I’m back again with another round up of
the current facemasks in my collection! First up is the NIOD Flavanone Mud (FM) RRP £40.30*and as with every DECIEM product, there is a fair bit of
science behind its fancy name that we won’t go into in too much depth here but
you can see on their website! Burnt orange in colour, this is a decongesting
mask that purifies the skin, offers a barrier against external pollution and
responds and works to improve the skins defence mechanisms. It’s advised to
only use once a week for ten minutes and let me tell you the tingle is real
with this one while it’s on the skin and for a good bit after! I don’t
experience any redness or reaction to it though and it’s my favourite of the
bunch I have here today. My skin always feels so smooth after use and looks so
much more refined and brighter. I tend to use it on a Sunday evening as a
detox/reset for my skin for the week ahead! Read more about it along with some
other NIOD products here!
Sticking with DECIEM, and I got the The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque RRP £10.30 in a Space NK box last year. Since
finishing up Roaccutane last year, my skin concerns have changed so where once
I probably would have used a mask for blemish prone skin like this at least
once a week, these days it’s far less, *touch wood*. Saying that, this is a
lovely formula that I tend to use on specific areas of my face rather than all
over and I also put some on my chest as and when needed too! Along with the BHA,
it contains charcoal, Amazonian clays and squalane and works to exfoliate dead
skin cells, cleanse pores and reduce inflammation and blemishes. My skin always
feels smooth after use with any spots drying up (not out!) and while my skin
isn’t as oily as it used to be, this would work wonders on anyone who does have
oily skin! Such a good price too!
I still can’t get over the size of the Pixi Vitamin-C Remedy Mask RRP £20*, I don’t think I’ll ever get through it! I
got sent this along with the Milky Remedy mask and Rose Remedy mask and while
there is no difference in their jelly-esque textures, I think the Vitamin C one
is my favourite simply because of the antioxidants included! The mask is
cooling to apply (though it can take some extra work getting it off as I apply
a thick layer) and hydrating too! It contains ferulic and ascorbic acid but
they are quite far down the ingredients list so I’m not sure how effective
these are in a wash off mask! Overall, this is a nice cooling experience, and
my skin does look fresher and brighter straight after use! I also like to use
this on my chest too especially as it’s such a big tub and I am taking my neck
and dec care more seriously these days! It also comes with a little spatula that attaches to the side, hygienic! If you shop around, this is regularly
on offer for around a third off making it good value
I’m finally getting round to trying out
the cult favourite Oskia Renaissance Mask RRP £68 (for full size 50ml)
and I can see why its reputation precedes it! This is a rose scented and
coloured balm that, on contact with the skin, turns to a white colour so you
know it’s applied correctly. I usually leave on for 10-20 minutes then before
fully washing off, I massage some water to emulsify it and activate the second
phase. This contains natural fruit AHA’s and lactic acid to gently exfoliate
the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and leave skin feeling smooth. It
never leaves my skin red and despite feeling so gentle, I have been really
impressed with how soft and refined my skin looks after! I’m gutted the full
size is so expensive as I prefer to spend money on serums rather than masks but
this one crops up in GWP’s and beauty boxes quite often so look out for it in
those if you want to try before committing to the full size!
Lastly, the Inkey List Madecassoside
Mask RRP £8.99*which I can’t find online anymore so I am wondering if it’s
been discontinued already – it only came out last year? Anyway, this is billed
as a mask to provide instant relief to stressed skin and on first use I was
surprised to be met with a toothpaste-esque scent, indicating menthol, which is
one of the ingredients in this mask. I think it’s a strange inclusion for a
calming mask as I know some people with sensitive skin who can struggle with
this ingredient! My skin didn’t react however, and the cream formula feels very
cooling and invigorating on my skin so I think it would be perfect after a
workout etc when you want to cool down! Madecassoside is found in Centella
Asiatica and helps to reduce inflammation, redness and itching but personally I
have found other calming masks such as the I’m From Mugwort mask to be more
effecting in calming my skin!
So that’s what’s in my current
collection! If you want to read Part One or Part Two of this series, I have
linked them for you! Let me know your favourite face mask!
Wow, last post of the year! I hope you were all able to have a nice Christmas! I feel like this isn’t as many empties as I normally have and if I’m honest I’ve slacked off the last couple of months and been trying out new products so it’s been difficult for me to finish a lot! But anyway, I wanted to end the year rounding up then binning my trash so here it is!
I actually got this on prescription from my dermatologist just before I started Roaccutane and I’ve really been enjoying it! It’s been keeping my skin nicely hydrated and I like how it’s got a pump and there is a lot of product in there too which is great considering how much moisturiser I go through - it sinks in quickly too which is great! The only downside is that it’s unscented which yes is a good thing for sensitive skin, but I do generally like my moisturiser to be scented but it’s a small price to pay and I already have a backup of this!
This is an old favourite of mine and one I have repurchased countless times! I only use it on my legs and it is amazing if you ever get itchy legs or dry patches! It doesn’t spread as easily as the Aveeno and is also unscented so I don’t use it on my top half. I spoke more about it in my French Pharmacy Favourites post and I will repurchase once I use a few other moisturisers up!
Rituals Ritual of Sakura body cream
This is more like what I use on my top half! Hydrating and smells good! I laughed while reading one of Siobhan’s posts lately as she mentioned using nice smelling body creams on her top half and cheaper/more bog standard stuff on her bottom half and I do exactly the same thing! I picked up a Sakura gift set recently so I do have a bigger size to use up now! I find the body cream can be a little sickening but I do love the body foam as it’s a much more subtle scent!
Haircare
Bardot Dry Shampoo
I talked about this more in my Dry Shampoo Showdown post but I really enjoyed it! It worked well on my greasy hair to give me an extra day out of it! I found the scent a little too floral for me but I got this on offer for about £2.50 so would repurchase at that price!
The newest addition to Olaplex’s wonderful line up and this is a primer for my long term fave No.3. You saturate your hair with this, wait 10 minutes then apply No.3 and in conjunction they work to repair damaged hair! I got about 4 uses out of this as my hair is quite long and I actually got my hair cut at the beginning of December so it’s not as damaged as normal but after use if certainly feels healthier. I don’t have a lot of breakage yet but I have already repurchased as I love and trust Olaplex No.3 and want to keep my hair in the best possible condition!
Obsessed with this and I spoke more about it in this Haircare Essentials post too but I have been using this for years now and can’t see myself without it! Breakage is dramatically reduced and hair feels much stronger and healthier! Have already repurchased!
I feel like this was a cult favourite a good few years ago and I finally got round to trying it! I liked it, it definitely added a little volume through my hair but the results were short lived I would say so not a repurchase for me!
This is the second time I’ve had this and it’s great for heat protection and smoothing hair, I do prefer the OUAI Leave In Conditioner though so it won’t be a repurchase for me straight away!
I love this and spoke more about it in this post but in short it’s a very simple, gentle, hydrating gel like toner and my skin drinks this up! I have already repurchased the bigger size!
Another simple, hydrating, calming product and another one my skin loved! I reviewed it here and will repurchase this in the future once I finish a few other mists up!
This is one of those products that is billed as a “miracle product” for acne and while it is a nice moisturiser and works well as a primer under makeup, unfortunately, it worked no miracle on my acne haha. I liked it as a daily moisturiser but I wouldn’t be in a rush to repurchase as I have others I prefer!
Another cult favourite and my first time trying! This is a nice formulation of a gel to oil and removed makeup with ease. The full size isn’t as expensive as I thought it was originally but I don’t love the scent so this won’t be a repurchase!
A really lovely little spritz that was perfect for keeping in my handbag to top up my face during the day! Super affordable too, this was only £2.50! Will repurchase in the future!
I find the Inkey list very love/hate but thankfully this was one that I loved! A really simple, antioxidant full hydrating serum perfect for fine lines! Will repurchase this again soon!
A lovely creamy, hydrating and soothing wash off mask! I have been using this regularly in the mornings to calm my redness down before makeup. Would repurchase in the future but using a lot of other masks right now!
I use this as a primer hence why I slotted it in my makeup category! It’s beautifully illuminating but never looks greasy and gives a really nice lit from within look! Love it but have just repurchased the Becca Backlight Priming filter which I find very similar so this will have to wait for a repurchase!
This is huge and leaves a gorgeous hydrating sheen behind and it lasts so long between top ups! It contains cupuaçu, acai and coconut oil and makes my lips feel so soft and the scent is not overpowering at all! I can’t believe how much was left in the packaging once I finished the bullet, I got about another months use out of it by digging it out with a cotton bud! Full review here! Will repurchase in the future!
Really luxe little lipbalm, not as longlasting on the lips as I would have liked and the full size is too expensive for what it is so not a repurchase for me but I really recommend the little mini set when on sale!
MAC Fix+ Magic Radiance
Not very much in this tiny sample but enough to know I liked it and would like to try again! Hydrating and brightening and I would repurchase if on offer!
I know CBD works for a lot of people but unfortunately it doesn’t for me! I was as stressed and wound up as ever in the lead up to some recent interviews! Tried it on my skin only a couple of times so can’t really review that but I personally prefer other oils for topical use. Expensive as well so not a repurchase for me!
Carex Moisture Hand Gel
Love this - smells fresh, doesn’t dry out my hands and sinks in quickly without leaving any tacky feeling! Always out of stock but will pick up when I see it again!
Tossing
When I mentioned that I have a love/hate relationship with the Inkey List earlier, this is what I meant! Their Alpha Arbutin and Niacinamide just don’t do it for me and aren’t a patch on the Ordinary’s versions which I love. The shelf life is also 6 months compared to the Ordinary’s 12 months so I didn’t even get to finish these but I would not repurchase!
And that is my last empties of 2020 and my eighth of the year! Hopefully there will be even more next year! Thank you for all your support with reading and commenting this year, I really appreciate it! See you in 2021!
Danielle xx
If you want to keep up to date with my posts, don’t forget to follow me on
Latest in Beauty are my favourite beauty box service, they continually come out with collaborations
with the likes of Glamour magazine and Origins and also offer a subscription
service! I’ve never subscribed to the likes of Birchbox or Glossybox before because
I don’t like the fact you don’t know what you’re getting each month but with
Latest in Beauty you choose exactly what you want to receive each month - brands range from Rimmel and MUA to Nuxe and Omorovicza! Now I certainly
don’t need any more beauty products but I was tipped over the edge this time
when I saw what had been added to the website when Sal at Umm Baby Beauty
showed her last box over on Instagram! She is one of my favourite bloggers and you should all follow her immediately if you aren't already!
TheJurlique Rosewater Balancing Mistwas
theproduct that did it for me – I have
wanted to try the brand for the longest time but the products aren’t cheap and
I was unsure if the rose scent would be too much for me. I’ve only used this a
couple of times since I got it but the scent is very gentle and the mist feels
really refreshing!
You
will see a continuing theme here as all the rest of the products I went for are
from brands I have tried nothing or very little from. Next up is the Ole Henrickson Sheer Transformation Facial Crème to help fade skin discoloration and retexturise the skin, NUDE Skincare Rescue Oil to smooth skin and refine texture (can you tell I have
a thing for products that promise to do this?!) and Purity Made Simple 3 in 1 Cleanser which I thought would be nice to use in the morning
with my Foreo Luna.
I also
picked out a Nanshy Kabuki Brushbecause
I haven’t used one in years preferring my Real Techniques blush brush for
bronzing but I wanted to try the brand and the Elemis British Botanical Body Cream as I wanted a change from my
usual Soap and Glory or Nivea creams!
So
that was my build your own box! Lots of new products to try and I’m sure you
will see them pop up here or on my Instagram soon! It also came in a makeup bag
which I wasn’t expecting and I know that when I bought a one off box for my
aunt at Christmas you had to buy this separately if you wanted it (£4) so I’m
not entirely sure if this just comes the first time you sign up to the
subscription but I’m assuming so!
I went
with the 9 product subscription but they also offer a 3 product or 6 product
box. As
well as the subscription service you can buy a box at any time as a one off buy
though it’s slightly more expensive. To subscribe to the three product box its
£9 per month with free delivery or £16 one off plus £3.95 delivery. Six
products are £15 or £22 plus delivery and the nine product box (my personal
favourite) is £18 or £25 plus delivery. You can see why I went with the nine
product subscription though I will cancel it before next month or downgrade it
depending on what’s new in to pick from!
Have
you tried the Latest in Beauty subscription box?
Danielle xx
If you want to keep up to date with my posts, don’t forget to follow me
on
Hi everyone, I have another bumper empties post to share with you today!
Will try to get through the products as quickly as possible!
Haircare
VO5 Plump it Up Dry Shampoo
This is my favourite dry shampoo in the world! It smells amazing and
there is no white cast! I do already have a backup that I’m using but it’s my
last one as it seems to have disappeared from the shops again – sort it out
VO5!
Makeup
No7 Perfect Light Pressed Powder in
Translucent
I won’t bang on too much about this as it crops up a lot on here but
it’s my absolute favourite powder as it’s so lightweight and mattifying without
looking cakey! Already have two backups of this!
Max Factor Lipfinity Top Coat (Clear Balm)
I got this as part of a Lipfinity set but got rid of the first step
colour ages ago because I didn’t like it! I love the clear balm though! It has
a slanted tip in slim black packaging and it feels nice and hydrating and lasts
a long time on my lips. It’s not too glossy and is perfect to put over matte
lipsticks to keep the colour but make them feel a bit more comfortable! Won’t
be repurchasing as my house is coming down with lip balms and I probably won’t
in the future because the other half of the set is wasted on me!
Beauty Blender
This should maybe be in the miscellaneous section but it’s a big part
of my makeup so I thought I’d include it here! Before I got this I was using
the Real Techniques Miracle Sponge or my fingers to apply my foundation but
this is so much better! It applies my foundation flawlessly and blends it so
easily. This one is looking worse for wear now but lasted me ages and was well
worth the money! I think the RT version is good if you don’t want to spend so
much on a Beauty Blender but I prefer it and already have my backup out and in
use!
Skincare
Nivea Lotion
I won’t spend too much time on this because you are all probably sick
of hearing about it by now but it’s my favourite first cleanse as it’s so
creamy and hydrating and does a fantastic job of removing the bulk of my
makeup! Constant repurchase and I already have a backup open!
Eucerin Aquporin Active Revitalising Eye
Cream*
I’m so sad to be finished this! It’s a gorgeous lightweight gel/creme
texture with a metal tip applicator that instantly depuffs my eye bags and
makes me feel more awake! Will be repurchasing as soon as I finish the eye
creams I’m currently using! Full review here!
Oskia Renaissance 360 Anti-Aging and
Brightening Supreme Cream
This was a deluxe sample I got in a GWP at Cult Beauty and I really
liked it (although I wasn’t fussed on the scent), it was lightweight, hydrating
and sank in quickly ready for me to apply my makeup. It ran out a bit
unexpectedly so I can see now why people get annoyed at the cleanser as you can’t
see how much product is left and the bottle is weighty! I don’t think I used it
long enough to see any noticeable difference in my skin and it’s a little
expensive for me to commit to repurchasing!
Maple Holistics Vitamin C Anti-Aging
Serum*
I really enjoyed using up this serum and found it helped add more
hydration to my face especially round my nose and chin area. I loved the
texture of it too, it felt quite slippy yet sank in quickly. I probably won’t
repurchase as it’s more difficult to get your hands on in the UK and I’m
already using other products with hyaluronic acid but if it’s easier to get a
hold of for you I really recommend it! Full review here!
Caudalie Polyphenol Anti-Wrinkle Defence Serum
This little dropper bottle actually lasted me quite a
long time and I really liked it! It was very lightweight and sank in quickly
leaving my face feeling hydrated and refreshed! Would repurchase!
Soap and Glory Off Your Face wipes
I much prefer Soap and Glory makeup and bodycare to some of their
skincare, these wipes being a prime example! I used these exclusively for
wiping makeup swatches off my arms after taking photos for my blog as I hate
the smell of them – it reminds me a little of toilet cleaner? I’ve had them for
so long they started to dry up a little but that’s more my fault than the
wipes! Will not be repurchasing and I probably got them in a set rather than
purchasing them on their own in the first place! This is also probably the only
negative review of a Soap and Glory product you will see on my blog and I
generally love everything else!
Nivea Daily Essentials 3 in 1 Facial
Cleansing wipes
I bought these at the airport for a trip to Amsterdam ages ago and they
came in so handy for a quick cleanse while I was away. I’m not a massive user
of wipes so they generally take me ages to finish but these stayed moist the
whole time I had them and had a lovely scent! Would definitely repurchase for
another trip away!
Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels
I think I got these in a beauty box quite a while back and finally got
round to using them after an awful day with hay fever where my eyes were
standing on me and I couldn’t stop rubbing them! These felt so cooling and
relaxing and were really easy to apply. I had no issues with them sliding down
my face or anything, in fact they were stuck nearly a little too tight to my
bags and I had to move them a little further down to make them more comfortable
makes sense? Overall, a nice treat but I find one use things like these such a
waste of money so wouldn’t repurchase!
Eve Lom Cleanser
Again, I don’t normally put sachet samples in my empties as I don’t get
too many uses out of them but as this is such a hyped product I thought I would
include it! I got about three evening cleanses out of this as to be honest I
don’t see what the fuss is about, it did a good job of cleansing my skin but it
doesn’t smell great (I read someone ages ago describing it like old curry and I
have to agree!) and it would be too harsh for me to use every night as it has
little exfoliating particles in it! Wouldn’t repurchase it and will be sticking
to my other balm cleansers like Emma Hardie Moringa!
Bodycare
Nivea Powerfruit Fresh Shower Gel
I am obsessed with the acai berry scent of this! It’s obviously not
your average Nivea creme scent that I love but it’s amazing, it’s so fresh and
not overly fruity! You need to pick this up and give it a sniff! Will
definitely repurchase!
Nivea Sun Moisturising After Sun Lotion
I bought this a few weeks ago to take on holiday and literally finished
it yesterday so it has snuck into this already overloaded post! It’s not my
favourite Nivea product by a long shot as it doesn’t have the usual scent that
I love but it felt lovely and cooling on the few patches of sunburn I managed
to get on holiday (and felt even better as I had kept it in the fridge!) It
didn’t manage to help with the prickly heat I got on holiday though so I would
probably try something else next time!
Soap and Glory Hand Food Hand Wash
I got this in the Christmas sale along with the big hand cream pump
which it still full because I keep forgetting about it in the kitchen! I love
the scent of this but probably won’t get it again to Christmas time!
Yes to Carrots Moisturising Hand Cream
for Normal to Dry Skin
I absolutely hated this! I was determined to finish it though and I’m
so glad I did! It’s a really runny cream that makes my hands somehow feel more
dry and while it doesn’t have a strong scent, it doesn’t have a good scent!
Worst hand cream I’ve ever tried, will definitely not be repurchasing!
Ladival Sun Protection SPF 30
I got this quite recently in the Latest in Beauty Glamour Summer Edit beauty box (what a mouthful!) and it was the perfect size for a week away! It’s
not my favourite sun lotion as I found it never really sank or dried in even
though it was meant to be non-greasy. I also found the spray quite messy so
sprayed in into my hand to apply instead of directly on the skin. For those
reasons I wouldn’t repurchase, however, it did offer great protection from the
sun and kept me from getting burnt so if you can get past the tacky/sticky
feeling it might be one for you! Full review here!
Nivea Creme Tin*
I love this little tin of Nivea creme! The texture is so different to
anything I’ve tried before, at first it reminds me of Sudocrem but once you
start rubbing it in it goes a little more watery. It’s hard to explain but I
love this for the back of my arms and find it really helps with any Keratosis
Pilaris I have although I usually only apply it at night as it doesn’t sink in
quickly! I got sent two of these so have already opened the second! Full review here!
Nivea Sun SPF 30 Caring Roll On*
Another product that featured in my Poolside Essentials post a few weeks ago,
this was a life saver down by the pool! I used it to reapply on areas where I
felt the lotion I had applied before coming down was starting to sweat or rub
off so my feet and round my bikini were replied regularly with this! It smells
amazing, sank in quickly and kept my skin protected! Would repurchase!
DNKY Be Delicious Body Lotion
I love layering up this body lotion with the perfume and it lasts all
day on me! It’s quite a creamy, runny consistency that’s lovely and
moisturising! Be Delicious is such a fresh scent, I wear it all year round but
it’s perfect for summer! I don’t have a backup of this but I will definitely
buy it again in the future (usually get it in gift sets!)
Sure Maximum Protection Anti-Perspirant
I don’t think I’ve actually ever included an anti-perspirant/deodorant
in my empties before but I finished this just before I was taking photos so
threw it in! This is a constant repurchase for me and I actually use it at night
more than during the day. The instructions say it’s more of a treatment and
works best if you apply at night then I’ll just use a standard deodorant during
the day. It helps protect against armpit sweat and I’d say it does a pretty
good job so may be one for you if you are a Sweaty Betty like me!
Prismologie Pink O’ Clock Hand Cream and
Indigo Interlude Foot Cream
I got these minis with a Space NK order a while back and really enjoyed
using them! They are very strongly perfumed and I particularly liked the scent
of the foot cream which has quite an aftershave scent to it! Both were lovely
and hydrating and sank in quickly but I probably won’t purchase the full sizes
because I have other hand and foot creams that do the same job and are much more
affordable!
Misc
Lush Magic Wand Reusable Bubble Bar
I got this in a Christmas gift set and couldn’t believe how many baths
it lasted me – it was originally in the shape of a pink star! I generally find
Lush overpriced and refuse to buy anything unless it’s in the sale or in a gift
set but this I would repurchase tomorrow! You just wave it under a running
tap and it creates so many bubbles and is scented of Snow Fairy! My skin always
felt so soft after having a bath with this too! It’s limited edition at
Christmas but they do a flamingo one all year round!
Congratulations if you made it to the end of that! See my last empties
post here!Have you tried any of these products? What did you think of them?
*denotes
a PR sample that was sent to me. All opinions are my own.
