With the end of each month comes the time when I spill out my empty products and share them all with you! Although it doesn't sound so glamorous, I think empty posts are a great time for me to share what I have used up, why I like it, or if I didn't get along with it, why I don't. There's a pretty event selection of haircare, skincare, and makeup this time around.
Colab Dry Shampoo New York Edition Extreme Volume*
Ruth Crilly is one of the UK's top beauty vloggers and as a former model, this woman knows exactly what products work and don't. Her dry shampoo brand, Colab, launched in NZ last year and was met with a lot of excitement from beauty lovers. This dry shampoo absolutely rocks; it is a bit more heavy duty than the original but it does create a whole load of volume in the hair, whilst also refreshing and cleaning it too. I would definitely purchase this!
Batiste Beautiful Brunette Dry Shampoo
Whilst I really enjoy the Colab one, Batiste has been one of my first dry shampoo loves. I find the original leaves me looking a bit grey (even after working it into the hair), so I always opt for the ones that are tinted. It does a great job at getting rid of oily roots and is a must have for an evening refresh before going out, or those days when you just don't wanna wash your hair. I've already got into a new can of this.
L'Oreal Professional Absolut Repair Lipidium*
This was a hair mask type treatment that I would use at least once a week in place of my conditioner to give my hair an instant hit of nourishment. It was light enough to use more regularly than other hair masks and I would use it focused particularly on the ends which are prone to getting dry. It was easy to apply in the shower and just need to be left on for about 3-5 minutes for it to work its magic. It also smelt really lovely (L'Oreal hair care always smells good) and is something I would happily purchase.
OGX Bamboo Fiber-Full Conditioner*
I am still working my way through the shampoo (why does that always happen - I swear I always use the same amount each time!), but overall I did like the range but it didn't wow me. I didn't notice that my hair was overly fuller or thicker than normal and sometimes it just felt a little drier. Generally, I enjoy the OGX range but I just don't think this was the one for me.
Lee Stafford Heat Protection Original*
I always use a heat protectant spray, although I don't know if it makes a whole lot of difference I like to think it does and that is all that matter right? I use a lot of heat on my hair daily, from blow drying to curling (most days), or straightening so my hair gets quite a hammering. This spray felt lightweight in the hair, it didn't leave it feeling sticky or full of product and just helped to add in de-frizzing and smoothing when heat was applied. It was a good product and I would definitely consider using it in the future.
Skin + Tonic Body Cleanse Apple of My Eye*
This range launched in NZ last year with about 6 body washes in various delicious scents. They are NZ made and use lots of natural ingredients to boost the products. This apple scented one contains coconut water, apple, kiwifruit, and lime and it smells amazing and has very light scrubbing particles in it. The one thing that frustrated me was the inability to really squeeze the bottle due to the hardness of the plastic but I know that their newer bottles have been updated in a lighter plastic so you can get more out quickly!
The Body Shop Special Edition Blueberry Scrub*
I have had this nearly empty in my shower for far too long, but oh my, was it a lovely scrub. It had actual bits of blueberry seed in there as the scrub part, and it smelled delicious. They usually bring this range back each year, so it's well worth stocking up on!
Daiso Detergent for Puff + Sponge
This is always a staple in my beauty cupboards because it cleans even the heaviest foundations out from your sponges/beauty blenders with ease. It also works great when cleaning your makeup brushes. Also, did I mention it's only NZD $3 or $3.50 from Daiso Japan? A total bargain!
L'Oreal Men Expert Pure Power Scrub x 2000 Beads Anti-Blackhead*
Now don't be mistaken, this product was actually used up by my boyfriend and the good beauty blogger boyfriend that he is, I've got some thoughts to share directly from the man himself - "It was good", and also "I would use it again". He is a man of very few words but I tried it out once and this was definitely very cleansing with quite a bit of scrub to it.
Manuka Doctor ApiRefine Gold Dust Firming Serum*
If you are unfamiliar with Manuka Doctor, they are a natural skincare range using bee venom in their products. Kourtney Kardashian is one of their spokeswomen and I have been fortunate to try a few things from them. Some are great, others are a bit so-so. This serum is from one of their more high-end product range, and it looked like a silky gold serum with gold flakes suspended in it - very luxe. I have been using this each evening after cleansing and toning and before moisturising and my skin seemed to react well to it. The gold glitter did make you look a bit overly glittery and I am not sure whether it really contributed to the skin care aspect very much but it looked good in the bottle. Overall I am not wowed by this and I have definitely used other serums that I have enjoyed a lot more than this one.
Murad Pore Reform Skin Smoothing Polish*
Now a scrub that comes in a baby pink colour already has my tick of approval, also what gets a tick is the actual product inside. This was such a nice scrub to use and didn't feel too harsh on the skin. I would use it about 2-3 times a week and it did a great job at giving my skin a deeper clean and also making it feel soft and smooth.
Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturising Serum Concentrate*
This was an interesting serum to use, particularly down to the consistency of it. It comes out like a very light gel and as soon as it hits the skin it dissipates into this water like texture and I have described this before as an instant shot of hydration for the skin. I still stand by that now and would be great for dry/mature skin and would be particularly good in the morning as it's not too heavy and would sit well under makeup. I don't need that much hydration so I probably wouldn't use this one again.
Murad Pore Reform Skin Smoothing Polish*
Now a scrub that comes in a baby pink colour already has my tick of approval, also what gets a tick is the actual product inside. This was such a nice scrub to use and didn't feel too harsh on the skin. I would use it about 2-3 times a week and it did a great job at giving my skin a deeper clean and also making it feel soft and smooth.
Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturising Serum Concentrate*
This was an interesting serum to use, particularly down to the consistency of it. It comes out like a very light gel and as soon as it hits the skin it dissipates into this water like texture and I have described this before as an instant shot of hydration for the skin. I still stand by that now and would be great for dry/mature skin and would be particularly good in the morning as it's not too heavy and would sit well under makeup. I don't need that much hydration so I probably wouldn't use this one again.
Nivea Men Post Shave Balm
If you missed this trend of using this as a primer, have a read of this blog post here to find out why and how it actually works. Used as makeup primer under your foundation seriously works well as the glycerin in the Shave Balm acts as a glue to keep your foundation and everything on top of it in place. The texture feels nice on the skin and sinks in quickly, once you get past the after shave smell, you will be thanking it! I definitely need to get another bottle of this.
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles in Brightener*
The one Maybelline product I LOVE and use every damn day is the only one not available in NZ and I don't think it will ever be. I buy mine from Trade Me (new, of course) and just love this for under the eyes. The light pink tone brightens and conceals easily and it doesn't look cakey or sit into fine lines. I just can't see myself not using this!
Chella Eyebrow Defining Gel*
I love a good brow gel, tinted, or clear, I always swipe one through the brows to set them in place and add more texture to my very sparse brows. This brow gel was really good and it set down but didn't look or feel crispy in the hairs. I would buy this again if I could get my hands on it!
e.l.f. Studio HD Undereye Setting Powder
Along with the Maybelline Eraser, this is my perfect under eye combo. This powder sets the concealer down without adding any coverage but instead smooths and adds just a touch more brightness. The powder is very fine and is also so affordable. I am already into a new one of these.
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
This sponge was looking so gross I had to chuck it out, but it did its job for the past month or so and now I am on to a clean, fresh one! I have gone off using brushes completely for applying foundation and instead opt for a damp sponge to blend things out so much better than I could with a brush. It gives a more even finish and helps to blend over pores and uneven skin tone.
What products have you finished recently?
*PR Samples.
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