March Empties

Two empties posts in a row!  I promise that I do have other things to blog about coming up, but here's what I got through in March:

Hair Care

I got through a load of hair care stuff in March - a lot of it was from gift sets I got in the sales after Christmas as a way of trying more expensive ranges for not many pounds.

Ojon Dry Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner - I did really like this and I would use it again, BUT I hated the bottles that the product was in, particularly the conditioner.  The bottles were made from really solid plastic and with such a thick product inside, I only got two uses out of the conditioner.  There were at least two more applications in the bottle, but despite shaking, inverting the bottle, and trying to get it out, I couldn't, so what a waste!
Philip  Kingsley Shampoo and Conditioner - actually nothing spectacular - I liked it, but it didn't wow me.
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Extreme - on the other hand, this stuff was amazing!  It's a pre-shampoo treatment and it did wonders for my hair.  I got two applications out of this sachet and I've got two more sachets of it in my stash.  Something I'd definitely buy in the future.
Fekkai Advanced Shea Butter Ultra Rich Mask - I think I paid £15 for a gift set which included this mask, a glossing cream and a hairspray, but this product on its own retails for £25 - bargain!  Actually, looking on HQ Hair, you can buy the gift set I got for £25, or pay £25 for the product alone - why would you do that?  As for the product, it was a really nice conditioner - it wasn't £25 worth of nice, but at £15 with two other products, it was a good deal.

Shower Gel

Korres Guava Shower Gel - this was another sale bargain, think I paid £5 for it, and it's up there as one of my favourite shower gels ever.  It smells lovely, makes a great lather and lasts for ages (over a month on two showers a day).  Definitely something I'd consider repurchasing once the shower gel mountain has receded.

Face Care

Clarins Multi Active Night Cream - another sale gift-set purchase.  It was nice and moisturising, particularly in the colder months and it wasn't too heavy like some night creams can be - you could wear it under makeup.  It wasn't a knock-out product though.
Palmers Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub - I've had this knocking around for ages - I went between liking it and hating it.  It's a good scrub for occasional use, but not for a daily scrub.  The kernels are quite large and can be a bit too scratchy rather than scrubby.
Bliss Pore Perfecting Facial Polish - another scrub, another gift set and another item I wasn't blown away by.  This works fine as a daily scrub, but it's too gentle for me, I like a scrubbier scrub.  It also didn't last very long.  I'm so fussy about my facial scrubs!

Lotions and Potions

I'm back on my mission to reduce my moisturiser mountain, so there are a few I got through here.

Scholl Hard Skin Softening Cream - a foot cream that's OK - not as good as Flexitol though.
The Sanctuary Body Butter - I've used this before, I like the smell and great for the winter.
Bliss Lemon and Sage Maximum Moisturiser Cream - loved this stuff.  It lasted ages, felt lovely on my skin and smelt great.  It says on the bottle that it was developed as a massage cream, and I used it for that purpose as I've developed lots of injuries in my marathon training.  I was able to massage my calves for about 10 minutes without reapplying, but it didn't leave any stickiness, just softness.

So, quite a few things got through in March - no makeup though.  Hopefully there will be some more in April!

Thanks for reading! xx

January and February Empties

So I lost my blogging mojo in the early few months of this year and now my laptops broken!  But, with my trustee work laptop I'm back in the blogging swing of things now.  So here are my empties from January and February - and there are a lot of them!



Skin Care and Makeup



 I used up:

Lancome Teinte Miracle - love this stuff, have bought some more
No 7 Protect and Perfect Serum - a staple
Savlon Cream - I've always got this in my beauty kit
Dermologica Multi Vitamen Power Recovery Masque - Hmmm, got this in a Glossy Box, wouldn't shell out for it.
Origins Starting Over - my favourite winter moisturiser - will repurchase next winter
Lancome Genefique Night Cream - a bit too heavy for me, didn't use it everyday and wouldn't buy it.
Clarins Multi-Active Skin Recovery Serum - I really liked this, although similarly to No 7, it doesn't go very far.  I got this in a gift set in the sales and would repurchase if on offer
Bio Effect EGF Serum - this was from a Glossy Box - A bit too heavy, although it didn't break me out, I wouldn't repurchase
Barbara Daily Face Lift in a Jar - I wasn't impressed with this, despite hearing lots of good things.  I wasn't sure if it was a moisturiser, primer or highlighter.  It didn't really do a good job at any of those things, so I wouldn't buy again.
Doozle Serum - I bought this after seeing Doozle at a craft fair last year.  I really liked it and it wasn't expensive.  A good winter serum.
Lancome Gentle Softening Cleansing Milk - I got this free on a Lancome offer - I was really pleased to have a full-sized freebie!  It was a godsend for my skin in the colder weather, very kind and not at all drying.  It also worked as an eye makeup remover for not too heavy looks.  I'd buy this in the future.

Hair Care

I got through:

Neal and Wolf Harmony Intensive Hair Treatment - I got this in a Glossy Box - I liked it, but I probably wouldn't repurchase.  It's nowhere near as good as the Bumble and Bumble treatment I bought last year
L'Oreal Elvive Shampoo - a staple
Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner - another staple
Batiste Original Dry Shampoo - the "infamous" Glossy Box sample!  I'm not a fan of Batiste, I've reverted to using talc for getting an extra day without washing my hair.
James Brown Photo Fabulous Moisturising Conditioner - it OK, I've reviewed it before, probably wouldn't repurchase.
James Brown High Gloss Treatment (not shown all of it) - I preferred this to the Photo Fabulous collection.  I got this and the two products beneath as well as some serum for £10 in the sales - bargain!
James Brown High Gloss Shampoo - quite liked this, didn't blow me away, but wouldn't turn my nose up at it.
James Brown High Gloss Conditioner - again, this was quite good, I'd repurchase, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

Shower Gel and Eye Makeup Remover

OK a random grouping here!  I used up:

Radox Eastern Spirit Shower Therapy - I got this for Christmas, it smells nice, using it up helps reduce my shower gel stash, but I wouldn't repurchase.

Spa Invigorating Body Wash - another from my stash, not purchased by me.  It smells lovely, but I wouldn't rush out to buy it again!

Simple Kind to Eyes Eye Make-Up Remover - Not impressed with this at all.  Didn't tackle even light eye makeup very well, the consistency was really waterry and I had to rub at my eyes really hard to remove makeup.  Would steer well clear in the future.

Lip Balms



Coca-Cola Lip Smacker - loved this, tastes just like Coke!  I've got a cherry coke one as well I'm currently using.
Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 - don't believe the hype - this stuff isn't great, but at about £10 it should blooming well be!  It's too thick, I didn't like the applicator which got all gummed up with lip balm and it didn't taste that good.  Not worth the money and would really put me off repurchasing!
Dermalogica Renewal Lip Complex - another Glossy Box sample.  It was OK, I quite liked the consistency and it was really moisturising.  However, the taste wasn't to my taste, so I wouldn't seek it out!

Body Lotion

Oh dear, I've been bad - only one body lotion used up in 2 months.  And I was doing so well before Christmas!  Time to get into the body-lotion-using-up swing of things again.  Anyway, this Nivea Happy Time Body Lotion was very good.  I'd be more than happy to receive this again - it performed as well as many more expensive lotions.  I wouldn't repurchase as I seriously don't need any more body lotions - I must trim that stash.

So I'll probably be posting next week on my March empties - how time flies!

Thanks for reading! xx

December Empties

Happy 2012 everyone!  I can't believe it's the new year already, how time flies!  Anyway, I've again saved all my empties up for the past month.  I've managed to get through quite a few things this month.

Hair:

L'Oreal Elvive Nutri-Gloss Shine Shampoo - this lasted me for ages.  It's clearly stuffed full of all chemicals, but my hair really liked it - one of the few shampoos I've used that doesn't tangle my long, thick hair.
Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner - I do like Aussie products, and I like this conditioner.

Body:

3 body lotions I've reviewed here.
The Sanctuary Body Wash - I've used this before and I like the smell, although it could do with being a bit more foamy.
Spa Invigorating Body Scrub - not so much a scrub, more a body wash with the occasional pathetic granual thrown in for good measure.  I got this in a gift set and although it smells really nice, its got the scrubbing ability of a piece of silk.
The Body Shop Hemp Foot Protector - another thing I've used before.  I'm not a big fan of this, as I don't find it to make a dent on my poor tootsies.
2 deodorents - I'm not sure why I've included these!  One has been empty for ages, so this was an opportunity to chuck it!

Skincare:

Clinique Moisture Surge - a staple of my winter skincare regime.  I've opened a new one already.
Avon Solutions Ageless Results AM and PM Cream - I tried these as Sample Sundays earlier in the month.
Chantecaille Jasmin and Lily Healing Masque Sample - this was really nice - I'll do this as a Sample Sunday shortly.

Thanks for reading! xx

November Empties

For the second month running, I've managed to save my empties for an empties post - get me!  I've also been using up loads of empties, being on a total no-spend at the moment.  It feels like I'm finally getting some space back.

Hair Care:

James Brown Photo Fabulous Intensive Treatment - I've reviewed this here.
John Frieda Conditioner - I got this wiith a hair dye kit and I love it - packed full of silicates and lots of nasties that make my hair look and feel great!  I know it's bad, but it works for my hair.

Shower Gel:

Novotel freebie shower gel - very unisex, but I liked it's fresh smell - I'd put it in my bag if I stayed in a Novotel in the future.
L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Shower Gel - I've reviewed this here.

Face Wash:

Palmers Coco Butter Formula Daily Cleansing Gel - the longer I used this, the more I liked it.  A full review is coming soon.

Body Lotions and Butters:

If you read my blog regularly, you'll know that I'm on a mission to use these all up.  I've blogged about these here and here.

Hand and Foot Cream:

The Sanctuary Hand Cream - I really like this - I always keep hand cream by my front door and I put it on everytime I go out.  This is definitely one I'd repurchase, really moisturising and not too greasy.

Flexitol Heel Balm -if you can get over the ugly picture on the box of cracked heels, then this is amazing, especially if you have terrible feet like me.

Face Cream:

Skin Wisdom Age Delay Night Cream - love this stuff, reviewed it here.
L'Occitane Moisturizing Face Cream Sample - reviewed it here.
L'Occitane Ultra Rich Cream Sample- reviewed it here.
L'Oreal Youth Code Sample - reviewed this here.

Makeup:

Rimmel pressed powder - I was supposed to be using this up at the beginning of the year, but found it was still in my stash this month - it was definitely past its best, so in the bin it goes!
Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil - I've repurchased this several times and will again.
No 7 Colour Calming Make-up Base - this was another item I was supposed to use up earlier this year - it's never going to happen, so I'm chucking it.

So loads used up this month and my storage is no longer groaning! 

Thanks for reading! xx

October Empties

I cannot believe that October is over!  It's shocking how quickly this year has gone!  Anyway, for the first time ever, I've collected all my empties for the month, so that I can do an empties post.

I got through quite a bit this month!

Hair care

James Brown Photo Fabulous Intensive Treatment
James Brown Photo Fabulous Moisturising Conditioner - a review of both these products is to come shortly. I wasn't really wowed by either product, but for some reason I've accidentally repurchased both!  Whoops!

John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Shampoo - this was in my travel kit and I brought it back from holiday.  I've always quite liked it.
Umberto Giannini Calm Curls Shampoo - I hated this, rubbish product, stupid and fidly packaging, couldn't use it up fast enough, will not repurchase!
Umberto Giannini Flirty Curls Scrunching Jelly - conversely, I love this and have a big tube of it on the go as well.
L'Occitane Conditioner (I think it might be Repairing for Dry Damaged Hair) - I liked this, smelt lovely and made my hair feel nice.  I only got two applications out of it though.

Body Care

Prija Shower Gel with Ginsing - this was just a freebie from a hotel that I used on holiday, but it was really lovely stuff.  I've got some bubble bath from the hotel as well, so am looking forward to using that up.
The Sanctuary Body Scrub - I love their signature smell and I find this to be a reasonable scrub.  I wouldn't seek this out, but would be more than happy to receive it again in a gift set.
Avon Moisturising Cream, Como Shambala Moisturiser and Sweet Treat Boutique Chocolate Moisturiser - I reveiwed all three of these here.

Face Care

The Sanctuary Fresh-Faced Purifying Wash - This wasn't anything special, but did its job
Temple Spa Shadows of the Soul Eye Treatment - just an eye cream, I've used this before and like it, not too heavy
Origins Gin-Zing Refreshing Eye Cream - again, I liked this, it felt nice on the skin without over-loading it with product
Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector - I reviewed this ages ago here, and liked it.  I probably wouldn't buy it again though, as it's a bit pricy.

That's it for me this month, I'll save up my empties for next month as well!

Thanks for reading! xx