March Empties ...

Bonjour!

Is it really that time again - doesn't seem like two minutes since the last 'Empties'?  I know we say this a lot but really where is this year going - already in April!  Rather late with this lot but here we go ...

Vaseline Double Invisible 48h Protection Anti-Perspirant - quite like this one. Just a decent all round spray, seems to 'keep one fresh' but doesn't choke you up with overly strong fumes!  I must admit I've not been very vigilant with the whole white/yellow mark thing - let's just say I haven't noticed any jumping out at me and also the 48hr claim, as I shower every day but yes, I'd buy again!

The Body Shop Green Apple Bath and Shower Gel - this is a bittersweet one! My lovely friend bought it for last year's birthday and I absolutely love it - wonderfully fresh, ripe fruity scent - a real pleasure for the senses!  Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be available anymore (why do they do that thing!?)  otherwise it would be a definite repurchase!

Neal's Yard Geranium and Orange Hand Cream -  this was  a magazine freebie and a darn good one if I may say so!  I've saved for bed-time use as it has quite a thick consistency, it's gentle and moisturising for dry, chapped hands and smells good too!  A little goes a long way so it's lasted for ages.

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Xerand Hand Repair Cream - this featured in my 2014 favourites. The Lipikar range is aimed at dry/ezcema prone skin and works to hydrate and lock moisture in. I find it leaves a slight 'tacky' feeling on the hands so again, use mainly before bed.  It's really soothing and non-stingy when my hands are feeling bit excema prone and sore and itchy. I tend to always have one in and stock up whenever on offer (mainly from the Escentual website!) as it ends up costing about £3 per tube so I can't afford not to.  I've already got another one ready to use! 

La Roche-Posay Hydreane Light Moisturising Cream - I think I'm a little addicted to French skincare - love this! You know when you find something that 'just works' for you?  I tend to switch between this and the Vichy Aqualia Light Pot. This tube is obviously more suitable for holidays/travel and I've used in the morning and/or night in Summer and Winter so it's a great all rounder.  I've already stocked up again!

L'Oreal Elvive Fibrology Thickening Masque and Double Serum - I need to do a full review on this lot as I've been trying the whole range out for the last couple of months so I'll not go into too much detail but I've repurchased the masque whilst it was half price! (Actually I didn't go into any detail there did I but I'll post on it asap!)

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum - losing count of how many times I've repurchased this. I use it mainly in the morning under moisturiser.  I do sometimes dabble with other serums but always come back to this one.  The packaging has changed but the product remains the same.  If you've not read my full review (nearly a couple of years ago now!) it's here and needless to say I have another on the go!

So that's a bit more of my stash used up - ok some has been replaced but not all - I am trying here! What did you get through over last month?  Do you replace things as they run out or always have extras in stock?


Jen x

January Favourites/Empties ...

Bonjour!

So that's January over with for another year - I'm so looking forward to the lighter mornings and evenings  - how about you? A mixed bag of favourites and empties over the past month or so then ...

Kerastase Ciment Thermique - been using this since the middle of December and it's a firm favourite! Full review to follow.
L'Oreal Elvive Triple Resist Reinforcing Shampoo and Conditioner  - this duo is coming to an end now. I was pleasantly surprised with it's performance and have re-purchased. Full review here.
Mandara Spa Tropical Blooms Moisturising Shower Gel - just finished, gorgeous smelling product this one with a  heady floral scent - reminds me of high summer!
Bare Minerals Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara - all finished. It gives a good effect once on but is a bit of a smudger. Couldn't make my mind up about it - as you can see from my review here. 
Benefit They're Real Mascara - I'm giving up on this one.  A magazine freebie and something I've been trying on and off for a few months - but it's not to be.  It just doesn't 'do it' for me and I poke myself in the eye every time I try!
Elf Baked Blush in Rich Rose - been loving this for a touch of colour and radiance (both of which have so been needed!) - review here.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment - this finished about a week after my review here and I was gutted and am missing it already! I'm trying another eye cream out but will be re-purchasing as soon as I can snap up a good deal!
Maybelline Dream Touch Lumi Concealer in Nude - used mainly for the under-eye area. You do have to be light handed otherwise it has a tendency to cake up but I would re-purchase as it's quite a good concealer for me.
The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector - one of my all time favourites - especially in Winter - it's hard to beat that's for sure. I've repurchased a few times and will continue to do so!

And last but not least ... why oh why does this have to be empty...

Toblerone has to be one of my all time favourite items of confectionery - the chunks are just the right size for a treat after dinner and because you can't (or shouldn't) really fit it all in your mouth at the same time then one is enough on a school night. I've been allowing myself two chunks at the weekends though - get me!  Yes I will be re-purchasing on a fairly regular basis!

What have your favourites been last month? Are you able to fit a whole chunk of Toblerone in your mouth cos I can't!?

Jen x

L'Oreal Elvive Triple Resist Reinforcing Shampoo/Conditioner/Masque - Review

Bonjour!

For a time back in November my hair felt like a pile of pants - seemed lifeless, limp, thinner than usual and was falling and breaking off.  I therefore decided to try out a few new products in order to try to improve the overall condition of my hair and sanity...! (Being a complete haircare junkie this didn't seem too painful!).

Kicking off with the L'Oreal Elvive Triple Resist Reinforcing Shampoo, Conditioner and Masque which I picked up from Sainsburys (in desperation!) whilst it was on offer.  I've been using all three for a couple of months so thought I'd sort out a quick review.

Aimed at 'fragile hair with a tendency to fall' (that's me!) the range is enriched with amino acid Arginine and Protein and is said to provide nourishment, strength and restructure from root to tip enabling the hair to become more resilient to breakage - sounds like a dream eh? You can check out further info about the range from L'Oreal's own website here.

So - I've used the shampoo and conditioner since November now and again with my Philip Kingsley Elasticizer (which worked well) and also using the Elvive Triple Resist Masque at least once a week. The products have a pleasant fruity smell, the shampoo lathers well and all three have a nice creamy consistency (the masque being slightly thicker), they rinse out easily and don't leave any noticeable residue.  The instructions say to leave the masque on for 3-5 minutes, I've gone for probably 5 minutes plus and have had decent results.

Now I will just say that I have also started using a lovely new heat protectant which I reckon is also helping with the state of mid lengths/ends (more on that later) but I do think my hair likes this range of products.  I do have to use a volumising product when styling, as although my hair feels very soft, shiny and in overall better condition than before (even more so after using the masque) - sometimes it's a bit too soft (but not lank) to do much with - but not a bad 'soft', just that freshly washed first day feeling!  Also, I don't know whether this is just a fluke but I don't think I'm losing as much hair - I say this because the drain hasn't become blocked with my barnet (a previous regular occurrence) for a good few weeks ... sorry if that's too much info!  Also well worth a mention is that although we're not looking at a sulphate-free range, my scalp has not been irritated or flaky whilst I've been using Triple Resist. I mean it all starts at the scalp - right - so if my scalp is happy it follows that my hair has a better chance?

This is the first time I've used anything from the L'Oreal Elvive range of shampoo/conditioners and in a nutshell I am really pleased with these products. As an inexpensive drugstore range (plus they were on offer when I bought them so worked out at around a ridiculous £2 each for the 400ml shampoo and conditioner and something like £3.50 for the masque) they have performed really well.  I've already repurchased to put away for a rainy day and there is also a reinforcing spray in the range which I'm interested to try out at some stage - told you I was a haircare junkie!

Are you a fan of L'Oreal Elvive? Have you tried the Triple Resist range?

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

March Favourites, Empties and Misses!

Bonjour!

It's that time again ... got me some favourites, got me some empties and unfortunately a couple of  'hit and misses' ...

Bare Minerals Warmth - you can't tell from the pic but this is my tiny pot of Bare Minerals Warmth and it's practically empty (have a larger one waiting in the wings though!). Love this and really need to get a full review sorted - it adds colour to my face without any 'orange factor' going on!

The Body Shop Moringa Body Mist - I can't stop spraying this - addicted is the word. I'm useless at describing fragrance but this a heady - intoxicating in a good way - floral scent which lingers and I've used it copiously over the past few weeks when it's been so cold and miserable to cheer myself up! If anyone remembers the old 'Impulse' ads where the bloke passes out at the girls doorway - then I'm that girl ...!

Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator and Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask - a couple of old favourites - the Exfoliator I use twice a week and  is super-gentle but effective in bidding goodbye to those dead skin cells - helps brighten and smooth. The Mask is a night-time treat and for plumping and soothing de-hydrated, grey tired skin - just did a full review here.

Alpha H Absolute Eye Complex - one of my go-to eye products in the morning - really wakes up the eye area - finished it earlier this month and luckily had another to open - full review here.

L'Oreal Elvive Full Restore 5 60 Second Saviour - coming to the end of this tube - it didn't transform my hair in 60 seconds, but did an 'ok' job after having been left on for 10/15 mins or so. I wasn't wowed by it though and think it's been replaced by a different masque in the L'Oreal range anyway.

Tresemme 24 Hour Sky High Plumping Powder - finished this little bottle (been re-purchasing this for quite a while) - can't seem to do without plumping powders these days for extra lift and oomph. I know some people hate the feel of this type of product in their hair but it doesn't bother me. I've just bought a new version from Tresemme try.

L'Occitane Limited Edition Ylang Ylang Hand Cream - a pressie from my mum almost finished - have had it in my handbag to use on the go and it's lasted ages as it's very concentrated - smells wonderful like all other L'Occitane products I've tried.

Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express Mascara - unfortunately a 'miss' for me - I know this is loved by many but it just didn't do anything for me certainly no volume, just a bit of definition - and I couldn't get on with the 'spoon brush' - just felt too flimsy for me to work with. Never mind.

Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean Deep Cleansing Milk - another 'miss' - shame - I've heard many good things about this product. I actually bought and first used it last year when my skin was really playing up - hoping it would help but I just didn't see any noticeable improvement - I put it away and forgot about it until recently when I ran out of Elemis Cleansing Gel. Thought I'd try and use it up as my morning face wash but again - I just didn't get it, no brighter complexion or improvement in pore appearance etc - I like the smell of the peaches but maybe it's better for a younger/oilier skin?

Couldn't let this month's faves go by without this lot ...

Mum cooked Easter Sunday dinner, Anglo-Indian style, with hot mince curry and rice with dhal and fried meatballs and potatoes - oh and some poppadoms! Very tasty it was too and exceedingly stuffed we all were afterwards! Centre pic is of Mum's Easter cake - not a traditional simnel but the inside was choc and vanilla rainbow cake with stacks of choc fudge icing on the top and vanilla buttercream round the sides. It's mums birthday soon and I'll have to attempt to make a cake for her but as you can see there's going to be a fair bit of pressure involved ...!

So that's this month's little lot - what did you stuff your face with over Easter?

Jen x