Freebie From Glamour Test Panel - The New Clearasil Daily Clear PerfectaWash

Did you guess what was in my Glamour Test Panel Box?

Nope? 

I'm not surprised, this gadget isn't even in the shops until January!

It's the new 'Clearisil Daily Clear PerfectaWash', containing, Superfruits Extracts & Vitamin E refill facewash, which is specifically designed for oily skin that is prone to breakouts. 

But, it's not just a bottle of face wash, it also comes with an Automatic Face Wash Dispenser, kind of along the same lines as the no-touch hand washes that are on the scene at the moment.

At first I was a little confused, the touch-free hand soap is designed as a more hygienic to wash your hands after you go to the toilet, but why would you need a cleaner way to wash your face? 

However, once I read the information Glamour provided, it made a bit more sense. 

Basically, the concept is to give you the perfect dose of face wash, meaning you get the right amount to clean your skin without drying it out. The refill provides 100 washes, which if used morning and night, should last around 7 weeks.

The dispenser takes 3AA batteries, provided with the dispenser, you just switch it on at the back, wait till the blue light stops flashing and then place your hand under the dispenser.

I was a little surprised at how much face wash they recommend you to use, the amount provided was at least double as to what I would normally use.

The face wash itself is really nice, effective at reducing oil, yet gentle.

But, something just isn't selling it to me, I think it's because Clearasil are trying to solve a problem that no one really has. I mean, we all know how to wash our face, right?

Plus, I keep accidently activating it, and I'm pretty sure, my flatmates have been using it as hand soap...

I am really enjoying using the product, and like I said, the face wash is perfect for my skin but at an RRP of £12.99, I wouldn't purchase it myself.

However, as a freebie, it's a fab item to try, and I'm not gonna lie, it's nice to try an 'exclusive-not-even-available-in shops-yet' product.

Do you think there is a need for this product?

Is it something you'd like to try?

M x

This post is in no way sponsored or affiliated with Glamour, Clearasil, or any other company. And, as always, opinions are my honest own.

Also, Don't forget to enter my Christmas Giveaway, bundle of prizes include Bourjois, Eyeko, MUA and Forever 21.

Glasgow Haul: Boots, No7, John Frieda, Soap and Glory Cosmetics, 17, Estee Lauder, LUSH and Primark

(I know the pictures on a slant, but I didn't have the heart to crop out my cat, Cookie).

Okay, I seriously need to stop spending, but what fun would that be to read?

I was visiting my lovely friend John (or J-Lo as he is most affectionately known) at his Uni Halls in Glasgow the other day and thought I might treat myself to a little Haul (any excuse eh?). 

Total Amount Spent:

£58.72

Total Amount Saved:

£76.76

Here's a more in depth look at what I've blown spent this month's Student Loan on:

 My Boot's Haul, I must have spent over an hour in the store, here's what I got while I was there:

 No7:
- No7 Illuminated Make-Up Mirror, Was £49.99, On Offer Right Now For £19.99, 
- No7 Concealer Brush, £8
- Free No7 Gift Set and Make-Up Pouch/Purse/Handbag, Worth £31, Free When You Spend Over £22
  Included in the Gift:
  - No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow in Starry Lights (Mini, A Light Golden Beige, Perfect all over Eyelid, or as a Highlighter)
  - No7 High Shine Lipgloss in Whisper (A Soft Light Pink with an Intense Gold Shimmer throughout)
  - No7 Exception Definition Mascara Black (Mini)
  - No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Day Hand Cream (Mini)
  - No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum (Mini)
  - No7 Glitter Eye Liner in Mojito (Mini, A Golden Ivy Green) 

Unlike other times I've been in Boots, I wasn't actually in spending just to get the free gift. This time, I happened to see the mirror on special offer, and as soon as I seen it I knew it would be perfect for me. 

Do you ever do your make-up, only to find as soon as you leave the house your foundation is actually 3 shades darker than your skin tone? Forgot to conceal a spot? Or feel like you've sprouted a monobrow, even after tweezing? 

I currently apply my make-up in my full length bedroom mirror, but unless I practically smoosh my face against it, I don't get a good enough close view of face. 

This mirror is double-sided, with one side magnifying, one normal and both sides with an illuminating mirror. 

Although I love it, and it really is a must-have, it shows every flaw, and some I didn't even know I had. I know this is what it's supposed to do, but Jebus, why didn't anyone tell me I was growing a rather fetching Unibrow?

The mirror is on offer at the moment, reduced from £49.99, to a more than reasonable £19.99, (and it plugs into a socket, so you don't need to fork out extra for batteries).

I also picked up a No7 Concealer Brush to apply my new Soap and Glory Kick Ass Concealer (see below), for £8. It is literally the softest brush I own, forget the cats, I think I could stroke this brush all day! 

And, as I had spent £27.99 I also qualified for the No7 Free Gift. The Gift comes in a scalloped 1920's style Prussian Blue Pouch, and the contents are as above. The Hand Cream has been great with the cold weather, as I'm ashamed to admit I didn't even own a Hand Cream, and the make-up will of course be put to good use. There was also a cheeky £5 off No7 Mascara Voucher inside, which will be perfect for when my treasured No7 Lash Adapt Mascara dries up.

The lovely lady at the counter also informed me that although Boots aren't running the £5 No7 Vouchers at the moment, they are giving out a randomized £5 Vouchers for Boots when you purchase anything, including £5 off Electricals. 

So she kindly advised me to pay for my non No7 products first, and I was lucky enough to recieve a £5 off Electrical Voucher, meaning I got a fiver off my No7 Illuminating Make-Up Mirror, making it only £14.99!

Amount Spent:

£22.99

Amount Saved:

£66

 17:
- 17 Magnetized Nail Polish in Blue, £5.99
- 17 Wild Metallic Cream Eyeshadow in Bronze, £3.99
- 17 Wild Metallic Cream Eyeshadow in Midnight Blue, £3.99 (Free on 3 for 2 offer)

You will have had to be living in an Amazonian Rainforest for the past year not to have heard of Magnetic Nail Polish, and even then I wouldn't be surprised if you passed a tribe painting their nails with this stuff! So, I finally caved in and bought 17's version, at £5.99 it's the cheapest version I've seen. 

Superdrug Brand Fashionista have a similar version called "The Saturday's Magnetism Nail Laquer", (funnily enough, fronted by The Saturday's), it's priced at £6, but you have to buy the Magnet separately for an extra £3!

As 17 currently is on 3 for 2 in Boots, I picked up two Wild Metallic Cream Eyeshadow's (Well, it would have been rude not to). 

I tried to pick two versatile colours, a neutral day colour (Wild Nude) and a dark night colour (Midnight Blue). As you can see from photo I had a little swatch and they are very blendable and quite pigmented, but I'd obviously need to wear them all day to give a better test. 

Amount Spent:

£9.98

Amount Saved:

£3.99

 Face:
- Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer in Light, £10
- Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation 10-Day Sample in Ecro, Free

You might have seen the Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer on my recent LUST LIST. Soap & Glory Cosmetics have only recently launched, and this type of product seemed unique to them. A Compact Concealer Kit with a Salmon skin tone colour for under-eye concealing and a more yellow tone to cover blemishes. Add to the kit a translucent setting powder, a puff applicater and a handy mirror and you've got everything you would ever need for hiding anything you really don't need.

While I was in Boots I also picked up a 10-Day Sample of Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Ecro. This foundation is much hyped in the Bloggisphere, who doesn't want their foundation to last that little bit longer? We'll see if this sample manages to tempt me into buying the full bottle. 

I was also Uhming and Ahing over the Estee Lauder Make-Up Artist Professional Colour Collection, worth £310, but can be purchased for £50 when buying an Estee Lauder Fragrance. 

I had my heart set on buying before I went in, but for some reason maybe hungover, I just wasn't too fussed for it when I saw it instore. I think it was because none of the fragrances appealed to me. You can't deny it's a great deal, but something just didn't click. If you have purchased the set, or have seen a review please let me know.

Amount Spent:

£10

John Frieda: 
All 3 for £10:
- John Frieda Radiant Red Colour Magnifying Shampoo, £5.39
- John Frieda Radiant Red Colour Magnifying Conditioner, £5.39
- John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum Extra Strength, £5.99

John Frieda Radiant Red is the only range I know specifically made for Red Hair, that is readily available on the High Street, for a reasonable price. It smells like Caramel, and I've used it religiously ever for the 2 years I've been Red. 

The 3 for £10 offer on the John Frieda range came at the perfect time as I was running low and at £5.39 each, you're also making a hefty saving. 

I picked up the Frizz-Ease Hair Serum Extra Strength to complete the deal, I wasn't sure what to choose as my third product, but I thought, why go for Normal Frizz-Ease Serum when you can have Extra Strength?

Amount Spent:

£10

Amount Saved:

£6.77

Now on to what I purchased in other Stores:

 LUSH: 
- Love Lettuce Face Mask, £5.50
- Pow Wow Lip Scrub, £4.75
- Cosmetic Warrior Face Mask, Generous Sample, Free

The Love Lettuce Mask was also on this week's LUST LIST, and I'm glad I managed to get it. While I was visiting my friend in Glasgow, we all went out for more than the human body can physically handle a few drinks, and because my skin is sadomasochistic it's deciding to punish me with bad skin for a whole week after. Hopefully this will reduce any spots that are itching to appear at the moment, and remove any dead skin. 

Love Lettuce (which actually doesn't contain any lettuce, not a trace!) is described as "an effective exfoliating face mask which gives normal to oily skin a softened, smooth and radiant glow". It will definitely be featured in FaceMask Friday, so you can expect a review soon.

While I was in Lush, my eye was caught by the Christmas limited edition Lip Scrub; Pow Wow. Pow Wow smells incredibly zesty and fresh and is made with popping candy, yes POPPING CANDY! 

It would have been a crime to leave this on the shelf, not only because it's Willy Wonka Wonderful, but because Winter is playing Havoc with my once soft lips. Not only does Pow Wow leave your lips smooth, it tastes amazing. You only need to dab your finger on the product and you have enough for your lips, meaning it will take years to hit the pan.

This was only my second ever trip to LUSH, and I've really been missing out. 

The staff are genuinely friendly, not at all in an overpowering way, and were even kind enough to give me a (very generous) sample of Cosmetic Warrior FaceMask. 

This sized sample, when used frugally, has enough product for at least four uses. 

And, unlike other stores which shall remain unnamed, are very happy to give you samples, and most of the time, will offer you them without even having to ask.

LUSH is fast becoming my favourite store, and I'm sure you can see why.

Amount Spent:

£10.25

Primark:
- 2 Pack of Hair Scarves, £2
- Silk Vintage Pattern Scarf, £2
- Leopard Wire Hair Tie, £1.50

A trip to Glasgow really wouldn't be complete without a trip to Primark (Edinburgh doesn't have a Primark yet, though hopefully by the end of the year, it will). 

I won't bore you with my other purchases (PJ's and the fluffiest dressing gown ever), but I thought you may like to see my new Hair Accessories. 

You know I love my vintage styles, these accessories are definitely not for the shy and retiring, hopefully they'll jazz up my dull winter layers.

Amount Spent:

£5.50

I hope you've enjoyed my bargainess haul, if you'd like to see a review/tutorial/FOTD with any of the products then just leave a comment below.

I managed to get two products from my LUST LIST and as Meatloaf says, 2 of out 3 4 ain't bad.

Have you tried anything I've bought? What have you been buying this week?

M x

Also, Don't forget to enter my Christmas Giveaway, bundle of prizes include Bourgois, Eyeko, MUA and Forever 21.

This post is not sponsored or affiliated with any company. All products were purchased with my own money, and opinions are honest as always.

FaceMask Friday: Superdrug Tea Tree and Peppermint Mud Mask 89p

Sporting a Quiff that would make even Jedward Jealous.

I love a good FaceMask. Any product that will do all the work will I sit back and relax sounds good to me. 
And what better way to relax after the working week, and prep your face for partying?

The facemask I'm using this week is Superdrug's Tea Tree Mud Mask, the mask retails for 89p, and can be bought from most Superdrug stores.

First Impressions:
Even though its only a 10ml pack, you get a lot of product. 
I've decided to split the pack in two and use it twice, as one thin coat evenly applied will do the job just as well and cover your whole face, unless you have a giant moon face like Katherine, (Inside joke, I'm not just abusing random bloggers on flight of fancy).
The mask itself is a light pale green colour, with the recognisable Tea Tree smell. It applied very smoothly, with a refreshing, light and tingly feel. The mask did not sting my face at all, just cooled. As it dried it went a little stiff, but not so much that I couldn't comfortably move my face. As scientifically demonstrated below.

After:
I left the mask on for at least the directed 10 minutes, maybe more, by then it had dried and I gently washed it off with lukewarm water.My face was left feeling very fresh, thoroughly cleaned and oil free. The mask had not stripped my face uncomfortably, it was still very soft and gentle.

Superdrug Tea Tree and Peppermint Mud Mask say:
- Specifically formulated to deeply cleanse and purify pores, leaving skin feeling fresh and clean.


I say:
- A great and inexpensive mask for oily or spot-prone skin. 
- I did notice a reduction in the appearance of my pores and blackheads. 
- It was a treat to use and I think this would be amazing for when you are feeling hungover under the weather as it's refreshing and cooling. 
- It's only 89p, and would provide enough for 2 masks when used thinly. 
- Highly recommend :)

Have you used this Facemask? What Facemask's do you recommend?

M x 

Maxine Reviews: Johnson's Face Care Daily Essentials Refreshing Gel Wash

Okay, I agree. No one has ever set the world alight with the review of a face wash.

But bear with me, this is a Beauty Blog after all, it can't all be lipgloss and mascara. 

You've gotta start somewhere, and what use is a new MAC lipstick if you're covering up your face with a scarf because you're having (yet another) bad skin day.

As I have said before, I do have quite oily skin, which can be prone to breakouts, and so I preferred to use face washes that were specifically made for Acne skin. 

In my opinion, if it didn't strip your skin, and leave it dried out - it just wasn't working. 

The problem with using face wash made for spot prone skin is that some can strip your skin so much, that your skin then tries to combat the lack of moisture by producing even more oil a.k.a grease central.

I tried Johnson's Face Care Daily Essentials Refreshing Gel Wash when I was visiting family. I had received a couple of sachets in a magazine and to try and save space had brought them with me instead of my usual face wash. I wasn't expecting much from it to be honest, I had perceived Johnson's as a "gentle" baby brand, and assumed it would either leave a residue or not be "powerful" enough.

I hate to say it, but I was wrong, the face wash itself is so smooth, and feels very soft on your skin. Don't let the word "soft" fool you though. It cleaned my face thoroughly, leaving no residue, only a silky smooth face. The face wash has tiny little pink beads which burst when washing, leaving you refreshed. The smell has the same gently perfumed scent as all Johnson's products.

As soon as I had finished my sachets I went out and bought it straight away! With my own money I should add, and I wasn't disappointed. The packaging is pretty and simple, though do be careful not to squeeze too much of the face wash out, as this can easily happen.

Pros: 
- Leaves skin feeling super soft.
- Cleared my breakouts within days.
- Gentle enough to use daily.
- At £3.15 for 150ml (Boots price), this face wash is great value for money.
- Is widely stocked.


Cons:
- Sometimes, if your not careful, too much product may ooze out.


Johnson's say: Gentle yet effective. Thanks to Johnson's expertise in soft, delicate skin, all products work in harmony with your skin type to provide gentle yet effective care for even sensitive skin.


I say: If you have problem skin, why not give this face wash a try? By taking a more gentle approach to you skin you might be surprised by the effect. Johnson's also have products lines for Dry and Combination skin. I really love this face wash and can't praise it enough. I highly recommend it :)


Johnson's Face Care Daily Essentials Refreshing Gel Wash 150ml can be bought here from Boots at £3.15, and is available in most supermarkets.

This is not a sponsored post. This product was bought with my own money and, as always, reviews are my own honest opinion.

M x