me shine free all day. It just feels so comfortable on the skin and I really like how soothing it is. My break-outs have reduced in redness and my skin feels super soft having been using it every morning for the past week or so. With products like this it always feel like my little beauty loving heart is breaking a little! I'm sure I'll repurchase The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser in the future but I can't help but wish it delivered a little bit more...

Is there a product you love but that doesn't quite do all you'd like it to do? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Browse The Body Shop here

Review | Clearasil Superfruits Refreshing Wash and Scrub

I was intrigued when I came across the following fruity beauties from Clearasil while perusing the shelves in Superdrug, initially because they're pink, and hello, who doesn't love a pink bottle?! While I admittedly usually associate Clearasil with teenage pimples and potent spot fighting products, the new Superfruits Refreshing Scrub is creamy and gentle, and the matching Refreshing Wash is perfect for an early morning refreshing boost, especially in this sticky, sweaty weather. Both products smell pleasantly sweet and fruity rather than medicinal or chemical, and each comes in at under £5 (I can't find the exact price as they don't seem to be listed on the Superdrug website, boo). 

I've been using the Refreshing Wash in the mornings to cleanse away night time grime without stripping my sensitive skin of moisture. It smells great, lathers up nicely and leaves my skin looking and feeling matt and ready for make-up. Both the wash and scrub contain Vitamin B3, which works to fight inflammation, and Salicylic Acid, which frees trapped grime through exfoliation, meaning they're a good bet for spot prone skin. Having been through a particularly rough patch spot-wise over the past few weeks my skin is now starting to calm down, thankfully. 

Clearasil Superfruits Refreshing Scrub 

The Refreshing Scrub has a lovely consistency; creamy with super small scrub particles, it doesn't pull on the skin or leave my face feeling like it's been sandpapered! I'm left feeling as if I've had a thorough but gentle deep clean. I like to alternate hot cloth cleansing with using a  scrub throughout the week in order to keep my pores feeling clear and unclogged. As soon as I stop exfoliating I notice a difference (the emergence of more blackheads/skin dullness) so a good face scrub is an essential in my skin care kit, and this Clearasil gem is doing a great job so far.

While products alone probably won't solve all my spotty skin woes, it feels good to use products that deliver a dose of spot fighting ingredients while providing a gentle yet thorough cleanse. I'll be continuing to use these throughout the summer months, as they're excellent at removing melted make-up and general sticky summer dirt and grime... lovely! For under a fiver each, these are well worth having in my summer skin care kit. 

Clearasil Superfruits Refreshing Wash and Scrub can be found at Superdrug. 

A bad reaction to Superdrug's Cucumber Cooling Clay Mask for sensitive skin

I've always known Superdrug's range of own brand products to be excellent quality. I use their Naturally Radiant products every morning and evening along with their Vitamin E hot cloth cleanser and Pro Vitamin range of shampoos and conditioners. So I figured I'd give their range of face mask sachets a go, especially as they were on offer at four for £3 (although I actually picked up five, as I couldn't decide which one to let go!)

As part of my Saturday morning pampering ritual  I decided to use the Cooling Cucumber Clay Mask, containing soothing cucumber extract and dead sea minerals, and labelled as being 'ideal for sensitive skin'. I used to love clay masks when I was younger for unclogging pores, and the added benefit of cucumber seemed like a gentle approach to tackling my crazy sensitive combination skin. 

Cucumber Cooling Clay Mask, 99p, Superdrug

Interestingly under the 'care and advice' section the instructions state 'do not apply to... sensitive skin', which seems to be something of a contradiction. Unfortunately this is something I didn't see until slathering the mask all over my face, based on the reassuring label on the front! Admittedly it does also say to 'test for irritancy first' but again, I didn't see this until after I'd applied it, and as it's a product targeted towards sensitive skin I wouldn't have thought this would be a major necessity. Oops. 

I went ahead and applied the clay mask to cleansed skin. It smells lovely, very refreshing, slightly floral with hints of cucumber. The consistency is thick and creamy, and there's enough in the sachet to stretch to two applications which is great value for money. I noticed that the mask stung slightly around the nose upon first applying, but as I've experienced this with masks before I wasn't too concerned. Perhaps I should have realised that a clay mask, purifying as it is, while excellent for acne areas might be a little strong for sensitive skin... But as the label determined it to be targeted towards sensitive skin I wasn't too concerned. Again, oops. 

There's something truly satisfying about the sensation of a clay mask hardening and cracking as you contort your face into all sorts of expressions (just me?!) You just know that once you've rinsed it off the tightness of the clay will be gone and you'll be left with super soft, refreshed skin.  I waited the full fifteen minutes as stated on the sachet and then rinsed the mask off with the aid of my regular muslin cloth.

My face suddenly felt oddly hot and looking in the mirror I noticed that little red bumps had started to appear across my cheeks and chin. They felt and looked just like the type of rash I get when my sensitive skin has an allergic reaction to a product. Damnit! I'd used the mask with the intention of rescuing my skin, not making it worse! I tried to take a good photo but could only get a slightly blurry close-up of one of my cheeks. Still, it sort of shows what I'm describing:

Ouch. 

I slathered on some Avene Recovery Cream, my go-to for when my skin is going through a crazy phase, and after a couple of hours my face felt a little less hot and the rash was less inflamed. But it's still there and it feels very rough and bumpy, which isn't really the look I was going for. 

I'm really disappointed as although my skin is sensitive and reacts to products on occasion, I didn't really have any indication that this mask wouldn't be suitable for my skin type, what with the 'ideal for sensitive skin' label on the front. The 'do not apply' on 'sensitive skin' warning on the back of the sachet strikes me as odd, and I feel it needs some sort of clarification. I know, I know, I could have done a little patch test beforehand, but generally when using a product specifically designed for and marketed towards sensitive skin I don't, although I will be doing so from now on. While it hasn't totally put me off using the other Superdrug masks I purchased, I will definitely be doing patch tests before use to avoid any similar skin care nightmares. 

As for the rest of my Saturday, I've spent it hiding away make-up free in the hope that my rash will clear up by this evening. While I generally love Superdrug products I'm feeling a little wary and day I say 'sensitive' after using this cucumber concoction. Soothing it ain't! 

Do you always do a skin test before using a mask, or would a sensitive skin label reassure you enough to apply it straight away? I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

Why you need to hot cloth cleanse!

For the past two or three months I've been hot cloth cleansing every evening without fail, and the difference it's made to my skin is incredible. I don't have perfect skin by any means and I'm still on a long running quest to vanquish blemishes and soothe occasional patches of dermatitis; but since double cleansing with a muslin cloth and cream cleanser every night before bed my skin has really started to improve. 

For years I relied on face washes and scrubs marketed at 'problem skin' and while they can be great when used sparingly, my face was starting to suffer from a constant bombardment of  such strong and varied lotions and potions. I came across an article in a magazine suggesting that cleansing with a warm muslin cloth is far more effective at unblocking pores and boosting the skin's radiance than using just a plain old face-wash which simply lifts surface dirt without doing much else to help rid skin of spots. With this in mind I decided to start using a hot cloth cleanser every evening to remove make-up and it really does feel different to using a regular wash or cleansing water on cotton wool pads. Don't even get me started on the damage caused by face wipes..! My skin overall has never felt better. 

My routine consists of washing my face lightly with Simple's Refreshing facial wash gel to remove initial make-up and grime, before massaging a cream cleanser on to dry skin. This ensures the cleanser is making good contact with clean skin rather than simply massaging old make-up around my face! I pay extra attention to my chin, which gets rather clogged and spotty, and my nose and forehead, where blackheads tend to congregate (urgh, I hate those suckers). The great thing about cream cleansers designed to be used with a muslin cloth is that they generally don't strip the skin of moisture at all, meaning they work well on all areas of the face; I also massage my slightly dry cheeks. I then rinse the muslin cloth in warm water and begin wiping off the cleanser, making circular movements to massage and remove simultaneously. I then rinse with warm water and pat dry before applying moisturiser (at the moment I'm using Superdrug's Naturally Radiant night cream, which is working wonders at evening out my skin tone). 

The difference hot cloth cleansing makes? My skin feels miles smoother and softer than when I use just a face wash or cleansing water; it feels exfoliated but not at all dry, tight or rough. I look healthier, with more of a glow, I'm guessing as a result of the regular massaging. My dry patches have almost completely gone and flare up far less often, and while I'm still struggling to control existing blemishes on my chin I'm having far less breakout attacks overall. Moisturiser sinks in easily and in the mornings foundation applies smoothly without clinging to flakes or dry blemishes like it often used to. I am a total convert to hot cloth cleansing! It's a gentle yet effective way of unclogging pores, freeing your skin of grime and dead skin and enhancing radiance. It works well at tackling both dry skin and spot prone skin, a balance I've found so difficult to achieve with other products. Try it for a month and I promise you'll start to notice and feel a real difference. 

I've been using two hot cloth cleansing products, both produced by Superdrug. I'm a huge fan of Superdrug's range of own brand products as the quality is always brilliant, and although I've also used Liz Earle's infamous hot cloth cleanser I'm more than happy to stick with the following, cheaper, versions: Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser, designed to brighten and even out skin tone; and Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser, designed to soothe dry skin. 

Superdrug's Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser £5.99 150ml

I've been Naturally Radiant in conjunction with the matching day and night creams, which have really helped reduce pigmentation patches left behind by dermatitis attacks. I love the texture of this cream cleanser; it feels thick but not at all clogging and it's very soothing. It also smells  lovely, quite fruity. 

While the Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser is marketed towards normal/dry skin types I've found it works just as well on oily/blemish prone areas. 

Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser £4.99 200ml

The texture of the Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser is similar to Naturally Radiant; thick and creamy, yet not at all clogging or cloying. It has a creamier scent, which I think I prefer overall, although they both smell great. 

I started off using Naturally Radiant and then grew curious after seeing the Vitamin E cleanser in store during a shopping trip. Of course, I couldn't resist! I like to swap around every so often to mix up my routine a little, and doing so doesn't seem to have any negative effects on my skin. Naturally Radiant has slightly less product in the tube than Vitamin E and costs a pound more (£5.99 for 150ml compared to £4.99 for 200ml) I'm assuming this is because Naturally Radiant contains targeted ingredients aimed at brightening and evening out skin tone, whereas Vitamin E aims just to soothe dry skin. I don't mind the difference in price and size as they both work brilliantly and are really reasonably priced compared to other hot cloth alternatives. 

The muslin cloths provided are excellent, generously sized and soft but firm on the skin; you can feel them exfoliating gently as you cleanse. I chuck them in the wash after a few uses to keep them nice and clean, especially if I've been removing heavy make-up or a thick face mask. If I have a particularly sore or swollen blemish I have a mini hot cloth facial trick; I press the warm cloth against the affected area for a minute or two and it really helps to open up the pores and calm down problem areas. I seriously cannot rave about hot cloth cleansing enough! If you haven't tried it yet, get yourself down to Superdrug and pick up a box because I can guarantee your skin will thank for you for it, whatever your skin type. As well as being an annoying blend of spotty and dry, my skin is also very sensitive, yet these cleansers but have been nothing but gentle every time I've used them. My skin feels toned, supple, soft and it has a much more noticeable glow than before. It's also steadily getting clearer, thankfully. I'm well and truly hooked! 

Browse Superdrug Naturally Radiant

Browse Superdrug Vitamin E

Are you a fan of hot cloth cleansing? Would you try it if you haven't already? 

Weekly Roundup feat. Neutrogena, Maybelline and MUA

Wowzers, hasn't this week flown by? I found it quite tricky picking my top 3 products this week as I've been using and loving so many different beauty bits and pieces. I settled on the following as I've been reaching for them every day and I haven't got at all bored of them, which is always a good sign! 

First up is Neutrogena's Visibly Clear Blackhead Eliminating Triple Action Cleanser 7 Day Rescue (what is it with long titles recently?!) It can be used in three ways: as a wash, scrub and mask. 

£4.49 at Superdrug

From what I can tell, this is a more concentrated version of their regular Blackhead Eliminating scrub and it's designed to provide intense, targeted action against blackheads with visible results apparent after only 7 days. On the back of the tube is the very impressive claim that '100% of users showed visible results after 7 days'. 100%?!! Well with a statistic like that I had to try it out! The percentage is based on 30 people using the wash twice a day for 7 days straight, which to be honest I'm not really sure my sensitive face can handle. I'm using it once a day on my t-zone (my chin in particular) and I will be reporting back in a future blog post to let you know if it really does have an impressive effect. 

What I can say so far is that, like all Neutrogena products I've used in the past, the quality of the  wash/scrub/mask is fantastic, from the fresh subtle fragrance to the way it makes your skin feel unbelievably silky soft after rinsing. The wash itself has a sort of very finely ground paste texture; it sort of reminds me of Arm & Hammer's baking soda toothpaste in that the scrub particles are very small and not at all rough. I'd forgotten how much my skin likes Neutrogena, and I've found this gives a lovely deep clean without drying my skin out at all. It's a wonderfully prep for make-up application and it has really been a joy to use so far. As for whether or not it actually eliminates blackheads? I'll let you know! 

My second pick this week is my current favourite lipstick, Maybelline's Colorsensational in '910 Shocking Coral' from the Vivids collection. Until discovering this and its sister colour 'Fuchsia Flash' which I reviewed here, I'd disregarded Maybelline lipsticks as 'not my thing'. This was based on never being able to find a colour to suit me, although in hindsight I think I was just looking at the wrong colour palette. Anyhoo, I picked up this bad boy of a lippie and I'm now a total fan of what Maybelline has to offer pout-wise. 

£7.19 at Boots

'Shocking Coral's is a very pink neon coral, which I really like as it's unusual compared to the more popular orange coral colours around at the moment. Super pigmented, super creamy, super comfortable, super easy to apply and super long-lasting, I haven't a bad word to say about it. Along with Soap & Glory's lipsticks, Maybelline's are now my faves. 

Two coats of Maybelline Colorsensational '910 Shocking Coral'

I had a bit of difficulty trying to get a good shot of me wearing 'Shocking Coral'... Sorry for the slightly bizarre beams of sunshine flooding the photo! It was the end of a loooong day and I didn't want to keep attempting to capture the colour in different locations around my house! I'd say it looks a little brighter in person but it does settle to a pinky coral as shown and I LOVE it. 

My final pick this week is MUA's Undress Your Skin Shimmer Highlighter. I've had this for months and months, and went through a period of using it every day without fail before abandoning it to test out other highlighters. But, as they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it; I've rediscovered it and I'm loving it even more than before. 

£3 Makeup Academy online store

The beautiful pearlescent silvery pink colour shows up really well on my pale skin and highlights  my cheekbones, temples, nose and browbones perfectly. It's subtle but can be built up in layers for extra impact, and I also use it as a brightening eye shadow. It's easy to blend and gives a lovely glow. Plus I'm a sucker for pretty packaging and the powder looks lovely in the pan.  

Quite an intense swatch, applied with fingers to show colour clearly

I apply it on top of blusher and it makes for a lovely finishing touch. I also use the matching under eye concealer which I've reviewed here, which is also great quality. I'm a big fan of MUA's Undress Your Skin range and am looking forward to trying the matching foundation at some stage in the future. 

What have been your favourite products this week? Share your Weekly Roundup in the comments below! 

Weekly Roundup feat. Topshop Eye Palette, Naturally Radiant Day Cream and W7 Candy Floss

Having returned home from a lovely trip to Brighton yesterday (involving lots of ice cream, walking and sunshine!) I'm ready to get going with my new Weekly Roundup series. Every Sunday I'll be writing about my favourite products of the past seven days, the things I've been using regularly throughout the week because I just can't help but love them so much. 

This week's fab three are Topshop's Smokey Eye Palette in 'Golden Aura' (£12), Superdrug's Naturally Radiant Brightening Day Cream (£5.99) and W7's Candy Floss brightening face powder (£3). 

I'm a sucker for a neutral eyeshadow palette and have an ever-expanding collection bulking up my many make-up bags. What intitally drew me towards Topshop's 'Golden Aura' was the buttery soft texture of the shadows and the shimmery golden finish of each shade. Plus, the packaging is a handy slimline case with a pretty polka dot design for decoration. Who doesn't like the added bonus of nice packaging?!

Topshop Smokey Eye Palette 'Golden Aura'

I'm determined to learn how to properly contour and define my eyes, as so far I haven't been able to find a foolproof technique for a novice like me. Topshop provide a handy leaflet explaining which shade to use for which part of the eye area, so I'm going to give it a go and see what happens! I'm thinking it might be a good idea to go to a beauty counter and book myself in for a professional make-over so I can learn how to do it from a professional. We'll see!

The lightest shade doesn't show up brilliantly in the photo but it's a lovely golden beige colour that works well in highlighting the inner corner of the eye (something even I can do!) and highlighting the brow bone. I really like the next shade up, a light brown taupe shimmer, and the darkest shade which is flecked with gold. It creates an almost green gold effect which is really pretty. I use it to line my eyes and add definition. The only downside I've found with this is that the outside of the packaging seems to pick up on smudy fingerprints easily and is a bit tricky to clean, but this isn't a huge problem in the grand scheme of things. 

About a month ago I purchased Superdrug's Naturally Radiant Brightening Day Cream for normal to combination skin in my efforts to find a day cream that would both soothe any anxiety-related dermatitis flare-ups and act as a good base for make-up while not being too heavy on my t-zone. According to the information provided on Superdrug's website the cream contains Kiwi Fruit (loaded with Vitamin C) and Mulberry Fruit to brighten skin, while Sugar Beet extract moisturises. This has since become my go-to cream in the mornings as it's light but moisturising, smells lovely and fruity and really anchors make-up well. Plus it has made a noticeable difference to patches of pigmentation and discolouration on my cheeks, chin and forehead left behind from past dermatitis and acne attacks, which I'm really pleased about. 

Drawing upon results from a trial of 50 people, Superdrug claims that after four weeks use 'skin tone appears refined and evened out'. While I still have areas of skin pigmentation that are proving difficult to shift, this cream has significantly faded an area of pigmentation on my right cheek that always used to show in photos no matter how carefully I applied a high coverage base. I'm thrilled that I've found something relatively cheap to combat marks, and it soothes current patches of dry skin brilliantly. I'd highly recommend this to anyone looking for a cream to tackle pigmentation and dullness as my face does feel a lot smoother and brighter having used this daily for the past month. I'm also a fan of the included SPF15 as I find it quite difficult to find face creams with SPF that aren't anti-ageing creams and I like using an SPF every day to protect my pale, sensitive skin from the sun. 

Benefit is one of my favourite beauty brands and I currently have a huge wishlist of all the Benefit goodies I'm lusting after. One product I used religiously before it ran out was the dandelion brighening face powder, which at £23. 50 is quite expensive, hence the lack of replacement so far! I love a good dupe and when I came across W7's Candy Floss brightening face powder I had to give it a go. 

Candy Floss comes in similar, albeit cheaper packaging to Benefit's dandelion. The base of the cardboard box actually fell off when I first opened it! But a little dab of superglue soon fixed that... The brush provided is very soft and doesn't feel uncomfortably synthetic, although I prefer to use my own bigger blusher brush to apply the powder. It's been a while since I used dandelion but from what I can remember Candy Floss in comparison gives a slightly darker flush of colour with a subtle golden shimmer. It works well as a brightening powder dusted over the cheeks, forehead and nose, and I also like to add more product on my cheeks as a blusher. I really like the gold shimmer it provides, especially for summer. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I can't remember dandelion being particularly shimmery, so in this respect the products differ. 

Candy Floss swatch

In the swatch above I've applied it to my skin using my fingers for a more concentrated effect and you can see the rose gold colour it gives. I love how easy it is to build up the colour to a depth I'm comfortable with and it blends wonderfully with my blusher brush. While I'd say it's quite different to Benefit's dandelion in terms of being a more shimmery, darker pink it works excellently as a brightening powder and blusher, and it's quickly become my main pink blusher over the past week. For only £3 it's a brilliant bargain alternative. I do miss dandelion's paler pink brightening powers though and I'm sure I'll be repurchasing as soon as I can afford to. 

There you have it, my favourite three products of the past seven days. Have you tried any of the above? What have been your go-to products this week?