Products I Used Up | June 2017

No, it's not a typo these are last months empties and very soon you'll have this months and a flurry of empties posts since I found a whole bag filled with my 'beauty trash' of products I've yet photographed and shared with you. If in any doubt my mission to work through the products I have before repurchasing is going well.

First we step into the bathroom and finally I have finished my Champney's Citrus Blush Shower Mousse*. I say finally only because I feel like I have been using this product, admittedly off and on, for years! This is a product I would repurchase and it's perfect for this time of year and unlike any product I've used before. If you're bored of the usual gels, then I'd say give this a try for a more luxurious shower companion. 

When I first started using wash products for 'the intimate area' I thought it would be too much bother swapping between that and a regular shower gel but it's become something I don't even realise I'm doing now. Soft & Gentle Daily Wash* is less intrusive than the more well known offering Femfresh in large part because it's less 'obvious' in the bathroom. If you're a little shy about these matters then this is the product to use. I would repurchase, although it was Femfresh I did this month only because it was on offer and cheaper.

Another month, another stick of Sure Maximum Protection and this month a small mini that I have been carrying around in my handbag to ensure that I'm not 'that commuter' on the London Underground. I think we know the answer is a resounding yes to repurchasing.

As I had a spring clean of my bathroom I was amazed how much shampoo and conditioner I had in half used states so it's been my mission to ensure that they make there way to these posts. Last month it was TIGI S Factor that I finally said goodbye to. You can read my original review of the range to find out more but the only reason I wouldn't repurchase is the packaging - no one wants to fight with a shampoo morning when they just get out of bed.

I've moved onto salt sprays in recent weeks but prior to that I was using Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Texture Spray*. This is more subtle than a salt spray but still adds some texture and better suited to cooler weather if hair is already a little dry and brittle. You can read my review of the Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion range here. 

I've found that since returning to work I'm more active in applying hand cream once again and one I have used is Crabtree & Evelyn Pomegranate. This style of tube is one of my favorites as it's both small without lacking on product. I loved the scent of this as it was sweet and perfect for the Summer without being overpowering. 

The first three products that I used up last month you will note from my St Lucia Skincare regime and they are favourites. Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic is a long term favourite and I absolutely love it in the spritzer version. Again I'm trying to use the toners that still sit in my stash but I will certainly repurchase again in the future. Liz Earle Eyebright I'm not so sure about repurchasing. I do love it, it's fantastic when eyes are particularly suffering due to hayfever but it's a product I forget to reach for or think about it so it goes a little unloved. I think I'll see whether it's missed.

A product that is missed is the B. Effective Stubborn Make Up Remover*. I thought this was just a nice product and happily returned to the Garnier Micellar Water once it was used up but I'm not enjoying it so much and missing the former.  The B. Make Up Remover is a bi-phase solution and I find it gentler on my eyes which is what I use micellar waters and the like for. I'll definitely be repurchasing this again in the future.

Ren Glycolactic Mask I have little to say about unfortunately as I think it sat on my shelf too long and when I have attempted to use it the smell is a little off so into the bin it goes. Let me know if you've used before and whether it's something I need to seek out in the future.

Janjira Illuminating Day Cream* is a product from the stash sitting half used that needed to be used up. The packing for this product is sleek and lux and I like the pump dispenser to avoid product finding it's way under my nails. It's a nice light moisturiser to use in the warmer months when my skin is oiler and sits at a mid range price point of £24 I would think about repurchasing if there wasn't so many other offerings on the high street that I'm keen to try. Or more importantly a basket filled with moisturisers I need to use up first.

Finally is Perricone Md Blue Plasma Cleansing Treatment which I used as a second cleanse. This was an interesting product to use as my second cleanse as it's not one you use to wash off and it's somewhere between a liquid and gel that is nice to apply but I think I prefer my wash products and certainly those which aren't so expensive.

I was gutted when my travel sized Mac Fix+ came to an end and I had hoped to refill from my larger bottle but the cap has beaten me. For now I've got a couple of other fixing sprays I'd like to use first but I will be repurchasing soon as I love having this in my handbag to freshen up make up if I'm heading out after work.

As part of my declutter process I'm trying to be more diligent at discarding mascaras when they have been in use for some months and it's been a success. I don't wish to tempt fate but I've not had what was a sporadic but frequent eye infection since I've been adopting this tactic. Last months mascara empties were two from Chanel, the Le Volume Mascara and the L'Oreal Superstar. Interestingly I had the smaller travel sizes of the Chanel Le Volume and loved it but once I'd purchased full size I was less impressed and actually found it disappointing and with fall out. The L'Oreal Superstar Mascara I enjoyed and would repurchase but mindful of it's something of a faff applying the primer first and it's quite large and bulky packaging for a mascara.

Wet n Wild Illumi-Naughty Highlighting and Concealing Pen is a great concealer perfect for the better days when you've had a good nights sleep, or at least want to fake having had one. It's not a must have in that I would seek it out from a UK seller but if I come across it when I'm in the US later this year I'm sure I'll throw one into my basket.

Finally a perfume that I enjoyed but didn't love, YSL Black Opium. It's a strong heady scent with a slight sweetness so it's perfect for Summer evenings.

What products have you been using up recently?

*this post contains press samples and / or affiliate links

Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Range Review

Shea Moisture is a brand I had initially seen on American channels but it had escaped my notice it can also be picked up in the likes of Boots and Superdrug which is great news. I was recently sent some products from the delicious Fruit Fusion range that I'll be sharing my thoughts on today. 

Shea Moisture has an engaging back story of Sofi Tucker who started selling Shea Nuts at market in Sierra Leone in 1912. As a 19 year old widower and mother of four she expanded her range to Shea Butter, African Black Soap (maybe something the recent Apprentice participants should have been more aware of!) and homemade hair and skin preparations and was travelling across the countryside to sell and earn a living for here family and now it is a brand sold in beauty stores internationally. 

There are numerous collections within the Shea Collection range such as; Coconut & Hibiscus, African Water Mint and Ginger and Fruit Fusion which I've had the opportunity to try. Fruit Fusion is powered by Coconut Water to revitalize fine, lifeless hair. The products are infused with a natural blend of Dragon Fruit, Lychee Berry, Green Apple extracts and of course certified organic Shea Butter. 

Whilst in danger of repeating myself my hair is recently dyed blonde so it's become dryer than it was previously. Whilst my oily hair has benefited from drying out a little and means I can manage second day hair far easier I am still conscious of keeping it hydrated which is where Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion range has worked for me.

Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Shampoo* and the Fruit Fusion range is marketed to hydrate and soften fine, wavy hair of which I lean towards fine hair. Whilst I find the shampoo is great for 'down days' when I'm looking to clean and hydrate my hair this works wonderfully. If I'm looking for a bit more oomph then this isn't the best choice for my hair type but it certainly looks healthier after I've used it. Sulfate free this is a product to consider for your hair. 

I must also make special reference to the scent which smells good enough to eat. If you're missing the fruity cocktails of Summer and not a fan of the Winter and cinnamon smells of the season you'll love this. 

The two stand out products I'm loving from the range are the Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Masque* and Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Texture Spray*. I was recently at the hairdressers having my roots touched up and a toner put through and my hairdresser commented how well my hair is handling the dying process and what great condition it is in and still so shiny which I'm confident is because of my regular use of the Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Masque*. 

It's your typical hair mask for deep conditioning and eliminating frizz and static whilst creating a protective sheathe around your hair cuticles to protect against every day environmental stresses. For days I'm at home and not too worried about overpowering my hair with hydration then I reach for this conditioner. Applied to clean wet hair, for me I concentrate on the ends where my colour is, and washed out it can be either used as I do as a simple intensive conditioner or if you have a little more time on your hair, apply, cover and leave for 30 minutes.

I'm also regularly reaching for Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Texture Spray* whether I'm giving myself a concentrated blow dry or just a burst to take the dampness out. It's the perfect product for those who like salt sprays but are looking for something less drying in the colder months. Aloe for shine and Imbe Oil to block humidity. It doesn't weigh my hair down as I'd think it would and it's the perfect balance to create manageable tousled hair. 

There is a product from everyone in the Shea Moisture range and it's definitely a brand to investigate further. If you've used the brand and have any recommendations please let me know in the comments.

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links