Empties: Products I’ve Used Up | February 2015

 1. Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum.

            Love, love, love this serum! It is a Holy Grail product for me, as I mentioned before in this post. It definitely keeps my skin moisturized, evens out my skin tone and brightens. I briefly stopped using this to try out another serum and my skin was not happy with me. I won’t be without this. It’s pricey, but most serums are so it’s worth it to me. I get this at Sephora.

2. Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins

            Another Origins product—I think they may be my favorite skin care line. I got this as part of an Origins gift set (it was a really good deal, it was like 5 or 6 products for under $40, I hope it comes out again!). This was really good for my skin during the fall to winter transition. Very, very hydrating. I wouldn’t recommend this if you have oily skin. I have dry skin and sometimes it was a bit too much for me. I think I would only use this in the winter, as I see it making me oily in the summer.

3. Revlon Eye Lash Curler

            I love Revlon’s eye last curlers. I think they are the only brand of eye lash curler I’ve ever used. But, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. You don’t technically “use up” an eye lash curler, but I like to get a new one every year. I clean mine regularly, but it’s still probably best to get a fresh one every now and then.

 4. Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Liner in 10 Cosmic Black

            Eh. This eyeliner was okay. I like my eyeliners on the creamier side; I find them easier to apply that way. This eyeliner was rather stiff and I found it hard to get a smooth line. It was a very matte black, but I wouldn’t re-purchase.

5. Deluxe Sample of L’Occitane Shea Hand Cream

            I received this free deluxe sample from Sephora when I made a qualifying purchase. When you place an order of $25 or more on Sephora.com, you receive a free deluxe sample of a product. I really liked this hand cream. I have very dry skin so I’m always on the hunt for great lotions. This size was perfect for my makeup bag and my husband bought me a bunch of the full-size for Christmas. I like these hand creams so much I got them as birthday presents for some of my friends.

6. Deluxe Sample of Benefit They’re Real! Push-Up Liner

            I received this free deluxe sample from Sephora when I made a qualifying purchase. At the time, this was a new product from the high-end brand Benefit. It is supposed to have the precision of a liquid or gel eyeliner with an easy, new application tool. The liner dispenser has a rubber tip that is angled to mimic an angled eyeliner brush and help you get close to your lash line without messing up your liner. Reviews on this product were mixed. I liked it and my husband got me the full-size for Christmas. It went on very easily for me, provided a smooth and even line and stayed put all day. I loved the application tip and it would definitely help me perfect the elusive winged eyeliner if I had the patience to practice it!

 Lastly, I have three mascaras. I go through mascaras quickly because you are supposed to change them every three months, and I often get deluxe samples that only last me a month or so.

7. Almay Intense I-Color Volumizing Mascara in 034 Mocha

            I was not a fan of this mascara, at all. Luckily, I ended up getting it for free or close to free with coupons. It is a very dry formula and it flaked on me like crazy. I would continually have to dust off brown specks from my face. It also dried out very quickly in the tube. I would not repurchase and unfortunately, I have a second tube (also free/close to free with coupons) that I got at the same time. I may pass it along to someone who likes dry formula mascaras.

8. Deluxe Sample of tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara

            I used my Sephora points to get this deluxe sample (you get 1 point for every dollar you spend at Sephora). It only comes in one color and is supposed to curl, volumize, lengthen and condition your lashes. This mascara is very popular online, so I had high hopes for it. I was disappointed L I also found this mascara to be dry. There was nothing special about it to me and it did flake slightly. For high-end mascara, I expected more. I’m glad I only used points to get this instead of actually purchasing it.

9.  Deluxe Sample of Givenchy Noir Couture Volume Mascara in 1 Black Taffeta

We’ll end this empties post on a high note. I also used my Sephora points to get this deluxe sample. Love at first swipe! This mascara was so volumizing my eyelashes touched my brow bones, and stayed there all day. It does give a slightly spidery appearance to the lashes (i.e., very long and thin) but does not flake. When I saw this mascara as a deluxe sample a second time, I used my points to get another sample. I can’t bring myself to spend $32 on a mascara so deluxe samples it is!

Those are all the products I’ve used up recently. What have you finished up? Let me know if the comments below!

 Disclaimer: These items were purchased with my own money (with the exception of the above noted Sephora samples purchased with points or included free with purchase) and all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you.