Brand Review: Dermalogica Normal/Dry Skin Kit

Dermalogica is one of the leading skincare brands worldwide among both consumers and professionals and I can understand why. A couple of months ago I ran out of everything all at once; cleanser, toner, moisturizer and eye cream. My plan was to go to Boots and pick up something new in Clinique or Elizabeth Arden as I was willing to invest a little more into my products. I was at the Brow Boutique getting my HD Brows done when I spotted these Dermalogica skin kits. I noticed this small box which included everything I needed and MORE! I asked the beautician, out of curiosity, about the Dermalogica brand and the products and she replied 'You will never use anything else again'. The great thing about the skin kits is that they're available for every skin type. It isn't a one size fits all. Everyone's skin is different and the same ingredients and form (cream, gel, milk, etc.) don't suit everyone. 

My skin can be quite dehydrated on my forehead and around my eyes but is normal elsewhere with a bit of oiliness on my chin. The beautician recommended the Normal/Dry skin kit for me as I'm not dry all over. With use of the cleanser, toner, moisturiser, cream exfoliant and eye cream, Dermalogica claim to hydrate, balance and restore the skin. The kit also came with two sachets; one of the Dermalogica PreCleanse and Skin Hydrating Masque. The bottles are travel size and are supposed to last for 30 days but I was told I could make them last a lot longer using small quantities of each.  I could not wait to get home and give them a try.

PreCleanse

This stuff is LETHAL (in a good way)! It literally melts any make-up, sunscreen, dirt or oil based debris off your face. I have never ever removed my make-up (including eye make-up) with such ease. Instantly, my make-up started to slide everywhere then once mixed with water it turned into a dirty, milky mixture. One rinse and nearly everything is gone. I have never experienced anything like it. I definitely plan on purchasing the full sized product because this makes the first part of your double cleanse a hell of a lot easier. I am yet to try this with waterproof mascara .. That could be the true test.

Special Cleansing Gel

I haven't used a gel cleanser in years so I didn't know what to expect. It lathers into a foam when mixed with water (like shampoo) and feels really nice and gentle. Sometimes with gel cleansers you'll find yourself being left with sticky residue on your skin but this isn't the case with Special Cleansing Gel.  When rinsed off my skin is left feeling squeeky clean and looking fresh.  My complexion instantly looks evened out and redness is reduced. Usually, my skin is crying out for some moisturiser but for once it is not left feeling tight or dry.

Multi-Active Toner

Firstly, I love how it comes as a spray. After you dry your face following your cleanse, spritz this on your face. It feels so lovely! It takes a few seconds to dry in but it's so refreshing and hydrating. Pores look smaller and skin tone is evened out. It also claims to prep the skin for moisture absorption which means the moisturiser applied after will penetrate better into the skin giving you the full benefits. The one bad thing about the Multi-Active Toner is the chemical-like smell, which doesn't bother me one bit but I know it may affect some people.

Gentle Cream Exfoliant

This is such a great product for dehydrated skin like mine and I can imagine it also being suited to sensitive skin. I tried a cream exfoliant for the first time during my year at college. I had a facial module every Friday and we were trained up on Matis products. I used the Matis Peeling Cream which is a non-abrasive exfoliant and works enzymatically. The Dermalogica Cream Exfoliant is very similar but not quite as drying. For those of you that don't understand, there are no exfoliating beads. You put this cream on a freshly cleansed face and leave it to work for 10-15 mins. The skin is left feeling smoother with skin texture being improved. Cell renewal is increased and dead skin cells start to shed. I have only used this product a couple of times since I bought the kits as I only exfoliate 1-2 times a week but I really like it and will continue to use it as part of my skincare routine.

Skin Hydrating Masque

I looove hydrating masks so I was looking forward to trying this. If, like myself, you suffer from dehydrated skin then this is what you need. Certain face masks can suck all the moisture and oil from your skin but this does the complete opposite and hydrates the skin. It contains 'calming botanicals and antioxidant vitamins' which restore moisture to dehydrated, dry or stressed skin. I use this or my Matis Hydrating mask 1-2 times a week and and dehydration lines or tightness is gone. This one in particular is so refreshing, like many of the Dermalogica products, and just adds to the amazing results their products give.

Intensive Eye Repair

An eye cream is a MUST ! I always use an eye cream as the skin around my eyes is very dehydrated (from wearing make-up and rubbing). An eye cream can also help with fine lines and wrinkles. I like intense eye creams and this does have 'intensive' in the name but unfortunately I didn't find it intensive enough. To be honest, it was just average and the only thing from the whole kit that I will replace with something else. I'll admit it does its job and relieves the tight dry feeling but I like something a little more intense and soothing. For now, I'm using my Ogra Avacado Eye Cream which I love!

Skin Smoothing Cream

The final step of my skin routine; MOISTURISE! We have come to the end where we lock in all that moisture and soothe and hydrate the skin. That is exactly what this moisturiser does as well as smoothing out the texture. It feels so light on my face and doesn't leave a greasy residue. It dries nearly instantly and leaves a matte finish.

Overall, I am over the moon with the results from the Dermalogica products. I feel they suit my skin perfectly. I was going through a bad phase with my skin as I was stressed out and tired. With the lack of sleep and bad diet, it was showing on my face. I was being left with marks from spots and they were not going away but now I'm using the Dermalogica Skin Kit I have everything I need. I love wearing no make-up when my skin is looking so good. I have been talking non-stop about the Dermalogica brand and it, as well as Ogra Skincare, is one of my new favourites. I would highly recommend the Skin Kits to anyone. It is even said to be great for acne. Even though the bottles are quite small, I've got a good 2 months out of them with some cleanser and exfoliant still left. A little really goes a long way with these products.

I bought the Normal/Dry Skin Kit from the Brow Boutique in Swords Pavillions for €33.50. Dermalogica is sold nationwide in numerous salons as well as online. I will be holding a GIVEAWAY on my Facebook page soon so keep an eye out for a chance to win a Dermalogica Skin Kit. Mwah!

Holly X

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My Top 5 Fake Tans

Anyone that knows me will know that I love , love fake tanning ! I have been since I was about 13 and have tried so many tans ! It has taken me a long time to perfect applying it ! I've experienced orange hands, dark body and white face, patchiness etc. ! In the past year I have tried some amazing tans and get asked so much what one I am wearing which is always a compliment ! I always feel a little better when I have that perfect golden glow ! I am not saying there is anything wrong with being pale , this is just my personal preference !

1. TanOrganic

It is all in the name ! 99% of the ingredients in this tan are from natural origin and 87% of the ingredients are from natural farming ! It has been awarded with the Eco Cert which is stated on the glass bottle ! This tan is fantastic ! It might not be for everyone as it comes in liquid form ( very watery ) ! There are two bottles ; one with a pump which allows you to spray the tan or one in which you can let the liquid drip out through a small hole on top ! After exfoliating the night before and after moisturizing knees , feet , elbows and hands , I began to apply this tan with a mitt ! Straight away I noticed the sweet smell of caramel and oranges ! I was surprised at how nice this tan went on and how it gives an instant glow ! You can see the tan when applying as it has a slight colour but as you rub it in it disappears and just leaves a light golden colour ! If you have missed a patch just grab a small bit of moisturizer and rub around the area of tan so it blends together ! This tan takes longer to dry than others because of the natural ingredients but on the plus side , it gives you time to work with it and this tan is also very moisturizing and leaves your skin nourished and feeling and looking healthy ! I left it to develop over night ( It says leave for 8hrs before showering ) and woke up with a gorgeous even golden colour ! It wasn't orange and looked so natural ! It also lasted me over a week looking as if I had just applied it ! I had never experienced this before ! I was amazed ! I would recommend to someone with dry skin to moisturize everyday to keep it looking fresh and even ! I loved it so much that I even wore it to a debs ( as shown below ) and on many nights out ! For those who like a super dark tan then this probably isn't for you as the colour is quite natural but I might have the one for you further on ! TanOrganic is an Irish brand and can be bought from most pharmacies , supermarkets and on their website ( www.tanorgainic.com ) for €19.99 ( 100ml bottle ) ! Tan Organic also have a number of products to help prep the skin before tanning and also to apply the tan ! You should definitely check them out !

Wearing TanOrganic for a debs !

2. Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan

Those following my blog have probably noticed I have mentioned this tan numerous times already ! I can't stress enough how good this is ! If I am ever in need of a quick tan or if I ever run out of my go-to tan ( which is Karora ) then this is the fake tan I use ! Cocoa Brown 1 Hour is a mousse so I recommend exfoliating and moisturizing feet , knees , hands , elbows and any dry spots on the body ! I always apply my tan with a mitt and never use my hands ! This tan gives an instant light colour so you can see any patches you may have missed ! You have a choice with this ! Whether you prefer a light glow , medium or dark tan , CB 1 Hour gives you a guideline in which you should follow to achieve your colour preference ! It recommends you shower after 1 hour to leave a light tan , 2 hours for medium and 3 hours for dark ! I usually don't bother washing the top layer off as I like to be dark but there really is no need ! This tan has green undertones leaving you with a golden colour without looking orange ! I have got many compliments whilst wearing this tan and definitely recommend it ! You will find this Irish brand ( Cocoa Brown ) in Penneys/Primark , pharmacies , supermarkets and online ( www.cocoabrown.ie ) with many of Marissa Carter's other tanning products !

I wore Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan on my Birthday as shown below !

3. TanTastic Self Tanning Gel

Okay this one mightn't be as well known but this use to be my go-to fake tan ! I used it for about a year and went through bottles of it ! I loved it but it is unbelievably difficult to get off and doesn't have the lasting power of others that I am currently using ! Apart from that this is an excellent fake tan ! It is available in liquid and a spray but I always used the gel formula ! Once again , after exfoliating and moisturizing those dry areas ( feet , knees , elbows and hands ) I would apply this with my mitt ! As this is a gel it is quite sticky and to be honest , it has that typical fake tan smell which may be a turn off to some but I didn't mind ! It has a colour to it so you can see where you are applying it ! It takes a while to dry and is quite sticky so I'd recommend loose clothing when allowing this tan to develop ! If you like a deep tan then it recommends two coats ! I usually left it overnight but it says up to 7 hours ! I always loved the colour it left ! It was always so golden ! If this tan hadn't have been so hard to remove then I would probably still be using it ! For €15 it was also quite affordable and the amount in the bottle lasts a long time ! Why not try it for yourself ? Available from pharmacies and on their website at www.tantastic.co.uk !

4. Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs

I think the majority of girls in Ireland have tried this infamous fake tan ! I much prefer developing tans but this is one instant tan that I do like ! For those that don't know , it comes in a spray bottle ( It can get quite messy ) but Sally Hansen has recently brought out a lotion too which I am yet to try ! It is different when compared to other instant tans because I feel it is more like a make-up for the body ! It says it is for legs but it works perfect all over the body ! When applied it gives you an instant colour and a smooth airbrushed look ! It also covers light blemishes , marks and scars ! Sally Hansen Airbrush legs , unlike other instant tans , is water resistant ! A lot of us have probably experienced the awful effects rain can have on fake tan ! This doesn't budge as easy and you might just make it through a quick shower of rain without it leaving you with streaks and blotches ! I went to Barcelona and I wore this all the time ( as shown below ) ! I was even in the pool and it only faded a little ! I couldn't believe it ! As this is practically like a make-up , I use to mix a small amount in with my foundation to darken it on a night out or if I was on holidays so my face and body would be the same colour ! It worked wonders ! Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs' colour range is very good ! It comes in light glow , medium glow , tan glow and deep glow ! There really is a shade for everyone ! This fake tan is also great to even out any blotchy tan and is a quick alternative to any developing tan ! I think it is so handy to have in case of a tan emergency ! Prices vary but start from around €9.99 depending on where you buy it ! You will find it in Boots, most pharmacies and supermarkets ! 

This is the best picture I have unfortunately ( Very old ) ! I am wearing Sally Hansen in Deep glow !

5. Karora Self Tan Mist in Dark/Bronzed Bombshell Tinted Self Tan Mist Medium/Dark

These are actually the same tan just different bottles ! The newer bottle ( left ) and the older bottle ( right) are both available to buy !

I have left the best for last ! This is my all time favourite fake tan at the minute ! It is amaaazing ! First of all , Karora is an Irish brand that have a huge range of botanical tanning products which moisturize the skin aswell as giving it a gorgeous glow ! This is the only one from the Karora range that I have tried but I am keen to try more ! I heard a lot about this so decided to give it a go and my God ! I was amazed ! This Self Tan Mist comes in a spray bottle but doesn't go everywhere unlike some tans ! I spray it onto my mitt and apply it after exfoliating and moisturizing the dry areas on my body including knees , feet , hands and elbows ! There is a light colour when applying the liquidy formula so you can see what you are doing ! It blends so easily when you use circular motions to apply ! This also has a gorgeous smell which is always a bonus ! Karora have used acai berry and argan to create this scent which is so much nicer than your typical fake tan smell ! This tan isn't sticky and dries quite quick leaving your skin feeling soft and moisturized ! It also leaves you with a gorgeous glow straight after ! It is recommended that this is left on up to 8 hours before showering giving it time to fully develop ! I usually leave it overnight and wake up looking beautifully bronzed ! I cannot explain how nice the colour of this tan is ! It has green undertones so it is not orange ! It is a natural looking brown shade which I can say , without a doubt , will flatter any skin tone ! Like TanOrganic ( as reviewed above ) it lasts so long ! After a week , my tan will look just as good as the day after I applied it ! I moisturize everyday to every second day so it helps on how long it lasts but this is by far the best fake tan I have ever used ! I can't wait to try more from the Karora range ! I have got asked so many times what tan I am wearing whilst wearing this and can't recommend it enough ! It is a little pricier than some of the other tans I have mentioned but it is worth it ! For 100ml bottle ( perfect for travelling )  , prices start from around €16 - €22 ! There is a larger bottle available also ! You will find Karora products in some beauty salons , pharmacies and on their website ( www.karoracosmetics.com ) ! 

Hope you enjoyed this post ! Plenty more to come ! Thanks for reading ! Feel free to drop me a message or comment at any time ! Mwah !

Holly X

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Christmas Haul (Part 2)

As promised here is the second past of my Christmas Haul ! Before I start I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has shared and liked the page ! It mightn't be much to some but I really appreciate it ! So on with the haul !

1. Inglot Freedom Shadow Palette 

If any of yous have been in any Inglot store then yous will know that when buying an eyeshadow , blush , bronzer or lip palette you can choose the colours and palette size yourself ! For eyeshadows the palettes can be 2 squares , 4 squares , 5 squares ( which I have as shown above ) or 10 squares ! They also do larger palettes going up to 40 squares ! Inglot have a huge variety of colours all varying in shade and finish ! Above is a picture of the palette my lovely boyfriend bought me for Christmas ! I chose the colours myself and have been searching for orange shades for a while now ! I have been dying to try the Inglot shadows after hearing great things ! I got a matte neutral base colour (355) , a shimmery goldy/peachy tone (AMC Shine 01) , a shimmery peachy/orange tone (15) , a bright orange colour (51) and a dark brown (421) ! I was so impressed after using them ! They blend so well and you can easily acheive the smokey eye look with eyeshadows that blend as well as these ! I will be doing a make-up look using these soon ! For €6 a square you really can't go wrong ! All together , including the palette , it came to €36 ! I love Inglot products ! They are of such good quality and reasonable too ! I will definately be returning to an Inglot store very soon to pick up a few things ! 

2. Real Techniques Brushes

 I have used numerous make-up brushes including Mac and Lancome but the Real Techniques top them all ! Firstly , I'm going to start off with the Core Collection ! 

These are brushes which I personally would only use for the face ! The set includes four brushes ; Buffing brush , detail brush , pointed foundation brush and a contour brush ! After using these for the first time I couldn't believe the results ! I used the buffing brush to apply my foundation and it was flawless ! When applying bronzer under the cheekbones , down the sides of my nose and across the temple I found that the contour brush did the job perfectly ! The pointed foundation brush is great to get into those tricky areas and the detail brush is just as good , whether its applying concealer to blemishes or defining the brows ! The bristles are so soft and feel gentle on the face ! The set also comes in a carrier case which is ideal for keeping your brushes together ! I got mine from cloud10beauty.com for €24.99 ! The official website ( www.realtechniques.com ) only ships to the US ! They can be found in boots and on numerous websites including amazon.com , iherb.com and ebay ! And while your at it why not have a look at the creator of the brushes' blog and tutorials ( www.pixiwoo.com ) !

Now I'll move on to the Starter Set !

I have been waiting to find eyeshadow brushes that I love and I have finally found them ! The Real Techniques Starter Set are amazing ! The set includes 5 brushes ; Base shadow brush , deluxe crease brush , a brush for pixel point eyeliner , an accent brush and a brow brush ! I apply my base colour or any colour that I put on my lid with the base shadow brush ! It always gives me an even , smooth coverage ! I use the deluxe brush for blending and it is fantastic ! It gives the best blending effect out of any brush I have ever tried ! Everyone needs one of these in their make-up bags ! I don't use the eyeliner brush for eyeliner but what I do use it for is setting gel liner with a matte shadow ! It is perfect for the job ! The brow brush is for applying powder to the brows or defining them with concealer ! In my opinion , each brush is what you make it ! Just because it is meant to do only thing doesn't mean it can't have multiple purposes ! This set also comes with a carrier case ! Like the brushes from the Core Collection , the bristles are so soft and are a joy to work with ! These brushes are brilliant and I would recommend them to anyone ! This set is €24.99 and I also got this set off www.cloud10beauty.com ! You can find them in boots , aswell as on amazon , ebay and iherb.com ! Real techniques have numerous brush sets available but you can also buy single brushes ! 

4. Fuschia Gel Eyeliner

Okay ! So anyone who knows me well enough will know how much I love eyeliner ! I have tried so many including gels , pens , liquids and pencils ! I love a thick flick of eyeliner every now and then and for me it is so important to find the perfect eyeliner ! I mightn't have found it yet but Fuschia's gel eyeliner is pretty close ! I have tried so many gel eyeliners but have found that all of them transfer onto my upper lid ! I love liquid eyeliners but I was determined to find a gel that worked for me ! I first heard of this when SoSueMe mentioned it as one of her favourites so when I was in Fuschia I decided to make a little inquiry ! I spoke to the girl working there and told her about my problem with gel eyeliners transferring to my upper lid ! She recommended I tried a matte eyeshadow over the liner to dry up the oils ! I decided to give it a go and guess what ? It worked ! I applied this with my Fuschia pointed eyeliner brush and it went on so smoothly ! Not just that but you can also wear it on your waterline as it is completely waterproof and I find it so much easier to fix if I make a mistake than liquid ! It doesn't dry too quick so you have plenty of time to work with it ! Fuschia's gel eyeliner comes in 6 colors ; Blackout , chocolate , peacock , blackcherry , ivy league and marcasite ! I bought it in the colour Blackout but will definitely be picking up a few of the others ! The eyeliner is €18.75 and the brush was €11 ! You can find these on their website ( www.fuschia.ie ) or in any Fuschia store ( E.g. The Pavillions , Swords , Dublin or Scotch Hall , Drogheda , Co. Louth ) ! Fuschia are an Irish brand so why not support local !

I hope you's enjoyed my Christmas Haul !

Thanks for reading ! Mwah !

Holly X

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