Empties – February 2019

Another month, another bag o’trash. This month has been pretty heavy on body products, I’ve been really into baths and my empties are reflecting that. Ready to do a deep dive? Leggo.

Total number of products used up: 27

Estimated retail value of products used up: £139.39

Total value of products used up this year already: £309.25

Mini reviews below!

Face Products

(L-R: Oh K! Ginseng & Eucalyptus Under Eye Mask, L’Oreal Pure Clay Purity Mask, French Connection Self-Heating Face Mask, Primark H2Ohh Micellar Wipes, Superdrug Goji Berry & Grapefruit Gel Moisturiser, Kiehl’s Ginger Leaf & Hibiscus Firming Mask)

Oh K! Ginseng & Eucalyptus Under Eye Mask – 8/10 – This was a little present from one of my best friends at Christmas, and I really enjoyed it. It felt luxurious, relaxing, and smelt good, plus it made my designer eye bags vanish without a trace. God bless South Korea’s skincare industry.

L’Oreal Pure Clay Purity Mask – 10/10 – Love love love this mask. It only costs a fiver or so, but I’ve found it performs as well, if not better, than some of the high end brands. It has a gorgeous scent, hardens quickly, and gives your skin a gorgeous clear glow after use. Will repurchase until they stop selling it… although not this year, of course *wink to camera*

French Connection Self-Heating Face Mask – 2/10 – From the great to the, uh, not so great. I’ve never seen a mask separate before, but apparently that’s a thing that can happen? Oily top layer and a sludgey black mud on the bottom which consequently ruined one of my face cloths. The only reason it’s a 2/10 is because it did self heat, which is skincare witchcraft in my eyes, but did it do anything for my skin? Absolutely not.

Primark H20hh Micellar Wipes – 6/10 – Primark has introduced loads of fancy skincare products in the past few months, including a popular line with ex-Glamour beauty director Alessandra Steinherr, but this was bought on a whim last year for a quid. Did the job, not sure why it included that old beauty chestnut ‘Micellar’ (code for ‘look, we know stuff about beauty trends’?).

Superdrug Goji Berry & Grapefruit Gel Moisturiser – 2/10 – I actually moved house this month, and this (and various other products featured here) was left behind by my old housemate. It gave me an allergic reaction, which served me right for nicking it. 2/10 because it smelt nice, right before it made my face feel like it was on fire.

Kiehl’s Ginger Leaf & Hibiscus Firming Mask – 1/10 – This was a sample thrown in with a Space NK purchase, and, in summary, it was gross. I may as well have been rubbing expensive Vaseline on my face. Do not purchase.

Hair Products

(L-R: Batiste Brunette Dry Shampoo, Tresemme Keratin Smooth Conditioner, Tigi Bed Head Shampoo, Boots Expert Anti-Dandruff Shampoo)

Batiste Brunette Dry Shampoo – 9/10 – I have very dark hair (which a lot of people think is black, IT’S NOT), and traditional dry shampoo always made me look like Cruella De Vil. This dry shampoo works wonders and enables me to give my hair a little zsuzsh when it’s looking a little flat, without worrying about some sexy white roots. Great stuff, and dirt cheap.

Tresemme Keratin Smooth Conditioner – 8/10 – Another product left by my previous housemate after she moved out. I enjoy Tresemme products, I appreciate their ample sizes and their budget prices, and they usually smell pretty dope too. Made my hair feel nice. What else to say about conditioner?

Tigi Bed Head Shampoo – 8/10 – Literally see above but just substitute Tresemme with Tigi. Right down to the previous housemate bit. What can I say, I’m lazy.

Boots Expert Anti-Dandruff Shampoo – 7/10 – Guess who’s back, back again? Scalp psoriasis is back, tell a friend! I was recommended this shampoo after another scalp flare-up, but it didn’t really do much for my psoriasis. Made my hair clean though, so I guess it did some of its job???

Makeup

(L-R: CND Shellac in ‘Wildfire’, Revlon Colorstay Combination/Oily Foundation in ‘Sand Beige’, Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer)

CND Shellac in ‘Wildfire’ – 8/10 – A gorgeous colour, proper Disney Villain red. As I’m going to Disney TWICE in March (!), I’ll have to find a good replacement for this colour in my stash.

Revlon Colorstay Foundation – 8/10 – I’ve repurchased this foundation a lot over the years, and for good reason. It only costs about £12 or so, and man, does this stuff stay on a face. I’d definitely compare it with Estee Lauder’s Double Wear, and at literally half the price, you can’t really go wrong. Just be a bit careful with the colours/shades as it does tend to go a little ashy.

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer – 9/10 – Used up a tube of this last month, used up a tube of this this month too. Great stuff. Have obviously repurchased.

Body Products

(L-R: Sooo Chic Pink Fizz & Grapefruit Bath Salts, Perfect Moments Body Scrub, L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Exfotonic Body Polishing Gel, Green Tea Bath Salts, Molton Brown Miniature Bath & Shower Gels x 4, Body Shop Spiced Apple Shower Gel, Imperial Leather Sleep Bath Soak)

Sooo Chic Pink Fizz & Grapefruit Bath Salts – 8/10 – I think I was given this a few Christmasses ago by my stepbrother and his wife, and now I’m in my fancy new flat I’m having a lot more luxurious baths so finally managed to use this up. It smelt delicious, so much so that I was actually a little sad when I finished it. I can’t seem to find it online either, so if anyone can help a sista out, let me know!

Perfect Moments Body Scrub – 2/10 – When it comes to scrubs, I like a thiccc scrub. One that makes your skin feel like it’s going to fall off. In this vein, I did not enjoy this scrub, which was 90% body lotion, 5% perfume, and 5% scrubby bits. Rubbish. It literally did nothing.

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Exfotonic Body Polishing Gel – 7/10 – Now this is the kind of scrub I’m talking about. Smells fresh, is packed to the rim with scrubby bits™, and lasted ages.

Green Tea Bath Salts – 8/10 – I was given this by my current housemate as my bathroom in the new flat has a bath. It was lovely, smelt very healthy (does that make sense? It was green tea, come on), and made my skin pretty soft. Unsure where she got it from, but if you want to know I’ll ask her…

Molton Brown Bath & Shower Gels x 4 – 9/10 – I was given this at Christmas by Mr Roams’ lovely parents, and I was ecstatic. I LOVE Molton Brown products, they always feel so fancy and manage to turn any bathroom into a spa paradise. These mini gels were no exception – the fragrances (Tobacco Absolute, Re-Charge Black Pepper, Fiery Pink Pepper, and Rosa Absolute) were all utterly gorgeous and decadent, and had bonus points for looking great on the side of my bathtub. Lovely!

Body Shop Spiced Apple Shower Gel – 8/10 – This was from a Body Shop Christmas collection a few years ago, which goes to show how extensive my stash actually is (or was!). Foamed up nicely, lasted a long time, made me smell like a Braeburn.

Imperial Leather Sleep Bath Soak – 8/10 – Cheap as chips bath stuff that the majority of Brits would have used at some point. A classic for a reason.

Miscellaneous Products

(L:R – Oral B 3D White Perfection Toothpaste, Nivea Pearl & Beauty Deodorant, Nivea Protect & Care Deodorant, Bath & Body Works Winter Citrus Wreath Gentle Foaming Soap)

Oral B 3D White Perfection Toothpaste – 8/10 – Shakira has joined us again this month, folks! It was toothpaste. It cleaned my teeth. Next!

Nivea Pearl & Beauty Deodorant – 8/10 – Smelt nice and did the trick.

Nivea Protect & Care Deodorant – 8/10 – Smelt nice and did the trick.

Bath & Body Works Winter Citrus Wreath Gentle Foaming Soap – 9/10 – As per last month, these soaps are my favourites. They’re luxurious and softening and come in some gorgeous scents. Shame they’re so pricey and, y’know, aren’t sold in the UK, but it’s worth it. Currently using: Marshmallow Flurries Foaming Soap, so expect to see that one in next month’s line up! #sneakpreview

There you go lads, February’s empties blog post done. See you next month, which will probably feature Shakira yet again.

R xx