Budget beauty

As much as I love buying a lotion and potion, I love buying dresses and skirts more. So i'm all over finding amazing products that do what they say in the tin and don't cost a fortune. These following poducts are currently on rotation and have been for quite a while!

VO5 Ultimate Hold Hairspray £3.05 - I found out about this on the blogger grapevine last year and have never looked back, purchasing time after time again. The can is massive and lasts for ages  - I'm not tight with hairspray either. It doesn't leave a sticky, horrible residue behind and it keeps your hair in check for hours.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula £5.89 - Ah this baby has been one of my best friends since I had a growth spurt at the tender age of around 12. I've used others but always come back to my old faithful. You just can't beat it! I can't get enough of the gorgeous smell and it leaves my skin so soft to touch. It always feels so luxurious. I can't ever imagine not using it.

Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Facial Scrub £3.99 - This is a new product i've been using for about a month. I picked it up on a whim in Boots as they had their 3 for 2 offer on. It promises to blast away dreaded blackheads and whilst it hasn't eliminated them completely, they're a lot better than they were. I use it around 4-5 days a week during my evening skincare routine. It doesn't leave my skin looking red and although it's not too scratchy on my face, it still feels like it's doing it's job.

Soap and Glory Hand Food £5.50 - Again this is a product that's been a staple for god knows how long. I suffer from extremely dry hands in the winter, so much so that if I don't keep an eye on them, they crack, bleed and become red raw. Very painful! But this gem helps to keep them in check. I love the smell and one bottle lasts for absolutely ages. I haven't found anything to beat this hand cream yet!

Batiste Dry Shampoo Brown Dark & Deep £3.99 - Ah the holy grail of dry shampoo. I was over the moon when they introduced products that matched hair colours - anyone else struggle to get rid of that pesky white patch? I don't really know what I can say that hasn't been said already. It's something every girl should have!

What are your favourite beauty buys?

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April empties

001: Boots Extract Cocoa Butter body wash
I've said it before but cocoa butter is my all time favourite smell when it comes to skincare. I'm drawn to it like a moth. As always boots extract didn't disappoint. It lathered up rather nice and left a gorgeous smell on my body. I love dinky size body wasahes like this as they're so handy to take away!

002: Loreal Elvive Full Restore Repairing Shampoo

003: Loreal Elvive Full Restore Repairing Conditioner
I loved this conditioner. I felt it made a real difference to my hair. The conditioner made it so easy to brush when I came out of the shower - quite a feat considering how much I have! A lot seemed to go a long way too, making it great value for money. I think I might purchase the set again after my current set runs out. Maybe try something else in the range.

004: Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin D
This product is my holy grail. I've been using it ever since I had a growth spurt at the age of 12 and got my first stretch marks. You can only imagaine how traumatic that was for a 12 year old! It reduces the redness to silvery line and if you use it religiously you can hardly tell they're there are all! It so lovely and thick so feels luxurious on your skin. If you buy any mosituriser make sure it's this one!

005: Clarins Extra Firming Night Cream
This is never something I would ever go out and buy - at least not at this age - so it was nice to give it a shot when it came in my glossybox. As imagined it made my skin feel so soft but you did have to use a fair bit to get even coverage. I can't imagine it's going to a product that lasts a long time!

006: Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream
I got this little sample in John Lewis on Oxford Street where you can help yourself - genius idea! I suffer with terrible dark circles and am struggling to cover them up. I'm not quite sure if this does the trick as it was such a small pot but it felt so smooth and gentle on my skin. A little went a very long way as you gently pat underneath the eye. I'll be making sure I buy the full version when I get paid.

007: Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstruction c/o Aussie
I recieved three of these shachets through Sarah who is an Aussie Angel. It had just the right amount of product for my hair and made a world of difference. My hair had a gorgeous shine the next day. Great news as straightening seems to dull it. Anyone else have this problem?

Have you tried any of these products?

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January Empties

This month I seem to be using up products like nobodies business! I've already done reviews on the linked products.

001: Aussie Take the Heat leave-in cream c/o Blogger event

I picked this up at an Aussie event I went to absolutely ages ago and have finally used it up. I tend to start a product and then get bored and it goes to one side. This didn't make my hair feel greasy which was a giant plus. I can't really comment too much as it's the first heat protection cream i've used but i'd definately buy it again if I didn't nab some different brands from work.

002: Batiste dry shampoo

003: Rimmel concealer

I have no idea what this is called as it's rubbed off but this was my failsafe product to try and disguise my dreaded dark circles. I've brought this time and time again. It glides on nicely and pretty much does what it says on the tin. The only reason why I wouldn't repurchase is because i've now discovered the Collection one. What a god send!

004: No7 Beautiful Skin eye make up remover

005: Marc Jacobs Daisy

This is my all time favourite daytime perfume - Chanel Coco Mademoiselle is my favourite evening. I spray this on by the bucketload. It smells so crisp and fresh. As you can tell i'm pretty rubbish at describing smells but I absolutely love this one!

006: No7 Beautiful Skin dry/very dry Day cream

007: Molton Brown vitalising vitamin AB+C Bath and shower

I recieved this in a glossybox back when I was a subscriber. I'm a massive fan of Molton Brown products - I just don't like the prices. It smells gorgeous and lathers up like a good 'un. There's nothing worse than a shower gel that performs pathetically.

008: Maybelline Colossal Volume express

I adore this mascara, it's one I got back to countless times. I love big fat brushes. I have fairly sensitive eyes and some mascara wands really hurt. This comes off like a dream and doesn't feel too rough on my eyes. It does the job very well indeed.

009: Vo5 High Volume extra strong hold weather resistant spray

Trying out a different brand has made me realise just how much I love this hairspray. It keeps your style nice and solid without feeling sticky and hard. The massive can is great value for money and it lasts for ages.

What items have you been using this month?

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