Decleor Prolagene Gel Review

I hope I find you well. Today I bring you a review of a beauty product which I've been using for years and years, and I keep saying to myself "I must review this on my blog", and then end up not doing it because a new pretty thing comes along to talk about.

Well, because I'm on a 'low-buy' at the moment, and trying to save my pennies, there have been no shiny new things to talk about lately.  So, happily, I'm finally getting round to writing about products I already own which I think you should hear about, be it good or bad.

Whilst it's harder to whip up woo-hoo enthusiasm for products you've been using for a while, you also bring the benefit of long term use, so swings and roundabouts.  We'll start with the pack shot:

It has the regular bright yellow Decleor packaging, which I like, as it makes it easy to find in my drawer.  It's a big tube, 150ml, and Decleor say:

 

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Prolagene Gel 
 

A multi-tasking gel to rescue damaged skin by toning, firming, repairing and revitalising

A complete body treatment to smooth skin imperfections – both natural and accidental – and an iconic hero in the Decleor range.

Prolagene Gel supplies the deep tissue with the active ingredients necessary for the reconstruction of its natural collagen. Prolagene Gel has a visibly firming effect that builds up with regular use to smooth skin imperfections. Acting on the whole of the skin’s structure it helps speed up cell renewal to improve the look of stretch marks and scarring in addition to loose skin.

Prolagene Gel contains an amino acid called Proline L., which is similar to plant collagen and helps re-build the skin’s supporting fibres. The formulation also includes Osmanthus Absolute for its potent healing action. Toning as well as firming the gel leaves an invisible supportive and protective film making it perfect to use during and after weight loss, particularly during pregnancy, for smoother and firmer skin.

This exclusive DECLÉOR formula:

• Helps revitalise the support structure of the skin.
• Helps accelerate the skin’s renewal process.
• Helps diminish unsightly marks. Applied on the affected parts of the body, this gel leaves a supportive and protective film on the skin. Day after day, your skin renews itself with increased tone and firmness.

Prolagene Gel is not just an emergency skin ‘fix’; it also works in perfect harmony with the Sculpt range to tone and firm the entire body.
Suitable for all skin types.
 
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All sounds great right?  I have to say, I only usually use it on my face and neck (don't want to waste it), but I do also use it on any sunburn I might have, as it is very soothing.
 
Here's what it looks like out of the tube:

As you can see it's a light blue gel, with quite a thin consistency, which has a very light herbal fragrance which soon dissipates.  It sinks in really quickly and only leaves a very slight tackyness behind. 
 
I use it on cleansed and toned skin before my moisturiser, so the moisturiser gets rid of the last little bit of tackyness that's left.
 
Here's the ingredients:

I see parabens, which get bad press, I believe in this instance they are being used as preservative. 

I must say, when I first got this, it came in a QVC Todays Special Value set, and I didn't really know what to do with it. I just rubbed it into my arms and legs, and it was one of those things that just sat in a drawer.

Then at some point, I was complaining that I used up my Decleor face oils too fast because the three drops they recommend don't cover my whole face, and someone told me that they mixed theirs in with their Prolagene, and oh my goodness, what a revelation!
 
I really like the combination of gel and oil.  It seems to firm and plump at the same time.  At the moment, I'm resorting to patting the final smidgens out of the oil bottles I've got, and stalking Ebay for a super cheap oil deal, because as I mentioned, I'm supposed to be saving up.  But I can't live without my gel/oil....  it's my everyday wrinkle decreaser, and it means that I don't waste my expensive oil by using too much, so double win   :-)
 
Now, I don't think I saw a totally immediate benefit from the gel, thinking back, but I can definitely tell if I've run out because my skin starts to misbehave after a week or so, with breakouts and uneven skintone, and extra laughter lines.  So I do my best to make sure I don't run out.
 
There are only a few items in my beauty regime that I don't like getting low on, and this is one of them.  I'm not sure how much benefit you'd see if you already have quite young firm skin, but certainly my 41 year old skin appreciates it!  I haven't used it on stretch marks or scars, so I can't say whether it helps for those.  I do think it makes redness from spots disappear faster though, although I've never done a test when I had two red spots to just use it on one.  I might do that in the future.  If I do, I'll edit this post  :-)
 
It says on Decleors website that their products aren't tested on animals, and you can buy it on Amazon for £30.50 (here) or of course, you may pick up a bargain on Ebay.  Make sure it's a reputable seller though, as there are some fakes about!

So, a big thumbs up from me, if you've been wondering about whether to buy this or not, I'd say go for it!

Until next time...

MASPOOASE x x x
~Wendy~


Lotions, Potions & Perfumes

Hits, Misses & Maybes

So, for this weeks blog, which has turned out MUCH longer than I thought it was going to, I thought I would share with you some of the items in my beauty arsenal that you might be interested in seeing.  As we're going from spring to summer, some of my heavier duty products are starting to take a back seat, and the lighter more summery stuff is coming back into use.  Also am starting to think about legs and feet coming out to play, so they're getting a bit of TLC now too, after a winter of neglect (sorry feet!).

So, the first section is Desert Island Heroes.  Obviously my first choice would have to be Ray Mears, for so many, many, reasons...... BUT! He doesn't really fit in with the theme of this weeks blog, so on to the first lot of goodies...

From left to right:

Estee Lauder perfume Youth Dew - I love this! I wear it pretty much every day, its spicy and sexy, a bit floral, and it's easy to put a bit on for daytime without overpowering a room.  In my opinion, day time perfume should just be the right amount of smell so that if someone stands close to you they say 'you smell nice', but otherwise not really noticeable.  I can't stand it when someone walks past me and nearly knocks me out with their perfume!  As you see I have the body lotion there too.  I'm a sucker for buying lots of stuff in the same range if I find something I like.

Decleor Experience De L'Age rich face cream - another must have, and another product I use every day, but this is one I hate buying as it's so expensive!  Am not surprised it has 'rich' in it's name, because you'd have to be to buy the big pot!  I got this little selection from Ebay for about £15, which is a bargain.  Not hugely blown away by Aromessence Iris, but will still use it until its gone as I did with the Tonilastil Oil from the same range.

Zovirax Cold Sore Cream - speaks for itself really, does the job if you catch the tingle fast enough.  If you catch it a bit late you can still avert the worst of the attack.  Have tried all kinds of chemist own brands, and for me, this really does work better than the rest.

Liz Earle Eyebright Lotion - fabulous for dry or tired eyes.  You pop it on a couple of cotton pads, and put those on your eyes.  Lie back for 10 mins and daydream (about Ray Mears, but maybe thats just me haha), and when you take the cotton pads off you'll have bright sparkling eyes!  I keep this on my bedside table so its always to hand.  It's supposed to reduce puffiness too, but so far have been lucky and don't have a problem with that, so can't tell you if it works.  Also in a Liz Earle vein, her muslin cloths are brill.

Boots Sparkling Eyes eye drops - I bought these because I've been using Bare Minerals powder foundation, and despite the fact that I love the coverage and ease of use, I found it was getting in my eyes and irritating them.  No point having lovely skin if your eyes look like you've been up drinking all night!  So I apply the powder, and my eyeliner, then I pop the eyedrops in to wash out any powder that might have got in there, and this seems to be working for me. No more red eyes!  There were two in Boots side by side and I bought this one as it has a blue colour in to make your eyes look whiter.

Dove Beauty Finish Deodorant - smells nice and seems to reduce shaving dryness

Burts Bees Lemon Cuticle Balm - loving the smell of this, and love anything to do with Bees so a double winner!  Have only had it a week or so, so can't give proper verdict on results, but have used it alot without hardly anything missing from the pot, and have noticed a possible positive change in cuticles.  My cuticles are super-stubborn and am having a problem with dermatitis on my hands (which I always get when the sun comes out), so its not fair to give it judgement right now.  Will save judging for another day, but it made it into this pic so must have something going for it!

Next section - thumbs up - ther things I like, but could leave at home if I only had a tiny baggage allowance.... will try not to rattle on too long about these ones

Decleor Prolagene Gel - I use this as a barrier between my moisturiser and my powder foundation.  I do have the Bare Minerals primer, but it makes my hands too slippy to open the pots.  Can't do with faffing about when I'm getting ready for work so this works for me.

Jessica Phenomen Oil - working well on my dermatitis, supposed to be good for nails but not seen a big difference

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish - good for getting off make up with the minimum of fuss after a night out, love how it takes off even waterproof mascara

Vanderbilt eau de toilette - lovely for when the day is too sunny for Youth Dew and I want to smell summery, somehow smells cheerful - once again note how I can't just buy ONE thing out of the range, tut at myself

Gliss Corimist spray - makes your hair smell nice & makes it shiny - have been using it for years and never found a shine spray that I like better

Flexitol Cuticle Cream - once again, the big cuticle problem - this one actually definitely made my cuticles better, but I don't like how sticky it feels - I may buy more though when this tube runs out

Boots Softening Foot Balm - it does work to soften feet but I didn't get the drastic results I wanted when I slathered it on & went to bed in cotton socks

Ojon hair treatment - got this from QVC when they had it on special offer P&P free, it did make my permed hair less frizzy but wasn't as amazing as they claimed - I will use it all but probably not repurchase

Next up - things I'm not that keen on - thumbs down products!

John Frieda Frizz Ease - I so want to like this, I do have frizzy hair and would love to tame it... being a naturally optimistic person I keep buying different Frizz Ease products, and have never yet found one that makes me completely frizz free

Tigi Rockaholic Born to Rock detangler & defrizzer - this one actually did detangle & defrizz a bit, but I HATE the smell! Kind of like apples or grapes that are going bad

Batiste dry shampoo - really wanted to like this too, used it a couple of times when my fringe was greasy but the rest of my hair was ok.... my hair felt dirty afterwards, and by lunchtime my fringe was just as bad (if not worse) than it had been in the morning when I applied it

How funny that 3 of my 4 thumbs down products are hair ones!

Last but not least in the disappointment stakes is Elemis Pro-Collagen Radiantly Smooth Body Cream.  This was a Christmas present and I was chuffed to bits when I got it, but its got so many shimmery gold bits in it, it almost makes it unusable!  Lets say you put some of this cream on your arms, ta-daa! they're all nice n shimmery, then you have to immediately go and wash your hands or you will get shimmery gold glitter EVERYWHERE!!!  And even then, it doesn't all come off your hands, and it will eventually make its way to your nose where it will distract you all day.... sigh.... rant over...

One bonus thumbs down not pictured, because I threw it away, is Benefits Dr Feelgood Balm - it didn't do anything, it was expensive, and any bit of fluff in the atmosphere would stick to the sponge - yuk!

Soooooooo there we have it, my favourite and not-so-favourite lotions & potions, what do you think?  What's your number one must have, and number one thumbs down?

On closing, I will wish you all a happy Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday (if you get it), and show you the nail art I did to celebrate it!  The base colour is Orly Lollipop, then a coat of Nails Inc Electric Lane holographic glitter, then I drew the bunting with Color Club nail art polish, and a top coat of Seche Vite, all done!  I tried a few different colour combo's but this was my favourite:

Until next week, take care and whatever you do, have fun!

- MASPOOASE x x x