Catching up with a few empties!

Bonjour and long time no blog!

It just happens doesn't it - life takes over and then you lose your mojo (again) and you wonder when (and if!) you'll feel like blogging again - time permitting, whilst still buying copious amounts of beauty products, all of which would be ripe for a blog post but then you start to feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start ... and then you get the itch/urge, whatever you want to call it plus there is a large bagful of empties which are doing your head in and need to be chucked ... but in true blogger fashion you can't until you've blogged about them ... ahhh ... so here we are! Not all recent empties you understand but the majority from the last couple of months ... thought it would be a 'good place' to re-kindle the blogging habit and take it from here ...

Charles Worthington Strength and Repair Pro-Heat Milk - if  you follow me on Instagram you'll know I've just recently repurchased this. I'd used up my previous bottle and not got round to replacing it ... and this dragged on for a few weeks and then my hair started to split and break all over the place - could it just be co-incidence? If you read my full review of the Pro-Heat Milk here you'll wonder how I've ever lived without it! Be interesting to see if it works it's magic again - will keep you posted!

Tresemme 24 Hour Body Sky High Plumping Powder - I had a couple of these little bottles to use up and this is the last of them - this particular plumping powder works well to thicken up and texturise the look of my hair and the bottle has a little hole at the top which means it generally ends up where it's meant to be ie in my hair and not my shoulders! Sadly it appears to have been discontinued - typical - so I've had to buy another brand for now.

L'Oreal Elnett Heat Protect Volume Spray - I finished this a while ago and can't make my mind up about it! Sometimes it works and leaves my hair with volume and smoothness (and I like the fact that it contains heat protection) but sometimes not so much? The spray is really tricky to use and I can never get the direction and pump action right so end up spraying into my hands to apply ... which may be the problem ... for now I'll not repurchase as I have too many other volumising products to use up! 

Bioderma Hydrabio Micelle Solution - I've repurchased this one a few times - it's my current favourite micellar. Specifically for sensitive, dehydrated skin (that's me then) it cleanses and removes make-up effortlessly without drying out the skin and also works really well to remove my eye make-up gently without stinging the eyes. I always stock up on Bioderma when Escentual have their third off French Pharmacy so I'm ok for a while!

Maybelline Big Eyes Volum'Express Mascara - when I reviewed this mascara a while ago - here - I wasn't sure I'd repurchase because only one half of it works well! The 'bottom lash' part of the the brush does nothing for me!  However, I think it was on 'silly offer' so I relented and all I can say is the same again. The standard brush is brilliant for lengthening, volumising and curling the lashes but the mini brush - nothing.  I can't say I'll not repurchase again - I may do - just for the half of it but then again I may not!

Olay Essentials Complete Care Day Lotion - this is another that I've used for ages as my day cream.  With an SPF 30 it worked really well to keep skin hydrated without being overly greasy.  The reason for the past tense is because (sods law!) it's been discontinued so I've not been able to repurchase!

Pure Skincare Instant Boost Skin Tonic - I've used a couple of bottles of this so far as a hydrating toner and I love it but again it doesn't seem to be available from M&S at the moment so I've had to go for another brand ... not having much luck am I?

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum - I don't need to say anything about this one do I? I've harped on about it for so long and repurchased countless times. Needless to say I have another waiting in the wings ... although I have to admit I've recently got hold of another French Pharmacy hydrating serum to try, just to compare of course!

Alpha H Liquid Gold -  never got round to writing a full review on my Liquid Gold but I don't think I need to do I?  Everyone seems to be into 'Glycolic' and re-surfacing at the moment don't they - well this is my 'go-to' which I use twice a week in the evening, apply after cleansing and leave on 'neat' all night - it tingles but I've heard a bit of tingle is good! Helps with fine lines, wrinkles, open pores, dullness etc and gives skin a revitalised, smoothed,  more radiant appearance - I have a few 'spares' of Liquid Gold stocked up as I'd prefer not to run out! 

Vaseline Intensive Care Essential Healing Body Lotion - this is one of my new favourite body lotions which I've used over the last couple of months. Feels really comforting on the skin (must be all those 'micro droplets of Vaseline jelly'!), keeps dryness and itchy/irritated skin at bay and goes on in a flash with no greasiness or excess rubbing.  It doesn't have a particular type of 'scent' but just smells a bit 'clean and creamy' to me (does that make sense?) so doesn't clash with whichever perfume I use afterwards? I'm on my second bottle and I can't seen it being my last!

Original Source Coconut and Shea Butter Shower Cream - last but not least - what's not to love about Original Source shower products, especially when they're on offer for £1!  This one is a firm favourite, love the smell all year round - I'll definitely repurchase!

So ... as I said not every single empty from the last couple of months (I'd have been here all day!) but a decent selection I think!  Have you used any of this lot? What beauty products have you 'emptied out' recently?

Jen x

A Long Overdue Haul ...!

Bonjour!

Well it's been a while ... ended up having a bit of an impromptu blogging break (as you do) ... either didn't have the time and when I did the old 'mojo' had wandered off! Anyway here we are back with a haul type thing ...obviously all this lot was not bought in one fell swoop but rather more of  an ongoing, slow burning affair over the last couple of months ...

The only body care item is the Garnier Body Oil Infused Nourishing Scrub, I'm trying to run down my stash (heard that before haven't we?) but it was on offer in Sainsburys, although I've not even cracked it open yet so can't pass any judgement!

Skincare wise,  Marks & Spencers had one of their 20% off beauty events a few weeks ago so I ended up  with the Pure Beauty Gentle Refreshing Face Wash - it's been pinched by my young daughter who's using morning and night and says she likes it as it 'feels gentle'. The Pure Beauty Moisture Plus Miracle Balm is for me - it can be used as a cleanser, face mask or skin salve so I'm intrigued! And ... the 20% off event coincided with the launch of Pixi Beauty within M&S so I ended up with the iconic Pixi Glow Tonic - which I've wanted to try for ages! Oh and not forgetting the random Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water in the background there, which was cheap as chips in Boots so I grabbed it as my current Nuxe Micellar is coming to an end.

Nails then ... I felt like they deserved a little TLC as the old things have been cracking and splitting and so enter the OPI Nail Envy - which I've started using on and off and seems to be working so that's a winner then!  Also actually did need a new top and base coat so decided, again, to give OPI a go - the one I had, a top and base in one (I won't mention the brand!), was simply not cutting it on either front and my nails had become badly stained - looked like I'd dipped them in a bowl of turmeric - nice!  Lastly - the mini bottle of Jessica Polish is from the Autumn in New York collection  - this colour is NY State of Mind - love it!

Make-up wise it's definitely been a 'lip thing' recently ... apart from the little Collection Nude Palette there, which was at a stupid price of £2.50 or similiar in Superdrug!  The L'Oreal Color Riche in Eva's Pure Red, I grabbed back in August (see told you this haul went back a while!) when my brother was about to get married just as a back-up red lippie mind!  Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Beau Brun was more of a recent 'addition' (see what I did there?) as I thought it was a good Autumnal shade and then there's a little treat in the form of a MAC Lipliner (my first) in Chicory, which I'm intending using as an all over lip colour.  Lastly, a few nude lippies - my excuse is as follows, I've lost my favourite Naked Beige lippie from Soap & Glory - no idea where it is and every time I pop into Boots to repurchase it's never in stock, really hope it's not discontinued as it's the perfect mix of pink/brown and the exact tone I need for my skin! Anyway ... Maybelline had 3 for 2 on, I was in a hurry, did a quick swatch and bobs your uncle! Turns out the two at the back (one is Nude Embrace and the other Tantalizing Taupe) are a little pale and will have to be mixed with other lippies - hate it when that happens!  The Colour Drama Lipstick Pencil in Nude Perfection however, is actually ok - I had read that this particular colour is a bit of a dupe for MAC's Velvet Teddy so it'll do me for now!

And lastly ... Feel Unique had up to a third off specialist skincare (think this is still on actually here) so I grabbed a couple of essentials from the La Roche Posay Lipikar range - so good for those dry, sore, eczema prone days! I also thought this a good opportunity to try the Bioderma Micelle Solution for dehydrated skin and then noticed the huge pot of  Bare Minerals Original Foundation in my exact shade of Medium Tan (plus brush) was at the silly price of £11. The tiny sample of Marc Jacobs Decadence is complimentary!

So that's it ... as I said this lot has evolved over a decent length of time ... I think it's safe to say that it will be a while before I post another haul - definitely time to shop one's stash!

Have you used any of these products? What have you hauled on recently?

Jen x

Pure Super Active Eye Serum - Review

Bonjour!

'Pure' is not a brand I'd heard a lot about - until I was just browsing along on the M&S website (as you do!) when they had one of their 20% off beauty promotions back in April.  I spotted the range - here, read a few reviews, and ended up with a couple of products in the bag just out of curiosity ... also as you do! 

M&S describe the Pure Super Active Eye Serum as 'a potent blend of naturally active ingredients rich in omega 3 and omega 7', free from silicones, mineral oil and parabens and suitable for all skin types - it's meant to gently soothe, condition, smooth and help improve the appearance of the skin around the eye area.  It sounds impressive - especially for the price of £10/15ml  which is a fraction of the price of some of the eye products I've used over the years - this is such an unassuming little bottle that I really wasn't sure what to expect!

Fist up the smell ... I can't really detect any particular scent even though it contains 100% essential oil fragrances - must just be my nose!  The consistency is not thick or overly creamy but has a lotion like texture so it's easy to apply around the eyes and is absorbed in no time at all! You only need a small blob and this is very easily dispensed with the pump action (hooray for good pump action!).  As to the performance ... at my age there is always going to be 'fine line activity' going on - if you get my drift - however ... the surrounding eye area definitely seems smoothed, hydrated and much less crepey.  I also realised a couple of months ago that the lines across the top of my brow bone had reduced - I know this because I used to sometimes have to apply a serum before 'doing my brows' at times - the lines were pretty deep and brow products would 'sit' in them if I didn't iron them out first!  All of a sudden they're practically gone and the Super Active Eye Serum is the only product I've been using without fail around the orbital bone every night (apart from the two weeks on holiday) so I am presuming it's done it's job ... and pretty well too!

All in all I've been really impressed with this little product.  Such simple packaging but very effective , does what is says on the can and extremely affordable - especially when there is a 20% off promotion on - I'll definitely be repurchasing.  I do have another eye product, previously purchased at more than double the cost of the Pure Eye Serum to use next - be interesting to see how it compares!

Have you tried out any skincare products from the Pure range? Which is your favourite?

Jen x

An Unexpected NUXE Treat ...!

Bonjour!

Ok so I need to set the scene ... indulge me!  You may have been aware that over the Easter weekend Marks & Spencer had an offer of 20% off selected beauty lines. I procrastinated for what seemed like an eternity over the Nuxe Creme Prodigieuse Daily Defence DD Cream which had grabbed my attention for a while and seemed like an ideal product for the Summer. Reading this post over on Really Ree only made me want it more, I was inclined to go for the Medium shade but only having seen swatches online (it wasn't available instore in M&S a couple of weeks ago) it was difficult to make a decision.  I even tweeted Ree about it (what am I like!) and she reckoned it would be best to wait until I could swatch.  So I gave up the goat and ordered a few skincare items instead ... I then headed off to M&S this week to pick said items up!

Pure Super Grape Overnight Treatment Oil, Super Active Moisturiser, and Eye Serum - very reasonably priced (take a look here) and there are some good reviews on each one so looking forward to trying them out!

It must have been 'a sign' then that the Nuxe DD cream was just sitting there (nonchalantly!) as I walked past the beauty department. Well it had to be done ... I swatched the Medium - have to say it came up richer/deeper than expected but after trying a little on my kite I bit the bullet. I then ended up buying a little travel kit as well when I learned from the assistant that there was an offer of a free gift with any two Nuxe purchases (this must be instore only as I can't find it online) - either a choice of skincare items or a full size of the Prodigieux  Le Parfum.  I chose Le Parfum - it smells amazing - of summer - (like the Huile Prodigieuse) and is worth £43! What a fantastic offer? The girls instore told me the offer is on until 14 April so there's still time to check out your local M&S store if you're interested!

Are you a fan of Nuxe products?  Have you tried the Prodigieux  Le Parfum? Will you be popping off to M&S?

Jen x