No7

December 2014 Empties

- Vicki 7 Comments

December 2014 Empties

MONU Collagen Cream

This moisturiser took me so long to use up. It’s quite a thick moisturiser so I do like to save it for those days when my skin is feeling dehydrated but I don’t like to wear this under makeup as I find it a little too greasy & heavy. So I use this moisturiser on those days I’m going base free or just relaxing in the house & it makes my skin feel smooth. This cream over time helps reduce the appearance of fine lines & I always need help on that front. So if you need a moisturiser for dry skin this is a great one and it feels like it gives your skin a really intensive boost of hydration & this tube lasted me a whole year.

Roger & Gallet Gingembre Rouge*

This was a pleasure to use & I loved that its a mix of zesty, spicy and floral in equal measures. The ginger adds a twist but isn’t overpowering and the scent is beautiful from the moment you spray it on to the skin. This mini bottle was so sweet too & I saved it for a few weekend breaks I had as it was the perfect size for travel. I would recommend trying a Roger & Gallet perfume, they have such a wide range of scents so something for everyone.

Clarins One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser

This is a gentle exfoliating cleanser which leaves your skin feeling ultra clean and glowing. It’s great at removing the dead skin cells and combating a dull complexion. It gives you a glowing complexion. This cleanser contains; Orange extract which softens, refreshes and revives. Moringa Seed extract purifies and refines while preserving your skin’s natural moisture level. Gentle Silica Microbeads tackle clogged pores. It also smells lovely & fruity too, always a bonus. Its not an abrasive exfoliator but I wouldn’t recommend using this daily, I think a couple of times a week is enough. Just to keep your skin looking bright and smooth.

No7 Lash & Brow Perfector

This was great at keeping my brows in place. I have unruly brows & this tamed them without leaving them crispy or looking white. This is a great purchase if you have a N07 Voucher, (thats when I stock up). Simple, but it does a good job.

Aesop Parsley Seed Anti Oxidant Serum

I have enjoyed using this so much. This is more tacky and thick than most serums but that only lasts a minute or two before it sinks in and leaves my skin feeling nourished and smooth. This serum is very hydrating and bursting with antioxidants, some people are able to use this not only as a serum but as their moisturiser as it is quite thick and provides a lot of hydration. It is Aloe Vera based and has a great range of botanical extracts which are perfect for sensitive skin and skin that’s in need of nourishment. This serum doesn’t sit on top of the skin it is absorbed so fast and feels amazing. I think I’m its number 1 fan and I find this serum really balances my skin and helps keep my excess oil at bay. The packaging of the Aesop products is always so nice too. I am a big fan of their skincare. This is my second bottle of this and I will be repurchasing a third.

Not too many empties this month but I have used up some lovely products & all of them I would repurchase which is a first. Have you used any of the products I have mentioned?

March Empties 2014 Pt2

- Vicki 15 Comments

Empties

Soap & Glory Foam Call Body Wash 500ml for £6.50 – these big bottles last for ages! I really liked using this and will be getting another one. I used it in the bath as I found it great for shaving my legs, very moisturising and is lathers up well too. We all know how sweet and lovely S&G products smell so I won’t go on about that but this was really nice to use & lasted me months.

balance Me Super Toning Body Wash 100ml for £9.00 – I really like this for in the shower as its more luxurious and leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. I have been through a couple of these and would repurchase it over and over again. Its a perfect uplifting morning shower gel

Merumaya Luxury Face Wash* 100ml for £14.50 – Another wonderful product from Merumaya, this introduced me to the double cleanse and I haven’t looked back. I used this before their Melting Cleansing Balm and it keeps my skin blemish free, clean and looking bright. I have fallen for this brand in a big way as most of you already know.

Pixi Glow Tonic 250ml for £16.00 – I was sad when this ran out as I noticed they have since changed the packaging and I really like the pump on this as you don’t waste any product. The product itself I found to be a very good brightening toner, it worked well for me to clear old blemish scars and keep my skin looking its best. For the price I can’t fault it. I went down to using it a few times a week in the evening and that worked best for me

TRESemme Argan Oil Straightening Spray 250ml for £4.99 – I don’t often use heat on my hair but over the past few months I’ve used this spray when I needed to straighten my hair. I used it on damp hair after applying my hair oil. I’m not 100% sure this was all that effective as I still had quite a few flyaway hairs and this is also meant to control frizz also after a couple of months it didn’t spray very well. Not overly impressed. I wouldn’t buy this again

March Empties

Nivea Express Hydration Primer 50ml for  £3.33 – I was quite surprised at how good this was as both a primer and a moisturiser. I don’t wear makeup on a daily basis so this tub lasted me almost a year, as I only used it when I wore makeup. It’s very hydrating but not greasy, I’ve enjoyed using it and would repurchase it. It is very budget friendly.

Dove Shape Up Firming Body Cream 250ml for £3.99- It took me ages to use this up as I really didn’t like it. It was very sticky and I could feel it on my skin hours after applying it. I don’t think it helped firm my skin in any way. Not a nice body lotion at all.

No7 Beautiful Skin BB Cream 40ml for £13.50 – By accident I got the Normal / Dry skin formula & I have quite an oily t zone but I have to say this still worked well on me. I love the coverage and the finish of this. It isn’t too sheer and it gives a very nice glow to the skin. Its one of my favourite bases, especially on those day’s when I only want a touch of coverage. This makes me look alive & evens out my complexion. I really like it. Whenever I have a No7 voucher I stock up on these.

Moroccan Oil Extra Volume Shampoo (travel size)* 70ml for £6.85-  I used up the conditioner from this set too but seem to have thrown it away. I preferred the shampoo on its own as when I used the conditioner too my hair felt weighed down. The shampoo did give me volume from the roots and my curls looked bouncy and healthy. This was a lovely shampoo but not sure I would repurchase. I think almost £7 is expensive for such a small bottle.

Clarins Lotus Facial Oil Treatment 30ml for £32.00 – I have to say I shed a tear when I used the last drop of this, it has been one of my favourite skin care discoveries for a long time. It really helped with my combination skin, my t zone was less oily and my stubborn blemishes cleared up much faster when I used this at night. It is such a hydrating and balancing oil. When I get the money I will be repurchasing it & hope I can do so before my skin misses it. So if you suffer from oily skin I highly recommend adding this to your skincare regime

Products that are marked with an * 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.

Grid of Makeup #2

- Vicki 5 Comments

I did a similar post a few months ago so thought it was about time I did another. After the last post I tried to reach for new products and really get the most out of my collection. Although looking at the photos now they are altogether I seem to have some firm favourites and products I wouldn’t have thought I reached for this often. But the proof is in the photo I guess.

Grid of Makeup

I tend not to wear any kind of vibrant lip during the day, I work from home and I like to do my makeup but I wear a very light coverage and tend to go quite neutral on the eye. Looking at the 12 images above I seem to reach for my Mac MSF in Natural alot, I like the finish this gives to my skin. It makes it look flawless and have nice glow. I’ve had this for about 2 years and it is lasting me well, I don’t apply too much as no one likes to have a powdery face. I do apply a few spritz of my Mac Fix + too and together they make a good combination. Where I can I like to purchase my Mac products at duty-free when I’m at the airport as every saving counts!

My Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit I have a love hate relationship with, I can only wear this when my under eye area is really hydrated as it creases like a bitch on me. I’m not sure if that’s due to my age or if i just have lots of fine lines. When this applies well it looks amazing but on the downside when it creases it looks terrible. I don’t think I will repurchase this when it run’s out. I like my Benefit Boiing a bit more and this also seems to last longer and crease less. The Boiing is also really good at hiding redness around my nose & chin too. I use the shade 02 light/medium.

My Wet N Wild Trio in Knock on Wood I seem to forget about this trio but when I do use it I fall in love with is all over again. The shadows are very pigmented and long wearing. The colours in this trio are s pretty and the brown shade is perfect in the crease or all over the lid on its own. I need to get a few more of these when I am in America as they come in so many different colour options. Do you have any recommendations?

I have been using the Pixi Illuminating Tint and Conceal base quite alot too, it gives a light coverage but it has a real glow it. It is the perfect product for those days where you just want a hint of colour and to even out your skin. I am loving Pixi products at the moment they seem to be right on the money. I have a post about this Tint & Conceal from last year, if you’s like to read it. I use the colour Light Glow which is the lightest shade.

Skincare

This second round of photos are mostly the skincare I have been reaching for – The Gliss Liquid Gloss Hair Repair Conditioner I purchased on a whim from Superdrug. I hadn’t seen any reviews so thought I’d give it a go. It is a spray leave in Conditioner that helps over treated hair. I spray this is my hair each time I wash it and it leaves my hair looking glossy and tames my frizz too. The bonus is that this leaves your hair smelling amazing too. This bottle has lasted me 6 months so far. I would recommend this 100% and will be repurchasing it as soon at it runs out.

No7 Anti Dark Spot Facial Sun Protection SPF50 – This is a repurchase for me & I buy it as we’re getting into summer with those No7 Vouchers (love them). I am heading to San Fransisco on June 3rd so this will be my facial sun screen. I like it and it is also good under my makeup. I get very oily and this doesn’t add to that or cause any extra oil. I like the high SPF as I have lots of freckles and quite fair skin on my face. I need protecting.

Garnier Summer Body is a great gradual tanner, this big bottle is from last year and is still half full. It applies really well & smells lovely, if you have exfoliated then you will get an even colour. You can build the colour up and it looks so natural I am a big fan of this as I hardly tan in the sun, my legs especially can use a bit of colour all year round and this is my go to.

Aesop Primrose Facial Cleansing Mask is my little slice of luxury. This is a calming mask and I use it when my skin is looking red and a little run down. It is soothing and cooling I just love using it. All Aesop skincare is amazing and if I won the lottery that is where I would spend my winnings. Their packaging is simple and sleek and they use all natural products. They get best skincare award from me. If you want to read my rave review of this you can do so here.

Have you used any of the products I’ve reached for? I think these posts are a nice way of seeing a glimpse of my collection and I get to see what gets love and what I neglect.

What’s In My Shower

- Vicki 8 Comments

I have seen this tag going about the blogging sphere and in particular on The Sunday Girl Blog and I thought I would show you whats lurking in my shower. Nothing too exciting, but we all like to have a nosey right?!

Whats In My Shower

CHANEL MOUSSE DOUCEUR Rinse-off Foaming Mousse Cleanser Balance + Anti-Pollution I’ve repurchased this a few times and that says a lot for me as I am always on to the next when something runs out. This is a hefty tube of cleanser it lasts the longest time. It normally lasts me around 3 months. I tend to use it in the morning. It’s like my little piece of luxury in the morning. There isn’t too must to say apart from I really like how this is gentle on my skin and leaves it feeling ready and fresh for the day. This cleanser is £29.00 for 150ml & I purchase mine from House of Fraser

Nivea Happy Time Shower Cream shower gel / body wash is something I never repurchase. I head for what ever is on offer. This Nivea one smells really citrus and fresh. I really like it. It’s on offer in Superdrug for 98p. It is very hydrating and leaves my skin feeling soft and smelling lovely.

Naked Bounce Curl Defining Shampoo & Conditioner* I have done a full review of this here if you’d like to read it. I like these as I wear my hair natural most days & that for me is wavy. These give my wavy hair a little extra help and leaves my hair looking healthy and bouncy.

Whats in my showerSuperdrug Vitamin  E Exfoliating Body Scrub  I’m a massive fan of exfoliation my legs. I don’t really tan so it’s not for that but I just like to get the blood flowing to them in the morning, wake them up and I like to get rid of all the dead skin. This utter bargain from Superdrug has become my favourite exfoliator. Its bursting with exfoliants and you get a great scrub for your money. I have stocked up on a fair few tubes. I urge you o give this a go. It doesn’t have a yummy scent like Soap and Glory but it is one hell of a good scrub. Its Superdrug’s own brand it’s £1.50 for 100ml

No7 Beautiful Skin Radiance Exfoliator this is just OK, If I’m honest I’m trying to use this up, but It is taking forever. I use a tiny bit once a week, mostly around my mouth and chin but it’s not the best product I’ve used. I picked it up with a No7 Voucher and wouldn’t buy it again. If the Boots search option worked on their site I would be able to link to the product. But it doesn’t (Shock Horror). But if you’re interested you can pick this up from No7 Counters for £8.00

Whats in my shower

If you have written a post like this post the link in the comments so I can have a look. Do you use any of the products I have mentioned? Let me know.