October empties-Skincare!

Happy November!  I'm just back from a business trip to Cairo and having a lazy day!  But I have one of my best friends arriving in Dubai for a weekend tonight and staying with us and we have F1 GP tickets for Sunday.

I have split my empties into skincare and make-up this month because I have lots!

Alpha H Triple Action Cleanser

A great non foaming gel based cleanser from Alpha H-I used this as my second cleanse in the evening after using my cleansing balm to ensure my skin is squeaky clean.

This cleanser is extremely gentle and can be used around the eyes.  Key ingredients are thyme to minimize excess oil and cucumber to soothe.  It does not contain AHA's like my beloved Alpha H Liquid Gold.  Again this washes off really easily and is soothing on the skin.  The 200ml bottle also lasts ages.

Would I repurchase?  Yes

What have I replaced it with?  The Astalift Make Up Remover Gel

Rodial Glamtox Cleansing Balm

One of my favourite balm cleansers of all time-the only downside is the price!  I bought mine from Space NK where it was £50 but I know QVC currently have it on offer here at an amazing introductory price-if you want to try this cleanser buy it from QVC now!

Perfect for anyone with intolerance to Shea butter or beeswax as this is one of the only balm cleansers not to contain either.

This is a silky smooth balm you apply to dry skin, massage in and then remove with a flannel.  It's safe to use round the eyes, extremely effective at removing make up and is the most hygienic cleansing balm I have used as it's in a sealed pump dispenser meaning no contamination from dipping your fingers into a pot.  Some balm cleanser seem to 'stick' to your face meaning you have to use a flannel to remove it but this one washes off really easily.  I love it.

Would I repurchase?  Yes, especially at that QVC price-actually going to make an order now!

What have I replaced it with?  Now using the Elemental Herbology Super Cleanse

Clinique Even Better Eyes

I really enjoyed using this as my morning eye cream.  Clinique say this eye cream reduces dark circles by up to 30% in 12 weeks.  It has one of those metal massage tips but I found that really difficult to use and so I preferred to squeeze the cream onto my finger and apply directly.  It's very lightweight but does contain silicone which gives it it's velvety texture so be careful if this is an ingredient your skin struggles to tolerate.  I know some people find that silicone can lead to milia on the skin.  I'm not sure if dark circles were reduced BUT it's really hydrating and a great base for under eye concealer.  It's also slightly skin tinted but definitely not enough to conceal.

Would I repurchase?  Yes

What have I replaced it with?  The Estee Lauder Idealist cooling eye illuminator which is actually a fairly simialr texture but with more of a brightening effect.

balanceMe Radiance Facial Oil

I reviewed this little tube of miracle oil here and stand by everything I said in that review.  This oil was great for clearing up spots fast and I used it every other night and saw a massive improvement in my skin tone.

Would I repurchase?  Yes

What have I replaced it with?  Kiehls Midnight Concentrate

Melvita Rose Extraordinary Water

I used this toner as my hydrating toner every morning and evening.  It has an unusual runny gel like texture which I am not sure I liked.  I prefer a hydrating toner you can spritz on your face-I think it helps to wake me up a bit more!  This one I applied to a cotton pad and swept over my face.  What I will say is that my skin was literally baby soft after using it and my skin has been pretty good recently.  It's packed full of hyaluronic acid so great if you suffer from dehydrated skin but it also dries really fast when applied as well.

Would I repurchase?  I wasn't a big fan of the texture so maybe not-although I have the orange version still to use

What have I replaced it with?  Caudalie Beauty Elixir

The Body Shop Spa Wisdom Africa Ximenia and Salt Scrub

This is a 'moisturising exfoliator' which almost seems to be an oxymoron.  I was a bit disappointed because although it smells divine it's not very effective.  The scrub is actually a thick cream with small exfoliating grains set into it.  The cream is quite stiff and difficult to get out of the tub and then tends to stick to your skin in the shower.  The exfoliating grains aren't really big enough to get a decent scrub.  I would say that if you have very sensitive skin this would be a really gentle exfoliater to use but I prefer something a bit 'scrubbier'.

Would I repurchase?  Top marks for smell but bottom marks for scrubbing ability.

What have I replaced it with?  The much much more scrubbier Bath and Body Works CocoLime scrub

 

Opi Rapidry

Love love love this fast drying spray from Opi, it was one of those 'on a whim' purchases that turn out to be holy grail!  I love swapping my nail polish every couple of days but have a terrible habit of waiting until bedtime to do!  Why does polish always take the longest to dry when you want to go to bed??? A couple of spritzes of this over my nails after applying my polish means they are dry to the touch in seconds and I can get that much needed beauty sleep!

Would I repuchase?  Yes!  Recently picked up two more bottles when I was in the UK.

What have I replaced it with?  The same

Bath and Body Works Candles-Limoncello and Summertime S'mores

Not really skincare but two amazing candles that I used up in October.  Limoncello was my last summer candle of 2013, heavenly sweet lemon.  Summertime S'mores was my first autumn candle and OMG this is divine-marshmallow and vanilla.  I had to go to BABW in Dubai and buy 3 more when it burnt out.

The best thing about these candles is they fill the whole room.  I love burning a candle in the evening all year round-it's just a relaxing ritual I have.

I know BABW isn't in the UK but if you visit the US or Dubai I highly recommend you check out the stores.

Let me know if you've done an empties post-leave me a link below!!