BALANCE ME CLEANSE AND SMOOTH FACE BALM REVIEW

BALANCE ME CLEANSE AND SMOOTH FACE BALM REVIEW

Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm* - £20

I've been pretty big on skincare recently. Whilst my makeup drawer is overflowing (no joke, it's a good job I live in two places otherwise I wouldn't be able to store it all...) my skincare cabinet is pretty bare in comparison. Balm products seem to be all the rage at the moment (yes i'm talking about the infamous Emma Hardie cleanser) and with winter still taking it's toll on my skin, I jumped at the chance of trying this offering from one of my favourite skincare brands.

The consistency of this product isn't as I expected; it is quite an oily, runny balm which massages beautifully into the skin. After you've done this, you add a bit more water and massage again, before taking a muslin (provided) or flannel to wipe it away with warm water. Although this does require a bit of effort, it certainly gives your skin a treat, leaving it soft and clean. 

Although quite difficult to remove, this product leaves my skin feeling INCREDIBLE. Don't be afraid of it's oily texture as it moisturises your skin beautifully. My skin has a complete mind of it's own so I tend to use this on dry, dull days where my skin needs a bit of livening up. I wouldn't recommend using this as an everyday cleanser if you have oily skin, but for those with normal/dry skin it would be perfect.

I tend to use this at night mostly as it does a thorough job of getting rid of makeup, but the antioxidant ingredients leave my skin feeling so bright and full of life that it would be a perfect morning cleanser too.

LA ROCHE POSAY EFFECLAR K: MY THOUGHTS

LA ROCHE POSAY EFFECLAR K: MY THOUGHTS

Hello!
I know I know, it's been a while....

I'll admit I've taken a bit of a backseat recently. I've almost finished my second year of uni which means work work work. And to top that off I'm coming home every weekend to work as well!

Anyway, onto the review...

I'm definitely one of those people who buys straight into blogger hyped products from the high street. I'm definitely a budget girl at heart (not that I have much choice, being a student and all...) so I love a good bargain. Although i'm not entirely convinced that £13 is a drugstore price, I shelled out for the La Roche Posay Effeclar K regardless. 

 I've been using this for a LONG time now (at least 5 months, hence why it looks very loved in the picture!) and at first I wasn't crazy about it. It didn't clear up my skin, it didn't dry it out, it didn't moisturise it. Essentially, it did a big, fat nothing. I left it for a while and one day I noticed it again in my drawer so I decided to give it another go and I have to say, i'm really impressed. I can't comment that it stops you getting blemishes (although I haven't had any for a long while) but it certainly has improved the condition of my skin. When I use this at night, when I wake up my skin looks a lot clearer and brighter, particularly on my cheeks. Please don't think this is a miracle product; it hasn't helped my pores and hasn't completely cleared my scars up but it has definitely done something right! It is a milky cream which blends into your skin beautifully. The smell puts me off A LOT but I do use this religiously now. 

I tried using this before my makeup but it doesn't do much for me in terms of providing a base and I didn't notice as much a difference to when I use it at night.

Would I recommend this? Yes, totally. Although you need to give it a chance. Most of the reviews I read showed results within the first few days and initially I was disheartened. However, this has become a staple in my skincare routine and i'd definitely suggest you give it a go.

CLARINS INSTANT SMOOTH SELF TANNER

CLARINS INSTANT SMOOTH SELF TANNER

When Anna, one of my favourite bloggers, posted about the Clarins Instant Smooth Self Tanner it went straight to the top of my wishlist. In my head, anything Anna says, goes. (Okay, I just want to be her). 

I've come to terms with the fact that I will always be pale. Always. I don't have the patience for fake tan but I will admit, the fact that I look like another member of the Cullen family does sometimes get me down. The promise of natural, glowy skin sold this product to me and I was excited to finally have it land on my doorstep.

The product is designed to be a base with a hint of self tan. This means that it is used as a primer which subtly tints the skin and leaves a lasting, tanned glow long after you've removed your makeup. It is a velvety gel formula which in the pot does look scarily orange. However, the product disappears into your skin almost instantly- and for me, that's the problem. It disappears.

Now, before I tried this I was haunted with visions of a streaky orange face, so I took care to apply it evenly thinking it would develop throughout the day and i'd go to bed looking as though i've spent a day on the beach. However, this really leaves NO colour on my face whatsoever. It does smooth the skin excellently and works as a lovely primer but for a tanner- the primary reason I picked it up- it leaves me dissatisfied. I use it almost everyday under my makeup but it hasn't developed at all.

Another major flaw is the smell. Although it too disappears after a few seconds it is STRONG. If you open the jar you smell it immediately and it certainly isn't a pleasant or bearable smell.

Although I will be using it up, I can't see me repurchasing this. I'd love to hear your recommendations for a similar product as I love the idea of how effortless this product would be if it actually worked.