Nivea Refreshing Face Wash

Hi there! Today’s post is about this Nivea Refreshing Face Wash.

I know this face wash has been around forever, but I’ve never used it before.

About 2 months ago, I went to my local Boots as I really needed a new face wash. My local Boots only had a small selection of facial cleansers, and this Nivea face wash was on special = easy choice.

Alrighty, this face wash contains vitamin E and Nivea’s patented Hydra IQ, and it aims to cleanse and to rehydrate the skin by supporting the skin’s moisture balance and by reducing water loss.

I’ve used this face wash for about 6 weeks now, and I think it’s OK. The face wash is refreshing, but I find it drying, and it’s not as cleansing as I had hoped.

I also don’t love the rather strong scent. Whilst I generally love scented products, and whilst I would always choose a scented product over an unscented one, this face wash smells much stronger than my shower gels or hair products. It shouldn’t be like this!

I will use up this face wash (and use more facial oil in my skin care to combat the dryness this face wash is causing). But I won’t repurchase it. If you’re interested, Nivea Refreshing Face Wash is available as 150ml for about £4. I paid £2.10.

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Garnier Skin Active Soothing Botanical Cleansing Milk & Toner With Rose Water

Hi there! Today’s post is about 2 facial cleansing products which I’ve been using since the beginning of May – Garnier Skin Active Soothing Botanical Cleansing Milk & Toner With Rose Water, aimed at people with dry and sensitive skin.

Garnier Skin Active Soothing Botanical Cleansing Milk With Rose Water promises to dissolve and remove make-up gently and effectively. I think it removes make-up OK. This cleanser is better than the 2 other cleansers from this collection (aloe, honey), but it’s not nearly as good as Olay’s cleanser, which sets the standards in the lower price range.

Garnier Skin Active Soothing Botanical Toner With Rose Water claims to remove residue from make-up and cleansing products. I think this toner is OK too, but it’s nowhere near perfect. When I go over my face with a different toner afterwards, the other toner will pick up make-up residue which the Garnier products didn’t catch.

I’ve tried double-cleansing with the cleansing milk and double-toning with the toner – but these products aren’t the best. They smell lovely, but I can’t base my beauty decisions solely on how products smell. All in all, I won’t repurchase these products.

If you’re interested, Garnier Skin Active Soothing Botanical Cleansing Milk & Toner With Rose Water, are available as 200ml each for about £3.49 each. I paid £1.99 each (special offer).

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Simple Purifying Cleansing Lotion

Hi there! Today’s post is about this Simple Purifying Cleansing Lotion.

This product is free from animal-derived ingredients, artificial fragrance or colour, harsh chemicals, soap, alcohol, mineral oil, glycol. What it does contain is vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5. It also contains palm kernel oil, but according to Simple, it’s sustainably sourced.

This is a regular cleansing lotion – apply it to a cotton pad, and wipe it all over your face to dissolve and remove your make-up.

I’ve been using this product for about a month now, and I think it’s good but not great. I agree that the product itself is gentle, and I think it’s good at removing basic make-up. However, when I use more products, and not just foundation, this cleansing lotion isn’t good enough, and I end up going over my face (almost rubbing) more often and for longer.

Based on my experience, I’d recommend it if you only wear light make-up. I will continue to use it on my home-working days when I only put on foundation and lipstick or lipgloss.

If you’re interested, Simple Purifying Cleansing Lotion is available as 200ml. I paid £1.79 (B&M Bargains).

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Nivea MicellAIR Skin Breathe 2 In 1 Rose Water Cleanser & Toner

Hi there! I’ve got a skin care review for you today. 🙂 This post is about this Nivea MicellAIR Skin Breathe 2 in 1 Rose Water Cleanser & Toner.

This product contains rose water, vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5. It promises to remove even waterproof makeup without harsh rubbing, to cleanse skin thoroughly for a refreshed feel, and to tone and purify the skin without drying it out.

On the back of the bottle it says that the product works like a magnet (!) that removes dirt and impurities. The result it claims to achieve is soft, smooth and healthy looking skin that can breathe.

This product works like a normal cleanser. Massage it into your skin and take it off with a cotton pad or water.

Well, this product sounds like the perfect product for anyone who wears makeup. However, I’ve been using this product since the beginning of the new year, and I don’t think that it keeps any of its promises.

When I use the product with a cotton pad, it’s not very effective. I have to use quite a bit of product to dissolve my makeup!

In addition, when I use this product I have to go over my face again and again and again… it’s not great. What makes it even worse is that the product has a strangely dull feel to it. I don’t think that this is good for anyone’s skin!

Wait, there’s more… this product doesn’t replace a toner. You actually NEED to use a proper toner after you’ve used this product because it’ll leave plenty of makeup and dirt on your face.

This product is better when removed with water, ideally with a hot cloth (although I’d still recommend you use a toner right after). However, there are better products (in the same price range) out there for this way of facial cleansing

What else? This product has a very strong fragrance. Granted, it’s from the rose water and not from added fragrance. However, I don’t like the fragrance, so this is another reason why I won’t repurchase this product. I’ll try to finish it, but I’m no longer interested in trying any other products from Nivea’s MicellAIR range.

If you’re interested, Nivea MicellAIR Skin Breathe 2 in 1 Rose Water Cleanser & Toner is available as 200ml. I paid £1.99 at Home Bargains!

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Garnier Pure Active Anti-Imperfection Cleansing Gel

Hi there! Today’s post is about Garnier Pure Active Anti-Imperfection Cleansing Gel which is aimed at people with oily skin that’s prone to imperfections.

This product contains salicylic acid and zinc, and it promises to get rid of impurities and to tighten pores.

You’re supposed to use this face wash like any other face wash. Apply it to wet skin, and massage it all over your face. Rinse. Done.

So what’s it like? Using this face wash for the first time was a scary experience! I applied some product to a wet konjac sponge, and then I rubbed it all over my face. About 15 seconds later my face felt cold and tingly. 😨

In the past I’ve received treatment for angioedema and similar (seemingly random) allergic reactions on a number of occasions. So I’m always very cautious with new products, especially with products that have a cooling or warming effect, and anything that tingles.

But back to the product! Whilst the first use was a scary experience, everything turned out fine. I rinsed the face wash off of my face, and things went back to normal. I also didn’t experience any redness, dryness or any other unpleasant reaction. I did, however, notice that this face wash really helps to keep my skin perfectly clean and clear!

So all in all, I have no reason to complain. Well, there’s one thing – this face wash is clear. Transparent. I was hoping it would be blue (or at least blue-ish). It’s OK now. I got over it. 😜

Garnier Pure Active Anti-Imperfection Cleansing Gel is available as 200ml for £4.99. I spent £5 in total for this product and the matching scrub (2 for £5 offer).

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Garnier Pure Active Fruit Energy Daily Energising Gel Scrub

Hi there! Today’s post is about Garnier Pure Active Fruit Energy Daily Energising Gel Scrub.

This product contains salicylic acid, vitamin C, grapefruit and pomegranate extracts, and it’s aimed at people with oily / problem skin. It promises to unclog and tighten pores and to give skin a radiant glow.

You’re supposed to use the product as a daily face wash. Since I use a konjac or cellulose sponge (+ face wash) to cleanse my face in the shower every morning, I used this product the same way – and I was impressed!

This gel scrub is wonderful. It lathers up very well (it’s like it was designed to be used with a konjac sponge), it feels powerful but not harsh, and it really seems to “sweep up” grease and grime to give my pores a deep cleanse.

I also think that this gel scrub has skin brightening properties. Every time I use this gel scrub, my skin tone looks incredibly even and, yes, radiant. It’s awesome!

Since I have dry and moody skin, I can’t use this gel scrub every day. At the moment I’m using it once or twice a week which seems to work out perfectly.

Garnier Pure Active Fruit Energy Daily Energising Gel Scrub is available as 150ml for £4.99. I paid £3.33 (special offer).

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Olay Hydration & Cleansing 2 In 1 Cleanser & Moisturiser Duo

Hi there! Today’s product is about Olay’s Hydration & Cleansing 2 In 1 Cleanser & Moisturiser Duo with aloe vera and cucumber extracts.

This product promises effective cleansing by removing make-up and impurities. In addition, it claims to hydrate the skin.

How does it work? You can use the cleanser with a cotton wool pad, or you can massage it into your skin and then “polish it off” with a damp muslin cloth.

Apparently you can also use it as a moisturiser (it says so on the back).

So how’s the product? I like it. It dissolves and removes my make-up with ease. Whilst I’m not using this product as a moisturiser, I can feel that it’s hydrating, and I believe it has helped me stay on top of my dry patches this winter.

In summary, I think this cleanser is really nice. I would recommend it to everyone with normal to dry and / or sensitive skin.

Olay’s Hydration & Cleansing 2 In 1 Cleanser & Moisturiser Duo is exclusive to Superdrug. The 200ml bottle is £2.99. I paid £1.48 (better than half price offer).

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Boots Essentials Cucumber Facial Scrub, Cucumber Toner & Cucumber 3-Minute Clay Mask

Hi there! Today’s post is about 3 dirt cheap Boots own-brand products – Boots Essentials Cucumber Facial Scrub, Facial Toner, and 3-Minute Clay Mask. These products are £1.50 each, but Boots ran a 3 for £3 promotion, so I paid £1 each. Now let me tell you if these products are any good!

I really like Boots Essentials Cucumber Facial Scrub because it’s effective without being too harsh. And the fragrance – which I’d describe as a clean and feminine fragrance with a hint of cucumber – is nice and pleasant. If I hadn’t known that this is Boots’ cheapest and most basic own-brand scrub, I wouldn’t have believed it. Well done, Boots!

Boots Essentials Cucumber Facial Toner is very good. It feels refreshing, and the cucumber fragrance is really nice. And whilst this toner contains alcohol, it doesn’t feel drying at all. I’m also glad to be able to report that I found this toner perfectly safe to use around my eyes. There was no stinging or burning at all! Outstanding!

Product number 3 is Boots Essentials Cucumber 3-Minute Clay Mask which promises to leave skin deeply cleansed, soothed and toned. Does it work? Oh yes! After a single use of this mask my skin felt cleaner and my pores looked considerably smaller. Yes, I left the mask on for longer than 3 minutes, but I always leave masks on for longer than recommended. In any event, the important thing is that my pores looked smaller. Considerably smaller! Awesome!

Like I said, these Boots Essentials products are £1.50 each. The scrub and the clay mask come in 50ml tubes, and the toner bottle houses 150ml of product. I will continue to use these products, and I will buy them again, no doubt. I will also try other products from Boots’ Essentials collection.

Have you tried any of these products? If so, how do / did you like them? Feel free to get in touch via the comments. And thanks for reading!

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

L’Oréal Skin Perfection Soothing Gel-Cream Wash

Hi there! today’s post is about L’Oréal’s Skin Perfection Gel-Cream Wash for dry and sensitive skin.

This fragrance-free and soap-free face wash promises to remove make-up and impurities, to reveal a better skin texture, and to make skin feel silky-soft.

I’ve been using this face wash for 2 weeks now, and I’m very happy with it.

I think this face wash is definitely gentle and non-drying. And when used with a sponge or a wash cloth (or similar), it’s a fantastic facial cleanser.

Whilst I agree that this face wash leaves my skin feeling soft, I haven’t noticed any improvement in my skin texture. However, this is still a great face wash, and I would recommend it!

It appears that L’Oréal is replacing its entire Skin Perfection collection. So if you want to try this face wash, or stock up before it’s sold out, you need to be quick! My local B&M Bargains store sells this face wash. It’s £1.99 for a 150ml tube which is great value! B&M also sells other Skin Perfection products (toner, cleansing milk, serum, day and night creams…), so you might want to swing by your local B&M too!

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Olay Anti-Wrinkle Facial Cleansing Products – Cleansing Milk, Face Wash & Toner

Hi there! A few weeks ago I bought a few new Olay products – they were on a better than half price offer (£2.95 each instead of £5.99 each), so I had to have them. Now meet Olay Anti-Wrinkle Cleansing Milk, Olay Anti-Wrinkle Face Wash and Olay Anti-Wrinkle Toner.

Olay’s Ani-Wrinkle cleansing products promise…
– to help reduce the appearance of fine lines,
– to improve dull skin,
– to make skin look and feel smoother,
– to maintain skin suppleness,
– to promote the renewal of skin cells,
– and to “fight signs of ageing as you cleanse” (that’s what it says on the back of these three products).

I’ve now used these products for three weeks. And if you read on, I’ll tell you what I think of Olay’s Anti-Wrinkle cleansing products.

I think the cleansing milk is quite effective. It removes my make-up very well, and it doesn’t cause any problems when I use it to remove my eye make-up. I think this cleansing milk makes my skin feel and look smooth and supple. Nice!

I really like the face wash. It reminds me very much of Olay’s Total Effects Face Wash – the texture and the fragrance are the same! I think this face wash makes my skin feel great. It’s creamy and it exfoliates my skin gently. It’s perfect for dry skin and for everyday use.

The toner is very nice too. It removes make-up and cleanser residue without problems, and it makes my skin feel clean and refreshed. Whilst I prefer the fragrance of Olay’s blue toner, I can’t find any issue with this toner.

I don’t think that any of these products have made a difference to my fine lines. But I really enjoy using these cleansing products because they make my skin feel great. In addition, I’m 35, so I can accept that the fine lines aren’t going away. 🙂

Olay’s Anti-Wrinkle cleansing products are available for £5.99 each. The toner and the cleansing milk are 200ml, the face wash is 150ml.

Mrs Strawberry Blonde