Indie Lee CoQ10 Toner

Describe the brand in five words.

Independent. Colour. Fresh. Clean. Young.

What is it?

'An alcohol free, skin-balancing toner formulated with the powerful antioxidant CoQ-10. The hydrating and refreshing mixture helps close pores and balance the skin's pH level using Aloe Vera and Hyaluronic Acid. '

This is a traditional 'toner'. 

Who is it for?

Everyone, especially 'normal to dry' skin types.

What’s in it?

Purified water (aqua), Aloe Barbadensis, Coenzyme Q10, Hyaluronic Acid, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile), Salvia Officinalis (Sage), Carica Papaya Leaf Extract, Cucums Sativus (Cucumber) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Flower Oil, Phenoxyethanol and Ethylhexylglycerin (both derived from natural sources)

What's not in it?

alcohol, acids, parabens etc

Indie Lee's entire ethos is based around 'clean' ingredients, more info here: indielee.com/ingredients-to-avoid

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?

Citrus potentially, but it's unlikely unless you know you have an allergy.

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?

A mixture. Natural is the safest word to use.

Tested on animals/sold in territories that advocate testing?

No/No

How does it smell?

Clean and fresh.

How does it feel on the skin?/Absorption rate?

Like silk but without the silicone after-feel. Skin is softer after applying.

How do you use it?/Where to use in your routine?

After cleansing or after acids.

I tend to use it in the mornings if I don't fancy acids, and in the evenings after acids as a second tone - although by definition, this could just as easily be called '1st stage of layering'.

How long before you should see results?

You'll feel a difference immediately, skin will feel much softer and smoother after a couple of uses.

How long did I test it for?

I've had it for a few months.

How much is it? /Size

£29.95/$32.00 for 4ozs/113 mls.

What’s good about it?

This is a good, solid, treatment lotion used at the traditional 'toner' stage, although to dismiss it simply as a toner would be a mistake. Toners these days are much more likely to be essences or lotions, used as the first stages of rehydration and treatment, as opposed to 'remove traces of cleanser'. As I've said numerous times, if you're cleansing properly, that isn't necessary.

This feels like food on the skin, containing aloe vera, hyaluronic acid and CoQ10 as an antioxidant, which in this case, would benefit the skin as it is left on, not removed. Camomile, sage and cucumber keep it soothing and calming. I love using this after something strong like P50 or Dennis Gross Extra-Strength Pads.

Perfect for those of you that cannot/do not want to use acids at all, and want something 'wet' for your serums/moisturisers to adhere to.

What’s not so good about it?

Nothing. I love it.

Works well with?

Anything after this will feel like it's working better on your skin, whether that's Indie' other products or your own serums that you already own.

What’s the website like?

Great. Good information, clear visuals, represents the brand well. Full ingredients listed.

How’s the distribution? Available freely or limited?

Available in the UK via online retailers below. Needs bricks and mortar to really fly. Available from Anthropologie and Saks in the US, along with lots of independent retailers.

Would I purchase/repurchase?

Absolutely.

Similar products*?

Darphin Intral Toner
BioEssence Hydra Tri-Action 
Su-Man Rehydrating Toning Essence
Emma Hardie Plump & Glow Hydrating Mist

*none of these are exactly the same, but they're nice non-acid toners.


Indie Lee CoQ10 is £29.95/$32.00 and available from abeautifulworld.co.uk and indielee.com

*This post contains some affiliate links. If you are happy to click on them and support the blog, thank you very much. If you would rather not, just google the product. It's all good. See my full disclaimer here: http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq The views expressed on this site are the author's own and are provided for informational purposes only. The author makes no warranties about the suitability of any product or treatment referenced or reviewed here for any person other than herself and any reliance placed on these reviews or references by you is done so solely at your own risk. Nothing on this site shall be construed as providing dermatological, medical or other such advice and you are always advised to seek the advice of a suitable professional should you have any such concerns.

Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion vs Clarifying Lotion 1.0

There was a moment of panic earlier this year when Clinique very quietly stopped restocking Mild Clarifying Lotion, and equally quietly, slipped 1.0 Clarifying Lotion out with the standard 'we've just improved Mild Clarifying Lotion! This is an updated/cleaned-up version!'.

Let's be clear, the only thing these two products have in common is that they are both by Clinique and both called 'Clarifying Lotion'. They are completely different. It is not the case that Clinique have cleaned-up Mild and revamped it with 1.0, they've just deleted Mild Clarifying Lotion from their range and brought out 1.0 as a replacement, which is obviously their right to do, but it doesn't make much sense to me.

For ease of comparison I'll list things side by side with comments below each comparison:

Mild/1.0

Salicylic listed as fifth ingredient/ Salicylic listed as ninth ingredient

In the US, ingredients do not have to be listed in order of quantity in the product, in the EU, they do, so by this standard there is a lot less salicylic in 1.0 than there was in Mild, rendering this almost pointless for oilier skins looking for a glycolic-free acid to target spots.

Packaging

The packaging is see-through on Mild, and green coloured plastic on the new 1.0. This has eliminated the need for the synthetic colourings present in Mild. A good thing.

Ingredients

1.0 is in a witch hazel base, an improvement on the high amount of butylene glycol in Mild, but still seems to be a large amount for a product aimed at dry to very dry skin.

Listed for 'Delicate' skins/Listed for 'Very Dry to Dry'

I'm unsure why a dry to very dry skin would need salicylic acid. They'd be better off with lactic. This makes me think that the salicylic acid content in the new 1.0 is very low.

So how do they compare when used? 

Although the sting factor was very low on Mild - I mean you literally had to use it on an open spot to notice there was an acid present, there is absolutely no sting factor on 1.0. Which is great for you if you don't like a sting, and love Clinique toners. Sadly, this moves this product out of the realm of 'acid toners'.

Clinique are one of the few brands that have the means and resources to bring out proper acid toners, the current Clarifying Lotions have long needed revamping, they could remove the alcohol content and replace them with different acids suited to differing skin issues, instead of offering what are essentially 'traditional' toners graded from 'drying' to 'nail varnish remover' in the case of Clarifying Lotion 4. 

If you have combination skins and would like a toner with a little salicylic, this is for you.

If you are dry to very dry, which this is targeted towards, there are much better essences/toners out there for you. Witch hazel can be drying used at such a high percentage, and will surely cancel out the hyaluronic content.

Clinique have a lot of brilliant products. This is not one of them. 

Clinique 1.0 Clarifying Lotion is £26.50 for 400ml and available from all Clinique stockists. I would ask them if they still have Mild Clarifying Lotion in the stock room and buy that instead. And even better, if you can, buy it in the US. The exchange rate on this is unforgivable at £26.50 vs $24.00. Shocking. 

Clinique.co.uk

Clinique 1.0 Clarifying Lotion - Sephora

*Excuse the photographs of the ingredients. Not one site listed them, including Sephora.

**This post contains some affiliate links. If you are happy to click on the link and support this blog in that way, thank you very much. If you would prefer not to, just google the brand and the item, it's all cool. :) For absolute clarity: I do not use affiliate links on products belonging to brands that I work with on a professional basis. 

See my full disclaimer here:

http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq

May Lindstrom The Jasmine Garden

What is it?

'A botanical mist.'

Facial spritz/toner.

Who is it for?

Everyone.

What’s in it?

pure water (aqua)

*hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel)

argentum metallicum (silver)

jasmine (jasmine) grandiflorum absolute

caprylic/capric triglyceride

jasminum officinale (jasmine) extract

*rosa damascena (rose) oil

*cananga odorata (ylang-ylang) oil

*vanilla planifolia (vanilla) CO2 total essential oil

theobroma cacao (cocoa) oil

*organic

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?

essential oils

Natural? Organic? Man made? Gluten-free? Vegan?

Organic where possible, then wild-crafted/natural/gluten-free/vegan

Tested on animals/sold in territories that advocate testing?

No/No

What's not in it?

Not really applicable for a spray product, as they don't tend to contain a lot of things that are problematic (although there are some humdingers out there)

How do you use it?/Where to use in your routine?

Either as part of your routine, after acid toning, or as and when you need to refresh or hydrate your skin. OR simply because you want to smell the scent of this beyond-gorgeous product.

What’s good about it?

Everything. Since writing about Blue Cocoon, I have been asked frequently to review the rest of the range. The problem is, there isn't a bad thing to say about it and I don't want it to appear like I'm just fawning, but May, along with brands like Tata, Kate Somerville and Zelens are brands that I would never be without, one way or another.

This mist is on another level. Once you've used it there's no going back. It smells of jasmine and cocoa, with a hint of vanilla, which is, I realise, a bizarre combination. But it works, splendiferously so. 

It is designed to strengthen skin, restore elasticity, stimulate microcirculation and soothe signs of redness, inflammation and irritation. I use after acid toning and throughout the day if I'm feeling dehydrated, which is often in this weather. Layer over and under your other products to lock in moisture. I've been using it underneath the Chanel cream from yesterday and then rubbing Blue Cocoon on areas of redness caused by recent retinoids on my cheeks. Bliss.

What’s not so good about it?

It's £48.00 for 100ml, so if you're on a budget, this is obviously not for you. Also, it's so good that you will want to spray just for the smell, which is a tad indulgent, even for me. Calm down.

Similar products?

Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist
Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence
MV Organics Rose Hydrating Mist


May Lindstrom's The Jasmine Garden is £48.00 from Cult Beauty.com and $60.00 from MayLindstrom.com

What to Buy? Tata Harper

Where to start? I've never met a Tata product I didn't like. So good is the choice, that the hardest part for this type of review is singling out individual products.

So as not to go completely overboard, I am limiting myself to one cleanser (OHGODHELPME), and excluding the Rejuvenating Serum that I wrote about last month here, for no other reason than it's in the Hall of Fame, it was in my Cult Beauty Box, it's an obvious choice. So let's assume that's a given.

All products and further information are available from TataHarper.com but they don't ship everywhere so there are also local links below.

The Can't Live Without:

OK this has a back story. I mentioned on Twitter a few weeks ago that I was thrilled to find an amazing product that was going into the Hall of Fame the next day, and then it didn't happen. In a nutshell, the juice in this product is phenomenal. The packaging, however, is not appropriate for it. The formula is slightly too 'firm' to be in a tube. I squeezed it so hard that I split the seal on the tube. This needs to be in a pot, or the formula adjusted to lessen the viscosity. But that of course is a concern, because if they mess with it, it may not be the same, and that would be a great shame, as this is a beautiful eye product. The team at Tata are working on a solution.
That aside, it has not stopped me using it. I don't use it as a mask. I apply it on the under-eye area only, and I do not remove it. It softens the skin and plumps out wrinkles almost immediately. It is easily the nicest thing I have used on my eyes in a long time. I will absolutely not be without this when I fly at the end of the month. If I have to, I will take scissors to it, and decant it all into a Muji pot. No problem. If you have a Tata stockist near you, visit them and put some of this on your eyes. It's just WOAH. And it was a lovely surprise. I would never have thought that an eye mask would be so good, but there we are.

The Boosted Contouring Eye Mask is £115.00 for 30ml from BeingContent.com or $150.00 from TataHarper.com - but you may want to check yours before you buy or keep an eye out for different packaging in the future. *wields scissors*

Purifying Cleanser is the one I went for in the end. It's one of my first choices for morning cleanse, or the perfect second cleanse in the evening after a particularly 'grimy' day. It's refreshing, feels like a runny clay and wakes up your skin and your mind. More info here. I would avoid this if you're using retin-a creams - I mean prescription strength, not over the counter. They're fine.

Purifying Cleanser is £45.00 from CultBeauty.co.uk or $58.00 from Sephora.com

Replenishing Nutrient Complex has been on here before, just over a year ago, when this also went in to the Hall of Fame. It is a no-brainer. This is a beautiful, nourishing, serum-oil that has slowly replaced my Clarins Skin Beauty Repair Concentrate, which I now find a little too fragranced if my skin is sensitised. It's light, absorbs beautifully and is suitable for all skin types. I carry the rollerball version everywhere when I travel, and for that reason, it is my preferred size.

Replenishing Nutrient Complex starts from £36.00 from CultBeauty.co.uk and $45.00 from Sephora.com

Hydrating Floral Essence is another no-brainer. Probably, pro-rata, the product I have used the most since discovering this brand. I use it at the spritz stage, so if you are watching your budget, this is one you can pass over for something more affordable such as Serozinc. If however, you have addiction problems when it comes to all things spritz, this is great. It's a mix of aloe vera, sodium hyaluronate, rosewater and gotu kola and gives a light mist as opposed to drenching your face like the shower. Beautiful.

Hydrating Floral Essence starts at £50.00 from CultBeauty.co.uk and $65.00 from Sephora.com

I know I know - another eye cream. But I have used this on and of for years and I love it. Light, penetrates, soothes lines and puffiness and is just generally a really good eye cream. Zero irritation. Lovely.

Restorative Eye Cream is £60.00 for 15ml from CultBeauty.co.uk and $90.00 from Sephora.com

I love and use both of Tata's moisturisers, but this one pipped the Repairative Moisturiser due to its ability to hydrate really well, absorb perfectly and act as the perfect barrier on top of all the other loveliness underneath. Made for combination/oily/dehydrated skins, but I would happily recommend this and the Replenishing Nutrient Complex to someone with dry skin.

Rebuilding Moisturiser is £80.00 for 50ml from CultBeauty.co.uk and $100.00 from Sephora.com

That's the Top Six. Honestly, I could easily pick 5 more. But it's January and I'm showing restraint. ;)
Safe to say, if you are ever at a Tata counter, and can't decide whether to buy it or not, proceed.

January Labs - Restorative Skin Mist

January Labs was a brand that originally sent me products in the latter half of last year. I had not heard of them before, but finding new brands is genuinely one of the best parts of what I do. This brand are so off the radar that they are unavailable in the UK (don't worry, I've had words, that's a temporary situation) and only in select spas/specialist retailers in the USA. They do ship, however, from their online store. Details to follow below. After playing with the products, this was easily the one I used the most and those of you on Instagram will have seen this repeatedly.

What is it?
'An alcohol-free toner that minimizes the appearance of pores and prevents breakouts. Designed to tone, rehydrate, and balance all skin types.'

Who is it for?
Everyone.

What’s in it?
Water, Aloe, Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Witch Hazel,
Sodium PCA, Rosa Extract,  Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium
Lactate, Polysorbate-20 ,  Pro-Vitamin B5, Lime Oil, Licorice
Extract, Horse Chestnut Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Calendula,
Gotu Kola, Butcher's Broom Root Extract

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?
lime oil maybe, but it's fine for me

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?
It doesn't specifically say, so I would say at the very least, natural and vegan.

Tested on animals/sold in territories that require testing?
No/No

What's not in it?
alcohol

How do you use it?/Where to use in your routine?
Spritz after acid toning or throughout the day. If you're particularly dehydrated like me, spritz and reapply a little moisturiser on top. Lovely.

What’s good about it?
I just really like this. Spritzs/facial mists are not something you want to spend a lot of money on if you're on a budget, most of them essentially acting as fancy water. For that reason, I do like ones that throw in ingredients that either soften, soothe, are antibacterial (like Serozinc) or help the hydration stick around a little longer etc.
This does all of the above and more.
Lifted from their site for ease!:
Aloe Extract: calms and soothes inflammation
Witch Hazel: aggressively fights acne-causing bacteria
Sodium PCA: a natural humectant responsible for binding moisture to the skin cells
Olive Oil: helps maintain the elasticity and softness of skin
Rosa Centifolia Flower: used to soften, balance, and restore the skin
Licorice: a depigmenting agent that inhibits melanin synthesis; performs as an effective antioxidant that treats blemishes and calms irritated skin
Calendula Extract: an anti-inflammatory antioxidant that contains antiseptic, astringent, circulatory stimulating, healing, and soothing properties

Spritz as and when needed. It's almost a moisturiser on its own. I have used this successfully at the same time as retin-a creams with no bad side effects.

What’s not so good about it?
Not much. The lack of availability in the UK?! :)
It's lush.

Similar products?
Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence
Kate Somerville Nourish Mist
Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist


January Labs Restorative Skin Mist is $24.00 for 118ml and available here: www.januarylabs.com/skin-essentials/restorative-tonic-mist - they're a small business so if you contact them, do give them time to get back to you.

Biologique Recherche Lotion P50

What is it?

A liquid balancing exfoliator. Designed to strengthen the epidermis, exfoliate skin, regulate excessive sebum secretion, hydrate the skin, maintain the skin’s pH, and prevent and treat ingrown hairs.

Who is it for?

All skin types - there are three options available in the EU and six available in the US due to the addition of the three originals with added phenol.
P50V is for older skins lacking tone.
P50W is for sensitive skins.

What’s in it?

Water (Aqua), Gluconolactone, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Citric Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Magnesium Chloride, Malic Acid, Vinegar (Acetum), Phytic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Cochlearia Armoracia (Horseradish) Root Extract, Arctium Lappa Root (Burdock Root) Extract, Rumex Acetosa Leaf Extract, Myrtus Communis Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Allium Cepa (Onion) Bulb Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Oil, Sulfur, Sorbitol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?

Acids, sulfur

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?

A mix of man made and plant - in the best way. :)

Tested on animals/sold in China?

No/Yes

What's not in it?

Alcohol
Glycolic acid

How do you use it?

Dampen a cotton pad, swipe over the face left to right, top to bottom, all the way down the neck. Flip the cotton pad over and go back up the way you came from!

What’s good about it?

Oh where to start? This was my first ever experience of an exfoliating acid, in Paris, 14 years ago. It was used at the beginning of a facial at Biologique Recherché and was immediately effective. It still sets the bar for me, exfoliating acid-wise. The now infamous '1970 Formula' is only available in the US, as the EU has banned phenol since I first started using it. How rude of them.

In fairness, this formula works better than the 1970 formula, it has less of a 'burn' and doesn't cause the skin to turn as red. Obviously, if you are a sensitive skinned user, that is preferable anyway..

This formula has gluconolactone, a poly-hydroxy acid, which is more gentle than glycolic, that also acts as an anti-inflammatory along with a higher concentration of lactic acid - and malic and phytic acids, both AHA's used to promote cell turnover and help with hyper pigmentation. 

The acids in this tackle skin problems from every angle - resurfacing, zapping blemishes, essentially 'stripping back' the skin so that what you use after it is more able to penetrate. I try and use P50 in the evenings when I'm following it with retinols/vitamin A serums or pigmentation products. That's why I generally use the others during the daytimes. Not a solid rule, more when I remember...

What’s not so good about it?

Some people don't like the smell (vinegar), but in a formula such as this, if you don't want alcohol, you need a preservative - and that's the job of the vinegar. Personally, I don't even notice it these days, such is the length of time that I've been using it, but forewarned etc..

Where to use in your routine?
After cleansing, before serums. 

Similar products? 
All the usual suspects, in varying degrees of strength. 
First Aid Beauty Pads 
Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pads 
Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion (only the mild one) 
Colbert Intensify Facial Pads 

Biologique Recherche P50 is available in the UK from EF Medispa here: efmedispa.com is around £50.00 for the 150ml size. It also comes in a bigger size. The problem is, you can't buy it online. That's the decision of Biologique Recherché, not EF Medispa, so don't blame them if you contact them! :) You can find worldwide stockists here: biologique-recherche.com

Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray

What is it?

'Water your skin. Take along a refreshing face spray for showers of thirsty skin relief.'

It's a hydrating, moisturising spritz with a major kick.

Who is it for?

Everyone. Especially dehydrated and dry skins.

What’s in it?

Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica (Hydrocotyl) Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Yeast Extract\Faex\Extrait De Levure, Caffeine, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile), Trehalose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sucrose, Sorbitol, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?

Not really.

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?

Predominantly MM with natural elements.

The product is completely vegan, however...

Tested on animals/sold in China?

Clinique do not test on animals, but they are sold in China, who 'reserve the right to test imported products on animals'. Doesn't mean they do, just means they can if they want to. Ironically, you are much more likely to be tested in this way if you are a smaller, niche brand that is unknown to the Chinese authorities. Something Estee Lauder Companies usually don't have an issue with..but there we are.

What's not in it?

Synthetic fragrance

Parabens

Mineral oil

Animal derivatives

How do you use it?

Spritz when needed. 

What’s good about it?
Everything. It's an oil-free hydrator that actually does the job without dehydrating your skin ten minutes after you've sprayed it...
Much more than a 'spritz', this is really a liquid moisturiser. Essential for people with dry or dehydrated skins, great for helping really shiny skins calm down a tad, can be used over makeup and is 100% the first thing I am packing for my next flight anywhere.
Fragrance-free, so you're not spraying essential oils in your eye, which, let's face it, is always a bonus.
And as an aside, the best 'spray' function in a product, ever. Even distribution all over the face, no soaking of your clothes or hairline.

What’s not so good about it?

From a formula perspective, nothing. 

Where to use in your routine?

After acid toning or as and when you need it. I carry mine around like the sad woman that I am. 

Similar products?

Not really. This is kind of on its own. Serozinc is water with added zinc (albeit great for that purpose), Melvita's Pulpe de Rose contains oil, so is not great for over makeup or the already-shiny. 

I can't think of any - if you can, leave a mention in the comments and I'll check them out.

Available priced £21.00 for 125ml from all Clinique counters and Clinique.co.uk (which incidentally, is still one of those Lauder Companies websites that I'd like to get my hands on, but I digress).

Budget Week - Day 1 - and an extension...

So here's the thing. I fully understand that the word 'budget' is different for everyone. I do. What's budget to some, may be unattainable to others. What's 'affordable' to XX may be absolutely extortionate to YY.
I knew budget week would be popular, what I didn't expect is people arguing amongst themselves about what actually constitutes the word 'budget' across all forms of my social media. There is no need to argue! It's all good. There are plenty of products out there in all price brackets, and as the idea of a 'week' was so popular, I've decided to just extend it and include much more 'budget' (there goes that word again) finds across all of my channels forever more.

I'll still be a fussy cow, still expect great results no matter the price and include plenty of high-end gear as per usual, but expect to see more affordable/budget/bargain finds as the year goes on.

In the meantime, I thought it would be helpful to do some 'flash reviews' of the products I'm using on a daily basis (while I can keep it up!), otherwise my 'to review' pile will never subside and nothing will get done!

So....

Vichy Purite Thermale Eye Makeup Remover - £8.07 - this is good, but I had residue this morning - even after I thought I had gotten all of it off last night. Not as good as Clarins, Lancome or Tilbury.

La Roche Posay Physiological Cleansing Gel - £12.00 - this did a surprisingly good job of removing my makeup and my skin didn't feel too tight afterwards. I wouldn't be able to use it every day, it would be far too drying long-term, but it should be fine if you are particular oily - or for summer's hot and sweaty months..

Pixi Glow Tonic - £18.00 - done and dusted, kippers and custard. (I.e. - reviewed and mentioned 400 times on this blog - search here)

Organic Surge Orange Flower Toner - £7.50 - light and refreshing, it's suited to an oilier skin than mine. Nice and fresh though..it's a second tone, not an acid one...

Organic Surge Hydrating Eye Cream - £18.00 - either I've got dog-eared dry eyes or this is again, more suited for 'normal' skins, even thought it is aimed at a dryer/more mature skin. Lovely cream - maybe for someone younger, but I need more oomph.

Nuxe Detox - £47.00 (clearly not budget) - I found this for £29 yesterday on a french to english website - and now it's disappeared. Sorry!
Aside from the price, this is a great nighttime product if your skin is dull or a little drained. It would probably be worth checking out if you suffer from continuous blemishes/hormonal lumps etc. It's available in M&S too, so you can more than likely find it in your high street in the UK.

I hope this reassures those of you on tight budgets that I am trying to cater to everyone, including you. And please don't argue amongst yourselves. After last week, I'm enjoying the calm. :)

The Month in Skincare - January

I can't believe January is at an end already! Those of you that aren't on Instagram will be unaware that I've been keeping a daily record of the products I'm using. Not so much for me, more to encourage you to mix it up a little (where you can afford to - obviously), there is never a need to only use one brand. (Although I wouldn't mix a load of retinol products. You stay classy San Diego.)

Myself, the Mr and Max are all a little under the weather so there won't be a video tomorrow - I'll aim for Monday/Tuesday - but I need to rest up.

Feel free to ask any questions about the products shown or any routines etc in the comments. Although with this cold, bear with. Yes/no will be easier than essays this weekend! :)

Also: I'm focusing more on budget skincare in February. I'd be interested to hear from you with some of your favourites. :)

Have a lovely weekend everyone!