October felt super long right? I couldn’t wait for the month to end to bring you another instalment of my Ultimate Empties Challenge! I hit my target of 250 empties last month! So from now till 31 Dec, I am trying to finish as much as possible! I have definitely seen a HUGE decrease in my collection and spending habits and it makes me so happy!
Anyway let’s get into this post
Cleansers & Toners
Tri Balm– read my full review here, this cleansing stick lasted about 8 weeks and I was using it twice a day. I finally finished my final tub of the Nip Fab Dragon’s blood cleansing pads (well I technically had 2 backups left but I gave them away). BodyShop Vitamin E face spritz– I love using this as a 1st mist in my makeup routine. I have an in-depth post on this here. Gatineau Gentle Silk Cleanser– this is a cult product I simply couldn’t get into, my full review is here. Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser– it was only the sample size but I did not like this AT ALL. I felt like I was just moving stuff around my face, it did not leave it feeling clean. It doesn’t foam/lather. 2x face wipes- Boots Cleansings wipes– rubbish and they feel damp/dry on the skin and Primark Micellar Wipes– amazing and really good at removing makeup. Finally 2x Nip Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing pads travel size
Face masks
I’m continuing my reign of Sephora sheet masks (I’m trying to use every ‘flavour’ they have) this time I used the Aloe Vera, Grape and Lychee face masks. I loved them all but of these 3 I definitely liked the Aloe vera. I also used the matching Sephora Lychee Eye Mask– it was nice and refreshing but it kept slipping down. The Nip Fab Dragon’s Blood Plumping mask was a really nice mask for hydration and plumping. It is a gel-textured mask formulated with amino acids and dragon’s blood to hydrate and plump the skin. I loved this. I found it soothing and hydrating and it was also a good mask to mix with my Vitamin C powder from The Ordinary. The texture does change with the powder added but it gives it a little shot of brightening properties. Clarins Hydra Quench Cream Mask was just beautiful to use. It softens and hydrates the skin and very soothing too. GlamGlow Thirstmud is probably the best hydrating mask out of the bunch. It hydrates and brightens skin. It does sting a bit but not as much as the youth Mud. The Bobbi Brown Skin Nourish Mask which was a huge disappointment. I noticed no difference in my skin. I purchased this as a trio and the other masks were also a huge letdown. Finally, Origins Retexturising mask– a mask I was let down by as I love the Origins Clear Improvement charcoal mask. This mask was difficult to spread, felt drying and slightly itchy on my face and the performance was unremarkable. The pot probably had enough for 3 or 4 applications but after the 1st use, it dried up and became really difficult to spread so I was forced to use it up on 2nd application. It’s a good idea to have sample/travel sizes of the masks but not when it renders the products ineffective. Resealable packaging would be a better idea!
Serums & Creams
BodyShop SPF 50– my 5th tube of this stuff probably. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2%– I have been gushing over this all summer! My full review will be up soon. Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation Perfecting Moisturiser– a beautiful lightweight moisturiser that sinks into the skin and adds hydration. It’s not oily/greasy. I really like layering this on top of my serums. Sunday Riley Good Genes– I loved this! I have a full review on this soon! Sunday Riley CEO serum– this was a let-down but I have a full review coming soon where I will talk about it in more detail. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion– pimple redeemer! Lol I like to use this when I feel/see a pimple forming, it stings a little but use it at just the right time and it will prevent the pimple from forming! It also dries out formed pimples in 1-3 days. I have repurchased. This actually lasts a very long time because you’re literally using a tiny amount every time. Sephora Instant Moisture water gel– this was a lovely hydrating gel that I used when I was on holiday. It sinks into the skin, adds hydration and radiance. I wanted to see about purchasing the full size but I couldn’t find it in store (that’s how long I have had it!)
Hair care
Finally, we have some more action in the hair product empties and it looks like it will carry on! Shea Moisture Leave in– this is so beautiful and easy to use! I have a full review coming soon. ORS Monoi Oil Edge Control– holds it down for 10 mins then melts, the scent is nice but it lingers during the day. Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque– it’s okay, it moisturises my hair but I could do with a bit more. It doesn’t have a lot of slip so proceed with caution when detangling. Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner– I liked this one better and this had a bit more slip than the masque. The rinse out conditioner also softens my hair better and moisturises it more. Aphogee Balancing Moisturiser– you use this as part of the 2 step protein treatment but on its own, this is very nice too. Ogx Extra Strength Argan Oil shampoo– a lovely shampoo and gives a lot of lather and perfect for finger detangling. It also works to soften the hair! Grow Gorgeous Scalp detox– I got this in a Glossy box. It smells great and although it’s a scalp scrub, I mainly used it as a pre-poo. It left my hair so soft! I also used it to massage my scalp and it was actually nice. It’s grainy so it helps to get rid of build-up and stimulate blood flow to the scalp. It’s a nice pre-poo treatment but I am a big oil pre-poo girl so I won’t be running to buy this
Makeup
Only two makeup items: Tarte Ready Set Radiant Setting spray– I hated this. It dries in patches, leaves the skin sticky and highlights texture on the skin. It adds some radiance to the skin after powdering but I absolutely hate when setting sprays leave patches on the skin. This is the second mist from Tarte I have used and both of them were a let-down. Soap & Glory Supercat eyeliner– this is a very good liner, its super black (matte) and stays all day but the annoying thing about this? It doesn’t dry quickly so there have been many times I would use it then use my setting spray maybe 2-3 mins later only to get a dark faint liner in my crease lol. I have had this liner for 3 years 10 months (don’t judge me)
Bodycare
Palmer’s Moisturising Body oil– such a lovely body oil and a pleasure to use. This is my 2nd bottle (or is it 3rd) I used it throughout the summer. 2 more BodyShop mini body butters in Satsuma & Strawberry.
Others
2 mini Angel Muse perfume from Thierry Mugler. 2 essential oils in Peppermint & Spearmint. Cotton rounds from Superdrug and the Wet Ones Be fresh wipes I got in a Glossy box
If you think today’s post is super long that’s because I finished wait for it, a whopping 43 products this month! Sis! 43! My highest empties so far, I am so happy! This brings my total so far to 300 empties!
300 empties!! Go me!! This challenge is really forcing me to use my products and since I am very competitive even with myself lol I don’t want to lose. I am also seeing improvements in skin too because I am actually using my stuff lol.
Catch you later
sarah fynn 