Do you have the XXX Factor?!

To any of you Brits reading this - woah mama! This heat wave is driving me mental and is making me rather grumpy.

To anyone from the rest of the world - I apologise that we Brits are NEVER happy with the weather. It's one of our flaws. I hope we can still be friends?!?

I digress. 

I'm lying her in front of my air con unit nekkid (yes, I have air con. Don't hate me, coz you ain't me! Haha) enjoying the ice cold air. Bliss! Apologies for unexpected XXX mental image - hey, at least I didn't include a picture. I spared you that much!! Yup. Thank god I can do what I like in the privacy of my own home. 

But if you haven't got air con, the ability or inclination to lie about as nekkid as the day you were born, might I suggest that you pick up a bottle of Original Source MEN (well, I've been using it too!) XXX strong black mint shower gel.  I've talked about this stuff before. I love it.

Before the nekkid air con time, I've enjoyed a rather tingletastic bath. I don't have a shower. I remembered I had this in my stash, after a rather hot and sweaty dinner date this evening, with The Boy - which followed a particularly hot and sweaty day in the office.  Even without the addition of air con, you can feel the cooling menthol tingle after use. If you're sensitive to fragrance or menthol then this one is not for you and WATCH OUT for those sensitive areas that you may not want tingling, if you get what I mean?! I don't want to be the cause of any issues for you...  But if you want to literally chill out before bed, or quite frankly any time of the day - I recommend this. Plus it's as cheap as chips. 

Right, better throw some jarmies on asap before The Boy gets the wrong idea!!!!!!!

January 2012 Empties

So this is much later than I'd anticipated,  but here are my empties for January!

• Elizabeth Arden 8hr cream stick - I've had this for ages.  I like the fact that the famous 8hr cream comes in a stick format. Sometimes you just don't want to get your hands all messed up.
• Victoria Secret Balmy Days lip balm - This is another product I've had for yonks. Nice vanilla scent however, nothing special in my humble opinion. 
• OPI Remover - Mini size that came from a QVC kit. Again, nothing special.  Can't imagine me being in a massive rush to re-purchase.
• The Body Shop Neroli Jasmine shimmering scent - Got this about 2 Christmases ago in the sale.  This was my bedtime scent, as it was packed full of glitter.  I love the smell, but I would have never worn the glitter out of the house. To bed, was fine though. Okay, I know I'm weird. But you knew that already!

• La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar Solution - Love it. Trying out a different brand now this one has finished, but pretty sure I will return and repurchase.
• L'Occitane Body Lotion - Love This! Have backups, so no need for an immediate repurchase.
• Original Source Vanilla and Cocoa bath soak -Smelled okay but made me a bit itchy when I got out of the bath. Won't be in a rush to buy this again. 
• Bath and Body Works Mistletoe Kiss Foaming Soap - I LOVE THIS! Damn you B&BW for not being easily available in the UK.  I got this in my Black Friday gift.  I'm not sure it is a scent that I would have picked out myself, but I certainly enjoyed using it over the festive period. 

• MAC Cleansing Oil - I'm glad I decieded to try the travel size version. Wasn't overly impressed with this (apart from the packaging). I prefer to use Origins Clean Energy, so I won't repurchase this.
• Bath and Body Works Twilight Woods shower gel - Sadly, I LOVE THIS TOO! My lovely friend Jeanie picked this scent out for me and stupidly I didn't buy myself another bottle while I was in the States. Big Mistake! 
• Philosophy Purity Made Simple - Really like this cleanser.  Good job as I have a massive bottle in my bathroom, ready to use! 
• bareMinerals Purifying Facial Cleanser - It was nice, but I wasn't bowled over. Also feel the same about...
• bareMinerals Purely Nourishing moisturiser - Nice, but nothing special.

• Angel Perfuming Shower Gel - I've always been a bit stupid and not used these bath/body products that come with my perfume.  I'm making an effort to use these up this year. Love the scent and it really seemed to linger on my skin, even without the addition of the perfume.
• Angel Perfuming Body Lotion - Obviously I love the scent, but I was surprised at how moisturising this actually was.  I'm not sure I'd buy either of these products again, but I did enjoy using them, much to my surprise! 
• Aveda Shampure Shampoo and Conditioner - Really enjoy Aveda products. Nic actually bought these for me ages ago.  I love the beautiful scent and how my hair looks and feels.  Will repurchase.

• DKNY Delicious Night EDP - I really like this perfume.  The Boy bought it for me a few years ago, wont repurchase immediately as he also got me a back up - God, I love that man!

So there you have it, my (very late) January empties.  I'm going to aim to use up some make up products over the next few months. What have you been using up?

Autumn Empties

Wow! The last time I posted one of my empties posts was August!?!  And I was doing so well.  Needless to say, I've still been using things up.  Even if my posting has gone awry. Eek!!

• Paco Rabanne Black XS  EDP  - I love this perfume. You know I don't subscribe to the usual "this is a day fragrance, this is a night fragrance" and so this pretty much became my go to scent for work. I know some people might keep this for evening, but not me. If I didn't know what I felt like wearing, I reached for this and thanks to my Little Bro's Christmas gift last year, I have another bottle waiting in the wings. Boots.com describes the scent as the essences of Pink peppercorn, Tamarind blossom and Cranberry explode with freshness, youth and sensuousness. Then the heart notes of Black violet, Hellebore Rose and Cacao flower enter into play, weaving their own magic. An overdose of Massoia wood in the base notes forms the basis of Black XS for Her, with patchouli and Tahitian vanilla underscoring the luscious, feminine and sexy side of this bewitching fragrance
• La Roche-Posay Physiological Micellar  Solution - This might be my second or third bottle of this.  I really like this gentle cleansing solution for eyes, lips and face.  It doesn't irritate it just cleans.  I generally use this as a pre-cleanse prior to my Clarisonic.  I will certainly repurchase when I head to Boots today.  
• Classics Nail Polish Remover - Cheap and cheerful. Nothing special about this remover. 
• Lacura Multi Active Serum - A product that received massive hype about it's anti-ageing benefits for the amazingly cheap price of £3.49! Did I notice any massive difference? No.  Did I enjoy using the product? Yes and on that note, I'd buy it again if I am passing Aldi.
• Revlon Colorstay foundation - I love this. I have back-ups. Enough said!
• Ghost Deep Night EDT -This is another fragrance I really enjoy and I am sad to see the back of this, as I haven't got a back-up. Good news is, this is usually reduced in the post Christmas sales.  Hopefully I can scoop it up as part of my Boxing Day Bargains!   Boots.com says Ghost Deep Night is an oriental vanilla fragrance that is sensual and passionate. Ghost Deep Night takes its wearer into the world of feelings between day and night. Created for the woman who is not only strong, self-confident, and clever. But also sentimental and romantic as well. A freshly oriental composition. A fragrance made for love - and loving.

• Original Source Vanilla and Strawberry shower gel - This smells like Strawberry milkshake, which I don't actually like, but do like the scent of! Weird I know.  Nice enough, but I prefer the Mint shower gel versions from Original Source. 
• Lancome Juicy Tube in Marshmallow Electro - Probably my favourite lip gloss range and one of the nicest colours.  It applies almost clear with a hint of shimmer with a totally divine scent (and taste!) Perfect for use alone or over another lip colour.  These mini versions are also ideal for throwing into a pocket. 
• Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser - This came as a sample in a GlossyBox and I was excited to try the Murad brand.  This is a really nice cleanser and when I need to repurchase cleanser (I'm working through a stack at the moment!) I'll certainly consider this one.
• The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion - Nice enough but a little overpriced in my opinion. Have other scrubs that I prefer to use, so I don't think I'll repurchase  this one.
• Soap & Glory Mist You Madly - I quite like this body spray, but I prefer it's sister Glam-A-Lot. 
• Yes to Tomatoes Trouble Free Facial Wash - This is another cleanser that was okay, but didn't wow me - so I'm glad it's gone!  As I mentioned earlier, I'm not in the market for cleanser at the moment.  However, unlike the Murad cleanser, I don't think I'd repurchase this.  

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?

Boots/Macmillan Offer

I popped  into Boots on Friday and noticed that they have teamed up with Macmillan to help you give as you spend. 

 At the moment, Boots have a range of toiletries on offer for a quid.  Yes, that's correct, one measly pound.   When you buy any of the selected products, they will kindly donate 5p to Macmillan with each purchase.  

  

Whilst I know that is not a massive donation per product purchased, it is something! And we all know that every little helps (sorry Tesco - but it seemed appropriate here!).   I was going to buy shower gel anyway.  So to donate money to a very worthwhile Cancer charity on my behalf is an added bonus in my eyes.  Macmillan is a charity supporting Cancer sufferers and their families.  Providing invaluable support and information at a time when they need it most.  I particularly appreciate the ethos of caring for people in their own home.  Having seen first hand, the fabulous Macmillan Nurses in action, I will do anything I can to support them. 

I picked up

• Original Source Men - XXX Shower Gel
• Original Source Chocolate and Mint Shower Gel
• Original Source Vanilla Milk and Raspberry Shower Cream
• Original Source Vanilla and Cocoa Bath Soak
• Original Source Mint and Tea Tree Hand Wash
• 2 Sure Anti-Perspirant (Clear Diamond Crystal and Cotton)

So I pretty much stuck to Original Source products, but there are plenty of other brand's who are involved in this project such as Lynx, Herbal Essences and Dove to name but a few.

If you need a refill on your essentials, why not pop into Boots to grab a bargain and help Macmillan in the process.