Superdrug Skincare Picks

When I first started blogging, I used to be amazed when I read other people writing 'I liked the look of this so I thought I'd buy it and give it a try'. I was a lot younger then and with my pocket money I could only buy the odd hyped product now and again after much careful consideration. Its been almost 2 years since I started my part time job and it means that every now and again I can treat myself to the bits and bobs in Superdrug that I just like the look of. 
I was always a Boots loyal when it came to feeding my beauty product addiction but over the past year I feel like Superdrug has really upped its game. There always seems to be promotions on and however sad it may sound, I think its so fun to go in and fill my basket. 
Today I'd like to mention a few skincare gems I've been using from Superdrug, all really reasonably priced and they all land top marks in my book.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

You can find my full review here in which I absolutely raved about this product and said that I actually preferred it to the original micellar water Bioderma. The only issues I raised were its impracticability for travelling and that you couldn't remove the cap. Well, they've only went and fixed exactly those problems! The new 400ml design has a easily removable cap and the mini size is the cutest thing I ever did see. I always buy a few of the big bottles at once when they're 1/3 off in Superdrug as its the only makeup remover I use.

Bio-Oil I thought I'd throw this in as I was recommended it and decided to pick it up in the hope it'd improve the appearance of my scars. I have noticed a slight improvement to scars on my leg with sporadic use but I think for it to really work you need to use it consistently and for a good few months. Have any of you tried it and has it worked well for you?
Vitamin E Eye Cream I think Superdrug's Vitamin E brand is underrated. They have lots of different skincare items in their range (wipes, masks, body oil) and since its 'own brand' is is very reasonably priced. The skin around my eyes became really dry during winter and I needed a simple eye cream that would moisturise the skin without irritating my sensitive eyes. This worked wonders. It feels light, refreshing and absorbs really quickly. I also have the SuperBalm from the Vitamin E range and I've really been enjoying that too.
Simple Kind to Skin Light Moisturiser This is a classic that I've been using for years. I go between this and the Rich Moisturiser, sometimes mixing the two at once. This is excellent for sensitive skin and absorbs really quickly. I really like the fresh smell of Simple products (I also use their cleanser and toner). I buy this when its on 3 for 2 and always forget that I have like 6 bottles in my cupboard!
Superdrug's Own Brand 'Destressing' and 'Refreshing' Face Masks I vaguely remember reading a review of one of these ages ago and when I saw that they were 2 for £3.50 I thought I'd pick them up for pamper nights. I've never used a peel-off mask before and its been quite an usual experience. The first time when I was taking it off I felt like a creature out of Doctor Who taking off my flesh (although I didn't really of course) and the next time I didn't put enough on so it came off in tiny bits. The mud mask is more of what I'm used to- put the mask on, leave it for 10 minutes and then wash off to a refreshed complexion. I think for the amount of product you get these are really good value and are all I'm really looking for from a face mask. Word to the wise though- be sure to stick to the directed time- I left one of these on for more than half an hour and came downstairs to horrified looks from my family: 'wtf happened to your face?!' 'why's it so red and blotchy?' thankfully it went back to normal quickly. 

The best thing about all these products is that they are all very affordable, keep problem skin at bay and don't irritate it (with the exception of the face mask faux pas which was entirely my own fault). 
What are your top Superdrug skincare picks?

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water Review

Hey Everyone!
You have probably seen review after review of Garnier Micellar Water as its release has caused quite a storm in the blogsphere but I'm just going to add my tuppence worth and hope that the fact I'm now on my second bottle can provide you with more of an  insight than you have already. 

I originally bought this back in February as an affordable alternative to the amazing Bioderma. When I bought it in Superdrug it was on an introductory offer so was about £3.50. I've never delved into Garnier skincare before, in fact, until recently I hadn't really delved into any skincare besides my Simple Moisturiser. I finally realised that I needed to implement a skincare routine because my skin has went from bad to worse over the last few months, and an essential part to every skincare routine is makeup remover.
I use this with a small round cotton pad to remove my makeup at the end of the day. I usually use around four pads to make sure every spot of make up is gone. I've read on quite a few blogs that people find this a lot easier to pour than alternatives such as the L'Oreal Micellar Water. In my opinion, its actually pretty easy to pour too much onto the pad. I do really like the amount of product you get though- 400ml is pretty generous for the price. It claims that you will get 200 uses which, having now finished one bottle, I would agree with. Though remember, with four uses a day, you might have to repurchase more than you think.
I love that this cleansing water just grabs any make up it comes into contact with- even eye makeup, without much rubbing.  It does nip my eyes slightly but this is the case with every makeup remover I've tried so its not a big deal. I just need to remember to close my eyes tight. I really like the simple packaging and the fact that you can see how much you have left. It has a very clean scent which is pleasant but it doesn't seem overly natural to me- though the bottle does say 'No Perfume.' 
The one problem I had with this was when I had to take it travelling. I couldn't take the full 400ml bottle as I wasn't checking in baggage so I had to transfer it to a smaller bottle which proved to be quite the problem. The cap isn't designed to be removed, so in my attempts I broke a little bit off which made the bottle leak when it wasn't upright for the rest of the time I had it. The actual micellar water didn't fair too well in the travel bottle as it turned out- the liquid seemed to separate and form a white precipitate at the bottom. This gave me horribe flashbacks of the solubility problems I faced with my bio investigation. Not good. Moral of the story: don't attempt to transfer this to another bottle. I'm mighty relieved that now I have a fresh one. Perhaps Garnier should consider a travel size.
Other than that slight pickle I found myself in, I absolutely love this micellar water and I'm not even bothered about trying any other ones as I think this is the best dupe for Bioderma that I'll find. At the price of £4.99 a bottle, you definitely get your money's worth.
Have you tried it yet?

Garnier Intense Seven Days Challenge

Well hello!

Its been a while hasn't it? I have been so busy with my exams and all that hoohaa but its all finally over- woohoo! I can now enjoy a simple life of blogging and sun- well at least until I have to go back to school or this lovely weather ends!

So a while ago I signed up to receive a sample of Garnier's Intensive7days. I was so excited when it came through the post because I never get mail! The challenge is to use a sachet of the lotion on your legs every day for a week and test to see if at the end you have less dry skin. The little pack came with two Garnier skin readers, one for before the challenge and one for after.

I found this lotion light on the skin (which is great in this heat) yet it was also quite oily which I could see my skin liked as it became very smooth very quickly and was soaked in quickly upon application. It had a light, fresh scent of what reminded me of oranges mixed with a bit of fake tan. The amount in the sachet covered two legs which I was pretty impressed with.

So, the big question is, did it work? Well here are my skin readers, so see for yourself:

Before & After

As you can see, although both have dry skin cells (more white = more dry skin), there seems to be a significant amount less on the second. 

I was very happy with this result and when buying body lotion in future this will be a definite possibility!

Have you tried this before?