Honest reviews, regular hauls and all things beauty.

Wednesday 14 September 2016

Empties & speedy reviews #27 featuring Bath & Body Works, Gatineau, Stila, Benefit & more!




I have a good mixture of empties this month - skincare, bodycare, haircare, make-up and a few miscellaneous products! As a beauty junkie, I really have far too many products so I am really back on my mission to use up lots of the products that are cluttering up my shelves and drawers - I used to be quite strict but over the last year, I've let that slip! #beautyaddictproblems Let's get started!


Bodycare:

Gatineau Tan Accelerating Lotion: I bought this before my holiday in May and applied it every day for 3 weeks before the holiday and for a month after, then I used it again for the 3 weeks before I went on holiday earlier this month and I don't know exactly how it works, but this really does help me to achieve a deeper, more golden tan and keeps my skin hydrated. I still wear a high SPF but I am definitely more tanned than I would be if I didn't use this product. It is expensive but as a once a year treat, I don't mind the price. I will probably repurchase next summer.

Clarins Eau Dynamiste Body Lotion: This was part of a gift set that I received last year. It is light in texture but very hydrating and absorbs instantly. The scent is very fresh and revitalizing so it's perfect for use in the morning. I tend to use budget body lotions because I'm quite obsessive about moisturising and go through lotions so quickly so this is outside of my everyday moisturiser budget, although I love it.

Bath & Body Works Body Creams: Tahiti Island Dream and Love & Sunshine: I bought these when I was in Orlando in June (they were on offer: buy 3, get 2 free) and I have really enjoyed using them over the summer. They are quite thick in texture, but not difficult to rub in and they absorb pretty quickly. I found them both to be very moisturising and both have light floral scents. If they were sold here, I would repurchase!

Roger & Gallet Bois D'Orange Hand & Nail Cream: This is a repurchase. I adore the invigorating scent of this hand cream and also how non-greasy it is. Roger & Gallet is such an under-rated brand because their products are really high quality, the scents are beautiful because they aren't artificial and the prices are good. I will repurchase at some point - I just wish they sold a larger tube!

Eucerin Intensive Foot Cream: This is a really brilliant foot cream. It keeps skin so soft and it's non-greasy, absorbs instantly and a little goes a long way. This 100ml tube lasted me for 4 months and I used it at least once daily, sometimes twice. I will repurchase when I finish my current foot cream.

Skincare:

Nude Cellular Renewal Moisturiser: I generally love Nude skincare products but this one felt a little bit rich for my skin and didn't fully absorb so it wasn't suitable for daytime use. It was very expensive so I didn't want to leave it unused so I kept it for my night-time routine. The jar that is housed in is extremely heavy, which I hate because of a previous incident with a broken sink! Overall, this product wasn't for me so I wouldn't repurchase.

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Revitalise & Glow Serum: This was sent to me a few months ago and I really, really liked it. It wasn't as runny as some of my other serums and only a tiny amount was needed each morning to achieve a glow. I especially noticed the benefits when I was really ill with pneumonia because my skin didn't look quite as dull & grey as it should have given how ill I was. It contains Omegas 3,6 and 9 and Vitamin E, all of which help to moisturise. I know that this product is expensive but Lookfantastic always have discount codes for between 15 to 20% off and Aurelia aren't excluded so I would highly recommend buying there if you are interested. I have around 5 serums on the go at the moment, but at some point I will definitely buy a full size bottle of this.

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Cell Repair Night Oil: Again, this sample was sent to me. I had a full size of this last year and loved it so was happy to have it back in my life again! It is scented with Neroli, Lavender, Rose and Mandarin, the combination of which is absolutely beautiful and so relaxing, making it perfect for night time. Like the serum, it contains Omegas 3, 6 and 9 as well as Kalahari and Mongongo Oils (haven't heard of those before!), all of which left my skin supple, soft, nourished, moisturised and glowing. This is definitely one of the most effective oils I have used and I will definitely repurchase when I have used some of my current oils up.


Haircare:

TIGI Superstar Queen For A Day Thickening Spray: This is a brilliant spray for adding volume without weighing the hair down or making it greasy or crispy. It is heat activated, so you apply it to wet hair at the roots before blowdrying and the results are fantastic. This 300ml has lasted me a really long time. I have one other volume spray that I am currently using but when that is finished, I will repurchase this.

Lee Stafford Breaking Hair Treatment: I actually bought this by mistake - I thought I picked up Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment but it was a good mistake because I really enjoyed using it and to be honest, couldn't really see any difference between the two products. Both leave my hair very soft, sleek and strong and have the same beautiful scent (similar to Thierry Mugler Angel). I already have two back ups of the Hair Growth Treatment because I love it so much.

Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Shampoo: I have so many mini bottles of shampoo and I tend to keep minis and samples for holidays or weekends away but I don't go on holiday very often so they are gathering dust and need to be used up. This shampoo has a lovely scent but there was nothing outstanding about it so I probably wouldn't repurchase.

Nails: 

CND Solar Oil: This is a brilliant oil for keeping cuticles and nails hydrated and healthy. It contains Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Vitamin E and I keep it beside my bed to remind myself to apply it at night. A bottle lasts around a year so it's good value for money and I will definitely repurchase when I finish my current bottle of cuticle oil.

Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat: I doubt that there is anybody who hasn't heard of this top coat before! It provides a very glossy finish and really extends the longevity of my manicures. It also dries nail polish in seconds, which is brilliant because who has the time or patience to wait around for nails to dry? My only gripe with it is that is gets quite gloopy as you reach the end of the bottle. I've just bought an Essie Gel top coat so don't need to repurchase this at the moment, but undoubtedly will in the future.

Make-up:

Pout Plump Lip Gloss: This is ridiculously old and out of date but it's a product that I used to just love and I kept it for far longer than I should have, mainly because the company closed down so I couldn't buy a replacement! It has a minty fragrance and a tingles on the lips but it really does make the lips much plumper. There are so many similar products on the market now - the combination of Instant Effects Lip Plumper and Marc Jacobs Hi-Shine Gloss Lip Lacquer is the best I have found for a fuller pout. I can't repurchase this, but if I could, I would!

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara: I like this mascara - it gives some volume and it curls and defines the lashes but I always used it in combination with another more volumising mascara because I prefer a bit more drama to my lashes so for that reason,  I can't justify a repurchase.

Stila Lip Glaze Grapefruit: I have a love/hate relationship with this product! I love the pretty pink colour and the shine it gives but I absolutely hate how sticky it is! It is probably one of my least comfortable glosses that I own so although I am not finished it, I am throwing it out as it's past its use by date at this stage! I have lots of non-sticky glosses so I won't repurchase this.

Miscellaneous:

Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover: A classic! I find this nail polish remover brilliant at removing my polish is one swipe without drying my nails out. There are certain products that I don't see the point in paying more for when a budget brand does the job just as well and this is one of those products. I have already repurchased.

This Works Deep Sleep Bath Oil: This is an expensive product, however I wouldn't necessarily say indulgent because you cannot put a price on a good night's sleep. I bought this over a year ago when I was on medication that really interfered with my sleep and like everything else in the This Works Deep Sleep range, it really does work. One capful in a bath at night really helped me to drift off to sleep. It has a beautiful scent due to the inclusion of Lavender, Vetivert and Chamomile and the combination of these is very relaxing. I used this during periods of broken sleep and insomnia in addition to the Sleep Plus + Pillow Spray, which I swear by. I will repurchase in the future, if necessary.

Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts: Another sleep aid! These bath salts are like magic - they knock me out for the night, without fail. The instructions say to have a bath and then go to bed but don't look at your phone or watch tv/use a laptop or anything electrical as that would interfere with the efficacy of the product. I don't know if that is entirely true but I do know that they work. I have already repurchased!

Phew! That was a lot of empties! Well done and thank you if you have made it this far! What have you finished recently? Do you like empties posts? What are your thoughts on these products? Please tell me in the comments below!

Thanks for reading!


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All products are bought by me, unless otherwise stated. Opinion is always entirely my own.

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