I am on my second bottle of the La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Eye Contour.
I picked this up after seeing Sinรจad from The Beautiful Truth talking about it. And, I am so glad I did!
As you probably know because I always go on about it. My skin is predominately oily. However, I do suffer with dryness under my eyes. So, I was on the hunt for an eye cream that cleared it up as it can not only be uncomfortable. It can make applying makeup a pain in the bum too. I also didn’t want to spend a tonne of money on something, in case it didn’t do the job. I can say hand on heart the La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Eye Contour has ticked all of the eye cream boxes for me ๐
It is specifically designed for sensitive eyes. And according to La Roche Posay here, it is ‘preservative-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, alcohol-free, colorant-free, lanolin-free.’
It comes within a pump dispenser which I always find handy.
And the formula itself is in a separate airtight bag within the bottle.
This is supposed to keep the formula fresh. On a side note, the pump doesn’t dispense too much product. You can somewhat control the amount of cream you want. The pump has a spring mechanism. I don’t find myself rubbing excess cream into my hands after applying it ๐
The formula is what I would describe as a creamy gel.
Even though it feels hydrating on the skin, it absorbs really quickly and doesn’t feel tacky or leave a film behind. I have been using it both morning and evening for the past few months and have found a significant reduction in the dryness under my eyes as a result. I use a probably a pea sized amount tapped out around each eye.
Overall, I am a big fan of the La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Eye Contour. To be fair I would have to be to repurchase it. I can be a bit flaky when it comes to my beauty products (no pun intended ๐ ) I think it is a really good price too. I got mine in a local pharmacy for โฌ14. You can pick it up from Boots in store or online here too.
I have used and loved the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo for literally years and years. There is always a tube of it in my skincare stash.
As a beauty blogger, I am very lucky to be able to try and test new products all of the time. But, as someone with oilier skin, I am always hesitant with day time moisturisers. I need one that adds moisture without interfering with my makeup. La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo is one I can apply and I don’t have to think about it. I just know it works for me.
It is specifically made for oily, spot prone skin. It is non- comedogenic and doesn’t contain any parabens either. The ingredients include: Niacinamide, LHA, Piroctone Olamine, Linoleic Acid, Zinc PCA. They say it helps prevent shine, my take on that would be that it doesn’t add any extra oil to the skin.
My non science interpretation of La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo is that along with helping to alleviate any active breakouts, it still makes my skin feel hydrated. Even if are more oily, your skin can still be dehydrated and in need of moisture and I think this gives a balance to the skin without leaving any residue behind that might interfere with makeup application.
It has a gel like consistency and blends in super easy and quick. You don’t have to wait around for it to soak in. I think it does have a strong floral scent, which I personally don’t mind. It doesn’t really linger after the product has soaked into the skin.
I am not saying by any means it’s a miracle worker (what is really?) I just find Effaclar Duo works really well for me and it doesn’t cost a whole load either. At the moment it’s โฌ11.99 in Boots here on offer. But, usually it’ll set you back around 17 quid or so for a 40ml tube.
This year La Roche Posay released the Effaclar Duo + Unifiant.
This is basically the moisturiser as we know but with a tint. I went to the launch of and I was super excited to give it a go because of course I love the original.
It only comes in two shades, light and medium. The one I use is light and it is a pretty ok match for me.
I use this as I would the original. I would say it has light coverage but the ability to cover redness. I apply it as a moisturiser, let it sink in and then put primer on top. I like using it for ‘no makeup days’. I’ll then skip foundation and just used concealer and whatever other makeup I want to use that day. It wouldn’t last on my skin just on it’s own.
Are you a fan of the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo + range?
I’m like a broken record, I know, but I have pretty oily skin and as a result of this makeup, as much as I love it, doesn’t particularly love me. It sinks into my skin, oxidizes and just doesn’t hang around too long. So, as a result, over the years, I’ve tried and tested lots of different ways to make it last longer on my visage. I’ve done a post about this in the past, but I’ve updated and added some different steps, so I thought I would put together all of my Long Lasting Makeup Tips in video form and demo them on my mug ๐
Before Makeup
After Makeup
There is a lot of long lasting makeup steps in the video, I don’t expect anyone to do them all, unless of course you’re really oily like me. But if you struggle with your makeup slipping and sliding, or have a special occasion, some of them might help you a little. You can click on the video up above or go to my YouTube channel here to watch.
Just in case something takes your fancy, I’ll link any reviews I have done in the past of the products I talk about in the video.
I really really hope you find something helpful within my waffling. These are by no means my personal long lasting makeup tips. I’ve just picked them up along the way on my makeup journey and tried and tested them on my skin.
As always, thanks for watching and if you have any other long lasting makeup tips to add to the pile, please do comment. I would love to try more ๐
I know so many wonderful bloggers have done their version of beauty favourites already so apologies if you’ve been inundated. I think it’s a really great idea though and I haven’t done monthly faves this year, so I thought I would do a yearly round of my beauty favourites 2015!
First up is an easy one. I know the Urban Decay Gwen Palette came out late in the year, but it has become one of my most reached for eyeshadow palettes.
I am completely head over heels for it. There is neutrals galore, transitional shades, fun sparkly shades and even a couple of cray cray shades to keep things interesting. Gwen, I bow down to you and can’t wait to see the new releases you and Urban Decay have up your sleeves for 2016 ๐ Full swatches of the palette can be seen here and I even did a makeup look with it here if you fancy a nose.
Next up is the very coveted Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop.
No joke I have used this pretty much everyday since I got it. When I first got my grubby little mitts on this in mid 2015 it was only available in America. Now the lovely people of Spacenk are stocking it here, so everyone can bask in the Champagne Glow. Another one of my 2015 finds was the brush I use to apply the Pop ๐
This awesome F28 brush from Blank Canvas Cosmetics. The lovely Ashling from Total Makeup Addict introduced me to this beauty and I will forever be in her debt for it. It’s the perfect cheek bone highlighting tool.
My favourite setting powder of 2015 would have to be the Chanel Vitalumiere Powder Foundation.
I have pretty much used this exclusively for the past year.
I have a whole review if here. It’s a foundation so there is coverage with it, which I personally like. You can build it up or thin it out depending on application or what brush you use so it’s really versatile. Pricey but versatile ๐
My next beauty faves are a little more pocket friendly.
Again I have a review of these here, but they are two of the All About palettes from Essence. Essence have a few different colour choices in these really handy eyeshadow palettes and they cost less than a fiver, bargain! Oh and they’re damn pigmented too!
2015 was definitely the year of budget friendly favourite for me. Another one is the Catrice Glamour Doll Waterproof mascara.
For the latter half of the year this is the only mascara I was (and still am now) using. And what do you know, I have a full review of it here ๐
My favourite under eye concealer duo have been the Catrice Liquid Camouflage and the Flormar Perfect Coverage.
Cheap as chips and together for me are a dynamic duo. You can see them in action here.
My favourite blush of the year has to be the Max Factor Creme Blush in ‘Seductive Pink’.
This is just the easiest blush colour to wear. It goes with everything. I love the formula of these too. They blend so nicely. You can see it swatched here if you fancy a nose ๐
My lip liner find of 2015 probably has to be Whirl by Mac.
This lip liner got a life of it’s own in 2015. It’s a great all round colour though that you can use on it’s own, under nudes and even under darker and brighter shades of lippie. It’s great for evening out the lip line too. I have it swatched here if you want a closer look.
The Only Lipsticks from Rimmel are another makeup find of 2015 that I am very happy with.
They came at the end of the year I know, but I’ve been obsessed with them so I had to include them. These two lighter shades have been the ones I grab for most but I own six of them and I wear all the shades alot. I love the finish, the pigmentation and the price point. (yep, I have them all swatched here ๐
I have two facial skin care faves for 2015 that I wanted to add in aswell.
Serozinc from La Roche Posay.
I think I’ve gone through about 4 of these so far and I will repurchase! There’s a full review of it here, but I use Serozinc as a toner, to freshen up my makeup and as a finishing spray when I am finished my makeup. It’s a great all rounder.
My last fave is from the Oils Of Life range from The Body Shop.
This is their Intensely Revitalising Gel Cream. I use this as a night cream. I have oily skin, so heavy creams can sometimes clog my pores. This stuff feels so light on my skin and soaks in really quickly but still leaves behind nice soft hydrated skin. May I add it smells incredible too!
That’s my Beauty Favourites for 2015 done and dusted. Seriously, where did that year go?
Should I do below the neck beauty favourites too, as in more body orientated stuff ha. Let me know.
As you can see from the amount left in the bottle I have been using the Pixi Glow Tonic for a long time now. It has reached cult status and I can understand why.
Glow Tonic is an exfoliating toner. So as well as toning your skin and prepping it for moisturiser, it will gently remove dead skin cells, which in turn will help keep your skin smoother. It contains ingredients like Witch Hazel and glycolic acid (5%) to help with exfoliating along with aloe vera to help sooth the skin so it’s not too harsh. Just be sure to use SPF if you use the Glow Tonic in your morning routine as glycolic can sensitise your skin to sunlight, we should be wearing it anyway ๐
You use Glow Tonic as you would any other toner. Wet a cotton pad with it and apply to your skin. I use it down my neck and on my chest too. You can use it both day and night after cleansing whatever you choose or whatever works best for your skin.
I feel like the Pixi Glow Tonic does pretty much what it says it does for me. It helps keep any dry patches at bay, it helps keep my pores as clear as they can be rather than me using harsh scrubs or exfoliants in my cleansing routine. My skin doesn’t feel tight after using it, it does feel softer though.
Since picking up the La Roche Posay Serozinc, which I reviewed here I love using both this and the Pixi Glow Tonic together.
I feel the Pixi Glow Tonic clears my skin of any impurities or as many as it can do and then the Serozinc keeps them at bay and helps keep the oil away for longer. Neither contain alcohol which is good in my book.
Overall, I really love this Pixi Glow Tonic. I was never really a toner user before, I would try one for a bit and then just get bored or found it wasn’t enhancing my skincare in any way. As someone with oily skin I find the Pixi Glow Tonic fits perfectly into my skincare routine and it actually helping rather than just being a step I am being told to do. Its targeted towards all skin types though. It has a strong scent so be wary of that if you have a sensitive nose.
I get my Pixi Glow Tonic from Mise Beauty They are based in Dundalk which is a bit of a trek for me from Dublin, but it’s instant gratification and they sell so many other cool products too, it’s always worth it ๐
La Roche Posay Serozinc has finally hit Irish shores! Thank the lord! I have been waiting very patiently to get my mitts on this stuff. When I saw McCabes pharmacy say they had stock in their store in Swords, I trekked out and got it no questions asked ๐ I’m a southsider!!! ๐
Serozinc is a zinc sulphate solution for oily, blemish prone skin. Its also suitable for acne prone skin too. You use it just like you would a toner. Spray it onto your skin after you cleanse,ย leave it to soak in and you can pat any excess off, then moisturise as normal. These are the directions La Roche Posay give you.
I suffer with my skin. It goes into hormonal breakout every month and I already have oily skin to begin with. I find alot of products you can get for oily blemish prone skin can be great but really dry your skin out at the same time, which means you have to be careful with using them. I don’t find this with the Serozinc at all. I’ve been using it twice a day since I bought it and it has never dried my skin out. It has however calmed my spots and brought down their inflammation. I feel it has also helped with the texture of my skin. I have really seen a difference in the amount of comedones I suffer with i.e. whiteheads and blackheads…another lovely aspect of oily skin. I personally use it after I use the Pixi Glow Tonic in the evening which is an exfoliating toner, I adore this stuff too. I think the Serozinc adds a little moisture to my skin after using the more abrasive toner and they work really well together.
The spray itself applies really easily, it has a nice steady flow that you can control when you spray, it doesn’t scare you in the morning when you apply it…that has happened me with some similarly packaged products :p
In conclusion, I love the La Roche Posay Serozinc. It’s not going to save you from breakouts completely, but it will make them alot easier to handle. La Roche Posay really make fantastic skin care products. And the good news too is Serozinc will only set you back a tenner here in Ireland! It’s so worth it!!
Have you tried it? What do you use with it? I would love to know?
