Empties #11

Call it the pregnant nester within me but I just can't help organising all my beauty bits at the moment so it was inevitable that an empties post would find its way onto ze blog - goodbye redundant products, see you later empty packaging. I'm sure you all know the drill by now but if you don't an empties post is where I tell you my true feelings on all the products I've recently finished.

Pai Perfect Balance Blemish Serum - This lightweight serum is perfection for those with unruly, blemish prone skin that also experience product sensitivity - I love how gentle all Pai products are. On application this serum quickly disappears into the skin providing the ideal base for moisturisation. While I loved using the Balance Blemish Serum I haven't repurchased, simply because my skin is no longer so spot prone although I definitely think this serum played a starring role in clearing it up.

Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque - As a huge fan of the Parsley Seed mask (read about it here) I decided to pick up the Chamomile Concentrate as I heard it was a souped up, intense version of the aforementioned yet even as I type I'm sat on the fence. While you see instant, fresh skin results with the Parsley Seed mask I find the Chamomile Concentrate is a slow burner (not literally, don't panic). I used this in areas where I had blemishes and found my skin looked clearer maybe one or two days after application so while the results are there it's certainly not one to pull out before a big event. At £33 it isn't the most purse friendly of masks and even though it has lasted a whole year I don't think I'll be picking it up again.

Pai Geranium & Thistle Rebalancing Day Cream - Finding the perfect day cream used to be a continuous battle (dramatic pause) until now. I've tried many a pricier moisturiser but I'm yet to find one that gives just the right level of hydration to my normal to combination skin like this baby does. The tiniest amount goes a long way and I love how this is not only a great base for make-up but leaves my skin feeling plump and hydrated without being the tiniest bit oily. A forever repurchase. 

Soap & Glory Archery Brow Pencil - And the award for brow game changer goes to...Funnily enough I've heard mixed reviews on this brow pencil but here's my two cents, I cannot get enough. The shade Blondeshell is a great match for my blondie-brown brows (try and say that quickly) and I love how you can create a naturally enhanced look or go all out an attempt a Cara. I've tried quite a few brow pencils from the likes of Space NK and must say this beats them hands down. The only downside? There's just two shades available. Fingers crossed you're one of them.

Soap & Glory Solar Powder and One Heck Of A Blot - Things are getting pretty Soap and Glory centric around here so I'll try and keep this short and to the point. If you're in the market for a new, natural looking bronzer (scowls at Nars Laguna with my fair skin) or a sheer powder that takes that hint of unsightly shine away then look no further than these two compacts. Not only are these amazing for the price (£11 and £12 respectively) but they really do work. As a blogger I should really branch out and try a different setting powder but when I find something I like, I stick with it.  

Bourjois 1, 2, 3 Perfect CC Cream - When Lisa Eldridge raves about a high-street base you run out and add one to your stash. It's rare I find a inexpensive base that floats my boat but Bourjois have got it going on with this natural yet covering base. Take the whole BB, CC thing out of the equation and this product is that tinted moisturiser you've been searching for that actually provides coverage and stays around all day. If you're a foundation gal to the very end but fancy something lighter for Summer then I highly recommend this travel friendly packaged CC cream, you won't regret it. Read my full ode to this ace base here.

Have you ever tried any of these products? Which do you rate?

Empties #6

How is it already time for another bank holiday? Not that I'd ever complain about a three day weekend of course, aren't they just the best? Sundays where the Monday blues never creep in are the dream. With the weather being more shabby than chic I've decided I can no longer deal with the level of clutter I've become accustomed to (I can't even blame Craig as it's all my doing) so here's me making a start with my beauty empties. One small step for Hannah...

Palmers Natural Bronze Body Lotion - If a bar of chocolate got friendly with a fake tan and bottled their love then this would be the result. What I love about this lotion is that it's incredibly easy to apply (especially with the pump), it doesn't have that awful fake tan whiff and it develops into a beautiful golden colour in a matter of hours. If you're frightened of faking it and want to dip your toe into the golden realm then I'd recommend this, especially at a cheap as chips £5.35 for 250ml. My only criticism is that things can get streaky in the hard to reach areas but can't this be said of any gradual tan when I apply it? Enough said. 

Body Shop Almond Body Butter* - We all know Body Shop bring it when it comes to body moisturisation but hands up who's guilty of buying the same scents over and over again? *My hand is well and truly in the air*. My first thoughts on receiving this? It isn't my beloved cocoa butter choice but after just one application I was thankful for the switch up. The almond scent is absolutely heavenly and the perfect blend of sweet without being OTT. An easy repurchase, see ya cocoa.

Soap & Glory Heel Genius Foot Cream - I know foot talk isn't the sexiest topic around but do you really want those tootsies feeling like sand paper for sandal season? I thought not. Soap & Glory have hit the nail on the head with this foot cream, it's neither too thin or thick in consistency and acts as a great pampering product once you've washed away the day. I usually pop this on before whacking on a pair of cosy socks to reveal super soft souls just before slumber. I've already got another tube on the go as it's a product I'd sorely miss if it wasn't in my routine.

BB Curl Conscious Creme - I daren't begin to think how long I've had this curl tamer kicking around in my stash, definitely longer than I care to admit. Bumble & Bumble are a blogger championed brand and as my hair salon once solely used their products I can safely say there's a few winners but also more losers in their much talked about range, ooooh controversial. The curl conscious creme did a good job of separating my natural waves and adding that extra level of fullness, well I thought it did. Since finishing this product I haven't repurchased and my hair is just as wavy. Maybe if your locks are super curly this one's for you, but me not missing it speaks volumes.

Nars Creamy Concealer in Vanilla - Everything you've ever read about this concealing wonder is true. I even went through a two month period of scraping the concealer dregs out of the tube thanks to Nars' supply problem, it's that good. I've raved about the Creamy Concealer here so I'll not go on, all I'll say is you need this in your life and it's finally back in stock. Hooray!

Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque - I'm a sucker for blogger hype especially when it's a brand I've never tried before which happens to have chic apothecary style packaging, yes I'm a marketeers dream. I finally took the plunge when Liberty had an amazing GWP going on and it's been going strong ever since, a grand total of eight months to be precise. As my skin is one sensitive being I'm pleased to say this works like a dream to help decongest my skin leaving things brighter, softer and fresher without aggravating or drying out my visage. I'm keen to try more from Aesop and may have already made a purchase.

Have you tried any of my empties before? Does clutter follow you around everywhere you go?

*PR Sample, all thoughts my own.

The Cult Beauty Haul

Cult Beauty is one of those sites that instantly pulls you in, the design and general swoon-worthy-ness are second to none and with so many luxurious brands in one place you're spoilt for choice. I've even been known to dream over a bursting at the seams virtual basket, no joke. After umming and ahhing over making an order for far too long I finally caved when Estee posted a discount code, 15% off and free delivery? Yes please.

Now it would have been so easy for me to buy my entire wish list, the site really does entice you to spend but with a whole load of house shizz to fork out for I decided on just the essentials. My skin hasn't been itself for a few months now so skincare buys were a must, starting with a repurchase of the Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel. Packed to the rafters with fruit extracts this mask munches away at dead skin cells leaving skin brighter and clearer. If manual scrubs scare the living daylights out of you then this baby is the one. My next must have was the Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti Blemish Masque (what a mouthful), this is a complete noob to my skincare stash but after hearing wonderful reviews and throughly enjoying the much hyped Parsley Seed mask I thought it was time to give this a bash. Aesop prods may be pricey but boy do they stick around, I'm only just finishing this tube of goodness! Fingers crossed this chamomile offering tackles my stubborn blemishes.

Skincare aside my final couldn't-check-out-without-it was the CND Stickey Base Coat. After hearing the words holy grail mentioned by both beauty bloggers and InStyle magazine it's now my turn to see what all the fuss is about. I've got one nail paint left in my OPI base coat and to be frank it ain't all that, especially for the eye watering price I paid. CND you need to bring it, I promise to report back soon.

Have you ever tried any of my picks? Is Cult Beauty your happy place?

The Repurchase & The Noob

Who'd of thought with September on the way out that I'd be sat outside bringing you a long overdue beauty post? I don't quite know what's going on with this weather but I for one am not complaining, especially when I've just eaten a crunchie blast ice cream - well it is a Sunday. Life's been going at one hundred miles an hour recently so it's lovely to have a lazy day, paint my nails and tell ya'll about my latest beauty buys.

It all started with three short words - gift with purchase, throw Liberty into the mix and you've got a gal with a pretty strong desire to blow one hundred and fifty of her fine pounds on beauty bumf. Now you guys know how much I love a gift with purchase, so much so I'm usually that girl stalking my local Space NK until they throw their seasonal beauty event but Liberty's GWP is actually out of this world! The only issue I had was the minimum spend but rather luckily my mum was in need of a few repurchases herself so we decided to team up and I even agreed to even gave her a few samples, how generous am I? So what did I buy to qualify?

It's not the first time the Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturiser has found itself on Cagney and Lace, and with good reason. Right now this baby is my base of choice and if I could only take a handful of products to a desert island this would certainly be one of them, bold claim right? Previously I announced this was difficult to blend but I must say I don't know what I was thinking. This blends like a dream with my Real Techniques buffing brush, lasts almost all day on the skin with barely any touch ups and provides a really healthy finish to the skin, neither too matte or too dewy. An easy repurchase.

Looking through my skincare collection I knew there was room for a newbie in my life so I decided to welcome the Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque with open arms into my bathroom cabinet. My skin has been a little off a lately so after seeing quite a few bloggers rave about the Parsley Seed range I was delighted to see that Aesop are on of the many brands stocked by Liberty. It's early days for this clay based lovely but I will say it smells absolutely divine, keep your eyes peeled for a full review soon.

Which beauty buys would make the cut if you were off to a desert island? Do you spend more than you anticipated just to get a gift with purchase?