An Introduction to Sunday Riley: The Power Couple Duo

Sunday Riley is the epitome of luxury skincare - but with quality ingredients and effective products comes a price point that was far too high for me to justify a purchase. However, I recently spied this Power Couple Duo: Total Transformation Kit when browsing the Sephora website, which contains half sizes of two cult favourites - the Good Genes Serum and the Luna Sleeping Night Oil. With the promise of plump, radiant skin in a bottle, Good Genes has been top of my wish list for as long as I can remember, and while Luna isn't a product I would deem necessary in my routine at the moment (it contains retinol, which is primarily an anti ageing ingredient) I've actually been really impressed with the effect it has had on my skin.

GOOD GENES

Good Genes is a lactic acid based serum that claims to brighten, exfoliate and plump the skin. The product is lemon scented (admittedly, slightly floor polish-y) and tingles a little when applied. It sinks into the skin quickly but does leave a slightly sticky residue which is better suited to an evening application. I never tend to use acid based products during the day, so this isn't a problem for me! Lactic acid combats fine lines and wrinkles as well as exfoliating the skin, making it a wonder ingredient for acne sufferers, or ageing skins. I found the results to be exactly as promised, fading scarring and pigmentation while promoting a plump, glowing complexion (yay).

LUNA

Luna is a retinol based, overnight treatment oil that promises to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as correcting damage caused by the sun and pollutants. Retinol is the only ingredient that has actually been proved to reverse signs of ageing, so if you are in your late 20s or early 30s it's definitely something you should be including in your routine. Being only 21, it's not something I need just yet - so I've only been using it occasionally and can't vouch for the anti ageing benefits. I've been using this as a one off treatment when my skin looks really run down as retinol is also wonderfully clarifying and clearing, evening out the complexion while still offering some hydration. Like I said, this potent a product really isn't needed yet, but the set is a great deal and even on my younger skin, the results are undeniable and perfect for combating a case of classic hangover skin. 

If you're looking to introduce yourself to the Sunday Riley range, this set is a great place to start. Both products are really powerful meaning that I only use a little at a time, so I can actually see them lasting me a while - Luna especially. The slight issue is that I'm now hooked (constantly wondering why I even introduce myself to these things) and also keen to try some other products from the brand - the Tidal moisturiser in particular. I'd love to know your recommendations, so let me know down below!

Hourglass Illume Sheer Colour Trio

Space NK has finally opened a store in Winchester, obviously meaning I had to visit - at the eager time of 9am I might add! Typically, I ended up picking up a few things,  one of which was this, the Hourglass Illume Sheer Colour Trio - a trio of bronzer, blush and highlight in a beautifully creamy formula. I'm a huge fan of all Hourglass's powder face products, but this cream palette is equally impressive!

When I swatched the shades in store I fell in love with their glowy finish, but the highlight in particular is stunning. The formula is champagne in tone and gives that really dewy, wet look finish that I much favour over powder alternatives, especially for daytime wear. The natural result reminds me a little of Perricone MD's No Highlighter Highlighter (review of that here) however I find this can easily be built up to a more intense finish if you wish. The blush shade is a brightened rose, that comes up almost peachy on my skin tone - which I adore. I'm glad Hourglass chose to include such a universally wearable shade in this palette, the blush has a lovely brightening effect on the skin, yet isn't too in your face to be worn with any lip/eye combination. The bronzer is nice and neutral toned, which makes it suitable for both warming your complexion or a subtle contour. Because of the easily blendable formula, I think even those with really pale skins could make this work, however it may be too light to be noticeable on a darker skin tone. I was initially worried about the staying power, due to the creaminess of the formula but the wear on these is comparable to most cream products I've tried (typically five hours or so for me). Although the palette is advertised as sheer, I found all of the shades to be really pigmented, but still very easy to sheer out to a barely there finish. I'm loving cream products at the moment so I can see myself using this all Summer long! What are your Hourglass recommendations?