Review: Clinically Proven Lash Serum
If your lashes have been dropping like flies thanks to lash extensions, this is your saviour.
Having become a firm fan of lash extensions, yours truly seems to spend an awful lot of time and money having a beautician stick fake lashes onto my own; but as any true lash connoisseur knows, the fallout and natural lashes dropping off is a given.
I, of course, managed to overdo it in the last few months to the point that, at the start of August, my lash lines started to look a little bald. Actually, a lot bald.
And then I met the Clinically Proven Lash Serum from L’Oreal Paris.
I’m a huge fan of false lashes and I tend to go for the full dramatic look quite often. The full lash look tends to be heavy on the natural lash line, and whilst it can look absolutely stunning, it can also be horribly damaging to your natural lashes.
If I tell you, that within 3-4 days of using this serum consistently, I noticed a dramatic difference, I wouldn’t be lying.
I haven’t read the ingredients, I haven’t done any research into the formulation. I saw “clinically proven” on the packaging and went for it. And boy oh boy, did it deliver.
L’Oreal Paris Clinically Proven Lash Serum
It comes as a pen brush sort of thing - you twist the bottom end to release the product onto the brush - a couple of twists should do it. Don’t twist too much because you’ll waste product - you only need to brush it across the upper and lower lash line (or whichever is most problematic for you), a couple of times, in the morning and evening (before bed), and you’re done. That’s it.
Repeat this for a couple of days at least - making sure you stay consistent - and you should see clearly visible results.
My lashes look obviously longer, darker, thicker and feel stronger. I’ve noticed far less shedding and a general oomph to my look. I seem to have sparser lashes on my right eye so that’s where I’ve focused more attention but of course, do whatever works best for you.
Now go find a cute boy to flutter those lashes at.
Available at Boots for £!4.99 - shop here
Top 5 Face Mists for the Summer!
Keep your skin feeling fresh and hydrated with these face mists this summer!
Summer is fast approaching and that means heat, heat and more heat.
Unfortunately for your skin, life can be tricky throughout the summer depending on your local climate. You might be dealing with dry heat or high humidity (giving you that horrible sticky, muggy feeling), the effects of air conditioning as your skin tries to cope, or rosacea as it flares up once again.
Here is TFO’s top picks for face mists you need to be using this summer.
These mists are have a combination of wow-factor ingredients, do good things for your skin and will keep your face happy and hydrated whilst you enjoy the sunshine.
Queen of Hungary - Omorovicza
The Queen of Hungary’s water was the 'original' perfume, formulated in Europe at the command of Queen Elizabeth of Hungary. Legend has it that the water was ‘created’ as a beauty treatment which was so successful that it led the king (aged just 25 years) to propose marriage when she was nearing the end of her life…Adored for its reviving, purifying and toning goodness, this Cult classic is a permanent fixture in my collection. Purchase here
Beauty Elixir - Caudalie
Inspired by the Youth Elixir of the Queen of Hungary in the 16th century, the Beauty Elixir has a unique and invigorating formula.
Made of 100% natural-origin ingredients and bursting with powerful plant extracts, this cult favourite reveals an instant radiance boost for the complexion, whilst tightening the pores and smoothing fine lines and make-up creases. This revitalising mist gives you an immediate radiance boost. The aromatic fragrance is both uplifting and calming for the mind and the senses. Purchase here
Rosewater Balancing Mist - Jurlique
One of Jurlique’s most iconic products, the Rosewater Balancing Mist is a best-seller thanks to its naturally uplifting scent and instantly hydrating effect on the skin. It's bursting with extracts of organically grown Rosa Gallica flower, which is known to hydrate and soften the complexion. This mist may be used after cleansing or throughout the day to immediately tone and refresh skin on the face and décolletage. Purchase here
Moisture Surge Face Spray - Clinique
A refreshing, skin-hydrating, fine mist facial spray that immediately hydrates skin and binds moisture to skin within a portable, on-the-go spray. Skin is soothed and calmed whilst the spray helps to protect against environmental aggressors by neutralizing free radicals before they can harm healthy skin. Purchase here
Hydrating Milky Mist - Pixi
This featherlight mist provides an instant surge of hydration with hyaluronic acid to plump skin. A blend of black oat, provitamin A, and linoleic acid makes this rejuvenator the perfect first layer of moisture before serums or makeup. Packed with skin friendly active ingredients including hyaluronic acid to hydrate and moisturise, black oat extract to reduce inflammation and B vitamin complex to strengthen skin. Purchase here
Review: Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser
A cheap and cheerful cleanser to see you through the Spring.
This isn’t news but I love a good cleansing cream. And I love a bargain.
I’m a huge fan of high street skincare products; I don’t see much point in spending a lot of money on cleansers, frankly because they sit on your face for 10 seconds and get washed off to go straight down the drain.
(My top tip is always to focus your money on your serum and acid toner if you want to look at high end products).
This one is a doozy from Superdrug’s own Naturally Radiant range. The range targets dull, uneven skintone with brightening and radiance boosting ingredients.
It’s a hot cloth cleanser which is pretty much the only kind of cleanser I like to use, and its packed with kiwi fruit and mulberry extracts to give you a glow, with cocoa butter thrown in to give you that soft, luxurious feel as you massage into the skin.
I don’t have a huge amount to say about it other than, it works, smells great, massages in like a dream and wipes away cleanly. As ever, with any good cream cleanser, there is no leftover tackiness or tightness on the skin. Instead, it leaves your skin feeling fresh and ready to move on to the next step.
I have re-purchased this a few times before writing this blogpost because I love it so much, it’s easily accessible online and in-store, is affordable and lasts forever. Because it happens to be a Superdrug own range, it’s usually on offer and you can stock for less than £3!
Available from Superdrug (UK) instore and here
Top 5 Products: LUSH
My top 5 favourite products from LUSH UK right now. For anyone interested in cruelty free, ethical beauty products, this is a must-read.
I love reading other bloggers’ “Top 5” style lists, mainly because it’s a great way to pick and choose a few favourite products from a range or a brand and share them with readers.
I’m only planning to do this for the brands that I know well, and I thought I’d start with LUSH because it can be a bit overwhelming walking into a LUSH store and not knowing where to look first. Below are my top picks.
Let The Good Times Roll - this was originally a limited edition cleanser but it was loved by customers so much that the brand decided to make it a permanent part of the range. It’s a wonderfully soft and gentle exfoliating cleanser for the face and body (I only use it on my face) and has a scent of caramel popcorn. Like many of their cleansers, this is a “solid cleanser” which means that you scoop out a pea size amount, add water and turn it into a paste in your hands, before massaging onto the face and rinsing off. Shop here
Rub Rub Rub - this is a shower scrub that can be used on the body and in the hair if you want to exfoliate the scalp. As much as I love a good body scrub, I’ve found that a lot of products that claim to be effective, really aren’t. You can do a quick test and see for yourself - when you’re done showering (and you’ve used the product you’re testing), use a towel and rub it back and forth across the area.
If rubbing causes dead skin to lift from the skin, the product hasn’t done its job. The dead skin will look similar to using a pencil eraser on paper. You know those rubbery bits? That. If rubbing with a towel doesn’t bring up residue, and instead it just dries the skin and leaves it feeling fairly soft, you know you’re onto a winner. And that’s exactly what Rub Rub Rub does. Shop here
Eyes Right - this is the mascara of dreams when it comes to lengthening lashes. I wouldn’t say it helps particularly with volume or in giving a super dramatic look, but if you’ve been blessed with short, stubby lashes, it’s a good one to add definition and length. It’s packed with great, lash strengthening ingredients including vitamins A, C, and E, and I’d recommend this one to people with slightly sensitive eyes who might be struggling to find something that doesn’t irritate your peepers. Shop here
Cup O’Coffee - I love this face mask. My sister hates it. I absolutely adore the smell of strong coffee so if you’re not a caffeine addict, give this one a miss. For the rest of you, this is an exfoliating, coffee based mask with vetivert (one of my favourite scents ever) and coriander oil. It’s a pleasure to apply and the scent is easily the best thing about this mask- to be honest, there aren’t a million things to say about a good face mask, other than it does what it says on the tin and acts as a deep cleansing scrub with the granules. Shop here
Sleepy - I love a good body lotion although I’m terrible at making sure I actually use one every day. This is a great one for the winter, particularly applied before bed, with all those notes of lavender and tonka with the gentleness of oatmeal and a hint of cocoa butter. It feels so nourishing and rich on the skin that it’s the perfect amount of cozy before bed. The scent lingers and in this cold weather, it feels delightful to have something this gentle envelop you so completely. It’s definitely on the pricier side for a body lotion but a little goes a long way and I’d recommend throughout the autumn and winter months for sure. Shop here
Honey & Orange Facial Scrub by Neal's Yard Remedies
Review. This is one for the citrus lovers and skincare freaks.
The smell.
That’s what hits you the first time you open a pot of this scrub. Not a harsh, in-your-face kind of way; more of a ‘hey, time to wake up, here’s some zing’ kind of way.
I love orange scented skincare. In fact, it’s odd because if I had to eat something orange flavoured (read: Terry’s Chocolate Orange), it would make me gag. But that fresh smell of citrus in anything beauty related wins me over every single time.
Neal’s Yard have created a gentle, physical exfoliant with this scrub. It’s packed with skin friendly ingredients including honey, ground rice (the scrubby exfoliating bits), kaolin (clay to deeply cleanse), sunflower seed oil, orange oil and neroli. The mixture of oils means that your skin doesn’t drag. Instead, you’re left with supple feeling, slightly moisturised skin that looks visibly clean and clear.
You can tell this scrub impresses me because I don’t generally use physical scrubs at all. I’m a firm believer in the power of exfoliating acids but there are a select few products that seem to hit the spot every time, and this is one of them.
Neal’s Yard is a mid-range brand and the product prices reflect this. But for the quality of the ingredients and products overall, it’s well worth the splurge.
It doesn’t take very much at all to work. Scoop out a pea size amount and add a little water to turn it into a paste. Apply to the skin - I like to massage in circular motions and diagonally downwards to give my muscles a little bit of a workout. Wash off and you’re done.
The GlamGlow Dupe You Haven't Heard Of
You’ve used many a mud mask and you’ve probably heard the hype about GlamGlow. But have you met this little miracle product for a fraction of the price?
I must thank my fellow lover-of-a-bargain-beauty-product, the blogger Fashionicide, for putting me onto this product, because holy-moly, it is amazing.
For anyone interested in beauty trends, you've probably heard of GlamGlow - it's a skincare line that primarily focuses on mud face masks and it's been everywhere for the last year or two, mainly thanks to constant beauty influencer mentions.
But for those of us in the real world, who appreciate a mud mask but frankly do not want to spend a fortune on a product whose main ingredient costs pennies to put together, there is the world of dupes. And this one's a doozy my friends.
If you're in the UK, you'll probably know of Aldi - it's the German low-cost supermarket chain that's been rapidly expanding in the last few years. Interestingly, it's also made a bit of a name for itself for providing a few of those key pieces you need every week, at a fraction of the cost of most other retailers.
In 2016, Aldi decided to take on skincare with a bang, and boy did it deliver. The aim of its own brand Lacura range was to deliver luxury skincare on a budget, with every item in the range priced under £10.
Fans of Lacura have likened the products to everything from Elizabeth Arden to La Prairie to GlamGlow. If you're looking for a little something extra to add to your routine, it's well worth exploring the range further here, or heading in store to your local Aldi.
Lacura Exfoliating Mud Mask
As much as I'd like to wax lyrical about this mask, it's a mud mask. There's only so many things you can say about one to be honest. However, a couple of points that I'd like to make are that it definitely feels like a much higher end product than the price would suggest; it's a fairly thick, grainy consistency which dries beautifully on the skin and exfoliates very well as you wash it off.
Ingredients include kaolin and bentonite clay, as well as green tea, witch hazel and red algae, to leave skin feeling smooth and clear. I found that it left my skin feeling fresher and looking brighter as well as having a pore tightening effect. Longer term use once or twice a week over a month or so should help to make the effects more obvious - it's a good one for fine lines and wrinkles too (although of course the effect is temporary - it's a mask, not plastic surgery).
I'd recommend this to anyone with normal to oily/combination skin. I wouldn't suggest it for sensitive skin as the grains are likely to be just a little too harsh.
Honestly, for £5.99 for a 50ml jar, this is a fab little deal and one I'd highly recommend.
How To Keep Your Lips Poppin' This Summer
If you’re struggling with chapped, sore lips, read on to find out what may help and the products you need to be using.
You'd think that dry, chapped lips were a sidenote to the cold, winter air but yours truly seems to suffer from them, on and off, all year round. We all develop our own little tips and tricks to keep our smackers looking healthy, but if you're looking for a few pointers, here are my top tips on how to keep your lips in kissable condition this summer, as well as a couple of product recommendations if you need that little bit of extra help.
Stay hydrated - this might be obvious but it's astonishing how many people think they're drinking enough water, but really aren't. If you find it difficult to drink enough plain water, you can try flavoured water, or even water-rich foods, such as cucumber, tomatoes and lettuce. Snack on these throughout the day to keep your mouth and lips hydrated.
Don't lick your lips - especially in the summer, but really, at all times of the year. What actually happens when you lick your lips is that although you there's a brief moment of having moist lips, the moisture evaporates almost instantly leaving you with even drier lips.
Avoid lipstick - some lipsticks are worse than others, but as a general rule, the ingredients in lipsticks are drying. If you're a frequent lipstick wearer, try swapping it for a lip balm for a week, or even going bare completely, and see how you get on. It could make all the difference.
Allergens - it is possible that ingredients in any skincare or make-up products, or even your toothpaste, contain allergens which you're sensitive to, and are therefore leaving you with dry lips after having contact with them. Try to pare back your skincare as far as possible as well as avoiding the general lip area when using products. You could also try swapping your toothpaste for something with fewer preservatives.
Invest in a humidifier - if the air is dry around you, your skin will dry out. This can happen at any time of year if you're in a climate with dry heat in summer, or living with central heating in winter. If you can, invest in a humidifier for your room whilst you sleep. This will create moisture in the air which should help. You should generally aim for 30-50% humidity.
Check your diet - if you're not getting enough of the right nutrients and minerals in your diet, this can cause all kinds of physical side-effects from bloating to spotty skin and even dry lips. It's worth reviewing your eating habits and ensuring you are getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs to keep functioning healthily.
If you've tried all the usual tips and tricks and haven't been able to workout what the issue might be, try using a lip balm for a week and see how your lips feel. Here are my top recommendations.
Carmex - the budget-friendly saviour of wallets everywhere. Carmex is synonymous with lip balm and it offers a no-nonsense soothing application of protection to the lips that plumps and hydrates. BUY.
DIOR Lip Glow - Hydrating Colour Reviver Lip Balm - a cross between a classic lip balm and a hydrating lip tint, this is available in three finishes depending on your mood. You can choose from the Orignal Glow, Matte Glow and Holographic Glow. Each finish is available in 10 flattering shades to suit all skin tones. BUY
Dr. Lipp's Orignal Nipple Balm - a different name for a balm for sure, and it can certainly be used on sore or cracked nipples if that's what you need. But Dr. Lipp's Original Balm is just a gorgeously thick, multi-purpose balm that can be used on everything from chapped lips to cracked heels. It's 100% lanolin and this is the one I reach for in the middle of winter when the air is harsh to battle off a biting wind from leaving my lips in a sorry state. It works wonders and it isn't too expensive either! BUY
Why You Should Be Treating Your Skin to Vitamin C
An essential nutrient for good skin and overall health, Vitamin C is hugely beneficial. Read on to find out more.
So. Vitamin C.
It's probably one of those things that you know you should get enough of, and you've probably been taught to dose up on it when you feel a cold coming on, but have you ever stopped to wonder why you need vitamin C, and what does it even do for you?
Fear not, TFO is here to show you the way.
In Years Past...
Vitamin C's main benefit has been known for a long time, and has thankfully helped to eliminate a disease that was the scourge of the travelling sailor in years past: scurvy. Most people today don't need to think about this because we tend to have enough in our diet so it isn't an issue, but it's always possible that if you're seriously deficient, you could develop scurvy.
Your Skin
Saying that vitamin C is important for your skin is an understatement. It's chemical name is ascorbic acid and it is crucial for collagen production. Collagen is a protein that helps with cell growth and blood vessels, as well as maintaining firm and strong skin. It's also good for healing by helping wounds to scar to repair any skin damage.
General Health
Vitamin C is also credited with strengthening your immune system, protecting against cardiovascular disease and reducing your risk of stroke, and doctors say it's one of the safest and most effective nutrients. Vitamin C is water-soluble, which means it's easily absorbed through the water in your body. Your body doesn't store vitamin C, so you must replace your supply every day as excess amounts are flushed out through your kidneys.
Environmental Protection
Vitamin C slows the rate of free-radical damage -- free radicals are unstable molecules that damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. New research shows that ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, a derivative of vitamin C, not only neutralizes free radicals, but also reverses DNA damage.
Sun Protection
There has been some research which suggests vitamin C may reduce sunburn caused by exposure to ultraviolet B radiation and prevent the consequences of long-term sun exposure, which can lead to skin cancer. This doesn't mean you should stop using SPF! You still need the added protection, but ensuring you get enough vitamin C in your diet will help to keep your skin supple.
Sources of Vitamin C
The easiest way to get vitamin C is through your diet, and thankfully, there are many vitamin C-rich foods out there. To ensure your diet includes plenty of vitamin C, eat citrus fruits and vegetables such as bell peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, collard greens and tomatoes.
Opinions differ on how much vitamin C your body needs - many doctors suggest taking 500 milligrams a day, which can often be found in daily multivitamins or vitamin C supplements. However, don't exceed more than 2,000 milligrams per day -- too much vitamin C may cause stomach irritation.
Do You Need a Facial Roller?
The hype is everywhere. Facial rolling is back with a bang and we bring you the lowdown on whether you should be rolling your face.
Facial rollers are having a moment. Whether it’s the Instagrammable jade green everyone was loving in 2016 or the rose quartz which took off in 2018, the hype is everywhere. I’m not one to follow beauty trends as soon as they drop, simply because most of them tend to disappear like a flash-pan fire; but this one's stuck around for a while so I thought I’d do some digging and find out if you should, in fact, be rolling your face. Here’s what I found out.
What is it and why do people do it?
Facial rolling is quite simply the act of rolling a small implement across your face using various motions to massage the facial muscles, which helps to take away puffiness and create a more sculpted look. It basically makes your face slimmer by encouraging lymphatic drainage.
Jade rolling specifically, is an ancient Chinese method of facial rolling, but in recent times, a number of other stones and crystals have become popular among facialists and aestheticians. You may choose to use a different stone as some are considered to hold certain properties you may find helpful. Read on below to find the stone that's right for you.
Jade
Prized in ancient China, jade was valued for its beauty and powers of healing and protection. 'Jade' applies to two different minerals; nephrite and jadeite. The two have different compositions but for facial rolling purposes, you could use either.
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz is considered the stone of unconditional love. With a soft feminine energy of compassion and peace, tenderness and healing, nourishment and comfort, rose quartz is all about love and contentment. It's also said to inspire the love of beauty, in oneself and others, in nature, and especially that which stimulates the imagination - art, music and the written word.
Ice Roller
An ice roller doesn't contain a stone per se. Instead it simply remains cold until it comes into contact with the skin for a couple of seconds, at which point, it will start heating a little. You can stick it in the freezer and it's particularly good for minimizing discomfort, irritation, and redness. You could use this over a minor injury such as a small burn, insect bite, pain or swelling. Ice rollers help to soothe and cool the skin, calming any tension or soreness.
Derma Roller
Derma rolling or micro-needling is a handheld roller with tiny needle points at the head. As you roll it across the face, the needles make tiny punctures in the skin which causes collagen and elastin production to increase to heal the skin. Collagen and elastin of course help to make skin firmer and increase elasticity (or bounciness).
So should you be face rolling?
In a word, yes. The caveats I'd add are that jade or rose quartz rolling is probably best - both cause no damage but are effective at de-puffing and slimming the face. The stones tend to stay cool so can be a nice addition to any skincare routine. Ice-rolling is also unlikely to cause any damage; it just doesn't contain a gemstone which is often what many beauty fans are looking for. But it's a good one if you have any swelling or red bumps you want to calm down.
Derma-rolling is different in that it does cause definite damage to the skin, and the cheaper options available tend to have needles that are too big and too long for the small pinpricks that make this technique effective. Using a derma-roller with big needles could actually cause longer term damage to the skin over a period of time as it penetrates too deeply into the skin.
Technique
Technique is absolutely key to facial rolling; you want to make sure you're targeting the right areas and moving in the right direction for it to be helpful. Take a look at the infographic below from to help you.
Courtesy of Shiffa Beauty