My First Batch of Empties!

It's not often that I have the patience, or even like a product enough, to use the whole thing. I find that nine times out of ten, I end up throwing away a lot because I've had it longer than you're supposed to, it's started to smell weird, or it's gone a strange colour! Particularly with skin care. I feel now that my tastes are beginning to settle down a bit and I'm becoming a little less fickle with my purchases.

So here are a few things that I've used up recently, with a little review and whether or not I'll repurchase!

Sanctuary Mandelular Sensuous Body Souffle; Yves Saint Laurent Top Secrets Eye Make-up Remover; Clinique Clarifying Lotion, Skin Type 2; ckIN2U her.

I love Sanctuary products, mostly because of the smell. My local Boots started selling the Sanctuary scented candle recently, so I've moved onto that as well now! I loved this moisturiser, it's so, so rich and creamy. I get a bit impatient if moisturisers don't soak in quickly enough, because I don't like feeling greasy, but this absorbs like a dream. It's around £10 for a huge tub, so it lasts ages; I think it's super good value. I'm holding off buying this at the moment because I'm going to try something different, I'm thinking Kiehls, but I know it won't be long before I buy a pot of this, even if it's a travel size!

The YSL makeup remover came in some kind of gift with purchase, I can't even remember when; there's a strong chance I snaffled this from my Mum's bathroom. I really like oily eye makeup removers, you know the ones that you have to shake to mix the two layers? I'm sure there's probably a technical term for this, but I don't know it. I think they're really gentle on the eyes and you don't have to rub too much to remove even waterproof makeup. This one is particularly gentle and works really well. I do prefer the Lancome one over this, and I've got a feeling this one is ever so slightly more expensive.

The first skincare I ever used, way back when, was the Clinique 3-Step Skincare system. I bought all three steps, but over time I've tried new things and found a better combination of things that work. It's probably psychological, but I think that using everything from the same brand means nothing works as well as it should. Totally all in my mind! The Clarifying Lotion is the one thing I have stuck with. It feels so fresh after cleansing my face and it takes off any last little bit of makeup that might have been left. I love the tingly feeling; it feels like it's really doing something! I've started to have little niggly doubts that maybe it's too strong for my skin, because it does smell like paint stripper. It was probably alright for my teenage skin, but what now? I have no idea what I could replace it with. I know I'll repurchase it because it's been such a constant for me!

The Calvin Klein perfume was something that I bought on a whim in the sale in Debenhams. I bought my boyfriend the men's version and the romantic in me thought it would be too cute if we had matching smells! Turns out I like the girl's version wayyy less. This has been the sort of scent that I'll use on a day that I'm not going out of the house, or just at work for a few hours. I can almost certainly say I won't repurchase this, not because it's not nice, because it is, but just because there's so many others I want to try!

RIP Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. My boyfriend bought me this for Christmas two years ago, and it's finally all gone! I knew this day would come, and now it has. Now I must not be a hoarder, and I should throw the bottle away! This was the first proper 'luxury' perfume I owned and I loved, loved, loved it. However, I will say I'm a little bit over the smell of it now. On other people it always smells very light and fresh, and just delicious, but on me I find it smells almost, hot? I don't know how to properly describe it, but it smells quite cloying on me and tends to get up my nose a bit. So for that reason, and the fact that it costs a million pounds, I probably won't buy it for myself again. It's been a good two years!

So now I'm on the hunt for a new perfume, any recommendations?

My Current Beauty Wishlist; June!

There are so many products I'm coveting at the moment, and I've managed to convince myself that I absolutely need them! Although some I actually do need; what's a girl to do with no make-up remover?!

Kiehl's Creme de Corps 500ml - £44; Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover - £4.99; Origins Super Spot Remover - £12; Lancome Bi-facil - £21; Malin+Goetz Ingrown Hair Cream - £27; Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum 30ml - £26.10; YSL Volum Effet Faux Cils Luxurious Mascara - £23.

I'm seriously in the market for a new body moisturiser. I usually use The Sanctuary, but I just fancy a bit of variety at the moment! It's not going to freak my arms or legs out if I change product, so why not?! I used to use the Kiehl's Acai berry serum and loved it, so definitely want to branch out and try this.

OK. So the Bourjois pot of wonder. I cannot for the life of me find this anywhere! I don't want it badly enough to order it online, but I may find myself near a larger Boots store this weekend, so may sniff it out!

This Origins Spot Remover sounds too good to miss. Spot remover?! Why was this not invented when I was in Year 10? Could have solved all my teenage angst-y problems!

I got given a sample of Bi-facil when I bought my Lancome Visionnaire serum and loved it. Definitely purchasing a full size when the sample runs out. It is hands down the best eye makeup remover I have ever used. I have a crazy paranoia that I'm going to rub my eyes too much and have wrinkles in the morning, but this removes all my eye makeup with just a few gentle swipes.

I would love to know if anyone has used this Malin+Goetz Ingrown Hair Cream. I suffer really badly from ingrown hairs all over my legs and have hyped this up in my head to be the miracle cure! I'm definitely going to be trying this come payday. 

I tried the Caudalie serum when I received it in my Glossybox and love to use it in the morning. Visionnaire is much thicker and richer, so is better at night. It really hydrates my face and leaves it super smooth!

And last but not least, YSL Volum Effet Faux Cils. This is more of a shopping list than a wishlist actually - mine has recently dried up beyond use, so I need a replacement, STAT! This weekend poor eyelashes, I promise.

Has anyone used any of these products? I'd love to hear what you think! Any other recommendations?

What's in my make-up bag?

As a new blogger, I thought the best way to introduce myself was to show you what's in my make-up bag. Seeing as I'm going to be posting all about beauty, it's probably the best way to get to know me and my tastes!

I keep all the make-up I'm currently using in this nice, compact Cath Kidston bag. I didn't actually have a dedicated make-up bag until a few months ago, I just used to scatter everything I was using on my dressing table, or shove everything in a bag together. Keeping everything in this little bag makes things a lot easier and appeals more to my OCD ways.

1. Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream. I LOVE this stuff. I think I've just about stopped wearing foundation for the summer now and moved onto this. I started using it last summer when it first came out, and loved it so much. It smooths the complexion so well and gives really good coverage. If I had a really bad breakout, I might think twice about wearing it though. It makes the skin look super dewy without looking oily. Winner.

2. YSL Flash Radiance Skincare Brush. I only use this with my foundation, and then not all the time. I know I should use a primer, but I tend to skip it out through sheer laziness. I also think this makes my make-up look very slightly cakey, like it can't get through to my skin. I don't really notice it doing a lot to the large pores on my cheeks either.. Might give this to my sister, she swears by it. 

3. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, in 10 Beige. I bought this after seeing so many bloggers raving about it. My, my I have not been disappointed. I don't like my make-up to be too obvious, so this is perfect. It's really light and is such a good match for my skin tone. At £31, I did think to begin with it was a little pricey for such a small bottle, but it has lasted me so long. And it smells AMAZING.

4. I haven't really properly entered the blusher world yet. For years and years I've used Benefit Dallas, until I woke up one morning and thought, wow, this really doesn't suit me. I popped to Superdrug and just picked up something cheaper to try a different shade. I absolutely love it. It's very much a 'your cheeks but better' blusher and doesn't leave you looking like you've smeared your Nan's pink lipstick all over your cheeks. Love it.

5. Benefit Lemon Aid. I actually rather cheekily commandeered this from my Mum's make-up bag about six months ago, and it's never gone back! To begin with, I thought it was just covering up the discolouration on my eyelids, but when I stopped wearing it for a period, I noticed that my eye make-up just wasn't staying on as long. This keeps the stuff where it should be!

6. Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner, in Birthday Suit. I tend to just wear a sweep of one colour on my eyelids for everyday, and this is the colour of choice! It's a very beigey, champagne-like colour which is very subtle and flattering. And they're right, it doesn't crease! 

7. Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24 Hour, in 05-Eternal Gold. I'm not sold on this yet. I think the gold is far too bright and garish for my skin tone, it makes me look like I've stuck a ton of cheap gold sequins above my eyes! I think I'll definitely try it out when I'm a bit more sunkissed though! This stuff really does live up to it's name, there is no way this is coming off without a fight!

8. Inika pencil eyeliner in 06 Coco. I got this in the all-natural Glossybox, I want to say that was the April one? I just use this on my waterline. It doesn't seem to fall down my entire face like other eyeliners tend to do, I like it a lot.

9. L'Oreal Super Liner Perfect Slim. This is my first ever liquid liner! My sister is amazing at her eyeliner, me, not so much. The felt tip pen style brush makes this so easy to apply, for even the shakiest of hands! It doesn't smudge at all and stays on aaaaall day. Why did no one tell me about this before now?!

10. Lancome Hypnose Drama, in Excessive Black. I usually use YSL Faux Cils mascara, but it's run out! Nooooo! I'm using this at the moment until I convince myself to spend the money on a new YSL. I got it in the special edition Harrods Glossybox and need to use this opportunity to use it all up! I find it really difficult to apply, one swipe too many and there's no going back. It really is a fine art to keep this on the right side of clumpy. 

11. Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter, in Strawberry Shortcake. I love these! I'm a bit scared of lipstick, I have a lip chewing habit, so find it looks awful in all the cracks! The Revlon lip butters smooth all of this out and are a brilliant pop of colour. I've noticed that Strawberry Shortcake looks better when I'm paler; I have a bit of a tan at the moment and it looks a bit tacky! I'm getting more use out of Creme Brulee shade in this weather! 

12. Benefit 10 Bronzing and Highlighting Powder Duo. I've had this little bashed up box for years and have only recently started getting use out of it again. I don't use the bronzing side anymore, I just use the highlighter on the tops of my cheekbones and on my browbone. This is seriously running out now, and I badly need recommendations for a new highlighter! Answers on a postcard please! 

I really hope this wasn't too long or boring! This is my make-up bag at it's absolute, post-student emptiness. It's a sad thing. I've used YSL Touche Eclat since I was about 16, so that would ordinarily be in here, but I find in the summer I can get away without wearing it. My bank balance agrees.

Obviously, being a new blogger, I would love to hear your thoughts! Are there any amazing products out there that could replace any of these well-loved old faithfuls? Any posts anyone would particularly like to see? I have so many ideas and so much inspiration, I would just love a nudge in the right direction! Thanks for reading!

Famous Dave's Tanning Mousse - Gold Edition

This happens to me every year; the sun comes out and I absolutely panic at the state of my body. Wax, scrub, tan, STAT! I have a love/hate relationship with fake tanning. I love being tanned and glowy, but I can't deal with prancing about in a state of undress waiting for it to dry, and essentially losing a whole evening. Does anyone remember the St Tropez ad campaign from a few years back, of the naked lady doing 'the John Wayne'? Well that sums up fake tanning for me.

Or it did, before I discovered Famous Dave's! I saw this a few times in Superdrug and absolutely baulked at the £28 price tag, but when I saw a box set in the Debenhams sale for only £11.33, I snapped it up. And £10 on my beauty reward card? Don't mind if I do.

Contained within said box set, was the Gold Edition Tanning Mouse, Famous Dave's Body Buffer and a run of the mill tanning mitt. Didn't think you needed to see that, you've seen one, you've seen 'em all. I'll start with the Body Buffer. I'm not usually a fan of coconut scented products, but oh my, this stuff is summer in a bottle. It smells absolutely incredible - not even slightly artificial. I like my exfoliants to actually feel like they're doing something, and this hits just the right note. It's not too aggressive, but it does have some bite. I find that not only does it pave the way for a smooth application of the tan, but it also helps it to fade evenly. Concentrate on your knees and elbows and it really does banish those pesky darker bits. Coming from Mrs Dry-Elbows.

The mousse itself is just, oh my. It applies like an absolute dream; a little bit goes a long way, in terms of both distance and colour. It smells really pleasant to begin with but, like all other fake tan, does develop a biscuity smell. I find that when I wake up in the morning, I smell like an actual packet of Digestives.

I'm always disappointed with a lot of fake tans in that the guide colour is way more impressive than the actual results, so I was nervous to wash this off. There was absolutely no reason to be, it leaves the most beautiful dark golden brown colour, something I could only achieve with two or more applications of other products. Someone at work told me I looked like I'd had a week in the Caribbean. Yes, success! The colour stays for about 3-4 days, depending on what you use in the shower, and fades really evenly.

The amazing thing for me about this mousse is it's drying time. It dries so quickly! Pretty much while I'm still applying it, which in my eyes can only be a good thing. I haven't even felt the need to sleep on a towel. I can't abide lying in bed at night feeling all fake tan-tacky and unable to move too much. This dries in record time and I can throw my pajamas on five minutes after and watch Made in Chelsea. The convenience of this wholly justifies the price for me. 

While the price tag might put people off, I will most definitely be re-purchasing this, on sale or not. I'll never use another fake tan again! Famous Dave, keep on doing what yo' doing. 

And cue instant hilarity, my boyfriend is called Dave.