Beauty CnR*

January empties. It's a big one this time.

1. Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser. This is one my most repurchased items ever and I'm not sick of it yet. I don't have a stash of this hidden away, but I typically miss it pretty quickly after I finish it. I like it when my skin feels congested and I enjoy using it as a mini face mask keeping it on while I brush my teeth or even take a shower. It's got glycolic acid in it, so I wouldn't follow up with an acid toner or use it if my skin is feeling irritated. Repurchase guaranteed.

2. Omorovizca Moor Cream Cleanser. I wanted to not like this purely for it's price. It's expensive for a cleanser. But this is one clever cleanser. When I had a dry, irritated and angry skin that was breaking out of nowhere, this was one of the products that made it more balanced, soothed and clear. It's got mud, minerals such as zinc and magnesium in it. It has also got a rather strong smell of muddy camphor, peppermint and menthol, so may not be for everyone. I wish it had a pump and it should have a pump for the price we're paying but I'm not an expert, perhaps there's a reason for it not having it. I may repurchase this.

3. Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask. This has lasted me a long time because I only used it sporadically. I don't know why, I think I just had a lot of acids on rotation. It's nice, not too strong so would be good for an acid-newbie. The smell was not particularly pleasant - like sour fruit and that smell that lactic acid has. I got this more than a year ago for a really good price, so if you want to try this, watch out for the deals.

4. QMS Medicosmetics Travel Size Activator Mask. A hydrating, refreshing hialuronic sheet mask. The sheet didn't fit my face comfortably - but then I do have long nose and most masks don't fit me properly. The skin felt nice afterwards but it's not repurchase-worthy for me.

5. La Roche Posay Cicaplast Levres lip balm. i had this little tube for quite a few years. It's very good. Nourishing, soothing, not too shiny, not fragranced. May be repurchased.

6. Tresemme heat defence travel size spray. It's been here before, it will be here again. Just a basic heat protection.

7. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2%. This is a clever little thing, especially great for dry skins. Lactic acid is already quite mild and it's also a humectant. Combined with hialuronic acid, it offers a nice combo of mild exfoliation and hydration. It also contains Tasmanian Pepperberry (hence the pink tinge) which reduces irritation. May be repurchased.

8. Dr Sebagh Serum Repair. I don't know. I wasn't wowed. The immediate lifting and tightening effect (that lasts until you put moisturiser on) can be provided by much cheaper serums and I actually do not enjoy that effect, this may be different to those with more mature skins. It's got hialuronic acid, collagen and patented peptide that provide anti-ageing benefits. Like with most peptide and collagen boosting serums, the effects are never immediate so I cannot comment on that. It's expensive (£69 for 20ml) and the screw cap somehow broke. Will not be repurchased.

9. Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body scrub. I like the smell, give me all the limes and sugar. But as a body scrub, I'd rather use an exfoliating glove as it did bugger-all to my skin.

So. Much. Stuff. In the beginning of the month I thought I wasn't going to finish anything. Surprised myself quite a bit.


Let's jump right in...

CoLab Dry Shampoo Active - probably my favourite spray dry shampoo. Invisible, smells fresh and not overpowering. I go through a can very quickly, that's probably the only negative.

Toni&Guy Intense Softness Shampoo for normal hair - I should have known better. This was a random purchase. I just grabbed this in a supermarket without thinking, and really, I should have. Contains SLS and something else that has made my hair dry and coarse. My scalp became irritated. Yikes. Never again.

Korres Japanese Rose Shower Gel - if you like rose smell, you will love this. Beautiful fragrance. Otherwise, nothing special.

TRESemme Extra Hold Hairspray - I had this small can for years and finally finished it. It's good. I've been curling my hair more often so it was useful.

Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defense - favourite, will be repurchased. Makes my hair soft, doesn't weigh it down, smells nice, protects from the heat.

January Labs Balancing Moisture Lotion - it was lovely during the heatwave and if I felt like I needed something a bit more nourishing, I would just add a couple of drops of oil (Zelens Power D, I love thee). Husband liked this too.

Ren Flash Hydra-Boost Emulsion - this has lasted me for a really long time! I think I got bored of it for a while, forgot about it and then rediscovered it. Lovely when used in the morning as it hydrates and plumps up the skin but also feels light. This would feel lovely on mature skin.

Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel - still got 3 packs left. This is a nice treat. The skin feels smoother and brighter straight away.

Alpha H Absolute Eye Complex - I like the ingredients in this a lot (niacinamide, sodium hialuronate, matryxil 6) and it works at hydrating but I don't really like the texture, it's a tad sticky (possibly because of the niacinamide). A little goes a long way.

Clinique Pep-Start Exfoliating Cleanser - I got a sample of this with purchase. I assumed it was an acid or enzyme cleanser and was disappointed to find that it had bits in it. I still have no idea whats in it because ingredients are not listed on my sample and I can't find them on clinique website. It says that it's gentle enough to use twice a day. Uhm, no. It's got bits in and it lathers. Worked a treat on my legs though.

And finally, makeup that got old: Nars creamy concealer (good), Bourjois blush (it's alright) and MUA cream bronzer (too orange, too dark, can't remember where I got this from, I certainly did not purchase this?).