Empties #4

I'm back with another empties post, I've been meaning to do this for so long now. Everything on here I used up in January (despite it now being pretty much half way through February)..

Hair..

Trevor Sorbie beautifully straightened protection conditioner -  My opinion for this is the same as that of the matching shampoo (Featured here) Repurchase? I have but only as it was in one of the Boots Christmas 3 for 2 and I needed a third thing.

Aussie Take The Heat 2 Minute Miracle - I was somewhat impressed with this, at first I only got told to get it when I had my hair extensions put in and as I expected.. it didn't work (no matter how long I left it on for) But as the hair was effectively dead anyway I wasn't expecting 'miracles'. So I left it in the cupboard for when I had them taken out, used it once and I swear I didn't need to condition my hair for a week or so after! This maybe down to my hair being pretty healthy from having the extensions in (You'd be surprised what benefits they have to your natural hair) as since having my recent set out It's been so damn smooth! One other thing, I must be the only one, but I do NOT like the smell of Aussie products! Repurchase? I think I have another bottle already (the ltd Edition colour one) But again only cause It was on a 2 for £.. offer.

Skin care..

The Body Shop Aloe Calming Facial Cleanser - It's your average cleanser really, very gentle though..so much so it is one you can use all over your face (including eyes) It doesn't remove eye make up amazingly, but I would use this then a gentle toner to get the rest off and that works okay for me. A down side is that as you may be able to see, the bottle isn't clear so you can't really gauge how much is left, only by weight. Repurchase? AGAIN, I do have another bottle of this stashed away but wouldn't rush out to get it if I ran 

out.

Boots Tea Tree+ Witch hazel Facial Scrub - I don't have enough good things to say about this. The smell, the exfoliation, the lasting power.. all just brilliant! Repurchase? For sure! I already have another bottle on the go.

Bath and body..

Asda Moisture bath soak - You'll come to learn I love my supermarket bubble bath's. I don't feel as bad when I pour in a little too much :p Repurchase? Yes, simple as that.

Imperial Leather Shower Cream in Precious (ltd edition) - Yummy! (The smell of course) Yes sadly this is a Limited edition product, but the only place I've got it from that as far as I know still sell it is the 99p Store. Repurchase? Probably.

fcuk Polished Sugarscrub - This was one of those annoying never ending products that I just so happened to hate using even when I had to! I would much rather just use exfoliating gloves. The scrub it'self wasn't that bad but It left a horrible oilyness on my skin.. just no! Repurchase? Incase you didn't guess, no! I have another tub from a Christmas set but I think I might leave it at my mums as I will never ever use it here.

Misc+ Make up.. 

Soap&Glory Hand Maid - By far my favorite sand hanitizer ever. I always have to have one in my pocket at work or in my bag, and it doesn't smell like Vodka.. yay! Enough said. Repurchase? Yes!!

No7 Intense Volume Mascara - Also my favorite mascara! I've been using this for about a year now (not this exact tube) and I will not differ. As most girls are, I'm very particular about my mascara but this does everything I want; lengthens, gives volume and just makes my lashes look perfect. +It isn't a mission to remove! Repurchase? YES!

Collective Haul; Part 1

Hi guys, I'm back with another haul! Yay! 

Thought you might like to see what I've bought over the last few months, I've had to split this into 2 half's as this already has a tone of pictures. So this half is the more beauty bits and the second half will be clothes and other random things :)

As you may or may not know, I have hair extensions in (Post to come) and I was recommended this kit from my hair extension technician. It's available on eBay but I bought mine from Trendsetters for £20 (Same price as eBay) and you get a shampoo, conditioner, leave in spray and shine spray. *fingers crossed*

I'm not much of an experimental person when it comes to eye shadow and I've owned palette's in the past but haven't got much use out of them. I saw somebody review this one, and I thought for the price.. I'd give it a go. I think it was around £6 including postage.

Sadly It came from China, and took well over a month to get to me, I'm thinking it got stopped at customs as there is a massive chunk of black (see above picture) missing and black specks everywhere! Luckily I don't tend to use black eye shadow. But still, I was not impressed.. The palette it'self is good, but I'm not sure about the company.. I would leave a link, but they've sold out now.

Thought I'd treat myself a little while I was in London with the Boyfriend in December, I am slightly unimpressed though..  I swatched them as soon as I could, but all that I felt was 'meh' I even used one and it did NOTHING! I genuinely don't know what to do, they were reduced as they were a Christmas set, but I still feel slightly conned. I think I may resort to putting them on eBay if I'm honest!

First MAC Lipstick, where have I been?! There is just TOO many, I didn't know what to go for. I swatched a few and decided to go for Snob. I loved how it looked on my hand, my lips on the other hand (Barbie alert!) I managed to tone it down adding a darker lip gloss. I will definitely go back at some point and pick up another! £14 on a lipstick is an investment for me, so recommendations on a wearable day to night colour would be great! 

Now, I don't seem to be having much luck! I thought I'd jump on the band wagon and buy on of the Maybelline Color Tattoo's, I wanted 'On and on bronze' which I thought Is what I picked up, but naughty Superdrug covered the colour name with a security sticker and I got home to find out I actually bought 'Permanent Taupe' .. I'm going to give it a go though and go back at pick up On and on bronze at some point (I will check this time). £4.99 (Boots) 

Random essentials - Tanning mit £2.66

                             - Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation 52, around £10
                             - Carex Aloe Vera hand gel - £1  

                                                               Part 2 coming soon..

DIY; Used candle - Storage pot

Hi guys,

So this is going to be my first 'DIY' post. It's pretty simple but I thought I'd just share my idea.. Enjoy!

So basically all it is, is turning a boring old used up candle into a pretty storage pot (as you could see from the title *facepalm*).

Prep

• Gather decorative supplies; Scissors, ribbon, glitter, glue etc.
• Make sure all the max is out of you chosen candle (put boiling water in it to melt the wax, wait for it to cool slightly then simply remove it).  

 I kept mine pretty simple, but you could do what ever you liked.. depending on you taste.. 

What ever you do, just ..

Search for 'pearl cabochon' on Etsy of eBay.


You could go all out a cover the whole thing on sweet wrappers, tickets, ribbons (memorable things) Or keep it simple, like I have.
The jar I have used was just a candle from idea, but you could do this with any old jar.. whether it be from a candle or not!

This is my fished jar, I have two of these currently on display; one with nail files, another with make up brushes.. The list is endless for what you can use them for! But it just adds a bit of personality to your dressing table/ desk

If you do this, please send me the pictures! I love seeing people's creative side!
@VickiPenton1 - Tweet me.  vicki.penton@gmail.com - Email me.

2012 Best & Worst Tag;

Even if I am late in saying so, Merry Christmas and Happy new year! My word the last month has just flown by! Hope you all had an amazing Christmas and new year..

I stole this tag off Emma - Glossy Boutique ..I didn't want to have to do 3 tag's in a row, but sadly they're the only posts I can get away with lack of pictures! Enjoy :)

1. What was your favourite drug store make up brand of 2012?
I can't say I've really used a substantial amount of one brand.. I tried random bits from a lot of different 'drugstore' brands throughout last year, I can't pick an ultimate fav but the three I was impressed with are; No7, L'OREAL and Natural Collection - All for one product each, but I plan to venture more into those brands a little in 2013 (with the exclusion of L'OREAL as I have a few things from them and am generally very bemused by the brand!)

2. What are your least favourite products of 2012?
MUA - Extreme Felt Liner (Absolute waste of time) Simple - Purifying Cleansing Lotion (Unaffected) I didn't really venture into new things so didn't have many things to dislike. 

3. What is the best make up bargain of 2012?ELF Mineral Moisturising Lip Tint (Rose) - £3.75 from here

4. Show your best drug store dupe for 2012.
I don't have any dupes for anything to be honest. 

5. Which drug store products did you buy in 2012 that wasn't worth the hype?
I have to agree with Emma, the Collection 2000 (Now Collection) 'really stupid long name' Concealer.. Maybe if they had a shade that matched my skin I may have had more faith but It was the awkward, lightest shade is too light, the medium is too dark so no point going to the other one.. Saying that, it wasn't just the colour option I had a problem with.. Some may like this fact, but I found it too thick! Okay yeah I get black bags under my eyes and the odd spot.. but I feel this concealer just makes me look worse if anything! (Despite the fact I still have it sat in my make up bag.. Maybe it's time to get rid?!)

6. Which product wins your award for best drug store product of 2012?
Without a doubt, Boujois - Healthy Mix foundation! I can't get enough, I haven't even ran out yet but have still bought another bottle! The only disadvantage is the bottle/tube.. it's like the pump action tooth paste you can get and I've now how the problem twice in that It looks like it still has 1/3 of product left but infact that pump bit hasn't actually gone up to the top (there's probably some trapped in there too) But I just love how it makes me look!

I tag everybody! Leave your links as a comment :) 

Christmas Tag

Our tree :D

1. What's your favorite thing about Christmas?

I've never really known how to answer this question, I just generally like that it makes (most) people happy! + Who doesn't like a few days of relaxation with amazing people and amazing food! 

2. What's your favourite make up look for the festive season?

I don't really have a specific look I would create year to year but this year I'm going for a neutral smokey eye with a red lip ;)

3. Real tree or fake tree?

We've only ever had 'fake' ones over the years, but I do love the look of real ones

4. Giving presents or receiving presents?

Giving for sure! This is the second year I've actually been able to have the money to buy for a few people.. but I'm excited more so to see their faces than to see what surprises await me! (Don't get me wrong, I cannot wait to rip open my own presents like a 5 year old! :p )

5. Do you open your presents Christmas morning or evening?

Morning! 

6. Handmade Christmas cards or bought?

I only used to give out cards at school, and then they were bought. 

7. What's your favourite Christmas film?

The Santa Clause (With Tim Allen) + Love Actually.

8. What's your favourite Christmas food?

I prefer the food on boxing day, all snacky things.. I'm a sucker for Pringles etc..

Found this tag on this blog - Link

I don't tag anyone specifically.. If you'd like to do this tag then just go for it :)

Empies #3

Hi guys, woah.. do you even remember you followed my blog?! It's been just over a month since my last post (whoopsie) I admit I got into telling myself 'I'll do it tomorrow' and a month later I just thought.. I feel the need to sit down and ramble about all things beauty.

So as you can tell by the title this is another 'Empies' post, but I'm doing this one a little different to the last 2 I've done.. in that I'm going to share with you the things I've genuinely finished up this past month. A few I finished in the beginning of December but most all disappeared in November. Grab a drink, this may be a long one..

Hair..

1. Trevor Sorbie beautifully straightened protection shampoo (with heat protection and shine enhancing technology) - I wanna say I was amazed with this, but In honesty I wasn't. Like it seems everything I use, It smells awesome! Quite perfumed, but very luxurious smelling. It lathered up to a usable amount, but I wasn't WOW'd. Repurchase? I have but only as it was in one of the Boots Christmas 3 for 2 and I needed a third thing.
2. Herbal essences Smooth&Soft sensuously smooth shampoo (What a mouth full!) - Who doesn't like Herbal essences eh?! I picked it up as it was half price and I'd run out of whatever I was using at the time, an impulse buy if you will. This lathered up a little more than the TS (above) and as every girl knows, smells heavenly! For me it did what it said on the tin so no complaints. Repurchase? Maybe, but only when it's on offer.
3. Vo5 heat protect styling spray - What can I say, it was a heat protection spray?.. We never really know if these things do what they claim and actually protect our hair against heat damage, but I guess we just use it and assume it does. I was quite happy when I finished this as I personally thought it was too perfumed for a heat protection, If I've used a nice smelling Shampoo and Conditioner I don't really want to mask that. Repurchase? Probably not.

Skin care and moisturisers..

1. Superdrug Cranberry& Pomegranate body lotion - Full review here  Repurchase? Yes, already half way through my next bottle!

2. Simple Kind to skin purifying cleansing lotion - I don't have a lot to say about this, I didn't get on with it at all. Simple is meant to be all gentle and whatnot, but this made my eyes feel all heavy and irritated (whereas I use a body shop cleanser all over my face, including my eyes and that's fine). Repurchase? No!
3. Simple Kind to skin hydrating light moisturiser - Again, I wouldn't say this was anything special. It moisturises my skin like I need it to but It's certainly not a winner for me. Repurchase? I already had a while back, but I won't again.
4. Simple Kind to skin soothing facial toner - It seems Simple are onto a loosing streak.. Yeah okay.. it refreshed my face.. but there are better products out there. I would still use it now to take off eye make up if I didn't have time/ energy to cleanse etc but it's certainly nothing special. Repurchase? Yes.
5. Nivea pearly shine lip balm - Something I actually enjoyed. I rely on lip balms this time of year more than any other time. I like most of the Nivea lip balms, but think I just got this one cause it was pink (is that bad?) Repurchase? Yes.

Finally, the miscellaneous things.. 

1. The Body Shop Shea shower cream - Shea is my favourite scent from the body shop so this was certainly a joy to use. Unfortunately it didn't come with the pump, but I found one on something else I'd used a while ago.. cleaned it out and popped it on (much cheaper with a pump as you only pump out how much you need leading to it lasting a lot longer!) A smooth, lathery, amazing smelling shower gel/ cream! Yum! Repurchase? Already have, a big bottle and a travel sized one.
2. Asda muscle ease bath soak - I don't tend to buy into the gimmick of 'muscle relax/ ease' anymore, I bought it purely cause I'd run out of bubble bath! Baths are more fun with bubbles, don'tcha think?  Don't go all out and get radox.. most of the supermarket own bubble baths smell the same and infact give you more bubbles! Don't let the name fool you! Repurchase? Yes, have since bought the pink one (Moisture soak or something?)
3. Dove Original Anti-Perspiration Deodorant -  My all-time favourite deodorant. It's fresh smelling, doesn't make me choke in the morning (which let's admit, some deo's do!) and I just generally love it! Repurchase? Yes!! Already have.

Have you done any empties posts? I'd love to delve into your thought's upon your rubbish. Links below..
Vicki :) x

Newlook basic lusts..

Hi guys,
I'm having one of those super long boring days with nothing better to do than do some online browsing and I've made up an outfit with things that have been on my wishlist for a while.
These are all pretty basic items, but I like them :)

1. Black mini tube skirt - £7.99 2. Red peplum shell top - £8.99 3. Black glitter bow skinny waist belt -  £3.99

3 Items for £20.97 (minus shipping) Not bad at all! I doubt they'll be sat on a wish list for too long.
Paired with some tights and black heels/ wedges of some sort, you'd be away!

Have you been lusting after anything recently?
Vicki :) x