AVÈNE TOLERANCE EXTREMELY GENTLE CLEANSER {REVIEW}

The French skincare brand Avène 
has to be admired for their commitment and constant research & 
development of new products for those suffering from sensitive
and intolerant skins, in fact they re-invest 20% of their sales into R&D

 and it's a brand that's effective and one that I really enjoy

 and recommend often.

 Their newly launched range TOLÉRANCE now takes that one step further
  as its been formulated for hypersensitive and reactive skin with ingredients selected for their purity, skin affinity and efficacy, without potentially irritating additives and is high in natural-origin ingredients, making this range a

 pretty SMART formulation.

Consisting of 3 products:

The other 2 products in this range are:
TOLÉRANCE CONTROL SOOTHING SKIN RECOVERY CREAM

TOLÉRANCE CONTROL SOOTHING SKIN RECOVERY BALM

and I will be bringing you my reviews on these two products very soon

However today I am reviewing the first step in this skincare range:

TOLÉRANCE
EXTREMELY GENTLE CLEANSER

My preferred choice of cleanser has to be a milky cleanser and I found

 this product, which is actually a gel-cream, to gently cleanse and remove

 make-up without irritating 

or drying the skin. This cleanser is also a NO-RINSE formula.

The inclusion of D-SENSINOSE, which is
 a postbiotic active ingredient calms the skin and controls hyperreactivity.

It contains the iconic AVÈNE THERMAL SPRING WATER 
which is soothing, softening and anti-irritating.

This collection is Fragrance,Preservative and Paraben free.

Applied AM or PM on either a cotton wool pad or the fingers it can be 

used both on the face, lips and around the eye area and then you 

simply wipe off.

Upon application your skin feels immediately calmed and soothed 

and I can only imagine how comforting 
this cleanser must feel if you have a super intolerant and reactive skin.

This cleanser is a one step, simple and easy to use cleanser

 and as the name suggests it's extremely gentle, soothing and more 

importantly for a reactive, sensitive skin, it does not disrupt the

 hydro-lipid film or skin barrier function.

Whether you have a sensitive skin or not, this is a lovely velvety soft

cleanser for any normal to dry skin, especially as it leaves the skin feeling 

soothed, calmed yet nourished. This is one to have in your cleansing line-up

for those days where you skin feels intolerant or for days where 

you just want to take a break from the more active cleansers...

AVÈNE
TOLÉRANCE
EXTREMELY GENTLE CLEANSER

200ml

R

279

£

11.50

$

24

Avène products are available in South Africa 

Clicks

Dischem

Dermastore

EVE LOM RADIANCE FACE MIST {REVIEW}

EVE LOM cult skin care classics have an ethos of 'less is more'

and have achieved worldwide cult status and with good reason, 

as its much more than just a typical skin care range.

 EVE LOM is known for being the secret addiction of women with 

knowledge of beauty issues. 

It is the must-have item of beauty editors and journalists,

 make-up artists, and of course the most beautiful celebrities. 

The Cleanser is a true classic, and Vogue famously called it 'probably 

the best cleanser in the world'.

Having reviewed the EVE LOM Cleansing sometime ago and I couldn't help

but agree and I also rated it as one of the best cleansing balms,

however I have since reviewed their Radiance Transforming Mask

which sadly I didn't enjoy that.

To read my previous EVE LOM Reviews

I recently purchased their Travel size

 Radiance Face Mist 

making this the third skincare product that I am trying

 and I do love face mists and this one forms part of a wider

 "Radiance" product range , so it seemed

an obvious choice, however this is a luxury brand and some may say

it's not a vital skincare addition and I agree to a point, but if you're not on

a budget and have a good skincare regime in place then this type of

product can make a lovely add-on, that your skin will love you for it...

This isn't just another facial spray, its a versatile, effective skincare treatment 

in a mist form.

A key moisture complex in the Mist supports skin’s natural ability to regulate 

water retention and adapt to changing fluctuations in humidity, keeping skin balanced and refreshed

Enriched with antioxidants that protect against free radicals and other 

oxidative damage that can lead to premature ageing

An active derived from Wild Indigo provides antipollution benefits to calm skin

 and reduce visible signs of stress caused by air pollution.

It improves skin elasticity and firmness and revives lack luster skin

 and provides a dewy look.

For all skin types just mist over entire face and neck.

Use before or after skincare routine or over makeup at any time throughout

 the day for a boost of hydration and protection.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this facial spray and it turned

out to be all that I wanted it to be and then some.

It's serious skin care in a mist format and it's great as a boost 

or top-up for the skin during the day.

The travel size of 15mls works perfectly for "on the go" and the spray

mechanism is different to most facial sprays and worked well.

There is a slight fragrance to the product and you do feel a film

of the moisture/hydration on the skin post spritz.

The radiance effect on the skin is super obvious initially and subsides 

with time, but it certainly gives a good fix of glow.

This could indeed be my new travel companion, 

if we ever get to travel again...

EVE LOM

RADIANCE FACE MIST

48/15 mls

R

910/370

$

18/45

£

15/38

EVE LOM products are available exclusively in South Africa from

Skins Cosmetics

P.S I also have my eye on their Rescue Peel Pads and the Lip Balm.

LET'S TALK ABOUT - BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDARS 2021

 LET'S TALK ABOUT BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDARS, as it's a topic I

love to talk about.

 (Hence the long blogpost today)

I have to be South Africa's biggest fan of advent calendars, especially

the beauty ones, but I am partial to a chocolate one and I confess

that I've had a chocolate calendar every year since being a child and this

year will be no exception even at my age...

The beauty calendars are what get me the most excited now and I treated

 myself to my first one back in 2016.

Beauty Calendars have been big business in the UK & USA for many years

and I'm happy to report that 2021 is the first year that I have seen a decent

assortment here in South Africa.

I have 13 listed below and I've just given you prices and a brief overview,

without giving too much away re the contents.

  Here's some background into the world of beauty advent calendars:

 They can vary between having 12, 24 or 25 doors or drawers and they fall

 into two categories: 

The Brand Calendars, 

where behind every door is a product from the same brand.

The Multi Brand Calendars 

where you will find a

selection of products from a variety of beauty houses spread across 

the calendar doors. These are usually from beauty stores or 

beauty online retailers that retail many brands and are my personal 

favourites.

Beauty Advent Calendars can contain a variety of product sizes

ranging from sample, deluxe, travel and in more recent years 

full size products.

What I love about an advent calendar is the daily excitement and surprise

 behind every festive door in the days leading up to Christmas Day

 and whilst I know what the calendar contains before I order,

 I've usually forgotten by the time it comes to the daily opening.

They also offer the chance to experience new brands and new products,

which I just love.

More often than not, they offer a great saving over buying all of the

items individually and if there's a product that doesn't appeal to

you or not for your skin type, then I often gift them as stocking fillers,

and the smaller sizes always come in handy for travel.

Another added bonus is that many of the boxes are reusable 

and I have filled several of my previous advent calendars with beauty, 

chocolates and other goodies for my family.

My past beauty advent calendars have all been multi brand calendars,

with the exception of my first one. 

and I have Highlight Reels over on my IG account for each one

with what my daily openings revealed.

2016 : ESSENCE 

2017 MARKS & SPENCER

2018 MARKS & SPENCER &  FEELUNIQUE

2019 LOOKFANTASTIC

2020 (COVID)

2021 FINGERS CROSSED THE JOHN LEWIS & BYTERRY

As always I will do daily openings of both my 2021 calendars over on

IG so be sure to follow me.

Now onto my choices of the calendars we have available here in South Africa.

Unfortunately we do not have any multi brand calendars on offer, only the

branded ones and due to the import duties etc. they don't offer the

great savings we see on offer overseas.

I hope they're still all available either online or in store and if we're lucky

they may form part of Black Friday discounts that are happening this week.

Good Luck...

~~~~~~

CHARLOTTE RHYS

ADVENT CALENDAR

24 DAYS

R2332

This is a first for Charlotte Rhys and this luxury calendar is filled

with 24 beautiful fragranced treats featuring 

4 of her Signature Fragrances:

Oud Noir

Oud Blanche

Under the Leaves

No.17

Bath Soaps, Perfumed Candles, Hand Cream, Hand & Body Lotion

Eau de Parfums & Body Creams will brighten up any day in the

run up to the 25th December.

  Available from Charlotte Rhys

~~~~~~

The Body Shop are no strangers to the South African 

Beauty Advent Calendar

 scene and they have 3 offerings this year.

Whilst the festive designs are all very similar, the contents and values

 will vary according to the price.

Just a heads up, The body Shop are currently running a

3for2 Promo

The Body Shop Advent Calendars have a spectacular

 pop-up construction that is packed with either 25 or 24 head-to-toe treats

 that will keep you looking your best right through the festive season. 

Any Body Shop devotee will spot many many full-sized products.

Available from THE BODY SHOP

THE BODY SHOP

LOVE & JOY 

ULTIMATE ADVENT CALENDAR

25 DAYS

R2900

THE BODY SHOP

SHARE THE LOVE  

BIG ADVENT CALENDAR

25 DAYS

R1900

THE BODY SHOP

SHARE THE JOY  

ADVENT CALENDAR

24 DAYS

R1275

 

~~~~~~

L'Occitane are the experts when it comes to Advent Calendars.

This Premium one is filled with a variety of bath,

body, haircare, fragrance, skincare and what would a L'Occitane

calendar be without a few of their iconic hand creams.

Available from L'OCCITANE

L'OCCITANE

PREMIUM 

ADVENT CALENDAR

RETAILS R2200

VALUE R2700

~~~~~~

BENEFIT

THE MORE THE MERRIER

HOLIDAY ADVENT CALENDAR

12 DAYS

R1195

VALUE R2500

The BENEFIT MORE, THE MERRIER beauty holiday advent calendar set contains

12 holiday beauty favorites in mini & fun-sizes

from Benefit’s brow bestsellers & mascaras, to pore primers & face powders,

 this gorgeous gift has it all! 

I see many of my fave BENEFIT products in this box.

~~~~~~

CLARINS have 2 offerings this year and the one is in the form of a

beautiful red hanging reusable pouch system which is filled with

 24 iconic make-up and skincare surprises.

The other is a 12 day calendar and each drawer is filled with one of their

 essential beauty products and who wouldn't be happy to start opening

 either of these calendars on the 1st of December.

Available from CLARINS

CLARINS

24 DAY

ADVENT CALENDAR

R2000

CLARINS

BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

12 DAYS

R1100

~~~~~~

NIMUE 

ADVENT CALENDAR

12 DAYS

R1599 

Unwrap 12 Days of Beautiful Skin this Festive season with Nimue’s

first ever Limited-Edition Advent Calendar.

Perfect for the Nimue fan.

Available from RETAILBOX

~~~~~~

ESSENCE

ADVENT CALENDAR

 24 DAYS

SPARKLING MOMENTS OF JOY

R599

This pretty re-usable 3 drawer presentation box houses a selection of 

24 Essence make-up products and beauty products, 21 of which

are Limited Edition.

 

Available from TAKEALOT

~~~~~~

SOiL 

ADVENT CALENDAR

24 DAYS

R299

SOiL Advent Calendar consists of 24 windows containing a hand-picked 

combination of essential oils, massage oils & carrier oils. 

SOiL is South Africa’s only range of 100% certified organic essential oils

a great treat yourself or a loved one who would like to expand

 their SOiL collection & learn more about the benefits of essential oils.

Available from Faithful to Nature

Let me know if you are going to order or already have any of these 

Advent Calendars in the comments below...

CLARINS TOTAL EYE LIFT {REVIEW}

 I've always been an advocate for the use of Eye Creams, having used myself

since my very early 20's and my eye area is in pretty good condition 

considering my age.

Some months back, in a Modern Beauty Box, I received a full size of the 

Clarins Total Eye Lift

This award winning product was specifically created to enhance the entire 

eye area from temple to temple. 

I personally have been using my eye creams from temple to temple for

many, many years, so for me this is nothing new, but if you have been

only using under the eye area, then I highly recommend that you apply 

your eye creams up the sides of the eye area to the temples and across

the bridge of your and the area between your eyebrows.

 

CLARINS claim that this award-winning, naturally powerful, all-in-one, 

anti-aging eye cream targets wrinkles, crow's feet, dark circles, 

and puffiness for a visible eye lift in 60 seconds flat!

Total Eye Lift is infused with four potent plant extracts

 two of which help to promote this instant “lift” effect.

Horse Chestnut

Its aescin helps to brighten shadowy areas.

Albizia

This extract promotes skin firmness and radiance.

Harungana

This organic extract helps to tighten skin

Guarana

This organic extract helps to reduce the appearance of bags

  

Suitable for all ages, sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

To apply,

 dab gently onto the eye contour and eyelids, and smooth gently between

 the eyebrows and on the temples.

AM & PM.

Having heard some wonderful reviews about this "all in one" & "do it all"

eye cream I was expecting great results, but sadly I can't say I

experienced any "greatness", my findings were simply

 "its a good all round eye cream" albeit a rather pricey one

and I have reviewed so many better eye creams at lower price points.

I found this eye cream, due to it being a fine emulsion, smoothing and

easy to apply. It offered enough moisture and comfort to the skin,

that was once I managed to dispense the cream onto my finger. 

Total Eye Life is packaged in recyclable, airless glass container and

some days it worked and other days it would only work after much pumping

and to be honest I found it quite irritating for a R1000+ eye cream and 

for this irritating issue alone, I doubt I would re-purchase.

For all Clarins lovers their SA website will be having a 

Black Friday Less 35%.

CLARINS

TOTAL EYE LIFT

15ml

R

1,120

$

89

£

58

RAIN EXFOLIATING FACIAL SCRUB {REVIEW}

 Exfoliators... my favourite product of all products and I love 

reviewing them and I have yet another one to tell you about.

The RAIN Exfoliating Facial Scrub is a relatively new scrub on the block.

As with all exfoliating products they're formulated to remove dead skin cells

and RAIN use ground apricot seeds to provide mechanical exfoliation and this product also contains citric acid (AHA) to provide natural chemical exfoliation.

Marula and argan oils provide moisture whilst Aloe ferox soothes the skin.

Suitable for all skin types and it can be used 3-5 times a week.

Naturally fragranced with lemongrass and grapefruit essential oils and is

Vegan-friendly.

If I'm honest I wasn't expecting anything outstanding from this product, yet

once again I have been proven wrong, as I have been pleasantly surprised

 at how effective this exfoliator is and whilst the ground apricot seeds are

 noticeable in texture (which I happen to enjoy) the product is gentle and

does not strip and leave the skin feeling taught and dry, like so many

scrubs can do. My skin felt so smooth and it out performed many scrub

s that I have tried and tested and this was 

by far one of the best smelling, the lemongrass & grapefruit fragrance

 is refreshing and positively divine.

Another standout for me is the packaging, it's super slimline tube,

 still houses 50 mls of product, yet it takes up hardly any space and would 

be great for travel.

Overall it's an affordable, easy to use, effective facial scrub, one that would incorporate seamlessly into anyones existing skin routine.

RAIN

EXFOLIATING FACIAL SCRUB

50ml

R

190

RAIN have 24 stores in South Africa, 

1 in the USA 

and 

5 in Ireland.

RAIN

 

RECENT EMPTIES {NOVEMBER 2021}

 Being my last "Recent Empties" post for 2021 I've 5 products that I have

 recently emptied and that's always a good and expensive sign, as they need

 to be replaced.

Having been in use for many months they're looking a

"little worse for wear" and in some cases downright grubby, but all

have been lovingly used and enjoyed.

As always I will link my full reviews on each product below via the

Pink Links

L-R

CLEAN RESERVE

 CITROEN FIG

EDP

I love my Clean Reserve Citroen Fig and if I'm not mistaken this is my

2nd 100ml empty. It really has become one of my all-time favourites,

as I just love the top notes of fig, ginger, and lemon oil that will brings you an immediate burst of citrus, followed by the middle notes of cardamom, mint, copaiba, and mandarin, then the base notes of sandalwood, cedarwood,

 and musk will ensure that you have an exotic scent to last throughout the day.

I have recently purchased my next bottle, so there will be a seamless move

over from my old and very grubby bottle to the sparkling new one.

CLEAN RESERVE FRAGRANCE REVIEWS

~~~~~~

SVR 

VITAMIN C ANTIOXIDANT

 FOAM MASK

This micro-peeling creamy foam is a cocktail of wonderful active ingredients 

to awaken any dull, tired skin and boost the skins radiance. 

I have so many exfoliating products on the go at any one time and

I use which ever I feel my skin is needing on that specific day, but

 as this delivers on all that it claims, I found myself reaching for it often.

I did finish this product some time ago and despite my initial concern

as to how long the 50ml canister would last, I was pleasantly surprised

with its longevity.

I found this foamy format rather fun and quick to use, whilst still being

extremely effective and one that I would highly recommend.

To read my full review

~~~~~~

ESTHEDERM

OSMOCLEAN

MICELLAR WATER

FOR FACE & EYES

This French skincare brand is relatively new to me in terms of using 

any of their products and I was suitable impressed with their 

cleansing milk.

The fresh toning texture leaves skin clean, fresh and soft and

I've been enjoying this Micellar Water, thus far, as it's ticks all the

boxes when it comes to what you expect from a Micellar Water.

To read my full review

~~~~~~

JO MALONE

WOOD SAGE & SEA SALT

COLOGNE

As I always say fragrance is a very personal choice and that's why it's so

important to try on your skin to see how it develops and finally settles.

It's taken me several years of perseverance with Jo Malone fragrances, 

but I feel the wait was worth it, as I Love both of my finds.

Back in 2016 I discovered Jo Malone Earl Grey and Cucumber cologne

several JM tests later towards the end of 2020 I found my 2nd Jo Malone scent

 in the form of

Wood Sage & Sea Salt

and dare I admit to this, but again I dismissed it, as I really didn't

think I would like it due to the ingredients.

 Both of my loves are lighter

Citrus/Woody/Aromatic fragrances and for me are ideal for daily

 Summer wear.

Both are unisex and my hubby also is partial to a spritz of

Wood Sage & Sea Salt...

It's taken me several years of perseverance with Jo Malone fragrances, 

but I feel the wait was worth it, as I Love both of my choices.

Again I recently re-purchased, so I had a back-up ready to go.

To read my full review

~~~~~~

STRIVECTIN 

SUPER-C RETINOL BRIGHTEN & CORRECT 

VITAMIN C SERUM

Having just finished this serum, this is one that I haven't yet replaced

 and I doubt that I will for sometime, as I have several serums still

to review, however that doesn't mean to say that I wouldn't recommend,

in fact its the opposite, as I highly recommend.

It's such an easy product to incorporate into your daily skincare regime

and I soon noticed a difference in my skin (around 4-5 weeks). 

The most noticeable improvement was in the brightness and the radiance

 of my skin, whilst over the weeks I could most definitely see a softening

of the lines across my forehead.

It's easy to apply, it's 2 serums in one and most of all it works 

and is a great product

as an introduction to the wonders of Vitamin C and Retinol... 

To read my full review

Let me know in the comments below if you have used any of

 these products...