February 2013 Empties | Thoughts & Opinions

Empties!!

I decided to join in with the empties posts that I see around the blogging world and because this is my first month I don't have as many because they were thrown out. I am slightly nervous about doing the empties posts only because I do tend to hop onto the next product if I get bored or it doesn't wow me and leaves lots of products half-filled at the back of my cupboard.

So this little challenge is my way of forcing myself to use up my cosmetics, haircare and skincare even if I get bored. It also allows me to give the good, bad and the ugly about products I have currently fully trialled. So here goes...

Sanex Deodorant 250ml

This has been my favourite tough acting deodorant for years. Having tried many of the brands and newly released products I found that my old trusty Sanex was the only one that really did keep me dry and smelling as fresh as a daisy all day. It doesn't sting your skin and comes in this huge 250ml size which is great as both myself and my husband use this. It states that it's supposed to last 48 hours but to be fair I can't guarantee this does as I haven't gone 48 hours without washing but the new 'micro talc' is no way near as good as the previous formula as it can leave slight white marks if you spray a little too much, the last formula didn't do this at all. I purchased

Morrisons own brand Ibuprofen pain relief gel 30g

I have to live with a variety of immune-based health disorders that cause huge amounts of pain, it's something that I've struggled with and was one of the deciding factors in me becoming a blogger so I could regain some normality in what seemed like an unfair world. I do rely on heaps of daily medication and to get those sorer areas that medication just won't touch I tend to whip out my pain gel, I have used prescription branded gels and shop-bought gels, personally, they both do the same thing and do help to some degree. As you can see February was a very painful month due to my sons and myself getting ill. I would, however, fully recommend this own brand gel if you do need to cope with the pain of any degree. Of course, speak to your doctor or health professional and always read the labels.

75g Steam Cream 'Gris Gris' Limited Edition (Design 114)

Ooh, I love me some Steam Cream! I am actually very sad that this has finished but do have plans for the pot as it's so beautiful. I love Steam Cream and will definitely be buying more as both the packaging and the cream are amazing. Steam Cream is an award-winning brand that creates the most nourishing natural cream ever, once I finished this cream I actually went on a hunt for a cream that matched this but couldn't find one. They also tend to collaborate with designers creating these limited edition designed tins. This one was 'Gris Gris' and was by Mako Kikkawa. Take a look at their gallery of tins HERE (No longer available), you can also purchase some but personally, I am coveting the Japan Exclusives especially the Disney ones, possibly because they are the ones I can't have?? I love design 171 and 154.

REN Photoactive Sun Veil with SPF 15

This product acts as a barrier between your skin and UVA's and UVB's which are what cause photo-ageing, pigmentation and cancer. As I get older and more worried about the damage the sun can cause I am grateful that REN has made a product that takes those worries away. I pop this on after moisturising, it leaves no marks and is basically the same as a moisturiser but so much more powerful. I'm not sure if it's supposed to but my skin looked matte after applying and it felt and acted like a primer in so many ways. I will definitely be purchasing this again and I'm slightly gutted that I don't currently have any left.

REN Kit for Combination Skin £12

I only had the box left as the tubes were thrown out before deciding to keep my empties. This kit contains everything you need to smooth, moisturise and cleanse combination skin. It contains 3 products so I'll review each separately.

T-Zone Balance Fluid 15ml

This was possibly a little too lightweight for my skin and while it nourished, my skin didn't stay nourished for too long. I have heard others talking about REN and loving the brand and while I adore their rose products this fluid didn't do it for me and it felt like a pointless step. I wouldn't purchase this product again.

Mayblossom T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel 25ml

Again another product that should have been amazing but really felt like a pointless step. This gel does cleanse but it doesn't feel like it sloughs away the oil, sebum and dead skin cells. I found my skin starting to breakout slightly and it felt oilier after a few days use and I have to say that my skin didn't improve at all while using this.

Invisible Pores Detox Mask 15ml

I did, however, love this product. It acts as a clay mask drawing out impurities and cleansing those pesky pores. It didn't do an amazing job like some of my other brand favourites but it did leave my skin feeling clean. I probably would buy this again as a summer detox mask when my skin needs more of a gentle routine.

50ml Natural Elements Orange & Kiwi Moisturiser for Combination Skin £15.50

I love this moisturiser and really do not have a bad word to say about it. I love how the product contains minimal ingredients (literally about 9 ingredients and that's it) contains no nasties, preservatives, parabens and all of that other scary stuff. This product is for combination skin and from the get-go, I noticed a difference, my T-zone stayed matte for longer than it does with other brands, it stayed moisturised and my dry cheeks were smooth and moisturised as they should be. This is the type of product that REN should have as the formula is amazing. I would for sure purchase again but my only worry is the price and the sheer amount I tend to use, this would be an expensive habit but one my skin would be grateful for.

Dior Addict Eau Sensuelle EDT

This was just a sample as I am so fussy with fragrance. I like a fragrance that smells classic, sexy and womanly but finds that many fragrances smell the same. Notes include white floral, musk and woody notes and you can really smell each of them. It's powerful but feminine and I adore it. I'm not and haven't ever been a fan of Dior's perfume line but this has started a possible new love affair for me. I will be buying this for sure.

Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rold EDP

I was so excited to have received this tester from Viktor & Rolf as this was one of those majorly hyped scents. Notes include patchouli, white floral, greens and citrus and I was so excited to hear it had patchouli in it, I, of course, adore patchouli but was a little apprehensive as I don't tend to get on with citrus scents. While the smell is nice, on me it doesn't last very long and I really wish it had some woods or musks in it to give it more oomph so slightly disappointed and I won't be buying this in the near future.

Lady Gaga Fame EDP 1.2ml

Honey, floral and sweet this is definitely an enticing potion. I was drawn in by the promise of a black perfume that turns normal coloured once sprayed. I expected and hoped this would be deep and dark just like the advert but it was a bit too floral and not enough dark for my liking. I won't be buying it again for now but that's not to say I won't ever buy it.

Taylor Swift's Wonderstruck EDT 1.2ml

I expected to hate it but I absolutely adore this fragrance. I would have thought it would be filled with rainbows and sunshine and lots of sugary floral but surprisingly Taylor Swift's team have created a masterpiece. It combines notes such as raspberry, green tea, vanilla, amber, musk, sandalwood and peach and it's these notes that make this so warm and inviting. It lasts for ages and doesn't turn into a bitter cloying mess on the skin. I have actually purchased the full-size bottle as well as a gift set (from eBay) which included a medium-sized bottle and tiny purse-sized one.

Neom Sicilian Lemon & Fresh Basil Spray

I sprayed this thinking it was a body fragrance to find it may have possibly been a room spray, either way, I won't be using it again as it was horrid! I can't stand citrus scents so it might have been that but it smelled too strong, too thick and felt like I was being gassed by fake lemons and herbs. Even my kiddies ran out of the room after spraying it, enough said really.

L'Occitane Divine Cream 1ml

This cream aims to balance, tighten and brighten the skin while moisturising where needed. I absolutely adored this cream and will be for sure purchasing it. It felt smooth and silky like I was literally smoothing over some melted silk and my skin felt nourished for hours. I didn't notice any tightening or brightening with this little sample but I'm hoping it will show visible results once I purchase the full size. It costs £69 so it is expensive but when it comes to skincare and skincare that is as good as this, then the costs seem fair for the benefits.

Oxygen Teens Vitalising Moisturiser 30ml

This range is aimed at teens but I felt that with my hormonal issues this may be the ideal product to tackle the pimples, redness and dryness that had suddenly taken ownership on my face. The moisturiser is more fluid than the other empties brands and it does moisturise but not enough. I didn't notice any significant improvement so probably won't be purchasing this again. For anyone considering purchasing it does smell amazing!!

Burts Bee's Sensitive Daily Moisturiser Cream x 2

This contains cotton extract which is possibly what gives this it's smooth feeling, it feels light on the skin but still retains the moisture of a thicker product. My skin felt better after first use and I definitely noticed I had less redness, I'm not sure if this is due to my skin getting the right amount of moisture or if it was due to this formula is a bit more gentle on the skin than other brands? I will be purchasing this probably before any other skincare products. My only gripe with this is the scent, it is scentless but does kind of smell like PVA glue??

So what empties do you have? post your links and blog posts below.