My fifth empties post in a year! I am proud of how dedicated I have been to using products up and the speed with which I’m getting through things. There’s a lot of great products in this post and 80% of them I would be happy to purchase again. Let’s get started!
Haircare
1. TRESemmé Heat Tamer Protective Spray
I have had this heat protector for a few years as I rarely use styling tools on my hair. The scent is pleasant, it’s like a fruity version of The Body Shop’s Vitamin E scent with less rosy notes – there is no hair spray, chemical type smell. The spray makes hair soft and look shiny without looking oily and it is good value for money. It costs $7 (NZD) for 300ml. If you do use styling tools regularly and had to purchase this a few times a year it’s still good value.
Repurchase: Yes.
Makeup
2. L’Oreal Paradise Extatic Mascara
Paradise Extatic is the European/New Zealand version of L’Oreal’s Lash Paradise mascara. My initial thoughts are I don’t like Paradise Extatic as much as I liked Lash Paradise. I found Paradise Extatic dried out quicker and the formula got clumpy and thick after not being open for very long at all. Paradise Extatic didn’t build and layer as well as I remember Lash Paradise doing and my lashes didn’t look long and fluttery. The performance of this particular tube of mascara was average. I’ve seen people compare Lash Paradise and Paradise Extatic and this has come out on top but for me it’s the other way round. The only way this is superior to Lash Paradise is that the colour on the outside of the tube doesn’t flake and peel off.
Repurchase: Yes but Lash Paradise in the pink tube.
3. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – 1 Fair
I have talked about this concealer numerous times over the years on my blog so I’ll keep this short. It is my favourite creamy concealer and as far as value for money, shade match, coverage and pigmentation goes it wins hands down!
Repurchase: I already have.
4. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NW13 (Sample)
I recently reviewed this foundation *HERE* and I’m including this little sample as an empty because it gave me 27 uses which is a lot more than the week’s worth of product the poster stated. The colour match could not be more perfect for my skin and this foundation blended like a dream, it is the nicest looking foundation I have tried to date. Cheek products sit nicely on top, the formula is comfortable – the right amount of dew and matte – and product didn’t break down on my face throughout the day.
Repurchase: I am considering buying a full size of this foundation once I finish up a few others in my collection.
5. MAC Syrup
I am sad I have finished this lipstick but also proud. Syrup was my first ever MAC lipstick and my first ever MAC purchase so it holds a special place in my heart. Syrup is the most beautiful pink-purple mauve berry and such a hard colour to dupe. It has a lustre finish meaning it’s incredibly comfortable to wear and has a nice natural shine.
Repurchase: Definitely – one of the best lipstick colours I have ever owned!
6. MAC Patisserie
I actually thought I would finish Patisserie before Syrup but as it happened I used both of these up within a week of each other. Patisserie is also a lustre finish and is the perfect peachy-pink nude. When it comes to nude lipsticks pink undertones suit me best.
Repurchase: I’m sure I will at some point.
Skincare & Fragrance
7. Antipodes Hosanna H20 Skin Plumping Serum
I received a deluxe sample of this serum as a gift with purchase but I didn’t enjoy it. The serum has a strong medicinal scent and I didn’t notice any benefits to my skin when I used this. It didn’t irritate my skin or dry it out further but I didn’t see any plumping effects either. The serum seemed to soak into my skin awfully quickly and it felt like I hadn’t applied any product.
Repurchase: No.
8. The Body Shop Strawberry Smoothing Face Mist
Aside from Fix+ by MAC this is the face mist I have enjoyed using the most to set my makeup. The strawberry scent is lovely and fruity and the spray feels light and refreshing on the skin. This mist gives my skin a smooth, dewy look.
Repurchase: Most likely.
9. Britney Spears – Prerogative 30ml
Prerogative is probably my favourite fragrance from Britney Spears so far. It has notes of amber, pink pepper, apricot, lily, espresso foam and a velvety, gourmand twist. The scent is quite light and not the most long lasting but it’s a good everyday perfume for work. My only slight gripe is the bottle. The packaging is simple and sexy but as the bottle sits on an angle I worry perfume could leak out.
Repurchase: Maybe.
Body
10. Victoria’s Secret Ruby Guava Hand Cream
A work colleague gave this to me and the packaging is super cute! I didn’t know Victoria’s Secret made hand cream. The scent is fruity and a little stronger than what I usually like. This also didn’t feel as moisturising as other hand creams I’ve used in the past.
Repurchase: No.
11. The Body Shop Shea Body Butter 200ml
Shea is my favourite scent from The Body Shop and this is actually the first 200ml tub of this scent I have finished up. I’ve used a couple of smaller 50ml tubs in the past but this is softer and creamier despite being the same scent. I never tire of this scent and it’s perfect for any time of year.
Repurchase: Yes!
What was the last product you finished up?
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I’m so impressed you managed to finish two MAC lipsticks, I’ve only ever managed to finish 1 in the whole time I’ve been buying MAC! Syrup is a great shade though my guess would be that or Whirl that would be next finished by me though.
Interesting about what you said about Lash Paradise/Extatic, a lot of people who I know who have tried both prefer Extatic over Paradise. I’ve only tried Extatic and as much as I liked it I really don’t like buying from L’Oreal, so probably won’t repurchase it in future.
Well done on finishing so much up, I’ve just finished photographing my Empties from July until October as my basket was overflowing and I’d been putting it off. I’ve just had a whole recycling bag full so I’m pleased to have got it out the way!
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I’ve had these lipsticks for 4 years but they are some of my most used! I’ve got a few other MAC lip products to focus on next. Can I ask why you’re not a fan of L’oreal? Your empties posts are always bumper full of products, makes mine look tame haha x
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I love anything from the Body Shop, so I’m with ya on shea butter and strawberry face mist 🙂 Those would make excellent stocking stuffers looking ahead!
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One of my favourite shops for sure, I was sad to hear they were closing down in my city. Those two products are particularly good 😊
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Omg really?? I hope they aren’t going out of business, I love them!
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No they’re not they just closed in my city, plenty of other stores in NZ.
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Bravo! Great job with your empties progress! I have Tresemme heat protection spray (it’s in a smaller bottle than what you have) I think it’s good. I like the scent and it helps protect my hair – I heat style pretty frequently so I find I go through products like this pretty fast.
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Thank you! I didn’t know the Tresemme spray came in a smaller bottle but I guess different regions have different sizes and products.
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Yay!! You’re doing so awesome with your empties, Chanelle! These posts are always super fun to read. The Body Shop Shea Body Butter sounds amazing! Also, I use Tresemme’s heat protective spray too. I like it but can never seem to finish it! But I don’t really use heat on my hair all that much either. Amazing post!! x
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It’s amazing how quickly you use products when you don’t constantly buy new ones haha. The Shea range at The Body Shop is beautiful and my favourite 😊 I’ve had this heat spray for a few years but remember I have longer hair on you so would use more per use x
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Whoa so impressed that you finished two lipsticks! I dont use mine as often and tend to switch it up a lot. Good for you!
Perfumes and body sprays are also not something I can finish easily so nicely done!!
You did so good, you’ve emptied plenty of makeup!! 🙂
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I bought those MAC lipsticks in 2015 so they are some of my oldest but also shades I reached for a lot! Perfume can be easy to finish if you stick with one to get it gone 😊 thanks for reading!
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You are doing such a great job with your empties!! I have been looking for a heat protectant, so I’ll have to check that one out! My hair gets so frizzy otherwise when I blow-dry it.
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Well done for finishing up two MAC lipsticks! I have yet to finish not just a MAC lipstick but any lipstick lol I was hoping I’d finish up See Sheer this year but definitely not going to happen as I have been using my liquid lipsticks like crazy instead. Maybe sometime next year…?
I am not a fan of the Lash Extatic at all! I find that it’s too clumpy and thick for liking and it doesn’t really keep my lashes curled up – weighs them down instead.
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Thank you, there’s a few other MAC colours next on my hitlist to finish next. Paradise Extatic and Lash Paradise are different to each other. Sorry this mascara didn’t work for you though!
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For a while I thought Paradise Extatic was basically the British/European name for Lash Paradise!! and ah it’s okay, I am used to most mascaras not being the one for me.
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They are the same product, slightly different ingredients 😂
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Wow, you are doing so great with your Empties this year, Chanelle! I know I always say it but, I miss using MAC’s lipsticks so much. I truly think they are the reason I’m so picky with lip products now! Amazing that you finished the serum. I’ve always stopped using them because I’ve never found one that did anything much for me either. 😛 I noticed Victoria’s Secret sells lots of beauty products but, all of them are pretty low quality besides their perfumes lol.
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Is there a reason you don’t use MAC lipsticks anymore? I like the idea of a serum but haven’t tried enough to know if I like them or not. What other beauty products do Victoria’s Secret sell?
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I don’t use MAC because they aren’t completely cruelty-free. 😦 I so wish they were though because their lipsticks & setting spray can’t be beat. I agree about serums! & I’ve seen all kinds of stuff at VS, from lipglosses to eyeliners!
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Ah fair enough. I wouldn’t say VS is known for its makeup to be honest 😂
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