Empties December 2016.

I didn't think that I had used up all that much in December so I was pleasantly surprised to find that I managed to finish nine full sized items and fifteen samples.

Skincare.

Skincare items that I finished were mostly of the cleansing variety. 

I was sorry to finish Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser which may well be my all time favourite cleanser. 

Evan Healy Lavender HydroSoul is a cooling and calming spritz and another product that I love. Dermalogica Soothing Eye Make Up Remover was somewhat disappointing. It is a gel and I was expecting it to feel cool and refreshing but it didn't. I also found that it wasn't the most effective eye make up remover and I had to scrub at my eyes a little to get rid of everything.

Generally I'm not that much of a fan of physical exfoliants - finding most to be too rough - but I did rather like Dr Brandt PoreDermabrasion as it felt quite gentle and rinsed away easily.

Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask is a clay mask that leaves my skin bright and glowing. It washes away easily and isn't at all messy to use, I have invested in a full sized jar of this as I like it so much. I also enjoyed cleansing with their Thermal Cleansing Balm.

Chantecaille Nano Gold Firming Treatment is a rich cream that left my skin looking and feeling a little tighter. It absorbed well enough to use under make up. It is very good but too expensive for my pocket!

Kiehl's #1 Lip Balm is a good basic balm - nothing fancy, in fact it's mostly petroleum jelly, but I find it useful in the colder weather.

Bodycare.

I emptied two OGX Body Lotions. I like these a lot, they are very nourishing and smell great. The Coconut Milk and Hibiscus one smells very beach like while the Argan Oil one has a warm enveloping fragrance. I actually prefer the scent of the OGX argan oil range to that of MoroccanOil products as it is slightly more floral in tone. However, I did enjoy two MoroccanOil products, their Shower Gel and Body Souffle Moisturiser. 

I used a generously sized sample pot of Tatcha Indigo Soothing Silk Body Butter and I have to say that it was pretty amazing! It had a fresh sherbet like scent and moisturised without being at all greasy or sticky - this rich whipped cream sank straight into my skin leaving it soft and fragrant. Rituals Sakura Spring Foaming Bath Oil had a fresh cherry scent that had a leafy green aspect to it so it was sweet without being sickly. I didn't dislike it but it didn't foam so much as emulsify and I didn't enjoy it as much as I have other Rituals bath products. On the plus side it didn't leave the bath at all slippery which is always a bonus when using an oil product!

Duane Reade Regular Instant Nail Polish Remover was very effective - it is one of those removers that is basically a sponge saturated with remover that you put your fingers into. I don't often use finger nail polish remover at home so can't see myself getting this again but it was a good thing to try out. I also used a mini L'Occitane Hand Cream which, I confess, I find a little too greasy.    

Haircare.

I only finished one haircare item, Miriam Quevedo Platinum and Diamonds Luxurious Serum. I liked this leave in conditioning cream a lot. It kept frizz at bay without weighing down my hair and smelled lovely. I didn't need to use much of it either.

Make Up.

I only used up one make up item, ByTerry Hyaluronic Hydra Primer. I like this and I have gone through several tubes of it. Not only does it make my make up last longer it gives an extra boost of hydration and feels very soothing and cooling when you put it on. It isn't cheap but the tube is a good size and lasts a long time. 

Fragrance.

I used up five perfume samples. Nothing here that I loved and although I am normally a fan of Oud scents I found Jo Malone Oud &Bergamot to be somewhat sickly and headache inducing.

Overall I am pleased with the amount of products I used in December. Lets hope I manage to keep up the good work in 2017!