April Empties

Bioderma Sebium H2O Micelle Solution // Simple Eye Make Up Remover // REN Rosa Centifolia Foaming Cleanser // The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner // Dove Invisible Dry Anti-White Marks Anti-Perspirant Deodorant // Impulse Body Spray in Tease // Evo The Therapist Calming Shampoo // Evo The Therapist Calming Conditioner // The Body Shop Ginger Sparkle Hand Cream // Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Super Volume Mascara // Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

Bioderma Sebium H2O Micelle Solution - This is the second bottle that I've gone through. I love the stuff! I pick mine up from www.escentual.com and although the 250ml bottle is £9.99, they often have discounts available. I think I picked this one up for £7.50. This may seem expensive to some but it's the best Micellar Water I've tried and I've tried a few. I still have one more brand to try and I'll keep you updated if it measures up to the favourite. Something that I don't like about Micellar Waters is that they always state there is no need to rinse on the bottle. I think that is just lazy and is as bad as using make up wipes alone. *shudders*

Simple Eye Make Up Remover - Although, Bioderma is gentle enough to remove my eye make up, at almost £10 I'd rather use this which is less than £3. That way, my Bioderma stretches a little further. I actually picked one up in Tesco last week for £1.50. Bargain! Simple Eye Make Up Remover is gentle and effective enough for my sensitive eyes. I'm looking to get a waterproof mascara for my wedding day (I'm not planning on crying, but it's going to be a long, hot day and I want my make up to stay put). So I will report back on how effective it is at removing waterproof mascara as it claims to do so on the packaging. 

REN Rosa Centifolia Foaming Cleanser - I bought this from Space NK which I think may have ignited my new skincare obsession! I decided enough was enough and I wanted to improve my skin. This was the first REN product I've ever tried but I'm going to be honest here. I was not impressed. It didn't help my skin at all. It didn't make it worse but I expected it to help it in some way. Caroline Hirons stresses not to use foaming products, although this didn't dry my skin out, I will always listen to the Queen of Skincare in the future!

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner - I've quickly become obsessed with this and I've already purchased another bottle. I use it morning and night after cleansing and I have seen a difference with my pores and the overall appearance of my skin tone. After attending a blogger event at The Body Shop, I was told that the Tea Tree Toner has become a very popular product recently and I can see why. It contains mattifying powders which leave your skin shine free. On days where I don't wear make up, I would say shine is kept at bay until around evening time. 

Evo The Therapist Calming Shampoo and Evo The Therapist Calming Conditioner - I'm loving using hair care products that contain no harsh chemicals and these offerings from Evo are perfect. They are sulphate, paraben, dea, tea and propylene glycol free. However, I didn't find the packaging great as when there wasn't much product left in the bottles, I found it really difficult to get it out. I loved reading the packaging though. So humorous. For example on the front of the conditioner is says "no more hiding your frizzy hair and no more inner shame... you're now a racehorse that's bolted from the stables gleaming with pride... run with it, feel the freedom, run with it... neighhhhhhh." I quite liked the scent but I can't put my finger on what it is. 

Dove Invisible Dry Anti-White Marks Anti-Perspirant Deodorant - A boring product alert but a necessity! I always opt for deodorants that are 'invisible' or leave no white marks. This is a great deodorant as I have used it before and I've never experienced white (or yellow) marks on my clothes. I never want to be caught in that situation. The scent is inoffensive and it keeps my underarms fresh! I was a little sceptical when the smaller cans were released but I have to say they last a long time. I don't know if it's just as long as I haven't conducted any scientific experiment but I'm pretty impressed. 

Impulse Body Spray in Tease - I picked up two more of these the other day as they were on offer for £1. As I said I always stock up when they are available for 99p or £1 and it's a fairly regular occurrence. This is my go to refresher during the day as I don't like carrying perfume bottles in my handbag. (I do want to pick up a travel atomiser so if you have any recommendations let me know.) Also I work in a school so it means I don't have to 'waste' my perfume on snotty children! 

The Body Shop Ginger Sparkle Hand Cream - Obviously, I got this at Christmas. I didn't think I would like the scent but I really loved it and hopefully it's available next Christmas so I can purchase a bigger tube. (Too early to think about Christmas, sorry!) The scent is really festive and is currently bringing back Christmas memories as I type this. The cream is a lovely texture, it isn't greasy and it soaks into your hands pretty quickly.  

Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Super Volume Mascara - I've really enjoyed using this mascara. Initially, I thought the brush was too big but it's perfect. Maybe a little big for my lower lashes but I got around this by just using the tip. It claims to create 'super volume' which I would have to agree. I do have naturally long, curled eyelashes anyway but some mascaras have been too heavy and my eyelashes lost their natural curl. Not with this one. I was also worried about the name containing the word 'thick'. I didn't want clumpy eyelashes but this wasn't the case, it actually did a great job of separating my eyelashes. It's become one of my favourite mascaras I've used and I've already got a replacement in my stash! 

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - I don't know if it's because this is shade 2 and I'm still very pale or I'm just falling out of love with this lately. I can't put my finger on what it is. I have shade 1 in my draw so I will use that and see what I think then. Some days, I have chosen to just wear foundation over my blemishes. Although that means you can see them it means they have more chance of breathing and hopefully going away sooner. We shall see...

Which products have you used up this month? Have you been loving any of these products? 

Rachel x 

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March Empties

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Micellar Solution // Simple Eye Make Up Remover // Vichy Normaderm Purifying Pore-tightening Lotion // Evo The Great Hydrator Moisture Mask // The Body Shop Shea Shower Cream // Impulse Body Spray in Tease // Rimmel Sun Shimmer Bronzing Compact Powder in Light Matte // Collection Illuminating Touch Concealer // Collection Colour Lash Mascara in Clear // Atrixo Enriched Hand Cream

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Micellar Solution - I picked this up shortly after it first came out but didn't get around to using it for a while as I had another Micellar Water on the go. I didn't dislike it but I didn't love it either. I have tried several different brands of Micellar Water and my favourite is definitely Bioderma Sebium H2O Micelle Solution. One thing I actually hated about this product is that far too much came out on my cotton wool pad which is a massive waste. There needs to be some kind of filter. I recently picked up Garnier's Micellar Water so I will let you know what I think of that. 

Simple Eye Make Up Remover - Years and years of repurchasing. I think maybe I should take out shares in Simple - I pick a new one up every month! If it's not broken, why fix it or however the saying goes! This does the job and it actually does a darn good job or removing mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow with miminal irritation to my sensitive eyes. 

Vichy Normaderm Purifying Pore-tightening Lotion - Along with Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Purifying Gel, I picked up this toner. I used them together morning and evening for about two months, until they ran out. I know it takes a while for your skin to 'change' but after two months I was expecting to see some kind of difference but I didn't. My skin didn't change at all. Not in texture. Not in the amount of spots I had. Not in appearance (pores). Nothing. Maybe it's a positive that my skin didn't get worse but I want my skincare to improve my skin. 

Evo The Great Hydrator Moisture Mask - Aimed at dry, frizzy and coloured treated hair, this is the perfect mask for my hair. I used this mask about once a week and applied it to the ends of my hair, leaving it on for about 5 minutes before rinsing. It left my hair feeling smooth, conditioned and moisturised without weighing it down. The mask is also enriched with UV protectors which mean your hair is protected in the harsh sunlight. This will keep your hair feeling conditioned and healthy while preventing your colour from fading. Bonus! I may repurchase this for the warmer summer months to protect my hair, especially in Mexico!

The Body Shop Shea Shower Cream - I used to shop at The Body Shop loads when I was a teenager but for no reason what so ever, I stopped shopping there. Recently, I have fallen in love again. The Shea range is a classic and rightly so. The scent is pleasant but not too overpowering. This shower cream is soap free but it still lathers enough for anybody that enjoys a good lather in the shower! As this is a cream, rather than a gel, it is extremely moisturising. I didn't feel the need to moisturise after showering but I don't suffer from dry skin. 

Impulse Body Spray in Tease - I'm not sure I can add anything else about this body spray that I've not already said in a previous empties post. I use one of these every month as they're cheap and cheerful! I like the scent and it's perfect to just throw in my handbag. As I've mentioned previously, I use it for work as I work in a school and I don't want to waste my perfume. 

Rimmel Sun Shimmer Bronzing Compact Powder in Light Matte - I have been using this bronzer for years and years. There is nothing wrong with it; it does the job. I will probably repurchase the light matte version again in the future but for now, the time has come for a change! More on the new contender in a future blog post but up to now, I do prefer it. Sometimes, the Rimmel bronzer can appear 'dirty' if I accidentally put too much on where as my new bronzer doesn't.  

Collection Illuminating Touch Concealer - As I've said before, I use this as an under eye concealer to hide an dark circles and it helps to brighten my eye area and make me look more alert! I prefer using this as an under eye concealer than the Lasting Perfection concealer as it is light and easy to blend. I find the Lasting Perfection Concealer to thick for under the eye and it can crease.

Collection Colour Lash Mascara in Clear - This is a clear mascara but it does a fantastic job of being my eyebrow gel and it's only £1.99! I only keep mine for two months as it looks disgusting and the thought of using it any longer makes me feel sick! It claims to contain proteins which I presume would help thicken and lengthen your eyelashes when used as a mascara. My eyebrows were already pretty wild and the past few months they have become out of control! I'm having to have them waxed more often! So if you're looking to grow your eyebrows or eyelashes, I definitely recommend it!

Atrixo Enriched Hand Cream - Have I ever mentioned that I am obsessed with hand cream?! I used to purchase this hand cream from Bodycare when I was at uni as it was cheap and is a pretty good hand cream. Since leaving uni (almost 5 years ago!!! WHAT?!) I haven't shopped in Bodycare as there isn't one local but I spotted it on offer in Boots/Superdrug one week and bought one for nostalgic reasons. It's a great hand cream which nourishes your hands without being greasy. 

Which products have you used up this month? Have you been loving any of these products? 

Rachel x 

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July 2013 Favourites

Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo // Liz Earle Botanical Shine Conditioner for Dry or Damaged hair // Bioderma Sebium H20 Micelle Solution for Combination or Oily Skin // Banana Boat Aloe Vera Gel // Nourish Protect Smoothing Hand Lotion* // Apivita SPF 50 Face Cream for Sensitive Skin* // Barry M Touch Of Magic Lipstick TMLP // Stylfile Nail File*

Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo & Liz Earle Botanical Shine Conditioner for Dry or Damaged hair - I have been using the Liz Earle hair care range for a month or so in a bid to improve my hair. I have actually just purchased my second bottles as I have been loving them that much. Prior to using this range my hair became greasy due to product build up because of all the nasties in other shampoo and conditioners. Both products contain natural ingredients to gently cleanse and hydrate hair respectively. I like the smell of both products, they smell natural and clean as there is no added fragrance. Neither contain SLS. 

Bioderma Sebium H20 Micelle Solution for Combination or Oily Skin - I have been dying to try Bioderma as there is so much hype surrounding it. When browsing French skincare on escentual.com, I came across this version which is for combination or oily skin. I thought that would be better suited for my skin and the 20% off persuaded me! I am absolutely loving it. I love the smell of it too! It does a great job of removing my make up and I have even used it on my eyes! I can report it does not sting my eyes! Result! 

Banana Boat Aloe Vera Gel - This was a purchase last year before going to Majorca. My friend had recommended it for sunburn and said that's all she uses instead of after sun. Recently I have been absolutely loving it for alternative reasons. Aloe Vera is known for its soothing properties, I have been applying it to my legs after shaving. It instantly soothes my skin and keeps any of those irritated red lumps at bay. I also get my eyebrows waxed on a monthly basis. Even though I have been getting them done for at least 10 years, my eyebrows stay red for hours and hours afterwards. I apply some Aloe Vera to a cotton pad and gently sweep across my eyebrows a couple of times after having them done. It soothes them and helps the red fade quicker. A random favourite but an essential for me. 

Nourish Protect Smoothing Hand Lotion* - I received this product in a goodie bag from a blogger meet up. As I have mentioned before on my blog, hand cream is an obsession of mine. This one, from Nourish, is lovely as it adds moisture to my hands, it sinks in quickly and is not greasy. I love the scent of orange and mandarin, it's so refreshing. It also comes with a pump meaning it doesn't create mess and a couple of pumps is the correct amount for my hands so nothing is wasted. A perfect hand cream in my opinion. 

Apivita SPF 50 Face Cream for Sensitive Skin* - I received this in my goodie bag from the FABB Manchester event. I like using a high factor on my face and this came just at the right time, as we had a heat wave in the UK! It provided the perfect opportunity to test it out. When I think of factor 50, I often think the cream is going to be thick, white and greasy. This cream is the complete opposite. It has a beautiful texture that is light on my face and within a few minutes I'm ready to apply my make up. The cream is a nude shade and once applied to your face it becomes invisible. It does leave your face a little shiny but if you wait a bit longer, it does disappear. 

Barry M Touch Of Magic Lipstick TMLP - This is the perfect lipstick for everyone as the shade appears different on everyone. It works by reacting with the alkali levels in your lips. This means it will be the perfect shade of pink for your skin tone. It is a great stain for the lips and lasts for hours! Sometimes I have woken up the next day and I've still had the colour on my lips. You can read what i think in more detail here. 

Stylfile Nail File* - This is another item I have received in a goodie bag. I have been introduced to so many great brands through blogger goodie bags and I am very greatful. This is one of those novelty items in my opinion but it's actually useful! It makes perfect sense to use a curved nail file when filing your nails, which are curved. Obviously if you file your nails straight, a straight nail file is perfect but I very rarely see straight nails these days, most people opt for curved nails and this file makes that job simple. 

What have been your favourite products this month? Have any of my favourites made your list?

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick

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May Empties

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser - This will come as no surprise. I have been using Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish for a year and a half now. Besides my hormonal acne, my skin is lovely. The texture and appearance of my skin is clear and smooth. I just have the odd areas of acne, which is really getting to me but that's another story. 

Cath Kidston Wild Rose Hand Cream - I got this in a gift set, either for my birthday or Christmas, I can't remember which. I love most of the Cath Kidston prints so someone decided the gift set would make a good present. They were right. It included this hand cream, a cuticle cream and a nail file. I absolutely loved using the hand cream. It smells delicious - wild roses - and absorbs quickly without being sticky or wet. I would definitely repurchase again, I know they do bigger tubes in store. 

Charlie Pink Body Fragrance Spray - I usually just stick with my Impulse body spray but I think this was only 99p so I picked it up. It has been in my handbag for a few months just in case I ever needed a quick fragrance boost! I like the scent but when I think of Charlie purfume, I think if teenagers. To be honest, it's the same with Impulse but I love Tease to much to stop buying it! 

Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo - No I don't have a baby and no I don't wash my hair with baby shampoo. I use it to deep clean my make up brushes. A lot of people recommend baby shampoo to clean make up brushes as it's gentle and it conditions at the same time. I don't get any bristles falling out (I use Real Technique brushes) and my brushes feel like new again. I try to deep clean my brushes once and week, if I remember I do! I don't spot clean though so I feel like maybe I should deep clean them twice a week! How often do you clean your brushes? 

Rimmel Extra Super Lash Mascara - I have been using this mascara for years and years but I haven't bought another since this one. I have been using the Liz Earle one ever since I got it and it is definitely my new favourite mascara. However before I buy a new mascara, I have quite a few that I need to use first. It shouldn't take me too long as mascaras don't last very long. I haven't been able to wear mascara for the last two days because of stupid hayfever! My eyes have just been too sore to even go there! I love Summer but hayfever is one thing that really gets on my nerves! 

Collection Illuminating Touch Concealer - I've lost count of how many of these I have gone through. It's been a fair few though! I use it as an under eye concealer (and I use Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer on my spots and blemishes). It's not too thick for the eye area and blends in nicely using a brush or my fingers. I either buy shade 1 or 2. While my face is quite pale, shade 1 is definitely better. Whilst shade 2 is best for when I have a tan, natural or not!

Origins Out Of Trouble Mask (sample) - I asked for this sample whilst in the Origins store in Boots, Manchester. I managed  to get 2 or 3 uses from this pot, which is a pretty generous sample. I really liked the face mask and I enjoyed using it. I am thinking about purchasing it but I am hoping to book in for a complimentary facial, if they still do them, and I will make sure that it is the right mask for my skin type before actually repurchasing it.

Liz Earle Daily Eye Repair - I purchased this eye cream quite a few months ago and this tiny little tube has lasted a long time. I have already repurchased it as I love using it so much. It is so moisturising on the eye area and refreshing in the morning. I apply it after moisturising and I don't have to wait long before it has sunk in and I'm ready to apply my make up. It's perfect for me as I haven't got time to sit around and wait in the morning. (I already waste enough time catching up on Bloglovin' and YouTube!)

Which products have you used up this month? Have you been loving any of these products?

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick

Vaseline Healthy Hands & Stronger Nails Hand Cream - Review

 Vaseline Healthy Hands and Stronger Nails Hand Cream

 I have an unhealthy addiction to hand cream. It's got to the point where my secret Santa included hand cream within my present! I have a weird obsession where I have to put hand cream on after every single hand wash. If I don't, I can't touch anything, especially paper, my hands just feel so dry, even though they're not. Can my hands be addicted to hand cream?!

The above link takes you to the boots website, my bottle was about the same price and it's the same size (200ml). However, mine is a bottle, whereas the link is a tube. Although the bottle is quite big, I still carry it around in my handbag. This may be down to my obsession and having to have hand cream with me everywhere I go!

I have used Vaseline hand creams before and I have repurchased them over and over again. They are very good value for money and do the job they are supposed to do. The texture of the cream is smooth and moisturising, without being too thick, greasy or runny. It absorbs quickly into your skin, providing an instant 'drink' for your hands. The smell is lovely, it's not too overpowering like other hand creams, but it has a 'Vaseline hand cream' smell!

The cream has keratin and stratys in to provide 'multi-layer moisture', moisturising the top, core and deep down layers of your skin. In just two weeks, your nails are supposed to be 50% stronger, I personally haven't noticed a change in my nails but my nails are quite thick and strong naturally.

Overall, I would recommend this hand cream if you like using them and you're on a budget. Definitely a winner in my eyes!

Do you use hand creams? What is your favourite hand cream?

Rachel x
Lost In Lipstick