"After just two uses, both applications over serum, I can see and feel the difference. You get a lovely matte finish but with a touch of radiance, for lack of a better word. Where I especially see an improvement is on my neck and upper chest, both of which are beginning to show my age more with some crepiness and lack of tone. Pretty amazing for only two uses! There doesn’t appear to be SPF in any of the moisturisers so you might want to keep that in mind when using them during the day." Alison Harriman
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Its been my pleasure to work with Boots No7 brand over the past two years. The brand is an excellent example of proven results and affordability coming together to offer a range of products for women of all ages. My personal favourite of the skin care range is Lift & Luminate day cream, and I prefer the Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced serum over the L&L serum. The formulation of the PPI Advanced serum makes such a difference to my skin by smoothing and firming it in a way moisturiser alone just doesn't do. So it was exciting news from No7 to find out the same proven anti-wrinkle technology in PPI Advanced serum is going to be in the Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced day, night and eye creams!
A broad spectrum anti-oxidant complex combined with increased levels of hyaluronic acid will help protect against future signs of ageing while improving the appearance of your skin today. Think of it as an insurance policy for beautiful, healthy looking skin.
The new Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced range is available on No7 counters from June 10th.
Day and night creams are £24.95, eye cream £17.00. And if you aren't already a fan of the Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced serum, do your skin a favour and give it a try.
No7's brushes have been a part of my beauty kit for some time and I have always been happy to recommend them both for price and quality. Now No7 is relaunching it's range of make up brushes this coming February. A retractable lip brush is one of them and there will also be a retractable bronzer brush. Other new brushes will include a double ended contour & highlighter brush, a stippling brush, a double ended smudger brush, a silicone eyeliner brush and a four piece core collection set.
I was sent the retractable lip brush to try out, something I haven't had before. Its a nice brush, the hard plastic case is nearly four inches long when closed, with a medium firm brush that slides out by pulling up on the casing. The bristles are dense but soft and I haven't noticed any shedding. Prices for the new brushes will range from £8 to £23.
My skin is super sensitive so I've never been a fan of muslin cloths; too much like washing your face with a piece of sack cloth. Ordinary facecloths/flannels are good provided you plump for something with a high thread count. You need something to remove your cleanser with and this is where Washi Hot Cloths are my first choice.
Approximately 9" x 9", 100% cotton, incredibly soft, machine washable and quick drying, the Washi cloth fits perfectly across the hand. It works beautifully with any type of cleanser, mask or scrub. And they pack up small enough to slip into any travel case.
Each cloth comes individually wrapped in a paper sleeve, printed with one of six designs that you choose. Super affordable too, a pack of five are only £6.25. The Washi line includes their skin polishing towels, the reusable alternative to scrubs.
Find your favourite Washi here.
I was doing some research for a blog post on Fifty Chic and came across an insightful article by Paula Begoun of Paula's Choice. Like so many of us, I've bought into the idea that not using an eye cream means I'll wake up one day looking like a basset hound.
Are eye creams are specially formulated?
According to Paula, who is an authority and one of my go-to references, what you get when you buy an eye cream is something half the size (or smaller) of your facial moisturiser that usually costs twice as much without being signficantly different or more concentrated than any state of the art moisturiser or serum. Despite the marketing hype, it seems that almost without exception, eye creams are not specially formulated. The ingredient listing does not differ significatly from facial moisturisers. Another reason to read your labels.
What about dark circles?
I hear you say "but what about dark circles?". I get asked about this one a lot. Sorry girls, there is no research or valid studies that prove any particular ingredient will eliminate or reduce dark circles. The fact is, genetics most often dictates this particular condition. The best you can hope for is to minimise the appearance of dark circles aka find yourself a great concealer and be faithful to it. Jackie O size sunnies wouldn't go amiss either and also help to shield your eyes from wrinkle inducing UVA and UVB. And speaking of which, eye creams rarely contain sunscreen, something that hadn't even crossed my mind until I read the Paula Begoun article.
Yes, the skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate, but not so much so that it warrants a specialty product. You want the same anti-oxidant ingredients going around your eyes as you do in your facial moisturiser. The only exception is if the skin around your eyes is especially dry (which mine is, despite the fact I'm religious about skin care), in which case you may benefit from a good eye cream. Alternatively, apply your usual serums, day and nght creams to the eye area just as you would to the rest of your face and neck.
Paula's Choice - Do You Really Need A Separate Eye Cream?
This is a revelation that the brands aren't going to like, and not everyone is going to agree and be happy to toss their eye cream either. I've poached sections of the original article for use here, so please go to Paula's Choice to read the full article and decide for yourself. As for me, I think I'll be giving eye creams a closer look, and not with a view to purchase.