The Empties #3

There is something deeply rewarding about saving up your used up products. It gives me a confirmation that I don't just buy buy buy, but actually use some things as well. Below are the products that I have used up over time, each with a little mini review and if I would repurchase or not.

L'Oreal Elnett Satin  Hairspray - This is basically the hairspray of hairsprays, it's everywhere over the world and it does its job. It has a light flexible hold that brushes out easily. I do have to say that it is a finishing spray and not a styling spray. If you have heavy thick hair like me it won't hold your curls, but to brush my bangs aside for the day, it's great. Repurchase? Yes, there's a new one on my desk right now. 

Batiste Dry Shampoo XXL Volume - I love this so, so much. It gives my hair amazing volume, and I love it when I want to a little more interesting or fancy things with my hair. There are only so many times I can pull off my simple ponytail. I want more of this stuff. Repurchase? Hell yes, only I can't seem to find it in Dutch stores anymore. To the interwebs it is. 

Schwarzkopf Osis+ Glamour Queen finish spray - It came in a Glossybox and it wasn't that great. Yet I stuck with it and finished the bottle.What I like is there is no aerosol gas in this, making it a little more eco-friendly than regular hairspray. Repurchase? No.

Redken All Soft shampoo and conditioner - Great duo that leaves my locks nice and silky, while not weighing them down too much. Nice to try but they weren't that fantastic to go out and spend another fifteen euros per bottle. Repurchase? No, maybe if they're on special offer. 

Lifecare cleansing pore strips - quick and simple in use. These pore strips do a good job at cleaning out the pores on my nose once every two weeks. There is always something vaguely disgusting yet interesting about looking at the little dots pulled out of your face. Yes, that was in there. Repurchase? Yes.

The Body Shop Raspberry body wash - The Body Shop has fantastic scents, and this one is really sweet and fruity. It lingers for quite a while and I always feel like a piece of candy after using it. I like their body washes a lot, although the bottle is designed in such that the last bits are a bit difficult to squeeze out. Repurchase? Yes, but I'll be happy trying another scent as well. 

La Roche Posay Hydraphase UV Intense Légere cream - a little sample given to me by my favorite sales assistant at the pharmacy. She thought I would like it and she was right, it's a really nice light cream for during the day that still does a great job at moisturizing the skin. When I run out of my current moisturizer I will probably give the full size of this a whirl. Repurchase? Probably.

Origins Never a Dull Moment cleanser - I love the smell of this cleanser, but my face feels stripped after using it. I think it's too harsh for my skin and I am glad I got a sample before splurging on the full size. Repurchase? No.

ARTDeco eyeshadow in 520 - My go-to eyebrow color for the past six months, it lasted a good time. Great formula and it's also good to use as a crease color. Repurchase? Probably not, I'm using the UD Naked Basics for my eyebrows and simple makeup looks.

Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover - This stuff is brilliant. The only thing that removes my L'Oreal waterproof mascara without rubbing and tugging at my lashes and lids. Repurchase? Yes, already bought a new one before this one ran out. 

Bourjois shower scrub - Smells divine and has tiny little scrub beads in it. It isn't as intense as a regular scrub but good for an everyday exfoliation. Repurchase? Yes

Obagi Clenziderm Daily Care Cream Cleanser - I mentioned this in an earlier post, but I still had a travel size bottle that I decanted a long time ago, and had standing on my boyfriend's bathroom shelf. Now that that has run out as well I am glad to report that Obagi has changed my skin. The cleanser is great and gentle and does it job. Repurchase? No, my skin no longer needs an anti-acne cleanser, I now use more hydration and pigmentation orientated products. 

Tan Shot Tan Booster drink - I know that it sounds a little out there. But this Carotene enriched drink promotes tanning and keeps your skin healthy from the inside out. I took some of these with me to Tunisia and they really work. I am a natural red head and tan incredibly slow, but not with these! While drinking these it took me only two days to get color on my skin and over the course of the week my tan only deepened. Repurchase? Not right now, but when I'm preparing for another holiday I will.

Vision SPF 30 All day sun protection - Only needed to apply this twice a day to protect my skin from burning in the hot Tunisian sun, I was impressed! Repurchase? Not right now, but when another holiday comes around I'd be happy to. 

Etos nail polish remover - Not much to say other than it does it's job and it's cheap. Since I've got acrylic nails I no longer wear glitter nail polish, so the need for a heavy duty polish remover has subsided. Repurchase - Yes, have one currently in use and a backup in my drawers. 

Bourjois 1 second magic nail polish remover - Great little invention, but in my opinion overpriced. It does nothing more than a regular nail polish remover and some cotton buds do. Apply some cream afterward et voila, manicure done. Repurchase? No

Products I've Used Up

 

The first month of 2013 has flown by, I bet this year is going to be over before we know it. Hold your horses, I didn't finish all these products in just one month, I kept a fish bowl on my makeup storage so that I could toss a product in every time I had run out of it. I plan to do this every month from now on. Some months might be skipped due to nothing being finished. But that will play out over time.

Koh Essential Hand Nourisher

 This sample size jar came in one of my first ever Glossyboxes. I immediately fell head over heels with the smell and when I saw the effect this stuff had on my hands the love grew even stronger. It's blooming expensive, but it's the only hand cream that softens my calloused weather worn hands while also moisturizing and improving the quality of my nails. 

 Repurchase? Yes, I already have a trusty tube at the bottom of my everyday handbag

Essence Matt top coat

The idea of a matt top coat really sparked my interest. And I have made many nail polish looks with this baby, but sadly it has gone incredibly thick and gloopy and it is time for us to part. I have scowered the essence display but it appears to have disappeared. I'm now on the market for another good quality, acceptable price top coat.

Repurchase? Wish I could, but like I said. It has disappeared.

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor

I have written a full on review of this before, and have used it up completely. I liked the effect it gave on my hair. But it started to weigh it down after a while and made my hair look oily after just a day and a half. Me being a firm believer in not washing your hair too much, this wasn't a product I could really love. 

Repurchase? No, I want to use treatments that don't weigh my locks down.

Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation

This turned out to be one of my favorite products. The formula is lovely light and the coverage is just enough for my skin. I spent a good amount of time using this. I tend to go for a tinted moisturizer or BB cream on regular days. If I needed more coverage I would use this, or when photos needed to be taken. I have tried different foundations since then, but this is still high on my top list. 

Repurchase? Yes, but not until I have finished the other foundations in my drawer.

Syoss Smooth & Hold Ultra Strong hairspray

Now that my bangs are cut and I purchased a new curling wand, I find myself using a lot more hairspray. I still had this huge spray from back when I used my clip in extensions, although those have long retired, this bottle remained in my storage. I have used it up over the last three months. It's an okay hairspray, but not spectacular.

Repurchase? No, I bought the L'Oreal Elnett hairspray which was on offer. 

Bioderma H2O Solution Micellaire

This. Stuff. Works. Like a dream, I have to add. The formula is soft and gentle but it melts down makeup like no other. Even waterproof mascara soaks right off. I use this with a large oval cotton pad. Soak it in Bioderma and use one side for my eye makeup, the other side for the rest of my face and finish with my Sigma Cleanse and Polish tool and my favorite cleanser and that's it. The perfect cleansing routine.

Repurchase? Definitely. I ordered a new one when I had an inch left in this bottle.

Guerlain Le Petit Robe Noire perfume sample

Sad but true, this might just be the best perfume in the world. But I am allergic to it. Upon wearing it for the first time my neck broke out in flaming red hot patches that stayed on for a day or two. No matter how much I clawed at or washed my neck. That was a sad, sad day. But I found a way to make it work! I spritz it on my clothes or in my hair. That works perfect, and I am so in love with the scent. Shame it ridiculously expensive!

Repurchase? Not at the moment, I have far too many bottles of perfume to finish

Garnier BB Cream for Oily/Combination skin

I have sung the praise of this product many a time. This is perfect for an everyday light amount of coverage that leaves your skin feeling and looking matte and controlled. 

Repurchase? Yes, already have a new tube in my drawer

Garnier Ambre Solaire No Trace Bronzing Spray

Self tanning sprays are a miracle for pale girls like me. During the summer and deep into fall I used this bronzing spray. This one is particularly nice. It dries super quick and the color develops beautifully in a short time. You could spray this on in the morning and be gorgeously tan for a party at night. 

Repurchase? I definitely would. But I think Garnier killed this product last summer.

Redken Forceful 23 hairspray

Another sample from a beauty subscription. I liked the finish of it, but the hold wasn't enough. My hair is pretty thick and heavy and I need a pretty extreme hold to keep curls in. 

Repurchase? No.

Diesel Fuel for Life Unlimited perfume

Bought this ages ago with a gift card. Back when I only wore powder and the occasional swipe of pencil eyeliner, oh those days seem far away. I loved and still love the scent but my taste in perfume has evolved. I now go for deeper more complex scents.

Repurchase? No.

September Empties