Cleansing Balm

Beauty Product Empties 2024

- Vicki Leave a comment

I have quite a few empties I want to tell you about. A few of them are favourites that I always repurchase (products that I know and love) but there are also a couple of new things that have surprised me. So let’s get to it, as there is lots I want to tell you about.

BYOMA now this was a brand that I had been aware of (they are all over social media) and was excited to be sent two of their cleansers, Melting Cleansing Balm* &  Milky Oil Cleanser*. I used them to double cleanse and really liked how they made my skin feel. I would say that if I was to recommend one out of the two, it would be the jelly cleanser, this cleanser contains Byoma’s Barrier Lipid Complex to help strengthen the skin barrier. Its oil-based formula contains moringa seed oil, olive fruit oil and squalane to intensely hydrate and soothe skin without clogging pores or leaving behind an oily residue. It is gentle but a really great at soothing skin and getting rid of the dirt and grime of the day. Have you tried anything from this brand, or do you have your eye on anything?

My favourite Garnier Hydrating Body Lotion is a forever repurchase for me, I hate the feeling of heavy lotions on my body and this one is lightweight but is deeply moisturising. You have silky smooth legs all day with this lotion and the aloe vera makes your skin so soft and over time using it keeps your skin hydrated for longer. You have none of that tacky, greasy feeling. Plus it is affordable, and a bottle lasts for ages. 10/10 love it.

If I could recommend one brand for you to explore it would be Miller Harris, they have a range of the most exquisite, luxurious and timeless fragrances to choose from. I have tried so many of their scents over the past 10 years and I can’t say enough good things about them, I am never brand loyal and usually enjoy trying lots of products but I always, always have a bottle of Miller Harris. I am currently wearing L’Eau Magnetic (a new scent to me) which is a beautiful fresh, zesty and sophisticated Spring perfume. I have also just used up my number one perfume from them, Peau Santal, have repurchased this particular fragrance so many times. It is deep, creamy, woody, and slightly masculine. I adore it!

The woody notes add a real touch of warmth and class, whilst the bergamot and cashmere give it creaminess and class. The pink pepper, amber and vanilla make it modern and very sexy. If you get the opportunity to try out this brand or pop into a store, then you really must, and let me know which one of their perfumes you fall in love with.

No7 Future Renew Night Cream* – the entire future renew collection from No7 is incredible, and I noticed visible improvements in my skin from using it. The night cream is the product I used up first, and I really liked the consistency, it felt nourishing and substantial without feeling heavy and thick. Whilst you sleep, this cream helps reverse uneven skin tone and texture, dryness and loss of elasticity with its line up of skin loving ingredients alongside the peptide blend it has shea butter, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid and an antioxidant blend of vitamin C, E and mulberry extract to help protect the skin and give your skin radiance.

It is great for nourishing skin, reducing fine lines and evening out skin tone. This really is a fantastic night cream and if you’re looking for skincare that targets damage from environmental aggressors and UV, as well as hydrating and replenishing tired skin.

StriVectin Multi-Action Restorative Cream now this is a power house of a moisturiser, it is expensive but absolutely worth every penny. It has been formulated to target the 12 visible signs of ageing

Fine lines, wrinkles, density, firmness, sagging, texture, dehydration, dullness, discolouration, clarity, resilience and enlarged pores.

So quite the all-rounder, if you are looking for a moisturiser that will give you results and are in my age bracket (mid 40s) you will see a huge change in your skin after using this cream. My skin looks refreshed, brighter, and my eye area is noticeably smoother.

If you are not a fan or body lotion / butter, then I highly recommend the L’Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil. This is a very luxurious, smoothing body oil that locks in moisture and leaves your skin feeling hydrated without the heavy feeling of a cream. It is formulated with almond oil, sunflower oil, which are rich in omegas 3 and 6, so it will replenish, hydrate and smooth your skin. Oh, & it smells incredible, very luxurious.

This Time Bomb Funk Off Double Detox Charcoal Mask was a great mask for using after wearing SPF all day. Great at unclogging pores and balancing sebum. Sadly, it seems that Time Bomb as a company are no more, which is sad because I really rated their skincare. If you have any recommendations for other affordable charcoal masks, then please leave them in the comments.

Lumene Quenching Aqua Serum this was a really lightweight serum, and it saved my skin over the Winter. Packed full of hand-picked arctic ingredients that all have specific benefits for your skin. This is a company that uses naturally derived, vegan ingredients so your skin is in good hands.

  • Nordic Red Algae – nourish and hydrate the skin
  • Pure Arctic Spring Water – to increase skin hydration
  • Nordic Birch Sap – to make your skin supple and encourage and cell renewal
  • Hyaluronic Acid – to improve skin hydration and overall glow

StriVectin Anti Wrinkle Cleanser this was a nice cleanser, I didn’t notice any changes in my skin after using it. It was a great gentle cream cleanser, but I wouldn’t say rush out & buy it. I think their moisturisers are a much better place to invest and see results. I always wonder just how good a cleanser can be & when they stop being worth the price tag.

L’Oréal Bond Repair Shampoo* – I love this entire range and have all my family on the hype. It is a range of haircare to help strengthen, repair and give structure to hair that is prone to breakage. If you use heat on your hair regularly or notice breakage when you brush your hair, this entire range is fantastic. It strengthens and restores weak hair as well as giving it a healthy glossy shine. I am also here to say the leave in serum is 10/10 too & I have repurchased it so many times.

L’Oreal Hydra Moisture Boost Shampoo – This is a great range, but I can’t use it too often as it makes my hair a little greasy. If you have more dry hair, it would work really well for you. It does give great volume and bounce, if you have naturally wavy/curly hair. I do like the intense hair mask from this collection as a treat for my hair after I have been swimming or out in the sunshine.

So there you have it, have you used any of the products I have mentioned. Or do you have any recommendations of skincare you have been loving this year, I would love for you to leave me any suggestions in the comments.

Products marked with an * were PR samples. I have not been paid by any brands to mention their products. I have also used affiliate links, of which I would receive a tiny % of any items sold.

5 Favourite Skincare Products from 2013

- Vicki 36 Comments

2013 Skincare favourites

Skincare is my one true love and I am becoming quite the product hoarder. I rummaged through my stash and thought long and hard about my 2013 skincare favourites and I narrowed it down to these 5 products. These are what I’ve not only used the most but that I’ve also gone back to after trying other products.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Nourishing Lip Balm

I’ve been using this lip balm since August and found I can’t live without it. Dramatic but true. This is a pot of very hydrating peach coloured lip balm (its colourless on the lips). I put this on the last thing at night and wake up with what I would describe as soft kissable lips, I also have to have it on my desk whilst working so I can apply it when I feel the need. In fact, thinking about it, this little pot never leaves my side. The one negative is that it is in a pot and not the most hygienic, I do use hand sanitiser before sticking my finger in (germaphobe). The packaging is glass and feels weighty and quite luxurious but I do prefer tubes. £20 for 15ml

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

This is the mask I have used the most often in 2013, I keep it on my bedside table and apply it over my serum and pat it in. It is quite a thick consistency and only needs a small amount, as I find it can be too tacky on my face if I apply too much. It gives me a boost of hydration and makes my skin look plump by morning. It also gives the skin a barrier to help it prevent dehydration. Perfect whilst I have the central heating on full blast. I adore this mask, its results and not forgetting its fruity scent. £22 for 100ml.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Recovery Complex II

I saved for quite a while to treat myself to this wonderful serum and I am so happy I did. This serum makes my skin so happy – that translates to looking younger, fresher, brighter and all importantly well rested. I love the process of using the pipet to dispense the serum, warming it up between my hands and then patting it on my face and neck. It feels cooling on the skin and instantly hydrated. I convinced my mum to invest in this and she is converted and her skin is looking fabulous. This is an investment but one I’m thrilled I made. £65 for 50ml.

Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm*

I’m not going to preach too hard about this wonder product because I have blogged about this Balm so many times. I will say that this almost single-handedly cleared up my blemishes and kept them at bay. This balm as the name suggests melts away makeup and really gives your skin a deep clean. You don’t get that tight skin feeling afterwards, in fact, your skin feels soft and supple. I just love it. It’s a complete bargain too – £14.50 for 100ml.

The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Makeup Remover

This has taken the place of my much repurchased Garnier 2 in 1 makeup remover I’d describe this as a very gentle non-greasy eye makeup remover. I haven’t removed my lip product with it so can’t say how well it performs in that department but as an eye makeup remover it’s very effective. It even removes my Waterproof Covergirl Lash Blast 24 hour Mascara and that’s no mean feat. I want to try more from this Camomile range. £8 for 100ml

So they’re my 5 favourite skincare products of 2013 and apart from the Origins Mask the other 4 products are new discoveries for me in 2013.

Products that are marked with a * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However, if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.