Review: Boots Botanics All Bright Cleansing Toner

Hello lovelies,

I've always thought that toner was the last step to cleansing - to remove any residue or makeup left behind. So I have never been too fussy over what I use and would pick up anything on offer but as I've been getting more into skincare, I found out via Caroline Hirons blog, check it out if your haven't already, that toner has other functions. I wouldn't say my skin was particularly sensitive but with combination skin, I tend to try to avoid toners with alcohol in as they dry your skin out. But this is an exception to the rule.

I love any product that claims to be brightening, I tend to use quite harsh products on my skin to keep it under control and anything that can inject a bit of radiance or a glow back into my face is definitely on my radar. I just love having a fresh and healthy looking complexion. You may already know that products which contain AHA's (Alpha Hydroxy Acids, yes I most definitely looked that up!) are amazing for boosting our skin. They work by chemically exfoliating the top layer of skin away, revealing newer fresh skin underneath. Most products that contain them are out of my price range, so when I spotted this little gem, I was all over it.

Botanics claims that 'this revitalising toner helps visibly tighten pores and instantly brighten skin'. Now those are some pretty strong promises and I think it lives up to them. A toner is never going to dramatically change your skin but I think working in conjunction with other products, this freshens and brightens up your face. I tend to use this every night after cleansing, using a few drops on a cotton pad all over my face. I use a different toner in the morning that doesn't contain alcohol just to set up my face for the day. 

The natural AHA's, which I believe come from fruit acids, help to tighten up your pores and brighten up your skin. I think this is a cheaper alternative to products such as Pixi Glow Toner as long as you don't mind the alcohol. It will be something that I repurchase and I don't say that about a lot of products! 

Botanics have not long ago redone their packaging and changed some of their formulations. I know with some of Botanics other products, there has been mixed reviews regarding formulas but I have no qualms over this toner. 

Boots Botanics All Bright Cleansing Toner is available in Boots at a purse friendly price of £3.99 for 250ml but is currently on offer for an even more affordable £2.69. Bargain!

Do you use toner? Have you found any drugstore hidden gems?

Review: Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Shine Control Day Moisturiser

Hello lovelies,

I'm always on the lookout for products that claim to treat excess oil and shine. After spotting this in Boots, I thought I'd give it a go, I've tried the face mask from the same range and found it really soothed my skin.

I have combination skin which is oily, pretty much smack bang down the centre of my face. This moisturiser jumped out at me claiming to blot up excess oil and excess shine.  I wanted something that would clear up my skin and banish excess oil, so this looked to be a good bet.

I apply a squidge of this to my face after toning, and just rub it in gently, I find quite a lot of moisturisers can be too thick and heavy for my face, so I tend to choose something that has a lighter consistency such as a gel or a lotion. Instead of sitting on top of the skin, this sinks in almost immediately and you're good to go.

Although this does leave you're skin looking matte, I do still like to apply a primer over the top as it helps to make my makeup last just a little bit longer. I'm pretty sure if your skin wasn't as oily as mine, you could easily get away with not applying a primer as this has a mattifying effect.

My only bug bear is the scent, I find it a bit too overwhelming first thing in the morning. As you may have guessed, the fragrance is tea tree and witch hazel, I find the witch hazel comes through stronger and is slightly unpleasant. Again that's my personal preference, some might like it!

I wouldn't say it has helped to clear up my skin to a great extent, yet I do think it's a good buy if you're on a budget.

Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Shine Control Day Moisturiser 75ml is available from Boots for £3.59 and can often be found on 3 for 2 offers.

Review: ModelCo Lip Enhancer Illusion Lip Liner

Hello lovelies,

I have to say I've never been that particularly fussed about lip liners. They never seem to match closely enough to the lip colour that I want to wear or they dry out leaving you with a different coloured ring around your lips, which is never going to be the look anyone's going for.

However, my opinion may have changed, thanks to the ModelCo. Lip Enhancer Illusion Lip Liner, the name's a bit of a mouthful!

The texture of this lip liner is lovely, it's not comparable to the ones I've tried before. It just glides on, you don't want to feel like you're pulling at your lips, this is so soft and smooth. I've found previously that the vast majority of lip liners tend to bleed into whatever lip colour you're wearing, this stays put and actually looks natural.

The lip liner comes in one shade: a nude. You might think no way is a nude lip liner going to suit me, but ModelCo claim that one shade suits all. Most of us will have pink lips and regardless of the lip colour that we wear, it eventually wears off and our lips turn pink. Because this lip liner has such good staying power and pigmentation, the lip liner maintains its colour and means that lighter coral shades are easy to wear without turning pink.

Lip Enhancer Illusion is the perfect size to fit into any makeup bag and contains an inbuilt sharpener in the lid for convenience. To sharpen, all you do is leave the lip on and twist the pencil.

I think this could possibly become my holy grail of lip liners, the colour is perfect, the texture and staying power are great. It's an essential in any girl's holiday makeup bag.

ModelCo Lip Enhancer Illusion Lip Liner is available from Boots for £14.00 or in the current August edition of Glamour magazine for the grand old sum of £2.00