I cannot believe we are now in September…..and it’s time to talk empties for last month. Also, next month is my 1 year ‘Blogversary’! (Is that even a word?) I started Beauty and The Ballroom in October last year and I am still shocked at the number of people who read, like, comment, share and follow my posts…but more about that next month …… along with a little giveaway perhaps so stay tuned!!
So…what have I used up in August?
Skincare
Pixi Double Cleanse
I have been raving about this cleanser recently but just incase you’ve not seen this before, this is the collaboration between Pixi Beauty and Caroline Hirons. The theory behind ‘double cleansing’ is that you essentially cleanse your face twice. Once to remove makeup and/or SPF and once to cleanse the skin properly. This product serves as a one pot does all – one side is the solid cleansing oil to break down the SPF or makeup and then follow with the cleansing cream to clean the skin. At 100ml in total this is travel friendly and saves taking a host of cleansers on holiday!
Would I repurchase?
Yes! I already have another in my draw which is ready for my upcoming trip! I definitely recommend trying this. It’s super gentle on the skin but effective in what it it doing for your skin.
Formula Absolute Ultimate Sleep Cream
Since trialling this in the Marks & Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar last year (which I won’t hesitate in getting again this year!) I was adamant I need it in my night time routine (I use it alternate nights to Rosehip Oil). Unfortunately I decided this at the same time that M&S had a discount code running so everyone had cleared the shelves! I finally got a call from the store manager to say she’d found two pots…..I was straight to the shop and bought both! It smells divine and claims to make your skin look like you’ve had eight hours sleep even if you haven’t!
Would I repurchase?
Yes! Well….I would if I didn’t already have another pot waiting!! In the mornings following the evenings that I use this cream, my skin feels super soft and looks great! Another product I will be keeping in my routine! One pot last months!!
The Body Shop Skin Defence SPF50
I don’t think I need to say much about this! Just take a look at my recent review!! The Body Shop Skin Defence SPF50
Would I repurchase?
Have a read of my previous post and take a guess 😛 😛
Fragrance
Elizabeth Arden 5th Avenue Nights
I was given this perfume as a gift last year, which I always think is a brave thing to do, gift someone perfume, as fragrance can smell different on people once on the skin. I am rubbish at choosing fragrance for people but obviously my friends got it right as this is a lovely scent. I find perfume very difficult to describe as its such a personal thing….what one person gets from the smell may differ to the next person but to me this is a floral scent that contains some of my favourite aromas!
Details of notes are:
Top: Bergamont, Mandarin, Cyclamen, White Fresca and Wild White Rose.
Mid: Calla Lily, Jasmine, Muguet, Heliotrope and Pink Peony.
Bottom: Musk, White chocolate, Blonde Wood, Sandalwood and Infused Vanilla.
Would I repurchase?
Yes! I don’t buy perfume that often as I tend to get it for Mother’s Day, Birthdays etc which is amazing of course! I would definitely wear this again!
Makeup
Mac Fix+ Spray
I have to say, I don’t really like setting sprays….mainly because I just don’t feel that they do anything at all to prolong my makeup wear! Mac Fix+ falls into that category too, however I don’t use this for that reason. If however my face is feeling a little too powdery, this works wonders for a quick-fix hydration and to remove the over-powdered look! That is still not my main use for this! This product is fab for dampening beauty blenders….ok water can easily do this too but if I’m in my bedroom doing my makeup I don’t want to have to get up and go into the bathroom when I want to refresh my beauty blender! Another use is when using eyeshadows wet or when aiming to get a foiled effect from pigment powders. This is where this product comes into it’s own….a quick spritz on an eyeshadow brush and into the powder…done!
Would I repurchase?
Yes! I picked this up at IMATS ready for when this bottle ran out.
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
This concealer is one that I had heard a lot about before I started using it. I am pretty fussy with any under eye makeup products as so many crease and the skin under my eyes can be quite dry (despite having generally oily / combination skin). The NARS Radiant Creamy concealer is a relatively thick concealer in consistency but lightweight to wear. It covers dark circles really well and brightens the eye area also. It doesn’t make my eyes look caked in makeup and doesn’t dry the skin out at all.
Would I repurchase?
Yes. I will be buying this again. I haven’t as yet as I am using others that I have in a bid to actually use up some makeup!!
Estee Lauder Lash Primer Plus
This is essentially a primer for mascara. I have used this on and off for a few years now and when I moved over to their newer Little Black primer, I quickly went back to this as I feel this is probably the best one that I have used. It gives a good base to aid mascara with building length and volume to the lashes.
Would I repurchase?
Yes…a mascara primer isn’t necessarily top of my list to replace especially if I am using a good mascara but I will be buying this again at some point as I do like what it does.
Mac False Lashes Extreme Black Mascara
I’ve been trying to use up miniatures before buying any more makeup!! This included this little gem of a mascara! This Mac False Lash extreme mascara gives great definition and volume to lashes even without the above mentioned primer!! It wasn’t clumpy and stayed really well.
Would I repurchase?
Yes. This is on my list for when I go to New York given the hotel we are staying in is above a Mac store!!
That’s all of the empties for August. Have you used any of these? I’d love to know your thoughts.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think in the comments box below or on my facebook page. Follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook….links below🙂
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Loved this! Really want to try the pixi products!
Never even considered the marks’ beauty advent but may just give it a go!
Madiha
http://www.mevstheodds.com
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Thank you! Yes the advent calendar was fab last year…I never thought to try it before but my mum gave it to me towards my birthday present in the November. I’ve reviewed it on my blog if you wanted to check it out. X
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I bought the Pixi double cleanse when it first came out and I love it! It works so well, literally melts your makeup away.
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It does doesn’t it! I was impressed with it 🙂 xx
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I NEED to try out that Pixi double cleanser! I am in love with their Glow Tonic, so I have such high hopes for the cleanser! x
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The cleanser is great. I’ve used the toner for a while now and need to get another! xx
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I always make sure I have back ups of the toner! xx
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DESPERATE to try the Pixi double cleanser – so mad at myself for not picking one up when I was back in the UK!!!! Grrrr! Totally agree with you about the MAC Fix+ too, I use it like that and often over moisturiser but before base. x
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Ahh I haven’t used it before base before….will have to give that a go too xx
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Ooh! I’m intrigued by that Pixi cleanser. I’m using coconut oil right now (which I love) but I may try this! A lot easier than using a ton of different products!!
Eva x
styledbyeva.com
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Ahh I’ve heard coconut oil is a good makeup remover. I guess a lot of oils are really. It is really good! My fave is Clinique Take The Day Off but the Pixi is a very close second and certainly a first for travel! xx
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Everyone raves about the Mac Prep + Prime spray. I think I need to try it. Great post. Haven’t heard of many of these products before. Will definitely be keeping an eye out for them x
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Thank you! Yes it’s pretty good, just in my book not as a setting spray. For the other uses though it’s fab xx
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so many great product empties!!!! I love seeing people’s empties!
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Thanks! Haha, me too! 😛 xx
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The Pixi double cleanse sounds fantastic! I’m a firm believer in double cleansing as well! Lovely post!!
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Good!!! There’s too many people that still don’t!! It’s changed my skin completely!! xx
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Oooh I’d never have thought about buying make up/ beauty products from M&S, but Formula Absolute Ultimate Sleep Cream sounds amazing! Going to need to give it a go- thanks for the post!
Molly xx http://www.mollyyrees.com
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I wouldn’t have thought to either until I was given the beauty calendar last year! Those little samples (well they were pretty decent size actually!!) sold a lot of new products to me!! Thanks for reading xx
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I’ve been wanting to try that Pixi Cleanser forever but was nervous about my sensitive skin! So glad to see that you enjoyed it!
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My assumption….and only assumption is you’d probably be fine as it’s super gentle, BUT check with Pixi first perhaps if you were thinking of trying it. It is very gentle though xx
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The concealer and the mascara sound really good!! Keen to use these as I’m on the look out for both products
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Thanks for reading. Yes, both were great. I’d buy them again for sure xx
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I’m interested in the Pixi double cleanse! I add it to my wish list!! thanks for showin it!
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Thanks for reading! Yes, I think it’s on many people’s wish lists by the sounds of it! xx
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Great post! I love reading empties posts. I didn’t realise that M&S did an advent calendar though. I’m definitely interested in it. I must be the only person in the world that hasn’t tried Pixi products, this looks lovely!
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Haha, there’s loads of people commenting they haven’t tried Pixi 😛 I only tried it within the last year 🙂 Yes M&S beauty calendar was fab! I have older blog posts on the contents if you wanted to see what was in it xx
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Thanks! I’ll have to have a look.
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great post, will try these for sure.
xx http://www.beautifinda.com.au
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Thank you! Thanks for reading xx
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I think I’ll have to get my friend to post me a M&S advent calendar this year. I miss M&S!
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Ahh hope you get one. I loved last year’s one. I wasn’t going to get it then my Mum added it to my Birthday present (November) and it was fab! xx
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I absolutely love the Mac Fix+ as well, it’s such a simple product yet it works wonderfully! Read your review on The Body Shop Skin Defense and I’m so bummed out that we don’t have this product available in the US 😦 All we have are SPF15 moisturizers!
Jenny | Geeky Posh
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Oh that’s not good that you can’t get the SPF! What a shame. Thanks for reading xx
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Both are bloggerversary (really struggled to write that)!! are coming up, mine is November 15th good chance to do a giveaway as you say. I have collaborated with a brand to do giveaway later this month but my first proper one I’ll do myself in November. How quick the year has gone!
Once I get to the comment section here I can’t see the post so from memory, I’ve use a lash primer before, I used to repurchase the Lancôme hypnose mascara and matching primer and loved it but it was like buying too expensive mascaras each time do I gave up on it and switched to my fave Bourjois Vollume Glamour as the Formula is very similar. Pixi double Cleanse on wish list as you know.
Why am I so far behind on your posts! 😩❤️
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Ahh mine is 16th October so we really are journeying this stuff out together aren’t we? 😋
How cool you have a giveaway with a brand!!! I’m thinking of getting some miniatures in Sephora for mine 😋 no idea what yet though!!!
Don’t worry about being behind!! I’m behind on most blogs I follow! Speaking of which, (as I’m answering this on the app while I’m out!) I will be reading your latest tonight when I finally sit down 😋 xxx
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Aw yeh we are 😊 ooh how exciting you’re off to NY soon, you’ll be spending all your money in Sephora! Why not! Will your ban be lifted for the occasion? Or has it already? Xxx
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Well, the ban was put in place because NY was booked! So, I lifted it when I went to IMATS, but only for in there! When I had to cancel the holiday I lifted it again but put it back in place as soon as I booked the flights so my ban is lifted as soon as I get to Duty Free!! hahaha!! 😛 xx
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Sounds like a plan, duty free is always tempting! As long as it’s you controlling the ban and not the hubby haha xx
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Oh god no! This is my own money 😂😂😂 I’m on a proper spending session when I go there!!! I decided to challenge myself to a spending ban so I could save up 😂😂🙈 xx
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You best leave some room in your case then! 😂😂xx
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Just curious, how long did it take you to go through the Pixi double cleanse? I want to try it out but I don’t want to go through it super quick when it’s not a cheap product!
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I don’t use it every day so it’s hard to tell you how long with daily use but I’d guess 2 months if you were using it every day. I opened mine in May I think and it lasted till August x
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Okay thank you! I’m deciding whether it would be a good investment for the price. Seems worth it to me!
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