This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
Nowadays, we expect our skincare and even our make-up to work very hard for us. Beauty companies make huge promises that anyone with common sense will know cannot happen. We try to find products that at least are either good for our skin and/or enhance it. Grace and I accept our age, our inevitable wrinkles, our laughter lines, our skin imperfections, but we still try to give our skin and hair the best products available that are not necessarily the most expensive – see the Maybelline mascara below.
PRAI BEAUTY AGELESS UPPER ARM CREME
Grace has had great success with the Prai neck creme – see Instagram video, and I reviewed the Prai products for necks over three years ago (see post). I have continued to use these cremes with great results. More recently, Prai has introduced an Ageless Upper Arm Creme into their range, and they asked me to review it.
I have to admit that at first, I kept forgetting to massage the creme into my arms both in the morning and the evening, but I have now incorporated it into my beauty routine.
Does it work?
I definitely feel that my upper arms looks less crepey, and I can wear sleeveless tops with some confidence. I love the very delicate minty smell. I also think the twice daily massaging to an area so often forgotten is good for the upper arms. It is so easy just to cover them up, but why not try to improve the skin’s texture and appearance?
Since the product is easy to apply and sinks into the skin quickly, leaving no sticky residue, I think I will continue using it and buy another tube when this one is finished.
For more info, click HERE.
BAEBROW NIGHT & DAY BROW LASH GROWTH & CONDITIONING DUO
I love this product’s marketing line: “if your brows and lashes are in Struggletown, this blend of oils encourages growth over time.” As I get older, I think the whole of my body is in Struggletown desperate to get out. The good news is that my brows and lashes are leaving Struggletown now, as I have been using the Baebrow lash and brow serum for three weeks.
One of my brows had a bare patch; I had more hair growing on my chin than in some places on my brow. However, after three weeks of using the serum, the hair is growing back. Combine that with some Baebrow Lash tint, and I am good to go. The tint is easy to apply, and you only leave it on for 2 mins then, with a cotton wool pad and some Micellar water, you can wipe the tint off, leaving lightly tinted brows without making you look like a member of the Addams family.
Interestingly the serum on my eyelashes has meant my lashes are growing much thicker – I apply it every evening, and unlike some other eyelash serums, it does not sting my eyes. I already have quite long lashes, so the length is not an issue.
Finally, the last product I trialled from Baebrow was their Brow conditioning gel which continues the good work of the night serum.
I would highly recommend this brand and its products, which are very reasonably priced.
We have a reader offer: If you spend over £50 you will get a free facial roller (worth £36). If you click on this link the roller has been added automatically and then you need to add your purchases. However, remember to change the currency to British £s.
For more info, click HERE.
MICHAEL VAN CLARKE 3 more inches hair products
Who else loves the Michael van Clarke 3 more inches hair products? Well, now they have increased their silicone-free range to include a Silver Blonde shampoo, perfect for me. It keeps the brassiness at bay. The shampoo is a bit scary as it is deep purple, and I am not quite ready for the Mrs Slocombe purple rinse. However, happily, it does not do that, and it just leaves my hair soft, shiny and without a yellow (brassy) tinge. Also, a little goes a long way. There is a conditioner for silver blondes in this range too. I have been using this range of hair products from Michael van Clarke for a few weeks; I alternate it with my Hairstory shampoo. My husband uses the Cashmere volumising shampoo and conditioner for fine hair. This is such a great range and very worthwhile trying.
For more info, click HERE.
MURAD Correct and Protect Broad Spectrum
We have had a fantastic summer of sunshine and many of us have been lucky enough to go on a holiday abroad. However, our skin may suffer a little even if we have religiously applied SPF. So I like to give my skin a bit of help in the Autumn and I reach for my Murad Correct and Protect Broad Spectrum with SPF 45.
Murad has created a skin-loving shield that future-proofs your complexion while brightening pre-existing pigmentation. Suitable for oily and combination, dry, sensitive and balanced skin types. Gone are the days of layering endless treatments, this is the sheer double-act that delivers results to leave your skin protected and tone perfected.
I love it as it absorbs so easily and has made a huge difference to a patch, the size of a 5 pence piece, of pigmentation or sun damage on my right cheek. The patch has completely cleared up, but I admit to having used this serum for three months.
For more info, click HERE.
CHANTECAILLE RADIANCE GEL BRONZER
We have been so lucky this summer with some extraordinary weather. Obviously, we are all aware that we need to wear SPF daily to protect our skin. However, we still manage to have achieved a healthy glow, and we may want to enhance that summer glow into the autumn. This lightweight gel bronzer from Chantecaille can be used all year round to enhance your complexion. It gives a natural glow and can be used on its own or under or over make-up.
For more info, click HERE.
MAYBELLINE Colossal Curl Bounce Mascara
I discovered this mascara in late November 2021 in Superdrug, before it closed in our local town. That’s another story to be had about the death of our high street. Anyway, I loved it so much that I went back and bought one each for my daughters and popped them in their Christmas stockings. I don’t know why I haven’t told you all about this product before. However, when renowned beauty editor Sarah Jossel of The Times and Sunday Times wrote an article about her best products and she chose this Maybelline mascara as her favourite mascara, I knew I was onto a winner.
They’re calling it a two-in-one mascara and curler. I can give you all the beauty marketers’ words which may sound like bunkum but you only need these three words – IT DOES WORK! It is incredible mascara and it ticks all those mascara boxes. It doesn’t flake, it doesn’t clump, it is easy to take off, it doesn’t sting, and it makes my lashes long, very soft and natural. It is black, very black so just apply one light coat for a day look and apply more coats if you want a dramatic look. And even more incredibly it actually lifts your lashes and this effect lasts all day.
For more info, click HERE
ERBORIAN CC DULL CORRECT CREME
Korean skincare has really taken the beauty industry by storm, and to be honest, I don’t think I have ever tried any. However, I ordered something else from Look Fantastic and included in the parcel were some samples of Erborian Skincare. I was so impressed with the samples I have now bought the Erborian CC Dull Correct and their BB Eye Touche Parfaite.
Encapsulated within the CC DULL CORRECT formula is a clever blend of violet pigments that immediately work to counterbalance dull skin. Micro pearls reflect the light, revive the complexion, and give it that California glow, even when winter is on its way. Enriched with an extract of Licorice, known for its brightening and antioxidant properties and firming and anti-ageing Centella Asiatica. There is also a Red Correct within this range.
Meanwhile, the BB Eye Creme and Concealer is a 3-in-1 product: eyecare +concealer + BB skin effect, one product, triple effect for the perfection of the delicate skin around your eyes. It is enriched with SPF 20, and is also derived from Korean technology. Result: my eyes are radiant and luminous, all signs of ageing are diminished.
I love these two products and will definitely try more in the Erborian skincare range. The great news is that you can try it out in a 15ml size before committing to the larger 45 ml size.
You can hear about more of our top product recommendations here.