Empty Products: The February Edition

Well that month just flew by! I know it is a short one but still, it's as if I blinked and there was March. This month I didn't finish many products, perhaps that shows how busy I have been, I'm not sure, but here we go anyway!

La Roche Posay Physiological Micellar Solution: Not much to say about this other than it is pretty much the same as all of the other miscellar waters out there! This one doesn't have a scent particularly and does the job well, it struggles with mascara but I haven't used one that doesn't. It doesn't leave a residue behind either. It's easily accessible for those of you who are only aware of Bioderma, you can buy this one in Boots.
Will I buy this again?
Already have.

Batiste Dry Shampoo in 'Cherry'; Ah, Batiste. My old reliable friend. Great dry shampoo that is easy to use and helps maintain clean looking hair while adding a bit of a volume boost at the roots too.
Will I buy this again?
I am trying to get through some other dry shampoos at the moment but they don't really compare in terms of ease of use and effectiveness so I will definitely be buying this again.

Soap and Glory Hand Maid Antibacterial Gel; This is one of my favourite antibacterial hand gels because it doesn't smell too strongly of alcohol. I also like that it is pink :-)
Will I buy this again?
Already have!

Champneys Aqua Therapy Recharging Bath Tonic- This gives the bath a few bubbles that last about 20 minutes and turns the bath water a lovely shade of blue. I wasn't too keen on the scent though, it was a bit masculine.
Will I buy this again?
No, it was nothing special.

Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment- I loved this, it helped maintain the ends of my hair, kept it looking healthy and free from split ends. Since I have stopped using this my hair does look a bit unkempt so there has been a noticeable difference. You can buy this from Hairtrade.
Will I buy this?
Yes I will.

Clinique Airbrush Concealer in 01 Fair- I love this concealer. It is packaged like Touche Eclat and is dispensed through a brush. I don't use the brush as I don't find small point brushes like that particularly useful but the product itself is lovely. A medium coverage liquid concealer, this really smoothes over the skin and brightens areas. I didn;t really use it under my eyes but I loved using it to 'top up' throughout the day as it isn't very heavy. A great makeup bag concealer.
Will I buy this again?
Yes.

Super Facialist by Una Brennan Tea Flower Cleanser- This is my second one of these. It is an SLS free foaming wash that contains salicylic acid which is great for clearing out clogged pores. I love this and definitely notice that I have clearer skin when I am using this, however it is a bit too powerful to be used twice a day. I like this to be my morning cleanser!
Will I buy this again?
Yes but having a month or two break from it.

Midweek post: Urban Decay in China update & other beauty goss.

(image found here)

I tweeted a few months ago when I found out that Urban Decay were expanding into China. The reason this caught my attention was because, though I've never been a big shopper at UD, even I knew that they were an animal friendly company who were committed in their protest against cosmetic animal testing and were raising awareness of the issue. 

The Chinese government do reserve the right to test cosmetics on animals before they are sold for use on human beings. Unfortunately, studies also show that the typical Chinese consumer will show little to no regard over whether a cosmetic product has been tested on animals or not.

 

What Urban Decay have said: UD have stated that their stance on animal testing will not waiver, and that whilst they do not test on animals, the Chinese government may want to perform one-time tests of their products on animals before they are approved to be sold to the Chinese consumers.

Urban Decay believe that change will not happen by outside pressure alone, and that by entering China the company can help raise awareness and fight against animal testing from within. When UD first began, they fought for animal rights in the Western market and now they want to do this in China by encouraging change internally.

UD also want us to remember that they are passionate about women's rights too and are hoping to create new careers and jobs for Chinese women (as it is women who are primarily employed in cosmetics) with this expansion so hope to contribute the change in attitude towards the importance of women in that country.

Please not that they have not ignored the ever obvious reason for moving into China, and that is for profit. They also stated that if they don't expand into China, other companies with no stance on animal testing will and therefore nothing will change.*

  

http://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/

(If you're interested in using cosmetics that are not tested on animals, look for the leaping bunny logo on the product which ensures that no animal testing has been conducted on the finished product, nor it's ingredients, that it isn't carried out in any of the companies labs or by their suppliers)

Beauty news:

It's been announced recently that New CID cosmetics will stocked in all Champneys spas by the end of the year. The famous luxury spa already have their own range of bath and body products available in Boots stores but their spas will be stocked full of New CID cosmetics as they admire the quality of their products and believe they'll be perfect for the Champneys customer. 

Estee Lauder's granddaughter Aerin Lauder is releasing her own makeup range as part of her new lifestyle line. 'The Aerin Essentials Collection' is launching this year in the UK and the States.

Marvelscara 'three week mascara' may be coming to a salon near you! This new technology creates beautiful long lashes that don't smudge (and are waterproof) and already has 'celeb' clients such as memebers of the TOWIE and Desperate Scousewives cast singing it's praises.

Molton Brown are releasing a plant-based hair care range in September each set designed to combat certain hair problems.

Thankyou for reading! Do you have any beauty goss for me? What's your opinion on Urban Decay's Chinese expansion?

* Some information for this post has been taken from an article in Espirit magazine (July 2012 edition) where there has been an interview with an Urban Decay spokesman.

Disclaimer! : I've restrained from including my opinion in this *paragraph as the aim of this post was to inform you of the statement and real intentions from Urban Decay. FYI I do not believe animal testing on cosmetics is necessary, however I do not condemn brands who do.

Simple British themed FOTD; 'English Rose'

Though proud to be British, I'm not particularly patriotic. The whole Diamond Jubilee has washed over my head a bit and the sight of union jack flags, cushions, duvet covers, dinner plates and nail art sickens me slightly. 

However, in a nod to this weekends goings on I thought I'd create a simple 'English Rose' themed FOTD. This embraces long eyelashes and that whole 'peaches and cream' complexion that is so simple yet elegant about traditional British beauty. 

FOTD:

Base

Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation (02) mixed with Benefit 'High Beam'

Chanel Poudre de Universelle (01 Clair)

MAC Harmoney (contour)

MAC MSF 'Soft and Gentle'

Estee Lauder signature blusher 'Peach Nuance'

Eyes

MAC 'Showstopper' on brows

Estee Lauder 'Sumptuous' mascara

Lips

TopShop lipstick in 'Coy'

Champneys lipgloss.

Have you adopted more extreme makeup looks for the Jubilee, i.e. blue eyes and red lips, painted flags on your face, or will you be keeping it simple like me?