Empties #3

I finally have my lappy back up and running. Lots to do and write about. Better get a move on...

April

* Lancome Vissionaire Advanced Skin Corrector, full size and sample size - my serum of choice at the moment and I typically go through one of these every 8 months. They've since changed the formula but I still find it effective so I have repurchased it. Must admit tho I think my skin has plateaued with this serum so I may be checking out some other serum in the near future.

* Batiste Dry Shampoos in Fresh and Tropical - both great dry shampoos in pleasant scents - will continue to repurchase.

* Garnier Clean Sensitive 2 in 1 Gentle Makeup Remover - as I've said before I love this for multiple uses and have many backups waiting their turn.

* Body Shop Aloe Eye Defence - I've used this in the past and wasn't too impressed but I bought it again when I was pregnant last year as it has no retinol in it and I needed something to use for those months. I still think its way too thin and not moisturising enough. I had to layer this 2-3 times over itself to feel like it moisturised and in the end I used it all over my face to simply use it up. The best part about this is the packaging which is an awesome airless pump that makes it so easy to control how much cream I want to dispense. I've cleaned it out and am currently using it with my other eye cream that comes in a jar. Will not repurchase.

* Loreal Casting Creme Gloss Shine Enhancing Conditioner with Royal Jelly - I tend to use this sporadically and still have lots more little bottles to get through.

* Chloe Eau De Parfum sample - not too impressed with this. It smells like laundry fabric softener which isn't offensive, I just don't want to smell overwhelmingly like my linen so would not purchase full size.

* Dove Original Anti-Perspirant Deodorant - had this in my handbag for years and I just needed to use it up. Not a fan of the scent so I won’t be buying it again.

May

* Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in 670 Lightshow - I chucked this as it was really thick and the glitter wouldn’t transfer to the nails. Probably explains why it was on sale but regardless I won't be repurchasing this line of nail polish.

* Batiste Wild Dry Shampoo - another staple and while this one doesn’t seem as white as the Tropical scent or work quite as well, I'll keep buying it as a change of scent for days when I don't need a lot of degreasing.

* Natio Delicate Eye Cream - I've gone through a number of these over the years. Its ok I guess but it really isn’t moisturising enough for me anymore and the retinol in it isn’t strong enough to do anything. I'm much happier with my current rotation of higher end eye creams so won't be repurchasing.

* Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara in Noir Midnight - I got this in a gift with purchase. I know this is a favourite for a lot of women and it was ok but definitely not worth the hype for me. I'd use it again if I received it in another GWP but wouldn't buy it on its own.

* Sally Hansen Strengthening Polish Remover with Acetone with Vitamin E and Hydrolysed Wheat Protein - this is crap. It evapourates both stored and in use - I prefer to soak a cotton pad and hold it on my nail while it softens the polish then just wiggle and wipe it off without smearing colour all over my finger but this dries out before its able to soften or remove the polish, it just isn't strong enough. Plus this evaporated a heap while in my pump dispenser. Will not be repurchasing.

* Nivea Refreshing Facial Cleansing Wipes - I bought a range of these on sale to try something new. The scent of this one is very powdery floral (ok but a bit on the nose) and these didn’t remove my makeup without scrubbing at my face so I won’t repurchase.

* Dove Clear Touch Anti-White Marks Roll-on Anti-Perspirant Deodorant - not that impressed with this as it stayed wet for ages. I dreaded using it and definitely won’t repurchase.

* Beauty Essentials Be Fresh Make-up Remover Wipes for Sensitive Skin - these smell awful but were average in removing makeup. I can't see myself repurchasing when I know other brands are much more effective and regardless I certainly wouldn’t pay full price for it.

* Banana Boat Aloe Vera Lip Balm SPF30+ - holy grail. You know I couldn't tell you how long I've been using these but I'm pretty sure I was using it back in my Uni days so that's... a long time.

June

* Rosken Skin Repair Dry Skin Hydrating Lotion with Vitamin E - I found this while cleaning up my craft table and not sure if it’s just old (2009 stamp on crimp) or if it was always this greasy (second ingredient is mineral oil) but I'm chucking. Its not worth keeping as I have others I much prefer which don’t leave a greasy film on my skin.

* Garnier Clean Detox Refreshing Cleansing Gel - another staple that I think has been discontinued so I've got no idea what I'm going to use once I'm through my backup stash. I'm not looking forward to finding a replacement as this not only works brilliantly leaving my skin fresh and clean and smells lovely, it was really affordable.

* Nivea Anti-Perspirant Pure Invisible - I didn’t really like the smell and this left a weird powder/foam texture on my skin so I won't be repurchasing.

* Cancer Council Day Wear Tinted Sunscreen/Moisturiser in Light Tint - light tint, my arse. I chucked this as it was way too dark and rubbed off easily. I tried to use it mixed with lighter foundations but it made the mixture mousse-like and had no longevity on the skin. Plus it was past the expiry date for the SPF so out it went.

* Kmart Brand Face Mask Coconut Water & Hyaluronan - not the least bit hydrating but at least it didn’t cause any skin problems. I tried it twice then gave up and chucked it.

* Natio Complexion Corrector - I picked this up at the Natio factory outlet a few years ago thinking I might need it but I rarely have redness that can’t be covered by foundation so never used it.

* Garnier UltraLift Day Cream with SPF 15 - while I don't think I'm getting any anti-aging benefits apart from general moisturising, the new formula seems to really sink into my skin nicely and thankfully no disco ball mica effect so will continue using this.

* Essence Forget it! 3 in 1 Concealer - I think I bought this 4 years ago and haven't used it in the last 3 years. Its cakey and the wrong colour and old. Enough said.

* Maybelline Master Shape Eye Brow Pencil in Deep Brown - I hung onto this for as long as possible and used it to the last scrape. I really liked this brow pencil/crayon with its waxy texture. Unfortunately it broke off inside when I was only halfway through it so I kept pulling out the inside crayon bit by bit until it was too small to be usable then pulled rest out and squashed it on a lid and used it with a brush. It tended to smear when combing through my brows after applying it but the colour was great and for the price I'd definitely buy it again... if I could find it. I also loved the skinny brush on the other end.

* Beauty Essentials Round Cotton Pads, Priceline Brand, 100 pack - I don't normally include cotton pads/balls/tips in my empties but I wanted to remember these. They're soft and smooth with pressed sealed edges, and are the best quality for price that I’ve found so far. Definite repurchase.

* Semi DiLino Reconstruction For Damaged Hair Reparative Shampoo - I was recommended this by Hairhouse Warehouse Staff for "heat damaged, coloured, fine hair" and wasn't impressed. It required a double wash every time regardless how dirty my hair was – a first wash to clean off any product build-up or general oiliness, then a second to finally get some suds and feel like it was actually cleaning my hair. I don't feel it did anything for my damage nor did it seem to prevent further damage. The smell wasn't unpleasant, it smelt like cucumbers or wheatgerm or something green which was ok but it was expensive and definitely not worth the money.

* Garnier Elasitc Power Fix Volume Hairspray with Bamboo Extract - the last of the batch I've been working through. It didn’t hold very well and isn't great as a finishing hairspray so I doubt I'd bother repurchasing.

* Elnett Satin Hairspray, Extreme Hold, Natural Touch - I got this in a beauty box and was eager to try it as its gets raves by other beauty lovers. It has a powerful alcohol scent, felt very thick and heavy, and definitely does not leave a natural touch. Disappointed.

* Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo - 6 of this scent alone this year should tell you something. I like.

Finally crossed 2 items of my "to finish" list for 2015 and I'm actively working on 6 others so hopefully the next quarter will be more productive. 32 products used brings the total in 2015 to 57.