Products I Have Used Up

Hi everyone,

It's time for some more 'Products I Have Used Up'.

Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser

I got this to use as my evening cleanser, and it took a good while to use up. The cleanser itself has a thick consistency and at times it could be difficult to spread across the face, even though I did follow the directions on how to apply the cleanser. Also, the packaging could do with looking at as I found it difficult to squeeze product out of the tube, the tube itself split and the hole isn't big enough for the product to come out of.

Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner

This was in last years 'Project Use it Up' and I didn't finish it by the time the project ended. So I carried on using it and I think I got an extra four to five months of use out of it. I loved using this toner and I will be going back to it once I have finished using up my current toner.

Vichy Normaderm Night Detox

This is my final tube of this night time moisturiser, and I won't be buying it again as it doesn't suit my skin type. Its not a bad moisturiser by any means, it just isn't for me.

Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm

This was my first introduction into using a cleansing balm as part of my 'double cleansing' routine. This is also the second Pixi cleansing balm that I have used up, and I already have a back up ready and waiting. Its not a bad cleansing balm, but I think I have found one that I like a lot more.

Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Serum

I use the Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S serum as part of daytime skincare routine, as its lightweight and very hydrating. I also really like scent of Caudalie products. I'm currently using the back of this serum, and I actually need to purchase another one as I don't want to be without it.

Pixi Overnight Glow Serum

This was my first introduction to overnight glycolic based serums, and it was really nice to use as part of my Sunday skincare routine. This isn't as intense as some of the glycolic serums on the market, so this might be a good one to start off with. Also, a little bit goes a long way. Just be careful with the pipette, as mine broke about half way through using it. I may purchase this again in the future, but for now I'm exploring other options for glycolic serums.

B&BW 'Beautiful Day' Deep Cleansing Hand Soap

I have been using the B&BW deep cleansing hand soaps for years, and they are no near as good as they used to be as they are not as scrubby. The scents are nice, but once I am throught my current supplies I don't think I will purchasing any more in the future.

M&S Lily of the Valley Hand Soap

These aren't bad hand soaps from M&S, and I noticed that a little bit went a long way and also the fragrance lasted for quite a while after I had finished washing my hands.

Original Source Tea Tree & Mint Hand Wash

These aren't bad hand washes from Original Source, and the mint fragrance is fairly strong and it also lasted throughout the day. I might consider purcashing more of these in the future, but I'm currently trying out another brand of hand wash.

Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

This was my first introduction for using cleansing oil as a make up remover, and I really enjoyed using it to remove my make up as it was very quick and easy to use. I might consider buying this again in the future if I'm in need of an efficent make up remover.

Garnier Mineral Ultra Dry 48 Hour Protection Anti-Perspirant

This was the first time I had used a deodorant from Garnier, and it actually wasn't that bad. The scent was also really nice. I used this deodorant during the daytime, as I have another deodorant to use in the evening.

Avon Naturals Wild Berries & Pomegrante Creamy Yogurt Scrub

This has a lovely berry fragrance, but sadly it isn't scrubby enough for me. It was lovely to try, but I don't think I will be buying it again.

L'Occitane Peony Hand Cream 30ml

This was a lovely lightweight hand cream that sinked into the skin straight away. Also, the scent of this was heavenly, and I would consider buying this again in the future

Elemental Herbology Skin Drink (Deluxe Size)

I wasn't over keen on the fragrance at all, and it also took a while to sink into the skin. 

Lush Rehab Shampoo

This is my current favourite shampoo, as I love the way it smells as well as makes my hair feel as if I have just walked out of the hairdressers. I have just started working on the 500ml size of the shampoo, so that will last me a very long while as a little bit does go a very long way.

Ole Henrikson Walnut Complexion Scrub

This facial scrub smells like a sweet shop, and its also very scrubby. This little pot ended lasting me about a year, and I would purchase it again if I could get hold of easily.

L'Occitane Rose 20% Shea Butter Hand Cream

This is a lovely thick hand cream from L'Occitane, and it has a lovely natural rose scent. This sample ended up lasting me around two months.

REN Beauty Shot Sample x3

I'm currently working my way through the small stash of REN Beauty Shot samples, and I have been using this as part of day time skincare routine. I have come to the conclusion that this serum isn't really for me, as it is quite a thick serum.

This has definatly been a mixed bag of empties as some of the products I woukd repurchase and others I won't, as they weren't for me and my current needs.

Solutions for Acne Prone Skin

Hi everyone,

I thought I would share my thoughts and solutions on how to deal and help with anything from mild breakouts to severe acne. These are some solutions that I have tried throughout the years.

Don't Use a Complete Acne Routine Unless You Need To
By using a complete acne routine there is a chance that you could dry your skin out of all its natural oils. If you want to use a full acne routine use it for around five days if and when your skin needs it. But this also depends on the severity of your acne. 

Use Oil Free Products
By using oil free products it will in time prevent the skin producing any excess sebum, and this should hopefully reduce the severity of the acne over time and help the skin not to produce as much acne.

Targeted Acne Products 
Try to only purchase items such as targeted spot treatment gel or tea tree oil if you only have mild acne, as this way you are only treating small areas which have acne, rather than the whole face. Also by using targeted acne products you won't strip your skin of any natural oils.

Incorporate Ance Products into Your Usual Skincare Routine
Still use your usual skincare routine, but just add in a targeted spot treatment if you have mild acne. If your acne is more severe you could swap out your usual cleanser for a cleanser that is suitable for acne prone skin or oily combination and also add in a targeted spot treatment. Try to find a combination of products including acne treating products that works for you. But don't overhaul your entire skincare routine, as this could do more harm than good.

Acne Ranges
- Avene Cleanance
- Body Shop Tea Tree Range (blemish prone skin)
- Body Shop Seaweed Range (oily/ combination skin)
- Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions
- Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil Free Range
- Kiehl's Rare Earth Range
- REN Clarimatte Range

Within these ranges are cleansers, toners, serums, masks, moisturisers and treatments.

If you need a product to treat acne just try one or two at a time, and also introduce them slowly. It does take around two months for your skin to adjust to any new products as it has to get used to a new product, and this takes time.

At the end of the day you need to do what is best for you, your skin type and try to treat your acne the best you can. This can take time to find products that work for you as there is a lot of trial and error involved until you find the products that will work best for you. But once you find the right products and a method that works for you; then things should start to look up. But whatever you do "Don't let it get you down."

Review: Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Face Mask

Hi everyone,

I have been using the Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal face mask for a good while, and I thought it was time that I shared my thoughts on it with you.

The BOdy Shop Himalayan Charcoal face mask is inspired by Ayurvedic traditions. It is a tingling clay mask that is infused with bamboo charcoal, green tea leaves and organic tea tree oil. The mask is also 100% vegan.

Claims

- Draws out impurities and refines the appearance of pores for healthy looking skin and a glow that shows

- Revives and refines skin

- For skin that needs extra purification to reveal a healthy, youthful glow

- Ideal to create a facial at home

- Formulatewd without parabans, paraffin, silicone or mineral oil

I have been using the Himalayan Charcoal mask for a good while, and compared to the original Glamglow mask this is much more intense, and I think that is due to the eucalyptus oil that is actually in the mask.

When the mask has been applied to the face it has a lovely cool sensation. You leave the mask on for 5-10 minutes and then rinse off using warm water. Once the face mask has been removed it leaves the skin feeling clean and fresh.

I like to use this face mask once a week due to it being an intense face mask.

If you would like to try this face I would highly recommend you get a sample of it just to see how your skin reacts too it.

Products I Would Repurchased - Part Three

Hi everyone,

These are just a few of the products that I have repurchased throughout the past few years, and I thought I would share them with you.

Lush Ocean Salt
This is a lovely, gritty exfoliator which smells like a Margarita cocktail. I have gone through at least five small tubs of this over the years.

Sure Maximum Protection 48 Hour Anti-Perspirant in Confidence
This is the deodorant I use before I go to bed and it does actually work. I also really like the scent of the confidence deodorant. I've used up quite a few of these over the past couple of years.

Origins GinZing Moisturiser
This is a lovely, lightweight gel cream moisturiser that smells like oranges. This is ideal for someone who is just starting a skincare routine, as it is a basic moisturiser. I used this as my daytime moisturiser due to it being lightweight and also because it sinks into the skin straight away.

Origins 'A Perfect World' Moisturiser
This is also a lovely lightweight moisturiser from Origins, but it has a slightly thicker consistency than the GinZing moisturiser. This is an anti-oxident moisturiser, which means that it helps the skin to fight against pollutants. The 'A Perfect World' moisturiser also has a lovely fresh scent too it.

Freederm 4% Gel
This is a product I would repurchase if I was having a really bad acne breakout that wouldn't go away.

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub
I really love how scrubby this lip scrub is and it also has the famous 'Snow Fairy' scent. It does an excellent job at exfoliating the lips, and the best part is that you could also eat it of you wanted as its completely edible.

Burt's Bees Coconut & Pear Lip Balm
I love the tropical coconut fragrance of this lip balm and also how hydrating it is. I actually own three of these; one I keep on my bedside table and the other two are in handbags.

Aesop Camomile Concentrate Mask
This is one of the gentlist and most effective purifying masks I've ever used. Its also value for money as a jar of this mask lasted me about a year. If you need a mask to help bring any acne to the surface then this could be for you, as it does just that.

Optex Rehydrating Eye Drops
These are the eye drops I purchase when my eyes just need a little 'pick me up' and hydration.

Garnier Express 2 in 1 Eye Make Up Remover
This was one of the first eye make up removers I had ever purchased. This is an effective and gentle eye make up remover.

'Project Use it Up' 2017 - 6 Months Update

Hi everyone,

This is my six months update for my 2017 'Project Use it Up'. I've added in a few items, and I have also used up quite a bit.

Products I've Added In
- Lancome Lip Lover 316 (mini)
- No.7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Pink (mini)
- No.7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Nude (mini)
- Lancome Lip Lover 316 (full size)
- Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Face Mask
- Moroccan Oil Light 25ml

Products I've Used Up
- L'Occitane Verbena Shower Gel
- 4 Avon Shower Gels
- Blister Mediplus Lip Balm
- Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Face Mask
- 2 Deluxe Size Body Lotions
- Milkshake Leave in Conditioner
- M&S Lily of the Valley Shower Gel
- Ragdale Hall Lavender Oil Pillow Mist
- Clarins Jolie Rouge Lipstick in Pink Sugar
- L'Oreal Expert Intense Repair Hair Mask
- 2 Dove Shower Gels
- 3 Full Size Body Lotions
- Lancome Lip Lover 316 (mini)
- Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Face Mask
- 1 Mini Body Lotion

Products I Still Need to Use Up
- Burt's Bees Coconut & Pear Lip Balm
- Lee Stafford Shine Head Spray
- YSL Touche Eclat Foundation
- 1 Avon Shower Gel
- Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Cologne 30ml
- 1 Deluxe Size Body Lotion
- Jo Malone Wild Fig & Cassis Cologne 30ml
- Batiste Sweetie Dry Shampoo
- Molten Brown Templetree Body Wash
- No.7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Pink (mini)
- No.7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Nude (mini)
- Lancome Lip Lover 316 (full size)
- Moroccan Oil Light 25ml

I'm at the half way mark and so far I have managed to use up 21 products out of 40. A couple of the products that I'm using in this projects have only a week or more left of usage.

I'm thrilled to bits with the progress I have made so far and it has encouraged me to keep on going until the end of April next year, which is when this project finishes.