PRODUCT ROUND UP: Here's what I'm loving

I had a bit of a manic month where I was testing like a million products. I’ve calmed down now, and here’s what I’m using this month and how I rate it:

MORNING
HAIR: Bumble and Bumble Mending Shampoo (£21), Bumble and Bumble Conditioner (£23) and Bumble and Bumble Complex (£23). Best hair products I've ever used...can't rate them highly enough. They’ve actually changed my life and make a good blow dry a total breeze.
BODY: Dr Bronners Peppermint Castile Liquid Soap (£9.65). Wakes me right up in the morning, works well as a shaving oil too and is gentle and moisturising for eczema prone skin.
FACE: I was using Rodial A-list cleanser (£48) but it’s headed to the ‘urgh’ pile along with Organic Pharmacy Carrot Butter Cleanser (£31.95) and Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Cleanser (£5.00). I’ve tried most of the cleansing balms around and really only rate the Eve Lom Cleanser (£28) and Bobbi Brown Extra Balm Rinse (£38). I’m now using Shu Uemera cleansing beauty oil premium (£55), which is a little too rich for me, but still a lovely product.
Then on to Chanel Beaute Initiale spray serum (£56). Absolute genius! Seriously, if your skin is quite oily and you’re a bit on the lazy side, this is a fab way to moisturise. One light spray in the morning and you’re good to go. At the moment a light day cream and a rich night cream is totally working for me.

DAY
MAKE UP: My usual kit, with Lancôme Hypnose precious cells mascara (£22), ByTerry Baume de Rose SPF 15 (£32), Chanel Le Crayon Kohl (£16) , MAC Studio Finish Concealer SPF 35 (£12.50) and Shu Uemera Glow-on Blush (£19).
HANDS: Guerlain Super Aqua Hands hand-cream (£34). I don’t know why but I just love this cream and it smells like roses!

NIGHT
HAIR: Bumble and Bumble Mending Masque (£27)- Used overnight every few days, beautifully soft hair in a tube!
FACE:Lancôme Absolue Precious Cells (£83) and Lancôme Absolue Yeux Precious Cells (£73.)I want to say they’re not worth the cash, but they are. My skin is really soft and plum, it feels just like cashmere. My forehead gets a little dehydrated and it’s so smooth now I look like I’ve had botox. Really lovely products. Sorry, I want to say there is a cheap version, but I just don’t think there is.
BODY: I have really dry skin so use almond oil (£3.00), from Indian food stores. I tried using extra virgin olive oil once, but ended up smelling like an Insalata caprese. GROSS. Almond oil doesn’t have a smell, it’s packed with Vitamin E and if you like add a few drops of essential oil to it like rose otto or lavender. It’s cheap too and clearly I’m bankrupt from night cream, so have to save a few pennies here and there. Such is the price of beauty!

MOI? This months nightstand...

Frederic Fekkai Overnight Hair Repair £115- I’ve been trying this and it does leave your hair very soft-though not enough to warrant the steep price tag-ouch!

Aromatherapy Associates Renew Rose Overnight Repair Eye Cream £35
Lightweight, easily blended, smells like a summer day-I’m all over it like Wino on crack!

Aromatherapy Associates Anti-ageIntensive Skin Treatment Oil £36.75 Melts into skin like a dream. I use them every other day, so the oil doesn't clog pores.

Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector £37 Trial number 2 of this ‘so-called’ wonder product. Haven’t see a change-will stick with it though.

Sensodyne Pronamel £3.99 My hygienist gave me this and said to smear a little on your teeth before bed-especially the ones at the front to combat discolouring. She’s very good, so I’ll listen!

Soothing Leg & Foot Balm £22.00 I’m not a huge natural products fab, but Spiezia make the most luxurious and decadent products that work a treat. This is my new regular foot treatment!

Baum de Rose ByTerry £32 The nicest smelling lipbalm ever! I use it every night and boy does it keep your lips soft.

Jo Malone Facial Massage Brush £14 I’ve had this little rubber brush for years now. It adds a nice invigorating touch to DIY facials or even just to work in a night cream and stimulate circulation.

Also Ipod, crap phone, ear plugs (I live in a warehouse) and Lulu Guiness sleep mask.

TESTY: By Terry, Baume de Rose

I'm obsessed with the smell of roses and er, overpriced lip balms. Creme de la mer, jo malone all appear in my collection to the detriment of my bank balance.



So is this worth the price or not? It won’t change your life, feed your dog or console you when your dude cheats on you with some skank. But it does smell nice and adds a lovely milky sheen to lips. Its also incredibly moisturising and is SPF15 to boot.

In a nutshell, only if you're rolling in it or binge-beauty-shopping like me.


From Space NK £32