Yves Rocher Sublime Skin BB Cream

RRP: £18 (though currently on offer at £9.00)
# of shades available: 2

--What does the promo say?--

"BB cream- 1 beauty step, 6 results, Perfect Skin!

Sublime skin BB cream 6 in 1 :
- 24-hour moisturising,
- Evens out skin tone,
-Hides imperfections and signs of fatigue,
-Smoothes skin,
-Amplifies radiance,
-Protects against external aggressions.
A light texture that spreads uniformly over the skin."

--Packaging-- 

The peach, white and green colour scheme is not terribly modern, but does capture the idea of white tea very well. The squeezy tube is convenient and easy to use.

--Application--

Applying blemish balms is slightly different to applying foundations and tinted moisturisers; to avoid them looking caked on, you almost need to 'slap' them on. Many websites have articles written on this subject; just Google "how to apply BB cream" for more information. But don't worry; it isn't rocket science.

--Appearance--

The light shade of the cream initially looks a bit grey straight out of the tube, but matches my pale skin tone perfectly once on. Hides signs of fatigue well, evens out skin tone and promotes radiance as mentioned in the promotional material, but I found that face powder was needed for a more matte finish.

--Scent--

Nothing chemical, although the white tea is hardly detectable either. I'd go as far as saying it's scentless.

--Texture and consistency--

Creamy and luxurious, yet easy to blend in. Never once feels cakey or greasy, drying to a powder-light finish.

--Coverage--

Doesn't quite last 12 hours, but then again it never claims to. It hides imperfections quite well, but not perfectly: I found that extra concealer was needed for me.

--Effects on the skin--

Skin felt moisturised for sure, but I would have expected slightly more turbo-charged healing properties. For a couple of weeks I thought I saw a difference in my acne, but then the situation reverted to how it had been before. A shame.

--Value for money--

I would definitely repurchase this for the launch price of £9.00. However, at £18 I would hesitate. Even though Yves Rocher is a quality line that uses natural ingredients well, I would be more inclined to go for Clinique's in this price bracket, as it offers greater sun protection, or to try BB creams by Missha or Skin79, which are genuine BB creams all the way from Asia. One of the best Western BB creams on the market, however.

perfect partners

Concealer, £7.90

Pressed Powder Compact, £10.50

Perfect Primer, £18.90

Radiance Corrector Pen, £13.00

Natural Blush, £11.50 

Yves Rocher Gestes d'Institut Radiant Complexion Treatment

RRP: £1

--What does the promo say?--
"Does your skin look dull? In 2 steps, this Radiant Complexion treatment session wakes up your skin and helps it to rediscover its beauty. The cereals with exfoliating properties, associated with quenching maple sugar, restores its visible freshness and radiance. Let your feelings guide you, and pamper your face. Your skin is awakened and deeply hydrated. It looks radiant …and so do you."

--Packaging--
A simply-designed sachet, comprising two separate sachets joined together. The design is refined and places emphasis on the two brightly-coloured images; instructions for use are concise, and the sachets are easy to detach and open. The small size and convenient structure of the packaging makes this brilliant for travel, too.

--Application--
With wet hands, rub a small amount of the top part (the exfoliant) onto a clean face. Massage into skin and then wash off. When skin is dry, apply the mask (bottom part) in a thin layer onto the skin. Leave for 15 minutes to dry, and then peel off and moisturise as normal. Nothing complicated about this.

--Appearance--
The mask is fairly non-descript; as with many other mint masks, it's a transparent dark-green gel that dries clear on the skin. The exfoliant is more interesting, combining the simultaneous impressions of oatmeal, maple syrup, sugar and sand to create an attractive and effective-looking exfoliator. No visible residues are left on skin after use.

--Scent--
The mask smells very strongly of menthol; the exfoliant has no detectable scent.

--Texture and consistency--
As you would expect from an exfoliator, this one is satisfyingly scrubby without irritating the skin, while the mask adheres to the skin well and has no lumps. It's also not too sticky and is easy to wash off of your fingers after application. Both parts of the treatment wash/peel off well.

--Effects on the skin--
Skin definitely feels (and to an extent looks) softer and more refined after use of the treatment, even if the effects do not continue long term. Pores feel and look less clogged and the skin overall looks less shiny.

--Value for money--
I don't think you'll find anyone who will argue with that price tag. The price is fair and square: you're getting a good-quality treatment that not only serves as an affordable treat for you, but which is also ingenious when it comes to travel. Furthermore, you can buy both of the products in larger sizes (which admittedly are not as good value, but Yves Rocher often has sales or offers on) if you decide you really do like them, so it's a great opportunity to test the products, too (especially since this £1 spend gives you 2-3 applications for each product). A great buy.

perfect partners
Botanical Cleansing Skin Peel, £8.70
Botanical Hydration Moisture Mask, £10.20

Yves Rocher Pivoine

RRP: £11.50/€17 for 60ml eau de toilette; also available in 30ml (£8.60)

--What does the promo say?--
"Envelop yourself in tenderness! Surrender to the voluptuous allure of peony; a large, yet delicate flower that fascinates us with its fragile, romantic blossoms. Its fresh, delicate scent envelops you in soft, floral notes."

--Packaging--
Surprisingly reminiscent of Givenchy's Irresistible, in a sculpted, angular, tall pink bottle. It is the opposite of what one might expect on first smelling the fragrance - more of which shortly.

--Application--
Spray appropriately into hair, onto sternum, onto wrists, and behind ears. Layer with other products if desired.

--Scent--
On first application it smells 'deep' and 'old' - not as fresh and modern as the packaging leads you to expect. In all honesty, it doesn't seem to be a fragrance aimed at young people and is completely at odds with the marketing concept. It develops into something slightly fresher and more subtle, but the change is not great and I still wouldn't describe it as a young, innovative fragrance. It's not unpleasant to smell, however, and the peony comes over very well, as per the description given by Yves Rocher.

--Longevity--
Not bad: it does fade, but very slowly, and this fading is in fact becoming to the fragrance, rather than proving a negative aspect, as this allows it to become 'younger' and more girly.

--Value for money--
The larger 60ml bottle is clearly better value than its half-size opponent, and it's very affordable no matter how you look at it; however, for your money you're getting an inferior fragrance that doesn't suit the young audience at which it's aimed. I'd advise upping your budget and going for something with more wow factor, such as Cacharel's Anais Anais.

perfect partners
Pivoine Shower Gel, £3.90
Pivoine Handwash, £3.20
Pivoine Body Lotion, £6.50

Yria Eyeshadow Duo

RRP: £9.00/3g
# of shades available: 5 (prune, naturel, blue, brown and khaki)

--About the brand--
Yves Rocher is a discount makeup, health and beauty chain that has branches in the UK, Europe and the US. It has several 'own brands', of which Yria is one.

--What does the promo say?--
"Make up your eyes without looking harsh. Transforms your eye for a younger, refreshed look, thanks to its gentle smoothing pigments that draw light away from lines, as well as its elegant shades that bring out the beauty of your eye colour. Contains white tea extract. Your look is totally transformed."

--Packaging--
The rectangular compact is a nice size - about the size of my palm. The colour scheme is a sort of Christian Lacroix-esque dark red and gold, which indicates it probably isn't aimed at my age group. In truth, I can see my mum or even my gran buying this. However, the low price means it may well attract young people, and once the colours are on your eyes it hardly matters what age bracket the packaging it aimed at. It's a plastic flip-top casing, and contains 2 eyeshadow brushes as standard (one flattish, and one that's sort of pointy).

--Application--
This eyeshadow duo even includes a leaflet for all the makeup novices showing best how to apply the two shades in ways that complement one another. Nice touch.

--Appearance--
In the box the colours are subtle but striking and on the eye they prove their mettle. You can use the colours together or separately for a subtle pastel look or for something more sophisticated and with greater depth.

--Texture--
Fine, smooth particles, making it easy to apply.

--Longevity--
Doesn't crease. No need to reapply throughout the day.

--Does it do what it says it will?--
Can't say it takes much attention away from my under-eye lines, but I can believe that over time it would help stave off eyelid creases owing to the white tea extract (contains powerful anti-ageing antioxidants, don't you know). I can't think of any other eyeshadow that uses this as such a key part of its promotion.

--Value for money--
This isn't the cheapest shadow on the market, but it's far from being the most expensive and I consider the white tea extract to be a distinct advantage. You seem to have to scrape the brush over the shadow a few times to get enough to colour your eyelid fully, which casts aspersions over how long the duo is going to last. However, if it does run out quickly, this at least gives me an excuse to try the other colours in the range :)