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 – 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 💙💛

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 – February 2022

Hi there! Today’s post is about all the products I said goodbye to in February. I used a bunch of single-use face masks, and you can read about my latest face mask finds if you click here. Now let’s take a look at the bigger bottles and tubs!

1 Yves Saint Laurent Elle Limited Edition 2012 – a dreamy fragrance. I wish it was still around!

2 Yves Saint Laurent Elle Limited Edition 2011 – another great YSL fragrance that I wish I could buy again.

3 Herbal Essences Silk N’ Shine Conditioner – my all-time favourite conditioner. I have plenty of these (plus the matching shampoos) in my stash!

4 Superdrug Vitamin E Moisture Boost Facial Serum – what a lovely serum this was! Happy to buy it again!

5 Superdrug Naturally Radiant Refreshing Complete Cleanser – I didn’t like this face wash. It started out okayish, but the smell… I couldn’t stand it anymore. I poured what was left of the face wash down the sink.

6 I Love… Raspberry & Blackberry Refreshing Body Spritzer – what a beautiful body mist! It’s bursting with fresh and fruity raspberries and blackberries! I think I have another bottle (or two) in my stash!

7 Radox Raspberry Scent Bath Bomb (no photo) – this was a nice bath bomb. A possible repurchase.

8 Carex Vitamin Fresh Shower Gel – a really good shower gel! Also repurchase-worthy.

9 Westlab Reviving Epsom Salt – those bath salts were lovely, and I would buy them again.

10 Baylis & Harding Skin Spa Rose, Ylang Ylang & Patchouli Steam Shower Body Cleanser – definitely nice while it lasted but not a favourite. I wouldn’t buy this shower gel again.

11 Rimmel Stronger Base Coat – I liked this one. I might have another bottle or two in my stash.

12 Baylis & Harding Skin Spa Rose, Ylang Ylang & Patchouli Rich Intensive Body Butter – a decent moisturiser. I have one more tub in my stash which I intend to use soon, but I wouldn’t buy this product again.

And this is it for February – not too bad for a short month!

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 – 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 – May 2021

Hi there! Today’s post is about all the products I finished in May. I used 12 single-use face masks. Whilst I don’t take photos of those empty face mask sachets, you can read about my latest face mask finds here. Now let’s take a closer look at the big bottles!

1 Elizavecca Milky Piggy Hell-Pore Cleanup AHA Fruit Toner – I love this toner! I hope I can find it again!

2 Cellio It’s True Moisture Skin Pearl Natural Skin Care System – another lovely toner! I’d be happy to get my hands on it again!

3 Simple Purifying Cleansing Lotion – I don’t think I’ll buy this product again. There’s much better stuff out there for a similar price.

4 Herbal Essences Silk N’ Shine Conditoner – my holy grail of hair care!

5 Classics Nail Polish Remover – my go-to nail polish remover. £1 at Poundland for a 400ml bottle.

6 Treacle Moon The Raspberry Kiss – a decent shower gel, but not a favourite. I don’t think I’ll buy it again.

7 My Little Pony Lovely Lipbalm Cutie Kiss – a wonderful lip balm! I hope to find it or a similar one again!

8 NSPA Fruit Extracts Luscious And Juicy Red Cherry Rich Body Butter – this is a nice body butter. I believe this fragrance has been discontinued. Unfortunately, I can’t repurchase it.

9 Manhattan Buffalo 12 – I liked this nail polish a lot. I have 20+ similar ones though.

10 Sanctuary Spa Mestizo Acai Rain Shower – I love this! I’m sad that I can’t buy it again.

11 Nivea Love Adventure Caring Shower Gel – it was nice while it lasted, but I also won’t buy this one again.

12 Nivea Indulgent Moisture Cashmere Shower Cream – I enjoyed the moisturising formula, but not the fragrance, so I won’t buy it again.

13 Superdrug Layering Lab Blossom Shower Jelly (no photo) – OMG, I hate this shower jelly so much! I gave it a second chance, but this stuff is vile, and it’s not worth cleaning the entire shower 360 just to get rid of the green flecks it leaves everywhere. I binned it right after the 2nd try. Good riddance!

14 Superdrug Layering Lab Blossom Body Wash (no photo) – I can’t bring myself to keep using this stuff. Binned.

I think I did well again this month – 4 shower gels finished, 2 unloved shower products binned, some more skin care finished as well. I think June will be good too, as I have a bunch of products in various states of less than half full…

Thanks for reading, lovelies! x

Mrs Strawberry Blonde