July came and now swiftly gone but that just means it’s time for another instalment in the ultimate empties challenge! I’m so proud of myself for coming this far and pushing myself every month to finish my products! I have seen a huge reduction in the number of products I have now so this challenge is definitely working! Anyways let’s get into the empties, as always I will link reviews and where to buy
Cleaners & Toners
Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser– I have reviewed this here. I’m not sure why this product is so hyped but for me, it was a disappointment, I have since then used far cheaper but much better cleansers. Superdrug’s Vitamin E Hydrating Mist– this is probably my 2nd or 3rd bottle of this and I have purchased another as backup. It’s a lovely mist but they really need to fix the spray nozzle, it comes out like a jet stream and hits you in the face lol. Other than that, it’s a lovely hydrating mist. Primark Skin Resurfacing pads– miss this! I have my full review here. I have finished another tub of my fav morning toner pads- [amazon_textlink asin=’B00OYT1G2Y’ text=’Nip Fab Dragon’s Fix Cleansing pads’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’sarahfynn-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’62a9da2a-9554-11e8-ab1e-6db1ca74a5bd’]. Finally, 2 face wipes- Primark Micellar Cleansing wipes– these are actually really good and remove a lot of makeup plus it takes of mascara with a few rubs (I still wash my face afterwards) and Boots Cleansing wipes
Face Mask
L’Oréal Bright Mask– I have a full review and comparison post here. It’s really not worth it ( ahhh I didn’t even clock the pun LOL, but its intended) and another [amazon_textlink asin=’B00TUPB32A’ text=’Tony Moly eye patch’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’sarahfynn-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’8af08529-9554-11e8-b7ed-874bcd7ad257′]- I can’t wait to finish these, I think I have 4 to go( mini challenge next month?)
Creams & Serums
Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Brightening & Smoothing Moisture Treatment– I have had this since last November but started using it in January 2018. I used it in conjunction with the Clearly Corrective serum which I loved so much review on Instagram. They pair beautifully together and did help improve the clarity of my skin. The moisture treatment really does add a lot of moisture to the skin and leaves it looking luminous. But that’s about it. When I used this alone (finished the serum) it was disappointing. It didn’t brighten my skin any further and it was only good for adding moisture. I think it helped with texture irregularities and helped kept my skin smooth. I am so disappointed because, after 4 to 5 months, the smooth gel-like texture of the treatment changed. It became clumpy and slightly separated with a pool of serum/water/oil at the bottom. The shelf life of the product is 12 months so why it behaved like that after 5 months beats me. The full price of this is £52 (I purchased mine on Black Friday last year where they had a £5 offer off their products) but it’s really not worth that much. It has the same ingredients as the serum which is £36. If you have to choose between the two, please go for the serum! I won’t recommend this, it’s too expensive for a subpar product, the serum is £20 less and much more effective (even when used alone) at hyperpigmentation.
Ren Instant Firming Beauty Shot– I took this on holiday and was disappointed with this. I didn’t find it as hydrating as they claimed but it does tighten the skin. It also didn’t pair well with my Niacinamide serum I was using it with. Your Good Skin SPF 30 Day cream– full review of this and other Your Good Skin products here. The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2%- I felt like I had to give this serum a second chance as the first time I used it I wasn’t consistent enough to see any results. This time around I was consistent with it and still no results on my hyperpigmentation. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2%- I will have a full in-depth review of this serum soon, but the short version is YES I love it!. You guys may already know how I feel about the Ordinary Niacinamide serum– I have a full review here and I am already on my 3rd bottle or is it 4th?
Haircare
Even though my haircare empties have been trickling in each month, it’s one area I have seen the most reduction! I used to have my shampoos & conditioners on two separate shelves but now they fit in two medium-ish drawers! [amazon_textlink asin=’B003YELGF2′ text=’ORS Hair Mayo’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’sarahfynn-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’50d11a9d-9555-11e8-aa06-277502a53bc2′]- used to love this when I was relaxed and again as a natural haired beauty. It is a light protein treatment that leaves my hair feeling stronger with less breakage. Palmer’s Olive Oil Cowash– literally one of the best co-washes for natural hair! It softens, provides enough slip for detangling and it gently cleanses the hair too. If my hair is very dry (which it is lol) but I don’t have a lot of product build up, I would use this and leave on for 15 mins and rinse out- no need for shampoo or conditioner and my hair is left feeling soft and conditioned! [amazon_textlink asin=’B00ONTOTO2′ text=’Sunny Isle JBCO’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’sarahfynn-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’6150e43f-9555-11e8-9bb3-2dd2105528a3′]- used this in my oil mix for scalp massages, hot oil treatments or pre poo treatments. It’s one of the ancient products; I have had this since 2015! Intensive Colour Conditioner– it came in a Superdrug box dye I used this month. It’s actually a really good conditioner. Keracare Thermal Wonder Pre Poo Conditioner– I don’t know what they put in this but whatever it is, IT IS LIT! It has so much slip (could this be the slipperiest thing ever?) and detangling was a BREEZE! It also softens the hair like no other! I need to find the full size! Kera Care Honey Cowash– I used this with the Palmers Cowash so I’m not sure if this made any difference.
Makeup
Mario badescu facial spray with rosewater– I have a full review on this mist here. Makeup Forever Mist & Fix Makeup setting spray– this was slightly disappointing to use. Mist & Fix is supposed to be a long-lasting and moisturising mist that gives a dewy finish. It didn’t. It does spray in a very fine mist and doesn’t disturb makeup. It helps melt powder into the skin and definitely takes away the dry powdered ‘look’ but I have to mist a few times for it. It also doesn’t give a dewy/luminous finish even after layering 2 or 3 times. I always buy the travel size of expensive setting sprays for trial so I don’t waste money on the full size in case I don’t like it. Happy to have only spent £10 on this, I won’t repurchase.
There are only 2 top coats I love from the drugstore and the Essence Gel top coat is one of them. Seriously, this top coat plumps the nail and extends wear, it also prevents chipping and dries very fast! I need to get two more of this top coat! Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara– so this mascara is extremely hyped, is it worth it? No, it’s a good mascara don’t get me wrong but I have used way cheaper mascara for similar if not better results! It’s not finished per say but its super dry and crumbly now I have had it for 2 years (don’t judge me)
Body care
Boots Soltan Sensitive Face SPF 30– it’s a face cream but I used this on my body. It’s not oily and works. [amazon_textlink asin=’B000056W74′ text=’Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Moisturising Body Oil’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’sarahfynn-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’b4c02471-9555-11e8-a1ed-3b4fef7a3254′]- this is lovely body oil but its not too ‘oily’ and sinks right into the skin- it’s what I have been using in the heatwave instead of my usual body butter! it provides a light moisture and it smells amazing! I’m on my second bottle already! It leaves my skin so soft and smooth! I have recommended this for my brother who suffers from dry and itchy skin and he really likes it too. Boots Mango Body Lotion– doesn’t waste your time, energy or money on this. Avon Glycerine hand cream– Avon hand creams are good and this glycerine one was a good one to use! Nair shower cream (2x)-I love this hair removal cream. It doesn’t have the chemical scent like the others plus it actually stays on whilst showering. It works but I have dark coarse hair so I have to leave on for 5-6mins for it to work properly. SheaButter Cottage Bentonite clay– another product I have had from 2015. I have used this as a clay wash for my hair- it’s amazing, post on that here. Face mask- I don’t like it as such however more recently I used it as a body mask mixed with green tea water and let me tell you, my skin was so soft afterwards! I mixed it into a thick paste and used it all over my legs, stomach, arms and back. It took about 30 mins to fully dry and harden whilst sitting there awkwardly lol. It’s also slightly itchy whilst drying but when rinsed off your skin will thank you! I have another unopened pack and it’s very clear what I will be using it for! BodyShop Shea Butter body cream– I got a lot of mini body creams last Christmas as a gift with purchase from the BodyShop and I have slowly been working my way through them, using them as hand creams or travel creams. So far the shea butter cream is one of my favourites. Its light, moisturises and not oily
Total this month-33
Total so far-195/250
7 months down! I’m so happy with this challenge and how it’s going. I’m on track to hit my target and after that, I will push to get to 300 empties by 31st December!
This month I have bought a few backups and replacements for some products but spending on products has been kept at a minimum and need to basis! Progress!
Catch you later
sarah fynn 