May Empties ...

Bonjour!

I'm cheating a little with the title as these are really April and May empties! I didn't get round to last month's empties post so thought I'd lump them all together.  There are therefore quite a few here - there would have been even more but the hubby ended up throwing some - despite several reminders that I wanted them for this post ... men!

Superdrug Cocoa Brownie Dry Shampoo for Brunettes - I've gotten through quite a few of these cans in my time. You can read about it here as Part of my Dry Shampooing post. I'll definitely repurchase.

Dermalogica Microfoliant - needs no introduction does it? I'm sure it's loved by many as a super gentle but effective facial exfoliator.  This travel size has lasted ages and luckily I have one more from an old beauty box to use. Even though I'm a fan I'm not sure I could repurchase at the full price of £41.75/75ml.  Any dupes out there please feel free to share!

Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water and Reve de Miel Handcream - I've recently started to use a micellar every evening to remove my make-up before going onto a deeper cleanse.  The Nuxe micellar is really gentle and non-drying so I've used these two up (in the interest of shopping my stash and all!) and I'm now the proud owner of a full size and another mini for holiday. The handcream is lovely with a gentle honey scent, nourishing, non stingy and absorbs in no time on my hands. I have another travel size to use ready for holiday!

Clarins BB Skin Perfecting Cream - I didn't want to like this as I already have  a tonne of BBs and CCs and a DD to use up! Unfortunately, it has a dewy finish with light to medium cover and quite a rich tone to it (considering it's the shade Medium) so gives a bit of a 'summer bronzed' look - which all adds up to the fact that it would be great for this time of year and I want a full size but will resist for the moment.  Maybe next summer! (Patting myself on the back here!).

Soap & Glory Endless Glove 2 in 1 Moisture Mask and Hand Cream - I love this -it feels like a real treat for your hands with a non-greasy, silky texture, leaves them feeling conditioned and smelling like tropical holidays - what's not to love! Slather a decent amount on before bedtime and wake up with soft hands - I've already repurchased!

L'Occitane Lip Balm, Cherry and Lavender Shower Gels and Sweet Almond Liquid Soap -  a few L'Occitane goodies here - all presents from my mum at some stage! I did like the lip balm - it's more of a waxy crayon type, feels very nourishing, a good one to use under a matte lippie. Unfortunately there wasn't much at all in this tube so I used it up faster than I'd have liked! The shower gels (my daughter mostly used the cherry flavour) and handwash all smell wonderful and are gentle on your skin as you would expect.  If I spy any offers on QVC I'd love to repurchase!

Original Source Lavender and Tea Tree Shower Gel - as you can see I have a thing for lavender! Love the clean scent of this, a little seems to go a long way and the bathroom smells amazing after I've used it! I tend to pick up Original Source products when they're on offer and will definitely repurchase this one!

Mandara Spa Tropical Blooms Bath Milk and Shower Gel  -  I think this is my favourite scent from this range. As the name suggests it smells of flowers, and lots of  them in full bloom! It's a really 'happy' scent and one I'll continue to indulge in - especially when on offer!

Phew! That'll teach me to do two months in one go - felt like a proper marathon! Have you used any of these products?


Jen x

A Random Wishlist ...!

So this is my random wishlist ... it's a bit of a mixture of bits as you can see. Once I started I could have just kept going and going (as you do!) ... it's the old snowball effect isn't it ...?

A Random Wishlist! by beautyandthebiryani featuring 80s t shirts

First up a couple of products for my poor old hair (I want them both!) ... the Aveda Thickening Tonic is expensive at around £19/100ml but is apparently meant to 'thicken hair instantly with just one use' ... need I say more?  By contrast the OGX Hydrating Macadamia Oil Intensive Moisture Mask is only £6.99 and I loved the shampoo and conditioner from this range, review here - so definitely want to try the mask.

I'll be after a new under-eye concealer quite soon and can't decide whether to spend up or save between Clarins Creamy Concealer or Rimmel Wake Me Up (can I just get them both?) and anyone who's into nude lippies wants to get their hands (or lips) on MAC Velvet Teddy .... right?

I need a Casio Retro Digital Watch ... don't ask me why I just do ... I've been dithering over the exact size and style but am swaying towards 'the bigger the better' vibe (not huge but big!) so may end up with a 'mansize' version (need to try a few on I think!).

Brown Leather Tote Bag ... it doesn't have to be/cannot be as expensive at this one, gorgeous though it is at £180 (if I win the lottery then yes!) but it has to be brown and leather - you know the sort that will go with everything?

Now for my 'randoms' Frankie Says Relax T-Shirt (apparently the original version said 'Frankie Say Relax') ...  my love for logo t-shirts is not diminishing with age (unlike my hair) and as a first time round Frankie Goes to Hollywood Fan (I have the 12" singles on vinyl) I'm amazed I haven't plumped for this one years ago - better late than never!  And last but not least ... whilst pinning to my Pinterest 'throwback' board (it gets so addictive once you start doesn't it?) I realised my need to revisit some of my old TV favourites - I was a little obsessed with Jaime Sommers so may start off with The Bionic Woman - although I've just realised I should begin with The Six Million Dollar Man after all he went through it all first right?  'Steve Austin, astronaut. A man barely alive. Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's first bionic man.' -  I reckon many young people have now no idea what I'm talking about here!

OMG (I never say OMG!) that has taken me all the way back, my brother wanted 'to be' The Six Million Dollar Man  pretty sure he had the doll and everything!

Fingers crossed I can tick some of these off soon! What's on your 'random wishlist'?


Jen x

October Empties!

Bonjour!

How can it be Bonfire Night already?  I happened to casually point out to the girls at work that 'this time in a couple of months Christmas/New Year will be all over and done with' ... and was told to shut up!  Anyway ... on with last month's empties ...

L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise Everstrong No Sulphates Shampoo and Nourishing Intense Mask - I really like this range - I reviewed it back in March here and have used it on and off since then, in between other products. I still have some of the standard conditioner (always the case with conditioner!) but have finished up the shampoo and mask.  I like the way this makes my hair feel and will repurchase at some stage to dip in and out of whenever I feel the need to replenish and revitalise!

Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash  - love this as a morning face wash - it's so zingy and refreshing! Leaves my skin soft with no dry or tight feeling, Full review here and I've already repurchased!

Gatineau Defilift 3D Eye Contour Cream - I do like this cream for a.m. use. Firming and tightening is important when you get to my age and I do feel like it does the job quite nicely, however, this bottle must have been a 'dud'! I've used quite a few Gatineau products and although quite pricey, they usually last for ages making them worthwhile.  This, however, has already run out after not long at all and it's not as if I've used loads as you only need a small amount - I think it must have been half full - big disappointment! 

Elemis Melting Cleansing Gel - another favourite cleanser that's had it's tube cut to scrape every last bit out!  Works well as a morning face wash but was also very effective as a refreshing and purifying evening cleanser.  I do switch to cleansing oil for winter nights but will repurchase to use come Spring/Summer.

Organic Surge Orange Flower Toner - I won this in a giveaway held by my young blogging buddy Sasha at Ramblings of a Beauty Bird.  A lovely hydrating toner suitable for sensitive skin with a subtle orange flower scent at a brilliant price of only £7.50/200ml.  I'm currently finishing off a travel size of the Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic but will be repurchasing this one I'm sure!

Dr Jart V7 Turnover Booster - technically used up in September so should have been included in last month's empties - whoops! I really like this for use  during the warmer months as it's cooling and refreshing and revitalises the skin.  Review here.

Clarins Blue Orchid Oil Face Treatment Oil and Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate - a couple of little gems! Been using up these sample sizes under moisturiser at night.  Love my facial oils once the weather turns.  Full reviews are here and here. 

Mandara Spa Island Paradise Moisturising Shower Gel - trying to make a dent in my huge shower gel stash. This one is so refreshing with all those grapefruits and lemons!  I can see me repurchasing at some stage - I have soft spot for Mandara Spa!


Have you tried any of these products? What have you used up last month?

Jen x

Evening Skincare Routine ...

Bonjour!

So ... I recently did a morning skincare post the other week (which you can cast your eye over here) - following on with evening products ...

Gatineau Floracil Eye Make-Up Remover - great at removing stubborn (and waterproof) eye make-up but also very gentle and refreshing on the eye area. I've repurchased this supersize at £17 a couple of times. It may seem expensive but works out the same as you'd pay for a high street brand when you take it down to price per 100ml and lasts for months.

Elemis Melting Cleansing Gel - I decided to use this up for my evening make-up removal when I ran out of cleansing oil (have previously only used in the morning - review here).  Am happy to report that it has performed superbly! Lovely purifying cleanser - really good choice for the summer when you may want something a bit lighter but also effective and has kept my skin clear!  I've cut it open to scoop out every last drop - will repurchase for use on Summer evenings.

Organic Surge Orange Flower Toner - I use this toner morning and evening and am getting hooked. A great alternative to my usual Liz Earle Instant Boost (and cheaper too!). Will repurchase and also try out some other Organic Surge goodies whilst I'm at it!

Gatineau Melatogenine AOX Advanced Anti-Ageing Eye Concentrate -  I'm using a lifting formula from Gatineau in the morning but have decided to target the old wrinkles at night-time so have turned once again to this eye cream from Gatineau.  (Thanks to my mum for providing me with both as presents!) The Melatogenine range is aimed at those concerned with fine (and not so fine!) lines and is enriched with antioxidants and probiotics. I love the refined, silky texture, you need the tiniest amount and it does seem to help smooth those pesky wrinkly bits!

Dr Jart V7 Turnover Booster - this is a product I reviewed last year - see here.  I did replace it with a facial oil during the cold winter months but all things considered it's lasted for months! I tend to use several times a week now - really cooling and soothing and leaves the skin feeling hydrated and 'juicy'! One I'd repurchase for the Summertime.

Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil - a recent discovery - full review here. Took this tiny bottle away on holiday this year and used every night under moisturiser to combat de-hydration. Will re-purchase the full size.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light - still a firm favourite. One I tend to favour more so in the Summer because of the light texture -works really well over a serum or facial oil. Shame it only comes in the pot as I'd have loved to have taken this on holiday! Full review here.

Gatineau Firming Throat Gel - this is my second tube.  Up until 'not so long ago' all I did in respect of my neck/decolletage was to extend my usual moisturiser over the area. My mum reminded me that I needed to 'up the ante' on this area and provided me with a couple of tubes of this throat gel! Having not used anything specific before I can't compare ... but this definitely seems to firm up on those wrinkly/slackening bits - you can actually feel it tightening up around your throat - in a totally comfortable way!  I still continue with moisturising at night-time but apply a little of this (you need the size of a pea) over the neck/decolletage every morning.  I noticed a difference when I stopped using so will either repurchase - (it's a bit pricey but can be bought in a more affordable duo from QVC which works out at around £20 per tube) or be on the look out for something similar. Any suggestions for this area welcome!


So that's the current evening line-up. Are you using any of these products? What's you current routine?

Jen x

Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil - Review

Bonjour!

A few weeks ago I found myself at the Clarins counter in Debenhams (of all places) and had a chat to the lovely assistant about the Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil - she very kindly gave me two sample sizes bottles to try - told you she was lovely ...!

Applied at night under moisturiser and described by Clarins as ...

"Moisture care for Dehydrated Skin. 100% pure plant extracts. This best-selling oil contains extracts of Rosewood, Patchouli and Blue Orchid to tone, revitalise and restore radiance to moisture-depleted skin. Hazelnut Oil helps prevent moisture loss and the formation of fine lines." (source)

Blue Orchid Oil has a most distinctive herbal aroma - smells to me like a medicinal potion put together in days of yore by a medieval practitioner! The scent hangs/wafts around for a while and I find it quite therapeutic - gets quite addictive!  It has a denser consistency - almost syrupy - than I was expecting and you literally only need a couple of drops - a little goes a very long way. You can apparently use on it's own (so the lovely Clarins assistant told me) or under moisturiser.  I've been using each night with a little moisturiser over the top - I say 'little' because the oil is so concentrated you really do use much less moisturiser.  How many more times can I say 'moisturiser' in this paragraph!

I'm loving this facial oil and my skin seems to do too. It's not broken me out and given the fact that I'm pretty stressed at the moment and definitely not getting enough sleep it's nothing short of a miracle that I don't resemble an old witch from the coven!  My skin feels hydrated, plumped, rested and soothed (even if my body doesn't!). It's my overall facial expression, posture and dark circles that give the game away!

So my obsession with facial oils continues. I'm hooked (told you it was addictive!) and will definitely be investing in a full size - think it will also be a superb product to use over winter. You can pick it up from various beauty websites as well as Clarins direct for between £26/£32 per 30ml.

Have you tried the Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil? What's your favourite facial oil of the moment?

Jen x