[unpaid/sample/affiliate/ad] I’ve waited a little while to review the REN Smooth, Prep & Plump Essence – their newest launch. I read in a supplement of a journalist who uses it at night for ‘lovely, plump skin’ by morning and so that’s how I was using it and really didn’t notice any difference at all. When I switched to using it in the morning, over SPF (I don’t know if that’s the correct way because over or under is an ongoing point of debate) I did notice that my skin looked and felt beautifully smooth.

So, I feel irritated that I just blithely followed that glib recommendation but also I feel irritated that the label is wonky. I just think that at £43, a straight label should be a given. The solution, which feels like a thick water, is based around bio-ferments (including polyglutamic and hyaluronic ferments) to work on your facial microbiome. REN Smooth, Prep & Plump Essence is an extra step in your routine – I’m not sure how that will play out because I feel that there’s a leaning towards having less in your routine with products that do more rather than adding to it.

The suggested usage is as follows: Perfect Canvas Smooth, Prep & Plump Essence, Glow And Protect Serum, Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream, and lastly, 2-3 drops of Perfect Canvas Clean Primer. Presumably you need some SPF and then you can get going with a layer of foundation, blush, powder – wow… I’d never leave the house with that routine! It’s five products before you’ve even thought about your make up. It’s tempting to think you should apply this to your face with cotton wool pads but you’re going to waste a whole lot of it by doing that. You need maybe three or four drops into the palm of your hand which you then massage into your skin. It feels delicious – immediately smoothing and softening – and dries very quickly so there’s not much of a wait before you can start on your next step, whatever that might be. It’s for you if you relish a multi-step routine and the satisfying self care aspect of looking after your complexion. It’s not for you if prefer to reduce your routine rather than add to it. You can find REN Smooth, Prep & Plump Essence for £43 HERE.

non affiliate HERE