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Even though I love the Arbonne products that I have used over time, including some of the eye creams, they are hard on the pocket. This cream was lovely and soothing, with a mild scent. The little pot is very cute too. The big downside for me is the price. I did not find it as effective as some of the cheaper K-Beauty eye creams with Niacinamide and Caffeine ingredients. If you have extra funds to purchase this price range of products then I think that you'd be happy with the ingredients. I would not purchase this again unless it was heavily discounted - which does sometimes happen with the sets of products.

I was lucky enough to pick up the Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Serum along with the little eye pot & moisturiser at a half price sale! The Serum comes in an elegant bottle with a screw top lid that pops the 'dropper' up as you unscrew to draw in a set amount of the Serum. I found that 2 droppers did my face, neck and decolletage. The Serum is opaque and feels like I'm adding a bit extra luxury to my skincare. There is a very light scent that is barely there, and doesn't irritate my dry, sensitive, mature skin. I definitely feel that my skin is more hydrated and pampered. I took off a star because that same plunger system does not work as the amount of the serum drops in the bottle - so now I give the bottle a bit of a shake onto my palm to get any out. This is a bit of a nuisance and took the shine of the "luxury" since it blobs out onto my palm. Also, at full price, this would have put me off buying it again, even though I love the product itself.

I wanted to try the Nivea Q10 Power anti-wrinkle and firming eye cream because the corresponding hand cream is my favourite and most effective for hands. It comes in the Nivea Q10 Power box which contains the small tube of product. The cream is white and feels quite lite. I don't notice any scent, unlike some of Nivea's other creams and lotions. I use a very small amount on my ring fingers morning and night, and warm it up a little before dabbing around the eye sockets, on a troublesome mid brow wrinkle, and any last bits along my NL fold. My skin is mature (50+), sensitive and dry. The wrinkles around my eyes have definitely lessened in depth and noticeably softened, I can't see where the frown line between my brows was. I've also had no skin irritation. Within a few weeks I really noticed the subtle differences. I will be buying this again - I might try the new sunscreen version for days.

I was lucky enough to be selected to participate on the Trial Team to review La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 Serum. Thankyou BH . This is a dermatologically tested serum with 10% Vitamin B5, which is an excellent ratio and is equivalent to my current serum. La Roche Posay advises that the serum has been specifically developed for dry, compromised feeling skin prone to sensitivity and signs of dryness, redness, and skin tightness or discomfort - which is me. The directions suggest to apply twice daily to help hydrate and maintain the skin moisture barrier. The serum is also supposed to by hypoallergenic, fragrance free and non-comedogenic. A couple of concerns are the presence of alcohol and silicones in the ingredients list (Alcohol Denat, Dimethicone 4th & 5th) to be aware of if you are avoiding these ingredients. Packaging and Appearance: The Serum is protected from light in a white (glass?) totally opaque bottle with a 'straight edge' clear dropper. And only a drop or two is needed! The labelling on the bottle is clean, minimalist and has tiny writing, so read the box or refer to the website if you want detailed information. The Serum is thick, opaque white and has a very mild scent, not a perfumed one though. It has the slick feel of a product containing glycerine and hyaluronic acid. It is, Afterall, an ultra hydrating & repairing serum. Conclusion: I've been using B5 serum in my skincare for a while and found the Cicaplast B5 lovely to apply. A little goes a long way and it absorbs nicely. I used it AM and PM. After the first 3 or 4 days I noticed a pimple on my chin...by the end of 2 weeks I had 4 - chin, around nose and forhead. Not a big thing really, but I don't normally get them. So I cut back to once a day. My regular B5 serum is the same concentration but I don't believe it has dimethicone, so that could be the culprit. Although I don't see myself using this in the future due to the pimple issue, it is such a lovely serum. For those who have no problem with this ingredient I believe it's a quality product. I have used other products by this company without any problem. So it could be a one off.

Boost Lab Retinol Night Renewal Serum, my first retinol specific serum - I picked this up in a Rewards Room bundle and must have put it away. I love that Boost Lab is Australian owned with its products made in Australia or NZ. And the products are free from Parabens, Sulphates, Fragrances and are Cruelty-Free. The Retinol Night Renewal Serum active ingredients include, not in any particular order -Retinol, Granactive Retinoid 2%, Bisabobol (naturally found for EG in German Chamomile) and Aloe Vera Juice. The frosted glass bottle contains the yellow-green thickish serum which is dispensed with a dropper. The purple label boasts that the serum is for signs of ageing, that it 'de-wrinkles & firms, hydrates & illuminates' and helps 'recover & maintain younger, healthy looking skin'. As with any retinols, it recommends patch testing before using the Retinol Serum (and avoiding eye area). The Serum itself is not perfumed, and there is a slight medicinal scent, if anything. Even though I have sensitive, dry, mature skin I have been using acids, serums and some retinol for a while. So far there has been no tingling or irritation with the Boost Lab Retinal Night Renewal Serum. I follow the instructions of 1. Cleanse as usual, 2. Apply a few drops of the Serum, 3. Apply your favourite treatments and moisturisers. The Night Renewal Serum spreads and taps in easily. There is a slight tackiness so I wait until it absorbs before moving onto the next treatment or night moisturiser. It will probably take a few more weeks to notice an effect on deeper wrinkles or firming. But I do feel that my skin is hydrated and glowing.

I was lucky enough to receive a 1L Dove Triple Moisturising Body Wash as part of the Beauty Heaven trial team. The product promises soft skin and 24hr lasting nourishment, no sulfate SLES and no parabens. Packaging - The large 1L white pump bottle with blue trim and familiar Dove logo is made with 70% recycled plastic. Once empty, to continue recycling, remove the pump for general waste and the bottle itself can be returned for recycling. The pump bottle is pretty solid so it sits on the floor of my shower rather than on my small shelf. Which is fine. I believe there is also a soft pack refill for this pump bottle, so it should reduce waste going to landfill by buying the refills rather than a new pump bottle. Product - Dove liquid body wash uses the familiar 1/4 moisturising cream, is a light opaque white colour and is lightly scented. It reminds me of the Dove Beauty Bar soap I used to use. The label advises that the body wash is microbiome gentle, uses plant based moisturiser and naturally derived cleansers - although the first ingredient (water) is about the only item with an easily pronounced name. Overall - I'm used to thicker shower gels, so the first squirt of the lighter formula of the Dove Body Wash seems too light - but it's not. It's best applied using a washer, sponge, puff, mitt or other smoochy luxurious pampering method - turning every shower into a bit of self care! My dry, sensitive (often itchy) and over 50 mature skin was not at all irritated and there was no tightness usually associated with regular soaps. Infact, in many ways it performs and smells like the mild Dove Beauty Bar, without a wet bar of soap lying in a soap dish.

I was lucky enough to participate in the trial team for NIVEA Cellular Lift Expert Day Cream and Cellular Lift Expert Night Cream. NIVEA Cellular Lift Expert Advanced Anti-age Night Cream is advertised as an advanced anti-age cream with pure bakuchiol (as a bio retinol alternative). It is supposed to 'help visibly improve skin density and to strengthen skin’s structure.' Like the partner Day Cream, it also has micro & macro hyaluronic acid, that are 'known to hydrate, smooth skin and help to visibly reduce wrinkles.' I was looking forward to the 'Visible results (which) can be seen after first use. Packaging - The Night Cream comes in a deep blurple coloured box with all the details. The jar itself is deep blue, solid plastic with blue and rose gold lid and has a hygienic seal. The cream has a 12 life after opening. Product - The Day Cream itself is a very soft peachy coloured balm. It's quite thick and won't spill if held upside down! Like the Day Cream, it has a floral daphne-like scent, but not as strong, and which dissipates quickly. This balm/Night Cream is thick and rich and decadent and my dry, sensitive, over 50's skin loved it - except for when I had the not so bright idea to put it near my overly dry lips. Just don't - ok. It is very bad and my lips were not happy with me. At All!! Be wary of you are sensitive to perfumes.

I was lucky enough to participate in the trial team for NIVEA Cellular Lift Expert Day Cream and Cellular Night Cream. NIVEA Cellular Lift Expert Day Cream SPF 15 is advertised as an advanced anti-age cream with pure bakuchiol (as a bio retinol alternative) to help visibly improve skin density and to strengthen skin’s structure and micro & macro hyaluronic acid. These are two anti-aging ingredients known to hydrate, smooth skin and help to visibly reduce wrinkles. Apparently "visible results can be seen after first use." (Increase in moisture). For the trial I was looking at the product's claims that the cream 1. Defines facial contours (in 1 week). 2. Reduces deep wrinkles, skin looks younger, even and feels supple (in 2 weeks). 3. Improves skin structure (in 4 weeks). I only changed my Day and Night creams for this trial, and kept using my regular cleanser, toner, Vit C and Matrixyl serums and eye creams. I also use additional sunscreen even though the Day Cream has SPF15. Packaging - The Nivea Cellular Lift Day Cream comes in a peachy coloured box with all the details. The jar itself is clear, solid plastic with a white and rose gold lid and has a hygienic seal. The cream has a 12 life after opening. Product - The Day Cream itself is a very soft pink, almost lotion, light cream. It has a floral daphne-like scent. It's taken me a while to get used to the smell and at first I didn't think I'd be able to finish the trial! It's not that it's unpleasant, but I find it quite strong. Luckily it dissipates quickly. A little goes a long way - this cream is quite light and it's easy to accidentally take too much the first time. (Compared to the Night Cream, which is thick, dense and balm-like) Overall - once I got past the strong scent and persevered I found that my skin does feel quite supple. My deepest wrinkles are visible, but some seem a bit softer. I have noticed that, with primer, my foundation and BB Creams seem to sit better and don't migrate into every line on my face. This is a major bonus to me. People sensitive to perfumes may wish to avoid this one.

I picked up NYC's Plump Finish Setting Spray with Electrolytes Mix as part of my BH Rewards Room shop. I have only used 1 other setting spray before (which I liked) so I'm not very experienced. Packaging - Black plastic spray bottle with hit pink NYX Professional Makeup label. All the info is there, including in very tiny print the cautiin that the liquid is flammable until dry. It can be used over bare skin as a 'plumper' and over makeup to keep it looking 'fresh all day'. Product - The liquid itself is clear and odourless. When you shake it up before spraying it goes a bit frothy. It didn't irritate my skin at all. And here's the 'but' - rather than a fine mist, no matter how I tried to spray, spritz or press, there were more droplets than most. I even tried spraying firmly above my upturned face hoping a fine mist would 'drift lightly down' onto my face. Nope. So once on my bare skin I tapped it briefly onto my skin. Hmmmm. I haven't worn it long enough to notice a plumping - this may take some time of repeated use. I also feel that it might be related to the slight tightening I can feel over my skin. According to NYX '...(t)he supercharged formula is vegan, cruelty-free,' which is great to know!! .... and is '... infused with 5 electrolytes and vitamins - Aloe, Magnesium, Zinc, Citric Acid, and Biotin.' I don't wear very much makeup, and definitely not for 24 hours, so can't comment on the claim that it... 'provides up to 24-hour wear' but it does seem to reduce makeup transfer and smudging. Unfortunately it doesn't topple the other finishing spray for me as a favourite - at least until the nozzle / sprayer can put a finer spray out. I might transfer it to another sprayer incase I just got a dud one!!

My first felt-tip pen liner! And I'm quite impressed. I pricked up a black MUD Super Thin Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in a Rewards Room purchase. It comes in a sleek, black, normal looking liner tube and has a thin, felt-tip pen. Apparently this will "make it easy for women to confidently master a clean line with a precise flick for the classic winged-liner look". UUUMM - perhaps not without some practice!! The 3-in-1 waterproof, sweatproof and smudge-proof eyeliner, boasts a long-lasting formula with intense black pigments for a smooth and even application that stays put all day. And, yes, it does stay in place! I had trouble with 'wings' so thought I'd start out by doing normal liner lines on the outside of my lashes. It will take some practice to get right up against the lash line - the felt tip is quite thin so left a gap the first time, which I had to 'colour in'. On the plus side - no irritation, no nasty smell and it didn't worry my contact lenses either. Hopefully with more practice I will eventually master the thin tip and get a winged look!