Empties 2021/2022 Part 2

 

EOS lip balms (x4) - No idea what scent these are. None of them are finished but I had a reaction to these like so many other people. I keep finding them around the house but I think I've finally rounded them all up. So excited to see them go! I know they aren't finished but I am so done with them it isn't funny so thought they were worth mentioning.

Evodia Australia Coconut & Lime Body Wash - I got this from Marshalls or Winners. It was pretty good and last me for ages. Loved the smell. Might not have been the most moisturizing body wash of all time, but it was alright. I haven't seen this brand sold anywhere else. 

COLAB Dry Shampoo in Rio (tropical) - COLAB dry shampoos were the first ones I had ever tried. I thought they were great and the scents are so nice. Recently, I tried another brand and that is better than COLAB. You probably know what brand I am talking about - Batiste.....review coming soon. This is not a bad product though and I would buy it if I was in a pinch and couldn't get Batiste. 

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydraton Serum - I have boughy so many of these. It's a great, solid product. I haven't been using it lately as I have had to switch up my skin care routine due to my roseacea, but I am thinking I may try to incorporate this into my new routine and see if it works. I like to mix this serum with other serums to give myself a nice hydration boost. It mixes so well with other serums too, I can't recommend it enough. 

Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser - (not pictured oops) This was either my second or third tube of this face wash. I decided I wanted something that cleansed better so I moved away from this and then I developed roseacea. Now this is one of the few cleansers I can use that doesn't anger my face. It is gentle and removes makeup. It's a glycerin based product. I have already repurchased two. 

Dior Diorshow Mascara - This was a sample or travel-sized mascara. I don't know if I got a bad one, but the product was very dry and I wasn't able to make it work. I have bought a full sized tube so we will see how that goes and I will report back. 

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil in Vanilla Apricot - I have had this tub of body cream forever. I loved it so much, and it was so pricey, that I made it last forever. I finally got a new one so I finished this one off. This is hands down my favourite body cream of all time. It's luxurious and works so well. I have never found anything that could compare, but if I do, I will let you know. 

Drunk Elephant E-Rase Milki Micellar Water - This works, but you don't get much product for your buck. This is $19 Canadian for 100ml. The larger bottle is $37 for 240ml. Thankully, I bought mine during the last Sephora sale so at least I saved a couple of bucks. The product is like a runny cream and you need a fair amount if you are applying it to a cotton square or cotton ball. I probably used a good 1/20th or 1/15th of the bottle to take off my eye makeup once. I would happily use it again as it was effective and very gentle....if I got it at a marked down price or as a gift.  

Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Shampoo - Another one done. Love this. 

Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Conditioner - This is the perfect conditioner for my hair and I simply have not found anything better for me anyway. Not sure what number this is, but I have been through a few of these. 

Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream - This is a fantastic face cream. I have been using it a bit less because my rosecea needs something that targets it and this cream isn't meant for that. I have already repurchased one as I am still using it here and there. If you have dry skin and want something seriously mositurizing that will give you a little glow, look no further than this. 

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm in Berry - this is what I have been using in place of my beloved Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask. I have finished two tubes and have bought two more already. It isn't fantastic but it works and it is doing what I need for now. 

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask - It works. Doesn't blow me out of the water, but it works. Already purchased six of these.....what can I say, holiday sets of these are where it is at! 

Empties 2021/2022 Part 1

 It's been eternity since I did an empties post and the crap is really piling up! Enough is enough. I have so much I need to break it into at least 3 parts. Let's get to it. 

Nivea Pure & Natural Body Milk - This is a staple in my empties posts. For quick hand cream or anywhere really Lotion, this is the best at the drug store as far as I am concerned in terms of quantity you get, decent quality and price point. Already repurchased like 3....

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion in Cooling Menthol - This is the best lotion from the Aveeno line in my opinion. I've even seen it heal burn marks super fast! The one in the tube is thicker and a bit better. Already repurchased.

Nivea MicellAir Micellar Water - So disappointing! Not good at all. Doesn't take off makeup well. Raccoon eyes the next morning even when you think you got it all.  Only bought this because when the pandemic hit I couldn't easily get my Klorane makeup remover easily anymore. Will never repurchase! 

EOS lip balm - No idea what scent this is. It's almost finished but I had a reaction to it like so many other people. I keep finding them around the house. They must go! 

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm in Gummy Bear - this is what I have been using in place of my beloved Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask. I know Bite Beauty was sold and they changed all of the formulas. The reviews have been dreadful. Not sure I will ever try the new formulation. The Laneige product is not as good as the old Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask but I like it enough. I've had 5 different flavors/scents so far and I liked the Gummy Bear the least. Doesn't smell or taste like gummy bears at all! More like a fake grape smell. 

Origins Plantscription Serum x2 - I've used up two mini tubes. One of these actually lasts awhile. I've bought the big bottle which I am currently using. Used this for years. When I stop using it for awhile I feel like my laugh lines around my mouth look more pronounced. So I'm back at it using it full time. 

Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream - I used this for years and swore by it. I got bored, tried other things. I'm back to using it here and there as it seems to calm my rosacea a bit and its supposed to be good for that issue. 

IGK Hot Girls Hydrating Shampoo - This was a solid (by that I mean decent) shampoo. Smelt great and hydrating. Gives one hell of a lucious lather. I would consider repurchasing but at the moment I love my Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil shampoo too much to use anything else. 

Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Conditioner - Speaking of Bumble and bumble, another tube of their conditioner bites the dust. This is the perfect conditioner for my hair and I simply have not found anything better for me anyway. 

Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser - Ever since my rosacea got wild, this is one of the only cleaners that doesn't make it angry. I'd love to give my skin a good scrub but can't so for now I use this and try to be content. Very mild, perfect for sensitive or angry skin. 

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Treatment - Another bottle done. Already repurchased two more. Nothing else compares to this in terms of prep for hot tools and styling. Hair shape lasts for days and you get really great volume. One of my holy grails. 

blendercleanser solid - I love this smell of this and it really gets the job on my brushes done. The Sephora version is comparable (doesn't smell as nice) when it was at a lower price point but now it's about the same so that's no good Sephora! I like the blendercleanser just a bit more, however, I hear Sephora has reformulated their version so we will wait and see. 

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream - Hands down one of my favourite moisturizers. Especially when mixed with DE's Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil. Already repurchased x2. 

Drunk ElephantVirgin Marula Luxury Face Oil - I can't seem to find a face oil as good as this one and I have tried a lot the last couple of years, a sample here, a sample there. This was a travel size. You will see in my Empties Part 2 post that I have also gone through a full sized one and I have repurchased it already...

That's it for now. Part 2 coming soon! 

Londontown Foot Balm - Mini Review

I got this on a whim from Fabfitfun. I can't recall what I paid for it but it was a very decent price. It's a very thick and rich cream and it does a pretty decent job of moisturizing dry feet. One of the better foot balms I've ever used. I will not repurchase this though for one reason - I can't stand the smell of it. The scent of eucalyptus is overpowering in this balm and it is the scent I dislike the most in the world. So if you like the smell of eucalyptus or don't mind it, this may be the foot balm for you. 

Spring 2021 Empties!

I know it isn't spring anymore, but better late than never right? I already have a bunch of summer empties piling up too so it's high time I get cracking on this blog. 

Nivea Body Milk Pure & Natural x2 - This is my favourite bathroom/kitchen hand cream. Already repurchased. 

Bath & Body Works Fresh Sparkling Snow Gentle Foaming Hand Soap - I've almost finished my BBW stash and I don't plan to replace it as their scents no longer do it for me. This one was not my favourite but the packaging sure was cute.

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Conditioner - best conditioner I've ever found. Think was my second or third tube. Already repurchased. Best frizz fighter and smoothing conditioner.

Origins A Perfect World Antioxidant Cleanser with White Tea - I ended up liking this product more than I did in the beginning. It was refreshing but it's still not even close to my favourite face wash. It got gooey near the end and didn't smell right so I left a bit in there.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum - I was stupid and bought a similar product and my skin reacted so badly to it. I regret it so much. I have repurchased this needless to say. I find this makes my skin glow, reduces uneven skin tone and makes it so soft. 

Tatcha The Rice Wash Soft Cream Cleanser - i bought a mini to try this. I really like this product and it may be in the running for my favourite cleanser ever. But...my skin freaked out a couple of months ago and when I tried to use this it made my skin even angrier. I had already repurchased another mini but I'm scared to try it again as my skin is finally calming down. I'll see how things go and let you know.

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion in Cooling Menthol - I quite like this cream. Its one of my favorites and I find it works well on burns from cooking or curling irons. Speeds the healing and minimizes marks or scars. 

Native Deodorant in Candy Cane - This was a mini and I really liked it. Loved the smell. It was a Christmas scent though I believe. It was my first Native deodorant and won't be my last.

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream - I got this in a set with The Rice Wash. Its a nice cream but really is for dry skin. I found it is sometimes too much for my combination skin. I've been using it at night here and there. 

Korres Black Pine Night Cream - This got better the more I used it. Was only a sample though. Not sure I'd buy it but I'd consider it.

Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen in 01 Black. Wouldn't repurchase. KvD or Stila are the best ones. The Clinique one is drier and the tip isn't thin and harder to work with.

Boscia Cactus Water Hydrating Cream - I used this once or twice and wasn't impressed.  I didn't look at it again for a few weeks and when I opened it the product was hardened and unusable. Got this as a sample. Wouldn't dream of buying.

Bite Agave Lip Mask - this was a mini. I could cry. This was one of the pre-vegan ones. It was my holy grail and I'm sorry the new owners ruined a perfect thing.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair - This was my last trial sized mini bottle. I finally bought a regular sized bottle and I love it. It saved my skin when it went crazy a couple of months ago. I use it every night and it's wonderful!

That's it for now! Have a great weekend!

Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 Empties

 

I started this blog 2 months ago and I'm finally finishing it now. Sad. Truth be told, like many of you I'm sure, you aren't using a lot of products these days. No where to go, little to do. But that's ok, as long as we are safe and healthy,  that's all that counts!

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum (regular sized and a travel mini) - I really like this Serum mixed with Drunk Elephant's C-Firma VitaminC Day Serum. I think this was my second or third bottle. Makes my skin feel so soft and happy. 

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Conditioner - I love this conditioner! This was my second bottle and I've already bought 2 more bottles. This is the best frizz fighting conditioner I've found to date.

Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream - If you have dry skin this cream is fantastic. I can only use it in the dead of winter or it can be too much for my combination skin. With spring approaching I am not going to repurchase anytime soon but I would totally buy it again. This may have been my third jar?

Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion - I got this in a set of Origins products and I used it when my skin felt a bit greasy or irritated. It was ok. Didn't wow me. I am using a new bottle right now which came in another set I bought but I would not purchase this on it's own. 

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Foam - This was not a bad little cleanser. I think I had it awhile when I finally got around to finishing it and it was getting a tad old but it was great when it was new. Would consider repurchasing but I think I found something better. Will share soon.

REN Ready Steady Glow AHA Lotion - This is not a bad little toner. Got this as a sample. I would consider repurchasing. 

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream -  I have decided to use up all of my travel sized Drunk Elephant products as they do go bad once opened for awhile and my overnight business trips and personal road trips have been nonexistent this last year. This is my favorite face cream ever when mixed with Drunk Elephant's Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil. Already repurchased.

SkinFix Barrier+ Lip Repair Balm - This was terrible. I got it in a Sephora Favourites set and it was the worst product in the bunch. Hardly lasted anytime on the lips. Felt like cheap Vaseline. Awful. Used it to get rid of it. Kept it on my desk so I'd absent-mindedly use it up and that did the trick.

L'Occitane Dry Skin Foot Cream - My favourite foot cream. I bought the Intensive Foot Balm from L'Occitane and it's not anywhere near as good. Stick with the OG.

Shiseido Facial Cotton - The best. I can't go back to drug store rounds. I don't care it's pricey. 

That's all for now. Happy Easter! 

Summer 2020 Empties

So it's mid-October and I am doing a Summer Empties post? Yep, it's true. It's been that kind of year. I'm stacking up my September and October empties already so it's long overdue to wrap up Summer 2020. I'm sure many of you have been in the same boat as me - wearing little to no makeup the past few months. I'm still working from home, have my video off for 95% of my work meetings and when I go out I have a mask on. Blush and lipstick have been nearly non-entities in my life the last several months. Sad. I miss them. I have still been ordering from Sephora this year, but mostly skin and hair care. Perhaps the odd eyeshadow palette that I cannot resist....still trying to wear eye makeup once a week at the supermarket to feel human lol! You'd think my skin would look fabulous wearing 0 makeup. Nope. That is a total fallacy my friends, that wearing makeup too long wrecks your skin. Ha! I don't know if it is the lack of sun but my skin doesn't look great at all here in quasi-isolation. Anyway, let's dive in to the empties! 

Nivea Body Milk Pure & Natural (x2) - yep, had a lot of dry skin this summer. Likely due to being inside a lot. I keep buying this product as it works decently and I like the price point. Would switch to something else if I found something better. I'm open to suggestions. 

Klorane Floral Water Make-Up Remover - this is where I should start lightly sobbing. I used to buy this at Rexall on my way to work when I needed it. I can't find it for sale anywhere near my home and I don't live close to my office. I also wonder if the Rexall I used to buy it at still exists or if they shut down due to the pandemic since it was in an underground office area which is now deserted. I bought the new Nivea Micellar Water and it is a poor substitute. Luckily, I am not wearing much eye makeup these days to really be irked by my lack of Klorane. 

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day - already repurchased. Love this stuff. Somedays my hair doesn't feel normal without it. 

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash - this isn't a product that you wouldn't be in love  with, but you know what? If you want to wash your face quick and have it feel clean and energized, this isn't a bad option. I keep one of these in my shower sometimes. I have another little tube that I am using now. I would repurchase. 

Origins VitaZing SPF 15 - Many times when I left the house this summer I reached for this. I wanted some SPF protection (although there isn't much in here) and some kind of tint to cover my blemishes. Every time my mother saw me in it (often from a distance on her deck) she asked me where I got my serious tan. It was all fake thanks to this. I think this runs a bit dark for me and I know it looks a tad orange on some people. I have already repurchased but I will be looking for alternatives. 

Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Mascara in Black - I have had this travel sized mascara in my stash for longer than I dare to comment. It was unopened though. It's crumbs. I am not sure if it was always super dry and horrible or if it just got old even though it was sealed. I have never seen anyone talk about this mascara so I am thinking it's no great loss that I didn't get to use it. 

Bite Agave Lip Mask in Lavender - This is my fourth to last tube of the original Bite Agave Lip Masks and I am sad. Every drop is precious. Why they had to sell the company and then the new owner thought it would be a good idea to change all of the formulas is beyond me. People are not stupid. R.I.P. 

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - I avoided this product for years and then they took the parabens out. I have to say it works better than the half dozen or so other eyeshadow primers that I used in it's place over the years. This was a small tube and I have another. Already using it, would absolutely repurchase. 

LAVANILA The Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Coconut - this product used to be so good and then I don't know what happened. It's just not as good anymore. I have been experimenting with some other "natural" deodorants on the market and they are worse so I may buy this again but the jury is out. I think I still have one or two more in my stash as I bought a bunch in bulk awhile back because I thought they were being discontinued. I almost finished this one but then the last bit dried up and crumbled so I said to hell with it, it's chucking time.  

LAVANILA The Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Breeze Sport Luxe - this is the best of the LAVANILA deodorants these days. I have a friend who swears by this scent and this one alone.  I almost finished this one too but then the last bit dried up and crumbled so I said to hell with this one as well. 

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara - I always end up with samples of this horrid mascara and they are always terrible! I am amazed this product is still on the market after all of these years! It does nothing for my lashes whatsoever. Tarte has discontinued some good stuff here and there and yet this crappy mascara remains. 

Leanne Grace Blissful Body Butter in Sweet Cream - It smells nice but it's powdery. Hubby says it smells like baby powder. It does moisturize well though. I won't repurchase because shipping is a hassle (please see my other posts on this product in other scents) and the powdery texture I don't care for. 

Sephora Lashcraft Big Volume Mascara - This was a much better product than I expected it to be. Not my favourite mascara of all time by no means but it did an ok job at a respectable price point. It took forever to get dry and go bad. Not sure I would repurchase because there are better mascaras, but I don't regret buying it. 

Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara - It's funny but this mascara was drying up back in March when I stopped going into the office. It has sat in my purse for ages. I recently took it out of my purse and smelt it. Not good. So it's done. Love this mascara because it is the only one that doesn't smudge on me when I wear my glasses to work. Already repurchased.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum - I was keeping this little tube for travel, but who are we kidding? I won't be traveling for a long time. This is the one Drunk Elephant product that I can honestly attest to the fact that it goes sideways and doesn't have a long shelf life. The orange colour gets darker and darker, the smell changes and I don't think it works well after awhile. So I decided I was going to use this up before it was unusable. 

Alright that is it! So happy I am finally getting this post up. I have a couple deodorants and some foundations next up and soon another empties post! 

Spring 2020 Empties!

Like many of you, I haven't been wearing much makeup since this pandemic got real in March. I have been working from home since then and likely will continue to do so for quite some time. I do miss makeup though and I've started to dab a bit on when I go to the grocery store just for kicks. Mostly eye makeup. I don't remember the last time I wore foundation because I usually wear a mask when I go out. So all of this being said, I haven't had many empties the last few months. However, I did manage to gather up what I have used and do a Empties post for you here today.

Nivea Pure & Natural Body Milk - Another one bites the dust. Already replaced x2.

Bath & Body Works Winter Candy Apple - I got rid of two BBW hand soaps! Yeah! I think I have maybe 4 or 5 left scattered throughout the house and I am on a mission to get rid of all of them! You would think that Winter Candy Apple would smell nice, but this soap sure didn't. Phew. I think it smelt better when I bought it, but once the air hit it, downhill it went. Good riddance.

Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap in Kitchen Lemon - This is likely one of the best smelling hand soaps that BBW has. I quite liked it in the kitchen, but I am over these chemical hand soaps so I will not replace it.

Tony Moly BBO BBO Lip Balm in Honey - I remember when this was all the rage! Now Sephora doesn't even sell this brand. Product was ok but doesn't compare to Bite Beauty's Agave Lip Mask of the past, not present. I decided to use this up and get rid of it.

Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Power Serum - I used to swear by this stuff and I still do to some extent. It is a fabulous product, I've just really started to love Drunk Elephant and I find it does a great job for me anyway. I have another small tube of this and I will repurchase though as I like using it at night.

Shiseido Facia Cotton - I can't go back to regular cotton pads after using these the last couple of years. Worth every damn penny.

MAC Painterly Paint Pot - Another one done. Already repurchased. A definite cannot live without item.

Living Proof frizz humidity shield - This was hands down the most useless hair product that I have ever used. It did nada to my hair when I sprayed it. Did nothing to tame frizz. It was like spraying air into my hair. One day I got mad and sprayed all that was left in the can onto my hair. No difference. Total garbage and I normally really like Living Proof products.

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream - This moisturizer makes my skin glow. It is not the most moisturizing cream in the world, but when you add in some DE Marula Oil and it doesn't get much better than that! Already repurchased.

Leanne Grace Blissful Body Butter in Vanilla Rose - I have another couple of jars of this cream that I am trying to use up. This product is a good moisturizer but it smells like baby powder and it's a bit pasty. My husband, as I think I have mentioned before, says it smells like baby powder too and I didn't even ask him what it smells like! I've mentioned too that I had issues with 2 shipments arriving smashed, but the company did make it right. I am not convinced it wouldn't arrive smashed the 3rd time if I reordered as it is not packaged well. The shipping costs to Canada are very expensive and the powdery smell and feel turns me off a bit.