In Retrospect | May 2016

So I mentioned last month that I've been thinking about switching up my Empties posts; I've written an Empties post each month for almost three and a half years, and I was just feeling like the whole format was getting a bit tired! So today, I'm introducing 'In Retrospect', where I'll be having a little look back over the month that's been; I plan to still include my Empties but in a much briefer format, along with my favourite posts from the month (both my own and other bloggers'), anything else I've been loving during the month, and a little look at how I got on with my goals for the month.

Empties

Will Repurchase: Tresemmé Instant Volume Dry Shampoo - I mentioned this in my Three Dry Shampoos That Are Better Than Batiste post, and I find it works well for me in terms of adding volume and freshness with no chalky residue. I've already bought another can! // L'Oreal Paris Infallible Matte Foundation - I hated this at first and couldn't get it to sit nicely on my skin at all... Until I discovered that I just need to skip primer. It works so nicely over a healthy layer of moisturiser and really suits my skintype - it gives a high coverage and lasts well. I've already repurchased, although I have been favouring lighter bases as the weather gets warmer. // Una Brennan Salicylic Acid Purifying Cleansing Wash - My skin seems to love this cleanser and I've been using it twice a day most days. I've already repurchased this, too.
Might Repurchase: Garnier Micellar Water - I did like this and it lasted ages (like, a good six months), but I've been using their new Oil-Infused Micellar Water since finishing this, which I definitely prefer. // Acne Ultra Clear Cream* - I loved that this smelled of cinnamon and it was a lovely moisturiser which I've mainly been using in the evenings. My skin is a lot clearer in general now than when I started using this, so I'm going to see how I get on for a few weeks before deciding whether to repurchase it. // Clinique Take The Day Off Make-Up Remover for Lids, Lips & Lashes* - This worked perfectly nicely and I like the purple bottle but I feel like I can get equally as good eye make-up removers for a fraction of the price.
Won't Repurchase: Vichy Dercos Dermo Soothing Shampoo - Perfectly nice but didn't suit my hair-type // Naked Volume Body-Building Shampoo - I loved this but sadly it's no longer available so no repurchasing for me! // The Body Shop Chocomania Body Butter - Again, loved this, but unfortunately The Body Shop see fit to discontinue all my favourite lines (first Almond, now this...) so I probably won't be able to pick it up again. Sob. Thankfully I have one more tub left...  // Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse - This was a dinky sample bottle which I've finally made myself use. Wasn't a fan of the scent. // C 20 Natural Vitamin 21.5 Enhancing Sheet Mask - I'm still not a sheet mask convert and this was on the small side for my face, so I didn't keep it on as long as I should have, which is probably why I didn't notice much difference after using it...

May Goals
You can see the original post where I set my goals for May here; the TL:DR version is something along the lines of - sprained ankle, didn't do much.
• Run 5km continuously: Well, this was going well for me until the middle of the month, when I managed to go over on my ankle pretty badly - badly enough that I had to have an x-ray to make sure it wasn't broken - which kinda put paid to the running for the rest of the month. It also meant having to take time off work which I hate, but at least it gave me opportunity to relax and take care of myself a bit. Really this just served to confirm that I'm not very good at sitting with my feet up, which is literally what I was expected to do.

• See friends at least twice: One barbecue (ill-fated; see ankle tale-of-woe above); one trip to see Busted with my best friend from primary school (complete with busted ankle. Still a brilliant night!); one trip to Oxfordshire to meet my Swedish penfriend, who I've written to and emailed for around ten years but had never met before (lovely! We ate a lot, talked a lot, and looked around a lot of old churches). The busted ankle kinda put a downer on things here, too... But I did still meet this goal, yay!

• Get a job: This was set as a hopeful goal more than anything, as I had an interview in the middle of the month; sadly I wasn't successful, which I was disappointed with (I've had a lot of experience of interviewing for jobs and not getting them, so I'm not usually too bothered anymore - but I had my heart set on this one!) but it obviously wasn't meant to be. Onwards and upwards, as they say - I'm still applying for as many jobs as I can find so hopefully something will come my way sooner rather than later. Thankfully I have another interview lined up for the start of June, so I'm crossing everything!

May Loves
I adored this post on Gwennan's Bullet Journal - a new blog discovery for me but already becoming a favourite!

I don't have the space for gorgeous make-up storage at the moment but Kate's post gave me a serious case of the heart-eye-emojis!

I really enjoyed reading about what the lovely Hayley would include in a beauty box - I for one would definitely buy the London Beauty Queen Beauty Box!

Some of my favourite posts on my own blog this month were on ways to boost your self-esteem, things you might not know about dementia, a fab split-end preventer from Tresemmé, and the gorgeous new Barry M Coconut Infusion Nail Paints. Make sure you check them out if you missed them!

May In Summary
So aside from failing abysmally at my goals for the month (one out of three! Pah!), I've actually had a pretty good May, with the highlights definitely being singing along to Busted songs from somewhere near the back of Manchester Arena, finally meeting someone I've "known" for over a decade, and seeing the handsome fella below up close.

I hope you like this new format for my last post of each month - let me know what you think and if there's anything I can change, add or improve! I'd love to hear any thoughts you might have. What have you been up to in May? Whose blog posts have you been loving?

xo

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