March 2024 Empties

Two posts in one month?  Who is this?  No, but seriously, I've made myself a little schedule to try and get my posts back up-to-date as soon as I can, as I do enjoy writing them!

Looking back at the spreadsheet I created at the beginning of the year, which tracks how many products I have to use, I had reduced my overall products by 6 at the beginning of March (down from the start of February).  Now, this might not seem much of a reduction, but I did buy a few products (mainly some eyebrow pencils to try) which bumped my total up a bit again.

Having said that, looking at my bag of empties from March, I think I had a pretty good month for using products up, so my total at the beginning of April will be a bit better.

Here are the products I finished throughout March, and I'll let you know which I would repurchase.

Haircare and Toothpaste

• L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Iron Spray - I've used a few of the products from the L'Oréal Dream Lengths range and enjoyed them, and this was another nice one.  It had a nice scent and didn't leave any heavy or sticky residue on my hair - plus my hair looked quite smooth after I'd used it, so I would buy it again.
• Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Weightless Mask Treatment - I tried using this hair mask as directed (applying after washing, leaving for 5 minutes, then rinsing) and I tried using it as a pre-wash mask by leaving it on for about 30 minutes, but I wouldn't say I noticed much of a difference with my hair either way - I wouldn't repurchase it.
• Morning Street Hydrate & Restore Leave-In Treatment - This had a lovely scent, but my hair just doesn't get on with most leave-in treatments.  A lot of leave-in creams make my hair feel heavy, or make it tangle more easily, so I wouldn't re-buy this one.
• Centrum Women Multivitamins - I talked about this in my previous blog, and I still don't feel like they are doing much for me overall.  I've also started taking a separate iron supplement recently, so I'm really considering stopping taking these multivitamins over the next few months, and maybe just taking individual ones that I feel would really benefit me.
• Colgate Elixir Cool Detox Toothpaste - Unfortunately, this toothpaste seems to have been discontinued, otherwise it would have been a repurchase.  It was on the more expensive side for toothpaste, but I felt like it made my teeth feel cleaner, and you were able to get every bit of product out of the tube due to its design.
• Colgate Advanced White Charcoal Toothpaste - I was using this as my backup/travel toothpaste, so it's taken me a bit longer to use it up.  I generally like Colgate toothpastes, but especially the ones with charcoal as an ingredient.  I wouldn't say it made my teeth dramatically whiter, but it left my teeth and mouth feeling fresh after use, so I would buy it again.

Bath and Body Products

• Molton Brown Serene Coco & Sandalwood Bath & Shower Gel - I really enjoy using the Molton Brown bath & shower gels, they smell and feel very luxurious!  They're quite a thick liquid too, so you don't need to use much in one go, and I find the scents linger on my skin for longer.  I liked this scent, it was more subtle and gentle than others, but I do have my favourites (Fiery Pink Pepper!) - so, I would repurchase the product, but in a different scent.
• Lola's Organics Lemon Sherbet Triple Shot Bubble Bath - This smelt amazing - so bright and citrus-y!  It lasted me for quite a few baths too, as you only needed to use a small amount to get lots of bubbles.  Unfortunately, the company's website isn't available anymore, so I can't buy this again.
• Foamie Papaya & Oat Milk Shower Body Bar - This soap smelt really lovely, and it felt nice to use on my skin.  I know there is a debate at the moment between using soap VS shower gels to get a proper clean, but I do prefer bath & shower gels as I don't like the way my skin feels after using soap most of the time.  So, I liked it, but I wouldn't buy it again.
• Bloom & Blossom All Night Long Calming Sleep Spray - I could have included this further down with my other sleep spray, but this one I generally used after I'd had a bath later in the day, to try and help me relax.  I didn't really like the smell of this one though, so I wouldn't repurchase.
• Miller Harris Tea Tonique Body Lotion - I had a sample of the Tea Tonique perfume a long time ago, and it smelt incredible, but I couldn't bring myself to spend £105 on 50ml of perfume.  So, I ended up buying some of these travel-size body lotions in the same scent, and they smelled beautiful too!  I have a couple more still to use up, after that I probably wouldn't repurchase them as the lotion itself is a bit too thick for my liking.
• Laidbare Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow! Hair Minimising Moisturiser - I used this on my legs, and even though I used it up, I didn't really see any reduction in the speed of re-growth.  I wasn't a huge fan of the smell or texture of it either, it felt a bit sticky, so I definitely wouldn't re-buy it.

Cleansers and Skincare

• Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser - I've used this product on and off for years now.  I like to use it after when I've been wearing a bit more makeup, as I feel using it with a muslin cloth, it helps to remove makeup easier without having to scrub too much.  The only downside is that I can't use it on my eyes, as it makes them sting a bit.  This is the original scent, which is quite a nice and fresh scent.  I already have some more of this product to use, but I would continue to repurchase it, too.
• Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water 400ml - I really like using micellar water to remove eye makeup and mascara.  I've used the original/sensitive Garnier one quite a lot of times now, and it does a pretty good job at removing the makeup, and it doesn't sting my eyes if I get any in by accident.  I have some of the other versions to use for now (vitamin C, aloe, etc.) but I will be buying this version again.
• Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water 125ml - This is the same as the big bottle, I just had this one for when I travelled anywhere.  It looks like they don't make this size anymore, only the slightly smaller 100ml, but I'll be buying that one to take with me on any trips.
• Disciple Dreamy Skin Retinyl Night Oil - Even though this was a tiny bottle, it lasted me quite a while as I only needed a couple of drops for my whole face.  I loved how this felt on my skin.  I used this at nighttime, and I felt my face and skin looked more nourished in the mornings after.  I've actually already repurchased this as I liked it so much!
• Elemis Rehydrating Ginseng Toner - This was ok - the scent was inoffensive and it felt nice when wiped over my skin without leaving it feeling too sticky.  However, toners are the one product I probably could do without, as I don't feel I ever see much benefit after using them - so I wouldn't re-buy it.
• Inc.redible Prime, Protect & Set Good Day Jelly Spray - This was such an unusual product, as it was very jelly-like in the bottle, but when you sprayed it, it turned into a liquid.  I liked using the product, it didn't cause any irritation to my skin, and it was quite refreshing to use after washing my face.  Sometimes it would spray out a bit aggressively though - it wasn't a nice, soft mist.  This one wouldn't be a repurchase either.
• Figs & Rouge Breakout Rescue Cream Blemish Corrector - I used this one up even though it was past its expiry date (it smelt fine though, and didn't cause any reactions!), so that might be part of the reason why I didn't really see any benefits from using it, but I wouldn't buy it again as I have a similar product that does seem to help with blemishes more.
• Revolution Skincare CBD Nourishing Skin Oil - I used this on my face for a while, but I think it was a bit too thick, or some ingredient didn't agree with my skin, as it did break me out a bit.  However, I did like the feel of the oil, so I ended up using it on my legs and elbows to finish it off, and it made them feel smoother.  Unfortunately, I wouldn't repurchase it.

Makeup Products and Lip Balm

• Kandi Cosmetics Pre Glow Up Mist - I really liked using this, it gave a nice sparkly glow.  However, it would also get all over your clothes if you weren't careful when spraying it!  I couldn't find this product anymore when I searched for it online (it is from a few years ago), but, after reading some reviews, I decided to try the Iconic London Prep-Set-Glow spray which seems to be quite similar.
• Tarte Double Duty Beauty Busy Gal Brows 'Black Brown' Tinted Brow Gel - This is one of my favourite tinted brow gels.  The brush is so slim and small, and the colour is really nice for my very deep brown brows.  It also helps to give some shape, and lasts all day.  I have another to use already, and will definitely continue to repurchase it, too.
• Makeup Obsession Mega Conceal Longwear Concealer with Caffeine '08' - This was a really nice concealer.  It had quite a thick consistency, and did have quite good coverage without looking too dry or thick on the skin.  Unfortunately, you can only buy select shades of it online now as it has been discontinued, so I'm on the lookout for a similar concealer.
• Pumpkin Pie Chap Stick - I do have a bit of an obsession with anything pumpkin or pumpkin spice related, and not just in the Autumn, but all year round!  So, when I found this originally, I was so happy as, in the UK, we don't get all the seasonal versions of products that some other countries do.  I really like Chap Stick lip balms, and this one smelt amazing (tasted ok too!).  It did give a very slight orange/peach tint to the lips, but it also kept my lips feeling smooth during the colder months.  It's not really available to buy anywhere at the moment except for eBay, but if it reappears in shops again this Autumn, then I would definitely buy a couple more!

Hand and Nail Care

• Cutex Care Ultra-Powerful Nail Polish Remover - I go through so much of this nail polish remover, I wish they did bigger bottles!  Cutex is my favourite brand for nail polish remover.  They make different "strengths", and this ultra-powerful one is great for removing dark colours and glitters.  This one is a little drying, but not too bad and doesn't irritate my nails or skin.  I already have replacements of this, and will continue to buy it.
• Elegant Touch Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover Pads - These were ok, but they worked better to remove lighter polishes and ones that didn't have glitter or shimmer.  I didn't like the feel of them on my fingers as I was using them, though.  I wouldn't buy these again.
• The Body Shop 'Pink Grapefruit' Hand Cream - I really, really like the Body Shop hand creams - the Satsuma one is my all-time favourite!  I picked this Pink Grapefruit one up to try a different scent, and it is nice but not as nice as the Satsuma - or Vanilla Pumpkin (which is sadly unavailable).  I would use this again, but it wouldn't be my first choice of scents.
• Rituals... 'The Ritual of Ayurveda' Soothing Hand Balm - The Ritual of Ayurveda is my favourite Rituals scents range, and this hand balm smelt amazing, however, it was just too thick for me to use as a hand cream (I have a thing with textures on my hands).  I didn't want to waste it though, so I used it as a foot cream, and it kept my feet feeling quite soft.

Home Fragrances and Perfume

• Yankee Candle 'Berry Mochi' Medium Candle - This was an interesting smelling candle.  There were quite prominent fruity notes, with an underlying vanilla scent, but there was something else that I couldn't quite pin down, that kept it from being overly sweet.  It was pleasant, and I liked using it, but it could be a little overpowering if left to burn for too long - the smell also lingered for a while afterwards, which isn't a bad thing.  I wouldn't repurchase this scent, though.
• Feather & Down Sweet Dreams Pillow Spray - I love the smell of this spray, it's so comforting and relaxing!  I do think on the nights that I sprayed it on my pillow, I had a better night's sleep.  I'm trying a different brand's sleep mist at the moment, but I certainly have the Feather & Down one on my repurchase list.
• Calvin Klein 'Obsessed' For Women EDP - This is the first full-size perfume I've used up in a long, long time.  Obsessed is a different one for me, as I usually go for fruity, plummy, woody perfumes, whereas this one is quite aromatic, herbal and musky.  I did enjoy wearing it, and had some compliments about it, too.  I wouldn't buy it again for myself, but if I was given it as a gift, then I wouldn't complain.

That's everything for March.  I think I had quite a good month for using a variety of products up, and I've found a few new ones that I would want to continue using.

Does anyone have any good concealer recommendations?  One that has good coverage, but doesn't look too noticeable on the skin, and doesn't crease too easily?

Review: February 2024 LookFantastic Beauty Box

So, I have gotten very behind again with these beauty box review posts, but I'm still going to post them in case anyone is interested in the previous boxes and their contents.

The LookFantastic Beauty Box is the only subscription box that I was subscribed to for the first half of this year.  In general, I enjoy the boxes as they tend to have a better mix of products than other subscription boxes, although some haven't been as exciting recently as ones in the past.

The LookFantastic Beauty Box is a monthly box which costs from £13 a month (with a 12-month subscription) and usually contains 6 beauty products with a "minimum value of £50", according to the website.  Sometimes, 1 or 2 products included in the box can vary per person, but you don't get a choice over what you will receive.

My February LookFantastic Beauty Box was "Variant 3" and included:

• Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scalp Scrub with Sea Salt 40ml (£6.88 value / £43 for 250ml) - I've had this quite a few times from previous subscription boxes and advent calendars, and I do enjoy using it (plus, I think it smells great - like hair gel from the 90s!).  It has a very thick formula but feels nice to massage into the scalp, and it does seem to help my hair stay cleaner for longer after use.  I have considered buying the actual product, but it's a bit too on the pricey side for what it is, unfortunately.

• Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Gel 40ml (£10.13 value / £38 for 150ml) - This is a bit of a different product to receive in one of these boxes.  It has quite a nice herbal scent in the tube, and I'll definitely try it out when I have some aching muscles.  I did a little test patch on my arm and it somehow smelt a bit like vinegar (although it faded after a few minutes), but it did soak in ok.  Probably wouldn't be a product I'd buy though.

• Spectrum B06 - Fluffy Blender Makeup Brush (full size - only available in a full set on the LF website, although it is £5.99 on the Spectrum website itself) - I've had several Spectrum brushes from beauty boxes over the years (a few in this colour scheme), and I've bought some as well as they are very nice brushes in my opinion.  This is a fluffy blending brush which will be very useful for applying eyeshadow.  I always feel it's a shame when subscription boxes supply a brush but not the product to use it with.  Regardless, I'll definitely be using this brush in the future.

• Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Anti-Aging Gel Mask 14ml (£4.95 value / £53 for 250ml) - This mask sounds very fancy, but I'll probably only get a couple of uses out of the sample size, so won't be able to see any full benefits as it states to use it "2 to 3 times a week, or daily depending on your skin needs."  I do like that it's one of those masks that you can use as a 10-minute treatment, or use overnight though.  It does look to have some positive reviews on the website though, so hopefully I'll look refreshed after using it!

• Grüum Hydrat Moisture Body Massage Bar 40g (Full size - no longer on the LF website, but it is £10 for 35g on the Grüum website) - I feel this is a bit similar to the muscle gel that was in this box, though this is more for relaxation than relief.  It has a nice scent, of lavender and neroli, and has luckily not melted in the box in the recent warm weather we've had.  I've used a few Grüum products in the past, and I like how they appear to use a lot of natural ingredients and don't have unnecessary packaging - the only downside is I feel the products expire a bit quicker.

• Lottie London Ready Set! Go Brightening Pink Powder 5g (£2.32 value / £6.95 for 15g) - I've used the translucent version of this powder, and it performs quite well to set my makeup, although it isn't as long-lasting as some other brands.  I've not used a pink powder before, but I have seen that it's meant to be especially good to use under the eyes.  I'll give this one a go and see how it looks - it does seem a very fine powder.

The February box has an actual value of £41.70 when looking at the full-size versions of the products. This is slightly more than the January box, but is still over £8 less than the advertised value.  This is disappointing again, especially with two of the products having a value of under £5 each.

I do like the mixture of products in the box, but feel they should have only put in either the muscle gel or the massage bar, not both, and maybe they could have included an individual eyeshadow or a mini palette to use with the brush instead.  Hopefully, there will be some nice, bright makeup product, like an eyeshadow or lipstick, in next month's box.

Do you subscribe to the LookFantastic Beauty Box?  Or if not this one, which box do you subscribe to?