Product Empties #30

 

Wow, last post of the year! I hope you were all able to have a nice Christmas! I feel like this isn’t as many empties as I normally have and if I’m honest I’ve slacked off the last couple of months and been trying out new products so it’s been difficult for me to finish a lot! But anyway, I wanted to end the year rounding up then binning my trash so here it is!

 

Bodycare

Aveeno Moisturising Cream

I actually got this on prescription from my dermatologist just before I started Roaccutane and I’ve really been enjoying it! It’s been keeping my skin nicely hydrated and I like how it’s got a pump and there is a lot of product in there too which is great considering how much moisturiser I go through - it sinks in quickly too which is great! The only downside is that it’s unscented which yes is a good thing for sensitive skin, but I do generally like my moisturiser to be scented but it’s a small price to pay and I already have a backup of this! 

 

Eucerin Intensive Lotion 

This is an old favourite of mine and one I have repurchased countless times! I only use it on my legs and it is amazing if you ever get itchy legs or dry patches! It doesn’t spread as easily as the Aveeno and is also unscented so I don’t use it on my top half. I spoke more about it in my French Pharmacy Favourites post and I will repurchase once I use a few other moisturisers up! 

 

Rituals Ritual of Sakura body cream

This is more like what I use on my top half! Hydrating and smells good! I laughed while reading one of Siobhan’s posts lately as she mentioned using nice smelling body creams on her top half and cheaper/more bog standard stuff on her bottom half and I do exactly the same thing! I picked up a Sakura gift set recently so I do have a bigger size to use up now! I find the body cream can be a little sickening but I do love the body foam as it’s a much more subtle scent! 

 

Haircare

Bardot Dry Shampoo

I talked about this more in my Dry Shampoo Showdown post but I really enjoyed it! It worked well on my greasy hair to give me an extra day out of it! I found the scent a little too floral for me but I got this on offer for about £2.50 so would repurchase at that price! 

 

Olaplex No.0

The newest addition to Olaplex’s wonderful line up and this is a primer for my long term fave No.3. You saturate your hair with this, wait 10 minutes then apply No.3 and in conjunction they work to repair damaged hair! I got about 4 uses out of this as my hair is quite long and I actually got my hair cut at the beginning of December so it’s not as damaged as normal but after use if certainly feels healthier. I don’t have a lot of breakage yet but I have already repurchased as I love and trust Olaplex No.3 and want to keep my hair in the best possible condition! 

 

Olaplex No.3 

Obsessed with this and I spoke more about it in this Haircare Essentials post too but I have been using this for years now and can’t see myself without it! Breakage is dramatically reduced and hair feels much stronger and healthier! Have already repurchased! 

 

Oribe Dry Texturising Spray

I feel like this was a cult favourite a good few years ago and I finally got round to trying it! I liked it, it definitely added a little volume through my hair but the results were short lived I would say so not a repurchase for me! 

 

It’s a 10 Miracle Leave In Product 

This is the second time I’ve had this and it’s great for heat protection and smoothing hair, I do prefer the OUAI Leave In Conditioner though so it won’t be a repurchase for me straight away!

 

Bumble and bumble Bb Glow Thermal Protection Mist 

Another nice product, this one you spray on dry hair so perfect for me before straightening! I like it but won’t be a repurchase just yet! 

 

 

Skincare

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner

I love this and spoke more about it in this post but in short it’s a very simple, gentle, hydrating gel like toner and my skin drinks this up! I have already repurchased the bigger size! 

 

Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner 

Another simple, hydrating, calming product and another one my skin loved! I reviewed it here and will repurchase this in the future once I finish a few other mists up! 

 

Clarol Silver Serum

This is one of those products that is billed as a “miracle product” for acne and while it is a nice moisturiser and works well as a primer under makeup, unfortunately, it worked no miracle on my acne haha. I liked it as a daily moisturiser but I wouldn’t be in a rush to repurchase as I have others I prefer! 

 

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel

Another cult favourite and my first time trying! This is a nice formulation of a gel to oil and removed makeup with ease. The full size isn’t as expensive as I thought it was originally but I don’t love the scent so this won’t be a repurchase! 

 

Sukin Original Hydrating Mist Toner 

A really lovely little spritz that was perfect for keeping in my handbag to top up my face during the day! Super affordable too, this was only £2.50! Will repurchase in the future! 

 

The Inkey List Q10 

I find the Inkey list very love/hate but thankfully this was one that I loved! A really simple, antioxidant full hydrating serum perfect for fine lines! Will repurchase this again soon! 

 

Cerave Eye Repair Cream 

Another simple, no frills product that worked well to hydrate my under eyes – have already repurchased! 

 

Origins Mega-Mushroom Relief and Resilience Soothing Face Mask

A lovely creamy, hydrating and soothing wash off mask! I have been using this regularly in the mornings to calm my redness down before makeup. Would repurchase in the future but using a lot of other masks right now! 

 

 

Makeup

GlamGlow Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturiser in Nude Glow 

I use this as a primer hence why I slotted it in my makeup category! It’s beautifully illuminating but never looks greasy and gives a really nice lit from within look! Love it but have just repurchased the Becca Backlight Priming filter which I find very similar so this will have to wait for a repurchase! 

 

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss lip butter

This is huge and leaves a gorgeous hydrating sheen behind and it lasts so long between top ups! It contains cupuaçu, acai and coconut oil and makes my lips feel so soft and the scent is not overpowering at all! I can’t believe how much was left in the packaging once I finished the bullet, I got about another months use out of it by digging it out with a cotton bud! Full review here! Will repurchase in the future!

 

Pat McGrath Lip Fetish lip balm in clear 

Really luxe little lipbalm, not as longlasting on the lips as I would have liked and the full size is too expensive for what it is so not a repurchase for me but I really recommend the little mini set when on sale! 

 

MAC Fix+ Magic Radiance

Not very much in this tiny sample but enough to know I liked it and would like to try again! Hydrating and brightening and I would repurchase if on offer! 

 

Miscellaneous

Disciple Miracle Drops 1000mg

I know CBD works for a lot of people but unfortunately it doesn’t for me! I was as stressed and wound up as ever in the lead up to some recent interviews! Tried it on my skin only a couple of times so can’t really review that but I personally prefer other oils for topical use. Expensive as well so not a repurchase for me! 

 

Carex Moisture Hand Gel 

Love this - smells fresh, doesn’t dry out my hands and sinks in quickly without leaving any tacky feeling! Always out of stock but will pick up when I see it again! 

 

Tossing 

When I mentioned that I have a love/hate relationship with the Inkey List earlier, this is what I meant! Their Alpha Arbutin and Niacinamide just don’t do it for me and aren’t a patch on the Ordinary’s versions which I love. The shelf life is also 6 months compared to the Ordinary’s 12 months so I didn’t even get to finish these but I would not repurchase! 

 

And that is my last empties of 2020 and my eighth of the year! Hopefully there will be even more next year! Thank you for all your support with reading and commenting this year, I really appreciate it! See you in 2021! 

 

Danielle xx

 

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Makeup Review | My Favourite Mask Proof Tinted Lip Balms

My beloved lipliners and lipsticks have taken a backseat this year due to obvious reasons but I thought I would show you my favourite tinted lip balms that have taken their place and I’ve got one for every day of the week! In my last job, my mask was on and off quite a bit depending on if I was at my desk or out of my little office and these lip products are tried and tested! They are my favourite for adding some colour to my lips (which have a tendency to go the same colour as my makeup if there is nothing on them) and they give little to no transfer to the inside of my mask but they never transfer over my face! 

 

First up is the hybrid Fenty Beauty Slip Shine Sheer Shiny lipstick in Retro Rose RRP £19 and this is one I have spoken about before on my blog here! I would say it’s the creamiest of the bunch, a beautiful colour and lasts a fair amount of time on my dry lips too! I then have the Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer Shine Balm in Rose RRP £15 which feels a little more lightweight on my lips compared to the Fenty and isn’t as longlasting but it gives a lovely shine to the lips! 

 

Quite possibly my favourite of the bunch is the Charlotte Tilbury Superstar Lips in Pillowtalk RRP £25. This one is actually feels quite stiff to apply but it is the longest lasting on my lips of the seven I have here, most hydrating and though its pricey I have definitely gotten my money’s worth! It’s also the most luxurious – look at that packaging! It’s the perfect plumping, my lips but better shade and don’t tell the others but it’s my favourite! The Nude by Nature Sheer Glow Colour Balm in Pink 03 RRP £18 lives in my handbag with whatever clear lip balm I have in rotation as it’s the least hydrating of the ones I have here but it gives a perfect tint and if I feel my lips getting dry I just top up with some clear lip balm!

Moving onto my minis now and the Hourglass Girl Lip Stylo in Influencer RRP £31 is the perfect nude shade while the NARS Afterglow Lip Balm in Dolce Vita RRP £23 is the most lightweight of all the balms I have here, you seriously feel like you have nothing on but the shade is beautiful and the hydration lasts well! Lastly, I’ve got the Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Sheer Lip Balm in Blow Up RRP £33 which is another beautiful nude shade! I’m glad I got the mini on offer though as the full size is so pricey though they seem to do regular discounts on the website! I also dedicated a whole blog post to the mini set I got here! 

 

Swatches l-r: Fenty, Jouer, CT, Nude by Nature, Hourglass, NARS, Pat McGrath

I’ve included some unedited swatches here too so you can see the shades and formulation as well! If I was ranking from most to least favourite I would say CT, NARS, Fenty, Jouer, Hourglass, Pat then Nude by Nature!

 

This is my final blog post before Christmas but I’ll be back with my last empties post of the year next Sunday and will be posting regularly on Instagram this week! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas whatever your plans are, I know they may be different than usual and I feel for you if that’s the case! 

 

Let me know your favourite tinted lip balms down below please! 

 

Danielle xx

 

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Another Last Minute Christmas Gift Guide

You might have seen my last minute beauty lovers Christmas gift guide last week and this week I have another instalment! This time I thought I would include some non-beauty related items as well in case you need some inspo! 

I have a thing about pyjamas, especially at Christmas, and it’s always a tradition to get a new pair every year. This year, I asked my mum for some silk (read: satin because silk is too expensive!) pyjamas and I know I got them because I tried on a couple of sizes to see which fit best! I fell in love with the Chelsea Peers Zebra print set but the Bluebella Giraffe set came a close second! Sadly these both seem to be out of stock now but they felt so luxurious I knew I wanted to get my aunt a similar pair so I went with the Marks & Spencer Satin Butterfly print pyjama set which I love and I hope she does aswell! 

To go with my new pyjamas I also asked for a sturdy pair of slippers as mine are threadbare and again I’ve spoiled the surprise because my mum wated me to check these fitted too – the Next Suede Mule Slippers! I’ve borrowed them for the photo but I won’t get them to Christmas Day! Even though I only wore them to check the size I know I will love these, the heel is so thick and they feel so comfortable! They are very Ugg like but without having to spend the same amount of money! 

I’ve kindly been sent the Sand&Sky Purify and Glow Kit* and I cannot wait to try the products out - it’s a brand I’ve seen all over Instagram and it’s got great reviews to go with its beautiful pink aesthetic! They are an Australian cruelty free brand that use Aussie botanicals in their products and this set includes the Australian Pink Clay mask (with the cutest mini mask brush), the Enzyme Powder Polish (that turns pink on activation with water!) and the Emu Apple Dreamy Glow Drops in a handy pink cosmetic bag. It’s also available from Cult Beauty and I’m sure these products will be in future blog posts once I’ve had a chance to test them properly! The Dreamy Glow Drops are calling my name and this set would be perfect for a skincare obsessive! 

I’ve also picked up a Lanolips Rose Intense hand cream for my aunt as at the minute with sanitising, hydration is important and I hope she likes this one! I haven’t tried it before but I am enjoying the other products I have picked up from Lanolips recently! 

 

Candles are also a gift I love to receive and thought I can’t quite justify the price of a Diptyque or Overose, I love the selection TK Maxx and Homesence has and picked up this DW Home candle in the scent of sea salt and driftwood to gift to my aunt! I’ve had other scents myself before and they last long, burn evenly and fill the room with scent! 

The Emma Hardie Essential Luxury Collection has been tempting me for weeks but if you want to gift something smaller, the Moringa Cleansing Balm is always a good shout! I don’t know anyone who has used this that doesn’t like it! It’s luxurious, removes makeup with ease and feels so hydrating! 

 

Most of the presents I’ve got for my mum revolve around makeup and skincare and I’ll probably do a separate Instagram post of those but for now, another crowd favourite I think makes a great present - the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose setting powder and puff (I think I somehow managed to order the old packaging oops!) I’m a long term fan of this and so is my mum, its mattifying but not cakey and not flat! She has been wanting the puff for a while so I picked up the set as it’s expensive on its own! 

Finally, I also picked up some sweets to add as little extras for some people. One of my friends got me a giant jar from a different company for my birthday and it was such a treat and since Christmas is the season for overindulgence I thought I would do the same but with smaller packs! The Little Candy Box Company was the first company that came up when I searched and I am super happy with them, delivery was quick, packaged well and most importantly the sweets taste good (obviously I got some for myself too!)

 

And that concludes my extra little gift guide! I hope it’s helped if you still have some people to buy for! I really need to finish off my presents this week, some things are taking so long to arrive I don’t want to leave it any longer! Let me know if you have picked up any similar presents for your friends and family! 

 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here. 

Danielle xx

 

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Last Minute Beauty Lover’s Christmas Gift Guide

Morning all! I thought today I would do a run-down of my favourite Christmas beauty sets and products for this year! Now I’m not going to lie, these are all for moi. With my birthday in November and obviously Christmas in December along with some Black Friday sales, I have taken “treat yo self” to a whole new level (actually probably just the same level as every other year lol). I don’t get beauty presents from my family especially my mum as apparently I already have enough (no idea where she gets that impression…) so I like to pick up a few things for myself as you will see here and I’ve kindly been sent a few too so hopefully if you have any last minute gift giving to do you will get some ideas! 

First up, the Rituals Ritual of Sakura Renewing Ritual set and this is actually one I gifted to my aunt last year! I have only tried the shower foam before but have went through a few bottles of it so thought I would grab this bigger set when it was on offer as I really like the scent, it’s lightweight and non-offensive and the products are so luxurious! Sticking with bodycare, I couldn’t resist the OUAI Melrose Place bodycare set. I am completely in love with this scent and have almost made my way through the full size perfume. It’s the same scent as the scalp and body scrub and it’s all I wear these days so it was a no brainer to get the matching body cream! Another one perfect for someone who enjoys their scents! I was also recently sent the Dermalogica Body Glow To Go* which is a mini roll on of their phyto replenish body oil. It’s a blend of antioxidant rich and nourishing skin oils and has a really lovely subtle citrus scent. The roll on makes it so easy to apply and the oil sinks in so quickly and feels beautiful, I think it’s the perfect gift to encourage some pampering! 

I’ve been loving my Lanolips 101 ointment recently and my mum is a big fan of their Everywhere Multi Cream so I thought I would grab this Lanolips Winter Skin Essentials set to try a bit more from the brand. I haven’t given them a go yet but they are great sizes and whose skin doesn’t need some extra TLC in the winter? For the last few years I have also taken the opportunity to stock up on my beloved Dr Jart Ceramidin cream with the All Thanks to Cera set! This is probably my favourite face moisturiser out of all the ones I have tried and I talked about it a bit more here but again I think if you know anyone struggling with dry winter skin this would be a lifesaver! 

Last year I got the Olaplex Holiday Hair Fix Set (big red bow – you know the one!) and whilst I enjoyed it, No 3 is where it’s at for me. When I saw they were releasing a companion primer in the form of Olaplex No 0 I treated myself to the Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment Kit to make sure my hair gets the attention it needs! I’ve only used it a few times but so far so good and if you know anyone with damaged hair either of these would make the perfect gift! I am obsessed with my silk pillowcases but I’ve only got a couple and whilst I could sleep on  a “normal” pillowcase while they are in the wash I don’t want to! The Kitsch Satin Pillowcase is a lot more affordable than silk so I am excited to see if they feel just as cooling and leave me with frizz free hair and hopefully less wrinkles too! I got a Slip silk scrunchie quite a few months back in a GWP with Cult Beauty and I became obsessed. I don’t ever want to use another bobble ever again so I snagged this cute Slip Scrunchie Bauble to ensure I don’t have to! It comes in and out of stock all the time but is well worth looking out for and if buying as a gift, you could split the four scrunchies up and gift to multiple people! One of my friends also bought a set a few months ago after hearing me talk so much about how much I love mine and she is a big fan too!

Another beauty tool I was excited to receive was the Tweezerman Winter Wonderland Micro Mini Tweezer Set*! As a huge fan of Tweezerman (I’ve had my OG pair for over five years – check out this post from the archives!) I was excited to see their Christmas sets of which they have nine for this year! This Winter Wonderland set is perfect for on the go and I am excited to finally have a pair of the pointed tweezers for stubborn, fine hair! They are just as good as the full size and pull from the root! I am a sucker for a practical present and these are just that but super cute too! They would make the best stocking filler! Around Black Friday, I like to do my yearly stock up of Beautyblenders as the price for one of these could make your eyes water. They are however my favourite foundation application tool and I can’t be without one. I think they are 100% worth the investment especially if you look after them as they can last a long time. I do like to snag them when there is a discount though and I thought I’d go ahead and pick up the three pack Rosie Posie set this year in these cute colours! My mum is a big fan of Beautyblender too and I’ve picked her up a different set for Christmas! 

Lastly, I decided I would finally buy a full size Becca Backlight Priming Filter Value Kit. I always seem to have this in my makeup stash and have been through about 3 or 4 minis over the years as it’s a regular in GWP’s and I really like it! When my skin was oily it never made it look greasy but always gave it a little somthin’ somethin’ as I do love a matte foundation and they can tend to look a little flat and I am hoping it will work its magic now my skin is a lot drier than normal! I love that it’s got a mini in there too so I will see if I can find a new home for that too!

I hope that’s given you some inspiration if you are doing any last minute shopping for a beauty obsessed individual! I could write posts and posts about the gift sets out this year and I just love seeing what brands come up with! Saying that though, I will be glad when the madness of Christmas calms down and I can get back on my try not to buy as I find it so hard at this time of year with so much temptation! Do you have any beauty products or gift sets on your Christmas list? Let me know which ones! 

 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here. 

Danielle xx

 

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