Empties/ Mini Reviews

I seem to have amassed quite a few empties this time around, perhaps because I've started a kinda almost sorta low buy. I have two Ikea boxes full of perfectly good products I just don't use - mainly hair and body things and found myself contemplating getting a third box recently, madness! Instead of buying and hoarding more, I'm using up what's in those boxes before buying anything else.

Bit of a mix this time...

Superdrug 'Coconut and Shea Butter Body Lotion' - This smells SICKLY sweet! I actually loved the smell when I first bought it, but eventually it became a little over powering. The moisurising properties are nothing special, but okay for daily use on normal skin. Repurchase? Maybe in a different scent.

Creightons 'Raspberry and Pomegranate Bath and Shower Gel' - A cheapy bubble bath that doubles as shower gel, it has that sweet, slightly naff fruity smell we've all probably come across before but at less that £2 for 500ml I aint gonna complain! Repurchase? If strapped for cash and in need of shower gel, I can't see why not.

The Body Shop 'Strawberry Beautifying Lotion' - I adooore this stuff! Oils are a God send and this ticks all the right boxes. Great for skin and hair, plus it smells amazing and you can usually snap up a bottle pretty cheap in The Body Shop sales. Repurchase? I'm 3/4 the way through my second bottle!

Boots 'Simply Sensitive SPF 15 Moisturiser' - Truth be told, I haven't finished this, but it has sat unused in a box for about the last year. It's light, softening and sinks into the skin quickly - it's actually great, I just prefer something that feels a bit more luxe for face cream. Repurchase? Nope, I'm becoming a face cream snob *hides*

Marshmallow Blends 'Apple Jack Body Butter' - Great for SUPER dry skin, definitely one to apply at night because it sits on the skin quite heavily. However, it smells amazing and does a good job of banishing dry patches. Repurchase? No, I'm not a huge fan of the feeling of products sitting on my skin.

Lush 'Happy Happy Joy Joy Conditioning Hair Perfume' - I barely made a dent in this as the smell of it made my Mum, sister, boyfriend and (probably) housemates want to run for miles in the opposite direction. I actually liked the herbal scent but I guess it isn't a very popular one! Repurchase? No!

Tresemmé 'Platinum Strength Conditioner' - A fantastic day to day conditioner for those of us with very dry or damaged hair. It makes my bleached, frizzly locks feel much smoother and stronger. Repurchase? Already have.

Pure Coconut Oil - I'm so lucky I live somewhere with a huge Asian community, as my local Morrisons stocks this stuff for just 99p in the Asian cooking section - winning! I find it's a lot more effective than the Superdrug stuff, plus the glass bottle makes it easy to melt the oil inside. Repurchase? I think I'm on my third bottle now... 

Phillip Smith 'Dry Clean' Dry Shampoo - A dry shampoo is a dry shampoo is a dry shampoo...Repurchase? Nah, the bottle top stopped working so I only used about half of it!

Superdrug 'Deep Action Facial Cleansing Wipes' - While I don't believe facial wipes do any more than baby wipes, I do enjoy Superdrug's own versions. They're strong and moist enough to remove most make-up in a doddle. Repurchase? I've been buying these for years!
Yes to Tomatoes 'Skin Clearing Facial Mask' - Probably the worst mask I've ever bought, it wasn't even enjoyable to apply or relax in (which, let's face it, is the reason we really buy face masks!) and dried out really quickly. Plus I believe it was about £13 - eek. Repurchase? Never.
MUA 'Lash Boom' Mascara - I wish I'd noticed that it has one of those silly torture device type wands before I bought it, because I dislike them greatly! However, at £3 it wasn't bad...it just wasn't good either. Repurchase? Nope.
Maybelline 'Stay Matte' powder and Collection 'Lasting Perfection' concealer - Do I need to say anything?! Repurchase? Aaaall the time!
And now I can go and fling this lot in the recycling and start another 'empties' box - a little strange when you realise just how much you actually get through! 
See anything here you use? Link me to your last 'empties' post!
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Current Skincare Routine for Oily/ Combination Skin

After giving up on caring for my stubborn, oily, blemish ridden skin for years, I started to look back into skin care towards the end of last year. My skin has obviously changed since my younger days, namely that it's become drier in places and less spot prone. I have an oily t-zone, dry patches around my nose and cheeks and large pores. I've mainly been looking into oily busting, blemish clearing products which don't break the bank to balance and revive my skin...

Lush, Yes to Tomatoes and Boots 'Simple Sensitive' range have been making up my favourite routine so far.

Lush 'Coal Face' Soap/ Cleanser: A lightly exfoliating soap perfect for oily, congested skin. The black shade comes from the charcoal (to absorb grease) and liquorice (to soften skin). Lush also add rosewood oil to act as an antiseptic to help keep spots at bay and sandalwood oil to soothe problem skin. I use this as my regular face soap (and occasionally in the shower) and have noticed a significant reduction in break outs, I also love the earthy, liquorice scent and how fresh this makes my skin feel.

 Lush 'Dark Angels' Cleanser: Sometimes, I need a face scrub which, if it were a person, I feel would slap me hard and call me its bitch - that is 'Dark Angels'. When my skin feels particularly worse for wear, I use this thick, super exfoliating cleanser to buff away rough patches, soak up excess oil, add a little moisture and give some antiseptic love. I wouldn't recommend this to those with delicate skin - this is definitely the bad boy of facial exfoliators.

Yes to Tomatoes 'Clear Skin Facial Mask': At £12 for 50ml of product, I did hesitate to buy this at first. However, I do believe that with skin care you get what you pay for - and it would be easy to spend way more if I had the money! You don't need much to cover your face and the results are fantastic. The next day, my skin feels softer and healthier and looks more even. I'd happily re-purchase!

Boots Simple Sensitive 'Protecting Day Moisturiser SPF 15': I originally bought this as part of one of the '3 for 2' deals in Boots, not expecting much at all. There are, however, some utter gems out there for next to nothing! This moisturiser is light, fragrance free, soaks into my skin quickly and keeps oil at bay for quite some time. I actually find this works better as a make-up primer that my £20 Illamasqua 'Matt Primer' - 'nuf said.

Lush 'Coal Face' cleanser - £4.50 for 100g, which lasts ages!
Lush 'Dark Angels' cleanser - £5.95 for 100g, which will last the 3 months it stays fresh for.
Yes to Tomatoes 'Clear Skin Facial Mask' - Around £12 for 50ml, hunt around Google for the best deal.
Boots Simple Sensitive 'Protecting Day Moisturiser' - £1.86 for 125ml of product.

Next I'll be venturing into Murad - wish me luck!