NO2O Dry Sheet Treatment Masks

I absolutely love facemasks and I love that they come in all shapes, sizes, fragrances, textures and you can choose whether you want something that is clay, bubble, peel off, rubberised, sheet, mud, creme and perhaps most importantly you can choose a mask for a particular problem, issue or just for some pampering.  One type of mask I had never used until recently was a dry sheet mask.

NO2O by Aqua Skincare is a range of 4 dry sheet masks, infused with a combination of power active ingredients and peptides which leaves your skin feeling ‘wow’. Based in Truro in the beautiful County of Cornwall, Aqua Advanced Skincare was created to offer something more than just your average beauty salon, all of their treatments and products are based on correcting and preventing damage to your skin and maintaining the health of your skin.

The NO2O Dry Sheet Treatment Masks combine breakthrough skincare technology and scientific formulations in an easy-to-use and mess-free way. Using an innovative delivery system to ensure that your skin is enriched with nutrients and peptides which continue to work long after the mask has been removed.  This was an absolute first for me when it came to a facemask that was dry and even more so that you can use each mask twice making them even better value for money.

To use these masks, you first need to ensure that you have cleansed and dried your face to remove any surface dirt and grime that is just sitting there.  Once you have done that, you apply the dry sheet mask and then once it is on the face in the right position and thankfully there is even a slit to ensure the mask stays in place using your ears, massage it for 30 seconds and in doing this you activate the ingredients.  Leave it on the skin for 15-20 minutes to work its magic.  I was admittedly not sure what to expect at all, part of me assumed I would need to wet the mask somehow to make it work and another part of me, the sceptical part, expected there to be absolutely nothing happening once the mask was in use.

The first of the four masks is the Detoxing Dry Sheet Mask and it uses a whole host of ingredients which slowly penetrate the skin to balance oil production as well as being purifying and clarifying. 

These ingredients include:

• Salicylic Acid - designed to unclog pores which can actively cause acne, reduces inflammation and regulates oil production
• Red Clover - Anti-oxident which eliminates toxins whilst calming and soothing the skin
• Boldo Leaf Extract - Calms the skin and assists in healing
• Kokum Butter - Essential fatty acid-nourishing and moisturising without clogging the skin

I have combination oily skin and I loved how this mask felt on my skin when I used it for the first time. Anything that I can use to balance my oily skin, is always worthy of trying and the one thing I did notice a few hours after using is how calm my skin looked having had a flare-up of flushing to my cheeks.

The second mask is the Protecting Dry Sheet Mask and this mask uses a combination of powerful active ingredients and peptides which slowly penetrate the skin for visibly firmer, hydrated, plumped and tighter skin whilst protecting against further environmental damage. 

Those ingredients include:

• Pichia Heedi Natural Extract - Reduces inflammation and enhances collagen production
• Moringa Oil - Antioxidant which supports the skin's overall health
• Shea Butter - A Natural fatty acid which nourishes and moisturises 
• Carcinine Peptite - Protects the skin from further damage and environmental stress

Living in London, I feel as though I need to do everything I can to protect my skin from environmental stress, a day of travelling around the city can leave my skin feeling just awful.

The third mask is the Hydrating Dry Sheet Mask and this mask is my favourite of the four. Again, as with the masks so far, this one uses a combination of powerful active ingredients and peptides which slowly penetrate the skin for visibly hydrated and plumped skin, whilst adding protection against increased moisture loss. 

Those ingredients are:

• Hyaluronic Acid - Replenishes moisture and assists in collagen production.
• Saliporine Extract - Reinforces the natural moisturising factor of the skin-improving hydration over a longer period of time.
• Phytosterol and Squalene - Nourishes, repairs and protects the skin's natural lipid barrier function.

What I loved about this mask when I used it the first time is that my skin was feeling particularly vile having just had one of the heaviest colds I have had for some time and my skin felt dry to the touch, even though I kept up with my skincare routine as best I could manage.  One use of this mask and my skin felt incredible and there was a definite change in moisture.

The final mask within this collection is the Firming Dry Sheet Mask and it also infused with 

a combination of powerful active ingredients and peptides which slowly penetrate the skin for visibly firmer, hydrated, plumped and smooth skin. Overall texture and tone are improved with a luminous and rejuvenated result. 

Those ingredients include:

• Hyaluronic Acid - Replenishes moisture and assists in collagen production.
• Silubum Marianum Fruit Extract - Anti-oxident and anti-inflammatory- promotes the repair of skin cells
• Grape Seed Oil - Tightens the skin- moisturising and smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Lupinus Extract - Supports and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin for firmer skin.

This was the mask which intrigued me the most because it does so much for the skin. What I liked about this mask was just how smoothing and moisturising it was. I am lucky to not have many wrinkles to be too worried about.

Having been initially sceptical about these masks, I am happy to say how wrong I was and how fabulous they are.  They are priced at £20 each (here) but you can purchase all four masks as part of a pack for £60 and when you consider that you can use each mask twice, it works out to cost around £7.50 per mask, which I think is amazing value for money and I would definitely want to repurchase these again.

Have you ever tried a Dry Sheet Mask?

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

Pixi Skintreats - Pixi Retinol Tonic, Pixi Rose Tonic and Pixi Glow Tonic

Right now Pixi is just completely and utterly on fire with new launches, new releases and as well as being all over my social media feeds with everyone just loving the products, the latest launch sees two new tonics being introduced which are the Pixi Retinol Tonic and the Pixi Rose Tonic.  I decided that I would properly use each of the two new additions before rushing out a review to see if they lived up to their big Sister Glow Tonic.

I adore anything that is scented of Rose and Pixi have an amazing Rose skincare range (review here) so to add a Rose Tonic to the mix really excited me. Described as being "Naturally soothing and rich in nutrients, this tonic helps to tone, balance pH, minimize redness and calm skin. Rehydrates, replenishes and refreshes". What I like about this toner is how it feels on the skin because it is incredibly soothing and it also helps to tone, balance pH, minimise redness and calm the skin down, perfect if your skin is having a bit of a hissy fit. 

This tonic is infused with rose and elderflower so this formula not only normalises hydration levels to leave the skin feeling refreshed and at its radiant best, but it is also replenishing and gently removes any impurities. Perfect used morning and night after cleansing, this is paraben-free, not tested on animals and suitable for all skin types.

The second addition to the Glow Tonic range is the Pixi Retinol Tonic and it is described as being a multi-action treatment with time release retinol also replenishes skin with potent antioxidants.  If you are not up to speed with products that contain Retinol, it is a derivative of vitamin A and it works to promote skin renewal, brighten skin tone, reduce acne and boost collagen production, the only thing we are not told is the quantity of Retinol within the toner, but as it features quite far down on the list of ingredients, it isn't too potent.  Alongside the Retinol, Pixi does include jasmine flower which helps to soothe, repair and protect, plus peptides which help boost collagen production.

I haven't found this at all irritating on my skin and nor does it feeling drying, what I do like is that it can be used daily.

The product which probably needs no introduction is the original and very much iconic Pixi Glow Tonic. Described as being instantly refreshing, Pixi’s gorgeous glow-giver brightens, tones and conditions your skin after cleansing. 

Best described as being an exfoliating toner, it is enriched with  5% glycolic acid which is a natural derivative of sugar cane and member of the alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) family, so it is quite a gentle, exfoliating formula that works to dissolves the bonds binding dull dead cells to skin’s surface. Also included is Aloe which soothes and hydrates and working alongside Ginseng which has oxygenating properties and helps to promote cell health and skin vibrancy before witch hazel works to firm and tone. Finally, we have horse chestnut which boosts blood flow giving your complexion a naturally fresh and dewy radiance

I have combination skin which leans to the oily side on my t-zone but also leaves me with dry patches of skin on my cheeks and using Glow Tonic has made a difference to how my skin looks and feels. It doesn't irritate or burn my skin, there is also not tingling as I was told I might experience. It can be used both morning and evening after cleansing and once you have used it, you can see why it has such a cult status, I think it is fabulous.

If you have never tried any of the Tonics from Pixi and think it is about time you did then you can find the Pixi Retinol Tonic, Rose Tonic and Glow Tonic are available in a 250ml size for £18, 100ml size for £10 and the Glow Tonic in a 15ml size for £5 or you can grab yourself an absolute bargain and grab all three of these at 100ml for just £20 from ASOS which would give you a great introduction to all three products.

Are you a fan of Pixi Glow Tonic and have you tried the new additions?

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

Detox your skin with Caudalie

Is your skin in need of a little pick-me-up after Christmas? Has all of that over-indulgence left your skin feeling neglected, tired and dull? Well, you have no need to worry because Caudalie has five essential products to revitalise your skin, providing it with an instant boost of radiance and some of them you might well have seen on my blog before! 

I always have a serum within my skincare routine and from Caudalie, we have the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum (£46 here).  This serum is the brand's best seller worldwide with a bottle reportedly being sold every 2 minutes.  Perfect for use both morning and evening after cleansing the skin, this serum uses Caudalie's patented ingredient Viniferine which is extracted from vine stalks and is reportedly 62 times more effective than Vitamin C for its free radical protection. It is also said to help clear the complexion and reduce pigmentation, correcting existing dark spots and prevent the appearance of new ones. Vinoperfect is described as being the product which provides antioxidant and anti-ageing action by stimulating elastin and collagen production.  

What I love about this serum is that it not only smells just incredible but it is so lightweight on the skin. It isn't at all heavy and nor is it sticky or tacky to the touch and I love hydrated it makes my skin feel.

Most people will have or should have come across Beauty Elixir (£12) by now. It is Caudalie's hero product and I think this is my 5th or 6th bottle now. Having celebrated its 20th birthday just last year, the Beauty Elixir is paraben free, Vegan and 100% natural. 

Once spritzed this Elixir fills the air with notes of benzoin, myrrh, orange, blossom, grape and rose, all of which work to give your complexion a rosy glow. Add to that astringent rosemary and the stimulating essence of lemon balm and mint and the scent is really quite incredible and it is of course really gentle on the skin. The ingredients coming together to smooths away fine lines tightens pores and gives the complexion an instant boost of radiance, helps calm redness and not forgetting that this product can also be used to set makeup! Quite the multi-tasker in one bottle and one of my other favourite ways to use this Elixir is to moisturise my beauty blenders.

The third product is the VineActive Overnight Detox Oil (£30 here). Described as being a skincare saviour for the new year, this  100 % natural, the Vine[Activ] Detox Oil helps tired skin regenerate itself overnight. Suitable for all skin types, this formula draws its benefits from grape oil, an ingredient you will see in all of Caudalie's products. Rich in omega 6 and vitamin E, it provides a burst of nutrition and repair. Also included is musk rose oil and essential oils of neroli, lavender, carrot, white sandalwood and petitgrain and as you can imagine, it smells just absolutely incredible.

What I really love about this oil, other than how it leaves my skin feeling, is that it is a dry oil texture which makes it suitable for all skin types and is quickly absorbed with no sticky finish left on the skin.

Everyone should have an eye cream within their skincare routine and if you are still looking for your favourite, then Premier Cru The Eye Cream (£49 here) is well worth trying. I like my eye creams to be fragrance-free where possible and lightweight, so with Caudalie, both of those boxes are ticked. 

Using a combination of Caudalie patents - Resveratrol, Viniferine and Polyphenois, they all come together and work to reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles to reveal hydrated, radiant and firmer looking skin. Suitable for sensitive eyes, what really impressed me about this eye cream is how easy it does absorb into the skin and as it does so, there is a notable difference, especially in those dark circles.

The final product is the Instant Detox Mask (£22 here) and for me, a face mask is an absolute must, at least once a week. This mask purifies and detoxifies tired looking skin. The formula is 99.3% natural pink clay and uses coffee to purge pores of blackhead-causing dirt and excess oil. Papaya enzymes which brighten and invigorate, as well as grape marc which exhibits powerful detoxifying properties. 

What this mask does is work to draw out impurities and toxins to refine the skin's texture, tighten pores and leave your complexion looking even. On the skin, it doesn't irritate like some clay masks do to my skin, instead, it feels smooth. Designed to be used twice a week, you need just a thin layer to cover the face and it is to be left on between 5-10 minutes and once it has been removed, you complete your skincare routine.

So here you have five essential products from Caudalie which can be used together to create one amazing skincare routine to revive lacklustre tired looking skin and to give it some TLC.  

Are you a fan of Caudalie?

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

Kohl Kreatives - The Flex Collection

I love my makeup brushes as much as the next makeup fan and what I love more is something that is totally different to anything I have tried, is a little bit kooky and has quite the story to tell. 

With that in mind, meet the new release from Kohl Kreatives known as The Flex Collection.

At Kohl Kreatives we are constantly working on ways to give you the power when applying your makeup. Use any of these brushes absolutely anywhere, in the products of your choice.

The Flex Collection features five brushes and they are the most flexible brushes I have ever used, they stand on their own without falling over, they are easy to grip and all of this is because these particular brushes have been designed for those who suffer from motor disabilities and this is an absolute first for me.

The five brushes within the set are the large and small triangles, large square, small circle, and diamond brushes and they are made using a super-soft vegan fibre designed to give you an airbrushed finish.  

I have used each of the brushes for different tasks and just love how easy they are to use and this is how I personally use them:

• The large square brush is perfect for applying foundation and other cream products such as primers, BB and CC creams.
• The large triangle brush I have been using for contouring, something I am not great at doing, I will be honest, but using this brush to dab on my powders and then a beauty blender to blend works pretty well for me.  
• The small circle brush is the one I have been using for applying highlighters
• The small diamond brush is perfect for concealer application, which to be honest is all I have used it for because it makes the application so much easier and then I blend, as I always have done.
• The small triangle brush is the one I have been using to apply brow powder before using a spoolie to work it through my brows.

However you choose to use these brushes, what I absolutely love is not how well they work or how easy they are to use, it is the reason they have been designed and built in the first place, something I have never given a second thought too.  To find out more about Kohl Kreatives and the rest of their collections, everything is detailed right here on their website.

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