July Empties (Extremely late!)

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?!)

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June Empties

Another month and another slightly late empties post (oops!) This month I managed to get through an impressive 14 items.

Superdrug Simply Pure Refreshing Toner Sensitive Skin 200ml:  I loved this toner. It was in my may favourites post (here). It was really good value for money. I will definitely be buying it again once my other toners have been used up!

Clinique Anti-blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam 125ml: I got this years and years ago and never though it would end! Granted I had forgot about it for a few years, and should have probably threw it out....but seeing as it was expensive at the time and half full I decided to use it up. Considering my skin is dry, and I very rarely get spots this cleanser worked quiet well for me. I didn't use it every day as I think it would have been too harsh, and I wasn't keen on the smell, but apart from that it did the job.

Superdrug Facial Cleansing Wipes Fragrance Free 25 wipes: These were good. Didn't irritate my skin or eyes, so their sensitive skin claim is true. They only cost 99p too which is good. The biggest down side was how dry they were. Not too dry to use, but not as moist as more expensive face wipes. I would buy them again however as they removed my make up well.

Superdrug Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover Pads 30 pads: These are also for sensitive skin. They were amazing. They really did get rid of every last trace of mascara etc. However due to the size I usually had to use two (one for each eye) if I had a lot of make-up on. Superdrug usually have offers on like "2 for £XX" or "3 for 2" so I am sure I will pick these up in future.

Clinique Naturally Gentle Eye Makeup Remover 75ml: This has featured in my January empties (here).

Caudalie Nourishing Body Lotion 30ml: I got this in a Feel Unique(?) box at the start of the year. I neglected it as I've mentioned before I'm far too lazy for body lotions. I decided to give it a go last month and I LOVED it! It smelled amazing, I'm really bad at describing smells, so sorry for not trying but it wasn't anything distinctive. Sort of typical Caudalie (typical of the other Caudalie products I've tried). It absorbed into my skin really quickly and left a nice light toned feeling, rather than that sticky greasy feeling that I hate. I will consider buying a full size!

Lush The Olive Branch shower gel 100g: This is one of my all time favourite shower gels. I've repurchased this time and time again. Its really good for dry skin as its very moisturising due to the olive  oil in it. Its a lovely light fragrance and I will probably get another bottle at some point. If you've not tried this shower gel, or you're not into Lush products, I recommend you do!

Lush Iced Wine Shower Jelly 100g: I got this Christmas 2010 and it has been sat in my bathroom, almost empty for a stupidly long time. It was bright red and the smell reminded me of strawberry jelly. This was a limited edition jelly as part of the Christmas 2010 range, and I didn't notice it last year. If Lush reintroduce this to their seasonal line I would buy it again in a flash as it was very fresh and fun :)

Soap & Glory Travel Size Flake Away Body Scrub 50ml: Another item that was sat in my bathroom with barely anything in it. I liked this scrub, but its not my favourite.  I'll no doubt use this again at some point, as it always seems to pop up around Christmas, but I'll not rush out to buy it.

Original Source White Pear and Avocado Damage Limitation Shampoo 250ml: Finally I've used up a shampoo! It takes me AGES to use shampoos up for two reasons. 1. I have too many shampoos and my hair is weird so I actually need to mix it up often. 2. My hair is also super thin so when I wash it I only need the smallest amount of product. These factors mean shampoo is used up super slow!! I loved the smell of this shampoo! I love pears so this fragrance was always going to be a winner. I probably would buy this again if I spot it in home bargains or somewhere; however the best shampoos for my hair seem to be Lush's solid shampoos.

Trevor Sorbie Beautiful Volume hairspray 50ml: I'm not sure I ever believe the claims of hair products that say they produce volume; but that is probably because my hair is so rubbish. I got this as a gift in a set. It was a good hairspray and the perfect size to take on a night out for touch ups.

e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set 60ml: I loved this! The information rubbed off quickly, and the spray wasn't the best (so I swapped it with Simple Moisturising Mist from last months empties) but it really did help my make up last. It was also great at giving my skin a refreshing boost throughout the day. I will buy this again, probably the next time elf have some sort of free postage offer.

benefit The PoreFessional Primer 7.5ml: I got this free in last month's Glamour magazine. I had heard a lot of good things about this primer, so was pleased I could try it out and see if it lived up to the hype. I'm not sure if its as good as people claim, but it really is a good primer. It helped minimise my pores and helped my foundation last all day. I doubt I'll repurchase though as its about £24 for a full size (which I'm sure is only about 20ml?!) so I think its too expensive!

Figs & Rouge Balm Sweet Geranium 8ml: I was SO excited (and sad) when I finished this product! Excited because I've never finished a tub of lip balm ever. I know, shocking, but I always seem to get about half way through a tub lip product and then lose it! I made sure I kept this with me at all times so I couldn't lose it. I was sad because I loved this balm so so much. I got this in a beauty box ages ago, but it's alright as I received another figs & rouge balm in GlossyBox (I think?) a month or so ago. This is without a doubt my new favourite lip balm and I think I will be using it again and again!


And that concludes the end of my empties post for this month. 14 items is pretty good right? Well I'm already on 6 (yes that's right SIX) empties for July. I know it's only the 4th, I don't know whats going on haha. I seem to have developed an obsessive need to use everything up. That's good though.
Did you get through many products in June?
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