Monthly Empties

Skincare Empties March 2018

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Skincare Empties March 2018

Skincare Empties 2018 March

You know some months you seem to run out of all your favourite products at once? Well, that’s what happened to me in March. Almost every product I use in my daily skincare routine came to the end of its life and it made me so sad. I will be repurchasing every single one of these products and I don’t think I have ever said that in an empties post before, there is usually at least one product that was a somewhat underwhelming but not this time, I have a lot of love for all 5 of these and I need them back in my routine ASAP.

Tropic Vitamin Toner Pore Refining Mist

If you’re looking for a toner that feels instantly refreshing and energising on your skin then this is 100% for you. It not only helps keep skin hydrated, feeling fresh and drenched in vitamins but it’s also infused with vitamins and amino acids that help to balance pH and reduce pore size. This is so easy to spritz on cleansed skin in the morning to kick off your skincare routine or I’ve even sprayed it on top of makeup throughout the day to refresh my skin. It is bursting with so many skin loving ingredients such as organic rose water, aloe vera and cucumber juices which are nourishing, soothing and deliver a boost of hydration. I used this religiously both morning and night,

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

I have used this cleansing oil for years and nothing removes my makeup quite as effectively. It melts away even stubborn mascara and removes lip-stains with ease. With it being an oil it is easy to use when giving your skin a mini facial, I like to spend time really massaging it into my skin which wakes my skin up and helps it glow. It is a good cleanser for protecting skin against environmental aggressors, is extremely gentle and leaves no greasy residue behind (which a lot of oil based cleansers do).

  • Olive oil – Rich in antioxidants, it helps fight damage caused by free radicals without clogging pores
  • Rosemary leaf oil – Extracted from the leaves of the plant, it contains invigorating properties and imparts a refreshing scent.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

This has to be one of my most repurchased skincare products EVER, I mean are you even a skincare addict if you don’t have one of these in your stash? Even if I don’t use it daily, or try other products and overlook it for a spell, I always find my way back to the Liz Earle C&P. It just never lets me down.

It removes makeup with ease without leaving skin feeling dry and the hot cloth helps dislodge dead skin to keep it looking radiant. Its a ritual I look forward too in the evening and the distinctive botanical scent is also calming. This cream cleanser contains so many skin-loving ingredients which include, Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Cocoa Butter, Rosemary Essential Oil/Extract and Chamomile Essential Oil/Extract so it is very gentle, soothing and antioxidant-rich.

Liz Earle Superskin Face Serum

I received this for Christmas as part of a gift set and fell in love with it after a couple of uses. It is a serum which is perfect for my skin type and my age, turning 40 this year I’ve been more focused on using products that are nourishing, firming and target those early signs of ageing and this serum is ideal for that. Enriched with some of nature’s most powerful naturally active ingredients, including Persian silk tree to even skin tone, pomegranate flower to lift and firm, and rhubarb to plump and smooth. This deluxe sample size lasted me a surprisingly long time but I am looking forward to getting the full 30ml size.

Tropic Super Greens Nutrient Boost Serum

I have spoken about this green miracle worker so often on my blog over the past 6 months but it is just that good. I used the last of this serum a little over 2 weeks ago & I have missed it so much in my evening routine. This is what I use when I’ve been burning the candle at both ends, or if I haven’t been eating as well as I should, because it just helps your skin look refreshed, glowing and plump in the morning like you’ve had 10 hours sleep and have drunk a green juice. The visual results and incredible.

The key ingredients are Super Greens (which you might be more familiar seeing on your plate rather than in your skincare) such as Kale, chlorophyll and maca root extracts which help rejuvenate dull skin and organic tamanu oil helps to repair inflammation and heal blemishes. Green coffee extract not only stimulates skin cell renewal, it protects against pollution which is a major factor in premature ageing and dull skin.

If I had to recommend only one of these products for you to add to your skincare regime it would be this Super Greens Serum, I think everyone would benefit from the wonderful ingredients and see visual results in the skin.

Product Empties Oct / Nov 2016

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November Product Empties 2016

November Product Empties 2016

Skin Chemist Advanced Snail Eye Serum*

I recently reviewed this Snail range from Skin Chemists and I really liked the eye serum. Its so hydrating and I loved how smoothing it was. Who would have thought we’d be putting snail serum on our faces?! Its a lightweight texture, very cooling on the skin and quite refreshing too. Its nice to use either morning or night but I quite often use it in the evening because it helps my eyes look refreshed by morning and keeps the puffyness to an absolute minimum.

If you use the code BLOGSNAILS to get each product for £24.99 each instead of £72 – that is almost halfprice. Code valid until the end of 2016 **

COLab Dry Shampoo Sheer & Invisible in Rio

My holy Grail dry shampoo – this was a mini bottle I took with me to Amsterdam. I am so pleased I took it with me and it meant that I only had to wash my hair twice during the week we were there. This really absorbs the oils and doesn’t irritate my scalp or make my hair look dull. I like all the scents but I think Rio is my favourite. I need to stock up on a few ful sized bottles.

Lacura Thermal Spa Eye Cream*

This is a very, very good eye cream and the fact it is only £ is even better. Aldi skincare is amongst some of my favourite budget options and I particulary enjoyed the Thermal Spa range. It was lightweight, hydrating and had a lovely fresh scent. I highly recommend checking it out next time you are in there doing your shopping. This tube lasted me ages and I mostly used it as part of my morning skincare routine because it worked well to hydrate around my eyes which meant my makeup applied easier and didn’t sink into my fine lines.

Eloquence Skincare Purifying Facial Cleanser

I have tried a few products from this brand and I really enjoyed them as a whole. This was a nice gentle cleanser and again I took it with me to Amsterdam to use as my morning cleanse. It has a creamy formula and it left my skin feeling soft and clean. It’s enriched with Sacha Inchi Oil, Cucumber and Coconut Extracts. Sacha Oil is a common ingredient within this range and is a superfood which comes from Peru and is found in seed form. Its known for its high levels of vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids and its oil has a unique blend of

  • Omega 3 which helps to restore the skins elasticity
  • Omega 6 helps to combat skin dehydration
  • Omega 9 helps against premature ageing by intensely nourishing and protecting the skin from environmental stress.

So my skin was in good hands and I thought it would be a reliable, gentle cleanser to take away with me, knowing that my skin wouldn’t react to it and cause any breakouts.

Aussie Dry Shampoo

Possibly the worst dry shampoo I have ever used. Its overly powdery, leaves a white cast in your hair & makes your hair feel worse than it did before you applied it. One to avoid for sure.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish 

I love the classic Cleanse & Polish from Liz Earle but their limited edition scents are something very special. This Grapefruit and Patchouli scent has been one of my favourites to date, its zesty, fresh and quite Summery. As with the original C&P it’s suitable for all skin types and is great at gently removing makeup and leaving skin feels soft and clean. I try a lot of skincare but I know I can always rely on Liz Earle when my skin has reacted badly to a product and I always have a C&P in my stash. If you have tried any of the limited edition scents, let me know what your favourites are.

  • PR Sample

August and September 2016 Product Empties

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Empties Aug / Sept 2016

Empties Aug / Sept 2016

Jarrow B12 Vitamins

The lovely Gemma of HelloGemma recommended these B12 Vitamins to me & you can order them from Amazon, I have the Tropical Flavour but they come in a range of flavours & strengths. I must admit I didn’t think I was too lacking in B12 but since I started taking these almost 2 months ago I have so much more energy. I’ve been very good at taking them daily and I don’t get that slump in energy and I feel like my moods haven’t been as unpredictable since I started having these. I highly recommend checking them out if you are looking for a B12 supplement.

Ginvera Green Tea Exfoliating Marvel Gel

So you apply a thin layer of this green gel to your face when its dry, then with your fingertips gently massage it for a minute or so, until the gel starts forming little balls. Its quite odd at first but it feels satisfying and it lifts off all the grease, dirt and grime from the day, leaving your skin so soft and clean. Its formulated to reduce blackheads and blemishes and I have to say it does a very good job at both. I use it twice a week and I very get very few blackheads. This tube lasted me for almost a year and I would 100% repurchase, its a great exfoliating mask to have in your collection.

Max Factor Velvet Volume Mascara

This is a great mascara for layer up & achieving that voluminous lash effect. It never crisps up on my lashes and it holds your curl all day long. Its just an easy mascara to work with and I really like the plastic wand, the bristles work well to coat each lash with a good amount of product. This is good option if you don’t have the thickest of lashes.

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

Absolutely love this cleansing balm, I don’t think I will ever stop using it. Its gentle, effective and a little goes a long way. A pot lasts me a good few months because you only need about a 10p sized amount, I use it daily either morning or night as my first cleanse. It removes makeup with ease and it never irritates my eyes. I really only have good things to say about it.

Clinique Take The Day Off Balm

Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara

This is so good at giving length to your lashes and fanning them out so they look fluttery, I love wearing this Mascara when I want a more dramatic look. The brush is massive and can take a bit of getting used to but the formula is pigmented and isn’t too wet. I don’t think I could pick a favourite out of the two Max Factor mascaras in this post but its OK to own more than one mascara, especially if they do different things.

Dr Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Hair Treatment Serum

All I will say about this is, if you want glossy, sleek, manageable hair this serum is for you. Its incredible and a bottle lasted me over a year! I am sad its finished and will be repurchasing next time I am in Holland & Barrett. Everything about my hair is better when I use this.

Bath & Body Works Hand Sanitiser in Cupcake Sweetie 

I always have one of these hand sanitisers in my handbag, Bath & Body works do the nicest selection of scents. I do like the more spicy Autumnal scents best but these sweet ones are still nice. I know B&BW don’t have any shops or stockists in the UK but you can get them on Amazon or eBay.

Product Empties – Concealers and Highlighters

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Concealer Clearout and Declutter

Concealer Clearout and Declutter

I’m trying to get my makeup collection down to a more manageable size. It is a slow process but I’m organising everything so my collection feels more manageable. I started last week by clearing out my Liquid Eyeliners, throwing away any old ones which were past their best & this week I’m doing the same with my concealers. After I have finished going through each section I will show you what products I’m left with & do a bit of a makeup collection post. So on to the concealers, these again are all quite old & past their best,

Yves Rocher Radiant Youth Corrector Pen*

I have had this for a while and I absolutely loved using it, you don’t hear too many people talk about this brand but they do fantastic sales & their makeup and skincare are very good quality. This is quite like the YSL Touche Eclat & it works to brighten rather than conceal, it’s a subtle salmon pink shade so is perfect to neutralise and brighten darkness and shadows on the face. I like to apply this under my eyes and on my chin before going in with my concealer and it helps give more coverage and lessen those darker problem areas. It has a light creamy texture, is easy to blend and doesn’t cake and sink in to fine lines. I would 100% repurchase this.

Miss Sporty Liquid Concealer 

This is one of the better budget concealers I have tried over the years. It has a slight yellow undertone to it which makes it good at covering redness. I use this mostly around my nose & a little on my cheeks to counteract the redness in those areas & it works well. The formula is quite thin so it might take a few applications to build up depending upon how full you want the coverage. I like to try more affordable options & I was impressed by this Miss Sporty offering. One product I do LOVE from this brand is their Mineral Earth Eyeshadow, it is well worth picking up & its only £2.99

Primark PS Love Concealer

This is from the Primark Beauty range & it’s not great. It’s a little too oily and doesn’t stay in place for very long at all. I do like the neutral shade and it worked well to add a little more coverage to problem areas, like blemishes. This was very affordable and might work a little better if your skin isn’t oily like mine.

Concealer-Clearout-Decluttering

L’Oreal Lumi Magique Touch of Light Highlighter 

This is a similar product to the Yves Rocher. I find its very good at brightening under my eyes and for adding a subtle cheek / nose highlight. It catches the light beautifully without and sparkle, it looks natural and radiant. I like to have at least one of these pen style highlighters in my makeup stash because they are subtle but can instantly brighten any look.

Seventeen Stay Time Concealer 

LOVE this concealer & I’m gutted that it ran out, this is my 3rd tube and will be a forever repurchase. Its affordable, fantastic quality and as the name suggests very long wearing. It’s a nice light creamy beige and I use this everywhere & anywhere. It works well under my eyes as a concealer and it is also very good at covering marks & blemishes. If you take the time to blend this in, it will stay in place for hours. Out of all the concealers mentioned this one is great for not sinking in to fine lines, its light texture means its hydrating but still provides a nice medium coverage! Add this to your ‘To Try’ list.

Concealer Swatches

I’m now left with 4 concealers in my collection, which is a much more manageable number but I would repurchase the Yves Rocher, Seventeen Stay Time and the Miss Sporty one too.

Let me know what your favourite concealers are right now & also if your makeup stash is overdue a clear out.

*PR Sample