cleansers

One of the things I like best about reading Beaut.ie is that they aren't afraid to say what they think. I regularly laugh out loud when reading Aisling and Kirstie's opinions about things like Clarins moisturiser ("bangs like arse") and their own barnets ("I have POXY hair. I hate it"). However one thing I disagree about is their dislike of cleansing wipes.

Fair enough they aren't as good as a proper wash, and I wouldn't advocate using them as a replacement for "proper" skincare practices. But cleansing wipes are a versatile and highly practical invention that have a multitude of uses.

Here are my 10 compelling reasons for buying, using and loving cleansing wipes.

1. They are great for when you're drunk. Or tired. Or just can't be bothered with the whole "routine".

2. They make a great touch-up/mistake remover tool to have on hand while you're doing your makeup. Lauren Luke always uses wipes to tidy up mistakes when she's doing her tutorial videos, which is good enough endorsement for me.

3. They are also good for quickly cleaning your brushes after use to get the worst of your grip-tight hardcore waterproof liner off before it dries into an indestructible mass.

4. And while we're at the makeup table, wipes are also handy for dampening your brush when you're applying eyeshadow wet.

5. Keeping a pack of wipes in your bag is a good way to keep your hands clean while travelling. They make me feel slightly less revolting after I've been on the tube, and they're nots as drying as alcohol-based antiseptic gels.

6. Wipes can be a good ladies-loos last minute fix for frizzy hair before a date or meeting, especially the moisturising varieties. Just run lightly over the frizz for instant taming.

7. This may sound odd, but they're also very good for cleaning your keyboard.

8. Wipes don't do the full business on their own, we are agreed. But using them to remove a cream cleanser can work very well, and if you follow with toner and moisturiser you get a very thorough job.

9. Use a wipe or two to get all the loose shadow dust and powder off the inside of your makeup bag and the surfaces of other products after a spillage or packaging leak.

10. Lie back with a wipe folded over each eye to help quell a headache or hangover.

Marcelle Essentials Purity Soothing Cleansing Water - 200ml - $14.25 - cleanses and tones the skin while removing eye makeup - I have never actually used a cleansing water before, it never occurred to me that a water could do a good job cleansing, never mind removing eye makeup - but it does!  You use it like you would a toner by applying it to a cotton pad - I found it most effective to use one side of the pad to do a quick swipe over my face, remove my eye makeup and then use the clean side of the pad to go over my entire face again to remove any leftovers.  There is something strangely satisfying that you get from this cleanser that you don't get from wash off cleansers, you get to see all the gunk on the pad that was removed from your face!  If you like seeing your blackheads on Biore strips you will probably also enjoy this!

This would also be a great cleanser if you have hard water at home!


Cliniderm Gentle Cleanser - 150ml - $16 - contains no parbens, dyes, perfume, lanolin, formaldehyde or protein. Specialized care for sensitive, allergic, reactive or dry skin.  Soap free gel cleanser that you can actually even use as a body wash if you are looking for one with no scent!  I liked the texture of this one a lot, it's a thin gel that rises off easily and made my skin feel very clean - it's not meant to take off eye makeup, and it doesn't so you will need your makeup remover for that but it did remove my face makeup.

If you are looking for a moisturizer to follow your sensitive skin cleanser, Diane Lai has a new collection of all-natural skincare products.  It's suitable for highly sensitive skin, dry skin, eczema and inflammation and can also be used on children.  Diane Lai was inspired to create the line because of her own child's sensitive skin and one of her objectives is to educate the public about the harmful toxins that many commercial skin products contain.  The first launches from the collection are:

Rejuvenate - 100ml - $45 - a daily moisturizing lotion to maintain soft and healthy skin and can be used anywhere that you have skin that is dry, tight and/or itchy - face, body, hands and feet.

Soothe - 30ml - $34 - to help comfort skin irritations and contains natural oils and anti-itch remedies to prevent further scratching and inflammation.  Also good for insect bites and mild sunburn.

Both contain organic shea butter, kernel oil which is rich in natural vitamins A,B,D,E, proteins and lecithin, cold-presses organic grape seed oil which is a natural moisturizer that is rich in antioxidants.  Even better is what they don't contain: parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, artificial fragrance, artificial colourants, retinols, sulfates, petro chemicals or oxybenzone.

If you are in Toronto, you can find Diane Lai products at Blossom Bath & Body - 157 Main Street, Unionville or at Moms to be and more - 1642/44 Bayview Avenue, Toronto as well as online at www.dianelai.com

Does skincare really have to be complicated to be effective?  According to Dr. Lancer, a renowned Beverly Hills dermatologist to the stars, the answer to that is a resounding NO! It's for this reason that he developed a simple 3 step daily program with products that promise to bring medical grade improvements in fine lines, texture, discolouration and pore size in roughly a week.  Here is what the three step products are:

STEP 1: Polish - Natural Sea Minerals - 60g - $50 - collagen stimulating exfoliator enhanced with magnesium oxide crystals - the directions tell you to use daily or every other day but I found the scrub quite abrasive so that seems like too much to me, I wouldn't use it more then 1 or 2 times a week!  It did do a nice job and the scrub didn't have any sharp pieces, it was scrubby, but smooth scrubby!

STEP 2: Cleanse - Extremely Pure and Detoxifying - 118ml - $50 -this was my favourite product out of the three - it did an excellent job of cleansing my skin without stripping it and I love the botanical smell!  It did a great job of removing makeup (other then eye makeup) so it was suitable for both day and night.

STEP 3: Repair - AM/PM Nourishment - 60g - $100 - full of all kinds of anti-wrinkle and skin firming peptides as well as algae and green tea extracts, Vitamin A & E which combined are meant to increase skin firmness, diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles and nourish skin.  This is quite a rich skin which can be used day and night but because I was using it during warm weather, I found it too heavy for day and just used it at night - during the winter though I think this would be a great day cream too.

If you are looking to pare down your skincare routine, this isn't a bad choice - I used the products for 2 months and I did notice that the texture of my skin was very nice and smooth, my fine lines were also improved (as they will be when you use any good quality cream) but I didn't notice any change to my pore size - to be fair, I'm not pore obsessed and don't find them particularly large to begin with!  Other then the scrub, I would totally recommend these products for daily use!

If you aren't looking to streamline your routine but would still like to try the LANCERx line, don't worry, there are lots of other products available to compliment these ones!  You can check out: www.lancerdermatology.com to view the whole line or purchase these products.

Do you remember the Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Night Cream that came out a couple of years ago that was impossible to get your hands on because always sold out?!  Building on its success, Olay has added a serum and a cleanser to the line:
Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Serum - 50ml - $39.99 - a super concentrated serum which contains Olay's hightest level of amino-peptide - it helps to visibly improve the appearance of skin across the face and neck for firmer-looking skin after five days - suitable for all skin types.  The best part of this serum is the way it feels on the skin - it's super silky!  Combined with the massage technique I've laid out for you below, my skin really does feel softer and look better!

Olay Regenerist Micro-Purifying Foaming Cleanser - 200ml - $14.99 - if you want a deep cleanser then you've come to the right place:  this one is meant to purify the skin for an ideal clean and to help prepare skin for Regenerist moisturizers and treatments. This did a great job of removing my face makeup which is unusual for a foaming cleanser so I'm on board with this one!

We were excited to be invited to an event last month for the launch of the new Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Serum.  The highlight of it for me was watching the demo by celebrity facialist Anastasia Achilleos as she showed us her three step massage routine.  Anastasia informed us that our skin is begging us to be touched and that most people just slap on skin products touching our skin in the process as little as possible. After trying her technique for a week, I have to admit that I could see a visible difference in how much more alive my skin looked.  It makes sense, massage is good for circulation and having good circulation makes your skin look better!  Facial massage is now a regular part of my routine, no matter what product I use it with!

Here is Anastasia's three step massage routine, I highly recommend you try it!

Step 1: TAP
- Pump two doses of Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Serum onto your fingertips.
- Warm gently using circular movements and then, to a thoroughly cleansed and dried face, apply to the forehead and tap firmly over the entire area.
- Then move your fingers to the eye contour area and pat the serum in a full circular motion. Now move fingertips up to the bridge of the nose, across to the cheeks and out to the ears - tapping firmly as you go.
- Move across to the lips and then down to the chin - tapping all the time.
- Finally cross hands over and pat the serum onto your neck and decolletage.

Step 2: PRESS
- Repeat the pattern across your face starting at the forehead but this time gently press and hold for 3 seconds - allowing the skin to absorb the serum.
- Move to the eye area and repeat the press and hold pattern, then to the cheeks - and then finally move hands to the important aging zone - the decolletage - and press and hold while you count to 3.

Step 3: SWEEP
- Apply and warm one further pump of serum to your fingertips and place them on your forehead.
- With circular movements, sweep upwards on the forehead and then sweep around the entire eye area, holding on the areas where fine lines are a concern.
- then move up to the bridge of the nose and down to the mouth. At your chin, cross hands over and sweep out towards the back of the neck and then forward across the decolletage and down as far as the breast bone.

I started breaking out on my chin this week which annoys me to no end and got me thinking about great acne products - and our fabulous contest (which you can still enter, the link is at the bottom of this page!) - which made me decide to tell you about the other Neutrogena lines that could be good for my chin - and yours!

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Line - contains MicroClear - a proprietary technology that blends oil-dissolving agents, acne-fighting salicylic acid (2%) and soothing botanicals - but the best part is the smell, my very favourite scent of all - Grapefruit, that is my very favourite colour - Pink!  This is not my regular cleansing line but it is my husband's and I must admit to raiding his bathroom on occasion just because I love the smell so much!  Here's what you can find in the line:
Facial Cleanser - 177ml, Foaming Scrub - 125ml or Body Clear Body Wash - 250ml all for $10.99

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Redness Soothing Line - contains the same MicroClear technology as above as well as 100% naturally derived Aloe and Chamomile extracts to help soothe skin made red and sensitive by acne.  Just looking at the lovely green colour of the wash makes me (and my skin) feel calmer!  Here's what is available:
Cream Cleanser (rich and creamy) - 177ml, Gentle Scrub - 125ml and Facial Cleanser - 177ml all for $8.99
And of course don't forget about the Acne Stress Control line which there is still time to enter to win - check it out here!

I don't believe in spending a lot of money on a cleanser.  Since it's not going to be on your face for very long, and it's main function is to lift dirt and makeup residue off the skin, I very much doubt that there's anything to be gained from using a spendy one.  Thus, my requirements for a cleanser start with a reasonable price point, and finish with effectively removing dirt and not stripping the skin of moisture.

This Good Skin Soft Skin Creamy Cleanser is a fairly simple product despite its long name.  At £8 for 200ml, it's definitely reasonably priced.  Its minimalist, clean looking packaging looks more expensive than it is, and is very portable - a secure fitting cap and a locking pump go a little bit further than you might expect for the price.

Texture wise, this is your average light cleansing lotion - it's smooth and emollient, but also relatively thin in consistency.  It also has a very light scent, which borders on being not there at all, which I really like in a cleanser.  Four or five pumps results in a fifty pence sized puddle in the palm of my hand, which is plenty to cleanse the whole face.

I've been using this for about four months after an oil cleanse and find that it is very effective in removing any residue and loosened dirt.  Used alone without an oil cleanse, I found that I needed two passes to adequately remove my (admittedly heavy) facial makeup - and it really struggles with long wearing eye makeup, in particular mascara.  So unless you're a fan of a more lightweight makeup approach, you might find this to be a bit of an underperformer alone.  After use, I found that my skin felt soft and smooth, and not at all stripped or dried out.

All in all, this is a very effective cleanser for the money - so long as you're not expecting it to clear a full face of slap all on its own.  I've been impressed by how long the bottle has lasted, and while I've not been totally blown away, this is one basic I'd probably repurchase.  If you'd like to try this for yourself, you can get it for just £6 from CheapSmells.com.  I found mine at Bicester Village in the Estee Lauder CCO, which had a good selection of the whole range at a decent discount.

Have you tried the Good Skin range?  Do you think it's worth spending or saving on a cleanser?

Cleansing oils have become terribly fashionable in recent years.  Personally, I reckon it's partly to do with the rise of long wear makeup products - stubborn mascaras, lip products, and foundations are often best removed with oil.  Oils are also a great way of cleansing the skin without stripping it of moisture, which marks a welcome departure from high alcohol, harsh cleansers which I know I used a lot in the not too distant past.

Anyway, I digress.  I've been a cleansing oil fan for a few years now - not least because I love a long wear eye product - and so when Muji released their skincare line, and I discovered that one of the products was an oil, I had to have it.  With a base of olive and jojoba oils, it contains no mineral oil, and is relatively inexpensive - £9.95 for a 200ml bottle.  Compared to more expensive oils from Shu Uemura and Nude, this is a bit of a bargain.

A couple of pumps massaged into the face effectively loosens stubborn makeup and leaves the skin feeling clean and soft; the oil emulsifies with water a little bit, but not as much as other oils I've used in the past.  It rinses away cleanly, and although the skin is left mostly clean, one application of this isn't really enough for a proper cleanse, as some makeup residue is left behind.  Two applications is absolutely fine, however, removing all the visible makeup and dirt from the skin.

I really like the packaging, which is simple and clean, as you'd expect from Muji, and comes with a neat little clip that prevents the pump from operating, which makes the bottle very portable.  One thing I'm not quite so keen on is the taste.  That might sound a bit weird, and I promise I've not been eating it - but a tiny amount might have strayed between my lips when I've been removing lip products, or some residue might have been left behind on my lips post cleanse.  The taste is very bitter and horrible, which isn't exactly strange for a beauty product (it's hardly a drink!), but it was very noticeable - and this isn't something I've found with any other oil in the past.  Conversely, there's absolutely no scent; it smells mildly oily, but has no perfume.

All in oil (hee hee) this is a very serviceable and effective cleansing oil at a pretty decent price.  I'll be buying it again (and keeping my mouth tightly shut whilst using it).  If you'd like to try it for yourself, you can pick it up from Muji stores, or online, at the cost of £9.95 for 200ml.

Disclosure - this is a PR sample. We were sent a range of items from this line.


Gemma didn't get on with the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser when she tried it in the past (due to breakouts). So it fell to me to assume testing duties for the Liz Earle range when we were sent a batch of goodies a month or two back.

My first impression was excellent, due to the care with which the items were packaged and the amount of information we were given to support our review. Obviously this is a marketing/PR rather than a retail experience, but if regular customer service is at a similar level, buyers can expect very lovingly-wrapped packages. (EDIT - I've been informed that the packages for customers and reviewers are made up by the same people, so you will get the same 5* treatment we did. )

Cleanse and Polish has been frequently compared to Eve Lom's famous balm-like cleanser. There are several botanical extracts common to both, including eucalyptus, chamomile and hops. But in terms of the finished products, they're pretty different. The fact that they both involve using a muslin cloth for removal is the main similarity. (And both are cleansers, but as we know, there's a world o' cleansing options out there from soap to scrubs.)

Instead, the product on my shelf I'd be most inclined to compare this to is Ponds Cold Cream (which I really like). Both are opaque, white creamy products that are applied liberally all over the face including the eyes, massaged on and then removed with a wet cloth/flannel.



Liz Earle's cleanser has a lighter texture than Ponds, and more botanical ingredients. It's also free of mineral oil, which a lot of people choose to avoid (and which is a major component of the Ponds). It's more expensive, but then so are the ingredients.

So far so good. The packaging of the Cleanse and Polish (and Liz Earle's brand in general) is dominated by a pale mint green colour, which is reflected in the colour on the edge of the muslin cloth (two are supplied with the 100ml C&P starter kit, £13). The tubular bottle has a great pump dispenser, which hygenically releases a suitable amount of product at the press of a button. Ergonomic packaging seems to be a strength for Liz Earle, e.g. the fantastic twist-top bottle of the accompanying toner (Instant Boost Skin Tonic).

Eucalyptus is definitely in the ascendancy with C&P. When I came to apply the product for the first time I was quite taken aback by how strongly mentholated it smelled. It's a testament to this brand's reputation that I was actually prepared to put something that smells like Tiger Balm or Olbas Oil on my EYELIDS.

Needless to say it has no negative mentholy effects on delicate tissues (otherwise you'd have heard about it much earlier in the review!) but it does smell quite strongly, which may affect the experience for some people.

As with Eve Lom's cleanser, the hot cloth removal process is very satisfying and leaves the skin with a very fresh, cleansed feeling. The additional step of the Instant Boost toner is a welcome one and makes the clean feeling even better, but I'd be happy to use the C&P alone as I think the muslin cloth step is enough if done thoroughly.

I had no trouble with breakouts using C&P over a few weeks, and it did remove makeup very effectively also. I wouldn't repurchase, however, as the scent of eucalyptus is way too strong for my taste, but if you like that kind of smell, I recommend trying this, especially as it won't break the bank at £11.50 for 100ml.

You can buy Liz Earle direct at lizearle.com or via QVC. It's also available in branches of John Lewis and at the Liz Earle London and Isle of Wight stores.

Now I love my Clarisonic with the fiery passion of a thousand suns, and with little provocation I'll become quite verbose on the subject!  Needless to say the conversation usually ends with people wanting to know how much it costs and when I say $200, most of them are shocked! I totally get that most people do not spend money on beauty the way I do so I set out to see if there were any comparable alternatives to my beloved Clarisonic, but without the hefty price tag and I found two:


Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System - $34.99 -  includes: Olay Professional Pro-X Two-Speed Facial Cleansing Brush - a handheld two-speed, rotating brush that delivers daily deep cleansing and gentle exfoliation; 20ml Olay Professional Pro-X Exfoliating Renewal Cleanser - fragrance-free lathering microbead formula designed to purify and renew skin’s texture for refreshed, smooth skin; one replaceable brush head attachment; and 2 AA batteries.  The system is easy to use, dampen facial skin and brush head lightly with water. Dispense Olay Professional Pro-X Exfoliating Renewal Cleanser in hands and massage over face, then turn on the brush and gently move around the face for approximately 60 seconds, avoiding the eye area. After cleansing is complete, rinse face and brush head with water.
Brush refill is $12.99

I would love to see Olay come out with different brush attachments such as a softer one for sensitive skin!
Neutrogena Wave Duo Power-Cleanser - $15.99 - includes: Power-Cleanser Attachment Head, 2 weeks supply of pre-dosed; single-use pads; and 1 AA battery. The system is gentle enough for daily use and has 2 speeds: Speed 1: with a gentle massaging action that removes dirt, oil and makeup; and Speed 2:  for deep pore cleansing with deep vibrations to help foam clean 10x deeper for when your skin needs the extra boost. It's very easy to use and even water-resistant for use in the shower: Simply attach disposable pad to attachment head; hold power-cleanser under water to activate pad; and turn on and gently massage over face, avoiding eye area.  Rinse face and dispose of pad after use. Pre-dosed, single-use textured pads gently sweep away layers of dead skin cells to reveal noticeably smoother and softer skin after only one use.
Refills are $10.99

The eco-friendly part of me doesn't love the disposable aspect of this product but it will make my life so much easier when traveling!

Clean FX Make-Up Cleansing Mousse by Cover FX - 150ml - $24 - has an instant foaming action that cleanses, hydrates and tones skin while removing eye and face makeup even including long wearing and water resistant kinds - stay tuned for more on this when I post about my visit to the Cover FX Drench the Skin You're In Event - but if you have sensitive skin you'll want to have a look at this, it's super gentle!
Clarins Instant Smooth Self Tanning - 30ml - $35 - a true skin perfecting product which conceals, smoothes and tans, 24h a day, all year round for a fabulous sun-kissed glow. With a silky, melting texture to ensure easy application it instantly smoothes, mattifies and gives your skin a subtle golden glow. The scent has peach and almond notes to disguise the usual self tanner smell and it's lightly tinted to ensure accurate coverage.  The texture really is lovely and I'm going to be reviewing this product so you can see how well it does on a pale face like me!
Burberry Sport Ice - 50ml EDT for women - $72 - a sparkling duet of fresh ginger and frozen mandarin coupled with transparency of ice crystals. 50ml EDT for men - $68 - an icy citrus blend coupled with the freshness of ice and frozen ginger. Both fragrances are limited edition to celebrate the 1st Anniversary of Burberry Sport.  I like the way both of these smell and I especially like the men's, it smells very clean and sporty to me like a really hot looking polo player!
Rimmel Glam'Eyes Day 2 Night Mascara - $10.99 - I think this is really interesting looking and much like the Bourjois one that came out last year.  Also a great space saver if you like to use both a lengthening and voumizing mascara!
Rimmel Glam'Eyes Mono Eyeshadow - $5.49  
Rimmel Glam'Eyes Quad Eyeshadow - $8.99 - I have been waiting for my Shoppers to get these in for awhile and they are really pretty!  I also had a hand full of swatches and the colour payoff on most of them is great!  This blue one especially caught my eye... I'm such a sucker for blue eyeshadow!
DKNY Be Delicious Juiced - has top notes with bright fruits of mango and pear blossom; a heart dominated by green apples surrounded by vibrant floral bouquet of lily of the valley, peony and violet; and a base of creamy woody notes like cedar and white amber  Fresh Blossom Juiced - has top notes of pink grapefruit, blackcurrant, freesia and passion flower; a heart of apple blossom, lily, rose and sweet pea; and a base of rosewood, vetiver and white musk.- 50ml EDT - $62 - Body Lotion - 150ml - $44

They didn't have testers yet so I haven't smelled them yet but they sound yummy!

L'Oréal Infallible Le Rouge Lipcolour - $12.99 - luxurious, comfortable and long-wearing that stays fresh and vibrant looking for up to 10 hours without feeling sticky, tacky or dry.  Enriched with Vitamin E for moisture and Ceramide 5 for conditioning it applies evenly on lips and feels completely natural without flaking or fading out.



In lots of pretty colours (30 to be exact) in shades of red, pink, nude and brown to make it easy to find your perfect colour: Unending Kiss, Perennial Pink, Beyond Blushing, Enduring Pink, Forever Fuchsia, Satin Rose, Eternal Rosé, Intensely Mauve, Tender Berry, Charming Lilac, Charismatic Coral, Perpetual Peach, Always Apricot, Ravishing Red, Refined Ruby, Everlasting Plum, Blazing Sangria, Mesmerizing Merlot, Persistent Plum, Bold Bordeaux, Opulent Organza, Forever Frappe, Lingering Mocha, Rich Topaz, Infinite Spice, Resilient Raisin, Unending Amber, Brazen Bronze, Molten Caramel, Java Jolt - stay tuned for swatches!

Olay Total Effects Line & Dark Circle Minimizing Brush - $29.99 - features a smooth brush applicator that instantly provides tinted coverage and continues working to help fight seven signs of aging for younger, brighter-looking eyes: immediately reduces the appearance of dark circles; reduces the look of wrinkles; combined with massage, instantly reduces the look of puffiness; hydrates for firmer skin appearance; visibly renews skin texture; helps even skin tone; and provides nourishing moisture - this is freaking brilliant, I don't know why someone didn't think about doing this sooner! The brush is a great applicator, but I also found that I had to rub it in with my finger, to distribute it evenly - I normally use an undereye illuminator to hide darkness but I like it so much better with a little moisturizer thrown in!
Kibio Gentle Creamy Cleanser - 125ml - $18 - 99.8% natural and 66.8% organic - suitable for all skin types, it hydrates, nourishes, refreshes and soothes the skin - contains: cotton extract - which are rich in protein content and offer skin-smoothing and soothing properties; organic orange flower floral water - for it's calming, soothing and fragrant properties; jojoba oil - hydrates, nourishes and helps preserve soft skin and is also rich in vitamin E known for its anti-aging properties; and organic sweet orange essential oil - for radiance.
göt2b Powder'ful - $7.99 - styling powder that gives you volume in just 10 seconds.  Part the hair to expose the root, sprinkle the product, massage to the root and start on the next section of hair.  Perfect for amplifying fullness after blow-drying or building body in next-day hair. As a fine haired girl, I can't tell you how hard it is to find a volumizing product that doesn't weigh your hair down and a powder is perfection!  If you've been eying volumizing powders but haven't leaped because of the salon prices, this is your lucky day!
Rihanna Reb'l Fleur - 50ml - $59 - The fragrance is a fruity chypre, composed of sophisticated floral notes: tuberose, violet and hibiscus, with a splash of coconut water, over the light and smooth base, the combination of the final notes evokes the impression of warm skin. It took me a minute to realize that the bottle is designed to look like the heel part of a high heel shoe - there was no tester so I couldn't smell it, so you tell me if it's good!

Nip + Fab is the new skincare line created by Maria Hatzistefanis - the founder of Rodial, and I'm pleased to tell you, Nib + Fab is a lot more affordable then Rodial is!

It's a clinically tested range for the face and body that delivers 11 targeted treatments and are crammed with breakthrough natural and technologically advanced skin smoothing, boosting and firming ingredients.  Here's what's in the lineup:


Clean Fix Facial Cleansing Oil - 120ml - $11.95 - a multi-purpose 2-in-1 cleanser and make-up remover that gently removes daily dirt, grime and all traces of make-up, even stubborn mascara.  Enriched with skin caring essential oils including neroli oil to soften and rejuvenate the skin and calming mandarin for it's purifying, decongesting properties - it cleanses without disrupting the skin's natural balance.
Scrub Fix Facial Polish - 50ml - $13.95 - a triple action facial micro-exfoliant that exfoliates, stimulates and gives your skin a natural glow.  Contains bamboo micro-particles to refine, polish and maintain moisture levels, salicylic acid to resurface and brighten the complexion and plant-based polysaccharides to renew and decongest.
Moisture Fix Facial Daily Moisturiser - 50ml - $19.95 - specially formulated with hyaluronic acid filling spheres which bind up to 1000 times their weight in water to visibly fill and plump the skin, noticeably smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.  Contains grape seed oil for its mild astringent qualities to help tighten, tone and improve the sin's elasticity, meadowfoam seed oil to help fight the signs of aging and protect against everyday environmental stresses as well as jojoba seed oil, evening primrose oil, rose hip oil, glycerin, lanolin and mica.
Lip + Nip Fix Healing Multi-Purpose Balm - 15ml - $9.95 - a rich, soothing, healing balm that is perfect for use on the lips, nipples and any other dry damaged area of your skin.  Contains pure lanolin, renowned for its ability to prevent moisture loss, repair the skin's natural barrier, protect against environmental aggressors, soothe irritation and it has hypoallergenic/bacteriostatic properties.
Eye Fix Brightening Concealer - 2ml - $11.95 - 2-in-1 eye cream and concealer in a twist pen form that is enriched with hydrating, plumping hyaluronic acid, softening glycerin and cucumber extract to reduce the appearance of puffiness.  Also contains light reflecting particles to hide imperfections and dark circles.
Shower Fix Cleansing Shower Oil - 200ml - $15.95 - enriched with gentle oils which cleanse, nourish and protect the skin's natural moisture balance and toning as well as mandarin renowned for its ability to activate circulation and refine fine lines.
Multi-Fix Oil Skin Healing Oil - 100ml - $14.95 - contains bio lipids to target scars and stretch marks, borage oil to nourish and moisturise, safflower oil to replenish and soften and blackcurrant seed oil renowned for its brightening and lightening properties.
Cellulite Fix Body Sculpting Gel - 150ml - $19.95 - contains CellActive - SHAPE - a complex enriched with a powerful combination of Indian forskolin, natural caffeine and the Essential Cell Boost-Factor to activate fat breakdown, promote the removal of waste substances and improve tissue firmness.
Bust Fix Plumping Treatment - 100ml - $17.95 - a high performance bust serum to visibly plump, smooth and firm the skin around the bust and decollete - perfect for skin which has lost its elasticity.  Contains CellActive - FORM - a plant-based complex of active ingredients which support the natural process of lipid deposition, lending fullness to the bust, it will reshape the contours of the cleavage area to optimally accentuate.
Dry Leg Fix Instant Leg Smoother - 100ml - $12.95 - an intensive balm to immediately smooth dry, flaky skin and nourish with a moisturising and restructuring hydra concept called Aquaxyl - which boasts scientifically substantiated benefits to improve the water reserves in the skin, limit water loss and visually improve the surface of the skin.
Tummy Fix Daily Ab Toner - 100ml - $19.95 - to help tone, smooth, tighten and slim the tummy area. Created with a revolutionary formula AmaraShape - a highly effective combination of fat burning actives to refine body contours such as waist, thighs, buttocks and hips.  With active substances of caffeine and synephrine - which both activate the breakdown of lipids in fat cells of the body fat tissue.

Check out your local Shoppers Drug Mart to get your Nip + Fab fix!

I was able to pick up one of the Eve Lom travel sets during the Space NK January sale at half price (£25 as opposed to £50). Brassic though I was after Christmas, I decided (with my messed-up product addict logic) that this was a great opportunity. I had been curious about the cult Eve Lom cleanser for some time, so was especially happy to see that a 30ml jar of it is part of the set, along with the famed muslin cloth.

It's likely if you're reading this that you already know how this sort of cleanser is applied and removed; the cleanser is massaged onto dry skin, then the cloth is dampened with warm water and used to remove the cleanser. Along with it comes any dirt and excess oil/dead skin cells/general face-entropy.

Eve Lom's cleanser comes in a screw-top jar, into which you must dig your fingers to remove product. (Often a mode of packaging that people think of as unhygenic. Provided hands are clean, I don't personally mind it.)

The cleanser is thick, golden in colour and has a slightly gritty exfoliant-like feel to it. Once applied and massaged in, the gritty particles seem to dissolve. The texture generally is quite oily. I have read a few reviews that complain of the high price of the cleanser (around£50 for 100ml) being unjustified since the chief ingredient is mineral oil, which is quite cheap to produce. I'm not someone who automatically balks at the presence of mineral oil in a product, but I think this may be a fair criticism.

The cleanser also contains four aromatherapy oils; hops, clove, eucalyptus and chamomile. After the cleanser has been applied, the instruction leaflet suggests leaving the warm cloth on the face for a short period to activate the oils on the skin and let them take effect.

Which brings us to the smell. Personally, I find the scent of this product very unusual, and I'm not sure if I like it or not. My first thought was that it smells like a dentist's surgery (probably the clove oil to blame for that - it's frequently used to ease tooth sensitivity). Combine the idea of that smell with the notion of fresh, almost minty eucalyptus, and beery hops, and you may be able to imagine it slightly.

The hot cloth process is very satisfying indeed. The weft of the muslin cloth is just right for removing every bit of cleanser and giving the skin a bit of gentle exfoliation at the same time. As a final step, dipping the cloth into cold water and then applying again gives an astringent effect that feels wonderful on the newly clean skin.

Overally I have very much enjoyed using this product so far and it has left my skin very clean and soft. It feels like a product I could rely on to perk up my skin at any given time, as well as remove makeup thoroughly. There is also a very enjoyable ritual quality to the hot cloth process. The leaflet enclosed with the kit outlines a facial massage you can do while the cleanser is on the skin, which added to the experience and is probably quite good for the skin and facial tissues as well.

My only qualm (besides the odd smell, which I think I could learn to like) is the price. If it were £15 per tub instead of £50, I would certainly buy it again. However at this price I'm unlikely to repurchase, unless I find another great bargain like I did this time around.

Oil seems to be a dirty word in some beauty circles but when the right type is used in the right place and at the right time, it can be the most wonderful thing ever!

Moroccanoil Light Oil Treatment for fine and light-colored hair - 100ml - $37.50  - It's alcohol free and absorbs very quickly while it adds shine and long term conditioning benefits without a sticky residue.  Apply a small amount through damp hair and style as usual.  I have been wanting to try Moroccanoil for ages but knew that the original formula would be too heavy for my fine hair - was I ever happy to hear that they had been listening and created a light version to combat this very issue!

It's sold in salons and you can check out the website to find the location closest to you - www.moroccanoil.com


shu uemura cleansing beauty oil premium A/O advanced formula - 150ml - $40 - suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin - if you have ever had trouble with your usual cleanser at getting all of your foundation, lipstick or eye makeup off, you will want to try this! The natural oils contained were specially selected to solubilize stubborn waxes and oils in waterproof mascara, foundation and lip colour as well as oxidized sebum, which accelerated the aging process.  As well, it contains green tea - an anti-oxidant and ginko leaf - to stimulate micro-circulation - extracts.  The only tricky part for me was learning how to use it correctly.  I am used to wetting my face and then rubbing in a cleanser but with this you smooth over a dry face and then wet your face to emulsify the oil.  Available at select Holt Renfrew stores.
Body Blitz Argan Oil Face Serum - 30ml - $65 - From Canada's first authentic water spa for women comes a line of products to give you the Blitz experience at home. All of the Body Blitz products are made with 100% essential oils and are free of parabens, artificial colours and detergents to reflect the company's on-going commitment to a healthy body and a healthy environment you would expect the product to feel less luxe and more granola - not so!  The serum is my favourite of the line and is made from 75% organic argan oil, organic olive oil, organic aloe vera, rose damask and organic lavender, not only does it feel good, it smells good too!

Not to worry if you aren't in Toronto and can't go to the spa to buy your products - Canada and US spa-ers can now buy the Body Blitz products online! Check it out at www.bodyblitzspa.com - if you are in the area and want to swing by you can find them at 471 Adelaide Street West - 416-364-0400 - and while you are at it, book yourself a treatment!

Argan Magic Nourishing Bath Oil - 236ml - $25 - naturally fragranced with orange blossoms and white rose petals which would make you think it would smell floral but there is also pomegranate, which gives it a wonderful fruity smell.  If you love to soak in a tub as much as I do you will love the way it soaks into every little bit of dry skin and makes it silky smooth!  If you want bubbles you can add a bit of bubble bath with it, I didn't find it changed how well it worked at all!  Available from The Shopping Channel - www.theshoppingchannel.com
Neutrogena Body Oil - 250ml - $12.99 - if you're more of a shower girl, your thirsty skin will appreciate this light sesame seed oil.  I find it works best if I apply it while my skin is still a little wet and I also love applying it before I go to bed to wake up to super soft skin!

What about you guys - are there any oils that you use that you can't live without?!