Empties #1

Review: Avène Gentle Gel Cleanser

Skin care: Body Oils

For the longest of time, I didn’t understand the concept of body oil or its (almost magical) abilities. I mean, why buy a body oil when you already have a body lotion and that works out well? I will tell you why… 

Skin care: Avène Haul

Hydrating Soothing Masks

Soothing and/or hydrating masks are some of my favourite items for a pamper evening. I like putting one on after having used another mask to clear my pores (e.g. Origins Clear Improvement mask), and just feel my skin drinking the extra care up. I always imagine it says, yum!

I have used the Avène Soothing Moisture Mask up completely, even to the point of cutting the tube open to get the last product up. A generous amount is needed, which comes to lay as a visible thin white layer on top of the skin. Currently I am trying out La Roche-Posay’s Hydrating Soothing Mask. A generous amount is needed with this mask as well. However, in difference from the Avène mask, it doesn’t leave a visible layer and it firms at the same time. Depending on the state of your skin, they both sink in quickly and leaves your skin soft for a long time.

If you are interested in trying out one of these or want two good tips, then for the rest of March Escentual has French pharmacy sale, where you can save 1/3 on French pharmacy products, and eChemist has 3 for 2 offer on any Avène products. There is serious money to save!

Have you tried any soothing and/or hydrating masks before?

Until next time,

Mia ♥ 

Review: Avène Rich Compensating Cream

Throwback to June 2012 when I had just been diagnosed with my illness, I was introduced to Avène by my local pharmacy. My skin was so painfully dry and flaky that I was desperately searching for something that could improve the situation – I would literary have done anything. I was recommended the Rich Compensating Cream and I immediately started using it twice a day; after having used it for a week my skin had improved so much.

The cream itself appears to be a mixture of fluffy, yet heavy. It sinks into your skin immediately and leaves it feeling soft and moist, while looking healthy. If you use make-up on your skin, like foundation or BB cream, I would recommend that you allow the cream some time to sink in before slapping on make-up. That way your make-up will look better as well. You don’t need lot of the cream, though if you are in doubt there comes a little spoon-like thing with that tells you how much to use. I personally don’t use it because I know the amount I need. A pot can last 4-5 months easily.  

I am currently on my 6^th, I believe, pot of the cream. Yes, that is how much I love the cream.

In Denmark, it can be bought at most pharmacies over the country, but I would recommend the internet. There are many British and French sites selling the cream at a much better and cheaper price.

Have you tried the Rich Compensating Cream?

Until next time,

Mia ♥ 

5 Different Lip Balms

Yes, I do keep my lip balms in a sugar bowl.

Finding a good lip balm is a bit of science because of the many demands one have to one; it must have practical packaging, not too expensive, make your lips soft, repair your dry lips, etc.. I have collected five of my lip balms for a little overview and judged them based on their ability as well as their price.

The lip balms have been put in order from worst to best in the first picutre and later on in the second picture, from cheapest to most expensive (note: from left to right). 

Labello is the classical lip balm to use, especially in Denmark, as it can be bought almost everywhere. It makes your lips really soft immeditately, but in the long run it honestly do nothing for your lips. If you have a sore, then don't expect it to help with that. I always have one in my jacket pocket as a quick fix until I find one of the others.
It is the second cheapest of the five. 

Avène is the pharmacy's recommendation... at least in my hometown. It honestly works really welll and helps those dry lips to become soft again. It is a cold cream, so it doesn't sink it as quickly as the others. Instead it works over a longer period of time. Personally, I don't mind that though I know my mother has a problem with that. I prefer to put it on for when I sleep and let it work overnight.
It is the second most expensive of the five (Danish pharmacy price).

Lypsyl is also one of the classics in Denmark, and the one my mother swears to. It does work very well, though doesn't make your lips immediately soft the way Labello does. However, it does work in the long run and will offer improvement to your lips if your lips are in an okay-semi decent state. If you have a sore, then I don't find it to work much. The packaging is its weakness as it quickly gets dirty and just doesn't seem so practical.
It is the cheapest of the five.

Kielh's is their own recommendation, though it isn't a surprise they recommend their own product. It is a very basic lip balm in a pot, which have the resemble vaseline though only in appearence. It is a decent lip balm that heals your lips unless you have a sore; a sore is a bit too hard a task for it. I have placed it below Lypsyl, and that is due to its price compared to its effect. It is just as good as Lypsyl. Some mind using a finger to get and apply a lip balm, but I don't mind at all.
It is the third cheapest of the five.

Sard Kopenhagen is another pharmacy recommendation, though can also be found in the Magasin department stores. It does every thing you want a lip balm to do - softens and heals the lips, but can also handle a sore really well. The packaging is very chic looking. Both are what you'd expect from an expensive lip balm, and it really doesn't disappoint in my opinion. I would gladly definitely recommend this to anybody.
It is the most expensive of the five.

Do you have many different lip balms? What is your favouirte lip balm? 

Until next time,

Mia ♥