Reviews written by AlisonH

I bought this when I needed something to replace my usual cleansing milk. I love Lancaster's sun products, so decided to try more in the skin care range. Lovely soft texture, effective on all but heavy or 18 hour type make up. You may need to double cleanse for that....

I bought this along with the Hyaluronic Acid 2% +B5. The usual serums weren't doing much so I felt that switching to something a bit different might get some results. So far, so good. I haven't been using the retinoid quite long enough yet to be certain about its efficacy,...

I recently started using some of Deciem's The Ordinary products. I love the ethos behind the brand - effective, widely available, inexpensive ingredients without the massive mark up so common in the beauty industry. The formula is a thick, pearly liquid that absorbs quickly. Use it before water based serums...

Montagne Jeunesse overhauled their product range and rebranded, calling their new line "7th Heaven". They have a full range of facial masks (cream, sheet, peel off) and well as creamy masks for hair, treatments for hands, nails and feet and a men's range. They are not currently selling from the...

I normally really like Aveeno's body products. They are especially good during the Winter months when your body skin might be drier than usual. I can't say I got the same results with the body yogurt. The texture is different and it absorbs well, but for me, the lotions work...

With a good selection of colours and such a low price, this high shine lip colour is one to look at. I have no. 5 Pinata Pink, which is an intense pink-red. Wear it alone or over another lip product. I found applying it with a brush helped to control...

I was looking for a nice lash defining mascara in the colour brown. Amazing how hard it is to find a real brown mascara. Most are brown/black. This one works really well for me. The brush is medium roundness, so it may not quite work for you if your lashes...

This has a pearly finish on me, though it is marketed as metallic. A tiny amount goes a long way so the 15 ml bottle will last ages. I would patch test this before using on bare skin. I can use it over make up, not by itself as it...

I bought this mask through Latest in Beauty as a trial size. Oskia has been on my radar for a while and this was my first experience with one of their products. The mask is amazing. I've been having problems with hormones making my skin sensitive and prone to redness....

The Essano brand from New Zealand is new to me, so I was really pleased to have been chosen to try the Rosehip body oil. The combination of rosehip and pomegranate is a favourite of mine. If you find the usual lotions, creams and body balms aren't quite working for...

I love this artisan British eco-luxury skin care brand, based in Warwickshire. The Lime Blossom hand serum is something unique to the hand care market. Works beautifully if you have problems with very dry hands, dry or damaged cuticles and/or nails or if your hands are exposed to the elements...

I was sent this by L'Oreal for a trial. I generally stick to lighter formulas that give me good cover, but without the full on matte effect of Total Cover. Having said that, it does what it claims and camouflages well. I can't vouch for the claim about covering tattoos...

I love a bright lip and this shade, "Ruby", is a very wearable blue-red. On my fair skin it has a more pink tone which is flattering. The formula is hydrating and very silky feeling. It doesn't have the staying power of some of the non-mineral lipsticks, but I found...

I bought this when looking for something to help overcome excess dryness and dullness in my skin after the cold, dry weather in January. I got mine in TK Maxx, but the website posted (Baroness) is also a good point of purchase. I was really impressed with the immediate and...

I got a trial size of this with my last Clinique order and I love it so much, I bought the full size. My lashes aren't as thick as they used to be and this give them great definition and length. The formula doesn't clump, flake or smudge once dry....

I bought this for myself after Christmas when I decided I wanted something more portable than my loose powder. Korres Wild Rose compact isn't your grandmother's face powder. Made with wild rose oil as an essential ingredient, it helps to moisturise your skin, set make up and generally give your...

I bought the Smooth Seas conditioner to go with the Cool Dip Purifying shampoo and love it. You can use it with other shampoos or with the Cool Dip. Nice and lightweight, doesn't undo what the Cool Dip shampoo has just done i.e.: getting product build up out of your...

You don't have to be blonde to appreciate how well this shampoo works. John Frieda doesn't advertise it as a build up remover, calling it a "purifying" shampoo instead. But that's exactly what it does without harming your colour, if its colour-treated, or stripping your hair. Really adds lovely body...

I have only just started using this serum this week, but I'm already impressed with it. Its too early to judge how effect it will be on the small patch of pigmentation I have, but the overall brightness and clarity of my complexion on my face and neck is noticeably...

I always get great results with Joico's styling products, so decided to try their volumising shampoo after getting unimpressive results from several other brands. Works an absolute treat! Doesn't coat the hair shaft with anything, so your hair feels clean and lightweight. Very low fragrance too, so no scalp itch,...

There is an avalanche of serums out there and its exhausting trying to pin down just one or two that are both effective and affordable. I saw the Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum recommended on facialist Caroline Hirons site. Caroline calls a spade a spade, so if she is happy...

If you liked Pantene's AquaLight range, you will want to try Perfect Hydration. The formulation targets the driest areas of the hair to moisturise without weighing hair down. No greasy feel or look the day after either. I have been using it on my colour-treated hair which is on the...

I'm cautious when it comes to volumising mascaras. I love the formulas, but the fat brushes don't always work well for me. My lashes aren't as long or full as they once were, so I usually find skinny brushes are more effective. However I have never been let down by...

I have positive past experience with pomegranate in body products and can recommend them for drier and mature skins. The fruit is rich in vitamin C, vitamin B5, potassium and antioxidant polyphenols and is thought to help promote collagen production. Silk is a good description for this body lotion. The...

This has a lovely, silky texture with a low sudsing action (no SLS). Your skin feels clean without being dry and the gentle fragrance gives your shower a spa feel. I have several bath and shower cleansers, but this is the one I've been reaching for first!

I am at the age where my skin care is more about maintenance than prevention. Topically applied products can only do so much now. I have a good serum and day and night moisturisers, so I thought it could add something to my cleansing routine to make the former more...

I was sent this pretty palette from No7 and like others I've had from this brand, it doesn't disappoint. I love a good complexion palette and for Summer, something with a bit of shimmer is so flattering against a tan. The shimmer isn't fairy face, as I call it, but...

This is a product that came in a French beauty box I subscribe to. I'm finding as I get older, years of waxing and tweezing along with declining hormones have made my brows on the sparser side of what they used to be. I have dark brunette,...

This came in a French beauty box I subscribe to and was my first chance to try a product from this iconic brand. Well pigmented, absolutely doesn't budge once its on, not even on my somewhat oily lids. Definitely need a good quality waterproof eye make up remover to get...

My favourite brand of affordable eye liners. The No7 eye pencils are just the right degree of softness that makes them easy to apply, while still getting a well defined line. Good pigmentation and staying power. The sponge smudger at the opposite end of the colour works well and is...

I love the crayon trend in cosmetics for eyes and lips. You get the best of both worlds, with the ability to colour overall or simply define, in a single, easy to use medium that is also super portable. I don't know if Precious is still available...

I was sent this in a bundle, along with the 75 ml hand cream and 200 ml body balm. I've used Norwegian Formula hand creams in the past with good results, and the brand has a good reputation. This particular range markets itself as having "collagen boosting minerals" to help...

I have been using the Schwarzkopf Blonde Ultime hair colourant and lightening products and was really impressed with them. Based on that, I thought I would try the shampoo from the same range. This smells wonderful and cleanses really well without drying out the hair. There tends to be a...

Cream is lightweight and does absorb well, but that's about the only positives I can say about LIFTACTIV Supreme. The main ingredients seem to be anti-inflammatory i.e.: Rhamnose and adenosine, along with "optical brighteners". Nothing here that is ground breaking. I was sent the normal to...

I recently got this latest cream from Garnier as part of a beauty box I subscribe to. I'm used to heavier formulas, which seem to be the norm for mature skins. So this one is a nice change with its lighter texture. It absorbs nicely and my skin isn't greasy...

This is an update of my original review from February of last year. At that time I had some issues with the brand, due mostly I think to lack of information. Fast forward to July 2016 and I can honestly say this is one of the most impressive premium brands...

I'm a member of Proctor & Gamble's Savvy Circle. From time to time I am selected to trial products from P&G's extensive range and the Vidal Sassoon Salonist colour trial was one of them. I received four boxes of colour (and a nice thick VS towel), two blonde shades...

I was sent this item for review. The palette is well designed and lightweight, with a pretty gold-bronze finish. There is a nice large mirror in the lid and sturdy double ended brush. No foam applicators! The colours are perfect for nude and smokey eye looks, with the darker shades...

Max Factor has been my go-to brand for foundation for many years. The last one I truly loved from them was Second Skin, which has been discontinued unfortunately. I was sent Skin Luminizer to try and am really pleased with the results! The coverage is what I would call light-medium;...

While I'm not generally a fan of No7's mascaras, there are too many other better brands in the same price range, this one has really impressed me. Lengthens and volumises and on me, gives a bit of curl without using a lash curler first, with no...

I'm slowly working my way through a package of Bee Good skin care. I love their soft cleansing cream, so I expected great results from the cleansing water and it didn't disappoint. If your new to cleansing waters or want to switch to an organic brand, the Bee Good Honey...

I decided that for 2015 I was going to step out of my Chanel scented comfort zone and try some new fragrances. I got this 30 ml Petale Noir on sale, so thought if I didn't like it, I wouldn't feel like I'd wasted a chunk of change and could...

I got a 15 ml jar of this in a French beauty box I subscribe to. L'Occitane claim it "visible corrects" deep wrinkles and restores firmness. Furthermore it "helps diminish the appearance of wrinkles and maintain skin’s quality and smoothness, while helping even skin tone and relieve puffiness." ...

I got this eye liner as part of a monthly beauty box I subscribe to. Until now, I haven't been a big fan of eye liner, mainly because they were either too hard or too soft. This one from Arcancil Paris is absolutely perfect. Just the right degree of softness...

I'm a great believer in primer, especially since I'm not a big fan of foundation. A good primer should smooth over a multitude of minor complexion blips and make a perfect base for other products. It can also give you the option of wearing no foundation or very little. This...

This is my first try of the Ciate brand and overall my impression is favourable. The deep purple, which I would call "Raisin" in colour, is really flattering. The brush is long enough to give you quick, easy application. Two coats are advisable to get the full effect of the...

I had the opportunity to try this concealer ahead of the release date of October 1st. No7 have got an excellent product with this. The formula is creamy, blends easily and works anywhere on the face you want coverage, not just under the eyes. Works well on bare skin...

I discovered the Time Bomb brand just recently and was so impressed with this cream cleanser. The TAKE-OFF TIME cleanser is even gentler than Clinique's 7 Day Scrub cream, which makes it ideal for daily/twice daily use. Removes product easily (not suitable for removing eye make up though), rinses cleanly....

I saw this at the Rosa Rosa product launch in London last week. In a spray bottle, unlike most toners, this blend of floral waters really does moisturise, not just fling a bit of water on your skin to evaporate and leave it feeling even drier. I have been using...

This is the first face product ie: not for eyes or lips, that I have tried from MAC. Soft textured cream smooths out the complexion, making a good base for foundation. Works well over moisturiser alone to enhance your natural look. No problem so far with "beading" which is usually...