The empties #3

There comes a time once in a while when it's time for me to put all the empty bottles Ive been saving in a bag underneath my bed in the recycle bin. So before I take that trip downstairs I thought I would show and comment about what I've used up. This will therefore also be a post about a girl who used to work at Liz Earle and has now used up most of her stash - sad times.

People sometimes forget that Liz Earle does more than skincare. The Liz Earle Botanical Shine conditioner for dry or damaged hair was an absolute treat; my hair felt more nourished and looked healthy and shiny. I loved how creamy the formula was. This is definitely going on my repurchase list.

I had a wonderful time using the Sarah Chapman Intense Hydrating Booster . I would put it up there with some of the best skincare I have ever used. It is a very light-weight serum which gave my skin so much hydration making it looked nourished and plumper. I would love to purchase this again but the price tag brings a tear to my eye...

You must know by now that the Oskia Renaissance Gel Cleanser is one of my all time favourite cleansers. I will soon be re-purchasing my fourth bottles.

The Herbal Essences Clearly naked Shampoo is the cheapest thing in this post at a whopping price of £2.50. My hairdresser recommended that I only buy clear shampoos as my hair was getting very greasy and 'flat.' This has been a little gem and Im now on my second bottle.

Do I need to say anything else about the Colab sheer and invisible dry shampoo (empties are the London and New York scents). If you're a brunette gal then you need to try these.

I have recently written a post about my favourite moisturisers, in which the Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser has a big feature. Click here to read in detail about my love.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Limited Edition pink pepper and mint (no longer available)

I find the Lush The Comfortor shower gel so 'comforting' and uplifting. I really relied on this when i wasn't very well before Christmas. The smell is like a warming Riben/Vimto and it's pink and shimmery - amazing.

Max Factor Clump Defy Mascara is probably my favourite drug-store mascara. I love it, love it love. Again, I am now on my third tube of this.

The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof eye makeup remover - how many times have I raved about this? The best eye makeup remover ever.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Limited Edition Jasmine and osmanthus  (no longer available). I think this was my favourite of the limited edition scents. I really think Liz Earle should continue with some of their limited edition scents of the famous cleanser.

From now on I will always recommend the Liz Earle Orange Flower botanical body wash to anyone who suffers with dry/eczma prone skin. A lovely refreshing shower gel that contains no nasties and lots of vitamin E and essential oils to help nourish and moisturise the skin.

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Super Oils

After running out of my evening serum, and making a wise decision to not repurchase (and save some pennies!), I decided to pay more attention to my Oil collection.

The Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate is a trusted favourite in my skincare cabinet: hydrating, soothing and calming, it is a lovely oil. The lavender scent helps to aid relaxation.

The Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate is a new and wonderful discovery. It contains high, natural sources of vitamin E which really help to nourish and protect the skin whilst the neroli provides a wonderful, relaxing aroma - perfect for a great night sleep. Since using this I've found that my complexion has looked more even and brighter in the mornings, which has been a lovely surprise! I would also recommend ordering from their website - the service is incredible!

The Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial completely differs in texture to the other two. It is described as a serum-oil so it is almost glossy in consistency. The smell  is just divine: it really does feel like a spa when you apply this. Like Liz Earle, this contains Vitamin E and Omega Oils which really help to hydrate and plump the skin.

All of these oils have provided me with instant results.  I couldn't recommend them enough! There's just something extra lovely about evening skincare when we can afford a bit more time, relaxation and care in our routines.

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Morning Skincare Routine

I love my morning skincare routine. All of these products help me achieve a healthy, dewy glow and a perfect base for applying my makeup. 

I start off with the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel. This is perfect for my skin first thing in the morning. Containing vitamins A, C and E it really helps to 'waken' up my skin. It looks instantly brighter and cleaner. Whilst it is called a gel, once you rub it between you fingers, and apply on to your skin, it turns into an oil-like consistency. This means you have such a gentle cleanse in the morning and really helps to give a glow at the end. I love this cleanser!

I then use the Omorovicza Queen of Hungry Mist. This is a lovely, hydrating toner. Whilst some people may argue that this is far too expensive for its purpose, I honestly have never used a product that has given such an instant glow. Ingredients of rose, orange blossom and sage water help to purify and tone the skin. The apple pectin really hydrates the skin leaving such an instant result. This product can also be used throughout the day when your skin needs that extra boost. 

I began using the Sarah Chapman Intense hydrating booster  last year when my skin was suffering from dryness, especially on my cheeks, and stress. This is a lovely silky, serum that adds such a nourishing layer of moisture in my skin. It really helps me to achieve a natural glow whilst also plumping the skin. 

Finally, I go in with my Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream which I wrote about in my last post. Now I understand that these products are on the luxury side of skincare. But then again, my ethos is that our skin is the most important thing we own - it needs to be looked after. Most of these products I bought when I worked at Harrods. If I had to only use one thing from this list it would probably be the Oskia cleanser. For £28 I think this is a reasonably priced, premium quality cleanser that leaves the skin feeling so smooth and nourished. 

What are your morning favourites?

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An Overnight Hero

Receiving a Space NK £5 incentive usually results in a lot of planning in my books. I can't waste a voucher and so I take time in researching what will be the best investment. For me, this means high-end skin care. After reading a lot of praise (seriously, nearly on every blog) about the Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial I decided this would be the one.

This isn't like any oil I have tried before. It has a much thicker consistency unlike something like the Kiehls Midnight Recovery Oil. This texture helps to massage it deep into the skin and the product comes with an instruction booklet of how to do your own facial.

This product produces instant results. My skin feels plumper, brighter and it soothes any redness on my skin. Also, the smell is just heavenly! It has that clean, spa scent about it, you know what I mean? These effects continue on to the morning where my skin really feels like its had an overnight miracle. At the moment I'm using this product about everyone other week, when my skin is looking a tad dull and blemish dotted. But I would seriously rate this product up at the top in my skincare. 

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Intensely Moisturising

After a good month of using the Sarah Chapman Intense Hydrating Booster its fair to say I am more than ready to share my opinion. I'm not going to be dramatic or anything as I'm suuuure it wont come as a surprise when I say I have fallen in love with this little skin serum wonder. Not being dramatic, I promise. 

I have been using this every morning as my pre-moisturiser step. In the past I have tended to have some charming dry patches on my cheeks and thought investing in this may help to solve an embarrassing nuisance.   Adding two drops of the serum from a rather snazzy pipet I gently massage this all over my skin. The moisturing results of this have been so good that sometimes I've completely forgotten to put a moisturiser on and, haven't even noticed! I always notice that my BB cream/foundation blends better afterwards too. 

Whilst it's a rather pricey number (please remember I got this on discount) it seriously lives up to its value. I would thoroughly recommend this for dry skin gals or those who are looking for a boots of intense moisturisation for the up and coming winter months. 

Next on my wish list is the Sarah Chapman Overnight Serum...guess I better start saving my pennies!!

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