November’s empties

C: I have missed doing these posts so much! I love a good empties pile, makes me feel super productive especially just before Christmas! Alas, this empties is slightly lacking on the productive front… I have so many products that are super close to the end but just not quite there yet, so hopefully Decembers empties will be slightly more impressive!

Soap & glorys hand food. An essential in my house, especially due to having eczema and doing lots of washing up (children make so much mess) so my hands are always dry and sore if I’m not regularly using a hand cream. I love this one from soap & glory, it smells amazing and is super moisturising. Only downside is it takes a while to sink in so this tends to be one I keep by my bed to use over night!

Repurchase? Yes!

Mitchum deodorant… wouldn’t normally include this in an empties post. Deodorant isn’t usually exciting, but for me this is! Normally I react to most deodorants or after a while I hate the smell of them? I have been using this (not this exact one) one for several years now and it’s literally the best.

Repurchase? If you like smelling nice and not being a sweatybetty this is a life essential. So yes.

Batiste dry shampoo for dark hair. I hate batiste a bit? Like others are so much better but it’s so easy to get hold of that I just end up panic buying it whenever I go shopping. The brown one is much better though and I actually get on with it much better than the uncoloured ones that take six years to remove the grey spray from my hair!

Repurchase? Probs yes, although I’m going to try super hard to remember to try something else next time!

Body shop mango shower gel- now are you not impressed that I have finished up that massive shower gel?! L helped… but still. I love body shop shower gels and there is always at least one in my shower on the go, however I wasn’t that keen on this scent, it was too sweet and sickly got me!

Repurchase? Yes but not this flavour!

Finally we have Dr lipps nipple butter which is actually a mini lip balm! I bloody love this stuff, it’s super thick and moisturising without being sticky (literally looks like you have shiny lip gloss on) and keeps your lips in perfect condition ready for red lipstick season! It doesn’t dry your lips out even more so you have to keep reapplying for the rest of your life (Vaseline I’m looking at you) so it’s taken me about 4 months just to use up this tiny sample!

Repurchase? I would if I didn’t already have a full size ready to go!

So there we have my mini empties post! Hopefully my December empties will be more impressive and include some of the items I’m hoping to finish up before Christmas! Send me a link to your empties too, I love reading them!

Review: current fave nude.

C: the majority of the time I wear a nude/brown lipstick. So when I find one I love I literally wear it for weeks until I’m bored of it… however have I found the love of my life lipstick wise? I might just be ready to settle down.

This is the perfect my lips but better shade for me! It isn’t drying, feels comfortable on the lips and I love the colour. This one is shade 45 and is perfect for those with pale skin tones but dark hair and eyes.

Not the best selfie… but you get the idea! The perfect lipstick for a relaxed every day make up look. The only down side is it isn’t particularly long wearing. It isnt terrible?! Lasts a good couple of hours, but if you eat or drink anything it’s going to need reapplying (although it fades nicely so you don’t look ridiculous in between applications!) which is fine for such a budget friendly lipstick (this is normally on offer or on sale so you can pick it up for under a fiver!)

Any of you guys tried this lasting finish by Kate lipstick? Any other colours I should be investing in/a long lasting colour dupe?!

The ultimate child proof make up storage?

C: afternoon! A little DIY job (that I can’t take full credit for) today in the form of make up storage! Now Ivy is partial to a lipstick or ten. Eats them, covers her face on them, basically does everything a tiny human can to ruin my beautiful make up collection. So I made a plan to keep it all safe from her teeny evil hands!

So here we have my humble collection, saved from the beast (love her really) by basically being too high to reach. All I did was get two cheap wooden shelves from Homebase, paint them and add a piece of wood (L did it…) to one of the shelves with some door handles screwed in for scarf and bag hangage (not a word apparently).

Finally I used my acrylic storage and some cute jars that I had saved (that normally sit cluttering up my cupboard with no purpose) for a cheap and simple make up solution!

What do you think?!

A wishful Christmas wish list

C: you ever see something and think OH GOD IM IN LOVE, and then realise that it’s completely unnecessary so you shouldn’t ask for it for Christmas? But secretly you keep thinking about it and wish it was yours? Here is my secret Christmas wish list (in the hope L decides he wants to buy me a lot of extra presents)

David Ayling is a jewellery making genius! I follow him on Facebook and he creates such beautiful pieces, I’m always slightly jelly that I don’t own anything! This ring is my absolute fav, I showed it to L and he said maybe if he gets a bonus in Feb so fingers crossed!!! (On another note, follow DA on Facebook as he also does jewellery making evenings etc. Which are super exciting!)

We then have the Leonore Doc Martens. These are my fave brand for shoes and I already have two pairs (which never wear out so will last forever!) so I don’t NEED these… but I sure as hell would like them! Plus.. fleece lined? Who doesn’t need new winter warm boots?

Thirdly (not a word) we have the Violet Voss Ride or Die palette which is available from beauty bay. I did consider putting this on my list cos you know… just look at it. But I have so many unloved palettes waiting for my attention it seemed silly to get another! Sad face.

Finally we have a Mac Christmas collection of 12 mini lipsticks. Now really, no one needs 12 mini lipsticks but surely everyone wants them? I asked L for these too, and I won’t say what he described them as on here but I’m guessing it’s a no! Alas. I do love miniature things!

So guys, anything you are secretly wishing for for Christmas that is totally unnecessary but super beautiful?! Let me know! Xxx

Ps… obviously I don’t own any of these delights so photos are borrowed from their websites! Any problems and I will remove them for you 🙂

Pre Christmas de-stash

C: so confession… I’m a terrible beauty blogger. I have a slight obsession with using up products before I start something new (I hate wasting stuff!) which when blogging about beauty related stuff, isn’t a particularly useful habit to have! So it seemed only natural for my first post back to be talking about the products I’m trying to declutter before I get some Christmas treats and accidentally waste all my money in the sales!

So let’s start off with the no7 hot cloth cleanser. I actually really like this! It’s perfect for my sensitive skin and really helps keep my skin moisturised in these cold winter months. But I’m just a bit bored of seeing it in my bathroom/want to try the Liz Earle bad boy that’s waiting for me in my stash!

We then have benefits hoola bronzer, which is a deluxe sample size that has lasted me FOREVERRRR. (Mainly cos Ivy ran off with it one day and I found it months later hidden inside a pair of her tights. Excellent hiding place). I really like this, but once again i have lots of new bronzers awaiting me!

Also benefit I have a sample of their watts up highlighter that I got for Christmas years ago and had never opened. I didn’t think I liked cream highlighters but have started using this and I actually love it! Once it’s finished and I have decluttered my collection a little I will totally buy the full size of this! A great colour for pale skin that’s easy to blend and lasts all day.

Next up we have a battered and well used w7 in the buff palette. I have been trying to finish this up for about 2 years now… no joke! If you want a cheap neutral palette that lasts you your whole life (minor exaggeration) get this! I have removed the pans I have finished up or hated (there were two silver grey shades that had super chunky horrid glitter in) so now there’s 4 left! After my job and child using this up is probs my current life achievement.

Last but not least is this battered and bruised (also Ivy’s fault) Mac highlighter! Poor thing. It’s annoying me being all broken in my collection but I hate wasting so need to finish it up asap! Will be walking round like Edward Cullen in the sunlight for the foreseeable future in my aim to finish it!

So what do you guys reckon to my use up choices?! Reckon I can finish them by Christmas?? Hopefully these bad boys will be featured in an empties post soon!

Guess whose back!

Back again! Chloe and annie are back, tell a friend! That doesn’t quite work does it? Never mind, I’m sure you are all super psyched cos you have been crying every day since our last post.

So let’s have a mini update… I now have a two year old, and annie has an 8 month old baba who is super beaut! After months of reading posts (mainly Rach’s) and missing blogging I decided… it’s time to get back on it.

So this photo currently sums up my life at the mo. Cutie babas, my pooch and living in the county side. So my face is currently a slight disappointment and I need some blogging inspiration to motivate me to love make up and skincare as much as I used to!

We haven’t decided on a blogging schedule yet, basically cos we don’t want to rush things and then realise we have no time to post every day or something cray. So currently I will be posting my usual beauty etc posts and annie will be popping in for some baba updates and to tell me how pretty I am and how much she misses me cos I currently have a constant cold so can’t go smooch them!

So thanks for reading and for staying loyal to our two little owls baby as well as our new (and not so new) real ones! WE MISS YOUUUUU

February’s Empties

C: apologies for this being slightly late/the lack of posts… Our internet hasn’t been working which super sucks (mainly for the lack of Netflix or cat videos). This month hasn’t been particularly successful on the empties front, with only 7 items being finished! It’s one of those months where loads of things are running out but aren’t quite finished so hopefully next month will be a winner! 

  
Original Source Vanilla & Raspberry Showergel – I get one of these every year in my Christmas stocking from the mother2 and I love it! It smells amazing and lathers up super well.

Repurchase? I would do if I use up my shower stash before next Christmas! 

The Body Shop Ginger Anti-Dandruff Shampoo – I started using this when I had hormonal scalp issuess when preggo and I love it. I don’t have any scalp problems now but when I stopped using it I realised other products were making my scalp sore so I went back to this. It’s truly amazing. 

Repurchase? Already have. 

The Body Shop Satsuma Body Polish – both L and I always use this. It’s perfect at keeping skin smooth and smells nice! 

Repurchase? Yes. 

  
Rimmel 60 Secs Nail Polish in 310 Red Carpet – yeah that’s right… I actually used up a nail polish! Pretty pleased with myself about this one as my nail stash is getting pretty out of control and I always get bored of colours after a couple of uses! This was the standard quality you expect from Rimmel, a 3 day manicure that was easy to achieve. 

Repurchase? Would happily buy Rimmel polishes again if my stash ever diminishes. 

Loreal Revitalist Multiactive Daily Moisturiser- another product im impressed I used up! I have been trying to use up the many moisturisers I have received in beauty boxes and this was first to go. It’s too thick for every day use but at night it did a great job of keeping my skin moisturised. No idea if it helps with anti aging cos I like to think I’m not old yet.

Repurchase? It isn’t the sort of product I need so no. 

Molton Brown Rhubarb and Rose Hand Cream- I loved this! It smells amazing and did a great job of keeping my hands from getting dry! 

Repurchase? Yes if I ever use up the hand creams I have stashed away.

English Laundry perfume- I received this in a birchbox and I love it so had been using it on special occasions only. It smells so sweet but sophisticated! 

Repurchase? I would if I’m ever richbut I think it’s too much for me to spend on a perfume! I might ask for it for Christmas or something though!

So there we have my slightly disappointing but mainly positive empties! Let me know if you agree with my mini reviews! #twolittleowls 

Review: No7 Soft & Soothed Gentle Toner

C: since having my baba I haven’t really had the motivation to blog… Not in terms of time but in terms of not having new things to try out and blog about (turns out babies are expensive). I got a voucher from my work wife and picked up this toner from no7 and it is one of the first things Iv tried in ages that I actually want to talk to you buys about! So here goes! 

  
As with most no7 stuff this is hypoallergenic, so perfect if -like me – you have sensitive skin. It is then claimed to refresh, comfort and hydrate, all of which I completely agree with. After cleansing (particularly if I have had time to do a face mask) my skin often feels tight and uncomfortable. After applying this it feels clean but not tight, and once I have applied my moisturiser my skin feels super smooth.

Since using this I haven’t had many spots, in the past 4 months I think I have had two?! Which is pretty impressive! I can only put this new found clear skin down to this product as it’s the only new addition to my skincare routine (told you I hadn’t been trying new things!). This has also clearly lasted ages as there’s about a third left after 4 months, so it’s good value for money too – particularly if you get your hands on one of the money off vouchers boots often give out! 

The only downside is it doesn’t do much for my blocked pores (a quality I like in a toner) but as it doesn’t claim too I can hardly complain! 

Have any of you guys tried this? If not I would highly recommend giving it a go, particularly if you have super sensitive skin like me! #twolittleowls 

January’s Empties Part 1 – Skincare and Make-Up

C: hi guys! We have been taking a little break from blogging recently but I can’t get out of the habit of collecting my empties to share with you all. There’s a definite sense of achievement in using up so much of my stash! I did super well in Jan so I’m splitting it into two posts and will be sharing my body care items another day! 

Make-Up and Nail Stuff 

  

Seche Vite Top Coat- this is my holy grail nail polish top coat. It makes my mani last ages and gives it a lovely glossy finish, only problem with it is the last bit always goes gloopy and horrid. 

Repurchase? Yes. 

Essie Nail polish in silver glitter-Iv had this so long the name has rubbed off! I loved this as it gave good coverage for a glitter polish and lasted well. 

Repurchase? Yes if I can find the same shade again. I won’t be buying it again any time soon though as I have loads of silver polishes to use up. 

Benefit Porefessional Primer – another blogger favourite that I actually really liked. I went off it for a while but used this sample up whilst away with family and re fell in love with it. I had forgotten how great it is! I find other cheaper primers last the same over time but nothing compares to how well make up applies over this. 

Repurchase? Yes! 

Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream – I have dedicated a whole post to this as I really love it and it’s a CC cream that’s actually pale enough for me! This is perfect for those days where you aren’t wearing much make up but still want a flawless base. 

Repurchase? Definitely. 

ELF Eyebrow Kit – I loved this and used it every day for about a year! However since using it up and trying other products I realise it probably isn’t as amazing as I first thought. In comparison to others it is a little cakey and the applicator provided is awful! 

Repurchase? No. 

Soap & Glory Kick Ass Powder- another product I loved! This was perfect at setting foundation and keeping shine at bay! It also lasted way longer than most other powders Iv tried. 

Repurchase? Hella yeah! 

Skincare 

  

Garnier Micellar Water- won’t go on about this as everyone in the world knows about it. Amazing. 

Repurchase? Definitely 

Clinique Moisture Surge – I got my usual Clinique moisturiser for Christmas but I have been trying to use up the many samples I have hanging about and I’m so glad I did as I love this! It’s perfect for winter when your skin needs extra attention but would be too heavy for me in summer I think. 

Repurchase? Definitely next autumn. 

The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter- I am so proud of myself for using this up as it was never ending! Definite value for money there! This was great at removing make up but did eventually end up making my eyes pretty sore, I’m not sure why!

Repurchase? No. 

Green people Hydrating Firming Serum – didn’t like this, it was good at moisturising but made my skin feel sticky some how? I also like to think I don’t need my skin firming so just not the product for me! 

Repurchase? No. 

Herbal Essences Hydrating Shampoo and conditioner- not skincare but had to add them in somewhere! I got these for my baba hospital bag but I’m gross and didn’t use them so decided to finally use them up to make room in my very crowded bathroom. Iv used this brand before but this time they made my hair look greasy and gave me a super itchy scalp so obviously don’t agree with me any more! 

Repurchase? No. 

So there we have the first part of my empties! Let me know if you agree with my mini reviews! #twolittleowls 

December 2015’s Empties Part One : Facial Skincare and Make-Up!

C: so this month in a bid to use up lots of half used products in prep for my Christmas clear out I have used up a whopping 24 products! Because I have used so many I have split this post into two, so my body skincare, shower gels and hair care products will be discussed in my next post so I don’t bore you all too much with a super mega long post!

Facial Skincare

The Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Toner – I actually stole this from Annie as I wanted to try it and she wasn’t in love, so cheers Annie, I have now used it up if you were hoping for it back… long story short, I didn’t love this. It didn’t irritate my skin, it removed any last traces of make up… but it was just a bit sticky? Which I find weird for a toner and didn’t make my skin feel especially clean or nice.

Repurchase? No.

Lush Tea Tree Water – this is currently my HG toner. It doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin but is powerful enough to actually make a difference on my spots and blemishes.

Repurchase? Hella yeah

Clinique Clarifying Lotion – this is one of those products that has been basically empty for about a year I swear but never ended. I only use this about twice a week, when I feel like my skin needs a deep clean or I have been wearing a lot of make up and want to make sure it has been removed properly. If I use this more often its just too strong for my sensitive skin and causes redness/itching. But I love it for those days when I have had cray cray make up (Im thinking of you, Halloween!).

Repurchase? Yes.

Soap & Glory Fab Pore Mask – it wouldnt be one of my empty posts if it didn’t feature some S&G products would it? I enjoyed using this (don’t leave it on too long else you will have a sad face) and it made my skin feel super clean. It also lasts ages considering its quite a small pot as you really don’t need much. As for pore minimising? I didn’t notice much, but realistically I don’t think any products achieve the ever searched for pore minimising-ness. Yep, thats deffo a word.

Repurchase? If I hadn’t already got about 6 other face masks to use up then yes.

First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser – I reviewed this here, so check out my review if you are interested in trying this.

Repurchase? Yes, its perfect for sensitive skin

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel – another product we have previously reviewed.

Repurchase? If I hadn’t asked Santa for it then yes!

Make-Up

Mac Matchmaster Foundation – this foundation is AMAZING. I love it, and its the perfect foundation if you are super pale like me as they have load’s of shades to match you too! This also lasted me a year!

Repurchase? Yes!

Benefit They’re Real Mascara – another product I have previously reviewed, but this bad boy is my HG mascara! I love it! Perfect for thick, long lashes that last all day!

Repurchase? Yes!

No7 Gold Glitter Top Coat – this has alas died of old age *insert sad face. I have had this about two years though so I really can’t complain! Due to all the glitter sinking to the bottom I seem to have used up all the nail varnish without the glitter… bad times! Love it though!

Repurchase? I already have another!

Korres Eyeliner – this used to be my go-to eyeliner. It is super soft and pigmented so I used this to create a feline flick on my upper lashes when I was too lazy to use liquid eyeliner! It also lasts all day without smudging (although it smudges a little if using on your lower lash line)

Repurchase? I would if I didn’t have a large amount of eye liners to use up!

So there we have the first part of my December empties! Hope you enjoyed it! Let me know if you have tried any of these products and agree with my mini reviews! #twolittleowls