Empties August

Balance Me. Super toning body wash.

I received this free from the magazine Glamour. The product is 99% natural and is free from parabens, SLS etc. Despite using all the product, I didn't actually enjoy using this. It has a very natural smell from the natural oils in the ingredients but that didn't bother me. My gripe with it, was that it claimed that only a small amount is needed because it is a concentrated formula but because it's free from SLS (foaming agent), I didn't know how far the product stretched on my skin. I wouldn't buy this product.

Radox basil and grapefruit shower gel.

It really does have such an uplifting smell, more grapefruit than basil I would say. It lathers really well but I do think it's on the runny side. I have repurchased this.

Docteur Renaud raspberry soft cream. 

Received this in a Glossybox aaaages ago but a little of this product goes such a long way. I loved this product, it was thick and creamy but it soaked in my skin almost immediately after application. The raspberry smell was so unusual compared to other face products and it was so pleasant to smell this throughout the day. Definitely would purchase this item. 

Everyday St Tropez.

This is a gradual tanning product, sort of like those ones from Garnier and Dove. I would say St Tropez's version is a little different because it's more of a self tan than a everyday moisturiser. The formula is a little thick but it spreads really well. This is the only product which I felt gave a natural tan out of all the ones I tried. I can literally put this on an hour before I go out and know that my skin will be around two shades darker. It says it doesn't have a fake tan smell on the packaging but it does! and I would definitely score it as one of the worst smelling ones. At around £14.99, it is around two thirds more in price than standard ones but it is worth it, the tan lasts for a week after one application. Definitely would buy again.

Garnier Soft Essentials rose toner.

Brilliant product. It's alcohol free, cheap, makes skin noticeably softer, I really couldn't sing its praises more. I use this more as a cleanser than a toner. When I'm in a hurry I will use this to cleanse my face in the morning instead of washing it. I use this when my skin feels itchy or uncomfortable to relieve it. I use this after I cleanse my face, for more of a moisture boost than to take off my remaining make up. I love it and I've bought this product tens and tens of times.

Essential ultra honey and shea butter hair mask.

Ok, you can't buy this product in the UK. It's from Japan and can be purchased on Ebay and Sasa.com. It's a cult product in Asia. It has the thickest formula, it smells delicious and it definitely gives results for dry hair even with a small amount of product. I will of course be stocking up on this when I go on my travels.

Loreal  absolute make up remover. 

It's one of those half oil and half water formulas that are essential for removing waterproof eye make up. Despite loads of bloggers hauling this item and singing its praises, I don't think it is worth the hype, it performs just the same as my Garnier and Boots Botanic one. The pro is that it is a little less greasy however it does costs a little more. I also feel like I have to swipe my eye more with this product, instead of it instantly dissolving like with some others. I wouldn't repurchase this unless it was on offer. 

Have you tried any of these products?

Gone Gone Gone!!!

The topic of empty products people have used always intrigues me to have a peek. I haven't a clue why! If you think about it, it's actually quite a boring topic but I LOVE TO READ THEM!! Maybe because it's an opportunity to have a nosey, like rummaging through a celebrity's rubbish bin. Saying that I'm no celebrity or that interesting in fact but it's a good chance to see what products people follow through with.

Not a very good picture, I used my phone, sorry!  Here we have my empty bottles from this month. 

Sanctuary Body Butter. I actually received this product three years ago, yes THREE! Saying that, I have a lot of moisturises I rotate, so three years shelf life for a body product, sounds about right for me. It's heavily scented, so I like to use it before bed. The scent embeds itself into my sheets and I love it! Although a butter, it absorbs instantly and makes my scaley skin look fresh. I didn't use this product frequently enough to comment of it's lasting moisturising properties but if you want to pop a skirt on, it makes my pale legs look a bit more presentable.

Clinique 7 Day Scrub. This scrub is one of my favourites, the exfoliating bits are really fine, so it doesn't feel to harsh on the skin. The cream is really rich and creamy and I find it moisturises my face decently for a scrub. I like to massage this onto dry skin.

Yes To Cucumbers Shower Gel. Paraben free, green tea extract and dead sea extracts... basically has the whole deal! It's a lovely shower gel, the foam is light but it lathers well and the scent stays on the skin. If you have problem skin, for example dry or itchy, I find that paraben free is the way to go.

Super Facialist Una Brennan, Rose Cleanser. This is my favourite face product of all time!! It has rose (of course!), vitamin B5 and marshmallow as some of its ingredients. It leaves my face incredibly soft and clean. Although I have dry skin, this cleanser is also great for those with oily and acne prone skin, being that it's so gentle, it doesn't take away too much oil like products from Clearasil etc. I like to use this on dry skin, then cleanse off with a muslin cloth.