Review: No7 Eye Make-Up Remover

It promises to condition while it cleanses... but I wish it would do more cleansing, and less conditioning. Today, as promised, I am reviewing the first item in my mini skincare haul: the No7 eye make-up remover.

I didn't think you could go wrong with a make-up remover, believing it to be pretty straightforward and run-of-the-mill. However, it seems that No7 have tried to be too innovative for their own good, focussing too much on the mature and drier skin types; and in so doing have produced a disappointing product in what should have been an easy market.

Price...
The price point for all No7 products is pretty good, considering I am used to Clarins skincare. What's more, I managed to get this product in a 3-for-2 offer, on top of a boots voucher for No7 skincare. Overall, therefore, I paid less than is humanly possible for a targeted make-up remover product, which I am more than happy with. Long live boots vouchers...

Does-What-It-Says-On-The-Tin-alike...
Cleanse? Yes. Condition? Yes. Leave a huge amount of excess oily product on the skin? Yes. It does what it is supposed to; it removes your make-up, including long lasting foundation and waterproof mascara. However, after application, it does feel like I have gone swimming in a grease-pool - so much so that I feel I have to wash my face after use. I think that this not only defeats the point of a skin cleansing product, but also goes against the grain of the No7 'Ta Dah!' claims which has connotations of quick, easy and magic products which reveal a new skin. I just felt like I would be better off with a good old-fashioned bar of soap and water.

Overall Satisfaction...
Will I be repurchasing this product? No. I think there are far better competitors, even taking into consideration the excellent deals on the Boots skincare ranges. I do not wish to put more grease on to my already oily complexion, but that's just me.

2/5 stars

Photo credit: Boots.com

Skincare mini-haul

Today I picked up some lotions and potions which I will be trialling over the next few weeks. At this time of the year, plummeting temperatures play havoc on my skin, and my already combination type complexion will become even more unruly and impossible than ever. 

The first product I picked up is the Glycerin and Rosewater toning lotion which promises to be 'a cooling, refreshing beautifier that softens and moisturisers [sic] the skin'. I love rosewater and so was excited when I saw it on the shelf. 

Next, I bought the No7 Hot Cloth Cleanser, as I like to create an at-home-spa every now and again. I have heard a lot of hype about hot cloth cleansers and so I have high expectations for this product. 

Another No7 product I took home is the Beautiful Skin Eye Make-Up Remover. I like that it isn't perfumed as it is so important to protect the eye area from any harsh chemicals, such as fragrances. 

Boots were offering a promotion on No7, so I have also picked up the Beautiful Skin Night Cream for normal or oily complexions. I haven't bought into night creams before now, but it just felt so light and refreshing on my skin, and I liked that it promises to hydrate without blocking pores. 

Finally, I wanted to test drive the Bontanics Mattifying Gel Cream for lasting shine control. It contains clarifying willowbark to rid any signs of pollution and blemishes. 

So, there we have it. A mini haul of autumn-friendly products which I am hoping are not only suited to my twenties' skin, but also to the fluctuating temperatures and harsh winds of late September. I wanted to strip back to the basics and find some more natural products that are without frills, and do just what they say on the tin. Stay tuned for honest targeted reviews.

Photo credit: Goody Two-Choos

In-flight beauty on Two-Choos Airlines

Clarins has been a firm favourite of mine for many years and I have used their skincare range religiously since the age of 14, with their special formulations caring and soothing my skin which is sensitive, combination, prone to oiliness and redness all rolled into one messy, nightmarish concoction. Thank you, genes.

So, although I have always cared about what I use on my skin, I have sometimes slipped in my rigorous routine, and can be found guilty of sunbathing without SPF, sleeping in my make-up, and not drinking enough water. 

This summer, however, I want to kick-start my skincare regime and it all starts with my holiday in the sun where, instead of baking myself to a crisp in the pursuit of a tan (I don't know why I'm kidding myself, really. I don't tan, but just go an ever-seductive shade of pink then back to white), I will slather myself in La Roche-Posay sunblock which will tackle my two demons: oily skin and sunburn. 

My inspiration came from the lovely Lisa Eldridge, who has the most helpful and informative video on in-flight beauty. It opened my eyes to the powers of aeroplane air conditioning on dehydrating the skin, something I never considered before with my oily/combination type: I thought I was immune to drying out! It seems, however, that with the powers of modern technology and recycling the air at 40,000ft, nobody is safe from artificial cabin air.

To combat this and start my holiday health-kick the right way, my in-flight beauty bag contains the following essentials: 

• Clarins Cleansing Milk with gentian
• Clarins Toning Lotion with Iris
• Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque
• Clarins HydraQuench Lotion
• Chanel Ultra Correction Line Repair eye cream
• Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector
• Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream
• Vaseline Original lip balm
• Chanel Eau Fraiche EDT  

Watch Lisa Eldridge in action to see her easy to follow regime.

Photo/Video credits: HDWallpapersarena.com; Lisa Eldridge