It's Empties time once again! Here are all of the products I've managed to finish up recently and whether I would repurchase them again or not.
Showing posts with label macadamia oil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label macadamia oil. Show all posts
The Beauty Edit: 9 Amazing Winter Skin (and hair) Saviours
Tuesday, 12 January 2016
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.
April Empties / Products I've Used Up
Sunday, 3 May 2015
A little later than usual but better late than never right? Here are my April Empties, all the products that I managed to use up last month, my thoughts on them and what I'll be repurchasing in the future.
Haircare Review: Macadamia Rejuvenating Shampoo & Moisturising Rinse
Monday, 23 February 2015
If you have dry hair, you're probably already aware of Macadamia's Natural Oil haircare. Their Healing Oil Treatment and Deep Repair Masque are two holy grail products of mine, so I was very keen to see if their Rejuvenating Shampoo and Moisturising Rinse were also up to scratch.
Top 5 Frizz Fighting Products for Unruly Summer Hair
Thursday, 7 August 2014
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.
January Empties / Products I've Used Up
Sunday, 2 February 2014
Here's to the first Empties post of 2014. I'm really happy with how many products I've managed to finish up last month, though there are quite a few favourites amongst this little lot that I'm sad to see go!
The Detox Pamper
Sunday, 19 January 2014
Sundays and pampering were made for each other, so I thought I'd share a couple of new products that I've been enjoying recently which would be perfect for a detox style pamper.
My Hair Products / Styling Stash
Thursday, 26 September 2013
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.
Review: Macadamia Natural Oil Control Fast-Drying Working Spray
Saturday, 6 July 2013
I've been a long time fan of both the Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment and their Deep Repair Masque (raved about here), but haven't ventured into trying any other products from them until this hairspray arrived in the post. Technically this is called a 'Control Fast-Drying Working Spray', but between me and you, we'll just call it hairspray.
Weekend Pampering: The 15 Minute Miracle
Sunday, 24 February 2013
As much as I love to indulge in long, relaxing, pampering sessions that involve bath oils and scented candles, sometimes time is just not on my side. For those occasions when you need to get ready in lightening speed but still want to fit in some beauty maintenance, I turn to these products for a 15 Minute Miracle pamper.
In the shower, I'll shampoo my hair, squeeze out as much of the water as possible and apply a small amount of Macadamia Oil Deep Repair Masque through my lengths and ends. Although this works best when you can wrap your hair up in a turban and leave it on for half an hour, it does give glossy results in less than 10 minutes too.
Whilst the masque is getting to work mending my usually heat damaged hair, I'll slather myself in LUSH Ro's Argan Body Conditioner. This is a beautiful formula that has argan oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, almond oil etc in it to seriously hydrate the skin and leaves it so soft afterwards. It's a must when you're getting ready in a hurry because you don't need to apply any body lotion afterwards and the lovely scent means that I don't have to use shower gel either, genius! Just slap it on and wash it off.
Once I'm all rinsed, towelled off and bungled into my fluffy dressing gown, it's time to do a mini facial with Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask* which gets to work in just 2 minutes. It's the Queen of all quick fixes for dull, tired skin and instantly brightens up your complexion. And you're all done!
Do you have a 15 Minute Miracle routine for getting ready quickly?
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Best Of 2012: Part 2 - Hair / Skin / Bodycare
Monday, 31 December 2012
Skincare: Liz Earle pretty much dominated much of my everyday skincare routines in 2012, favourites being their Brightening Treatment Mask, Gentle Face Exfoliator and of course the cult beauty classic, Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. Other skincare favourites that I discovered later in the year include JASON Brightening Apricot Scrubble, Essential Care Organic Rose Petal Tonic and Laidbare DIY Cleanser.
So that's everything! If you missed Part 1 you can read my make-up favs of 2012 here. I'm really looking forward to seeing what I'll discover and fall in love with in 2013!
Post your own Best Of 2012 links below!
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My Handbag Beauty Essentials
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
I've had a few requests to do a 'What's In My Handbag?' style post, but not much has changed since I did this old post which mostly consists of the mundane usuals; phone, purse, keys, diary, book, Ipod etc. What has changed however, is that I now carry around a lot more beauty products than I used to, so hopefully this post will be much more interesting!
Haircare: Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment & Deep Repair Masque
Friday, 10 August 2012
Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment (125ml, around £24, link)
Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque (250ml, around £18, link)
I was first introduced to the haircare brand, Macadamia Natural Oil, through beauty boxes and I loved using my samples. I'd managed to accumulate a few more through swaps and eBay, but the time finally came to purchase the full sizes.
What's in my toiletries travel bag?
Friday, 20 July 2012
As some of you may know, I am going on holiday to Prague tomorrow evening, so I thought I'd do a 'What's in my travel bag?' post for the toiletries I'm taking with me. My travel bag was bought in Japan earlier this year, can't remember the name of the shop, but I've seen similar designs for sale over here. I'm a sucker for anything cute with owls on!
Haircare
Burts Bees Super Shiny Shampoo and Conditioner
These were from my grab bag ages ago. Have seen a few mixed reviews of these, so I'll try them
out tonight and see what they're like.
Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment
I love this hair oil more than Morrocan Oil these days.
Perfect for keeping my hair in great condition.
KMS California Free Shape Hot Flex Spray
Love this, just a simple heat protection spray with the added benefit of acting a bit
like a hairspray too!
Skincare
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser
I always take one of these with me when I'm travelling.
Doubles up as a fantastic make-up remover too.
Essential Care Organic Rose Petal Tonic*
This is so lovely to use, great for refreshing yourself with when you're on the go.
Dr Nick Lowe Oil Control Anti-Blemish Day Cream
Featured in my favourites last month, I'm on my second travel size tube of this
and it works so well for my oily/combination skin.
balance Me Radiance Face Mask*
Also featured this in my favourites last month, it's a fab 3 in 1 mask
that helps to perk up dull skin.
Figs & Rouge Sweet Geranium Balm
Multi-purpose balm, always travel with one of these products
in my bag because they come in so handy.
Clinique All About Eyes
One of my favourite eye creams, simple and effective.
Bath & Body
Steamcream
Recently reviewed this here. Love it! The tin is also a great size for
travelling with.
NEOM Tranquility Bath Oil
Received this in the Utter Relaxation gift set for my birthday and can't wait
to use it.
Mitchell and Peach English Growers Shower Wash
I think this was from a Joliebox from around xmas time?!
I really should use up seeing as it's July now, so it's coming with me!
Sunscreen / Misc
JĀSÖN Facial Natural Sunblock SPF 20*
JĀSÖN Mineral Natural Sunblock SPF 30*
No summer travel bag is complete without sunscreen and these ones
from JĀSÖN are light and non-greasy. Reviewed here.
The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Care with SPF 15
Great for wearing under lipsticks and is very moisturising too.
Essential Care Organic First Aid Lotion*
For all those 'just in case' times that happen on holiday!
From their Holiday Essentials kit.
I'll post a make-up bag tomorrow as that's always the last thing I pack.
Have you been or are you going on holiday this summer?
April Empties
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Neom Organic Body Lotion in Real Luxury - One of my favourite body lotions, smells incredible and soaks into the skin straight away. Repurchase? Yes! Already on my wishlist. Balance Me Super Moisturising Hand Cream - 'Super moisturising' really doesn't explain this product very well. Although it's won awards, I didn't like it much personally, and found that I needed to reapply it a lot more frequently than other hand creams. Repurchase? No. Burts Bees Coconut Foot Creme - Another misleading product IMO. Instead of being a typical cream, it's actually like a thick gel which is weird! Doesn't soak into feet and leaves a greasy, slightly sticky residue instead. Repurchase? No. Eucerin Dry Skin Shampoo - Great shampoo for sensitive scalps, reviewed here. Repurchase? Yes at some point, but I'm trying something else at the moment. Boots Botanics Purifying Face Scrub for Normal/Oily Skin - This was OK, but left my skin feeling a little stripped if I used it too often. Repurchase? No. The Body Shop Moisture Foundation SPF 15 in 04 - Another OK product, does the job but there other foundations that I prefer over this. Repurchase? No. Bodhi Mint Thé Refreshing Bath & Shower Therapy* - I absolutely love this, so revitalising and just lovely to use. Repurchase? Maybe, I don't really use mint scented shower products that much, so I'm not sure if I'd be able to get through a full size before it expired.
Elf Conditioning Lip Balm SPF 15 in Nice and Natural - It has been taken me AGES to get through this and although I like the sheer nude colour a lot, I wasn't that taken with the overly vanilla scent. Repurchase? Probably not. Bamford Botanical Bath Oil in Geranium - Love this, so relaxing and luxurious to use. Got about 5 or 6 uses out of this 30ml sample. Repurchase? Yes, but it's on my birthday wishlist because the full size is very expensive, eeek! Bodhi Jasmine Falls Relaxing Body Moisturiser - I adore this scent so much, but prefer the formula of other body lotions more. That said, I would perhaps buy another travel size of this. Repurchase? Maybe. Morroccan Oil - Had this sample bottle in my travel bag for ages. Do still like this, but if I use it too often it makes my hair feel like there's a lot of product build up on it and I have to use a clarifying shampoo to get it back to normal again. Repurchase? Already have another sample size bottle in my stash from xmas. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil - One of my holy grail items, smells so good and works so well on face, body and hair, as well as in the bath. Sadly this is the last of the sample bottles I've managed to acquire so I need to buy a full size ASAP! Repurchase? Yes! The Body Shop Super Volume Mascara - I like this for everyday looks, but it's certainly not as volumising as other mascaras I have tried. Repurchase? Maybe if I saw it on offer, but wouldn't pay full price. Macadamia Deep Repair Mask - Loved this sample and managed to get about 4 uses out of this sachet. It's lovely and thick, and makes my hair soft and manageable afterwards. Repurchase? Definitely.
What beauty products have you used this month? Leave your links below if you've also done an empties post.
*PR sample
What's in my toiletries travel bag?
Friday, 30 March 2012
If you follow me on Twitter, you may have seen me mention that I'm heading to Tokyo on Sunday. It's a place that I've always wanted to visit and I'm so excited to finally be able to go! I've had a few requests to do a 'what's in my travel bag?' type of post detailing what beauty products I'll be taking with me, so here's my toiletries one to start things off.
[Haircare]: Macadamia Deep Repair Masque - When I saw this in last month's Joliebox, I knew that I'd have to refrain from trying it out straight away, and popped into my travel bag instead. Can't wait to use this. KMS California Free Shape Quick Blow Dry Spray does what it says on the bottle and will be perfect for using in the mornings, along with John Frieda Frizz Ease 3 Day Straight for quick and easy sleek hair. I'm also taking this trusty little bottle of Morrocan Oil for last minute touch ups. I'll be decanting a little of my usual Eucerin shampoo to keep my scalp happy and will be pairing that with The Body Shop Nettle Oil Balance Conditioner, which I believe is now discontinued but was from a gift set I received at xmas.
[Bodycare]: I have so many body lotion travel sizes from various beauty boxes that it was difficult to just pick one, but eventually I decided to take Neom Organic Real Luxury Body Lotion because it just smells incredible. Hands and feet will by taken care of with Balance Me Super Moisturising Hand Cream and Burts Bees Coconut Foot Creme, with a mini tin of Lush Lemony Flutter to rub into cuticles before bed and for any extra dry areas that need it. My new favourite Dr Organic Pomegranate Deodorant will also accompany my travels and keep me smelling fresh throughout the busy days of sightseeing. As I'm likely to be completely jetlagged when I arrive, I thought that the Bodhi Mint The Shower Therapy* would be absolutely perfect for waking me up with its potent mint scent, and I'm going to decant a bit of Bamford Geranium Botanic Bath Oil to take with me for a soothing bath. Just in case I have any problems sleeping, I always carry a small bottle of Lavender Oil to help me relax and send me off to the land of nod.
[Skincare]: The only cleanser I am using at the moment is Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish which gives a lovely deep clean and doubles up as an amazing make-up remover too. After this, I'll use my old faithful Lush Tea Tree Water to tone with, and apply a little of Clinique All About Eyes to my undereye dark circles which helps to de-puff them, as well as hydrating the eye area. For mornings, I'll follow with Korres Wild Rose 24 Hour Moisturiser which has SPF 6, and before bed, I'll use Institut Esthederm Time Technology Cream. Twice a week I'll use Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream to get rid of any dull dead skin cells, and I have a mini bottle of Tea Tree Oil just in case any blemishes decide to show up. For lips, I'll be taking my Lush Honey Trap Lip Balm.
So that's everything. I am one of those people who usually leaves everything to the last minute, but doing this blogpost has helped me strike at least one thing off my enormous to-do list, hooray! I will post a make-up one at some point this evening too.
*PR Sample
Joliebox - February
Thursday, 23 February 2012
The Boudoir Prive merger with France's Joliebox excited many in the blogosphere, especially when Joliebox UK announced that there wouldn't be a box for January so that they could devote full attention to the contents of future boxes. Finally, after a great deal of waiting and numerous rumours, the new Joliebox has landed! Before I move onto the contents, let me mention the repackaging, or rather the addition of a black drawstring bag in the box. I don't really get the purpose of it. What the hell am I supposed to do with it?! Anyway, was this all worth the wait?
The contents!
(1) Taaj Himalaya Micellar Water, 100ml - "An antioxidant and tonic makeup remover that will revitalise and purify skin" - This smells nice and is basically a high end makeup remover that has natural water from the Himalayas as one of its key ingredients. It probably couldn't have come at a worst time for me as I've recently fallen in love with Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish, and if you've tried that, you'll know that it's not only an incredible cleanser, but also removes every single trace of make-up. However, I'm sure I will try this out at some point and I like how it's paraben free and suitable for sensitive skin.
(2) Macadamia Deep Repair Masque, 30ml sachet - I've been eyeing this up for some time, so I was happy to receive this and I'm looking forward to using it. I imagine I'll be able to get two uses out of this sample. (3) Lavera Hand Cream, 20ml handbag size - This is the same hand cream that I received in this Latest In Beauty box. I haven't tried it yet as I'm using up my beloved L'Occitane Shea Butter one, but it will be useful for keeping in my handbag. (4) RMK Cleansing Oil, 3ml sachet - Japanese brand which I've heard good stuff about, but I do think sachets for things like cleansers a bit useless as you can't get a good enough feel for them. That said, I will use it up and see what it's like.
(5) Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain in Forever Pink, trial size - "An all natural, multi-purpose stain that adjusts its colour to your mood and temperature" - I love the smell of this, it's like fruity sweets! It is absolutely tiny though, see the size comparison below:-
Anyway, I've tried it on my lips and it delivers a very pretty and flattering wash of pink. It's weird seeing it change colour and on me, it looks darker the hotter I feel (for example, I was out in the sunshine today and it turned to a deep fuschia pink!). Not sure I would want this effect on my cheeks, but I'll definitely use it on the lips.
Summary: I think the long wait was a MAJOR letdown. Although I will end up using everything in the box, I don't think there are any amazing standout products, and certainly nothing in my opinion makes this box special in any way. It's 'OK' at best, and I can imagine a lot of people being deeply disappointed with it. The value of the contents is pretty poor too, and I'm sure many will agree with me when I say that I'd rather have better value products in the box over an additional wasteful drawstring bag. I have always been excited to receive Boudoir Prive boxes and the very first Joliebox in December was incredible, but this just wasn't all that great.
Did you receive this box? What are your thoughts? Was it worth the wait or not?
3 of the Best Hair Oils
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
This time last year, I had never tried hair oil treatments before. The idea of putting any kind of 'oil' into your hair seemed so strange to me, surely it would be turn your locks into a greasy mess? Why was everyone raving about them? So I tried a couple and now I can't get enough of them! I thought I'd do a quick post on three of my favourites and explain how I use them and get them to work for me:-
Moroccan Oil is the beauty classic of hair oil treatments, adored and used by countless women worldwide. I had always steered clear of it in the past due to its perfumed scent but it's one that has certainly grown on me. I received a sample 10ml bottle in a goody bag a couple of months ago and immediately had to try it. I use Moroccan Oil when my hair feels especially dry or is looking dull and unloved. The medium-thick oil consistency absorbs into the hair so well and never looks greasy or leaves any residue. I always use it after I've shampooed and towel-dried my hair, and then I'll either leave a tiny amount in my ends for an hour or so to deeply condition or for a shorter period of time before blow-drying. It always leave my hair feeling soft and looking healthy, plus the smallest amount goes such a long way.
Macadamia Oil is like Moroccan Oil's little sister and I use it in the same way (on towel dried hair, mainly before drying/styling). The 10ml sample bottle shown above was obtained through a Boudoir Prive box. It's incredibly similar in many ways to Moroccan Oil; its oil consistency is pretty much the same, it delivers nearly identical results (if I'm nit-picking, I'd say that Moroccan Oil is ever so slightly more moisturising) and a tiny amount also goes a long way. The main difference is in the scent, with Macadamia Oil being much more subtle and not as lingering as Moroccan Oil, so sometimes I prefer using this one, and it's cheaper than Moroccan too.
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Oil is not strictly a hair oil as such. It's an amazing multi-purpose dry oil that also works wonders on the skin and in baths. Nuxe is a much lighter oil in consistency and I only ever use this one on dry hair to smooth away frizz and add some nourishment and gloss to my lengths. The main trick with getting this to work in the hair is to just use a very small amount, rub it between your palms first and then smooth it over the lengths. Goodbye frizz! Nuxe is great for those in-between shampoo days and for when you're in a rush and have no time for styling. It also have the best scent out of all of these in my opinion, it simply smells amazing in a light and clean kinda way.
September favourites
Saturday, 1 October 2011
It hardly feels like September has passed, what with this glorious HOT weather we're having at the moment, but here are my five favourites for last month:-
(1) Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment - The ends/lengths of my hair often can feel quite dry so I'm a bit of a hair oil fiend. Macadamia Oil is virtually the same as Moroccan Oil in terms of them both being an amazing treatment for the hair and helping to repair damage. The only difference I can find between the two is that Moroccan Oil smells slightly stronger than Macadamia Oil (both smell quite similar anyway), but it really is just a tiny difference. I received this 10ml sample bottle in my Boudoir Prive box and I simply love it!
(2) Myface Mymix Foundation - I've been using this quite a bit this month, review and swatches here.
(3) Tropic Skincare Body Smooth Refreshing Polish - Another lovely new favourite that Boudoir Prive have introduced me to. I'm going to have to save up to get a full size pot of this! Mentioned in my monthly empties.
(4) Zoya nail polish in Jem - Boudoir Prive have really impressed me, this is my third new favourite item from this month's box. I've been wearing this ever since I received it. NOTD here.
(5) Barry M nail polish in 292 Navy - Probably my go-to Barry M favourite for autumn colours, I never get bored of this. Used as the base for my galaxy nails here.
What are your monthly beauty favourites?
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