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.

Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam

Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam

I've been using this for a few weeks now to really put it to the test to give an honest review.

I brought it after seeing so many rave reviews on it, and having always had flat, thin and fine, flyaway hair, I'd literally try anything!

My overall thoughts on this is that yes, it does make a little bit of a difference to my hair, giving it a slight added thickness in look and feel. My hair certainly feels a lot fuller after using it and it does boost my roots, adding a small bit of volume.

What I like the most about this product is that you can't feel it in your hair; your hair still feels like you can run your fingers through it, or brush it, without it feeling sticky or full of product.

I've tried using more and less, to see what will work best with my hair and I feel for my hair, I need to use about 6 pumps in at the roots. It's quite watery in texture when it comes out, so I prefer to section my hair and pump it straight into my hair.

Sorry for the terrible webcam pictures!!

Have you tried anything to boost the volume of thin hair? Please feel free to leave recommendations and I will be more than happy to try them out.

Crazy Beauty Haul!

Hey guys,

I've been spending some major money recently and not saving any of it... Here are the latest products to add to my list. Reviews will follow in due course when I have a spare 5 minutes...

Origins Ginger Hand Lotion and Hand Cleanser. £16 each

I absolutely adore the smell of these. They're actually a present for my friend's birthday, but still a recent purchase. The lotion is nice and moisturising to say it's only a lotion and not a cream and the smell lasts for ages.

Clinique Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliating Cream £22.50

Clinique Lash Power Mascara £17

I've read so many good reviews about the Body Exfoliating Cream that I decided it's time to splash out. I've been using a microdermabrasion one from The Sanctuary recently which I loved, so we'll see if this lives up to that.

The mascara was brought as I'm sick of my mascara running under my eyes and making my dark circles look even worse. I'm hoping this will stay put, but that it'll be easily removed with warm water as per the website instructions.

Estee Lauder Idealist Dual Action Refinishing Treatment £36

On the search for a new exfoliator, I was either going to purchase Origins Microdermabrasion or the Clinique 7 Day Scrub, but then I came across this product. I love the fact it contains 30%  glycolic acid which my skin loves and always looks revived after using products containing it. This has mixed reviews, but I think it'll work well with my skin type. Very expensive purchase if it doesn't work, but i'll still use it.

Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam £14.50

I've read soooo many amazing reviews on this product. Every site I visit people are raving about this product. My hair is very thin and lacks volume, especially straight after washing. I'm hoping this might give some omph! This is one I'll certainly do a review on.

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask £22

I'm not really sure if this is going to work, or how it'll help my combination normal/dry but spot prone skin. I'm hoping it won't dry it out too much and that it'll help with the spots and congestion around my jaw line. This is one I'll review.

Origins Pure Cream Rinseable Cleanser £18

I like that this is soap free and quite moisturising which is ideal for my dry/combination skin. I've used it before and it's a product I keep going back to.

MAC Strobe Cream 30ml - £12.50

MAC Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Peachykeen - £18

Not 100% sure why I ordered these two products! The blusher is so similar to a Smashbox one I have, if a little bit peachier and I'm not 100% sure if the strobe cream will brighten my skin. I usually wear Estee Lauder Double Wear which I find extremely drying and very matte, so I thought this might give my skin a bit of a boost. I'm going to try mixing it with the double wear before applying it too and then stippling the products onto my moisturised skin.

The blush is gorgeous and extremely pretty, but do I really need another blush? Not really!

Smashbox Halo in Light - £39

Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener - £16

Smashbox Lipstick in Melondrama - £15.50

This is the second purchase of my Halo powder but in the next shade as I have a little bit of colour since the sun has been out.

The Photo Op Under Eye Brightener is great and something I've tested before in Boots. Under my eyes at the moment, after working 7 days weeks for goodness knows how long, are very dark and concealer just doesn't cover it.

Been in love with Melondrama Lipstick for so long. It's a gorgeous peachy orange. Doesn't have amazing staying power, but looks lush!

Estee Lauder Double Wear in Ecru - £28.50

I have a love hate relationship with Double Wear. I love that it stays on my skin ALL day, any day, no matter what the weather, but I hate the drying and taught feeling it gives my skin.

MAC Pro Longwear Foundation - NC15 - £25

On the basis of the above, I decided to also try a MAC Pro Longwear Foundation to see whether this will give the same coverage as Double Wear, but without the drying and very matte finish. Didn't really read any reviews on this, just liked the fact it was a longwear foundation and though, oh, sod it!

Have you brought any new makeup purchases recently? Have you brought or tried any of these products? Recommend something for me to try if there's something you're loving at the moment.

Laura xx

Wishlist - Skin care & Make up

MAC Mineralise Blush in shade 'gentle' - £19

I've seen this on a lot of blogs and it gives a gorgeous colour on the cheeks. With my pale skin, I think this would suit me really well. 

 Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Face Lotion £46 for 50ml

I've tried this product on in store, just over the top of my makeup as my skin felt taught and lacking moisture. I really, really liked the feel of it on my skin and I felt it penetrated my skin deep down. I'd love to try it on my actual bare skin. My skin is very up and down at the moment, always having a paddy if I put certain products on it. I spoke to the Origins lady who said the Mega Mushroom range is great for people with sensitive or acne prone skin and that it shouldn't upset it.

 MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator £22

Not really sure why this is on my wishlist! I think I've read so much about it on blog and when it was limited edition (I think), it sold out like crazy. So, I just want to try it to see what all the hype is about! Plus, it looks nice and sounds great.

 Smashbox Halo Powder in light £39

I now own this product and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!

 Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant £17 for 150ml

This sounds amazing and the reviews are pretty good. I've seen this also on a few blog and I'm impressed with what I've read. Hopefully, it'll help my moisturiser to be absorbed better and smooth over enlarged pores and help with any blemishes.

 Clinique City Block Sheer

I used to use this year ago and remember how I loved the texture and the way it made my skin feel. I feel that the only way to keep skin looking as young as possible is to use an SPF everyday, not just when you're in the sun and on holiday. The rays can still penetrate through clouds and will still effect your skin. I really want to start using this again before it's too late. 

Recently I've started to see more freckles and dark spots on my face, so worried that my skin will start aging   soon : (

 Smashbox HD Concealer Fair/Light

I LOVE this concealer. After trying way too many concealers to mention, this product is fantastic at coverage without that sitting in fine lines or drawing attention to the blemish you're trying to cover. At £17, it's not cheap, but will last a loonnggg time as you only need the tiniest bit.

 Ojon Damage Reverse Thickening Scalp Treatment £24

Having fine, flat hair that gets greasy very quickly, I've added this to my wishlist in the hope it won't weight it down and make it greasy. I've tried so many products in the past to try and give my hair a volume boost, but haven't ever found something that give me volume without greasy or that horrible crunchy mousse like feeling. My fingers are crossed. I will hopefully be ordering it soon.

 Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask

This is something I want to try purely on what Origins say about it. I'm hoping it will clear my clogged up pores without dehydrating my skin even further. It sounds lovely and I like the idea of using charcoal. I love Origins products and trust them as a brand. Hopefully this will live up to the description on their website.

What's on your wishlist? What else shall I add to my wishlist? Can you recommend anything? Leave me a link to your blog and I'll check out your favourite products.