Product Review: Primark's PS Love To Glow Face Mask and Serum.

Hey guys! Today I'm going to be reviewing the PS Love To Glow mask and serum from Penneys/Primark. If ye follow me on instagram or Snapchat ye know I've been reviewing these items the last few weeks. I heard that the mask was a dupe for the L'Oréal Pure Clay glow mask so I had to see if it's true. The Penneys mask retails €3.50 and the L'Oréal mask usually retails for around the €11 mark. Your know me and bargains, if there's one to be had I'm all over it. With the serum I was looking for a cheaply priced one  and this one was under a fiver so I couldn't leave it there.

The packaging of the mask looks a little like the glam glow mask (a very expensive alternative ) with its smooth sleek jar. The colour of the mask is cool too, It's a silvery grey colour. It claims to have argon oil and Vit E in it which helps to achieve the glowy look. When using it I apply it to a cleansed face for 15 mins then wash off.  I wash it off in circular motions as it has a mild exfoliant in it. This is very similar to the L'Oréal mask where it also has an exfoliant.

What's the verdict? I love it! It is 100% a dupe for the L'Oréal glow mask. It left my skin feeling the exact same way as the more expensive mask. My skin looked brighter, more even and glowy. The light exfoliant removes dead skin the reveal newer brighter skin. I actually am almost out of the mask already but I'm definitely repurchasing.  If your strapped for cash or don't want to pay €11 for a face mask give the PS Love To Glow mask a go and you can spend the difference on a Starbucks or something!

Next up is the serum.. I'm not going to beat around the bush here, I hate it. I used it 3/4 times and after each use I broke out. I put the serum onto the high points of my cheeks, the temples and my forehead. Each place I put it on I broke out. The funny thing was that it wasn't even a heavy serum, if anything it felt just like a normal cream. A serum under a fiver.. I wasn't expecting a miracle but I wasn't expecting a breakout either. It's been 4 weeks since my last use and I still have blemishes on my cheeks. Now what doesn't work for me might not, not work for you, this is just my experience and a little word of warning.

Overall it was a mixed review. On one hand the glow mask is now apart of my regular routine and I'm loving the fact I'm saving money and on the other I have a product that I'll never put near my face again. More times than not you really pay for what you get when it comes to skincare but it's nice when you find dupes such as the mask.

Feel free to leave a comment below if ye have any questions or if there's a product ye want me to review.

Have a good day! Byyyyeeeeeeeee :)

Product Review: Crocodoil 100% Pure Face & Body Oil

Hey guys! I'm back again with another product review to share with you. Today it comes from the British company "Crocodoil". I was sent this product to try out by the lovely Barbara and Lloyd. I have such sensitive skin so I was well up for trying this product out and the fact it has such minimal ingredients I had a feeling it was going to suit me well. I will leave all their links at the bottom of this post. Also just a little disclaimer, these are my own views of the product.

I was sent this product over a month ago and have been using on and off ever since I got it. I received a small sample size of 5ml. When I saw how small it was I initially thought how was I going to give a fair review if I only had a small amount. Well let me tell you, a little goes a long way! The full sizes come in a 15ml pump for £23.33 and a 50ml pump for £41.67. A great feature it has, packaging wise is the pump, you can control the amount of product that comes out so you don't waste a bit. However the most important thing to me about this product was the ingredients. It only has 3, yes 3 ingredients! It has crocodile oil, vitamin e and neroli oil.

Ingredients

Crocodile oil: it is an anti-inflammatory, non-comedogenic (non-clogging), and hypoallergenic.

Vitamin e: it is so healing for the skin, brightens up pigmentation and is a big antioxidant.

Neroli oil: helps with scarring and it is a mood brightener.

Before

This was my skin before. I suffer from eczema on my hands causing them to get sore, itchy and flaky. Half a pump did both my hands. I have a feeling that sample will last me a good long while. The oil absorbs almost instantly. It is a dry oil so it doesn't leave the skin sticky. Definitely a product for a person on to go and doesn't have "drying" time. The scent is amazing! To me it smells like grass, not freshly cut grass but it reminds me of running through long grass in the summer.

After

This was my skin after using the oil. No joke, this was after one use. This picture was taken almost a day after the first picture. I couldn't believe it guys! The itchiness and flakes were gone. I have used over the counter creams, steroid creams and herbal remedies and nothing has worked like this. I'm using every 2/3 days on and off and it is keeping my eczema from flaring up again.

In conclusion I would purchase this product in the full size and as well as that I am interested in seeing how their other product would work out for me. If you have ezcema, psoriasis or any other skin issues I would 100% recommend this product! The following are links to Crocodoil's website and other social media 

Website /https://crocodoilskincare.co.uk/

Twitter https://twitter.com/CrocodOil

facebook https://www.facebook.com/crocodoil/

If you have any questions for me you can leave me a comment or send me an email at pauliebray@gmail.com. I hope you find this helpful and give their website a look you might see something you like.

Byeeeeeeeeee :)

Product Review: L'Oréal Pure Clay Glow Scrub

Hey guys! First off I just want to apologise for the lack of activity on my blog with the last 2 weeks. As a lot of you may know, we got a little puppy. Little Ellie is settling in perfectly but has taken up all my spare time! I'm writing this post while she sleeps. I'm not used to motherhood at all. With that being said I have a product review for ye today. It's from L'Oréal's new cleanser/scrub clay range. 

Previously L'Oréal came out with their clay masks that are very popular and affordable, now they have a range or cleansers, exfoliaters and wipes. I picked up the glow scrub as I used the mask version and I loved the results and I was also In the market for a new exfoliater. I got mine I'm boots for €7.99 for 150ml.

You use it like any normal cleanser/exfoliater, if you need instructions then shame on you! It's a red terracotta colour and creamy texture with an exfoliant added in. It's made up of 3 different clays to help absorb oils and brighten the skin. It smells just like the mask which is a pleasent light fragrance that didn't irritate my skin. There is 150ml of product In each tube which is great value for money as I feel a tube will last me ages.

Results?.. I love it! I bought it 3 weeks ago, used it religiously and I love how my skin looked and felt after each use but I can also see the long term effects. My skins pigmentation is more even, especially in my cheek area where I'd have blemishes left over from old spots. In my opinion it's not the most scrubiest exfoliater in the world but it does the job all the same and since it's not too harsh of a scrub it's perfect for those sensitive souls out there. One bit of advice I'd give when using it is make sure you use dark coloured towels when drying your face. I had a lovely white towel covered in reminants of red glow scrub and a very annoyed partner after the first time I used it. All jokes aside i would reccomend this scrub highly.

As this post goes up I have a facebook competition going on and this L'Oréal glow scrub is in my giveaway. The link is here to enter. (competition ends 17/02/2017)

Feel free to drop me a message if you'd like me to review a certain beauty item or if you want me to cover a topic of interest. Thank you.

Byeeeeeeeeeee :)

Product review: "The Cure" Tea Tree sheet mask.

Hey guys! Today I'll be reviewing sheet masks from the brand "The Cure". I'm a maskaholic, I can't go 2 days without popping on a face mask. They are the ultimate pampering tool.

The Cure have a wide range of their Collagen Essence face masks to choose from. The one I was drawn to was the tea tree one as this caters to my skin the most. It has tea tree and witch hazel to treat spots. They have other masks such as honey, co-enzyme and lemon, just to name a few. You get 5 sheet masks in a box and for €6.99 that's a bargain! You can pick  them up at most Tk Maxx stores.

I have been using them for the past 3/4 weeks, so 1 box should last you 5 weeks. They come individually sealed In a airlocked pack. I love that freshness with sheet masks because if someone tried to open it you'd know, unlike most drugstore face masks in tubes.

So for application I cleansed and toned my face as normal. I removed the mask from its seal and popped it on my face. The nose and eye holes give good direction on where to put it on your face. I hate saying this but it was so moist... *shudders* It was like holding a wet hanky but when on the face it soaked right in. I left it on for 20 mins and after removing the mask I massaged the remaining serum into my skin. Side note, you can't not have a sheet mask on without looking like Hannibal lector.

The results were amazing after the 1st use. It gave my skin this plump glowing look to it and the redness from my breakouts and blemishes were definitely reduced. This is definitely going to be a mask I used before a big day or night out. I'm excited to try others from their range. I highly recommend it guys!

If ye have any questions on the masks don't be afraid to ask!

Byeeeeeeeee :)

Tips and tricks: How to keep your hair healthy when dyeing it.

Hey guys!. Today's post is all about healthy hair and what can be done to ensure you don't go as bald as a coot if you excessively dye your hair like me. Because that ain't cute. I have been various different shades over the past 2 years, going from deep browns to ash blonde and back again. I have had my hair dyed as much as 3 to 4 times a month depending on the colour change and people still compliment my hair for being full, sleek and healthy. So the following are my tips and my hair care routine to ensure you survive your next encounter with a peroxide bottle.

Tip 1: Use A Moisturising Shampoo

It pretty much common sense that you strip your hair when bleaching it, so you have to give back the moisture that it so much desperately needs. Your hair tends to feel like straw especially if you are lightening it. I go for non-sulfate shampoos usually as they clean but don't strip your hair. Some shampoos can intensify that hay feeling and leave you with knots and tangles. One shampoo i bought recently enough after hearing great reviews was the Macadamia Oil shampoo (pictured below). they usually retail in the €20's but they sometimes have them in tk maxx for €12.99 where i got mine. It has macadamia oil in it (duh) which locks in the moisture into the hair. I find it does the job perfectly. If you are having trouble finding this brand a cheaper alternative would be the Aussie miracle moisture shampoo which I have used for months previous.

Tip 2: Use Hair Masks As Your Conditioner

Now I'm not saying completely get rid of your conditioner but I have been using masks as conditioners every time i wash my hair and it is the best thing that has helped my hair get back into top condition. Think of them as a double strength conditioner. This is something you need especially if you just had a bleach up done. I have tired loads of different masks from various different brands but the one I haven't budged from is the Toni & Guy Nourish Reconstruction Mask. It is a lifesaver! It made my hair feel so sleek and like I never dyed my hair before in my life. I leave it on for 5 minutes after I shampoo and wash away. It doesn't leave your hair weighed down either which is a plus. Lads ye know i'm good for the bargains, so right now this is on offer in boots for €6.66 (creepy price) and the usual price is €9.99, ye could buy a coffee with that change!

Tip 3: Add MORE Moisture

When you think your hair is moisturised enough.. ITS NOT!. I never leave the house without putting my leave-in moisturiser into my hair. This step keeps the frizz at bay. Throughout the day dry hair can get fluffy and wild but with a leave-in moisturiser it keeps hair hydrated. I have only ever used one leave-in moisturiser and its the R&B from Lush Cosmetics. When i worked in lush a few years ago a colleague told me of this and i haven't looked back. It was designed for afro hair which is naturally dry. It is a blend of butters and has a divine smell of jasmine that lingers on the hair. A little goes a long way with this as you only need a pea size amount, run it through damp hair and leave to dry. A small pot lasts me over a year. It is a bit pricey at €15 for a 100g pot but as i said it will last you ages. Cannot recommend this enough!

 

Tip 4: Skip A Wash

Skip a hair wash not a body wash.. I might wash my hair twice a week most. I find that my hair is much healthier now than it was when i used to wash it everyday. It leaves the natural oil build up. Dry shampoo every so often keeps the tramp look at bay. Batiste dry shampoo always does the job. Of course I get the pink floral one. It smells pretty!

                                                     

Other Tips

Other tips which are very obvious include;

• use minimum heat
• wash your hair with cold water to close up cuticles
• get trims every few weeks to prevent split ends
• get a professional to colour your hair, no home jobs for the love of god!

Anyway those are my little tips and tricks for getting my hair back into tip top shape after dyeing. I hope it has helped some bit.

Thanks for reading.

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee

My Current Skincare Saviours

I think we can all agree that the holiday period can be really bad for your skin. Whether you are going hard on the chocolate and wine or stressed in the run up to Christmas, it can wreck havoc on your face. When I have a glass of wine in one hand and some cheese in the other, there's always a voice in my head saying "DEAR GOD STOP, THINK OF THE CONSEQUENCES". Do I listen to that voice?.. no! What I have learned over this Christmas is that with a good consistent skincare routine, I'm allowed to eat a little more junk without paying the price. Finding what suits your skin and being consistent is key. So today I'm going to share some products that really helped clear my skin up and kept my spots at bay. My skin type would be combination spot prone.

Cleanser

The cleanser i have been using the past few weeks is the Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion by No.7. I haven't used much of the No.7 skincare range until recently and i'm actually pleasantly surprised. I got the Beautiful skincare christmas set which came with a few minitures and it had this lotion in it. I immediately fell in love with it and ran out to buy the full size one. It retails for €13.00  for 200ml in boots. I got mine for €6.50 with the No.7 vouchers Boots give out. Seriously if more shops did money off vouchers i'd be like the crazy coupon lady!!. I like it for the fact it doesn't foam up but yet it gives a good clean. My Clearasil days are over, with those foaming harsh chemicals stripping my skin. I use 2 pumps and apply to a damp face. It might not feel as your are using much because it melts into your skin but a little goes along way. Its hypo-allergenic for us sensitive souls out there and it comes with a pump which is key for spot prone skin. I will be repurchasing!

Toner

This has made so many appearances on my blog before but with good reason, this toner is amazing. Its the Lush Cosmetics Tea Tree Toner Water. It has cleared up my skin better than anything i've used before. I spritz some onto a cotton pad and rub onto my skin after I cleanse. It gets off any excess dirt and oil, and the tea tree oil in it combats any breakouts. It retails for about €12.00 (ish) for 250ml and there's a mini travel-friendly version at €6.00 (ish) for 100ml. There are Lush stores in Dublin and Cork, or you can order online too. Every time i replace this with another toner i always end up coming back to it, it's just that good.

Moisturiser

Up next is probably one of the most important steps, Moisturising. I cannot stress enough how important it is to moisturise your skin. Everyone thinks (me included) that if you have oily or spot prone skin you shouldn't moisturise as it causes breakouts. This is so wrong. Applying the correct moisturiser daily means that your skin doesn't have to produce excess sebum after using your cleansers that strips the skin. That excess sebum causes breakouts. Sorry for biology lesson but moisturiser is key people! The one i'm using is the Elizabeth Arden Visible Deference mosituriser,

Its the combination one with SPF 15. I love it so far, it's light and sinks in very fast. It hasn't reacted bad to skin which is a major issue for me and skincare. I don't use it at night as it has SPF in it which can clog up pores when you sleep if worn overnight. I have been looking into more brands like Elizabeth Arden and Clarins who cater for more mature skin. Lets face it, i'm not getting any younger. I have the sample size which has done me for the past 2 months and i got it in a set for €12.99 in tkmaxx. I know the full size is in Debenhams for €21.00 on offer at the moment.

Serum

Serums are a new enough thing for me, but now since i'm in my mid 20's i need to be taking extra good care of my skin. I have seen this serum being mentioned so much on the internet i had to give it a try. It's the Vitamin C Skin Boost serum by The Body Shop. I bought it because it claimed to brighten up the skin and reduce blemishes. Well it does exactly what it claims. I've been using it 3 weeks and i've seen a major improvement in my blemishes and hyper-pigmentation on my cheeks. I mix a little bit with my moisturiser in the morning and then ill use 1 pump and massage it into my face before bed. It feels so oily at first but it dries down fast and soaks into the skin. It smells like oranges which is a plus! It retails for €23.50 in The Body Shop, but if you haven't already guessed I'm wise to all the bargains. I got mine for €9.99 in Tk Maxx. If ye need to find something for cheaper just ask me!

Mask

Masks seem like such a unnecessary step but i can't live without them. My name is Paul and i'm a maskaholic. The mask i have been lovely recently is the Dragon's Blood plumping mask by NIP+FAB. Once a week after i cleanse my face ill throw on this mask. I leave it on for 10 mins and then wash it off. Its a clear gel mask so there's no mess. I was a bit skeptical because anything that has such claims as "plumping" never works out. Now with this you are not going to get an instant face lift but it does give you a nice healthy glow and make the appearance of your skin look smoother. I put this on the night before I go out or have something on and the next day my skin looks perfect. Dragon's blood is not actual blood FYI. It retails for €19.99 in Boots. If you are in the mood to splurge it's worth it.

So yeah, that's my current skincare routine. It has really helped my skin over the christmas period to look somewhat normal. I do believe that you should spend the time and the extra bit of money perfecting your skincare routine. With skincare you pay for what you get. 

Thanks for reading guys!

Paul.

New year, old me?!

So it's been a minute.. Well just over 2 years to be exact. I genuinely forgot I a had blog for a while. Looking back on my blog and my posts fills me with mixed emotion. On one hand it makes me happy to see myself doing something I really enjoyed. On the other I'm filled with sadness and regret.  I regret that I stopped doing something I loved . I was afraid of ridicule from others, even though the only person who was ridiculing me was myself. Self sabotage was a favourite past time of mine back then. With that being said I'm in a much better place in my life now and more comfortable in myself.

For 2017 I've decided to do more things that push me creatively. So what better way to do so than digging up the auld blog and get the creative juices flowing. I am going to try and blog on the regular.   I'll still be blogging about the usual, beauty, lifestyle and the odd rant.

Here's to new beginnings and doing what makes us happy. I hope everyone has a prosperous new year and stayed tuned!!

See ye soon!

Paul.