Review: Aveeno Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream

I finally bought a new night cream! After running out of my wonderful Yes To Carrots night cream, I was too poor/lazy to buy a new one so I was using my Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying moisturiser, which was all fine and dandy but it was winter and my face now has sad dry patches from not being moisturised. But onto the positives - I now own the love this little wonder which I shall be reviewing today.

I've never used an Aveeno products before. I always assumed it was just an upmarket supermarket brand so I never really paid any attention, despite it being endorsed by numerous celebrities and bloggers alike. It wasn't until I saw this that I decided to try it out. What sold me was that it claims to fade dark spots, pigmentation and all those horrible things that life throws on our faces alongside being an intensive moisturiser.

I am so impressed with this, so so impressed. Firstly, the smell - it's so fresh and delicious. After my nighttime shower, I slather this all over my face and I instantly feel refreshed and awake again. I an feel it hydrating my face via the scent it has. I find the texture to be a little odd, it's like a cream but a gel? I find it difficult to scoop out (it doesn't come with a scoop, shame on you Aveeno) because I have to use my fingers. This is perhaps my only gripe because as soon as it touches my face, I forget.

This product does what it says too. I never get pimples on my cheeks but literally about 2 months ago, I got one on each cheek which left the worst red marks ever, even though I left them well alone. I have smothering the pesky marks with blemish fade creams but after using this for a week, I've noticed a considerable difference. The red marks are both smaller and fading much faster. I really should read the ingredients to see what it is that's working because it's working well.

I do have a few minor issues with it. The box it comes in is overly large considering the size of the pot itself (I do not like faux false advertising when it comes to beauty products) and the odd consistency and lack of scoop-like thing is a little frustrating but the product itself works so well that it barely matters. I love how moisturising it is, all my little dry patches are disappearing, I love the smells, how well it works - I am just generally impressed and now I'm super keen to try more products.

I got this at Farmers for $24.99NZD, which is pretty good for a night cream. With products like this, I would normally prefer to buy higher end products but this is such a good deal and it delivers, so I'm super pleased that my budget didn't really restrict me this time around.

What is your best budget skin care find?

xo Bridget

Review: The Aromatherapy Company Rose & Patchouli Hand and Body Lotion

Please ignore my sad, discarded brushes in the background and the horrendous 'garden' outside my window.

I've only recently gotten into the good habit of moisturising after showering. I have been using the Ro's Argan Body Conditioner by Lush but nothing beats the real thing. I actually got this in candle form for Christmas and loved it so much that I bought the matching moisturiser!

I love this stuff, especially for after showering because it smells delicious without being overpowering and it sinks in so quickly! I have used many delicious smelling moisturisers in my time but none have been as good as this. It's also quite thick but easy to rub in, I find I only need to use one pump per body part (is this normal??) but, as you can see, I still have plenty left after many uses.

Unfortunately, I don't know how available this is outside of New Zealand, due to it being made here but it's a high quality brand so I'm sure it's floating around department stores somewhere. Price wise, it is rather expensive. I bought this for $16.99NZD (an exam time treat) but unless you're buying supermarket brand moisturisers, you'd be looking at this price anyway.

It's well worth it though - the smell is amazing, sinks in quickly and you can fell your skin sucking uo the moisture, especially if yours is as winter-parched as mine is.

Have you discovered your perfect post-shower moisturiser?

xo Bridget

♡ My Top 5 Summer Essentials ♡

It's still cold and horrible winter here but I have my eyes set firmly on summer - and what will be on my face. I'm lucky enough to be going away for 2 weeks in January to Nelson to soak up the sun, so naturally I've already started a list of what I want to bring and what I need to buy. I decided that while I'm organising myself, I'd help you guys out who are probably experiencing much warmer weather than I am right now. So here we have my top 5 Summer essentials (AKA what I plan on having plenty of once the weather hits the double digits).

Review: Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait

Winter has not been kind to my lips. I prefer matte lipsticks but I realised the harsh temperatures we've been having have taken a toll on my lips so I decided to check out the Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butters. I really wanted Juicy Papaya but they apparently don't sell it here in NZ so I settled on Peach Parfait - a nude/pink shimmer that looks subtle but gorgeous.

Review: The Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Toner + Mattifying Moisture Lotion

I've already said it, but I'll say it again - I love this stuff. The Body Shop's seaweed range has been a real life saver for my face. After using these products, my skin has improved tenfold. I highly recommend these if you have acne prone skin, scarring or just want your complexion to improve.