The other Use up for March

In my rush to get the post up i missed a stash of empties from this month.

John Frieda - Full Repair shampoo and conditioner

These smelled divine and left my hair super soft and grease free, i didn't need a lot but the more i put on the softer my hair felt and it's be sure to pick some of this up next time they are on offer.

Get Fruity - Lemon body butter

If i loved the shower gel then i loved this even more, they both smelled extra yummy but this butter was so creamy and rich my skin still smelled like it a few hours later, if it was a year round product i'd buy it again sadly it's an Xmas only item.

Avon - Skin so soft age defying hand cream

I have really old looking hands for my age and I've only just started using hand creams but i wouldn't bother with this one again, i didn't feel it sunk into my skin or improved my hands any.

Flower shower gel by Cynthia Rowley

I bought this around 2 years ago and i'm glad i got it out of the way, the smell was really too strong for me, i think it's a younger smell and i'm sure my daughter would of loved it but as it's no longer sold anywhere i've found i won't be repurchasing.

Advance Techniques - Straight & Sleek shampoo

I have alot of AT hair care in my stash, it's cheap, cheerful and does the job, it's great for daily use and for sticking in the swimming bag.

Sensodyne gum protection

This was great for my over sensitive teeth, it got to work within the day and i can now bite into most things without any reaction, if you plan to use a 'helpful' toothpaste i suggest finding one you like the taste of and sticking to it, I've tried using others since and the sensitivity just comes back, i've gone for the Gentle whitening this time.

Neutrogena - healthy scalp

This shampoo did it's job and left my hair really clean but it didn't stand out for me, i have so many others that all offer something more so i won't be buying this again any time soon.

TJ x

All my stash (for my use)

In use / Gone / Unopened / In this month

Body Lotion

Soap and Glory – righteous butter 300ml

FCUK – body butter 200ml

Avon Solution – firm + sculpt 150ml

Swizzels Matlow – Fizzers Body Butter 150ml

Soap and Glory – Butter Yourself Lotion 500ml

Cetaphil – restoraderm body moisture 295ml

Avon – Surreal Body Cream 150ml

Jelly Belly – Blueberry body lotion 250ml

Gardenia – red rose + magnolia hand and body lotion 300ml

Avon Skin so Soft – soft and sensual body lotion 250ml

Avon Care – fresh hydration body lotion 200ml

Mitchell and Peach Body cream 40ml

Ghost – Deep Night body lotion 50ml

Planet Spa – sake and rice body lotion 50ml

Korres body milk 50ml

Rescue oil 75ml

Get Fruity- Lemon body butter 50ml

Avon Natural – sugar plum hand and body lotion 50ml

Wilkos cocoa butter hand and body lotion 50ml

Night Cream

Elizabth Grant – Exclusives Night Cream 50ml

Avon Anew – Rejuvenate Night Cream 50ml

No7 – Lift and Luminate Night Cream 50ml

Avon Anew – Reversalist Night 15ml

No7 Protect and Perfect Night Cream 15ml

Day Cream

No7 Lift and Luminate Day Cream 50ml

Elizabeth Grant – Retinol Day Cream 50ml

Paul Penders – A.M moiaturizer 12g

No7 Time Resisting Day Cream 15ml

No7 Protect and Perfect Day Cream 15ml

Eye Cream

Avon Solutions – Total Radiance 15ml

Avon Solutions – Hydrofirming 15ml

Elizabeth Grant – Retinol Eye Cream 30ml

Avon Reversalist Eye System 15ml

Face Stuff

Manuka Doctor – Bee Venom 15ml

Avon Anew – Dermabrasion System 75ml

Elizabeth Grant – Concentrate Serum 30ml

Avon Anew Clinical – Expression Line Filler 15ml

Nip + Fab Frown Fix 1.8ml

Avon Anew Clinical - Plump + smooth lip plumper

Origins – Clear improvements mask 7ml

Origins – Clear improvements mask 7ml

La Roche Posay – Effaclar Duo 3ml

La Roche Posay – Concentre Correcteur 5ml

Loreal – Revitalift 5ml

YSL forever serum

Blemish

Primark beauty cleansing wipes

Primark beauty cleansing wipes

Avon Clearskin – blemish clearing mask 75ml

Avon Clearskin – Immediate blemish treatment 15ml

Nip + Fab Exfoliating pads

Murad Pomegranate exfoliating mask 7.5ml

Eye Roll on

Nip + Fab – Viper venom roll on 15ml

Garnier Nutritionist – Caffeine roll on 15ml

Avon Solutions – Vibes roll on 12ml

Moisturiser

Garnier Moisture Match 50ml

Garnier Moisture Match 50ml

Lacura Mattifying moisturiser 100ml

Simple – Protecting moisturiser 125ml

Simple – Hydrating moisturiser 125ml

Clean + Clear dual action 100ml

Clean + Clear dual action 100ml

Morrisons So clear dual action 100ml

Melvita – Nectar de roses 40ml

Nip + Fab No needles fix serum 30ml

Nip + Fab Instant radiance wrinkle fix 30ml

Hands and feet

Soap and Glory hand food 50ml

Soap and Glory hand food 125ml

Crabtree and Evelyn – Pomegranate hand cream 25g

Molton Brown – Rhubarb and rose 7ml

Planet spa – Hand and cuticle cream

Soap and Glory Heel Genius 125ml

Avon foot works – cherry cooling spray 100ml

Avon foot works – Cherry lotion 75ml

Skin So Soft – age defying cream

Roll on

Sanex – Micro Talc

Garnier minerals – ultra dry 48h

Dove – go fresh 24h

Avon – skin so soft

Body Spray

Impulse Hint of Musk

Impulse Air

Impulse Zen

Impulse Goddess

Impulse Tease

Impulse Paris

Impulse London

Avon 60’2 Mod

Avon rare pearls

Charlie Pink

Charlie Black

Charlie Purple

Sure woman – ultra dry

Hair Care – Spray/Mousse/Balm

Garnier Fructis – 3 day styling spray

Wilko’s - Coloured hair spray

Label.m – Powder pink spray

Avon Advance techniques – Ultra Soothing Balm

Percy and Reed – abundantly bouncy volumising mousse

Schwarzkopf Gloss – liquid silk gloss leave in conditioner

Sofn’free – oil moisturiser

Toni&Guy – Rapid response leave in conditioner

Hair Serums

Advance Techniques – daily results dry end serum

McAdams – shine and gloss serum

Advance Techniques – smoothing serum

Avon Naturals – Shine drops

Argan Oil – Hair treatment

Heat Protection

Loreal Paris – Studio straight cream

Advance Techniques styling – Protect it! spray

Advance Techniques styling – Protect it! spray

Advance Techniques styling – Protect it! spray

Advance Techniques colour protection – anti fade UV spray

Tresemme keratin smooth

Bath creme/Shower gel

Wilkos Minty shower cream

Soap and Glory fresh and foamy body wash

Imperial leather Bath Cream Spellbinding

Imperial leather bath cream spellbinding

Imperial leather bath cream spellbinding

Imperial leather bath cream Oriental calm

Imperial leather bath cream Oriental calm

Cetaphil Body wash

Avon Simply delicate – ph balanced wash

Wilkos Tangy shower cream

Gardenia rose and magnolia shower cream

U by Ungaro shower gel

Flower by Cynthia Rowley shower gel

Avon Naturals cherry blossom shower gel

FCUK shower gel

Original Source raspberry and cocoa

Rituals zensation shower gel

Scrubs

Avon Naturals strawberry body scrub

Soap and Glory the scrub of your life

Swizzels Matlow  Parma Violets scrub

FCUK body polish

Original source cranberry and honey scrub

Wilkos sugar body scrub

Bubble bath

Wilkos sweet vanilla and honey foam

Boots rose bath essence

Avon bubble bath

Avon bubble bath

Avon bubble bath

FCUK bath syrup

Bath Salts

Jelly Belly Toasted Marshmallow

Spa bath salts

Swizzels Matlow fruity pop salts

Quintessentially English - Vintage Boquet

Bath Bombs

Avon bomb

Avon Bomb

Avon Bomb

Bubble lush bomb

Soaps

Simple bar

L’occitane cherry bar

Yardley english rose bar

coconut snow flake bar

heart bar

heart bubble bar

purple berry bar

Face wash

Avon Solutions plus face foam

Avon Solutions plus face foam

No7 wake up face wash

Soap and Glory peaches and clean wash

Simple purify wash

Avon Anew reversalist wash

No7 age defence cleansing balm

Lacura clear effects gel wash

Lush Ultrabland cleanser

Make up remover

Avon perfect wear make up remover

Avon Perfect wear make up remover

Loreal de-maq expert make up remover

Face Exfoliator

Clean and clear daily wash

Garnier Pure active cleansing scrub

Morrisons so clear face scrub

Lacura smoothing face scrub

Toner

Clean and clear black head cleanser

Simple soothing toner

Morrisons so clear toner

Face mask

Planet spa rice and sake mask

Planet spa rice and sake mask

Lush Cosmetic warrior

Conditioner

Garnier after dye conditioner

Advance techniques sleek and straight

Advance techniques sleek and straight

Advance techniques colour conditioner

Advance techniques daily shine

Aveda conditioner

Garnier conditioner

TommyGuns fig, plum and marshmellow conditioner

Pantene youth protect 7

charles worthington full volume

Creightons brunette conditioner

Creightons brunette conditioner

Advance techniques conditioner

Tresemme protect

Tresemme protect

Aussie miracle moist

Pantene pro v aqua light

John Frieda full repair

Tresemme keratin smooth

2in1 shampoo and conditioners

Avon Naturals 2in1

Avon Naturals moisturising 2in1

Hair Masks

Kerastase hair mask

Kerastase hair mask

Dove 60 second intense shot

Kerastase critalliste

Herbal essences hair mask

Avon Advance techniques intense repair

Avon Advance techniques colour hit

Shampoo

Advance Techniques radiant brunettes

Creightons perfect brunette

Herbal essence no flakin’ way

Neutrogina Healthy Scalp

Neutrogina Healthy Scalp

Neutrogina Healthy Scalp

Aveda shampoo

Advance techniques straight and sleek

Advance techniques straight and sleek

Charles worthington results

Head and shoulders daily

Soap and glory glad hair day

John Frieda full repair

Tresemma keratin smooth

No7 - Skin Illumiator

This is annother one of those items you wonder how you ever lived without it, on the dark, cold morning when you skin is looking dull and your eyes are tired this is a little ray of sunshine your face needs, it works buy adding a non-greasy looking shine all over your face, as soon as at bit of light hits it it shows a soft glow over your face and lights up grey skin easily.

It looked quite dark and scary but it blended quite clear, i preferred it under a light powder as i felt the cream alone was a little too gold for my skin tone and it seemed to stay sticky for quite some time after i'd applied it, it would be great as a top lid highlighter too.

For a less glitzy look i suggest mixing with your daily moisturizer.

Pros:

Added a nice glow to dull skin

Cons:

Offers no coverage 

Is a little too gold for pale skin

7/10

TJ x 

Mitchell and Peach Body Cream

I got this body cream in my beauty box last week and made a conscious effort to try it before it enters the draw of 100 other creams which i'm trying to get through, i can't say it was amazing, it didn't leave my skin softer than any other cream i have, it was however much stronger smelling than most i've tried, if you like lavender then this is one for you but for me it was a little to strong, my other half commented on the smell within minutes of me applying it and he sits on the opposite side of the room.

It was a lovely thick consistency and it was a nice cream all around, it just didn't stand out any more than others and it wasn't an everyday smell i would enjoy. 

Pros:

Lovely and thick

Cons:

Too strong a smell

TJ x

Benefit - Stay Don't Stray Light/Medium

My first ever eyelid primer, i've heard of them, looked at them but until i got one in a beauty box i never bothered to try one, now i wouldn't go back, it has given my lids a new lease of life.

For thos of you that haven't used an eyelid primer before it's just like a primer for your face however they tend to be a 'flesh' colour to hide those pesky red lines and veins we all get, it then acts like an adhesive to eyeshadows to stop they wearing off through out the day.

It's like a little bottle of awesomeness you never knew you needed.

At a little over £20 for a tub of this stuff it is quite pricey for some of us but there are other make up makers out there that sell similar primers

I'm a 001/100 foundation and often too pale for make up sellers to match my skin but this blended really well and didn't effect the colour of my shadow.

Pros:

Good coverage

Long lasting

Cons: 

Expensive

8/10

TJ x

Burt's Bees lip balm

 I wanted to love this product because the thought of using something so natural really warms my heart but sadly i didn't, i like to find a product that covers 2 main bases, 1 - it lasts long enough to justify the price it is and 2 - it makes my life better not worse, if it can manage both of these then it's half way to being a top product, i use bee's wax for candles, i use honey for soap and i had heard about Burts being a big hit but when i came to try this product it didn't tick many boxes for me.

The packaging is neutral, it suits what the product is all about and it screams 'love me' but i felt it lacked what others have achieved, it offered an almost waterproof film on the lips which is great but with this came a greasy bleed around my mouth, it wasn't nice to taste or smell and it gave a tingling sensation that normally comes with 'plumping' lipglosses/balms.

I don't think this will become a handbag must have for me but if it came in another monthly box as this one did i won't complain too much as they make great gifts.

Pro's

It's long lasting and leaves lips soft

Cons: 

It's greasy and seems to bleed

6/10

TJ x

Onwards with the challange

So I've split the challenge into two parts, first is the Bathroom challenge, to get as many bathroom items such as bath salts, shower gels and hair masks used up before buying more, i'll attach a list below of what i have, next is the Beauty challenge, I don't know about you but my make up boxes are full of part used and never opened lipsticks, face creams and eyeliners but obviously an eye liner take a lot longer to use than a bottle of shampoo so my challenge is to use as many of the make up items i have at least once and if they aren't for me to donate them to the local womens shelter rather than them sitting in my draws taking up space. 

Below is a list of the Bathroom items I've found so far, i have 3 house moving boxes stored away with more in but i'm working on these to make space first :)

My Showergel/Bath creme stash, this is my down fall, i love the new smells they are bringing out all over the place so don't get much used up before i'm into the next one so i'm banned from buying any more :(

These two are my next ones to use up (more for my Ref. than yours) i'll take the tub swimming and use it up before the end of next week and the feminine wash for daily use. 

Next is my scrubs, i luuuuurve scrubs but i struggle to get on with one for too long, it depends on whether i want a deep scratchy shower or a gentle rub over bath but i've used up 2 so far this year so i'm getting better.

The Avon one has around 20mls left in it so i'l use that up first, i'll do a write up but i really don't like it, avon use to do a really nice scrub but they changed it to a yogurty feel and now it's greasy and sticky but i'll use it up as i hate waste.

I have 6 bubble baths at present and they all bar two are fairly used, sadly i've just been diagnosed with a skin condition which means i have to be very sparing with the fragranced stuff so my little one is enjoying the bubbles more than me.

The rose one is next to go, i can use this a little at a time with no reaction however the wilko's vanilla and honey is very strong so i'm only using it once or twice a fortnight and it's a large bottle. 

Bath salts x3....we all have them yet none of us use them, i can honestly say these were all from Christmas, i wouldn't buy salts since i don't use them but i'm determined to use these up, they all smell really nice so i'll be trying them all out soon.

This will be the first one i use, it smells like warm fluff, no the kind you find under the sofa, the mallow you get in a tub for spreading on toast and putting in cocoa.

My bomb collection is a little sparse at present, i've not bought any for around 3 months and i really love them but i've been trying to get my stash down since my last purchase of 12 bombs, these are one thing that don't sit in the cupboard for too long.

Soap anyone? 8 soaps isn't a lot really, the purple and pink clearly get the most use but it's still not enough, i've had the simply soap in the wrapper for 2 years now and no sign of it getting opened anytime soon.

7x face washes, these i'm very good with, i use one or two until it's all gone since my skin is sensitive when it feels like it, the two smaller bottles should be gone by the end of April then i'll use up the solutions. 

3x make up removed, i don't use them very often as i find they react with the skin too much but i do bad my eyeliner off with them, it just takes a long time for them to be used up. 

I'm use alot of exfoliators and then forget which ones i liked so i end up with alot of partially used bottles but the Garnier tub is around 3/4s used so maybe i'll have another UU by april. 

More Christmas items, i don't use toner....i know i should but i just don't and now i'm paying for it s hopefully i'll incorporate this isn't my routine soon

Face masks are another thing lots of use own but hardly ever use, sadly this both offer a 'shimmer' to the skin and i'm not a face of glittery faces so i've kept them at the back of the cupboard.

18 conditioners (one found after the photo was taken) later and i still have horrible hair, i actually didn't realise that i had so many bottles of the stuff so i'll be sure to use a little more each time i do my hair now i know it's not about to run out.

 I have two in a rush bottles for when i don't have time to shampoo and condition my hair or for when i don't have any mini bottles for swimming showers.

I own these two recently so haven't added them to my stash yet, i'll be sure to save them until i've got through some other bits but i'm looking forward to using them.

9x hair masks, the pink tub only has 3/4 uses left in it and the others except the blue lidded tub are all single use so these will go pretty quick now i've taken them out of the cupboard so i don't keep forgetting i have them.

Last is my Shampoo collection, i don't think 12 is bad considering my collection of conditioners but 7 are only trial sizes so it's not as much as it looks :)

And that ladies and gents is why i can't see the back of my cupboard under the sink, i'm a bathroom hoarder and i've only just found out, i count it as 115 to start with and i'm hoping to be down to -50 by the end of the year, i'll be doing my make up collection over the next few weeks but i have some UU's and some reviews to get through first.

I'm off to help my mum sort through hers later this week and i'm sure i'll get stuck with a lot of stuff that she doesn't want but won't let me waste by throwing it away.

TJ x

March Use Ups

This month i've undertaken a challenge to not buy any unnecessary beauty products and so far been unsuccessful :( However! i have manages to use up 8 sample products that have been laying around.

Get Fruity body wash - This was so bubbly, is came out like a gel and lathered up lovely, it smells devine and if i didn't have so much body wash already to use up i'd buy it again, it came in a handy 50ml size which i've used for the last month when we've gone swimming on me and the little person.

E45 2x 6ml - I don't personally see the fuss about this cream, the adverts rave about it, mums swear by it yet i found it lacking, it wasn't thick and cream how i hoped, it took a while to dry and it didn't seem to offer anything more than other non perfumes body creams.

Nivea Soft 8ml - this little sample went a long way, it smelled quite nice and wasn't too thick, it seems to soak into my skin quickly and the following morning my skin still felt soft, if i didn't have so many more creams to use up i'd purchase this, perhaps even for the little one.

Nivea in shower skin conditioner - 10ml - i used a 'Dry Skin' sample, it wasn't greasy as i expected however it didn't leave my skin feeling any better after i'd washed it off, i left it on for a few minutes and found no lather, it didn't seem to soak into my skin and since i use lotion after bathing it was a little bit of a waste of time for me.

Origins GinZing 1.5ml - I got two uses out of this and it went on lovely, it felt great for a while and then i got an itch and rubbed my face, i'd just cleansed so had no residue of anything left on my skin but soon got bits falling off my face, it reminded me of one of those peel off face masks, it smelled amazing like cutting into a fresh orange but as much as i wanted to love it i wouldn't buy it.

Scholl Heel Repair Cream - 3ml - this stuff is lush! it was thick and creamy, it went on and soaked into my skin straight away and it didn't leave my feet greasy or sticky, i only have a few feet creams and i'll be buying some of this when they run out.

Skin Wisdom instant benefits peel off mask 15ml (full size) - I have dry, oily, blotchy skin and i suffer with alot of black heads, the more i scrub, cleanse and wash the worse my skin gets and i pile on the night cream to try and fix the dryness but nothing works, then i tried this...and it was great, it went on like a day cream and no need for water, 20 minutes later it peeled off quickly and left my skin soft, silky and with little to no dryness, sadly it only lasted a few hours before the itchy, dryness came back but it was nice whilst it lasted, i'd say if you have normal/combination skin this is a great pick me up for a night out or even after a night out.

St.Ives Apricot Scrub 30ml - This stuff is magical, however with my problem skin i chose to use it as a body scrub rather than a face scrub and my! it was lovely, it didn't leave my oily like others have, it was just the right type of scratchy and it smelled lovely, i'd definitely buy this again even if just to use on my legs.

I hope that's helped motivate some of your to use up those little bits left over before starting on a new item.

TJ x

Varnish in it's masses

This ^^ is most of my nail varnish, my mum has around 8 varnish's so I'm aware I have a slight addiction, I can't help myself, when ever I see a pretty colour I have to buy it, admittedly this year I've made myself a deal, we can buy summer colours but no reds, purples or pinks until I work my way through some of the ones I already have.

 

 The brands range from Avon, Rimmel and Sally Hansen to Revlon, No7 and Nails Inc so I don't just buy different shades of one brand, I collect them all, there are a few missing from the photo but you get the jist of just how much I love polish :)

 My late nana bought me this box filled with Avon soap and bubble bath when I was a child and I've used it for my polishes ever since, sadly I think it's past it's best and I plan to purchase some clear acrylic stands for my varnishes, the problem I have with getting through them is for the last 12 months I've had an acrylic overlay on my nails as they are so weak and brittle from biting them for 10+ years and they always paint them so well I never get chance to repaint before I'm due in again so I plan to paint my toes at least once a month when I get back from having my hands done.

Once I get my new stands i'll upload photo's of the varnishes laid out and try and keep an ongoing post of the varnishes I get through and if anyone recommends a brand of varnish I'd love to hear about it.

 

TJ x

Cleaning for under £10

We took a trip to B&Q this week and came across these ^^^

My Hubby has an obsession with cleaning the floors, we go through bleach like it's going out of fashion so when we found these 5L bottles for £3 each!! we snapped them up, now he can clean to his hearts content, be sure to check the B+Q website before heading to your local as some store are completely sold out and others have plenty of stock, they also had Fairy washing liquid for £4 for 2.5L and a Mr.Muscle floor cleaner for £3.

We are trying to be pretty thrifty this year and this is a great way to save money, we can spend £2-£3 per 500ml bottle of floor cleaner.

TJ x

Rimmel - Lash Accelerator

I absolutely love this mascara, I like my lashes fanned out and separate rather than the clumpy thicker lashes people seem to be going for and this didn't disappoint, I put it in my bag and forgot about it for a little while, when i found it again i swore never to forget about it again, my lashes are long but flat and heavy so adding any curler is pointless and mascara just makes them heavier but this just lifted them, it didn't give them a huge curl but it did widen my eyes by giving the lash a little lift, it didn't stick my lashes together or make them look a great deal thicker but it did add length. and coat them well enough to be able to tell i had mascara on.

You can see it's had a fair bit of use and as it's nearly ran out i'll be repurchasing this again soon (or bulk buying if it's on offer)

Pro's:

It fans, lengthens and coats

It doesn't clump, flake or weigh the lash down

Cons:

It won't give you the doll eye thickness people are going for

9/10

TJ x

L'Oreal Super Liner - Black Lacquer

Liners are the soul purpose of my makeup bag, if i didn't have eyeliner in my life i wouldn't bother with any other make up, this liner however isn't the be all and end all of liners for me, i really liked it, it's a great pen style liner and as a back up liner it did it's job however i've got better liners that suit me more.

I found that it didn't dry out, it wasn't flakey when dry and it lasted most of the day, i just had a problem with the application, as it has a pointed tip it's much like applying a felt tip however if you don't get it spot on the first time trying to go over, touch up or add to the first application results in it wiping it's self off.

Pros:

Handy size

Great for light day wear

Went on dark with first application

Cons:

It doesn't apply well after first application

It's pricey for it's size

7/10

TJ x

Body Collection - Classic Gold

As you can see my BC is a little tatty but it's not had much use, i just don't leave without it in case i need it.

Classic gold is one of those palette you use for every day make up but also as a base for other styles, i use it for my eyes, i've also used it on my cheeks and lips.

It offer a wide range of neutral colours as well as some lovely variants of trusty favorites.

The sea greens and deep plums are a gorgeous change to the black/brown smokey eyes and the creams and great for wide eye styles.

I think the palatte was around £5-8 and is great for all day wear.

Pros:

Great range of colours

Inexpensive 

Cons:

It's not thick so takes alot of application to get strong colours 

7/10

TJ x

Smash Box photo finish Primer

I was sent a sample of this in return for a review, i'm glad i got the chance since my current primer is a little costly for everyday use, this is one of those all round- how did i live without it - kind of products, it went on thinly, it covered well and still allowed my face to breath but gave my foundation a smooth surface to work with.

It didn't give me a good enough finish to wear it on it's own like a tinted moisturizer but then that's not it's job so i didn't mind, it did leave my skin super soft though.

I can't comment on much more as it's really a simple item that does a job and does it well, would i recommend it, yes :)

Pros:

It covers well

It still allows skin to breathe

Cons:

It's still costly for everyday use

8/10

TJ x

Fetzer wine @ Tesco

I was sent a bottle of white and a bottle of red wine in return for an honest review on both - 

First i tried the Fetzer Quartz white blend 2011 vintage

I noticed a spicy note when i first opened the bottle, then the fruity tones that stopped it smelling as dry as other wines do which made my mouth water.

This carried on to the taste, i tasted the spice and a 'zing' before the fruit but then then my mouth watered all over again.

The wine warmed quickly both in my glass and in my mouth, i'd suggest a good chill before tasting as i'd had mine in the room whilst i cooked dinner.

It went great with the fish i'd cooked and i think it would be perfect with a grilled chicken salad on a hot day.

It didn't leave my throat dry and i didn't get a burn i've had with other whites, it left a lovely after taste of grapes on my tongue and was much smoother than i thought it might of been. It was enjoyed with a friend and we'd both purchase it for future dinner nights.

8/10

Fetzer Crimson
I am not a fan of red wine, I've tried a few over the years and always chosen rose or white over them but this one had a real strong cherry flavour that drew me in, normally i'll give reds a miss but armed with some good conversation this bottle was perfect company for the night between me and a friend.

I chose to let the wine sit whilst we eat but it was a real treat afterwards.

The cherry flavor really hits you when you first taste it, you can smell it as soon as you lift the glass, a strong, quite heavy port flavor rests on your tongue and an almost plum after taste lingers until your next sip, I was a little disappointed that i didn't taste the vanilla mentioned but overall it was a nice red. I wouldn't say this made me a red lover but it certainly made me look forward to trying red wines in the future.

6/10

TJ x

Delicious Pout by Calvin Klein

I love this lipgloss, it smells great, tastes great and all the colours are lovely.

It had the stickyness that glosses do but i can't hold that against it, i used Cupid (i have 4) and loved the rich colour it gave without being blunt like a lipstick would and it smelt great even after being on my lips for a while, it didn't last much longer than 45 minutes but then i expect to keep topping up every 20-30 minutes with a gloss anyway.

It comes in a great range of colours and they all have a different flavour/smell, they have a slanted head to make for each application and a push fit lid to stop bits getting stuck on the rim.

Cons:

It was very sticky

Pros:

Great colour

Easy application

Inexpensive 

9/10

TJ x

Rimmel 3 in 1 Multiton

Blusher is the least thought about item in my make up bag, it's only been the last 12 months i've really thought about what i'm using on my cheeks or even what suited me.
I have always gone for a bronzing colour but then this appeared in my make up bag and i realized with my pale looks, bold eyes and thin lips, blusher is something that i can make work for me :)

It came with a free brush but that soon got binned, i'd of preferred a bigger palette to work with but the colours (i chose spring flower) were lush, they were bright and didn't blend too much that you could see the different tones afterwards.

It wasn't so bright like i looked like Aunt Sally but it was a strong shade where i needed it to be, i'd be sure to try the other shades Rimmel offer.

Pro:

It was vibrant 

It lasted all day

It went on smooth and didn't dry my face out

Cons:

the palette isn't very big

it was more money than others on the market 

8/10

TJ x