Alpha-H Today's Special Value on QVC

I am a huge fan of Alpha-H and there have been some incredible launches recently including Hyluronic8 and the Blemish Control Mask. Over the past few years, I have really enjoyed getting to know the products and understanding which ones will work with my own skin. If you didn't know, Alpha-H which is very much a family business and they formulate all of their own products and are stocked in over 25 countries including prestige clinics, exclusive day spas, TV shopping networks, cosmetic giant Sephora, department stores Marks & Spencer, Myer and Harvey Nichols, as well as a selection of premium airlines and over 2000 clinics worldwide offering Alpha-H facials - the absolute dream.

This coming week from around midnight starting on 30th July running through till 31st there is to be a QVC UK Today's Special Value (TSV) with Alpha-H for Supersized collection which brings together two of their most innovative and best-loved formulations, which you can see right HERE and it costs less than £38 which is an incredible bargain considering a normal size eye cream costs £52!

The first item in this TSV is the Balancing Cleanser which has been supersized to 500ml - This has been a cleanser I loved from the very first use and it is one cream cleanser I always have in my bathroom.  Free from drying detergents and SLS's, this cleanser works as a 3-in-1 treatment - a makeup remover, cleanser and toner all in one. 

Enriched with Aloe Vera to condition and soothe alongside Vitamin E to hydrate and neutralise free radicals. It is suitable for all skin and after using I absolutely love how my skin feels, instead of being dry or taut it is instead cleansed and smooth so I don't feel the need to smother my skin in as much moisturiser as possible.  Also, because this version is supersize and comes with a pump, I have found it really easy to use because one pump is enough!

The second item is the Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream which has been supersized to 30ml - Described as being the ultimate topical dermal corrector for the eye area with quadruple peptide technology. Using a complex of seven skin brighteners, illuminating Diamond Powder and Lime Pearl Extract which is a new natural source of gentle fruit acids derived from Caviar Lime found in the rainforests on the Australian East Coast. Abundant in citric acid and bioflavonoids, Lime Pearl accelerates cell turnover to soften and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

What I really love about this cream is the metallic rollerball applicator which, as you can see is made up of five small ones on this Supersize version. However, not only are the rollerballs instantly cooling on contact with the skin, but this rollerball also helps to reduce fatigue whilst stimulating lymphatic drainage to target puffiness and dark circles.

These two products together make quite the team and are an absolute essential for any Alphaholic, but if you have never tried a product from Alpha-H or have never moved away from just using the incredible Liquid Gold, then these two are ready to tempt you at an amazing price.  Readers of this blog can get a head start with the QVC TSV right here to ensure you get your hands on it before it sells out.

Do you have a favourite Alpha-H product?

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

Pixi Beauty Glow Collection

The word is synonymous with Pixi beauty and the Glow Tonic collection is one of those you need to have in your stash and the latest collection features no less than five products which mixes some of the old with the new for that ultimate wow factor.  If you hadn't guessed by now, I am a huge Pixi Beauty fan and have been for a number of years and have featured them on my blog quite a few times here, here and here.

The PR package above puts together a skincare routine that is easy to follow and with it comes a challenge of using these products for 30 days to see how your skin is afterwards.

The one product that needs very little introduction is Pixi Glow Tonic. It is enriched with 5% glycolic acid, which if you are not aware, is a natural derivative of sugar cane, and member of the alpha-hydroxy acid family (AHA). Gentle on the skin, its job is to exfoliate the skin by breaking down and removing those dead, dull and dry cells that cling onto the surface of the skin. Also included is Aloe Which soothes and hydrates the skin, Ginseng which helps to promote cell health and skin vibrancy, witch hazel which helps to firm and tone before horse chestnut which works to encourage blood flow, giving your complexion a naturally fresh and dewy radiance.  

If you have never tried Glow Tonic before, then there is a 100ml bottle for just £10 whereas a 250ml bottle costs just £18, so it really is affordable.

If you love Glow Tonic then this addition to the family might excite you.  The Glow Tonic Cleansing Gel (£18) is described as being a hydrating cleansing gel which removes impurities without stripping the skin of essential moisture.

What this gel has done is essentially to take the ingredients from Glow Tonic and transform them into what can best be described as a lightly exfoliating gel textured cleanser. My skin has never had a problem using Glow Tonic, I know some find it really harsh and others cannot stand it, but my skin loves it, especially if I use it in moderation, but that I mean every 3-4 days in an evening, not every single day as some people have mistakenly done. So with the cleanser, I have found it to be quite a mild formulation, you certainly don't get the tingle of Glow Tonic and it does do quite a good job at removing makeup.

Its main ingredient is something called Moisclean™ and with it comes a unique blend containing glycolic acid, horse chestnut extract, aloe and ginseng that helps to refine and brighten complexion leaving skin energized and smooth.  You can use this product both morning and evening and you simply apply a small amount to damp skin then massage gently for 30 seconds, avoiding eye area before rinsing.

I absolutely love serums, they are an integral part of my skincare routine, something I never actually thought I would say.  From Pixi, we have the Glow Tonic Serum (£26) 

This serum has the same ingredient profile as the original Glow Tonic but it comes with a hit of hydration due to the addition of glycerin alongside a slow release form of retinol to gently boost skin cell turnover while supporting the action of the glycolic acid.  My skin absolutely drinks this serum whenever I apply it, it works wonders when you need that little bit of a kick and there is so tingly feeling when it is applied.

A new addition to the Pixi range is the pHenomenal Gel (£24). As the name suggests, this is a gel moisturiser which was created for use after cleansing to help to restore moisture, balance skin, and neutralise pH levels.

Whilst I cannot confirm as to whether or not it does neutralise those pH levels, what I can confirm it does is help restore moisture and balance the skin. It has no fragrance to speak of, so for those people who don't want their skincare to smell of flowers of citrus, then you will like this.  It is also packed with a whole host of hydrating ingredients which includes water, glycerin, cucumber, emoillent Sodium Acrylate and glycereth, plus it also contains Betaine which is known to balance out moisture loss.

Where this cream stands out for me is after using a facemask, particularly one which leaves your skin literally needing a drink because it feels so taut and dry. An application of this cream and my skin feels soft, smooth but most importantly hydrated.

The one product within this collection that I really wasn't too sure about is On-The-Glow (£18) because it definitely isn't something you take to a rave and it isn't a stick highlighter.

This is a solid moisturiser in stick form and it is one of those products which is perfect for having in your bag when you are on the go. Formulated with a unique mix of Vitamin D2, gentle acids and vitamins such as glycolic acid, caffeine and ginseng to protect, treat and increase moisture level immediately and for the long term.

To use, you simply twist the bottom of the stick, wipe across your skin and pat on any excess and what I love is that the stick can be used pretty much anywhere on the face, lips, body and hair.  It is a little bit oilier than I was expecting it to be, but it doesn't leave your skin looking greasy, in fact, once you have massaged in the excess you would never know it had been on the skin.  For me, this has become one of those products I have used more than I thought I would because it is just so simple to use.

This is quite the collection and it is one I have slowly been working my way through since it arrived.  I am still to find a product from Pixi that I dislike and hate using, which is quite something because I do have a whole host of products I don't like from quite a few brands.

Are you a fan of Pixi?

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

Katherine Daniels Cosmetics - Oily Skin Emulsion

I first came across Katherine Daniels as a brand back in 2017 through YouBeauty Box when I tried the Essential Micellar Face and Eye Makeup Remover.  A British skincare brand, Katherine Daniels is the culmination of over 65 years of experience from skincare expert Kirsti Shuba and top facialist Donna Tait and between them, they state that they want you to have ‘Better Skin for Life.’ All of their products are developed with this goal in mind, the formulations enhance the way your skin works. The advanced ingredients within the products allow us to treat the cause of your skin concerns as well as the visible symptoms that you can see. The active ingredients in their products are sourced from plant, marine, Collagen and biotechnology sources.

I was kindly given the Oily Skin Emulsion to use and it is described as being a salon strength fluid emulsion which addresses the needs of your oily skin.  I have combination skin which leans to the oily side, mainly on my t-zone, so when I use skincare products, I often have this issue at the back of my mind, alongside the fact I have dryness on my cheeks and forehead too. 

Katherine Daniels products come with a simple to understand 4 step prescription process, which you can use the online skin quiz to help you determine which products are right for you, or you can go along to one of the salons and have your skin looked at by a Katherine Daniels specialist who can prescribe a collection of products for you. This emulsion is stage 3 of the 4-step process and it comes out of the tube feeling like quite a thick cream, but on contact with the skin, it melts and is weightless.  Using four key ingredients which include:

• Seaweed Extract (Mastocarpus Extract) - Soothing
• Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract - Reduces excess sebum production
• Witch Hazel Extract - Astringent and healing
• Mattifying Powders - Reduce and prevent shine

To use, you simply apply 2-3 pumps directly onto your fingertips and then massage the emulsion into your face, neck and décolleté in upward movements, avoiding your eye area. 

The main standout scent of the emulsion is Witch Hazel but surprisingly it isn't so powerful that it makes my eyes water.   What I have loved about this emulsion is its ability to mattifying the skin and it also feels incredibly refreshing too.  Leaving behind no trace it was there, for me this is a great product if you do have excess sebum, or like me, want to beat that afternoon shine, then this is worth trying.

Prices start at £36 for 50ml here*.

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

Alpha-H Hyaluronic 8 - A dermal filler, but not as you know it!

Alpha-H is a skincare brand that excites me, I don't mind admitting that.  Each new launch means something new, something a little bit different and something I didn't know I needed until I had it.  Best known for Liquid Gold, the cult product that is just so good, it is no wonder it sells so well all of the time, Alpha-H has a new addition to their family called Hyaluronic 8.

Tom Ogden, European Business Manager for Alpha-H, best known to Alpha-holics as Tommy Alpha, spent an evening with a few of us to explain about this latest edition. The new Hyaluronic 8 Serum is said to act as a topical alternative to invasive dermal fillers and it includes eight multi-weighted hydrating ingredients including the next generation flash filling Hyaluronic Acid Primalhyal Ultrafiller™. The 'magic 8' instantaneously provide moisture to the surface of the skin while simultaneously penetrating deep into the lower layers of the dermis to build a sustainable moisture reservoir, giving us that much wanted hydrated and plump feeling to the skin.

Anyone who is familiar with Alpha-H and any of their products will know, that brand owner and director Michelle Doherty created Alpha-H out of her own skin struggles and personal need for effective skin treatments, so ingredients are really important to her and Hyaluronic 8 is no different. Within the serum you will find:

• PrimalHyal Ultrafiller™ - Said to behave like a dermal filler, but with no needle in sight. It penetrates deep into the lowest layers of the skin, this next generation Hyaluronic Acid has a flash filling effect which instantly hydrates and reduces lines and wrinkles. It also restores the skin’s antioxidant defences, helping your skin to fight against the free radicals which degrade collagen production. Alpha-H is proud to be the first A-beauty brand to formulate with this amazing new ingredient.
• Hydranov works to take it beyond just adding moisture of its own courtesy of its ability to boost your skin’s own natural Hyaluronic Acid synthesis by some 211%. This increased moisture helps to better hold cells together. As a result the appearance of lines and wrinkles are softened.
• New molecular complex, Patch20 is clinically proven to swell the skin’s moisture reservoir on contact and provides a sustained level of hydration for up to 48 hours.
• Biotechnological complex Cube3’s primary ingredient is Sodium Hyaluronate; the sodium salt of Hyaluronic Acid which is able to hold up to 1000x its own weight in water. Thanks to its smaller molecular size, it penetrates the deeper layers of the skin, thus encouraging softer, smoother skin and an all-round fuller appearance.
• Modern skin aggressors blue light, pollution, and radiation can damage the skin’s natural barrier function. Once this barrier is impaired, the skin is less able to retain moisture and is left vulnerable to factors which cause premature ageing. To fight back against this, Lumicease™, Pollushield™and Cureberry Extract work in synergy to protect the skin from these aggressors.
• Rounding out this genius formulation is Aloe Vera. This renowned botanical extract imbues the skin with its stores of vitamins, minerals sugars and amino acids to further hydrate, while also having a healing and anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.

Suitable for all skin types, Hyaluronic 8 is a product that has just fit into my routine and thanks to the inclusion of a pipette, it is even easier to use.

All you need is 2-3 drops of the serum each morning to a freshly cleansed face, neck and décolletage. What I have noticed with my skin since using this is the level of dryness on my cheeks is not as prominent. Usually, you can see a bit of flaking, especially on my left cheek, where I have dry skin, whilst it is still there, it isn't as noticeable and my foundation applies so much better and has very few bits of dry skin to grab hold of and sit on.

The serum is textured exactly as you might expect it to be, much runnier than a fluid and a cream, so those 2-3 drops really do go a long way.  On contact with the skin, the serum once patted on, disappears really quickly and leaves nothing behind, what you will immediately notice is how plump your skin looks and feels.

Hyaluronic 8 from Alpha-H is priced at £38 here* and I will be ordering a second bottle ready for when this one runs out because it has made such an impression.

Are you a fan of Alpha-H products?

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