I know this is old news, but I haven’t been this excited about makeup in yonks. For some reason, no collections have caught my fancy in such a long time. But when I saw the beauty range (only from pictures, quite sadly, since it’s not launched in Australia yet. Damn!) from my all-time favourite brand, Burberry, I was in love.

Yes yes, the packaging alone won me over 😛

Burberry Beauty is expected to hit Australian shores and counters in February/March 2011. I can’t wait!

Description:

An overnight treatment that helps clear skin, calm inflammation and prevent future breakouts by reducing excess sebum, removing impaction plugs and eliminating bacteria. Contains no artificial fragrance or colour.

This gel contains 2% salicylic acid, which is used for treating breakouts and an effective exfoliant.

I bought this as part of the travel-sized mediBac range just to give it a go.

I originally thought this was some sort of pimple cream, until I was kindly corrected by my beauty therapist at Endota Spa. This goes onto the skin after toner and serum, but before your moisturiser. I’ve been using it almost every evening, applying it around my nose, forehead and chin, since these are the areas most prone to breakouts.

Did it control my breakouts? I believe it did. It certainly reduced the amount of sebum secreted below the sides of my nose. I normally get a lot of blocked pores around this area and these have been reduced, although not significantly.

The clearing gel is used for more of a preventative measure against breakouts than anything else. I would still prefer to use a proper pimple cream for zits than just this.

Dermalogica’s mediBac Clearing Overnight Clearing Gel retails at AU$64 and is available at professional beauty salons such as Endota Spa, Pure Indulgence, etc. It is also available on Adore Beauty and Strawberrynet.

What I like about it: Reduces sebum around my nose; helped controlled my breakouts.

What I do not like about it: Nothing

That time of the month comes, my skin breaks out, I very stupidly pick at my spots, and voila! I’ve just added another scar to my face. Bugger.

I admit that I didn’t read any reviews of the popular Bio Oil prior to purchase. I was sucked in by its advertisement in a beauty magazine, and in my lowest of moods, cursing my itchy fingers for picking on yet another pimple thus causing another scar, I rushed to the nearest pharmacy and got myself a bottle of Bio Oil. Fingers tightly crossed that it would, at the very least, lighten the scars.

Description:

Bio-Oil® is a specialist skincare product that helps improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone. Its advanced formulation, which contains the breakthrough ingredient PurCellin Oil™, also makes it highly effective for numerous
other skin concerns, including aging skin and dehydrated skin.

Bio Oil’s scent reminds me of soap. It’s definitely not unpleasant.

I dipped a clean cotton swab into the oil and dabbed on the scars gently. After applying twice a day for two weeks, I was completely over the moon to discover that my scars have indeed been lightened. I knew well enough to not believe it’s a miracle product which could eliminate scars altogether. Nothing, save surgery, can eliminate scars completely. But it definitely lightened and reduced the appearance of the scars tremendously and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Sorry there are no pictures to show you, because I stupidly forgot to take before-and-after shots for this *palm smacking forehead*.

I use this everytime there’s a scar (*gulp*), and it’s a real saver come that time of the month when my skin starts to break out. I’ve never tried using it on anything other than scars though, even though its description states that it is also good for stretch marks, uneven skin tone, and aging and dehydrated skin. I’m afraid I cannot vouch for the rest. I’m not really arsed about the hoity-toity description of the ingredient PurCellin Oil (TM!), since it’s usually marketing that gives it that bombastic description.

But for lightening scars? I give it an A+. No kidding.

Bio Oil retails at AU$9.95 for 60ml, AU$19.95 for 125ml and and AU$29.95 for 200ml and is available at all leading pharmacies.

What I like about it: Lightens scars. ’nuff said.

What I do not like about it: Nothing. Bio Oil, I love you.