January 2015 Favourites - Skincare

Hi All

I have not done a favourites post in a long time.  I have changed some of the products I have been using and wanted to share which products I am getting on well with. In this post I will show my skincare favourites from the picture below, then do a seperate post for the remaining products which are beauty related.

Current Favourites

Bright Plus HP Brightening Repairing Night Cream (Not shown in picture above)

I did a previous post when I purchased this night cream and I must say that I am very happy that I bought it.  I normally use the Clarins Multi-Active Night Cream which is for Anti-ageing, which I am definitely going to repurchase in the winter.  I thought summertime would be the perfect time to try this brightening & repairing night cream to soothe my skin from any sun damage that may have been caused from the summer sun and also even out my skin tone and fade any dark spots I may have.  In the morning,  I do notice that my skin is not so dull any more.  My neck and face are almost the same skin tone / shade now, whereas my face used to be noticeably darker than my neck. 

BioNike Defence Two-Phase Lotion Eye Make-up Remover 150 ml

I bought the BioNike Defence Two-Phase Lotion Eye Make-up Remover (R129.95) because the Dischem Cold Cream that I used for removing my eye-makeup had been discontinued.  So I had to find an alternative.  I was recommended this product by a sales assistant that works at Dischem.  I think I even like it better than the Clarins travel size one I received last year that looks the same as this one.  You basically have to shake it up to mix the clear liquid on top, with the blue liquid below and dispense some onto a cotton pad and hold it on over your eye for a couple of seconds while it melts the eye makeup.  Then use the cotton pads to wipe the eye makeup off your eye.  Repeat with a clean cotton pad for the second eye.  I like that it is gentle on the eye as well as non greasy.

IQ Dermaquench Rose Blossom Toner 200ml

Once again, I couldnt find my regular toner (Simple) because it had been discontinued.  I picked up this one because is said the following things "Alcohol Free, Anti-Ageing,  Clears, Restores & Primes Skin, Dry/Sensitive Skin".  it is also dermatologist developed.  It is soothing on my skin which I like and has a pleasant smell.  It retails for R74.99 at Dischem.

Lush Mask Of Magnaminty

The Lush Mask Of Magnaminty really is a skin saver as it really does get rid of pimples.  I am just sad that it has a quick expiry date as I have soo much left and its near its expiry date.  I also wished I used it more often, instead of just using it only when I had a skin emergency.  I received this as a gift at the end of last year along with other Lush goodies.  A male Lush assistant once told me that this saved his skin as he had such bad acne.  Although it says "Minty", it is really gentle on the skin - no burning at all.  The mint isn't even strong smelling either.  This is a definite repurchase item.  It comes in two different sized tubs.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post on my January 2015 skincare favourites.

I am going to upload a beauty / makeup favourites post for January as well.

Keep well

Lush Haul - Gifts Received

Hi there

I did post a Lush gift haul in December.  I received these two gift boxes form Lush after I posted the last Lush gift haul.  Both of these lush gift boxes where received from. colleagues

Lush -Secret Santa

This was received from a lady at work to say thank you for all the help I gave her, as she is new in the office.  

This gift box contains a Father Christmas Bath Bomb and a Honey I Washed The Kids Soap.

So far I have used the soap and let me tell you, it smells like caramel!!  Yum

Lush - Ahoy There

A flavour of the sea in the comfort of your own shower, a salt and sand heaven.

Scrub away the day or smooth your skin with this duo of sea-inspired goodies. Designed to awaken the sailor in you. 

Contains: Ocean Salt (70g), Sandstone Soap (120g)

Take Care

Lush Cosmetics Gift Haul & Wishlist

Hi There

The Lush store in Gateway Shopping Centre in Durban is once of my favourite stores to visit.  The smell that comes out of the store when you walk past is soo inviting.  Below are pic's of the Durban store:-

 

We did Secret Santa at work and exchanged gifts this week at Beluga Restaurant.  Everyone's name went into a hat and the name you chose, is the person who you would have to buy for.  A wishlist was also filled out, where a person could fill out three things that they would like to receive.  So the person that picked their name had a pretty good idea what to get them.  So everyone got something they really wanted.  And yes, there was a budget set.  We had to still guess who bought the gifts (which was the secret part of secret santa)

I filled in my wishlist.  My first option was sold out everywhere in Gateway, go figure.

My second option was Lush products and I was very specific on what I wanted (I even included pictures lol)  I asked for MASK OF MAGAMINTY, and if that was sold out then I wanted OCEAN SALT, and if that was sold out, I wanted ULTRABLAND.  Guess what?  My Secret Santa went over the budget and got me both the Mask of Magnaminty and the Ocean Salt as well as a box of Amarula Chocolates.  I was soo happy!

I also had to buy gift for a guy and a girl, which I will be giving to them next weekend.  I thought Lush products would be the ideal gift as they are such hard working, giving people.  I wanted to give them something that would help them to chill out and just relax.  This is a married couple, by the way.

For for the female I bought the following three items:

Mmm Melting Marshmallow Moment Luxury Bath Melt

The Comforter Bubble Bar

Think Pink Ballistic (Bath Bomb)

For for the male I bought the following three items:

Dirty Shaving Cream

Golden Wonder Ballistic (Bath Bomb)

Miranda Soap

Everything smells so divine.  i hope they enjoy their gifts.

Also, I must include a further wishlist of my own:-

Reindeer Rock Soap  

Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser

Sex Bomb Bath Ballistic (Bath Bomb)

Snowman Shower Jelly

Ro's Argan Body Conditioner

CoalFace (Facial Soap)

Ultrband 

Wiccy Magic Muscles (Massage Bar)

I hope you enjoyed this post.

Regards

Review : Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque & Dupe

I received some skincare products from a friend.  She received skincare products in a swop from a friend overseas, unfortunately not sold here in SA. She in turn shared the skincare with me.  What a good friend!  From all the skincare I received, the one I have used so far is the ever famous and raved about Queen Helene Mint Julep masque. 

The mask is said to be a dupe for the Lush Mask of Magnaminty which costs a  bit more.

Gross, I know, but this is the reality.

Queen Mint Julep Masque was developed by a dermatologist.  

This treatment helps to dry up pimples, rinse away blackheads and shrink enlarged pores.

Apply Mint Julep Masque to a clean face and neck.  

As it firms and hardens within minutes, it draws out impurities from your pores. 

After the masque is removed, your skin will feel clean, refreshed and smooth. 

Even for individuals who are fortunate to be free of skin problems, Mint Julep Masque is a refreshing facial treatment that helps relax tired muscles and ease tension lines on the face and neck. 

I did not try this mask on my neck bit I did use it on my face and under my jaw.  My skin was definitely smoother.  I used it on my daughter as well as she tends to get acne n the sides of her face and on her forehead.  Her face looked clear and brighter after using the mask.  And yes, it is minty, in a good way.

This mask can be bought online and the Lush mask is sold in certain areas in South Africa.  The Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque would be a nice staple skincare product to have.  I would like to try the Lush mask just to compare and see is it really an exact dupe or not.