Mybeautywaxstash

Tag: Lacura

  • Aldi’s Lacura Original Hot Cloth Cleanser

    What is the most important thing in a skincare routine? Treat fine lines and wrinkles? Fade dark circles? Blitz away spots? It probably depends on what your skin concerns are. BUT, I think most people will agree that the first step, and possibly the most important part in a skincare routine, is the cleansing stage. Why? Why do anything to dirty skin until it’s clean? How effective will various lotions and potions be on top of dirt and grime? It’s logic really. So a good cleanser for me is important. When a current cleanser is on it’s way out or the seasons change, I’m very open to trying out new ones. I’ve recently picked up Aldi’s Lacura Original Hot Cloth Cleanser. It’s £3.99 for 200ml.

    Aldi’s Lacura Original Hot Cloth Cleanser

    Why did I buy this one?

    I’ve ALWAYS wanted to try this product! I’m a massive fan of hot cloth cleansers, ever since using Liz Earle’s iconic and possibly ‘the original’ hot cloth cleanser many moons ago. But with my local Aldi store, the stock of this is hit, miss or maybe. I thought now would be the perfect time to grab one as my current cleanser was running low, and there seemed to be a good flow of stock of this product every time I’ve been instore recently.

    What is a hot cloth cleanser?

    A hot cloth cleanser is designed to be used with a muslin cloth, so providing not only the the initial cleansing stage but a light exfoliation too. Hot cloth cleansers tend to be rich in moisturising ingredients so not only are they meant to clean the skin, but also nourish the skin. Lacura’s Hot Cloth Cleanser contains Cocoa Butter, Rosemary, Chamomile, White Tea and Eucalyptus which are designed to hydrate, clean, smooth skin and make it feel refreshed.

    Packging.

    The product itself is housed in a plastic tube with a flip top lid on the bottom. Off white in colour, mint green with silver detailing. The design is simple, clean looking and does the job! The tube comes in a cardboard box mirroring the design and colouring of the tube. In the box comes a muslin cloth.

    Look & Texture

    White in colour, smooth but quite thick in texture. When I squeeze this out of the tube it holds its shape like a really thick body lotion.

    Fragrance.

    I quite like it. The fragrance isn’t strong but has a slightly antibacterial element to it because of the eucalyptus. It does have a softened herbal smell to it too. But the scent overall is pleasant, fresh and non offensive.

    How to use.

    Take a small amount and massage onto dry skin. Pop the muslin cloth in warm water and wipe cleanser off skin. Splash face with water. Allow cloth to dry naturally and wash regularly.

    In use.

    I used this pretty much as suggested and over a 10 day period (still using this now by the way). Sometimes morning and night, sometimes just night time. I took a decent amount of the cleanser and rubbed it into my face and neck for roughly two minutes. Easy to do and the fragrance was nice enough and not overpowering. What I did notice was this cleanser started to lose slip, and it felt as if it was sinking into my skin rather than sitting on the surface. Looking into the mirror, the once white residue on my face was disappearing and pretty much got drunk up! At this stage I wet my muslin cloth and wiped it off hoping it would still do the job of being a cleanser rather than a moisturiser.

    What was left on my skin was removed quickly and easily. Skin felt ok after removal. It felt clean but a touch on the tight side, which I sometimes get when using a product for the first few times. This seemed less noticeable the more I used this.

    My face after.

    It looked ok. It didn’t look dirty, but it didn’t look or feel particularly fresh either. Normally when I use a cleanser, especially one with a texture to it, I enjoy the process. Not with this. It was just ok and I found it slightly underwhelming if I’m honest.

    Did it clean my skin though?

    Most definitely! I used a toner to swipe over my face to check and no dirt on my cotton pad, clean as a whistle!

    Would I buy this again?

    For myself? No. If I use a hot cloth cleanser I want to enjoy the few minutes I use it and I didn’t when using this. I also didn’t like the idea of this soaking into my skin so quickly, so felt as if I had to rush this stage. That wasn’t something I wanted to do because Summer is the time you are sweaty, have more product on your face like sun cream, so more time maybe is needed to cleanse the face and neck area. So overall not for me.

    Recommended?

    Although this wasn’t for me this does have some good points to it so definitely worth a go if you want this type of cleanser. The price. £3.99 for 200ml and a muslin cloth is good value. Decent hot cloth cleansers I’ve noticed are available from £3.99 up. So if you check around you can get something comparable in price or a little more dearer but still won’t break the bank. If you shop in Aldi anyway it’s an easy purchase to make while grabbing your milk and bread so convenient. Scent was fresh and texture was nice. Easy to use, cleaned well so did what it was designed to do. This is a decent hot cloth cleanser for many people, just not one that I felt was the best for me.

    Not available online at the moment, but if you want to add this to your Summer skincare collection, visit your local store to purchase.

  • Aldi’s Lacura Avocado Bright Eyes Mask

    If you have read some of my previous skincare blog posts, you will know that my main facial concern is my eyes. My skin overall is in good condition, no major lines or wrinkles and the occasional spot or two I can cope with. But my eyes are the area I feel need the most love and attention. That’s why eye products are my credit card’s Kryptonite. I can’t help but coo over them and want to buy them all, hoping one will give me a well rested look. So I HAD to pick up Aldi’s Lacura Avocado Bright Eyes Overnight Retinol Sleeping Mask when it was released a few weeks ago. £4.99 for 15ml.

    Aldi’s Lacura Avocado Bright Eyes Overnight Retinol Sleeping Mask

    Why did I buy this?

    It’s an eye product! Eye products for me are hit and miss. I don’t expect something to give me a massive change but some small improvement would be nice. The ingredients listed on the packaging made me think this could be a good product for me. Its price point seemed very fair and affordable, and it was a new product, so already got my attention!

    What is this & what is it supposed to do?

    This product is designed to be placed under the eyes at night time. It’s supposed to make dark circles and dullness under the eyes improve while you snooze. Brighter, firmer. The eyes should look more moisturised, thanks to ingredients such as avocado oil and shea butter. Oh, and if you are into following skincare brands, this product and others from this same subrange, is supposed to be ‘inspired’ by a well known company. Use Google, you will find it!

    Packaging.

    This product comes in a simple but cute glass (I think) jar. The jar itself seems tinted green, and matches the colour of the lid. The sides are curved which makes it look even more cuter and interesting on the eye (no pun intended!).

    The jar comes in a box, which is striking because of the pattern all over it. Cartoon like halved avocados! The colouring of the box is mainly white, green with silver detailing. Fun, quirky, but I feel as if it’s targeting a younger audience because of how this product is presented.

    Texture & Fragrance.

    LOVE the texture of this! It might make some people nervous but it is very rich. You can tell its power packed with moisturising ingredients. It’s similar in texture to, I would say, a very rich face cream for dry skin and would even go as far to say it reminds me of a body butter! Not quite as thick and definitely not as greasy but does have a waxy feel to it. Although the pic below makes this look pale green in colour, it’s actually white. White, opaque and smooth.

    I expected fragrance to be honest. I find a lot of products that try to catch your eye with packaging done in a funky way (not all the time but some!) can be heavily fragranced. This? Nothing! I was glad about this because as much as I don’t have a problem with fragrance, I don’t want my eye product reeking of it.

    Application.

    You need to apply this like any other eye product. Take a small amount and lightly dab underneath the area, not too close to the eye itself. AND on clean skin. Although this product says it’s an overnight mask, it does suggest direction wise you can use this during the day but follow up with sun care. But I never used this during the day, just at night time. Using a small amount, I found despite how thick this product was, it patted under the eye like a dream. Easy, no dragging or pressure needed and left no greasy, oily look to the area. Felt quite light but under my eyes immediately felt and looked moisturised and hydrated.

    The day after the night before.

    The first thing I noticed after one application was how under my eyes felt plump and hydrated. They felt just as protected as they did when I first put the product on.

    Over 10 days…

    Every morning my eyes have felt the same as mentioned above. But what I have noticed as time has gone on is my under eyes overall have improved. Not massively. I don’t look like I’ve had eye surgery or anything like that. But they look a bit more rested, they look more awake and they seem to recovery quicker than usual e.g from too little sleep, ugly crying etc. I wouldn’t say my under eyes are exceptionally dark normally, but they have looked a touch less dead like since using this.

    Recommended?

    There is one thing I hate about Aldi. They bring out limited edition skincare subranges and you wonder hmmm, should I buy 1 or 3? You buy 1 because you don’t want to be silly with money just in case it’s not for you. And by the time you use it, and give it at least a good week to see if there are any results, you love it and it’s not in store anymore! That sums it up perfectly!

    This is an eye product I really like! The texture of it I adore, even for under the eyes as thick creams aren’t always good for such a delicate area. I love the almost everlasting moisturisation, and how it takes the edge off how life is making my eyes feel and look. I couldn’t ask for anything more really. Miracles is something I never expect with skincare products, but what little changes I’ve seen I’m happy with. For £4.99 it’s great value, you need the smallest amount, so if used once a day this should last me 2 to 3 months easily.

    If you are lucky enough to still see this instore, I think it’s a good purchase to make. But bare in mind how your skin reacts to textures on this area and what your general under eye concerns are, as this may not be needed or useful for you. But for me? I wish I bought a few more of this overnight eye mask and I am exceptionally sad now!

  • Is Aldi’s Lacura Peppermint Bath Brick Any Good?

    Bath time should be a time for pampering, not a chore. That’s why I love adding various potions and bath products to my evening bath, to help relax my mind and body. I think this is the case for most people who love a good soak. Bath bombs and fizzers can come in various shapes, sizes and prices. One that I purchased recently came from Aldi, in the form of their own brand Lacura’s Peppermint Bath Brick. This cost £1.99. But was it £1.99 well spent?

    Lacura’s Peppermint Bath Brick
    What’s a bath brick?

    I would describe this as being a bath bomb or bath fizzer type product. Not shaped like a brick as such, but more similar in look to a chocolate bar. You snap off how much you want to use and put it under warm running water to enjoy.

    Packaging

    Aldi’s Lacura Peppermint Bath Brick comes in a simple cardboard box. It’s not the most striking of packaging but because of it’s colour ( green ), and being able to see the bath brick through the front of it, it’s actually quite appealing.

    How does this look?

    This bath brick is very chunky, quite thick and made up of 9 segments which are breakable from the ‘brick’ itself. Turquoise in colour, but isn’t totally a block colour because there’s specks of white and pink running through it. The texture and feel is chalky, so similar to a traditional bath bomb or bath fizzer.

    Fragrance

    I expected something minty. What I got was the smallest hint of peppermint. It wasn’t particularly strong but was exceptionally weak. So much so, I really needed to sniff hard to get anything.

    In the bath

    I broke off 3 squares and threw them under warm running water. They immediately turned the bath water green in colour, while fizzing around a little. It didn’t take too long to dissolve, and produced the smallest, tiniest amount of foam which disappeared instantly.

    Fragrance wise, there wasn’t one. I couldn’t smell anything while in the bath or after. Overall I felt as if I was sat in a bath full of coloured water and that’s about it. On the plus side my skin seemed ok with no signs of irritation or drying out..

    Recommended?

    No. No punchy fragrance despite it being supposed to be mint based. No massive hit of moisture to the skin. Zero foam or bubbles. All that I got was coloured bath water. Did I enjoy using this? Not particularly. It didn’t add anything to my bathing experience, I’m just glad it wasn’t expensive.

  • A Great Hemp Hand Cream From Aldi

    The supermarket Aldi is a minefield! Go in for milk, come out with a storage unit, bottle of gin and a selection of skincare products! Their own brand Lacura is brilliant for affordable bath, body and skincare products, including their Hemp Hand Cream. New in store, I couldn’t help but buy this as it only cost £1.49 for 65ml. But is this a good, budget hand cream?

    Lacura Hemp Intense Hand Preserver Hand Cream
    Why did I buy this?

    This hand cream intrigued me. It also helped I needed another hand cream, so I wanted to give it a go. This hand cream I hoped would be rich and comforting, which my hands need at the moment. A good size and for £1.49, why not?

    What does this hand cream do?

    This is designed to moisturise the driest of hands while keeping them feeling protected.

    Packaging

    65ml of hand cream is housed in a screw top lidded tube. Colouring is quite Autumnal ( greens, reds, oranges, ) with leave patterns all over. Quite eye catching and appealing to look at.

    Fragrance

    This smells of plants. Not flowers but plants. Quite earthy, not mixed with any other type of scent. To me the fragrance is a little on the bland side, but not offensive. I don’t love how this smells but I don’t hate it either. I’m just grateful it’s not strong. But overall, I’m not a fan of the fragrance Aldi’s Lacura Hemp Hand Cream has.

    Consistency & Texture

    This is quite a thick and rich textured hand cream, which holds it’s shape when squeezed out of it’s tube. Colouring wise it’s the faintest shade of green.

    On the hands

    I didn’t need to use much of this because of it’s consistency. Half a fingertip was enough for both of my hands. Despite it’s thickness, this rubbed in very easily. Immediately I could feel an almost waxy like feel to this. Not sticky, or greasy but a little waxy. Looking down on my hands it gave them a slight sheen but in quite a natural way. Not only did they look better but they felt more moisturised.

    The inside of my hands didn’t feel tacky, and on the whole I could continue using my hands as normal after application. But personally I’ve avoided driving straight after using this just in case my grip on the wheel isn’t as firm as it should be.

    If you have to wash or sanitise your hands regularly, lets be honest, that’s more occasions for your hands to dry out. So I never expected to use this once during the day and that’s it! I use this a few times a day when I’ve felt my hands looked dry and feel tight. I’ve used this for a week now and I would say my hands have gotten drier less frequently. They look better and are in better condition. And to add, the fragrance isn’t distracting on the hands. I can smell it but it’s not very noticeable.

    Recommended?

    Absolutely! Why? Because it does what it says on the packaging. It’s ideal for dry hands. It stopped mine from getting worse by giving it a massive dose of hydration and protected them too. It comes in a decent size of 65ml, nice looking packaging and it’s only £1.49! What is there NOT to like about this? Admittedly the scent isn’t great but I can live with it! Overall, it’s a great hand cream that if you can grab in store do it!