My stash of beauty minis doesn't seem to be reducing and I'm trying to make a concerted effort to get through them quicker than I accumulate them! I even have a dedicated little wicker basket in my bedside table just for the sachets, vials and tubes... and it's full. Oops. I have 5 of these up on trial today - my initial thoughts and whether it's enough to make me buy the full size.
Crazily this is the first solid balm cleanser I've ever used. It only contains 7 ingredients, all of which are natural and 99% organic and include Grape Seed Oil, Spearmint Oil and Thistle Seed Oil. The formula is lovely; soft so that it has enough slip to massage over the skin but it's lightweight and doesn't feel greasy at all. It isn't the best at removing eye makeup however, so I prefer to use it in the morning to refresh and revive my skin - plus the minty scent helps me out of my sleepy, zombie like state!
Verdict: Maybe. I'm not running out to buy it, but I've enjoyed using it and it's made me realise I might be missing a solid balm cleanser from my life.
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Syncronized Recovery Complex II
I used the original formula of the Advanced Night Repair serum a long time ago and to be honest I'm not sure what the difference is between that one and this one... But either way this has reminded me how much I loved it! It's such a reliable serum that hydrates and plumps the skin, making it look fresh and healthy. I also find it gently calms areas of redness and inflammation, even subtly reducing the size of any spots I have.
Verdict: I can already hear my bank account groaning in anticipation... I am going to have to buy the full size again at some point soon!
This Works Sleep Plus+ Pillow Spray
I have wanted to try this for the longest time and thanks to my mother-in-law putting a This Works cracker in my Christmas stocking, I now have. It is clinically proven to provide a better night's sleep with a potent mix of Vetiver Oil, Lavender Oil and Patchouli Oil. You simply spray onto your bed linen and it is designed to gradually release its aromatherapeutic benefits as you sleep. I am a poor sleeper and although this doesn't perform miracles, I have found that the scent makes me very sleepy and generally as a result I fall asleep quicker. Sometimes it stops me waking throughout the night too.
Verdict: This is the only natural sleeping aid I've tried (and I've tried many over the years) that really does make a difference. I've already ordered the 75ml bottle as it was on offer online!
The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil
It's really nice to look at the ingredients list on this and see lots of natural oils such as Olive Fruit Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Camelina Seed Oil and Rosa Canina Fruit Oil. I thought initially this might mean it would be quite a rich and heavy oil, but it's actually very lightweight and on the drier side of the spectrum. It has a strong natural scent, which isn't my favourite, but I can bypass that for the nourishing, moisture boosting results. But I'm not sure that this is specifically more revitalising than other oils I've tried before.
Verdict: I like it, but I don't love it. However if it was on offer I would maybe consider buying it so I could test out the longer term benefits.
Madara Brightening AHA Peel Mask
Containing 99% natural ingredients including fruit acids and lactic acid, this mask is designed to gently exfoliate, removing dead skin cells to reveal smooth, radiant skin. I try and use a mask like this once a week and I leave this one on for around 10 minutes. It can tingle a little on application (which is normal) and leave the skin a little red after (also normal). I'm not quite sure why it's called a peel mask though, as it doesn't actually peel and just washes off with water... That aside, this definitely leaves my skin look brighter and more refined after use.
Verdict: I will definitely the buy the full size of this when the mini runs out - plus at only £20.00 for 60ml it's a bargain!
Have you been testing out any beauty minis recently?
Beauty Bird xx
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Syncronized Recovery Complex II
I used the original formula of the Advanced Night Repair serum a long time ago and to be honest I'm not sure what the difference is between that one and this one... But either way this has reminded me how much I loved it! It's such a reliable serum that hydrates and plumps the skin, making it look fresh and healthy. I also find it gently calms areas of redness and inflammation, even subtly reducing the size of any spots I have.
Verdict: I can already hear my bank account groaning in anticipation... I am going to have to buy the full size again at some point soon!
This Works Sleep Plus+ Pillow Spray
I have wanted to try this for the longest time and thanks to my mother-in-law putting a This Works cracker in my Christmas stocking, I now have. It is clinically proven to provide a better night's sleep with a potent mix of Vetiver Oil, Lavender Oil and Patchouli Oil. You simply spray onto your bed linen and it is designed to gradually release its aromatherapeutic benefits as you sleep. I am a poor sleeper and although this doesn't perform miracles, I have found that the scent makes me very sleepy and generally as a result I fall asleep quicker. Sometimes it stops me waking throughout the night too.
Verdict: This is the only natural sleeping aid I've tried (and I've tried many over the years) that really does make a difference. I've already ordered the 75ml bottle as it was on offer online!
The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil
It's really nice to look at the ingredients list on this and see lots of natural oils such as Olive Fruit Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Camelina Seed Oil and Rosa Canina Fruit Oil. I thought initially this might mean it would be quite a rich and heavy oil, but it's actually very lightweight and on the drier side of the spectrum. It has a strong natural scent, which isn't my favourite, but I can bypass that for the nourishing, moisture boosting results. But I'm not sure that this is specifically more revitalising than other oils I've tried before.
Verdict: I like it, but I don't love it. However if it was on offer I would maybe consider buying it so I could test out the longer term benefits.
Madara Brightening AHA Peel Mask
Containing 99% natural ingredients including fruit acids and lactic acid, this mask is designed to gently exfoliate, removing dead skin cells to reveal smooth, radiant skin. I try and use a mask like this once a week and I leave this one on for around 10 minutes. It can tingle a little on application (which is normal) and leave the skin a little red after (also normal). I'm not quite sure why it's called a peel mask though, as it doesn't actually peel and just washes off with water... That aside, this definitely leaves my skin look brighter and more refined after use.
Verdict: I will definitely the buy the full size of this when the mini runs out - plus at only £20.00 for 60ml it's a bargain!
Have you been testing out any beauty minis recently?
Beauty Bird xx
I tried a sample of Advanced Night Repair a while ago and loved it, although still haven't been able to bring myself to shell out for a full size! I also have TONS of mini sample size products I need to get using, so many of them!
ReplyDeleteMilly // Mini Adventures
The first bottle I bought partly with a gift voucher, which made it more bearable! I know what you mean, I hadn't got round to re-purchasing it because of the price. It's just a lot of spend out in one go, but it is such a fab serum. Good luck getting through your samples! xx
DeleteI've just run out of the original ANR and am deffo going to repurchase the new version! Interesting that you can't notice a difference between both forumlas. Also wanted to try the pillow mist for so long xx
ReplyDeletehttp://littlemisslifestyle271.blogspot.com/
It may be the fact it's been awhile since I tried the original - if you bought the new one soon you might notice a difference. Really recommend the pillow spray xx
DeleteAll those skincare products look wonderful.
ReplyDeletewww.themakeupaficionado.com
They're lovely products xx
DeleteI agree that pillow spray definitely helps! I wish every brand sold minis of all their products, I'd buy a lot more!
ReplyDeleteMakeup Monster
I agree, more brands should do it xx
DeleteNow I want the pillow spray - for Sam! Really impressed that it actually works.
ReplyDeleteT x
I was impressed too. The scent itself is gorgeous xx
DeleteI'm running low on my This Works Sleep Plus Spray, and although I have other products in my stash that could take its place when it's empty, I still haven't found anything that works as well! x
ReplyDeleteEvelyn @ We Were Raised By Wolves
I don't think I'll be fussed about using other products after this either! xx
DeleteI love the Body shops skincare and oil is such a great thing to add into your routine!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte // charlottespicks.blogspot.com
I haven't tried much skincare from TBS but really like the Bouncy Sleeping Mask. I could never be without a facial oil now! xx
DeleteI love the Skin & Tonic Steam Clean, the scent alone is enough to make me want to repurchase aha! Especially if I have a cold!
ReplyDeleteIt is just a lovely scent xx
DeleteI'm so intrigued by the Skin and Tonic cleansing balm - how does it only have 7 ingredients? :) once I have used up my many many cleansers I will have to give it a try myself!
ReplyDeleteDannie x
I know and they're all natural too! Plus it's made in Britain xx
DeleteAbsolutely love STEAM CLEAN and This works pillow spray really works! x
ReplyDeleteThere's quite a few other Steam Clean products I like the sound of! It really does, so happy that it does!! xx
DeleteI love the sound of the Madara Peel! I really want to try the Skin + Tonic cleansing balm, too, it sounds right up my street as I loooove balm cleanser :D
ReplyDeleteJess xo | The Indigo Hours
Which balm cleansers would you recommend?xx
Delete