The first month of 2015 is now coming to an end, and I bet like most people, I still can't get out of the habit of writing 2014 for everything! But anyway, with the end of the month always comes Empties and this is a feature that I will be continuing with this year, because it's a great way to review products I've used right to the very bottom; or alternatively, have thrown out because they were awful slash really old. This month there is a lot more makeup items than other months, as I've been really making an effort to use what I have, and I also had a bit of clear out (but more on that at the end of the post).
Max Factor Whipped Creme Foundation in 45 Warm Almond
I've been sitting on this near empty pot for a few months now and only finally used the very last bit that was left, this month. I have a full review on this foundation that I did a while back (see it here). I still really enjoyed this foundation and I already have another that I've cracked into. I prefer this on days when I want a lighter feeling coverage and the whipped texture feels really lovely and blends well into the skin. For the summer it hasn't been the best though due to sweatiness and oilyness creeping out quicker than in the colder months. I think I will now be keeping this as a more winter appropriate base product.
e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set
I've lost count how many of these bottles I've been through, but I like it so much that it is a constant repurchase. I'm already into my next bottle that I bought from Beauty Joint (see the haul here) and I find it does make a difference in the lasting power of my makeup. It's also a refreshing spray throughout the day, particularly while I'm at work and it's super hot out. It is also a great mixer for pigments or to intensify eyeshadows and it really makes them adhere to the lids. All in all, I'll keep buying this because it's so darn cheap and works well.
Sephora Super Supreme Body Butter
I hate to admit it but I've had this for a very long time... almost about four years (is that gross?!) I got this while I was in Rome and because the tub was so huge it really has taken me a while to get through! Ok, to be honest I was on and off with this and using lots of other moisturisers in between but over the past month I have been devoted to this one and finally got to that last satisfying scrap at the bottom of the tub. It was a lovely moisturiser, very thick, but didn't leave the skin feeling greasy or sticky after using it.
Benefit They're Real Mascara
This was my favourite mascara for a very long time, especially at the beginning of last year. This tube should have been thrown out months ago, but because of my hoarder tendencies I've only just parted with it. I still like this mascara; it gives amazing length and volume to the lashes, but I've moved on from it and fallen in love with a couple of new ones (sorry Benefit!) I know that I can rely on this one to come back to though and I have a few mini tubes stashed away for when I need some They're Real in my life.
Chella Luscious Light Brown Eyebrow Color
This brow product came in the June 2014 Violet Box (see it here) and in January I really enjoyed using it, but it only really lasted me about a week and half! There wasn't a lot of product in it, which I wasn't surprised about because the pencil is so thin! It did a good job at letting me shape and fill in my brows, the colour was a good match and it lasted well. I'd definitely look at buying this again, but currently I am using (and loving) the Anastasia Brow Wiz, so this one might have to wait a while.
Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation in 805
Initially I used this a few months back and didn't really know how I felt about it. The colour I have is definitely too light and pink toned for my skin, but over the past couple of months I've been mixing it with my much darker e.l.f. Acne Fighting Foundation and it works so well! The coverage is medium to heavy, which you can build on. I use the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge to really help blend it out into my skin. As far as lasting power goes it gives me a full day at work but at the end of the day it is definitely looking a bit dodgy and it settles into my pores and lines. But I can forgive that because that's after a full day at work in the middle of summer; I think any foundation is going to do that! The pump on this is a big plus as well, and I'll definitely be buying it again, but in the next shade up.
L'Oreal Paris Dermo-Expertise Youth Code Luminize Serum
This serum has been sitting on the back burner for the past half a year as I went through two bottles of the Linden Leaves Porcelain Brightening Serum* (review here) but I had a small amount left in this bottle which I just finished up. Before the LL Serum, I went through a couple of bottles of this and really enjoy using it. It's non-greasy, sinks into the skin within in seconds and I really do think it made a difference on my acne scarring and dark spots. I'd definitely buy this one again.
Maybelline Makeup Remover Eye & Lip
If you're a regular here you'll know this is in pretty much every single Empties post! I can't get enough of this; it's cheap, removes all eye and lip makeup with ease and doesn't sting my eyes at all! I constantly have a back up of this because I can't be without it!
An assortment of old/used makeup
Through January I did a big clean up of my makeup; sorting, chucking, giving away and assessing what I have. I'll have a more in-depth post about this process soon (it involves a spreadsheet... #nerdmuch), but this is just some of the items that I threw out purely because I didn't like them, they dried up or simply were very old.
That was a pretty impressive month of empties! It's always so satisfying using up products, and it's something I need to do more this year!
Have you used any of the products I mentioned? What do you think of them? If you've done a similar post, link it below as I'd love to read!
*PR Sample