Empties 4

I've been meaning to write this post for ages. I've been collecting them up for a while now. My last empties post was back in August. As I move on Saturday it seemed silly to take empty products with me. Moving has also prompted to me really use up as many products with small amounts in before the move.

Sebastian Penetraitt Shampoo and Conditioner

This is my all time favourite shampoo and conditioner. I cannot recommend it enough to anyone with dry, damaged or dyed hair. It really bought my hair back to health and helped it grow. I will definitely be repurchasing this. Some people can find it to heavy but for my hair even though it's fine it was perfect.

Collection Fix Me Up

Not a fan, works out more than UD setting spray on price per ml and definitely isn't better.

Batiste Tropical

This will always be a product I turn to time and time again. Not found a dry shampoo better. The tropical is my favourite scent.

Percy & Reed Totally TLC Hydrating Mask

This was a magazine freebie. To be honest I didn't find it helped a great deal. For me there is only one hair mask I really like and that's the Macadamia one. I try to use others but I've not found one that compares yet.

Philip B Katira Hair Masque

This has a weird consistency. I feel like my hair felt better after using it but feel like it felt better as it was coated and not actually helping the hair.

Ralph by Ralph Lauren

I love the sweetness of this perfume and find I'm really drawn to it especially in the summer months. An easy to wear scent that's not to over powering

Zara Women Black

I wanted the Zara Oriental but picked this up by mistake. A similar scent and has notes that remind me of my Viktor and Rolf flowerbomb perfume which is my all time favourite. Reasonably priced and will be repurchasing other Zara Perfumes.

Sassy Swirls Vanilla Berry

This is just a little Avon perfume I keep in my bag. Simple sweet scent. Love the size of these to just keep in my handbag and the plastic packaging makes them perfect for this.

Laugh Often By Rees Witherspoon

I love the name for starters. The smell is one I really like and for a cheap perfume has impressive staying power. The downside is the smell can be a bit overpowering at first. It's one of those that if you spray more than two spritz you'll have a headache. Saying that now it's empty I miss it so definitely one I'll purchase again.

Benefit They're Real

I know everyone loves this mascara but for me I do think there is better. Personally I hate how hard it is to get off and I prefer a bristle brush. Having said that it definitely grew on me with use. Not one I'd personally repurchase. I prefer BadGal

Bourjois Volumizer

This was another product at first I didn't like. I loved step one to separate my lashes but hated step two. This was a formula that got better when left for a month. Then when I used it I got great volume. So far I've loved all the Bourjois mascaras I've tried.

Origins Cheeks and Balance

This is a favourite with both L and I. I love the fresh minty scent and the fact a small amount goes such a long way. It really foams up to make my skin feel really clean. The downside is it can feel too clean and a little tight but this hasn't put me off buying the full size.

Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash

I really like this as a morning cleanser. I don't like to use cloth cleansers in the morning (I think it's a lazy thing), I really like the lightness of this on skin and the scent is fresh. Was a random buy one splurge day in boots but I really like it.

Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean

This product is the reason I won't be repurchasing the Neutrogena one above. I love the creamy texture of this, the smell and how soft my skin feels. A perfect morning cleanser for me.

No7 Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleasner

For me I wasn't a fan. I didn't like the scent and I felt my skin didn't feel as clean as it did after using others. It did help my skin not break out though and is reasonably priced.

Bioderma Sebium

I'm a bioderma convert. I thought how can anybody need this water product. Then I tried the minis and I'm now almost through my full size bottle. Love the stuff perfect for lazy days or after I've been wearing lots of make up. I only like the Sebium one though not the original.

Vichy Micellaire Solution

Nothing wrong with this product just personally prefer bioderma. Worked well, felt light on the skin and was fragrance free.

(apologies for the awful photo!)

Bioderma Samples

I've been so impressed with all the bioderma samples I've tried and even though some haven't been suited to my skin type I've not broken out. Especially love the Sebium Hydra Creme Hydratante this is a cream for weakened oily skin. Love it. Felt light and left my skin moisturised without being oily.

Balance Me Rose Otto Intensive Lip Salve

This reminds me in texture of the amazing Dr Lipp Nipple Balm. A great thick lip balm that leaves lips feeling super soft. I'm not a fan of the rose but as it's such a good lip balm I forgive it. One I feel actually does something unlike to vaseline which only feels nice on my lips when it's on them.

Benefit Triple Performing Facial Emulsion

I have a full size of this somewhere but have never got around to using it. After testing out the sample I've been trying hard to use up my current day cream. The perfect base for under foundation. Leaves skin soft, super light weight and it's oil free.

Origins GinZing Eye Cream

This was one of those products I didn't want to use up. Really love this for brightening in the morning. Currently preferring and Avon one but I think it will be on I go back to.

Avon Solution Complete Balance Day Cream

Anyone with oily skin this is a great moisturiser. It slightly mattifies the skin without it being too much so that make up applies smoothly. It provides a perfect amount of moisture and doesn't leave me oily at the end of the day. Also a great price.

Origins A Perfect World for Eyes

I love the scent of this. I also love the thickness of the product and really felt like it was beneficial. Due to how heavy the product was it was only one I used at night but I look for different things for my eyes in the day and night so rarely find an all round eye cream.

Soap and Glory Wish upon a Jar

I love this product. Super thick, super boosting and leaves skin feeling incredibly soft. I love to use this a week before a big night out or an occasion so my skin is super plump.

Wow that was a long empties, do you have loads of products with just a little left in? I've still got more to hopefully use pre move.

Love M

xxx

Everyday Favourites: Hair Products

Last week I shared my everyday make up favourite (you can read them here). Today I thought I'd share my hair products I always use.
Label.m Protein Spray* (review)
This is something I've loved since I first tried it. It's a lightweight spray that has helped improve my hair and it seems to grow a quicker while using this in combination with other products listed. This is something I'll be repurchasing. I've had it since July and use it every time I wash my hair and as a heat protection spray. I love that it's multifunctional.
Sebastian Penetraitt Shampoo and Conditioner (review)
This is my go to shampoo and conditioner. I can't be without it. As someone who majorly abuses their hair with lots of heat and dye (I'm such an indecisive person and my hair takes the brunt of it). This is the only shampoo and conditioner that helps to control my hair falling out. It can be too heavy so I tend to alternate between this and others. It's a must for damaged hair though.
Macadamia Deep Repair Masque (review)
After trying this in my hairdressers a few years ago I've always gone back to it when I can afford it. It makes my hair super soft and smooth. I tend to use it once a week. Definitely worth the money. I've not found one that compares.
Avon Advance Techniques Moroccan Argan Oil Leave in Treatment
This is my go to hair oil though since discovery protein spray and the strengthen and protect leave in treatment below I've not been using it as much. It's a really reasonable price and does a good job. It's lighter than most I've tried so doesn't weigh my hair down. A great hair oil. I sometimes like to use this as an overnight treatment if I'm going to wash my hair in the morning.
Avon Advance Techniques Strenghten and Protect Leave in Treatment
This and the protein spray are what I apply to wet hair. I love the combination of these too. My hair feels soft and smooth. It helps my dry ends and has improved the condition of my hair. It's a lotion/gel texture and has taken over from hair oils for me. I didn't expect to find a product like this I liked more than hair oil. This is now a must for me.
Are any of my hair must have products on your list?
Love M
xxx

Review: Professional Sebastian Penetraitt Shampoo and Conditioner

I picked up the Professional Sebastian Penetraitt Shampoo and Conditioner from my local salon (Guy Christian if you are from Cardiff you should check them out).

I'd never heard of the Sebastian products before, my hair had been over dyed and heat styled and was in need of some help to help prevent further damage to it.

What they say about the product...

Sebastian Penetraitt Shampoo is a strengthening and reparative cleanser that rescues stressed, damaged hair.

Formulated with a colour safe Active Rescue System, Penetraitt Shampoo repairs and reconstructs the hairs natural health and deeply penetrates the hair shaft to remove any stress and product build-up from the hair. Deeply conditioning, fortifying and strengthening, this professional shampoo is an essential cleansing step for truly damaged and over processed hair.

Ideal for chemically treated or unmanageable hair types, Penetraitt Shampoo has a rich formula which leaves the hair super strong and silky soft.

Before using this set of shampoos I was noticing my hair was falling out quite a bit when I was washing it, because of this I was washing my hair only twice a week. Every time I was washing it and running my fingers through my hair I was getting quite a lot of hair coming out.

I could not believe the improvement in my hair so soon after starting to use this. I definitely think this has really strengthened my hair. Almost instantly I noticed I was losing a lot less hair. 

I've used probably two thirds of this now, it's lasted me since the beginning of February and is still going strong. My hair has been more manageable and definitely growing better and with less split ends.

I'd really recommend this too anyone who's hair needs a bit of a helping hand after too much styling or dying. I think I'll be trying the moisturising one next!! If you aren't local to Cardiff you can pick them up from Beauty Bay here.

Do you use more expensive shampoos? I find they really do make a difference?

Love M

xxx

Don't forget to check out our giveaway here

Beauty Rehab

I haven't posted one of these in a while but have still been trying to make my way through plenty of products!

It seems endless and although I always seem to be finishing things I feel I need to step it up a gear in time for Christmas.

This moisturiser was bought ages ago and it took me a while to use it up.

It was ok, the 'firming' ones never seem to work as well as they claim they do!

I wouldn't buy this again as it took quite a while to sink in.

These are both good tanners but not worth the money, sprays always seem to run out so fast and I personally prefer a lotion now, even if sprays can be easier to use on the back and hard to reach areas!

I personally felt that the Sanctuary Pore Refining Toner was, for want of a better word, pointless.

The smell was too floral for me and the spray felt like a waste of product, when the product was on my skin it felt like it didn't do a thing.

Liz Earle is obviously my favourite cleanser and every time I finish another bottle I die a little inside.

Maybe a little dramatic but it's true.

I am so tight for cash but this is one of the things I'd buy with pennies!

Loved the Dreams Unlimited butter, it sank in and didn't sit on my skin for a long time.

I personally would buy this again but the price of the Body Shop puts me off.

The Soap and Glory butter is just as moisturising but much cheaper.

The Tigi Control Freak Conditioner was great, and it smelt gorgeous!

I would pick this up again in TK Maxx as I feel it is worth the money.

Sebastian Potion 9 was bought ages ago on recommendation from my previous hairdresser.

I did enjoy using it and it did have a positive effect on my hair and maybe I'd buy it in the future but currently have so many hair products to use I can't afford the space.

The M&S Lime body butter was divine. I couldn't stop smelling myself whilst wearing it!

The smell lingered for a while but wasn't overpowering and my skin felt hydrated, would definitely buy it again!

As far as mattifiying moisturisers go the No 7 worked nicely. Seeing as my skin has become drier of late I found this does not provide enough hydration and so needed something more, and would be pointless in repurchasing.

I find Simple products a little boring. When I was younger they were great for when I had no idea what to use and my skin was more sensitive, but now I just felt like I was applying a cheap moisturiser and one that isn't quite so innocent as it seems.

How tastes change!

Benefit They're Real Mascara was in my opinion, amazing!

I did love it, but as with all mascaras they always run out or dry up and sometimes this seems a little annoying for the price tag.

I would pay for this again, but due to my current financial situation I will be sticking to my current new find which I will be blogging about soon!

The Pretty Quik nail drying spray was another pointless buy.

I never find that they help and always leave my hands greasy so I think I will have to remember this every time I consider it!

What have you been using up recently? Have you been trying to use more before Christmas?

L xxx