Beauty Empties | January 2015

My mission to use up items from my stash continues with earnest in 2015 if no more because I like nothing more than writing my monthly empties post. So here is the first for the year

Bayliss & Harding French Lavender Relaxing Bath Foam link
Despite it's Molton Brown inspired packaging this is proof you get what you pay for. A pleasant enough product that had some scent to it there was no way it compared to more higher end products nor my favoured Radox which was promptly repurchased. Sometimes it's good to try something new, in this case it sadly wasn't the case.

Victoria Secrets Tweezers link
I picked these tweezers up solely because they have 'my name' emblazoned on them. They did the job for a small while but I believe I have used them for other means other than beauty purposes and they have bent so no longer able to function for purpose. I'll stick to my trusty Tweezerman.

Maybelline BROWdrama Sculpting Mascara link
I love the Maybelline BROWdrama for day to day use when I just can't be bothered to faff with eyebrows. A quick swipe of this sculpting mascara for brows and I'm ready to go. When I finished this I decided to see if I could manage without it, using the Rimmel Brow The Way but it just doesn't compare. I like the Rimmel version but it requires more thought and effort to work with so Maybelline's BROWdrama has been promptly repurchased.
You can see my original review of Maybelline BROWdrama here.

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Shampoo & Conditioner link
John Frieda is a brand whose shampoos I love and can rely on and I have used, empties and repurchased many times. I currently have a large stash of shampoos and conditioners that I want to use up before I repurchase these but repurchase I will.

Sure Maximum Protection link
Shock horror, an empties post featuring Sure Maximum Protection. I've blogged about this product many times and it's a product I can rely. I'm actually using another deodorant at the moment and it's not quite acting as I would like so it's time to return to this trusty product.

Ragdale Hall Relax Restful Pillow & Body Mist link
I had long been intrigued by the rave reviews of This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray but at £16 I couldn't quite justify the purchase. I was overjoyed to spot a similar product in good old Marks and Spencer for a more purse friendly £5 and begun to love the ritual of spraying my pillows and the top of the duvet where I would snuggle and tuck myself at bedtime. There was some panic when it seemed to disappear from the M&S shelves and websites but I'm pleased to see it's been given a refresh and has once again appeared online along with a hand cream I have my eye on. Hopefully they will also return the Bath Essence which I enjoyed using.
You can see my original review of Ragdale Hall Pillow Mist here.

Jo Malone Pomengranite Noir Body Cream link
This small 15ml jar which appeared in my December Favourites was never going to last long but I throughly enjoyed using it. Would I repurchase the full size, maybe if I had some spare cash lying around but the reality is that I'm slack enough with body cream that the high street alternatives work just as well.

Elemis Treat Your Feet Foot Cream link
This tube of foot cream used to sit on my coffee table at home alongside my other beauty bits that were to encourage me to pamper whilst I was in the couch potato zone. This is a nice cream, I could rub into my feet without fearing when I walked across the room I'd slip over. I would repurchase in a treat/money no object fashion but with so many cheaper alternatives available on the high street I might just try something else first.

Sephora Pomegranite Mask link
I had seen the new Sephora sheet mask range pop up on a few American blogs and YouTube channels so picked up one whilst in Vegas last year. I went for the Pomegranate Mask which was 'anti-fatigue and energising' which I thought was great for my jetlag. Obviously so fatigued was I that I couldn't even put a sheet mask across my face so instead I used this the night before my friends wedding. This was a great affordable product and I'd definitely try a few more from the range next time in the vicinity of a Sephora.

Jo Malone Ginger Biscuit link
Another December Favourite made it's way into my empties post and this is a sad one for me. The end of a perfume that I loved and is no longer available. Once again Jo Malone - please re-release this one for me. This is the perfect Christmas fragrance and one I will miss this year. Original post can be read here.

Murad Essential-C Cleanser* link
I initially tried out this cleanser back in June (you can read about it in this post) and then cast it aside for other products. I recently dug it out as part of my use up what I have and now I've finished I'm regretting not adding it to my travel bag for any trips away when it's smaller size and reliability can be called upon. This is another of those I would repurchase but it's a pricey option and I know I can rely upon cheaper alternatives.

What products have you said goodbye to this month?

*PR Sample

007 Fragrance For Women

007 Fragrance for women* link

I'm not really one to be drawn into celebrity fragrances or those of a novelty factor so my expectations of the 007 fragrance for women* which hit stores last month were small. I'm also fussy about scents I enjoy but I'm pleasantly surprised that this is a hit and has gone straight onto my dressing table earning a place in my perfume rotation.

This is the first product in the 007 line for women and long overdue. I think this is a lovely gift for any female Bond lover or of course the partner of a male fan - who doesn't want to channel their inner Bond girl? 

Bond Girls have earned their place in history due to their strong yet feminine characters with a mysterious air which the fragrance captures in a dark and oriental scent. It's another of the strong and sophisticated blends with a fruitiness that is adult rather than sweet. 

The official description of the fragrance which may give you a better idea is as follows; An initial burst of spicy Black Pepper enveloped in Rose Milk ignites an intriguing paradox of danger and sensuality. Alongside this, the instantly attractive, familiar fruity character of Blackberry is combined with the feminine softness represented by White Floral Jasmine. The rich, sensual drydown, which is the key to any Oriental signature is driven by Black Vanilla and tantalizing White Musk, with a touch of elegant Cedarwood

The 007 Fragrance for Women is housed in a very luxurious and high end black glass bottle which mirrors the male fragrance design of it's diamond cut pattern which apart from it's embossed 007 logo you could be forgiven it was from any number of high end fragrance houses. 

At just £24.50 for 30ml this is a fantastic bargain buy and a contender for Valentine's Day.

Are you a fan of the celebrity fragrances or indeed 007? Don't forget to share who your Bond is and favourite film. 

*PR Sample

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter My Inspiration Breast Cancer Care Campaign

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Ultra Moisturizing Tinted Lip Balm* link

Palmer's have just launched their Breast Cancer Care Campaign by asking everyone to tell share their stories of who inspires them on their Facebook or Twitter pages with the hashtag #myinspiration. Palmer's are trying to raise £10,000 and will donate £5 for every story added.

It will come as no surprise to regular readers that my mum is my inspiration and I've shared my stories about her on my blog over the years. A particularly fun one can be read here. She is both good fun and energetic and recently has achieved a personal goal of losing some weight by joining Slimming World and ditching the car and walking to work. Watching as she puts on her trainers and sits in the kitchen preparing healthy meals has of course kick started my own weight loss goals this year.

Who is your inspiration? Don't forget to share with Palmers. 

Valentine's Day with So…? Burlesque Body Spray

So…? Burlesque Body Spray* link

I've always had something of a fascination with Burlesque ever since reading the Immodesty Blaize books and watching Dita Von Teese doing her thing in that martini glass. With Valentine's Day on the horizon and no man to practice my amateur skills on instead I'm going to enjoy the Burlesque scent from the So…? Fragrance line.

Available in both Eau de Toilette or body spray forms this is a fun and affordable line which I'd describe as a mature rather than sweet and sickly scent. Formally I can tell you the top notes are Mandarin, Blackcurrant and Apricot, heart notes Orange Flower, Jasmine, Rose and base notes of  Vanilla, Amber, Patchouli.

This body spray is a mere 98p in Superdrug at the moment and could make up a fun and cheeky Valentine's gift for a friend along with some tickets to see Fifty Shades of Grey - who says you need a man to celebrate with.

TokyoMilk Dark | Femme Fatale Collection Tainted Love No 62

TokoyoMilk Dark - Tainted Love link

I've talked before about how I'm not much of a perfume floozy. I know what I like and worry about owning too many could mean that they would go off before they can be enjoyed. That said I often have moments where I want something different from the usual scents and that's where Tainted Love from TokoyoMilk comes in.

I was strolling the aisles of Sephora on one of my US visits and spotted the mysterious looking black bottles which looked perfect for any boudoir. A quick sniff and Tainted Love caught my attention. I love picking out obscure perfumes. I remember my mum buying me Vivienne Westwoods Boudoir many years ago when it was first released and only available in Harrods and with TokoyoMilk Dark appearing to only be available in the US and international shipping not allowed of such things this was certainly going to be something individual. 

Typically the shelf was bare but one of the amazing Sephora assistants tracked one down in the stock rooms for me. I must admit there was a fleeting moment of 'do I actually want to buy this' but when she appeared with 'the last one' I decided it was obviously meant to be.

I can't tell you much about the brand other than what you too would find online. Margot Elena is the perfumer and designer behind TokoyoMilk putting together 'remarkably uncommon sensory experiences'. The bottles themselves are treated as a work of art and TokoyoMilk Dark features edgier scents with daring names such as Arsenic and Bulletproof. 

Standard blogger statement ahoy 'I'm really bad at describing fragrances' but I do recognise a similar theme of other fragrances with its' warm notes of  dark vanilla bean, sensuous sandalwood, provocative spices, and 'an unexpected kiss of sweet orchid'. The style is described as Inquisitive. Dramatic. Darling which I agree with.

Ginger Biscuit had it's place for the festive season but for after dark nights out this was the perfume I would reach for.