Time Bomb Smart Balm Eye Cream

 RRP: £29 for 15ml
 
--What does the promo say?--
"Actively targets dark circles, fine lines and crepe-y texture around eyes. Moisturizes, plumps and smoothes the look of delicate eye area tissue. Has an instant, temporary tightening effect to decrease the look of fine lines and wrinkles."

--Packaging--
The white slender tube is nothing special, but the pink and green lettering really pops and asserts itself as part of the brand identity (where pink and green play a big part in the colour scheme across the board).

--Application--
Use your ring finger (the weakest finger, don't you know!) to gently dab this around the eye area once you've washed your face. Pat gently into the skin around the eye until fully absorbed - don't pull or drag the skin.

--Appearance--
Bright white, but sinks in invisibly.

--Scent--
The borage and calendula in the cream come through a little, but there's nothing overbearing in this at all.

--Texture and consistency--
Not at all sticky or drying - sinks in beautifully and leaves skin feeling soft.

--Effects on the skin--
As well as moisturising effectively, it genuinely brightens the eye area and wrinkles appear reduced. Nice one.

--Value for money--
I wasn't necessarily expecting it to be as expensive as £29 a go (I was sent mine for free, for what it's worth), particularly as this puts it in the same price bracket as many major brands (such as Clinique, Benefit and Elemis) - which can be a little disconcerting when a brand is so new to the market by comparison. However, as it works and is a joy to use, I feel I'm in no position to knock it. On the whole, my experience so far as is such that Time Bomb products not only are effective and lovely to use, but as such would make lovely gifts as well (the Time Bomb website has a great selection) - particularly as they have the sparkle of the celebrity factor, too, without being cheesy. Great work, Lulu!

perfect partners
Neck, Jaw and Chest Cream, from £13.50
Collagen Bomb Essential Skin Fuel, £65
Youth Juice Secret Oil, from £16 

Dr Hauschka Rejuvenating Mask

RRP: £35/30ml

--What does the promo say?--
"This pack brings life and vitality to pale, dry skin and helps improve the elasticity of pores. It can also help with the healing of scar tissue. Nurturing plant oils soothe and calm sensitivities as well as moisturising the skin."

--Packaging--
An almost medicinal metal tube with a plastic white screw-top lid and minimal writing. Only the characteristic orange band for decoration gives it away as being a Dr Hauschka product and not something your doctor would prescribe.

--Application--
The Dr Hauschka website advises use once or twice a week for best results. The mask (which I was kindly sent by Dr Hauschka's PR bods) should be applied liberally after cleansing and toning, left for 20-30 minutes, and then removed with a moist cloth. It can also be applied to heavily scarred areas lightly, on a daily basis, underneath moisturiser and makeup, to act as a day-to-day healing agent.

--Appearance--
The "mask" is in fact a thick cream, and the colour is a sickly-looking yellow-green colour. But don't let this put you off in the least: it leaves no visible residue on the skin and the colours come from entirely natural sources.

--Scent--
Refreshing, citric and herbal, meaning that this makes for a unisex product that can be used by all, although it's difficult to say where the scent comes from exactly, as the preparation is packed with good things, including apricot, borage, and jojoba oils.

--Texture and consistency--
Unlike a 'normal' face mask, this doesn't dry on your face. It comes out of the tube like a thick cream and stays that way throughout the 20-30 minute wait. The skin seems to absorb what it needs and then you can wipe away any excess. In spite of all the oils used, it's not greasy in the least, and it's easy to wipe off the excess too.

--Effects on the skin--
Skin definitely feels significantly softer after use, and even though I've only used it twice, I can see a small improvement in my skin already, with there being fewer spots and less redness.

--Value for money--
This is an interesting conundrum. To my mind it's an effective, luxurious product, made with high-quality ingredients, so theoretically I shouldn't baulk (much) at the £35 price tag, particularly as it does seem that one tube would last you a while. However, given that it costs €27 (today: £22.84) in Germany and around €32 (£27.07) in France, it's definitely worth waiting for your next hop to the continent to purchase this, as the UK markup seems a little high. Nonetheless, would definitely recommend.

perfect partners
Intensive Treatment, £48.45
Cleansing Cream, £14.95
Clarifying Toner, £24.95
Normalising Day Oil, £24.25
Rhythmic Night Conditioner, £44.95
Facial Steam Bath, £26.45
Cleansing Clay Mask, £25.45
Pure Care Cover Stick, £17.25
Daily Face Care Kit for Oily Skin, £17.95
*these are the recommended 'partner' products for oily skin. For recommendations for dry skin, sensitive skin, and other skin types, consult the Dr Hauschka website.

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint SPF15

RRP: £21/40ml

# of shades available: 3

--What does the promo say?--

"The perfect way to enhance your skin. Our rich and creamy, yet lightweight formula leaves all skin types looking naturally dewy, even and radiant. With mineral UV SPF15, it’s enriched with our own blend of natural source vitamin E, borage and avocado, specially selected to work in harmony with our skincare range."

--Packaging--

The dark blue shiny tube is a big departure from the matte pastel colours that we usually see Liz Earle's products packaged in, and yet somehow it still seems to fit well with the brand. The lid is easy to open when you need it (it just twists), and closes securely when you don't. I didn't receive these, as I was able to request the shade I wanted from the PR department, but for every first order of this product from the website, you also get a mini sample of each shade available: this enables you to test them out to see if you've got your shade choice right the first time, and, if you haven't, to return the full size product unopened. This means the full size tube can be sold on to someone else, avoiding the eventuality of sending perfectly good unused product to landfill. Nice manoeuvre.

--Application--

The Liz Earle website states: "Apply a little Sheer Skin Tint onto forehead, nose, cheeks and chin, then blend with fingertips over your face." All fairly simple stuff. You can of course, also use other products under or over the Sheer Skin Tint, such as primer, concealer or powder.

--Appearance--

A shiny, stiff cream that gives a dewy finish on the skin. The colour match was not bad at all, but maybe I was just lucky - with only 3 shades available, not everyone will be. However, as this is Liz Earle's first foray into colour, I suppose they can be forgiven (for now).

--Coverage--

Not great at all, even with the use of a heavy-duty concealer. However, I appreciate that most of Liz Earle's target audience won't be buying this for coverage purposes.

--Scent--

There are complaints online about the smell of the product, stating that it smelt overwhelmingly of potatoes. While this is detectable, it is only there in trace amounts; the overall earthiness is not unpleasant, and, to me, far from offputting.

--Texture and consistency--

This was really my biggest bugbear. I found that while the product sat okay on the skin once applied, in the fingers it was far too sticky for my liking. I much prefer the creamier consistency offered by other tinted moisturisers that I've tried, such as the one made by Arbonne.

--Longevity--

No better or worse than other products that I've tried - but by this stage it would have taken something stellar to redeem the product in my eyes.

--Value for money--

I sadly can't say that I would pay the requisite £21 for this product. Perhaps it works for some people, but for me the consistency and lack of coverage really killed it. Even in general, though, I'd say the price is a bit too high: £21 for 40ml also buys you tinted moisturisers from Dermalogica and MAC, which I could understand others going for over this for sheer efficacy alone. Casting the net more widely, for your same £21 you get 50ml of product from Elizabeth Arden, Stila and Benefit - all of whom have proven their expertise and popularity in the field of cosmetics. Overall a disappointing product from Liz Earle which does not meet their usually high standards.

Absolution Day Cream

RRP: £52.95/30ml
--What does the promo say?--
"Absolution skincare day cream is a certified organic moisturiser for women with mineral sunscreen. This complete skin care is high in antioxidants, anti-radical and hydrating active principles. The perfect ally of your hectic days. To obtain your bespoke skin care, adapted to your skin’s mood, you just have to add one drop of La Solution + of your choice to target and reinforce its efficiency. La Crème du Jour anti-ageing action is combined with a mineral sunscreen (Mica). Everything you need to enjoy life with serenity! Certified organic by Eco Cert."

--Packaging--
Very edgy, urban, modern and unisex, combining Art Deco style angles with Mary Quant monochrome. My sample (part of the box of goodies I received from Being Content ) was just a sachet, but this apparently delivers, in its full-size form, an efficient pump-action system to allow the correct dosage to be dispensed.

--Application--
I was using this 'neat', as it were, but if you're using the full range, what you're supposed to do is dispense the required amount and then mix it with a drop of "La Solution" that suits you best (the idea of the brand is for you to create your own bespoke skincare by mixing and matching the more specific elements that you need with their 'basic' creams). As it was, even using the day cream on its own gave no problems.

--Scent--
A very strong smell of bitter orange characterises the overwhelming first impression that you get, to the extent that it's almost masculine, even though there is a day cream for men as well (which my fiancé informs me actually has a milder scent). If you don't like it, steer clear: I doubt that the "Solution" of your choice would do much to mask or alter the scent.

--Appearance--
A white, slightly stiff and lumpy cream.

--Texture/consistency--
Blends in well, but takes a long time to do so.

--Effects on the skin--
For this amount of money, and for something packed with such a diverse range of ingredients whose effects have been proved positive (such as green tea, aloe vera, borage, hyaluronic acid, neroli, and centella) I was surprised to see no effect whatsoever on my skin - positive or negative.

--Value for money--
See above. You pay over £50 only for nothing to happen whatsoever, and then to see something happen, you have to pay another £63 ON TOP OF THAT (since the Solutions can't, I don't think, be used by themselves) to see any effect at all. Woof. Since the cream in itself is targeted as an anti-ageing product (the inclusion of hyaluronic acid gives a strong clue), the older generation might have more luck in seeing tangible effects on their skin, and may feel the pinch a bit less when it comes to paying for the stuff. So even though the bespoke aspect of this is all very original and impressive and everything, I think I'll be giving this one a miss.

perfect partners
Absolution Cleansing Water, £27.50/50ml
Absolution Night Cream, £54.75/30ml
Absolution La Solution Anti-Ageing, £62.75/15ml
Absolution La Solution Energie, £62.75/15ml
Absolution La Solution Radiance, £62.75/15ml
Absolution La Solution Controle, £62.75/15ml