Lookfantastic x Clinique Discovery Bag

An amazing way to discover new products from brands you may or may not have heard of is with Beauty Boxes, I am still such a huge fan of them, but Lookfantastic also has the option of Discovery Bags, something I have already reviewed on my blog with this collection.  The latest edition is the Clinique Discovery bag and if you are quick, there is a code - 10beauty which gives you 10% off the £20 price.

Inside the bag, which does accompany the products, you will find five of Clinique's cult hero products.  What I love about this is that it gives you a chance to try something before splashing out on a full-size version and each one of these products is a big enough size to give you a real idea as to whether or not it will work for your skin.  

The Products

• Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild (30ml)- Described as being a dermatologist-developed liquid soap that cleanses gently and thoroughly. If you are not familiar with how Clinique works, this is described as being step 1 in Clinique’s customised 3-Step Skin Care System. With a non-drying formula, this soap leaves skin feeling fresh and comfortable.
• Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 (30ml) - This is an exfoliating liquid lotion that buffs away pollution, excess oil and dead skin cells to reveal a fresh and radiant complexion.
• Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator (15ml)- This is a gel-based moisturiser which is rich in Aloe water and this hydrating formula works nonstop for 72 hours. Delivering an instant moisture boost when applied, this light formula keeps skin twice as hydrated at the end of the day than it did before.
• Clinique Moisture Surge 96-Hour Hydro-Filler Concentrate (5ml) - This is an ultra-light, cushiony water-gel that helps the delicate eye area replenish moisture for a full 96 hours of intense and plumping hydration.
• Clinique High Impact ™ Mascara (5ml) - Described as being a multi-benefit mascara that adds maximum volume with definition and length, this specially developed brush and formula dramatically thickens and separates lashes.

For £20 this is a real bargain, whether or not you use Clinique products and if you are interested in the other Discovery Bag's on offer from Lookfantastic*, some of those are still available too.

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

Floral Street London Poppy eau de Parfum

I have rave about Floral Street fragrances a few times on my Blog, they are a brand I came to know via a discovery kit and from there the brand has become one I love for fragrances, either for myself or as a gift.

For months I have worn Electric Rhubarb, a scent I couldn’t get enough of as soon as I tried it and as well as Neon Rose, the fragrance I am most fond of is London Poppy. Described as being a floral fruity, London Poppy has a an amazing set of notes.

Floral Street London Poppy Eau de Parfum is a love letter to London: a city as tough as ever-lasting poppies. A city that sees the sun through the clouds, a scent that opens with a bright beam of light

Starting with the top notes of Florida Orange, Sicilian Lemon, Apricot Blossom. middle notes of Jasmine Sambac, Neroli, Sunflower, Marine Accord and base notes of Cedarwood, Hinoki Woods, Black Amber. It opens with a real buddy of citrusy notes coming from the Florida Orange and as it settles on the skin there is a hint of lemon but the earthiness of Neroli mixed with the sweetness of Jasmine, which happens to be one of my favourite notes in a fragrance. The base notes don’t overpower the scent, what they do is add to the citrusy scent owing to the Hinoki Woods. 

Floral Street fragrances have longevity which has always impressed me. I am yet to find one which lasts less than 6 hours. What I really love is that the tray within which the fragrance is displayed can be used as a seed tray for your seedlings and flowers, so it doesn't feel like there is a lot of packaging waste.  With this London Poppy, I was also given some seeds to plant, which I have done and I am now waiting for them to grow.

Floral Street can be found nestled in the heart of Covent Garden on a street that houses a brand of the same name - Floral Street. Described as being a brand built on the streets of London and one which is about breaking with tradition. It’s about peeling back the curtain of the secret world of fragrance. It’s about ease, modernity and joy.

Floral Street fragrances are priced at £24 for 10ml and £60 for 50ml and as well as perfumes, you will also find candles, home fragrances, body products, reed diffusers and other gifts.

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

Pixi Hydrating Milky Range Review

If you hadn't guessed by now, I am a huge fan of Pixi Beauty/Pixi by Petra and absolutely love the skincare as much as the makeup. The lastest range I am sharing with you is the Hydrating Milky Range, which if I am honest is quite possibly the best packaging ever created for a product launch. I was first introduced to the brand back in 2019 and it held my attention as much then as it does now.

Nestled inside the mock milk bottle cartons is a skincare routine neatly arranged by Pixi, each box is numbered 1 to 6 giving you the option to Remove, Cleanse, Peel, Tone, Treat and Moisturise, and it is from here that you can decide which products will fit into your range be it all of them, one of them or just a few of them.

The carton at number one is labelled remove and that brings in the Hydrating Milky Makeup Remover. Described as being a gentle bi-phase formula which not only effectively removes eye, face, and lip makeup but also hydrates the skin as it works. 

To use, you need to shake it really well to mix up the ingredients and then grab your cotton wool pad and use the dispenser to soak the pad through and use as you would any other makeup remover.

This product is infused with Coconut Extracts and Probiotics which work to provide added moisture and a balancing effect on your skin. Then we have Willow Bark Extract which is known for its ability to tone the skin before Cinnamon Extract is included for its anti-inflammatory benefits. I had run out of my usual makeup remover when this arrived, so I swapped over and I am really impressed with how well it removed the most stubborn of waterproof mascaras, we all know which one can be a nightmare to budge, well this one budges it without the need to excessively rub the eyes. 

Makeup removed the next task is to cleanse and in an evening, I am a huge fan of double cleansing, especially because I wear SPF every single day and I need to ensure my skin is cleansed properly.  

The Hydrating Milky Cleanser is the next product and this is a really creamy cleanser which you need just a small amount of when using because it is quite rich in texture but at the same time gentle on the skin. I tend to use this cleanser with my Foreo because I find it works a lot better than just using my hands and by using my Foreo, I know how much of the cleanser I need to use through experience.

After cleansing, my skin always feels smooth to the touch and it is definitely clean without feeling stripped. As with the Makeup Remover, this cleanser contains coconut, probiotics, Willowbark Extract Cinnamon Extract but it differs slightly due to the inclusion of and jojoba Esters, all of which come together to soothe, hydrate and nourish the skin.

The one product I have used and reviewed on my blog from this collection is the Hydrating Milky Peel and it is described as being a gentle micro-peeling cream which is so gentle, you can use it daily if you wish too. Its job is to clear away dead skin cells for delicate brightening of the skin.

This formula is enriched, as with the rest of the range, with calming and hydrating coconut which sit alongside some skin-balancing probiotics and natural humectant cellulose which gently exfoliates the skin, without stripping it, to lift away dead and dry skin cells, as well as dirt, impurities and toxins all without irritating. Also included is arginine which helps to increase collagen and elastin production for firmer, plumper skin but it also acts as an antioxidant to the skin too.  Again, only the smallest amount needed and once on the skin, which I massage to apply, I leave it for a few minutes and then remove with a muslin cloth which has been soaking in warm water to ensure every single trace is removed and the end result is much smoother and softer skin.

After the Milky Peel, we have the Milky Tonic and if Pixi are known for one product it is their Tonic's. Described as being calming and hydrating, this Tonic is enriched with oat extract which helps to soothe and balance the skin. You will also find Jojoba Milk which not only rehydrates the skin but it also nourishes. Then we have Green Tea which has powerful antioxidant properties.

On the skin, I find this Tonic really soothing and calming and it comes a very close second to my love for the Rose Tonic which I absolutely adore.

The Hydrating Milky Serum is the next product and without question, there is always a serum within my skincare routine, whether it is one I use in the morning, evening or both. Described as being a revitalising boost for skin that intensely hydrates while it protects and improves elasticity.

I love the serum, but I don't like the dropper dispenser, I find it doesn't do the job it was intended to do, so I have swapped my dropper over to one from another product and it works so much better as it has a pump action dispenser and I find just two pumps from that is perfect.  On the skin, this serum is really hydrating and incredibly smoothing. The scent of this serum is one of Rose, which happens to be one of the main ingredients and it works alongside Jojoba Oil, and Aloe Vera nourish, while Glycerin traps moisture to the skin for a plumped effect.

The final product sits within the moisturising section and it is the Hydrating Milky Lotion. This lotion is described as being a multi-use moisturising lotion and it can be used on your face and your body. Enriched with a blend of Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and Cocoa Seed Extract which together moisturise, nourish, hydrate and protect the skin alongside the use of Sweet Almond Oil and Black Oat Extract too.

I have used this lotion on both my body and on my face and what I like is that, although it is a fairly thick formula it can take a while to absorb if you use too much but, if you have got a while to laze around and let the cream work its magic, it is very much worth applying to those areas where your skin feels dehydrated, which for me was my shins, apply a layer and let it sink in, almost like having a leg mask for me.

This collection has been quite the delight to use and get to know, the Cleanser and the Peel I have absolutely loved and I adore the rose scent of the serum, each product can have its own place within your skincare routine and you can create a routine if you don't already have one.  You can find out more about each product from the Pixi website* and Cult Beauty* with prices starting as low as £10.

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

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Range

With spring having well and truly arrived, the lovely people over at Murad* have a relaunched the Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Range and I have absolutely loved trialling it on my skin. As a child, Dr Murad had acne and he created the Murad brand to help others with skin problems. The Murad Retinol Youth Renewal range being one of the ranges within the brand which do just that.  It is designed to not only smooth lines but to also firm, even tone, and boost radiance.

This range is powered by Dr Murad's Retinol Tri-Active Technology: a fast-acting retinoid, a time-released retinol and a retinol booster.  The formula is described as being part preventative, part corrective, helping to minimise the signs of ageing. It is therefore potent yet gentle and together, the three products can be used together to create a night time skincare routine.

The first product of the trio is the one which should be used first and it is the Retinol Youth Renewal Serum (£75). To be used after cleansing, this serum uses the Tri-Active Technology mentioned above as well as Hyaluronic spheres which impart long-lasting hydration for that radiant glow. Then we have Swertia Flower Extract which works to increase resilience which in turn reveals a luminous, youthful-looking complexion.  

On the skin, this serum is really quick to absorb itself and you need no more than two pumps on the skin to cover the entirety of your face.

The second product is the Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum (£70) - We know that it is our eyes which are often one of the first areas to show signs of ageing with laughter lines and that dreaded term 'Crows Feet' which I really dislike. This Youth Renewal Eye Serum has been specifically formulated with a powerful mix of retinol and rich Marine Kelp Complex which both work together to reduce the appearance of crows feet and dark circles whilst at the same time keeping the eyes moisturised. 

Again, this serum is really lightweight and not at all sticky on the skin, it is said to be suitable for the most sensitive of skin types and can be used every night.  When used, the advice with an eye product is to use your index finger if you don't have a gadget to hand and gently pat the serum into the skin, avoiding the eye, but you can use this on your eyelids.

The final product is the Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream (£70) - Described as being the secret to looking like a spring chicken all year round, again this powerful cream contains the Murad Retinol Tri-Active Technology so whilst you sleep, the Retinol is time-released to work its magic in minimising the appearance of wrinkles and smoothing out the skin. Unlike some retinol, the cream also contains a blend of natural extracts that keep the skin hydrated as well as lifting and firming for an overall more youthful and luminous looking complexion and again we see the use of Swertia Flower Extract and it works alongside peptide-rich Red Algae Extract and together within this cream, they create a lifting and firming effect to help improve elasticity and redefine facial contours.

The new formula is again suitable for all skin types and as retinol makes the skin more sensitive to sun damage, the cream should only be used at night and an SPF should always be worn in the day.

This entire collection is available online via Murad*, Lookfantastic* and places such as John Lewis if it sounds like something you have been looking for.  I have had no adverse reactions whilst using it, though I am lucky enough to use most products on my skin.

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