Recent empties

I haven't done an empties post for a couple of months so I thought I would share the empties that are piling up-if only so I can get rid of them!

First up a couple of masks and a night time oil.  The Michael Todd Avacado and Mango hydrating mask is the first skincare product I have used from Michael Todd that I haven't loved.  It's a thick yellow creme-gel that doesn't set but yet is still quite difficult to remove.  It's designed to be extremely hydrating but it also contains salicylic acid so should be good for blemish prone skin.  But I just didn't feel any benefit from using this.  The Origins Out of Trouble mask is an old school white clay mask that dries down and contains anti blemish powerhouses like Zinc Oxide, Sulfur, Camphor and Salicylic Acid.  Sometimes I loved this and felt it really cleared up my skin but sometimes I would use it and wake up the next morning with new spots which I know could just be the mask bringing out what is lurking under my skin but it was annoying.

I am however really missing the Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial oil in my evening routine-especially combined with the Sarah Chapman Overnight Exfoliating Booster.  I reviewed both products here and I highly recommend checking both out.  In a nutshell it's a serum oil packed with calming and soothing essential oils, vitamins, peptides and antioxidents all designed to firm and revitalise.

I finished another big bottle of Bioderma.  I never ever use this to remove make up on my face but I do use it to remove my eye make up.  However, I have to say it's not been cutting it recently with the two new mascaras I have been using and I am really just using Bioderma now to clean up leftover mascara smudges after I cleanse or to remove swatches from my hands.  But I will always have a bottle!

There's a full review of the Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash here and this is either my second or third bottle.  It does contain non abrasive, chemically exfoliating ingredients derived from the Larch Tree and Babassu Oil to lift away dead and dull skin cells but it's still gentle enough for sensitive skins and can be used day and night.  200ml lasts for an absolute age and at around the £20 mark I think it's incredible value for money.  I apply to dry skin and rinse off using a damp flannel.

You may have recently read me pledging my love for the Clarins Extra Comfort Anti Pollution Cleansing Cream-if you didn't you can read a full review here.

Cicaplast Levres is LRP's ultra hydrating lip balm and although I used the full tube I didn't like it as much as Eucerin Aquaphor skin balm which is my all time holy grail for dry lips.  But the Cicaplast is packaged much more conveniently than the Aquaphor and is great for throwing in your handbag.

The MAC Prep and Prime Blemish control gel is my holy grail for zapping pesky spots.  It's a salicylic formula but doesn't make the skin dry, flaky or tight.  It is a bit stingy on application but that only lasts a few seconds.

My last skincare empty is the Elemental Herbology Harmonising Cleanse.  Again this is the first thing I have tried from Elemental Herbology that I didn't love.  I think you could only use this as a morning cleanser only because it's not heavy enough to remove make up.  It's a very light liquid oil
that I apply to dry skin as I step into the shower and then rinse off.  It contains avocado oil, vitamin C, raspberry seed, grapefruit and geranium oils plus argan and jojoba oils but I just found it to be a very basic cleanser for a light morning cleanse.

I finished up two brightening concealers-both completely different price points but both lovely and worthy of a repurchase.  The L'Oreal MagiLumi concealer is great for highlighting under the eye and blends well and the Guerlain Precious Light Rejuvenating Illuminator is very very similar to YSL Touche Eclat (even down to the packaging) and can be used to conceal dark circles too. 

I had to throw my Clinique bottom lash mascara out as it had all but dried up but I did really love this for it's teeny brush and the fact it never ever smudges.

The MAC Prep and Prime 24 hr extend eye base is my favourite ever eye base.  It has terrible packaging that always squeezes out too much product but it works amazingly well to keep eyeshadow from fading and creasing.  I really like the Urban Decay Naked Skin concealer-my brightening under eye shade is Light Warm but admittedly the colour selection/naming is weird and I recommend swatching in store rather than buying blind.  It's similar to the NARS creamy concealer but way better.  It doesn't crease, it has good coverage and it doesn't oxidise-plus it blends like a dream.  I will probably repurchase.

The eyeshadow you see was a limited edition eyeshadow from MAC from the Electric Cool range and this was the shade Superwatt.  I have included it because I think I have seen this back online and it's an amazing cream eyeshadow texture that refuses to budge or crease once on the lid.  Superwatt was an incredible light bronze tone that was beautifully reflective on the eye.  I just patted it on with a finger and blended the edges with a fluffy brush like a MAC 217.  Once it's on, it's on and it's going no where.

Finally, a sad empty-the Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt perfume.  I really love this fragrance from Jo Malone and want to repurchase but my fragrance collection is currently insane.  I'm putting it on my Xmas list though and I still have the candle to enjoy!  I'm also really enjoying the latest release from Jo Malone-Mimosa and Cardamon

Have you used any of these products?