February Empties

Not as much progress this month with the empties.

 

Skincare and Make up

 

* Ziaja Micellar Water - I used this most mornings for cleansing but it does slightly irritate my eyes so I don't use it for eye make up removal.

* Holika Holika - Aloe Facial Cleansing Foam - After buying this last year I realised that I had a bit of an intolerance to Aloe Vera, so I put this in the shower for the rest of the family to use up.

* This Works - In Transit Camera Close Up Mask, Moisturiser and Primer in One - Not an empty but a de-clutter. Tried this out as a mask, moisturiser and primer - none of it worked and I don't want to waste anymore time on a bad product!

* Eau Thermal Avene - Extremely gentle lotion cleanser - I bought this last winter when my skin was extra sensitive in the cold weather. It's interesting to note that this winter I haven't suffered at all with sensitive skin, however cold it gets. That must be testament to the products I'm using!

* DHC - Deep Cleansing Oil - This did a great job of removing make up and sun cream for the first cleanse but there was just no real excitement in using it! Wouldn't repurchase when other cleansing oils have a lot more whistles and bells!

* This Works - Deep Sleep Pillow Spray - Sometimes I liked this earthy herbal smelling scent and other times I didn't! I don't think this led to a difference in my sleep quality though so wouldn't repurchase.

* Figs & Rouge Hydra Activ Day Cream - I absolutely LOVED this day cream and although I've probably got over a year's worth of moisturisers in my stash, I would seriously re-consider purchasing this anyway. Luckily, I just got another 20ml sample from my Feel Unique 'Pick n Mix' sample selection.

* Balance Me - Instant Lift Primer - This is yet another primer that didn't really do anything for me.

* Bobbi Brown - Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick in 'Sand Dune' - Have decided that I'm not a fan of cream eye shadow. I chose this for this week's weekly make up bag in order to make my mind up one way or another if I wanted to keep it. Turns out I don't!

* Emma Hardie - Moisture Boost Vit + C Cream - This was, hands-down, one of the loveliest moisturisers I've ever used and would love to buy a full size of this even though my moisturiser stash is inordinately large. Some samples aren't big enough to make much of an impression, but this generous 5ml sachet sample was love at first use. From the gorgeous scent, to the texture of the cream (rich but sank in immediately) to the hydrating properties to the added bonus of added vitamins. Pure perfection!
* Benton - Fermentation Eye Cream - I've heard a lot about the benefits of fermentation, however, this sample sachet just didn't give me too much of a first impression.
* Holika Holika - Smooth Egg Skin Peeling Gel - I do prefer a good peeling gel over a physical exfoliator but I wasn't able to make too much of an opinion with this small sample size.
* A'Pieu - Start Up Pore Primer - I've had problems finding a primer that I've been satisfied with and usually rely on my SPF to double-act as a primer too. However, I was pretty impressed with these samples and if I were going to buy a full size primer, it would be this one.

 

Masks

* Space Masks - See full review HERE

* ID.AZ Derm - I used this after a derma-rolling session and it was nice and soothing and felt very hydrating.

* Illi - Hanbang Calming Mask - This is one of my favourite go-to sheet masks. Another guaranteed calming and hydrating mask.

* Hanyul Mask - I've been wanting to try something from Hanyul for so long and this sheet mask didn't disappoint. Lovely scent and good fit. I used this after dermarolling and it was the perfect hydrating mask. Not much left over serum in this packet though.

* Ziaja - Jasmine Anti-Wrinkle Face Mask - Sometimes it's hard to tell if these wash-off cream masks do anything other than give a bit of a soothing boost. I didn't really see any miraculous results with this mask. There was enough in this pack for two generous applications.

 

 

 

 Hair and Body

 

* L'Oreal Preference - Bronde Brush-on Balayage - A double hair-dye month for me. This is the second time I've used this dye (the second time I've fallen for the 'I want to look like the girl on the box' hype!!). I did learn this time, however, NOT to use the brush applicator that comes in the box. Last time I did that it was a bit disastrous - it clumped and splotched giving me quite chunky (and not in a good way) highlights. This time I just pulled the dye through strands that I wanted to highlight. I think I was a bit over-cautious though and there wasn't a really noticeable effect.

* Scwarzkopf - Colour Expert in 'Medium Caramel Blonde' - After the damp squib which was the Balayage kit at the beginning of the month, by the end of the month I felt that I needed more hair colour pep. This time I chose this really nice caramel blonde colour. I haven't had high-lights done in a salon for a couple of years now, so although my hair is quite blonde on the length, my natural dark blonde roots are contrasting quite a lot with the rest of my hair. This colour took nicely, but I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet soon and go into a salon to get a half-head of high-lights to even out my hair colour a bit more.

* The Body Shop - Shea Shower Cream - This was a free gift and probably not one of the flavours I would have chosen, but it was nice enough. Very moisturising.

* Neutrogena - Norwegian Formula Nourishing Body Balm with Nordic Berry - This was a gym bag item that I used after swimming. Even though it was a rich cream, it sunk in really nicely and moisturised and softened my skin between swimming sessions.