Sunday, October 2, 2016

Empties September 2016


I have a lot of beauty products in stock at the moment - both full sized and samples. I've plenty of new things that I am dying to open but feel that I should use up at least some of the older products before I crack open the new ones. I have taken to leaving a little cluster of almost finished things next to my sink and I found this works as an efficient reminder of what I need to use up and spurs me on to finish things.
This month I managed to use up eight full sized products (I'm counting a sheet mask as a full sized item as it was an individual one not part of a set!) and eighteen samples.


Skincare.
I finished a Simple Micellar Cleansing Water and a Simple Eye Make Up Remover.
I'm not a huge fan of micellar waters but I used this when traveling to remove make up (followed with a proper second cleanse) and it did an OK job. However, the eye make up remover wasn't all that efficient at removing mascara - even non waterproof ones - and it made my eyes smart. (I have had this a while and believe there is a new formula out now).
I enjoyed Fresh Soy Face Cleanser as a morning cleanser, especially in the warm weather. It's cucumber scent is so refreshing!
I used up a full sized Sunday Riley Good Genes which is my night time serum of choice. (I already have a new bottle of this.) 
I used my last sample of REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot which I used as a day time serum.
Sarah Chapman Skinesis Eye Recovery is another repeat purchase product and so far it is the closest I have come to finding my perfect eye cream. I'm sure I will repurchase this when I have used up some of my other eye creams.
Talking of perfect, Alpha H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF50 has all my daily summertime moisturiser needs covered. It hydrates without making me shine, preps my skin for under make up and contains enough SPF that I don't have to use a separate product.
L'Oreal Revitalift Volume Filler and La Mer The Moisturising Soft Cream were both basic moisturisers that I used as an occlusive layer over other products at night. Nothing wrong with either of them but nothing outstanding either.

 Nature's Republic Snail Solution Sheet Mask made me cringe a little - you know, snail secretions on my face - *shudder*! However the snail secretions in question were so far down the list of ingredients on this that I figured they had to be very minimal. This was simply a hydrating sheet mask drenched in a fairly thick gel like product that I took to be mostly glycerine and aloe. It left my face feeling slightly sticky and it did hydrate it to the point of softening lines but only very temporarily. On the plus side the mask fitted my face very well!

Bodycare.
Nivea Express Hydration Body Lotion is just about my favourite drugstore lotion. It absorbs instantly and it's hydrating effects last all day. I also like it's delicate clean smelling fragrance.
I used a couple of mini Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotions which are very good but very basic - not exciting enough to make me rush out and purchase. I did think that the NSpa Coconut Body Butter may have been too thick and heavy feeling to use in warm weather but it absorbed quickly without making my skin feel tacky or clogged and this smelt delicious, like coconut candy!
Burt's Bees Almond and Milk Hand Cream also smelt delicious but was a little too thick and greasy.
Body Shop Passion Fruit Shower Gel smelt exactly like fresh passion fruit! Zingy and uplifting this made my morning shower feel even more refreshing and there were plenty of rich foamy suds as well.

Haircare.
I only managed to finish one haircare item, Shea MoistureFruit Fusion Weightless Creme Rinse. This had a nice fruity summery fragrance but it seemed to be more of a detangler than conditioner on my hair.

Fragrance.
I used up six perfume vials this month. Only two of them wowed me: Etat d'Orange Libre Nombril Immense and Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black.

Make up.
I never got into the whole BB/CC cream thing but the sachet of Burt's Bees BB Cream that I tried was one of the best of the few that I have tried. A liquid consistency rather than a cream, it blended well and gave good coverage (I managed to get three uses from one small sachet). The only thing that I didn't like about this was it's strong fruity floral scent.
Finally I finished two mini mascaras. Nars Audacious Mascara was a deep black and it made my lashes look very dramatic, perhaps even a bit too much for daytime wear. It did have a tendency to become flaky which I think is inevitable when something adds so much volume to your lashes but it would be a good addition to your make up kit for use on special occasions/parties when you want an intensely smoky eye. I have to admit that I didn't like the brush on this. It was a hard plastic spiky ones that looked scary and make me feel somewhat nervous when I used it...
Giorgio Armarni Eyes to Kill was another mascara that gave dramatic results. Although it didn't give much in the way of curl it was very black and did an impressive job of lengthening and thickening. It was quite a wet formula that applied easily without clumping and I liked the brush on this one!

I still have quite a few products that I am nearly done with and I am expecting October to yield a plentiful amount of empties. Watch this space...    

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