August Empties Pt. 2

August Empties

I’m going to continue Tuesday’s post on products I’ve used up. I’ve got quite a few mascaras here and a few other things so here we go!

• L’Oreal Magic Lumi Concealer: I really liked this. I don’t think it works well for covering serious dark circles but I did really like the brightening effect. It wasn’t cakey either. I think I would repurchase this, it is super cheap and works really well.
• MAC Toledo Mascara: This was limited edition with an ‘S’ shaped wand. It was a blue mascara too. I liked it, the wand took some getting used to but I probably won’t repurchase it again, it was too easy to end up with spider lashes.
• MAC In Extreme Dimension Mascara: I have such a love-hate relationship with this product. It works so well and gives me amazing lashes but it makes them water constantly. I won’t repurchase this, sadly it doesn’t work for me.
• MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Extravagant Mascara: This has a super cool brush that looks like a Christmas tree and is really cool. I think I would repurchase this at some point, there are so many to try first though!
• Maybelline Clear Mascara: I use this for my brows, I find it holds better than a brow wax and holds up better when it’s warm outside. I’ve already repurchased a new one.
• Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara: For $10, this was okay, it didn’t smudge or flake. I think if you’re really into using lots of products, you need this. Also, I have long bottom lashes and it made them look funny. I won’t be repurchasing this.
• benefit benebalm: I liked this, it gave my lips a slight tint without being over-powering. It also moisturizes my lips and smells amazing. I would like to try the other kinds too, particularily Cha Cha Balm. These are kind of expensive though so I think I’ll wait a while.
• MAKE UP FOR EVER Full Cover Concealer: My favorite way to use this is to actually mix it with a tellow tinted primer and use it as foundation. Concealing with it is great too but it is so pigmented and gives a nice finsh. I will repurchase it soon.
• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural: This was a great setting powder, I will definitely repurchase this when I have finished the one I’m working on now.

That’s it! I’m sure I had more but I moved in March and a bunch of things were thrown away to save space. I really like doing these, I hope you all like reading them too!

–Sam

August Empties Pt. 1

It’s been quite some time since I’ve done an empties post so naturally I have a few things to share. I’ll start with skincare items today and then talk about my makeup empties on Thursday. Let’s get started!

• Korres Guava Lip Butter: I love this lip balm, I like to keep it in my car because it doesn’t melt annd get ruined with it’s hot outside. It is a white balm that isn’t opaque but gives a cool effect to pigmented lips and makes them more neutral. It also hydrates really well, I’ve already replaced my stash in the car.
• Clean & Clear Deep Cleaning Toner: This toner is a great value. I always forget how much I like it until I use it again. It doesn’t dry out my skin and helps keep it super clear. After I’ve finished the Origins one I’m using now, I’ll probably go back to this. Plus it is a great value and lasts forever!
• Dior Creme de Rose Lip Balm: I will never be without this baby. It is thick and smells amazing, you can see my entire review here. I have already purcahsed another one of these, I probably will use it forever.
• MAC Brush Cleanser: This isn’t a skin care item but it fits better here than in the makeup section. I use this to spot clean my brushes in between deep cleanings. It is an alcohol based cleanser that isn’t too harsh on natural hair and still cleans synthetic brushes too. I’ve already got another bottle going on my vanity.
• Murad Acne Clearing Solution: Less is more with this product, you need less than a pea sized dot for your whole face and I use it in the AM and PM and I do think it helps keep my skin under control. The key is to let it sink in long enough before putting anything else on top. I already have another one and will use it for a long time. Tip: store it with the tip upwards, the cap isn’t the mose secure and it will leak out and waste product in the cap.

So that’s it for skin empties, come back on Thursday to see what makeup products I’ve used up!

–Sam

Empties!

I have a new empties post for you all. I recently finished off a bunch of products so this will be a long post!

January 2015 Empties

• Sephora for Formula X Nail Polish Remover: This nail polish remover powers through red polish, glitter, and everything in between. Plus I like the pump top so I don’t run the risk of spilling it everywhere! I already have another one of these going.
• Ole Hentiksen Pure Perfection Cream: I like this in combination with the Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Treatment but alone it wasn’t super awesome. It didn’t really moisturize (it isn’t supposed to) so I’m glad I finished it before winter when my skin needs the extra moisture. I won’t purchase this again, it was okay but I’ve moved on to other things.
• Bliss Fabulous Foaming Body Wash: I loved the way this smells (like the famous face wash from Bliss) but I didn’t notice anything special. I probably won’t repurchase this again unless it is at Marshall’s (where I buy most of my Bliss stuff)
• Batiste Deep Dark Brown Dry Shampoo: Nothing to say here that you haven’t read before. Of course I already have several cans ready to go.
• Dr. Dennis Gross Acne Pads: I would not repurchase this and I actually didn’t even finish these. They were so painful and made my skin so tight that I dreaded using them each night. Not sure if I got a bad batch but these were painful.
• Viktor & Rolf FLower Bomb Perfume: I loved this, I got so many compliments when I wore it. I would probably repurchase this in the future but I have so many other perfumes to go through. If you’re looking for a unique scent, try this one out!
• Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser: This cleanser was a huge savior to my skin, it wasn’t too harsh or too gentle. I will definitely repurchase this soon!
• Bliss Peeling Groovy Serum: This is a daily serum designed to act like a  chemical peel you can do at home. I saw results the first month of using this but after that, I stopped seeing changes and the results I had seen were gone. I will not repurchase this, for the price, I expected more.
• Bliss Daily Detoxifying Toner: I liked this toner a lot, it wasn’t harsh but felt like it was balancing my skin. I think I would repurchase this.
• benefit It’s Potent! Eye Cream: This eye cream didn’t do a whole lot for me. I have deep under eye circles (I think they’re genetic) and I didn’t really see any changes with this but it felt nice and didn’t smell bad. There are a few other eye creams I want to try but I might repurchase this one again in the future.
• MAC Brush Cleanser: I will never be without a bottle of this. I use it to spot clean my brushes in between deep cleans because it dries quickly and really gets product out of eye brushes. It isn’t really practical for foundation brushes or larger brushes but it works wonders for eye brushes!

Phew! That was a ton of stuff, thanks for sticking with me!

–Sam

Empties Pt. 2

Here is the second part of my empties, enjoy!

Empties Pt 2

• YSL Baby Doll Mascara: I loved everything about this mascara. The formula wasn’t too wet and the brush was moulded plastic and perfectly made so it gave incredible volume without clumps. I would repurchase this again when I have used up some of my other mascaras.
• MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Liner in brown and black: This liner is amazing, it is super waterproof and stays on all day. It has a felt tip applicator which is easy to control and create thin or thick lines. I currently have two of these open so I won’t need any for a bit but I plan on always having one in my stash.
• Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara: Normally I don’t like curved wands but this is an exception. It builds incredible volume and holds curl all day. I have one open right now and probably always will.
• Urban Decay Ink for Eyes: I should have returned this before it dried up but I was not impressed. Not only did it dry up after two weeks but it didn’t work. I would draw one line, then have to shake it to get more product out. I even stored it upside down so the tip was always wet but the product didn’t leak out. Not cool, so I will not be repurchasing this again.
• Anastasia Brow Wiz: This is the best brow pencil ever. You don’t need to sharpen it, it comes with a comb on the other end, and it is very fine. It creates natural looking brows without over drawing. I’m currently using other brow products but I would reuse this again in the future.
• L’Oreal Magic Lumi Concealer: This is a great drug store concealer. I will say that it highlights a lot better than it conceals but it is worth the small price tag. I have another one of these ready to go.
• benefit Speed Brow: This was basically a tinted brow gel with a little wand. Loved the wand but I definitely think a clear brow gel works fine too. I probably won’t repurchase this because I have other, less-expensive products that work just as well.

Empties Pt. 1

I have a ton of empties so I decided to split them into two posts. This one will focus on skin, hair, and fragrance.

Empties Pt. 1

• Batiste Dry Shampoo: I have gone on and on and on about this so I won’t say anything other than I love this, I already have three back-up cans ready to go.
• Bliss 24-‘Heaven’ Body Balm: I love this body lotion for even the driest of feet. It moisturizes so well and sinks in relatively quick for how thick it is. I would buy a second one but it is expensive and I already have another lotion to use up.
• benefit Porefessional: This was a long-time love for me but I have moved on to better primers. It is decent but I think it works but not on large pores. Plus it isn’t cheap but it does last a long time.
• Murad Acne Clearing Solution: I will buy this acne lotion for as long as I continue to have problem skin. It works miracles without drying or becoming greasy. If you have problem skin, I highly recommend this for you, It has reached Holy Grail status.
• Amor Amor Perfume: This perfume isn’t made anymore but I’ll try to describe it anyway. It was floral with a few warmer notes but it wasn’t warm or deep enough for me. I obviously won’t be repurchasing this because they don’t make it anymore.
• GLAMGLOW Supermud mask: This was nice, too expensive to repurchase though. I got it in a holiday set last year so it was a good deal. It did unclog my pores well though so that was a plus.
• MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural in Medium: I used this as a setting powder and it was great. It provided a little extra coverage without looking cakey or gross. I would repurchase this if I didn’t have about 5 more to use.

I’m trying to use up more products before buying more so expect to see more of these empties posts!

–Sam

February Empties

Warning, this is going to be a LONG post. I have a ton of empties that I’ve been saving since my last post so get ready!

Empties

1. MAC Plushglasses in Fulfilled and Power Supply: It was a struggle to finish these. I was really not a fan. While they did stay for a long time on the lips, they almost stayed too long. I will probably not repurchase, I have other glosses that I like better.
2. Sally Hansen Zero Bumps: This is a spray for your bikini line to prevent bumps. It works well, smells like vanilla, lasts a long time, and I’m already working on my second bottle.
3. Johnson’s No More Tangles: I liked this detangler, it was cheap and the bottle is huge. I would definitely recommend!
4. Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet+ Foundation: I loved loved loved this foundation. If I didn’t have another bottle to finish, I would for sure repurchase this. I definitely will in the future.
5. Batiste Dry Shampoo in Deep & Dark Brown: If you read my blog, you know how much I love this dry shampoo, I probably won’t try another because this one is the best.
6. Givenchy Play Perfume: I loved this scent, with notes of bergamot, sweet pea, amyris wood, tiare flower, sandalwood, and musk, it is a deep scent that stayed all day. Loved it!
7. Maybelline One by One Volum’ Express Mascara: This was a nice mascara, nothing special.
8. GlamGlow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment: This mask is amazing, I can’t say enough good things about it. Well worth the steep price tag for a small jar!
9. Philosophy Hope in  Jar: I wrote a review on this quite a while ago, and I loved it until it broke me out after a few weeks of use. Plus, the closer to the bottom of the jar I got, the worse it smelled. And it didn’t really moisturize. I will not repurchase this product.
10. Tarte Lights Camera Flashes Mascara: I had a sample sized tube and really liked it, though I found the brush to be a little too big and a little to sharp. If it got too close to my lid, it would sometimes poke me. Not cool.
11. Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara: It was a nice mascara, but the brush was huge and for the price, I won’t be repurchasing this product.
12. L’Oreal Volumnious Mascara: This mascara is one of the best around, I really loved everything about it. On my next target run, I will pick up another tube.
13. Maybelline Great Lash in Maroon: I wanted to try a colored mascara, but I never really used this. It looked good over a coat of black mascara, but it dried out before I could finish the tube.

These are all my empties! I tried to keep the reviews short so this wasn’t a super long post. Happy Monday!

–Sam

Empties!

I love watching Empties videos on YouTube because generally, reviews are better once the entire product has been used up so viewers get a better sense of products. So here is my very first empties post!

1. Coach Poppy Perfume: I have the purse size which is perfect because I never like to use the same perfume two days in a row. Anyway, this is a floral scent undercut with deeper, more complex notes that I really enjoy. I would definitely repurchase this and I get a lot of compliments when I wear it.
2. Ole Henriksen Truth To Go wipes: I used these wipes to take my makeup off at the gym. I like the orange smell of these but as for performance, they were alright. I will not be repurchasing these because they’re pretty expensive and I can find cheaper ones that work just as well.
3. First Aid Beauty Radiance Pads: I was very sad to see these babies go. I really enjoyed them, they were a gentle exfoliator that made my skin brighter and faded dark spots. Once I’m done with a different jar of exfoliator pads, I will be switching back to these!
4. Wen: I love love love Wen. I reviewed it before, the only complaint I have is that it is hard to get the last few uses out, I wish it came in a squeeze tube so I could get every last drop out. When I run out of my ‘It’s a 10!’, I will probably go back to using this.
5. Batiste Cherry and deep/dark brown: Batiste is hands down my favorite dry shampoo. I will always repurchase this brand because it is affordable and comes in colors to avoid the ‘gray roots’ look.
6. Shea Sugar Body Scrub: I saw this tiny jar at Ulta and when I opened it to smell it, it took me back to junior high when everyone smelled like coconut lime body spray. I like to use this on my legs before I shave and on my arms when they are feeling a bit dry. It is important to follow up with lotion afterwards to make sure you don’t dry out your skin. I bought a full size of this but in a different scent because the coconut lime one was too sweet.
7. Way To Grow shampoo and conditioner: Maybe it was a placebo effect but I thought these two products really did help my hair grow. The only downside is that it made my hair super greasy so I had to wash it almost every day. I will not be repurchasing this for that reason, although I really did like it.

Do you like empties posts? Let me know in the comments down below!

–Sam