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

Diptyque Infused Facial Water

RRP: £35

--What does the promo say?--
"This water, enriched with Damask rose hydrosol, infused with nasturtium and a blend of nine traditional plants and flowers, is also bursting with the vitamins, minerals, and moisturizers skin needs, preparing your face for the next skincare step it so deserves."

--Packaging--
My sample was in a small white tube with the classic black diptyque logo, but the full-size version appears to come in a transparent bottle, which I always prefer as I like to see how much product I have left. Equally, the pump-action mechanism is better for ensuring minimum wastage.

--Application--
Mix with the Radiance Boosting Powder for a perfect cleansing paste, or pump onto a cotton pad for toning post-cleansing. The diptyque website also says you can use it to rinse off your cleanser instead of water, but this seems a bit extravagant to me.

--Appearance--
It appears orange in the bottle, but I didn't actually notice it having any particular colour during usage - either on the cotton pad or on the face. No visible residue remains, at any rate.

--Scent--
Perhaps the rose is most dominant of all the lovely things it contains, but it's nicely balanced with the orange to create a scent that's still bright as well as floral.

--Texture and consistency--
Light, non-grainy, and non-irritating.

--Effects on the skin--
Cleanses effectively in conjunction with the radiance boosting powder or alone after washing your face. Skin feels smooth and moisturised after use, before you've even touched the diptyque moisturiser itself.

--Value for money--
Expensive, but worth it - especially as part of the deluxe face care gift set. Packed full of goodness to improve your skin while simultaneously being a luxurious, fragrant delight. Simply divine.

perfect partners (click the links for reviews!)
Radiance Boosting Powder, £38
Protective Moisturising Lotion, £44
Deluxe Face Care Gift Set, £48

Spa Technologies Vitamin C Mist

RRP: from £15

--What does the promo say?--
"An Isotonic Seawater Mist fortified with Hyaluronic Acid to attract and retain moisture to the skin and Antioxidants to restore lost minerals and vital elements. Use after cleansing or whenever skin needs refreshing."

--Packaging--
A chunky glass bottle with an eyecatching metallic blue band that looks sophisticated and modern while helping the brand name to stand out. I'm a fan of glass bottles - they are recyclable and help you to easily see how much is left. While this glass bottle is on the heavy side perhaps, this means it shouldn't shatter when travelling. The spray mechanism is good too and easily detachable from the bottle for recycling.

--Application--
Spray onto face directly after cleansing, or onto a cotton pad which you can then sweep over the face to pick up any excess dirt or makeup.

--Appearance--
A clear, watery liquid.

--Scent--
Slightly salty, but not overbearing. A natural scent that really evokes the sea.

--Texture and consistency--
The watery liquid goes on smoothly and leaves no visible or palpable residue.

--Effects on the skin--
As promised, it's immediately refreshing and keeps the skin hydrated. It also removes any excess dirt or makeup for optimum cleansing, meaning that you should see increased radiance, decreased dryness, and some overall improvement in skin condition, particularly thanks to the natural ingredients this contains.

--Value for money--
I was kindly sent the 30ml version by Spa Technologies, and while I loved it, I didn't find that this smaller bottle lasted as long as I was hoping, so when purchasing another bottle I would without doubt go for the better value 100ml bottle (which is only an additional £10). Natural, effective toners are hard to find, so this one definitely joins my skincare staples.

perfect partners
Vitamin C Moisturising Serum, £35
Revitalising Sea Cleanser, £25
Essential Kit, £59
Repair Kit, £101

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

Melvita Fresh Micellar Water

Our Southern France correspondent, Sarah Cross, reviews this product from quintessentially Ardèche brand Melvita.
 
RRP: £15

--What does the promo say?--
"This fresh and delicately perfumed 3-in-1 formula removes make-up, cleanses and tones, thanks to the action of micelles, which trap impurities. Enriched with wild rose petal extract (derived from roses that grow at high altitudes) and moisturizing rose floral water, the Fresh Micellar Water cleanses skin perfectly without any drying effect. Within moments, skin is soft, fresh and radiant. In a single, simple step, skin is free of make-up, perfectly clean and fresh!"

--Packaging--
The bottle is clear and slightly frosted, showing the level of micellar water as you use it. It has a white screw top lid. The bottle has the green MELVITA logo with the words ‘Eau Fraiche Micellaire’ in pretty pink (translated underneath into English) and, new for Melvita, a lovely scattered arrangement of photographs in varying sizes with some very attractive pictures of roses, wild and garden varieties, petals, bees collecting nectar etc. There is a pink line traced around the bottle towards the bottom, giving a very pretty ‘girly’ effect. It is a lovely addition to the array of lotions and potions women normally have on their bathroom shelves.

--Application--
Apply morning and evening to face and eyes in circular motion, using a cotton pad. No need to rinse.

--Scent--
If you like roses, and I do, then it is divine!

--Appearance--
A completely clear liquid.

--Effects on the skin--
It removes make-up very efficiently and smells lovely afterwards. Nice going to bed smelling of roses! I tend to use this only at night to remove make-up but the smell is a bit addictive, and I could see myself using it in the morning as well to simply freshen up the skin before putting moisturizer on.

--Value for money--
Seems to be lasting quite well so far. Can’t say yet how long a
bottle will last but I have been using it for at least two weeks non-stop and only a quarter of the liquid has been used. Would repurchase.

perfect partners
Argan Oil, £18
Hydrating Facial Gel, £25
Moisturising Rose Nectar, £25 

Creme de la Mer Oil Absorbing Tonic

RRP: £55 for 200ml

--What does the promo say?--
"The Oil Absorbing Tonic is the vital transition between cleansing and treatment. Infused with Colloidal Mineral Water, the topical benefits of this soothing tonic are readily apparent. Creme de la Mer's exclusive Deconstructed Waters™ within the tonic revitalize and enliven the skin with no signs of dehydration. Anti-irritants delivered through these negatively charged waters soothe and tone the skin, preparing it to readily receive the maximum benefits of skincare to follow. The Oil Absorbing Tonic, formulated for oily or problem skins, is infused with algae extracts to significantly reduce excess sebum that can lead to adult breakouts."

--Packaging--
A translucent turquoise bottle that's topped with a plastic turquoise screw cap. Gently complemented by the pale coral logo, it keeps information to a minimum. The bottle's translucency means you can always see how much is left, which is nice, and the colour scheme ties in well with the brand theme of "la mer".

--Application--
The Creme de la Mer website says that you should "shake gently to activate tonic. After cleansing, moisten a cotton pad and gently apply all over face and neck, dabbing in a gentle press and release motion. Repeat until cotton pad comes away clean." Nothing tricky about this.

--Appearance--
Even though the bottle makes the toner seem blue, it doesn't come out blue on the cotton pad, so must be clear. No visible residue is left on the skin.

--Scent--
Smells like it has a high alcohol content. However, it does smell refreshing and this is also reflected in how it feels on your skin on application.

--Texture and consistency--
Even though there is a definite sediment in the bottle before shaking, the toner does not feel grainy in any way, and as stated, feels refreshing. 

--Effects on the skin--
Lamentably, I saw no real improvement in my skin as a result of using this product, despite the fact that oiliness was reduced slightly. However, the skin was not irritated in any way and I didn't experience any extra breakouts.

--Value for money--
I bought this toner in the US, where you can pay significantly less depending on the exchange rate (it's $65, which today comes to around £43). However, I expect far better results from a product in this price bracket and would point you to Clinique's anti-blemish solutions toner for a better result and a less ouchy moment at the till.

perfect partners
The Radiant Serum, £450
The Eye Concentrate, £125
Crème de la Mer Moisturising Cream, £100

La vie en rose: introducing Melvita's new range

I always love meeting new bloggers and seeing new products. So whenever a press event comes up that I'm able to attend (which invariably involves combining these with two of my other loves: free stuff, and free food), I'm delighted to get stuck in, and this was certainly the case with French organic beauty brand Melvita's launch of its new line of rose products, which took place in Paris on the evening of May 3rd, 2012. 

I'd never tested Melvita's products, but my aunt is a big fan, and she's also very knowledgeable, living in the vicinity of  Melvita's headquarters in the south of France and having attended a few of their events from time to time as well. To get the chance to try out the products for myself, then, and to get to know the brand better, was an important thing. And Melvita definitely give a very good first impression: they surely know how to entertain their guests, welcoming them in style at an exclusive cake shop in Paris' luxurious 16th arrondissement, La Pâtisserie des Rêves.

The brand had really gone the whole nine yards with this event. Not only were full-size samples of the products available to take home, but a professional florist had been hired to help us make our own flower arrangements of five roses, a photographer was on hand to take pictures of us (not-so-)artfully chucking rose petals in the air, and the patisserie had taken the theme completely to heart by serving us rose shortbread and rose nougat, as well as chewy sweets tasting of rose and lemon that seemed scarily addictive. En plus, this was all washed down with rose water and rose lemonade.
 
But what of the products themselves? After we'd been filled with delicious cake, it was time to take off the rose-tinted glasses and critically analyse the products. We'd each been given three full-size products from the new Nectar de Roses line: Gélée Fraîche Désaltérante (a light moisturiser), Eau Fraîche Micellaire (a 3-in-1 cleanser, toner and makeup remover), and the standard Nectar de Roses (a moisturiser for drier skin types). All are worth roughly €20 each and are completely organic.

The product that appealed most to me was the Eau Fraîche Micellaire, even if I didn't fully understand what 'micelles' actually are or what they in fact do. (It turns out, science buffs, that they're molecules diffused within a liquid that keeps them all together. There are two types, water-in-oil and oil-in-water, of which the Eau Fraîche Micellaire appears to be the latter. This creates a soapy solution which allows lipids and vitamins A, D, E and K to be retained - always handy for more youthful and less dry-looking skin!) In any case, a 3-in-1 product which can help save time, money and space, particularly when travelling, is always a plus.

I've also been testing the light moisturiser, which has a heavenly fragrant smell and seems to absorb with ease. The heavier moisturiser will be sent to my auntie, who has drier (and - sorry - older!) skin, for testing. More detailed assessments of these products will therefore be available shortly.

The Nectar de Roses range allegedly provides a full three-step regime no matter what your skin type. Firstly, you need to clean your skin - with the 3-in-1 product mentioned above if you have oily skin, or with their cream cleanser and makeup remover if your skin is dry. You then tone, either using rose flower water or rose oil. Finally, hydration is provided through the two moisturisers I already talked about.

Ultimately, I left the event with an excellent impression of the brand and its products, which are clearly crafted with care and attention. This care and attention is evidently also lavished on its bloggers, in the hope of providing the most positive launch possible. Even if I don't end up using Melvita's rose range long-term, their other products for oily and acne-prone skin, especially the anti-blemish roll-on and their tinted healing concealer, look very tempting too. As do all the cakes and biscuits and sweets that I ate at the launch. (Note to self: drag husband to said patisserie for tea on Saturday.)

AmorePacific Moisture Bound Refreshing Essentials

RRP: $50

contains: 1.0 oz Moisture Bound Refreshing Hydra-Gel, 1.0 oz Treatment Toner, 0.25 oz Treatment Enzyme Peel, 1.0 oz Treatment Cleansing Foam

available at: Sephora US

--What does the promo say?--
"AmorePacific Moisture Bound Introductory Collection Refreshing Essentials for Combination and Oily Skin is a limited-edition ensemble of handy skincare must-haves. These luxurious products are all you need to make your oily skin healthy, resilient, and age-resistant. Keep your complexion youthful and glowing—at home and on-the-go!"

--Packaging--
Very plain and bland, and not in a "wow, this looks really expensive and sophisticated" way (even though it is certainly the former). The whole design just looks like it has had little to no effort and time spent on it, and the bottles themselves look like something you'd find in a hotel room. Even just looking at it, you don't feel like this is going to be worth $50, especially since the sizes of the products are very small (when I was sent this, I thought this was just the sample size, but nope - they do actually want you to pay $50 for these tiny things [they are the size of what you get in a hotel room, too]).

--Application and usage--
No problems here. The cleanser lathers up well with a little bit of water and you only need a pea-sized amount. Rub onto damp face and then rinse off. The toner, again, just needs a little dabbed onto a cotton pad and you're away - sweep over face and neck and then wait for it to dry off a little before applying the moisturiser.
The enzyme peel is a little more unusual: tip a little into your hands, perhaps at the same time as the cleanser, mix with a little bit of water, rub over your face, and then rinse off.

--Appearance--
The cleanser is a stiff, slightly opaque white cream/gel containing tiny blue exfoliating particles, and makes a white lather when mixed with water. The toner is an unusual rose pink colour, and the moisturiser is an equally unusual duck-egg blue, slightly opaque gel. None of these leave any visible residue on the skin after use. The unorthodox enzyme peel consists of a creamy yellowish powder, which washes off clear.

--Scents--
The cleanser, enzyme peel and moisturiser just smell slightly soapy - a surprise given all the good stuff they contain, such as ginseng, green tea, and bamboo, which you'd think would give the products a more distinctive smell. The toner comes up to expectations, smelling as it looks (slightly rosy).

--Texture and consistency--
All of the products are really nice to use, with the cleanser being smooth and luxurious, the enzyme peel being satisfyingly scrubby, and the toner and moisturiser proving cooling.

--Effects on the skin--
Sadly, despite all of the botanical stuff this line contains, my skin just did not like this range. I suffered breakouts and my skin has been worse while using this than it has been for a long time. In the more detailed press release I was sent, I was promised "healthy, radiant, vibrant skin" and that pores would be unclogged, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles would be reduced, and that undamaged skin would be revealed to me thanks to the enzyme peel. Unfortunately I saw none of this and was gagging to get off this and back to my usual products.

--Value for money--
As already implied in the packaging section, you do not get very much for your money in terms of product volume, although saying that, the pack will easily see you through a holiday and beyond. I do not think that the brand image correlates well with the price of the products and certainly, for me at least, the results do not either. For better value travel products, American buyers would be better off steering clear of this and going for travel sizes from Liz Earle, Clinique, or Molton Brown. If, however, you do decide that any of these products might be for you, US buyer or not, the larger sizes of the individual products are likely to provide better value for money, as well as being more widely available.

perfect partners
Intensive Vitalizing Eye Complex, $125
Lip Treatment, $35
Skin Energy Hydration Delivery System, $35
Natural Protector SPF30, $65

Lush Tea Tree Water

RRP: from £3.25/100ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Tea tree is extremely soothing and can work wonders on troubled or oily skin. We've also added juniper berry and grapefruit waters to refresh and tone with natural oils."

--Packaging--
The black recyclable spray-top bottle with chalkboard-style writing is very typical of Lush, keeping things simple while still making the product stand out on the shelf. Only problem is that sometimes the pump can stop or get stuck, meaning you either have to just keep pumping or wait a bit for it to revive itself, which can get a bit annoying.

--Application--
After cleansing, spray directly onto clean dry face (close your eyes now!) just as a quick summer refresher (and then wipe it away with a cotton pad if you want). Orrrr you can spray it onto a cotton pad (4-5 pumps will do it) and wipe over your face. Then moisturise as normal. No problems here.

--Appearance--
It's a completely clear liquid.

--Scent--
You can smell the tea tree, but it doesn't pack as much punch as other tea tree products I've used in the past, which might be good if you normally find the tea tree smell to be a bit overbearing.

--Texture, consistency, and sensation--
The sensation provided by this toner is lovely and cooling, with no irritation occurring at all.

--Effects on the skin--
It does seem to lift off a little bit of grime when you look back at the cotton pad, but perhaps the lack of any really strong smell also proves a signal of its performance: I did not see any significant long or short-term improvement in my skin as a result of using this toner. Shame.

--Value for money--
While very travel-friendly, this product just didn't do it for me. The full-size bottle being about £6, if you're on a similar budget I'd perhaps plump instead for Elizabeth Arden Oil Control Clarifying Toner, Black Opal Purifying Astringent, or Lavera Mint Facial Toner - all of which look promising for those of us with oily skin.

perfect partners
Tea Tree Toner Tab, £0.75/5 grams
Tea Tree 7 Tab Twistwrap Pack, £5/35 grams
Aqua Marina Cleanser, £5.50/100g
Grease Lightning Cleanser, £5.10/45ml
Herbalism, £5.50/100g
Saving Face, £7.50/20g
Vanishing Cream Moisturiser, £15.25/45 grams
Cosmetic Warrior Fresh Face Mask, £6.45/75 grams

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

Kiehl's Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion

RRP: £15.50/250ml
available at SpaceNK, Harrods, and www.mankind.co.uk

--What does the promo say?--
"This formula was created in 1964 as a spot treatment for oily, blemish-prone areas and helps to prevent razor discomfort after shaving. Not tested on animals."

--Packaging--
Kiehl's packaging is notoriously rubbish (see my previous posts on products from this brand), but I've had no problems with this so far - the lid seems to shut securely and so on, and the plastic is see-through so that you always know how much you have left. Topped with the brilliant vintage apothecary style label and the blue liquid shining through the bottle, it really stands out on the shelf.

--Usage--
Pour a small amount of liquid onto a cotton pad, and after cleansing, wipe the cotton pad around your face to pick up any excess oil and dirt traces. Then moisturise as normal.

--Scent--
Disappointingly chemical - it's fairly plain that anything that colour is not going to be entirely natural, but given that it contains aloe, limonene, witch hazel, camphor and menthol, I'd have really expected a more natural smell.

--Appearance--
Bright blue, but no visible traces are left on the skin.

--Short-term effects on the skin--
Not great. I personally found that using the toner made my skin feel slightly tight afterwards, though this is only a temporary effect that subsides quickly, especially once you've applied moisturiser. However, I've also been sharing this toner with my fiancé, who is equally oily-skinned and reports no such effects (perhaps because male skin is different to female skin?).

--Long-term effects on the skin--
Mild to good - oiliness is definitely reduced and I saw a mild improvement in my acne. So in short, it does ultimately do what it says it will.

--Value for money--
UK buyers definitely have the upper hand with this product - if buying in euros it is more expensive - but even then it's hardly cheap, being only 50p cheaper than Clinique's Anti-Blemish toner, though it is more expensive than my next favourite, Liz Earle's Instant Boost Skin Tonic (which is £11 for 200ml). While this toner did get me some visible results, and while one bottle has lasted a long time even with two of us using it, I ultimately would probably not buy it again, as I just feel that the tightness experienced in the immediate seconds after use is just never a good sign.

perfect partners
Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser, £20/250ml
Blue Herbal Moisturiser, £24/100ml
Blue Herbal Spot Treatment, £14/15ml

Molton Brown Skinbalance Toning Lotion

RRP: £18 for 200ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Our skinbalance toning lotion exfoliates your face and removes dead skin cells. While softening skin using American pumpkin enzymes, pink grapefruit, lime and yeast extract combine to strengthen the skin and reduce moisture loss. Alcohol-free and gentle enough to use around the eye area, this is suitable for all skin types."

--Packaging--
A nice, round, curvaceous bottle made from clear plastic, with a luxurious silver-effect screwtop lid and a few peaceful flower-style decorations. Clearly part of the Molton Brown brand and would look sophisticated on anyone's bathroom shelf.

--Application--
After cleansing, soak a cotton pad with some toner and wipe around your whole face to remove any traces of dirt and makeup.

--Scent--
None of the scents really come through individually, but the overall result is a natural sweet smell which I guess comes from the pumpkin enzymes and yeast extract. Very pleasant to use, and the scent is minimal too, meaning little or no interference with perfume.

--Appearance--
A clear, watery liquid. After use, skin appears slightly mattified and less oily.

--Sensation--
No effects, which means this would probably be good for sensitive skin. Very light and gentle.

--Effects over time--
It seems to remove residual traces effectively, which in itself would indicate an improvement in skin condition. However, I didn't find that my acneic skin saw much improvement at all, which was a shame, and suggests that this toner may work better with other skin types (normal-dry-sensitive).

--Value for money--
It seems a little foolhardy to trust something that claims to be 'for all skin types', so if you have a specific skincare need, you would be better spending the £18 on a product from a company that can provide that, such as Clinique, Lush, or Liz Earle. As an oily skin type I saw little or no difference in the condition of my skin, so would be unlikely to purchase this again. I would, however, be more willing to try some Molton Brown products more specific to my skin type to see if they can deliver on other promises.

perfect partners
Skinfresh Facial Wash, £20
Instant Matte Shine Control, £29
Skinboost Nourishing Tonic, £32
Active Defence City Day Hydrator, £29