Wednesday 31 December 2014

Epic Empties - Organic Surge, Arbonne, Balance Me, Rodial, Versace Bright Crystal

I've been saving up my empties for quite a while, but I didn't realise quite how long it had been until I got everything out to photograph and was greeted with this lot!

I think this is around 5 months worth of products and there are some samples and minis in here which add to the volume.


Here goes!

Part 1 - In the shower


Organic Surge Citrus Mint Shower Gel - I'm still trying to increase my organic product usage and I've been trying out the Organic Surge range. So far so good, they're super affordable and smell good too. This one wakes me up in the morning!

Organic Surge Tropical Bergamot Shower Gel - Probably my favourite scent so far. I've got plenty more to try out though and I'm slowly going through all the scents. Already repurchased.

L'Oreal Elvive Nutri Gloss Shine Conditioner - I always seem to run out of shampoo before conditioner so this was an attempt to use up one that I've had lying around for a while. I do like this conditioner as it smells divine, feels rich, lathers well and is pretty good at increasing shine. However, I'm on the hunt for some more organic hair products. Any suggestions welcome!

Perfect Brunette Extra Moisturising Shampoo - A lonely shampoo that finished before its partner conditioner. This was a Home Bargains bargain but again, I think I'd like to try some more professional haircare. The shampoo itself was thick and brown coloured but it didn't do much for my hair and left it a little dull.

Nivea Creme Soft Shower Cream - A thick, smooth shower creme that I used up whilst abroad. These minis are so great for packing if you're anything like me and end up with a suitcase full of toiletries.

System Professional Smoothen Shampoo - This felt like a luxury shampoo and you can feel the difference between this and the Home Bargains bargain.

Wella Brilliance Shampoo - My favourite shampoo of the lot! Very good for thick hair and nourishing too.

Molton Brown Pink Pepperpod - The organic resolution goes out the window when I have a bottle of Molton Brown in the shower :( Seriously lovely!

Part 2 - Make Up


The smallest loot as I have so much make up that it's impossible to use it all up!

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation - My go to foundation, plenty of coverage and already repurchased.

ELF Lipstick in Voodoo - A bargain lipstick that is non drying and long lasting. In the pile because I dropped and broke it. I do like the colour but it's a touch too dark/vampy for everyday.

YSL Babydoll Mascara - I adore this! I got this from the YSL event a while back and it's taken me ages to use it up. Seriously lengthens my lashes and separates too, just what I'm looking for. Will repurchase once I've got through my mascara backlog.

Chanel Le Volume Mascara - Joint favourites. Much like the Babydoll mascara but also thickens and adds volume a treat. I may also repurchase this but I have another sample waiting to be used first.

Part 3 - Fragrance

I'm loyal when it comes to fragrance and stick to Per Una Originale. I love the handy size, how affordable it is and I still get compliments as a few people say it smells like Dior. There are so many fragrances I like but a girl has to save on something and this is it!

Versce Bright Crystal - Sweet and girly, this looks beautiful on any dressing table and is just fun to wear. I may ask for this for my next birthday as I'd forgotton how much I love it! The only downside is that the heavy lid makes it impossible to carry around with you.

Part 4 - Make Up Removers and Cleansers


Nivea Extra Gentle Eye Make Up Remover - I really got on with this and found it gentle and very effective. However, I managed to lose half the contents and spill it in my make up bag because the lid is difficult to close properly. I would repurchase but I'd need to be careful next time and snap it shut.

Bioderma Purifying Cleansing Micelle Solution - The original and the best. In the interest of tyring to find ways to save, I tried out a cheaper micellar water and was not impressed as it left a greasy residue. This however does the job in no time. I've repurchased two giant bottles from Amazon already, oops!

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm - I've had this a while and the first time I used it, I didn't fully understand how wonderful it is because I wasn't using it properly. Now that I've been enlightened by Caroline Hirons, I finished off the tub using flannels and came around to the effects of this balm. Using this with a flannel as part of a Caroline Hirons approved (almost) skincare regime has really made a difference to my skin. I've seen a huge reduction in spots, blemishes, blocked pores, blackheads and dry patches and I don't need to use harsh exfoliators to try to combat the above and aggravate my skin further. I received a huge pot of this for Christmas and can't wait to finish off my Elemis tub so I can dig in!

RMK Cleansing Balm - Another favourite, this is super soft and gentle, smells of roses and is just luxurious on skin. I've got another mini of this waiting to be used that I'll be using for overnight stays.

Part 5 - Creams, Serums, Lotions, Oils, Masks and Toners


Arbonne FC5 Nurturing Day Lotion - I was surprised when I tried this range out at how well my skin got on with it. Ultimately, I needed something richer and more effctive which is why I didnt repurchase but I'd still recommend it.

Algenist Firming and Lifting Cream - One from my huge Space NK haul last year. A rich, nourishing and calming cream that I really enjoyed using. However, I'm still on the lookout for my holy grail moisturiser.

Rodial Bee Venom Moisturiser - Again, from the everlasting Space NK haul, there is a lot of hype around this product. I did enjoy using it but it was only a tiny sample so I didn't see any results. I did see it as a good simple moisturiser for day but I'd prefer something more effective for night.

Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate - I've already repurchased this as I can't find a serum that does a better job. I even tried the more advanced Visionnaire but didn't find it to be as good as this. I don't think this is Hirons approved but until I find something better it's on my repurchase list.

Zelens 3t Complex - My favourite moisturiser from this mini Spce NK haul. I'd never heard of Zelens before I tried it but this was the most effective of the lot. I'd love to repurchase but I need to get through the minis first and then save up the £100 for a new tub!

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate - I really wanted to try this one as it has had such great reviews but I find it difficult to use oils. Perhaps I need an education in using oils as part of a regime but for now, I'm going to stick to serums. This one seemed to do the job but it's difficult to tell with a mini sample!

Origins Drink Up 10 Minute Mask - A great mask that does a fab job of briging back moisture and radiance to the skin, leaving it looking plumped up, so much so that people do notice!

Clarins Daily Energizer Wake Up Booster - I really did enjoy using this and took this away with me too. However, I've just received Pixie Glow for Christmas so I'll see how I get on with that before repurchasing.

Sisley Tropical Resins Complex - A super hyped and pricey product that is meant to help improve the appearance of pores, rebalance skin and mattify. I used this as a primer on my t-zone and it worked on my combination skin.

Sisley Intensive Day Cream - I probably should have asked for this for Christmas or treated myself earlier this year, but at £165 even I balked. Pure luxury but at a price.

Part 6 - Hands, Body and Lips


Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Hand Treatment - Very effective at an affordable price. However, I have a mountain of L'Occitane hand creams to get through before I can think about repurchasing!

Roger and Gallett Bois D'Orange Body Lotion - A little known brand that I saw in Rome's pharmacies. Smells incredible but sadly not organic!

L'Occitane Amande Delicious Hands - Smells like marzipan, yum! Possibly my favourite L'Occitane hand cream so far.

Balance Me Rose Otto Intensive Lip Salve - A magazine freebie, I tried to use the Rodial lipbalm when this finished but couldn't believe how much I missed it. Repurchased at £12 from Debenhams already. And this one is 100% natural origin which is good.

Part 7 - Essential but boring


Sure Crystal Invisible Diamond - Does the job really well! One of the organic products I'm really looking for though is a good deodorant as they are known to be linked to cancer. Any recommendations?!

GHD Heat Protect Spray - Near impossible to get hold of, I've had to stop buying this as it's getting so expensive! Still my favourite though.

Sure Fresh with Natural Mineral Roll On - Handy for travelling but not as good as the Crystal/Invisible versions.

Boots Salon Smooth Nail Files - These are the best nail files hands down. Try it and you'll see!

Sensodyne ProNamel - A great toothpaste, pricier than some but it's a must for my sensisitve teeth.

Sensodyne Daily Care - Not as good as the ProNamel, it's worth paying more for the extra enamel benefits.








No comments:

Post a Comment