June Empties: Products I've Used Up

What a bumper month June was for Empties! I decided to take part in a month-long 'No Buy' challenge over on Instagram and this was the result - a whole box full of beauty empties! As there are so many to discuss, I'll get stuck in straight away.

Therapi Rose Otton No. 2 Hydrating Facial Toner*

A gorgeous luxury Rose Otto-based toner which has just the most divine subtle rose fragrance. Ultra calming and soothing, it's brilliant for refreshing the skin morning and night. Repurchase? I'm using the Dafna's Active Mist at the moment but I'm sure I'll come back to this beauty again in the near future.

Sheffield Skincare Body Oil Lavender & Chamomile*

Lovely 100% natural body oil from an independent Sheffield-based company that I discovered in a beauty box. Great to use after an evening bath to help you relax and unwind. Repurchase? Yes.

Lavera Whitening Toothpaste* 

One of the go-to SLS-free whitening toothpaste that I've been using on and off for years now. It's gentle enough to use on sensitive teeth, contains fluoride, and does a good job of removing daily stains. Repurchase? Yes.

Evolve Organic Beauty Super Berry Body Oil* (reviewed here)

Although stretch marks will never go away, you can improve the texture and appearance of them with a daily targeted body oil and this one from Evolve Organic Beauty definitely helps. This Super Berry range smells amazing too - very sweet like candy! Repurchase? Definitely.

Moor Spa Kelp Enzyme Mask* (reviewed here)

I've loved using this Moor Spa Kelp Enzyme Mask whenever my skin has been feeling congested or on the verge of having a breakout. A brilliant multi-tasker that deeply cleanses, tightens and exfoliates all in one handy weekly facial treatment. Repurchase? I have a lot of face masks to use up at the moment first but it's certainly on my repurchase list.

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara*

Despite the fact that I adore the Eyeko Black Magic Eyeliner, I'm not much of a fan of the matching mascara which I found quite clumpy and it dried it in the tube pretty fast after opening. Repurchase? No.

REN & Now To Sleep Pillow Spray*

This is one of my all-time favourite pillow sprays and it really does help! If you suffer from insomnia or sleep problems, I highly recommend using this. Repurchase? Yes.

Tropic Skin Feast Nourishing Cream Concentrate* 

My morning moisturiser for the past few months, Tropic's Skin Feast Nourishing Cream Concentrate is a bestseller for a reason as it provides lots of hydration without overloading the skin. Creates a lovely smooth base for makeup so you don't need to use an additional primer. Repurchase? I'm trying out a couple of different moisturisers at the moment, but like all my faves, I'll be back!

Weleda Wild Rose Deodorant* 

A frequent player in my Empties posts, I've been using Weleda's deodorants for years and often come back to this lovely Wild Rose one. If you're a fan of florals and prefer a lighter, spray-on deodorant, this is the one for you. Repurchase? Already have.

Odacité BI+C Serum Concentrate*

Another skincare favourite for blemishes is Odacité's BI+C Serum Concentrate. A tiny amount goes a long, long way and it makes a huge difference to the size of blemishes after just the first use. Particularly useful for those angry 'under the skin' spots! Repurchase? Yes.

Odylique Mosimix Body Oil*

I've yet to find a product that completely keeps those damn mozzies away, but I can say this Mosimix Body Oil from Odylique seems to stop a few of them so it's handy to take with you if you're camping/hiking/doing outdoor activities this summer. Repurchase? I'll give it another go.

Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Hair Masque* (reviewed here)

Calling all of my fellow fine hair friends! I've used this particular hair masque countless times over the past few years and it's always the one I seem to keep returning to. If you have fine hair that's also dry, you need to try this as it gives your hair all the essential hydration it needs without weighing it down. Repurchase? Yes.

Aurelia Firm & Replenish Body Serum* (reviewed here)

I seem to have used up a lot of body care recently, must be summer! I'm a huge fan of Aurelia's Firm & Replenish Body Serum as it helps to improve skin texture for a smoother appearance - great for using on any 'wobbly bits' to give you a confidence boost. Repurchase? Yes.

The Humble Co Dental Floss*

If you're joining in with Plastic Free July, make sure this is on your shopping list. Not only is the brand ethical in many ways (they donate dental products to people in need all over the world), but the packaging is completely plastic-free, yay! Repurchase? Definitely.

What have you used up recently?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

Budget Beauty Under £15: Cruelty-Free & Vegan Hair Masks from Noughty and SheaMoisture

It's becoming easier than ever to find cruelty-free and vegan-friendly beauty products on the high street, so I wanted to highlight two of my favourite hair masks that you can pick up for under £15 from your local Boots and Superdrug.

 Noughty To The Rescue Intense Moisture Treatment* (300ml, £8.99, link)

Noughty have recently announced that they are now fully certified as cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny (as many of you will know, it's the internationally recognised gold standard in cruelty-free beauty), which is fantastic news! To celebrate, I wanted to mention one of their bestselling products; the To the Rescue Intense Moisture Treatment which has quite literally rescued my hair on numerous occasions.

This thick and creamy hair mask is 97% natural, free from parabens, petrochemicals, sulphates and silicones, and features several nourishing ingredients such as Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Argan Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Black Oats. It's particularly beneficial for frizzy, dry and damaged hair, so if you're prone to reaching for the bleach and curling tongs a lot, you need to try this ASAP! I love the fact that you can use this as a quick 3-minute job if you're short on time, or you can leave it on for 20 minutes for a seriously intense repairing and hydrating treatment for frazzled tresses.

SheaMoisture Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Hair Masque* (354ml, £12.99, link)

Finding a hydrating treatment for hair that's dry and fine can often be tricky and if I'm being perfectly honest, I've struggled to find decent ones that don't cost the earth. After trying out lots of different brands, the one that has come out on top for its performance, ethics and affordability is this beauty from SheaMoisture.

Formulated especially for fine, wavy, curly and afro hair types, SheaMoisture's Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Hair Masque has really perfected the delicate art of balancing essential moisture for dry locks without weighing down fine/thin hair.  This treatment feels wonderfully lightweight and it's brilliant for hydrating and smoothing frizzy tresses and annoying static for an ultra-sleek result. Packed full of Coconut Water, certified organic and fairtrade Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, Cocoa Seed Butter, Avocado Oil, Mango Seed Butter, Imbe Oil and fruit extracts, this masque makes my hair much more manageable and easier to style. It's free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates,  paraffin and mineral oil, plus it smells amazing! Find it in your nearest Boots store.

What are your favourite hair masks?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

February Empties: Products I've Used Up

Despite being the shortest month of the year, I've somehow managed to use up a ton of products recently, and there are some seriously good products in this empties stash. So without further ado, here are my February Empties.

Botanicals Hands & Nails Replenishing Serum*

I featured this in my November Favourites last year, and I've used it on a regular basis since then to give you an idea of how long it's lasted. It's been an absolute godsend for my nails during this colder weather and has definitely helped to strengthen them, whilst keeping my cuticles in good shape as well. Repurchase? Yes.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

A staple in my skincare routine for years, I always seem to use up a bottle, use something else, and then come back to this! If you haven't tried this iconic beauty before, it's basically a thick cream cleanser that removes makeup in seconds and is nice to use as a quick morning cleanser when it's cold outside. Repurchase? I'm currently trying out a popular high street dupe for this (review on that coming soon!), but I have no doubt that I'll be buying this again at some point.

Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex 10-in-1 Multi-Benefit Hair Masque

Regular readers will have spotted this pink tub in my previous Empties, and it's still one of my favourite hair masks that's affordable and always gives me great results. If you have dry, coloured or damaged hair, I highly recommend it. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some of my other hair masks.

Antipodes Saviour Skin Balm

Can you tell it's been Winter lately with all the moisturising products that I've used up?! Antipodes Saviour Skin Balm is definitely a saviour for anyone who has dry and irritated skin, anywhere on their face and body. It instantly hydrates, soothes and locks in moisture to keep your skin healthy and happy. A little goes a long way! Repurchase? Yes - it's since been re-packaged in a smaller tube.

Antipodes Grapeseed Butter Cleanser*

Another Antipodes favourite of mine, and I think this is my second jar, is their Grapeseed Butter Cleanser which is amazing for destroying makeup and feels so nourishing on the skin. This thick balm cleanser is also brilliant for dry skin and ideal to use as either a first or second cleanser in the evenings to remove all traces of pollution, dirt and impurities for a really deep clean. Repurchase? Yes.

Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Mask

These ultra-hydrating sheet masks contain Hyaluronic Acid and are a really good quick fix if your skin is dehydrated, dull, stressed or if you're just feeling under the weather and need a skincare boost. Gets to work in just 15 minutes. Repurchase? Already have some more in my stash.

Superdrug Simply Pure Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

My favourite basic eye makeup remover that actually works on waterproof mascara - I've gone through a few bottles of these in the past. Cheap as chips as it's usually on offer for about £1.50, and as it's from Superdrug's own brand range, it's also cruelty-free. Repurchase? Yes.

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray*

Many of you will know that I have a lot of problems sleeping, so I love using products like this to help, and this one really does work! Lost count of how many bottles I've used of this now. Repurchase? I'm testing out some other brands of pillow sprays at the moment, but I have a feeling I'll be going back to this one.

S.W Basics Makeup Remover

Despite having used this in the past, I'm still not convinced by it as I always feel like it leaves a slightly greasy film on my skin, even after rinsing thoroughly. I've never had any breakout issues as a result luckily, but there are lots of other oil-based makeup removers that I definitely prefer over this one. Repurchase? No.

S.W Basics Cinnamon Lip Balm

I have a tiny, tiny bit of this still left that I'll dig out of the tube later, but I wanted to include it as I know it'll be done by the end of the week. Made from just five natural ingredients, this is a lovely lip balm that gets the job done, and if you like cinnamon, you'll love it even more. Repurchase? Yes.

Batiste 2-in-1 Invisible Dry Shampoo & Conditioner

I picked this up as an 'emergency' when I ran out of dry shampoo whilst staying at my sister's over Christmas, and I have to admit that this stuff is just terrible! It did absolutely nothing for my hair and left lots of residue and build up instead. Repurchase? No!

JOIK White Chocolate Bath Truffle*

I've mentioned these chocolate bath truffles from JOIK before, and they are so nice to use when your skin is dry and it's freezing cold outside. Rich in cocoa butter, they always leave my whole body feeling so soft and pampered afterwards. Repurchase? Already have some more in my bathroom.

Which beauty products have you used up this month?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

October Empties: Products I've Used Up

After last month's gigantic Empties post, October's stash seems rather small in comparison! That said, I think it's still a pretty decent bunch, so let's get stuck in. Here's everything that I've managed to use up throughout the month, my overall thoughts and whether I'll be repurchasing them or not.

Neal's Yard Remedies Geranium & Orange Body Lotion

I finished this last night and decided to sneak it into this post, rather than saving it for next month - there's probably a tiny amount left when I cut open the tube, but I'd say it's 99% done! Geranium & Orange is one of my all-time favourite scents from Neal's Yard and I've used up a couple of these over the years. The lotion itself is very moisturising, non-greasy, and sinks in nicely, and that gorgeous scent lingers for a few hours after applying - heavenly! Repurchase? Yes. 

Our Tiny Bees Lip Balm

I repurchased this back in April earlier this year - you may remember it from my Minimalist Beauty Essentials post (here), so it's lasted me a good couple of months. I love the simple, all-natural formula as it's made from just three ingredients; Almond Oil, Beeswax and Honey, and it does a fantastic job of keeping chapped lips at bay. Repurchase? I want to finish some of my other lip balms off first, but I'll definitely buy this again at some point.

Antipodes Joyful Hand & Body Cream*

Oh my - the scent of Joyful is literally pampering heaven goals! It's upliftingly fresh, strongly floral, and I find it very comforting and relaxing. The cream is light but nourishing, and feels incredibly velvety on the skin. You can use it as a body or hand cream, and it works well both ways. A real 'me time / self-care' treat when you want to feel good about yourself. Repurchase? Yes.

Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex 10-in-1 Multi-Benefit Hair Masque* 

I have a lot of hair masks in my bathroom as my hair is notoriously fussy and dry, so it's taken me some time to get through this huge pot from Shea Moisture which I featured back in my January Beauty Favourites (here). It's one of my favourite budget beauty buys and I always reach for this when my hair is feeling particularly dry and frazzled. Works a charm! Repurchase? Already have!

Ihana Arctic Facial Toning Mist*

This hydrating toner was one of my favourite skincare products that I used throughout Summer (previously reviewed here), and I'm very sad to see it finished up! It's great for sensitive skin and really helps to calm down and soothe any irritation or redness. Repurchase? I have lots of other toners on the go at the moment, but I will definitely buy this again when I run out!

REN Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Oil*

I'm a big fan of REN's Vita Mineral range and this serum-meets-oil hybrid is a wonderfully nourishing boost for the skin, so much so that I think most skin types will get on well with it. It's high in Omega 3 to help support healthy skin renewal and it's a great product to try if you're starting to see the first signs of ageing. Repurchase? Yes. 

Melvita L'Or Bio Extraordinary Oil

This multi-purpose oil seems to be a favourite in GWPs and beauty boxes, as I've managed to use up a fair few of these mini bottles. You can use it on face, body and hair, and I tend to keep it on hand as a smoothing finishing oil to help de-frizz my dry hair, though it's lovely to use as a pampering body oil too. Repurchase? Still have one or two more samples left!

Gallinée La Culture Foaming Facial Cleanser

I first used up a bottle of this sometime last year, and decided to buy it again when I'd gotten through some of my other cleansers. I don't know why, but I just haven't been loving it this time around and I don't believe that they've changed the formula or anything like that. It seems to now make my skin feel a bit stripped and dry - weird! Repurchase? No.

Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk Body Moisturiser

Regular readers will know that I'm a massive fan of Bondi Sands and this Everday Gradual Tanning Milk is hands down the best gradual tan body moisturiser that I've ever tried. It's completely foolproof to use (applies just like a regular body moisturiser so no need to worry about streaks or anything like that) and develops into a gorgeous, natural looking light tan within 1-2 days. It's really good to use as a 'top up' for maintaining fake tan as well. Repurchase? Definitely!

Which beauty products have you used up this month?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

January Beauty Favourites

A short but sweet selection of beauty favourites that I've been enjoying lately, which includes some skincare, budget friendly makeup accessories and a fantastic hair mask.

 KISS Blooming Lash in Lily* (1 pair including glue, £5.99, link)

Ardell and Eylure are usually my failsafe go-to brands for false lashes, so much so, that I don't often give any other brands a second look. However, I recently saw some photos of a friend of mine who wore these ones from KISS to her wedding, and I was smitten! These lashes are so pretty; they're super fluttery, lightweight, and natural looking (kinda like 'my lashes but better, fuller and longer!'). Easy to apply and take off too, plus the glue is as good as Eylure's if not better. Will definitely be checking out some more lashes from this brand!

Tropic Skincare Good Skin Day Resurfacing Serum* (30ml, £42, link)

Exfoliating treatments and serums that use fruit acids and enzymes instead of manual 'scrubby bits', are fast becoming a staple in many people's skincare routines. This newbie from Tropic is made from 100% naturally derived ingredients and features 4.2% AHAs (derived from Australian Lime Pearl Extract and Fruit Acids), and 1.5% BHAs (from Willow Bark Extract). I really like the mix of AHAs and BHAs because they both have different exfoliating purposes, so you get the best of both worlds! In addition to those, there's also Coconut Water, Hyaluronic Acid, Papaya Enzymes and Probiotics to boost your skin's health further, and keep it plump and hydrated at the same time. This serum has a lovely silky texture and gives you a tiny tingle (oo-er!) when you apply it, but it soon disappears, and overall I haven't had any problems with it irritating my sometimes sensitive skin (but always patch test first as everyone's skin is different). Instead, my skin looks brighter and feels smoother - good skin day indeed!

B. Effective Stubborn Makeup Remover* (100ml, £7.99, link)

Just before Christmas, I took part in a blogger challenge blind test to try out this new release from B., and I was so impressed with the results that I couldn't wait to get my hands on a full-size bottle when it launched this month. This is a fantastic budget and cruelty-free dupe for Lancome's Bi-Facil Makeup Remover, as it works in the same manner and gave me almost identical results for half the price. This bad boy makes short work of waterproof mascara and you can also use it as an all-over makeup remover for any long-wearing foundation/concealer etc formulas. Highly recommend giving it a go.

Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex 10-in-1 Hair Masque* (326ml, £12.99, link)

Winter has not been kind to my hair as both the cold and subsequent central heating has been drying my poor tresses out, so I've been treating it to some deep conditioning masks to put the moisture back in. My current favourite is this one from Shea Moisture which is from their Superfruit Complex range. It claims to be a multi-beneficial masque and I'd say it definitely lives up to its name as I imagine most hair types will happily get on with it, especially if your hair is dry or damaged. Great for adding shine, calming frizz and strengthening weakened hair as well. Colour safe and suitable for vegans.  

Browtician The Stylist Brow System* (£7.99, link)

Another new budget friendly discovery for me has been finally finding a decent dupe for Tweezerman's cult tweezers, which I've used for years. This Browtician set comes with a pair of stainless steel slant tweezers which are very similar to my travel-sized Tweezerman ones, and they allow you to get a great grip on those pesky shorter and finer hairs. Alongside the tweezers, you'll also find a double ended brush with a spoolie, making this a handy set to pop into handbags and travel bags.

Which beauty products have you been lovely recently?

 Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

Haircare Review: SheaMoisture Superfruit Complex 10-in-1 Multi Benefit Shampoo, Conditioner & Hair Masque

SheaMoisture are a haircare brand that I've seen mentioned countless times by American bloggers that I follow, so I was pleased to see that they're now stocked in the UK via Boots online. My dry hair has been testing out these three from their Supefruit Complex range recently.

Read more