Idealist.

Estee Lauder –

Idealist Pore Minimising Skin Refinisher

“Dramatically refinish skin's appearance and texture. See more clarity, smoothness and luminosity as it helps your skin get rid of dry, dulling, flaky surface skin cells. See more highly refined, virtually poreless skin. Enjoy our most dramatic skin resurfacing benefits faster, more efficiently than ever before. Refines the look of uneven skin texture, flakiness and roughness. Pores appear 1/3 smaller - instantly. See more clarity, smoothness and luminosity. More highly refined, virtually poreless skin. Smooth on Idealist and instantly enjoy that soft, seamless, silky feeling you love. Includes 3 times more Glucosamine than original Idealist. Pore Diminishing Technology significantly shrinks the look of enlarged pores. Gentle-acting Chestnut Extract helps your skin get rid of dry, dulling, flaky skin surface-cells. It's as if you're seeing the skin you were born with, all over again: Virtually poreless and unbelievably soft and smooth. Skin looks incredibly clear and even-toned.”

-       Estee Lauder

Clear Difference Part 2.

Estee Lauder -

Clear Difference Advanced Blemish Serum & Targeted Blemish Treatment

When I bought their Clear Difference BB Crème they gave me a sample of their connected serum. I could tell just from using it a few weeks a slight difference in the amount of blemishes I was getting whilst using it, and they also seemed to heal a lot quicker. Therefore the next time I went passed an Estee Lauder counter I made sure to get a bottle. The box highlights it aims to ‘target, treat and reduces the look of blemishes effectively, yet gently with the proven power of salicylic acid, plus potent anti-irritants and skin purifying ingredients. Helps prevent the severity and frequency of future breakouts with continued use.’ I can’t explain how much I love this serum, it leaves the skin feeling fresh and glowing, and helps keep my skin clear. It is a bit on the pricey side, however I believe if something works, then it’s worth spending that little bit more on. I currently use it every night before my moisturiser and after I have cleansed, I was going to try it at night too during the times when I have quite a few spots, however I worry about it overly drying out my skin, so for now I think I’m just going to use it in the morning.

Whilst buying this, the consultant talked me into buying the Targeted Blemish Treatment. I had currently run out of the spot treatment I was using and therefore thought I would give it a go. Now. The product aims to ‘target and penetrate fast to rapidly reduce the size of blemishes while minimizing redness and irritation.’ This is something I can really say if it’s good or bad because I’m somewhat in the middle. I don’t really know if it does work spectacularly fast but it gets the job done, maybe just as fast as other blemish treatments on the market. However, the main downside to this treatment product, and the reason I no doubt wont buy it again is because it costs £25, however you only get 4ml of product which is tiny. 

If you compare this with a number of other similar products;

Origins Super Spot Remover, which is £15 for 10ml

Cliniques Anti-Blemish Solutions Clearing Gel, which is £14 for 15ml

Soap and Glory Dr Spot, which is £8 for 15ml

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, which is £14.50 for 29ml

As you can see, to me charging £25 for only 4ml is shocking. Another problem I have is with the very cool looking, but annoying applicator. You have to click the cartage to release just the right amount of product, then you role it onto the spot. However, product dries underneath the roller, and that’s product both wasted and lost.

Overall, I love everything about the Clear Difference Serum, its amazing and works so well. However for me the Targeted Blemish Treatment is a bit of a let down and ridiculously expensive, I don’t think ill be repurchasing it when it runs out.

Does anyone know any great Blemish Treatments that work really well?

Clear Difference.

Estee Lauder –

Clear Difference Complexion Perfecting BB Crème SPF 35

OK...I caved in and bought this little beauty. Mainly because it’s getting really sunny and I really don’t want to be walking round with a bright red face all summer, secondly…because I’m weak willed and have a make up/skincare addiction.

Estee Lauder explains; ‘this multi-function, oil-free BB Crème is the perfect complement to your Clear Difference blemish treatments. Instantly neutralises redness. Helps conceal blemish marks, pores and flaws with a specially formulated tint. With one touch, the lightweight formula hydrates, protects, perfects and soothes Controls oil and leaves skin looking soft, clear and naturally beautiful.’

The consistency of Estee Lauder Clear Difference BB Crème is between that of a tinted moisturiser and a thicker BB cream. It is easy to apply with fingers, which is my favourite way off applying it, mainly because I find its too thick for a brush. The coverage is sheer, however it evens out the complexion well. If you have any imperfections, it is time to bust your concealer out, because that would literally be your base done. I usually add a bit of Giorgio Armani maestro foundation over the top of the area that needs it; it gives just the right amount of coverage without anything too heavy. I also find just by adding that extra bit of coverage it helps conceal my pores that little bit better.

I really love that its got blemish fighting properties, I have been using it for the past month or so and its really helping my blemishes and/or keeping them away. However, I'm also using a new Estee Lauder serum which is incredible also so it could be a little help from that too, that's helping keeping my complexion unusually clearer. It doesn’t irritate my skin, and does a great job at cancelling out the redness in my skin. Like I’ve said before the SPF 35 is incredible, and especially in summer will be super at helping keep my face protected. SPF usually really upsets my skin, i think its due to how heavy SPF products tend to be, but I have had no issues with this, my skins really loving it.

Overall, I really like and foresee myself wearing Estee Lauder Clear Difference Complexion Perfecting BB Crème a lot...it may have even knocked my Dior Nude BB Creme off the top spot. It is mattifying (?) enough for summer, but not so mattifying (seriously have I made up this word?) that it starts looking powdery or caked on. The shade Medium is a perfect match for my skin tone, and I appreciate how they left the fragrance out!

SERIOUSLY..if you suffer with blemishes, you really need to try this little beauty.

Wish List.

I know I haven’t done one of these in a long time, but over the past few weeks during placement I haven’t been browsing round the shops as much as normal. However, there are a few things that have really caught my eye, and that I may even indulge in when I go to Manchester soon.

So lets begin...

Nars Kauai Duo Eye Shadow

This duo is part of NARS' High Seize Collection, the Kauai Duo Eye shadow is a highly pigmented pair of eye shadows in the shades Gold Lame and the purple-toned Iridescent Smokey Orchid. There are super pretty and incredibly pigmented. I really love that they can be used separately or together to create the must beautiful new shade.

Nars Malacca Eye Shadow

This eye shadow is described as an iridescent peacock colour. From the swatches I have seen of it, it’s a medium dark plummy brown with cool toned green shimmer-sheen and a frosted finish. I was worried it would be that bluish-teal-brown duo chrome that every brand has been rolling out recently but from what I can gather it’s a very beautiful mauve-plum-brown base that gets more mauve-y as you blend it out and apply more. I have seen so many swatches of this and it looks really pretty and something I don’t think (…) I have in my collections (I don’t think…) (Its definitely times like these I wish Nars Eyes shadows weren't so expensive...sadface)

Dior Addict Lip Maximize in Shade 3

I already own this in the original shade, which is a clear pink. However, they recently released it in a very pretty blossom pink shade, which give just the right touch of pink to the lips. Personally from trying them both I really think they have done something to this new shade because the maximizing properties in it seemed a little more intense and powerful and you could really feel it working, which I love.

The Body Shops All in One Instablur

Recently, I’ve really loved the new Kiehls blurring primer at the minute, however this has also had some amazing reviews. Its only just been released however it claims to control shine, reduce the appearance of pores, hide blemishes and extend make up. It’s a lot of high power claims, however I may have to nip in next time I need a new toner and ask for a nice little tester to see how ‘intrablurring’ it actually is.

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

Loved this little cleanser ever since I tried it, however the only problem is finding it to buy it. I have had to stick to the Body Shop Chamomile Cleansing Balm, which is good, but I prefer this little beauty. Its super lightweight and cleanses my face super well without leaving an oily residue behind. I really wish Clinique would get more of these in stock to shops because its really hard to find both in store and online, and its such a fantastic product.

Estee Lauder Clear Difference Complexion perfecting BB Crème SPF 35

Talk about a mouthful. OK I’m not going to lie, I swear by my amazing Dior Nude BB Crème, however its only an SPF10 and due to being pretty fair skinned, that means I end up spending the whole of summer with a super red burnt face…not a good look. Recently Estee Lauder fetched this little BB crème out which is aimed at people who have blemish prone skin, it claims to instantly neutralize redness, help to conceal blemish marks, pores and flaws and most importantly help treat blemishes. If that wasn’t enough it also states to hydrate, protect, perfect and sooth skin. Now, I don’t always believe what I read on the label because to be fair, they’re trying to sell a product at the end of the day. But seriously…this stuff is good! I went and got a cheeky little sample of this because the high SPF sometimes irritates my sensitive skin. It’s rich and creamy but lightweight at the same time, blending beautifully into the skin giving you just enough daytime summer coverage. The SPF being 35 is a great advantage because it means my face wont burn as much. Overall, I think when I run out of my Dior Nude BB crème I think I’m going to take a chance and purchase this, I haven’t experienced any improvements in my blemishes, but to be honest my skin is actually behaving and obviously I’m not going to get that many uses from a tiny sample pot. Trust me, when I do buy this bad boy and test it out properly, you can definitely expect a in-depth review of every inch of it.

Have any of you tried any of these products, if so whats your view on them?

Whats on your June Wish List?