Serum addiction - it's a thing

I have A LOT of beauty products. These range from lip pencils to lipsticks to hair mist and cream blush. One product collection that is certainly growing is serums. I just love them and I have tried many of them! Today I wanted to share my current favourites, so let's go.

Skin Saints Vit C Illuminating Serum

This little bottle of light offers skin a extra boost of hydration which in turn gives skin a bit more of a glow. As we know, Vitamin C is a powerhouse for offering smoothness and brighness, and for the price, I think that this serum is really good. I bought this in Tesco by the way, a little extra treat that isn't a doughnut!

Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth serum

So, this is now a huge favourite of mine. Not only the gorgeous branding (the marketer in me) but the contents are pretty special to. This brand is founded by two skin care fanatics (Sarah Lee and Christine Chang) with over 20 years of experience in the global beauty industry.  The serum contains actives ingredients that are hardworking but gentle. The Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Serum tackles rough textures and offers a radiant complexion with use. Oh and it looks pretty gorgeous on your dressing table/cabinet as well!

BIO Effect EGF Serum

This is a powerhouse if you are looking for help with anti-aging and a need to help prevent and target signs of skin aging. It also adds in moisture to the skin. There are only 7 pure ingredients, including their signature Barley EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor),which is a protein that helps support the skin’s natural production of collagen. If you are looking for skin that looks smooth and healthy, this is definitely a serum to consider.

I love all of these for their individual qualities. Some are more expensive than other yes, but they do deliver on different levels according to your needs. Do I have an addiction... I like to find products that work yes, and I think I have found some for now....

What is your favourite serum? What are your skin needs, I might be able to recommend a serum to help?

Comment below, follow me on Insta at @claritybeautymc or ping me an email: allyson@claritybeauty.co.uk 

An empty review you need to read!

I've come to the end of another great product. I bought the Optimum Vitamin C serum whilst I was in Superdrug around 3 or 4 months ago. This is some indication as to how long it has lasted which is not bad when used every day. The packaging suggests it can be used morning and night, but I only use a Vitamin C serum in the morning on cleansed skin, which is correct practice unless I am mistaken. 

The packaging is compact with a clear lid. It has a nice pump to release the product which makes using it very easy. So what is the serum like? It is clear in appearance, with a stable texture and smells of citrus which was lovely each morning, a really fresh scent. I used a small amount, perhaps a UK 5p size, if that. This covered the whole of my face and my neck. The feeling initially was a little sticky on my face, however, that didn't last and it melted into my skin. Where does this fit into my skin regime? I use a Vitamin Serum on clean skin before anything else. I then apply my moisturiser, then my SPF 50 last. All of these together create a superb base for my makeup. 

The results

The serum contains 10% vitamin C and can help with fine lines and wrinkles. It also can brighten and smooth the surface of the skin. I'm now over forty, so any product that can support my ageing journey is most welcome! I will say that the daily use of the serum made my skin feel very hydrated and flexible. I'm lucky that I don't have wrinkles (yet), so I cannot comment on its success with those. I am mainly looking for my skin to look healthy, smooth, and bright and I can confirm that this serum delivered these aspects. It quickly became an integrated part of the regime, and I have missed it since I finished the tube. 

Would I buy it again?

Yes, I would. It is a great serum for a light everyday Vitamin C option. I would be interested to hear of any other Vitamin C serum options you may have used? 

I firmly believe that having a healthy diet, exercising, and drinking plenty of water all contribute to glowing skin and a healthy body and mind. Being able to use and experience various products is also lots of fun. :)

Thanks for reading, get in touch on my Instagram @claritybeautymc

Bye for now, Ally x

 

The Rich cream.... a very special cream!

Hi there, it's Ally, your beauty and skincare addict! I am so excited to tell you all about this gorgeous cream, from a brand that you may not have heard about (well I hadn't).

So, how did I get to use this cream? I was very lucky to receive my Selfridges Advent Calendar last year and the Augustinus Bader 'The Rich Cream' was one of the little treats inside! As soon as I picked it out of the calendar I could instantly feel this was a special cream. The beautiful colours (a blue bottle with rose gold and white writing) of the branding and the weighted bottle just oozed class. I immediately pulled the lid off which revealed a tiered pump from which the cream would come. I knew I would enjoy using this cream and couldn't wait to start.

The Rich Cream with TFC8

Let's dig deeper into the product inside the bottle. The cream is white in colour, nothing fancy, nothing sparkly, just a solid white cream. I didn't take a photo as it would have been a really boring image! The texture is sumptuous and luxurious, the kind of cream that you pump out onto your hand, and it stays put and doesn't run off. Although it is slightly heavier than the creams I have used, it blended into my face and neck beautifully. It was not heavy, greasy, or left a residue of any kind on my skin. The only observation I will make is that it has an unusual scent. It isn't unpleasant, it isn't fragrant it's just a smell. However, once it is rubbed into the skin, the smell fades and there is nothing there. I've noticed it so I thought it was worth mentioning. 

The cream is backed by over thirty years of research by Professor Bader, who is a pioneer in the field of stem cell biology and a doctor of regenerative medicine. It is full of amazing skin-loving ingredients and nutrients. This cream is designed to hydrate, nourish and take special care of your skin. The magic ingredient is TFC8 which is the science part! The cream is designed to focus on skin renewal and has the renewing complex inside this and all this range. I would recommend clicking the above links to learn more about the technology and research that has gone into this cream, it is quite fascinating.

What were my thoughts?  

What is there not to love about this face cream? A little goes a long way, and because of its texture, it melts into the skin with little effort. I always use an SPF after a moisturiser, and I was a little worried that using both would cause greasiness, but no. The cream doesn't have an SPF so remember that if you want to try this, a separate SPF will be needed (if you use one). I love the feeling of hydration I get from this cream and I am certain that my skin is smoother. I've been using it since Boxing Day, so that is enough time to tell. A 15ml bottle of this cream will cost around £71 so it is certainly not cheap, but after reading about the specialist ingredients, time, and research that have gone into its production, I can understand why. I would love to have this as my daily cream and I would definitely like to try some other products in this range.

I hope you have enjoyed my review of this face cream. Please remember that having a healthy diet, exercising, and drinking plenty of water all contribute to glowing skin and a healthy body and mind. Having amazing products like these also helps, as well as being so fun to explore. 

What did you like most about this cream? What is your favourite face cream? Leave a comment I'd love to hear. :)

Why not follow me on my Instagram and TikTok profiles, both @claritylstyle

Take care and catch up soon. Thanks, Ally x