Pepsi Lip Balms Tear 'n' Share

RRP: £2.50

--What does the promo say?--
"Share a guilt-free sweet treat with your bestie! Keep your lips soft and hydrated with these Pepsi and Pepsi Cherry flavour lip balms."

--Packaging--
The heart-shaped cardboard backing is emblazoned with the Pepsi logo and the brand colours of red, white and blue. This tears neatly down the middle thanks to a perforation. The two lip balms themselves are protected by a plastic casing, with the Pepsi Cherry lip balm distinguished by a red lid. Both lip balms can be twisted up from the bottom as normal in order to reveal the product.

--Usage--
Twist the bottom of the casing up to reveal the product. Apply liberally to dry lips, as often as you feel is necessary.

--Appearance--
The Pepsi balm is a light brown colour, while the Pepsi Cherry balm is a vibrant red. Both, however, go transparently onto the lips.

--Scent--
Playful, fizzy, and in the case of the cherry variant, fruity. Taste-wise, however, they are more beeswaxy (which is probably just as well).

--Texture and consistency--
Smooth without being greasy or indeed overly waxy.

--Effects on the lips--
Chapped lips feel immediately soothed and smoothed - so the desired effect.

--Value for money--
At £2.50 for the pair (i.e. £1.25 each) these are cheap, cheerful, fun, and in short, do what they say on the tin. Primark does it again!

Beuti Beauty Sleep Elixir

RRP: £42 for 30ml

--What does the promo say?--
"With its 14 precious plant oils Beauty Sleep Elixir supports skin barrier function and plays a key role in fighting inflammation. Packed with anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients that counteract irritation and inflammation. Beauty Sleep Elixir can be worn under makeup in the evening and boosts skin tone, acting as an on the spot blemish treatment due to its anti-inflammatory powers and brightens the complexion for no makeup days. During precious beauty sleep, skin renews itself thanks to this product's super boost of vitamins, minerals and a complete omega hit of 3,5,6,7 and 9, letting you wake up to beautiful glowing skin. Softalia, from a sustainable plantation in Australia, counteracts inflammation and has unique activity on the skin due to its ximenynic acid content, helping hydration and reducing fine lines. Caribbean coral neutralizes the enzyme responsible for skin ageing, acne and sunburn and is one of the worlds most potent anti-inflammatory ingredients."

--Packaging--
The opaque glass bottle is perfect for a product of this type as it enables you to see exactly how much is left at all times, as well as letting the beautiful amber colour of the oil shine through. Equally, the minimalist product information on the bottle and the silvery band and lid contribute to a classy effect. The pump-action mechanism is practical and minimises waste.

--Application--
Massage into face, hands or body for use as a moisturiser. You can also use it to cleanse or remove makeup with by massaging over the face and then removing the oil immediately with a cotton pad.

--Appearance--
A golden orange oil that disappears invisibly into the skin, leaving no residue.

--Scent--
The woodier scents are dominant in this, so I'm guessing the sandalwood is largely at play here. However, a citrus element is also detectable thanks to the sea buckthorn: a hard berry reminiscent of orange and lemon.

--Texture and consistency--
A smooth, non-greasy oil which absorbs quickly into the skin.

--Effects on the skin--
Has deeply moisturising properties which work well on all areas of the body as well as the face. Perfect for these sunnier times of the year when skin may dry out from exposure to the sun, the sea, or chlorinated swimming pools.

--Value for money--
A little goes a very long way and the product is clearly composed of high quality ingredients (which, for what it's worth, are 98% organic and 100% natural). An excellent multi-purpose product for affordable luxury moisturisation.

Dr Hauschka Cleansing Cream

RRP: £14.95

--What does the promo say?--
"Deep cleansing. Maintains the pH balance so that the acidic barrier protecting your skin is not broken down. Maintains and supports the skin's natural moisture level."

--Packaging--
The white metal tube is mostly practical, though could be prone to breaking in the middle if you don't squeeze from the end. The slightly sober design gives the impression of a brand to be taken seriously, and is suitably unisex.

--Application--
Easy to use - just squeeze a little into your palm and rub gently onto a damp face before rinsing off. Don't be too rough - the almond meal will do the work for you. 

--Appearance--
Doesn't look the way you'd expect a cream to thanks to its grainy appearance. The dark orange colour is also a surprise - even though it looks natural rather than artificial - but doesn't leave any visible residue on the skin. 

--Scent--
A slightly oaty, yeasty smell that probably comes from the nuts and nut oils used in the product (almond and peanut) as well as the wheatgerm. The floral and fruity ingredients are not detectable at all, and neither is the witch hazel.

--Texture and consistency--
Satisfyingly scrubby without being rough. Not creamy, though, so no idea where this concept of it being a "cleansing cream" has come from.

--Effects on the skin--
Skin looks noticeably more radiant even from the first use, and skin condition (including acne) visibly improves. Skin is left clean and fresh, especially when used with other Dr Hauschka products. Even on hot days, skin is significantly less oily and shiny, making this a spectacularly efficient product.

--Value for money--
Unquestionably good thanks to the excellent results. Even the UK price, which is often hiked up significantly compared to European prices, is reasonable at just under £15. It's true that with twice-daily use you may need to replace it as often as once a month - but given how high a price tag many other companies put on such a good outcome, this is a quality product that's fairly priced. Would repurchase.

perfect partners
Cleansing Clay Mask, £25.45
Facial Toner, £23.45
Normalising Day Oil, £24.25 

Fushi Cherry Seed Oil

RRP: £12 for 50ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, organic Cherry Seed oil provides natural, effective hydration. Cherry Seed oil is gorgeous emollient oil that is also rich in natural antioxidants, plus vitamins A and E. Cherry Seed oil is especially beneficial for acne-prone or inflamed skin. The vitamins and nutrients contained within the fruit are known to play an important role in collagen synthesis and skin healing processes. Yellow in colour with a hint of marzipan, the oil is abundant in oleic acid and linoleic acid, fatty acids that help restore and replenish the skin. The oil also works well as a carrier oil in aromatherapy. Add a few drops of the oil to your daily moisturiser and keep your skin ultra hydrated and to treat acne prone skin. Sourced from Malatya in central Turkey."

--Packaging--
This opaque glass bottle makes an elegant addition to any bathroom, but the plastic stopper (with a hole in it to let the oil out) is unreliable and frequently falls out. The best way to get it out is to run the opening of the bottle across the palm of your hand, keeping the bottle opening quite close to your palm at all times. Go over the entire palm of your hand twice to create a layer of oil, before rubbing into your face directly or mixing with your moisturiser.

--Application--
You can mix with moisturiser or use directly on the face. I'd perhaps recommend the former, as it may sink in more easily then (when the oil is applied alone, this takes longer).

--Appearance--
A beautiful golden oil that sinks invisibly into the skin.

--Scent--
A gorgeous and authentic aroma of marzipan. Nothing added to this! And who doesn't love a product which makes them smell like cake?

--Texture and consistency--
Not too thick itself, but does seem to take a long time to absorb. A shame.

--Effects on the skin--
As well as moisturising, this promises to reduce inflammation and benefit acneic skin. Happy to report that I have seen an improvement in my skin while using this.

--Value for money--
This compares most favourably with other facial oils on the market: Nuxe, perhaps the most famous, charges £14 for 50ml, while Weleda and Jurlique charge the same. Sanctuary, Green People and even Body Shop are even more expensive than that. I'm sure Waitrose won't mind me borrowing from their catchphrase when I say that this is a quality product, honestly priced, in spite of its flaws regarding texture and packaging. The aromatic smell gives a real boost in the morning and the results are there too. And I'm not just saying that because I was sent mine for free! Would recommend.



perfect partners
Beauty Totale for Skin, Hair and Nails, £15.26 
Thyme Tincture, £8

Lolita Lempicka Forbidden Flower

RRP: from £27/30ml @ www.slapiton.co.uk

--What does the promo say?--
"Forbidden Flower Eau de Parfum includes an Absinthe Flower fragrance, which is natural and voluptuous, innocent and stunning, yet emits the occasional crisp while often sensual floral notes. The Absinthe Floral bouquet unveils a cascade of green, bracing and acidic notes from its Strawberry Leaf and Mimosa Stem scents. Not as innocent as it seems... the peony is a radiant, full flower with disturbing sensuality that mixes beautifully with the powdery round character of Violet. Aniseed Flower blends subtly with this mixture of petals, releasing its absinthe aroma that boost our desire for carnal delights. As the blossom then develops into a fruit, its bottom notes unveil a luscious warmth with a fruity sweetness, and a musky scent that is enveloped in a hint of almond and sour cherry with berry accents."

--Packaging--
Glorious. Like Nina Ricci and Viktor and Rolf put together, but x500%. Golden and embellished, the slightly kooky company logo adorns the apple-shaped bottle for even more flourish. Quite clearly no effort or time has been squandered here; the result is magnificent.

--Application--
Spritz onto pulse points for maximum diffusion and impact (behind ears, onto wrists, onto chest).

--Appearance--
A clear liquid with no hue or sparkle.

--Scent--
Really unusual: fruity and musky, with unexpected tones beneath. I wish the absinthe were more detectable, but maybe it's doing more work beneath the surface than I realise. The violet is barely there, and that's probably a good thing: again, it's probably doing its part somewhere, and if it were any more full-on the fragrance would be too sweet and sickly. Excellent for any woman with a sense of fairytale and fun. However, it unfortunately develops into something more conventional, which is a shame.

--Longevity--
Sadly not as good as I had hoped :( Expect to reapply this once or twice a day.

--Value for money--
Good if you shop around but you could easily get your wallet back screaming and crying. Do your research first: it's worth having, but only at the best possible price.

perfect partner
Forbidden Flower Beauty Body Lotion, €38,60