Empties #21

I have a really positive empties post for you today, only one of them got a thumbs down from me!  I have also started including a 'rating' where I have rated the product out of 10, hopefully you will find this useful, it makes sense in my head!

What's In My Shower?

Now that I have a bathroom all to myself I thought I would do a sort of mini tour and 'what's in my shower' type of post.

I'll start with the shower then onto other bits I keep in my bathroom.

I got this little suction holder from Ikea and it's really handy for keeping most of my products within easy reach - and it only falls off very occasionally!

Currently I am using Dr Organic Pomegranate Shampoo and Conditioner but I've only used them a couple of times so far so I can't comment too much on them.  Although I've noticed that I'm not really a big fan of the smell...

I keep my Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish in here as well which is what I use for taking my make up off at night while showering.  I also always have a muslin cloth hanging over the shower guard to use with it.  I tend to use eye make up remover first before going in the shower, then use the C&P for the rest.  I love how quick and easy it is!

I usually have shower gel in here too but I've ran out so just using soap instead! 

My current soap is an absolute favourite of mine, Lush Northern Lights.  It's a Christmas limited edition one which they didn't even do last year, this one is from the year before, oops!

I've been using Morrisons Sensitive Aloe Vera Shave Gel which I quite like, you hardly need any and it smells really good!

Lush Rub Rub Rub is a body scrub which can also be used as shampoo oddly...  Only used this a couple of times as a scrub but it smells amazing!  I've been informed that the Sakura bath bomb is the same scent so I'll be picking this up soon!

Below are some of the shelves I have and what I use them for.

Top left I use these two holders for muslin cloths and cotton pads.

Top right Some skincare I don't use as often: The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil; Arran Aromatics Cucumber and Avocado Scrub Gel; Arran Aromatics Bergamot and Mint Mud Mask, Antipodes Grapeseed Butter Cleanser.

Bottom left My most used skincare: Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner Water; Ren Clarifying Toning Lotion; Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask; The Body Shop Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover; Trilogy Rosehip Oil; Liz Earle moisturiser; Buddha Beauty Facial Night Cream.

Bottom right This is a unit I got from Ikea for storing towels and stuff (you can see it in the back of top pic).  On the top shelf I keep some jars containing soap, cotton buds and my reusable cotton pads.  On the shelf below this I have a big toiletries bag with my bath bombs and bubble bars, also my body moisturiser sits here.

Have you got any bath/shower time necessities?

<3

Empties #16

I have got some super exciting news to share with you all (although if you follow me on Twitter you probably know!) but I will do a separate more personal/life themed post so you can read it if you are interested :) Anyway, onto this next bunch of empties!

John Frieda Full Repair Deep Conditioner

Thoughts: I received this to try out along with other John Frieda products.  I wasn't particularly impressed by the others but I really liked this deep conditioner.  I used it just as a normal conditioner but sometimes I would leave it on for longer as a hydrating mask.  £6.99/150ml here via Boots.

Cruelty-free?: Yes.
Repurchase?: Yes.

REN Hydra-Calm Cleansing Milk

Thoughts: I got this as sample with an order from LoveLula and I really like it!  It leaves my skin feeling so clean and soft.  The Hydra-Calm range have been rebranded as Evercalm now but as far as I'm aware they're just the same.  £16/150ml here. 

Cruelty-free?: Yes.
Repurchase?: Yes.

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint in Light

Thoughts: LOVE this product!  This is now my everyday tinted moisturiser - I only wear foundation on special occasions haha!  I like to mix it with a highlighter such as Soap & Glory Hocus Focus to give it a nice and glowy finish.  £21/40ml here.

Cruelty-free?: Yes.
Repurchase?: Already have!

Bourjois Fan-Tastic Volume Mascara

Thoughts: This mascara was fine, I quite liked the shape of the wand.  As the name implies, it was in a one sided fan shape which was quite good for coating the lashes and giving them a bit of curl.  £9.99/9ml here via Boots.

Cruelty-free?: I thought so but there's a bit of confusion with them at the moment as they've been seen selling in China.  I have emailed them asking so we shall find out soon hopefully!

Repurchase?: Probably not.

Lush So White Bath Bomb (not pictured)

Thoughts: So White is a Christmas bath bomb which smells like apples!  I love apple scented products and this was no exception.  Fizzes nicely with some white foam and it even changes colour on the inside which was a nice surprise! 

Cruelty-free?: Yes.
Repurchase?: Yes.

REN Rosa Centifolia & Vita Mineral Special Purchase Kit

Just a quick post this evening to share this with you! LoveLula are doing a deal on this REN Skincare kit which includes: 50ml Vita Mineral Daily Supplement Cream (full size), 50ml Rosa Centifolia 3 in 1 Cleansing Water, 25ml Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel, 10ml Vita Mineral Omega 3 Face Oil and 3ml Vita Mineral Active 7 Eye Gel all for only £23! Link here.

Unfortunately it's now sold out and I'm so annoyed that I didn't get it yesterday when I got the email!  However, it does have a 'notify me' when it's back in stock where you can add your email which is what I've done.  I'm not even sure if it's a limited edition thing or what, but it's worth adding your email if it's something you think you'd like to try.

Fingers crossed!

<3

Favourite Toners

I've always (read: the past 2 years since getting into skincare...) loved toner but until reading Caroline Hiron's blog post, I had no idea what exfoliating toners did and why they were important.  I'm going to share with you the two toners I am currently using and why I like them.

REN Clarifying Toning Lotion

Through Caroline I learned that using exfoliators with little beads are too harsh and abrasive on the skin so instead you should use a toner containing acids (don't freak out, nothing crazy!) as it's a much more effective as an exfoliator.  I use Ren Clarifying Toning Lotion first after cleansing using either a cotton ball or my reusable cotton pads.  I apply it all over my face but concentrate on my nose for blackheads and on my cheekbones where I have milia/milk spots.  I think that some acid toners can be a bit stingy/tingly but I've never felt anything like that using the Ren lotion thankfully.  This toner is not cheap at £18 for 150ml but it's definitely worth it as I find it works well and I've also noticed my milia coming to the surface finally!

Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner Water

Immediately after the exfoliating toner, I use Breath of Fresh Air Toner Water, again, using a cotton ball or reusable cotton pad, all over my face.  I've been using Lush's Toner Waters for ages now and this one is my favourite.  I've not tried the Tea Tree one yet but I find myself reluctant to move away from Breath of Fresh Air!  It contains sea water, seaweed and aloe vera, which sounds weird but it smells so good and refreshing.  I recently used it at a charity pamper night and had lots of comments on how amazing it smells!  Previously, I had been just getting the 100g one but this time I went for the 250g as I am using it every day and I know it works for me, so may as well get go for the better value one at £7.50 instead of £3.95 for 100g.

I would like to try another exfoliating toner once I finish the Ren one, I think Pixi do one so I might try that next.  Has anyone got any cruelty free recommendations?

What is your favourite toner/s?

<3

Empties #14

Christmas has come and gone!  I had a lovely time with friends and family, and apart from work I wish it was Christmas Eve all over again!  Work wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be, but it was still pretty chaotic and I'm glad it's over; now the January lull has begun which is possibly even worse...  This year I will get a new job!

Herve Leger Femme Shower Gel

Thoughts: I really liked the perfume of this but used it up over a year ago.  I used to wear the perfume on nights out though so using the shower gel just brought back hazy memories of being steamin in clubs when I was like 19...

Cruelty-free?: No, from Avon.

Repurchase?: No.

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic

Thoughts: I've technically not finished this yet, I just decanted it into a more user friendly squirty bottle.  I am a huge fan of toner but unfortunately not Liz Earle's, I find the scent too floral and overpowering for my liking.  £13.25/200ml here.

Cruelty-free?: Yes, BUAV Approved.

Repurchase?: It was a free sample but wouldn't buy it myself.

Dr Hauschka Deodorant in Floral 

Thoughts: I was quite disappointed by this deodorant actually.  I didn't like the smell, it was quite spicy and since it's not an antiperspirant, when I sweated I would just end up smelling as if I had really bizarre BO - not good!!  I was so glad to see the back of this one.  £11.95/50ml here.

Cruelty-free?: Yes.

Repurchase?: No.

REN Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream

Thoughts:  Received this with my LoveLula order as you can choose 3 free sample to try if you spend over a certain amount.  I quite liked this moisturiser, it seemed to work fine and smelled really good.  £27/50ml here.

Cruelty-free?: Yes.

Repurchase?: Possibly but it's not cheap!

Benefit Erase Paste

Thoughts:  I bought this years ago when looking for the perfect under eye concealer.  I wasn't a fan of this one to be honest, it was too creamy and would crease and sit in the lines really easily.  I had to buy Powderflage to try and set it!  There's still a tiny bit left but I'd rather just bin it!

Cruelty-free?: No.

Repurchase?: No.

<3