Reviews of the Month - January 2012

Below are our favourite reviews for January. Review are picked for being helpful, insightful or just really interesting.

Each reviewer will receive a £20 Escentual gift voucher! For your chance to win, simply review your past purchases.

TheWolf‘s review of Serge Lutens Chergui

“Perfumer Christopher Sheldrake created Chergui for Serge Lutens in 2001. On a blotter the first thing that hits you is a great big wollop of spice, a bit like the smell of orange peel as it hits the bottom of a pan of molten caramelized sugar laced with cumin; bitter/sweet and just a little bit burnt. As the fragrance softens it becomes a tad “greener” with notes of angelica, hay and greengage jam.

Finally base notes of tobacco, leather and black pepper come through for a subtly masculine suave and stubbly finish.

Up close it works its magic well on a romantic summer evening. Pure class.”

craftwitch‘s review of Aramis Maltplexx Protein-Enriched Hair Styling Gel

“I was cynical as to how it was possible to have fragrance and good hair care. Aramis Maltplexx Protein- Enriched Hair Styling Gel has changed my mind. The same fabulous spicy fragrance of Aramis combines with a great hair styling control gel.

I have short hair and enjoy styling my hair with a gel. I can blow dry my hair with this product as it is alchohol free and its ph balance does not dry my hair or scalp. The fragrance is not diminished with blow drying but I sculpt my hair after blow drying with a tiny amount of gel to add volume and layer the fragrance.”

Ginlink‘s review of Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm with Lemon

“I’ve been looking for a good lip balm for quite a long time and now I’ve found it. After using the balm for a week my winter chapped lips are in much better condition and I’m not experiencing the daily dryness that leads to chapping in the first place, so I think Intense Therapy is a good name.

I like the squeeze tube application and the fragrance is very pleasant as it’s light and not at all overpowering.

One thing to note, there’s a very slight tingling sensation in the way of a minor lip plumper, which is probably from the lemon. Like I say, it is very slight, so I was fine with that but it’s perhaps worth bearing in mind if you have sensitive skin.”

Emsie‘s review of Clarins Super Restorative Replenishing Comfort Mask

“My skin is drier and tighter in the winter due to heating indoors and cold air outdoors (I spend an hour walking my dog each day and live in Northern Scotland).

This mask is a wonderful nourishing skin saver, and I find I can use it not only as instructed but even just leave on all night for a boost that lasts a good few days, particularly that area along the top of cheekbones where I feel the effects of winter the most.

This cream has helped my skin restore its usual level of suppleness and a little goes a long way… I expect the tube to last a fair while:-)”

KimmyK‘s review of La Roche-Posay Effaclar K – Daily Renewal Fluid For Oily Skin

“I’ve struggled with moderate acne for all of my teenage years, with there never being a day that I have clear skin. Plus, my cheeks are covered in scars from previous spots that i’ve picked at (not good, I know!).

I used Effaclar Duo for about a month, and though my skin did improve slightly from use, I still wasn’t happy, so decided to buy Effaclar K as well. Its now been about a month and a half since I started using Effaclar K, and I literally can’t praise it enough, i recommend it to anyone i know who is having skin problems, it’s brilliant!!

My skin is finally smooth, with scars gradually fading. Though i do still get some spots, they are never any trouble, and Effaclar K stops them from developing too much. It’s also a great base for makeup, and I find that it doesn’t make my skin at all dry or flaky as previous acne treatments have.

Overall, I fully recommend this product to anyone who is suffering from acne, make sure you use it morning + night, and give it a month or so for the effects to be really noticeable!”