This is my second empties post of the year, which sounds about right. I usually do one every six months after saving all my empty beauty products up. I photograph them, clean and dry them, then recycle. Then I tell you what I thought of them and whether I'd get them again. I find people usually look at the photos, then scroll through and find a product they're interested in.
It's basically a bumper review post!
Let me know if you've tried any of these and what you thought of them!
It's basically a bumper review post!
Let me know if you've tried any of these and what you thought of them!
Pixi & Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse: I love this fragrance-free, half oil, half-milk cleanser. This is super gentle on the skin and really does what it says on the tin. If you want to try double cleansing, but aren't sure where to start, try this. More info on it in THIS post.
Clarins Double Serum*: My beloved Double Serum. My skin loves this, I love this, everyone should love this. I wrote a post on it HERE. I'll be buying a new one in the sale, cause this is hella pricey.
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm minis x 2: This is my all time favourite cleanser. I finally bought myself a full size this year (no regrets case it's nowhere near being finished) but these two were in advents calendars, I think. Full review of the cleanser, HERE, if you want to know more!
Laneige Water Bank Essence and Moisture cream: These were part of a set with a full size Laneige Water Sleep Mask, which I'm still working my way through. I got it in the states for about $22, which is bargainous! These are really nice, and perfect for warmer weather. Coming into the Winter, I feel they'd be less useful but if you like your skincare to feel light, like water on your skin, this is a good option.
Essano Rosehip Serum: This is a bargain I found in TK Maxx. Essano are a New Zealand based cruelty-free, vegan-friendly company that utilise a lot of natural ingredients for their skincare. I'm a big fan of rosehip, so I had to give this a go and I was very impressed! It feels so comforting on the skin and provides a great base for moisturiser and primer. I absolutely loved it and I've been scanning TK Maxx's shelves for it ever since!
Clinique Moisture Surge: I got a double pack of this in the airport earlier on in the year for next to nowt (for Clinique anyway) and had heard such good things that I had to try it. Clinique skincare often involves layering moisturisers with other moisturisers depending on your skin type which might explain why I found this a bit too light for me. It was perfect during our very warm Summer as it actually felt quite cooling on, so I'll be saving the next pot for the good weather again next year!
Belif The True Cream Moisture Bomb: Another Sephora purchase, I had tried a sample of this and really liked it. It's a slightly heavier cream than anything I've mentioned so far ere, while still being light enough to be easily absorbed. They make a big fuss about how moisturising this one is and it is very nice, just probably not the bets I've ever tried.
Korres Wild Rose Advanced Repair Sleeping Facial: This was another advent calendar find and I really like this. I love a good sleeping mask anyway and I'm a big fan of Greek company Korres. I probably wouldn't get a full size of this though, there was nothing wrong with it per se, I've just used other sleeping masks I've preferred.
Korres Wild Rose Facial Oil: This, I loved. I bought it on sale in Crete and I loved every drop of it. That was until it promptly went out of date and had t be thrown our. Wah. Full review of it HERE.
Kinvara Rosehip Face Serum: I wrote about this one HERE. I liked it, just not as much as the Essano serum!
Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil: Unlike the other two Rosehip's here, this is an oil so it does different things for the skin. I find I need a good oil in the evening over my moisturiser, otherwise my skin feels tight. This is a great option and probably my second bottle of this. I'd get it again.
Farmacy Hydrating Coconut Gel Masks: I loved these. Farmacy are hard enough to get here (these are from Sephora). If you're stateside, have a look at the brand cause they're really good. I'd definitely buy these again!
Body:
Kiehl's Creme de Corps: This is an old one that I recently found in amongst my beauty stash and made a concerted effort to use up. It's a fairly decent body moisturiser; if you have dry skin, this is excellent. It's also unscented, so if you have sensitive skin, it's a good choice. It just didn't set my world on fire!
Chloe Love Story perfume: Looking at this now, I think I may have already done this in my last empties post and just forgot to bring it to the glass recycling bin...either way, it's gone now and I'm sad cause this is a really beautiful perfume. It's my second of this particular one and I think it's probably my favourite of the whole range. I would definitely get this again!
The Body Shop Frosted Plum Body Butter*: This is a Christmas edition of the brand's famous body butters and this is a beaut. Some of their festive ones are only really useable at that time of year but I found this was lovely all throughout the year! I'd absolutely get it again.
Bellamianta Self Tanning Tinted Lotion*: Another winner here, this is a really good, streak-free, bronze-finish tan. It's easy to apply and looks great on. I'd highly recommend an would definitely get again.
Shower & Hair:
Kevin Murphy Angel Wash Shampoo: I've used this and the accompanying conditioner a few times, it's great when you're freshly dyed your hair. They're also paraben and sulphate free so if you have a sensitive scalp, these are a good shout.
The Body Shop British Rose, Mango Shower Gels: I liked both of these, the mango has a bit left cause I was using to for travels and forgot about it!
L'Oreal Professional Volumetry Shampoo & Conditioner: I've also gotten this range a few times. I really like these too, my hair is quite fine so these add volume without weighing it down. I'm already using new ones!
Make Up:
Collection Concealer: You know the one. Every so often I pick one up, there cheap, and do the job well. I'll always repurchase this!
Maybelline UnderEye Eraser concealer: Also this is about my tenth of these. This is a great under eye concealer. The first time it's ever broken down half way through it though- no more will come out, with or without the sponge!
Estée Lauder The Illuminator Primer & Double Wear Light: The primer was fine, I got it cause it was on offer but I probably wolf;t get it again, I think you can get better for less. Double Wear Light is one of my favourite foundations- it's a classic for a reason.
Isadora Cover Up Foundation*: I used every last bit of this- I scraped out every drop! I was surprised by how much I love this, as it's definitely a more matte finish, which I don't always gravitate towards. This just always looks so good on me! I'll definitely be buying it again.
Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Lip Balm: This is a lovely, gel-like balm that has that iconic 8 hour area scent. I really liked this- I used it very night and it was a nice treat for my lips!
Benefit That Gal Primer: Again, this was in a set but I've used a full size of it before and really, really liked it and I'd happily buy it again. It's a lovely illuminating primer that provides the perfect glowy base for your make-up.
Buxom Plumping gloss: These free samples really do work- this was a gift with my Sephora card and I ended up buying a full size when I got home! Love it! It reminds me of the old school Pout lip glosses. It plumps the lips and smells like mint/vanilla with a gorgeous pink sheen. Beaut.
Mascaras:
Flormar Spider Lash Volume: I got caught rotten on my way to Limerick and realised I had forgotten my make-up bag so I stopped and bought this (you can see what else I got HERE). I liked the bristles, which weren't spiky plastic but I didn't like the finish it gave, which as expected is spidery.
Too Faced Better Than Sex: I really liked this- loved the brush and there's a great finish. I would buy again but I'd question that name!
Bourjois Push Up Volume Glamour: This was grand, if you're stuck it's good pharmacy brand mascara.
YSL Shocking: My favourite of ALL the mascaras. I've mentioned this many, many times. It provides so much volume and length- pure black lashes. I have of course, got a new one on the go already!
YSL Babydoll: In the same family as Shocking, I also really like Babydoll, although probably not quote as much as Shocking. There's slightly less drama with this one, if you prefer that.
Lancome Hypnose: This is a good'un too. It's has a really bendable applicator so even though it's the dreaded plastic applicator instead of the brushes, I like the finish. It's easy to apply and get into all the small lashes.
D&G Passioneyes*: I liked this one too, the brush is curved to give you a curled finish. This does have my hated little jabby plastic nibs as part of the applicator though, which I found a little uncomfortable.
Eyeliners etc:
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz: I've gone through many of these, it's the perfect shade for my brows (I get Blonde) and the applicator means you can apply it really precisely so it looks like natural hairs. A winner! I already have a new one!
Flormar Kohl liner in Brown: I go through a lot of brown liners. This is fine but the fact that it had to be sharpened pretty much every time I used it means I'll never buy it again!
The Body Shop Skinny Thin Felt Eyeliner: This has a very skinny nib and bends really easily when you're trying to use it. Which can be annoying when you're trying to get a straight line! it's a no from me. And Simon Cowell, apparently.
Seventeen Make Your Mark Precison Eyeliner: The Nib on this is quite thick but sturdy, with a narrow tip, so actually it made it easy to apply a thin, clear line.
NYX Retractable Eye liner In Brown: My preferred type of liner is a retractable one cause I don't think you lose as much product. I liked it but I used it up really fast, like really fast! Which makes me think there wasn't much of it in there in the first place.
Sephora Glide Liner in Brown Chestnut: I loved this one! Again I didn't lose any product and it provided a good kohl line that could be smudged but didn't budge then. I've already bought another two!
And that's the lot! Have you tried any of these?
*indicates product was provided for review. This post is not sponsored and as always, all opinions are my own.
