New In Beauty: 4 Products To Buy & Try This Month

Looking for some beauty shopping inspo? Here are four products that you should treat yourself to this month. This edit includes a bit of skincare, body care, makeup and some very realistic temporary tattoos, so there's something for everyone! 

Dry skin? Try Hempz Milk & Honey Herbal Body Moisturiser* (500ml, £23.99, link)

Hempz have recently launched their brand new Milk & Honey range which is just as delicious as it sounds! Comprising of four products (a Body Wash, Exfoliating Body Whip, Hand & Foot Creme and a Herbal Body Moisturiser), the range features the brand's famous 100% natural Hemp Seed Oil and combines this with ingredients such as Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Aloe Vera, Jojoba Seed Oil, Oat Extract, Avocado Oil and Sunflower Seed Oil, for a softening and hydrating body moisturiser that you can use as often as needed to keep dry skin at bay.

It's not as natural as I was hoping it to be, but I've been enjoying slathering on this Body Moisturiser after baths and showers and it makes my skin feel so soft and comforted afterwards. The Milk & Honey scent is fresh and not too sweet which I just love. For those curious, there's no actual milk or honey in the formula (it's just fragranced that way) so it can be used by vegans and is also free from gluten and parabens.

 Luxury sheet mask fan? Try STARSKIN 100% Camellia Nourishing & Anti-Wrinkle 2-Step Oil Sheet Mask* (£9, link)

If your complexion is in need of a luxury pampering treat, STARSKIN's 100% Camellia Nourishing & Anti-Wrinkle 2-Step Oil Sheet Mask will not disappoint. Featuring a two-step complete skincare treatment, it has a capsule of 100% Camellia Oil as the first step which is packed full of natural antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids to nourish and soften the skin. The second step is then the Benitsubaki Sheet Mask itself which is soaked in a rich essence that contains Hyaluronic Acid, Arginine and Amino Acids to transform dull and dry skin. 

It also has a temporary effect to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a more youthful and glowy finish. Definitely one to try for a special occasion or night out when you want to be looking your best!

Need new eyeliners? Try Esqido Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencils in Black & Brown* (0.5g, $16 each, link)

Whether you wear eyeliner on a daily basis or just like to have a high-quality waterproof one on hand for those occasions where you want some extra definition to your look, these Gel Eyeliners from Esqido are amazing! I wasn't expecting them to be anywhere near this good because the brand are better known for their gorgeous false lashes (check out my review on those here), but these have really hit the ball out of the park and impressed me!

The twist-up white pencils look very chic in your makeup bag and the waterproof gel formulas are intensely pigmented and apply like a dream; they are so easy to use and really nice and creamy. Once on, they don't smudge or fade for at least 8-10 hours, so if you're looking to invest in some new eyeliners, why not try these?

Tattooed Now! Realistic Temporary Tattoos (various prices from £2.60, link)

Aside from golden glitter tattoos for festivals, I usually steer clear of most temporary tattoos because, to be frankly honest, they look a bit naff and often peel or flake off when you least expect it - not a good look. However, I like to be open-minded, so when I was introduced to Tattooed Now! I was curious to try them out as they're made by Hollywood makeup artists and are a million times more realistic looking than any temporary tattoos that I've ever seen before. So much so, that A-list actors like Gerard Butler, Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek have happily worn custom designs by Tattooed Now! and the brand's work have been featured in everything from Game of Thrones to Cloud Atlas and Black Sails. 

Tattooed Now! are certainly a completely different level of temporary tattoo, and I've managed to trick friends with both their Sphynx Cat and Skull Butterfly designs recently. I appreciate that they may not be to everyone's personal tastes, but if you are looking to experiment with body art and want something temporary (or even just to try out a design to see if you like the placing of it before getting properly inked), Tattooed Now! are well worth checking out.

What beauty products have you bought this month?

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March Empties: Products I've Used Up

I'm a little late with my March Empties due to the Bank Holiday, but here they are! A short but sweet collection of beauty products that I've used up recently.

Weleda Skin Food

This iconic green tube really needs no introduction on this blog and it's been featured in countless Empties posts for a good number of years now. But! If you are new to the wonders of Skin Food, it's a brilliant, super thick, multi-purpose cream that you can use everywhere and anywhere that's dry and needs some TLC. It's been a proper must-have during all of those freezing Beast from the East days! Repurchase? Already have another tube on the go.

Aurelia Miracle Cleanser

I finished off this little travel size during the Easter break and had forgotten how much I loved it. Packed full of probiotics and peptides, it's a rich and creamy cleanser that removes all traces of makeup and gives the skin a really good clean, whilst leaving it feeling nourished and soft. I love using this as a second cleanse. Repurchase? I have a few more of these travel sizes from various GWPs - yay!

Antipodes Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator*

If you enjoy using a physical exfoliator but are looking for one that can be used on sensitive skin, Reincarnation is one of the most gentle that I've ever tried. The exfoliator itself is like a thick cream and the scrubby bits are composed of natural Jojoba beads; these are really tiny, but they do an excellent job of polishing away dull, dead skin cells for instantly brighter and smoother skin. Repurchase? I was kindly sent another tube by the brand recently, so thank you Antipodes :)

JASON Nourishing Cocoa Butter Moisturising Creme 

My skin has been horribly dry these past couple of weeks due to the cold weather, so I've been slathering on body lotions like nobody's business! This one from JASON was from a recent FB swap box and I really loved the thick texture and how quickly it absorbed. However, the Cocoa scent is very sweet, almost to the point where it's a bit cloying, so I'm going to see if there are some other flavours of this available to try next. Repurchase? Yes if I can find it in a different scent.   

S5 Illuminate Serum*

Specially formulated for hyperpigmentation, I used this serum a lot last year to help tackle some dark spots, but for some reason, I stopped using it, moved onto other products and ended up forgetting about it. I had a little clear out last month and noticed that it was nearing its expiry date so I decided to finish the rest of it up. Whilst it does the job, there are just a lot of other serums in my stash that I prefer over it.  Repurchase? No. 

STARSKIN Dreamkiss Lip Mask*

I used this when my lips were feeling cracked when I had the flu a few weeks ago, and it really helped to rehydrate and smooth them out again. I also like using these for special occasions and nights out as an intensive lip primer treatment, especially if I'm wearing a matte liquid lipstick. Repurchase? Still have some left in the box. 

Dr. Hauschka Hydrating Cream Mask

A great sample to do a one mask treatment - brilliant for giving the skin an intense shot of moisture when it needs it the most. Leaves it feeling hydrated, plumped up and super soft afterwards. Repurchase? Would definitely buy the full size! 

Which beauty products have you used up this month?

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Mid-Week Pamper Treat: STARSKIN The Master Cleanser Detoxing Sea Kelp Leaf Face Mask review

I don't know why, but it's been one of those weeks where my skin has just been feeling and looking dull and crappy, and we've still got time to kill until the weekend arrives. It's time for an intervention, so it's over to you, STARSKIN The Master Cleanser!

I've tried and tested a lot of sheet masks in my time as a beauty blogger, but this one from STARSKIN perhaps holds the crown for the longest name and is one of the strangest that I've ever used. All of the sheet masks that I've tried from STARSKIN in the past have been this amazing bio-cellulose type of material which feels like a second skin and helps to lock in all that serum goodness. 

The Master Cleanser, however, is completely different as the 'sheet' is made from 100% organic Kelp Leaves. Yes, you heard that right, brown algae Seaweed! This makes a lot of sense when you think about it because Kelp is packed full of minerals and vitamins, and Seaweed wraps are used in treatments in countless spas up and down the country. Add to this a super serum cocktail of skin-boosting ingredients, and you're onto a potential skincare winner!

What's in it?

Aside from the base composition of Kelp Leaves, this mask is infused with 25ml of serum that contains 90.37% organic botanical extracts and features the key ingredients of Licorice Root, Molasses, Probiotic Lactobacillus, Camelia Oil, Centella Asiatica, Bamboo, Fermented Soybeans, Fermented Chlorella, Fenugreek and Phytosterols. 

Full inci: Laminaria Japonica, Aqua (Water), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Molasses, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Laminaria Japonica, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Bisabolol, Xanthan Gum, Fatty Acids, Dong Quai Angelica Keiskei Extract Powder, Fenugreek Seeds Extract Powder, Fermented Chlorella Extract, Lactobacillus, Glycerin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Corylus Avellana Seed Oil, Citrus Junos, Dioscorea Opposite, Lyophilized Royal Jelly Powder, Leonurus Sibiricus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Adenosine, Phytosterols, Centella Asiatica, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Polyglutamic Acid, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Linalool, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem, Avena Sativa, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem, Plantago Asiatica, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, D-Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Phenoxyethanol.

What does it claim to do & who can use it?

The Master Cleanser is described as a "rejuvenating treatment sheet mask which refreshes and purifies the stressed and tired skin". It helps to brighten, soften, hydrate (including clinically proven 72-hour moisture), reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and increase elasticity.  It's ideal for all skin types, though STARSKIN recommends that sensitive skin should only wear the mask for 5 minutes, so make sure to do a patch test first if that applies to you.

How do I use it?

After using your regular cleanser, pat skin dry and open the packet. The mask is in two pieces, so peel these away from the plastic carefully and apply the bottom half first, and then overlap the top half. Leave on for 15 minutes (or 5 if you have sensitive skin) and wipe away any excess serum with a damp flannel. You can then follow up with your normal moisturiser.

First impressions?

This mask is INCREDIBLY wet, to the point where it felt very slimey. The serum was literally dripping out of the packet when I opened it, so I'd suggest using it over a sink or in the bathtub to avoid any drips on your floor. There's an immediately strong scent of seaweed which was a little nauseating at first, but soon dissipated as time went on. As the mask is so wet, applying it was a tricky task, especially as it's in two parts - it took me a good few minutes to get it on and it's almost impossible to smooth out properly. 

Once on, I felt a slight tingling sensation like it was 'working', but it wasn't irritating or anything like that and I didn't experience any redness, although I can see why they suggest that sensitive skin types should only use it for 5 minutes. It was difficult to keep the mask on for the full 15 minutes though, as it kept sliding around, but once the time was up, I removed it and my skin felt very sticky/tacky to the touch. I used a damp washcloth and removed the remaining serum (there was still a lot of it!), and my skin was much happier. In the mirror, I noticed that my face looked visibly brighter and less tired, and I could feel that it was very plumped up and super smooth. 

There's no way to make this mask look good lol!

Overall thoughts?

I used this mask in the morning and my makeup applied perfectly afterwards, so it's definitely something that I would recommend using before a night out or special occasion. The moisturising effects lasted for a good 48 hours and I loved the instant brightening/plumping results. However, the fit wasn't the greatest, it was very slippy/slimey, and I'm not sure if I saw all of the benefits of the mask being made from Kelp, so I definitely prefer the bio-cellulose material of STARSKIN's other masks over this one. A little hit and miss for me!

STARSKIN The Master Cleanser Detoxing Sea Kelp Leaf Face Mask* (1 mask, £12.50) is available from various stockists including BeautyBay.com

 Have you tried a face mask like this before?

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December Empties: Products I've Used Up

There's nothing more satisfying than collecting together a bunch of empty beauty products, and it's even more satisfying when it's for the last blogpost of the year! Let's round off 2017 with my December Empties, which includes a lot of travel sizes that I've used up over the Christmas break.

BetterYou Magnesium Flakes Original Foot & Body Soak 

If you suffer from any soreness after exercise or get a bad case of the monthly cramps, magnesium products are an absolute godsend (check out my original feature on them here for more info about their benefits). I've tried a couple of different brands, but my favourite are these Magnesium Flakes from BetterYou which I always stock up on during Holland & Barrett's penny sales. Repurchase? Already have!  

Kneipp Pure Bliss Mineral Bath Salts 

Another bath product that I enjoy using are Kneipp's Pure Bliss Mineral Bath Salts, which are super relaxing and ideal to use before going to bed if you have any sleep or stress problems. They're enriched with Poppy and Hemp Oils and they smell SO good. Repurchase? Yes.  

STARSKIN Hydrating Mask*

I love STARSKIN's Bio-Cellulose masks because they feel like a 'second skin' and do an excellent job of locking in all the goodness from the serum, plus they're a good fit! This Hydrating Mask is one of my favourites from them and is perfect for this time of the year. Repurchase? Yes.

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum* 

You know when you finish a really expensive skincare product and feel incredibly sad because you know you can't afford to buy another one? That's how I feel right now!  I absolutely loved this serum and it's one of the few that I've tried where I really saw a difference in my skin. The downside? It's £80 *sobs*. Repurchase? Way out of my budget at the moment sadly!

Bodhi & Birch Ylang Ylang Incensa Bath & Shower Therapy*

If you're a fan of Ylang Ylang and you haven't smelt this yet, you need to get a bottle pronto. It's seriously heavenly and feels like such a pampering treat whenever I use it. Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some other bath products first.

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer

Lost count of how many of these I've gone through over the years, and I love these 30ml sizes for travelling with. A really great toner spritz that you can also use over makeup to refresh it during the day. Repurchase? Already have another one in my stash.

Tisserand Sweet Dreams Bath Oil*

Last month, I used up a big size bottle of this and I just had to finish off this travel size afterwards! One of my favourite relaxing bath oils, especially for those evenings when I feel like I'm not going to get any sleep, this really does help. Repurchase? Yes.

Evolve Organic Beauty Satin Leg Gloss*

If you're into shimmery body oils, Evolve's Satin Leg Gloss is a must-try and is 99% natural. Despite the name, you can use this all over your body, but it looks especially good on arms and legs to give them a sexy and healthy looking sheen. Perfect for the party season and it smells incredible! Repurchase? Yes.

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

Another relaxing/stress relieving favourite of mine and something that I always travel with. Used up a lot of these over the years! Repurchase? Currently using a full-size bottle that's on my bedside table.

Wabi-Sabi Botanicals SAGGA Rose Cleansing Grains

This is one of those dry blends of exfoliator that you mix with water or a base oil/cream to create your own cleanser/scrub/mask. I liked it and it was fun to mix up, but there are other exfoliators out there that do a better job for my skin type. Repurchase? No.  

Herbfarmacy Calming Face Cream*

One of the best moisturisers for combination skin on the green beauty market, I was sad to see this end. It's wonderfully calming and balancing, plus I found that I needed to use less of it compared to a mainstream moisturiser, so it lasted ages. Repurchase? Definitely will after I've finished up some other moisturisers.

Caudalie Divine Oil

Oh, how happy I was when I found this in my stash as I thought I'd used up my last one last month! I've raved about this multi-purpose oil so many times and can't recommend it enough. It smells divine and is brilliant on hair and body. Repurchase? Yes.

Ila Bath Soak for Pure Relaxation

There's a definite 'relaxing bath' theme going on in this post isn't there?! Here's yet another favourite of mine from a lovely Cotswolds based company. This bath soak is pure bliss and always makes me feel relaxed afterwards. Repurchase? Yes.

Balm Balm Petitgrain Single Note Eau de Parfum*

It takes me forever to use up a bottle of perfume so it always feels like such an achievement when I get to include one in an Empties post. I love the Balm Balm Single Note fragrances and Petitgrain was a delightfully fresh and woody scent. Repurchase? I think it's been discontinued sadly.

Kneipp Herbal Bath Back Comfort Devil's Claw

This is the last bath product I swear! Another Kneipp favourite of mine is their Back Comfort Herbal Bath. Very relaxing and a great way to temporarily reduce back pains and tension. It does turn the bath water red though which is a little strange, but it doesn't stain anything. Repurchase? Yes.

Skin & Tonic Steam Clean

I've used a couple of these travel size pots from Skin & Tonic and I'm still not sure whether I like this balm cleanser or not. It does a fantastic job of removing makeup and gives a really deep clean, but it stings a little if I get it anywhere near my eyes which puts me off buying the full size. Repurchase? No.

Weleda Skin Food*

Skin Food needs no introduction on my blog as my regular readers will have seen this iconic green tube featured on here many, many times! I always get through a tube during the Winter months and I highly recommend it for anyone who has very dry skin as it can be used anywhere and everywhere. Repurchase? Already have!

Which beauty products have you used up this month?

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October Beauty & Lifestyle Favourites

Ready for some monthly favourites? Here's a quick roundup of everything that I've been loving throughout October.

STARSKIN Eye Catcher Smoothing Eye Masks (£8.50 for a pack of 2 pairs, link)

Eye masks have become as much of an addiction as sheet masks for me, and these ones from STARSKIN have been a favourite for a while, but I don't think that I've properly given them a shoutout before! Like their amazing sheet masks, these eye masks are made from the same kind of bio-cellulose material which acts like a 'second skin' to help the infused serum absorb better. They do a fantastic job of depuffing and smoothing, so great for a quick fix before a special occasion or night out!

Leighton Denny Heritage Collection Nail Polish in Rural Sunset* (12ml, £12, link)

Leighton Denny have recently released a gorgeous new range called the Heritage Collection for A/W, and this shade Rural Sunset is the most perfect tone of soft, dusky pink for an ultra-chic manicure. Perfect for all year round, not just A/W.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask (100ml, £25, link)  

Thanks to the colder weather, I've been reaching for my more hydrating skincare products this month and was missing a good hydrating face mask in my stash so I decided to repurchase this beauty from Origins. I've bought it a couple of times in the past and always enjoy using it at this time of the year, plus a percentage of the sales of this special edition goes to Breast Cancer research, so I couldn't say no!

Bloomtown Botanicals The Spring Blue Clay & Indigo Leaf Soothing Mask* (60ml, £12, link)

Another face mask that I've been loving is a new discovery for me and it's the Bloomtown Botanicals The Spring Blue Clay & Indigo Leaf Soothing Mask. It's amazing for all skin types to use, but dehydrated, stressed, tired and sensitive skins will especially love it. To see it in action, read my full review here. 

Clipper Happy Mondays Organic Tea* (20 teabags, £2.39, link)

You guys know how much I love my tea and I've been really enjoying this one from Clipper. Their Happy Mondays blend is an organic infusion of Lemon, Ginger and Cracked Black Pepper - so warming with a little spicy kick! It's the perfect tea to heat you up on a cold morning and certainly, helps to liven up a dull Monday. It works really well as a cheeky Hot Toddy too with a shot of Whiskey ;)

Vida Glow Original Marine Collagen Supplement* (30 doses, £32.95, link)

A high-quality collagen supplement can give a boost to your hair, skin and nails during the Winter months when you need it the most, and it comes in very useful the older you get, as we naturally lose collagen through age which leads to sagging and wrinkles. Vida Glow is made from all natural pure marine collagen, derived from the scales of ocean fish, and contains no wheat, gluten, sugar, additives, preservatives or flavours. To use it, you just add a scoop to your drink of choice - easy! This Original blend does have a very slightly 'ocean' type of flavour in plain water (like a subtle fish-meets-seaweed flavour), but it's easily masked in a smoothie or juice, or you could try one of the brand's other flavoured versions instead.

What are your beauty faves this month?

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July Empties: Products I've Used Up

Can you believe that another month is coming to an end?! You know what that means - it's time to rummage through my rubbish and see what beauty products I've managed to use up this month. Here are my July Empties!

Bee Good Honey & Wild Flax Daily Moisturiser

My skin can be quite fussy with moisturisers in the Summer months, but this one is a winner for oily/combo types! It's perfect for balancing the oiler areas, whilst keeping the drier parts hydrated and there's Honey and Propolis in the formula which have great antibacterial properties for keeping blemishes at bay. I've gone through a couple of tubes of this over the past few years! Repurchase? I have some other moisturisers to finish up first, but will definitely pick this up again in the near future.

STARSKIN Walk of Fame Foot Mask Socks*

Loved these, have used them in the past and they are one of the best products of this kind out there. They really do help to sort out any dry bits and they'll leave your feet feeling wonderfully soft for days afterwards. Repurchase? They're pricey, so I'll be keeping an eye out for an offer or discount code first!

NUXE Splendieuse Anti-Dark Spot Perfecting Mask*

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen my rather unflattering selfie wearing this last night in my Instagram Stories and it was the last one in my pack. I really like these ones for brightening up a dull complexion as they have Vitamin C in them so they're great before a special occasion or a night out. Repurchase? I have a bunch of sheet masks to use up from various brands before I can justify buying anymore, but once I've got a handle on my stash I will be treating myself to some more of these!

Masque Bar Eye Treat Dark Circle Reducer Minimizing Patches*  

If you have dark circles and need help brightening them up, these eye masks from Masque Bar are fantastic. They're not a miracle worker but they do give me a noticeable difference whenever I use them and are perfect to use the next morning after a late night or before a special occasion. Repurchase? Like the sheet masks, I have a couple of eye masks to get through, but I'd definitely pick these up again.

Vita Liberata Self Tanning Night Moisture Mask

This travel size sample was from a recent GWP and although I've gone through a full size tube of this mask before, I'm still undecided about this product - how weird is that?! Sometimes I put it on and love it, other times I just think it's a bit 'meh' as the colour is very subtle. Repurchase? No, I think I'm just going to stick with the James Reed Sleep Mask Tan for the time being.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

I've lost count of how many tubes of this cleanser I've gone through over the years and I always, always have one or two in my skincare stash. It gets rid of every single trace of makeup so effortlessly (including waterproof mascara), and I really like using it as a first cleanse in the evenings to remove everything else like daily grime and sunscreen. Repurchase? Already have!

Caudalie Premier Cru The Elixir

Another sample freebie from a GWP, I actually have the full size bottle of this which I'm about halfway through, but I used this up first as it was in my travel bag. It's a beautiful half oil/half serum type of formula and is amazing for keeping the skin hydrated. Feels like such a treat whenever I use it! Repurchase? Will do after I've used up the full-size.

Urban Veda Purifying Hydrating Toner

This is a lovely summer skincare product for my oily/combo skin. It contains Ayurvedic Neem, Witch Hazel and Tea Tree Oil to rebalance and detoxify congested skin, but there's also Rose Water in the formula to put some essential moisture back in so you get the best of both worlds. If you have blemishes or breakout prone skin, you need to try this! Repurchase? Will do after I've used up some other toners first.

Hairy Jayne Pre Shampoo Treatment Oil*

If my scalp feels dry or itchy, I'll use something like this to re-balance and rehydrate it. This one from Hairy Jayne has an Olive and Argan Oil base, plus several key essential oils like Clary Sage and Lavender to make my scalp feel happy again. You only need to use a few drops per treatment, so this bottle has lasted me a long time! Repurchase? Yes.

Hairy Jayne Citrus Hair Perfume with Heat Protection

Another product that I love from Hairy Jayne are their all-natural hair perfumes as they also double up as a heat protector for blow-drying and straightening. I've tried all of their scents, but this Citrus one is my favourite and I think this is my second or third bottle that I've gone through. Again, a little goes a long way so they're great value for money and last ages. Repurchase? Yes. 

Origins Maskimiser 

Despite initially liking the concept behind this product (it's designed to be a hydrating spritz that you use before applying any face mask to 'maximise' its benefits), I didn't notice any differences from using it. It just feels like a regular hydrating toner which is nice, but it doesn't seem to enhance or 'maximise' anything in the short or long term. Repurchase? Nope!

Weleda Arnica Sports Shower Gel

Although I absolutely love Weleda's Creamy Body Washes, this shower gel is something that I like to go back to during the summer months because it's so lovely and refreshing to use. Great for using after a workout or just if it's been particularly hot and sticky that day. Repurchase? Yes. 

Aveda Stress Fix Composition Oil

You guys all know how much I adore the Composition Oils from Aveda and their Stress Fix scent is one of my all-time favourite fragrances from a luxury pampering brand. Whenever I use this, I always feel instantly more relaxed and you can use these oils in the bath, all over the body and as a scalp and hair treatment too. It's a multitasking superstar! Repurchase? Definitely.

What beauty products have you used up this month?

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May Empties: Products I've Used Up

Another month is rapidly coming to an end, so it's time for me to dig out the basket that I keep all of my Empties in and share its contents with you all! Here's everything that I've managed to use up recently - a good mix of skincare and body care, and lots of favourites of course.

DHC Rich Eye Zone Care Pack*

I call these the 'superhero' eye masks because they cover most of the eye area including the lid - you can check out my original review here to see what I mean - and I think they're fantastic. This is the second pack that I've gone through, and although I do tend to reserve them for special occasions, they're great for any time that you need a quick fix to reduce puffiness and make you look more awake. Repurchase? Yes.

Conscious Skincare Pure Body Polish*   

A lovely and simple, but effective, fragrance-free body scrub that's made from just two natural and organic ingredients; vegetable glycerine and sugar. Does the job and does it well. Repurchase? Maybe - I generally prefer scrubs that have some kind of natural fragrance in them, but I did like the simplicity of this one.

STARSKIN Brightening After-Party Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Face Mask*

I've had the pleasure of trying out a lot of sheet masks from STARSKIN over the past year, and their Brightening mask is definitely one of my favourites. It does what it says it'll do and really helps to brighten and perk up a dull or tired complexion. I love the bio-cellulose material too, which makes it fit like a 'second skin', so no more sliding around or falling off! Repurchase? Yes. 

Kneipp Herbal Bath Back Comfort Devil's Claw 

Another favourite of mine - if I've overdone it with Yoga or Pilates, or simply had a long and tiring day, this stuff is amazing. It instantly relaxes and soothes your muscles, easing any aches and pains. My mum uses it for arthritis and it works wonders for her. You can get two baths out of one of these travel size bottles, so you don't need to use much of it to feel the full effects. Repurchase? I'm sure I already have one or two more mini bottles in my samples stash somewhere - need to dig them out! 

Aveda Stress Fix Body Creme*

This is a luxury pampering treat for dry skin and it has Aveda's distinctive Stress Fix aroma that's wonderfully calming and relaxing. It's a very thick body creme (much more like a body butter) and one that takes a little while to fully sink in, so it's something that I'll use after a long hot bath before going to bed. Repurchase? Yes. 

Antipodes Rejoice Light Facial Day Cream*

I've gone through countless tubes of this moisturiser and it's still something that I return to time and time again. This day cream contains Manuka Flower Oil which I find helps to prevent breakouts, and it's really nice and light to use during the warmer Summer months. If you have oily/combination skin that's also prone to being sensitive, it's a must-try. Repurchase? Yes.

Scentered Sleep Well Therapy Balm

I have a lot of problems with getting to sleep, so I often use some kind of aromatherapy product to help me to relax and switch off my busy mind. I really like these balms from Scentered, with this Sleep Well one being particularly useful for me. Repurchase? I'm currently using up a similar product from Tisserand, but I would happily buy this again in the future.

Bee Good Youth Enhancing Lift & Brighten Eye Cream

This eye cream is one of Bee Good's best products. It's seriously underrated, but it does an excellent job of keeping the under eye area feeling hydrated and looking brighter and younger. This may be my second or third tube! Repurchase? Yes.  

La Roche-Posay Rosaliac Micellar Make-Up Removal Gel*

Despite what its name may have you believe, this is terrible for removing makeup with, but it's a nice and gentle morning cleanser that helps to reduce any redness or rosacea. It's not a problem that I have often though (I tend to only get mild flare-ups of redness every now and then), so it took me a while to get through this bottle. Repurchase? Probably not - I think I'll just stick to a mild cream cleanser instead.  

La Roche-Posay Serozinc

I've used Serozinc on and off for a while now. It definitely comes into its own during the Summer months when my skin is naturally a lot more oily, and it does work really well at keeping my t-zone in check. I don't see much of a difference with its effect on blemishes though, but it's something that I like to have in my skincare stash as a cooling/mattifying spritz when the weather gets hot. Repurchase? Yes.

Which beauty products have you used up recently?

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5 Vegan Beauty & Lifestyle Products to Take You Into Spring

I've had a lot of requests recently to feature more vegan-friendly beauty and lifestyle products, so here's a special edit to prepare you all for Spring and the (hopefully!) warmer months ahead. There's such an amazing range available now that you probably didn't even know these were vegan in the first place!

The Coffee Bean Body Scrub: Bean Body Coffee Bean Scrub in Coconut* (220g, £14.95, link)

These coffee bean scrubs have been popping up everywhere and I've had the pleasure of testing out a bunch of different brands to see what all the hype's about. Bean Body are one of my faves because their scrubs are made with more oil based ingredients, rather than just receiving a bag of coffee bean granules like some of the others offer. The ingredients are still pure and natural though, but I love the extra skin softening benefits of using a scrub that's infused with the likes of Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E. They're a little messy I must admit, though that's part of the fun of using them! Available in several different flavours/scents, the Coconut one smells oh-so-good and you can pick them up from Holland & Barrett. 

 The New Way to Self-Tan: Bondi Sands Liquid Gold Self-Tanning Dry Oil* (150ml, £14.99, link)

If you're looking forward to getting your legs out when Spring arrives and you want to have a play with a different kind of tanning product, try this clever self-tanning dry oil from Bondi Sands. I used it a lot last year when it first launched and it always gives me the most beautiful, natural looking tan - no scary orange tones and no streaks! It's easy to use as it comes out as a light spray and the oil absorbs relatively quickly, without feeling too sticky or uncomfortable afterwards. Once it's developed, you're left with a gorgeous bronzed finish that looks like you've had a week's holiday in the sun. I often get lots of compliments whenever I've used it and best of all, it has a lovely coconut scent so it's definitely one to try if you hate that traditional fake tan smell!

 The Celebrity Sheet Mask: STARSKIN Close-Up Firming Bio-Cellulose Face Mask* (1 sheet mask, £8.50, link)

For those extra special occasions, I like to treat myself to a luxury face mask, and my obsession with sheet masks, in particular, shows no signs of stopping anytime soon! I've tried a lot of masks from STARSKIN and they've all been amazing, however, my favourite is this Close-Up mask because it offers both firming and moisturising benefits. This mask seriously plumps up the skin as it's infused with a whole bottle's worth (30ml) of serum, so it's a great one to try if your skin has been left feeling dry and looking dull after Winter. My skin feels soft, smooth, tighter, more refreshed and revitalised afterwards, and I can still see the benefits after two days which is really impressive.

The 5-Free 'Breathable' Nail Polish: Nailberry Nail Lacquer in Love You Very Matcha* (15ml, £14.50, link)

Despite many brands pushing forwards with 'nasties-free' nail polishes, a lot of them still include animal ingredients, but Nailberry's range is all vegan-friendly, cruelty-free and made without Formaldehyde, DBP, Toluene, Synthetic Camphor, and Ethanol. They've also developed an innovative 'breathable' formula which allows air and moisture to pass through to the nail, resulting in healthier, less damaged nails. Pretty neat! As the brand are aimed at the luxury side of the market, their shade range is full of classic and on-trend colours, as well as some more unusual ones that you don't find everyday. This shade, Love You Very Matcha, is a stunning khaki green with a greyish undertone - a chic way to wear something different.

The New Accessories: KITSCH Vegan Leather Patch Sticks* (prices from £6.54 each, link)

If you're looking for some cool new vegan leather accessories to show off at College / Uni / Work, have a cheeky browse through KITSCH's online shop. They have some awesome hair accessories available, as well as these easy to use patch sticks which can be adhered to bags, folders, phones, laptops, iPads etc for a quick-fix, style update for Spring.

Have you spotted any new vegan-friendly beauty or lifestyle products recently?

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