Trimming My Stash - April Empties And Mini Reviews

Hey Guys - Welcome to May :) May is one of my favourite months of the year by far, as well as being my birthday month, it's also the month where hopefully the weather starts to get better, and there are signs that summer is at last on it's way - well at least that's what I hope happens it's been freezing so far this week sorry this year - I need some sunshine!

Anyways like every other month of the year so far, I've been attempting to trim my stash and use up items from my very own personal product mountain, how did I do in April, well see for yourself....

Deep Heat Muscle Rescue Bath Soak - 200ml
The Body Shop Vanilla Spice Bath Melt - 200ml
B. Pure Micellar Water -150ml
OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil To Go - 7.5ml
Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream - 30ml
Alpha - H Liquid Gold - 200ml
Dove Hair Minimising Anti-Perspirant Deodorant - Wild Rose - 150ml
Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover - 150ml
Steam Cream - 75g
Vichy Eau Thermal - 50ml
Leighton Denny Hydra Flex Polish Remover - 50ml
Total - 11 Items

Consistency is the most obvious word I can think of to describe this months performance, and the years so far. Like in January and February I finished 11 items. A few things on the list are firm favourites, some were new to me items, and some were products that I thought would never end!

1. Deep Heat Muscle Rescue Bath Soak - 200ml

This was a PR sample which I reviewed here x  A really nice product ideal for achy muscles and the cold weather.

2. The Body Shop Vanilla Spice Bath Melt - 200ml

This is one of my favourite ever festive fragrances from The Body Shop so why do they keep changing it ever so slightly year after year. Like the cranberry some years it's nice, some years it's not. This product from a couple of years ago had the lovely warming scent of vanilla, cloves, and a bit of nutmeg which I love, what I didn't really love was the texture of this, it had a sticky, syrupy type texture that ages to dissolve in the bath , and ages to get out of the tub, even using the honey dipper that you got with it -shame :(

3. B. Pure Micellar Water - 150ml

I have to admit that the cleansing water / micellar water thing seems to be passing me by. I've used similar products from Decelor, Taaj, Lancome, and now this and none of them have wowed me or inspired me to repurchase. It's always a worry on a product which can be used to remove eye make up remover when it says don't get product in eyes. Yes I know they mean your not supposed to use it actually as an eye bath or on the eye ball as a wash by that but still, this stung like hell and was useless at removing heavily pigmented or waterproof eye make up. Facially it did the job but it left my skin with a weird almost sticky feeling that made me want to wash my face - hardly the point really, oh and god forbid you licked your lips after using it the taste was like pure bitrex so so bitter and nasty. So no this product didn't wow me and I won't repurchase. I haven't given up on my cleansing water journey and I really do fancy trying Bioderma and the new L'Oreal one, maybe the one is out there somewhere.

4. OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil To Go - 7.5ml

This is one of my favourite cuticle oils - this is the slightly thicker gel formulations which comes in a squeezy tube with a brush applicator. I bought this initial for a holiday nearly two years ago now and whilst I have alternated and used other products, you need so little that this has lasted for ages. I have to say I do prefer the normal version but this is great for travel.

5. Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream - 30ml

This is one of my all time favourite moisturisers - It's anti-ageing which I love, you can use it day and night and as an eye cream which I love. What I really love about this cream though is the texture, unlike a lot of anti ageing creams it's very light, it has a really light cream gel texture which means it absorbs really easily into my oily combination skin. I love this and my Godmother who is in her 80's loves this too, neither of us like heavy textures on our skins so this perfect. Mummy Lou however loves a greasier feel and a heavier texture so she isn't a fan of this, you can't please everyone I guess. This is a real staple in my skin care regime, and whilst it's pricey I usually ask for Elemis QVC Today's Special Values for Christmas and birthdays which usually makes it more affordable.

6. Alpha-H Liquid Gold - 200ml

This cult product is yet another staple in my skincare drawer - my skin can often feel quite bumpy and look quite uneven but used last thing at night a few times a week this make a real difference in smoothing and improving the look and feel of my skin overnight. I already have one of these in back up and I will continue to repurchase.

7. Dove Hair Minimising Anti-Perspirant Deodorant - Wild Rose - 150ml

I don't know how but I always seem to have about 6 deodorants on the go at once. I seem to buy them on 3 for 2's I think and then just vary them to suit my fragrance or need. This one had a lovely light floral rose fragrance, and didn't irritate. I didn't notice a hair minimising effect but I didn't use it consistently so I can't really make a judgement on whether or not it works.

8. Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover - 150ml

Wahhhh finishing this bottle means I only have two bottle of this left - snifffff - My all time favourite eye make up remover now altered beyond recognition :( nuff said - I'd love to know which eye make up remover you use so please let me know in the comments x

9. Steam Cream - 75g.

Yet another cult product in this months empties list, and something I have to be honest I only bought for the amazingly cute, reusable tin. This is a multi purpose lavender fragranced cream that you can use on the face or body. To be honest I don't get the hype the tins are adorable but the products is just a gentle, pleasant smelling cream, nothing shattering for me. I used this mainly on my body after a bath or a shower to get me in the mood for sleep. I have another one which I got in  beauty box to use up but I won't repurchase unless I can find the elusive "LouLou" tin which I once saw in a magazine and could never find. If you want a nice relaxing lavender based body lotion I recommend Lush Dream Cream or The Body Shop Divine Calm line much better value than this x

10. Vichy Eau Thermal - 50ml

Yes a can of water, loads of people see these as a bit of a waste of money but to be honest I'm on the fence. I really like these when I'm on holiday and their great for helping me with night sweats thanks to medication, and their fab for foiling eyeshadow but it is just pressurised spring water after all. This came in a beauty box and whilst I won't be rushing out tomorrow to buy a new one I would never say never.

11. Leighton Denny Hydra Flex Polish Remover - 50ml

I found this month whilst sorting out my nail products and I have to say I love all the Leighton Denny removers (this one is for brittle nails) , they are gentle and don't leave the nails white or dry and flaky, and above they actually smell really nice when they've dried down. The only barrier to me repurchasing is the price, they are a bit on the pricey side but if they come in a QVC kit I'll happily cherish them and use them up x

So they were my April empties x If your doing something similar I'd love to know how your getting on so please leave me a comment or a link and let me know xx