Trimming My Stash - July 2015 Edition - Empties And Mini Reviews

Hey Guys x  I hope you all had a nice weekend, mine was quiet thankfully after a very hectic few weeks, sometimes you just need to kick back and chill. The working week resumes though and since it's the start of a new month it's time for my regular monthly empties post.

L'Occitane Cooling Hand Cream Gel With Organic Verbena Extract - 15ml

La Riche Directions Semi Permanent Conditioning Hair Colour - Pastel Pink - 88ml

SBC Cotton Mild And Moisturising Shower Gel - 250ml

John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Liquid Shine Illuminating Shampoo - 250ml

"OPI" Cuticle Revitalize Oil Pen - Rose

Imperial Leather Foamburst Luxurious Body Wash - Sweet Vanilla & Cherry Blossom - 200ml

May Beauty The Incredible Face Mask - 10ml

Soap & Glory Off Your Face 3 in 1 Daily Purifying Cloths - 25 Clothes

Molton Brown Skincare Creole Grass Anti-Ageing Hydra Creme - 50ml

Total - 9 Items 

In July I finished 9 items and I have to say I'm pretty pleased with that. I finished a nice assortment of items including few things that had there or there about for a long time.

1. L'Occitane Cooling Hand Cream Gel With Organic Verbena Extract - 15ml

I've lost count of how many tubes of L'Occitane hand cream I've gone through over the years and they've never, ever, let me down. The thick, and creamy original is my favourite, but I love trying out the wide variety of different fragrances and textures that they have on offer. This is one of the lighter textures products in the range, it has a gorgeous fresh almost lemon fragrance, and a light almost cream, gel texture. It feels lovely and cooling on the skin and it absorbs really quickly. Although it isn't as moisturising as some of the hand products in the range, it's perfect for summer, and for touch screen users. This was a little mini tube but I would consider repurchasing this one for daily use in the warmer months.

2. La Riche Directions Semi Permanent Conditioning Hair Colour - Pastel Pink - 88ml

I've never seen you with pink hair I hear you cry? Well no you haven't but it wasn't for the want of trying - I'm currently growing out my blond streaks and since I had a tub of this left over from my mum's daring pink phase, I decided to cover my streaks in pastel pink dye. Did it work? well nor really, it barely took on even the most white blonde section of my hair :( Gutted :(

3. SBC Cotton Mild And Moisturising Shower Gel - 250ml

If you're a fan of Yankee Candles Clean Cotton, Soft Blanket or Fluffy Towels fragrances. Then you need this shower gel in your life. Designed specifically for sensitive skin, this creamy textured shower gel smells of pure freshness, clean sheets, and fresh air. It won't be to every ones taste and whilst I don't think that I would repurchase it's a nice product that leave you feeling fresh and clean.

4. John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Liquid Shine Illuminating Shampoo - 250ml

This was a product that I was sent for review purposes many, many moons ago, and due to the sheer amount of shampoos in my bathroom I've just got down to finishing it. You can read my full review here but I actually really liked this. It wasn't the most moisturising shampoo that I've ever used but it definitely left the hair looking much shinier and healthier.

5."OPI" Cuticle Revitalize Oil Pen - Rose

This was an ebay purchase from a few years ago, and I'm going to be honest I don't think it's a genuine OPI product. I've never seen cuticle oils like this in any OPI collection so I think it just might be an ebay fake. That aside though this was actually pretty decent, the pen was ideal for travel, and the oil itself had a gentle rose fragrance, and it felt really hydrating on the skin. I've actually ordered another one in a lavender fragrance from this ebay seller for a pretty bargainous 99p including postage.

6. Imperial Leather Foamburst Luxurious Body Wash - Sweet Vanilla & Cherry Blossom - 200ml

This is something else that I was sent to review and another product that I love. You can read my full review here x but in my opinion these products make shower a much more luxurious and pampering experience.

7. May Beauty The Incredible Face Mask - 10ml

This was something else that I was sent for review and yet again it was something else that I loved You can read my full review here but I've already bought some more x Don't forget if you're interested in trying these masks you can get 30% off any face mask package using the link and code louloufacemask30 before the end of August.

8. Soap & Glory Off Your Face 3 in 1 Daily Purifying Cloths - 25 Clothes

Although I don't use face wipes on my face that often, I always like to have a packet on standby for emergency cleansing and for cleaning up swatches. These were a nice thick, good quality wipe with that traditional Soap & Glory fragrance. They were nice but for what I use face wipes for I can't justify the extra expenditure so I'll be sticking to my cheapy Primark wipes.

9. Molton Brown Skincare Creole Grass Anti-Ageing Hydra Creme - 50ml

My final empty from July is something else that I was sent for review. This was a nice, although pricey moisturiser, that was intended for dry skin. It had quite a matte finish though so it worked pretty well on my oily / combination skin. Mummy Lou also liked this one on her drier, mature skin. Unfortunately Molton Brown appear to have discontinued their skincare line but you can read a full review here x 

As I say I'm quite pleased with this lot mainly because I've managed to use up a lot of lingering and older products. With any luck, you can expect to see a few more in the weeks and months to come as I plough my way through a mountain of half finished products and things that I've rediscovered because of the bathroom renovations - every cloud as they say x I love reading empties post so if you've written one lately leave me a link below, so I can have a read x

Trimming My Stash - November 2014 Edition - Empties And Mini Reviews

Hey Everyone x Happy December x It's hard to believe were now only about 4 weeks from 2015, what a scary thought! November's empties pretty much reflect the changing weather and the forthcoming festive season. I dug out a lot of my festive fragrances last month in a attempt to make myself feel a little less stressed and little bit more Christmassy, and do you know what? I think it worked! Okay my Tesco Countdown To Christmas Advent Calendar hasn't arrived yet, but the rest of the calendars are on display, the festive fragrances are burning and the preliminary Asda shopping order has been placed, Christmas is well and truly on it's way.

Avon Naturals Strawberry And Guava Shower Gel - 200ml
The Body Shop Vanilla Spice Body Polish - 75ml
The Body Shop Cranberry Body Butter - 200ml
Avon Senses Winter Wonderland Warm & Welcoming Shower Gel - 250ml
SBC Arnica Bath Soak - 500ml
The Body Shop Cranberry Bubble Bath - 400ml
Total - 6 Items

Anyway enough of the waffle and back to the empties. I'm down on last months total but I still managed to finish 6 items and every single one of them was a bath or a body product, and 4 of those were Christmas related. It was a bit of a frustrating month empties wise, I ended the month with a few products just about done, annoying but at least I'll finish them this month.

1. Avon Naturals Strawberry And Guava Shower Gel - 200ml

Although this is much more of a summery fragrance I'm a huge fan of all of the strawberry products in the Avon Naturals range. This is quite a zingy shower gel and it isn't as sweet as maybe you would expect probably because of the inclusion of the guava. This product is still available from Avon and it's definitely something that I would consider repurchasing.

2. The Body Shop Vanilla Spice Body Polish - 75ml

The first of my festive items and it's a body scrub. One of this weeks reoccuring themes on the blog will be my love for The Body Shop's festive fragrances and this one is a blast from the past which unfortunately is long gone from stores. Vanilla Spice had almost an Eggnog Latte esq smell, with hints of vanilla, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. As you know I'm not the greatest fan of nut based scrubs but the smell of this certainly made up for it.

3. The Body Shop Cranberry Body Butter - 200ml

Ahhh cranberry probably The Body Shop's signature festive fragrance. It varies slightly every year and previous years interpreattion. Really fruity but not overtly sweet it's pretty similar to this years offering. Their body butters in my opinion are one of the best out there and they are a real staple in my bathroom cupboard throughout the year.

4. Avon Senses Winter Wonderland Warm & Welcoming Shower Gel - 250ml

Festive item number 3 and it's something that hasn't appeared this year. As well as their Naturals range I'm also a huge fan of Avon's Senses shower gels. This fragrance was a bit fruity, and a bit spicy, and very Christmassy, I really enjoyed using it and I'm sorry I can't get another bottle this year.

5. SBC Arnica Bath Soak - 500ml

Something not so festive, but something that I've really come to rely on throughout the year. I'm a huge fan of the SBC Arnica Gel for soothing my aches and pains, and this is the bath soak provides all the benefits of arnica in a foam bath. With the disappearance of my beloved bath tub early next year this is one product that I'm really going to miss. They do produce a shower product, so I'm really hoping that it has the same effect.

6. The Body Shop Cranberry Bubble Bath - 400ml

Another cranberry product and something else that I'm going to miss. There really is nothing like a warm, foaming cranberry bath to get you in the mood for Christmas. Again this years fragrance is very similar but I'm going to have to rely on the shower gel this time round.

So they were my November empties x As per usual if you have any questions on any of the items that I finished please leave me a comment, and if you're a fan of The Body Shop and their festive offerings you may want to read tomorrows blog post x Thanks for reading and I'll see you later tonight with another post x

Trimming My Stash - June 2014 Edition - Empties And Mini Reviews

Hey Guys x I know I say this every month but where on earth is this year going - It's July, we're more than half way through the year arghhhhh. Anyways it's monthly empties time again and yet again I've proved I'm consistent if nothing else!

Rituals Yogi Flow Indian Rose And Sweet Almond Foaming Shower Gel Sensation - 200ml
Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil -15ml
This Works Daily Boost Body Scrub - 50ml
Treacle Moon The Candy Jar Original Toffee Bon Bon Bath And Shower Gel - 500ml
Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic - 200ml
Boots The Spa Conditioning Body Moisturiser - 125ml
SBC Arnica Bath Soak - 250ml
Total - 7 Items

6 or 7 items really seems to be the norm for me so far this year and in June I finished 7 items. I didn't manage to finish any make up items in June but I managed to finish quite a few body care items, and one skincare item, so I'm not feeling as despondent as I did last month despite managing to finish only one product more. So what did I think about the products I finished in June, well for once my mini reviews are largely positive with at least 3 potential repurchases.

1. Rituals Yogi Flow Indian Rose And Sweet Almond Foaming Shower Gel Sensation - 200ml

This is the first product from Rituals that I'd ever tried and I'm certain that it won't be the last. This was one of those amazing shaving foam esq shower gel /creams. As you'll see in the next week or so I'm a huge fan of this type of formulation. This product had a gentle fragrance and left this skin feeling super soft and clean - loved it x

2. Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil -15ml

Another one of my obsessions are cuticle oils - I have really dry cuticles and I love using oils and creams to nourish them and keep them smooth. This is one of Essie's best and has a gorgeous fruity, peach / apricot scent. It's not too greasy or oily and it sinks in really quickly. I will definitely consider repurchasing this when I've finished the 3 or so that I have my collection - 2 of which I'll be reviewing for you in the near future.

3. This Works Daily Boost Body Scrub - 50ml

The only mehhhh item on June's list is this body scrub from This Works. This was a magazine freebie from quite a while ago now, hence the small size. This scrub had a nice aromatherapy based scent but for me it just wasn't scrubby enough, the grains were just too small and fine. If you have a more sensitive skin or you like to exfoliate everyday in the shower then this might be for you but it wasn't for me :(

4. Treacle Moon The Candy Jar Original Toffee Bon Bon Bath And Shower Gel - 500ml

This was a product that was sent to me for review purposes, you can read a full review of it here x

5. Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic - 200ml

This is one of my favourite toners of all time. It smells fabulous and it's great on sensitive skin. I particularly use mine at this time of year to cool and refresh my skin, and I tend to use it decanted into a spritzer. I love this toner with a passion but to be honest it's getting more and more expensive so I'm on the look out for something cheaper. If you have any toner recommendation for normal to oily skin please let me know x

6. Boots The Spa Conditioning Body Moisturiser - 125ml

I'm not sure how long it it since Boots have sold this but I found it in a long forgotten toiletry bag. I'm not always the biggest fan of fresh and aquatic aromas but I always loved this range, and I'm kind of gutted after rediscovering this, that it isn't made any more :( I recently review some Palmolive shower gels that smell similar but I think that's as close as I'm going to get.

7. SBC Arnica Bath Soak - 250ml

I'm a huge, huge fan of SBC products. They produce a range of easily absorbed gels, creams and bath and shower product based on natural and herbal ingredients. My CFS / Fibromyalgia causes a lot of muscle pain and stiffness and I'm a huge lover of the SBC Arnica Gel. There is no burning or freezing sensation but it just seems to help ease my poorly muscles. You can read a little review of the gel here x I hope you can excuse the awful pictures but 4 years ago I didn't haven't the best camera :) This however is the bath soak, it produces a gentle foam with a pleasant but not overpowering herbal smell. The packaging is quite utilitarian but the product really makes a difference when used in a warm bath. I already have a one of these in back up and it's something that I will continue to repurchase.

So they were my June empties x I'm hoping to do a little bit better in July and I've already finished two products already - go me! and I've also got two make up items just about done, so I'm pretty hopeful. Do your post your empties on your blog? Leave me a comment and a link and let me know x

Product Rave - SBC Arnica Gel

After my little tumble the other day so many of you both on here and on facebook and twitter said I should get some Arnica - thankfully Arnica is something that I already know and love. My Arnica product of choice is the SBC Arnica Gel. Used for centuries to treat bruising and aches and pains Arnica was something I first encountered many years ago from a friend. We were on holiday in Blackpool and we'd gone bowling and what happened, the ball came back up the shoot too quickly and my thumb was squished between two very heavy bowling balls. Back at the guest house my friend produced a tube of Arnica cream which I slathered on my throbbing thumb, and than applied a plaster -the next day there was no indication that anything was wrong, no swelling or bruising and my nail was still intact.
Anyways years later I was diagnosed with ME /CFS, for those of you that don't know as well as exhaustion and numerous other nasty symptoms, sufferers can also experience severe muscle and joint pain, and muscle spasms. Watching QVC as you do I listened to Alison Young talking about the SBC Arnica Gel, and how it could help with joint and muscle pain. Well me and my mum took the plunge and ordered some. I have to say I've found it a huge help, whether it's psychological I don't know but it certainly makes a difference.

As it comes in a light alcohol/ water based gel texture it's easily absorbed and it has a pleasant herbal smell. The gel texture means that it's more economical to use, and you can literally use it all over your whole body if you needed to. You also use it as often as you need to. Unlike the creams (which I've also found effective although they work out more expensive in the long run)it also comes in much larger containers - the pump action dispenser pictured contains 1 litre.
I would definitely recommend this product - it's one of QVC's top sellers and I can see why. I would always suggest you talk to you doctor if you have any pains, etc. - (I use this alongside prescribed and over the counter medication) but I certainly believe there is something to be said for herbal treatments such as this. You can also buy a bath soak, which I also use regularly, a shower gel and they have also recently introduced a Warming Arnica Gel which I really want to try. I bought my bottle here from QVC but I believe you can also buy it directly from SBC

(Oh, and you'll be pleased to hear my toe is feeling a lot better - thanks partially to liberal Arnica gel applications, the swelling has gone down and the bruise is already starting to fade - it would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all you well wishes x ;)