Cult 51 Revolutionary 3D Day Cream Review

I love trying out skincare products and I am so grateful that this blog provides me ample opportunity to try really amazing brands. I came across Cult 51 some time last year and I was well intrigued. I think the name really stood out to me. I was really pleased when I was asked to try out their Revolutionary 3D Day Cream*. Of course, I said yes and I briefly mentioned it in my Mother's Day Gift Guide post. Since then, I have incorporated it in my skincare routine and I am so happy to finally share my thoughts.
Spoiler Alert- I absolutely love it and I'd tell you why, so keep on reading.


Brief Overview of Cult 51 Revolutionary Day Cream
Cult 51 was founded by Richard Mears who is a renowned Chemist with over 20 years experience in developing beauty products. He has formulated beauty products for some of the world's highly esteemed skincare brands. He decided to develop a "one-cream skincare regime" that will cater to all areas of the face without compromising on quality and viola!! Cult 51 was born. You can read more about the brand here. I feel inspired by his story (love when skincare products are developed by scientists who understand the skin). There are only 3 skincare products in the brand which include the Night Cream, Immediate Effect Serum and the Revolutionary 3D Day Cream*. Cult 51 also stocks Candles and Eau de Parfums. I hear that these skincare products are highly sought after by many beauty lovers including celebrities and I can understand why it is called "Cult 51" (totally cult status skincare). The Cult 51 Revolutionary 3D Day Cream* was launched in March and it is the third product (and I believe the latest addition) to the Revolutionary range. It is designed to tackle the usual skin concerns that we tend to be exposed to in the current climate including UV induced pigmentation, pollution, redness, free radicals and dehydration which could all lead to premature ageing.


Packaging
There's no way I am skipping over any packaging that is purple because I love purple (it's one of my favourite colours). Apart from my love for purple, the Cult 51 Revolutionary 3D Day Cream packaging is gorgeous in its own right. It comes in a glass tub with a lovely silver lid. There are two sizes- 20 ml and 50 ml and I have the 20 ml which is a perfect size especially for travelling. Although it is a glass tub, I find it quite easy to travel with mainly because of its cute size. I am really surprised that my tub has lasted me for almost two months as I thought it will be gone within a month. I think it's great that they have a smaller size so people can try out the brand without necessarily breaking the bank. It fits well into my travel skincare bag and I have actually travelled with it twice with no problems at all. I also love the outer packaging which looks so elegant. I am really impressed that the inscriptions on the tub has not wiped off, despite the humid weather and travelling with it and this goes to show that it is well made. As it's a tub, it means you have to dip your fingers in it which may not be the best but I do ensure my hands are clean before use. I now own a spatula which makes using skincare products in a tub really easy (I also rinse it after every use). 


Ingredients
The Revolutionary 3D Day Cream has an impressive list of ingredients including Tyrosinase (which helps tackle hyper pigmentation), Antioxidants (which tackle the free radicals and protect the skin), Hyaluronic Acid (to maintain and maximise moisture and hydration levels) and SPF15 (to protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays). There's a link to the full ingredient list of you want to check it out here. I was more than willing to try this Day Cream because it had ingredients that I know work well for some of my skin concerns.



Formula//Texture
The formula of the Revolutionary 3D Day Cream is what made me fall in love with it. It is incredibly silky and goes on so smoothly on my skin. It does not feel heavy at all or too light; it's one of the best consistency I have tried in a day cream. Once it gets on the skin, it gets absorbed well without me having to work it in.  The silky texture transforms to a smoothing effect once it is absorbed and whatever I put on my face afterwards glides on like a dream. I can totally see why they claim that it has priming properties. It also has a hydrating effect which I love although I do tend to use a hydrating serum first especially now that the weather is getting warmer. It has a pleasant fragrance which I really love because it reminds me of one of mum's skincare products but I can't remember which one. It's not one of those fragrances that lingers or may interfere with anything but I understand that some people may not like fragrance at all. I don't mind fragrance in skincare in fact I think fragrance makes you feel like you are using a luxurious product. I don't have extremely sensitive skin so fragrance in skincare products does not irritate my skin.


Results
I use the Revolutionary 3D Day Cream immediately after my serum and it just makes my skin feel fantastic. I know it sounds really cliche but the smoothing effect it has on my skin is second to none. My skis is not naturally smooth because I have enlarged pores and bumps from previous acne and hyper-pigmentation/blemishes. Makeup can hide them but it does not take them away so any skincare product that helps with the texture of my skin is a welcome addition to my stash. With consistent use, I have noticed that the texture of my skin has really improved especially in the last month. Even when I had some breakouts on my cheeks, they did not leave any annoying bumps on my face and I believe this cream helped with that. Another skin benefit I noticed was how firm my skin felt. I just got into my thirties (yahh!!) and I am lucky my skin has not started showing any signs of premature ageing. My skin is still very firm but I did notice a slight extra firmness while using the 3D Revolutionary Day Cream. This firming effect goes hand in hand with its smoothing effect and I feel like anyone who is need of a firming cream will enjoy this day cream. With regards to reduction in hyper pigmentation, I won't say I have noticed a huge improvement from using it alone but my hyper pigmentation has not worsened. I will do an update on reduction in hyper pigmentation in a separate post because I don't think only one product can do the trick rather it is a combination of products.

Where to purchase //Link //£40 (20ml)
From the name of the product alone, I am sure you can already guess that it will be sold only in an exclusive choice of retailers. You can always purchase Cult 51 products directly from their website where they offer free shipping for all UK deliveries. For in-store purchases, you can find Cult 51 in Fortnum & Mason and Light Touch Clinic (Surrey). For online retailers you can find their products in Cult Beauty, Feel Unique and Look Fantastic. If you are frequent flyer, you can also purchase Cult 51 products when flying with British Airways (both short haul and long haul flights). I am guessing they may be duty free which means you can get a cheeky discount if you buy it while on board British Airways. There's a list of their stockists in other countries in the world which you can find here.


Overall Thoughts
I did not expect to love the Cult 51 Revolutionary 3D Day Cream as much as I have. It is just one of those day creams that caters to a good number of skin issues and it is not easy to find a day cream that ticks many boxes. I love how it makes my skin feel and all the improvements I have seen over consistent use. I am very impressed and I can imagine that ladies with more matured skin types will really appreciate the Cult 51 Revolutionary 3D Day Cream. Hope you enjoyed this post and have a lovely bank holiday weekend if you live in the UK. Have you tried any product from Cult 51?
*PR Sample + Affiliate links used, read my full disclaimer here

YSL Couture Brow Wardrobe Review

My brows are an important part of my makeup and I feel they set the tone for my entire look. It's no secret that brows frame the face and that's why it is so important to keep them in good condition. Using the right brow products, tools and technique is a sure way of nailing the perfect brow look. YSL Beauty Couture Brow Collection consists of various brow products and I could not resist the opportunity to try them out for myself. I was kindly sent the following products to try: the Couture Brow Palette*, Couture Eye Marker*, Dessin Des Sourcils* and the Couture Brow Mascara*. You all know I am a big fan of YSL Baby Doll Mascara and it is one of the best mascaras I have ever tried. I am on my 3rd or 4th back up and I don't think I will be stopping any time soon. Based on my amazing experience with the YSL Baby Doll Mascara (review here), I had very high hopes for their Couture Brow products. I have used them for around two weeks now and I wanted to share my thoughts on them.



Overview of the YSL Couture Brow Wardrobe 
The word "couture" is a French word which basically means "made to measure (customised)". You probably would have heard this word used more in fashion than in beauty. However, there's no rule that says it can't be used in beauty, in fact many people are already creating "couture" or customised versions of their makeup be it by mixing foundation shades to get the perfect match or mixing brow products or even eyeshadows. I love the idea of being able to create customised makeup for myself  although I have to say I don't like mixing foundations (I just prefer to have the right shade). The concept of customising brow shades using different formulas was very interesting to me and I have enjoyed learning new ways of doing my brows.



Dessin Des Sourcil (Eyebrow Pencil)* //Link // £21
If there's one brow product that is always in my stash, it has to be a good eyebrow pencil. Before I ventured into trying other brow products, I used a brow pencil to outline and fill in my brows and it actually worked well for me. I still use a brow pencil to outline my brows (which are quite sparse and unruly) but I now use other products to fill and customise my brows. YSL describes the Dessin Des Sourcils as the ultimate eye makeup essential which is a deluxe dual ended precision pencil with a spoolie/brush. It is designed to help shape, shade and define the brows for a beautiful natural look. I love how beautiful this pencil looks and anything with hints of gold in the packaging always looks luxurious. I particularly love the spoolie end of this pencil as it firmly but gently grabs all my brow hairs and brushes them in the direction I want.



There are about 4 shades available and I was sent the shade 04 Cendre which is not a good match for my complexion. If you do have an Ash Grey/Brown brows, I think this will work well for your brows or complexion. I did try it for my brows but it did not show up on my complexion at all and looked a bit off. However, I could tell that the formula was an amazing one as it felt beautifully waxy and it did not drag across my brows at all. However, I use it to line my waterline for a subtle effect which works well for everyday wear. I find that the regular black eyeliner, especially during the day, looks a bit too intense so a brown or greyish brown eyeliner works beter if you are after a subtle look. Thankfully, it is ophthalmologically tested and suitable for sensitive eyes and/or contact lens wearers which is great because I am a contact lens wearer and also have sensitive eyes. I have read good reviews about using the Dessin Des Sourcils as a brow pencil to outline the brows so it's one I'd be looking to try at some point (in a darker shade though).






Couture Eye Marker* //Link //£22
The Couture Eye Marker part of the Couture collection although it is not a brow product. There is a Couture Brow Marker which sounds like a great product and I need to swatch it in a YSL counter soon. YSL describe the Couture Eye Marker as an easy-to-use Marker Pen (felt pen eyeliner) designed to create a bold look with a new edge of femininity. If you read my blog regularly or see me in real life, you'd know that I rarely ever do my makeup without eyeliner. It just won't look the same and my eyes look like it is missing something. I have always used felt tip liner pens especially the slim ones. However, I was excited to be trying a different chunky nib/tip for a more dramatic look. I did struggle a little in the first few days to get the hang of using the Couture Eye Marker because the nib was different but now, I feel like a pro. The good thing about the Couture Eye Marker is that the nib has a curved shape with different sides so you can still create both thin precise lines or chunky graphic ones. If you are a lover of the cat eye flick, you will adore this eyeliner because it is very precise. It is also long lasting and I think it is waterproof because it does not smudge all over my eyes even after a long humid dat. I did not know I'd be a fan of a different eyeliner nib but I am totally loving it.




Couture Brow (Brow Mascara)* //Link //£22
I have never really been a brow mascara girl because I just never found any one I liked and I thought they were a bit of an unnecessary step. I did try a couple of brow mascaras a few years ago and I never really enjoyed them so I did not bother trying to invest in a more expensive one. I just concluded they were not for me until the lovely YSL Couture Brow arrived. The first thing that caught my eye was the luxurious packaging. It just looks so gorgeous and it definitely atracted me to give it a try. According to YSL, the Couture Brow is designed to allow you fix, structure and intensify your brows. I read on the website that it is inspired by Lloyd Simmonds who is YSL 's International Creative Director of Makeup and I guess he is behind its development. Again, it is all about customising the brows so you can be as natural or as dramatic as you want with long lasting results.




There are two shades available-1 Brun Adore and 2-Blonde Couture and I chose the 1 Brun Adore which is a medium dark brown shade. I love that it has a long applicator with small bristles that fit well into my brows. It can be used alone if you fancy but I do prefer to use it to tame my brows after using the Couture Brow Palette. I use light strokes so I still maintain natural looking brows and it adds a slight hint of colour to them. The main reason why I love using it is because it keeps my brow hairs in place all day. They don't move around at all and they usually do if I use only brow powders or brow pencils. It is a light gel formula but it does not give you sticky or stiff brows and I think that's what sets this brow mascara apart from all the others I have previously tried. I can safely say that I have now been converted to a Brow Mascara fan and a massive thanks to YSL for this.





Couture Brow Palette* / Link //£35
The Couture Brow Palette has to be my favourite product from the entire collection. YSL Beauty describe it as an all-in-one kit which allows you create a couture custom brow and I absolutely agree. There's no way we are ignoring the lovely gold signature YSL packaging!! It's even more stunning in real life and an absolute joy to use. Inside the Couture Brow Palette you get the following products: a 3-Colour Brow Powder, a Mini angled brush and a Pair of tweezers complete with the YSL Beauty logo. There are two shades available-01 Light and 02 Medium/Dark and I opted for the 02 Medium Dark which is a perfect match for my brows. I have to commend YSL beauty for creating the amazing mini tools that came with this palette. Generally, I get rid of any mini tools that come with eyeshadow palettes or brow palettes because they are never good quality and this is based on my previous experiences.  However, I am so glad I did not get rid of these YSL ones and to be fair, I really wasn't going to because they looked so lush and well made. I was looking to save them for any short trips but I decided to give them a try and fell in love with them. The mini angled brush has stiff bristles which really helps with the application of the brow powders. I cannot believe how much I love this brush and I wish I could purchase a bigger size.






At first, I struggled with the size of the mini angled brow brush because my hands are used to bigger brushes. However, I got used to it withing a few days and that's all I now use with this palette. The application is superb and I have tried my other angled eyebrow brushes but they don't come close to the YSL one so it is a winner in my books. I have not yet tried the Tweezers but I am pretty sure they'd perform well based on my experience with the angled brush. The Couture Brow Palettee has three shades of brow powders which include a light brown, medium/dark brown and a very dark brown/black shade. I usually start off with the darkest shade for the middle part of my brow and fill it in until I get to the middle. Then I go in with the medium brown shade for the top of my brow. The trick to create a customised and natural looking brows is to vary the intensity or create a graduated colour. Generally, brows get darker as they move towards the tail if you want a natural and realistic brow look. I tend to ensure that the inner part of my brows are not too dark unless they end lookingquite unnatural and even borderline scary. I use the lighter brown shade as an all over eyeshadow colour for days when I want a nude shade for my lids and it works so well. I sometimes use the middle brow shade as a crease colour and believe me, it looks like I have made an effort with my eyeshadow when I really have not. The brow powders can also be mixed together to create a better matching shade for your brows.  The Couture Brow Palette is excellent for creating the custom brow look I love. I absolutely love this brow palette and I have gotten so much use form it in a short time. I can imagine it coming on a any short trips with me because it contains everything I would ever need to create the brow look I love.



Where to Buy
You can purchase the YSL Couture Brow products from the YSL website as well as other retailers who stock YSL. I know they tend to offer discounts when you sign up to their newsletters so it is worth signing up to and you can also get free samples with purchases. YSL is a luxury beauty brand so they also have a matching luxury price however they have great quality. 



Overall Thoughts
What can I say? I am so happy I got to try some products from the YSL Couture Brow Collection and I have discovered new ways to create natural looking brows. If you only wanted to purchase one product from the entire collection, I will definitely recommend the Couture Brow Palette. It is the most expensive but I feel it offers the most value and will last a pretty long time because the brow powders are well pigmented. Apart from that, it comes in such beautiful packaging, what's not to love? I hope you enjoyed this post and I will see you in my next one. Have you tried any products from the YSL Couture Brow Wardrobe?
*PR Samples + Affiliate links used, read my full disclaimer here.

Jurlique Ultimate Rose Indulgence Facial Review

I was introduced to Jurlique as a brand last year  following the launch of their UK flagship store and I have really enjoyed their events and the products I was kindly gifted. You can check out my post on the Jurlique here and here. I whip out my Jurlique products whenever I want to pamper myself because they just do the job so well. I also incorporate them in my regular skincare routine every now and then but I do save them for my special pamper days and nights. Last month, I was invited to try out the Jurlique Ultimate Rose Indulgence Facial* and there was no way I could turn down such a brilliant offer. I already had a brief taster session of a Hand Massage during the Jurlique UK Flagship Store Launch event so I knew I was in for a treat. I cannot think of a better time to have had the Jurlique Rose Indulgence Facial because I was quite stressed. I was seriously looking forward to this Facial and it delivered above and beyond what I expected. If you want to read more about Jurlique and their ethos, head on over to this post. I will just jump right into my experience with the Ultimate Rose Indulgence Facial.

Location
My appointment was in the evening which worked out so well for me because I knew the facial will be the perfect way to end my day. I am sure you may already know but Jurlique UK now have a flagship store in the UK. The address is 489 Oxford Street , W1C 2AU London. It is in a prime location on Oxford Street (Oxford Circus) and you can't miss it. It's just opposite Dune and a few shops away from Urban Outfitters, Zara and Selfridges. The nearest tube station is Bond Street. The Jurlique Flagship store is just so beautiful. I love the ambience of the store and it is well lit so you can see all the lovely products well laid out. At the end of the store is the Spa/Massage room which looks so relaxing and it is so much bigger than it looks. The lighting in the spa room is quite dim which is perfect for zoning out and enjoying the massage. There's a lot of storage space to store your personal items and a mirror as well. I decided to take photos first because I knew I'd be too relaxed after the facial/massage to even bother. I even made a couple of videos for Instastory.


Jurlique Signature Facials and Body Treatments //Link // from £55
Jurlique have amazing facials called the Jurlique Signature Facials which feature Jurlique Professional Products. These Signature Facials include the Anti-Stress Facial (£55 for 45 minutes), the Customised/Signature Facials (£65 for 1 hour), the Ultimate Rose Indulgence Facial (£75 for 75 minutes), the Ultimate Signature Facial (£90 for 1 hour 30 minutes) and the Nutri-Define Touch of Luxe Facial Treatment (£100 for 1 hour 30 minutes). They also have Jurlique Face and Body Treatments including the Best of Both Worlds, Touch of Heaven and Mum-to-Be Face and Body Treatment. These treatments and facials can be booked in bulk (i.e. booking a couple at a time) to get a discount. I was kindly offered an opportunity to try out the Ultimate Rose Indulgence Facial which was an amazing 75 minutes of pure bliss. I honestly did not want to get up from the massage table.


How to Book
These facials can be booked in person or over the phone (02074999219) to make a reservation.  Alternatively, you can email OxfordSt@jurlique.co.uk. It's also great that bookings can be amended any time but they do request for at least 24 hours' notice for alteration or rescheduling appointments. If it's less than 24 hours' notice, then it may incur a 50% cancellation fee which I think sounds fair and it's the policy in many places. It is also good to come in at least 15 minutes early just to have some time to relax and fill in the health questionnaire. Plus, Jurlique always have some delicious tea waiting for you which is worth coming in early for, if you ask me.



Brief Overview of the Rose Indulgence Facial* // Link //£75 
The Rose Indulgence Facial is designed to give instant hydration results while rejuvenating the skin with the hydrating power of Jurlique's pure rose extracts. As well as discovering fresh and supple skin, the Rose Indulgence Facial also includes a 15 minute warm rose back massage. The entire facial took 75 minutes and it was absolutely worth every single minute and more. I feel like the description of the Rose Indulgence Facial does not absolutely capture how amazing the entire treatment was. I say this because the Rose Indulgence Facial included a Foot Soak/Massage, a Arm & Hand Massage, the Facial Treatment & Massage, Neck & Head Massage and a warm Back Massage. That's almost like a full body treatment!! On arrival, I was warmly welcomed by the team and was introduced to the Jurlique Beauty Expert- Vicky who did such an incredible job. I was offered a cup of delicious peppermint tea which was brewed in store while filling out the health questionnaire. I was then taken into the room where Vicky told me what the Facial involved and gave me some space to get comfortable.



1- Foot Soak and Massage
The first step was a foot soak and massage which was so indulgent. I rarely ever have foot soaks or massages except when I go for a pedicure so I was really pleased with this. I just soaked my feet in a lovely bowl of warm water infused with the Rose Shower Gel. I don't know about you but a foot soak really helps set the mood for a massage. I think the warmth from the foot just travels up the body and helps relax the entire body. I may be making that up but that's how I felt afterwards.


2- Back Massage
After the foot soak, I took off my clothing and got into the towel ready for the massage table. There was lovely music playing in the background and I honestly could have slept off right there. The next step was the Back Massage which lasted for 15 minutes. The Rose Body Oil was used and it was already warmed up in the cabby so it felt so indulgent. Vicky (the Jurlique Beauty Expert) is such an amazing masseur and she could pin point all the stress areas in my back. Her massage was firm but very pleasant and the warm Rose Body Oil was just perfection.



3- Facial Treatment
After the back massage, I turned over ready for the facial treatment. My skin had been behaving fairly okay but I could tell it felt dehydrated due to the change in weather. I always try to keep hydrated as much as possible but nothing feels as good as having a proper hydrating facial. All the products used for the facial were well arranged in the room and some were already warmed up in the cabby. The facial started with removing makeup residue and dirt using the Jurlique Replenishing Foam Cleanser. Next step was the hot towel compress using the Jurlique Purity Specialist Compress Concentrate. This concentrate contains a blend of purifying extracts which is designed to help open the pores, release impurities and prepare the skin for deep cleansing. I really enjoyed this part because my skin just felt so clean after using this and I am considering treating myself to a bottle for my skincare stash and pamper session. A facial steamer was then used on my face and I thought it would be so uncomfortable. However, it was not bad at all and I got used it it pretty quickly. I am not sure how long the steamer lasted but it was not too long. I believe this step can be skipped if you are not comfortable with a steamer which is good to know.


4- Face, Neck and Shoulder Massage
After the amazing facial, I had the facial, neck and shoulder massage. She started out with a gentle face massage and then moved to my neck and shoulder. My neck and shoulders are the most stressed parts of my body. I think it must be the same for many people especially if you work with a computer or at a desk. Even when I am at home, I find myself hunched over my laptop or iPad working away. The neck and shoulder massage was incredible and it honestly helped me relax. I knew there was already some tension around these areas but I had no idea how stiff they were making my neck, shoulders. As usual, the massage was really firm and I don't even know how she could find the really tensed areas but she did. She also gave me some lifestyle advice to prevent accumulating too much tension in these areas which I have tried to incorporate in my everyday life.


5- Mask
After the massages, it was time to pop on a mask and the Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Mask was used. It is a gently hydrating mask that works to soothe and soften dry skin, leaving it looking revitalised. It also contains Kaolin which helps draw out any form of impurities which may be lurking around under the skin. The mask was left on for some time while we proceeded to the Arm & Hand Massage.


6- Arm & Hand Massage
I already mentioned that I'd had a brief introduction to the Hand Massage during the UK Flagship store launch and I absolutely enjoyed it. This time around it was a combination for the Arm & Hand Massage which I loved. As you would have guessed, the Rose Hand Cream was used and it was so good. Just like everyone, I tend to use my hands and arms a lot but I definitely take care of my hands more than my arms. Having an arm massage was very relaxing for me and I loved it.



7- Mask Removal & Hydrating Skincare Routine
The mask was removed after the Arm & Hand Massage and she used the Activating Water Essence* to take it off. I love the Activating Water Essence and I love to use it before my toner (you can read my review here). It feels very hydrating and preps my skin for the rest of my skincare routine. The Herbal Recovery Eye Cream was used to hydrate my under eye area while Rose Moisture Plus Daily Moisture Balancing Serum was used as my face serum. To moisturise my face and to lock in all the hydration, the Rose Moisture Plus Moisturising Lotion was used. To keep my lips moisturised and supple, the Rose Love Balm was used. Of course, the best selling Rosewater Balancing Mist Intense Deluxe (limited edition in a gorgeous bottle) was used to spritz my entire face and it felt super refreshing. I had some time to relax on the massage bed/table before changing back into my clothing. I was offered more tea and water while I wrote down all the products used on me. I already have a wish list of products I am looking to try at some point because they were all fantastic.


Overall Thoughts

I have to say the Ultimate Rose Indulgence Facial will make the best gift ever because it is a complete face and body treatment in my opinion. I got a bit of everything in this facial and if I paid for it myself, I would say it was more than worth it. I cannot even fault it at all!! I loved the experience, it did not feel rushed at all and the Beauty Expert Vicky was incredible. My face felt super hydrated and I maintained this hydratiion by increasing my water intake. The facial made me want to use all my Jurlique Skincare products more.. I know I will be back maybe for the Anti-Stress Facial (which is £55) as a treat to myself after my professional exams (by God's grace I should pass in flying colours!!). I will highly recommend checking out the Jurlique Ultimate Rose Indulgence Facial because it is excellent value for money. It will also be a wonderful gift for any special woman/female in your life. I think even men will love this because everyone deserves a pamper. I hope you enjoyed this post and see you in my next one. Have you tried the Jurlique Ultimate Rose Indulgence Facial?

*The Ultimate Rose Indulgence Facial was offered to me free of charge however all opinions and images are mine. Read my full disclaimer here.