Disappointing Products #1

It's not often that I'm disappointed by beauty products, but there's always a time you buy something that wasn't worth the money or didn't deliver as you expected. Here's a little run down of what I've been disappointed by in my beauty collection.

Chanel de Volume Mascara

If it wasn't for the fact that this mascara smudges and flakes under my eyes, it would probably be my favourite mascara as it gives my lashes fab volume and curl. This is why I am so disappointed! I'm only using a sample size, but I won't be running to buy the full size for £24.00 when it comes to the end of its life.

Full review here.

Benefit Fine-One-One

When this product was released it was very hyped and in principle I can see why - a unique blusher and highlighter stick in one that can be used on lips too. However despite the cream to powder formula, the colour only lasted around four hours on me. Fine-One-One also didn't work on my lips as it collected in the cracks and was too drying.

Full review here.

Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me

I was disappointed with this shade as I just didn't like it as much as Peppermint, which I received in an American beauty box swap. Cherry Me really isn't very hydrating and doesn't contain a SPF like with Peppermint. It gives a lovely wash of colour although it doesn't last very long.

Full review here.

Naked Blonder Lightening Shampoo

I bought this because I wanted to use a SLS free shampoo that could treat my highlighted blonde hair at the same time. It does give my hair colour a subtle lift, but the formula makes my hair feel really dry and straw like. When I come to dry my hair it's so so knotty at the top (I only apply the conditioner from the same range on the ends), I have to use a LOT of my Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Leave In Conditioner. 

MUA Lipstick in Juicy
It's such a shame about this lipstick because it's such a pretty shade! But the formula just seems to settle in the cracks in my lips no matter how moisturised they are and just looks awful.

What beauty products have you been disappointed by?

Beauty Bird xx

OOTD: White and Blue

Outfit

  Swallow Patterned T-shirt - New Look - old, similar alternative here

Denim Skater Skirt - FD Avenue* - no longer available, similar alternative here

White Lace Pumps - Primark - old

Silver Triangle Chain Necklace - New Look - link

Nails

Rimmel Salon Pro in Peppermint - link

Today's OOTD also features my woofy, Daisy! This was a natural photo and I really like it. She's such an inquisitive dog and loves to get involved in everything! Anyway, onto the outfit itself. I wore this when my other half and I went on a day trip to Bournemouth over the bank holiday. I decided to mix up my blue shades with the dark blue swallows on the t-shirt (you know me, I love a bird print!) and the light blue of the denim skirt. I *think* it works and helps keep the outfit casual, which is also why I didn't tuck the t-shirt into the skirt as I would usually do. I absolutely love the button detail on the skirt, so simple yet so effective! The silver triangle chain necklace you can see in the last photo is a recent addition to my necklace collection. I've wanted a necklace like this for ages so I was so pleased to find it, plus it only cost £5.99! 

What fashion purchases have you made recently?

Beauty Bird xx

P.S. Please note this post contains a PR sample. This does not affect my opinion of the product.

Review: Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer

The Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer is a hydrating toner, which is a product I've only introduced into my skincare routine earlier this year. This toner is also available in a square bottle, where you just apply it with a cotton wool pad. However I decided to go for the spritzer because I thought it would be easier and quicker to use, plus I could pop it in my handbag to apply throughout the day as required. The 200ml spritzer bottle costs £13.50.

I did have a good browse online at hydrating toners and chose the Instant Boost Skin Tonic because of the ingredients. It is alcohol free and contains a number of naturally active ingredients which work together to hydrate, refresh, soothe and soften skin; Cucumber Extract, Geranium Essential Oil, Aloe Vera, Glycerin, Chamomile Essential Oil, Hops Extract, D-panthenol and Calendula Extract. It is also suitable for all skin types.

I apply the Instant Boost Skin Tonic straight after cleansing morning and night; it provides a quick injection of moisture to my skin and re-balances it. Thanks to Caroline Hirons, I now know that cleansing adjusts the natural ph level of your skin and it can take about half an hour to re-balance itself - but in that time dry skin will feel tight and oily skin like mine will produce excess oil to make up for the lack of hydration. Not good! I also use the Instant Boost Skin Tonic during the day as I feel I need it, especially when it's warm, as it's really refreshing and revitalising. I also find in the warmer weather it keeps excess oil at bay for that bit longer. It applies a mist rather than a spray so it doesn't dislodge your makeup. The Instant Boost Skin Tonic also has a light and subtle floral scent.

I've been using this since the beginning of May every day at least 3 times a day and I have about half of the bottle left.

The Verdict

For me, the Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer is worth every penny. It's great value for money considering how long it will last, all the naturally active ingredients it contains and the added benefits compared to a basic water based facial spray. I will definitely re-purchase. Click here to take a look at the product on the Liz Earle website.

Do you use a hydrating toner in your skincare routine?

Beauty Bird xx

Review: Eden Organic Care Avocado Oil

Eden Organic Care is a company created with the aim of supplying certified organic products for hair and skin care. Their first product to be released is the Eden Organic Care Avocado Oil, which is certifed as 100% organic and contains 100% unrefined avocado oil and absolutely nothing else!

I've used avocado oil before in a mix, as the Antipodes Divine Face Oil contains avocado and rosehip oil as its main ingredients. But I didn't realise how multi-tasking and beneficial pure avocado oil is for you, as it can be used on both your skin and hair. According to Eden Organic Care, avocado oil is easily absorbed into deep tissue and is highly valued for its moisturising, regenerative and anti-aging properties. Avocado oil contains high levels of anti-oxidants and is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, D, E, protein, lecithin and fatty acids. For this reason, it is ideal for;

SKIN

• People suffering with eczema or psoriasis.
• Treating skin that is sun damaged, dry, dehydrated, undernourished, climate damaged or mature.
• Improving the appearance of age spots, sun damage and scars.
• Treating lines and wrinkles, as avocado oil helps support the production of collagen.
• Use as a massage oil as well as a body moisturiser.

HAIR

• Treating dry or damaged hair.
• Improving split ends.
• Restoring natural shine.
• Helping hair to grow stronger and faster.

The Eden Organic Care Avocado Oil costs £14.99 for a 100ml bottle and has a pump dispenser. The only thing about the pump is that there's no controlability over how much product you dispense. I find that one pump is too much when just wanting to apply the oil on my face. The oil is yellowy-green in colour and has a light, nutty scent. I've been primarily using it on my face at night time after cleansing, on and around my nails and on my hair either as an overnight treatment or fifteen minutes before shampooing (the latter is suggested by Eden Organic Care on the bottle). 

On your skin the avocado oil does take a minute or so to absorb, but it really is worth it as it is so, so nourishing and a little goes a long way. When my skin is feeling dry or dehydrated, this is perfect as it intensely moisturises and just seems to bring my skin back to life. For this reason I really like using it after applying a purifying or exfoliating face mask. I also find that it helps spot scars fade a lot quicker compared to when I don't use it.

When it comes to hair, mine isn't very dry, shiny or weak naturally, so the difference when using the Eden Organic Care Avocado Oil is more subtle. However it does definitely leave it soft and feeling healthy.

The Verdict

I really like using the Eden Organic Care Avocado Oil as you can see and feel the benefits of it so quickly. It is very good value considering it's a natural, organic product, that comes in a good size bottle and can be used for a variety of applications. With continued use I hope it will keep those lines and wrinkles at bay! My only small negative is the pump dispenser.

You can purchase the product from the Eden Organic Care website here.

Do you use avocado oil in your beauty routine?

Beauty Bird xx

P.S. This post contains a PR sample. This does not affect my opinion of the product.

A Fashion Moment: Primark Necklaces

I think my favourite section in Primark right now is the jewellery and more specifically, the statement necklaces. They are so cheap and really jazz up a casual t-shirt or jumper, which is generally what I tend to wear. All of these three necklaces were bought fairly recently, so should still be in shops if any catch your eye! I absolutely love them!

 Left to right: £2.50 / £3.00 / £3.00

How gorgeous are these necklaces?! I have had quite a few compliments on them. The one on the left with its mix of silver and turquoise charms is quirky with a nod to the tribal trend. The necklace in the middle is the most statement I think and quite diva-esque. On the far right, this is the necklace to add a little glitz and glam. The only thing I would say to Primark is please do some more choices in silver, as there always seems to be more of a selection in gold! 

Do you wear statement necklaces? Where do you like to shop for jewellery?

Beauty Bird xx

NOTD: Roll of the Dice

At the weekend my Dad and his partner had their big annual afternoon barbecue followed by a party, which is always themed. This year the theme was Las Vegas. To save money on fancy dress outfits, my fiance and I just dressed up really posh in outfits we already owned, as if we were going to a casino. However to make it a little more fun, I decided to continue the casino theme on my nails with a bit of dice nail art! 

As you can see from the picture, my inspiration was the red and black dice bracelet, which I bought for a Alice in Wonderland themed fancy dress party last year. When I came to paint my nails a few hours before going out, I realised that I do not actually own a black nail varnish! So instead I used Nails Inc Motcomb Street, which is actually a very dark navy blue, so dark that it nearly is black. The red is Nails Inc Holly Bush Vale. Both of these came from a set of 5 Nails Inc mini nail varnishes, which I bought from TKMaxx for just £12.99! Absolute bargain. For the white dots I used my Models Own nail art pen.

What are you wearing on your nails at the moment?

Beauty Bird xx

Review: Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me

Having received the Maybelline Baby Lips in Peppermint in an American beauty box swap I did back in May (our version of this seems to be called "Mint Fresh") and really liking it, I knew I had to pick up one of the tinted versions when they were released over here in the U.K. After looking at many swatches, I decided to purchase Cherry Me, which appears to be the most pigmented. 

Maybelline say, "Baby Lips lip balm from Maybelline New York gives intense care and 8 hour hydration, and is nourishing for baby soft lips. Its clinically tested formula has a hint of colour and leaves lips feeling soft and smooth."

All the Baby Lips have fun and colourful packaging and come in the form of a bullet that you twist up to apply. There are six to choose from; three tinted (Cherry Me, Peach Kiss and Pink Punch) and three non-tinted (Mint Fresh, Intense Care and Hydrate) and are a very affordable £2.99. Baby Lips is one of those hyped and much talked about products that I first heard about sometime last year, so does Cherry Me live up to the hype for me?  

First all, I love the cherry scent and it does leave a nice, noticeable wash of glossy colour on the lips. However I would say that the colour is more of a raspberry pink than red, which I really like, but this may be disappointing for some. The formula is quite soft despite being in bullet form and glides over lips nicely; as expected application is super easy. I also like the fact that this contains some moisturising ingredients, such as shea butter and honey.

Now for my negatives of this product. Comparing Cherry Me to Peppermint, I was surprisingly disappointed. I assumed Cherry Me would contain SPF 20 just like Peppermint, however on actually reading the blurb on the Boots website, it appears that only the non-tinted versions contain SPF. I find Cherry Me isn't that hydrating and on a trip out on my boyfriend's boat the other weekend, at the mercy of the sun and wind, I found myself constantly re-applying this. I haven't experienced this so much with Peppermint and assume it is the SPF that makes the difference, as they both contain the same ingredients otherwise. Although in all, I wouldn't say that either offer 8 hour hydration. A closer look at the ingredients seems to explain why; Baby Lips contain petroleum jelly- think Vaseline. I used Vaseline back at school and it's a product you have to regularly re-apply. In terms of colour, Cherry Me doesn't last particularly long but this isn't promising to be a balm stain, so I wouldn't expect anything different.

The Verdict

For me, Baby Lips in Cherry Me is a product that cares more about how it looks on the outside rather than the inside. It won't be something I will use for really dry lips and so I won't rely on it in the winter or long days in the sun, but for times inbetween I will continue to use this mainly for the colour and a shot of short term hydration. At the end of the day it's only £2.99, so I think you get what you pay for.

Have you tried any of the Maybelline Baby Lips range? Does it live up to the hype for you?

Beauty Bird xx

Guest Post: Sabrina Taylor - 10 Natural Sunburn Remedies

This one’s for all my sun sensitive sistahs.

I was blessed - perhaps burdened is more appropriate - with a milky white complexion and the inability to develop any sort of tan. The only sign of sunshine on my skin is the addition of a few freckles on my nose, cheeks and shoulders.

Besides being fair skinned, my skin is sensitive. Perfumed products and oily lotions are best avoided and even the least amount of sun exposure leads to a burn.

After years of dealing with unintentional burns, I ended up becoming somewhat of a sunburn remedy guru. If you suffer under the sun like me, let me share a little wisdom with you!

1. Aloe and Coconut

Most people go for straight aloe vera gel, but I like to mix it with coconut oil for extra moisture. Create a 50-50 blend and slather all over your skin. Just avoid your face with the coconut oil, so you avoid any unwanted acne breakouts.

2. Baking Soda

For Christmas one year my Nonnie gave me a booked titled 101 Ways to Use Baking Soda. A baking soda bath for sunburns was one of them. Turns out 3-4 heaping tablespoons of baking soda in a lukewarm bath make for the perfect anti-itch burn remedy. Soak for 15 minutes then air dry. Don’t rinse off your baking soda either. You’ll feel great.

3. Cornstarch

I typically use cornstarch for thickening up soups and gravies, but dusting myself in a nice layer of it after too much fun in the sun helps prevent chafing between clothes and burn zones.

I often miss applying healthy layers of sunscreen around my bikini straps and bum line and this works perfectly for those areas.

4. Lettuce

This is a very unexpected, but effective remedy; boiled lettuce. All you have to do is boil a head of lettuce and then strain out the water. Let the water cool in the fridge then dip cotton pads or a cloth in it and pat your burn with the water.

Lettuce has natural pain relieving qualities that soothe the sting and the added moisture doesn’t hurt either. 

5. Strawberries

Mashed up strawberries provide a nice cooling effect to fresh burns. Just don’t let them sit on your skin for too long or you’ll stain yourself a new shade of pink.

6. Milk

Dairy may not be great for your complexion, but a cold milk compression sure cools the sting of a sunburn.

Mix milk, water and a few ice cubes in a bowl then soak a cloth in it. Place your cold compress over the burn and enjoy the cool down.

7. Oats

Aveeno may have packaged it up, but I perfected the oatmeal bath the year I got a sunburn AND chicken pox.

Grind 1 cup of fresh oats in a blender and toss it in the bath. Soak for as long as your heart desires and enjoy how the oats alleviate pain and itch.

8. Potatoes

Good for surviving a famine and soothing burns. The juice from a pulverized potato prevents itching.

Just pulverize a potato in a food processor with 1 or 2 tablespoons of water and slather over your skin. Once dry, rinse off.

9. Vinegar

Commonly used for fish & chips, cleaning windows and preventing pasta from sticking together, white vinegar is also useful for sunburns. Just soak a cloth in it and place over the burn.

10. Water

Last, but certainly not least is water. Staying hydrated is key when you want to heal a burn. Make sure you get your daily dose of water and carry some with you if you plan on spending time in the sun. Remember, once you feel thirsty your body is already dehydrated.

I think it goes without saying, but be sun smart this summer. Apply your SPF, try and avoid too much exposure and take care of your skin. After all, you don’t want all that fun in the sun to cause skin damage later in life!

Author Bio: Sabrina is a beauty blogging, diy-creating, natural skin care lover. To help her readers feel and look their very best, she shares all her secrets over at www.topbeautybrands.com. You can stay connected with her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Thank you very much to Sabrina for this wonderful guest post! I unitentionally burnt my arms and nose the other weekend (completely my fault for not re-applying SPF enough), so this post came in so useful! If you want to read more from Sabrina, check out her posts here.

What remedies do you use to soothe sunburn?

Beauty Bird xx

August 2013 Beauteco Box

Last month I posted about the Beauteco Box for the first time (here), which is an eco friendly beauty box with three menu choices of products every month. August's menu choices are now available and today I'm going to share with you menu three, which contains an amazing three full size products and two sample size products.

What I love is that the internal packaging is a different colour from last month; blue and yellow rather than pink and purple. If you get this box every month, then this is a lovely little touch that really will stand out. 

What I love about August's box, just like last month, is that it contains brands that I have never tried before.

Arran Aromatics Lavender and Tea Tree Facial Wash 100ml (full size, worth £12.95)

Non-drying formulation contains natural exfoliating loofa and deep cleansing tea tree and lavender extract to promote a revived complexion.

Lord and Berry Intensity Lipstick in Peach Gleam (full size, worth £14.95)

A satin finish lipstick that glides on silkily, nourishing lips with karite butter, rice bran oil and Vitamin E.

Lord and Berry Kissproof Lip Colour in Blossom (full size, worth £9.95)

A long lasting yet creamy and soft lip pencil that is lightweight yet densely pigmented.

S5 Purity Serum 10ml (sample size, worth £14.67)

Targeted breakout control treatment for blemish prone skin with rainforest bioactives.

Melvita Body Milk in Rose 30ml (sample size, worth £2.40)

This light, fresh, silky body milk provides all day hydration for the skin thanks to a blend of rose floral water, rose seed milk and wild rose petals.

So far I've tried the Lord and Berry lipstick, which feels so moisturising and lives up to the satin finish. However the colour is quite a bronzed peach with a lot of gold glitter and I think it would look nicer with a tan than my super pale skin. I've also tried the Melvita Body Milk in Rose, which has a surprisingly sweet rose scent, so don't be put off if you don't like traditional rose scents! It has a light formula but is very hydrating and leaves skin super soft. Unfortunately I won't use the Arran Aromatics Lavender and Tea Tree Facial Wash as it contains SLS, which can clog pores, but I can't wait to try the other items.

In total, this box is worth a whopping £54.92 yet only costs £10.00 plus £2.95 postage! It's still worth it for me, even with not using the facial wash. The box can be bought individually every month or you can purchase pre-paid subscriptions plans for 3, 6 and 12 months.

You can check out the Beauteco Box website here.

What do you think of the products available in this box this month?

Beauty Bird xx

P.S. This product contains a PR sample. This does not affect my opinion of the product.

Budget Beauty: Primark Flannels

If you are a regular reader like myself of Caroline Hiron's blog Beauty Mouth, you will know that she is a big fan of the flannel and uses them in her daily routine. I don't think I've ever really used flannels properly before - though I regularly use my Moonie muslin cloths. I only have three of these though, so I find it hard to keep up with washing them! However after discovering that Primark sell a pack of three flannels for a bargain £1.50, I promptly went there and picked up three packs for nine days' worth! They sell them in a range of colours, but I went for white so that you can tell from the flannel if all your makeup has come off properly. 

The flannels are surprisingly good quality - they are quite thick and soft to the touch (though I wouldn't say they are as soft when wet as a muslin cloth). They are machine washable and to date wash really well. They now feature in my daily skincare routine to remove all traces of cleanser, as well as my weekly face masks. It's so much easier and quicker using a flannel than splashing water on your face! The flannels also remove any "ready" whiteheads without causing irritation. I love them!

Do you use flannels as part of your skincare routine?

Beauty Bird xx 

Review: MAC Lustre Finish Lipstick in Viva Glam V

This lipstick first caught my eye when Tanya Burr mentioned it in one of her YouTube videos. When I spotted it in The Cosmetics Company Outlet, a shop that sells big name makeup, perfume, skincare and haircare brands at discounted prices, I knew it had to be mine! It came in a set called MAC "A Tartan Tale" Tis Noble to Give Viva Glam Lip Bag with a matching Lipglass. This set is no longer available, but both the Viva Glam V Lipstick and Lipglass can be bought separately from MAC. Plus, for each sale of any MAC Viva Glam Lipstick and Lipglass, the full RRP (less VAT) is donated to the MAC Aids Fund.

Viva Glam V is described by MAC as a "pure, neutral pink" and comes in a lustre finish, which is sheer and glossy. I love the colour; I would describe it as a brown toned pink, which is absolutely perfect for everyday wear. It does have some gold glittery particles running through it, but it's very subtle. The wear time is around a few hours. I really do think this an underrated shade from MAC!

What are your favourite everyday wear lipstick shades?

Beauty Bird xx

Review: NEOM Organics Tranquility Body Oil

As a blogger, NEOM Organics is a brand that you hear and read about a lot, so it was so exciting to try out my first NEOM product! NEOM produce naturally scented, organic home fragrance and body care products using pure essential oils. Their products are not tested on animals and do not contain petrochemicals, SLS, parabens, PEGs, silicone or animal products, synthetic scents, paraffin wax, black smoke or toxins.

The Tranquility Body Oil comes in luxury glass bottle, which contains English Lavender, Sweet Basil and Jasmine for a truly relaxing scent. In fact, NEOM do recommend Tranquility as pre-bedtime treat, either as a body oil or massage oil, and this is exactly how I have been using it. 

NEOM say, "Formulated for skin in need of an incredible boost of nourishing rehydration, this organic body and massage oil will restore and maintain glowing all over softness. The organic Safflower and Jojoba are rich in vitamins A & E as well as essential fatty acids which help with skin repair and softness. Apply directly to the skin and massage in for an amazing skin smoothing treat."

The bottle has a pump mechanism to dispense the oil and a little truly goes a long way. The Tranquility Body Oil glides over my skin effortlessly; it feels really silky and once massaged in, it absorbs quickly without leaving any oily or greasy residue. What I'm left with is seriously hydrated, soft skin with a subtle sheen! The scent isn't overpowering; sometimes I find lavender based scents to be too heady and strong, but the mix of  sweet basil and jasmine seems to make it lighter and sweeter. The scent lingers on my skin and I do feel that it helps me de-stress, relax and therefore helps me off to sleep. 

The NEOM Organic Tranquility Body Oil costs £30.00 for a 100ml bottle. This is something to buy if you really want to treat yourself to a luxury, high quality product or if not, it would serve as a great birthday or Christmas present! There are two other scents available; Real Luxury (Lavender, Jasmine and Brazilian Rosewood) and Complete Bliss (Moroccan Blush Rose). To view them on the NEOM website, please click here.

Do you use body oil? Are you a fan of NEOM Organics?

Beauty Bird xx



P.S. This post contains a PR sample. This does not affect my opinion of the product.

Review: Seascape Island Apothecary Peppermint Oil Lip Balm

Seascape Island Apothecary is a brand I'd heard of but not tried until now. Seascape create skincare, bath and body products using natural ingredients sourced from the island of Jersey. All the packaging and product pots and bottles are recycable.

The Seacape Island Apothecary Peppermint Oil Lip Balm comes in a 10ml pot, which costs £10.00. The glass pot gives it an expensive touch and I love the blue floral design on the lid. This lip balm contains a number of natural ingredients including peppermint essential oil, honey, beeswax, shea butter, jojoba seed oil and sunflower seed oil, all designed to moisturise and protect dry, chapped lips. It contains no parabens, silicones, SLS, petroleum, artificial colours or artificial fragrances.

The formula of this is lovely. It is completely solid in the pot but melts easily on contact with your skin, although of course this isn't the most hygenic method of application. The formula is rich, so you don't need to apply a lot, but it is not greasy despite the fact it is oil based. The Peppermint Oil Lip Balm doesn't tingle when applied as some minty lip balms do. The scent is of course minty, but it is not overpowering and actually a lot more subtle than I expected. It is very hydrating and is perfect for drier lips that need a real shot of moisture.

The Seascape Island Apothecary Peppermint Oil Lip Balm can be purchased from Beauty Expert with free delivery here.

Have you tried any products from Seascape? What's your favourite lip product for dry lips?

Beauty Bird xx 



P.S. This post contains a PR sample. This does not affect my opinion of the product.

Post Spending Ban Haul

Having recently come off of a two and a half month spending ban, I'm sure some of you were expecting this post! I have definitely treated myself following the ban, but this is with some of the money I have saved over the last 75 days. I don't *intend* to buy any more beauty products this month because a) I have bought pretty much everything from my spending ban wishlist and more importantly, b) I can't really afford to!! Now I really want to save up to eventually treat myself to a MAC Pro Palette and three or four eyeshadows.

The first items I bought post spending ban was at the recent blogger meetup in London. I do think I was rather reserved considering it was my first opportunity to spend! In Boots I picked up the Bourjois Cream Blusher in 02 Healthy Glow (which I'd been lusting for ages), Revlon Lip Butter in Wild Watermelon (a gorgeous pinky red to ease myself into the world of red lips!) and some Barry M nail varnishes. I grabbed my first Gelly nail varnish in Guava (so beautiful!), the Confetti Nail Effect in Sour Apple (so similar to the Nails Inc one) and the limited edition neon pink varnish (unnamed) came free as I spent over £6.00 on Barry M. We also went to Liberty's where I finally splurged in the Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque, which is designed to neutralise under eye darkness before applying concealer (will get a review up to let you know my thoughts ASAP!). I also picked up a free sample of the REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask from the REN counter.

Now into the world of skincare from one of my favourite natural/organic sites - Naturismo. I also recently discovered thanks to Angelica from One Little Vice that they sell samples of some fab brands including Elemental Herbology, although you to buy a full size product to be able to order them. I really need to wear SPF more often, so I ordered up the Jason Facial Natural Sunscreen SPF20 as it was under £10.00 and is non-comedogenic, so won't clog my pores. I then just had to order samples of the Elemental Herbology Facial Detox and Radiance Peel masks, which are both 10ml and cost £2.25 each. I also added to my basket the Pai Geranium and Thistle Combination Skin Cream sample, as I'm being a bit floozy with my moisturisers right now and loved the sound of this.

Back to blogger heaven now a.k.a Boots! My local one is quite small so I did an online order, which came to over £20.00 so I got free delivery to store. I've used this service before and delivery to store is really quick - only a couple of days. The L'Oreal Micellar Water was on offer and seemed like a purse friendly way of trying my first micellar water. Skincare wise I also bought the Superfacialist by Una Brennan Rose Hydrate Intense Moisture Mask as again, it is purse friendly (£8.99) and I've wanted a hydrating mask for my collection for ages. Of course I had to get a Maybelline Baby Lips and chose Cherry Me, which is the one I've liked the most from online swatches. To get the order over £20.00 for free delivery I ordered two Rimmel Salon Pro nail varnishes, which were buy one get one half price. I picked the absolutely gorgeous shades Peppermint and Cocktail Passion.

Now I'm not an obsessive fan girl (though I do love a bit of a sing-a-long/boogie to 1D) but I picked up the MUA 1D Kiss You Lipstick in Niall "Moments". It's such a pretty pink shade with a hint of glitter.

Lastly, using the 20% discount code from Red magazine I finally caved and bought the REN ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser. However as of publishing this post it hasn't yet been delivered! It will also come with two free samples as with every REN order - I chose the Purity Cleansing Balm and another of the Glycolactic Radiance Renewal samples.

I know I haven't really touched on what I think about these products themselves, but this post would be seriously long if I did! I will do full reviews in due course.

What beauty purchases have you made recently?

Beauty Bird xx

July Empties

It's empties time again! My empties went on location this month to our little rockery in the garden, as just before I accidentally smashed one of the lamp's bulbs for my light box. Oops!

Pantene Protect & Volume Shampoo for Coloured Hair 500ml - £4.69

I didn't actually pay full price for this - I got it from Asda much cheaper, but it was so long ago I can't remember and this size isn't listed on their website! This bottle has lasted for absolutely ages. The formula is very thick and reminds me of the Head and Shoulders formula, which I'm not that keen on to be honest. As a shampoo it's okay - but nothing to shout about.

Re-purchase? No.

Dermalogica Active Moist 50ml - £27.25 (online price)

I have mentioned this in empties posts a few times before; it's been my moisturiser for a few years now. It is recommended for oily skin, yet works really well all over my combination skin. It's light yet hydrating, so a little goes a long way.

Re-purchase? No. I've finally decided it's time to move on - every time I go to re-purchase the price has creeped up. It seems to be edging closer to £30.00, which is too expensive for me.

Origins GinZing Eye Cream 5ml Sample - FREE (giveaway prize)

This eye cream is designed to refresh, brighten and depuff tired eyes. It is a pink pearlescent colour, which does instantly brighten dark circles by reflecting the light. However it didn't do much more for me and when my skin is dehydrated it's nowhere near hydrating enough.

Purchase full size? No - for me it wouldn't be worth the £23.00 price tag.

E.L.F. Eyelid Primer in Sheer - £1.50

For the price, this is a seriously good eye primer and gives me a good six or seven hours wear out of my eyeshadow. It's nude in colour and very easy to apply.

Re-purchase? I would - but not at the moment as I'm using one by Art Deco.

Herbal Essences Bee Strong Shampoo & Conditioner Sachets - FREE 
These sachets were in the recent Glamour magazine (the one with the Balance Me freebies). The formula of both the shampoo and conditioner is very thick and is meant to protect the outer layer of your hair against combing damage, leaving it silky yet strong. My hair is quite strong anyway, but it does leave it feeling soft and healthy. I wish it smelt more like honey though!
Purchase full size? No - the essence of this range is wasted on me!

What empties did you use up this month? Do you use any of the above products?

Beauty Bird xx

Budget Beauty: Superdrug Coconut Oil

I picked up this 125ml tub of coconut oil from Superdrug a few months ago, when on a shopping trip with fellow blogger Poppy. To be honest I'm not sure why I hadn't picked up a pot of this sooner, as it really is a multi-tasking beauty bargain!

Just a note that this isn't virgin coconut oil, which I didn't really realise until coming to write this post. This is hydrogenated coconut oil, which means it has been processed in order to increase its melting point. It also contains parfum, which means it has a very sweet coconut scent. 

Superdrug Coconut Oil is solid at room temperature, but easily softens and melts on contact with your skin. I've been using this for a range of applications; 

• To make my own lip scrub - you can read how I made this here.
• A body moisturiser on extra dry patches, which at the moment seems to be around my nails and on my feet, the latter thanks to excessive flip flop wearing! However I wouldn't use this on my face, as coconut oil is meant to be quite high on the comedogenic (pore clogging) scale.
• A leave in conditioner - I rub a small amount through the bottom half of my hair after towel drying.
• If I haven't got a lip balm within quick reach, then this is a moisturising alternative.
• A conditioner for my eyelashes - the eyelashes on my left eye seem to be very weak, so I run a little of this over the roots and length of my lashes to nourish and strengthen.

This can also be used as a hair mask and left overnight, however I haven't tried this yet. It's worth noting here that a little goes a long way!

However I definitely would like to try virgin coconut oil after this has run out; being virgin the benefits of using it would certainly be increased. I've seen you can get a 260ml pot of organic virgin coconut oil from Tesco for £7.00 and it can also be used in cooking too. 

Superdrug Coconut Oil is £2.29 for 125ml, but is often on offer - click here to take a look.

Do you use coconut oil for beauty purposes?

Beauty Bird xx