Hi Divas

I'm back with another face mask review and I love doing these as I am a sheet mask fanatic. As you may know it is really cold in Cape Town lately because we are in the heart of Winter at the moment. I therefore need all the hydration I can get on my skin. Neutrogena has added these hydrogel sheet masks into their Hydro Boost family. I love using the Hydro Boost range as they are effective in moisturising my skin and they are easy on my wallet too. I was excited to see that they expanded their line by adding face masks. The fact that they decided on creating hydrogel masks is particularly awesome because they are considered to be the premium varieties in the skin care world. For those of you that don't know, hydrogel is made up of special molecules that can hold up to 10x more moisture than regular fabric material. They are often used in the medical and scientific field because of their effectiveness. When it comes to sheet masks, hydrogel masks hold a lot of moisture and therefore soak up more nutrients than a cotton fibre mask. When you place these on your skin, it absorbs the maximum amount of product making it an excellent and fast treatment for skin concerns such as dryness and sensitivity. There are three masks within the Neutrogena line and I decided to test out and purchase the Hydrogel Recovery Mask with Hyaluronic Acid.


The mask is described as a hydrating sheet mask which holds up to more than 50% of essence compared to a normal mask. It has a supply of one months' worth of serum in a single mask application. It contains hyaluronic acid found in the rest of the Hydro Boost line. Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in our skin and it attracts moisture from the outside environment and holds it in our skin thus keeping us moisturised and looking youthful and radiant. By adding extra hyaluronic acid into our skin, we are aiding it in retaining the ultimate moisture. The mask has a cooling technology as well, which helps to calm irritated or sensitive skin. The packaging of these masks is aesthetically pleasing as they have the same bright blue colours and the actual packet is travel friendly and shields the mask. Inside, the face mask is covered in protective sheets to keep the essence in and to prevent it from breaking. These masks are made in Korea and says it comes with 30 ml of essence.


The mask comes in two parts and you should be very careful when applying it. It has a gel texture and can be torn if you are too rough when removing it from the packaging. The gel material is soft and can easily be manipulated to fit your face well. On me, it does tend to gape at my chin and cover my nose which makes breathing difficult at first, but it is nothing I can't fix. The mask tends to slide down the face if you are doing activities or brisk movements. It would be best to sit and relax when wearing the sheet mask. As I mentioned, it has a jelly like gel texture and fits comfortably on the face. It feels really soft and cooling. This is great to use after a long day as the texture feels very relaxing and soothing. The mask comes with eye and lip flaps as well, but I prefer to not use them because I don't want product entering my eyes and mouth. The essence has a similar scent to the rest of the products within the Hydro Boost line. I personally like the scent as it smells clean and fresh to me. If you are someone that is sensitive to fragrance, do keep this in mind.


 When you take out the mask, unfortunately most of the product slides off into the packet and you are therefore left with little essence on the mask and more in the sleeve. It therefore does not feel as moisturising as I hoped it would. Since the mask is made up mainly of hyaluronic acid, it would be beneficial to lightly wet the face first before applying it. As the hyaluronic acid attracts and keeps moisture, using this after a hot shower would aid your skin the most. I usually wear masks for 30 minutes and whatever is left in the sleeve, I love to gently pat it onto my skin. To be honest after using this sheet mask my face did not feel extra moisturised or hydrated. In fact, I couldn't wait to apply my face cream because my skin was feeling quite tacky. The dry areas did disappear but I didn't get that soft and supple feeling that my other sheet masks give me. Even the next morning my skin didn't feel or look any different from when I first applied it. I think this mask is not as potent as it is marketed to be. This is a very basic sheet mask and is good to use for a boost or pick me up in that very moment. I would use it as an extra step if I was going out somewhere. For long term effects, this mask will not do the trick. There are many wonderful variants out there that are packed with moisture and beneficial ingredients which will relieve skin problems over time. I would probably not purchase this one again.


Have you tried these masks? What are your thoughts? Let me know below! 
Thank you so much for reading.
Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

Hi Divas

We are in the heart of Winter in South Africa and of course, I had to make a few adjustments to my skin care routine. I have been using the Neutrogena Hydro Boost range for a year now and have been enjoying the gel cream moisturizer and micellar water the most. I recently saw that they have expanded their range adding serums and sheet masks which is super exciting. I decided to purchase both a long with the hydrating lotion as I have been using it since last year but never reviewed it.  The Hydro Boost line contains Hyaluronic Acid which is a vital component naturally found in our skin. It draws moisture from our surroundings and locks it into our skin barrier thus keeping the epidermis well hydrated, supple and firm. When we add hyaluronic acid into our skin care, we are aiding our skin in retaining moisture and keeping it healthy and youthful. Hyaluronic acid is known to prevent wrinkles and tired dull skin. Now I am definitely not getting any younger and I need all the help I can get to prevent premature ageing and saggy sad skin.


Neutrogena Hydro Boost Capsule-in-Serum Supercharged Booster
When I saw this serum in store, I was eager to buy it. I have been searching for a good and affordable serum for a while now and I definitely found it. The product is described as being a booster serum, meaning it is giving your skin an extra push and enhancement in hydration. The word supercharged also used, means to give your skin the added energy and vitality which tired and dull skin lack. The serum contains Niacinamide (my favourite skincare ingredient), Hyaluronic Acid as well as micro bead capsules which contain revitalising vitamin E and antioxidants. The capsules are crushed and the benefits are released when you pump the serum out. Therefore, the potency of the capsules remain and their effectiveness are not lost within the serum over time. Your skin receives all the maximum nutrients and benefits in every single application thus making it a booster product. The serum has a light weight silky smooth texture. It melts wonderfully into the skin and leaves no unwanted residue behind. It is not sticky or too thick and can be worn under any moisturiser as it blends great with any product. After using this, the skin is left feeling very soft, hydrated and plump. There is a slight scent to it which is found in the other Hydro boost products as well. It's a clean fragrance and not over powering at all. The serum is packaged in a plastic bottle with a pump and comes in 30 ml. I wish the booster came in a 50 ml as I use this twice a day in the morning and night. I therefore can run out of this product fairly quickly.


Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield Hydrating Lotion SPF25
 Even though it is Winter time in my city Cape Town, I still need to wear SPF every single day whenever I step outside my house. It may be cold with icy winds but the sun still shines on most days. The City Shield Hydrating Lotion has honestly been one of my favourite moisturizers to date. It contains hyaluronic acid to help retain moisture and keep my skin supple on those dry chilly days. What makes this even more wonderful is that it contains agents which protects the skin from harmful pollution and free radicals. The active sun protection, prevents sun damage from UVB and UVA rays. Not only are you moisturising your skin but you are shielding your epidermis from further damage. You are preventing signs of premature ageing such as wrinkles and sun spots and pigmentation problems. The lotion comes in a 50 ml squeeze tube which is great as the product won't get contaminated like when it is packaged in a jar. The texture of the cream is soft and smooth. It is light in consistency and blends easily on the face. It gives a very moisturising feeling and look to the skin. It truly uplifts dull and tired skin making it more vibrant. What I love the most about this cream is that it is a perfect base for makeup. Any foundation blends effortlessly on top of it. It gives your face a silky texture and any products you apply on top blends like a dream. The moisturiser lasts well throughout the day and my skin looks and feels radiant and supple. 


As you can see in the photo above both products have a light weight texture but work great in giving ample moisture. They are not thick and do not feel heavy on the skin. They both work well together and on their own. They melt into the skin and leave the face looking uplifted, energized and radiant. Since they both have a light texture, they are great for all skin types. All oily, normal, dry and combination skin will benefit from the Hydro Boost line. I particularly love it as I have combination skin and tend to get dry around my forehead and mouth area. These give just enough moisture where my skin feels comfortable and not too heavy. If you have very dry skin the serum may not be as effective for you. The lotion is a top-grade product and I recommend it to all skin types. It does contain fragrance so do be aware if you are sensitive to scents. Nevertheless, this is a great affordable range to add to your skin care routine as it can be used day or night and in all four seasons.


Thank you so much for reading!
Hope you found the review helpful.
Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

Neutrogena Hydro Boost

 Skin Care Range 

Review

Hi Divas

We are currently in the heart of Winter in South Africa. Cape Town has been wet, windy and quite chilly. I had to switch up my skin care routine to adapt to the change of season. I have combination skin which gets oily in the t-zone area. During the colder months, my forehead and the skin around my mouth can become dry and sometimes flaky. Changing your trusty skin care routine can be a daunting task as finding the right products to work for you at an affordable price point can be difficult. I decided to give Neutrogena a chance as the claims were quite promising and the prices were super inexpensive. I too was drawn to the striking blue packaging in the store. There is something about the colour blue that eludes to moisture and refreshing skin. The Neutrogena Hydro Boost range consists of 7 products all aimed at boosting hydration. I shall be reviewing four products from the range. Each product contains Hyaluronic Acid which is the key ingredient in the Hydro Boost products. It aids the skin in holding moisture thus keeping it hydrated and healthy looking. Hyaluronic Acid is naturally found in our skin. I love the concept of using these types of ingredients helping increasing our moisture barrier. On to the reviews!

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser Facial Wipes

I hardly ever use cleansing wipes unless I really have to. I find them rather wasteful. What drew me most to these wipes are that they can remove waterproof mascara and the toughest makeup while giving moisture to the face. Some makeup wipes contain high levels of alcohol and can be pretty drying on the skin. Waterproof mascara is very difficult to remove therefore I was interested to see if these wipes would get the job done. The wipes are quite silky in texture and smell amazingly fresh and slightly sweet. They contain a cleansing lotion which removes makeup effectively. They remove all traces of makeup and waterproof mascara without stripping the skin of moisture. These cleansing wipes are extremely moisturizing. It feels like you already applied a cream after you use it. They do not leave an unwanted residue but they do give moisturisation. The only con I have with these wipes are the quantity. There are 25 wipes in a packet but the average cleansing wipes come in 30 to 40's in a packet. These are pricier than your normal cleansing wipes too. I therefore feel that even though they work amazingly well, they are not economical in the long run.

 Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser Water Gel

The cleansing gel is packaged in a 200ml pump bottle. I find the quantity quite generous for the price. I therefore feel it is a good budget purchase as you get more product for your coins. The cleansing gel is a little runny in texture. It lathers well with water and removes dirt from the face. It feels refreshing on the skin and does not leave any residue or a tight and dry feeling afterwards. One pump is enough to cleanse your whole face, unless you are wearing a full face of makeup, you would have to double cleanse and go in with a second pump. This is a good every day cleanser but it is not effective enough to remove heavy makeup or thoroughly cleanse pores. If you are someone who is looking for an affordable refreshing cleanser and you don't wear a lot of makeup then this would be lovely for you. I on the other hand, need something more potent to thoroughly cleanse my face and pores as I wear makeup every day. 

 Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser Micellar Water

This is one of my favourite products from the whole range. I was really surprised at how well it worked as this was my first time using micellar water. Micellar water is similar to a toner. It contains oil molecules that attract and draw out dirt from your pores. It dissolves and removes dirt while leaving your moisture levels intact. This is unlike normal cleansers that strip moisture from the skin. What I love most about this micellar water is that I don't have to rinse or cleanse my face again. It does a wonderful job in removing any traces of makeup and excess dirt. It is gentle on the skin and feels so light and refreshing. I would definitely purchase this again. The product comes in a 200ml plastic bottle and it would last you a long time as a little goes a long way. 

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

This is my absolute favourite product from the Hydro Boost line. It totally deserves a big gold star. There are two creams in the range but the water gel variant is the ultimate winner. I have used the gel cream targeted to dry skin but it does not come close to this one, therefore I am not reviewing it here. The cream comes in a standard 50ml tub. It has a soft light creamy texture that melts into the skin. It locks in any serums and essences which you have applied before the last step. The cream is truly hydrating and keeps in moisture despite its light consistency. It lasts well throughout the night and I do not wake up with a dehydrated face nor an over oily face either. My skin looks plump, smooth and refreshed in the morning. I sometimes mix it into my daily SPF moisturiser in the mornings too, when I feel I need a little extra love and care. It blends well with other cosmetics and makeup products. I would definitely purchase this again when I run out. It's a good quality and effective low budget moisturising cream.

 These products do contain fragrance and have no anti-ageing benefits. These are the only true cons from the range for me. Over all I am very impressed with the Hydro Boost line. I recommend it to anyone who suffers from dry skin and looking for something more cost effective. These products have kept my skin moisturised and healthy through this chilly weather. Have you tried any of these products? Do let me know below. I hope this review was helpful. I have been using these products for more than two months now and feel I could give an honest intensive review. Sensing lots of love.

Divalicious Kisses

Xxxx

Hi Divas

Firstly I want to apologise for my complete absence on the blog. I have been travelling the Middle East again and doing shows. Unfortunately during that time I suffered severe insomnia and my brain just wasn't functioning properly at all. When I came back from my trip I really needed to sleep and rest. I wanted my body to get back to its normal sleeping patterns. I don't know if I will ever recover from the sleep I lost but I definitely feel much better and more energized. If you follow me on Instagram you can see some photos I posted from my trip. I won't be doing a blog post on it as it was a short trip and I didn't do anything exciting besides work. Now onto the blog post....

When I wake up in the morning the very first thing I do is go to the kitchen to make me a strong cup of coffee, with no sugar. I swear I can't do life without that first cup to kick me in my soul. I am not a morning person at all. So don't even think of trying to have a conversation with me when I just woke up. It's never going to happen, ever! LOL. About two months ago I shared my night time skin care routine with you. You can read that post here. This time I want to share my morning skin care routine too. It is not as extensive as my night routine though. I do most of my deep cleansing and moisturising in the evenings. I love to leave serums and creams on my face overnight to really soak in and do its magic. Since mornings are usually such a rush and a complete blur for me, I keep my skin care steps very simple.


My 4 Morning Skin Products:

1. Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner: As most of you know this is my holy grail toner of all time. It cleanses and wipes away oil and grime while controlling sebum and balancing the PH levels of my skin. I do not wash my face with a foam cleanser in the morning as I don't feel the need for a deep cleanse. This toner is sufficient for me to purify my face. Read my review on the toner here. (Available on Amazon and Ebay)

2. Goodal Waterest First Essence: Korean skin care consists of essences which are lighter than a serum but is packed with ingredients that are beneficial to the face. I like to use an essence that contain niacinamide as it is proven to brighten the skin tone and help prevent ageing. The Goodal essence contains brightening and moisturising ingredients that penetrate deep into my pores which gives me a healthy and youthful glow. It is such a pick me up for tired and dull skin. (Available on Amazon and Ebay)

3. Neutrogena Visibly Even Daily Moisturizer SPF30: I have tried many different moisturises with SPF but none work as well as this product. I always come back to this cream no matter the season. It blends wonderfully into the skin without leaving the face greasy or with a white residue as some SPF creams do. I like that it is light on the skin but moisturises really well. It works great with all types of foundations. It does not separate my makeup, make it oily or cakey. This is truly a holy grail day moisturiser for me.

4. Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Sleek Mist: When my face is feeling dry or tight I like to spritz this mist all over my face. It revives the skin and adds extra glow and hydration. The great thing about this mist is that you can spray it anywhere and anytime during your skin care routine. Sometimes I use it before I apply moisturiser and sometimes I apply it after my makeup to revive the skin. Plus the packaging is super duper cute. How could you not resist this?! Tony Moly is available at Sephora, Amazon and Ebay.


Hope you enjoyed my mini reviews on these products. What are some of your holy grail morning products that you love to use. Let me know below!



Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

Hi Beauties!

On one of my many beauty shopping trips I decided to try out a new face scrub as the one I had been using ran out. I wear BB creams and general makeup everyday so I am always looking for a gentle face scrub that would serve as a pre-cleanse. I don't like using makeup wipes to clean off my makeup at the end of the day as I feel it is a waste. I prefer to wash my face twice with facial cleansers and water for a squeaky clean face. Most BB creams and foundations plus heavy eye makeup are pretty hard to remove. Hence I like to wash my face thoroughly. I decided to try the Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit scrub as I have never used this range before and the price looked good. There are a lot of mixed reviews regarding this product online. Some seem to absolutely hate it while others adore the product. I thought I would give my 2 cents worth on it too.

No makeup! Just me, my puffy eyes and my craziness!!!

The product is described on the tube as a daily scrub that eliminates spots and blemishes while leaving your skin feeling fresh and clean. The scrub comes in a pretty pink 150ml tube and it smells like sweet grapefruit.  The consistency of the scrub is a gel like texture with fine micro beads, The beads are really fine and you have to look closely to see them. The scrub is gentle on the skin but you still feel like your skin is being exfoliated thanks to the fine micro beads. I gently rub the scrub all over my face in circular motions and wash it off with water. The product lathers well and a little goes a long way. It does a great job in removing most of my makeup and my skin feels fresh and uplifted after using this. I then go in with my Clarins gel facial cleanser and wash the rest of my face again. I actually like the grapefruit scent and it does a great job in energising your senses and making you feel awake if you use it in the morning.


Despite its claims of eliminating blemishes and blackheads, this is not a miracle scrub. I think it is a good scrub for daily use giving you a squeaky clean face. I don't think it will eradicate your skin problems any time soon. If you have sensitive skin then I suggest you stay clear of this scrub and try something that's less harsh as the micro beads or the alcohol in the product might irritate your skin. I hardly have issues with skin care products. My skin rarely has a breakout or flare up when it comes to skin care.I have not experienced any problems with this scrub. Maybe it's due to the fact that I use it as a pre-cleanse and wash my face afterwards with my Clarins gel. Either way, the scrub does its job in removing my makeup and cleansing my face. I think with most skin care products as this one, you have to test it out for yourself to see if your skin agrees with it or not.

Hope you found this review helpful.
Divalicious kisses.
Xxxx