Empty Products #13

My second empties post of the year! I currently seem to be getting one of these posts up every other month which is satisfying and makes sticking to a low buy easier. When it comes to a low buy I don’t restrict myself with a dollar amount and I still allow myself the occasional impulse purchase. I find I’m working through products more smartly and I’m able to identify what I enjoy and what (if anything) is missing from my collection.

Makeup/Beauty

1. Urban Decay Primer Potion

Up until 18 months ago I hadn’t tried an eyeshadow primer but now I’m sold on the difference they make to the longevity of my eye makeup. This primer from Urban Decay is one that is well loved and one I’d heard a lot about and it is really good. I picked up the 5.7g size and it lasts a long time, a little goes a long way. If you’re curious about eyeshadow primer or are on the fence over this one, I highly urge you to give it a try!

Repurchase: Yes.

2. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer

Over the past couple of years Fenty Beauty have been making a real name for themselves and to date this is the only product I have tried from the brand. I picked up the 15ml version to see if I like the primer and at first I was on the fence about it, it felt nice and soft on the skin but it was just an ordinary primer. This primer is more on the matte side and I really started enjoying it when I paired it with foundations that verge on being too dewy to create more of a satin finish and keep excess glow at bay.

Repurchase: Maybe – I would at least consider picking up the 15ml size again.

3. MAC Pinklite Strobe Cream 30ml

One thing MAC’s Strobe Cream has going for it is it’s versatility. You can use this as a moisturising primer, mix a little bit in with foundation for a subtle glow or apply it on top of foundation for more of a blinding effect. I used this like a primer on top of my moisturiser as I didn’t find the cream moisturising enough on it’s own for my dry skin. I would be interested to swatch the peach and silver shades to see what they look like on my skintone. It’s a shame not all shades come in the small 30ml size.

Repurchase: Maybe.

4. Rimmel Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara – 003 Extreme Black

This mascara is my holy grail! It gives length and volume and the formula is super easy to work with. In my experience this is one of the only mascaras I’ve tried where the formula stays the same from when the tube is first opened. The mascara doesn’t flake or smudge and is a breeze to remove at the end of the day. I was extremely happy when I found out the extreme black shade wasn’t being discontinued, the product was just being re-packaged. I am yet to try a re-packaged tube however.

Repurchase: Already have a backup.

5. Maybelline Dr Rescue Top Coat

The bottle is not technically empty but I can’t get any more product out and it’s time to call done on this one. The top coat itself is excellent but the brush is really thin and doesn’t pick up a lot of product at once. The amount of product that gets left behind in combination with the small brush is a little disappointing.

Repurchase: Not sure. Value for money wise this is good but I think I prefer my Revlon top coat.

Skincare & Fragrance

6. The Body Shop Shea EDT

I love the Shea range from The Body Shop but this EDT was my least favourite out of all the scents I’ve tried. I thought this scent would work as a fragrance but I didn’t like it on me.

Repurchase: No.

7. Palmer’s Moisture Rich Night Cream

This is a good, inexpensive option for nighttime but I definitely need to apply my facial oil when I use it. My current night moisturiser is more hydrating and lately I have been able to get away with applying that on it’s own without the facial oil. This was the second time I’d purchased this cream so I do like it but I think there are better options.

Repurchase: Maybe.

8. Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm

I purchased this tub in April 2019 and 98% of the time I have worn makeup over the past year I have removed it with this. It is a little pricey but for me the price tag is worth it; my skin doesn’t get irritated, my skin has improved since using the balm regularly and the product isn’t scented or full of harsh ingredients.

Repurchase: Yes.

Body

9. Nivea Invisible Anti-Perspirant – Clear

I haven’t gotten around to trying a different anti-perspirant yet but I will! As you know these feature in every empties and it’s a great everyday staple.

Repurchase: Yes.

10. The Body Shop Moringa Body Yogurt

I first mentioned the Moringa body yogurt in my November 2019 favourites. If you find body lotions and body butters too heavy and want more of a lightweight, gel texture you will enjoy these. Product absorbs quickly, it’s great for all skin types and you get the same amount as you would in a tub of body butter for a cheaper price. A great all over body moisturiser!

Repurchase: Yes. I’d be interested to try other scents too.

Discards

1. Soap & Glory Hand Food – Hydrating Hand Cream

I purchased this hand cream at the end of 2018 and it sat sealed in my beauty drawer for around a year before I got to using it. I noticed at the start of the year only a couple of weeks after opening the hand cream the texture changed to an oily, greasy mess. I shook the tube to try and mix the product back up but that didn’t do anything. The product must have gone bad which is a shame because I’d heard good things about this hand cream and it’s scent. The cream itself did feel nice on the skin and for the price it’s very reasonable. I’m not inclined to repurchase but I’d happily try this again if I received it as a gift.


What was the last product you finished up?

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MECCA Beauty Wishlist

MECCA is the Australia/New Zealand equivalent of Sephora (we have Sephora too, online at least) and the beauty retailer stocks and carries popular brands that aren’t all available elsewhere in New Zealand. I thought it would be fun to show you what’s currently in my cart and the items I’d like to add to my collection and try. Some brands I haven’t tried but I have heard many good things about in the beauty world!

Soap & Glory Hand Food | $5.00

Hand cream is one of my beauty staples and $5.00 for 50ml from Soap & Glory compared to $10 for 30ml from The Body Shop is a good deal. The hand cream contains shea butter, macadamia oil and marshmallow and features Soap & Glory’s original pink rose and bergamont scent.

Why I don’t need it: I want to use up the hand creams I’ve got before I buy more.

Urban Decay Original Primer Potion | $22.00

This is a classic among beauty lovers and one of Rachael’s – whose opinion I trust very much – personal favourites. I’ve never tried eye primer before and I personally don’t see it as a necessity in my beauty routine but I’d like to try this to see what the hype is about and maybe afterwards I will be converted.

Why I don’t need it: I often use concealer as my eye primer and I’ve already got a NYX eyeshadow base as well.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara | $36.00

I’ve tried the L’Oreal dupe for this mascara (Lash Paradise/Paradise Extatic) and it’s pretty damn amazing but it would be interesting to see how it compares to this mascara and if it’s worth paying twice the price for the Too Faced.

Why I don’t need it: I could get two tubes of L’Oreal’s Lash Paradise for the price of one of these and I’ve got two brand new tubes of my favourite Rimmel mascara waiting in the wings.

MAC Sized To Go Strobe Cream | $25.00

This product aims to refresh, perfect, hydrate and brighten skin, smooth texture and replenish moisture. The travel size comes in the shade Pinklite. Not only does this keep your complexion looking fresh and flawless, the cream is infused with powerful botanicals, vitamins and green tea. The sized to go Studio Moisture Cream lasts me a while and the small size means you get a good amount to try to decide whether or not you like the product.

Why I don’t need it: I see myself picking this up sometime in the near future to use as a base under foundation instead of primer.

NARS Mini Orgasm Blush Highlight Duo | $38.00

NARS seems like such a high quality, well-loved brand and their Orgasm blush is another classic for bloggers. I have a dupe of Orgasm and it is one of my favourite makeup items out of everything I own. The blush gives such a lovely flush to the cheeks and a little goes a long way.

Why I don’t need it: Again, I can also see myself picking up this duo. My favourite blush is a dupe for Orgasm and to have a backup and be able to try the real thing would be cool. The highlight in the duo, Hot Sand, also looks stunning.

MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ | $22.00

Lately with face mists I have been enjoying applying the mist to my face before moisturiser and massaging the face mist in alongside the moisturiser to give my skin more hydration. With warmer weather on the horizon this product would help set my makeup and keep it in place during the day. I also want to try the trick of spritzing an eyeshadow brush with Fix+ to really pack on shimmery shadows.

Why I don’t need it: I’m using one of the new face mists from The Body Shop but I can see myself picking this up once that’s done.

Too Faced Hangover Primer | $23.00

Fellow New Zealand blogger, Angela, loves this primer and I’d like to try it after hearing her mention it on her blog. One thing that does worry me though is the coconut scent, does it linger after application?

Why I don’t need it: I wouldn’t buy this primer and the MAC Strobe Cream. I don’t need both if I use the strobe cream as a primer.


Have you tried any of these products? What’s on your makeup wishlist?

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