I can't believe its nearly September and I am only posting my July empties! At the start of August I was struck down with a bad case of tonsillitis, and then once I was better this month seemed to fly by! I feel bad that this is only getting uploaded now, especially when August empties will be up in the next couple of days; but better late than never I guess!
Through July I managed to finish an impressive 15 empties!
For the first time I have tried to group them together, as there is a lot of skin care products.
I will start with:
shower gel.
Original Source Vanilla Milk and Raspberry Shower Cream 250ml: This smells like a strawberry milkshake, which is weird as it is raspberry. Its very sweet and as a result can be a bit sickly. It took me ages to use up as I kept getting sick of it. I prefer more citrusy fragrances for shower gels (though you'd not think it with my other empty) but this was nice for a change. It lathered up well, and you didn't need to use too much product so it does provide value for money in that sense. I was given this as a gift, but I know its not very expensive. I'd probably not repurchase it, but then I'd not refuse using it again either.
Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel for hair and body 100g: This shower gel is one of Lush's most iconic items from their Christmas range. Every year, without fail my sister always buys about 5 massive bottles to keep her going throughout the year. I have always attributed this as her shower gel. This is the first time I have ever actually used it properly myself, as it came in a gift set that I bought in the 50% off January sale. It is nice, but like the Original Source, I found it sickly after a while. It lathers up well and is pretty, as it's a bright pink glittery colour. I have another small bottle (from another gift set) but I won't be reaching for it straight away.
Haircare.
Lush Rehab Shampoo 250g: This smells AMAZING! Its got papaya, mango, kiwi and pineapple in so fragrance wise it would always be a winner. On the bottle it boasts about having oils for extra strength, enzymes for cleaning, seaweed for softness and essential oils for toning your scalp. It does not disappoint. It really does work wonders on my hair. Whenever I feel like my hair is being weighed down, or is too greasy, or needs a pick me up, I will reach for Rehab. Lush is hands down my favourite place for shampoos. I prefer their solid shampoos the most, but this is a nice change. And fact fans out there might like to know that Rehab is my dad's shampoo of choice! (he has long hair & beard)
Batiste Dry Shampoo XXL Volume 200ml: Another empties post, another dry shampoo. This was the first time I had used the XXL version and I must say I was impressed. I have never noticed a white powder from Batiste (or any dry shampoo for that matter..) and I honestly did notice a bit of extra volume. I have really fine and thin hair so anything that improves the volume of my hair is generally a winner. This also smelled really really nice. I won't repurchase for a while though as I am currently trying out Superdrug's dry shampoo after a mad offer that they had on.
Skincare - cleansers.
Superdrug Deep Action Daily Exfoliating Wash 150ml: I remember buying this when I was in my final year at uni and wasting time browsing Superdrug. At the time I needed an exfoliator for my very dry skin. I used this occasionally (like most cleansers) but wasn't very impressed. When I moved back home it sort of got lost, until I found it in a draw during my mission to use things up. At first I was really dreading using this, as I could tell it would last me a very long time. I must tell you that I am a bit rubbish when it comes to skin care. I never wash my face morning and night, lazy and terrible I know, but my skin is generally good so I never feel the need. THIS CLEANSER CHANGED EVERYTHING! I decided to start using it twice a day to try and use it up quicker but I became hooked! It made my skin glow! The smell is sort of masculine/unisex, however I LOVE it. It cleansed my skin so well I actually wanted to wash my face morning and night! My pores around my nose aren't massive, but I noticed a huge difference when I was using this cleanser. It made my skin really soft and smooth. I told myself I would repurchase as soon as my stash of cleansers has shrank, but I don't think I will be able to wait that long. If you've not tried this I highly recommend you do! Amazing!
Clarins Daily Energizer Cleansing Gel 30ml: I got this last year in a special pack with 30ml toner when buying the full sized moisturiser. Clarins Daily Energizer range is aimed at early 20s skin. It smells really luxurious and energising. As a cleanser though I wasn't really that impressed. It wasn't bad, but it just seemed a bit like a 'nothing' item. It might have been because I finished it off when my Superdrug cleanser ran out, but I won't be buying the full size.
Skincare - make up remover.
Clinique Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent 30ml: I don't remember getting this! Another find from my drawer. It had been used a couple of times so I couldn't pass it on. It was good at getting rid of eye make up without irritating my eyes, and didn't really have a fragrance (which I liked). I wasn't wowed by it though so won't repurchase.
Skincare - Toners
Clinique Clarifying Lotion 1 100ml: This toner is aimed at very dry to dry skin. Like all of Clinique's toners this smells very alcoholic. I don't mean like the kind of alcohol you would drink though, more sort of sterile, and for some reason the smell reminds me of a lab. I wasn't majorly impressed with this toner. It was gentle and non-drying on my dry skin, but I didn't notice any improvement.
L'Occitane Eau Radieuse Face Toner 50ml: I got this free with Glamour magazine, and believe it or not it was the first L'Occitane item I have ever tried. Apparently it's the toner from their new skin care range (I received the moisturiser from this range in a Jolie Box). The first thing that impressed me with this item was the fact that it has braille on the side of the bottle. I have no idea about L'Occitane, and if they have braille on all/a lot of their products; but the fact that this does was a very nice touch. It smells nice, floral and fresh at the same time. It didn't dry my skin or break my out. I'm not sure if it improved my skin at all though as 50ml isn't a good enough judge. I probably would try this again. If I remember.
Skincare - Moisturiser.
Superdrug Simply Pure Aqua Hydrating Serum for Dehydrated skin 50ml: I bought this serum purely because it was on offer and I had used up my Caudalie Serum. At first I wasn't sure about it, but after a couple of weeks I became HOOKED. My skin drank it up and it glowed. I used the Superdrug cleanser and steam cream moisturiser in conjunction with this serum and I honestly feel like I have found my skin heroes. I will repurchase this over and over again. It is amazing!
Steam Cream Jane 75g: I got this in a Carmine beauty box. At first I wasn't blown away by it so put it to one side. Once I started using it regularly I realised how amazing it actually is. It's light weight but powerful and my soaked into my skin well. It can be used on face, hands and body - but I just used it on my face. I love that the tins are all limited edition with different names for different prints, it gives it something extra. Even though I have never been into skin care in terms of cleansers I have always been a moisturiser buff. I without question have put this in my top 5 moisturisers of all time. I will buy this again without a doubt (I just need to downsize my ridiculous moisturiser collection first...)
Topic Skin Revive with vitamins blueberries and rosehip: Another item from Jolie Box. This smells really nice, but it might be a bit too overpowering for some as you can notice it lingering on your skin. The cream was heavy so I used it just on a night. It did moisturise my skin, however I did notice a little redness, so if you have sensitive skin I wouldn't recommend. I wouldn't repurchase as its only ok.
YonKa Vital Defence Anti-Age 5ml: Another sample from Jolie Box. I once again used this as a night cream. I liked it, but a 5ml sample doesn't go very far so I've no idea how my skin would react to it long term. I wouldn't repurchase purely on the fact that I don't know enough about it.
Make up.
Pixi Flawless & Poreless Primer 30ml: This lasted me ages! I bought this about 18 months ago and every time I thought it was dead more product would come out! I kept going off this as even though it made my make up last for hours I wasn't sure if it was breaking me out or not. I'm still not sure so wouldn't repurchase for that reason; however it does work and is good value for money so I guess I might be tempted in future.
Miscellaneous.
Boots Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover 150ml: This was the green bottle. I didn't like it at all. It made my nails really dry and brittle and took ages to get my nail varnish off. So pleased its used up, I won't buy again!
Well that's July empties finished! See you in a day or two for August empties! (Where has this year gone?!)
x
