Primark Cleansing Brush Review - Clarisonic Dupe?!

Primark Cleansing Brush 

You guys know how much I love finding a good dupe and I actually couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted this new cleansing brush from Primark recently. Initially, I thought this looked remarkably similar to the cult Clarisonic Mia 2 Cleansing Brush* that retails for a whopping £125! Now while I can't compare this fully to the Mia 2 as I'm yet to try this, I can compare it to me beloved Lidl Silvercrest Cleansing Brush.

So here's everything you need to know about the Primark Beauty Expert Cleansing Brush...

Price
The brush retails for an affordable £15 and is battery operated (batteries are not included). Additionally, you can also buy different brush heads at £3.50 each and a Foaming Cleanser that works with the brush for £2. (Watch my video above for snippets of all of the different brush heads and cleanser)

Brush heads and cleanser available for the Beauty Expert Cleansing Brush:
PRIMARK CLEANSING BRUSH HEAD £3.50
PRIMARK DEEP CLEANSING BRUSH HEAD £3.50
PRIMARK GENTLE CLEANSING BRUSH HEAD £3.50
PRIMARK FOAMING FACIAL CLEANSER £2

Comparison wise my Lidl Silvercrest Cleansing Brush was £25 when I received it as a gift at Christmas last year. This brush is still a steal but it is currently unavailable at this present moment.

Packaging
The brush comes in an informative box that shares with you everything you need to know about the Beauty Expert Cleansing Brush. 

Inside the brush comes with one cleansing brush head (attached), a handy stand and an Instruction Manual. As I mentioned above the batteries are not included and so you will need 2x AA Batteries. Both the Clarisonic and the Lidl Brush are charger operated.

Application
Now if your unfamiliar with what a cleansing brush can do for your skin then the whole point of the brush is too deep clean and exfoliate the skin, as well as aiding in removing makeup and dirt. It is not recommended you use this every day if you have sensitive skin because it is so intense, but as a guide, I tend to use mine more in the evening around 3 times a week.

The Primark Foaming Facial Cleanser that is sold as an add-on to the Cleansing Brush for me didn't look very appealing and skin friendly, so I decided to just use my Sister & Co Cleansing Oil* instead. I think personally there's no need to buy this cleanser aswell if what you already use to take your makeup off is working well for you already. 

The brush has two speeds and even though this is battery operated, surprisingly the higher speed is quite powerful. With regards to the brush itself, this comes with the normal cleansing brush head which works well at deep cleansing my face. However, I would say this does feel a little rougher compared to just using a normal flannel or muslin cloth to cleanse with and so if you do have sensitive skin, I would recommend additionally purchasing the Gentle Cleansing Brush Head and sticking to the first speed on the device.

When I tested this out I decided to do one side with the Primark brush and one side with the Lidl brush, I also dipped both in a little water before using them. So here's how they compare...

My Lidl Brush works with Sonic technology and has four settings. The Primark brush spins round at two speeds. The brush on the Primark version is slightly smaller and the bristles are longer and softer, whereas the Lidl one has a larger flatter brush. Both work well to deep cleanse the skin but I would say the Primark one is slightly harsher on the skin and overall does a better job at deep cleansing. However, the Lidl one is definitely easier to work with as it doesn't spin round.

Afterwards, I actually went in with a muslin cloth to see how much makeup each brush had removed and I would say they were both the same, I still had a bit of makeup that came off on the cloth on each side but not loads. I usually do a double cleanse and that is what I would recommend to you also just to ensure the face is completely clean and makeup free.

OVERALL THOUGHTS
Overall I have to say I do like my Lidl brush that bit better as it's easier to control because it uses the sonic technology. I also like the fact you can charge it without the worry of replacing the batteries each time. Nevertheless, both are AMAZING at deep cleansing and exfoliating the skin and I couldn't recommend them enough if you're a girl on a budget!

I award the Primark Beauty Expert Cleansing Brush a 4.8 out of 5

Stay tuned for my next review which will be on the Primark Micellar Cleansing Pads. Alternatively, you can watch my full First Impression here.

7 Drugstore Sheet Masks All Under £5 Tested and Reviewed

Best Drugstore Sheet Mask UK

This year there has been an explosion of Drugstore Sheet Masks coming to the market from Poundland to Primark, Simple to Aldi. So today in the 3rd post from my #drugstoreskincareweek series I'm sharing with you 7 New Drugstore Sheet Masks that are all under £5!

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Sheet Mask Review

1. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrogel Recovery Mask £3.50 
The Hydrogel Recovery Mask is a two-piece gel mask which you leave on for 15-30 minutes. It claims to be an intensely hydrating and cooling mask that is infused with Hyaluronic Acid.

This was actually really easy to apply because it came in two parts and while on the face it felt comfortable, cooling and hydrating. Afterwards, my skin felt smooth and refreshed, however, I didn't feel this was an overly hydrating mask as per the claims. I left this on for 15 minutes but I think I would probably try this one again and leave it on for the maximum 30 minute time limit to see if it was any more hydrating. Nevertheless, this is an affordable and convenient pick me up mask.

Garnier SkinActive Charcoal Sheet Mask Review

2. Garnier SkinActive Pure Charcoal Black Tissue Mask £2.99* 
This Black Charcoal mask is well saturated and infused with ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Black Algae Extract and LHA. The SkinActive Mask is supposed to be pore-tightening, purifying and hydrating and to me, it certainly felt hydrating and refreshing while it was working its magic. I left this on for the required 15 minutes and afterwards my skin felt slightly taught, glowy and hydrated. I much preferred this to the Blue Garnier Moisture Bomb version I reviewed last year and I have to say this was one out of three favourites.

Primark Holler and Glow Sheet Mask Review

3. Primark Holler and Glow Holler Back £3 
If you've seen this fun brand at Primark then you'll know there are endless interesting looking sheet masks to choose from to target different concerns. This gold holographic mask is aimed to hydrate the skin and I have to say this was my favourite visually, however, I did feel this felt the most papery compared to the others I tested. Nevertheless, this was still very saturated and it smelt pleasant too. On the skin I found this to be hydrating and refreshing and although I did have a bit of trouble with it sticking to my lip and chin area, overall this definitely made my skin feel and look hydrated.

Aldi Sheet Mask Review

4. Aldi Lacura Moisture Complex Sheet Mask with Green Tea Extract £1.99 for 2 
The new Lacura Moisture Complex Masks come in 3 different scents including Green Tea Extract, Chamomile and Pomegranate and the best part is you get two for £1.99! The Green Tea Mask includes Hyaluronic Acid and Moisturising Serum and aims to intensely moisturise and refresh the skin as well as help it feel balanced and pure.

Again this is a well-saturated sheet mask that you leave on for 15 minutes. Initially I found this a little harder to apply as there were no slits to help it fit your face snugly and I have to say this did smell a bit odd too, but afterwards, my skin felt balanced, hydrated and moisturised which is always a bonus.

Poundland Sheet Mask Review

5. Poundland Derma V10 Hydrating Vitamin E Woven Face Mask £1 
Poundland do sheet masks I hear you say! Oh yes and spoiler alert this was one of my favourites! The Derma V10 Mask is a hydrating Vitamin E Mask infused with Aloe Vera that claims to hydrate, moisturise and improves the skin's texture.

Upon application the mask is well saturated and super soft to the touch, it's also lightly scented. I left this on for 15 minutes but you can leave it on for up to 20 minutes. On the skin, it felt beautifully refreshing and hydrating and after I had removed the mask my skin felt so smooth and moisturised.

Simple Rich Moistue Sheet Mask

6. Simple Rich Moisture Sheet Mask £2.99
This kind to skin mask has no harsh chemicals, artificial perfumes or colour and helps condition dry and dehydrated skin. When applying the mask I do advise taking extra care as it is very delicate to the touch and can stretch a little because it is so thin. However, this mask is divinely soft to the touch, refreshing and felt just like a second skin! I left this on for the required time of 15 minutes and afterwards my skin felt nourished, soft and smooth and this was definitely another one of my firm favourites!

Masque Bar Rose Gold Sheet Mask Review

7. Masque Bar Rose Gold Foil Sheet Mask £4.98*
The most expensive of the bunch this foil sheet mask claims to nourish and hydrate the skin and contains Witch Hazel Water, Soy Bean Extract and Mushroom Extract.

I did love the fact this was Rose Gold, however, this was quite a rigid mask to apply and consequently, I found it hard to shape around the face. The mask was drenched in a very watery liquid and smelt a bit chemically which I think was due to the Witch Hazel, but while on the face it did feel hydrating despite it not sticking to my chin! I left this on for the maximum time of 20 minutes and I have to say my skin did feel and look smooth refined and glowy afterwards.

Primark Beauty and Skincare Haul #drugstoreskincareweek

Primark KPop Beauty

Last week over on the PPB YouTube Channel I dedicated a whole week of videos to Drugstore Skincare. You guys know how much I'm already obsessed with anything skincare whether it be high end or drugstore, however, the drugstore has come a long way since the days of your basic Cleanser, Toner and Moisturiser, that's why I wanted to share with you some of the best finds and new products available from the drugstore. So without further ado let's kick this series of posts off with a good old Primark Beauty Haul!

 

PRODUCTS MENTIONED:
1. PRIMARK ROUND COSMETIC PADS 50p
2. PRIMARK ARGAN OIL OVAL COTTON PADS 90p
3. PRIMARK 2PK HAIR WRAPS £1.50
4. PRIMARK TRAVEL BOTTLE SET £2
5. PRIMARK EXFOLIATING CHARCOAL GLOVES £1.50
6. PRIMARK GEL EYE MASK £1.50
7. PRIMARK 2 PK FACIAL MASK SET £3
8. PRIMARK 7th HEAVEN OVERNIGHT MOISTURE MASK 90p
9. PRIMARK BLOOMING BEAUTIFUL K POP COOLING GERBERA EYE PADS £1.50
10. PRIMARK FOAMING BUBBLE MASK WITH PEACH AND GREEN TEA 80p
11. K POP DREAMY LIPS 2 STEP LIP SCRUB AND MASK £1.50