September Empties ...

Bonjour!

A bit late but here are the products I finished in September...

Gatineau Floracil Eye Make-Up Remover - I've not used a specific remover for eye make-up for a while but this little bottle was on offer from QVC together with a huge bottle of the same and a Gatineau cleanser which made the kit very affordable. Floracil is a very effective alcohol free eye make-up remover which can also be used as an eye treatment. I have the big size to open now - good job as I think I'm getting hooked!

Nivea Stress Protect Stick Anti-Perspirant - used this all through  the summer, also on holiday and have already re-purchased. It's one of the best I've used for the fresh and dry factor - wish it relieved my stress as well but that would be asking too much!

Tesco Nail Polish Remover Pads - cheap, cheerful and convenient. Removes polish absolutely fine - definitely repurchase.

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion - if you read my previous post you'll know this is a favourite of mine and I've already gone and gotten another two larger sizes!

Rituals Cherry Blossom and Rice Milk Whipped Body Cream - from a previous beauty box. Lovely product, smell and texture etc. Just a bit pricey (£5/70ml) for everyday use though so won't be getting another just yet but I've really enjoyed using it!

Dove Summer Glow Moisturiser - this is my old bottle which I emptied a couple of weeks ago.  One of my favourite gradual tanners for the summer, works great for me, no orange or strong smell.  I've recently re-purchased as it was on offer.

Blistex Lip Brilliance - great for slicking on for work/school run/gym- whatever. Moisturises with a hint of rosy colour. Will repurchase.

Batiste Original Dry Shampoo - a mini travel size which I took on holiday and recently finished off. Batiste always works well for me. Don't need to repurchase just yet as I have another couple of dry shampoos to use up!

That's last month's lot then. What did you use up in September?

Jen x

Holiday Barnet...!

Bonjour!

It's that time again ... having to decide what bits and bobs to take on holiday so first up is haircare. We're driving through to France this year so I don't have to stick to stringent baggage allowances etc ... the world's my hair product oyster! (Er don't tell the hubby - he wants me to pack as if we were flying - yeah right!!). I am trying to control myself but my hair is so wayward on holiday that I feel I have to take a little bit of everything. So...this is what I've narrowed it down to...

Percy & Reed Colour & Shine Shampoo - remember the old Glamour offer back in March - well I managed to save these two for holiday - a great size to take away - you can see my full review here.

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment - this little pot of the original (rather than clear) hair treatment had fallen to the back of a cupboard and been forgotten about (bad isn't it!). I love pre-shampoo treatments - especially on holiday - ideal to slap on late afternoon and let sink in until you shower in the evening.

Ojon wide tooth comb - came in a kit years ago.   Philip Kingsley vented hairbrush - I may throw caution to the wind and let my hair dry naturally (perspiring at the thought!) but if I do decide on a makeshift holiday blow-dry then this will come in useful - it's a good brush for getting hair a bit smoother.

Redken Smooth Lock Shampoo and Conditioner - from a beauty box - may as well use it up.   Bumble and Bumble Gentle Shampoo and Super Rich Conditioner - given to me to try by the kindly assistant at the Bumble and Bumble counter!

Batiste Original Dry Shampoo - found this at the bottom of my haircare stash so it's coming away - can't do without a blast of the stuff now and again and I do find Batiste works well for me - especially if we get up early to travel and no time to faff about washing my hair!

Percy & Reed Volumising No Oil Oil (for fine hair) - another March Glamour freebie - a real dinky size for travel to help smooth ends.

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray - my tiny sample of joyfulness! Er... yes this is my current go to product - full review here. I'll use to help with styling as also as a finishing spray.

Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence - yes I caved in and bought this when it was on offer during QVC's latest beauty day - consisted of a full and a travel size. Will be really interested to see if this helps with my usual sun-frazzled lock situation!

And which one of these to take ...

They're both old favourites - the Ojon Damage Reverse Serum is obviously smaller and is super-concentrated but the L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil has a UV Filter and my daughter will use it too.

How many hair products do you take away? Are you a complete junkie like me or able to throw caution to the wind and let it all hang loose with just a couple of products?

Jen x

June Favourites ...

Bonjour!

Has June really come and gone - are we over half-way through the year already? Plans have already been made at work for the Christmas party - madness or what ...!

So...favourites over the last month...

Big Sexy Hair 'Spray and Play' Volumising Hairspray - got this in a beauty box a while ago.  I really like this hairspray for nights out - it adds volume, holds the style really well and lasts throughout the night.   It does leave the feel of product in your hair though so probably not one to go for if you like a more natural look and feel but works for me when I want/need extra texture and oomph!

Vichy Idealia BB Cream in Medium Shade - been using this for the last few weeks and - in an nutshell I'm impressed. Full review to follow.

Top Shop Nails in Stage Dive and Sinful Colors in Sweet Nothing - great combination of bright summer nail polishes I've been enjoying this month - like sun and sea these two (a slightly orange sun but sunny nevertheless!).  You can see my nail painting efforts here and here.

Batiste Dry Shampoo for dark hair - actually an empty - I can't seem to do without my dry shampoo. As well as drying up greasy roots etc it's great for extra texture and the dark brown pigment is ideal for my hair.  I think Batiste is on offer at Boots at the moment so probably a good time to re-purchase as it's not the cheapest and I go through it like cold water!

Liz Earle Healthy Glow Cream Blush in Rose - a lovely dewy summer blush. A little pricey but would like to save up to try another colour! Full review here.

Liz Earle Sheer Lip Gloss in Mallow - great everyday neutral lip gloss. Moisturises, gives the old lips a look of plumpness and very non- sticky I've found. A good one for popping on (without a mirror) on my way out of the door on the school run!

And finally...

I have a problem with this little lot of Peanut M&M's!  I only buy them when they're on offer (which they were last month!) but I'm addicted good and proper! I tend to take the bag with me into the front room at the end of the day to sit with hubby and watch TV. On more than one occasion I've had to send him out of the room with my M&M's in tow as I'd just eat the whole lot in one go - they're so addictive and I keep fooling/telling myself that nuts contain good fats so they can't be all bad - yes that's what I tell myself!  Anyway I did make one bag last for a few nights ... will try to stretch it a bit longer next time...wish me luck on that one!

What have been your favourites last month? Could you eat a bag of M&M's in one go?


Jen x

Half-Term Haul!

Bonjour!

Me and my gal did a bit of shopping over half term - we went to Boots and Superdrug (there's a surprise) and I picked up a few items ...

Boots had their 'Buy 1 Get 2nd Half Price' offer on ....

Maybelline Dream Touch Lumi Concealer in nude - £6.99 - I was actually after the Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer as I've read so many good things about it - but Boots never seemed to have the colour I wanted (having been in a few times) so thought I'd give this a go - feedback to follow.

Bourjois Intuitive Liner - £6.99- I've been wanting to try out the Clarins 3-Dot Liner ever since I heard it creates the look of a thicker lash line but just can't justify spending £20 on it at the moment.  Bourjois Intuitive is meant to be a pretty good dupe (and obviously far more purse-friendly) so lets see what happens.

Batiste Dry Shampoo (dark and deep brown) - I can't live without my dry shampoo, particularly when my colour is growing out and dark roots are coming through (as they are at the moment). My hair seems to grease up so much more at the roots and this is a little life-saver.  Also adds texture and body without looking like I've tipped a tub of talc all over my barnet. Got two as they were reduced from £3.99  a can (rather expensive but it works for me) to £2.66.

Dove Heat Defence - have to admit I did just grab this as we were running out of time, thought I may as well try it at £2.99 as I'm  running low on heat protection spray being a regular user and all that!


Superdrug had 3 for 2 across cosmetics ...

MUA Lipstick - from left to right Shades 11, 13 and 1.

Just could not resist - £1 each and 3 for 2 for crying out loud! We went for the reds initially because my daughter wanted me to create a 'blood effect' around her mouth for Halloween (in the end we ended up using some red lip gloss!).  The dark nude/tawnyish shade 13 looks ideal for everyday wear.


MUA Nail Varnish ...

.... in Stormy Skies and Plum Noir - also a quid each, (picked up an extra lippie in shade 13 for my mum to make it up to 3 products) - a couple of lovely colours here with an Autumnal vibe - can't wait to get these on!

Not strictly 'half-term' - I actually popped back to Superdrug the other day and noticed these on offer at 2 for £3.79 which I thought pretty good.  I'm a terrible lip balm addict and re-apply throughout the day - can't stand the feeling of dry, chapped lips.  I've not tried Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm before but it's raved about by lovely Claire over at Another New Day so looking forward to trying out!  The tube will be ideal for shoving in my bag and the cute little tub for bedtime!

All in all quite a few bargains to be had at Boots and Superdrug - could easily get so carried away! Have you picked any bargains up recently?


Jen x