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? :)

Samples/Swaps/Freebies Update

St. Ives Apricot Scrub Invigorating 

I think I requested this on Facebook - it's a good size tube and I'm liking it a lot. Enjoying using it so I will probably purchase after it's finished. Great budget exfoliator!

Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Toothpaste

I, actually, forgot about this - You could get it, signing in on their website.

Nothing too exciting (it's toothpaste!) but useful - again, a great size sample, also for travelling.

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Foundation & BB Cream

I, also, received this in the post few weeks ago; I haven't had the chance to try them yet but looking forward to the foundation, especially. I read great reviews!

Erno Laszlo - The Hollywod Collection

Unfortunately, due to the recent increase at the post office I'll keep the swapping to a minimum :(

I got this sent from Chloe @ Giada Beauty

This is a super super luxurious brand and there are 5 different skincare products in this set - very excited to put them to the test!! 

Rituals Wai Wang Body Scrub with Easy Living Magazine

Since receiving the shower foam in a GlossyBox few months ago, I'm adoring Rituals products!

I haven't tried this line yet and it smells amazing - there's also a choice of body lotion with the magazine.

GlossyBox - December 2011

First impressions: definitely, one of my favourite so far. 

Quality brands, good variety and great choice of colours that would suit everybody.

Plus to make it extra special - being Christmas - everything came in a red glossy box.

Blink+Go Hi-Definition Mascara

First item in the box is a waterproof mascara; I was excited to receive it because I'm on the hunt for the perfect waterproof mascara (for the wedding, you know) but I was left disappointed with this one.

I found it extremely drying! I've used a waterproof mascara before and I know they can be a bit of a pain to remove but this one made my lashes 'crispy' straight after application. 

Also, I'm not a fan of the brush: it didn't help separate or for volume.

I'm afraid, it's definitely a no-buy from me.

Cargo Cosmetics Classic Lip Gloss in Las Vegas

Not impressed with this product as I wasn't impressed with the Cargo eye pencil from Boudoir Prive Box.

I'm not a fan of lip glosses in general and this is not my colour, unfortunately - it's more brown than in the picture, actually.

Deborah Lippmann Razzle Dazzle Mini Nail Varnish with Stripped to Go Satchet

I was very excited to see this in the box! I've never tried Deborah Lippmann' polishes before, although read many many good things.

I like the miniature bottle (so cute) and the colour is gorgeous (right up my alley!); it's a purple with glitter and I had good coverage from the first coat.

Longevity wasn't the best: chipped after 3 days but still acceptable.

Together with the polish, we also received a sample of the polish remover mitt. I'm not a fan of these pre-soaked pads but this one was impressive. I used it to remove Razzle Dazzle and, although it says one mitt is enough for both hands, I only managed 6/7 fingers; you need to consider this is an heavy duty polish (with all the glitter) so it's not too bad.

MEMEME Seventh Heaven

I have never used this brand before - I think the packaging looks quite cheap... You see, I would have never bought this product but I'm pleased I discovered it because I liked it a lot.

I use this as a primer: it, also, has active ingredients and extracts to moisturise the skin but I wouldn't use it everyday.

It has a very pleasant citrusy smell and it's light on the skin, creating a smooth canvas for the make up.

You should, definitely, check it out if you're looking for a budget primer.

Rituals Foaming Shower Gel in Yogi Flow

LOVELOVELOVE!!!

This is a full size bottle and it's huge!!! The packaging looks very luxurious and it would be perfect for a present too. 

The Yogi Flow version is the indian rose and sweet almond oil but I bet they are all lovely scented - in fact I'd like to try more.

I'm a big fan of foaming shower gels - I've used the Imperial Leather's before - and I find that a little goes a long wait. Plus, they always leave my skin extremely soft and nourished. 

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