Empties – July 2022

Hi there! Today’s post is my July Empties post – so it’s about all the products I used up last month. Let’s take a closer look at them!

1 Prada Infusion D’Iris Hydrating Body Lotion – this is an alright body lotion for spring and summer. Basic hydration but a long-lasting and powerful fragrance. I wouldn’t pay full price for this body lotion, but I wouldn’t mind picking it up as part of another reduced price fragrance gift set! 😋

2 A’kin Brightening Vitamin C & Niacinamide Correcting Eye Gel – a basic eye cream. I wouldn’t buy it again.

3 Giorgio Armani Armani Code Summer Eau Fraîche – an elegant and pretty summer fragrance. I’d repurchase it.

4 Olay Anti-Wrinkle 2 In 1 Firm & Lift Anti-Wrinkle Booster + Firming Serum – a very nice serum! I’d be more than happy to buy it again!

5 Max Factor Pan Stik 12 True Beige – my holy grail foundation! 🥰

6 Boots Botanics Refreshing Toning Spritz – not my favourite face mist. I won’t buy it again.

7 Aussie Mega Conditioner – this conditioner is one half of one of my all-time favourite hair care combos. A definite repurchase (along with the shampoo).

8 Cussons Creations Peace Bottled Apple & Elderflower Shower Gel – a decent shower gel. Definitely refreshing. It was nice enough while it lasted, but it wasn’t a favourite, so I won’t buy it again. My husband used this shower gel too – quite a few times actually – so he helped me use it up!

9 Nivea Refreshing Face Wash – a basic face wash. I won’t buy it again.

10 Imperial Leather Awakening Mango & Papaya Infusions Shower Cream – a lovely shower gel! Unfortunately, this one has been discontinued, so I can’t buy it again.

11 Boots Extracts Sweet Mango Body Wash – another discontinued beauty. I have a few more products from this range in my stash.

I also used a few single use face masks. You can read about my latest face mask finds if you click here. All in all, not a bad month for empties. I love to finish skin care, but I also love to finish big shower gel bottles and tubes. So based on that, I’ve done pretty well!

Mrs Strawberry Blonde 💙💛

October Beauty Awards

Hi there! And Happy Halloween! October 2016 is almost over – and this means it’s time for the October Beauty Awards – a.k.a. my monthly favourites. As always, I picked three favourites from all the products I’ve reviewed this month. You could say I’m dishing out imaginary gold, silver and bronze medals! 🙂 And I’ve included a few honourable mentions as well. Now let’s get started, shall we?

3rd place – Superdrug Superfruits Exfoliating Mask
Runner-Up – L’Oréal Skin Perfection Velvety Soft Toner

Superdrug’s Superfruits Mask is the best face mask I’ve ever had. It’s brilliant! It seems to be out of stock online at the moment, so I hope it won’t be discontinued. Fingers crossed! L’Oréal’s Velvety Soft Toner is… velvety soft. I’ve never felt anything like it. I will use this one regularly, no doubt.

WINNER – Olay Anti-Wrinkle 2 In 1 Firm & Lift Anti-Wrinkle Booster + Firming Serum

You really must try Olay’s Anti-Wrinkle Booster + Firming Serum. It feels like a mix of liquid silk and velvet and it makes my skin feel wonderfully smooth and supple. It’s an 11 Stars product!

Now on to the honourable mentions! I really like Garnier’s Skin Naturals Fresh Radiance Boosting Scrub, Superdrug’s Leafy & Lovely Hand Lotion and Superdrug’s Mango & Papaya Body Scrub. And Anovia’s Fragranced Body Mists With Fruit Extracts have shown that “Made In UK” doesn’t mean a product has to be expensive, and that a cheap product from a bargain store can be surprisingly good!

What do you think of my favourites? Have you tried any of these products? Feel free to let me know in the comments. And thanks for stopping by!

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

100% Awesome – Olay Anti-Wrinkle 2 In 1 Firm & Lift Anti-Wrinkle Booster + Firming Serum

Hi there! Today’s post is about the wonderful Olay Anti-Wrinkle 2 in 1 Firm & Lift Anti Wrinkle Booster + Firming Serum. I’ve used this product on and off for a year – and I love it!

At first, let me tell you that this product promises to fill fine lines and wrinkles, to activate cell renewal and to nourish skin to boost firmness – within 14 days. The product also claims to be an ideal base for make-up, and it’s aimed at women aged 40+.

I remember the first time I’ve used this serum. I fell in love with its gorgeous (yet subtle) fragrance. It smells like a high end product! Then I applied it to my face – and I couldn’t believe how wonderful it felt – like a mix of liquid silk and velvet. And still, after about a year of on and off use of this serum, I still feel like I’m hitting the jackpot every time I use it.

I think that this product really plumps up my skin and that it makes it firmer. I love it! I also agree with Olay that this product is a great base for make-up. However, it doesn’t contain sunscreen. So when I use this product in the morning, I still apply a day cream or day fluid with SPF on top of it.

I can’t comment on any long-term anti-wrinkle benefits. That’s because my skin is almost wrinkle-free. But then, I have to credit Olay for this because I know their regular day fluid DID take care of quite a few deeper lines which I had when I was a teenager but which I don’t have now – and I’m in my mid-thirties. Plus: I’ve never been to a beautician, I’ve never had plastic surgery or botox. And I also don’t use high end products. I only use affordable skin care – mainly Olay – which I buy when there’s a half price offer! 🙂

I’d recommend this product in an instant. Olay Anti-Wrinkle 2 in 1 Firm & Lift Anti Wrinkle Booster + Firming Serum is available as 50ml for around £10 – but the big drugstore and supermarket chains run half price or BOGOF promotions very frequently, so this product can be yours for £5 or slightly less!

If you’re interested in other products that I can’t recommend enough, take a look at all of my 11 Stars Products. And thanks for reading! I appreciate it!

Mrs Strawberry Blonde

My New Favourite Face Serum – Olay Anti-Wrinkle Instant Hydration Day Serum

Hi there! Today’s post is about my newest beauty weapon – Olay Anti-Wrinkle Instant Hydration Day Serum. This serum is meant to be applied in the morning – either before a regular moisturiser or instead of a moisturiser. I’m using this serum right before I apply my regular Olay Day Fluid– this way my skin gets the maximum hydration out of these products. 🙂 But now, let’s take a closer look at the serum!

Olay’s Anti-Wrinkle Instant Hydration Day Serum is simply fantastic. It promises instant hydration – and it gives you instant hydration. I love it! And I think this serum actually keeps my eczema at bay. The semi-permanent dry patch on my left cheek isn’t half as angry as it used to be. And as soon as I put on my make-up, that patch is 100% invisible – and it stays invisible all day. Fantastic, isn’t it?

Another thing I love about this serum is its formula. It’s soft and silky – very much like Boots’ No 7 serum – and it’s fun to apply. And smoothing it into my skin feels great! I’ve been using this serum for just under three weeks now, so I can’t comment on its anti-wrinkle properties. But my skin already feels so much more supple, flexible and elastic. I think this serum might actually prevent a few lines (the ones you get from dry skin…) from forming.

To sum it up, I think Olay’s Anti-Wrinkle Instant Hydration Day Serum is absolutely amazing. I would recommend it to everyone. Literally everyone! Priced at £10 (RRP) , the 50ml bottle is very affordable. But if you keep your eyes peeled for half price offers, you shouldn’t have to pay more than £5 for this serum. 😉

Mrs Strawberry Blonde