May 2013 UK Magazine Freebies

If you know me or you follow this blog, you KNOW, I love a magazine freebie. There are some lovely ones in the magazines right now. Depending on where you purchase your magazines, they might have already hit the shelves or be on their way. No fear I am here to tell you what pickings are available. 

Marie Claire Magazine (£3.80 on sale 2nd May) - Choice of  3 products, Avon Smitten Red Lipstick, Brow Definer or Gel Eyeliner, plus a sample of BB Cream with each magazine.

Elle Magazine (£4.00 on sale 1st May)  - Mini Benefit They're Real Mascara worth £9.50

InStyle Mag (£3.80 on sale 2nd May) - Choice of 3 full size Nail Inc Nail Polishes

Harpers Bazaar (£4.20 on sale 1st May) - REN Moroccan Rose Otto Body Cream 50ml

Cosmopolitan Magazine - is currently on sale for £2 (usual price £3.80) 

The Cosmopolitan offer is the one which is calling my name. At the moment I have too many lotions, potions and mascaras. I am going to read the Glamour mag for June and let Jessica Alba tell me her secrets to becoming rich.

wherever in the world you are, have a great day my lovelies.

xx

Review - Palmers Damask Rose and Musk shower gel

Palmers Savonniers since 1898 that is a longgggggggggggg time to be making soap. 

Recently with little coercion from my roomate I went halves with her and purchased the REN Morrocan Rose Otto body wash (we got 2 for £17). On a browse through my local supermarket I came across the Palmers Damask Rose and Musk shower gel and realised that both products smelled very very similar. I picked one of these up since it was on offer (99p) to compare and contrast with my Rose Otto body wash, for several reasons the main one being that even though the REN Morrocan Rose Otto smells divine £17 a month for a shower gel is excessive in my opinion. 

What they say:

        This shower gel is infused with extract of natural Damask Rose, whose soft blossoms have been used in perfumery for centuries. It's flowery, aromatic blend with musky notes leaves your skin pleasantly fragranced. 

What I say:

        The Palmers Damask Rose and Musk shower gel has a great smell, which is similar but not totally comparable to the REN Morrocan Rose Otto body wash. It is not overpowering nor does not linger long after use. The product lathers quite well and did not dry out my skin. Palmers products are not overly expensive and the price for this shower gel @ £2 full price is great. 

My only query is in the formulation I do believe that the handwash AND the shower gel are made from the same ingredients in the same order. Which is a bit grrr, however as a product it does deliver what it says that it would do. There is a rumour around the blogshpere that there is a body lotion as well to complement this range of products but I have not seen it. 

Would I recommend? - Yes 

Would I purchase full priced? - mmm have to think about that sine Palmolive products are always on offer

would I repurchase? - Yes 

xx

Review - REN clean skincare F10 Smooth and Renew Mask: a review

        I have oily skin, and in recent years, I have been plagued with blemishes and residual  scarring left from pimples. In October 2011 I broke out with a bout of Cystic acne which took weeks to clear up and left my  entire left cheek very scarred. I have been  on a little kick lately trying out some chemical exfoliants  and I must say they have been working really really well.  The REN clean skincare F10 Smooth and Renew Mask  was originally intended for use by my roomate. She has sensitive skin and wasn't really a fan of the orange peel ( a signal that this mask was full of vitamin C, a key ingredient in most scar reducing lotions and potions ) smell so she passed it to me.  I decided to try this on my oily skin, this mask bless its soul is intended for use by persons who suffer from sensitive skin. None the less it is a chemical exfoliant and I decided to try it and do a review. 

Application - how to use:Apply a generous amount to clean skin. Leave for 10 minutes, Dampen enclosed cloth and gently wipe off mask. Rinse skin with warm  (not hot) water.  

The product has a viscous texture similar to honey, it spreads well and evenly for the most part. The instructions said to leave it on for 10 minutes, I left it on for 30 minutes plus the time I took to walk downstairs and put a load of clothes in the washing machine.  During the time it was on my face, it was quite pleasant, it "dried" a bit, but was till soft to the touch. Removal was quite easy as well, I dipped a muslin cloth in warm/emphasis on cool water and removed from the left cheek (since I applied it there first) my forehead (which is recovering from an allergic reaction to the new Lancome Tient Idole foundation,), the right cheek, then chin/jaw area. 

The results -  my skin felt very smooth to the touch, after I had patted my face dry and allowed the excess moisture to dry. It was not tight nor ashy. There was no crusting or flaking in the areas on my face where my allergic reaction is healing. 

Cons -The size of REN skincare sample products. If you were to get this in a sample size at a counter I would advise that you secure at least 3 of them. REN skincare samples come in 5ml sizes which is only enough for 1 application. I am a firm believer that with skincare/makeup products you need to try them at least 1 - 3 times before you can form a valid hypothesis on whether or not your skin will react. 

The price - A 50ml bottle of this retails for £20.  Yes I know I know £20 to some persons is  relatively alot of money for 1 single item. However it is 2012 and if you want to the good stuff you HAVE to suck it up and pay the money.

Pros - This stuff is great, it makes your skin super smooth and clearer (it actually does).  You do not need to be scraping your face and worrying about getting in the cracks of your nose and hairline as one would usually do with manual exfoliators. It comes with a PUMP, so that just extended the life of the product by 50%. I used 1.5 pumps when I did my treatment. So long run when you look at it you would only purchase this item ONCE a year. 

would i purchase? - yes
would i recommend? - yes
would i buy full priced? - yes