Empties – July 2023

Hi there! It’s August, so it’s time to look back at the products I finished in July. And here they are…

1 Wright’s Cleansing Traditional Soap With Coal Tar Fragrance (no photo as this was a soap) – what a wonderful soap! A definite repurchase!

2 Dove Go Fresh Nectarine & White Ginger – my favourite Dove shower gel. Unfortunately discontinued, but I have 2 or 3 bottles left.

3 Herbal Essences Moisture Balance Conditioner – my holy grail of hair care! Also discontinued but I have plenty of back-up to last me for years to come.

4 Palmolive Aroma Moments So Sweet Shower Gel With Rooibos Tea, Rose And Almond – another discontinued beauty. I have several back-up bottles of this insanely beautiful shower gel.

5 Superdrug Extracts Banana 3 In 1 Hair Mask – this is a lovely hair mask! I will buy it again, and I’m looking forward to trying some other hair masks from this collection.

6 Imperial Leather Japanese Spa – what a wonderful shower gel! I’ve gone through so many bottles of Japanese Spa over the years. Unfortunately, this shower gel has been discontinued, and I don’t have any back-up left in my stash.

7 Ekél Natural Clean Peeling Gel Rice Bran – I enjoyed this peeling gel very much. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can buy it again as it’s from Korea, and this was a lucky find at TK Maxx.

8 Barry M Basecoat Topcoat & Nail Hardener – a decent base and top coat. I bought 2 more already.

9 Boots Botanics Hydrating Serum Capsules – one of Boots’ best products of all time. Of course, discontinued. 😦

10 B. First Base Coat – a fantastic base coat. Unfortunately discontinued. I believe I have a few more in my stash.

And this is it for August. 10 products isn’t too bad considering how poorly I’ve done over the past few months. August started well too with a conditioner and a bag of bath salts finished already, but you’ll see in a few weeks…

Thanks for stopping by! xx

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Empties – June 2023 (And Why I’ve Been MIA)

Hi there! We’re 2/3 through the month of July, but I’m posting about my June Empties anyway. Before I show you which products I finished in June, let me tell you why I’ve been MIA.

Work has been horrendous for a long time. I only stayed on to buy a house. I didn’t want to postpone buying by another 6-12 months. With a new job, you have to be in it for a while, often six months (can be less, depending on the lender’s criteria) before you can get a mortgage.

So I got my mortgage, found a home, made an offer, went through the process – all while working a minimum of 60 hours each week, usually over 7 days, with absolutely no chance to take even a single day off – until eventually, on the day that I picked up my house keys, I gave notice. I work quite high up the food chain, and I have a 3 months notice period. But at least the madness will come to an end!

Since we’ve had the keys, my husband and I have spent all our free time doing up the house so we can move in soon. It’s been a lot of work, but also fun, and I’ve learned so much!

What’s the message here? I guess it’s that, even though some jobs and companies will absolutely crush you, always keep an eye on the prize! Maybe you want to complete a milestone, i.e. 2 years of working at X as it will look good on your cv, or maybe tough it out and get a promotion which you know you’ll get in Y months – and then go elsewhere with a better job title, or you’re in a similar spot like I was, where you’re staying on just to get a mortgage and buy a home. I worked until after midnight on so many days, I cried a lot, and I wanted give up so many times, but I didn’t! And in the end it was all worth it.

Alrighty, now let’s look at the few products I finished in June!

1 Superdrug Vitamin E Skin Care Original Moisturising Shower Cream – such a lovely shower gel – also vegan and cruelty-free! A definite repurchase!

2 TRESemmé Biotin Repair Conditioner – I like this shampoo and conditioner combo very much. Another definite repurchase!

3 Original Source Blood Orange Daily Scrub – another amazing Original Source product that was discontinued. I have a few more of these.

4 Garnier Organic Thyme Purifying Perfecting Toner – an OK toner. I won’t buy it again.

5 Imperial Leather Refreshing Body Wash Mandarin & Neroli – I’ll post the review tomorrow!

6 I Love… Raspberry & Blackberry Bubble Bath & Shower Cream – this is one of the best shower gels from I Love… – no idea why they discontinued that one. I have a few more of these (250ml and 500ml).

And that was already it for June. Not sure July will be much better, but I do have a few random empties, so at least in July it won’t be the case that 4 out of 6 products are shower products!

Thanks for stopping by today! xx

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Empties – May 2023

Hi there! Today’s post is about all the products I said goodbye to in May. And here they are.

1 Boots No 7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum – a wonderful serum. A definite repurchase!

2 Yves Rocher Oui A L’Amour L’Eau De Parfum – a really nice fragrance. I would buy it again, but unfortunately, Yves Rocher withdrew from the UK market.

3 Max Factor Pan 25 Fair – my holy grail foundation!

4 Herbal Essences Fruit Fusions Moisture Splash Conditioner – this was the last of its kind. Unbelievable quality! So sad that these amazing Herbal Essences products are gone.

5 Westlab Mineral Bathing Recover Epsom Salts With White Willow & Eucalyptus – these are really nice bath salts, and I can see myself buying them again.

6 Palmolive Naturals Almond & Milk Shower Cream – unfortunately, my stash of these is dwindling. One of the best shower gels ever! I’ve used it since the 90s, but it looks like it’s going to be gone for good very soon.

7 Superdrug Fruity Vanilla Ice Cream Shower Gel – unfortunately a limited edition shower gel which is sold out now. If it weren’t, I’d buy this beauty again.

8 Superdrug Clearly Youthful Triple Action Cleanser, Mask & Scrub – I liked this product a lot! Such a shame that it has been discontinued!

9 Astonish Bath Soak Refreshing Golden Glow – a nice bath gel. I will buy it again.

10 Westlab Salt Shack Mango Moods Bath Salts – these bath salts were such a lovely surprise. Unfortunately, these have been discontinued.

And this is it for May which was a decent month for Empties. June has started more than OK as well with 3 products finished since the 1st. So fingers crossed June will be a good month for Empties as well. 😀 Thanks for stopping by today! x

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Empties – April 2023

Hi there! Today’s post is about all the products I emptied in April. I did a little better than the past few months. Now onto the products I said goodbye to in April!

1 Treacle Moon That Vanilla Moment Bath And Shower Gel – a lovely shower and bath gel. I have another bottle in my stash.

2 Aussie Mighty Mega Shampoo & Conditioner – one of my favourite conditioners. A definite repurchase (along with the matching shampoo).

3 Original Source Pink Grapefruit Shower – an old favourite. Unfortunately discountinued, but I think I have 2 more bottles in my stash.

4 Boots Extracts Cocoa Butter Body Butter – one of my all-time favourite body butters. Unfortunately discontinued.

5 Boots Garden Collection Rose Body Wash – this was a nice shower gel from a Christmas gift set. I would buy it again if I could.

6 Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glow Gentle Cleansing Milk – a very nice make-up remover. I will buy this product again!

7 Palmolive Memories Of Nature Berry Picking Shower Gel – this is a nice shower gel. Another repurchase.

8 Neutrogena Clear & Soothe Toning Mist With Turmeric – one of my all-time favourite facial products. Yes, I’ll stock up on this face mist!

9 Sukin Certified Organic Rosehip Oil – not the best facial oil, but alright. I wouldn’t buy it again though. I’ve had better facial oils.

10 A’kin Sensitive Calming Day & Night Cream – I used this moisturiser on my feet as I couldn’t stand the smell on my face. Glad it’s gone. Wouldn’t buy it again.

11 Olay Anti-Wrinkle Firm & Lift Day Cream With SPF 15 – this is such a lovely moisturiser! A definite repurchase!

And this is it for April’s empties. Not sure if May will be as good. I will finish 2 products by the end of this week, but there’s not much else looking anywhere near empty in the near future…

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Empties – March 2023

Hi there! Today’s post is about all the products I said goodbye to in March. The post is a bit late – again. Hopefully work will be less of a hot mess soon! Alrighty, onto the empties!

1 Diesel Fuel For Life Unlimited Body Lotion – the perfect body lotion to match the incredible Fuel For Life Unlimited fragrance. I found another bottle of this amazing body lotion in my stash. I hope this means that there’s another Fuel For Life Unlimited fragrance somewhere!

2 Pantene Pro-V Miracles Grow Strong Biotin + Bamboo Conditioner – a great conditioner! I will buy it (and the matching shampoo) again. My husband is enjoying the leftover shampoo quite a bit.

3 Imperial Leather SkinKind Raspberry & Lime Blossom Enriching Body Wash – a decent shower gel but not a favourite. It’s been discontinued and I’m OK with that.

4 Palmolive Naturals Black Orchid & Moisturising Milk Shower Milk – I think this was the last of its kind. So sad that this incredible shower gel has been discontinued!

5 Nivea Happy Time Shower Cream – this is a nice shower gel that I bought and enjoyed before and that I’ll buy again. Although it pales in comparison to the beautiful Palmolive shower gel…

6 I Love… Raspberry & Blackberry Bubble Bath & Shower Cream – this is a lovely shower gel. I have a few more of these in my stash!

7 Beckham Fragrances Intimately Beckham Eau De Toilette – I love this fragrance! Such a shame that this beauty has been discontinued!

8 L’Oréal Skin Perfection Velvety-Soft Toner – this toner is awesome! It’s not available anymore with this packaging, but I believe the current Fine Flowers toner is the same (or similar). I will try it soon.

9 I Love… Choca Mocha Lala Moisturizing Lip Balm – this was such an amazing lip balm. Sadly, discontinued as well.

I thought March would be better for empties, but hey ho… Thanks for stopping by today! xx

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Empties – February 2023

Hi there! Today’s post is about the products I emptied in February. And here they are!

1 Palmolive Naturals Ultra Moisturization With Olive & Moisturizing Milk – what a beautiful shower gel. I have another bottle in my stash.

2 Creightons Keratin Pro Damage Repair Strengthening Conditioner – this is a very good conditioner. I will repurchase it (just like the matching shampoo).

3 Imperial Leather Mauritian Spa – this is an old favourite. Unfortunately discontinued, but I have another bottle in my stash.

4 I Love… Raspberry & Blackberry – what a lovely hand cream! Too bad it’s been discontinued, but I have another tube in my stash.

5 Botanical Lab Neem Leaf + Salicylic Acid Anti-Blemish Gentle Face Wash – one of my all-time favourite face washes. Already repurchased!

6 Treacle Moon Happy Melon Sorbet – this is a fantastic shower gel. It smells like honeydew ice cream. Delicious! I have a few more bottles in my stash.

7 Boots Glow Pineapple Sleep Mask (no photo as I misplaced the tub) – this was a nice night cream. Very rich and lovely. This product has been discontinued, so I can’t buy it again.

February was another poor month for Empties. But I have high hopes for March! Fingers crossed! And thank you for stopping by today. xx

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Empties – January 2023

Hi there! Today’s post is about all the products I finished in January. The post was meant to go up on the 1st, but work is still crazy. Anyhoo, let’s look at the empties!

1 Essano Rosehip Visible Lift Eye Crème – a decent eye cream, but not the most special one. I wouldn’t buy it again.

2 Boots Glow Pineapple Serum – this serum was nice enough while it lasted, but I don’t think that it’s repurchase-worthy.

3 I Love… Mango & Papaya Nourishing Body Butter – a nice body butter. But I wouldn’t buy it again as the fragrance started to bore me halfway through the tub.

4 Faith In Nature Aloe Vera Hand Made Soap (no photo) – this is an alright soap. Not bad, but not great. It took me a while to finish it as I always have several shower products in the shower, and this soap was never my first choice. I wouldn’t buy it again.

5 Poundland #6 Vit C Toner – this is an amazing toner! Vitamin C, glycolid acid, retinol… what more can you want? £3 for 300ml. An incredible bargain!

6 Herbal Essences Moisture Balance Conditioner – an all-time HOLY GRAIL product. I have plenty of these conditioners and shampoos left in my stash for years to come!

7 Oriflame Believe – such a lovely fragrance! I have another bottle somewhere!

8 Paco Rabanne Ultraviolet – this is a nice fragrance, but nothing I would enjoy wearing all the time. My husband liked this fragrance on me, but I wouldn’t buy it again.

9 Palmolive Naturals Pampering Touch With Coconut & Moisturising Milk – one of my all-time favourite shower gels. Too bad it’s no longer available. I have one more bottle in my stash though.

10 Astonish Bath Soak Soothing Deep Blue – the fragrance is a bit too masculine for me. I might repurchase it, but more for my husband than for me.

11 Westlab Himalayan Salt Cleansing Bath & Shower Gel – another all-time favourite shower gel. I bought 2 more bottles about 2 weeks ago. This shower gel is so special!

12 Superdrug Naturally Radiant Moisturising Facial Oil (no photo) – I liked this facial oil a lot! I wanted to buy it again but it’s been discontinued. What a shame!

I’m glad I managed to finish a few more products in January. The past 2 months have been remarkably bad for empties. Hopefully I can finish lots of products this year. Fingers crossed! And thanks for stopping by today!

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Empties – December 2022

Hi there! Today’s post is about my December Empties – plus a summary of everything I used up in 2022. Let’s start with December – which has been a very bad month for Empties. I thought I’d be able to finish a bunch of skin care items – but it wasn’t meant to be. And some products seem to be self-replenishing… Onto the Empties now!

1 Jil Sander Simply Elixir Eau De Parfum – a lovely fragrance! I would be happy to buy it again!

2 Palmolive Aroma Therapy Morning Tonic – one of the best shower gels ever! Unfortunately, this one has been discontinued, and this was the last bottle from my stash. 😢

3 Dove Go Fresh Nectarine & White Ginger – my favourite Dove product ever. Another one that’s been discontinued. Very sad! But I have 2 more bottles in my stash.

4 Pantene Pro-V Miracles Lift N’ Volume Thickening Conditioner – I liked the volumising effect of the shampoo and the conditioner in the beginning, but towards the end, these products made my hair unmanageable to the extent that I woke up with what I’d call clown hair every single morning. I wash my hair every morning, so in theory this shouldn’t be a big deal, but the clown hair effect was hard to get rid of. It took me 3 washes with the original Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner to restore my hair back to its normal amazingness. For the first 2 weeks, I thought this Pantene shampoo and conditioner combo was awesome if it weren’t for the annoying scent which I didn’t like at all. However, for the last 2 weeks my hair looked so bad that even the annoying scent faded into the background.

5 Palmolive Delicate Care with Almond – this is my all-time favourite Palmolive fragrance. I haven’t seen the almond bath and shower products for a long time, but I hope Palmolive will bring them back. Please, Palmolive!!!

6 Boots Live + Be Woodland Whisper Shower Cream – this is such an amazing shower gel. I love it! Unfortunately, another discontinued gem, but I have another bottle of this shower cream, a body cream and 2 bottles of body mist with this beautiful scent.

And here’s the total for 2022:

Face Masks 45
Shower Gels, Bath Gels, Body Scrubs 45
Fragrances 22
Conditioners 14
Body, Hand & Foot Moisturisers 13
Facial Moisturisers 6
Nail Polishes 5
Toners 5
Serums 4
Face Washes & Scrubs 4
Nail Polish Removers 2
Lip Products 2
Eye Creams 2
Face Mists 2
Make-up Removers 1
Pan Stiks 1
Face Mask Tubes and Tubs 1

That’s a total of 174 products. I haven’t used as many face masks as usual. In the past, I’d often do 3 masks per week. But 2022… ouch! Well, I can definitely do much better in 2023!

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you had a good start to the new year. Let’s hope it will be the best one yet! xx

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Weekly Recap 28 November – 4 December 2022

Hi there! Today’s super short post is about the posts I’ve written this past week. Only 2 posts – and here they are

Wednesday 30 Nov – November Favourites

Wednesday’s post was about my favourite products in November. Click here to see the TOP 3.

Saturday 3 Dec – November Empties

And on Saturday I showed you which items I managed to use up last month. Click here to see them all.

This is it for this week. Thanks for stopping by and take care! x

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Empties – November 2022

Hi there! Today’s post is about the products I emptied in November. I’d usually post on the 1st of a new month, but thanks to a ridiculous workload, I haven’t found the time to do a quick Empties post any sooner… Anyhoo, here’s what I finished in November.

1 Hugo Boss Pure Purple Eau De Parfum – this is a very nice fragrance. I enjoyed it, but it’s not something I’d buy for myself.

2 Maui Moisture Body Care Extra Hydrating + Shea Butter Body Lotion – sadly, this body lotion wasn’t for me. I wouldn’t buy it again.

3 Superdrug Fruity Vanilla Ice Cream Shower Gel – a lovely shower gel! My husband enjoyed it too. This was a limited edition shower gel which has sold out, but I have another bottle.

4 Boots Extracts Luscious Vanilla Body Wash – simply lovely! Too bad the entire line has been discontinued. I have a few random Extracts products left in my stash, and I’ll use them here and there.

5 Boots Glow Pineapple Gel Moisturiser – this was alright while it lasted. Not a bad moisturiser at all, but I didn’t care for its scent.

6 I Love… Chocolate Truffle Nourishing Body Butter – this is one of the best body butters ever. Too bad it was a limited edition. But I have a few more tubs.

7 MakeUp Gallery Time To Shine Completely Clear 1 (no photo as my husband binned the empty product) – this is a decent clear polish from Poundland. I finished a few of these, and I bought 2 more.

8 Dove Purely Pampering Almond Cream With Hibiscus – an oldie from my stash. I fell out of love with this fragrance, so I wouldn’t repurchase this shower gel any time soon.

9 Revisiting Holy Grail Products – Herbal Essences Silk N’ Shine Conditioner – holy grail stuff! I have plenty more (shampoo and conditioner) in my stash.

10 Imperial Leather Indulgence Rich Moisturising Body Wash Irresistible – this was lovely, but unfortunately this shower gel has been discontinued.

And this is everything I finished in November. Another so-so month for empties. I hope I can finish a few more products in December. Let’s see…

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛