Today I will be sharing the final post of my October monthly series, my October First Impressions. Quick reviews and first impressions of all of the products I have tried out. Some already have full reviews, and others will have full reviews coming soon. You can check out my haul and favourites for October if you haven’t already!
As I mentioned in a previous post, I am a hoarder of note when it comes to Limited Edition products, in fear that they will never be seen again. But, I thought it was about time I use these products from Christmas past, as in The Body Shop Christmas 2015! I am really enjoying the scent of the Glazed Apple Candle, and I am quite sad that there is no apple variant this year, I loved the Spiced Apple from last year. The only thing is that, no matter what I do the candle pools, please someone tell me how to make it stop! I also have a Frosted Plum and Frosted Cranberry Body Butter, both suitable for all skin types. When it comes to body butter, I prefer the intense hydration version for dry skin, but these aren’t too bad, especially since we are entering summer. I am loving the scent of the Frosted Cranberry, but not too impressed by Frosted Plum. Frosted Plum is back in this year’s Christmas Collection, along with Frosted Berries and Vanilla Chai from last year.
Yves Rocher So Elixir is quite spicy yet summery, and includes notes of jasmine, bergamot and patchouli.
I bought this Mies Perfume Oil at Kamersvol, and it basically smells like pure Jasmine, I love it so much!
The Lancome O de L’Orangerie is amazing! A burst of citrus in a bed of jasmine, I just can’t get enough!
As you can see Jasmine is my note of choice, especially for Summer!
I have been enjoying my New Skincare on Trial monthly posts, where I share my thoughts on the latest skincare products I have added to my routine. These products will be in an upcoming post, once I have used them for a significant amount of time. But here are my First Impressions for now.
Just a pea sized amount of the *dermalogica Precleanse Balm massaged into dry skin melts away makeup, including liquid lipstick and waterproof mascara, and I love that it doesn’t bug my eyes at all! Once water is added, the balm turns into a milky emulsion that is easily rinsed away, and doesn’t leave any greasy trace. The Balm also comes with a handy little cleansing mitt that can be used for a deeper clean or mild exfoliation.
Next up the dermalogica Daily Resurfacer is a little applicator pad that fits over your finger, and contains one application of alpha and beta hydroxy acids and enzymes to smooth the skin. I am loving this! I am a huge fan of peels and acids, and using this after cleansing really helps to exfoliate and resurface the skin without irritation or redness. But, do not use this when using a highly active retinol product, as it can bee too much for the skin, and cause flaking and irritation.
The Soap & Glory Scrub Your Nose In It is a very fine grit exfoliator, that offers both chemical and physical exfoliation without being harsh on the skin. It has a lovely fresh mint scent, and a blue colour. My skin felt refreshed and cleansed after use, and definitely more refined.
There is a new Double Serum in town, the *Clarins 8th Generation Double Serum. I featured the previous version in this post, and really enjoyed using it, but mentioned that it is quite oily and rich. The new version is even better, and is formulated without mineral oil! You can actually see and feel the difference between the new and old serum. The 8th Generation Double Serum still has the 20 plant extracts, but also includes Turmerone, a derivative of Turmeric. The packaging of the new serum, as was the case with the old, contains two different compartments for the Hydric and Lipidic phases, which are combined when you dispense the product. A new feature of the 8th Generation is the two dials on the bottle, which allows you to control how much of the serum is dispensed, I prefer the larger dose, since my skin is on the dehydrated side. I have noticed a definite change in my skin since I started using this, it is hydrated, plump and radiant.
I love the chicness of Nuxe, as well as the gorgeous scent of the products. And the *Nuxe Creme Fraiche de Beauté 48HR Moisturising Cream and 48HR Moisture SOS Rescue Mask are no different, with a delectable orange blossom scent. The Moisturising Cream is soft and silky on the skin, and does a great job of reducing dehydration lines and plumping up the skin. But, the SOS Rescue Mask is my favourite! It can be used as an overnight mask, which is my favourite way to use it, or it can be used for 10 minutes for a quick hydration boost. My skin is left looking radiant and supple, and as if it has had a big gulp of water!
I am obsessed with sun protection, and basically slather myself everyday, as if I am going to the beach, even though I live in the city, and spend most of my time indoors. The newest sun protection I have been trying is the Bioderma Photoderm MAX 50+ Tinted Aquafluid in Golden. I love how thin a fluid this is, it works perfectly well under makeup, and doesn’t look or feel greasy. The one issue I have is that the tint is slightly too dark for me, although it’s not a biggy, since it is a very slight tint, and doesn’t provide any coverage.
I have already reviewed these stunning Urban Studio and CALA brushes, which you can check out here.
How gorgeous is the packaging of the Mara Hoffman for Sephora Collection? I am loving this Kaleidescape Pro Flawless Airbrush 56, and have been using it daily to apply my concealer. It is soft enough to use under the eyes, and blends really well without streaking. I also bought the Tinted Lip Balm in Wilderberry. This balm is really moisturising, and gives lips a nice tint while leaving them soft and supple. It looks way more pigmented in the tube than it actually is though.
Edgars fashion brand Kelso has launched a makeup line called *Kelso Colour which will be available in stores this month. I was sent the Chubby Sticks and a Brown Mascara to test out, and will have a full review with swatches up soon. A few of the Chubby Sticks have a metallic type finish, which is definitely on trend right now, although my favourites are Oh Snap and Lerato, a bright orange and red. The mascara applicator is amazing! A plastic bristled spoolie, that seperates and curls lashes without loading on too much product. It reminds me a lot of the Catrice Glam & Doll Mascara.
I bought this Sephora Collection Disney Minnie Beauty, Minnie-ature Cream Lip Stain Set that contains five mini Cream Lip Stains, and includes the famous Always Red. Unfortunately after swatching these, I realised I will only end up wearing at most two shades, Always Red and Mandarin Muse, and it is not worth keeping the whole set, although I do love the matte finish and feel of these. So, it will be added to my Blog Sale.
You may have seen in my haul post that I picked up a few items from the new Catrice Soleil d’Ete Limited Edition. The highlighter is so beautiful and soft and buttery I cannot get enough of it. The bronzer is quite warm toned, but also soft and buttery, and does a great job of creating that sun kissed look. Lastly, the two eye products are so pigmented, long lasting and the metallic look is perfect for the festive season. I will have a full review and swatches of this new range up soon.
Another range I had to stop hoarding is the MAC Nutcracker Collection, which I reviewed over here.
*Press Sample
Thanks for reading ladies!
Everything looks and sounds so prettttty! Your photos are gorgeous as always! I always love the Body Shop for festive scents! x
Thank you! Me too, I love their scents, and their candles. I am just hoping for a moringa one at some stage!
I love the Body Shop butters, they are just so good!
Yasmina | The July Journal
Me too! Moringa is my favourite, what is yours?
Your posts are always full of so many goodies!!
Thank you Gemma, I love trying new products every month!
I have to get my hands on the Dermalogica Precleanse Balm. Especially for removing my mascara 😎
It is lovely Reonette, so soft and gentle and just melts when applied!
I abolutley love anything from The Body Shop. Their Christmas ranges always excite me every year x
Me too! Although I am a bit disappointed by this years repeats, two are exactly the same as last year, even the same packaging!
I love the look of that brush collection from Sephora and I must say that I am a big fan of the MAC Nutcracker set! x
I am loving the brush, I have been using it every day! I am loving the MAC powder!
I love The Body Shop and those moisturisers sound like they smell amazing! Also, those makeup brushes are so pretty x
https://emmaboughtwhat.blogspot.co.uk
The cranberry does! But the plum not so much, hehe. I am loving the brushes!
The Body Shop creams are my favourite. So rich! I really want to try out the Clarins serum too!
http://littlemissmelanie.com
The Clarins serum is a game changer! It is so much better than the last one, and the last one was amazing!
Everything looks great, I love the body shop body butters!
LoneTeenTraveller | Travel Fashion Lifestyle
Me too Meera! I love the body butters too! Moringa is my favourite!
I love the look of the chubby sticks they look fab! Such lovely shades! I love the Nutcracker blush too, still one of my favourites! 🙂
Erin || MakeErinOver
The Chubby Sticks are lovely, and a new launch, so I am really excited about it! I am loving the blush too!
I love Clarins Double Serum and really want to try Dermalogica Precleanse balm because I love the original version! xx
Beautylymin| L’OccitaneAdventCalendarGiveaway
The serum is amazing! Yes me too, the balm is definitely a hit with me!
Oh my god the Glazed Apple from The Body Shop was my favourite scent ever!!
I like it too! But unfortunately it isn’t in this year’s collection. I love the Spiced Apple of last year though!
I have the new formulated double serum and absolutely adore it! xx
It is lovely isn’t it! And so much better without the mineral oil!
I used to love Dermalogica Precleanse! The balm version sounds lovely xx
If you loved the original I am sure you will love the balm too!
I love the Double Serum esp now it’s been reformulated. I can’t believe how many products of Christmas past you have!! ;o)
Em x
https://happywiseowl.com/
Yip, the new one is great! Haha, I am a hoarder!
I love the Body Shop body butters so much but like you I love the ones for dry skin – they leave your skin moisturised for the whole day. I also need to check out those Catrice products – the highlighter looks beautiful! x
I know, the others just don’t do it for me! The highlighter is amazing, definitely check it out before it gets sold out!
That Sephora Disney haul is so beaut defo at the top of my Christmas list. Love love love this post!
It is such a cute set! Thanks for reading Rosie
that Sephora Mini Disney collection so pretty, and perfect as a Christmas gift x
It is so cute, although the shades aren’t very wearable!
I just love The Body Shop festive scents – the apple is my fave! I so want to try the Double Serum, it really so good and hydrating xx
Me too, I loved spiced apple from last year. The Double Serum is amazing!