I was amongst the lucky peeps who got invited to the L'oreal headquarters down in London last night for the Garnier event.
Obviously prior to this a little look round the shops was in order! I was pleased to meet up with Janaka (JJ26) Rebecca (Panda), Cat (Swirled Peacat), Olivia (OliviaCosmetics), and Amy (Lipgloss86), and we were also joined later by Mushine (Bubblegarm). I FINALLY got to have a look round the Beauty Meccca that is Selfridges beauty hall - fab! Although, I have to say I was disappointed by NARS usual problem of never having stuff in! I also called at the Kheils counter too to ask about moisturiser, and was majorly annoyed by the "Can't be bothered" attitude of the staff who tried to get me to buy a whole skincare regime. I left without anything from them lol! Obviously a little call into the Illamasqua counter was mandatory for me - will post about that separately though!
The actual building the event was held in - L'Oreal HQ - was really lovely - one of those modern, clean and miminalist glass sided buildings... We met up with lots of other bloggers including Kelly (Kelanjo) and Laura (Tallulahbella) who very kindly also offered to rescue me from wondering round London all day too! All the PR people at the event seemed really lovely - They made the effort to come and speak to each of us in person. We also had an AMAZING buffet laid on, which was extremely welcome at the end of a day wandering around London in the heat! I am happy to report that M&S Percy Pig sweets were on the table - my fave indulgence lol!
I was also really pleased to finally meet Natalie, who works for the PR company that organised the event - she was really helpful in the run up to this (and past events), in answering all my schtoopid questions anout booking train tickets etc, so I was really pleased to meet her, and say thank you in person.
After food, we sat down for a presentation re the company, and a breakdown of their products. The speakers all seemed very knowledgeable about the products and were also passionate about the way the company uses science in order to "extract the best bits of nature" - this means that the products are affordable, and natural, but also hopefully effective!
After the presentation we had a little mingle and a chance to have a look at the ranges and talk to the product managers about the ranges...
We also recieved a HUGE bag of stuffies to try and review. The main product we were all introduced to during the event was the new PureActive range. This is targeted at "Problem skin", and the products claim to tackle blemishes and red marks (which is a first!), and also promise to give results from the first day of use! The range includes a roll on "On the Spot" treatment (if you have the caffeine eye roll on from the nutritionist range then this is packaged in the same way - very handy for throwing in your handbag). There is also a Deep Pore Unclogging Wash, a Blackhead Clearing Scrub, a Spot Purifying Toner and a Spot Fighting 24-Hr Moisturiser. I have enlisted the help of my lovely BF Phil in testing this range as well as trying them out myself - he has acne prone skin, and I have issues with hormonal breakouts from time to time, so it will be interesting to see what he makes of it... He did have a little try of the scrub and the moisturiser this morning and said he thought it was "Good", and felt "a bit tingly" - which he feels is an auspicious start lol. Will keep you all posted on that one!
We also got a few other bits of skincare to try as you can see - a "Clean Detox" exfoliating wash, a Nutritionist Caffeine eye roll-on and a Pro X anti-ageing moisturiser.
I'm also super pleased that we got some Ambre Solaire sunscreen products. My pale sickly looking skin is NOT made to deal with the sun, and I always wear the highest factor I can get lol! Clear protect, which is my all time fave suscreen - feels totally not sticky, even in high factors. We also got a bottle of the new "Light and Silky" lotion to try out, and I got a couple of lovely bottles of spray on factor 50 (Or liquid lead as my lovely BF calls it - I used this last year on holiday, and it worked very well - I was pleased to come back just as pale as when I went - proof that it works lol - After all suntanned skin is damaged skin etc!).
To combat the paleness, we also got a can of no streaks bronzer in "Light Glow" - I'm going to be testing this out his week too! Also a bottle of my HG everyday body lotion - HydraLock - which I blogged about a couple of weeks ago - LOVE the stuff! We also got some Body Tonic Sugar scrub to try - I haven't ever tried this one before...
As L'Oreal are also involved with the Maybelline range - we got a few goodies from them thrown in too - lots of mascaras to try. Can you believe, I have NEVER tried Great Lash before! Can't wait to try these two hair dyes too - Herbashine apparently works in 10 minutes.
Ok - if you have made it this far well done! I just wanted do a few mini-reviews of the stuff I've tried so far and love.
First up - HydraLock Body Lotion - I have really dry legs and they itch like mad some times - this is the only product I've found that stops this! A bargain too - the 250ml bottle is only around £2.99.
Clean Sensitive Moisture Infusion Cleansing Water - If you are a fan of the Body Shop Camomile eye makeup remover, then I'd reccommend trying this one out - it feels like water and you swipe it over the face on cotton-wool. It removed my makeup well, without making my skin feel irritated, which is a rarity for me with drugstore ranges. I would never have bought this to try, but I'm really glad I got one - def repurchase for me!
Caffeine Eye Roll-On - I really like this, especially in this hot weather. It feels so refreshing and cool, and seems to give a nice temporary lifting and tightening effect - I'm not sure about long term effects, but this is a lovely thing to have in your handbag to perk up your skin when you feel a bit tired mid-afternoon...
PureActive On The Spot Roll on - same packaging as the caffeine roll on. This contains 2% Salycilic acid, which is apparently the highest concentration available over the counter. This promises to dry op spots and reduce red marks (you know those really annoying residual marks after a spot...) from the first day of use. Well, I've been dabbing this on my breakout today, and I've already noticed a reduction in redness - I'll keep you all posted on this one too!
Anyone tried any of these products? Any other recommendations?
MizzWorthy x
Simply the best drugstore lotion I've tried that actually gives lasting moisture - If like me you suffer from dry skin, especially on your pins, and especially a couple of days after shaving, then this is a must try! My days of being kept awake by tearingly itchy legs are at an end thanks to this little beauty. Available in two formulas - for dry skin and normal-dehydrated skin. Also its as cheap as chips - a 500ml bottle usually retails for around £4.99 - currently half price in Superdrug, and needless to say I have stocked up heavily - this is a definite HG product for me!
