Paula's Choice Resist Hydrating Cleanser

Not all cleanser are created equal. Some would say it's just a cleanser so how fancy does it have to be. Well, here's the thing. If you have dry and sensitive skin it needs to be darn fancy. From my experience the majority of cleansers have a tendency to dry the skin out and leave it feeling like the Gobi desert. Therefore, anything that has hydrating in the name I am all up for. As such I decided to give the Paula's Choice Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser a go. Plus I heard only good things about it, so why the heck not. 

This is my first experience with Paul's Choice skincare. I got really intrigued by it, as it's cruelty-free, made in the USA, non-irritating and is liked by many around the world. I have to say that it can get a bit overwhelming trying to find the right product range for your skin, as there are so many to choose from. I decided to go for the Resist range which targets wrinkles and dry skin.

Paula's Choice Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser

Now the cleanser comes in a nice sleek bottle with a pump. Highly appreciate that. Plus you get a generous amount of product (190ml). It claims to be non-foaming with an exceptionally gentle formula that works quickly to remove makeup, while leaving your skin feeling fresh, soothed and soft with no greasy residue. It's suitable for all skin types. It's fragrance and colourant free. 

After using it for several months I would have to agree that it's non-foaming, doesn't irritate the skin and I just need a small amount (1 pump) to cleanse my whole face. However, I don't completely agree that it leaves the skin feeling soft, soothed and hydrated. After using it (I use it as a second cleanse as I always remove the majority of my makeup with an oil first) my skin and especially a few dry patches on my forehead felt totally stripped of any moisture. Every time I used it, sure my skin felt clean, but not comfortably clean if you know what I mean. I would say as the weather is getting warmer and my dry patches are not as prominent, it tends to work better. This leads me to believe that in winter when my skin is particularly dry it's just not potent enough.   

Overall, I would have to say it's an OK basic cleanser. I'd imagine if you have normal or oily skin you would enjoy it. However, if you have dry to extremely dry skin this is not going to do the trick. I will continue using it in Spring and Summer but for colder months I would need to bring out the big guns, for example my all time favourite Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel.

I hope you found this helpful and if you have tried any other products from the Paula's Choice line, please let me know what are your top picks!

Cheers,
Muffy 

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate Is It That Good?

I am sure you have heard about the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate in one way or another. I have been using Midnight Recovery Concentrate consistently for about two years now, and I can say with confidence - it's that good! But let's start from the beginning.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate 

Kiehl's Mignight Recovery Concentrate, as the name implies, is a serum/facial oil you apply in the evening before going to bed. It can be used on its own or under a moisturiser. I typically use it on its own since I feel it doubles nicely as a moisturiser. The key ingredients are: evening primrose oil, lavender essential oil, jojoba seed oil and squalane (botanical lipid that helps restore skin's natural moisture balance). It's paraben, fragrance and mineral oil free. It claims to regenerate, replenish and repair for a smoother, healthier looking skin. It comes in a 30ml and 50ml glass bottle, which in my opinion is a good amount of product. I have mine in 30ml and it lasts me for a year. It has a dropper applicator and I apply around 3 drops of the product on my face. It doesn't absorb immediately but within about 10-15 min. It doesn't feel greasy or slippery on the face, which is a big plus. It has a slight scent of lavender but I don't find it too overpowering.

With this product I actually see the difference in my skin. Every time I use it, in the morning my skin looks glowy, plumped and redness is diminished. I have combination skin and it works wonders. It soothes aggravated breakouts and helps heal them. It's also effective for getting rid of dry patches. I would imagine this product to be suitable for all skin types. For instance my sister has dry skin and she has been enjoying it as well. It hasn't caused any sort of allergic reaction or irritation on my skin and I have a pretty sensitive one. As with all Kiehl's products they are generous at giving samples, so if unsure I highly recommend trying it out before committing to the full size product. 

Tip: Even though this product is targeted for the face it can be used for multiple purposes. If you have dry hands, cuticles or dry areas on your body you can add a few drops to your hand cream or lotion. This would intensify the nourishment. It can also be used as a bath oil, if you want to treat yourself to a calming, relaxing bath. Lavender is very good for relieving stress.

I am not one to rave about the skincare product unless I have given it a proper long-term test. Therefore, I am comfortable in saying that if you are looking for a new face oil, give this one a go. It's paraben and mineral oil free and is 99.8% naturally-derived. It does what it says on the tin. I am not sure how effective it's in terms of anti-aging, since I am still in my 20s but we shall see in ten years. A 30ml bottle retails for 42,00€ and you can purchase it at your nearest Kiehl's counter.

What is your tried and true serum/face oil/treatment? I'd love know!

Cheers,
Muffy

LA Girl Cruelty Free BB Cream

As the weather gets warmer I like to go lighter on the base. I put aside heavier coverage products and pull out something that makes my skin look a little bit more even but still able to breath. I don't mind my imperfections peeking through. My all time favourite base that fits these criteria is the Armani Luminescence CC Bright Moisturiser SPF 35. However, I wanted to find a more reasonably priced alternative. That is when I bumped into LA Girl Pro BB Cream and I have been using it religiously ever since.

La Girl Pro BB Creams

La Girl is an affordable US based brand that offers a variety of makeup products. I have previously raved about their concealers. If you are curious you can give it a read here. These Pro BB Creams are cruelty free, paraben free and fragrance free. They come in a variety of shades ranging from fair to dark. I am sure you can find one suitable for yourself. I initially picked up the Natural one but it ended up being slightly too dark, so I placed another order for the Light version. Now that I have a little bit more colour I like to mix the two together. They have one variant in between Light and Natural which is the Light Medium and I am guessing that one is probably an ideal match for me. I am an NC25-30 in MAC for reference. 

L-R: La Girl Pro BB Cream in Light and Natural

The consistency of these BB Creams is very pleasant. It is not too thick nor runny. It blends in easily and you can apply it with your fingers or a buffing brush. If I am in a hurry I just slap it on with my fingers and I am out of the door. It offers a light coverage but it is buildable. It will not cover imperfections, scaring or discolouration. I would suggest using a concealer for those areas. This BB cream provides a satin finish. I like to set it with a powder in any case, just because I have combination skin.  It wears beautifully through the day and you don't feel like you have anything on your face. In about 5 hours I would need to touch up with powder or blotting papers since I do get oily, but that happens with any foundation, bb cream or cc cream. 

The best part about this product besides everything else I mentioned is that it's affordable. It retails for 5,50$ and you get 30ml of product. I purchased mine from BeautyJoint. The only downside and a big bummer is that it does not have an SPF factor. I always apply a separate SPF or a moisturiser with an SPF regardless, so it is not really a deal breaker for me. But I can understand how it can be for some people. Although, if you are going somewhere where you will be photographed it is a good choice. The flash will not reflect off you as bad and cause a stark white face, which usually happens when you wear a base with high SPF. 

Overall I think this is a great product. It is moisturising, evens out skin tone and is good for those days when you can't be arsed to do the whole makeup shebang. If it is crucial for your base to have an SPF protection, I would naturally suggest skipping this one. 

Do you have any suggestions for an affordable light weight BB or CC creams with SPF? I would love to know!

Cheers,
Muffy