Beauty Product Empties #13

I have tons of empties this month. I was going to post up after I got back from holiday next week , as I am sure I would have had more to add. However, with 16 items here I just want to get them popped in the trash!!

Avon Advance Techniques Shampoo with Moroccan Argan Oil. It was nice enough. I may well buy again when the need arises as at just £2.80 it did the job I needed. Smelt very nice.

Toni & Guy Nourishing Deep Conditioning Mask for Brunette Hair. This is my 2nd pot. I love this so much. I have other masks to use up right now but will definitely have this on my repurchase list. It leaves my hair feeling in such fantastic condition. Sometimes I can go 5 day without washing my hair & maybe having to spray a tiny bit of dry shampoo on day 3 or so. Topmarks!

Sanctuary Body Wash. I got this in a set for Xmas & I can honestly say I would not have chosen it myself. The scent almost seems to masculine for me. It washed well enough but the fragrance put me off.

Soap & Glory Scrub Of Your Life. Loved this. This is just a sample pot but I think I have a full sized one as well somewhere. has the scent that Soap & Glory are famous for & leaves my skin tingling nicely from the scrub. I generally use my Soap & Glory body butter after too so I keep the scent lasting longer.

The Body Shop Raspberry Body Scrub - this looks just like jam ( don't eat it though!!) The 1st time I used it I was horrified by the colour of my shower as the red really stands out. hehe. Its a good enough scrub though. I don't think it was that great though so I am not sure I would buy it again. It was nice to try it & it did smell lovely.

The Body Shop Peppermint Foot Scrub. This is amazing stuff. Smells good & does the job its meant too. I was using it in conjunction with the foot cream as well as the foot soak but I don't have this in a back up until I can get to The Body Shop next.... Horror! They need to do it in a bigger pot , although £7 for just 100ml is quite expensive enough really.

Urban Veda Radiance Exfoliating Facial Polish . This did a good enough job. I got it in a Birchbox otherwise I would not have thought to try it. Not sure If I will purchase the bigger size yet though. 

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. I seemed to take a few uses to get used to a cleansing balm. By midway through the pot though I have been hooked by this one. There is no scent to it - which is not a bad thing I think for the face sometimes. I usually use this in the evening as it does such a fantastic job of removing most of my make up. I can even use it OK on my eyes unlike some of them. Will have to see how the finances are after our holiday! 

The Body Shop Satsuma Body Butter. I could sit & smell this pot all day long. I am so sad this one has gone. I need more in my life & it is so refreshing. I like to use them after using the same scent shower gel ( which went in last months empties) so bot of those need to go on a re-purchase list too.

Nivea Irresistibly Smooth Body Lotion. Another Xmas gift item which I got 2 Christmases ago I think! One of those I used for a bit & then went back to. I love it. A nice perfect day to day lotion. Sinks in fine. Smells really gentle. Like everything I have lots of lotions to use so I will just have to hope Santa might bring me another this year.

No 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Water. I am going to be honest. I don't like it. Its not the product to be fair, I just don't think it is right for my skin. I got this in a deal last year so had 2 of them to use up. I am quite glad it has gone. 

Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Eye Cream. Nice enough but for the price if it I have used better.

Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Balm. I bought this after I saw Essiebutton raving about it on her blog. It was OK. At times it actually seemed to dry my lips out more but it was pleasant enough to use up. No re-purchase though. It was nice to try something else though.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. I go through a lot of this. Where the Nars concealer is my Holy Grail this is a perfect accessory for day to day life. This is a staple of my make-up bag. My shade is Light (2) if you wondered.

Soap & Glory Thick & fast Mascara. There is still product left in it but it is over its 6 month self life & has a smell about it that isn't quite right. As a mascara it was great for every day looks. I found it didn't build up quite so well though. 

L'Oreal Color Riche nail Polish in Versailles Gold. Such a pretty colour. I love this but with a round a quarter left it has to go bin wards :-(. Its just drying out too much. It takes me forever to paint my nails & then looks awful because it just goes on so dry. I can't recommend this range too much so plan on getting another bottle of the same colour plus a few more colours too.

Travelling With An Stoma

This Thursday ( Today ) I am off to Majorca for a much welcome holiday with my wonderful 3 boys. 

I am not one to be scared of flying, in fact I love it & that side of the flying I cannot wait for.

However, this is my 1st trip to the airport & on a plane since I got my Illeostomy. To say that makes me nervous is an understatement. 

Whilst , I am sure the people of security in the airport must see things like Stomas on a day to day basis , for me I am almost terrified. 

I usually always set of the scanner, although usually this is down to wearing shoes with metal bits on , & the thought that a search will of course bring attention to my bag is a little bit scary if I am honest. 

I have paperwork from my GP to explain everything ( including the meds I will carry in my hand luggage , as I can't chance those in my suitcase) & really I am sure all my worries will be for nothing. I can't help though but be a little apprehensive. I think a lot of people would if this was their 1st flight since having it done too?

I've already told hubby he must go through 1st , followed by the boys so that if the scanner does go off for me or they need to check my bag, the boys will at least be with him whilst this is happening. Naturally he is too stay close to me too - irrational fear anyone?

Anyway, with luck that part will go as smoothly as poss & then we can just chill out until our flight is called. 

Then though we have the flight itself. Like I said flying does not bother me but I have no idea how my bag will respond to being in the cabin. Leaks happen of course now & then but usually I am either safely at home, or not far from home OR on holiday in the UK where I can at least keep things to myself much easier. This time I will be on a plane with no where to go apart from the loo. The thought of others knowing my business is a little bit odd. I will have to get on with it though & if a leak did occur just treat it like any other.  

Like I say I am sure everything will be fine. Fears though for my 1st flight with the bag though are surely not a surprise even if hopefully they will be for nothing.

Hopefully, I won't have too many nights sleep before then ( 3  to go if you wondered when I was writing this.)

Thank you for reading more of my ramblings!!!

Amanda x

What's In My Travel Toiletries Bag.

  Yesterday I posted my make-up bag & as promised here is the post with the toiletries for the holiday. I haven't included Toothbrush/ paste as we all take that with us don't we & that is all purely down to individual taste I think.

Above is everything I am taking bar the shaving items or the fake tan as I did not have them at the time of taking this photo.

I am never too fussed by what I use in way of shampoos & body wash when going abroad. If a holiday at home I tend to be more inclined to take something more interesting but not always. We usually take such things that the whole family can use. That way it cuts down on what space extras would use up plus these will all be gone by the time we come home again & if not I will be happy to just chuck them in the bin in Majorca. I'll try & commit to memory what they were like for my empties post although I can't see them being amazing really!

The shower gel is just a Boots one. Hopefully the scent is quite neutral. I always take 2 in 1 shampoos. I'm on holiday so can't be bothered with too much time spent in the shower & with the amazing dry shampoo these days anyway I have to spend even less time washing my hair. These 2 came from the Wilkos travel range. 

The Tresamme Salon Finish Extra Hold Hairspray is a small size that I got in a gift set at Christmas. I kept it because I knew its size was perfect for travel. I have no idea how good it is as I have not used this before ( I really am A VO5 girl when it comes to hairspray usually.) The mini Batiste you can get in most places.  Most places sell the travel sized items on 3 for 2. This is not my favourite scent but nowhere had my tropical one left. Its only for a week, I can survive. Dove Anti-Perspirant. My favourite of all deodorants. Compressed can , although I am not a huge fan of them as I don't think they are that special but a good travel size. Again can be bought in a lot of places. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess -the only perfume I am taking & I have held off wearing it for about a month so that I keep it for the holiday. It's the most beautiful scent ever.

Skincare now. Again trying to keep things a bit more simple. Most of this is travel or gift size.
The wipes came from Poundland. Usually sold 2 for £1 I think. I don't as a rule use them for actually cleansing my face. They will just be used really to help keep my makeup brushes clean ( to save taking the cleaner ) & will be great also for freshening up through the day.
I will use Simple Refreshing Facial Wash in the evenings to remove my make-up with the Simple Eye Make Up Remover to of course take off my eye make up. Both came with the mini Batiste in the Boots 3 for 2 deal on travel bits. I will use the No 7 Cleansing Lotion as my morning cleanser. Moisturiser then, I will mostly day time use my Clinique Face Cream ( see yesterdays post) as my moisturiser but for bed time I have Emma Hardie Rejuvenating Night Cream. I also am taking the Emma Hardie Age Support Cream on the days I don't use the Clinique. The sponge is my favourite one from Botanics, which I use when doing my facial wash. The Cosmetic Pads come from Waitrose Essential range. 

Lastly then, the items that don't feature in the main photo. St Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Mousse is my favourite. I have tried other brands but this is by far the easiest I have used. I have nearly finished the 1st can of this so needed to buy another - it is  a shame even when they have a deal with it , it is still a bit on the expensive side. However I don't use it everyday. I tend to use it 2 days in a row then have 2 days break so the original can has lasted a while ( 2 months roughly.) I must not forget the mitt when I pack!!!
For shaving then , I am leaving my Gillette Venus at home & taking this one from Wilkos instead. If it works well I'll bring home & buy refills & if not I will throw it away. I got the Gillette Satin Care & plan to share it with Hubby. I did ask if he was sure but he said he probably only shave twice whilst away - he would not do it at all if I would let him get away with it - so he really didn't care.

That is everything then. Well there is more but that is deodorants & other items for the boys & hubby. Everything will go in a big toiletry bag together. I think I ought to go. Its taken me HOURS to do this blog post ( kids eh?) & fear I am now just rambling!!

What's In My Travel Make Up Bag

Today then I bring you what I am taking in way of make-up on holiday (skincare item post tomorrow.)

There is not actually a lot at all. I am fully expecting to not put much on, if any some days & thus refuse to take too much with me.

The bag is a Clinique one that I got with a Bonus Time gift. Its just the right size & wipe clean. Perfect!

For under my make-up then ( as I felt the SPF face cream part of my make up routine.)
Clinique Face Cream with SPF 30. I will probably use this every day regardless of whether I actually put make up on as I have to cover up as best as I can. I may use this in place of a moisturiser during my morning skincare routine.
Then my face primer will be my beloved Nars Light Optimizing Primer. I was not going to take this one as there is a not a great deal left. But actually as I may not use as much anyway plus its the smallest of the primers I have so made more sense that way. Its also the best one & will hold make up in place longer than the others.

Base & Cheeks now. I am not taking a Foundation cream. I will just conceal with Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer ( in Warm Beige - 3,) Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place make up ( mine is a sample in Fresco - 02.) Then on my cheeks I will use only Maybelline Dream Sun Bronzing Powder With Blush.

Eyes & Eye Brows. I am only using my Seventeen Clear Definitions Mascara. I really am not bothered about filling them in whilst on holiday!
Eye shadow primer is Bare Minerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer & eye shadow  will be my NYX Ombre Trio, whilst mascara will be Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme in Extreme Black.

Just one lipstick. Maybelline Lip Colour in Absolute Plum.

Lastly the brushes I will take.
Real Technique Brushes - Expert Face Brush, Setting Brush & Shading Brush.
Superdrug Eyeshadow Liner Brush.

July 2014 Favourites

Time for my July empties & I'll be honest - there is not many of them. I struggled to the point of thinking I would not bother for this month. A little more thought though & came up with 6 items. Sorry for shocking photos - was taking them during a thunderstorm & it was impossible to get any good shots - I really need to sort my proper camera out!

Avon Naturals Daily Refreshing Hair Mask in Cherry Blossom || Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water || Estee Lauder 5 Tone Simmer Powder in Bronze Shimmer ( 02) || Seventeen Clear Definition Mascara || No 7 Lash Adapt Mascara ||Maybelline Super Stay Lip Colour in Raspberry.

Avon Naturals Daily Refreshing Hair Mask in Cherry Blossom. They don't seem to do this anymore, although they still have the shampoo in this range. I found a link to other places it can be found though. I was not sure what i was going to think of this but was pleasantly surprised as after using I was able to leave washing my hair for about 3 days , which in this heat is pretty amazing! You can use it daily but I prefer to use it only once or twice a week.

Garnier Micellar Water. I bought this after seeing many others rave about it. I was not expecting much as myself & Micellar type cleansers do not seem to go together. So far though I have been impressed. Unlike the others I have used I can clean off  my eye make up which has been ideal of late. the hot weather means I can't be bothered with too much in the way of skincare so this is really helping to save just a little bit of time. 

Maybelline Superstay Lipcolour in Raspberry - The heat means I am not putting much make up on. Why bother when in moments it melts off no matter how I prepare my face. This lip colour just gives a lovely bit of bright colour to brighten my face up just a bit. This colour is a break from the norm for me & I love it. As with all the Superstay range it lasts for hours.
Seventeen Clear Definition Mascara - My biggest love for a virtually make up free face. No matter what else I pop on , I use this most days to keep the eyebrows in place. Its going to be a make up bag staple for the foreseeable I think.
No7 Lash Adapt Mascara - Its not the great mascara ever but perfect to add just the teeniest bit of depth to my lashes. You can build it up but I pretty much just do one coat with this & away I go.

Estee Lauder 5 Tone Shimmer Powder in Bronze Shimmer. It looks much prettier HERE. I have been using this a lot as my eye shadow. It is so pretty but so subtle. Just giving my eyes a small amount of colour & the shimmer is not too much at all. I also dab on my cheeks at times too.