Empties #22: June 2015 – Part 1

I’m back with another empties post! It’s gonna be a quick one today – I “lost” the close-up photos of the items, but I’ve already packed them into the kitchen garbage… and no way am I digging them out! So this sole surviving photo will do! Let’s take look at what’s in Part 1 of June’s empties!

Empties #21: May 2015 – Part 2

Now to get on quickly to Part 2 of my May’s empties – otherwise by the time I’m done with this it’ll be time for June’s empties! My keyboard has died and revived with a factory reset once more after I put up Part 1 of the empties post – I officially hate computers now and I need to figure out a new permanent fix for it. Meanwhile, let’s see what else is in my empties for this month!

Midweek Peek #23: I Spy Some Eye Creams

A quick midweek peek at the eye creams that I’m using at the moment – it’s a little crazy but I currently have 6 of them in rotation! I received a lot of them from a magazine contest and they’re expiring by the end of this year, so I’m trying to use them all up before then!

1. Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture for Eyes
This was from a beauty box; this feels pretty nice – it’s quite light, sinks in fairly quickly and hydrating.

2. For Beloved One Polypeptide DNA Resilience Lift Eye Cream
This was one of gifts from the contest. I’m not a big fan because it’s quite thick and probably more suitable for an older audience. It hasn’t given me problems but I’ve decided to use on my neck instead.

3. Lancome Renergie Yeux Multi-lift
I like the eye cream; very lightweight and feels cooling on the eyes, and hydrating. I don’t use the concealer attached to it much though as it’s a really fair colour and honestly I don’t like the concept.

4. b.seen i’m wrinkle eraser
Another contest gift – I like the funky packaging. The product is okay – but also quite thick and targeted towards older age group. It does temporarily smooth out the skin while it’s on.

5. YSL Forever Youth Liberator Eye Zone Serum
6. L’Oreal Youth Code Rejuvenating Eye Essence
Two very liquid eye serum/essences. They’re very lightweight but I’m too lazy to use them beneath the eye creams consistently so I haven’t used them enough to really form an opinion.

So that’s the eye creams that I’m currently using! It’s really hard for me to tell if the eye creams/serums work because I don’t have any eye wrinkles… and I don’t know if the fact that I don’t have wrinkles is because the creams/serums are working! But I guess prevention is always better than cure!

Have you tried any of them?

Empties #17: January 2015 – Part 1

It’s the first empties post of 2015! Oh boy, am I excited! Now that I’m on a beauty budget, I’ve been focusing on using up what I already have this month, rather than buying more new items. I always neglect the foil packs – even on holidays, I don’t bring them along though they would be more convenient as I like to carry little bottles of skincare that I know will work well on me, so this month I’ve been trying to dwindle my stash of sample foil packs down.

Empties #16: December 2014 – Part 2

Now for the final part of empties for December 2014! The last of my trash for the year 2014, and now I will be throwing it all behind and hopefully leaving all the nasties and terrible days behind together with it. What a year. Anyways, let’s check out what was in the trash!

Rating system:
♣ No idea as it’s too small, no opinions or have no impression of.
♥♥ Dislike.
♥♥♥ Neutral/ok; will not repurchase.
♥♥♥♥ Liked; but may or may not repurchase.
♥♥♥♥♥ Holy grail; will repurchase or have repurchased.

Empties #14: October 2014 – Part 2

Hello! Welcome to Part 2 of going through my beauty trash in October! Writing about empties is actually pretty draining – because I do put in the time and energy to try to review as much as I can – that means trying to remember exactly what I felt about the product and then writing about it. A lot of times I don’t even remember because I wasn’t paying attention – and when it’s a tiny sample size, before you know it it’s used up and you have absolutely no clue what it did. Anyway, let’s get cracking on and see what I can remember about the rest of this October’s empties!

Empties #13: September 2014 – Part 2

Continuing on my EPIC empties post, here are a ton more empties that I am waving goodbye to! This is actually the more insane half of the empties post… I couldn’t believe it when I started counting them!

Unboxing: Vanity Trove May 14

I don’t subscribe to beauty boxes on a regular basis but recently I saw a few items that caught my eyes, and decided to get one! I get to select 6 samples that I want from a pool of available items – and there are a few full size items to choose from as well, with some surprise extras thrown in. As the photo shows, there are quite a few surprise extras! So what do I have in this box?

NOTD: Pink Sparkly Nails to Brighten Up the Day

I’ve been feeling a little under the weather lately; there’s a lot on my mind and a lot of things that I’ve been putting off thinking about, but is all coming to a head right now so I can no longer do that, and have to face them. I thought some pink sparkly nails would brighten up the day a little. I liked how it turned out! It did make me feel a little better every time I look at it. 🙂

Polishes used:
1. L’Oreal Color Riche Le Vernis in 210 Shocking Pink
2. Essence Colour & Go in 103 Space Queen
3. Rimmel Pro Super Wear Ultra Shine Topcoat

What about you? Have you ever switched up your makeup or nail colors just to boost up your mood?

Empties #6: February 2014

After the massive clearout of 26 items in January, this months’ empties look mighty small in comparison! But after counting them, I guess it’s still a healthy amount. Honestly I’m surprised that I still have empties after clearing out so many last month! Yay!

1. Organix Hydrating Macadamia Oil Conditioner
A rather thick hair conditioner; I think it’s pretty average – I can’t use it regularly as it makes my hair oily and weighs it down. Used twice a week only at the ends of my hair, my hair feels softer and more manageable, but anything more turns it into an oily mess.

2. Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray
My favourite makeup setting spray! This is the only makeup setting spray that really worked for me; I find that it really helps my makeup last through the day, even in Singapore heat! Will repurchase!

3. L’Oreal Total Repair 5 Shampoo
I actually really like Loreal’s shampoo but I don’t often buy them. Maybe they’re just not as visually attractive on the shelves. I really enjoyed this shampoo – I feel my hair is more manageable with less tangles after using it.

4. Laneige Snow BB Soothing Cushion in No21 Natural Beige
I really wanted to try this and was so excited when I received a sample, but was so disappointed; this did not stay put at all even on my very dry face – by mid day it was clearly gone, and messed up the rest of my makeup as it shifted around. If I powdered my face, I could see it clearly breaking down in patches as the BB cream “migrates”. Not pretty. Will not purchase.

5. Caudalie Eau De Beaute Beauty Elixir
Reviewed here. Not a fan; will not repurchase.

6. Loccitane Mom & Baby Balm
A rather thick and oily body balm; I’m neither a Mom nor a Baby, but because of my intensely dry skin I was recommended this. I do find that it soothes my skin when they are going through a “cracked and insanely dry” phase, but it’s also too heavy for regular use even for my dry skin.

7. Neogence Extremely Off-Heads Serum
Initially I did not like this because I didn’t think it made a difference. But I wanted to use it up so I’ve been using it every night for over 2 weeks. One day, my mum suddenly asked if I’ve had facial treatments because “your black heads are gone”. OMG. I haven’t used anything lately that’s targeted at black heads, so it must be this! I’ll be getting the full size to make sure.

8. Mario Badescu Herbal Hydrating Serum
I really adore the texture of this – it’s gel like, and feels cooling on the skin plus not sticky at all. Will look to purchase full size.

9. Lancome Visionaire Advanced Skin Corrector
I already own a full size bottle of this before receiving the sample – I would say, try to get a sample first before purchasing the full bottle, as this broke me out badly initially. I’ve learnt to prevent breakouts while using this – alternating this and never 2 consecutive days of using this.

10. Watsons Nail Polish Remover
Another bottle down! I’ve lost count of how many of these that I’ve used up. Affordable and works just like any other more expensive brands.

11. Bausch + Lomb Renu Fresh Multipurpose Solution
Not empty but expired. I don’t wear lenses daily, so I rarely finish a full bottle of solution before they expire.

12. Daiso Detergent for Puff and Sponge
I used to love this and stocked up before I discovered the Make Up Store Brush Cleaning Soap; then I realised that this was stripping out my brush hairs, making them really dry and scratchy. I’ve since stopped using this for my brushes with natural bristles. Will not purchase after I finish my stash.

13. The Face Shop The Rice Ceramide Lasting Moisturizer
Did not finish this item actually; but it has expired so it’s time to throw out. Was way too watery and not moisturizing enough for my liking.

14. Caudalie Makeup Remover Cleansing Water
Reviewed here. Not a favourite.

15. Beauty Buffet Charcoal & Cyress Facial Mask
16. My Beauty Diary Black Pearl Mask
17. Leaders Hydrogel Eye Therapy Patch
I use facial cloth masks regularly but never remember to keep the packaging. I did remember with these 3 this month, though I definitely use lots more in a month. I find that cloth masks dont really differ between brands in terms of efficacy, so I usually just opt for the cheapest. I really like the Leaders Eye Patch; slimy in texture and feels really good and soothing.

Again, not many makeup related items. I’ve been clearing out my stash in other ways lately – by giving and selling some makeup away. I’m really happy at how my stash is shrinking to a more reasonable amount as the months go by – I no longer have 5 bottles of creams that will expire in 2 months, nor a stock of 10 face washes. It’s still a huge amount and way more than an average person, but they’re getting more manageable.

I’ve found writing on empties so therapeutic – because of my wanting to write these posts, I feel less of an urge to buy and hoard new products. I don’t know if anyone can understand this, but this is how I feel. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this post as much as I’ve loved writing it!