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...

I just popped into Boots and...

...ended up leaving with this little lot.  First up, Biore.  I haven't use these pore strip things in years!  I can't remember if they are even any good, so I thought I'd give them a second chance whilst on offer.  I picked up a new Sally Hansen Insta-Dri topcoat.  I needed a new one, as I just thrown my almost empty (read gloopy) one away.  I do really like this, as it does exactly what it says on the tin.  And as Maybelline was on offer (2 for £10) I thought I'd try FIT Me foundation and concealer.  I've heard good things about this range, so now seemed like a good time to try them out.

Have you found any good offers recently?

End of Summer Empties

• Sally Hansen Insta-Dri topcoat - really like this, but like other products in the same vein (such as Seche Vite and others below) they do get a bit gloopy and unusable after a while. Still, this version is cheap and accessible on the High Street, so that is a winner for me.
• Leighton Denny Crystal Clear topcoat - same as above. Have another one on the go already.
• INM Out the Door topcoat - same as above.  If I could easily get my hands on this (I got this last November in Las Vegas) then I'd certainly buy this again.
• B&BW Pocket Bac in Fresh Picked Strawberry - Love this and it smelt divine.  This was one of the pocket bac's that Annabella from Skin Scrubs picked up for me when she was back home. Thanks lovely! 
• Giorgio Armani - Armani Code EDP - I really didn't know what to expect from this, when I perused the perfume store that is my wardrobe - but I loved it. I'm going to try and pick this up again in my next Boxing Day Bargains haul.
• Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise EDT - Ahhhhh Jo! I cannot tell you how much I love this.  I have to say I was going very easy on using this.  30ml doesn't last long with me!  Luckily, Nic bought me a MASSIVE 100ml bottle for our birthday.  That singled the end of the baby bottle.  Love this. I think I'll always have this in my collection.  To me, its so warm and comforting. Beautiful.
• MUFE Smoky Lash mascara - this came from my Sephora Lash Stash and it was one of the ones I was most excited to try.  But do you know what, I don't rate it.  Controversial I know. I found it to be  quite flaky by the end of the day, resulting in me having panda eyes. It always transferred down, which looks so attractive!  It just wasn't for me.  Would rather spend the money on Benefit They're Real  - any day of the week!

• Ojon Restorative Leave in Treatment - I know this is expensive (although this came in a kit from QVC) but I think its really great.  It never weighed my (super fine) hair down and left it feeling very nourished.,  I have other similar products to use up, but I would repurchase this again. 
• Simple Eye make up remover - I love this. Will certainly repurchase again.
• Burt's Bees Almond Milk hand cream - I really loved the smell of this, but I didn't really like the cream itself.  Will still to my L'Occitane Shea hand cream in future.
• Vichy Nomaderm Micellar solution - I thought I'd try another Micellar solution.  This one was nice enough,. I can't say that I noticed it doing anything major in relation to keeping spots at bay.  I will probably buy this again in the future. 
• Umberto Giannini Morning After dry shampoo - I liked the smell of this, but I prefer Batiste (which is also cheaper!).  I won't repurchase this. 

• B&BW Warm Vanilla Sugar shower gel - mmmmmm vanilla! What's not to like about this.  Next time I'm in the States, I will repurchase this for sure!
• Freederm sensitive facial wash - Didn't really rate this at all.  Won't repurchase.
• Radox Brazilian Fusion bath soak - same as above. I liked it in Tesco.  I didn't like it in the bath.  The Boy ended up finishing it off
• John Frieda Frizz Ease - this bottle has lasted for eons! Will probably buy this again at some point in the future. 
• Elemis Lime & Ginger salt scrub - this baby version was from a QVC kit.  I think salt scrubs are awesome. This one smelled very exotic (as it comes from the Elemis exotics collection - you'd hope it would, wouldn't you?) and was very moisturising, although it didn't leave a greasy film. All in all, a nice scrub.  Will consider repurchasing at some point in the future.
• Leighton Denny Essential Remover - as nail varnish removers go, this is certainly one of the better ones in my opinion.  Will almost certainly repurchase. 
• Kings & Queens Mango shower gel - I really enjoyed using this.  It smelt just like a Solero ice cream Yum.  Will have to investigate this brand further when I need more shower gel - 2030 it is then!!

I think I did quite well getting through all this in August and September.  What have you used up recently?

NOTD: Sally Hansen HD Nail Colour - Laser

What a total nightmare this is to photograph but boy do I love it!  This was a little NYC purchase last June and it still captures my imagination almost 12 months on.  

It's a blue polish that has a distinctly purple sheen to it, but it is virtually impossible to catch on camera.  You can see the myriad of colours bouncing off the flash,  although this polish is almost certainly better in real life. 

Laser translates onto the nail like a blue liquid metal, not dissimilar to a Minx manicure.  It does take about 4 coats to make it almost opaque.  Even then in some lights, it was still possible to see the nail tip.  The top picture will give you some indication of the amount of polish used, baring in mind that I have worn this a mere 3 times.  

I adore this polish and only wish we had Sally Hansen nail varnish in the UK, not just the treatments/topcoats!

NYC Drugstore Nail Varnish Haul

I

 (L-R #14 Spectrum, #16 Laser, #23 Blazing Blue, #05 Vibrant and #07 Shining)

I spent quite a bit of time in Walgreens and Duane Reade while I was in NY.  I love having a look around shops like that and this is where I came across these Sally Hansen nail varnishes.

We have Sally Hansen in the UK, but there was certainly more choice of formula and colour in the States.  I was first drawn to Blazing Blue (about $6). It reminded me of OPI's Russian Navy, which I love.  Although on closer inspection I noticed that the shimmer particles were a bright teal/blue (almost the same colour as Spectrum) which  were shot through the polish, giving it a rather unique look. This particular polish is part of the Insta-Dri range and it did just that.  I wore this for the 5 days we were in NY and it didnt flake or chip.  The only thing I will say, is that when I removed it, my nails were tinged with blue.  So I had to follow Snowdrop85's idea when I got home and soon normal nail order was resumed.

On another trip, I spied the HD range (about $6.50 each).  I mean, how could I miss them! They have the most amazing multi-dimensional colours, including yellow, green and orange.  I went for Laser, which looks very blue on my pic, but it real life it has a purple undertone. While Spectrum is a gorgeous bright blue/aqua.  I cant wait to give those a try. I'm sure they will look stunning in daylight.

Vibrant and Shining were my bargains! They were on special at a Walgreens near Central Park for $3 each. Which is currently about £2 ish.  Shining is a very rich, red with a hint of shimmer.  Although its totaly different, it reminds me of Nails Inc Victoria.  Its a very classy statement colour and I loved it when I tried it out.  Vibrant I havent played with yet, but that was my wild card purchase.  Not a colour I'd usually go for, but it looked pretty and it was on sale, so what the hell!  I like the fact that there is a gold shimmer throughout the colour, meaning its not a flat regular pink.  I'll see how it goes when I try it out.

I'm really jealous of Nic's Nails Inc collection and I think I will have to make the Sorbet Collection mine! Although that will be a bit of a step awy from the norm for me.  What nail colours are you loving at the moment?