Twenty Six

Last Saturday I turned the grand old age of twenty six. It's quite weird entering the latter half of your twenties. Now I'm only four years away from turning 30! It doesn't mean I'm any closer to growing up though. I awoke to a room filled with balloons and a Disney Princess cake for breakfast. Chloe picked it all out herself haha. For my birthday celebrations Andy took me & Chloe on a day trip to Blackpool. Obviously as I hail from Kent there's many places up north that I still haven't explored yet - Blackpool being one of them so off we went. It was probably the worst day to go as it was so incredibly windy & I decided to wear one of the shortest thinnest dresses I own. I'm pretty sure I flashed everyone around me until I could get to H&M for some emergency leggings!

Despite the awful weather I had still had an amazing time. We walked all the way up the promenade & took part in all the usual seaside tourist attractions. I really wanted to go up the tower but it was closed due to the wind so we went on the big ferris wheel instead. When we had finally worn ourselves out we went for a delicious meal at Mandarin which is apparently the 3rd best Chinese restaurant in the UK. We had chicken satay & crispy chilli beef with egg fried rice. It was so good, best meal I've had in ages! We used to go out for dim sum all the time when I lived at home but we only have crappy takeaways round where I live now so it was really nice to get some proper Chinese food for once. I wish we could've stayed longer in Blackpool as Chloe really wanted to go to Nickelodeon Land so hopefully we'll go back sometime soon. Then on Monday my family came up to Manchester for a day out with us. We had lunch at I Am Pho and then went shopping & I got lots of treats! Before it was time for them to go back to London we went to Home Sweet Home for some cake. I ordered a Dead Elvis milkshake but what I didn't realise is that it comes with a whole doughnut on top! So I gobbled up a huge peanut butter milkshake, a doughnut & a slice of one of their crazy cakes. It wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't followed it up with a deep fried mac 'n' cheese burger when I went out with my friends the next day... Oh well if you can't pig out on your birthday, when can you?!








I got some truly lovely presents this year & I'm so grateful for everything I received! I've had my eye on the Roses de Chloe perfume for ages. The original Chloe is my signature scent but I fancied something a little softer & this was perfect. I didn't get along with the GlamGlow Youthmud mask but the Supermud is right up my street. I tried a little sample sachet & my skin has been craving it ever since. It's a clay mask that basically contains all the acids and is absolutely amazing for blemished skin. It came with a cute GlamGlow brush to apply it with too. I also got a fresh tube of HealGel Eye and the new Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer. The original Hairdresser's Oil is one of the best hair products ever so this new addition to the line looked rather exciting. My favourite present has to be this gorgeous Whistles Rivington chain croc clutch bag that Andy got for me. I've wanted a Whistles clutch for so long! They're such a chic & luxurious addition to any outfit. It took me forever to decide which colour I wanted but the black crocodile one won out in the end. I'm totally in love with it! I can feel a clutch bag addiction coming on...

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March Favourites

Caudalie Vinoperfect Enzymatic Peel Mask*
If you struggle with dull skin or post-blemish scarring then this mask could solve all your problems. It's a thick & creamy hydrating mask that promises radiant skin in just 10 minutes. This mask works as a skin peel so it will speed up the skin renewal process for healthier & brighter looking skin. It uses papaya enzyme & glycolic acid to dissolve dead skin cells, refine pores & resurface the skin. Caudalie's patented Viniferine has an exceptional effect on radiance & scarring. It feels so comforting on the skin and the subtle fragrance of galbanum essence, caraway & spearmint is very refreshing. Using this mask a couple of times a week will soon sort out your skin & get it back to looking it's best. Full review here.

HealGel Intensive*
HealGel is one of my favourite skincare brands & this original Intensive version is such a brilliant product. It's an all rounder really as you can use it for a multitude of skin ailments. This aqueous gel can be used to treat acne, eczema, burns, bruises & sunburn. It's basically a little miracle worker for skin problems. It really helps to speed up the recovery time of scarring. HealGel Intensive is best used on specific areas. For example I use it on my face if a nasty blemish has left a scar. It works well as a follow up to the Caudalie mask to make my skin look as clear as possible. I've also successfully healed up a burn mark on my hand using it. Chloe's been a bit accident prone lately and she ended up with some grazes on her face when she fell over outside. I applied HealGel Intensive to these twice a day and the marks cleared up in no time. It feels really soothing too so it's suitable for all the family. This is a must-have product for all households as it can be used on everything! Full review here.

Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil
I'm a big fan of Bumble & Bumble products. The only bad thing about them is that they're pretty pricey. This hair oil has been on my wishlist since forever because I felt bad about spending £30 on such a small bottle. I kinda wish I'd gone for it sooner though because it is worth every single penny. I personally like to use it on wet hair. Running a couple of pumps through my hair before blowdrying is all I need for super soft & shiny locks. It's hard to describe quite how soft this makes your hair. It's almost too soft if you know what I mean so I always pair it with a volumising spray to stop my hair from looking flat. It adds a beautiful shine, completely transforming my damaged bleached hair into healthy natural looking blonde lengths. Moroccanoil has got nothing on this. Best hair oil ever!

Revlon ColorBurst Lacquer Balm in Demure
I love the formula of these Revlon lip balms. The combination of shea, mango & coconut butter makes my lips feel perfectly hydrated. The minty fragrance smells delish & lightly freshens up your lips. The Lacquer Balms have a glossy finish & small glittery particles to help plump up the appearance of your pout. I've been wearing the shade Demure non-stop as it's such a lovely peachy pink lip colour that's perfect for any Spring makeup look. You can see how it looks on my lips here.

Peptalash
I got this ages ago as a freebie in Boots when I bought a tube of Hydraluron. I tried it once & then it pretty much got tossed to the side. Picking off my mascara is a terrible habit of mine & it does impact upon the appearance of my lashes. A noticeable gap appeared along my bottom lashes so I decided to give this product a proper go. I've tried several eyelash growth treatments & I tend to prefer ones that use a mascara wand style applicator. Peptalash has a small eyeliner style brush so you can run it along your eyelids. This method of application is a little annoying but it doesn't change the effectiveness of this product. After just a couple of weeks of using it I saw a change in my lashes. They became longer, thicker & the little gaps had begun to fill in again. Peptalash is surprisingly good & fairly cheap compared to products like RapidLash.

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The Eye Care Edit

Eye products are a funny old thing. With other types of skincare products you can normally tell within a few weeks if something is making your skin better or worse. Eye creams are more of a guessing game. How do you know whether something will stop you from getting wrinkles in the future when time travel isn't an option? I think that's why so many people don't actually bother with them. It's an easy step to miss out when doing your skincare routine but it only takes two seconds & can make all the difference when you do get older. Genetics & your overall health will dictate the natural appearance of your eye area but using a separate eye product can help to reduce puffiness, dryness, irritation, dark circles & fine lines. This product roundup is aimed towards us young'uns. We might not have huge puffy bags & crows feet just yet but it's so important to start looking after your eyes in your twenties. The eyes are one of the first places to show signs of ageing & prevention is always better than cure.



THE GELS: Personally I greatly prefer eye gels over eye creams. If dark circles & puffiness concern you then I would recommend using a gel. My eyes get easily irritated especially during the Summer so a calming eye gel is exactly what I need. Organic Surge Eye Gel* is the one I always reach for when my eyes feel really sore. It contains aloe vera, green tea, witch hazel & menthol which can help to naturally reduce inflammation, puffiness, sagging & dehydration. I think gels work best with a pump otherwise you can end up with far too much product on your finger. If the Arran Aromatics Feel Good Formulas Green Tea Eye Gel* came with a pump it would be much better. This gel has a really thick texture so you only need a tiny bit. It has an amazing scent & feels so cooling, especially if you pop it in the fridge first. As it's so thick I like to layer it on as a refreshing eye mask, leave it for five minutes & then blot off the excess product with a tissue. It's a great pick me up after a day of hayfever hell. I also like the REN Active 7 Eye Gel. The texture is very lightweight, almost watery but I find it takes a while to absorb properly. When it does absorb it effectively smooths away any fine lines & really tightens the skin. It's not so great at hydrating the area though which is why gels containing hyaluronic acid, like the next two, are more worthy of an investment.

HealGel Eye* is my current product of choice. If you can afford it then you should definitely buy this one. It sinks in immediately & firms up the skin. The problem with most other eye products is that you can't tell if it's making a difference or not. HealGel Eye has had a visible impact upon my under eye area and has actually reduced the discolouration of my dark circles. The effects are cumulative rather than just being a temporary fix. Arnica is a wonderful thing. Like I mentioned previously, it also contains hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture to the area & plump up any fine lines. Alpha-H Absolute Eye Complex is very similar to HealGel Eye but it's dark shadow correcting properties don't quite match up. Otherwise, it's pretty damn good.



THE CREAMS: Creams are the better choice if you need something really hydrating. I don't find them as effective for dark circles unless you want something that works as a temporary solution. Origins GinZing Eye Cream is brilliant at perking up tired eyes. It contains caffeine to tighten & depuff the area. I love the shimmery light reflecting particles. They help to brighten up dark circles meaning that you don't need to use as much concealer. Some of the best eye creams I've come across are from Lierac. They're a French pharmacy brand so their products are tricky to get hold of but I found mine in TK Maxx. Lierac Diopticalm is an instantly refreshing eye balm. It is incredibly soothing & gets rid of any dryness. You can use this as an eye mask too. Lierac Diopticerne is one of the few creams that works well on dark circles whilst also adding plenty of moisture. The only good thing about Clinique All About Eyes is it's moisturising properties. It does nothing for fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness or dark circles. However it does keep the eye contours well hydrated & gives the area a smooth base for makeup.



THE TREATMENTS: There's loads of home remedies out there for eye problems such as teabags, cucumbers & backs of spoons so you don't have to spend a lot for an effective treatment. One of the cheapest but most helpful things to carry around with you is a bottle of eye drops. I'm using Optrex Refreshing Eyes Drops to wash out any dirt & calm irritation. I get really bad hayfever so eye drops & baths are a must have for me come Summertime. I want to give one of their eye sprays a go as they claim to not smudge your makeup but they are a lot pricier. Something I cannot live without is Liz Earle Eyebright. It is my favourite ever Liz Earle product & it is a miracle worker on tired eyes. If I'm struggling to get out of bed in the morning I pop some on a couple of cotton pads and leave them on my eyes for a few minutes. I instantly feel more awake & ready to face the day. I've also used this to clear a mild eye infection when I couldn't get to a pharmacy. It's so cooling & refreshing - perfect for hayfever season too.

I first discovered Talika when I tried their amazing Lipocils which is brilliant at growing back eyelashes & eyebrows. They have loads of amazing eye products including these unique Eye Decompress masks. You simply pop the white tablet into the blue fluid. The tablet absorbs the liquid so that you can then unfold it into a soothing eye mask. It really helps to reduce swelling & detox the eye area. It'd be great to take on a plane for some inflight pampering. I also like the Jamela 24k Gold Under Eye Masks*. They use pure gold leaf, hyaluronic acid and plant collagen to brighten & tighten the skin. They feel a bit weird & make you look a bit crazy. You have to leave them on for half an hour so I would suggest lying down in bed with them on so they don't slip off. Despite the weirdness, they do actually work quite well. Save these for a special occasion when you need to look your best.

What's your favourite eye product?

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HealGel Intensive

HealGel Intensive* - £37.50

HealGel is a skincare brand that I trust wholeheartedly. Their products were created by a group of plastic surgeons who wanted to make something that could aid skin recovery after surgical procedures. These people know their science & their products do exactly what they are meant to do. I've previously reviewed HealGel Face & HealGel Eye, both of which are products that I could no longer live without. However the original HealGel product was HealGel Intensive. This aqueous gel can be used anywhere on the face and body to soothe, repair & protect the skin. It has such a wide range of uses. Not only will it help to fade any scarring left over from blemishes but it'll heal up things like eczema, sunburn & bruises. You can even use it as a primer before makeup. Sounds too good to be true right? Wrong - just like the other HealGel products it really does work.

The gel itself feels very silicone-based, not surprising when Dimethicone & Polysilicone-11 are the second & third ingredients on the list. Normally that would worry me as I know that silicone primers can sometimes break me out but like I said, I really trust HealGel to look after my skin. They use silicone because it has been firmly established to be the optimal healing ingredient for scar treatment. It helps to seal in the active ingredients including Arnica and Madecassoside so that they can penetrate down to the deeper layers of skin where they are needed most. It also contains powerful peptides to increase collagen production & has anti-inflammatory ingredients to encourage a clearer complexion. It calms any redness & visibly plumps up any fine lines like my nasolabial folds. I don't really like to use this all over my face though. I much prefer HealGel Face for that as it's a bit more moisturising & has similar healing properties. The Intensive formula is best used as a treatment on specific areas. So say you picked a spot on your face & now there's a huge red scar leftover, you can apply a pump of this on it several times a day & the mark will fade much quicker than usual.

What really sets it apart from HealGel Face is that you can also use it on your body. I suffer from eczema which often leaves red marks on my legs & arms. A little goes a long way with this stuff so I've only needed a few pumps to cover those areas. The redness & irritation goes a lot quicker than normal & the gel has helped to treat the rash too. Eczema can be a tricky thing to deal with but this works like magic on it. I've also used it on a burn on my hand I got from the oven. After about four weeks of using HealGel Intensive, you can't even tell I burned it in the first place. I've not had any surgery recently but a couple of years ago I had to have half an ovary removed. The laparoscopic operation left me with an ugly scar under my stomach. Normally treatment only works on fresh scars but I figured I'd give it a go anyway. It will never disappear like my burn did but it does look a little bit less raised & horrible. Like any skin treatment you have to use it consistently for a period of time to see any difference but when you do, it is incredibly effective. This truly multi-purpose product is something that everyone should own. I'm just completely enamoured with the whole HealGel range and I can only hope they add to it soon. HealGel Lip would be the stuff of dreams, please invent it HealGel!

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Moisturiser Medley

Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 50+ / Clarins HydraQuench Lotion SPF 15
HealGel Face* / Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins

The key to a good skincare routine is consistency. However it is still important to make sure you're using the right products for the right occasion. I'm quite content to use the same cleanser & toner everyday but something I always switch up is my moisturiser. My skin needs something different during the day, during the night & in different seasons. With my combination skin type it can be tricky to find something that will balance everything out & still give me all the hydration I need. Here's a roundup of four tried & tested products that my skin really loves:

I'm sure everyone knows the virtues of using AHAs & BHAs by now but they also make your skin more sensitive to sun. I use lactic acid, glycolic acid & retinol on a regular basis so I always make sure I wear some sun protection during the day. I've yet to find a separate SPF product that doesn't smell, give me a white cast, feel greasy or break me out so I prefer to use a moisturiser that already contains SPF. My favourite one has to be the Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 50+. I mainly wear this one during the Summer. It's quite a thick white cream but it absorbs very quickly & feels very light on the skin. It hydrates my face perfectly & sits nicely under makeup. The high SPF is ideal for my pale skin & it lacks all the things I hate about other sun protection products. It is also a UVA/UVB broad spectrum sunscreen so with this you can be sure that your skin is fully protected.

During the Winter I don't feel the need to wear such a high sun protection factor so I switch to the Clarins HydraQuench Lotion SPF 15. I think the HydraQuench range is intended to be used in countries with high temperatures but SPF 15 isn't enough for me when I'm spending hours in the sun. It's other intended use is for people with dehydrated skin. People tend to think they need to use something really rich when the weather turns colder but this stuff contains hyaluronic acid so you get lots of hydration packed into a light lotion. The moisturiser I have is for anyone with normal to combination skin but there's a different HydraQuench product available for every skin type. I'd highly recommend checking them out if you have dehydrated skin.

HealGel Face is an all-rounder moisturiser. You can use it during the day or at night & I often do both. Like the HydraQuench Lotion this moisturiser contains hyaluronic acid so if you use one of those you no longer need to buy Hydraluron. I tend to use this during the day if I don't need to leave the house. I use my Hourglass primer on top if I end up going out to add some sun protection. This always makes my skin feel incredible & gives it a nice matte appearance. This is another really light lotion that absorbs instantly but it also deeply hydrates & nourishes my skin. HealGel Face smooths & plumps up my face beautifully due to it's many anti-ageing properties. It also helps to reduce redness, scarring & irritation. Magic in a bottle basically!

My favourite ever night cream is Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins. It has the most amazing consistency & it really melts into your skin. As the name suggests it's packed full of vitamins & minerals to feed your skin with. It works to slough away dead skin cells overnight so you wake up looking refreshed & ready to start the day. I like to mix it with some Trilogy Rosehip Oil for an even more intense hit of hydration. Massaging that combo onto my face at night ensures I wake up with brighter, softer, healthier looking skin. What could be better?

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November Favourites

Essie Bahama Mama
I've fallen hard for Essie's nail polishes. The formula is brilliant & the applicator brush is just so perfectly shaped. I want them all! I've been rocking Bahama Mama all month long. When it started to look a bit tatty, I removed the chipped polish & applied it again. I get bored really easily so this literally never happens but I adore this plummy Autumnal shade. Chloe's been begging me to paint her nails ever since she first spotted me doing mine so I finally christened her tips with a matching Bahama Mama manicure. We're a cool pair ;)

Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Aid
This is such a lovely lip balm. It is made from pure whipped lanolin & features organic lemon oil. The result is a super slick, creamy, non-sticky balm that deeply moisturises & exfoliates your lips all at the same time. It works really well and leaves my lips feeling incredibly soft & smooth. It stays put for hours even after eating & drinking. Plus the lemon scent & taste is absolutely gorgeous! Full review here.

Organic Surge First Class Face Mask
I've been reaching for this face mask a lot lately. This mask works to clear up blemishes & hydrate the skin at the same time. It's perfect for when I have some congested areas that need a bit of a detox. I love the rosemary & lemon scent of this mask, it turns a weekly skincare treat into an indulgent aromatherapeutic experience. It makes my skin feel so soft & fresh. Detox masks can suck all the moisture out of your skin so this is a much better choice if your skin is too dehydrated or sensitive for other products. Full review here.

HealGel Face
I really love this moisturiser. It's such a joy to use because I can notice my skin improving every time I apply it. This creamy white gel is quickly absorbed & it uses hyaluronic acid to rehydrate the skin. It makes my skin feel really soft & it also plumps it up by boosting collagen production. It has helped to fade some of my scarring, heals blemishes faster & it soothes any irritation. It's easily one of the best moisturisers I've tried. Full review here.

Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil
I've wanted to try this brow pencil for so long & I finally treated myself when Space NK had their amazing gift with purchase offer a couple of weeks ago. I've been using this every day since I got it & it was instant love. This product combines a powder & wax in the form of an eyebrow pencil. One end has a spoolie to brush through your brows with & the other has the pencil. What really makes this special is the shape of the pencil. It has a thin slanted triangular shape so you can get really defined edges. You can use the tip to draw in thin lines or you can use the side to create thicker shapes for fast filling in. It's a very versatile product & using this always results in a pair of beautifully groomed brows. I have the shade Soft Brunette which would suit anyone with ashy brown or silver hair. No warm tones in sight! Hourglass are just one of those brands where I want to try everything. Their products are amazing & well worth the hefty price tag.

PS. Apologies for the late monthly favourites! My Macbook Pro needed a new logic board so I've been without a computer for the past few weeks. Hopefully everything has been sorted now though!

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HealGel Face

HealGel Face* - £48

HealGel Eye has become one of my must have skincare products. It is hands down the best eye cream I've ever tried because it makes a visible difference to your under eye area with it's cumulative smoothing & brightening effects. I use it twice a day, every day and my dark circles have never looked so good. So when I was offered the chance to try out HealGel Face, how could I possibly say no? I'm always a bit wary about trying new moisturisers as they can break me out very easily but HealGel is a brand that I have complete confidence in. Their products are created by a highly esteemed group of plastic surgeons and skin specialists who wanted to create an effective skincare range that works on all skin types. My combination, blemish-prone skin is absolutely loving this product.

HealGel Face is a transformative moisturiser with anti-ageing properties. It is suitable for use both during the day & at night due to it's lack of SPF. I always like to have two day moisturisers on the go - one with SPF & one without. This is currently my go-to SPF-free day moisturiser. The product is a white creamy gel that is instantly absorbed into the skin. I love that I don't have to wait around at all before getting on with applying my primer & foundation after using this. Two pumps are all I need for a perfectly moisturised face. It feels very light yet it manages to nourish my skin deeply, removing all signs of dryness. It gives my skin a smooth & soft velvety feel with a natural matte appearance. Like HealGel Eye it features a powerful hyaluronic acid complex to rehydrate the skin & plump it up. I always find that I need something quite rich when the weather gets colder but this gives my skin everything it needs without any heaviness or greasiness. The texture makes it a great choice all year round.

As well as hyaluronic acid HealGel Face also contains a unique blend of omega oils, which replenish dehydrated skin & restore elasticity. Arnica and madecassoide are used to boost collagen and soothe the skin. This combination of ingredients is ideal if you're looking for something with anti-ageing properties. The moisturiser manages to reduce the appearance of fine lines by firming, smoothing & plumping up the skin. The effects are instant, albeit temporary. With consistent usage, I have found that my skin has become softer & plumper so it must be slowly making more of a difference. I've noticed that my skin looks healthier overall and it works incredibly well on scarring. I really trust in the science behind the HealGel products and I think they're a brilliant choice if you're looking to soothe any irritation. Whenever I try something that doesn't completely agree with my skin I know that I can rely on this moisturiser to sort it all out. Again this is a rather pricey product but a little does go a long way & you won't need a separate night cream to go with it. It just does everything it's supposed to & it's always so amazing to find a product that really delivers on it's promises.

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October Favourites

HealGel Eye
It's so easy to forget about using an eye cream because sometimes you can't ever be sure that it's having a positive effect. I think that this is the only eye product that has actually made a lasting visible difference to my under eye area. It's a hydrating gel featuring arnica & hyaluronic acid. It feels very refreshing & manages to effectively reduce puffiness as well as discolouration. It also provides a smooth canvas for my concealer by firming up that whole area. It's great for both day & night so you're definitely getting your money's worth. I'm actually remembering to use an eye product every day without fail now because this really works! Full review here.

Estelle & Thild Lily Detox Mask
I don't really have large pores but I still can't get enough of this face mask! The product is a thick yellow cream that never sets on the face. It uses lactic acid & natural bentonite clay to remove every trace of gunk from your skin. It gets to work in just 5 minutes & it has such a noticeable effect on pores & blemishes. It reduces inflammtion & gives the skin a matte airbrushed appearance. It makes my skin feel so lovely & soft too. Anyone with oily or blemish-prone skin should give this a go. It is fantastic! Estelle & Thild are definitely a skincare brand to keep your eye on. Full review here.

Clarins HydraQuench Lotion SPF 15
I recently finished off my tub of Origins Make A Difference Plus+ Rejuvenating Moisturiser. As much as I loved that moisturiser, I felt like trying something new. I use lots of acids on my face so SPF is now an everyday must-have. I decided to go for this Clarins offering and I have to say I really love this moisturiser! The HydraQuench range is ideal for anyone with dehydrated skin. The products feature an exclusive hyaluronic acid complex that replenishes the skin's moisture levels & reduces future moisture loss. There's a different version for every skin type & this one is for people with normal to combination skin. It's a thin white lotion that absorbs very quickly and leaves my face feeling perfectly balanced. It also uses katafray bark, pomegranate extract & alpine willow herb to limit dehydration, tighten pores and regulate shine & sebum production. My makeup sits so nicely on top of this & I no longer need to use Hydraluron because this already contains hyaluronic acid. I've never found a better day moisturiser for combination skin & I thoroughly recommend trying this product.

Vosene Shampoo
I needed a strong clarifying shampoo to help fade my blue hair disaster and this has been working really well for me. It has a slightly odd menthol scent which isn't entirely pleasant but you can't smell it on your hair at all. It uses salicylic acid to cleanse the scalp & hair so it's working to strip the dye as well as excess oils. Therefore you do need a good conditioner afterwards or you'll end up with a dry wreck on your head. I'd recommend this to fade your hair colour rather than a bleach bath though, it's far less damaging.

Organic Surge 2-Minute Moisture Mask
To counteract the effects of the Vosene shampoo I've been relying on this Organic Surge hair mask. This lovely thick mask uses coconut oil & plant extracts to restore the condition of your hair & give it an intense hit of hydration. I love how soft, shiny & silky it makes my hair. Plus it gets to work incredibly quickly. It's about 1000x better than Aussie 3 Minute Miracle, that stuff never did anything for my hair even when it wasn't bleached! My hair loves this mask so it's currently on 'forever repurchase' status. Full review here.

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HealGel Eye

HealGel Eye* - £32

The original HealGel was an aqueous gel designed to treat a whole host of skin problems such as post-operative scarring, keloid scars, blemishes, sunburn, bruising and even eczema & psoriasis. It was produced by a team of leading British plastic and cosmetic surgeons who wanted to create the ultimate skincare product that would be truly effective on all skin types. They have since relaunched the original product as HealGel Intensive and added a couple of extra items to their line. For the last couple of months I've been trying out HealGel Eye. This is 'an advanced corrective formula designed to condition & lift the delicate eye area'. As a mum to a young child I often sport the zombified look and over the past few years my dark circles have only become worse. I'm willing to try out anything that can make me look a little less knackered and I had high hopes for this product, considering it was created by such a well respected group of professionals.

First off, I love the packaging. The redesign of HealGel's products was produced by Pentagram, one of my favourite design studios, and features some beautiful typography. I also love that the bottle comes with a pump, making it really hygienic. As you can see on my finger, just one full pump produces a whole lotta product. Less than half a pump is more than enough for both eyes. This product is ideal for use both in the morning and at night. You simply pat it on gently and wait for it to absorb. Upon application it feels very soothing, cooling and refreshing - everything you could hope for when you've not had enough sleep. It reduces puffiness, softens the skin and adds an overall perkiness to my eyes. It worked really nicely during the Summer too when my eyes were constantly irritated from hayfever. The formula is really gentle. Even when I apply it close to my lash line it doesn't irritate my eyes at all. Many other eye products I've tried in the past often made my eyes water & sting so it's fantastic that HealGel Eye doesn't have the same effect. I really like the texture of this product. It feels quite watery but it absorbs well without leaving any stickiness. In general I prefer gel eye products because I find them to actually be more hydrating than their cream counterparts. This one is especially hydrating because it contains a duel action hyaluronic acid complex which locks moisture deep within the skin.

In terms of results I have to admit I've only seen a slight difference to the darkness of my under eye area. Hopefully that will come with further usage & maybe a bit more sleep. I have however noticed that there is considerably less discolouration there and this gel has reduced the overall sallowness underneath my eyes. I think it's probably due to the inclusion of arnica in the ingredients. I can always rely on that stuff to clear up any bruises so I guess it works the same on your face! This means that I haven't needed to use colour correcting concealers as much, saving a step in my makeup routine. Another bonus makeup wise is that my concealer applies much smoother on top of it. HealGel Eye helps to smooth out that whole area as well as firming it up so there's less fine lines for concealer to collect in. Brilliant stuff! The price might seem a bit high but I always think it's important to invest in skincare. This is especially true when it comes to your eyes which are often the first place you will notice signs of ageing. Even though I've been using this twice a day for quite a while now, hardly any product has disappeared from the bottle. This will last for months & months which is something I'm sure my tired peepers will be happy about.

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