SUMMER FRAGRANCE - CLARINS EAU DES JARDINS

In my recent Selfridges Beauty Box, I found a product which I just fell in love with it's the Clarins Eau Des Jardins Smoothing Body Cream, it was definitely the stand out product for me! I had never really thought of trying a body cream from Clarins before as I just think of them as a skincare brand. But this is the great thing about beauty boxes, you find items you wouldn't normally buy yourself. I loved the body cream that much, that whilst I was in Duty free last month I spotted the matching Clarins Eau Des Jardins Fragrance in perfume form. I said to myself I didn't need another perfume but I couldn't resist this scent! The body lotion has as strong a scent as the fragrance and it lasts on my skin for hours which I love. It's great to use both products together to layer up the fragrance.
The scent is uplifting, fresh and just reminds me of Summer. The fragrance combines essential oils and plant extracts to create a fruity scent with notes of wild rose and comforting wood. It also contains etheric oils of grapefruit, lemon, bergamot, orange, citruses, black currant bud absolute, mint, bay leaf, along with dry oils of cedar, patchouli, vetiver and white musk. It's light on the skin but also moisturises, soothes and ensures skin is soft all day, it's suitable for all skin types. Clarins class their line of perfumes as treatment perfumes that not only leave you smelling lovely but soften and care for your skin at the same time and it's not greasy at all.
The scent is not overpowering and it instantly changes my mood from the first spray. I like to spray it straight after stepping out of the shower in the mornings. I feel Clarins fragrances are such value for money as I picked up this 100ml for £25.60 normally priced at £32.00. I really like the pebble shaped bottle, it's quite heavy so not ideal for travelling round, but I will be keeping this in my bathroom. It would even be nice to spray around the room before getting in the bath or shower, for a spa like feeling. This is definitely a Summer fragrance but I can see myself wearing it all year round. I used it everyday on holiday, great to use throughout the day or just for evening. There is also a shower gel in the line which I will have to try! I am intrigued to try out the other fragrances in the line now. 
The body cream feels silky, it's lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin. My body feels hydrated after using as well as scented. The indulgent cream is enriched with three organic buds to cocoon the skin with rich moisture. Beech Bud extract helps to improve skin hydration while Sorbier Bud extract boosts the skin's natural radiance. Blackcurrant Bud is known for its high antioxidant content and its soothing, comforting properties. The body cream is priced at £29.00 for 200ml, which is definitely a treat but I would repurchase and I know Clarins regularly do gift sets at discounted prices.

I'm so pleased I purchased the Selfridges Beauty Box as I wouldn't be without this scent now, for me there's nothing like it! Have you tried any of the Clarins fragrances?

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SELFRIDGES SUMMER BEAUTY BOX

There have been so many beauty boxes this month which have caught my eye that I don’t need to go beauty shopping for a very long time! I have brought Selfridges beauty boxes in the past, they normally put together 2 or 3 a year, but the most recent boxes haven’t made me want to buy them, until this one. This limited edition Summer Ready Beauty Box is exclusive to Selfridges and contains 13 beauty essentials including skincare and makeup products. I'm surprised this is still available online as I can imagine it being very popular!

The beauty box, came in a Selfridges presentation box and then all the product came inside a canvas make-up bag from Alphabet Bags. I couldn't believe the size of the bag and I love the summer quote on the side, ‘I've got 99 problems, but a beach ain't one’. I will be taking this on holiday next week with me for all my poolside essentials like sun cream and books.

The box includes the Starskin Instaglam Foam Peel Perfect and the Starskin After Party Brightening Face Mask which I have never tried before. Instaglam is a disposable, foaming, peeling puff that gets rid of dead skin cells to reveal radiant looking skin. After Party is a Coconut Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Brightening face mask that contains a powerful serum complex to leave skin luminous and brightened. The translucent, cooling sheet mask is packed full of Vitamin C and Herbal Medley which works to reduce visible dark spots and even skin tone, I'm very excited to use this one! Another skincare product included was the Rodial Dragons Blood Sculpting Gel. This is an anti-ageing formula which helps to volumise and defines facial contours. It reduces redness and is ideal for sensitive and stressed skin. There was also a product I have tried before, the Caudalie Grape Water which is designed to soothe and refresh the skin. It’s made from 100% natural organic grapes and is suitable for all skin types. This product is quickly absorbed and can be used multiple times per day, so great if you need to cool down in the heat.

Also inside were the Ribband Sorbet Hair Ties in gorgeous pastel colours. I have been after some of these for a while now, they come in a pack of four and I think they'd be great for tying my hair up on holiday by the pool. Another hair product in the beauty box was the Tangle Teezer in Original Blue. I have quite a few Tangle Teezers but I think they come in really handy and it’s great to have one in your handbag, one in your gym bag and one on your dressing table. It’s so easy to untangle your hair with these, I'll definitely be chucking this in my beach bag!

The next product I was excited about was the James Read Day Tan SPF15. This is a day cream that gives you colour as well as instant moisturisation. You can build up a subtle, sun kissed glow which can be used all year round as well as being protected from the sun at the same time. On the make-up side was the Eyeko Fat Liquid Eyeliner, this eyeliner creates bold lines and long-lasting colour. The tip is flexible enough to create winged flicks, it delivers a smudge-proof finish but is easy to blend before drying for smoky eyes. Most beauty boxes seem to contain a Nails Inc Gel Nail Vanish at the moment. I received the shade Chiltern Street which is a lovely milky pink. The formula applies nicely and leaves a high shine finish, as well as being long lasting on the nails.

Something for the lips was the Illamasqua Lipstick in the shade Luster which a gorgeous candy pink. I have a couple of Illamasqua lip colours now from beauty boxes. These lipsticks are highly pigmented, long-lasting, moisturising on the lips and leaves a satin finish. There was also a mini Nars Lipgloss in the box in the shade Orgasm. This is so cute and a great handbag size. This lipgloss is really wearable and can be worn alone or look great over any lip product.

During the summer months, it can be a task to keep your makeup in place all day, that’s where the Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray comes in. I have been wanting to try this for a while now, since loving the Urban Decay All Nighter Spray. The stand out product for me in this box was the Clarins Eau des Jardins Smoothing Body Cream. When I first applied this I fell in love with the scent, it’s beautiful!

The content of this box has the combined value of £176, so for the retail price of £40.00 I think this is a great deal! It's a little pricer than other beauty boxes but the Alphabet Bag is worth £20.00 on its own. I know I will get great use from all the products inside, I wish Selfridges did more regular boxes.

Have you been tempted by the Selfridges Beauty Box?

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SPRING CLEAN BEAUTY PRODUCT EMPTIES

These are the products I have been loving and using up most recently.

Haircare...Hair products are probably the products I use up the most regularly as I am always changing up my shampoo and styling products. KMS HairPlay Playable Texture, full-size 200ml £11.25 - I had never tried any KMS products before receiving them in a beauty box. This product is a texturising spray, which I like to use when styling my hair. This product gives my hair weightless styling and lasting pliable finish. It can also be used in wet hair as it can be used as a prep spray before blow drying, but I prefer to use it after to help build the style further. I really like the way it makes my layers look and the size was great for travel and my handbag. Would I repurchase? Yes, I need to try some more KMS products. Redken Diamond Oil Shampoo 300ml & Conditioner 250ml, for the set £23.60 - I'm a big fan of Redken haircare and have gone through quite a few of their ranges including; All Soft and Blonde Idol. I have been wanting to try the Diamond Oil range for a while as they are ideal for dull, damaged hair. The formula helps to strengthen, replenish and protects your hair. My hair definitely feels stronger and shiner after using these. Read my full review here. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would definitely use these again. Toni & Guy Casual Rough Texturiser, 200ml £7.19 - I brought this in a Toni & Guy Christmas Set that I managed to pick up in the sale. I always like to use some sort of texturising spray in my hair, but I hadn't used this one before. I really liked the casual, dishevelled matt finish this product gave to my hair. It claims to provide instant root lift and even a backcombed effect. Products like this are so easy to use, as you just work it through with your fingers. Would I repurchase? Yes, I was really pleased with the results. KMS FreeShape Quick Blow Dry, full-size 2ooml £11.45 - This product is a duo phase heat protectant that I received in a beauty box. This product is formulated to make your blow dry quicker, speeding up the time of drying by up to 50%. It also reduces friction while conditioning lightly, whilst also providing protection from heat. I really liked this product, I got on really well with it. Would I repurchase? Yes I need to repurchase this, when I have used up some of my other leave in conditioners, I am definitely a KMS convert.

Skincare...I could talk about skincare all day long, I know trying new products aren't always good for your skin so I like to treat my skin to a few of my favourite products every now and again. Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Face Cream, full-size 50ml £50.00 - Origins as you know is my favourite skincare brand, I go on about them in most of my blog posts. But I had never tried anything from the Dr. Andrew Weil Mega-Mushroom range before, I brought a Mega-Mushroom Christmas set in the sale. As my skin is quite oily, I don't normally like a thick moisturiser, I prefer a gel like formula. But this face cream was so rich and luxurious on my skin. I liked to apply this in the evenings, it instantly calmed any redness and sensitivity and hydrated my skin at the same time. Would I repurchase? It was a lovely moisturiser, but £50.00 for the full-size tub is quite pricey, I think I will stick to my Make A Difference treatment. Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer, 30ml £6.99 - I really like this primer from Rimmel. For the price, it's so affordable to what it is. You get 30ml of product which lasts for ages and it definitely does a great job of smoothing and resurfacing my face before I apply my base products. It also brightens my skin, as well as keeping my oily skin at bay. I feel my foundation stays around for much longer when I apply this and it protects my skin from breakouts. Would I repurchase? Yes, I already have.  Soap & Glory Drama Clean Micellar Cleansing Water, 200ml £6.00 - I was so excited when this was released. I'm a big fan of Soap & Glory and was so happy to see something new in the range. A lot of brands have released micellar waters, but this one was great at getting rid of most of my make-up and daily dirt before cleansing fully. I am not a big fan of the scent, Peach and extracts of natural cucumber juice, it is nice and fresh, but I normally like my cleansers not to smell too strong. Read my full review here. Would I repurchase? Maybe, but it's not my favourite. Origins Make A Difference Plus+ Treatment Lotion, full-size 150ml £20.00 - I really like to apply this product in the evenings after using a toner. It helps to refresh my skin and I always notice a difference after I've used this. I apply a little bit on to a cotton pad and swipe it over my face, it just lets me know I haven't got any leftover make-up on my skin. My skin is left hydrated and ready to be moisturised. I always pick up these mini sizes in Christmas gift sets and haven't had to buy a full-size yet. Would I repurchase? Yes, I'm on to my next bottle. Clarins Daily Energiser Cream, 30ml £18.45 - This moisturiser is great to use in the mornings as a little pick me up. It really does help to energise the skin and awaken me ready for the day ahead. I love the glass jar it comes it and it's the perfect consistency for my skin. It's more of a gel type moistuser which my skin adores. It leaves my skin super soft and prepped ready for my make-up. Would I repurchase? Yes I would.

Bodycare & Other...Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover, 75ml £4.99 - This was a great little innovation when this first hit the market. The idea of just dipping your finger into a pot and the nail polish was gone was such a genius beauty tool which didn't need you to faff around with cotton pads and spilling it everywhere. I really liked using this at first, it got rid of my nail polish quickly and it does condition your nails with almond oil at the same time. After using this for quite a while, the solution gets really dirty and your nails come out still with polish on. Would I repurchase? I think they are great for travel, but don't last long enough for me. Queen Of... Shaving gel Pina Colada Twist, 150ml £4.29 - I'm not going to lie, I did just buy this for the Pina Colada scent, but I have tried this shaving gel before in another scent and really enjoyed it. The tropical scent was lovely and the formulation comes out like a gel which is really moisturising on my legs. It gives me protection from the razor and it doesn't leave any irritations. My legs feel super smooth after shaving. Would I repurchase? Yes, I normally pick these up on offer in Supermarkets. Soap & Glory Foam Call Body Wash, 500ml £6.50 - I have raved so many times about Soap & Glory shower gels before, I always have one on the go. This scent is a fruity one which has notes of frozen yuzu, orange oil, green fig, and jungle pomelo essence. The scent would be perfect to use on a summers day or on holiday. I find the formula really moisturising and I love the massive pump bottles. Would I repurchase? Always. Make Believe Gradual Self Tan, 200ml £15.60 - I have been using this gradual self tan for years. I'm not a big fake tan user but when I do I like to use something that will give me a gradual golden glow instead of a full on tan. This comes out white and doesn't go streaky at all, I like the scent as it's not too over powering and it seems to last about a week before I need to reapply. This is also great to use after a holiday to top-up your natural tan so it stays around for longer. I like to apply this with a mitt as nobody likes orange hands. Wax Lyrical Gingerbread Reed Diffuser, 50ml £6.00 - I have never used a reed diffuser before in my bedroom, but my Mum picked me up this just before Christmas because she knows I love everything Gingerbread. This was lovely to use throughout Christmas, it smells exactly like gingerbread so it filled up my whole bedroom and I could smell it everytime I walked into the room. I was really impressed with the scent as the diffuser is quite small. It also lasted a long time, so is perfect if you're looking for something to give a room a nice scent. Would I repurchase? Definitely, I will have to have a look at the other scents.

Have you tried any of these products?

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CURRENT AUTUMN SKINCARE HEROES

I wrote about my evening skincare routine back in July here, I have since then used up products and swapped in new products that suit the change in season. I have combination to oily skin type and these products are currently working for me, as you may be able to tell I'm a big fan of Origins.

Origins Dr Weil Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Face Cream - This is the first Dr Weil product I have tried from Origins and I’m really enjoying it so far. It’s much thicker than what I’m used to, I normally use Origins Night-a-mins or Make a difference plus + rejuvenating treatment which are more of a gel like formula and oil free. This cream hydrates and instantly calms skin, so I like to apply it in the evenings. This formula visibly reduces redness and sensitivity. This is great for the colder months, the scent is very pleasant too. I bought this in a Christmas set last year, the cream is pretty pricey separately but I’m looking forward to trying the other products in the range.

Origins Plantscription Youth-Renewing Face Oil* - This is a product I received to try through the Debenhams Beauty Club. This is again the first product I have tried from the Plantscription Anti-Ageing range. I like to apply this in the evenings and swap and change between this and The Body Shop Vitamin E one. It has done my skin the world of good, it contains 20 precious oils from around the world including; Raspberry Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Tamanu Oil and Evening Primrose. This helps repair skin’s barrier and replace vital youth-renewing lipids lost with age. This oil leaves my skin silky soft and is soothing without being greasy. I like to use 2/3 drops of this oil, warm it between my hands and gently press the oil into my skin before applying my moisturiser.
Indeed Labs Eysilix Eye Cream - I have really got into using Indeed Labs recently, after really enjoying Hydraluron and the Facial Powdered Exfoliator religiously. I picked up this eye cream as it looked very similar to the Balance Me wonder eye cream which I love. I think I prefer a squeeze tube eye cream than a pot, it's more hygienic as you can squeeze it straight into place. It is a little more pricey than what I'd normally like to spend on an eye cream but I have really enjoyed using this and Indeed Labs are always on some kind of offer in Boots. It helps reduce the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, fatigue and crows feet. It's creamy but still light on the skin. At 23, I haven't got many wrinkles but it's nice to know I might be preventing them.

Benefit They're Real Remover - I was a bit sceptical about using a cream based eye make-up remover as I normally like to use an oil based remover, but I was surprised how much I liked using it. As we know They're Real mascara is a pain to remove, but using this makes it so much easier. It's creamy, not irritating on the eye area and removes every last bit of mascara before I go in with a cleanser. The cream formula feels like it's conditioning my lashes as it's not harsh at all. It lifts off waterproof makeup and even the new push up liner, read more here.

Clarins Gentle Exfoliator - This is a brightening, exfoliating toner which I like to use after cleansing. It helps to smooth and soften skin and prevents a build up of dead skin cells. It's great for blemishes, helps to strengthen the skin's resistance to wrinkles and encourages cell renewal. This is so gentle to use and I like to use it about 2 or 3 times a week. It's suitable for all skin types and I'm a total convert to chemical exfoliants as they get rid of flaky, dry skin and leave my skin looking radiant and fresh.

What skincare products are you using this Autumn?

END OF SUMMER BEAUTY EMPTIES - HAIR, BODY & SKINCARE

Empties posts are some of my favourite blog posts to read. I probably get through hair products the most, but this post is a mixture of beauty products which I have finished recently.
Lee Stafford My Big Fat Healthy Hair Shampoo, 250ml £5.99 - This is actually a product my mum passed onto me as she wasn't enjoying it. I used to really like Lee Stafford products when I was a teen, especially their hair growth treatment. This shampoo was ok, as it was a volume boosting formula it had grittiness to the formula which didn't make my hair feel too clean after use. It did work at creating more volume though. Would I repurchase? Probably not, but I'm interested to try the new Ubunto Oil range, which smells gorgeous!
Soap & Glory Orangeasm Body Wash, 500ml £6.50 - I always have a Soap & Glory body wash on the go, this citrus scented one is the newest in the collection. I love this scent, it's great to use in the mornings to refresh and revitalise your body. I can't get enough of the pump bottles, it lathers up well and the 500ml sized bottles last ages, read more here. Would I repurchase? Yes, definitely.
Liz Earle Botanical Shine Conditioner for Normal Hair, 200ml £8.75 - I featured the shampoo in another empties here. This was my first try of anything other than skincare from Liz Earle, and I wasn't disappointed. The shampoo is free from SLS and only contains naturally active ingredients, I really enjoyed the results, it left my hair glossy and soft. Would I repurchase? Yes, I really enjoyed the product.
Naked Blonder Lightening Conditioner, 250ml £3.98 - This is a great conditioner to use through the Summer months. Another natural conditioner, it really brings out my blonde highlights and I really like the Cassia and Sunflower Oil scent. I featured the shampoo here, it really moisturised my dry ends and the product didn't build up in my hair which I liked. Would I repurchase? Yes, maybe next summer.
Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo, 400ml £3.99 - I have had this empty for ages, I mentioned the conditioner in this post here. I love the coconut scent, this is a product I pick up on offer as I know it works and does the job. It makes my hair feel moisturised and shiny and it's really affordable. Suitable for dry/damaged hair, my favourite product from the range has to be the intensive conditioner. Would I repurchase? Yes, if it's on offer.

Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Shampoo & Conditioner, 250ml £5.99 each - I purchased this shampoo and conditioner after really enjoyed the dry texturising spray from the range. I found the bottles really tricky to get the product out, but the formula did create volume from the roots and my hair did appear thicker. The formula also contains heat protectant which you don't normally see from a shampoo or conditioner. The scent was lovely and I really enjoyed using the pair. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would try other products from the Salon at Home range.
Rituals Qi Gong Anti-Perspirant Spray, 50ml £8.00 Full-Size - This was a sample that I received from a beauty box, but I have really been enjoying Rituals products recently. This was nice to use from my usual deodorant, I liked the Organic White Lotus & Yi Yi Ren scent and the product helped me stay sweat free throughout the day. Would I repurchase? Deodorant isn't normally a product I like to spend money on, but this was lovely.
Kerastase Resistance Ciment Thermique, 125ml £14.60 - This is my go to heat protectant. I love the leave in cream texture, it's suitable for dry, damaged hair and the scent is heavenly. It reminds me of that classic hairdressers scent and I always apply this if I'm going to blow-dry or style my hair with straighteners. A little pricey, but a little goes a long way and the bottle lasts a while. Would I repurchase? Yes definitely, I need it back in my stash.
Beauty Protector Leave In Condtioner, Full-Size £15.00 - Another product from a beauty box, I used this while travelling and instantly got on with it. The scent is lovely when sprayed into the hair, I like that it comes with a pump and it really does help protect hair and detangle any knotty bits. It's suitable for all hair types and it's exclusive to Birchbox. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would also love to try the oil in the range.
Umberto Giannini Pure Beauty Shampoo and Intense Beauty Conditioner, 75ml £5.60 each Full-Size - I tried these hair products in a Christmas set from boots. I really like the packaging and the formulas really helped cleanse and restore my hair. My hair felt moisturised and hydrated and looked shiny. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would try other products in the range.

Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution, 250ml £9.99 - I always end up coming back to this cleansing water. It's great at cleansing, removing make-up and soothing the skin. I always make sure I have one of these on the go, you can't go wrong with this stuff. All of these skincare products featured in my Skincare routine here. Would I repurchase? Yes, always.
Origins Zero Oil Pore Purifying Toner, 150ml £18.50 - I love this toner, it's great for my oily skin. The Mint really helps to control oil and the Saw Palmetto helps to clear skin and minimise pores. I like that it gives my skin a smooth matte finish and that my skin feels refreshed after use. Would I repurchase? Yes, I need to.
Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins 50ml £34.50 - This is the oil-free mineral enriched cream which I like to apply every evening. I switch between this and the Make A Difference Treatment, they both smell lovely and renew my skin overnight. Origins has to be my favourite brand for moisturisers at the moment. Would I repurchase? Yes, I love this product.
Soap & Glory Supereyes Supereyes Moisturising Gel, 15ml - I don't think you can purchase this product any more, it has either been discontinued or the name and packaging has changed. I really like using a gel formula rather than a cream for around my eyes. As I am still in my early 20's I think it's nice to use something not too heavy and something that will hydrate my skin instead. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would purchase a different Soap & Glory eye cream.
Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel, 125ml £20.00 - This is such a nice cleanser, it comes out as a gel formula and once you mix it with water it becomes a milk consistency. It's nice and light on the skin and breaks down make-up really well. Would I repurchase? Yes I would love to, but I have so many cleansers to use.

Have you tried any of these products?

SUMMER SKINCARE BEAUTY PRODUCT EMPTIES

Liz Earle Limited Edition Cleanse & Polish Grapefruit& Patchouli, 150ml £19.75 – This is a holy grail product in my stash. I have finished up one of these and have another limited edition from last year still waiting to be opened. I have also purchased this year’s limited edition in orange flower and chamomile. It’s a really moisturising cleanser and doesn’t irritate my skin at all. The grapefruit version is really refreshing and hydrating. I love these limited edition scents, they just give a little something different to the original classic. Would I repurchase? Yes, it’s lovely.

L’oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution, 200ml £4.99 – I tried this product as a change to my normal Bioderma micellar water. I like to use micellar water before going in and fully cleansing my skin. This worked well; it’s a much cheaper version of Bioderma, but there is something that makes me pick the cult product over the drugstore version. Would I repurchase? Probably not.

Clarins Instant Eye Make-up Remover, 125ml £15.80 – I would recommend this make-up remover to anyone. If you wear heavy eye make-up, eyeliner or waterproof make-up this is great at removing every last bit. It is a bio phase formula which you have to shake to activate. I like to use this after a night out, before cleansing properly. It doesn’t sting the eyes and it’s great for even sensitive eyes. Would I repurchase? Yes, I really enjoy using it.

Bioderma Sebium H20 Micelle Solution, 100ml £4.50 – I decided to try a little bottle of the micelle water version for oily skin, I have to say though I think I prefer the normal formulation. This really helps to cleanse the skin in depth and improve the quality of sebum production. I didn’t find it dried my skin out and I was left feeling fresh. Would I repurchase? Yes, I have but in the original formulation.

Origins Vitazing Energy Boosting Moisturiser, 50ml £29.00 – This is my most repurchased day moisturiser. I love that it’s tinted as it’s great as a base before applying my make-up. It has an SPF of 15 which is great to wear every day. I also like to apply this on no make-up days for a bit of colour. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would never be without it now.

Origins Ginzing Moisturiser, 50ml £23.00 – This is a newer day cream in Origins range. I remember saving up my Boots points to purchase this and I was really impressed with the lightweight, oil-free skin boosting formula. I think I prefer Vitazing which contains a slight tint to the skin, but I like how my skin felt refreshed and was left with a ‘glowing’ look. Read more here. Would I repurchase? Yes, I’m really enjoying the Ginzing range.

Origins Ginzing Eye Cream, 15ml £23.00 – I love this eye cream, this sits alongside the moisturiser, its really moisturising and brightening on the skin. I would pick this as my day eye cream, it is a little heavy under make-up but it does get rid of darkness underneath my eyes. My skin looks less tired and it claims to reduce 80% of puffiness. Read more here. Would I repurchase? Yes, this was just a samples size, so would definitely purchase the full-size.

Origins Make A Difference Pus+ Rejuvenating Treatment Gel, 50ml £34.50 – This is my favourite night moisturiser and one of my favourite products from Origins. Can you tell I like Origins skincare? I like to apply this on trouble areas and it improves my skin in no time. I like the treatment version as it’s more of a gel formula suited to oily skin. Would I repurchase? Yes, always.

Benefit It’s Potent Eye Cream, 14.2g £25.50 – Another little sample pot, this eye cream helps to fade dark circles and help smooth fine lines for firmer looking skin. I have been very impressed with what I’ve tried from Benefit skincare so far. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would definitely use this again.

Benefit Total Moisture Face Cream, 48.2g £28.50 – I liked using this face cream, but I think it would work better on dry skin types. When I used this my skin was hydrated and my complexion was completely refreshed. It contains mango butter to provide moisture, which made the product smell really nice. Would I repurchase? Probably not, but I wouldn’t hesitate to try other products from the range.

Clarins Daily Energiser Wake-up Booster, 125ml £14.50 - I received this sample size in a Daily Energiser ‘try-me’ set. I liked to use this in the morning as it really helped to awaken the skin and get my skin prepped ready for make-up. I really do like the Daily Energiser range and would like to try more from Clarins skincare. Would I repurchase? Yes, If I was looking for a toner I would check out the Clarins range.

Dermologica Clean Start Purifying Toner, 120ml £13.00 – I received this product in a little tester set from Glossybox. This toner is great for oily skin and blemishes. I like that it comes in a spray bottle as this means you can spray it straight on to the area or on to a cotton pad. I really like the citrus scent and it does feel like it’s doing something good on your skin and controls breakouts. Would I repurchase? Yes, this was my favourite part of the set.

Indeed Labs Hydraloron Moisture Boosting Facial Serum, 30ml £24.99 – As you can see I’ve gone through two tubes of this. I love to apply this serum at night before moisturising, it really helps to plump the skin and give extra moisture. As I have run out of the serum, I am now using the new moisture jelly from the range. I bought the small travel sized hydraloron in a set with two other Indeed Labs serums – this is great for travelling and lets you try other products from the range before committing to the full-size. Would I repurchase? Yes I need to.

Clarisonic Deep Pore Brush Head, £21.00 – The deep pore brush head is great for oily skin, my skin feels like it’s had a deep cleanse after using it. This brush head has to be my favourite from the range but I have seen that they have introduced a cashmere range which I’m guessing feels luxurious on the skin, so I’m eager to try that. It really helps to decongest my skin and pores are definitely decreased in size. Would I repurchase? Yes, I certainly would.

I have also gone through various packs of face wipes through the months, brands include; Soap & Glory, Boots N07, Simple, Amie and Yes to Cucumbers. My favourites have to be the Soap & Glory Off Your Face Cleansing Wipes, £4.50 – they smell really fruity and exfoliate at the same time. I like to use face wipes if I’m in a rush or if I need to touch up, but I don’t like to use them all the time as they are not the best for your skin. They are also great for travelling and handy to throw in your bag.

Have you tried any of these products?

SUMMER BEAUTY PRODUCT EMPTIES - JULY 2013

For me, using one product at a time is hard. I constantly enjoy using different products and finding the right products that work best for me. This month I have come to the end of many of my favourite products which I need to repurchase, and I thought I would share my views on them (and stop hoarding the packaging.)
VO5 Refresh Me Quick Dry Shampoo, 200ml £3.59 - This has to be the best dry shampoo I have used, I have raved about this before - read here. I have tried both the dry shampoo's from VO5, but refresh me quick has to be on top! It gets rid of oily roots instantly, meaning I don't have to wash my hair everyday and the scent is lovely. Would I repurchase? Yes I always have my next bottle at the ready!
Soap & Glory Foam Call Body Wash, 500ml £6.50 - I'm such a big fan of Soap & Glory body wash, I love the Fruitigo fragrance and the pump bottles. You really can't beat Soap & Glory on the high street! For the amount of product you get, it really is cost efficient as they last for ages. My favourite body wash in the line has to be Rich and Foamous - read my review here. Would I repurchase? Yes, I am using Rich and Foamous in my shower at the moment.
Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo, 200ml £8.75  - I haven't tried many products from Liz Earle apart from a skincare try-me kit. So I didn't really know what to expect from their shampoo - but I was impressed! The shampoo is free from SLS/SLES and only contains naturally active ingredients including; natural vitamin e, aloe vera, west african shea butter, apple and orange extracts. The shampoo creates a rich lather and restores my hairs natural shine. Would I repurchase? Yes, the price isn't too bad for a mid-range brand.
Soap & Glory Calm One Calm All Bubble Bath, 500ml £6.00 - Another staple in my bathroom has to be this product. This bubble bath contains the 'Original Pink' scent and has body lotion built in, which is an added bonus for lazy days. Would I repurchase? Yes, always!
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution, 500ml £11.60 - I was hesitant to try this hyped product at first, but I'm so glad I did. I use this product to take the bulk of my make-up off before using a cleanser in the evenings. It dissolves all my make-up including my eye make-up which I was really impressed with. I'm so glad they have made this more readably available in the UK. Would I repurchase? Yes, I am trying the one for oily skin at the moment.
Aveeno Daily Exfoliating Cleanser, 150ml £5.99 - This is the first product I have tried from Aveeno, I decided to pick it up one day as it was on offer and new. This cleanser claims to brighten skin with naturally active Soy and smooth microbeads that gently exfoliate while cleansing. I kept this product in the shower and used it in the mornings to wake my skin up. Would I repurchase? Maybe, I would like to see what other products they have in the range.

Ren Omega 3 Night Repair Serum, Full-size 50ml £34.00 - I received this little sample free with a promotion  from WIMH - read here. Ren has to be one of my favourite skincare brands of the moment. I would use this serum on my face and neck before moisturising each night. I definitely saw a difference with incorporating a serum into my night time skincare routine. The only downfall was that I wasn't too keen on the scent. Would I repurchase? I don't think I would because of the scent, but I want to see if they have any other serums that work the same way.
Batiste Dry Shampoo, Cherry, Savanna and Mamba, 50ml £1.50 - These travel sized Batiste bottles are really handy for your handbag for use on the go. If I ever need to sort my hair out on-the-go or after the gym I will reach for one of these. The cherry and tropical scent are my favourite and are a great staple to have in my stash. Would I repurchase? Yes, a classic repurchase.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir, 30ml £10.35 - Another cult product which every one talks about. I like to use this in the evenings before moisturising or in the day to refresh my face. I think it works great if you have any breakouts or redness as it really helps to calm down the skin. The scent is lovely! Would I repurchase? Yes, I purchased the Selfridges Summer Box which had a 100ml bottle inside. Bargain!
Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation, 30ml £10.99 - This has to be the best high street foundation that I have used. No other formula has come close to my higher end base's. I have tried the regular Healthy Mix and the new formulation but I like this one the most. I have the shade 51 which is the lightest and the shade matches me well which is rare on the high street. Would I repurchase? Yes, I'm missing this in my collection.
Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream, Full-size 100ml £13.99 - A little sample I got with a free gift which I was happy to receive. I had been wanting to try this hand cream after hearing only good things and I have definitely seen the benefits. It helps to moisturise and soften hands as well as strengthen nails and minimising visible signs of ageing. A little goes a long way! Would I repurchase? Yes I love the formula, but I do love a small bottle of hand cream for travel.
Origins VitaZing Moisturiser, 50ml £28.00 - This product is my daily go to moisturiser, I like to apply this before I start my make-up for the day as the sheer tint release really helps to wake-up my skin for the day ahead. It also contains an SPF15 which is an essential for day time and the scent it heavenly! I cut open the back of this product to scrape the last remaining product out. It is pricey but totally worth it. Would I repurchase? Yes, holy grail! 
Ren Vetiver v7 Hand and Body Cream, Full-size 100ml £9.00 - Another little ren sample, formulated with Javanese Vetiver Oil that leaves skin optimally hydrated, smoothed and conditioned. I used this product as a hand cream, as it was handy to chuck in my bag or reach for on my desk. Would I repurchase? Not a bad price for a Ren product, maybe I would in the future.