Trimming My Stash - February 2016 Edition - Empties And Mini Reviews

Hey everyone x Welcome to the first day of spring and guess what a weather warning is in place for the North East for ice and snow! Well lets hope the old saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb is true and that warmer weather is on it's way.

Even with the extra day thanks to leap year February is still the shortest month and it's another one that I'm pleased to see the back of. From today though I'm going to try and think more positively and try to look forwards and focus on the good things in my life rather than the bad bits. Before I do that the I'm going to take a quick look back at February's beauty empties.

Evolve Tropical Blossom Body Polish - 30ml
Primark PS Love Your Skin Oil Balancing Facial Cleansing Wipes For Combination Skin - 25 Wipes
The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser - 200ml
The Body Shop Glazed Apple Shower Gel - 60ml
The Body Shop Glazed Apple Body Butter - 50ml
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - 400ml
Cien Nail Polish Remover Acetone Free - 200ml
Primark PS Love Your Skin Oil Balancing Facial Cleansing Wipes For Combination Skin - 25 Wipes
Total - 8 Items 

It's only the 1st March and we've already got a positive, I managed to finish 8 items in February which is one more than I did in January. I didn't manage to finish any make up items but I managed to finish quite a few body care and skincare items, including a few things that had been lingering on, so all is good.

1. Evolve Tropical Blossom Body Polish - 30ml

When I was choosing products for my My Pure reviews why oh why didn't I chose the larger size of this scrub, I love it and I'm really sad that I've used it up. I love sugar scrubs at the best of times but the scent of this one took it up to the next level. A lovely combination of natural oils, and sugar with the most beautiful tropical floral scent. If you love monoi oil or  the fragrance of  the Elemis Tahitian Tiare line, or if you fancy been mentally transported to a tropical island, then you need this product in your life. You can read a full review here x

2, Primark PS Love Your Skin Oil Balancing Facial Cleansing Wipes For Combination Skin - 25 Wipes

You're probably sick of seeing these in my empties posts but I seem to go through packets and packets of these. Last month I mainly used them for quick and easy swatch clean up, and the fact that I used two packets should perhaps show you how many make up posts I have coming up so if you love make up reviews you're in the right place!

3. The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser - 200ml

This was something that I received in a goodie bag when I attended an event at The Body Shop way back in 2014. You can read more about this product and the event here but this product is a real classic. This creamy textured cleanser has a lovely rose scent, it removes make up and dirt with ease and it leaves the skin feeling silky soft. I've really enjoyed using it and whilst I wouldn't repurchase at the moment, it's something that I would consider using again.

4.The Body Shop Glazed Apple Shower Gel - 60ml

5.. The Body Shop Glazed Apple Body Butter - 50ml

It's 3 in a row from The Body Shop, and their Glazed Apple fragrance is something that I've fell in love with over the last few months. Whilst not traditionally apple scented, this a sweet, sugary, mouthwatering, fruity scent that I've really grown to love, so much so in fact that I may have even licked my own arm! Don't try this at home folks eating body butter isn't good and unfortunately it didn't taste as nice as it smelled. These were just mini sizes, and thankfully I have a few full sizes to use up. If anyone from The Body Shop is listening please bring this back next Christmas - pretty please!


6. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - 400ml

I've talked quite a bit on the blog about micellar water's and of the ones that I've tried so far, this was is by far my favourite. It removes make up with absolutely no effort and it's really economical - you get a lot of product and it isn't expensive. Would I buy it again? I already have x -

7. Cien Nail Polish Remover Acetone Free - 200ml

This acetone free nail polish remover is from Lidl's own brand Cien. I love the dispenser and it works without drying the nail but I just can't stand the marzipan, almond scent it leaves on the nails, so unfortunately I won't repurchase. I will however reuse the pump action bottle with my favourite Superdrug remover.

8. Primark PS Love Your Skin Oil Balancing Facial Cleansing Wipes For Combination Skin - 25 Wipes

Blah, blah' blah - what else can I say about these - they're  cheap and they have tea tree in them.

So they were my February empties, here's hoping I can keep up the good work and finish even more beauty products in March and maybe even a make up item or two x Thanks for reading and if you have any questions please leave me a comment xx

Trimming My Stash - April 2015 Empties And Mini Reviews

Hi Everyone x I hope you all had a fabulous April, I can't believe that it's May already x May is my favourite month of the year, why? well it's my birthday month. Ha, Ha I'm a big kid really I love birthdays and of course I love pressies :) I've asked for a few skin and cosmetic bits but I don't really know what I'm getting but I can pretty much guarantee that I'll get a few beauty bits so I better get using some more product up

Tesco Pro Formula Radiance Hot Cloth Cleanser - 150ml
L'Occitane Cleansing And Soothing Shower Oil With Almond Oil - 250ml
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer - 40ml
Primark PS Love Your Skin Oil Balancing Facial Cleansing Wipes For Combination - 25 x Wipes
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - 400ml
The Body Shop Rainforest Radiance Shampoo For Coloured Hair - 400ml
Elemis Tranquil Touch Indulgent Bath Elixir - 300ml
Gatineau Floracil Gentle Eye Make Up Remover - 400ml
Liz Earle Vital Oils For The Bath - Bliss - 10ml
Boots The Sweet Treat Boutique Toffee Apple Bath Crystals - 50g
Total - 10 Item

I've been making a real effort to use some of those bits and half bottles and tubes up and in April I did pretty well and finished 10 items. No make up unfortunately but I still managed to finish a nice mix of skincare, body care, bath and hair products.

1. Tesco Pro Formula Radiance Hot Cloth Cleanser - 150ml

I was sent this Tesco product sometime ago to review, and you can read my full review here. My opinion on this hasn't changed too much but lately I have noticed a bit of  a tingling sensation around my eyes and lips when I've used it. My skin has changed over the last few months and it's been a bit more irritable and sensitive  so for that reason I probably wouldn't repurchase.

2. L'Occitane Cleansing And Soothing Shower Oil With Almond Oil - 250ml

I love, love, love this product, if you have dry or irritated skin you need this oil in your life. It smells like apple blossom and leaves your skin feeling like silk. It pricey but it's so worth it x You can read my product rave here x

3. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer - 40ml

From what I can gather this is one of those products that you either love or hate, and I very much in the first camp. If something was good enough for Audrey Hepburn it's good enough for me. This is a pre wash conditioner that strengthens and softens the hair. When I use this regularly I seem to lose less hair and my hair doesn't seem as brittle and fragile. The only thing that I don't particularly like is the scent. I've used up a couple of these mini tubes and one day I will pluck up the courage to invest the full size. It isn't cheap at around £28 for 150ml tub but if you have damaged hair it's well worth it.

4. Primark PS Love Your Skin Oil Balancing Facial Cleansing Wipes For Combination - 25 x Wipes

I'm serious losing count of how many packs of these tea tress wipes I've finished, I've been swatching like a demon over the past month and I've been using these for clean up, well worth it at £1 for 2 packs of 25 wipes.

5. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - 400ml

I'm not going to say too much about this one because I intend to review it properly for you at some point but for me it's one of the best micellar waters I've tried.

6. The Body Shop Rainforest Radiance Shampoo For Coloured Hair - 400ml

This is really decent shampoo, it's light weight and it smells gorgeous and fruity, you can read a full review of this product from The Body Shop  here.

7. Elemis Tranquil Touch Indulgent Bath Elixir - 300ml

At last a bath product, I didn't do as well as I would have liked in April when it came to using up bath products but I did manage to finish this one. I'm one of the biggest Elemis fans there is and this is beauty, heady, foam bath that's gentle on the skin. It contains patchouli, cedar wood and vetivert and cocoa butter. I've had a look and I can't seem to find this so I think it's been discontinued but if you're interested I have found a seller on Amazon it isn't cheap but it's really unusual and very relaxing.

8. Gatineau Floracil Gentle Eye Make Up Remover - 400ml

This is another product that I'm not going to say too much about. A review will be coming soon but despite the fact that it's quite spendy, this is one of my favourite ever eye make up removers ever.

9. Liz Earle Vital Oils For The Bath - Bliss - 10ml

Another product and something else that's discontinued. This tiny little bottle contained a beautiful essential oil mix of jasmine, ylang ylang, rosewood, and black pepper. Just a few drops in the bath and your left with a beautifully scented milky bath. This was a gorgeous, heady and dare I say it sensual bath product that I'm sorry I can't repurchase.

10. Boots The Sweet Treat Boutique Toffee Apple Bath Crystals - 50g

My final product was another bath product, and it was some bath salts from one of those random Boots gift sets that you only ever see at Christmas. These crystals had a really sickly, sweet fragrance, they turned the water green and that was about it. Not amazing and I wouldn't repurchase even if I could.

So they were my April empties x If you have any questions on any of the items that I finished then please let me know xx

Sample Saturday - Finding Samples And A Mini Review Of The Garnier Body Oil Beauty Oil Infused Nourishing Lotion

Apologies for the lack of posts this week but I'm back with another Sample Saturday post. Over the last few weeks I've been sorting out all of my samples sachets and tubes and you'd be surprised at just how many duplicates I've accumulated.

I don't know about you but I'm much more likely to buy a product if I've had the chance to at least try it out first. Thankfully that's something that more and more brands and companies now seem to be recognising, and it's now easier than ever before to obtain samples and trial sized products.

Probably the best way to pick up high end samples is to brave the make up counter, but there are other ways. I'm a huge believe in signing up to online mailing lists, yes you might get a bit of junk mail, and junk email but every now and then you might get a little surprise through the post. GWP's - Gifts with purchase, and shopping online are also good ways to pick up samples but perhaps my favourite way is to buy magazines.

Despite my love of blogs and online media, I don't think my love for glossy magazines will ever end. Cover mounted gifts are often a great source of samples, and trial sizes, and of course how could we ever ignore the scratch and sniff perfume samples, and the occasional sample sachet.

Judging by the amount of sample sachets that I've accumulated from magazines, it still must be a good way for brands to get their new products out there into the public domain. During my recent search I found 3, 10ml sachets of  Garnier Body Oil Beauty Oil Infused Nourishing Lotion, all of which came from various glossy magazines.

Introduced earlier this year, this nourishing body lotion contains real essential oils and extracts of Argan, Macadamia, Almond, Shea Butter and Rose.

It is pale yellow in colour, and has quite a creamy texture for a lotion. It's very easy to massage into the skin, and it has pleasant, smooth slip, feeling on the skin.

This lotion takes a minute or two to absorb into the skin completely but afterwards the skin feels smooth and.hydrated, and not at all greasy or sticky.

I don't think my camera has really captured it here, but this product gives you skin a really healthy sheen. My skin not only looked better and healthier immediately after application but it actually felt moisturised for a good few hours afterwards.

Like any product though it does have a couple of negatives. Despite the inclusion of both natural oils and extracts, it still contains mineral oil so if your sensitive or you choose to avoid it. this product probably isn't for you.

My biggest issue though is with the smell, which is quite strong. I get a little bit of the rose but I also get quite a bit of almost woody, nutty, warmth. I do quite like the smell but it is quite strong and it does have a tendency to linger on the skin, so it could potentially interfere with perfume or fragrance. The scent isn't too girly though, so this could potentially be a unisex product

I know it's hard to judge after just a week or so's use but I have to say I'm pretty impressed with this product and it's something that I would potentially recommend. If you have drier skin, don't let the word lotion put you off, for me it's as affective as a thick, body cream but with a lighter lotion consistency. It feels nice on the skin, and the skin looks smoother, healthier and more hydrated almost as soon as it's applied. The scent could be an issue for some but since I've predominantly be using this product at night after a bath or shower, it hasn't really bothered me x

The Garnier Body Oil Beauty Oil Infused Nourishing Lotion is available in both a 250ml bottle which retails at around £4.99, and in a 400ml bottle which retails at around £6.99. It's available from various retailers including both Boots, and Superdrug. If your quick though and you want a bargain this product is currently on special offer in Tesco with the 400ml bottle retailing at £4.99 and the 250ml bottle retailing at just £3.32. Are you a body product junkie like me? Leave me a comment and let me know x

Boots, Sainsburys and QVC Purchases

As I said yesterday I think it was, I had placed a few more orders before the mass spending diet fail of February is over, and they came :)
First of all was the Boots order - I noticed the other day because of some lovely ladies on twitter that the new Revlon Photo Ready Foundation had launched on the Boots website :) I ordered the colour 003 Shell and it seems a pretty good match for my skin

Now obviously because it was new the Boots site had a special offer where you got a free Revlon Matte Eyeshadow free with any Photo Ready purchase - the colour they sent me was 001 Vintage Lace - a lovely matte neutral cream / ivory
Surprisingly enough the current Boots 3 for 2 offer on Revlon was still valid so being me I thought why not and picked up another 2 bits - First of all I picked up a Revlon Matte Powder Blush in 001 Rose Rapture a gorgeous peach based pink and I love the compact with a little pop out mirror lol



I also picked up another foundation - yes that's 4 in one week - faints - this time I got the Revlon Color Stay Mineral Mousse - I got the shade 030 light

I will definitely do a review of these foundations for you in the weeks and so on to come but overall I was pretty pleased with that since I only paid for the two foundations and I got a free eyeshadow and blusher :)
I also picked up another bargain in Sainsbury's the much talked about Garnier Caffeine Eye Roll-on - I have wanted this for ages (more so since I noticed my horrible dark circles in a recent FOTD) and all their Garnier skincare was half price -I swatched the one with concealer but this one felt much more effective and a lot more cooling, and I could use it on non make up days so I picked it up x



Another package also came this morning that I forgot to tell you about - whoops - As you know I love QVC and especially their beauty shows - the Todays Special Value the other day was a kit by Mally Beauty - I must admit I had watched this show before - the MA Mally Roncal is hilarious, but I had never made a purchase until now - the kit was on 3 easy payments which is always a huge influence on whether or not to purchase - despite only ordering it on Wednesday it came this morning and so far so good. The kit came packaged in a pink snakeskin esq cosmetics bag

It contains a High Shine Liquid Lipstick in Blossom, a Black Volumising Mascara, an Eye Perfection Smoothing Eyeshadow in Twilight, a double ended brush, an Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Liner in Black Velvet, a Couture Colour Custom Blush in Bloom, and the Cancellation Concealer System with setting powder and concealer in Light / Medium

I've only tried a couple of bits (the blush and eye pencil) but so far the eye pencil has really stood out it's so soft like the Urban Decay pencils and it seems really hard wearing - I will definitely be doing a review of these products for you too
So there you have another haul - just my ASOS to go and February's failure can be consigned to history x