Piringubu Jessner's Skin Revivifying Peel Set

I was so excited to get this peel. I have really done significant research to find the best home peel. My dermatologist told me about 6 months ago that I would benefit from a Jessner's peel since it's a medium depth peel. I had asked for her advice as in my early thirties, I've experienced mild adult acne, acne scarring, mid-size pores, and fine wrinkles. However, all the local dermatologists including mine charged north of $100 per treatment. It just wasn't priority compared to other things until.... I found and decided on this product called Piringubu Jessner's Skin Revivifying Peel Set.

Product Description:

Piringubu Jessner's Skin Revivifying Peel Set is an anti-acne and anti-ageing peel made from 14% Lactic Acid, 14% Salicylic Acid and 14% Resorcinol. It is very potent in treating cystic acne and acne that results in deep, icepick scars. It treats active lesions, scars and blemishes as well as all other acneic manifestations such as blackheads, whiteheads and milia. It also prevents future breakouts while reversing symptoms of ageing such as discolorations, fine lines and wrinkles. Energized with Tocotrienol and Tocopherol, this peel enhances elastin and collagen synthesis to restore skin’s youthful appearance!

The price seemed almost too good to be true, but I thought I would give it a shot. A set worth of less than $30? What?? Well, I applied the peel. I followed the instructions and applied the priming solution. It took two layers to frost. The first layer I already felt an immediate intense stinging sensation. Boy was I surprised but pleased (as I have had a peel before and I know what it feels like when it works). This was a little more intense then the lighter peels I'd tried before like glycolic peels at the derm's office.

By the second layer, I was literally tearing as the stinging sensation intensified. A handheld fan I had did relieve some of the discomfort and as time subsided over the 5 min so did the stinging. I started applying the Piringubu acid peel neutralizer and post peel cream which was very soothing after those stinging due to the peeling. Redness, brown and light surface scabbing, and peeling occurred in the first few days. I'm on day 7. I'm pleased so far. The instructions were very thorough. The kit is fabulous as it comes with priming solution, an acid neutralizer and post peel cream which was very soothing and it seems like it helped a lot in making my skin look better.

I highly recommend this product, especially for those who suffers from acne and cystic acne. You wont regret trying this, and I can assure that before the end of your 1st week using this, there will be dramatic changes on your skin.

Thank you for spending some time reading my review, for more information about this product, you may visit them here.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY: MY THOUGHTS

The last time I received something from Charlotte Tilbury in the post I didn’t even make it all the way up the stairs, I had to sit down and explore. I was so excited!

There are very few brands that can really do this to me, I am so fortunate to have more than enough makeup but there’s something about the Charlotte Tilbury range that really makes me happier than any other (along with Tom Ford and MAC). That said here’s my quick guide on what to buy and what you can possibly skip from the CT.

The first product I ever got from the range was a Colour-coded eyeshadow quad in Dolce Vita for Christmas2014 and this palette is now my absolute favourite quad! I can’t recommend the quads highly enough, they’re beautifully packaged with a useful mirror, the colours are perfectly selected, they’re creamy and blendable- just perfect! Dolce Vita is my absolute favourite but Golden Goddess is a close second and Vintage Vamp is stunning too.

I recently added her Colour Chameleon (Bronzed Garnet), Nocturnal Cat Eyeshadow (in The Huntress) and Rock ‘N’ Kohl (in Amber Moon) eyeliner to my collection. The Colour Chameleons are really lovely and creamy, with very wearable shades. I personally don’t love eyeshadow crayons but if you do these are a great option. I reach for mine on a regular basis as I use it to line my lower lash liner and it’s the perfect product to do this with. The Nocturnal Cat Eyeshadow came as a duo with the Rock ‘n’ Kohl and they’re probably one of the few CT products I would skip, don’t get me wrong, they’re nice but nothing overly special. The single eyeshadow isn’t as creamy as the quads and I find that the shimmer is also a little denser, the eyeliners are nice but I think you get get some which are just as nice from the drugstore.

Onto lips, I only have two lipstick and a lip liner. The Lip Cheat (lip liner) I have is in Pillow Talk which is probably her most famous, the colour is a perfect nude and I really do think it helps give a plump look to the lips. The lipsticks are also amazing, I love their rose gold packaging and the quality of the actual product is one of the best I own. I have Red Carpet Red which is a Matte Revolution (review here), very glam, true red and Hepburn Honey which is part of the Kissing range, warm toned peachy nude.

I had the Filmstar Bronze & Glow for a really long time but it is pretty pricey at £49. When I first got it I wasn’t wow’d but the more I use it the more I love it, it’s a really easy to use, natural but still beautiful contour and highlight palette. That said it’s still almost £50 which isn’t cheap, if I were to break it I probably wouldn’t run out to replace it, despite the fact I use it almost daily. I don’t have the Powder & Sculpt brush which I have heard makes this product particularly amazing.

I hadn’t heard much about the blushers before I got the Cheek to Chic in Sex On Fire, the quality is beautiful; finely milled, as pigmented as I’d like and buttery soft but this shade just isn’t quite right for me.

I also tried the Brow Lift a while back and really loved it, the Feline Flick is also really nice but just didn’t last long enough for me to justify a repurchase.

I’m hoping to add more incredible Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks to my collection over the next few months as well as try the Magic Foundation which has been top of my wishlist since it launched. Would love some CT recommendations in the comments and to hear your thoughts on the range.

PURE EUPHORIA NAIL POLISH

If you’re a regular around these parts you’ll know that the only thing that can get me more excited than nail polish… is scented nail polish. So when I heard about this nail varnish collection my interest was well and truly piqued. Nail varnish that contains essential oils. Intrigued? Read on…

PURE EUPHORIA NAIL POLISH

So let’s start with the aesthetics. The colours are gorgeous (although the hint of silver shimmer had me a bit worried when I opened them as you couldn’t see this on the website – don’t worry, we cover that later). The bottles are square and a decent size (15ml) and the brush is good. Not great, as I prefer a bit fat brush, but still good.

The names of the collections are on the top while the names of the actual polish are on the bottom. There are 4 collections in the Pure Euphoria range: Serenity (infused with Lavender), Confidence (Beautiful Blend), Focus (Peppermint) and Abundance (Ylang Ylang). In the words of Pure Euphoria: “Aromatherapy at your fingertips gives you the opportunity to calm, refocus, feel self assured or attract more of what you want in your life.” I love the whole idea. I really believe in the restorative power of scent: it can perk you up, calm you down, make you feel more confident or just make you feel special. So having that little boost of scent on your nails is a genius idea in my book!

On top of the whole USP scent thing, these are also vegan and 5-free. In case you don’t know what that means, 5-free is when polishes do not contain the big 5 nasties that are sometimes put into nail polish: Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP, Formaldehyde resin and Camphor.

So here are the swatches. The first one is from the Serenity range and is called Bliss. It’s a coral-pink and the lavender is designed to ease anger and frustration. I need some of that at work sometimes!

The second is from the Confidence collection and is called Inner Strength. This contains Lime, Neroli, Sweet Orange, Cedarwood Atlas and Ylang Ylang. I bloody LOVE Neroli. This is designed to release negative emotions, increase self love, build confidence and can help to boost energy. I think this one is my favourite scent and the response I get to it.

This pretty mint colour is Creativity from the Focus range. It contains Peppermint to relieve frustration and anxiety, allowing you to feel stable and to concentrate better. I think this is my favourite shade just because I have a THING for mint green!

This dark and stormy shade is from the Abundance range and is called Self Transformation. It has Ylang Ylang which (as well as being super fun to say) can help to increase intuition and decrease fear of the unknown. Apparently it also promotes movement in new directions as well. And who doesn’t need a bit of that?

The above swatches are shown after 2 coats of each polish and with no top coat so that you could see how shiny they are without top coat. The shimmer I was so concerned about isn’t super noticeable which was a relief. On the mint green and the dark browny-red you could see a slight sparkle in the light but I think it added dimension rather than distracted.

These were a great formula, I was worried that a nail varnish that had essential oils in would have an odd greasy or streaky formula but these applied like any other polish and dried fairly quickly. I have worn the mint and the purple for about 3 days each and there was no chipping. I found that the scent faded after a day or so but it was so lovely to get this little waft of essential oil as I moved my hands near my face without it being totally overwhelming and permeating everything I ate or drank!

If you are a scent fiend like me then these will be right up your street. They are an Australian brand and don’t currently have a UK seller from what I can see, but you can buy them from the website HERE. They are £11.17 (weird price from the conversion!). Shipping is free over $100 (~£50), anything under that will be $27 (~£14) which is a bit steep but these are so unique that if you’re interested then it’s worth it in my opinion.

How do you feel about nail varnish with essential oils?

Mini Haul: Summer Fresh Face Go To’s

Generally, I haven’t been one for doing makeup hauls since products work so differently for each person’s unique skin tone however I’ve found these products have been a solid go to for me during the summer months for a fresh complexion.

1. Maybeline Dream Bouncy Blush ($12) – after reading a TON of raves on this product I finally had to try it for myself. Usually I turn to powder blushes for a matte finish but this formula is honestly fantastic. Super spongy and bizarre to the touch, it ends up with the same matte appearance yet stays on the entire day. I decided on Rose Petal which is a super light, ballerina-y pink.

2. Gimme Brow ($28) – a bit of a splurge, but entirely worth it. I mentioned this is my all-time favorite brow product – I keep replacing it as soon as I’m out. Fun tip – instead of just sweeping it across your brows in the direction of your hairs, first apply the product going against the grain, then comb back over in the natural direction. The fibers will be added to both sides of your hairs giving it that much more coverage.

3. Maybeline Dark Circle Eraser ($12) – I think that an under-eye concealer is an essential in every girls makeup bag. Whether you really do battle with dark circles or just look fatigued first thing in the morning, this one is a really great cheaper alternative to splurging on a higher-end line. I find it’s super blendable and has better coverage then some of the more expensive concealers.

4. Vichy Dermablend Foundation ($29) – With the changing weather and allergies, lately I’ve been dealing with the worst breakouts and this is honestly the first foundation I’ve found in ages that works for me. My worst fear with foundation is looking cakey but I still need medium coverage for blemishes. This product has a great, super blendable formula but still delivers in covering up any red tones and scars. Major plus: this Vichy line is hypoallergenic and paraben-free which helps avoid breakouts and further irritations from wearing makeup (such a vicious cycle, isn’t it!).

Have you tried any of these or have other go to’s for summer? I’d love to hear them!

Overnight Retinol Repair By Dermalogica – The New Smart Way To Include A Retinol In Your Skincare Routine

Overnight Retinol Repair, the latest launch from Dermalogica, is a combination of the anti-ageing big guns – retinol, peptides and vitamin C. The most important of these is retinol which, unfortunately, a lot people prefer to avoid. This is because they’ve either experienced a ‘retinol reaction’ in the past or they fear they’ll have one.

To address this problem Dermalogica are cleverly including a Buffer Cream with every tube of Overnight Retinol Repair. This enables people to enjoy the multiple benefits of retinol without experiencing any skin irritation. Here’s the lowdown on both products:

Retinol helps with both intrinsic (natural/chronological) ageing and extrinsic ageing (environmental/ photo-ageing). The benefits of this powerful ingredient include stimulating collagen production, increased cell renewal, elastin biosynthesis and improved epidermal thickness.

There’s a 0.5% concentration of retinol in Overnight Retinol Repair and it’s encapsulated. This is an important point as retinol degrades when exposed to light and air. Encapsulation ensures it’s stability and aids it’s absorption.

The other key ingredients in Overnight Retinol Repair include:

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (stabilised Vitamin C) – supports collagen synthesis and provides antioxidant protection.

Peptides including CU++, PT5 and a unique tripeptide – these promote collagen formation and stimulate hyaluronic acid synthesis for smoother, plumper skin.

Ceramides and a Super Hydration Complex – to enhance the skin’s barrier function and add hydration.

Liquorice and Lavender – To calm and soothe.

The key ingredient in the Buffer Cream is 8% Aloe Vera Extract which of course is known for its calming, anti-inflammatory properties.

How To Use Overnight Retinol Repair And Buffer Cream

As previously mentioned, the point of these products is allow people to use a retinol without getting a reaction (itching, peeling, redness). The way to do this is to build up tolerance to the retinol slowly by mixing the Overnight Retinol Repair with the Buffer Cream.

The recommended starting point is 1 part of Overnight Retinol Repair to 3 parts Buffer Cream. Then, gradually invert the proportions, i.e. us 1/2 of each and then 3 parts Overnight Retinol Repair and 1 part Buffer Cream.

The aim is to be able to use Overnight Retinol Repair on it’s own without suffering any irritation. However, there’s no rush to do this. The important thing is to keep using Overnight Retinol Repair regularly and not be put off. Sooner or later your skin will get used to it and you’ll start reaping the benefits.

General Tips For Using Overnight Retinol Repair

Overnight Retinol Repair can be applied to the neck but this area is far more sensitive than the face as the skin is thinner and it has less sebaceous glands. Therefore, extra care needs to be taken to avoid a reaction so start off using a very small amount and build up slowly.

Retinol reactions tend to occur on the face and neck where there are lines and wrinkles. This is because creams tend to gather there in larger amounts. It’s good to be aware of this when applying the product and maybe run your finger over the lines/wrinkles to remove the excess.

Another area that irritation tends to occur is around the corners of the mouth so again it’s good practice to use less product here.

For more personalised advice for using Overnight Retinol Repair you can have a chat with aDermalogica Skin Therapists who’ll be able to properly assess your skin and its needs.Overnight Retinol Repair (30ml) with Buffer Cream (15ml) is £73 and available HERE. Go HEREfor your nearest Dermalogica stockist.

L-R: Overnight Retinol Repair and Buffer Cream

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CK ONE COLOR SHINE LIPSTICK REVIEW

SHADES

I got the shade Naked, which is a sheer nude and High, a sheer shimmery pink.

WEAR

They go on sheer and shiny, I would compare them to Urban Decay’s new sheer revolution line and the shade naked is very similar to UD’s naked. These are perfect for everyday use and getting some extra moisture, which I need during these months (is spring ever coming?!). These are moisturizing, shine lipsticks, so they aren’t meant to be long-lasting. So if you are looking for something longer lasting I would opt for their pure color lipsticks.

The Little Olive Tree Coffee Body Scrub

I’m really thrilled to announce that I’m now a Little Olive Tree brand ambassador! This is a brand I’ve been following on social media for ages now, and I’ve loved every single one of their products I’ve tried. It was an easy yes, when the lovely Nicola asked me if I’d be interested in working with them, testing out some of their amazing products and sharing my thoughts on them with you all.

Little Olive Tree is a family company based in Cambridge, NZ and is run by duo Nicola and Gavin. The brand name was inspired by their daughter, Olive, and this family friendly and personal touch is one of the things I really love about this brand. Little Olive Tree offers a range of skin care and home fragrance products, all which are created using only the best natural ingredients. All of the ingredients they use in their products are of benefit to the skin in some way – there are no fillers and certainly no chemicals. They are also eco-friendly and ethically sourced. Little Olive Tree are also really open and honest about their ingredients, and have a brilliant page here that outlines each ingredient, what it’s beneficial for, and what products you’ll find it in. 

One of the products that Little Olive Tree are well known for, are their delicious coffee body scrubs. They offer these beautiful scrubs in three scents; Vanilla Latte, Coffee, and Sweet Orange & Coffee. I am a huge fan of the Vanilla Latte scent, as it makes both me and the bathroom smell delicious! These body scrubs are formulated with ground coffee and Himalayan Salt, as well as skin-loving oils like Coconut Oil, Olive Oil and Vitamin E Oil. The combination of these natural ingredients, leaves the skin feeling incredibly smooth and soft after using. It’s a lovely way to start (or end) the day, and I like to use this scrub about twice a week for optimum results.

While some scrubs are almost unpleasantly rough on the skin, this scrub is the perfect consistency. It offers a generous scrub on the more stubborn parts of the body, while still being gentle enough to use on more delicate parts of the skin. I even love using this product on my face!

The scrub comes in a re-sealable pouch which makes it perfect for no-mess and no-spills. Before my shower I simply tip a little into a plastic container and take it into the shower with me. This means I’m not getting any water into the pouch which could ultimately ruin the scrub. I’m not going to lie, it is a little messy, but that’s also all part of the fun. I use my hands to rub the scrub onto my skin, but for a more intense exfoliation you could also use a washcloth or a loofah. Once it’s all rubbed in, I simply rinse the scrub off to reveal super smooth and super soft skin. One thing I was a little worried about was what it might do to the shower (as some scrubs can create A LOT of mess). This scrub washes off the shower and down the drain easily, and doesn’t mess up the shower at all.

This is definitely my favourite body scrub, and I’m making a point of always having a pouch of this on hand for whenever my skin is feeling a bit rough or dull. It really only takes a couple of minutes to get gorgeous, smooth skin!

The Little Olive Tree Coffee Body Scrub retails for $15.90 and is available from their online store