Kalme Skincare Basic Kit

RRP: 39.95GBP

--What does the promo say?--
"The Basic KALME Skin Care Kit contains the Kalme Day Defence SPF25, Kalme Night Cream and Kalme Cleanser.

The Kalme Range is a combination of unique skin care innovations to reduce redness.

Five separate actives work together to nourish, repair and protect you skin.

Derma Sensitive is a natural active from young caper buds. Scientifically shown to create clear and uniform skin tone. It also reduces skin's reactivity and increases feelings of skin comfort and suppleness.

A broad sprectrum Sun Filter SPF25 with UVA & UVB coverage

24 hour moisturisation from a natural plant active keeps your skin supple and comfortable.

A super antioxidant active neutralises free radicals and lowers the oxidative stress on your skin.

Perilla seed extract is a naturally rich source of skin beneifical Omega 3 and Alpha Linolenic Acids."

--Packaging--

The green and white packaging reflects its botanical content and the flip top lids are generally practical. However, the day cream is quite runny and often seeps into the lid, so consider storing upside down. Long-term I'd also like to see the recyclability credentials of this packaging increasing.

--Application and usage--

"Suggested regimen for the Kalme skincare pack:

AM: Cleanse with the Kalme Cleanser do not rinse off with water.( If using) first apply Undercoat then the Day Defence SPF25 to whole face, or just Day Defence on its own. If using then apply Kalme Chameleon Concealer to whole face rubbing in gently until the required tone match is achieved. Additional cosmetics can then be applied if required.

PM: Cleanse with the Kalme Cleanser do not rinse off with water.( If using) first apply Undercoat then apply Night Repair Cream, or just the Night Repair Cream on its own."\

This is all very easy to do. It also works fine if you use a damp flannel or muslin to remove the cream cleanser.

--Appearance--

All three products are white lotions of varying thicknesses. None leave a visible residue on the face.

--Scent--

All smell fresh and natural.

--Texture and consistency--

The cleanser is very thick, creamy and luxurious, whereas the day defence feels more like a very runny sunscreen. The night repair cream is somewhere in between, feeling more like a normal moisturiser. None are greasy or sticky and the moisturisers absorb well, leaving no residue. The night cream and cleanser especially feel luxurious to use.

--Effects on the skin--

Redness is dramatically reduced, as promised, and I also saw an improvement in my acne. However, I felt like the day defence dried out my skin too much, especially on my neck, so I ended up using an alternative day cream to rectify this. The cleanser also removes makeup effectively (I cleansed twice in order to achieve this), and I love that the day cream contains SPF25 (I can confirm that I did not get sunburnt while out and about with this on!).

--Value for money--

Individually this amounts to just over 13GBP per product, which seems reasonable. This is a significant reduction compared to actually buying the products on their own online (they retail at 14.95GBP-19.95GBP). So the bundle of products is definitely the way forward if you want a complete regimen. I also think it's worth the money in terms of the effectiveness of the cleanser and night cream - though for myself I would give the day cream a miss. Nonetheless, I would recommend the range for anyone with sensitive skin.

perfect partners

Chameleon Concealer SPF20, 19.95GBP

Kalme Skin Care Kit (Full Range), 52.95GBP*

Kalme Undercoat, 9.95GBP

Day Defence Cream+SPF30, 19.95**

*contains all the products from the basic kit plus the concealer - representing a saving of 6.95GBP.

**note that this differs from the SPF25 cream included in the basic and full kits

Avene Sensitive Skin Saviours Kit

RRP: £20 for 2 cleansers, a toner and a moisturiser

--What does the promo say?--
"The answer for those whose skin feels tight, blotchy and uncomfortable, this gentle routine contains all the steps needed to soothe, comfort and protect the skin and helps to reduce skin sensitivity long term. Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. Free from fragrance, parabens, colouring agents and alcohol."

--Packaging--
The cleansers come in see-through plastic bottles, while the toner comes in a spray can (which I have been assured by Avene is suitable for cabin baggage travel). The moisturiser comes in a standard plastic tube. Nonetheless, all good sizes to help you save space in your suitcase. The white and coral colour scheme is calming and unusual.

--Application--
Avène advises applying the cleanser to your skin and wiping it off with a cotton pad. However, it lathers well, so feel free to rub onto wet skin before removing with a damp flannel. The toner can be sprayed directly onto skin, or onto a cotton pad before rubbing over the face. Finally, the moisturising cream should be rubbed into clean dry skin until absorbed. All fairly straightforward really.

--Appearance--
The cleanser takes the form of a pearlescent liquid soap-like substance, which lathers white. The toner is just water really - and the moisturising cream is also white. None leave any visible residue on the skin.

--Scent--
Cotton-like and clean, with no artificial fragrances added. The spring water's minerality is what dominates.

--Texture and consistency--
As mentioned, the cleanser is soap-like and lathers well. The moisturiser is opulently thick, but absorbs well and doesn't leave a greasy or sticky film.

--Effects on the skin--
Skin is visibly calmed and less red, with dry patches combatted, although acne itself does not specifically diminish (but then again the product never claims to do this and Avene has a whole other range for this purpose).

--Value for money--
Avene's PR kindly sent mine over for nothing, but £20 for a travel pack compares favourably to the prices of all of these products separately (£29.50). Equally, it's averagely priced for the travel cosmetics market - and to get 300ml of product for this price is very good. My only change would be to take the toner out of its can so as to see more clearly how much is left. Otherwise, effective and well-packaged products to keep skin calm in the face of sun, sea and sand.

perfect partners
Avene Tolerance Extreme Mask, £15 for 50ml
Cold Cream Body Lotion, £20 for 400ml
Very High Protection Spray (SPF50+), £20 for 200ml
Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, £9.50 for 125ml
Soothing Eye Contour Cream, £10 for 10ml
Hydrance Optimale Skin Tone Perfector (available in multiple shades), £16.50 for 40ml

Facetheory Sensitive Toning Mist

RRP: £7.50

--What does the promo say?--
"A toner that’s tailored for sensitive skin. Specially formulated for fussy skin, Sensitive Toner T2 gives you complete treatment and protection for your skin – without the irritation and redness. And while we’ve created a light formulation, we haven’t compromised on care. With aloe vera and grapefruit oil, it’s an antiseptic, decongestant and impressive anti-ager all in one."

--Packaging--
My sample took the form of a small pot with a screw-top lid, but the green and white spray bottle is appealing for targeted use with no wastage, as well as for the colour scheme's connotations of antiseptic healing. It's also a nicely unisex concept.

--Application--
Spray onto a cotton pad and wipe over cleansed skin. Easy as.

--Appearance--
A clear, watery liquid.

--Scent--
Citric without being bitter. A natural scent overall that combines the orange and grapefruit well.

--Texture and consistency--
A watery liquid with no visible particles or viscosity.

--Effects on the skin--
Removes any excess makeup that your cleanser didn't pick up, and calms and smooths skin too.

--Value for money--
Costs less than many other toners of the same quality (and sometimes even those of lesser quality!) and has positively calming effects on the skin thanks to its natural ingredients. Would purchase the full size product.

perfect partners
Clarifying Cleanser (C2), £9.50
Supergel Moisturiser (M3), £12.50
Ultraglide Makeup Primer (P1), £1.75
100% Organic Cotton Muslin Face Cloth, £1.50

Kiehls Centella Skin Calming Facial Cleanser

RRP: £26.50/200ml

--What does the promo say?--
"The PH-balanced formula cleanses skin and effectively removes makeup residue and impurities while helping to avoid the irritation common to sensitive skin. Use of this alcohol-free cleanser will leave skin feeling calm, clean, and refreshed without any sensation of tightness. Our formula is fragrance- and ideal for cleansing and soothing sensitive skin."

--Packaging--
The Dermatologists Solutions range (marketed in some countries as Derm Preparations) goes for a calming, professional, and unisex effect with its white labels and sparse black and red lettering. The pump-action bottle (in the case of the Skin Calming Face Wash) works well, dispensing just the right amount of gel each time. Does not come with a lid for travel, however.

--Application--
The product may be used with or without water. To use without, rub over the whole face and then wipe off with a cotton disc. To use with water, rub the product over damp skin and rinse with a flannel. None of this is tricky at all and it can even be used around the eye area to remove makeup.

--Appearance--
A translucent white gel that leaves no residue on the skin after use.

--Scent--
Very clean; almost like cotton. This is probably also down to the camomile the product contains.

--Texture and consistency--
A smooth gel that is not runny or sticky. It's easy to rub over the face, but equally easy to wash off when you're done.

--Effects on the skin--
I have not used this product solely for cleansing yet - although I would do, as I have experienced calmer, less inflamed skin while using it as a makeup remover. It removes makeup quickly and effectively (even quite heavy-duty foundation) and it seems to be a great two-in-one product for travel or home use. It's so convenient to have a cleanser and makeup remover all in one bottle and thanks to the camomile and aloe vera it contains it's bound to do most skin types some good in the process.

--Value for money--
£26.50 initially seems to be quite a high outlay, but one bottle lasts many months, even given that it has a dual purpose. It's also pleasant to use and seems to do the skin good. Centella is also one of the main ingredients in Absolution's Day Cream, which costs double the price. I would definitely purchase from Kiehls' centella range again.

perfect partners
Centella Skin Recovery Salve, £39.50
Ultra Light Daily Moisturiser, £31

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

Amala Hydrating Cream Cleanser

RRP: £42/200ml at www.beingcontent.com
--What does the promo say?--
"Hydrate dry skin while gently removing makeup and impurities with thiscomforting cleansing cream from Amala. The whole botanical ingredients help sootheand restore moisture for clean, soft, radiant skin.
Formulated with Amala's organic milk emulsifier, this natural and organic cleanser contains
* Jasmine: helps nourish, moisturise and soften dry skin, while providing antioxidant protection.
* Papaya: deeply hydrates skin, helping to strengthen skin's moisture barrier with essential fatty acids.
* White Clay: helps remove makeup, impurities and dead skin cells."

--Packaging--
Looks like it has just left a luxury spa to come and live in your bathroom: the opaque white plastic of the sample tube and the copper-coloured lid makes for a simple and elegant package.

--Application--
Wet your face using a damp flannel, and then one pump of this means you're ready to go. Rub the dose of cleanser over your wet face, and then rinse off, again using a wet flannel. Once your face has dried, proceed with your usual routine.

--Appearance--
A light yellow cream that is even in colour and leaves no visible residue on the skin.

--Scent--
The jasmine in this is very obvious, so if you don't like the smell of this particular flower then you might be better off trying something else.

--Texture/consistency--
Creamy and luxurious, but light at the same time. It glides over the skin with ease, and washes off without a fight.

--Effects on the skin--
Skin seems smoother, calmer, and less red. Usually when a product wants to hydrate my skin, I send up a prayer to the god of skincare (surely my skin is oily enough without needing to be hydrated more, and this is bound to go badly?!), but I could breathe a sigh of relief: while no miracles were achieved, I definitely saw some improvement in my skin condition during the use of this product (probably thanks to the white clay it contains, which is also used in many acne-fighting products).

--Value for money--
Now here's the snag: at £42 for 200ml, this certainly isn't cheap. However, my skin is absurdly soft thanks to the use of this product line, so I can imagine that the product's target group (=those with dry or sensitive skin) would benefit enormously from it. It also gives me confidence that the purifying range would work well on my acne (though I'd steer clear of the regenerating range, which is almost twice as expensive as these other two lines). Finally, the tiny sample tube that www.beingcontent.com sent me only contained 5ml, which has lasted me at least 2 weeks. This means that a 200ml tube would last you MORE THAN A YEAR, and that the product would ultimately cost you less than £1 a week (in fact, probably closer to 50p). I'd therefore definitely recommend it: a simply gorgeous, effective, organic treat.

perfect partners
Hydrating Toner, £42/100ml
Hydrating Face Cream, £60/30ml

Lancôme Tonique Douceur

RRP: £18.50/200ml; £30/400ml

--What does the promo say?--
"This alcohol-free lotion enriched with soothing plant extracts is the perfect finishing touch to makeup removal for dehydrated skin. It gently tones and refines the skin, removing any remaining impurities, without depleting its natural oils. Leaves skin feeling clean, soft and refreshed and ready for your daily treatments."

--Packaging--
Modern, sophisticated and subtly voluptuous, the Lancôme flower logo is carved into the curved blue bottle, and the brand name can be seen adorning the clear lid. Would be a perfect match for any modern bathroom.

--Application--
After cleansing, pour a small amount of toner onto a cotton wool ball and sweep over your face. Your skin is then ready for a face mask or your usual moisturiser.

--Appearance--
A transparent liquid. Nothing too unusual here.

--Scent--
While this contains papaya to hydrate, and pineapple to heal, my first impression of this was actually of violets. However, now that I'm aware of the description, I'd definitely say that it's the papaya that comes across more strongly.

--Texture and consistency--
Refreshing and non-irritating; just what you need to wake you up in the morning.

--Effects on the skin--
Again, this was just a sample trial, so any effects that I saw will have been highly limited. However, while it was pleasant to use, I think most of the legwork had already been done by Lancôme's Exfoliance Clarté exfoliator, so use of this toner lacked the wow-factor for me that my Clinique Anti-Blemish toner provides.

--Value for money--
If given the choice, I'd definitely plump for this over Molton Brown's toner, which at roughly the same price was extremely average. It also has the advantage of keeping your skin soft and supple without the tightness that comes immediately after using Kiehl's Blue Astringent Lotion. However, I'd need to see some seriously impressive results for me to opt for this over Clinique's Anti-Blemish Solutions Clarifying Lotion and Liz Earle's Instant Boost Skin Tonic (both of which are cheaper and deliver stellar results).

perfect partners
Photogénic Ultra Confort SPF12 foundation, £22.50
Nutri Intense mask, £29.50
Galatée Confort cleanser, from £19.50
Bi-Facil cleanser, £18.50

NeoStrata Bionic Face Cream

RRP: £25.50 for 40g from Only Nature

--What does the promo say?--
"An anti-aging cream which provides intensive moisturisation for all skin types, including rosacea and atopic patients. It is ideal for use on dry skin and in post-procedure care with glycolic acid peels, non-ablative laser, IPL and microdermabrasion."

--About the brand--
"NeoStrata products improve the visible signs of aging or sun-damaged skin and treat various dermatological conditions including acne, dry skin hyperkeratosis and hyperpigmentation. Uniquely formulated with alpha hydroxyacids (AHAs), polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), and Bionic PHAs, these products can also enhance the therapeutic treatments and skincare recommended by physicians. These products contain various concentrations of AHA and PHA ingredients as well as sunscreens (SPF), lightening or anti-acne agents so that the appropriate therapy can be matched to any skin type or condition. The AHAs and PHAs with antioxidant properties provide help with repairing past damage as well as helping to prevent future skin damage."

--Packaging--
Very medical-looking, with just green and orange stripes to adorn a simple white plastic tube.

--Application--
After cleansing and toning, rub into face and neck. It's also recommended that sunscreen is used with this product (presumably due to the alphahydroxy acids, or AHAs, which can make skin more sensitive). Not a problem - there are plenty of decent suncare products for face out there, and many makeup products also contain an SPF as standard.

--Scent--
None, it appears.

--Appearance--
A translucent white cream. However, once rubbed into the skin, I find that it makes the face look a little shinier than I would like (though I do have oily skin anyway).

--Texture/consistency--
A very stiff cream that nevertheless is absorbed easily by the skin.

--How does your skin feel afterwards?--
Soothed, calmed and moisturised.

--Effects over time--
I noticed virtually no change in terms of appearance or overall skin quality; acne didn't get worse, but it didn't get better either, and I'm still pretty young at 23 so don't have that many wrinkles to fight. There may have been a slight improvement in the lines that were beginning to appear in my forehead, so I'd definitely be interested in seeing how the Bionic Eye Cream fared on the more severe eye area wrinkles. However, in order to give a more accurate assessment, I will be passing this on to a family member with older, more sensitive and less oily skin, to see how this works on the cream's target audience.

--Value for money--
Honestly? This strikes me as being a tad expensive for what it is (though with not being part of the target market or having the target skin type, I appreciate that any miracle effects may have passed me by), and I won't be trading it in for my Liz Earle moisturiser any time soon. While I was initially also a little surprised to see Only Nature selling it on their website (since it's chock-full of parabens and doesn't exactly read like a Lush ingredients list), I have since been informed that while the company started out as an aromatherapy retailer, it has since expanded to include high-technology products as well. I can therefore forgive them for this, especially since I can believe that the Neostrata face cream would be effective on skins recovering from medical or cosmetic procedures and on skins that are especially dry or sensitive, and the cream is at least not tested on animals (quite right too, since testing on animals for cosmetic purposes has been illegal in the UK since 1996). Stand by for a fuller report.

perfect partners
Neostrata Bionic Lotion, £22.50 for 100ml
Neostrata Bionic Serum, £26 for 30ml
Neostrata Bionic Eye Cream, £25.50 for 15ml

Molton Brown GentleCleanse Eye Makeup Remover

RRP: $18 for 100ml
available at: Molton Brown stores; www.beautyrose.com

--What does the promo say?--
"This light, plant-based formula gently and effectively removes all traces of make-up (including waterproof mascara) from the sensitive eye area. Birch tree extracts and apple pip amino acids deep cleanse the skin and lashes, leaving the area calm and conditioned."

--Packaging--
In Molton Brown's usual style: a respectable, vintage-style pharmacy bottle with a logo in copperplate capitals and a chunky silver-effect lid. The bottle is promising and well-rounded in transparent plastic. However, the open top once you've taken off the lid can lead to wastage and leads to worries about travel.

--Application--
"Apply fluid to cotton pad; place over the closed eye area and leave for a few seconds before sweeping in an outward motion to remove makeup", advises the box. However, there are a few problems with this: firstly, as mentioned, the open top can lead to problems (there is no protective plastic disc with a hole in it), and secondly, the slightly oily nature of the product means that it sinks into the cotton pad too much, and that it therefore won't transfer from the cotton pad to the skin well. You are better off using your bare hands, or using a flannel or muslin cloth. It is also important to shake the product well before using as the liquid separates when left to stand.

--Appearance--
The liquid is mostly clear, with a white residue that rises to the surface when left to stand. When shaken up, white bubbles appear in the liquid. On the face, no visible residue is left.

--Scent--
None.

--Texture/consistency--
Slightly oily, but not prohibitively so. Mostly just like water.

--How does your skin feel afterwards?--
Soft and well-cared for, particularly around the eye area. There is also no stinging or unpleasant sensations at all when removing eye makeup, or in the aftermath of doing so, meaning this would be excellent for sensitive skin.

--Does it do what it says it will?--
It removes eye makeup very well, and definitely calms and conditions the eye area, meaning Molton Brown have basically fulfilled their brief. However, it is not really good for removing heavier makeup (namely foundation etc) and contrary to advice given to me by Molton Brown staff, I have not found that it works tremendously well as a general cleanser (my skin condition may have even worsened during the use of this product).

--Value for money--
It's not a bad price, and it gets even better if you buy in a pack (I bought mine for £30 in the same pack as a toner and moisturiser). It works extremely well as an eye makeup remover, and if you have especially sensitive skin you should probably get this. However, if you're looking for a cleanser and makeup remover in one, you should try something else, and I for one will be glad when mine runs out so that I can move on to better things.

perfect partners
Skinbalance Toning Lotion, $32 for 200ml
Active Defence City Day Hydrator, $50 for 40ml

Garnier Body Sensitive Soothing Restorative Balm

RRP: £5.99 for 200ml @ www.mistrys.co.uk

--What does the promo say?--
"This balm can be used all over the body to give very dry, very sensitive skin that extra special attention it needs. It is non-greasy, and is quickly absorbed by the skin, leaving it feeling nourished with moisture and less tight. Enriched with Maple Sap & Allantoin extract, the Garnier experts have created this formula to intensely moisturise and soothe skin, to help restore comfort & suppleness."

--Packaging--
Very similar to the famous Neutrogena Norwegian Cream as used by Darcey Bussell (now retired British prima ballerina), but still with the famous Garnier 'leaf' motif and usual brand name logo. It's pretty comprehensive, with the main ingredients (maple sap and allantoin), main function (to relieve dry skin), target audience (those with dry and/or sensitive skin) and the British Skin Foundation endorsement all clearly marked. And yet despite all this information crammed onto the front of the white tube, it doesn't look 'busy' or confusing. It's a substantial tube, with a simple flip-top lid made from opaque white plastic. Quite unisex too.

--Application--
Rub a little into any part of your suffering body (although perhaps obviously, not including the face) in order to banish dry skin. You really don't need much, which is good.

--Appearance--
White cream, which leaves no residue on the skin.

--Texture/consistency--
It's of perfect consistency: not too stiff and not too runny. It's also somehow both everyday and luxurious, though I'd say it's greasier than they claim and doesn't absorb too well, taking its time on this score.

--Scent--
Smells pretty fragrance free to me - Garnier certainly keeps its promise here.

--Short-term effects--
I only really suffer with dry skin on my feet, but here it works just as well as its competitors, sending dry skin packing.

--Long-term effects--
While the cream does have to be used regularly, there is undoubtedly noticeable improvement over time. There is a definite reduction of dry skin, with no adverse effects such as itching or redness.

--Value for money--
At £7.99, it's a little more expensive than I thought it would be, but I would certainly buy it at Mistrys' price. This versatile and effective cream is worth adding to anyone's bathroom cabinet.