6 February 2011

Eve Lom moisturiser SPF 15

This could (whisper it) be my holy grail moisturiser. It's thick without being heavy, it has a pleasant, non-overpowering fragrance, sinks in beautifully to a matt but glowy finish, makes my make-up look about a million times better and most of all makes my skin look and feel soft and healthy, and perhaps (again, whisper it) even a bit younger! Plus it has an SPF - what is not to love?




I've been using this for a couple of weeks now and couldn't wait any longer to report - will update this review if anything changes but at the moment, my skin and I just love this stuff.

At £40 for 50ml it is by no means cheap, but for me it's worth every penny, and has inspired me to investigate some other items from the Eve Lom range. So far I've only tried the Rescue Mask which I wasn't blown away by despite the rave reviews it seems to get, however I do like the sound of the TLC Radiance cream and the Kiss Mix and have been meaning to try the cleanser as well for some time.

Do you have any Eve Lom recommendations?

5 February 2011

Essential measures #7 Batiste dry shampoo


I know I know nothing revolutionary here but actually this has revolutionised my haircare regime! I have very fine curly hair that tends to get oily if I go more than a day without washing. I also like to straighten and curl the layers that frame my face quite regularly with my GHDs - however due to their proximity with my oily skin these are also these bits tend to get even more oily! Batiste is an absolute godsend for those mornings when I haven't got time, or can't be bothered, to wash my hair. Just a couple of sprays (from a good distance, this stuff comes out like a bullet train!) and my hair is soft and oil free (you'll need to brush it through to avoid the talcum powder look). It's also great for when you want to add a bit of volume - I'm quite into a subtle backcomb at the moment and this provides fantastic root-boosting effect. And all this at the fantastically bargainous price of about £2 for 150ml. I know there are other more expensive dry shampoos on the market but when something this cheap is this effective I just don't even see the point of looking elsewhere. Love.

NB Batiste is currently on offer in Superdrug: 3 cans for £3.49, making it even more unbelievably bargainous!

Sisley Express Flower Gel Mask

Despite receiving Sisley's Radiant Glow Express Mask for Christmas, I greedily purchased the Express Flower mask when it popped up on eBay a few weeks ago, having been wanting to try it for a while.


I've used this mask a few times now, normally applying it at night.  It is kind of a tricky one to review as the effects are actually kind of hard to describe. You apply in a thick layer, leave for 3 to 5 minutes then simply blot away any excess - don't rinse (apparently this is so the plant extracts will continue their 'beneficial effects'). I have to say I love the convenience factor - you can just apply it then go to bed basically, without having to worry about rinsing, toning and moisturising etc.

Sisley describes this mask as 'hydrating, toning and firming' and according to the website it is designed for  dehydrated skin, which is why I think it doesn't work quite so well for me as it has for others - my skin is on the oily side, though I have had a few dry patches this winter. Whilst I do like it, I don't like it quite as much as I do the Radiant Glow express mask (reviewed here) which is probably in my top five products of all time.

The Express Flower mask feels lovely and soothing when you apply it, and certainly makes my skin feel moisturised. My skin the next day definitely looks healthier and more hydrated and a bit more rested (not sure about toned and firmed). However the effects are not quite as pronounced as the Radiant Glow mask, which really does do exactly what its name suggests. For me I would say the Express Flower mask is more of a treatment mask if that makes sense, something I'd use to give my skin a moisture injection rather than to give me a glow for a night out or special event (although the Sisley website does say the mask is ideal before an evening out to make the skin look 'rested'). The effects aren't quite enough to make me want to forego wearing make up, which the Radiant Glow mask frequently does, however I do think my make up looks better after using the Express Flower mask.

I'll certainly use this up, and it will be a nice treat for the rest of the winter when my skin is a bit dehydrated or stressed, but I think my skin is perhaps a tad on the oily side to see the real benefits of this so whether I'd repurchase I'm not sure. If you have skin that's on the drier side however, I think this would be a real treat.

Sisley Express Flower Gel Mask costs £72.50 for 60ml.