A Back Of The Cupboard Beauty Haul

May 29, 2017

Does anyone else have a stash of make up and skin care products in a bag at the back of their wardrobe? Is it just me? A couple of days ago, whilst trying to find something to wear that fitted me, I found a cosmetic bag right at the back of my wardrobe. It was crammed full of brand new beauty and make up products that I had either been given for Christmas, bought as spares or been given as samples and completely forgotten all about.

For a moment I was so cross with myself, thinking how can I let all this money sit here collecting dust, add to that I have definitely been out and bought loads of those products again thinking I didn’t have any left. What a mug! Whilst we’re on the subject of storing up products, any one else too scared to try out beauty counter samples in case you love them but can’t afford the full price tubes?

Anyway, I decided to tip it all out and have a sort through, some of it was beauty gold and others that I remember thinking oh I’ll never use that but I can’t just throw it away so into the bag of eternal product doom it goes. Well I decided to give some of the stuff a try and you know what, I bloody love it!

Here are some of the items that have now become firm beauty favourites:

Clarins Tonic Bath & Shower Concentrate – this stuff smells divine, it’s way too fancy for the every other day shower I get now (mum problems) so I’m saving for the unlikely event we go away somewhere and I want to treat myself to a fancy shower. I’m going to a wedding at the end of July, maybe I’ll use it then.

Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick – I use this every single day as my concealer. I’ve probably bought it twice since this tube was added to the ‘spares’ bag so I’m very pleased to have found it before I fork out for another one. As I’m only using it as a concealer and not my all over foundation I tend to find it lasts me about 6 months. Let’s hope I don’t forget about it before I need it again.

Clarins Instant Eye Make Up Remover – This was definitely either a sample or an extra in one of those Christmas gift sets, I’ve never bother with it because I’ve always used a baby wipe to remove all my make up but this stuff is brilliant. No more morning panda eyes for me, it takes off every speck of mascara and leaves my eyes feeling really light and fresh.

White Company Flowers Hand & Nail Cream – this one actually wasn’t in the beauty bag, my parents recently went on a cruise and in their cabin were The White Company toiletries (fancy right) well they didn’t use this one so my mum brought it back for me. You know that smell you experience when you walk into one of the White Company stores? that is what this hand cream smells like. It’s amazing, makes my hands feel so soft but I definitely think that the pump action bottle you would buy from the store is easier to use. I often end up with a huge dollop and have to cover my whole body in so as not to waste any.

Clarins Body Lift Cellulite Control – This was in the bag because I just thought it was bollocks, creams can’t get rid of cellulite so I’ve never used it. Well one of my good friends said she had been using a firming lotion on her tummy post baby and was starting to see a difference in her wibbly wobbly bits. Now that I am all over, so this stuff is going on twice a day for the rest of my life.

MaxFactor Lipstick in Star Dust Pink – I’m almost certain this was a freebie with a nail polish, I’ve never worn it because I didn’t think it would suit me and I didn’t want it in the first place. Well I’ve tried it on and I adore it. It’s a soft pink and really brightens up my face, I’ve even taken to just wearing it at home. My husband keeps asking me where I’m going? No where, I just feel bloody fabulous in this lipstick.

Clarins Illuminating Cheek Colour in Blush Prodige – Another Christmas gift box extra that I thought wouldn’t look very good on me. Why do I do that, assume something won’t suit me without even trying it. Well just like the lipstick I put it on and it’s wonderful. Such a lovely colour and it draws attention away from those pesky under eye bags I seem to have permanently these days. When teamed up with MaxFactor lippy I feel amazing, it actually makes me want to do more with my hair and wear nicer clothes because I feel like I’ve made such an effort with my face. Good work Clarins.