Showing posts with label Skincare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Skincare. Show all posts




Glossier has FINALLY come to the UK. With Glossier products ready to ship to us Brits, you might be planning your shopping list already. Fortunately I have already put myself through this reeeeally difficult process, just for your benefit of course.. It's part of the beauty blogger service right? 

 Being impatient and y'know, addicted to beauty products, I couldn't wait for the UK launch. I actually made my first Glossier purchase last year in the US when I was in New York. Eyes wide with makeup abandon, I spent a good hour trawling through their collection and spent a long time researching, like, ALL the products. 


So if you're confused what to buy or wondering which Glossier products are best, I figured I'd save you some time and transfer you the fruits of my labour.

For those of you who have been living in a beauty hole and not heard of it, Glossier is a US beauty brand created by Emily Weiss, founder of super beauty site Into The Gloss. Into the Gloss actually started off as beauty blog and is now an all-singing, all-dancing digital beauty site - and Glossier is the beauty range that came out of it.

Glossier was immediately snapped up by the Instagram models and the beauty queens - EmRata, Emily Ratajkowski told me herself that she uses their Skin Tint, when I interviewed her in 2015. Obviously I had to try it!

I bought a selection of Glossier goodies, here are my thoughts on the ones to buy, the ones to try and the ones to err, gloss over... (wahey for puns!)





Glossier Moon Mask £18

The infamous moon mask was meant to be an amazing, hydrating and soothing treat for your skin. I personally love a cream mask as you can leave it on for a while it doesn't pull at your skin and it's easier to wash off than clay (plus it won't block your sink like clay does! I have Drain Unblocker on repeat buy)
I loved the texture and feel of the mask but it didn't feel entirely 'good' for my skin. It felt like a cheap mask that I'd bought from a supermarket basics range and I felt like it was clogging my pores on my nose rather than saving them.

 I think it would help dry, patchy skin or skin in actual need of hydration but as a weekly booster, it didn't really do anything for me. You're better off just layering up your night cream and keeping that on for 10 minutes. Would not buy again -recommend this Aura Mask by Antipodes instead - see my review.





Glossier Generation G lipstick £14

I bought this in shade LEO - a warm brown tone. With one swipe it's relatively sheer but you can build it up.

Big fan of this matte lipstick - it's not quite as slick as a lip balm but it's definitely easier and a lot lighter to wear than a normal matte lipstick. It doesn't clump or go chalky like liquid matte lipsticks. Did I mention HOW lightweight it is?!

It's not as moisturising as I'd imagine a lip balm lipstick to be though so moisturised lips are needed, but I would definitely buy again and try the other colours.







Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint £15

Don't expect any real coverage from this but if you've been working on your skin routine and only need a hint, nay, a whisper of colour to even out your face - then this could be for you. I bought shade medium and it was just about right.

It's got a lovely sheer finish for that real 'natural' look and unlike some tinted moisturisers it's not TOO dewy. It's definitely more makeup rather than a moisturer though, don't be mistaken. 

I've worn it but I'm not a convert as I need more coverage- would probably not buy again. I'd say it's overpriced for what it is - hit me with a teeny bit more pigment, an easier bottle to squeeze and then lets talk..







Glossier Stretch Concealer £15

Yeah okay, I'll bite. I like this concealer - it's creamy and easy to blend. The shade Medium is also okay for me. I use it under the eye but also around the face - it's what I would use to cover the bits that Skin Tint cant. 

Texture reminds me a little bit of Benefit Fake Up. Because it has natural goodies like jojoba oil, it does give a dewy finish. Whilst this is okay for under the eyes, everything else needs a dusting of matte powder otherwise I'd look a bit shiny.  Not a holy gral product for me but would buy again! Can we have a stick format though?





Glossier Haloscope £18


This is a lovely creamy highlighter that comes in a SUPER convenient stick format. It's got a little gel core which means it comes out a little bit more sheer and less artificial. I like it a lot - it MAY be breaking me out slightly but I like the effect it gives. 

However, not worth the price tag - only recommend if you're looking to splurge but you can definitely get cheaper alternatives. See the sticks that Kiko Cosmetics do.



Glossier Verdict?


So what's the verdict? Glossier is veryy pretty and I'm totally bought into the brand! It's a real 'capsule' collection that has everything a basic makeup kit needs. A decent attempt at trying to be inclusive with the colour range but could do a little bit better.

It's a brand that I'm DYING to love but unfortunately, not all the products lived up to my expectations - especially at this price level.  I'm still keen on becoming part of this Glossy Posse though so would definitely be interested in trying more though, especially now that I'm not risking paying a million pounds in potential customs. 

I've got my eyes on the Cloud Paint cream blush and some of their face serums..... but do they deserve any more of my cash? Let's see. (aka PAYDAY COME QUICKER)


Have you tried any Glossier yet? Tweet me your thoughts @FaceValueBlog or send me a comment on Facebook!

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Style or substance? Glossier Launches In The UK & Here's What I Thought



zoe dubs london blogger presenter


Okay guys and girls, some beauty blogger skincare tips coming your way. Over the last few months, I've been really focused on skincare - basically trying to get the clear, calm adult skin that I've always dreamt of.


How do we get great skin? Well, some people are born with good skin genes, others have to work harder at it and those who eat badly and drink heavily need to try EVEN harder. (I'm not going to admit which of these groups I fit into but anyone watching my Instagram - I know you KNOW!)


So what's the plan here? What does "better skin" look like? 


Ideally I wanted to find a way to minimise breakouts, even out any patchiness in my oily yet 'these bits can be dry' combination skin, cut down on heavy foundation and focus on getting that smooth, glowing base that's neither dewy nor shiny but LUMINOUS. 

At the beginning of the year, I wouldn't have left the house without at least a light coat of concealer. Obviously, it'd be nice to not give a shit about this sort of thing (THANKS SOCIETY) but until then, getting better skin is the plan!


How did I do it?

So at the beginning of the year I decided to commit to a real skincare routine. A proper routine where you use the same products, at the same time, every day for at least a month without being tempted by newer, shiiinier products. It's practically a relationship, given the level of commitment involved.


Until this point, I'd been constantly dabbling with products, the beauty blogger in me desperate for another hit of 'something new' and although we ALL know we should be patient with products, I just couldn't commit to one for 4 days let alone 4 weeks.

New Year's resolution sorted, I went ahead and did it. And now? I'm pretty pleased! So much so that my next YouTube video is about my new skincare routine, and I'm not going to be wearing ANY foundation. Seeing is believing right?

Until then, here are the basics of what I changed in my skincare routine. I hope you find it useful because it worked for me!



zoe dubs london blogger presenter




First up - it's time to commit. Select your desired arsenal and stick to it for at least a month (unless it's causing you irritation or sensitivity). Due to the cycle of skin renewal, you won't be seeing long-term benefits for a few weeks. Plus, if you're chopping & changing, you won't know which product has done what. HOW will you know what to buy again?!


Secondly, I decided to abandon my previous go-to corporate brands (the Estee's, L'Oreals & Lancomes of the world) and move towards brands with a more natural & organic focus. Hello Antipodes, Sukin, Jurlique, Moo Goo, Liz Earle to some extent, Caudalie and other such brands! I did this mainly because many of the big commercial formulas I used were full of big commercial filler ingredients.


Getting knowledgeable about product ingredients is key - I abandoned SLS, parabens and most products packed out with silicone & other such nasties. Brands like La Roche Posay aren't natural or organic but they're free of 'bad' ingredients like this - so if you still want to buy a big commercial brand (they do tend to be cheaper & easier to get hold of), at least do it in a clean way.


Chuck in a couple of tips and techniques around product application, facial massage and HELLO. My skin has improved dramatically and my dream skin is almost within reach. I say almost, because honestly, will we ever be happy with what we've got?!


zoe dubs beauty blog launch party




I'll be doing a full video with my skincare routine & product recommendations but until then - here are some tips I picked up at the Jurlique launch last week.




How do you apply your skincare? 


Just dot in on your face and rub in? Applying too much pressure and rubbing too hard can actually damage the skin, which is why eye creams always to tell you to pat. One of the techniques promoted by Jurlique is what I call "the warm and press".

Warming product in your hands can activate ingredients and help product to spread better, thus using less product in the long run.


Press products into skin, don't rub. Pressing gets the formula to the deeper layer of dermis (i.e. the non dead stuff on the surface)


When applying, don't rub the eye area.


Delicate skin like this needs to be treated gently. Just use your ring finger to pat cream into the skin.
There's also no need to go all around the eye and overload the area - applying product just around the orbital bone


jurlique herbal recovery review tips

The fridge is your friend

The soothing qualities of calming products and toners are boosted when chilled in the fridge. Put your face mist in the fridge before you reach for it on a hot day - it works a treat and really invigorates skin during summer. It's particularly great for eye creams, and gives an instant de-puffing effect.


You learn something new every day

Finally - one thing I haven't tried yet but has been recommended by the experts at Jurlique. Use arnica on dark circles. I'm very familiar with arnica, having used it on bruises and the theory is that it works in the same way to shrink visible blood vessels.... will keep you posted! Dream skin is within reach!




What do YOU think? Have you got a fixed skincare routine? Any skincare tips you swear by? Tweet me your thoughts @FaceValueBlog or send me a comment on Facebook!

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How To Get Better Skin - My New Skincare Routine




So the sun is FINALLY here which is great news right?! Right? Maybe not. Unfortunately all this sun soaking has dehydrated my oily skin to a tight, itchy mess. The funny thing is, I would have NEVER have said I had sensitive skin. 

Seriously, the amount of chemical product I was layering onto my face through my teens was enough to make me feel like my skin was like leather, impervious to anything. 

It's like when people ask if you're allergic to anything in restaurants and I'm like STOMACH OF STEEL, bring it on! I always thought the same of my skin, until now. 


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Blog Favourites: My Tried & Tested Skincare For Dehydrated Skin!





How are your New Year Resolutions coming along? I've already quit the gym but there's one sort of boot camp that's still going strong - FACE CAMP! Yep, remember a few weeks ago, I told you about the Face Camp program at the FaceGym in Selfridges? 

Well, for a recap - it's basically a facial slash muscle massage, designed to sculpt and tone your face. That, teamed with a programme of healthy juicing and diet, all resulting in glowing skin.

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FaceGym Electrical Workout & Face Camp Results!






No one hates going to the gym more than ME but guess what? I've found a kind of gym I can definitely get on board with. The FACE GYM.  As I explained in last weeks blog post, I've signed up to Face Camp, the new facial exercise concept at the Face Gym beauty concession at Selfridge's.

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Face Camp Day 1: The Face Gym Signature Work Out


With the start of the new year comes the inevitable - the diets, the resolutions and (my least favourite) the GYM. Words cannot express how much I hate going to the gym, especially when it's cold outside and I can just press snooze one more time. So imagine my interest when I found out about a gym for your face? That's right, you heard me - I'm going to have a nice sit down... and exercise my face.

A workout for your face? Seriously, I was as perplexed (and intrigued) as you probably are. Any exercise whilst sitting down is always preferable. Enter FaceGym, a facial exercise and skincare studio based in Selfridges. It's meant to be a revolutionary approach to bootcamp that offers a tailored facial workout alongside a juice and nutritional programme (with The Juicery and WelleCo) in order to get your face looking fantastic.




How Does It Work?



Drawing elements of Chinese massage and acupuncture, the facial workout follows the similar steps of a normal work out. But it's NOT a facial. There are five steps including a warm up, cardio, strength, sculpting and a cool down - these are often things that draw a shudder within me (with the exception of the cool down, cos that bit can not come quick enough for me when in the gym!)

There's even a mini swiss ball for your face - seriously.  The combination of these techniques is meant to detox the face, whilst toning the facial muscles, boosting blood flow for cell renewal and collagen production. 

FaceCamp is the range of what I like to call "wellness workouts" for your face. So the signature workouts, plus the nutritional support that my hungover, dried out skin is probably cryyying out for.

You can choose from a selection of workouts depending on your skincare concern, but don't worry, it's not all "dry skin", "dehyrdated skin", "problem skin" boring, bogstandard, textbook skintype categories.  At FaceGym, you can pick from "Phone Face", "Winter Face" and "Sugar Face" to name a few.




WHat's Meant To Happen?


The FaceGym workout draws parallels with how your body responds to going to the gym (what? pure terror and hardship? I jest.) Similarly to how your body improves in tone, lift and skin texture after some successful workouts at the gym, the results on your face after micro cardio and strength training are of the same sort. So HELLO toned, smooth, lifted facial contours. 




What do I think?



Personally, i'm fascinated by the concept. There ARE 50+ muscles in your face, so I can kind of see how micro stimulation and massage can work to improve your facial tone and texture.

I'm also keen on any non-invasive ways to beautify your skin. In a world where instant fillers and injections are so readily available, I'm always trying to keep it "old school" I guess?




So there we go, I'm booked in for my first FaceCamp session this weekend. I honestly can't WAIT to tell you about it - whether it's the greatest discovery in modern beauty, or whether it was just 30 minutes of swiss-balling my face. (no jokes, you dirty dogs)........ Stay tuned.



If you're already so intrigued that you'd like to sort out your own skincare session at FaceGym, you can find out more and book here




What do YOU think? Tweet me your thoughts @FaceValueBlog or send me a comment on Facebook!

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A WorkOut For Your Face? Forget The Gym, I'm Going to Face Camp!


When it comes to skincare and body products, I find there's often a trade-off between what smells and feels nice, vs what actually works. Why can't products just be perfect? 


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New Dove DermaSpa Body Range - What's Best For Winter Skin?


I don't know about you but I am fascinated by asian cosmetics and asian skincare. Yeah yeah yeah, I'm obviously MASSIVELY biased since I'm Chinese, but skincare in the Far East is completely next level because beauty trends over there favour clear glowy skin over makeup.

Enter Astalift - an anti-aging skincare brand by Fujifilm (yes, the camera people!) which has used Fujufilm's innovative technologies to create a very scientific, very distinctive skincare brand.


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Asian Skincare In The UK! Picture Perfect With Astalift by FUJIFILM


Following my first proper facial with the lovely Lisa Franklin, I've been determined to keep my good skin and get rid of some old skincare habits. And I'm not just talking about cleaning my makeup brushes!

Think of it as the turning point for good skin, a bit like the moment I realised what a difference a good brow makes. But what changes have I made to maintain my new found glow? 



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Good Skin Tips I Learnt From The Professionals



The long wait is over! After almost a month off blogging and three sofas later, I am finally in my new flat! More importantly I now have INTERNET!! What did we do before Wifi, seriously? 

SD cards finally found in that special place I put them so I wouldn't forget (and then forgot), blogging camera now charged - the return to blogging can begin!!

And what is a better way to celebrate a return to blogging than a big beauty blog haul?! Two words - BICESTER VILLAGE.


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BACK TO BLOGGING! A Big Cosmetics Company Haul From Bicester Village

  
NEW PRODUCT ALERT! It’s been a busy week at Face Value Beauty Blog HQ but there is a pot of Californian gold at the end of the rainbow because I’ve got Coachella coming up! WAHOOOOO! 

I don’t know about you but I LOVE planning and packing for holidays (unpacking is another story obvs) and one of my most important – must-have-this-sorted items has gotta be suncream. Kinda obvious I know, but the right SPF product is crucial to having a good time.


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Comfortable Sun Cream? New SPF Comfort Cream From La Roche-Posay Anthelios

I don't normally win competitions, but at the #bloggersfestival last month, I lucked out and managed to win the entire Bee Good skincare range! WAHOO! 

No idea what's going to happen now - most likely will end up standing in a deep puddle wearing the world's flimsiest ballet pumps, whilst simultaneously getting splashed by a passing bus. Standard Autumn bad luck drama.

Anyway. I digress. Bee Good is a British premium skincare brand, run by husband and wife duo Simon & Caroline (how cute!!)  Given Simon's bee-keeping background, Caroline started using the excess beeswax to make products and now, the brand is stocked in Waitrose as the only British brand to exclusively use British beeswax and honey in it's products.



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BRAND FOCUS: Bee-autiful skin with Bee Good Organic Skincare

Here it is - the results of my VICHY beauty trial! Last month, I went to the launch of VICHYs new Normaderm Night Detox Cream. (see the launch deets in my post VICHY Normaderm Night Detox Launch)

I have been trialling three lovely Normaderm products for the last few weeks (because, let's be honest, no one can write a proper review on skincare if you've only used it twice) And you know what? The results have been very mixed : which I personally think is great because I was starting to worry that I just loved ALL products.... bwaah.



The Good.

First up, we're looking at my favourite - as in, I love this so much that I can't even leave it til last to build up some suspense through this post.. It's the Normaderm Day moisturiser! 



What do you look for in a cream? My perfect cream would be, on one hand, medicinal and mattifying (like a teatree oil and salycylic acid vibe) but on the other hand, with a lovely texture which will make my skin feel like it's drinking up goodness.

Lovely and light, but also very creamy, this Normaderm Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care is the perfect emulsion for combination skin. It's got the goodies to help keep skin clear, but is also hydrating enough to keep skin plump. I really like this moisturiser - I'm so glad I got to try it, and I would definitely buy it!


Next up, another GOOD EGG.

This is the VICHY Normaderm 3 in 1  - it's a cleanser, scrub AND mask. Oh mannn, I love a multitasker - it saves space in your cupboard and in your suitcase and basically change your WORLD. 

Ever have one of those super clearing-out moments when you're like, I'M JUST GOING TO SORT OUT MY LIIIIFE? 

Face Value Tip: Do what I did! Use this VICHY 3 in 1 to slather a mask on, bin your half-used, year-old products, watch an episode of Orange Is The New Black and then dampen, massage and wash off to reveal lovely smooth skin! BOOM.

Overall, this was good - I really liked it but I didn't love it. I like that the scrub isn't too scrubby and the cleanser is soothing and fluid given that it's clay based. As an individual cleanser, I don't think it's as good as some other cleansers I've used but big thumbs up on the multitasking side!






The Not-So-Good

I was really excited to try this new Night Detox cream - designed to prevent that greasy skin feeling when you wake up, it sounded an absolute DREAM.

Upon first application, I really liked it - it was mattifying and absorbent but with the texture of a cream, not a gel. Dreaming of beautifully matte skin like this when I woke up, I went to bed and, for the FIRST ever time in my life, I was eager to see my face the morning after!



Unfortunately, when I woke up, my skin was greasy as ever, I don't know whether my skin is just RIDICULOUSLY greasy, but it just didn't work for me.

I still would use the Normaderm Night Detox as a night cream as it's still surprisingly hydrating. However, it doesnt feel as comfortable as the original Normaderm Moisturiser which is more creamy in feel. 



So there we go - three Normaderm products with three very different results!

I really wanted to love the Night Detox but for me, it was the original Normaderm moisturiser which won my heart...



Have you tried any of these?

What do you look for in a cream? Do you have a favourite moisturiser?

Do you ever find that you just love ALL products too?!



By Zoe Dubs
xXXXx

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VICHY Normaderm Part 2: The Results!

Before I went through this whole holiday/move flat double combo, I went to a great event with Vichy. Instagram friends will have probably spotted it alll over my feed but here's the real down-low on what happened.

Vichy has been high on my beauty radar for a while now but especially their Normaderm range as it's for oily and combination oily skin. ie. IT'S MADE FOR ME.

This launch event was to mark the incoming of the latest VICHY Normaderm product - the Night Detox cream. Held in the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho, there was a cinema screening, lovely cocktails and a whole host of fun canapes..




I ended up with three VICHY products to test - the new Night Detox cream, the Normaderm moisturiser and the Normaderm 3-in-1 cleanser - how did I get on with them?

Read on to see what happened at the event



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VICHY Normaderm Night Detox Launch: Part 1

This summer is a season full of high ponytails, headbands, headscarves and scraped back fringes. With so much of my giant face on show, skincare is big on my list this month!!


And what better to treat my tanned hide than a little haul from The Body Shop?! Full of organic and natural ingredients, Body Shop products always smell incredible and their eco ethos is one of the reasons why they're a skincare staple for me.



What's First On My Face?


First up is a greeeeat summer serum. Those of you who have followed my adventures into the initial signs of ageing will know that I've been using more serums past 25. 

With my oily skin, most serums tend to be too heavy but like Goldilocks in the hunt for the perfect porridge, this Drops Of Youth concentrate is jussssst right for me.



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Body Shop Haul: Smooth Skin & Self-Adjusting Colour!

The other week I was invited to the launch of the latest Dove deodorant. Anti-perspirant is meant to help us, but I know I've had my fair share with nightmare products!

A lot of products I've tried either are too powdery, crumbling to bits during the course of the day, OR too strong - like a fine layer of snow has settled under my arms. Boo.

The new Dove Invisible Dry deodorant range is proven to leave no marks on 100 colours. Yes, a HUNDRED colours. Can you even think of hundred colours?! How do they even do that?

Read on for undeniable picture evidence, a competition - oh, and the best macarons ever!



Held in a beautiful West London hotel suite, there was a feast of colourful clothes and treats to go with the 100 colours theme.

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A New Meaning To Colour Care: Dove Invisible Dry Product Launch

So I have lots of conversations with people about my favourite skincare products and I'm sharing it with you today via my latest video!

My skin has thankfully cleared up a LOT but the goal is to get smooth, shine-free and even skin, with no blemishes or scars. Aka dream skin, but is it possible?  As a resident beauty junkie, I've tried a whole host of products - some good, some not so good - but there are definitely some which have had a real impact on my dream skin goals. 


Today, I'm going to talk about the products which I've bought again and again. (and in some cases, more than that!)



So check out my video below and let me know what you think?


My Top Products:

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VIDEO: My Skincare Routine for Combination/Oily Skin!

Hi team! Little skin moan today. I don't know about you, but when I get spots, they ALWAYS leave behind a small scar. Even when I resist from touching it!

 I've been producing a video about my skincare routine and one of my main skincare concerns is how to get rid of acne scars and dark marks. Oh yeah, and prevent any spots from coming back! I'm in my twenties, I'm not meant to get spots anymore!!

So in February, I had a Lightenex facial at The Hyperpigmentation Clinic to try and even out my skintone. Following on from then, I've been using the Acnex pigmentation cream to keep up the attack on my acne scars and also prevent acne from returning. But what were the results like?



First of all, let's talk pigmentation - if you dun know yet, get to know! The first step in dealing with skin issues is to understand why they happen. Check out the science part in my Lightenex pigmentation post.



What is Acnex?

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Pharmaclinix Acnex Cream - Before & After

Last week, I had a little trip into SUMMER! In conjunction with the recent sunshine, Boots were showcasing some of their summer items in a gorgeous sun-filled space in Central London. Lahvely.

As soon as I walked in, I felt like I was on holiday! Trying on sunglasses, the smell of suncream in the air, what bliss! Isn't sun-cream just the best scent ever?!? Its right up there with baby powder and fresh laundry for me.

Anyway, summer scents aside, here's my lowdown on the top tips and top products to keep you looking fabulous this summer.




 The two staples of Summer are SUN and SUN PROTECTION. I'm going to start with the more boring one, sun protection and then, my favourite - summer cosmetics to match your tan!


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The Day I Went To Boots Camp: Boots Summer Shop

Not entirely #MoneyMonday related – but thought I’d bash out this quick post as it will certainly save you some pennies and.... well who doesn't love a freebie?!

Manuka Doctor recently got in touch to let me know about a giveaway they’re running. No following required – it’s simply a free trial of their award-winning beauty products which contain Purified Bee Venom.

Yup = venom from bees, you heard me right! But Bee venom is apparently what Kate Middleton uses and if it’s good enough for the Duchess, it’s good enough for me! This stuff is Purified Bee Venom too, not just any old "sting me bee" stuff...


Manuka Doctor are giving away a Mini Hero Starter kit worth £12.99. It contains 3 samples of their most popular products. The ApiNourish Rejuvenating Face Mask (7ml), the ApiClear Skin Treatment Serum (5ml)and the ApiRefine Targeted Wrinkle Filler (3ml).


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Manuka Doctor Freebies: Mini Hero Starter Kit