The Ordinary Serum Foundation

When you hear of a product having a waiting list that exceeds 25000 you know that you need to join that list and find out what all the fuss is about - Deciem foundations sure did cause a bit of a frenzy with friends and bloggers all clambering to get their hands on this hot potato and when mine arrived, I was excited to see what all the fuss was about.

With Deciem foundations you have two choices - Full Coverage or Serum. Serum Foundations are lightweight medium-coverage formulations available in a comprehensive shade range across 21 shades and Coverage Foundations are full-coverage formulations available in a comprehensive shade range across 21 shades and are much deeper pigmented than the Serums. With me so far? I decided that I wanted to start my foundation journey with Deciem with the Serum foundations, I preferred the sound of it from the description and helpfully, Deciem have swatches of each and every shade on their website along with a helpful explanation of each and it is so helpful.

Deciem Foundations are divided into three categories: 1 for fair to lighter tones, 2 for medium tones; and 3 for darker tones which sounds quite simplistic until you realise that from there each category is then further classified by a second digit from 0 to 3 and this indicates the depth within each category. Finally, you will them notice that a letter has been added to the shade code to identify the undertone - P (Pink) and R (Red) indicate cool undertones for lighter and darker shades respectively and N indicates a Neutral tone and then Y indicates a Yellow undertone. From here each shade code has a descriptive name as well which if you sit for a few minutes and figure out where you stand within the tone category, it becomes easy to follow. The example being the Serum Foundation I was matched too being 1.0p which is very fair with pink undertones and 1.1p which is fair with pink undertones and the reason I have two is that I prefer to mix them together and use them.  The swatch below is without any filter or tinkering with the photo and it shows there is just a slight difference in shade.

Serum Foundations offer what is called moderate coverage, to you and I that means they look natural when applied but the finish is also semi-matte so for anyone who has an issue with shine, this foundation can be your best friend because it also doesn't cling to dry patches, sink into lines and it has an SPF15. They come in a pump action bottle which makes for using it a breeze, there is also an option to buy a dropper if that is your preference. As this is a serum foundation it does have a slightly runnier texture, but it makes no difference to the application, which I complete with my Beauty Blender.

Once applied, for me, this foundation lasts all day.  I put it on around 7.30am and it is till there at 5pm but I do use it in conjunction with The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer but that said, this is a great foundation if you are not really a fan of heavy duty wallpaper paste foundations and at just £5.70 it isn't going to break the bank whether you love it or hate it!

Have you tried either of the Deciem foundations?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Julep Detoxifying Cleansing Stick

I adore Korean Skincare, not a new statement if you read this blog regularly, but I do.  There is always something new, somethi8ng exciting and every now and then there is an absolute gem of a product which is a total game changer and that is what I am sharing with you today. Meet the Julep Detoxifying Cleansing Stick.

I am a huge advocate of double, sometimes triple cleansing depending on how much time I have got and what mood I am in. I double cleanse at least twice a day whatever the circumstances and I love a good balm cleanser. Living in London your skin does take a bit of a battering from pollution and travelling around on public transport, those of you who are familiar with the tube will know all too well that horror that greats you when you blow your nose, that is not the colour I want to find coming off my skin.

The Detoxifying Cleanser Stick from Julep is just genius, a total game changer and if you travel a lot, frequently or a few times a year, this little product is just perfect!  Described as being a blend of natural oils and fruit enzymes that work to remove dirt, oil, and impurities while gently exfoliating for a deep-down clean and simply put it is a cleansing balm in stick form.

There are two ways that you can use this stick and it does depend on your preference.  Firstly you can apply it to wet hands and then massage it over a wet face or my preference is to ensure my face is wet and then using the stick, massage it around my face, avoiding my eyes but making sure I do cover my neck and decolletage, as I would do with any other balm cleanser.  The first thing to note is that this is a solid balm cleanser, which when it comes into contact with water, dissolves slightly making it much easy to use and it does lather quite quickly.  Then once I am happy I have covered all the areas I want to cleanse, I use my fingers to double check and then rinse off using warm water and a Konjac sponge.

I adore the scent of this cleanser, it has a fruity tang to it at a first sniff and as you massage onto your face, that scent only intensifies before dying down.  The scent comes from some key ingredients which include:

• Rice Bran Oil - Dives deep to purge impurities
• Grapefruit Peel Oil- Cleanses and evens skin tone
• Camellia Japonica Seed Oil - Hydrates and clarifies skin (Sourced from Jeju Island, Korea)
• Pomegranate Fruit Enzyme - Exfoliates gently

If you hadn't worked out already, I absolutely adore this Cleansing Stick and think it is just an incredible product, one I didn't know I needed until I met both Jane and Jenny, the founders of Julep a few months ago at a very special brand launch.

Now if this sounds like something you need in your life, the bad news is that you cannot yet get hold of it here in the UK but the good news is that it is coming to QVC in January along with some other incredible products across the skincare and makeup range. I have a few more products to share with you over the coming few weeks, so please look out for them.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Beauty Expert Limited edition 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar + Win one for yourself!

If you still haven't decided which Beauty Advent Calendar to purchase (see my post here) then hold on just a few minutes because I am giving you a chance to win an amazing Beauty Expert Limited Edition 12 Days of Christmas Calendar within this post.  

Beauty Expert was born a decade ago and brings you an expertly curated selection of luxury products sourced from around the world.  On the website, you will find brands such as Eve Lom, Omorovicza, DHC, Alpha-H, Erno Laszlo, Aesop, and Ren. Whether you are looking for skincare, makeup, hair care, body care makeup tool or even some inspiration, everything you will need is there.   

As you can see, this Beauty Calendar is absolutely huge. Decorated with a bright white shiny outside as you open the front doors to the Calendar, inside you are greeted with 12 individual boxes and those boxes are in fact really deep drawers, which will be useful to store things in after you have finished with the Calendar.  Inside each of the drawers you will find a whole host of products which include everything from Skincare, hair care and body care and they are from some amazing brands and they include - Omoroviciza, Eve Lom, Paula's Choice, Pai, Gatineau, Caudalie, Korres, Skimono, Cult 51 and quite a few more than I have not mentioned in order to keep an element of surprise.  If you want to know the full contents, I have no doubt you can see them online.

The Advent Calendar launches today (here) and will cost £100 and has contents worth an amazing £340.  So if you want something a little bit exciting, something that looks incredible and is of course amazing value for money - Beauty Expert has quite the offering.  As I said, I have one of these calendars to give away and to enter all you need to do is complete the widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules

• Please note that this is a UK ONLY giveaway owing to the contents within the Calendar
• You need to be aged 16 or over to enter, or have parental permission because I will need your address
• You need to complete the Mandatory Entries or it will disqualify you from entering
• The winner will be notified as soon as possible after the competition closes and the draw is completely random
• There is no cash alternative

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

L'Occitane Shea Butter Collection

One of my favourite brands - L'Occitane have taken one of their most iconic ingredients and have released a brand new range of products which are literally just incredible. If you have never tried anything from L'Occitane before, then I urge to you give this range a try, it is so so good.

Within the Shea Butter range there is the brand new Ultra-Light Body Cream and Shea Shower Oil and not wanting a few products to be feeling left out, both the Rich Lotion and Shea Fabulous Oil have been given a bit of a makeover and now have a brand new look.

Starting with the Ultra Light Body Cream which has an incredible light, bouncy texture to it and it is described by L'Occitane as follows:

Shea Ultra Light Body Cream combines the nourishing properties of a balm with the lightness of a mousse to protect and moisturised skin for up to 24 hours. Its light and airy formula, made with 5% shea butter, gently melts into the skin leaving it supple and comfortable.

I adore the texture of this cream, as soon as it comes into contact with my skin, it has disappeared and behind I am left with what can only be described as an incredible scent and amazingly soft to the touch skin.

I am not usually someone who can be bothered with a body cream, it is a faff, but I am part way through the tub of this one, so it has definitely ticked a box.  Retailing at £32 for 200ml, I am debating stocking up!

For me, L'Occitane shower oils are the best I have tried.  I adore the entire Almond range and have repurchased the shower oil from that range several times over.  The introduction to the Shea Shower Oil and I am not wanting to get out of the shower.  Described as:

Developed with 10% of lipid rich Shea oil, this shower oil gently cleanses the body. Its rich texture leaves a nourishing, protective film, which helps soften even dry skins. It contributes to soothe feelings of tightness, for skin that seems more supple and comfortable. Its gentle fragrance delicately perfumes the skin.

Now as it is an oil it acts like an oily, so you need to take care in the shower. That said, I adore the scent and I adore the feeling on my skin once I leave the shower.

After using my skin is so sweet-scented and smooth to the touch. I have also used it in the bath for an extra treat and even dry skin on my shins, knees and elbows seems to have been almost eradicated using this. Priced at just £19 for 250ml I have bought a backup.

The Rich Lotion with its brand new look is as the name suggests - a rich lotion. Described as being:

Rich in shea butter (15%) and calendula, this body lotion nourishes and instantly brings comfort to dry skin. It leaves the skin moisturised for up to 48 hours after application. Its fluid formula helps to soothe feelings of skin tightness, offering day after day protection against skin dryness.

For me, this is a treat in a bottle and something to be used when your skin needs some TLC, for a pamper session or just because.

Luxurious and thick textured you literally need just one or two pumps to cover your arms or legs and when it comes into contact with the skin, it melts and disappears much quicker than I had expected. After using there is no trace it was ever on the skin, but the soft Shea Butter scent does remain. Priced at £23 for 250ml.

The final item in this incredible foursome is the Shea Fabulous Oil and as the name suggests it is both fabulous and an oil. Described as being:

Enriched with lipid-replenishing shea oil (5%), Shea Fabulous Oil is the ideal formula to nourish, soften and protect the skin from dryness. It helps to restore the skin’s hydrolipidic film. With its rich, silky texture and satin-soft finish, it is quickly absorbed and leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth, with no greasy after feel. The skin is delicately scented with the iconic Shea fragrance.

What I love about this oil is that it comes in a glass bottle with a spritz, so you don't have to pour it into your hands and then transfer it to your skin, only to find half of it is on the carpet and the other half dribbling everywhere.

Just spritz onto the skin where you want it the most and then massage into the skin.  As it is an oil, I was surprised to find there is no greasiness left on the skin, it absorbs pretty quickly and leaves no trace behind.  I have used this oil on my body, legs, hands, arms and even on my feet and it is just delightful.  Priced at £26 for 100ml it is stunning.

It is worth noting that L'Occitane use organic Shea Butter within their products and since the 1980's they have worked with women in Burkina Faso to ensure they have the highest quality product (read more about this here). Shea Butter works to replenish, nourish and heal the skin by locking in nutrition and if like me you have dry patches of skin, the use of Shea Butter works incredibly well.

For me, this is another amazing range from L'Occitane and I would love to know if you are as big a fan as I am of the brand?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here