Clarins Skincare Samples Reviewed

I am really getting into skincare at the moment and, after blogging my skincare routine here, I decided to experiment with a few more products so I can get into a routine that really suits my skin. I had some Clarins Samples kicking about and have trialled four to review here.

Water Comfort One-Step Cleanser - With Peach Essential Water

This cleanser is unlike the ones I usually use as it is a liquid rather than a cream. I found it really handy that this cleanser doesn't need to be washed off. I used cotton pads to wipe it over my skin and it meant a lot less mess than a cleanser that needs rinsed. The smell of this is really off-putting. It is almost a dusty smelling peach and not pleasant at all. After using this my skin didn't feel particularly clean and I wanted to give it a good wash with water.

Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover Lotion

I really enjoyed using this eye make-up remover and would consider buying this in the future. Although called a lotion, this product is watery like a toner and like the cleanser above. It didn't have much of a smell which suited me fine because the cleanser's smell wasn't nice. I used this product on cotton pads and found it was really gentle when removing make up from such a sensitive area. On the downside it took 2 pads per eye to remove my mascara with this lotion but overall it was a good result. 

HydraQuench Cooling Cream-Gel

I have used this cream three times in total and won't be using it again. On application this product makes my skin tingle and sting. As it soaks in, my skin begins to feel itchy. I am someone who gets one spot a year but after using this cream I had several spots within the next day. It may work well for others but this cream is definitely not for me.

One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser - With Orange Extract

Normally I love an orange scented product but I am not a fan of the smell of this exfoliator. Although this describes itself as gentle, I found it a little too harsh for my skin and couldn't rub it in as much as I usually would. Afterwards my skin felt smooth and clean so I would maybe use this on a weekly basis as it is too harsh for a daily product. 

Clarins are a high end brand and their products are usually out of my budget. After sampling these four, I don't feel like I am missing much. I would consider buying the make up remover again and I did like the idea of a cleanser that doesn't need rinsed but the effects of these products just didn't match up to the price tag.

Do you recommend any Clarins products that are worth the cash?

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My Current Skincare Routine

I will boldly hold my hands up and say - I am new to a skincare routine. I have always been lucky enough to have good, clear skin and so, with the exception of removing my makeup, I have taken little interest in skincare products. However now, at the ripe old age of 25, I am starting to worry about what the future may hold for my skin and think that it might be time for a much talked about 'routine'.

For the past 5 weeks I have stuck to a firm routine of skincare products. I am keen to use products every morning and evening and have also chosen some weekly products to give my skin an extra boost. My current skincare routine is not set in stone. I am new to this and therefore trying out new products and seeing how they suit my skin. I will continue to experiment with new products until I find the routine that works best for me.

Having generally good skin, I am not looking to spend a lot of money on skincare. I want products that can work without breaking the bank. One of my reasons for writing this post is so that my readers can suggest to me products that I might like to try that have worked for them and that are within my budget!

So here are the steps that I have been following lately:

Removing Makeup:
I have been using face wipes for as long as I have been wearing makeup and have never had a problem with them. I know some people who have problem skin choose not to use these but personally I find them the quickest and most effective way to remove the bulk of my makeup. When it comes to buying them I am really not fussy and usually go for something as cheap as I can find. I regularly use these T-Zone Shine Control Cleansing Wipes which have a lovely tea tree smell and are 2 for £1 in Poundworld and Poundland. I use these in the evening to remove my makeup and then in the morning to remove any stubborn waterproof mascara or to correct makeup mistakes!

Cleansing and exfoliating:
I aim to use a cleanser every night but it just doesn't always happen. Cleansing when you are not in the shower is a nightmare. No matter how careful you are you always end up soaking yourself and your bathroom! However in the morning, in the shower, it's a different story. I use either cleanser or scrub every day, usually day about. I have been using Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean Cleansing Milk since December and I love it. The smell is gorgeous, it feels really smooth on my face and it makes my skin feel squeaky clean. At £7 this is the most expensive item in my routine but definitely worth the cash. The scrub that I am using is ASDA Young Skin Foaming Facial Scrub which is an absolute bargain at £1. I like this scrub. It's gentle enough to use regularly but still feels like it is really exfoliating your skin.
 

Toning:
Toning has always been the step that I have missed out. I could just never really see what it was for. Even now, I'm not entirely sure that I am sold on the idea. I was using a toner by Simple but switched when I ran out simply to try out another product. The toner that I have just now is Garnier Simply Essentials Toner which is £2.99. I use this every morning and evening. I like that it removes any traces of makeup or dirt that have been missed by cleansing but, other than that, I can't feel that it makes any changes to my pores or my skin as a whole. I'd love to try a toner that I can really feel working. Any suggestions?

Eye Gel:
I don't suffer from bags under my eyes or any puffiness so I'm not entirely sure why I am using eye gel! That being said, I do like the cooling feel of this - especially in the morning. Currently I am using the Boots Essentials Cucumber Eye Gel - £1.50. For the price this is a nice product.

Moisturising:
I love moisturiser! I use various body lotions and potions on my body but always purchase separate products for use on my face. Currently I use two moisturisers; one for the morning and one for the evening. My morning product is ASDA Young Skin Matt Finish Moisturiser, also £1. I apply this before applying makeup in the morning. This moisturiser is perfect for that purpose. It rubs in easily and doesn't leave s greasy residue, meaning it is perfect for applying makeup on top of. In the evening I use NIVEA Soft Refreshingly Soft Moisturising Cream, £2.99. This is a lovely smelling cream and a thick consistency meaning it continues to work for the whole night and I wake up with lovely soft skin.

Weekly:
Once a week I use a face mask. At the moment I don't have a particular mask that I use, I just experiment with different ones and mainly buy sachets. I do want to start using the Amie Clay Mask on a regular basis but it is currently out of stock.

Once or twice a week I wash my face using the Nutrogena Wave. I get a really deep clean from this and like to use it when I have a little more time. Sometimes I use the pads that you can buy for the wave and sometimes I just apply a little cleanser to a cotton pad and stick it onto the machine - this works just as well.

Do you use any of these products?

Can you recommend any budget friendly skincare products that I should try?

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My Favourite From ... Miss Glossybox May 2013

Miss Glossybox May2013
This month saw the launch of the new younger sister of Glossybox, Miss Glossybox. As you will see from my post (link above), I was really happy with this box and thought a lot of the products. My only disappointment was that the surprise element was removed because they published the contents in order to sell the box. Now that I have had this box for some time, I have tried out several of the products. I have no complaints at all and have enjoyed all of the products that I got. The box has also opened my eyes to beautyuk who have some lovely products at great prices. However, there was one clear winner in this box for me. One product that I will be buying the full size of as soon as I can get myself to a supplier!

Amie Spring Clean Cooling Clay Mask (Pictured Left):

Apologies for the confusing photo but I stupidly used the mask before I took a photo of it on its own! I love a face mask. I like to run a bath, put a mask on and relax! I also love the soft and smooth feeling of my skin after use. I have used a lot of masks over the years, including a lot of Lush fresh ones and some homemade, but I would go as far as to say that this beats them all!
Firstly, the ingredients. This product is vegan, uses natural products and isn't tested on animals. It is perhaps for these reasons that the mask feels and smells really fresh and not chemically at all. The mask is a lovely green colour and has a strong lime smell. On application this gives your skin that lovely tingly feel that you get from minty products. The feeling lasted throughout the time I wore the mask (10mins) and I really felt like I was getting an expensive spa treatment. When I removed the mask my skin felt super clean and really smooth. I used a little moisturiser to enhance the feeling. I even noticed that the next morning my makeup seemed to glide on because my skin was even.
This sample was 10ml and I didn't need the whole lot to cover my face. The full product is £4.95 for 75ml and personally I think that would give me 10 applications.

I love this!

Have you tired this mask? I'd love to know what you think so drop me a comment and don't forget to follow :)