Empties March 2019.

Although I only managed to use up twelve full-sized products in March, and a set of eye masks, I did manage to use up twenty-seven minis and samples.

Skincare.

I emptied just three full-sized skincare items.

Shiseido Benefiance Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam was okay as a first or a.m. cleanse. It wasn't drying or excessively foamy (it is more creamy) and like other Japanese cream cleansers that I have used I found you only needed a tiny amount so this tube has lasted me for quite some time. This contains a grain of some sort that felt like bran but I wouldn't call it an exfoliating cleanser. I did find it a little hard to remove completely as it was so thick and creamy and although there isnt actually anything wrong with it there are so many other cleansers that I prefer I can't see a repurchase.

I love Caudalie Vinisource SOS Serum, it is very soothing and supremely hydrating. It is very easy to fit into any routine, smells fresh and feels cooling. My only complaint is that I run through a bottle very quickly!

Sarah Chapman Skinesis Eye Recovery is a good multi-purpose eye cream which absorbs well and doesn't irritate my eyes. It used to be possibly my favourite eye cream and while I have others that I prefer these days I would repurchase it.

I was pleased to have used up eighteen skincare samples and minis.

Chantecaille Rose Eye Makeup Remover is delicately scented with roses and has a water-like consistency. I love how gentle this is when I use it, it works well but some waterproof mascaras don't always dissolve instantly. It is also very expensive  - too expensive for an eye makeup remover in my opinion so I relished using this sample.

I used up three samples of cleanser. Omorovicza Cleansing Foam is a lovely morning face wash with a light, whipped consistency and a neroli scent. Beauty Kitchen Seahorse Plankton Everlasting Radience Cleansing Gel is a gel/cream cleanser that reminded me a little of Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip. It has quite a strong scent that I enjoyed, is non-foaming and left my skin clean and very soft. I would happily repurchase this if it is ever sold stateside. Eve Lom Cleanser is a classic but it's not my favourite balm as I don't find it the easiest to rinse off completely and I'm not a fan of the scent.

I used two eye cream samples. Dr Dennis GrossHyaluronic Marine Dew It all Eye Gel is a creamy gel that is very light in feel. It is very hydrating, and smoothes and soothes the eye area. I like it so much I already have a full size. Derm Institute Youth Alchemy Eye is a thick cream that absorbs well. You only need to use a small amount of this as it is so rich. It has an immediate cooling and lifting feel to it that is a little uncomfortable but not offputtingly so. It is extremely expensive however.

I used three mini serums up.

Rodial Pink Diamond Instant Lifting Serum is an expensive serum that I wouldn't buy for myself as I don't feel that it does anything other than add a layer of hydration. Derm Institute Cellular Rejuvenating Serum is a fluid-like gel that melted into my skin. It had a slight chemical fragrance but felt cooling and hydrating and left my skin soft. I liked it a lot though it is another expensive one.

Drunk Elephant TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum is a gentle nighttime peeling serum in a lightweight gel form This 5ml mini lasted me for ages. I like this serum and it definitely brightens my skin but I do prefer Sunday Riley Good Genes so would buy that in preference to this.

REN Glycol Lactic Mask is a gentle peeling mask with a jam-like consistency and apricot scent. I find it fun to use and it leaves my skin even and glowing. I like to use this as part of a three mask routine.

I used four samples of La Roche Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturiser. This is a basic moisturising fluid that sinks in well and is good to use as a  nighttime top layer or after treatments.

I also used a sample of Kat Burki Vitamin C Intensive Face Cream. This rich cream is easily absorbed, layers beautifully with other products and has a gorgeous white flower fragrance. It is pretty much the perfect face cream as far as I'm concerned!

I user a couple of samples of sunscreen both by La Roche Posay. I found Anthelios 60 Face and Body Activewear SPF far too thick and heavy to wear on my face, so much so I didn't even finish using the sachet. However, Anthelios Mineral 60 was very good. I found it to be light, non-greasy and very natural looking with no white or grey cast. It evened out my skintone rather than giving it BB type coverage but I did like it a lot and would get it again.

I used up a mini tube of Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Balm. I love these balms but they are expensive. They smell and taste pleasantly lemony, and the rose colour of this was a natural buildable pink. I love the sturdy metal packaging of these but the bullet itself is a little soft and easily broken, especially in warm conditions. 

Finally, I used a pair of 111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Eye Masks. These felt rubbery but fitted so well I forgot I had them on. I wasn't expecting to be impressed by these but they were amazing! They did a great job of smoothing fine lines and brightened and depuffed my eye area - they really perked things up and I would recommend using them before a big event even though they are quite pricey.

Makeup.

Its rare I finish a make up item so I was pleased to finish three this month.

NYX Nude Matte Shadow 04 Maybe Later is a powder eye shadow that wears and blends well. It has a good amount of pigment and was quite finely milled so there was very little fallout. This shade is a mid brown with a slight gingery undertone that I found flattering and easy to wear.

These two Dream Bouncy Blushes by Maybelline are both discontinued and I have to admit to keeping them and using them for longer than I should have simply because I can't replace them! Both of the cases are broken and they are getting a little dry but in their prime they were a dream to apply and blend with buildable colors. 06 Coffee Cake gave a natural sunkissed bloom and 45 Orchid Hush was a delicate pink with blue undertones that gave a healthy flush to cheeks. Easy to apply and wear, I'm going to miss not having these two creamy blushers around.

Haircare.

I only used up one full sized haircare item, Herbal Essences Bourbon Manuka Honey Conditioner, I thought that this was a good drugstore conditioner, it detangled well and didn't weigh my hair down and it had a nice fresh scent that was slightly floral.

I'm on a quest to finish up my many mini haircare items so I was pleased to get through nine of them in March. Vitabird Scalp Shampoo was a generously sized mini, it smelled like grapefruit and had a light runny consistency. This shampoo was SLS free but lathered and rinsed well. 

Philip B Oud Royale Shampoo has a curious stretchy consistency, it smells wonderful though and again lathers and rinses well - it is a pricey shampoo that feels very luxurious and it left my hair in great condition. 

Rahua Hydration Shampoo and Conditioner were lovely but I do prefer the original Rahua range. The hydration range smells very sweet, like an old fashioned candy but they worked well and left my hair feeling lovely.

I love the scent of Moroccan Oil products! The Structure Repair Conditioner was no exception and left my hair soft and manageable. 

Sachajuan Hair Repair is a quick (5min) hair mask that I repurposed as a conditioner. It was very thick and while I found it too rich to use every day It did condition well. I don't like the smell of Sachajuan products however as they smell quite chemical like and the fragrance lingers in my hair.

I finished three mini leave-in conditioners. I have used OUAI Leave In Conditioner before and really like it. It is far too thick to dispense from a spray nozzle so I always end up pouring a little into my hands and applying it like that. I've not used R+Co Waterfall before but I liked it a lot. This lightweight leave in cream smelled great and worked well, I was so impressed by it that it is on my wishlist! IGK Thirsty Girl was a leave in conditioner that came in an aerosol - a first for me! It took a couple of goes to gauge the correct amount to use but once I had I liked this and it left my hair feeling great, I was disapointed that it didn't smell of coconut though.

Bodycare.

I used two full sized body washes. OGX Extra Creamy coconut Miracle Oil Body Wash was indeed creamy. This lathered well, was non-drying and smelled like coconuts. The Body Shop Atlas Mountain Rose Shower Gel had a slightly sweet almost almondy rose scent. It lathered up nicely and was altogether a lovely body wash.

The Body Shop Black Musk Body Lotion was nourishing without being greasy and sank in well but I found the scent a little too overpowering and a bit sickly. I'd get The Body Shop body lotions again - but not in this fragrance.

I finished two hand creams. The Body Shop Wild Rose Hand Cream was a big tube of pale pink cream. I loved how this smelled, it had a fresh green rose scent but I didn't find it to be quite nourishing enough. 

There's frequently a handbag sized Crabtree & Evelyn Hand Cream in my empties! This time it was a Spiced Earl Grey version. I love the consistency of these creams and the packaging is perfectly sized for carrying around. I could definitely detect tea in the fragrance of this but I didn't find it spicy smelling, it was a clean and refreshing scent.

I was disappointed that I didn't finish too many full-sized products in March but I have quite a few things that I'm almost done with so perhaps April will be a bumper month for empties! 

Let's see!

Sephora Sun Safety Kit 2018.

I dislike most sunscreens. Despite them being probably the most necessary part of anyone's beauty routine, I often overlook them and I know I'm not the only one guilty of this. Honestly, on my part it's just plain stupidity, there's little point in spending a small fortune on creams, serums etc if I'm going to negate all the good they do by getting sun damage. 

I tell myself that I'm getting all the protection I need from the SPF 15 in both my primer (Hourglass Veil) and my TM (Chantecaille Just Skin) but I know deep down that I should be using a little more, especially when I'm out and about all day, or when the weather is warmer. Although I actually do prefer the shade to the sun and never sunbathe (I am guilty of baking myself a deep mahogany shade in the distant past - when we knew no better - but there's not much to be done about that now) I know I need to step it up SPF wise and have been doing my best to wear a 30+ on my face, neck and decolletage every day of late. 

The Sun Safety Kit.

Every year Sephora release a Sun Safety Kit. Packed in a straw pouch/make up bag are a selection of samples, mini and full sized sunscreen and sun related beauty products. This year's kit cost $36.00  (which is $3.00 less that the price of the full sized bottle of Lancome BienFait UV you will find inside!) and had a retail value of $161.00. That's pretty amazing, but it's even more so when you take into account the fact that $25.00 from the sale of each kit was donated to skin cancer research and education.

The 2018 bag contains products from Amore Pacific, Clinique, Coola, Dr Dennis Gross, Dr Jart+, Drunk Elephant, Farmacy, Fresh, Lancome, Murad, Peter Thomas Roth, Philosophy, REN, Shiseido, Supergoop, and Tarte. And the bag itself is pretty nice, a fully lined straw bag with a bright pink trim and a tassel. I love it's beachy vibe and it's a good size, roomy enough to be used as a travel toiletry bag or for taking your sunscreens to the beach!

I'm pleased about the full sized bottle of Lancome BienFait UV as it is one of the few sunscreens that I like and readily purchase. I'm also excited about the inclusion of Amore Pacific Resort Collection Sun Protection Mist which is perfect for carrying in my bag and topping up my protection with when I'm out and about.
I love the inclusion of a few SPF related items such as the Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment, Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads and REN Evercalm Mask and I'm keen to try out all of the sunscreens included. Who knows I may even come to love some of them!

This kit was a Limited Edition, they usually sell out so fast that I'm pretty sure they have all gone but why not take a look at sephora.com and buy some sun products - you may not want them but you need them.

Read on for my sunscreen considerations...  

What do I look for in a sunscreen?

. I want something that offers good protection from both UVA and UVB damage (obviously). 

. My main issue with so many sunscreens is that they simply do not feel nice -they feel thick and heavy or they make me itchy - so they need to be lightweight and comfortable.

. My combination skin tends towards oiliness so I want something that feels moisturising but I don't want anything that feels greasy in any way at all, or causes my skin to look shiny. 

. I don't want anything that clogs my skin and makes it feel congested or cause it to break out.

. I'm pale and although I don't want to tan I want to avoid using anything that leaves an unhealthy looking white or greying cast on my face.

. Finally as I'm not going to be lounging by a pool but rather going about my everyday business, I will be wearing make up on top of my sunscreen so I need something that layers well with other products.
. Bonus points given if it also provides a good base for make up!

Not much to ask right?

The Bathroom Shelf: August 2017.

August 2017.

Normally I post a picture of my bathroom shelf with comments every six months but this time around I'm a little tardy - the last time I did so was in January. I like to do this to compare and contrast the products on the shelf and see what I've finished, what I'm still using, what's new and what I have repurchased. 

In addition to this shelf I have a cupboard under the sink and a medicine cabinet with unopened back up and replacement products as well as a selection of things that I am trying to use up sitting on the counter top next to my sink. Body care, shampoos and conditioners live in my bath area and I have a separate vanity in my bedroom where I keep my make up, along with skincare samples.

On the top shelf my Nest scent diffuser is still going strong. In front of that I have a sun screen spray for my body and a mineral spritz that I also use for my body. One of the two make up bags contains lip balms and face mask samples, the other contains samples of haircare. In the center is my current facial SPF, Lancome Bienfait UV. On the right side are a selection of hairsprays, leave in conditioners and texturisers.

On the left of the middle shelf is my current selection of perfumes. (I know a bathroom isn't the ideal storage space for them but my apartment is quite bright and this is one of the few places that doesn't get any natural light.) I haven't finished any up from before but I have two new Diptyque fragrances here, Oud Palao and Eau Duelle. 

Next are my moisturisers, Shiseido Ibuki, Zelens 3t Complex and Darphin Exquisage Cream. (I have almost finished the Shiseido and Zelens). Then there is my current eye cream Darphin Stimulskin Plus Divine Eye Cream, three night serums/oils - Sunday Riley Good Genes (this is always on my shelf), Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM (which I have finally nearly finished), and Kypris 1,000 Roses Elixir. My daytime serum is also here, Darphin Exquisage Serum. 

From the left on the bottom shelf are pots with cotton wool pads, cotton buds and tooth flossers. Then there is my daytime toner which is Mario Badescu Aloe, Herb and Rosewater Spray and two night time exfoliating toners - an almost empty pot of Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Xtreme Pads and a bottle of P50 1970 (yes I finally bought a bottle and it is as fabulous as I expected with impressive results, so of course, I'm mad I didn't get it before!). I have another bottle of my favourite eye make up remover, Kiehls Extra Gentle Eye Make Up Remover and then some summer friendly cleansers, Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser, Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel and a small bottle of May Lindstrom Pendulum Potion. Finally behind the cleansers is a tube of Acure Brightening Facial Scrub. 

   

January 2017.

Here's a picture of my shelf in January and I'm surprised how much change there is this time around. With the exception of the perfumes and some of the hair products almost everything is different. The only products duplicated are the Nip+Fab Pads and Good Genes, and both of those are products that have been replaced rather than being the exact same ones!

Sprays and Spritzes 2017.

I love a facial spray at any time of the year but in the summer months they really come into their own! Who doesn't love a refreshing blast of something cool and who is going to say no to a quick hydration hit?

Here's a look at the array of sprays currently gracing my bathroom and bag because, did I mention, they really are the anytime/anywhere beauty boost? (Just be mindful of over spray and other people!)

The one that makes you imagine you are on the beach.

Panier des Sens Refreshing Beauty Mist.

The packaging of this looks gorgeously beachy and it's in an aluminum can so you can literally throw this one in your bag. This one contains sea water amongst other things and so, not surprisingly, it smells exactly like a mineral laden sea breeze. You can use this on your face but I prefer it for my body. The nozzle produces a very fine mist which makes it perfect for cooling down anytime, or calming and hydrating parched skin.
bigelowchemists.com

The classic one that is a bit of a bargain.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rosewater.

This cruelty free facial spray is great to use as a toner, to set make up, or for a quick refresh. It has a lovely rose fragrance that is very feminine and calming and while it's packaging isn't the most beautiful, the simple spray does deliver a light even mist.
ulta.com

The Basic One.

La Roche Posay Eau Thermal.

I always have some sort of what I call 'water in a tin' in my bathroom. I know it's merely water but it is fancy French mineral water, and not only is it so much better, it's easier to use than splashing your face with tap water that could contain who knows what! I like to use this after serum and before moisturiser to give my skin an extra boost of moisture - I find it is particularly effective if you use products containing Hyaluronic Acid. I also like to use it after a peel or when my skin feels in need of something soothing. There are plenty of options for a basic water in a tin, this happens to be the one I have at the moment, but I also like Vichy Eau Thermal and Caudalie Grape Water.
cvs.com

The Luxury One.

Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist.

Beautifully packaged in a frosted glass bottle this one is the 'Rolls Royce of facial sprays' and it comes with a Rolls Royce price tag as well! It's fragranced with rose and neroli and is a wonderful pick me up as well as being refreshing and hydrating. It's truly lovely, but honestly, I can't justify the price of this, especially as I used it up very quickly as I was spritzing it at every opportunity! This is the ultimate indulgent beauty treat but certainly not a necessary one. If you want to try a luxurious spray in a similar vein you may want to check out Caudalie Beauty Elixir which comes with less of a sticker shock price.
us.spacenk.com

The one for Witch Hazel fans.

Ole Henrikson Balancing Cucumber Face Mist.

I find Witch Hazel to be a little to astringent for me but if you like it this may be the facial spray for you! A mix of water and witch hazel with cucumber, chamomile, ginseng, apricot and aloe, it smells more green and herbal rather than straight up cucumber-y. The spray mechanism of this doesn't deliver a fine mist so I suggest you decant it into a different container or use it on a cotton pad. This spray isn't for me but if you want a slight upgrade from drugstore Witch Hazel this is one to try.
amazon.com

The one for problem skin.

La Roche Posay Serozinc.

This one's a bit of a cult product and it is basically the LRP Eau Thermal plus zinc sulphate which when applied to skin has anti inflammatory effects and promotes healing. Although it's recommended for greasy skins, it's a good one for anyone with skin that can be problematic or breaks out easily.
amazon.com

The one that gives a subtle glow.

Hampton Sun Serious Shimmer Cooling Spray.

When I first saw this body spray I was put off by how gold and shimmery it looked. Once on, there's not a trace of sparkle to be seen just a subtle sheen that enhances a tan. Subtly fragranced with Hampton Sun signature 'Privet Bloom' fragrance it has a delicate floral aroma and contains a host of soothing ingredients including aloe, glycerine, chamomile and fruit oils that hydrate and leave your skin feeling noticeably cooler. This one feels quite luxurious and is the perfect spray to use before going out in the evening after a day at the beach.     

bluemercury.com

The fun one.

Hint Sunscreen Spray SPF30.

There's nothing funny about SPF but the fact that it can be a chore to apply and often feels dreadful once on often means it's not applied as frequently as it should be. This broad spectrum sunscreen appears almost water like and when sprayed on the body it doesn't feel greasy so it's comfortable to wear and there's no white caste to it. It's super easy to apply and water resistant for eighty minutes which makes it a beach bag essential. What sets this aside from other spray on SPFs in my book though is the scent. It's made by Hint, who are better known for their fruit flavoured waters, and it smells exactly like fresh fruit. I have the Pineapple version but it also comes in grapefruit or pear. It's very zingy and uplifting and the scent is pretty strong when first sprayed but it quickly fades into a subtle tropical fragrance. It's a joyous product and I think that the fruity fragrances make these very appealing to children who can be notoriously shy of using sunscreens.
drinkhint.com 

The natural one.

Evan Healy Lavender Facial Tonic HydroSoul.

I don't often pick up beauty products at the health food store but when I do it's likely to be one of Evan Healy's Hydrosols. This one which is made from 100% organic lavender is great for calming irritated skin or skin that may have had a touch too much sun. I find that these really help with hydration levels as well. This doesn't smell sharply of lavender, it smells a little like a  health food shop if you know what I mean, but it's quite relaxing and it doesn't make my skin feel at all prickly as some lavender products can. Finally, these come in a glass bottle with sprays that work extremely well, so well that I often find myself reusing them with other products.
wholefoods.com

I think the selection above covers pretty much all my spritz and spray needs for the summer, but they are one of my most beloved products and there is always one for one more in my spray wardrobe!