Nivea Pure & Natural Moisturising Day Cream // Review

I am always on the lookout for the perfect daily moisturiser. This is my latest contender, Nivea's Pure & Natural Moisturising Day Cream for Normal to Combination skin. I picked this up on a whim when I was abroad and had forgotten to bring a moisturiser with me. I gravitated towards this one as I had tried the Nivea Pure & Natural cleansing face wipes before (see my review here) and was drawn to the simplicity of this line. 

This day cream claims to give 24 hour intensive moisture, naturally soft and smooth skin and to enrich the skin's natural healthy glow. The product is 95% of natural origin and doesn't contain parabens, silicones, colourants or mineral oils (hoorah!). It does however contain organically grown Argan Oil and Aloe Vera which are sources of vitamin E and hydration, and claims to suitable for sensitive skin. 

Having combination/oily skin I look for a moisturiser that is light and non-greasy which makes the perfect base for make-up. Often I find moisturisers interfere with my make-up as they are overly sticky, but this one sunk into the skin fairly quickly without leaving an uncomfortable residue. My skin was left feeling clean and smooth and ready to apply make-up within five minutes of application. 

Although effective as a moisturiser, I found the scent of this product overwhelming and unnecessarily strong. It has a very fresh scent which in itself is quite pleasant, but for me the concentration of fragrance is far too powerful. When using the product I found that my skin tingled after application, which may be a reaction to the fragrance (I also found the cleansing wipes from this line irritating on my eyes). 

Overall I think that this is a good everyday moisturiser which would be suitable for most people, however if you are sensitive to fragrance I would avoid this product. It is nice to see a large cosmetic brand like Nivea introducing a natural range of products, and I hope that they explore fragrance free versions and look to expand the range.

Nivea Pure & Natural Moisturising Day Cream retails for £5.32 for 50ml and is available from the Boots website.

Do you have a favourite daily moisturiser? Let me know your recommendations in the comments!

Carmex Moisture Plus - Berry Tinted Lip Balm Review

There is nothing worse than chapped flaky lips. It can be both uncomfortable and unflattering, and as we approach the winter months the colder weather draws out more moisture from our skin. To tackle the issue of dry lips I always carry a lip balm with me. I have tried numerous brands over the years, but Carmex is one that I have always found  to be extremely effective.

Rather than repurchasing the standard Carmex in a pot, I thought that I would try the Moisture Plus Tinted version instead. These 'ultra hydrating' lip balms come in a handy tube and are available in four shades - Clear, Peach, Pink and Berry. I opted for the berry shade as I thought it sounded the most autumnal. I found the shade to be more red than berry, but nonetheless a lovely colour. The pigmentation is sheer so ideal for day-to-day wear and adds just a hint of colour to the lips. The finish is slightly glossy, but not as glossy as a lip gloss.

As for moisturisation, I found this product to be incredibly hydrating and tackled any stubbon dry patches. When using this lip balm, my lips were kept hydrated for a few hours before having to reapply. Pretty good going for a tinted lip balm! According to the packaging the balm is formulated with Vitamin E, Aloe, Shea Butter and SPF 15. The balm was easy to apply and is very convenient as you do not need a mirror. It has a pleasant scent - the traditional Carmex smell with a hint of vanilla. Noticeable, but nothing too overpowering.

Overall I have really been enjoying this lip balm and have been reaching for it whenever I feel that my lips are getting a bit dry. I think that this product will quickly become a winter handbag essential! The Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balms retail for £4.49 and are available from Boots, Superdrug and Feel Unique.

Do you have a go-to lip balm for the colder months? Let me know your favourites!