Empties #3

It's been ages since my last Empties post like seriously, in that time I've gotten a much better camera and I've learned that resizing my photos is the best way forward - that, my friends, is character development.

1. Derma v10 Innovations Revitalising Toner

I bought this toner simple because it was cheap, I'm pretty certain it only cost about £1.00. It didn't break me out and it did a very basic job, but it had such a strong alcoholic scent and left my skin leaving a bit sticky. I  don't think it'll be a repurchase for me, the strong scent of alcohol made me think it wasn't very good for my skin and there are ones that don't contain alcohol for only £1.00 more so it's not a repurchase for me.

2. Garnier Simply Essentials Soothing Toner

I quite liked this toner. I've never tried out a toner that blew me away, but this is one I've purchased several times before and I'll purchase several again as it does the job and it's alcohol and perfume free so it's suitable for even the most sensitive of skin.

3. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

You've probably heard countless people rave on about this, I really like this and I have repurchased it. I mostly like it because you get quite a large quantity and it just does the job, I don't think it's as amazing as everyone claims like I still have to rub on my eyes to remove mascara, but it's pretty good and I'm yet to find a better product to remove my makeup, and the bottle is so big that they last a pretty long time (which I like, saves me from leaving the house more often than I'd like)

4. Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream

This is such a lovely, cheap moisturiser. The amount you get in the tub is massive like it literally took me about 8 months to finish (using it twice a day) and it only cost me about £3 from Savers, I think that's reason enough to get it. It sinks in fairly quickly and can be used all over the body as well as the face, I have already gone and repurchased this and I probably won't be in need of another moisturiser for another 8 months which is nice, I like when I can buy things in large quantities for an inexpensive cost.

5. No7 Beautifully Balanced Purifying Cleanser Oily/Combination

I'm pretty certain this is discontinued (Mum gave it to me because she had never used it and it hurt me that she just wanted to throw it away). This was a gel type of consistency which I liked, although I'm not sure that Oily/Combination was the best match for me. My skin is combination so it wasn't too bad, but I feel that's something to mention. This lasted me a really long time so I would repurchase it if it weren't discontinued, but I'm definitely open to similar alternatives.

6. Nivea Daily Essentials Refreshing Toner Normal & Combination Skin

I don't really find toners differ than much from each other but this didn't break me out and it was pretty inexpensive so I would buy it again.

7. Boots Essentials Cucumber Cleansing Lotion

I love this. This leaves my skin feeling so soft and I love the scent plus this whole cucumber range from Boots works so well with my skin, on top of being pretty cheap. I've repurchased this loads of times in the past and I will repurchase it in the future.

8. Classic Carmex Moisturizing Lip Balm

I loved this when I first started using it and I do still quite like it, although now I'm about a quarter into my second tube (which is the repurchase) and I don't feel like it's really working for me anymore. So I have repurchased it and it's pretty cheap but I'm not sure if I'll purchase it for a 3rd time as it's not really working for me anymore.

9. Sanex Dermo Sensitive Anti-Perspirant Deodorant

There'll always be some sort of deodorant in these types of posts and this is one I've used time and time again. It does keep me pretty fresh feeling all day and it's not expensive so I'm sure I will repurchase it again.

10. Alcohol Free Colgate Plax Whitening Antibacterial Mouthwash

I know this is a very strange one to mention, but I was so close to putting it into my April favourites so I can't not mention it. This is the best mouthwash I've ever tried. In all fairness, I've not tried out loads and loads but I have played the fields in the dental hygiene area, and this is one of the few products that I feel actually lightens my teeth (I don't want to say whitens but this as close to white as they can be on English dental products) - I will definitely definitely repurchase this, my teeth have been looking so much better since I've been using it and I'm actually feeling confident enough to smile showing my teeth which is nice because I have never felt confident enough to do that.

What products have you used up recently?

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Empties #2

Hello readers, I'm back with another Empties post (here is a link to my previous one) because I have used up a few products and I wanted to share them with you so I could throw out the products.

1. Simple Kind to Skin Purifying Cleansing Lotion

Pros:

- didn't cause irritation

- cleansed my skin well

- inexpensive

- pleasant but subtle scent

Cons:

- none to be honest!

Repurchase?

I have repurchased this in the past, and I will repurchase this in the future. I'm not sure if I've sung my praises about Simple before, but I think all of the products by them that I've tried are such good value for the price. This for me is a staple, if I'm not feeling adventurous and don't want to try new products then I will probably always return to this product - does the job and it's inexpensive which is all I really ask for in a product.

2. Boots Essentials Cucumber Facial Toner

Pros:

- nice scent

- inexpensive

Cons:

- not very strong cleanser

Repurchase?

I have repurchased this in the past and I will probably repurchase it in the future because it's usually under £2, but I think I prefer Simple's toner to this. I do like the Cucumber scent, but I feel like the Simple toner cleanses my skin much more than this one.

3. Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser

Pros:

- sinks in quickly leaving a near matte finish

- not too greasy

- inexpensive

Cons:

- none!!

Repurchase?

Definitely. This is one of my favourite moisturisers of all time, it's inexpensive and sinks in so quickly so you can apply it and then a couple of minutes later be ready to put on makeup!

4. Collection Fast Stroke Eyeliner

Pros:

- long lasting

- dries quickly

- inexpensive

Cons:

- nib is thick making it hard to get a thin line

Repurchase?

I will definitely repurchase this (and have done in the past). I'm yet to find a liquid eyeliner that works as well for me as this, however I am still on the search for a perfect thin nibbed good formula liquid eyeliner so if I ever find 'the one' I will reject this eyeliner.

5. Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash

Pros:

- nice smell

- does the job

- large quantity

Cons:

- not cheap

- doesn't lather up amazingly

Repurchase?

I got this in the Yule Monty so if I buy that (although it was given to me when I got this) then I wouldn't have an issue with it. Although it's not as good a body wash as everyone says, I want to try out all of the other Soap and Glory body washes before returning to this one me thinks.

6. Beauty Formulas Mud Mask

I was naughty and re-used a photo from this post - sorry! It was only because the lighting when I took all the other photos is not as good so I thought I'd re-use a good photo rather than take a bad one, am I forgiven?

Pros:
- inexpensive
- good value
- makes my skin very soft

Cons:
- none to speak of!

Repurchase?
To quote an internet meme.. 'YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS'! I love this face mask with a passion, so inexpensive and does the job too!

7. No7 Essential Moisture Night Cream

Pros:

- strong moisturiser

- made my skin noticeably softer

Cons:

- packing makes it harder to get all the product out

Repurchase?

Probably not because it is essentially just a heavy moisturiser and as it's No7 it's not likely to be cheap, plus I'm not sure if you can only get this in a box set or not.

8. No7 Essential Moisture Day Cream

Pros:

- sinks in quickly

- made my skin very soft

Cons:

- packaging is restrictive so it's hard to get all the product out

Repurchase?

Probably not because there are cheaper alternatives to just a heavy moisturiser, but I wouldn't be opposed to using it if I received it because it did make my skin very soft.

9. No7 Protect and Perfect Night Cream

Pros:

- did the basic job of a moisturiser

Cons:

- difficult to work into my skin because it would start to peel

- restrictive packaging!! (get on top of that No7!)

Repurchase?

No, again this is just a heavy moisturiser but this one began to peel on my face after being applied which is gross.

10. Collection Matching Perfection Concealer

Again, I've been a bit naughty and recycled a photo from this post - I just don't want to force bad photography on you!

Pros:
- high coverage
- lasts a long time (not 16 hours though mind you!)

Cons:
- limited shade range
- sometimes doesn't blend in amazingly (I have a love hate relationship with this concealer)

Repurchase?
Probably not unless they increase the shade range, a mixed race girl has to put up with a lot of problems - limited shade range in concealer and foundation is one of them! The shade I picked up (warm medium) isn't too bad but sometimes it is a tad too light and the dark shade emphasizes dark circles on me which defeats the point. So to re-use the wise words of Simon Cowell, it's a no from me.

Thank you so much for reading/watching!

Have you tried out any of these products?
What products have you used up recently?

Empties #1

Hello there readers, today I have an Empties post which is part video part blog post - I have a video on my youtube account but if you keep on reading, you'll find that I have also typed up mini reviews on these products (which will you can read in your own comfort without hearing the sound of my voice and in a more eloquent way)

1. Miss Sporty Liquid Concealer in Dark

Pros:

- Cheap

- Smooth consistency that is easy to blend

Cons:

- Was too pink toned for my skin tone (damn you makeup companies that don't cater for the mixed race makeup enthusiast!!)

- Didn't really help with dark circles and sometimes made spots stand out more

- Was sparkly which sometimes was good but for the most part wasn't too nice

Repurchase?

I'm afraid not Miss Sporty, for I have found another who satisfies my needs better and that is Collection. However, if you're lighter skinned this may work for you, it just seems that makeup companies don't understand that mixed race/dark does not equate to dark pink!

2. Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean 3-in-1 Wash-Off Deep Purifying Cleanser

Pros:

- Made my skin very smooth

- Smelled lovely

- Worked well as a face mask

Cons:

- I sometimes go a bit red if I leave it on too long, or you'll at least get redness on the first go but that is because it's so strong!
- Not cheap for a cleanser

- The pump isn't efficient to get out those remains at the bottom

Repurchase?

I think I will be repurchasing this, it is about £8 usually which isn't cheap at all but I use it as a face mask so it has lasted me a very long time so I think I got my money's worth (I also got this in the Yule Monty so it was cheaper anyway)

3. Nivea Powder Touch Anti-Perspirant

Pros:

- No white marks on clothes

- Long lasting

- Smelled satisfactory
- Convenient size

Cons:

- I prefer roll-ons.. (not really a con but that goes to show what a good product it is)

Repurchase?

I may repurchase this, although as I explained in the video I got this as a free sample whilst in Superdrug a long time ago so I have no idea how much it is usually, but I wouldn't imagine it's too expensive. Whilst I prefer roll-ons, I think this is probably more hygienic and long lasting - you can't go wrong, right?

4. Soap & Glory The Scrub of your Life

Pros:

- Worked lovely on my legs and arms

- Lathered up very well with bubble bath

- Big sugar granules so I felt like it really exfoliated my skin

- Lovely scent

Cons:

- Not cheap

- Didn't help much with my dry elbows

Repurchase?

I'm unsure as to repurchase this, yes I did like it  and I love soap and glory but one of the main reasons I started using it (besides the fact it was in the Yule Monty that I received for Christmas) was to help with my elbows and it did very little for that. I may try one of their other body scrubs though, who knows? I liked this product so it's likely I'll return to it despite the fact it didn't help with my elderly man elbows.

5. Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner

Pros:

- Made my skin feel very fresh and clean

- Cheap

- Good for sensitive skin

Cons:

- Not much of a scent

Repurchase?

I would definitely repurchase this, and I'm fairly certain I've repurchased it in the past. It is your basic staple toner, so when I feel like I don't want to spend too much or I'm not going to be adventurous and try something new I will return to this. As it says on the packing, it is 'simple'.

6. Superdrug Dry Shampoo (Head in the Clouds)

Pros:

- Not too powdery

- Cheap

Cons:

- Not much of a scent

- The spray can make it harder for me to breath (that could just be me, but I'm not asthmatic or anything so I don't know..)

Repurchase?

I am unsure as to whether I'll repurchase this. It's a very very basic dry shampoo, and I know the pound store does brands like Batiste in there sometimes for dry shampoo so I think I'm going to check the pound store before returning back to this!

Thanks for reading/watching, I hope you enjoyed this post and if you'd like more things like this in the future please do comment  down below!!

What products have you used up recently?