March Empties

I've used up the Dove Nourishing Oil Care Shampoo + Conditioner duo which helped to keep my hair soft and tamed any frizz. I absolutely loved the scent of it and I may consider repurchasing them in the future. I've also finished up Dove Nourishing Oil Care Regenerating Mask which was a more intensive version of the conditioner. I mainly used this whenever my hair needed a deep condition and this helped tremendously. I've used up the Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner which I use as a detangling spray mainly which does the trick at removing any tangles and leaves my hair feeling soft. I will continue repurchasing this! I've finished up a pot of the Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Scrub which is by far one of the most grittiest body scrubs I've come across! This has helped buff away any lumps and bumps on my arms whilst not overly drying out my skin.

I've used up two bottles of the Garnier Simply Essentials Soothing 2 in 1 Make Up Remover. This helps to remove any stubborn makeup and leaves my skin feeling clean and ready for a second cleanse. I've finished up a tube of Jergens Original Beauty Lotion which you sadly can no longer purchase in the UK! This smells exactly like batternburg cake (cherry almond) and definitely did the trick at moisturising my body. I've used up a tub of the Arora Body Butter in Sweet Vanilla which smelt heavenly but sadly finished up far too quickly. This sunk into my skin quickly and kept it moisturised. I didn't technically finish the Tony Moly Egg Pore Blackhead Out Oil Gel as it gone off. The times when I did use it, I didn't notice much of a difference with the amount of blackheads and I now consider it to have been a waste of money. I've used up the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo which has been helping with any breakouts I've had. It's a very light weight gel consistency which works to unclog pores and helps purify them whilst helping to prevent any future breakouts.

I've finished up a bottle of the Colgate Plax Sensitive Mouthwash which is the only mouthwash I use. It helps kill any germs or bacteria whilst providing protection for my sensitive teeth. I will always repurchase this! I've used up a pack of the Lacura 3 in 1 Facial Cleansing Wipes which will be the last pack I'll use as I've found something better. I used these for everything but removing makeup and they certainly did the trick. I've finished three packs of Skin Therapy Large Oval Cotton Wool Pads which are the best cotton wool pads I've come across! They're large enough to remove makeup/used in conjuction with toners and they don't fall apart at the first sign of moisture. I've used up a tube of the Superdrug Sensitive Toothpaste which although it did help with my sensitivity, I didn't find it to be anything special so I won't be repurchasing. I've finished up the Active Clear Moisturising Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel which I keep on my skincare shelf. I use this mainly for when I'm doing my skincare routine and it helps keep bacteria at bay whilst not drying my hands out.

I've finally finished up my Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation which I've had going for about ten months now or so! This has buildable coverage without feeling heavy on the skin and matched my skin perfectly. I've already repurchased this but in the Radiance version. I've used up a bottle of ELF Makeup Mist & Set which I did start using for its intended purpose but then switched to using it to dampen my makeup sponge which works better as I didn't feel that it helped make my makeup last any longer. I've gone through two bottles of Wilko Instant Hand Sanitiser which I have in so many places now! They're cheap as chips and do the trick - what more could you ask for? I've finished a pot of my beloved Pretty Perfect Twist & Out Instant Nail Polish Remover which is the only nail polish remover I use. Although the sponge inside can get a little grubby, it still removes nail varnish perfectly well and I will continue to repurchase. Finally, I've finished up a tube of Nivea Essential Care which is my go to lip balm. It keeps my lips hydrated throughout the day and doesn't need topping much quite as much which makes it one of my all time favourite lip balms!

Collection No Clumps Mascara

COLLECTION NO CLUMPS MASCARA - £2.99

Collection are one of those brands that can have a few good hit products, in particular their cult Lasting Perfection Concealer, as well as quite a fair few products to miss altogether. On a recent Boots points splurge, I ended up picking up the Collection No Clumps Mascara as it was on offer and I fancied a new mascara as I knew that my No7 Stay Perfect Mascara would be coming to an end.

The Collection No Clumps Mascara is a mascara that claims to give beautifully defined lashes without clumps all with the help of a cleverly designed plastic wand. I've been using this now for the best part of two months now and I can honestly say that this is one of the best defining mascaras I've come across. Despite having a few short stumpy lashes, this helps transform them into long, separated lashes which has resulted in people approaching me and asking me if I'm wearing fake eyelashes or asking what mascara I'm wearing. They're all rather surprised to hear that its been thanks to this mascara.

Whilst this mascara does give brilliant results, I find that it does dry out rather quickly especially with every day use but it's cheap enough to be replaced every few months or so. I will definitely be repurchasing this mascara once I've gone through my stash as well as any mascaras that I'll be purchasing in America in May.

Jergens Original Beauty Lotion

JERGENS ORIGINAL BEAUTY LOTION -$7.24

I've always been fascinated by the Jergens Original Beauty Lotion as it's been raved about all over YouTube as one of the best body lotions available in the drugstores. It wasn't until I found it in my local Boots on offer that I finally caved in and bought it. The Jergens Original Beauty Lotion is one of those body lotions that is inbetween a lotion and a cream - feels light weight on the skin but comes out rather thick. It contains a blend of nourishing emollients that delivers long-lasting moisturisation which leaves the skin feeling soft for up to 24 hours complete with Jergens classic Cherry Almond scent.

Now as much as I do like this, I hate how quickly I'm going through it. A little certainly doesn't go a long way especially with this body lotion so I'm finding myself squeezing out quite a fair bit to moisturise my whole body and even then it doesn't feel moisturising enough to my liking. This also means that I'm standing around fanning myself for a few minutes waiting for it all to sink in. With that being said, I don't mind doing that as it means I'll be smelling like battenberg cake all day..

Unfortunately, you can no longer buy this from Superdrug or Boots which I'm assuming because they're were not selling as well over here in the UK.

Superdrug Vitamin E Night Cream

SUPERDRUG VITAMIN E NOURISHING NIGHT CREAM - £2.99

Long time readers will know that I was and still am a huge fan of the Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser. It is absolutely brilliant for cleansing your skin and removing any stubborn makeup whilst leaving your skin soft and cleansed. I decided to try some more products from the Superdrug Vitamin E line back in August last year and one of those products I picked up is their Nourishing Night Cream which has taken me until now to review.

The Superdrug Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream has been specially developed to help rehydrate and nourish your skin whilst you sleep, leaving it smooth and radiant come morning. It is enriched with naturally sourced Vitamin E that helps shield your skin against environmental damage and premature skin ageing. It also contains a skin conditioning multivitamin complex which consists of Vitamins A, B, F and H which combined with extract of horse chestnut, helps to care for dry skin.

I've been using this every single night for the past seven months now and it's definitely been love with every use. It has the same scent as the cleanser which may not be to everybody's tastes but I certainly quite like it. It's very light weight in texture which means that it sinks in almost instantly after massaging it in. It claims to have 12 hour moisturisation properties which I definitely do think it does as come morning, my skin feels soft and moisturised still. I believe that this has certainly helped with my dry skin and I would now consider it normal to dry. If you're looking for a good budget night cream, I urge you to try this especially if you suffer with dry skin.

Samples I've Used Up 009

Just before Christmas, I bought myself a little sampler set of some No7 goodies which included their Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser. I used this in the morning, using two pumps worth which was just the right amount to use all over my face. It has quite a strong, floral scent which I thought may break me out despite not having overly sensitive skin but it hasn't. This leaves my skin feeling cleansed and fresh and I found that this 50ml sample lasted for almost three weeks. I've already bought this in full size as I rather do like it.

I received a sample of the REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask back in April at the #NottsBBMeet and I think I've managed to get atleast twelve uses out of this which is remarkable! It has a marmalade like consistency which spreads out easily. I noticed that some times when I used this, I didn't have any immediate results whereas on other occasions, my face looked a little more perked up once washed off. I'm in two minds whether to buy this in full size as it is rather pricey for what it is.

I've used up a sample pot of Lush's Aqua Marina Cleanser which I thoroughly enjoyed using! It contains seaweed (Irish Moss Gel), calamine and kaoline which helps to absorb excess oils whilst cleansing the skin all whilst containing restorative minerals and vitamins. I actually have dry skin not oily skin but I do suffer with blemishes and I found that this really helped. This left my skin feeling cleansed and moisturised and didn't leaving it feel red and irritated. This really helped to sooth my skin and will definitely be buying in full size once I've finished all my cleansers.

The last sample I've used up is of The Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter which despite smelling of very artificial strawberries, I rather liked! I only got one full body application from this but it left my skin feeling moisturised and I could still smell the strawberry scent even hours after applying. I will definitely be repurchasing in full size once I've finished up all my body lotions/creams/butters and when there is a deal on it.

No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow in Wheatsheaf

No7 STAY PERFECT EYESHADOW in WHEATSHEAF - £7

Long time readers will know that I'm certainly not a blush or eyeshadow fan. With that being said, I have found myself experimenting with eyeshadows recently in order to shake things up a little and the eyeshadow that I've been reaching for has been one of No7's in Wheatsheaf.

The No7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow in Wheatsheaf comes housed in a simple black container with doesn't look too appealing to the eye. But don't let that put you off as inside is a beautiful shimmery beige-y taupe that has glitter running throughout. I personally find it to be rather chalky but I don't mind it as the colour is stunning. It might not be the best formula especially when it comes to pigmentation which it certainly lacks in but that can be dealt with simply by building it up. I find the lasting power of this to be around about the six hour mark and that is without priming my eyelids although that being said, I don't actually own an eyeshadow primer to date.

I personally think that this could be a potential dupe of MAC's Naked Lunch which has been on my wish list for a very long time now. So if you're after MAC's Naked Lunch but don't have the budget then it might be worth checking out No7's Wheatsheaf especially when they are giving out the £5 off No7 Skincare/£3 off No7 Makeup vouchers..

What is your favourite eyeshadow?

Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner

CLARINS GENTLE EXFOLIATOR BRIGHTENING TONER - £25

Over the past year or so, there has been quite a few products that have had a lot of hype surrounding them making them the product to have which is all down to the Caroline Hirons effect. I haven't really taken much notice apart from noting down the products in my wish list and have slowly been adding them to my stash. Just before Christmas, I finally caved and bought the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner which I've been using on a daily basis ever since.

The Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner is a gentle and refreshing exfoliating lotion that removes any impurities that dulls the complexion which helps reveal soft, smooth and brighter-looking skin. It contains tamarind which helps remove impurities and dead skin cells whilst boosting the skins natural exfoliating process as well as white nettle extract which smooths and refines skin texture. 

It has quite a thick, liquid consistency which means that you can't pour too much which I like. I use just one cotton pad, starting with my eyes and then sweeping all over my face before finishing down my neck and I find that this helps prep my skin for the rest of my skincare routine. Since I've started using this, I've noticed that my skin is a lot more smoother in texture and feels a lot softer too. In the mornings after I've used this, my face appears a little more brighter than before and makeup seems to sit better on my skin. Some may deem this to be too pricey but a little goes a long way and I would say that I'm only a quarter of the way through mine at the moment and that it with using it on a daily basis. If you're looking for a good exfoliating toner or are just starting out, I would definitely recommend this especially if you suffer with a dull complexion!

Dove Nourishing Oil Care Regenerating Mask

DOVE NOURISHING OIL CARE REGENERATING MASK - £4.59

As my hair of late is relatively healthy, I haven't felt the need to use a intensive conditioner/hair mask but whenever I do, the one that I've been reaching for is the Dove Nourishing Oil Care Regenerating Mask. I absolutely adored the Dove Nourishing Oil Care Shampoo + Conditioner duo so I had high hopes for this.

The Dove Nourishing Oil Care Regenerating Mask has a slight gummy texture to it which means a little goes a long way with it. As it rather thick, I like to believe that it gives more nourishment than a traditional intensive conditioner which can sometimes feel rather light and gloopy. With weightless nutri-oils and added argan oil, this puts some much needed moisture back into my hair especially after a week of using heat and leaves it feeling incredibly soft and shiny. I've noticed that after I've used this, my hair has no knots or tangles and it seems to dry quicker as well. As it comes housed in a chic looking tub which contains 200ml, you will definitely get a lot of uses out of it which makes it incredibly good value cost per use.

Super Facialist Tea Flower Pore Purifying Clay Mask

SUPER FACIALIST TEA FLOWER PORE PURIFYING CLAY MASK - £8.99

Before I started blogging, I rarely used face masks. Whenever I did, it would always be one of those one use satchets where you couldn't really tell if it did any good for your skin. Nowadays, I try to do them at least twice a week if I remember and the one that I've been reaching for recently is the Super Facialist Tea Flower Pore Purifying Clay Mask.

The Super Facialist Tea Flower Pore Purifying Clay Mask is a detoxifying mask which helps clear the skin of dirt, excessive oils and toxins that can lead to breakouts. It contains salicylic acid which helps unclog congested skin and dead sea mud which is rich in magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron which makes it perfect for absorbing oils. It also contains avocado oil which is rich in vitamins A, D and E which when combined with Acacia Honey, helps to rebalance the skin to reveal a clearer, refreshed looking complexion.

I like to apply this on cleansed skin, making sure I apply a thin layer to my skin as too much can aggravate my skin and leave it feeling uncomfortable. Once applied, I leave it for between five and ten minutes to dry before washing it off with warm water. Once washed off, my face instantly looks clearer and any blemishes appear reduced. I find that these results last for up to day after using it which is the standard for clay masks in my opinion. As I have dry skin, I do find that it can dry out my skin a little so make sure you apply a good facial moisturiser after using it. Overall, I do rather like this mask and a little certainly goes a long way meaning this 125ml tube would last a very long time! If you suffer with oily or blemish prone skin that really needs a detox, I would definitely recommend giving this face mask a go.

Superdrug Sensitive Toothpaste

 SUPERDRUG SENSITIVE TOOTHPASTE - £TBC

As with most basic essentials, I don't like spending a fortune on something that will run out in a few months at most. I opt instead for the cheap and cheerful and have found that in some cases, the cheaper are truly better than the more expensive. I bought the Superdrug Sensitive Toothpaste at the same time as the Superdrug Sensitive Whitening Toothpaste and have had it stashed away until I finished up my most recent one.

The Superdrug Sensitive Toothpaste is alike any other toothpaste - it has the same minty fresh taste and leaves my teeth feeling clean. I've noticed that since using this in conjunction with my Colgate Plax Sensitive Mouthwash, my teeth aren't overly sensitive anymore and I can enjoy ice cold drinks without much pain. Whilst it certainly has been doing the job, I shan't be repurchasing it as I much prefer trying out different brands. However on the other hand, I will admit that having a pink tube of toothpaste in the bathroom does make everything look that little bit more girly.

Radox Energise Key Lime & Peppermint Shower Gel

RADOX ENERGISE KEY LIME & PEPPERMINT SHOWER GEL - £1.99

I'm a big fan of citrus scents so when I found the Radox Energise Key Lime & Peppermint Shower Gel on offer, I snatched one up and have been waiting to use it ever since as I prefer to have only one shower gel on the go at any one time. As it contains an energising blend of key lime and peppermint, it is supposedly meant to leave you feeling energised and ready to take on the day.

As I mainly have baths at night, I didn't really experience the true energising feeling that it creates when I used this. Although whenever I used it in the mornings, I did definitely feel ready to take on the day and I felt more productive than normal. I found that this lathered up remarkably well and a little certainly does go a long way. Sadly, the scent doesn't last long on the skin which I don't mind as I prefer smelling my body lotion over my shower gel. As a basic, inexpensive shower gel, I recommend this especially if you love citrus scents as much as I do as you wont be disappointed!

Lush Ickle Baby Bot

LUSH ICKLE BABY BOT - £1.95

Sometimes in life, I find that everything gets a little bit too much and nothing is better than a bubble bath. For those particularly stressful days when I know that I will struggle to get to sleep, I like to use something that is lavender based as it is so calming and relaxing. In particular, the Lush Ickle Baby Bot which I pop in my bath.

The Lush Ickle Baby Bot is more geared to those little people that we were all once hence why it looks so cute with his jolly blue face and stumpy little legs. With it smelling mainly of lavender and containing many essential oils, its ingredients have been chosen to be very gentle and soothing on the skin especially when lavender is said to encourage sleepiness which is why its so popular with mums and kids. No matter your age, he will not disappoint in the bath tub as he'll turn the water into the perfect shade of blue whilst fizzing away. Once all fizzed out, the water is left feeling soft and moisturised and you can definitely smell the lavender. I can guarantee that you should feel relaxed after using this ickle baby bot as I certainly do!

Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Scrub

SOAP & GLORY FLAKE AWAY BODY SCRUB - £8

Soap & Glory are one of those brands that can do no wrong - their products are adored by everyone and their pet goldfish and their packaging stands out amongst other bath/shower products. One of the first ever products that I tried from Soap & Glory was a teeny tiny travel sized pot of their infamous Flake Away Body Scrub a few years ago which got me hooked. Fast forward a few years and I've now stockpiled quite a fair few of their products which I'm slowly making my way through so I thought I better start no further than the one item that got me hooked in the first place - their Flake Away Body Scrub.

Unlike other body scrubs, the Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Scrub is a fine, jelly like consistency that is jam packed with gritty particles and oil that helps buff the skin into smoothville. It contains shea butter, sugar and peach seed powder, sea salt, grapeseed and almond oils which makes this body scrub smell simply divine.

I like to scrape out quite a generous amount and buff it into damp skin concentrating on the tops of the arms where I suffer with many lumps and bumps. Once washed off, my skin feels a lot softer than before and smooth to the touch. Whilst it doesn't get rid of all the lumps and bumps, I find that using it continuously over a few weeks gets rid of them entirely. I've noticed that if I don't moisturise after using this, my skin can feeling a little dry and tight so make sure you moisturise after using this!

What is your favourite Soap & Glory Body Scrub?

Botanics All Bright Purifying Face Scrub

BOTANICS ALL BRIGHT PURIFYING FACE SCRUB - £3.99

I know that I shouldn't really be using a facial scrub with beads/crushed walnut shells but sometimes I just really fancy a manual scrub rather than using an exfoliating toner to do the job as I find that a manual scrub leaves my skin feeling thoroughly clean. I only use a manual scrub twice a week and the one that I've been reaching for has been the Botanics All Bright Purifying Face Scrub which I've been using since November.

The Botanics All Bright Purifying Face Scrub is a cleansing scrub that contains refining walnut shell which helps buff away flaky skin whilst the crushed apricot seeds gently sweep away impurities. It also contains hibiscus which is one of nature's brightness boosters as well as natural AHAs which help leave the skin smoother and brighter after every use.

As the face scrub is cream based, I don't personally find it to be abrasive on the skin and instead it feels rather gentle. I like to apply a generous 10p sized piece onto damp skin and buff it in, making sure that I pay extra attention to my jawline, nose and chin. Once I've scrubbed away, I wash it all off with a damp clean muslin cloth ready for the rest of my skincare routine. Whenever I use it, my skin feels a lot smoother and brighter which lasts until the next day or so. As far as gentle, budget facial scrubs go, this is definitely one to try out especially if you suffer with sensitive skin.

Arora Body Butter in Sweet Vanilla

ARORA BODY BUTTER in SWEET VANILLA - £3.99

If you remember my review of the Arora Body Butter in Pink Grapefruit then you will know that I was a big fan of how moisturising it was on my skin. So much so that I decided to try out a different one in the form of Sweet Vanilla. The Arora Body Butter in Sweet Vanilla is both luxurious and moisturising with the sweet fragrance and extract of vanilla and rice milk. It contains nourishing shea butter and glycerin which not only helps to moisturise the skin but makes it feel soft and smooth after massaging it in.

Unlike the Pink Grapefruit, Sweet Vanilla doesn't smell too artificial although I can't actually tell as I love all things vanilla. The difference between the two is that this one literally melts to the touch which makes massaging it into the skin like a dream as it sinks into the skin almost instantly. As it does melt quite easily, I've found that I'm going through it at an alarming rate so I wouldn't be surprised if this features in my next monthly empties post. As much as I do love the scent and how moisturising it is, I doubt I would be repurchasing it purely because I want a body butter/lotion to last a few months with almost daily use instead of having to buy a new one every month.

Have you tried any of the Arora Body Butters?

February Favourites

Thoroughout February, I've found myself reaching more for the No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter which is the perfect candlelit champagney shade which creates the perfect highlighted effect which looks absolutely stunning. I love applying this straight from the bullet to the tops of my cheeks and then blending it in with a blending sponge. As I'm now working more hours at work, I've been getting more stressed which has resulted in quite a few blemishes so I've been concealing them using the 17 Stay Time 18 Hour Concealer. This is quite frankly better than the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer as the shade range is more suited to pale skinned ladies and lasts a long time on the skin without looking cakey. I've been using the shade Extra Fair which is the perfect shade for me.

I've been suffering with quite dry lips throughout February so I've always had a tube or two of the Nivea Essential Care Lipbalm on me which I applying throughout the day to keep my lips moisturised. This is one of my favourite lip balms as it doesn't feel thick on the lips and it lasts for quite a long time. As I'm using public transport daily, I've been reaching for the Wilko Hand Sanitisers to keep any pesky germs and bacteria away. This doesn't dry out the hands after use and it sinks in quickly meaning you can get on with things almost straight away.