August/ September Empties

Welcome to a jam packed empties dealing with August and September

Holiday Makeup Bag

I am off on my jolies soon and I thought I would write a post on what makeup I am taking away with me.

June 2015 Empties

Welcome to another empties post get ready as this is going to be a long one.

May Favourites

Welcome to another edition of my monthly favourites, I can't believe it is the end of May and the beginning of June (where has May gone so quickly).

March Empties

Welcome to another edition of my empties, so let's roll on with the show.

First up is make-up:

1) Smashbox Photo Finish Primer (Trial Size) - This I thought I would finish up, it wasn't too bad, a silicone based primer.
2) Disaronno Lip Gloss - This I got free with a bottle of Disaronno, it was a nice lip gloss and tasted of Disaronno, so for a gimmicky lip gloss it wasn't too bad, but as you can see it is way way way out of date.
3) SEVENTEEN On The Spot Foundation (Porcelain) - I did like this foundation, and after I had posted about it I found that they do, do a lighter shade so I may have to see what the shade is like.
4) No7 Make-Up Brush Cleanser - This is my go to brush cleaner, I love this stuff, I've just started a new bottle, and I will have to get another as a back up, it's just that good.
5) Collection No Clumps Mascara - This wasn't a bad mascara but everytime my eyes watered it would just start to run, so I couldn't wear it to see a soppy movie.
6) SEVENTEEN Hide Away Concealer - This was an OK concealer it covered up what needed to.
7) MaxFactor Wild Mega Volume Mascara -  This was a good mascara but there is just too much product on the brush.

Another empty was the Accessorize mascara.

This mascara I hadn't even used yet, and when I opened the tube the mascara had all dried up, now this was all sealed with plastic and everything, so beware of accessorize mascara.

Next up is skincare:

1) Boots Double Sided Cotton Wool Pads x50 - I love these cotton wool pads, they are really soft on the skin, and as they are double sided one side is for the face and the other allows you to take your nail polish off..
2) Body Care Round Cotton Wool Pads x50 - These were very soft and not too rough on the skin.
3) Radox Brazilian Fusion Bubble Bath - A really nice bubble bath that I have had for a while and have just been trying to finish, I would buy again, but not at the moment as I have a load of bubble bath to use up.
4) Garnier Moisture Match Shine Be Gone Moisturiser - As you know I love this moisturiser, but I have noticed that my skin is starting to dry out so I have swapped my moisturiser to a different one to add a tiny bit of moisture to my face.
5) Bodycare Square Cotton Pads x50 - I like this cotton pads, but they aren't the best for spot cleaning brushes as they are quite thin.
6) Superdrug Oval Cotton Pads x50 - These are my go to pads for spot cleaning my brushes, I have just started a new packet, and have another waiting in the wings.

So that is the end of my empties, I hope you liked it.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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February Empties

Products marked with * were a present for Birthdays/ Christmas.

Welcome to the February edition of my empties, this month has been a busy month when it comes to my empties, I will forewarn you it is going to be EPIC!, Enjoy

1. NSPA Eucalyptus and Watermint Hand Wash*
This was a Christmas present, I wasn't that taken with the scent of it, it just smelled like fish to me, my partner couldn't smell it but I was glad to be rid of the smell (I'm not ungrateful I just really did not like the smell of this)

2. No7 Brush Cleanser
I love this brush cleanser, and I had another in the bathroom ready to take it's place, it just works so well on getting the make up out of my brushes.

3. Superdrug Cotton Wool Buds X100
These are fantastic for when I need to clean up any mistakes when I've been painting my nails

4. Johnsons Baby Shampoo
I finished another bottle, which I will need to replace (at the moment using a miniture, great for cleaning my brushes.

5. The Body Shop Passion Fruit Body Butter
This I bought a while ago and have just got around to finish it, it smell really fruity, and I would buy again but I think the line has been discontinued.

6. Avon Advance Techniques Mirror Shine Spray*
This I got for Christmas a while ago and have just managed to get around to using it. I didn't notice that it made my hair shine any more or any less.

7. Batiste Dry Shampoo - Cherry
I love batiste and this was my last large can of dry shampoo left, all I have now is miniatures. I would repurchase this it had such a lovely scent.

8. Simple Face Wipes x7 & x25
I love to use face wipes just on a night to remove the bulk of my face make up ( I do then do a last sweep with some micellar water). These were good wipes and didn't break me out so that is always a plus.

9. Avon Senses Winter Delight Shower Gel
This I have had flying around my bathroom for what seems like ages, and have finally managed to finish it off. It was a really nice scent very festive.

10. Strictly Professional Cosmetic Brush Cleanser
This is really good for deep cleaning my brushes, it really gets the product out of the brushes. I use the baby shampoo to rinse the product out.

11. FCUK Body Scrub*
This was a birthday present a while ago and I've managed to get to it in my massive body scrub stash, it had a really nice smell and wasn't too harsh on the skin.

12. Collection Skylash Mascara - 17 Ultra Black
I loved this mascara, it really extended my lashes. I do think this has been discontinued and I thought it was time to throw it out.

13. Boots Double Sided Cotton Wool Round Pads
I love these cotton wool pads, they are double sided (the softer side for your face, and the other side for your nails)

14. Primark Round Cotton Wool Pads X300
These weren't too bad they were quite rough so I won't buy them again, maybe I'd use them on my nails to remove nail polish but that would be about it.

15. Superdrug 100% Pure Cotton Wool X100
This was a bit rough on my face, it wasn't really bad and I could still use them but I'd probably use just to remove nail polish.

16. Collection Fix Me Up Long Lasting Make Up Fixer
This was a really good setting spray, but the only con against it is the price of it for the size of the product.

17. Wella Silvikrin Hairspray
A good hairspray kept good hold, and didn't make my hair look rock hard.

18. IKEA Tindren Candle - Apple
Smell really nice, made the room smell like apples but the wax didn't properly melt down there was quite a lot left.

19. Tesco Cotton Buds X100
These were great just to clean up any make up mistakes.

20. Style Expertise Taming Anti Frizz Serum
I love this anti frizz serum, have just repurchased it. It kept my hair from frizzing, and for under £3 that is a bargain.

21. Lily of the Valley Hand Wash*
This was a stocking filler from my mum, I love Lily of the Valley, it's my favourite smell and this smelled lovely.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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January Empties 2014

Welcome to the first empties post of January 2014.

As you can see I have used quite a lot of products up, some I liked and some I didn't. So lets get on with the show.

1. No7 Make Up Brush Cleanser
I love this brush cleaner, the price is really reasonable (£8) and it works really well on spot cleaning my brushes. I will definitely be repurchasing this.

2. Superdrug Oval Pads x50
These are good but not to use on my face as they are just a bit too rough, so I use them to clean my brushes with the No7 brush cleaner.

3. Bodycare Square Cotton Wool Pads x50
I loves these cotton wool pads as they are so soft, so when I near a bodycare store I stock up on these little beauties.

4. SEVENTEEN Stay Time Long Wear Primer
I wasn't that impressed by this primer, it became so sticky, and it just smelled so clinical, I won't be repurchasing this again.

5. Simple Face Wipes x7
I bought these for a trip to London, and had a few left so I finished them off, they were quite a good pack of wipes (I'm currently using the larger pack at the moment), they didn't break me out and weren't too bad on the skin. They removed my make up quite well as well as my eye makeup.

6. The Body Shop Ginger Sparkle Body Polish
This was a christmas present from 2012 and I finally managed to get around to using it, and it was a really good body scrub, made the shower smell of ginger, and made my skin so smooth.

7. MUA Pro Base Fixing Mist
I did like this setting spray, and I would repurchase this again as you get quite a lot of product in for £5. I did keep my make up on for quite a while.

8. Garnier Moisture Match Shine Be Gone Moisturiser
You know how much I love this moisturiser (I am currently on my 2nd tube), and it works so well on my face (I even had my mother buying a tube to help her dry skin). I will obviously repurchase this again.

9. SEVENTEEN Doll'd Up Mascara - Black
This was a good mascara, and I did love it, and it worked well, not sure if I would repurchase again though as I already have quite a lot to get through.

10. Superdrug Round Cotton Wool Pads x50
I bought the travel size for my trip to London as I didn't want to take a massive pack or take so many and run out. These weren't too bad on my face, and I would repurchase again (I bought a triple pack for £3 recently from Superdrug, Good Times!!)

11. Sure Clear Pure Crystal Deodorant
I am fickle when it comes to deodorants and doing what they say on the tin, and to me this one did fail to stand up to expectations. I don't think I would repurchase this again as I have a load of deodorants that need using up.

12. L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution.
I love the L'Oreal micellar water, it works so well on removing my make up, and I will definitely be repurchasing (I have another bottle in the bathroom ready and waiting for me to finish with the Garnier bottle)

So that is my empties for January 2014,

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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No7 Matte Top Coat

I have been looking for a matte top coat for ages, I looked in Boots, Syperdrug, and even online to see if I could find a matte top coat. While in a Boots store I saw the No7 Matte Top Coat from the No7 Nail Effects range, and I thought bingo let's give this a whirl.

This goes onto the nail really easily (The colour I have on there is Mavala's Peacock Green) as you can see the brush is lovely and wide so covers the nail on first swipe.

So if your wanting to have a matte effect on your nails this is a good top coat.

thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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Favourites: December 2013

Products noted with * were a gift (I would have still purchased these even if I hadn't received them as a gift.

December Favourites 2013

1. Passion Fruit Body Butter (The Body Shop) - I have had this body butter in the bathroom cupboard for ages and thought that I would use this once I finished up my chocomania body butter, and it smells lovely, and the scent stays on the skin for ages.
2. Deeply in Love (Nicole by O.P.I) - I bought this for my works Christmas Party, and it was so easy to apply with a thick brush and very pigmented.
3. Chocomania Eau De Toilette (The Body Shop)* - I love the chocomania range at The Body Shop and have been wanting this for ages, so when I received it for Christmas I was over the moon. It smells gorgeous and I have been wearing it non stop.
4. Baby Lips Hydrate (Maybelline) - I love the range of lip balms from the Baby Lips range, and hydrate goes in my bag, and really keeps my lips moisturised.
5. Mega Plush Volume Mascara (Maybelline) - I was very surprised how brilliant this was, the brush is quite plush, and the mascara clings to the lashes, it lengthened and they didn't clump.
6. Style Expertise Anti-Frizz Serum (Superdrug) - I was looking for a cheap alternative to the Frizz-ease anti serum and I found this from Superdrug, and really did work well on my hair.
7. 3-in-1 Formula Remove+ (Zoya) - This I found in a blog post by Vivianna Does Makeup, and thought the bottle looked fantastic and thought I would try the remover out see what it was like. This is fantastic works really well on glitter polish, removes it quite easily with only a tiny bit of work, I will re-use the bottle but I will also repurchase the remover again.
8. Bedazzled Anti Humidity Spray (Mark Hill) - I use this once I have straightened my hair just to keep the style in and so my hair doesn't frizz.
9. Matte Nail Effects (No7) - I have been looking for a matte top coat for a while and while I was in Boots, I saw this from their No7 range. I have tried it and I love it, it makes any nail polish look as if it was matte.
10. Honeymania Eau De Toilette (The Body Shop)* - This is a gorgeous scent, and one of my favourites so far of this year (I have been wanting this for ages) it smells so lovely and fresh like summer in a bottle.
11. Ginger Sparkle Body Polish (The Body Shop)* - This was a gift off of my partner but I love the Body Shop's Christmas ranges, and this body polish was fantastic, gave my skin a nice smooth feeling and gave of a fabulous smell of Ginger, very christmassy.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma

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BLOGMAS 13: Brush Cleaning

I will admit in the past I have been bad about cleaning my brushes, and I am honestly surprised I didn't catch anything. Now that my interest is back in my make up I have started to take proper care of my brushes.

I use the Strictly Professional Make Up Brush Cleaner, and some Johnsons Baby Shampoo. If I am doing a spot clean on my brushes I will use No7's Make Up Brush Cleanser.

To use this cleaner I placed a small amount in a plastic throwaway cup (1) and placed the brushes in the solution for 15mins to let the solution soak into the bristles (2 + 3).

Once the 15mins were up I then ran the brushes under the tap to rinse of the cleaner, I then filled another plastic cup with Johnsons baby shampoo and swilled the brushes round just to fully get rid of the solution off of the brushes. I then just rinse them to make sure all the shampoo is out of them (4).

Using the cleaner just gets rid of everything, while the baby shampoo makes sure I have got the cleaner out of the brushes and adds a bit of fluffiness back to them.

What do you use to clean your brushes??

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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BLOGMAS 5: No7 Make Up Brush Cleanser

As I have said previously I have wanted a brush cleanser that will just help to spot clean my brushes before I properly clean them. Through all my searches on the web, trying to find a low cost solution has been quite problematic, all that had been popping up in my searches were the high end solutions which I begrudge paying for. I wanted a brush cleanser that would spot clean my brushes for under £10.00

It wasn't until I was searching the Boots website that I found their No7 Make Up Brush Cleanser for £8.00, this fitted what I was looking for, spot cleaning and under £10.00 Fantastic.

To use this all you need to do is pump some onto a paper towel or tissue (I use cotton wool pads) and wipe your dirty brush onto it. Let the brush dry and it is ready to be used again (this doesn't replace a through wash of your brushes its just a quick clean if you don't have the time then).

I have to admit I am quite amazed by it and by how much it does pull out of my brushes, I will certainly be buying this again as it will be especially useful when going away.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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BLOGMAS 4: Monday Haul

DISCLAIMER: All opinions are my own, and I am not bragging about what I have got I am just showing some products that I have purchased recently that will be popping up on the blog in the coming weeks/months.

*denotes a free gift with purchase

So on Monday I went shopping and ended up splurging on some cosmetics.

Superdrug

1) Bourjois Little Round Eyeshadow Pot (no09) - I used to love the little round eyeshadow pots and have not used one for ages, so I thought it might be time to start using them again.
2) N.Y.C. Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer - This was on Superdrug's top 5 primers so I thought I would give this a try.
3) Bourjois Little Round Eyeshadow Pot (no05)
4) N.Y.C. Expert Last Lip Color (Chocolate Chip) - I love a brown lipstick (I have an abundance of them in my make up bag), but you can never go wrong with a brown lip.
5) Bourjois 1 Seconde Top Coat (Vampire Vanity)* - This is a gold lea type glitter (so it might become fiddly when I am applying it but we'll see)
6) N.Y.C Showtime Mascara (Black)

At Superdrug if you buy 2 Bourjois cosmetics you then get the gold glitter top coat for free.

Next

1) NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil (French Fries) - I have seen NYX cosmetics and have been wanting some for ages. When I found out Next stocked them that was it I had to get some for my make up bag.
2) NYX Roll On Shimmer (Walnut) - I thought the shimmer roll on's would be good for the Christmas period and New Year.
3) NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil (Dark Brown)
4) NYX Roll On Shimmer (Platinum)


Boots

1) Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation (51 Light Vanilla) - I have only heard good things regarding this foundation so I thought I would take the plunge and give it a whirl.
2) SEVENTEEN On The Spot Foundation (Porcelain) - I recieved a voucher via the instore machine to get £2 off of this foundation so I got it at £4.99 instead of £6.99. This might be worth a try.
3) Bourjois Fan-Tastic Volume Mascara (Fan-tastic Black) - This I have been coveting for ages (I am fickle as I love the packaging) so I took the plunge.
4) Bourjois Little Round Eyeshadow Pot (no11)
5) Natural Collection Nail Polish (Burgundy) - I thought this looked like a really good Christmassy colour.
6) No7 Matte Top Coat - I have been after a matte top coat for ages, and I finally managed to get a hold of this one from No7.
7) Smoky Eyes Eyeshadow Trio (01 Gris Dandy)* - 
8) Bourjois Volume Glamour Max Holidays (Black)*
9) Bourjois So Laque Nail Polish (Rouge Escarpin 24)*
10) Bourjois Effet 3D Lip Gloss (06 Rouge Democratic)*

With Boots if you spend £15 on Bourjois cosmetics you then get the Iconic Glam makeup kit (this features the starred products above).

All the above products will be reviewed in the near future so keep an eye out for the posts.

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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BLOGMAS 1: November Favourites

Welcome to another edition of my favourites from the month, here you will find November's.

*indicates a product that was bought with points


1) Maybelline 24HR Color Tattoo - Permanent Taupe
I love the whole range of colours in the color tattoo range but at the moment I am loving this colour. It's a good colour for wearing when you are just having a casual day, not too bright and not too dark, also a nice colour for the season .

2) Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer - Light*
This I found via Liana Beauty when she did a video on drugstore brands, and I thought this was a handy little package, especially if you were a novice at using concealer. This pot shows you 3 easy steps to apply the concealer. I love the 2 different sections, the lighter one for under eye and the darker for any spots or blemishes.

3) Maybelline Super Stay 24HR Foundation
I love this foundation it's not too heavy on the face and matches my skin tone brilliantly, I will be purchasing this again.

4) No7 Make Up Brush Cleanser*
I was looking for an on the spor cleaner ready for going away and I was just browsing on the Boots website when I came across the No7 brush cleanser. It is so easy to use you just pump some onto some tissue and swirl your brush around.

5) MUA Pro Base Fixing Mist
I think this product is genius, and it does work, you just spray your face once you have put your make up on and then it keeps it all in place.

6) In The Navy - Bourjois 1 Seconde Nail Polish
November saw the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who and I wanted a nice Doctor Who Blue for the month and this one was it, I only needed 1 coat and it was fully opaque. I absolutely loved the colour and matched the Doctor Who Blue that I was after.

7) My Vampire is Buff - O.P.I 
I put this colour on my nails as it matched an outfit I was wearing to a night out, but I absolutely love the colour and it has become one of my favourites especially during Autumn.

8) Parisian Rooftops - L'Oreal
I love this colour, it is such a lovely brown colour and it went easy onto the nail absolutely fantastic.

9) Catherine Wheel - Models Own
I used this in tribute to the Hunger Games (the glitter is yellow and red, and simulates fire AKA the girl on fire AKA Katniss). I put 2 coats onto my nails just so that I got a good coverage and it shows up lovely when the light hits it.

10) Crush - Barry M
This is part of the Barry M matte range, It's a dark berry red and such a lovely colour for Christmas.


I hope you liked some of the favourites that I chose. What were you liking in November?

Thanks for tuning in

Gemma
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Boots Points Haul

DISCLAIMER: All opinions are my own and these products were bought using my Boots Beauty Points. I'm also not trying to brag, this is to show what I'll be reviewing in the coming weeks, and what you can buy with your beauty points from Boots.

I was sat at home and my points card starting to burn a small hole in my purse, so I thought I would go down to the local boots and spend some of my points.

So here is what I grabbed:

1. Ecotools Flat Foundation Brush - As I have started to wear foundation a lot more I only have 3 brushes and I can't deal with sponges, so I grabbed an ectools brush to add to my main collection.
2. Sally Hansen Hard as Nails - My nails are quite brittle and keep peeling so I thought some hard as nails might help strengthen them up.
3. Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer  - I saw this on Liana Beauty's youtube channel (she was doing a drugstore makeup routine)
4. Boots Essentials manicure sticks - As I've bought the cuticle remover I'll need some manicure sticks to push the cuticles back
5. 17 Eye Shadow Brush - I was looking for a concealer brush, but the one I did find was massive and while I was browsing the brush display I found this 17 eyeshadow brush and thought I would give it a go as a concealer brush until I properly went shopping next Friday.
6. Seventeen Phwoarr Paint Concealer - I found this on Beauty Junkie in London's blog, and thought I wouldn't mind trying that.
7. No7 Make Up Brush Cleanser - I've been looking or a quick fix brush cleanser for ages, and I didn't want to pay over the odds for it, this was only £8 (it was also the main thing I wanted).
8. Seventeen Stay Time Long Wear Primer - I have been using a Smashbox trial size primer and it is quite good, but I'm not going to pay the price for a full size tube so I am dipping my toes into different primers.
9. Cutex Strengthening Nail Polish Remover - I've nearly finished my Sally Hansen stregthening nail polish remover so I thought I would give Cutex a try and see what they were like.
10. Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover - This was featured in a blog post on a nail care kit by Vivianna Does Makeup, and I have been wanting to try this for a while to see what it was like.

I am looking forward to trying all this out, and will review all these products soon.

thanks for tuning in

Gemma

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