Kiehls Turmeric and Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque

There are a number of brands that I have wanted to try for ages now and when I was given the chance to try Kiehls, I jumped at the chance. In my entire lifetime, I have only ever used one Kiehl's products (here) and yet everyone raves about them. This time it was the turn of the Turmeric and Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque 75ml. Described by Kiehls as being an ‘instant facial’, the Turmeric and Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque works to brighten and energise the look of dull, fatigued skin whilst helping it to regain its natural, healthy appearance.

To look at, the mask is quite yellow looking and as Tumeric is one of the ingredients, this didn't surprise me at all. It is also quite a thick consistency, almost like a mud mask and one I find easier to apply with an old concealer brush than with my fingers, to ensure I get an equal covering on my face. Add to Tumeric, as the name suggests is Cranberry and it is this ingredient which adds the 'scrub' to the mask. Together, the cranberry and turmeric work to help visibly even the look of your skin tone whilst the crushed cranberry seeds gently exfoliate, giving that smoother, brighter, illuminated-looking skin.

The scent of this mask is what intrigued me the most, more so because Tumeric is an ingredient I associate with a good curry!  It doesn't smell like a Chicken Balti I am pleased to say, but there is a hint of spice with the cranberries that I find really quite pleasant.

As I apply the mask using an old concealer brush, I find it really easy to stand in front of the mirror and slap it on. You only need to apply a thin layer and remember that when doing so, be careful not too apply too much pressure because the cranberry seeds are there to exfoliate. Once on the face, the mask dries incredibly quickly and I like to leave it to work its magic for up to ten minutes, so again, perfect for use if you are a busy bee like me. After those ten minutes are up, you need a warm flannel/muslin cloth and then in circular movements, gently massage your face and let those cranberry seeds work their magic to gently buff the skin, removing surface dirt, grime and dead skin cells.

Once removed, the mask leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and smooth as well as hydrated, moisturised and I am glad to say there is no hint or sign of irritation or redness. For me this mask is such an amazing treat and it is one that works as well on its own or as part of your multi-masking pampering.

If you find your skin looks a tad dull and lacklustre, dry in parts and in need of a good exfoliation and cleansing, then at £28 this is an absolute steal and is worth hunting down to give a try!  As a first face mask that I have used from Kiehls, I am eager to work my way right through the entire collection, that is how impressed I am.

Laura Geller Ballerina Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator

A few days ago I posted about the Laura Geller Sweetest Things box of products and today I have the  Laura Geller Ballerina Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator.

Now first things first, this illuminator is just stunning to look at, work with and wear. It is described as having a hybrid texture because it applies like a sheer powder but actually feels more like a cream and when swatched it does just that, as you swipe your finger across the swirls the powder like texture turns to a cream which makes it really easy to work with. The swirls are 3D and stand right out and is described as capturing the look of your favorite Italian dessert, and lasts until the very last application.

The shade, Ballerina, is just stunning and is best described as being a candlit rosy copper gold shade and once applied to the skin it gives a wash of colour. Lightweight in texture, the glow it gives is quite soft, but it is a product that is 
buildable depending on which look you are going for.

Priced at £21.50 from Lookfantastic, it is a worthy investment to have and is also available in shade Gilded Honey which is an effervescent caramel honey shade

Benefit Cosmetics Mini products

I am one of those people who loves a sample product, whether it is a perfume, sachet of a lotion or potion, a bath product or even make-up.  Why do I like them so much? Well they are incredibly easy to shove in your make up bag, your handbag or for taking away on a long weekend break or even on holiday, most sample sizes are more than generous and give you just enough to decide whether or not you like it.

One brand who does the best mini samples is Benefit and I have quite a collection it would seem. Many of them have been part of a beauty box, Magazine Freebie or have been given to me in store when I've gone to stock up on numerous products I cannot live without.  This is my sample collection

As you can see, I have quite a few and for me, many of these samples have led to the purchasing of the full sized product. In my stash I have:

• That Gal - A Brightening Face Primer which I use with my moisturiser to give it a bit of a kick.
• Erase Paste - Brightening Concealer which is one of the best concealers I have used in such a long time.  This little tub has almost come to the end of its life which is sad, but I intend to refill it using my full sized version.
• PoreFessional - Face Primer which is always in my handbag.  Whilst I do prefer the newer Porefessional Matte Primer, this one is great for on the go touch ups.

• Coralista - A Coral Blush
• Dandelion - A brightening face powder 

Both of these came from a Benefit Mini Set I have given but until a few weeks ago, I had forgotten all about them.  Both are brilliant for having in my handbag, especially Dandelion of which I am a huge fan.

• They're Real and Roller Lash - Now I adore both of these mascaras but I prefer to use the wand of Roller Lash with the formula of They're Real, I just find it works better for me. I love both these little sample sizes which are more than generous at 30g to give you an informed view as to whether or not they are the mascara for you.

• High Beam - satiny pink liquid highlighter accents cheek & brow bones for a dewy glow
• License to Blot - Instant Oil Blotting Stick, which is an absolute gem of a product and one that is definitely handbag, desk drawer and make up bag worthy.
• Lolli tint - Candy Orchid tint for lips and cheeks and it is a really cute shade of pink which works well with most lipsticks I own
• Puff Off - Instant Eye Gel to help smooth the look of puffy eyes

• Posietint - poppy-pink tinted stain for cheeks & lips and I find works well as a lip primer.
• Stay don't Stray - dual-action power primer works 360 degrees around the eyes to make concealers and eyeshadows stay put
• Benetint - The original rose-tinted stain for cheeks and lips
• Ooh La Lift - under-eye boost looks like an instant eyelift! Contains raspberry extracts and light-reflecting pigments to instantly perk up tired eyes

As you can see, I have just about everything I need to ensure my make up is primed, set and not going to budge an inch.  Do you have any Benefit Mini's?

Merumaya Gentle Exfoliating Toner

Merumaya is a brand that I absolutely love and am yet to use a product I dislike. On their shelves you will find a product for everything - Cleansers, Cleansing Balm, Toners, Eye Cream, Night Cream, Face Wash, Oils, Serums, hand wash, hand cream, masks, peels, supplements and spot treatments to name just a few. The latest product which has been added to my routine is The Gentle Exfoliating Toner.

Until now, I never bothered to use a toner as part of my skincare regime, so I was very excited to see what effect this Exfoliating Toner would have and to see what the results were. The product itself is packed full of active ingredients some of which give immediate noticeable results and others that are more effective when the toner is used over a longer period of time. Unsurprisingly, the words AHA and Hyaluronic Acid appear in the list on ingredients and this is what they do.

• AHAs or Natural Alpha Hydroxy Acids work to gently yet effectively peel away dead skin, detoxify, cleanse and refine pores to reveal fresh smooth and brighter skin. Natural AHA’s Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are proven to act as exfoliants, loosening and removing the top layer of dead cells by decreasing corneocyte adhesion. This reveals the new skin cells below. Natural AHA Complex provides a superficial peel action resulting in an improved surface appearance for a fresher, smoother look to skin. AHAs help to remove dry skin and can be useful in treating blemished or problem skin, unblocking and cleansing pores. Phew! So essentially what it does is remove all that dirt, grime, excess sebum and nasty stuff from your skin, the stuff that accumulates each day, the stuff which turns the cotton wool pad a black/brown shade when you cleanse essentially. 
• Hyaluronic Acid is an ingredient that my skin absolutely loves, it helps to retain over a 1000 times its weight in water within the cells of skin, making it an excellent moisturiser. 
• Natural Betaine is an osmoregulator which essentially means that it manages water balance in skin cells. It can hold 1.6 times its own weight in water. It hydrates and softens the surface of skin resulting in a soft and even finish.

I absolutely love using this toner and it is so gentle on the skin that you can use it twice a day or if you feel this is a little too obsessive, then it is great for using during those times when your skin feels lacklustre and dull. I use the toner once a day as part of my evening skincare routine and afterwards my skin is so soft and smooth, it feels amazing. This toner is priced at £17.50 for a 128ml bottle, so it is going to last quite some time, even if you do use it twice a day.

What I also love about Merumaya is their focus on promoting #BeautyHasNoAge and by this, it means the products are not focused or targeted at Anti Aging, a term most people, myself included, are often skeptical about, but instead, Merumaya want to promote the feeling of positivity about our age and embracing the changes that happen as we get older.