Trimming My Stash - July 2019 Edition - Empties And Mini Reviews*

I've been writing Trimming My Stash posts for a very long time now, and whilst they've changed a little bit in content and in format, my monthly empties posts have been one of the few constants in LouLouLand. A few years ago now I started integrating mini reviews into the posts and ever since every empties post that I've written has included at least one or two in depth product reviews. Today's post is a little bit different though, in that I've already reviewed most of the products in it!

May Beauty The Incredible Pore Strip - 1 x Pore Strip
Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil Skin Wash - 500ml
Yes To Tomatoes Purifying Shower Gel - 500ml
Moroccanoil Treatment - 15ml
Le Savonnier Marseillais Extra Pure Olive Oil Body Soap With Lavender Essential Oil - 500ml

Total - 5 Items

Now although I only managed to finish 5 items in July it's a distinct improvement on both May and June's total of 4 items, and 3 items respectively which has to be a positive. I'm also pretty happy because I managed to finish a couple of press sample products that became almost permanent fixtures in my bathroom, and just never seemed to end. There is definitely room for improvement but one of my major goals is finish all of those half finished products that I have floating around in my bedroom and in the bathroom, and in this case that's exactly what I've done. As I say I haven't got too many new reviews to share with you, but have a read below, and elsewhere on the blog, and you can find out exactly what I managed to finish in July.

1. May Beauty The Incredible Pore Strip - 1 x Pore Strip

The first product that I finished was one of the May Beauty The Incredible Pore Strips that I received in the July edition of Pink Parcel. You can read my thoughts here but seriously is there anyone that doesn't love a pore strip? They are one of those gross but slightly addictive beauty products, like peel off masks, and foot peels - I love products where you can see an instant result, and you may think that I'm a bit gross but seeing the gunk on the strip is one of life's little pleasures. I've still got another strip to use up but I'm saving it for a special occasion when I need my skin to look perfect. If you're interested in trying Pink Parcel for yourself don't forget to use my referral code PPLT2153.

2. Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil Skin Wash - 500ml

Now although I think I've mentioned this product in the past, I don't think I've ever talked about it properly. Myself and Mummy Lou are obsessed with the entire range from Australian Bodycare. Based on, and containing, one of the best varieties of tea tree, Melaleuca Alternifolia, the full range is antibacterial, anti fungal, and antiseptic, it's also gentle, natural and skin friendly.

Although we've tried a lot of products in the range over the years, the products that we just keep coming back to, and that always have a place in our bathroom, are the body lotion and this body / skin wash. Crammed full of antiseptic and antibacterial tea tree, this thick translucent green gel transforms into gentle foaming body wash, it's powerful but it isn't harsh or drying. It's a perfect shower product if you have spotty, sore or irritable skin, or if you're prone to body odour or excess perspiration. It's especially good for this time of year when we're all feeling a little bit hot and bothered. It's also brilliant for shaving and for before and after waxing, and other types of hair removal, and you can even shave with it. You can also use it as a antibacterial and antiseptic hand wash, which is ideal if you're a gardener, or if like me you have pets. It does have quite a strong tea tree scent, which I personally don't mind I just find fresh and clean but if you aren't a fan it doesn't really linger on the skin, We normally buy our Australian Bodycare products from QVC UK, but you call also buy if from various other retailers including Australian Bodycare direct, as well as from Feel Unique, and Fragrance Direct. This 500ml size retails at around £26.99.

3. Yes To Tomatoes Purifying Shower Gel - 500ml**

Next up one of the projects that seemed to have taken root in my bathroom, a gorgeous shower gel from the Yes To stable. I originally reviewed this for My Pure way back in 2012, and like so many products it just got pushed to the back of the cupboard as I moved on to something else. I know it's as old the hills but when I dug it out again it was just as good as how I remembered. A tiny amount of products produced a mass of moisturising, creamy bubbles, that had the most amazing milky, almost powdery scent. I think that's one of the reasons why it lasted as long as it did this was a huge 500ml bottle and you needed such a small amount that it seemed to go on forever. You can read my original review here but I'm sad to say that this now seems to have been discontinued by Yes To, whose tomato range now seems to focus purely on skin care. I'm actually super sad to see the back of this, and it powdery creaminess will live long in my memory.

4. Moroccanoil Treatment - 15ml

The fourth beauty product that I finished in July was another one that I've recently reviewed and again it was all thanks to a beauty box. Arriving at just the right time, the July edition of Glossybox featured a slightly larger bottle of this argan oil packed hair treatment oil. As I said in the original post it isn't my favourite hair oil but it certainly deserves it's cult reputation - you can read my full review here x 

5. Le Savonnier Marseillais Extra Pure Olive Oil Body Soap With Lavender Essential Oil - 500ml**

Finally another press sample, and another product from My Pure. This isn't quite as old as the Yes To Tomatoes body wash, but it was another one of those products that never seemed to end. I originally reviewed this way back in 2015, and whilst I think it had got a bit thicker with age, it was still as nice as I remembered. Containing olive oil and real lavender essential oil, you could use this as a shower product, but I actually ended up using it as a hand wash. Again you just needed a tiny amount mixed with warm water to produce a lovely creamy, moisturising hand wash. You can read my full review here, and whilst this still appears on the My Pure inventory it's currently out of stock, have a quick search online though and you can still find the range elsewhere.

So another 5 items to add to my 2019 empties total, As I say July was a definite improvement on the previous two months but I know I can do better and even though I'm off to a slow start in August I'm determined to do better this month. You know the drill, if you have any questions please leave me a comment below x 

*This Post Contains Both Affiliate And Non Affiliate Links 

**Press Samples

Unboxing The NEXT Summer Branded Beauty Box

Although they've been famous for a long time for their own versions of designer fragrance, NEXT isn't the first place that you'd really think of then it comes to high end beauty, and in the stores that's pretty much still the case, but online it's a whole different story.

I'm not 100% sure on the time frame but last year, I think it was,  NEXT teamed up with leading online beauty retailer Fabled By Marie Claire, to offer a wide range of high end beauty brands direct from their own website. The NEXT beauty department now features new and up to date products from a wide range of brands including high street brands such as Clinique, Bare Minerals, Estee Lauder, Benefit Cosmetics and By Terry, as well as more quirky, natural and cult brands.

I don't know about you but everyday I have a bit of an online routine, there are several that I check every morning from news sites, to shopping sites where I go to check out all  of their new arrivals. NEXT is one of those sites that seems to update their stock on almost a daily basis, and recently I was looking through their beauty section and I noticed this, their take on the beauty box.

Retailing at £12, the theme of the box is summer, and it contains 8 branded products with a combined value of at least £48, to help you prepare you body, skin and hair for summer. The items come packaged in the usual NEXT beauty packaging which is a reusable brown and mint green / turquoise cardboard box, and they wrapped in a sheet of white tissue paper.

Rituals The Ritual Of Sakura Sensational Foaming Shower Gel - Organic Rice Milk & Cherry Blossom - 50ml - Est. RRP £4.90

The first item in the box is something from one of my favourite body care brand Rituals. All of their products are inspired by Far Eastern body, and well being rituals, and this is one of my favourite scents - it has a beautiful soft, slightly fruity, floral scent. Containing nourishing rice milk, this product has a gorgeous creamy, that leaves you skin feel super soft and moisturised, and to save on space in your suitcase you can also use it as a shaving foam. When I first got rid of my bath, I definitely felt as though as though showers were an essential things, practical but not really a pampering experience, products like this though make the whole showering thing just that little bit more luxurious. This travel size is available direct from Rituals but you can buy the full 200ml size for £8.50 direct from NEXT.

Dr Paw Paw Rich Mocha Balm Multi Purpose Soothing Balm With Natural Paw Paw - 25ml - Full Size - RRP £7

Now I've tried a couple of these balms now, I've used the original in the past as an all over hydrating balm, and I recently tried the Hot Pink version which I received in the April edition of Glossybox (have a read of my review here x) 

Containing pure Paw Paw / Papaya extract this is nourishing balm with just a hint of colour that you can use on both your lips and cheeks. It looks quite scary when you first squeeze out of the tube, in fact it looks a lot like melted dark chocolate.

Apply it sparingly though, and blend it out, and you actually get a sheer, neutral bronze, nude shade, that would work as a bronzer / cheek colour on certain skin tones and as a tinted lip balm, just don't apply too much, because it really could look as though you've been eating chocolate a la Charlie And The Chocolate Factory ;)

This is a full size tube and retails at £7 again from NEXT and various other retailers.

We Are Paradoxx Hangover Hair Elixir - 15ml - RRP £10

Next up probably some of the cutest packaging that I've seen! When you think of Ireland what do think of? amazing musicians - check,  hunky actors - check, Guinness - check, and oh what else? Well whiskey of course! We Are Paradoxx is an Irish brand, that promote the philosophy of good hair, good conscience. All of their products are 90% plastic free, cruelty free, vegan, 97% natural, and are free from perfumes, mineral oils, parabens, SLS, SLES, and PEC's, and they also contain real Irish whiskey. 

Packaged in this cutest mini hip flask on a key ring, this hair oil is specially designed for dull and damaged hair, and contains Irish whiskey, and argan, coconut and soya oils, to strengthen the hair, to improve condition and to add shine. This cute travel sized bottle is only available directly from We Are Paradoxx with a retail price of £10 but the full 75ml size is available for around £30 for a variety of retailers including NEXT.

Ultrasun SPF 50 Extreme Very High Sun Protection - 25ml - RRP £5.50

Next up an item from my favourite sun care brand, Ultrasun. I'm a huge, huge fan of the brand, and I swear by it whether I'm in the UK or abroad. It's not irritating, it's non staining and you don't need to reapply it every two minutes. This particular version is designed especially for extreme conditions or for people with extremely sensitive skin, such as babies and children. It is fast absorbing but non greasy, it protects against UVA and UVB and it contains Vitamin E and antioxidants. This travel size is available for £5.50 from NEXT.

Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion - 50ml

Next up two products, from another Irish company, Vita Liberata. The bulk of this box is various different types and brands of self tan, and Vita Liberata are the experts in organic, sunless tanning products, and they are the first non toxic tanning brand. Their products are paraben, perfume and alcohol free.

Containing organic botanicals including aloe vera, melon, Shea butter, grape seed, marula, raspberry, lychee and seaweed, this lotion nourishes the skin and slowly adds a subtle dose of colour, without any colour transfer or staining. It also contains odour remove technology, and moisture lock technology for a slow, even fade. The full 200ml size retails at £15.

Vita Liberata Phenomenal Organic Tan Infused Cloth - 2 x 9ml - Est. RRP £4.50

Next up another product from Vita Liberata, I already have a pack of 4 of these that I got free with last months RED magazine but as yet I haven't tried them.

Created with the same benefits and ethos as the gradual tanner, these biodegradable tanning cloths are infused with the organic ingredients including and organic source of DHA, raspberry, aloe vera and pomegranate. Quick drying, and non staining, these wipes promise hydrating, quick and easy natural colour. I think that these would be great for holidays for touching up tan lines, or for sticking in your handbag ahead of a work night out. The pack of 4 wipes retails at £9 so this two pack would probably retail at around £4.50.

St Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist - 14ml

For a long time, St Tropez was the go to tanning brand, and whilst the market is now pretty much saturated with high end sunless tanning brands, St Tropez are still at the top of their game and they're still innovating and coming out with new products and formulations.

Smelling gorgeously tropical, and containing 100% natural tanning agents and botanicals including hibiscus and green mandarin, this vegan friendly product can be used to add a natural glow to the skin. It can be applied both under and over make up and it has an ultra lightweight feel, it's designed to nourish and protect the skin and it's also designed to provide up to 12 hours hydration to the skin, making it a perfect addition to any summer make up bag. The full 80ml retail size retails at around £22.

Fake Bake Flawless Travel Survival Kit - RRP £ 6

The final item in the box is basically three items in one - it contains 3 sachet from top brand Fake Bake, that constitute a quick and easy three step tanning routine. This kit is available from NEXT and various other retailers and retails at around £6.

Kit Contains: 
Fake Bake Papaya Exfoliation & Tan Removal Towelette - 7ml

The first sachet contains and exfoliating towelette which contains skin care ingredients such as pro Vitamin B5, and Vitamins C and E as well as papaya which has contains enzymes that have exfoliating properties. This wipes help firm the skin, remove dry patches and help to remove previous self tan applications.

Fake Bake Flawless Tanning Towelette - 8ml

The next step is the tan itself, and this wipe is infused with Fake Bake's best selling Flawless Tan - with a black coconut scent, it features a guide colour, and Fake Bakes unique long lasting triple tan formula.

Fake Bake Coconut - Oil Free Moisturiser - 10ml 

Finally you get a sachet of Fake Bakes oil free moisturising lotion, which contains coconut and Vitamin B5. Being oil free you can use it on dry areas before fake tanning, and over the top of your guide colour to prolong the life of your self tan.

Based on the little bit of research that I've done this box is great value for money, with a few full sizes, and some decent travel sizes. The self tanning items make up the bulk of the box but it gives you lots of opportunities to try new things and new formulations, and you also get a nice shower product, an all in one skin care and make up item, and a super cute hair product. Although I haven't had the opportunity to try all of the products yet, I think that this is a lovely summer kit that's perfect for holidays, travel or even for just shaking up your beauty routine for the summer months. I don't think that this is a permanent item so I'd move quick if you want to get your hands on it. It's available on the NEXT website for just £12 (excluding postage). Let me know if you have any questions on this box, and if you're interested in some summer beauty topics including fake tanning and hair removal, stick around because I've some good reviews coming soon x