Bargains with Cosme-De

If you're a regular reader of Makeup-Pixi3 you might well know I've worked with the lovely people over at Cosme-de on quite a few occasions over the past year, most recently on the Benefit lip gloss giveaway I hosted for them.

Well the brand has just turned 7 years old (awwww) and to celebrate they have a big offer on where you can buy lot of their products at discount prices.

I was also a very lucky little blogger and was sent some treats to try out (squeee!).  Possibly my favourite has been the perfume Lady Million by Paco Robanne, I can't get over how amazing this smells.  It's sweet and slightly floral but not overpowering or sickly with either scent.  I think this might be the most beautiful scent in my collection, overtaking the #1 spot which was previously Touch of Pink by Lacoste - this just smells so much more refined, but so wearable as an every day scent. I love the unusual bottle too - it doesn't stand upright, which makes it quite different from others.

Another iconic product that Cosme-de are selling is the moisturiser Embryolisse - you know the one loved by models and makeup artists.  Well, while this isn't a big old review of it, I can give you a bit of a first impression.  I've been using it for about a week (this is why it's not a full on review).  Since using it my skin has been feeling so lovely and soft.  I did have some dry patches cropping up on my cheeks, but this has really helped stave that off and make it hydrated again.  It's currently discounted to $19 on Cosme-de which is around the £13 mark so not a bad price at all. 

Last and by no means least, is the Dior Addict Lip Glow Colour Awakening Balm (what a mouthful!). It's a beautiful soft pink lip balm in a lipstick form. It gives your lips a beautiful soft pink glow that looks really natural, kind of 'your lips but better' which makes it go well with pretty much any makeup look your'e going for (unless you're going for a bold lip!). My lips have felt really hydrated when I've been using this - it's not greasy either, it's soft and buttery.  This is currently $26 on Cosme-de, which is around the £17 mark.

All these products are part of their 7th anniversary discount selection - you can see their full range here if you want to bag yourself a bargain.  If you plan on buying a couple of things an spending over £110 ($169) you could also pick up Frances the teddy bear as an anniversary freebie (order needs to be in by 6th May

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*Post contains PR samples

Origins Plantscription moisturiser

I've been using this little baby for a while now and wanted to give it a proper road test before I shared my thoughts with you on it.

You probably know I'm a sucker for Origins skincare.  I started off with a complimentary facial from them (which anyone can get you just need to book in), and then bought their Ginzing face moisturiser and their Ginzing facial scrub cleanser (both reviewed here).  So when the opportunity arose to try their Plantscription, I was pretty excited.

It's completely different to the Ginzing products, they're more of a lightweight gel texture (fast absorbing), while this is much heavier and thicker, making it perfect for Autumn/Winter when it's windier and drier.  

It absorbs pretty fast and feels really hydrating and nourishing, it's a very luxurious feeling cream and you only need a really small amount as a little goes a long way (that's what I like to hear from a £50 moisturiser!).

It's place in my skincare routine is in the morning, I use this after washing my face.  It prepares my skin well for foundation, or just the day ahead (in the evening I use a cleanser like Liz Earle C&P or Michael Todd honey & oat, then the Kiehls Midnight recovery serum).

I like to keep my skincare simple and not over-complicate things, I feel like my skin is at it's best when it's not being bombarded with different products, which is why I often refuse skincare reviews that are offered to me as I don't like to try to many different things out, I find my skin doesn't respond well after a while.

I feel that the Ginzing products are better for the Summer or warmer months as they're so light, and this is well suited for Winter.  I've been really pleased with it, it hasn't broken me out, I haven't reacted to it, and after using it my skin feels lovely and soft.  It's just a shame it's quite expensive, as now that I'm on maternity leave it's not something I'd be able to afford to replace.  If you're interested in picking one up for a present, or just a little treat for yourself, you can find it here, or at your local Origins counter.

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*Post contains PR samples

Origins Ginzing skincare - my saviours

A few days ago I wrote a blog post about how my skin had been transformed by some new skincare I was using.  Before this change my skin was rough to touch and very dry (not something I'm used to, I typically have very oily skin).  I'd been using my old go-to moisturisers on a daily basis which just weren't doing anything.  I was using the Nivea pure and natural day moisturiser and the Dr Organic argan night moisturiser.  I was even using Origins Drink Up intense mask, but again, nothing... 

I decided I needed to invest in some really good skincare, not a £5 Nivea one that was no-longer working, but something a little better than that.  So I headed to the Origins counter and explained the trouble I was having with my skin and what I was after.  They recommended the Ginzing energy-boosting moisturiser.  I wasn't after a gel-type texture, but after trying this on the back of my hand (and smelling it!) I was sold.  She also showed me the newly released Ginzing facial scrub cleanser, it's gentle enough to be used daily but good at polishing off any dry skin.  Well, she demonstrated it and once again, I was old!

Anyway, 10 mins later and about £41 lighter, I headed home with my new purchases.  The moisturiser came with a mini Ginzing eye cream and mascara (which was missing from the box - but I'm not bothered about that).  I've been using them for about... 3 weeks now and feel ready to report back on how effective I've found them :)

Ginzing facial scrub cleanser

I've been using this about 5 days a week in the evening before I go to bed.  It smells amazing, very orangey and contains little pieces of jojoba and carnauba wax which help to exfoliate your skin.  It builds up into a very slight gentle lather and rinses off really easily.  After this, I just pat my skin dry and move onto the next bit...

Ginzing energy-boosting moisturiser

I've been using this day and night (the lady on the counter said it's fine to do that) and can honestly say, I adore it.  It sinks right into my skin leaving no oily residue at all in a matter of seconds.  It smells wonderful (think clementines) and a little really goes a long way.  It's formulated without: parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, paba, petrolatum, paraffin, dea, synthetic fragrance and animal ingredients - so pretty free from the nasty stuff.

What I love about this, you know how sometimes with gel-like moisturisers, if you put them on at night, and then in the morning wash your face, it feels kinda slimy when you're rinsing it?  Well, that doesn't happen with this, it feels like instead of just setting on your skin, it really absorbs and does some good.

I've been able to wear foundation again thanks to this little pair getting rid of a lot of my dry skin, and it's reduced redness on my skin and made my skin a lot more even.

I really can't rave enough about these two, in my opinion they were worth every penny.  I'll be buying replacements before the baby comes while I can still afford it!

 

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MitoQ moisturising anti-ageing serum

 ** MitoQ moisturising anti-ageing serum, £79* from MitoQ.com **

This is, hands down, the most luxury moisturiser I've ever used.  Yes, it's also the most expensive, retailing at £79*, it'll set you back a pretty penny.  But, what do you get for your money?  How is it different from the £5.50 Nivea pure and natural moisturiser I usually use?  Well, I'll tell you!

First off, I want to say, I get really nervous reviewing skincare, it's such a personal thing, what works for one person won't necessarily work for everyone else, so when I'm given something of significant value, I cross all my fingers that it'll work for me, which doesn't always happen, luckily for me, it did here :)

They say "MitoQ® protects cells from the increasing oxidative stress associated with age and returns skin cells to optimal function. MitoQ® supports youthful collagen and elastin production - the key building blocks of healthy skin."

The moisturiser is hypoallergenic and fragrance free.  A full size bottle should last you just over 2 months, which works out to be just over £1 a day, which isn't too bad when you think about it like that.

In recent weeks I've completely changed up my skincare routine.  I've stopped using Bioderma (after reading LMC's blog post), instead I've gone back to my Liz Earle C&P to remove my makeup, I'm also using a new day cleanser (blog post on that coming soon!), a new eye cream (blog post on that coming soon too!) and this moisturiser.

As a result, my skin has never been in better condition, whether it's solely down to this moisturiser, or a combination of all the changes, I can't really say.  All I know is the MitoQ absorbs into my skin really quickly without leaving an oily residue, it sits perfectly underneath makeup and I've been using it morning and night.  My skin has become so good, I don't wear foundation everyday anymore, it's actually becoming the exception for me to wear it! How crazy is that!?

I love this moisturiser, I was really hoping I wouldn't just because I don't really want to spend £79 on another bottle!  In all honesty I won't be repurchasing it just because of the price, it's just not something I could afford, if I could, I certainly would :)

This months Biggest-Pixi3 advertiser is the lovely Ash from A Beauty Moment

 

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Nivea express hydration primer

My first experience of this was in the form of a little sachet inside a magazine.  I'm a big fan of Nivea's skincare so was excited to give it a try.

That was back in the day of my spending ban, well, once I was off it and I remembered that this little beauty existed, I hastily rushed out to purchase one for myself.  Typical of most primers, a little goes a long way.  It's consistency and texture is just like their Pure & Natural day moisturiser which I'm a massive fan of, and holey attribute my skin now being clearer to.  This primer creates a perfect base for your BB cream or foundation without it clogging up your pores.  I found that my foundation looked better for longer when I was using this, typically lasting for a good 12 hours before I started looking patchy.  It dries to a non-oily or greasy finish and doesn't leave any residue on your skin, unlike some of the more gel type ones, which can roll off your skin at the sides, yeah... they don't work for me.

Aside from thinking it's great and generally loving it, it also comes with a great price tag, just £4.99 and it is also available for sensitive skin.  You could also use it in place of moisturiser as the product itself is very moisturising :)

This months Bigest-Pixi3 advertiser is the lovely Hayley from Water Painted Dreams

 

Written by Georgina Kent