Garnier Vitamin C Daily UV SPF50 Review

hihi all, I hope all is well and good with you! Summer is right on the way so I thought I will bring you a series of reviews for sunscreens! For some people summer is the season they wear SPF so I’m hoping these reviews come in handy.

Today Im talking about the Garnier Vitamin C Daily UV SPF50. This is a gifted product. This product is described as This Daily UV Fluid combines a very high protection SPF50+ (UVA, UVB & long UVA) to help prevent dark spots, with Vitamin C* known for its efficacy on boosting brightness and improving complexion. It also contains Peptides known to smooth skin and Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate with an invisible lightweight formula.

Experience

I experienced no irritation with it and it did not sting my eyes.

The texture is lightweight and watery and it sinks into the skin with ease. It does have a alcohol scent but it doesn’t linger. This is a chemical SPF

Is it invisible on dark skin? YES. this SPF is 100% on the skin as shown in my pics below

Feel on skin– upon initial application, the SPF feels hydrating and lightweight and even leaves a semi dewy finish however once fully dry its matte and I feel leaves my skin dry. What I do not like about this product is the fact that it pills when dry. Once fully dry if you touch your face it starts to pill. I don’t like it under makeup because of this. It doesn’t pair well with some primers and because it leaves my skin dry & a bit tight, I can feel that underneath my makeup

Verdict

On paper this SPF sounds so good. It has peptides, Vit c and hyaluronic acid in addition to high factor broad spectrum protection however the matte finish and pilling for me makes this unenjoyable

I wont recommend this particular SPF because Garnier have a lot of amazing SPFs that are also invisible but no pilling!

Make sure you visit my insta to see a video demo!

This SPF is £12.99 in Boots

April & May Empties

hihi, Is it summer yet? Is summer in the room with us because these last few days have been horrible! sigh

Im sharing my empties for the last 2 months today and I have a lot to say! Lets begin. As you know Im doing an empties challenge this year which is 500 empties by 31st Dec 2024! its a lot I know lol but I have broken this down into tiers:
Target- 500 empties ( approx 41.6 products a month)
Tier 1- 400 ( approx 33.3 products a month)
Tier 2- 366 ( approx 1 empty a day for the year)
Tier 3- 213 ( this was my final empties I got last year)

Empties this month– 42. Cumulative total- 92

Any reviews I have written up will be linked

Hair &Body

  • Cantu sulfate free cleansing cream shampoo- this was good for my hair but towards the end, I started using it to cleanse my brushes and it works so great for that!
  • Tresemme keratin smooth heat protection- the only brand i trust for heat protection this one is really nice and added keratin helps to strengthen the hair
  • Cantu Guava Ginger & rice protein- I think this has been discontinued and rightly so because it did nada to the hair.
  • Briogeo Dont Despair repair shampoo- this was a good trial size which lasted 2 washes. I really like the shampoo, suds well and doesnt strip the hair. Mine came in a gift set like this one
  • Olapex No5- this is one of my fav products from Olapex! all my thoughts on the brand and how it performs on natural hair can be found here. if you haven’t tried it and you are a regular heat user, this will be very beneficial. Its pricey but a good investment and you can get a trial kit first like i did.
  • Mitchum mens roll on
  • Garnier and Vaseline body lotions
  • Naturium glow getter body wash- this was a bit disappointing to use. I thought it would like my skin hydrated and glowing but it just didnt wow me and leave it any different
  • Marc Jacobs Decadence

Makeup

  • Samples of Milk hydrogrip- so happy I finally tried this primer and 100% can understand the hype. ITS GOOD! I’m buying this later this year when I finish a few more primers! Mac Prep & prime natural radiance- a nice glowy base for makeup which I love travelling with
  • Kiss Falscara- this new and improved version is PANTS! I used to love these lashes and regular did them at home until the new & improved versions. They don’t come off easily and they almost always split, I think they changed the glue they use. I’ve switched to something else but I still have half a pack of the Kiss ones to finish. I don’t recommend them anymore because I wasted a few lashes trying to take them out
  • Nyx dewy setting spray– yes and yes. at £6 its one of the best setting sprays in boots that sets makeup and gives a nice finish to makeup
  • Primark makeup cleansing cloths- the only ones I use and I think primark have stopped doing these too!
  • superdrug baby wipes

Creams & Serums

  • Farmacy Honey drop *- this was such a disappointment! Its a lovely thick cream but for me( and coming off the Skin Fix peptide moisturiser) I didn’t find this moisturizing enough. I didn’t think it made any difference to my skin either. It layers well and doesn’t pill
  • Sephora brightening eye cream *- this was ok. its nice and hydrating but it didnt make a difference to dark circles
  • Ole Henriksen peptide trainer- I wanted to try this moisturiser as I’m looking for other peptide moisturisers to add to my arsenal. This is a lovely one, suitable for warmer weather but not quite enough for me. Happy to repurchase this travel size if a good offer is on but i wont buy the full size
  • Tatcha Dewy cream– urgh this cream is everything! its part of the mini fav gift set i got last christmas, you can find my full review on this and other Tatcha products here
  • Sample sizes- elemis pro collagen marine cream, Kiehls ultra facial cream, Zelens 3t complex
  • Ramsou bifida x4- this is a lovely serum i got initially as a dupe for ANR but its not. find out why in my full review here
  • Minimalist Vit C,E & ferulic- full review here
  • The ordinary multi peptide- this is my 2nd bottle and my go to peptide serum.
  • sample sizes- Lancone, Bodyshop

Toners, Cleansers, Masks

  • Pyunkang Yul essence toner- this is such a popular k beauty toner but I really dont get the hype. I didnt find it hydrating nor it did make any lasting difference to my skin. happy i got the mini size as a trial
  • Artistry Hydrating toner- this was a lovely toner packed with amamzing ingredients to hydrate & soothe the skin.
  • Cosrx Propolis Synergy Toner- a lovely toner from Cosrx. This is another popular toner and i can see why. its soothing and hydrating and pairs well with all actives
  • Fenty fat water– Ive used a few bottles of this. heavily scented but if you dont mind that, it is nice and hydrating
  • Tatcha essence- full review here
  • Tatcha cleansing oil- full review here
  • Elemis dynamic resurfacing cleanser- Ive used this cleanser before and i really loved it. it came in a gift set with the other Elemis cleanser ( Pro collagen energing cleanser) and 2 cleansing balms
  • Elemis pro collagen cleansing balms *- a cult fav and i really see why. Its very nice at removing all traces of makeup without drying out the skin
  • Bodyshop camomile cleanser- a nice makeup removing balm but struggles a bit with masacara
  • I’m From Honey mask- another popular k beauty item but so disappinting to me. my full review is here

With 6 months to go, I really need to step up my game with these empties lool. Im not even half way of my tier 3 goal sigh

share your fav products with me. Catch you later

gifted products are marked with *

Some affiliate links used, these will earn me a small commission that goes towards the maintenance of the blog if you buy via them but the price of products remain unchanged.

RAMOSU – Bifida Ferment Lysate 100 Review

hihi everyone, today’s post will be a full review on the Ramosu 100 Bifida ampoules I got from Stylevana. If you want to see the other items I picked up, read that post here

I wanted to experiment with k beauty dupes for the Estee Lauder ANR serum. I absolutely LOVE the ANR serum, its pricey but its so worth it! I usually bulk buy it when they do their buy 1 get 1 free promotion but the problem is they haven’t done this in 2 years and my stash is down to the last 1, sigh. I worked it out that they run this promotion when they update the ingredient list so that they can quickly get rid of the old stock. the last update I feel was 2022 when they did the promotion.

Anyways the promotion hasn’t be run in the last 2 years so I decided to find some k beauty dupes I can use whilst waiting for the promotion to come back or a really good offer on. Estee Lauder do have some great offers from time to time so really its only a matter of time LOOL.

Criteria for Estee Lauder ANR dupes

This is the current full ingredient list for the ANR, what I am looking for in a dupe is something as close to this OR has the key ingredients I have put in bold, but the main ingredient I look for in dupes is the Bifida Ferment Lysate since its the 2nd ingredient in ANR therefore in high conc

Ingredients: WaterAquaEau, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Peg-8, Propanediol, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycereth-26, Peg-75, Butylene Glycol, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Tripeptide-32, Sodium Hyaluronate, Yeast ExtractFaexExtrait De Levure, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cola Acuminata (Kola) Seed Extract, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Pantethine, Caffeine, Lecithin, Sodium Rna, Bisabolol, Squalane, Glycerin, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Oleth-3, Oleth-5, Choleth-24, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Jojoba Wax Peg-120 Esters, Ceteth-24, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Tetrasodium Edta, Bht, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Red 4 (Ci 14700), Yellow 5 (Ci 19140) 

It is well known that k beauty have a lot of products with Bifida Ferment Lysate in them so I turned to the k beauty world for dupes. I picked up 3 for my 1st round of testing and I started with the RAMOSU – Bifida Ferment Lysate 100.

RAMOSU – Bifida Ferment Lysate 100 – this is a 100% pure bifida ferment ampoule with nothing else added to it. I had never heard of the brand Ramosu until browsing on Stylevana and I got it because it was on clearance. You get 5x10ml bottles, I have finished 3 so far out of 5. This ampoule promises a special skin feeling in 28 days

Experience

This was an easy addition to my skincare routine, it layers well with other products and pairs well with other actives. I have used it with high strength retinol, acids, peptides with no irritation. I started using this on the 20th of March after I had just finished a bottle of ANR. I finished a 3rd bottle of the Ramosu on the 2nd of May before taking a 1 week break to use ANR then back to Ramosu.

Is it similar to ANR? In terms of ingredients, this product only has the bifida ferment so its lacking the benefits of other ingredients in a well rounded serum. To combat this I just layered other products with some of the ingredients in ANR e.g peptides, glycerin etc. The serum itself is not hydrating.

Results: I think that the ampoule has helped maintain a healthy glowing complexion like ANR but I can see a difference. ANR makes my skin feel smooth, soft and radiant and the results are literally overnight. I just didn’t get that from this. In the pictures and ignore my spot treatments, I feel like there is a slight difference in terms radiance and feeling of my skin. My skin looks great but I can feel the difference

Verdict

Is it a dupe for ANR? Well it has the main ingredient which is the bifida however the lack of other ingredients means you are not getting full benefits so I would say its not a dupe.

Is it a great product? absolutely, if you are the type to layer on skincare then the lack of other ingredients wont bother you so much because you will be getting them elsewhere. The only time this was annoying was when I wanted a lazy pm routine, the lack of hydration from ramosu meant I couldn’t just use this plus a cream because it wont be enough

Do I recommend it: yes and no- yes because for the price you pay for 100% bifida its amazing, its well packaged and it actually leaves the skin great but no because there are no many other dupes that are well rounded in ingredients and may work better.

Bottomline: it doesnt hurt to try this, its £10 for 50ml but it is not a dupe for ANR. Get it to try as a product because you want to experiment with bifida but not as a dupe for ANR

I have 20ml left of this to use up then its onto the next dupe!

I hope this review is helpful! Catch you later

The Best Sunscreens from Boots

hihi all, I hope all is well. Spring is fully here and we are finally getting some sun in the UK! I know for a lot of people, the spring summer season is when their SPF is finally out so I’m here with a post with my tried and test sunscreens from Boots to help you out.

We should be wearing SPF every day of the year even in the winter and reapplying especially when the sun is out and we are out and about. I think the key to ensuring you wear your SPF as frequently as possible is to find one you like. I have tried a lot of SPFs and here are some of my tips to finding one you will like

  • Find a white cast FREE/ invisible option
  • A lightweight sunscreen that layers well with your other beauty products
  • Suitable for your budget
  • Suits your skintype
  • Easily accessible

If you are able to tick all 5 boxes, then I am confident you will find something you will like that wont be a chore to use. If you are looking for a starting point, my sunscreen recs are below. I have tried each of them and have video links either here or on my Insta darkskin highlight, instagram- sarahfynn. These sunscreens, can be purchased from Boots, Superdrug, LookFantasic or even ASOS so they are very easy to find.

Facial Sunscreens

Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Sensitive Advanced Face & Body Serum £15– I have tried many of Garnier’s sunscreens, but I keep coming back to this one. It is hydrating and leaves a dewy finish but it doesnt feel greasy or heavy on the skin. This one can also be used on the body and comes in a massive 125ml tube. Its suitable for all skintypes but if you have really oily skin, you will prefer the Garnier UV Anti Dark Spots & Anti Pollution Face Fluid SPF50+ £13 which is a dupe of the La Roche Posay Shaka fluid

Boots No7 SPF 50

No 7 Future Renew Damage Protection Defence Shield Spf50 £24.95 – this is the latest one I tried. I got this for holiday and let me tell you it was love at first use! The lightweight watery lotion sinks into the skin very easily, It feels hydrating & lightweight with 0 cast. It layers so well on top of each other, I layered this many many times in the day whilst on holiday and it did not pill, not once! It works so well under makeup too. I have to admit I went looking for another SPF to buy but the sales lady said it was £10 off and I was able to test it, it also helped that it was a black lady who said the SPF was also invisible on her. I purchased it and the rest is history

Bondi Sands Face SPF50 £7.99 – Bondi Sands is an Aussie brand where SPF is taken very very serious so I tend to trust them. Bondi Sands is a fav. of mine. I have used both the ‘face’ and ‘body’ sunscreens on my face and I love them both however the body SPF on the face feels slightly heavy. This is a very dewy finish SPF so if that is not your cup of tea, please stay away from these lol

La Roche Posay Shaka Fluid SPF50 £20– one of the OG SPFs out there, shaka fluid is a semi matte finish with great SPF filters. La Roche Posay is an amazing French pharmacy skincare brand, well known for their sensitive skin products

For body SPF, there is only 1 for me and that is the Nivea Dry Protection SPF 50 mist, £12. Its a cooling SPF so it feels so great when applying in the heat its really cold tho lol. The finish of this is very dewy so if thats not your thing, you can use the Garnier or the Bondi sands mentioned above for your body.

How to remove SPF effectively

After a day of multiple SPF reapplications( btw I will do another post of easy SPF reapplication products!), I like to triple cleanse to ensure every last bit of SPF, dirt, oils is off. I use whatever balm cleanser I’m using at the time( post on this soon) twice, emulsifying well & removing with my wash cloth then finishing off with my gel cleanser. This can dry out the skin a bit depending on the cleansers I am using but I always go in well hydrating products in my pm routine so I dont have any issues after.

I hope this post is helpful if you are looking for a new SPF to try. Please check out my insta for video reviews on the SPFs mentioned. Catch you later

Can I Wash My Eyelash Extensions After 24 Hours?

If you’re a fan of eye-catching lashes, then eyelash extensions may have become your new best friend. They provide a fuller and more dramatic lash look than mascara could ever achieve.

However, with this enhancement comes responsibility, specifically, with lash extensions aftercare.

One of the most pressing questions that people have about their newly applied lash extensions is can I wash my eyelash extensions after 24 hours?

So, let’s take a look at whether you can shower with eyelash extensions, or how long to wait after you get eyelash extensions, before you’re safe to wash them.

Can I Wash My Eyelash Extensions After 24 Hours?

Why Do I Need to Wait 24 Hours to Wash My Eyelash Extensions?

The Importance of Allowing the Adhesive to Fully Bond

Your lash technician or lash artist will have applied your extensions using a special lash adhesive or lash glue.

This lash adhesive creates a bond between your natural lashes and the lash extension to keep it in place.

To form this bond between the lash adhesive and your natural lash, it’s essential to wait at least 24 hours for the bond to cure and fully set.

So, if you’re tempted to wash your new lashes before the 24 hours are up, it’s best to hold off and let the bond between your lash extensions and natural lashes develop fully.

The Risk of Premature Lash Extension Fallout with Early Washing

If you wash your face or get your extensions wet before the 24-hour mark, it can weaken the bond between your natural lashes and the extensions.

When the bond is weakened, it increases the risk of premature lash fallout or losing one or two of the extensions.

And trust us: you don’t want to get their lashes wet and find out that your extensions fell out before you’ve even had the chance to show them off properly.

How Can Waiting 24 Hours Contribute to The Longevity of My Lash Extensions?

When you wait the full 24 hours before washing your lash extensions or getting them wet, you’re helping to extend the longevity of your lash extensions’ life.

By waiting, you’re allowing the bond between your natural lashes and lash adhesive to fully cure and set.

If you get your lash extensions wet or wash them too early, the adhesive will soften and weaken, which diminishes the lash extension’s lifespan

Can I Wash My Eyelash Extensions After 24 Hours?

The Potential Risks of Getting Your Extensions Wet Too Soon

The adhesive used to attach your eyelash extensions to your natural lashes is known as a cyanoacrylate adhesive.

This adhesive starts to cure once it is exposed to moisture in the air, setting the bond formed between the natural lash and extension.

If you get your extensions wet before they’ve had time to cure entirely, you can reduce the adhesive’s effectiveness that holds the extension in place.

The Process of Eyelash Extension Adhesive Curing

Curing is the process where the lash adhesive starts to harden, and the bond between the natural lash and extension sets.

This process is essential to extending the life of your extensions. If you don’t allow the adhesive to cure entirely before getting your extensions wet, you risk the bond and, ultimately, your extensions’ longevity.

What to Do if You Accidentally Get Your Extensions Wet Before 24 Hours

What to Do if You Accidentally Get Your Extensions Wet Before 24 Hours

If you accidentally get your lash extensions wet before 24 hours have passed, wipe them gently with a clean, dry tissue. Avoid rubbing your eyes or eyelashes vigorously. Simply let them air dry and avoid getting them wet further until the 24-hour period has passed.

Can I Shower with My Eyelash Extensions?

Yes, you can shower with your eyelash extensions, but you must take the necessary precautions to protect them from getting wet. It’s advisable to shower without directing the shower head onto your face, so the direct flow of water doesn’t touch your lash extensions.

Products to Avoid in The Shower with Lash Extensions

To keep your lash extensions looking their best, it’s best to avoid exposing them to certain products and elements that can weaken the bond between the natural lashes and the extension. Specifically, try to avoid oil-based products, including facial cleansers and shampoos.

The Importance of Keeping Your Lash Extensions Away from Direct Water

To ensure your extensions don’t fall out or start to loosen prematurely, avoid getting them wet or allowing them to become fully saturated in water. Water can break down the adhesive bond, causing the extensions to loosen.

How Do I Clean My Lash Extensions?

When it comes to cleaning your lash extensions, there are specific techniques you need to follow.

Start by gently brushing your lashes with a clean spoolie brush to remove any makeup or debris.

Next, use a specially formulated lash cleanser or a gentle natural shampoo mixed with water to wash your lashes.

You can either use a small amount of cleanser on a spoolie brush or low lint cotton swab to thoroughly clean your natural lashes and extensions.

Recommended Cleansers and Makeup Removers Safe for Lash Extensions

Not all facial cleanser wipes, makeup removers, and oil-based products can be used safely for lash extensions.

Opt for oil-free or water-based makeup removers like micellar water and specifically formulated lash cleansers to remove makeup and cleanse your lashes, and lash line without damaging your extensions.

Recommended Cleansers and Makeup Removers Safe for Lash Extensions

The Frequency and Schedule of Eyelash Extension Cleaning

The frequency and schedule of eyelash extension cleaning will depend on you and your lifestyle.

We recommend that you clean them daily and preferably at night to remove the makeup, debris, and oils accumulated throughout the day. It’s best to do this with clean hands or brushes, using gentle strokes.

What Aftercare Tips Should I Follow to Keep My Eyelash Extensions Clean and Healthy?

1. Gently brush your extensions daily with the spoolie provided. This will help keep their shape, and remove any dirt or dust that may have collected throughout the day.

2. avoid rubbing and pulling at your lashes, as this can cause them to pull off prematurely.

3. Avoid using oil-based makeup removers, as this could break down the adhesive used on the lash extensions and make them fall out quicker than they should. Opt for an oil-free eyelid cleanser and makeup remover instead.

4. Refrain from using waterproof mascara, as it is likely to contain ingredients that can negatively affect the bond between your natural lashes and the extension ones.

5. Wash your lashes carefully to prevent bacteria build up, you can use a mild shampoo or baby wash & rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water after every shower or before every re-lash appointment (when between infills).

6. Try not to get your lashes wet for 12–24 hours after having them applied with glue—this will give time for the glue bond to set properly before coming into contact with water again; allowing maximum retention of your extensions, preventing premature lash loss, and premature lash shedding.

How to Avoid Damaging or Losing Lashes From Your Full Set Of Lash Extensions

To avoid damage or premature lash extension loss, avoid rubbing and pulling your lashes.

Sleeping on your stomach or side can also cause damage to your extensions, so try sleeping on your back, if possible. Gently brush your lashes with a spoolie brush to help maintain their shape without damaging the extensions.

The Dos and Don’ts of Aftercare for Lash Extensions

There are various dos and don’ts to follow when it comes to aftercare for your lash extensions. Do take proper care of your extensions, use recommended products to clean your lashes, and brush your lashes, keep them dry and avoid oil-based products.

Don’t pull or rub your lashes too hard, don’t let them become too wet, and don’t use mascara on them (unless it’s specifically designed for lash extensions).

Taking care of your extensions is essential to extending their life and maintaining the appearance of your natural lashes, so ensure you avoid water within the first 24-48 hours after your lash appointment, to protect your full set of eyelash extensions.

Try not to get your eyelash extensions wet, so avoid using water near your lashes, to keep your extensions looking their best, for as long as possible.