October: Used, Abused And Reviewed.

Another month, another empties post :

Guerlain Insolence: I've had this fragrance for around 4 years now and finally managed to use up the last few drops this week. Insolence is described as a fruity floral with notes of violet which explains why my description would be 'parma violets'. Lasting power is great, I didnt use it too often but when I did I very rarely had to top up throughout the day.

Repurchase? No. I do like the scent but its not one of my favourites. I also found it too strong at times.

cotton pads x3: The joys of using micellar water. Can you believe I've gone through 3 packs?! These were from Sainsburys, Tesco and Boots.

Repurchase? Yes

Gatineau Radiance Activ Eclat Enhancing Gommage: I prefer enzymatic exfoliators over the scrubby mechanical types and this beauty is one of my favourites. Its on the pricey side at £28.75 for 75ml but totally worth it in my opinion. Its an orange pearlescent gel which turns to liquid when it comes into contact with skin. Its much like the infamous Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel but instead of needing around 15 minutes to work it does its job in less than 5 minutes. You'll know when its ready to be rinsed off, the gel turns to oil as it gobbles up all the dead skin.

Repurchase? Definitely!

Green & Spring Mild Toner*: I've loved using this toner. Its great for days when my skin is on the oily side as its less moisturising than toners like Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic but it doesnt feel astringent in the slightest. You can read my review here (link)

Repurchase? Yes

Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo: One of my favourite and most repurchased shampoos. Its SLS free, lathers well, smells gorgeous, leaves the hair with an amazing shine and its really clarifying. Its aslo great for anyone with an itchy, dry scalp.

Repurchase? Yes

Liz Earle Botanical Shine Treatment*:  I didnt get on very well with the other conditioners from Liz Earle but this Botanical Shine Treatment worked a lot better. You can read my review here (link) It still has the same gorgeous scent as the shampoo and conditioner.

Repurchase? I want to try some other treatments but I'm sure I'll end up ordering another tube at some point.

Nivea Double Effect Violet Senses: The scent is gorgeous but it didnt keep me dry

Repurchase? No but I still have another one to use up.

Boots Smooth Care Facial Wax Strips: I've been using Boots own brand wax for a few years now after an awful experience with Veet! These wax strips have never let me down and they cost alot less than Veet.

Repurchase? Already have.

Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator: This is probably the most gentle exfoliator I've tried. Its not recommended for sensitive skin but I'm sensitive and never had any problems with it. The Liz Earle Exfoliator is just Cleanse & Polish with specially selected jojoba beads. The beads are very gentle and not scratchy in the slightest.

Repurchase? Probably not as I prefer enzyme peels.

Virgin Vie Skin Sparkle Vitamin C Crystal Polish & Energising Activating Serum: This is a 2 step exfoliating system. I stocked up months and months ago and I'm so glad I've used it up. It wasnt a bad exfoliator but I just found the 2nd step a bit pointless. The Vitamin C Crystal Polish is the exfoliator, the Energising Activating Serum goes on top and supposedly reveals brighter, younger, more radiant skin. It exfoliated well but I cant say I looked younger or more radiant.

Repurchase? I'm not sure if its still available but no.

Perricone Advanced Face Firming Activator: My skin isnt at the stage where it needs these types of products which is probably why I saw no difference in my skin at all. Perricone is such an expensive brand so unless you really need it, dont buy it or it'll just be a waste of money.

Repurchase? No

Perricone Vitamin C Ester Eye Serum: This serum is an oil. I'm always a bit funny about putting oil near my eyes as it can make problems worse. Thankfully it didnt but it also didnt help the appearance of my eyes so as above, dont invest in perricone unless your at an age thats going to benefit from the products.

Repurchase? No

Neom Real Luxury Organic Body Wash: I wasnt fussed on the scent but It did lather well. I dont really have much more to say but I'd love to try the rose scented body wash.

Repurchase? No

JASON Nourishing Cocoa Butter*: I'm not the biggest fan of butters, I find they just dont sink into my skin but this one from JASON did. You can read my review here (link)

Repurchase? Not at the minute.

Yankee Candle Aromatherapy Spa Cinnamon & Frankincense Stress Relief Room Spray: These room sprays from Yankee Candle are so concentrated and seem to last forever so they're definitely worth the money. This scent just isnt for me though, I cant stand Frankincense.

Repurchase? In a different scent.

Montagne Jeuness De-Clog Pores Deep Cleansing Nose Pore Strips: These are in my empties every month because they actually work unlike a few other brands I've tried.

Repurchase? Already have.

I realise this post is REALLY early but the clutter was doing my head in.

*PR sample

Scrubba Dub Dub: Current Exfoliators

I rotate my exfoliators depending on my mood and how sensitive or dry my face is. The exfoliators I'm using at the min have all came with sets I've bought during the year and they work in 2 diff ways. The first 2 are mechanical exfoliators (cream with a grainy/gritty texture) that you massage around your face to remove the dead skin. first up is...

Benefit B.Right Refined Finish Facial Polish, £17.70

The first thing I noticed, was the scent.. Fresh and cucumber'y. I love the smell but those with very sensitive skin might react badly to it. The grains really do remove all dry patches but I find them to be quite sharp, my skin feels almost raw after using it, nomatter how gentle I am. When Benefit first brought out their B.right skincare line there was a promotion.. buy 2 products and receive a pack of samples, this was one of the samples. I'm glad I got the chance to try it out, if not I probably would have bought the full size and been gutted.

Liz Earle Gentle Exfoliator, 70ml Pump £13

Same type of exfoliator as above but the beads arent harsh, they really are gentle (specially selected jojoba beads) buffing the skin instead of what feels like scraping. The scent and texture is exactly the same as Cleanse & Polish but with beads. Contains purifying eucalyptus, softening cocoa butter and fine jojoba beads. Skin is left feeling clean and smooth.

The next 2 are enzymatic exfoliators...

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel, £28.60

This is a smooth cream made with a cocktail of fruit enzymes, it smells gorgeous (pineapple and papaya!) you apply it to dry cleansed skin, leave for 10 - 15 mins then remove. There's no rubbing or scrubbing involved, the fruit enzymes do all the exfoliating for you.

Gatineau Activ Eclat Radiance Enhancing Gommage, £28.75

This one has an orange shimmery thick gel texture and smells like oranges. Apply to dry cleansed skin then massage using circular movements untill the gel turns to liquid, it takes roughly 2 mins then you just rinse it off. I use this one mostly when I'm in a rush or in the shower, its soooo quick.

Enzyme exfoliators are great for anyone with sensitive skin. They are quite pricey though, thats why I buy them in sets, sets can often be found at a cheaper price than just the exfoliator. I recommend all of these, apart from Benefits Refined Finish Facial Polish.

What exfoliators are you lot using?

xo