Empties / June

Body:

Treacle Moon Iced Strawberry Dream: I won this bottle from a giveaway Evelyn @ We Were Raised By Wolves did last year. It smells incredible but it was a limited edition so not sure if you can still find it around. I kinda of rationed it, it's that good... hehe ;) It also fills the bath with loads of pampering bubbles.

 Repurchase: if I can get another bottle, absolutely. Otherwise, I'll try some other scent... I'm impressed!

Sanctuary Sculpting Anti-Cellulite Treatment: What an awful, overpriced product! First of all, the packaging is extremely awkward to use and you end up wasting a ton; secondly, the product itself didn't make any improvement to the appearance of my skin and it left a oily residue. BUT... it's totally my fault: I actually had already bought and hated this cream in the past... shame I forgot and bought again... what a muppet! :D

Repurchase: hell no!

Rituals Wai Wang Organic White Lotus & Yi Yi Ren Exfoliating Body Scrub: I got to say, if there's something I don't like about Rituals is their long, exotic names... enough already! Anyhow, I got this bottle as a freebie in a magazine and it was a pretty generous size for a sample. This particular scent is lovely and floraly; I liked the scrub too: it spread easily and didn't irritate my skin.

Repurchase: yes 

Nails Inc Vitamin E Oil Pen: I had high hopes for this pen... all irremediably crashed! I have really dry cuticles but I didn't feel any improvement whilst using this product. not even temporary! It's an oil so it feels  a bit greasy once applied but it dries really fast and you're left with the same dry skin as before. really really disappointed. I have to say that it lasted longer than expected, tho (a good 4 months, using it 3/4 times a week).

Repurchase: no

Face:

Apivita Express Beauty with Orange Mask: this is a revitalizing face mask with orange essential oils. What a lovely mask! I really loved using it: it felt fresh and left my skin soft and glowing. Perfect for summer.

Repurchase: yep!

Rodial Glam Balm Lip: I had to get rid of this lip balm. The strong rose scent was really starting to annoy me and it turned liquid-y towards the end. I really don't understand all the fuss around this item: I think it's overpriced and performing averagely.

Repurchase: nope!

Alpha-H Micro Cleanse: this is a really decent exfoliating scrub. It contains 12% glycolic acid, cucumber extract and rice bran and it was just the right consistency. Impressed so far with everything I've tried from Alpha-H.

Repurchase: yes

What's in your empties this month? :)

Empties / April

Hope everyone is enjoying their bank holiday - time for me to do another empties post:

The Body Shop Earth Lovers Apricot & Basil 100% Biodegradable Shower Gel: nothing particularly exciting or pampering about this product - does the job well and I love the scent but the thickness was weird: too thin for a shower gel. Actually, I got this for free when I placed my order online so I can't really complaint but I don't think I would like to pay for it (you end up using too much product).

Repurchase: no

James Brown London Heat Styling Protector: hate it with a vengeance! 

Couldn't wait to finish this off - It makes your hair so sticky and it smells like aftershave. Actually, I didn't even manage to finish it because the spray hole is all clogged up but it's definitely time for the bin.

Repurchase: neverrrrrrr!

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse: One of best body oil - the scent is phenomenal, doesn't leave you greasy and I simply love it... just as much as the gold version, which I have the full size. 

Repurchase: absolutely!

Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser: I have tried a couple of the Clarisonic cleansers and this one is my favourite. The consistency is perfect for the brush action and leaves my skin clean and fresh.

Repurchase: probably yes

L'Occitane Eye Balm: what a lovely eye cream. This cream is part of the Immortelle line but hasn't got the overpowering flowery scent. The consistency is between a balm and a gel - thin enough for the eye area - and great hydrating properties. Also, the jar is made of glass: perfect to keep the product fresh and adding to the cooling action. 

Repurchase: why not

Rodial Glamtox Night: I have mixed feelings about this product: love the scent, the consistency but couldn't help thinking something was missing from my routine, when applying this cream. It's odd because my skin doesn't have particular needs and It does feel great on the skin but, I don't know, I felt it wasn't moisturizing at all!

Repurchase: no.

Introducing / Rodial

Few weeks ago, Rodial did a flash sale on Twitter with a promo code for 50% off everything on the website - been wanting to try this brand for a long time so this was the perfect opportunity!

First thing I wanted to try was the lip balm... but it was out of stock already (actually a bless in disguise... see below;))... so I went for the Glamtox Kit 'Skincare on the go', perfect way to discover the brand AND including the lip balm as well.

So, let's start with the Glam Balm Lip... it is my least favourite, mainly for the scent: it's a nice rose smell but it's too overpowering and - having that under my nose all day - it's like a fast-track to migraine.

The consistency is nice, tho and reminds me of the Dermalogica Renewal Lip Complex (review here)... so, you can see now why I'm glad I didn't buy the 20quid pot!

lip balm

Second product I tried is the Glamtox Night. This reminds of the Monu Skin Perfector (review here) both for the consistency and smell... and I adore the Monu cream!!!
It does feel a bit light to be a night cream but - apparently - the retinol formula transforms skin overnight and it's performing well so no complaints.

night balm

Then, Glamotox Day SPF15 is also a lovely product. It sinks well into the skin and my foundation goes on smoothly. Again, this has a nice, fresh smell.

day cream

Next, I tried used the Glamoxy Snake Serum. Unfortunately, the sample is so minuscule that I couldn't possibly experience any improvement in frown lines and wrinkles - it last for 4 applications!

Again, a light consistency that you would expect from a serum and I did enjoy using it (that 4 times) so I may give it another go with the full size, once I have finished my current one.

serum

Oh what a joy! I loved loved the Glamtox cleansing Balm and it's my favourite product of the lot, definitely.

It smells and perform as the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm (review here)... but unfortunately, I have to give the edge to EH because of the price. Yes, the Rodial is £50 for the same quantity and that's THE ONLY REASON why I'm not going to re-purchase.

cleanser

Finally, I ordered the Glam Balm Multi because I read so much about this product but I was expecting something different: I thought it was high performance, intensive face cream,  but I can't possibly see how you can use it all over the face, even with very very dry skin - It feels too greasy (you may notice in the picture)! In fact, you need to squeeze the bottle few times, before opening, otherwise you end up with a blob of oil on your finger.

I would compare it to Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream - without the nasty smell - and I have only been able to use it on my lips.

Overall, my first experience with this brand has been more than positive - I'd love to try some more but, for the price, I don't see it happening soon.

What surprised me the most was the scent.. very natural, floraly... I was expecting something more high-tech and chemical (I don't know maybe because of the polished/metal packaging)... nice surprise.. weirdo, the mind connection you do something, innit?! :)

Have you tried anything from Rodial before?

What would you recommend?

xxx