It's been a while but I'm back - things have been a little bit hectic for me lately, both in my working and home life, so apologies for the absence. I do hope to make a proper effort and keep on top of things... *slaps wrist*
I might not have been blogging but I've definitely not stopped shopping - in fact I have gone so ridiculously mental with the hauling while I've been away, that it actually makes me feel a leetle beet seeck. I hope to distract myself from parting with money I really shouldn't by blogging about the things I already have.
In order to justify my excess and frivolous spending I shall now attempt to prove that I certainly needed to re-stock my cupboard (to a degree) by listing all the items I finished up during June and July - which were a lot! I'll try and keep it briefer than my last empties post.*
*FAILED
JUNE
Wowsers, I really ploughed through my stash this month. I was clearly a woman on a mission as I managed a whopping 26 items - that's nearly one a day! Crikey.
Hair
Charles Worthington hair healer leave in conditioner - I don't really tend to get on with leave-in conditioners, as I find they often leave my hair feeling weighed down and crispy, even with just a little bit. I won't repurchase this as it did exactly that.
James Brown Scandalous Intensively Glossy Rescue Treatment - I got this as a magazine freebie. Made no noticeable difference to my hair, and it smelled really manly.
Home Hair Dye Conditioners - needs no explanation!
Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect Shampoo - magazine sample. Nothing special. I used to use Pantene Pro-V when I was quite young - I'm a bit on the fence about this one as I'm not generally a fan of cheapo drugstore hair stuff. Over the last couple of years I've been spending more on my haircare products. You can probably tell I'm just trying to make a dent in the less awesome stuff!
Wella Shaders & Toners in 873 Golden Sand - I used this to tone down a fresh dye. I find that when I've bleached my hair and dye it a very pale or ashy blonde it goes purple *eek* which eventually calms down, but I just injected some temporary brassiness to neutralise it before it disappeared.
Loreal Recital Preference 10.21 Stockholm - I love love love this colour! It's one of the silveriest (not a real word until now), lightest blonde home hair dyes I've ever used. You might think what's the point in using such a pale dye on bleached hair, and I say to you good sir, that it helps take off the edge of startlingly white frazzled tresses, and cools it down to a nice even shade.
StarGazer Bleach and Peroxide Kit - this is of course the bleach I used before I dyed my hair. I've used it a few times now and I desperately needed to touch up my roots as I haven't been able to book a wednesday off to get a discount at my hairdressers :( I did it all by myself (I usually rope Mr BNH in to spot check for dark bits that haven't developed and to help apply at the back) and I only missed one spot! Blegh. I still think it's impressive... I got it from Amazon here.
Skincare
Nivea Visage Daily Essentials Extra Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover - This was pretty average. For something that claims to be extra gentle, and for someone who doesn't have sensitive skin, I was surprised to feel a stinging sensation on my eyes. Won't buy again!
Boots Botanics Organic Rosewater Toner - I love the scent of this toner. I do love using this and have repurchased a lot, but unfortunately it does have alcohol in it, which isn't great as it dries my skin out. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a gentler alternative.
Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Shine Control Day Moisturiser - although I found this to have a slightly mattifying effect, it did dry my skin out a little too much and I think my skin overcompensated and became worse as a result. If you read my last empties post you'll know I am done with all this medicated stinky stuff!
Skinology Tea Tree Blackhead Cleanser - after using clean and clear astringents throughout teenagedom and beyond, I eventually found this cheaper alternative. I hate using them but it used to be the only thing that made my skin feel clean, even with face wipes and face wash too. I've found an alternative to use since then, and I am re-evaluating my skincare routine. Don't worry folks, I've well and truly learnt my lesson about this kind of stuff and won't ever go back.
Dove Summer Glow Daily Face Moisturiser + SPF 15 - I kind of rushed to use this up. Love the smell, don't love the texture (slightly grainy) or the results (barely visible).
Passion Moon Potions Kukui Nut Cream Sample - I went through a mad Etsy phase a while ago (why is it all the things that interest me are things that also cost me lots of money?) and whilst I was researching hand made cosmetics I came across Passion Moon Potions' Etsy shop and fell in love. I think I must have been reminiscing about my beloved Hawaii, as this is where all the items are created! I bought kukui nut jewellery when I was there in 2008 and I had no idea it could be used in cosmetics. I ordered a fair amount of stuff from the shop and I could smell Hawaii when the package arrived! I highly recommend the Orange Chocolate Chip Cookie Whipped Shea Creme and Coconut Cream Lip Balm ! In fact whilst looking through the shop for the links just now I can see there are so many new and delicious sounding products since I ordered - I WANT IT ALL!!
Clarins HydraQuench Bi-Serum (Anti-Soif) - I'm not sure if this product is discontinued now. It was quite nice a nice sample, just a super hydrating serum really.
Boots No7 Quick Thinking 4-in-1 Wipes - of course these have now been replaced by the new Beautiful Skin wipes to go with the rest of the updated range. This was the last packet in my stash that I finished in early June. Just like everyone else, I think their make-up removing wipes are the best, and just like everyone else, I will only buy them with the £5 No7 voucher promotion in bulk. Who the hell pays £7 for wipes? You could get a lippie for that. Pffft.
Fragrance
Gucci by Gucci - I really loved this scent when it first came out, but it ended up being one of those perfumes I just got bored of. I don't think I will repurchase it, as I have my favourites and I love trying new ones out. I have a lot to use up too so won't be buying perfume for a while! It was quite a departure from my usual style; deep, sophisticated, definitely an evening sent.
Boots Embrace Pulse Point Perfume - yeah I'm ashamed to admit how old this is. Yucky yucky out you go!!
Bath & Body
Rituals... T'ai Chi White Lotus & Green Tea Foaming Shower Gel Sensation - I received this full sized bottle in my Christmas 2011 Glossybox and it was truly lovely. I don't think I would repurchase however as it's around £7 online. It could make a nice gift for someone. I do get annoyed at shower foams as when they start running out and the pressure decreases it's quite tough to squeeze out! But I love the sensation of the gel foaming up :)
Marks & Spencers Essential Extracts White Peach & Almond Cream Bath - this is a pretty standard bubble bath with a nice fragrance. I also like their coconut version. You can get both cream and foam bath with all the scents, but to be honest I couldn't really notice a difference. It's not hugely bubbly.
Inecto Pure Coconut Exfoliating Body Scrub - I love this stuff, it smells delish! I think they exfoliating grains are actually real pieces of coconut shell if I remember rightly. It' very creamy and moisturising, but I do get through them quickly. Have repurchased countless times.
Make-up
e.l.f. Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Coffee - I took this brown eyeliner pen on holiday with me as something subtle I could wear in the daytime. It was hugely special as you would expect for £1.50 but it did the job. Dried up pretty quickly though - massive bugbear for me with these types of eyeliners! Which leads me to...
Barry M Wink Black Marker Pen for Eyes - this was again great at first then dried up and turned to crap so quickly. The nib is really thick and frayed after a little while which meant that it was difficult to be precise with it. Exactly the same thing as Scarlett and Crimson eyeliner pen, except for the colour and design of the packaging. Won't buy again.
MaxFactor Pan Stick in Fair 25 - I used this as a concealer when I was very pale before my holiday! I do like its coverage and I don't find it drying. It's more of a winter product as it feels quite thick and heavy.
Fearne for Boots Midnight Lashes Mini Mascara - this mascara came in a Christmas gift set and I had been keeping it in my handbag make up bag for days I was in a rush (too late to finish putting my face on). Was nothing special.
Other
Johnson's Baby Shampoo - I use this to wash my brushes every week, hence the washed out label that I stuck on it to make sure nobody mistakenly used it! I am trying Boots' own brand baby shampoo now as it is a little more cost effective. One day I'll get around to doing a post on how I care for my brushes :)
Phew! That was a lot. I need a break. The hard part was over, there's not so many for July. Please feel free to make a cuppa and grab a biscuit and meet me in 5.... well done for making it this far!
JULY
Silly me forgot to get a group photo!
Hair
Skincare
Skin Therapy Dry Skin Facial Wipes - I was expecting these to be pretty bad as they are budget wipes from Wilkinsons - I made a quick dash to buy them as I needed to remove my make up after work quickly and they surprised me. They aren't wonderful, but they're not terrible.
Fragrance
Very Irrestible by Givenchy - this is one of my all time favourite scents. I associate perfumes very strongly with the time in my life that I discovered them and first wore them. Its so nostalgic for me that it's almost painful how much I miss old times when I revisit them! For me this one takes me back to being 16/17, when I left an all girls school for college and freedom, and made some fantastic friends. It reminds me of going to gigs and having a teenage obsession with the frontman of a Finnish 'love metal' band... for all of you out there that know who I mean... hehehe.
Bath & Body
Boots The Garden Collection Bath Gels in Rose & Lavender - these were a Christmas gift - I know some people hate these kind of floral 'old lady' scents, but I love them. Rose is one of my favourite fragrances, and Lavender is lovely in a bedtime bath paired with Lush's Dreamwash.
Loreal NutriSummer 24hr Moisturising Lotion (Gradual Tanner) - I really liked this apart from the fact it was very sticky and took FOREVER to absorb. It stained my dressing gown a little but gave an even, subtle/natural looking colour.
Make-up
YSL Touche Eclat Sample in shade 02 - I already use the full size in this shade but this sample was much thicker, almost like a proper concealer. It was quite good!
Collection 2000 Glam Crystals Dazzling Gel Liner in 03 Funk, Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner in Midnight Cowboy and Opia Liquid Eyeliner Glitter - I'm lumping these all together as they were my favourite and most used eyeliners, which obviously means they all dried up :'( the Opia one didn't have a name, but was a beautiful iridescent green with gold and green glitter, not too OTT at all.
Bourjois 10 Hour Sleep Effect Foundation in Rose Clair - I love this foundation, and have re-purchased several times. Really outstanding for a drugstore brand! This bottle unfortunately got broken by my other half (he borrowed it for a film he was acting in) and it was returned to me with the pump barely working. After battling with it for a few weeks I eventually cracked it open and depotted it, getting the rest out with a brush. I couldn't let it go to waste! Will repurchase immediately as I love it.
Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint SPF 15 in Beige 02 - I got this sample from Liz Earle in my last order, and ordered the full size in this month's offer. Normally, Bare 01 would be closer to my natural skin colour, but as I am clinging on to my tan from my holiday it's too light for me. I also find light TM's too wishy washy. It made sense to me to get a darker shade because I'll want to use it in summer as a lighter base, when I will be tanned (ha! wishful thinking in this country). It's a bit thick in application but I was so impressed with the staying power. I nearly got last month's Liz Earle offer because I really wanted to try the Botanical Shine shampoo and conditioner but I held off in the hope they would feature sheer skin tint this month, and lo and behold, they did! For £41 you get Cleanse & Polish 100ml, Instant Boost Skin Tonic 200ml, a moisturiser of your choice and 2 muslin cloths plus a full size 40ml tube of Sheer Skin Tint for free, worth £21! I think it's a great deal as you always get a freebie too, last time I got a mini version of my chosen moisturiser, this time I got hand cream. Sweet as a nut ;)
Other
Cutex Strengthening Nail Polish Remover - I keep going back to this remover as it's the best I've tried so far. I'm currently using up a terrible Wilkinsons one, and I have a bottle of the Cutex nourishing after that. Then I want to try a Sally Hansen one.
Well, if you are still reading, you have the patience of a saint, or are a masochist. I for one am bloody exhausted after all that!! So much for keeping it brief... I just summed up about 40 products. I am so sorry and I am now going to bed.
Sticky Kisses!
No comments:
Post a Comment