Thursday 5 March 2015

February’s Empties – And Favourites


I’m writing this from my sick bed. I’ve been knocked back with a nasty bout of tonsillitis. Looking after my skin is the last thing on my mind right now. I’ve hardly used any skincare in the past 5 days. I have little enthusiasm for it. All I want to do is pop pills and sleep! Next month’s empties post is likely to reflect this, I feel.

By way of stark contrast, I’ve got a bumper crop of February empties. I used up 24 products last month, double that in January! So warning (and massive apologies) ahead – this is a long post!


Skincare:

Steamcream Moisturiser (pic above). I’ve raved about this previously. Rich, yet light, and beautifully moisturising. Reviewed.

Environ C-Quence Eye Gel. An anti-ageing serum that can be applied over the eyelid and under eye cream. Very hydrating and a must product for me. Check out my Environ skin analysis here.

Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Mask. An old favourite and still a firm one. Just what dehydrated skin needs. Buy it here.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum Complexion Correcting. I’m a big fan of Caudalie but this didn’t wow me.

SkinPep Anti-Ageing 12 Hour Defence Serum. My first SkinPep product. Packed with a powerhouse of anti-ageing ingredients including Retinol. This has potential but I need to test it for longer. It’s on the to-do-list!

Eve Lom TLC Radiance Cream. Rich, luxurious… everything you’d expect from Eve Lom, as is the hefty price tag (£45/50ml). A super moisturiser, but so are many others costing less.

Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser. Not mad on fruity skincare, but this one I did like (freshly squeezed pink grapefruit anyone?). The printing on the label smeared off within a week or so – that sort of thing really bugs me and is why I wouldn’t repeat buy.

Skyn Iceland Artic Face Mist. Generally I like this range a lot but this sprayed big foamy splodges of product on my face. At a guess the nozzle is at fault and needs a bit of a design tweak.

Lusardi (as in Linda) Caviar Cleanse & Radiance. A skincare range from the former glamour model. Picked up at last year’s Anti-Ageing Health & Beauty Show. Perhaps my least favourite product here – the scent is overpowering (not too dissimilar to pungent cheap hairspray).

Bodycare

Balance Me Super Toning Body Wash. I adore Balance Me for many reasons – their philosophy, formulations, boutique feel to the brand and more. The texture and scent of this, though, didn’t quite hit my sweet spot. Unlike…

Balance Me Super Toning Body Oil (pic above). Love it, love it, love it. Rich and nourishing. The perfect oil to rehydrate skin after dry brushing, as I explain in more detail here.

Life NK Midnight Milk Soak. This seems to have taken up permanent residence in Space NK’s bargain basement bin. Worth every penny of £9 for 500ml. Buy it here.

Palmer’s Coca Butter Formula Bust Cream. Surely the oldest product living?! I joke, but it’s been around for yonks. Not a massive fan of this but it’s the cheapest bust cream I know of and serves me well at the gym, where I like to treat my boobs to a bit of nourishment after a workout!

L’Occitane Fleur D’Or & Acacia Body Milk. I have a miniature scent of this too. Refreshing, floral, and perfect for Spring.

Maddi Alexander Rose Bath Oil. Got this with the last You Beauty Advent Calendar. I go weak at the knees for anything smelling of roses. This is lovely but when it comes to bath oils I feel nothing compares to Aromatherapy Associates. Talking of which…

Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength. How appropriately named – ‘Inner Strength’ is just what I need right now. An uplifting blend of clary sage, frankincense and cardamom. AA favourites reviewed.

L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream. A multi-award winner that’s rich, nourishing and beautifully fragranced. If you find L’Occitane pricey, I’ve just discovered this fabulous dupe for £1.

Florabelle Hand Cream. Another Space NK bargain find. A fruity floral fragrance and a formula enriched with shea butter and babassu oil. At £2.50 a shot, I bought a job lot. Just as well – I can no longer see this available anywhere!  

Haircare

Dr Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner. I have the shampoo of this too. Dr Organic is such a great value for money brand. It’s my haircare staple when I’m feeling cash strapped.

Alterna Haircare Bamboo Smooth Kendi Dry Oil Mist (pic above). A marvel for making my hair smooth and silky. It contains organic bamboo and can be used on dry or damp hair. Reviewed.

Batiste Dry Shampoo, Flora & Flirty Blush. Still one of the best value dry shampoo products around. Does the job and smells pleasant (lots don’t!). Buy it here.

Make-up

Benefit They’re Real Remover. I bought this together with the Benefit Push-Up Liner, which I went on to hate. It’s brilliant at removing stubborn waterproof eye make-up but I’ve since discovered the NARS oil-free remover, which does the same job but without the slimy, oily feel. 

Clarins Double Fix’ Mascara – Still the best thing I’ve found yet for keeping my mascara in place. And, it can be brushed on top of ANY mascara. Reviewed.

Magnifibres Brush-On False Lashes (pic above). Claims to extend lashes by 0.5mm – it does! The first time I applied this even my Dad did a double take when he saw me. Reviewed.

Favourites:

Steamcream Moisturiser
Environ C-Quence Eye Gel
Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Mask
Balance Me Super Toning Body Oil
Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
Florabelle Hand Cream
Alterna Haircare Bamboo Smooth Kendi Dry Oil Mist
Batiste Dry Shampoo, Flora & Flirty Blush
Clarins Double Fix’ Mascara
Magnifibres Brush-On False Lashes
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