empties

October 2018 Product Empties

- Vicki Leave a comment
October Empty Beauty Products 2018

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

I really like DHC skincare & this cleanser is up there in my top 5 skincare products, I’ve used this cleansing oil for years and have found nothing removes my makeup quite as effectively. It melts away even stubborn mascara and removes lip-stains with gentle ease. I like to spend time really massaging it into my skin which is a great way to give yourself a mini at home facial (oils are so good to use as they make massaging the skin super easy). It is a good cleanser for protecting skin against environmental aggressors, is extremely gentle and leaves no greasy residue behind (which a lot of oil-based cleansers do). If you haven’t already tried this you really need to.

  • Olive oil – Rich in antioxidants, it helps fight damage caused by free radicals without clogging pores
  • Rosemary leaf oil – Extracted from the leaves of the plant, it contains invigorating properties and imparts a refreshing scent.

The Ordinary Buffet

I always feel like a scientist when I use products from DECIEM as they all come in very scientific looking bottles with intelligent sounding names & most of them have you dispensing the product using a dropper, I love it! I do use quite a lot of The Ordinary products in my skincare routine – I just love the affordable price point and I see real results in my skin. I have used up their Buffet this month and this is a serum that I really miss when I don’t have it in my skincare routine. It appears to be nothing special but let me tell you it is a wonderful serum with a multitude of benefits.  This Peptide Serum is designed to tackle the signs of ageing and includes some really effective anti ageing ingredients including hyaluronic acid and Matrixyl 3000 (which is an anti-wrinkle peptide).

This serum is plumping, nourishing and will diminish those fine lines. I use this daily and love how lightweight it is on my skin. It is a great product to layer other skincare on top of and I think it is a must-have product for anyone worried about fine lines and a dull looking complexion. It is so affordable that you need to add it into your routine.

October Empty Beauty Products 2018

Hand Chemistry Pro Repair Skincare

I suffer terribly from dry hands and find that a lot of hand creams just put a greasy layer of cream on my hands but they never feel nourished and 10 minutes later they’re dry again. That was not true of this one from Hand Chemistry – this is so good at keeping my hands feeling supple and hydrated whilst the skin looks smooth and bright. I also like how it helps improve skin tone on your hands. It is a gem of a hand cream and I always have a 30ml one in my handbag & the 100ml one by my bedside.

Korres Black Pine Anti Wrinkle Serum

Although this serum had quite a sticky consistency and I wasn’t a big fan of that, I did like the results I saw from using it. I felt it really helped my skin look more firm, feel plump and hydrated whilst looking less tired. It contains some fantastic skin loving, anti ageing ingredients,

  • BLACK PINE EXTRACT & EPIGALLOCATECHIN Protects and strengthens connective tissue, firms and boosts connective tissue’s resilience, has strong anti-inflammatory properties combined with exceptional firming action as well as protecting against free radicals and collagenases.
  • HEXAPEPTIDE 11 THE 1ST NATURAL POLYPEPTIDE: Strong firming action, skin elasticity increase.
  • ACTIVE AGENT DERIVED FROM FERMENTED BLACK TEA: Restores the ‘volume’ of the skin, while providing radiance and luminosity, thus improving the overall appearance of the skin.
  • NATURAL OLIGOSACCHARIDES: Enhance elastin and natural hyaluronic acid synthesis and improve skin resilience.

Although I wouldn’t rush out & repurchase this serum again, I really did like it and if you’re 40+ you will really see the benefits. This product lasted me for almost a year and that was using it 3 times a week.

NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 1.00%

Another product from the DECIEM group and this is an interesting one as it is a product that really encourages your skins ongoing health and wellbeing. It promotes your skin to be the best it can be. When I use this my skin is more glowing and looks very healthy and fresh.

This CAIS helps to prevent and reverse largely all aspects of visible skin ageing, including textural damage, uneven pigmentation, loss of elasticity, lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores and general lack of a healthy radiance present in younger skin. In short, the skin will act and look younger starting within 5 days with continued improvements over time.

I don’t 100% understand all the science & ingredients included in this product but from the results I have seen I am 100% buying it again – if you want to learn more/understand what exactly goes into all the DECIEM products their website is a wealth of information and really breaks down all the percentages, active ingredients and makes the science jargon a little clearer. So I would direct you there.

superdrug naturally radiant pads

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Acid Pads

One of my favourite affordable exfoliating treatments. These pads are a godsend for lazy people like me. They already come soaked in the glycolic acid so all you need to do is sweep it across your skin as part of your skincare regime. The glycolic acid and fruit acids gently exfoliate away dead skin to reveal bright, radiant skin. You get 60 pads in a pot and they’re an affordable way of keeping your skin from becoming congested but also keeping it looking bright and refreshed. I am a huge fan of these and have repurchased them countless times.

60 pads soaked in a specially developed blend of Glycolic Acid & fruit AHA’s. Help to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin leaving it fresher. With witch hazel to help tone the skin and added Aloe & Pro Vitamin B5.

Previse Vitamin e Body Oil

This is quite a pricey product but it is a plant-based beauty brand and this range is entirely unscented, specially formulated with dermatologists, free of artificial fragrance and essential oils and is really popular amongst green beauty enthusiasts. I liked to apply this product after a shower, it comes in an easy to apply spray bottle so you can spray the oil on a targeted area. I used it mainly on my thighs and chest as that is where I have cellulite and very dry skin. It is very nourishing, smoothing and left my skin feeling soft and deeply hydrated.

Previse’s nourishing Bodymist Vitamin E Oil features silky and dry, eco-certified sunflower and botanical oil extracts for long-lasting non-greasy comfort. This plant-based body oil includes sustainably sourced oils that are naturally rich in vitamin E to promote supple, elastic skin.

nspa Expert Rejuvenating Serum

Another affordable brand that I really enjoy is nspa – they’re available exclusively in ASDA and they have a wonderful selection of skincare and body care. I really loved this Rejuvenating Serum which is part of their Expert Skincare Collection, and if you haven’t already guessed from the rest of the empty products in this post I like skincare that is for more mature skin, evens skin tone, plumps and helps my skin look radiant and this serum ticked all those boxes & for only £10 that is pretty amazing in my book.

This light-weight, effective formulation has been developed to support your skin. With a blend of anti-ageing actives including Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb extract and Millet Seed Extract, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and rejuvenate your skin. Reveal a radiant, smoother, firmer looking complexion and love your skin.

 

Product Empties February 2016 #2

- Vicki 8 Comments
Product Empties Feb 2016

Product Empties Feb 2016

The Red Hour Prismology Body Scrub with Cedar-wood and Ruby

This has become my all time favourite body scrub, I know for lots of people a scrub isn’t a very exciting product but this one is incredible. It smells grown up, sophisticated and luxurious (I want a perfume in this scent). The scrubbies are abrasive enough to do their job but not to the point that they irritate your skin and the product leaves my skin feeling clean, nourished and silky smooth.

  • Ruby micro-crystals / gently exfoliates
  • Sugar Beet & Coconut Extracts / moisturises and softens
  • Mineral Rich Volcanic Spring Powder / gently buffs skin

I want to buy many back ups of this so I am never ever without it. I will be the first to say £35 is quite pricey for a body scrub but you get 200ml of product and this bottle has lasted me months and I think its well worth every penny.

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter 

This is such an old faithful product, these huge tubs last forever and the body butter leaves my skin hydrated and the formula isn’t too heavy or greasy on my skin. The scent reminds me of Summer holidays too! I always stock up on this when its on 3 for 2. It has Shea Butter & Aloe Vera so two wonderful ingredients that will look after your skin & keep it looking its best!

Batiste Eden Dry Shampoo with Sugar Melon & Honeysuckle 

This isn’t my favourite Batiste dry shampoo, I bought it because I was sucked in by the floral packaging. The scent is quite nice and not too synthetic although its pretty strong to begin with. I felt like this didn’t work that well and it made my scalp itchy.

MAC MSF Natural in Medium

LOVE this product and it took me years to finish it. It gives a pretty flawless soft focus finish to my makeup. I won’t be repurchasing in a hurry because I have since fallen in love with the bareMinerals Mineral Veil Powder. I feel people used to talk all the time about MAC MSF but now there are so many wonderful dupes and alternatives so I don’t hear too many people mentioning them.

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Lip Balm Protectant Stick

This is a lovely nourishing, protecting lip balm and it also has SPF 15 in so I used this most days as my go to lip balm. I like that it looks like a lipstick and its not in a pot. I have had this product in the pot & it just went all gross and dirty, the stick form is 100% more hygienic and easy to pop into your handbag.

Liz Earle Orange Flower Botanical Body Wash*

This bottle is a whopping 500ml and it felt like a challenge to use it up, it took me almost 5 months. This smells like Summer in a bottle, its citrus scent is beautiful and uplifting especially on those dull Winter mornings. I looked forward to using this each day. It contains naturally active ingredients which include organic oats, natural source of vitamin E, orange flower water and 10 pure essential oils. This also has foaming agents derived from soap bark, corn, and coconut so its not going to dry your skin out. If you like Liz Earle products, this is one to add to your shopping list.

*PR Sample

December 2015 Empties

- Vicki 2 Comments
December Empties 2015

December Empties 2015

Ponds Contour Eye Cream

This was a really great eye cream & I wasn’t expecting it to be at all. It was very gentle and hydrating not too heavy or greasy. It was easy to massage in without leaving the area feeling like I had piled on the product. I have been using it morning and night and It worked a treat to keep my skin hydrated and smooth. It contains some great ingredients,

  • Vitamin E: helps improve the skins hydration.
  • Pro-Vitamin B5: helps restore and soften the eye contour skin.
  • Essential Nutrients: Jojoba Oil and She Butter help protect, nourish and calm the skin.

I wear an eye cream daily and I was very sad when this ran out (although it seemed to last forever) I can’t seem to find it in Superdrug and I am hoping it hasn’t been discontinued. If I can find it I will 100% repurchase. It’s a great affordable eye cream

MUA Eye Define Lengthening Mascara

This £3 mascara is so good if you like your lashes to look fluttery and long. I seriously love it, plus it lasts ALL day without flaking or transferring. This is a very intense black so if you like your mascara to be jet black this is a great option. I do like many products from the MUA range but this mascara is one of the best products I have tried from then and its well worth adding to your makeup stash. When I next need a mascara I will be repurchasing this one.

Bee Good Honey & Wild Water Mint 3-in-1 Cleansing Water

This is a lovely cleanser for removing your eye makeup or for doing a pre cleanse. Its gentle and great at dissolving makeup. It feels soothing and instantly cooling on the skin so if you use this in the morning its a nice way to sooth tired eyes. It contains some really good natural ingredients.

  • Moisturising British wild flower honey
  • Brightening red algae
  • Refreshing wild water mint and propolis.

I have tried a couple of products from this British brand & I have only good things to say about them. Bee Good skincare is bursting with the finest blend of ethically sourced bee based ingredients, naturally active botanicals and plant oils. They harness the very best from nature to create hard working, luxurious and dependable skincare. Their whole range is free from parabens, synthetic colour, mineral oil, silicone, SLS/SLES – so no nasties here. They are also the only British premium skincare brand to exclusively use British honey, propolis and beeswax in all of their products.

Its skincare that is getting back to nature & I am totally on board.

Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara

This mascara is good at preventing clumping and I liked that it was jet black that said it wasn’t the best at staying put and quite often it ended up on my upper lids or under my eyes. Not a cute look! I’m not in a rush to repurchase. With this being an American release it’s not easy to get hold of so I am quite glad I didn’t love it, also the MUA Mascara I mentioned above is so much better and more affordable.

Balance Me Natural Protection Moisturiser SPF25

I really liked this moisturiser and the fact that is was an effective SPF ticked all the boxes for me. I even wore it to a wedding that was outside on one of the hottest days of the year & my face didn’t burn at all. I was very impressed,

Balance Me say ‘Our rich yet easily absorbed SPF 25 face cream is specially designed to care and protect skin in everyday life. To support your skin’s own defence system, our SPF 25 moisturiser contains an innovative natural titanium dioxide-based sun filter to block out both UVA and UVB rays. A blend of super hydrating hyaluronic acid and powerful anti-oxidant blackberry leaf extract with essential fatty acid-rich rosehip, camellia, kukui nut and jojoba oils work gently yet effectively to soothe, firm and shield your precious skin as well as enhancing the activity of the sun filter.

It didn’t leave a white cast on my skin or break me out, I thought this was a great way of protecting my skin from the harmful UVA & UVB rays. Although it is slightly heavier on the skin than your average daily moisturiser you’re getting so many more benefits and after a week or so I really didn’t notice it. I made sure to massage it into my skin thoroughly before applying my foundation and it never left me feeling greasy or shiny. I would 100% repurchase this.

Vichy Purete Thermale Beautifying Cleansing Micellar Oil

I think I used this almost daily since I got it & these past few days I have really missed not having it in my skincare routine. I massaged two pumps in to dry skin to dissolve makeup and the dirt from the day, using a warm face cloth I wipe it all away. The fact that it is an oil really made it easy to massage in to the skin and it doesn’t leave your skin feeling dry or tight. People that enjoy doing a double cleanse will find this so good as the first step. At the heart of the formula are,

micelles (Micelles are attracted to dirt, grime, and oil, and they draw out impurities without drying out your skin), which gently remove waterproof make-up, impurities, sebum excess and dead cells with no need for rubbing. Also it contains Vitamin E which provides antioxidant protection and Camellia Oil which moisturises and soothes the skin. This can be used on even sensitive skin and the formula contains no parabens.

I will be repurchasing this ASAP, I loved using it.

November 2015 Monthly Empties

- Vicki 3 Comments

Monthly products empties November

Other Stories Fig Fiction Body Lotion

This is a really good sized bottle of body lotion and i’d say it takes me about 6 months to go through this, it has a super handy pump so its easy and hygienic to use. The smell is, as some of you will know my absolute favourite, I’m a fig product addict. The scent of this is lovely and intense and it lasts quite long on my skin, I can smell it on myself throughout the day. This is a lightweight body lotion and it leaves my skin feeling lovely and soft. I already have another bottle waiting to be opened. This has to be one of my all time favourite body lotions.

Kiehl’s Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate

This is one of the most lightweight serums I have ever used, once you have applied it to your skin it feels like its disappeared whilst leaving your skin smooth and extremely hydrated. I have loved using this and it leaves my skin feeling refreshed and not at all greasy. So if you suffer from oily skin its gel texture won’t feel heavy or add any shine to your skin, its a great step in my skincare routine, I have noticed my skin has been looking healthy and I would say more plump. I will be repurchasing another one and this tube lasted me for almost a year, that is with me using it at least 3 times a week.

Sanctuary Spa Body Scrub

This is quite a gentle scrub so I like to use it daily just to keep my skin feeling smooth. Its has cooling gel like formula with tiny scrubbies, its not at all harsh so if you have sensitive skin it won’t feel irritating or abrasive.The pumice grains are a very light coloured, frothy volcanic rock. The tiny grains help remove dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, thereby improving skin tone. It has that signature Sanctuary scent of rejuvenating patchouli and soothing orange oil and it makes your bathroom smell like a Spa! I used this up quite quickly and I’m not in a rush to repurchase

Sanctuary Spa Body Wash

This has that signature Sanctuary scent and which is quite luxurious and I find it relaxing. This was a nice body wash and it left my skin feeling soft and smooth. It’s is infused with essential oils and spices to gently cleanse and condition, whilst moisturising capsules of sesame oil and jojoba burst on the skin to help leave it feeling soft, silky smooth and subtly scented. So its nourishing and gentle on the skin, I did enjoy using this and I would happily buy it again. At Christmas Sanctuary do the best value gift sets so I might treat myself to one of those.

Batiste Dry Shampoo

I would be lost without my dry shampoo. I use these up like no ones business & I do like Batiste although I’m not fussy & tend to get whichever brand is on offer. If you have any dry shampoo recomendations leave them in the comments.