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 – September 2022

Hi there! Today’s post is about all the products I finished in September. I used a few single-use face masks – as usual. And I didn’t keep the sticky sachets – as usual. So let’s look at the bottles and tubes and what not…

1 Essence XXXL Nude Lipgloss 06 Soft Almond – I love this lipgloss so much! A shame it’s been discontinued.

2 Marks & Spencer Spiced Bergamot Eau De Toilette – one of my favourite summer fragrances. I love fresh, citrusy fragrances which remind me of Light Blue (nope, this is not a dupe for Light Blue), so this one is right up my alley. I already bought 2 backup bottles!

3 Boots Ingredients Niacinamide Serum – this is a basic serum. Too basic for me. I wouldn’t buy it again.

4 Olay Regenerist 3 Point Super Age-Defying Cream – what a wonderful skin treat! I love this moisturiser. I believe I have another one in my stash.

5 Pantene Pro-V Miracles Silky & Glowing Biotin & Hydrolised Silk Protein Shampoo & Conditioner – I didn’t care for this hair mask. I’m glad it’s finished now, and I won’t be buying it again.

6 Astonish Body & Soul Refreshing Golden Glow Bath Soak – this is a lovely bath soak. I’ve already respurchased it.

7 NSPA Grapefruit Shower & Bath Gel – this is such a beautiful shower gel. A shame it’s been discontinued.

8 Palmolive Sauna Retreat Shower Gel – a really lovely shower gel. I would repurchase it.

9 Herbal Essences Moisture Balance Conditioner – HOLY GRAIL stuff. I have plenty of back-up.

10 Classics Nail Polish Remover – my go-to nail polish remover!

And this is already it. September wasn’t the best month for Empties, but I hope I’ll do better for the last 3 months of the year. Thanks for stopping by today! xx

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

Empties – June 2022

Hi there! Today’s post is about all the products I said goodbye to in June. I used a few single-use face masks, and you can read about my latest face mask finds by clicking here. But let’s focus on the bigger bottles now!

1 MakeUp Gallery Time To Shine Completely Clear 1 – Poundland’s own brand clear polish. Not the best clear polish, but definitely good enough as a base or top coat.

2 Caudalie Thé Des Vignes Eau Fraîche – a pleasant enough but basic fragrance. I wouldn’t repurchase it.

3 Boots Rose Toner – a decent toner. Better than Garnier’s rose toner, but I don’t think I’ll buy it again.

4 Sukin Rosehip Hydrating Day Cream – not the best face cream for my skin type. Another product I wouldn’t buy again.

5 Nivea Caring Shower Gel Splashy Ocean – a really nice shower gel. I would buy it again.

6 Original Source Blood Orange Daily Scrub – this one is really nice! Too bad it’s been discontinued.

7 I Love… Mango & Papaya Bubble Bath & Shower Crème – a lovely shower gel. I would repurchase it!

8 Herbal Essences Moisture Balance Conditioner – holy grail stuff. I have plenty of backup!

9 Maui Moisture Body Care Detoxifying + Volcanic Ash Body Lotion – not my favourite body lotion. I wouldn’t buy it again.

10 Original Source Mango & Macadamia Shower – this is a lovely shower gel. Unfortunately discontinued. I might have another one in my stash.

And this is everything I finished in June. Not terrible, but definitely not a great month for finishing up stuff. I hope I can do better in July as there’s new stuff I want to buy (but I need to make space first).

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

2021 Beauty Awards – Part 2 – Hair, Body & Nails

Hi there! Today’s post is Part 2 of my 2021 beauty favourites. Yesterday, I focused on fragrances and products for the face. And today is all about hair and body products and my favourite manis of the past year. Onto the favourites!

HAIR

Herbal Essences Silk N’ Shine Shampoo & Conditioner

Holy grail stuff!

Herbal Essences Moisture Balance Shampoo & Conditioner

More holy grail stuff!

Revisiting Old Favourites – L’Oréal Elvive Colour Protect Caring Shampoo & Conditioner

Elvive Colour Protect is an all-time favourite combo. Great stuff!

Alberto Balsam Exotic Mango Shampoo & Conditioner

These mango-scented hair products are simply amazing!

Harmony Hair Indulgence Herbal Shampoo & Conditioner With Ginseng Extract

It’s a shame that the Harmony collection has been discontinued. This particular hair care combo was a delight.

Daily Defense Advanced Deep Conditioner With Argan Oil From Morocco

This deep conditioner is simply fantastic!

BODY

Superdrug Vitamin E Skin Care Smoothing All Over Body Cream With Acacia Collagen

This body cream with acacia collagen has been my favourite body moisturiser this year. I love it!

Palmolive Aroma Therapy Morning Tonic, Sensual, Absolute Relax

If I could only use 10 different shower gels for the rest of my life, these 3 would be in my top 10!

Radox “Shell Yeah” Sea Mineral Scent Shower Gel, Radox “Donut Mind If I Do” Vanilla Bean & White Chocolate Scent Shower Gel

These Radox shower gels were one of the most delightful beauty surprises this year.

Sanctuary Spa Mestizo Acai Rain Shower
Westlab Himalayan Salt Cleansing Bath & Shower Gel

2 more totally fabulous shower gels!

Sanctuary Spa Foaming Bath Soak
Soap & Glory The Scrub Of Your Life
Palmolive My Fresh Splash Shower Gel

And the final 3 shower and bath favourites from this year.

NAILS

Marble Nails
Purple Nails
Blue & Red Nails

Some of my favourite manis from 2021. In no particular order!

Foil Nails
Gold & Magenta Nails
Lilac Nails

Here’s another 3 manis.

Marble Nails
Purple Nails
Red Nails

The last set of my favourite manis from 2021.

Thanks for stopping by today! And I hope you have a great start into the new year. Happy 2022! 😘🥂

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Empties – October 2021

Hi there! Today’s post is about all the products I finished in October. I used a few single-use face masks, and you can click here if you’d like to read my latest face mask reviews. Now let’s look at the big bottles…

1 Imperial Leather Grapefruit & Pomegranate Shower Cream – I liked this one a lot! It’s been discontinued, and I believe this was the last one I had in my stash. 😢

2 Radox “Donut Mind If I Do” Vanilla Bean & White Chocolate Scent Shower Gel – very nice! Definitely repurchase-worthy!

3 Herbal Essences Moisture Balance Conditioner – a holy grail product! I have plenty of backup (shampoos AND conditioners!) 😁

4 Gosh Cracked Nail Lacquer 04 Gold – didn’t like it. Wouldn’t give it a second look.

5 Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Magenta Moves – I loved this polish so much! I think I have another bottle. Fingers crossed!

6 Primark PS… 2 In 1 Base & Top Coat – a decent clear polish. I should have 1 more bottle in my stash.

7 Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Ageing Regenerating Night Cream – I love this night cream! I have another one in my stash.

8 Superdrug Anti-Ageing Hand Cream – I used this hand cream as a foot cream, and it did a good job. But I won’t buy it again.

9 Garnier Body Tonic Firming Hydrating Lotion – a very nice body lotion! Repurchase-worthy, no doubt!

10 Original Source Sweet Apple & Vanilla Milk Moisturising Shower Milk – a really nice shower cream. Unfortunately, it has been discontinued, otherwise I’d buy it again.

11 Olay Essentials Refreshing Face Wash – a great face wash! I believe this product has been repackaged and is now called “Olay Cleanse Foaming Cleanser Jelly”, although I’m not 100% sure if it’s the exact same formula.

12 Asda Sleep & Relax Bath Soak – I love this bath soak! I already bought a few back-up bottles!

13 Classics Nail Polish Remover – they shrunk the bottle from 400ml to 250ml, but the price remained the same. Rather greedy from the manufacturer, but this will remain my go to nail polish remover.

I think I did more than alright with my empties in October. Hopefully November will be just as good. Fingers crossed!

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Empties – July 2021

Hi there! Today’s post is about all the products I finished in July. I used a few single-use face masks, and you can click here if you’d like to read my latest face mask reviews. Now let’s look at the big bottles…

1 Herbal Essences Moisture Balance Conditioner – a holy grail product. I have plenty of back-up!

2 Original Source Skin Quench Blackcurrant & Moringa Oil Moisturising Shower – this is a nice one! I’d like to buy it again, but it’s been discontinued. I think I’ve seen one more bottle in my stash.

3 Original Source Pink Grapefruit Shower – a really nice shower gel too. Also discontinued. I do have some back-up though.

4 M&S Fragrance Collection Mimosa & Bergamot Eau De Toilette – this is a decent fragrance, and it was nice while it lasted, but I wouldn’t buy it again.

5 Sanctuary Spa Foaming Bath Soak (travel size) – I liked this bath soak a lot, and I’d like to buy the full size.

6 Revlon Nail Care Base Coat – a decent base coat. I would buy it again.

7 Palmolive Aromatherapy Absolute Relax – one of my holy grail shower products. My husband loves it too. I will buy this one again, no doubt!

8 Imperial Leather Mauritian Spa – one of my old favourites. I have one more bottle in my stash.

9 Imperial Leather Beautiful Indulgence Rich Moisturising Body Wash – I like this one a lot too. Also discontinued. 😦 But I have one more bottle.

10 Boots Ingredients Glycolic Acid Toner – this is a very basic toner. I won’t buy it again.

11 Olay Anti-Wrinkle Face Wash With Exfoliating Particles – this is a nice cream wash. Definitely repurchase-worthy.

12 Poundland #6 Anti-Ageing Retinol Facial Serum With SPF 25 – this is a very good serum which I aim to buy again soon!

This is everything I emptied in July. Have you tried any of these products or would you like to try them? Which products have you said goodbye to recently? Feel free to get in touch, and thanks for reading! x

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

June Beauty Awards

Hi there! It’s the last day of the month, and this means that today’s post is about my favourite products in June. As always, I picked my Top 3 and the honourable mentions from all the products I reviewed this past month. Let’s start with the Top 3!

3rd place – DearBoo Collagen & Canola Flower Everyday Mask

This DearBoo face mask is simply amazing. I love it! I tried 2 different masks from this brand, and I think they’re both bulk-purchase worthy!

Runner-Up – Superdrug Vitamin E Skin Care Smoothing All Over Body Cream With Acacia Collagen

This body cream is simply outstanding! The texture, the feel, the fragrance – everything’s wow!

WINNER – Herbal Essences Moisture Balance Shampoo & Conditioner

I’ve never loved any hair product the way I’ve loved (and continue to love) Herbal Essences’ original shampoos and conditioners. I think these products truly mop with the floor with pretty much everything else out there!

Now let’s get to the honourable mentions! I’m impressed with Poundland’s Retinol Serum and Poundland’s Retinol Night Cream. Boots’ No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator is another fantastic product which I’m still enjoying.

Imperial Leather’s Tropical Rainforest & Exotic Papaya Shower Gel is one of the best shower gels I’ve used so far this year (and it’s probably in the top 10 of shower gels I’ve used over the past 2 years). And NSPA’s Detoxifying Clay Mask With Charcoal & Menthol was awesome too!

Have you tried any of these products, or would you like to try any of them? Which products have you been loving lately? Feel free to let me know via the comments, and thanks for stopping by! x

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Weekly Recap 14 – 20 June 2021

Hi there! Happy Sunday! Today’s post is my weekly blog recap. Read on if you’re wondering what I’ve been up to on my blog this past week.

Monday 14 Jun – Superdrug Vitamin E Skin Care Smoothing All Over Body Cream With Acacia Collagen

Monday’s post was about Superdrug’s amazing vegan collagen body cream. Click here to read it.

Tuesday 15 Jun – Herbal Essences Moisture Balance Shampoo & Conditioner

On Tuesday I revisited some of my holy grail hair products. Click here to read my review.

Wednesday 16 Jun – Nail Of The Day
Thursday 17 Jun – Boots No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator

Wednesday’s post was a Nail Of The Day post. Click here to read it.
On Thursday I reviewed a powerful micro-dermabrasion product. Click here to read the post.

Friday 18 Jun – Poundland #6 Anti-Ageing Retinol Facial Serum With SPF 25

And Friday’s post was about the facial serum I’m using at the moment. Click here to read my review.

And this is already it for this week. Thanks for stopping by. x

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Revisiting Holy Grail Products – Herbal Essences Moisture Balance Shampoo & Conditioner

Hi there! Today’s post is about one of my all-time hair care combos – Herbal Essences Moisture Balance Shampoo & Conditioner. These are part of Herbal Essences’ Classics collection. They have been discontinued, then relaunched, then discontinued again. I hope they’ll be relaunched again. In the meantime, I have stocked up – I’m sitting on an impressive stash of Herbal Essences Classics products!

Alrighty, what’s the shampoo like? Herbal Essences Moisture Balance Shampoo is just wow! It. Is. The. Bomb. It’s clarifying but gentle at the same time. And the dreamy fragrance is an added bonus. 11 stars!

Herbal Essences Moisture Balance Conditioner is the perfect product after the shampoo. I never brush or comb my hair – I just use conditioner to detangle my hair in the shower every morning – and with this conditioner, it’s a quick and easy job. This conditioner mops the floor with its competition! 11 stars!

Herbal Essences Moisture Balance Shampoo & Conditioner are available as 400ml each for about £2 in bargain stores (Poundstretcher). They can also be found online – albeit for a higher price. But these products are worth every penny!

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Empties – October 2018

Hi there! Today’s post is about all the products I emptied last month. As always, I used a number of single use face masks. Whilst I don’t keep the empty sachets, you can read about my latest face mask finds here. Onto the big empties!

1 Olay Anti-Wrinkle 2 in 1 Instant Hydration + Radiant Glow – this is a lovely moisturiser. I have a back-up bottle!

2 Essence Black Eyeliner Pencil – my favourite eyeliner pencil! I have several more in my stash and in my rota!

3 Sukin Super Greens Facial Recovery Serum – another great product from Sukin. I can definitely see myself buying this serum again.

4 Superdrug Naturally Radiant Flycolic Tonic – this is one of my new holy grail products!

5 Nivea Waterlily & Oil Shower Gel – this is a lovely shower gel. My husband used it too, so this is a shared empty. I hope I’ll find it again somewhere.

6 Herbal Essences Moisture Balance Conditioner – the best conditioner ever. It’s been discontinued, but I have an impressive number of back-up bottles (shampoo and conditioner).

7 The Body Shop Atlas Mountain Rose Body Lotion – I enjoyed using this body lotion while it lasted, but I won’t buy it again.

8 The Crème Shop Detoxing & Renewing Overnight Gel Mask With Charcoal – whilst I liked using this product, I don’t think I’ll buy it again. When the seasons changed, I noticed that I would need a more hydrating product for 9 months of the year.

9 Max Factor Pan Stik 25 Fair – this is my holy grail foundation!

10 My Little Pony Strawberry Lip Balm – a nice lip balm. It’s very hydrating, and it has a fruity taste. I have a few more My Little Pony branded lip balms.

11 Superdrug Lip Balm – a nice vanilla-flavoured lip balm. I have a few more of these.

12 Ekél Natural Clean Peeling Gel With Grape – this is a truly awesome product. I have 3 more of these with different fragrances (apple, apricot, rice bran).

13 My Little Pony Shower Gel – a nice shower gel. The melon fragrance is lovely. I might repurchase it at some point.

14 Radox Scent Touch Feel Lively Body Wash – I don’t like the fragrance of this one very much. I managed to use it up but I won’t buy it again.

15 Superdrug Cucumber Peel-Off Mask – this is a nice face mask. I enjoyed using it. I have a back-up!

16 Anna Sui Flight Of Fancy – this is a lovely fragrance. I can definitely see myself picking it up again!

I think I’ve done well again this month. I’m happy I managed to finish a lot of skin care products. What did you empty last month? Feel free to comment. And thanks for reading! 🙂

Mrs Strawberry Blonde