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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Evening Skincare Routine

Following up from my Morning skincare post (here) it is now time to share my current evening skin care routine. Whilst I love applying my makeup I will always say that my favourite time of the day is taking it all off before bed. Just like my morning skin routine, the evening has developed into a rather obsessive procedure. 

Firstly, it's step one of cleansing. If you are a regular reader then you will know that this has been The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil for a while.  This is a firm favourite in my skincare cupboard. When they say silky, they really do mean silky. It is such a soothing, gentle oil that quickly removes makeup. I don't think I would ever pay more for a cleansing oil as this does the job perfectly. Sometimes if I have waterproof eye makeup on then I will also go in with the Camomile Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover which, again, has a big thumbs up from me. It doesn't irritate my eyes, or leave them feeling oily, it just quickly does them job. 

I then cleanse my skin. PLEASE, note the difference between the oil cleanser to take off my make up and the cleanser to cleanse my skin. For this second step I use Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish - a trusty cleanser that I have been using for over six years now. I love its creamy texture; it never irritates my skin; and is really soothing after a long stressful day.

Now, this is then when the routine gets exciting. About three times a week, or every other day (if its a bad skin week) I go in with an AHA toner. As you will have read from a previous post, this is my preferred form of exfoliation. I find that it provides better results and is less irritating than an exfoliating scrub with beads. After a few seconds I then spray over a hydrating toner. My favourite one for the evening is the La Roche Posay Serozinc. It soothes my skin and ALWAYS solves my bad skin days. 

The rest is then simple. I moisturise, with the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream,  and then apply an oil over the top. In the past I have loved using the Origins Night-a-Mins moisturiser. I really do miss that from my current routine, as it is so rich and moisturising. However, applying the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Oil over the top has made me notice some encouraging results. I seem to have had this in my skincare stash for a while, but only ever used it occasionally. After a routine of application I have noticed in the morning that my skin looks plumper and my complexion much more even. Perhaps I shouldn't have dismissed it so much.

What are you holy-gail evening products?

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