Just as I needed to buy a new face sunscreen*, I received a lovely surprise from REN at one of their launch days - the new Photoactive Sun Veil with SPF 15.

REN's Photoactive Sun Veil is a physical sunscreen that claims to protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays, and to increase the elastin levels in your skin (ie firm & plump).

Murad very kindly sent me one of their Vitamin C Infusion Home Facial Kits, which I've wanted to try for a while.  This weekly vitamin C treatment mask (a at-home version of their spa treatment) claims to improve the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles, stimulate skin renewal and increase hydration.

Vitamin C is one of the ingredients required to produce collagen.  Theoretically more collagen = plumped up skin*.  But can skin absorb vitamin C?  From my very unscientific research, it appears only very highly concentrated amounts (more than 10%) can be absorbed.  High concentration of vitamin C = £££.  Hence this kit, with 30% pure L-Ascorbic acid,  is not cheap at £65 for four treatments.

*Women in Asia spend A LOT of money on collagen drinks and tablets, although ingesting collagen doesn't necessarily mean your skin will absorb it.

I bought this because it was a 2 for 3 deal at Boots, otherwise I don't think I would have bought it.

We all know moisturing is essential for anti-ageing purposes.  Most of us moisturise our face and visible parts of our body.  But do you moisturise your décolletage?

First things first - this Colbert MD Nourish Eye Cream retails for £90 at Liberty.  I'd been looking for a new eye gel/cream, so I was extremely happy when I was given this to try from iFabbo.

From www.colbertmd.com

How it Works

• Natural ingredients in their active state encourage the skin to self heal, ultimately firming and rehydrating the delicate area around the eyes.
• Promotes collagen production while brightening skin, eliminating dark circles and reducing under-eye puffiness.
• Helps reverse the appearance of lines and wrinkles and renews youthful suppleness to the entire eye area.

I have been using this for about 6 weeks now, so I thought it's time for a review (especially since I see a lot of traffic to this blog from people googling about the REN Radiance range).  But then I realised I have been putting off writing a review for this because I am not sure what to make of it.

To those who are not sure what AHA is, Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) acts as an exfoliant, getting rid of the old skin cells and therefore allowing to renew itself.  It's this renewal process which makes your skin appear brighter and smoother.

In my opinion the name Frown Fix is quite misleading, because it implies it will get rid of frown lines.  Frown Fix is actually only a temporary filler which plumps up the skin.

This is one of those hyped up beauty products, having been featured on a BBC show and in a newspaper article.  People actually lined up at Boots to buy it on launch day.  There were waiting lists.  Somehow I was oblivious to all of that and did not realise all the fuss.

and it is very likely if you're reading my blog...then please read this on beautymouth.com.

Taking off makeup is just as important as putting it on.

I have been on a skincare spree lately.  I am more concerned about my skin now as I approach the big 3-0.  Good skin is important as even the most fabulous makeup is not going to look good if you don't have a nice base.

My skin was looking decidedly DULL and a bit grey.  So I tried the REN Radiance Glycolactic mask.  That stuff is magic but I needed something that I can use everyday as well.  So I bought the Radiance Perfecting Serum.