Spring - Four favourites and a fail - Origins, 4711, Woody's & GeoSkincare

Origins Checks and Balances frothy face wash 150ml – I originally received this as a GWP sample which I paid no attention to and  chucked into the stash of minis which I save for trips. Eventually I put it in the shower to force myself that I’d use it up and it turns out that I really like this. I was looking for a cleanser which I could use during my shower and just rinse off with water as I’m not in the mood for faffing around with face cloths first thing in the morning. Although it’s intended for people with combination skin, it’s fine with my dry skin and doesn’t leave any tight feeling afterwards. Definite repurchase, this has become my favourite morning cleanser in the shower.

Origins Drink Up Intensive 50ml - an overnight mask with a satisfyingly thick consistency which is easily spreadable and a fruity, apricot scent which I wasn’t crazy about at first, but now I’m used to it and even find it soothing to fall asleep to as I now associate this scent with sleepytime. I often use this instead of a night moisturiser. Already repurchased. Twice. The full size is 100ml but a 50ml size is available from their website at half the price so I prefer this size as it means I'm using up a fresh product.

4711 75ml - the only way I could love this any more is if it lasted more than twenty minutes on my skin. It’s inexpensive sure, but having to reapply throughout the day means you get through a bottle quickly. I splash it on my hair and around the neck of my t-shirt to help the fragrance last. I used to only wear this in the summer, but this year I’ve been using it in the cooler weather too and it’s equally as gorgeous. Definite repurchase.

Woody’s Pomade – love this. I picked this up from my favourite place, the clearance counter at TKMaxx for £1. I’d noticed that I’d started to develop small bumps along my hairline and although I didn’t know what was causing them, I suspected the petrolatum ingredients in some of my hair styling products was the cause. This smells green and fresh, a bit like an Aloe Vera gel. The consistency is a thick jelly and it styles hair without leaving it looking greasy, crunchy or sticky. I’ve been using it to give a Just Got Out Of Bed look (I was going to write “Just Been Fucked”, how rude!) and it keeps a casual messy look in place all day. It also rinses out easily the next day. Definite repurchase, highly recommended for short hair styles or people wanting to avoid petroleum in their hair styling products.

GeoSkincare for men skin repair - yes, this is my fail. I used this on my face initially but didn’t like it as it felt greasy and all I could smell of it was the patchouli even though it’s the smallest ingredient. I had to stop using this after a few days as my chin area started to look a bit red and bumpy. So I decided to relegate this to be used up as a body butter, but it triggered a rash all over my legs, arms and neck. It looked like I’d been struck by a bad sunburn. I’ve tested a small patch on my arm since and it came up in a rash within a couple of hours. I have idea what’s causing this rash. Have a look at the ingredients below, does anything look like an allergen to you? I’d used their toner previously and that was very good and I repurchased a couple of times. I would not repurchase this.

Organic botanical infusion, organic cera alba (beeswax), organic theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, organic butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), organic ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, cetearyl wheat straw glycosides and cetearyl alcohol (xyliance), organic macadamia intergrifolia (macadamia) seed oil, organic persea gratissima (avocado) oil, gluconolactone and sodium benzoate (geogard ultra), zanthomonas campestris (xanthan gum), tocopheral (vitamin e), potassium hydroxide, citrus aurantifolia (lime) oil, urtica dioica (nettle) root extract, rosemarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil, vitis vinifera (vinanza grape) seed extract, triticum vulgare (wheatgerm) oil, pogostemon cablin (patchouli) oil.

Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins Mineral-enriched renewal cream review

Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins Mineral-enriched renewal cream - this 30ml sample was a gift with purchase from Origins. I've read good reviews for this product but I'm not a fan. It feels too silicone-y for me once applied and I didn’t notice much difference the next day after regular use. 

I liked the fresh citrus fragrance but I wouldn’t repurchase this or buy a full size as I prefer my Neal's Yard Remedies silicone-free night creams. A full size 50ml jar is £34.

Here's what Origins has to say about their product:

"Put dullness to rest. Wake up radiant & refreshed. Now nature's famed night cream is newly fortified with a system of time-released resurfacers plus Vitamins C, E & H, minerals & moisture-rich replenishers. While relaxing aromas lull you to sleep, skin sloughs away dry, dead layers. Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins™ helps the appearance of dullness.

98% of those who tested it agreed - used regularly, skin was renewed and refreshed in the AM. Helps the slumber deprived wake up on the bright side of the bed. So why face dull skin. Sleep it off tonight."

And here's the list of ingredients:

Water, Methyl Trimethicone, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 40, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Myristyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Glycerin, Orange Peel Oil, Orange Flower Oil, Valerian Root Oil, Cinnamomum Cassia Lead Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Bitter Orange Peel Oil, Vanilla Fruit Extract, Orange Juice, Citral, Linalool, Limonene, Raspberry Leaf Wax, Fennel Seed Extract, Chestnut Seed Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Coleus Barbatus Extract, Wheat Germ Extract, Barley Extract, Panthenol, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pantethine, Glyceryl Stearate, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arginine, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosterols, Cholesterol, Linoleic Acid, Palm Oil, Salicylic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Squalene, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium PCA, Ceteareth-20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phospholipids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocotrienols, Calcium Carbonate, Carbomer, Hexylene glycol, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol.

March empties - Neal's Yard Remedies, Renu, i Coloniali, L'Occitane, La Roche-Posay Serozinc, Naked Bodycare, Duchy Collection

  

Duchy Bergamot Lime conditioner – I picked this up at TKMaxx in clearance for £1! I enjoyed using this and the fragrance was stunning. I’d repurchase again but I’m not sure this is still produced or where you’d buy it as I haven’t seen it since. 

I Coloniali shower gel – I wouldn’t purchase again unless it was reformulated, but the signature i Coloniali fragrance they have in their soaps and body products keeps pulling me back. I wish they bottled it and sold it as an EDT, I’d wear nothing else.

Neals Yard Remedies Rose daily moisturiser – I always like to see a bottle cut in two so you can scrape out every last blob. Love Neal's Yard's moisturisers. Would repurchase, but in a different scent.

Neals Yard Remedies Rose facial cleanser 50ml – Product worked well as a cleanser but would not buy again only because prefer cream or oil cleanser.

Neals Yard Remedies eye gel – my favourite eye gel ever.I’ve already repurchased and intend to keep on repurchasing until a better one comes along. Highly recommended.

L’Occitane rose hand cream – I didn’t like this shimmery hand cream at all and this was regulated to night time use only and I burned through it as quickly as I could. Would not repurchase and I must remember to read labels in future!

Naked Bodycare Take Care Orange Blossom body wash 250ml - this sulfate-free body wash is one of my favourites, plenty more left in the stash!

Renu face mask – bought on the cheap from the TKMaxx clearance shelf, around £5 or so. It felt pleasant to use, but I didn't see amazing results and I would not repurchase at full price as this retails for £32!

La Roche Posay Serozinc – a product I suspect was introducted to most people through Caroline Hirons’ wonderful blog This is a definite repurchase and I’d recommend to anyone who suffers with razor burn to at least try this product.

Neals Yard Remedies Rehydrating Rose Daily Moisturiser review

Neals Yard Remedies Rehydrating Rose Daily Moisturiser – this 50ml plastic tube was a magazine freebie I picked up just to get the NYR product. I'm getting towards the end of this so I've cut the tube open to scrape out the last blobs.

I always like to see a bottle cut in two so you can scrape out every last bit. It’s always a good indication that you’ve enjoyed using a product. Or that you’re tight fisted. I once read a blog where there was a photo of that month’s empties and every single bottle had been cut open, it was very impressive.

"Softens and replenishes NORMAL and DEHYDRATED skin.

Hydrating 'Hundred petalled' rose extract and damask rose oil soften, smooth and help restore skin's natural radiance in a light, easily absorbed, antioxidant-rich lotion. 

Proven in clinical trials to moisture for up to 12 hours."

I like the texture and efficacy of this product, but I don't really care for the scent. I'm not a sweet roses kind of guy. This 50ml tube has a screw cap and the product is squeezed out. I like the touch of embossing an expiration date on the top of the tube. 

Here are the ingredients:

Aqua (Water), Glycine soja (Soya) oil*, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil*, Calendula officinalis (Marigold) flower extract*, Cetyl alcohol, Borago officinalis (Borage) seed oil*, Cetearyl glucoside, Rosa centifolia (Rose) flower extract, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera) leaf juice powder*, Rosa damascena (Rose) flower oil*, Citrus limonum (Lemon) peel oil expressed*, Cananga odorata (Ylang ylang) flower oil*, Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium) flower oil*, Tocopherol, Sodium hyaluronate, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Alcohol denat., Glycerin, Levulinic acid, Potassium sorbate, Xanthan gum, Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl benzoate, Benzyl salicylate, Citral, Citronellol, Eugenol, Farnesol, Geraniol, Isoeugenol, Limonene, Linalool.

February empties - L'Occitane, Weleda, Neal's Yard Remedies, Origins, Naked Bodycare

Take Care Naked Sensitive Skin Bodycare Orange Blossom 250ml body wash – I have a ton of these. This has always been my favourite frangrance of all the Naked body washes, it has not “parfum” or artificial fragrance, just the natural fragrance of neroli essential oil which is one of the most uplifting fragrances and has long been a favourite for both men and women. I guess means that they’ll probably pop up each month in my empties for the rest of the year. And maybe the next…

Weleda Rosemary and Ginger conditioner 250ml– I really liked this, a good silicone free conditioner which I'd buy again but I think Weleda have reformulated and no longer make this.

Phytorelax Lavander Body Lotion 500ml – I picked this up at the TKMaxx clearance shelf for £1. It’s not the most natural product (you can’t see the ingredients on the back label as they’ve been rubbed off with oily hands) but at least it doesn’t have any silicone. I really liked using this at night time as the lavender helps lull me to sleep.

Naked Bodycare Star Flower 250ml body wash – I don’t like it as much as the Orange Blossom, but this is still a good sulphate free body wash which doesn’t dry me out. Plus, I have the body butter to match. I think it’s the patchouli essential oil in here which I’m not a fan of. I have a couple more in the stash as I pick these up whenever they go on offer at Boots and I want to use up my points.

Neal’s Yard Remedies Almond Moisturiser 50ml – this was a good basic day cream, a silicone-free basic moisturiser This is one of NYR’s least expensive creams at £18.75 for 50ml.

Naked Bodycare Star Flower body butter 300ml– found this in one of those bargain beauty shops you can find in shopping centres, it was £1 so I bought three. Not my favourite scent, but satisfyingly thick and just what my dry husk of a body needs in winter.

Origins Checks and Balances face wash – this is a GWP 30ml sample.  Already repurchased as I’ve bought the full size.

Origins Drink Up Intensive overnight mask – another GWP 30ml sample from Origins. Already repurchased. Twice. They had a great GWP offer that week. Don’t judge.

L’Occitane Almond shower oil 2 x 35ml. Love this, but don't love the ingredients. I've purchased the full size 250ml bottle as well as the 500ml refill. I had a voucher. Again, don't judge.

Neal’s Yard Remedies Almond Moisturiser review

Neal’s Yard Remedies Almond Moisturiser – "protects and nourishes sensitive skin.
Vitamin rich almond and evening primrose oils are combined with geranium and lemon to prevent moisture loss and tone the skin."

This is a good, simple day cream. It offers a silicone-free basic moisturiser which can also be used as a night cream with some facial oil underneath for extra hydration if you’re extra dry like me. Sometimes, there’s simply no need to any fancy bells and whistles. This is one of Neal's Yard's least expensive creams at £18.75 for 50ml.

Here are the ingredients: 

Aqua (Water), Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil*, Cocos nucifera oil*, Glycerin, Cetyl alcohol, Cetearyl glucoside, Cetearyl olivate, Cera alba*, Helianthus annuus seed oil*, Calendula officinalis flower extract*, Sorbitan olivate, Lecithin, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil*, Oenothera biennis oil*, Chamomilla recutita flower extract*, Lavandula officinalis extract*, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil*, Citrus limon peel oil*, Xanthan gum, Tocopherol, Levulinic acid, Sodium levulinate, Potassium sorbate, Sodium dehydroacetate, Alcohol denat.*, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool.

Korres Yoghurt Moisturising Cream review

Korres's Yoghurt Moisturing Cream comes in a 50ml glass jar. I suppose it shouldn’t have bought this as it’s intended for oily or combination skin, but I'd read about it and wanted to try. It was only alright. My dry husk of a face requires more hydration than this can deliver, particularly in winter, but this could be ideal for an oilier complexion. One bonus was that this light cream leaves a natural looking matt finish. I wouldn’t repurchase, but simply because of my skin type.

"Greek yogurt is an ancient healing remedy that goes back hundreds of years. In Greece, yogurt is known for its ability to instantly soothe the skin by delivering increased moisture.

The Greek Yoghurt Moisturizing Face Cream contains full-fat, greek yogurt—a natural source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals to nourish and provide instant hydration to dry skin. It also contains vitamin E, olive oil concentrate, and macadamia nuts for antioxidant protection. This nourishing cream can be used every day as a part of your daily skin routine. "

Here are the ingredients:
Water, Yogurt, Butylene Glycol, Steareth-2, Isononyl Isononanoate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Steareth-20, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Starch, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Triethylhexanoin, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Amorphophallus Konjak Root Extract, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde,  midazolidinyl Urea, Linalool, Magnesium PCA, Manganese PCA, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Xylitol, Zinc PCA.