November: Used, Abused And Reviewed.

 

 

I get through quite a few products each month but I still dont seem to be making a dent in my 'pile of crap' Am I alone? Here's what I got through this month:

Boots Nail Polish Remover: I've gone through bottle after bottle of this remover. It's dirt cheap and I usually pick it up with my points so really it's free. I'm really not fussy when it comes to remover and would never pay over 3 quid for a bottle.

Repurchase? Yes.

Lavera Organic Coconut Dreams Shower & Bath Gel: I done a post on this back in July (link) I love that it doesn't contain SLS, parabens etc and it smells good too. It lathers well for being SLS free and doesn't strip the skin at all. Definitely want to pick up some other scents.

Repurchase? Yes.

Ojon Ultra Hydrating Conditioner: The price of Ojon products just baffles me. Yes the products are good but in my opinion they aren't worth the price tag. Ultra Hydrating Conditioner leaves the hair feeling soft and conditioned but after a few uses my hair was flat and felt loaded with build up. This bottle has been knockin' around for ages so I'm glad to finally get rid of it.

Repurchase? No.

Elemis Maximum Moisture Day Cream: I love Elemis but this is just an average product. There's nothing bad about it, It'd be a great product for anyone just starting off with a skincare routine but I didnt notice any improvements to my skin.

Repurchase? No

Elemis Maximum Replenishing Night Cream: Same as above really. It did a good job of keeping my skin moisturised but I want and need alot more from a night cream.

Repurchase? No.

Liz Earle Superbalm: This stuff lasts forever! It's a great multi-purpose product that can be used on elbows, feet, knees, cuticles, lips or any other dry places. This came with a QVC TSV years ago and has served me well. You definitely get your moneys worth from it.

Repurchase? Yes.

L'Oreal Colour Riche Nail in Opera Ballerina: I adore Opera Ballerina and never shut up about it but as far as I'm concerned it's perfect. I just wish the bottles were bigger! (swatches)

Repurchase? Always.

Perricone High Potency Evening Repair: This is the only product from Perricone that actually makes a difference to how my skin looks and feels. If you have sensitive skin do a patch test first as it contains the highest levels of Retinol available in over the counter cosmetics. I did react to it but not too badly and I just loved the results too much to let it bother me. My skin felt smooth as if I'd just had a facial and when I hit my 30s I'll definitely get a full sized bottle. If you're bothered with lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dull skin, enlarged pores or surface imperfections I really recommend High Potency Evening Repair.

Repurchase? Yes.

Aveda Smooth Infusion Shampoo & Conditioner: I tried these out on my mum a while back then managed to get my hands on a  few samples for myself but I'm still not impressed. You need to use so much product each time to get any lather and Aveda isn't the cheapest brand around.

Repurchase? No.

Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser & Skin Recovery Cream: I liked both these samples even though I removed the cleanser with water and a flannel instead of tissuing off as instructed. If you have reactive skin you might enjoy these. The Skin Recovery Cream doesn't do anything other than keep your skin moisturised so it's not something I would use all the time but it's a handy product to have.

Repurchase? I'm tempted to purchase both for when my skin flares up.

Montagne Jeunesse De Clog Nose Pore Strips: I stocked up a few months back and go through a pack every month but this was my last pack. There's not much to say apart from they work and they aren't as painful to remove as some other brands I've tried.

Repurchase? Yes.

Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina Anti-Ageing Day Cream*: I'm a huge fan of Barefoot Botanicals skin care. All the products are packed full of lovely ingredients and don't contain any parabens or other nasties. I done a full review back in April if you want to read more (link). The cream is almost gel like and really hydrating without being heavy.

Repurchase? Not at the minute as I'm trying out a few other day creams.

Lierac Comfort Peel: This sample came months and months ago in a Feelunique Beauty Box. I only got round to using it this week but I don't have an opinion on it as it was such a small sample.

Repurchase? No

Iroisie Ultimate BB Cream: I didn't like this at all. The texture, shade and everything else about it just doesn't float my boat.

Repurchase? No.

Have you tried any of these products?

*PR sample

Current Hair Care Routine

For Reference: my hair is mid back length | thick | wavy/curly | slightly frizzy | oily roots | dry midlengths/ends | coloured all over (L'oreal Diacolor) | a few blonde flashes (bleach) through the under sections.

I first started having my hair highlighted with a highlighting cap when I was around 11 and stayed blonde untill I was 20/21. Those highlighting caps are the devil! They could be used in the SAW films. Since then my hair has been mostly dark but working in a salon meant I was adding different colours every other week. I cant think of one colour I havent had in my hair but for the last 3 years my hair has been dark brown untill recently when I added some flashes. I think its safe to say my hair has taken one helluva hammering.

If I've reviewed the products I'll leave links to the reviews.

Shampoo

Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo: With using hair oil I need a shampoo to remove every trace of build up. This does just that! My hair is left feeling so clean and it doesnt irritate my sensitive scalp as its SLS free. (link)

Jason Smoothing Sea Kelp Shampoo*: Another SLS free shampoo. Adds more moisture than Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo but still leaves my hair feeling clean. (link)

Louise Galvin Nourishing Shampoo For Dry/Damaged Hair*: This is also SLS free so its perfect for anyone with a sensitive scalp. If you have a dry/itchy scalp try an SLS free shampoo instead of anti dandruff. They work so much better! (link)

Conditioner

Jason Smoothing Sea Kelp Conditioner*: Conditions the hair really well but without leaving it flat. I would say any hair type could get away with using this conditioner. (link)

Louise Galvin Nourishing Conditioner For Dry/Damaged Hair*: Same as above. (link)

Evolve Organic Beauty Protein Build Conditioner*: This smells good enough to eat. Its like cupcakes! My hair feels a lot stronger when I use this but it doesnt detangle my hair as well as my other conditioners do so depending on how my hairs feeling I maybe follow with a tiny amount of one of the above conditioners. (link)

Ojon Ultra Hydrating Conditioner: It conditions the hair well but really weighs it down. I've had this bottle for almost 2 years now so I'm just trying to use it up before it goes out of date but I wont repurchase. For me Ojon just doesnt live upto the hype or pricetag.

Weekly or monthly Treatments/Masks

Perfectly Pure Coconut Oil: Once a month I apply this all over my hair, leave on over night then shampoo out in the morning. The oil is solid but melts with the heat of your hands and smells like bounty. :) I got my pot from Holland & Barrett last year and its still going strong.

Louise Galvin Deep Conditioning Treatment*: Once a week I use this beauty and am always amazed at how well it works. You leave it on the hair for 10 minutes then rinse. It detangles every strand of hair and rinses out so easily. (link)

Revlon Professional Nutri Color Creme*: Once a month I use this in the shower as a colour boost. It only needs to be left on the hair for 3 minutes and adds the most amazing shine. I doubt you'll ever find anything that makes your hair feel/look as healthy. (link)

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment: I dont use this as often as I should because the smell is just too much for me and I'm never amazed by the results. To be honest I'm just trying to use this up now. I've had it for years but wouldnt repurchase.

Hair Oil

Moroccon Oil: I cant not mention Moroccon Oil, its been my main man for the last few years but I'm now at the end of my bottle.

Orofluido Sahara Hair Protection*: This is a dry oil spray and feels so light. It can be used on damp or dry hair. Helps to smooth frizz and protects the hair from extreme heat. (link)

That looks like a lot doesnt it! eesh. I switch up my shampoo/conditioner from week to week, same with the hair treatments and I never use more than one type of oil on my hair at one time. My Tangle Teezer is also a HUGE part of my hair care routine. I would honestly be lost without it and more than likely bald by now.

Do you use any of these products?

*PR sample