June Empties ..

I love reading people’s empties posts, and I’m always just a little bit jealous as I don’t really go through products that quickly. Simply because I have too many! Anyway, I’ve been saving these up for a while now so they’re not really June empties, more recent-ish empties.

Tesco Clear Skin Wipes

I bought these ages ago because Tesco had run out of Simple wipes. They’re awful to say the least. They don’t remove makeup properly and leave bits of lint over your face. To finish them up I used them to clean the side in the bathroom where I apply my makeup.

meTime Nose Pore Strips

I love these. The stuff that comes off – well I won’t go into that, but I love using products that I can actually see working and these do just that. My boyfriend also really likes them. These were only 99p but I think I’ll be trying the Biore Nose Strips next.

Simple Oil Balancing Wipes

I don’t tend to use wipes to remove my makeup anymore; I double cleanse to make sure everything’s gone. But if I were to pick my favourite wipes then it would be a toss up between these and the No7 wipes. Definite bathroom staple.

Vaseline Cocoa Butter Body Oil Gel

Blogged here, this is one of my favourite products; life just isn’t the same without it! As you can see I’ve been through quite a few of late – I’m pretty much addicted.

Balance Me Super Moisturising Body Wash

I usually quite like balanceMe products, but I just didn’t get on with this. The smell was too ‘herby’ and the product itself was way too runny.

Soap & Glory The Daily Smooth Body Butter

This is what I use on the rare occasion that I run out of the Vaseline Oil Gel. It smells great – as do all S&G products – and is very moisturising. I got this in a set for Christmas, but I probably wouldn’t buy it for myself.


Dr Bronner Tea Tree Pure-Castile Soap
I found this way to drying to use everyday. The tea tree was refreshing, and smelt very 'fresh' when I got out of the shower but my skin was really dry. Love the fact that it's multi use though.

St Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub

LOVE. Bought the full size after I finished this sample. Feels great on my oily/combination skin.

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil

The sample was so small that I can’t really review it. It was great at breaking down the glue from my horrible experience at OMG Beauty though.

Sasy n Savy Hand & Nail Repair Cream

Really not anything to rave about. The full-size is completely overpriced. No different to a hand cream that’s a fraction of the price.

Caudalie Vinosourse SOS Thirst Quenching Serum

This is the product that made me fall in love with Caudalie. It’s amazing. Absorbs really quickly and means I only need a small amount of moisturiser. The full size is expensive, but a definite must-have.

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Styling Treatment Oil

I absolutely loved this. The smell, the texture, and the way it made my hair feel. Top marks.

Narciso Rodriguez For Her EDP

I hate perfume samples, but loved this. It has a spray pump which made it great for chucking in my handbag. Smells amazing. Will definitely buy the full size at some point.

L’Oreal Visible Radiance Renewing Gel Toner

I’ve been using this for years but only because it was the easiest thing to reach for in the supermarket as I’d been using it so long. Probably won’t be buying this again as I don’t think it’s suitable for my skin.

bareMinerals Blush in I’m Amused Rouge

My favourite blush, ever. Probably because it was my first. I used to be content enough with foundation and a slick of eyeliner, until I went to the bareMinerals counter in Selfridges. It lasted me more than 18 months so it was a great investment.

EOS Lip Balm – Mint

One of the most overhyped products on the planet. It’s perfect if you reapply every 10 minutes, but aside from that it’s really not that great. Yes it’s cute, but I’d rather hideous packaging and a great product, than vice versa.

White Glo Whitening Toothpaste & Mouthwash

Since switching to these I’m unable to use anything else. I’ve noticed such a difference in the whiteness of my teeth since using them.

What have you been using recently?

Haul - Boots, The Body Shop, Lush ...

I’m an Internet addict and try to buy most things online – simply because there’s nothing more convenient that having something delivered to your front door. However, this week I got a bit of a shopping bug and picked up a few things. 

Apologies for some of the pictures being out of focus – I didn’t realise until I got them off of my camera and couldn’t be bothered to retake! 

The Body Shop

 Deal – 3 for 2 on all skincare & makeup 

 Vitamin E Face Mist 

 I’ve read a lot about this mist and whilst I know it’ll never replace my Caudalie beauty elixir, I really want to try it. 

 Vanilla & Tonka Bean Room & Linen Spray 

 I recently bought this is Pomegranate and Raspberry and it smells amazing so I couldn’t resist picking up another. 

 Seaweed Clarifying Toner 

This is a product for combination/oily skin so I’m hoping it’ll help keep the shine at bay. 

 Vitamin C MicroDermabrasion 

 Again, another product I’ve heard a lot about that I really want to try. Full review to come. 

 Love Your Body Card 

 Think it’s about time I got one of these. Wish I’d got it in time for my birthday last month so I could’ve gotten my free gift! 

 Earth Lover Apricot & Basil 100% Biodegradable(?!) Shower Gel 

 Luckily I got this for free when I got my Love Your Body Card and it smells absolutely amazing. Edible, in fact! 

 The lovely lady in The Body Shop (Covent Garden) also gave me a sample of Aloe Calming Toner to try as well. 

 Boots 

Deal – 3 for 2 on toiletries. So annoyed that I went a couple of days before the points event! 

 John Frieda Full Repair Full Body Shampoo & Conditioner 

 I’ve been trying to go sulphate-free for a while and although this isn’t sulphate-free, I’ve read good reviews on the whole line. I’m sure I’ll get through them pretty quickly as they seem a bit small, but we’ll see. 

 John Frieda Full Repair Perfect Ends Deep Infusion Serum 

My hair looks really thick but that’s only because there’s so much of it, the strands themselves are thin and weak so I’m hoping this will help with the breakage! 

 White Glo Whitening Toothpaste 

 I’ve been addicted to this toothpaste since a sample appeared in the last Carmine box. Definitely noticed a difference in the whiteness of my teeth. 

 White Glo Mouthwash 

 I actually hate mouthwash, but I guess it’s all worth it in the pursuit of whiter teeth! 

 Superdrug 

 Deal – Half price & 2 for £7.49 

 Vaseline Cocoa Butter Oil Gel 

  Blogged here, this is one of my favourite products. It’s a definite must-have and I use it all year round. It’s usually around the £5 mark, but was on offer for £2.43 so I had to pick two up! 

  

John Frieda Full Repair Full Body Deep Conditioner 

At two for £7.49, it would have been a crime for me not to have picked up the last items to complete the Full Repair line. “Revives overstyled hair”? I’m sold. 

 John Frieda Full Repair Heat Activated Styler 

I used to blow dry my hair every day, however I’ve now learnt the error of my ways and for the last year I’ve tried not to blow dry more than twice a week. I don’t currently use a heat protection spray so hopefully I’ll notice a difference when using this. 

 Lush 

 Cupcake Face Mask 

Another product that smells like food. I’m really tempted to dip my finger in and try it because it smells like chocolate. But I’ll resist. The guy in Lush said this is a great mask for oily skin so I’m going to give it a whirl. 

 Vintage Knot Wrap 

The rest of my Lush items were actually for The Boy and I thought it’d be cute to gift-wrap them, Lush style. And also because I wanted the scarf to wear in my hair … 

 Yuzu and Cocoa Bubbleroon 

 The Boy is a little obsessed with bubble baths (he’s such a big kid!) and this smelt too good to pass up. Plus it’s got glitter it in and it’ll be hilarious to see him covered in shimmer! 

 Blue Skies and Fluffy White Clouds Bubble Bar 

 Slightly more ‘manly’, but still smells amazing! 

 The Comforter

 Don’t think I’ll be able to convince him to get into a pink bath, so this one is more for me. These are all of the ‘beauty’ items I bought this week, taking advantage of some amazing deals!

Have you been shopping this week?

Collective Haul ...

Warning: Picture heavy post!

Went into Boots last week and they seem to have everything on offer – 3 for 2! – So thought it’d be a crime not to pick some stuff up.

I did get a lot more than what’s here but everything else for a beauty box for the boy, since he’s jealous of all of mine! Haha

Tresemme Split End Sealing Serum

Fade Out Original Moisturising Cream

Fade Out Nourishing Night Cream

Fade Out Anti Shadow Brightening Eye Cream

St Ives Apricot Scrub

White Glo Toothpaste (x3)

Tresemme Split End Sealing Serum

I chemically straighten my hair every six weeks, which ends up leaving it dry and brittle and murdering my ends. I’ve been looking for something like this to help me tame them.

Fade Out Original Moisturising Cream | Fade Out Nourishing Night Cream | Face Out Anti Shadow Brightening Eye Cream

I actually read about these creams on Lea’s blog here. The reviews generally seem pretty decent too. My Clarins Day & Night creams are running low and I can’t afford to spend £80 on two moisturisers so decided to grab these for Project: Face. 

They stink and tingle when you apply them (sting, if you’ve applied too much), but I’ll do a full review once I’ve given them a few weeks. These were on offer as well, so I saved myself £10!

St Ives Apricot Scrub

I was lucky enough to get sent a sample of this about a month ago and have been addicted ever since. Scrubs never seem to be ‘scrubby’ enough for me but this one really exfoliates.

White Glo Toothpaste

Since getting this in the last Carmine box (RIP!) I’ve been truly addicted. I went out and bought it as soon as my sample ran out, but found that once that had run out and I switched back to a normal toothpaste for a few days, the ‘wow’ factor had gone and my teeth were really dull again. I got the tea and coffee drinkers formula to try out too, hopefully this will prolong the whiteness if I run out again.

It’s not the cheapest toothpaste at £4 a tube, but with a toothbrush and floss sticks in every pack and visibly whiter teeth, you can’t go wrong! And 3 for 2? I’m sold.

I’ve read a few posts about the Lush Lip Scrubs recently, and as the boy was going shopping I asked (read: begged) him to pick one up for me.

I asked for the bubblegum flavour, as I’m a bit funny with mint sometimes. Smells and tastes amazing, although the aftertaste is a little weird but I think that’s because of the oils.

I’ll spare you the full review, since everyone has been there, done it, and got the tee!

As I mentioned before, I chemically straighten my hair every six weeks and last week I was waaay overdue. I rushed out to get one, admittedly wearing a hat to hide my Medusa mane and some very scruffy clothes, and stumbled across a Sleek counter in the hair shop …

I don’t own any Sleek items, but a lot of the ladies over on BBS rave about the Sleek Rose Gold blush so when I saw the counter I had to have a look!

I only bought two things – watching the pennies! :( The Rose Gold looked a little too ‘rich’ for me.

First up is a blush in Pomegranate. It’s a lovely, deep pink and compliments my skin tone well. But it’s very pigmented so I have to be careful with how I apply it otherwise I look like a clown.

The second thing I bought was the sleek brow pencil in brown. Black pencils make my brows look too heavy, so this brown one fills them in nicely and keeps them natural looking.

So that’s it. Time to tighten the purse strings for a while!

Have you tried any of these products before?