Skin & Haircare Empties // September 2014

SKIN

Philosophy Purity cleanser - This was a little sample probably from a Sephora order or reward. This is a good go-to, basic cleanser. It's milky in consistency and has a slight scent. It's just fine. Pretty basic. I don't love it, don't really hate it. If it's free, I'll use it.

Philosophy Take a Deep Breath - It was an okay moisturizer. It started out really great and then not so much. I can't tell what happened... maybe just lost its shelf life. Anyway, it was ok. Now I'm using the Boscia Nightly Hydration.

3 bottles of Ko Gen Do - I am all aboard the cleansing water train that took over a few years ago. There aren't many in the states yet but Bioderma is available on Amazon and Ebay. I saw these little guys on Hautelook for a pretty good deal and decided to give it a shot. They were good and nice size, but I still like Bioderma better. They both take makeup off, I just feel that Bioderma does it faster and easier. But like... if B was out of commission, I'd for sure buy the KGD, ya dig?

Shiesedo cotton pads - Ok. Before you knock me for buying a $9 package of cotton pads, hold up. I've written about these in an earlier post, but I cannot get enough. It makes me want to tell everyone buying cotton balls at CVS to STOP! This is like a f'ing facial every day I use them to take my makeup off. Cotton companies should take a lesson from these and step up their game.

Soap and Glory The Righteous Butter - I got this in a gift set years ago and it's not technically empty. I realized after taking it on a few trips with me to finish off, I never reached for it. Even when it was my only lotion. I think my main turn off was the scent which was too perfume-y. I didn't feel like it did anything great.

Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentrate - I finished this a while ago and am remembering how much I loved it. It's a great everyday moisturizer that feels almost weightless. Very basic concept and little scent. It's surprisingly hard to find something that is lightweight with no SPF, but gives enough moisture. I purchase mine from Hautelook when it comes up on their sales -- you can also find it here.

Jergens BB Body Lotion - I really liked this stuff. I bought another bottle and am halfway through that already. It's a good mix between regular body lotion and the Jergens Natural Glow. It kind of gives the effect of pantyhose since it "blurs" your imperfections. There is a slight scent but no where near as potent as Jergens NG.

Korres Wild Rose Scrub - Finding a good face scrub is so difficult. There is always something to nitpick. I liked the fineness of this Korres one because I felt like it was actually doing something. It's so frustrating when you get a gentle "scrub" and it feels like a cleanser. Then again, I like really rough, sand-like scrubs. Anyway, this was good but I won't purchase again.

Neutrogena Daily Blackhead Scrub -  So I my mother found this scrub when I was in my teens and shame on me for ever giving up on it. Since finishing this bottle, I've bought two more. It's just rough enough, yet gentle enough to use it as your everyday cleanser. It's great and affordable. Silly me for thinking otherwise.

Bath and Body Works Country Chic - This is my go-to body wash for taking on trips. I feel like it gets me clean, smells good, and is fairly cheap... as in Bath and Body Works is always having a sale. Their website says that it's a "carefree blend of wildflowers, wood, and citrus". Carefree? Sure. Anyway... it's good.

eos Shave Cream - I really like this shave cream because it sticks to my skin. There are few things more frustrating than pumping out shaving cream in the shower and it falling into the drain before you can spread it out. I like the smell of this, and the packaging. I'll probably buy it next time I'm at Target.

Victoria's Secret Body Wash Flirty Peony and Waterlily - I don't think they make this anymore, but I bought a bunch of it at a sale once. It's really light and fresh, but the bottle was nearly impossible to get out any product. Pissin' me off until the last drop.

Skindinavia Makeup Setting Spray - I guess this isn't really skincare but it's damn good. I did a review on the Urban Decay one and Skindinavia manufacturers both of them so...

HAIR

Nuance Deep Conditioner - This was pretty good but I didn't love the scent. It usually takes me about 6 months+ to finish a deep conditioner because my hair is so fine that a conditioner weighs it down. I only use a tiny amount once a week.

Nuance Volumizing Shampoo - I really like this. Not sure if it really volumized but it didn't weigh my hair down or make it too oily, which can be a problem. They run this on sale quite a bit, so I'd recommend picking it up!

Purology Perfect 4 Platinum Shampoo - This was a nice one, with a terrible price tag... which is why I just got the tiny size to try it out. I really like their products, but can't validate spending the money...yet.

Nume HydroPunch Conditioner - I got this in a Birchbox or Ipsy or something. I liked it a lot - hydrating and smelled nice. I'd probably buy it if it were convenient, but you can only get it online.

Batisse Dry Shampoo - This. Is. My. Lifeblood. (see previous posts)

Makeup Empties // September 2014

Here are a few of the latest and greatest that I can now throw away...

Some are completely finished products and others are those that got nasty or dried up because of one reason or the other.

Leggo.

2 Hourglass primers - I got my first in some sort of gift from Sephora and liked it because it was silicon based but didn't slide right off my face. I'm still using a third bottle of it.

Makeup Forever primer - This was just fine. I'd use a sample up, but probably wouldn't purchase again simply because I like Hourglass' better.

Shiseido Perfect Refinining Foundation - My #1 summer foundation. Water-based so it's easy to blend and looks super natural. Build-able coverage for those not so great skin days. I would compare it to Chanel Vita Lumiere Aqua but I like the finish of this better.

Makeup Forever HD Foundation - I was surprised that I like this so much... I'm using a bottle now. I like it more for spring/fall ... possibly winter. I don't love it for summer because it is a little too heavy for me. I like the finish it gives and it doesn't get matte or cakey throughout the day.

Aveeno Essential Moisture Lip Conditioner - Eh.  The scent of this started to make me sick after a while.

Chapstick Lip Moisturizer - I keep this in my nightstand because it is basic and does the job without any scent or being too sticky.

Nivea A Kiss of Smoothness - yeah it's fine.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment - I really like the texture and taste  scent of this. My only problem is that this little tube was so tiny that it would melt and fall off into my lap or ... my mouth as it happened twice.

Dior Lip Glow - This. Is. My. Jam. I want to buy another one as I'm remembering how much I liked it. It's a neat concept... applies clear and "adjusts" to your skin (lip?) tone. Love this for on the go or when you're running out and just need a little something. Doesn't transfer and a great moisturizer. Yes.

Revlon Color Stay Brow Enhancer - I reaaaally liked the brow wax end of this but didn't even use the highlighter. I would purchase it again but I can't find it anywhere. It reminds me of the Benefit High Brow just a little less creamy and obviously cheaper.

Maybelliene Eye Studio Gel Liner - Love this as a drugstore gel option. This one dried out so I got another one! I like dark brown for a more natural finish. Bobbi Brown also has a great one but since they dry out pretty quickly, I'd rather go for a more affordable option.

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural - Great setting and touch up powder. I love the packaging but would love it even more if I could take it on the go. No mirror or brush included in this one. On light days, I like a BB cream with this over the top just for added coverage. Great for the cooler months as well. Almost half way through my next one.

Revlon Illuminance Cream Shadow - These colors were nice but it dried up really quickly. Also smelled kinda funky.

Covergirl Clump Crusher - Great mascara for light makeup days. Also a good layering mascara. AKA use this first, then follow up with a more substantial (Maybelliene Falsies or any of the clumpier ones) one if you want a more dramatic look.

Almay Get up and Grow - Honestly I don't remember what I thought. It dried out before I could finish it.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara - Again, a great layering mascara. My routine right now is this + Jordana Best Lash Extreme ($4 at Walgreens!)

Benefit They're Real Mascara - I bought this one thinking I would like it just as much as before. I was disappointed that I didn't remember it to be this way. The brush is too stiff for me and it dried out pretty quickly. I just feel mascara is one of those things the drugstore does juuuuust fine. No need to buy a $40 mascara. (Reference this sentence next time you're in Sephora, Sabie.)

Revlon Base Coat - Great base coat for an affordable price. This one, again, dried out and couldn't get a good smooth stroke anymore. Don't you worry... I bought another one.

Calvin Klein Euphoria - Got this in a Sephora gift set. I really like it for winter because it's musky and really stays with you throughout the day. I have found better ones though so didn't purchase the full size.

SIX Cream Eyeshadows (!!!) Killing me a little to throw all these away.

Ulta Extreme Wear in Berry Trifle - Honestly never wore this. I got it for maybe $2 at Ulta thinking, "yeah, I can rock purple." It's a fine color but the texture is wet, sticky, and not what you want in a cream shadow. Maybe if it were brown I would have given it another shot...

Maybelliene Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze - LOVE this. Sad to say it's dried up but will probably buy another one soon because I love it for fall. Great color that would look good on nearly everyone. These have good lasting power too.

Maybelliene Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe - Again, good lasting power. Alright color. Didn't use it as much as I thought I would. Probably won't buy again.

Benefit Silver Spoon - This was a Sephora limited release so naturally I needed it. It's color was too silver for me and I just couldn't find a way to love it.

Benefit Skinny Jeans - I liked this shade because it was out of my comfort zone. But because it was, I didn't use it near enough. Dried out :(

Benefit Birthday Suit - This one I used to the very end. Love this shade. A sparkly champagne color with just enough depth. Will repurchase this when I can get over the fact that I just threw 6 of them away.

Overall, I liked most of these things and it's fun to look back and really see what was worth the money. Maybe it's time I give some makeup away instead of letting it dry up.