Products I Used Up | September 2017

Another delved into the pile of beauty trash I amassed over the past months starts with the usual regular appearances of Sure Maximum Protection* and The Wet Brush. Both are staples in my daily routines, although the former may be opted due to a new deodorant I've discovered recently so stay tuned for that in a later post. The Mitchum Deodorant mini is the usual type I have thrown in my bag for freshening up on the go.

I'd love to hear from other Wet Brush users and whether you have to change yours as regular as I do - especially as I don't think I have particularly thick knotty hair to battle. It's probably my only gripe that I do sometimes feel I'm replacing it every month or two but it does give me an opportunity to try out a new colour and there's nothing like a fresh new hairbrush.

Sticking with haircare and shampoo of the dry and regular varieties; Catwalk by TIGI Transforming Dry Shampoo* and John Frieda Sheer Blonde Honey Blonde Colour Illuminating Shampoo*. Both were products that worked as they should and I enjoyed using. You can read full reviews here and here but I suspect any repurchase will be made at John Frieda. As much as I loved the scent of the TIGI Dry Shampoo, I'll still with paying a few pound for the regular offerings.

The cooler temperatures means allowing my hair to air dry isn't so much of an option and it's time to reach for the hairdryer. When I was I powered through TIGI Bed Head Queen Beach Salt Infused Texture Spray* with it's beachy scent and more moisturising offering that left hair less crispy. I would repurchase again, and indeed would for my forthcoming holiday were it not for one or two other bottles lurking around I'd like to use up before the year is out. You can read my original review here.

I've been trying some new skincare items recently so we only say goodbye to Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner* and Lacura Expert Eye Gel. Interestingly and for transparency both these items were ones I loved in it's early stages but later started to find fault and hence there appearance in the basket. In the case of Dermalogica I think I was at fault and had allowed the product to hang around to long in amongst many other skincare products. At first it seemed fine when I reached for it again but the first tell tale sign with any product if the smell seems off it's time to get rid.

The Lacura Expert Eye Gel appeared in my April Favourites I liked it so much in it's early stages but as time went on I found it was a little drying and not quite doing what I wanted. That said a few other gel eye creams I've reached for I've found the same result so think in my older years I need something a little more powerful.

Two products I'm sad to say goodbye to are my Carmex Classic Wild Pot* and Revlon Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Colour in Devotion. Again I'm trying to use up lip balms I have in my collection before buying others but I really am missing Carmex although I'm not a fan of the pot. Stiletto nails do not create the perfect conditions for dipping fingers in but the product was fantastic at keeping lips moisturised.

Revlon's Devotion was my go to lip when I wanted some colour but I wasn't in the mood for the maintenance of a red lip, it also works well whatever the weather. I realised as I was wearing this week that it was becoming less easy to work with and dispense the product so I decided it was time to favour other products. I would repurchase but also as part of my decluttering I'm allowing myself time to discover if indeed I am missing certain products before hitting the repurchase button.

The ever present hand creams that I used up this month were again disappointments. Sorry for this months empties post appearing on the negative side but I guess thats how some months go. Weleda Almond Sensitive Skin Hand Cream* but as with Leighton Denny Best Defence Hand Cream* I found that my hands would not feel so moisturised after I'd applied. They were not dry in the same way as when they come out of water but I still find it was my usual experience.

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links

Beauty Picks for Mother's Day

Tomorrow is Mother's Day in the UK and I'm sure we're all looking forward to spoiling our mum's with a few gifts. As is customary in blogging circles here's a rundown of one or two of my suggestions you might want to pick up for your mum if you're planning on shopping today.

Years ago I myself would have turned up my nose a little at hand or foot creams as gifts, now, hand cream especially is one of my favourite things to receive. I could literally put together a post of my favourite offerings across all budgets but Crabtree and Evelyn and Soap & Glory are good places to start.

These handy size tubes from Crabtree and Evelyn are only £5 and available in your local Waitrose and can be added to a box of chocolates or bouquet of flowers for an extra touch. Currently I'm favouring the Pomegranate scent but there are plenty to choice from.

Heading to Boots there is of course a wealth of gifts for you to choose from. Does your mum like sweet scents and fun packaging then Soap and Glory have you covered across the board. You already know my bathroom is stocked up their range of body scrubs but in my bedside draw you'll find a tube of Heel Genius which I pop on my feet at bedtime.

Another brand I'm a huge fan of is Roger and Gallet, they too have some handy sized hand creams, and try anything from the Fleur de Figuier range - its an amazing scent and included in the new body balms I spoke on in a post earlier this week. I've tried shower gels and body lotions and not one product has let me down yet. Track the range down in your favourite Marks and Spencer beauty hall.

My mum enjoys make up and is a fan of using her hands for applying make up but she has been musing lately about getting herself 'some nice brushes'. Perhaps I could help her our but gifting her the Zoeva Rose Gold Brush Set*. I've recently had a chance to try one or two brushes from the Zoeva range and found them to be exceptional despite their lower price tag. They are comparable to Real Techniques both in price and quality and dare I say look a little more attractive sitting on the dressing table.

As you know I'm not a fan of rose scented products but many are. There have been one or two rose scents that I have enjoyed this year, none more surprising than Liz Earle Botanical Essence No 20*. This was created to celebrated Liz Earle's 20th anniversary and I was expecting to think 'very nice but not for me'. Instead I was met with a sophisticated scent of rose that didn't make me wrinkle my nose up.

Another rose product I've found myself enjoying recently is Pixi Beauty Rose Oil Blend*. One of the more affordable serum's around with pleasing packaging that is very 'instagram worthy'. The Rose Oil Blend will help provide all those things mature skins want; luminosity, rejuvenation and radiance. Along with the scent of rose geranium oils there's sweet almond, jojoba and others which make this something I'm enjoying. If your worries are dehydrated, dull or sagging skin then this is the moisture you or your mum might need.

MonuSpa Rosewood Reviving Mist* has been a saviour for me this week whilst being unwell this week. With a changing temperature and moving from the cold outside to stuffy and warm a refreshing mist has been just the thing to keep me going through the day. It has a zesty fragrance which provides the perfect pick me up and would be great for any mum's that enjoy their sports of travel a lot and like to have a hit of moisture when needed.

Another skincare treat for mums who like their products to be multi-tasking is Weleda Almond Oil*. Whether you want to use this as a facial treatment for sensitive skin, eye make up remover or on dry cuticles you can use this nourishing treatment as you see fit. I have mine sitting in my bedside table so that I can reach for it when I need it.

My final shout out goes to Champneys who you may remember recently went under a huge rebranding.  Maybe you want to plan a spa trip for you and your mum or just simply allow her to have the experience at home now you can pick from any of their easily identified ranges such as Heavenly Days or Summer Dreams. My top pick for any new mums is Champney's Heavenly Days Sleep Pillow Mist* with lavender, geranium and chamomile create a soothing aroma that you simply spritz over bed linen and allow yourself to settle for a perfect nights sleep.

Are you giving your mum any beauty products tomorrow?

*this post contains press samples

Soap & Glory Massage Glove - A Brush Cleaning Secret

Cleaning make up brushes. Isn't that just the worst job in the world? I'm not a fan of washing up anything if I'm honest but the task of cleaning make up brushes is one I hate.

Back in the day my make up brush cleaning regime was shocking and it's a wonder my brushes survived. After a cursory run under the tape I'd just dump them all in a jug of water. Shocking really.

Nowadays I'm of course more knowledgeable about how and why I need to ensure my make up brushes are kept in tip top condition and whilst I may not still be as diligent as I should be I've found the tool to make my life so much easier.

The first problem I encounter when cleaning my make up brushes is my taps. I don't have dual taps which means that you run the hot and cold taps separately, resulting in one scolding stream of water and another icy cold. Not exactly the pleasant conditions for an unloved task.

Of course I didn't come up with the idea of purchasing the Soap & Glory Massage Glove all by myself. I had seen a YouTube video featuring the extremely pricey Sigma Cleansing Glove and thought to myself, I'm sure there are similar more affordable versions available out there. And there was.

Currently the Soap & Glory Massage Glove is on offer for £5.67 and it's well worth purchasing if you're not a fan of your make up brush cleaning routine as it makes it effortless. I actually don't mind cleaning my brushes now and I'm not left dealing with scolded hands from ice or heat burns.

First I squirt my brush cleaner of choice onto the glove. Dip the brush under the running taps and then swirl on the glove, adding in more water as needed and watch as the water turns from the murky colour of what product is being removed to clear. A quick swipe on some kitchen towel and then leave to dry. Absolutely brilliant.

The glove is thick enough to tackle the temperatures of my taps and the 'bobbly bits' help with getting the dirt of my brushes. And even better. No pruning hands. You can either go the extra mile and pile on some hand cream before putting on the glove.

I know Real Techniques have just launched their cleansing mitt for brush cleaning and whilst I can't speak with any authority because I haven't tried it for myself, at £12.99 at Superdrug I think I'll stick to my find.

How do you clean your make up brushes?