Spot Busting Solution | Harley Street Skin Care

Harley Street Skincare | Spot.Less Buster (100ml) | £20.00* | Link

If you've ever seen the programme 'Stitch me, Lift me, Tuck me' (try saying that one fast ;)), then you might be aware of Harley Street's Skin Care range.  The lovely folks over at Baobella asked if I'd like to sample one of their skin care products, I was really excited to say the least - Harley Street has a good reputation for it's skin care and beauty/cosmetic offerings. The 'Spot.Less Buster' is one of Harley Street's products from the 'Spot Less' range targeted at problem skin prone to breakouts and acne.  Now, my skin has never been acne prone, nor is it oily - I've been quite lucky and I only ever really get the odd spot here and there but just recently, at the grand old age of 22, my skin has took a turn for the worst after being on different medications and I have been in need of a little more help than what I'm used to.  Perfect timing then to try out the Spot.Less buster!

Formulated with salicylic acid (well know for it's spot-busting properties!), the 'Spot Buster' claims to be anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and will help to reduce oil production, unblock pores and prevent new spots from appearing as well as banishing existing ones.  It not only helps to kill off any nasties that you do have, but also prevents new ones from forming and the solution is suitable for all skin types (even sensitive skin - yay!) - it even claims to be formulated with anti-ageing properties which is all very well and good (of course, I cannot vouch for this just yet).  To use, you simply cleanse as normal, then cover any affected areas with the solution.  I personally prefer to spray onto a cosmetic cotton pad and simply dab over the entire area that looks a little worse for wear.  What I love about this product, is that compared with other spot-healing products on the market - this one targets an entire area rather than just being a topical treatment for one blemish.  As much as I love my Origins Super Spot Remover (featured in a post here), I often find that when my skin is being particularly troublesome, I want something to cover a larger area in order to prevent any new ones from forming rather than simply treating the breakout.

What I love about this product, is that you can apply it in the mornings under makeup and nobody would know.  If you're a fan of Origins or other similar spot treatments, you'll know that they dry out the skin and often can appear 'crusty' under concealer (yuk) making them more appropriate for night time treatment.  Spot Buster, although drying (as with all spot treatments), doesn't make the skin appear flaky or leave any noticeable residue so it's perfect for use in the mornings before applying your make up. When applied, it feels instantly cooling and you can feel it working it's way into your skin - stinging ever so slightly before disappearing.  It doesn't leave a film and it doesn't sit on the skin like a cream.  It's very much a 'spray and go' kind of product.  I apply morning and night to the effected area and have seen visible improvements to my skin.  I've been having a complete nightmare with it for the past couple of months (amazing what a bit of medicine can do to your skin!) and it's really helped keep breakouts at bay - killing off any spots that appear quickly and reducing redness and any swelling.  I don't suffer with cystic acne spots - purely just annoying little pimples now and again so I cannot say how it would fair on acne-prone, oily skin, but judging how it's worked for me I can imagine it would work on more problematic skin.

I've been so impressed with this little bottle and I've been using it non-stop since I got it. I even love the packaging - the blue glass bottle feels weighty and expensive - this spot treatment definitely means business! I will be placing an order for another one as soon as it runs out as it's worth every penny for me and it's something I can't live without now.  It's filled the gap in the market for an all-round good treatment for spot prone skin in general - it will work as either a topical treatment or as an all over treatment to prevent any breakouts forming and it's also great underneath makeup. It feels cooling to apply and you can feel it working as soon as it's in contact with your skin, tightening slightly and killing off any redness.  The only advice I'd give you is to spray in a well ventilated room - many a time I've coughed and spluttered my way out of the bathroom of a morning!  It doesn't bother me though - it just smells like you'd expect a spot treatment with a bit of 'punch' to smell.   I really, really love this product, and I will certainly be looking into purchasing more from the range (you can have a nosey here) - I have my sights set on the Pore Minimising Mask and Spotless Skin Renewal! Overall, I'm so impressed and Harley Street Skin Care gets a big thumbs up from me (they even have a mineral makeup range...intrigued much?!). You can purchase the Spot.Less Buster from their website for £20.00 here - I'm not yet sure of anywhere else which stocks it which is a shame - but I shall be keeping my beady eyes peeled as the range deserves to be more widely known! Thankyou very much Baobella for introducing me to such a fabulous brand.

Have you ever tried anything from Harley Street Skin Care? Would this be something you'd like to try?

Decleor Skincare | 4 Piece Collection

Decleor 4 Piece Mini Collection | £19.68* | QVC

Ever since I started blogging, my eyes have been opened to the world of skin care.  I've dabbled in quite a few products I might never have even heard of before and I've pushed myself to try new things.  Before Bird's Words I was very much a face wipe, quick cleanse and a dab of moisturiser kind of girl - I never really branched out much when it came to skin care. My skin has always been a bit 'iffy' - it's very sensitive and often has little blips if I chop and change too much or use things that are too harsh - but ever since starting my blog I like to think I understand my skin a great deal better. I'm definitely more in tune with my skin - never again shall I settle for your average facial wipe! 

Decleor is a brand I've always been familiar with, but never actually dipped my toe (or face..?) into. One of my ex-colleagues swore by their Hydra Floral moisturiser so when I got the chance to try their skincare range a couple of months ago, I jumped at the chance.  I thought I'd share with you my thoughts on the set and give you a little overview of the range for all you skin care nuts out there... 

| Decleor Aroma Cleanse |

Now then, when it comes to cleanser, I must admit that me and Liz Earle have got a very strong relationship going on, so to break from it seemed like I was cheating on one of my most loved products ever. I'm very partial to my hot cloth cleanser but nevertheless, I gave this cleanser a whirl.  It's very creamy in texture, and smooths onto the face easily.  It's function is what intrigued me the most - it's actually a 3 in 1 mousse cleanser - and cleanses, tones and smooths all in one step.  For somebody who doesn't enjoy spending huge amounts of time taking their makeup off of an evening, I was quite impressed with this.  It smells fresh, clean and natural - a scent which seems to run throughout the range.  My skin felt very smooth and soft after using and it felt very clean - like it had gotten every last scrap of makeup off my skin before bed.  Whether or not it will knock my usual hot cloth cleanser out of the water I'm not so sure, but it's a nice cleanser nonetheless and I'd repurchase in a small size for taking away with me for when my hot cloth routine isn't the most practical.

| Decleor Hydra Floral Moisturiser |

The moisturisers have to be my favourites from the set. I change my moisturisers very regularly due to my skin being so all over the place, and having a couple of them in my cabinet for when my skin calls for different levels of moisture is essential for me (awkward, I know...) The Hydra Floral moisturiser is really lovely - it sinks in quickly which is such a big plus for me. I hate applying moisturiser of a morning and having to wait an age for it to sink it - but this one soaks in very evenly and quickly and leaves a smooth even base.  It's not too heavy but definitely leaves your skin feeling quenched.  The scent is similar to that of the other products in the set - really light and fresh.  

| Decleor Essential Serum |

One thing I'm always a little scared of when it comes to skincare is oils and serums.  There's just something that doesn't sit right with me when it comes to applying oil to your face but I've always been intrigued by them.  I have some very faint scarring from back in my teenage years around my chin, and I've always wondered whether or not to dabble in the whole facial oil 'thing' as I've heard they can be quite beneficial for uneven skin tone or scarring.  I always steer clear of them purely because I'm afraid of them feeling like they're clogging up my pores.  I actually quite liked this one though - and I found it gave me an extra bit of 'oomph' when my skin needed it and smoothed over any dry bits.  I think I will find this more useful in winter when my cheeks begin to dry out a little more - but I found the overall effect of the serum quite nice. It's smoothing, smells light and doesn't feel greasy - which surprised me. It leaves the skin looking dewy and revitalised and a little definitely goes a long way (i apply quite sparingly as my skin isn't overly dry at the moment). All in all, I can see why people swear by skin serums and I'm saving some of this to sample again during the colder months to see if it makes a difference to my dry, winter skin.

| Decleor Aroma Night Moisturiser |

I think this one has to be the favourite of the bunch - although it's a toss up between this and the Hydra Floral.  I usually use a slightly thicker moisturiser at night, and I expected this to be of a creamier consistency to the Hydra Floral - but i actually found them quite similar.  During the summer months, my skin doesn't need heavy moisturisers and I often skip moisturising at all purely because I don't want to overload my skin - this is why the Aroma Night Moisturiser is ideal for me.  Having combination skin means its sometimes hard to find a balance between a heavy moisturiser and a lighter one - but this one is a really nice little inbetween and I've found it really nice to apply in the evenings after removing my makeup. I also find the smell really relaxing and it's a nice little treat before bedtime - Decleor's skin care is aimed at being de-stressing and all about pampering and I can totally see why with this little product.  I simply massage into my forehead and cheeks (the dry parts of my face) and smooth a little down my neck and it sinks in fairly quickly, leaving my skin feeling refreshed before bed -  I like that it doesn't 'sit' on the skin and it's become a lovely finishing step in my night-time skin routine.

'Combining methods of aromatherapy and pythotherapy since 1974, Decleor's award-winning range aims to revitalise your skin with essential oils whilst relaxing and de-stressing your entire being'

Overall, I've enjoyed using these products - I'll definitely be looking into purchasing the Aroma Night Moisturiser (my fave of the lot!) and possibly the Hydra Floral.  The cleanser is a really nice addition to my skin care cupboard and I reckon I'll end up purchasing a small size for when I'm travelling - I find it very easy to use and it leaves my skin feeling clean without all the 'faffing' around! I'm off to London for 5 days next week so I've saved the last little bit for taking away with me.  You can purchase the set for £19.68 from the QVC website - and it comes with a little wash bag and cloth (I've used it to massage the cleanser in and it's a handy little addition!) - it really is perfect for those of you who travel frequently. I'm certainly going to grab some mini products again for any holidays or trips. You can find QVC's selection of Decleor products here.

Have ever tried skin care from Decleor?

Nivea Daily Essentials | Express Hydration Primer

One thing that's very important in my daily regime is moisturising and priming my face ready for the day ahead.  I look far from bright eyed and bushy tailed when I first wake up in the morning so a good refreshing moisturiser is what I need in order to prep my skin.  I rarely apply my makeup without priming my skin first - I find it's such an important step and I can really tell if I've missed it out.  When I first heard of Nivea's Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer - I trawled the shelves of town in order to find a pot.  I've been trying it now for the past couple of weeks - and I must admit I do like it - but I do have mixed opinions on it. Let me explain why...

First off - I love the fact there are two versions of the primer depending on your skin type. I have normal/combination skin and don't have a great deal of dry or oily patches - so to have a version tailored for my skin type impressed me.. I often find moisturisers too heavy or too light for me so it was nice to have the choice between this one and the 'dry sensitive' version.  The consistency itself is really lovely - I find it very refreshing and the gel-like texture sinks in very quickly. It feels very fresh, light and cooling.  It provides a smooth, even base ready to apply your makeup and I find it does it's job with making your foundation base easier and smoother to apply to the skin.

As for the 'primer' qualities - I do agree it helps to keep makeup in place however, I still get on better with my trusty Loreal Studio Professional primer as I find it holds my makeup a great deal more.  If you have a long working day and need your makeup to stay put through a bit of hard graft then you might be better opting for a more heavy duty primer.  This said, I do find it makes a difference compared with when I haven't applied it at all- it certainly does help to smooth out your skin and gives it that lovely flawless finish.  I can imagine this will work better for me on holiday or in the height of summertime when I really don't fancy smoothing a layer of my usual primer onto my skin - it is very much a light, fuss-free base. It's a product I will most probably be packing in my suitcase when I jet away this year, that's for sure!   If you've tried primers in the past and hate the feeling of them then I really recommend giving this a try - it's just like a regular moisturiser just with that extra added benefit of providing a smooth base for your makeup. It does help it to stay a good couple of hours or so longer than if you hadn't applied it - its just there are better primers out there if you want a longer lasting finish.  If you're an 'on the go' kind of girl and just want to whack on a moisturiser and go - then I urge you to try this.  It's a really lovely product and I enjoy using it purely as a refreshing moisturiser when I need a bit of a boost of a morning.

Have you tried Nivea Express Hydration Primer? What were your thoughts?

Balance Me | Balancing Face Moisturiser

Balance Me | Balancing Face Moisturiser (50ml) | £24.00* | Link

One thing that shall always remain an important part of my daily cleansing routine is a good moisturiser.  My skin changes from season to season, and often calls for different levels of moisture depending on the weather - I have fairly normal skin, without any overly dry or 'greasy' patches, but it does tend to lean on the side of being a little bit 'combination' from time to time - being at it's most temperamental in cold weather conditions. A while back, I was contacted by the lovely people at Balance Me - a brand which promotes natural beauty products and skincare.  Their aim is to get more people to understand the benefits of using natural products - without all the added 'riff raff' of harsh chemicals and preservatives that our skin doesn't really need.  I'm a big fan of Balance Me's Wonder Eye Cream (honestly, if you haven't tried it and are in the market for a good eye cream that does what it says tube - grab some - your dark circles won't know what's hit 'em!) so I was superly duperly chuffed to try their 'Balancing Face Moisturiser' - it sounded like just what my temperamental skin needed.

I've been trying this moisturiser for quite some time now, and have grown to really like it.  The smell is quite strong - so for those of you who hate strong smelling natural products this might not be your cup of tea - but it's surprisingly relaxing.  I really do like the smell and have grown to really crave it in my cleansing routine! It smells quite floral/spicy - but not in an overly 'knock your socks off' way - just light, refreshing and relaxing  (forgive me, I'm certainly not good with describing scents by any means - evidently). The fact that it's tailored towards 'normal to combination skin' is perfect for me - I struggle to get a good balance going on with my moisturiser - they're either too oily/heavy or far too light - but this one seems just about right for this time of year.  It sinks in incredibly quick and is very smooth to apply.  I love how it doesn't sit on top of the skin like a film - it just sinks straight in, leaving your skin feeling really smooth and soft afterwards and not greasy in the slightest - making it ideal for applying in the mornings before you put your makeup on (it really does leave such a smooth base - I was really impressed by this).  What's great about it is that it doesn't irritate my skin or smother my pores! It's packed with vitamins and anti-oxidants which help to balance the skin, giving it the nutrients and all-round goodness it needs and helping to settle any redness. I have a slight red patch on one of my cheeks that doesn't seem to want to shift - but when I apply this at night, it seems to appear calmer and smoother when I wake up in the mornings. 

I apply this both morning and night whenever I feel the need - it's just a really nice little 'all-round' moisturiser that isn't harsh on the skin and gives my skin just the right amount it needs.  I'd say this would be suitable for most skin types - but maybe the extremes would benefit with a moisturiser tailored towards dry or oily skin.  It works a treat on any dry patches I have but bare in mind if you do have very dry skin it might not be 'quenching' enough (they do a rich moisture cream that might be of interest to you though!)  It's definitely a great option if you have combination skin - as it seems to balance the moisture in all the right areas and calms any redness or dodgy patches you might have.  It claims to be a great option for those of you who live in warmer climates - sadly, living in Britain, I can count the number of hot days we've had this year on one hand so I haven't been able to vouch for this - but I can see why it would be a great option. It's not at all heavy and it's one that I will be taking away with me on holiday! It's light enough for my t-zone but gives the right amount of moisture on the drier areas of my face. Overall, I've really enjoyed using this moisturiser and it is one I shall continue to use, and I really do agree with the 'balancing' claim - the fact it's all natural ingredients makes me happy too. It has solved my combination skin woes and it's been one of the only moisturisers I've ever used that I feel happy using both in the morning and at night. 

You can find the Balancing Face Moisturiser here.

Or find your 'skin solution' for your skin type here. (dry, sensitive, congested, combination, anti-ageing..)

If you're interested in the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream I briefly mentioned then you can find that here (one of my favourites!)

Have you tried Balance Me? Which products would you recommend?

Next on my list has to be their Skin Bright Hydrating Face Mist...I'm intrigued..