February Empties

I've managed to work my way through a few full-sized products this month, including - gasp! - a body lotion!

Biotherm Lait Corporee Anti Drying Body Milk with Citrus Extracts  (review here) - a deliciously scented body lotion which sinks into the skin quickly.  If I didn't have a ton of body lotions already to work my way through I would consider buying a full-sized tube.

 

Nivea DNAge Cell Renewal Anti-Age Body Care - I've had this for ages and it was time to use it up.  I'm not even sure it is even still available to purchase but I wasn't that impressed with it as it wasn't particularly moisturising so wouldn't repurchase.

 

Balance Me Handcream (review here) - I liked this and indeed I have liked all Balance Me products I have tried to date.  Would certainly repurchase.

Bliss Lemon and Sage Soapy Suds (review here) - I liked using this as a shower gel but was unimpressed with its performance as a bath foam. I wouldn't repurchase as there are too many other bath and shower gels that I'd like to try out.

Toni & Guy Warm Blonde Conditioner - This has been languishing in my bathroom for quite some time, mainly because I wasn't that impressed with it and I preferred using other conditioners I have had on the go such as the Tigi Dumb Blonde.  I wouldn't repurchase as I didn't feel it was moisturising enough for my dry, coloured hair.

Green & Spring Mild Toner (review here) - Despite not being a regular toner user, I loved this and will certainly be purchasing a large bottle as soon as funds allow.

Kiehls Eye Alert (review here) - This eye cream was just what I was looking for.  It absorbed quickly and was not greasy, leaving my eyes feeling hydrated and refreshed.  I did realise after purchasing that it was supposed to be for men,  but I tend to think products such as eye creams are the same for men and women, they are usually just scented differently.

Have you managed to finish any products this month?

January Favourites

I seem to have quite a few favourites this month, I guess because some of these were Christmas or Post Christmas purchases and they all still seem very shiny and new!

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash

I haven’t managed to review this yet but I am finding it great for my oily / combination skin as it cleans without stripping away oils and really makes my skin feel very clean.  I’m not sure how good it would be for drier skins though.

Tom Ford Violet Blonde

A Christmas present from my lovely hubby!  This is more of a weekend scent for me, reminding me of holidays and trips away.  I won’t embarrass myself by trying to describe the notes, but needless to say it is gorgeous!

Top Shop Cream Blush in Neon Rose – I reviewed this here as part of my cream blush post and was reminded of it when The Sunday Girl posted about it recently.  I love the way that it is not a traditional cream blush formulation, as it changes from a cream to a powder on the skin and lasts all day.  Only the tiniest amount is needed!

Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Mascara – review here

This is my current favourite mascara (and boy do I have a lot of mascara!).  A great natural look, no flaking or smudging and the most important thing-  no CRISPY LASHES!

Mac Matchmaster in 3.0 - review here I have been wearing this foundation a lot recently and although I did find it a little too dark initially, I have been wearing it with a little of the Nars Orgasm Illuminator to tone it down a little and give a more radiant look.

Kiehl's Eye Alert – review here

I really enjoyed using this eye cream which I bought on a  whim from a blog sale.  I’m almost finished it and currently deciding whether to repurchase at full price or to finish off my Liz Earle eye cream which I wasn’t as enamoured with.

Laura Mercier Lip Gloss in Mauve 

This is my first Laura Mercier gloss and I very much like it.  A great my-lips- but-better shade, it has a gorgeous cocoa butter scent and is a great shade to go with lots of looks.  This was a limited edition product I think with the Space NK gift set, but based on the quality of this gloss, I will be investigating others from her line.

Chanel Illusion d’ Ombre in Emerveille - review here

This has been included in my monthly favourites previously and I am still enjoying the ease at which I can smooth this on with my fingers, add some mascara and I have an easy eye look in less than a minute, with no complex blending of several different shades. 

What were your favourites this month?  See anything above that catches your eye?

Review: Kiehl's Eye Alert

It was a sad fact of coming to terms with growing up when I realised that I needed to include an eye cream in my daily arsenal of products,  though truth be told, I should have integrated one into my routine some time ago.  Prevention is always easier than cure!

I bought Kiehl's Eye Alert on a whim from a blog sale a couple of months ago without knowing anything about it or indeed much about the brand.  I had heard of it, of course, but I'd had no experience with any other products so therefore had no prior expectations and my dissatisfaction with the Liz Earle Daily Eye Repair meant I was looking for alternatives.

The features I love most about this product are that it has no pretentions.  The packaging is simple but distinctive and you get 15ml of product for your pennies, which is standard, or even a little generous compared to some other eye creams.

The small dispenser provided the perfect amount of product for both eyes, meaning there was no wastage and no dipping your fingers in an unsanitary jar of cream. 

The consistency of this cream is perfect for me but for those of you who prefer more heavy-duty creams, this is probably not for you.  It is lightweight and sinks in rapidly, without leaving any greasy or oily residue so there is no need to wait a long time before applying under eye concealer and foundation.  I have been using it for about 6 weeks twice-daily and I have found that my dark circles do seem to be slightly lighter, and there are no visibly dry areas surrounding my eyes.  

Kiehls claim that this cream is soothing and an energy booster after a long flight or late night which I have to say I haven't fully tested, although it does make me feel a little more awake in the morning.  However,if you are looking for something that provides coolness and refreshes your tired eyes, I would probably just go for the tried and trusted cucumber slices or a cool eye mask!  

Verdict

Kiehl's Eye Alert is certainly one of the better eye creams I have tried recently, with its lightweight consistency and lack of strong fragrance (a major bugbear of mine in products that are meant for your eyes and that includes scented mascara!).  This would be perfect for you if you are someone who is just starting out with eye creams or don't need a cream that is super moisturising.  The price is comparable with other mid-high range brands and you do get quite a lot of product for your money, especially as such a small amount is used each time.  As a side note, when I searched for stocklists of this, I found it amongst the men's products in Space NK, however this is the first that I have heard of it being a men's product, and in my opinion, it is unisex and suitable for all.

4/5

Price - £22 

Where to Buy - Space NK