Mybeautywaxstash

Tag: qanda

  • A Lip Balm Alternative? Q+A’s Liquorice Lip Oil

    Let’s talk lips! It’s getting windier and colder here in the UK. This can cause havoc on the skin, and this includes the lips. Most people will grab a lip balm to soothe and moisturise this part of the face. But do many people use a lip oil? Is it just as good or more of a fun type of product? I delved into my skincare stash and pulled out a forgotten product I’ve never used, which is Q+A’s Liquorice Lip Oil. This retails at £6.50 for 15ml and I bought it direct from Q+A months ago. I bought, as usual, when this was on sale, so paid less.

    Q+A Liquorice Lip Oil
    Why did I buy this?

    There were particular products I wanted to buy and added this item as a gift for a friend. And me being me, I ordered one for myself because I didn’t want to be left out! I didn’t need it, I just thought one for my friend one for me too.

    What is this supposed to do?

    This lip oil is designed to moisturise the lips and provide a plumping effect.

    Packaging

    Q+A’s Liquorice Lip Oil comes in in a pale pink and white coloured tube. The oil comes out thanks to the roller ball applicator at the top. It’s a simple looking product but I love how it’s packaged because it’s not fussy, clean looking so easy on the eye.

    Ingredients

    Some of the ingredients included in this product are jojoba seed oil, apricot kernel oil, liquorice leaf extract, sunflower seed oil and peppermint oil (to name just a few ingredients, there are loads more!).

    Fragrance

    I expected this to reek of peppermint or some form of mint oil but it doesn’t. It smells delicately minty but it’s very subtle.

    On The Lips

    Thanks to the roller ball, this is a product which is easy to apply and done so evenly. I can feel it going onto my lips because it literally is being coated. But it’s not heavy in feel, sticky or thick. The oil is quite thin in fact. My lips are left shiny but not too greasy. They look moisturised but not the same way as a lip gloss would but similar to a lip balm. No tingling or cooling sensation when this went on which I was a little surprised about. And definitely no lip plumping!

    Although my lips never felt dry or looked it while using this, I did feel the oiliness/application disappeared within an hour. My lips didn’t look coated and didn’t feel it relatively quickly from first applying it. But they weren’t dry. I found myself reapplying this a good 3 times during the day if I wanted that hit of moisture in look and feel.

    Would I buy this again?

    Considering I’ve never used a lip oil before I don’t mind using this. Nicely packaged, good ingredients flowing through it and it’s moisturising. BUT I would have liked this to feel more moisturising for longer. What I think I needed more from this lip oil was protection. Would I buy this again for myself? If the price was right e.g sale, possibly. Buy this for a gift? I actually would! My daughter nicked this and I think she would like her own but again I would grab this when on offer because it’s nice but not amazing.

    If this description is giving you a ‘buy me’ feel, you can grab this product from different places such as Sainsbury’s and of course direct from Q+A themselves.

  • Affordable Cleansing-Q+A’s Grapefruit Cleansing Balm

    How do you cleanse your face? There are so many different types of cleansers on the market to suit different skin types and personal preferences. Lotions, face washes, hot cloth cleansers, oil cleansers and balms, there are so many! One of my favourite forms of cleanser has got to be the balm. One I’ve been using for the last few months is Q+A‘s Grapefruit Cleansing Balm. I bought this at the end of last year from their website when it was on offer with 25% off. Usually priced at £9.00 for 125ml.

    Q+A Grapefruit Cleansing Balm
    Why did I buy this?

    I bought this along with other items as I wanted to try a good mix of products from the range as it was totally new to me. But I grabbed this because I adore balm cleansers. They have always worked well on my skin and I enjoy their texture and using them. It only seemed fair that I should try this one because of it’s size, price and potentially a good introduction to a new brand.

    What is this supposed to do?

    This is designed to gently clean the skin and remove make-up, general dirt, grime and pollution picked up during the day.

    How to use

    Gently rub onto dry skin for 30 seconds. Remove with a damp cloth. Can be used morning and night.

    Who is this suitable for?

    All skin types.

    Ingredients

    Includes Sweet Almond Oil, Squalane, Caster Seed Oil, Cocoa Seed Butter and Grapefruit Peel Oil.

    Texture

    This is very soft in texture. Vaseline like in look and feel and totally smooth. It’s probably one of the softest textured balms I’ve ever used.

    Fragrance

    There is a light citrus element to this, but not harsh or obvious like lemon, lime or orange scents. Its not overly zesty and in fact is quite creamy and dulled down to a degree. If there’s such a thing as grapefruit curd as there is lemon, this possibly could be how it would smell like. It’s very pleasant and not overpowering or punchy. Strangely quite comforting in fragrance in fact!

    In Use

    I use half a finger tip of balm and rub it into my face. Since the texture is so soft it’s easy and quick to do and does melt. I can rub this around for ages as it doesn’t get sucked up by my skin, and it leaves a shiny layer over my skin.

    Fragrance is lovely. Anything citrus on the whole, can either be very sweet or too zesty. This is neither. It makes using this balm very enjoyable and totally different to any fragranced cleansing balm I’ve ever used.

    To remove, I dampen a face cloth with warm water. I find I have to do this a few times to remove this because I still feel as if there is a slight waxy feel to my skin. What I have found is if I use a softer and thicker face cloth, it makes the process easier and quicker compared to a thin, less soft cloth. In the evening I use this as my first cleanse and then go in with Q+A’S Peppermint Face Wash for the second. This is a good combination, which leaves my skin feeling and looking very clean. Even without this second cleanser, my skin is cleaned thoroughly. But I like the two stages especially now I’m wearing sun cream everyday.

    Skin After Use

    Clean, feels hydrated, soft without looking greasy. Just healthy and cleansed in appearance.

    Who would love this?

    Those with dry skin who want to add moisture and protection at every skincare stage possible, and not strip the skin of it’s natural oils. Make-up wearers, those people wearing sun protection and need something thorough to remove layers of product off their skin.

    Recommended?

    This balm stands out to me for a couple of reasons. The fragrance, which I find unusual. The packaging, normally balms are in a pot not in a tube. And it’s size, which is generous at 125ml. I like this balm cleanser for all of those reasons and because it’s nice to use. This is a good cleanser, especially as a first cleanser product if you need to take that extra step. So if you love your balm cleansers I would say give this a whirl because it’s not expensive and should last a good number of months.

    Available direct from loads of places such as Q+A, Holland and Barratt and even Sainsbury’s.

    Q+A Skin Care Products