May Empties

As I only started blogging this month, these empties don't quite represent the whole of May but I am going to write an empties post every month on my blog!

Body and Bath

I have said it before but I love this Soap & Glory daily moisturiser. The packaging is fantastic as the pump allows clean application. The cream smells great and this leaves my skin smooth and soft. I used this twice daily and got nearly 6 months use from one bottle! I will be repurchasing in the future but just now I have plenty body lotions and butters to keep me going. I don't normally think much of bubble baths but this Fresh Raspberry Ripple Bath Milk by Boots had a lovely smell, made loads of bubbles and smoothed my skin. This was part of a set that I got for Christmas and I would happily use it again.

Hair

I'm not really into hair products but I used these samples this month along with my normal routine. The shampoo is something I have used before and I like it. I enjoyed the TRESemme Split Remedy Leave In Treatment because it left my hair smelling gorgeous throughout the day and I found it easier to brush when wet. I don't think I would purchase this though because it was too heavy for my hair.

Skincare

This month I used 2 packets of the T-Zone Cleansing Wipes. I have used these many times before and have no complaints. They remove my makeup well, smell nice and are a bargain! A definite repurchase. I bought the Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Peel Off Face Mask by Boots because they didn't have the mask I was looking for. I didn't find that it peeled well and this would put me off buying it in the future. Since finishing this Simple Toner I have purchased a new brand to try because I am still new to toner and trying to find one that works for me.

Makeup

I was desperate to finish this Maybeline Dream Satin Liquid Foundation because I had bought Double Wear and really wanted to try it out. This foundation lasted months! I like the colour and I would buy again but I do find that without primer, this foundation is useless! I love the Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara and already have a new one to start using.

Do you use any of these products?

What products did you finish this month?

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What's In My Handbag #wiyhb

I realise I am pretty slow on the uptake but this is my first What's In My Handbag post! This is a tag from BritBloggers and is an initiative from MyMoneySuperMarket. The competition is designed to make people think of the value of their handbags and therefore consider insurance. The items in this post show values however some of these have had to be estimated. 

My Bag

My bag is a Paul's Boutique Olivia in snake skin, £60. I like this bag because it is rather understated for a Paul's Boutique and therefore suitable for work. It is also a great size for all the junk I like to carry about!

My Purse, Phone and Keys

These are the things that, although of not great value, they are invaluable and disastrous to lose.

I love my Paul's Boutique purse, £40. The interior is a gorgeous bright pink and has lots of compartments for cards and change. The money in my purse, £10, is never very much but losing your cards is a disaster and can be very costly as lots of company's charge for replacements. My phone is an HTC Desire, £100. Keys are not something that you can really value however car keys are around £100 to replace and it's costs around £150 to get the locks changed if you lose your house keys.

My Nail Essentials

I carry nail glue at all times. Of course I use it if I have a nail emergency but I usually find it gets used for fixing things instead! I apply solar oil when I'm wearing nail extensions and shellac as this can make them last longer and keeps your nails in good condition. I always have several small nail files in my bags for filing down rough parts and hang nails. In total these items are worth around £6.

For Emergencies

Tissues, paracetamol and plasters - I always have these in my bags! £2.

 

Makeup etc.

I don't carry much makeup with me because I usually find that my makeup lasts the day and, even if it doesn't, I don't have time to touch it up! If I am going out after work or going on a night out then I would pack more products. I am obsessed with lip products and apply them to my lips throughout the day. I love Vaseline for this as it adds an extra shine to any lip colour that I might have on. The lip glosses in my bag are Barry M and Sexy Mother Pucker by Soap & Glory. I also carry a lipstick by Clinque which I occasionally apply with a little Vaseline on top. I always keep a tube on hand cream in my bag and this one is Ted Baker. The battered box in the picture is Maybeline powder foundation. I don't like this much but occasionally I use it if I have a shiny face or a blemish emergency! In total these items are worth around £45.

 

Work Stuff

 

I need my diary. Without seeing it on paper I would never know where I'm supposed to be going or what I need to take with me. This is a great sized diary for carrying in my bag. Every bag needs a pen and this one is really cute with 4 lovely colours. I don't keep important documents on this memory stick but I do keep it with me for sharing files at work. £15

My Umbrella, Hairbrush and Mirror

It may be tempting fate but I never leave home without an umbrella! I brush my hair a lot throughout the day so a brush is essential. The mirror has broken off this one so I use a cute compact that I got as a gift from my sister. £15

I never think of my handbag being anything more than a bunch of junk that I carry around. However I have estimated £543 for my bag and its contents. The cost of replacing things like cards would make it even more.

Check out the competition here.

 

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?

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My Favourite Five

As a brand new blogger faced with a blank page before me; I have been searching for a topic to begin with. My blog will be a beauty one and so I have landed on the idea of highlighting my favourite products to you. What better way to introduce myself than to introduce the products that I cannot live without. So here they are, my favourite five! Please note that these are photos of my own products and are therefore used and not quite as shiny as they would be when first purchased (product 1 - I'm looking at you!).

1. Lauren's Way Glam Tan

I am an avid tanner and have tried many brands. I used to flit about between tans; buying offers or listening to recommendations. However, 18 months ago I found Lauren's Way and my experimenting days are over! I am Lauren's Way, all the way! This tan gives me everything I want from a tan. It's a gorgeous colour, goes on well and lasts. As an added bonus it doesn't go scaly when fading and it isn't overly drying on the skin.

The Glam Tan is a liquid spray which allows for even coverage without too much of the product being used. One layer gives me a nice tan; not too dark or matte but a lovely bronzing glow. It is possible to build up layers of this tan but I do find a less even coverage when I do this. My personal tip for application would be to avoid the mitt that comes with this product. On several occasions I have received a free mitt but have found that it is too thin and not absorbent enough so it causes the product to be smeary. Instead I buy a tanning mitt from Home Bargains. At 99p it is a bargain and makes this tan go on a dream!

At £18.95 for 250ml this tan is not one of the cheaper ones on the market but I can safely say it is worth every penny. I tan on a weekly basis and get 3-4 months use out of one bottle so the cost per tan is really decent.

If you like a tan I cannot recommend this product enough. I haven't found a better product on the market.

2. Heel Genius by Soap&Glory

Are feet the least attractive part of the body? I think so but I'm always on the lookout for a product to help the cause. Heel Genius is a foot cream by the fantastic Soap&Glory and as a Soap&Glory product, it has all the high quality features that we have come to expect from them. Firstly the packaging is gorgeous and the moisture socks that accompany the cream are in a cute pink gingham pattern. Secondly, the cream itself is a gorgeous smelling, thick moisturiser. The difference it makes to the rough skin on my feet is visible and they feel soft and smooth.

This product retails at £5.50 for 125ml and can come with or without the moisture socks. Personally I don't use the moisture socks as I find them uncomfortable and too warm to sleep in however, even without the socks I get great results from this cream.

3. Rimmel Fix and Perfect Primer 002

I have to admit that I am fairly new to primer and have only tried a couple. The 001 shade of this primer is tinted and, with so many BB creams on the market at the moment, I decided to opt for a clear coloured product. The texture of this primer is not dissimilar to moisturiser. It is smooth and creamy but slightly more tacky than a lotion which stops it from soaking too much into your skin. I love the way this product feels on my skin and how smooth it makes my face. I find my makeup stays put considerably longer with this primer than it would on its own. I also find that the amount of foundation I need to use has been halved.

At £6.99 for 30ml this is not as affordable as Rimmel products usually are. I also don't find it very long lasting. I apply makeup everyday and this bottle doesn't last the month. Having said that, until I find a cheaper alternative, I will continue to buy this product as it really does do a great job.

4. Rimmel Exaggerate Automatic Waterproof Eye Definer

There are so many types of eye liner out there just now and I have tried all of them! By far my favourite is this Eye Definer by Rimmel. It is a pencil liner but a softer lead that winds up rather than sharpens. I use this on my waterline and on my eyelid. The texture of it allows a smooth line across the eyelid while the fact that it is a pencil allows for precision when applying. The pencil also has a smudging tool on the other end which I occasionally use when going for a smokey eye effect. At £3.99 this is a bargain, must-have product. It is available in 5 shades but I use good old black (Noir). The only downside is that the soft texture means it isn't as long-lasting as the traditional pencils. However, at that price, this doesn't affect me too much.

5. Smoothie Star Moisture Body Milk by Soap&Glory

As a daily body lotion - you cannot beat this! Firstly, the packing. I have the large, 500ml bottle which has a pump dispenser on the top. This is great because I don't get too much and I don't get the bottle all greasy if I decide to take more! This cream smells really nice but not so overwhelming that it becomes sickly. I use this cream every morning and evening on any parts of my body that need some smoothing. It leaves my skin really soft and the affect lasts for the whole day.

This cream retails as £10 for 500ml which is pricey for a body lotion, however I have never needed to pay full price as Soap&Glory products are frequently on offer or in good value gift sets.