Alright, these have been building up for a while now and everyone loves a good empties post, so here we go. I'm gonna empty out my box of beauty trash and let you know what I loved, what I didn't and what I would buy again. It's one of my personal favourite types of blog posts actually cause it's almost the best type of review- you liked something enough to use it up and now you can properly give its pros and cons! Yay!
Make Up:
YSL Le Effet Faux Cils Shocking Mascara x3. Yeah...I really like this mascara, clearly. I usually pick up a double pack when I pass through duty free cause it's better value. This mascara is just high drama, no fallout, pitch black. I haven't found its match and I've tried a lot of mascaras! Do you even need to ask? I've another waiting to go!
Speaking of! Bourjois Mascara Effet Push Up Volume Glamour*. This was a good little mascara actually. Not quite on a par with my all time fave but a good, cheaper option. Would buy again.
Benefit's They're Real Macara. This is a mini that I got in a set. I've never been a huge fan of this mascara, I don't like the hard plastic bristles. I do love mini mascara though, so handy and adorable!
Bourjois Brow Design Mascara*. This is in a brown shade that might have been slightly too dark for me, but I liked the formula and how thin the brush is, which is important for a brow product like this. Would buy again!
Flower That's So Kohl Brown eyeliner. I freakin loved this!! This is Drew Barrymore's make up brand. I annoyingly bought only one of these and it's brilliant. It's a thick kohl pencil that smudges really well with the sponge at the other end. I couldn't find this brand when we were in the states again last November, and I was raging!
Maybelline Master Prime by Face Studio Blur & Illuminate. I really liked this primer. It provided a nice, glowy base, good for dry skin. It also has an spf of 30. I got this in the states, not sure if they have this one here but even if they do I have two or three other primers to use up first!
Revlon double ended eye cream. Again, an American purchase. On one end is a beautiful taupey silk shimmery shade that I used every last drop of. On the other is a matching glitter cream, which I liked but just didn't use. I'm kind of past the all out glitter shadow look at this stage to be honest. I would buy again but I'd love to just get that one shade on its own!
Maybelline Anti-Age Eraser Eye conceleaer. This is probably my third one of these. It has a little sponge at the top, you twist and then pat it on under your eye. This is a great concealer. I've already got another one on the go!
NYX Concealer. All of the packaging has come off of this so I'm not sure what the actual name of this is but it was grand. I didn't love it and I didn't hate it. I probably wouldn't buy it again.
YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation. Love this. Probably my second or third bottle but they have changed the formula, so I'm not sure about getting another one..
Bourjois City Radiance Foundation. This is a really light weight foundation, more like a BB cream than anything. I like it though, it's nice for days where you don't want that much coverage but you still want a little summin' summin'. I have a new one ready to go!
And my most impressive beauty empty of all time is the Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universel. So this took maybe three years for me to use up. it didn't go off and stayed perfect that entire time. I often used this as a make up base to give an extra healthy glow and sometimes I blended it out as a bronzer over foundation. It's a good product but I got sick of using it if I'm perfectly honest! I would buy it again but I might leave it a while!
Shower & Hair:
Korres Almond & Cherry shower gel. I got this plus the body lotion further down in here on offer last January from Debenhams. This smells beautiful and lathers well. Korres are one of my fave brands- they use mostly natural ingredients, are cruelty free and can be hard to find here which gives them a nice elusive quality ;) Would buy again.
Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub. Sweet baba Jay, the smell of this. I could eat it, honestly! And I would too except that I always stop myself in time (I jest). Anyway, this is an excellent body scrub. When I'm prepping for tan, I use it dry first, then hop in the shower, add water and scrub some more. It's good. Would def buy again.
Kevin Murphy Angel Rinse & Angel Shine. I love this range. it's great for damaged hair, which mine is. I've gone through a few of these and although they're pricey, I'd definitely buy them again. They work.
Skincare:
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water. They sell these smaller sizes right by the counter in Penneys and I get suckered into buying them every time. This is grand. It's a micellar water like, they're really just for removing the top layer of your make up before you go in with a proper oil cleanser to do your second cleanse. Or you know, when you're too tired to get out of bed and the bottle is right there. I probably will end up getting this again for handiness sake if nothing else.
Aveeno Skin Relief Cooling Menthol Moisturising Lotion. I think I got this on special offer where it was half price in some random pharmacy so I said I'd give it a go. I found this great for the drier skin on my legs. It's not the most luxurious of body creams- I use them on my arms and chest to get the most out of them and this is very much just for legs, elbows, knees, other dry patches etc. I have a new one ready to go!
Burt's Bees Ultimate Care Body Lotion with Baobab Oil for Very Dry Skin. I bought this in New Orleans the October before last and every time I smelt this since, it reminded me of our very cool Airbnb apartment, beads, gators and being both very warm and very drunk. Great times. It's also brilliant for dry skin- super moisturising. They didn't have this exact one the last time I was in the states (I can never find this exact product in Ireland either) so I bought a different scent for dry skin, hopefully it'll be as good!
Crabtree & Evelyn Avocado, Olive & Basil Body Butter. Oh, I loved this. It's so moisturising and sinks in so well but it also smells just like Summer. It's gorgeous. I definitely want more of this in my life.
Ren Express Make Up Remover*. This was a nice milk cleanser. It did the job well but I suppose it was nothing special. I wouldn't be against using it again but I wouldn't actively seek it out again.
Korres Wild Rose Brightening & Line Smoothing Serum. I bought this in Greece because the Korres products are way better value over there. I used this every morning, under my moisturiser and it was an absolute joy. My skin felt soft and comforted plus you can't beat a shot of vitamin C to your skin! It also smells really good (are you sensing an olfactory pattern here?) And yes, I want more!!
Fresh black Tea Firming Overnight Mask. I've actually been using this since I bought it in New York two years ago. It took that long to finish, and not because I didn't love it (because I did) but because a little goes a long way. I'm also big into overnight masks and the smell of tea so this was a win-win for me. Who knows whether it actually firmed my face or not but I will say that it is intensely moisturising. My face always felt softer and less parched the morning after using it. I'd definitely buy it again but it costs $60 so I'm using up everything else I have first!!
The Body Shop Vanilla Chai Body Butter*. I brought this to California as it's such a handy size, so now yet again the smell of this will always remind me of that trip. This is from a limited edition Christmas range that comes out every year- I'll definitely get it next Winter because it's a great moisturiser, smells sweet but with a gorgeous hit of spice from the cinnamon to warm it up.
Botanics Hydration Burst Hydrating Day Cream*. This was really more of a very light gel and while it did the job in the warmer months, I really need a thicker moisturiser throughout the colder parts of the year (so that's September through to March, then. Thanks, Irish weather). I probably wouldn't buy it again for that reason.
The Body Shop Vanilla Chai Body Butter*. I brought this to California as it's such a handy size, so now yet again the smell of this will always remind me of that trip. This is from a limited edition Christmas range that comes out every year- I'll definitely get it next Winter because it's a great moisturiser, smells sweet but with a gorgeous hit of spice from the cinnamon to warm it up.
Lancome Renergie Multi Lift Cream. This is quite a thick, heavily scented cream. It says it's for all skin types but if you have sensitive skin, I'd probably avoid it to be honest. It does have an SPF of 15 which is good but I wouldn't buy it again, I felt like it needed a lot of work to move it around my face and the smell is a bit overpowering.
Kinvara Rosehip Face Serum. I really liked this, it did feel quite intensive on the skin but I didn't run into any problems like some people with more sensitive skin have reported with it. I probably wouldn't get this again, purely because I've used serum I've preferred more since.
Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip balm. One of my all time faves. This is probably my fourth tub. I'll absolutely buy it again!
The Body Shop Camomile Gentle Eye Make Up Remover. Not such a big fan of this one. It actually stung my eyes, which is strange for a gentle eye make up remover. That might just be me. Anyway, this then leaked all over my toiletry bag so it finished itself off in the end. Wouldn't buy again.
The Body Shop Vitamin E Night Cream. I liked this one, it's thick enough that it feels like you're giving yourself a nice nighttime face mask. I much preferred this to its day cream counterpart. I'd get this one again.
Clarins HydraQuench Cream. Not a huge fan of this, again it has a very overpowering perfumed scent that feels a bit smothering on. Won't be getting it again.
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm. I'm obsessed with this stuff. It's the best cleanser I've ever used- you apply it to dry skin, add some water to emulsify and the oil/balm melts your make up and cleans it all away with a warm muslin cloth. I love the smell. Love it!! I've another mini one on the go but I'm getting a full size as soon as that's finished (treat yo'self etc), even if it is horribly expensive! Eep.
Korres Damask Rose Overnight Mask for fatigued skin. God knows I need this! As I've mentioned, I loved the overnight masks, this was lovely. Possibly a little greasy so I probably wouldn't get it again.
The Body Shop Oils of Life Sleeping Cream. I loved this!!! It felt so luxurious, especially when used with the Oils of life facial Oil. Would buy both of these again, for sure.
M&S Beauty Formula Absolute Ultimate Sleep Cream. This promises it'll make you look like you've had 8 hours sleep..I'm not sure if that's true but I know I really liked this and I'd buy a full size!
Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil light. This is a really gorgeous facial oil- it sinks in really well but provides the same nourishment as a heavier oil might. I got this in the states and I'd definitely get a new one the next time I'm back!
Other:
Cocoa Brown Instant Tan Bronzing Gel Shimmer. I'm a big fan of instant wash off tan, always have been. Back in the day I was all about the Rimmel Sun Shimmer. I liked this one, there was no streaking, easy to apply, nice glow. I would get it again but I'm currently using a really good one from St. Moriz.
Chloé Love Story Eau de Parfum. This is my second bottle of this that I've gone through. I love this perfume, possibly more than the original Chloé. This is a delicate floral but not overly sweet- it has a powdery feel to it too and it lasts really well on the skin. Love it, would love more of it!
Phew! That was quite a lot; probably a years worth of beauty trash! Are any of these your favourites too?
Xx
*Denotes that the product was provided for review but this is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own, as always.
Wowsers! That's some amount of empties! Some products I love here - YSL mascara & Chanel bronzer. I love some Korres too and love the sound of the Fresh mask! xx
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