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?

Marie Claire Freebie!

If you're in the UK and you like L'Occitane, go grab the November issue of Marie Claire.

This month they have a range of L'Occitane hand creams on offer. I picked up the Date Bouquet scent.

I'd love to be able to tell you what it smells like, but sadly I'm full of cold. I imagine its going to be something i'll like.

If Date's aren't you thing, there are other scents to choose from - including the iconic Shea hand cream (which is my favourite). Not bad for a magazine freebie!

QVC October 2012 Beauty TSV's

Tuesday 2nd October - Beauty Tools and Accessories

Sunday 7th October - Beauty Tools and Accessories

Monday 8th October - Lulu's Time Bomb

Thuresay 11th October - Prai Beauty

Monday 15th October - Judith Williams Skincare

Thursday 18th October - Nails Inc

Saturday 20th October - Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare
Thursday 25th October  - In the Salon with Decleor 

Happy Shopping!!

Escentual.com French Pharmacy Purchases

In case you have missed it, Escentual.com have been offering 1/3 off French Pharmacy brands during the month of September.   I logged on and placed my order yesterday morning - thank god for payday!!  Not even 24 hours later the Postman rang the doorbell and the order was placed into my grubby little mitts.  Now how about that for super speedy delivery?  I'm really impressed. 

I've tried the La Roche-Posay micellar water before, but the rest of the products are new to me, so I'll report back when I've tested them out.  

Have you taken advantage of this offer and if so, what did you get? 

Nails Inc (fairly!) New Acquisitions

So here is a little belated close up of the July Nails Inc TSV.   I've only worn two of the shades so far as I've been channelling dark autumnal nails of late.  Well, if this bloody British weather had bucked its ideas up, I might have felt more inclined to wear summery shades during the Summer months! I personally think these shades are wearable all year round, so I'll be getting a lot of use out of them.  Apologies that Blogger has decided to rotate these pics - Grrrr it does my head in!

First up is Sloane Gardens, the most amazing fine navy glitter from the Nails Inc A/W12 collection.  As you know, I'm not usually a fan of glitters, however I'm looking forward to wearing this on a night out soon. 

Then we have the 'hero' shade Porchester Square.  I really love this shade. Goes with every outfit, every occasion.  I can totally understand why this has made it into the hall of fame.

Nails Inc describe Cheyne Walk as a mirror metallic.  It's a really usual purple colour that shifts towards chocolate brown depending on the light. Its certainly one of the more unique shades that I own and I enjoyed wearing it.

Pudding Lane is a turquoise base with suspended micro shimmers/glitter running throughout the polish.  I wasn't sure if I was going to like this, but I really do.

Warwick Street is another special effects polish, but a little more understated than Pudding Lane.  It's nude with a twist.  I think it will go with any outfit.  Looking forward to giving this a test run.

As you know, I'm not a massive glitter girl so I didn't instantly swoon over Princess Arcade.  However, I think this is going to look pretty awesome over black during the party season.  I'll certainly give it a go.

And finally, Portobello is the most gorgeous neon orange. I wore this when Nic and I went to Paris last month and it was a really striking colour on the nails. I used a good layer of topcoat over Portobello, as neon's can dry down a touch on the matte side and I prefer my polish super shiny.  Each to their own...

As I mentioned earlier, I wasn't sure I was going to like Pudding Lane - but I actually liked it so much that I purchased the rest of the 'Sprinkles' collection too!  I love (L-R) Sugar House Lane and Sweets Way.  Topping Lane is probably a little girly for my own personal taste, so I will probably keep that for a gift.  They're certainly unique!

I'll be due for another instalment of my Nails Inc Auto Delivery fairly soon.  I'd better go and make some space..

QVC September 2012 Beauty TSV's

Saturday 1st September - Elemis Skin Therapies

Monday 3rd September - Laura Geller Makeup

Sunday 9th September - L'Occitane: Beauty en Provence

Saturday 15th September - Ojon

Friday 21st September - Glamorous Beauty Gifts

Thursday 27th September - In the Salon with SBC

Sunday 30th September - Leighton Denny Expert Nails

Happy Shopping!!!