February 2015 Empties: Skincare & Make-up

Well I don’t think anyone can deny how successful I’ve been at using up products this month, A big pat on the back for me! I’ve used up over 20 products & samples (does that mean I can buy 20 more?). So I’ve split up into 2 posts, otherwise – quite frankly this would become longer than my university dissertation in one!

Skincare Empties

Salcura Antiac Deep Cleansing Fluid

salcura-antiac-multi-action-formula

If you suffer with bad spots or acne this product is amazing. My boyfriend purchased this after I had seen reviews of it online,  as he suffers with a really bad scalp – and I used this when-ever I had spots on my skin. Nothing has cleaned up spots for me like this before – it does a fantastic job of both soothing and drying up anything that’s there quickly. You can often get samples of this for free on the Salcura website – or small sample sizes to see if it works for you before you buy.

Repurchase?: Yes

Yves Rocher Cacao Handcream

yves-rocher-cacao-hand-cream

Received in a past glossybox a good chunk of time ago, it’s taken me a long time to use this up as I really don’t like the smell. It’s chocolate/raspberry and does smell like a burnt desert to me. It’s okay as a handcream but I just really hated the scent so tended to use it when I had a blocked nose or cold so I couldn’t smell it!

Repurchase?: No

Simple Refreshing Facial Wash Gel

simple-refreshing-facial-wash-gel

Absolutely rubbish at cleaning away makeup – I’ve had 2 samples of this to use up, so have previously had this in an empties and my thoughts haven’t changed since. Never used by itself as it was so bad, but in conjunction with other cleansers so that it got used up.

Repurchase?: No Way!

Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser

malin+goetz-grapefruit-cleanser

Received in my January love me beauty, I wasn’t loving my current cleanser which is why I picked this up to see if it was any better. Yep it was! This does a great job of sweeping away eye make-up (a claim that my current cleanser has but doesn’t do), I was unsure as to whether this would be good to use around the eye area because it’s citrus – but it was great – no stinging at all.

Repurchase?: I won’t at this time as I received a new Elemis one for my birthday – but otherwise I probably would.

Michael Todd Walnut Grapefruit Polishing Scrub

michael-todd-walnut-grapefruit-polishing-scrub

A very heavy duty scrub which is great for pre-holiday tanning preparation, or if you’re a fake tanner. It does need a good shake, otherwise all the oil which makes it easy to rub in runs out – and you’re left with just the scrub – which makes it really difficult to get out (I learnt this too late). I would love to repurchase, but last time I bought from Michael Todd I had a hefty customs charge. Please stock in the UK Michael Todd!!

Repurchase?  Not unless it’s stocked elsewhere

Elemis Sp@ Home Frangipani Monoi Shower Cream

elemis-spa-at-home-frangipani-monoi-shower-cream

I received this as a Christmas present in 2013 – I’ve been using this as a treat as it’s so expensive (£13 for a regular sized shower gel). Frangipani Monoi is Elemis’ ‘signature scent’, which I know a lot of people love – but I just… don’t. I don’t hate it – but I didn’t feel whilst I was using it as a treat, that it really was a treat – just average.

Repurchase?: No

Glam Glow Youthmud Face Mask

glam-glow-youth-mud-mask

I did a first impressions GlamGlow post, and my thoughts haven’t really changed since then. I can’t make up my mind as to whether I like this or not. I got 4 and a half uses out of this pot – so worked out at just over £5 per use (if you work out that I didn’t buy it on a rare time that it’s discounted). I have never been particularly impressed by any face mask, so spending £25 on one was risky for me! I didn’t hate it – my skin did feel and look better – but not significantly enough for the cost per use.

Repurchase?: No I don’t think so.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturiser +

clinique-dramatically-different-moisturiser

A little sample of this has lasted me 2 months as my moisturiser for pre-makeup. I know a lot of people like this, but I don’t love it enough to spend that much on it. But a little of this does go a long way so would last me for ages.

Repurchase?: No


Makeup/Makeup remover Empties

Benefit They’re Real Eyeliner Sample

benefit-theyre-real-eyeliner

I don’t know if it was the sample packaging, but I found it difficult to get the product out evenly as you had to squeeze it up, which meant a big blob of product at the end, which didn’t seem logical. The formulation was good and was long lasting – but the packaging let it down. That being said, it was no better than my favourite maybelline gel eyeliner (which is much cheaper), and I didn’t find it easier to get winged eyeliner as this is designed to.

Repurchase?: No

My Little Beauty Volume Mascara

my-little-beauty-volume-mascara

It was a sad day when I finally had to admit defeat that this mascara was now empty. I’ve pretty much been using this non stop since receiving in the November My Little Cosy Box. This mascara pretty much replaced my previous HG (Lancome Hypnose Drama). Rarely do I find a mascara is good from start to finish (including Lancome), normally I need 2 weeks to get air in, and then after a month it goes past it’s best and gets to thick. This was completely different. running out of product rather than going too thick or dry. This stayed in place all day with no flaking or crusting. I can’t speak highly enough. I have a lancome hypnose drama which I’m going to use up before I repurchase – but otherwise I’m planning to then order another few of these!

Repurchase?: Yes!

Lancome BiFacial Make Up Remover

lancome-bifacial-make-up-remover

This came with my favourite Mascara in a christmas gift set. I did enjoy using this little sample, and it did a fantastic job of removing eye makeup quickly, but did leave with a slight oily residue so usually followed up with a micellar water.

Repurchase?: No, but would happily use for free! 

Oceane Make Up Remover Pen

oceane-make-up-remover-pen

This was a glossybox item, and was terrible from the first use, the nib gets dirty straight away, and just smears any blops of mascara or eyeliner that’s gone astray rather than truly removing it. I finally decided to throw it away as it’s been sat in my drawer for ages, and I’m never going to use it, It’s a good concept but doesn’t live up to the real world!

Repurchase?: No!!


The second empties post will be up in a few days, which will feature  my Feburary Haircare, Nail and Fragrance Empties.

Have you been good at using stuff up this month?

Rachael

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6 Comments

  1. February 28, 2015 / 4:18 pm

    Dang, I’m impressed you finished off all of those 🙂 Thanks for the cool reviews!

  2. March 1, 2015 / 3:30 pm

    Have you tried any other Salcura products? I’ve noticed they do a shampoo and conditioner for dry scalps, I’ve had my eye on it a while but it’s a bit pricey and no-one seems to have heard of Salcura! X

    • March 1, 2015 / 4:05 pm

      No, I stumbled across Salcura by seeing the freebie, and as it worked we just ordered the same thing again! I’m guessing that they use the same base ingredient/s across all their products and if that’s the case I think they’d work great for dry scalps, but haven’t actually looked into it – I will do now though as it sounds like it could be good for my boyfriend as t gel doesn’t help x

      • March 1, 2015 / 4:10 pm

        Yeah I sort of found them by accident too. I am going to get their shampoo and conditioner after the one I’m using runs out, good to see their other products are getting good reviews as well!

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