Stranger Things fans are getting ready for the highly anticipated fourth instalment of the hit series which is set to air on Netflix on May 27. And with a week until the launch, brands are getting very excited, with MAC having launched a line of Hawkins and Upside Down inspired products.
But did you know that Eleven actress Millie Bobby Brown, aged 18, has her own skincare line? Available at Boots and Beauty Bay, the Gen-Z beauty line was launched in 2019 and features both makeup and skincare products.
And ahead of season four, I’ve given some of the Florence by Mills products a go - but one of the products left me looking like I’d had a run in with a Demogorgon.
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Millie launched the brand having ‘sat in hundreds of makeup chairs’ and put everything she learned along the way into her brand, named after her great-grandma.
The products are all clean, vegan and cruelty free, and come at fairly affordable prices, from £10 to £24.
I started off using the Florence By Mills Magic Micellar Cleansing Gel, priced at a respectable £10. It comes boxed in the lilac Florence by Mills box, but the tube itself is transparent so you’ll always be able to see when you’re running low.
The micellar gel is quite a thin formula and you don’t actually need to squeeze the bottle to dispense any product - a mistake I initially made and squeezed out way too much. It does feel really cool and soothing, and is quick and effective at removing makeup thanks to the invisible oil micelles that melt away impurities and dirt without feeling greasy on the skin.
The cleanser is infused with vitamin E which is very hydrating, and its consistency means that it can be wiped off with a cotton pad or cloth if you have no access to water, making it ideal for festivals and camping trips.
It’s also worth noting that this felt really gentle, particularly around my eyes where other products might cause some irritation, this was a dream to use.
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Next up I tried out the Florence By Mills One Swipe Glow Wipe Treatment Pads, which cost £16. Personally I think this is a little steep for a skincare line aimed at teens, but I'm a big fan of the actual product and they probably are worth the price tag.
These facial pads contain witch hazel to balance oil and tackle blemishes, which willow bark extract is a natural exfoliator to keep skin looking fresh. They also include glycolic acid which helps ditch dead skin cells, and vitamin C rich bilberry extract to leave skin looking brighter.
These exfoliating pads are easy to use and give glowy, healthy skin in one swipe, perfect for those days when you’re just feeling a little oily. You simply swipe it across cleansed skin whenever your skin is acting up - which for me is about three times a week.
I finished off my little pamper session with the Florence By Mills Mind Glowing Peel Off Mask which I was the most excited about. The £20 face mask has been described as ‘amazing’ by Boots shoppers, and the colour of the product was intriguing.
Opening the tub an iridescent purple peel-off mask was revealed, but of course, it’s not just a bit of fun - it has some serious skincare benefits too. The mask contains purifying charcoal that draws out dirt and oil while witch hazel keeps skin happy as lavender oil soothes angry skin.
As the instructions stated, I applied a ‘thick and even’ layer to my entire face - avoiding my hair as it was extremely sticky. I was directed to wait 20 to 30 minutes before peeling it off.
The mask went on fairly easily with the help of a smooth applicator, smearing the pink shimmery slime around my face. I went not-too-thick on the application, keen for it to not take an age to dry - but even 20 minutes on it didn’t feel ready to peel.
I looked like something from the Stranger Things series that definitely belonged in the Upside Down, or like I’d had a scuffle with a Demogorgon. The edges of the mask peeled off fairly easily, but in my impatience, I ended up using a damp cloth to remove it in the end.
My skin did feel amazing after, and not at all irritated from the removal. It felt soft, oil free and soothed, and despite a tricky removal and long wait time, I’d definitely use it again.
If you’d like to try the Florence by Mills range for yourself, you can pick it up online at Boots with prices from £10.
