Empties: September 2015

Welcome to my trash! Let’s take a look at products I’ve completely used up, along with my quick review of them. Some products I have full reviews on and if that’s the case, I’ll link the full review for you to read.

1.Lather Ultra Light Face Lotion (1.0 oz.)

I received this in my April 2015 ipsy glam bag and rather liked it. A little goes a long way and it absorbs into the skin nicely. I found this to be moisturizing and I would consider re-purchasing. It’s a good under makeup moisturizer.

2. Caudalíe Vinosource Moisturzing Sorbet (0.33 oz, 100 point perks from Sephora.com)

Love, love, love this moisturizer! Unfortunately, Caudalíe isn’t cruelty-free so I will no longer be getting this product. This moisturizer is really good for my sensitive skin—I felt it calmed my skin and kept it moisturized. I love the smell of Caudalíe products too—a slight grape scent. Tip: Cut the top off of squeeze-tube products so that I to get every last drop!

3. Caudalie Make-Up Remover Cleansing Water (1 oz., deluxe-sample from Sephora.com)

This micellar water was included in a Beauty Battle that you can read here. I really liked this product and it has the same nice scent that the Moisturizing Sorbet does. It is gentle on my skin and removed makeup well.

4. fresh Rose Hydrating Eye Gel Cream (foil packet sample from Sephora.com)

This eye cream is okay. I don’t find it to be particularly hydrating like the fresh black tea eye cream. I have a few more foil packets of this that I will use up, but I wouldn’t purchase it. It was moisturizing enough, but nothing spectacular.

5. Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores (0.5 oz.)

I got this charcoal mask as part of a sampler set around the holidays last year. I didn’t feel that this mask did anything for me. It didn’t clear my pores, it only made my skin feel tight. I’ve never been a fan of charcoal-based products so it could just be me (although my husband didn’t like it either), so I would pass on this.

6. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara (0.1 oz, deluxe sample size)

I don’t remember where I got this from, but I know it’s a great mascara. You can read my full review on this product here. This is one of the best mascaras I have ever tried. Benefit is not a cruelty-free brand so I wouldn’t re-purchase (and I also don’t buy high-end mascaras because why spend 30-ish dollars on something that you can only use for a few months, and there are great drugstore mascaras).

6. CoverGirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara

This is a rubber bristle brush, so it’s pokey when you are applying the product. The mascara itself, however, is pretty good. It fanned my lashes out nicely and didn’t clump or flake. You can read my full review here.

7. L’Oreal Magic Lumi Highlighter Pen in 860 Fair

This liquid highlighter is a twist-up pen with a brush tip applicator. Mine is in the color fair and it has the slightest salmon color to it—this helps cancel out darkness around the eyes. I used this mainly on top of my under eye concealer, or on its own, to brighten up my under eye area. I liked this product but, alas, will not be re-purchasing because L’Oreal is not cruelty-free.

8. Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Redness Correcting Primer (0.16 oz., deluxe-sample from Sephora.com)

This is a fantastic primer if you need to cover up redness on your skin. It is definitely a pricier primer (1 oz., $36), and Make Up For Ever has questionable cruelty-free status, so I won’t be purchasing. BUT, if MUFE was cruelty-free I would probably be picking this up at Sephora’s sale in November. You can read my full review of this product here.

That’s everything I’ve used up recently. What products have you used up? Any recommendations?

Disclaimer: All products are purchased by me or my lovely husband unless otherwise noted in the post. 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. This post is not sponsored.

Referral Links:

ipsy: https://www.ipsy.com/r/ts6i8

POPSUGAR:  http://popsu.gr/uXzQ  Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Ibotta: https://ibotta.com/r/bthara

Birchbox: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/dqphm

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

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Empties: July 2015

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Let’s look at my trash! Ha ha. Here are the products I’ve used up recently, accompanied by a super quick review of each product.

The Usual Suspects

These are products that will often pop up in empties because I have been continually using them over time:

Eucerin Calming Crème Daily Moisturizer

I use this every night on my hands and legs after showering. It is so, so moisturizing (but does take a while to absorb into the skin). I would highly recommend this if you have dry skin.

Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Power Serum

Holy Grail! I’ve talked about this serum a bunch, I cannot be without it. No other serum I’ve tried compares to this one. It is moisturizing, helps even out my skin tone, isn’t heavy on my skin and is packed full of ingredients that are good for your skin.

Carmex Original Lip Balm

Only lip balm that doesn’t irritate my lips. It is very moisturizing and last a long time. It has an SPF 15 to boot! Don’t forget to apply SPF to your lips!

Caudalíe Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet

I use this as my nighttime moisturizer. It’s recommended for dry and sensitive skin. Some moisturizers can irritate my skin, but this one doesn’t. It’s packed full of ingredients that are supposed to help your skin retain moisture. It has a very, very slight grape smell that I love.

Maybelline Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil

This used to be my favorite eyebrow pencil. I just recently received the it Cosmetics Brow Power (see it in my June Favorites here) which I feel will replace this, but I’ve used the Maybelline Define-A-Brow for a while. It is the most natural looking brow pencil I’ve tried from the drugstore.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation

I’ve used this foundation for years now. It provides full coverage without looking too much like you have makeup on. It also has SPF 15. You can read my review here.

Other Products:

Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner

This is a great drugstore toner option. It does contain alcohol though, so it was a bit too harsh for my skin—it left my skin red. It does a good job of getting excess makeup off and toning the skin. If Dickinson’s made an alcohol-free toner (doesn’t seem like they do), I would purchase it.

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin (Sephora sample)

I love the original Urban Decay Primer Potion. This version of Urban Decay’s eyeshadow primer is tinted to one of their most popular eyeshadow colors, Sin. Sin is a very pretty silver-champagney color with lots of sparkle. This doubles as a great base eyeshadow color. I would consider purchasing the full-size of this when I run out of all the other eye primers I have. I do have to add, though, that Urban Decay recently repackaged the Primer Potions and I don’t like it (dough foot now vs. a squeezy tube).

YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara (Sephora sample)

This was not my favorite mascara. The wand was hard to work with and it was very difficult to wash off. There are many drugstore mascaras that perform better than this one. You can read my full review here.

derma e Evenly Radiant Brightening Day Crème

This was a good daytime moisturizer—it is light and contains SPF 15. It dries on the skin very quickly so I recommend applying to one area of the face at a time.

Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm (Sephora samples)

I received a bunch of these samples with purchases from Sephora.com. It was an okay eye cream. I didn’t notice any difference to my eye area after using this and I didn’t find it to be moisturizing enough. I would pass on this.

fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate (Sephora sample)

I loved this eye cream. It is super hydrating. I noticed that my under eye area looked plumper and smoother (and felt smoother too). This is a very expensive eye cream, but I would consider purchasing the full-size because it worked so well.

L’Occitane Immortelle Precious Night Cream (Sephora sample)

Soooo good, soooo sooooo expensive! This is a great night cream—it’s thick but absorbs nicely into the skin and it left my skin so hydrated and smooth. It’s over $70 for not even 2oz though so I doubt I would ever purchase it on my own. If you’re looking to spend money on a good nighttime moisturizer, I would recommend this one.

Caudalíe Premier Cru Cream The Eye Cream and The Cream

I was going to do a full review on these products because they are supposed to be the upper eschalon of Caudalíe products. However, I don’t feel they are worth it. I received these free with a purchase from Sephora.com and was very excited to try them out since I love the Caudalíe Moisturizing Sorbet (see above). I don’t feel like these products did anything and I think the Moisurizing Sorbet is actually more moisturizing than these more expensive products. Nothing special in my book. I also had a foil packet of the Caudalíe Vinoperfect Radiance Serum and I did not like it. It was very sticky and sat on my face. I would pass on these three products and go for the Moisturizing Sorbet if you want to try out Caudalíe.

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

   

Check out my past empties here.

Disclaimer: All products are purchased by me or my lovely husband unless otherwise noted in the post. 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. This post is not sponsored.

Referral Links:

Starlooks: https://subscriptions.starlooks.com/?refer=REF5869

ipsy: https://www.ipsy.com/r/ts6i8

POPSUGAR:  http://popsu.gr/uXzQ  Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Ibotta: https://ibotta.com/r/bthara

Birchbox: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/dqphm

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

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Empties: Products I’ve Used Up | March 2015

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Here are the products I’ve used up recently, along with a super quick review. A lot of skin care stuff this month!

1. Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash

I’ve already repurchased this. It does a good job of getting makeup off and does not strip my skin of moisture.

2. Eucerin Calming Crème Daily Moisturizer

            This stuff is amazing! I use it on my hands every night before I go to bed. You can usually score the smaller ones for free with coupons and I use the larger bottles as a body lotion. It is so good at moisturizing and does not irritate my sensitive skin. It can be a bit greasy, but it’s worth it to me since it soothes my dry skin.

3. Carmex Original Lip Balm

            This is one of the only lip balms that does not actually dry my lips out. I’ve repurchased this over and over and will continue to do so. It has an SPF of 15 as well.

4. eco-beauty by La Fresh Group good day. day moisturizer.

            I was very sad when I finished up this moisturizer. I’ve talked about this several times on this site. I got this in an ipsy bag and absolutely loved it. It was moisturizing but absorbed into my skin fast without making my skin oily. When I’m in need of a full-size moisturizer (I have a bunch of samples right now) I will strongly consider purchasing this. It’s expensive ($40 for a full-size, I believe) but it really worked well with my skin.

5.  Kate Somerville Age Arrest Eye Cream

            This got the job done. It wasn’t anything special, but it did keep my under eye area moisturized and did not cause my makeup to run. It lasted a long, long time but for the price I don’t think I’ll repurchase.

6. bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer in Original

            My Holy Grail primer. This really helps protect my skin from anything that would clog my pores. I wear it even when I don’t wear foundation to protect my skin from the elements. It provides a nice base for makeup. It is a more watery primer so if you like thick primers (e.g., Smashbox Photo Finish) this may not be the primer for you.

7. Maybelline the Colossal Volum’ Express Cate Eyes Mascara in Glam Black

            I liked this mascara. It wasn’t too dry of a formula and I liked the wand shape. The wand was curved and it really helped push up my lashes and get product near my lash line. It didn’t flake too much and lasted all day.

8. Revlon ColorStay Foundation in Normal/Dry Skin in 150 Buff

            I don’t want to say too much about this foundation because I will have a full review coming up in a full coverage foundation beauty battle. As you saw in a Super Savings post, I’ve already repurchased this. Overall, it’s a great full coverage foundation. The color range is large (though doesn’t get too deep) and it comes in two formulas: normal/dry skin and combination/oily skin.

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

Disclaimer: These items were purchased with my own money or by my lovely husband 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.

Referral Links:

ipsy: https://www.ipsy.com/r/ts6i8

Birchbox: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/dqphm

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

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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.