Yes you did read that right, I KNOW it’s the end of February but this month has just flown by and it has taken me until now to get this post written! To be fair to myself, I did use up a LOT of products in January!
January Empties

Soap & Glory Clean On Me Shower Gel – These Soap & Glory products are so huge that I am sick of them by the time I have finished. They seem never ending. I think I should get some sort of prize whenever I finish one. That said, I’m sure I’ll end up buying this or getting it as a gift at some point.

Soap & Glory Slimwear – This did nothing for me. I’ve just used it as a back-of-thighs moisturiser. It came in one of those sets that they put on crazy sale around Christmas, I’d never actually buy it. Unfortunately I bought two of the sets that this was in so I do have another to use up.

Prada Candy – Love, love, love this beautiful perfume! I want more!

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm – I really like this cleanser, it is awesomely good, I reviewed it here.

VO5 Nourish Me Truly Shampoo – Awful stuff. It made my hair feel greasy and built-up. I won’t be buying it again.

Montagne Jeunesse Very Berry – I got this sachet in one of my baby shower gifts. It’s a nice mask, I have previously reviewed it here.

I Love… Coconut Face Mask – The less said about this the better. You can read more about why here.

Vera Wang Lovestruck – Another beautiful perfume, it was a shame to finish it!

Molton Brown Thai Vert Handwash – Part of a set I got for Christmas, this smells amazing. So crisp and fresh! I’d buy it if it wasn’t so expensive!

Yves Saint Laurent Waterproof Eye Pencil – This came in the 2011 Selfridges Advent Calendar and it’s fab. Such a rich dense shade of black and it doesn’t budge until you want it to. I’d buy this again.

Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Serum – Another product from the 2011 Selfridges Advent Calendar. I didn’t really rate this, Lancome Visionnaire is a much better serum in my opinion.

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate – Also from the 2011 Selfridges Advent Calendar! This was a lovely product to keep my skin hydrated through the night. I’d buy this again.

Comfort Zone Renight Recover Concentrate and Cream – I got these in a She Said Beauty beauty box. These didn’t wow me at all, and they slightly irritated my skin. I won’t buy these again.

Lierac Comfort Peel – It took me ages to work out that this was an anti-wrinkle cream, I was so confused about what kind of product it was! It felt nice enough on the skin but this little sachet had enough for one use and it wasn’t enough to decide if it was any good in the long term.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion – I knew I wouldn’t be impressed by this as I’ve used it before, but it was in a magazine offer for only £2.95 so I couldn’t say no! It does a simple enough job of moisturising but it’s very basic considering how much it normally costs.

Dr Bronner Magic All-In-One Citrus Orange Pure Castile Soap – This came in a Joliebox beauty box over the summer. I used this as a cleanser on my face. In case you’re thinking “but it’s soap!” don’t panic. It’s not soap like the bars you’re probably thinking of. It’s made pretty much all from oils.

Liz Earle Daily Eye Repair – I got this in a set for my birthday. It’s a nice eye cream but I have used better ones so I probably won’t buy this in future.

Liz Earle Smoothing Line Serum – I got this in the same set as the Daily Eye Repair. Again it’s nice enough but I wasn’t blown away by it.

Phew! That’s it for my January Empties. Hopefully I won’t be so slow on posting February’s so you should see that post in a few days!

January Empties

Yes you did read that right, I KNOW it’s the end of February but this month has just flown by and it has taken me until now to get this post written! To be fair to myself, I did use up a LOT of products in January!
January Empties

Soap & Glory Clean On Me Shower Gel – These Soap & Glory products are so huge that I am sick of them by the time I have finished. They seem never ending. I think I should get some sort of prize whenever I finish one. That said, I’m sure I’ll end up buying this or getting it as a gift at some point.

Soap & Glory Slimwear – This did nothing for me. I’ve just used it as a back-of-thighs moisturiser. It came in one of those sets that they put on crazy sale around Christmas, I’d never actually buy it. Unfortunately I bought two of the sets that this was in so I do have another to use up.

Prada Candy – Love, love, love this beautiful perfume! I want more!

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm – I really like this cleanser, it is awesomely good, I reviewed it here.

VO5 Nourish Me Truly Shampoo – Awful stuff. It made my hair feel greasy and built-up. I won’t be buying it again.

Montagne Jeunesse Very Berry – I got this sachet in one of my baby shower gifts. It’s a nice mask, I have previously reviewed it here.

I Love… Coconut Face Mask – The less said about this the better. You can read more about why here.

Vera Wang Lovestruck – Another beautiful perfume, it was a shame to finish it!

Molton Brown Thai Vert Handwash – Part of a set I got for Christmas, this smells amazing. So crisp and fresh! I’d buy it if it wasn’t so expensive!

Yves Saint Laurent Waterproof Eye Pencil – This came in the 2011 Selfridges Advent Calendar and it’s fab. Such a rich dense shade of black and it doesn’t budge until you want it to. I’d buy this again.

Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Serum – Another product from the 2011 Selfridges Advent Calendar. I didn’t really rate this, Lancome Visionnaire is a much better serum in my opinion.

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate – Also from the 2011 Selfridges Advent Calendar! This was a lovely product to keep my skin hydrated through the night. I’d buy this again.

Comfort Zone Renight Recover Concentrate and Cream – I got these in a She Said Beauty beauty box. These didn’t wow me at all, and they slightly irritated my skin. I won’t buy these again.

Lierac Comfort Peel – It took me ages to work out that this was an anti-wrinkle cream, I was so confused about what kind of product it was! It felt nice enough on the skin but this little sachet had enough for one use and it wasn’t enough to decide if it was any good in the long term.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion – I knew I wouldn’t be impressed by this as I’ve used it before, but it was in a magazine offer for only £2.95 so I couldn’t say no! It does a simple enough job of moisturising but it’s very basic considering how much it normally costs.

Dr Bronner Magic All-In-One Citrus Orange Pure Castile Soap – This came in a Joliebox beauty box over the summer. I used this as a cleanser on my face. In case you’re thinking “but it’s soap!” don’t panic. It’s not soap like the bars you’re probably thinking of. It’s made pretty much all from oils.

Liz Earle Daily Eye Repair – I got this in a set for my birthday. It’s a nice eye cream but I have used better ones so I probably won’t buy this in future.

Liz Earle Smoothing Line Serum – I got this in the same set as the Daily Eye Repair. Again it’s nice enough but I wasn’t blown away by it.

Phew! That’s it for my January Empties. Hopefully I won’t be so slow on posting February’s so you should see that post in a few days!

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A little late to the party, but I thought I’d share what I got in my February beauty box from Birchbox.

Birchbox February Beauty Box

Birchbox February Beauty Box contents

London Fashion Week is the theme of the February beauty box from Birchbox; here’s what I got in mine:

Korres Guava Little Shower Gel – I am not that fussed by Korres products to tell you the truth, but this does smell lush. It’s a 50ml bottle.

Gerda Spillmann Bio-Fond Cream Make-up – I’ve never heard of this brand before, I do love trying new brands. Unfortunately this foundation, in shade 03, is too dark for me. A bold move by Birchbox trying to match something as tricky as foundation! This is a 4.5g compact.

Nick Chavez Plump N Thick Leave-In Thickening Mist – My haircare regime is very much a wash & go regime at the moment, I need products that I can quickly apply to damp hair and then leave to dry so this sounds perfect for me. This is a 59ml bottle.

Vichy Eau Thermale – I have never tried one of these facial water mists before despite hearing how wonderful they are. I might save this for when I go on holiday as I’ve heard they’re great for your skin during flights. This is a 50g can.

Birchbox Eyelash Curlers -  This is a ‘beauty extra’ and I think it’s a fab extra to receive. My eyelash curlers died long ago and I haven’t got round to replacing them, I just always forget!

EBOOST Daily Health Booster – This sachet is a ‘lifestyle extra’. It looks like it does the same kind of thing as Berocca. I’m not sure that I can having this while I am still nursing my baby, so either my fiancé will have it or I’ll just keep it until I’m no longer nursing as it’s got a long shelf-life.

I think this was another good beauty box from Birchbox. It’s a shame about the foundation though. What do you think of this month’s box? If you like it and want to sign up, please feel free to use my referral link: http://birchbox.co.uk/?raf=674. The box costs £10 per month plus p+p.

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Birchbox – February Beauty Box

A little late to the party, but I thought I’d share what I got in my February beauty box from Birchbox.

Birchbox February Beauty Box

Birchbox February Beauty Box contents

London Fashion Week is the theme of the February beauty box from Birchbox; here’s what I got in mine:

Korres Guava Little Shower Gel – I am not that fussed by Korres products to tell you the truth, but this does smell lush. It’s a 50ml bottle.

Gerda Spillmann Bio-Fond Cream Make-up – I’ve never heard of this brand before, I do love trying new brands. Unfortunately this foundation, in shade 03, is too dark for me. A bold move by Birchbox trying to match something as tricky as foundation! This is a 4.5g compact.

Nick Chavez Plump N Thick Leave-In Thickening Mist – My haircare regime is very much a wash & go regime at the moment, I need products that I can quickly apply to damp hair and then leave to dry so this sounds perfect for me. This is a 59ml bottle.

Vichy Eau Thermale – I have never tried one of these facial water mists before despite hearing how wonderful they are. I might save this for when I go on holiday as I’ve heard they’re great for your skin during flights. This is a 50g can.

Birchbox Eyelash Curlers -  This is a ‘beauty extra’ and I think it’s a fab extra to receive. My eyelash curlers died long ago and I haven’t got round to replacing them, I just always forget!

EBOOST Daily Health Booster – This sachet is a ‘lifestyle extra’. It looks like it does the same kind of thing as Berocca. I’m not sure that I can having this while I am still nursing my baby, so either my fiancé will have it or I’ll just keep it until I’m no longer nursing as it’s got a long shelf-life.

I think this was another good beauty box from Birchbox. It’s a shame about the foundation though. What do you think of this month’s box? If you like it and want to sign up, please feel free to use my referral link: http://birchbox.co.uk/?raf=674. The box costs £10 per month plus p+p.

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I’ve been on the 90 Day Spending Ban for 47 days now so over half-way, woohoo! I have just one simple rule, I cannot buy something new if I have that type of product already in my stash. You can read Update #1 here, Update #2 here and Update #3 here.

I haven’t got through that much stuff since my last update, just shampoo, conditioner, hand cream, hair oil and handwash. I have picked out miniatures of L’Occitane Verbena Shampoo and Conditioner that I got in a gift set after my baby was born and a small bottle of Molton Brown Rose Granati handwash from a Christmas gift set. I also used some samples of Aveda Smooth Infusion Shampoo and Conditioner that came in a She Said Beauty box last year. I picked out a Crabtree & Evelyn India Hicks Hand Therapy. And finally I picked out a bottle of Ojon Damage Reverse Instant Restorative Hair Serum that was part of my prize from Kym’s giveaway. The total saved this time round is £36.07 bringing the total saved so far to £175.38.
I did get something new though, I got an Eyebrow Palette from HD Brows in Vamp. However I still didn’t break the spending ban as I bought it with a voucher that I got for my birthday last year!
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90 Day Spending Ban – Update #4

I’ve been on the 90 Day Spending Ban for 47 days now so over half-way, woohoo! I have just one simple rule, I cannot buy something new if I have that type of product already in my stash. You can read Update #1 here, Update #2 here and Update #3 here.

I haven’t got through that much stuff since my last update, just shampoo, conditioner, hand cream, hair oil and handwash. I have picked out miniatures of L’Occitane Verbena Shampoo and Conditioner that I got in a gift set after my baby was born and a small bottle of Molton Brown Rose Granati handwash from a Christmas gift set. I also used some samples of Aveda Smooth Infusion Shampoo and Conditioner that came in a She Said Beauty box last year. I picked out a Crabtree & Evelyn India Hicks Hand Therapy. And finally I picked out a bottle of Ojon Damage Reverse Instant Restorative Hair Serum that was part of my prize from Kym’s giveaway. The total saved this time round is £36.07 bringing the total saved so far to £175.38.
I did get something new though, I got an Eyebrow Palette from HD Brows in Vamp. However I still didn’t break the spending ban as I bought it with a voucher that I got for my birthday last year!
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Kadria Skincare is an award-winning, ethical, natural skincare range created to meet the needs of both mother and baby. The products are 100% natural, handmade and contain certified organic ingredients and they are safe for pregnant women and babies, taking away the worry of whether a product is okay to use or not.
Kadria Skincare Balancing Face Oil Skincare (2)
Throughout most of my pregnancy my skin was glowing but since having my baby 3 months ago my skin has not been looking its best! Tiredness, recovery and breastfeeding have left my skin looking lacklustre and suffering with the odd breakout. I was kindly sent a bottle of Kadria Skincare Balancing Face Oil with Blackseed and Palmarosa to try.
With 17 vegetal and essential oils to help deal with common hormonal skin problems, this oil balances and hydrates the skin and fights dermal inflammation. Egyptian Blackseed is used in the Middle East to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Palmarosa and rose geranium are balancing oils which help control sebum production. Frankincense and Neroli help regenerate the skin and uplift the spirits.
Kadria Skincare Balancing Face Oil Skincare (1)
I have been using this beautiful face oil for the last couple of weeks as part of my evening skincare routine. As the directions suggest, after cleansing I apply a few drops to my still damp skin and gently massage it in. The bottle comes with a dropper so you can control how much product is used. It has a really interesting earthy scent, almost peppery, it’s unlike anything else I’ve come across before.
I noticed an improvement in the softness of my skin the morning after my first use and with continued use my skin appears to be regaining some of the glow that it had previously lost. I use this on its own at night, I don’t feel the need to use a cream as well as I think it’s hydrating enough. As you only need to use a few drops this 30ml bottle is going to last a long time.
Kadria Skincare Balancing Face Oil costs £24.00 from the Kadria Skincare website. They have a whole range of lovely products for both mum and baby. I wish I had known about their Belly Balm while I was pregnant as it sounds wonderful!
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Disclosure: I was sent Kadria Skincare Balancing Face Oil for free for review purposes, however all thoughts and opinion remain my own. With thanks to Kadria Skincare for my sample.

REVIEW: Kadria Skincare Balancing Face Oil

Kadria Skincare is an award-winning, ethical, natural skincare range created to meet the needs of both mother and baby. The products are 100% natural, handmade and contain certified organic ingredients and they are safe for pregnant women and babies, taking away the worry of whether a product is okay to use or not.
Kadria Skincare Balancing Face Oil Skincare (2)
Throughout most of my pregnancy my skin was glowing but since having my baby 3 months ago my skin has not been looking its best! Tiredness, recovery and breastfeeding have left my skin looking lacklustre and suffering with the odd breakout. I was kindly sent a bottle of Kadria Skincare Balancing Face Oil with Blackseed and Palmarosa to try.
With 17 vegetal and essential oils to help deal with common hormonal skin problems, this oil balances and hydrates the skin and fights dermal inflammation. Egyptian Blackseed is used in the Middle East to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Palmarosa and rose geranium are balancing oils which help control sebum production. Frankincense and Neroli help regenerate the skin and uplift the spirits.
Kadria Skincare Balancing Face Oil Skincare (1)
I have been using this beautiful face oil for the last couple of weeks as part of my evening skincare routine. As the directions suggest, after cleansing I apply a few drops to my still damp skin and gently massage it in. The bottle comes with a dropper so you can control how much product is used. It has a really interesting earthy scent, almost peppery, it’s unlike anything else I’ve come across before.
I noticed an improvement in the softness of my skin the morning after my first use and with continued use my skin appears to be regaining some of the glow that it had previously lost. I use this on its own at night, I don’t feel the need to use a cream as well as I think it’s hydrating enough. As you only need to use a few drops this 30ml bottle is going to last a long time.
Kadria Skincare Balancing Face Oil costs £24.00 from the Kadria Skincare website. They have a whole range of lovely products for both mum and baby. I wish I had known about their Belly Balm while I was pregnant as it sounds wonderful!
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Disclosure: I was sent Kadria Skincare Balancing Face Oil for free for review purposes, however all thoughts and opinion remain my own. With thanks to Kadria Skincare for my sample.
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Today I used the most gorgeous smelling scrummy face mask sent to me from Montagne Jeunesse, their Passion Peel Off Face Mask. This peel off face mask is made with Pomegranate and Passionflower to deeply cleanse, purify and refresh the skin.
Montagne Jeunesse Passion Peel Off Face Mask
Montagne Jeunesse Passion Peel Off Face Mask_
This is a translucent red gel mask that smells of zingy fresh crushed berries. It smells so nice I want to eat it! I cleansed my face as normal in the shower then applied the mask to my skin then waited for 15 minutes. When I first applied it there was a slightly stingy eye moment which I think was from the alcohol in the mask, but it passed after a minute or so. While I was waiting, the decorator knocked at the front door, it was very embarrassing opening the door with a red face! After 15 minutes the mask had set and it simply peeled off. I always challenge myself to get it off in one piece but always fail! My skin felt clean and refreshed, with no trace of mask residue left. Lovely!
You can find this face mask in ASDA and other leading retailers as well as on the Montagne Jeunesse website; the RRP is £1.09 which is a brilliant price. The company also has great ethics as all of their products are vegetarian-approved, made from natural ingredients and paraben-free. “Montagne Jeunesse is proud of its uncompromising natural credentials and ethos for ‘Conservation of Energy, Protection of Animals and the Environment.’”

Disclosure: I was sent a Montagne Jeunesse Passion Peel Off Face Mask for free for review purposes, however all thoughts and opinion remain my own. With thanks to Montagne Jeunesse for my sample.

REVIEW: Montagne Jeunesse Passion Peel Off Face Mask

Today I used the most gorgeous smelling scrummy face mask sent to me from Montagne Jeunesse, their Passion Peel Off Face Mask. This peel off face mask is made with Pomegranate and Passionflower to deeply cleanse, purify and refresh the skin.
Montagne Jeunesse Passion Peel Off Face Mask
Montagne Jeunesse Passion Peel Off Face Mask_
This is a translucent red gel mask that smells of zingy fresh crushed berries. It smells so nice I want to eat it! I cleansed my face as normal in the shower then applied the mask to my skin then waited for 15 minutes. When I first applied it there was a slightly stingy eye moment which I think was from the alcohol in the mask, but it passed after a minute or so. While I was waiting, the decorator knocked at the front door, it was very embarrassing opening the door with a red face! After 15 minutes the mask had set and it simply peeled off. I always challenge myself to get it off in one piece but always fail! My skin felt clean and refreshed, with no trace of mask residue left. Lovely!
You can find this face mask in ASDA and other leading retailers as well as on the Montagne Jeunesse website; the RRP is £1.09 which is a brilliant price. The company also has great ethics as all of their products are vegetarian-approved, made from natural ingredients and paraben-free. “Montagne Jeunesse is proud of its uncompromising natural credentials and ethos for ‘Conservation of Energy, Protection of Animals and the Environment.’”

Disclosure: I was sent a Montagne Jeunesse Passion Peel Off Face Mask for free for review purposes, however all thoughts and opinion remain my own. With thanks to Montagne Jeunesse for my sample.
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28 days into my spending ban and I still haven’t bought any make-up, hair or beauty products. Go me! As per the simple rule I set myself, I cannot buy something new if I have that type of product already in my stash. You can read Update #1 here and Update #2 here.

Since the last spending ban update I finished off a hand wash, a cleanser, a night serum & cream, a perfume and a shower gel.

I’ve dug into my stash and found a small bottle of Molton Brown Naran Ji hand wash that I got in a set for Christmas, a bottle of Kipos Cleansing Milk which came in an All About Beauty beauty box, a bottle of Antipodes Divine Face Oil (LOVE this stuff) which came in the Selfridges beauty box, a half-full bottle of YSL Safarienne that I bought last year and a bottle of Molton Brown Coco De Mer Shower Gel that I also got for Christmas.

By using all of these products from my stash instead of buying new products I’ve saved £63.33 (I conservatively guessed that the Kipos Cleansing Milk is worth about £5.00 as I actually have no idea how much it costs to buy) bringing the total saved so far to £139.31. Crazy!

I’m loving the spending ban as I’m finding lots of products that I had forgotten about. How are you getting on with your spending ban?

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90 Day Spending Ban – Update #3

28 days into my spending ban and I still haven’t bought any make-up, hair or beauty products. Go me! As per the simple rule I set myself, I cannot buy something new if I have that type of product already in my stash. You can read Update #1 here and Update #2 here.

Since the last spending ban update I finished off a hand wash, a cleanser, a night serum & cream, a perfume and a shower gel.

I’ve dug into my stash and found a small bottle of Molton Brown Naran Ji hand wash that I got in a set for Christmas, a bottle of Kipos Cleansing Milk which came in an All About Beauty beauty box, a bottle of Antipodes Divine Face Oil (LOVE this stuff) which came in the Selfridges beauty box, a half-full bottle of YSL Safarienne that I bought last year and a bottle of Molton Brown Coco De Mer Shower Gel that I also got for Christmas.

By using all of these products from my stash instead of buying new products I’ve saved £63.33 (I conservatively guessed that the Kipos Cleansing Milk is worth about £5.00 as I actually have no idea how much it costs to buy) bringing the total saved so far to £139.31. Crazy!

I’m loving the spending ban as I’m finding lots of products that I had forgotten about. How are you getting on with your spending ban?

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