Clarisonic Mia 2: One Week Update

If any of you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you may have seen that I invested in a Clarisonic last week. I have been contemplating getting one for about two or three years now. I've heard amazing things about the cleansing tool from bloggers and YouTubers worldwide. The reason I hadnt invested in one sooner was down to the many doubts I had about the product. It is quite pricey so was it going to be worth the money? I had never used a cleansing brush. Was it going to be harsh? Would it damage my skin? My skin wasn't overly bad so did I really need it? I realised the only way I could answer these questions was to try it out for myself. 

Now, for those who don't know what the Clarisonic is, let me explain. The Clarisonic is a cleansing brush that claims to cleanse the skin six times better than hands alone. The brush uses a sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to deeply cleanse the skin. Clarisonic promise to transform your skin and even have a 90 day money guarantee. I like a company that are confident and can stand behind products that they really believe in. Clarisonic have a number of brushes to choose from; Mia, Mia 2, Aria, the Plus, the Pro and the new Pedi (for feet). 

I opted for the Mia 2. It's small and compact and easy to travel with. You have a choice of two speeds. Plus it was €50 cheaper than the Aria. I had watched a review on YouTube and it said it was a lot easier to use and handle due to the size. I felt it suited me perfectly. The Mia 2 also came in an array of colours to choose from which I liked. I chose the pink model and paid a total of €149 in Sephora, Spain. This included the device itself, a sensitive brush head, a protective travel case, a sample size of their Refreshing Gel Cleanser and a charger. I compared prices elsewhere and the Mia 2 seems to be €149 everywhere whether it be euros, pounds or dollars.

So over a week ago before I started using the Clarisonic my skin was good, and when I say good I mean nothing special. I have combination skin with an oily nose and chin, normal cheeks and I am quite dehydrated on my forehead and around my eyes. I have quite large pores on my nose and cheeks but very rarely would get blackheads. My pores usually look clean. I don't really get spots anywhere except around my chin and mouth. I have been using my Dermalogica Skin Kit for the past few months and my skin is a lot better than it use to be but I was hoping with my new Clarisonic, it would look its very best. To say I could not wait to use it was an understatement. I was so excited! Let's bare in mind I am a skin FREAK! 

The night finally came and I got to use the Clarisonic for the first time. I decided to use my Dermalogica Gentle Cleansing Gel with it as it has been what I have been using and I knew the Mia 2 required a cleanser that would foam with the brush. You must wet the brush before use and then with a limp wrist, move the brush in light circular motions. You are expected to spend 20 seconds on your nose and chin, 20 seconds on your forehead and 10 seconds on each cheek. The Mia 2 has a Timer which indicates when to move on. Honestly, when I first started using the Clarisonic I felt it to be quite rough and sore on my skin. I started to panic a little thinking did I just spend €149 on something which is going to tear my skin to bits. Worry not! I don't know if the brush was a bit stiff or if I was putting too much pressure on my face but it doesn't feel half as rough now. Despite the horrible feeling instantly, after my first use, my skin looked bright and healthy, my pores looked smaller and my face was smooth and soft. I couldn't believe it. I continued to use my Clarisonic morning and night (twice daily as recommended) happily going without make-up to show off my skin. 

I had heard of a lot of people going through the so called 'purging phase'. This sometimes occurs the first week or two after starting to use the Clarisonic. It's down to all the impurities, dirt and oil being pushed out of your skin causing you to break out. It doesn't happen to everyone and I thought I was getting away with it until a few days ago. I woke up with the biggest, sorest spot on the side of my mouth. I can't ever remember getting anything like this one my face. This was huge. Thankfully, it started to go down after a couple of days but at that stage I had broken out even more. I had a spot on my cheek where I never ever get spots and a few on my chin. If there was anywhere I was going to break out I knew it would be my chin. Strangely enough they aren't coming up to anything. They're just small bumps that are making an appearance and disappearing quite quickly. For the first time ever, I actually looked if I had mild acne on the right side of my face. I have also noticed some blackheads on my nose which I rarely get. I'm putting it down to the Clarisonic pushing all the gunk out. I'm really just hoping that it also gets rid of them eventually. 

 

On a more positive note, I have noticed a big change in the texture of my skin. Above I mentioned that my forehead was quite dehydrated. It consisted of fine lines, small bumps and a thick looking texture. I tried hydrating masks and exfoliating but nothing worked until I started using my Clarisonic. The skin on my forehead looks so much smoother than before. The small bumps are almost completely gone and the dehydration lines have vanished. I also used to get tiny blackheads in the crease of my chin which have dramatically decreased. I can't believe it and I'm really hoping that the results continue and these spots disappear FAST!

I wore a full face of make-up the other night since I started using the Clarisonic. Removing my make-up was going to be the true test for my Mia 2. I didn't want my brush head to be covered in foundation so firstly, I used some cotton pads and the Garnier Micellar Water to remove most of the make-up then I went in with my Clarisonic and cleanser. After patting my face dry, I always tone and more often than not, I see my make-up hasn't been thoroughly removed. The evidence is left on the cotton pad. Your face may look clean but god only knows how much make-up and dirt is trapped in those pores. After the use of my Clarisonic, the cotton pad was clean. Success! I was left feeling confident that I wouldn't be going to bed with any make-up left on my face and for someone who never goes to bed with their make-up on, this makes the job so much easier.

I have only been using the Clarisonic Mia 2 a little over a week. It is still early days and too soon to be giving a full review. I'm not 100% convinced this is good for my skin. Only time will tell. I'm not giving up just yet. I just thought it would be best to keep you up to date as I go along rather than trying to remember each week for a full review in a month or two. I'm excited to see how my skin looks in a few weeks. Stay tuned to the blog and I will have more updates on using my Clarisonic. For now, thanks so much for reading and if you have any questions don't be afraid to get in touch through one of the links below. Mwah!

Holly X

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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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Skin Essentials: Favourite Face Masks

Hi Guys! Hope you are all well. Are you all looking forward to Christmas? Because I am! It has to be my favourite time of year; the atmosphere, shopping, warm fires and cosey clothes. I love it all! I have to admit though I'm not a fan of the weather .. I am a skincare FREAK and the cold weather can have quite a bad effect on my skin. I'm sure a lot of you can relate. This results in our faces needing a little more TLC during the Winter months. My favourite thing to use on my skin to keep it looking and feeling healthy has to be FACE MASKS! These are something that I think a lot of people lack in their skincare routines but they can make such a difference. I went through a really bad stage when my skin was breaking out non-stop. I started using face masks twice a week and I've seen such a huge improvement in my skin since. I have a few favourites, all off which have their own benefits for tackling different problems. I have one for you all. Hehe!

Budget Buy: Montagne Jeunesse Sachets

These are so cheap and can be bought in just about any pharmacy. I have been using these since I was about 11. They were such a treat at sleepovers when I was young. The brand have a huge variety of masks combatting different skin problems, i.e. blackheads, dead skin, blemishes. They are available in peel off, wash off, fabric form, mud and non-drying. They also come in LOADS of different flavours. My favourite has to be the chocolate one (unfortunately they aren't edible...). This one involves applying a thick layer on the face and allowing it to dry before washing it off with warm water. They always make my skin feel soft and smooth. I also love the peel off ones. It's like all the yucky stuff gets pulled off my face and out of my pores. For under €3 per sachet you can't go wrong.

The All Rounder: Trilogy Mineral Radiance Mask

Is your skin in need of a deep cleanse? Well this could be the mask for you. I love, love, looove Trilogy products (I reviewed their Rosehip Oil here)! They use natural ingredients and I always see results. This is a mask I use weekly. I brush it on with a mask brush as its quite liquidy. I will warn you it smells a bit weird ... kinda fishy but nothing overpowering. I never leave it on for longer than twenty minutes. You will see that it dries slightly but in all the time I have been using this mask it has never left my skin feeling tight. This is due to Rosehip Oil which nourishes the skin while the Kaolin clay and Pohutukawa provide the deep cleansing action that they are known for. It washes off quite easily and you are left glowing. My face always looks and feels fresh and clean. I found that it also helps to dry out and get rid of spots. Irish model and former Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model contestant, Holly Carpenter, is also a fan of this mask. In fact, she's the reason I heard about Trilogy products in the first place. I would definitely recommend trying them! The Mineral Radiance Mask is quite inexpensive too, retailing at only €23.95.

Hey Big Spender!: GlamGlow Youth Mud Tingle Exfoliant

The infamous GlamGlow is the Hollywood favourite. There has been so much hype over this face mask. Bloggers and celebrities have been raving about it left, right and centre! It is said to be the secret to perfect skin. Do I agree? Meh... It's great and all but I think it's been slightly overrated! They claim to use the finest ingredients including volcanic rock and active green tea leaves (which you can actually see). The mask is quite thick and grainy as it has an exfoliant in it so I recommend taking care when applying. The grey mask will begin to dry on your face and you will see small spots where it has sucked out all the excess oil and impurities from your pores. Believe me, I was fascinated by this part! People say it tingles but I've never had this feeling... Once the mask was completely dry, it felt very tight. I rinsed it off with warm water, giving my skin a light scrub with the exfoliant in the product. My face felt squeeky clean and my pores instantly looked smaller. My skin was glowing and looked radiant. I was more than impressed after my first use but woke up to see the results didn't last and I had broken out quite bad. I assumed this was due to the gunk that had been pulled up to the surface by the mask. I tried it again a couple of days later to find my skin feeling dried out. I also broke out once again.. I came to the conclusion that this particular one just didnt suit my skin type. GlamGlow have since brought out a series of different masks suited to different skin types which I would LOVE to try.  My experience hasn't put me off completely. If you have very oily skin and would like to get rid of the likes of blackheads then I would definitely recommend this if you are willing to pay the price. The price tag for a 50g jar is quite ridiculous .. It is somewhere between €45 and €60 depending on where you buy which is quite expensive for a clay mask. It is possible to pick up a face mask just as good for half the price.

Natural Choice: OGRA Skincare Peat Face and Body Mask



Oh my God ! I have certainly left the best for last. I have never tried a mask quite like this. The Ogra face mask is made from 100% organic peat. It's completely natural so you aren't putting any harsh chemicals on your face which is always a bonus for me. It is pretty much like sticking muck on your face. It may sound unpleasant but you couldn't be more wrong. Your face may feel heated and you'll come out looking pink but this is due to the peat aiding with blood flow on the surface of your skin. Sounds strange, eh? Wait until you see the results. It will dry after about ten to fifteen minutes and is ready to be washed off. I feel like I have new skin everytime I use it. My skin is left glowing and pores are instantly minimized. It is soft and smooth to touch. The results last for days which is something I havent had with many face masks. And if it's not the face mask you are after you should definitely check out OGRA's other products (review to come). They are just FAB! I have even got others to try them and they were amazed. One of my favourite brands for sure and it's IRISH! I will warn you though this face mask is a little pricey at €59.95 but it is worth every penny. My absolute favourite! Highly recommend!

Have I convinced you to give one of the above masks a try? If I have, let me know what you think. I love hearing from you. Thanks for reading! Mwah!
Holly X

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Review: Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil

Recently, I have become obsessed with using oils on my face in place of moisturizer. I find they feel a lot nicer on my skin and have multiple benefits. Click here to find out more about replacing your moisturizer with a suitable oil. I have tried 'Carrier' oils such as Coconut, Sweet Almond and Argan oil along with using 'Essential' oils like Tea Tree and Lavender. (To find out what I mean by 'Carrier' and 'Essential' oils or to find out the differences click the link above) At the minute I am using Rosehip oil and I personally think it is amaaazing! It is by far my favourite out of all the oils I have tried.

I chose Trilogy's Certified Organic Rosehip Oil as it is 100% pure organic Rosehip oil which is a must when it comes to choosing an oil. You may pay a little extra but it is well worth it as the effects are ongoing when there are no harsh chemicals or ingredients. I have heard great things about Trilogy products from reviews online and with the likes of former Miss Ireland, Holly Carpenter, using their products. I was looking for a new oil to use so it was no wonder I was immediately drawn to Trilogy. 

This pure natural Rosehip oil claims to deliver all-over nourishment and repair for optimum skin health. It is also said to be highly effective on scars and stretch marks and other skin concerns such as dehydrated and ageing skin. Independent clinical studies show that Trilogy's Rosehip Oil helps improve the appearance of scars, stretchmarks, fine lines and wrinkles. The oil contains essential fatty acids which keep the skin healthy. This oil can be used anywhere but I like to just use it for my face. Since using this I instantly saw a difference in my complexion. Redness has been reduced and my skin always looks fresh after applying this. Any blemishes have faded and any spots come and go very fast. I suffer from large pores but since I started using this they have been hugely reduced as oil production has been balanced by using the Rosehip Oil. My skin feels and looks smoother. The oil is lightweight and I can't even feel it on my face. My skin never feels dry and at the same time never feels oily. I could rave on about this product forever as the lists of benefits are ongoing. All you need is 2-3 drops for your face. It might not seem like much but you will realise it is the perfect amount once applied. This oil soaks in quickly and doesn't leave a greasy feeling. There is a pleasant smell off this Rosehip oil. It is somewhat flowery but nothing overpowering.

Now the price may turn some people off but I assure you it is well worth it especially if you are buying organic. I would definitely recommend this to anyone. I paid €19.95 for a 20ml bottle in Boots which may seem small but it will last you a long time. If you fancy a bigger bottle it is also available in a 45ml bottle for €39.95. You will find Trilogy products on the Trilogy website (www.trilogyproducts.com), selected health shops, Boots and selected pharmacies nationwide. 

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed! Don't be afraid to drop me a message! Mwah!

Holly X

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Review: March's Powderpocket

If you haven't seen my review on last months Powederpocket or you want to find out more about the Powderpocket subscription service click here ! This months box had a great mix of beauty products for hair , skin and nails ! 

1. Herra Protect Hair Perfume

Herra Protect Hair Perfume is a finishing product for protecting and refreshing your hair ! This product is designed to protect hair against UV , pollution and air conditioning while locking in moisture while claiming not to leave the hair feeling weighed down ! It contains sunflower , olive and glycerin extract , this is also a hair perfume keeping your hair smelling delicious ! The fragrance was exclusively designed by Chanel's former house fragrance expert ! Herra is suitable for all lifestyles and all hair types ! Sounds impressive right ? The thing is I only got a very small sample of this product and by very small I mean the bare minimum ! I definitely wouldn't I got to test this product to its full potential but of what I had tried left my hair soft and smooth ! The smell was sweet and very pleasant ! I was quite disappointed with the sample size though as this product sounds quite impressive ! If you want to try it for yourself you will be able to purchase it exclusively at http://www.greatlengthsireland.com/ or at any Great Lengths Certified salon ( 136 nationwide ) for €29.50 !

2. Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Eye Mask

Shiseido's 15 minute express eye wrinkle mask claims to instantly reduces the appearance of visible lines and wrinkles around the eye and mouth area using Pure Retinol Micro-Infusion technology to treat skin quickly and deeply whilst smoothing away wrinkles and dryness ! The eye mask is also said to be highly moisturizing while making the skin look vibrant and youthful ! The eye masks contain Mukurossi Extract which switches off the wrinkle promoting enzymes that cause wrinkles to appear ! I received a pair of eye masks to sample ! I was so excited to try these as I have fine lines under my right eye from sun damage ! The masks are shaped perfectly to fit under the eye ! I applied these directly after cleansing my face ! Once I applied them I sat back and relaxed ! They felt so soothing that I didn't want to take them off but 15 minutes had passed and I had to remove them ! I straight away looked in the mirror to see if the appearance of my fine lines had changed and surprisingly enough they had ! The under eye area looked soft and smooth and dark circles had been reduced ! The lines also looked smoothened out ! It was as if they had instantly been puffed up ! I was very impressed with the results ! It is recommended to use twice a week for the best possible results but unfortunately I had only got the one packet ! I have no doubt that these would bring the promised results though because after one use I was quite pleased ! These are quite the investment at R.R.P. being €63 for a pack of 12 masks but if you are someone looking for a product to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines then it is worth a try ! Available from Debenhams , Arnotts , Clerys , Shaws , Harvey Nichols , Brown Thomas and selected pharmacies nationwide ! Also visit http://home.shiseido.ie/ for more information !

3. Jessica Brilliance Top Coat

Jessica polishes are worn by all the Hollywood celebrities including Rihanna and Juilia Roberts with over 300 colours to choose from ! Brilliance is an advanced new formula that speed ups drying time and adds a high gloss finish to your polish ! After applying my coloured nail polish I applied a coat of Jessica Brilliance Top Coat ! Instantly it left a smooth , glossy finish which I felt really improved the look of my nail polish ! It also dried quite quick so I wasn't left with messy nails ! This is a simple yet effective product which I will continue to use ! Available from http://www.frenchbeautyroom.com/ and leading beauty salons and spas nationwide ( R.R.P. €13.95 ) !

4. The Body Shop Shea Shower Cream

Yeah it's a shower gel ? But what is different ? This comes from The Body Shop's shea range containing creamy shea butter , Ghana's beauty secret ! This claims to leave skin soft and moisturized while leaving a divine scent ! When using this in the shower I was surprised at how little it lathered ! I presume this may be due to its ingredients ! After using this my skin felt soft and moisturized unlike sometimes when I use other shower gels ! The smell is delicious somewhat creamy with a scent of shea butter ( smells similar to vanilla ) ! I have never experienced such nice results from a shower cream so was very pleased ! As a bonus , The Body Shop is associated with fair trade so buying products like this help areas where the ingredients are produced ! To find out more about the shea range drop into any of ' The Body Shop ' stores nationwide or online at http://www.thebodyshop.com/index.aspx ! The Body Shop Shea Shower Cream's R.R.P. is €8.95 for 250ml !

5. Manicare 4 Step File & Shine

This nail buffer claims to give an ultimate high gloss shine in just four steps ! Each panel is labelled with a number ( 1 , 2 , 3 or 4 ) directing you in which order to use it ! 1 is a medium grit nail file which is used to shape the nail ! 2 is a fine nail file which is for smoothing the nail ! 3 is used to remove ridges from the nail and 4 is a buffer to help you achieve a high shine in seconds ! I have to admit this did everything it claims to do ! My nails were left looking healthy , discolouration ( from tan ) had been removed and they had a glossy finish ! The shape of the file made it a lot easier to use ! The file is plastic yet sturdy and is the perfect size to pop into your handbag or make up bag ! For €2.50 ( R.R.P. ) you really can't go wrong as a nail file is always something you will use ! Available from pharmacies nationwide ! Check out Manicare's other beauty products at http://www.manicare.co.uk/4-step-file-and-shine/ !

I was very satisfied with last month's beauty products and I am currently trying and testing the products which I received in this month's Powderpocket !

Thanks for reading ! Hope you enjoyed ! Mwah !

Holly X

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Cocowell Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Recently , I've become obsessed with Coconut Oil for a number of reasons ! You may or may not know of all the things you can use it for ! I use Cocowell Organic Extra Virgin Coconut oil for numerous things ! 

1. Coconut Oil is a healthy alternative to the likes of sunflower oil or cooking fat ! It can be used for baking , roasting , frying etc. and has numerous health benefits ! 

2. I use this every night to cleanse my face and remove my make up ! I take a small amount and warm it up with my hands allowing it to melt ! I then rub it all over my face and straight away you can see your make up being lifted ! I then grab some wet cotton wool and wipe the war paint away ! I repeat this process , rinsing my face in between , until all my make up has been removed ! I love using Coconut Oil because it contains no harsh chemicals and leaves my face feeling soft and looking fresh !

3. After cleansing my face at night I take a tiny amount ( a small amount goes a long way ) of my Coconut Oil and once again I warm it up with my hands ! I use this instead of a night cream ! It is so moisturizing and I love it ! I also found that marks or blemishes cleared up so much quicker ! If you have oily skin then I probably wouldn't recommend this as it can be quite greasy but can be used alone as an eye cream or just on dry patches ! I've even heard it helps eczema ! I find it a bit oily to wear during the day especially if I'm wearing make up as it isn't a great base but if you are not one for wearing make up or want to thoroughly moisturize your face then why not try some Coconut Oil !

4. You may have seen me mention this one in a recent blog post ( if not here it is : http://allthingshollyblog.blogspot.ie/2014/01/bargain-buys-healthy-hair.html ) ! Coconut Oil is great for your hair ! I use this at least once a month as a hair mask ! I scoop a small amount into a ramequin and melt it in the microwave ! I then rub it through brushed hair ! I recommend you wrap your hair in cling film or tie a plastic bag around your hair ( yes I know it sounds silly ) to trap the heat in ! The mask works a lot better when warm and won't be as difficult to wash out ! I usually leave it in overnight but its not necessary ! After washing it out I always find my hair to be left soft and silky ! My hair also feels moisturized and healthier than it was before ! 

5. Coconut Oil isn't just good for your hair ! It also keeps your eyebrow hair and eyelashes healthy ! I recommend melting it and using an old , clean mascara wand when it to the eyelashes or eyebrows ! You can also add a small amount of argan oil if you like ! I've heard that this mixture can make your eyelashes longer and thicker and will keep your eyebrows looking healthy and thick ! 

This is only a few benefits of Coconut Oil ! It is fantastic especially if you are on a budget ! I picked up a large tub ( 500ml ) for less than €5 in SuperValu and it has lasted me so long ! I can't recommend it enough ! Why not try yourself and see what other uses you can get out of it ? 

Thanks for reading ! 

Holly X

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