June empties 2021
Dear Diary,
This month I definitely made sure to stay on top of working my way through my beauty stash, paying particular attention to any samples/deluxe minis that I've been hoarding for a while. I was surprised by how easy it was to work my way through them, just by incorporating them into my everyday routine, or simply by picking up a sample to use after I've finished using up a full size item. This month I managed to empty 35 items and to make things even easier for you, I have spilt all of my items up into categories. So, without further ado, grab a brew and lets get to the reviews.
Love Becky. Xxx
P.S. All thoughts, views and opinions are my own. Enjoy ^_^
Skincare:
Rodial dragon's blood cleansing water (100ml): I was both excited and intrigued when I received this item inside my Look Fantastic advent calendar last year because number 1, I have never tried this product before, and because number 2 I have never used a micellar water with a pump mechanism in which you place your cotton pad on top and pump the product onto it. The micellar water contains both hyaluronic acid and vitamin B3 to gently soothe and cleanse the skin and I definitely felt like my skin was more hydrated and clean after using this product as a final step in my cleansing routine. Even though this product was 100ml, it lasted me a really long time and I would be happy to repurchase this item again. Plus, it had a really subtle smell of rose water in it which I don't mind.
Eve Lom cleansing balm (20ml): My review of this product is going to completely divide opinions however, I have to be honest with you all. I really did not like this product. Just everything about this product I really did not like, from the smell, to the texture, to the way my skin looked after cleansing. This item definitely was not for me. I think this product contains a type of flower oil that I really did not get on with based off the ingredients list. One thing I noticed when using this cleanser is that once you have applied this to your face, quite a lot of water is needed to activate the cleanser to get it to do it's job, and my skin felt quite dry after using it. Again, this was another item I received within my Look Fantastic advent calendar last year, and I personally would not repurchase this and if I were to get it in a subscription box than I would pass it along.
Glow Recipe watermelon glow sleeping mask (5ml): I feel like this was the month where most items I used up were from advent calendars like this next product. I received this in my Glossybox advent calendar last year and I was so excited to try this product out as not just
this item gets a lot of attention online, but so does the brand. Targeted to give your skin that deep hydrating treatment that it is crying out for this seemed right up my street as I have dry/combination sensitive skin so having an item like this in collection is always handy to have. At first, I just couldn't get to grips with it, and just couldn't seem to get it to work for me as it just seemed to break me out in acne the next day. Than I realised this product should only be used on it's own without any other lotions and potions on your face. The mask also has a subtle watermelon smell and sticky formula which may not be to everyone's tastes. I personally wold not repurchase as the brand is not cruelty free and I already have a full size to get through which I got in a limited edition box from Cult Beauty last year.
Dr. Botanicals Moroccan rose superfood face oil (30ml): This is a familiar item which will feature a lot in my empties posts as I just love this product so much. I've actually lost count as to how many bottles I have been through of this skincare power house. Infused with vitamins, essentials oils and botanical extracts for a brighter, even skin tone and handmade in the UK, this is one skincare item you need in your collection ASAP. I mix 3 drops of the oil into my night time cream for that added hydration and treat that my skin needs and I couldn't be without this product anymore. Yes, it is on the pricey side but I purchase this when Dr. Botanicals have their 75 - 80% sale so I bag it for a bargain price. Not to mention the sublime smell of this face oil will make you coming back for more.
Marcelle hydrating mask (10ml): This deluxe mini came inside a Birchbox earlier this year and anything with Hydration instantly screams my name. Made up of a cooling, gel-like texture this product is designed as a quick 10 minute fix so you can use this morning or night to suit your routine to help with any dryness on the skin and washed off with a re-usable cotton pad or face cloth afterwards. Despite being a 10ml tube, I was still able to get 3-4 applications out of this product to get a good feel for the item. I would be happy to receive this item again in a sub-box, but I personally wouldn't go on to purchase full size as it didn't give me the hydration I wanted long enough after use.
E-cooking hand cream (30ml): This vegan and cruelty free hand cream came inside my Glossybox advent calendar last year and I have a love/hate relationship with this particular brand as not all of their items work for me. Containing organic apricot, kernel oil and almond oil, it aims to moisturise, nourish and protect your hands (which we have all been doing non-stop the past 15 months or so). I personally did not get on with this product as I found the formula quite creasy which took a while to sink into my skin. Yes, it moisturised my hands, I will give them that, but the consistency put me off. It's a thumbs down from me unfortunately.
Olehenriksen banana bright eye cream (3ml pot): Purchased as part of my latest in beauty subscription, I was excited to try this eye cream out as I had used a sachet sample of this in this past and really enjoyed it so was eager to have a bigger size to try out. Unfortunately my love for this product was short lived and just left my eye area feeling hydrated instead of correcting any dark circles. The search continues for the perfect eye cream.
Pixi BeautifEYE brightening eye patches (30 pairs): Another cult classic among skin care enthusiast alike, these hydrogel eye patches are designed to instantly brighten and energise your eyes throughout the day, claiming to make them feel awakened, reinvigorated and refreshed. Containing vitamin C, liquorice and ginseng to revive and minimize undereye darkness. Did these claims live up to my expectations? Unfortunately not. Yes the hydration was there, but for someone who does live with deep undereye darkness, it just missed the mark for me and for the price point I paid for these at £22, I had higher expectations and I would not repurchase this item again. Sorry Pixi.
Poundland's no.6 skincare range eye patches (1 pair): I know I'm pretty late to the game with this range, but until I picked up a box of their eye patches in store, I hadn't tried a single thing from this range. Shocking, I know. Who am I and where have I been all this time, lol. I am happy to report that I was so surprised at how amazingly well these worked on my undereye area. Not only did they seriously reduce the appearance of my dark circles, but they also hydrated them, made me look more awake and if you need the look of having 8 hours sleep, than you should definitely try these out, Plus, there pink so what's not to love? I will 100% be picking up a couple more boxes of these when I'm next in Poundland as well as checking out their other items which they stock.
Decleor Aromessence Neroli serum (0.7ml sample): This little beauty is something which I have received as a sample before when making a Feel Unique order, so when I found another one inside a haul I did a few weeks ago with them, I was so happy to receive it. I don't think I could ever purchase this full size at the whopping price of £52 but trust me if I could, I would only ever want to skip to doing my evening skincare routine as quickly as possible as it's just that good for my skin. Made from 100% natural ingredients such a hazelnut seed oil and bitter orange leaf, this oil aims to hydrate and treat skin tightness while not breaking you out or feeling like you have a heavy oil on your face. If you want that true spa like experience in your skincare routine, get this if your bank balance allows.
Decleor black clay mask (5ml sample):
Chosen as part of the Feel Unique pick 'n' mix
service, this was one sample I was interested in trying as I have never tried any facial treatments from this range. Packed full of essentials oils and natural ingredients this gave my skin the detox and clean out that it needed. Leaving on the skin for just 10 minutes (as instructed on the packaging) I definitely noticed a cleaner, smoother feel to my face. If this is available again on the pick 'n' mix service, I would definitely pick it up again.
Aurelia Probiotic Skincare cell revitalise day moisturiser (2ml sample): First of all, let me start off by saying despite only being a 2ml sample, this lasted me a good 5 days which gave me a good chance to get a feel for the product. From upon first applying this onto my skin, I knew I would like it. I can see why it's a favourite among so many of you. The cream almost felt like it had a silk like texture to it which just glided on my skin with ease and sunk in so easily. My skin just seemed to love absorbing this and it definitely felt more revitalised after use. If your lactose intolerant I would be wary of this product as it does contain milk extract and would not be suitable for vegans. It is however cruelty free and at the price point of £58 for a 60ml size, it is a little out of my budget, but that won't stop me from keeping an eye on it in the sales as a 30ml size can drop down to just over £22 in price.
Patchology mood patch keep smiling lip masks (2 pairs): I know it's a controversial topic if lip masks actually work or not, and that's completely fine if you don't. We all have our own thoughts and opinions. However, for someone like myself who suffers with eczema on their lip area, these are a life saver for me. When I have a really bad flare up, my lips become red, sore, painful and a rash will develop all the way around my lip line. Having that extra hydration is crucially needed for me, and sometimes an overnight lip treatment just won't suffice. Popping one of these on my lips for 20 minutes, followed by going in with my all time favourite overnight lip treatment from Burt's Bee's really does help and some normality is slowly restored to my lip area. This is something that I will continue to repurchase as I know they work well for me.
Garnier Skincare moisture bomb tissue sheet mask: Ever since Garnier were announced as officially cruelty-free and leaping bunny certified, I have been stocking up on their sheet masks as they work wonders for my skin. This one in particular is packed with hyaluronic acid and green tea extract which is great for hydrating and rebalancing the skin. Suitable for normal to combination skin and will be sure to leave your skin with at least a weeks hydration to get you to your next sheet mask Friday (yes that's when I do mine, lol), your skin will be thankful for popping one of these on.
Simply When present perfect firm up sheet mask: Another item I picked up as part of the Feel Unique pick 'n' mix service this was one product that surprised me. I was a bit sceptical of it's claims but I was pleasantly surprised by the results. My tired, worn out skin definitely had a more refreshing, uplifted feeling that I was looking for that day and with it being a soft cotton mask it felt like more of the serum soaked into my skin easier. Soaked in adenosine, collagen, mango and green tea extract (which I like in a sheet mask), this definitely provide my skin with the antioxidants that it needed. A big thumbs up from me on this one.
Skin Treats vanilla ice cream sheet mask: This was one I picked up in Home Bargains for less than £1 after seeing so many people on their Instagram stories saying how good they were. I will admit it was quite entertaining seeing myself have mini ice creams on my face, but as for the sheet mask itself, I think they are ok, but definitely not the best I have used. It gets the job done but for the intense treatment which I like to have, this didn't deliver on that end. Needless to say, if I'm short on sheet masks one time and have a tight month for money, than these will do the trick.
Skin Treats hyaluronic acid serum injection silk sheet mask: Now this sheet mask delivers the intense hydration that I'm always after, and funnily enough, I wasn't aware they were even from the same brand until I started writing this blog post. The idea behind this is very clinical and you could argue that it just adds unnecessary extra packaging and plastic to the product, but I think it was designed with the idea in mind to get the consumer to feel more actively involved within this product. Along with the sheet mask, comes a pre-filled syringe of 'super-hydrating' hyaluronic acid serum that you inject into the sheet mask for that intense hydration treatment. At 99p, how could I pass this up? I will admit, yes it is gimmicky, but it really does work, and I have gone on to purchase quite a few of these at Home Bargains and try to use once a month for that added boost my skin needs. If your in the market for an intense treatment that doesn't break the bank, pick one of these up and see what you think.
Make - Up:
Kiss haute couture natural premium lashes (Style: Chic) (2 pairs): I think this will honestly remain my all time favourite lash brand as they are just so comfortable and natural looking on the eye without screaming you have spider legs on your eyes. Easy to apply and you get around 5 uses for each lash (if taken good care of). With a thin band strip on the lash it is hard to even tell you have falsies on as they just blend in so well with your natural lash. 5 stars from me and you bet I already have more lashes from this brand in my collection.
Benefit precisely my brow pencil (Shade 4.5) (full size): A cult classic among beauty lovers alike, anyone in the beauty world would have at some point tried an eyebrow product from Benefit. Purchased as part of a set a couple of Christmas's ago, this eyebrow pencil helps to fill in your eyebrows precisely, naturally and define the heck out of them. I am a big fan of this eyebrow product and I was gutted one morning when I reached for it out of my vanity drawer only to discover that I had finished it. Unfortunately, I am unable to repurchase this item as the brand is not cruelty free, but the search continues to find the best dupe around.
Fenty Beauty full frontal mascara (sample size): This particular item was included in a Glossybox and Fenty Beauty limited edition box back in November 2020 (which sold out in a record 3 minutes might I add). Famous for it's volume, lift and curl and paddle style brush tip applicator, I was so excited to try not just the full box of goodies out, but in particular this mascara. Now, I think it's safe to admit that the one beauty item that we are the most picky about is indeed mascara (I mean our eyes are the window to our soul so we want to dress them up the best we can right?). I think I realised quickly that this mascara worked great for my bottom lashes but not so much for the upper lashes. In a mascara, I look for lift and volume and this mascara just didn't quite hit it on the nail for me on that one. I wanted that false lash effect even more than what was delivered, so unfortunately for me, while it nice while it lasted, I won't be looking to add this to my collection any time soon.
Tarte lights, camera, lashes 4-in-1 mascara (sample size): No stranger to my collection, this product delivers pretty much everything I look for in a mascara. A lifted and curled, false lash effect. Plus, the brush tip applicator really grips and holds onto your lases to deliver what you want it to. The only downfall for me with this mascara, is that I feel it dries out quicker than most other mascaras. Whether its down to the natural ingredients they use or the formula, I'm unsure. However, I always try and bag this full size when tarte do their annual custom kits (one in June and one in November) so this will at some point be making a return to my collection.
Tarte quench hydrating primer (sample size): An extra freebie that came inside an order I placed on the Tarte website, this primer claims to prep and hydrate the skin while providing nutrient-rich, water charged technology while feeling weightless on the skin; Some pretty big claims there. What I liked about the primer is that the consistency is a cool, watery, gel like formula that does gently glide on the skin, and because I have such dry skin all the time, my skin just sucked this product up. Now I only tested this out underneath tinted moisturiser over 2 days (as that's all I could get out of the sample) but I definitely did like the way it looked on my skin. It definitely left a nice healthy glow, but whether it works the same underneath foundation remains a mystery. I would be interested to try this out in a deluxe mini or even full size to further test out this product.
Haircare:
Boucleme scalp exfoliating shampoo (100ml): I'll be honest, the only reason I had this item was because I was running low on scalp scrub and for someone who lives on dry shampoo I couldn't be without one, so it was the perfect opportunity to pick one up when Latest in Beauty's annual STYLE awards came around. Claiming to gently remove dead skin cells and product build up while soothing and nourishing the scalp due to the power of essential plant oils I was intrigued by this product. Imagine how stupid I felt in the shower when I realised this was targeted towards people with curly hair? My hair is stick straight by the way. Nevertheless, I can report that this product did do a decent job even in my hair. It got my hair clean, and removed any product build-up on my scalp however, I wasn't overly keen on the (very) runny consistency and overly minty smell. It got the job done but I would not be picking this product again any time soon.
Living Proof restore mask treatment (28g): I feel like I am forever using this particular brand of hair mask whenever I'm in the shower as I just seem to have so many of them due to being included in different beauty subscriptions boxes and limited editions, lol. Nevertheless, I can't complain as it does work well for my hair type. I have thin, fine, stick straight hair which is occasionally coloured and not a lot of heat is really put onto my hair either. Yet I feel like my hair is always lacking moisture and bounce. This is one of those hair products that does work really well for my hair and doesn't weigh it down or make it feel greasy either. It's just an all round great product to use, especially when used in conjunction with their shampoo and conditioner.
Aussie 3 minute miracle colour deep treatment (20ml sachet): Originally designed as a deep treatment for coloured hair that needs a little TLC, and containing Australian wild peach extract to deep condition, revitalise and replenish your hair, you could agree with me that this could pretty much suit any hair in need of a treatment and not just those who have coloured their hair. I was so surprised when I applied this to my hair in the shower. My hair had never felt so silky smooth and rejuvenated in such a long time without it feeling weighed down or greasy. Plus, the bonus is that you only have to leave this on for 1-3 minutes. This is by far one of the bet hair care products I have used this year, and I am seriously going to invest in a full size of this when I have worked my way through my hair mask collection.
Sol de Janerio Brazilian Joia shampoo (10ml sachet): While this brand is most famous for it's Brazilian bum bum cream, another product from the brand that has been circulating a lot of attention online is their haircare range which still contains their iconic Brazilian nut smell. Designed to strengthen and smooth the hair and provide that bouncy blow-dry that we all dream of I had high expectations for this product. While I can vouch for it's iconic smell and smoothness that it gave to my hair, I didn't walk away from he bathroom feeling like I had just had a salon blow-out. Although this item was nice to use, I wouldn't be looking to pick up the full size version.
Moroccan oil hair treatment (15ml bottle): First introduced through a Glossybox Limited edition a couple of years ago, this hair treatment quickly became a staple within my hair care routine. I mix a small amount of this oil into a hair serum and work it into the mid lengths to the tips of my hair before styling. It doesn't weigh my hair down at all, and delivers that shine that I'm after. This product won't be going anywhere, anytime soon.
Batiste dry shampoo (scent: blush flirty floral) (50ml travel size): Does this product even need an introduction? It's a staple item in a lot of people's stash and this is certainly no stranger to mine. I use dry shampoo pretty consistently and couldn't be without it. It always extends my wash days a few extra days while smelling nice. A way I have found to not get such harsh white residue in your hair with this product, is to spray it on your roots, leave for 30 seconds before rubbing in and you'll notice hardly any white cast. Now that's saying a lot for someone who has dark brown hair.
Body care:
The Body Shop tea tree body wash (250ml): Purchased from an Instagram friend of mine who is also a body shop at home consultant, I was in need of a new tea tree body wash as I suffer with back acne , and using a body wash like this helps to keep it under control. I usually use the Australian Body care tea tree body wash which can become pricey so finding a cheaper alternative was on my list. Although as nice as it was in the shower, it just didn't seem to hit the spot for me as much as my original body wash. Yes it kept my back acne under control and smelled lovely, but it didn't seem to lather up as well as I had hoped, had quite a runny consistency and made my skin a little drier than usual. I'm definitely not knocking this product, and I would consider repurchasing, but for some reason something felt missing and I just can't quite put my finger on it. I would give it a 3.5-4 star rating overall.
Imperial leather foam burst with lychee and lotus flower (75ml): This was included in one of my Glossybox subscriptions sometime las year I believe and while I have tried this product before, I hadn't tried it in this scent. I thought this gave such a luxurious experience in the shower as it was just so rich, creamy and smelled absolutely divine. It foams up in the shower really well too. The only downfall for me, was that it claims to last for up to 15 showers which I disagree with as it lasted me around 5-7 showers and I wouldn't say that I use a lot of product in the shower? Needless to say, I really enjoyed it and would be happy to get another one of these in a sub box again.
Sure bright bouquet roll on deodorant (50ml): Very quick review of this product as I'm sure a lot of you have used this product at some point in your life. Smells very fresh and floral, prevents any odour or sweat from making an appearance throughout the day and lasts a long time. Staple in my body care stash.
-417 serenity legend hydrating dead sea bath salts (100g): Another product which was included in a Glossybox back in April this year for their 'Woke up in Spring' theme box. Now I personally don't have a bath in my house as I have a built in walk in shower, but I do use any bath salts/bath bombs that I get in sub boxes for a good old foot soak, whether that is after a workout or a 5k walk I do. Made from 100% dead sea salt, it did a really good job at making my feet feel relaxed, soft and smelt like I was in a
spa (which we all love to experience right?). Like with any bath salts, you have to make sure it has dissolved in the water to get that full on experience which didn't take too long with these. They were nice to use and did the job, plus they are vegan so what's not to like?
OhK! peppermint leg masks (2 strips): Now this is one product I was very sceptical about. I thought to myself, 'is this a gimmick'? 'do they really work'? I had to try them out. Infused with peppermint and designed to cool down tired legs within 10-20 minutes and revitalise the skin, I decided to give them a try after a 1 hour cardio workout to see what benefits it would provide to my legs. After placing them on the backs of my legs they quickly started to cool my body down and I did feel like they were working. However, they did nothing more than that. I feel if you have really bad sunburn or want a quick cool down after a workout than yes, these will do that for you, but other than that, I didn't really see any other added benefits to them. I think I'll pass on these next time.
Miscellaneous:
Pretty Little Wax blueberry muffin snap bar (5 pieces) (now re-branded as Evelyn & Wild): I bought a few snap bars from this small business on Instagram a few months back and I have been so impressed with their products. They sell an array of items and not just wax melts. They also stock items such as homeware and hair accessories (which are gorgeous btw). This wax melt in particular smells exactly like a freshly baked blueberry muffin (which is one of my favourite desserts might I add), and the burn time lasts for hours too. I would 100% recommend this small business if your after any delicious smelling scents floating around your home at an affordable price.
Comments