Products I've used up | February 2016

I was ready to start this month's empties post announcing how I would be adding any products I have tried and not been a fan of into these monthly posts. I have one problem, the product in question this month being La Roche-Posay Effaclar Astringent Micro-Exfoliant Lotion* but I've subsequently realised I was using it incorrectly so let's pretend it's not there and move on to the products I am able to speak of.

I was not a big fan of Maybelline Baby Lips when I first tried them buying into the hype that was across social media. That aside it was sat on my desk and came in handy when I wasn't interested in touching up my lipstick but either needed some colour or to fill in where lipstick had left nothing but liner. I clearly have changed my view as I have repurchased the Cherry version and it is back sitting on my desk for when needed.

I'm not going to say too much about Regenerate Toothpaste* as I will have a full blog post coming up soon, including their teeth whitening products. I can say that as a competitor to my favoured Breathe Company version it faired well. For me its all about the taste as I expect the usual results from any toothpaste I use and this one did not cause any disappointments.

Lush Salted Coconut Hand Scrub was a fun product to try from Lush and smelt delicious. I did enjoy adding this to my manicure regime and would repurchase but not in any hurry. I make the assumption that any scrub I use on my body will have some impact on my hands and as I'm not a fan of my weekly manicures this is a step I'll skip.

I've had the odd small bottle of Lancome Tonique Doceur come through my skincare stash on a couple of occasions. As toners go this is pleasant to use but certainly not something that I would warrant the extra expense on.

I whizzed through Eloquence Beauty's Serum* over the past couple of months which shows that I was reluctant to swap it out of my routine. I enjoy discovering serums that can be used in the morning and not interfere make up and this was one of these. Not too heavy and filled with skin plumping ingredients that leave my skin look fresh and awake it's definitely a product I would return to. Find out more about Eloquence Beauty in this post.

Teeth whitening is something I'm having a bit of a moment with although like most things it's slighty sporadic. The iWhite system* featured in my Oscars Red Carpet Ready post and it's quick and simple to use which of course appeals to my desire not to add anything too cumbersome into already overloaded routines.

Finally and just because is another of my favourite Sure Maximum Protection Deodorant. It's monthly appearance means you already know it's a favourite.

What have you been using up this month?

*this post contains press samples

The Oscars | Ready Carpet Ready

This weekend marks the culmination of my favourite time of the year, awards season and on Sunday The Oscars. Without stating the obvious I will not be attending and my nights out rarely involve a crack team of stylists and make up artists but I'm not without making a few steps by way of preparation.

The first step whether it's the real paparazzi or your friend being over zealous with their new camera making sure your smile is complete with some pearly white teeth which means reaching for some sort of teeth whitening product. I have a few teeth whitening kits on hand at the moment to work my through and as both a smoker and heavy tea/coffee drinker this would come as no surprise.

My first foray into teeth whitening was with iwhite instant teeth whitening kit*, a very simple and easy to use offering. Each box is priced at £29.99 with ten ready to use mouth trays that you simply fit onto your teeth after brushing. The trays are filled with an active gel that should be in contact with the teeth although the soft and not too uncomfortable trays make easily done. Wear a set of the trays on your top and bottom teeth for 20 minutes and voila you're done.

I was worried about sensitivity but didn't experience anything at all and the results were worth 20 minutes of my day. Of course for the reasons I've already mentioned I wasn't in Ross Geller danger territory but there was a marked improvement beyond regular brushing. Depending on the staining on your teeth you can wear the trays for up to five consecutive days perfect for the week leading up to your big event and it's something I'd like to add to my weekly regime, regardless of the nights out.

A bronzed tan is necessary if you're showing a bit more skin than normal in your party frock as my nan would call it and you don't always need to hit a salon for that professional touch. I've said before I'm not the best with applying self tanners and have found mousse tends to be a preference but that changed when I used Tantruth The Ultimate*. I had this sitting in my 'to test' pile for some time but eventually plucked up the courage with pleasing results.

Starting with the bottle whose plus point is actually a negative. The pump dispenser makes it easy to reach for multiple times without things getting too messy. Please tell me I'm not alone to get myself in a right old muddle with a tube and mitt. The problem with the pump is that despite it having a safety feature in that you'd twist the pump back down I couldn't manage it without dispensing more product. In the end I had to keep the bottle in my bathroom to avoid finding my carpets looking more bronzed than I would like.

I would apply with a mitt and found that the cream would smooth over skin nicely and the guide colour was sufficient for me to see what I was doing - always a plus. There's always a scent of some nature with tanning products but Tantruth didn't have anything to cause offensive and it felt most like a professional salon spray tan than other at home products.

The next morning skin after the required shower skin was and looked tanned. Often I'm so scared of self tanners that I wonder if I'm too cautious when applying and then look down and can't even tell a difference but that was not the case with Tantruth.

The third item on my list is perhaps not really something you would prepare in advance but you may need to practice if like me applying false lashes is not your specialist something. False lashes are guaranteed to make you look different and show a little extra effort with your look that night. I've been playing around with Invogue False Lashes* recently and they're the ones I've been practicing and reaching for.

So often we think wearing false lashes means finding the biggest fluttery pair possible and if it's a big night out you have planned the last thing you want is to be uncomfortable. Invogue have lashes to suit everyone whether you want to Glamourise or Volumise your look - just practice and be comfortable.

You've heard three of my big night out preparations, what are yours?

*this post contains press samples