Beauty Empties | Products I've Used Up

Another month has flown by which means it's time yet again for another Beauty Empties round-up! This is something of a bumper collection as I've been on a bit of a No-Buy challenge recently so I've finished up quite a lot of products. Grab a cuppa and let's get stuck in.

Naobay Hyaluronic & Hemp Recharge Splash Facial Mist* (travel size)

I really enjoyed using this - it was super light and refreshing and also doubled up nicely as a setting spray too. Repurchase? I've gone back to using the Evolve Daily Defence Moisture Mist, but I would be happy to buy this again in the future.

Balance Me BHA Exfoliating Concentrate (travel size)

If you have oily/combination skin that's prone to blemishes and breakouts, then I highly recommend this liquid exfoliant. It's brilliant for unclogging pores and getting rid of dead skin/congestion. Repurchase? Yes.

Nourish London Probiotic Multi-Mineral Repair Mask* (reviewed here)

This is one of the best face masks that I've ever tried for helping to repair the skin barrier. It has so many beneficial ingredients like Magnesium and Zinc in it that you really do see a noticeable difference in your skin after the first use. Genius stuff. Repurchase? Already have :)

This Works Morning Expert Hyaluronic Serum* (reviewed here)

A hugely popular serum for a reason, this one combines Hyaluronic Acid with Vitamin C in a slow-release formula to really plump up and brighten your complexion. Very impressed by this and will be most definitely cutting open the tube to get the last bits out! Repurchase? Yes.

Bloomtown The Rose Garden Salt Soak* (reviewed here)

I recently featured this in my top four relaxing bath salts post so it should come as no surprise to see it here. These are gorgeous, fresh rose-scented Himalayan salts that are very relaxing and spa-like. Repurchase? Yes. 

Puur Ingrid Ultra Body Oil* (featured here)

This is a luxury Canadian natural brand that I was introduced to when I was judging the Cert Clean Beauty Awards. A delightfully silky body oil with a heavenly scent of Lavender, Eucalyptus, and Bergamot. Repurchase? I'm not sure if they have a UK stockist but I'll certainly be checking!

Greenfrog Botanic Shampoo Bar Argan & Rose Oil*

One of my favourite shampoo bars as it produces a nice thick lather and feels very hydrating. Vegan and SLS-free, these bars last forever, I'm sure I've been using it for at least 3 months. Repurchase? Yes.

Dr. Pawpaw Shea Butter Balm* (reviewed here)

Another product that's lasted for a long time has been this tube of Dr. Pawpaw Shea Butter Balm which I'm sure I opened around Christmas time to put it into perspective! Amazing for any dry skin bits like lips and cuticles, it's fragrance-free so ideal for sensitive skin. Repurchase? Definitely.

Organii Almond & Avocado Cream Soap* (reviewed here)

If you have dry hands, you must try these Organii Cream Soaps. Not only are they packed full of natural moisturising ingredients like Shea Butter and Avocado Oil, but they're an absolute steal at only £3.50. I like to use them mainly as hand soaps to cut down on my plastic waste, though they are brilliant to use in the bath and shower as well as they retain their shape and don't go mushy.

This Works In Transit Camera Close-Up (travel size)

One of the best multi-purpose beauty products to throw into your travel bag. This little gem triples up as a hydrating face mask, everyday moisturiser, and makeup primer. I particularly like it using it as a primer as it completely smooths out my face in prep for makeup and keeps everything looking fresh. Repurchase? Yes.

Fruu Watermelon Lip Balm*

Can you tell I'm getting better at using up my never-ending stash of lip balms?! I'm a huge fan of these Fruu ones which come in a range of different flavours - Watermelon is so fruity and delicious. The hydration that these lip balms offer and the curved end make me keep buying them over and over. Repurchase? Definitely. 

Vapour Mesmerize Mascara (reviewed here)

It was certainly bittersweet to finish off this mascara as Vapour Beauty is sadly no more and I'll miss several of their products including this as it was a bloody good mascara. Repurchase? Discontinued :(

Alexandra Kay Time To Relax Essential Oil* (reviewed here)

I've used this for about 2-3 years now and still love it; I'm not sure why, but it's one of the most relaxing essential oil blends that I've come across. Repurchase? Yes.

Alteya Organics Eucalyptus Essential Oil*

When it comes to single essential oils, you can't go wrong with the purity and quality of Alteya Organics. I use Eucalutpus a lot throughout winter to help with itchy scalps/dandruff (add a drop or two to your shampoo), and clearing blocked sinuses when I've had a cold (great for water steam inhalation). Repurchase? Most definitely!

What beauty products have you finished up lately?

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July Empties: Products I've Used Up

It's time for another mammoth Empties post as I continue to declutter my beauty stash! There are a lot of products here that I'm sad to see go, so let's jump right in.

Balance Me Balancing Face Moisturiser

I've been meaning to use up some of my travel sizes and I believe I received both of these in beauty subscription boxes. Really enjoyed using this light and balancing face moisturiser which is perfect for combination skin types. A great one to choose for the summer months! Repurchase? Yes.

Antipodes Joyful Hand & Body Lotion* (reviewed here)

Regular readers know how much I adore this so it's no surprise to see it pop up here again. It smells incredible and is such a lovely summery and uplifting floral fragrance. The formula is obviously great too as it's light but very hydrating. Repurchase? Yes.

Fruu Avocado Lip Balm* (reviewed here)

I've used these Fruu Lip Balms before and the Avocado one is probably my favourite. Super moisturising and it's made with only organic, plant-based, sustainable ingredients. Repurchase? Definitely.

REN Evercalm Anti-Redness Serum

Another travel size from a beauty box, I'm a big fan of REN's Evercalm range for sensitive skin and their Anti-Redness Serum is something I like to have on hand for when my skin is being difficult and flaring up. Works a treat! Repurchase? Yes.

Typology Jasmin Néroli Eau de Parfum* (reviewed here)

Typically, I fell in love with this French perfume last year and it's since been discontinued - what a shame! Repurchase? Sadly not.

Puristry Yerba Mate Eye Cream* (featured here)

This was one of the many eye creams that I had the pleasure of testing out as a judge for the Cert Clean Beauty Awards last year, and whilst I really liked the product, the short pump packaging made it very tricky to get the product out so it became difficult to use half-way through and I ended up decanting most it to a different jar. Repurchase? No, simply because of the packaging.

Tropic Whipped Body Velvet* 

If you're looking for a luxury body moisturiser with a buttery, whipped texture, this should be at the top of your shopping list. A real pleasure to use and great for a pampering treat if you have dry skin. Repurchase? Yes.

Typology Organic Peppermint Hydrolate* (reviewed here)

I have to admit that I hadn't used this in a while and only reached for it during the heatwave as it's so wonderfully cooling and refreshing! Definitely works best in hot weather as soothing and refining toner. Repurchase? I've gone back to Dafna's for now but would consider this again in the future.

Handmade Naturals Face Cleansing Lotion* (reviewed here)

I believe this is the second bottle that I've gone through and I love how gentle and nourishing this cleanser is. If you have sensitive or dry skin, it's certainly one to try and doubles up as a great makeup remover too. Repurchase? Yes.

B. Pure Micellar Water* (reviewed here)

My go-to micellar water for perhaps five or six years, it's been one of those amazingly affordable high street beauty gems for such a long time. Sadly, it looks like the B. range is being discontinued so if you love this product as much as I do, now's the time to stock up! Repurchase? I will for as long as I can!

Weleda Citrus Deodorant* 

Last month. you'll have spotted the Wild Rose deodorant in my Empties, and this month, I've finished off the Citrus version. I tend to alternate these two quite a lot and would recommend them for anyone who is working from home and wants a nice, light body spray to freshen up with. Repurchase? Yes.

Gallinée Hair & Scalp Care Mask* (reviewed here)

Another longtime favourite, I always have a tube of this in my bathroom and use it perhaps just once a month to keep my scalp healthy and happy, so it lasts quite a long time for me. Perfect for dandruff control and flaky, itchy scalps. Repurchase? Definitely.

Friction Free Shave Cream* (reviewed here)

Finally, my last empty product is unsurprisingly a shaving cream, and this is one of the best for sensitive skin that I've tried out. I get very little, if any, irritation whenever I use this which makes it a firm summertime staple! Repurchase? Yes.

What have you used up recently?

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August Empties: Products I've Used Up

Are we really into the first week of September already? Right then, here are my slightly late August Empties!

Eco By Sonya Organic Personal Outdoor Spray* (reviewed here)

I'm one of those people who gets bitten the minute I step foot outside, so I often use an insect repellant when I'm walking the dogs in the woods. This is a really good natural and organic-based product that uses essential oils to deter mozzies and other common biting insects. It's not 100% foolproof but I find that it certainly helps. Repurchase? Yes.

Aveda Beautifying Composition Oil (reviewed here)

A real luxury pampering treat, I absolutely love the scent of Aveda's Beautifying range and their multi-purpose Composition Oils are brilliant - I've been using them for years! I add a few drops to a bath and massage it into my skin afterwards - pure heaven. Repurchase? Yes.

Balm Balm Face Balm* (reviewed here)

Speaking of multi-purpose products, this Face Balm can be used on any dry skin areas and is particularly useful for cuticles, feet and lips. 100% natural and organic, it's fragrance-free so would be well suited for sensitive skin types. Repurchase? I have a lot of similar products to use up first, but I would consider buying it again.

Weleda Creamy Body Washes in Pomegranate and Sea Buckthorn* (reviewed here)

Regular readers will know that I'm a huge fan of these Creamy Body Washes from Weleda and I love both of these scents. Fantastic for dry skin, they're perfect for travel or if you're in a rush as you don't need to follow up with a body moisturiser after showering. Repurchase? Yes.

Walden Castles In The Air Eau De Parfum* (reviewed here)

I finally finished a perfume! This is a lovely fragrance for Spring and Summer as it smells fresh with floral and citrusy notes. The Walden range is completely different to anything that I have in my perfume collection, so if you're quite open-minded about fragrance and want something that's natural, definitely have a look into these. Repurchase? Will do in the future.

Aveda Beautifying Radiance Body Polish (reviewed here)

This salt-based body scrub is from the same Beautifying line as the Composition Oil above so it's no surprise that I finished it at the same time as they are ideal pampering partners! Like the oil, it's very luxurious and leaves my skin feeling wonderfully soft. Repurchase? Definitely as a treat.

Madara Nourish & Repair Shampoo*

Having been a fan of Madara's skincare for such a long time, I decided to try out one of their Shampoos and it did not disappoint. This Nourish & Repair formula is great for dry and damaged hair as it deeply hydrates and helps to strengthen against further breakage and split ends. 99% natural and SLS-free. Repurchase? Yes.

Organyc Organic Cotton Pads* (reviewed here)

I don't use a lot of cotton pads these days, but when I do (for things like removing nail polish), I opt for these ones from Organyc which are made from 100% organic cotton and are biodegradable. They're strong and get the job done. Repurchase? Yes.

Fruu Avocado Lip Balm* (reviewed here)

Finally, I used up a lip balm! I loved this one - it's made from natural and organic ingredients and kept my notoriously dry lips happy and hydrated. The flatter style of packaging is super handy for squeezing into carry-on bags too. Repurchase? I have a million lip balms to use up, but I'm sure I'll come back to this in the future!

What have you used up recently?

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Introducing: LOWTOXBOX - October 2017 review

As many of you know, I've been an avid fan of subscription boxes since they emerged onto the market a couple of years ago. Back then, it was near impossible to find a box that catered towards the more eco-conscious, green beauty consumer, but thankfully nowadays there's much more choice on offer! One of my latest discoveries is LOWTOXBOX.

LOWTOXBOX are a subscription box based here in the UK, which has an aim to help people live greener, healthier and more eco-friendly lives. Each month, they'll send you a box with up to 8 handpicked products, and you can expect to receive products that are Organic, Ethical, Vegan, Fairtrade, Cruelty-Free, Healthy, Natural, or Eco-Friendly (many include more than one of these attributes). If that doesn't sound good enough, LOWTOXBOX have also ensured that all of their box packaging is fully recyclable and uses only non-toxic inks, plus they will plant a tree for every box sold to offset the carbon footprint of making the box and delivering it you - how awesome is that?! 

Needless to say, I was very excited to open up their latest box which arrived last week. Here's what I found in the October LOWTOXBOX:-

 Nix and Kix Peach & Vanilla Natural Energy Drink (250ml, RRP £1.25)

For those who are looking for a more natural based energy drink to replace their Redbull habit with, Nix and Kix have a range of refreshing flavours available, including this delicious Peach & Vanilla one. Made from vegan-friendly, all natural ingredients, this drink contains no added sugar and is only 50 calories per can. The natural 'energy' comes from the addition of locally sourced Cayenne Pepper which helps to boost your metabolism, increases your happy endorphin levels and releases energy throughout the day. The Peach & Vanilla flavour is quite subtle in a lightly sparkling drink, and I was surprised by how well the Chilli works with it, but it does!

 Eco Strawz Stainless Steel Straw (RRP £1.49)

Disposable plastic is one of the biggest environmental problems of our time, so I was pleased to see this handy Stainless Steel Straw from Eco Strawz included in the box. Made from high-quality 304-grade, food-safe stainless steel, this straw can be used as a toxic-free, BPA-free, plastic-free alternative to disposable straws, and can be used time and time again. They also make glass, titanium and bamboo straws, so if you're looking for some affordable eco-friendly stocking fillers, be sure to check them out and help everyone to ditch the unnecessary plastic for good.

 FRUU Avocado Lip Balm (RRP £2.99) & Kathy Sue-Ann's Super Nourishing Organic Body Butter with Sweet Orange Oil (50ml, RRP £8)

I've used FRUU Lip Balms before and remember really liking this Avocado one which is made from 100% natural ingredients including Organic Cold-Pressed Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil and Aloe Vera. It's cruelty-free, suitable for vegans and has a nourishing formula that's perfect for keeping chapped lips at bay during the Winter months. You can also use it underneath your favourite lipsticks as a primer thanks to its matte finish - perfect!

Kathy Sue-Ann's are a new discovery for me and they are a London based natural and organic skincare company who are cruelty-free and make all of their own products by hand. This travel size tub of their bestselling Nourishing Organic Body Butter has a gorgeous uplifting Sweet Orange scent to it, and feels wonderfully pampering on the skin. Ideal for keeping even the driest of skin types happy.

 Snact Apple & Mango Fruit Jerky (20g, RRP £0.89) & Perkier Cashew, Chia & Pumpkin Seed Quinoa Bar (RRP £0.99)

If you haven't heard of Snact before, they're a fantastic company who only use 'ugly' fruit that would normally be sent to landfill by supermarkets, and instead, they create delicious fruity snacks with them. These bags of fruit jerky are great to eat on the go or to pack in your lunchbox and I love this Apple & Mango flavour. Made from 100% fruit and nothing else, they're suitable for vegans and gluten-free. 

I also really enjoyed the Perkier Quinoa Bar which is packed full of nutritious natural ingredients such as Cashews, Chia and Pumpkin Seeds. It's sweet (thanks to a little Brown Rice Syrup) and has a satisfyingly chewy texture for a healthy snack that you can pop into your handbag.

 Mallow & Marsh Raspberry and Dark Chocolate Marshmallows (RRP £2.79)

I was so excited to see these, but when I had a quick scan of the ingredients, I was disappointed to see that they have beef gelatine in them so I couldn't eat them. If you're not a vegetarian, they are large Raspberry Marshmallows that are coated in Dark Chocolate. What a shame that they're not veggie friendly!

Iam By Nature Honey & Co Face Mask (RRP £6.25) and Roz Skincare Mixing Set (RRP £11.75)

The last two products in the box are a real treat for green beauty skincare fans! Both of these are from Iam By Nature, and will help you channel your inner DIY beauty skills. In one pack is a Honey & Co Face Mask which come in pods to keep the natural and organic ingredients as fresh as possible until you're ready to use them. This face mask is made from just two ingredients; Honey and Lupin Flour, for a refreshing, soothing and gentle treatment that can be used twice a week. 

The second pack contains a nifty little Mixing Set which includes a bowl and a spoon that have been made from rice husks (the hard parts which are thrown away). I think this is incredible as it feels just like thick and sturdy plastic! The perfect eco-friendly companion to make the face mask (and all your other DIY beauty treatments) with.

LOWTOXBOX* is £18.75 per month, plus P&P. To find out more and to sign up, visit lowtoxbox.com

What's your favourite eco-friendly subscription box?

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Foodie Friday: The Vegan Kind Lifestyle Box - November 2016 review #TVK37

What better way to start the weekend than with a Foodie Friday post featuring this month's The Vegan Kind box. Let's see what's inside shall we?

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Budget Beauty: You Beauty Box - October 2016 review

Beauty products and free luxury chocolates - what more could a girl want?! October's You Beauty Box offers amazing value for money!

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