Products I've Used Up- Skincare | November 2015

Today, we'll be having a rummage through my empties to see what I've used up lately and give mini reviews on each of them. I was going to do a collective empties post, however I found I had a lot of skincare products and I didn't want to make this post too long so i'm going to do separte ones- the other will be coming soon but lets get on with it and show you what I've used up and what I thought of them.

Garnier Moisture Matte Moisturiser

This is my favourite drugstore moisturiser. I've repurchased this many of times and I will continue to, I have no doubt you've probably seen this on my blog before. It's super hydrating, sinks into the skin quickly and stays matte so my face doesn't look like an oil slick.

L'Occitane Pivoine Sublime Cream 

I saw that L'Occitane were doing skincare trials where you could get a 7 day free sample tailored to your skins needs. This claimed to help with colour correcting and hydration. As this was only a 7 day sample, I can't say I noticed any colour correction, however my skin felt well hydrated and smooth. This seems like a good moisturiser but for the price tag of £32, I'll stick to my Garnier Moisture Matte mentioned previously.

Origins Ginzing Moisturiser

This is another product that was raved about so I thought I'd give it a go. I have a deluxe sample which I got from a gift set. I actually did a full review on the set, here. 

I did like this moisturiser, it was light, sank into the skin quickly but it's supposed to 'wake up your skin' but I still found mine looked pretty dull after using this. Considering it's price tag, I won't be repurchasing this.

Origins Night-A-Mins Moisturiser

This one also came as part of the set. I'd never properly used a night cream before so I was looking forward to try this. This was really hydrating, sank in quickly and left my skin feeling super soft and plump in the morning. I've noticed a big difference in my skin since I finished this, my skin has been a little dry in places and I've been breaking out. It might not be, but I'm pretty sure it's down to this. It's a little pricey which is why I haven't repurchased it yet but I definitely will after Christmas.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Day Moisturiser

I love the Vitamin E range, I think it'd be perfect for those with normal/combination skin. This moisturiser is light and hydrating. It also smells really nice too. I'd definitely think about buying this again!

The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser

Another from the Vitamin E range. This is a light, gentle cleanser that I used as a second cleanse after taking my makeup off. This left my skin feeling refreshed, soft and hydrated. I loved taking this off with a hot muslin cloth. Another I would consider purchasing!

Soap and Glory Hot Pore Cleanser

Apparently this is similar to the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, one I've been wanting to try for a while. This again is good for a second cleanse as it's deep cleaning and really gets into the pores. This would be great for a pamper night, it has such a relaxing scent and feels like a luxury product. I'm unsure whether I'll be picking this up before I try the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish but I'll let you know I'm sure.

Simple Soothing Facial Toner

This was the first toner I had used in a long while and I must admit I did enjoy using it. As it's Simple the ingredients are very natural therefore it should be kind to the skin and would be great for anyone with super sensitive skin. In comparison to the current toner I'm using, I much prefer this one so I would buy this again. I've seen Simple have a pore minimising toner too so I must give that a go!

Garnier and Boots Botanics Micellar Cleansing Water

I've gone through a good few bottles of the Garnier Micellar Water as I love it. I got a bit bored so thought I'd try another. Although the Botanics one is good, I found I needed a lot more to break down my makeup. I also found the Botanics one left my eyes a little bit sore afterwards where as the Garnier one is so gentle and kind on the eyes. I'll definitely be repurchasing the Garnier one!

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo

Has anyone else spotted those little baskets in Boots in the skincare section with samples of products to try? I always pick them up. This was one of them! This was a highly raved about product so I knew I had to try it. It's supposed to help with blemishes to reduce the size/appearance of them and to help reduce the appearance of spot scars. I did use this all up but it didn't make much of a difference, I'm so disappointed! I definitely won't be buying this. Have you tried it?

Soap and Glory Hand Food and Heel Genius Foot Cream

Hand Food is definitely a well loved product in the blogging world. I don't  love it nor hate it. This again has the typical Soap and Glory scent, it's hydrating and softening but I find it leaves a greasy residue on my hands which I don't enjoy. This isn't a bad product and if I was gifted it again, I would use it- probably before I go to sleep though.

I'd not heard much about the Heel Genius Foot Cream but I was willing to give it a go. This has more of a minty scent which is nice and refreshing. I pop this on after I've showered and put socks straight on to lock it in and let it sink in. I will repurchase this once I've finished the bottle I'm currently using- it makes my feet so soft! If you've got any beach holidays coming up, I'd definitely recommend this to soften the skin so they look good in sandals!

Well, that was a strange one to end on- i'm sorry! Haha! These are the products I've used up recently, there are a few repurchases and a few misses. Let me know if you've tried any of these products below in the comments and what you thought of them! I'll be back on Wednesday with a little update!

WHAT PRODUCTS HAVE YOU FINISHED LATELY?

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My Makeup Collection | 2015

I'm sure like many others, I love to be nosey! I love makeup too, so one of my favourite kind of posts to read and videos to watch are makeup collections! Seeing as I didn't post earlier in the week, I thought i'd make it up to you(sorta) and let you rummage around my makeup collection. In comparison to other beauty bloggers and vloggers, personally I don't think I have that much. However, it is more than enough to get by but i'll still continue to buy more.

 I decided to focus on the makeup that I wear most often that sits on my dressing table, however if you read til the end you'll be able to have a quick look at the rest of my makeup in my drawers.

I store my makeup in this lovely white storage shelf from a shop called Store Twenty One which I bought last year, however if you search 'white desk organiser' you will find similar, here and here. 

At the top of my storage, there are three back sections where I keep a few of my favourite bases(L'Oreal True Match: review here, Rimmel Match Perfection and the L'Oreal Glam Bronze Eau de Soleil), some tools and lipsticks- would you like to see a lipstick collection? Then in front is a little ledge where I store some small moisturisers/bases.

There is also a large drawer at the bottom which is where I store the rest of my most used makeup from primers, to mascaras and lipsticks. I must admit, there isn't an order in here and it's never usually this neat- once used, I tend to just throw it back in as i'm on a tight schedule most mornings.

Here I've got stacked the MUA Pressed Powder which I use for bronzing, a Sleek Blush in Rose Gold, the Seventeen Phwoarr Paint Concealer and finally on top is a Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Pink Gold.

To the side I've got a couple of Avon Colour Trend lipsticks, Rimmel Fix and Perfect Primer which I am scraping the bottle of, Benefit Porefessional Primer, an Avon Pressed Powder and then on top is some foundation which I decanted to take away with me. (Note to self: use up!)

Then onto the eyes section of the drawer. The mascaras I have in here are Maybelline One By One, Collection Lengthening Mascara and Benefit Roller Lash. 

I also have a couple of brow products which are Soap and Glory Brow Archery in Brownie Points and the Maybelline Brow Drama Setting Gel.

Here is another concealer which is the much loved Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer and finally I have the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Yogurt.

I keep my most used palettes in this pink pot, they're W7 In The Buff which is a dupe of Urban Decay's Naked 2 Palette, you can see a review here. I also have the MUA Heaven and Earth Palette, such pretty nudes, browns and a few coppery shades.

To the side I keep my brushes in a floral mug, if you'd like to see my most used brushes you can see my posts on them here and here. In front I have this little dish from H&M Home with pretty lashes on. Here I store anything and everything, a couple of autumnal nail varnishes, kirby grips, the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, a necklace and my watch!

The rest of my makeup and beauty products are kept in another few drawers in my room. 

I split my makeup into sections, you know most people buy Muji storage? I use takeaway tubs, haha! They worked a treat. Here I have a selection of bases, eye products, eye shadow palettes and singles and finally a bunch of lip products!

I hope you enjoyed rummaging through my makeup collection. I must admit this didn't turn out as I would've hoped, not everyone has a sleek white dressing table- mine is covered in marks from makeup which is why I decided to photograph the majority of my collection on the floor, I hope you don't mind!

HOW DO YOU STORE YOUR MAKEUP?

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July 2015 Empties | Shower, Skincare and More!

Empties posts are a bit of a weird one, it's essentially me routing through my rubbish and reviewing it. However, I find empties post really interesting as you basically get a full review on a product, whether its worth repurchasing and the bottom line of whether to try it or not. So yes, recently I have been hoarding my rubbish in order to share with you my thoughts.

Shower products seem to be the things that get used up the quickest as obviously I wash every day. 

First up I have samples of the Philip Kingsley Moisture Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner. I must admit, these were nothing to shout about, they felt a little rubbery when applying and didn't do anything spectacular to my hair- so these are not something i'd pick up again. 

Lush American Cream Conditioner

Lush is well-known for being cruelty-free, most products suitable for vegans and of course their amazing range of products. I hadn't tried a Lush conditioner before this one, I liked this but again it didn't do anything amazing to my hair. I mean it felt soft after washing once dry but I didn't see any dramatic changes. If I bought this again, it would be for the scent but there are lots of other conditioners I've heard that are great from Lush so this doesn't put me off.

Argan Oil Hydrating Hair Mask

I picked this up in a bargain shop, B&M or something but i'm almost sure they also do these in pound stores. I bought this when I felt my hair could do with treating, my hair was dry and probably quite damaged from not using heat protector(don't worry, I use it now). It is suggested you leave this on for 7-10 minutes but if i'm honest, I didn't. I used this once a week after shampooing instead of a conditioner and it definitely made my hair feel softer and look smooth. I probably would've got much better results if I left it on for the suggested amount of time, so i'd definitely give this a whirl again.

Soap and Glory Scrub of your Life and Clean on Me Shower Gel

Both of these are repurchases so need I say more? I believe I've spoken about both of these here on my blog and the scrub is my favourite, the shower gel lasted me a little over a year so you're definitely getting your moneys worth!

The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Shower Gel

I didn't think i'd find a shower gel that I love equally as much as Clean on Me but I have. I hate the taste of grapefruit but I love the scent. This shower gel is perfect for morning showers as it smells so fresh and invigorating, it'll definitely wake you up!

It usually takes me a good while to use up skincare, most of it gets used twice a day but you don't need a lot.

Another one I've mentioned previously on my blog and was in my last empties, here. It's the Garnier Micellar Water, I've not tried that many micellar waters but this was the first I tried and loved so I've always gone back to it. It's so affordable and you get a lot in the bottle.

Vichy Purete Thermale 3 in 1 One Step Cleanser (1. Cleansing Milk 2. Toner 3. Eye Makeup Remover)

Here I've got another sample which lasted me about six months, not bad going huh? I didn't use this daily but I did use this when I couldn't be bothered to first use micellar cleansing water and then cleanse again. This is quite a liquid-y cream formula which can be applied all over the face to remove face and eye makeup and it did a good job! Though this is considered high-end, it isn't the most expensive therefore I would repurchase it as it'd be good for travelling rather than taking three separate products.

Aveeno Cream with Natural Colloidal Oatmeal

Towards the end of last year, I started to suffer with extremely dry, itchy and flaky skin around my eyes. Still to this day I have no idea how it came about but I was starting to feel so self-conscious about it, my eyes were always pinky/red and I could barely apply any concealer as it clung on to the dryness/flakes. Nice, not.

I decided to pop into Boots and ask at the pharmacy if they had any suggestions, I was convinced it was a form of eczema so she suggested this and gave me a free sample. If I could remember her name and what she looked like i'd go back and thank her because my eyes were back to normal within a few days. I'm scared to be without this now so I've repurchased the full-size. I'd recommend it to anyone that suffers with dry skin or eczema.

I Love...Coconut and Cream Body Butter

This came in a gift set I had for my birthday. I'd seen a lot of I Love... products but had never actually tried any myself so I was excited to give this again. It smelt amazing though I think it would be a little sickly for some people. I did manage to use all this up and I didn't love it nor hate it. I wouldn't rush back to repurchase this again but I definitely wouldn't write it off.

Lip balms

I don't think i've every fully used up a lip balm, I always used to loose them so to finish three in such a short space of time was weird. None of these have brands so I believe they may have again been from a bargain store, they were alright but nothing to shout about.

Other

Sanex Dermo Invisible Roll On and Sure Compressed Aloe Vera Deodorant

I've definitely gone through more deodorants but if I showed them all they'd probably make up half of the post themselves. I decided to opt for something more eco-friendly this time, both of them are actually. I've come to the conclusion that I much prefer roll-ons FYI.

And last but not least, Avon Anti-Rub Stick

This thing has saved my feet from the crippling blisters that come from wearing new shoes. I simply pop this on where I find shoes tend to rub, put my shoes on and most of the time i'm blister free. This helped me break in my Topshop Skater Shoes that killed my feet the first time wearing them. I recently ran out of this and I've already got my repurchase on the go.

That's it for my empties! To save or not to save my rubbish next time? Haha!

Have you got any product recommendations?

Let me know!

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