January 2014: Used, Abused & Reviewed.

Air Wick Colour Change Candle 'White Vanilla Bean': Picked this up in Semi Chem just after Christmas along with the sweetpea scent. They were both under 2 quid and yes the whole colour changing thing is a complete gimmick but the big kid in me enjoyed it. The scent throw isn't as good as more expensive candles but it filled my living room nicely and I love the frosted glass/white candle combo, looks really clean. I cleaned the glass out and now have my liners stored in it.
Repurchase? Yes.

Yankee Candle Medium Jar 'Clean Cotton': I've worked my way through so many Clean Cotton candles and wax tarts. Every home needs a bit of Clean Cotton, smells like freshly washed bed sheets.
Repurchase? Yes, once I get through a few more in my candle stash.

Liz Earle Brow Pencil 'Fair'*: The only brow pencil I use and even though my hair is dark, I use the fair option. I'm wanting to try 'dark' for nights out but worried it will be too red toned. Let me know if you've tried it. Full review here.
Repurchase? Already have.

Orla Kiely Geranium and Myrrh Mini Reed Diffuser and Candle*: I adored this set, it came in a gorgeous gift box (see here) which I'm now using to store wax tarts. They may be small but both lasted a lot longer than I expected and if kept in a small room, the scent fills it in minutes.
Repurchase? Yes, think I want to try the Basil & Mint scent next.

Britney Radiance Perfume: Certain Britney perfumes are my guilty pleasure but this one didn't really do it for me. Not sure why I bought it in the first place, was probably on sale in Boots. It's a bit nothing really and needs topped up constantly.
Repurchase? No.

La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution: Reviewed this and used it up back in 2012 (link) but somehow ended up with another bottle. It doesn't remove mascara instantly with one swipe of a cotton pad but it does remove it more easily than other micellar waters I've tried.
Repurchase? More than likely not, in my opinion it's overpriced. The L'Oreal micellar water is always on a BOGOF offer, I'll stick with that.

La Roche-Posay Toleraine Ultra: Loved this stuff! It's heaven for my sensitive skin but I've worked my way through all the samples I got while in Paris so now it's time to order a tube. Feels quite thick but sits well on the skin, even under make up and doesn't turn my t-zone into an oil slick.
Repurchase? Yes.

Hotel Chocolat Perfume Samples 'Revive' and 'Repose': Not sure how I feel about these. To me 'Repose' smells exactly like a perfume from AVON. Can't remember the name and I'm not sure if it's still available but they're identical and I'm sure the price difference is eye watering. 'Revive' is more my cuppa tea but even it smells similar to perfumes I've tried before.
Repurchase? More than likely not.

If you've tried 'Repose' and know the AVON perfume I'm talking about, let me know. It's driving me maaaad!

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October 2013: Used, Abused & Reviewed.

It's monthly empties post time again! :)

L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution: I really like this affordable micellar water from L'Oreal. It removes mascara really well and hasn't caused my sensitive skin any irritation. As aslways though, this is my eye make up remover only. I always follow up with a proper cleanse and wouldn't suggest anyone use micellar water as their sole cleanser.

Repurchase? There's already a bottle waiting in the cupboard. 

Beyonce Pulse: I wasn't so fond of 'Heat' but 'Pulse' is my guilty please. It's sweet without being sickly, it's more of a light, clean, fresh sweet scent if that makes any sense at all. The only thing I can't stand is the packaging. That horrendous huge silver lid goes straight to room 101 every time a buy a new bottle.

Repurchase? I always buy a bottle when it's on sale and have a brand spankin' new bottle (minus the lid) in my perfume stash.

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara 'Black': This mascara is my new favourite. It hasn't made a blind bit of difference to the condition or length of my lashes but it makes them look long, full, jet black and holds a curl all day. 

Repurchase? Definitely but I also want to try Le Volume De Chanel after Miss Boscy  recommended it.

Yonka Hydra No1 Serum & Cream x4, Masque x2*: These samples came in so handy this month while I was away a lot. I got over a weeks use from the serum & cream which came in 2 options - dry/sensitive and normal to oily. I didn't notice too much difference between the 2 formulas but if I had to pick which one I prefer I would have to go for dry/sensitive. They left my skin feeling really hydrated, didn't cause any irritation and I loved the texture. The masque on the other hand didn't suit my skin at all. When I first tried it out my cheeks where I have a lot of high colour instantly felt uncomfortable. They turned bright red and had a lot of heat coming from them so I had to rinse it off. I gave them to my mum who loved them though and is planning on buying a full size tube. Not sure what I reacted to but it's as shame as the masque was what I was most excited about trying.

Repurchase? The Hydra Cream & Serum for sensitive/dry skin, yes.

Santaverde Aloe Vera Cleansing Gel: This cleansing gel has been knocking around my beauty cupboard for quite some time now. It claims to be fragrance free but it smells like straight up apple juice which I love but will disappoint anyone who bought it based on it being fragrance free. I like this cleanser but don't love it, it left my skin feeling clean and never stripped but I have a real problem with the price. Yes Santaverde products are free from nasty ingredients but 22 quid for what can only be described as a basic cleanser just boggles my mind.

Repurchase? No.

Aromatherapy Associates Bath & Shower Oil x2 'Support Equilibrium'* and 'De-Stress Muscle'*: I received the Aromatherapy Associates Miniature Bath & Shower Oil Collection last year. You can read that post here I loved the collection but like most things, I moved on and forgot about these magical oils from Aromatherapy Associates but with it officially being bath weather my love for oil has reignited. Instead of using one full bottle for each bath I now manage to get 3 uses from each bottle.

Repurchase? Yes. I'm going to go for a big bottle but still trying to decide on which scent to go for.

Hydra Expert Cream by Soins Experts*: Confession - I didn't use this up but it's still worth a mention. This came in the BeTrousse Christmas Beauty Box and was pinched by my wee granny when her usual moisturiser came to an end. She loved this stuff! Said she could feel her skin tighten from the first use and used it religiously untill it was no more. I looked everywhere for this brand when I was in Paris to buy her another pot but sadly couldn't find it.

Repurchase? The granny would, without a doubt.

Fresh Skin Vanilla Fragrance Oil: I bought a few fragrance oils a while back to make my own room sprays. You can read that post here. Vanilla is one of my favourite scent but for some reason this fragrance oil didn't do it for me at all.

Repurchase? Yes but in a different scent.

Etat Pur Enoxolone 280*: Enoxolone 280 is designed for people with very reactive and irritated skin. It adds instant comfort and reduces redness while it's on the skin. I found it to be really effective but was hoping it would get rid of my redness forever which it sadly didn't.

Repurchase? Maybe but I want to try a few other products for reactive skin first.

Klorane Smoothing & Relaxing Eye Contour Patches (not pictured): These featured in my Paris Haul and I'm pleased to report they're very good. A lot better than any eye patches I've tried before. The box comes with 7 packets each containing 2 patches. I was starting to worry about running out but I've since found out they're available from escentual and are currently on sale! :) A full review will be up soon.

Repurchase? Yes.

Weleda Millet Nourishing Shampoo*: One of the products from this months Love Me Beauty Box was this travel size shampoo from Weleda. I shampoo my hair twice each time I wash it so was only able to get one use from this tube which isn't enough to know if I really love it or not but it did give my hair brilliant shine and left it soft.

Repurchase? Maybe at some point but it isn't high up on my list of things to buy.

Brow Gel: I have no idea what brand this is, the writing has worn off but I know it was cheap, as are all the clear brow gels I buy. It was fine, done the job.

Repurchase? I've gone for the Natural Collcection Brow Gel this time which is also super cheap.

Boots Essentials Cotton Wool Pads x2 & Boots Double Faced Round Pads: I like both but prefer the double faced pads. The Essentials Cotton Pads come apart easier and sometimes leave bits of lindt behind on my lashes but they're really cheap and always on offer.

Repurchase? I usually just buy what evers on offer.

Classics Nail Polish Remover: I know you can buy this in some chemists but it's also available in one of the pound shops (the one with the blue sign) It's a huge 400ml bottle which lasts ages but it also works really well. Not bad for a quid.

Repurchase? Already have.

Febreze Cranberries & Frost Limited Edition Candle: Who knew Febreze made such good candles? I didn't! Picked this up on a whim along with another scent for under 2 quid from Semi Chem. I love the scent and for such a small candle it really has a great scent throw. It has a cleaner burn that most of my Yankee Candles and smells great even when it's not lit. My only grumble is how much wax is left over when the wick has fully gone.

Repurchase? Yes.

Betty Crocker Home Fragrances Large Candle in Apple Spice: This has to be the worst candle ever. It's still practically full but the wick won't stay lit.

Repurchase? No.

Glade Candle: I've had this candle so long that I now can't even remember the scent and there's no label with the name anywhere on the glass. It smells floral to me so lets just say floral. Not a scent I normally go for and probably wouldn't buy it again but it did burn well, every single bit of wax has gone.

Repurchase? Maybe in a different scent.

L'Oreal Ever Riche Shampoo Sample x2: Everyone seems to love this shampoo but I can't stand the scent! It's so overpowering and synthetic. It worked fine but no better than other shampoo's I use.
Repurchase? No.

What have you used up this month?

Have you tried any of these products?

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September 2013: Used, Abused & Reviewed.

 I was on a mission this month to use up all the candles I already had before buying any more. I got through quite a few, my empties bag has been clinking non stop with all the glass jars and everyone thinks I'm a weirdo but sure, it's all in the name of an empties post.

Betty Crocker Candles x4: There was 5 of these candles but as I was lining them up to take the photo's my cat thought he would swipe one onto the floor. I'm not sure of the exact scents, it doesn't say anywhere on the glass but they were from Poundland and I think they're Chocolate Fudge Cake, Coconut, Strawberry Shortcake & Caramel. They were only a quid each and had a decent scent throw.

Repurchase? Yes.

Yankee Candle Wax Tarts 'Bahama Breeze' & 'Winter Wonderland': Winter Wonderland is a complete pine fest, no idea why I bought it! Bahama Breeze was nice but not as nice as I was expecting it to be. Yankee Wax Tarts last such a long time, give off much more scent than a candle and are a lot cheaper than the candles.

Repurchase? Yes but in different scents.

Original Source Mint & Tea Tree Shower Gel: I love Original Source, it's one of the few shower gel brands containing SLS that I can use without having to worry about it irritating my skin. In the warmer months this was my go-to, it tingles, cools and really wakes you up. Great if you have a cold as the mint is so strong, it really clears your head.

Repurchase? Already have.

Beyonce Heat: I really didn't like this at first, think I only bought it as it was so cheap in the sales. The more I used it though it grew on me but it still isn't one of my favourites. Notes include magnolia, red vanilla orchid, almond macaron, blush peach and honeysuckle nectar.

Repurchase? Probably not.

Essential Care Organic Rose Petal Tonic*: This stuff is brilliant. Not only does it smell gorgeous but it worked wonders on my skin. It's moisturising without feeling heavy or greasy and can be applied over makeup throughout the day. You can read my full review here.

Repurchase? Yes.

Yves Rocher Culture Bio Refreshing Gel Cleanser*: For the first few uses I really liked this cleanser. It wasn't the best at removing eye make up but felt really cooling and refreshing on the skin so I started using it for my morning cleanse. It's free from parabens which is always good but after around a week I noticed the smell of alcohol was very strong then shortly after my skin started feeling quite tight after each use.

Repurchase? No but I have another one in the cupboard, not sure how I ended up with 2.

Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina Face & Decolletage Oil*: I reviewed this oil way back in January last year (link) and still stand by everything I said. It's a gorgeous 100% natural oil that will suit almost every skin type and treat most skin concerns.

Repurchase? Yes, once I've worked my way through the rest of my oil stash.

Montagne Jeuness Deep Cleansing Nose Pore Strips: These get a mention almost every month. They're cheap and they work but are hard to get hold of. I can only ever find them in ASDA.

Repurchase? I'm stocked up.

Etat Pur Q10 PureMolecule*: This is one of those products that really give a healthy glow to the skin. I mainly used Q10 at night and every morning my skin looked hydrated, plump and healthy. Review.

Repurchase? At some point.

Green & Spring Nourishing Day Moisturiser*: I used this cream up quite a while ago now but only just found the empty tub. I really like Green & Spring, it's not the cheapest brand but I've liked everything I've tried so far and would recommend them. You can read my review here.

Repurchase? Not sure. I've found other moisturisers I prefer.

First Aid Beauty Body Moisturizer: This is probably one of the best body moisturisers I've ever tried. It's fragrance free and safe for sensitive skin and even though the formula is on the thicker side of things, it sinks in quickly.

Repurchase? Yes.

Boots Cotton Wool Double Faced Cotton Pads/BootsCotton Wool Pads: I like both but the double faced pads are my favourite. They're slightly textured and make removing eye make up/nail varnish less of a chore.

Repurchase? Yes. I usually just go for whatever one is on offer.

JĀSÖN® C-Effects™ Super-C™ Toner*: This was my refreshing toner, it didn't leave any residue behind, sting or strip my skin and it lasted a long, long time. I love JASON, the products do their job well yet still remain gentle. You can see my review here.
Repurchase? The only thing I didn't like was that it can't be used around the eyes so for that reason I probably wouldn't buy it again.

I also used up 2 Yankee Candle Simply Home Votives in 'Lemon Cream' & 'Vanilla Frosting' they were reduced to 75p each in ASDA. I think the Simply Home range is slightly cheaper but I liked them both, they lasted much longer than I was expecting and gave off a good amount of fragrance.

Did you get through many products this month?

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August 2013: Used, Abused & Reviewed.

Another month is almost over which can only mean one thing - it's time to get rid of all the empty products I've used up over the last few weeks. I'm still having problems with blogger, I can't lay my posts out how I normally would and I'm having trouble adding links. I have reviewed most of these products so just have a wee search through my blog if there's anything you would like more info on.

KIKO Light Legs Crackling Mousse*: This stuff was a godsend when the weather was really, really hot recently. It instantly cools on contact with the skin and as the name suggests, it crackles. I know a lot of people might think it's quite a gimmicky product but if you have a job that invloves a lot of standing (hairdressers etc) then you'll know how tired and achy you're legs can get at the end of the day. This crackling mousse really helps to refresh and soothe legs. It's also great if you have restless legs.
Repurchase? Yes! I think it's limited edition though, I'll have to check.

Bioderma Sebium H2O Micelle Solution*: I haven't tried the original version of this in a few years but unlike most people, I wasn't blown away. To me it didn't work any better than other makeup removers/micellar waters out there. I'm not sure if the formula has been changed since then or how different the ingredients are between the original and this Sebium H2O version but I prefered this slightly more. It didn't irritate my skin at all and it did remove make up but mascara doesnt disappear with one seep of a cotton pad.
Repurchase? Bioderma is a lot easier to get hold of in the UK now but unless you live in London, you'll more than likely have to order online. If I was in a shop that stocked it then I probably would buy it but I'm more likely to stick with something like the L'Oreal Micellar Water, it works really well and is a lot easier for me to get my hands on.

PRO:VOKE Touch Of Silver Weekly Treatment Shampoo: Can't fault this shampoo. It's designed to get rid of brassy, yellow tones from blonde/grey hair and it really works. I pick mine up from Boots where it's often on offer, think it's around 2 quid.
Repurchase? I thought I already had but I lifted the everyday version by mistake. The purple isn't as vibrant as the weekly treatment so doesn't work just as well but I'll get a new bottle next time I'm in town.

The Handmade Soap Co. Goats Milk Honey & Beeswax Soap: The Handmade Soap Co is a new-ish 100% natural skincare brand from Ireland. I'd never heard of it untill around Easter time when the fambo done the once yearly museum visit. Not gonna lie, museums don't float my boat so I headed straight to the gift shop where I came across so many different products from this brand. I noticed my hands were less dry while using this, it had a lovely creamy texture and the bar didn't go slushy as quickly as other soaps.
Repurchase? Yes but maybe in a different scent as the Goats Milk & Honey range doesn't have much of a scent to it, think it's fragrance free.

Dainty Doll Mascara/Eyeliner Duo: The mascara barely coats the lashes, doesn't curl, lengthen or anything else and the liquid liner wipes straight off. Awful product.
Repurchase? No

Elemis Exotic Cream Moisturising Mask: I really loved this mask at first. It can be left on for around 20 minutes or overnight. I usually leave it on overnight to get the most from it but over time I've found other masks that work just as good, if not better and cost a lot less.

Repurchase? No.

Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina Face Lotion*: I finished this aaaages ago but just came across the empty bottle. I love Barefoot Botanicals and enjoyed using this. It's free from nasty ingredients and was very gentle on my sensitive skin and added just the right amount of hydration.

Repurchase? I'm sure I will at some point.

Sure 'Cool Pink' | Soft & Gentle 'Wild Rose & Vanilla': I'm almost at the end of my deodorant stash now, think there's only one left in my cupboard. Both deodorants worked well and the Wild Rose & Vanilla smelt so good.

Repurchase? I would repurchase both but I won't. I'm switching to more natural deodorants and really love the Citrus one from Weleda.

Bodhi Ylang-Ylang Incensa Body Moisturiser: I really shouldn't like the scent of this but I do, I love it! It smells so rich and the scent lingers for hours. Finished the matching shower gel a while back and it scented my whole house everytime I used it. I won the duo from Sandra/Beauty Balm's giveaway. This is the only scent I've tried so far but want to get my mitts on the Mint The range. If you've tried it, does it mainly smell like mint?

Repurchase? Definitely.

Yankee Wax Tarts - Christmas Eve & Winter Wonderland: I love Yankee Wax Tarts, they last such a long time, way longer than Yankee claim they will and They work out much cheaper than the candles. I like Christmas Eve but Winter Wonderland smells like pine toilet duck.

Repurchase? Christmas Eve - Yes. Winter Wonderland - Nuh-uh.

REN Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream: I've gone through a few tubes of this now. It's one of the best moisturisers to wear under makeup. I find it makes foundation go on a lot smoother and it's light enough to use when I'm having an oily skin day.

Repurchase? Yes.

Green People Eye Gel*: Another one I finished ages ago but only just found the empty tube. It's very cooling, felt great when my eyes were puffy or irritated and it's reasonably priced.

Repurchase? Probably not, there's other eye products I prefer.

Green & Spring Refreshing Eye Cream*: Most eye creams come in 15ml tubes but this one was a whopping 30ml and lasted an absolute age! It isn't the cheapest eye cream out there but it's free from horrible ingredients and holds the same amount of product as a bottle of foundation.

Repurchase? Same as above, there's other eye creams I prefer.

Pure Thoughts Natural Handmade Soap Honey, Oats & Orange | Coffee Bean & Shea Butter: This brand can do no wrong in my eyes, I've loved every product I've tried so far. Both of these soaps are sample sizes but were big enough for me to decide I love them. They contain oats & coffee beans so I'm guessing they're designed to be used on the body for a light exfoliation but I used them for my hands as I'm trying to get away from drying handwash.

Repurchase? A big fat yes!

Have you tried any of these products?   

June/July 2013: Used, Abused & Reviewed.

I have 2 months worth of empties to get through so I'm going to try to keep this post as short and to the point as I can or we'll be here all day but if you have any questions, ask away.

Girlz Only Dry Shampoo 'Party Nights': I really like this dry shampoo, it come's in 3 or 4 different scents and works just as well as Batiste. The scent lingers on the hair all day but if you have a sensitive scalp then it can cause you to itch like a Nitty Norah. I'm fine as long as I wash my hair the day after using this. If you have dark brown/black hair you need to make sure you brush it through really well as it's very powdery. It's cheap and cheerful but the name kills me, am I alone on this?

Repurchase? I already have another one in the cupboard.

Liz Earle Eye Bright*: I love most Liz Earle products but this isn't one of them. I know for some people it works wonders at refreshing tired, sore eye's and getting rid of puffiness but I really don't think it does anything for me.

Repurchase? No

Green & Spring Restoring Face Serum*: I haven't fully used this up, there's a tiny bit left but it's out of date now. If you love oils, you'll love this. It's called Restoring Face Serum but it's actually an oil that works really well at softening any rough patches of skin. I get a random patch under my eye and chin and noticed a difference from the first use. You can read my full review here.

Repurchase? I'm sure I will at some point.

OSMO Deep Moisturising Shampoo: I've had this for such a long time. I didn't use it often as it contains ingredients I try to avoid but if my hair was feeling really dry and looking a bit ratty it made a big difference. It smells nice, lathers up well and made my hair look/feel smooth.

Repurchase? No, I prefer other shampoo's.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir: Probably one of the most hyped up products ever. I reviewed it last year (link) and I've gone through 2 or 3 bottles since then but I don't think it's the wonder product it's made out to be. I don't see any improvement in my skin when I use it, if anything it dries my skin out if used too often but I do enjoy using when the sun's shining or when I've got a migraine and feel a bit sick.

Repurchase? I'm using up my last bottle now but doubt I'll buy it again.

JASON Apricot Scrubble*: I started out really lovin' this face scrub but over time it became too harsh for my skin so I used the rest as a body scrub. I love JASON products but Apricot Scrubble isn't a product I would recommend to anyone with overly sensitive skin. If you like a good manual exfoliator though and know it won't upset your skin then this is a good one to go for. It's reasonably priced and free from harmful ingredients.

Repurchase? No

Liz Earle Orange Flower Botanical Body Wash: I bought this in a set of 3 last year and did enjoy using it, it's very gentle on sensitive skin and can even be used on babies but it's too expensive for what it is. If you're someone who likes to splash out when it comes to bath and shower products it might be one worth trying.

Repurchase? No.

L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara: This was my mascara of choice for yeeeaaaaarssss. It's one of the blackest mascara's I've ever tried and made my lashes look full, long and curled but for some reason it doesn't work as well for me as it used to. I'm not sure if the formula has been changed or maybe my lashes have.

Repurchase? Not sure.

REN Neroli & Grapefruit Body Wash: REN body washes - I love them, my purse hates them. They're gorgeous. I love the packaging, the scents, the ingredients, the texture, I love everything about them except the price. The Neroli & Grapefruit version was my morning shower buddy, it helped wake me up with its fresh, citrusy scent.

Repurchase? Not at full price.

Toni & Guy Platinum Blonde Conditioner: This has been lurking in my bathroom for what seems like a million years. I bought it as a shampoo/conditioner duo but found the conditioner pointless. It has a purple tint but not enough to counteract any brassy tones. The shampoo was a lot better.

Repurchase? No

Garnier Ambre Solaire Medium Bronze Natural Dry Body Mist: Another forgotten product. I do like this but prefer other brands like Hi-Shi. I ended up with a few random streaks everytime I used this even though it claims to be a no streaks tan.

Repurchase? No

Leonor Greyl: I have no idea what this is called, it just says 'Palme' but its a solid oil which melts when in contact with heat and can be used as a pre shampoo treatment. I usually leave treatments on overnight and I did feel a bit of a difference after using this but not enough to make me want to buy it.

Repurchase? No

Lightening Whitening Teeth Whitening Pen: I'm all over anything that claims to whiten teeth and after seeing a few people rave about this I was daft enough to place an order using their discount code. It. Doesn't. Work.

Repurchase? Never

Figs & Rouge Sweet Geranium 100% Organic Balm: I REALLY liked this. It can be used on the face, body and lips to help sort out any dry patches. The tin is really small and cute too.

Repurchase? Yes but in a different scent.

Apivita Moisturising & Nourishing Mask With Honey: I really had high hopes for this brand but so far I've only liked one product (I think) I didn't really notice much difference in how my skin looked or felt after using this mask and it did sting when first applied so it isn't something I would recommend to anyone with sensitive skin.

Repurchase? No

Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Capsules*: I can't really comment too much on this as there was only 2 capsules in the pack but it's a facial oil designed to soften the look of fine lines. It felt nice on the skin and is really good to apply before doing a facial massage but 2 uses isn't enough to notice much difference.

Repurchase? No

Pure Thoughts Apricot & Orange and Mango & Peach Face Masks: Love this brand. The masks come in powder form which you then mix with water to create a paste. They're free from nasty ingredients and have never irritated my skin. You can buy samples to try before committing to full sizes and the soaps are gorgeous too!

Repurchase? Yes

ESPA Super Active Lift & Firm Intensive Eye Serum: This is only a small sample but it lasted a long time. I've wanted to try something from ESPA for ages so was really excited to see this in my Latest In Beauty advent calendar but the excitement was short lived - I didn't like the texture, it's like a sticky gel that felt tacky even once it had dried and it didn't make any difference to my eye area.

Repurchase? No

Talika Skin Retouch: I can't remember much about this sample apart but it did improve the look of whatever area of skin I applied it to. It can be applied to the face, hands and neck, and from what I can remember, it was silicone based so it's not really something I would want to use daily.

Repurchase? No

100% Chemical Free 100% Natural No-Germs Deo: This is one of the deodorants I bought when trying to find a more natural deodorant to use but sadly it didn't do much. It's still more than half full but more than likely out of date by now. It's fragrance free and didn't sting even after shaving but it was just like spraying water under my arms.

Repurchase? No

The Boring Bits:

Sure Cotton Dry Deodorant

Cotton Pads x2

I've mentioned the Montagne Jeunesse Nose Pore Strips loads of times, you can read my review here but in short, I do recommend them.

Phew! Thought I was never gonna get to the end of this post.

Have you tried any of these products?

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May 2013: Used, Abused & Reviewed.

Another month is almost over which can only mean one thang: Monthly Empties! I don't know about anyone else but Empties posts are one of my favourite posts to read. I love seeing what products people work their way through and if you're anything like me, you have a weird sense of achievement everytime another bottle/jar/tub bites the dust. Here's what I've worked my way through this month and my thoughts on each product..

 

Philosophy Pure Grace Hand Wash: It's no secret that I'm obsessed with all the Grace scents from Philosophy. They smell so clean and fresh and never bring on one of my dreaded migraines. I've had this for ages now, think it came as part of a QVC TSV last year. It foams up nicely and I think I'm right in saying it contains SLS but for some reason I didn't have any problems with it drying my hands out. If anything it felt quite moisturising and the scent lingers on your hands for hours after. It's a really lovely hand wash but expensive for what it is.

Repurchase? Not at full price but definitely if it was on offer or included in another TSV.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish: This product needs no introduction. For many years it was my Holy Grail cleanser and even though I prefer balm cleansers now I ALWAYS make sure I have atleast 2 of these in my cupboard. It cleanses the skin brilliantly without ever leaving my face feeling tight or dry and it's fab at removing eye make up.

Repurchase? Yes, always.

Yves Rocher 3 Detoxifying Teas Micellar Water: I think everyone knows my thoughts on micellar water by now so I'll leave my rant for today. If you want to know more about this product check out my post here. The reason I use micellars is to remove the bulk of my eye make up before cleansing as my flannels and muslin cloths were starting to look very grubby no matter how often I replaced them. It removes makeup well but not in one swipe of a cotton pad, no micellar water does. If you have sensitive skin, give this a wide berth as it really stings any dehydrated areas.

Repurchase? No.

Cath Kidston Bluebell Hand Cream: I wasn't a fan of this at all. The scent is horrendous (to me) - extremely floral and overpowering. It just felt like a budget hand cream, not a patch on my beloved L'Occitane.

Repurchase? No.

SBC 3in1 Complete Cleansing & Toning Gel: This is one of those cleansers that claim you don't need to use water to remove it. The texture is a runny gel and it does leave the skin feeling refreshed but only if you rinse it off with water and a flannel. I tried to tissue it off as directed just out of curiosity but I could feel residue on my skin and had to wash my face again to feel clean.

Repurchase? No.

Frederic Fekkai Glossing Conditioner: I had wanted to try the Glossing range from Fekkai for ages but it's on the pricey side so I always talked myself out of it but in a swap with Lina she included the Glossing Conditioner. It's not at all what I was expecting! It's lightweight and rinses easily yet does a great job of smoothing the hair and adding a glossy look once styled.

Repurchase? I would but it contains parabens. Booo!

Weleda Wild Rose Creamy Body Wash*: I posted about the mini Weleda products at the start of the month (link) and have been more than impressed with all of them. This body wash moisturises the skin without leaving any residue behind.

Repurchase? I still have a lot of body washes to get through but I'm sure I'll order a tube at some point.

Dove Colour Radiance Express Treatment Conditioner: This is a lot better than I was expecting. It's a great budget conditioning treatment and smells lovely but it made my roots really greasy after a day. My roots are on the oily side anyway but this conditioner just sped up the process even though I only applied it to my midlengths/ends.

Repurchase? I've still got a couple of tubes left but once they're gone I don't think I'll be in any rush to repurchase.

Lavera All-Round Cream: Love this stuff! The texture is similar to a body butter but unlike a lot of butters it sinks into my skin immediately. It can be used all over the body, even the face and the scent is lovely! It's a creamy, lemon scent but not sharp at all.

Repurchase? Yes.

Yankee Candle 'Christmas Cookie': This is one of those scents I could quite easily eat! It's sugary sweet but not sickening over overpowering. Think walking into a bakery and smelling all the freshly baked goodness.

Repurchase? Definitely but I've got enough candles to keep me going for a while.

Rodial Life & Style Candle 'Rehab': I raved about Rodial Candles here and they're still a firm favourite. The only thing I don't like about them is the price - £45! I managed to find them in the Debenhams sale for a tenner last year and stocked up. I think there's 3 different scents in total but I only own Rehab (roasted almond & honey milk) & Lounge (honeycomb & vanilla) they smell divine and make pretty brush holders once they're finished (link)

Repurchase? Not at full price. I still have 2 left but will stock up if I ever find them on sale again.

AUSSIE Dual Personality Curl Defining + Shine Mousse: I'm not the biggest fan of Aussie haircare. Yes the products smell nice and the 3 minute miracle conditioner leaves the hair incredibly smooth (because it's packed full of silicone) but the products always leave my hair looking flat and feeling like I need to give it another good scrub. This mousse is the exception though, it's actually quite good but as with most if not all mousse products, it makes the hair look wet and crispy. Once my hair is fully dry I re-scrunch my waves with clean, dry hands to get rid of that look. It still defines my waves without looking like I have product in my hair.

Repurchase? I prefer the TIGI Bed Head Foxy Curls Hi-Def Curl Spray.

Apivita Anti-Fatigue Moisturising Eye Patches With Rose: Apivita aren't winning me over when it comes to their eye products. These patches were a lot better than the overnight eye cream/mask but didn't do anything worth shouting about.

Repurchase? No.

100% Pure Coconut Nourishing Body Cream*: From the same brand I was raving about on Wednesday and guess what, I love the body cream too! It smells good enough to eat and the scent lingers on the skin for hours after. It absorbs into the skin straight away so there's no waiting around doing the naked dance before you can get dressed after a shower.

Repurchase? I have the same lotion in a few different scents that I haven't tried yet. Once I've used them up and know which one I prefer I'll be placing an order.

Fresh Skin Pina Colada Fragrance Oil: I adore anything pina colada scented so of course I had to choose it when I was making room sprays and fragrance sachets. You can read more on that here.

I used up a deodorant too and even though I mainly use my Weleda Citrus Deodorant now I still have a lot of deodorant to get through thanks to my bulk buying habit. The Nivea Double Effect Violet Senses has been in my empties posts a few times before but I still don't like it.

Did you finish many products this month?

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April 2013: Used, Abused & Reviewed.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri: This has made an appearance in my empties a few times before and will continue to do so. It's a great purse friendly quick drying top coat but it does get gloopy a lot quicker than my all time favourite Nails Inc Kensington Caviar Top Coat.

Repurchase? Yes

Apivita Anti-Wrinkle Eye Mask With Grape & Hydrating Mask With Cucumber: These sachets come in sets of 2. I was only expecting to get 2 uses from each sachet but I got around 5 from one. I've still got another sachet to use up but I'm afraid it really didn't do much for me. I left it on overnight as directed but didn't notice any difference between using this and my regular eye cream. The Hydrating Cucumber Mask also comes with 2 sachets. My skin loved this! It felt so cooling and really made a difference in how my skin looked and felt. It did sting slightly when first applied, my mum experienced the same thing and she doesn't have sensitive skin but I did enjoy using it. I got 4 uses from 1 sachet.

Repurchase? Eye Mask - No. Cucumber Mask - Yes.

Jo Hansford Intensive Masque: I'm REALLY fussy when it come's to conditioner and this just didn't do it for me. It's a nice enough product and did make my hair feel soft and smooth but the results don't match upto the price tag which is a whopping £27!

Repurchase? No

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash: I've been trying to make this last as long as possible, it's gorgeous! The scent, the lather, the packaging - I love it all.

Repurchase? Not at full price but if it's ever on offer again I'll be stocking up.

Moroccan Oil Moisture Repair Shampoo & Conditioner: I bought this duo before I started my blog but the more I learnt about ingredients, the more I wanted to find organic hair care brands so for over a year both bottles have been lurking at the back of my cupboard. The ends of my hair have been quite dry lately which is why I started using them again. They're both paraben free which I only realised when I rediscovered them but they contain other crap so for that reason I've only been using them once a week. My hair feels a lot smoother after using them both but any more than once a week leads to flat hair and build up city.

Repurchase? Undecided

Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment*: I love this! Tames frizz, adds shine and makes my hair look healthy but does absolutely nothing for the condition of my hair, neither does Moroccan Oil. All it does is improve the look and feel of my hair untill I wash it out which is all down to the silicone. I've saw a lot of people say they slather this all over their hair as a treatment, you're just pouring your money down the drain. There's lots of oil's available to be used in that way but this (and Moroccan Oil) isn't one of them.

Repurchase? Yes

Beever Daily Revive*: This is without a doubt the best detangler I've ever used. It didn't weigh my hair down no matter how much I used and made my hair a lot easier to straighten BUT it contains parabens! :( You can read my post here.

Repurchase? If the Beever people ditched the parabens I would be loyal to this for the rest of my life!

O.P.I Nail Envy 'Sensitive & Peeling': Love this stuff, loathe the price! It's much the same as the original but designed for people with sensitive/peeling nails. I've tried so many different nail treatments from various brands but so far nothing has booted Nail Envy off its top spot. It strengthens my nails like nothing else and works well as a base coat.

Repurchase? Yes

Caudalie Enzymatic Peel Mask: This works in the same way as the Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel and REN Glycolactic Mask but the texture is a thick white cream which applies easier with no chance of drips. After cleansing you apply a generous layer all over your face and leave it to do its thing for 10 minutes. After removing my skin looked brighter and felt smoother. The scent is barely there which is probably why it didn't irritate my skin at all.

Repurchase? Yes

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer: I've read nothing but good reviews on this but for me, foundation primers are just an extra step that I can't be bothered with. I use them sometimes but with this I can't really say my foundation lasted longer or looked better.

Repurchase? No

Urban Decay NAKED Foundation: I can't remember much about this apart from being tempted to rush out and buy a bottle so I'm guessing I liked it.

Repurchase? I can't justify another foundation purchase at the mo.

Trilogy Rosehip Oil: This tiny bottle of goodness is a miracle worker! After getting a kitten at the start of the year my hands were used as a scratch post. They looked horrible and only now are they starting to heal. After asking for advice on Twitter on which products would be best at fading scars, Ali came to the rescue and recommended rosehip oil. Not only did it help with the condition of my hands but the redness has faded a lot!

Repurchase? I've ordered 100ml bottle of organic rosehip oil but not from Trilogy. I'm hoping it works just as good.

Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant: This stuff is harsh! When they describe it as a powerful skin polisher they aint kiddin'! It also heats up slightly which made the whole experience feel too abrasive but it did make my skin feel incredibly smooth!

Repurchase? No, I'm trying to get away from mechanical exfoliaters.

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara '001 Black': I was not a fan of this at all when I first bought it. It didn't do much to my lashes and was far too wet but the more it dried out, the more I liked it. It defined and separated my lashes better than most highstreet mascaras. The end result wasn't over the top and it never looked clumpy.

Repurchase? Maybe

Boots Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover: I've said it before and I'll say it again. When it comes to nail polish remover I won't spend over 2 quid if I can help it. I go through it too quickly and have never noticed much difference between the Boots removers and more expensive ones. If it costs more than a fiver I would be expecting it to come with someone who'll remove the polish for me.

Repurchase? Yes

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream: My Holy Grail hand cream! I've still got some tubes in other scents (Rose Petals & Mango Flower) On the go but the original is my favourite.
Repurchase? Yes

Pure Thoughts Raspberry & Almond Facial Scrub*/ Banana & Clay Natural Face Mask/ Tangerine & Jojoba Whipped Shea Butter*: The masks and scrubs from Pure Thoughts are in powder form which you then add water to to make a paste. The Raspberry & Almond Scrub smelt like raspberry jam and was so gentle on my sensitive. It was so gentle that I doubted it would be able to exfoliate effectively but it did! Sandra sent me the Banana mask which is the reason I placed an order. You can buy the masks in single use sachets making them great for travel. I own a full sized pot of the Mint & Jojoba Whipped Shea Butter and love it! The Tangerine version is just as nice and moisturises brilliantly.
Repurchase? Scrub - Yes. Whipped Shea Butter - I prefer the mint version. Mask - Yes.

Have you finished many products this month?

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March: Used Abused & Reviewed.

I know this is early for an empties post but the clutter was getting on my nerves something shockin'! My empties box was stacked up like a pyramid and everytime I walked by I managed to knock it over so here we go...

JASON Smoothing Sea Kelp Shampoo*: If you're looking for a great everyday shampoo which is free from nasties, you need to take a look at JASON. The quality is great as is the price and the sizes are huge, this bottle is just shy of 500ml. I've been using it for around 9 months now and not once has it iritated my scalp. You can read my review from back in July for more info (link) 

Repurchase? Yes.

Murad Essential-C Cleanser: Foaming cleansers are my least favourite way to cleanse but surprisingly this one from Murad didn't strip my skin. It lathers up but the bubbles feel really creamy and comfortable.

Repurchase? No, I liked it but not enough to repurchase.

Louise Galvin Deep Conditioning Treatment*: Some Louise Galvin products can be on the pricey side but but this Green Beauty Bible Award Winner thankfully isn't. I posted my review back in April (link) and have been using it on and off since then. I still really like it but I've found other treatments that work better on my crazy hair. Another good one to try if you're trying to ditch the nasties.

Repurchase? Maybe.

O.P.I Ridge Filler: I don't really have ridges on my nails but I've tried it on people who do, it doesn't do a great job at filling them but works great used under sheer colours like Opera Ballerina to save on the amount of coats you need to do.

Repuchase? No, I've found something really similar at a cheaper price.

Organic Colour Systems Status Quo Shampoo and Conditioner & Revamp Treatment*: I've worked my way through a lot of hair stuff this month haven't I! The shampoo and conditioner weren't for my hair type but the Revamp Treatment is incredible! It made my hair feel softer, stronger and a lot healthier. See my review for more info (link) Another brand to take a look at if you're looking for organic haircare.

Repurchase? The full sized Revamp Treatment is on my wishlist.

Milk_Shake Active Milk Mask*: I adore this hair mask. It smells good enough to eat, really conditions and softens my hair and makes it manageable BUT it contains parabens. :( I really need some paraben free hair mask recommendations. All the really great masks I've tried lately are full of crap! It's a real shame. You can read my full review here.

Repurchase? Undecided.

Nails Inc Union Street: This came as part of a QVC TSV many moons ago so I'm not sure if it was limited edition but it's a matte neon purple, you can probably find something similar from other brands. It did chip quite badly compared to other Nails Inc Shades.

Repurchase? No, I wasn't a fan of the colour or finish.

L'Oreal Rouge Caresse '03 Lovely Rose': There wasn't much colour pay off with this shade nor did it last long on the lips but on days when I didn't want to look made up it was handy to have. When I was out and about I would even use it as a balm if I didn't have one handy.

Repurchase? I've still got another one in a similar shade so no.

Melvita Rose Extraordinary Water: At first I really liked this product. It has a watery serum texture and you use it instead of regular toner but after a few weeks it started to feel really tacky and I didn't notice any change for the better in my skin. I much prefer using a 'normal' toner. I don't think this is marketed as a toner but I contacted Melvita to make sure I was using it correctly which is where I got the use instead of toner info.

Repurchase? No.

Omorovicza Gold Rescue Cream*: This 5ml pot lasted me weeks and weeks due to how little you need to use. I used this twice a week as my night cream and couldn't believe how plump and healthy my skin looked after each use. The texture is seriously thick but once you start massaging it into the skin it feels almost like water. All products in the gold range contain real gold, an anti-inflammatory agent to heal and strengthen the skin. The cream also traps thermal water molecules for greater hydration. It's fantastic but the price is lethal!

Repurchase? If money was no object I would buy everything Omorovicza.

White Glo Toothpaste: I bought all 3 versions of this a while back. I've still got the Smokers Version to try but the Coffee/Tea Drinkers Version wins over the Original. I had no problems at all with that one, it kept my teeth looking white but the original isn't as effective and made the corners of my mouth really sore.

Repurchase? No.

Boots Smooth Care Facial Wax Strips: Facial Waxing, how attractive but lets be honest, the majority of us have to do it. I've never had any problems with these ones from Boots, they contain 20 strips and are around the 5 quid mark. Bargain! Never again will I buy from the brand that sounds like FEET. They cost alot more, left my skin raw and the customer service is disgusting.

Repurchase? Already have.

Liz Earle Orange Flower Hand Wash: I love Liz Earle but this hand wash didn't really do it for me. It's SLS free and lathered up well but my hands were still left dry like when I use cheaper hand wash.

Repurchase? No.

Rimmel BB Cream: This is such a lovely product. It's cheap, non greasy and lasts all day on my skin without looking shiny.

Repurchase? Already have. :)

Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation: I ended up with a few samples of this foundation from magazines a while back. The shade is a bit too dark for me but the foundation itself is lovely and lasts well throughout the day.

Repurchase? No, I have enough foundation to last a lifetime.

Sephora Super Loaded Age Defy Serum & Age Defy Moisture Cream: Sephora, you're really good with make up but skin care doesn't seem to be your strong point. The cream is ok but the serum rolls into balls as soon as you add moisturiser or foundation over the top. It's terrible.

Repurchase? No.

Phyto Expess Conditioner: Nice conditioner which will work great for most people but my mane needs something a bit more hardcore.

Repurchase? No.

REN Vetiver Hand and Body Cream: This sinks into the skin really quickly but I didn't like the scent and it didn't moisturise all that well.

Repurchase? No but I think I've got another one hanging around somewhere.

REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask: I'm sure you've all heard of or tried this by now. I do like it but I think the F10 Mask works just as good.

Repurchase? No.

I got through quite a few products this month but my stash still doesn't seem to be decreasing. I haven't even bought much lately with being on the spending ban.

Have you worked your way through many products this month?

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February 2013: Used, Abused and Reviewed.

NAKED Starflower Body Wash: NAKED is a great brand to try if you like to avoid nasty ingredients. This body wash is 97% natural and free from sulphates, parabens and petrochemicals. It's cheap as chips, does it's job well and smells good too. I've only tried the body washes so far but have heard great things about the hair products too.
Repurchase? Yes, once I've worked my way through my ridiculous shower gel stash.

REN Oat & Bay Conditioning Shampoo: REN is a brand I love and after reading the reviews for this shampoo on the website I was sold! It's a good enough shampoo but I didn't feel it done anything groundbreaking to my hair. It lathered up well and didn't irritate my scalp but there's better shampoo's out there with more reasonable price tags.
Repurchase? Probably not.

Bodhi Ylang-Ylang Incensa Sensual Bath & Shower Therapy: 'Therapy' describes this beauty perfectly! Honestly, this has to be one of the most luxurious bath/shower products I've ever tried. The scent is incredible and lingers on the skin all day. My whole house smelt gorgeous after every shower and the body cream is equally as good.
Repurchase? YES!

Heathcote & Ivory Vanilla and Brown Sugar Hand Cream: This was my bedside hand cream for the best part of a year. It's a reasonably priced basic hand cream, smells really nice, is free from parabens and sinks into the skin quickly but now that I'm in love with L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream it isn't something I'll buy again.
Repurchase? No.

REN F10 Smooth and Renew Mask: The F10 is practically the same as the infamous Glycolactic Peel but for those with sensitive skin. After using it for a few months and trying a few Glycolactic Peel samples I really see no difference in how they both work. F10 doesn't irritate my skin at all whereas the Glycolactic Peel can cause me to come out in hives but performance wise I really see no difference. I would say save yourself a tenner and go for this one instead. You can read my review here. (link) 

Repurchase? Maybe. I still prefer Gatineau Activ Eclat Gommage which is more expensive but last's so much longer.

Essential Care Coconut Candy Scrub*: This has lasted such a long time! You can read my glowing review here (link) If you love to feel truly pampered, you will love this! It's very oily making it ideal for those with really dry skin but it's solid, not runny in the slightest so you aren't going to waste any.

Repurchase? When My skin needs etc TLC I'll definitely order a tub.

Sarah Chapman Eye Recovery*: I think you're all aware of my love for Sarah Chapman products. There's just something about them that draws me in to the point of being obsessed! The eye cream is the best I've found for instantly plumping out any fine lines around the eye's. If I haven't slept well or I'm not feeling too good fine lines appear, making me look about 60!  Not only can it be used as a normal eye cream but if you apply a thick layer it can be left on as a mask.

Repurchase? Without A doubt.

Peter Thomas Roth Mega-Rich Body Wash: This little 30ml sample came in one of my packages from  Lina It's full of micro-beads containing vitamins A, C, E and provitamin B5. The scent is lovely and fresh, great for using in the mornings.

Repurchase? I'm not sure if it's available in the UK? I know some PTR products are but I don't think I've ever spotted the shower gels.

Caudalie VINEXPERT Radiance Day Fluid SPF10: I'm still undecided on this. Some days I liked it, other days it felt really tacky even though it's a thin fluid. Don't really have much more to say about it.

Repurchase? No.

Yankee Candle Winter Wonderland Tart: I burnt this once then never again, the scent isn't my cup of tea at all. The only time I want to smell pine is in toilet cleaner. Infact, scrap that. Why do brands think toilets should smell like a forest?

Repurchase? No, not even at gun point. 

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant: I really, really liked this. It's quick and easy to use, not harsh on the skin at all and left my face feeling perfectly smooth BUT it contains parabens. I've let too many paraben filled products into my routine just because they're good but I'm trying my hardest not to let any more sneak in.

Repurchase? No.

Montagne Jeunesse Deep Cleansing Nose Pore Strips: These bad boys have featured in so many of my empties posts. Nose pore strips can be really expensive for what they are but these are cheap and work just as good in my opinion.

Repurchase? Yes.

GlamGlow Tingling & Exfoliating Mud Mask*: If you like to feel your skin care working then you're going to love this! If you've tried the Elemis Resurfacing mask it's like that, x10! The tingling sensation did die down after a while and once it's ready to be rinsed off you can exfoliate at the same time.

Repurchase? I would love to but not at the minute.

Have you tried any of these products?

Feel free to link your empties posts below. :)

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