Beauty Empties | March 2013

March was a bit of a dud month in terms of the products I finished for review. I don't particularly like writing negative reviews, but I do like reading them as they've saved me from wasting a lot of money over the years.  Of course everyone's skin chemistry is different, but I'll just go through my honest opinion of each for you.

Joico K-Pak Moisture Intense Hydrator Treatment* - no repurchase

Let's get the good news out of the way first.  It smells nice.  Not fabulous, but very sweet and tropical. I've seen this hair treatment raved about all over the interwebs and the mind boggles as to why.  I've seen people with much drier hair than mine hail it as a saviour for their locks but if anything, it worsened the condition of my hair. It performed no better than your standard couple of quid conditioner, definitely not worth the approx. £16 price tag.  My blogger friend Angel also detested it, so I got back up on this!  My advice is save your money for Kerastase.

Garnier Pure Active Blackhead Clearing Scrub - no repurchase 

This face scrub bored me to tears.  It was such a slog to get through.  I've got my fair share of blackheads and it did nothing to sort them out.  The blue 'scrubby' particles are just too large to be of any consequence.  Other than that it was very creamy and not foamy enough to even perform as a decent cleanser. Pass.

Natura Bisse The Cure Pure Serum* - maybe repurchase 

Natura Bisse is a Spanish skincare line and let me tell you upfront that I've just googled it and found it on sale for over £230.  I received this small sample in an event gift bag and didn't touch it for ages, however when I did, it was used religiously every morning given its perfect consistency and texture for under make up.  I never realised it was some sort of wonder serum which scores 4.7/5 on Makeup Alley. It contains loads of fancy skincare Science, but I think at the time my skin was thankfully too young for me to notice any major changes.

Clinique Sheer City Block SPF 25 - no repurchase

This has been a perennial favourite since my early 20s.  I still have one more back tube to power through and then I'm done with this stuff, I just feel I've outgrown it.  I'm not entirely convinced by its SPF 25 claim, although it is pretty greasy.  A few years ago it was the only tinted moisturiser pale enough for me, but cosmetics companies have woken up to the fact that daywalkers like make up too, so there's a lot more on colour range on the market to choose from now.  My current favourite is No7 Triple Protection Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 15, not very greasy but fabulous buildable coverage and a great shade for ginger skin.

Clinique Pore Minimizer Refining Serum - no repurchase

This was another Clinique staple until recently, and like the City Block I have another tube to get through even though I'm over it.  Stockpiling and buying back ups is a beauty blogger ritual, but I'd advise against it because there are always so many new fabulous products on the market there's just no point.  There will always be a hotter, younger product to take your fancy! I would hardly call this stuff 'serum' because once it sinks into skin and dries, it almost has a chalky texture.  I find it hard to find an appropriate time to use it on its own because my skin has become less oily than it used to be and so I definitely need some sort of moisture over the top.  However, if you struggle with super oily skin, this may work as a good make up primer for you as it's pretty absorptive.

GHD Thermal Protector - no repurchase 

I received this with my GHDs many moons ago and it was a slog to get through because I didn't really feel it did much to protect my hair, and I am quite naughty in being lazy with heat protectors.  The best thing about it is the Gucci Rush scent.

Nivea Visage Aqua Sensation Anti Shadow Eye Cream - no repurchase 

Forever Amber wrote about it a few years ago raving about it's under-eye-shadow busting properties.  It 's a  great eye cream for the budget price, and if you're just starting out with skincare I'd highly recommend it.  However my eyes need anti-aging and luckily my dark circles aren't too bad.  For now.

Bio-Oil - maybe repurchase

When I was on the pill a few years ago, its diuretic properties gave me super dry legs so in a bid to relieve the itchy hell I tried out Bio-Oil.  It really did the job of reviving my poor parched skin, but it just smells so dang nasty, like some sort of medicated treatment rather than something nice and luxurious to pamper yourself with.  Fair enough that it's raison d'etre is to sort out scars and other skin blemishes, but I really think the brand, and if possible, the scent could do with some serious sexing up.  An equally nice treatment for super dry skin in Waitrose's Baby Bottom Butter.  It's mega cheap, so hydrating and smells far better than Bio-Oil.  

What's your eye cream of choice? Let me know in the comments!

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Beauty Empties | January 2013

You may have already seen my special review post on perfumes I've 'emptied' recently, but as promised here are the other bits and bobs I've powered through in January.  Many of these have been hanging around my dressing table and bathroom cabinet for too long and I'm glad to see the back of them and create space for new exciting things!  

...Yes, I really do need to get out more.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Make Up Remover: Refreshing Oil-Free Cleansing Lotion - no repurchase 

I bought this off the back of a recommendation from Laura's (Lollipop26 now buynowbloglater) blog many moons ago and while it was an 'okay' make up remover it's definitely not an all rounder and didn't do very well with waterproof mascara, or any mascara for that matter despite the claims.  

There are so many other efficient all-in-one cleansers on the market now like hot cloth cream cleansers and very liquid solutions like Bioderma that you'd be better off investing in rather than having to use multiple products in your cleansing regime.  

However, if you don't tend to use eye make up and like the old lotion and a cotton pad routine, this is a nice option as it is refreshing and doesn't leave too much of a nasty residue, although you do get the urge to wash and/or tone afterwards.

L'Oreal Elvive Re-Nutrition Replenishing Masque - definite repurchase  

Elvive make many a hair masque, but none smell as delicious as their Re-Nutrition range.  

It's great for those days you feel your hair needs more than a standard bottle conditioner but you don't have the time to put in a Kerastase masque.  When I 'Kerastase' my hair I always leave it on at least 20 minutes 'cos that stuff ain't cheap and I want to make sure I get my money's worth!

Even if your hair doesn't need conditioning, just buy this for the heavenly scent!

Organic Surge Eye Gel* - no repurchase

I honestly can't remember if I got this free with a magazine or if it was sent to me, so I've included a disclosing little asterisk just in case.  It sat around for ages as I was never one to tend to eyecare in my morning routine, but the ravages of age kicked in and now I wouldn't dream of ditching my routine. 

I've moved over to using a more moisturising undereye cream in the morning but gel was a nice little introduction.  

It's refreshing and sinks in fast and was a treat for sleep-wearing eyes.  However at this stage in my life I really need something more anti-aging for that area and so won't be repurchasing.

No7 Protect & Protect Intense Beauty Serum - no repurchase

Note that this is the INTENSE serum.  

I absolutely adore the regular version of Protect & Perfect Serum and thought that the Intense one would ramp it's amazing properties up a notch.  It certainly does, but for once, my skin is too young for this product.

Every time I used it (and as you can see I carried onto the bitter end determined not be be defeated!) my skin felt overloaded and I woke up the next morning with the beginnings of spots. 

I am not spot prone at all which God is his almighty wisdom chose to spare me from, so if you are then this serum would go Rambo on your face.

Essentially this heavy serum is aimed at mature/parched skin - at least 45+ - so if you're under this, stick with the original version which is a few quid cheaper anyway.

Aussie Aussome Volume Shampoo - no repurchase

I'm a huge fan of their Miracle Moisture shampoo which is a treat for frazzled hair, but if used all the time translates into lank hair, for me anyway.

It's always handy to have a volumising shampoo around for days your hair feels like it needs a REALLY good clean.  Essentially what they do is strip out the product buildup, and some of your hair's natural oils in a bid to counteract lankness and therefore promote volume.

This Aussie shampoo did a good job and I did repurchase several times, but this will be my last bottle as I've since discovered Bumble & Bumble's Sunday Shampoo which is harsh but very good at removing buildup.  I have super greasy hair mind, so it might be too harsh for normal/dry hair types. 

I also wasn't keen on the scent of this Aussie shampoo, odd because their known for great smelling products. 

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel - no repurchase

This was part of a Clinique skincare set so I didn't feel massively let down when it didn't live up to it's claims.  Simply put, it didn't make my skin 'dramatically different'.

The major drawback is no SPF - in something designed to be your main daily facial skincare product, it's just not on.

I do have oily skin so the gel formula worked well and created a good base for applying foundation over, but I don't feel it brought any benefit to my skin.

Obviously this Clinique range is aimed at problem skin, so I can see where this lotion might be a good option for someone looking to get some moisture into their skin without overloading it and exacerbating break outs.

Nice to try as it's one of those raved about products, but I can't see a repurchase on the horizon.

Boots Teatree + Witchhazel Cleansing and Toning Lotion - maybe repurchase

I can't even tell you how long I've had this toner but let's just say it's been through a repackaging and doubled in price!

This toner isn't for the faint hearted.  It STRIPS yours skin.  But I'm such a greasey monkey I sometimes feel I need it.

I've been through the most extensive cleansing routine, been 100% sure every scrap of make up is removed and then swiped a bit of this on a cotton pad only to be horrified.  No pictorial evidence as there might be minors reading this!

If you like Clinique Clarifying Lotion which is equally as eye-watering harsh, it's a fab budget alternative.  

The more I think about it's amazing grime removing properties, the more I want a full bottle in my skincare arsenal again.  

Have you tried anything from this motley crew? Anything you would definitely repurchase?

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The One Where I Bought 10 Glamour Magazines: Clinique Freebies Heads Up!

Glamour Magazine is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a range of 10 fabulous mini Clinique freebies to collect!

My local Tesco only had the liquid facial soap left, but the lovely man at my newsagents went through three boxes of Glamour he had stashed under the counter for me to pick out the bits I wanted.  The other customers thought I was nuts - even the drunk who came in and loudly slurred that I 'had loadsha money' because of all the (credit and store loyalty) cards in my wallet! But at least one woman caught onto the fever and picked up a mag even though she only meant to top up her Oyster!

It's the April issue with Fearne Cotton the cover.  It's still only £2!

Here are the freebies to choose from...or collect all!  I passed on the lipglosses and mascara as I can take or leave Clinique makeup.  But the all about eyes cream? Sign me up!

My top picks are the eye cream, take off the day makeup remover, the lipstick and 7 day scrub cream.

I've been meaning to repurchase this eye cream ever since I finished the full size tub, which lasts forever and is extremely gentle on the delicate skin around your eyes. You get 5mls with this cute little sample.  

I almost skipped this lippy, but I'm delighted I didn't as it's a fantastic colour - 17 Rosette.  Modeled for you below by a very knackered Kat!

This was the first duo-phase make up remover I ever used and it's pretty much along the lines of Lancome's Bi Facil and No7's eye make up remover which you must shake to mix the two parts together before using. You can use this one elsewhere but I save it to take off stubborn eye make up.

This is a fabulous promotion and no doubt all the good ones will fly off the shelves.  I'm not convinced I'll be able to resist picking up a few more eye creams.  The miniature size of these products is ideal for your holiday toiletries bag and you when can pay well over £2 for miniature 'cheap' brand toiletries in Boots and Superdrug why not hook yourself up with some lovely Clinique bits for your next getaway?!