August Empties: Products I've Used Up

 

The end of the month is rolling around yet again, so it's time for another Empties post! Like last month, I've been trying to declutter some more travel-size products, alongside some familiar everyday items.

Kiss The Moon Love After Dark Pillow Mist* (travel size)

Everything from Kiss The Moon smells incredible and it was a real pleasure to use this pillow mist which has a blend of rose, frankincense, and ylang ylang essential oils to help you unwind. Heavenly! Repurchase? I'm using one from Neals Yard Remedies at the moment, but I have no doubt I'll return to this in the near future.

Aveda Shampure Dry Shampoo

Since Covid happened, I haven't been using much dry shampoo at all thanks to WFH life, so this has lasted me probably about two years. I believe Aveda has repackaged/renamed it since then, however, the formula remains the same and it's one of the best that I've ever tried. Repurchase? Yes.

Laidbare Butter Me Up Body Butter*

Another product that has taken me a long time to finish up has been this big tub of body butter from Laidbare. I love the rich and heady fragrance, and the light texture just sinks into the skin quickly. Perfect to use after a long soak in the bath. Repurchase? Yes.

Weleda Wild Rose Creamy Body Wash* (travel size)

If you have dry skin, you must try these body washes from Weleda because they are SO good! I've used them for years the Wild Rose scent is still one of my favourites. Repurchase? Will do.

Salcura Bioskin Zeoderm Skin Repair Moisturiser

Ideal for skin that's prone to eczema, dermatitis, and/or psoriasis, I highly recommend the Salcura range if you're looking to avoid harsh chemicals like steroids as most of their range is 97-99% natural. This is another product that I always have in my skincare stash for when my eczema flareups and it still works a treat after all these years. Repurchase? Already have!

Tropic Skin Shade Tinted Facial Sun Cream SPF50 in Light/Medium*

I haven't been wearing much makeup over the past year, so for sunny days, I've just been slapping on this as an easy, fuss-free base. It gives a good light coverage and doesn't make me look super shiny, plus it's a proper facial sunscreen with the tint added to the water-resistant formula, rather than a tinted moisturiser with a teeny bit of sunscreen thrown in. Repurchase? Definitely will next Summer.

Omorovicza Cleansing Foam (travel size)

Despite it being a famous cult cleanser, I wasn't too keen on this and felt like it left my skin feeling a bit sticky/tacky afterwards, no matter how much I rinsed the residue away with a flannel. Not for me. Repurchase? No.

Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask (travel size)

The Omorovicza cleansing mask is a completely different story though - I loved it! Although the sample pot was for only one use, it made my complexion look and feel instantly clearer and smoother. Repurchase? Definitely on my shopping list.

Tropic Illuma Light Diffusing Concealer in Brûlee*

For a natural, cruelty-free, and vegan-friendly undereye concealer, Tropic's Illuma Light Diffusing Concealers are simply amazing. They conceal dark circles beautifully without creasing into fine lines and always make me look much more awake than I actually am - a great 'cheat' product when you haven't had much sleep. Repurchase? Yes.

L'Occitane Shea Hand Cream (travel size)

Last, but not least, I finished up a mini hand cream from L'Occitane. I used to use these all the time but sadly there is the issue of L'Occitane no longer being cruelty-free due to selling in China, so I'm just using up what I have left. Repurchase? No.

What have you used up recently?

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November Empties: Products I've Used Up

Ready for a bumper Empties post?! As per my usual pre-Christmas tradition of having a declutter, I made it my mission to use up as many of the half-full and nearly used up bottles and jars in my bathroom as possible and here are the results! You might want to grab a snack and make a cuppa first...

Tropic Skin Feast Nourishing Cream Concentrate*

A gorgeous face moisturiser with Hyaluronic Acid for the winter months - nice thickish texture but absorbs quickly and doesn't feel greasy or heavy at all so perfect for most skin types I would imagine! Repurchase? I'm currently testing out the new fragrance-free version which I actually prefer :)

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Polish (travel size)

I love the scent of REN'S Moroccan Rose Otto range because it's so fresh and uplifting. This is a proper luxurious body scrub that works a treat. Repurchase? On my wishlist.

Bodhi & Birch Super 25 Botanical Serum* (reviewed here)

If you're in the market for a luxury all-natural serum, I would add this to your shopping basket right now. It's a sublime blend of 25 superfood botanicals and it's free from essential oils which makes it ideal for sensitive skin. Repurchase? It's out of my budget at the moment sadly.

Lola's Apothecary Sweet Lullaby Soothing Bath & Shower Oil (travel size)

Everything from Lola's Apothecary is beautiful and this bath oil is no exception - it smells gorgeous and so calming. Repurchase? On my xmas list.

Bodhi & Birch Sicilian Rose Body Oil (reviewed here)

A good friend gifted this to me for my birthday and I was so happy because I've used it in the past and absolutely adored it. The scent is heavenly and the texture of the oil just leaves your skin silky soft. Repurchase? Another that's on my xmas list ;)

Lavera All Round Cream (reviewed here)

Long-time readers will recognise this - I've gone through many tins of this amazing multi-purpose moisturiser over the years. Super thick and buttery, it's a must-have for dry skin during winter and it smells like lemon cheesecake! Repurchase? Already have.

Sunday Riley C.E.O Vitamin C Rapid Flash Serum (travel size)

I'm a big fan of Sunday Riley's C.E.O Vitamin C range and this serum was such a pleasure to use that I was gutted when it ran out. Brilliant for brightening up dull skin. Repurchase? Yes.

Saint Iris Adriatica Every Body Vitality Spritz* (reviewed here)

Uplifting and invigorating is how I would describe this luxury body spritz which is lovely to use after hot yoga or pilates. Repurchase? Sadly not, it's one of those products that I used a lot at first, but then forgot that I had which is why it's taken me such a long time to use it up.

Handmade Naturals Cocoa & Mandarin Lip Balm* (reviewed here)

A fantastic budget-friendly natural lip balm that tastes a bit like a Terry's Chocolate Orange - what's not to like?! Repurchase? Yes.

L'Occitane Amande Shower Oil (travel size)

I will always have a soft spot for this as I've been using it for years and the scent is quite nostalgic for me now. It's also still one of the best products to use to shave your legs with - silky smoothness guaranteed every time. Repurchase? Yes.

A'kin Rosehip Oil* (reviewed here)

My skin loves Rosehip Oil so I always have a bottle of it in my stash and this one from A'kin is another longtime favourite of mine because it's so pure and has a lovely texture. Repurchase? Definitely.

Noughty To The Rescue Moisture Boost Shampoo* (reviewed here)

I can't remember how many tubes I've used up in the past but I often have one in my bathroom and alternate it with other shampoos. Brilliant for dry hair without weighing it down. Repurchase? Will do once I've used some other shampoos first.

Lavera Basis Sensitiv Toothpaste* (reviewed here)

One of the best organic toothpastes that I've tried for sensitive teeth. Contains sodium fluoride but is SLS free. Repurchase? I've trying out Lavera's Whitening Toothpaste at the moment.

B. Gentle Eye Makeup Remover* (reviewed here)

If your eyes are quite delicate and sensitive, as most people's are, this affordable, vegan eye makeup remover is fantastic because it removes everything (including waterproof makeup) without stinging or requiring scrubbing. I've used lots of these! Repurchase? Yes.

Tropic Monoi And Orange Flower Luxury Bath Foam* 

Perfect for a luxurious bubble bath, this SLS-free Tropic Bath Foam smells incredible - I'm a sucker for anything with Monoi in it - and it's really relaxing to use before bedtime. Repurchase? Yes.

Elsa's Organic Skin Foods Natural Deodorant Stick in Ocean* (reviewed here)

I've been lucky enough to try out all of the different natural deodorants from Elsa's and my two favourites are Love and Ocean. The latter is super fresh and a great unisex scent too. Repurchase? Already have.

P.S - Recycle your beauty empties with Terracycle! 

Most of these plastic and glass containers can be recycled through my local council service (blue bin in my area), however, things like the pumps have metal springs in them which are not accepted as they require a different method in order to be recycled. Luckily, Garnier have teamed up with Terracycle to recycle beauty and personal care waste which is deemed difficult to recycle. It's free, all brands are accepted and there are drop off locations all over the UK. Read more here.

What have you used up recently?

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Summer Holiday Wishlist

Whether you're getting ready to jet off on your summer holiday or simply fancy treating yourself, here's my Summer Holiday Wishlist to give you a little shopping inspiration this weekend!

(1) ASOS Lira 90s Print Beach Dress (£33, link)

I was browsing ASOS the other day and spotted this cute little beach dress from Lira. I love the 90s/ hippy inspired print, and the backless design looks perfect for hot Summer days! I'm not overly keen on super short dresses, so the length of this one really appealed to me as well, and you could easily dress this up with a black leather jacket and black strappy sandals for an evening/night out look.

(2) L'Occitane Roses et Reines Roll-On Eau de Toilette Intense (10ml, £18, link)

For holidays, I always like to pack a travel size fragrance, so these roll-ons from L'Occitane are just the right size for handbags and carry on cases. This scent Roses et Reines smells amazing with notes of four different Roses (Grasse, Bulgarian, Turkish and Moroccan), but if you're not a rose fan, they have lots of other scents available and the packaging is gorgeous. Well worth popping into your nearest shop and having a sniff of their perfumes range!

(3) New Look Black Tropical Print Bikini Top (£12.99, link)    

If you're looking for a new bikini, New Look has lots of new designs in and I really like the look of this Black Tropical Print Bikini Top which has a lattice style detailing on the front. The print looks very Dolce & Gabbana inspired, and I love how it's tropical, but not too bright or OTT. Comes with matching bottoms, or you could just wear it with some denim shorts.

(4) Malin + Goetz Holiday Essentials Kit (£20, link)

Space NK are one of my favourite places to shop when you feel like treating yourself to some new luxury toiletries, and this Holiday Essentials Kit from Malin + Goetz contains both skincare and haircare. Inside the kit, you get a Face Cleanser, Face Moisturiser, Body Lotion, Body Moisturiser, Shampoo and Conditioner, all in handy travel size bottles and packaged in a flight friendly, clear plastic bag. 

(5) Mango Prescription Sunglasses (£150 + prescription lenses, link) 

Sadly, if I want to get some new sunglasses I can't just go into Primark and pick up a pair for £2 as I need to get prescription ones. Luckily though, lots of highstreet opticians have offers on throughout the Summer months, and these ones from Mango are from Boots who always do really good 2 for 1 deals. I've seen these lighter tortoise shell designs everywhere this Summer so I may have to splurge and pick some up!

(6) Charlotte Tilbury Quick & Easy Red Carpet Party Look Set (£55, link)

For the ultimate holiday makeup treat, I've been eyeing up this stunning set from Charlotte Tilbury which contains four of her must-have products for a quick and easy glamorous look. This set contains a Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Kiss 'N' Tell, Matte Revolution Lipstick in Red Carpet, Rock 'N' Kohl Eye Liner in Barbarella Brown and a travel size version of the best-selling Wonderglow. You also get a cute makeup bag to store all your holiday makeup in.

What's on your Summer Holiday Wishlist?

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June Empties: Products I've Used Up

I usually post my Empties right at the end of the month, but there's no way I'm going to finish anything else in the next couple of days, so here's a slightly earlier than usual Empties post. Here's everything that I've used up recently and my thoughts about whether I'll be repurchasing them or not. Enjoy!

Living Nature Sensitive Cleanser

Whenever my skin feels like it's going to break out or throw a tantrum, I'll switch whatever cleanser I'm using to something like this Sensitive one from Living Nature to help calm it down, so I've been using this on/off for a couple of months now. I've gone through tubes of it in the past and it's lovely and gentle on the skin. Great for a morning cleanse, or as a second cleanse in the evening. Repurchase? I have a lot of cleansers to use up at the moment, but I would definitely repurchase this in the future.

Swell Advanced Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner

If you have fine hair like I do, these are a must-try! I love the Swell range, and these are SLS and silicones-free. As they are quite pricey, I like to alternate them with some more affordable brands, but they are absolutely fantastic and work a treat! Managed to get these on offer in the Christmas sale. Repurchase? Yes, I'll be sure to snap them up next time they're on offer somewhere!

Swell Ultimate Volume Masque*

Used a full-size tube of this masque before and loved it, so it was handy having a travel size in my toiletries bag. It's a really great hair mask for anyone who has fine hair that needs extra hydration and volume, as it doesn't leave your hair feeling weighed down. Lovely stuff. Repurchase? Yes.

Aveda Outer Peace Blemish Relief Pads

These pads were an impulse buy because I saw them on a half-price offer a few months ago, but I sadly didn't see any difference by using them. They didn't make my skin or blemishes any worse, but they didn't clear up anything either. Repurchase? No.

Bodhi & Birch Camomile Sky Bath & Shower Therapy*

I was so lucky to win this in a giveaway at Christmas time and I've thoroughly enjoyed using it as a luxury shower gel. I love Bodhi & Birch's Bath & Shower Therapies and this Camomile Sky scent is so fresh and unusual. Lovely for Summer. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some other ones!

Ila Bath Soak for Pure Relaxation

This is a really calming bath soak to use for those busy days when you get home feeling stressed and just need to unwind. Perfect for a relaxing pamper with some candles and a glass (or two) of wine! Repurchase? Yes, the full size is very reasonably priced so it's on my shopping list.

L'Occitane Shea Hand Cream

Just a mini that I had in my handbag - this is still one of my all time favourite hand creams. Ideal for very dry hands and doesn't feel sticky or greasy at all. Repurchase? Already have some more minis in my stash.

Conscious Skincare Pure Body Butter*

A very simple but effective body butter made with just pure natural and organic ingredients like Coconut Oil, Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter. It's got an amazing lightly whipped texture to it and works so well for eczema and general dry skin. A little goes a long way so it's taken me months to get through this huge tub! Repurchase? Yes.

Balance Me Radiance Face Mask

I've mentioned this face mask on numerous occasions and I still love it a lot. A great one to reach for if your skin is feeling congested or looking dull - it really helps to brighten everything up and gives your face a gentle manual exfoliation at the same time. Repurchase? I may have a few more travel sizes in my stash somewhere that I need to dig out.

Roques Oneil Therapie Restore Aura Spray

One of my favourite Christmas presents that I received last year was a Roques Oneil Therapie Gift Set which included this full-size bottle of their incredible Restore Aura Spray. It's made with a calming blend of essential oils and it smells absolutely heavenly! Lovely to use as a relaxing facial spritz when you're feeling stressed, or as a luxury room/pillow spray to help you to sleep. Repurchase? It's expensive so it's on my wishlist for the time being!

Which beauty products have you used up recently?

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UK Magazine Freebies: Benefit with Marie Claire & Glamour, L'Occitane with Harper's Bazaar + British Beauty Blogger's Origins Mix & Mask Box

The UK magazines are wooing us with some awesome freebies again this month! Here are my beauty purchases for the weekend.

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What's On My Bedside Table? The Beauty Edit

Amidst a pile of books, USB cables, pens and cotton buds, you'll find these products scattered somewhere on my bedside table as I like to use them before heading off to the land of nod.

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Beauty Box: Latest In Beauty Designer Discoveries Box review

Calling all fragrance fans - Latest In Beauty have recently released a special collection of three limited edition boxes which have been expertly curated by The Perfume Society. I have the 'Designer Discoveries' box to share with you today.

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February Empties / Products I've Use Up

It's Empties time once again!  Here are all of the products that I managed to finish off in February, my final thoughts on them and whether I'll be repurchasing any or not.

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January Favourites

Last month was a particularly great month for discovering a whole host of shiny new products (as well as some long time favs), so without further ado, here are my January Favourites.

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Winter Hands Saviours - The Favourites Edit

If your hands are feeling very dry from the cold weather, then this is the blogpost for you. Here's my current stash of hydrating skin saviours that I highly recommend if you want to give your hands some serious TLC.

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5 Mini Reviews: L'Occitane, Dr. Hauschka, REN & Liz Earle

I have a serious obsession with miniature sized beauty products!  Here are the latest five to be used up out of my samples stash.

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October Empties / Products I've Used Up

Empties time!  Here are the products I've managed to finish up recently, my overall thoughts on them, and whether I'd repurchase any again or not.

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May Empties / Products I've Used Up

Empties time!  Here are the products I've managed to finish up recently, my overall thoughts on them, and whether I'd repurchase any again or not.

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5 Mini Reviews: Eve Lom, Melvita, L'Occitane, Avene & Raw Gaia

Minis and sample sizes - I just love them so, especially when you get enough in them to try them out multiple times.  Here are five that I've used up recently and my overall thoughts on them.

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November Empties / Products I've Used Up

Oh yes, another month is over with so it's Empties time once again!  Here are my overall thoughts on these products, including which ones I'll be repurchasing again in the future.

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5 Mini Reviews: Redken, Antipodes, L'Occitane, Eve Of St Agnes & L'Oreal

I have seriously been slacking on the samples front!  My Wonder Woman tin is full to bursting again so it's time to get it back under control.  To kick things off, I've managed to finish these five off recently which have been stashed away in my travel bag.  Here are my thoughts on them.

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Magazine Freebies #2 - REN with In Style, L'Occitane with Marie Claire & Eyeko with Glamour

My mum surprised me with this mini haul of magazine freebies today which definitely put a smile on my face!  I'm sure you've seen these mentioned countless times this month already, but here's a quick recap of what's available:-

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5 Mini Reviews: Liz Earle, Weleda, L'Occitane, Balance Me & Mitchell And Peach

Here are some samples that I recently used up on holiday.  Whenever I go away, I almost always use it as an opportunity to raid my samples stash and pick out a bunch of new things to try out.  Afterall, they're the perfect sizes for weekend bags!

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5 Mini Reviews: L'Occitane, NEOM, Rimmel, Korres & Aromatherapy Associates

I set aside these samples a while ago and have only just gotten around to finishing them all up.  It's safe to say that my samples stash is in a much more manageable state these days.  I can finally close my Wonder Woman Tin properly!

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March Empties / Products I've Used Up

Oh yes, it's that time of the month for the Empties round up!  I managed to finish off quite a lot of products again which is no surprise since I'm still on the 100 Day Spending Ban.  So here are my March Empties, what I thought of them and whether I will be repurchasing them or not.

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