Thursday 31 May 2012

Speed Review: Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask

Luxury skincare brand, Omorovicza harnesses the healing powers of Hungarian thermal waters in a range of products which are seriously results driven. I've recently been using Omorovicza's Deep Cleansing Mask and I'm extremely impressed.


I introduced the mask into my regime in the hope of tackling some of my congestion and I've been using it once a week religiously ever since.
Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask is presented in a sleek, minimalist box which contains the weighty, frosted glass jar of product. The jar itself is quite small and you only receive 50ml of product, although I'd estimate that there's sufficient to be able to apply at least 10 masks.
The mask contains calcium and magnesium minerals from Hungarian Lake Heviz Mud to help draw out impurities. It's quite a wet mask which I found a little messy to apply and I didn't feel that the jar presentation lent itself well to this. What's more, the directions aren't printed on the jar but on a paper leaflet. I appreciate that this enables Omorovicza to address various languages but I found it a little annoying having to search for the directions.
The mask has a strong scent which might not be to everyone's liking but which I personally enjoyed, particularly as it is reminiscent of a spa. The mask feels cooling upon application and whilst I experienced some very mild tingling in sensitive areas such as around my nose, I still feel that it is gentle enough for all skin types.
After 15 minutes, I used the Omorovicza Cleansing Mitt to gently remove the mask (although a regular flannel would work equally well). At this time, the mask hadn't completely dried onto my face. I found it quick and easy to remove.
Whenever I use this, my skin is left feeling wonderful with a refined, even tone. Redness is noticably calmed and diminished. My skin is left with a matte finish but without a dry, tight feeling so I feel that the mask is suitable for all skin types. Particularly impressive is the fact that the results last for a few days after use and I really feel that this is a product whereby results will just become better and better with use over time.
At £57 for 50ml, Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask is pricey but I can honestly say that this is the best deep cleansing mask I've ever used and possibly even the best skincare product that I've discovered so far this year. I can't recommend it highly enough.
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Favourite Products of May 2012

Want to know which products I've loved this month? Here's a sneak peek...



For the full round-up, click here to view my latest YouTube video. I'm hoping to make these round-ups a regular feature so would love to hear your thoughts.
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Sunday 27 May 2012

New Video

Earlier this month, I launched Skin Deep Beauty Vlog, the YouTube sister channel to my blog which I hope you're enjoying so far. Please click here to watch my latest video which showcases a selection of products from the MAC 2012 Summer Collection. I'd love to hear your thoughts!


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Thursday 24 May 2012

Speed Review: Caudalie Cleansing Water

I've really been enjoying using Cleansing Waters lately and most recently, it's been the turn of the Caudalie Cleansing Water.

As with all cleansing waters, Caudalie Cleansing Water offers a quick and easy way to cleanse and remove makeup. Overall, I've been really impressed with the cleansing waters that I've tried and have been recommending them as an alternative option to facial cleansing wipes. After all, cleansing waters are equally simple and convenient to use but with far greater skincare benefits.

Caudalie Cleansing Water has the same distinctive, fresh scent as many of the products from their range. It feels refreshing to use although it's not so invigorating as to make it inappropriate for bedtime use. It contains a blend of antioxidant rich grape extracts, moisturising plant glycerin, toning mint, caraway, camomile and galbanum.
I found that I needed to use 3 saturated cotton wool pads to remove a full face of makeup, on average. Caudalie Cleansing Water feels gentle and is even suitable for use around the eyes, although on most occasions I still used a separate eye makeup remover. It effectively wipes away all traces of makeup and doesn't leave a "film" of residue on the face. My skin was left feeling hydrated and clean but not stripped. I'd recommend this to anyone but particularly those with sensitive skin.
At £15 for 200ml, I feel that this is fairly priced and in line with other brands such as Lierac (click here to read my review of the Lierac Cleansing Water).
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Tuesday 15 May 2012

Quick Update

This is shaping up to be a super busy week so I'm afraid I'm not sure how much I'll be able to blog. To tide things over, I've posted a short shopping haul video on my new YouTube channel which I hope you'll enjoy. Click here to view.
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Friday 11 May 2012

Speed Review: Philosophy The Microdelivery Peel

I've recently tried Philosophy The Microdelivery Peel, a two-step at home microdermabrasion kit which is one of the "heroes" of the brand's skincare range.

Early last year, I reviewed the Vie at Home Skin Sparkle Set (click here for the review) which retailed for approximately £15 so I was intrigued to see how the Philosophy set would compare.
On first impressions, whilst I liked the aesthetic of the Philosophy products, I preferred the functionality of the Vie at Home ones which are presented in convenient and hygenic tubes.

As with the Vie at Home set, Philosophy The Microdelivery Peel has two phases, starting with Vitamin C/ Peptide Crystals which are suspended in a balm-like formula. The directions for use are easy to follow, stating that you have to massage the balm into clean, dry skin for 60 seconds in a circular motion. I absolutely loved the formula of this which lent itself well to the massage technique. The balm sinks into the skin beautifully and the crystals are very finely milled for a gentle yet thorough exfoliation. What's more, the balm has an incredible sweet orange fragrance. The only downside is that I found I needed to use quite a bit to cover my entire face.

The second phase involves the application (on top of the balm) of a Lactic/Salicylic Acid Activating Gel. This has a very liquid formula which foams upon application. There is also a warming sensation upon application which I quite liked as I felt reassured that the product was working. The directions state that you have to leave the foam on your face for 2-3 minutes to allow the Vitamin C to infuse into skin, before rinsing thoroughly. During this time, the foam remains very liquidy so you can't really move around.
I really liked The Microdelivery Peel and was impressed with the results. It left my skin looking and feeling wonderfully soft, smooth and radiant. I do feel that it delivers on the claims of helping to brighten and even skin tone & believe that it would help to minimise hyperpigmentation with use over time. It would be a great at-home treatment to use before an event, although it may not be suitable for those with very sensitive skin.

I definitely think that kits like this give better results to a standard exfoliator- they are, after all, more intense and designed to be used as a special treatment. The downside is that they are more fiddly and time consuming to use and as a result, I've used the kits I own a lot less regularly than I originally anticipated.

Philosophy The Microdelivery Peel kit costs £59. The Vie at Home kit is approximately a quarter of the price at around £15. The products are pretty much identical so whilst I'd recommend the kit, I'd suggest saving yourself some money and picking up the Vie at Home kit instead.


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Thursday 10 May 2012

Speed Review: Ren Micro Polish Cleanser


I've recently been using REN Micro Polish Cleanser and those of you who have watched my newly launched YouTube channel (click here to view) will know that it's one of my favourite products so far this year.

REN Micro Polish Cleanser is a facial exfoliator which combines physical scrubbing particles such as crushed Amber Microbeads with Glycolic Acid exfoliants from fruit such as pineapple extract. It's a minor quibble but I do feel that the name is quite misleading. This should not be used as a daily cleanser but 2-3 times per week (I've been using it twice a week for approx 6 weeks so far and following with the REN Radiance Perfecting Serum).

I liked the functional tube presentation which looks sleek with the signature Ren "clean" & minimal branding. The tube itself feels very lightweight and as though you're not getting the full amount of product but this is merely due to the texture of the product inside. I've found that the product separates a lot in the tube between uses so recommend shaking the tube vigorously before squeezing the product out.

REN Micro Polish Cleanser has an unusual mousse-like formula with scrub particles. It feels as though a little goes a long way but having said that, I feel as though I'm getting through the tube rather quickly. The formula, combined with the tempting fruity fragrance, make this a joy to use. It feels lightweight to apply onto the skin and although it offers a very effective exfoliation due to the combined effects of the scrub particles and the Glycolic Acid, it doesn't feel scratchy or overly abrasive. The double action exfoliants mean that it's more powerful than you might suspect and as a result, those with very sensitive skin might find that this isn't suitable.
This leaves my skin feeling deep cleaned (I'm looking forward to using it in the summer when I apply heavier SPFs) and super soft & smooth. I have some hyperpigmentation on my face which looks slightly diminished and I feel that any spots I've had have healed more quickly than usual.

At £20 for 150ml, REN Micro Polish Cleanser doesn't come cheap but I can't recommend it highly enough.


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Wednesday 9 May 2012

Speed Review: Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Radiance Renewer

Although I like Clinique makeup, I can find their skincare a little on the strong side for my sensitive skin so when I was recently sent Turnaround Concentrate Radiance Renewer, £32 for 30ml, for review, I passed it onto a friend to try. She has normal skin and her concerns are aging and the occasional hormonal breakout. Here are her thoughts...

I was excited to be asked to try this as it's exactly the sort of product that I'd normally go for. Brands including Clinique and Estee Lauder feature heavily in my regime so I'm familiar with the brand. I liked the packaging which is both sleek in appearance and functional with a pump dispenser & clear directions.
The product itself is designed as a chemical exfoliator and has a gel cream consistency, like a serum, which makes it easy to work with. A little goes a long way. Although easily absorbed, I could feel the product on my skin which might not be to everyone's liking. There is a slight scent but it's certainly not offensive.
I found it easy to fit Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Radiance Renewer into my regime. I liked the product and felt that it improved the radiance of my skin & blemishes healed slightly more quickly than usual. Otherwise, I didn't notice dramatic results so perhaps it would be better suited to someone more mature on whom the results would be more noticable.
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Tuesday 8 May 2012

BREAKING NEWS: Introducing Skin Deep Beauty Vlog

I'm delighted to announce that Skin Deep is now on YouTube!

There's still a long way to go before I perfect the lighting and sound but I'm excited to have an additional platform through which to share my latest beauty finds with you. My first video can be accessed here. I look forward to hearing what you think! 


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Monday 7 May 2012

he-shi Giveaway: The Winner

The he-shi giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all those who entered. The entries were input into a random number generator and I'm delighted to announce the winner as... Jude! Congratulations!
I've got some more giveaways planned so stay tuned...
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