Nivea Creme Care Cleansing Cream Wash*

Nivea was founded in 1882 and is a German based company that specialises in skin and body care. The cleansing cream wash is part of the daily essentials range which includes cleansing lotion and facial wipes. Apart from their thick body cream that comes in a pot that I've used to treat sunburn, I hadn't tried any of their facial products. The cleansing cream is a lotion that's supposed to cleanse thoroughly and protects the skin from drying out, and is suitable for all skin types. Sounds lovely, but I don't quite like it. I should have realised this purely because it's a lotion, and not a foaming cleanser which I like and use daily. When I applied some on my wet hands to make a lather, it didn't. I had to check the tube incase I picked up the body lotion instead. I assumed it would make a little bit of lather. When I applied it to my face, it had a greasy texture and it left me feeling that my skin wasn't washed properly. However, after a few minutes my skin did feel soft, but then it usually does with my regular facial cleanser. I will persevere with it, but I think I will most probably not use it for much longer. It retails around £3 in Boots, Superdrug and Wilkos.

Rachel xx

*PR sample as part of a subscription box I was sent for review.

Ole Henriksen ~ African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser

Back in July last year I wrote about the Clinique skincare products that I was using. Back then the cleanser really suited my needs but at the beginning of this year my skin seemed to change, going back to the breakouts that made me switch in the first place. Whilst reading other blogs and clicking through links on various products, I came across the African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser by Ole Henriksen. Suitable for all skin types, this is really gentle and doesn't dry my skin too much where I'm left with that tightness after drying. The longer I have been using this the more benefits I have noticed to my skin. The red blotchy areas to my chin began to fade again and the faint lines around my eyes started to be less noticeable. The cleanser itself, once pumped onto your hand, is a foam but once rubbed in turns to a lather and is quite creamy. The smell is divine with a gentle citrus scent of grapefruit, tangerine and orange. I first bought the 45ml as the pictures show for £7 from Feel Unique and has lasted me ages. I have since purchased the full size of 207ml. At full price this is pricey at £26 but I was sent a discount code for 20% as I hadn't placed an order for a while, and I was enticed back there... All in all I really love this at the moment, but unfortunately my skin, over time, seems to adjust back to its old ways and I have to look for something new to sort it out, but at the moment this is working just fine.

Rachel xx

Benefit b.right Radiant Skincare 6 Piece Intro Kit

I bought this set last summer as part of a promotion when I bought some make up, and after using everything all up I put the packaging aside and forgot about them until now.

The mini/travel set is ideal to be able to sample Benefit's Radiant Skincare line for a fraction of the price of the full size items. This kit lasted me just over two weeks with everyday use.

1) Foamingly Clean Facial Wash 8.9g - This has a really nice smell and lathers up softly. Cleanses the skin and removes make up. Full size 127.g for £17.50
2) Moisturize Moisture Prep Toning Lotion 8.9ml - Apply to a cotton pad after cleansing, claims to purify and smooth the skin to reduce fine lines. Full size 177.4ml for £23.50
3) Refined Finish Facial Polish 8.9g - Brightens the complexion by gently exfoliating to help minimise pores and reveal the skin's natural radiance. Full size 127.5g for £18.50
4) It's Potent Eye Cream 3g - Helps to fade dark circles and fade fine lines. Full size 14.2g for £24.50
5) Triple Performing Moisturising Facial Emulsion 8.9ml - Hydrates, protects and comforts the skin with SPF 15. Full size 50.3ml for £20.50
6) Total Moisture Facial Cream 8.9g - Tri-radiance complex to help develop the skin's reserves of water and reinforce the skin's moisture barrier to reveal a fresh complexion. Full size 48.2g for £27.50.

As I said, I used these over two weeks to give them a fair trial. I have to say, although I really liked the products and they left my skin feeling soft, I didn't notice a dramatic difference. Perhaps I needed to use them for longer but usually I know if a new product is working well after about four days.
To buy the full size products individually is extremely expensive at a total cost of a whopping £132. £27.50 for the moisturiser is something I'm not prepared to pay whether I liked it or not.
I'm not disappointed as I used up all of the products but I'm glad I didn't waste my money on the complete range at full price. On the Feel Unique website the 6 piece set has 80 5 star reviews, so I'm either missing something here or they're just being too kind to Benefit! I would give 3 stars as my skin was soft and I liked the packaging, but that's about it.

Rachel xx

(This was originally posted as a guest blog post @taylorscollectionn)

My Clinique Skincare Essentials

My skin was in a bit of a rut and needed help - badly. I had been using Estee Lauder products for quite a while which I blogged about here, and after reading other blogs about skincare products, I decided to go back to Clinique. I have been having more breakouts on my chin and although they are usually hormonal, these little blemishes (not spots, just redness) were constantly there.
I visited my local Clinique counter in Boots a few weeks ago, and after a good discussion with the 'Clinique Lady' about my skin type and my main concern at the time being the redness, I bought the Superprimer Colour Corrects Redness (£20). This was a life saver during the colder weather. Not only did it control the red blemishes but also smoothed the skin texture and made my foundation last a bit longer. It was then I was given a deluxe sample size of the 3 Step Skincare System and boy was I impressed. I purchased the two of the 3 Step (full sizes) two weeks later.
The last time I used the 3 Step was when cleansing was only available in soap format. The Liquid Facial Soap (£16, 200ml) is basically the soap but in a liquid format, which for me feels more hygienic.  I have shiny/oily skin so this targets these areas of my cheeks and sides of my nose. Love it. After cleansing I use the Clarifying Toner (£26, 400ml) to sweep away dead skin cells. My skin really feels brighter and smoother after using this. Apply to cotton wool and sweep once over the face.
To target and actively treat those pesky blemishes I bought the Anti Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel (£20, 30ml) to apply prior to moisturiser. This is clear and dries quickly. You can apply the gel all over the face if desired but I just rub it on to the target areas. This is an absolute god send and after three days of using it the blemishes had completely gone. The only thing I don't like about this product is the smell. It's very strong like Windowlene but the smell disappears once rubbed in.
The only product that I didn't repurchase was the Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel (£30, 125ml) but that was only because I still have a lot left of my usual moisturiser which is the No7 Protect and Perfect Day Cream which I blogged about here. Once that is finished though I think I will buy the Clinique one as it effortlessly sunk into my skin leaving a matte finish.
I decided to use my Boots Advantage Card Points to purchase the soap and cleanser. The prices I have mentioned are the deluxe sizes but there are other sizes to buy if you're low on funds or don't have enough points.

Have you tried switching your skincare products lately? I'm glad I did as the benefits are have been really rewarding for me, not only to improve my skin but to also give me my confidence back.

Rachel xx

Skincare Essential ~ Moisturiser

I have been using this moisturiser by Boots No7 for a while now since replacing my Estee Lauder one (see post here) and have yet to find a better one. Protect and Perfect Intense really sinks into my skin easily after applying toner and within a couple of minutes my face is drier and looks smooth. I have oily/combination skin and have no problem with this. It has SPF 15 which is a big bonus when it comes to skincare.
This range focuses on fine lines and wrinkles and includes a beauty serum and under eye cream.
For 50ml you have to fork out a whopping £23. Boots No7 are currently running 3 for 2 on skincare if you fancy stocking up and I have a £5 off voucher which I need to use before February. This pot is almost finished so I will repurchase it.
You can visit the site here and see the full range.

Have you tried a product that is now an essential part of your daily routine?

Rachel xx

Tropic Skin Care

Last week, one of my work colleagues held a Tropic Skin Care party. Tropic Skin Care? I hadn't heard of it either.

Tropic is the skin care company that was launched by Susan Ma who was the runner up in The Apprentice 2011. Since it's launch in 2007 Lord Alan Sugar has invested in the company and is now becoming more well known.

With a variety of products for face and body Tropic has something for everyone.

The Ambassador of the Tropic party I was at talked about each product, listing the ingredients and their benefits to the skin. We were able to try the products out for ourselves and the host had a free demonstration of the skin care set.

There is also a new make up line, but unfortunately the Ambassador did not have any products to show us, as she was waiting to be sent them from head office.

I am considering hosting my own Tropic party so that I can see the make up products because the brochure just wasn't enough to make me want to order anything.

I only ordered one item and that was the Body Love Butter Cream.

All in all, I thought that the products that I saw were of good quality with nice fresh packaging and beautiful scents.

Well worth a look at if you are invited to go to a Tropic get together!

Rachel xx

My Daily Skin Care Routine & Products

I have spent many years looking for the right skin care products from Dove soap to Clinique's 3 Step; I think I have tried most on the market.

Until about two years ago I was using The Body Shop's Seaweed range of cleanser, toner and day cream. That was until I received travel sizes products by Estee Lauder with two purchases.

Perfectly Clean Splash Away Foaming Cleanser, Fresh Balancing Toner & Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme with SPF 15

I began using the above products the next day, and boy was I impressed. My face felt literally clean and even tight on my cheeks. I had no shine and after a few days the blemishes on my chin/jaw line had gone.

When I had used all the products I returned to using the seaweed range again. I noticed the difference straight away in my skin and I didn't feel as satisfied as I once did.

It was then that I decided to purchase the Estee Launder full size products; and that was two years ago and I haven't looked back since. I have repurchased them many times and it would take something pretty remarkable to convince me to change to something else.

So what is my daily routine?

• Wash hands
• Run warm water into sink and wet face
• Apply a 5p size amount of cleanser to palm of hand
• Rub fingers in to make a foamy texture
• Apply to face and rub in circular motions (I put it in my ears too!)
• Once satisfied that my skin is clean I wet a muslin cloth to remove
• After drying I apply the toner to 100% cotton pad and sweep over face
• Once dry, I then moisturise with the day cream.

This is a pretty standard method that I think most people use but I thought I would share it with you.

The Estee Lauder products and this routine work for me but when I do get a breakout I use this product here.

What skin care products do you swear by?

Rachel xx