Review: Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Treatment Mask

The Promise: "Our replenishing treatment mask is scientifically proven to intensely hydrate skin and also helps increase skin's ability to retain moisture. So you're skin will possess softness and suppleness like never before"

The Price: £19.00 / $18.00 110g

The Stockists: burtsbees.co.uk, burtsbees.com, Target

The Hero Ingredients: Clary sage extract, bitter orange peel extract, tucuma butter and probiotic technology

The Application: This non-comedogenic treatment mask looks and applies like a heavy cream. It goes onto the skin incredibly easily and, once applied, creates the most amazing cooling and tingling sensation. It absorbs into the skin incredibly quickly, which is a sign of a great hydrating face mask! The mask does have a lovely sweet fragrance, however it's so subtle that it's not off-putting in any way. I leave this mask on for 10 to 15 minutes before removing it with a tissue or damp muslin cloth, however if my skin feels really dehydrated I will leave it on overnight.

The Results: Skin is left soft, subtle and ultra hydrated. Like any good hydrating skincare product the Intense Hydration Treatment Mask plumps the skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines. It is a great skin pick-me-up that helps to revive dull looking skin.

I absolutely love this mask and would say it is as good as the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask, my all time favourite hydrating mask!

The Pro: The Intense Hydration Treatment Mask really does provide intense hydration and it feels amazing on the skin.

The Con: I haven't found one!

What do you think of Burt's Bees? Have you tried any other products that you would recommend?

PR sample

Wednesday Wisdom: Ruth Gordon

“Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it with use”

Behind The Brand: Burt's Bees

Date of Birth: 1984

Founders: Burt Shavitz and Roxanne Quimby

History: Born in Maine, Burt's Bees started its beauty journey as a candle making company created by beekeeper Burt Shavitz and artist Roxanne Quimby. The candles were produced using excess wax from Burt's honey business and were an instant success when they launched. The brand quickly grew from making candles to creating the iconic lip balms and now Burt's Bees offer close to 200 products for the face, body and hair. Roxanne bought Burt's share of the company in 1993 and the company was eventually acquired by The Clorox Company in 2007. Despite the sale, Burt's Bees has stayed true to its mission of creating truly natural products that have a positive effect on both customers and the world.

USP: Burt's Bees create simple but effective natural beauty products. The brand believe that what you put on your body should be made of ingredients you can spell and pronounce.

Giving Back: In 2007, Burt's Bees established The Greater Good Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organisation designed to further the brand's mission of responsible environmental stewardship. The Greater Good Foundation empowers non-profit, grassroots initiatives whose efforts inspire Burt's Bees, particularly in the areas of protecting honeybees, supporting sustainable agriculture, and supporting the brand's local Durham community. Since its inception, The Greater Good Foundation has issued $1.2 million in grants.

Offerings: Burt's Bees offer everything from skincare and hair care to toothpaste and deodorant

Hero Products: Beeswax Lip Balm, Almond & Milk Hand Cream, Hand Salve, Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream and Peppermint Foot Lotion

Availability: If you are based in the UK, you can find Burt's Bees at Boots, John Lewis and Debenhams. If you live in the US, you can find Burt's Bees at Walmart, ULTA and CVS. 

Website: www.burtsbees.com

Price Points

Face Creams: Up to £19.99/$25.00

Cleansers: Up to £10.99/$10.00

Treatments: Up to £19.99/$25.00

Lip Treatments: Up to £4.99/$5.00

Bodycare: Up to £19.99/$18.00

Haircare: Up to £9.99/$8.00

The Beauty Myth: You Should Not Pluck Above Your Eyebrows

Verdict: False

Many girls grow up thinking that hairs above the eyebrows should not be plucked, however this couldn't be further from the truth. When it comes to plucking, the only danger is over  plucking. Unwanted hairs grow above and below the eyebrows, so plucking both sides is crucial for maintaining well-shaped, beautiful brows. In actual fact, you can often achieve the best shape for your face by plucking above the eyebrows.

To make sure you pluck precisely, try using the Tweezerman TweezerMate Magnifying Mirror (£14.00 Boots / $23.00 beautybay.com). It is a powerful magnifying mirror that shows even the lightest and tiniest of unwanted hairs.

Wednesday Wisdom: Ingrid Bergman

“Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get”

The Tuesday Tip: The Eye Gloss Trick

For some gals, lip gloss is the ultimate beauty staple. It can create pout perfection and can transform an average makeup look into a serious head-turner.

What you probably didn't know is that lip gloss can also be used on the eyelids. The 'Eye Gloss Trick', as I like to call it, dates back to the 1920's when flapper girls would dab lip gloss onto eyelids to make their eyes shimmer. The trick is still very much alive, in fact many makeup artists swear by it!

In addition to brightening the eyes by reflecting light, glossed eyelids also tone down eye shadow, helping to soften severe colours.

The key to getting this trick right is to use the tiniest amount of lip gloss. Lightly apply a clear thick gloss onto the center of the eyelid with your finger and then gently dab it across the rest of the eyelid. You can take this trick to the next level by using a lip gloss that contains shimmer or sparkle. I would recommend the MAC Lustreglass in Lustrewhite (£13.50 MAC / $15.00 MAC).

Understanding...Dandruff

Dandruff is a common skin condition that causes flakes of dead skin to appear in the hair. It can also make the scalp feel itchy.

Dandruff often occurs after puberty and is most common in people in their early 20s, continuing into middle age. It is also more common in men.

So what causes dandruff?

Dandruff is caused by the scalp excessively shedding and forming new skin cells. There is no clear reason what causes this to happen, however the following are seen as triggers:

• Seborrhoeic dermatitis
• Malassezia
• Psoriasis
• Eczema
• Weakened immune system
• Excessive perspiration
• Not washing hair
• Washing hair too much (washing overkill can irritate the scalp)
• Using hair products such as hairspray, gel and mousse

How to treat dandruff

Brush your hair regularly and correctly. A frequent and firm brushing session will disperse oil from the scalp along the hair strands. This will not only prevent a build-up of oil at the scalp but will also keep hair looking healthy and shiny.

The second and most effective treatment is to simply use an anti-dandruff shampoo. There are several anti-dandruff shampoos on the market that contain various active ingredients that work in different ways. 

Recommendations

1. Phythéol Intense Anti-Dandruff Treatment Shampoo 100ml (£12.50 John Lewis / $24.00 Sephora)
2. T/Gel® Therapeutic Shampoo - Extra Strength 177ml (£7.99 amazon.co.uk / £8.99 neutrogena.com)
3. La Roche-Posay Kerium DS Intensive Shampoo 125ml (£9.95 escentual.com / £33.00 CVS)
4. Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo 500ml (£4.99 Boots / $7.49 CVS)

Review: Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer SPF30

Every now and then I come across a product that, as if by magic, changes my life. The Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer is that  very product.

The Promise: "Smooth away fine lines, brighten and prime for flawless skin, and to prep for make-up application. Velvety silicones create an instantly smooth surface. Pearl powder and natural earth minerals provide a neutral tint to help balance tone and enhance luminosity".

The Price: £37.50/$48.00 22ml

The Stockist: dermalogica.co.uk and dermalogica.com.

The Hero Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Soy Protein

The Application: This primer goes onto the skin so lightly that it feels like you are injecting you face with pure silk. It feels quite tacky after it is first applied, so I normally wait around 5 mins before applying foundation. This gives the primer time to sink into the skin, providing maximum benefits. 

The Results: Although this primer is silicone based and contains various oils, it does not feel greasy or look shiny on the skin. Skin is left smoothed and plumped and fines lines appear reduced. Pigmentation is corrected slightly, which is great for a product that doesn't promote itself as a colour corrector.

The real benefits of this primer become apparent when applying foundation. Foundation glides onto the skin effortlessly and, more importantly, evenly. It produces flawless, bright skin and gives makeup real staying power.

What is most interesting about this primer is the colour. As you can see above it has a beige tint similar to that of a tinted moisturiser. This colouring is intentional, it contains pigments designed to help balance tone and enhance luminosity. However don't let the colour put you off - once this primer is blended in, it appears clear on the skin (as below).

The Pro: This primer offers multiple benefits - from brightening and correcting skin tone to giving makeup the perfect base and real staying power.

The Con: The only downside is the price. It is quite expensive for 22ml worth of primer! But then again...I think it's worth it. 

Have you tried the the Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer yet? Do you love it as much as I do?!

Review: One Love Organics Morning Glory Brightening Complexion Booster

The Promise: “Be it morning, midday, or date night, this luscious lightweight serum will wake up your skin’s natural radiance”

The Price: £37.00/$48.00 30ml

The Stockists: oneloveorganics.eu, oneloveorganics.com and birchbox.com

The Hero Ingredients: Wild raspberry, lemon balm and sweet mint

The Application: Packed in an old medicinal-style dropper bottle, this serum has a thin and incredibly lightweight texture. The inclusion of sweet mint and peppermint help give it a fresh, uplifting scent. It applies well onto the skin and only the tiniest amount of product is needed to cover the face, neck and décolletage.

The Results: Morning Glory absorbs into the skin easily without leaving that overly greasy feeling. It gives skin a radiant and dewy finish, making it a great skin pick-me-up if you fancy going au naturel. I would recommend this serum to all skin types, however those with sensitive skin might experience greater benefits as it contains peppermint and lemon balm - two ingredients famous for their anti-inflammatory properties.

The Pro: This serum really helps to brighten the skin

The Con: The only slight downside is the scent. As uplifting as it is, I find it a tiny bit overpowering.

What do you think of One Love Organics? Have you tried any OLO products that you'd recommend?

Review: Illamasqua Lipstick in Fable

The Colour: A matte bubblegum pink

The Price: £16.50 / $24.00

The Stockist: Illamasqua.co.uk, Selfridges and Sephora

The Application: The consistency of this lipstick is quite dry and stiff, causing it to tug the lip slightly when you apply it. However don't let this put you off, as I consider this a great sign of staying power (and this lipstick has just that!). For these reasons it is best applied with a brush, especially if you want better control and precision. When applied with a brush, this lipstick glides onto the lips effortlessly and the colour is strong from the first stroke.

The Results: As the colour is highly pigmented and completely opaque, only a small amount of product is needed to cover the entire lip . The finish is matte, giving a soft pretty-in-pink look. Like all Illamasqua lipstick colours, Fable has amazing staying power. It lasts a good 5-6 hours!

The Pro: The colour is highly pigmented and has amazing staying power

The Con: It can feel a little dry on my lips

Wednesday Wisdom: Diane von Furstenberg

“Attitude is everything”

News: Gucci to (Possibly) Launch Makeup Line

A rumour started this morning and it spread like wildfire. The word on the street was that Gucci, the Italian fashion (power) house, is set to launch a makeup line. However before we get too excited, a spokesman for Procter & Gamble Co.’s Prestige (the beauty company that Gucci currently works with) has declined to comment on the reports.

Launching a makeup line seems like a natural progression for the global brand, especially as all of the Gucci fragrances have been such a success. 

If a makeup line is on the cards, we can guarantee two things - sleek packaging and a whole load of glamour.

What do you make of this rumour? Fact or fiction? 

Faithful Four: Foundation Primers

Illamasqua Matt Primer

Promise: “An essential for any screen goddess, Illamasqua Matt Primer helps create a flawless, shine-free and long-lasting base”

Price: £22.50/$32.00 30ml 

Purchase: www.illamasqua.com, Sephora

This primer has a watery, runny texture that spreads far and wide. It quickly absorbs into the skin, leaving it soft, silky and protected (SPF20). Like most Illamasqua products, the Matt Primer has a vanilla-like scent that makes it's application that much sweeter. It gives makeup the most amazing staying power and, even better, keeps skin shine-free. I would not recommend this product to those with oily skin as it has been known to make matters worse.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer

Promise: “A lightweight, creamy gel meant to be used prior to foundation, creating an invisible layer that acts as a buffer to outside elements. Leaves makeup looking fresh & colour-true the entire day”

Price: £28.00/$32.00 50ml

Purchase: House of Fraser, Bloomingdale's

This is the original primer. It was created by Laura Mercier in 1995 and is still considered to be one of the best primers around. It has a gel texture that feels quite tacky when first applied to the skin, however after a few minutes skin is subtle, ulta-smooth and fine lines appear reduced. This primer contains vitamins A, C, and E - great antioxidants that protect the skin from harmful, aging effects of the environment. It is also non-comedogenic, however it is lacking in a SPF.

Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer SPF30

Promise: “Velvety silicones create an instantly smooth surface. Pearl powder and natural earth minerals provide a neutral tint to help balance tone and enhance luminosity. Peptides and AGE Smart® actives help firm and shield against MMP and free radical damage, as sunscreens shield against sun damage”

Price: £37.50 / $48.00 22ml

Purchase: dermalogica.co.uk / dermalogica.com

This silicone based primer glides onto the skin so lightly that it feels like you are rubbing your face with pure silk. Although this primer is silicone based and contains oils, it does not feel remotely greasy on the skin.  After application, skin is just left smoothed and plumped and fines lines appear reduced. The Skinperfect Primer also helps to reduce pigmentation and makes skin look more radiant. It is formulated with peptides and AGE Smart® actives, which help firm the skin and shield against MMP and free radical damage. The only downside is the price.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

Promise: “The silky blend of vitamins and antioxidants smooths and perfects skin, while the unique formula helps to inhibit the destruction of collagen, and fills in fine lines and pores for a flawless finish”

Price: £25.00/$36.00 30ml 

Purchase: Boots, Sephora

This primer has achieved cult status due to it's ability to make makeup last, and I mean last. Whether you're in a nightclub, gym or heatwave your makeup will not budge, I promise. The Smashbox Photo Finish Primer has a thick gel texture that reduces the appearance of fine lines and pores and gives skin a velvety-smooth finish. It is oil-free which makes it great for those with oily skin and it contains vitamins A and E, grape seed extract and green tea. The only downside is the lack of a SPF.