Just as I was writing up September’s empties, it suddenly dawned on me that we were in the final week of October - and I was already amassing quite of collection of used-ups for the next post in the series!
As I sat there tapping away at my keyboard, I took the decision to ditch September’s post completely and crack on with October’s instead. That made total sense, and so it is what I have done. One happy outcome of this 'sorry' state of affairs is that my latest empties post is on time for once – heaven forbid, it’s actually a little early!
I used up 15 products in October, seven in the skincare line and the same number in bodycare. I had one solitary makeup empty - and it’s not even an empty (I’ll explain in a mo).
Skincare
Nourish Argan Skin Rescue - my pal Sandra at Beauty Balm introduced me to this. It’s incredibly rich and nourishing – just what my parched skin cries out for in Winter! Review.
Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Booster Serum. My first Juice Beauty product. This doesn’t grab me as anything special – and it’s pricey! £72 for 30ml here.
Balance Me Moisture Rich Face Cream. A firm favourite – hydrating and smells of roses. Reviewed.
Rodial Bee Venom Moisturiser. A lovely rich moisturiser that hydrates and makes skin glowy. But that price tag! Ouch! £150 for 50ml here.
Avene Antirougeurs, a relief concentrate for chronic redness. Bought during a bout of rosacea but only got around to using after it subsided, d’oh! Nevertheless, I find this very soothing when my skin gets hot after a bath or following a particularly gruelling gym session. Fab price too! £14.50 for 40ml here.
Dr Organic Snail Gel Eye Serum. Love, in a word – both the formula and the price. I use this throughout the day to rehydrate the skin under my eyes. £12.99 for 15ml here.
Balance Me Intensive Wrinkle Repair Cream. Got this as part of a gift with purchase – it’s not something I would choose to buy as I don’t have deep wrinkles. Texture wise it’s incredibly rich. £30 for 50ml here.
Bodycare
The Body Shop, Smoky Poppy Body Massage Oil. I fell in love with the deep, sensual and heady aroma of the limited edition Smoky Poppy after testing the fragrance in-store. I bought both the scent and this massage oil. Some months on, though, I find the fragrance too overwhelming. The body oil is no longer available online – you may still find it instore though.
Champneys Spa Indulgence Mediterranean Bliss Shimmering Body Oil. This must rank as the most featured product in my monthly empties post, I love it that much! But now it’s Autumn, I doubt it’ll be appearing again for a while! Review.
Balance Me Rose Otto Body Oil. Oh, now we’re talking, a body oil to treasure forever and I’m sure that I shall. Deeply golden in colour (a sign of quality) and a most gorgeous aroma, this rose body oil is also extremely good value too (£24.50 for 200ml). Review.
Dr Jackson’s Natural Products Body Perfecting Gel. Tackles those bumpy bits on the top of thighs with aplomb but I still really don’t like the scent. Review.
Beautannia Bloomsbury Body Cream. A bargain basement find in a Space NK sale. A hugely intense blend of neroli, oud, geranium and sandalwood - stick your head in the pot and it knocks you back! This is still available online at the absurd price of £10.50 (was £42) here.
Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Body Cream. So sad I’ve finished the pot! A Christmas present from my husband last year and one of my favourite Jo Malone scents. This small 50ml pot has lasted, partly because I apply it so sparingly but also because it’s rich (in fragrance and texture) so you don’t need to use much. £50 for 175ml here.
James Read Sleep Mask Tan. This can be used on both the body and face, but I’m petrified of self-tans going streaky so I tend to only use them on the former (the exception is the foolproof Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster which you add to your regular day cream). I really don’t like this James Read formula. I can’t see much sign of a tan after applying it to the letter and I prefer self-tans with a guide colour (this one is white). Currently on offer at M&S - £32 for 200ml (down from £40) here.
Makeup
Collection Lengthening Mascara Ultra Black. Oh dear! This is a throw away item, rather than an empty. This mascara came in a Latest In Beauty box. It doesn’t lengthen my lashes one bit, nor give them any extra definition. In fact, my lashes look no different whether coated with this mascara or not. £3.99 at Superdrug here.
Favourites
Nourish - Argan Skin RescueBalance Me - Moisture Rich Face Cream
Dr Organic - Snail Gel Eye Serum
Champneys Spa Indulgence Mediterranean Bliss Shimmering Body Oil
Balance Me - Rose Otto Body Oil
Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Body Cream
