Beauty Empties | Products I've Used Up

Ready for another empties post? I know I am! Here's everything beauty-wise that I have used up over the past month or so with lots of skincare favourites.

Emma Hardie Protect & Prime SPF 30 (travel size)

A great primer and sunscreen all in one, this goes on smoothly and makes applying foundation a breeze. I find it quite hydrating so feel free to skip the moisturiser with this one. Repurchase? Yes.

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti Wrinkle Booster Serum (travel size)

I've gone through a fair few of these over the years and it's still one of my favourite anti ageing serums where you can actually see a noticeable difference to fine lines from using it. Repurchase? Yes.

17 Extreme Extension Lengthening Mascara (reviewed here)

Cheap as chips, this no-frills mascara is less than a fiver and cruelty-free. If you're looking for an easy everyday option that adds length to your lashes, give this a go. Repurchase? Maybe.

NEOM Perfect Night's Sleep Magnesium Body Butter*

I love the heady lavender-based relaxing scent of NEOM's Perfect Night's Sleep range, so naturally, I was a big fan of this body butter which is infused with magnesium to help relax you further. Thick non-greasy texture and very hydrating. Repurchase? Yes as a luxury treat. 

PHYTO Apraisant Soothing Treatment Shampoo* 

If you have a sensitive scalp, you need to try this. It does feel quite clarifying so I'd recommend following it up with a good hair mask/moisturising conditioner if you have dry hair. Repurchase? Yes.

Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Renewing Cleansing Oil* (reviewed here)

I think this is the third or fourth bottle that I've gone through. It's a brilliant cleansing oil that's affordable and gets the job done, plus it lasts ages as a little goes a long way. Repurchase? Yes.

Neals Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Hand Cream* (reviewed here)

I don't think I'll ever tire of the gorgeous fresh citrusy scent of this hand cream - it's one of my all-time favourites and I've been using it for years. Repurchase? Yes.

Creightons BAMbeautiful Thickening Conditioning Masque (travel size)

Discovered this gem in a beauty box and I'll definitely be checking out the brand further. I have very fine hair and this hair mask adds noticeable bounce and volume without weighing it down. Repurchase? Yes.

Green People Age Defy+ Collagen Boost Vitamin C Serum*

I loved using this serum in the morning as I felt it injected some brightness and life back into my skin, especially if I hadn't been sleeping well that night! Gorgeous texture and works well underneath makeup and moisturiser. Repurchase? Yes.

Balance Me Tri-Molecular Hyaluronic Serum*

With three different types of hyaluronic acid in the formula, this serum is one of the best hyaluronic acid-based ones that I've tried. Plumps up the skin beautifully and keeps essential moisture locked in. Repurchase? Yes.

Elemis Superfood Glow Priming Moisturiser (travel size)

From a GWP goody bag, I enjoyed using this dual-action primer moisturiser for when I felt that my skin needed a bit of extra glow factor. Delivers a juicy dewy finish so is something that I would probably use more often in the cooler months. Repurchase? Maybe.

Hugens Hyaluronic Concentrate Serum (travel size)

This was lovely and I really liked the light texture, however, the Balance Me serum above performs better in my opinion. Was nice to try though. Repurchase? Probably not.

The Beauty Crop Fill & Tame Brow Gel* 

Another beauty box discovery that I loved! The shade was perfect for me and it helped to fill in the gaps in my brows, whilst still keeping them looking natural. Repurchase? Yes.

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

Finishing this post off with a much-loved skincare favourite of mine - if you're looking for a high-end hydrating mist with clean ingredients, you absolutely can't go wrong with this! I also use it as a makeup setting spray over mineral powder foundation to keep my skin looking fresh. Repurchase? Yes.

What have you used up recently?

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Luxury Mother's Day Gift Idea: Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Hydro Mist & Rose Cleansing Balm review

Need a last-minute gift for Mother's Day? Elemis is always a surefire winner with their Pro-Collagen Rose collection being a bestselling range for many years. Maybe your mum already has some in her bathroom cabinet and would appreciate a top-up?

Elemis feels like one of those luxury British brands that have been around forever as it's become such a well-loved part of the beauty community, particularly with older women. Launched back in 1990 by Noella Gabriel, Elemis has gone from strength to strength, and was one of the first true 'skin wellness' brands, marrying together a love of nature, science, and aromatherapy. 

I've tried quite a few products from Elemis over the years and particularly love their body care range, as well as their bestselling Pro-Collagen Rose collection, which my skin is enjoying now it's nearer 40, than 30!

Here are two products that I'd highly recommend picking up; the Pro-Collagen Rose Hydro Mist and the Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm. These would be perfect to add to a DIY pamper basket for your mum, along with a lovely candle, flowers, and some of her favourite foodie treats.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Hydro Mist* (50ml, £46)

A mist doesn't sound very exciting but this is no ordinary mist. Oh no! This is a super hydrating serum-in-a-mist which is actually pretty interesting concept wise and works beautifully for more mature, dull and dehydrated skin types. Dubbed as a 'high-performance anti-wrinkle serum-in-a-mist', this clever multi-purpose skincare gem has an incredibly soothing effect on the skin, leaving it smooth, softened, and hydrated for 24 hours.

Hero ingredients in this innovative formula are Padina Pavonica (a clinically proven seaweed extract that boosts collagen production), Microalgae extracts (to freshen and hydrate), and Organic Rose Hydrolat (famed for its natural moisturising properties). Use it after cleansing, and it also doubles up as a fantastic makeup setting spray.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm* (prices start from £13 for 20g)

Based on its famous big sister, the original Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm (one of which is sold every 13 seconds in the UK!), this Rose version has become equally as popular thanks to its delicate fresh floral fragrance. Infused with Rose and Mimosa waxes with Elderberry, Starflower, and Elemis' trademarked blend of Optimega Oils, this mineral oil-free balm is just so beautiful and luxurious to use. The texture is rich and effortlessly massages into the skin to remove all traces of dirt and impurities - you can see why it's used in the Elemis spas from the minute that you try it.

Super nourishing for the delicate skin barrier, the balm emulsifies into a hydrating milk when water is added, leaving skin soft, clean, and properly feeling pampered and nourished. A tiny amount goes a long way as expected and it can also be used to remove makeup, as well as a weekly hydrating facial mask for dry skin.

Shop the full range at uk.elemis.com

What are your favourite Elemis products?

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June Magazine Freebies with Elemis & Neom

The summer months are always good to us magazine consumers when it comes to being generous with beauty freebies.  There are a plethora of bargains to be had at the newsagents at the moment, and I found myself picking up these two the other day.

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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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