Empties #13

I've taken out the usual suspects this time. You know, the shampoo and Colour Effects bottles, the Maybelline gel liner, The Body Shop face base. I've become tired of talking about them, so you've probably become tired of reading about them!

Tresemme Platinum Strength Deep Conditioning Treatment | When I first used this, I thought it was good. Then I used more, and was amazed at how soft it left my hair. I stocked up while it was half price, but now I'm back to thinking it's just good, so think my hair needs a break from it. I really love everything in the Platinum Strength range, though. The shampoo can weigh your hair down if you constantly use it for more than a couple weeks, but it's still one I go back to when I want incredibly soft hair.

Tresemme Oleo Radiance Creamy Moisturiser Mask | I have a thing for conditioners, so bougt most of the Oleo Radiance range when it was released. This mask is good, but I think I like the Platinum Strength one slightly more. The Platinum Strength range leaves your hair feeling soft, whereas the Oleo Radiance range leaves your hair feeling smooth. Does that make sense? The Oleo Radiance products can weigh my hair down if I use too much of them.

Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel | This is the bottle I bought in last year's Christmas sale because I can't bring myself to spend so much on a shower gel, no matter how good it smells. For those of you who haven't smelt it before, it smells like pear drop sweets. It's very sweet, which is right up my street. I'll probably try and get hold of another bottle after Christmas this year.

Aussie Shower Smoothie Body Wash | When I smelt all the Aussie shower gels, this one appealed to me the most. It's basically a bubblegum scent. It's different to Snow Fairy, but if you want something along those sweet lines, for a much cheaper price, give this a go. It's also available all year round!

Nivea Soft Rose Lip Balm | This is a big moment; I've never finished a stick of lip balm before! I'm surprised it's this one actually, since Nivea lip balms aren't the most hydrating and this one was an initial disappointment. I bought it thinking it'd have more of a tint, but it only has a slight pearlescent finish. Still, it ended up being one I'd apply before bed every night because it felt really nice on the lips, and I loved the scent.

Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets | I've spoken about these before, but they're amazing. I get quite oily throughout the day, and rather than layer powder on top of oil over and over again, I use a couple of these at lunch time. For some reason, they were discontinued, but you can now get them on eBay. However, the deals aren't that great anymore. I'll have to find an alternative when I run out of these (I still have a few packs left).

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara | I don't know why I like this more than Rocket or One by One, but I do. It does everything right, like the others, but this is the one I repurchased the other day. Towards the end of the tube, I started seeing specks of metallic paint on my face and hands, and could not figure out why, but then I realised it was from the tube. I'll try and be more gentle with my new one! On another note, I started using Colossal after not using it for years, but I don't like it as much as the others now. The formula, of the tube I have anyway, is slightly flakey. I've already given it to my mum because life is too short to use a mascara you don't truly love. Am I right, or am I right?

Have you tried any of these products?

Boots Haul

It's currently double discount week (and a half) at Boots, where employees and designated card holders receive 25% off branded products and 45% off Boots own products. I've been taking advantage of this, and thought I'd show you what I bought. Compared to last year's haul (found here), this is tame, especially considering some of it isn't mine!

Both my sister and I already have a large bottle of Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream. I bought my sister it for her birthday, and considering she's not into perfume, she's already half way through her bottle. She decided to buy another for when it runs out, which I have no complaints about because she received 500 Advantage Card points for buying it, and gave them to me! I'm now back up to £80 odd.

She also picked up the OGX Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner because it was already a third off, making these around £3 a bottle. I've used OGX in the past and like it, but don't find it to be above and beyond what I normally use. I also have a drawer full of hair products already, so have put myself on a hair product ban!

The Maybelline Rocket Mascara and Lasting Drama Gel Liner are also hers. I also picked up the Gel Liner and the Sensational Mascara, both of which are repurchases. I have other mascaras to use, but wanted a back up of one I really love.

I bought the Laura Ashley Ceramic Cupcake and Muffin Tray and Rolling Pin with my future kitchen in mind. They're both things which should see me through the years, and they're so pretty! I actually bought two of the trays because I always make at least 12 muffins when baking. They're both originally £16, but the 3 for 2 offer and double discount brought this down to a more acceptable amount.

I ordered through the tills in store so I could have access to the products online. On the website, you can buy a No7 Restore & Renew bundle for just over £31, which is an amazing price when you think that the day and night creams are usually £24 each. The bundle also comes with the eye cream, and I'll be giving all of these to my mum for her birthday. This bundle was exempt from the discount because you're already saving so much.

Soap & Glory! I picked up the Super Exfoliating Scrub Gloves in the hope that they're better than my usual cheap ones. I also bought the Sugar Crush Body Wash, which I haven't used in a while. I still have my fair share of shower gels to get through, but I've resisted quite a few recently, so thought I'd allow myself this one. The One Heck of a Blot Primer and Sugar Crush Hand Gel are both new releases, and for some reason, I received 45% off of them, which I'm very happy about!

Barry M have released a new lipstick range called Satin Super Slick Lip Paints. There's six shades, all of which are beautiful. There's some neutrals, berries, and a peach. I chose Nuditude and Berry-licious. Nuditude is more pink than I thought it'd be, and looks like it'd be chalky, but it's not at all. Berry-licious is more toned down than a lot of berry shades, making it more wearable. Because of the 3 for 2 offer and discount, I got both of these for £3.47. I'm excited to wear them, and can see myself buying a couple more shades!

Have you had a splurge in Boots or Superdrug recently? What new releases have caught your eye? I can't wait to get my hands on the Freedom brow products, as well as The Body Shop's Fresh Nude Foundation and Shade Adjusting Drops.

Mini Succulents

After having a clear out and making space in my room, I've allowed myself to buy some more plants. I've also realised that you don't have to just stick them in simple plant pots time and time again. You can create terrariums and have hanging planters, and just be a little more creative. That's what I'm planning on doing with the little guys above. I bought them from Amazon for just over £12, and that's including delivery. They're absolutely beautiful, with my favourite being the one with the red/purple tips.

Unfortunately, they've just become unavailable, but I've found some other listings, if you're interested. These ones come to just under £20, but you get 15. These and these are just under £15 for 10, and are also beautiful. I think I prefer the second ones a little more out of these two, though.

I love succulents, and think so much can be done with these, so wanted to share them with anyone else interested in this sort of thing. I'll show you how my terrarium turns out, once I've found a nice pot which isn't too expensive!

MUA Sweet Sheen Lip Balm in Dusky Rose

I love the MUA Sweet Sheens. They're probably my most used lip products of the year because they're so fuss free. They feel really light and moisturising on the lips, and while they don't last a great amount of time, they fade without going patchy or bitty. The reds actually leave a subtle stain, which is even better.

They've recently added two new shades to the collection. The first is a deep purple, and the second is the one above. Dusky Rose is just that; a dusky rose. It looks natural, and doesn't lean too pink or brown. It's a shade I wouldn't have paid attention to at the start of the year, but one I now love.

I think I'll always choose a tinted lip balm over other formulas, just because I can't be bothered with the upkeep of more pigmented products. The Sweet Sheens are only £2 as well, which makes me love them even more. You can read my post on the other shades here.

Boots, Glorious Boots

I love boots, but it's rare for me to find a pair I like. They usually look great on other people, but I struggle to feel the same when I'm the one wearing them. I feel like many, especially of the ankle variety, make my feet look huge. In the last couple months, though, I've taken on the 'screw it' mentality, and have just bought them. It's not the boots making my feet look huge, it's my feet making my feet look huge, and this isn't going to change, no matter what footwear I wear! I think part of it is paranoia as well, because I don't think this of others who have the same size feet.

Anyway, after buying the boots in this post, I've bought three more pairs from New Look. I actually bought four, but returned one pair. I know it's excessive, but like I said, I rarely find boots I like, so have to take advantage when I do. It's the same with coats. The first pair were £24.99, the second pair were £27.99, and the third pair were £39.99, but I had 20% off these prices. They're all very different, which I like. 

I was unsure about the first pair, but now they're my favourite, and were the ones I instantly liked in store. The second pair look better on, trust me, and remind me of the lace up, tan ones I had from Office a few years ago. I had a pair similar to the third ones when I was in my early teens., and because of this, I'm still not 100% sure on them. They do look nice on, though, and that's the main thing. I think I'm just associating them with a less fashionable time in my life! Not that I'm fashionable now.

Are you a boot lover? Where's your go-to place for a pair?

Free L'Occitane Hand Cream with Marie Claire November 2015

There's a choice of six L'Occitane hand creams with this month's Marie Claire. It's the one with Claire Danes on the cover, her hair looking both matted and greasy at the same time. The magazine is price at £3.99, so the hand cream isn't technically free, especially if you're only buying it for that, but it's worth £8 and is really rather good.

The scents available include Verbena Cooling, Pivoine Flora, Lavander, Vanilla Bouquet, Rose Heart, and Zesty Lime. I opted for Zesty Lime because lime is one of my favourite scents, and it's difficult to come across in a hand cream. It smells like lime cheesecake; it's incredible. It takes a little longer to absorb than some of my other hand creams, but it's more moisturising.

I can see myself picking up another tube of this, as well as the rose and vanilla ones, but we'll see. The magazines are 2 for £6 in Tesco, if you need any more persuading!

Flamingo Candles The Melt Crowd - October 2015

Another month, another box of wax melts! £2 from this box goes to The Pink Ribbon Foundation, a charity which helps those affected by breast cancer. 

For me, this box is like August's, in the sense that I'm a little disappointed. Half the scents aren't my cup of tea. I'll go through them with you.

Pink Ribbon | This is my favourite. It's described as having a rich, cranberry accord dominated by top notes of sweet cranberry blended with prune juice, complimented by a fruity floral heart of summer strawberry, sun ripened raspberry and citrus orange with sweet honey and rose notes. On dry down the base is woody and powdery with notes of cedarwood and vanilla with a hint of raspberry.

Pomegranate & White Fig | Another favourite. When I was playing the guessing game, I knew I liked it because of its subtle, sweet, and slightly floral scent. I'd say it's in the same family as Rose & Marshmallow because of the delicate notes.

Cranberry, Orange & Cinnamon | I like this one. You can smell the cranberry and orange more than the cinnamon, but that's why I like it.

Bubblegum | I didn't guess this scent, but as soon as I read what it was, it was obvious. I like it, but it's not a scent I've ever truly loved.

Nutmeg & Ginger (The Melt Crowd exclusive) | Warm, slightly fruity. This one won't be at the top of my 'to melt' list, but I don't hate it!

Thunderstorm | I've read that a lot of people are loving this. I'm not sure. It's very masculine. My sister said 'eww, it smells like rain and mud', so at least it smells true to its name?

Golden Woodlands | This one's warm and masculine, with some green notes thrown in. It doesn't repulse me, but like the two above, it's not blowing me away. I may burn it after my current one, though, for a change. It may smell nicer when it fills a room.

Applecurrant Crumble | This one is the big disappointment, and one I'm so surprised about because I love everything about crumble. It has this smell which many artificially warm dessert scents tend to have. I can't describe it, but I don't like it. It smells better when you wave it in front of your nose, so it could smell better when melted, but I can't see my opinion of it changing that much.

Flamingo Candles The Melt Crowd is just £10 a month. Everything you need to know about the subscription can be found here.

Air Plants

I love plants, especially ones of the succulent and cactus variety. Looking back through my blog, I can tell you that my love for them started seven years ago (seriously, I love having a blog for this very reason). I started hearing about air plants earlier this year, and they intrigued me. Plants which don't require soil? Say what? After reading a ton of articles and posts on them, I decided to buy some last week. I bought the mini greenhouse for £8 odd from this Amazon listing, and the plants from this Etsy seller, based in Ireland.

I gave them a soaking when they arrived, and let them dry upside down on a towel for an hour or two before transferring to the greenhouse. They're in a place with plenty of light, but out of direct sunlight, and there's good air circulation in the room, so hopefully they'll thrive. I'm going to soak them once a week to begin with, and then adjust if necessary. If, after a month or two, they're still going strong, I'm going to look into getting a couple more. The possibilities of storing them is endless, so I can't wait to get creative. If they die, I'll have a little sob, and then do a lot more research before purchasing more. But, hopefully, that won't happen!