July Faves ft Max Factor, Lancome, LORAC, Kiehl's, Dream Dots, L'Occitane, Vichy & Guardians of the Galaxy!

It feels like an age since I've done a beauty post on here, does it feel like an age to you? 

Quite possibly because I'm beautying up a storm over on the Dublin City Guide or bringing you sneak peeks of all things beauty over on Instagram but this little old corner of my world seems to be lacking in #bblogger posts - let's amend that, shall we? 

We'll kick it off with July Faves!

1. Max Factor Colour Elixir Glosses: €10.49 - Here

I intagrammed these beauties almost two months ago here and there has rarely been a day since that they've been further than an arms length away from me. 

Not only are they seriously high shine but they're non sticky and taste delicious too (v important). The range of colours means there's something to suit every skin tone and taste and for colour wusses, like me, the brights are a sheer yet vibrant delight. 

HIGHLY recommend. 

2. Lancome's Grandiose Mascara: €30 Here

I've shown you Lancome's Grandiose in action here and given it a full review here - spoiler alert - I am in the love. I'm still unsure if the swan necked wand is responsible, though I do have an interesting post coming up testing that theory, but whatever it is, it works. 

Fans of bigger, grander lashes will love this blacker than black formulation. It lifts, separates and gives more of a false lash effect than I've previously managed to garner from a tube. Even better? It holds the lash curl all day long without flaking or smudging. In. The. Love. 

3. Guardians of the Galaxy Awesome Mix - $10 Here or online Here

You might have caught Aaron's 5 Cherry review of Guardians of the Galaxy here. If you haven't managed to see it yet, please do. We're planning on going again this week just to catch the lines the entire audience laughed over. 

Without doubt though, The Awesome Mix Volume 1 is the soundtrack of the year so far for me - it's also quite possibly entered my all time top ten. Shoulder dancing, hairbrush singing, CARaoke crooning and all round Awesome - you need these songs in your life!

4. LORAC Unzipped - $40 Here

While I try very hard not to describe eyeshadows as buttery, the ten mattes and shimmers in LORAC Unzipped are the Kerrygold of the eyeshadow world. Have you ever used a palette a couple of times and already known you'll be buying another? That's Unzipped for me. 

On our recent trip to London it was the only palette I brought. The minimal, lightweight packaging was one factor, sure, but the endless, effortless looks you can create with these colours are the real WOW factor. I can't count the amount of questions I've had asking about the shadow I'm wearing. It's LORAC, baby!

5. Lancome Golden Riviera Kabuki Brush: €35 Here

This two toned, densely packed, synthetic fibred, bevel cut Kabuki is easily the softest brush I've ever used. It's from the limited edition Golden Riviera collection though, so if you quite fancy the look of this one you'll have to be quick. 

I've been loving the airbrush effect I can achieve with the Hourglass Ambient Lighting palette using this brush all over my visage. The bevel cut means it works perfectly with the contours of the face for bronzer too. 

I actually look forward to using this each morning or to touch up in the evening. It's a little bit of luxury every day. We like daily luxury.   

6. Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum: €21.99 Here

Newly packaged and reformulated, Vichy's Aqualia line has once more been brought to the fore of my stash as a skincare staple. An increased concentration of hyaluronic acid and a blend of three sugars to capture water in the skin makes this iteration a sensitive or oily OR NORMAL skinned lass's best pal. 

Lightweight and with lightening fast absorption I've been using the Aqualia Thermal Serum after exfoliation this past month and it honestly feels like a cool drink for my visage with lasting moisture. There's something very comforting about the slightly floral scent of the serum, even more so that it doesn't irritate the skin as some scented products can. It's a hydrating winner.

7. L'Occitane Aromachologie Revitalizing Body Scrub: Coming August

I don't normally include products that have yet to launch in my monthly favourites but the truth of the matter is, this scrub will be gone before it's launch date even dawns. 

Me waxing lyrical about L'Occitane scents will come as a surprise to no one but the contents of this jar genuinely stopped me in my tracks. The zingy smash of sugar, orange, grapefruit, mint, lemon and rosemary is nothing like you've inhaled before. 

Ideal for morning showers, this has me bright eyed and bushy tailed regardless of the hour and the silky soft sheen left behind means I can forgo body oil altogether. Hurry up and launch, Aromachologie, I need a refill!

8. Dream Dots: €14.99 Here

You might have seen Dream Dots pop up all over your social media feed of late as they've been enjoying an Irish PR boost. We were sent a pack a couple of weeks back but having been very lucky with the products I'm using of late, I hadn't needed to use them. 

Our plan was (and is) for Adam to give them a trial and give me the low down. Problem being, when I went to pull one out last week, it was the last one! The little git has used every single dot, bar one, without a word. His words now? 'They take the sting out and stop me picking' that's something, right? 

I managed to use the final dot myself, a mini Compeed lookalike, and whether it's fluke or not, I'm hugely impressed. I popped it on a hormonal Vesuvius on Sunday morning at 10am (I'm a rebel) and didn't think of it again until that night. I have to agree with Adam, the pain in my jaw was relieved, the spot itself reduced and the healing time cut significantly. We'll be picking up more for an in depth review but they're getting four thumbs up from us!

9. Kiehl's Creme De Corps: €19  or €53 Here

Speaking of luck with trialling skincare products, my poor old arms haven't fared so well. I'm going to do a full whinge post to explain exactly why Cane & Austin's Retexture Glycolic Treatment Lotion hates me so very much but suffice to say here that my KP hasn't flared as badly in probably 5-6 years. Suddenly I was back to long sleeves in summer time and feeling very self conscious in company. Blahhdy nightmare. 

That's why props go out this month to my all time holy grail Kiehl's Creme De Corps for literally saving my skin once more. Within days my arms had calmed down, skin had begun to heal and tiny bumps disappeared as balance was restored. LUV U, Kiehl's. LUV U LONG TIME. 

Tell me, what's been tickling your pickle in July? Hmmm?

November's Glossy Box Unboxing: Spoiler Alert!

Although new to the Glossy Box game, if October's box was anything to go by, this month's was sure to be good. November's Glossy Box is billed as everything you need for your Winter Wishlist. If you'd like to see what's included, I have spoilerific pics after the jump: 

Vichy Normaderm Hyaluspot: Stopping Spots in Their Tracks

Loathe as I am to admit it I'm still prone to the odd breakout, sometimes hormone related, more often than not stress related but never less than day ruining and never, never welcome. 

Having learned that my beloved Stop the Spot from Sephora had been discontinued it was back to trusty old Sudomcrem for me until Vichy got in touch. Their Normaderm Hyaluspot promised to 'Stop the spot in 2 hours, clear it in 4'! 'Wowsers' thought I. 

One of the keys to clear, blemish free skin is the reduction of bacteria on the skins surface. The press release for Hyaluspot had some pretty sobering statistics when it comes to common bacteria in everyday places. 

While I'm never a Nervous Nelly when it comes to bacteria ( we needs it for our immune systems, kids) I'm still conscious that my hands are clean when touching my face, especially if I'm suffering with a mini Vesuvius. 

Containing Hyaluronic Acid (hence the name) the clear, fast drying gel seals in your spot and forms a protective invisible barrier under which the healing can begin and stopping any more nasties getting in. That means quicker healing time and less chance of lasting scars. 

While the applicator is specifically designed to be cool and soothing on inflamed and irritated skin, I'd be very hesitant to use it directly on the spot unless you're going to disinfect it every time to stop cross contamination. I'm just too lazy for that so I squeeze the gel onto a freshly washed finger instead and apply it directly. 

While it has been clinically proven to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria within 2 hours, how did Hyaluspot fare on its other promises?  

Truth be told, there was a reduction in the appearance of Vesuvius in 24 hours but here I am 4 days later and I'm certainly not completely Vesuviusless. I'm a little let down but not at all surprised. 

The good news is that the most pleasing thing about this new spot treatment lies in its pain relieving power. We all know hormonal spots can give you that pressure pain that can resonate into the bones of your face on a bad day, well Hyaluspot nipped that right in the bud for me. For that alone I'll happily pay the €10 they're charging in pharmacies. 

The fact that the youngest Gorgebag concurs about the pain relief and has come back to me twice already looking to use it again means it must be helping him and for that I'm grateful to Vichy. 

Have you tried this spot treatment yet? Let me know what you use to combat hormonal and stress related breakouts, I'm always open for new remedies. 

Quadruple Threat for Acne: Vichy Normaderm

A veritable Teen Dream, the kind folks at Vichy have made two teen gorgebags here at Casa Cherry very, very happy indeed. Vichy Normaderm Anti Imperfection Hydrating Care has just been joined by Normaderm's 3 in 1 Cleanser, Scrub and Mask in the acne fighting arsenal and when I say 'joined' I mean it's kicked everything else out of the running. 

I should add that these really aren't teen only products, quite the opposite but the tables have been turned since 3 in 1 arrived in our door a fortnight ago, the shaggers have hidden it ON ME! I'm forever peace mealing out the goods when it comes to products that really work but once they realised the effect this Normaderm dream team has had on their kissers, I haven't had a look in since. 

Normaderm 3in1 - €13.25

This 3in1 Cleanser, Scrub and Mask is made with Kaolin clay to draw imperfections from the skin, salicylic acid that works to minimise pores and buff the skin surface. Delicately (divinely) scented and alcohol/paraben/soap free this little doozy works on many levels to clean, clear and treat delicate and acne affected skin. 

Since I have normal skin, the youngest has combo/dry and the eldest has combo/oily (Understandable, since they're teens) I was very interested to see how this product would fare on each of us. We sat down en famile last week and applied it as a mask (it's non stop rock & roll here). Although we completely bewildered the poor dog, we astounded ourselves with just how well this performed in 5 minutes. Soft, supple skin all round and for the youngest a considerable reduction in redness and inflammation. Win/Win/Win. 

As a 3 in 1, it works brilliantly as a twice a week scrub, an every other day cleanser or a once a week mask. Truly, I'll be picking another tube up as, try as I might, I've yet to find their hidey hole and Momma wants to try it again. 

Vichy Normaderm Hydrating Care - €15.75

While Normaderm Hydrating Care really didn't like my kisser, it's a prime example of how differently a product can work with different skin types. Containing salicylic and glycolic acids which help control oil production and glycerine and silica to hydrate oily but dehydrated faces, Hydrating Care works to calm, mattify and approve the overall appearance of angry or blemish prone skin. 

Used after the 3 in 1, Hydrating Care drenches the skin in moisture, soaks in quickly and leaves no residue, only softer, calmer skin. The youngest's lovely visage hasn't looked better than it has in the past two weeks. 

Have you tried anything from the Normaderm range yet? And, more importantly, where do you reckon they've hidden the scrub?!

Vichy - Aqualia Thermal Light

A little while back I had the very real pleasure to be invited to meet with Vichy experts and skin care analysts. While there my skin was tested with one of the fanciest handheld machines I've yet to encounter in the world of beauty and my 'prescription' was made up.

Of the products recommended for my 'normal with a dry T zone tendency' skin, Aqualia Thermal Light was the one that excited me most. In a heavy weight, frosted blue jar, this lightly scented, easily absorbed cream has worked wonders for me.

After six week's use, there's still some goodness left.

I've found that a little goes a long way, although my skin isn't normally dry it has absorbed every last drop of Aqualia Thermal each time just like water. It leaves no greasy or shiny residue, just a soft, comfortable hydrated feeling that lasts throughout the day, even under my make up. The fresh, clean scent is exactly what I like from a face cream too.

What Vichy say: 


Aqualia Thermal Light combines Vichy Thermal Spa Water and a micro-encapsulated delivery system of Activ Hyaluronine to improve the diffusion of moisture into the surface of the epidermis. The skin feels replenished with water, as if continuously hydrated by misting micro-sprays. It feels refreshed and velvety soft, free of the sensation of tightness all day long.

If you've been suffering with tightness, dryness or the effects of harsh products (facial peels for example) Aqualia Thermal Light is the very cool drink of water that your skin will Thank you for. 


Available in all good pharmacies for €21.86 or online from McCabes. 

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation

As part of the Dermablend camouflage make up range, which is the number one camouflage cover on the US, this corrective foundation is the stuff of dreams for ladies (& gents) in need of cover up for imperfections and permanent or temporary skin flaws. 

This stunning behind the scenes footage of the now infamous Zombie Boy video shows the true extent of the power of Dermablend and it's ability to transform your skin.

Having been on the market for several years this foundation is a reformulated version, which now boasts SPF 35 and 16 Hour hold. Using soft focus powders it actually blurs imperfections and finishes matte on the skin.

At first the foundation seems heavy on the skin

But it blends out flawlessly to an even finish

I must admit when I saw this press sample for review on my desk I was wary. I remembered the Zombie Boy video and always thought that any foundation that could cover so much must be like wearing a mask (I actually though claustrophobic death mask) but I was more than pleasantly surprised.

The major new claim in this reformulation is the 16 hour wear and I can safely say, having been fully made up and on site from 7am one lashing, freezing cold morning last week to being genuinely shocked at my almost flawless reflection at around midnight that night, Dermablend delivers. And then some. My other big worry was breakouts as full coverage foundations normally play havoc with my visage, but nothing. I have to say I'm thoroughly impressed. 

My one pause for thought, however, would be slight transference, while it didn't transfer to my clothes I did notice it on my mobile following calls and on the receiver of my office phone. I've no doubt that this could be avoided with a sweep of setting powder but it might be not so good news for gals with already dry skin. Alternatively I could have followed the lovely Leonard Daly's foundation tutorial  over on Beaut.ie and just not had foundation high on my cheeks. 

In all honesty, though I used it for a full face for the first week I've found the real power of Dermablend is as a concealer. Following Lisa Eldridge's amazing video tutorial  for concealing and Leonard's tips for placement Dermablend has instantly become a go to product in my every day make up and an essential for evening wear. 

It's available in 5 shades for a reasonable €21 and can be picked up from all good pharmacies come February. 

What do we think? Have you tried Vichy Dermablend products before? Are you tempted to give them a chance now?

Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10 - It's Lifty

I've been meaning to mention this serum for a couple of weeks now. Sent to me by the ever generous Paula, I was waiting on my HG Estée Lauder Idealist to finally give up the ghost so I could give Vichy a proper trial.

First impressions? I really like it. It's on the market (for €34 in Boots) to compliment LiftActiv day and night cream, of which I have neither but it's complimenting my Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream superbly, Thank you very much. Whatever Vichy do, they seem to do well.

Heavy weight silver bottle with dropper included

'A major scientific breakthrough after 10 years of research' apparently, oh and 7 patents. The major ingredient here is 10% Rhamnose to stimulate activity. Vichy claim that in 10 minutes your wrinkles will appear visibly reduced and your skin texture transformed.

I found the dropper waaay too generous, one small pea size drop needed Maximum

While it makes some pretty astounding claims, I must admit that I'm loving the effects I've found after a fortnight. My skin definitely seems 'velvetier' and somewhat lifted/tighter, that's a good thing, right? It has worked on refining my pores too and provides a lovely base for makeup. 


LiftActiv won't replace my Estée Lauder Idealist in the long term but right now it's getting a lot of love from me. It's a definite consideration if you'd like something to work on the beginnings (middles or ends) of wrinkles or crow's feet.