Simple skin care

I've been going through the ringer with my skin lately. It's been getting so oily towards the evening that my make up has been separating on my skin and just generally looking a bit.....crap. Its also getting a lot more sensitive so a lot of products I've tried have really aggravated it. It's been going through so many changes, both internal and external, that keeping on top of it is proving a challenge. Gone are the days when a quick scrub at night did the job.

We all know about the Simple skincare brand, it's a store staple. I've tried a few of their offerings, but being a bit curious I tend to float from brand to brand. Simple products are packed full of natural skin loving ingredients, and 0 preservatives. 

My first port of call was the Kind to skin Micellar water. I love this product! It's all natural and really removes every trace of make up, even waterproof liner or mascara. It also leaves my skin feeling spotlessly clean and refreshed. 

To help combat my new found oil problem I chose an Oil Balancing facial scrub and Oil Balancing daily moisturoiser. I use the scrub every 1-2 days, and the moisturoiser every day religiously. The both promise to cleanse and nourish the skin while helping to eliminate shine. But do they?

I've been using them every day for just over a week and I have to say that I am noticing a difference! It's small, but when it comes to skin care every little helps! I'm definitely going to continue using them to see the full effects, and will definitely be buying the micellar water again!

At the time of purchase all Simple skin care was coming in around the €3-5  and was on a 3 for 2 offer, so those 3 only cost me €6 at the till!

Oriflame blogger meet up in Avoca

This afternoon I had the absolute privilege of heading along to the Oriflame event held in the beautifully quaint surroundings of Avoca in Dublin. A lot of you may have heard of Oriflame, but not know an awful lot about it, I know I didn't! Funnily enough, my mam knew a lot about it, and when I mentioned them said she hadn't heard of them in years! Oriflame is a make up brand similar to Avon in that it's only available to order and not in store. Since Avon pulled out of Ireland there's been a HUGE gap in the market for a catalogue make up brand, and the long standing Oriflame are really upping their game to fill that gap.

Upon arrival we were greeted by a glass of prosecco and extremely friendly staff members and given a brief overview of the company, as a lot of younger bloggers in particular wouldn't know a lot about the band. We were encouraged to have a look and play with some of the products, which were displayed beautifully I must add. Seriously, whoever was in charge of laying out the room deserves a very hearty pat on the back, it was really stunning and showed off the products in the best light.

After a drink, a chat, and a bite to eat we were sat down to a demonstration by a make up artist. She showed us 2 looks, nude and a dramatic smokey eye, using all Oriflame products. Fair dues to the make up artist, who's name has just escaped me, she did an absolutely stellar job. She was personable and bubbly, but still professional and made the already stunning model look absolutely fantastic. Seriously, this model.... I've never felt eyebrow envy like it in my life!

After the demonstration we were handed empty bags and told to go around the room and take whatever products we wanted to try. They had laid out everything from foundation to cleanser, there was really nothing more you could have asked for. Handing a beauty blogger an empty bag in a room full of cosmetics is an EXTREMELY dangerous thing to do, so kudos to Oriflame for that! I have never received such a generous goody bag in all my blogging life!

You can rest assured that my blog will heavily feature Oriflame over the next few weeks. I have so many products to sift through, and I'm really excited about having a play with every one of them! I have to say a huge thank you to Oriflame for their hospitality and generosity. I may not have known a lot about the brand going in, but I am definitely a lot more interested in them now. As is my mother, who has ransacked my goody bag and staked her claim on some of it!

Garnier Perfect Blur Primer

I was quite excited about this primer because generally Garnier's skin care products are spot on for me. I got it on special for €8.52 in Macabes pharmacy and I'm very glad I didn't pay full whack for it.

The only good thing I have to say about it is that the outer packaging is quite pretty.

Now on to the bad stuff....

It comes in a tube that is made of quite a tough plastic. The tube fills with air and you have to squeeze it really hard to get the product out. It'd be very inconvenient for anyone with any issues with their hands.

It doesn't really do what it claims to do.  It does eliminate shine a bit, but does next to nothing for open pores or imperfections.

It leaves your skin unbelievably greasy. My make up just wouldn't stay put. If I even touched my face my make up would come off because the primer left such a greasy, slidey base. In the end I just had to take it all off and start again.

If you're thinking of buying this, don't. There are plenty of cheaper primers that do a much better job!