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I recently upgraded my make-up collection for my first post covid wedding when I realised I no longer had any foundation (just BB creams), and that most of the makeup I wore is as old as my son (he’s nearly 6!). I’m a photographer and helped my friends out by capturing their wedding when their original photographer had sold their gear after the first wedding cancellation. I still wanted to enjoy my night as a guest and look glam without my makeup coming off all over my gear or feeling uncomfortable. In the past I had used different mineral water sprays to set my makeup, or a glow tonic that made my face glow a little too much for my liking! It was time to invest in the holy grail of setting sprays and MECCA delivered with a handy travel size MAC prep + prime fix + in a 30ml bottle. I applied my regular hydrating primer as my skin can get dry and I didn’t know how it would react to this product. My skin can be really reactive and I often get itchy wearing makeup, especially around my nose. I gave my face a little mist of the prep + prime and also used it to dampen my beauty blender before I applied foundation. I also used a little spray in my eyeshadow brushes before applying shadow for a more dramatic evening look. After finishing my face I applied another misting of prep + prime before lastly applying mascara. I worked for 7hrs, mostly on the dance floor, getting my boogie on as I shot some ripper pics of our first real celebration in years. When I returned to my hotel room I looked dramatically different to my usual post night out appearance. My makeup still looked amazing! I had a little spot on my nose and chin that could have used a foundation touch up but nothing else had budged, my eye makeup hadn’t melted into a mess and my camera is makeup free! I’m so happy with my purchase and my skin wasn’t irritated at all.

I have used Elizabeth Arden products in the past, mostly in my early 20 with the cult classic 8hr range. I hadn't tried any of the Elizabeth Arden Ceramide range prior to being invited to join the Beautyheaven trial team for the Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Day and Night Creams. Just like the day cream, the night cream packaging was luxe. As annoying as I find opening boxes and returning jars to them, I keep doing so and can't bring myself to throw the boxes out. I'm happy with no frills packaging if my beauty products perform, but deep down the packaging made me feel hopeful for the performance of these products. Each cream came in a glass jar with a gold screw top lid, sometimes a controversial choice for hygiene reasons but I prefer packaging that reduces the waste I experience with pump packs. A small spatula or spoon can be used to dispense the cream if required. After cleansing my face as per normal, I applied a thin layer of the night cream to my skin to see how it felt on. My skin is sensitive and reactive at times so I pay close notice to how new products feel on my skin. My initial experience was very positive but there was a bit of a tingle like the product may contain an acid. This is by no means a negative, I love my acids for beauty. My skin felt soft and hydrated, and I do feel that it looks lifted and more youthful. The night cream is a gel that feels richer than the day crea. I noticed positive results first days of the trial so it's quite fast acting if you are looking for a cream that delivers visible results. I don't take it with me when I work away, instead opting for a smaller moisturiser. My skin does look more fatigued and less firm when I am without these creams. There's no SPF in the day cream. This isn't essential but it does make life easier when I can walk out the door with less steps taken, I don't enjoy layering sunscreen with other skincare products. I did experience some windburn one weekend after working outside for the day, the cream stung when applied to the damaged skin. I had to take some time off so off the ceramide creams while my skin had time to recover. Ceramides are an excellent ingredient for barrier protection but I don't feel my skin is feeling this benefit. I did love the level of hydration though. While a bit pricey for me, this is a product I would likely purchase again. My skin looks refreshed and youthful and doesn't feel dry when I wake in the mornings.

I have used Elizabeth Arden products in the past, mostly in my early 20s. I believe there was a mask in her Green Tea range that I tried, along with her cult classic 8hr range. I hadn't tried any of the Elizabeth Arden Ceramide range prior to being invited to join the Beautyheaven trial team for the Advanced Ceramide Lift and Firm Day and Night Creams. My first impression was that the packaging was luxurious and promising. I'm happy with no frills packaging if my beauty products perform, but deep down the packaging made me feel hopeful for the performance of these products. Each cream came in a glass jar with a gold screw top lid, sometimes a controversial choice for hygiene reasons but I prefer packaging that reduces the waste I experience with pump packs. A small spatula or spoon can be used to dispense the cream if required. After cleansing my face as per normal, I applied a thin layer of the day cream to my skin to see how it felt on. My skin is sensitive and reactive at times so I pay close notice to how new products feel on my skin. My initial experience was very positive. My skin felt soft and hydrated, and I do feel that it looks lifted and more youthful. I noticed this in the first days of the trial so it's quite fast acting if you are looking for a cream that delivers visible results. I don't take it with me when I work away, instead opting for a smaller moisturiser. My skin does look more fatigued and less firm when I am without these creams. There's no SPF in the day cream. This isn't essential but it does make life easier when I can walk out the door with less steps taken, I don't enjoy layering sunscreen with other skincare products. I did experience some windburn one weekend after working outside for the day, the cream stung when applied to the damaged skin. I had to take a week or so off the ceramide creams while my skin had time to recover. Ceramides are an excellent ingredient for barrier protection but I don't feel my skin is feeling this benefit. I did love the level of hydration though. While a bit pricey for me, this is a product I would likely purchase again. My skin looks refreshed and youthful.

The Lóreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum comes in a lightproof dropped bottle boxed in gold, the packaging of a luxury product. That’s about as luxurious and indulgent as it got for me. The serum has a very strong fragrance that smelt very familiar and I my first thought was that it smelt cheap. My second thought was that it smelt like shampoo. I was hesitant to apply it to my skin. I applied the serum to freshly cleansed skin, using my usual routine which keeps my skin hydrated and heathy. I really didn’t enjoy the smell and felt it would have done much better with a soft, natural, orange scent if it had to have a fragrance at all. I was underwhelmed by the results. The serum didn’t positively effect my skin at all. If my current routine already lived up to the promises of the Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum, it would make sense that I wouldn’t see the results some others experience. The Lóreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum did change my complexion though. It caused my face to experience the worst breakout I can ever recall having. Worse than any blemish I experienced from mask wearing, worse than any hormone breakout in high school. My cheeks were covered in raised, angry pimples and they were painful. I love serums, they’re one of my favourite beauty products. The Lóreal The Lóreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum applies easily without feeling greasy or causing any immediate sensitivity. This initial experience made me hopeful that despite feeling like I’d just applied shampoo on my face, I might actually have a positive experience. For $60ish I thought this was a realistic hope for the product. Curiously, many retailers now have the serum at 50% off. An excellent time for anyone wanting to try the product to save a few dollars. Could this price be a reflection of the negative experiences of others? Other points I’d like to mention are that the bottle seemed quite low on product. Perhaps they could make a smaller glass dropper bottle or better utilise the volume of the current bottle. It’s hard to dispense the serum when the product is too low in the bottle for the dropper to reach. The name Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum confused me also. I don’t quite understand why it’s a “midnight” serum when it’s for day/night use. Initially I thought it must have contained a retinoid product. Other points I’d like to mention are that the bottle seemed quite low on product. Perhaps they could make a smaller product or better utilise the volume of the current bottle. The name Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum confused me also. I don’t quite understand why it’s a “midnight” serum when it’s for day/night use. Initially I thought it must have contained a retinoid product. It’s a shame that my breakout has prevented me from properly using this product. I will try to use it on other areas to reduce waste.

The Habitual Beauty Balancing Cleanser is beautifully packaged in insta-worthy tones that look beautiful on my vanity. The pump action bottle is great for dispensing just the right amount of cleanser into my hands without any waste. The cleanser is a welcome addition to my skincare routine. I do love my other cleanser but this outperforms when it comes to makeup removal, I can use it when my skin is feeling reactive or I’m sunburned, and it smells amazing. I am a sucker for beautiful botanical ingredients that tantalise my senses and make my skincare routine feel like a spa experience instead of a clinical experience. Over the course of the trial my crows feet showed visible signs of improvement within 4 weeks. My pigmentation didn’t improve, however I did suffer from sunburn 2 weeks into the trial.

The Habitual Beauty Hydrating Serum is the second step in my new daily skincare routine after cleansing. Beautifully boxed in insta-worthy warm tones, this little beauty is easy to dispense with it’s dropper applicator. I am glad that the serum isn’t in a clear glass bottle like the oil and that the opaque glass should help protect light sensitive ingredients. After cleansing my skin I apply the hydrating serum and allow it to sink in a moment before applying the oil and moisturiser. This is my favourite step in my Habitual Beauty routine as the serum smells absolutely divine! I look forward to smelling it every morning and night. The serum doesn’t fee heavy and is comfortable to wear under sunscreen. I did also get badly burnt two weeks into my trial and the only products I used on my burnt skin were the cleanser and hydration serum. Over the course of the trial I saw no difference in pigmentation but being sunburned wouldn’t have helped. I did see a visible difference in my crows feet after 4 weeks of use.

The Habitual Beauty Nourishing Moisturiser is the fourth step in my new daily skincare routine after cleansing, applying the hydrating serum and facial oil. Beautifully boxed in insta-worthy warm tones, this pot looks insta-worthy on my bathroom bench. I use a little spatula to collect the desired amount of cream as to not contaminate the pot. It smells divine! After cleansing my skin and applying the hydrating serum I allow it to sink in a moment before applying the oil, I then like to apply the moisturiser over the top to tie everything together and keep my skin content all day long. There isn’t any SPF in the moisturiser so I do skip the oil when I’ll be in the sun and I apply a SPF over the top of the moisturiser. Unfortunately I did get sunburned two weeks into the trial and the moisturiser did sting a little on my angry, burnt face so I had to discontinue use for a week. Over the course of the trial I saw no difference in pigmentation but being sunburned wouldn’t have helped. I did see a visible difference in my crows feet after 4 weeks of use. The moisturiser hasn’t caused any breakouts and it would suit most skin types.

The Habitual Beauty Rejuvenating Face Oil it the third step in my new daily skincare routine after cleansing and applying the hydrating serum. Beautifully boxed in insta-worthy warm tones, this little beauty is easy to dispense with it’s dropper applicator. I am surprised the glass bottle is clear and not brown to protect the precious oil cargo inside. I’ve kept storing the bottle in the box it came with to reduce light exposure but I think a brown bottle would be a worthwhile future improvement. After cleansing my skin and applying the hydrating serum I allow it to sink in a moment before applying the oil. The oil is absorbed well in to my skin and leaves my face feeling soft, nourished and glowing. I like to apply the moisturiser over the top to tie everything together and keep my skin content all day long. There isn’t an SPF product in the Habitual Beauty range I’m using so I do skip the oil when I’ll be in the son. It’s just too much to use the oil under a heavy sunscreen. I did also get badly burnt two weeks i to my trial and I don’t think the oil helped with that situation. The only products I used on my burnt skin were the cleanser and hydration serum as the moisturiser did sting a little on my angry, burnt face. Over the course of the trial I saw no difference in pigmentation but being sunburned wouldn’t have helped. I did see a visible difference in my crows feet after 4 weeks of use.

I am loving Habitual Beauty and this mask is no exception. The packaging is beautiful in my bathroom and looks insta-worthy on display. The mask comes in a screw top tub and I use my own little spatula to dispense the required amount hygienically. The mask is a scented with the sweetness of lavender which is very relaxing for bedtime. The mask is very hydrating and my dry skin loves waking up soft and nourished. The only downside I’ve found is the mask does occasionally sting my skin. I can’t use it when my skin is already feeling reactive or if I’ve had a bit of sun exposure. I think this mask is going to be a game changer in winter and look forward to trying it in the cooler weather too.

The Habitatual Beauty Advanced Skin + Gut Health Collagen Elixir comes beautifully packaged in sturdy storage box filled to the brim with individual sachets of collagen goodness. The box is an insta-worthy addition to any pantry or bathroom (yes my bathroom cupboard is full of protein and sports supplements!). While I like to use less plastic, these sachets are so easy to grab and go and I love packaging one or two in my lunchbox while I work on the road. I’m a sports photographer and work long days in the sun and need quick and clean ways of nourishing my body and these make life so much easier for me. This one of the nicest collagen powders I’ve tried to date (and I’ve used a lot over the last year). The Advanced Skin + Gut Health Collagen Elixir is very gentle on my stomach and doesn’t feel heavy or uncomfortable like other sources of protein. In fact I first started consuming this product the day I returned home after bariatric surgery which is a testament to the digestibility of the product as it agreed with my new, tiny tummy from the get go. Flavour wise I am using the Sicilian Blood Orange which is delicious! It doesn’t taste artificial or overly sweet. It’s easily mixed into water, I don’t even use a shaker ball (just another thing to clean right?). I highly recommend this product and aim to get 15-20g of my daily protein from collagen protein. While the box price may appear a little high, it’s much more cost effective than buying collagen pills which do not contain sufficient collagen for any kind of visible result.