Epic Empties - part two!

 

Back for part two of my epic empties post! This is all the skincare/body care products that I've gone through recently. Wow-wee, there's a lot of recycling here.

• Herbal Essences Hello Hydration shampoo/conditioner - I really like the tropical coconut scent of this duo. Does what it says on the package and to that end, I've already repurchased. Plus, The Boy seems to like it too!

• Bath and Body Works 'Cozy Autumn Vanilla' shower gel - Love the scent of this too. Will repurchase when back in the States. 5 months and counting...
• Philosophy 'I'm dreaming of' white peach 3 in 1 shower gel - I'm a total Philosophy girl. Really enjoyed this. Will probably always repurchase Philosophy goodies.
• Rituals Organic Rice Milk & Cherry Blossom foaming shower gel - Got this from the Parental Units at Christmas. Enjoyed how nice this made my skin feel. No tightness or scratchy feeling. The Boy seemed to keep nicking it too! 
• L'Occitane Lavender liquid soap - Enjoyed this but did get bored of the scent after a while. I use this as a hand wash and think prefer the Sweet Almond version. Still it was nice and I'd repurchase - just not this scent.
• Philosophy 'Gingerbread Girl' 3 in 1 shower gel - loved the scent. Less fussed on the shimmer within the product.  Only good thing was that it didn't transfer onto my skin, but it did hang around in the bath, even after a good scrub. Same a previously noted - I love Philosophy!
• Soap & Glory 'Clean Girls' shower gel - wasn't that fussed on this. Not a massive fan of the scent. Wouldn't repurchase.
• L'Occitane Almond shower oil - LOVE! Have repurchased already!

• The Sanctuary 'Ultimate Facial Cleansing oil' - Did not like this at all. I didn't think there was anything ultimate about it! I felt like it smeared make up all over my skin, instead of removing it.  And even though it emulsified into a milky consistency, I never really felt like it had all gone. Glad to see the back of this and I wont be repurchasing.
• Caudalie 'Eau de Beaute' - Obviously this has cult status within the beauty community, but I wasn't really sure what all the fuss was about.  I used it as a toner after cleansing. It does have a really lovely herbal scent and felt very refreshing -  but did it do anything major to my skin? No, I don't think so.  Nice enough, but I won't be in a rush to repurchase.
• Botanics Intensive Moisture Mask - Not a fan. Didn't think it was very hydrating and (for me) it has a weird smell. Won't repurchase.
• The Body Shop Shea Beautifying oil - Really enjoyed this. Nice clean scent that lasted on the skin. Very moisturising. Will almost certainly repurchase.
• Botanics Radiant Youth microdermabrasion polish - This has taken over the No7 microdermabrasion polish as my new favourite scrub. I love this and its much cheaper than the No7 version. Have already repurchased as its a 1/3 off in Boots at the moment. 
• Elemis Frangipani Monoi Melt - Gorgeous! I absolutely love this. I know Nic isn't fussed on the scent, but I think its divine. I have another mini bottle to use, then I'll repurchase. 
• Tara Smith Big Baby gentle shampoo - used this as a brush cleaner. Worked fine, although I'm not sure I'll repurchase. 
• Givenchy Ange ou Demon bath gel - You know I love the perfume, so clearly I love the scent.  Seemed to do the job, but as you know I wouldn't purchase this as a stand alone shower gel.  I'll no doubt get more when I get my post Christmas perfume purchases.
• Mamma Mio - O*Mega body buff - I'm afraid I didn't rate this at all. It wasn't scrubby enough for me as a scrub and I didn't care for the scent. Wont repurchase.

I want to know what you've used up recently?  Any fab finds or flops? Do share. I'm already well on my way to another epic empties post. I'm getting good at this!

Epic Empties - Part one!

I did mention this was EPIC, right? I've been ploughing though my goodies for the last few months and here are the results.  I think I've done pretty well,  but there is still a way to go.  This is going to be a fairly massive post, so get yourselves comfy. We're going in for part one...

• Givenchy Ange ou Demon - I love this perfume and I've already blogged about it here Gorgeous. I have another bottle to use, but think this one will always be in my collection. 
• Givenchy Play - got this a while back whist seeking out the Play Intense version. Nice enough but not really me.  I don't think I'll repurchase this one.
• Calvin Klein Euphoria - Another long standing love. Have another bottle ready to use and will repurchase when I need to.

•  Hugo Boss woman body lotion - Nice, but nothing special. Wouldn't repurchase.
• YSL Top Secret pro remover - came in a YSL freebie.  Really good eye make up remover. I'm glad I tried it, but I don't think I'd buy it as its fairly expensive and I'm not sure it works better the the cheaper versions. Still, nice to give it a whirl.
•  Origins make a difference + treatment - Loved this! It was really light and hydrating. When I run out of moisturiser, will purchase the full size.
•  Revlon ColorStay - Long time love. Have a back up and when its gone, I'll repurchase for sure!
•  Espa Skin Radiance Moisturiser - This was a nice dewy moisturiser and it smelt amazing. I took this away to Berlin with me, as it was a super handy travel size. I don't think I'd purchase the full size though.
•  B&BW Sleep Night Time Tea lotion - This was really lovely, very moisturising and a great calming scent.  Will buy the large one when I'm back in the States in September.
•  Vichy Purete Thermale calming cleansing micellar solution - Enjoyed using this micellar solution. Made my skin feel really nice and soothed. Would certainly consider a re-purchase.

• BE Bisque/Well rested - This seemed to last forever!Product was okay. Didn't really get the point of Well Rested. Probably won't repurchase, unless it comes in a QVC kit.
• Urban Decay Primer Potion - Love this. Wouldn't be without it. Definite repurchase.
• OPI nail envy - This went a little weird at the end. I like this, but I can't say I notice anything major improvement in my nails. Decent base coat though. May consider repurchasing.
• Hourglass Film Noir - Decent mascara from the Sephora Lash Stash but I personally dont think it was anything outstanding. Wouldn't repurchase again.
• Sally Hansen Insta-Dri - Really like this so much so, that I've already repurchased.  Just as good as Seche Vite, cheaper and easier to get hold of!
• Too Faced LashGasm - Another Sephora Lash Stash mascara.  Liked this formula and its rubber bristles. Might consider a repurchase in future.
• Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill - Really don't know what the fuss was about this, I'm really not a fan! Its a very wet mascara with a standard brush. Can't say that I noticed anything amazing for my lashes. Won't buy the full size.
• BareMinerals Flawless Definition Volumizing - And yet another Sephora Lash Stash mascara. Not a fan of this one either. Didn't find it particularly voluminous. Prefer the original Flawless Definition. Won't repurchase.
• Rimmel 1000 kisses tint balm 110 stay very berry - Not a fan. Nice original stain, but wore off in a patchy mess. Won't repurchase.
• Max Factor Lipfinity lasting lip tints in 03 (pink) 04 (nude) - Again, these we nice on initial application too, but wore off in a strange pattern, leaving a crazy pigmented lip line (reminiscent of a drag queen) No thanks! They dried up really quickly too. Won't repurchase.
• No7 pink lip balm/gloss - Think this was intended to compete with the Clarins Lip Perfectors. I haven't tried them, so I can't comment other than to say that this was okay. Nothing major to say about it really. Think it was a limited edition, although I don't think I'd repurchase even if it was still available.  

Now, onto part two...

Springtime Scentsations!

You know I don't generally subscribe to the perfume rules.  I take great pleasure in wearing what I want, when I want.  However, I have been veering towards specific scents in the mornings. I guess Spring must really be in the air!  Except for today of course, when it is lashing down. It's grey and rainy.  Horrible!  Might have to go and spritz myself with one of these scents to cheer me up. I think it's safe to say that I'm craving warmer, sunnier weather. 

• JLo Miami Glow -  I have literally had this perfume for years, so if there is a perfume in my collection that I keep for Spring and Summer use - this is it.  It's a lovely beachy scent that has a real warmth to it, that I really like and it kind of reminds me of holidays. They say  "A sexy blend of tropical fruits, shimmering floral notes, and sultry amber and musk, this sensual scent is as hot as its namesake, and comes adorned with a colourful beach bracelet finished with a bronzed flip-flop charm" The tacky bracelet is long gone, but this happy, sunny scent remains in my collection.

• Christian Dior Addict Shine (sadly discontinued from a quick Google search) -  I'm not usually a straight on floral girl, but this certainly dries down and mellows into something a touch more woody on me.  Which is fortunately right up my street.   They say  "A flower bouquet fondles with seductive notes of sweet raspberry, exciting and intensive sweet-silky gardenia aroma and balmy woody cedar notes"

• BOSS Orange  - I got this as a Christmas gift in 2010, possibly?  I found it in my perfume cupboard a few weeks back and decided to bust it out of hiding.  This is a really nice, light perfume.  Not usually something that I gravitate towards, but pretty none the less.  They say "BOSS Orange Woman opens with an uplifting burst of sweet apples, a subtle and light-hearted middle note of white flowers but with a soulful base of creamy vanilla and olive woods." 

• Givenchy Play (which I now think is officially called RWD PLAY FFWD - what a mouthful!!) - I picked this up in a Boxing Day Bargain shopping expedition.  I originally wanted the Intense version (which I also now own!), so when I saw this on sale in Boots I thought I'd give it a try. They say:   "The lighter and more delicate of the sister Play For Her fragrances, the surprising top notes of pink peppercorns, fruity white peach, bergamot and sweet pea give way to captivating middle notes of precious amyris wood, tiare flower and magnolia flower, whilst the sensual dry down of sandalwood and musks linger on the skin seductively"

• Diesel Loverdose - My addiction to this scent is well documented, so much so that has fast become one of my favourite fragrances.  Which is good really, because I think Contradiction is coming to an end.  They say: "An addictive & unique fragrance with top notes of mandarin & star anise, followed by the two key notes of liquorice & rich vanilla followed by a base of sensual dry woods. The stunning Loverdose bottle is an edgy, multi-faceted heart with a dagger through the middle. It represents a beautiful but deadly weapon of seduction"  I'm sure it sounds like a winter fragrance to some people, but I wear this all year round. 

• Eccada Especially Escada* -  I'm not usually a rose kind of girl,  that is Nic's arena.  Although this perfume and the one that follows are about to make a liar out of me.  They say: "An intense and sparkling top note of pear is paired with the muskiness of Ambrette Seeds at the opening of the fragrance, which ideally introduces the core scent of the dewy rose. Soft Ylang Ylang adds an uplifting facet to the romance of the rose, while light musky notes in the dry down create a naturally positive aura"    This is clearly a modern take on a traditional rose scent.  The addition of juicy pear and musk make this more appealing and wearable to my nose.   I wouldn't personally choose to wear something like Jo Malone Red Roses - as that is far too traditionally rosy and it would be way too L'eau de Interflora for me. However, this I like.  At the moment Escentual.com currently have 15% discount on Escada fragrances, so now may be a good time to invest! 

• Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose - Like it's predecessor, this rose scent took me by surprise.   They say:  "Trésor Midnight Rose is a colourful, upbeat and joyful fragrance. It embodies mischievous femininity: rose becomes playful, driven by deliciously tangy raspberry tones, wooden shimmers and voluptuous vanilla notes"  As with Especially Escada, I find this rose based perfume much more appealing with the introduction of fruit.  On first spray, it's a blast of berries (smells like blackcurrant to me) that literally makes my mouth water. The rose is always there, just lingering in the background and that is just perfect for me.

Have you got any Spring/Summer fragrance favourites? Any surprises?

*PR Sample

Boxing Day Bargains 2011

As is the norm for Boxing Day (well, the norm for me anyway!) I popped along to Boots with The Boy, to dispose of my Christmas vouchers (Thank you Aunties, Cousin, MiL and FiL) and didn't I do well?

With my gift vouchers I managed to swoop in and collect:

• Loverdose 50ml collection
• Loverdose 30ml collection  (and I got a bottle for Christmas from my Little Bro - I think I really love this stuff!)
• Gucci Guilty
• Guerlain Shalimar Initial
• Stella McCartney Stella 
• Estee Lauder Sensuous 

Then, by the power of Boots Advantage points ( I had just over 10300 points!) I treated myself to Elie Saab which I had really lusted after and Givenchy Very Irresistible L'Intense.  I love the original, so anything that had intense in its name, well I'm bound to love that too. Actually, I really need to just say how impressed I am that Givenchy steered away from the body lotion/shower gel combo for their gift set and treated it's customers to a roller ball perfume (Hello perfume houses! Why do we not have more of these in the UK... The Americans have lots of options for roller ball scents! Sorry, rant over.) which I personally love and a little candle. Total winner for me. Big thumbs up for Givenchy.

So that is my perfume collection sorted out for the rest of the year. Did anyone find any other amazing bargains in the sales?  I'll be out with my friend on Thursday, so I may unearth a few more bargains. Watch this space...

August Empties

I'm getting quite good at this using things up lark!  Making a conscious effort each month to use up some of my stash, has made me truly appreciate the products that I really love and depend upon.  A 'separating the wheat from the chaff' if you will.    There are items that I have already or intend to repurchase.  I still want to try new things, I just am getting a bit better at reigning myself in and thinking - have you got something similar at home.

The flip-side of this coin is that I realise what I really cannot wait to get rid of.  It's usually the things that you like the least, that seem to take an eternity to use up.  Does anyone else find that?  So what have I used this month?

• Givenchy Ange Ou Demon - beautiful, classy fragrance.  I was upset that I'd used this up, then found another two new bottles.  So I'm happy again now! hehe.
• The Body Shop Vitamin E facial mist - this is okay.  I got it as a kind of make up setting spray, I don't think it was particularly successful for that.  But it is quite refurnishing just as a facial spritz. 
• Lee Stafford Poker Straight Flat Iron Shine Protection mist - another meh product.  I have had this for forever. I love how it smells, but I'm not sure that it actually protects my hair from heat styling. I guess we will see if I notice a marked difference now it's finished.
• Urban Decay Primer Potion - this is one of those can't be without kind of products. Love this and can't remember what my life was before UDPP.
• Bobbi Brown Extreme Party Mascara -  was okay. Nothing major.  This was a sample size I must have picked up somewhere. Certainly didn't wow me.
• No7 Extreme Length Mascara - love it. Read here

• L'Occitane 20% Shea Butter Hand cream - my number one hand cream. Would not be without this. Even got Parental Unit Number One (Mothership) onto this one now and she is not remotely bothered by things like this at all! Woah, what an achievement! 

• Origins Checks and Balances - I like this cleanser, but I don't love it.  It does exactly what it says on the packaging.  Only sometimes, my skin is left feeling a little tight and almost squeaky clean.  Does that make sense? I guess my combination skin is not it's target market and it would be more suited to oily skinned beauties. 
• Garnier Pure Active Exfo Brusher Wash - love the scrubby bits, they're great. Hate the packaging design and the actual product. I find it really cumbersome to use and quite difficult to get any cleanser on the Exfo Brusher.  Plus I find it a little too drying for combination skin. 
• Original Source Chocolate Mint Shower Gel - really like this although the chocolate brown colour was a little bit off putting.  Still, it made for a very refreshing, zingy bathing experience.  

• Alpha H Rejuvenating Cream - this is a nice moisturiser. Feels a little strange upon first application.  It's a bit tingly due to the inclusion of glycolic acid.  I'd buy this again.

What have you used this this month? Have you rediscovered any gems in your collection?

Super Quick Saturday Shopping

The usual weekly pilgrimage to Tesco got a little more exciting this morning.  We needed to go to Halfords for a new headlamp bulb.  Fortunately for me, the retail park also houses quite a sizeable Boots.  So while The Boy headed for Halfords, I made my excuses and ran to Boots.  

I had a Boots voucher (from my MIL and FIL) that was seriously burning a hole in my purse.  I must have been into Boots about 10 times over the last fortnight, each time I couldn't decide what to spend my voucher on.  I stopped short of using it to buy shower gel and Tampax! I wanted something nice for my Birthday.  Anyway, I finally decided on Givenchy Play Intense EDP.  Some of you may remember that I have been lusting after this for some time and although I absolutely do not need any more perfume, I went ahead and got it anyway.  

And because I couldn't just walk in, buy the perfume and walk out.  I found myself drawn to the Prestige display.  This is not something that is in every Boots (unlike, Bourjois, Revlon, Rimmel etc.) and having heard lots about the brand from American YouTuber's I thought I'd have a look.  To my joy (and my bank balance's horror!) All the Prestige make-up was half price.  Obviously that set off alarm bells for me.  Sounds like the brand is withdrawing from that particular Boots, if not all the Boots stores.

Ordinarily this would bug me.  I know I would get something, try it and then be annoyed that I couldn't buy it locally again.  Never fear, I will be hop, skipping and jumping across the pond in November (Thanksgiving Day, actually) and should I happen to love anything pictured here, I'll be sure to stock up!!!!

 I digress, I bought 3 mascara's My Longest Lashes, My Blackest Lashes and My Biggest Lashes which were all half price, making them a steal at £3.49 each.  I also picked up a lovely purple liquid liner (£2.30).  I'm loving purple at the moment.  My final purchase was another Revlon Just Bitten lip stain in Flame (on offer for £5.99).  I think I'll have to do a separate post on my obsession with Lip Stains.  A few lines here really will not cut it!

So there we have it.  The Boy got (and fitted!) the new headlamp bulb in the time I was in Boots (oops!) and then we scooted off to Tesco to complete the big shop.  If you've been shopping, let me know what caught your eye. Anything fabulous?

 Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!

Perfume Lust List - Givenchy Play (for her) Eau De Parfum Intense

Picked this fragrance sample up on my travels of Givenchy Play (for her) EDP Intense. I thought it was going to be one of those little bits of cotton mesh that you can rub on your wrist.  So I tore the little packet open.  No cotton mesh! So shook it (upside down natch) and ended up pouring most of the contents into my (VERY) ample bosom!  I've never seen The Boy move so quick!  I was offered the compliment of "cor, you smell gorgeous" in a slightly letchy tone, not dissimilar to Steptoe.  Good job I know he was only joking, with the lechy tone of course. The Boy is very complementary, even if I haven't quite worked out how to graciously accept a compliment... but that's another story altogether!

Naturally, The Boy was right.  I did smell gorgeous. A quick Google resulted in this info on my new lust:

Givenchy has created Play for Her for women who are seductive, energetic with a carefree attitude. A warm Floral Woody Amber fragrance, Play for Her Eau de Parfum Intense exudes a dark sensuality. (Boots)

Captures the senses through irresistible enchantment. The fragrance opens on a fresh caress imagined around orange blossom, and Pink pepper. The enriched persona of the fragrance is enhanced by the warmth of Sandalwood, Tonka bean, Patchouli and Benzoin. (The Perfume Shop)

Needless to say, I have added this one to the Perfume Lust List.  I'll hopefully add this one to my collection in the post Christmas (Boots) voucher frenzy.  I know, its a little early to start thinking about Christmas, but I saw a tweet from Santa Claus on Twitter that said it was 101 nights until Christmas Eve, and that mean's it's actually  only 3 pay-days away. That's if, like me you don't get paid until the end of the month - even at Christmas...grrrrrrrrrrrr!

The Scent of a Woman: Givenchy Ange Ou Demon

I think I first tried this perfume as a Boots January sale purchase (Thank you Family for giving me Boots vouchers for Christmas!!) and its now become another favourite, hence the 2 bottles in stock at the moment.  I think its quite a popular scent as Givenchy have released various "spin off" fragrances such as Ange ou Demon Eau de Toilette Tendre and Ange ou Démon Le Secret, neither of which I have tried.


 I usually don't go for "lighter" versions of perfume I already like and wear, as I don't find they have the intensity that I like.  I guess that's the whole point in releasing them though, for people who generally like the original scent, but feel that that would prefer a slightly softer, lighter version.


This particular perfume seems to last for ages on my skin. I generally wear Eau de Parfum's for this reason. I prefer my scent to go the distance and almost never take perfume out with me, be it work, shopping or out for the evening.  This goes back to a particularly horrendous occasion many years ago, where I lost a full bottle of Ghost (which I'll blog about later) after it falling out of my gym bag and smashing on the floor.  My own fault really, going to the gym! Tut, tut.


Anyway, Givenchy says (oooh that rhymed!):


Givenchy introduces Ange ou Demon perfume, an Oriental Floral perfume centered around the noble lily and magnified by the elegance of palissander and oak woods.


 A sensual and elegant fragrance with a high level of natural ingredients. Ange ou Demon perfume is packaged in a precious bottle that symbolizes luxury and femininity: a unique crystal droplet representing light and shadow.


 TOP NOTES - Crystalline Femininity: white thyme essence, mandarin from Calabria and saffron essence. 


HEART NOTES - Radiant Nobleness: noble lily, ylang-ylang, orchid maxillaria.


BASE NOTES - Mysterious Addiction: tonka bean, vanilla, palissander wood and oak wood essence


Have you smelt this perfume before? What do you think?


Coming next: Dior Addict and Addict Shine

Leanne’s 10 products that she can’t live without!

      Perfume.  Now this may seem a bit strange to some, but I have worn perfume every single day for as long as I can remember.  It began at Duty Free shopping at the airport. Mum would treat herself to a bottle of something lovely and I would get something too!  It’s a tradition that I still perform to this day and rest assured, as long as the airlines/American government allow it – I will be purchasing a lovely new scent on the way to New York.  I never did like the “Charlie”, “Exclamation” or those perfumes aimed at teens and I hold my Mother fully responsible, when one Christmas I was treated to a bottle of Sun, Moon, Stars by Karl Lagerfeld.  I smell it now (although it is not so easy to find on the High Street anymore) and it takes me right back to that Christmas morning.  Scent is such an evocative sense.  And I love it when people tell me “Oh, you smell nice”.  Every woman has her own signature scent, mine being Contradiction by Calvin Kline.  I spray this perfume and I’m enveloped in a cloud of happy memories of fab nights out and feeling of total contentment.  Even the name is so me! A total contradiction.  That being said, I wear LOTS of other scents from different perfume houses.  My family dutifully purchase Boots vouchers for me at Christmas and I will brave the sales to stock up on my perfume quota for the year.  My Dad thinks I’m crazy, I think I’m frugal.  I’m game for trying pretty much any scent, as long as it’s not too floral.  I prefer the heavier, muskier blends.  Other particular favourites include Dior Addict, Calvin Kline Euphoria (Thanks LWM for introducing me to this!),  YSL Cinema and Givenchy Ange Ou Demon and yes, I do wear these in the daytime.  I know that would not be to everyone’s taste as many people would think these are evening wear. But hey, didn’t I say I was a Contradiction?!!

2.       Lip Gloss/Lip Balm.  Ok, so anyone reading this who knows me will know everything I am about to say is the truth.  I am addicted to lip gloss/lip balms! I just love them and my handbag is never without, hmm lets think, at least 6 variants of gloss – What? A girl needs choices!  A bit cliché I know, but I love Lancome Juicy tubes! I like the semi-stickiness that some people seem to hate. I find that it has quite a bit of staying power.  I’m not a snob though. I will literally try any lip gloss/balm going.  Other faves in my vast collection are the Stila Lip Glaze and Philosophy (hell yeah, I’m a Philosophy Girl) flavoured lip shine.  They both come in a variety of colours and flavours, so I’m totally spoiled for choice.  For lip balm, I don’t go to sleep without a layer of Body Shop lip butter (currently using Nut butter) covering my lips and providing a moisturising treat overnight. Well, that’s if The Boy doesn’t get to it first!  He always wants to kiss me when I’ve just put that on...

3.       Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment.  I love it, FACT.  I really should approach QVCUK about receiving commission for the sheer amount of people I tell about this.  I buy it for my friends as presents, I let them have a try of mine when they come and visit me (that was how I got Caroline hooked!) and yes, I have been known to tell random strangers how much I wouldn’t be without this product.  I just think it makes such a difference to my hair.  It’s softer, shinier, and smoother once I have had the Ojon treatment on.  I sometimes sleep in it (although not if I’ve got decent bedding on my bed!) and I can feel the difference when I come to wash it out. I have used other products from the Ojon range, usually from the TSV’s. And whilst they are really nice, the one thing I go back to time and time again is the Restorative Hair Treatment. Try it and tell me you don’t love it!

4.       No7 Microdermabrasion Scrub.  God bless Boots for their £5 vouchers, ensuring that I have never paid the full £10 odd for this product!  I really enjoy a good scrubby scrub and I know that’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I think this is one of the best on the High Street.  I purchase others from time to time (although I do love the Philosophy version, I’m not prepared for pay the £50 for it!), try them and still reach for the No7 one.  It’s like Ronseal, does exactly what it says on the tin and I wouldn’t be without it. 

5.       Bare Escentuals Flawless Definition Mascara.  This was another part of a kit purchased on QVCUK and Alison Young raved about it.  I was a bit “meh” about trying it when it arrived, but wow, I’ve been converted.  Glossy, black, separated lashes that look perfect for day, or can be amped up for night.  I think that £21.50 for a duo is a bargain. I’ve spent more money on High Street rubbish; I’ll be putting in an order when I’m due for replenishment.

6.       Eyelash Curlers.  As I was talking about mascara, seems the perfect juncture to add this in.  I use the Body Shop ones and find them to be really good at providing a decent amount of curl. They are less than a tenner and I really think that make a huge difference in opening up the whole eye.

7.       Philosophy Purity Cleanser and The Great Mystery.  I have to include these both together, as I love them both equally.  Purity is just a great all round cleanser. It takes off eye makeup, it doesn’t make my skin feel tight, just really, really clean.  As for the Great Mystery, it’s the one minute facial. I use this in the morning with a muslin cloth to wake up my skin. It smells divine and really fresh.  I’m Normal/Combination skin type and I think both these products suit my skin’s need perfectly.

8.       Body Cream.  I get quite dry and skin on my body, particularly my elbows, so I love a rich body cream.  Current favourite is the Body Shop Monoi Body Balm (the smell reminds me of Elemis!) but I am also very partial to L’Occitane Shea butter body cream.  As always, the Body Shop body butters are still in my top 3, proving that you don’t have to spend a tonne of money for gorgeous, smooth skin.

9.       Philosophy high foaming shampoo, bath and shower gel.  These have long been an essential in my house and the source of much controversy when smelly boys have been using my lovely shower time goodies to wash themselves with!!  What the hell happened to Lynx?!  Because these gels are so beautifully fragranced there is no disputing their usage as soon as the bathroom door opens.  The Boy, Bro and Dad (when I was still living at Home) have all had a go with whatever I was foolish enough to leave in the bathroom.  Silly old me! Anyways, I love all the Philosophy range, especially the food scented varieties.  Special mentions must go to Pumpkin Spiced Muffin, Vanilla Birthday Cake and Chocolate Covered Cherry.  You can usually get a matching scented lip shine to accompany the shower gel – Bonus.

10.   Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer.  Normal/Combination skin + hormones = occasional breakouts ;o( this little pot of magic covers the little buggers and enables me to face the world, even with TOTM skin!

Apologies for the War and Peace style post. I just got a bit carried away!