Product Rave - Skin Wisdom ( at Tesco's) beauty balm.

 I have been using this product for a while, have bought it for many friends as a gift, and every time I'm asked where I got it and told how much they love it....it is the above named Skin Wisdom Beauty Balm, from Tescos. The range has been developed by one of the REAL skincare Guru's, Bharti Vyas, who has been writing beauty books, appearing on tv for many years, and for the past few - making great skincare ranges/products for Tescos. Here is a link I found for her http://www.bharti-vyas.com/
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But *hand on heart* everything I am bringing to the reader is tried, tested and loved. I will gladly give my opinion of some of the other items in the Skin Wisdom range, but lets focus on the hero first.

The product is a pale peach coloured cream, which a slightly fruity fragrance. It acts in a similar way to the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, with the exception that it doesn't work as well when applied as a thick mask. I'll photo a swatch of the two side by side. Its texture is also slightly more fluid. It feels very refreshing on the skin and can be used on the eyes (I would always recommend any cream product be used sparingly on the eyes to avoid puffyness).

Anyway, this has been a fantastic find, and I recommend it to everyone, regardless of age or skin type. Mine is sun damaged but oily and problematic, but now with some concerns regarding anti ageing. My mother is in her 60's and she also loves it too, she also has quite sensitive skin.

My preferred method of use is  - if I'm going out - after I've cleansed and used my Decleor Prolagene Gel, I will apply two pumps into my hand and pat it over my skin gently with my finger tips. I spend as little time as possible handling the product and try to gently press it into my skin quickly. The rest is left to sink in and absorb. The result is smooth, even, glowing skin which is ready for makeup. It does actually make such a difference, I'm quite happy to dust on a bit of bronzer on my face and I'm good to go.

You can also apply it on top of make up, pat it on under the eyes, around your mouth, forhead etc, anywhere it looks a bit dull or needs rejuvenating. It sinks in without smudging as you don't need to rub it in - the skin seems to drink it right up.  I've also been known to mix it with foundation or to make a concealer more blendable. Its brilliant.

The packing is great, it explains clearly what the product does, and its ingredients etc. In short, great product. £6.00 at Tesco's. Buy it :). See more images of the packaging below.

The skin wisdom gentle eye make up remover is also very nice, and less than £2. I'm in the middle of trying out the 'Ultimate Lift' range, they have just brought out which has peptides in the form of Matrixyl as an anti ageging ingredient. I have only used it once so far but will give it a couple of weeks and then give a candid review for you.

I'd love to know what you think of the product, or indeed if you have any recommendations of your own.....please let me know by following me on twitter @ElenaMVerrall, and coming soon is Nelly's Obsession facebook page, which I'll hopefully have up and running soon.

I will say quickly, I know I have not reviewed many products and given a negative opinion so far on this blog, but thats because blogging has been something I do in my SPARE time, of which I have had little of recently (I work full time for a letting agents and am a mum too). I will be doing alot more :-). And hopefully....... I am less camera shy - a few video's too.

Thanks :-)

Nelly xxxx

Top three acne treatments at the moment

I have tried and tested many many products over the years in an attempt to deal with my troublesome skin. Since I was thirteen I have suffered with spots and have had various medicinal treatments from my GP, but there have been times where self help has worked.

My time and efforts over the years have made me a bit of an expert, and I have spent varying amounts of money on products.

The most expensive product which I use as a moisturiser is DECLEOR PROLAGENE GEL. This is a transparant green gel which works on the principal of repairing scars. Its supposed to be used on the body, but its gentle marine algae formula can be used right up to the lash line. I sometimes like to mix it up with another moisturiser to give it a boost. It can be used as an anti ageing serum too and I really adore the product. It can be pricey though at around £32 pounds. I get mine from sellers on ebay for lower, but I also have been known to get it from QVC at a good price.  Its a real hero product and I strongly recommend that if you have oily/sun damaged/acne prone/scarred/ageing skin, you slot this product into your routine. I LOVE IT!!!!

Secondly I have a slightly unusual spot treatment. Its MILK OR CREAM OF MAGNESIA, supposed to be good for stomach problems. This stuff is also a brilliant oil controling skin treatment. You can use this to dab on pimples, as a mask overnight, mix it with you moisturiser, your primer, or even a couple of drops in with your foundation. It drinks up any oil and helps heel blemishes. Its barely £3 which is fantastic, even cheaper if you get the chemists own brand.

The third and final recommendation is another steel, its SIMPLE OIL CONTROL MOISTURISER. This moisture lotion is great under make up or on its own. It creates a good base and controls the oil well, meaning that you should be able to go a good five hours without blotting your skin and getting oily. I love it because it feels very gentle and the price is awesome, just over a fiver.

These are just the things I am using at the moment, but I have a whole archive of stuff I use on a loop, from natural remedies to high end treatments that cost a far prettier penny. I'll share them in a later blog.

Thanks xx