Makeup & Skincare Empties - February 2024

This has been a long time coming - lots of favourites in here but also some I never want to see again!

Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Cream
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel
Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream
Sam McNight Lazy Girl
Urban Veda Radiance Day Cream
Babo Botanical Sheer Tint
Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel
Nu Skin Toothpaste
Garden of Wisdom Hyaluronic Acid
Stila Glitter & Glow
Elvive Dream Lengths
Elf Camo Concealer
Tropic Smoothing Cleanser
Vapour Mascara
Lush Sleep Time Soap
Lush Honey I Washed My Hair
Nu Skin Activating Cleanser for sensitive skin 
Pai The Impossible Glow in Champagne
Tropic Elixir
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi
Oskia Super C Beauty Capsules
Kjaer Weis Suntouched Blusher
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
Upcircle Cleansing Face Balm
Tropic Sunglazed Illuminating Shimmer Drops 

Naturismo

Empties 1 (2019)

The first Empties video of 2019 and indeed the first video of 2019. I haven't done a video or a blog for quite a while. I will be trying to up my game a little but other work has taken over and if I was to see my husband at all something had to give a little.

Anyway, I've been meaning to do this video since before Christmas and I'm going to be so happy to have my 'empties' washbag no longer full to bursting. As always, all the products are listed below and any of my product reviews are listed below them!

If you haven't already then do go and subscribe to my channel xx

Dove Deodorant 
OGX Argan Oil Conditioner
Origins Spot Remover Pads (no longer available here are the Medik8 ones I am currently using)
Pixi x Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse (looks like this is going to go so get it while you can)
Lush Scenic Shampoo Bar
SkinOwl Beauty Drops PM
Liz Earle Botanical Shine Treatment (no longer available)
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel
LimeLife Perfect Mascara
Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser
Garden of Wisdom Azelaic Acid
Amelia Moss Argan Oil (discontinued)

Reviews:
Pixi x Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse
SkinOwl Beauty Drops PM 
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel 
Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser
Amelia Moss Oils

Come and join in the conversation on Facebook at the Corinna Harrod Beauty Group - just send me a request and I'll add you.

Some links are affiliate links which means I will get a small commission if you click through and buy from them. There is no extra cost to you and if you are not comfortable with that then do feel free to open a separate window and google the product for yourself

I was sent some of these products as a gift or for review purposes but the choice to feature it was entirely my own. 

May-June 2018 Favourites

I asked Instagram what video they wanted and they said 'favourites' so I tried to track down the products I use a lot that maybe I haven't mentioned in a favourites video. Here they are...

Products:
Lush Seanik Shampoo Bar
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Lost Cherry
Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in Bitch Perfect
L'Oreal Infallible Gel Liner
Daniel Sandler Sunglow from the Customisable Colour for Cheeks Set
Epoch Mud Mask
Real Techniques Blush Brush
Zoeva 110 Face Shape Brush

Reviews:
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Quick Review
Daniel Sandler Customisable colour for Cheeks
Epoch Mud Mask

Come and join in the conversation on Facebook at the Corinna Harrod Beauty Group - just send me a request and I'll add you.

Some links are affiliate links which means I will get a small commission if you click through and buy from them. There is no extra cost to you and if you are not comfortable with that then do feel free to open a separate window and google the product for yourself

Morning Cleansers

The move to our new bathroom made me realise that I probably have a bit too much skincare. I tried to rationalise it but really I like to use products depending on what I feel my skin needs at the time. I love cleansers and sort of feel like I could never have too many. Here's a look at my current favourite cleansers to use in the morning and a little bit on why I like them. My skin type is combination normal/dry/dehydrated. It's in fairly good nick at the moment as I've been testing lots of lovely oils and serums. Still not drinking enough water though.

Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser
Really lovely as a gentle exfoliating cleanser. Has never irritated my skin even when it's been feeling sensitive and just nice to have something effective that doesn't make me a tomato. I haven't tried the other cleansers from Tata Harper but I want to based on this. Read my original review here.

Evening Skincare

A month or so ago I did my morning skincare routine, this is my evening one. As I explain in the video I go for it a bit more in the evening, partly because I have more time and partly because I have make-up to remove and my skin will have more time (i.e. overnight) for the products to do their thing without having any make-up, pollution etc over the top of it.

All products are linked below as are any full reviews of products from the blog. If you haven't already then please subscribe to my channel and if you haven't already seen my morning skincare video you can watch it here.

Coconoil
Nude Perfect Cleanse Cleansing Oil
Lush Ultrabland Cleanser
Pixi + Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse
Emma Hardie Amazing Face cleansing balm
Darphin Intral Toner
Origins Mega Mushroom Skin Relief
Amelia Moss Rosehip Oil
The Ordinary Lactic Acid
Aurelia Night Cream
Origins Make A Difference Plus
Sukin Purifying Masque
Neutorgena Norwegian Formula Moisturiser
Mama Mio The Tummy Rub Oil

Lush Ultrabland Cleanser

Always on the quest for my next favourite cleanser that won't irritate my skin I requested, and received, the Ultrabland Cleanser from Lush in my stocking. One of the appealing things about this product is it comes in four sizes the smallest being 45g (£7.95) so you can try it before you commit to buying a larger size.

What I was looking for was a good, reliable cleanser for when my skin was really acting up - something to take it back to basics, without spending a fortune. The nice, soothing cleanser to remove your make-up after a day of testing products. This was recommended to me and it does just what I want it too.

I generally use it at the end of the day on those days when I need something kind and gentle on my skin. It's great as a first cleanse if you want to add a more beneficial cleanser after or as an only cleanse if that's your jam. If my skins needing TLC this will often be what I cleanse with as soon as I can at the end of the day before doing a second cleanse later on in the evening. If you are someone who wants one product for AM and PM this would be a good one to try.

Lush H'Suan Wen Hua Hair Moisturiser

I have a love hate relationship with hair treatments and moisturisers. I need them for the poor fried ends of my hair and (usually) really like the end result but have the minutes and minutes and hours or cold drips down my neck or having to use a clean towel as a turban. So because I'm inherently lazy I usually let my hair into really bad condition before I can bring myself to use a conditioning treatment (except the Philip Kinglsey Elasticizer which I love).

I reluctantly purchased H'Suan Wen Hua from Lush, persuaded that it was what I needed by the charming man and I imagined another chilly sad morning spent be-turbaned and sad. I was totally wrong this stuff is amazing, not only for the effect it has on your hair which is lovely, but it sort of dries after you put it on so there are no drips! I actually put it on before I got to the gym (not a great look it has to be said) then off I go. It doesn't go horribly hard and crispy, just sort of dryer than a conditioning treatment usually does.

Lush Big Shampoo

This is the first Lush product I've tried in ages and in fact the first ever from their haircare range. Recommended to me, I was initially slightly dubious about Big, my hair does lack volume but is quite damaged and the thought of rubbing salt into it didn't seem like that much of a good idea. But I bought some H'Suan Wen Hua hair moisturiser at the same time (review to follow) so thought it would be worth taking the advice and giving it a go - I had a moisture boost back-up if needed.

I'm so glad I didn't get put off - it's not volumising in the way I expected and it's not gritty either. Yes there are big lumps of sea salt in there and when you initially apply it you think 'this was a mistake' but it suddenly loosens up and feels really moisturising. Because it's a bit more expensive than I usually use and it's quite full on I tend to use a normal shampoo (Elvive at the moment) first and then this one after. You really don't need that much, and for shampoo the pot isn't that big so I'd start off with a small scoopful and see how you get on.

I was sort of expecting Dolly Parton hair after using it and assumed that the 'big' bit would override any condition but that's not what happened. Yes the roots of my hair stood up from the scalp a bit more (not as much as if I use a post-conditioning pre-drying root boosting mousse or spray) but it seemed more healthy and volumised all over. Whereas root-boosting sprays (the only way some of us can get volume) do just that, boost the roots whilst leaving the rest of the hair looking fine, I felt like my hair looked thicker and healthier and although the puffed-up (not frizzy) look did diminish slightly the next day it hadn't disappeared completely as it does with the majority of other big-hair products I have tried.

Aches and Pains

I’m sitting on my sofa after a lovely weekend of sun, picnics, booze and ponies. Yes ponies. Well horses to be precise and now I’m trying to think about what to write about and to be honest… sitting down is not the most comfortable thing in the world right now. Ok, I’ll start from the beginning. I used to ride horses a lot but stopped when I was about 17. Yes there were boys, A-levels and illicit drinking in the Threshers car park, and these somewhat diverted me from something I had always loved. Luckily Daddy B still has a trusty steed and today I was lent a lovely mare to ride. It was great to see the bluebells and literally be back in the saddle but I’m paying for it now. Or at least my bottom is. Coupled with a rather violent game of swingball in Regents Park on Saturday afternoon I’m aching in a way I don’t remember experiencing before. So, although I have two pieces forming about much more worthwhile and exciting things (skin care for the older Misses and what is actually in these products that we use), right now all I can think about is a hot relaxing bath. So today I’m going to see what is best for wallowing and all with Little Miss F listening to the accordion music on the Captain Pugwash site (don’t ask).

For Mother’s Day I got Mumma B Origins Ginger Float. You can just scoop a bit out with your hand and throw it in and for all you morning bathers out there Mumma says that’s when it is best. For something more long lasting Little Miss F, the bath Queen, recommends Neals Yard Geranium & Orange Bath Oil. It keeps your skin moisturised and although it smells a bit strange in the bottle it’s gorgeous in the bath. For a real treat you can go and hand pick yourself a Bath Ballistic from Lush. They aren’t as scary as they sound and it’s like choosing pick and mix. They change their ‘flavours’ quite often so I haven’t tried their most recent ones but I’ve picked out which I want. Golden Slumbers Bath Ball with Lavender and Camomile, Butterfly Ball Ballistic which smells of honeysuckle and has little butterflies inside, and Rose tinted Tisty Tosty with its supposed magic spells. All that would only be about £8!!

If you have sensitive skin you have to be really careful about what you put in your bath, although I find that this depends on what time of year it is. Very few things moisturise as well as Oilatum Plus Bath Emollient - 500ml. Designed for dry skin it contains no fragrances or emulsifiers it is like having a bath with nothing in it but the effect is noticeable. It also means you can use yummy soaps and not worry about them dehydrating you. The I Coloniaili Soaps (see treat of the week) are my favourite with the White Company a close second.

Radox are well known in the aromatherapy market. At home Mumma B always has my bathroom stocked with their Radox Herbal Bath Sleep Easy - 500ml with Lavender – well known for aiding sleep, something that often eludes me. But what I really need now is their Muscle Soap Herbal Bath Salts. I’m slightly suspicious of this because it is made with Thyme which I’m pretty sure I don’t want to soak in but I am sure that if anything is going to work this will. Maybe I’ll be daring and treat myself to some tomorrow. That’s if I can walk. xx