EMPTIES & TOSSES: February 2016
As per usual, I've been slogging away at my beauty stash and I have another batch of empties from this past month for you guys along with mini-reviews and my final verdict on the products. This month I've got a couple of tosses of products that I just don't like at all - and one that I actually do like, but we'll get to that. I'm actually pretty surprised that I managed to use anything up this month, since I've been trying out so many new things and it seems like the stash keeps growing and growing, but I've got a good bunch here of things that I've actually managed to get through!
Keep reading to take a look!
Live Clean Moisturizing Liquid Hand Soap in Vanilla Peppermint
Love. Lovelovelove. I wish that I had picked up a back up of this during the holiday season, because I'm absolutely in love with this formula and this scent has been my favorite so far. However, I do have Live Clean hand soaps still on the go in both my bathroom and kitchen at home as well as my bathroom at work. Can you tell I love it? If you're in the market for a liquid hand soap that doesn't dry out your hands, I highly suggest trying this one.
OZ Natural Ocean Mineral Tonic
This is a toss. I didn't dislike it by any means, I actually thought it was pretty nice, but I didn't like the smell of it and I found that I just wasn't reaching for it because of that. The fact that it is organic and therefore probably doesn't have preservatives made me feel like it was just time to get this out of the collection, because I really didn't feel comfortable putting it on my face after this long.
Bioderma Atoderm Gentle Shower Gel
It took me a really, really long time to get through this shower gel. I liked it well enough, but I like a warm, nutty scent over a fresh scent any day so I just wasn't reaching for it. That said, it did a good job of cleaning the skin without stripping it and I would recommend this as a good shower gel for someone who is really into fresh scents.
Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentrate
Favorite! I was pretty bummed when I ran through this tube and I really wish that it was easier to get my hands on locally. I love this for winter skin, especially underneath makeup, because it's really hydrating but it doesn't disrupt the application of the makeup. This is a definite repurchase.
100% Pure Caffeine Eye Cream
LOVE!!!! I got this in a Birchbox and I literally used it every single day until it ran out. I have every intention of getting my hands on this again, but I think I'm going to wait until I'm in the States and I can buy it in a store. But seriously, I loved this and I think it did a really good job of hydrating, lifting and brightening my undereyes!
Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser
I picked this up last summer while I was in Toronto because I didn't end up liking the cleanser that I'd packed, which I'd gotten in a subscription box, and I needed something that I knew would be a no brainer. This is a nice cleanser, incredibly gentle on the skin, but I find that it's not quite as deep cleaning as I personally like so I'm not sure I'll be picking it up again. It is nice though, would be very good for sensitive skin.
a;t fox Lifting Cream Black Tea
This is a toss. I got this in a Memebox ages ago, used it a couple of times, and then promptly forgot about it. It was fine, I don't remember anything specifically bad about it, but it didn't really wow me so I just didn't use it. I definitely wouldn't buy this.
Amika Un.Done Texture Spray
I LOVE THIS STUFF. I got this in a Birchbox and I used it up pretty quickly. I don't think there was much product in there, but I definitely went through it after between 5 and 10 uses. That being said, I would buy it again because I really liked the texture it gave my hair and the way it lifted my roots a little bit. Also, smelled fantastic!
Hard Candy Fast & Fabulous Setting Spray
I thought this was pretty good for the price point and think it's worth a try for someone wanting to stay under $10 for a setting spray, but I've recently found another one in the same price point that I like more and I suspect that I'll more likely repurchase that one than this one. Still, I did like this.
Julep Lip Vernis in Peony
This is the product that I actually liked that I'm tossing. Why am I tossing it, you ask? It leaked ALL OVER my lip gloss drawer and made a nasty mess. I don't know if time just ruined the integrity of the packaging or what, but I'm not risking putting it back in my stash. It's a nice, smooth, non-sticky lip gloss formula though.
Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Filler
This was fine. It took me a long time to use it up, because I generally don't love the texture of pore filling products, so I don't think I'll purchase it again. As pore filling products go though, this is one of the better ones I've tried and I think it's worth the purchase if you're someone who really needs and enjoys those types of products.
Mullein & Sparrow Lip & Cheek Balm
I applied this to my lips once... and never again. I got this in an Ipsy bag almost a year ago now and it's just overall disappointing. There's not enough pigment for it to really show up and it's a really thin, oily texture that doesn't really add much moisture or stick around and that I would never, ever risk putting on my cheeks. Definitely wouldn't repurchase or recommend.
Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Setting Powder
I think I got this as a points perk from Sephora and I really loved it. I actually mostly saved this to be used as a setting powder for events when I would have my picture taken, because it looked really beautiful under the eyes and didn't flash back. I'm not sure if I'll repurchase, because this is a little spendier than I like for a setting powder, but it was very nice and I'd consider it!
Maybelline Dream Blender
Ugh. I hated this thing. It's too small and too firm to really blend anything, so really it's just a hard sponge on a stick with nothing dreamy about it. I would definitely skip this and get either a beautyblender or a Real Techniques sponge instead.
Butter London Matte Lipstick Sample
So, when I requested this sample I assumed it was going to be a mini-sized lipstick... and boy was I disappointed by this little foil sample. I hate these types of samples and I really only used it so I could justify getting rid of it. It was a pretty shade (Ruby Murray) and it felt nice enough, but based on this sample it wasn't as pigmented as I tend to like my lipsticks, so it's unlikely that I'll pick it up.
NUXE Nuxellence Detox Serum Sample
Honestly, I don't remember how this performed the couple of times that I used it. I couldn't say honestly one way or another how I feel about it, so... I guess that's that!
Global Beauty Care Retinol Under Eye Patch
I love these little eye patches on days when my eyes are looking puffy or dry or just yucky. I generally throw them on right after I wash my face and leave them on while I brew coffee and then take them off right before I do the rest of my skincare and I think they actually do help to improve the appearance of my eye area. I like!
HASK Monoi Coconut Oil Nourishing Deep Conditioner
THIS IS GREAT. I love picking up these little deep conditioning treatment packets and I was really excited to try this one when it was sent to me. It did a great job of hydrating the hell out of my hair without leaving any residue once it was rinsed. This is a definite repurchase - as soon as I see them in my local stores!
So really, I don't think this is a bad batch of empties at all, especially considering how much new stuff was added to my collection in the past month. I'm planning on shopping my stash a lot this month, so I'm hoping to use up a good, big batch for March's empties, so be sure to check back next month!
Thanks for reading!
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