Empties

It is time to declutter and finally do an 'empties' post! These things have been hanging around for a week or so, and I keep trying to tidy up and being really frustrated that I can't put them all in the recycling because I haven't taken photos! But here are the photos so farewell products, thanks for being so good to me!

So, lets get to it...

Face related empties

L'Oreal Paris Triple Active Ideal Balance Cleansing Wipes - I do love a good face wipe, and these, my friends are rather lovely.  I purchased them in a 2 for 1 sale so it made them nice and cheap as well.  They aren't too exciting (I've never experienced an exciting face wipe, have you?) but they do the job or removing make up rather well! My housemate used them once and I quote "Oh, these are lovely, they just smell so posh" - and who wouldn't want a posh smelling face wipe I ask you?! 

These are available at Boots and Superdrug but I can't find them online, and also in large supermarkets.

Hair related empties

TIGI Bed Head Epic Volume Shampoo and Conditioner - I love these. They smell amazing, so regardless of their value I would always love them for that, it's the most girly strawberry delicious scent! (which unfortunately I've only smelt a couple of times because I have zero sense of smell 99.9% of the time! I don't know how well they boost the volume of my hair, because to be honest my hair tries its hardest to be flat as a pancake at all times, but it certainly doesn't weigh it down so I'm not complaining. I would definitely repurchase these! 

Get it at FeelUnique or CheapSmells

Toni & Guy Boost-it Mousse - They have actually discontined this product, and I am utterly gutted.  I love this stuff, it is so easy to use (just spray it directly onto the roots in sections around your head, then blow dry with your head upside down for max volume) and it really does deliver the 'volume boost with natural hold' that it claims - so it does just what it say on the tin! I got the Volume Plumping Mousse when I went to replace my Boost-it Mousse but after reading some awful reviews I'm scared to try it!  Why do companies do this - if it ain't broke, don't fix it!  

Now, onto Shower empties

Gillette Satin Care Shave Gel for Sensitive Skin - There isn't really much to say about this, other than that it does the job! A lot of my friends don't use a shaving gel, making do with shower gel, but I wouldn't be without it. 

At £3.25 from Boots I don't think you can go far wrong.  They often have it on sale too!

Treacle Moon The Raspberry Kiss - This deliciously scented exfoliator is lovely, and a little goes a long way so it has lasted me a long time.  I really like that the exfoliating particles are really small, so when you massage it in you can really feel it doing the work.  I love the cute little love story thing on the front as well, and I like to read it in the shower as it's at eye level! It's also cheap which is a bonus! 

I do believe I got this from Tesco! 

Original Source Vanilla Milk and Raspberry - I love the concept of Original Source products, and I'm always intrigued by how many fruits, or sunrises in this case, it takes to make one bottle. For me this is a little bit too sweet, I think it's the vanilla milk that's a little too sickly.  I like it none the less, and just as well because I got one in my stocking at Christmas (and the hand soap) so I've got plenty more to get through! 

I can't see this on either the Boots website or Superdrug, but have a look in store or in supermarkets if you fancy it! 

Nail empties

Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover for weak nails - Well my nails are most certainly weak, and to be perfectly honest they have remained weak throughout the time I've been using this.  I'm not blaming this product, and they might be a lot worse if it hadn't been for this, who knows - all I'm saying is don't expect a miracle cure if you have weak nails (not that I think many people would turn to a nail varnish remover to sort that out anyway!)

£1.60 from Boots or £1.59 from Superdrug - i've got to admit I tend to opt for Boots because despite the extra penny I'll do anything for my Boots points! 

I hope you're all well, and if anyone has a recommendation to replace my Toni & Guy Boost-it Mousse I would greatly appreciate it! 

x

Honey Face Mask

I was totally inspired by Alexandra, who writes the brilliant blog The Wallflower, to use honey as a face mask.  Alexandra does loads of posts which provide really easy step-by-step guides to creating your own luxury skin care for a fraction of the price you'd usually pay and  without all those horrible chemicals (a win win combination I think you'll find).  Her blog is a lovely slice of the internet, which I whole heartedly recommend you visit (if you do, mention that Alice sent you!). 

Anyway, back to the matter in hand.  Honey (that's right, the stuff you put on your toast or mix with hot lemon when you've got a sore throat) smeared all over your face!  I would never have thought of it, although when you cast your mind to the products you've encountered over time honey features in a lot of them - it's a very popular scent, and Alexandra explains the technical reasons as to why it's probably in those products...it's multi-purpose miracle gloop (thank you Bees)! Alexandra has suggested a few variations of the honey face mask, and I chose the one with Aspirin...I wanted to give my skin a thorough clean after all the stress and travel of the past week.

So, how to make the mask?

Simple, my friends, simple as can be.  All you need are some uncoated aspirin (I used the soluble ones, and I didn't have 10 which Alexandra suggests so I just crushed a couple) and half a tablespoon of honey.  Crush the aspirin, mix it into the honey, then slather it all over your face, wait 15+ minutes and then rinse it off with warm water, gently massaging your skin as you do so to softly exfoliate.

My experience.

Now the honey I used was a little bit crystalized, and so it was kind of runny yet had chunks in it too.  This proved to be messy but also gave the added bonus of extra exfoliation. I made up too much of the mask but I intend to use the rest tomorrow as I've stored it in the fridge so it's not a problem. 

I did find that it tried to escape my face and run everywhere so I simply held some kitchen roll around my neck to avoid the sticky winnie the pooh after he's had his hand in the honey pot look! For this reason I wouldn't recommend you wear your finest frock (not that many people are likely to do that while applying a face mask but you never can tell!). I left my mask on for approximately half an hour, and while I was watching tv patiently waiting I massaged the crystalized granules into my skin which I think really benefitted the final result...which was amazing! My skin feels so soft! I am amazed by how well this mask worked, so much so that I got my mum and dad to both stroke my face to appreciate the softness (they needed to feel the proof after they'd both laughed at me as I sat there dripping in honey!). 

As you can see I didn't look all that beautiful during this beautifying process but believe me when I say it is 100% worth it, and if you've read this post then you'll know why I have no problem sporting such a fetching look whenever I like! 

After I had rinsed the honey off (I was surprised by how easily it washed off actually, I'd been expecting it to be like removing tar!) I used my Liz Earle toner and moisturiser and I am now the proud owner of the softest face in the South West! 

Alexandra, I can't thank you enough! 

Does anyone else have any DIY beauty creations that I ought to try?

xxx