April 2019 Empties
I think I may just have beaten my own personal best with the amount of products that I used up in April!
WR - Will repurchase or have already re-purchased.
MR - May Repurchase. Liked enough to repurchase in the future.
WNR - Either didn't work for me or I didn't like.
Skincare Empties
* Garnier - Micellar Water WNR
Despite choosing this as my favourite Micellar Water of the year a couple of years ago, it's since been superseded by the Superdrug B Micellar Water in terms of performance and value for money. These days I only really use Micellar Water as an eye makeup remover, so I judge performance on how well it does that. This is okay, but only 'okay'.
* Naturally Thinking - Orange Blossom Floral Water WR
I love these Naturally Thinking floral waters and usually buy a couple at a time since they are so versatile and great value for money. I use them as a morning cleanse and to mix with clay masks. This is the first time that I've tried the Orange Blossom Floral Water and I really loved it. I only haven't already repurchased as I have received a couple of new floral waters recently and want to use those first. But this is a definite repurchase. This small 50ml size lasts for about a month and costs around £3.50.
* Omorovicza - Queen of Hungary Mist MR
Absolutely gorgeous and I would love to repurchase this at a later date if it were on offer. This came in a Beauty Box (Look Fantastic, if I recall correctly) so I didn't actually pay for it. I know a full size bottle of this would stretch me financially, but I think you can often find this smaller size at a reasonable price. Hugely refreshing and a beautiful scent - this is one of my favourite facial mists.
* Sukin -Detoxifying Clay Masque MR
This was such a generous sized pot of product and it did take me a while to get through. I love it as a quick deep cleansing and clarifying mask. I thought it smelled of Marzipan (although a little part of me wondered if that was because it had been open for so long!). I would happily repurchase this at a later date when I've finished up some more of my already opened masks. I think I prefer a pre-mixed mask, mainly because I like having something ready to go and also because I'm not great at mixing clay masks!
* Vee Beauty LDN - Lavender & Lemon Cleansing Balm (*PR) - WR
I absolutely loved this gorgeous balm cleanser from Vee Beauty London. It's not an emulsifying balm, but I actually quite like that and always choose to have at least one non-emulsifying balm cleanser in my stash at any time as I like it as an option. I would repurchase this, but I know that Vee has released another couple of scents since this, her original cleansing balm. So I would like to buy another scent variety to try next.
I reviewed this product a while ago.
* Dr Botanicals - Duo Moisturiser - Tropical Invigorating Cream WNR
I really didn't get on with this moisturiser and it was a bit of a chore to finish it up! I moved this into my swimming bag to use as a moisturiser just to stop my face from drying out after swimming, but would always remove it once I got home. My swimming bag is where I always demote the heavier moisturisers to. I'm just not a fan of heavy, oily day moisturisers and this was a very unwieldy cream! It always made my face feel too clogged and greasy and made a horrible base at the start of he day. If this wasn't part of my 20/20 Vision Project, I would have de-cluttered it long ago!
I don't want to completely dismiss Dr Botanicals as a brand as I have enjoyed a couple of their products - but mostly, unfortunately, have been duds for me.
* Elemis - Superfood Facial Wash WNR
Another surprise 'dislike' for me as usually Elemis can do no wrong! I think it was the scent that mostly put me off this product. It was really quite unpleasant and reminded me of my dad getting ready for a night out in the 1980s - Badedas and fags! Urgh!! As a cleanser it was reasonably effective but I just couldn't get past that smell. This got demoted into the shower (a place where my less favourite 'just use it up' cleansers end up) and I was happy that my son started to use it so that I didn't have to!
* Goldfaden - Skin Balancing Mask WR
This sample was one of a selection from Feel Unique's 'Pick n Mix' sample service. And I bloody loved it! Usually, sample sachets don't generally have enough product for me to be able to make an informed decision, but I actually got about 5 uses from this 5ml sample. I have already repurchased a travel size of this mask (the full size is too pricey but the travel size is enough for several uses).
Such a simple to use mask, it's perfect for a morning re-fresh and pick me up so is perfect if you're in a hurry but want to benefit from a quick morning masking session.
* A'Pieu - Start Up Pore Primer MR
I bought several of these sachet samples online when I was looking for a primer. I've since decided that I don't particularly like primers, but if I were to buy one in the future, this would be a definite consideration. YMMV with this one - it is very silicone heavy, so is not going to be suitable for everyone. But I don't mind that silicone velvet-y texture as it's the only thing that I've found that actually does temporarily fill my pores in (and yes, that's an awful sentence to write but that's the only reason I would use a primer!).
* Merumaya - Treatment Toner MR
Everything I've tried from Merumaya, I've really liked. But I've only tried samples so far and have not actually repurchased any full sizes. This is a great clarifying toner for everyday use and I would consider repurchasing after I've finished up similar toners in my stash.
* Omoi Denmark - Moringa & Cherry Cleansing Balm - MR
I received this sample in a giveaway I recently won and out of all the samples that I received, I was most excited to try this one. Unfortunately, I used the entire pot up in one go so that initial use is all I can form an impression on. I don't know if I was having a particularly sensitive skin day or if it was the product, but my skin was quite red and hot after using this. It's a shame I only got the one chance - I wouldn't risk purchasing a full size after this experience because I don't know what it was that caused the sensitivity. I was a bit gutted as I had really been looking forward to trying this.
* Omorovicza - Refining Facial Polish WNR
The only way I get to try out Omorovicza products is when they arrive in Beauty boxes!
This exfoliator was on the more scrubbier side for me - I tend to opt for a more gentle physical exfoliation or better still, an enzyme exfoliator. It didn't cause any irritation using this, but I do need to be careful as I have broken capillaries so don't want to exacerbate them. I only used this once a week, so this lasted me for ages.
* Muti - Calm Down Serum WNR
I feel pretty bad about this, as Muti offer a very generous free sample service where they send you quite a lot of sample sachets of their products that you can try before you buy. I didn't get enough of a feel from this product from this small sample. My initial experience of it didn't blow me away as it left quite a sticky residue. And I'm guessing that this is the sort of product that you need to use over a period of time to see any results. But sadly, this sample didn't make me want to pursue trying this any further.
* Kimberley Sayer - Gentle Face Cleanser & Anti-Aging Cream MR
I was very happy to get the chance to try out some Kimberley Sayer products. These two samples came in this month's Love Lula Box.
Again though, I didn't get a real feel for these products from these small sample sizes. I did prefer the Anti-Aging Cream over the Gentle Face Cleanser, I just couldn't get a good feel for the cleanser. The Anti-Aging Cream is just the sort of cream I would look for in a night cream - but as I have plenty of those already waiting to be used, I don't think I'll be looking to buy this just yet.
Body Care/Hair Care & Misc
* Northburn - Lavender & Vetiver Candle WR
This candle came in January's Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box. I think this was one of the nicest candles I've tried. The scent was lovely and the strength of the scent was just right - not too overpowering but enough to make the room smell lovely after the candle had been put out. This lasted for a good long while too. I hadn't been lighting it every day, but considering I received this in January - that's a good amount of use! I do have Northburn on my wish-list as a brand. Their other products look really tempting and the prices are reasonable too.
* Marks & Spencer - In Bloom Rich Hand & Body Crème WNR
I actually only just noticed that this was a hand cream too! But even if I'd have noticed earlier, I wouldn't have used it for a hand cream. Mainly because the glass pot was far too wieldy to keep to hand. I'm grateful it was a glass pot so it's recyclable, but during it's use, it was very heavy and large and kind of got in the way! This was re-gifted to me from my mum, and I'm guessing she found it too hefty too. As a product, it was okay just to use up as a basic moisturising body cream after showers, but it didn't have anything memorable or particularly special about it.
* The Spoiled Bee - Tropical Bath Soak (*PR) - MR
I really enjoyed using this. I am more of a shower person, but I've had so many nice bath products recently that I've taken to having at least one 'pampering' bath a week, just so I can enjoy those products!
This was one of those luxurious and pampering bath experiences. The coconut powder in this makes for a lovely silky and milky bath and left my skin feeling soft and silky and smelling great afterwards. I will be looking to repurchase this in the future after I've used up some of my current bathing stash.
I've reviewed this here.
* Pure Lakes - Grapefruit & Lemongrass Shower Gel WNR
Another item from January's Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box. Sadly, I wasn't too impressed with this by the end of the bottle. It had a fantastic fresh scent but there was very little lather and not much slip so it took too much product just to get a good clean.
* Salt of the Earth - Pure Aura Natural Deodorant WNR
Another product that really didn't work for me. I much prefer cream and stick natural deodorants. I found this spray took ages to dry and just felt uncomfortable to wear. I think the strength of it was okay and worked but I would've preferred a stick form.
* Lush - Plum Rain Shower Gel MR
I just don't get the mania for Lush. I think they're quite overpriced and so many other brands do it better! This had a lovely scent and a great lather, but I think my overall antipathy towards Lush made me feel less love towards this shower gel!
* Bespoke Aroma - Lavender Pillow Mist MR
This featured in last November's 'Sweet Dreams' Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box.
There's nothing more soothing and calming than Lavender and this Pillow Mist was used as a room spray as well as pillow mist for it's calming properties.
I usually knock up my own room and pillow sprays but it was nice to try this one from Bespoke Aroma.
* Apothaka - SOS Recovery Nail & Cuticle Oil - WR
I actually finished this several month's ago but was re-using the rollerball bottle to store some more cuticle oil after the bottle broke.
However, the Apothaka Nail & Cuticle Oil is by far the best I've ever tried. Natasha Dauncey really does make some stupendous products. I have four other similar products in my stash waiting to be used, but then I will definitely repurchase the SOS Recovery Nail & Cuticle Oil (I also really want to pick up the SOS Recovery Hand Cream too!).
* Patisserie de Bain - Orange Crush Hand Cream WNR
This was my 'handbag hand cream' for a while but it would sometimes be embarrassing and intrusive using it in public as the orange fragrance was so strong! Not a nice natural orange either, but a full-on synthetic orange Tango type smell. So overpowering!
I pulled it out of my bag to use up but found that with regular use it actually made my hands drier. There's not much left in the tube - but I couldn't bring myself to use it up!
* Omoi Denmark - Deodorant Crème Botanique MR
Another sample from the recent Omoi giveaway that I recently won. Again, it was a little too small a sample to come to any solid judgement about, but I liked this cream deodorant. It worked well, but was slightly grittier than others I have tried.
* Vee Beauty LDN - Hair & Scalp Nourishing Treatment WR
This was the first hair oil I've ever tried and it was a fabulous introduction. I definitely noticed less hair loss after using this as a weekly leave-in treatment. It smells gorgeous too, with the most noticeable scent being peppermint.
I currently have a couple of other hair oils in my stash but I will definitely be returning to this in the future.
I wrote a review of the Hair & Scalp Nourishing Treatment here.
* Evering Botanique - Gigi Body Balm WR
Another definite repurchase after I've finished up some current body balms. This was another giveaway win item and I think is one of the loveliest body balms I've tried. Gigi is a real beauty! Everything about her is verdant and fresh and the texture is just delectable.
Mini Review here.
* Scrub Love - Detoxifying Activated Charcoal Body Scrub WNR
I'm not generally a fan of coffee scrubs due to the messy nature of them. And this one did absolutely nothing to warm me to the idea. This was extremely messy. Plus, the mix of oil and scrubby bits of charcoal was so hard to rinse off - leaving black bits stuck in any hairy places (!!) and all over the shower. The oily residue didn't feel particularly moisturising either, just a bit sticky.
* Makeup Revolution - Conceal & Define WR
This wasn't anywhere near as bad I was expecting it to be! When used in conjunction with my E.L.F Under Eye Primer, I really found this to work well as an under eye concealer. It was slightly cakey and settled in my fine lines without the primer, but with it was so much better. Great value for money, great shade selection. Will be repurchasing this.
* Buxom - Full On Lip Polish WNR
I chose this as one of my 20/20 Vision Project items figuring that because it was so small it would be quick to use up! Wrong! It took forever and still isn't completely scraped clean as I just couldn't reach the last bits of product.
Anyway, I didn't like it. I think that's mainly because I don't like lip gloss. I hate that they are so sticky and my hair always ends up stuck to my lips.
If I liked lip gloss, I might like this.
As a lip plumper, it did a great job. Had a menthol taste and tingled (not unpleasantly) and I could notice my lips appeared more plump. The colour was great too.
I just didn't get on with it.
* Rituals - The Ritual of Ayurveda Soothing Hand Balm WR
I've already purchased a back-up of this hand cream. It's fantastic! A lovely rich balm texture that forms a silky, protective barrier on my skin - remaining even after washing hands. The scent is fantastic too. It's maybe better for use in winter as it is a really rich hand cream. Didn't leave any greasy residue. I did a mini review of this hand cream here.
De-Clutters
* Superdrug Naturally Radiant - Brightening Eye Cream
I really like the Superdrug Naturally Radiant range. And I did really like this when I first bought it. It was one of those eye creams that seemed to reach a plateau after a couple of weeks use, where I stopped noticing any results, so I would swap it over with another.
However, recently I've been taking stock of my eye care routine. I just don't think most eye creams do anything for me. I've realised that I definitely need good hydration as that is key to minimising the appearance of fine lines around my eyes. But I'm preferring to take that hydration from balms, serums and oils rather than creams.
I've decided to get rid of this. My eyes have been watering in the evening lately (Hay Fever? Dry Eye?) and this seemed to exacerbate that, so my decision was finalised.
* Ziaja - Parsley Eye Cream
Another eye cream that I liked when I first bought it, but exactly the same as above - it would plateau after a couple of weeks of use.
This one seemed to particularly irritate my eyes whilst I've been suffering from extra watery eyes so I had to stop using it instantly.
* Makeup Revolution - Matte lip Kit
This one has been hovering over the bin for ages now! I never really enjoyed wearing this but kept giving it another chance. It's a different shade than appears in the bottle, plus it's extremely sticky. Not enjoyable to wear at all. Chances are all gone, I'm afraid!
* Northburn - Lavender & Vetiver Candle WR
This candle came in January's Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box. I think this was one of the nicest candles I've tried. The scent was lovely and the strength of the scent was just right - not too overpowering but enough to make the room smell lovely after the candle had been put out. This lasted for a good long while too. I hadn't been lighting it every day, but considering I received this in January - that's a good amount of use! I do have Northburn on my wish-list as a brand. Their other products look really tempting and the prices are reasonable too.
* Marks & Spencer - In Bloom Rich Hand & Body Crème WNR
I actually only just noticed that this was a hand cream too! But even if I'd have noticed earlier, I wouldn't have used it for a hand cream. Mainly because the glass pot was far too wieldy to keep to hand. I'm grateful it was a glass pot so it's recyclable, but during it's use, it was very heavy and large and kind of got in the way! This was re-gifted to me from my mum, and I'm guessing she found it too hefty too. As a product, it was okay just to use up as a basic moisturising body cream after showers, but it didn't have anything memorable or particularly special about it.
* The Spoiled Bee - Tropical Bath Soak (*PR) - MR
I really enjoyed using this. I am more of a shower person, but I've had so many nice bath products recently that I've taken to having at least one 'pampering' bath a week, just so I can enjoy those products!
This was one of those luxurious and pampering bath experiences. The coconut powder in this makes for a lovely silky and milky bath and left my skin feeling soft and silky and smelling great afterwards. I will be looking to repurchase this in the future after I've used up some of my current bathing stash.
I've reviewed this here.
* Pure Lakes - Grapefruit & Lemongrass Shower Gel WNR
Another item from January's Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box. Sadly, I wasn't too impressed with this by the end of the bottle. It had a fantastic fresh scent but there was very little lather and not much slip so it took too much product just to get a good clean.
* Salt of the Earth - Pure Aura Natural Deodorant WNR
Another product that really didn't work for me. I much prefer cream and stick natural deodorants. I found this spray took ages to dry and just felt uncomfortable to wear. I think the strength of it was okay and worked but I would've preferred a stick form.
* Lush - Plum Rain Shower Gel MR
I just don't get the mania for Lush. I think they're quite overpriced and so many other brands do it better! This had a lovely scent and a great lather, but I think my overall antipathy towards Lush made me feel less love towards this shower gel!
* Bespoke Aroma - Lavender Pillow Mist MR
This featured in last November's 'Sweet Dreams' Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box.
There's nothing more soothing and calming than Lavender and this Pillow Mist was used as a room spray as well as pillow mist for it's calming properties.
I usually knock up my own room and pillow sprays but it was nice to try this one from Bespoke Aroma.
* Apothaka - SOS Recovery Nail & Cuticle Oil - WR
I actually finished this several month's ago but was re-using the rollerball bottle to store some more cuticle oil after the bottle broke.
However, the Apothaka Nail & Cuticle Oil is by far the best I've ever tried. Natasha Dauncey really does make some stupendous products. I have four other similar products in my stash waiting to be used, but then I will definitely repurchase the SOS Recovery Nail & Cuticle Oil (I also really want to pick up the SOS Recovery Hand Cream too!).
* Patisserie de Bain - Orange Crush Hand Cream WNR
This was my 'handbag hand cream' for a while but it would sometimes be embarrassing and intrusive using it in public as the orange fragrance was so strong! Not a nice natural orange either, but a full-on synthetic orange Tango type smell. So overpowering!
I pulled it out of my bag to use up but found that with regular use it actually made my hands drier. There's not much left in the tube - but I couldn't bring myself to use it up!
* Omoi Denmark - Deodorant Crème Botanique MR
Another sample from the recent Omoi giveaway that I recently won. Again, it was a little too small a sample to come to any solid judgement about, but I liked this cream deodorant. It worked well, but was slightly grittier than others I have tried.
* Vee Beauty LDN - Hair & Scalp Nourishing Treatment WR
This was the first hair oil I've ever tried and it was a fabulous introduction. I definitely noticed less hair loss after using this as a weekly leave-in treatment. It smells gorgeous too, with the most noticeable scent being peppermint.
I currently have a couple of other hair oils in my stash but I will definitely be returning to this in the future.
I wrote a review of the Hair & Scalp Nourishing Treatment here.
* Evering Botanique - Gigi Body Balm WR
Another definite repurchase after I've finished up some current body balms. This was another giveaway win item and I think is one of the loveliest body balms I've tried. Gigi is a real beauty! Everything about her is verdant and fresh and the texture is just delectable.
Mini Review here.
* Scrub Love - Detoxifying Activated Charcoal Body Scrub WNR
I'm not generally a fan of coffee scrubs due to the messy nature of them. And this one did absolutely nothing to warm me to the idea. This was extremely messy. Plus, the mix of oil and scrubby bits of charcoal was so hard to rinse off - leaving black bits stuck in any hairy places (!!) and all over the shower. The oily residue didn't feel particularly moisturising either, just a bit sticky.
* Makeup Revolution - Conceal & Define WR
This wasn't anywhere near as bad I was expecting it to be! When used in conjunction with my E.L.F Under Eye Primer, I really found this to work well as an under eye concealer. It was slightly cakey and settled in my fine lines without the primer, but with it was so much better. Great value for money, great shade selection. Will be repurchasing this.
* Buxom - Full On Lip Polish WNR
I chose this as one of my 20/20 Vision Project items figuring that because it was so small it would be quick to use up! Wrong! It took forever and still isn't completely scraped clean as I just couldn't reach the last bits of product.
Anyway, I didn't like it. I think that's mainly because I don't like lip gloss. I hate that they are so sticky and my hair always ends up stuck to my lips.
If I liked lip gloss, I might like this.
As a lip plumper, it did a great job. Had a menthol taste and tingled (not unpleasantly) and I could notice my lips appeared more plump. The colour was great too.
I just didn't get on with it.
* Rituals - The Ritual of Ayurveda Soothing Hand Balm WR
I've already purchased a back-up of this hand cream. It's fantastic! A lovely rich balm texture that forms a silky, protective barrier on my skin - remaining even after washing hands. The scent is fantastic too. It's maybe better for use in winter as it is a really rich hand cream. Didn't leave any greasy residue. I did a mini review of this hand cream here.
De-Clutters
* Superdrug Naturally Radiant - Brightening Eye Cream
I really like the Superdrug Naturally Radiant range. And I did really like this when I first bought it. It was one of those eye creams that seemed to reach a plateau after a couple of weeks use, where I stopped noticing any results, so I would swap it over with another.
However, recently I've been taking stock of my eye care routine. I just don't think most eye creams do anything for me. I've realised that I definitely need good hydration as that is key to minimising the appearance of fine lines around my eyes. But I'm preferring to take that hydration from balms, serums and oils rather than creams.
I've decided to get rid of this. My eyes have been watering in the evening lately (Hay Fever? Dry Eye?) and this seemed to exacerbate that, so my decision was finalised.
* Ziaja - Parsley Eye Cream
Another eye cream that I liked when I first bought it, but exactly the same as above - it would plateau after a couple of weeks of use.
This one seemed to particularly irritate my eyes whilst I've been suffering from extra watery eyes so I had to stop using it instantly.
* Makeup Revolution - Matte lip Kit
This one has been hovering over the bin for ages now! I never really enjoyed wearing this but kept giving it another chance. It's a different shade than appears in the bottle, plus it's extremely sticky. Not enjoyable to wear at all. Chances are all gone, I'm afraid!
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