Empties (1/2022)

My first empties for the year and there are a lot of products I buy over and over again and a really great new way to recycle your old beauty products. 

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel (double size)
Skin + Me 
Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream
Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes
Byron & Co Soothing Magnesium Bath Salts 
VO5 Volume Boost Gel Spray
Lumi Spa Cleansing Tool (choose the one for your skin type, the tool is the same, the cleanser is different)
Garden of Wisdom Hyaluronic Acid
Origins Make a Difference Plus +
Roen Cake Mascara
This Works Pillow Spray
Percy & Reed No Fuss Fabulous Dry Shampoo
Jason Lavender Shampoo
Drunk Elephant Slaai Cleanser
Naturismo Recycling Bag 

Origins Super Spot Remover - LMB 60 Cult Products

Skin Brightening

There are a few reasons why you may want to think about skin brightening, usually to lift dull looking skin, lightening areas of pigmentation and to create a healthy skin glow. Now is a really great time to work on getting healthy glowing skin as during the autumn/winter months we are less exposed to UV (the number one cause of signs of aging, pigmentation and damage to our skin). But it’s also a time of year where you may notice your skin getting duller and tighter and that’s mainly down to central heating drawing moisture from the skin and us going from the cold outside to warm inside and vice versa. Here are my tips on how to brighten your skin, what ingredients to look out for and some of my favourite products.

Empties 2

The Empties bag is full so it's time to see what I've been using.

LimeLife Dew Date
Garden of Wisdom Hyaluronic Acid 
The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter
Superdrug B. Multi Acid Pads 
Reusable Cotton Pads 
Geoorganics Peppermint Toothpaste 
Indeed Labs Hydraluron
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
LimeLife Mascara
LimeLife Perfect Sunscreen
Garden of Wisdom Azelaic Acid
Hourglass Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel
Clarins Eau Dynamisante 
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer 
Garden of Wisdom Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid
Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser
LimeLife One Drop Wonder
Skincetuicals Retinol 0.3

Come and join in the conversation on Facebook at the Corinna Harrod Beauty Group - just send me a request and I'll add you. And don't forget to go and subscribe to my YouTube Channel

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. If it is an affiliate link it usually means I've taken the time to find the best price available at the time of posting. 

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. 

Fabled - Top Picks

I was suspicious of Fabled when it first appeared which was during a rather dubious time for beauty shopping on the Internet. However it is a lovely website, a really good idea to affiliate with a magazine and for those of us who shop with Ocado it's pretty life-changing to be able to get some incredible brands delivered for free with your weekly shop.

But with so many online beauty shops to choose from why go to Fabled? Well I've found that there's not one site that sells all my regular brands so I tend to go to each for different things but this site has a lot of what I like and is generally a really nice, easy shopping experience. I can't be the only one who can get overwhelmed with the online beauty superstores can I? The delivery is free when you spend over £15 and because it's done through Ocado you get allocated a 1hr delivery slot - no more hanging around for the whole day wondering when the driver is going to turn up.

Fabled has lots of interesting brands - Institut Esthederm, Ilia, delilah - the Marie Claire edit and very interestingly, a tab on the menu for just looking through the vegan products. It's really easy to navigate and they often do sales and discounts. I feel like it's the small brand of the online beauty giants and I'd like to support it. So what would be my picks from their brands?

1. Urban Decay Naked Palette
Soon to be discontinued and still my favourite palette I've bought a couple of these for my spares drawer. It's currently the cheapest I've seen it anywhere, here at £29.50.

Empties 2

My second empties video of 2018 and a bit of YouTube housekeeping.

Waitrose Bath Foam
Mane & Tail Conditioner
Shea Moisture 10-in-1 Moisture Shampoo
Cowshed Grumpy Cow Shampoo
Dr Dennis Gross C+Collagen Deep Cream
Origins Make a Difference Plus + Cream
Tresemme Keratin Smooth
The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser

Skin Rehydration Favourites

Skin is a tricky mistress and even something simple like rehydrating dehydrated skin can be tricky. These are my favourites for when I'm doing a skin rehydration bootcamp but too much of a humectant (like hyaluronic acid) can draw moisture from deep in the skin towards the surface so if you have a dry skin type you may want to watch your usage on this.

All products and reviews are listed below. If you want to then come on and join the Facebook group.

Products:
The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel
Indeed Labs Hydraluron
NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex
Origins Make A Difference Plus (for dry skin)
Origins Make A Difference Plus (for normal skin)
Origins Make A Difference Plus (for oily skin)
Epoch Glacial Marine Mud Mask
Gold Collagen Hydrogel Mask
Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser

Reviews:
The Body Shop Camomile Cleanser
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel
Origins Make A Difference Plus (for dry skin)
Epoch Glacial Marine Mud Mask
Gold Collagen Heliogel Mask
Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser

Blog Favourites

My readers are not commenters. Yes I'm talking about you. This is fine. I know you are there and frankly, I'm not a commenter either. But you do send messages and it is so nice to know what products I've recommended that you've bought and loved. I really appreciate this as I find the business of recommending things for people to spend their money on a bit worrying. I mean what if you hate it? Luckily that is yet to happen but I though it might be nice to give a mention to the products that I consistently get messages about. Those products that have made their way into readers routines and stayed there.

These are in no particular order except for the first one. When it comes to feedback the first one in this line-up is the one that I hear most about people loving and repurchasing. This isn't a competition but if it was then entry number 1 would be the winner - by far.

Empties 2018 - 1

A new numbering system for my empties videos but the same format! All products, previous reviews and mentioned features are listed below. If you haven't already then do subscribe to my YouTube channel and come and say hi on Instagram.

Cowshed Grumpy Cow Shampoo
Mane n Tail Conditioner
L'Oreal Studio Pro Boost It Volume Mousse
Therapie Equilibrium Bath and Shower Essence 
Alpecin Double Effect Shampoo 
Eau Dynamisante 
Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara
Mama Mio Goodbye Stretch Marks
Origins Make A Difference Plus 
NYX Doll Eye Waterproof Mascara 
Clinique Fresh Pressed Pure Vitamin C 

My current favourite mascaras

Cowshed Grumpy Cow Shampoo
Mane n Tail Conditioner 
Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara 
Origins Make A Difference Plus

Interview Make-up

I don't go on interviews but I do have a make-up look that I'd pull out of the bag if I was going on one. It's one of my go-to looks for anytime I have to look smart, made-up but not over done. If you would rather then swap the black liner for brown or even just smudge the darkest brown shadow over the pen liner to soften it.

As always I've listed everything below; the products, including the dupes and other palettes you could use, my blog reviews and videos so you can see what I really think of some of the products I've used here.

Gwen Stefani Urban Decay palette (now discontinued) colours used: Skimp, Stark, Anaheim, Punk, Baby, Serious, Blackout
NYX HD Eye Base
Louise Young LY19 brush
Real Techniques Shading Brush 
H&M Bold Eyeliner
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Diffused Light
Maybelline Great Lash Big
Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Rose Glow
MAC Eye Pencil in Smoulder
Louise Young LY13 brush
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
Dior Baume Rouge in Lili
Hourglass Brow Arch
Urban Decay All Nighter
Revlon Fire and Ice

Similar palettes and dupes:
Urban Decay Naked
Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics
Louise Young Essential Eye Palette
Sleek Makeup i-Divine palette in Oh So Special
MAC Dazzlelight (Skimp dupe)
MAC Brule (Stark dupe)
MAC Wedge (Anaheim dupe)
MAC I'm Into It (Punk dupe)
MAC Patina (Baby dupe)
MAC Concrete (Serious dupe)

Product Reviews:
Gwen Stefani Urban Decay Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder
Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara 
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

Videos:
How to Use the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder
Origins GinZIng Tinted Moisturiser Quick Review
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara Quick Review
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara BIG Quick Review 
Daniel Sandler Watercolour blush quick review 

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

School Run Make-up Essentials

One thing I always want to be on all my platforms (YouTube, Instagram, Twitter - come say Hi) is real. Yes I could do Instamakeup and pout and paint my entire house in Farrow & Ball Drainpipe, there's nothing wrong with that and I'd probably have a hell of a lot more followers. But that's just not me. My house is not Instagramable, it has old features, vom-proof carpet and half-painted rooms (til we fix the plumbing) and though I do sometimes like to trowel it on, my make-up is mostly quick, easy and as flattering as possible with a minimum amount of products.

Since Ned started school my complete inability to remove myself from my bed before 8am (I will grab whichever kid is screaming and retreat back under the duvet) has made me really focus in on what's important to get done in the 50 minutes I have to get everyone up and dressed and out the door*. Do I feel comfortable facing the school mums with no make-up on? No, I'd rather go in my pyjama's and, although I don't go in my pyjama's I do just shove on what I feel like wearing, what's close to hand, and what will fair well lying on the floor desperately re-building the bloody Lego Scooby Doo Mystery Machine while Jim shouts 'build it BUILD IT' or taking Jack to Monkey Music. Mostly this involves Hush joggers and a band t-shirt and I'm ok with that. If you are prone to The Misery you have to know when to give yourself a break and I'm ok with being the least fashionable person at drop-off - as long as I have some make-up on.

2017 Favourites

Some of these were new this year, some were just new to me this year and some are old favourites that just haven't been beaten yet. I've marked the products that were released this year with a *

It's quite a long video but there was a lot to cram in. All products are listed below and any blog reviews are listed at the bottom.

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year - see you in 2018!

Products:
Cowshed Grumpy Cow Shampoo
*Mane 'n Tail Conditioner
Amelia Moss Argan Oil
*Pixi x Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel
*Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Pads
Origins Make a Difference + Cream
Origins GinZing Eye Cream
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%
Skin Owl Beauty Drops PM
*NARS Sun Wash Diffused Bronzer
Bourjois Smokey Stories in Over Rose
Hourglass Ambient Light Powder
*Rosie for Autograph Eye Shadow Sticks
*Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
Younique Precision Lip Pencil in Popular
*Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser
Jao Brand LipJao
Eco Tools Brushes
Louise Young Eye Trio in Studio 54
Ilia Multistick
Ilia Illuminator
Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner
*Pixi Correction Concentrate
Maybelline Great Lash Big
*Daniel Sandler Customisable Colour for Cheeks
Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Rose Glow
Lord & Berry Kajal
Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in Bitch Perfect
MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Dangerous

Reviews:
Cowshed Grumpy Cow Shampoo
*Mane 'n Tail Conditioner
Amelia Moss Argan Oil
*Pixi x Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel
*Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Pads
Origins Make a Difference + Cream
Origins GinZing Eye Cream
*The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%
Skin Owl Beauty Drops PM
*NARS Sun Wash Diffused Bronzer
Bourjois Smokey Stories in Over Rose
Hourglass Ambient Light Powder
*Rosie for Autograph Eye Shadow Sticks
*Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser
Jao Brand LipJao
Eco Tools Brushes
Ilia Multistick
Ilia Illuminator
Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner
*Pixi Correction Concentrate
*Daniel Sandler Customisable Colour for Cheeks
Lord & Berry Kajal

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

Beauty Christmas Gift Ideas

This could be pretty endless so I've tried to keep it concise. Some of these I've tried, some I haven't, but all of them are things I would willingly give and gladly receive.

Bath Bombs - I don't know why but they always feel like a treat to me. And come on, they are fun.

Becca Glow on the Go - this on-trend rose gold kit should suit most skin tones. And it's another one that's pretty reasonably priced.

Bobbi Brown - have a lot to offer this Christmas. For those on a bigger budget the Sparkle All Night Eyes and Lips Kit is very wearable and transportable but my personal favourite is the Caviar and Rubies Eye Set.

Charlotte Tilbury - yes her products are (mostly) worth the hype. I'd chose the Bitch Perfect Lip Set (every time I wear this lipstick I get asked what it is, without fail),  I've always secretly wanted this make-up bag, I'm pushing the boundaries on whether you can actually have too many make-up brushes I love this mini kit for when I eventually travel again.

Daniel Sandler - any of the watercolour blushers would be absolutely lovely but the Customisable Colour for Cheeks is pretty special.

Laura Mercier - another gorgeous brush set this year.  The Art of Exotic Colour collection looks love too.

Lipstick Queen Transformer Trio - these are fun and really not unreasonably priced.

Lord & Berry - much underrated in my opinion. I use and love their kajal and their lipsticks and would happily receive their stylographic liner, lipstick pencils (in fire, scarlett or blush), or Twistick (in On Stage). And at the moment they are offering a free gift (that I really want) when you purchase two products or more.

Louise Young - another brand from which I would happily recommend anything and her brushes would make gorgeous stocking fillers or goodie bag stuffers.

Marc Jacobs On the Prowl Set - the Marc Jacobs eye shadows have been one of the most talked about releases of this year and the one included in this set looks incredibly wearable. The Wild One eye shadow palette is pretty incredible looking too.

Nudestix - This Matte Nude Lip and Cheek Stain is lovely, even if I'm a little over matte at the moment.

NYX - may not be high end but one of their Jumbo Eye Pencils would be a welcome addition to any stocking or goodie bag. Cashmere, Iced Mocha, French Fries and Yoghurt are all great colours.

Origins - I'm a huge Origins fan and this Holiday Gift Set looks absolutely wonderful. The Easy Slider Pre-Shave Oil would be great for the man in your life

Philip Kinglsey - the elasticiser is one of the few products I genuinely think makes a difference.

Pixi Best of Bright - yes I love the Glow Tonic but there's something more festive about this little kit and they are the perfect size for those who travel.

Don't forget to go and see my non-beauty gift ideas, and my suggestions for what to get kids aged 0-10. Still to come are presents for teens and my book suggestions.

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

Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser - Quick Review

One of my favourite products from this year in action

Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Tinted Moisturiser

Read my original review here

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

September 2017 Favourites

As the name suggests this is a September favourites video. All products are linked below and the reviews are below that!

Products:
Superdrug Naturally Radiant Pads
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel
NYX Intese Butter Gloss in Tres Leches
Maybelline Great Lash Big 
Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Tinted Moisturiser
Sunday Riley CEO Cleansing Oil

Reviews:
Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser

More Like This:
September 2015 Favourites
February 2016 favourites
October 2016 favourites

Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturiser

As you know I am completely in love with Origins so I was really pleased when they released a product that got the attention it deserved (I hope the sales matched this!). The GinZing Energy-Booting Tinted Moisturiser was the base of the summer and although it's definitely Autumn here in the UK I'm still wearing this pretty much every time I have any base on at all.

Now this is limited to who can wear it - anything from ivory to olive should be fine, anyone darker than that you are going to find it ashy even if the colour is basically fine. This comes out of the tube white and changes colour as it is applied to the skin. You can use your hands to apply it though I prefer a brush (you could of course use a sponge applicator or Beauty Blender too). I find that it tends to show a tide mark on the neck if you are not careful so a brush is good for blending.

Urban Decay Naked Heat Look 1

Now I feel I should say that I really love using this palette with other products - it goes really well with the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani palette but when I review a product I think of those people who don't necessarily want a ton of palettes. What I want is to be able to do a lot of looks from barely there to really dramatic for me this palette is quite full-on even when you are trying not to be. I feel for the consumer at this price point (£39.50) I'd want a little bit more versatility.

That being said when I do wear it with other products - quite often a browner cream shadow used as a primer works well - I get lots of compliments! All products listed below as are links to any product reviews featured on this blog.

NYX HD Eye Shadow Base
Urban Decay Naked Heat
L'Oreal Perfect Slim liner
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
Origins GinZing Tinted Moisturiser
Pixi Correction Concentrate
Collection Lasting Perfection concealer
Daniel Sandler Customisable colour for cheeks 
Illamasqua Hollow Cream pigment
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
Cover FX Loose Powder
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
Mac Smoulder eye kohl
Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Lip Pencil in 714
Charlotte Tilbury Bitch Perfect Lipstick

My Reviews:
Urban Decay Naked Heat
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
Pixi Correction Concentrate
Daniel Sandler Customisable colour for cheeks 

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

August 2017 Empties

First video since having a baby and as you can see my brain is still on the go-slow! But my empties bag was full so here they are. All products listed below.

Waitrose Bath Foam
Mane 'n Tail Deep Moisturising Conditioner
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Body Lotion
Dove DIY Hair Treatment for Aging Hair
The Body Shop Nutriganics Cleansing oil
Origins Gin ZIng Eye Cream
Mama Mio The Tummy Rub Oil 
Le Marsaillais Hand Soap
This Works In Transit Camera Close Up 

My Reviews:
Waitrose Bath Foam
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Body Lotion 
The Body Shop Nutriganics Cleansing Oil
This Works In Transit Camera Close Up
Mama Mio The Tummy Rub Oil

June 2017 News

I have been a little distracted this month with trying to get the building works finished before the baby arrives and generally getting our lives a bit organised before the baby arrives so there's not a huge amount of news this month. There are some really exciting new releases though and what news there is is pretty huge.

Don't forget you can sign up to the monthly email that delivers everything from the blog to your inbox at the end of the month.


New Releases

• Daniel Sandler Customisable Watercolour Set - these look absolutely stunning. I cannot wait til I can get my hands on these. As someone who uses these professionally a lot to have a kit that will work on everyone is the dream (well the dream is to own every single one ever made).
• Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Tinted Moisturiser - god I want to try this. I've heard and seen great things about it. You know I love GinZing eye cream so anything under this branch of Origins
• Urban Decay Naked Heat - they did a sneaky limited number pre-release of this and it sold out so fast. The proper release date will be 27th July so if you want to get your hands on this huge new release set your reminder.