I've used up a Aussie 3MM Reconstructor which has become a sunday ritual product! It helps transform my dry, damaged locks into healthy, shiny locks which I will continue to repurchase! I've finished up the Soap & Glory Butter Yourself Moisture Lotion which I actually used as a foot lotion as I'm not too keen on the scent. It does an okay job but I won't be rushing out to repurchase in a hurry. I've used up another Soap & Glory Clean On Me Shower Gel which I use as a shaving lotion and will forever be repurchased! I've finished up the Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Leave In Conditioner which helps detangle my hair as well as leave it soft and shiny - I will repurchase this as soon as I've used up some more leave in conditioners.
I've used up the Nivea Double Effect Eye Makeup Remover which does not remove all my eye makeup and it leaves a greasy residue behind - will never repurchase! I've finished up the Boots Conditioning Nail Polish Remover which I used to remove any glitter nail polish. It did the job and have already repurchased. I've used up the Garnier Micellar Water which I absolutely loved and will repurchase despite the fact that I went through it far too quickly! I've finished up the Botanics All Bright Micellar Water which although it left my skin feeling a little tight and dry, I will repurchase as it helped to truly remove my makeup. I've finished up a tube of the Crest 3D White Luxe Sensitivity Toothpaste which really helped with my sensitivity and helped whiten up my teeth. I've used up the No7 Overnight Revitalising Eye Balm which did a good job at moisturising my under eye area but didn't necessarily help with any dark circles so I won't be rushing out to repurchase. I've finished up a tube of Eysilix which I absolutely loved and will repurchase once I've finished up a few more eye creams!
I've gone through three packs of the Wilko Maxi Oval Cotton Pads which features in every single monthly empties post as they're the only cotton wool pads that I use. I've finished up a pack of the No7 Quick Thinking Wipes which I use for everything but removing my makeup. I've used a Lush Ickle Baby Bot Bath Bomb which helped to destress me and soothe my senses. I haven't used up the Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara, No7 Lash Adapt Mascara or the No7 Extreme Length Mascara but all three, I did not get on well with as they either clumped up my lashes or did nothing at all to them.
To tie in with Valentine's Day, the February box has a theme of "Birchbox Loves" - a selection of products both beauty and lifestyle which the Birchbox team love and adore! As always, they've included the usual inserts of the standard postcard format (not pictured) where they cover product favourites from cult brand Caudalie as well as tips and tricks on how to get ready Birchbox style as well as different ways on using coconut oil.
The first product that caught me eye a generous sized sample of the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum (£45) which is a highly concentrated serum that helps reduce of the appearance of acne marks, scars and general dark spots and reavel a brighter, more even complexion. This serum is right up my street and I cannot wait to start using it!
Another product that I was excited to see is the KMS Hair Play Dry Wax (£15.50) which essentially is a dry wax spray that helps achieve a perfectly undone look with tousled definition and a matte finish with lots of volume and texture. As I'm so bored with my normal go to hair look, I'm excited to start experimenting and what better way to experiment with my hair than with this!
Next up is a Birchbox exclusive in the form of T London Darjeeling Hand & Body Lotion (£6.50+) which reminds me so much of my good friend Sophia! This is inspired by the reviving, delicate aroma of Darjeeling tea which is packed with jojoba and aloe oil to uplift your spirit and renew the skin all whilst leaving it silky soft and moisturised. Despite not being a tea drinker myself, I'm sure I will put these to good use epecially on a pamper evening.
Another Birchbox exclusive is the Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eyeliner in Black (£11) which is one of the most creamiest formulas I've used! The shade itself is a intense, bold black which should last all day which you can both use as an eyeliner or blend it out for a smokey eye look.
Another makeup edition to the box is theBalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen (£10) which is one of those lip-to-cheek gel tints that I've never really been a huge fan of. It's a beautiful red-ish toned pink that you can either swipe on the lips for a hint of colour and immense gloss or dot onto the cheeks and quickly blend on the cheeks for a flushed look. I doubt I'll get much use from this so it'll be getting passed along to a friend.
Last but not least is a lifestyle extra in the form of a satchet of The Chia Co Oats + Chia (£4.95 for 5) which comes in many different flavours of which I receieved the Mixed Berry flavour! I've never tried chia seeds but I sure love oats so I'm excited to see how this compares to my normal porridge.
As much as I love having a bath, I hate moisturising my body afterwards as all I really want to do is just get straight into my PJs and get cosy! I've been trying to make a conscious effort to moisturise my body after every bath - no matter how annoyed/tired/cant be bothered I am, I will make sure that I will. For the past year or so, I've been reaching for the Soap & Glory Butter Yourself Moisture Lotion which I actually got in the 2013 Soap & Glory The Yule Monty Gift Set.
The Soap & Glory Butter Yourself Moisture Lotion (£10) is an ulta nourishing, fruity-liquid moisture milkshake with super-smoothing powers over rough elbows, bumpy upper arms and flaky lower legs which is scented with their fruity fruitigo fragrance.
I will happily hold my hand up high and admit that I am not keen on the scent - I just don't understand how people can love the fruitgo scent as to me, it just smells of artificial mango. With that in mind, I've actually been using this as a foot lotion instead of a body lotion and I find that it does the job just as well! It's a extremely light weight lotion that sinks into the skin almost immediately after applying and it leaves the skin incredibly soft and nourished! As much as I love how soft it makes my feet feel, I've noticed that after a certain point the nozzle will stop working completely. Whether that's because it may be blocked and need rinsing or because the lotion hardens up over time and therefore cannot be dispensed, I don't know. I'm hoping that maybe they will change the packaging design in the future or I could just cut my losses and opt instead for the butter verson. Overall, this is a brilliant moisturising lotion if you can stand the scent. I've already moved onto my next bottle of this and surprise, surprise, it's being used to moisturise my feet again.
I've used up four samples of the Lancome Visionnaire Serum which features in every single one of these posts. This helps to even out my skin texture and leaves it feeling so soft and hydrated! I've still got a mountain of samples to go before I commit to buying in full size. I've finished up a tube of Soap & Glory Heel Genius and I just don't understand what all the hype is about! It's an average moisturiser which does an okay job and the smell isn't all great. I've finished up a generous sized tube of Campos de Ibiza Almond Moisturizing Body Milk which didn't smell anything like almonds and wasn't all that moisturising.
I've used up a little bottle of the RMK Make Up Base which I liked but didn't love. It helped make my makeup last but it smelt very strongly of alcohol so it's definitely put me off buying it in full size. I've finished up a sample of the Origins GinZing Brightening Mascara which did a brilliant job at defining my lashes and lengthening them although I didn't notice the brightening effect which I personally think is a bit gimmicky. Lastly, I've used up a sample of the Clinique High Impact Mascara which I absolutely loved at first as it gave a lot of volume with my lashes to make a impact which is what it is intended to do. However, when it started to dry up a little, it didn't have the same impact so I doubt I will purchase in full size.
