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.

Trial-Sized Tuesday's | Bumble & Bumble Invisible Oil Shampoo & Conditioner Review

Whilst rooting around in my drawer literally bursting with samples on the weekend I came across this little duo, I often just give away hair products as I'm pretty strict with my hair routine but as I've been seeing more and more of their legendary salt spray everywhere lately I thought I'd give the samples a shot and see what all the fuss was about.

So before I let you know my thoughts on the product let me give you a little background into the condition of my hair and my regular routine. So, my hair is quite thick and naturally curly but 90% of the time I wear it straight which means I use quite a few products to tame the frizz and keep it straight. My routine begins with a moisturising shampoo and conditioner (usually Aussie Moist shampoo & conditioner) and then prior to styling I use a couple of drops of Argan oil and a heat protection spray (usually Toni & Guy). The majority of the time this does it for me, once a week I throw a deep conditioning treatment and a leave-in conditioner into the mix for extra moisture but after all this my hair is feeling a little lank by the end of the week from the build up of product. Queue Bumble & Bumble Hairdressers Invisible Oil Sulphate Free Shampoo & Conditioner. 

Aimed at dry, coarse and brittle hair this sulphate free shampoo is infused with 6 oils to help soften, tame frizz, detangle and protect. One thing I noticed, even with my hair still being damp in the shower, was how squeaky clean my hair felt after using it. I did use the whole sample but I could have easily used a lot less as it lathered incredibly well and was easy to work in to my hair. I followed with the conditioner, which again I could have used only half of what I did and left for 10 minutes whilst I did my thang in the shower. Drying and styling my hair was a lot easier after using this shampoo and conditioner and I didn't require as many finishing products. The two days after washing my hair it was so smooth and silky and despite having a windy afternoon on Sunday my hair kept tangle free. 

I loved these samples, so much so I took straight to the web to see how much this duo would set me back, at £23 for 250ml of the shampoo and £25 for 200ml of the conditioner I don't think I'll purchase it for my everyday hair routine but I shall definitely be purchasing for my Sunday hair detox.

Do you have any Bumble & Bumble recommendations?

April Empties & Repurchases

I didn't want to be the one to say it but where the hell did April go? Spring seems to be flying by and I'm sure I'm not the only one who's excited about the prospect of summer being on our doorstep. So as we say hello to May and goodbye to April here's my empties and a few repurchases...

Clarins Double Serum | £55 30ml

Being in my mid-twenties I wanted to start using something for preventative measures against ageing and Clarins Double Serum was my first choice as it's a multi award winning anti ageing product. Suitable for all skin types this powerful serum helps shrink pores, firms skin and helps smooth wrinkles. I use at night and over the last 6 months have seen a dramatic change in my skins texture, my pores are considerably less visible and my complexion has an all round glow to it. A definite repurchase.

Botanics All Bright Micellar Water | £2.99 250ml

I bought this micellar water on a bit of a whim as there was an offer on in Boots. This micellar water claims to not only remove makeup and cleanse skin but also contain a natural mild exfoliator to leave skin brighter. I found this micellar water to be ok, not as great as my favourite (B. micellar water from Superdrug) and I certainly didn't see any improvement in my skins appearance from using it. Unfortunately not a repurchase.

B. 4in1 Cleansing Wipes | £3.50 25 wipes

These wipes are the best I've come across. The B. range from Superdrug offers some seriously brilliant skincare products, these wipes along with their micellar water gently remove all traces of my makeup and leave my skin feeling soft and smooth. These wipes are a regular repurchase.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Lotion | £11 200ml

I had high hopes for this toner after reading so many shining reviews on it but unfortunately my skin didn't reap any of the benefits it claims to give. Despite this toner claiming to be free from alcohol the scent tells me otherwise and it really dried my skin out (and I have pretty oily skin!). Definitely won't be repurchasing this one.

Body Shop Almond Nail & Cuticle Oil | £7.50 1.8ml

For my pre mani cuticle treatment I use Leighton Denney's Slick Tips, a great product but not practical for when you're on the go as it comes in a glass nail polish style bottle so queue The Body Shop's pen style cuticle oil. I usually keep one of these in my handbag and one on my keyboard at work, because it comes in a pen style applicator it's such a quick and easy product to use. A definite repurchase.

Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover | £1.60 100ml

This has been my favourite nail polish remover for what seems like forever. It does a great job of dissolving polish quickly and leaving my nails feeling moisturised and clean. The formula also helps whiten nails so it's great for those times you forget to use a base coat and are left with some staining. A regular repurchase.

Lancome Hypnose Mascara | £22.50

I adore this mascara, I have raved about it in a previous post as it does the most amazing job of lengthening and giving volume to my lashes without leaving them looking clumpy and loaded with mascara. I love the fact I can wear this mascara all day and not need to worry about smudges or any dry flakes. Already repurchased another one of these little beauties.

Number 4 Lumiere d'hived Super Comb Prep & Protect | £20 200ml

This was actually a sample from a Birchbox from months ago that I totally forgot about. This stuff smells divine and really helps to seal the moisture into my hair after washing and leaves it feeling soft and smooth. I've gone on to purchase the full size product from the Birchbox shop as I couldn't find it anywhere else in the UK.

Did you see any of your favourite products here or anything you'd want to try?

Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Masque | Review

Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Masque | rrp £7.65 7ml

I got this hair masque in the newest Glamour magazine and Latest In Beauty collaboration box the 'Spring Edit' and this was one of the products I was looking forward to trying the most. This rich and creamy treatment is designed to hydrate hair and repair damage.

What I love about this masque is that unlike other hair treatments it doesn't need to be heat activated, you just need to shampoo, towel dry hair and then work a generous amount through mid-lengths and tips and leave for around 5 minutes. This masque smells gorgeous and although it intensely hydrates it doesn't leave hair feeling heavy and greasy. Oh the scent, did I mention the scent?!

This masque works best on thick, coarse and dry hair so if your hair is like mine, naturally thick and curly, it will work wonders for you. My hair was so glossy and touchable the next day, I can see this becoming my new once-a-week hair treatment.

Trial Sized Tuesday's | Garner Ultimate Blends | The Sleek Perfector Oil

Garnier Ultimate Blends | The Sleek Perfector Oil  | RRP £9.99

I can't quite remember how I acquired this sachet sample, possibly from an insert of a magazine, but whilst riffling through my drawer of samples looking for something to try for my Tuesday spot I picked this one as I rarely change up my hair routine and as an avid fan of anything containing Argan Oil I was intrigued to see the effects.

So what is The Sleek Perfector Oil? Well it's a lightweight, high performance formula blended with coconut oil to help protect against damage from heat and tame frizz. Designed specifically for dry, frizzy hair this multi-purpose oil leaves hair smelling delicious and even in our damp British weather hair is silky and shiny.

I have really enjoyed using this hair oil, I applied a small amount to damp hair and then again once I've dried and styled my hair to tame the last few flyaway's. Unlike some products that are designed for dry/frizzy hair this oil doesn't weigh your hair down or leave a greasy finish. This is a product I really would consider buying once my Argan Oil runs out. 

My Little Box by Diane Von Furstenberg

Whilst slobbing on the sofa yesterday with this miserable cold I have I was perked up (briefly) by the delivery of October's My Little Box. I just can't get enough of this brand and I know when their in-house beauty range hits the UK I will be penniless! So here's my box and contents...

So this month's box was a collaboration with, as you may have guessed, Diane Von Furstenberg. So if you're anything like me you'll be asking who is she? Well Ms Von Furstenburg is a Belgian born American fashion designer best known for the creation of the iconic wrap dress! This months box included a gorgeous scarf (prints varied) designed by the lady her herself and a cute little brooch with DVF's logo, Ms Von Furstenburg's lips!

For my fellow beauty lovers there was a 75ml bottle of Keratase Laque Dentelle hairspray, 10ml L'Occitane Vanilla Hand Cream and a gorgeous 100ml bottle of MLB's in-house Micellar Water. 

I'm only on my second box from My Little Box but I can tell you it's the first beauty box to actually get me excited about receiving! Every aspect of this box screams quality and well thought out design, a pure joy to receive.