Klairs Gentle Black Cleanser and Exfoliator Duo

The posts I am being asked to write more about currently are all K-Beauty themed, with so many questions about cleansing and masking, today's post is all about cleansing with Klairs. Klairs, if you have never heard of the brand was founded back in 2010 and state that Klairs is respectful of the beauty of the environment and carries healthy values regarding the earth. The brand has three simple philosophies which include no harsh ingredients, no animal testing and high-quality products at reasonable prices.

The two products I chose for cleansing by Klairs are the Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil and the Gentle Black Sugar Facial polish which work really well together.  If you love to double cleanse and want to try something new, these will definitely tick your boxes.

The advice I was given when it comes to cleansing is to use something that is either oil or balm based as your first cleanse followed by something water based such as a gel or foam to give that deep cleanse.  So the Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil is the one I have been using as a first cleanse and I admittedly did expect the oil to be black in colour, but it is clear and smells absolutely amazing.  

It is actually formulated with natural oils and they include:

• Black Bean which helps to control sebum production, increase the skin’s elasticity, and provides a soothing effect.
• Black Sesame Oil which helps to prevent dehydration and skin ageing while at the same time providing powerful effects from antioxidant through various useful components such as Beta-carotene, Rinolenic acid, Sesamin, Sesaminol and Tocopherol.
• Black Currant Seed Oil works to strengthen the skin's protective layer to prevent the evaporation of moisture from the skin. It promotes skin cell regeneration and provides antioxidant effects by containing various minerals.

I love the simpleness of this oil and how effective it is as a first cleanse.  Some cleansing oils are a little too greasy and can leave the skin feeling pretty horrendous, so I want to use an oil that doesn't cling to the skin and leave me feeling as though I have rubbed my face my a chunk of lard.

The second product I have been using is the Gentle Black Facial Polish and I use this once or twice a week depending on my skin is feeling.  It is formulated using black sugar which aids in the removal of dead skin cells and blackheads. The fine particles of sugar and unsaturated fatty acids melt onto and into the skin to aid the removal of deeply rooted blackheads and sebum within the pores. It also exfoliates the skin removing anything that dead or dry is its place and as the texture is quite thick, you only need a small amount to work your entire face and to use, you mix it with a few drops of water to make a paste and then massage it onto the skin in circular motions. What I love is that although this scrub contains black sugar, it isn't overly abrasive, but you can feel it working its magic. 

I have combination skin, so with an oily t-zone I also have dry patches of skin, usually on both of my cheeks, so in order to keep my skin as smooth as possible, products like this are a godsend to use. Alongside the black sugar, you will also find Shea Butter and Cranberry which work to smooth and moisturise the skin and then there is the inclusion of both Vitamin A and E which hydrate and comfort the skin.

Klairs have so many incredible sounding products that it is hard not to just purchase them all and give them a try, but if you are in the market for some new cleansing products, then these two are currently on offer with Tonic15 for just £38 (here)

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

Love your Skin with Emma Hardie Skincare

I don't deny that I absolutely love Emma Hardie Skincare, the Moringa Cleansing Balm ( review here) being one of my favourite products, but today it is all about celebrating your skin every single day and give it a treat.  To do that, Emma Hardie has some products designed specifically to give your skin a more radiant and glowing appearance.

The Mida Touch range from Emma Hardie skincare consists of three incredible products that have been created to hydrate the skin, smooth out fine lines and help give the skin that more youthful, radiant appearance.  When you like serums or creams, this collection has a mixture of the two and you will find the Midas Touch Face Serum, Midas Touch Revitalising Cream and the Midas Touch Revitalising Eye Serum.

The Midas Touch Face Serum (£46) is a product I absolutely love for its texture. Described as being intensely hydrating, it is brimming with collagen-boosting and skin-firming ingredients, to recover your complexion’s former strength, resilience and suppleness.   It has a texture which is light and airy and it just absorbs into the skin so easily.

The ingredients list for this serum is quite impressive and you will find the likes of edelweiss miristem cell culture – which works to dramatically decrease fine lines and wrinkles alongside a powerful blend of firming, toning and radiance-boosting botanicals (including avocado, vivillume extract – from wild banana seed – and retilactyl-d from black pepper fruit) to fortify skin’s fabric and enhance its texture, tone and luminosity. Hyaluronic acid attracts and retains precious moisture, while a moisture-bonding glycoprotein helps to maintain optimum hydration levels. A cocktail of moringa seed, rose, geranium, chamomile, sweet orange, lavender and peppermint then uplifts and calms both skin and senses.  

Next, we have the Midas Touch Revitalising Cream (£44) and as creams go, this is up there in the luxe category.  

Formulated with hyaluronic acid to banish signs of fatigue and stress as well as to hydrate and plump the skin, you will also find a powerful blend of marine and botanical extracts such as antioxidant edelweiss stem cells which work to condition and tone while brightening properties are delivered by natural polymatrix algae film extract.  Also found within this cream are the natural oils of Moringa, Primrose and Rosehip which work together to moisturise, nourish and soothe and it smells just incredible.

The cream itself is a lovely texture which isn't overly thick so it feels heavy on the skin. Instead, it absorbs pretty quickly giving you the chance to take in the scent of those natural oils and it leaves my skin feeling divinely soft.

The final item within this trio is the Midas Touch Revitalising Eye Serum (£49). I have a full review of this product (here) and it was the latest addition to the Midas Touch Family. Described as being a lightweight 3-1-in eye serum it is designed to de-puff, lift and reduce dark circles, so if like me you are a bit of an insomniac or have cats that believe anytime between 2am-5am is playtime, then this is literally what you need.

The Midas Touch Revitalising Eye Serum contains what is called Beauitfeye Technology and it is an extract from the Persian Tree, which works to strengthen the dermal structure, lifting folds and lessening crows feet. It is also said to work to reduce pigment accumulation in order to fade dark circles and diminish puffiness. You will also find Inca Inchi Oil which is rich in Omega 3,6 and 9, Raspberry Seed Oil, Aloe Vera, Sweet Almond Oil and Hyaluronic Acid. 

What I really like about this serum is how lightweight it feels on the skin especially as I am not a fan of overly thick eye creams near my eyes. One pump from the tube is more than enough to cover the entire contour area of both eyes.

So here you have three incredible products from the Midas Touch skincare family which are perfect for giving your skin that little extra bit of love and they all work perfectly alongside the cult favourite Moringa Cleansing Balm.

Do you have a favourite Emma Hardie Skincare product?

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

Caudalie Divine Scrub

Caudalie is one of my go-to brands when I need something a little special and when it comes to a body scrub, right now I cannot get enough of the Divine Scrub (£22) which is described as being a natural sugar exfoliant for divinely soft skin. 

What I adore about this scrub is how gentle but effective it is when used.  Made up of four exceptional plant oils which include: 

• Grapeseed Oil - Rich in Omega 6 and Vitamin E and not only has Anti-oxidant, properties but it is also incredibly nourishing.
• Hibiscus Oil - Rich in Omega 12 it is the perfect moisturiser for dry skin
• Argan Oil - Rich in anti-oxidants, it softens, hydrates and protects against skin ageing.
• Sesame Oil - Rich in fatty acids Sesame Oil nourishes and protects the skin from external aggressors

All of these oils sit within a brown sugar base and works with them to gently exfoliate the skin. The consistency of the scrub inside the tub is almost solid and as you rub the top to loosen the scrub, it becomes much more pliable. Thankfully, I have a scoop from a face mask which I use.

Applied to damp skin, this scrub should be massaged in circular motions to buff away dead and dry skin cells and as it begins to work, not only do the sugar crystals melt onto the skin, and because it is a sugar-based scrub, the granules are less abrasive than a salt-based scrub. As you work the scrub against the skin, it emulsifies into a milky consistency and the granules melt and release the incredible signature scent of Divine Oil which includes notes of rose, grapefruit, pink peppercorn, cedar, vanilla and white musk comes to life and the scent is just divine, to use a pun.

This scrub is designed to be used twice a week to give the best results and it is such an amazing scrub, especially if you have dry areas of skin that need a little help in budging.

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

MAC False Lashes Mascara - Carbon Black

If there was one makeup item from my makeup bag that I never leave the house without, it is mascara. Whilst some people buy lip liners and eyeliners, for me, a good mascara is a definite must. The latest mascara to have made it to the front of my pile comes from MAC and it is the False Lashes Mascara in Carbon Black. I first came by this Mascara here in the Limited Edition Estee Lauder Cherish. Love. Indulge Beauty Box and I managed to lose mine during a weekend away, so bought another because I had really wanted to try it.

I am quite picky when it comes to mascara, I really dislike anything that has an overly wet formula that feels as though you have dipped your lashes in oil, as I have fairly long lashes, I don't want them to be weighted down.  I also don't want a mascara which gives the spider leg lash look after one coat, it is just not a look I can get on board with at all, if I am to give more than one coat, I want my lashes to still look evenly coated but separated rather than all stuck in a clump together.  Not too much to ask for right?

Mac False Lash Mascara is described as having a mousse-like formula that defies gravity for a dramatically exaggerated, false lash effect, with the addition of pure Carbon Black pigment for a deep, intensified colour pay off.   So, what I do love is the formula because it does have a mousse-like texture without being heavy, in fact, it is much more lightweight than I had expected it to be.  It definitely has that intensified colour pay off, so if a black mascara that is deeply pigmented is something you are looking for, then this definitely ticks that box without question.

The False Lash effect is something most mascaras claim to give and it is very rare that this pays off.  As I have said, I have fairly long lashes and for me, this mascara really does excel in delivering those longer lashes and because of the shape of the brush, it was easy to wiggle between the lashes to do the shimmy (technical term for wiggling the wand) to create a natural lift and I mean right from the base of the lash rather than half way up. The only thing I didn't get with this mascara was lashes that look beautifully thick or with some depth to them, but unless you are prepared to coat on any mascara, I suspect that is something you can only dream of having. When it comes to drying, literally 30 seconds maximum and you can apply another coat, for me with this mascara, the limit is two coats any more than that and I fear the spider legs look is on its way. Once the formula had dried, I didn't feel as though my lashes had been caked in a face mask ready to crunch and crumble, infact, as I wear glasses, I was quite surprised to find no transference of the formula onto them and removing my glasses saw my lashes bounce back into place, so the box is being ticked for flake and smudge proof!

The brush is usually a big selling point of any mascara and having a tube that looks quite fancy with its pointed end. The brush is quite large but had quite a tapered point to it, so I find no problems with reaching those corner lashes. I have worn this mascara for up to 8-9 hours and then removed once I got home, what I found was no fallout, no smudging, no flaking and it came off easily with my current eye makeup remover without the need to rub excessively.

I think it is fair to say that I am incredibly impressed with this mascara and am glad I repurchased it to give it a try.  It does come with a £20 price tag (here) which is the average price point for a MAC Mascara and if you keep a look out, it does come in a mini size for half the price too!

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