Um where the hell did July go? Seeing July through is always an exciting one for me as birthday is at the beginning of August which mostly means new makeup! Last months empties were mostly the everyday essentials, how often do us beauty junkies actually finish a makeup product?!

Lets begin with a new favourite, Kèrastase Cristalliste Lait Luminous Perfecting Conditioner. This was actually a decent sized sample from My Little Box, I hadn't really heard of this conditioner before so it sat in my bathroom for a while but once I had tried it and saw what it did to my hair I was hooked! This conditioner is designed to be used on the mid lengths and ends of long hair, it helps detangle and leave your hair feeling light yet nourished. I have gone on to purchase the full size product as my hair can't be without it now!

Nivea In Shower Moisturiser is a product that I really love the concept of more than the product itself. I initially bought this moisturiser in the winter to save me having to stand cold and wet in the bathroom applying moisturiser after my shower, it didn't provide enough moisture for my dry skin at that point so I thought I'd put it aside for the warmer weather, alas even though I wear lighter moisturising lotions at this time of the year it still does not provide any decent level of moisture to my skin. This is one I shan't be repurchasing.

Aussie Miracle Shine Shampoo has been my go-to shampoo for the last few years, it leaves my hair glossy and smelling great. I use a couple of different conditioners throughout the week but my hair washing routine will always start with this product and I always have a couple of spare bottle in my bathroom cabinet.

Unfortunately Maybelline Baby Lips  are another product that I love the idea of more than the product. Sure they're affordable and they come in a wide variety of shades and designs but they just don't moisturise my lips! Lip balm is one of those products I rarely like to skimp on as you can really notice the difference to the moisture levels in your lips and you then have to spend a week getting rid of flakiness and rehydrate them. This is another product I won't be repurchasing. 

From a bad lip balm to a great one with Clarins HydraQuench Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm. This is only a tiny 3ml sample but you need so little of the product it lasted and lasted, I applied before bed and my lips were always soft and smooth by morning meaning I need not worry about prepping for any type of lipstick, even matte shades. This is one i will be purchasing in the near future.

Soap and Glory Scrub Of Your Life was from a Christmas gift set, I have a regular favourite body exfoliator but I thought I'd give this a shot. I haven't used a Soap and Glory exfoliator in a couple of years, I used to love Breakfast scrub, not only did it smell divine but it did an amazing job of leaving your skin glowing, unfortunately Scrub of Your Life doesn't compare, it's more like a shower gel with a few exfoliating beads in it. 

I'm on about my third of fourth jar of Benefit's It's Potent eye cream, I love everything from the cute packaging down to the sparkle it gives back to my eye area. This will be a regular repurchase.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream is a product I've heard so many people rave about, I've been using it for a couple of months and have to admit can't really see any visible improvement to my skin. I dispensed the contents of the jar in to a pump bottle (germ phobe!) and I still have a couple of weeks worth yet, I'm on the fence about repurchasing.

June Empties

I was on a bit of a mission to work my way through samples last month and I think my June empties reflects this. So here's my empties, thoughts and any repurchases.

First up is Eau Micellaire Demaquillante (Micellar Water) from My Little Box. Unfortunately their beauty products are not available to buy in the UK, I honestly can't wait until they are as I have really enjoyed each of their beauty products I have received in my monthly subscription. This micellar water did a great job of lifting makeup and smelt like a refreshing cup of green tea. I'll b first in line when their UK online shop opens.

I did a post on Bumble & Bumble's Invisible Oil Shampoo & Condtitioner a couple of weeks ago, it's on my payday wishlist. After onlyone use my hair felt thoroughly cleansed and left silky and frizz-free.

Boots Botanics Microdermabrasion Polish is probably THE best exfoliator I have ever used, this stuff is like pure sand and completely buffs away dull skin. Once I've used up some of the exfoliators I already have open I will be returning to this one for sure.

I've already gone on to repurchase Percy & Reed Eau My Goodness Shine & Fragrance Spray as I've never used a shine spray as good as this one. Not only does it leave hair with mirror shine but it also acts as a hair perfume leaving hair refreshed.

Lancome Hypnose Mascara  is my all time favourite mascara for length and definition. I have a stash of mascaras I need to work my way through but I definitely will be repurchasing this one.

I really don't get the hype surrounding Glamglow Youthmud, maybe it's one of those products you need to use and over time will see results. More than anything I found this mask to be an irritant to my skin, the mask indicates a tingle when using but I found it to burn my rather un-sensitive skin.

The Body Shop Honey Bronzer is one of those products I stock up on and always have on standby ready for when it runs out. This is the only bronzer that I have ever owned that blends seamlessly and looks natural even on my pale winter skin. A must have in my makeup bag.

I'm yet to see the results of Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, but after only a few weeks of using I wasn't expecting to see a miracle, although it does promise to deliver results within 15 days. I have gone on to purchase the full size product as this was only a sample, the cream is pleasant to use and doesn't leave my skin feeling oily like some anti-agog products do.

Moroccanoil Hydrating Hair Mask is a must have for my thick, dry hair. I love anything that has organ oil in as it transforms my hair, this one has already been repurchased.

Not only does Beauty Protector Protect & Treat Mask smell uh-mazing but it does the most amazing job of softening course and dry hair and ensures you have no frizz or fly-aways. This mask is only available to purchase from the Birchbox shop, I will be stocking up soon.

May Skincare Favourites

My monthly favourites posts are usually about makeup so this month I thought I'd share my favourite
skincare products, two of which are old favourites and two of which are great new discoveries.

First up we have Clarins Double Serum which I have been using for around 7 months and have noticed a considerable change in my skins texture and tone. Having oily skin has kept those wrinkles at bay and I bought this more as a preventative measure as I turn 27 this year. I had some fine lines (or laughter lines) around my mouth which have faded a lot and the once large pores on my cheeks have shrunken considerably. I winced a little as I handed over £55 for the 30ml bottle but as it lasts (with daily use) for nearly 6 months I can live with a justifiable £10 per month for an anti-ageing product which works for me.

Next up we have Dr LeWinn's Overnight Exfoliator which after searching for a link to the product I have just discovered has been discontinued *sad face. I have been suing this amazing product 3 nights a week for the last 12 months and my skin has never looked better. I suffered with a terrible bout of acne a couple of years ago and this overnight Glycolic peel has faded my scars and evened out my skin tone. Finding a similar product with the same amazing results will be difficult...leave me a comment if you can recommend something!

I had read quite a few posts on Pai BioRegenerate Fruit & Seed Oil Blend and last month decided to take the plunge and add it to my routine. I am a fan of Rosehip Oil, after my acne bout it healed my skin and combined with a couple of other treatments really aided the fading of scars and brimging back the glow to my complexion. This facial oil helps fade acne scars, stretch marks, fine lines and UV damage. I use this 3 nights after cleansing and before my night cream and my skin feels soft and radiant by morning.

Last but by all means least we have my second new skincare product for May, Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream. I had been dying to give this cream a try for as long as I can remember but was always put of by the price, luckily this cream came to me via a more affordable alternative to the regular £80 purchase price (via the You Beauty Discovery Box) and I have to say I'm impressed with the results so far. I have noticed a little goes a long way and I do find I have to massage quite well as it doesn't absorb instantly but my skin is guaranteed to be soft and supple in the morning, I'm looking forward to seeing the long term benefits of using this moisturiser.

Which are your current skincare favourites?

LIB's The British Beauty Blogger Dream Box

Earlier this week Latest In Beauty announced they were releasing a 'Dream Beauty Box' collaboration with Jane Cunningham aka The British Beauty Blogger, this caused a stir on all social media platforms as ladies couldn't wait to get their hands on it! Luckily I didn't hang around too long to purchase mine as it sold out within 24 hours, unsurprisingly so as it's packed with some fabulous products each of which I will use. Priced at £19.95 and the value of the contents amounting to over £100 this is an astoundingly good value beauty box and with each of the products being tried, tested and approved by Jane herself we all knew we'd love it! There were only a few variations of products you would receive, the Make-up Revolution palette, Essie nail polish, Bourjois cream blush, Kneipp herbal bath and Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipstick sachet. I was very happy with the variations of the products in my box, lets take a closer look at the products I received...

Kneipp Herbal Bath rrp £7.95 Stress Free Orange & Mandarin full-size

Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipstick sample in So Marilyn

Bee Good Honey & Wild Water Mint Cleansing Water rrp £10 full-size

Elemis Treat Your Feet foot cream 20ml 

Essie in Spin The Bottle rrp £7.99 full-size

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara rrp £19 full-size

Benefit  It's Potent Eye Cream 3ml sample

REN Satin Perfection BB CReam 3ml sample

L'Occitane  Divine Lotion rrp £10.50 50ml 

Bourjois  Cream Blush rrp £7.99 full-size

La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water 50ml

Janjira  Thai Lime & Ginger Handwash 50ml

Makeup Revolution Eyeshadow and Eyebrow Palette in Lock & Load rrp £4 full-size

Roger & Gallet Gingembre Rouge Perfume 1.5ml vial

Lola  Kabuki Brush full-size

I'm really happy with the products I received and find it an amazing value box, the great variation of products means it's great for a pampering night in! I know I'll be trying a few products out at bath time tonight...

Jodie

xoxo