La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo + Plus

I'm one of those people that lives by the old saying: "If it ain't broke don't fix it" - I had been a huge fan of La Roche-Posay's original formula, Effaclar Duo for around 12 months. I even repurchased the stuff - a beauty addict's way of saying: "this is some pretty good shizz". So at the start of the year when I'd heard that the much-loved spot treatment had been discontinued BUT replaced with a revamped version, the Effaclar Duo + Plus I've got to admit, I was a little anxious but I had heard it did everything that the original did, on top of helping to reduce and prevent scarring.

About a month ago, the kind people at La Roche-Posay offered me the chance to try out the new formula, which was fantastic as I was keen to see whether the Effaclar Duo + Plus lived up to its predecessor.

I've never really had particularly problematic skin but I found that using the Effaclar Duo daily helped to keep my skin clear. It claimed to 'reduce the appearance of imperfections and unclog sebum-blocked pores' - which it did.

Does the new version do this? Yes, it does. Like the original, it helps to keep breakouts at bay. It's a preventative treatment, so with that in mind, remember it won't clear up current outbreaks on first application but it will reduce the frequency of them in future. This is a product that you have to persevere with - but not for a terribly long period of time, I found it to be effective in around a fortnight.

Now for the 'newness' - this updated version claims to prevent red and brown marks. La Roche-Posay claim that the new formula not only targets blemishes, clogged pores and excess sebum, but it also eliminates acne marks from the moment they start to form, thanks to an exclusive anti-marks active ingredient called Procerad.

Do I believe this updated version does anything in tackling the marks that come after blemishes? Yes I do and in fact, I feel that the product has done wonders in reducing the overall redness of my skin, so much so that this month, I've gone many days without wearing any foundation at all! Don't get me wrong, my skin has always been okay but it's rare that I feel confident enough to leave the house without any sort of base on my skin.

Overall, I'm thrilled with the results of the revamped formula and like I did with its predecessor, I will certainly be repurchasing this stuff when it eventually runs out! The original Effaclar Duo was great, however the Effaclar Duo + Plus just goes that step further for your skin.

You can get your hands on La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo + Plus (RRP £15.50), from Boots or via online beauty and skincare hotspot, Escentual.

Thanks for reading!

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Review of Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water and Express 2 in 1 Eye Make-up Remover

You cannot step into a Boots or Superdrug these days without seeing a brand's take on micellar cleansing water. Over the past year or so, micellar water has started appearing from all corners. They're a super fast way to cleanse your skin and remove your make-up. They contain micelles which act like magnets that gently lift away make-up.

The craze started with THE 'big mama' of micellar waters, Bioderma.

(Forgive me for my sins, I have a bad beauty blogger confession to make: I've never tried Bioderma - anyway moving swiftly on...)

With the cult following behind Bioderma, of course it was only a matter of time before drugstore brands caved and started producing their own versions as Bioderma hasn't always been the easiest product to get hold of in the UK. When L'Oreal brought out their version I was excited, I repurchased time and time again but a few bottles down the line my skin was starting to disagree with it. It ended up drying out my skin, as well as leaving it a little red, accompanied with a slight stinging sensation. Nicht gut! So when I heard that Garnier had released their version of micellar water I had to have it right away!

Firstly, the packaging of Garnier's Micellar Cleansing Water really drew me to the product. It's fairly similar to Bioderma with its round bottle and pink lid.

Secondly, it's excellent value for money. At 400ml it's double the size of L'Oreal's cleansing water but they're priced the same. (RRP - £4.99) However, I must say both Garnier and L'Oreal are on offer most of the time in Boots and Superdrug.

Now to the crucial bit, does Garnier's version work for me? And the answer is yes it does. I use this as my pre-cleansing step, before I use a cream cleanser. It removes the bulk of my make-up without drying out my skin. It's extremely gentle, soothing and hydrating. I'm thoroughly enjoying using it so far and intend to repurchase it. However, I do not use this for removing my eye make-up, which leads me onto Garnier's Express 2 in 1 Eye Make-up Remover. (RRP - £3.50)

This stuff is excellent. This biphase eye make-up remover is enriched with Arginine, which helps to care for your lashes - meaning I don't lose half my lashes while removing my mascara. Most other eye make-up removers (I'm looking at you L'Oreal Absolute Make Up Remover Eye & Lip) leave my eye area quite oily, whereas Garnier's doesn't. My only criticism is a 125ml bottle of this stuff does not last long, I'm going through it fast!

Overall, I must applaud Garnier on this new cleansing duo of theirs - both of these are brilliant products that require no harsh rubbing to remove your make-up, just simply hold down with a cotton pad for a few seconds and voila - make-up gone. I will certainly be repurchasing both of these in the future.

Have you tried this duo yet?

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No7 Spring 2014 Collection

As we're finally bidding farewell to the dark, cold winter months, Boots' No7 line has launched a number of beautifully bright spring products which are sure to give us all a welcome boost.

This new season collection features plenty of on-trend brights, pastels and shimmers.

Recently Boots had 3 for 2 on pretty much EVERYTHING (make up, skincare, haircare, etc) and No7's spring collection happened to grab my attention at that time and I simply could not leave without making some naughty purchases.

I opted for the limited edition Peony Petals Blush Palette, the limited edition Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Spring Meadow and the Pop and Glow Cream Blush in Rose Blossom, which I believe isn't limited edition (YAY).

Peony Petals Blush Palette - £12

There was no chance I was going to leave Boots without picking up this gorgeous Blush/Highlighter duo. This has a pretty blend of pinks and highlighting petals, which will help you achieve a radiant looking complexion. This is a fairly shimmery product but applied lightly, this guarantees to brighten up your look, rather than make you look like a disco ball. It's not overly pigmented but it is buildable. I couldn't wait to use this but at the same time I didn't want to touch it, as it sits far too gorgeously in the pan to be ruined! It saddens me that this is limited edition.

Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Spring Meadow - £6

This is a lovely, glossy nail colour formula and it's what I'm wearing on my nails at the moment. It goes on fairly sheer, so you do need two coats of this. I think this looks a minty green shade in the bottle, whereas on my nails it looks somewhat turquoise-y green (but that could be my eyes?). Nonetheless, a great springtime shade. This is one of the two limited edition Nail Colours No7 have brought out for spring, the other being a pastel pink called Pink Blossom.

Pop and Glow Cream Blush in Rose Blossom - £9.95

This 'chubby stick-esque' packaged wonder is beautiful. This cream formula Blush gives you a real pop of colour and with it being highly pigmented, a little really does go a long way, so apply carefully or risk looking like Aunt Sally! I opted for the shade, Rose Blossom as this bright pink shade compliments my fair skin well. This also comes in two other shades, Mango Sorbet and Classic Rose. An added bonus is that this isn't limited edition (I think but correct me if I'm wrong).

I believe the limited edition products will be in Boots stores and online at www.boots.com until around May time, so I suggest you pick them up fast to avoid missing out on such loveliness!

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Seventeen Cheek Stamp Blush

What a superb gimmick. The moment I saw Seventeen's Cheek Stamp Blush in Boots I was head over heels - and can you blame me?

Boots' own brand, Seventeen have had a bit of an overhaul in recent months, however they hadn't really managed to reel me in... until now.

I have never seen a product like these before, and it demonstrates it's not just the high end brands that can bring out wonderfully innovative products.

The product, which is encased in a round compact, has a mirror on the top of it.

Personally I don't feel the mirror adds anything but it is a nice touch for those constantly on the move.

Inside the compact you get a sponge applicator, which is mounted on a spring and the blush is in the cap.

Once the product is closed, the applicator is stamped/pressed onto the blush and when you open it, the applicator has a good smattering of product on it - voila, a healthy looking flush.


I feel there is enough product on the applicator to give you a decent pop of colour.

The powder is blendable, giving your cheeks a natural flush.


The blush is also pigmented, but not too pigmented - the walloped cheek look is not for me.

At £4.99, these stamps are a steal and a super way to give you a pretty flush this spring.

I bought three... How could I resist Boots' brilliantly lethal 3 for 2 offer on at the moment?

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