REN Skincare - AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum

When REN Skincare announce they have a new launch, you know it is going to be an amazing product. One of the newest launches is the AHA-rich body serum and I have been lucky enough to have been using it for a good few weeks now and it is quite unlike anything else I have used.  With Spring having finally arrived and that yellow ball of delight becoming visible in the sky, for me it is time to ensure I am buffed and scrubbed anywhere that there is to be skin on show - those FitFlops will be coming out soon so my feet need to look as nice as feet possibly can and my legs probably need a good descaling, much like the kettle in the kitchen at work.

We have all probably used AHA's in facial skincare, but now having something for the body is a whole new ball game and here is the REN Skincare AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum.

Your NEW silky, AHA-rich body serum. What to expect? Improved skin texture by boosting the natural exfoliating process, deeply hydrated skin and a more perfected skin tone. Now you can get that insta-glow all over.

The texture of this serum is really light, much lighter than I had expected for a serum and for me, it is more like a cream but the texture is just so lovely to use.  The first thing I noticed when massaging into the skin is that it absorbs pretty much on contact, so you don't have to stand around for what feels like hours waiting for everything to disappear into the skin before you can get dressed. It also smells heavenly of a citrus scent and leaves your skin feeling so soft and smooth to the touch as well as looking rather fabulous too.

This moisturising body serum will gently resurface and re-energise your skin's natural radiance and it does so thanks to the inclusion of Lactic Acid which gently exfoliates, aiding skin's natural cell renewal process and helps to even out pigmentation and skin tone. It is also enriched with Pro-biotic Extract to help strengthen skin's barrier and prevent water loss and Xylitol which optimises water flow and boosts skin hydration.

The Benefits of using this serum? Well there are four which immediately spring to mind and they are that it: 

• Smoothens and softens the skin surface 
• Improves skin barrier 
• Deeply hydrates the skin 
• Improves skin healthy glow 

What I really love about this product is the fact I don't have to use anything overly abrasive to remove dead and dry skin cells because this one is doing it all for me whilst at the same time smelling delightful and hydrating my skin.

Priced at £35 for a 200ml tube you can find it via the REN skincare website (here) and also John Lewis (here).

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

Cleansing with Caudalie

Caudalie is a brand that if you haven't tried, then you should.  Their story starts back in a French Vineyard in 1995 with Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas, a husband and wife. They believe the grapevine and grapes contain exceptional powers for the skin and they use the best ingredients to develop beauty products that are not only effective but also natural and luxurious. Over time I have used a lot of Caudalie products and absolutely adore the Divine Oil, a product most people seem familiar with because it is a great multi-use oil.

Over the past few weeks, I have been using some incredible products which you can mix and change to create your own tailored

Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Water - Described as being a bit of a cult product for Caudalie, this Cleansing Water is amazing at breaking down and removing the most stubborn of waterproof mascara (Benefit They're Real for example) without the need to over rub the eyes. Having been specially formulated with sensitive skin in mind, I love how incredibly well this micellar water effectively removes all traces of make-up and grime and it does so without leaving your skin feeling dry and taut after using. 

It does contain the signature grape extracts that you will find present in all of Caudalies products and it so it smells lovely when using. I have absolutely no complaints about using this Micellar Cleansing Water and as someone who in general hasn't been a fan of such products until very recently, this one definitely gets the thumbs up from me and it costs just £14 for 200ml.

Caudalie Cleansing Milk - If a Micellar Water isn't for you, then Caudalie have a cleansing milk too and whilst it naturally doesn't contain any milk, this has been a delight to use.  Perfect for using every day, the texture of this cleansing milk is just so soothing as it is applied to the skin.  An almost velvety soft texture which has been designed to again remove make up, dirt, oil and impurities from your pores and because it is formulated for those with normal to dry skin, it is enriched with grape extracts, cornflower and oat extract, all of which work to not only decongest the skin to leave it looking bright but it also works at protecting against free radical damage. 

For me, I use this as a morning cleanser because I didn't feel it was enough to remove all my makeup if I have a full face. If I am just wearing a non-waterproof mascara and a BB Cream, then I use it in an evening too. I love how my skin feels after using this cleanser and I love how gentle it is on my skin. Priced at £15 for 200ml.

Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser - I know a lot of people don't like foaming cleansers, but this one is just divine to use.  With a handy pump action spray, when used it does transform into a light and airy foam.  I have used a few foaming cleansers in the past and have quite liked how they work, this one is designed to gently yet effectively removes make up, dirt and oil from your skin, for a deep cleansing experience.

It is ideal for all skin types, even for those with the most sensitive skin.  Enriched with extracts of grape and chamomile which calms and soothes redness, there is also the use of Sage which as an astringent helps to combat oiliness as well as ward off free-radicals. I really like that this cleanser doesn't aggravate my skin and it works perfectly well alongside the Micellar Cleanser water if you are a fan, like me, of double cleansing. Priced at £15 for a 150ml bottle.

Makeup Removing Cleanser Oil - I am quite picky with cleansing oils, I really like using them as long as they are not too greasy and don't leave a tacky feeling on the skin.  Caudalie formulate their Cleansing oil using 100% natural ingredients which includes both Sunflower and Castor Oil, they come together to dissolve every little bit of makeup on your face as well as any surface dirt and grime.

If you love the scent of almonds then you will love this oil.  You only need at most 3 drops onto the palm of your hand to gently massage onto your skin and when needed, a few drops of water to emulsify and wipe anyway the excess when you have finished.  As expected there is no greasy film on the skin after using and it does remove absolutely everything in its path, even waterproof mascara.  Priced at £18 for 150ml.

So once the cleansing products have been used, there is a whole host of skincare to discover and again, I am sharing three of the products I was kindly sent.

Caudalie Moisturising Toner - Using a toner is something I have done on and off for years. I go through a routine of liking them or hating them. Caudalie's moisturising toner is designed to improve the condition of your skin as well as brighten and boost the effectiveness of your skincare routine.

Enriched with Vinolevure, Caudalie's exclusive ingredient which is extracted from wine yeast, it is said to not only brighten the skin but also leave you with a more radiant complexion, as well as deeply hydrating your skin. I absolutely love the scent of this with its 

scent of citrus flower, orange tree leaves as well as that of watermelon and crushed mint. Coming together, I find the toner is as soothing as it is moisturising and it completes the cleansing routine you follow really nicely too. At £15 for 200ml, this is a toner I will gladly purchase when I run out.

Caudalie Glycolic Peel Mask (£22) - Described as being a gentle resurfacing treatment, this is a mask which exfoliates and refines the skins texture and as you might have guessed, it uses glycolic acid and papaya enzymes to dissolve the bonds which bind dulling dead cells to skin’s surface.  The non-irritating formula also uses viniferine, which is packed with antioxidants, to reduce dark spots and improve pigmentation.

You only need to use this mask twice a week at the most and in doing so, a thick layer should be applied after cleansing and then left for up to ten minutes before rinsing with warm water, this isn't a mask which dries hard on your skin and because you only need to leave it on for just 10 minutes, it also means it is great for on the go. What I really like about this mask, is that it deals so effectively with the dryness I get on my cheeks thanks to having combination skin.  I have found no redness, no irritation and no reaction having used this mask.  Priced at £22 for a 75ml tube.

The final product in my Caudalie package is the VineActiv Overnight Detox Oil . Described as being a rich all-natural oil, it is packed full of hydrating and anti-ageing ingredients.  I love how lightweight the formula is especially given that it is an oil and it is designed to deeply absorb itself into your skin to enhance what is referred to as your cells’ repair processes so that it can ‘reverse’ the day’s damage. 

it is not only rich in Omega 6 and Vitamin E but you will also find the essential oils of lavender, neroli, carrot and white sandalwood which come together to regenerate, detoxify, hydrate and soothe the skin as well as to eliminate toxins and speed up cell renewal so you’ll wake up with a glowing, renewed complexion.  I love products which can be applied to the skin and left to work their magic overnight, it is almost like having a lazy skincare routine.  All you need is between 4 and 6 drops of this oil warmed between the palms of your hands and then massaged onto clean skin.  Priced at £30 for 30ml.

So, there you have an arsenal of products to Pick n Mix your very own cleansing routine.  Whether you have sensitive, dry, combination or even normal skin, there is something for everyone.  As for me, I adore the Cleansing Milk and the Oil as well as the Toner and overnight Oil but equally and depending on my mood, I like the Micellar Water used alongside the Instant Foaming Cleanser too.

All of these products from Caudalie are available instore and online at places such as Lookfantastic, John Lewis, Feelunique, SpaceNK and Cult Beauty.  

Have you seen any products you like the look of?

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

Urban Decay Drop Shot Mix-In Facial Oil

If you are a fan of the dewy skin look (nods) then this Urban Decay Drop Shot Mix-In Facial Oil is a product you will be needing on your list and in your stash. Oils are something I use within my skincare regime but not something I had ever used when applying makeup and admittedly, something I hadn't even thought about using until this product found its way into my life.

I love Urban Decay as a brand, the Vice Lipsticks are some of my absolute favourites when it comes to the formula and the Naked Skin Concealer is a product I have re-purchased a few times now too, but having recently given the All Nighter Foundation a good run for its money, for me, this oil has changed how I feel about it.

Described as being a multi-purpose formula that can be mixed with foundation to illuminate and condition skin. If you are familiar with using oils then this one shouldn't prove to be too hard to use either. 

Create your own luxurious, skin-softening complexion cocktail with Drop Shot Mix-In Facial Oil. Add a shot of this oil to foundation for conditioned skin and a dewy, radiant glow. Our lightweight, nourishing oil blend helps makeup apply smoothly and blend easily, leaving skin soft, not greasy, and feeling plumped. 

Drop Shot can be applied to bare skin in an effort to boost hydration and create a radiant, non-greasy finish or it can be mixed into any of your other skincare and makeup products too such as your moisturising creams, your BB Cream, CC Cream, Tinted Moisturiser and of course your foundation.  I have combination skin which leaves me with an oily t-zone and dry cheeks, so I often find that foundation can stick to the dry skin and slide off the oily skin, so I like to use products which do neither and often that includes having a good base and a decent setting spray.  Using the oil, I have found that my makeup sticks less to these dry and flaking patches of skin and also helps deal with my oily patches too.

Drop Shot is quite surprisingly rich in both nutrients and antioxidants, not something I was expecting to find. However, it contains a nourishing blend of jojoba, sunflower, macadamia, pomegranate, wheat germ, meadowfoam and olive seed oils which come together and work to condition your complexion.  As it is an oil I did expect to find it a bit on the greasy side, but alas it is not at all, it dries down fairly quickly and absorbs when on bare skin to leave my skin feeling just amazing.  Within my foundation, I really like how it sits and then there is the scent of the oil which is just divine with the jojoba oil dominating.

Priced around £24 for 24ml, this Urban Decay Drop Shot Mix-In Facial Oil has turned into a product I had never expected to come across, use or really really like.  Have you tried it?

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