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Over the past year or so I've been picking up the odd Barry M product here and there and I'm always amazed at how good they are for the price. I feel like Barry M products are massively overlooked because of other drugstore brands such as Revolution and I really feel like a lot of people are missing out. I picked up two of the Green Origin Nail Paints RRP £3.99 which are vegan and made from 70% certified natural ingredients including potato, corn and wheat. There's a decent range of shades to choose from but I definitely think there's room for some more staple everyday shades such as a nude pink, mint green or rose red. Overall I've been really enjoying wearing these polishes since I picked them up. I definitely prefer Mushroom (the mid-grey kind of shade) because Down to Earth just looks a bit too pale on my nails against my skin if that makes sense. Because of the low-chemical formulation, the polishes don't have that usual potent polish smell either which I like because everyone in my house moans when I paint my nails because of the smell haha. They also dry down really fast and last as well as a normal Barry M polish.
When I saw the latest skincare drop from Soap & Glory I was really intrigued and decided to pick it up. The Puffy Eye Attack Eye Make-up Remover RRP £5 has a jelly-like formula that they claim helps to melt away the most stubborn eye make-up including waterproof mascara. It's also suitable for sensitive skin and the jelly-like texture soothes and cools whilst reducing the appearance of any puffiness around the eyes. The formula does feel weird and even after using it quite a few times, I'm still finding kind of odd. I'm used to using oil-based eye makeup remover usually. In terms of how it works, I would say it works pretty good. It does take longer to remove my eye makeup than it usually does with an oil-based formula but I do like the cooling and refreshing sensation.
Bubu Skincare are a new brand to hit the shelves and their products are exclusively sold on Pretty Little Thing. They're vegan, environmentally friendly, paraben-free and cruelty-free. They currently have four different sheet masks (priced at £7 each) to choose from and also a lip plumping mask (priced at £5). Each mask comes with its own cheeky name such as #youpucker and #t-spot. I was sent over their #t-spot Blemish Busting Mask* which is formulated with a unique blend of Niacinamide (which I'm already a huge fan of!), natural actives and a potent secret serum, #feelingdirty Pollution Busting Sheet Mask* which protects your skin from grime and dirty as well as doubling up as a primer and #stripitoff Exfoliating Sheet Mask* which contains Charcoal, Clay and AHAs which all help to gobble up dead skin cells and leaves you with a fresh, glowy complexion. With it being an exfoliating treatment, always make sure you use an SPF after use because it does make your skin more sensitive to the sun. I've only tried the #stripitoff exfoliating sheet mud mask so far, just because I've not had the time to try all three, especially when I'm trying out other skincare products too. But I really liked #stripitoff and I feel like I could see a difference straight after using it which is always a good sign! My skin looked brighter and just more "awake" if that makes sense. I did wake up with a few new spots the next day but I guess that just proves that the ingredients in the mask worked and brought any rubbish in my pores to the surface.
If you follow me on insta then you may have noticed that I've been picking up/being sent quite a few different skin clearing products recently. The reason for this is because I'm trying to find some staple go-to products to help clear up my skin when it's being annoying and breaking out. One of the products I've been using is the ARK Skincare Clearing Serum RRP £45* and the reason why I was so intrigued about ARK Skincare's offering is because it doesn't contain the usual "spot busting" ingredients such as Tea Tree and Witch Hazel which my skin can be a little iffy with at times. They claim the serum helps to refine pores, banish bacteria, tighten pores and eliminate excess shine. The formula is plant-based and a great product to use if your skin is feeling oily. Margosa Leaf Extract has astringent and antibacterial properties and Watercress, Nettle and Horsetail all regulate sebum production and prevent acne. I have been enjoying using this serum and I do think it's a good one if you're not a fan of using Witch Hazel and/or Tea Tree but I do think it takes a bit longer to start working than the usual "spot busting" ingredients. I also found it works well at calming down those horrible, painful under the skin spots too.
I was sent some products from Tropic a few weeks ago which is always exciting! I received the Tropic Lip Glazes in Velvet Peach* and Pink Champagne* RRP £14 and another product that I'm going to be talking about in a different blog post coming soon. I'm a fan of lip glosses (as long as they're not sticky!) because I think they're a great way to make your lips like a bit more plumper as well as being a great way to keep your lips nicely hydrated too. Both of the shades I was sent Velvet Peach and Pink Champagne are super pretty but I think for me personally Pink Champagne is probably more forgiving on my lips because the Velvet Peach is a bit pale and kind of washes me out a little. There are 6 shades to choose from overall so I do think that they could add a few more to the lineup. But overall I think they're nice and comfortable to wear and they definitely give a plumping effect as well as a boost of hydration! You could also use Pink Champagne as a lip topper because it's more of a sheen kind of lipgloss. I'm already a big fan!
If you follow me on insta then you may have noticed that I've been picking up/being sent quite a few different skin clearing products recently. The reason for this is because I'm trying to find some staple go-to products to help clear up my skin when it's being annoying and breaking out. One of the products I've been using is the ARK Skincare Clearing Serum RRP £45* and the reason why I was so intrigued about ARK Skincare's offering is because it doesn't contain the usual "spot busting" ingredients such as Tea Tree and Witch Hazel which my skin can be a little iffy with at times. They claim the serum helps to refine pores, banish bacteria, tighten pores and eliminate excess shine. The formula is plant-based and a great product to use if your skin is feeling oily. Margosa Leaf Extract has astringent and antibacterial properties and Watercress, Nettle and Horsetail all regulate sebum production and prevent acne. I have been enjoying using this serum and I do think it's a good one if you're not a fan of using Witch Hazel and/or Tea Tree but I do think it takes a bit longer to start working than the usual "spot busting" ingredients. I also found it works well at calming down those horrible, painful under the skin spots too.
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| Top: Velvet Peach Bottom: Pink Champagne |
Lavera has recently launched a range of 100% biodegradable sheet masks which I think is fab! Each one is priced at £6.95 and you can choose from either their Hydrating Mask* which contains hyaluronic acid, organic cucumber and glacier water, Firming Mask* which contains hyaluronic acid, karanja oil, aloe vera oil, lavender water and cotton extract, Illuminating Mask* which contains dragon fruit and raspberry and Purifying Mask* which contains salicylic acid and organic mint. Each fleece sheet mask is made from plant material which means it's 100% biodegradable. I've only tried the Illuminating sheet mask so far when I was having a bit of an "ugh" kind of day with my skin and it definitely gave me a nice healthy glow as well as leaving my skin feeling super soft. I can't wait to get around to trying the other sheet masks now and it's great that they are thinking of the environment too!
The Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara RRP £3.30* is an updated version of the original False Lash Effect which I already really like. But now it comes in a waterproof version. I always say that I find waterproof mascaras work better on my lashes so I couldn't wait to give the new and improved formula a whirl. It definitely worked even better than the original and I just think it's a great mascara for the price. If you're on a tight budget and want a mascara that works then you should give this one a try.
Lastly is the Mane n Tail Braid Sheen Ultimate Control Conditioning Spray RRP £8.99* which I received recently and I'm not going to lie, I very rarely wear my hair in any sort of braid, unless it's a loose side braid when I'm just in the house doing work or tidying etc. So instead of using it as a "Braid Sheen" I've been using it as a detangling product which adds a bit of shine and I've found it works well in that way. It also smells like their Hair Strengthener product which is one of my all-time fave products.
Lastly is the Mane n Tail Braid Sheen Ultimate Control Conditioning Spray RRP £8.99* which I received recently and I'm not going to lie, I very rarely wear my hair in any sort of braid, unless it's a loose side braid when I'm just in the house doing work or tidying etc. So instead of using it as a "Braid Sheen" I've been using it as a detangling product which adds a bit of shine and I've found it works well in that way. It also smells like their Hair Strengthener product which is one of my all-time fave products.
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