April Empties

Paul Mitchell Strength Super Strong Daily Shampoo & Paul Mitchell Strength Super Strong Daily Conditioner - I received these in a gift set at Christmas from my parents, along with the Super Strong Liquid Treatment. I have enjoyed using both the shampoo and conditioner but have made them last as long as possible as they are quite expensive. I usually just pick up any shampoo and conditioner for my hair type which is on offer. (I have recently decided to take better care of my hair.) After using this shampoo and conditioner, my hair was left feeling soft and smooth and looked a lot healthier. The website claims they help to repair damaged strands and help to prevent further damage. I don't know how and why but in the last 6 months or so, my hair is improving. To be honest, I wouldn't repurchase these again as they are a little out of my price range but I would love to receive them again as a gift!

Simple Eye Make Up Remover - This continues to be my number one choice of eye make up remover. As mentioned previously, it does sting my sensitive eyes if I don't wash it off straight away but it's more effective and doesn't sting as much as other removers. It's currently on the Boots website for £3.39 but I always seem to find it for £1.99. Hopefully, the price hasn't shot up that much since I last purchased! 

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin  Tonic & Liz Earle Skin Repair Light Moisturiser - I have been using Liz Earle skincare for a year now and I will continue to purchase as well. My skin is slowly improving and I just need to sort my diet out now. I still get spots but nothing will get rid of them. I think it's something I am eating in my diet and I'm trying to cut out diary to see if it makes a difference. So far I've given up milk in my cereal, opting for almond milk, but I still have yoghurt and the occasional cheese product. I cannot give up cheese! I have posted individual reviews of each product, which you can read by clicking on the following links; Cleanse & Polish, Instant Boost Skin Tonic and Skin Repair Light Moisturiser.

No7 Stay Perfect Foundation - I started using this foundation in October and it ran out in early April, which means it lasted 6 months. Considering I used it almost everyday, that's pretty good going. I really loved this foundation and I'm gutted it's finished. I will definitely repurchase. I plan on going again for a consultation when we've had a bit sunshine so I can find out my summer shade. You can read my review of No7 Stay Perfect Foundation here.

Collection Colour Lash Mascara in Clear - I have been using this mascara for two or three months now to set my brows in place. As explained here, I have extremely unruly brows that have to be tamed! I had been wanting to try a brow gel for a while and I decided to start with a cheaper brand before spending all my money on something I didn't like. To my surprise, this £1.99 mascara wowed me and I have already repurchased! As you can see, after just a short time using the product it looks disgusting and isn't clear anymore! That's the reason why I have repurchased, obviously the product hasn't ran out. I plan to buy another mascara every two to three months and replace when it's looking a bit murky!

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

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick

My Haircare Routine - Shampoo

This is going to be a three part post - shampoo, conditioner and then after care/treatments. I love reading haircare/skincare posts so I thought I would share my routines and the products I use. First up is shampoo. I'm not loyal to a particular brand as I haven't found a miracle shampoo just yet. There are currently seven shampoos in my 'collection'. Is seven a bit excessive? They all have different jobs, well mostly, so I feel like they are justified! They are in no particular order. I photographed them in height order (roughly!). My hair is pretty dry and damaged from years of heat and colour. It's naturally curly and very frizzy but I often wear it straight. 

Keratin Complex Keratin Color Care Shampoo - This is almost empty. I'll probably get one or two more uses out of it. My mum got me the shampoo and conditioner last Christmas. They've lasted because I have so many other shampoos and I've tried to make it last as long as possible. This shampoo is sodium chloride and sulphate free, so no nasties are being put on your hair! I think it has quite a weird scent to it that I'm not so keen on. But it does leave my hair feeling super smooth and nourished.
Edit: Since writing this I have finished all of the shampoo!

Herbal Essences Smooth & Soft Shampoo - I think I picked this up in Boots because it was on offer, I can't remember though. I have used this shampoo before and I think it's quite good for the price. It's for dry, damaged and frizzy hair, which are the three words I would use to describe my hair! I don't have the money to use high end haircare products every time I wash my hair, so I use drugstore brands in between. This has a lovely fruity smell and leaves my hair feeling clean and fairly conditioned. Some shampoos make my hair feel really dry and knotty but this is quite moisturising for a shampoo.

Paul Mitchell Strength Super Strong Daily Shampoo - My parents seem to like buying me hair products for Christmas as this was in a set I received this year! I absolutely love this range. It makes my hair feel nourished and I have actually noticed a difference in the strength. I wouldn't describe it as 'Super Strong' just yet, but I have noticed less breakage. I have been finding I need quite a bit of both the shampoo and conditioner though, which is not good! I don't think they will last a lot longer. They leave my hair feeling soft, silky and shiny! It's like looking at someone else's hair! 

Tresemme Deep Cleansing Shampoo - I use this shampoo once a week, usually on a Sunday, as my detox shampoo. I can't afford Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo but I would love to try it out. Until then, this is a cheap alternative. My hair can sometimes feel heavy from build up as I do use quite a few products and this is great at thoroughly cleansing my hair. I like having freshly washed and 'squeaky' clean hair on a Monday. I do find it leaves my hair a little 'squeaky' but once I have applied conditioner I don't have a problem. 

Trevor Sorbie Beautifully Straightened Protection Shampoo - I picked this up just after Christmas in a set for £7 but I actually used Boots points so I got it for free! However, it wasn't till I got home that I noticed the shampoo was for fine/normal hair, which is the complete opposite of mine! It doesn't moisturise my hair and it actually makes my hair feel dry but it cleanses it so I use a hair mask when using this shampoo. I don't really have anything else to say about this. I would like to try the version for thick hair though. 

Avon Advance Techniques Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo - This a fantastic product from AVON. I prefer it over other shampoo products from AVON. However, I much prefer the oil and mask from this range (more to come on these when I discuss the treatments that I use.) After just one use of this range my hair felt amazing. However, each time I've used it since, it just doesn't feel the same. Maybe in the long run I will notice a difference. This is my second bottle but I'm not sure I will purchase it again. 

Pro:Voke Touch Of Silver Twice A Week Brightening Shampoo - Even though it's called twice a week brightening shampoo, I only use it once a week as I don't wash my hair enough times in the week to use it twice. That might sound disgusting to some people but my hair is very dry and I only wash it when it's greasy, which is usually 3 times a week. If I wash it any more, my hair would just be in worse condition. I use this shampoo along with the conditioner to keep my colour fresh so it doesn't appear brassy. I have noticed a slight improvement but there has been weeks where I've forgot and I desperately need to do my roots. I say roots but it'll look like I've had Ombre done soon!

How many shampoos do you own in your 'collection'? Do you recommend any shampoo based on my hair type?

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick

January 2013 Favourites

Another picture in the snow! Sorry I just couldn't resist. January has flown by. It'll be March before we know it! These are 6 items that I have been loving this month. Surprise, surprise it's Liz Earle heavy! I admit it, I am obsessed with their products, especially skin care. I am hoping to do one of these posts every month. along with my monthly empties. I am making a really big effort to save up empty products to photograph towards the end of the month. I love reading other people's monthly favourite posts and watching their videos. I hope you enjoy mine. (I'm taking bets now - how many Liz Earle products will be featured next month?!)

Paul Mitchell Strength Super Strong Liquid Treatment - I received this in a set at Christmas along with the shampoo and conditioner. It was a present from my mum and dad and I think it was purchased from a local hairdressers. I may be wrong as my mum does order quite a bit online. I have been using this product since Christmas and it's so easy to use. I just spray onto damp hair and comb through before blow drying. Afterwards my hair feels smooth and silky. It looks a lot shinier and healthier and I cannot stop 'stroking' my hair.

Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer - This has a gel like consistency and it sinks into my skin right away which allows me to apply my make up straight away. It provides my skin with an extra boost of moisture without making my skin greasy. It makes my skin feel velvety smooth but I'm not sure that my make up applies differently. Or if it lasts longer to be honest. Despite this, I still love using it in my skin care routine and it's a great price. I purchased mine from Tesco while it was on offer for £3.99 rather than £4.99 but you can buy it from Boots and Superdrug. 

Liz Earle Skin Repair Normal/Combination Moisturiser - I won't go into too much detail here as I recently reviewed this product. You can read my review here. Since October, I have been using this product every single night after cleansing and toning. It gives me the moisture that my skin needs in these colder months. I am addicted to Liz Earle! (There are worse things I could be addicted to!) You can purchase this direct from the Liz Earle website or selected Boots stores have began to stock Liz Earle, you can find out more information on the website. 

Liz Earle Lash Definition Smudgeproof Mascara - I actually received this mascara free through the monthly essentials offer on the Liz Earle website. I now use this mascara every single day and it has replaced my beloved Rimmel mascara. I love how it's buildable. For everyday wear when I'm at work, I just apply a few coats. But if it's evening and I'm going out, I apply more coats to create a more dramatic look and it doesn't clump together. You can purchase this direct from the Liz Earle website or selected Boots stores have began to stock Liz Earle, you can find out more information on the website. 

MUA Lipstick in Shade 15 Juicy - I have five MUA lipsticks altogether and this is one particular shade that I have been reaching for over the others. I love the formula of these lipsticks. They are creamy and moisturising, which helps them glide on your lips, and they last a few hours. For just £1 these lipsticks are amazing and are worth having in your lipstick collection. I have reviewed two other MUA lipsticks which you can read here and here. You can purchase MUA products from Superdrug or MUA have an online store. 

Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask - Another Liz Earle product! I read a lot of reviews online before I purchased this product. A lot of them claimed that this product was amazing for spot prone skin and I have to agree. At first I was just using this mask once a week. However, after about five days I could tell my skin needed another face mask. Therefore I now use this mask twice a week and I've gotten into the habit of using it on a Wednesday and Sunday. I often have it on while taking part in the #bbloggers chat! It's a clay mask and I'm left with a green Shrek like face, which my fiancé has a good laugh at! You can purchase this direct from the Liz Earle website or selected Boots stores have began to stock Liz Earle, you can find out more information on the website. 

What are your favourite products this week? Have any of my favourites made your list?

Rachel x

Lost In Lipstick