Beauty Empties September 2017 - Lush, OGX, Freedom, Tony Moly, Yankee Candle

So I sat earlier on and tried to work out when the last time I did an empties post. It was March. That feels like such a long time ago. I half typed a July-August one but never posted it so its been awhile.

That being said, I don't have loads to talk about. I've been focusing on all the products in my Gone by 2018 project pan, and I feel like everything I started with in that is almost done. They'll probably run out one use after me posting this so Octobers empties will be huge but that's OK. I have time off at the end of October so future me can worry about dealing with them.

Skin Care

1. Superdrug Pore Cleansing Pads - If you've seen any of my empties posts before, you've probably seen these. I use them daily to help keep my skin under control and I do find they work. The don't stop the hormonal break outs I get, but all the small spots I usually get down my cheeks stop when I use these regularly. I'd probably repurchased one of these before I even opened this and I'm already using one of my two backups. Love it.
2. Superdrug Facial Cleansing Wipes for Dry Skin - I don't use these to take my makeup off at the end of the day, but I do use them if I make a mistake putting my face on or for wiping swatches of my arm and cleaning the area I do my makeup and these are fine. They're cheap and cruelty free (and I also earn points on them) so yeah, I probably will repurchase.
3. Biore Nose Pore Strips x2 - Up until this month I thought these were the best strips out there, and was really glad I purchased hundreds in a sale a while ago as Biore aren't cruelty free so I won't buy them again. I've now discovered the Superdrug do a two pack of Charcoal strips that seem to work just as well so if I need strips in the future I will buy those (not that I will as I have so many backups from different brands).
4. Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Pore Strip - These are not very good. I think that's why there's still so many floating around my collection. Wouldn't recommend or repurchase.
5. Primark Sunflower Dark Circle Patches - These did nothing and are just a bit uncomfortable to wear under your eyes as they are really thick. Would not repurchase.

Sheet Masks

1. Garnier Soothing Moisture Bomb Mask - I hate that I liked this. I was given four of these (two pink and two blue) when my skin was really bad and dry. This is the only one I've tried and I actually really liked it. I wouldn't repurchase as it's not cruelty free but I will gladly use the three I have left up. 
2. By Nature Moisturising Coconut Sheet Mask x2 - I bought a box of five of these, used one, hated it, and abandoned them. I had to add the remaining four of them to my Gone by 2018 project (linked above) to try and use them up. I really can't stand these. The mask is a really thick paper that you have to peal a backing off, it doesn't sit on my face well, the serum was really thick and chunky (they've not gone bad, they expire 2022) and they're just all round not a pleasant experience. After using them my skin did feel really nice but they're a struggle to get use. I wouldn't repurchase but I will use the other two I still have left.
3. Tony Moly I'm Real Avocado Mask - I really liked this mask but Tony Moly isn't cruelty free so I won't be repurchasing any of my Tony Moly masks. If you want a nice moisturising mask and don't care if things are cruelty free or not then I would recommend this.
4. 7th Heaven Manuka Honey Peel Off Mask - I hated this. Hated hated hated. I dedicated a whole post on my Instagram to how much I disliked this. It smells so strongly like a lemon and honey Lemsip (fake honey smell is my least favourite smell) and even though I left it on my face for about 20 minutes longer than it said to the mask didn't dry down to peel off and I had to scrub it off my cheeks. I'm trying to get through the last of my 7th Heaven masks as I don't like them so there will be a lot of these over the next couple of months. I would not repurchase this, and if I was given it I would have to re-gift as I could not do that myself.

Makeup

1. New Look Fix Makeup Setting Spray - I actually finished this maybe ten weeks ago, but as I needed to keep the bottle as I had to transfer the Freedom spray into this bottle I didn't include it last time. This did nothing for my makeup but the sprayer was really nice and I could use it to foil eyeshadow. Wouldn't repurchase it but it didn't cause a bad reaction or anything.
2. Freedom Pro Studio Fixing Spray - This did nothing and the spray head was like a jet. Would not recommend.
3. Bourjois Ultra Black Felt Liner - I found this in my stash when my Kiko eyeliner ran out and I legit maybe got four or five uses out this before it stopped working properly. I didn't like the tip and I couldn't get it to apply over foiled eyeshadow. I wouldn't buy Bourjois anyway (not sure how I ended up with this as unless it was really really old, but it was brand new) but this was definitely a fail from my point of view.

Everything Else

1. Lush Fizzbanger Bath Bomb - Autumn is here and I'm now getting back into baths (I don't know if anyone remembers this but in my old flat I only had a bath, so I've been enjoying the luxury of a shower in the morning) and pulled out all my Lush stuff. Some of its gotten a bit old and some other products have done that thing where they kind of leak into the bag and then get on other stuff. This was fine though, maybe a little old but not bad. I've had Fizzbangers before, I really like them and I will no doubt buy it again once I get my Lush stash a little more under control.
2. OGX Coconut Oil Weightless Hydrating Mist - I used to love this, and I bought it (and the other OGX products I have) when I thought they were still cruelty free. I recently learned they are now sold in mainland China and, like Nars, they are no longer cruelty free. I'm going to use up what I have and not purchase again, its a shame as the Tea Tree and Mint shampoo is one of my favourites. Really liked it, but wouldn't repurchase it.
3. Ralph Lauren Polo Sport 3 - Back when I bought this perfume I really liked it, but that was nearly three years ago and my tastes have changed since then. It was nice enough to use it up but I'm glad its gone and I wouldn't repurchase.
4. Yankee Candle in Midsummer Night - I really really liked this candle, it smelled so good and burned for a surprisingly long time, however I find Yankee Candles really overpriced so I wouldn't repurchase unless it was on offer.

Items I'm Throwing Out

1. Molton Brown Amber Cocoon Hand Lotion - This has gone bad. I maybe got a third used up in my Gone by 2018 project but when I went to use it after a couple of nights off the smell had changed. So its a shame but that's being decluttered.
2. L'Occitane Ultra Rich Lotion - I was given this when a friend de-cluttered an old gift set they'd never used. Its been well over a yeah now, I haven't used it either and as I'm not sure how it should smell but I think its a bit iffy so I'm not about to use it.
3. L'Occitane Ultra Rich Shower Cream - Same story as above. 
4. NYX Eyebrow Pencil in Shade 3 Medium Brown  -  This isn't so much medium brown, its more straight up orange. I was hoping it would be a good match for me as I have light to medium browny hair with a lot of bronze and golden tones in it. At some parts its straight up blonde on the underside. However my eyebrows are pretty dark and I usually use a dark brown pencil/powder to fill them in. I sometimes feel that even through what I'm using matches my browns it makes them look too dark for me. This however makes me look like a clown and as I don't know anyone it would match or what to do with it, I'm just getting rid of it.
5. Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Chihuahua (Delux Mini) -  I'm not having a good run with Too Faced lip products as even though this is well within the 12 months its supposed to last, it smells really bad. This is the fourth one of these I've had go bad so I will not buy any more Too Faced liquid lipsticks. I do have two backups that are currently unused so I will open and use as and when I want to.

And that's everything for this month. Next month I will most likely have a lot more, as I'll have all my Gone by 2018 items and I tend to go through face wash once every two months and two bottles of shower gel every two months so I would expect them to all fall into that update as well.

Tried anything here and had a different experience than I have, let me know

xoxo Scruffy

Empties: November 2016 - Lush, Smashbox, Murad, Herbal Essence, John Frieda & Boots Ingredients

If you've been following my blog since the start of last month, you'll know I currently have a project on the go where I want to finish seventeen products by the start of 2017. There are currently 24 different products in the mix for that (full list here). Not all of these empties are part of that, however if the product is one of those I will mark it with a * before its name (example *Shower Gel).

So these 3 mini products were the first I "finished". I've put it in inverted commas as they were more abandoned in the Czech Republic with about one use left in each. I wasn't hugely fond of any of them and won't be buying full sized bottles.

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

I didn't feel like this did anything apart from maybe remove old makeup. It certainly didn't seem to exfoliate very well. The lather also wasn't great and I found I had to use a lot to just clean my face. I expected more of a higher end product.

Natures Ingredients Lemon Verbena Shower Gel

OK, this actually wasn't bad. It was really thick, more like squeezy jelly than regular shower gel and it smelled nice. A travel size of this was £1 though and I can get a huge shower gel from Superdrug or Morrisons for less than that. Also the packaging made it difficult to get anything out once it became less than half full, I'd have to squeeze and squeeze then I'd suddenly end up with way too much.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

I know people rave about this but I don't get it. It does blur pores and help smooth skin texture, but I also feel like it leaves my skin feeling wet and greasy. If any got in my eyebrows when I was applying it (no matter how tiny an amount or how long I left it), my brow brush would leave wet marks in the powder when I was filling them in. Never again

*Herbal Essences Dazzling Shine Shampoo & Conditioner 

They're OK. I found them in (very underused) gym bag and decided to finish them. Won't buy them again as they're not cruelty free but they do smell nice.

*John Frieda Frizz Ease Serum in Original

I don't like this one bit. I feel it does nothing for my hair and having to apply it wet hair is a huge pain in the bum. When I used the final drops last night I was so happy. Will not re-purchase. Sorry mum, I know you love it.

Yeah I kept all the packets, I did clean them out though.

Boots Ingredients Charcoal & Willow Sheet Mask

Loved this, have already repurchases two of them as well as they're on offer. Full review here.

Boots Ingredients Lotus & Tiger Lily Sheet Mask

Didn't love this as much, but it is still nice. Another full review available here.

7th Heaven Argan Oil Mud Mask

I have a full review of this mask, complete with the mask selfies, which will be out in the next few days as part of Blogmas. Full disclosure though, it isn't positive. This "balancing" mask both dried me and broke me out. I was left with sore spots and peeling skin. Not a fan, will not repurchase. 

Boots Ingredients Super Hyaluronic Sheet Mask

I reviewed this too but I'm not sure if I'll end up using it or not as I've done a lot of foil packet masks lately and I'm getting a bit bored of them. I feel about as strongly about this as I did about the Lotus one. Might get one more and give it another shot when my skins not so haywire (still recovering from the above mask) before I write it off though.

Montagne Jeunesse Peel Off Two Pack

This is what 7th Heaven was before they re-branded and honestly I can see why they changed the name. Luckily Google knows me better than I do and can work out what I'm trying to say. I used these to use them up and for no other reason. Didn't like them and wont be buying the single packs of these. 

Burts Bees "Pearanormal Activity" Wipes

I really liked these and they smelled so good. I'd buy them for my handbag if I ever saw them again. If you ever see them, buy them and then send them onto me.

PS Argan Facial Cleansing Wipes

These are OK, and good value, but nothing special. I'm probably not going to but them again, unless I get suckered in by an impulse buy at the tills.

PS Oil Balancing Facial Cleansing Wipes

I prefer these to the Argan Oil ones but still not enough to repurchase them. The Superdrugs own brand ones are better and often on offer.

*Sanctuary Spa Body Butter and Conditioning Body Butter

I liked both of these products but didn't love them. They made my skin nice and soft and smelled really good. Probably wouldn't repurchase but I would definitely not say no another gift pack of three.

Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner

I really like this product but its better when you have a shower to wash it off in rather than a bath. I had this mostly used up and then left it for a long time and when I went to use it again it seemed a little off. Decided to wash the pot out and take it back to Lush rather than risk it being bad. I'd happily buy it again, 

Lush Whoosh Shower Jelly

I really like this to shave with. It leaves your legs really smooth and smells good. My favourite shower jelly of all time was the Nightwing one from Halloween, and I liked the Snowman as well. Would happily by this again, or just about any other Shower Jelly they make.

*Superdrug Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash

I added this to my 17 by 2017 as I just wasn't using it up, however once I started regularly using it to try and get rid I realised I actually quite like it. It smells good, and doesn't break me out or leave a weird residue on my skin. I'd by this again.

Kneipp Herbal Bath Back Comfort with Devils Claw

I got this in subscription box earlier in the year and didn't use it at all until now. I really, really liked it. It has a strong herbal, medicinal kind of smell that I enjoy and makes the bath water a really nice dark pink colour. In the new year I'm going to be making a Cult Beauty order and when googling the correct spelling of Kneipp and I realised they were a UK stockist so I'll be picking up a bigger bottle of this and a multipack of some of the other ones they do. I also might try some of the Sweet Dreams bath salts.

So I actually got through a fair amount of makeup this month. I also went through a binned two very old mascaras, so that helped add to the numbers. 

*L'Occitane Shea Butter Lip Balm

I really like this. I've already bought a full sized one and it cost more than I've ever spend on a multi-pack of lipbalms for just the one of these. It is so worth it though. Especially in winter here in Scotland. Today's high temperature is 3 degrees above freezing.

*MUA Eye Volume, Nourish & Case Mascara

I liked this mascara, it had just gotten to the stage it was hard to apply and was breaking down during the day and ending up down my face by the time I got home from work. Super cheap and good. Would buy again.

Max Factor False  Lash Effect Mascara

This is now over a year old so its getting binned. I really liked it, but wouldn't but it again because its not cruelty free and I thought the MUA one was better.

Makeup Revolution The Viper Mascara

I liked this, and started using it when I gave up on the MUA one. Its good and cheap, I've had it a long time and its done. I would get it again if I was placing a TAM Beauty.

*MUA Skin Define Hydro Powder

I really liked this. I found it better than the Soap and Glory one that's over three times the price. Would recommend and have already repurchased.

MUA Pro Base Moisturising Primer

Out of all the MUA products I've tried this is one of my least favourites (along with the LUXE Lip Lacquers). It makes the skin shiny and doesn't do anything to prolong the wear of your makeup. Not worth it.

*NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray

I've tried a few setting sprays, including some Urban Decay ones, and I really like this. Will probably buy it again but I have a huge Freedom one to finish next

*MUA Pro Base Mattify Fixing Mist.

This was OK, but the NYX one is better and not that much more expensive

Products without Packaging

(no photos for this, sorry)

Lush Mangnificent Hand Soap

I liked this soap and would buy it again. It lathered well and smelled nice. My only criticism is that the huge bits of fruit flesh are a bit annoying to have to pull out when the soap around them has mostly disintegrated.

Lush Lord of Misrule Bath Bomb
If you've read my review (here) you'd know how much I loved this. I well and truly ate my words. Its not boring at all. Love it, would buy it again.

Lush Butterball Bath Bomb 
I didn't think I loved the Butterball, having used it in the past, but I didn't hate it as much as I remember. Its not my favourite by a long shot, but if I got it in a Christmas present then I would definitely use it.

Bomb Cosmetics Flutter By, Butterfly Bath Blaster
This is cute but ultimately it leaves the bath coated in coco butter which is a pain in the butt to clean off. Not a fan.

Products I'm Binning

Soap and Glory Scrub 'em and Leave 'em Scrub

I persevered with this for so long but I hate it. I really hate it and I don't want to use it any more. I don't feel like it exfoliates very well and it has microbeads, and then they get all over the bath. Just, no.

Models Own Lipstick in Pink

I bought this off Groupon and when it arrived (still sealed) the top was very discoloured. I missed the deadline for sending it back as well. I'm not worried about the others but this ones going in the bin.

NYX Butter Lipstick in Ripe Berry

I love this lipstick (and have already gone and bought a replacement) but this snapped and when i was trying to fix it I melted the plastic coating with the lighter so this one no longer closes. I own a fair few of these lipsticks and this is the only one that's ever broken so I'm not that sad 

*Cynthia Rowley Pencil Eyeliner in Black (Mini Size)

I got this in a Birchbox and I really don't like it. I've tried and its not for me. I don't feel like it lasts a long time, and it just seems to smudge. I have loads of other eyeliner pencils to play with so its gone.

Finished: 32

Binned: 4

XOXO Scruffy

Enquiry? Message me ascruffyduck@gmail.com

(Just a wee note. I live in Scotland and we're currently in Winter. We get about 9 hours daylight a day and I spend that in work so sorry about the badly lit photos)

Lush Lord of Misrule Bath Bomb Review with Photos - Cruelty Free Bath Product

When I wrote the original Lush Halloween Haul post (here) I feel like I might have been a bit harsh on this bomb. I stand by what I said, nothing about it screams Halloween and the smell reminds me of other Lush products. However, I have since learned is more of a general winter/Christmas product and now it makes sense to me. So I take back the criticism regarding its spookiness.

Its actually kind of pretty, I don't think I even properly looked at last time. Its covered in white and purple speckles and I've decided I like the green star imprint on it. Its more subtle and grown up than a lot of Lush's holiday stuff and it would also be good if you wanted to get something for a guy and not have it look overly pink and girly or childish. 

I really shouldn't hold things like this. I always get the urge to throw them.

This bath bomb wins awards for the most amazingly unexpected bath show of all time. There are a lot of photos, I found it that awesome.

The water went red, it started bubbling and there was popping candy in it!!!

I was not expecting this at all. Sometimes doing no research on what a bath bomb does it a good thing. I don't think I need to say much more about about this, you've seen the photos, its great fun.

I liked the smell as well, it was more of a generic Lush scent than any of the others I've tried so far but I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Its really pleasant and the scent filled the whole room for a good few hours after the bath had drained away. Love it when this happens. There was no issues with my skin, hair or the bath feeling weird afterwards as well. I think I might stop even mentioning how easy the bath is to clean as well, as all the new things I've tried have been totally fine. 

Score time

Look 3/5

Smell 5/5

Bath show 5/5

Skin Feel 5/5

Minimal Cleanup 5/5

I'm going to buy this again, for sure.  I'm probably going to get my Mum one as well and put it in with her Christmas present as I think its a lot of fun and she would enjoy it.

XOXO Scruffy 

Enquiry? Message me ascruffyduck@gmail.com

Lush Autumn Leaf Bath Bomb Review with Photos- Cruelty Free Body Care

(Firstly let me apologise for the quality of the photos. My laptop is broken so I'm going between phone and small tablet, it's not fun but you gotta do what you gotta do.)

I recently did a massive Lush haul, full of lots of their awesome limited edition Halloween products (which can be checked out here) and thought it might be fun to test a couple and give you my honest thoughts. 

I already tested the Monsters Ball bath bomb (link to that post) and that review was really well recieved, so I thought I'd reviews this one for you as well.

In terms of looks this bath bomb is a thing of beauty. I sometimes feel the cutesy bath bombs from Lush can look a little bit childish, especially if I'm buying them as a gift for someone older than me (say Mammy Scruff for example). The leaf shape feels quite sophisticated by Lush standards and the bright colours keep it fun. 

As for the smell. I wasn't completely sold on it but it does get more appealing the more you sniff.

Bonus photo to show you the side. Look at the hidden red there.

And now onto how it looks in the bath. I wanted a show and this little guy delivered.

This bar was so pretty when it was dissolving, sadly the colours werent really that pleasant once it was done. Unlike Monsters Ball which left the water bath water amazing colours, the red and yellow tones mixed together to create a flat burnt yellow colour. I was not a fan, bathing in yellow water doesn't appeal at all (or obvious reasons). I just kept thinking of an episode of Sons of Anarchy that really grossed me out and I ended up cutting this bath a little shorter than planned. Sorry Lush. 

Smell wise, it was amazing though. That magic eight sniff I mentioned in the haul post, bliss. If only I was able to work past the bathwater colour issue. 

Bath cleanliness wise, just as easy to clean up after as the other one. I feel like Lush may have changed their formula as I remember them being a pain in the butt to clean off the bath before. All it took was a quick wipe to remove some excess pigment and the bath was good to go. My skin felt the same too, soft anf moisturised but not oily or greasy. 

Score time

Look 4/5

Smell 5/5

Bath show 1/5

Skin Feel 5/5

Minimal Cleanup 5/5

I'm probably not going to buy it again. I'd much rather get something like Monsters Ball and I've learned a lesson about things that dissolve to yellow. I am worried about what the pumpkin one will do in the bath now as I am in love with the smell of that. We'll see I guess.

XOXO Scruffy 

Enquiry? Message me ascruffyduck@gmail.com

Lush Monsters Ball Bath Bomb Review with Photos - Cruelty Free

(Firstly let me apologise for the quality of the photos. My laptop is broken so I'm going between phone and small tablet, it's not fun but you gotta do what you gotta do.)

I recently did a massive Lush haul, full of lots of their awesome limited edition Halloween products (which can be checked out here) and thought it might be fun to test a couple and give you my honest thoughts. 

I'm no stranger to Lush and, want to start this by saying, I'm not usually a huge one for the bath bombs. I love the bubble bars, specifically the huge ones (Brightside, The Comforter, Blue Skies). I used to have a real soft spot for the Rose Jam Bubbleroons too, but since they added the glitter I've not repurchased it. Scrubbing glitter out the bathtub really isn't my favourite activity. 

Anyway, that being said, it's been about 9 months (ish, not really keeping that close a count) since I last used a bath bomb so I'm really excited to try these.

Look at this little guy, he's so cute and pink and mines missing an ear, so I think that makes him even cuter. As I mentioned in the haul post he smells amazing. Fresh but also clean and sweet. I checked the website and it says he's packed with Lime and Neroli oils and Cocoa butter.  Much love for this scent, if they made a bubble bar or shower gel that smells like this I would never stop using it.

Now onto how it looks in the bath. If I'm going to pay the price of a bath bomb, for something I can only use once, you better believe I want a show. At £4.25 this cost about four times what my usual bottle of Superdrug bubble bath does and I get like 20+ baths out of that. 

And Monsters Ball doesn't disappoint. I know that's probably quite a lot of photos but A) the lighting in my bathroom isn't very good for photos and I wanted to actually do it justice, and B) I feel like the bath changed colour a lot and I wanted to show you the pink to blue to purple water.

 It should be noted that I have a crazy huge bath, I can sit cross legged in it and the brim is level with my armpits , it's maybe my single favourite thing about my Flat. So if yours holds less water then the colours maybe more intense than they were in mine. 

It made the whole bathroom smell amazing, and after my bath I could still smell it on my skin. My skin also felt soft and moisturised but not greasy, filmy, or unclean the way some bath bombs do. There also wasn't any of the oily film on top of the bath water like some of the other moisturising bath products leave which was great, both for my overall feeling of post bath cleanliness and the cleanliness levels of the bath itself. All this bath bomb left to clean up was a couple of streaks of pinky pigment that hadnt dissolved properly, so a quick rinse and wipe and that's it. Great product, minimum cleanup. 

Overall score as follows (yes, I came up with a scoring system)

Look 4/5

Smell 5/5

Bath show 4/5

Skin Feel 5/5

Minimal Cleanup 5/5

Yeah OK, I gave it a super high score but I really like it. I may get a couple more to squirrel away for special occasions. I still think I may prefer the smell of the Pumpkin, just, but I feel this probably gives a more fun Lush bath experience. I'm so torn, I'll test the Pumpkin and get back to you on the winner.

XOXO Scruffy 

Enquiry? Message me ascruffyduck@gmail.com