Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pore & Shine In-Shower Mask

RRP: £4.99

--What does the promo say?--
"Introducing new Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pore & Shine In-Shower Mask. Get a shine-free, even complexion in only 60 seconds thanks to this breakthrough mask that works with steam of your shower. Its clinically proven formula reduces shine, helping to remove any excess oil for an instant matte effect without drying skin. It also helps to refine pores, cleansing deep down to unclog pores for visibly refined looking skin. Its fresh tangerine & lime scent provides an invigorating, fresh-skin feeling."

--Packaging--
The green and white colour scheme is both vibrant and unisex, with the Neutrogena label displayed prominently, while the coloured band at the top followed by the white band at the bottom of the tube clearly marks it as part of the brand also (all Neutrogena masks, scrubs etc have this design, with just the colour changing for different needs or scents, such as pink for grapefruit). The plastic flip-top lid is light while remaining sturdy and practical.

--Application--
Rub all over your face while in the shower, leaving it to sit for a minute or two while you shave or wash your body (I'm not going to list alternative in-shower activities...you're on your own there!). Rinse off under the shower or at the sink when you emerge. Use 1-2 times a week.

--Appearance--
The product itself is white, with no visible traces left after use.

--Scent--
Lively and zesty, although I think this mostly comes from scents added later that may be artificial, as only lemon peel is explicitly listed.

--Texture and consistency--
Creamy and luxurious. While slightly lumpy or grainy in appearance, it's not like an exfoliator, serving no scrubbing function, as you can't feel these lumps or grains on your skin during usage of the product.

--Effects on the skin--
The effect in just 1-2 minutes is certainly impressive - perfect for modern, busy lifestyles. Skin is indeed mattified and visibly less oily, with pore size appearing reduced and tightened temporarily. Skin also feels really refreshed thanks to the citrus element, and moisturised too, due to the mask's creamy texture.

--Value for money--
At just under £4 this definitely isn't breaking the bank and the time saved is equally valuable. If waiting 20 minutes for a mask to dry doesn't appeal, then this is definitely for you. I was sent mine for free by Neutrogena's PR (thanks guys!) but would pay up in future. I'd also be interested to try the rest of the range in future, and/or to see face wipes added to the range, as they're good value, effective products that offer a pick-me-up in the morning too.

perfect partners
Pore & Shine Daily Wash, £4.99
Pore & Shine Daily Scrub, £4.99

Qiriness Purity Control Cream

RRP: €36.50 for 50ml

available at: branches of Marionnaud (France); branches of Ici Paris XL (Belgium)

--What does the promo say?--

"This airy and delicate cream gives your skin instant radiance and mattifies it whatever the circumstance for faultless skin. Purity Control Cream absorbs excess sebum, controls undesirable shine and leaves skin matte and silky, thanks to its purifying, mattifying and astringent qualities."

--Packaging--

Disappointingly plasticated, although the silver and clear design is nice - very modern and slick. I like the fact that it's a screw-top lid, too - at this price you want to be able to get right in there and scrape out every last drop of the cream.

--Application--

After cleansing with your preferred cleanser (strangely, Qiriness don't seem to do their own line of cleansers yet - so in my case, I'm using a Neal's Yard cleanser) and toning with a toner (Qiriness does do toners at least), rub in a few drops of this to moisturise your skin throughout the day. Simples.

--Appearance--

The moisturising cream is a lovely pale duck-egg blue which fades into nothing once rubbed into the skin.

--Scent--

A very fresh, clean and natural, almost alpine scent - perhaps unsurprisingly seeing as it's packed with Swiss herbs.

--Texture and consistency--

Almost impossibly smooth and light and blends into skin instantly. Delightfully soft and silky to handle.

--Effects on the skin--

As I found out following a facial at the Marionnaud, it really does make your skin baby-soft, which adds a small piece of luxury to your routine every day (I'm sure every woman craves that spa-quality softness which really does last all day). It also stays true to its word in terms of keeping your skin mattified (i.e. not like an oil slick), and I have also found that it has improved my acne considerably as well. In short, it really does do everything that it says it will.

--Value for money--

While some of the other Qiriness products are insanely expensive, this one is, to my mind, worth every penny in exchange for the results I have seen. And nope, I haven't been paid to write this by anyone - I definitely paid all €36,90 of this out of my own pocket, and I would do so again. This luxurious but highly useful product is perfection and value personified.

perfect partners

Purity Peel-Off Mask, €49 (60g)

Vive Tonic Lotion, €19,90 (200ml)

Purity Performance Serum, €39,50 (30ml)

No7 Stay Perfect Matte Top Coat

--What does the promo say?--

"This year, we're unveiling the amazing matte coat that leaves nails looking like they just stepped off a catwalk. The sans-shine look popped up at a show after show and with this clear miracle, you can add edge to any base shade.

Simply apply over dry polish, just one coat is enough to achieve knock out nails."

 --Packaging--

Fairly standard stuff from No7 here. Whether that's dull and boring or classic and sophisticated really depends on you. The gold writing on the bottle is not only pretty and festive but is also readable and provides the essential information in few words.

--Application--

Apply the nail colour of your choice first and then leave it to dry. Once dry, apply this top coat. One go-round should suffice.

--Appearance--

Inside the bottle, the varnish looks weird - part white and part clear - with the parts clearly separated, as if the varnish is old and doesn't mix properly. However, this is no worry when actually applying the top coat as application is clear and cohesive. Not only this, but the visual effect delivers as promised: the result is a near-instant mattifying of your chosen colour for a modern, funky look that is seriously impressive.

--Scent--

You want that traditional nail-varnish pear drop anaesthetic type smell? You got it.

--Texture and consistency--

In spite of the initially worrying appearance of the product inside the bottle, as described above, this does not translate into stickiness or difficulties in application. The polish glides on smoothly and is quick to dry.

--Longevity--

While the promised effects are there, what we need to remember is that the primary purpose of a top coat is to protect your colour and make it last longer. Sadly, this product does not really do this - I noticed chips within a day or two.

--Value for money--

At £6.75, this is not horrifically expensive, but lamentably it's not the perfect product yet. I'd say it needs to go back to the drawing board so that it will make your colour last longer before it can really help you 'stay perfect' and thus merit its price tag.

perfect partners

No7 Stay Perfect Nail Polish, £6.75

No7 Stay Perfect Eye Shadow, £7.50

No7 Stay Perfect Foundation Compact, £13.50

No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick, £9.50

No7 Stay Perfect Nail Tip Whitener, £6.75

No7 Stay Perfect Smoothening and Brightening Eye Base, £7.50

No7 Stay Perfect Eye Mousse, £8.75

Ellis Faas Milky Lips

RRP: €25/£21
shop online at www.ellisfaas.com or find a list of retailers here

--What does the promo say?--
"For a more fluid and translucent appearance, try Milky Lips. For a subtle look with just a trace of colour, either apply a feather-light layer all over the lips or apply Milky Lips to the middle of the lips and fade it with the fingertips."

--Packaging--
Long, silver and pointy, it's a James Bond-style silver bullet that will impress even the iciest of ice queens. Definitely has the wow-factor and is fairly easy to use.

--Application--
Twist the end of the pen until a very small amount of colour appears in the brush. Gently stroke over lips (best bet is from the inside going outwards) and remember that you will need only the very smallest amount, even with the lighter shades. Blend with fingers if required or add extra definition with the brush.

--Appearance--
The colour that I was sent (L205; see picture above) initially threw me as it's more of a coral-like colour than the picture perhaps portrays and I was worried about how this would look next to my fluorosis-plagued teeth. I needn't have worried: with careful application, the result is a natural-looking one with a matte finish. The effect is definitely more 1950s film star than drag queen or clownish, with the finish being more comparable to a stain or tint than to a gloss or lipstick.

--Scent--
None; doesn't smell like paint or have that Playdoh-style smell.

--Texture--
Very smooth; again, some long-wear lip colours can tend to feel like paint when you put them on, and this doesn't. Not at all sticky. Nice job.

--Longevity--
Of the three products I was sent (the lip colour, the blusher and the eyeshadow) I'd say this fares somewhere in the middle. Be prepared to reapply 1-2 times a day (possibly 3 at most).

--Value for money--
There's no denying that this is expensive; the main competitors in this bracket for lips, price-wise, are Yves St Laurent, Benefit and Christian Dior. For your £21 or €25, you get pretty good results (though arguably not excellent ones) in wow-factor packaging and from an up-and-coming designer, without being ripped off or being necessarily part of the mainstream. This is a high-quality product that will deliver that timeless movie-star quality, making an excellent gift for all women aged 20 and up who crave something a little more 'classique'.

perfect partners
Mascara E401, €23
Creamy Eyes E108, €26
Blush S301, €28

No7 Shine-Free Makeup Base

RRP: £9.25/40ml
--What does the promo say?--
"No7 Shine Free Make-Up Base stops shine for a matte finish. All day matte... keep shiny skin under control all day long, with this mattifying oil-free base. Light-reflecting particles help disguise fine lines and flaws, while oil-absorbing Biopol helps minimise blemishes and blot away shine without blocking pores. With watermelon and cucumber extracts to help soothe and cool your skin. Hypo-allergenic."

--Packaging--
Comes in a white, square-ish tube with the No7 logo and basic product information on the front in silver font. Doesn't stand up on the base as the lid is quite slender. Nice simple packaging.

--Application--
Squeeze the tube gently until a small amount of the product appears at the tip of the tube. Apply all over face (though I don't know that I'd recommend putting it on your eyelids - there are more specialist eyelid primers available that are probably more sensitive) and rub in.

--Appearance--
The primer is a white lotion with a vaguely pearlised appearance. On the face, it blends perfectly with the skin, leaving no residue. It does exactly what it says on the tube, combatting shine before applying makeup. I've even used this when I'm not even going to wear any makeup at all as it does its job so well.

--Texture--
It is a lotion, but it errs more on the side of stiff than runny. It might sound a bit strange but it really does work very well.

--How does it feel on the skin?--
Light and refreshing. Doesn't weigh your skin down at all or make you feel like you're wearing more makeup than you actually are.

--Value for money--
It is perhaps a little on the expensive side - there are probably other primers out there that are cheaper while being just as good. However, Boots do good deals on their No7 stuff quite often (3 for 2 etc) so you may be able to save some money. I'm open to experimentation, though, for the purposes of comparison if nothing else.