La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] review

Every now and again a product crops up that I want to try but I'm not really sure what it does. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] was one of those products. I read a few fuzzy reviews about it, but it wasn't until a fellow beauty crazed friend Amy (see her lovely blog here) recommended it to me I decided to take the plunge and purchase. 

So what is it? The product itself is a little like a mosituriser, it can be applied twice a day and melts into the skin just as a moisturiser would. Its texture is more likened to a serum as it is quite thick and not at all greasy. However unlike a run of the mill moisturiser this product is designed to help the condition and the appearance of your skin. 

Its first promise is to help correct the appearance of unsightly marks on the skin. Under this umbrella comes blemishes, permanent marks (such as acne scars) and dark patches. When i say promise I really mean it, as the company offers your money back if you're not satisfied with the results. Personally I think the serum definitely delivers in this aspect. After using for only a few days I found my spots were less angry, my skin had a more even tone and any scarring from long gone spots seemed to be reduced. I also found it helped any redness in my skin. I've now been using for nearly a month and my skin has definitely benefited from regular use. 

Secondly this product claims to deliver a more even skintone, refining the appearance of the skin whilst also controlling any shine. I was confused at the use of the words 
correcting and refining,  as they seemed one and the same, but after using for over a month I can see more of what they mean. My skin looks (and feels) healthier, more 'glowy' and definitely less bumpy. So alongside helping obvious imperfections, it has helped to refine the look of the skin overall. In terms of helping shine, I can definitely say my t-zone looks less greasy at the end of the day and my make up is less prone to falling off.

So, a strange product. Not a mosituriser, but not a serum to target problem areas. It won't replace anything in your skincare routine, so is it just another product to plonk on your face? Personally I really like it, It's adds about 25 seconds to my skincare routine and has quick yet noticeable results. Within a few days I noticed my skin looked in much better condition, and the longer I use for the healthier my skin feels. If you're looking for something to help spot prone skin I would highly recommend purchasing this. You can thank me later...

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] - £15.50

March Favourites

This month I have compiled a list of absolute gems! I've missed my last two monthly favourites due to a very hectic and busy period of time, but that just means this months round up is extra fantastic!

First of all I have a few Soap & Glory products. I am a big fan of Soap & Glory, and I'm especially partial to their scrubs (see review here) but this is the first time I've added so many Glory additions to my daily routine. The first two I cannot take credit for as they were gifts, but they've turned out to be staples in my getting ready ritual. First is Bright here bright now instant-radiance energy boost balm. This is an amazing balm that aims to add brightness and glow to dull, tired skin. It's applied as a moisturiser before foundation (or can be mixed with foundation, although I've never tried this) and definitely gives a beautiful glow to skin. The consistency is quite thick but melts into the skin effortlessly, resulting in an illuminated complexion. I've found this is especially good for hangover skin (!) that really needs an extra boost to look alive. I've been combining this with You won't believe your eyes, a mositurising serum designed to add some sparkle to peepers that have lost their zing. I find this is very cooling on my eyes as it is applied by three small rollers. The consistency of the serum is very thin, but it doesn't feel greasy or watery. It really helps to combat discolouration under the eye, as well as helping make up glide on seamlessly. 

You won't believe your eyes brightening moisture serum

My third Soap & Glory product (I sound obsessed!) is No clogs allowed deep pore detox mask. This is a self-heating mask that heats up once water is applied to the skin. It is designed to dig deep and clean out all those pesky pores. I originally purchased this as a face mask to use when I'm having a super detox day, but it's been so effective I have been using it as part of my Sunday night ritual. This face mask leaves my skin feelings really soft for a few days after I've used it, and has definitely helped to combat a few horrible clogged pores on my chin. Just as a little warning the heating sensation is slightly odd when you first apply the mask, takes a little getting used to!

My next product is from La Roche-Posay, a brand I've never used before but had heard lots of amazing things about. I picked up La Roche-Posay Effaclar purifying foaming gel as it was on offer and I was after a foaming gel wash to replace my Origins Never a Dull moment beauty (sob), and I have been really impressed with the results. First of all the bottle is absolutely huge and the small cap only lets a small amount out, meaning no wasted product. I've been using this daily for a month and not even a small dent has been made in my bottle so far, definitely worth every penny. Secondly the product itself is extremely luxurious. It has a very subtle but clean smell and the texture is really thick, literally making it a gel, unlike some other gel cleansers. The products foams up really nicely, although I would suggest rubbing it together in wet hands thoroughly before applying to the face, as this definitely has the best results. I tend to use this product with my clarisonic and it works beautifully. One of the biggest differences I've noticed since using this is the lack of shine across my t-zone. Granted my skin isn't particularly oily, but since using this regularly I've found my skin is less prone to shininess and seems to be much smoother in the problem areas (namely my chin). 

Next up is a hairspray (possibly the first time I've ever blogged about a hairspray). Hairspray is a product used daily by most girls, so its general consensus that it can be difficult to find a good hairspray without spending a small fortune. Enter V05 Ultimate Hold Hairspray. This is something I picked up on a whim in Boots when i was re-purchasing Give me texture (see review here) and I am really glad I decided to give it a whirl. From the perspective of a girl with a heavy fringe, I need a spray that's going to hold my fringe in place but not give it a wet or sticky finish. I've found with this spray that the finish is really glossy (not glittery!) and it keeps any stray hairs in place. I've also found it's pretty good for backcombing hair, as it doesn't leave sticky residue behind and it has a glorious smell, which helps when you spray as much as I do! A worthwhile product to try out, at a fraction of the price for other hairsprays of this calibre. 

Last but not least is a slightly odd product. I received this in a Glossy Box before Christmas, and in the hecticness of the festive season it got popped in a cupboard only to emerge when I was having a clear out. Elegant Touch Rapid dry is a spray which is applied to nails once they have been painted and is designed to dry them within sixty seconds. It may seem slightly pointless, but for someone who paints their nails as much as I do, and mostly before I go to bed, it's a little bit of a life saver. This spray does a really good job of drying nails in ultra quick time, doing exactly what it says on the tin. Wonderful!

So that rounds up my March favourites, what have you been using this month?

Bright here bright now instant-radiance energy boost balm - £12

You won't believe your eyes - £12.50

No clogs allowed deep pore detox mask - £11.50

La Roche-Posay Effaclar purifying foaming gel - £10.50

V05 Ultimate Hold Hairspray - £3.05

Elegant Touch - £3.05

Clarisonic Mia 2: Review

The Clarisonic Mia 2. For nearly a year I have been lusting after this product, and anyone that would listen heard my endless list of reasons as to why it would be a worthwhile investment. I just couldn't bring myself to spend £120 on one (very small) item. However on Boxing Day, with my Christmas money in hand and the Feel Unique sale calling, I found the Mia 2 with 20% off. And that was the last incentive I needed to treat myself. I've been using my Mia 2 for 2 months, and I felt it was now time to share my thoughts and feelings on this brush used by skincare fanatics everywhere. 

So, what is the Clarisonic Mia 2? At the risk of sounding ridiculous, it is essentially a giant toothbrush for your skin. It is designed to give the skin a deep cleanse, getting rid of any impurities and dirt. One of the worries that many people have when thinking about investing in the Mia 2 is the damaging effect it may have on the skin, especially for those that have sensitive skin. Granted this may not be suited to everyone, but the brush is not at all bristly, and is soft to touch, especially when water is added to the equation.

The Mia 2 is the first Clarisonic to come with two 'speed's', which means you can choose how deeply you want your brush to cleanse. The brush moves in a circular motion, and the speeds are designed to suit sensitive skin, and normal skin. The brush head on all Clarisonic systems comes as 'sensitive', which means those who wish to can purchase different brushes to alter their cleansing experience. The other difference between the Mia and Mia 2, is the latter comes with a timer system, the clarisonic will only activate for a minute at a time, and at different points during this minute it will 'beep' to indicate you should move on to the next part of your face (nose/chin, forehead and cheeks). This means every part of your face is getting equal attention, and you don't need to faff around with timers.

Using the Clarisonic to fulfill it's potential is the next challenge. Obviously everybody is different, but I've spent some time experimenting and found the best way to suit me. I like to apply a liberal amount of cleanser to the wet brush (in a doughnut shape around the edge), wet my face and then start her up! One of the most difficult things to do when using the Mia 2 is to have a limp wrist. When you first start using it you feel you should put pressure on the brush to make sure it's getting down to the nitty gritty. But doing this only stops the brush from cleansing so thoroughly. So relaxed hands please ladies! Once the handset has shut down I wash out the brush and pop back into its handy travel case.

Okay so, it's easy to use and it's very pretty (it comes in a ridiculous amount of colours) blah blah blah but what is the point of having it? First of all it is the most effective make up remover you'll ever have. I use my Mia 2 once a day, which is usually in the evening. Because it is so deep cleansing, if I'm having a lazy moment I don't even have to take off my make up, which means i skip about three skin routine steps. More time for sleeping!

Secondly it leaves skin feeling so incredibly refreshed and recharged. After only three days of using my Clarisonic I found my skin felt 100 times smoother than before. It also looked much brighter and my pores were much less prominent. Any pesky bumps on my cheeks seemed to have disappeared and my complexion looked much fresher. There is the slight disadvantage of the 'purge' which some Clarisonic users experience. I was lucky as I only noticed a few nasty blemishes on my forehead, but some people find that their skin breaks out completely once they've been using this cleanser for a few weeks. Remember this just means all the impurities are coming to the surface, which means fresher and healthier skin in the long run. I have to say since using the clarisonic I've even been able to leave the house without make up AND feel okay about doing so, which is a little bit of a miracle. 

Another huge advantage to using this product is the great effect it has had on my blemish prone skin. Unfortunately I have naturally bad skin, which means I have to take real care or I come up in nasty spots. I also find it impossible to leave spots alone when they do appear, which usually makes them much worse. The Clarisonic has not only reduced the spots I get, but it has dramatically helped with the size and redness of the ones I do get. If a spot pops up, the clarisonic helps it to become less angry and noticeable within one use. Deep cleansing is definitely the way forward.

Lastly I would like to highlight the effect using the clarisonic has had on the application of other lotions and potions! Due to the deep cleansing effect of the clarisonic, it only means that other moistursiers and serums are able to penetrate deeper, and sink more easily into the skin. This means the effect of any other products is immediately enhanced,vastly helping on the quest to a flawless complexion.

So, was it worth the money? For me, yes. It's easy to use, fuss free and has a great effect on my skin in more ways than one. It's very quickly earned it's place in my evening routine, and I don't see it budging anytime soon. 

December favourites

December has been an amazing month for my cosmetic drawers. Not only has it been my birthday (Officially in my mid 20's) and Christmas, but my little sister got a job at Superdrug (getting money off somehow makes it okay to spend a ridiculous amount on skincare). I have a whole range of products to share with you, and each of them have fairly earned their place on my official December favourites list. 

First up is a brand new facial exfoliator from The Body Shop which I have had my eye on for some time. The seaweed pore-cleansing facial exfoliator has managed to strike the right balance between giving a good scrub whilst still providing foam and moisture. This product has quickly been bumped up to be a prominent step in my morning routine and it never fails to leave my skin feeling fresh and deeply cleansed. Products that include seaweed in are designed to leave oily/combination skin with a matte finish and this is exactly what it does. I've also noticed this helps to keep any blemishes at bay, and I managed to spend Christmas spot-free thanks to this little gem! Alongside this I have also been using a Brightening micro polish from Superdrug's Naturally radiant range. I am a big fan of Superdrug's Vitamin E range, and I was keen to see if this range lived up to my expectations. The micro polish is designed similarly to a facial scrub and it aims to even out skintone whilst also getting rid of dead skin cells giving a illuminated and bright finish. This polish is slightly harsher than a normal scrub so is only needed once or twice a week, but I've definitely noticed my complexion is much smoother since I've started using it. I have a feeling the rest of this range may be making its way into my drawers soon...

In a bid to keep my skin looking as bright as possible I've been reaching for a skincare classic this month, a product that beauty fanatics everywhere agree is a holy grail. Bioderma's Solution micellaire is an absolute life saver for anyone that has uneven or spot prone skin. Since using this I don't think I could use any other millecular solution happily, it's just unfortunate that this is so hard to get hold of in the UK! The idea of the solution is to help banish impurities and make sure skin is completely clear of all make up. A lazy girls solution to removing make up and cleansing skin in one fail safe move! Another product from across the pond that I've been reaching for this month is Vichy's smoothing and illuminating cream. Thankfully this one is slightly easier to get hold of! This cream strives to help smooth skin, making make up much easier to apply and giving a very polished finish. I love anything that leaves me with a dewy complexion, and this is a great product for anyone who wants to achieve illuminated skin but doesn't know where to start. 

My next favourite is one that I purchased for myself just before Christmas (very cheeky I know). One of my favourite Beauty brands is Rituals, and I am especially a huge fan of their skincare products. However on my last trip this Miracle Scrub for hands caught my eye. As an avid facial scrub-pusher I decided to branch out and try the hand scrub and I am so pleased I did. Since using this I have never received so many compliments about the softness of my hands. Not only does this exfoliator smell fantastic, it takes seconds to use and the results lasts for hours. I've found since using this I've needed less lotion, as my hands are already mega soft, even in the gail force winds of winter! Alongside this I have also been keeping my nails in tip-top condition with a couple of new nail favourites. I've been attempting to keep my nails buffed and smooth with the Model's own 4 way nail buffer. This is the lazy girls answer to salon quality nails in 5 minutes. It's a great investment to any ladies beauty drawers. Next up is Maybelline's Express nail polish remover. This is a little pot of varnish remover lined with sponge which has a tiny hole in the centre. The idea is to pop your finger in, twist around and remove, by which time all your varnish should be gone! This has been a great Christmas saviour in my bid to remove hundreds of minuscule glitter pieces from my nails. The need for this remover was mainly down to my new  nail polish - L'oreal's Colour Riche in the aptly named Sequin explosion. This was my most sought after product over the Christmas period, and it seemed to be sold out everywhere, so when I eventually got my hands on it I was ridiculously excited! It certainly lived up to expectations and it is the best glitter I've used in some time. It applies beautifully, and can even be worn without a base colour. Most importatly it doesn't take weeks to remove. 

Next up is a scent I've grown very attached to that doesn't cost the earth. The Body shop's White musk smokey rose Eau de Toilette is a very light, pretty scent that doesn't fade within a few hours of wear. The scent is a perfect daytime fragrance, and I picked up the small bottle which is an ideal size to pop into a handbag for a day out!

Last but not least is my only hair based product of the month. I am a big fan of Herbal Essences Bee Strong range and I have managed to get through several bottles of their shampoo and conditioner over the last few months, so I decided it was time to invest in their Intensive hair mask. Everybody's hair needs some tender loving care, and due to the horrible English weather I thought it was the perfect time of year to do so. The mask smells absolutely gorgeous and has a very thick texture, meaning a little goes a long way. I've been using this once a week and have already noticed my hair is much softer and shinier. Using heat on my hair means I need to take care of it in order to avoid split ends and this hair mask has not only helped to disguise imperfections in my hair but also seems to be slowly repairing it to it's former glory. A highly recommended product!

What are your favourite products from December?

Seaweed pore-cleansing facial exfoliator - £9

Naturally radiant Brightening micro polish - £2.48

Bioderma's Solution micellaire

Vichy's smoothing and illuminating cream - £17.99

Rituals Miracle Scrub - £11.50

Model's own 4 way nail buffer - £3

Maybelline's Express nail polish remover - £4.99

L'oreal's Colour Riche Sequin explosion - £4.99

White musk smokey rose Eau de Toilette - £10

Herbal essence Bee strong Intensive hair mask - £3.99

Beauty Resolutions

Christmas has come and gone in a flurry of tinsel, sausage rolls and copious amounts of fizzy alcohol. The Christmas (and New Year) parties have been attended and slowly normality is creeping back. I am generally pretty lazy (New years resolution #1 is to make my bed every day, after 24 years I still can't manage to do it) but when it comes to skincare I don't mine putting in the extra time and effort. Therefore I have decided to make a list of Beauty resolutions that are manageable, and hopefully in the long term will make my everyday routines much easier. 

#1 - Deep cleanse

Generally I am pretty good at sticking to a morning and evening skincare routine. However it is very rare that I take the time to give my skin a really good pamper. Therefore this year my top priority is to give my skin some intense tlc at least once a week. I'm talking face masks, several cleansers and various moisturisers and potions. As part of this resolution I picked up the Clarasonic Mia 2 in the sales, which i solemnly swear to use on a daily basis to give my skin a real polish. My excitement when getting the Clarasonic was so ridiculous that i doubt this will be a problem to stick to!

#2 - Hair care

This is a resolution that I dipped into during the last few weeks of 2013 and one that has been a long time coming. I'm pretty lucky with the natural condition of my hair and because of this I can be pretty lazy in the hair department. However I have decided 2014 is the year I embrace the hair mask. I think it's about time I treat my hair to some real love and I plan to slather it in coconut oil and overnight masks until it doesn't recognise itself. Most importantly I promise to use heat protecting spray everyday...or at least most days.

#3 - Talon maintenance 

I love nail varnish, and these days I can't walk past a boots without popping in and picking up a new polish. However I am guilty of having chipped nails most of the time. Because of my job I spend the majority of my day doing arts and crafts or trying to tidy up after a class of 4 year olds so my nails get in a state of disarray quite quickly. My aim this year is to keep on top of my nails so they're always looking polished - even if it means re-painting them every night. How long can I keep that up?!

#4 - A blonde moment

This is more of an adventurous beauty wish then a resolution. I have always wanted to have blonde hair and in my teenage youth I did attempt to turn my chocolate brown locks a dusky blonde. However it ended in several bottles of empty hair dye and bright orange hair with white roots, not exactly the dream. So this year is the year I do blonde properly. Even if it only lasts for a month I want to tick it off the wishlist for good. 

What are your beauty resolutions for 2014?

October favourites

October has absolutely flown by, and with it have come a flurry of new and exciting products. As well as my Autumn essentials that have helped me to overcome my dry skin and hair problems, I have collected a whole range of beauty bits that have made it into my basket of October favourites. 

First up is a little collection that I have been obsessed with for some time now. The L'Oreal skin perfection range is a new collection that promises to improve your complexion and reveal smoother, brighter looking skin. As someone who suffers regularly from breakouts and dull skin this is something I am constantly on the lookout for. And more often than not I find I am disappointed with the results. After using the L'Oreal skin perfection purifying micellar solution and being amazed with the results (you can read the full review here) I decided to team it with a few of it's siblings. I went for the L'Oreal velvety soft toner and Radiance revealing exfoliator. Using the micellar solution by itself already made my skin feel soft and silky, but teaming it with these two products improved it tenfold! The toner has a very thick texture, unlike anything I normally use and because of this it feels like it's working even harder to tighten and improve your complexion. This toner not only makes my skin feel cleaner but it seems to prevent it becoming greasy through the day. I tend to use this twice a day and rather than drying my skin out or making me feel like I've had a bad facelift, it gives a great base for my make up. The radiance revealing exfoliator enhances this effect further by acting as a hybrid of a face wash and scrub (I do love a scrub!) It has a gloopy texture with lots of little grains running through it which leave you feeling exfolitaed and baby soft! The smell of this face wash is amazing, so apricoty and fresh, and it easily washes away leaving a fantastic aroma behind it. I found once I had been using this exfoliator for a week or so little spots started to pop up on my cheeks and forehead, which is unusual as I'm usually a spotty chin kind of girl. However after pursuing for another week or so these all disappeared, and brighter looking skin was revealed. Well worth pursuing with!

Another drugstore treat I picked up this month that's well worth a twirl is the Superdrug Aloe Vera mud mask. This product is not only a bargain at £2.59 (!) but is designed to be sensitive-skin friendly. I sometimes find when I use facemasks that my skin has a complete meltdown the next day, howeveR with this my skin felt cleansed but not purged enough to bring all the dirt to the surface. The texture provides good coverage, and doesn't make a huge mess on application, because lets face it the last thing you want on a Sunday evening is to be cleaning up face mask. This is a very refreshing face mask for anyone who's skin needs a little pick me up!

Seeing as we're coming up to Christmas season (sorry, it had to be said) it only seemed right that I added a few splashes of red to my appearance this month. I was really intrigued by the new Barry M Matte polish, so on a recent Boots trip I picked up one in Burgundy Crush. Despite a few wobbles I was really impressed with the finished product once it was on my nails. The colour is gorgeous and the matte finish makes the varnish look very sophisticated. As someone who likes a bit of gloss I wasn't sure i would like the lack of shine, but the polish has a very unique look which is ideal for the darker Autumn days. Last but not least is a beauty product I've read dozens of reviews on, the Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick. I picked this up as I needed a deep red lipstick for a party and had a very tight budget. When i tested this out at the counter I was struck by the similarities it had to the MAC lipstick formula. As well as having a similar pigmentation, some of the colours were almost identical. I went for 'Diva Red', a dark maroon tone, very similar to Mac's Ruby Woo. The texture is very creamy and an excellent quality for a drugstore lipstick. Unlike some cheaper lipsticks which can lack coverage, the colour completely covers your lips, and doesn't highlight any dry skin or chapped areas that you may have. In fact it provides great moisture for your lips, and seems to hydrate them consistently as you wear. The colour lasts fantastically and doesn't need constant re-application through the evening. This is a definite make up essential for the Christmas period, and I will certainly be purchasing this in a few more colours.

Rimmel Moisture Renew in Diva Red

L'Oreal skin perfection purifying micellar solution - £4.99

L'Oreal skin perfection velvety soft toner - £3.99

L'Oreal Radiance revealing exfoliator - £3.99

Superdrug Aloe Vera mud mask - £2.59

Barry M Matte Burgundy Crush Nail Polish - £3.99

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Diva Red - £6.49

Autumn S.O.S: Combating dry skin and frizzy hair

It's cold, it rains a lot and the sunshine is almost non existent. This is my view of Autumn and if you're anything like me this cold, harsh weather does nothing but bad things for my skin. I recently posted an article revealing my Autumn essentials but as it gets colder and my energy decreases I'm finding it more and more effort to keep up with my beauty regimes. In light of this i have developed a very quick but effective way of combating dry skin and hair which requires the minimal amount of effort. 

I'm going to start with hair. Personally if the choice arrises between staying in bed for an extra 10 minutes or spending time de-frizzing my hair I am always going to choose bed. This combined with the fact I colour, backcomb, hairdry and straighten my poor hair means i need a good set of products to pop on. Enter Herbal essences Bee Strong shampoo and conditioner. This duo not only smells delicious (honey and apricot extract are an amazing combination)  but has a really creamy texture which has a great effect on your hair from the very first use. This definitely helps my hair to feel and look less frizzy, and instead leaves it with a velvety soft texture. Using these means i feel less concerned if i forget to use a heat protecting spray, and if I don't feel like straightening my hair I can afford to leave it au naturale. I've been combining this duo with a Toni & Guy shine gloss serum. I'm not keen on serums, past experiences have led me to believe they make my hair feel greasy and heavy. However this serum is extremely light and leaves my hair with a glossy, healthy shine. It may not get rid of my split ends but certainly helps to hide them, which is good enough for me. 

Everybody's skin is different, and the cold weather effects people in a variety of ways, however for me my upper arms are affected the most. The cold months leave me with bumpy arms that don't make me feel particularly ladylike. I've found the best way to combat this is with a good scrub, and Soap and Glory do a particularly excellent range. My favourite at the moment is the Scrub 'em and leave 'em body buff, which has slightly larger particles than other body scrubs I have used. I've found this to be more effective than buffs with finer grains as it is more efficient at getting rid of dead skin. Using this scrub 3-4 times a week has definitely left me with smoother arms. Alongside this I've been using an old favourite Palmers Coacoa Butter. This formula is enriched with Vitamin E giving it a very creamy, rich texture. Rather than being greasy or leaving you with that 'sticky' feeling, this cream seems to melt into the skin making it feel really fresh and soft. This product also smells gorgeous, really chocolatey and decadent without being overwhelmingly sweet. For those really dry areas (ankles, knees, elbows...all the awkward nooks) I've been teaming this with the Balance Me Rose otto body cream. This has a really feminine fragrance, which some may find overwhelming but I really like. This cream is really nourishing and works almost immediately to get rid of dry patches, replenishing the moisture in your skin.

Lastly I've got a couple of handbag essentials for you. The first is one I've raved on and on about last winter, and I still obsessively use, the Lush Popcorn lip scrub. This is a product I use daily, but especially in the cold weather when my lips are particularity dry and chapped. You can use the full review here but this is an essential for anyone who wants smooth, exfoliated lips without any effort. Last but not least is another Soap & Glory beauty, Hand Food. This hand cream is the perfect product to pop in your bag or desk drawer and use throughout the day. It's not greasy and it doesn't take lots of frantic rubbing in. I've received several compliments when using this hand cream about the beautiful smell most importantly the softness of my hands. This is well worth investing in before winter creeps up!

What are your tips for avoiding the perils of the cold weather?

Herbal essences Bee Strong shampoo & condtioner - £3.89

Toni & Guy shine gloss serum - £7.19

Scrub 'em and leave 'em body buff - £8

Palmers Coacoa Butter - £3.99

Balance Me Rose otto body cream - £18

Lush Popcorn lip scrub -£5.25

Hand Food - £5