March Empties, New Perfume & a Birchbox Review!

Sorry for the MIA - the last two weeks have been busier than usual between marathon training, work and a bereavement so I just decided to take some family and me-time, away from blogging and social media and it was wonderful. I can thoroughly recommend it. I feel like I've caught up again with all the spinning plates (except the blogging one!)

And I'm back today with a massive beauty post. I'm a simple soul when it comes to beauty - my make up bag consists of about 8 items and my morning/night routine has 3 items. But I do invest in almost every item as I don't think you can get away with less expensive products on 40+ skin.
My favourite beauty posts to read on other blogs are the empties ones....because you really must love something if you've finished it to the end and even more so, if you've re-purchased.

March for me was an expensive one as both my moisturisers and my foundation ran out. Thankfully at opposite ends of the month. Moisturisers first and I've raved about Epionce products on this blog before...

Epionce Renewal Facial Cream and Epionce Lytic TX - not cheap but cheaper than botox and both items last me more than 3 months each time.

I use the Lytic with the cream at night and in the morning, I just use the cream. Hand on heart - Epionce has transformed my skin. The best way I can describe my skin right now is happy. A calm has descended and I don't get hormonal breakouts or dry patches anymore. The whole botanical and chemical free approach to their formulation is undoubtedly the reason.

I also think the same about the Youngblood foundation.

Youngblood Liquid Mineral Foundation (I use 'Sand' - this one is empty!)

It's exquisite. I've tried but failed to get on with powder mineral foundation (find it so drying) so it's great to get the benefits of a mineral foundation in liquid form. And I can tell that my skin loves it too. I actually ran out of this while I was away in Tipperary last month and for 2 days I used a sample size of a well known large cosmetic company foundation. The first thing that struck me was the overpowering smell....the second thing was stinging around my eyes. I've probably become sensitised to the chemicals & perfume since I've started being kinder to my skin. Either way, I'm not going back.

But one big counter product I can't resist is perfume. Until recently, it had to be Jo Malone. I think once you've fallen in love with a JM scent, it's hard to find another brand that matches it. But during recent trips away, I've been trying out the Tom Ford range. I couldn't quite make up my mind which one I preferred and given they're quite expensive, I wasn't going to be rushed into it. But a squirt on the way out and then another in Sephora made me sure that Grey Vetiver was the one for me. I held out until the flight home and managed to pick up a 50ml bottle in CDG airport.

Tom Ford Grey Vetiver - on offer in Debenhams at the moment!

It's right up my street - a bit like Jo Malone Grapefruit but with more of a kick. I never was great at describing smells :)

Oh and seeing that we're on a beauty roll, here's what's in this month's Birchbox (which I keep forgetting to cancel...honest guv).

A fab box this time....I love trying out these smaller sized products. And yes, they're not fully chemical free - I know. I never use the face products they provide, instead gifting those to willing nieces and friends but I do always like to try the body ones like the Nuxe Prodigieuse Oil (great in your hair)

and the detangler spray smells divine. I've used it on both my own and the girls' hair.

The foot cream smells strongly of tea tree oil but that can only be a good thing I guess for your feet...it's certainly lovely and moisturising and leaves your feet feeling fresh & tingly.

Dew the Hoola is a bronzing cream that you can use alone or over foundation. Not sure how much I'd use this - I might try it out on my décolletage for nights out but it's too highly scented for my face.

But the real star of the show is the eyeliner - easy to apply and it doesn't budge.

and that's the sum of my beauty ramblings for this month....and possibly for the next few months! Though I am going to have my eyelashes done for the very first time this afternoon so I might have to share that experience!

I promise I won't leave it so long until the next post - and it will be about shoes! Yay!

Ax