June Empties

It's almost worrying how many products I have used up this month! Some of these were only started this month and are already in the empties basket!

Clean On Me Shower Gel by Soap&Glory - This 500ml bottle took me 5 months of daily use to finish up! I love this. It lathers up so well and smell lovely. At £10 it's not a cheap shower gel but lasts ages so I would definitely buy again.

Original Source Lemon and Tea Tree Shower Gel - I love the smells of these and buy them often but my boyfriend was using this one and he wasn't a fan.

Ted Baker Bath Foam - I got a huge Ted Baker gift set for Christmas and I am still working my way through it. This bubble bath smells lovely and gave loads of bubbles. I don't tend to buy many bath products but I would happily use this again of I got it as a gift.

Beauticology Chocolate Shower Creme - I also got this as a gift and enjoyed using this but I prefer a fresher smelling shower gel. I wouldn't buy this but I would use it again if I got it as a gift.

Morrisons Hairspray - This is cheap and it does the job. I will buy again for sure.

Alberto Balsam Raspberry Shampoo - Now, this shampoo might seem like an odd choice but there is a story behind it. For years I was plagued with terrible dandruff. I used every shampoo going and even had steroid treatment from the doctors but nothing worked. One night I stayed at my boyfriends house and had to use his shampoo, Alberto Balsam. My scalp was dandruff clear. I have now been using it for 3 years and never had a problem since! Plus it's £1! I have already repurchased! 

Nip + Fab Mango Smoothie Body Butter - I got this in a Glossybox and really enjoyed using it. It smells lovely and goes on really well. I would buy it again but at the moment I have plenty of products similar! 

Nivea Double Effect - I like the smell of this but I'm not fussy when it comes to deodorant, I just buy what's on offer. I would buy it again.

Shea Butter + Coconut Body Lotion - I got this in a gift set and enjoyed using it. Lovely smell and leaves skin smooth. I would buy this again, especially as I think it is a Tesco brand and cheap to buy.

Lauren's Way Glam Tan - I don't need to tell you what I think about this because you already know. I have already repurchased and have been using my next bottle!

Beauty Boutique 3 in 1 Facial Wipes - My usual wipes weren't available so I picked up these at 2 for £1. They aren't as good and I find I need to use 2 at a time. I will try to avoid them in the future.

Salcura Skin Repair Moisturiser Samples - This cream is weird, very thick and doesn't smell great, but it's very nourishing on damaged skin. I don't think I will be buying the full size as I don't often suffer from problem skin.

Mudd Sea Mask - I reviewed this here and I enjoyed using it but I've used better masks. 

Selection of Clarins Samples - I wrote a full review of these here. I am considering buying the Cleansing Water full size but I wouldn't buy the others. 

 

Dream Matte Mousse Sample - I used this as a tinted moisturiser one day, these just don't have good enough coverage for me. I have bought full sized before but I won't again.

Mascara - The writing has worn off this and I have no idea where I got it. I know it was cheap though - £1 maybe. I always use cheap mascaras with my brand ones and this was as good as any.

Collection Work the Colour Solo Eyeshadow in Rosy Gold - This colour was gorgeous. I love these eyeshadows and they are a great price. This is a very similar colour to one that is in the MUA Undress Me Too Palette so for now I don't need to repurchase.

Yves Rocher So Elixer Purple - This 5ml perfume sample was from a Glossybox and lasted me a whole month of daily use! It's a gorgeous smell and I am considering purchasing full size.

What products did you finish this month?

:)

My Current Skincare Routine

I will boldly hold my hands up and say - I am new to a skincare routine. I have always been lucky enough to have good, clear skin and so, with the exception of removing my makeup, I have taken little interest in skincare products. However now, at the ripe old age of 25, I am starting to worry about what the future may hold for my skin and think that it might be time for a much talked about 'routine'.

For the past 5 weeks I have stuck to a firm routine of skincare products. I am keen to use products every morning and evening and have also chosen some weekly products to give my skin an extra boost. My current skincare routine is not set in stone. I am new to this and therefore trying out new products and seeing how they suit my skin. I will continue to experiment with new products until I find the routine that works best for me.

Having generally good skin, I am not looking to spend a lot of money on skincare. I want products that can work without breaking the bank. One of my reasons for writing this post is so that my readers can suggest to me products that I might like to try that have worked for them and that are within my budget!

So here are the steps that I have been following lately:

Removing Makeup:
I have been using face wipes for as long as I have been wearing makeup and have never had a problem with them. I know some people who have problem skin choose not to use these but personally I find them the quickest and most effective way to remove the bulk of my makeup. When it comes to buying them I am really not fussy and usually go for something as cheap as I can find. I regularly use these T-Zone Shine Control Cleansing Wipes which have a lovely tea tree smell and are 2 for £1 in Poundworld and Poundland. I use these in the evening to remove my makeup and then in the morning to remove any stubborn waterproof mascara or to correct makeup mistakes!

Cleansing and exfoliating:
I aim to use a cleanser every night but it just doesn't always happen. Cleansing when you are not in the shower is a nightmare. No matter how careful you are you always end up soaking yourself and your bathroom! However in the morning, in the shower, it's a different story. I use either cleanser or scrub every day, usually day about. I have been using Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean Cleansing Milk since December and I love it. The smell is gorgeous, it feels really smooth on my face and it makes my skin feel squeaky clean. At £7 this is the most expensive item in my routine but definitely worth the cash. The scrub that I am using is ASDA Young Skin Foaming Facial Scrub which is an absolute bargain at £1. I like this scrub. It's gentle enough to use regularly but still feels like it is really exfoliating your skin.
 

Toning:
Toning has always been the step that I have missed out. I could just never really see what it was for. Even now, I'm not entirely sure that I am sold on the idea. I was using a toner by Simple but switched when I ran out simply to try out another product. The toner that I have just now is Garnier Simply Essentials Toner which is £2.99. I use this every morning and evening. I like that it removes any traces of makeup or dirt that have been missed by cleansing but, other than that, I can't feel that it makes any changes to my pores or my skin as a whole. I'd love to try a toner that I can really feel working. Any suggestions?

Eye Gel:
I don't suffer from bags under my eyes or any puffiness so I'm not entirely sure why I am using eye gel! That being said, I do like the cooling feel of this - especially in the morning. Currently I am using the Boots Essentials Cucumber Eye Gel - £1.50. For the price this is a nice product.

Moisturising:
I love moisturiser! I use various body lotions and potions on my body but always purchase separate products for use on my face. Currently I use two moisturisers; one for the morning and one for the evening. My morning product is ASDA Young Skin Matt Finish Moisturiser, also £1. I apply this before applying makeup in the morning. This moisturiser is perfect for that purpose. It rubs in easily and doesn't leave s greasy residue, meaning it is perfect for applying makeup on top of. In the evening I use NIVEA Soft Refreshingly Soft Moisturising Cream, £2.99. This is a lovely smelling cream and a thick consistency meaning it continues to work for the whole night and I wake up with lovely soft skin.

Weekly:
Once a week I use a face mask. At the moment I don't have a particular mask that I use, I just experiment with different ones and mainly buy sachets. I do want to start using the Amie Clay Mask on a regular basis but it is currently out of stock.

Once or twice a week I wash my face using the Nutrogena Wave. I get a really deep clean from this and like to use it when I have a little more time. Sometimes I use the pads that you can buy for the wave and sometimes I just apply a little cleanser to a cotton pad and stick it onto the machine - this works just as well.

Do you use any of these products?

Can you recommend any budget friendly skincare products that I should try?

Don't forget to follow :)