Review: Soap & Glory Hot Cloth Cleanser

A few weeks ago my skin decided to break out in the worse rash to man.  I think it was just an allergic reaction to Rescue Oil - Bio Oil's cheaper imitation - and it did clear up after a week or so but I decided to use it as an excuse to shake up my skincare routine.

I don't know about you but sometimes when I go into Boots/Superdrug I become totally overwhelmed with the choice, faff around looking at everything and usually leave perplexed and empty handed.
WELL, this time I decided to pick one brand and try all the products - yes I'm a bit OCD like that...!

The final choice?  The famous and fantastically girly Soap and Glory.

Obviously I didn't buy all the products in one go but I'm working my way down the list..!

First up we have..

The Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser

What Soap & Glory say...

It cleans, it smoothes, it melts away makeup! A 3-in-1 concentrated deep purifying formula with a natural blend of revitalising aromatic essential oils for an all round FAB PORE™ complexion.

What’s inside that counts?

• A blend of cleansing and invigorating essential oils, orange, lavender, clary sage and rose geranium help to cleanse and refresh the skin, leaving a smoother, brighter and clearer complexion.

• Rich nourishing and conditioning oils of sweet almond, cocoa butter and coconut help to smooth and moisturise the skin

• Conditioning panthenol and vitamins.

Suitable for all skin types

Squeeze out a generous splodge of Soap & Glory The Fab Pore™ Hot Cloth Cleanser, divide it between the pads of your fingers, and then massage onto your face and neck for at least sixty seconds. (Concentrate most on your nose, chin, or other clog-prone spots.) Leave on for another minute (if you're too 'type A' to wait, fill the time by flossing) then rub it all off with a warm, wet muslin cloth.

What I say...

It does exactly what it promises!

The products comes out of it fantastically retro silver tube in the form of a luxuriously thick cream.  I put a pea sized amount on my chin, cheeks, nose and forehead and massage in before rubbing a generous amount into my eyes to get rid of all that shadow, liner and mascara.  Will you look like a panda?  Yes.  Will it sting?  Not a bit - and I have really sensitive eyes.

I leave it for a minute or so to then wipe it all off with the muslin cloth included.  I think this is what makes your skin feel so soft as you are technically exfoliating your face at the same time.  Also, as you rub it into your eyelashes you can get every scrap off mascara off.

I then splash my face with some water and voila!  My skin is left feeling squeaky clean and gorgeously soft.  I can honestly say my skin has never felt so soft or looked so good in a long time.  I've also had no breakouts at all since I purchased it...touch wood!

RRP £8.99 at Boots

Has anyone else tried this?  How does it compare to Liz Earle's version??

xx

Next up .... No Clogs Allowed Deep Pore Detox Mask

Working girl & some snaps

I have been working my little behind off so apologies for the lack of posts everyone!

This does however mean money and therefore some lovely purchases have been made :)  Look out for some hauls, Soap and Glory reviews and perhaps a sneak peak at my shoe and bag collections?  Let me know what you might like to see!

Big snogs to all my lovely followers too xoxo

xoxo

NOTD: Rose Libertine

This colour is just so delicious - I must have bought 5 or 6 bottles of it since it came out last year.  And that is saying something for a nail polish whore like me..!

It is such a fantastic colour, I never really know how to describe it?  Coral/peach/salmon?!  Either way, it's beautiful and I love it on my fingers and toes.

The application

It now comes with one of those snazzy '1 second' rounded brushes and it does make the application easier but it is by no means '1 second'.  A good three coats are needed but it does dry quickly so that isn't a great pain.

The price

The standard £3/£4 mark in Superdrug/Boots etc.

Overall

Definitely one of my all time favourites.  I always need this in my collection and always seem to get compliments when I decorate my nails with it!  A perfect Summer polish :)

June Favourites

• MaxFactor Second Skin Foundation - For days when I want slightly more coverage than a tinted moisturiser this does the job perfectly.  It evens my skin out with a dewy finish but my freckles are still visible - perfect for when I don't want to look too made up.

• Elf mineral foundation - Perfect for setting my make up in this weather and giving some coverage at the same time.  Be warned though - even the lightest shade is still pretty dark..

• The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Blusher Kabuki - I bought this last Summer and have literally used it every day since.  I use it for powder and honestly don't know what I'd do without it.  It is probably the softest brush I own and it just buffs in powder beautifully.  The best part?  I got it for a steal off eBay..

• Barry M 147 Lipstick - I am honestly in love with this colour!  I was so distraught that I lost it last weekend after one too many vodkas that I rushed out and bought two...as you do!  It is a perfect peachy-corally-pink and looks as good on the cheeks as it does on the lips.  It is however, like it's 101 sister, extremely drying and always needs a lip balm under.

• MAC Hush CCB & Sonia Kashuk Flat Top Brush  - These two work so well together - the brush picks up the perfect amount of product and allows it to be buffed all the way along the cheekbone for a gorgeous dewy finish.

• BB Creamy Concealer - Heavy duty enough to cover my dark circles but doesn't cake or collect in fine lines.  When set with the powder provided it stays put all day and makes my eye area look bright and awake even when all I want to do is crawl back into bed!

• Bourjois Liner Effect Mascara - If you've followed my blog for a while you'll know I gave this a pretty negative review a while ago.  However, I have to say sorry to Bourjois and admit I now love it.  I guess it has dried up a little and it is now the perfect consistency to work with.  Yes, the brush is still fiddly but when I have the time and patience, it can result in the most amazingly lengthy lashes.  Its not perfect, but pretty damned near :)  

And finally...

Decorated coral toe nails - I refuse to leave the house in Summer without my feet looking their bestest!  And this has been my design of choice so far this year.... simple but effective!  

The shoes?? KG and beautiful but they are the DEVIL - no pain, no gain I guess?!!

Out and about this week - Clothes, Make up, Hair & Nails

Dress: Camden Market

Belt: ASOS

It has been so beautifully hot this week that I have spent most of my time in the garden but when needs must and I've had to pop out, I've chosen this dress a fair few times.  It's far too hot to be faffing about with multiple items of clothing so I've just thrown this on, belted up and gone about my business!  The make up has been super-natural - Nivea young tinted moisturiser; any mascara and a clear gloss.

Nivea Young Tinted Moisturiser

L'oreal Studio Secrets HD Smoothing Foundation

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer

ELF Mineral Foundation - to set

No 7 Mosaic Bronzer - to contour

MAC Hush Cream Colour Base - highlight

No 7 Pink Petal Blush

MAC Bare Canvas Paint - all over lid

Zara black eyeshadow - in crease & outer third

No 7 grey/silver - blended into black 

ELF Medium Eyebrow Kit

Prestige Silk Lipliner

Barry M 147 Lip paint

Jemma Kidd Shell Lipgloss

Earrings: Accessorize

Hair: Styled as in my hair routine

A bit more glam for a night on the town!  I did nearly die from the heat when getting ready though - 28 degree weather + hair dryer + curling tongs = a melted George ...!

Nails of the week: OPI - Got a date to-knight

I really cannot fault this polish - gorgeous wearable pink, applies very smoothly and this photo is after 5 days of wear.  One of my faves for sure!!

Soap and Glory Haul and Challenge

Afternoon ladies!

I was contemplating doing a skin care routine but on Monday my skin decided to come out in the most terrible rash known to man.  I have absolutely no idea what caused it but decided to use it as an excuse for some brand spanking new products.

I was contemplating waiting a few weeks to start my new job and invest in some Liz Earle.  But, the reality is, the Soap and Glory range excites me much more and the products will look so much prettier lined up in my bathroom!

When I got to Boots I decided on two products for now but that I will attempt to buy all the products - suitable for my skin - by the time I go back to Manchester in September.  

[This very much pleases the OCD side of my personality and I cannot wait to start ticking my way down the list...!]

The products I did purchase are the brand's take on a 'Hot Cloth Cleanser' and a deep cleaning face mask.  I want to use them for a few weeks to see how they really work but for now I can say the packaging is gorgeous and so far, they products are helping to clear my skin up.

Keep your eyes peeled for full reviews soon :)

Marathon project 20 pan update

Well, I'm not quite sure when I started this little experiment but it feels like a lifetime ago and I am well an truly fed up with it.  Yes I broke down today and bought some new goodies - haul time soon! (Smiles all round..!)

Did I reach 20?  No

Did I learn some things?  Yes

Here's a little run down of what I did manage to use up:
(beware - it is a LONG post.  I completely understand if nobody makes it to the end..!)

1. Aussie Dual Personality Curl Definition and Soft Feel Serum

Meant to 'revive and separate curls & keep your hair soft and curvy.' 

For me, I like the smell (typical Aussie) and it does make my hair soft.  Softer then any other serum?  Well, no not really.  As for the curls - I have come to realise my hair is more wavy than curly and I sadly don't think any product will give me the movie star curls of my dreams.

Will I repurchase? NO

       2. Olay Beauty Fluid

A classic product that is suitable for all skin types.  

I just found it a bit blah.  The fact that it is suitable for all skin types just makes me think that it doesn't really do anything??  It didn't mattify, didn't really hydrate, it was just there.  In the end I just ended up using it for my elbows etc when in a rush.  I think this is more suited for a more mature skin that doesn't really a specific type of skincare.

Will I repurchase? NO (Until I hit my 60s anyway...!)

       3. Tek.nique Straightener Spray

This bottle which I picked up from Sally's promises a multitude of things.  Smooths and detangles; adds body and lift; protects from heat; sun protection - to name just a few...

In reality, the heat protectant is its only real use for me.  I most definitely still had to use serums and hair sprays etc to get the smoothness and volume I so wish for..

Will I repurchase? NO

      4.  Nivea Goodbye Cellulite - Anti-Cellulite Gel Cream

I actually won this from a magazine a good few years ago so I can't really give a definitive review as any active ingredients will have faded away in that time.  What I will say, it does feel lovely and cooling on the skin but I'm not sure I believe a product can help with the dreaded cellulite.  I personally saw no results but then I only had enough product left for a week's worth of usage.  I'd love to know if anyone actually had any real results..

Will I repurchase?  Probably not

    5. L'oreal Elvive Styliste Non-Stop Volume Mousse

Unfortunately this had no effect on my hair whatsoever :(  I really couldn't tell the difference if I used it or not and backcombing and hair spray was still a necessity.  I do have quite long, heavy hair though so for all you trendy girls with pixi hair cuts, this may work wonders! 

Will I repurchase? NO

    6.  John Freida Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Perfector

Oh my days I hate it.  I rarely say that but I honestly hate it.  It just turned my hair into a horrible crispy mess. Not even a slightly-crispy-beachy-I'm-cool-with-my-Ke$sh-inspired-hair-mess.  Just a crispy, crunchy mess.

Will I repurchase? NO

    7. Fructis Bamboo Flexihold Hairspray

I actually...wait for it....really like this! Wheyyyy!  It smells like Apple Sourz and gives me hair lots of volume and hold.  Perfect!

Would I repurchase? YES!!!!

   8. Boots Time Delay Gradual Tanning Moisturiser

I think I bought this on a whim with one of those £5 off vouchers that are always floating about.  This actually smells like a really expensive cream and does make my skin feel soft and rejuvenated.  Unfortunately, it makes my eyes water an insane amount and does not give me any hint of a tan.

Would I repurchase? NO

  9. L'oreal Perfect Clean

I absolutely love the scrublet that comes with this product but that is as far as the love goes.  I am technically cheating with this as I haven't used it up at all but it unfortunately broke me out so I don't want to risk using it again.  I have heard great things about this though so don't take my word on this.  I do really want to try the other versions for sensitive skin and exfolation.

Would I repurchase? Not this version

  10.  Simple Oil Balancing Moisturiser

I bought this years and years ago when I had quite oily skin as a teenager.  It therefore is no surprise that this smells very weird as it most probably went out of date a long time ago.  I did give it a try for a few weeks though and I have to say it is very good at mattifying the skin.  However, as my skin is now more dry than oily, it just holds no use for me anymore.  I would recommend it though to anyone with an oily complexion.

Would I repurchase? NO

   11. Dior Capture Totale

This was thrown into a bag when I made a Dior purchase and I never really gave it a second thought.  I have used up the entire pot now though and it is a gorgeous cream.  I think it is probably aimed at an older age group than myself but it did feel really luxurious.  It is very thick and for this reason I only applied it at night to allow it to sink it.  It smells amazing and I did wake up to amazingly soft skin in the morning but for right now I  cannot justify actually buying a full size pot.

Would I repurchase? Perhaps in the future

  12. Superdrug Natural High Brightening Eye Cream

I love this eye cream.  It is cheap as chips, really readily available and makes my undereyes visibly more moisturised.  It contains arnica which is typically used for bruises and therefore really reduces the blueness than can occur under the eyes.

Would I repurchase? Absolutely yes

Conclusions?

All pretty negative really?!!  I guess the reality is, the fact that I didn't use up these products in the first place speaks volumes.  If I had liked them in the first place, they wouldn't be sitting gathering dust.

What have I learnt?

A)  My hair is wavy; not curly.  It therefore will always require heat to achieve any sort of desirable style.  Any products I buy from now on will therefore be for keeping my hair in tip top condition, protecting it from heat styling and for keeping it set in a style for as long as poss.

B) My skin is now basically normal but on the dry side.  I need to focus on protecting it from the sun, keeping it hydrated & plumped up and attempting to even it all out.  I am not 16 anymore! Don't I know it...!

Got this far?!  I salute you - I am bored with myself!