March Empties

This is a bit of a delayed empties post due to the long Easter weekend and family things, so apologies for that, but the saying is better late than never!

I used up quite a few items in March which I'm pleased with.

12 items is really good going!

Natural Collection Wild Strawberry Shower Cream 75ml. This came in a set that I got for Christmas. It reminded me of my tween years. It foamed up well and a pleasant strawberry smell. The fragrance was a bit synthetic and a little overpowering but didn't linger on the skin so I was pleased by that. I'm not really a fan of shower gels etc smells sticking around as I feel like I can't wear perfume haha. I probably wouldn't buy this again if I'm honest, but it was alright.


Batiste Dry Shampoo Original 150ml. I can't believe I've finished another dry shampoo! I must have used this ages ago and forgot about it when I found Blush. This is alright, and you probably know all about it, but for me I preferred Blush....which you can read about here.


Superdrug Nourishing Nail Polish Remover 200ml. This comes 'enriched' with vitamin E and aloe vera to help keep nails soft and conditioned. I've bought this a few times before and will no doubt buy it again as its cheap enough and doesn't smell as strong as typical nail varnish remover.

Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes. I've bought these wipes hundreds of times before and will buy them again. They even featured in last month's empties post (can read that here) so I don't really need to go into more detail.


Simple Kind to Skin Soothing facial Toner 200ml. I bought this ages ago and only used it a few times. In January when I set myself the empties challenge I decided to use this every day, morning and night, so feel I can give a good opinion of it. First of all it lasted me ages! I really liked this toner, when I first started using it I thought I'd not really notice a difference in my skin as it seemed to be a bit of a nothing product. I was so wrong! I miss this product loads and will definitely repurchase once I've used up some other skin care items. It really helped improve the texture of my skin and made my good skin even better. Try it out!

Montagne Jeunesse Passion Peel Off Face Mask With Pomegranate pulp & passion flower. This mask didn't agree with me AT ALL. I've used Montagne Jeunesse masks before and they've been brilliant, but this was awful. It made my skin so red and sensitive and sore. Nothing seemed to work to help settle it down so I had to go to Lush for Oatifix face mask and a few samples (more later). Maybe it's because its a peel off mask that my skin didn't like it, but either way I won't be repurchasing this. Its a shame as I do like MJ.


Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Extra-Mild 50ml. This is something I've been using on and off for years. Its definitely better for me than the mild soap.


Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lipstick. My friend Lucy bought me this for Christmas. It came in very handy over winter. It smells a bit like tea (in my opinion) which I'm not too keen on but if you can get past that its a good product (though a bit overpriced!)

Good Things Total Wipe Out Cleansing Wipes. 25 wipes. I love these wipes. They have raspberry and cranberry in and smell really good. They're probably not the best for super sensitive skin as occasionally they irritate my skin, but they have never irritated my eyes! They are a little pricey if they're being used every day, but Boots always seem to have 3 for 2 offers on skin care so I stock up then. I'm already onto another pack and have bought several more which can't be a bad thing!

Celestial facial mosituriser (sample). I got this from Lush when my skin was really bad off the MJ face mask. It helped to sort my skin out massively. I'm going to repurchase this soon.

Me Me Me Seventh Heaven Enriched Moisturising Facebase 10ml. This smells AMAZING! Like mandarins and other citrus fruit. It worked well as a moisturising primer too and helped keep my foundation in place. I got this from Glossy Box but will buy again.

MAC Prep + Prime skin base 6ml. I got this as a free sample from a Mac counter ages ago when I was given foundation samples. I've already got a full size prep + prime from Christmas. This is a really good primer, but it does have a bit too much of a sparkle for daytime use.


Save the empties, as on the 21st April Origins are having a trade in day for Earth Month. For more information check out Lily's blog post here.

February Empties.

It's that time again! Can't believe I'm onto my second post of the year for my monthly empties, time is really flying!

During the past month I've managed to use up 5 things and decide to through away one.

First up:

Simple Kind To Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes. I have repurchased these wipes so many times and have been using them for years! They're really good for taking off make up and for after a night out and those times when I can't be bothered with a proper skin care routine (so basically every day haha!)
I don't really know what else to say about these as pretty much everyone I know has tried and liked them. They're good for sensitive skin/eyes and really do get rid of make up so worth a go if you've never used them.

Paul & Joe Moisture Lip Treatment 3.2g. I got this in a set which I got for Christmas 2010 but forgot all about this lip balm and didn't start using it until December 2011. I can't remember the last time I used up a lip balm as I always seem to lose them so end up having several on the go at once. I really enjoyed this but not sure if I'd repurchase as I'm pretty sure it will be out of my price range for regular use.

Rimmel London Fix & Perfect Pro Primer 002 30ml. This is an alright primer but not one I'd buy again as there are better out there (for me at least). I do think its value for money though as its reasonably priced and seemed to last forever! I thought it was dead about 7 times before I actually had used it up. I know if I cut the top off there would probably still be more left in the tube but I'm just a bit sick of it to be honest! (I'm not sick because it was bad, just because I though it would never end and I have other primers to use up and try out).

No7 Skin Rescuer Dry Skin Saviour 50ml. Again another product that was really good value for money (though I bought with a £5 off No7 voucher) and seemed to go on and on! This really sorted out my dry patches on my face during winter. You can use it all over so thats handy! I think I would give it a go again with another voucher.

Soap & Glory iFoam Ultra-Creamy Body Wash 200ml. Another item that I got for Christmas. This really did foam! I loved the smell, orange but not too overpowering, mixed in with grape and the typical S&G smell. I'm rubbish at describing smells so if you've used this and disagree with my description sorry! I think this would be really good for people who like Soap & Glory but don't like their standard smell as its a nice change. I would buy this again (when my shower gel cuts down more!) but I don't think they make it any more? Shame!

Simple Spotless Skin Anti-Blemish Moisturiser 75ml. This is the product which isn't empty but I'm getting rid of. I remember buying this in 2nd year of uni after a lecture in the local Superdrug (hiya Brunswick!). I bought this on a whim as was just browsing. It was new out at the time, and my skin was spotty by my standards so decided to give it a go. I do think it works and is nice, however as I've had it for so long its went off and smells really bad! Its a shame as I thought it was long gone but found it in a random box! It wasn't far off being empty so I don't feel too bad. Ooops!


Overall I don't think I'm doing too bad with this using things up malarkey! I already have about 4 items which I know will be finished by the end of March, so that's pretty exciting (sad I know!) I do have a confession to make; I bought a lipstick! However I'm really going out of my way to wear lipstick on a daily basis, and it was the Viva Glam Nicki Minaj lipstick for Mac so don't feel too bad as the money went to charity. I'm just a sucker for pre-release codes!
Have you used up much in the last month?
x

Birthday Wish List

Birthday Wish List by emsilly featuring studded handbags

TopShop three quarter sleeve dress
$92 - topshop.com

Dorothy Perkins sleeveless top
£7 - dorothyperkins.com

TOMS flat shoes
$54 - toms.com

Forever21 slipper shoes
$11 - forever21.com

Mischa Barton studded handbag
$160 - asos.com

Jewelry
$1.80 - forever21.com

Dorothy Perkins acrylic glove
£10 - dorothyperkins.com

Hat
$28 - japanesegiftmarket.com

MAC Lipstick Dark Side (A) One Size
$15 - nordstrom.com

Floral Cosmetic Brush Set
$4.80 - forever21.com




With just over a week before my 25th birthday I thought I would share a little "wish list" with you, on the off chance you would like to buy me a present and are stuck for ideas (hint hint! hehe).
Obviously the GQ cover with Jake Gyllenhaal on means I would like JAKE for my birthday, not a magazine with him in....but I guess I'm living in dream world there*. Sigh!
I'm going shopping with my Mam tomorrow as it's VIP Week at Dorothy Perkins so hopefully will buy myself this spotty top with 25% off :D







* On the off chance Jake Gllyenhaal reads this, CALL ME, you will make my life!

beauty post!

I'm currently experimenting with my foundation after getting some samples from the MAC counter on Wednesday so decided to do a little "What I'm using" questionnaire.
Don't worry I'll blog some necklaces tomorrow!

What I'm Using:

Shampoo: BIG shampoo by Lush.

Conditioner: Veganese by Lush.

Styling products: I very rarely use any products!

Shower Gel: I generally change every couple of days, at the moment I'm switching between Rub Rub Rub, Grass and The Olive Branch - all by Lush (can you see my love of Lush!)

Body moisturiser: I'm really bad when it comes to moisturising my body, 9 times out of 10 I cannot be bothered! I do have "The firminator" by Soap & Glory and "Charity Pot" by Lush on the go though.

Deodorant: J/A/S/O/N.

Fake Tan: I don't use fake tan - if I can't be bothered to moisturise I can't be bothered using something which I think is pointless (no offence). I do have a bottle of "Charlotte Island" from Lush which I got free, so if I ever decide to go darker I'll use that I guess.

Cleanser: I use a Simple "Kind to skin" face wipe every day to take my make up off and then wash my face with water. That's about it. I have a little bottle of "Kind to Skin Refreshing Facial Wash Gel" by Simple sitting on my skin but I very rarely use it. I'm pretty lazy when it comes to my 'skin care routine', I have used loads before in the past, many from Lush but I always get bored after a while. Also if I'm honest I don't really see any difference when I do follow a routine. I have really good skin (with the exception of dryness). My version of spots are (usually) my friends versions of a good skin day. I've always been this way and if anything overly washing my face makes my skin worse. Just take your make up off every night and splash your face with water!

Exfoliator: See above. BUT I do sometimes use "Scrub Your Nose in it" by Soap and Glory before going in the shower. I'll put it on like a face mask and wash it off in the shower. When my skin is extra dry I will use an exfoliator once or twice a week, but at the moment I'm ok.

Primer: At the moment I'm using a mini trail size tube of "Prep + Prime Skin" by MAC that I got free.

Foundation: At the moment I'm switching between free trials of "Select SPF 15" and "Studio Sculpt SPF 15" both by MAC in NW15 and NC15.

Foundation brush: B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful foundation brush. Best brush ever ever ever. :(

Concealer: I'm using the Light Pink Colour supplement by Lush.

Powder: Don't really use it.

Blusher: Mighty Aphrodite by MAC (from the Wonder Woman collection). But I only actually own 3 blushers haha.



Bronzer: Never used it.

Highlighter: High Lights by Technic.

Eyeshadow base: Urban Decay.

Eyeshadow: Right now I'm LOVING my Ammo eyeshadow pallet by Urban Decay. I really have too many eyeshadows though.

Eyeliner: I have too many eyeliners too haha. At the moment I'm switching between my Beauty Without Cruelty liquid liner and my MAC liquid liner pen from the Wonder Woman collection. If you mean pencil I always use Barry M's Intensive Eyeliner Pen in black.

Curler: Don't have one.

Mascara: Just using up a mini tube of Clinique high impact mascara.

Lipstick: It depends on what I'm wearing but probably a lipstick from Topshop, MAC or Barry M.

Lip gloss: When I was about 13 I used to LOVE lip gloss but I hate it now and never really use it.

Nail Colour: I have Barry M "Peach Melba" on right now, but it'll change as I have pretty much all of the Barry M nail paints.