Best Of 2012: Skin Care

Time to reveal which were my top skin care products in 2012! Those of you following me for a while know that I have had some issues with my skin up to August of last year; for those of you who are new here, I basically started getting a whole lot of zits on my face and I thought it was all due to starting my job etc... turned out I was using too much products to try and eliminate the spots and I ended up making matters worse. That is until I only used La Roche Posay products.

So here are the winners in the Skin Care Category! La Roche Posay Effaclar Foaming Cleansing Gel...honestly, the best cleanser I have ever used that is specifically targeted for my skin type. It doesn't dry out my skin whilst doing an excellent job at cleansing away excess sebum; paired with La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat Moisturizer, they really do care for my skin and it has now become less oily and I am getting spots much less frequently and they tend do disappear quicker.  The moisturizer has a very nice skin mattifying effect and is also an excellent make-up base!

Roberts Rose Water has been my choice of toner this year as with its gentle action, it cares for my sensitive skin yet it refreshes my skin effectively with a light rose fragrance.  Nivea Visage Young Mild Exfoliating Scrub continues to be a winner with me as it is mild enough to use everyday to keep my skin peachy smooth!

As for make-up removal, besides the above products, I like to use Nivea Refreshing Cleansing Lotion and Lycia Make-Up Remover Wipes to remove eye make-up effectively without irritating my eyes. The wipes need no introduction and I am very fond of the cleansing lotion simply because unlike other make-up removers, it doesn't leave an oily residue.

Lastly, a little shout-out to this Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash that I have been using while in Paris because of it's compact size.  While the smell is definitely not pleasant, I like the fact that the product is of 98.8% natural origin and it didn't break me out or leave my skin overly dry. Since this was a freebie with Glamour magazine, I cannot get it in Malta so I will enjoy it while it lasts!

And those, dear readers, have been my favourite skin care products in 2012!













Part 1: Nails

Products marked with * were either gifted to me or else sent by respective companies' PR for review purposes.

Review: Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant Roll-On Deodorant

Hello loves :) I have been quite busy with work and I haven't posted a review in quite a while and seeing I have been using this deodorant for quite some time now, I thought of reviewing it for you.  Regular posting should resume as of next week as I will finally be working shift hours which will leave me more free time to myself.

I have never been a fan of roll-on deodorants as I had read somewhere that they are not good for your health in terms that they contain aluminium compounds (like all other deodorants) and since the applicator touches the skin, they increase the risks of cancers etc so I was a bit skeptical when Mum first bought it.  On the other hand, I do hate the yellow and white marks that deodorants leave on clothes so thought of giving it a go just the same.  

Let's see how this product presents itself first.  It is your basic roll-on deodorant with the ball applicator and the deodorant itself is a transparent thick liquid.  The fact that the jar is made of clear glass, enables you to see how much product you've got left and is also good for the environment as it can be recycled.  The product smells really nice and you get 50ml of it.

What I like most about this deodorant is that apart from living up to its claims of not staining clothes, it also lasts for a considerable amount of time (I wouldn't say it lasts 48 hours but it lasts me for around 12 hours or so which is is very good) and also, the fact that it doesn't sting after shaving my underarms.  The texture is quite liquid but it doesn't take long to be absorbed in your skin and it doesn't feel sticky at all.

I totally recommend this deodorant and I have already got a sample size (free with purchase) of it in spray format which keeps my mind at rest more than when using a roll-on and it still works as good as the roll-on version.

Have you ever tried any product from the Nivea Invisible range?

Top-Ten Tuesdays ~ Face Products

Good morning my lovelies! Today, I am going to share my Top- Ten face products which include both make-up and skin-care products. So, here goes!

10. e.l.f. Mineral Blemish Kit
9. e.l.f. All Over Colour Stick in Persimmon
8. Inglot Under Make-up Base
7. Nivea Visage Young control shine! Mattifying Gel Cream
6. Nivea Visage Young smooth it! Mild Exfoliating Scrub
5. Revlon ColorStay Makeup in 180 Sand Beige for Combination/Oily Skin
4. La Roche Posay Effaclar AI Targeted Breakout Corrector
3. Rimmel Lasting Finish Minerals Loose Powder Foundation in 100 Ivory
2. Rimmel Powder Blush in 004 Pink Rose
1. e.l.f Studio Complexion Perfection

I'm gonna cheat a bit today and I am also going to include my new favourite product for pure bliss even for just 5 minutes...

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Review: Nivea CareGloss & Shine in Natural

I have had this product for quite a long time and I can't believe I haven't done a review about it yet! I bought it because I wanted a gloss that also performed as a lip balm as this seemed to fit the bill!

Here's what it looks like:

The tube and the doe-foot applicator

When you buy it, it will be supplied in a blister pack and the tube holds 10ml of product which is great! I'm not sure about the actual retail price but I think it's around the €4 mark.

I chose this shade as I wanted an everyday shade that goes with everything (there are also a red, a pink, a pearly, and a Q10 anti-wrinkle version available).  Therefore, it is essentially clear but it has the slightest hint of a peach sheen with an inconspicuous peachy shimmer. 

I have been in love with this product from the very first use for a variety of reasons.

1. The ease of application: I really like it when glosses come in this format as it makes it easier to get the product right on your lips... where you want it to be.

2. The twist-off cap offers a hygienic alternative and promises that the gloss won't end up all smeared in your make-up bag.

3. The 'colour' of it as well as it's long-lastingness.

4. Nice smell and taste as well as being non-sticky.

5. Value for money... this is only my first tube and I have to buy another one soon because I am running low only now, after almost two years of using this.  Bear in mind that I carry this product with me wherever I go and use it everyday.  I like how it provides instant relief from dry, chapped lips + it makes them look more glamourous with a hint of gloss.

Would I repurchase this product? Definitely yes!! And maybe some of the other shades as well! Have you ever tried any of the CareGloss & Shine range sweeties?

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Review: Nivea Double Effect Deodorant 24h Violet Senses

Here's another Nivea product which I love... Nivea Double Effect Deodorant 24h Violet Senses.  I have been faithful to this deodorant from the first time I tried it, i.e. around a year ago.

As usual, let's see what it looks like! Basically, it is your average deodorant spray bottle, only cuter and more girly!

It comes in a convenient 150ml bottle which has enough product to last for around a month (bear in mind I use loads of it on a daily basis so that's great) and you can also carry it in your gym bag, luggage, etc... (not for small clutches though!).

This deodorant, apart from being an anti-perspirant, is supposed to render your underarms hair-free for longer. Let's see if it does what it says on the bottle! First, the anti-perspirant part. First of all, this deodorant has a really delicate and fresh floral scent that lasts all day, so I guess that's full marks to the anti-perspirant. Further more, the product doesn't stain clothes (when shaken well before use, if not, it will be a bit sticky and cause stains).

Now for the 'smoother underarms for longer' part. The deodorant contains avocado extract, specifically targeted to make underarm skin softer for a closer shave. I cannot say if I have noticed an improvement with regards my underarms staying hair-free for longer as I naturally don't have a noticeable hair growth under my arms; but I can definitely say that when I use this deodorant immediately after shaving, it does not sting! and really does leave my underarms smooth. I guess the fact it doesn't sting comes from the deodorant being alcohol free. It is also free from colourants. Like all Nivea products the dermatological compatibility for this deodorant is approved. 

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Top-Ten Tuesdays ~ Nivea

Time for another Top-Ten Tuesday! This time, I will list my top 10 products from Nivea From my previous posts, you might have noticed how much I love Nivea products especially for my facial care, so most of the products in this post will in fact be facial care products.

10. Nose-pore strips ~ I bought these after seeing an advert on tv and wanted to give them a go. They are supposed to literally take out any nasty black heads from the nose, chin and forehead. I mainly use them on my nose. I would say these are OK; not great, just OK. They do remove black heads... not as much as I want them to though.

9. Hand Cream ~ this cream has been around for such a long time! I even remember it with the plain, blue tins when I was younger! I like the rich and highly moisturizing formula so much, I always carry my small tin with me in my bag wherever I go!

8. Toner ~ this is the best toner I have ever tried! it doesn't leave my skin taut, is rapidly absorbed and it's very refreshing!

7. Cleanser ~ again, one of the best products in the range. read a full review by clicking on the name :)

6. Moisturizer ~ a mattifying moisturizer, to me is like a HG of skin care. I have oily t-zone skin and chin and this moisturizer really prevents me from shining in the wrong way all throughout the day!

5. Scrub ~ not harsh at all on my facial skin but does it's job really well to reveal cleaner and pure-looking skin in minutes!

4. Double Effect Deodorant ~ I swear by this! It doesn't sting after shaving, provides 24 hour protection and doesn't stain clothes... anything else required from a deodorant? ah yes! a lovely smell! surely this has it!

3. Extra Gentle Eye Make-up Remover ~ the name says it all! read a full review by clicking on the product's name.

2. Cashmere Moments ~ one of my favourite shower gels. Apart from a fresh, flowery scent that lingers for quite a long time, this leaves my skin really moisturized and lathers up a lot so a little goes a long way. Happy Times (one in the pic) is also one of my faves with a zingy, creamy citrus smell that lingers on my skin.

1. Care Gloss & Shine in Neutral ~ I wear this all the time, especially during the day! I bought this in Neutral so it complements every look and it is perfect for daily use. I had this for like a year now and I still have a good amount left!

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Review: Nivea Visage Young smooth it! Mild Exfoliating Scrub

Who doesn't want smooth and peachy-soft skin? I think I have found the right product to achieve this! Ladies, please give a warm welcome to Nivea Visage Young smooth it! Mild Exfoliating Scrub! I have been through a lot of tubes of this stuff and still love it. Here's why...

As usual, what the packaging looks like...

Basically it's just a transparent tub; well not exactly transparent, more like resembling that frosted glass effect, but you can still see through it and I actually think the peach and white flower motifs along the right side of the tube are cute and add an interesting touch to the product. This comes in a 75ml format which is great as I replace the tube like every 6 months or so. The ingredients and an explanation of the product can be found on the back of the tube.

The actual product...

This scrub works for young skin that is either normal or combination so it works fine for me. It contains extra fine exfoliators to 'effectively remove dead skin cells to smooth the complexion; gently cleanses without drying out the skin; enriched with Peach Extracts, the mild formula softens the skin.'

This product's texture is creamy and leaves a little bit of oily residue which is rinsed off with just some warm water. Being creamy, it doesn't dry my skin and also, the particles in it are not that big and so they are not harsh against the sensitive and less thick skin on the face. They are a nice colour too actually, pink and orange ^.^. With regards smell, the product does give off a faint smell of peaches but it's not really strong or particular.

It is usually recommended to use a scrub as part of your facial cleansing routine twice weekly. This product does not have anything written on the tube with regards frequency of use so I use it every other day at the end of the day when I am cleaning my face before I go to bed. It never broke me out and I like how it makes my skin look and feel so smooth and soft. Furthermore, this scrub is non-comedogenic which makes sense as it is intended to remove dead skin cells and debris from the skin without clogging pores. For those of you who have never heard of the word 'non-comedogenic' or are unsure about what it means, it implies that the product does not clog pores or cause black heads (comedones = black heads). Skin compatibility of this product is dermatologically approved.

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Review: Nivea Visage Refreshing Cleansing Lotion

Hello my lovelies I hope you're all well :) Today, I am going to review another product which I use for my facial cleansing routine: Refreshing Cleansing Lotion, also by Nivea Visage.

As usual, here's what the package looks like:

It is actually very similar to my eye make-up remover except that the bottle is opaque, so to check how much product is left, I usually put it up against the light. Then it's the usual thing... logo and description and more details and ingredients on the back.

Since I have combination skin, this product is excellent for me. It is a creamy formulation but not as creamy as a product intended for dry skin; it's somewhere in between. I actually prefer this product over my older Nivea cleanser which was in gel form and it dried out my skin more than necessary. This one, on the other hand, hydrates it to just the right level without making my skin feel greasy or oily. The smell is the usual cleanser smell for this one as well.

I like to use this cleanser to remove the rest of my facial make-up and also some left-over traces of eye make-up. I think this is the only cleanser that doesn't sting or burn when I cleanse my eyes with, so that's a great bonus.

Overall, I think I am going to stay faithful to this cleanser for as long as my skin permits to. As usual, like the other Nivea products, it is reasonably priced, and better still, you get 200ml. Since it is a creamy formula, you get through it less faster than other formulations!

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Review: Nivea Visage Extra Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover

I always start my face cleansing routine by removing my eye make up as they are usually the most coloured areas and I don't want to end up tugging at my face to remove the mascara smears! Knowing how delicate the eye area is, and how sensitive mine can be, I chose this Extra Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover by Nivea from their Visage range. I am very faithful to Nivea as it is the only brand whose cleansing products have never broke me out, are reasonably priced and do their job.

The bottle is quite simple... a light blue see-through plastic bottle with a white cap and the usual stuff like a product description and the Nivea Visage logo. The see-through bottle adds extra bonus points as I can see how much product is left; and so does the dispenser, being a small hole, I can easily control how much product to squeeze out.

This eye make-up remover is water based but it feels nice on the skin. Actually, it does feel a bit oily but just a little, nothing you can't put up with. As you may have noticed from the photo it is not a bi-phasic eye make-up remover. To be honest I am not really a fan of those kind of eye make-up removers as they are very much oily. This eye make-up remover smells much like any other cleansing product... soapy smell!

To use this eye make-up remover, I like to dilate my cotton discs in some warm water and then squeeze out some of the product, leave on my eyes for a couple of seconds and sweep out. The first time I tried this, I was really amazed at how much mascara it removed in one swoop! I think I just had to go over the same eye like once more so that's great as I don't have to tug at my eyes to remove mascara... just a couple of gentle swoops does the trick! Yet more brownie points are gained by this product as it also removes my waterproof mascara! I've also noticed that my eye lashes aren't falling out any more since I have been using this remover. I think that is due to the ProVitamin B12 in this product.

I wish this bottle came in a larger format though so I don't run out of it too quickly, then again, since it is reasonably priced, it doesn't matter that much! This eye make-up remover is also available in a waterproof remover version (I don't see the need for this since this does the job as well) and both come in 125ml format.

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My Lip Gloss Collection and some reviews

Hello there sweeties :)

This review will be a bit different from my previous ones because I will include all the lip glosses I have and I will do short reviews on each of them. Enjoy reading through :)

I'm going to start with my latest additions which I am now addicted to thanks to e.l.f. for sending them as a free gift with my last order. These are the bottom 3 lip glosses in the picture above. I got 3 shades:

- Iced Latte

- Malt Shake

- Goddess

My favourite has got to be Goddess. It's more of the colour I normally go to for my lips. However, I was surprised that the other two are not that dark against my fair complexion :) What I like about these lip glosses is the sweet smell and taste and also the fact that they are not sticky at all (this has also been confirmed by my boyfriend :P). They really last long as well. And here they are in their pretty pouch which e.l.f. supplied them in :) :

My next two most used lip glosses are the Nivea one (uppermost peachy tube) and the clear one with the pink cap which is by Rimmel. The Nivea one is called Caregloss and Shine in Neutral from their Lip Care range and the Rimmel one is from the Shock Gloss range and its 200 Clearly Clear.

The Nivea lip gloss is always shifting from one bag to the other; which ever I choose to take with me when I'm out. It has a really pleasant smell and glides on smoothly without being sticky. The neutral colour ensures it goes with every look.

The clear gloss by Rimmel is a bit sticky but not that much it still gives me a good result...worn alone or on lipstick. What I like about it is the spatula applicator because it gathers just the right amount of gloss for precise application. Here is a picture of the applicator:

Another favourite is one I got as a gift last month (I even included it in my June favourites) for redeeming 50 make up points on Meg's Make up (just send me an email if you want me to send you an invite to join). It is one my faves for various reasons:

1. I love the packaging

2. It's high end

3. Its colour

4. The soft applicator brush

5. Its minty taste

6. A small mirror is included on the cap

Here are pictures of the packaging, applicator and mirror...

Next, are the two middle tubes...the pink one and the yellowish one.

The pink one, I received it as a gift last Christmas and it was part of a set from Primark. I love the smell of sweets it has and the pink colour. However, I dislike the stickiness of the product...I still use it though. Who can ever refuse a pink lip gloss :P ??

The yellowish one is from The Body Shop and it is also a bit sticky. I use it mainly for nights out because it is glittery and I think glitter should be left for the night.

Another The Body Shop purchase...Born Lippy Lip Balm in Passion Berry. I love these lip balms and can't seem to get enough of them (I had a Strawberry one too)! Not only do they taste lovely, but besides protecting your lips with a just-seen sheen, they are also glossy so I use it as a lip gloss as well. I don't carry it around with me because it is in a pot and I hate sticking my finger in a pot without being able to wash my hands afterwards...not to mention contaminating the product itself. What I do instead is I use a small lip brush to apply it.

Finally, the last one is from L'Oreal and it is called Glam Shine Crystals in Coral Strass 301. I bought this lip gloss from Corfu Airport last year before I departed back home. Since it is somewhat glittery I also like to use it at night. It has a sponge applicator and it is not sticky and lasts well.

Hope you enjoyed this article!

Stay beautiful,

Lara xoxo

Full Skin Cleansing Routine

Hello my beauties :)

Today, I'm gonna blog about my skin care routine and the products I use throughout.

1. I always make sure my hands are squeaky clean and after I wash them thoroughly with soap and warm water, I apply a sanitizing gel. This will eliminate commensal skin bacteria and therefore, prevents transfer of these bacteria onto the face.

2. Dilate 2 or 3 cotton discs in warm water and apply eye-make up remover to each one of them.

3. Pull the brow of one eye upwards (gently), apply the disc to the eyelid and leave for 5 seconds. Sweep in an outward motion and repeat until all the makeup is removed.

4. Run under the lower lashes with disc edge to remove any mascara and eye pencil smudges. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the other eye with another cotton disc. If mascara is still coming out, apply some more make up remover to a cotton bud and run it over the lashes.

5. To remove lipstick, apply some makeup remover to another cotton disc, hold lips taut from one side and sweep outwards in the opposite direction (if your holding your lips from the left side sweep to the right and vice versa).

6. For cleansing the face, apply a 20 Euro-cent coin-sized dollop of cleanser to one of your palms. Wet the other palm and work the cleanser into a lather. Start by applying it over the neck in upward, circular movements and move on to the centre of the face and continue with outwards circular movements. Pay special attention to the nostril area. Rinse off with warm water and repeat when removing full make up.

7. Apply toner all over the face, omitting the eye area.

8. Apply 20 Euro-cent coin-sized dollop of FACIAL scrub (body scrubs have coarser granules which will be too harsh for the skin on the face) onto your palms and massage on your face using circular motions outwards and upwards from the jaw-line. Leave on for 3 minutes and rinse off with warm water.

9. Apply a thin layer of face mask (for peel-offs apply a thicker layer) all over the face omitting the eye and lip areas. Leave on for 15 - 30 minutes or as long as it is stated on the package. Rinse off with warm water. Steps 8 and 9 should ideally be done twice a week.

10. Apply another application of toner paying special attention to the hair-lines so as to make sure all traces of the mask are removed.

11. Leave the skin to dry.

12. Apply some eye gel or eye cream by gently dabbing with the ring finger around the orbitals.

13. Apply a slick of lip balm.

14. Apply a layer of moisturizer and work in the skin until fully absorbed. In the morning apply sunscreen prior to applying the moisturizer. When I am not going to apply foundation, I use a tinted moisturizer as a make-up base.

- Skin Truth Face Eye Contour Gel

- Nivea Visage Extra Gentle Eye Make-up Remover

- Nivea Visage Refreshing Facial Wash Gel

- Nivea Visage Refreshing Toner

- Nivea Visage Young smooth it! mild exfoliating facial scrub

- Nivea Visage Young control shine! mattifying gel cream

- Nivea Visage Young be beautiful! tinted moisturizer

- Nivea Lip Care Caregloss & Shine

- A range of Montagne Jeunesse face masks and tonics. I always try out different ones suited for my skin.