This is only my third Empties post in a year and a half. I published my first ‘Empties’ in November 2015 and it is one of my most popular and most read posts. I find it astounding how slowly I go through and use up products compared to other bloggers but in some ways it shows how economical I am. I like to amass empties until I have a decent number of them to share, I would never have enough to warrant monthly posts. Let’s get started!
Makeup
1. Rimmel Glam Eyes Day 2 Night Mascara
I purchased this mascara for $10 in March 2016. I didn’t start using it until a few months later but as with most Rimmel mascaras I was impressed. The mascara has two different wands and formulas depending on whether you prefer volume, length or both. I like the bright pink packaging and how secure this closes. I especially love the smaller length brush for my bottom lashes, it doesn’t smudge and get everywhere and adds a nice natural definition.
Repurchase: I can see myself picking this up again although it’s not my holy grail. At the moment I have a couple of other mascaras to use first.
2. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – 1 Fair
I frickin’ love this concealer! As you can see from the image the writing has completely rubbed off the packaging but that’s a small flaw. This concealer is the perfect match for my fair skin and the formula is so creamy and high coverage. A few dots of this on my red areas and blemishes is all I need.
Repurchase: I already have! I think they may have changed the packaging because so far no writing has rubbed off.
3. Rimmel Super Curler Mascara
This is my least favourite Rimmel mascara that I’ve ever tried. I was so excited about this when I saw it on Instagram but it didn’t last as long as my other Rimmel mascaras and it didn’t curl my lashes. The only thing I liked about this mascara is the bristle brush as opposed to a plastic one – that’s the reason Rimmel mascaras are my favourite.
Repurchase: Nope.
4. Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer
I don’t know what to say about this product because it’s been so long since I used it. I do think this product prolonged my makeup wear time and it didn’t react badly with my skin. It made my skin soft and a little bit went a long way, this primer lasted me over a year. This had a really nice smell to it as well.
Repurchase: Possibly. I’m not sure if this exact product is available anymore, I know Rimmel still do a Fix & Protect primer but it might not be the same one.
5. Maybelline The Falsies Mascara
I dislike this product so much I didn’t even keep it for the picture, it went straight in the bin. In the beginning I liked this mascara, it gave good length and the brush was really good for wiggling mascara onto the lashes. This was such a pain to remove though, I’ve had waterproof mascaras before but nothing as stubborn as this. This became such a pain to remove I didn’t want to wear it so I chucked it out.
Repurchase: No, not even the washable version. Maybelline mascaras are expensive for what they are in New Zealand.
Body & SkinCare
6. Derma V10 Strawberry Body Sorbet
I picked up this for roughly $3 and considering the price it is a decent product. This tub lasted me ages and the strawberry scent is scrumptious! I do prefer body butters from The Body Shop as they are more moisturising and they have a range of scents to choose from. If you have normal skin (I have dry/sensitive) I’d say this would be a great budget alternative for you.
Repurchase: Maybe.
7. The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist
When I first started using this product I didn’t see any real benefits and as a result I would only use it now and again. This product featured in the Project Pan collaboration I did last year and when I was using it more often I started liking it a lot more. I use face mist after moisturiser and before foundation to give my skin that extra bit of moisture.
Repurchase: I’m undecided at the moment. I’m using a Vitamin C Face Mist and once I’ve finished that I can determine which I preferred or if I want to go back to primer instead of face mist.
8. The Body Shop Hand Creams: Wild Argan Oil and Vanilla Chai
I love hand cream, I like to have a stash of two or three at a time so I don’t run out. The Body Shop’s selection is incredible and their formulas don’t react with my skin. There are certain scents I prefer to others and out of these two it would be the Vanilla Chai. Vanilla Chai has a nice spiciness to it and a hint of milk chocolate. The Wild Argan Oil felt slightly less hydrating than the Vanilla Chai and had an almost medicinal scent.
Repurchase: Vanilla Chai – yes (but it was a Christmas scent), Wild Argan Oil – no.
9. Simple Moisturisers: Light Hydrating and Replenishing Rich
I’ve mentioned numerous times on the blog that I have used Simple moisturiser for years and I continue to do so. I was trialing which one of the two I prefer and the Replenishing Rich was the winner.
Repurchase: Yes to both but I prefer to buy the Replenishing Rich moisturiser.
10. The Body Shop Brazil Nut Body Butter
I bought this body butter in my 2016 Body Shop Birthday Haul and finished it in mid 2016. I love the scent and how soft this made my skin. It had a nutty, kind of cocoa scent and I imagine this would smell really nice on a guy too, it’s one of those gender neutral scents that’s not overpowering.
Repurchase: The Body Shop have discontinued the Brazil Nut range but if they bring it back, I’m buying another tub for sure!
11. Olive Pomegranate Hand & Nail Cream
This product has one of the nicest scents I’ve ever come across, it literally smells like bubblegum. Olive is a New Zealand based beauty/skincare brand but this is the only product of theirs I’ve tried. This hand cream contains more product than those from The Body Shop but overall I feel like The Body Shop hand creams are more moisturising.
Repurchase: I don’t think so.
Other
12. Cutex Strengthening Nail Polish Remover
This is probably my favourite nail polish remover that I’ve tried. It doesn’t smell like alcohol like most of them and it removes nail polish really well. The formula contains Vitamin E which also helps strengthen nails and keep them looking and feeling good.
Repurchase: Yes! I couldn’t find this when I purchased a replacement, so I had to settle for a Sally Hansen one.
13. Britney Spears Radiance Perfume
For some reason it takes me ages to go through a perfume. I got this bottle for Christmas in 2013 and finished it some time in 2016. This perfume has a similar scent to Juicy Couture’s Viva la Juicy (which is my favourite) which is probably why I liked it. I couldn’t find an affordable bottle of Viva la Juicy so I got this instead. The bottle looks like gem stones and is very pretty.
Repurchase: I want to buy another bottle but I can’t find it in store so I may have to resort to online, it makes a nice everyday perfume.
14. Revlon Fire & Ice Perfume
This perfume was an item in a gift set I got for Christmas a couple of years ago. This scent is difficult to describe. It’s very different to the type I go for, it’s more mature and not so sweet and doesn’t contain vanilla. This perfume does smell pleasant and again it’s a nice, cheap everyday one for work.
Repurchase: Probably not.
15. Nivea Invisible For Black and White Deodorant
I have used this deodorant for years and I still enjoy using it. I know I won’t start smelling throughout the day and it’s not sticky and doesn’t get all over the armpits of my clothes.
Repurchase: Of course!
16. TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner
I purchased these 750ml bottles in June 2016 so that shows you how long I’ve had them. These big bottles are really good value for money, I only have to buy shampoo and conditioner about once a year. I find this shampoo and conditioner decent enough and it smells good but I don’t feel the Keratin Smooth makes my hair any smoother or straighter than before I used it.
Repurchase: I don’t think so.
That’s everything that I’ve been amassing for the past year or so. You probably won’t see one of these posts for another six months or so, so I hope you enjoyed this one!
Do you enjoy reading empties posts as much as I do? Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products!
Chanelle Hayley 