Empties.

Hey guys! Today's post is all about my empties for the year so far. If you don't know what an empties post is about, it's where I go through all my used up or "empty" products and give mini reviews on them. So these are my empties from January to March. Enjoy!

Hair

First we have Lush R&B. Ye are probably sick of seeing this on my blog but its amazing stuff and it still doesn't get enough credit. I takes me a year to finish a 100g pot of this so when I finish it I feel like it's a great accomplishment. I'm not going to bore you with the details, if you want to see a review of this just go to a previous hair care post it's definitely there.

Repurchase = YES

Next is another Lush product called Retread. This is Lush's heaviest conditioner. I bought a small pot when making an order online but I only think it comes in 250g pots in store (correct me if i'm wrong). I use to love it when I worked for the company as it suited my thick hair but the packaging makes it hard to use. You have to pour the pot onto your hand in the shower and it's hard to control how much product comes out. Also if you get water in it you're screwed. It's expensive too, which makes me mad if I accidentally spill some out of the pot, it's like money going down the drain, literally.

Repurchase = NO (unless it will start coming in a bottle).

Last hair care item we have is the Aussie Miracle Dry Shmapoo. It took me ages to finish this up but I persevered. It did the job but it wasn't anything spectacular. I loved the smell at the start but after a few weeks it made me feel nauseous. It's a bubblegum candy smell like they have in a few of there products. 

Repurchase = NO.

Skin Care

First skin care item I have is the NIP+FAB Glycolic Cleansing Fix. I love it! I'm already halfway through a second bottle. It has 2% glycolic acid which helps to brighten the face. It left my skin tone looking so even and brightened. I wouldn't use this everyday because it would be a bit stripping but every second day is fine. It smells so lemony fresh too. An all round good cleanser.

Repurchase = YES.

Sticking with the NIP+FAB theme we have the Glycolic Fix Serum. This has 4% glycolic acid in it. I'm not going to lie I saw no difference after using this product. I was very disappointed because I used it religiously until I finished it and saw no change in my skin. I really wanted to love this because I love the brands other products.Who knows maybe it might work for others.

Repurchase = NO.

Next up is the No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion. I bought the beautiful skin mini set in the christmas sale and instantly fell in love with this so much so i went and bought the full size. I have raved about this on another post, however since then I'm not such a fan. I think when I bought this my skin was a little drier but not i'm oily AF again. It does nothing for my skin at all. I don't feel cleansed, I just feel like my skin is weighed down after using it.

Repurchase = NO.

Another mini from that set I finished is the Beautiful Skin Radiance Exfoliator. It was a good little exfoliator, it did the job and wasn't stripping on my sensitive skin. I've used better but I have also used worse.

Repurchase = YES (only if it was on sale).

Last from No7 is the No7 Men Anti-Shine Lotion SPF 15. I bought this last year for my holiday to Gran Canaria. I needed an SPF but I hate putting sunscreen on my face. A lovely lady in boots recommended it to me and it really worked. I didn't burn and I got a nice tan. Even for day to day use here it was brilliant, it mattified my oiliness and kept it at bay.

Repurchase = YES

The Simple Oil Balancing Moisturiser is another product I finished up lately. I have used this multiple times and I like it. It keeps me hydrated and mattified. If thats what you want from a moisturiser then this is the one for you, its simple but effective. I'm looking for something more now, I feel my skin needs a bit extra. All good moisturiser recommendations appreciated!

Repurchase = YES 

Last empty is the Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Optimizing Skin Serum. I love love love Elizabeth Arden skin care products they just suit my skin so well. I got this mini in a set last year and I have been saving this serum for special occasions. It makes my skin look plump, hydrated and looking fresh. It's a lightweight serum so it suits my oily face. It smells divine. I'm going to start saving for a full size.

Repurchase = YES

So there you have it! Those for were my empties so far this year. I don't hold back at all, if I think something isn't worth the money i'm not going to recommend it. Hope you enjoyed and I'll have another one ready in a few more months when I get through my every growing product stash.

Byeeeeeeee :)

My Current Skincare Saviours

I think we can all agree that the holiday period can be really bad for your skin. Whether you are going hard on the chocolate and wine or stressed in the run up to Christmas, it can wreck havoc on your face. When I have a glass of wine in one hand and some cheese in the other, there's always a voice in my head saying "DEAR GOD STOP, THINK OF THE CONSEQUENCES". Do I listen to that voice?.. no! What I have learned over this Christmas is that with a good consistent skincare routine, I'm allowed to eat a little more junk without paying the price. Finding what suits your skin and being consistent is key. So today I'm going to share some products that really helped clear my skin up and kept my spots at bay. My skin type would be combination spot prone.

Cleanser

The cleanser i have been using the past few weeks is the Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion by No.7. I haven't used much of the No.7 skincare range until recently and i'm actually pleasantly surprised. I got the Beautiful skincare christmas set which came with a few minitures and it had this lotion in it. I immediately fell in love with it and ran out to buy the full size one. It retails for €13.00  for 200ml in boots. I got mine for €6.50 with the No.7 vouchers Boots give out. Seriously if more shops did money off vouchers i'd be like the crazy coupon lady!!. I like it for the fact it doesn't foam up but yet it gives a good clean. My Clearasil days are over, with those foaming harsh chemicals stripping my skin. I use 2 pumps and apply to a damp face. It might not feel as your are using much because it melts into your skin but a little goes along way. Its hypo-allergenic for us sensitive souls out there and it comes with a pump which is key for spot prone skin. I will be repurchasing!

Toner

This has made so many appearances on my blog before but with good reason, this toner is amazing. Its the Lush Cosmetics Tea Tree Toner Water. It has cleared up my skin better than anything i've used before. I spritz some onto a cotton pad and rub onto my skin after I cleanse. It gets off any excess dirt and oil, and the tea tree oil in it combats any breakouts. It retails for about €12.00 (ish) for 250ml and there's a mini travel-friendly version at €6.00 (ish) for 100ml. There are Lush stores in Dublin and Cork, or you can order online too. Every time i replace this with another toner i always end up coming back to it, it's just that good.

Moisturiser

Up next is probably one of the most important steps, Moisturising. I cannot stress enough how important it is to moisturise your skin. Everyone thinks (me included) that if you have oily or spot prone skin you shouldn't moisturise as it causes breakouts. This is so wrong. Applying the correct moisturiser daily means that your skin doesn't have to produce excess sebum after using your cleansers that strips the skin. That excess sebum causes breakouts. Sorry for biology lesson but moisturiser is key people! The one i'm using is the Elizabeth Arden Visible Deference mosituriser,

Its the combination one with SPF 15. I love it so far, it's light and sinks in very fast. It hasn't reacted bad to skin which is a major issue for me and skincare. I don't use it at night as it has SPF in it which can clog up pores when you sleep if worn overnight. I have been looking into more brands like Elizabeth Arden and Clarins who cater for more mature skin. Lets face it, i'm not getting any younger. I have the sample size which has done me for the past 2 months and i got it in a set for €12.99 in tkmaxx. I know the full size is in Debenhams for €21.00 on offer at the moment.

Serum

Serums are a new enough thing for me, but now since i'm in my mid 20's i need to be taking extra good care of my skin. I have seen this serum being mentioned so much on the internet i had to give it a try. It's the Vitamin C Skin Boost serum by The Body Shop. I bought it because it claimed to brighten up the skin and reduce blemishes. Well it does exactly what it claims. I've been using it 3 weeks and i've seen a major improvement in my blemishes and hyper-pigmentation on my cheeks. I mix a little bit with my moisturiser in the morning and then ill use 1 pump and massage it into my face before bed. It feels so oily at first but it dries down fast and soaks into the skin. It smells like oranges which is a plus! It retails for €23.50 in The Body Shop, but if you haven't already guessed I'm wise to all the bargains. I got mine for €9.99 in Tk Maxx. If ye need to find something for cheaper just ask me!

Mask

Masks seem like such a unnecessary step but i can't live without them. My name is Paul and i'm a maskaholic. The mask i have been lovely recently is the Dragon's Blood plumping mask by NIP+FAB. Once a week after i cleanse my face ill throw on this mask. I leave it on for 10 mins and then wash it off. Its a clear gel mask so there's no mess. I was a bit skeptical because anything that has such claims as "plumping" never works out. Now with this you are not going to get an instant face lift but it does give you a nice healthy glow and make the appearance of your skin look smoother. I put this on the night before I go out or have something on and the next day my skin looks perfect. Dragon's blood is not actual blood FYI. It retails for €19.99 in Boots. If you are in the mood to splurge it's worth it.

So yeah, that's my current skincare routine. It has really helped my skin over the christmas period to look somewhat normal. I do believe that you should spend the time and the extra bit of money perfecting your skincare routine. With skincare you pay for what you get. 

Thanks for reading guys!

Paul.