Garnier miracle wake up cream

Garnier Miracle Wake Up Cream sounded so good on paper and I was very excited to get it on my face. If you're a regular reader, you'll know I love my skincare and I was so hopeful that I would enjoy this little bright pink pot of day cream. But alas, I am not a fan.

The cream is Garnier's latest launch and is designed to make your face look less tired. This obviously sounds great in theory but I found one major flaw (in my eyes) and that is this: it has an oddly matte finish.

When I think 'awake' I think dewy. I think refreshed. I think glow. I don't think matte.

Garnier Miracle Wake Up Cream contains rice-micro peptides and apple extract, though I can't seem to find any information about the importance of these ingredients in the product so I'm not completely sure what role they play.
Notably, one of the cream's key ingredients is Dimethicone (listed as the 2nd ingredient after water), which is a silicone based polymer commonly found in makeup primers and some foundations. This sits on top of the skin and gives a smoothing effect, which is why it's so widely used in primers - it creates a smooth canvas to allow foundation to glide on smoothly.

Now, I am not anti-silicone by any means but I am not keen on the fact that it's so high up on the ingredients list. Especially coming from a brand called Garnier Skin Naturals. I'm sure I own some skincare products that contain silicones but it's like I can really feel it in this cream. I am too aware of the silicone! I am just a bit confused by this product I think.

On a positive note, this cream does make skin feel instantly soft and sort of silky (even if this is down to the addition of silicone) and would make a perfectly fine primer. Also, if your skin is on the oily side, you will probably like this more than I do - equally if you prefer a matte look to a dewy one.

Personally, I just don't get on with this cream - to the point that I felt the need to wash my face after putting it on because I felt strangely itchy!
I could not find the Garnier Miracle Wake Up Cream on the Garnier website (why?!), which is annoying because I wanted to dig up more info but it is on Boots online for £12.99. I'm yet to see it instore, which is a shame because I really think it's something you should try before you buy. This is not a horrible product but it's just not to my tastes. If you've tried it, I'd love to know what you think!

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water Review

Micellar water is a must have for many people these days and I myself have been converted by the universally loved Bioderma Sensibio H20 cleansing water.

                        

As a fan of Sensibio H20, I was curious about the new Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water so I played it against my beloved Bioderma to see how it faired.

I figured the best test for the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water would be to task it with the removal of my eye make up. I soaked a cotton pad with the water and gently pressed it over closed eyes before wiping it away. 

The results were as I suspected - my eyeshadow, liquid eyeliner and mascara all wiped away easily with very little effort and no stinging, which is obviously a bonus. Like Bioderma, it only took a few wipes to remove the makeup and leave my eyes bare. The water is also beautifully cooling and refreshing so it will be extra appreciated in the summer I think!

While there is very little difference between the two products, I will say that I thought the Garnier offering feels a little bit 'oilier' than Bioderma Sensibio H20, but other than that they feel virtually the same to me and both do a wonderful job at taking off makeup.

One way that they do differ significantly though is in the price point. The Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is £4.99 (currently £3.32 at Superdrug) for a generous 400ml while the Bioderma formulas are around £9.99 for 250ml. Overall, I think this is a brilliant product and I will be repurchasing, though I doubt I'll resist stocking up on Bioderma the next time I visit Paris.

Have you tried Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water?

To B.B or not to B.B....

...That is the question on everyone's lips (or faces) at the moment.
As you've probably seen on TV/ read in magazines, B.B creams or 'Blemish Balms' are being touted as Britain's next big thing.
Having already conquered the far east with the promise of convenience and multifunctionality, B.B cream has finally arrived on our shores and good old Garnier are the first to jump on the bandwagon.
The Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Daily All In One B.B cream claims to get to work on your skin in 6 different ways - even tone, boost glow, blur imperfections, smooth fine lines, hydrate for 24 hrs and protect with SPF 15.

Garnier B.B Cream comes in a 50ml tube and retails for £9.99

As a complete sucker for a new beauty fad, I rushed to boots when this little revolution hit the shelves, further enticed by the fact that this £9.99 cream was part of a three for two deal!
I picked up the Medium shade, got home, washed all my makeup off and promptly slathered my face in the stuff. (Not really, I more dotted and blended).
In inspecting my new improved reflection in the mirror, I was a little frightened to be confronted with what can only be described as an oompa loompa version of myself. This isn't entirely true either, but I did look somewhat similar to a terracotta plant pot.  Now, I'm not really sure if this is a fault with the product, or my bad judgement in just how alabaster my face has become. My beloved Australian tan has well and truly left the building, so I should probably have accepted this and picked up the light shade.

The texture of the BB cream is very similar to that of most tinted moisturisers or light foundations. It comes out of the tube quite thick and a little does go a long way. Because I wasn't too impressed with the colouring of the product (once again, probably my fault), I've started using it very sparingly and I must say that it is quite nice, but I'm not going nuts over it.
It feels very light, and does make the skin look a little more even - like a 'no make up' look, but I'm not quite sure what sets it apart from a tinted moisturiser
As for the scent, it's got that trademark fruity smell that garnier are known for, so I sort of subliminally felt like I was putting shampoo on my face. I'm not very keen on fruity scents in products, but if you are, this would be right up your alley.

My first ever swatch!..And a close up of my veiny wrist

Garnier's not the only brand that's been bitten by the B.B bug with everyone from MAC to Maybelline launching their own versions of Blemish Balm. You can already pick up Dior's version at Harrods for £36.50, while Mac, Clinique and Estee Lauder's B.B creams are currently only available at Harrods.

I don't really like ditching foundation when I'm out and about, but I have put this on followed by a dusting of pressed powder (I use Dior Diorskin Forever Compact) when I was running late for work. Wearing it without powder, I seem to end up with a slight oil slick on my T Zone and found my glasses sliding further and further down my nose. I'm thinking people with dry skin will appreciate this product because it is quite soothing and my skin does get pretty darn dry in the colder months over here, so I might grow to love it now that the mercury's dropping!

For now though, the Garnier B.B cream shall stay in my handbag for beauty emergencies alongside my back up mascara and spare knickers :)