March 2017 Empties

I haven’t done an empties post before, but I’ve finished quite a few products last quarter. I’ve been trying to clear out the clutter in my life and that includes my messy desk! You can read my previous post on what I’ve started with. I’ve only saved what I used up for the month of March so going forward, I’ll be more diligent to save up all products I’ve used! For those that are not familiar with Empties Posts, it’s a round up of products that bloggers have used up for the month. So, it’s bloggers essentially taking pictures of their trash of the month. If you’re looking at these posts on the outside, this can be pretty strange. I personally like reading empties posts because it makes it feel like there’s proof as to how much someone likes a particular product.

Onto the proof! Most of the products used up this month have been skincare as I’ve been trying to clean up my sample drawer.

Skincare March 2017 Empties

Clinique Pep-start 2-in-1 exfoliating cleanser: This cleanser has small exfoliating beads which felt pretty good some days. When I had active breakouts though, it definitely was not the cleanser for me. I actually had a bad breakout around my jawline where halfway through the month I stopped using this product there, but used it on my forehead and cheeks instead. This cleanser is actually really great at removing makeup though! So any swatches I made were easily removed. Repurchase?: Maybe not. The rough beads in this cleanser were not for me.

Clarins Paris Mission Perfect Serum: Honestly, this serum sample was really small. It only lasted me like 3 or 4 uses. It’s not enough to accurately assess whether it worked or not, but it had the classic Clarins scent and didn’t break me out. Repurchase?: Potentially. Skincare needs to be used for at least a few weeks before you see any benefits, so I would at least try this product again.

Acure Organics Calming Body Lotion: This body lotion was actually a dream to put on. The scent was amazing and you can read my full review here. When you apply the lotion, it sinks into the skin very easily and is a very light, almost watery formula. Unfortunately because I have extremely dry skin in the colder months, this body lotion was not enough for me. The sample size was definitely generous though, lasted me a week of daily use! Repurchase?: For a summer body lotion, yes!

Bioderma Photoderm Cream: This is a chemical sunblock. Most people do not like this kind of SPF because it can often give off a white cast on the skin. I personally don’t mind the white cast because I do have lighter skin and it can often be rubbed in fairly well, and I enjoy using this kind of SPF because it’s instant. You don’t have to wait 20 minutes before heading outdoors so it gives me a peace of mind that I’ll still be covered whenever I’m running late. Repurchase?: Unfortunately this product is actually discontinued, but there is an SPF50+ by the brand which I would try.

Etude House Collagen Moistful Facial Freshener: This K-Beauty product is very similar to a North American toner and is a very light and alcohol-free. This was very nice and hydrating and you don’t need much of this product at all so this little sample lasted a long time. On the colder days of the month, I really enjoyed layering this product with my skincare. Repurchase?: This particular one, maybe not because of the scent… but I’m definitely looking at a hydrating toner in my future.

Mascara March 2017 Empties

Lancôme Hypnôse Star Mascara: This mascara actually has a conical wand which helps with giving the lashes a doe-eye look. The dual-action brush has a flat side for optimizing product deposit at the lash line and the rounded side separates, defines and lengthens. The formula is gel-like and started off very wet but once I broke the tube in and started to dry a bit, it was less clumpy. I loved using this mascara on my bottom lashes more than my top lashes. I found it to be more of a spiky voluminous look rather than full and luscious which I’m not a fan of. Repurchase?: If only used as a bottom lash mascara, probably not.

Dior Diorshow Mascara: Honestly, this mascara wand is too big for my lashes. They’re quite thin and don’t really get the benefit of this huge wand! The Diorshow mascara is a bestseller and has a conditioning formula that’s enriched with microfibers which give a lash extension effect. This mascara is great with lengthening, but it gives a very natural lash look. When I’m looking for a mascara, I want volume. This mascara is very natural-like so if you have thicker lashes and want a natural daily look, try this mascara out! Repurchase?: Nah… My tiny, thin lashes don’t benefit this wand!

YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Babydoll: This mascara has a light floral scent and a plastic wand with bristles which helps to separate each lash. I found that for my lashes, the mascara gives more length and a bit of volume with more of a spiky look. I found this mascara to dry out very quickly and when it does, it clumps. Repurchase?: For the price and how fast it dries out, probably not.

Life Hack Tip: Ever get a mascara that you absolutely hate the wand of? Save mascara wands of old mascaras (just wash & clean them first!) and you can use them on new bottles of whatever mascara you choose!

Single Use March 2017 Empties

Biore Ultra Nose Strip: The OG of skincare. I’ve used Biore nose strips for as long as I can remember. Since I was a teen, this has been in my arsenal of skincare products. There was a week in March where my pores were beyond clogged and I needed them gone ASAP. This is what I used to help instantly, but won’t be used for upkeep. Repurchase? If my skin is feeling ultra congested, probably! For use on a regular basis? Nah.

Skin Food Rice Mask Wash Off: Due to the sample being so large, I used a bit on my face and the rest on my décolletage area in the shower. This isn’t a very abrasive scrub which is nice if you have active breakouts. I personally like more acid based (chemical) exfoliants rather than the physical exfoliants because I’m scared of being too rough and damaging my skin. I used to scrub the shit out of my skin… proof here. So because of my bad habits, I generally stick with chemical exfoliants now. Repurchase?: Nah. Too tempting to scrub that first layer of skin off my face.

Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Shampoo: This shampoo sample easily could’ve been used twice, but I used it all in one go because these samples had to go! The shampoo had a nice light scent which didn’t linger after rinsing. I found that the shampoo did help a bit with volume, but it didn’t last and also didn’t help elongate the time required to rewash. If you’re looking for a more natural alternative to your conventional volumizing shampoo, sure go for it! For me, this isn’t enough to cover my expectations. Repurchase? Maybe not. I’m still looking for something better!

m-61 Power Glow Peel: I like my chemical peels. I’ve used ones from First Aid Beauty, Dr. Dennis Gross, Dr. Jart+, Peter Thomas Roth… you name it, I’ve probably tried it. This is actually a very nice peel and leaves my skin soft and glowing. With peel pads, I don’t just use it on my face but on my neck and hands as well because that’s where you generally see first signs of aging. (Not that I’m in that category yet… but I’m working on prevention!) Repurchase?: Yes! I like to keep them on rotation with my other chemical peels.

Do you like Empties posts? Let me know!