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!

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 2 – Body Care

C: hiya! Finally I have time to write up the second part of my empties, turns out babies are cute little time suckers and days just disappear. So here we have the body skincare items! 

Shower Gels 

  

Beauticology Gingerbread Shower Gel – I got this in a set last year for Christmas and I wasn’t keen! They smell nice but the scent doesn’t last long and the formula doesn’t foam up well meaning you use it super quickly! 

Repurchase? Nope. 

No7 Beautiful Skin Blissful Body Wash – I really wanted to like this but I just didn’t. It foams up beautifully but I just didn’t like the scent on me. It smelt lovely in the tube but on me it smelt like toilet cleaner which was a shame! 

Repurchase? No. 

Lush Twilight Shower Gel – now this I loved! It is such a sophisticated lavender scent that lasts all day, this tiny bottle also lasted over two weeks! 

Repurchase? Yes I miss it already! 

Moisturisers 

  

Soap and Glory Hand Food – I literally have millions of these from various gift sets which is handy as all the hand washing and bottle washing that comes with having a baby has resulted in horridly dry hands! This has definitely helped! 

Repurchase? Yes if I didn’t already have some. 

Soap and Glory Righteous Butter – another skincare staple for me that features in pretty much all of my empties posts so I won’t bang on about it! 

Repurchase? Always. 

Lavera Hand Cream – I’m guessing I got this in some sort of beauty box as I have no idea where it came from! However I decided to try it out on my new dry hands and it was really effective. I didn’t like the smell of this though it was quite minty and seemed a weird scent for your hands! 

Repurchase? No. 

Beauticology Marshmallow Body Cream – another disappointing product from this brand, it didn’t smell of marshmallow and its moisturising-ness was rubbish.

Repurchase? Nope! 

Celleunce Phase 1&2 Body Cream – these are aimed at reducing cellulite so I decided to try them on my new mother belly to see if it made any difference to the skin. To be honest I didn’t notice any difference over the time used so these either don’t work or the samples are too small to see a difference. 

Repurchase? No.

So there we have the second part of my January empties! Don’t get too excited about February’s as I have currently used up a grand total of zero things! Anyone else tried these products or are trying to use up their stash? #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 Empties Part Two: Body Skincare, Shower Stuff and Hair Care!

C: Welcome to my second empties of the month! You can see my first empties post here if you are interested in the facial skincare and make up I have been using up! So lets get too it!

Body Skincare!

Palmers Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks – after having a baby I have gone through lots of these types of products and this is by far my favourite. It moisturises and stops stretched skin from itching, smells good and actually seems to make a difference! I love it!

Repurchase? Yes if I ever decide being pregnant is a good idea again.

Nivea In Shower Body Moisturiser – I bought this ages ago and finally used it up now I have minimum time available for showering and moisturising! This really is a great idea and works well. I wouldn’t say it moisturises as well as a proper moisturiser, but it certainly works well enough for those days when you are super in a rush!

Repurchase? I would, but they do a cocoa butter version that I would like to try next.

Bio Oil – I know this is loads of peoples HG product… but tbh I think its pretty shit. soz. For the money it really seems to do nothing, it feels horrid and it doesn’t even smell nice. Nah mate.

Repurchase? Nope.

Molton Brown Relaxing Yuan Zhi Body Cream – we all love a bit of Molton Brown don’t we?! This smelt good and was of the same quality we have come to expect from this brand. I only wish the sample I got in my Cohorted box was bigger!

Repurchase? probs wouldn’t spend my pennies on it, but I would happily use it again.

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Butter – oh more S&G? What a surprise. Wont bang on about this cos one of these body butters pretty much feature in every empties post I write. Love it.

Repurchase? Hells yeah.

Cowshed Blissful Body Lotion – I don’t normally like body lotions as I find them a bit thin and a waste of my time, but I bloody loved this! It smells amazing and actually moisturised my skin well.

Repurchase? I actually would!

Showergels

Lush Hot Toddy – I wasn’t that interested by this when I received it last year for Christmas (clearly as I have only just used it) but I loved it! Super festive and this tiny bottle lasted me about 2 weeks!

Repurchase? If it is available again this year I will definitely be picking some up!

Soap & Glory Clean On Me – I took this with me in my hospital bag when I had baba so temporarily went off the smell (bad memories and all), but decided to finish it up this month and I am glad I have fallen in love with it again. Smells great and is super moisturising!

Original Source Raspberry and Cocoa – another product that had been hanging around since last Christmas! I really liked this when I first opened it but decided to save it for the colder months as its quite a wintery smell… anyone else do that or am I just weird?!

Repurchase? Yes, its lovely!

Dove Silk Glow – I am not normally a fan of Dove stuff, but I received this as a stocking filler last Christmas (jesus I am clearly bad at stashing stuff..) and fished it out this month when I ran out of shower gels I was excited about… and I liked it! It smelt nice, was super bubbly and moisturising.

Repurchase? Probably not, as I have lots I love more but I would happily use it again if I received it.

Beauticology Caramel Fudge – another Christmas present… whoops! I didn’t like this, it smelt nice but not as strong as I was hoping it would and it just didn’t lather up. You had to use so much product to feel even slightly clean that I used this up in 4 days. Boo!

Repurchase? Nope.

Hair Stuff

Batiste Dry Shampoo – won’t go on about this as everyone in the world has used this I’m sure. I don’t even like it that much? But I just panic buy it when I go shopping, as I forget to look at the others that I actually like/have a brown tint so I don’t look like an old lady.

Repurchase? Yep, even though I shouldn’t!

Bed Head Colour Goddess Leave-In Conditioner – I got my hair ombre’d when I was preggo so I have been using this to keep the colour nice… I can’t say I noticed much of a difference but It smelt nice so I kept using it! It also helped keep my hair shiny and made it easier to brush out.

Repurchase? nope, I have started an Aussie detangling spray which I prefer and is half the price!

Hip Ultra Shine Shampoo – wasn’t keen on this. It was tea tree flavoured which made me think of nit shampoo… not that I have nits I just remember my mum spraying it in my hair so I  wouldn’t get them at school! It also didn’t lather up very well so I made L finish this!

Repurchase? Nope!

So there we have it, the end of the worlds longest empties post! Have you tried any of these products? what did you think of them! #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

 

A No7 Christmas Count Down – Day 11!

C: hi! So today I received a 50ml sample of the Beautiful Skin Perfecting Body Polish! 

 
Once again it is a good sized sample and I’m now pleased I have saved my sample of their body wash from the same range so I can try these out together! 
I love a good body exfoliator and I am on to my last one so this is perfect timing (although they last me ages now due to limited shower time with a baby!) 

Have any of you guys tried this? It smells amazing! #twolittleowls 

A No7 Christmas Count Down – Day 9!

C: morning guys! I hope you are all impressed I have remembered to do this every day?! Well so far anyway… Let’s not jinx it! 

  
Today I received a 10ml sample of their Skin Illuminator Radiance Boosting Beauty Fluid. I actually already have a sample of this that I received in a no7 gift with purchase offer and have never really used. 

On the tube it says apply alone or under foundation for a radiant finish… And firstly if I was doing make up that required highlighting and all that jazz I would 100% be wearing foundation? And if I put this under foundation…. Surely you won’t see it?! I dunno… I deffo need to have a play around with this! 

Has anyone else tried it? Any tips on how to use it? #twolittleowls 

A No7 Christmas Count Down – Day 8!

C: and on the 8th day of Christmas, my no7 advent calendar gave meeeeeee… A Protect & Perfect Intense Day Hand Cream!!!!

  
Did you like that little sing song? Me neither. 

This is a 10ml sample, which I suppose is a good amount of hand cream really. Although I think this is possibly the first item from my calendar I’m really not that interested in. I have so many hand creams to use up! Like a box of about 10! 

I have been making an effort to use hand cream recently though, as my hands are super dry from all the bottle washing and sterilising that comes with having a baby. So it will be interesting to see how this compares to my S&G Hand Food, as this once again is a product I wouldn’t have thought to buy from No7 and first impressions are good! 

Have any of you guys tried this? Anyone else have hundreds of beauty box hand creams hanging about?! #twolittleowls