August Empties

I've finished a bottle of the Botanics All Bright Cleansing Toner which I use as a mild exfoliating toner in the morning as it contains natural AHAs which helps leave skin brighter and smoother. This definitely did the trick as my skin looked so much brighter after using it and I've already moved onto my next bottle of this. I've used up another Garnier Simply Essentials Soothing 2-in-1 Makeup Remover which I keep round at Liams' as it removes makeup so well! This will always be repurchased as you can find it often on 2 for £3. I've used up the Soap & Glory Peaches And Clean Cleanser which I did not like using at all but used up just for the sake of using it up as I dislike throwing away half used products. This made my skin worse and I would not recommend it at all. A product known for helping with troubled skin and one that I used up is the Lush Mask Of Magnaminty which I got a few more uses out of despite the use by date being back in June but it smelt/looked perfectly fine. This helped with blemishes as well as helping to prevent them and will definitely be getting repurchased when I'm going through a bad skin phase. I've used up another pack of the No7 Quick Thinking Wipes which are very handy to have nearby especially when you're applying your makeup. I've stocked up on these so I wont be needing to repurchase them anytime soon.

I've used up another bottle of Soap & Glory Clean On Me Shower Gel which I use as a shaving lotion as it helps get a closer shave whilst leaving my legs soft to the touch. I've repurchased this time and time again and always have backups. I've finished the Sanctuary Body Wash which I felt as if I went through far too quickly. Despite this, it did the job well whilst smelling absolutely beautiful and I have another bottle of this to use up. I've used up another Original Source Vanilla & Raspberry Showergel which I always buy when I find it for £1. This smells exactly like milk bottle sweets and it lathers up so well. I've finished up a tub of Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter which has helped keep my body moisturised since America. A little goes a long way with this and I'm so glad that I have another in my stash as I truly can't live without it as it does the job so well as well as smelling so delicious. 

I've used up two packs of the Skin Therapy Large Oval Cotton Wool Pads which feature in every monthly empties post so there's no need to go on about these. I forgot to pack cotton wool pads when I went to York so I had to make do with the Tesco Cotton Wool Oval Pads which did the job okay but were quite expensive for what they are. I've finished up the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer which has been the only primer I've been using recently as it helps give a dewy base whilst making my makeup last longer. I will continue repurchasing this as it is seriously good stuff. Another product that I will continue to repurchase is the 17 Stay Time 18 Hour Concealer as it covers blemishes/scars/everything so well whilst looking natural on the skin. I use the shade Extra Fair which matches me perfectly. I've finished up the YSL Babydoll Mascara that is a very expensive love affair as it made my lashes effortlessly long and full of volume but is too expensive to repurchase on a regular basis unless I find it at a insane price again. A product that I haven't used up but has gone all gloopy is the Sally Hansen Insta-Grip Fast Dry Base Coat which has been the only base coat I've used for months on end. This helped make my nail varnish last longer whilst preventing staining and one that I will repurchase once I've finished up a few more.

I've used up a big bottle of Johnson's Baby Shampoo which I used as a brush shampoo to help clean my makeup brushes. This helped remove all dirt and grime from my brushes as well as leaving them clean. As it is cheap as chips its no wonder why many beauty bloggers use this. I've finished up another bottle of Boots Build Up Removal Shampoo which I use every Sunday without fail to remove any product build up that may have built up during the week from various products. This leaves my hair feeling really clean and will forever be repurchased. Lastly, I've used up another Femfresh Daily Intimate Wash which is a product that every female should have and should be using on a regular basis.

August Love Me Beauty Box

After the July Love Me Beauty Box success at being worth over £70, the folks at Love Me Beauty decided to tone it down slightly and offer four full size products across the board which all slightly vary from menu to menu. This month, I opted for menu one purely because I would get more wear out of the lip liner included.

The first product that caught my eye and the whole reason for choosing this menu is the Mirabella Lip Luster Liner in Bashful (£10.50) which is a beautiful purple toned pink. Mirabellas' Lip Lusters all contain aloe vera that help keeps lips soft and make applying more comfortable. It also creates a sheer base that it easy to blend and layer whilst being long wearing which you can top up with a matching lipgloss.

I've become inundated with eyeshadows recently and I don't even wear them that often so the Marsk Mineral Eye Shadow in You're Toast (£14.49) is one that will be getting pushed to the back of my vanity at the moment despite it being such a stunning shade. It's a beautiful champagne rose gold shade that looks like it could be a dupe for Stila's Kitten. Sadly, this is a mineral eye shadow which means that it can get rather messy so I may consider pressing it into a pan at some point.

Despite being only twenty, I've started amping up the anti-ageing products so the Oriflame Ecollagen Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream (£16.95) is a welcome addition to my stash! It's a rollerball format that is ideal for everyday use, even more so during the summer as you can pop it into the fridge before using to truly benefit from it. This is enriched with plant stem cell extract which helps to stimulate collagen producting and re-plump wrinkles from within.

The last product included in my box is the A La Carte Smudge-Proof Eyebrow Define in Blonde (£23) which sadly is too light for my brows but I can make it work by applying something darker over the top or using it as a liquid liner. None the less, it is a skinny tip pen that is ideal for drawing on individual hairs that it water-based and smudge-proof whilst looking completely natural.

Overall, this box is worth a astonishing £64.94 which makes it definitely worth the £10 + £2.95 P+P monthly subcription fee. I'm hoping that next months doesn't include any more eyeshadows or eye creams as I'm feeling swamped in them at the moment!

August Birchbox Review

Birchbox are really having some very good beauty box months and this months certainly doesn't disappoint! Just like with the previous month being based on sun, sea and sand; this months theme is travel with all the products being enclosed in a cute, little travel friendly bag that is perfect for using on the plane.

After seeing spoilers, I was hoping I would get the sample of the Nude ProGenius Treatment Oil and I'm so glad that I did as I've been dying to try it for ages! This little 5ml sample worth £9.60 promises to transform your skin overnight and give your skin a lumunious glow which lasts all day. I would never splash out £58 for a 30ml facial oil although if the results are that good then I may have to take back this statement.

A product that caught me eye and one that I'm excited about using is the Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator Exfoliating Cleanser which is enriched with papaya, micro-crystals and aloe. Apparently you can use this up to five times a week which in turn transforms your skin into looking and feeling softer, younger and brighter. The full size of this is £26 for what I believe is 120ml making this generous 20g sample worth roughly £4.33.

I've never tried anything from Wild About Beauty so I'm glad that I received a full size crème eyeshade in the shade 03 Buster (£13) This is a cream to powder formula in the most beautiful golden bronze shade which requires no brushes as it's so easy to apply and blend. I can't wait to apply this for when I'm next out on the town!

A product that I'm not too crazy about is a 30ml sample of N.4 Lumiere D'Hiver Super Comb Prep & Protect worth £3. I think it is essentially a primer for your hair where it protects from UV damage whilst hydrating, repairing and detangling spray. I think this will be getting packed away and brought out next summer as I'll hopefully be going back to America for my 21st.

Lastly, I recieved two 3ml samples of Supergoop! CC Cream Daily Correct Light to Medium SPF35. I never truly caught onto the whole CC trend but I'm definitely willing to try these out. Apparently, they're self-adjusting shades to match your skin perfectly all with the added bonus of SPF35 so I can't wait to try these out and see if they truly match me perfectly. These two samples are worth £4.55 each.

In addition to the products and the travel size bag, there is a sample chapter of The Proposal by Tasmina Perry which I think I may have to buy the book as it sounds really good after reading the sample chapter. Overall, this box is worth a little over £39 which is very good value for money especially when it's only £10 + £2.95 P+P for the month. I can't wait to see what Birchbox includes in next months as I bet it will be along the themes of back to school or something similar..

Argan Oil Hair Treatment

Earlier on in the year, I bought a few products from my local 99p store which included the Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner as well as the matching hair mask. I also bought the Argan Oil Hair Treatment to use alongside the matching products to truly put the range to test. I've been using this every time I've washed my hair since April and I'm finally getting round to reviewing it.

The Argan Oil Hair Treatment (£3.35) is a intensive hydrating treatment that repairs and rejuvenates hair to leave it shiny, smooth and healthy whilst giving it some much needed nourishment. It's been specially formulated using oil from the fruit of the Argan Tree and is enriched with vitamin E that helps protect the hair whilst adding shine and reducing frizz.

Unlike other hair oils, the Argan Oil Hair Treatment has a rather deceiving name as it's actually a hair oil rather than a treatment like a mask. Since using this for the past four months, I've noticed that I haven't suffered with quite as many split ends which has resulted in getting barely anything cut off at the hair dressers. I've also noticed that despite it being very light weight in texture, you do run the risk of applying too much due to the pour style bottle which means that you can end up with greasy hair which has happened to me numerous times. Whilst it claims to be a intensive hydrating treatment, I don't personally think it's all that hydrating as I've found that my hair can feel dry especially on the ends even after applying this. Overall, this is a good budget hair oil if you're just starting out with hair oils but I would definitely recommend trying out the VO5 Miracle Hair Concentrate as it's just so much better.

Samples I've Used Up 014

I've used up the Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Facial Towelettes which I received back in the April Birchbox which I then took with me to America. I quite liked these as they were the perfect travel size and were rather refreshing. I have since purchased three more packs of these just to take with me on the go as I haven't suffered any reactions to them unlike most. I've finished up a sample of the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair II which I do own in full size but have a lot of facial oils to be use up before I crack it open. I found that it made my skin appear more radiant in the morning which is surprising as its a rather weird consistency.

I've used up another sample of the Lancome Visonnaire Advanced Skin Corrector which helped make my skin feel a lot softer and reduced the appearance of uneven texture on my cheeks. Whilst I do like what it does for my skin, I won't buy it in full size as I've discovered something which is essentially the same just a lot cheaper. Finally, I've used up a pot of The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector which I absolutely hated the scent of but found that it did wonders for my feet. It helped keep them moisturised and soft all day long. I may consider buying this in the full size for the sole purpose of using it on my feet but I've got too many foot creams to use and not enough feet.

Taylor Swift Perfume Pencils

A product that I think the UK seriously lacks in are travel sized fragrances of either the rollerball or spritz variety. There have been many of times when I've needed a small sized fragrance for a weekend away or a summer break abroad but the thought of smashing/loosing/taking a full sized scares me due to the fact that they are expensive to replace.

Whilst in Walmart in America, I noticed that they stocked solid perfume pencils so I decided to take full advantage and buy three in different scents. Sadly, the only ones they had to offer were all by Taylor Swift in Wonderstuck, Wonderstruck Enchanted and Taylor ($9.47) but they are nice fragrances none the less. These are extremely handy as you simply draw it on wherever you need it and simply rub it in slightly whilst on the go. I've kept the Wonderstruck one in my bag for when I'm on the go and I'm forever using it especially when I can no longer smell the fragrance I had sprayed that morning. I'm hoping that when I go again next year, there will be a bigger variety of scents so that I can have some of my favourites in smaller travel friendly sizes.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Radiance Reveal Foundation

My love for the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation has been well documented and it's definitely one of my holy grail products that I simply cannot be without. I decided to branch out and try the Radiance Reveal version instead when I ran out purely because the blogger in me wanted a new foundation to try instead of repurchasing the original. Fast forward a few months and its been love ever since.

The Bourjois Healthy Mix Radiance Reveal Foundation (£9.99) comes in eight different shades and promises to give the skin a radiance boost whilst providing a flawless finish which lasts for up to sixteen hours. It comes housed in exactly the same packaging as the serum version - a glass bottle with a red pump which makes dispensing the product rather easy as well as knowing when you're about to run out.

Just like the serum version, this feels very light weight on the skin and blends in nicely. I've noticed that whilst the Radiance Reveal version, my skin looks more radiant once I've finished blending and buffing it all in. It somehow makes my skin appear more luminious and dewy without looking oily or shiny which can sometimes happen with radiance boosting products. I wouldn't necessarily say that this is full coverage as it doesn't cover up everything straight away but it can be built up to give a flawless finish which would definitely appeal to most. As I don't use powder much unless it's hot outside, I can easily get about six-ish hours wear out of this which is roughly how long I wear a full face of makeup for anyway so I bet with powder, it would last even longer. I definitely prefer the Radiance Reveal version over the Serum purely because of how radiant it makes my skin look whilst wearing and it costs exactly the same. If you're in the market for a radiance boosting foundation then I urge you to try this one as you won't regret it!

What is your holy grail foundation?

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter

I'm a big fan of Soap & Glory bathing products and will always have a few of their products in my stash, fact. Recently, I've found myself feeling a little swamped in body moisturisers so I've made it my mission to start using a few up one of which is the Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter which is definitely one of their most raved about products.

The Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter (£10.50) is definitely one of those products at the higher price spectrum of drugstore products however is it most certainly worth the price tag. For starters, it smells of their original pink fragrance which is absolutely heavenly - if you've smelt this then you'll definitely agree! It contains softening shea butter and aloe vera which helps make this one very moisturising yet slightly addictive body butter. 

I like to apply this the minute I've dried my skin and I prefer to apply a lot and really spend my time, massaging it all in. As it is such a velvety, creamy texture, it sinks into the skin quickly and leaves the skin feeling extremely soft and moisturised which lasts for hours after applying it. Sadly, I find that I go through this far too quickly as one tub only lasts a month which is probably because I tend to apply a lot but as it's always on 3 for 2, I don't mind buying it frequently. Overall, this is a brilliant body butter and I recommend it to anybody who has dry skin or is looking for a very moisturising body butter.

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pads

Out of all the items I brought with me to America, mainly crumpets and golden syrup for my Grandma, I only brought a handful of skincare products and plenty of samples with the rest being bought out there as everything works out to be so much cheaper on the exchange rate. One of the selected few full sizeproducts that I packed were the Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pads (£12.99 for 60) which I used as my exfoliating toner whilst out there.

The Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pads are essentially 60 pads soaked in a exfoliating concoction of glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid and blue daisy which helps to boost the skins radiance whilst exfoliating and resurfacing the skin to reveal brighter and smoother looking skin. When I first started using these, I found that the pads were very flimsy and I felt that they would fall apart the minute I started to use one. Fast forward a few months and I couldn't be without them.

These pads aren't a miracle worker as they wont show instant results overnight but definitely over time, you will a small improvement. I've noticed that since using these, my skin looks a lot smoother than before as I don't seem to have quite as many small lumps and bumps all over my face. I've also noticed that these work extremely well with getting rid of blemishes as it contains witch hazel which is widely known for clearing up blemishes as well as preventing them. Ideally, you would use these twice a day, everyday but for some that may be too much especially if you have sensitive so I would suggest starting out using these every other night or so and increasing or decreasing how you see fit.

 

Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls Highlighter in Translucent Pearl

Like many beauty bloggers, it appears I have an abundance of products namely foundations, bronzers and highlighters being amongst my favourites to buy. In my defense, they are all different shades i.e. for when I'm tanned, special occasions, different shades etc. Out of all the products I bought in America, the one product that I've been reaching for daily has been the Physicians Formula Minerl Glow Pearls Highlighter in Translucent Pearl ($12.67) which has definitely seen better days.

Unlike most highlighers, the Physicians Formula offering creates a skin perfecting luminious glow that looks absolutely stunning on all skin tones. Used sparingly and it can be used as a setting powder to create a similar effect of those infamous Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders or applied heavily on the tops of the cheekbones for a real glow. I prefer the latter of the two purely because I believe that there is no such thing of too much highlighter especially when you can blend and buff to your hearts desire. 

For the record, I would say that this is the powder version of my beloved No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter as it's a truly stunning pink champagne shade that looks iridescent when the light hits it. I find that this lasts on my skin all day just not looking quite as intense as it first did when I apply it. If you're looking for a good highlighter and are going to the states anytime soon, then I would highly suggest that you invest in this as I could easily see this lasting a couple years or so even with everyday use. If not, then Physicians Formula are launching in the UK although they haven't quite released a launch date as of yet..

YSL Babydoll Mascara

Have you ever wanted to own something from a brand but never really wanted to splash the cash? I've felt like this towards YSL for ages however that has since changed after I found a discounted Babydoll set in my local Boots in January for a insane price of £9! It seemed criminal not to pick it up at that price if you ask me!

The YSL Babydoll Mascara (£24.50) comes housed in their same iconic gold tube with an added red babydoll scrawl.The brush itself is rather thin compared to others and is chunky with the head at a slight angle. It has an alternating mix of wide set bristles with finer ones which helps magnify and coat the lashes whilst defining even the shortest of lashes. I find the best way to use this is by starting at the root and wiggling it in in a gentle zig-zag like motion towards the ends of the lashes which creates the effect of false lash effect lashes.

I've been reaching for this on a daily basis for a few months now and it is most definitely love with every use. It seperates my lashes whilst giving length and volume which is what I tend to look for in a mascara. I find that it keeps its curl even after a long day at work which is definitely a bonus! Whilst I do love it, I won't be repurchasing it unless I find it again at another insane price as it does seem rather barbaric to repurchase it when I know that there are other mascaras out there that do pretty much the exact same albeit not in the same luxe packaging..

Soap & Glory Peaches & Clean Cleanser

I must confess and admit that I've never tried Soap & Glory skincare. It's either because I feel that a body care brand can't have a good skincare line or because their products seem a little overpriced for what they actually are. Either way, I received their Peaches And Clean Deep Purifying Cleanser in their Soap & Glory The Yule Monty gift set that I treated myself to at Christmas and it's taken me until now to actually try it.

The Soap & Glory Peaches And Clean Cleanser (£8) is a 3-in-1 cleanser aimed to all skin types. It's a wash-off, deep purifying cleanser that contains a special de-clogging t-zone formula with extracts of peaches and gojuice and oxyginseng technology.

Whilst many people seem to rave about this cleanser, I personally hate it. I find that the consistency is a cross between a cleansing milk and a cleansing lotion which means that it's runny but not too runny that it goes everywhere. Unlike other cleansers where they have a slight scent to them, this is strongly scented of artificial minty peaches that whilst it is pleasant, it may be a concern to those with sensitive skin despite the cleanser itself being aimed to all skin types. I've noticed that when I use this, my skin feels a little tight which I believe is down to either the ingredients or my skin being sensitive to it or both. I find that whilst it does leave my skin clean, it doesn't feel like I've truly cleansed it as my skin just doesn't have that certain cleansed glow we all get after a thorough cleanse, which makes me question whether this cleanser is as deep purifying as it claims to be. In a bid to use it up completely which sadly you cant due to a packaging flaw (pump not long enough) my skin has really taken a turn for the worse which I think is definitely down to this and not my three chocolate bar a day addiction.. This truly is one of the worst cleansers I've used and if I ever receive another one in a gift, I will be passing onto a friend who surprisingly enough loves it.

Have you tried this?

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor

Recently, I've found myself in a little hair rut as I'm currently in that meh mood where I feel that my hair is looking a little dull and needs changing dramatically. After getting my hair highlighted slightly so that my accidental ombre blends in nicely, my hair has felt a little drier than normal which when paired with using heat on a daily basis means that it needs something drastic to overcome this sudden dry phase. The Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor (£4.99) is exactly what the doctor ordered to help manage my dry, lacklustre locks.

It is enriched with extract of Australian Balm Mint which helps smooth split ends and roughed hair cuticles and help help transform dull hair into more manageable and shinier locks within a few minutes. I use this every Sunday without fail as a more intensive treatment especially after using heat all week and I find that my hair feels and looks more healthier. The ends don't feel as dry as they did and I have a natural shine to it which rivals most. Despite it being a deep conditioner, I don't find that it weighs my hair down so you could use this on a daily basis if your hair is rather damaged. Just like with other Aussie products, this doesn't disappoint and will definitely be repurchasing this time and time again.

Favourite Concealers

 
I like to consider myself a concealer junkie as I have many for different things i.e. highlighting dark circles, concealing blemishes etc. I've definitely tried my fair share of concealers and have found myself remaining loyal to a select trio that I reach for on a daily basis.

The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles (£7.99) is a new addition to my stash and one that I've had on my wishlist for the longest time. It's a sponge style concealer which isn't the most hygenic of all applicators but is definitely one that makes it stand out more. As it's essentially a highlighting concealer, the colour itself is more of a peachy pink shade that certainly highlights dark circles and reduces the appearance of them.

If I have any blemishes or scarring, I tend to reach for the Seventeen Stay Time Concealer (£4.49) which by far knocks the cult Collection 2000 offering out the ball park. This is a full coverage concealer that works quickly to cover up anything and everything. Despite it being full coverage, it feels very light weight on the skin and is creamy to the touch which makes blending it in rather easy. I find that their shade range is a bit off as Extra Fair matches me perfectly opposed to Fair. 

Once I've finished my base, I like to apply the Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer (£7.99) under my eyes to help highlight the area that little bit more as well as give some extra coverage. I've never tried the original Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation but after using this for well over a year, I think I may just have to buy it. Unlike the other two, this concealer comes housed in a squeezy tube where you run the risk of squeezing out far too much which happens far too frequently for my liking. For reference, I use the shade 51 which runs slightly orange compared to their foundations in the same shade. 

What are your favourite concealers?

Sanctuary Body Wash

If like me you have back ups of back ups then you call feel my pain when you feel swamped with products. In a bid to reduce my uncontrollable stash, I've been trying to use up a certain amount of products before I allow myself to buy more although that is a lot easier said than done especially with the offers that Boots seem to have on everything at the moment. I received the Sanctuary Body Wash in their Top To Toe Glow Pamper Tin back at Christmas and I've finally dug it out and started using it.

The Sanctuary Body Wash (£5.50) contains a revitalising blend of essential oils and spices which helps cleanse and refresh the skin whilst teeny tiny capsule beads filled with jojoba oil and sesame burst on the skin, adding some much needed nourishment for a silky smooth finish. On first appearances, it doesn't look like anything special as the product comes housed in a clear pour style bottle where you run the risk of pouring either too much or too little.

When I first used this, I couldn't get over the scent as it smells absolutely beautifully which is definitely down to the blend of essential oils and spices. Whilst it doesn't lather up quite as much as other shower gels, it does leave your skin feeling silky soft and clean. The scent lingers on your skin for a little while after using so if you don't like that then this may not be up your street. Despite it being housed in quite a large container, it doesn't last as long so you may end up going through this quite quickly which may be an issue as it does seem rather pricey for a shower gel. I quite like using this but I can't see myself splashing out for it as there are better shower gels out there for a fraction of the price.

July Favourites

Just like many beauty bloggers, I seem to have too many foundations so in a bid to use a few up, I've been mixing a few together. My favoured duo has been the Bourjois Healthy Mix Radiance Reveal mixed with the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation. These two together gives the perfect dewy finish with the right amount of coverage which has made me question why I hate the Laura Mercier offering so much especially when I've been receiving so many compliments on my base. Will a repurchase be in the near future?

As we all love a little dewiness, I've been using the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer as both a primer and a highlighter which gives off the most perfect amount of lit from within glow which has resulted in me stocking up on a few on a recent offer. In order to apply all three products, I've been using the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge which has made my foundation brushes bite the dust, literally. I use this to apply all my base products and the finish it gives makes me question why I even bother buying foundation brushes when I can buy a few more of these.

It's been getting a little warm in the UK recently so I've been upping my hydrating and as well as ensuring I drink more water than normal, I'm making a conscious effort to use Hydraluron  to keep my skin hydrated. This is quite literally the best thing since sliced bread as it increases your skin hydration due to it containing pure hyaluronic acid that can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water and essentially acts like a magnet with your moisturiser of choice. My last favourite of the month has been La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ which has been helping with my sudden breakout from all these sugary treats I've been letting myself have. It helps heal existing blemishes whilst preventing new ones all whilst treating existing scarring. Which makes this the perfect product to have especially when you suffer with acne/blemishes.