July 2013 empties: Avene, Bioderma, Nivea, Rituals, Benefit, Aussie, L'Oreal, Moroccanoil, John Frieda

Hey ladies!

Hope you're all good :-)

So it seems July was a pretty product-heavy month for me as I have LOADS of empties! Evidence below...

Here's what I used up at the height of summer!

Face:

Simple Kind To Eyes Eye Make-up Remover

I know I sound like a broken record but I go back to this eye make-up remover ALL the time! It's cheap, it works, it's available in Boots/Superdrug/Tesco and it's suitable for contact lens wearers. Give it a bash if you haven't already.

Benefit High Beam (sample size)

I was so gutted when this ran out! I used it to create an iridescent glow on my cheek and brow bones and it REALLY worked - it also photographed beautifully. If I wasn't so skint I'd re-purchase the full size in an instant.

Benefit Some Kind-A Gorgeous Foundation Faker

This must be like my 5th/6th one of this stuff and I was really scraping the last few bits out as I didn't want it to run out. I had the shade Medium 02 which was slightly too dark for me during the day but perfect for a night out when I had a bit of fake tan on. As I said I've re-purchased this loads so it must be good - it evens out my complexion, conceals blemishes and makes my skin look really clear. If I didn't have 10+ foundations to use up already I'd definitely re-purchase.

Bioderma Crealine Micellar Water

I have to say, this certainly lives up to the blogger hype! It does remove every trace of make-up and leaves skin feeling squeaky clean afterwards. I'm using the version for oily skin at the moment and I can't see much difference between them so I'd probably buy this one again. I prefer the scent of the Caudalie Micellar water though.

Avene Micellar Lotion*

I admit, I haven't always been a user of Avene products but I'm a complete convert now! I'm using the Cleanance range at the moment and it's great for clearing up my oily skin, but this did a pretty good job at removing all my make-up. I'd say the Bioderma just about beats it as it gets rid of EVERYTHING.

Body:

Nivea Smooth Sensation Moisturiser

I've had this for bloody years but I made a conceited effort to finish it off this month. It's the perfect consistency to use as a base for fake tan so I liked to lather myself in it after a shower. Would defs repurchase but I have hundreds of body moisturisers I need to use up first!

Original Source Pink Grapefruit Shower Gel*

I'm definitely not a morning person but this definitely helped to wake me up at 5am. I'm generally just a massive fan of pink grapefruit - I'm using a pink grapefruit face wash at the moment and I love it also. And the actual fruit of course.

Boots Essentials Nail Polish Remover

Some nail polish removers I've tried in the past are pretty rubbish at doing their job to tell you the truth but this was amazing! A couple of cotton pads and this removed my layers of nail polish nicely, thank you very much.

Rituals T'ai Chi Foaming Shower Gel*

I'm a kid at heart so the foaming aspect of this was rather exciting! I took it on holiday with me and it was perfect for popping in my luggage as it was really light and didn't spill all over my suitcase. Win win.

Hair:

Moroccanoil Moisturising Shampoo

I have to say my hair did feel amazing when I used the Moroccanoil shampoo, conditioner AND Argan oil treatment in unison! The problem I have is that 99% of the year my hair is coloured - either highlights or all-over dye - and so that's my number one hair concern and this doesn't prolong colour. If you don't have coloured hair I'd definitely recommend this though.

L'Oreal Paris Elnett Very Volume Supreme Hold Hairspray

Another broken record and I'm sorry you guys have to hear this all the time but this hairspray truly God's gift. Thick, voluminous glossy locks in an instant - I honestly couldn't be without it and I always buy backups. I suggest you do too.

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Shampoo + Conditioner

I used these on holiday with me and coupled with the sun, my hair did lighten a lot. It just made the blonde highlights really bright and glossy - but not brassy. They are quite expensive though so the Creightons Sunny Blonde ones from Poundland are a pretty good dupe!

TIGI Catwalk Headshot Conditioner

Firstly the smell of this stuff is like Marmite - not literally like Marmite but you'll either love it or you'll hate it. It's so sickly sweet, like candy floss, that it might be too much for some. It's an OK product but it's nothing special - spend your money elsewhere I reckon.

TRESemme Deep Conditioning Treatment

This was pretty good for the price but I did have to leave it on for ages to see any effect. It didn't really have a significant scent - it just smelt creamy if that makes sense? Worth a try if you're obsessed with deep conditioners like me but they're burning a hole in your pocket!

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Luscious Long Deep Treatment

Another one of my holy grail products, I literally swear by this. It's amazing. I don't even think you need to have long hair to have it! I just squeeze out a handful on wet hair - the squeezy tube is pretty practical - cover my locks in it, comb it through and wash out. I always buy it when it's on offer just to keep in case I run out!

What did you use up this month? Did you find any holy grail products?

Love,

Sophia

x

Holiday beauty: Almeria 2013 - Murad, Aussie, L'Oreal, Rituals, Soltan, Bioderma, Rituals

Hey loves!

I hope you're well and enjoying the heat wave here in the UK :-)

So following on from my holiday fashion and make-up posts, I'll be talking about my holiday beauty routine - from skincare to sun protection and haircare! Exciting stuff...

So here are all the beauty products I took on holiday with me, except for the make-up. No surprise that my suitcase was about 10kg over the limit then, whoops! Sorry Dad...

Skincare:

Murad Essential-C Cleanser*

I started the every day by washing my face with this Murad cleanser. I love the citrus scent of this particular range and the cleanser has tiny beads in it that give your skin a proper good cleanse! I'd definitely recommend it for your hols.

Nivea Daily Essentials Refreshing Toner for Normal & Combination Skin

I picked this up last minute in Superdrug because I needed a toner! I mean it's OK but I'm not particularly loyal to one specific toner - is anyone? - so I might try something different next time.

Murad Essential-C Cleanser*

This is one of my favourite holiday beauty products hands down! My friend at work offered this to me to try and it's seriously amazing. It has SPF30 which is the level of sun protection recommended by dermatologists and it smells of oranges! I also have really oily skin and usually when I apply sun cream on my face it breaks me out, but this didn't at all and I was re-applying it all day.

Simple Kind to Eyes Eye Make-up Remover

I have to say, I ALWAYS come back to this product! I don't often have access to department stores whereas this is available from Boots or Superdrug for like 4 quid. Bargain!

Bioderma Crealine Micellar Water

I picked up this cute travel sized bottle of Bioderma on a press trip to the South of France recently and I'm really impressed with it so far! It works to remove every trace of make-up and leaves my skin feeling really soft and clean. I wouldn't say I've noticed a massive difference in my skin on a long-term scale though - it's still pretty blemished.

Sun Protection:

Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF30*

I started the day by applying this to my face and neck as it has a high level of sun protection. As I mentioned, it didn't break me out at all so I carried it in my beach bag and applied it more of it throughout the day. I was REALLY impressed with this!

Soltan Protect & Tan Ultra-Light Texture Suncare Lotion SPF30*

I love to come back off holiday with a golden glow so I did everything in my power to enhance my body's natural tan safely! I spotted this Protect & Tan range at the Boots No7 press day recently and it instantly caught my eye because it enhances your tan. It doesn't have fake tan in it as far as I know but it just brings out the tan you've developed naturally. Also I hardly burnt, except on my chest because it sticks out and burns easily there! But honestly this is great for people like me who like to tan!

Soltan Protect & Tan Ultra-Light Texture Suncare Spray SPF15*

After a couple of days, I switched to a lower factor SPF on my legs and arms but stuck to SPF30 on my face, chest and stomach as those areas burn easily. I didnt find my arms or legs burnt at all with a lower factor as I had a nice, healthy base tan already from the lower factor. However I would say, having tried the lotion and the spray, I would recommend the lotion more as not much product comes out of the spray.

L'Oreal Paris Solar Expertise Tan Prolonging Aftersun Care

This is one of my favourite holiday products OF ALL TIME! I've used it religiously for about five years now when I go on holiday and I wouldn't use anything else. It's an aftersun with gradual tan in it and let me tell you, it really works to make you look amazingly tanned! It also helped to soothe my sunburn and it's an actual dream to apply. I don't think they sell this anymore in Boots but I spotted it in TK Maxx and hauled about five of them - make sure you do the same! But not in my local branch or I may have to kill you! ;-)

Hair and shower:

Rituals T'ai Chi White Lotus & Green Tea Foaming Shower Gel*

I found the foaming aspect of this really fun to apply - loser! - and it took up less space in my suitcase!

John Freida Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Shampoo and Conditioner

I recently had my hair highlighted and I wanted my holiday to bring out the blonde. These products coupled with the sun helped to lighten it a couple of shades by the time I came home. However, I've used the Creightons blonde range from Poundland in the past and I really can't see much difference...

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Luscious Long Deep Treatment

Aussie is one of my fave haircare ranges ever! The scents really lift your spirits and the products really work. I love to give my locks an intensive treatment a couple of times a week and this is definitely one of the top hair masks I've tried. As it says on the bottle, you just leave it on for a few minutes and then wash it out and your hair is silky soft! I like to comb it through before I wash it out to make sure all the strands are covered. I'd recommend this in a flash!

Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Leave-in Conditioner

Another one of my fave Aussie products - I'd say these two were on a par at the moment! I like to spritz this through towel-dried hair, comb it through and blow dry. They're a great duo if you're new to Aussie products - and I think this may be one of my favourite scents ever. It's the same as the Mega shampoo and conditioner range if you've tried that.

L'Oreal Elnett Satin Very Volume Extra Strength Hairspray

This is hands down, my favourite ever hairspray. Of all time. Ever. I like my hair to look big and voluminous and this just adds so much lift texture, without weighing it down. It also leaves it looking really healthy and glossy. You have to buy this and let me know what you think! I've actually been to a couple of my local Boots and Superdrugs and couldn't find it so I hope it's not discontinued! I would actually die!

Moroccanoil Oil Treatment

I've been using this on and off with the Kerastase Elixir Ultime for a while now but I thought I'd take this on holiday with me as it was more compact. I like to apply it to the ends of my hair when it's about 80 per cent dry. It does make my hair really soft and glossy, but I use so many products I'm never sure which is the one that has worked!

What's your holiday beauty routine?

Let me know in the comments!

Love,

Sophia

xo

*PR samples