Nude Progenius Omega Treatment

This product was a very lovely Christmas gift and so I hadn't done any research into the product or the brand. To be fair, I was pretty happy with my skincare situation. I was loving my coconut oil and still am, but I wasn't looking for any kind of addition. However, I have been using the Progenius Omega Treatment for six weeks and the combination of this, the Aveda Botanical Kinetics and Coconut Oil is making my skin look very healthy... even when I haven't had enough sleep and been at work for what seems like a million hours. 

THE PROS

• Consistency: It's a very thick oil and because of this, you only need two drops. It's almost like a moisturiser. I put it on the areas that need more moisture, or rather the areas that could do with rewinding a few years, such as my forehead, around my eyes, my laughter lines and chin. 

• Moisturiser/Foundation: As per the instructions, the product can be added to moisturiser or mixed with foundation for a more radiant and hydrated look. 

• Omega Oils: The product is an omega oil treatment and contains omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9. Those fatty acids are plumping my lines nicely! 

• Ingredients: Nude skincare is formulated without: Parabens, Sulphates, Metacrylate
Polyacrylamide, Phthalates, Mineral Oil, Petrochemical, Synthetic Fragrance, Synthetic Color, Urea, Sulfate Detergents, Pegs Silicones, Polypropylene, Glycol Poloxamer, Elastomer, Synthetic Chelating Agents, DEA, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium,

Their view is that you can have high performing skincare without certain ingredients and the ingredient list can be found on their site. 
 

• Combination: I use the product in the morning with Aveda's Botanical Kinetics Intense Hydrating Rich Creme and Energizing Eye Creme and in the evening with Coconut Oil. My skin has looked at its most hydrated since doing this and the Omega Treatment has been the extra thing that has really helped. Despite the price, I will be re-purchasing this and have stopped using any other serum/oil treatments since using it. 

• Skincare Routine: I will be doing a little trial over the next few weeks and substituting Coconut Oil for Avocado Oil. It will be interesting to see how the Avocado Oil works on its own (it's meant to soften and nourish skin) and then, how it works with the Progenius Omega Treatment. Nothing like a beauty experiment! 

THE CONS

• Oil: Be careful not to put too much around the eyes prior to doing makeup. Your eyeliner will slip right off! I forget and do this regularly! 

• Price: £62 for 30ml. Thank goodness you only need two drops a night. I'll be interested to see how long it lasts. 

www.nudeskincare.com 

Coconut Oil – is it worth the hype?

Coconut Oil is all over the place, heralded as the best oil for skin, nails, hair and health. Being able to cook with something that you can also use on your hair has always made me cringe but I have to say, I like it and it's doing wonders for my skin and bank balance. When it comes in a 500ml jar, has a sell by date of next Summer,  costs £4.00 and improves the hydration of skin, it's a good find!

THE PROS:

• A little goes a long way. What you see in the picture is enough for the face, neck and to use as a hand cream. 

• It really does hydrate but don't use too much because it will cause spots and nobody wants that. I melt it in between my hands and lightly press it into the skin. 

• It's helped to plump the skin, which is linked to the hydration but wrinkles have appeared finer, especially around the eyes. 

• It absorbs into the skin quickly and doesn't leave skin feeling greasy for hours. 

• It smooths and tames hair. I only use it on the ends but using a small amount. I would imagine that if I got the quantities wrong, I would have greasy limp locks. However, it is better than any other hair oil or serum that I have compared it with, including Moroccan Oil. 

• It can be used as a cleanser and removes makeup. 

• When used in cooking, it's a good source of saturated fat and boosts metabolism. 

THE CONS:

• It needs to be stored away from direct sunlight and that is for good reason. It goes from 100% cold pressed to full on oil, so be careful where you stash it. 

• I can only use this at night, as I find it doesn't hold my makeup in place. 

• When using it for cooking, I would recommend decanting or buying a separate jar for the kitchen. It prevents any beauty regime/kitchen cross over. It tastes nice when making something sweet, like banana pancakes (which if you haven't tried and can't eat wheat, I would strongly recommend), as the coconut oil is a nice addition. I find it odd tasting when cooking savoury food. It's great in smoothies though. 

• Raw versions of the oil tend to have better reviews because they haven't been refined using chemical processes that can make the oil taste a bit bland and don't have the same skin care benefits. However, not all refined oils have been chemically distilled, so worth doing some research. 

• To use the product, you need to scrape some of it out. To me, this is always a bit gross because it allows bacteria to go a bit nuts! 

All in all, I really like using it, mainly because its multifaceted. Although I don't tend to use it in cooking, it really makes skincare easier when cleansing, moisturising and taming stray locks with the same product, especially when it has the same effect as products that I have paid a small fortune for! £4.00 is an excellent price! 

REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial

At my work's Christmas shindig, I received a lovely gift in the form of a REN facial. Whilst the bakers of the group were ooing and ahhing over cupcake stands (to be fair, they were very pretty), I stared lovingly at a product that I knew my skin desperately needed. Needless to say, it hasn't disappointed.

PROS:

• Vitamin C is activated when combined with water. You are advised to apply in circular motions but I've slapped it on and it still does the job. 

• I can genuinely see results after use. My skin was smoother and more plumped. My makeup applied beautifully after using it. 

• Like all REN products, the facial doesn't contain any parabens, mineral oil or sulphates (plus other unnecessary ingredients).

• It's quick to use. Bung it on for a minute, hence the name, and wash it off. Done. 

• You can literally feel dead skin cells being removed... I'm not sure if that's what it is but it feels as if you can, which then leaves skin silky and smooth. It is as if a serum is on your face. 

• It can be used on arms and décolletage. I often experience redness on the arms and it toned that down after one use. It is also delicate enough to be used on the chest area. 

• It has visibly reduced the lines on my forehead. Hallelujah!  

CONS:

• The product springs out of the tube a bit too easily! You can often waste product. 

£32 for 75ml 

www.uk.spacenk.com

Philosophy's Christmas Cookie

Philosophy's Christmas Cookie has been adding some festive flair to my shower! This shower gel/bubble bath/shampoo is thick enough to also be used as a shaving cream, whilst giving off the delectable scent of something extremely sweet. I'm not too sure what a Christmas cookie is but I seem to remember eating them in America and they were like sugar cookies, so the sweet vanilla/almond/marzipan scent is actually quite similar to what I remember.

I wouldn't say that the scent reminds me of Christmas but I am a fan of the sweet tones and it's not overpowering. If you enjoy Prada Candy or anything with cocoa butter you will definitely like this!

More than anything, it's the novelty factor that I enjoy. It's a bit of a treat for the festive period and I much prefer it to the Lush Snow Angel shower gel that I bought last year. It's far more 'Christmassy', probably because of the packaging. Dolled up in a red, green and silver sparkle (which looks like ribbon) box, it shouts Christmas. My favourite part is the cookie recipe on the front of the bottle, complete with ingredient amounts and baking instructions!

This would make a great gift for any friends who love baking but, from a non baker's perspective, it certainly has the nostalgia factor – it reminds me of coming home to my Mum's and creating some kind of Christmas kitchen concoction. Above anything else, I love smelling the yumminess every time I pop into the shower! I will certainly be buying it again and most definitely treating myself to a Christmas Cookie bubble bath.

£14 for 480ml 

www.boots.com

Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub

The Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub was one of the products I wrote about on my Beauty Wish List post last month. Now that I've had it for a little while and thoroughly put it to the test, I thought it was time to share my verdict...

On opening this, it smelt like Christmas. Forget citrus, it smelt like Christmas spice... I'm not going to lie, that made me very happy! However, when using the product, the citrus smell kicks in. It's subtle and refreshing.

The scrub itself is fine and non abrasive. Actually, to the point that I couldn't work out if I needed to add more. However, after using it, my chops were exfoliated and have looked less pore-filled. 

The ingredients are 99% natural and the product is designed to remove makeup as well as moisturise, thanks to the sweet almond oil.

The only negative is getting the product out of the jar. That may sound ridiculous but because it's a thick product and it's quite dry, I have been known to ping citrus scrub across the bathroom. It can also break up when you first combine it with water, which all in all makes it a messy product. It's not the kind of thing that I would take away with me, for fear of leaving a trail of citrus scrub behind me, but I like that it has natural ingredients and that it has improved my skin tone. Also, the Christmassy smell will work out over the festive period! 

£10.99 for 2oz 

www.burtsbees.co.uk

Barefoot SOS Repair + Renew Intensive Treatment Oil

Up until recently, I have been using Algenist Advanced Anti-Aging Repairing Oil (see review), which is amazing but not wanting to pay out 60+ pounds, I have turned to Barefoot SOS Repair and Renew Intensive Treatment Oil.

PROS:

• Oil absorbs into the skin quickly but skin still feels moisturised. 

• I can use it under makeup and my makeup stays put (I do use primers) 

• I haven't had used other moisturisers with it

• Not overly greasy

• Sensitive enough to be used around the eye area so I haven't been using eye cream

• Thick enough to use on the body and hands

• Good value for money – £28 for 25ml 

• Vegan 

• All ingredients are naturally derived, so I feel all at one with the Earth! 

• This has made my skin tone more even and toned down some of the redness

• A little goes a really long way

• My wrinkles seemed to have plumped up

CONS:

• The applicator does not hold the oil when it is taken out of the bottle. It immediately starts dripping, which is annoying.

• I am unsure how those with oily skin would find this. I have dry to combination skin, which the product has moisturised but not made oily or caused any breakouts. However, people with oily skin might find this too much. 

Despite the applicator irritation, this is a really good product and one that I wasn't expecting to like very much. I thought it would be a gap filler until I forked out for the Alegenist Advanced Anti-Aging Repairing Oil again but I was wrong. I am going to buy another bottle to use as a body moisturiser and now I have got a handy flick technique sorted, there shouldn't be oil dropping all over the carpet! 

www.naturisimo.com 

Kay's Skincare Routine – September 2015

For the last few months, I have been looking for products that do not have parabens or ingredients that the skin doesn't need and that actually work! Jen and I have always said that balance is the key. We are certainly not the ingredients police, it's just a preference and, equally, sometimes you can't have it all! So, after some searching, I have a new skin care routine that I am very happy with:

CLEANSER
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm – It hydrates the skin, removes waterproof makeup, lasts a long old time and leaves skin feeling clean but not dry.
£38 for 100ml

TONER
I'm not using anything at the moment but I am about to try Naobay Calming Face Toner as good old Glossybox sent a full sized through. Talking of Naobay.... 

£10.50 for 200ml

EXFOLIATOR
Naobay Moisturizing Peeling exfoliator is natural and organic, with fine particles that gently exfoliate the skin. I use this every morning.
£13.50 for 100ml

SERUM
Instead of serum, I have been using two face oils. The first, Colbert MD Illumino Face Oil, is super expensive but it really works. Massage a drop of the oil into damp skin. It gets five stars on the Space NK website and rightly so. My wrinkles appeared reduced with one use! Safe to say that I love this product.
$140 for 30ml 

The second oil is the Algenist Advanced Anti-Aging Repairing Oil. This is hydrating and although it's an oil, I can wear it underneath makeup and it doesn't make my skin oily and the makeup slip off! This is also my day moisturiser.
$79 for 30ml

EYE CREAM
Aveda Botanicals Kinetics – This has helped to smooth fine lines and is easily absorbed.
£28 for 15ml

NIGHT MOISTURISER
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Oil Balm – This is incredibly hydrating, not greasy, and easily absorbed.
$35 for 1.4oz

MASK
GlamGlow Flashmud Brightening Treatment – This was my first time using a GlamGlow product and I am totally sold. The mask leaves the skin looking luminous and with an equal skin tone. It has birch leaf in it, which confused me on my first try! However, the leaf releases a natural acid, which balances the skin. What I love most are the exfoliating particles. As you apply the mask to the skin, you start with an exfoliation, then spend 20 minutes or so with a citrus smelling mask on your chops and you are left with radiant looking skin! Marvellous.
$69 for 1.7oz

To read my 2014 skincare routine click here
To read Jen's 2014 skincare routine click here