NEW YEAR BEAUTY PRODUCT EMPTIES

It's a new year and I think most people feel the need to declutter and get rid of things they don't need. Whether this is downsizing your wardrobe or finishing half used beauty products that have been hanging around your bathroom. These are some of the products I have finished recently.
The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter, 90ml £13.00 - This has to be one of the stand out products from The Body Shop for a while. I really enjoyed using this up, it’s super moisturising on the skin and takes every little bit of make-up off. It’s not harsh around the eye area and you only need a little piece to clean your whole face. It's really gentle on my skin and has quite a subtle scent, so it's not overpowering at all. Would I repurchase? Yes, I’m currently using the cleansing oil in my shower from the same range.

Liz Earle Limited Edition Orange Flower & Chamomile Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, 150ml  - Cleanse and Polish is my go to cleanser, if my skin is playing up I know I can rely on this to help it get back to normal. I try and purchase the limited edition scents to mix up my usual skincare routine. I use this most days as it’s moisturising on the skin and dissolves make-up straight away. It's suitable for all skin types and age ranges, so I can see myself using this product for a while. Would I repurchase? Always, I have to have a backup in my stash. See my full review on the scent here.

John Frieda Beach Blonde Cool Dip Purifying Shampoo & Smooth Seas Detangling Conditioner, 250ml £5.89 each  - I was excited to see a hair care duo suited to my hair type in Boots. I liked the minty fresh scent which felt cooling on my scalp. I wouldn’t say these did something special for my hair, but they’re great to use for everyday use. The shampoo is lightweight, adds texture and increases manageability and shine. Would I repurchase? Yes, if the products were on offer like they are now.

Batiste Stylist Texture Me Texturizing Spray, 200ml £4.49 – I’m really into using a texturizing spray when styling my hair, so when I saw the new styling products from Batiste I had to give this one a try. I like using this to add a bit more volume and grit into the lengths of my hair. You can build it up in the hair to create different styles for different occasions. It doesn’t feel sticky at all, but I do have to top it up to make it last in my hair to separate my layers. The product is infused with Keratin & Inca Inchi oil to help strengthen your hair. Would I repurchase? Yes, I wish they did a mini size so I could fit it in my handbag.

Soap & Glory Orangeasm Body Wash, 500ml £6.50 – This is one of my favourite shower gels, saying that I’m a big fan of all Soap & Glory shower gels. I like the fresh green mandarin, sicilian lemon and sweet orange peel oils, as it’s so refreshing and wakes you up in the morning. It’s moisturising on my skin and foams up nicely. You can also layer the scent with the other Orange scented products in the range. I've said it before, I love the large pump bottles, I wish Lush products came in these. Would I repurchase? Yes, I always have a Soap & Glory body wash in my shower. See my full review on the Orangeasm range here.

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Butter 50ml, Irrisistibubble Gift Set £5.00 – I received this deluxe sample sized product in a gift set, another one of the delicious scents from Soap & Glory. I like the texture of this moisturiser, it sinks into my skin as it’s nice and light and great to use in the Summer months. The moisturiser contains Shea butter and Cocoa Nut Balm so it's really soothing on the skin. Would I repurchase? Yes, love this scent in Summer.

Dove Compressed Original Anti-Perspirant, 75ml £2.99 – I normally use Mitchum deodorant, but these compressed deodorants are great to take on holiday with me. Dove have re-engineered the spray system thus reducing the amount of gas needed to deliver the same level of antiperspirant ingredient with each spray. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would buy again if I was taking it away with me.

Colab Sheer & Invisible Dry Shampoo in Rio, 50ml £2.00 – I think I received this product in a beauty box. I really like the Batiste dry shampoo in the tropical scent so I knew I was going to like this Rio scent, it has notes of papaya, pineapple and a heart of cassis. It really helps to absorb oil and refreshes roots, it feels lightweight in my hair and I like that it leaves no residue. Would I repurchase? Yes, I need to try some of the other scents.

This Works Clean Skin 5 in 1 Water, 200ml £21.00 - I haven't tried many products from This Works, but the ones I have I've really enjoyed. I like to use a micellar water to take the bulk of my make-up off before cleansing with a hot cloth. This rosewater cleanser removes make-up, decongests and brightens the skin. I would say it's not great around the eye area, but it doesn't dry my skin out as it's refreshing and boosts elasticity. Would I repurchase? Maybe, it is quite pricey compared to Bioderma which does practically the same job.

Aussie Shower Smoothie Shower Gel, 250ml £2.99 – I’m a huge fan of the Aussie hair line, so when I saw they were releasing body washes I knew I wanted to give one a try. This scent is super sweet, similar to their Miracle Moist hair care line which I love. It contains Australian Macadamia nut oil which leaves skin smooth and silky. I would prefer a pump bottle as it's so much easier to use in the shower, but I can't fault the product. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would like to try the other scents.

Have you tried any of these products?

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BOOTS CHRISTMAS WISH LIST 2015

The Boots Christmas gift guide came out last week, I’m always excited as it’s the first thing of the year that makes me feel Christmassy. I’ve looked through the gift guide and online and collated my favourite offerings from this year! Boots have definitely upped their game with their guide this year, it definitely looks more of a glossy magazine. Most of these gift sets are in the mix and match 3 for 2 offer so you can pick up some great bargains for your friends, family or even treat yourself!

Champneys Relaxation Hamper, £60.00 – I’m hoping this one will be on star gift offer one week! Champneys have recently updated their range and packaging and I love the new look. Inside the hamper you get lots of pampering treats including; Heavenly Days Relaxing Bubble Heaven, Butter Souffle, Shower Cream and a candle. The Harmonious Hands Restoring Hand and Nail Cream SPF 15, Barefoot Beauty Restoring Foot Butter and a pair of cosy socks. The hamper is great to use after all the products have gone, I would definitely use it for my Lush bath bombs.

Soap & Glory Belle of the Ball, £12.00 – I normally wait for the Soap & Glory star gift to go on offer. But this year this gift set has caught my eye. I love the massive bauble packaging and the range inside is my favourite scent from Soap & Glory - Smoothie Star. The set includes; a body wash, the Breakfast Scrub body smoother, a body buttercream and Hand Food hand cream. I love the pistachio, almond and sweet vanilla scent.

Benefit You’re so Party Set, £39.50 – Benefit always do fun Christmas gift sets, this year they have quite a bright Pop Art theme packaging and there are three different designs of tins to choose from. My favourite is the pink tin which includes the they’re real mascara, the hoola bronzing powder, a mini size of the POREfessional primer and a mini ultra plush lip gloss mini in the shade hoola.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Xmas Edition, Sweet Orange & Mint, £9.75 – Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser has to be one of my favourite cleansers to use and I have tried a lot of the different limited edition scents. I was eager to try this limited edition version when it first came out last year but never got the chance. This bottle is a smaller size than the normal sized tube, so it’s great as a try me gift or to travel with. The cleanser also comes with one pure muslin cloth with a gold trim. The fragrance is a combination of zesty sweet orange oil with the refreshing aroma of mint which is energising and great to use in the mornings to wake you up.

So Snug Gingerbread PJ Set, £18.00 – Anyone who knows me knows I’m obsessed with anything Gingerbread related when Christmas comes around. I managed to pick up a pair of pyjama’s from Sainsbury’s last Christmas, but these are just so cute! I also love the Gingerbread house packaging that they come in. This brand always do some great things at Christmas, I remember one year I received some socks in a bauble. The vest top and trousers are made from single jersey so they’re comfortable and snuggly to wear.

So Snug Gingerbread Socks, £5.00 – Also with the Gingerbread theme are these matching socks. This would be a really great present as a stocking filler or a secret Santa!

Bareminerals Precious Gen Lip Oil-Balm Trio, £25.00 – These balms are formulated with passion fruit seed oil with Vitamin E, they’re moisturising, shiny and leave a tint of colour on the lips. This set contains Blueberry Pop, Pink Passion and Nude Passion. I have been wanting to try these since they came out, so this is a great way of trying them.

Malibu Kilner Jar, £10.00 – Not beauty related, but something that caught my eye are these Kilner Jars. I have been after some Kilner Jars for a while and these ones have been teamed with your favourite alcoholic drinks. Another present which would be great as a stocking filler, they also do a Smirnoff Vodka version in a red shade instead of the green.
Boots Star Gift this week is the Smashbox #Shapematters 3 in 1 Contouring Palette, which is half price at £30.00. I will be popping one of those in my basket, looks like a great palette!

What's on your Christmas wish list from Boots?

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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?

LATEST IN BEAUTY - THE GLAMOUR BEAUTY POWER LIST 2014 BOX

I am currently obsessed with beauty boxes, I say currently, I have been since I subscribed to my first box and even wrote my dissertation around the whole concept. Glamour have collaborated with Latest in Beauty to come up with a beauty box based on their Beauty Power List. They have collaborated with Latest In Beauty before, I didn't pick up that box because I had tried most of the products featured, but I thought this box was definitely worth trying. The box contains seven handpicked beauty products which featured in the 2014 Beauty Power List and have Glamour's Beauty Director's stamp of approval. The total value of the box is £83.47 and you can buy it for £15.99 with postage and packaging included, so it definitely is a one-off steal at that price and it means you get to try new up and coming products. On top of that you also receive an annual subscription to the iPad or iPhone digital edition of Glamour for you or a friend, which I think is a really good deal.
Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence Conditioning Spray – I’m really into leave in conditioners at the moment. I have tried quite a few Philip Kingsley products recently and have been pleased with the results. This leave in protective conditioning spray defends against daily heat, styling and breakage. You spray this into wet hair to detangle, add shine and it smells divine. It's suitable for coloured hair and it's a great deluxe sample size at 60ml.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser – This is a cult product that everyone raves about. If my skin is acting up I always go back to this cleanser. I have tried the original formula and the limited edition scents and have enjoyed all of them. This is definitely a sample I will keep for holidays or nights away, it even comes with a muslin cloth. It removes dirt and make-up to leave skin clean and conditioned. It works on every skin type and any age.

Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara – I have been wanting to try this mascara for ages, I have heard nothing but good things. It claims to give 360 degree volume the second it's applied. The unique wand coats every lash, without clumping. I haven't tried many Bourjois mascara's before, but this one doesn't disappoint, it's a full-size product and the formula is extra black.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer – I have the radiance version of this primer which I love, so it’s great to try out the normal formula from the brand. It’s a generous sized sample of 30ml and the formula is lightweight, has a creamy gel consistency and makes your make-up stick around for longer. Meaning you don't have to touch up through out the day, which is perfect for my oily skin.

James Read Sleep Mask Tan – I’m not big on tanning but this is a great sample size to have to travel with. This product combines overnight skin beautifying ingredients with a touch of self-tan. It is a lightweight formula, that moisturises and soothes the skin overnight and leaves you with a subtle golden glow by morning. This is great for a quick pick me up and evens out your skin tone.

Maybelline Nude Colour Sensational Lipstick - I am big on nude lipsticks, they're great for everyday and right on-trend. Maybelline have five flesh tone shades in the collection to create an understated glossy finish. I received the shade Tantalizing Taupe, it's moisturising and pigmented, I will definitely be getting a lot of use from this lipstick.

Eyeko Mascara Off Make-up Remover Wipes - I am getting more into Eyeko products recently, these wipes will come in handy for travelling. They remove even waterproof mascara and smokey eye make-up, so they're great for lazy days or quick touch ups. These 100% pure cotton pads contain olive oil and aloe extract to condition and soothe, I will be popping these straight into my handbag.

PS - Fearne's make-up looks amazing in this months Glamour and it's all Revlon products.

Will you be picking up Latest In Beauty's newest box?

LIZ EARLE ORANGE FLOWER & CHAMOMILE CLEANSE & POLISH

I have been a big fan of Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser for a few years now. Being a cult favourite for many bloggers, it’s a product I tried and wasn’t disappointed by. I love the natural scent of the original but it is nice to have a yearly limited edition version to mix up the cleansing. The newest scent in the range is Orange Flower and Chamomile which mixes two of my favourite scent cleansers at the moment, The Body Shop Chamomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter and Origins Ginzing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser. I have just finished up last year’s version which was Grapefruit and Patchouli, which I really enjoyed as it was refreshing and moisturising to use. The year before that was a Rose & Lavender scent which I didn’t get round to trying. But I think this year’s offering has to be my favourite yet.

Cleanse & Polish is an iconic cleanser and has received over 100 beauty awards. The new scent is lovely for the summer months to leave you with radiant looking skin. I love the pump bottle which manages to get every last drop of product out of it. I like to massage the creamy formula into my face and neck. Place a muslin cloth under hot water, cover my face for a minute to open pores and then gently wipe off the cream. It’s great at breaking down make-up, even waterproof mascara and softening the skin. The muslin cloth acts as a slight exfoliator and means you don’t have to use an extra step. This hot cloth cleanser really suits my skin and helps to keep any blemishes at bay. You can tell the bottle is packed with good quality, luxury ingredients.

The fragrance is zesty but also sweet and is still as gentle and effective as the original. The formulation includes cocoa butter and chamomile and is suitable for all skin types and ages. I would love this scent to stay in the main range all year. I would also love to see a travel version for holidays!

A 150ml bottle is priced at £19.75 and includes two muslin cloths. I feel this is really affordable as a lot of cleansing balms that are as effective are over the £30.00 mark. If you love the original, I would definitely give this fragrance a go, it doesn't disappoint. I have received emails through the Liz Earle newsletter telling us they are almost sold out, so it's your last chance to grab a bottle before it's made into a lovely new fragrance for next year.

Have you tried Cleanse & Polish?

CURRENT SKINCARE FAVOURITES

As well as my usual routines, I have been adding various products that have been improving the appearance of my skin. These are a few of my current favourites which have made the cut.

Origins Ginzing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser, 150ml £18.50 – I have really been enjoying the Ginzing range recently. I like to use this in the mornings to awaken the skin and gently exfoliate for fresher looking skin. It’s great as a cleanser and a mild daily exfoliate. I really like the citrus scent and the formula lathers up nicely. Read more of my thoughts here.

Indeed Labs Facial Powered Exfoliator, 75g £18.99 – This exfoliator is very different to anything I have used before. It comes in a powder formula which you mix with water. It helps to make my skin smooth but it’s really gentle at the same time. It claims to help prevent wrinkles, heal blemishes and absorb dirt and oil from pores as well as moisturise.

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil, 200ml £10.00 – I like to use this product before using a balm cleanser. It helps to remove make-up and leaves skin feeling clean and refreshed. It’s not overly oily and the scent is really calming for evening cleansing. It’s great at breaking down make-up and I love the easy to use pump bottle.

GlamGlow Mud Mask, 50g £39.99 – This has to be my favourite face mask at the moment. I like to see that a product is instantly working and with this you can. It contains volcanic minerals and French sea clay which helps to awaken skin, reduce puffiness, under-eye circles and smooth fine lines. As well as reducing pore size and balancing oil levels. There’s not much this mask doesn't do. You leave it on for 10 minutes, it will tingle and exfoliate but it leaves your skin glowing in 10 minutes and is perfect for all skin types.

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion, 150ml £10.75 – Another product I like to use in the morning. I like to apply it on to a cotton pad and smooth over tired eyes to awaken them. I also like to use this when doing a face mask, I soak two cotton pads and leave them over the eye area, it really soothes and depuffs and I feel immediately refreshed. It contains witch hazel, aloe vera and cornflower to cleanse and tone. It is also effective to calm down hay fever.

What are your skincare favourites? 

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.

JULY BEAUTY PRODUCT EMPTIES 2012

This month has gone by so quickly, but I have managed to collect quite a few empty products. Empties posts are my favourite to read by far, it's nice to know that the person has liked the product that much they have used it all up and have repurchased some of their favourites.
Soap & Glory Off Your Face 25 Cleansing Wipes £4.50 - These are my all time favourite face wipes. I try other ones out but always come back to these ones. I don't use face wipes all the times because they can dry your skin out, but they are great to take off make-up if your in a rush or great for on the go. I love the scent of them and they claim to cleanse, tone and exfoliate your face, as well as making your pores shrink. Would I repurchase? Yes, I already have purchased more.
Caudalie Vinosource Quenching Sorbet Creme (Full Size 40ml £19.80) - I received this sample in a beauty box. I really enjoyed using this as part of my night time skincare routine. It's a really moisturising and hydrating product and left my skin feeling so soft. The scent is lovely too. Would I repurchase? Maybe, but I'm currently using up other skincare products.
Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser (Full Size 100ml £12.75) - I bought this product as part of a 'Try me' Set from John Lewis. This was my first try of the hyped up product and it did meet my high expectations. I love the natural scent of this formula, and it works so well with a muslin cloth at taking off all your make-up. I do like to mix up my cleansers, but I know I will come back to this one. Would I repurchase? Yes, definitely.
Soap & Glory Heel Genius Foot Cream 125ml £5.50 - Soap and Glory have done it again. This is my favourite foot cream, and I always repurchase this one and have a stock pile of them just incase I run out. It really does make my feet softer and if I've had a busy day I go and apply this to my feet and you can really tell the difference instantly. I think the price is so good for how much product you get, as it really does last a while and the scents not bad either. Would I repurchase? Yes, I'm already on to my next bottle.
V05 Beyond Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner 500ml £3.59 each - I am really into V05 products at the moment, this range is suited for blonde or highlighted hair. I think they are really affordable and definitely do the the job. They smell great, infused with extracts of Chamomile and Honey and also enriched with Avocado, Argan, Apricot, Grape Seed and Jojoba Oil. They keep my hair feeling refreshed and brighter for longer. Would I repurchase? Yes, I am a fan. 

TRESemme Split Remedy  Leave In Treatment (Full Size 125ml £5.69) - I got this sample with an Asos order, along with the shampoo and conditioner samples which I am yet to try. I didn't see any great difference with my hair, but this is only a sample sachet. I do like to use heat on my hair, so I think it's great that hair brands have come up with a range especially for split ends, but I won't be rushing to buy fullsize. Would I repurchase? Probably not.
Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo 400ml £1.74 and Intensive Mask 200ml £3.99 - I chose these hair care products for the scent. My favourite scent is coconut, and these smell divine. This range for dry/damaged hair has got to be the best I have tried from the brand. I love the intensive masks, they are so affordable, thick and creamy and leave your hair in the best condition. Would I repurchase? Yes, I love the scent too much and they are now half price at Boots!
Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream (Full Size £6.99) - These were also samples I received with an Asos order. (Kudos to Asos) This is definitely the best coverage BB cream I have tried so far. I use the shade 'Light', it does apply quite dark but once buffed into the skin it leaves me with a great base, covering any redness and blemishes whilst feeling really light on my skin. It also contains SPF 30. Would I repurchase? Yes, I have already purchased the full size.
Garnier Mineral Deodorant 250ml £3.00 - I'm not really fussy when it comes to deodorant. To be honest, I normally just pick up what's on a good deal at the time. I don't really have much to say about this deodorant, it did it's job and the scent was ok. Would I repurchase? Maybe, if it was on offer.
Soap & Glory Wash your Hands of it 250ml £5.00 - £5.oo is a little excessive to pay for hand wash I know, they all do the same job. But you really can't beat the Soap & Glory scent. This hand wash really foams up unlike a lot of soaps I have used before. I really enjoyed using this product. I would buy this product whilst it was on 3 for 2, so I didn't feel so bad about the price tag. Would I repurchase? Yes, I already have another bottle on the go.

Soap & Glory Clean On Me Shower Gel 75ml travel size £2.50 - I got this mini bottle as part of a set at Christmas, and I just kept topping it up from a bigger bottle that I had when I went away from home. Everybody loves this scent, I do love Soap & Glory shower gels and have two different ones on the go as we speak. It will always be a scent that I come back to. Would I repurchase? Yes, but I'm loving Rich & Foamous at the minute..
Batiste Dry Shampoo Tropical 200ml £2.99 - I love this product, this is my favourite scent that Batiste do. Once again - coconut, tropical goodness. It cleans and freshens up my hair so I don't have to wash it everyday. Also giving my hair some body and texture too. Certainly in my holy grail list. Would I repurchase? Yes, every time.
Kerastase Nectar Thermique (Full size 150ml £16.10) - I already own the Kerastase Ciment Thermique Heat-Activated Reconstructor Milk - which I adore, this was just a sample my hair dresser gave to me. I much prefer the Ciment Thermique, just becuase of the scent but they both do a good job at protecting your hair from heat. It facilitates blow-drying for a smoother and quicker finish. Would I repurchase? Not for now.

Lots of my favourite products which I have repurchased as well. What are your favourites from my empties?

JUNE BEAUTY PRODUCT EMPTIES 2012

I'm trying to be better at cutting down my hoard of beauty products by using them up one type of product at a time. This month I have seemed to do quite well, there are quite a few..
Firstly my basics, Johnson's Cotton Buds £1.40, Boots Cosmetic Buds £1.40 and Boots Cotton Wool Oval Pads £1.89. These are my basics for taking off my make up as well as touch ups. So I always have back ups of these, they do the job. Would I repurchase? Yes.
Johnson's Eye Make-Up Remover £3.29 - This is a bottle I have been trying to use up for ages, I don't tend to use Make-up remover much anymore, I would tend to use a cleanser for my whole face. But if I do have some difficult eye make up to get off, then I would use this or something like it. It is a very gentle formula and great for waterproof mascara. Would I repurchase? Maybe, at some point.
L'oreal Ever Pure Shampoo and Conditioner (Fullsize 250ml £5.99 each) - These were free samples in a magazine. I had wanted to try this shampoo since it came out. I was really impressed with this shampoo and conditioner, my hair was so soft and glossy. The no sulphate shampoo and conditioner smelt lovely of botanic oils and mint. The shampoo left my hair really refreshed. Would I repurchase? Yes defiantly.
Thierry Mugler Alien 30ml Eau De Parfum £35.00 - This has to be my favourite perfume. I would say it's more of a 'night time' fragrance, but I would spray it in the day as well, just because I love the scent so much, and there is nothing out there like it. A rich floral woody amber scent. Would I repurchase this? Yes, I can't live without this perfume.

Batiste XXL Volume Dry Shampoo £3.99 - I repurchase Batiste Dry Shampoo over and over again, just because I know it does the job. I'm not too keen on this XXL Volume one though, It definitely gives your hair extra volume which I like, but I don't like the way it feels in my hair. It just makes me want to wash it out, the totally opposite of what I want from a dry shampoo. Would I repurchase? Not this kind, but definitely either the tropical or wild scent.
Nivea Double Effect Deodorant £3.25 - To be honest, I swap and change deodorants all the time. This one doesn't do anything special, I just like the scent and it does it's job well. Would I repurchase? Yes, if nothing else caught my eye.
Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo £4.49 - I always come back to this shampoo. I absolutely love the smell of it. It contains Macadamia Nut extract, which really helps dry and damaged hair, and leaves it silky and smooth. Would I repurchase? Yes definitely. 
Palmolive Shower Milk (Fullsize 250ml £1.59) - This was just a little sample size that needed using up. I would always have this shower gel when I was younger, just because I liked the sweet honey smell. But it does leave your skin feeling moisturise rich and soft. Would I repurchase? Maybe at some point.
Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic (Fullsize 200ml £12.50) - This came as part of a 'try me set' which I purchased at John Lewis. I haven't tried Liz Earle Products before but I wanted to see what all the 'hype' was about. It was a great chance to try them, and I loved using up the little miniatures. The tonic is really natural and brightens up the skin. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would get the full sized version after I have used some of my 'stock' up.
Lush Cosmetic Warrior Face Mask £5.75 - This is a face mask which you have to keep in your fridge and use up quite quickly as it is fresh. Cosmetic Warrior is suited for troubled skin to help calm and soothe spots. The smell is very overpowering, but if you can get over the smell of garlic, then you will find it is great at reducing the size of spots and even closing them up. Would I repurchase? Yes, if my skin was going through a bad patch.
Benefit Some Kind-a Gorgeous Foundation Faker £23.50 - This is a product that I would use as a teenager, it was quick and easy and covered up any redness to the face. It comes with a sponge pad to apply the make-up, which I find isn't really very hygienic. But the compact mirror is very useful. Would I repurchase? No, it did it's job, but I have moved onto other things now.