The Big Monday Morning Round-up: Clarins Double Serum, Lidl Fashion, & Drop a Jean Size Challenge Midpoint Check-in

I've follow up news on three different topics I've blogged about before, so I'm combining them in one big Monday morning round-up. 

I blogged a few days ago that I was trying  Clarins Double Serum which is the UK's leading serum product with a string of awards to its name.

Its a unique oil AND water product, and Clarins have found a combination so they work together rather than separating as those elements usually would. You can see the bottle above is split in two, oil on one side, water based serum on the other. When you pump to dispense both come out and you combine them before applying to your face. 

I was given a few samples at the House of Fraser 'Beauty Confidential' event, where you can currently pick up Double Serum for £59, saving £10 on their regular price.

I have tried all my samples, one each night and truthfully I haven't noticed much of a difference from my usual Boots No.7 serum. The Clarins rep said that to really get a good idea of the product you need a week's worth of samples, but by the time I reached that concession after my Laura Mercier makeover, they were almost all gone. So perhaps that's why I didn't notice any different YET, I only had four nights' samples.  

Also I thought the samples themselves were a little small. I realise it's an expensive product, so samples will be costly to give out for free, but I found it tricky to get any of the water based side of the serum out of the sachet at all. 

I do want to give Clarins Double Serum another try though. The lady representing them said they get sample sizes in every few weeks, so I will try to see if I can get a seven day supply of samples when I'm up again. 

I'm keen to visit House of Fraser while the Beauty Confidential offer is still running, as the other product they showed us, Instant Smooth, is also £10 off at only £16.50

This stuff is magical. It was their innovative product they shared with us during the talk that night, and what it can do has to be seen to be believed.  

Rubbing a tiny amount on the palm of your hand, then comparing to your other one, will show you just how effective Instant Smooth is. Wrinkles and lines are filled in and simply disappear. I had never seen anything like it.

Of course the effect is temporary, once you take off your makeup at the end of the day your wrinkles are back- but it's a cheaper and less drastic measure than injected fillers. 

So, who managed to get something wonderful from the range of Lidl Fashion that arrived in stores last Thursday? 

I was thrilled to find the striped t-shirt I had wanted at the press event, at only £5.99 in my local Bangor store. I couldn't find the panelled leather look leggings, but I've a feeling they said those will be in store in November. 

Finally, I'm one week into my drop a jean size challenge. My weight is inching down, and those size 12 jeans are looking more like they will fit every day. In fact I was able to buy size 12 leather-look leggings yesterday in Exhibit.

 The New You site has lots of new bundle offers in time for slimming down for Christmas, if you fancy joining me.

Lidl Autumn/Winter Fashion Event- In Stores Starting This Thursday

Lidl launched their first fashion collection last spring, and it was a great success for them. Classic macs, coloured jeggings and smart striped tops all sold out quickly. I really liked their choice of pieces for that season, so I was excited to attend their autumn/winter fashion launch this morning. 

The showcase was held in Belfast's Sixty6 cocktail lounge, at the peak of four or five flights of stairs. I think everyone needed a sit down by the time they got up there! But the trek was worth it, to get a sneaky peek at what will be in our local stores in the coming weeks, starting with  these items this Thursday.

The rest of the collection will be released over the coming weeks until November, so if there is a specific item you've set your heart on, you might have to make weekly Lidl trips to catch it. 

This is the £14.99 leather look jacket I had seen on other blogs from the south and fancied. It's also available in tan which would be my choice. 

And you know I love my leopard. There are tops, fine knit sweater and jeans in leopard print for this winter. 

YI love this tshirt. I'm addicted to stripes so I simply HAVE to get this when it hits my local Bangor store. 

One of my other favourite pieces was the dogtooth wrap. There are wraps coming instore in various colours and designs, and the wool is great quality, it doesn't feel like it would ball up. They'll be £22.99

I love the women's collection but I find the kids wear a bit hit and miss. The quality is fine and the prices are great, but they just don't appeal to my style. This hooded top obviously did though- but I want one in my size! 

The men's wear is great too, and complimentary to the women's looks. 

So here are some of the items that should be instore from this Thursday. The leather look jackets I mentioned and the tan stretch trousers are on my list. 

The Sanitas Electronic Facial Brush from Lidl: Is It Worth Buying?

A quick Google of electronic facial scrubbers shows you prices ranging from £12.99 up to £150, so what about Lidl's Sanitas version? At just £9.99 does it do the job, and is it worth buying an electronic facial brush at all? 

The Sanitas is in Lidl this week, so they sent me one to have a go with. It comes with batteries included and three different heads, one hard and two softer bristled circular fittings. The action of the brush can be rotation, or a to and fro motion, which I found better for cleaning with. The straight 'round and round' setting felt like your skin was being twisted, but if you want a good proper exfoliation treatment, that's the setting for you. 

You apply your facial cleanser or scrub to your skin, not the brush, and it does a really good job of lathering the product. I've used it every evening this week and my skin does look brighter. It's helped me to stick to a routine, as I'm now 35 and still prone to going to bed with my makeup on. One thing to note, you have to remove your eye make up first, as even the soft brushes aren't suitable for your delicate skin around the eyes, and you don't want to spread your eye makeup all over your face anyway. 

Electric facial scrubbers then, a thumbs up, and for £9.99 it's a very fair price compared to the £159 models which when it comes down to it, do the same thing this does. If you fancy grabbing the Sanitas they are in store this fortnight, but I've a feeling the price will make them very popular, so maybe phone your local store to check if they still have them available before making the trip. 

Here's to shiny, fresh faces everywhere! 

(Someone had to get in on the act, of course!) 

Lidl Are Launching a Fashion Range. Would You Wear It?

This morning Lidl NI launched their very first fashion range, in a stylish event held in Made In Belfast. You know my Lidl love runs deep, but even I was surprised how affordable, wearable and how many of the pieces I loved. 

All those stripes and spots! My favourite! The Venice Collection is tailored for me! 

The accessories and shoes are great, and sure to be snapped up quickly in your local store.  

There wasn't a traditional catwalk show, instead a stylist talked us through some of the pieces as we had a chance to feel the quality and textures of the pieces. We all agreed that we were happily surprised. The fabric quality isn't budget at all. The pieces would look right at home in Mango or Zara, rather than in a supermarket aisle. They haven't snipped corners, some of the vests and singlets are lined! You wouldn't see that in some high street stores. And the price points are cheaper even than other supermarket clothing ranges. 

I think this is the year for a floppy straw hat, and it might as well be an affordable one.

The ranges also extend to men's wear and children's pieces for the summer. 

Ranges will preview on  

http://www.lidl-ni.co.uk/

I have my eye on these purple pumps. Sure they are for kids, but they might go up to a size 4, right?? 

And would you believe, even Lidl lingerie. 

It was also lovely to see some of my blogger pals, as I haven't been working much recently. Now I'm throwing myself back into The World of Kitsch, so hopefully we will see each other again soon!