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)

Pacifica Mediterranean Fig Perfume Review - Cruelty Free Perfume

Recently I've been doing a lot of work to fill the gaps in my cruelty free knowledge and one of the areas that was lacking was the perfume deaprtment. Most big brand perfume is made by a parent company that tests on animals and the information on which ones do and don't is pretty sparse.

All my research brought me to Pacifica. An American company who's mission is to make amazing quality products, using safe ingredients in recyclable packaging and components. All their products are cruelty free, 100% vegan and gluten free.

Once I'd done my some more digging, I picked up four of them from Amazon. The full range wasn't available and there are rules about shipping perfume overseas. I wish I could have gotten the Persian Rose and the Malibu Lemon Blossom ones, as lemon and rose are two of my all time favourite scents. I'm so happy about the ones I did.

I've been using this one all week and throught I'd give you my thought. I'll update you on the other ones as I go. As all the packaging is the same with different prints, that probably wont change though.

Firstly, lets talk about the packaging. How cute is it? The box has a 60's feel and I love the mix of woodgrain print and gold foil. I love the bottle too, I think its because they've gone for something that is really functional and printed a cute see-through design on it. Ever tried wrestling with a fancy shaped bottle when you have the teeniest bit of moisturiser on your hands? Not fun. Doesn't happen with these though.

My only critisism would be the bottles don't come with a cap. I have been carrying these around in my handbag I was so worried about the pump getting broken I've kept them in the box. I am going to have to start doing it without the box, I'm just not quite ready.

Inside the box

According to the box, this perfume is "an earthly, rich blend of warm sweet figs, oak moss, fig leaves and creamy sandalwood".

I'm not sure I get all those notes, but then again my usual way of describing prefume is nice, not nice and too sweet/fake. I like natural smells, but it doesn't matter if they're fruity, floral or musky. Just as long as they're not overly fake or sickly sweet. 

Its a very autumnal smell: soft, musky, leafy and it is sweet, but not overly so. It make me think of evenings in pubs with open fires, walking through the park, crunching on dead leaves and dark nights cuddled up on the sofa.

I think my favourite thing about this scent is the hint of sandalwood, it can be picked up but isn't overpowering. Sandalwood is another one of my favourite scents, but its not the most feminine of things. As I'm already not the most feminine of woman, I like to wear a scent thats really easily to tell is definetly perfume. 

This is definetly perfume. Earthy, ladylike, perfume. I really like it. A 29ml bottle is just under £20, this makes it slightly more expensive than DKNY and less expensive than Ghost (which were the two brands I used to go for) but its worth it. 

XOXO Scruffy

Enquiry? Message me ascruffyduck@gmail.com

Holiday Haul - What I bought in the USA

USA! USA!

As y'all know, I went away for the first time in a lot of years this month, and as a make-up obsessed twenty something, I acknowledged I would no doubt break the bank a little when I got to play in Sephora. I also visited a huge discount outlet mall in Florida, to pick up a new Kipling bag, an ended up in a large beauty discount shop. That was fun. Also all the Burt's Bees, cause I love their stuff and its so expensive in the UK.

So here's what I got.

Beauty Discount Shop
Urban Decay Electric Palette
Urban Decay Vice 4 Palette
Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Eyeliner in Cult
Urban Decay All Nighter Eyeliner in Perversion

Sephora
 Too Faced Passport to Bronze Travel Mini's
Caolion Blackhead 02 Sparkling Pore Soap (Travel Sized)
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Mother
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Project Chimps
Sephora Green Tea Face Mask
Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray (Travel Size)
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray (Trave Size)
Tartist Lip Paint in Hangry
Tartist Lip Paint in TBT

Other Bits
Burt's Bee Body Wash in Grapefruit and Ginger
Alba Botanics Hawaiian Clear Spray Sunscreen x2
Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick (the yellow tube without a box because I lost it)
Burt's Bees 4 Pack Lipbalm

I think the best part of the whole haul was realising that I hadn't been charged for Hangry. I wouldn't have even noticed if I hadn't dropped the Sephora bag and had some of the contents spill out. Because it was dark and I couldnt really see the ground under the table I just had to pick stuff up and check the receipt, and yeah, free lipstick. Woop woop.

Worst part. Accidentally spilling some of the All Nighter setting spray on the hotel room floor. Couldn't work out how to open it as it seemed too tight to just pull it off so I thought it was a screw cap. Its not and cause its so tight it took the spray top off with it. Oops.

Before I sign off I just want to say I do not normally spend this much money on myself and this size of haul is really rare. I was on holiday and had saved because I wanted to buy beauty products when I was out there. Alot of these products and brands are harder to get in UK (Tarte is pretty much impossible if you don't want charged Customs VAT as well) and they are all more expensive here. To put that into perspective, I got the Urban Decay Electric Palette for $23 (£17.60 GB). In the UK that palette retails for £35 ($45.60) so it was almost exactly half price.

  I also got a lot of travel sized products to try and see if I like them before purchasing a full sized one or because I know I like them but won't use a full sized one.

xoxo Scruffy