Another Holy Grail? Origins Ginzing Moisturiser Review

Hey guys! Hope you're all well.

Seems like I've been throwing around the phrase "holy grail" quite a lot recently, doesn't it. Well, despite how it may seem, I do not use this phrase lightly, I've just had a bloody good streak (I'm not sure why I got a British accent in my head then "CHEERIO!") when it comes to finding beauty products which work for me. This time, I've got you a moisturiser from one of my favourite brands when it comes to skincare, Origins. 

For any of you who aren't familiar with the brand, have you been living under a rock? Origins is a brand which strives itself on its earth-friendly practices and all natural and organic ingredients, also they never test on animals. The company pretty much provides everything which you would want a beauty brand to provide, I personally cannot help but love them, and I recommend everyone switches their skincare up to go all natural with Origins! Anyway... the moisturiser...

Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser comes in the typical green and white Origins card packaging. I personally really like Origins packaging, I think its so simple, yet effective, and the fact that it is completely recyclable is a bonus. The packaging of the moisturiser itself, is a tub in the most gorgeous shade of orange I think I've ever seen

I wasn't aware of this being launched until I saw images on Nina Dobrev's twitter account of her holding this product at the launch. Then I became so interested I started researching the moisturiser, and I decided I had to have one. I actually have the Ginzing eye cream, and as an eye cream, I didn't particularly like it, (I used it, and still am using it) but I felt that the cream itself and its brightening properties were much more suited to a moisturiser, so imagine my excitement when Origins made it into a moisturiser? Oh, and the ever so gorgeous Nina Dobrev launched it. Yes, I HAD to have it.

The product itself feels almost like a gel on the skin, and thanks to this you need the tiniest amount to moisturise your whole face. Because of this, you can guarantee this pot will last you a good while. Once applied it doesn't feel tacky or heavy on the skin. Previously I have applied my moisturiser and waited about twenty minutes before applying makeup, with this, it soaks in very quickly, so I find I can apply my makeup only five minutes after treating my face to this beauty. Oh, and did I mention the smell? It is the most incredible scent I've ever come across in skincare, its very fruity and orange-like, a little like REN's Radiance regime, but even nicer.



I feel like I should apologise in advance to everyone who feels like they have to go and buy this now, but here's the link, you'll probably need it. £23.00 for 50ml on Origins UK

The beauty game changers...

These game changers are a few products I have gathered over the past months, and have changed my routine, and my opinions on all other products (that is until I find some new beauty loves...)

Hydraluron- £24.99  

I bet you're all sick of hearing of this aren't you? I sure am, so I'll keep it short and sweet. Its a under-moisturiser serum which basically pushes your moisturiser to work harder, and fully hydrate your skin. I didn't think I particularly needed it in any months but winter, but I have been still using it for extra hydration, and it keeps my skin looking healthy and refreshed. One of my favourite serums, and a definite repurchase.

GlamGlow Super Mud Clearing Treatment- £39.99

Despite the daunting price tag, I think this is the only skincare product I have purchased and loved immediately. It has a list as long as my legs (I know that isn't the saying, but I have VERY long legs, so this is much more over-exaggerated) of ingredients, and uses, it will treat pores, uneven skin tone, ingrown hairs etc. I think the thing that makes this so special is the fact that you can see the dirt it is extracting out your face, and for myself, being able to see the results of the product I am using just proves how amazing it is. My main use for this is to deep clean my nose area every week before applying a brightening mask like REN's Glycolic Radiance mask. I apply it with a cheap foundation brush over my nose and remove with a Liz Earle sponge, which I have found to be the best technique to use with this mask. 

L'occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream- £8.00

I have tried dozens of hand creams, and too many of them don't sink in quick enough, or actually hydrate your hands, meaning as soon as you go to do something, you leave a greasy mess on everything you touch. This L'Occitane one, however couldn't be further from this, it soaks in immediately and leaves your hands feeling silky soft, and hydrated for days. Although the scent is a little bizarre, and reminds me of baby nappy wipes, this product is incredible, and much like the GlamGlow is 110% worth the steep price tag. I don't think I'll ever find another hand cream I enjoy using as much as this...

Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me- £2.99 + £3.99p+p

The Baby Lips I personally have is the USA version, as I have heard some of the ones from other countries aren't as good, and upon hearing rumours that BL is coming to the UK, we should all keep our fingers crossed we get the same formula at the USA ones! Anyway, I have quite big lips, so keeping them in good condition is very important to me, but I struggle to find a lip balm I actually like as I'm pretty fussy when it comes to my lips! I hate balms that smell too strong, ones that take too long to soak in, heavy/cakey textures, and the ones you can actually taste if you go to have a drink. (EWW!) So after hearing things about these I thought I'd give it ago, and I haven't been disappointed, it does everything I want it to do, has a slight scent of cherries, which is very pleasant, and also a pink tint which makes my lips look very healthy and full. I'm almost to the end of the tube, which is a first for me, and I have already purchased the other scents and I'm waiting patiently for them to arrive.

Tweezerman Slant Tweezer in Pink- £20.00

I personally do not understand what it is that makes Tweezerman's tweezers so special, but they really are incredible. They pull out hairs without ease, and make plucking a much simpler task. According to the book that comes with them, if you send these to Tweezerman, they will resharpen the little metal parts for free as long as it is wear from regular usage, which is quite impressive, meaning they will last you a lifetime! I have personally never done this, as I don't pluck my eyebrows a lot and have only had mine for about a year and a half. I advise anyone looking for a good pair of tweezers to give these a try, you won't be disappointed.

Boots Cosmetic Buds- £1.40

I'd never heard of these until I went for a stroll around my local Boots (never a good idea) and I saw these, and thought they seemed pretty interesting, so I picked up a box, you have nothing to lost for £1.40, do you? The thing that makes these different to regular cotton buds, is the two different ends (a pointed end, and a flat, round shape end) that make clearing any small make up mistakes a dream, as you get much more precision than with a normal cotton bud. These may seem like a little bit of not needed silliness, but I promise, anyone who wears, eyeshadow, eyeliner, lipstick, or mascara will find these a Godsend.

What do you all think? Do you have any products which have changed you're beauty routines? I'd love to hear from you, so I can try out some more.

Pourriez-vous m'indiquer la pharmacie, s'il vous plaît?

Okay, slight disclaimer, although I know some very basic French, I did use Google Translate for the title, so anyone French reading this and seeing a mistake... I'm sorry! It should translate to "Could you point me to the pharmacy, please?" (fingers crossed...)

Anyway, onto the skincare... I have recently got my hands on some of the most talked about items of French skincare items, typically found in French pharmacies. I bought the La Roche Posay products from Boots, and the Bioderma and Embryolisse from eBay, so I shall link these at the bottom of the post.

I wouldn't say I have particularly sensitive skin, but I do like to use products that I know are going to be gentle, especially when it comes to facial skincare. Since the whole micellar water craze came to be, I've found myself intrigued by the concept of a water, which removes your makeup? Anyone else wondering exactly how this is possible? Well, a micellar water is dubbed from the term "micelle" which means particles suspended in liquid, these in particular, are oil particles in water (that explains the "how the hell does water remove my makeup so easily?" question.)

So, the difference between the two? Not much actually. Although, I feel like I prefer the La Roche Posay water, I think its the strong peach scent, it just reminds me of summer and feels like an instant pick me up, but if I wanted something unscented, the Bioderma does the job. Although it is reportedly in the UK now, I won't be repurchasing the Bioderma at the eBay prices, considering that the La Roche Posay is very often on offer at Boots, and plus, I gain advantage card points. SCORE.

The Effaclar Duo is a cult product, I think Tanya Burr raving about it definetly gave it star status, and to be honest I had been very curious. I used to suffer from little bumps under the skin on my cheeks, but I've never been one for spots, so with the promise of it decongesting skin, I thought it would be good on my nose, and on my cheeks, while I've had a few spots from hormones. Anyway, despite everyone loving this product, I just didn't. I think it disagreed with my skin, gave me more spots than I previously had (I've heard of the purging stage, but this wasn't the prettiest) and the scent put me off also, as the only way I could describe it is dirty, if anyone gets me? You know, that just nasty smell that reminds you of dirt? No? Okay.. I'll shush.

Onto the Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre, it is dubbed as a skin-care hybrid and I know it is a strong favourite of many models, which is one thing that convinced me to buy it. I mean, come on... who doesn't want model skin? But in all honesty, it didn't live up to the hype, it is a fantastic product, to be used as both moisturiser and primer, but I have used better, and I just prefer to apply my moisturiser and primer seperately.

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre (75ml) £14.50 + £3.00 p+p

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (40ml) £13.00

La Roche Posay Micellar Water (200ml) £11.50

Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water- (2x250ml) £12.45 + £2.95 p+p

Although not all of these products had worked for me as well as I had wanted them too, skincare is very personal, and what works for one doesn't always work for another. Does anyone have any other French beauty brand recommendations? I'm now officially hooked! 

Au revoir!