Winter Skincare Update

Good morning!

We all know skincare needs to change with the seasons just like clothing, mine has changed a lot over the years with ageing being a wonderful factor to add to the mix - so today's post is an update of the latest products I've been using and would recommend for anyone looking to try out some new products.

Boots Botanics Buffers

Morning everyone!

I'm on a day off today, spending it with my mum for a girly day before she goes in for an operation.
I've been loving the thought of having an even and flawless tan, I mean who doesn't want a bit more of a glow over the summer even if it's not a tan that's ten shades darker than your normal skin tone?

In my quest for this I've recently picked up these two from Boots Botanics range; the Loofah and Bamboo Buffer and the Sisal and Bamboo Buffer.

In store the Loofah buffer felt quite rough and the Sisal buffer less so, so I was interested to see how they fared at buffing my skin to glorious silky smoothness and aiding me in keeping some kind of tan in a flawless stage for as long as possible.

As I said, in store this one felt the softest so I went for this one first. My skin is weird sometimes and although it isn't classed as 'sensitive' I do feel that it can have odd reactions to things so I played it safe.
Little did i know this one would be rougher than the other when water was involved!

By no means is it abrasive on the skin but it certainly does require a large amount of foam to stop it from dragging on the skin but i do feel like I've been buffed to perfection after using this. My skin feels good as new particularly after application of moisturiser afterwards, it seems to sink in so much faster and my skin feels super soft.

The Loofah buffer just seemed to melt when water and shower gel was added to it, it is now no longer flat and hard and has puffed up as you would expect a normal loofah to.

I normally use the Sisal buffer once a week and then in between use the Loofah buffer as its a lot softer on the skin and I suppose in comparison is more of a polish than a scrub. 

These have both definitely helped my skin improve and also have meant that I have been applying a lot more moisturiser as my skin has soaked it up.
Overall these were a bargain purchase and they were on a bogohp offer which was great and as long as you thoroughly rinse them after each use and dry them properly there shouldn't be any reason why they won't last you a while as well.

I do like a loofah and my family have always had one in the bathroom!

Are you a loofah or buffer fan or do you prefer scrub products?
I like the options that they both bring and think a foaming scrub such as Soap and Glory's Pulp Friction would be really good with this....shame I've run out of it!

L xxx

Beauty Rehab

Hi there lovelies!

I've been working hard for these Beauty Rehab posts of late, and have been successfully powering through my stash. I've still got a long way to go but using up moisturisers is my biggest mission as i seem to have thhe worlds biggest collection.

If you're looking to use up your stash as quickly as possible I would recommend you start with all of your half used products followed by sample sizes. After that, start attacking your biggest items as I'm assuming that space is the number one reason for using items up. I'd probably suggest you avoid using Soap and Glory products as they're always so big and last forever, testament to their value but not ideal for using up!

Weleda Skin Food - Actually really liked this, too greasy for day wear but a gorgeous smell and a thick cream for hydration, Would consider buying it.

Indeed Labs Pepta Bright - Not sure if this works or not, I did enjoy it and the effects initially but I was rubbish at continuous use so I can't comment on the entire tube. Wouldn't repurchase as it wasn't the right product for me.

Lancome Hypnose Mascara - loved this but unfortunately after an eye infection this one had to go....I'm extremely fussy with eyes products! Would rebuy but not at full price, the Christmas sets are worth waiting for!

Collection Lasting Perfection concealer - Love love love for the £4 price tag. Have already repurchased!

Re Gen cream - a home bargains bargain, lovely moisturiser but can't say it had any re generation properties.

Body Shop Clementine body butter - loved the smell of this and actually enjoyed using it considering I'm not a body butter fan! Would rebuy in future when I don't have 5 million others to use....

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation - initially loved this but the colour didn't suit me as much after a time. Needed to condense my foundation collection which is taking some time!

JPG MaDame perfume - absolute favourite perfume. Struggled from Christmas to get one for my birthday so am very relieved to have a full bottle again!

Bourjois Nail varnish remover pot - Loved this but it does seem to degrade pretty fast. I'm sure there will be a cheaper version soon but I do like the look of the new toe nail remover they've got!

Ojon Rare Blend Hair Oil - lovely smell, lovely idea but it was a chore to use and I don't like pouring things. wouldn't repurchase again as I'd prefer one with a dispenser.

Botanics Clay Face Mask - technically not finished...I don't get on with this mask any longer and there's not a lot left in the tube anyway. Wouldn't repurchase as I have plenty more!

Cutex nail varnish remover - wouldn't normally include polish remover but I'm intrigued if anyone ever thinks that there's a difference between cheap and expensive brands?? I never notice a difference! Cheap is good with me.

S&G Slimwear - Used to love this and that it was blue, now it feels very cold on my skin! I have another tube of this to use so maybe I'll save it for just before Glasto in the hope it will make me look super svelte!

Aussie 3 Min Miracle - love this conditioner and will buy it forever more! Smells amazing and works a treat for my long and dry hair.

Aussie Mega Shampoo - also loved this, would repurchase both Aussie products but I've already stocked up for the next few months :)

S&G Smoothie Star Body Milk - took me a while to use this but loved it. The smell is so warming and comforting. Cannot go wrong with an S&G product!

Tresemme Salon Finish hair spray - great spray thought the nozzle does get clogged up easily. Good size can of spray for the £5 price tag! Have another in the sidelines.

Mane n Tail conditioner - enjoyed using this and it definitely did help the condition of my hair and length of it too. I'd love to try more products from their range like the leave in treatment.

Murad AHA/BHA exfoliating cleanser - Loved this and it lasted forever, large price tag but was so worth it as this cleanser really works and isn't abrasive at all.

What do you think of my empties? Do you have any favourites in the list?

L xxx

Beauty Rehab

Morning!

Hope you have a load of good plans for the weekend, when this goes live I will unfortunately be at work....boo hiss! But at least it's only for the morning and then my plan is to go hiking with my dad and dog up a local mountain, weather depending.

I've written quite a number of Beauty Rehab posts the past few years and I still enjoy writing them; essentially they're empties posts in order to try and encourage me to use up more of my products in  my stash.

Here's my first clear out for 2014, starting the year with a clean slate and hopefully a big increase on using up products from last year.

Cutex Polish Remover: I picked this up for my peeling nails hoping it wouldn't make them worse with all my nail painting; it was pretty good and they haven't got worse.
Coconut Creme Shower Gel: This was good, i like the smell of coconut but this was very sweet....it was like coconut sugar. Lasted forever though!
Origins Perfect World Cleanser: Just wrote a post on this last week, easy to use, no reactions at all and cleanses make up off, not very good at eye make up removal.
Aussie 3 min miracle: Another variety of the deep conditioning treatment, I will always love it for the effects and the price

Label M Shampoo: Smells sweet but lathered up easy and cleansed my hair without drying it.
Soap and Glory Pulp Friction: Amazing foaming scrub; love it especially on 3 for 2
Batiste: The best dry shampoo for price and quality, so many sizes and smells!



Avon polish: Supposed to help peeling but I don't think it worked so i used it as a top coat
Origins Starting Over Eye cream: Very moisturising and absorbs easily, thumbs up
Botanics Cleansing Balm: Loved this and would consider buying again...haven't used it in a while though and last time I looked it was mouldy!
Origins Brighter By Nature: Ready loaded cotton pads with enzymes on to remove dead skin like an exfoliating scrub would. Not sure how well they worked but they felt really nice to use, unfortunately they dried so quickly I couldn't even use them all.



Lavera Hand Cream: Organic and smells amazing, non greasy too
Clarins HydraQuench Cream: Love this, very hydrating but not too heavy
Nivea Hand Cream: Another hand bag essential, mini tubes are always helpful
Clarins Lotus Oil: Loved this too, would buy again in future. Smells like spa products



EOS Sphere: These are awesome and i used this until it went concave and I had to scrape it out...lush. Have quite a few left in my stash to use still from America!
Bourjois Volumizer mascara: Really liked the double wand idea, was good to have the option of one thin coat and maximising the volume in one mascara
Rimmel Stay Matte powder: Another fave, why pay more for pressed powder when this one is amazing for under a fiver!

Hope you enjoyed my quick run down, have you done your own empties post to start the year off fresh?

I've recently started another spending ban as I'm sure most bloggers will have after the Christmas sales. I cannot spend another penny on products and I'm aiming for my birthday at the end of March...but we will see how that goes!

L xxx

Beauty Rehab

I've been frantically using products up like no tomorrow....my collection isn't going down anywhere near as fast as I previously hoped so I'm really going to have to stop spending and really power through it all!

Here's what I've been using up recently, there's quite a few products but also as I was away for 7 weeks it was hard to use stuff then.

Soap and Glory's Sugar Crush body scrub is divine, I absolutely loved it and would buy it again in a heart beat.

It smells like limes and brown sugar (reminding me of a mojito cocktail) and works great without leaving an oily residue on the the skin which is a massive pet hate of mine.

Would definitely buy this!

Nick Lowe Cell Renew Microdermabrasion Scrub - this was a nice scrub as the particles were very fine which was a lot nicer to use on the face. I might have considered buying it but last time I checked they didn't have it in full size as this only came with the mini travel type kit that they have available.

Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid Foundation - in two colours (Ivory and Cameo) I had to buy 2 colours as my skin seems to change colour daily and I ended up mixing the colours together to get a better colour match.

The foundation was pretty good, it covered enough, blended easily and had a really nice finish but for me it doesn't last long enough on the face.

However I didn't have a very good primer at the time of using, so I'd possibly repurchase this again to give it a go but if I did I'd have to buy both colours again!

L'oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara - I previously did a full review here on this product and I did like it, but felt it was expensive for the effect when I could get a cheaper mascara such as a Rimmel one that gave me a similar effect and anything extra wasn't worth the extra money. Would definitely repurchase if it was on offer though!

Nick Lowe Hydrating Foaming Cleanser - this was another anti-aging product I got in the travel type kit sold in boots stores. It was great to try out the products in miniature without having to buy the full size ones.

This foaming cleanser felt quite thick when you used it and really nice to use but I don't think it did my spotty oily teenage-like skin any favours so I'm sticking with Liz Earle for now.

I wouldn't repurchase this due to my skin type.

Batiste Dry Shampoo - Love this stuff and will probably never stop repurchasing it! I do like occasionally trying out a different smell but original is best as I wear so many other smelly products it's best for me.

Mitchell and Peach Shower Gel - this came in a Joliebox and was the perfect size for my gym bag. However I didn't rate it as a shower gel as it barely foamed up and was hard to use, the smell wasn't great either.

I wouldn't repurchase this.

Naked Scrub Up renewing Salt Scrub - This is apparently not available any more which is a shame. I quite liked the large gritty particles that whilst looked scary actually didn't scrape your skin at all.

Would repurchase if it still existed, as it doesn't I will check out their other products!

Molton Brown Shower Gel - My aunty always buys me Molton Brown products, even back a few years ago when I didn't know they existed! The shower gels do feel of a higher quality, they foam up really well and this one smelled divine!

Would definitely repurchase if I could afford to spend this much on shower gel all the time!

Nick Lowe Purifying Foaming Cleanser - Another mini...I also purchased the travel kit for oily skin which was also pretty good. I found a product in there that I like quite a bit and would buy again, but this one wasn't one of them. Initially I liked it, but after finding something much better I have a full size product of this that I am never going to use. Free to a good home if anyone wants it??

Wouldn't repurchase this.

Ah my love for tanning products!

L'oreal Glam Bronze Instant Tan Spray - This was an impulse buy which was on offer at a time when I was frantically looking for something to give my legs a glow for a last minute night out.

It was pretty good especially as it was waterproof and did last longer on my legs (no thanks to some girls spilling their drinks on me!) but I'm just not a fan of sprays. I found lotions and mousses to be much better.

Wouldn't repurchase in spray form.

Boots Soltan Beautiful Bronze Mousse - This was great considering the price. Lots of product in the can and rubbed in pretty well though you need a few layers. However mine broke after a little while and spontaneously covered the entire drawer of products it was in so I had to clean everything....not cool!

Would definitely repurchase when I need a reliable cheap instant tanner

Botanics First Signs of Aging Serum - Loved the way this felt on my skin...not sure it had any effect whatsoever. It was great to be able to put on a serum and not have my skin react with a multitude of spots, but I didn't see any noticeable effect from using it and I'm sure there is better.

Wouldn't repurchase this.

L'oreal Perfect clean Purifying Foaming Gel Wash - Loved this when I got it, the scrublet was a really cool idea that made it a joy to wash my face with....until the scrublet became dyed orange from my make up and just wouldn't get any cleaner. To look at it made me think of bacteria and without it I felt the wash didn't work as well. Maybe a redesign is necessary??

Wouldn't repurchase this.

Virgin Vie Lip Balm - This was another Aunty special as she loves Virgin Vie! This was a pretty good lip balm but I'm perfectly happy with my Vaseline and Eos balms, so for the price I think I'd stick with those.

Wouldn't repurchase this.

Maybelline Superstay 24H Foundation - This was pretty good for lasting power but I felt it didn't always look the right colour and I just didn't think it was that great.

Wouldn't repurchase this.

No7 Lash Adapt - When this product is brand new, it works great, but after a while I feel it deteriorates rapidly and just doesn't last long enough in the tube or on your eyes.

Wouldn't repurchase this.

Max Factor Masterpiece Mascara - Another mascara....still not sure what I think about this one. I just don't think it was that great. Everybody raves over Max Factor ones so maybe I need to try another.

Wouldn't repurchase this.

Garnier Body Tonic Lotion - Great lotion that sinks in really fast. Bought this in France so not sure if they have it here? Definitely worth the few euros it cost though!

Would repurchase this in France!

Ted Baker Body Wear Spray - Love the smell of this just wished it lasted longer. Also I've only ever seen it in sets so I'm not sure it is sol separately which is a shame, otherwise I would probably repurchase this.

Yardley Royal English Daisy Shower Gel - This is another JolieBox, I never think shower gels are anything special to be in a box like JolieBox or Glossy box and this confirmed it. It's just an average shower gel and the smell wasn't great, nor did it last very long. Borrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring!

Wouldn't repurchase this.

So there we have it! A huge list for you!

I'm powering through some more as we speak, hopefully I will get through all of my mass of products one day....

How have you been getting along with using up items? I'm more determined than ever that I do not need to buy anything else!!

I'm even considering a 100 day spending ban like Tattooed Tea Lady is currently doing, could you do it??

L xxx