January First Impressions

Ladies, it is time for me to share my January First Impressions with you! Quick reviews of the products I started trying out in January. I started on a roll, being on time with my Haul, but that faded quick, anyway, let’s begin!

As I mentioned in this Local Lovelies post, South Africa has some really great beauty products, I just wish more people knew about them. In the next few weeks I will be sharing a few of my favourite Local Skincare Brands, as well as a few products from them that I absolutely adore! But for now, let’s discuss the First Impressions!

Lulu & Marula Balancing Cleansing Balm, Purifying Mask and Polish and Refreshing Tonic Mist. I absolutely love the balm as a first cleanse, from the scent to the feel, and to how it just melts away dirt, and when water is added it turns into milk and just dissolves away. I have only tried the Mask once, it is a bit messy, since it is a powder that needs to be mixed with water to form a paste, and the smell is very earthy. My skin did look cleaner and more refined though. Lastly, the Mist, this is lovely to hydrate and soothe skin, pre moisturiser, pre makeup, post makeup, all of the time!

Next up, Skin Creamery, a firm favourite of many people when it comes to local skincare, and I am no different! I have tried all of their other products before, and the last two that were left, were the Oil to Milk Cleanser and the Skin Tonic. The Oil to Milk Cleanser feels so luxurious on the skin. I apply it to dry skin, massage and then rinse with water, and it dissolves immediately into a milky emulsion without leaving any residue behind. This works well as either a first or second cleanse, as it removes makeup as well as leaves the skin feeling calm and hydrated. I like to use the Skin Tonic as an essence, after cleansing and before my serum, just pressed into my skin with my fingertips. It is soothing and hydrating, and a lovely addition to my routine.

Skoon Skincare another range that is super popular, and I definitely have a few favourites here too. The Ruby Marine Overnight Hydrating Mask is rich and soothing and perfect for dehydrated skin. The first few times I used it, I used too much and looked and felt like a greaseball. The key is to use a tiny amount, half of your finger nail, as the balm melts into a lovely oil when applied. The Papaya + Pineapple Sherbet Enzyme Exfoliating Mask is a powder that is mixed with water to form a paste, which is then applied to the skin. The tub is huge, so this will last quite a long time! I felt a slight tingle around my nose area, thanks to the enzyme exfoliants, and my skin looked brighter and less dull after use.

A lesser known local brand, well at least to me is WASS, who actually do both clothing and skin and body care. The Night Repair Treatment Oil is aptly called Thank You, because I really think your skin will thank you the next morning. I don’t know what it did overnight, but the next morning my skin looked refreshed, plump and supple, I can’t wait to see the long term results!

Lastly, is SKNLOGIC, one of the first local brands I tried a few years ago, when I fell in love with the Enzyme Exfoliate. So, I was excited to try this other *Exfoliate product which combines both physical and chemical exfoliants. I like that it doesn’t feel too scrubby and the inclusion of papaya extract which works as a chemical exfoliant.

January First Impressions

I have had the L’Oreal Skin Perfection Range for quite a while, and I am not sure why I never pulled it out to use. This range is meant to improve the tone and texture of your skin, as well as reduce the look of pores. All of the products in this range have a slight tint, which makes the skin look healthier and more radiant. The Blur Cream has a bit of a matte finish which I am not too sure about yet. I do like the eye cream which has an orange tint and helps to brighten the eye area. I will have a full review on this range once I have had a chance to try the products for a significant amount of time.

A Few to Make you Glow- A Beauty Edit

Who doesn’t want glowing skin, well I have picked out a few products to help me get there. I will have a Glowing Beauty Edit post up soon, but for now here are my first impressions. Starting with skincare, the *Filorga Oxygen-Peel Re-oxygenating micro-peeling lotion is a daily acid exfoliating lotion that you wipe over skin every evening after cleansing. It isn’t too harsh where it causes skin to react, but it does use a cocktail of acids to remove dead dull skin and boost radiance and hydration as well as improve skin texture. I don’t feel much of a tingle when applied, but I am really excited for the results after using this consistently! The Sephora Pearl Mask is a sheet mask to perfect and brighten the skin. I love the Sephora Sheet Masks, they work really well to give skin a quick boost of hydration and radiance. Moving on to makeup prep we have the *REN Perfect Canvas, which is a silicone free primer that plumps up the skin and gives it a healthy hydrated look. It also has skincare benefits! The *Ecotools Total Perfecting Blender has been my go to for makeup application. Firstly it swells so much once wet, it also has a long flat tip which is perfect for the under-eye area and lastly there are two flat large areas which are perfect for the whole face and don’t take forever to bop around. Onto makeup, the Smashbox Liquid Halo Foundation is a very lightweight dewy foundation that perfects the skin without covering it up. Where the glow usually disappears is when you set your makeup and concealer with powder, but not with the Laura Geller Balance + Brighten Baked Foundation. I have been using this to set my concealer under my eyes, and it doesn’t look ashy and really brightens the area. I also dust some over my face to increase the longevity of my makeup without sacrificing the glow. Lastly, what is a glow without a highlighter. This trèStiQue mini highlighter has such a wonderful texture, and adds a luminous glow to the skin.

I have already shared my thoughts and swatches on the below Budget Beauty Edit.

A Budget Beauty Edit

Lastly, Replica Fragrances! I have been lucky enough to get a few samples from my Sephora orders, and Tea Escape and Beach Walk have me hooked. Tea Escape is such a glorious scent. If you love The Body Shop Vanilla Chai, this is a less sweet more sophisticated version, but still comforting. By The Fireplace is woody, and smells of pine cones, and is a lovely winter scent. Lazy Sunday Morning did not work for me at all, it smells so strong, like really strong Attar, and I just can’t. Beach Walk is light and fresh and smells of sun and salt and really takes me back to the beach. At The Barber’s is a men’s fragrance that I gave to my boyfriend which he quite likes.

Thanks for reading ladies!

*Press Sample

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This Post Has 50 Comments

  1. shelley

    I really the variety of products in this months first impressions.

    1. admin

      Thanks Shellet, yep I love trying new things!

  2. Issy Belle Fox

    The L’Oreal Skin Perfection eye cream sounds right up my street! I’ll have to add it to my list x

    1. admin

      The eye cream is one of my favourites, really worth checking out!

  3. Laura Kroczek

    You‘ve got so many new products,wow! I really want to try more Sephora Masks and the Ren Perfect Canvas! Xx

  4. Megan McCoig

    I haven’t seen this L’Oréal range before. It sounds great and I also love the packaging. Need to try more skincare from them as loads of people I see love it xx

    1. admin

      They make some great skincare!

  5. Sal UmmBaby

    The Cleansing Balm sounds so lovely. I am obsessed with Cleansing balms xxx

    1. admin

      Oh me too, I love balms as a first cleanse!

  6. Thuraya Alhourani

    I love the sound of so many of these products! And I’m already a huge fan of the loreal skin perfection range x

    1. admin

      The Skin Perfection is pretty nice isn’t it? Although I am not a fan of the blur.

    1. admin

      I just got a sample of it, and it is divine!

  7. Alice Spake

    Eeeee you have so many amazing products here! I want to help you out haha xx

    1. admin

      Haha, you are welcome anytime Alice

  8. Beky Morris

    I love the sephora masks and the Replica fragrances are something I definitely want to try out!

  9. Caroline

    I really want to buy one of the Replica perfumes but I have no idea which one to go for! Think I need to get my hands on some samples too so I can try them out properly xx

    1. admin

      I have just gotten a sample of Flower Market, and I am in love!

  10. Emma

    That skin perfection range looks amazing – such pretty packaging! I love the brands you’ve included here x

    1. admin

      Yep it is quite a nice range Emma

  11. Sarah

    Wonderful selection of products and I adore your photos x

  12. Gemma

    So many fab products here!

    1. admin

      It is awesome! Have you tried any others? I like the rose one too

  13. Maisie

    I can’t get over how perfect your photos always are! x

    1. admin

      Thanks Maisie, all taken with my phone 🙂

  14. Erin

    oh wow the loreal range looks so so nice, I’ve not seen the pink one before either it looks fab! 🙂

    Erin || MakeErinOver

    1. admin

      The eye cream is amazing!

  15. R Fourie

    Looking forward to your review on the L’Oreal Skin Perfection Range 🙂

  16. Beautylymin

    I love the sound of the Ren Blank Canvas product but you have lots of amazing goodies here! xx

    1. admin

      It is such a great primer!

  17. Robyn

    So many great products here! I’ve been thinking about trying the L’Oreal Skin Perfection Range for a while so I’m so glad you wrote about this! 🙂 xx

    1. admin

      Oooohhh, lemme know how it goes if you try it

  18. Adrienne

    I love the Sephora masks – I need to stock up asap x

    1. admin

      Yep, they are great! Which is your favourite?

  19. Terri Heckley

    The sephora sheet masks sound amazing, really wanna try them!

    1. admin

      They are amazing! I also like their overnight masks

  20. Yasmina

    There’s so many amazing products, can’t wait to hear how you get on with them 🙂 xx

    Yasmina | The July Journal

    1. admin

      Thanks for reading Yasmina!

  21. Rosie

    I’m hearing so much about Skin Creamery and I need to find out more! I always love your fave posts! Always give me food for thought and new things to buy!

    1. admin

      It is such a wonderful brand! Thanks Rosie

  22. Alice Fairweather

    The Loreal set looks amazing, interested to hear how you get on after a few weeks! Sounds great though x

    1. admin

      Yep, it has been going well so far!

  23. Candice

    So many amazing products! I hope that Essence has a foundation shade for me.

    Candice | beautycandyloves.co.za

    1. admin

      It’s such a great foundation Candice!

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