Current Primers

I think I've got a primer problem! These are my current ones -

Lancome Effet Miracle Bare Skin Perfection Primer - 15ml (£26).  This comes in two shades I've got the 01 - Porcelain Effect (also available in 02 Healthy Glow Effect).  Inspired by Asian BB base formulas this primer illuminates the skin, makes pores less visible, wrinkles and fine lines are smoothed, helps to make skin texture more even, makes shine less visible, flaws are minimised and is quite hydrating.  This is one of my favourite primers and I'd probably purchase it again but it is pricey.

Stila One Step Correct Brightening Serum 30ml (£24) - this came in the Selfridges Beauty Box.  A really nice primer which evens out the skin tone and helps make up last longer.  It's also really hydrating.  I'd re-purchase this one.

BECCA Resurfacing Primer 15ml (40ml - £32) - I got this in a gift set.  This primer is great for unwanted shine in the T-zone.  It also helps with pores.  Fine lines are smoothed and oil absorbing polymers help to minimise shine.  Can use alone or under foundation.  Love this - just perfect for my combination skin type.

Laura Mercier Radiance Primer 15ml (full size - £28) - Again I received this as a gift with purchase.  This primer has a pearl tint which give the skin a soft glow.  Can be worn alone or under foundation.  A radiant dewy finish which minimises imperfections and fine lines.  Suitable for all skin types.

Benefit The POREfessional 22ml (£23.50) - great for minimising pores and I love using this mainly for afternoon shine over nose/cheeks.  It is expensive though (unsure if I'd buy this again full size but I did pick up a few with Glamour a few months back - link).

Benefit That Gal 7.5ml (11ml - £21.50) - another one I picked up with Glamour magazine.  I love the smell of this - its like strawberries!  I liked how this primer brightened my skin but I'd be unlikely to repurchase it due to the price.

bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer (30ml - £19) - I got this in a value try-me set.  A clear primer which is good for enlarged pores, uneven texture, dryness. Gives a good base for adding foundation - feels silky on the skin.  A nice primer.

RMK Make Up Base 15ml (30ml - £28) - this came from May's Joliebox. For normal to dry skin types so not ideal for my combination skin.  A nice product with a dewy finish but it didn't help to make my foundation last so wouldn't purchase.

Murad Hybrids Skin Perfecting Primer Dewy Finish 5ml (30ml - £29) - this came in January's Glossybox.  I love this light tinted primer which gives a shine free finish and a radiant glow!  Sometimes wear it on its own too.

Giorgio Armani Fluid Master Primer 5ml (£34 full size) - makes the skin super smooth - a perfect canvas for foundation.  Leaves skin looking fresh.

What's your favourite primer?  Have you used any of these?

Samples #1

I set myself a challenge to use up sachet samples and mini tubes every week as my basket in the bathroom was overflowing.  You can see my post here.

These are the ones I tried last week -

Here are my thoughts -

L'Occitane Verbena Sorbet Body Ice Gel 6ml - light, gel texture and cooling on the skin.  Loved this.  If I didn't have so many body lotions to use up I'd buy this Limited Edition.  Would be lovely kept in the fridge and used on hot days or on holiday.

Elemental Herbology Eye Elixir 1ml - seems a nice eye cream but hard to tell if it's doing much for me as its such a small sachet.  My favourite eye product is Elemis Absolute Eye Serum - I find nothing can beat it.

Snowberry - Intensive Renewal Face Serum, Nourishing Rich Day Cream and Night Defence Night Cream - all 3ml sachets.  Got three uses out of each.  Nice products.  I found the day cream too rich for my skin and the serum was a bit thick.  Nice to use although I probably wouldn't purchase (and I wasn't keen on the scents).

Kiehl's Creme de Corps 5ml - rich body cream with light scent.  Got this in the Advent Calendar last year and had used previously.  A lovely body product and would purchase.

Aloe Vera+Vitamin E Sheet Mask - I love sheet masks so this was very lovely to use.  I've got a wee supply of various sheet masks.  Would definitely purchase again.

Aqua Boost Moisturising Eye Mask - there are three in the pack, only used one this week.  Really uplifting around the eye area.  A nice product.

Pure Thoughts Yoghurt & Green Clay Face Mask - a single use sachet.  It's a powder which you mix up with water and apply to the face.  Gorgeous.  Would buy again after I finish the Strawberry & Pink Clay version.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil Free Lotion 3ml sachet - I'm not sure if it was just a reaction I had but as soon as I put this on my skin I felt a burning sensation - eeek!  So not one I'd think about purchasing!  

Eve Lom Cleanser 5ml - the original Hot Cloth Cleanser.  Contains mineral oil making it a no-no of the natural skincare lovers.  I have used this in the past and I must admit quite like it.  Removes make up easily and makes skin feel clean and refreshed.  The sachet is actually not finished yet as a little goes a long way.  I have enjoyed using the cleanser and I would maybe buy in the future.

Here's my selection for week 2 -

L'Occitane Divine Cream 1ml sachet

L'Occitane Shine Mask 8ml sachet

L'Occitane Angelica Exfoliating Gel 5ml sachet

L'Occitane Milk Concentrate Body Lotion 8ml

Montagne Jeunesse Dead Sea Mud Spa Sheet Mask

Rahua Voluminous Shampoo & Conditioner 10ml/8ml sachets

RMK Cleansing Oil 3ml sachet

Lavera Intensive Cream 1ml sachet

June Empties

Here are my June empties:

Khiel's Hand Salve - got this in the Advent Calendar, smells of eucalyptus.  Enjoyed using it but unsure if I'd re-purchase though it worked really well.

Elemis Absolute Eye Serum - love this eye care product - have already bought another - it just works.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Body Cream - love this, have got a few of these from swaps and beauty boxes.  I reviewed the body cream here.

Kerastase Lait Vital 1 Conditioner - love Kerastase products so will probably buy this again as it lasts for ages.

Armani Luminous Silk Foundation sample pot - a great foundation will probably buy again at some point.

Balance Me Rose Otto Body Wash - one of my favourites, I'm on my last one.. sob.  I'd buy again.

Tropic Skin Revive Firming Nourishing Cream - I got this in a swap.  Loved it.  Would probably purchase it again in winter time as its a fairly rich cream and too heavy for my skin now.

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser - mini sample - got a few uses of this.  Nice product but expensive to buy.

Bamford Geranium Bath Oil x 2 - One of my favourite bath oils - only got two left now so will probably buy full size at some point.

Garnier Fresh Essentials Eye Make Up Remover - a good budget buy - would re-purchase.

L'Occitane Desert Rose Ultra-Rich Body Cream sachet - really fab cream, very rich and smells good.  Have a full size tin of this still to use.  L'Occitane Desert Rose Hand Cream - loved this cream - it was a magazine freebie.  Have another of these to use.  L'Occitane Divine Cream mini pot - really loved using this.  Looking for it in swaps/on ebay at the moment.  I also used a 1ml sachet of this too.  L'Occitane Divine Eyes - 1ml sachet - lovely.  Would consider purchasing in the future.  L'Occitane Baume des Yeux Eye Balm - 1ml sachet - enjoyed using this, would perhaps purchase.

Gielly Green Hand and Body Wash and Hand and Body Lotion - Loved these.  You can see my review here.

Sanctuary Hand Wash - nice hand wash and will probably pick this up again.

L'Oreal Everpure Shampoo and Conditioner sachet - really liked using these and would consider purchasing full size.

Ro's Argan Body Conditioner from Lush.  I bought this with Xmas voucher.  A beautiful rose scented product.  I'd probably re-purchase but it is quite pricey.  You can read my review here.

Vaseline Aloe Fresh deodorant - a staple and this one works for me.

Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Body Souffle Cream - love all Laura Mercier body lotions this is gorgeous, lightly scented with coconut and almond. Yum.

Iroisie Ultimate BB Cream sample sachet - this was from the latest Amarya box.  I struggled with this - didn't like the texture and I found it hard to spread on my skin.  So wouldn't purchase.

Japan Rose Bath salts - these were really nice - big pink salts which turned the bathwater pale pink.  Thanks Evelyn!

This Works Enjoy Multi-Tasking Lotion - I quite enjoyed using this lotion but wouldn't re-purchase as there are other lotions I prefer.

Pukka Radiance Serum 10ml and Pukka Deep Moisture Day Cream 10ml - I quite enjoyed using these products but I am unsure if I'd re-purchase.  The day cream was highly scented which put me off a bit.

YSL Waterproof Eye Pencil in simmering burgundy - absolutely love this although Avon Supershock Gel Eyeliner in Blackberry is a good dupe.  Will probably buy again.

Antonia Burrell Natural Glow Cleansing Oil - I didn't like the scent of this, it was too overpowering and it made my skin feel dry after use so wouldn't re-purchase.  Luckily this was just a trial size which cost £2.95.

Prada Candy Body Lotion - got this in my Xmas box set.  Nice to use but would prefer to save up for another bottle of perfume rather than buy the body lotion.

Aveda Stress-Fix Soaking Salts - love these, make you feel totally relaxed and great after a hard day.  Will definitely buy these again though I wish they were a bit cheaper!

Lancome Hydra Zen Neurocalm Soothing Anti-Stress Moisturiser - nice product quite rich so I mainly used it at night.  Probably wouldn't purchase full size as its not really suited to my skin type.

Apivita Express Beauty Mask with grape - bought this from ebay.  Nice product.  See M&S now selling them online/instore so will probably pick this up again and I want to try the honey one.

RMK Cleansing Oil sachet - love this, got three uses from the sachet.  Will purchase this once I trawl through my numerous cleansers.

Pure Fiji Hydrating Body Lotion - lovely coconut scent.  Nice lotion to use but prefer the body oil in the range which came in Joliebox.

What have you been using up?

Joliebox - May

I finally received my Joliebox yesterday - seems like a week later than everyone else.  It's fab though.

Here's whats included this month -


Full size China Glaze Professional Nail Lacquer in "Dress me up".  Pretty shade.


Talika Lipocils Expert, which is an eyelash growth product - really looking forward to trying this out - I really wanted to get this option. (the other one was eye therapy patch).


RMK Make up base - a good size - 15ml - looking forward to trying this out, loved the RMK Cleansing Oil so can't wait to try this.


Essential Care Organic Rose Moisturiser 15ml - already love this product having received a sample in a Amarya box (I then went on to buy the full size).


And a Joliemag - a really good read I think.


Really pleased with this month's box.  What are your thoughts?