Wednesday 18 December 2013

December empties

I can barely believe that there's only one week to go before Christmas! I've spent the last few weeks bringing home so much stuff for Christmas that the cupboards are filled to the brim of food and hidden away presents. Well, good thing then that I've also tried to make some space by finishing up a few products.

As you may know Operation Rapunzel to get my hair to grow even longer has been in action these last few months, so you probably won't be surprised to see that there are 4 empties today that are related to hair care. The first one is the Kérastase Elixir Ultime hair oil (£27.60). It's a wonderful light oil with a gorgeous scent of sweet and rich moringa that is great for repairing and nourishing damaged hair. Like most hair oils you can use this for some many purposes, as a conditioner, treatment, detangler or as a styling products. I only use a few tiny pumps of oil, and my hairs feels so smooth and silky and cared for. Out of the hair oils I've tried, this is one of my absolute favourites and despite the price tag I would definitely buy it again as it's a real investment in your hair.

Next up is the dry shampoos of the month and both are from Batiste in the scents Cherry (£2.99) and XXL Volume Big & Bouncy (£3.99). Batiste will always be a brand I turn to for dry shampoo because of the wide range of scents that they offer, and they keep re-inventing themselves with new and exciting releases. The cherry scent comes in a cute retro bottle and it has a sweet, fairly intense cherry scent and although it's nice it's almost a little too heavy for me since I prefer lighter scents on my hair that won't interfere with whatever perfume I'm wearing. Big & Bouncy is more of a fresh floral and it's very effective for adding texture and extra body to the hair at the same time as it refreshes and controls oil and I would definitely get it again to help create updo's that stay in place all day.
Key to my routine to encourage my hair to grow is using the Lee Stafford's Hair Growth Treatment which is a protein rich mask that you use as a treatment in between your shampoo and conditioner and you apply it not only to the ends of your hair, but to the scalp as well and a healthy scalp is important for healthy hair, after all the hair grows from the scalp - not the ends. It's a wonderful rich cream with a lovely nutty scent that makes the hair feel very soft and volumized. I've really enjoyed using this every week and I'm already working on my second tub so that I can give you an update next month on how it's worked for me - and if my hair has grown longer which I really hope.

That's the hair products out of the way, so let's look at the others starting with the Gatineau Floracil Eye Makeup Remover (£17.50). It's a non-oily very gentle but effective remover that contains camomile to sooth and refresh the eye area but that also cares for the eyelashes at the same time. In the evening I usually take two cotton pads, soak them with Floracil and put them over the eye lids for a few seconds, and it's as if all the makeup, even water resistant mascara just dissolves and gets wiped away. There's no rubbing or pulling of the delicate skin and no stinging sensation in the eyes. If like myself you spend most of your day in front of a computer screen, your eyes might get a bit tired and weary, and just relaxing with a few pads of Floracil, is a few minutes of every day luxury.  This is without a doubt the best eye makeup remover I have ever used and I will definitely get another jumbo sized one in January and since it should last me about 5 months, the current offer on Salon Skincare really is excellent value for money.

One of the nail care brands that I completely swear by is Sally Hansen and I have used the care range for years now. I must confess that I have strayed and used other brands in between that promise miraculous nail growth, but I have always come back to Sally Hansen since I find that the products actually work and one of the products I've used almost non stop the past year is the Nail Growth Serum (£6.95). The serum contains Biotin, which is famous for helping hair and nails to grow and also for improving the quality. You massage it into both the nail and the cuticle and it certainly helps your nails to grow and I also find that the nails feel stronger and more even. I do prefer the Nail Growth formula that you can use as a base case, but both products are great and if you find it difficult to grow your nails, this might be a great product to try.

Just as I had planned on wearing a lovely glamorous Hollywood look with red lips and a winged eyeliner, my Avon Glimmerstick Liqui-glide eyeliner (£2.50) gave up the ghost. Timing couldn't have been worse! The product has the consistency of a liquid eye liner, but it's in a pencil form and has great precision, which is great for me since I find that liquid liners can be quite difficult to work with. The liner lasted really well throughout the day without any smudging but it was also easy to remove in the evening. I wore the shade graphite - perfect for creating a flick but not quite as harsh as darkest black, all in all a very nice and budget friendly eye liner.
The last empties is one of the winter scented candles I recently bought from Lily-Flame Candle (£8.50). Winter Wood was a fresh, but woody and aromatic scent, almost like the scent of Christmas tree. In the tin it was a bit soapy but I was very positively surprised and it filled the room with a lovely homely scent. I'm usually never disappointed in the candles from Lily-Flame - the scents are great, the candles burn a long time and they usually burn really well. This time however I wasn't pleased when the candle after about 15 hrs refused to burn any longer and had turned into the shape you see in the photo. A bit disappointing, but at least the other candles that I bought haven't let me down, and are just as great as I've come to expect.

I didn't manage to finish as much as I had hoped this month, but I'm sure I can find space somewhere if Santa is kind enough to bring me some lovely beauty bits and pieces this Christmas...


56 comments:

  1. Great empties! That Avon liner sounds amazing :)

    AddictedtoOPI

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    1. It was just the right consistency for me and I hope I can find something similar soon :o). Xx

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  2. I'm trying to get my hair to grow longer too, it's such a pain! xx

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    1. I know what you mean, and you have to trim it in between as well so that it stays healthy... I'm willing to try anything and fingers crossed this really works :o). Xx

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  3. Great products! Well done for using so much as well. I love the Avon makeup at the min but never tried that eyeliner, will have to take a look. I've been thinking of getting that Lee Stafford mask too so pleased to hear your thoughts on it too and look forward to the update x

    Claire | AgentSmyth

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    1. Hiya Claire, I'm trying to manage my expectations so I won't be too disappointed if it doesn't work as I thought, but at least it makes the hair feel amazing :o). Xx

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  4. Love your empties :) I love to do shopping on christmas and already finished it. My beauty items are on priority list ;)

    Xx
    Mariea | CoLaz

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    1. Thank you so much! I've barely bought anything this month and I can't wait for January to do a proper beauty haul :o). Xx

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  5. I think my December empties post is going to be my smallest yet. You've certainly gone through the hair products.

    Victoria
    FlorenceandMary.com

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    1. Yes, but funnily enough I still have shampoos and conditioners I bought early this year... I guess that's what happens when you try to limit hair washes to 2-3 times a week :o). Xx

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  6. I really want to try the Lee Stafford hair growth mask! Looking after my scalp is something I always overlook xx

    yespleasebeauty.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Me too, until I discovered this one, so I'm very excited to see if there's any noticeable results :o). Xx

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  7. That eye makeup remover sounds amazing!! A bit pricey though but if it's that good who cares. Have you tried the L'oreal Micellar Solution? It like it a lot and it's not pricey at all.

    xx Mira

    www.glamdevils.com

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    1. Floracil is so lovely and refreshing and although I'm using the L'Oréal at the moment, and it's great as well, I'll definitely invest in another one since it's so nourishing on the eye lashes too :o). Xx

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  8. I swear by Batiste, and you can't go wrong with a good hair oil and mask! x

    fabheadtotoe.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I always have a few Batiste going on at the same time, so I can mix up the scents LOL. Xx

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  9. Ive used up hardly anything this month, well done you!

    Hannah Heartss xxx

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    1. Ah - thank you, I had hoped for there to be more - but some months are just like that :o). Xx

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  10. Great job! The avon liner sounds great but it's too bad about the candle :( I'm sure Christmas will bring you some more lovelys, and I can't wait to see them featured on the blog!

    writingwhimsy.com

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    1. That's so lovely - thank you very much! :o) Xx

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  11. I am very interested in that hair mask, and very much looking forward to your post on that!

    Cornelia - Ineffable Beauty

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    1. Me too - I almost wish now that I'd actually measured my hair before I started the experiment, but hopefully it'll be clear anyway :o). Xx

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  12. great empties Dear ! I am also following you on bloglovin :) please follow me at Bloglovin... its me Ambi :)
    xx
    www.ambifashion.com

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    1. Thank you very much, I'm already following you :o). Xx

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  13. Trying to get my hair to grow to but the damn hair is so frigid. Best of luck though.

    http://thinkworkandgo.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks a million - if this works, I'll be buying it by the barrel :o). Xx

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  14. SO many great products up there! Too bad about the candle :(
    www.amemoryofus.blogspot.com

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    1. Yes it was a disappointment, but they rest of them are lovely :o). Xx

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  15. Such great products you have here, good luck with your hair growth!
    I would like to invite you to please participate in two International Giveaways on my Blog from JollyChic & SammyDress !

    International Giveaway- $100 from JollyChic
    Last Day for International Giveaway from Sammy Dress
    Feisty Fox Diaries

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hi Stephanie, thanks for visiting and the invite - that's very nice of you! Xx

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  16. Must try the Avon eyeliner sounds great, sad when candles run out though :) xx
    http://insaneaboutmakeup.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Yes I'm glad that I decided to stock up on the candles so I don't have to do any emergency purchases this X-mas :o). Xx

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  17. Wow that candle really didn't burn well :( i'd have been gutted too! The scent sounds so lovely xx

    Gem // Miss Makeup Magpie

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    1. Yep - that falls under the category of must try harder Lily Flame... :/. Xx

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  18. My hair dresser did actually recommend the Kerastase elixir oil but I was a bit put off by the price. After reading your review I think it is worth the investment x

    http://whatisinherwardrobe.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Hey Gemma, for me it's been amazing and although I mainly use it after shampooing and for styling, it feels as if it's made the world of difference for my hair :o). Xx

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  19. I get through batiste like there's no tomorrow! x

    lamourjosie.com

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  20. Lee Strafford products are amazing and I am always trying to get my hair to grow longer xx I also love betisse dry shampoo, it smells amazing x Ooh, your little knitted girl and the elf are so cute! Were they gifts?
    Much Love
    bohobun.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. They're traditional Christmas decorations, from when I was a child - I love them soo much :o). Xx

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  21. You have used up so much! I am currently trying to finish like, a million things before we move house next month and it's proving very difficult!!

    Louise x

    Confessions of a Secret Shopper

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    1. I know what you mean, and all of a sudden it takes forever to finish things up - I might even resort to doing a New Year clear out in January of old shampoos and conditioners... :o). Good luck with the move - you must be so excited! Xx

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  22. Love the Lee Stafford hair treatment - helped me grow out my bangs a while back, and I love it even more when it's on offer, stock up when its 3 for around £12 ! (:

    http://emmaquillage.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Great idea, if it worked that well for you I have high hopes too :o). Xx

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  23. we love woody smells! that candle sure sounds like our kinda scent! great post

    http://mkstyleramblings.blogspot.com.au/

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  24. I have been having my eye on some of the Lee Stafford products, but haven't yet bought any...Great post! xo's

    Laura
    Pink Frenzy

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    1. Thank you so much Laura, that's so nice of you :o). Xx

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  25. Great post! All of these products sound amazing, and I definitely want to check out a few myself :)

    www.myfairdaily.com

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  26. Lovley empties! You are a beauty junkie indeed :) I'd love it if you dropped by to my blog at
    www.JuneWantsItAll.com and if you like, we could follow each other!

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    1. Hi June, thank you so much, follow you now! Xx

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  27. I love Batiste dry shampoos! I do want to try that XXL version.

    katespitz.blogspot.com

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    1. it gives a really lovely texture and definitely adds a lot of height :o). Xx

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  28. I love that you do empties posts! Definitely shows that the products are tried and true if you used every last drop :) Also, love the name "Operation Rapunzel", so cute haha

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    1. Ahh, that's so lovely of you - thank you very much :o). Xx

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