Thursday, 2 October 2014

August/September Empties!

Hi, everyone! It seems like ages since I've done an Empties post and this huge lot of products proves that it has indeed been a while! Things were hectic at the outset of September (finished an internship, moved in with my boyfriend), so I decided to hoard things a bit longer and do a combined August and September Empties feature. I have quite a few items to cover, so I'll try to keep my comments short and sweet!


Revlon ColourStay Pressed Powder in Light
A basic setting powder that keeps skin fairly matte and doesn't clog my pores. Nicely affordable when on sale!
Repurchase? Maybe. Nothing special, but no real complaints either.

Zelens Z Matrix (sample)
Lovely, luxurious formula, but felt a bit too heavy on my oily skin. Didn't lead to any noticeable results upon waking the next day. 
Repurchase? No

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser (sample)
Lovely scent, enjoyable texture, but I found this to be too irritating/stimulating on my sensitive skin. 
Repurchase? No

The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter
Does an amazing job at removing makeup, is gentle on my sensitive skin, and has never broken me out. Plus, the price is right!
Repurchase? Already have!

Lush Sweetie Pie Shower Jelly
Smells sweet, but not sickly so, has such a fun texture, and lathers wonderfully when crushed into my loofah sponge. 
Repurchase? Not right away, but yes!


BeneFit They're Real! Mascara
Gives amazing volume, wears all day, and doesn't flake. Difficult removal is the only aspect that isn't top-notch.
Repurchase? Already have!

d.j.v. beautenizer Volume Lash Mascara
This gave the most unbelievable volume during the first few weeks of use. As the formula started to dry out, though, things got a bit flakier and less impressive. 
Repurchase? Maybe.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner (sample)
Fresh cucumber scent, love that it's alcohol free, and the price is manageable. Did sting my skin slightly, though- not sure if that was a fluke?
Repurchase? Maybe. Slightly put off by the mild stinging.

Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Toner (sample)
I've used this in the past. Luxurious formula with flower petals in the bottle, gentle, and smells lovely. But no astounding results, which you might expect given the price tag. 
Repurchase? No. Lovely toner, but can't justify the price.

Marc Anthony Hydrating Coconut Oil & Shea Butter Sulfate Free Conditioner
Lovely basic conditioner for dry hair. Moisturizing without weighting hair down, smells very nice, and is wonderfully affordable, especially when on sale. 
Repurchase? Yes. Not life-changing, but did a nice job and I'm happy with the ingredients.


Sisley Creamy Mask with Tropical Resins (Sample)
Got two uses from this pouch and I was truly impressed. Exceedingly gentle, yet led to noticeably clearer and calmer skin on both occasions. Wish the price tag weren't so exorbitant!
Repurchase? Yes, in a "one day when I have the money" sort of way. It's really good stuff!

Maybelline Define-A-Brow Pencil in Dark Blonde
The best drugstore brow product I've tried. Great match for my dark blond hair and wears well all day without fading or smudging. Love the price too!
Repurchase? Already have!

Bumble & Bumble Bb Texture Hair (un)Dressing Creme (mini)
This has such a crazy, sticky texture, but it does a fab job at adding just the right amount of wave, mess, and volume to my hair. Works great on both wet and dry tresses. 
Repurchase? Yes! Perhaps during the Sephora F&F sale :)

Andalou 1000 Roses Absolute Serum (sample)
I scored a sample of this from The Big Carrot on the Danforth because it smelled heavenly. This really calmed my sensitive skin nicely and didn't seem to cause any breakouts. 
Repurchase? Maybe! Definitely curious to try more from the range.


Montagne Jeunesse Chocolate Mask
Smelled amazing, fun chocolately texture and colour. Broke me out like crazy. 
Repurchase? No.

Montagne Jeunesse Manuka Honey Peel-Off Mask
One of the best smelling masks I've tried, like real fresh wild honey. But it hurt so much when peeling it off. My sensitive skin was not happy. 
Repurchase? No.

The Body Shop Aloe Calming Toner
A lovely basic toner that removed traces of makeup and cleanser without stripping my skin. Fairly priced, and very gentle. 
Repurchase? A nice toner, but no. I have a few firm faves and this didn't replace them.

Oribe Surfcomber Tousled Texture Mousse
One of the first styling products I found after cutting my hair a year ago. Gives such amazing volume and wave to my hair! A little goes a long way and I'm always left feeling beachy. Worth the price. 
Repurchase? Already have!


Chanel Le Jour de Chanel
Very nice salicylic acid-based serum that smells super fresh and gave a nice glow to my skin without any greasiness. Wore wonderfully under makeup and didn't cause irritation. 
Repurchase? Maybe. Was a pleasure to use, but still not sure if it was worth the splurge.

The Face Shop Real Nature Pomegranate Sheet Mask
I love a good sheet mask, and this is one of the best I've tried! Really left skin plump and glowing and no breakouts in sight afterwards. 
Repurchase? Yes!

Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation Primer
Smoothes easily over skin, not too heavy on the silicones, makeup adheres to it like a dream, and has never broken me out. 
Repurchase? Already have! My favourite foundation primer of all :)


Phew- that was a big bunch! It really was nice to see everything I managed to finish up over the last couple of months. I've really lightened my load! Hope you found my brief reviews to be helpful and that I've inspired you to snag (or avoid) some of these goodies :)

Have you tried anything I've featured here? Tempted by anything? What have you finished up lately?

Thanks for reading! xo

15 comments:

  1. Wow! Good job on finishing all those products, hehe! I have a feeling I'll be finishing up the TBS Cleansing Butter quite soon as well! But like you said, the price is pretty great! The Oribe spray sounds so nice. I guess they just know how to do texturising sprays eh?

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

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    1. They sure do! And glad you're loving the cleansing butter too :)

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  2. I want to try Oribe products. Hope you have an awesome and productive day!


    Kenny,
    WHATKENNYHEARTS.COM
    INSTAGRAM @kennydaily / BLOGLOVIN / FACEBOOK

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  3. I need to lay my hands on some Oribe! It seems like EVERYBODY loves the stuff! I recently finished (or almost finished. The liner got too dry) Bobbi Brown Black Ink and yet another tube of my Dior lash primer, probably also some shampoo but that's hardly an achievement ;)

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    1. You should! It's really fab stuff. I'll have to check out that Dior lash primer :)

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  4. Quite the collection of empties! I've always been curious about the Chanel Le Jour. Might have to go and get a sample.

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    1. You should! It really is a nice morning serum :)

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  5. Great collection!
    http://wonderfullymadebypris.weebly.com

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  6. I'm really tempted to try the Laura Mercier oil free primer, it sounds like it would be perfect for my skintype!

    Catherine, xo || Lady Liquor

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    1. It's fabulous! Definitely worth checking out :)

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  7. Replies
    1. Thanks, Jenn! I've really been trying to clear out :)

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All of your lovely comments make my day! Thanks for taking the time to share your musings, ideas, and opinions. Feel free to leave a link to your blog- I'd be happy to check it out :)