Sample Review #1

Hi guys. From this week on I will be starting a series of sample reviews because one: I have a lot of samples to finish off and two: would be really nice to share with you how I think of them especially when some products are pricy. So I hope you like the idea and let's get started with my very first sample review. 

First up is the Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate by Kiehl's. This serum is a total bomb! I would purchase the full size Ohh definitely! I use this at night after my Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate and before Josie Maran Argan Oil. When I wake up in the morning my skin is glowing, eventoned and I just look younger. I mean I'm not old but my skin just looks so healthy and youthful you know what I mean?! 

The texture is lovely too. It feels very smooth and kind of siliconey. When I rub this serum on my face it becomes hot which is very interesting as I have never experienced anything like this before. I supposed the hotness means it's working. 

It has pure Vitamin C and Ascorbic Acid which are great for brightening the complexion. I don't know about the "line reduction" part because I haven't had any yet (touch wood) but I do notice my skin is bright, even, smooth and youthful. I think it would definitely work for someone who has fine lines but don't think it would function as well on someone who has deep wrinkles. 

This little tube (5ml) lasted me almost 2 weeks so a little goes a long way. The full size contains 50ml and costs €55 here in Italy. It's by no means cheap but I think it's worth it. I would use this only at night because it feels kind of greasy in a way but if you have dry skin then using it in the morning shouldn't be a problem. 

Next up is another serum that I have been trying lately and loving. It's the Anti-Aging Corrective Concentrate by La Roche-Posay. Again another lovely serum and I can feel it's working for my skin. You might think that I use a lot of Anti-Aging products but you know girl I'm 31, not getting any younger. It's better to prevent than fixing it later right?! In fact women should start using anti aging products after age 25. We only have one face, one life so let's start taking care of it! I mean I started using eye ream when I was 17. Probably not necessary you think but I don't have any fine lines nor crow feet around my eyes so I think it has something to do with using eye creams early age. Oops sorry I went a little off-topic there. As I was saying this serum has a lovely texture, kind of gel like, easy to absorb and doesn't feel heavy on the skin. The full size costs around €38 and you get 30ml of product. 

The only thing I have with this serum is the smell. I mean it's not bad but it kinda smells good at first then it turns into a bad smell after rubbing it in. It's hard to explain it. I mean maybe it's just me. Nothing major but something to consider if scent is important to you. 

If I have to choose between these 2 then I would go for the Kiehl's one just because it has no scent and I feel like it works better on my skin. I can see the result better. But that being said the serum by La Roche-Posay is pretty good as well. 

That's it guys. Next week I will be doing another of my sample review so stay tuned for that. I hope this review is somewhat helpful. They are not cheap so it would be nice to know how they are before purchasing and that's the main reason why I want to start this sample review series. Please let me know how you think of it and as always follow me on twitter and Instagram @eflicciardello for daily photo updates. Also it would be awesome if you follow my blog as well just hit the "g+ following" button below my headshot on this page. Thank you so much for reading and see you all this weekend! Bye! Muahh! 

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Updated Morning Skincare Routine

Hey guys. Another weekend has begun and I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Today I want to talk you through my Updated Morning Skincare Routine because it has been almost 4 months since my last one and some of the products have changed in my morning routine so I think it's time to show you the updated version. I'll link my old Morning Skincare Routine right  for you if you fancy giving it a read. 

Basically I have changed my entire morning skincare products apart from my Oskia Perfect Cleanser and my Nuxe Reve De Miel lip balm. Those two items are just my staples and I can see myself using them for a very long time. I don't think I want to replace them anytime sooner to be honest and that's just to show you how much I love them. I am not gonna talk about these 2 products again so please click the link above if you wanna know more. 

Let's move onto the toner. The one I have been using and enjoying lately is the Avene Thermal Water Spray. This stuff is so refreshing. It's perfect for summer. It feels comfortable on the face. It's hydrating and it calms the redness on the face as well. This is also great for taking it on the go or to the beach for a little refreshment for the face. It is also really affordable so can't go wrong with it. 

My morning moisturizer and eye cream are both from Caudalie and they are from the Polyphenol C15 Anti-Wrinkle line. They are lovely products, light yet moisturizing. I have a full blogpost dedicated to these 2 products so I'll link it  for you if you wanna see details. The moisturizer has SPF 20 so I normally skip sunscreen but if I know I'm gonna be in the sun for a long time then I would use my Kiehl's Ultra Light Sun Cream which I had talked about in the past I'll link it  if you are interested in what I had to say. 

That's it guys. Very simple but effective for me. I like to keep my morning skincare routine really simple especially for the summer as I hate layering too much product and the feeling of stickiness is just unbearable. These products work really well together and never irritate my skin. So if you are thinking about a change in your skincare routine then I highly recommend these goodies. All the products that I have showed here are generally for all skin types as almost all of them are French Pharmacy products so they would never irritate or do any harm to any skin. 

I hope you have enjoyed looking into my morning skincare products and as always please follow me on Twitter and Instagram @eflicciardello. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. I would be happy to help. Thank you so much for reading and I will see you all next time. Bye! Muahh!

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Battle of Sunscreens

Sunscreens. How so important for protecting our skin from the harsh sun light which will give us rough skin texture, wrinkles, skin pigmentation and possibly the worst: skin cancer. 

Sunscreens are essential when it comes to skincare and it should be the last step of your skincare routine and before your makeup. You should wear it every single day even it's not sunny outside, because the UV rays can still get through the clouds get you eventually. 

If you are someone, and by someone I mean myself who uses chemical exfoliating mask/treatment or toner at night then it is a crucial in terms of putting on sunscreen everyday before stepping out the door because chemical exfoliating treatments e.g Alpha H Liquid Gold can make our skin super sensitive to the sun. 

Now let's talk about my choice of sunscreens. I have 6 here to show you today, 5 of them I like and 1 disappointment. I should let you know that all of my face and body sunscreens are above SPF 30 because of where I live. I live in Sicily Italy, and for those of who doesn't know it gets super duper hot here in the summer, if I leave the house without sunscreens on then I. AM. SCREWED! I mean I get burnt here, literally! And I never burn even when I went to Hawaii. Let's just say the Sicilian sun is poison. Ok that might be over exaggerated but the sun here is pretty harsh. 

Ok ok enough rambling, the first one I am going to show you today is the Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50 PA+++ UVA. Wow that's a long name. I bought it after reading the blogpost of Anna from Viviannadoesmakeup which I'll link it here so do give it a read. Seriously she is fabulous and you all know how much I love her by the times of her name showing up on my blog. 

Anyway... I love this sunscreen. It's SPF 50 which is really high in terms of protecting the skin. By the way SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor in case you are wondering. This sunscreen helps protect against pigmentation, irregularities and premature skin aging, which is why this one is more of an UVA protection sunscreen. However the the Kiehl's website says it has UVB protection as well so I guess I am covered. Ohh just so you know, UVA rays can age us and UVB rays can burn us so make sure to chose one that can protect your skin against both rays. 

This is a creamy physical sunscreen but very light in texture. It's not sticky, doesn't give you a nasty white-cast like some other high SPFs can do. It has no smell to it, also dermatologist tested so suitable for sensitive skin. It's very moisturizing but not thick so it feels very comfortable to wear it even under makeup. Ohh I should tell you that it's also a great base before my foundation because once it dries it sets so my foundation don't slide around which it's just what I need for summer. 

It comes in a tube (60ml 2.0 fl. Oz) which is very hygienic as I don't have to dip my fingers in a pot you know, and the packaging is very clean and sleek in my opinion. 

Just a little pointer: I don't suggest you tan too much under the sun although I know some of you are addict to tanning, just remember NEVER EVER go tanning between 11am and 3pm. It's really bad for your skin and you'll look older faster, sorry but it's true! 

Moving on to the next sunscreen which I also really really like. It's the Clarins UV PLUS HP Multi-Protection SPF 40 UVA-UVB/PA+++/Oil-Free/Anti-Pollution. OK now this name is even longer than the Kiehl's one. Mann! 

Unlike the Kiehl's one this is a fluid sunscreen. It's fairly watery and you do need to shake it up before applying to your face. It's a physical sunscreen same as the Kiehl's one which I like. Don't buy chemical sunscreens guys because they are never good for your skin. It is very light and it sinks into my skin very quickly and it's a matte finish so great base before foundation. It does have a smell to it but nothing crazy. It doesn't leave the unattractive white-cast same as the Kiehl's one. It comes in a little squeezable bottle (30ml 1 fl. Oz) and I really like the dispeanser as you can easily control how much you wanna squeeze out. All in all I really do like it.

If you have oily skin then I recommend the clarins one but if you have drier skin the Kiehl's one is the way to go. Price wise they are both around 37€ but with the Kiehl's one you do get doubled the size, so you do the math! 

Next up is the Extra Smooth Sun Protection Lotion SPF 30 from Shiseido. Shiseido does some really good sunscreens. They have a huge range of sunscreens and the one I have here it's a sun protection lotion for both face and body. It contains 100ml of product and it costs around 27€. 

Now I don't use this one on a daily basis only when I go to the beach. You should also know that I rarely use it on my face, it's more of a body sun lotion for me. I'll tell why. It's very rich so feels kinda greasy but not too much. It does leave a white-cast but once dries you can't really tell. I think this one is a bit too rich for face but nice and moisturizing for body. It's water resistant which makes it perfect for the beach. Just remember shake well before use. 

Moving on... Let's talk about this bareMinerals Natural Sunscreen UVA/UVB Protection for Face and Body. This is a powder sunscreen and apparently it's beneficial for our skin because it's made of natural minerals. I featured it in my Disappointing Products blogpost and if you are interested in what I had to say just .  

I like the concept of this sunscreen, you know how you can take it on the go, great for touchup which is the main reason why I got it. Honestly guys sunscreens do wear off as the day progresses and we can't take our makeup off when we are out and about so this is ideal for applying on the go for the loss of sunscreen without taking off our makeup. Am I right? 

It's a cool product but I don't like the brush that it comes with. It's too dense, it doesn't distribute the powder evenly and it looks kinda cakey sometimes. I tried it with my own brush which is rather lovely but the bad news is I have to depot the powder so makes it impossible to take it on the go. The powder is itself is quite soft and finely milled but i guess I just wish it came with a softer fluffy brush. What can I say, we can't have everything I guess! 

The skin around the eye area are most delicate, it needs special care, and I am not just talking about our normal eye creams also sunscreens for eyes. That's right. You heard me, which brings you my next product. It is the Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 25. 

This is a lovely product that you use around the eyes before going out in the sun. It protects against sun damage around the delicate eye area and moisturizes at the same time. I also found it brightens my under eye area which I am really happy about. It's moisturizing like I said before but light enough so my concealer don't slide around. I'm almost done with this tube (15ml) and really need to get myself another one. I like the fact that it's SPF 25 which is quite a high protection as far as eye cream goes. I really do like it. I recommend! 

Last but not least is the Shiseido Sun Protection Lip Treatment SPF 20. I swear I am not being paid to make this post, just a little disclaimer here for ya. I know I have quite a few of the Shiseido products, that's because they are really that good, and they do have a lot of choices when it comes to sunblocks. 

As I was saying, this is an average stick lip balm that moisturizes like normal lip balms do, but the difference is that it also protects our lips from the effects of UVA and UVB rays. It is SPF 20 which is awesome for protecting against the sun so that our lips won't feel dry, rough nor darken from the sun. I should mention that this is not a replacement for your normal lip balm because all sunblock products contain Zinc Oxide or/and Titanium Dioxide which make them ultimately drying. It does leave a little white-cast on the lip but I honestly don't mind because I do put lipstick on top. It smells pretty good too. I finished mine ages ago so really need to get another one. 

There you have it. I hope this is helpful. I know it's kinda boring and common sense but someone has to do it, and I can't stress enough how important sunscreens are to us especially when summer's coming. So guys again do wear sunscreens not just for the face but wherever it's exposed to the sun when you are out and about. A few tips for you: avoid going out from 11am to 3pm unless you have to; wear sunglasses and hats; apply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours especially on the beach; and lastly avoid walking around near cars too often as car windows can reflect the sun then UV rays could land on your face, seriously. I know you might think it's ridiculous but it's true.

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My Top 5 Facial Oils

I am a big fan of facial oils if you haven't noticed it already from my Morning and Evening skincare Routine blogposts I did like a month ago, which by the way check them out if you are into skincare like I am. Just click on the links above. Anyways as I was saying facial oils are so so good for your skin and much more hydrating than moisturisers. Here are my 5 facial oils which I am currently loving and I'll tell you why in a minute, I have a couple more are on my wish list and when I get to try them eventually I will report back how they are. Always trying out new face oils  I know... By the way I don't actually have dry skin, it's more normal to combo but I do enjoy using oils. Think about it the reason why your skin produces so much oil is because your skin is dehydrated. So don't be scared of oils if you have oily skin because they can balance out your complexion. 

There we go. My top 5. I guess I'll start with the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery concentrate. They are in no particular order by the way, I love them all the same but for different purposes. 

This stuff is seriously amaze balls, and I'll tell you why.

• It hydrates instantly
• It penetrates deeply into your skin
• It smells OMG divine if you like Lavender
• It's so light, not sticky at all
• You'll wake up with a nice glow on the face (seriously)
• It cost 39 euros but it lasts like forever, seriously this stuff never finishes. 

TIP: try mixing it with your favourite clay mask, it'll just give you an extra boost. It worths every penny, so try it guys. If you have never used oils before the Kiehl's one is a good start! It's a serum but moisturise enough to be a moisturiser. I personally layer it with another oil which I'll get into it in a minute, but if you don't have dry skin this is good enough on its own. 

Now I know that everybody loves the Rosie Maran's Argan Oil so I am not gonna get into too much of detail but I'll tell you why I LOVE IT. It hydrates like nobody else's business! Exclamation point!!!! That's it, that's why I love it, I think that's a pretty good reason right?!!! Plus It's very natural and has all the good skincare ingredients in there. It's rich in Vitamin E so great source of Anti Oxidant for delaying ageing. I got the miniature version and definitely would pick up the full size when this runs out if it ever does. A little goes a long way with this oil. I also wanna try the "light" version. Does anybody know how it is compare to the original one? Please let me know. 

This Nude ProGenius Treatment Oil is actually a deluxe sample which I got from Sephora when it had a promotion. I am glad I got this because it is lovely. It's light yet hydrating, it doesn't have a smell to it which is okay although I do prefer a light relaxing scent to be honest, but it's good for those of you who are sensitive to fragrance. It's a treatment oil so you only need to use this one after washing your face in the evening, and you WILL wake up with a nice glow and more eventoned complexion. It's suitable for vegans as well just FYI. I will definitely pick up a full size when I finish up my other face oils. 

Next up, the Pure Maracuja Oil by Tarte. You can always find this under Sephora's best sellers, and now I know why. It's definitely a must have if you are into facial oils. I mix this with my Argan oil as my moisturiser and let me tell you the combination of these 2 is incredibly moisturising, but remember to use it in the evening it is too "oily" for morning use. It's rich in Vitamin C which is great for brightening your complexion if you have dark spots' marks and uneven skin tones. I got mine again in the miniature version, which by the way is great for travelling, and great value for money , trying it out before splurging on the big bottle right guys?! It also comes in a roller ball form, and I think I will get it next time just to experience the sensation of rolling this oil all over ma face! haha

I applaud you if you are still with me. I know I ramble, but we are almost there, I promise. 

Last but not least, the Normalising Day Oil by Dr. Hauschka. This is the only oil that you should use it in the morning as your moisturiser. It really balances out your skin no matter what skin type you have. I used up the whole bottle and it lasted me more than a year. I know right?! You only need a couple drops for entire face and neck. I found my face a lot less oily on the T zone and my foundation stays on all day. I love this so much and I am gonna have to pick up another bottle soon. I prefer using it in the winter, spring and autumn except summer, I just find a little too heavy in the summer. I love the scent, it smells like oranges, absolutely joyful to use in the morning. The only downside is that it leaks, it leaks everywhere. The bottle is a pain in the neck but they have changed the bottle I've heard so that's good news. 

There you have it, my beloved facial oils which are very very good for your skin no matter what age you are, and what skin type you might have. Try to use oils instead of creams in your skincare regime and you will see the difference once you get into it. 

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