EMPTIES | December '17

I've been seriously slacking on the blog writing of late, I can't pinpoint why or what is causing it but it's a little overwhelming. So in the hopes to cure my writer's block or blogging block, I am going to ramble on about the empty products I finished in December. I realise January is almost over so you will see another Empties in a couple of weeks but I am determined to get this one up!

Dermalogica Precleanse Balm*

This is easily one of my favourite skincare discoveries of last year and I was so sad when I squeezed out the last bit of this in December. They have had the Precleanse oil in their range for a few years and have recently launched it in a thicker balm that comes in a tube and also comes with a cleansing silicon mitt (which is SO nice to use with this). This did a seriously good job at removing all my makeup and even mascara too, plus it didn't dry out the skin and just made my makeup removing routine much quicker and easier. I will definitely be getting another one of these tubes.

L'Oreal Paris Pure Clay Purifying Cream/Wash*

L'Oreal launched the Pure Clay Face Masks (see them here) in early 2017 to much hype from beauty lovers. They really impressed me and I use the Charcoal Mask heaps! Later in the year, they launched three cleansers to match the three masks in the range and I was so excited to try them out. I've just finished up the light green one that includes 3 clays and eucalyptus and enjoyed it. It felt very cooling to the skin and is suited for those with oily/combination skin (dry skins may find this too stripping). It did a good job to deep clean the skin each day and I've not got much to complain about it!

Garnier Skin Active Pure Active Sensitive Anti-Blemish Gentle Toner*

A lot of people seem to skip the toner stage but it is one that I could never skip, I think because it was ingrained in me in my early teens - I can't go without it. I liked this one from Garnier and it is from a relatively new range that is aimed at sensitive skins, but also those who are acne prone. Most acne targetted products can be quite harsh and be stripping to the skin, but this is not that at all. The gel-like toner helped to balance the skin and remove any excess traces of makeup, while still leaving it with some moisture. The bottle lasted me a few months and Garnier is a really affordable skincare line and great for those wanting to get a more solid skincare routine.

SkinMe Clean Me Gel Cleanser*

The first time I used this cleanser I was literally shocked at how smooth and soft my face felt after using it. I had to go to my partner and tell him to feel my face because it was so soft! I've never known a cleanser to do that and this one is truly amazing. SkinMe is a New Zealand brand and they make all their products here too - they've just got a small selection of products online at the moment, but the others I have tried have also impressed me. This cleanser is top notch and did the job it should and more! It has got a blend of grapefruit, aloe vera and willow bark extract as it's main ingredients. I have got to get another tube of this.

Clinique Pep-Start Quick Cleansing Swipes 50-Pack*

This was the wipes that just kept giving! The pack was huge and bloody good bang for your buck at NZD $24. The wipes were great for quick makeup removal (I mostly used them for removing swatches etc). They weren't drying to the skin and just did a good job to clean the skin in a jiffy.

Soap & Glory The Rushower Dry Shampoo

I talked about this in my Most Loved, because it is one of the best dry shampoos I have tried. I am totally converted to this and for only NZD $7 for a large can at Mecca Maxima, this is cheaper than most! It refreshes quickly, doesn't leave a grey/white cast in my hair and doesn't leave any tacky residue.

ThisWorks Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

I found this little mini lurking in my bedside table drawer and realised it was completely empty. I really liked using this and the scent of lavender is instantly relaxing. I find this helps me to fall asleep a lot quicker, and give me an all-around better nights sleep. Although it's not a miracle cure, if you do struggle to fall asleep it would be worth a try!

The Chemistry Brand Intense Youth Complex Hand Cream*

I have always got to have a hand cream nearby and this was my go-to before bedtime. It was super moisturising, sunk in quickly and didn't leave me feeling greasy afterwards. This one is formulated with all sorts of good ingredients to help improve firmness, elasticity, density, evenness, texture, and hydration. It was great to use and if you have dry/ageing hands give this one a go!

Daiso Puff & Sponge Detergent

This is always one of those products that pop up regularly in my Empties, because it's so damn good! I use a sponge to apply my foundation and concealer every day so I need to keep them clean and try to do that every couple of days. This stuff just dissolves all makeup out of your sponge in seconds - it's magic and I wouldn't be without it! It also works well for cleaning makeup brushes too. 

frank body Body Cream*

I finally got to the end of this tub - yay! I get quite slack when it comes to body moisturising, I go through fazes of doing it religiously and then fazes of just neglecting it! It does help though when I am using a body moisturiser that I really like and this one from frank sits in that category. It has coffee seed extract in it (to go along with their Coffee Scrubs) and sinks in well and leaves the skin feeling very smooth and moisturised.

L'Oreal Infallible Fixing Mist

This is one of my favourite setting sprays despite the negative reviews I often see about it. The trick with this is to really give it a rigorous shake so the powder at the bottom is evenly dispersed into the liquid. This is one of the best ones for my oily skin and really helps to literally lock everything in place. I need to get another bottle ASAP because this summer heat is not doing my makeup any favours!

Maybelline MasterFix by Face Studio Wear-Boosting Setting Spray

Although not as good as the L'Oreal one, in my opinion, it is still a great one for locking in makeup and is very affordable also. This one has a really nice fine mist and no obvious smell to it and just helps to refresh and prolong the life of your makeup.

L.A. Girl Pro. Conceal HD Concealer in Light Ivory (I think)

I had a big clear out of my makeup near the end of last year and rediscovered this that was basically empty. This was so hyped up a year or so ago and with good reason as it's a fantastic concealer. There are so many different shades to chose from, it covers well, blends like a dream and lasts on the skin.I have definitely got to repurchase this one!

Rimmel London Stay Matte Powder in Transparent

This will always stand as one of my favourite powders and I have been using it for years! It just does the best job to set everything down and is great for touch up and de-oiling during the day as it doesn't make the skin look cakey at all.

The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in Shade 3

I don't want to have to part with this and will have to go and get a new one ASAP! This is an excellent bronzer with no shimmer in it and works so well for pale skin gals (they have shades lighter than this available). I find it blends easily and looks very natural on the skin. 

Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles in Brightener

My all-time favourite for my under eyes is this concealer that is still not available to buy in New Zealand (I have found a good stockist on Trade Me though). This stuff really brightens, it cancels the darkness and doesn't fade, cake or sink into the fine lines. It's just bloody great stuff!

e.l.f. Studio Undereye Setting Powder

To go along with the concealer above, this is also one of my fave products. It comes in this small pot that I tend to get through so quickly, but it does the best job at setting the undereye area with no coverage but helps to brighten a tad and smooth the area. I've been using one from another brand and it just is not doing it for me so I definitely need to go back to this one.

Nouveau Lashes Lash & Brow Conditioning Serum*

I've tried a few lash and brow serums in the past and had some great results with Revitalash but sadly this one didn't really do much for me. I didn't notice a huge difference in the length of my lashes or the thickness of my brow hairs despite continued use. Maybe I just needed to use it longer, but the product dried up quite quickly in the tube.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara*

The next four empties are always mascaras that I really love and had been holding on to even though most of them were basically empty and quite dried up. Out of the four here, this is my least favourite, but it's not to say it's not amazing! This gives great volume and length to the lashes. The curved wand helped to curl them up and get all the little short lashes coated too.

Jordana Best Lash Extreme Mascara

One of the cheapest and from my experiences, one of the best mascaras you could own. I knew this one was going to be good from all the hype but it exceeded my expectations and I used it solidly for months. It just made my lashes look full and thick and luscious. I have got to find another tube of this!!

Essence Volume Stylist 18h Lash Extension Mascara

Another cheap and cheerful mascara that I loved - this one was quite similar in effect to the Jordana one and just made my lashes look amazing. I rate Essence mascaras so high and I honestly think they are better than most high-end options.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Ah, my old favourite and now one I have fallen back in love with. I forgot how much I loved this mascara after I dug out this mini to start using. It gives you extreme volume and density to the lashes and the hourglass wand works really well to fan the lashes out and give them crazy length. This is one mascara I would happily spend a bit more money on. 

Colourpop Brow Pencil in Bangin' Brunette

My loyal brow pencil from Colourpop makes it into yet another Empties. I love this stuff, it gives me a lot of definition, helps to give me great looking brows when naturally they don't look that great at all! It's quite a soft pencil and very pigmented so you do have to get used to using it but it's well worth it if you like crisp and defined brows.

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eye Liner in Bronze

It's pretty easy to tell that I love this eyeliner by how small it has got! I really need a new one because I found this was so good to use on the waterline and lashline and wasn't as harsh as using a black. It stays put and doesn't smudge once it has dried down. 

Phew, that was a LONG one! I'd love to know what products you finished in the last month - any standouts?

*PR Samples.