October Empties

It's that time of the month again! Let's go through my empties and see what I think about each product.

It was a good masking month and I've used up a bunch of sheet masks. I've finished a bunch of Leaders 7 Wonders sheet masks (link) and I have many more to go. I love this line of masks and I enjoy using them. I've also used Leaders Breakup with Your Ex-Skin Cells exfoliating mask (link) and it was ok, but nothing special.

Another sheet mask brand that I love is Biobelle, so of course I enjoyed using their #Primer mask* (link). It hydrates skin, makes it soft and glowing.

I didn't know that Avene makes sheet masks until I received one in my October's BeautyFix box. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this Soothing Sheet Mask (link). I'm used to sheet masks soaked in serum, but this one was full of gel and felt different from the rest. It felt very nice and calming on my skin. The skin was left super soft, hydrated and very even in color. I would gladly use this mask again and I'm planning to get it in the future when my current mask supplies get lower.

I like all Pacifica face washes, so Quinoa Sensitive one (link) was no exception. It was gentle on the skin, removed makeup well and lasted long. It felt like it's lasting longer than other Pacifica face cleansers that I've tried.

I didn't like Acure Pore Minimizing Facial Scrub (link) and used it up as body scrub. This scrub is gentle, but does the job. However, the scent bugged me and since a tiny amount is needed for use, I just couldn't think of using it on my face for eternity.

I love the scent of neroli, so I was excited to get Russell Neroli Phyto Toner (link). It did smell good, but it didn't feel special. No need to say that I'm not going to repurchase this one.

I also finished deluxe samples of Daily Dew Hydrating Essence Mist (link) and Freeze Frame Beauty Essence (link) from Saturday Skin. I love the packaging, but none of the products impressed me with performance. The mist had a very nice and fine spray though.

I've used up my second sample of BareMinerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion (link). I enjoyed this serum a lot and since it has a thicker texture, it can be used both as a light moisturizer during warmer months and as a serum under creams during colder months.

This was my second Caudalie Vine Activ Discovery Kit (link). Actually, I've finished serum and moisturizer from this set and I'm still using eye cream. I used both products as my moisturizers with different serums underneath. I'm still unsure how I feel about Caudalie, because the products and their scents don't excite me, but I keep coming back to them when I want something basic and simple.

I've enjoyed using Mojo Spa Lip-A-Luscious lip scrub* (link), but I'm getting rid of whatever is left as it's a huge pot and I'm not a fan of dipping my fingers into a product. I was ok with that in the beginning, but after a while I get nervous about what gets in the pot from my fingers even when I wash hands before using it. Anyway, the product was nice, tasted and smelled great and did the job. It would leave lips super soft.

No matter what my eye cream promises, I look for hydration first and It Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream (link) did that perfectly. It was rich enough, but didn't feel heavy on the skin and it left undereyes hydrated and soft.

Ogee Sculpted Lip Oil* (link) was a great lip balm. The packaging was cute and the lip balm was good on my lips. It had a slight minty flavor. I have a whole review on Ogee and its products.

I barely ever cut my product tubes, but I did that with Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment  (link). By cutting the package, I got one more application of this mask. It felt nice on the skin, dried quickly, but didn't feel uncomfortable on the skin and it was easy to wash off. I also had a sample of Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment (link), which I used as a wash off mask. I'm not sure how I feel about it and I'm leaning towards not liking it, but I might give it a chance and try using a few other ways as I have one more sample left.

I love Burt's Bees lip balms, but I didn't like something about the taste of the Replenishing one (link). I tried using it, but can't force myself to do it, so I'm getting rid of it. I've used plenty of Burt's Bees lip balms in the past and I'm currently using one, so one bad one will not stop me from enjoying the products.

Arcona Cranberry Gommage Exfoliant (link) came in October's BeautyFix box. The scent is nice, but strong, so it might not be the best choice for those sensitive to fragrances. It was good enough for one use only and it did the job, but I wasn't impressed enough to purchase full size.

Another product that I received in one of BeautyFix boxes is MD Solar Sciences Mineral Tintd Cream SPF30 (link). It felt too silicone-y for my liking, but it was great to use first thing in the morning. I would apply it before even washing my face and would go walk he dogs and once back home I would wash my face and proceed with my regular skincare routine.   

I can't believe I finished Natura Siberica Oblepikha Shower Gel* (link). This brand is very inexpensive, but offers great products. This shower gel not only smelled amazing, but also left skin hydrated and soft. It didn't dry or irritate the skin.

I like Hello toothpastes, but Sensitivity Relief (link) was just ok. I wasn't a fan of the taste also. I've had whitening one in the past and currently I'm using bubble gum flavored from kids line and mojito one and I prefer all 3 over this sensitivity one.

Nails Inc Sole Healer Food Peel (link) is the biggest disappointment. It has cute design, but apart from that it did nothing (not even a tiniest peel). I've had some inexpensive ones from Asian brands and they all worked, but this one was a waste of money. I even intentionally waited longer to get my pedicure in case this peel started working, but nothing.

When I need to be 100% sure that my deodorant works, I choose Secret Clinical Strength (link). I got so hooked on this product that I've been using it for about 1.5 years. With weather cooling down I want to go back to using my natural deodorant (nothing better than Meow Meow Tweet) and keeping Secret for special occasions or for going out.

I used to use Eos Shave Cream (link) in the past and remember only goods things about it, so I got it again. It didn't disappoint me and I enjoyed how it did the job and made my legs hydrated. 
  
Another month, another Alba Botanica Acnedote Face & Body Scrub (link) in my empties. It's my must have product for legs.

I've mentioned Sweetspot Labs Vanilla Blossom gentle wash (link) in my previous blog post. It's a great feminine care product, but it also works nice as a full body wash. It would keep the skin moist and soft.

I've finally finished Live Clean Coconut Milk Moisturizing Shampoo* (link). It was heavier than what I prefer for my fine hair, but it didn't make the hair look greasy or weighted down. I would use this shampoo 1-2 times a week. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing either.

I still can't forget Less Is More shampoo from the same line as it was unbelievably great on my hair, but Lindengloss Conditioner* (link) was just so so. It wasn't very hydrating, it wasn't very detangling or nourishing, so I was really using it just to use it up. The Lindengloss shampoo was fantastic and I would repurchase it if I found it available.

When I was looking for a blue shampoo and conditioner, I had no problem finding a bunch of options for shampoos, but not for conditioners. Since I settled on shampoo from the same line, I picked up Oribe Bright Blonde Conditioner (link) as well. It smells very nice (just like other Oribe products). The shampoo is much darker in color than conditioner which is paler. I don't use shampoo on my ends, so I specifically wanted a purple conditioner for getting any brassiness off my ends. While it works well for that, this conditioner as well as shampoo feels very drying. I would only use it mixed with another conditioner or hair mask. 

I'm into gel manicures currently, so I went trough my nail polish collection and cut it in half. While doing so I came across two nail polishes that are so old that they need to be tossed away. Sephora by OPI in Arm Candy is the color that started my whole collection. This beautiful bright pink is perfect both for manicures and pedicures and I've worn it so many time. Another beautiful color that I have to toss out due to changing color is OPI Tickle My France-y.

I usually don't keep samples for my empties, but I wanted to mention both of these foundation as I really enjoyed using them. The first one is Fenty Beauty (link), which applied beautifully and made skin matte, but not flat looking. It is probably best for normal, combo and oily skin as it tends to accentuate any dryness or deep wrinkles/lines on the skin. The other foundation is Too Faced Born This Way (link). It has a very good staying power and looks natural on the skin.   

I like Buxom lip glosses and have a bunch of them. Berry Blast (link) is a very bright color and I tend to use it as a topper for other bright pink/magenta/fuschia lipsticks in the summer. That combo is gorgeous.

I'm cleaning out my lip product collection and getting rid of Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner in Blossom Lady (link). The shade is very subtle on the lips, but it is very beautiful and very wearable. I'm giving this one away just because I never reach for it as I don't like that natural/clay taste. I also prefer more pigmented lip products.

I never use lip or ye liners, but somehow I decided that I need to have a clear lip pencil just in case. Well, I got Maybelline Color Sensational Clear Lip Liner (link), used it a few times and kept in my makeup drawer without touching. I know myself and I know my habits, so I know I'm not going to use it ever again.

I used up two eyebrow pencils. I lost count of how many Sante Eyebrow Pencil in Blonde (link) I've used. It's one of my favorite brow products and I will continue repurchasing it. The other one is from Lily Lolo (link). This dual sided pencil has color on one end and highlighter on the other end. I didn't like the highlighter part as it was not blendable and didn't look the way I like, but I really enjoyed the color side. The pencil was soft, but it was easy to work with. The color was nice too. However, since I only use half of the product and it didn't last long due to its creaminess I'm not going to repurchase this one as I have better eyebrow products available.

It's my second Vapour Illusionist Concealer (link), but I don't think I'll get it again. I only use concealers to brighten my undereye area. This one was good for that, but it didn't give much coverage otherwise. It didn't crease, didn't oxidize, didn't change throughout the day and looked natural. I'm sad that I still had about 1/2 of it left when it broke from off base. 

I really liked CoverGirl Total Teaze mascara (link), but I prefer more volume, so I won't repurchase this. It was a very nice mascara, which gave volume, length and separation. It's just that it wasn't enough volume for me.

Dr. Bronners Rose Pure Castile Liquid Soap (link) is a multi use product that I mainly used to wash my brushes and makeup sponges. It smells great and comes in a big variety of scents.
 



* marks PR samples received complimentary