February 2024 Empties

I'm already a month behind with this, but, don't worry, I will catch up!

At the beginning of January this year, I created a spreadsheet to keep track of how many skincare, haircare, makeup, and other products I had that hadn't been used yet.  Although I used up and decluttered quite a few products throughout January, I did end up adding on items from my Christmas beauty advent calendar and some beauty boxes.  This meant I ended up with an increase of 47 products by the beginning of February.  So, although not a good start, this should be the only month with an increase in products!

In February, I feel I've gotten into a better pattern of using moisturiser on my body before bed, and I've also been trying to moisturise my hands more often too.

So, here are the products I used up in February and which, if any, I would repurchase.

Haircare and Vitamins

• L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Restoring Shampoo - I liked this shampoo, and I really like the Dream Lengths range as a whole.  It smelled nice and left my hair feeling smooth and looking shiny.  I will definitely repurchase it in the future - I just like to cycle through different shampoos so my hair doesn't get too used to a certain one.
• L'Oréal Paris Elvive Colour Protect Rapid Reviver Power Conditioner - I also really liked this conditioner.  I used it every 2nd or 3rd hair wash, and I could tell the difference between when I used this one versus another conditioner.  I've already repurchased this to use, as well as the Dream Lengths power conditioner.
• Color Wow Color Security Shampoo - I wasn't too fond of this shampoo.  I know it was only a small sample, but I got about 3 washes out of it, and my hair didn't feel as smooth as it did with other shampoos.  I also wouldn't say it helped my dyed hair to last longer than with my other shampoos.  I wouldn't rebuy this one.
• Centrum Women Multivitamins - I've been taking these vitamins for quite a long time now, but to be honest, I don't really know if they make much of a difference to me as a whole.  Having said that, for now I will continue to repurchase them. 

Bath Products

• Lola's Organics 'Slam Bar' Bath Dust - I've been working through a bunch of bath bombs, bubble bars and other bath products I bought from Lola's Organics (a small business) last year.  This bath dust smelled really nice, it reminded me of a Wham bar - with a sweet fruitiness - and didn't irritate my skin.  Unfortunately, the Lola's Organics website isn't up anymore, so I couldn't repurchase it even if I wanted to. 
• Lola's Organics 'Pink Peppercorn' Bath Dust - This bath dust had a nice spicy, peppery scent, and left the water a sparkly pink.  They were a great price for the amount you received as well.
• Lola's Organics 'Iced Fairy' Shower Jelly - I know these were labelled as shower jellies, but I used them in the bath.  This one had a similar scent to Lush's 'Snow Fairy', and lathered up quite nicely to use on the skin.  It did start to fall apart after a few uses though.
• Lola's Organics 'Misrule' Shower Jelly - This jelly was meant to smell like Lush's 'Lord of Misrule', but I don't think it was as similar.  This one started breaking apart even quicker than the 'Iced Fairy' one too, but I still got quite a few uses out of it.
• Gillette Satin Care Sensitive Aloe Vera Glide Shave Gel - I've used this shave gel for years and it's one product I'll continue to buy unless they drastically change the formula.  Even though it's scented, it's not overpowering, and my skin feels fine after using it thanks to the aloe vera.  I already have more of it to use.
• Veet Miraculous Oil Multi-Benefit Oil - I used this to shave when my skin had had a bit of irritation from something, and it worked nicely to also moisturise the skin with it being an oil.  It did seem to dull razors more quickly though.  I've got another bottle of this already as a backup.

Skincare and Deodorant

• Sandangels Organics Cornish Powder Clay Antioxidant Face Mask - This mask had a very earthy scent, but felt quite nice and cooling on the skin.  I didn't see any noticeable differences after using it though, so I wouldn't repurchase it.
• Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 - This is another of my go-to skincare products that I've been using for a long time.  It worked well to remove most kinds of makeup and felt nice on the skin.  I have some of the other types of the Garnier micellar water to work through, but I'll definitely keep repurchasing this one.
• NEOM Perfect Night's Sleep Overnight Facial Cream - I really liked the scent of this, it was a relaxing smell, so it was nice to use before bed.  It made my skin feel a bit softer and more moisturised than normal.  It's quite expensive for the full size though, but if I see it on offer at some point, I'll treat myself to some!
• Sure Maximum Protection Anti-Perspirant 'Clean Scent' - I use this and the Dove maximum protection deodorant interchangeably, as I think they're both as good as each other.  This one worked really well at keeping my armpits drier for longer throughout the day, and I really liked the clean and fresh scent.  Another product I'll continue to rebuy.
• Maelys B-Flex Lift & Firm Arm Cream - I've been trying to use this up for a long while now.  I had been putting it on my upper arms, and it would cause quite a strong tingling sensation where it was applied that would last for a little while.  I can't say I noticed any difference from using it though, so I wouldn't buy it again.

Hand and Nail Care

• Bubble T 'Peach Bellini' Restoring Hand Cream - This hand cream had a very pretty peach scent, and the lotion itself soaked in nicely without leaving any greasy texture on my hands.  It wasn't as moisturising as other hand products I've used, and I wouldn't go out of my way to buy it again, but if I saw it on offer I would pick some up.
• Patisserie De Bain 'Rhubarb & Custard' Hand Cream - This cream smelt incredible - I love anything rhubarb and custard scented!  However, it left a texture on my hands which I wasn't too fond of.  I used it up due to the scent, but I wouldn't repurchase it.
• A Little Something 'Peach Paradise' Hand Cream - This didn't smell as peachy as the Bubble T cream, it was a bit more perfume-y, but still nice.  It soaked in nicely though, and moisturised ok, but, again, I wouldn't rebuy it unless I saw it on offer.
• Primark PS... Top & Base Coat - I'd been using this as a base coat for quite a few months, and I was impressed that it didn't go thick like a lot of top and base coats usually do after a while.  It wasn't great for preventing staining, but otherwise it was a decent basecoat.  I wouldn't repurchase it though, as I have plenty of others to work through, and some which do prevent staining better.

Honorable Mentions

• Imperial Candles 'Hocus Pocus' Soy Candle - I bought this around Halloween last year along with a different scented one which was a gift.  I'd seen them advertised online quite a bit, and with the uniqueness of having a surprise piece of jewellery in the candle I thought I'd try them out.  This candle had 2 pieces of jewellery included - I got a nice ring with an amethyst coloured stone (you get to select a ring size when you place your order), and a pair of silver stud earrings too - they both had a declared value of £30.  The scent of the candle was pleasant, though I wouldn't say it was overly Halloween/spooky scented.  The candles themselves are quite expensive, but you're paying for the chance of getting an expensive piece of jewellery inside.  I do think this would be a nice to give as a gift for someone who enjoys candles and jewellery.
• Yankee Candle 'Crackling Wood Fire' Candle - This is one of my absolute favourite Yankee Candle scents, and I'm sad to see that it's been retired!  It had such a lovely musky, subtly smoky yet perfumed scent, and it was perfect to use during the colder months.  I'll probably have a look on eBay or somewhere every now and then for one to buy, and also keep my fingers crossed that they bring it back in the future!

That's all the products I finished using in February.  I think I've had another quite successful month, and I know I have a good amount of items to write about for March too!

Can anyone recommend a really good hand cream?  One that doesn't leave a texture or greasy feeling, and that really moisturises?