Reflections and Trimming My Stash - September 2017 Edition - Empties And Mini Reviews

So any lingering hopes of an Indian summer are long gone, now we're in October there is no denying that Autumn is here. The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting longer, the leaves are falling from the trees and you can now go into any supermarket in the UK and buy a pumpkin!

In the last couple of days I've been reminded of a song that we used to sing at this time of year in school assemblies and at Sunday school. The song is called Autumn Days and it's about been thankful for the harvest and those little things in life, and I think it's something that we can all live by. It's very hard at times to find any positives in life but they are always there even if sometimes they take a little bit of finding.

If you follow me on Instagram you'll know that I'm currently doing the #365DaysOfHappiness project, it hasn't been easy it times but sometimes even the smallest and most innocuous things can lift your spirits, from a nice cup of coffee, to a fragranced candle, and knowing that it's only 82 days until Christmas.

I know, I know I've already started my Christmas shopping and I'm preparing to fill the shower with all of my festive toiletries, I love Christmas and it always makes me happy but in order to start using all of those cranberry, apple, and gingerbread smellies, I need to make space and get some bits used up. My October aim is to clear my shower of fruits and florals but in the meantime lets see what beauty products I finished last month.

Scrub Love Invigorating Coffee Body Scrub - Coconut Affair - 50g
Beauty Bible Cleansing Milk - 300ml
Superdrug Nourishing Nail Polish Remover Acetone Free - 250ml
Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Super Volume Mascara -10ml
Collection 2000 Colour Match Foundation - Ivory 1 - 30ml

Total - 5 Items 

Okay, so five items isn't that amazing but I'm still really happy because of the type of items that I managed to finish. Make up items are always pretty thin on the ground for me, probably because I have so much of it that I never really use anything consistently but in September I managed to finish 2 make up products and some body and skincare bits, and as the slogan goes "every little helps"

1. Scrub Love Invigorating Coffee Body Scrub - Coconut Affair - 50g

These scrubs are absolutely everywhere at the moment, and I've managed to accumulate quite a few of them thanks to the various beauty boxes that I'm subscribed to. Billed as more eco friendly, these scrubs are basically just coffee grounds, with a few added ingredients (coconut in this case). I always assumed that these scrubs would have some sort of cream, oil or gel base but they don't, or at least this one didn't. It's basically looks and smells just like coffee grounds, with just a hint of coconut. I tried just taking a handful and rubbing it on my legs but I think I managed to lose more in the shower than I managed to use! I found the best way to use this was to tip a small amount into my hand and then I added a bit of shower gel to achieve a more spreadable consistency. When it comes to body scrubs I know what I like, and the number one thing that I look for is grittiness, this scrub is definitely gritty but it is just so, so messy! The floor of my shower room was literally covered in coffee grounds, and brown yucky looking splodges, I managed to get more of the scrub on the floor, on the shower screen and on the wall then I did on my thighs, and the shower trap, clogged up in an instant! This scrub would be amazing first thing in the morning, with the invigorating feel and the coffee aroma but for me I just can't deal with the mess and neither can Mummy Lou. I'll use the remaining sachets that I have but I definitely won't repurchase :( If you want to try this scrub for yourself then you can buy if from various retailers including Beauty Bay, Fragrance Direct, and Very.

2. Beauty Bible Cleansing Milk - 300ml

I think I've mentioned this in a previous post but I recently tested a batch of products for one of the most comprehensive beauty books on the market, Beauty Bible. If you're confused by all of the beauty products on the market then this is the book that you need. Basically it's a beauty review book, and for every edition the team behind the Beauty Bible recruit hundreds and hundreds of volunteers to try out every beauty product under the sun. I've done it a few times now and I've really enjoyed trying out a wide variety of new products. The only thing is that you're not allowed to talk about the product that you tried on social media :( which in this case is a bit of a bummer because this was one of my favourite products. So in brief it's a sensibly priced, cleansing milk and I loved it, and I would definitely consider spending my hand earned cash on it in the future x 

3. Superdrug Nourishing Nail Polish Remover Acetone Free - 250ml

I don't know if you've noticed but I'm starting to get into painting my nails again, after around 6 months of rubbishness, my nails are getting longer, stronger and they're looking pretty decent, so I'm taking advantage and painting and photographing them while I still can. I know it isn't the most exciting of tasks, but if you paint your nails, at some point you're going to need to take that polish off. 

I'm using two different polish removers at the moment, the Primark PS Love Your Nails Nail Polish Twist Pot, which I use to correct mistakes and to just remove one or two nails, and for everyday use and removing a full manicure I swear by this one from Superdrug. I've used this remover for years and the price has remained the same for the longest time. This acetone free polish is one of my holy grail products, it works, it doesn't smell too awful, and it's only £1.39 for 250ml. I love it so much that I even wrote a blog post devoted to it, that you can read here x 

4. Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Super Volume Mascara -10ml

I'm not having the best of luck with mascaras at the moment - During a recent optician visit I was diagnosed with dry corneas, due to a combination of both my facial nerve paralysis, and one of my current medications. My eyes can be a bit sensitive at the best of times but at the moment, they're particularly bad. I've tried and binned 3 mascaras in the past fortnight due to sensitivity and whilst I couldn't really class those as empties, I can class this one as an empty.

I haven't tried a lot of make up from Soap & Glory but other the past few years I've managed to acquire a few of their mascaras thanks to the Boots Star Gifts, and a few months ago now I decided to give this one a try and I have to say I was impressed. This mascara which retails at around £10 promises thicker fuller lashes and on me it delivered. It didn't dry my lashes out and it didn't feel heavy or clumpy, and whilst it didn't look as though I was wearing false lashes, my lashes definitely looked fuller, and thicker, and it didn't make my eyes run or sting. It wasn't the longest wearing mascara that I've ever used but I'll happily use the ones that I have and I would definitely consider repurchasing this one in it's own right.

5. Collection 2000 Colour Match Foundation - Ivory 1 - 30ml

Now before you I say anything I know that this is an old, old bottle of foundation. I'm fully aware of that, and I know that you should really throw make up and especially liquids and creams out after so long. This still smelled okay and the texture hadn't changed so I kept as it and tried to eek it out for as long as possible. The reason why is that I loved this foundation, the colour match was perfect, the texture was perfect for my skin type, and it wore well on my oil prone skin. In this format this foundation has long gone. Collection, as they are now called does have a Colour Match Foundation in it's current collection (haha) but it's now in plastic, squeezy tube, and the shade names have altered slightly. At only £3.99 for 30ml it's well worth a try though, so I've picked up the shade Ivory and I'm hoping upon hope that it is just as good as this one was. If it isn't I'll be begging Collection to bring the original one back!

So they were my September empties, as I say I'm really pleased to have finished a few make up items, but in October I'll definitely be focusing on the bathroom, and trying to make room for both my festive shower bits, and my winter themed body creams. Which reminds me, if you are a bit obsessed with Christmas bath and body bits then check out tomorrow's post to see some of Lush's festive offerings x If you have any questions on any of the items that I've mentioned then please leave me a comment below x 

January 2015 Favourites

I know it's nearly the end of February but I've just got round to uploading my January Favourites video. Slapped wrists I know, but I thought you might like to watch it x 

Product Mentioned 

Collection / Collection 2000 Colour Match Foundation - Ivory 1 

Make Up Revolution I♥MAKEUP  Naked Chocolate Eyeshadow Palette 

(You can read my review here x )

Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File

(My holy grail nail file ! You can read a full review and product rave here)

Elemis Pro Radiance Hand And Nail Cream

*Skin Blossom Therapeutic Bath Soak

(I've reviewed this product too - check my review out here x)

Prada Candy Florale Eau De Toilette 

I've already reviewed the majority of the products in this video for you but if you would like to see a review of either the hand cream or the the foundation then leave me a comment and let me know x 

No reviews of the Prada Candy Florale  though lol if you watch this video you'll know that describing fragrance isn't my strong point ha ha. Fragrance is such a personal thing and it so hard to describe a scent in the majority of cases unless you're an expert but I know I like it and that''s the main thing! 

I'm a bit of a fragrance junkie though so I'm thinking of doing an updated perfume collection video x Don''t worry though I will do my research this time round haha x Let me know if that is something that you would like to watch and of course don't forget to subscribe to my You Tube channel for more inane ramblings x 

Thanks for reading and watching and I'll see you tomorrow with a review xx

(*Sample) 

October Haul - Part 2 - Beauty, Clothes And Accessories

As well as my home haul I also bought quite a few other bits in October, including beauty, clothes, shoes and jewellery.

My first purchase of the month was a jewellery piece from Iced Rainbow. I've already done a post on my gorgeous leaf necklace which you can read here but I've worn it so often already that I thought I should show you it again. I'm really hankering after the fox and owl pendants at the moment but I must stay strong, especially with Christmas on the horizon

I'm normally a huge fan of the Next sale but over the last year or so I've found it harder and harder to grab any real bargains. Never the less I did pick up this fab pair of shoes. They're basic canvas lace ups, but the pattern is fabulous, featuring a gorgeous pink, grey, light blue and green floral pattern on a navy blue background. I won't be wearing these till next summer, but I really like them. They were originally £22 but I think I got them for £14.

I also got a top from Next. On the website this was originally advertised as a t-shirt but when I received the Christmas catalogue it's classed as a pyjama top. Never mind I'm still going to wear it as a t-shirt.

It's short sleeved and in a grey marl, and it features a felt applique snowman, with a woolly hat, and sequin detailing x I paid £12 from the Next website, but you can also find it in store.

As well as my mini Next haul, I also bought a couple of bits from Primark including the ivory version of the chain detail top that you can see here. It was on a sale rack and was only £3, instead of the original £8.

I also bought this set of three faceted, teardrop earrings for £1.50 which I love. I only wish they did rings to match.

Next up H&M - Again I've sent back more than I've kept but I did keep a couple of jewellery pieces including a set of gold and silver finger tip rings which were only £1.

I also got a set of four gold tone metal, mesh bracelets which were £3.99. You can also get these on the website in a rose gold tone and in a silver tone.

The only other jewellery piece that I bought in October was from ebay. I was looking through the site looking at fashion jewellery and quote pendants, and I found this.

It was 12 years this week since I lost my dad, and the quote really does ring true. You never stop loving someone just because they aren't with you anymore x Love really does go beyond the moon and stars x I paid just 99p including postage from this seller.

As well as the necklace, I also got a cute, pair of black, frilly socks from ebay. I don't know why, they were a bit of an on the whim purchase but they were only 99p including postage from this seller, and socks are always useful.

My final clothing purchase came from the Studio website. I usually buy the odd Christmas pressie from them but I saw this t-shirt and I melted.

I've seen a few Frozen t-shirts in Primark and the likes but I fancied something a little bit different - Do You Want To Build A Snowman? Always :)

Looking back at my purchases I didn't buy quite as many beauty bits as I thought I did but I did make a few Boots purchases. The first thing I got was from Maybelline, and it was one of the new Color Show Eye Shadow singles in 23 Copper Fizz.

Apologies that the pictures aren't the best but this embossed shadow is in a beautiful metallic, pink, copper shade. It's a powder shadow but it feels creamy, and almost oily to the touch.

The pigmentation is good, and it gives the lids a fabulous metallic sheen, ideal for a subtle festive make up look.

As well as the eyeshadow, I also picked up another lip butter / balm / stain stick, this time from Collection.

I'm loving this type of product at the moment, so I couldn't resist picking up another one.This is the Collection Galactica Lip Butter in 2 Cosmic Candy.

This is a lovely, bright frosted pink. It's very moisturising and has a mild strawberry flavour.

I have to say I really like this so far, my lips are very dry at the moment and this feels really creamy and comforting and I love the colour.

I read a couple of reviews of this next item before I purchased it - see yet more blogger enabling! but I'm always on the look out for a new foundation, and this one intrigued me.

Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation in 40 Light Ivory is designed to give your complexion radiance and light. My skin can look a little grey in the winter and I'm really hoping that this gives me a boost. I will of course be doing my own review in due course x

I know what your thinking, where's the nail polish? Well not one to disappoint I did buy one nail polish in October.

I got Essie - For The Twill Of It from the bargain, make up store in the Metro Centre. It's a gorgeous, blue, grey, purple and green duochrome.

Apart from a pack of Primark face wipes, I didn't buy anything else bar a couple of magazines which contained a few freebies. First of all InStyle which contained a free 15ml Elemis moisturiser. There were two options to choose from but I got the Hydra-Boost Day Cream. This one is ideal for dry skin. I'm a huge fan of Elemis moisturisers so I can't wait to give this one a try, especially during the colder months, when my skin is drier.

One of the most regular freebies in UK magazines seem to be L'Occitane hand creams, and last months Marie Claire contained a 30ml tube, in a variety of fragrances. I searched and searched and eventually I found the one I wanted, the Zesty Lime fragrance, and boy am I glad I did. I love this so much that I will be reviewing it in the coming weeks as part of my sample Saturday series.

The final product in this months post is something that you can still pick up. Being a subscriber I got my copy early but the December issue of ELLE contains a mini Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner. I'm going to do a little review of this too and compare it to the Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner Pen which is supposed to be a good alternative, so keep checking back to read it.

So that was my haul x Apologies that there is no video this time round, but I'm having quite a few problems with lighting and general recording quality so videos are on hold for the moment. I'm hoping to sort something out soon so please stick with me x I hope you've enjoyed both of my haul posts today and if you have any questions please leave me a comment x Thanks for reading and I'll see you tomorrow with a combined review and giveaway post x