A few weeks ago Notino contacted me and sent me a welcome package full of products to test and review. I didn't try any of the products before, for some I haven't even heard of yet but now I tested them all and I can report how they perform on me.
Vichy Idealia Life Serum and La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Eye Contour
These were just small testers, so I only tried them both a couple of times. I usually like Vichy's products and this one was no exception. I really liked the serum, it was a slightly thicker gel formula that felt nice and hydrating on the skin. Also, the scent was noticeable but quite suiting. La Roche Posay eye cream was thicker and it hydrated my under eye area well. It didn't have a scent. They say it's suitable for sensitive skin and for those who wear contact lenses. I wear contact lenses and my eyes every couple of weeks lately get very dry and sensitive and this cream didn't cause any irritations. This cream should prevent puffiness but I can't say anything about that because the tester is so small, so I couldn't use it more than 4-5 times.
Mediblanc Whitening Toothpaste and Whitening Aloe Vera Toothpaste
I am quite picky with my toothpaste, I have to use one that has a minty fresh scent and I don't normally like to use ones that are "regular", ones that don't give a fresh breath. These two surprised me, they remind me of some other toothpaste, maybe Himalaya but I can't remember. These are supposed to make your teeth whiter. I have been using them for a few weeks and I did notice my teeth get a bit whiter or maybe I'm just imagining it. They both are not bad, not my favourite but I will still use them up.
Korika Natur Beauty Brightening Face Sheet Mask
Korika is a Korean beauty brand that I haven't heard anything before I was sent this mask. I love sheet masks, so I was very happy when I got one in the package. On Notino's website, I have read that this mask contains lychee extracts, witch hazel extract and glacier water from Iceland. It should nourish and hydrate deeply, add vitality and freshness to the skin and smooth any wrinkles.
The sheet is quite thin but the mask didn't fit so well. The holes for eyes and mouth were just a tad too small. At least, they felt a bit too small when applying the mask but when I had it on, it didn't bother me much. The sheet was soaking wet. The scent was quite strong and exotic. When I put the mask on my face, it felt a bit cooling and my skin was nicely hydrated after. I liked it.
This was such a weird product to me at first but now I got used to it and I like it. You get two products in the pack. You get a matte liquid lipstick and a balm sort of product. The lipstick is liquidy and okay pigmented. I always use a lip pencil because it's quite a strong colour and otherwise I couldn't apply it precisely. The colour 020 Angelic is a muted pink shade that would probably suit most but they do have 44 other colours to chose from, which is quite a selection.
On the packaging, it says that you should apply the lipstick, wait 60 seconds and then apply the balm for the shine and hydration. The lipstick does dry semi-matte in 60 seconds but it's still slightly sticky. You can feel it drying and tightening the lips. After I apply the balm it does feel better on the lips and it gives some waxy shine like a balm basically. I have been reading some reviews on Max Factor's website and I realised these are actually very popular. As far as I understand, they also had the balm available separately because you use it up quicker than the lipstick but they don't sell it separately anymore.
The lipstick is pita to remove, you won't get it off with a regular makeup remover, it has to be oil-based and I still had a hard time. I noticed it goes best with a makeup remover cloth and some oil-based makeup remover on top.
I actually really like this, I didn't think I will when I first used it. When the lipstick dries down it does feel drying on the lips but after you apply the balm you can't feel that tight feeling anymore. If the lips start feeling dry, you just reapply the balm again. The lipstick just lasts and lasts and doesn't go away even with makeup remover, so that's probably the reason so many people like it so much. Now I need to see if they have any good nude shades in their collection because I really want one for autumn.
L'Oreal Hydra Genius and Saffee Cleansing 2-Phase Micellar Water
The L'Oreal Hydra Genious Moisturizer comes in a nice big glass packaging that contains 70ml of product. It is advertised as very hydrating for up to 72 hours. The texture is very very light and it's gone once you put in on the face, it absorbs immediately on my skin. It has a very strong and manly scent to it but it goes away after a couple of minutes. Keep this in mind if you have sensitive skin, also alcohol denat is third on the ingredients list, so it's not for someone with dry skin. I use it here and there because of the alcohol so high on the list, I wouldn't use it every day. I love how it feels on the skin, it feels very refreshing and I love that it doesn't have a sticky feeling after. I used this when it was hot outside but I didn't notice it would be very hydrating, my skin needs more. This version is normal to combination one, so maybe one for dry skin would be better.
From the Saffee Micellar Water I didn't expect much just because I have never heard of the brand but it surprised me. I have only tried one or two micellar waters as far as I remember, so I don't really have much to compare. First of all, I love the packaging. You have to push down the top part so the nozzle pops up and it's so easy to do with one hand. The texture is liquidy and milky. I apply in on the cotton pad and then I remove my makeup. It removed everything well, I always do a second cleansing and then I wash everything off. I do like it, it has become one of my everyday products.
The original La Vie Est Belle from Lancôme has been around for years and it's many peoples favourite. En Rose is a new version of it and they say it's a fresher, more luminous and floral interpretation of the original. I would describe the scent as sophisticated and "grown up" comparing to my other fragrances. You don't need much because it's quite strong and it lasts all day. Even my dad noticed I'm wearing it and he never notices these things.
Top notes: bergamot, pink pepper, red berries, raspberry.
Middle notes: Damask rose, Centifolia rose, peony, lily of the valley.
Base notes: iris, patchouli, sandalwood, musk.
Bourjois Twist Up The Volume Ultra Black Edition Mascara
Bourjois Twist Up The Volume Mascara comes in a strange-looking shape. They say it's a 2-in-1 mascara, on the top you have a feature that you twist and change the brush. One should lengthen and separate the lashes and the other one volumize and intensify the lashes. I haven't properly tested it yet, I have been testing so many mascaras and I wanted to give my lashes some rest but there will be a detailed review on this one, including the photos on how it looks on my lashes.
Notino Travel Refillable Atomiser
This is such a genouis little thing to have. I ordered one of these off of eBay years ago but that one leaked and I couldn't use it, so I was happy when I got this in my mail. I forgot to take a picture but if you are not familiar with this yet, you have a hole in the bottom where you can pump your perfume that you want to take with you. It takes little to no space in the bag and it's super convenient.
L'Oreal Infallible Foundation Blender
I tried a few beauty sponges and I didn't have high expectations for this one. It's firm and not super soft but it worked okay actually. It expands about half a size when it's wet, you can see this one the photo above. I don't really have any complaints. It doesn't soak up a lot of foundation, so I need to use a bit less than usual and it blends it well. I love the shape, you can really get the under eye area with the pointy tip. I have used it for a couple of weeks and it didn't start to fell apart, so it's good quality.
For me, it's not the best beauty sponge I have tried but it's okay. I think we all have different preferences, some like the sponge to be super soft, some like it firmer and so on.
In conclusion, I liked all of the products, some have become a regular part of my routine, like the Saffee Cleansing 2-Phase Micellar Water. I was also very impressed with the samples of Vichy and La Roche Posay products but there were quickly gone.
Thank you for reading!
*This post is a collaboration with Notino
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