Beauty Empties | Products I've Used Up

The early May Bank Holiday has thrown me off course a little, but here are my latest Beauty Empties, a few days later than planned! Check out what I've finished up recently and which products I'll be repurchasing again.

Westlab Mindful Bath Salts* (featured here)

For affordable, budget-friendly bath salts, you can't go wrong with anything from Westlab and you can buy these in big bags from places like TKMaxx where they are even cheaper! I love these Mindful Bath Salts which are infused with Frankincense, Bergamot, and CBD. Repurchase? Yes.

Naturecan CBD Infused Coconut Conditioner* 

Having tried out some skincare from Naturecan a few years ago, I was curious to see what their haircare was like, but if I'm being honest, I've found it a bit disappointing. This conditioner is meant for dry/damaged hair but it didn't feel particularly moisturising/hydrating in my opinion, and had quite a thin and watery texture. Repurchase? No.

Odylique Coconut Candy Scrub* (featured here)

One of my favourite luxury body scrubs of all time, I've gone through so many tubs of this over the years! It smells incredible; just like what you would imagine coconut candy to smell like, and it's packed full of nourishing ingredients so when all the exfoliation is done, your skin feels silky smooth afterwards. Repurchase? Yes.

This Works Deep Sleep Bath Soak* (featured here)

Another luxury favourite, again because they work so well, are the Deep Sleep bath salts from This Work. Clinically proven to help you sleep better, I'm a huge fan of this range and adore the ultra-relaxing scent of Lavender and Vetivert. Thankfully, they are quite potent so you don't need to use much each time. Repurchase? Definitely.

Evolve Organic Beauty Rainforest Rescue Blemish Serum* (featured here)

A staple in my skincare routine, this Blemish Serum is one of the best that I've tried for calming down breakouts, without irritating sensitive skin. It feels light and gentle on, but is incredibly effective thanks to a blend of spot-busting plant actives such as Willow Bark and Copaiba. Highly recommended. Repurchase? Will do.

Balmonds Intensive Hand Cream* (featured here)

Every now and then, I get flare-ups of pompholyx eczema on my hands, and Balmonds is my go-to brand to help relieve it. Their Intensive Hand Cream is amazing stuff and free from a long list of 'nasties' so it's a fantastic 99% natural formula. In short, it works! Repurchase? Yes.

Dr. Pawpaw Age Renewal Hand Cream*

Another good option for eczema-ridden hands is this fragrance-free formula from Dr. Pawpaw. It's very hydrating and feels very soothing, plus soaks in easily. Repurchase? Would certainly consider it.

Brave New Hair Keratin Mask Concentrate (travel size)

I liked this a lot. It has a lovely thick texture, is super moisturising for dry hair, and smells fresh and coconutty. Repurchase? Maybe!

Skin & Me Soothe + Smooth Light Moisturiser*

For a straight-up, everyday facial moisturiser, this was brilliant and did the job very well. Packed full of Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides, it keeps your skin nicely hydrated without being too much for my oily/combination type to handle. I also love the metallic tube. Repurchase? I'm using REN at the moment but would consider coming back to this in the future.

Mádara Exfoliating Oil-to-Milk Scrub* (travel size)

I've used this many times in the past - it's a good exfoliator that's quite grainy but not too harsh and I love the oil-to-milk formula. Repurchase? Yes.

What have you been using up lately?

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Beauty Empties | Products I've Used Up

Another month has flown by which means it's time yet again for another Beauty Empties round-up! This is something of a bumper collection as I've been on a bit of a No-Buy challenge recently so I've finished up quite a lot of products. Grab a cuppa and let's get stuck in.

Naobay Hyaluronic & Hemp Recharge Splash Facial Mist* (travel size)

I really enjoyed using this - it was super light and refreshing and also doubled up nicely as a setting spray too. Repurchase? I've gone back to using the Evolve Daily Defence Moisture Mist, but I would be happy to buy this again in the future.

Balance Me BHA Exfoliating Concentrate (travel size)

If you have oily/combination skin that's prone to blemishes and breakouts, then I highly recommend this liquid exfoliant. It's brilliant for unclogging pores and getting rid of dead skin/congestion. Repurchase? Yes.

Nourish London Probiotic Multi-Mineral Repair Mask* (reviewed here)

This is one of the best face masks that I've ever tried for helping to repair the skin barrier. It has so many beneficial ingredients like Magnesium and Zinc in it that you really do see a noticeable difference in your skin after the first use. Genius stuff. Repurchase? Already have :)

This Works Morning Expert Hyaluronic Serum* (reviewed here)

A hugely popular serum for a reason, this one combines Hyaluronic Acid with Vitamin C in a slow-release formula to really plump up and brighten your complexion. Very impressed by this and will be most definitely cutting open the tube to get the last bits out! Repurchase? Yes.

Bloomtown The Rose Garden Salt Soak* (reviewed here)

I recently featured this in my top four relaxing bath salts post so it should come as no surprise to see it here. These are gorgeous, fresh rose-scented Himalayan salts that are very relaxing and spa-like. Repurchase? Yes. 

Puur Ingrid Ultra Body Oil* (featured here)

This is a luxury Canadian natural brand that I was introduced to when I was judging the Cert Clean Beauty Awards. A delightfully silky body oil with a heavenly scent of Lavender, Eucalyptus, and Bergamot. Repurchase? I'm not sure if they have a UK stockist but I'll certainly be checking!

Greenfrog Botanic Shampoo Bar Argan & Rose Oil*

One of my favourite shampoo bars as it produces a nice thick lather and feels very hydrating. Vegan and SLS-free, these bars last forever, I'm sure I've been using it for at least 3 months. Repurchase? Yes.

Dr. Pawpaw Shea Butter Balm* (reviewed here)

Another product that's lasted for a long time has been this tube of Dr. Pawpaw Shea Butter Balm which I'm sure I opened around Christmas time to put it into perspective! Amazing for any dry skin bits like lips and cuticles, it's fragrance-free so ideal for sensitive skin. Repurchase? Definitely.

Organii Almond & Avocado Cream Soap* (reviewed here)

If you have dry hands, you must try these Organii Cream Soaps. Not only are they packed full of natural moisturising ingredients like Shea Butter and Avocado Oil, but they're an absolute steal at only £3.50. I like to use them mainly as hand soaps to cut down on my plastic waste, though they are brilliant to use in the bath and shower as well as they retain their shape and don't go mushy.

This Works In Transit Camera Close-Up (travel size)

One of the best multi-purpose beauty products to throw into your travel bag. This little gem triples up as a hydrating face mask, everyday moisturiser, and makeup primer. I particularly like it using it as a primer as it completely smooths out my face in prep for makeup and keeps everything looking fresh. Repurchase? Yes.

Fruu Watermelon Lip Balm*

Can you tell I'm getting better at using up my never-ending stash of lip balms?! I'm a huge fan of these Fruu ones which come in a range of different flavours - Watermelon is so fruity and delicious. The hydration that these lip balms offer and the curved end make me keep buying them over and over. Repurchase? Definitely. 

Vapour Mesmerize Mascara (reviewed here)

It was certainly bittersweet to finish off this mascara as Vapour Beauty is sadly no more and I'll miss several of their products including this as it was a bloody good mascara. Repurchase? Discontinued :(

Alexandra Kay Time To Relax Essential Oil* (reviewed here)

I've used this for about 2-3 years now and still love it; I'm not sure why, but it's one of the most relaxing essential oil blends that I've come across. Repurchase? Yes.

Alteya Organics Eucalyptus Essential Oil*

When it comes to single essential oils, you can't go wrong with the purity and quality of Alteya Organics. I use Eucalutpus a lot throughout winter to help with itchy scalps/dandruff (add a drop or two to your shampoo), and clearing blocked sinuses when I've had a cold (great for water steam inhalation). Repurchase? Most definitely!

What beauty products have you finished up lately?

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5 Products To Try This Month #JanuaryEdit

 

Want to add some new products to your daily routine, but don't know where to start? My January Edit is here to help! From a 100% natural multi-purpose balm to eco-friendly biodegradable face sponges, here are 5 products to try this month.

1 - Dr. Pawpaw Shea Butter Balm* (from £3.95, link)

I'm never far away from a high-quality multi-purpose balm and you'll always find one (or two) in every handbag, desk drawer, and suitcase. A must-have for all those tricky dry skin areas like lips, cuticles, heels, elbows, etc, I'm a huge fan of Dr. Pawpaw Shea Butter Balm which is 100% natural, vegan-friendly, and fragrance-free so can be used by pretty much everyone. 

Apply a tiny amount as and when needed to areas that need some extra TLC and don't forget that this can also be used to soothe sensitive irritated skin, insect bites, and minor abrasions. You can pick up travel-size tubes for under £4 from places like Superdrug, or stock up on a bigger tube for the whole family.

2 - Nourish London Ceramide Moisture Boost Essence* (100ml, £25, link)

Released towards the end of last year, I've been enjoying using this newbie from one of my favourite British natural skincare brands, Nourish London. Their Ceramide Moisture Boost Essence is a lightweight, but ultra-hydrating essence that's suitable for all skin types to use. Packed full of ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, Trehalose, Kale Sprout Extract, and Probiotic Minerals, the essence rapidly absorbs into the skin, feeding it with nutrients and delivering an essential boost of moisture. The end result is beautifully plumped up, nourished, and happy skin!

If you're wondering how to add an essence to your evening skincare routine, I apply a few drops onto my fingertips and massage it into my skin after cleansing and toning. Let it absorb for about 5 minutes or so, then I'll follow up with my regular serum and moisturiser/facial oil.

3 - Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial Oil* (30ml, £39, link)

With its ability to increase moisture levels and improve elasticity whilst boosting radiance and balancing the skin, it's no wonder that Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial Oil is a bestseller! I absolutely adore the blend of natural plant oils such as Sweet Almond Oil, Blackcurrant Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, and Camelina Sativa Seed Oil that work so well for my skin, and this multi-rich complex is the perfect partner for evening facial massages. 

As with all facial oils, a little goes a long way and you only need to use 2-3 drops each time. It makes my skin feel much smoother and adds a protective layer that strengthens the skin's natural barrier as you sleep. Brilliant stuff indeed, plus it smells lovely.

4 - One Pure World LUFO Eco Face Sponge Kit* (Kickstarter campaign link)

If one of your New Year resolutions is to make 2023 the year that you make more eco-friendly consumer decisions, a great place to start is at One Pure World. The online retailer not only stocks a range of zero-waste everyday products but has also launched a Kickstarter campaign for their LUFO Face Sponges which has already raised €10,218! I was very kindly sent one of these brand new LUFO Eco Face Sponge Kits to help raise awareness of their campaign which you can directly support by clicking the link above. 

The LUFO Sponge is made from 100% biodegradable and compostable compressed cellulose (wood pulp) which expands like magic when you add water to it. Before that, they look like thin discs as you can see above which makes them ideal for traveling with. This kit contains the classic LUFO Sponge with the black sponges; the latter are infused with Activated Charcoal for a really deep cleanse that helps to unclog pores and remove impurities from the skin. Also in the kit is a sponge-drying tray which is made from Diatomite (fossilized algae) - this natural material instantly absorbs water and dries the sponge between uses - pretty neat, huh?

These sponges are a great way to say goodbye to single-use plastic products and are so soft to use every day with your favourite cleanser for a little natural exfoliation.

5 - Fushi Gurmar Leaf Supplements* (60 capsules, £10, link)

My last pick for January are Fushi Gurmar Leaf Supplements and I highly recommend these if you are looking to cut down on your sugar intake. Gurmar Leaf is a natural extract that's well known in Ayurvedic medicine and is nicknamed 'the sugar destroyer'. It's been traditionally used for centuries to help people deal with their sugar cravings and each capsule features 340mg of 100% pure Gurmar Leaf. As they're from Fushi, these are high-quality, all-natural supplements that are certified organic by the Soil Association, are free from any nasties, and come packaged in a glass bottle.

What are your top products for January?

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