Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream

 Anyone else find it really difficult to find a good moisturiser? One that ticks all the boxes. Me too. I try to avoid silicones in my products and I'm pretty much silicone free but I'll freely admit that my favourite moisturiser is Origins Make a Difference Plus + which not only contains dimethicone but is also not technically cruelty-free (they are owned by Estee Lauder). 

I've also heard not great things about Honest Beauty but on the hunt for some new products I bought the Hydrogel Cream based on good reviews, price and ingredients and I've been using it for 3 weeks now and you know what? I really like it. 

Blog Favourites

My readers are not commenters. Yes I'm talking about you. This is fine. I know you are there and frankly, I'm not a commenter either. But you do send messages and it is so nice to know what products I've recommended that you've bought and loved. I really appreciate this as I find the business of recommending things for people to spend their money on a bit worrying. I mean what if you hate it? Luckily that is yet to happen but I though it might be nice to give a mention to the products that I consistently get messages about. Those products that have made their way into readers routines and stayed there.

These are in no particular order except for the first one. When it comes to feedback the first one in this line-up is the one that I hear most about people loving and repurchasing. This isn't a competition but if it was then entry number 1 would be the winner - by far.

January - April 2018 Favourites

Some of my favourite things that I've been using over the past couple of months. I haven't been trying that many new things recently so would love to hear what you've been loving, or hating.

As I mention in the video I first bought the Clarins Instant Concealer in 2015 and was sent the Travalo in 2011 though it felt like it was longer ago!

All products are listed below and if you haven't already then do go and subscribe to my YouTube channel and come and join my Facebook group.

Heliocare Gel 360 Fluid Cream SPF 50+
Ilia Illuminator in Sway
Dr Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Deep Cream
Clarins Instant Concealer
Burts Bees Vanilla Bean Moisturising Lip Balm
Yunic Floru Nail Varnish
Travalo

Reviews:
Ilia Illuminator
Dr Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Deep Cream
Clarins Instant Concealer
Travalo

Some links are affiliate links which means I will get a small commission if you click through and buy from them. There is no extra cost to you and if you are not comfortable with that then do feel free to open a separate window and google the product for yourself

Figs & Rouge Hydra-Activ Vital Moisture Day Cream

Gina is my go-to if I have a question for oily skin, need something testing or in fact just need an honest opinion. You can find her here on Instagram.

Being an oily skin type is exhausting. Forever searching for products that don’t intensify the slick is a never ending process.
For years I believed moisturising would make my excessive oils worse and completely skipped using moisturisers, little did I know, not moisturising was making me oilier than ever and with age it was getting increasingly worse.

Recently I came across Figs & Rouge Vital Moisture Day Cream in a subscription box. I of course tried it straight away. As someone that is constantly looking for products that work for me I immediately LOVED IT because it soaked straight into the skin, leaving no residue or stickiness/oiliness - another issue I find with having oily skin is I don’t want to feel tacky or a slip after applying moisturiser as I battle with textured skin too, I can’t have my foundation sliding around on top of a moisturiser. This one doesn’t leave any residue and leaves the perfect surface to then apply your primer, foundation etc. Another thing it does not do is ball up, you know when you layer products sometimes a moisturiser can kind of pill ? Well it absolutely does not. The skin thoroughly absorbs it. Yay!

Dr Dennis Gross C + Collagen Deep Cream

Some brands I avoid like the plague, not because I've tried them and they don't work for me (Zelens) but because they're expensive and I'm worried they will work. This careful plan came crashing when a friend bought me a ticket for a Caroline Hirons event at Space NK in Kensington where she would be talking about the brand. The talk was great as was the goody bag and in it was a little pot of the C + Collagen Deep Cream. I tried it and now I'm hooked.

Moisturisers. They're a tricky beast. How much actually goes in? Do they make any difference at all. A lot of the time they are a soothing barrier to the outside world, all well and good but not something you should spunk your skincare budget on (that would be the serum). This has weedled it's way into my affections not only for what it does but for what it doesn't do.

For me a morning moisturiser is far harder to get right than a night time one. If I turn tomato red in my bathroom at 10pm I don't mind. If I have a burning face at 8.45am, precisely the time I'm supposed to be leaving to take Ned to school, that is a bad start to the day. So I'm careful. I used to use my Medic8 C Tetra in the mornings to help post-nightime retinol usage but that's on it's last drops so I vary between the Superdrug Naturally Radiant moisturiser (yet to be reviewed on here) and my trusty Origins Make Difference + Cream which is especially lovely in this cold weather. No I sparingly put this on and love it and it was my most missed product during my week away in Birmingham (doing my Level 2 Award in Facial Skincare).

The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow-Boosting Moisturiser Quick Review

I bought this hoping to have found a great high street Vitamin C product but was disappointed. I don't like giving skincare bad reviews, and this isn't really one, as everybody has different skin - this just didn't do it for me but a lot of people have been asking me about it.

This Works In Transit Camera Close-up - Quick Review

As you can probably tell I'm a bit undecided on this product. It has made the dramatic difference to my skin that I was hoping for but it's a really good all-rounder moisturiser and works well under make-up.Would I re-buy? Maybe

If you haven't already then please subscribe to my channel and follow me on Twitter and Instagram @corinnaharrod


You can read my full review here

You can get This Works In Transit Camera Close-up from:

Feel Unique
Look Fantastic
This Works 
Space NK 

Aurelia Cell Revitalise Night Moisturiser

Because my skin has been so sensitive since having Jim I tend to only buy stuff that I've been able to try out beforehand so I know if my skin is going to react. I'm happy to spend some money on skincare but not if it's going to make me an angry tomato or, maybe even worse, not do anything at all.

When the sensitivity first started I went to Space NK in Chiswick where they are fantastic at giving you (tiny) sample pots of products to take away and try. I can never understand places that don't do this. If I can't try, I usually won't buy, but on the back of trying it first I've bought loads from that Space NK, Sunday Riley Luna to name but one. I explained the sensitivity situation and took away four tiny pots to try three of which caused my skin to burn and the last one just disappeared into the skincare vortex that is my bathroom and only reappeared recently. It was the Aurelia Cell Revitalise Night Moisturiser.

I slapped it on mindlessly expecting the inevitable burn, I've always been a bit suspicious of night creams anyway, and was really pleasantly surprised. No reddness. No burning. Lovely smell and texture and the next day my skin looked hydrated and quite good compared it it's usually grey haggard horror.

It claims to 'promote' luminous, dewy and radiant glow and I genuinely noticed a difference after using this. Even after one night of using it. My skin felt plumper, softer and looked dewy and healthy. Every single use. 

This Works In Transit Camera Close-up

I've been using This Works In Transit Camera Close-up for months and yet still undecided on whether I love this product or just don't really need it. I've heard great things about it and I can see that it would be a great moisturiser to have in a pro-kit but there is something a bit lacking for me. Maybe it makes to many claims. It promises a greatness that is very hard for any cream to live up to.

This is a mask, moisturiser and primer in one. It is absolutely fine as a moisturiser and very nice under make-up so I suppose in a way it's a primer. I haven't noticed any effect on the longevity of my make-up. If you have very dry skin this isn't going to do much moisturising for you. But it's also quite hard to find a good moisturiser for the mornings. You can use this over an oil, or under an SPF. It's quickly absorbed, hence why it's so nice under make-up. Do wait for it to be fully absorbed first thought - about 10 minutes.

A lot of people seem to find that this reduces the appearance of fine lines. I have not noticed this but I actively avoid noticing anything to do with my fine lines. And I just don't see how it's a mask. Suggestions welcome.

I would say that this would be a good product if you are going away and want to take hand luggage or are able to pack a small wash bag. I'm not though I find myself imagining that maybe I'll just be taking this with me to France in a couple of weeks. This and some SPF. And my Environ AVST 2 moisturiser. I did originally buy the This Works In Transit Camera Close-up to take in my hospital bag when I went to have Jim - it did the job then.

Philosophy Hope in a Jar - The Civilian Report

Another one from Bree...

This is my daytime moisturiser, discovered after a chance encounter with the Philosophy concession at Westfield Boots. I’m in constant battle with forehead shine throughout the course of any given day, and the idea of a moisturiser that moisturised without oiling, and is not so light as to dry me out like an aged husk, was a beguiling one. I bit. I bought a jar.

I’m now onto my third jar. The formulation seems to have changed somewhat between jar 2 and 3, maybe there was a recipe change or maybe it’s just a weird batch, but either way it does the job.

The texture takes a little getting used to – it’s definitely not the same as the creams you might otherwise be used to, and it goes on and in almost too easily. And for about 5 minutes after you’ve applied it you might find yourself thinking, as I do almost every day, ‘dammit I should’ve put more on’,  but give it time and your skin feels lovely and cool and nourished and smooth and not at all heavy. I shove on my standard issue tinted moisturiser straight on top on work days – no problems with drying out, no problems with shine. It’s an odd little thing, but a good one.

Philosophy Hope in a Jar - What You Need to Know

• £34.50 or US$44
• 60ml/2oz
• Lactic Acid to help exfoliate
• Can be used twice a day
• Available in the UK from Boots,
• Available in the US from Sephora, Ulta

January Empties - Friday Video

I haven't done an empties before but thought it may be interesting to see what I use to the very end, what I through away angrily half full and what is quite good, but not good enough to get a full review on the blog

The Sunday Spend - January 17th 2016

We may be midway through the hardest month of the year but in all this abstemiousness don't you think you deserve a little treat? I actually think that the sales is the perfect time to restock on your favourites and try those products that you're never going to pay full price for. It's worth mentioning that if you are a user of a Clarisonic or other such face machine then now's the time to see if you can get discounted heads.

• ASOS - great for a variety of brands. The LMB picks are... the Lulu Guinness make-up bag (because it reminds me of this Jenny Lewis video and I love Jenny Lewis), the Hipstar or Stained Glass mask from Face.Lace (sometimes I struggle to think of a better make-up artist than Phyllis Cohen the creator of Face.Lace. Kylie as Marlene anyone?) and the Velvet waterproof eyeliner from Daniel Sandler (I've yet to try a product of Daniel's that I don't like and who doesn't need more black liner?)

• Feel Unique - now this is the one I'd really go crazy on. There is something for everyone on here and it's great for fans of Origins, Estee Lauder, Nudestix, First Aid Beauty and Clinique but these are my picks.  There's a lot of them. First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (a constant in my skincare regime), Ole Henriksen Truth Serum (a great all-rounder serum for all skin types), Nudestix Magnetic Eye Colour (one of my favourite eye products), Estee Lauder Even Effect Skin Corrector (one of my favourite tinted moisturisers for giving glow), Amazing Concealer (which I've wanted to try for an age), Clinique Take the Day Off Balm, Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara, Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer 

•  Selfridges - have some great 'electricals' on sale hair straighteners, curling wands etc. There's not a huge amount of variety here but fans of Sisley should definitely check this out. If I were going for a splurge I'd either get the Black Rose Oil or Black Rose Cream Mask

• Space NK -  not as amazing this year as usual but still I'd go for... Dancing Queen from Lipstick Queen (want to try these out), Ren Instant Beauty Booster Kit (great for anyone wanting to try Ren out), and the Smokey-on-the-Go Kit from Laura Mercier because I love this brand. 

Origins Make A Difference Plus+ - Quick Review

I could have chosen a more flattering thumbnail for this video but it sort of sums up a bit how I feel at the moment. I may be having a hard start to the year but I love, love, love this moisuriser and you could have until 27th of the month to win a pot of it for yourself!
To enter the competition follow this link

January Giveaway 2015 (Now closed)

Right, it's here, it's time. I'm hoping that you will see a video below but I have been struck down with such horrendous manflu I can't imagine subjecting you all to the sound of my voice!

To have consistency and to make it a bit easier on me (last time I did a giveaway I had to put all the correct answers into a random list generator and it nearly drove me to drink) I'm using Rafflecopter for all of these giveaways. It's my first time of using it so please be patient. I'm choosing winners from those entrants who are following the blog and the YouTube channel. 

It seems only right that I should start the giveaway with the product that inspired it - Make a Difference + from Origins. I love this cream so much I think it is one of the few products that I have consistentely rebought over the last decade of blogging, I even got some in my stocking at Christmas. It is thick but easily absorbed, non-greasy and I adore the smell, fresh and wholesome. I was originally in love with the Make a Difference cream and have come to love this one just as much (see my review from 2012 here). I will be talking about this more as the month goes on. If you have dry skin this is fantastic - even if you don't this cream should work for most people though if you have oily skin it may not. I'm not sure. We are just getting started though so if you don't want to enter this month there will be something for you coming up.

I've also included the NYX Wonderstick. A more recent addition to my automatic rebuy list but one that I don't see being topped anytime soon. I have chosen the Universal colour in the hopes that it will suit the majority of people, the only downside to this product is the very limited range of shades but I'm hoping NYX will fix that. I use this daily to add a bit of shape to my face and I've even started using the hightligher even though that's usually not my thing. It's hard to find really good, reasonably priced cream contour/highlight products and this is one of them. I have already done a quick review of this so you can see it in action.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Clarins Renew Plus Body Serum

People who have read this blog for a while (Hello and thank you) will know that I have Keratosis pilaris also known as 'chicken skin' (lovely) or as I call it, bumpy tops of my arms. I've always had, I was told I would grow out of it and never have. Nor have I found anything to get rid of it. I tried Environ Derma-Lac which helped a bit but as soon as I stopped using it, it was just as it always was.

I have been told by a couple of people that the Clarins Renew Plus Body Serum would help but I was dubious. It's not cheap and I have a lot of body moisturisers to work my way through. But in a fit of post-baby body loathing I thought I would give it a go and snuck it into an order with Euan the dream sheep and a bath thermometer.

Neutrogena Norweigian Formula Deep Moisture Body Lotion for Dry Skin - Quick Review Friday Video

This has shot to the top my list of favourite body moisturisers. Helps the horrible itchy dry skin I get at this time of year and I feel moisturised for 24 hours. There is no need to spend all your money on a good moisturiser - this is £4-5 for 400ml

Friday Video - Quick Review - Embryolisse Rich Balm

I love this cream but only really need it when my skin is dehydrated and needing some full-on TLC...

Friday Video - Quick Review - Embryolisse Lait Cream Concentrate

This is a favourite with make-up artists and I love it. But that doesn't mean you need to rush out and buy it...

My Current Morning Skincare Routine - October 2014

This is something that changes quite a lot but I feel that I've found a combination of products that really work well for my skin and what it needs at the moment. I've done separate reviews on some of these products (there will be links below) and I might do a video on my YouTube channel to go with this post eventually but I thought it would be useful to have it all written down somewhere... so here it is!

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser - when I first tried this I wasn't that sure, it felt almost drying on my skin but now my skin is generally less dehydrated it's really doing a lovely job of cleansing my skin every morning. And I do prefer to use this in the morning, I want a rich balm cleanser in the evening. £35

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads - to brighten, tone and exfoliate, these are gentle enough to use every day but really effective. You get sixty pads per pot and since using them I've had no more dry patches on my forehead and visibly brighter skin. You can read my full review of them here. £20.50

Pixi Glow Tonic

OR

Pixi Glow Tonic - this has become a cult product and is the one to go for if you want a cleanser with no alcohol in it. This is my absolute favourite desert island toner, I trust it completely. Gently exfoliating it removes dead skin cells for healthier looking skin - you can read my full review of it here. £18

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum - again the difference in my skin since using this has been incredible. A real morning boost, quickly absorbed. I've done a separate review of this here. Not cheap worth the money, and frankly a lot cheaper than a lot of serums out there. £18-£65

Yves Rocher Inositol Vegetal - I've been trying to write a full review on this for ages but I just never seem to get round to it and it's possible to find much info on it from Yves Rocher. I love this product.I use it most mornings and it's made my skin noticeably more radiant after consistent use. It contains citrus and AHA's to renew and resurface. Currently £6.50 instead of £19

Yves Rocher Inositol Vegetal

Christmas Giveaway Day 10 (and Winner of Day 9) CLOSED

THE PRIZE: Skin Repair Boost Me - a gorgeous moisturiser filled with vitamins and antioxidants. Use as a day or night cream free from preservatives, perfumes and emulsifiers.

HOW TO ENTER: In the comments below let me know what is your post-Christmas Party make-up or beauty fix? For me a good cleanse and moisturise really helps.

YESTERDAYS WINNERS: Were Bruce and Jacqueline Roberts. Please get in contact and I will post these out to you asap