MARIE CLAIRE - AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES SKINCARE GIFT

I have an obsession with magazines, but I get even more excited when I find a magazine with an interesting free gift. When my mum came in with Marie Claire's June Issue in tow, and I spotted the Aromatherapy Associates logo I jumped for joy (and ran to grab the camera).

The magazine itself is actually £2.50 which isn't bad at all and you get 3 adorable minis alongside from the Hydrating Rose range. The one I haven't tried yet is the 15ml Hydrating Rose Face Mask, which is a surprisingly thin, clear gel mask so I am intrigued to give this a go. Just a heads up, if you aren't a massive fan of rose these may not be for you, but speaking as someone who doesn't worship overly floral fragrances it isn't unbearable.

The 10ml Hydrating Renewing Rose Cleanser is actually really nice, its a lot thinner than a general cream cleanser, but a little goes a long way and it leaves me feeling nourished as well as cleansed. On first impressions I also enjoyed the 5ml Hydrating Triple Rose Renewing Moisturiser, which was hydrating enough for night time but also didn't overload my face when I used it the following under makeup.

So not only do I have a good magazine to flick through I also have some awesome samples to try out, and I would say that this is worth picking up if you like to trial new skincare, or are off anywhere over the bank holiday..

A'KIN SKINCARE BOLT-ONS

A'kin is a brand which is pretty new to me, but my skincare cupboard is always open to new housemates. When these products dropped through my door, I almost squealed.

First up is the Rose and Geranium Pure Facial Creamy Cleanser & Toner*, a thick, hot cloth esc. cream cleanser, which not only cleanses well and feels glorious on the skin, it removes makeup fairly well too. This has been getting almost daily use from me since I got it, so that proves it's a good'un.

Then, I'm sure this has made an appearance in a few of my posts, but this is the Kaolin Clay & Activated Carbon Express Purifying Facial Masque*. This is pretty much a breakout buster, because it really drags out every sing impurity that could possibly in your skin. It does get a little tight after you remove it, but a good coating of the next product and you're good to go.

So, for that moisture boost, I have been loving the Chamomile Unscented 24HR Pure Moisture Cream*, which is light enough for day wear, but then can be applied more liberally at night and still moisturise enough.

It's safe to say that I am a little bit of an eye cream junkie, being blessed with the biggest, puffiest, rings under my eyes, I'm always on the hunt for something to help me out. The Brightening and Tightening Eye Day Cream* has been getting quite a lot of use from me recently, and although it isn't de-puffing all that much, it definitely moisturises and soothes any dry or irritated areas on my eyes, and wears rather well under concealers too.

Oh, A'kin, you are good. Perhaps one day I will get my hands on their Rosehip oil which I am desperate to try...