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 💙💛

2022 Favourites (Skin Care, Hair Care, Eyes, Lips, Fragrances)

Hi there! Today’s post is about my favourite products in 2022. Only the best of the best! Let’s take a look!

Scinic Sparkling Pore Toner

This is one of the best toners I’ve ever used. 😍

Agent Provocateur Fatale Intense Eau De Parfum

Fatale Intense is like a lighter version of Thierry Mugler’s Angel. 😇

Jil Sander Simply Elixir Eau De Parfum & Rich Body Cream

Simply Elixir was a very successful blind buy. It’s like a lady’s version of Dior Fahrenheit! 🌡

Oriflame Mirage Eau De Parfum

Mirage is one of the most beautiful and unique fragrance I’ve ever had the pleasure of smelling. It’s the Moira Rose of fragrances. 😍

Yves Saint Laurent Elle Limited Edition 2011, Yves Saint Laurent Elle Limited Edition 2012

I love YSL’s limited editions of Elle! 🗼

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Moisturising Facial Oil

Superdrug’s Naturally Radiant Facial Oil is a skin care super hero! 💗

Pantene Pro-V Miracles Grow Strong Biotin + Bamboo Shampoo & Conditioner

These Pantene hair care products are some of my all-time favourite shampoo and conditioner combos. 😍

Antonio Banderas Her Secret Temptation Eau De Toilette

Her Secret Temptation is another amazing Antonio Banderas fragrance. Wow! 💗

Boots Live + Be Woodland Whisper Whipped Body Cream

This whipped body cream is one of the best body moisturisers I’ve used over the past year (or more). Insanely beautiful fragrance, perfect formula. 😍

Marks & Spencer Lip Balm
Prada Infusion De Fleur D’Oranger Eau De Parfum

This M&S lip balm is one of the best lip products I’ve ever used. Incredible stuff. 😍
Prada’s orange flower fragrance is my favourite Prada fragrance. I hope they’ll relaunch it so I can repurchase this gem! 💗

Revlon Custom Eyes 020 Naturally Glamorous

I love this eye palette so much! The quality of the eyeshadows is insane! 😍

Lancôme Hypnôse

Hypnôse is a cult classic and an incredibly beautiful fragrance. I love it! 💗

Ekél Natural Clean Peeling Gel Rice Bran

This is Ekél’s best peeling gel. Awesome stuff! 💗

MakeUp Revolution Redemption Palette Romantic Smoked

Wow, what an eye palette! This one was a wonderful surprise! 😍

Marks & Spencer Spiced Bergamot Eau De Toilette

M&S did an amazing job with this budget Light Blue-style fragrance. No, it’s not a dupe for Light Blue, but it’s the same type of fresh and summery citrus fragrance. 😍

Giorgio Armani Armani Code Summer Eau Fraîche
Nip + Fab Renew Retinol Fix Tonic Extreme

Armani Code Summer was a wonderful summer surprise. 🌞
Nip + Fab’s retinol toner is simply magical. 😍

Aussie Mega Shampoo & Conditioner

Aussie Mega is truly mega! An all-time favourite hair care combo. 💗

Yves Rocher Un Matin Au Jardin Cerisier En Fleurs Eau De Toilette
Salvador Dali Dalissime Eau De Toilette

Yves Rocher’s Cerisier En Fleurs fragrance was another lovely summer surprise. 🌞
Dalissime is one of my all-time favourite fragrances. I’ve been buying it since the 90s! 😍

Olay Regenerist 3 Point Super Age-Defying Cream

This Olay moisturiser is simply stellar! I love it! 💗

Botanical Lab Neem Leaf + Salicylic Acid Anti-Blemish Gentle Face Wash
Neutrogena Clear & Soothe Toning Mist With Turmeric

This Botanical Lab face wash is one of the best face washes I’ve ever used. 😍
Neutrogena’s face mist with turmeric is a new skin care favourite. 💗

Ramer Sponges Cleansing Shammy For Sensitive Skin

This Shammy by Ramer Sponges is one of the best things I’ve ever bought. It’s that good that I bought 6 more already. These should last me for a long time – but I would always stock up on these. 💗

Marks & Spencer Water Jasmine Eau De Toilette

This fragrance is one of my favourites. It’similar to Light Blue (no, they’re not the same), and it’s refreshing and has this happy aura… I love it! 😍

Superdrug Revive Hair Care Collagen Shampoo & Conditioner

Superdrug did a fabulous job with these brilliant vegan collagen hair care products. 😍

Nuxe Rêve de Miel Eau Savoureuse Parfumante / Delectable Fragrant Water
Poundland #6 Vit C Toner

Rêve de Miel is one of my new favourite fragrances. I wish I had tried it sooner! 💗
Poundland’s Vit C Toner is an amazing skin care product. I love using it. 😍

Superdrug Extracts Banana 3 In 1 Hair Mask

Another amazing surprise find – I’m still enjoying this banana hair mask from Superdrug. 💗

Olay Anti-Wrinkle Firm & Lift Day Cream With SPF 15

Olay products have served me so well over the years, and this lovely face cream is no exception. I love it! 💗

I Love… Chocolate Truffle Nourishing Body Butter
Kenzo Amour Eau De Parfum

OMG, this Chocolate Truffle Body Butter is out of this world. LOVE! 😍
And what can I say about Kenzo Amour? It’s one of the most beautiful fragrances ever. 11 stars don’t do it justice. 💗

And this is it for the year! I hope you love some of these awesome products too – and if you don’t know them, I hope you’ll give them a try. Thanks for stopping by again today. Have a happy and healthy 2023! 🥳🥳🥳

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

January Beauty Awards

Hi there! Since it’s the last day of the month, today’s post is about all the products I loved the most in January. It’s quite a few products this month. Let’s start with the Top 3, and there are a few honourable mentions further down.

3rd place – Jil Sander Simply Elixir Eau De Parfum & Rich Body Cream

Jil Sander Simply Elixir was a lovely surpise! The fragrance smells a lot more expensive that it is. You could call it a female version of Dior Fahrenheit!

Runner-Up – Agent Provocateur Fatale Intense Eau De Parfum

Fatale Intense smells like a lighter version of Angel. What a great find!

WINNER – Scinic Sparkling Pore Toner

Whilst the 2 fragrances above have really blown me away, this toner is in another dimension. I worship this toner!

Onto the honourable mentions! Skin Treats Aloe Vera Restoring Sheet Mask and Skin Treats Fennel Brightening Sheet Mask were lovely. Westlab Reviving Epsom Bath Salts are a new household favourite. And Carex’s gentle shower products definitely deserve a mention too!

Valjean Labs Replenish Hydration Gel is a brilliant facial moisturiser, whilst Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Fragrance-Free Non-Greasy Lotion is wonderful for the body. Essence XXXL Nude Lipgloss 06 Soft Almond is my current favourite lip product, and Lux Soft Touch Soap With SilkEssence TM & Rose Water is already on my list of products to buy again.

Wow, so many favourites! Have you tried any of these products? Which products have been your beauty heroes lately? Feel free to let me know via the comments, and thanks for stopping by! xo

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Weekly Recap 24 – 30 January 2022

Hi there! Happy Sunday! Today’s post is about all the posts I’ve written this past week, and here they are:

Monday 24 Jan – Sukin Rosehip Hydrating Day Cream

Monday’s post was about the day cream I’m using at the moment. Click here to read my review.

Wednesday 26 Jan – Skin Treats Aloe Vera Restoring Sheet Mask

I didn’t post on Tuesday, but Wednesday’s post was about this face mask. Click here to read the post.

Thursday 27 Jan – Carex Vitamin Fresh Shower Gel & Carex Nourishing Shower Cream

On Thursday I reviewed 2 shower gels. Click here to read the post.

Friday 28 Jan – Jil Sander Simply Elixir Eau De Parfum & Rich Body Cream

And Friday’s post was about a fragrance and the matching body lotion. Click here to take a look.

This is already it for this week. Thanks for stopping by! x

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

Jil Sander Simply Elixir Eau De Parfum & Rich Body Cream

Hi there! Today’s post is about 2 products – Jil Sander Simply Elixir Eau De Parfum & Rich Body Cream. The fragrance Simply Elixir contains the following notes: pink pepper, ginger and blood orange (top notes), violet, iris, cedar and rose (heart notes), and leather, vanilla and patchouli (base notes).

Let me start with the fragrance review and say… this fragrance is gorgeous! It’s violet and leather on a sweet iris and vanilla base. This fragrance is feminine and sophisticated, probably more suited to people aged 30 and over as it gives off a grown-up vibe. Simply Elixir could be a female version of Dior Fahrenheit, however, it would still be suitable for men who enjoy sweeter fragrances. The other day I doused my husband in Simply Elixir (he didn’t know the fragrance), and he actually liked the beautiful scent on himself (and so did I).

The body cream is great too. The formula is simply perfect. It’s quick and easy to apply the cream. It hydrates my skin perfectly, and it smells just like Simply Elixir. Awesome stuff!

If you’re interested, Jil Sander Simply Elixir Eau De Parfum (40ml) & Rich Body Cream (75ml) are available as a gift set. I paid £13.95 (post Christmas sale). The price is absolutely ridiculous. Even though the price has gone up to over £20 again after the sale, the gift set is still a total steal. This exact gift set is over 50 EUR in Germany (I looked it up and found it on a website for a department store chain similar to the UK’s John Lewis).

Mrs Strawberry Blonde