PRODUCT EMPTIES: July 2015

by - August 06, 2015


I've gotta tell you guys, I was actually really shocked at how much stuff was in my empties bag when I pulled it all out to photograph it for you. The bag hangs on the doorknob to my office and I just sort of tuck things into it as I use them up, so I can never really remember what's in there at the end of the month until I pull everything out. There's a lot in there this month, including a few makeup items - which all of us makeup junkies know is actually pretty rare - as well as a ridiculoud number of sheet masks. The sheet mask obsession is real, my friends, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

EDIT: I originally titled this August Empties, because my brain is not working. Oops! It's definitely July Empties!

Anyway! Keep reading for a look at mini-reviews of my trash!



L'Oreal Sublime Radiance Cleansing Oil
This one has been almost empty for quite a while and I decided this month that I needed to just hammer down and get the last few uses out of the way. This is a pretty good cleansing oil for a pretty good price, but I don't think I'd buy it again just because there are others that I like more. However, if you're just dipping your toe into trying out cleansing oil, I think this could be a good start just based on affordability and convenience.

Origins Modern Friction Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion - Deluxe Sample
It took me FOREVER to get through this sample, but I have to say that I did actually like it. The thing I liked about this was that it doesn't feel abrasive or uncomfortable on the skin. I tend not to like manual exfoliation because it just feels so incredibly uncomfortable, but this one was gentle and pleasant to use. I would definitely use this again at some point, but it's not a must have for me.

The Skin House Aloe Water Mist
YOU GUYS. I love this stuff. I want about 100 bottles of it on hand for every room in my house, in my car, at my office, at my mom's house, pretty much everywhere. I just love it. It's not some big miracle product, but it's so refreshing and really feels like it perks up my skin whenever I apply it. I'm definitely going to have to track this down and get another one, because I loved this stuff.

NIP + FAB Glycolic Fix Treatment Pads
These pads were the first Glycolic product that I used and I actually quite liked them. It took me a while to get through the tub because I definitely can't use them more than once, maybe twice, a week, but as long as I keep the uses well spaced my skin reacts really well to them. I'm not sure I'll buy them again anytime soon, because there's a couple of other acid toner pads that I want to try, but I'll keep them in mind for the future.


Beaver Professional Hydro Nutritive Repairing Conditioner - Deluxe Sample
This was from a Birchbox and I took it on my trip this month along with one other conditioner that I didn't end up needing. I think it did a pretty good job of keeping my hair soft and manageable, but it wasn't really exciting or must-have-inspiring. It was just fine. I'd use it again, but I wouldn't purchase it.

Mise En Scene Perfect Repair Treatment
This deep conditioning treatment was really, really good. I tried very hard to use it sparingly so that it lasted, but it has been a bit of a hair saver whenever my balayage it getting a little dry and tired. I got this in a Memebox and I would say it's definitely my favorite hair product that I ever received in one of those boxes. I would definitely repurchase this.

Marc Anthony Hydrating Coconut Oil Shea Butter Shampoo
Like the matching conditioner that I mentioned last month, this got used up for things other than washing my hair because I felt like it left a heavy residue in my hair when I used it. Obviously I definitley won't be purchasing this again and I'm SO happy to get it the hell out of my shower.

Harvey Prince Hello Exfoliating Shower Gel - Deluxe Sample
This is another Birchbox sample that came on my trip with me. It was... fine? I don't even really know what to say about it. It smelled pretty good and I think it did an okay job of getting my body clean, but I definitely wouldn't purchase a full size.

Harvey Prince Hello Body Cream - Deluxe Sample
Again, this was fine. It was a body lotion. It smelled pretty nice, didn't blow my mind. Definitely won't repurchase.


L'Oreal Infallible Pro Spray & Set Setting Spray
I actually quite liked this setting spray, except that towards the end of the bottle I felt like the spritzer got a little gunged up and it started spraying a lot less fine so that I ended up with droplets on my face when I applied it. Still, it did a pretty good job and I would probably use it again. However, because of the next product, that's less likely.

Hard Candy Fast & Fabulous Makeup Setting Spray
I really feel like the L'Oreal and the Hard Candy setting sprays perform very much the same, but this one is significantly more affordable. I had a backup of this that was sent to me by PR in reserve and I'm using that one now. I would but this again, though, definitely. It's a good product at a great pricepoint, so why not?

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer
I really do love this concealer. I don't think it claims to have a formula that adjusts to your skin, but that's how I always felt like it performed. I would apply it and even before I started blending, it would seem to just kind of melt into the same shade as my skin and disappear while still giving me good coverage. I'm working my way through a buttload of concealers right now, but I would definitely pick this up again in the future.

Annabella Twist Up Retractable Lipstick Crayon in Havana
I was a little shocked when I went to apply this and it wouldn't twist up any futher. I didn't even realize I had used it so much. However, I'm not really surprised because I really loved this lipstick. It's a true nude, but it has just enough mauve tone to it to make it really wearable on my. This formula is really great as well. If I were in the market for another nude lip product, I would probably pick this up again.

RiRe Luxe Mirror Eyeliner
So. I can't really say I used this up because I literally used it maybe 4 times. However, when I went to use it this month, it was completely dried out and unusuable. Kinda annoying, right? Anyway, I wouldn't repurchase this again for that reason, but I seem to recall it did a pretty good job those few times I used it. Still, there are more convenient options that perform very much the same and don't dry out after 4 uses, so I'd choose one of those.


Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths
I really love these cleansing cloths and I've actually already tried to pick up some more, but the few times I've looked they've been sold out - which I can only assume is because other people like them as much as I do. They're just a pretty perfect face wipe, if you ask me, and I definitely recommend them. Definitely will repurchase.

Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Wipes
I picked these up because I knew I was going to need some facial wipes to take with me on my trip and I'm really happy I chose these ones. I don't think they perform all that much better than other wipes, but they did do a good job of getting all of my makeup off without having to scrub or pull at my face, and they also have the most refreshing cucumber scent to them. I would definitely repurchase these, especially for on the go.

Up & Up Daily Use Cleansing Cloths
I really used to love these wipes, but they have definitely been overshadowed by the 2 above. By the end, I really only used these to remove swatches from my hands and arms, but they did a great job of that. I do think these are good wipes that get the job done, they're just nothing special. Still, might repurchase next time I'm ever in a Target, just because they're affordable and good for swatches.



Life Brand Anti-Aging Facial Sheet Mask
This isn't my favorite of the Life Brand masks and I don't think I would purchase it again. It did an alright job, but I seem to recall my skin feeling kinda... off after I used it. Nothing serious, just off.

Life Brand Pore Cleansing Facial Sheet Mask (x2)
This IS my favorite of the Life Brand sheet masks. When I use this, I feel like I wake up the next morning with really healthy, fresh looking skin. I'll definitely repurchase more of these.

Masque Bar Lemon Sheet Mask (x2)
I have one more of these at home and I'm definitely saving it for when my skin is freaking out because I feel like the lemon does a good job of calming my freaking out skin. It's meant to purify, moisturize and soothe. I think it has the soothing part on lock, but it's still not my favorite. Wouldn't repurchase.

Naisture Ginseng Mask Pack
So. I bought a 5 pack of these, but they're SO goopy with thick, lotiony essence that I find myself not reaching for them. Honestly, that was the most memorable part of my experience with this mask, so I'll have to tell you next month how it actually performs!  I can't see myself repurchasing these.

BioRepublic Green Tea Detox Sheet Mask
I really, really love these BioRepublic masks. They fit SO WELL on the face and feel incredibly good when you wear them. They're a little spendier than I like for a sheet mask, but they're so good that I would definitely consider purchasing some more.

Naisture White C Mask Pack
I quite like this one. I feel like it has a nice effect on the skin, isn't overly wet or goopy, and fits the face really well. I would probably pick up another pack of these.

Purederm Cucumber Sheet Mask
I actually picked this up at Walmart, oddly enough. I feel like Korean sheet masks are becoming easier and easier to get at mainstream North American retailers, have you noticed that? Anyway, I quite liked this. It didn't do anything magnificent, but it felt really cooling and left my skin feeling refreshed and soothed. Will definitely try more of these.

THEFACESHOP Real Nature Face Mask Rice
OMG. I love THEFACESHOP masks. I really, really, really do. I loved this one a lot and I wish I had gone even crazier when I was in Toronto and picked up a lot more of these so I can have them on hand pretty much forever. Still, I have a few more in reserve and will definitely order more online.

Etude House Green Tea Sheet Mask
I feel like I held onto this for ages, but I just couldn't bring myself to use it up. It was nice and I would definitely try it again. I feel like I really love the true Korean sheet masks, because there's just something in the essence. Anyway, would repurchase.

Shisedo Glow Enhancing Primer - Sample
You guys... This made me shine bright like a wet, wet diamond. I think I probably should have held onto this sample until the winter, when my skin needs some help in the dewy department, because as a summer primer this just made me look like an oil slick. Would not purchase - but might be willing to sample in a drier month.

THEFACESHOP Core Seed Essence - Sample
This actually surprised me with how nice it is. I got a handful of samples of this when I was at THEFACESHOP in Toronto and I got about 3 uses out of this packet. Since I have a few more, I'm going to keep trying it and if I continue to like it, I think I might order it!



Holy... I think I might have to try to stop using stuff up for a bit, because these epic empties posts are becoming labour intensive! I hope you enjoyed reading them though and if you have any questions about the products mentioned here, feel free to ask in the comments and I'll do my best to give you an answer!

Thanks for reading!

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