Time For A ‘Lazy Day’ September 28, 2010

 

The kind people from Voya, in Sligo sent me on a product of theirs to try-Voya Lazy Days Seaweed bath. I have always been interested in trying seaweed products, given that seaweed is noted as being particularly good for people who have eczema and psoriasis (that would be me then). There are a number of benefits from using this product, so don’t discount it if you don’t have eczema or psoriasis. Here are just some of the benefits: 

Harvested Seaweed

  

  

VOYA Lazy Days seaweed bath: 

• Naturally soothes & moisturises
• Helps against the signs of ageing
• Natural anti-cellulite properties
• Improves suppleness and elasticity of skin
• Traditionally used in the care and repair of the skin
• Cleanses and purifies
• Tones and stimulates the skin
• Boosts thyroid activity 

  

   

  

  

  

  

  

  

So, what can you expect when you get your Lazy Days box? 

The Lazy Days seaweed bath contains organic, harvested dehydrated seaweed, and comes in a beautiful brown and green box, as you can see above. The seaweed itself is contained in a net bag, with Dead Sea salts, that are wrapped up in plastic. The great thing about the netting, is that you get to have a seaweed bath without the mess, as

Cath Kidston Hand Cream: Hands Down My Favourite! September 11, 2010

I have been blessed with extremely dry hands, and as a consequence, I have tried a fair few hand creams. I favour hand creams that are thick, have a nice fragrence, are absorbed quickly and  keep my lámha (irish for hands) moisturised. It’s hard to get a hand cream that ticks all of my boxes.

One that does though is Cath Kidston’s hand cream. Not a brand that you would typically go for your skin care needs, I’ll admit, but when I was in the Kildare Outlet village, I spotted this little pot of loveliness. I was drawn in by the kitchy packaging, the rose fragrance (I’m a sucker for anything that smells like roses ), and of course it was reduced from 8 to 5 euro.

This is a really great hand cream, that doesn’t irritate the eczema on my hands, and  keeps them hydrated for hours. The rose fragrance isn’t one of those artificial rose scents, it truly smells like a bunch of freshly cut roses from the garden (or the shop ).

While I use cheaper alternatives to tide me over until I pick up my next tin, I always go back to this, particularly once the cold weather strikes. At 80ml’s per tin, I think that this is pretty good value. The hand cream is a pale pink in colour-a nice change from white hand creams me thinks!

It’s ‘All About Eyes’ August 15, 2010

Now I know that I am only in my twenties, but lately I have been using Clinique’s All About Eyes Rich eye cream. I have been told so much that in order to keep the wrinkles around your eyes at bay that it is best to begin using an eye-cream at this age. So with that said…..

I have been using this eye cream for over a month now and I really love it. I had gotton a cute little 5ml pot of All about eyes rich as part of a Clinique offer. Even though it is a small pot, and I have been using it solidly for a month plus, only a third of the pot is gone.

If you are interested in what the cream is supposed to do, read the blurb below:

This brightening eye cream works instantly and over time to diminish the look of undereye circles, shadows, and fine lines. Its botanical ingredients de-puff and calm the eye area. It also boosts natural collagen production while strengthening skin’s moisture barrier against common irritants.

This hydrating product sends puffy eyes packing with a formulation that is ophthalmologist tested and ideal for all skin type

It hasn’t had any impact on wrinkles and the like, as I don’t have any (yet!) round my eyes. Similarly, I can’t speak about this creams ability to de-puff either, as my eyes aren’t puffy lately.  However, I have noticed a huge difference in the skin around my eyes-my skin is definitely smoother and more moisturised since I began using it.

I had my doubts about using this around my eye, given that I also have eczema near my eyes also but this cream didn’t irritate it AT ALL!! All pluses in my book.

This is a lovely eye-cream, that I would definitely invest in once it runs out.

Wham, Balm, No Thanks Mam! July 22, 2010

Given that I have such sensitive skin and am riddled with dry skin problems (both eczema and psoriasis), I find it a nightmare to find products that work for me. So many products claim to be suitable for sensitive skin, or effective for people with eczema and psoriasis, but that usually isn’t the case. I will use anything on my skin that works-but I must say that I have a preference for natural products that contain little or no chemicals that could further irritate my skin.

With that said, I decided to give Balm Balm’s Face Balm a try, as it has gotten such good reviews online. Balm Balm is a 100% natural and organic product produced in the UK, and is certified my the soil association.
I purchased a 30ml tube from the Balm Balm website, to give it a try. Though Balm Balm is available in fragrance free, rose geranium and tea tree, I went for the rose geranium as I love anything that smells of roses

Here’s the blurb from the website:

“Made from shea butter, sunflower, beeswax, jojoba, calendula rose geranium essential oil, gently melted together to create a soft balm formulation to soothe, moisturise and nourish your face & neck or anywhere else that might need caring for”

And here are the pro’s and con’s:

Clarins Moisture Quenching Hydra-Care Cream July 21, 2010

Given the slight increase of temperature during the summer months, and as the sun comes out a little more, I found that my usual moisturisers Vichy Essentielles cream and Vichy mineral balm were too moisturising after applying sun cream on my face.

As a result, I have been using a lighter moisturiser along with my Ganier Nutritionist serum and sun cream. I picked up this Clarins cream awhile back but found it too light to use in winter. If you want to know what I liked and disliked about it, read the pro’s and con’s listbelow:

Pro’s
• Light texture
• Hydrating enough when used with sun cream and serum, and kept any dry, flaky patches away.
• Left my skin feeling lovely and soft afterwards.
• Didn’t irritate the eczema on my skin

Con’s
• Horrible herb smell to the cream (I’m more of a floral girl myself and dislike products that smell like herbs. This may not be a con for everyone)
• Expensive for a summer moisturiser

Final Thoughts
While I do like this moisturiser as a ‘summer’ moisturiser, I think I would look for a cheaper, better smelling moisturiser before re-purchasing it.