Sarah Chapman Morning Facial

I have been wanting to try this brand for sometime but as it is quite pricey I'd resisted, but when I was given the chance to try something from the brand I jumped at the chance - Sarah Chapman Skinesis Morning Facial* contains potent actives that deliver protection from environmental aggressors and deal with inflammation. As well as intensely hydrating the skin, it also regulates sebum production with its serum/oil hybrid formula. It boosts collagen to increase firmness and elasticity. If your skin is looking dull or tired, or it just needs a bit of a boost for a special occasion.

How it works..

Brightening – Maracuja oil (passion flower) is rich in vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus. The high content of essential fatty acids can stimulate the production of fibroblasts, cells that make collagen. Timecode inhibits free radicals (MMP’s) & Collagenase preventing the breakdown of the Extracellular Matrix and the synthesis of key genes. It prevents inflammation, which is now considered the main cause of premature skin ageing.

Defence – Vitamin A effectively protects against UV-induced collagen destruction and photo-damage by boosting cell renewal and increasing collagen fibres in the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Kalpariane: An algae that helps protect the skin’s firmness and elasticity while boosting the synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid. It protects the skin efficiently with its anti-oxidant properties, a free radical scavenger, and an anti– collagenase.

Hydrating – Hydrasourcing is a complex of Mexican poppy cell and polysaccharides to correct skin imbalances at their source, repairing the skin’s moisture barrier. Argan Oil and Nyamplung oil contain up to 80% linoleic and oleic fatty acids, tocopherols and phenolic acids which help to repair damaged cells.

Plumping – Juvinity protects cells from oxidative damage, Ultra Filling Spheres: low molecular weight hyaluronic acid and high molecular weight polysachharides are merged to swell and visibly smooth fine lines and wrinkles acting like a skin primer.

Wrinkles – Gatuline Intense works on the skin’s natural lifting properties by stimulating the fibroblast biomechanical functions helping to re-organize the dermis structure and visibly smooth the skin surface. Collageneer effectively increases skin firmness and elasticity by stimulating Type 1 Collagen synthesis. It also stimulates fibroblasts where it specifically ensures that a very high quality Collagen is produced.

How I use it..

I squirt a couple of drops into my palm, rubbing my hands together gently to warm it up, I then massage it into clean, dry skin. It has a beautiful jasmine and neroli aroma, which is lovely to wake you in the morning! Make sure you don’t use too much – a little goes a long way – it will sink beautifully into the skin, leaving you looking refreshed, youthful just like you've had a restful nights sleep.

At £45.00 for 15ml, it is a luxury product, but as you only need a couple of drops each time and maybe only need to use as a weekly treat it should last you a good while. I have been using 3 times a week for the past fortnight and my skin does look more refreshed, as I'm currently suffering from pregnancy insominia it stops me looking like a sleep deprived zombie! Woo hoo :) 

Have you tried anything from this brand?

Braun FACE

PCOS is the bane of my life! Not only does it make it extra hard to lose the weight it has piled on me.. Or the fact I was told it could make me infertile - but I won that battle though! Ha 1-0 to me!... It has also kindly given me facial hair.... Which of course makes me feel super sexy & confident!.. Yeah exactly said by No women EVER!!.. I have tried waxing- painful, tweezers - time consuming and finally IPL - Expensive, painful.... But did feel like a miracle.. If only for a few months!... but due to my hair being a result of my stupid hormones it always returns with a vengence, so I have been looking for a more manageable solution to make me hair-free and feel happy again! 

When I read about This NEW 2 in 1 mini facial epilator I was super excited as it sounded just what I was looking for not only does it QUICKLY remove the hair it also delivers pore-deep cleansing and high-precision facial epilation, whether you want to go make-up-free or create the perfect canvas. It’s the perfect tool to help you achieve luminous, smoother and brighter skin –all at the flick of a switch. 

When I first used it I'll openly admit I was slightly nervous as I'd heard the horror stories of how painful epilation is... I gritted my teeth and switched it on.. I couldn't believe it... the pain was minimal, but an area that with my trusty tweezers usually took a good 10 minutes was completely smooth in seconds! - Hallelujah I could of cried!! I had completely finished removing hair and the peach fuzz in less than five minutes... I can't praise this little stick of magic enough, for someone like me who has lived with PCOS and the embarrasing facial hair since my late teens it's a total life changer for only £69.99.

Here's a close up, it does look rather scary but honestly it hardly hurts at all, its been over a week now since I first used it and my face is still hair free, I've not had chance to use the brush that is included as I usually use my Clarasonic, but it looks really good and the bristles are lovely and soft so a definite added  bonus for this epilator. Available now to buy.

What hair removal method do you prefer?

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

The Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream is actually a pretty lightweight cream that could be used for everyday. It sinks in fairly fast and did'nt leave any residue behind. While it's substantial enough to be used as a night cream, but I I think it would also work well as a day cream for people with more drier skin under makeup. I've tried it both as a day and night cream, with no problems, It also seems a little thinner than some of the other Kiehl's creams I've tried, the Ultra Facial Cream also has no fragrance, which is great. 

The ingredients for the Ultra Facial Cream are also really great if you're looking to moisturise your skin. The key ingredients are water, as well as Glycerin, very useful in skincare. Also ingredients that help to moisturise the skin. These include Squalane, another excellent moisturising ingredient, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, which is an ingredient that helps with moisturising the skin, and improving the texture of the cream, Sucrose Stearate, another emollient, and Stearyl Alcohol, which despite the "alcohol" in its name is actually not drying to skin - it's a fatty alcohol, which helps to moisturise the skin. because so many emollients in the cream mean it could be pretty heavy-feeling, Ultra Facial Cream is packed with lots of humectants and emollients, to give you great hydration, while still feeling light on the skin. There are also some plant extracts, the main ones being Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, and Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, great additions as natural moisturisers for the skin.

So if you're looking for a cream that offers great hydration with a solid formula, if you're looking for a value for money purchase that's effective, then this is worth checking out, I do think this cream is pretty good it didn't make my Normal/combination skin greasy and would be great for dry/sensitive skin as it is really nourishing. Available at Kiehls.co.uk from £24.00, I am really loving this brand at the moment the products are brilliant and I am seeing real improvements in my skin, the next face cream I have my eye on is the Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream! It sounds amazing.. *adds to Wishlist*

What's your favourite daily moisturiser?