December 2013: Used, Abused & Reviewed.

The last empties post of the year and it's a big'un! I finished off a lot of perfumes this month, just in time to stock up on more in the sales

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb: I adore this perfume, the price sickens me slightly when I'm handing over the money but it's such a long lasting fragrance and well worth it. My mum who never likes a perfume enough to wear it daily has now adopted Flowerbomb as her signature scent so I stopped wearing it as often as I used to but I always have a bottle in my collection. Does anyone know what the Zara dupe is called?

Repurchase? Yes. 

Thierry Mugler Alien: When Alien was first released I loved it but over time it started to bring on migraines as it's so strong. A family member loves it now so I've started buying it for her at Christmas, I love how it smells on her but on myself I find it too overpowering. It's a great Winter scent though so I'm sure I'll use up the mini bottle I still have lurking around.

Repurchase? Yes but not for myself.

DKNY Be Delicious: A really fresh scent that smells gorgeous on other people but on my skin it just doesn't work. There's a few different variations now though so maybe I should give one of those a try.

Repurchase? No

Diesel Loverdose: This is without a doubt my favourite perfume and has been all throughout 2013. Diesel isn't a brand I would head to in search of a fragrance but after getting a sample with a Debenhams order I was hooked! The mix of vanilla and liquorice is addictive and the staying power is great, on par with the likes of Alien.

Repurchase? Already have and always will.

NEXT Paradise Body Mist: Back in the day I found a scent from NEXT  that I loved, I loved it so much I stocked up on the gift sets in a sale but sadly it's been discontinued and I only have one bottle of the perfume left. :( it's great for days when I'm not going anywhere and don't want to use a more expensive perfume but still want to smell nice.

Repurchase? I would if I could.

Febreeze Vanilla Limited Edition Candle: I can't remember the exact name of this candle, it's something like Midnight Vanilla but I bloomin' loved it! The scent throw is on par, if not better than Yankee Candles plus I think it was on offer for a quid when I bought it.

Repurchase? If it's still available.

Yankee Candle Clean Cotton House Warmer Jar: Clean cotton will always be in my candle stash in some form. Love this scent, who doesn't want their house to smell fresh and clean.

Repurchase? Yes, I've already got a medium jar burning.

Yankee Candle Sparkling Lemonade Wax Tart: This smelt like the real thing, really fresh and lemony, it even smelt sparkling but as soon as I put it in the tart burner the scent completely changed, smelt more like bath/shower cleaner.

Repurchase? No.

The Body Shop Earth Lovers Watermelon & Eucalyptus Shower Gel: Stocked up on these in the sale aaages ago and I'm so glad to see the back of them now. Everytime I got to what I thought was the last bottle, another would appear. None of the scents really appeal to me and the shower gel itself is very watery.

Repurchase? No.

DGJ Organics Hair Juice Clarifying Shampoo*: A great smelling, reasonably priced, SLS free clarifying shampoo that got rid of any build up without stripping my hair. I used this once or twice a week depending on how many products I'd piled on my mop. You can see my review here.

Repurchase? Yes.

L'Occitane Mango Flower Hand Cream: I stock up everytime these come as a magazine freebie. The original version is still my favourite, I'm yet to find a hand cream that beats it.

Repurchase? Always.

Orhis Nourishing Face Cream*: This came in a BeTrousse box ages ago. I used it up a while back but forgot to include it in my last empties post. Unlike a lot of French skin care products, it wasn't anything special.

Repurchase? Not sure if it's available in the UK but no.

Super Facialist By Una Brennan Tea Flower Purifying Facial Wash*: This face wash has lasted such a long time as I only used it when my skin felt congested. It did help clear up my skin but is heavily fragranced which could cause irritation on sensitive skin if used daily.

Repurchase? No, I want to try a non foaming purifying cleanser.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra: Ended up with a few samples of this while in Paris and I love it! Still have another one to use then I'll buy the full size. It's a moisturiser for ultra sensitive/allergic skin.

Repurchase? Yes!

Mitchell & Peach Shower Wash*: I was planning to keep this for a weekend away but I'm a shower gel junkie and used it straight away. The scent isn't really my cuppa tea but it did lather well and left my skin feeling really nice.

Repurchase? No. It's too pricey at 20 quid, I would have to love the scent to spend that kind of money on shower gel.

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel: Can't remember too much about this other than it didn't irritate my skin.

Repurchase? No

REN Vetiver v7 Hand And Body Cream: Wasn't a lover of the scent and it didn't feel as luxe as other REN products. There are better hand and body creams out there, a lot cheaper too.

Repurchase? No.

SBC Echinacea Gel: The reason I bough this was to use on my temples for migraines instead of having to take painkillers all the time. I'd heard on QVC it's great for headaches and when you're stuffed up with the cold as it contains natural decongestants - menthol and eucalyptus. I swear by the Arnica Gel by SBC, it really helps with back pain but the Echinacea Gel didn't do a lot for me.

Repurchase? Not in this form but I might try the bath/shower gel.

ESPA Lift & Firm Intensive Eye Serum: My eye area just felt tacky after using this, didn't notice any change for the better in the ol' saggy baggy area.

Repurchase? No.

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara: (not pictured) My current favourite and it has been for a few months now. If a mascara can give a curl to my almost downwards pointing lashes and hold it all day, it's a good'un! It gives me length and volume too. Doesn't crumble into my eyes or irritate them at all, it's brilliant.

Repurchase? Already have, think I'm on my third tube now and bought the Lash Potion and Plumping versions to try.

Macadamia Moisturizing Rinse*: Another product I finished ages ago but forgot to include. Not the best conditioner I've ever used but I love most Macadamia products I've tried. You can read my review here.
Repurchase? No.

Trevor Sorbie Beautiful Volume Dry Shampoo: I usually use Batiste but this was on offer in Boots a while back. If you prefer a simple, clean scent from your dry shampoo rather than the various scents Batiste offers, go for this. It didn't offer more volume than other dry shampoo's I've tried before but it was nice enough.
Repurchase? If it's on offer again.

Essyta Lait Corporel*: An organic body lotion that smells a bit funky. It left my skin feeling nice and soft but other lotions work just as well.
Repurchase? No.

Did you get through many products this month?

Follow me: Twitter | Bloglovin' | SheSaidBeauty | Instagram

*PR sample

Lately I've Been Lovin' #11

I didn't get to blog about my favourites last month due to my internet & Blogger plotting against me so this post is for June & July. A couple of products (The Breakfast Scrub & Zoeva Powder Brush) I didn't get untill near the end of the month but they're already firm faves! If I've reviewed any of the products I'll add links.

L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution: Not only is this good at removing mascara but it's always on offer which make's it really affordable. It's often BOGOF or half price so stock up when you can. (link)

YUKO Anti-Frizz Shampoo*: There's nothing better than trying out and falling in love with brands I've never heard of before. From the first use I knew this bottle of frizz smoothing amazingness would make it into my monthly faves. It smells lovely and even before adding conditioner I could tell this shampoo ment business. (link)

Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub: I've never been a big fan of Soap & Glory but last year I tried Pulp Friction for the first time and loved everything about it apart from the scent. Fast forward a few months and I'm a die hard The Breakfast Scrub lover. It smells like maple syrup, the scent is really addictive, and the scrubby bits are so densely packed that you get one helluva exfoliation. I always thought this was an oily scrub that would leave an oily residue on my skin but it isn't. It rinses away clean but doesn't leave the skin feeling stripped.

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara: I've read a lot of mixed reviews on this mascara. My lashes without mascara look as if I've straightened them and not many mascara's actually curl and manage to hold a curl so I stayed well away untill finding it in a local outlet store for £2.99. It's the best £2.99 I've ever spent, my lashes love it! It's nice and black, lengthens, holds a curl and doesn't flake or irritate my eye's at all. I'll be going back for more.

Macadamia Deep Repair Masque*: This beauty has made it into my Holy Grail list. It's fantastic! Expensive but worth it, I'll make sure I'm never without this product. You can read more about it's magic powers here.

MAC Paint Pot 'Painterly': Another product I'd thought about getting for the longest time but never did untill a few weeks back. If you're like me and get bored from all the constant MAC fangirling and have no desire to jump onboard that bandwagon or try anything from the brand, please make this the exception. It's a fantastic product and something I reach for on an almost daily basis. It blanks out discolouration/veins on the lid and can be worn alone for a clean eye look or used as primer.

Diesel Loverdose: Diesel fragrances don't usually get my attention but last year I fell in love this this after receiving a sample with a Debenhams order. I have a 30ml bottle that lives in my bag but treated myself to this 50ml bottle last week when it was reduced to £20. It's one of those scents that last all day and always get you some compliments

100% Pure Lip Glaze 'Peach Bellini*: Gorgeous products, gorgeous packaging, gorgeous brand. Most natural make up brands I've tried haven't been very good. The colours are usually boring, lack pigmentation and the textures are questionable but not with 100% pure. I wouldn't have known this was a 100% natural brand if I'd tried the products blind. This lip glaze sits somewhere between a tinted lip balm and a lipstick. It's buildable, you can get an almost opaque finish and the colour is just lovely.

Zoeva 106/Powder Brush: I haven't tried many powder brushes and even thought I've only had this for around a week I can already tell you it's the best I've ever tried. I'll try to get a more detailed post up soon on this and the pencil brush.

Have you tried any of these products?

What have you been lovin' this month?

Follow me: Twitter | Bloglovin' | SheSaidBeauty

*PR sample

Whats In My Handbag?

I have to be honest, I cleared out all the rubbish especially for this post. Even I was shocked at the amount of wrappers, receipts and bottle lids that had built up over the last few weeks. There was even a pair of socks?

Samsung Galaxy Ace

Keys and photo keyrings from different holidays

Mont Bleu Swarovski Nail File*

This Works Stress Less Pulse Point Roll On

River Island purse

Dior Lip Glow

L'Oreal Rouge Caresse 03 Lovely rose

Bath & Body Works Tropical Sorbet Float Anti-Bac Hand Gel

Chocolates from the hotel I was staying in

Nescafe Unsweetened Cappuccino

Business cards in holder

4head

Real Techniques Blush Brush

New CID Loose Powder*

L'Occitane Rose Petals Hand Cream

Omorovicza Perfecting Lip Balm*

polos

Diesel Loverdose

You might be wondering where my brolly is. Well, I don't have one. I don't know why but if I use a brolly I always come home without it. I dread to think how much money I've spent on them over the years. This is why I don't have kids, I cant even supervise a brolly.

Cappuccino is a bit of a weird thing to carry around but what can I say, I'm a weirdo. I'm set in my ways and need to be prepared if I'm at someones house and they offer me a cuppa. 

I keep all the smaller bits inside an organza bag to save them getting lost forever.

Whats in your handbag?

*PR sample

Don't forget to enter my Christmas giveaway (link)

Tag: 10 Products I would Repurchase

I very rarely do tag posts but after seeing this tag on Evelyn's blog I though it'd be a good one to do. Its always nice to see what products people would repurchase. It gives you a good idea of what really works and if its worth splashing the cash on.

Cleanse & Polish*: I've been using C&P for years now. I might try other cleansers from time to time but I'll always have a few tubes in the cupboard. It removes my eye make up better than all make up removers I've tried, never breaks me out, leaves my skin baby soft and I love the scent too! It just works for me and I'll more than likely always use it.

Real Techniques Brushes: The Delux Crease Brush & Buffing Brush are 2 brushes I never want to be without! They're brilliant quality, super soft, dont shed, easy to wash and dry quickly. If you dont already own these, its about time you believed the hype and got yourself to Boots.

YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat: I've got so much love for YSL because of this foundation. I feel like it was made exactly for my skin type, skin tone, everything. I know the packaging isnt whats important but it just looks so luxe and makes me feel special everytime I use it. If I could marry a foundation this would be the one. You can read my full review here (link)

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Emerveille: I dont like anything too fancy when it comes to eyeshadow. I stick to shades that make me look awake and can be worn alone. I'm not going to lie, when I first handed over £23 for a single shadow I left feeling like I'd been mugged. I've slowly but surely gotten over that now and would happly hand over the cash again. The colour is so easy to wear and it lasts all day without creasing. You can see my swatches here (link)

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream: I was always under the impression this would be super greasy because its so thick and moisturisng. I love a good handcream but if its greasy it gets binned. A sample came with a recent Debenhams order and I was sold straight away (take note brands - samples sell products!) Its the thickest handcream I've ever tried but for some reason it just sinks so quickly and improves the look of your hands straight away. I like the scent too, it reminds me of soap. I might be alone here but I love soapy/powdery scents so this is perfect for me.

Liz Earle Brow Pencil in Fair*: Liz is a genius. This is the only brow pencil I've ever been able to use without ending up with red/brown brows. I hope to God its never discontinued or a river will be cried.

Tangle Teezer: If I didnt own this lump of plastic I would be bald by now, honestly. Trying to get a comb through my hair when its wet is like trying to take eyeliner off Kim Kardashian - its not gonna happen.

L'Oreal Color Riche Nail in Opera Ballerina: My all time favourite nail colour. Its quite sheer and needs 3 coats to be opaque but paired with a milky base coat like O.P.I Ridge Filler with only one coat of Opera Ballerina = match made in heaven!

Diesel Loverdose: I'm not usually a fan of Diesel fragrances but theres just something about Loverdose that makes me feel happy. Its more of a winter fragrance but I wear it during the warmer months too. I think its the vanilla I love so much. The scent lasts all day and strangers always ask what I'm wearing.

Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Aid*: I'll never forget the first time I used this, I woke up the next morning and my lips felt brand new. If I could only use one lip balm/treatment for the rest of my life, this would be it. I love the smell and texture too.

Theres loads of other products I would repurchase (and have numerous times) but these are the 10 that stood out. I tag all of you to do this post. Let me know if you own any of these products and your thoughts on them.

*PR sample

Lately I've Been Lovin' #2

The Love List

Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Gel Mask: I've had this for a good few months now, I done a mini review before Christmas but for some reason I just stopped using it. Whilst having a read through Andys blog Link he mentioned he'd purchased it so since then I've started using it again, twice a week. I've said it before but this mask is hardcore, its probably the only mask I've used and can see/feel a huge difference straight after. The tingle is intense, almost painful but it works.

Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina Cleansing Milk*: Review to come soon.

Leonor Greyl Regenerescence Naturelle*: You can read my full review here. I really dont know how I ever lived without this miracle oil.

Louise Galvin Deep Conditioning Treatment*: Click here to read my full review.

Diesel Loverdose: This is without a doubt my fave perfume at the minute, if you havent tried this yet then you really need to. I'm not usually a fan of Diesel scents so didnt even try this when I was walking around Debenhams but I received a sample with an order and instantly fell in love.

L'Oreal Color Riche Nail in Opera Ballerina: Click here for my swatches. I havent had this off my nails since I purchased it. I have so many favourite nail colours but this definately has to be in my top 2. I always apply 3 thin coats and it lasts around 5 days before chipping. I'll be picking up 3 the next time theres a 3 for 2 offer on. 

Estee Lauder Lipgloss and Concealer Duo: This was a freebie when I purchased DoubleWear. I've since found out its free with any foundation purchase online and instore but I'm not sure if its still running. I've used the gloss a few times but its the concealer I'm enjoying the most. It gives almost full coverage with minimal creasing under the eyes. Only a tiny amount is needed so I'm sure this will last a long time.

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara: Probably the best mascara I've used in a long long time but I find after a few hours the curl drops. I like that it leaves the lashes flexible but I would prefer more hold.

You can read my first Love List here. What I'm still lovin' and using from that list is..

Melvita Rose Extraordinary Water

MAC MSF in Soft & Gentle

Davines Authentic Moisturising Balm For Face/Hair/Body

Nuxe Huile Prodigleuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil

*PR samples

Scented Sundays #4

Diesel Loverdose is the newest addition to my ever growing perfume collection and I think it might even be overtaking a few of my all time faves.

Description:

An addictive & unique fragrance with top notes of mandarin & star anise, followed by the two key notes of liquorice & rich vanilla followed by a base of sensual dry woods. The stunning Loverdose bottle is an edgy, multi-faceted heart with a dagger through the middle. It represents a beautiful but deadly weapon of seduction.

I wouldnt say Loverdose is all that unique, it kinda reminds me of Armani Code but sweeter. The bottle is stunning and the shape fits perfectly in the hand. After a few mins when the scent starts to settle on the skin you get the vanilla, on first spray its mostly liquorice so make sure you dont make your mind up from the first sniff.

The staying power is great but I still have a habit of topping up atleast once throughout the day. Really cant say enough good things about this perfume, the amount of compliments it receives is just crazy.

Diesel Loverdose retails at £36 for 30ml.

Today I bought.. | Rimmel Peppermint Swatch

Two posts in one today, lazy?

Boots still have some perfume sets reduced and a few weeks back I was sent a sample of Diesel Loverdose, didnt expect to love it as I'm not a fan of the usual Diesel type scents but it was love at first sniff! It kinda reminds me of Armani Code but sweeter, I have no idea if the two contain similar ingredients but to me they smell really similar.

I think this was around £25. I wont use the shower gel or body lotion but I couldnt wait to get my hands on it, hunting around online then waiting for it to be delivered just seemed like a scary thought, I needed it now!

I've been trying out the Sally Hansen Insta-Dry and really like it so thought I would try out the Diamond Strength Instant Nail Hardener aswell. I think this was just under £9. Is it only me who thinks this is pricey for a highstreet type brand?

Rimmel Peppermint has been in my collection for around 2years (I think), well over a year anyway but its only lately that I've fallen in love with it. I find a lot of minty shades usually make the hands appear a lovely shade of lobster but I dont have that problem with this beauty.

I cant get enough of this colour at the mo. I find it lasts a good 4/5 days before chipping, not bad for a few quid. Fully opaque with two coats and its so easy to apply.

Products Used:

O.P.I Ridge Filler

Rimmel Peppermint (2 coats)

Sally Hansen Insta-Dry