Beauty on Trial

I have so many beauty products on the go that sometimes it's impossible to blog about them all, especially when I'm only posting 1-2 times a week. To right this wrong, I've put together a selection of 6 products I've been trying, testing and trialling over recent months but haven't talked about yet, all into one post. After all sharing is caring!

La Roche-Posay Effaclar AI

The Effaclar AI has to be my favourite spot treatment to date - it's gentle on the skin yet very effective at reducing redness and inflammation when applied morning and night. It's a cream formula that doesn't cause any dryness and feels like a thick moisturiser, but doesn't take too long to absorb and makeup sits well on top of it. Niacinamide also helps prevent new imperfections forming and micro-exfoliating LHA encourages re-generation of the skin. I've definitely noticed that marks from any new spots aren't as intense and fade quicker. Fabulous product!

Sienna X Shimmer Spray*

I can't deny that I love a touch of shimmer when it comes to makeup, but haven't used a general purpose shimmer spray before. Available in gold or silver (I have the latter), one spritz distributes fairly fine but still noticeable glitter particles surrounded by a unexpectedly sweet and fruity scent. The Sienna X spray can be used on the skin and hair and I've found that the particles wash off easily from both. To be honest, I haven't found myself reaching for it all that much; I feel like if I was a young teen I'd love its effect and impact, but as a nearly-30-something it's just not for me. 

Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm

I held off purchasing this famously hyped up lip balm for so long and now I have it, I really regret not buying it sooner; it's the only balm that seems to be able to manage my dry, winter lips. Containing Honey, Shea Butter, Grapefruit Essence and Plant Oils, Nuxe Rêve de Miel is an extremely thick, waxy balm that is intensely nourishing and soothing. It takes awhile to absorb so I find it's best used at night; I like to layer it on a bit like a mask and leave it to work it's magic before massaging it in with my fingers. Plus the chocolate orange scent is divine. It's well worth the £9.50 price tag!

Cognito Cucumber Sandwiches Exfoliating Body Scrub*

Handmade in Suffolk and part of Cognito's SPAfternoon Tea range, every time I use this Cucumber Sandwiches Exfoliating Body Scrub it makes me think of a having a picnic in the park on a sunny Spring afternoon. It's such a refreshing scent; a mixture of Cucumber, Apple and Soft Marine with Rose, White Jasmine and Waterlily on a base of Vanilla and Cedar. I like my body scrubs very, well, scrubby and the combination of sugar and sea salt doesn't disappoint, really getting to work on my dry skin. However Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Apricot Kernel and Sunflower Oils stop the scrub feeling too abrasive and leave behind a lovely soft layer of moisture once the grains dissolve. 

Superdrug Style Expertise Salt Infusion Surf Spray

After reading Kirsty's rave review of this £2.99 surf spray from Superdrug's own range, it wasn't long before I added a bottle to my stash. I primarily use this in conjunction with my Babyliss 2285CU Curling Wand Pro; the wand gives me the soft waves, which I then lightly brush through before spritzing on this surf spray to add texture and grit. What I love is that it also holds the waves all day much like a hairspray, but without that sticky, crispy feel. 

Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 Palette

The original Naked Basics Palette completely converted me to the wonder of matte eyeshadows. I've had it for a few years and still love it; I have even hit pan on the Naked 2 shade, which also happens to be perfect for filling in my brows. However for eyeshadow, the Naked Basics 2 Palette now tends to be the one I reach for - the neutral shades are much softer and cooler in tone compared to the original palette, which suits my super pale skin so much better. Although if I'm adding eyeliner to the mix, the darkest shade, a smoky brown, doesn't give enough oomph for me and I revert back to the original palette for the black shade. As a result I really don't think I could choose just one of these palettes if I had to, both give something different that I couldn't be without.

What beauty products new to your stash have you been trying out recently?

Beauty Bird xx

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