Monday, 29 December 2014

Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream Review

This has become one of my favourite hand creams very quickly, I've used up around 3 full sized and 2 deluxe sample sized hand creams of this so far. Depicted is a deluxe sample size which is almost finished. I always cut open the tube to make sure I don't throw away any product.

It costs £21 for 100ml which is costly in comparison to other hand creams which may cost around £10 for 100ml, but this is a luxury product. It is available online and at Clarins counters.

It has a delicate scent which isn't very strong nor very floral, I'm awful at describing scents so you'll have to go and take a whiff yourselves in store but it's definitely a good one. I can't stand very potent scents as they make me feel nauseous and this doesn't do that.

The packaging is minimalist and simple, the 100ml is a good size to throw into your handbag, keep at your desk, have in your car etc. It's not huge but it is larger than other hand creams.

The product itself is a white cream, not very thick like a balm but not so thin to be a lotion, it sinks in quickly and is a pleasure to use. As for the claims, yes it does soften hands, I don't have any age spots so cannot confirm or deny that it minimises them; I do agree that it strengthens nails.

I think it would be suitable for all skins, I suffer from very dry hands in the Winter and especially when I have to wash them all the time and this does help to moisturise them and make them feel a bit better. I have started to get rough dry patches too, for which I combine this and a balm and it works pretty well.

I would repurchase this even though it is so expensive, I have many hand creams to use up already so will be concentrating on those, as well as another tube of this. It is most definitely a luxury product and you could save it to only use at night before bed or whenever you prefer to get the most out of it.

Which are your favourite hand creams?

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Makeup Inventory 2014

Hello all!

Today I'd like to air my makeup problems, starting with the sheer amount I have. It makes me feel overwhelmed, especially as I do not wear makeup every single day, it takes up a lot of space and I feel like I wasted a lot of money buying all these products I still haven't used!

I have gotten rid of huge bags of makeup and beauty products but it seems never ending! I am officially on a no-buy beginning 1st January 2015, and it will end on 31st December 2015 so I am allowed to go crazy in 2016. I still have a lot of makeup and beauty and nail polish that I do not want, if you would be interested in a blog sale please let me know.

As I've slowly been trying to use it all I tend to find products that don't really work for me or I don't like the shade on me very much, I see no point in hoarding these products, I would only like to own what I am completely happy with using. Some have also gone bad, started to smell or taste odd and that's no good because I spent a lot of money on them!

Yesterday I was watching a lot of youtube videos on people trying to do the same thing as me, declutter and I decided to do a makeup inventory of my own.

I am definitely not showing off, or saying ooh look at me with all my makeup, I want to get rid of it and fast haha! I will by using it up or giving it away or trying to sell it, but I don't think anyone will want to buy it, I don't know.

I've linked a lovely lady who I started watching about a year or so ago, and her decluttering is what motivated me to make an inventory, I have been giving products away for years but never kept a tally on how many or how much money had gone down the drain.


Her youtube name is Faithersk and I definitely recommend you check out her videos especially if you're in the same boat as me!

So... onto the dreaded numbers! I have a lot of eyeliners especially, I don't have some products such as bronzers, but I don't really feel I need any. I have additions I'd like to make also, but these will be done in 2016 unless I feel it's necessary in 2015. This isn't 100% accurate, maybe about 98% as I left a makeup bag at my uni house, although I've tried to remember what was in there and add it on.

Makeup
16/12/14
Ideal Number
To finish/give away
Eyes



Pencil eyeliner
51
10
-41
Liquid eyeliner
4
1
-3
Gel eyeliner
4
5
+1
Eyeshadow primers
11
3
-8
Pencil eyeshadow
1
5
+4
Cream eyeshadow
11
10
-1
Single eyeshadows
2
5
+3
Eyeshadow palettes (≤6)
5
3
-2
Eyeshadow palettes (>6)
14
10
-4
Eyeshadow pigments
12
0
-12
Eyebrow pencil
1
1
0
Eyebrow gel
0
1
+1
Glitters
5
5
0
Glitter glue
1
0
-1
Mascara
17
1
-16
Face



Face primers
15
2
-13
Foundation
11
3
-8
Concealer
11
2
-9
Powder
4
2
-2
Highlighters
3
3
0
Blush
17
5
-12
Lips



Lip balm
10
5
-5
Lipgloss
11
5
-6
Lipliner
9
3
-6
Lipstick
11
10
-1
Total
241
100
-141

Ideally I think 100 makeup products is a large enough selection and ok to get through before the products expire. I would like to have more cream eyeshadows maybe but I would be concerned about not using them and them going off, I definitely don't want to waste any more money!

This is after giving away so many things so I don't think it's that bad, around 250 products but I would like to use up and give away around 150. I think eyeliners will be the easiest to use up and lip balm, some eyeliners I use as eyeshadow so I can imagine they'll be gone soon enough.

I've also made a little box where I put my daily products in so that should help use them up!

I didn't include nail polish, I have around 80 colour bottles, I would like to reduce this number obviously, maybe to 50 but I like all of the shades so will be trying to use them up, as I've already given away plenty.

I also haven't included tools, I'm going to leave that for now and will sort through brushes etc on a later date and add it on!

Thank you for reading my super long post, please let me know if you have any comments or questions, it would be great to hear from you.

Nav x

Wednesday, 17 December 2014

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum - Original Formula

Hello lovely people!

Today I wanted to review John Frieda's frizz-ease hair serum, I have the original formula and have used about half of it as you can see. I'm sure there are already a lot of reviews on this but I wanted to add in my two cents as well.

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Original Formula Hair Serum


Image credit: http://www.herworldplus.com/beauty/tried-tested/review-john-frieda-frizz-ease-original-formula-hair-serum#.VJBn3SusUwo

I've left mine at my uni house so had to use a stock pic, sorry! I've used just over half of it for reference. It is available at Boots and other leading drugstores and supermarkets and costs £6.29 for 50ml. I bought this some time ago now and have only managed to use up half of it, I use about 2-4 pumps on damp hair to calm the frizz, even though it says to use a pea size amount on soaking wet hair. The amount can be adjusted depending on the length of hair and frizz levels.

I find it works pretty well and definitely notice a difference when I do use it and when I don't. I have naturally curly hair which is prone to frizz occasionally, but I have been using some form of frizz control after every hair wash so the condition has certainly improved.

The packaging utilises a pump dispenser which is handy and makes the product less prone to leaks and great for travelling with. It is pretty minimalistic and simple which is fine.

The texture is pleasant, quite silky - which makes sense as the last ingredient is hydrolysed silk and absorbs fairly quickly. It does help with frizz for sure, but I think I would prefer to use oils. I have tried a few other oils and hair serums (which I will also review) and in comparison to those I think this is a lesser favourite, although still very good.

Would I repurchase?

I'm not sure, I'm still looking for one with a better texture and think I prefer oils.

Have you tried this product or any other hair serums? What are your thoughts?

Tuesday, 16 December 2014

Back to Blogging!/2015 No Buy

Hey everyone!

I'm sorry I haven't been around but with all the other fantastic blogs out there, I bet you didn't even notice!

I've decided to start blogging again but it will be sporadic as I'm still studying and always have so much to do!

The focus this time round is using up the ridiculous amount of products I have accumulated over the last 4 years, so plenty of empties, reviews and makeup inventories and downsizing.

I won't be purchasing any beauty products for the year of 2015 as I do not need them! I have so many, I may run out of shampoo or conditioner but if I am out it means I will buy a replacement.

It would be great if you were to follow me on this journey again!

Thanks for reading,

Nav x

EDIT: I will allow myself limited edition products, but will try my best not to buy!