Product Empties #35

I’m back a little later than I planned with my latest empties! Most of these were from August with a few at the start of September! Let’s get to it…

 

Haircare

CoLab Dry Shampoo

Nothing special but would get again if on offer.

 

Philip Kingsley Moisture Balancing Conditioner*

Not the worst but not my favourite either! Won’t repurchase! Full Philip Kingsley post here!

 

Aveda Sap Moss Shampoo and Conditioner

Fun texture but again not my favourite and I didn’t love the scent! Won’t repurchase. 

 

 

Skincare

The Inkey List Fulvic Acid Brightening Cleanser*

Really enjoyed this as my morning cleanse and as a second cleanse too! Left my skin feeling soft and looking more even and bright. Very liquidy formula and lasted a long time for me too! My skin always looks fresh and bright, doesn’t feel dry or tight and it’s ready for its next steps. Will repurchase in the future! See more in my Five Things I’m Loving post here! 

 

Heritage Rosewater and Glycerin

Calming and hydrating but the spritz on this isn’t the best as it doesn’t distribute evenly. Other than that it’s another nice budget skincare step to aid with hydration! Would repurchase and you can read more here!

 

Vichy Mineral 89

A lifesaver while I was on Roaccutane earlier this year! It is the perfect, simple hydrating serum and is a really cooling gel serum that hydrates my skin and makes it plump! It sinks in quickly, lasts all day long for me and sits well under makeup too! Can’t recommend this enough if you have dry or dehydrated skin! Featured in my French Pharmacy Favourites post here! Was also kindly sent a replacement by the brand!

 

The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C and EGF Serum*

A really enjoyable serum! Liquid, lightweight and sinks in quickly though not the strongest Vitamin C formula out there. Worked well in the morning for me (best to leave 10 minutes before applying other products on top) and I noticed brighter overall skin and plumpness! Didn’t help with targeted pigmentation though. Will repurchase in the future and you can see more in this post about The Inkey list!  

 

Lanolips Face Base Vitamin E Day Cream

Another love! This is a super thick formula that sinks in quickly and sits under makeup perfectly. It keeps my skin hydrated all day long and makes sure my foundation doesn’t settle into fine lines so it’s a winner for me! Read more in this post about Lanolips!

 

Garden of Wisdom RetiStar Retinol Serum

Really enjoyed this – it’s a gorgeous, gentle serum and I noticed my fine lines were much less pronounced when using this, skin was brighter, smoother and plumper too! GoW is so underrated in my opinion, this was only £10 and a great option for those starting retinol! I believe the amount of retinol in this is 0.05% and I actually have the Medik6 Crystal Retinal 6 to use next which is 0.06%! Will possibly repurchase in the future but I would like a stronger formula!

 

Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist*

Loved this! The mist is fine and sprays evenly and to me it had like a very subtle almost cinnamon/herbal scent. Very soothing and hydrating and love that its antioxidant too. Will repurchase in the future!

 

Oskia Liquid Mask Lactic Acid Micro Peel

I really need to explore lactic acid more – I always ignore it and favour glycolic but this little bottle blew me away! It’s an overnight mask and left my skin smooth, bright and radiant looking! Will definitely be looking to repurchase this at some point!

 

Lanolips 101 Ointment

A great overnight lip balm! Lasts all night, keeps my lips hydrated and soft and a little goes a very long way! Will repurchase once I finish up some other balms!

 

Bondi Sands Coconut Lip Balm with SPF 50+

Felt a little on the greasy side and didn’t last very long in my lips. I enjoyed the scent and like the fact it has SPF but would only repurchase if I was going on holiday.

 

 

Bodycare

Rituals The Ritual of Sakura Foaming Shower Gel

I love this! It feels so luxurious, the bottle lasts ages the scent is so delicate and beautiful! I will repurchase and you can read more here! 

 

Ameliorate Nourishing Body Wash and Transforming Body Lotion

These were great especially for the areas of KP I have on my arms! The body wash is a creamy gel that smells fresh left my skin feeling hydrated and soft after use. The body lotion has a bit more of a funky scent (I would definitely go with one of their actual scented ones next time) but it’s not noticeable once it dries in. It contains lactic acid so gently resurfaces skin as well as hydrating it and I saw and felt an improvement in my skin texture after use and it was way less bumpy. Will repurchase in the future but I want to try the Cerave SA line to compare! Read more on Ameliorate here!

 

Pixi Bodytreats Rose Body Polish*

I fell more in love with this the longer I had it! It’s a beautiful scrub treatment you apply before the shower, massage in then rinse off. It left my skin so soft and supple and feeling really nourished too! The packaging is awful and it is so hard to get the product out so I really hope they change that but I would repurchase! Read more about Pixi Bodytreats here!

 

Australian Bodycare Foot Cream

Love this, really helped soften and moisturise my feet and the tea tree made me feel like I was in a spa every time! Will repurchase in the future and you can read more in this Pamper Essentials post!

 

OUAI Body Crème North Bondi

I picked this up in a limited edition set last Christmas and really enjoyed it thought it’s not the most nourishing moisturiser I have used. It’s a lightweight cream formulated with cupuaçu butter, coconut oil and squalane that sinks in quickly and is scented like the North Bondi perfume. Would repurchase again but with the Melrose Place scent as I prefer that!

 

Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream

I gave this such a lukewarm review the first time I included it in an empties post but this will always have a special place in my heart! I tried it for the first time when I lived in Canada and it instantly brings me back to my first summer there! The “glitter” is so subtle its beautiful and this is so nourishing on the skin and a little goes a long way. The scent is for sure love or hate but I love! Will repurchase! 

 

Makeup

IT Cosmetics CC+ in shade Light

Enjoyed this mini (and the fact you can buy it in mini form!), this was a very thick formula that offered good coverage but I found it took me longer to blend out and the shade “Light” is not actually that light – I still had to wear tan to make it work. Lasted quite well on my skin but I personally have other foundations I prefer! Nice to try it but not a repurchase for me! 

 

Collection Primed and Ready Invisible Setting Powder

My current favourite affordable setting powder! Doesn’t make my face look dry or cakey at all! Already had a backup! Spoke more about it in this Best Beauty Discoveries post! 

 

Miscellaneous

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

A couple of empties posts ago I included the Dose & Co collagen peptides so thought I would add this one in too as it’s a beauty supplement. I think it’s helping my skin and hair but the biggest difference I saw with this (and it was only when I finished it as I didn’t repurchase straight away) was the extra help its gives my joints! I take cod liver oil every day too but this has really helped with aches I get in my knees especially! It dissolves much better than the Dose & Co and I can’t taste it when I take it with dilute juice! Always on offer in Boots or Holland and Barratt and I have repurchased!

 

NuFACE Hydrating Leave on Gel Primer

This came with my NuFACE Mini back in this Spend Report post here and works really well with the device! I prefer to remove it after I am done and then continue on with my routine so it won’t be a repurchase as its quite expensive!

 

Have you emptied much recently? I love getting through my stash! Now, if only I could stop buying more products I don’t need!

 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me.

All opinions are my own. Affiliate links used.

See my full disclosure here. 

 

Danielle xx

 

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Beauty Spend Report | August 2021

It feels like it’s been no time at all since my beauty spend report but here we are again! To be honest, this really doesn’t bode well for me for the latter half of the year which is always the worst for me spending wise anyway because of my birthday and Christmas but we’ll roll with it and try not to go overboard! 

 

My first purchase this month was the Mabel + Meg Lumilixir Serum and I ended up buying the saver bundle with two bottles and I have no idea why because I have a surplus of both hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C in my stash right now lol. Anyway they had 30% off and though I haven’t had this in a couple of years (see, I told you I was in surplus of HA) it did use to be one of my absolute favourites so I am hoping I still feel the same! I first got this in 2017 from Cult Beauty – though I thought it was way before that! - but they have since stopped stocking it (along with all my old Indie brand favourites *rolls eyes*) and I think the only place you can get it is directly from the website now. Singularly the 30ml is £39 but the bundle was £70 and I got it for £49 (with £4 shipping – I despise paying shipping lol). I feel like this use to be an Instagram/blogger favourite and I literally never hear about it or see anyone feature it anymore but I am excited to try it again! 

 

Then, after a particularly frustrating Friday at work, I decided to treat myself with an order on the Sunday of something I have wanted for ages! The Tonic 15 Build Your Own Skincare Kit. I picked the blush pink travel bag plus the mini Aromatica Reviving Rose Infusion Treatment Toner and I’m From Fig Boosting Essence which I have been eyeing up forever, as well the I’m From Rice Toner which I have already been through a full size of and loved! As this was in a bundle sadly there was no added discount (believe me I tried multiple codes :P) so this came to £39. 

 

Like I said, I ordered this on the Sunday as the website says items will usually be dispatched the next working day and arrive in 2-5 working days, and I had a trip away planned for the following Saturday. Unfortunately for me this still hadn’t been dispatched by Thursday and when I emailed to enquire if it had gone out of stock I was told it would be dispatched by end of day Friday and they would add in a sheet mask for my patience. Their customer service is nice and I know they are a smaller business but I was really disappointed with the lack of speed and explanation on why it took so long to dispatch never mind not actually getting to use it for my trip! A frustration purchase turned into a frustrating order! Hey at least it looks cute I guess. 

 

Over the bank holiday weekend, Look Fantastic are known for their offers and I took advantage and grabbed the ColorWow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray (normally £26, I got for £18.72) which is meant to be amazing for frizzy hair that’s affected by humidity and my hair has been shocking recently! I asked about this on Instagram too and so many people in my DM’s encouraged me to get it! I haven’t tried it yet but I’ll let you know if it’s any good! It's silicone free and meant to last up to 72 hours! I then picked up the OUAI Hair Refresh Kit (worth £44, usually £28 and I got for £22.40) containing the Super Dry Shampoo and Detox Shampoo. I love the OUAI products but haven’t tried the Dry Shampoo before but I know this formula gets great reviews so I am looking forward to being a bit boujier with my dry shampoo this time over my normal £2 buys! The detox shampoo just because like I said, I use dry shampoo a lot so this will help make sure I get rid of any build up! 

 

So that’s that for my August purchases! Overall, I spent £133.12 which without savings would have been £167. Did you have a good month spending wise or a blow out? I already have my eye on the new Cult Beauty Edit and signed up to the waitlist as I think it’s such a good deal and I want to try a good few of the products so I know I will be making at least one purchase this month! Check out last month’s Beauty Spend Report here!

 

All opinions are my own. Affiliate links used.

See my full disclosure here.

 

Danielle xx

 

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Five Things I’m Loving | August 2021

It’s been a couple of months since I did one of these and I have a few products I can’t get enough of recently so time for another favourites!

 

I am almost finished the Fenty Beauty PRO FILT’R Hydrating foundation RRP £27 (shade 150) and had to give it another mention before it becomes an empty! I was already a fan of the matte version (and it featured in a similar post back in September here) but picked this one up late last year when I was on accutane as my normally oily/combo skin became more dry/normal. This is a medium to full coverage foundation and it really brings the glow! I would hate this if my skin was oily as even when I powder it, it doesn’t completely set and there is still a serious amount of dewiness! With my skin still being “normal” this lasts all day on me and makes me look so healthy with the glow it gives. I don’t find it settles into fine lines and it doesn’t wear off throughout the day but it can transfer a little. Like I said, if you have oily skin I don’t think this would be such a hit and similarly I have read quite mixed reviews of it for dry skin but I am glad I picked it up, there is just something about it I love and it’s worked well for me! Boots regularly have 20% off it too!

 

I featured the Elemental Herbology Zest Bath and Body Oil* RRP £30 a few weeks ago in a bodycare post but I love it so much I want to talk about it again! I love having a body oil in my routine and this one is particularly luxurious. It’s a deep citrus scent and includes orange (to energise), rosemary (to stimulate the mind and work as an inflammatory) and marjoram (to boost energy). While it can be used in a hot bath, I tend to use it at night as a body oil and I wake up to hydrated, supple, nourished skin! It’s thicker than the likes of the Biossance Squalane oil but doesn’t feel heavy or sticky at all and the scent is beautiful – not too overpowering and very uplifting! It seems to have gone up in price by a couple of pounds since my last post but honestly I think it’s worth it, and there are numerous 15-20% off codes floating about making the deal a little sweeter! 

 

Next up, the Hello Skin Co Eyes So Bright Hydrogel Eye Masks* RRP £10 have been a welcome addition to my routine this summer. They contain caffeine and collagen as well as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide and have been a god send particularly on days I have been struggling with hay fever! They come in a pack of 60, feel so cooling on application and really help soothe my eyes and decrease puffiness! At £10 they are so affordable too and I am told this brand will be in Boots soon! They come in a handy tub with a lid that keeps the moisture in and a spatula to separate them and keep things hygienic and look at how juicy they are! A really nice extra in my routine! 

 

Finally, a little double act I have been loving in the Pixi + Promise Shapeshifter Palette* RRP £20 and Charlotte Tilbury Powder and Sculpt Brush RRP £35. I wasn’t expecting to love this palette so much as I don’t tend to contour anymore nor have I bought a face palette in years. However, I do bronze every day and this palette contains a great mix of warm and cooler shades so I have found myself reaching for it every day since I got it to properly try it out and I am so impressed. The formula is smooth and just the right amount of pigmentation that I can see it but it doesn’t create an obvious line across my cheek. It lasts all day with no fading on my skin and while it’s a face palette, the shades lend themselves well to my favourite type of eyeshadow shades and work on my brows too so I can fully get on board with this one! I’m not one for highlight so the middle top two rows haven’t been used but the rest of the shades are matte and as well as contour/bronzer shades there is a brightening translucent powder and a banana powder too which all get use from me! Its currently on offer at Boots with 1/3 off and 20% off on Look Fantastic! Check out my review of the Pixi On the Glow Blushes here too! 

 

unedited swatches - 1-3 are 1st row, 4-6 are 2nd row, 7-9 are 3rd row

For the bronzer shades I dug out my CT powder and sculpt brush which has been in my collection since 2017. Despite apparently loving this when I first got it, in recent years I have abandoned it, it tends to shed much more than my other brushes when I wash it and I’ve had to reglue the handle (despite taking very good care of it!) and I think I also told people it was not a necessity. Well, I am officially eating my words. If you don’t already have this brush and struggle with bronzer brushes that are too big, apply too much or in a clunky manner, this is your guy. It’s much smaller than my usual Morphe or Real Techniques weapon of choice and more tapered and it makes applying bronzer or contouring a breeze! Highly recommend and I am eyeing up a couple more CT brushes now – anyone have the bronzer and blusher brush?

So that’s my current favourites – let me know if you have tried any of them and what you thought!

 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me.

All opinions are my own. Affiliate links used.

See my full disclosure here.

 

Danielle xx

 

If you want to keep up to date with my posts, don’t forget to follow me on

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