It’s empties time! It has been a while since I have last posted. Its been a very busy time as I have been travelling quite frequently. However, with so much travel I have had the pleasure of using up a little more product that I normally would as my routines have been pretty streamlined and quite consistent. In the month of September I have used up some favorites of mine which I may have spoken of in the past or you have seen me used frequently in my daily routines on Instagram. Read on to find out a few the things I finished in September….
Vanderohe No 1 Nourishing Face Serum*
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Where to start with Olivia Vanderohe’s beautiful creation? This face oil is simply beautiful – in every aspect possible. From the founder herself, to the packaging, the labels, the scent and of course the oil itself, No 1 Nourishing Face Serum has been a favourite oil of mine since I received this from the beautiful Olivia herself many moons ago. As many would have seen, I have taken this beauty with me on almost every trip I have had in the last 12 months. The reason being? This oil is so multitasking – it calms my skin, keeps redness at bay, is so lightweight to use and help keep my skin looking and feeling fresh and nourished (its also great to use in the hair too!). It goes down as one of my favourite facial oils that I have ever used.
Used alone or with other products, Vanderohe’s No 1 Nourishing Face Serum works very effectively. I find that when using this over a period of time, my skin is most definitely is smoother, happier, dewy and healthier. I find that any sensitivity is generally decreased when using this and it really helps with my skin when it is particularly dry or irritated, minus the awful greasy feeling. Irritation in the skin is generally soothed and dry patches are generally well on its way to healing when I use No 1 Nourishing Face Serum. In the lead up to my wedding earlier this year and on my honeymoon – No 1 Nourishing Face Serum was a product that I often reached for as it helped to calm and soothe my stressed out skin (it was a mess!) and within a week I noticed a difference to my complexion. My skin became much more balanced in the lead up and I found that my skin overall improved in tone and texture whilst battling breakouts.
To be honest, it’s no wonder that Vanderohe’s No 1 Nourishing Face Serum works so well, when speaking with Olivia over email, she passionately shared with me the labour of love that she underwent in just sourcing the ingredients. Each and every single one in this formulation is certified organic and is the best quality oil that she could get her hands on. The detail doesn’t just come down to the quality of the ingredients but also the actual formula itself and just how each batch is carefully hand crafted. I know Olivia spent months perfecting No 1 Nourishing Face Serum and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. My skin loves this and I would definitely repurchase.
Vanderohe’s No 1 Nourishing Face Serum comes in a 30ml black miron glass dropper bottle and can be purchased from Amazon
Ocinium Immortelle Vitamin B3 Serum*
Niacinamide is an ingredient that I absolutely love and that my skin also enjoys too. Used generally as skin brightening ingredient, I find that niacinamide works quite well for my skin in reducing PIH, an issue that I constantly find myself battling with my complexion. After using Rationale’s Immunologist Niacinamide Serum, I found myself reaching for Ocinium’s Immortelle Vitamin B3 Serum to maintain my PIH. I used this consistently every morning for a solid 3-4 months and I have found that it works so well in maintaining my skin.
This is in no way a magical overnight cure, it definitely took about 3-4 weeks to start seeing any further noticeable effects. However, my skin at this point looked brighter and those pesky hyperpigmentation spots were well and truly gone. Newer, smaller ones that had erupted in that time period had started to fade quite dramatically too. I have found the Immortelle Vitamin B3 Serum to a be a great product to maintain the skin, especially after using something so active. The formulation is gentle enough (no stinging like I got with Rationale) to use everyday and mixed quite well with other skincare products. I found that the Ocinium’s Immortelle Serum not only helped to achieving a brighter complexion and maintain my skin tone but also helped to soothe and hydrate the skin too. As the formulation isn’t as ‘harsh’ as others, it makes it a perfect product for those who have quite sensitive skin whilst also showing some fantastic results. It’s a product for those who are just beginning to use actives or are looking for a natural/organic alternative to active skincare products. I think this is what Ocinium does best – taking active scientifically proven ingredinets (like niacinamide) and incorportaing them into a more organic/natural formulation.
Ocinium’s Immortelle Vitamin B3 Serum comes in a 30ml black miron glass pump bottle and can be purchased from Amazon (#ad).
Allies of Skin 1A All Day Mask
For those who follow me on Instagram, you would probably see me often rave on and on as to how much I love the brand Allies of Skin (AoS). The first product I ever purchased from AoS was in fact the 1A All Day Mask and it was love at first swipe. I love the fact that this just lifts a tired and dull complexion and literally does almost everything for your skin. For those who aren’t familiar with this product – the 1A All Day Mask works like a mask for your skin but is disguised as a moisturiser. It helps to treat and protect the skin, lifting, nourishing and brightening the complexion. I love this product as it works to simplify a skin care routine, working as the only step that you would need after cleansing and toning.
I personally love the 1A All Day Mask as it feels so wonderful and lightweight upon first application but leaves my skin looking and feeling healthy, nourished and revitalised. I particularly love to use this when I haven’t had enough sleep or when travelling as this formulation works like magic to lift my tired zombie like complexion. As I have said on numerous occasions – I use this every time I have had little or lack of sleep – this makes me look more human (even though I might not be feeling it!). This black little tube goes down as one of my favourite moisturisers as I have nothing like this and have and will continue to repurchase this.
The Allies of Skin 1A All Day Mask comes in a 50ml tube and can be purchased from Amazon.
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo and Conditioner
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I really wanted to love Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day Shampoo and Conditioner. Don’t get me wrong, the Perfect Hair Day combination was nice, but it didn’t wow me in terms of how my hair felt afterwards. Yes, this did keep my hair nice and clean but it just didn’t seem to feel as soft or silky as other products in which I had also been using recently. I liked this shampoo and conditioner combination but didn’t love it and I don’t think I will be repurchasing this again as I do personally love another.
The Perfect Hair Day Shampoo and Conditioner come in both a travel size that is 60ml or full size that is 236ml and can be purchased from Amazon (#ad).
RAFRA Balm Orange Cleansing Balm*
I recently received this the RAFRA Balm Orange Cleaning Balm in the most recent Maslow & Co Asian Beauty Edit and I am not kidding when I say that this smells good enough to eat. This. Smells. Amazing – especially if you have a sweet tooth, as the scent of this reminds me of orange sherbet. It smells so good that I honestly just want to eat it! Not only does it smell delicious it also works very well to remove makeup. The balm/thick jelly like texture makes it a real pleasure to use on a dry skin. I find that it is quite easy to work into the skin with enough slip and grip to thoroughly remove the makeup off my face. I find that this doesn’t sting or irritate my eyes when I do apply it around the orbital area.
When water is applied to the balm, it emulsifies into a beautiful milk, taking all the day’s grime and makeup with it. I love cleansing balms, especially ones that do emulsify quite easily without much effort. Once Balm Orange has emulsified, it leaves my skin feeling soft, clean and balanced. My skin doesn’t feel stripped or dry, nor does it leave behind a film over my complexion. I find that the RAFRA Balm Orange Cleansing Balm not only works so well as a makeup remover but also works so wonderfully as an overall sensory experience. Everything from the scent, to the texture, to the way it cleans and cleanses the skin – RAFRA Balm Orange is a fantastic cleansing balm. If it only it were a little easier to find! A repurchase if I can come come across it a little easier.
The RAFRA Balm Orange Cleansing Balm is a little hard to find.
Equal Beauty Cleansing Cloths with Hydra Glow
I think this will be a recurring one in my empties posts. I quite simply love using these and even though they were initially purchased for travel, I find that I often reach for these on a normal day. The reason being? They are just so damned good at cleansing the skin and gently exfoliating due to its unique weave and the fibres used. These are great to take on a plane or to use as a morning cleanse. I’ve gone through a few of these now in the past 6 months and will continue to use these and take them with me when travelling. My only complaint is to perhaps create a bigger pack!
Each Equal Beauty Cleansing Cloths with Hydra Glow come as a pack of 30 and can be purchased from Amazon (#ad).
Jordan Samuel Skin Hydrate Facial Serum
I wrote a detailed post about this recently. In a nut shell – this is the bees knees. It keeps skin hydrated, plump and healthy looking. If you don’t have this, get on it now. Enough said. Read all about it here.
The Jordan Samuel Skin Hydrate Serum can be purchased directly from Amazon.
Trilogy Exfoliating Body Balm*
I have been using body scrubs on and off now ever since the start of the year. I thought I would finish when I used the Frank Body Scrub but I was then kindly sent this Trilogy Exfoliating Body Balm. In my review of Frank Body, I wasn’t quite sold on the concept but when I went to use the Trilogy Exfoliating Body Balm I have to admit this tub of goodness was much more pleasant and easy to use! I found that this coffee scrub was not only more gentle on the skin, it was less messy and far more nourishing. This Trilogy Scrub is not a typical ‘dry’ body scrub. Instead this comes in the form of a balm with finely grounded rosehip seeds suspended in the formulation. When using this, I apply a generous amount of this scrub all over my body, massaging it to the skin. I find that this works wonderfully to not only to gently exfoliate my skin but also to nourish and moisturise my body like no other body product I have used before.
The mixture of oils and butters in the Trilogy Exfoliating Body Balm work to give my generally dry skin a much needed nourishment boost and in conjunction with the grounded rosehip seeds, works to gently buff away my dry skin. The two work in unison to give my body a really beautiful glow and wonderful soft and supple skin. As it comes in balm form, it isn’t messy – my shower does not become a coffee explosion. It is a much cleaner and satisfying way to exfoliate the skin. The Trilogy Exfoliating Body Balm does leave a little bit of oil on top of the skin when washing this off but I don’t mind this as it feels like I have just applied a body butter. I find that overnight my skin will soak up all the oils and butters, leaving smooth, glowing skin!
I am not really one to use body scrubs but I think I will definitely look at purchasing the Trilogy Exfoliating Body Balm again as it is most enjoyable and works to not only exfoliate the skin but also to moisturise it (without the added moisturising step!). The Trilogy Exfoliating Body Balm comes in a 185ml tub from Amazon (#ad).
What were your empties in the previous month? Did you have any favourites? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below!