Avène Soothing Eye Contour Cream

RRP: £9.50/10ml

--What does the promo say?--

"This Soothing Eye Contour Cream has been specially formulated to gently protect the most delicate part of the face. Rich in Avene Thermal Spring Water and soothing alpha-bisabolol, this light emulsion calms skin irritation, tightness and redness. Dextran sulfate also acts by relieving hypersensitive eyelids. Thanks to its formula enriched with moisturising and anti-free radical actives, this soothing care promotes hydration and protection of the eye contour area and eyelids. Paraben-free."

--Packaging--

Combines white with coral to create a soothing yet unusual colour scheme. The tube is tiny and the tapered screw-top lid is well designed - not too difficult to undo, but stays on securely when you need it to.

--Application--

On a cleansed, make-up free face, blend a tiny amount around the eye contour area. Nothing difficult about that.

--Appearance--

The pure white cream takes on an opaque appearance as soon as you start to rub and quickly disappears into nothing at all. No visible residue left on skin.

--Scent--

Just a very clean, mineral-water type scent. Nothing soapy or artificial-smelling here and definitely not a strong scent.

--Texture and consistency--

Smooth, soft and absorbs quickly. Not at all runny.

--Effects on the skin--

I bought this product because I'd had totally unexplained layers of dry skin over one eyelid for more than a week and none of the other eye creams I had in the house were able to shift it. We therefore took a trip to the pharmacy, where the pharmacist recommended this. She said that if the dry skin didn't clear up in a week I was to see a doctor. Sceptical due to the dry skin's apparently bullet-like resistance to every other eye cream under the sun, I used it without hope or agenda, but was amazed to find that a visible difference was apparent in just a day or two days of morning and night use, and that it had cleared up completely well short of the week's usage prescribed. Amazing!

--Value for money--

After my disappointment with Avene's almost completely ineffectual exfoliator, I cannot say I had had much hope in another Avène product. However, my faith in this brand has now been restored, and I would be much more willing now to try another of their products. Now it's much clearer to me why this affordable yet (at times) effective brand is so much beloved by the French.

perfect partners

Eau Thermale Ystheal + Eye Contour Cream, £17
Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, £9.50
Cicalfate Repair Cream, £7.50
Extremely Gentle Cleanser, £8
Soothing Hydrating Serum, £17

I Love...Juiced Up Blackcurrant Shower Gel

RRP: £2.05/500ml

--What does the promo say?--

"Take a whopping big bite out of life! My delicious aroma is bursting with super juicy blackcurrants all ready to explode into action, leaving you with your very own bite size portion of happiness!"

--Packaging--

Rocks the funky look with black and white basics contrasting with the purple gel, which can be seen through the plastic flip-top bottle. The bottle is also extremely sizeable (so not great for travel purposes perhaps) but carries lively and easily understandable text which engages you while telling you all you need to know, making you feel really excited about using it.

--Application--

Just lather up over wet skin while in the shower, then rinse off when ready. Easy peasy lemon squeezy (or should that be blackcurrant squeezy?).

--Appearance--

Exactly the colour of the dark purple throat tablets that you can get, matching up well with the blackcurrant idea. Doesn't leave any visible residue on the skin, frothing up instead into an off-white lather that's easy to rinse. You can also use it as a bubble bath, although not having a bath at home means that opportunities to test the product's credentials on this score have been limited.

--Scent--

While perhaps slightly artificial-smelling, it's definitely intense and not at all unpleasant. Plus, you can tell it's a blackcurrant scent straight away - no second-guessing required here, as is true of all the I Love...products (although unfortunately the packaging doesn't tell us anything about how this rich scent is achieved - just putting 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not helpful!).

--Texture and consistency--

This was definitely my least favourite part of the product. Rather than being creamy and luxurious, it was viscous and gel-like - even to the point of slipping back INSIDE the bottle if you didn't squeeze hard enough. All fine on the skin once you get lathering - the foam generated is fine yet spreads well. But still. EW to the first bit.

--Longevity--

I can't say I experienced long-lasting scent or softness on the skin with this product as compared to the other gel I'm using at present (Caudalie Pêche de Vigne). But at £2 for a massive bottle, what do you expect?

--Value for money--

It's possible that they would need to sort out the texture of this before I would purchase again - even though the smell is great, I didn't have *as* positive an experience with this product as I did with I Love...'s Lemons & Limes lip gloss and body cream. But that definitely hasn't put me off the range completely: it's a vibrant budget option without a doubt, and with scents in the range such as Strawberries & Milkshake, Vanilla & Ice Cream, and Raspberry & Blackberry still left to try, who could resist?!

*set to be exclusive to Superdrug, you'll have to keep your eyes peeled; no sign in store or online of it yet...*

Andrex Washlets

RRP: from £1 for 42 wipes

--What does the promo say?--

"These moist toilet tissues can be used for all manner of tasks from removing make-up to changing nappies and may even substitute normal toilet tissue. Each pack contains cotton fresh 42 sheets, which are skin pH neutral and dermatologically tested. Also, since they re biodegradable tese washlets can be flushed away after use."

--Packaging--

The blue and white colour scheme is appropriate for bathroom use and fits in well with the Andrex brand in general. While I don't really see the point of the display tub (as surely the plastic shield constantly being open on the main pack would cause the wipes to dry out more quickly?), I think the lightweight basic pack is great for bathroom display or for travel purposes.

--Usage instructions--

Just lift up the plastic shield and remove a wipe, closing the pack afterwards to prevent wipes from drying out. As the promotional material states, you can use it for all manner of purposes including makeup removal, general face and body cleaning, and as a substitute for normal toilet tissue. Use the wipe as you deem fit and then throw it away - either in a bin or by flushing it. All very simple, practical and hygienic.

--Appearance--

The wipes are white, and while a slight 'sheen' can be detected, they certainly don't leave any visible residue on the skin.

--Scent--

Clean and fresh-smelling without seeming artificial, although annoyingly I can't work out what the scent is due to ('Parfum' in the ingredients list tells us nothing, Andrex!).

--Texture and consistency--

Smooth, soft and non-irritating to use, even when you're substituting them for regular toilet paper. Even though they are wet wipes, I didn't find the idea of using the wipes in this way as some of the users in the Dawn Porter/Andrex promotional videos, as I have used similar products before (such as these Avon ones, which are similarly priced). The wipes leave a fresh and clean feeling during and after use.

--Effects on the body--

I found these to be great especially during my period - at the time when you're feeling at your messiest and gunkiest, they're excellent in helping you to feel normal! However, I can see how they could help people freshen up in a variety of other situations, from camping to long aeroplane flights, and sleepovers to working days. Equally, while I haven't yet used them as a makeup remover or for general cleanup (even though I am possibly the world champion of hand-to-mouth coordination failure when it comes to eating food), I would consider using them for this.

--Value for money--

There are lots of promotional offers on at the moment, with some retailers selling them for £1, and others selling them at the full price of £1.95 but on a buy-one-get-one-free scheme. You get a lot more wipes for your money than many Andrex competitors, the wipes are definitely effective, and I love that they're multi-purpose. While they're perhaps a little pricey to make a permanent substitute for toilet tissue (not to mention that my husband refused to use them; I reckon they're definitely more of a girl thing), I'll definitely be taking them on our trip to New York later this month (because aeroplane toilets are generally disgusting) and keeping them on standby for the time of the month. A fantastic buy that should be in every girl's handbag and on display in every bathroom. In fact, I reckon they could even bring out shower washes (as Avon has done) to extend even further into the beauty market, tallying perfectly with this reach into everyday hygiene.

perfect partners

On The Go Coreless Roll (55 sheets), £1.05

On The Go Antibacterial Spray, £1.99

Vani-T Mineral Lip Colour

RRP: £23.25

Purchase online from www.nuusuite.com or www.sotanned.co.uk

UK stockists: Gemini Beauty Supplies (0774 3879 336), Beauty Revolution (07731950627)

# of shades available: 12 (Babydoll, Bare, Bombshell, Earth Angel, French Kiss, Frisky Business, Glamarazzi, Goddess, Negligée, Screen Siren, Sugar Sugar, Viva La Glam)

--What does the promo say?--

"Infused with Vitamin E, Coconut Oil and Aloe Extract for hydration, Vani-T's diamanté-encrusted lipsticks are the ultimate in creamy, long lasting, colour-rich mineral lip colour. The latest in organic and natural beauty, these luscious lipsticks don't contain any nasty chemicals! Available in an array of 12 colours, you can choose from nudes to apricots, to dusty roses, pinks and reds. A shade for every dance floor, desk, and dinner date!"

--Packaging--

Large chunks of diamanté-style plastic (it is hardly fair to call them actual diamanté) adorn these lipstick canisters to give a bling effect that differentiates entirely from products that are currently available. You'd definitely have no trouble picking these out on the shelf, especially thanks to the metallic peach cardboard boxes they arrive in too. The box has a handy cutout circle on the base so you can see the shade of lipstick clearly, and there's a vintage look to the thing overall thanks to the swirly black script on the box. It's very different, too, to other mineral beauty brands, which tend to go for pale pastels and often shy from anything bolder. The tube twists up normally like a regular lipstick.

--Application--

Slap it on straight from the tube or use a lip brush for extra contouring.

--Appearance--

Quality-wise, the strength of colour competes well with major commercial brands. Unfortunately, though, I didn't especially like either of the two shades I was sent for testing: the bright red Screen Siren proved too brash against my pale skin, while Frisky Business, a pale beige, blended almost too well, making my entire face seem almost the same colour all over. Clever use of bolder cheek and eye colours is needed to compete with it. However, as these are just two out of 12 available shades, it proves that there's almost surely a shade for everyone (I'd be surprised if none of the remaining 10 fit my needs).

--Scent--

Just a very light hint of beeswax: no overwhelming wax crayon or Playdoh-type smells here.

--Texture and consistency--

Super-smooth and soft both to apply and to wear; not at all slippery, greasy or drying. In short: perfect! The coconut oil is probably responsible for that along with the beeswax.

--Longevity--

Sadly I didn't find that the colour lasted any longer than a conventional lipstick. Still, you can't have it all I suppose.

--Value for money--

For some people the mineral concept is extremely valuable, and avoiding putting parabens, mineral oils, preservatives, petrochemicals, artificial colours and so on into their bodies is very important to them. Sometimes this can be achieved cheaply (Green People's organic lipsticks go for around £11, with other mineral brands like Bellapierre and Inika also pitching their prices here), but it seems from a quick sweep of Google Shopping that the £20-£25 price bracket is about standard for mineral lipsticks, so Vani-T certainly aren't out to fleece the concerned consumer. Garden Pharmacy and Tender Loving Skincare's lipsticks go for this price, too. But all depends on people's budgets, and the point is that proper mineral makeup (unlike the highly dubious 'mineral' makeup peddled by brands like L'Oreal and Maybelline) is widely accessible to all from about £10 per lipstick. So even if you can't afford Vani-T, it can at least serve as an impetus for you to support the mineral makeup industry, whose products can be just as good, rather than running to the big brands every time. I know it's changed my attitude.

perfect partners

Pure White Tooth Whitening Gloss, £22.05

Mineral Lip Glaze, £14.85

Mineral Lip Crayon, £16

Mineral Lip Definer, £13.75

Lip Brush, £17.15

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While there are Clubcard rewards for just about everything from dining out one evening to a few weeks away on holiday, even beginning beauty fanatics can benefit from the scheme. By collecting points on almost everything you can buy in store or online from Tesco (as well as by spending on your Clubcard credit card), you can convert 150 points for Clubcard vouchers worth £1.50, which are sent out to you automatically and can be spent on all kinds of treats, including major beauty brands stocked by Tesco, such as Barbara Daly and All For Eve.

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