2015 Make Up Favourites

I haven't written a favourite's post in a while, so as we have just seen in the New Year I couldn't think of anything more fitting than writing my round up of all of my favourite beauty products from the last Year. I scuttled around the house collecting all my favourites; and I managed to choose one eye shadow product, one mascara, one base product and two lip products. 

First up we have my most reached for eye shadow palette, which is the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette. I use this palette most days. I find it perfect for just an every day look but also a great palette to have as you can create so many different looks with it. The mascara I have enjoyed using the most has been the Clinique High Impact Mascara. This gives good length and thickens the lashes, without looking clumpy. I am quite fussy when it comes to mascara but this is a great every day mascara. I couldn't decide on just one lip product so I had to include two; the first being Soap and Glory's A Great Kisser Lip Balm. I'm not sure if S&G still stock this, as I haven't been able to find it, so I am guessing not. This is a really nice lip balm which gives a little shimmer to the lips, keeps them coated and smells of peaches. I use this on top of matte lipsticks to give a more glossy look. I have a back up tin of this, I am so glad as it doesn't look like I will be able to buy it again! Anyone that has known me for a while knows I have always been a big fan of Cheryl's makeup looks. I bought the L'oreal Paris Color Riche Collection Exclusive Nudes in Cheryl's Nude in hope that I could recreate her lovely nude lip; unfortunately I did not transform into Cheryl overnight (!) but this lipstick is a beautiful nude and one I have reached for the most this Year.

I tried the Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation for the first time this Year, and I really love it. After being a huge fan of Rimmels Match Perfection foundation for as long as I can remember, it is great to see they stock another good foundation which is a good match for my skin tone and gives a good medium coverage. 

What are you favourite beauty products from 2015? Any recommendations to share?

October Empties

I love this time of Year - it means lots of pamper nights in and wrapping up warm and snuggly writing lots of blog posts. I love having a good old nosy at other bloggers Monthly empties posts, so I thought I would share a few products I have finished recently.

The product I am most sad about using up is the Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover. I have mentioned previously on my blog that this quickly became a firm favourite of mine. It is brilliant at removing eye make-up and I would recommend if you have sensitive skin like mine.
I hadn't used a Lush product in a while, so I was really looking forward to using Lush The Comforter Shower Cream* which I received in a very generous blogger meet goodie bag. The scent is so comforting (pardon the pun) and is sweet and relaxing. I will probably make a purchase of this next time I head to Lush.
I also used up my Britney Spears Circus Fantasy Perfume recently. I think it makes a good 'day-time' perfume; it smells refreshing, but it didn't bowl me over so I won't be rushing out to repurchase this. Lastly, I used up the Cath Kidston Wild Roses Hand Cream, it is quite moisturising and smells lovely, I didn't find it greasy either so I would probably pick this up again in the future.

Recent Empties

It has been a while since I shared on my blog some of the products I have used up. I thought it was about time I did. What have you finished off recently?

Grace Cole Moments Body Lotion

This body lotion seemed to take a long time for me to finish. It was an average product, it was quite nice and light but didn't moisturize as well as I would have liked.

Argania Desert Defence Shampoo*

I really liked this shampoo, this is my second bottle. It really helps to cleanse my hair and removes all of the product out of my hair really well, and it smells great too.

Sanctuary Spa Gentle Polish Body Scrub

This is my all - time favourite body scrub, I always repurchase. The beads really work into the skin - it isn't too gritty but you do feel like you are getting a good scrub out of the product, if that makes sense! 

Balance Me Hand and Body Wash*

I have been using this mainly as a hand wash because it smells amazing, but it also doubles up as a really great body wash. It lasted us a while.

Soap and Glory The Righteous Butter

This is one of those cult pamper products, am I right? I think everyone and their mum has tried this. I really do like it as it is so thick and very moisturising. I do think it takes a long time to finish a tub off though!

Radox Shower Gel in Coconut Kiss

I usually love Radox products but I just didn't like the scent of this, the coconut smelt way too synthetic for me. It lathered a lot and cleansed well, I just didn't like the scent.

May Empties

It feels like I haven't written an Empties post in such a long time. They were one of my favourite posts to write when I first began blogging and I am not sure why I stopped writing them! Today I am here with quite a hefty post full of empty products, where I will be giving you the low - down on each and every product I finished this Month. 

Cussons Imperial Leather Soft Touch Moisturising Shower Cream with Jojoba Milk & Vitamin E

This has quickly become my favourite shower cream. I have been reaching for it every day, it smells beautiful and lathers a lot by using the tiniest amount of product. This 300 ml bottle cost me about 80p (!) from Tesco. I am not sure why the price is so low, but have spotted the bigger bottles in the pound shop too. I hope it isn't being discontinued! I will definitely be stocking up as it smells gorgeous and makes me skin feel super soft. 

Clearasil Ultra Overnight Wash

This face wash has been in our bathroom for what seems like an eternity, and me and my sister have finally finished it off. It is a nice facial wash, which is easy to apply to wash your face before bed. I do like this, but haven't seen or felt any amazing results from it, so probably wouldn't rush to the shops to get another one. 

FCUK Body Spray

This is a mini spray of FCUK's original scent. It smells quite oriental and floral. The scent doesn't last very long, but is ideal to pop in your handbag if you are on the go and need a quick spritz. 

Superdrug Coconut & Shea Butter Bath Milk

I picked this up not long ago and it hasn't lasted very long! It is a lovely bath milk which smells divine. I love anything coconut scented! This bath milk makes your bath smell beautiful, I would definitely pick this up again next time I am in Superdrug. 

Sanctuary Spa Covent Garden Body Lotion

In all honestly, we have about 6 bottles of Sanctuary Body Lotion in our house (no lie!) so it is a relief when we finish them off! I love the scent and it is very moistursing, but lasts forever! 

Scandalous Gorgeously Rich Moisturising Shampoo

Another product that has been in our bathroom for a while waiting to be used up, this shampoo smells gorgeous and I really do think it has helped make my hair feel softer and look a little more silkier, too.

Lovea Nourishing Mask

A truly amazing hair mask - I would definitely recommend. My hair feels in much better condition after I use this - I am gutted I have used it all up, but will definitely be purchasing another! I reviewed this in full here* last Month if you fancy a more in depth post.

Soap and Glory Butter Yourself Moisturise Lotion

Another moisturiser used up this Month, is Soap and Glory's 'Butter Yourself'. I have to be honest in saying I didn't enjoy using this product at all, which is strange coming from a huge Soap and Glory fan like me. I just didn't like the scent all too much of this product, and didn't really feel it made my skin feel softer. Also, it seemed to take a long time to sink into the skin.

Elemis Spa Home Jasmine and Rose Milk Bath*

I absolutely love Elemis Bath products, and I adore this scent. This was a little 60ml bottle, but lasted a fair few baths. I was kindly given this at an event recently, and am thinking of purchasing it in full size I love it that much! My skin felt fantastic after using this in my bath. 

Matrix Biolage Color Last Cera Repair

I adore this product for treating my dull and lifeless coloured hair  It brings out the vibrance of my colour, it truly is a great product and I would recommend if you have permanently dyed hair like me.

I featured this product in a recent review which can be found here*. This product and others similar are available at Hairtrade. 

Macadamia Deep Hair Masque

I am a big fan of Macadamia products, and this hair masque is one of my favourites. I am unsure where I picked this 30ml sachet from now, but I love using them. It ensures my hair feels silky soft after use, something my hair desperately needs as it is is terrible condition at the moment. 

Have you tried any of the products I used up?

*I was gifted one product (Elemis Milk Bath) in a blogger event goody bag. I was not asked to feature this product on my blog . All opinions are 100 %  honest and my own. You can view my full disclaimer policy on the contact tab above*

Mini Reviews: Batiste, Tresemme, John Frieda

Mini Reviews: Hair Products

I am keeping it small and sweet today and sharing just a few thoughts on a few hair products I have been using. Let me know what you think of them and if they work for you.

Tresemme Heat Defence Styling Spray

This is the heat protect-ant spray I have always used and gone back to. It is a good product, and seems to help to protect my hair from all of the heat I use on it. This is the best heat protect-ant I have found and I will definitely be repurchasing this. 

Batiste Dry Styling XXL Plumping Powder

I have to be honest, I wasn't sure about this the first few times I used it. It seems to leave my hair feeling quite dry once rubbed into my roots. It works, but isn't something I would reach for every day as I feel it is is a mediocre product. 

John Frieda Frizz Ease 3 Day Straight 

I don't seem to get on with this product. I have had it a few times over the years and it just doesn't seem to help to keep my hair straight at all. I know a lot of people love this, so maybe I am not using it correctly but I just cant get to grips with it!