Laura Thornberry

fashion

OOTD - A Splash of Burgundy

By Laura Thornberry - 13:00

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fashion

OOTD - Keep It Simple

By Laura Thornberry - 13:00

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beauty

Review - La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+*

By Laura Thornberry - 13:00

As I've recently really wanted to change up my skincare routine and incorporate some new products to help clear up and help improve the condition of my skin, when the lovely team at Escentual gave me the opportunity to test out the new La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ *, I jumped at the chance as I had heard so many great reviews of this product and the brand is something I haven't tried before, but I know they are well raved about in the blogosphere!

Now I wouldn't say my skin is awfully bad, I have normal to oily skin, from time to time I do suffer with spots and blemishes, as well as a few red patches, so when I received this in the post, it arrived in my time off need! A definite miracle! Most skincare products to take while to get working and for you skin to adjust and get used to, but the Effaclar Duo seemed to have visible effects after the first week, which I was super impressed with! Since then, I've been using the Effaclar Duo+ for around 3 weeks now and it has definitely improved any imperfections and the general appearance of my skin. My skin looks and feel a lot more smooth, my redness has reduced considerably and any blemish marks are slowly becoming less visible.

"Target the key signs of oily and blemish-prone skin with La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+], a complete skincare solution that eliminates acne marks from the moment they start to form.

The product is quite a lightweight gel like cream consistency that applies so smoothly and absorbs into the skin so quickly. It has a lovely clean and fresh scent which I really like, as I have found some similar products to have quite an off putting scent which can be slightly overwhelming and overpowering. I've been using this product after cleansing my skin, both day and night, and then following with a moisturiser, which seems to be working well for my skin. It really is a delight to use, and a definite repurchase item in my skincare staples.

This non-sticky, melt-in formula is clinically proven to correct the appearance of blemishes, while unclogging blocked pores, controlling shine and refining the skin’s texture. Anti-inflammatory Niacinamide intensely soothes, while LHA and Salicylic Acid gently exfoliate the surface of the skin. Suitable for even the most sensitive skin, the formula accelerates the skin’s repair process."

"The best selling Duo formula has now been enhanced with Procerad, a patented Ceramide that rebuilds the skin’s surface and prevents the red and brown pigmentation marks left behind by acne. This key ingredient reduces inflammation and the proliferation of hyper-pigmentation, which can become permanent if left untreated."

If you're someone who suffers from redness, spots and blemishes or uneven skin tone, I cannot recommend this product enough. I know a lot of skincare takes a while to get working, but if you want to see gradual result in a shorter space of time than usual products, I would suggest you give this ago as it has done wonders for my skin! This is the first product from La Roche-Posay that I have tried and to be honest, I can't wait to get my hands on some more of what they have to offer! I was also super impressed with the amount of samples Escentual put together with this product, which included various Bioderma goodies, which pretty much every blogger raves about!

Have you tried the Effaclar Duo+? What did you think of the product? Have you tried any other products from La Roche-Posay?

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beauty

Review - Origins Clear Improvement Mask

By Laura Thornberry - 13:00

The Origins Clear Improvement Mask seems to be a well raved about blogger's favourite product. Origins is a brand that I'd been interested in for a while, and this mask seems to be renowned in the blogging world as a 'holy grail product', but at £22 a tube, to me that did seem like a lot for just a face mask! But you know, as a more "high end" skincare product that I wanted to see what the hype was, I happily parted with the cash in hope it would help unclog and clear my skin! I have combinations skin (dry and oily) so I was hoping that this would be a great addition to my skincare routine and that my skin would love the stuff!

"When environmental pollutants, dirt and debris get under your skin, its waste-filtering system gets jammed, pores get clogged, skin looks cloudy. Nature's complexion clean-up crew in Origins Clear Improvement gets to the bottom of skins overcast condition and clears the way for it to act its best. Activated Charcoal acts like a magnet to draw out pore-cloggers, White China Clay absorbs environmental pollutants, Lecithin dissolves impurities. Without all that "stuff" down there, skin "breathes a sigh of relief."

Before purchasing this face mask, I was using the Boots Botanics Shine Away Ionic Clay Mask, which I do still use now and again, and really do love. It has similar features to the Origins mask, but sometimes it can be slightly too drying on the skin and can irritate my skin if left on too long, so I opted to try the Origins mask.

Like any normal mask, I simply use this once/twice a week, whilst opening my pores with warm face towel and layering mask on so that my face is evenly covered. I then allow it to dry, where you are at the face cracking tightness stage and then rinse well with water, and cleanse afterwards. After washing it off, I could really tell the difference due to how my skin feels and looks, even after the first use. My skin felt super clean, extremely soft, and very glowing which really brightened up my usual dull looking skin. I have also seen an improvement in the oiliness of my skin, has definitely reduced, especially around my t-zone, nose and chin, which is a definite bonus!

Overall, I was very pleased with the Origins Clear Improvement mask and can see why so many people rave about the stuff! It is definitely something that has become a staple in my skincare routine, alongside a couple of other masks, but I generally use the Origins one when my skin is really bad or I have a lot of blemishes. At £22 it is a little steep, but a little does go along way with this mask, but if you wanted a similar product on a drugstore budget, I would definitely recommend the Boots Botanics Ionic Clay Mask, as I love that just as much!

Have you used the Origins Clear Improvement Mask before?