Trilogy Make-Up Be Gone Cleansing Balm Review

Trilogy Make-Up Be Gone Cleansing Balm

I absolutely adore Trilogy's Rosehip Oil Review can be found here

So when I saw they had released a cleansing balm I was eager to give it a try!

That was a few months ago, so I thought I'd share my thoughts...

First of all, I love the fact it comes with a good old cotton flannel and is in sturdy packaging. 

(unlike my Emma Hardie cleansing balm which is is pieces!)

Inside the pot, the balm is a solid which I need to rub my fingers over to loosen it, then I warm it up in my fingers rubbing the balm all over my dry face. Then wetting the flannel with warm water I rinse the cleanser off. 

It leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh without stripping my sensitive skin or making it feel tight.

Ingredients Include: Mango butter, Rosehip oil and Coconut oil

It may just be the cold weather, but like I said I find it a 'solid balm' which takes a bit of warming with the fingers just to get it out the pot.

The scent is 'spa-like' slightly herbal one which isn't over-powering. More of a head clearing de-stress fragrance.

As you can see above the balm melts into an oil with the warmth of your skin, which makes it easier to spread onto your face.

Leaves my skin feeling clean, not tight or irritated. 

Feels looked after, removes dirt and dissolves make-up as-well. Even waterproof mascara which is notoriously difficult to remove.

I also love the quote on the box - but I do feel it may have been better placed on the actual tub as most will throw away the outer box.

Overall I enjoy using this as my evening cleanser to remove the day and any make-up. It's lovely to massage into the face, doesn't sting your eyes when removing mascara and leaves your skin beautifully soft. It is a nice slightly cheaper alternative to Emma Hardies Balm which is £38 for 100ml. Trilogy's edition is just £19 for 80ml. 

Does what it says on the tin! Cleanses and best of all its packed with all natural ingredients to soothe.

I highly recommend this cleansing balm. Have you tried this balm, what were your thoughts?

Trilogy Rosehip Oil - My thoughts!

I've been using this little gem for a while now and have really noticed the difference in my skin. So much so I never want to be without it in my skincare routine!

It's a lovely light nourishing oil containing Rosehip, that I use after toner before moisturiser.

I add 2-3 drops in my hand rub together lightly and press onto my skin. Feels lovely to apply and helps you to relax and unwind.

I remember the first time I used this in my night time routine, I woke up the next morning with noticeably soft dewy skin. I was hooked!

Rosehip oil is fantastic for scars, imperfections as-well as fine lines and wrinkles too. Rosehip contains Omega 3,6, and 9, Vitamin E and Lycopene - an anti-oxidant. Which are all known for their abilities to repair, rejuvenate and hydrate the skin. 

Can be used both morning and night and can either be added to your moisturiser or used before hand. It's nice to apply, not greasy or overly oily. It sinks in nicely without leaving a residue and I really can tell the next morning when I use this before bed as I know my skin will feel lovely and smooth!

I highly recommend this amazing oil especially for the up and coming winter months where skin can feel dry and often needs the extra hydration.

Trilogy is an Australian brand which is available at Feel Unique, John Lewis, LookFantastic and their own website. 

Have you tried any products from Trilogy? xx

A mini Elemis order

Following my amazing Elemis Spa Facial experience I was keen to try some of their products, especially one or two of the ones recommended. However the price put me off. By coincidence when I got home I was checking my emails and lo and behold there was a massive sale on Elemis products at lookfantastic.com.

I was able to pick up the Papaya Enzyme Peel Full size 50ml for just £19.19 usually £32! 

and the Soothing Apricot Toner 200ml for £13.13 usually £22.50

Having previously tried and thoroughly love the papaya enzyme peel from a sample with a magazine I wanted to get the full size as I have all but run out! I use this once or twice a week depending on how my skin is behaving. It is such a gentle exfoliator mask which you leave on for about 10 minutes then rinse off with a flannel. It truly leaves your skin feeling baby soft and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin.

The apricot toner feels lovely and refreshing to apply. I use this both morning and night after cleansing. It helps to soothe and settle my skin ready for the next step serum, oil and moisturiser.

Have you tried any Elemis products you would recommend? xx

Elemis Spa Pod Facial - My Experience!

Elemis Spa Pod Facial

I treated myself to a facial. I've only ever had one facial before and that was years ago. So here's my experience with Elemis at John Lewis in Liverpool One.

First of all, I sat down with the therapist and I filled in a small questionnaire about my skin type and any medical conditions.

Then I had to place my chin on a chin rest whilst the computer took a photo of my face and analysed my skin's condition. It came up on screen in sections, so first it showed any parts that needed a deeper cleanse, then areas of dehydration, next any sun damage, etc. Based on the computer's analysis the therapist then chooses products from their range accordingly. The products chosen for my face were for targeting redness, sensitivity and providing hydration.

First of all you go into a secluded room, which is set up for relaxation. You sit in the chair, which by the way is no ordinary chair it is a fancy massage chair. At first I thought it would just sort of 'buzz' but no it actually physically massages your back, legs, shoulders and neck. It feels strange at first but after a while your muscles sort of relax into it. You can ask to have the chair off if you prefer. So whilst the chair goes to work on all the knots and tense muscles the therapist starts the treatments. I was so relaxed I forgot to look to see what she was using! But I can tell you it was all very gentle and soothing and smelt great. In the middle she placed a hydrating mask on my face (you know those strange jelly like ones) it felt lovely and cooling. Whilst that was soothing my face she used warm oils on my neck and shoulders.

The whole experience was incredibly relaxing, hard to believe it was in the middle of John lewis with shoppers outside the room!! Calming music and dulled lights set the mood with incredible smells from the products too. And the chair is genius, it magically knows the right pressure to use and feels so good. If I ever win the lottery it is first on my list!!

I drifted out of that room on cloud nine. It was amazing! 

One thing I was impressed with, was she recommends the products to you, but you don't at all feel pressured to buy them there and then, you have the option of course but it's not forced upon you. She gave me a sheet with the products that she recommended and I'm so glad she did as without I probably would have forgotten.

I was recommended the following skincare:


Soothing Chamomile Cleanser
Soothing Apricot Toner
Daily Redness Solution
Papaya Enzyme Peel









So if you ever get the opportunity to get a Elemis spa facial I highly recommend it you won't regret it.

Garnier New Sleeping Night Cream Moisturiser Review

Anti-ageing & De-Tiring are the two words that caught my eye on this new skincare release from Garnier. 
Not really sure 'De-tiring' is an actual word but I took it to mean rested and well.. not tired!

Promises to:
Rehydrate, revive, illuminate, rejuvenate , firm and smooth.

After first application I was actually surprised how smooth it made my skin feel. But what intrigued me the most was the texture of this cream .... it's a cream but almost a gel consistency almost like really thick custard. 

You can turn the pot upside down and it doesn't budge, believe me I tried!

As for the cream itself, it smells divine. Not over powering at all, (we all know I am very particular about smells). Almost a fruity fresh scent with a hint of lavender. Once applied it's not sticky or greasy and best of all won't end up smeared all over your pillow or hair as it sinks in quite quickly.

So what's in it?

LHA :

This acts a bit like salicylic acid in that it decreases the bacteria concentration within the pores. Great if you suffer from spots.

Adenosine:

Is an anti-inflammatory ingredient

Albizia:

Helps to improve the texture of the skin

Hyaluronic acid:

Adds intense hydration to the skin whilst plumping

Ruscus extract:

Helps to boost the skins circulation

Jojoba oil:

Softens your skin without clogging your pores, as-well as being anti inflammatory

Essential lavender oil: 

Helps to promote sleep and helps with anti-ageing too

The idea of a sleeping cream is the body does its best rejuvenating work at night. Cells get renewed and your body reverses free radical damage caused throughout the day. 

Overall, it is a lovely hydrating night cream that does a great job of moisturising your skin whilst you sleep. I have only been using it for a few weeks now but I like it, hasn't irritated or caused any spot breakouts.

Have you tried this night cream? What did you think?

NO7 Shade & Define Eyeshadow Stick 'Cool Mink'

I don't know about you but I nearly always end up stuffing the NO7 voucher you get with any purchase in Boots into my purse and forget it's there until of course it has expired! 

So this time, I actually used mine the day I got it... I headed straight for the NO7 Counter, towards the eyes section as I knew what I wanted.

Their "Stay perfect shade and define" eye-shadow stick.

I knew straight away which colour I wanted, my eye just picked it out.

I swatched it in store and it literally stayed on my hand until I got home and had to use a cleanser to remove, a great sign to start with, so once on this ain't going no where!!

The shade is 'Cool Mink' a lovely everyday pop of colour for the eyes.

Just a quick note: I had to work very hard to remove this swatch!!

The shade is a taupe mixed with a light brown beige, quite cool toned. But what i really liked about it was it didn't have any glittery bits or shimmer like a few of the other shades seemed to have. The sticks are really great for just swiping on the eyelids, no fuss or mess and you're done!

Oh and one more thing, I thought I had broken the end of the pencil but it turns out that there is actually a hidden sharpener tucked away!!

So don't forget about your money off NO7 Boots voucher! 
Can be used for NO7 make-up and skincare. £3 off Make-up and £5 off skincare.
 Valid until 1st February 2015!

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

New Wonder Oil Serum from Sanctuary Spa

Sanctuary Spa Wonder Oil Serum
Ok ... so in theory it shouldn't work... but it really does!

Oil and a serum in the same bottle?!

The new wonder oil/serum from Sanctuary Spa .... well they had me at wonder!! I was intrigued!

Saw this was launched not long ago and already out of stock on boots.com so I headed over to Sanctuary's own website to find that by adding the code 'WONDERFUL' at the checkout you got £5 off this new facial oil. Win win!!

Really great service, as it arrived super fast! No sooner had I answered the door to the postman I was investigating how this concoction worked! 

You have to give it a shake to mix the two together.... 
As you can see it's a bi-phase liquid

Apply it after cleansing. 

In the AM before primer and foundation / BB or CC Cream

In the PM after toner before a night-time moisturiser. Or for thirstier skin Sanctuary's secret therapists facial oil is great for a night time treat. (This somehow snuck into my basket along with the facial cleansing oil - for the free delivery of course!) That's what I'm telling myself!!  Anyway........

So, to apply use the nifty dropper and drop 1-3 drops into the palm or back of your hand.

Using finger tips on your other hand pat lightly onto your face.

I like to start at the forehead cheeks chin and neck then any excess on the nose area.

It is a truly lovely hydrating base to start the day with. Not greasy and doesn't give that shiny face look.

I was initially a bit wary about applying any sort of oil to my face especially in the morning for fear I would end up looking a greasy shiny mess but this just sinks into the skin beautifully (once patted in). 

I have to say I am truly hooked! 
For the record I have combination skin and a slightly oily t-zone. I find that this really works for me. 

So on to the science. What's in this product.

Well for starters there is:

Moringa Oil - From the Moringa tree. Known for it's detoxifying and rejuvenating properties.

Jojoba oil - From the Jojoba plant - Great for oilier skins as it helps to regulate sebum production.

Pomegranate oil - Helps to stimulate collagen is therefore anti ageing and hydrating too.

The Serum section contains...
 'Red Rice Stem Cells' (say that fast 5 times without getting tongue-tied!!).

Red rice stem cells help to firm and rejuvenate the skin.

It has a sort of wheaty / natural smell to it, not too overpowering or unpleasant and this soon fades once on the skin.

Wonder oil works to boost the elasticity of the skin giving a plumper and healthier appearance.

I have to say I really do agree, even upon first application my skin felt lovely and smooth. It sank in nicely and after waiting a minute or two, I was then able to then use my usual primer and mineral foundation over the top. 

I'm looking forward to using this particularly during the cold winter months when my skin needs that extra moisture boost. 

Have you tried this wonder oil from Sanctuary Spa? What are your thoughts?

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

Month of May Favourites

Can not believe it is now June! 

Thought I would do a little round up of things I have been using over the past month of May.

My Night Time Beauty Favourites featuring Bare Minerals Skincare

My night time beauty favourites

I thought I would share with you guys my favourite night time beauty products that I use and have found that work really for me. 

Especially when I'm finding it difficult to drift off to sleep, I find this routine helps me get in the mindset for sleep.

So here goes......

Firstly I'll start with a facial cleanser.

BareMinerals Left to Right: Purely Nourishing Moisturizer, BareMinerals Eye Cream & Bare Minerals Purifying Facial cleanser

 It's only the past few years I have really regularly cleansed and looked after my skin on a daily basis, morning and night. Shocking -I know!! Mainly due to the fact I never really found the perfect cleanser that didn't leave my sensitive skin feeling tight or shiny. 

I suffer from redness on my cheeks and it was only when Bare Minerals brought out their 'Purifying facial cleanser', I was truly happy with the results. I have been using this for a good few months now and have definitely seen an improvement in my skin's condition.