Question 1:
Who knew Ideal World did beauty?
I had a feeling they did, never really knew much about it. It wasn't something on the blogger radar.
Question 2:
Who knew it was actually pretty fab?
Certainly not me, until recently!
If you didn't know, Ideal World is a UK-based shopping channel, which sells a variety of products including technology, home goods and most importantly, beauty. The lovely people at Ideal World kindly put together a bloggers beauty box for me, packed full of some of their winning products. Ideal World actually stock a number of brands, namely Elizabeth Grant, who champion both beauty and Skincare, as well as Zhuzh!, Fabulift and more!
I'm going to start off with the first of two Elizabeth Grant skincare products, and it was the Collagen Re-Inforce Cleansing Mousse*. Cleansing balms, foams, gels, washes, I thought I'd heard it all, but a Cleansing mousse? Now that had me intrigued. The texture is similar to that of The Body Shop Drops of Youth Foaming Cleanser (post), with a whipped consistency that cleanses in a similar but more luxurious way than a foam. This is great to use as a morning or second cleanse, but unfortunately it was a little too drying for my skin (which is combination with drier cheeks). Those with more oily skin may love it though as it really makes your skin feel squeaky clean.
Next up was the Elizabeth Grant Wonder Effect Glycolic Mask*. I do love a good face mask so I was keen to try this! I was surprised that this had a cream texture, and I'd liken it to the Elemis Papaya Enzyme Mask. This was a nice mask that left my skin feeling soft, and not dried out, and was a welcome change to the more detoxifying mask. I think with the 10% glycolic acid, it is meant to gently exfoliate and brighten, and it leaves my skin feeling a bit fresher.
Something that is kind of a beauty-skincare hybrid and one that I initially didn't think would work for me was the Elizabeth Grant Collagen Re-Inforce Concealing Eye Serum*. Luckily the orangey shade blends out nicely on my skin with sheer coverage, and counteracts bluey circles. I'm slightly unsure whether this is skincare or makeup but I do like it. My under eye concealer tends to crease when it gets too dry so this is perfect. I like to use this before my concealer as a kind of eye cream/corrector 2-in-1.
Something that is kind of a beauty-skincare hybrid and one that I initially didn't think would work for me was the Elizabeth Grant Collagen Re-Inforce Concealing Eye Serum*. Luckily the orangey shade blends out nicely on my skin with sheer coverage, and counteracts bluey circles. I'm slightly unsure whether this is skincare or makeup but I do like it. My under eye concealer tends to crease when it gets too dry so this is perfect. I like to use this before my concealer as a kind of eye cream/corrector 2-in-1.
On the more beauty end of the spectrum is the Elizabeth Grant Collagen Re-Inforce Cheeky Tint*. Back in the day, I was obsessed with Benefit Posie Tint, and is a very similar concept. This one has less of a fresh texture so there is more pigment, which makes it a better lip option than Posie Tint as it gives a really pretty stain to the lips. For the cheeks, it does need a light hand and a speedy blend but it offers a pretty flush of natural colour.
Also for the lips is the Elizabeth Grant Beautiful Colours Lip Gloss* in Sugar Rose. When I saw this shade, I was really excited to try it but unfortunately it's more of a clear/your lips but better kind of fiasco. Once I'd gotten past that, I found that this was a lovely gloss. I'm not a huge gloss wearer, but this one had a great formula, moisturising, just the right amount of sticky, enough so it stays on but not so much that your hair sticks to it in the wind. It makes your lips look healthy and full.
The next product, I'll be honest, I haven't tried to its full potential. The Zhuzh! Tan Accelerator* is something I don't fully understand. I don't spend a great deal of time in the sun but I don't usually tan all that well so I'll be sure to use this when I go in my next holiday (LOL keep dreaming Kirst...). I did try this briefly though, and it smelt lovely and made my skin feel nice and soft.
The Fabulift Fabulous Eyes Treatment* is an interesting one. It's not necessarily an eye cream, more like a lifting, tightening serum. It's actually an ampoule, something I'm seeing more and more of, which derives from Korean skincare. It's in the same vein as a serum or an essence but it actually means an amped up serum with higher concentrations of active ingredients. Fabulift has a tightening effect, and leaves a matte texture. It's not overly hydrating, and I missed having a creamy texture, but I imagine this would work wonders on those with more aged eyes.
Overall, the Ideal World beauty gets a mixed bag of reviews from me. There are items that I love, the concealer and the mask, but even those I don't, it's not because it's a bad product, it's more because of my skin type, the fact that tint is too similar to Posie Tint to be a standout in my collection, and I don't wear gloss all that often. It's definitely worth a look to see if there's anything that takes your fancy and they prove particularly affordable if you buy a value set.
Have you tried any Ideal World beauty?
Post a Comment