My daughter Poppy recently turned sixteen and her birthday gift from my brothers and their families was some make-up brushes. She had been coveting them for some time so was absolutely thrilled. She opened them in front of the family and her pleasure was apparent, after all, they would revolutionise her whole make-up routine. They’re aesthetically pleasing in rose-gold and are beautifully soft and fluffy. They have oodles of dressing-table appeal and I can definitely see the attraction, but it led me to comment that they cost significantly more than my make-up brushes and to muse on whether or not they would make enough difference to justify the price tag. My mum also responded and said that she has never once bought a brush in 50 years of wearing make-up and uses either the applicator that comes with the product or her fingers. Poppy was shocked, nay horrified, and asked her Granny how she could possibly do her contouring and her blush without good quality brushes at her disposal.
We progressed into discussion about whether or not beauty products, make-up and make-up tools live up to the hype that sometimes surrounds them. Certain products achieve cult status and my mum and I recalled the frenzy that surrounded the No 7 Protect & Perfect serum, around ten years ago. It sold out within hours after Horizon, a BBC documentary, independently and scientifically proved that it worked as well as creams that were only available on prescription. This was an unexpected outcome, because it was previously believed that a cosmetic preparation wouldn’t or couldn’t work as effectively or deliver the same results. The response was unprecedented and women, my mum included, queued around the block to get their hands on a bottle.
Since then, the range of No7 serums has expanded and moved forward. Each one is specifically designed to intensively target specific age concerns, giving women tailored skincare solutions that really work for them. They are an important part of any anti-ageing skincare regime and can deliver younger looking skin in just two weeks.
Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced is formulated to address fine lines and wrinkles in the 25-35 year age group, while Restore & Renew Face and Neck Multi Action Serum targets mature skin.
At the age of 43, I fall somewhere in the middle and have been using Lift and Luminate Triple Action Serum, formulated to address fine lines and wrinkles, firmness and pigmentation. It includes Matrixyl, (the key ingredient in the original Protect & Perfect serum which can dramatically increase the amount of protein collagen), as well as hyaluronic acid and hibiscus which is rich in polypeptides and amino acids. I was interested to see if it lived up to the claim of delivering younger looking skin in just two weeks and have been using it both morning and evening under my usual moisturiser. The cream has a smooth texture, a light, pleasant fragrance and it is easily absorbed. After the first few applications, my skin felt smoother. After a week, I could see a definite difference in its appearance too; it looked more radiant and even and it looked to be firmer under my chin and across my forehead. After almost two weeks the results were even more noticeable. I am very impressed with the product and looking forward to seeing further improvements.
Whether aged 16 like my daughter or 67 like my mother, we women want to look our best. We want the best possible skin for our age. Why wouldn’t we? We want to feel ready and confident to face whatever life throws our way. Despite her lack of make-up brushes, my mum has always, always taken ultimate care of her skin and it shows. From when I was a young teenager, she encouraged me to use a moisturiser with an SPF and when I was a little older, a foundation with the same; sound advice that I’ve passed on to Poppy. In turn, Poppy has shown me how to contour, how to strobe and how to “construct” the best eyebrow. Both my mother and my daughter have had a direct influence on my current daily skincare and make-up regime, which is why I love the concept that one brand has serums, skincare and products for all ages. Of course, Poppy is too young to need serums but she uses the No 7 Beautiful Eyebrow Kit and Beautifully Defined Contour kit.
No 7 seeks to inspire and enable women to feel ready to make a positive impact on their world, whether it is running a meeting or running a marathon, holding a press-conference or holding the baby, it allows women of all generations to show up in the right way for them.
*No 7 Protect & Perfect Serum, Boots
*No 7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum, Boots
*No 7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum, Boots
Disclosure:
This is a sponsored post, written in association with Boots No7. My opinions are always 100% honest and the content is always my own. Thank you for supporting those brands that support What Lizzy Loves.
*These items were gifted.
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Disclosures:- I am a paid Brand Ambassador for STEPPER Eyewear - I am a paid Company Ambassador for MAC Eyewear - I am a paid Columnist and Content Creator for Optometry Today - I am an employed optometrist at Benjamin Opticians, Skipton. Like most blogs, some posts contain affiliate links (from which I make a small commission if you make a purchase). Such links are identified with an asterisk *- Gifted items and PR samples are identified as such either in the the body of post or in the notes section at the foot of the post - Shop my looks, eyewear and homeware here: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/whatlizzyloves - Thank you for reading and supporting my blog.
6 comments
I've seen the rose gold brushes on many an Instagram feed and they are indeed beautiful. My step daughter used to have a beauty vblog and I was amazed at how millennials always use brushes. We never did. I saw in the paper this week that Boots are launching a new version of the serum – amazing how they still get press coverage for this, none of the other brands do! I seem to be a lone voice in that the Boots products have never worked for me and made my skin drier and tighter.
You're so right about the Millenials using brushes and they're so good with them too!! You're right too about the press coverage Boots and No7 get. I'm still using the serum and am still impressed. I guess that not everything will suit everybody's skin. I remember I never "got on with" the Clarins Beauty Flash back when it came out. It was hailed as 8 hours sleep in a bottle but it made my skin itch! xxx
What a great post, Lizzy. I really need to choose a serum to start using daily. At the moment I'm using a little sample of an Arbonne serum that was gifted to me. These No7 ones sound fabulous though!
Suzy xx
http://www.suzyturner.com
Thank you Suzy. It's really only been the last 12 months that I've been using a serum daily (sometimes twice daily) and it truly has made a difference. I've used several that are excellent and that I'd recommend. My friend is an Arbonne consultant so I e tried several of their products too which are also excellent. This No7 one is gorgeous to use and definitely worth the hype xxx
What a beautiful family you have. I remember when the No7 Protect & Perfect serum first came out. I had a Beauty salon at the time and the buzz was unreal. It was all the clients kept asking about! I must admit I bought it and came to the conclusion that it def matched up to the hype. I'm a massive fan of No7 (their loose powder is a holy grail of mine). I need to get back into their serums. Thanks for sharing! X
❤️ Carly Susanne – A Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
Thank you so much Carly xxx
That's really good to know about the No7 loose powder. I always use a pressed one but I know make-up artists swear by loose. And it's also good to know that the original No7 lived up to the hype. I'm very impressed so far after using mine for around 3 weeks xxx