An Epic Empties for October

I made an effort to use up things in my cabinets that were almost done or at least halfway, and truth be told I am really pleased with myself for using up as much as I have. I’ve split them into categories, I hope you enjoy the mini reviews!

Shower

 

Garnier Anti-dandruff Sensitive Shampoo I have a feeling that they have discontinued this ‘sensitive’ option from the anti-dandruff range, which is a shame as it is the one that works best for me. Doesn’t dry my hair out, and keeps my scalp happy.

Lush Sugar Scrub I must admit that I am not a lover of this Lush product. I didn’t get to use it very much before it turned to mush (despite being kept out of water) and though it left my skin soft, the loose form of it was a bit of a pain and I found it a bit too rough for me.

Botani Spirulina Salt Scrub* This is one of my very favourite scrubs, I love the zesty scent and the way it feels sticky and sloughs off skin well. I rationed this tub out for as long as I could, but am glad it is gone now and I can head out and buy a new one from Priceline (once I’ve used up some other scrubs I have lying around!)

L’Occitane Shower Gel in Captivant* This unisex scent was really lovely to use, the bottle is pleasing to the eye and the gel itself was soft and didn’t dry out my skin. L’Occitane shower products are quite pricey and make nice gifts, but I will be trying out their shower oils next time for something new!

 

Imperial Leather Foamburst in Summer Zest (Mandarin, Lemon & Ylang Ylang) I quite like the creamy foam that this turns into, and the scent range is all really lovely. For some reason I didn’t quite fall in love with this, though Chris seemed to really enjoy it.

Gillette Satin Care Wild Berry Shave Gel This was a super sweet can of shaving gel, and I found the scent to be quite artificial but enjoyable nevertheless. I think I will try a shave cream next, just to get some more moisture into my legs.

The Body Shop Satsuma Shower Gel This. Was. Amazing. My MIL brought this back from Thailand with her and wasn’t a fan of the scent so gifted it to me. I used up most of this while in Sydney, and am sad to say that this amazing scent is no longer available =( If and when I see it again, I’m stocking up!

Clear Conditioner I was intrigued and tried this purely because Miranda Kerr fronts the brand, and has awesome hair. This feels very similar to Pantene and Sunsilk conditioners to me, and I found it didn’t nourish my hair very much. These sample sizes are $1 at Coles, lovely to try out new things
without a lot of commitment!
 

 



SPRAYS

 

Rexona Girl Tropical Energy Deodorant This pops up in empties all the time, it is my favourite deodorant and I have a stockpile in my cabinet because I pick up a few cans every time they are on sale. I am going to buy the Rexona Clinical Protection deodorant soon, now that the weather is warming up.

 

The Body Shop Berry Luscious Body Spray In an effort to use this, it functioned as a lovely room spray throughout the house. My sister kept asking what smelt so good, but wasn’t happy when I told her this was no longer available!

Impulse City Collection ‘New York’ Body Mist This was also used as a room spray, and was ironic as my parents were IN New York as I sprayed this here in Australia. Nice scent, but nothing I’d rush out to buy again.

 

MAKEUP

Australis Duet Palette This contains a row of shadows under a row of lipglosses. Most of the shadows are smashed to smithereens, and I despise glosses in pan form, so I am tossing this.

Calvin Klein Lipgloss in Taffy This gorgeous pale pink shade came free with a Strawberrynet order, but was obviously old stock as it has ‘turned’ already. Smells awful, so out it goes.

Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes mascara sample I loved this mascara, it smells strongly of roses and I love the tapered tip of the wand. I used this up a long time ago but recently stumbled across it in a makeup bag, so am tossing it. I am hoping to get a full size of this for Christmas, as a ‘mascara’ splurge.

FACE

Beauty Care Co Makeup Remover Pads El cheapo from Kmart, I prefer the Priceline branded rounds as these fall apart quite easily.

Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub Minty and yum, this sugar based scrub worked a treat for my flaky dehydrated lips. Chris always asks why I can’t just use my toothbrush like he does, but I think he is just jealous of my sugar hit.

Taut Collagen Orange Drink This concept freaks people out a little, a drink which is supposed to stimulate collagen production which contains shark cartilage. Tastes like yummy orange medicine, but the benefits are unproven for me and I won’t repurchase. This came in a sample subscription box.

L’Oreal Youth Code day cream I was using this way before I was heavily obsessed with makeup and beauty, and I loved the thick but light texture of it. Very hydrating, and I think I would repurchase again and maybe use as a night cream. Very old and pretty much empty, this had to go.

My Beauty Diary Hyaluronic Acid facial sheet masks These come in packs of 2 and I stock up when we visit Thailand. Obsessed with learning about hyaluronic acid lately, I loved getting a shot of hydration with these super soaked facial sheets.

Garnier Clean Sensitive Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Have already shared my thoughts on this here  but suffice to say I will not be repurchasing.

 SAMPLES

Clinique Superbalanced Foundation To be honest I used this once and forgot to go back for the rest, so can’t comment on the actual product. I like that the sample was in a light shade, however.

Kiehls Clearly Corrective White, Clarity-Activating Toner I was only able to get 3 uses from this sachet, but the idea itself is intriguing and I’d like to pick up a bottle to try it out. I have a comparison post coming up on Kiehls toners.

Kio Kio Frangipani & Puriri / Pacific Tiare and Ti Kauka Body Lotions I have a full post coming up on these, but I really enjoyed the scents and got a few uses from these sachets.

L’Oreal Ever Pure Rosemary Mint Conditioner* Absolutely loved the smell of this, and am trying hard to work through some other conditioners before I run out to buy a full size. Luckily I found a few more samples of it in my stash, so can indulge until I can justify a big tube.

 

Phew, that is a lot of empties.

How many products did you finish off this month?

 

*Marked items were provided for consideration. Honesty, always.



We Have A Winner!

I wanted to thank all who entered my Botani birthday giveaway for making my very first giveaway so successful! One of the best things about being offered things to trial for this blog is finding stellar products I wouldn't have come across otherwise, and I'm so glad I get to share this great body scrub with one of you!

The New Years resolutions you shared were great, and ones I will definitely take on board!

-spending more time & money on memories rather than material objects

-becoming more organised

-exercising, taking vitamins and just generally taking care of yourselves

-working on blog and making money to travel more

-stop being a wallflower (that was my 2011 goal, I aced it, and feel like I can do absolutely anything now!!)

-finding a part time job after being a SAHM

All wonderful resolutions, ladies!

I decided to skip using sites to choose my winner, I wanted to do it the old school way...

Wrote all of your names down on a sheet of paper

Chopped 'em up, folded 'em

Made my sick Mum stick her hand in the bag with her eyes closed- all she asked was "Did I enter?"

CONGRATULATIONS KARLENE!!
I've emailed you and your Botani Spirulina Salt Scrub is on the way!

Thank you all again for entering, I'll be sure to have another giveaway soon! Perhaps I'll pick something up while on holiday for you to nab!

a Botani birthday giveaway!

Hip Hip Hooray, it's my birthday today!

 I thought it would be appropriate to showcase a product I love today, so here is my rave about the Botani Spirulina Salt Scrub! The lovely Sabine from Echolife sent this to me, and I promise that all opinions are honest and not affected by that in the slightest.

There are those times when you connect a certain scent to a place or to a memory, and it is forever attached to that no matter what you do. My favourite smell comes from my kindergarden, and I think it is because it opened my world to real learning which is to this day my passion. The kindy is just around the corner from me, and after I went there my sister worked there so I had opportunities to sneak back to visit that intoxicating smell. It smelt of cleaning products with a citrus twang, and some good old fashioned love from the lady who works there (still! she taught my nieces and nephews 10 years after she taught me!) If this description seems quite vague and hard to imagine, I have a solution for you.

Stick your nose into Botani's Spirulina Salt Scrub. It's that exact smell, it's crazy!
I was beyond ecstatic to find something that brought me back to such a happy memory, and even more so when I used the Botani Spirulina Salt Scrub and realised how amazing a product it is! I'm happy that on my 21st birthday I have this little pot of memories from my childhood to enjoy as I get ready to spend time with my family.

Made with the moisturising jojoba and shea butter, the Botani Spirulina Salt Scrub is scented with Australian lemon myrtle and mandarin which gives it that amazing smell. A little goes a long way, which is a big plus for me as I like to use a scrub each time I shower. It's a nice thick scrub, which is another thing I look for.

The scent lingers on the skin after you hop out of the shower, but in my opinion is not overwhelming. This scrub retails for $24.95 and is available from EchoLife online here, with free shipping. As stated at the beginning of my review, I was gifted this to trial and review, and Echolife have kindly offered another to giveaway to one of you! I figured that even though it was MY birthday, you deserved a treat,too!

All you have to do to enter the giveaway is be following my blog on GFC/email/bloglovin, and leave a comment on this post with a new years resolution! Please leave your email,too, so I can get in contact with you if you win. This competition will run until the 20th of January, and is open Australia wide. Good luck!

(Please note that this product was provided by Echolife for my review, and the giveaway is sponsored by them also. Honesty, always!)

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

November Favourites!

November started out pretty crappy, but I slowly got back into the swing of things and began to put more effort into my makeup again. Here are the things I loved the most during November! Quite a delayed post but everything is still a winner so I didn't see why I shouldn't post it anyway:)

Dove Tinted Moisturiser SPF15 in BeigeI

I usually despise tinted moisturisers, as many others with bad skin probably do,too. This, however, evens out the redness in my skin and once set with powder, is my favourite everyday face. It's slightly scented in a sort of creamy way, and doesn't ever cling to dry patches. Without powder it's pretty dewy, but once the powder hits it looks great. I find I'm less fussed about my appearance than I have been  in the past- I want to look my best, but I'm not going to get crazily fanatical about it. I love who I am, and I feel like this product just makes me look like a less tired version of me :-) I 'borrowed' this from Chris' Mum, doubt she'll get it back.

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Light 4-5

This powder has been the star player of late, I am head over heels for it. I had heard people rave and didn't bother to check it out, but when Priceline had a Maybelline deal on Candice grabbed a few things and got this for me (how good is she, seriously!) It works perfectly with my Dove Tinted Moisturiser or Bourjois Healthymix foundations and I generally reapply after lunch with a fluffy brush to neaten myself up. It doesn't appear cakey even when I'm lazy and neglect to blot, so it's perfect for 'on the go'. The perfect finisher for my face!

Loujene Eyebrow Kit

I had been using a mixture of shades from Urban Decay's Naked palette for my brows but it began to feel like a waste, plus the colours were never a perfect match. A Japanese $2.80 store similar to Daiso opened up near my work a few months back and I picked up this eyebrow duo on a whim. It has a cool yet slightly annoying slide out design and comes with a brush (yet to use) and I find that the dark shade with a tiny touch of the paler brown is my perfect eyebrow shade. The powders last forever on my brows, too, and I set it all with my Ardell clear brow gel.

Botani Spirulina Salt Scrub*

I am a self-confessed scrub enthusiast, and when I was offered the chance to try out this bad boy I hopped right into it. The smell, ohh the smell. I have a full review and special surprise coming up for this, so I'll leave it at that. *goes off to slather on the scrub*

MAC Lipstick in Plumful

I only have a handful of MAC lipsticks and this one is definitely one of the best I've chosen. I purchased this heavily discounted from the Estee Lauder staff store and am so glad I did- it's a little bit wintery with its plum tones but the shot of raspberry in it makes it great for hot weather,too. It applies like a dream and looks excellent on, if I do say so myself.

Inglot Eyeshadow Palettes

The review of these will be coming up next week. I love the pigmentation of Inglot shadows and am content with the shades I own (Chris chose the bright palette and most of the neutral!) It has a little bit of everything and the fact that it's all in a colour family contantly gives me new ideas as to what shades to pair with another, which is something I often need help with. Adore these, would love it if Santa decided to bring me more Inglot!

Milani Berry Amore Blush 
 This Milani Baked Blush shade was thrown in my Cherry Culture basket due to my lack of restraint and disdain for a single item in an online basket. It turned out to be my very favourite from the three I chose, so I am very happy for this affliction! It's a gorgeous berry shade as the name would suggest, and the gold veins that run through it bring light to my face without a whole ton of sparkle. Adore this, have worn it almost every day this month.

Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Overexposed*
As I said in my review of this gloss, it's a perfect everyday lip shade and it goes with so many looks. The smell is to die for, and as with all Smashbox glosses I've tried, the formula is top notch. Highly recommended!

***

So that rounds up my most loved products for November, I am a little (or a lot) in love with all of these and would love to know if you have tried any of them, too?

(*The items marked with an asterix were provided for consideration for review, which in no way influenced their placing in my November Favourites. Honesty, always.)