special costumes

الجمعة، 14 سبتمبر 2012

Oh no, It's All Gone! | Empties #1


Hey Ladies! I hope you are all well. Today I am going to share with you a few products I have completely used up lately. I always enjoy reading these empty posts as I like to see that someone has actually used the whole product up instead of using it once and then reviewing it. In my opinion, you don't get a real feel for a product or see many benefits after one or two uses so I always try to use my products for a while before I review them.

With this being said, this little lot above are a few of the products I have really loved using over the past couple of months and I am very sad they have come to an end. *sobs*. So without me blabbering on too much, let me tell you why I loved and used every last drop of these products -


Clarins Daily Energizer Cleansing Gel


I reviewed the Daily Energizer range from Clarins here when I first got bought the set as a gift. On first impressions I said I really liked this gel cleanser and that hasn't changed. I found that it foamed up perfectly, felt very gentle on my skin and smelt amazing. I also loved that it took my makeup off with ease. Although the bottle is relatively small, I only needed a teeny bit of product each time I used it so it lasted for around 4 months and I used it every time I had a shower. I would definitely recommend this cleanser, it made my skin feel awake, clean and fresh. It's not too expensive either. You can get it from Boots here for £11.00.

Joico K-PAK Colour Therapy Shampoo & Conditioner

I got this shampoo and conditioner as part of a set for my birthday back in July. I have really enjoyed using them for the past couple of months and found they lasted so much longer than regular shampoo and conditioner. I used them almost every other day for nearly two months before they ran out which is very impressive considering I have long hair. I found I didn't need to use as much as I normally would when washing my hair with cheaper products. I really liked this as I felt I wasn't weighing my hair down with unnecessary extra product. If your after a good quality shampoo and conditioner that foams up nicely, cleans hair well and leaves it soft and shiny then this range is for you. I have reviewed these and the rest of the Colour Therapy range here.

Yes to Carrots Nourishing Exfoliating Cleanser

Again, as with most of the products in this post I have reviewed this in full here. As I have already reviewed it I won't go into too much detail but basically it's a great cleanser full of natural ingredients. It left my skin feeling moisturised instead of tight like some cleansers can and I love that it has bamboo particles for exfoliating too. A cleanser and an exfoliator in one? Yes please.

St.Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub

I'm pretty sure you have all heard of this face scrub as it is a classic product among beauty lovers. I don't have much to say about this other than it is a great exfoliator for those days your skin feels like it needs a little bit of a radiance boost. It removes dry skin perfectly, doesn't dry skin out and the exfoliating particles are the perfect size to provide a deep exfoliation. Oh and it smells good too, bonus!


Blink & Go Mascara

I received this product at the start of this year in a Glossybox and I absolutely fell in love with it. I'd never heard of the brand until I tried this mascara and I was so impressed with the quality. It instantly made my lashes look longer and thicker and I loved the huge tube. This mascara seemed to last forever taking around 3 months to completely run out with every day use. I have reviewed it in full here along with pictures wearing it if you fancy a more in depth read. When I finally have some money I hope to repurchase one of these.

Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara

After running out of my Blink & Go mascara in Oz, I went on the search for a new one. I would of replaced the Blink & Go but unfortunately it wasn't available to buy in Australia. However, I managed to find myself a little gem in this Revlon mascara. Much like the Blink & Go this made my lashes longer and thicker. I'm pretty convinced it helped them to grow too after some dodgy eyelash extensions left me with horrendous stumps for eyelashes. I have actually reviewed this in full here with some pretty impressive before and after pictures if you fancy a read.

KORA Organics Recovery Eye Cream Gel

This eye cream gel is from Miranda Kerr's KORA Organics range and I absolutely loved using it. I got this as a birthday gift from my dad and step mum after ranting and raving to them about wanting to start using eye cream. Someone told me it prevents crows feet so I instantly wanted to get myself one. Crows feet? No thanks. This one created by Miranda Kerr has all natural ingredients which I always love to see in a product and lets face it, who doesn't want to take skincare advice from a Victoria's Secret model? I found that this made my under eye area feel very tight a couple of seconds after application but I really liked that as it did a great job at reducing the bags/puffiness under my eyes. Even my boyfriend loved this and kept pinching it off me. Theres no wonder it ran out so quickly - I think he needs to buy me a new one ;).

MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer

I have had this product for what seems like forever, seriously this stuff lasts such a long time.  I love this concealer for a few reasons but mainly because it is so moisturising and blends like a dream. I mainly use this under my eyes to brighten them up and I find it works perfectly. It has quite a wet, almost watery consistency but I find that works well for under my eyes as caky concealer is never a good look. The only thing I dislike about this is the unhygienic doe foot applicator. I could just be being fussy but I don't like the idea of popping this onto a spot and then back into the tube. I know it's fine for under my eyes but for covering pimples, it's not very hygienic. I guess I could put it on my hand first but the effect isn't the same. However, after that little rant I do still love this and I'm sad it has come to an end. 

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

Now I realise this product doesn't look completely empty in the photos above but I assure you, it's totally gone now. I wanted to include this as I have gone through so many of these I have lost count. This is by far my favourite setting powder as it creates a flawless finish without being too heavy. I lightly dust this all over my face with a fluffy powder brush and it helps to control shine without making my face look completely matte. Love.

MAC Woodwinked Eyeshadow

This is my favourite eyeshadow of all time, it is perfect. This was one of the first things I ever tried from MAC around two and a half years ago when my mum bought me my first MAC items as part of my christmas present. I had really wanted to get my hands on Woodwinked after hearing so many girls on Youtube rave about it. (I hadn't discovered blogs at this stage). Lots of them were saying it really complimented blue eyes so being a blue eyed girl, I knew this was the shade I wanted to get. I have to say they weren't wrong and the beautiful bronze/gold tones worked perfectly with my eyes. I find it really makes them stand out and the quality of the shadow is second to none. It is so pigmented, creamy, easy to blend - the list goes on. Now heres the part that is crazy, this eyeshadow that has now come to an end (still a little bit left around the sides) is the same eyeshadow my mum bought me two and a half years ago. I still can't believe how long this has lasted myself as I wear it ALL the time and almost every time I go on a night out. If you are looking for a beautiful new eyeshadow, I urge you to give this a try. Okay, ramble over. Apologies.


So there we have it, a little selection of products that are unfortunately empty. Boo. I will definitely be repurchasing a few of these as I really enjoyed using them all.
I also have another little collection of empties building up so look out for another one of these posts soon. I hope you enjoyed it.

Have you used any products up this month?

Lots of Love,





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الأحد، 5 أغسطس 2012

Yes to Carrots Nourishing Exfoliating Cleanser

Hi Ladies. I have to be honest, I am pretty lazy when it comes  to skincare. I was always a face wipes and cheap moisturiser kind of girl up until recent times when I realised how important it is to have a good skincare routine from a young age. Now as much as I hate having to faff around applying various products to my face every day, I realise it will benefit me in the long run and I am constantly on the look out for new products to try. The first 'proper' skin range I bought was from Liz Earle. The kit I bought included the infamous Cleanse & Polish but it just didn't agree with my skin so I quickly moved on to a range by Clarins. However, when I recently ran out of Clarins, I needed to find a quick and cheap replacement. This is when the 'Yes to Carrots' cleanser wormed its way into my shopping basket. I was shopping in a local supermarket when I spotted this range and the unusual name and bright packaging instantly intrigued me. If you know me, you will know I am a total sucker for packaging and I will often buy a product just because it looks pretty. As I was looking for a new cleanser anyway, I decided this would do until I got my hands on more of my beloved Clarins. It only cost around the £9.00 mark so I figured even if it was rubbish, I wouldn't have wasted too much money.
Before using the product, I decided to do a bit of research and find out more about the 'Yes to' range. At first glance, it seemed that this range was full of natural ingredients which is something I tend to look for in skincare products. Just for reference, my skin is fairly sensitive meaning that any products with chemical overload will cause my skin to react. I discovered that the Yes to brand is a company that pride themselves in producing natural skin and hair care products that are packed full of natural fruits and veggies. They currently have three other lines to accompany the Yes to Carrots range including Yes to Cucumbers, Yes to Tomatoes and Yes to Blueberries. Each of the different fruit or veggies have a specific aim for the skin. Carrots is for nourishing, Cucumbers for soothing, Tomatoes for clear skin and Blueberries for anti-ageing. I personally love this concept as there is something for everybody depending on your personal skincare needs. As well as using natural ingredients, the whole range is paraben free which is just another added bonus. As the Carrots range is for 'Nourishing', it contains almond oil and Shea Butter that help with hydrating the skin. I was slightly concerned when I first discovered this as my skin can get oily so the idea of adding oil and butter to my face seemed like a bad idea.
However, after using this product for a good few weeks now, I have to say, I'm impressed. The cleanser itself it a thick white cream with small bamboo exfoliating particles so you are essentially giving your skin a cleanse and exfoliate at once. I quite liked this concept as anything that will save me time or cut a step out of a laborious skincare routine is a winner for me. A small amount goes a long way and it lathers up nicely. I have been using a pea-sized amount, rubbing it in my hands, applying it to my face in circular motions and then allowing it to sink into my skin for a few minutes. I have found that this removes all of my makeup with ease and the small bamboo particles are very gentle but still give a nice exfoliation, removing any dead skin or dry patches. The smell is slightly strange but it is something I can deal with as it isn't a strong or offensive scent. After using this product, my skin feels soft, smooth and moisturised which could be down to the Shea Butter. A lot of the time, skin can feel tight after using a cleanser but this product doesn't leave that uncomfortable feeling at all which is a big thumbs up for me. I also suffer with red patches on my skin and since using this cleanser they have dramatically reduced and I have been left with radiant, glowy skin instead. 
Overall, I would really recommend this cleanser if you are looking for something cheap and cheerful that won't cause havoc with your skin. It is recommended for people with normal to dry skin on the Yes to website but I have combination skin and it has worked well for me. I would perhaps stay away from this if you have very oily skin and try one of the other lines instead. I think I will be trying 'Yes to Tomatoes' next as it is specifically designed for combination skin types. I bought this product in Australia but it is widely available and can be purchased from numerous UK/US websites. This particular product is currently on sale for £7.19 on the Beauty Bay website along with more of the 'Yes to' range and they also offer free worldwide delivery so what better time to snap these products up.




Lots of Love,


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الخميس، 2 أغسطس 2012

Monthly Favourites | July


Hey Ladies. Can you believe it is Monthly Favourites time again? It only feels like two minutes ago I was sitting down to write my June favourites so the fact a whole month has passed seems a little bit crazy. As it was my birthday in July, I was lucky enough to get some lovely new products making it easy to decide my favourites this month. So without me blabbering on any more, here are the products I have been loving for the past month.


Elemis Freshskin Dreamy Sleep Night-time Moisturiser - I bought this moisturiser recently with some of my birthday money after deciding I would like to try a moisturiser specifically designed for night time use. I had always heard people say they use different moisturisers for morning and night but it was just something I had never seen the point in doing. I thought, surely a moisturiser works the same morning or night? However, temptation got the better of me and after seeing the huge range of 'night' moisturisers on the Feel Unique website, I just had to try one for myself. I am going to do a full review of this product soon so without saying too much, I am really enjoying using it and my skin has been feeling softer than ever in the mornings. If you are interested in hearing more about it, keep an eye out for my review.


Models Own Hed Kandi 'Hedonist' Nail Polish - I got this from my mum as a birthday present and I absolutely love it. It is a bright neon orange and unlike any other shade I have ever used. The formula is great too and I have had it on my nails and toes a lot since the start of the month. I have done a blog post here including swatches if you are interested in seeing how it looks on the nails.


Yes to Carrots Nourishing Exfoliating Cleanser - I bought this on a whim a few weeks ago after my Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish irritated my skin. I was on the hunt for a cleanser that didn't contain any harsh chemicals and this brand claimed to be paraben-free and full of natural ingredients. It also contains small exfoliating particles which meant as well as cleansing it would give my skin a light exfoliation. So far, I really like this product and have found my skin looks clearer after using it. Again, I will be reviewing this soon so I will explain why I like it in more detail then.

MAC 'Sail La Vie' Lipstick - I won't say too much about this as I have explained why I love it here in my review. All I will say is the colour and formulation of this lipstick in beautiful. Why oh why is it limited edition. 

Topshop 'Infrared' Lipstick - My lovely boyfriend bought me this for my birthday and it has been my most worn lipstick this month. I love the vibrant orange colour, the formula is great and even though it is bright, I find it very easy to wear during the day. I am sure most of you have seen this colour before but if you would like to see a swatch, I have included one in this post here.

Benefit Erase Paste - I bought this product at the same time as the Elemis moisturiser after reading a tonne of good reviews. I have been using it most days since for the past couple of weeks and I find it works perfectly for covering dark circles. I will be reviewing this product over the next week so if you want to see before and after photos, keep an eye out for that.

Joico K-PAK Reconstructive Styling Oil - If you are a regular reader of my blog, you may have read my post about the Joico K-PAK hair range here. I have been really enjoying using the whole range over the past few weeks but I have particularly enjoyed using this oil. I am a real lover of hair oils at the moment and this one is great. My hair is left soft and shiny after using this product and if I didn't already have other hair oils, I would be tempted to buy the full-size version.

NARS Isolde Eyeshadow Duo - Again, this was another birthday present and I love it. I won't go into too much detail as I have done a full review here. I would really recommend these duos if you are looking for a handy high quality compact suitable for everyday use.

Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara - Sorry if I keep repeating myself but I will also be reviewing this product soon so I won't say too much about it other than it is a great mascara for length and thickness. It also claims to help the lashes grow which I am currently testing after a set of eyelash extensions has left me with snapped lashes.

What are you favourite products this month?

Lots of Love,



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