April Empties: Products I've Used Up

It's that time again! An Empties round-up of everything that I've used up recently and my thoughts on which ones I'll be repurchasing in the near future.

Lavera Self-Tanning Lotion* (reviewed here)

If you're looking for a more natural and affordable Self-Tanning Lotion to try out, Lavera's is a good one to pick up as it's easy to use and gives a gorgeous sunkissed glow to the skin with not a hint of orange in sight! This is my second or third tube. Repurchase? Yes.

Dr Organic Pomegranate Deodorant (reviewed here)

Long time readers may be familiar with this one as I've been using it on and off for years now. I love the scent of it and it's free from lots of common nasties. Repurchase? I'm using up one from Evolve at the moment but will happily buy this again at some point.

Tropic Blue Lagoon Blemish Prevention Serum* (reviewed here)

Anyone else suffering from spotty skin since lockdown began? Luckily, this little gem from Tropic has been stopping my complexion from having a full-blown breakout! I tend to use it as a preventative measure twice a week as part of my evening routine. Repurchase? Yes.

Herbfarmacy Easy Breathe Balm* (reviewed here)

First featured in one of my Winter Wellness posts at the start of the year (link above), I've now finished off Herbfarmacy's fantastic chesty balm which came in so handy whenever I was suffering from a stuffy nose and blocked sinuses. Repurchase? Yes.

S5 Neutralise Cleanser* (reviewed here)

One of my favourite high-end cleansers, I can't recommend this enough if you have oily or sensitive skin. It's a super lightweight oil-free cleanser that just works so well for my troublesome skin. Particularly lovely for soothing any irritation or redness. Repurchase? Definitely!

Badger Balm Sleep Balm* (reviewed here)

Like many, I haven't been sleeping well at all recently so I've been using Badger's Sleep Balm every single night to try and help calm my stressed mind. It's lasted a long time as you only need to apply a tiny amount to wrists/pulse points and then breathe in the relaxing scent. Repurchase? I'm testing out a few other similar products at the moment so we'll see.

Human+Kind Watermelon 3-in-1 Cream

No surprises to see a hand cream in this round-up! I finished off this multi-purpose moisturiser from Human+Kind which has a fresh and fruity watermelon fragrance. Perfect for dry hands, rough elbows and cracked feet. Repurchase? Might do in the future.

Trilogy Blemish Control Gel* (reviewed here)

I like to use a targeted blemish treatment on those pesky 'under the skin' spots and Trilogy's Blemish Control Gel has been my go-to for quite some time. It works but doesn't sting or dry out the skin like similar products do. Repurchase? Yes.

Evolve Organic Beauty Daily Defence Moisture Mist* (reviewed here)

If someone asked me to only choose to use one toner product for the rest of my life, you guys all know it would be this beauty! Packed with Hyaluronic Acid and Peptides, it never fails to give my skin a hydrating boost! Repurchase? I'm currently using the new formula here.

Dafna's Eye Care* (reviewed here)

It sure was a sad day when I reached the bottle of this one recently :( It's such a gorgeous formula with a silky texture that smooths out fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. If you can afford it, it's definitely worth the investment. Repurchase? On my wishlist.

Antipodes Divine Face Oil* (reviewed here)

Anyone know how many of Antipodes Divine Face Oil bottles I've gone through over the past couple of years? I have no idea, I've simply lost count! Here's another empty to add to that growing list - it's amazing for fussy combination skin types. Repurchase? Yes.

Badger Balm Cuticle Care* (reviewed here)

All that handwashing has left my cuticles feeling cracked and sore so I've been giving them some much needed TLC with this Cuticle Balm from Badger. I try to remember to use a small amount each night before going to bed to help soothe and rehydrate. Repurchase? Yes.

Soapology Secret Garden Soap

Speaking of washing your hands, I finished off this lovely bar of soap from Soapology which I kept next to the kitchen sink. This one's specially formulated for gardeners so it's extra gentle and caring, plus it's palm-oil free.

P.S - How To Recycle Your Beauty Empties!

All of the glass, aluminium tins and easy-to-recycle plastic PET empties will be put into my council's blue bin kerbside recycling scheme, but for the harder-to-recycle stuff, I will be:-

• Recycling the pumps and atomisers with Neal's Yard Remedies - more info at the bottom of their website here.
• Recycling any other products that my local council doesn't accept, such as flexible plastic tubes at The Body Shop, L'Occitane or with Garnier's Terracycle partnership - more info here.

What have you used up recently?

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January Empties: Products I've Used Up

Congratulations everyone, we survived January! It did seem like the longest month ever and I have a big old Empties post to show for it! Let's dive straight in, shall we?

Dr. Hauschka Lemongrass Vitalising Body Wash and Body Milk (travel sizes, link)

These were from a Christmas gift set and I just adore the Dr. Hauschka Lemongrass range - everything is so fresh and uplifting! Beautiful formulas that are perfect for a luxury pamper/pick me up. Repurchase? I'd happily buy both of these in the full sizes.

Madara Brightening AHA Peel Mask* (reviewed here)

Regular readers will have spotted this now iconic green tube in previous Empties posts as it always seems to be a staple in my skincare routine. It's a brilliant AHA based exfoliating mask that clears away dull dead skin cells and makes my complexion look instantly brighter in just 3 minutes. Repurchase? I think I may have another one somewhere!

Dr. Organic Vitamin E Cream (link)

Picked this up when it was on offer during the Holland & Barrett Black Friday sale. It's a multi-purpose moisturiser and I mainly used it on my hands and feet before going to bed, and I have to say, it surprised me. The formula is lovely and hydrating, yet it feels light and is easily absorbed so if you hate thick creams, give this one a try. Repurchase? Might do in the future.

Dafna's Revival Bio-Active Beauty Mask* (reviewed here)

Oh, what a sad day it was when I used this little beauty up! I really enjoyed this creamy exfoliating mask and it was amazing for those times when I needed a quick fix after a busy week. Great for special occasions and events where you want to look your absolute best. Repurchase? It's sadly out of my budget at the moment, but I'd be very tempted if I saw it on offer.

Elsa's Natural Deodorant Stick in Sensitive* (reviewed here)

A few of you have been asking me what natural deodorants I use after I posted about them on my Instagram, so I'm going to start including them in my Empties posts. I'm a huge fan of Elsa's and this Sensitive one is a good one to try if you're new to natural deodorants. Repurchase? Yes.

Tropic Soothe The Senses Luxury Body Oil* (link)

I was lucky enough to win this just before Christmas and it's such a beautiful body oil - the scent of it is incredible. Very floral, heady, soothing, and ultra-relaxing, with a formula that makes my skin feel like silk afterwards. Such a gorgeous pampering product. Repurchase? Very tempted!

Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment (reviewed here)

I've used this on/off for years and have gone through countless tubes of the stuff. Whenever my hair feels particularly dry, damaged or fragile from too much blow-drying and straightening, this treatment sorts it out in no time at all. Repurchase? I've gone back to using Macadamia but will pick this up again in the future I'm sure. 

Benecos Seabuckthorn and Orange Hand & Nail Cream* (link)

One of my all-time favourite budget hand creams, you can't wrong with this for a mere £3! I love everything about it, from the citrusy, uplifting scent, to the hydrating but light feeling formula, it's amazing for dry hands. Repurchase? Yes.

Guiltless Skin Rosehip Cleanser* (reviewed here)

If you want to buy more organic skincare from British indie brands, Guiltless Skin is one that I highly recommend. Their Rosehip Cleanser is perfect for sensitive skin and is a lovely light gel which emulsifies into a milky consistency when you add water to it. Ideal for a morning cleanse. Repurchase? Yes.

Ooh! Oils Of Heaven Organic Avocado Hydrating Face Oil* (reviewed here)

My skin has been feeling a lot drier than usual thanks to the colder weather, so I've been reaching for this Hydrating Face Oil on a regular basis. It gets the job done and feels very nourishing, whilst instantly eradicating any dry patches at the same time. Repurchase? There are other brands and products that I prefer, so I'm not sure.

Nourish Radiance Firming Facial Oil (reviewed here)

I couldn't help but pick this up again when I spotted it for a bargain price in TK Maxx recently, as I've used it in the past and loved it. If your skin is starting to show those first signs of ageing like mine is, it's a fantastic oil to try and you can do a good facial massage with it to help lift everything which really helps! Repurchase? Yes.

Colab Dry + Shampoo Active (link)

Lastly, I have some dry shampoo from Colab. Cheap and cheerful, it does the job and does it very well. No white roots or residue, even on my dark brown hair, and it sucks up oil and dirt like no-one's business. Repurchase? I've gone back to using the Aveda Shampure Dry Shampoo simply because I'm cutting down on aerosols.

What have you used up recently?

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May Empties: Products I've Used Up

Another month is rapidly drawing to a close, so you know what that means - it's Empties time! I've managed to finish off a lot of products that I've had on the go for a while, plus a decent amount of travel sizes as my samples stash was getting a bit out of hand!

Samaya Kapha Anti-Ageing Cream* 

I thoroughly enjoyed using this daily anti-ageing moisturiser and my skin loved it just as much. Beautiful texture and perfect for morning use. Repurchase? I've been lucky to be gifted two of these in the past, but sadly it's way out of my budget to buy myself.

DHC Beauty Lift Eye Care Essence Roll On*

I've been using this on and off for the past couple of months and sometimes I love it, and other times I'll just reach for another product. I think the main reason is because it's such a light essence, it's not always hydrating enough for my undereye area, but I do like the cooling roll-on applicator. Repurchase?  Probably not.

Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment

This is my favourite mask from Glamglow, but I've never purchased a full-size tub because I seem to have accumulated lots of these travel sizes from various GWPs and beauty boxes! It's a brilliant treatment for congested skin and really does draw everything out. Repurchase? Already have a bunch of these minis!

Naobay Calming Face Toner*

It takes me ages to get through toner and I've had this one from Naobay on the go for such a long time. It's a gentle soothing toner which is perfect for when my skin is feeling more sensitive than usual, but I generally prefer toners in spray bottles to be honest. Repurchase? No.

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Lotion*

Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm obsessed with the scent of Weleda's Pomegranate range and their Body Lotion formulas are just amazing. They sink in quickly and provide a lot of hydration. Repurchase? Yes, will definitely pick up a full-size at some point.

Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm*

I often seem to have one of these in my stash somewhere and these huge pots always last me several months! A brilliant cleansing balm that removes all makeup and daily grime, as well as being lovely to use as a second cleanse product. Repurchase? Yes. 

Westlab Detoxing Salt Body Scrub* 

Another product that's taken me ages to use up is this body scrub from Westlab - the tub is huge! I loved using this before applying fake tan because it always makes my skin so much smoother afterwards. Repurchase? Currently using up their Reviving Salt Body Scrub at the mo. 

Melvita L'Or Bio Huille Extraordinaire 

Multi-purpose oils are something that I like to carry in my travel bag and Melvita's L'Or Bio Huille Extraordinaire is a firm favourite. You can use it on the face body and hair, and it smells absolutely delicious. Repurchase? Yes.  

Weleda Lavender Creamy Body Wash*

I highly recommend Welda's Creamy Body Washes for anyone who has dry skin and doesn't have time to apply moisturiser after a shower - these work a treat! The Lavender scent is lovely to use in the evenings to help you relax. Repurchase? Yes.

Epic Blend More Moisture Lip Balm in Grape*

These Epic Blend lip balms really do live up to their name and this one definitely saved my lips during those chilly Beast From The East storms! The grape flavour is super yummy too. Repurchase? Will do once I've made a dent in my existing lip balm stash.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster

I've gone through a couple of these travel-size serums in the past (again, they seem to be a regular in GWPs and beauty boxes) and I really like it. Certainly helps to brighten up a dull complexion thanks to the Vitamin C based formula. Repurchase? Already have some more minis in my samples stash.

Dr Organic Virgin Olive Oil Hand & Nail Cream

This was OK but nothing amazing - I ended up mainly using it up as a foot cream. Repurchase? No.

Evolve Organic Beauty Superfood Shine Shampoo
This was OK, but I felt it was maybe better suited to a different hair type to mine as it left my hair a little frizzier than usual afterwards. I also tested out the matching conditioner but hated that one - it just wasn't moisturising enough for my dry ends. Repurchase? No.

Madara SOS Hydra Repair Intensive Serum*

I loved using this serum during those freezing months a while back, and I've finally just finished it up as I've been alternating it with a few others in my routine. It's definitely more of a cold weather essential for me, but if you have dry or dehydrated skin, you'll love it all year round I'm sure. Repurchase? Will do around Winter time.

Which beauty products have you used up this month?

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January Empties: Products I've Used Up

It's time for the first Empties post of the year and I seem to have used up a bit of everything! There are some amazing holy grail favourites in this little lot too, so let's get stuck in!

Yves Rocher Delicate Cleansing Cream Low Shampoo

There's a tiny amount still left in the tube, but it's just stopped working for my hair so I'm giving it an early retirement. I purchased this last year in a sale when I was trying out some 'no poo' products, and it started off well, but it gradually started to make my hair look greasy the more I used it, which is never a good thing! Not for me. Repurchase? No.

Aveda Stress-Fix Soaking Salts*

Loved, loved, loved these! If you're a massive stress head like me, you seriously need to try these. They are in my top three favourite bath products of all time, and they do what they say on the tin. Whenever I've had a crappy day, I can always count on these to help me to relax and unwind. They're expensive, however, you do get a big tub that lasts for months. Repurchase? Yes.

Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask

I've spoken about this face mask on numerous occasions, and it's one of a small handful that I always have to have in my skincare stash. Really gentle, but wonderfully effective for healing blemishes and breakouts without any harsh ingredients. I had to get the trusty old tube wringer out to make sure I got every last bit! Repurchase? Already have. 

Dr Organic Snail Gel Facial Serum

A really great affordable serum that I imagine would suit most skin types. Lightweight and sinks right in, whilst smoothing out the skin, keeping it soft and nicely hydrated. I think this is my second bottle, and I'm a big fan of this Snail Gel range. Repurchase? Yes. 

Burt's Bees Lip Balm

Another firm favourite. I've been through loads of these over the years and despite having a mountain of lip balms to get through, I always seem to return to this one. This is the classic peppermint scented formula and it gets the job done! Repurchase? Yes.

Weleda Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Body Lotion

This travel size mini was from a gift set that my sister bought me for Christmas and it's no surprise that I've used it up already. I absolutely adore the natural Sea Buckthorn fragrance of this range - so fresh and uplifting, and the body lotion is light in texture, but still very hydrating. Repurchase? Yes.

Herbfarmacy Skin Rescue Balm*

My skin has been horribly dry all throughout Winter, but rest assured, this amazing balm has been like a knight in shining armour! I've been slathering it on everywhere; on my feet, elbows, cuticles, hands, eczema areas, everywhere. If you have any dry skin problems, this is the multi-purpose balm for you! Repurchase? Yes.

La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intense Serum*

I've had a lot of redness on my cheeks and around my nose recently, and whilst this has been helping to some degree (it's a specialised anti-redness serum, mainly for people who have rosacea), I feel like there are other similar products that I prefer more, so I was happy to use this up. Repurchase? Probably not.

Suki Transformative Purifying Masque

I had high hopes for this after seeing some online raves for it, but I'm glad that I tried out some samples first because I didn't see any difference in my skin after using it. It felt nice on, but that was about it. It didn't do anything to treat blemishes for me. Repurchase? No.

What beauty products have you used up recently?

Have you tried any of these?

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October Empties / Products I've Used Up

Last month was one of those months' where everything seemed to start running out at the same time (we've all been there!). So here are my October Empties - my thoughts on them, and which ones I'll be repurchasing again in the future.

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5 Mini Reviews: Dr. Organic, Bee Good, Botanicals, Weleda & Green People

Last month, I noticed that my samples stash was getting way out of control again (I'm blaming too many online orders and GWPs!), so I've finally made an effort to use some of them up! Here are my thoughts on these five and whether I would purchase the full-size product or not.

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The Vegan Kind Lifestyle Box - January 2016 review #TVK27

Last month I signed up to The Vegan Kind, a subscription box which features vegan food, snacks and cruelty-free products. I've been eagerly waiting for the January box to arrive and it doesn't disappoint!

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The Beauty Edit: 9 Amazing Winter Skin (and hair) Saviours

With the promise of some snow and sub-zero temperatures on the way later this week, I wanted to share some of my new favourite Winter Saviours to help save your skin, body and hair from the cold.

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Beauty Box: You Beauty Box - January 2016 review

My first beauty box of the year has arrived and it sees You Beauty Discovery begin their re-branding by becoming simply 'You Beauty' instead. So let's have a look at this month's box.

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Weekend Pampering: Dr Organic Dead Sea Mineral Bath Salts review

If you read my September Empties post, you'll have noticed that I've ran out of my beloved Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts. Whilst the full size tub is on my Christmas wishlist, I decided to purchase a similar, but much more budget friendly option from Dr. Organic to keep me going in the meantime.

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Review: Latest In Beauty Awards - The Winners Box - 2015

Last month I posted about the first Latest In Beauty Awards, where LIB were asking beauty fans to vote for their favourite products in a range of categories.  The results were counted up and a brand new exclusive box has now been released to showcase the winners!

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May Empties: Products I've Used Up

It's my favourite time of the month when my blog feed erupts with everyone's empties posts!  Here are the products that I've used up recently, my thoughts on them and whether I will be repurchasing them or not.

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Budget Beauty: You Beauty Discovery Box - May 2015 review

May's You Beauty Discovery Box has landed and is themed around the recent CEW beauty awards. Here's what I chose for my box from the shortlist of products available.

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Top 5 Frizz Fighting Products for Unruly Summer Hair

Summer is without a doubt my favourite season of the year (I wish I could live somewhere sunny all year round, I really do!) but all that humidity can wreak havoc with your hair.  So if your hair is currently re-enacting that scene with Monica from Friends, this is the post for you.

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Beauty Roundup: The Best of 2013

I'm a little late posting this but here we go!  This is my beauty roundup of the past year, showcasing the creme de la creme of the products that I fell in love with during 2013.   

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My Hair Products / Styling Stash

My hair is naturally dry and has a slight wave to it which can either look good (like once or twice a year), or it can look plain awful (i.e most of the time).  It's also a frizzy nightmare to boot, which has forced me to keep an arsenal of products on hand at all times in order to make myself look marginally presentable.  Now, I'm not saying that messy hair isn't cool, on the contrary, but let's face it - getting that 'just got out of bed look' is the same as that 'no make-up look' that requires at least five products isn't it?!  So here's a rundown of what's in my hair products/styling stash.

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June Favourites

These are my June beauty favourites; a specially selected handful which I've been in love with recently.  A good mix I think! 

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Currently Loving: Dr Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Hair Treatment Serum

 Dr Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Hair Treatment Serum (100ml, £14.99, link)

Since hair oils erupted onto the beauty scene a few years ago, I've found myself trying out my fair share of them.  Everything from the blended ones, the properly pure ones and the ones in between; you name it, I've probably tried it.  Macadamia Oil has been my HG favourite, but will this one from Dr Organic finally steal its crown?

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Latest In Beauty: The CEW UK 2013 Beauty Awards Finalists' Discovery Box

 CEW UK 2013 Beauty Awards Finalists' Discovery Box (£9.95, link)

The CEW UK Beauty Awards recently took place which are dubbed the 'Oscars' of the beauty industry.  Being a beauty blogger, I like to keep tabs on what's going on, and this years winners showcase some of my absolute favourite brands (talk about having good taste eh?!).  So naturally, I eagerly purchased the Finalists' Discovery Box from Latest In Beauty and was delighted when it arrived today.  

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March Favourites

The month has gone by so fast again hasn't it? Here are my beauty favourites for March:-

(1) Liz Earle Skin Repair Light Moisturiser* - (review) - This is one of the best moisturisers I've tried for oily/combination skin, it controls excess oil where needed and doesn't dry out the other parts. I'll be using this a lot over the coming summer months.
(2) Dr Organic Pomegranate Deodorant - (review) - Have been raving about this a lot recently and absolutely love it. Smells so good!
(3) Zoya Nail Polish in Jana - (NOTD) - Gorgeous mauve/taupe shade.
(4) Andrea Fulerton Nail Polish in Eliza - (NOTD) - One of my new favs shades for S/S, so pretty!
(5) Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie - (review) - I imagine that these little beauties will be on a lot of people's favourites this month! I have been wearing this almost everyday since the lovely Sandra sent it to me.
(6) Karma Naturals Lip Balm in Rhubarb and Custard - (review) - This smells good enough to eat and is very moisturising, love how natural it is too!

What are your beauty favourites this month?

*PR sample

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