It’s been a while since I invested in any beauty product, so I decided to buy a few small things from Montaigne Place in Silverbird Abuja. I got Murad Rapid Age Spot and pigment Lightening Serum and some Yves Rocher Nail Polish.

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Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum

I’ve been dealing with severe acne for a few months and it has taken my face from porcupine to leopard, spotty and scarred. I explained my situation to the lady at the counter and she recommended this product, saying it was highly sort after and soon to be out of stock. I had never heard of the Murad brand prior and the price got me apprehensive. In addition, the “2% Hydroquine” distinct on the pack front got the voices in my head like “So you are into bleaching now huh?”. However, it guaranteed visible improvement in one week and the other sales girls swore by it, so I took the plunge.

I have been using the Cocoa Butter Vitamin E Scar Serum for a few years now, but the results are excruciatingly slow, I can’t decide if it actually works or if time just fades the scars away. The reviews online for this Murad product are good so I’m hoping that after one week, I’ll be able to show you some results.

Related: The Beginner Make-Up Kit

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Yves Rocher Nail Polish

I’m not much for nail art or even a pedicure, however since childhood I’ve been struggling with the nasty habit of biting my nails. Now I bite them subconsciously, particularly when I’m stressed. I’ve been stressed a lot lately and my fingers look knobby like a leper’s. Nail polish reminds me not to bite my nails. The texture and taste alerts me to my action. I went in search of the O.P.I brand in black and nude and got these three by Yves Rocher instead:

1. Noir Ebene
2. Taupe Rose
3. Argent Pailette

This gel polish is very pigmented so just one coat gives enough coverage. However, it doesn’t hold up as well as I had hoped. In about 5 days, those on my finger nails were already chipping off. On my toes, however it appears to last forever. I really like the combination between the black and sparkly top coat, and the nude coat is quite chic.

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Freebies

I got the Clarins Multi-Active Day Early Wrinkle Cream Samples along with my purchase. Research suggests we start using anti-ageing products from the age of 30 or even as early as 25. Despite my conviction that this advise is really a gimmick to boost sales, I’m firmly past 30 and found myself checking for wrinkles and offending lines, and thankfully found none, confirming that the corper who thought I was her mate may not have been patronising after all. Nevertheless, I will use the product and let you know what I think

This card is classy and Montaigne Place looks like a serious enterprise . However, I’m not sure how much this discount card is worth and honestly, I have no expectations. After my experience using Health Plus loyalty card for 5 years, and later being told that my account had nothing in it, most discount/loyalty cards in Nigeria are unreliable.

If you have a quick fix for acne spots, please help a sister. Tell me your secret. If you have used any of these products or have an opinion on Murad or Yves Rocher products please let me know in the comment section below.