November Empties

It's the last day of November and I'm sharing my empties again. I don't know how I go through so many things each month as there's always a time when I think that I will barely have anything to talk about and then the end of the month comes and my basket is full. This month I'll try to do the review a little different and will share a link to the specific post if I've already did a review on a certain product.

It's becoming a tradition to start with masks. As always my sheet masks consist mostly of Leaders and Biobelle. I did try 2 new Biobelle masks: #Dreamskin sheet mask (link) and #UnicornShake hydrogel mask (link). One difference that I've noticed about the new masks is that directions tell you to pat the remaining product into the skin. The older masks tell to rinse the face. I must say I love the change as I often choose sheet masks for hydration and like to apply them after I apply serum.

I've also gone through one more Beautigenix Lifting mask* (link). My skin feels a bit firmer after I use it, but most of all it feels soft, hydrated and plump.

I'm just getting into Fresh products, but I'm already in love with Soy face cleanser (link). It smells amazing, doesn't irritate eyes/skin and removes makeup well. I have a couple of these deluxe samples received as GWP, so I use them both for my face and to wash my makeup brushes.

Drunk Elephant Beste Jelly Cleanser (link) changed the packaging and I assume it's because of the leaking issue. I've read a lot of complaints about that, but I've never had problems with my cleanser. This cleanser lasted forevr even though I didn't try to save it and used way more than I needed. It was a good product and did its job, but it has nothing exciting, so I got tired of using it so long.

I've also used up Natura Siberica Cleansing Foaming Mousse* (link), which was another product lasting forever. I liked it more in the beginning, but later I noticed that while it removes makeup, it doesn't do the best job if I use more/heavier makeup. I used this face wash as my morning cleanser and also to wash my brushes.

Madre Labs Witch Hazel toner is discontinued (link to similar products), but I really don't see much difference among different brands. I use this toner to wipe off my face after washing my face.

I love the smell and fine mist of Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea (link). I used it before applying my serum/moisturizer and I liked it so much that I will repurchase it in the future. I also used up Glycolic Acid toner (link), which didn't smell as good and I didn't see any magical results.

I've used up another Saturday Skin Daily Dew Hydrating Essence Mist (link). It was ok, nothing spectacular, almost fragrance-free, so nothing to hype about. Just another facial mist.

I like switching up my face masks and I used Origins Clear Improvements (link) as my pore clearing/detoxifying option. I liked it enough to repurchase it in the future. The mask was easy to apply, a little went a long way, it dried quickly, but didn't feel uncomfortable on the skin and it didn't dry out the skin.

Oz Naturals eye cream (link) comes in a big tube as usually eye creams/serums come in half size. The cream was light, hydrating, but I ended up using it as eye mask. I would apply it generously under my eyes and apply some different mask on the rest of my face. While it was good enough, it didn't excite me and also lasted too long (I like switching products).

I only had a sample of this Sunday Riley C.E.O. Moisturizer (link), but I wanted to include it in my empties. The orange-y smell was amazing! The cream itself felt light on the skin, but was deeply hydrating and more proper for colder months. It left my skin super soft and hydrated and I already have a full size in my wishlist.

I've gone through Caudalie eye cream from VineActiv Discovery Kit (link). I don't know what it is about Caudalie as I look at this brand as something simple, meeting my basic needs, but I keep repurchasing their products and I like them. The eye cream was light yet moisturizing and that was exactly what I wanted.

There's another Oz Naturals product in my empties - eye gel (link). White it's the standard 0.5 oz (15ml) it lasted so long that I put it aside for some time, used something else and then got back to this product. I didn't notice any dramatic changes in my eye area, but it was a nice light gel to be used under eye cream for extra hydration.

I have a whole review on C.Lavie HERE. I've finally used up face serum and face cream, but since they were nearing 6 months mark, I didn't use them on my face anymore and used as body moisturizers. They didn't roll off the skin and were great for that purpose.

I don't mind when products are scented, but Vichy Liftactiv moisturizer (link) was over-fragranced. I tried to get used to the smell, but it was too much and I ended up using it on my body. The cream itself was nice and would make my skin plump, soft, hydrated.

My skin likes acids, but it responds best to Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment (link). I've tried other lactic acid products and while I get results, they don't come so quickly and so visibly as with Sunday Riley. This tiny sample lasted my about a week, but I start seeing difference in my skin within the first 2 days. My skin becomes brighter, more even toned, more even surface and it glows from inside. I've used it in the past and I've repurchased it again.

It seems this month was mostly about face care products, but I have a few other items as well. I'll start transition into bodycare products with Sephora Avocado hand mask (link) and Almond foot mask (link to non-holiday packaging). Let me tell by saying how cute the packaging is and these two would make great stocking stuffers. Both products need to be applied on clean skin and removed after about 20 minutes. The remaining cream should be massaged into hands/feet. This was such a nice treat and it would be amazing to use once a week or before big events.

I received Aerin Rose Hand & Body Cream (link) as GWP. I kept it on my nightstand and used as hand cream before going to bed each night. It's a light cream, it absorbs to the skin quickly, so it doesn't stain sheets. It was nice to use, but I think it would be too light for cold months and it is better suited for warmer months.

There's yet another Alba Botanica Acnedote face & body scrub (link) in my empties. I love it and I can't live without it.

I didn't use Moogoo Post Hair Removal Cream* (link) regularly and I don't have a problem with ingrown hair, so I can't comment on that aspect of the cream. However, I used it as a body moisturizer and it was great. It had a sweet, barely noticeable nutty smell, a little went a long way and it hydrated skin well.

I've recently did a post on my shower routine and included Brooklyn Botany Avocado scrub* (link) in that article. You can check my review on it HERE. I love all Brooklyn Botany scrubs and while they're salt based, they're so finely milled that they are gentle on the skin.

I'm a fan of Briogeo hair mask, but Rosarco Milk leave-in conditioning spray (link) was just ok. My hair felt nice after using it, but I felt that it didn't look as good the next day and needed washing again.

Matrix Biolage Cleansing Conditioner for Damaged Hair (link) smelled just like mangoes. I used it on the ends of my hair as I would any other conditioner. I didn't notice any magical effect, but my hair was easy to brush, smelled nice, the ends were soft and smooth until next wash.

You can find my review on Goldwell hair products HERE. Restorative balm* (link) wasn't bad, but I'm happy I finally finished it. As all of Goldwell products, it had a strong smell which bothered me most of the time. I used it on the ends of my hair and would lightly go throughout the length of my hair, but I would usually this balm generously all over the hair and leave it on as a mask.

I also finished up Pacifica Coconut Pro hair mask (link). While it is a mask, I would use it as a conditioner only. As always, I apply it to the ends and halfway through my hair, leave for a minute or so and rinse it out. I liked it and I like other Pacifica hair masks as well.

I used these Living Proof wipes to clean my brushes/hands/makeup vanity when applying makeup. I think they are not available anymore.

I moved RMS Tinted Un Powder 0-1 setting powder (link) into a different container for easier use. It was a very nice powder and I would repurchase it in the future. It set makeup great and I never had a problem with makeup separating or getting in lines. The powder was milled very finely.

It time to get rid of 3 makeup application sponges. Two of them were Beautyblender (original and pro) and the third one was Sephora Total Coverage sponge (link). While Sephora sponge wasn't exactly as Beautyblender, it was still a great sponge and I reached for it just as much as I did for the other two. I've tried a few makeup application sponges and so far this specific one from Sephora and Beautyblender (any regular size) work the best and I see no difference in the application process, ease or final result. 

I was very excited when I got Eos crystal lip balm (link) as it was such a different product. It was moisturizing to the lips, it smelled nice. However, one day when I was applying it to my lips, the whole sphere just fell out of the container. I never carried this lip balm around and only kept in a drawer and it wasn't in any heat, but it seems as if the bottom part melted and got loose off the container.

Nars pencil sharpener (link) is great, but mine is old and got all dirty, so I replaced it with the same exact new one. Simple as that.

I love Fresh lip balms (link), but their texture is very soft and they are so delicate. I always break them off the base and I can never carry them in my bag in warm weather as they melt and get messy.

Avril lipstick in Rose Vintage (link) was absolutely one of my all time favorite lipsticks and shades. I wore it all year round, but especially in fall/winter season. The lipstick stayed on well, the color was opaque, the taste was pleasant. It's one of the natural lipsticks and I've had it for a little over a year, so while there's still some product left, the smell has changed and I don't want to apply it on my lips anymore.

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream (link) was the first product that hooked me on to liquid foundations. While it is called CC cream, it really is a full coverage foundation. It applies asily, feels lightweight and gives great coverage. I had colors Light and Medium and would mix them depending on my needs.

I'm also getting rid of an old one Sigma brush from a travel kit. I can't remember the number of this brush anymore. It was a good brush, but I've had it for 6+ years and it's becoming too harsh on my skin.    

Lastly I have L'oreal Lash Paradise mascara (link). It's being compared to Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara and since I love that one so much, I had to try L'oreal. It was a great product and it gives almost exactly the same result as Too Faced. I still prefer Too Faced as it stays the same from the moment I open the tube until I throw it away while L'oreal became a little messy and I would have to clean the wand or around the tube once in a while.




* marks PR samples received complimentary