Empties Edition 7

Beauty products I’ve used up

Empties have become quite a regular feature on my blog. Last year I vowed to only repurchase things, once I had made a bigger dent in my stash.  I’m pleased to say I have really seen an increase in the amount of empties I have as a result.

*Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn commission if you click through and make a purchase. **Three of these products have been sent to me for testing and review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Skincare

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm 50g | £47 for 100g

I have purchased the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa cleansing balm a few times over the year. Although I’m not a big fan of the strong moringa scent, it doesn’t stop me from loving this cleanser. It feels luxurious and leaves my skin feeling comfortably clean. This doesn’t cause any negative reaction in my sensitive skin either. I love balm cleansers, they don’t leave my skin feeling stripped and once removed, I don’t feel like my skin is greasy either. This doesn’t knock my favourite Omovovica cleansing balm out of its top spot but it is a gorgeous product and works out to be cheaper per gram, so I would certainly buy it again.

Verdict: Would repurchased

Caudalie Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil 150ml | £18

I have mentioned the Caudalie Makeup removing cleansing oil a few times. Both on my blog and on my instagram. This is certainly a new favourite of mine and easily one of my top 3 makeup remover. The gorgeous almond oil melts into the skin and breaks down every trace of makeup, effortlessly. I don’t get any irritation from using this to remove eye makeup either. After rubbing into my skin, I add a little bit of water to help the product emulsify and then rinse off. Really quick and easy, it leaves my skin comfortable and perfectly clean. This is tied for me, with my long-time favourite the Clinique Take off the day cleansing balm. I adore them both and will absolutely be buying this again.

Verdict: Would repurchased

*PR gifted

Clarins Water Comfort One-Step Cleanser 200ml | £21

The Clarins Water Comfort Cleanser is one of my holy grail products. This delicate peach scented micellar water, is gentle and super effective at clearing dirt and excess makeup off my skin. I use this as a no-rinse cleanser, when my skin needs it. Whether I feel like there is still makeup on my skin, at the end of the day, or if I’m in a hurry and need a quick cleanse. It’s also amazing after a workout but I haven’t been doing many of those recently. Nevertheless, it’s a product I always love to have on hand. In an effort to try and use-up other products, I haven’t repurchased this yet. Hopefully I will be able to add this back into my rotation soon. As it’s very much loved by me.

Verdict: Would repurchased

Pixi Glow Tonic 250ml | £18.00

My love for Pixi Glow Tonic is well documented. I have been through so many bottles, it’s truly a staple in my routine. Glycolic acid can do amazing things for your skin, helping to resurface and brighten your complexion. I use this every morning after my cleanser, on a cotton pad and sweep over my skin before following with my serum. If you’re curious about a more detailed explanation of morning routine, click here.

Needless to say, I have already got another bottle on the go. I think the price point is really reasonable and a bottle lasts me around 6 months.

Verdict: Have repurchased

Blanceme Congested Skin Serum 7ml | £16 for 15ml

I received the Blanceme Congested skin serum in a Birchbox a while ago. I don’t always include mini’s in my empties, unless they really impress me and this really did. I haven’t tried anything from the brand before but was keen to give it a shot, as its 99% natural. I loved this serum, light and quick to absorb, I noticed my skin looking clear after a few days. I can see myself buying a full size, its affordable and works like a dream.

Verdict: Would repurchased

Bodycare

Lush Sleepy Body Lotion 215g | £15.95

Ah Sleepy, the body lotion that dreams are made of, literally. This beautiful lavender scent body lotion, is in a league of its own. One day when I finally do a top products from Lush post, I can guarantee you Sleepy will be amongst the roaster. Lush’s body lotions are rich, yet light and extremely hydrating on my dry skin. The dreamy scent, aids relaxation and sleep and is the perfect before bed treat. I can’t speak highly of it enough.

Verdict: Would repurchased

Rituals Happy Buddha Foaming Shower Gel 50ml | £8.50 for 200ml

The Rituals Happy Buddha scent is my favourite from the line, the sweet orange scent is so uplifting. I have tried the foaming shower gel in a few scents and it’s a gorgeous product. The foam expands in the palm of your hand and lathers beautifully, leaving my skin smelling divine. I love this product and as this is my favourite fragrance from Rituals, I’m a big fan.

Verdict: Would repurchased

Sanctuary Body Scrub 200ml | £6.50

I have been a long-time lover of Sanctuary Spa and used their body scrub many times over the years. Their packaging may have had a face lift, but it’s the same signature product inside. This has a good amount of scrub to it and smells divine. I think it’s a good product but there are others I love more. I feel like I get through this quite quickly, which would be my only real complaint. It’s a product I have come back to over the years, so I can see myself repurchasing this.

Verdict: Would repurchased

Decleor 1000 Grain Body Exfoliator 50ml | £30 for 200ml

The Decleor Body 1000 Grain Body Exfoliator, is really, really good. I love the tropical pineapple and grapefruit scent, it’s so refreshing and different for a body product. This has the perfect amount of scrubbiness, which can be hard to find. Body scrubs that disintegrate the second the touch your skin, drive me mad. The Decelor body scrub clings to the skin, allowing you to really work it in. This leaves my skin feeling properly exfoliated and silky smooth. I’m a huge fan, I will be buying the full size, as soon as I have used up a few more products from my stash.

Verdict: Would repurchased

Makeup

Urban Decay Naked Skin One & Done 40ml | £28.50

When I started to get low on the Urban Decay Naked Skin, I vowed to use nothing else until I finished it. I didn’t expect it to take almost 3 months to finish, when I was already so low. The moral of the story is, finishing a foundation is quite an achievement. I used the shade Medium Light, I did notice this oxidised but as it’s such a light base, the colour still matched me pretty well. This is a perfect every day base, it perfects the skin without masking it and wears well throughout the day. I would describe the finish, as in-between natural and dewy. I could see this working well on a multitude of skin types, as it is more of a hybrid product. Although I’m not in a rush to buy this again, as I dedicated so much time to finishing it, I do think it’s a great daily base and I would really recommend it.

Verdict: Would repurchased

Rimmel #Insta Fix & Matte Translucent Powder | £4

I kept the #Insta Fix & Matte in my handbag for touch ups and unfortunately, once I had hit pan (which I did rather quickly) it broke and crumbled entirely, so I didn’t fully get to use this up. Despite this being a translucent powder, I feel like this made me look a bit ghostly. This is a very affordable powder and it’s not bad, but there are definitely other powders that sit on my skin better. So for those reasons I’m not in a hurry to buy this again.

Verdict: Wouldn’t repurchased

*PR gifted

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara 9.5ml | £8.99

If you love curved masacara wands like I do, the Maybelline Lash Sensational may be for you. I like to let my mascara’s dry-out for about a fortnight before using. This makes every formula work better for me. I’m very picky with mascaras but I have nothing bad to say about the Lash Sensational. It gave me volume, length and didn’t smudge. As mascara’s have such a short shelf life, it’s great to find a more affordable product that really does the job. I will be picking this up again.

Verdict: Would repurchased

Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing primer | £28.00

Although I love the original Photo Finish primer, I feel like the pore minimizing was not the best choice for my dry skin. As I wasn’t reaching for this, unfortunately it got old and crumbly, so I squeezed out the remaining product and called it a day. I think pore minimizing primers can be great (especially for oily skin) they often make my skin look to dry and congested. If I use them sparingly and in specific areas, I can get the result I’m after but honesty, it’s not an everyday requirement for me and so they often go to waste in my collection. As a result, I think I will be staying clear of mattifying and pore minimizing primers from now on.

Verdict: Wouldn’t repurchased

Benefit Gimme Brow 0.03oz | £21.50 for 3g

Benefit Gimme brow is one of my favourite products, to add texture and fullness to my brows. It’s a product I love to have on hand, but it’s not an essential if that makes sense. The results are more on the subtle side but I do notice and enjoy them. Shade 5, is a great match for my dark brown hair. The tiny wand, is especially good at adding fullness to the front of my brows, which are sparser. I would love to buy the full size of this, as I do miss using it.

Verdict: Would repurchased

Haircare

Ouai Hair Oil 10ml | £24.00 for 45ml

I loved this sample of the Ouai Hair Oil. It smelt like ylang ylang and white musk, which added some fragrance to my hair. As my hair is quite long, I used a couple of pumps into the palm of my hand and ran it through the ends of my damp hair. My hair always felt soft and nourished afterwards, without feeling weighed down. I would absolutely buy the full size of this.

Verdict: Would repurchased

Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Shampoo 300ml | £14.00

I have definitely mentioned the Redken Hair Cleansing Cream in another empties post before but sadly we are at the end of the road. I’m unable to find this anywhere, so I can only assume its been discontinued. Unfortunately, I haven’t found a replacement yet, so there is a clarifying shampoo sized hole in my heart. Using this once a week, helps to remove build-up and excess products. It left my hair feeling squeaky clean but not dry or stripped. Hopefully Redken come out with an alternative, because I was well and truly, a fan.

Verdict: Discontinued 

Natural World Brazilian Keratin Smoothing Therapy Hair Treatment Oil 25ml | £6.99 for 100ml

This has got to be one of the most affordable hair oils I have ever used and it works a treat. The Brazilian Keratin Hair oil leaves the ends of my hair feeling soft and looking shiny. I have nothing bad to say about it, its affordable and does the job. I apply this to damp hair and blow dry as normal. Easy to use and effective, I will likely pick this up again.

Verdict: Would repurchased

*PR gifted

Fragrance

Viktor & Rolf Bon Bon 50ml | £75

It’s hard work finishing a fragrance but the Viktor & Rolf Bon Bon is such a beautiful fragrance, I couldn’t help but reach for it daily. The top notes are mandarin, orange and peach but you can definitely smell the Jasmin and amber, making it smell less fruity and more warm. If you enjoy sweet, caramel fragrances, this is one to check out. I wasn’t too upset to finish this, as I do have a new bottle waiting for me. Which was a well picked Christmas gift. Someone knows me very well!

Verdict: Have repurchased

Final Thoughts

This set of empties was largely positive, I would repurchase almost all of these products, which is a great result. I’m very focused on using things up at the moment. More so then buying new things, which is why some of my favourites haven’t been repurchased yet. In the future, I definitely want to stick more to having less in each category. It’s a journey and I think I’m moving in the right direction. Best of all, I always love getting to finally recycle all these products!

What have you used up recently?

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