October Beauty Empties

 

Hey everyone! I'm back with another beauty empties post as I used quite a few products up in October and a lot more will definitely be being used up over the next month as we're in lockdown again 😕 I will have a bit more spare time over the next month so I will try to blog as much as I can. Right, lets get into it...

Haircare:

First up is the John Frieda Hydrate & Recharge Shampoo and Conditioner.

These products were kindly sent to me but I honestly loved this shampoo and conditioner and will be purchasing as soon as I run out of the one I'm currently using. It made my hair so soft and it made it look really healthy.

Would I repurchase? Yes, 100%. Really worth the money too!

Next was the Noughty To The Rescue Hair Mask.

This hair mask was honestly so good. This was also gifted to me but I used it up so quickly as I used to use it twice a week as it smells unreal and it made my hair feel so soft the day after, I just loved every bit of this product.

Would I repurchase? 100% yes & it's really good value for money too!

The final haircare product in my empties this month was the Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub.

I can't begin to explain how much everyone needs to try this product. It smells absolutely gorgeous and it's a 2 in 1 which I thought was creative. I felt like when I used it on my scalp, it really got all of the grease out of my hair and left it feeling really voluminous and then as a body scrub, it also worked amazing as it left my skin feeling soft and refreshed.

Would I repurchase? Definitely, I will be buying the full size asap!

Moving onto skincare:

First on my empties was the Drunk Elephant No.9 Jelly Cleanser.

This product was a bit 'meh' for me. It smells nice, had a nice consistency and left my skin feeling clean but it just wasn't amazing. For the price, it really isn't worth it but I got this as a sample in a box from Sephora so I wanted to try it out.

Would I repurchase? No. There are definitely more affordable cleansers out there that work a lot better.

 Next up on my list was the Avant Gentle Rose Beautifying Face Exfoliant.

I really really loved this product as it made my skin feel amazing after using it. It has tiny exfoliation beads in the product which really worked deep into the skin to help unclog any pores and get any dirt out. I got this in a Glossybox but when I looked it up, it is a little bit pricey.

Would I repurchase? Probably not as there are other exfoliators at a cheaper price point that do just as good of a job.

Another cleanser I finished up this month was the sample size of the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser.

This product was another just average product, I know this has a cheap price point so anyone looking for a basic, affordable and everyday cleanser this may be the one for you. It does the job but it's just nothing special.

Would I repurchase? Maybe at some point in the future when I need a simple cleanser but I have no plans on buying it anytime soon.

One final cleanser I used up this month was the Clinique Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser.

This was just another 'meh' product for me as it did the job but it wasn't anything amazing. It cleaned my face but that was about it. Clinique is mid price range so I don't think it's worth the price it is.

Would I repurchase? No, as you can find better cleansers on the market for cheaper prices.

Another empty for the month of October was the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Chamomile and Lavender.

This product made my skin feel really refreshed when I applied it after toning but I didn't see any real differences when using this. I think it's really overpriced and there are definitely alternatives which work better for a cheaper price point.

Would I repurchase? Nope, I think this is overpriced.

Next up on the list is the Balance Active Formula Gold Collagen Eye Serum.

This eye cream was a really good product at an amazing price, I think it's £2.99 which is amazing for an eye cream! It was gifted to me and I'm so glad I've tried it out as I will definitely be coming back to this product! It left my under eyes feeling really soft and well hydrated yet also helped with dark circles.

Would I repurchase? 100%, this product is amazing.

The next product is the Anne Semonin Youth Radiance Elixir.

This serum was really nice on my skin, it soaked straight in and left my skin looking really plump and healthy so I really did enjoy this however it is really expensive and it didn't amaze me so I couldn't justify paying over £100 for a full size version.

Would I repurchase? No as I think there are cheaper alternatives that do a similar job.

The next empty on my list was the Evolve Beauty True Balance Lotion.

I just very recently finished this up as it was also gifted to me and I really really loved it. I only used it in the PM as it is a really heavy, thick moisturiser but it helped to keep my skin moisturised all night and I woke up with really plump, healthy looking skin. It's targeted to oily/combination skin which is my skin type which is why it worked so well for me.

Would I repurchase? Yes, 100%. The brand is amazing and all of their products are natural and organic yet still really affordable.

The final skincare item on my empties was the Dr. Botanicals Pomegranate Superfood Regenerating Sleeping Mask.

I really loved this sleeping mask as it went on as a really thick formula yet soaked straight into the skin but kept my skin hydrated all night long. My skin felt so healthy in the morning and always looked really glowy.

Would I repurchase? Definitely, it's also really affordable which is great.

The final product in my empties was the Federico Mahora perfume in scent 800.

I was gifted this perfume and it was the perfect size to just throw in a handbag for on-the-go days. It smelled unreal and I just loved how versatile it was, it worked well in the day as an everyday scent but it also worked really well for nights out/dinners.

Would I repurchase? 100% as it had an amazing scent yet they are really affordable!

That's all for my October empties, hope everyone is keeping safe throughout the second lockdown 💛

XO,

August Beauty Empties

 

Hi everyone! I had a 3 month hiatus there, I've been so busy with work so I really haven't had chance to post much but I'm back now and can't wait to start posting more. As I've not been posting for so long, I have sooooo many beauty empties to share my opinions on so I'm going to do that in this post. Most of these products I used up in August but a few in June & July too. This is going to be a really long post so I'm just going to get into it. P.S. Some of these products were kindly gifted but as always, all opinions are my own!

Haircare:

First up is the Noughty To The Rescue Shampoo.

 

I really liked this shampoo and it smells AMAZING. It is a huge bottle as well as it's 250ml. I still can't find a shampoo that doesn't make my hair greasy after 2 days but this was nice and did the job!

Would I repurchase? Probably not as I want to try other shampoo and conditioners but there wasn't anything wrong with it, just didn't love it!

Next is the Coconut Lane Palm Pwr Hair Rescue Mask.

I really liked this hair mask as not only does it smell amazing, it left my hair so soft too. It did exactly what it claimed to do and I was really happy with how it left my hair every time I used it.

Would I repurchase? YES. 100% loved it.

Next was the Gorgia's Hemp Shampoo & Conditioner.

These products were just meh for me. They did the job of washing my hair but they didn't smell amazing and I thought they made my hair greasier faster than usual. As they are oil-based, they probably did. I love the brand though, I have some skincare from them and that is amazing, these products just didn't agree with my hair.

Would I repurchase? No, as I feel they weren't right for my hair type.

Another product I recently used up was the Monat Micellar Soothing Shampoo.

This product was also just okay. It did the job but I didn't love it and think it was the best product I've ever used. It did smell really nice which is a bonus but it was just average for me.

Would I repurchase? No, didn't think it was anything special.

Another empty was the Mudmasky Hair Mask Scalp Treatment & Miracle Shampoo.

I really loved this product, I got it in a Glossybox a few months ago. It smelled really nice and made my hair feel unbelievably soft, the only downside was that as there is only 75ml in the tube, it didn't last very long. I really did like this product though!

Would I repurchase? Definitely, really loved it.

The final haircare product I used up was the Messhead Shine Serum.

I kid you not, I bought this when I was in high school so maybe I shouldn't have still been using it lol but I re-discovered it in my never ending drawer and thought I'd use it up. This was another meh product, it made my hair feel soft and it smelt nice but I felt as though it didn't really do anything.

Would I repurchase? No, as they probably don't even sell it anymore hahaha.

Moving onto skincare:

First up was the Soap & Glory Vitamin C Facial Wash.

I really liked this face wash as it made my skin feel so amazing and glowy after using it. It smelled really nice and you only needed a tiny bit to wash your whole face. The exfoliating beads in the gel really helped to deep clean my skin too.

Would I repurchase? Yes, I loved it and it's good value for money.

Another cleanser I used up was the Urban Veda Purifying Exfoliating Facial Polish.

I also loved this face wash, I felt like it actually cleared up my spots a bit. It had tiny exfoliating beads in it that deep cleansed my skin and made it feel so soft afterwards. It was great for my oily skin too!

Would I repurchase? Yes, I definitely will in the future as it's helped my skin a lot.

Another cleanser I got through was the Codex Exfoliating Wash.

This was amazing too and made my skin feel so clean afterwards. It didn't feel stripping on my face and I loved the packaging as it's a pump so it means you literally get every last bit of the product out.

Would I repurchase? Yes, I've already been looking at buying the full-size version.

I used up one cleansing balm this month which was the Monat Makeup Vanishing Balm.

I cannot praise this product enough. I am honestly in love with it and will be ordering another asap. It was so easy to apply and genuinely removed every last bit of my makeup. It was so gentle on the skin and never broke me out whilst I was using it. If you buy one product from this post - please let it be this one.

Would I repurchase? Yes, 100 times over.

The first toner I used up recently was the Glossier Solution.

I've spoke about this in blog posts before but I absolutely loved it. It made my skin glow after using it and made it feel really deeply cleansed. I would definitely try this product from Glossier if you haven't tried anything of theirs yet. It also lasted me ages which is a plus.

Would I repurchase? Yes, I will be in a few months!

Another Glossier product I recently used up was the Soothing Face Mist.

I liked this product but did think it was overrated as it's £13 for 95ml worth of product. It smelt really nice and made my skin feel refreshed but there are cheaper alternatives in my opinion!

Would I repurchase? Nope, it's overpriced but nice if you want to splurge.

The final toner I used up was the Coxir Vita C Bright Toner.

I really liked this toner as it has niacinamide and Vitamin C & E in it which helped my skin to feel really glowy and healthy. It lasted me ages too.

Would I repurchase? Yes - good value for money.

One face mask I used up was the Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask.

I've spoke about this before on my blog but I really loved this face mask as it dried like a clay mask and made my skin feel really glowy and healthy afterwards. I love when you can feel a face mask really cleaning your face and pulling all the dirt out and this one did exactly that.

Would I repurchase? Yes, yes and yes.

One of the first serums I used up recently was the Sunday Riley Luna Retinol Sleeping Night Oil.

This was only a sample but I really loved it, it kept my face hydrated all night and reduced the redness in my skin too. I didn't find it too harsh on my skin either which is good.

Would I repurchase? Yes but it's expensive so maybe when I've been paid lol.

The next serum I used up was the Ordinary Niacinamide & Zinc Serum.

It's hit and miss with me on this serum as when I was using it, I didn't notice any difference in my skin but as I've stopped using it due to it running out, my skin has started to break out. I have another bottle of it so I will give it another try.

Would I repurchase? I did and I'm going to see how it goes!

My next empty was the La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum.

I really, really loved this serum. I really liked the smell of it and it was such a good face plumper. It made my skin look so healthy whilst I was using it, it also made my skin look really glowy.

Would I repurchase? 100%, I will be soon.

The final serum I used up was the Evolve Beauty Rainforest Rescue Blemish Serum.

This product is AMAZING. I've already noticed since not using this that my spots have become worse as I only finished using it up recently. It is so lightweight on the skin yet makes such a difference. If you struggle with acne-prone skin, please try this, it will change your life!

Would I repurchase? Yes, I am ordering another today!!!

The first moisturiser I used up was the Fresh Beauty Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Face Cream.

Again, LOVE LOVE LOVE this product. As it's a night cream, it was thick but not too thick and it glided on my face and also smelt amazing. I will definitely be buying this again as it just felt so luxurious on my skin.

Would I repurchase? Yes, again and again.

Another empty moisturiser was the Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins Resurfacing Cream.

Really loved this night cream also as it was thick and kept my skin hydrated all night. Even though this was a sample, it helped my skin so much in the time that I used it.

Would I repurchase? 100%, it's on my to buy list.

Next up is the Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream.

Another moisturiser that I absolutely loved. This was a gel consistency so I used it in the day as it was also amazing for my makeup to sit on top of. It made my skin really glowy and dewy and just really soft.

Would I repurchase? Yes, it's a great day cream.

The next empty was the ThisWorks In Transit Camera Close-Up Mask, Moisturiser and Primer in one.

I loved this product so much. I used it right before I applied makeup and it made my makeup look flawless. It made my skin really soft and bouncy too. It's also amazing value for money.

Would I repurchase? Yes, 100%. I would definitely recommend this to everyone.

One eye cream I used up recently was the Lancome Advanced Genefique Yeux.

This was another meh product as it did make my under-eyes really soft but I didn't see a real difference to my skin. For the high price-point, it didn't really live up to expectations for me!

Would I repurchase? No, as it didn't do much to my skin and I feel it is overpriced for what it is and how much product you get.

A primer I used up was the MAC Strobe Cream in Pinklite.

Loved, loved loved this primer. It made my skin glow before applying makeup and my makeup sat amazing on top of it. It lasted me absolutely ages too. I would really recommend this product!

Would I repurchase? Yes, amazing primer.

The final empty in the post was the Gallinee Hand Cream.

This hand cream was only a sample but was really lightweight on my skin as I hate hand creams that are thick and you have to wait for them to dry. This was perfect for me!

Would I repurchase? Yes, I will be in the future!

Hope you all loved this post & if you made it to the end, well done! Is there anything you've used up recently that you thought was amazing? Please let me know! Hope everyone is well & stay safe.

XO,

Bouda Vida Activewear Edit

Hey everyone! So I was recently kindly gifted some activewear pieces from Bouda Vida. I've been going for so many walks during lockdown to keep myself sane and this activewear has come in so handy! I love what their brand stands for, they're amazing and definitely one to check out. 5% of all of their sales are donated to women's sport as every 6 months, they choose 3 beneficiaries to give 5% of their profits to. They want to ensure that money from the sale of women's products goes directly back into women's sport which I think is amazing and an even bigger reason to support this brand. 

A bit about the brand:

They aim to produce activewear that makes women feel good about their bodies whilst exercising and I definitely do as the products are so flattering and make me feel good about myself and my body. Another big reason that I love this brand is that they only release 2 ranges per year to avoid being sucked into the fast fashion cycle. Due to this, all of their new ranges blend into their old ones which gives their products a longer life span as they can be worn together! They moved their manufacturing from China to Europe in 2018 to reduce their carbon footprint and then in 2019, they also began to use bamboo-blend fabrics in their collections which adds to their sustainability and their swing tags are made from reusable bobbles also. In 2020, they aim to produce ranges by re-purposing old stock to avoid products ending up in landfill sites which I think is pretty amazing.

The products:

The first item I was sent was the Zoom Leggings in Black. 

They are the comfiest pair of gym leggings I have ever owned and they are so flattering on! I genuinely haven't stopped wearing mine ever since I received them. They are also not see-through at all which I find is a huge problem from me when buying gym leggings as a lot of them are see-through but these are really thick yet still so comfy at the same time! They are 3/4 length leg which I find flattering also. They also have mesh panel detailing at the back which is such a nice touch and makes them more modern and fashionable. They basically sculpt your body which I love as I feel more confident when exercising due to these!

The second item I was kindly sent was the Spirit Crop in Black.

Again, this sports bra is so comfy and is very flattering when on. It also has mesh detailing at the back and a cut out section which is very fashionable. I like how tight it is to my body as there's nothing worse than not feeling secure when exercising. This matches perfectly with the Zoom Leggings as well which are mentioned above. Such a cute set!

The third item I received was the Swagger Tee in Light Grey/White.

This t-shirt is perfect as it's oversized therefore it doesn't make me feel as sweaty when I'm exercising. The material is a technical fast-drying fabric therefore it is perfect for exercising and work-outs. Again, this is really flattering on and it's really stretchy so any workout you do, it will be able to withstand!

The fourth item I was sent was the Rise Midlayer in Black. (Linked in Light Grey as black is sold out!) 

They do also stock this in White and Mint too. I cannot praise this half-zip enough, I've worn it literally everywhere since I've got it! Even just to the supermarkets because it is that comfy! They're only £40 which I think is so affordable for what you get as not only are they really fashionable, they keep you warm even on the coldest of days. I've also washed this so many times since purchasing and it still looks brand new! I couldn't live without my midlayer now and I will definitely be purchasing the other colours too!

The final item I was kindly gifted was the Cushty Gym Bag. 

This bag is such a good size, more than enough room for all your gym essentials! I haven't had much chance to use mine yet with all the gyms being closed but as soon as they open, I will be using this straight away! It is such good quality as it is made from Neoprene fabric which ensures durability. It also has internal pockets which are so handy. I would definitely recommend this gym bag for anyone who needs a new one!

*Although the products are gifted, all opinions remain my own.

If anyone is in the market for some new gym clothes, definitely check Bouda Vida out as not only are their pieces amazing quality, they are trying to make a difference by donating some of their profits towards women's sport which I think is an amazing cause to support. Thank you so much again to the team at Bouda Vida for sending me these products, I'm so grateful 🖤

Hope everyone is well and staying safe!

XO,

Beauty Empties & Reviews

Hey! I apologise in advance for how long this blog post is going to be. I wanted to share my empties I've collected over the last 2 months, just so I can share my opinions on the products after using them fully. I'm just going to go straight into it...

First up is the Kueshi Double Effect Makeup Remover.

I really disliked this makeup remover to be honest. I got it in a Glossybox and don't get me wrong, it's amazing at removing makeup but it leaves this horrible greasy and oily feel on your skin which I hated, it used to make me cringe so much. I have other makeup removing products and they don't leave that kind of feeling on my skin. It is amazing at removing makeup so I suppose if you don't mind that, this would be perfect for you.

Would I repurchase? No, I feel as though there are nicer makeup removing oils/waters.

Next up is the No7 Protect and Perfect Beauty Serum.

This was only a sample size but I really loved this serum, it smelt amazing and it left my skin feeling so matte yet still so moisturised. I really feel as though it helped my skin clear up (since I have spots again now!) I really enjoyed this product and once I've used some products up I have now, I will definitely want to buy it again.

Would I repurchase? YES, yes and yes. I will be buying this again in the future as it made my skin feel amazing.

Another product I recently used up was the Soap and Glory Wonditioner Hair Mask.

I really liked using this mask, I got it as a Christmas present and slowly used it over the last 2 months. I love the smell of anything Soap and Glory so this made my hair smell amazing. As for results on my hair, I didn't really notice anything major, it made my hair soft but my hair is always soft after I've washed it. The main advantage was the smell to be honest!

Would I repurchase? Yes but not in a hurry, I would probably buy this if I needed a hair mask in a rush but I wouldn't go out of my way to repurchase. It is only £9 for 300ml though!

Next on the list is the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm.

I absolutely love this product. I've recently got into using cleansing balms to take my makeup off and I really love them. This one in particular was really gentle and genuinely got every last bit of my makeup off with no irritation at all. It also lasted for a really long time!

Would I repurchase? Yes, definitely. It is worth every penny!

Another product I used up is the Emporio Armani Because It's You EDP.

I really liked this perfume, I've been trying lots of different perfumes out recently and this one seemed to last a long time on the skin and it smells amazing. It's a nice female musky scent and a little went a long way with this product.

Would I repurchase? Probably not, only because since getting this perfume, I've found other scents I prefer and want to stick with.

Next up is the Pixi Glow Tonic.

This is only the sample size however I really liked this product, it helped to clear up my spots at the time and minimised my acne scars. It made my skin feel so bright and glowy as well.

Would I repurchase? Probably not, due to the fact I found a very similar toner from The Ordinary which is a fraction of the price of this one. Got to save that dollar where you can.

Next up on my empties list is the Sanctuary Spa Sleep Dream Easy Pillow Mist.

I really liked this product as it made my pillow smell of lavender which helped me drift off to sleep easily and it also helped me to de-stress at the end of the day before going to sleep.

Would I repurchase? No as since not using it, I've not been struggling to sleep therefore it can't have made that much of a difference. It's just a nice luxury to have if you have spare money.

Another empty product is the Kiehl's Youth Dose Eye Treatment.

This is only a sample however I loved this eye cream. It made my under eyes look so much brighter after using it. It made my makeup glide on easier underneath my eyes too. A little goes a long way with this as well as it is so creamy.

Would I repurchase? Yes, however it is £37 for the full-size version so I would like to try other eye creams first before splashing the cash on this one.

Next up is the Face Theory Clarifying Cleanser.

I've already done a review of this product on my blog previously but I honestly really love this product. It made my skin feel amazing after using it and I think this is another reason my skin cleared up so much. I have a few cleansers to use up before I look at purchasing this again!

Would I repurchase? Yes, yes and a million times yes. This is one of my favourite cleansers I've EVER used and I've used a lot. I would definitely recommend anyone to try this product.

Another empty on the list is the Yes To Tomatoes Clearing Facial Mask.

Again, really loved this product. It does exactly what it says on the tin which is help clear spots up. My skin used to feel so soft and clean after using this which I loved as I felt as though all the dirt was dragged from my pores whilst using this.

Would I repurchase? Maybe as I've found other clay masks that do the same job which I prefer but I wouldn't say no to using this again.

Another product I used up was the Laura Mercier Tarte Au Citron Hand & Body Cream. (I can't find this anywhere online as I think it's discontinued so I don't have a link, sorry!)

Another sample size but I loved this hand cream so much! It smelt amazing and left my hands feeling so soft after using it. It is a luxury product I wouldn't usually spend my money on so I really enjoyed using it.

Would I repurchase? I can't as it's discontinued but I probably would have as it's amazing quality and the packaging is cute lol.

Next up is the Wet n Wild Photofocus Pressed Powder.

I bought this powder to get free delivery on Look Fantastic as my order had to be over a certain amount but I honestly loved it. It made my skin look so soft and flawless and it really managed to mattify any oils on my skin.

Would I repurchase? For the price of £4.99, yes! It's such a good pressed powder.

Next up on the empties list is the Marcelle Eye Makeup Remover.

I got this in a Birchbox a while ago and I really liked this product. It took my eye makeup off with no issues whatsoever and was really gentle on my skin. I would definitely recommend this.

Would I repurchase? No as I feel it's quite pricey for what it is, there are definitely cheaper alternatives out there. Also, I prefer to use a cleansing balm to take my makeup off now.

Another product I recently finished was the Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover. (Again, can't find a link to this as we don't have Sephora here in the UK - I cry every time)

This was another sample, I got it from the Sephora in Munich when me and Liam visited. I really liked this eye makeup remover as again, it was gentle but still did an amazing job.

Would I repurchase? Same as above really, no because there are cheaper alternatives and I prefer to use a cleansing balm now instead of wipes or micellar waters.

Another empty product is The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Face Mask.

This is a product I always rave about as it is amazing! I would honestly recommend this to anyone, my skin always feels so soft after using this and it genuinely cleans my whole skin out. It's amazing for spots too as it dries them up.

Would I repurchase? YES! I've been looking to but I have too many face masks as it is and it's always out of stock on their website.

Next up is the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask.

I've also already raved about this on my blog before but it really is amazing, I was so upset when I finished this product as it moisturised my lips so well and stayed on overnight! It also smells amazing.

Would I repurchase? Yes, I'm looking how to as it seems a bit hard to get hold of in the UK.

One of the final empties on my list is the Temple Spa Eye Treatment Gel-Cream.

This is such an amazing eye cream. I honestly loved this product. As it's a gel-cream, it helped to cool down my under eye area and it's amazing for de-puffing in the mornings. It helps makeup application around the eye area too. 100% recommend.

Would I repurchase? Yes, such an amazing product. 

Finally, on my empties list is the Superdrug B.Pure Micellar Water.

I feel like I have so many micellar waters in this post oops. This is only a sample size again, it was given to me by my friend Lydia and I really liked it. It didn't leave any residue after I'd used it and it removed all of my makeup straight away.

Would I repurchase? If I used micellar waters to remove my makeup then yes! It's so cheap and works amazingly.

So that's everything I've used up recently! Are there any products you've completely finished that are amazing? Please let me know. Hope everyone is good and staying safe!

XO,