Showing posts with label ineffective. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ineffective. Show all posts

Sunday, 20 September 2015

#MissoinEmpties Week 04: The Curtain Call

The #MissionEmpties Challenge is in its final week, and with it comes a whole new list of products I've managed to tick off my pledge list. On the round-up this week, we have a wonderful range of delicate and nurturing products, all of which keep sensitivity in mind.

You'll notice a sizeable amount of Bee Good products featured this week. That's because I picked up the Bee Good Bee Beautiful Gift Pack (£45.00) a few months ago, giving me the opportunity to try out (nearly) everything they have to offer, and boy, it did not disappoint.

So, for the final time, let's see what's graced my body this week, shall we?
I am terribly prone to cold sores, and, if you've ever had a cold sore, you'll know just how difficult it is to keep your lips hydrated without risking spreading the infection. Tea tree is a fantastic natural antiseptic, making it super useful to feature in a lip balm, as it helps to fight the cold sore infection while keeping the rest of the lips nourished and hydrated. This has to be my all time favourite product. It has a very balmy (clue is in the name) texture, that melts into a warm, nourishing oil. It has no greasiness or stickiness, just a smooth moisturising layer. There is a lovely inoffensive tea tree smell, making it the perfect partner when my lips are damaged or sore. Essential. 
I have a bit of a love affair with this cleanser (full review here). It has a lovely pillow-y texture that effectively clears the skin while helping retain optimum moisture levels. Don't get me started on the smell. This wonderful piece of cloud is scrumptious, hydrating, rich and refreshing. You can bet I'm bumping this thing up from Effective, repurchase to Essential.
As moisturisers go, this has to be the thinnest one I've used to date. This almost runny liquid easily glides and spreads over skin, absorbing instantaneously. Skin is left feeling light and fresh, allowing for that breathable skin sensation. It has a gorgeously sweet scent, that helps to make you feel, look and smell delicious. This moisturiser is perfect for helping any non-absorbing products to absorb. For example, with any particularly stubborn facial oils, when I apply a small amount of this on top, they sink into skin instantly. While I do love this, I think it is really rather too expensive, making it a tough purchase to justify. Effective, don't repurchase.
The 3-in-1 properties of this product include: cleansing, toning and refreshing, it can be used for any of the aforementioned. Similar to that of your typical micellar waters, it can be used to cleanse skin and remove make-up, or as a non-astringent replacement for a toner, or as a pick-me-up to help refresh throughout the day. I use this as a toner as it is very light and delicate, making it super suitable for sensitive skins. It offers an instant refreshing sensation that is cooling and nicely soothing; making skin feel fresh and clear. It's best for those more sensitive days, when skin is feeling a little delicate, but otherwise offering no real skin benefits. Effective, don't repurchase.
A considerable amount of bee-centric companies have their own gardener's hand cream, that is usually far more intensive than your average day-to-day one. This is no different. This supper intensive cream is fantastically hydrating, helping to keep hands protected. However, because it is super strength, I can only use it before bed, when I no longer plan to touch anything, as it leaves a white cast on hands, along with an almost sticky finish. The smell is pretty and fresh and my hands are left in very good care. Effective, don't repurchase.
This wonderful little oil helps to keep skin clear of blemishes while providing the utmost nourishment and hydration (full review here). This orange-green elixir can stain, so its important to fully blend in, allowing the oil to fully absorb and moisturise the skin. It's perfect for keeping blemishes at bay, and as it's completely non-astringent, it makes skin feel revitalised. Effective, repurchase.
This is one of those heavy duty moisturisers, when your skin requires something a little more powerful to protect and rehydrate. This is a balm that turns into a near grease-like texture on skin, and it will remain greasy, without absorbing. It has a bubbly consistency, that feels almost exfoliating. I find this perfect for helping to rehydrate and re-nourish after using a particularly strong face mask. It will help remove that tight, inflamed feeling, restoring my skin's balance. As always, it features that truly edible signature PureChimp banana smell. Effective, don't repurchase. 
As compliment to the PureChimp Super Face Cream (featured above), I use this facial oil to help nourish my skin when it is irritated, tight, inflamed or dehydrated. This oil is expertly nourishing, helping to restore, revitalise and care for my skin. I use this on both face and body, it will not absorb on the face, but it does absorb on the body, helping to soothe rashes and calm any inflammation. Effective, don't repurchase.
This little sachet appeared in the September edition of the LoveLula Beauty Box, I wanted to talk about it briefly as it inspired me to pick up the full size. This lovely orange-gold syrup has an uplifting and gorgeous mint fragrance. As it contains no sulphates, it doesn't actually foam, however, it still offers a thorough cleanse. My hair is left silky smooth and shiny. I honestly feel like I have advertisement-worthy hair. An absolute full purchase. Effective, repurchase.
This nutty and naturally fragranced conditioner is wonderfully conditioning and nourishing for my dry hair. My strays and fly-aways are contained, without this product being too heavy or making my hair lank/weighed down. This is the perfect conditioner to help lock-in moisture. Effective, don't repurchase.
Said to see you through a #QuarterLifeCrisis, this serum allegedly provides a pre-anti-ageing treatment (more on that in my full review here). This delicate little serum helps to improve skin condition by smoothing and redefine the skin, offering a more youthful appearance. Pores are made to appear reduced, and scarring and blemishes are diminished. While this doesn't delete dullness, it provides a much smoother complexion. Effective, repurchase.
Having spent a lifetime of holidays on Fistral Beach, Newquay, I am a big lover of ocean-fresh hair which can only be achieved by natural sea salt. While this product doesn't do much in the way of creating those beach waves, it does add a salty rough texture, which then can be styled as pleased. Applying the correct amount is key, use too much and your hair will become super try and matted, use too little and it won't take any effect. Effective, don't repurchase.
This is something I talked about a good while ago (full review here), and something I've completely changed my opinion on. I no longer like it. While it is aimed at combo skins (meaning it isn't really applicable to me), it doesn't nothing in the way of oil control. It is think and spreadable in consistency, but it doesn't exactly absorb. Nor does skin feel all that fresh, after a few hours of wearing I feel almost dirty. It's a fairly moose-cream type consistency that doesn't offer any hydration. Yet, it still features a wonderfully sweet smell, so there that is. Ineffective.
LUSH Imperiaus Facial Moisturiser £13.50 / 45G
This is a moisturiser I only use pre-exercise. As it has a light consistency, yet offers a heavy dose of hydration. This product is perfect for keeping skin moisturised while being in no-way suffocating. It's quite a refreshing product, lightweight enough to sweat through and still remain intact (full review here). Effective, don't repurchase.
I don't know what it is, clearly me and Andrea Garland don't see eye-to-eye as this is yet another product that I just can't stomach. It as been an agony to use this, and once again, the blames lies with the scent. Smelling like something in the way of used tea bag, this has a strong sharp and lingering scent. While said to help balance sebum production, this product does nothing of the sort. Instead, it makes me very oily, very quickly. It has a horrible heavy and thick consistency, that likes to sit atop of skin. While it's not all criticism, this moisturiser does effective balance my uneven skintone, helping to calm and reduce and redness. Avoid.
That's another 15 product empties, only 8 of which were on my initial pledge.Tune in tomorrow for the final tally. There will be many statistics. Don't all cheer at once!

To catch up on my initial pledge list and rule about the self-directed #MissionEmpties Challenge, please read the #MissionEmpties MASTER POST.
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Sunday, 6 September 2015

#MissionEmpties Week 02: Halfway Checkpoint

We're halfway through the #MissionEmpties Challenge and I have been storming through my empties. Admittedly, the majority of products here were part-way used, trail versions, or virtually empty to begin with, but that's still one less product cluttering my shelves. 
For the most part, the products listed here were just wonderful, and I'm glad to have given myself the opportunity to finish them off. However, there are one or two featured that I felt were a little pointless, so I'm honestly glad to see the back of them.
Mádara Brightening AHA Peel Mask £20.00 / 60ML (Sample Available: £5.50 / 12.5ML here)
This product was featured in the Naturismo Cleanse & Polish Discovery Box, giving me the opportunity to try my hand at my very first peel, and you know what, this is not half bad. I was frightened at first, believe me, mask-based acid exfoliation was always something I figured my skin would be far too sensitive for. Actually, this product is super gentle. I literally couldn't feel it on my skin. It caused no tingling, no redness and no irritation. It is a very thin peel, once dried, leaves behind a thinly layered film to be removed. It has a very cooling and refreshing sensation; it's very soothing to wear. With 99% natural ingredients, it offers a brighter complexion, providing that lovely glow for when my skin is behaving dull and lacklustre. This is definitely something I will be trying again full size. Effective, repurchase.
Skin & Tonic London Steam Clean £27.00 / 50G (Sample Available: £11.00 . 15G here)
Also featured in the Naturismo Cleanse & Polish Discovery Box, the Skin & Tonic London Steam Clean is perhaps my favourite cleansing balm of all time. It is silky smooth, gliding onto skin in the most nurturing way. It melts away just divine, turning into a thick, yet breathable, oil that effectively dissolves make-up and removes grime. It needs to be removed with a cleansing cloth, thankfully it comes supplied with an Organic Cotton Cloth (£3.90 / 1 PIECE), which does a wonderfully good job of removing the product and gently exfoliating. Spearmint and thistle are definitely the strongest scents of the 6 organic ingredients listed here, giving a lovely fresh and renewing sensation. As it's a balm, it's very hydrating and moisturising, leaving skin undisturbed but effectively cleansed. Will I be picking up a full size? You bet'cha! Effective, repurchase.
Still in the Naturismo Cleanse & Polish Discovery Box, the Green People Fruit Scrub Exfoliator is a delightful little scrub that can be used on either face or body. Free from microbeads, this 88% organic scrub effectively exfoliates and softens skin, creating a glowing complexion while helping to retain skin's moisture. The natural granules are neither too harsh or too weak, they effectively exfoliate skin without causing any irritation. The cream is super spreadable, helping to carry the scrub, and has a somewhat fruity yet somehow bitter fragrance. Effective, don't repurchase.
Lanolips are most certainly one of my all-time favourite brands. I have loved each and every one of their products, and this has to be my most favourite of them all. Featuring natural lanolin (the wax from a sheep's wool), this forms a protective barrier around skin, allowing it to retain moisture and repair. This balm is just so wonderfully hydrating; my dry skin is instantly relieved. While buttery in colour, it blends in lovely, making skin feels suppler and softer. The smell is just so gorgeous, I can't get enough. Absolute Essential.
This oil is intended for combination and oily skins to help balance oil. Unfortunately, I find the scent just too overbearing and pungent that it is not something I can justify keeping on my face. Instead, I use it has a body oil. Waste not, want not. It's a very thick and heavily oil, but it manages to absorb into skin effectively, leaving behind a wonderfully natural glow. It's actually fairly dry in that respect, it isn't in the slightest bit sticky and it doesn't transfer onto clothes. However, as the facial oil goes, I have to score it Ineffective. 
I received this product as part of the August drop of the LoveLula Monthly Beauty Box. This box is usually always a big hit with me, but unfortunately, having to blanket match such varying skin types, the products aren't always suitable. This is one of those occasions. At 23, I don't need anti-ageing skincare, but I tried it anyway. YOLO. This serum has a very liquid-y gel-like consistency that spreads effectively, but has a slight stickiness to it. It has an ever-so-slight tingle to it, with no visible skin changes other than leaving a fresh sensation. I am dismissing this review as it is Not Suitable for my current age category.
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil £21.50 / 200ML (Sample Available £4.50 / 30ML here)
This is one of the first oils to get me on the oil cleansing and double cleansing bandwagons (full review here) and it still has a solid place in my heart. This wonderful bottle of golden liquid features a pump-based mechanism, making it super easy to control and use. The oil is incredible for removing dirt, oils and heavy make-up without any real effort. It does not irritate eyes and it is super easy to remove with water alone. It leaves no residue and skin remains hydrated after use. Effective, don't repurchase.
This is a product I thought I loved. At the time, I did (full review here), but having used so many better face masks since, I find I just don't have a liking for this any more. It's a white powder that needs to be mixed with water to form a paste and then applied to the parts of skin that are affected by blackheads and sebacious filaments. It then extracts any gunk from your pores, with a pulling power similar to that of a clay mask. However, when the paste dries, it turns back into a powder, littering your home with little bits of white dust. It's messy to use and the results just don't compare to other similar products (see TruSelf Organics Detoxifying Mask if you are looking for a much better alternative). Ineffective. 
Herbacín Wuta Kamille + Glycerine Hand Cream £3.60 / 100ML (Sample Available: £1.00 / 20ML here)
This little product took me by surprise. I have exceptionally dry hands which can easily be irritated through over washing, pot washing, sulphates, etc. and it's especially difficult to find a hand cream that is caring and protective without leaving a white cast. Cue Herbacín, a super hydrating hand cream that leaves skin silky and supple without that sticky or slippy after cast. Perfect for keeping my hands protected and well moisturised. The only drawback is the fragrance of this product is a little over perfumed. Without wanting to cause offence, it reminds me of the elderly. But, I really like it, so it stays! Effective, repurchase.
I only ever describe this product as cake for your face (full review here), as it is super spongy, yet gritty, and smells truly delicious. At 99.6% natural, you'll find no microbeads here, yet the scrub itself feels delightful to use, effectively exfoliating and clarifying the skin. After use, I have a brighter complexion with a more radiant skin tone. Effective, don't repurchase.
Primers are my ultimate tool for helping me to control oil. This is a luxuriously silky primer that has a velvet-like finish when applied to skin. Its pore blurring effects are minor, and its oil controlling abilities range from 2-8 hours cover. I liked this product, I honestly did (full review here), but it was recently pointed out to me that Benefit DO test on animals. That's a red-flag from me and I'm opting out. Avoid.
I suffer with extraordinarily dry hair. Extra-strength conditioners, leave-in conditioners, hair refreshers, you name it, I use it and I still can't combat the frizziness and dryness. This hair moisturiser is a leave-in cream that effectively moisturises hair without making it lank or sticky. It helps to control any fly-aways without leaving a trace as it seamlessly blends in. Unfortunately, the scent doesn't sit right with me. It has that typical clinical 'fresh' fragrance of a hairdresser's salon and it something that keeps with me all day long. Effective, don't repurchase.
My empties collection is now starting to dwindle. Of the 12 products listed here 10 are from my original pledge, making the current standings at 28 products left to empty.

To catch up on my initial pledge and rules about the self-directed #MissionEmpties Challenge, read the #MissionEmpties MASTER POST.
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Sunday, 9 August 2015

LUSH Moisturisers: Enzymion and Imperialis - Not Highly Rated

LUSH Moisturisers... I'm still undecided on this one. Do I like them? I'm so unsure. They have some very common traits that seem to feature amongst all of the LUSH Moisturisers. While I have only purchased Enzymion and Imperialis from the line-up, I have tried Gorgeous, Celestial and Vanishing Cream samples. They are heavy (yet somehow watery?), greasy and not very effective. I guess that wraps up the whole do-I-like-it thing then. The answer is no. 

Enzymion

Enzymion - the one that is designed for oily skin. Its definitely not designed for my oily skin. In fact, the ingredients are so not what my oily skin needs. Ever. The main ingredient is Cocoa Butter. This is a natural emulsifier that is generally used to moisturise and condition dry and irritated skin... What? Sure, it's nourishing and conditioning, but why is this featured as a star ingredient for this moisturiser. If I'm missing a trick here, someone please enlighten me!

Next up, this thing likes to brag about the fact that it includes a whole freshly squeezed lemon in every pot. Again, what? The thing with lemons is, they are highly acidic. These things are generally used to exfoliate and brighten dark marks. The issue being, that due to their high acidity, they are going to disrupt the pH balance of your skin. This results in over compensating oil production!

Why does my oily skin want any of this? It doesn't. Which is precisely why this thing don't work. 

A note on the fact that this moisturiser is super watery. This is never good for me. Sure, that means it spreads great, but it's so thin and watery that it just slips right off the skin. And because it is watery, it just doesn't hydrate. If anything, it leaves my skin feeling dehydrated and exposed. I am certainly not left to feel moisturised with this moisturiser (ho, ho, ho). It's a moist definitely a nothing product.

So we've established that the ingredients are just nonsense, the product isn't moisturising, it's very dehydrating. Could there actually possibly be anything else wrong with this thing? Yes. Of course there is. It doesn't bloody control oil. Surprise, surprise...

As has already been said, the moisturisers are greasy. From first spread, these things are greasy and it only gets worse from there. It both feels and looks greasy, and since it doesn't control oil, I'll become gradually more slick with grease as the day goes on.

You guess it, I couldn't continue using this thing, I hate this thing, I will never be purchasing this thing again.

Imperialis

Imperialis is one for the combination skins, for the skins that can't quite make their minds up and don't really know what they need. I know my skin type, and it's not combination, but I often tend to foray into products aimed at combination because I generally find them a little more hydrating, and this one is hydrating, hooray! 

The thing is, we're now dealing with both Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter, which are both high up on the ingredients list. This means, we're looking at super nourishing ingredients (that's great, no complaints there), but super buttery and oily textures which aren't compatible with my oily skin (that's not so great, definitely complaints there). 

But, you guessed it, greasy once more. It's greasy going on and remains greasy through the day. But there's on key difference between Imperialis and Enzymion, Imperialis actually makes my skin feel comfortable and hydrated. I like it. It's one my skin sometimes craves.

I tend to use this product before exercise, to keep my skin hydrated without being suffocated and before applying a particularly dry face mask, to make prevent my face from becoming painfully tight afterwards.

It really is quite refreshing, it's fairly soothing, it's nourishing and hydrating and it smells absolutely wonderful. While it doesn't control oil, it's one I use in situations where I'm not entirely fussed about oil control and want to feed my skin with a little hydration.
Enzymion can be purchased from LUSH for £14.50 for 45G. Imperialis can be purchase from LUSH for £13.50 for 45G. Happy moisturising! 
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Sunday, 29 March 2015

Origins: Spot Remover and Super Spot Remover

I sincerely think I missed the hype-train here. Why all the fuss? These products seem to be severely overpriced. Sure, they might effective, but... so what? 

Now, I like Origins, their products feel nourishing, caring and and oh-so good for you. But they are a premium brand. And we all know premium is synonymous with price (£££) and size. The former being way larger than we'd ever like and the latter being something that actually does matter. 

I heard a lot of claims about how small the Super Spot Remover Gel was. And yes, they were all right. This thing is super miniature. A really disappointing kind of miniature. 

A dinky soft plastic tube with a twist cap. The small hole in the top allows you some control over how much product is released. But as always, gravity and applied pressure work their magic. As you sink lower into the tube, you'll really need to turn it upside down to get any product out. While it's a squeezable tube, it still becomes quite difficult to remove the desired amount. I've often over-squeezed and with a product like this, you literally can't afford to do that.

You apply a small amount of the Super Spot Remover Gel to your blemish - just enough to cover. Depending on which part of my face I applied it to, I would often get a stinging/tingling sensation. Usually around the forehead and cheeks - the jawline and neck suffered no such nonsense.  

The gel will dry on skin after several minutes, after which, it forms a translucent, yet shiny, film around the applied area. This can be a little noticeable. Especially if worn under face make-up. I tried liquid, compact and loose powder foundations on top of the skin and found that the shine penetrated through and clogged make-up around these areas. 

It definitely is effective. It's more than efficient at reducing redness and inflammation, taking as little as several hours to get to work. For sizing down, this thing's got your back. But for actually clearing skin, I didn't notice any particular improvements. While a blemish may appear smaller, it wasn't removed any faster than it would have naturally. 

Generally, the gel tended to turn larger red blemishes into whiteheads, which has literally never happened to me before - referring to blemishes on neck. Which I was then able to remove the good old-fashioned between-two-fingernails way. *squeems*

The Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Pads come in the most over-sized jumbo container ever. When compared to the Super Spot Remover Gel, it's almost comedic. The joke being that this thing doesn't work. Ha. Ha. Ha.

Inside this large - and very tacky feeling - cylinder, are 60 pads, to be used once in the morning and then in the evening. Simply wipe away your blemishes! I'm not really sure why I trusted that wiping my face with a damp piece of cloth was ever a good way to truly benefit from the active ingredient? Blemishes be gone! Or not. 

I really didn't notice any change in my skin. Using one pad both morning and then evening, which are really just not large enough to make sure you cover the entire face without reusing the same section, I felt no change in the behaviour or the appearance of my skin. 

This product doesn't leave any kind of feeling or residue on skin. However, the pads do remain drenched in whatever that not-so-special formula is, right to the very end. Every cloud.

Super Spot Remover Gel Scored Effective, don't repurchase. While the gel is effective at reducing the appearance of redness and inflammation, it has no special results that warrant such an ungodly price tag. 

Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Pads Scored Ineffective. There were no quantifiable or noticeable results from using this product.   

Super Spot Remover Gel can be purchased from Origins' in-store and online for £15.00 / 10ML. Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Pads can be purchased from Origin's in-store and online for £24.00 / 60 PADS. 
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