July Empties

I've got through quite a few things this month i think,

 

A mixture of things this month, a couple of lush products, body shop hair care and skin care.

 Body Shop, Raspberry Ripple Bath & Shower Gel;

LOVED this product, will definitely repurchase it, the scent is amazing! it lathered up really well and you only needed a tiny bit, so it lasted for ages.

Lush, Phoenix Rising Bath Ballistic;
I'll put an individual review of this product up. But i really loved it, will definitely repurchase it. Smells amazing.

Lush Space Girl Bath Ballisitc;
You can read my review on this product here. I don't know if I'll repurchase this one. I'd like to try out some other bath bombs before i add it to my definitely repurchase list. I really liked the smell, but it wasn't as exciting as some of the other bath bombs.

 

Lush GeoPhyzz Bath Ballistic;
You can read my review on this product here. Like i said in my review i might repurchase this, just to see if freshness has any effect on the scent etc. So i will probably repurchase this, though i don't know if it'll be a regular repurchase.

Percy & Reed, Totally TLC Hydrating Mask;
Again this is another i will write a stand alone review for as part of my hair care mission posts. I won't be repurchasing this product, although it left my hair quite soft, i didn't particularly like the smell, and didn't really notice a lot of difference in my hair.

Sure Deodorant;
I'll probably be repurchasing this one, thought it worked well and quite liked the scent. I've just purchased the new Dove Maximum Protection deo, so i may or may not buy this one.

Olay Essentials Face Wipes;
Got these in a swap, really liked them, they are really plain and don't have much scent. I wont be repurchasing these but only for the simple fact that, I'm currently half way through a packet of Soap & Glory face wipes, and i have already bought a new packet of face wipes. With a product like this, I'm not one for sticking to a particular one. Just whatever i fancy or whatever is on offer.

Dermal, Royal Jelly Sheet Mask;
Again you can read my review on this product here. I'd love to purchase this again, but i have NO idea where you can get them from, I think i might have to have a little search on ebay. I've never seen them in shops before!

Balance Me Moisture Rich Face Cream;

I shan't be repurchasing this, although i liked the cream to begin with, i don't know what happened but my skin just ended up feeling quite greasy, and i began to dislike the scent of it. I'm started to go off Balance me products a bit, i initially love them, but then end up disliking them.

Benefit Foamingly Clean Face Wash;

Really liked this, i love the clean soapy smell of the benefit skincare. I think my only bad point would be that, the product was really hard to get out. Its quite a thick creamy wash and the tube is made of hard plastic, so was near impossible to squeeze out. I don't know how the full size version is packaged but hopefully not like this. I feel i may have wasted quite a bit of product just trying to get it out. I would repurchase this, but i wont for a while as i have a few face washes to get through.

Figs & Rouge Balm;

Now this isn't technically an empty, it's actually nearly full.  But unfortunately, the balm melted and though when it was set again it was fine to use it just wasn't as solid as it used to be. But i opened it again the other day to use, and its gone horrible and like gluey, like someones filled it with almost dry glue its all like sticky and rubbery. So I've had to throw it out *sad face* I expect i will be repurchasing this as i really liked it. I'd like to try the rose one or maybe the Cherry Vanilla one.

Elemis, Pro-Collagen Body Cream;

I will definitely not be repurchasing this EVER. I thought it was a really nice moisturiser, its a nice consistency and has a lovely smell like most Elemis products. But its FULL of glitter?! Why oh why do they put so much glitter in products, and why doesn't it warn you. Normally you can tell if a product with have shimmer in it, as it will say something like 'radience boosting' or 'brightening' but no, this lures you into to thinking it'll just be a nice luxurious body lotion. Boooooo.

Asda Little Angels Detangle Shampoo;

I'm pretty sure I've mention it many times, but I'll say it again. I'm allergic to shampoo or something they put in adult shampoo. I'm not some crazy weirdo that likes to buy baby toiletries! This has the nicest ever smell, ever. Its all like powdery and baby like, with a subtle hint of baby powder. The actual shampoo itself isn't great, its one of those that doesn't lather well, and i found myself having to double wash my hair most of the time. The good thing though it didn't irritate my scalp. Probably won't repurchase this.

L'oreal Ever Pure Shampoo & Conditioner Sample;

Meh, don't really know what to say about this. Don't really know if you can tell if it makes much difference to your hair from one wash? the smell wasn't amazing, and is it just me, but i find sachets really hard to open in the shower? Probably won't repurchase the full size. Though i might check out what else is in the range, and if they're ever on a bargain offer you never know.

So there we go, July empties. I'm sure before i know it it'll be time for august empties! Time just seems to fly by!

What products have you finished up this month?

I'd love to see.

Lots of Love

X

French Haul; Part 2

So you've read what skincare goodies i purchased across the channel (or perhaps your havent?) if not you can read it here.

This is what other lovely things i bought, which i shall say now aren't particularly exciting (sorry to dissappoint)

Mainly a few bits from Sephora, i actually think i'm in love with that shop. I would contemplate moving to France just to be able to shop in Sephora. I could spend hours in there, just looking and swatching and smelling.

I could have purchased everything, but this is what I limited myself to...

I'm pretty obsessed with Peony scent, nowadays, so was super excited that Sephora had Peony scented everything! I chose, a Peony perfume, so i can compare to the Yardley one i love so much. A Peony scented candle and a Peony shower gel, of which i only bought the little sample pod, and i'm slightly wishing i bought a bigger one!.

I smelt the Blueberry pefume and its was so fruity and delicious, but i dont think it was really a perfume type scent, so instead i picked it up in the Creamy Body Wash, hopefully the scent will be same!

 I got a selection of these little cuties...

They're little pods that have shower gel in them. Basically Sephora have a range of scents, i think at least 10? and then do a range of products, of these scents. These little pods of body wash, the tubes they do bigger bottles and perfume and candles, litereally everything! And so many interesting smells, i Chose, Lagoon, Peony, Toffee, Cotton Flower & Green Tea. I also, picked up a couple as a little gift for a friend. I just think they're SO cute.

Another thinkg i love about Sephore, they are happy to gift wrap anything. and they do it so nicely aswell. The first question at the till is, are these a gift? and no extra charge they put them in gorgeous wrapping, with Spehora stickers and everything. French shops attention to detail is really amazing. English shops; Take Note!!

The last thing i picked up was this....

The picture doesnt really do it justice, but its a metallic slate/charcol/gun metal grey colour, with almost holographic blue/purple glitter in it. I've yet to try it out yet, as i've had my nails painted. But i'll be definitely be doing a NOTD with it soon. I can't stop looking at it!

And finally, another thing i LOVE LOVE LOVE about Sephora, look at this!...

The sales asisstant was ridiculously genorous with perfume smaples! EIGHT samples, EIGHT! I couldn't believe it when i looked in my bag. I still can't believe it. I think i'd be lucky to get one over here. I was so happy! I can't wait to try them all.

I've also decided, i'm going to do a third haul post, as i have a couple more things to show you, but i'll combine them with another post i was going to do.

I'll just finished by saying; I LOVE SEPHORA. (have i told you that already?) 

Lots of Love

X

April/May Empties

This month, I've combine April & May as i didn't really get through much in April, half the month i was at home so was just using what was in the bathroom and the other half of the month, i was either in hospital or in bed, with a broken leg. So any sort of routine went out of the window.

I'm still only just getting back into a routine, as I'm still not great on my feet (and might not be for a while, but I'll do a post to update you) So anyway, this is what I've used up in the last 2 months. I'll try and write what i liked and disliked about each one, but it seems like so long ago, I'm sure i can remember haha.

Parissa Warm Wax - This was my bargain product, i got it on clearance in a local Boots store for about £3, when i opened the box i found the original price label for about £13!! (i went back and bought about 3 more!) Really impressed with this product, i managed to get about 3/4 leg waxes out of it as well as a couple of eyebrow waxes. Its a little bit messy, and doesn't hold its heat very well, i find i have to microwave is after about 2/3 strips. But for £3 cant really complain, it comes complete with strips and spatulas as well! (please excuse the horrible box, one of the dogs eat it!)

Yardley, Peony Shower Gel - One of my FAVOURITE products, ever since we got the peony sample in one of the beauty boxes I'm hooked. I spotted this in TK Maxx AND it had a clearance sticker on, i think its was around the £2.50/£3 mark. I haven't been able to find them anywhere, even in Boots, the only peony product they seem to have is the perfume or body spray. Not only do i love the smell but i love the product as well, its really creamy and lathers up well and lasts for ages. (or it would have lasted for ages if EVERYONE else didn't use it) Luckily i have a spare, in secret haha.

Boots 24hr Protection, Roll on Deodorant - I wouldn't repurchase this product EVER, Normally I'm quite happy to get own brand stuff, but there's certain things i will only buy branded, they are Deodorant and Sanitary towels/tampons. My mum bought me this while i was in hospital, and it was alright then, I'd have a bed bath everyday and i wasn't allowed out of bed so deodorant wasn't much of an issue. But i carried on using it once i was home, and every time i wore it i was paranoid i stank. It didn't stop me sweating at all, in fact I'm convinced it made me sweat more. It really was gross. So I'm glad I've come to the end of that one.

Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect, Shampoo & Conditioner -  These aren't technically empty, but i had to stop using them as they were making me itch horribly. My friend bought me these while i was in hospital, but they never got used, as I was never given the option to have my hair washed (is that normal?) So i just used them once i got home. I wouldn't repurchase as I'm allergic to them, which is a shame because i love the smell of them.

Soltan SPF 8 - Now i know what you must be thinking, SPF 8?! The gorgeous weather the other week took us by surprise and this was all we had in the house. My mums never been a high factor buyer, she's on of those people that thinks if you wear a high factor you won't tan. I'm pretty sure she's convinced she is immune from sun burn. That maybe because of her age? I don't know. So yes i managed to use this whole pouch. I always buy Soltan suncream as its one of the only sun protections to offer 5* UVA/UVB protection. Some of the branded ones only offer 2/3! And also Soltan is reasonably priced and ALWAYS on offer, either buy one get one or half price. I much prefer the half price offer, as the little amount of sun we get often means i don't get through two bottles.

Green People Sun Lotion SPF 15 - This is more of a factor i would buy, i feel 15 is sufficient for my skin. I loved the Green Peoples one, it smelt like lavender and is 82% organic! although it can leave a bit of that tell tale white film behind, which is the only down side. I've managed to swap for a couple of theses to take away with me as they are a handy size for throwing in a bag if you're going out for the day.

No7 Radiance Revealed Exfoliator - I'm not the biggest fan of No7 products, there are a couple a like, but generally it wouldn't be my first choice brand. I do quite like this exfoliator, it feels like it doing a good job, with out being really harsh and always leaves my skin nice and smooth. I probably wouldn't repurchase this, but only on the grounds that i have loads of exfoliators to get through.

Nivea Creme - This is a bit of a classic product, it seems to have a been around since the dawn of time! It was another product that was bought for me while i was in hospital as its quite a multi-tasking product. I used it everywhere, my hands, my face, my elbows and any sore patches. I probably wouldn't repurchase, as i am half way through another one, and like exfoliators i have a ton of moisturisers. I did find it slightly to rich for my face, even though my skin is quite dry, this made it a bit greasy.

Johnsons Dreamy Skin Face Wipes - This is another product that isn't technically empty, but i had to stop using them as they were make my skin really sore. I love the smell of these, but the wipes themselves feel a bit harsh and rough. Wont be repurchasing these.

Benefit Triple Performing Facial Emulsion - I cant see anywhere how big this sample was, its not huge, about average sample size, but i got SO many applications out of it and I've just realised its not even completely empty! I love the smell of this, it has like a clean fresh smell, its quite a watery consistency and you only need a really small amount to moisturise your whole face. It has SPF 15 in and is oil-free which is great. I'm not really sure what to say on the performance, i liked it but i didn't love it. I don't think I'd buy a full size, but I'm tempted by the little trail sets you can get from Benefit counters & on ASOS for about £10 and you get a travel size of everything in the Benefit Skincare range.

Erno Laszlo - These came in a set in one of the beauty boxes. So far I've used Refresh moisture infusion, morning beauty rescue & velvet night cream. The morning beauty rescue i absolutely HATED, it was basically a sparkly gel, i felt like a was putting on that glitter gel you use as a child. The other two, i cant remember what they were like, so i don't think they were that amazing, else i might have remembered. I think i still have two more to try from the set.

Garnier BB Cream - I loved loved loved this. I have a stash of these sample sachets as I've heard the full size isn't as good as the sample? which is a real shame. I think this is the perfect product for summer, its not as heavy as foundation, but gives you enough coverage to feel like you are wearing something, and it leaves your skin feeling really nice. Its lovely and creamy, and blends well, the samples are in light which is just the right colour for me though possibly not now i have a tan, we'll see. The samples are really generous as well. and i reckon i could have got at least two applications out it, but i was a bit excited and emptied the whole sachet onto the back of my hand!  Another thing i like about it, it has a nice fresh scent, not like a foundation-y smell.

So there we are my empties from the last two months.

What Products have you recently used up?

Lots of Love

X

P.s Dont Forget To Enter My Giveaway.

Glossy Box; May 2012

This months GlossyBox was a special 'Birthday' Edition as GlossyBox has now been around for 1 whole year! So, HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY GLOSSYBOX! I've not been a subscriber since the very beginning unfortunately, when i found out about glossybox there was a waiting list!! and i couldn't get my first box until August or September. I've been subscribed since one of those months.

Well anyway, everyone had VERY high hopes for this months box, and to be honest, once everyone starts getting their hopes up, your bound to be disappointed, no? I feel sorry for glossybox, every month they seem to get complaint after complaint. If people don't like what they're getting, or they don't like the fact the box is a mystery every month, then don't pay your £12.95 to keep a subscription you're just going to complain about every month. Save you're money and buy something you KNOW you'll like.

The whole point of the boxes is to introduce new brands, brands you might necessarily not be able to afford, brands you wouldn't normally purchase. You aren't meant to like every single thing you get given, its a massive bonus if you do, but the whole point is to TRY stuff. I know a lot of the issues people have are with the values of the boxes and the fact there is such a variety of products. Which i totally understand, this month i would have liked HD Brows as much as the next person, but at the end of the day its just luck of the draw. So its just something people just have to get over. I'm sure the people at GlossyBox work hard to get the samples they get, and if they could please everyone, I'm sure they would also do that. So when you get next months box, how about cutting them some slack, and perhaps head over to Beauty Box Swaps (linked at the side) where you can exchange the products you perhaps don't like for something you love. Its not the end of the world remember, and worse things happen at sea ;)

Huge apology for that rant. I didn't actually mean that to happen, but my hands just wouldn't stop typing. I shall just move on to what i received in my box this month.

I love the tissue paper in this months box, its so cute and the ribbon has Anniversary box printed along it. Little touches like that make it feel a little more special. Though i think they should start using that tissue paper every month!

The Contents;

- Noble Isle Summer Rising Bath & Shower Gel

- Lolita Lempicka L'Eau en Blane & Si Lolita

- Weleda Face Cream/Body Milk

- Uniqone All In One Hair Treatment

- Let's Go Lashes

- Glossy Box Birthday Balloon

- Glossy Box Compact Mirror

Noble Isle, Summer Rising Bath & Shower Gel

"An immaculate fragrance evoking the beginnings of summer. Noble Isle is a new British bath & body brand inspired by natural and cultural riches of the British Isles."

Now i don't know if everyone got the same flavour, or whether Glossy Box did this on purpose, but i got the scent 'Cornish Hedgerows' I don't know if you all know this, but i actually live in Cornwall! I'd be interested if there was other scents floating around, or if that was the only one? This scent, has a really familiar smell to it, but i cant put my finger on what it is, i want to say its a perfume I've smelt before, but i just cant be sure, its one of those smells. But i really love it. I got a 75ml Sample full size is 250ml and retails for £20.00 and is available here 

Lolilata Lempicka, L'Eau en Blan & Si Lolita

"Discover Lolita Lempicka's feminine world where Parisian chic meets fantasy fairy tale to create the perfect fragrance"

I cant describe fragrance at all, so I'm just going to tell you, that i liked both of them, but i doubt i will purchase either.

Weleda, Face Cream/Body Milk

"Weleda products only contain natural ingredients grown biodynamically to help restore health and maintain wellbeing."

I don't actually know what my product really is, as the whole packaging and everything is in every language apart from English, from my very little language knowledge i think I've worked out that its a wild rose night cream? I've not opened it yet so I'm afraid i cant tell you much about it, and i cant read the box so i don't really know anything about it. So yeah, sorry about that.

Uniqone, All In One Hair Treatment

"The first leave-on mask on the market that offers the 10 main benefits hair needs. The ideal partner for every day use for the best stylists and their most demanding customers."

This stuff smells AMAZING, I cant describe the smell, but its like the yummiest hairdresser smell ever. Its in a spray bottle and it really wasn't what i was expecting, i assumed sprays were like watery, but this is a bit thicker and like creamy. This may be the product I've been searching for. Since having my hair cut i have to blow dry and straighten my fringe, so i need a heat protector, but i also get terrible frizz, so i need something for that, my hairs also really dry so i need something for that. That's already 3 products, but this little beauty claims to do all of them plus more! i cannot wait to try it! The only downside, is that its only available in salons and I bet there isn't one in the whole of Cornwall that sells it. That'd be just my luck.

Let's Go Lashes

"Available in 40 styles, 100% human hair, incredibly easy to apply and re-usable"

Lashes are lashes. I hardly wear them. But the amount i now have i think I'm gonna start wearing them on a daily basis haha. These ones look fairly natural so might get away with it haha.

So that's my Glossy Box.

Again apologies for the rant at the beginning, I hope you all enjoyed your birthday Glossy Box

What did you get in your box?

Lots of Love

X

Body Shop Haul

Since breaking my leg, I've become slightly online shopping obsessed, There isn't much to do from your bed, and browsing shops online has filled the majority of my time.

Over the weekend the body shop had a great discount code, that i just couldn't ignore, 40% off AND free delivery. Though the 40% off didn't come off already discounted stuff, I also have a Love Your Body card which gained me an extra 10% off the products that were already discounted (i think) 

So here's what i bought,

First in my basket was, i think one of their newest products,

Beautifying Oil, I chose a coconut scent, but its available in 11 of their signature scents including Strawberry, Cocoa butter and the new one Chocomania.

You can use this oil on your face, body or hair. It claims to moisturise, smooth and illuminate. Its a dry oil so its not to greasy on the skin, but it still gives it that nice sheen body oil gives. The coconut scent, reminds me of summer and as the weather seems to be looking up its perfect. I'm yet to try it on my hair, but I'm very much looking forward to as I'm a big fan of Macadamia Oil and Mythic Oil. It comes in at £9.00 for 100ml but with the offer i think it came in around £6.00

These were my next purchases, The raspberry ripple shower gel smells AMAZING, if you like sweet fruity smells, this is for you! It actually smells edible, exactly like raspberry ripple ice cream. Which was confirmed by my mum, after having a whiff "ohh that smells exactly like ice cream!" Yes mum, its Raspberry Ripple flavour haha. £4.00 for 250ml, seems quite a lot but for the scent and the fact they don't test on animals i think its worth the monies, With discount this came to £2.40 which is very reasonable. 

The Earth Lovers shower gels, are quite new products as well, and the have some really peculiar flavour combinations that I've not seen in shower gels before, i really want to have a sniff of them all next time I'm in store. I chose mine in Watermelon & Eucalyptus, i thought this was the safest option with out smelling them first, other scents include Apricot & Basil and Fig & Rosemary. Though i quite like the sound of Pear & Lemongrass. These are £5/250ml they contain no sulphates, parabens or colourants and are also soap free, so good for those that have sensitive skin! With discount this cost me £3.00 again very reasonable i think.

I thought I'd try out The Body Shop shampoo & conditioner, I'm allergic to some shampoo's and conditioners, though i don't know what ingredient it is I'm allergic to so I'm kind of trial and erorring products at the moment to see what i can and cant use. The Body Shop hair products (and like alot of their products) contain No, silicones, sulphates, colourants or parabens, which is a great start. I chose the 2 from the Rainforest collection, especially for adding moisture back into your hair. My hair is prone to dryness and frizzyness and after reading reviews thought this would be best for me. I've also got my eye on the Banana ones! The Rainforest collection contain plenty of natural ingredients, with the moisture ones containing Pracaxi Oil, Manketti Nut Oil and Community Trade Honey, they smell divine! so fingers crossed they don't make my scalp unhappy. normally these cost £4.00/250ml each, so with discount they cost me a mere £2.40 each!

My last buy, was a bit of an impulse last minute buy,

The smell of Body Shop Vitamin E cream reminds me of my mum and being little, my mum hasn't actually used this cream for years and years, but when ever i smell it i think of her. So i bought myself this little set, of Vitamin E skincare. It include a Mini day & night moisturiser (15ml each) and a Mini Cleanser & Toner (60ml each) This little set is perfect for going away or a little gift for someone. I'd be very happy if i received this for a birthday or Christmas. I'm going to save it till i get through, all the odds and ends of face cream and such, to start using it. The little bag will come in handy as well as a little make up bag! Normally this would cost £10 and they do them in their range of skincare, including Tea Tree and Seaweed. With discount it only cost me £6.00!

All of this came to the grand total of... £22.23!
BodyShop do such gorgeous products and great gift sets! I can't wait to try out all my new products!

Did you take advantage of this great offer?

Lots of Love

X

Latest In Beauty; You! .... Update!

The other day i received a lovely email from the people at latest in beauty, which read;

"Dove's groundbreaking campaign for 'Real Beauty' in 2004 was recognised as a landmark moment in the beauty industry over the past 20 years by YOU magazine; to celebrate, we teamed up with Dove to surprise 200 lucky customers of the YOU 20 Years of Beauty Greats Box with a gorgeous Dove Travel Kit. We are pleased to announce that you have been chosen as a winner!" 

I was SO excited! I never win anything! let alone things i didn't even realise were happening!

Well my excitement obviously soon disappeared because I'd completely forgotten about it till today! when i had a slip in my post draw saying i had a special delivery to sign for?! I was racking my brains trying to think what it would be, (secretly hoping it would be a valentines surprise from the boyfriend) But when i got it, it was just a plain brown box, i couldn't remember if i ordered anything. It had me puzzled!

I was pleasantly surprised when i opened it to find my Dove prize! I got excited all over again!

The set looked lovely! It includes a great mix of products and, the perfect range too, and all are lovely travel size samples.

The Box includes;

- Dove Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Shampoo 50ml, I've not really used Dove shampoo before, so I'm excited to try it, and hoping it might help my terribly dry ends!

- Dove Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Conditioner 50ml, Both the Shampoo and the Conditioner smell really good! They both contain Micro Moisture Serum and Fibre Actives, Looking forward to using them, as my hair is definitely after some moisture!

- Dove Deeply Nourishing Body Wash 55ml, this has got a really nice like soapy smell to it, I've used Dove shower gel before and really love it, it makes my skin feel so smooth and soft!

- Dove Rich Nourishment Cream 30ml, This is such a handy little pot, its a similar size to the miniature Nivea Cream pots you can get, so perfect handbag size (Especially in this cold weather!) The cream feels really rich and thick and again smell amazing! 

I can't wait to use all my products! Definitely one of the best prizes I've won :)

Thank you Latest In Beauty & Dove!

Did you receive one of these lovely prizes? What did you think of it?

Lots of love

X