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)

September Favourites - Cruelty Free Beauty Favourites

September has been more month than I can cope with. Five flights, two holiday destinations and a whole lot of jet-lag. For that reason I havent been using the same products religiously and so all my favourites are solely make-up (and one haircare product) and not that varied. Sorry folks.

Also last time I checked all the products featured here were completely cruelty free, however if anything has changed please let me know as I've been trying to be super strict regarding this.

Superdrug Hair Therapy Oil with Macadamia

This treatement was an absolute lifesaver on holiday. The conditioner I had packed would have been fine in the UK however with the extreme heat and humidity and the extra intense sun, my hair was soon a dry, frizzy mess. This treatement was really good and could be used both after washing when the hair was wet and then again during the day if it was getting dry and tuggy.

I've been using it since getting back to the UK as well and I really like how it leaves my hair shiny and healthy but not feeling heavy or weighed down. It also isn't so heavy it knocks the curl out my hair. I'd happily buy it again.

Collection Reviving Primer in Cool Rose

I've had this for a while now and I have a bit of a love hate relationship with it. I will never use it straight up and on its own however it is really nice and illuminating when its mixed in with another primer. I just feel like it gives my base a little extra something-something in the morning. 

Probably won't need to buy it again any time soon as its a huge tube and I only need a teeny bit. Would I buy it again though? Yeah, probably. Although by the time I'm done this there will probably be something else out I wan't to try.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Project Chimps

I picked this up in the Sephora in Times Square for as its a really pretty colour and I was excited to finally try the formula. Up until after I got back from the States, Kat Von D was a brand we could not get over here. Now its available on the Debenhams website (and you can click and collect in store), this colour is a Sephora exclusive though.

This lipstick is just the perfect red colour for me, its not to pink, brown or blue for my liking. Its somewhere between red and terracota. Also although the formula is apparently hit and miss, this seems to wear really well on me. It does require a post lunch touch up though so its not maybe as everlasting as it claims.

And from the most expensive to maybe the cheapest on the list...

Collection Extreme Liquid Eyeliner in Brown

Up until recently I had forgotten how good these eyeliners were. The black is an extremely black black and wears for a very long time. Since re-discovering that one, I've gone back and bought them in all the other colours (brown, dark blue and purple), almost in an effort to re-live my late teens. 

As much as I love a black winged liner, the brown has proven much more wearable and its easier to hide any mistakes I make first thing in the morning. Also the formula builds really nicely so if I want a more vibrant colour I can work it that way.

Gosh To Be Cool in Copenhagen Palette

I was unsure about this palette when I picked it up. I like the cool tones but are these too cool for even me? I'm still not sure but I've been loving the top row mixed with either the left or right shade in the middle. I have reached for it every morning since I bought it and the shades are so nice and blendable that I've even started getting adventurous and mixing them with other colours to make brighter eye looks. 

I'm really tempted to pick up one of the other palettes from this line and compare the formulas. They have a really bright one that I kind of fancy but have no idea what I'd do with. I'll maybe get that and just pretend in my head its the new Urban Decay Spectrum Palette. Dam I want that palette.

NYX Fireball Prismatic Eyeshadow Mono

This eyeshadow is amazing. Its just BAMMM. So pretty and reflective. Not one for work though.

I'd be really interested to try more of these as this one is so pretty. If you like colour then go into Boots and swatch them. You're welcome.

MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighter in Pink Shimmer

So I've been looking for a good stand alone highlighter for a while and when I had this one recommended to me, I was like. Really..? MUA are a dirt cheap drugstore brand, and although some of their products are pretty good (I did a first impression/ review of their Inkd Stains here)

the only powder products of theirs I've tried are the Loose Powder and Hydrating Face powder. Those powders are nice, but they're nothing special.

This highlighter though... Hot Dam. I'm in love. It starts of subtle but if you go in with a second swipe, it builds super quickly. The pink tones are quite subtle, and its not as bright as any of the other pinks I own, however they are more than enough to stop it looking frosty. It might be me tripping too, but I think theres almost a cool blue sheen kicked off of it. I noticed it in a couple of different lights so I don't think I am.

Kiko Milano Cocoa Shock Blush Duo in 03 Adorable Pink and Peach

Kiko are a brand that are fairly new to me. The store hasn't been opened on Buchanan Street that long (and even if it had, I'm hardly ever passing so they would probably still be new to me), and the store in Silverburn hasn't opened yet. I've had a couple of bits but the only one to make it into my everyday routine is this one. Specifically that peach shade. 

Its a gorgeous soft shade that builds really well. It also works nicely with the MUA highlighter which makes mornings so much easier when I'm half asleep.

So thats what I've been loving this month. Hopefully October will be a little more settled and I can use the same products for at least a couple of weeks and find something I love

xoxo Scruffy