Dry Shampoo Showdown #2

A couple of years ago I reviewed the dry shampoos I owned at the time and I thought it was time for a slight update (although you will see one repeat performance!). Dry shampoo is an every couple of days essential for me, I’ve got greasy roots and my hair is long and fine meaning it can look limp if it’s not freshy washed so dry shampoo is a lifesaver! Here’s what I’m currently using up! 

Batiste Dry Shampoo and De-Frizz

It had been a few years since I tried Batiste when I decided to pick up this bottle in its new packaging! Then once I used it, I was reminded why I stopped buying it. I thought with the promise of the invisible formula they would have updated their formulation but sadly not. I find this to leave a white cast on my dark hair, it barely soaks up any oil and the scent is very old fashioned. My hair is not massively frizzy but I do get some flyaway’s and I didn’t notice a difference with this. I know lots of people swear by Batiste but for me it’s nowhere near good enough! 

 

VO5 Refresh Dry Shampoo 

Probably my most repurchased dry shampoo ever (seriously, search VO5 in my search bar) and this one also featured in the first instalment of this blog series! It’s got a fresh, clean scent, leaves absolutely no white cast and easily gives me an extra day out of my hair making it look less greasy and much fresher! It doesn’t take too much effort rubbing in the spray either as its basically transparent! It pains me to say I think this has been discontinued as its out of stock or ridiculously priced online although sometimes I see it in random grocery shops. I hope they bring it back as it was such a great dry shampoo and so affordable too! 

 

TRESemme Day 2 Between Washes Volumizing Dry Shampoo 

When I lived in Canada, I went through so many bottles of the TRESemme dry shampoo so when I got home I was gutted when I couldn’t find it! Eventually I saw this version which is slightly different and though not *quite* as good, still worth a go if you are looking for a dry shampoo on a budget. Similarly to the VO5, it has a very fresh, light scent and doesn’t leave a white cast. I don’t find it does a lot for volume though despite its claims though I do have long, fine hair so not much does! 

 

Bardot Dry Shampoo 

Lastly, I have the Bardot dry shampoo, and it’s another one I *think* may have been discontinued sadly! This is my second bottle of this and while the RRP is £19 I would never pay that for a dry shampoo. I would be bankrupt at the rate I go through them! I got mine for £2.50 when MMCL did a huge sale a while back and it was money well spent! It’s another translucent formulation, it soaks up my oils nicely and also leaves my hair looking like it’s got a bit more oomph! The only thing I’m not keen on is the floral scent but throughout the day it becomes less strong! 

 

Overall, the V05 wins for me, it’s an old favourite and ticks all the boxes! If you’d like to read the last post in this series, you can do so here! I definitely need to revisit the Klorane dry shampoo soon! What is your favourite dry shampoo? 

 

Danielle xx

 

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Product Empties #28

Well everyone, it’s that time again! The old Look Fantastic beauty box I use to house my empties is overflowing so here’s are the latest products I’ve finished up! 

 

Skincare 

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel*

Absolutely gutted to have finished this up as I love it so much! It’s a watery gel that lathers on contact with water and leaves my skin feeling matte and prepped for my next steps but never stripped! Wrote about it more in this post! Will repurchase 100%! 

 

Dermalogica Active Clay Cleanser*

Another favourite! This one was perfect for my acne prone oily skin this summer and also doubles as a mask. I think I went through this one a bit quicker as my mum was using it too so it has her seal of approval also! Wrote more about it here and will repurchase! 

 

Dermalogica Pre-Cleanse*

This is a really luxurious oil and it removes makeup with ease! It’s got a citrus scent and I did find my eyes could be a little irritated by it so for that reason I wouldn’t repurchase! 

 

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream*

A really simple but effective moisturiser, my skin drank this up! It’s creamy but lightweight and kept my skin hydrated all day and sat really well under makeup too! Would repurchase! 

 

Dermalogica Biolumin-C Eye Serum*

This is a gorgeous lightweight serum that really helped with fine lines and firmness, I don’t have bad dark circles but my undereyes were definitely brighter using this! It’s pricey but with daily use I got about six months use out of it so would repurchase! Read more thoughts on it here! 

 

Versed Baby Cheeks All in One Hydrating Milk

Really enjoyed this toner and it’s packaging! It was hydrating and calming and left my skin soft and prepped. I moved onto the infamous I’m From Rice Toner after this and though its early days I *think* I prefer it so probably wouldn’t repurchase this one! I have a post on it here! 

 

The Inkey List Retinol 

This is one of my favourite Inkey List products! I think it is a great introduction to Retinol as it feels so gentle (sorry, percentages and types of retinol are not my forte so do correct me if I’m wrong!) It’s quite liquidy and I always wake up to bright, plump skin after using! I used about ¾ of the bottle before switching to the next one I will talk about but I finished this on my neck! Already have a backup but I might give it to my mum as I want something stronger! Read more about it in my budget skincare picks here! 

 

Verso Super Facial Serum

I love this, it felt more potent to me than the Inkey List retinol and I saw a marked improvement in my skin overall – especially my elevens and fine lines on my forehead as well as pigmentation on my lower cheeks and jawline. I was also impressed with how long this tiny sample lasted me! The only negative is that it is £110 for 30mls so it won’t be a repurchase for me right now as I want to try Medik8’s crystal retinal offering but I can see me coming back to this even with the price tag if that doesn’t compare! 

 

Amorepacific The Essential Crème Fluid

This was a very nice hydrating fluid that felt smoothing and I really enjoyed the scent too but for the price it’s not worth it for me so won’t be a repurchase! 

Bodycare

Vaseline Essential Healing Body Lotion

Another empties another Vaseline body lotion! You can’t beat this cheap and cheerful moisturiser! I love the fresh scent and find the lotion itself is lightweight but nourishing and dries in quickly! Have already repurchased! 

 

Soap and Glory Pulp Friction Body Scrub

My favourite body scrub! This isn’t my favourite scent but the scrub itself is amazing! It lathers up quickly and the “vitaminballs” don’t feel abrasive at all. This and a scrubbing mitt are a dream team for stubborn fake tan! I have a few other scrubs to get through then I will repurchase though knowing Soap and Glory they will have discontinued it by then as it's one of my faves! 

 

Hawaiian Tropic Air Soft After Sun Lotion

I picked this up as I wanted some nostalgia as I didn’t get on holiday this year ha. I then realised it was the SPF I had previously not the after sun so it didn’t generate any feelings of being on holiday but I did enjoy the cooling feeling of it and its pretty swirly pattern in the bottle! Would repurchase but not any time soon. 

 

Soaper Duper Creamy Deluxe Shea Butter Body Wash in Vanilla Pod 

This was a very liquidy body wash and though I don’t normally love vanilla I was very impressed with how realistic the scent was! Not my normal jam so wouldn’t go out of my way to repurchase but I did enjoy it! 

 

Sol de Janeiro Coco Cabana Cream 

A much more subtle scent that its sister Bum Bum Cream and a lovely thick hydrating body cream. I do prefer the Bum Bum scent so I won’t repurchase this one! 

Haircare 

V05 Refresh Dry Shampoo 

My favourite dry shampoo that I cannot find anywhere except artisan grocery shops! What gives V05? This smells amazing, leaves no white cast and is only a few pounds so super affordable! I wish it was more easily available but if I see it again I will of course be repurchasing! 

 

OUAI Leave In Conditioner 

My favourite leave in product, this is smoothing, detangling and protective all while not weighing my hair down and smelling amazing! Read more about how much I love it here! Already repurchased!

Makeup

Revlon ColourStay Foundation (Combo/Oily) in Buff and Sand Beige 

My OG favourite affordable foundation! This stuff is full coverage and long lasting on my oily skin! Buff matches me when I have no tan on and Sand Beige is for when I do have fake tan on! I find Sand Beige does oxidise slightly but I have no problems with Buff and have already repurchased! Read more about my love for it here! 

Collection Lasting Perfection concealer in 1 Fair 

Another affordable makeup love! This gives really good coverage without drying out my problem areas and I have already repurchased!  

 

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in Champagne 

Love the Bite lip masks, they are super thick so perfect for overnight hydration! I didn’t love the Champagne shade but it wasn’t a big deal as I just use it at night, already have a backup! 

Miscellaneous

Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Accumax 120 capsules 

I’ve talked about these a few times in my empties and unfortunately I haven’t seen much difference with them which was disappointing for me as I know some people swear by them! They are a pricey option so this time I haven’t repurchased. Let’s just hope my skin doesn’t get any worse haha but I’ve been off them for about 2 weeks now and no change. I’ve actually made an appointment with a dermatologist for the end of the month to discuss going back on Roaccutane so wish me luck! 

Congratulations if you made it to the end of that! Let me know if you have tried any of the above products or what you are working on finishing at the minute! 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here.

 

Danielle xx

 

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Product Empties #22

It’s that time again! Here are my most recent empties from the last few months!

Bodycare

Soap and Glory Clean on Me shower gel

One of my OG favourite shower products! This lasts ages and smells amazing! Forever repurchased! 

Nivea Shower Crème

Another shower favourite, Nivea is the best budget brand for shower gel and moisturiser for me! I love the fresh scent of this, it is forever repurchased! 

Nivea Soft moisturiser

Love love love this, huge tub for about £3-4, I repurchase this constantly! 

Soap and Glory Righteous Butter

This one feels a little thicker so more luxurious! Again, it smells amazing, feels very hydrating and I already have a backup! 

Nivea smooth care hand care*

This is PR from years ago that I left behind when I went to Canada and when I got home it still smelled good so I used it up! Love these and will repurchase when I finish up some more hand creams! 

Skincare

Skyn Iceland Arctic Hydration rubberising mask with vitamin C

This was so much fun to use! It comes with a mixing kit that you spread on your face then you peel it off after its dried. My skin felt so plump after using this and nicely hydrated. While I would like to use it again, its £10 for a single pack so out of my budget! 

Mario Badescu Aloe, Herbs and rosewater facial spray

One of my favourite facial sprays, this is a handbag essential for me and I use it constantly while I’m at work! It’s super refreshing and hydrating and I just repurchased 2 in the sales last week! See more on how much I love it here! 

Disciple Balancing Mist

This is also a really lovely calming spray but at £15 for 50ml not one I will be repurchasing! I prefer the January Labs Restorative Tonic Mist and you get more product at 118ml for £18! Love the packaging and have refilled with water to use as a plant spray J

NIOD Sanskrit Saponins

One of my favourite morning cleansers! I love this one and have repurchased many times but held back at Deciem’s recent 23% off as I have too many other cleansers to use up at the minute but will repurchase in the future for sure! 

111Skin Y Theorem Repair Serum

A lovely little serum from a Cult Beauty goody bag that felt beautiful and smelled great but at £190 for 30ml one I will not be repurchasing! 

Burt’s Bees beeswax lip balm x2 

One of my favourite lip balms, I have lost count of how many of these I have went through! Hydrating and affordable and I already have a back up J

Dr Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream 

I absolutely love Dr Jart moisturisers, they are amazing! This is such a great moisturiser, it's so calming and also perfect for under makeup! I really like this but would repurchase the Ceramidin moisturiser over this! 

Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum

This is nice but it didn’t wow me – though I might be saying that as it’s a sample size! I wouldn’t repurchase but would happily use up another sample! 

Makeup

Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation

The OG number one best foundation in the world! I cannot get enough of this stuff and you can read more about why I love it so much here! Already repurchased! 

Revlon Colorstay foundation 

My affordable option to the above because I can’t afford to wear double wear every day haha. This is another long-lasting full coverage option that is usually always on offer in Boots too making it more affordable! Already using my backup! 

Laura Mercier translucent powder

Another favourite! This is my favourite setting powder, mattifying but not cakey and adds a little extra somethin somethin to my makeup! Already got a backup! 

NYX HD Finishing powder

Really enjoyed this but hit pan quickly so it didn’t last long and I prefer the No7 Perfect Light translucent powder for pressed powder. Would repurchase if on offer. 

Beauty Bakery flour powder

I was pleasantly surprised by this little sample too! It mattified better than I thought it would and even though I only got a few uses out of it I would repurchase if it had a good offer! 

Touch in Sol No-Poreblem primer 

I’m not a massive one for primer (I generally forget to put it on each morning) but this one has become a staple in my routine! It blurs pores, is mattifying and minimises the appearance of fine lines making my base look even better! I just got sent a full size of this recently through PR so have a back up ready to go! 

YSL Touche Eclat highlighter 

This took me ages to finish and to be honest I didn’t notice any difference when using it so not a repurchase for me! 

Haircare 

VO5 Refresh Me Quick dry shampoo 

One of my favourite dry shampoos! It smells amazing and makes my hair look less greasy! Sadly this seems to be discontinued so this is my last bottle L

VO5 Give me Texture dry texturizing spray

This was a nice little extra touch on second day hair to make my limp locks a little better looking! Would repurchase but I think this is discontinued as well! 

Miscellaneous

Crest 3D White 

Some Canadian favourites I can’t get anymore including this toothpaste lol best I found for gentle, effective whitening! 

Secret Clear Gel Stress Response 

Also gutted I can’t get this anymore! This is amazing on my sweaty pits and Mitchum doesn’t quite cut the mustard anymore!

Botanics Eucalyptus Pure Essential Oil

I got a diffuser shortly after I got home and have really been enjoying this oil in it. It’s so refreshing and stress relieving and I have already repurchased! 

Not quite finished 

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

Now some products that are past their sell by date unfortunately! This is a great budget option, super gentle but effective and I always wake up to plumper skin! Will repurchase in the future but using the Inkey List’s offering at the moment. 

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA  

Love this stuff but have neglected it since the end of summer and now the colour has changed! It’s great for hyperpigmentation and I love mixing this with Niacinamide! Will repurchase in the future but again going to try the Inkey List’s offereing first! 

Have you tried any of these products? Do you save your empties too? 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here. 

Danielle xx

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Product Empties (skip a few) #21

It’s been a while guys! These are my favourite posts to write and I have been saving my empties since I got home in the middle of August in an old beauty box ready for the day I had enough to write this post! 

Bodycare

Soap and Glory the Righteous Butter

One of my favourite body moisturisers, this is creamy, hydrating and smells amazing! Forever repurchased! 

Nivea Soft

Another of my favourite body care brands, I am obsessed with how fresh this scent is! Also does a great job of moisturising my skin. Forever repurchased.

Rituals The Ritual of Sakura body cream

Another lovely moisturiser, I prefer this scent in the body foam form more so than this moisturising cream but it was very hydrating and smoothing! Would probably repurchase if on offer!

Haircare

VO5 Refresh me Quick dry shampoo

One of my favourite dry shampoos THAT VO5 HAVE DISCONTINUED!!! I left this (and the next two) at home over 2 years ago when I went to Canada as they don’t have a use by date lol. I absolutely love the scent of this and it worked really well in my hair leaving no white cast, I am absolutely gutted they have discontinued it! 

Soap and Glory The Rushower Dry Shampoo

Another great dry shampoo with possibly the best packaging ever haha this one also smells amazing; I love getting whiffs of it throughout the day and it works well to soak my greasy hair up too! Will repurchase!

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk*

Probably the best dry shampoo I have ever tried, it has a very fresh scent, leaves no white cast and does the best job out of the three at keeping my hair looking fresher for longer. I will certainly repurchase this but it’s also the priciest of the three so I need a cheaper replacement also because I go through A LOT of dry shampoo! Will wait to Escentual have 20% of before making a purchase! Dry shampoo recommendations around the £2 mark also welcome, I am not a fan of Batiste unfortunately! 

Skincare

Nivea Crème Care All-In-One Facial Cleansing lotion 

If you have read my blog for a while you will be sick of hearing about this! It’s my number one first cleanse as it’s so creamy and gets the majority of my makeup off before I go in with a balm or oil! Its known as Nivea Lotion here and Canada has discontinued this but I found it in Savers at home – not a lot showing up online for it though - tell me it hasn’t been discontinued here too! Already of course repurchased! 

Nivea Express Eye makeup Remover 

If you know, you know! This dual phase formula makes taking waterproof eye makeup off a breeze. Forever repurchased! 

Drunk Elephant Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser
I feel very blah about this one, its nice to use in the morning but I don't love it and it doesn't excite me  therefore I would not repurchase! 

Pixi Hydrating Milky Serum 

I think this is maybe my third bottle of this, it works well on the daily for me as it’s so lightweight but it’s not quite as hydrating as I would like overnight. I absolutely hate the dropper; it never works or dispenses product and they still haven’t updated it! I will probably repurchase this in the future but maybe not to next summer, my skin needs something a little more hydrating for winter, recommendations welcome! 

The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid

As far as budget hyaluronic acids go I prefer this over the Ordinary’s offering, however, I unfortunately have expensive taste in hyaluronic acids and nothing beats NIOD or Mabel + Meg’s offerings for me. I will 100% repurchase this through as I can’t afford those back to back and this one is lovely.

The Inkey List Caffeine eye cream

I love this! Super lightweight yet very hydrating, I don’t have big dark bags (lol) but they certainly felt brighter and more even toned using this! Will repurchase in the future but I want to try their new Brighten-I eye cream first! 

Origins Drink Up Intensive

Obsessed with this, it’s a must have product for me as it’s so hydrating and calming on my skin! I use this about 3 times a week - already repurchased! Also talked about it in my last blog post here!

Origins Original Skin Matte Moisturiser with Willowherb

I enjoyed using this up but didn’t find it any more mattifying that other moisturisers I have so wouldn’t repurchase a full size at this point! 

Origins Modern Friction

Nice physical exfoliant however every time I used this it got up my nose and I have no idea how because it doesn’t happen with other exfoliators I use – uncomfortable experience so wouldn’t repurchase! 

Biossance Squalane and Vitamin C Rose Oil

Got a good few uses out of this even though it's a tiny sample and I really liked it! Very hydrating and brightening but I don’t think I can get it in the UK! Would repurchase if I was back in Canada or the USA! 

Makeup

Estee Lauder Double Wear

My number one can’t live without makeup product! I love this stuff – full coverage, long lasting and looks better the longer I wear it, already repurchased two backups because I can’t live without it! 

Collection Lasting Perfection concealer

I used to get my mum to send me this over from home as its my favourite drugstore concealer and works so well! It’s not drying and does a great job of covering blemishes - already using my back up! 

Revlon Volume + Length Magnified Waterproof Mascara

I have repurchased this numerous times and it does a great job of giving my lashes volume and length while keeping them separated and not going flaky! I refuse to spend more than £10 on a mascara so this is perfect for me and I have already repurchased and started using my back up! 

NYX Micro Brow Pencil

Another product I have repurchased numerous times1 This is a great alternative to the ABH Brow Wiz through the pencil is not quite as soft! This lasts ages and makes it so easy to fill my brows in! Forever repurchased! 

Miscellaneous

Bath and Body Works Stress Relief Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel 

Gutted I can’t get these anymore! This is my favourite scent – its eucalyptus and spearmint and smells amazing, sinks in quickly and makes my hands feel clean! Have a couple of back-ups and will probably have to get someone to send me some more over when they run out! 

Beauty Bender 

Sorry for the horrible used beauty blender photo above but I am obsessed with these, they are the only thing I will put my foundation on with! Leaves an even, streak free finish and worth the price tag in my opinion! Already using my back up! 

Special mention - Joe Fresh cotton face pads - these are amazing! I don't normally mention the more boring type of products like this but I have been unable to find my favourite soft and gentle ones at home as I think they have been discontinued so if you have any recommendations for a cotton face pad that has indents on it (hope that makes sense) please let me know or tell me your thoughts on reusable cotton pads - are they any good? 

Congratulations if you got through all that! if you are still here I would also love to know your dry shampoo recommendations – I am not a fan of Batiste, and any hydrating serum recommendations (I usually alternate the Pixi one with Vichy Aqualia Thermal!) Thank you! 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here. 

Danielle xx

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