December Empties - What I've Used in December

Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Body Wash 

Thoughts

I always like Dove body washes as they're thick, feel hydrating on my skin and foam well (which I know isn't always good!). Plus, you're often able to pick them up for £1.

Would I repurchase?

Yes, I already have, plus I received a Dove Gift Set for Christmas.

Ojon Volume Advance Thickening Spray | John Lewis | £20

Thoughts

I'm not 100% that this really adds any volume to my hair, but it does make it feel thicker. This was a smaller 55ml spray bottle.

Would I repurchase?

I already have purchased the larger, full size bottle.

Biotherm Biopur Pore Reducer Purifying Gel Cleanser

Thoughts

As a cleanser that I use in the shower after removing my makeup, it felt nice and smelt nice. I can't say I noticed any difference in the size of my pores; it just felt like using a standard £3 face wash to be honest.

Would I repurchase?

No. I don't think it's available anymore anyway.

Botanics All Bright Day Cream SPF 15 | Boots | £3.89

Thoughts

Absolutely love this stuff. I rave and rant about it all the time and it's always popping up on my blog.

Would I repurchase?

Yes, yes, yes! I have a stash stored away for when I run out.

Ojon Rare Blend Oil | Boots | £30

Thoughts

This is very, very concentrated and you need the tiniest bit, especially for very fine hair like mine. I literally distribute a pea sized amount into damp hair. I love the smell of this and the texture of it. It makes my hair look and feel so much healthier after blow-drying and is so much richer than cheaper versions.

Would I repurchase?

I can't afford to repurchase at the moment.

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment | Boots | Full Size £34

Thoughts
I really like this deep, nourishing mask. It really does make my hair feel amazing and hopefully, helps with my dry ends which constantly split. At £34 it's very, very expensive, especially as a student, but great for a nice treat.

Would I repurchase?
If I had £34 to spend on a mask, then yes! I bought one for my friend for Christmas along with the damage reverse shampoo and conditioner.

Boots Extracts Mango Sugar Scrub | Boots | £8

Thoughts

This smells AMAZING, like fresh mangos. It's very scrubby and feels great on my skin. It leaves a veil of moisture on my skin after using it and makes the shower extremely slippy (it should come with a huge warning on the front!). Because of this, I haven't used it up as quickly as I wanted to, as I had to give the shower a scrub after using it.

Repurchase?

Because it makes the shower so slippy after use, I don't think I could repurchase it. It's lethal and usually, after a shower, I can't be bothered to start scrubbing the shower!

Laura xx

     

Night Time Routine

I have combination dehydrated/normal skin which is acne prone. After trial and error, I finally have a night time routine that doesn't break me out or irritate my skin.

Boots Essentials Cleansing Wipes, Frag Free | £1.50

1. I use these face wipes to quickly wipe off any initial foundation/powder and blusher so that my cleansing cloths do not get as dirty as normal and to remove excess product.

Clinique Take The Day Off Make Up Remover | £17

2. To remove my eye makeup, I absolutely love this stuff. It works so quickly and effortlessly.

Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean | £8

3. This cleanser is just okay. I'm sort of just using it so it gets used up. I haven't really notice any difference with using it on my skin. Although one good thing is that it hasn't broken me out. I think I brought it on offer one month, quite a few months ago now as this is the older bottle. Overall, it smells okay, feels okay and doesn't make my skin taught.

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant | £17

4. I do really like using this product, it's one of my favourite toners. It feels refreshing and always makes my skin look a little bit glowy after using it. At £17 for 150ml though, it is on the expensive side and I'm not 100% convinced that it really does anything for my skin. Again, it doesn't break me out which gives it thumbs up.

No7 Protect & Perfect Eye Cream | £15

5. Up until recently, I've never used an eye cream. I went on a panic one Saturday when shopping in Boots and decided to pick this up with the £5 off voucher. So far, I like it. I haven't seen any results as of yet, but hopefully prevention is the best way! It rubs in easily, it doesn't cause those little white bumps under the skin and isn't too rich that I can't put my makeup over it.

Audi Lacura Q0 Renew Serum | £4

6. I can't say I'm a huge fan of the texture and smell of this. I much prefer the Aqua Complete which is more of a gel like texture. This is more of a cream texture and I don't find that it hydrates my skin as much as the Aqua Complete. I use this in the evenings and the Aqua Complete in the mornings. I'll carry on using it until it's gone, but will repurchase the Aqua Complete in the future.

Botanics All Bright Hydrating Night Cream | £3.89 on offer

7. You're probably sick of hearing/seeing this stuff now. But I love it! At the moment it's on offer at £3.89, usually £4.99 and on 3 for 2 quite regularly. It sinks into your skin beautifully, it leaves no residue and it makes dehydrated skin look and feel so much more hydrated. It's the best night time cream I've ever tried, easily beating creams costing £30+. 

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask | £22

8. This is usually instead of steps 6 and 7. I use this once a week if my skin needs an extra moisture boost. I've also been using it every night on my nose as I have a bad cold and laryngitis (great stuff!) and it's been working a treat. My nose would usually look red and flaky, but you can't tell that I've had a cold at all. Again, doesn't break me out although I have read that it can with some people. If you're unsure go to an Origins counter and ask for a free sample to try before you buy the full size. 

For Christmas, Boots are also stocking The Origins Mask Marvels Set which contains three 75ml face masks; Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask and Drink Up Intensive 10 Minute Hydrating Mask for £25.

Laura xx

October Empties - What I've been using in October

Soap and Glory Smoothie Star Body Milk

Thoughts

I didn't think this was going to be nourishing enough for my dry skin, but I was actually quite impressed. It wasn't as good as my Doublebase Gel from the Dr's, but did smell and feel lovely when putting in onto my skin.

Would I repurchase?

Maybe. If it was on offer or in a set then yes, but otherwise, I'm quite happy with my Doublebase Gel.

No 7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser

Thoughts

It did a good job at removing my makeup, especially with the muslin cloth, but it didn't feel luxurious enough. I felt like it would have been anything I was using, just a regular cheap cleanser. I liked the pump action though, although this did get a little bit messy. Didn't attempt to remove eye makeup with this as I much prefer a separate eye makeup remover.

Would I repurchase?

I brought it when I had some No 7 vouchers, so already have another one waiting to be used up!

Aveda Volumizing Tonic

Thoughts

This did give my fine thin hair a little boost, but not overly. It wasn't sticking and didn't leave any residue which I liked. Smelt lovely.

Would I repurchase?

Perhaps.

Botanics All Bright Hydrating Day Cream SPF 15

Thoughts

Absolutely adore this face cream. It's probably the only face cream I seem to be able to apply that has a SPF in it that doesn't break me out in a rash. It soothes and nourishes my skin throughout the day, it doesn't break me out, it works great under makeup and it has an SPF. AMAZING!

Would I repurchase?

I already have another three of these sitting in my cupboard ready to be used up!

L'Oreal Mythic Oil

Thoughts

Certainly my favourite hair oil that I've used so far, although I think the packaging has changed now. I liked that it didn't weigh my fine hair down, or make it greasy. It added a little nourishment to the ends, without them looking like I'd had an oil bath.

Would I repurchase?

Yes.

Pro:Voke Touch of Silver Dry Shampoo

Thoughts

LOVE this product. It's amazing at refreshing my hair style. Smells great, doesn't leave that horrible, very powdery feel behind, brushes through easily and absorbs oil really well. Much better than Batiste which left my scalf itchy and powdery.

Would I repurchase?

Already have. Plus I have a few on backup in my cupboard.

Ojon Volume Advance Thickening Spray

Thoughts

Added a little bit of volume to my hair. Didn't make it sticky or oily. Makeup you don't apply too much though, otherwise it does leave a residue on your hair. Left my hair silky soft and bouncy.

Would I repurchase?

Already have as this was just a trial sized on that came in a set.

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant

Thoughts

Another amazing, HG product. Can't get enough of this stuff. It's like a miracle liquid! Doesn't break me out, actually had the opposite effect and helped with my spots/acne. Didn't sting my skin or dry it out, despite it containing salicylic acid. I've been using this twice a day now for the last 4 - 6 weeks and love it.

Would I repurchase?

Already have.

Boots Clean Off Nail Polish Remover

Thoughts

Does the trick at removing nail polish, cheap and cheerful product. Does smell VERY strong, so I have to dispose of cotton wool in the bathroom bin otherwise my whole room smells of nail polish remover!

Would I repurchase?

Already have.