product review Archives - FashionForRoyals

Bobbi Brown remedies skin reviver No. 91

Beautiful skin requires commitment, there is no miracle cure. Healthy skin is a reflection of overall wellness. So it is important to have a regular skincare regimen. The golden rules of skincare require you to get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, eat your greens and nourish your skin for a healthy glow. Work, stress and pollution aren’t easy on your skin leaving it damaged, unhealthy or tired looking. A regular diet and skincare routine is necessary. But it’s easier said than done. But maintaining your skin got easier with the Bobbi Brown Remedies Skin Reviver No. 91. This is a part of the remedies collection by Bobbi Brown. The collection has six different concoctions for different skincare needs. Just a few drops of this anti-oxidant rich remedy helps support the skin’s overall health, replenish the vital nutrients, and protect the skin from environmental aggressors. The product claims to leave your skin feeling energised and looking revitalised, radiant and healthier after 4 weeks.

The skin reviver is like a green smoothie for your skin, with extracts of fresh kale, spinach and brussel sprouts and chlorella. These ingredients help tackle dullness and signs of ageing, resulting in brighter, plumper and more refreshed complexion by providing the skin with the vital nutrients it needs. The lightweight texture of the product is a perfect fusion of beauty and wellness. The skin reviver can also be mixed with other formulas from the remedies collection or layered with other products for a customised skincare routine.

How to Use – Apply 2–3 drops on clean skin twice a day in place of your serum or before it.

Overall this supercharged green smoothie works wonders on tired looking or damaged skin. The product has good absorption as it is lightweight. And the skin boosting ingredients help renew the skin’s key supplements giving a calming effect and it also shields the skin from environmental aggressors. It’s a great product which brightens up the skin. It works like a skin clearer giving you a radiant finish if used on a regular basis. However, watch out for sun exposure immediately after the application of the product.

Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Price: £26.55

Have you tried any products from the skincare reviver range? Let me know in the comments below.

Una Brennan Superfacialist Probiotic Overnight Skin Recovery Cream

Probiotics in skincare are the new trend that everyone has been raging about. Investing in a skin care range with probiotics can be beneficial for your skin health. The nutrients in probiotics give the skin the necessary vitamins and minerals it needs. Probiotics have been known to improve the texture of your skin, reduce acne, achieve younger looking skin, and reduce inflammation and redness while building the collagen levels. Recently I invested in a probiotic skincare routine. Una Brennan’s new range of skincare product Super Facialist Probiotic Overnight Skin Recovery Cream helps balance the hydration levels of the skin and rejuvenates dull and tired skin. The night recovery cream restores the pH balance of treated or stressed skin. With nourishing ingredients like shea butter and soothing bisabolol the cream gives the skin a soft, hydrated and renewed look. Together these ingredients help reduce inflammation, protect it from pollution and other aggressors, boost collagen production and reinforce the skin barrier.

I have been using the cream regularly and have seen a positive effect on my skin. I absolutely love the probiotic overnight skin recovery cream. It has a lovely texture and finish which makes my skin feel super soft. If you have sensitive skin which is prone to redness and irritation then this is one product you need to include in your night regime. It is also fragrance-free and dermatologically test which makes it suitable for sensitive skin. Night after night the product makes the skin feel renewed and makes your skin look good the next day which makes this cream my go-to overnight moisturiser.

If you like to use richer creams to balance the moisture levels of your skin at night then you can add a few drop of serum or facial oil for a more hydrating effect. Overall it’s a great cream with good absorption which leaves your skin comforted and protected leaving you ready for the next day. Also, it helps minimise redness and irritation preventing blemishes giving you a rejuvenated look. The Superfacialist also has a range of other products for different skin needs. I am looking forward to trying a few after this gem.

Rating: 4 Stars
Price: £15.99

Have you tried any probiotic skincare products? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Superdrug Beauty and Makeup Haul

When it comes to the best in beauty and healthcare products, Superdrug is a name to reckon with. It has retail stores across the UK to cater to clientage all over the country. Recently, Superdrug opened their new store in Rugby. I was there to have a look and picked some amazing products.

I’ll talk about Superdrug range first.

SD optimum Anti Dehydration Birch Water Micellar Toner is a great product for sensitive skin. The lightweight, alcohol-free toner cleanses the skin, vitalizes it, leaving it soft, clean, and naturally beautiful.

SD Optimum Skin Illuminating Glycolic Overnight Peel, a lightweight, gel-texture product, promises youthful, radiant complexion. It refreshes the skin and smoothens out wrinkles and fine lines.

SD Optimum Day Cream SPF 15 is a unique formula that gives deep nourishment to the skin, restores its moisture balance, and improves its firmness and elasticity. With its SPF 15, the cream also protects the skin from sun induced ageing.

SD Be Confident Hyaluronic Acid Facial Spritz is an amazing product, perfect for hydrating tired skin, refreshing makeup, or for using while traveling. It locks in moisture for 12 hours and replenishes the skin without clogging the pores.

SD Simply Pure Hydrating Serum is another wonderful hydrating product for replenishing and nourishing sensitive skin. It enhances natural suppleness and elasticity of the skin and leaves it smooth and glowing.

Superdrug Facial Cleansing Pads – Tea Tree make a great add-on to my collection. Enriched with tea tree oil and peppermint oil, these are gentle and purifying for the skin. They deep cleanse the skin and remove all the excess oil, dirt and impurities gently.

SD Hair Therapy Oil With Coconut For Dry Hair is a perfect hair-care product for dry hair. With its gentle, moisture protection formula, the oil leaves hair soft, healthy and shiny. It deep conditions and replenishes hair from within.

In addition to these products from Superdrug, I picked some more too.

I Love Lemon Meringue Whipped Sugar Scrub is a whipped formula with lovely citrus fragrance. It moisturises and invigorates the skin and leaves it gently polished.

And I also shopped some products from my favourite brand, Maybelline.

Maybelline Eye Concealer is a product that does a great job at concealing dark circles and flaws around the eye area.

Maybelline Illuminating Stick works well to add dimension as well as enhance features for perfect highlights. It is easy to apply and boosts the skin glow.

Flawless Finish Brush Set is a great makeup brush set which can fit any budget, with a comparable quality from other bigger brands.

There was an offer on Maybelline products and I got a cute bag with them.
There was some more stuff I couldn’t resist.

Makeup Revolution Highlighting and Contour Palette is a complete contouring and highlighting solution. It offers a wonderful range of colour powders for sculpting and contouring, along with highlighters for illumination.

I completed my collection with Studio Eye Shadow Crayons . And I finished up the goodie-bag with my favorite hand cream from Flatter and a hair brush.

I recommend Superdrug for their great selection of pocket-friendly cosmetics and some cool offers

Fab Brows Duo Brow Kit-Review

Wouldn’t you want to have fabulous, natural eyebrows in seconds? The Fab Brows Duo Brow Kit is a product you can trust for the same. The brand new product is offered by the acclaimed UK-based brand Fab Brows and promises to work effortless magic for your brows. It can do wonders for thin and pale brows, transforming them into thick and dark ones with only a few strokes of this high-quality starting powder designed for your eyebrows.

I was sent the dark brown variant of the product as a gift as it is just right for my Asian skin tone. The semi-permanent organic eyebrow powder kit comprises of two complementary shades in one palette, a lighter and a darker one that are meant to work for different skin tones. These powder shades can be combined to create personalised colour combinations according to your needs.

The powder kit can be used to give shape, colour and definition to the brows so that you can have perfectly defined brows every day. A professional applicator brush also forms a part of the kit so that you can apply the powder right for that perfect effect. It comes inside a beautiful gold mirrored compact case, which makes it a delight to have as a part of your collection.

I rate the Fab Brows Duo Brow Kit as an excellent product, as it is water-resistant, smudge-proof and sweat-proof. It gives amazing results as it stays on for 24 hours, guaranteeing you great looking eyebrows all day and all night. You have 6 stencil shapes to choose from to give your eyebrow the look you desire. All you have to do is to just hold the stencil over your eyebrow and use the applicator brush to apply the eyebrow powder over it, and you are done!

Only a few brush-strokes and you get perfectly shaped and perfectly coloured eyebrows which stay that way for long. I would give Fab Brows Duo Brow Kit 4 stars and recommend it for all who want stunning looking and long lasting eyebrows in just a few seconds!

Rating – 4 Star
Pricing – £20

Dr. Paw Paw Lip Balms Review

When we think about a multipurpose balm or a cosmetic product we always think of Vaseline. Vaseline has been a staple for almost every woman. From hydrating dry skin to chapped lips, Vaseline worked wonders in many ways. But recently, I came across a new multipurpose balm that I am totally in love with. Dr. Paw Paw is a multipurpose balm which can be used in various ways like for chapped lips, dry skin, as a makeup base, to smoothen out fly away hair, hydrate dull and dry hair, repair split ends, and as a cuticle balm amongst other things.

Dr Paw Paw has been an instant success with several makeup artist, celebrities and bloggers since its launch in 2013. The brand offers 4 variants, the original, tinted Peach pink balm, tinted ultimate red balm and a limited edition red sparkle.

The original is a clear balm which comes in a yellow coloured tube. It is an all-purpose balm which can be used for dry patches, elbows, lips, hair setting like fly away, or on your eye lid as a shiner.

The tinted peach pink balm is a good lip balm with a hint of a peach colour to it. The best part about this shade is that it also doubles up as a wonderful tinted blush. It is a very subtle colour.

My all time favourite out of the 4 is the tinted red balm. I love the colour and it is so versatile that you can wear with almost any outfit at anytime of the day. The colour has a depth and is perfect for my skin tone. The colour would also suit any woman with a dusky or pale skin tone. Those who are too shy to try a bold matte red lipstick can definitely try this tinted lip balm to begin with. Even this lip balm can double up as a blush for a warmer makeup palette.

The limited edition red sparkle is a great addition to the Dr. Paw Paw collection. I am really excited to try it one of these days for a night out, cinema visits or a dinner.

Dr Paw Paw is made from all natural ingredients which are beneficial for the skin. The balms contain extracts from the carica papaya fruit, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, aloe vera leaf juice, medicinal grade petrolatum and potassium sorbate. These ingredients are nutrient rich and have a variety of benefits for the hair and skin. The concentration of the product is thick, so you only need to apply a little. Thus the product is long lasting. I also love the packing of the product, as I don’t like the stick shaped lip balms. Tube shaped balms are much better, but sometimes you also end up pressing a lot of product out.

Overall I love this product and highly recommend it. It is an instant favourite with good quality, quantity and packaging for the price. The moment I tried it on I was excited to share my reviews with everyone.

Currently Stocked in Superdrug, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, Look Fantastic and Ocado.- so feel free to have your pick from your choice of outlet

Blank Canvas Dimension Series Brushes Review

Whether you are a beginner or an avid makeup enthusiast, it is hard to imagine your cosmetic kit without makeup brushes and Blank Canvas is one brand that has emerged as a favourite for many. Blank Canvas Cosmetics is known for high quality and amazing value. Recently, it has revamped all its brushes and unveiled the new Blank Canvas Dimension Series Brushes, which come in a variety of eye-catching metallic colours and combinations.

Available in unusual shades of Metallic Champagne Pink, Metallic Rose Gold, Hot Pink Gold, Metallic Gold and Rose Gold Black, these brushes are as amazing in looks as these are great in quality. The soft bristles and gorgeous looks make them a pleasure to own and use. The quality makes them comparable to most of their high-end counterparts in the market. I have had the pleasure of using a few of the Blank Canvas Dimension Series Brushes and would like to share my feedback with you.

I have been sent F41, F20, F11 and F06 as samples to try and I must say they all are well made, but I have now formed a special liking for the metallic F41 and F20 Brush

F20 Flat Buffer Brush is the one I utilise for the everyday blush application, and it is simply the best one I have used till date. But you can use it for the foundation as well.

F41 Flat Tapered Cheek Brush is my favourite for blush or powder application as it is ideal for creating the shape for my face. The best part is that it works for both, powder as well as cream products.

F11 Large Eyeshadow Brush is designed for application of eye shadow, though I also it for face detailing too. Again, this one can be used for powder and cream products.

F6 – Bevelled Foundation or Contour Brush is excellent for applying and getting an even finish with your foundation and also for contouring bigger sections of the face. I have been using it in everyday makeup application as it blends the foundation well on the face.

Some of the other ones on the list from Blank Canvas are –

F34 Large Powder Brush is ideal for application of loose, pressed powder and bronzer. It has super soft bristle and nice grip to facilitate smooth usage.

F08 Dome Buffing Brush is again a foundation brush, though it can be used for contouring as well as applying blush and concealer. The best part is that you can use it with powder, gel, mousse or cream based products.

F33 Extreme Angle Contour Brush is a contouring brush used for highlighting the cheekbones and nose, with powder or cream products.

E36 Large Concealer/Eye Shader is a handy one that is ideal for eyeshadow application as well as concealer purposes for hiding the blemishes.

E27 Cute Mini Detailer is another eye brush that is apt for the under eye area, particularly if you love smokey eyes.You can use this one for getting a flawless, natural look by blending the eyeshadows seamlessly.

L29 Lip/Winged Eyeliner Brush will be a fantastic lip liner brush but can double up as an eyeliner brush too. It works as a sharp pencil, ideally suited for lining the lips perfectly and can similarly be used for the eyes.

I have had such a wonderful experience with all these brushes from the Blank Canvas Dimension Series that I would definitely love to buy a few more of these. Plus, their good looks make them a must-have for all makeup lovers!!!

Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion and Hand Cream

Like many women around the world, I have severely dry skin. This condition tends to become worse during the winter months, when the unconducive combination of freezing weather and indoor heating wreck havoc on my skin by sucking out the moisture from it.

Needless to say, it is extremely difficult to find products that can truly nourish my skin. Some products don’t absorb well enough, whilst others don’t moisturize well enough. Others, still, take way too long to rub into my skin, which is a major deal-breaker for me. So, you can imagine my excitement when I discovered the answer to my skincare prayers: the Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion and the Aveeno Hand Cream.

I’ll start by talking about the lotion. Formula-wise, this beauty combines the goodness of colloidal oatmeal with rich emollients – a combination that works hard to nourish, protect and prevent dry skin. Now, when I first used the product, I found it very hard to believe Aveeno’s claim that the product lasts for 24 hours. Truth be told, I was praying that it would last at least 12 hours but guess what? It actually does last for almost 24 hours! I was totally blown away by this discovery.

As if that wasn’t enough, the product feels is very light in consistency (unlike other deep moisturising creams) and absorbs into my skin super quickly, leaving it soft, supple and smooth as silk. My skin absolutely loves and agrees with this product, soaking up all the moisture that it has to offer. I can’t get enough!

Now, as with the rest of my body, my hands are extremely dry as well. In fact, I fear that my hands will be the first to show my age, because they don’t have any fat tissue in them to keep them soft. I have been on the hunt for a great hand cream for a while now. At the time, I was using four different creams from four different brands, with one on my desk, in my bag, next to my bed and on my study table at home.

When I tried the Aveeno Hand Cream, I was absolutely delighted. It does exactly what you would expect a good hand cream to, and a little bit more. The highlight is that this hand cream absorbs very quickly – I hate hand creams that feel sticky and leave behind a residue. This cream does have a fragrance, but it is very subtle and it won’t irritate you at all. Like the lotion, the hand cream lasts for a while, unless you have used a very strong soap to wash your hands.

If your skin is dry and dehydrated, I definitely recommend both of these products. Give them a whirl, and I promise that you will never look back!

Product rating: 4 Stars

Indigo Herbs Rise and Shine Tea Review

I’m sure that like me, you all have your personal favourite morning wake-up drinks too. And we all sure do need them. For me, it’s not a good morning unless it starts with coffee. But recently, I tried out Indigo Herb’s Rise and Shine Tea and was surprised to find it as invigorating as my usual cuppa.

This tea blend has a combination of highly refreshing ingredients that not just taste wonderful, but also energize you. The combination of spicy ginger and peppermint gives you a kick, while the brain-boosting rosemary and ginkgo make you more alert. The subtle flavours of calendula and nettle give you the sense that you’re enjoying a herby mix of goodness that’ll keep you healthy.

And I believe the complexity and brilliance of Indigo Herbs brews can be attributed to the fine quality of botanicals used. If made correctly, each sip has an intense, soothing flavour that is unlike other, somewhat weak teas. The recommended method of infusion is using one teaspoon of tea leaves per cup, and leaving them boiling-hot water for 5 – 10 minutes. You can then strain the solution and sip on the delicious drink in absolute pleasure.

I must tell you that last week, when I first tried the Rise and Shine blend, I wasn’t feeling too well. I had mild fever and decided to forgo my morning coffee in favour of this tea. And would you believe it? It actually helped me a lot. I felt energetic and alert all day, despite my ill-health. I didn’t even miss the caffeine hit that usually keeps me awake and active. Also, I loved the floral taste of meadowsweet and the subtle hint of peppermint – what a lovely combination!

Now, I can’t help but think about what my next purchase is from Indigo Herbs is going to be. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you all posted!

If interested you get your hands on this tea here: https://www.indigo-herbs.co.uk/shop/buy/indigo-tea-rise-and-shine

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

Coconut Oil – Vita Coco Review

This post is about a wonder product that we all must have in our vanities. It’s the LBD of beauty care – it’s versatile, does wonders for the appearance and is absolutely fabulous. Yes, I’m referring to coconut oil here; that one-stop-vial of goodness that we all need in our lives!

I always keep virgin coconut oil handy so I can whip it out to meet my numerous beauty needs. It’s best to use the virgin or extra virgin variety for they contain more nutrients. Regular coconut oil is made from dried coconut flesh that is subjected to high temperatures and several refining processes, all of which affects its nutritive value. Virgin and extra virgin oil is produced using more sophisticated methodologies, making them the best possible variants to use. But these days, there are also some products that add more organic nutrients to coconut oil, transforming them into products with more beauty benefits than ever!

(Vita Coco Coconut Oil – is my go to makeup remover these days)

And as far as the beauty benefits of coconut oil are concerned, the list is virtually endless. We all know that coconut oil has high hydrating properties that make it an ideal moisturizer for the skin and body, especially in those cool winter months. And our grandma’s have instilled in us, a deep faith over the hair-nourishing capacities of coconut oil. Seriously, not only does it work wonders for pre-head-wash oiling, it is also great for taming fly-aways or as a leave-in serum for smooth, frizz-free hair. I also use it as a lip balm sometimes, when my lips are extremely chapped and need an instant quick-fix. Other than this, coconut oil works well as a massage oil, body scrub (when mixed with sugar) and highly effective makeup remover too. For those who are into fitness and healthy cooking, coconut oil is quite a good option there too; it is known to increase metabolic rate and aid weight loss. Now when there is so much that one single product can do, wouldn’t you be singing praises of it too?

(Look what I cooked here with Vita Coco – Bruchetta and it was yummylicious)

As mentioned above though, not all varieties of coconut oil are quite as brilliant. You have to find a concoction that is genuine and optimally suited for use in one’s beauty regime. And I found the perfect product – I can’t stop gushing about it! It’s none other than Vita Coco – an organic, 100% raw, extra virgin coconut oil, derived using cold-pressing techniques. It is packed with antioxidants and numerous nutrients that have thus far, met all my beauty needs. I use Vita Coco for virtually everything – oiling my hair, healing irritated skin, removing stubborn makeup, on dry lips, cracked heels, and even for cleaning my makeup brushes! I have also used it to add some extra sheen to my eye makeup on special occasions. When I get the time, I intend to mix it with some Epsom Salts to create a DIY body scrub too. Clearly, I am a very big fan of Vita Coco.

If you want to try it out as well, it is easily available in big chain stores like Boots, Selfridges, Urban Outfitters, Holland and Barrett, Ocado.com, Tesco and Wholefoods. You could also buy it online at amazon.co.uk. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs some TLC at home, with just one awesome multipurpose product.

You can find more details about this product and some brilliant ideas at www.swearbyit.com

Star Rating – 5

Price -£9.99 (500ml

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

Olverum Bath Oil Review

This post is especially for those glam girls out there who are always on their toes. Let’s face it, we are all super-stressed out with a million things to do, not enough time and of course, an innate desire to look our best. So sometimes, we are in desperate need of a breather and want to unwind in absolute luxury.

If you can identify with this feeling, let me introduce you to this wonder-product called Olverum Bath Oil. This is a therapeutic oil which contains 10 pure essential oils, blended to perfection. It is highly concentrated, thus providing a strong fragrance with the smallest quantity. In terms of its restorative benefits, it will help you get a good night’s sleep, sooth sore and aching muscles and even ease a cold or flu.

If you live in the UK, you’ve probably heard a lot about this Olverum Bath Oil, if not used it. It enjoys a sort of cult following here though it has now been re-packaged under new British ownership. But don’t worry, the amazing formulation remains unchanged, and its’ almost century-long popularity has not been affected. And I totally understand why this is such a hit, especially with women. Its ability to soothe one’s tired senses is simply divine, and well, I am a very big fan now.

I first used Olverum when I was sent the sample with instructions that only 5 ml would suffice for one bath. And I was pretty excited to try it out. You see, I’m a busy Mom, with much office work, lots to do at home, and also this blog. So bath time is me-time for me. Long, luxurious baths on the weekend help me relieve week-long fatigue and muscle stress from the gym. So when I got the oil, I decided to test them asap and what I pleasure it was!

I took the bottle thinking, just in case needed I would put more in, but Oh My Word! Only 5ml was more than enough. The moment I popped one cap full into the water, the wonderful aroma spread all over the place and immediately delighted me. So trust me when I say that 5 ml of Olverum is all you need for that perfect bath, which is quite rare with such products; in my experience, anything less than 1.5-2 times the recommended quantity usually isn’t sufficient for me personally. And the best part is, Olverum’s fragrance is strong yet exquisite, with a unisex appeal that’ll leave anyone feeling absolutely refreshed!

My final take on Olverum Bath Oil thus is that it’s truly brilliant. It delivers what it promises and leaves me relaxed and rejuvenated in a matter of minutes. It’s a must-have product for all those tired mums out there. Indulge in some home-therapy with this bath oil and you’ll enjoy the wonders of a stress-free mind and deep, deep sleep.

PS: I am going to buy a big bottle the moment I run out of my sample – that’s how much I loved it!

Cost: You can get 125ml for £26.00 and will be enough for 25 baths, and the 250ml for £48 and enough for 50 baths.
Their main stockist is www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water Review

Off-late, there has been much buzz in the media regarding Micellar water. I was curious as to how effective this fascinating beauty concoction is and so chose to try out Garnier’s Micellar Cleansing Water.

What is Micellar Water?

For those who don’t know, Micellar water is a one-step skin cleanser, after using which, you do not need to wash your face. Yes, even if you have makeup on, and I mean heavy, eye-makeup and skin products too, micellar water alone will clean the skin adequately with one application.

If you’re sceptical about how this may be possible, I’ll tell you how it works. Micellar technology relies upon uber-efficient cleansing agents which work like a magnet – when they come in contact with dirt and oil on your skin, they attract it all and sweep it away. And don’t worry, these cleansing agents are mild and gentle; they do not affect the skin negatively but simply reduce the amount of time and product(s) you require for cleansing skin of makeup.

How is it Used?

Basically, micellar water is like a replacement for the long makeup-removal routine. You don’t need to first use a remover, then wash your face and then hydrate the skin. Instead, you soak a cotton ball in the solution and swipe it across all facial contours concentrating on eyes and lips. You then follow up with your regular moisturizer/serum, without rinsing the face and voila! You’re done!

Review of Garnier Micellar Water

Now coming to Garnier’s Micellar Water, here’s an account of my experience with it. I have been using it for 2 months now. Though I bought it just out of curiosity since it was trending high in the beauty and blogging world, I’m already down to 50% of the bottle!

I mostly use it to clean heavy makeup off of my face and I have to say, it surely works. I must highlight however, that it is a cleanser and not a skin conditioner. So after application, I do follow up with my regular after-wash nourishment/night-time regime.

There are some drawbacks to Garnier Micellar Water which I can’t help but point out. It is suitable foe eye makeup removal but not enough to completely remove a very heavy one. My mascara and liner looks like they have been removed but sometimes I see blackness under my eye the following day in morning and since then I started to use an eye-makeup remover separately for complete cleansing of my makeup.

Here is an image comparing the eye makeup being removed by Garnier Micellar water and a specific Eye Makeup remover.

As you can see in these two images, Garnier’s Micellar Water has done the job to a great extent. But for the eyes, a specialized eye-makeup remover is clearly more effective.

As to the question of whether I’ll be buying it again, I’m not sure I can. As it’s a great product, especially if one is travelling or outdoors or simply lazy, it has not won me over completely.

Star Rating – 3.8

Prince in UK: £3.33

L’Oreal White Perfect Magic White Double Brightening Eye Cream Review

Hi All!

Today I’m reviewing this under-eye cream I’ve been using for over a month now. It’s the Double Brightening Eye Cream from L’Oreal’s White Perfect Magic White range.

I’ll begin by stating why I chose this product. Firstly, of course, I have dark circles. It’s a combination of genetics and not enough sleep that has caused these shadows under my eyes. I’ve had them for years and use Concealer on special nights when I’m going out. But I am constantly on the lookout for more permanent solutions and thus keep trying various products. The second reason is that L’Oreal is a trusted brand that has quite a reputation when it comes to skin products. So, when this came out, I thought, let’s give this a shot too!

It comes in a shiny, blue and white tube with a long, narrow nozzle. The packaging is suitable for extracting small quantities of the product and carrying around when travelling too. Though there’s just 15 gm of cream per pack, one needs just a dot-sized amount for both eyes, so it has lasted me long enough.

As to the application experience and effectiveness of this eye cream, here’s how it worked on me: The cream is a light yellow colour with a smooth, creamy texture. It feels very light on the skin and takes just about a minute to get absorbed. On application, it brightens up the eye area, without leaving any white-ish hue behind. The fragrance is mild and inoffensive, so that works perfectly too

Now coming to the question of reducing dark circles; like most eye creams, this L’Oreal product does not produce results overnight. Or even over two, three, four nights. Not over a week of regular application either. But, given my stubborn dark circles, I knew I had to persevere. After about a month of using it regularly, twice a day – once in the morning, once overnight – I think my dark circles have reduced. The skin under my eyes is not just lighter but softer as well. But if I don’t get enough sleep, my eyes are puffy and shadowed the next day again. That’s okay though. On the whole, this L’Oreal White Perfect Magic White Double Brightening Eye Cream has definitely reduced my dark circles, which makes me oh-so-happy!

I must mention that I have used several eye creams and home remedies in the past but this has been the most effective. Even though my dark circles are not completely gone, they are lighter for sure, and that is progress! Maybe if I continue to use it for a few more months, they will improve further.

So, here’s my final take on L’Oreal White Perfect Magic White Double Brightening Eye Cream.

Pros:

Nice packaging which prevents wastage.
Little quantity required to cover both under-eye regions and eyelids even.
Leaves no white residue and absorbs quickly.
Instantly brightens eye area and softens it too.
Has reduced my dark circles with a month of application.

Cons:

Quantity is slightly less for the price (but since it is effective, I don’t mind too much).

Star Rating: 3.75

Price: Rs. 799

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Review

You would know from my previous posts that these days I am all into nighttime skin recovery products. And that’s because the science suggests that your night regimen is very important. There is much evidence that skin cells regenerate faster at night than during the day. Cell division happens throughout the day, but peaks around 2 am. This is literally renewal and rejuvenation during sleep, at least for people like me who are dreaming away at these late hours. Though the peak in cell division happens even if you stay awake at night, but the surge in growth hormone doesn’t. The latter is necessary for effective skin renewal.

You now probably understand my fascination with nighttime skin products; it’s more scientific than cosmetic!

Now, I recently got my hands on Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate. I have already tried Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque. Personally I trust Kiehl’s to come out with all the right products – clearly I am a big fan. I do admit the products end up being a bit expensive sometimes, but my mantra is that you need to care for your skin and use good quality products right from the beginning; not when signs of damage start glaring at you in the mirror for then it’s quite late. I thus don’t mind splurging on such products one in a while, but only after doing my research. I can’t simply go out and buy products blindly off the counter (well, sometimes maybe, but only sometimes!) – I need to know I’m making the right choice.

Coming to this product, I can assure you, it does what it says. I have been using it for a week now, and from day 1, I could feel a gradual improvement in my skin texture. My skin looks more dewy and glowing now. The product is very light and absorbs quickly on my skin.

Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate 2 Here is a picture for you to see how my hand looks after I have applied the serum on. Other than a nice sheen you wouldn’t see any difference.

One other thing about this serum is the nice smelling fragrance it gives off. To me it smells like roses; I feel fresh and pampered each time I apply it. I somehow even sleep better with this on, but maybe that’s just due to my mind being at peace about my skin being well-cared for as I snooze.

Here’s my quick take on Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate.

Pros:

Light in texture
Easily absorbed
Nice fragrance
Works – improvement in skin quality

Con:

Pricey but lasts long time

Price in India: Rs 3200/30ml
Price in UK: £36/30ml