Save, Spend, Splurge: Facial Exfoliators

Morning lovelies!

M has written a fair few 'Save, Spend, Splurge' posts previously and I had these three facial exfoliators that I just had to compare. All are very similar but differ in price....are they worth it?

Soap and Glory's Greatest Scrub of All - £9 125ml

Antipodes Reincarnation - £20.99 75ml

Origins Modern Friction - £33 125ml

S&G's Greatest Scrub of All contains smooth boost spheres that 'pop open' when you press them. These are made from silicon and contain salicylic acid when you pop them so it's like your own DIY microdermabrasion.

It's a white cream with what feels like a powder the consistency of sugar granules in. It feels rough on your hands but not on your skin especially when it was wet, makes it a lot easier to exfoliate your face without anything too harsh.

I quite liked this, especially for the price. It doesn't have an overpowering smell and my skin did feel like it had been scrubbed (in a good way) and felt clean and free of oil, dirt and residues.
The packaging is cute, witty and easy to like, plus its dermo tested and from the UK. There's not a lot to dislike in this product!



Next up is Antipodes Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator.

This packaging is totally different; its a very grown up cream tube made from recycled materials and has a black lid. It's a whole lot more grown up and kinder to the environment.

The scrub itself is cream coloured and contains the tiniest particles I've ever used in a scrub. They're actually jojoba beads and the other main products in this exfoliator are all natural including avocado oil, calendula oil and carrot seed.

Again this is applied to damp skin and my skin feels cleansed and my newer cells shining through after the duller older ones have been removed. You can barely feel the particles sloughing off dead skin which is really good especially for sensitive skin.

Lastly we have Origins' Modern Friction, which is self titled as 'Nature's gentle dermabrasion'.

I have to agree as this is the first product I bought from the three shown in this post. It's again a thick white cream containing Rice Starch to slough away the lifeless skin and Lemon Oil to aid illumination.

This can be used on wet or dry skin; dry skin for a more concentrated scrub and wet skin for those who are more sensitive. The scrub doesn't feel rough on your skin even when used on dry skin and not only does the skin feel smoother it looks visibly more uniform.

It was a hard task to decide which of these i preferred more. When looking at the figures and sizes of the products, the Antipodes Reincarnation exfoliator was actually more expensive as the original price was for a 75ml tube and not the 125ml that the others were. It actually works out at £34 for 125ml so is pretty much the same as Origins.

It's a hard choice but I think that with skincare it always ends up being the most expensive that wins out. I do think skincare is worth splashing out on, and Im yet to find a product from Antipodes or Origins that I haven't liked, hasn't been worth the money, and hasn't lasted considerably longer than other products that are cheaper.

S&G is a great scrub and I will continue to beg my mum for the sets at Christmas.....but I think in this case the Save option has been beaten by the Splurge options.

Do you think skincare is worth spending on? Or are you not bothered and would prefer to save your money for shoes?

Have you tried any of these exfoliators? Which one did you prefer?

L xxx

Save, Spend, Splurge Hot Cloth Cleansers featuring Along Came Betty, No7 and Liz Earle.

Another Save, Spend Splurge for you all today. You can read my previous Save, Spend, Splurge posts here. I've covered skincare, make up removers and dry shampoo now. Today I thought I'd cover Hot Cloth Cleansers. I'm sure most people have heard of the blogger favourite Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. It's not the cheapest so are any of the cheaper alternatives as good.

I'm comparing Along Came Betty Porefectly Clean Hot Cloth Cleanser from Tesco, No7 Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser from Boots and Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish.

Save

Along Came Betty (Tesco £5.99 Currently £3.00 for 100ml - which is what I paid) LINK

This has a very similar texture to the Liz Earle, it's thick like the Liz Earle and has a really refreshing scent. I really love the smell of this. It's soft on the skin and really removes make up. It doesn't sting the eyes and removes the eye make up with ease. It also comes with one cloth which is as good quality as the Liz Earle one. 

Spend

No7 Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser (Boots £9.95 for 200ml) LINK

This was donated to me by L. She didn't get on with it after trying Liz Earle. It's a much wetter creamier texture which I find means you need more. Price per ml when the Along Came Betty isn't on offer it works out cheaper but in my opinion you need to use more of it to obtain the same results so it does work out more expensive. First off it smells of roses which really puts me off. I don't find it leaves my skin feeling as fresh. I also find it slips of my hand a lot if I use it in the shower and I'm not careful. I just really don't enjoy this as much as the others. I do find this one really stings my eyes when used to remove eye make up.

Splurge

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish (£14.75 for 100ml) LINK

I choose the starter kit price for comparison as the others come with muslim cloths. Sold with or without the cloths (£13.25 for 100ml) it's still a lot more expensive. I really do love this, it has a fresh eucalyptus scent which I really love as it leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean. My eye make up is easily removed. It's a thick cream and I find one pump is enough, it does really last well.

Along Came Betty, No7, Liz Earle

As you can tell above the No7 cleanser isn't one I enjoy as much. I honestly think the Along Came Betty cleanser is a fair match for the Liz Earle. Liz Earle does win slightly in smell stakes but I do also enjoy the Along Came Betty. Due to the price difference for me this time Save Wins. As much as I love the Liz Earle from now on I will be purchasing Along Came Betty for everyday use and letting my Liz Earle be used for when I'm feeling flush.

What's your thoughts on Hot Cloth Cleansers? Have you tried cheaper alternatives?

Love M

xxx 

Don't forget to check out our giveaway here

Empties (1)

Since I've been doing the spending ban (it's been ages since I've done an update but I will do one soon) I've found myself using up more products so I thought I'd start to share my empties.

Hair Products

Tigi Catwalk Honey and Oatmeal Condtioner (not pictured)

My Other Half through away the bottle not realising I was saving them. I picked this up for £12.99 in TKMaxx. They always have lots of varieties of Tigi and Bedhead products at reasonable prices. As they are huge bottles they last ages. This is aimed at dry hair and I absolutely love it. It really conditioners my hair well, is light and leaves my hair soft. I will be repurchasing once I've used one I picked up from the hairdressers to add protein back into my hair.

Charles Worthington Dry Shampoo

I reviewed this one just yesterday so won't go into much detail. It's great size for the handbag but as Batiste do handbag versions I won't be repurchasing this as I didn't think it was as good.

Redken Colour Extend radiant-10

This is marketed as a multi benefit treatment spray for coloured hair. For my as it's advertised as colour extend it did nothing to help the colour of my hair stay. I also don't think it did much for the condition. I got this free in a beauty box and wouldn't repurchase.

Batiste Blush

I love love love bastiste. Used it for years. You can read more in yesterday's post. I've already got another can of this waiting.

Clariol Nice 'n' Easy Colour Seal Gloss Conditioner

These come in the Nice 'n' Easy hair dye sets and can now be bought separately. They are great for adding a boost of moisture for the hair. Once of the spending ban I will be repurchasing as I love these.

Skin Care

Boots Essentials Cleansing Wipes

I usually pick these up or some from Wilkinsons. I tend to use wipes to clean my foundation brushes daily. I used to use them to remove make up but favour a make up remover in liquid form now. I will still use them for lazy days. These are great value and usually on offer too. I always store wipes upside down as it helps keep them moist for if they aren't used regularly.

Origins Balanced Diet

I've mentioned this in my Save, Spend, Splurge series for day creams. It's ok and good for oilier skin tones as it's a very light moisturiser. It lasted quite a while too as a little goes a long way. For me though I felt it was a little over priced for a moisturiser that didn't offer and think else. I like my cream to have something that helps to keep wrinkles at bay too.

Origins Starting Over

This was a product I got from Origins when they offered a free moisturiser when you bought back an empty moisturiser. This product isn't great for oily skin types and is aimed at more mature skin so I stuck to using it as a night cream as it was heavier. Even though it was heavy it didn't break me out which is a good thing. I wouldn't repurchase this purely as there is better for my skin type.

Lush Sugar Lips

I love this lip scrub. It's amazing. I use it morning and night and it really helps keep my lips nice and soft. It is around £5 and lasts ages. I keep it by my bed so I remember to use it and it has made such a difference. I already had one in my stash but will be repurchasing when that one runs out.

Make up

 Avon Sparkle Glimmer Stick in Black

This is a product Avon re release around Christmas time usually. I got this in a set and put it to one side as I thought a glitter eye liner wasn't that wearable. I've been using it most days since the spending ban started as I'm trying to save my gel liner and use up other products. The glitter doesn't show to much on lids making it still wearable for days. I like that it winds up and doesn't need sharpening. If I see this on sale I would buy it again.

Bourjois Volume Max Mascara Waterproof

I picked this mascara up on a whim. It had a huge chunky bristle brush which I love in mascara's. I didn't mean to get the waterproof as I find I don't usually like them as much and they are hard to remove. Since switching to liquid make up removers I quite like this mascara. It gives great volume and looks amazing. It's reasonably prices and great for summer do to the waterproof formula.

Rimmel Perfect Match 2in1 concealer and highlighter

I really like this and this is my second bottle. It's great for brightening under the eyes and does conceal pretty good. It's a light formulation and blends great. The only downside to this is the fact it has a brush applicator which I don't like very much. I would repurchase.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

This is a very raved about product in bloggersphere. I've had this since it was first released now and at first I did really love it. It smelt amazing and gave the skin a great glow. But I've found I just don't really like it on my skin. I find it doesn't last great on me and the colour selection just isn't that great. For me I wouldn't repurchase. 

Other Products

Avon Orange and Cinnamon Bubble Bath

This is one of the Christmas scents. They sell these on great offers if you keep your eye out. I was lucky enough and my other halfs mum gave us loads of them. I don't find that they give the best bubbles without using loads of the products. Personally I prefer other bubble baths so I wouldn't repurchase.

Soap and Glory Hand Food

This is another product loved by bloggersphere. I do think it's a great hand cream that smells and feels great. I prefer an Avon one I'm using at the moment though so wouldn't repurchase. I do have another of these to use up first.

So that's my first empties post. I plan to do these a bit more now. I won't do monthly as I don't think I'll get through that many products. Hope you enjoyed seeing what I'm using.

Love M

xxx

Spend, Save, Splurge: Dry Shampoo

I am a complete lover of dry shampoo. I don't know where I would be without it. Since having extensions and my hair being a bit damaged from over hair dying and use of products, I try to only wash my hair twice a week (I know some people will think it's gross) it's all my hair needs. It's good for the hair to have time to produce it's own oil rather than wash it every day. Most people are surprised when they see me hair is on day 3 or 4. 

I tend to use dry shampoo on the third day just to freshen it up through the roots. It's great for giving hair a bit of a refresh. I'm also lazy when it comes to washing my hair. I hate drying it. My hair isn't even that long so I don't know why.

I've tried a fair few brands so I thought it was time I did a spend, save splurge on dry shampoo. Is it worth paying the extra? You can read my other Spend, Save, Splurge posts here. 

Save

First up is Superdrug Shampoo which retails for £1.99 for 150ml. This can sometimes be picked up for buy one get two free. What an amazing offer. When I saw it I snapped it up. I love the scent of this dry shampoo and it comes in a variety of different scents and has one for brunettes too.

For me though this is the worst dry shampoo I have tried. It didn't seem to absorb oil at all of have the slight powder feel I've come to expect, which in my opinion is needed. This seemed to act more as a spray refresher for my hair in terms of scent rather than helping to make it look a little cleaner. I haven't really used these that much as too me they don't really do much. They work as more of a body spray for the hair for me.

They can be purchased here and are currently on offer for 2 for £2.99.

Spend

For spend I've chosen Batiste. This retails for £2.99 for 200ml or £4.99 for 400ml. I've used Batiste for years now. It's the dry shampoo I always go back to. I love it. It does a great job at refreshing the hair in terms of smell. It comes in a variety of different scents so there is one to suit most tastes. It also absorbs any excess oil in the hair great. It comes out slightly white but if applied lightly and brushed through it isn't noticeable in the hair. This is great for all hair colours.

Batiste is great for making the hair last an extra day. I'm currently using the Tropical one which can be purchased here for £2.99

Splurge

Lastly I've chosen Charles Worthington Dry Shampoo. This retails for £1.99 for 50ml. So for 200ml like the batiste would cost £7.96. The small bottle is great for throwing into your handbag for any use while on the go. It has a neutral scent to it. It really absorbs the oil in the hair but I do find it is very white. In the picture you may be able to see the whiteness of this product. I think in darker hair it is really hard to blend the powder into the hair.

It can be purchased here for £1.99.

In my opinion Spend  wins today. I love batiste. It does the job great and for me I don't see the point spending any more on it. 

Do you use Dry Shampoo? What's your favourite?

LoveM

xxx

Save, Spend, Splurge Night Creams featuring Avon, Lush and Clinique

So a few weeks ago I did Save, Spend, Splurge on day creams, you can see that and my eye make up remover one by clicking here. I'm liking writing these as it's making me compare things to make sure I'm not just liking something more because I think I should. I have a few more of these planned including clear primers, cream based primers, hot cloth cleansers, volumising mascara, lengthening mascara and some foundation ones but I need to pick up a good save one for oily skin to test so any recommedations let me know or any other products you particularly like compared. I will try to do them regularly but most likely they will be fortnightly so I can test new things as I seem to have two things for most categories.

So on my day creams last month Splurge won (save only lost out due to lack of anti aging properites) and Spend won the Eye Make Up remover battle. Will Save win this to even up?

Let's see what I've picked as my night creams. I'd say it's only really the last year (since blogging really) that I've really paid attention to my skincare and made sure I cleanse, tone and moisturise twice daily. 

SAVE

Avon Complete Balance Night - Oil Free Gel

This is a super light weight oil free gel that just sinks into the skin. It has the most amazing fresh, clean smell that doesn't smell fake. It skins into the skin quickly and provides a good level of moisture for oily skin types. It can feel a touch tacky sometimes. Annoyingly this is in the current Avon brochure but it is in there regularly and I have checked with Mummy M (my mum's an Avon lady) and she has reassured me she hasn't seen that it is going out. This one tends to come and go from the catelogues. The Avon Solutions skin care range is great for those on a budget and Avon does some truely amazing deals.

I think this normal retail price of this is aroun £7.00 which for 50ml is very reasonable. But it regularly is in deals such as half price or even lower. I know when I picked it up it was £2.50-£3.00 so it's definitely worth looking at. I find it harder to find cheap skin care for oily skin, especially moisturisers. This doesn't have anti aging products which I have started to look for but is perfect for oily skin. If you have oily combination I don't think this will help any dry patches. I will re visit this and add links when it's in the next Avon Campaign. It's standard packaging for your moisturiser. Glass tub with a screw on lid. Not great for travelling but it does mean it's unlikely to get stood on and broke if you live in a messy environment like me. (I favour the floordobe, I'm trying to improve) Also glass is recyclable for you green ladies :)

Spend

Lush Vanishing Cream

I loved this cream from the moment I first started using it. This was one of the first moisturisers I spent a lot of money on. This technically isn't aimed as a night cream and can be used as both day and night. Which is handy if you are someone who travels a lot or doesn't like to have too many products. Vanishing cream is advertised as a Low fat moisturiser meaning it contains little fat/ oils and is great for us oilier skinned ladies. Vanishing cream sinks into the skin straight away. It feels light and fresh on the skin but provides a good level of moisturisation as well. It helps with any dry patches I get left from where spots have been without leaving greasy patches on my skin. It smells nice and fresh and contain lavender (which gives this a very subtle smell not at all over powering) and also witch hazel to help control any oil and help with blemishes.

This isn't going to do anything for anti aging as I use this when I have more breakouts. It's £17.50 for 45g which is more expensive than I remember but a little goes a long way and it does last. It also comes in one of Lush's black pots so save these little ones up and you get a free face mask which is always good. You can purchase here.

Splurge

Clinique Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturiser

The day cream partner for this won the battle of the day creams and I have to say this wins the night creams too but mainly because I'm paranoid about anti ageing and I'm hoping prevention really is going to help may skin staying looking better for longer. I find it really hard to find a high street cream with a cheaper price tag that is lightweight, oil free, won't break me out and helps prevent ageing. This really is a great all rounder. Mine is running out and I'm literally heart broken that I can't afford to replace these at the moment. (I'm moving in the New Year and have to save every penny going) This cream is slightly thicker but still dissolves into the skin without a greasy feeling. I like something that feels a bit heavier at night as I think my skin can do with that extra boost. Again there are no heavy fragrances with this cream. Skin is just left feeling soft, non greasy, moisturised and clean. 

The downside of course to the Clinique is it's rather pricey price tag. £37 for 50ml. It's expensive. It will last around 3 months though when used every night so it's not to extortionate. Another bonus is it comes in 3 slightly different formulations so even if you don't have oily skin there is still a good chance this cream will work for you. You can purchase it and read about other variations here

So Splurge did it again. I think I'm just getting expensive tastes. I love that it's a great all round cream and it offers it all that none of my other options do. I'm still on the hunt for a slightly cheaper one that is just as good but without a doubt when I have the money a sneaky purchase to Clinique will happen. For now I have others to use up. I haven't included my current night time cream in here as it's one I'm using but I don't like. 

What is your go to night cream? Would you spend £37 on a night cream? Although it's expensive I think it's worth it as what's the point in spending loads on make up if you aren't looking after the skin you put it on. Me and L were also once told to think about how much you're willing to spend on a dress for a few nights out ;)!! Skin is for life hehe!!

Love M

xxx

Save, Spend, Splurge Day Creams featuring Avon, Origins and Clinique

I've been meaning to write this post for a while after I got quite a few positive response on the one I did on eye make up removers (found here) I always wonder whether it really is worth paying more for things. I plan on doing posts on night creams and hot cloth cleansers too. Would you be interested in seeing posts like this on beauty products as well?

Anyway today's post is day creams. Let's start off with my skin type. I'm an oily combination skin type. While I used to sway away from moisturiser as I was oily skinned I used to not bother as I thought it was unnecessary to add more to my skin. How wrong was I. Since realising this I've been trying different ranges of skin care to find what's perfect for me.

In a day cream I like something that's light and sinks into my skin easily so I can apply my make up on a nice base and not have something heavy on my face as it doesn't need it.

SAVE

The first one I started using was the Avon Solutions Complete Balance Day Cream. This is an absolutely brilliant moisturiser for anyone with oily combination skin. It's a mattifier day cream which just leaves the face with a nice shine free finish. It's oil free which is always good and has SPF15 which is what I like day creams to have so I don't have to worry if my foundation doesn't. The cream has a great consistency which leaves my skin feeling suitably moisturised without being oily. It sinks in easily too which means you can apply your make up onto a nice base. The RRP for this is £7.50 for 50ml which in itself is a great price but you can usually get it on offers and in deals. It's currently £5.00 here or you can get a travel set with a mask, day cream, night cream and cleanser here which is also £5.00 and is a great way to try them out. I got this one for £3 when it was on offer.

Apologises for the tatty pot. I like the pot it's similar to the Clinique one and means you can get all the product out easily. It does mean if you have long nails you do get some product under your nails. This cream has a nice fresh fragrance that is very subtle and possibly a little floral.

SPEND

For if you want to spend a little more I have the Origins Balanced Diet Moisturiser.\This is also an oil free moisturiser. It uses Japanese seaweed and sodium hyaluronate which is apparently what makes it great for oily/combination skin types as these give moisturiser without weighing down the skin. This lotion blends easily into the skin and feels very light weight. It has an almost minty fresh fragrance. I find it pleasant. This one cost £23.00 for 50ml so is significantly more than the Avon one. You can find out more about the ingredients and how they work here. I like the brand Origins and a lot of their products. But this isn't a cream I'd repurchase and I prefer the Avon one over this. Mainly because they are very similar but the Avon one also has SPF.

I do prefer the packaging of the Origins though.

SPLURGE

Onto the Splurge. The Clinique Superdefense age Defense Moisturise SPF 25 for Combination oily to oily skin (with Clinique you can get the same moisturiser but for different skin types). I have previously done a full review on this day cream here. This moisturiser is brilliant. It's perfect for oily skin as it's lightweight and sinks into the skin easily. It feels fresh on the skin and sinks in well and has the highest SPF value of the three creams. I love that this cream is not only aimed at oily skin but is also Anti Ageing and while I'm only 23 I'm a firm believer of prevention is better than cure and it's best to start young. I find it hard to find anti ageing products that aren't heavy on this skin and this is brilliant. But it comes at a price. £37 for 50ml unfortunately. While it's pricey I really think it's worth every penny and would definitely repurchase. The product lasts a long time though. You can purchase here.

The packaging looks and feels luxurious and classic and is plastic which is handy if you are travelling. No one wants to spend £37 then drop it and it smash.

So overall this time for me SPLURGE wins. It's such a great all round cream to prevent anti ageing, sun damage and control oil. I love this. But when I'm skint I turn to my SAVE option as I think it's as good as SPLURGE so it's not worth spending the extra.

Have you tried any of these? What's your go to day cream? Are you happy to spend on day creams?

Love M

xxx

Save, Spend, Splurge - Eye Make Up Remover, Baby Oil, No7 and Clinique

I've been wanting to do posts like this for a while. I like reading posts like this to see if it's really worth paying out for the higher end products. In some cases I think it is while in others the high street alternatives are sometimes just as good if not better.

Lately I've started to use a separate eye make up remover as I was noticing using wipes was tugging at my eyes and I'm very conscious of being gentle to my eyes as I'm doing all I can to prevent wrinkles. I like to remove make up before I cleanse (I don't like my cleanse and polish clothes not being white, I'm odd I know, and it just makes me skin feel cleaner)

So the 3 eye make up removers.

Save is Baby Oil, which can be picked up so cheap, I like this handy travel size Johnson's one, perfect for travel and is only £1.30 for 100ml or boots own brand can be picked up for as little as £1.49 for 300ml

Spend is No7 Eye Make Up Remover is £7.75 for 100ml. Or stock up when the vouchers are out (which is a lot of the time) and it's £2.75 :)

Splurge is Clinique Take the Day Off Make up Remover for Face, Lips and Lashes and is £15.50 for 125ml

Save

First up is Johnson's Baby Oil. Oil based products are great for remover eye make up remover as they can dissolve it off so to speak and tackle tough waterproof make up without having to tug at eye lashes. This one isn't one to be used if you don't like greasy products. For me it doesn't bother me as I'm cleansing my face after so the oil is removed. This is the softest of  three on my eyes and has the least amount of pulling but is the greasiest. Even though I have oily skin I like to use this and it's great for those months when you have a little less money.

Spend

This was the first of the three I tested. This is a two liquid solution that needs to be shaken well to mix the two products. It has a subtle oily feeling but doesn't leave to much of a coating on the eyes like the baby oil does so is good for those nights when you want to be a little lazier. It gently removes the eye make up without tugging and with ease. My only issue is it's a small bottle and gets used quickly. I think it would last between 4-5 weeks so for me I don't think I would spend £7.75 on it but for £2.75 (when using the vouchers) it's amazing! This will be repurchased and is my favourite out of the three.

Spend

This was the least oily of the three products and felt gentle on the skin. This is aimed to be a multi purpose make up remover and due to this made removing eye make up a little harder. This felt the most pulling on my eyes and required more product and didn't remove all of my eye make up as well. I think this was due to being a less oily based remover. It does feel nice and light on the skin though. Personally I don't think it's worth the money when you can pick up others that do the job better for cheaper. 

I also wanted to mention the pads I used with these as I think these are the best for removing eye make up. I personally prefer a pad over a ball as it can cover the whole eye in one go. These ones are great as they have two different textures on either side and are only 20p dearer than the others.

What eye make up remover do you use? Do you use a separate one? Are posts like these something you like to read?

Love M

xxx

Apologies for the photo quality for some reason uploading from my phone to the bloggers app if ruining the quality. Have you found this?