Mybeautywaxstash

Tag: skincare

  • 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!

  • Beauty Kitchen’s Hydration Hero Face Mist

    Why do I love skincare? It’s about making the most of what you have and trying to take care of it. You can go as deep and complex or as basic as you want. But all of us on some level will use skincare on a daily basis. I’ve tried lots of different products before, but one that hasn’t been on my radar has been a facial mist. I purchased Hydration Hero Face Mist from Beauty Kitchen earlier this year when it was on a special promotion. Current price £12.50 for 100ml.

    Beauty Kitchen’s Hydration Hero Mist

    Why did I buy this? I was introduced to this brand a few years ago by a friend when she gifted me a night time face mask. I was so impressed by it I’ve kept my eye on their products ever since. When they had a sale earlier this year, I bought this because it sounded like a useful product. Easy and quick to use, slot into my everyday routine and would give my skin instant relief if and when needed.

    What does this supposed to do? This mist is designed to give the skin immediate moisture when applied. After one spritz, skin should look and feel brighter and happier.

    Packaging. The mist comes in a darkened glass bottle with a spray dispenser top. The fact it’s darkened glass speaks volumes to me. Normally this is how products with some form of essential oils or other ingredients are contained that need to be protected from the light, so it doesn’t degrade. Labelling is quite earthy in look with its green colouring and plant like shapes. This matches the tall rectangular box this mist comes in.

    Fragrance. I detect an energising zestiness to this mist so definitely some form of citrus is in it. A little floral is in there too. Overall, it has a botanical smell to this but it’s not overpowering and perfectly balanced. Don’t worry if you hate the smell of flowers or should I say florals, like I do, this is more aromatherapy based and lovely!

    Ingredients. These include water, glycerin, Abyssinian Oil, Rose Absolute and various other aromatherapy oils. Beauty Kitchen’s ethos is about formulating beauty products using natural and effective ingredients.

    How to use. Shake, spray six inches away from face then using hands pat onto skin.

    In use. I used this as suggested on the packaging. Honestly, I expected a mist of fragranced water. That isn’t what I got. Liquid and water like yes it was. When I patted the excess into my skin only then could I tell this was something else. Rather than it being just water, I could feel there was some form of oil in it. It wasn’t greasy but light and moisturising. It’s something I’ve never experienced texture wise before.

    The scent was so enjoyable to take in, and despite being a little stuffy in the nose because of hay fever, this provided some light relief.

    Skin after use. I didn’t expect massive miracles from using this. That’s not what it’s supposed to do. The reason why I started using this product was hoping to get instant relief from my skin feeling tired, uncomfortable and dry. And what this did was exactly what I hoped for! A few spritz provided a light layer of hydration and protection which for my skin perked it up. And the fragrance really helped to kick start my senses and relax and invigorate me all at the same time ( depending on what time of day I used this ). My skin didn’t look greasy but it looked slightly less dull.

    When do I use this mist? Mainly before wearing a mask for work. This gives my skin another layer of hydration. After wearing a mask, for obvious reasons! This crazy every changing weather means I grab this often. Warm and sunny, cold and windy. Neither is helping my face feel normal, and this is quick and easy to use while experiencing these extremes. Those moments when I know I’m not going to wash and cleanse my face for a few hours, but it needs something to keep it going before then, is when this comes out. Basically, anytime I feel my skin is flagging, I spray and go!

    Negatives? I think I may have a funky spray top because the mist I’m getting hasn’t been very fine or directed properly. This means I’ve used more of this than I know I should have. Annoying, but these things can happen and doesn’t take away what’s in the bottle. EDIT. Definitely was a faulty spray top. I bought two of these mists, swapped over the the spray top with number 2 and this is now spraying like a dream! Lovely, fine mist which is covering the face with two pumps!

    Recommended? Genuinely, I didn’t think a facial mist was something that needed to be used or bought, and technically it isn’t. It’s not an essential item in a skincare routine like a cleanser or a moisturiser is, so at one point I did think it’s pretty pointless. But that isn’t my opinion anymore! A good quality facial mist in my opinion can be helpful to the skin, and also for other senses too. This ticked the senses box. The texture was a delight and I loved it on the skin as it gave it an immediate hydration kick. The fragrance was mood boosting which is always a good thing. I LOVE this product! And totally recommend this and would buy this again and again.

    £12.50 may seem a lot price wise, but this should last a good amount of time considering it’s 100ml. It’s not something you will use constantly so this wouldn’t disappear anytime soon. And the ingredients are well thought out and good quality. If you want to purchase the product you never you knew you needed in your life, head towards their website here to get your new skin best friend.

  • The Body Shop’s Camomile Cleansing Butter

    I may not be a make-up wearer, but how my skin looks is important to me. This is probably why I love skincare, and skincare products that work and do their job well. One product I’ve been using to help clean my skin and prepare for the morning and evening is The Body Shop’s Camomile Cleansing Butter.

    The Body Shop’s Camomile Cleansing Butter
    Why have I been using this?

    The lovely season of hay fever has not only caused havoc on the usual areas (eyes, nose, throat etc), it has really hit my skin hard! The face on my skin has become drier and less supple and I thought using The Body Shop’s Camomile Cleansing Butter would be gentle, effective and soothing on the skin.

    What does this do?

    Camomile Cleansing Butter is a product designed for sensitive skin. This can be used as a make-up remover or general cleanser, so hard working without stripping the skin.

    Packaging

    90ml of cleanser comes in a screw top flat tin. There’s something very appealing about how the packaging looks, easy to use and recycle.

    Texture

    This has a look of Vaseline or any petroleum jelly type product but rather than being clear is white in colour and has a gloss to it. Although it looks solid in the tin, it isn’t. It’s very soft, and has that melt in your hands type of consistency when you touch it.

    Fragrance

    The fragrance of this is a soft white floral. Pretty, clean in scent and not strong. Great for those who like fragrance but don’t want something too obvious.

    How to use

    Use a small amount and rub it onto dry skin. Remove with a flannel.

    In use

    I took a small amount of this and gently worked it over my dry face for around 2 minutes. The heat from my fingers made this go from a balm texture to an oil. My skin didn’t look or feel massively greasy but it did have an obvious shine to it. Easy to use, very enjoyable and soothing on the skin because it felt more like a treatment rather than a general cleanse.

    The Body Shop’s Camomile Cleansing Butter was very nourishing on my skin and gentle. Despite having sore areas such as my eyes, this caused no issues at all.

    Removal was quick and easy. I used a warm, damp flannel and gently removed this off my face. No residue was left and my skin felt and looked fresh and clean.

    Recommended?

    This cleanser was easy and quick to use. It cleaned my skin without stripping it and drying it out and I adored the texture this comes in. I LOVED using this cleanser and if you love using balms and oils on the face, you will love this too! Definitely recommended if your budget can stretch to it as it’s not the cheapest cleanser on the market. This comes in 2 sizes. 20ml ( ideal for travel ) is £6.00. 90ml costs £12.00.