Danielle's Beauty Blog

Last empties post of the year! And I think it’s my 7^th of 2021, so let’s get to it! 

 

Haircare

Schwarzkopf got2b Dry Shampoo

Been through so many of these now! It’s a great budget dry shampoo – smells fresh, leaves no white cast and lets me get another day out of greasy hair! 

 

Skincare

Hada Labo Lotion No 1 Super Hydrator

One of the best hyaluronic acid serums I have tried! And a budget pick too! This bottle lasted forever and really helped support my skin’s hydration. Always on offer in Superdrug and I talk more about it in this budget skincare post!

 

Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence*

Really nice calming essence but I have others I prefer (Mugwort!) so this won’t be a repurchase. Read more here!

 

Dermalogica Hydro Masque Exfoliant*

Such a gorgeous mask that lightly exfoliated while also hydrating my skin. Loved the texture of this and the packaging. Would repurchase. Read more about it here!

 

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel*

Love this cleanser, it’s so gentle, doesn’t foam up a crazy amount and never leaves my skin feeling tight only clean and refreshed! Perfect as a second cleanse or morning cleanser! I have a new full size kindly sent by the brand! Read more in this post!

 

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

Another old favourite and great makeup remover! Creamy and removes makeup with ease. Will repurchase again in the future! Read more here!

 

Sand&Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask*

Really nice clay mask – this contains Vitamin A and was prefect for tightening pores and making my skin look smoother! Would repurchase! See more in these posts here and here!

 

I’m From Rice Toner

Already been through a full size of this and loved it! Such a brightening and hydrating toner, can’t recommend it enough! See more about it here!

 

Aromatica Reviving Rose Infusion Treatment Toner

Another nice toner though I didn’t love it as much as the rice toner as the rose scent is quite strong. Nicely hydrating though and my skin didn’t react to it! Might repurchase in the future.

 

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser x2*

Lovely cleanser, I really enjoyed this, it’s creamy and, like the special cleansing gel, works well as a second or morning cleanse. Will repurchase!

 

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream*

A gorgeous moisturiser perfect for morning as it sits so well under makeup. Feels lightweight but keeps my skin hydrated all day! Will repurchase!

 

IT Cosmetics Hello Results Wrinkle Reducing Daily Retinol Serum in Cream

Tiny sample but this was a lovely formula, felt lightweight and gentle but my skin looked plump and smooth the next day. Using a different retinol now but would consider a repurchase in the future!

 

Lanolips 101 Ointment Multi Balm Minty

Love Lanolps  - this kept my lips hydrated for such long time and lasts all night too. Loved the mint scent too, using the strawberry one at the minute and will repurchase! Read more about Lanolips here!

 

Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy

I think these are pretty overrated – I have had tinted ones in the past and enjoy them, the formula is nice and lightweight on the lips and hydrates but it’s not longlasting and the balm itself is a gloopy nightmare. You can’t keep it in your pocket as it melts so easily and it just seems really fragile. Not a repurchase for me! 

 

Bodycare

Nivea Crème Soft shower cream x2

Love Nivea and always have one of their shower creams in the bathroom! They smell fresh, clean well and are super affordable! Already have a few backups!

 

Elemental Herbology Zest Bath & Body Oil*

Love love love this body oil. The rich orange scent smells incredible and the oil itself feels so luxurious when I rub into my skin! It hydrates well and makes my skin feel silky soft. The brand kindly sent me a top up of this but I would repurchase with my own money too! Read more about it here!

Caudalie Vine Body Butter

This managed to feel both rich and lightweight and I really enjoyed it! Not a huge fan of the scent – this one it citrusy too - but it was lightweight and didn’t linger. Skin felt soft and nourished and would repurchase if on sale again!

 

Rituals Ritual of Sakura Magic Touch Body Cream

Really pretty floral scent but I prefer the body shower foam in this scent if that makes sense as it doesn’t linger as much as the body cream. Still, its lightweight and hydrates my sin well!

 

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Daily Skin Therapy

I have had this for ages – I use it to prep my elbows, heels and hands before tanning and it does a great job! Softens them and less tan clings to dry patches!

 

Rituals Ritual of Sakura Celebrate Each Day Body Scrub

This is a really nourishing scrub as its suspended in oil. The scent isn’t as strong as the body cream so I really enjoyed it and how nourished it made my skin feel but it wasn’t the strongest scrub so not a repurchase for me!

 

OUAI Melrose Place Eau de Parfum

My favourite perfume, I love this stuff! I’ve written about it more in this post and while its not the longest lasting scent I never get sick of it! Just got a replacement as one of my Christmas presents! 

 

 

Makeup

Revlon Colorstay Combination/Oily Skin in Buff

One of my favourite foundations and the best drugstore foundation I have tried too! Buff is the perfect shade for me when I have no tan on and it lasts all day – already repurchased! See more in this post!   

Revlon Volume + Length Magnified Waterproof Mascara

I have repurchased this several times and it does a great job or separating my lashes and giving them length! Will repurchase in the future.

 

Maybelline The Colossal Big Shot Waterproof Mascara

I thought this was just the original Colossal mascara and I prefer that wand so not a repurchase for me – OK mascara but clumps more than I like! Actually only binning both of these as I had laser eye surgery earlier this month so will buy some new ones to decrease the risk of infection!

 

 

 

Miscellaneous

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides x2

Still on the collagen train and loving it – I can’t tell much difference in my skin but this stuff works amazingly on my joints! Already repurchased and bought some for my aunts for Christmas! Unfortunately, it’s not been dissolving as well for me recently but that’s the only downside! Always on offer at Holland and Barrett too!  

 

Polished Teeth Whitening Strips

These definitely whitened better than the Spotlight strips which I found to have more of a brightening effect rather than whitening! Nice short term effect, I liked using these before occasions (not that there have been may this year lol) and they didn’t make my teeth sensitive. Would repurchase.

 

Dr Bronners 18 in 1 Tea Tree Pure Castille Soap

My favourite brush cleanser and I have been through so many bottles of these over the years! Lasts me around a year and a half and I have already repurchased the Eucalyptus scent which you can see in my last blog post here!

 

So that’s it for 2021 empties! Hopefully I will have just as many if not more in 2022! Do you see any of your favourites here? Let me know your thoughts!

 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me.

All opinions are my own. Affiliate links used.

See my full disclosure here.

 

Danielle xx

 

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It’s been a while! But after a delayed delivery, I am finally back with a new spending report. After a no buy in September, and almost making it through October too (two little purchases), Black Friday reared its ugly head and I got a little spend happy. November is my birthday month and it’s always bad spending wise for me but I knew it was coming and I have managed a few no buy months this year. A lot of this were items I put off buying myself last year or the year before and while I don’t necessarily “need” it I obviously still wanted it so here we are! 

 

Starting with October purchases, I grabbed the Fenty Beauty Pro Kiss’r Luscious Lip Balm which had 20% off making it £12 instead of £15. Tinted lip balms are really all I am using these days and I absolutely love Fenty makeup so this has slotted in nicely! Also this month, I grabbed the Pat McGrath Skin Fetish: Divine Blush in Divine Rose as I saw they had 30% off around Halloween and it was down to £21 from £30. I also then used a 10% off code so this came to £18.90! It’s been hectic the last while so I still haven’t managed to use this yet, oops!  

 

Moving into November then where most of the damage was done. I couldn’t resist the Space NK Best of Beauty Discovery box especially as it had a full size Olaplex No.3 and Laura Mercier Translucent Loose setting powder which I had been planning on repurchasing anyway. I had also just finished a Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum cream which I love and it’s got a mini Paula’s Choice BHA liquid exfoliant as well as The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid mask which I have wanted to try for a while! This was £40 with a value of £93. 

 

 

DECIEM also ran an offer of 23% off all through November (see more in this post!) and I made two orders. The first included the Abnomoly Shop fragrance, Lactic Acid 10% + HA and the Multi Peptide Serum for hair density. This came to £28.96 instead of £37.60. My second order consisted of the elusive Copper Amino Isolate Lipid (CAIL) which I had already missed quite a few times when it came back into stock and the Resveratrol 3% and Ferulic Acid 3% coming to £58.13 instead of £75.50. 

 

A couple of days before my birthday, I got an early access code for the Victoria Beckham Beauty sale for 20% off, and having had my eye on the bronzer duo I decided to hit check out. Seeing there was a delivery charge, I also ended up picking up a lipstick – anyone else refuse to pay for shipping even if it costs you more to get it free lol? This came to £68.80 instead of £86.

ASOS had 25% off in the build-up to black Friday so I ended up getting a brush I’ve had my eye on for a while – the Charlotte Tilbury bronzer and blusher brush which was £22.50 instead of £30.

 

Escentual also had 25% off and in a case of Instagram made me do it, I picked up the Dior Forever Natural Bronze (I had been eyeing up the Gucci bronzer as well but none of the shades seem quite right!) and the Clarins Makeup Heroes gift set coming to £48.75 instead of £65.

 

Look Fantastic always has a discount code or two floating around and I decided to purchase these just before Black Friday too as they were going in and out of stock but the Sol de Janeiro Stellar Celebrations and Star Treatment sets caught my eye as I love Bum Bum cream and Brazilian Kiss so much and I’ve been wanting to try their shampoo and conditioner. I also picked up the Living Proof PhD Dry Shampoo (this was a duo set but one is a gift so I have halved its price). In total this came to £62.98 instead of £76.50. In a second order, I also stocked up on more Olaplex No.3 and got the supersize for £35.88 instead of £52. 

 

From Holland and Barrett, I also picked up a new Dr Bronner’s liquid soap as I just finished mine and it’s my preferred brush cleanser – this was £6.60 instead of £8.79. 

 

Cult Beauty also did 25% off for Black Friday and I got blush happy with a couple I had eyed up last year but didn’t get as I chose some others – Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Sex on Fire and Chantecaille Cheek Shade Emotion. This order came to £48.75 instead of £65.

 

Finally, a brand I have wanted to try for years - Necessaire. They don’t do huge discounts as far as I could see but I did have a 10% off and they were sending a free Body Serum out with orders so I got the Body Essentials in Eucalyptus including the body wash, lotion and exfoliator. This came to $59 instead of $65 (including $5 shipping) so £46.19 not £50.89 ish. 

 

 

My October total was £30.90 instead of £45 and November was £467.54 instead of £640.28. And that’s me stocked up on hair/body/skin and makeup products for the next year! Like I said, I knew it was going to be an expensive month with purchases I have been putting off until there was a better offer/restocks and just generally treating myself as it was my birthday! I am hoping for a quieter December to end this series and hope to get that up in the next few weeks to round up the year! Did you pick up much in the sales? Have you tried anything I’ve mentioned? Let me know what you think!

 

All opinions are my own. Affiliate links used.

See my full disclosure here.

 

Danielle xx

 

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This brand overview has been on my to do list for the longest time but with up to 40% off on the Sand&Sky website for the Black Friday weekend there is no time like the present! Sand&Sky are an instantly recognisable (just look at that packaging!) Australian cruelty free, vegan brand founded by twin sisters Emily and Sarah Hamilton. Using Aussie botanicals in their products, they are committed to responsible sourcing and recyclable packaging! There are three ‘lines’ if you will – Australian Pink Clay to detoxify, Australian Emu Apple to brighten and Tasmanian Spring Water to hydrate – can you tell they are a proud A-Beauty brand yet?! I have four of their products here from each of the lines that I’ve been using for quite a while now and I honestly couldn’t recommend them more! 

 

The Sand&Sky Enzyme Powder Polish RRP £44.90* is a beautifully gentle exfoliator that was even suitable for me when I was on Roaccutane and couldn’t use anything too harsh! The powder is ultra-fine, full of antioxidants and, on contact with water, it turns into a pink foam! It doesn’t feel gritty but my skin always looks smoother, more even and brighter after use and never looks red or feels tight or dry! It is similar to Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant and Good Molecules Pineappple Exfoliating Powder but this is the gentlest of the three though no less effective! It also contains Vitamin C and Australian super berries to nourish and hydrate. I use this a couple of times a week and you only need about a coin size amount so this tub has lasted me forever and I am only about half way through! I spoke about it more in this Five Things I’m Loving post here!

 

Next up, we have the Australian Emu Apple Dreamy Glow Drops RRP £50.90* which is definitely one of their most famous products! It’s a really unique bi-phase serum that you shake to activate and the result is hydrated, brighter skin! The formula feels very lightweight though it is oily and I’m not sure how I wouldn’t have got on with this if my skin was still oily/combo but it’s more on the normal/dry side now and drinks this up! It contains 5 types of Hyaluronic acid, Australia Emu Apple - an antioxidant to combat ageing, boost brightness and add glow, Kakadu Plum, a source of Vitamin C to target pigmentation and hemi-squalane to lock in moisture. It really is a dreamy formula and my skin looks more even and bright and glowy with use! Despite the lightly oily formula this works well with my other skin products and makeup and never makes it separate or pill! 

 

Another insta fave is the Sand&Sky Australian Pink Clay Porefining Mask RRP £36.90* (for 60g – mine is 30g) and for good reason! It’s a detoxifying face mask, using Australian Pink Clay to draw impurities, toxins, and pollutants out of the skin. This works to tighten pores, tackle pigmentation and even skin tone and as well as pink clay it contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C again in the form of Kakadu Plum and Pomegranate to act as an antioxidant. You only need to leave it on for 10 minutes to get the benefits and the tingle is real with this! My skin feels smoother and tighter (but not dry), pores look smaller and my skin looks brighter overall. Love the dinky little brush that comes with it too! Read more in this Five More Facemasks post!

 

Finally, the newest product to my stash – the Tasmanian Spring Water Hydration Boost Cream RRP £44.90*. This is a hydrating gel-cream containing, you guessed it, Tasmanian Spring Water to strengthen as well as hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture, fermented sea kelp to smooth and target fine lines and red seaweed extract to prevent dehydration. The texture makes it feel both lightweight and rich at the same time and it immediately feels cooling and soothing. It has become my go to night cream and I wake up to plump, hydrated skin and I love the subtle marshmallow-y scent! I find the formula a little too much sometimes during the day, depending on what other serums/SPF or makeup I use on occasion it pills slightly along my hairline and with other products which is a pet peeve of mine but I don’t have this issue at night so that’s my preferred time to use it! 

 

I also have to take a moment to mention the packaging again – I am obsessed with how bright and weighty it is! It’s so eye-catching and luxurious feeling and the brand is almost 100% recyclable (the aluminium droppers in the serums are the only part that isn’t!). 

 

Like I said at the start of the post, there are hefty discounts across the website ending today (28th November - sorry if you are reading later than that!)! As well having their own website, Sand&Sky are also available from ASOS and BeautyBay! Have you tried anything yet? Let me know your thoughts! 

 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me. Affiliate links included All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here.

 

Danielle xx

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I’ve been meaning to post about the Sanctuary Spa Wellness range for the longest time now and I am finally getting round to it and it’s actually perfect timing as we move into winter! Sanctuary Spa is not a brand I have tried much from despite them being readily available and affordable but I’ve been using these for a while now so read on to hear my thoughts!

 

The range consists of four products designed specifically to help you relax, de-stress and aid sleep and first up we have the De-Stress Bath Salts with Magnesium RRP £8*. While I shower more often than I take a bath, there have been a few occasions over the last couple of months were I have been feeling more stressed than usual and these salts have been a welcome addition to my nightly routine! I’ve drawn a bath, added a few handfuls and the whole ritual has helped relax me before bed and ensure a full nights sleep! I have struggled in the past with salts that don’t dissolve properly leaving me feeling uncomfortable in the bath but these are amazing, they are so finely ground, dissolve straight away and the scent is so relaxing! The magnesium also helps to sooth tired muscles so these have become a firm favourite when I want to wind down and have some me time before bed!  

 

 

I haven’t noticed much difference with CBD oil before (I used to have one safe for ingesting) but the Calming CBD Oil RRP £12.50* is a nice little multi tasker – it’s a body, bath and shower oil scented with jasmine, patchouli and frankincense. I hate the scent of jasmine on its own but this blend matches the rest of the range and is very subtle and relaxing. I like to add a few drops into my bath or rub over my body before stepping into the shower but this can also be used on pulse points. It releases the scent, softens my body and helps me wind down!

 

I have previously spoken about the De-Stress Warming Body Balm RRP £10* back in this post and like I said then, forget warming, this stuff is HOT! At least to begin with! While I enjoy this I can imagine it would be a bit much for some people and whatever you do, wash your hands thoroughly before touching your face! Like with the rest of the range, I like to use this just before bed and let it do its work soothing any tight or tense muscles across my shoulders and calves. It warms up slowly so I would recommend starting with less product as it feels a little hot for a while before calming down to a lovely relaxing sensation and it feels so comforting! As well as the jasmine, patchouli and frankincense scent this is also infused with ginger and rosemary oil.

 

Finally, the Sleep Mist RRP £12* which I like to spritz over my pillows and duvet as I am getting into bed and from using the rest of the range, I’ve come to associate this scent with relaxing and bedtime so it’s become so soothing to me! You can also use this over your face as it includes hyaluronic acid as well as queen of the night extract and blue light protection. While I don’t have huge problems sleeping, I am pretty stressy and I do think these products help me relax and sleep deeper! This and the oil are also perfect for travelling with if you want something comforting if staying away from home! Sanctuary Spa have also conducted a study where the results show these products are clinically proven to help aid sleep and relaxation and 93% agreed the scent helped relax body and mind so don’t just take my word for it!

 

Sanctuary Spa is available from their website, Boots, Superdrug, Look Fantastic, Feel Unique and Next among others! They have a few bundles out at the minute for Christmas and are also often discounted or on 3 for 2 promotions!

 

Have you tried anything from Sanctuary Spa before? What is your nightly ritual?

 

*denotes a PR sample that was sent to me.

All opinions are my own. Affiliate links used.

See my full disclosure here.

 

Danielle xx

 

If you want to keep up to date with my posts, don’t forget to follow me on

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