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*PR Samples
**Repurchase/ Bought after trying a press sample
***Travel Size/ Mini
This is my third empties post of the year, you can read the other two here and here. If this is your first time reading one of these posts I'll quickly explain the thought process behind them. I started these posts last year as a means of being completely transparent regarding my consumption of beauty products. They are supposed to be the antithesis to short-form content which by nature is lacking in detail and nuance. I got tired of seeing Influencers showing press samples that were never mentioned again or never showing what they buy and use or not disclosing when something has been sent for review purposes. I was longing for more in-depth reviews. I suppose that's why I love watching Beauty Youtubers so much. I get much more detail, fully formed opinions and comparisons.
I wanted to keep track of everything I use up, both PR products and those I buy myself. I write a short review once I've completely finished the products letting you know whether I think it's worth the money. Whether I would buy it again or spend my own money on it if it was sent as a press sample. I also mention the amount of product, the shelf life, where it was made as well as the price. At the end, I have the totals of everything, how much I spent versus the cost of everything that was a PR sample. I hope it's helpful or interesting to have everything laid out this way. It's definitely been an eye-opener for me and it's made me think about what I spend, and where I can save. There are 46 products to get through, so let's get started.
Lisa Eldridge Skin Enhancing Treatment Cleanser 100ml, 12m, Made in UK €52
I bought this as soon as it came out, along with the Skin and Makeup Enhancing Mist. Skincare from Lisa Eldridge! How could I resist? This is definitely the most expensive cleanser I've ever bought but not the most expensive I've ever used (I'm looking at you, Lancome Absolue which is €90!). This cleanser has ruined all other cleansers for me. It is hands down the most beautiful cleanser I have ever used. The closest to it in terms of overall experience is the Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm which is about €10 less expensive. I can't adequately explain how beautiful this cleanser feels, it's like a warm hug for your face. On days when I was wearing minimal makeup, I used this to remove all of my makeup. However, any time I was wearing heavier eye makeup I removed that first using an eye makeup remover because I don't like getting my eye makeup all over my face and I also didn't want to waste the cleanser. I used this a lot as a treatment or mask in the mornings before makeup too as it's so comforting and calming. There were a few times I went to bed in the evening after using this that I forgot to apply my nighttime skincare because my skin felt so hydrated. It's fragrance-free but it has the natural scent of the ingredients which I absolutely love, it's a light and inoffensive scent. I was so sad when I finished this product. I was using it so sparingly towards the end because I didn't want it to be gone. I have a stash of 4 other cleansers that I will use up before I buy this one again. I know there were a lot of people complaining about the price and I can understand why to a certain extent. When you're a fan of a brand and you want to try something but it's not in your budget, it can give you the ultimate FOMO. I'm currently a stay-at-home mother, there are three of us living on one salary in one of the most expensive cities in the world so it's not in my budget to be able to spend €52 on a cleanser. I decided to buy it as a treat using the money I made from one of my affiliate platforms. I kind of wish I didn't know how beautiful it is because now no other cleanser will do. If you watched Lisa's video where she talks about the formula, you'll understand why it is priced how it is. I'd love for it to be less expensive too but I can say hand on heart it's worth it. As I mentioned above, the most expensive cleanser I've tried is the Lancome Absolue which is €90 and while it's a lovely cleanser it's almost double the price of the Lisa Eldridge one and doesn't hold a candle to it.
Obviously, you don't need to spend €52 on a cleanser, there are plenty for less money that will remove makeup and thoroughly cleanse your face. But if you want a luxurious experience and a real treat, add it to your Christmas or birthday wishlist because you won't be disappointed. As a side note, I also bought the cleansing cloths and they are the softest I've ever tried. As far as I know, there are now samples of the cleanser available on her website so if you're not sure whether you want to buy the full size or if you have sensitive skin you may want to try it first.
*IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser Skin-Transforming Hydrating Cleansing Serum 148ml, 12m, Made in USA €30
I could have sworn this was in a previous empties as I've gone through several of these over the years. Cleansing Serum is a good name for this product as the texture is lighter than a gel and yet it feels more nourishing. I used this after removing my makeup with a balm and in the morning. I've been sent it in PR drops and I've purchased it myself. As a side note, my mam and my brother love this cleanser too. It doesn't leave your skin feeling dry even though it foams up and the bottle lasts for ages so even though it's €30 full price you get months out of it. When I bought it I got it at a 20% discount from Cult Beauty so it works out at a great price. This is probably the only "second cleanser" or morning cleanser that I would spend that kind of money on. If I'm buying something myself I'll usually just go for something like CeraVe because I go through them quite quickly but like I said this one lasts for a long time because you don't need a lot of it. I have another one in my skincare stash but I would have no problem spending my own money on this product.
**Garnier 2in1 Eye Make-Up Remover (x3) 125ml, 6m, Made in Poland €4.45
This has been featured in two previous empties posts here and here. As you can see I've gone through three of these over the past 4 months so I'm a big fan. I don't usually use this many bottles in such a short space of time but I've had two waterproof mascaras on the go so I've been using it more often. The only negative is that I wish this came in a bigger bottle as it would save on packaging. I'm on the hunt for a waterproof eye makeup remover that comes in a 200/250ml bottle but until then I'll continue to use this one.
**Caudalie Beauty Elixir (x2) 30ml, 12m, Made in France €14
This is another recurring empty product. As I said the last time I reviewed it, I've been using the Caudalie Beauty Elixir on and off for 12/13 years and I actually have another full one ready to go. I always reiterate that mists are not a necessity but I love using them. It's my not-so-guilty pleasure when it comes to my skincare routine. I'm sure you already know about this product and have maybe tried it yourself but for anyone who doesn't, it's a face mist that smells beautiful. I know the scent is polarising so once again, if you can try this out first I would recommend doing so as I know some people really dislike the scent. It contains rosemary, grape, rose, bitter orange, peppermint and lemon balm extracts so it does have that essential oil type of scent. I find it refreshing, calming and invigorating. I don't always have this in my routine but I figure that I am lucky enough to get sent a lot of the skincare I use so I like to treat myself to this product every now and then.
*Yon-Ka Paris Lotion Yon-Ka Invigorating Mist Dry Skin Toner 200ml, 6m, Made in France €37
I was given this in a press pack at an event about a year ago. I didn't start using it straight away because I had just started a new mist but once I opened it and started using it, it was love! As I always say, using a mist is one of those skincare steps that isn't necessary but it feels great. It's more about the experience and the scent for me. This mist has a lavender scent which I love, it's particularly lovely to use before going to bed. I know that applying hydrating products to damp skin can make them more effective but it's not something you have to use. I think €37 for 200mls is actually quite a good price considering the Caudalie is €38 for 100mls. This bottle lasted me around 6 months of everyday use which I thought was great value for money if you're a lover of a facial mist. The only negative is that Yon-Ka isn't as widely available as other brands, but if you ever get the chance, I urge you to give this a try.
*L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renew Eye 15ml, 6m, Made in Germany €37.99
This is one of those products that I liked but didn't love. It did the job of keeping my eye area hydrated. It's not ridiculously expensive and this L'Oréal range is often heavily discounted in Boots, at the moment it's half price which is a great deal. I don't think I'd buy it again myself but it's not a bad product and I read a lot of reviews of people absolutely loving it so maybe it's just one of those products that didn't work for me as well as it does for others. It does say on the box that it's for 50+ skin so perhaps that was the reason I didn't notice much of a difference.
**L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine Eye Serum 20ml, 6m, Made in Germany €30
I mentioned this in my empties post from last December and I had just bought this bottle so I'd say it lasted me a good 6/7 months of daily use which is excellent for any skincare product. I use this under my eye cream because my eye area is quite dry. I also use it with my Dieux Forever Eye Masks to boost hydration before makeup a few times a week. I love this product and I have just repurchased it as Boots had it in their €12 Tuesday deal so if you'd like to try it, keep on eye on the Boots website as they often have it as part of that offer.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm (Vanilla) 15g, 12m, Made in USA €22.50
I bought this from Cult Beauty when they had 20% off as I badly needed a new lip balm. The Nuxe Very Rose Lip Balm I started using a few months ago was gritty and although I usually like rose scents, it was not a scent I wanted on my lips. I had to stop using it as the scent and texture were awful. They have seven different scents and shades but I went with the clear vanilla as I wanted something that was purely a lip balm rather than a tint. I really loved this product, the scent is the ideal vanilla that isn't too sweet. The name butter balm is the perfect way to describe the texture, it feels balmy but very smooth and not too thin. I usually save a lip balm tube for the daytime and use a pot at night but I loved this so much I used it all day. My lips felt hydrated and soft in the morning after wearing it overnight. It contains shea and murumuru seed butter as well as vegan waxes to soothe, heal and condition the lips. I don't really have anything bad to say about this, it's a beautiful lip balm. The only downside is the price but I would always wait to buy 20% off. It's also 15g and it lasted me just under 3 months of using it at least twice per day. I'm currently using the Naturium one which is more than half the price and very similar so I'll keep you updated on how they compare once I've finished that. I also have a Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask to use so it will be a while before I need to buy a lip balm.
***Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (Berry) 3g, 12m, Made in Korea €1.99
I bought this mini size from Stylevana earlier in the year when I was ordering some other products like the Beauty of Joseon SPF. I've had this in previous empties posts too. I have a full size waiting to be opened which is the fourth one I've bought. You can definitely get less expensive lip balms as the full size is €22-24 on the likes of Space NK and Cult Beauty. The full size lasts me 6 months of using it every night so to me it's worth the money. I love the texture and the berry scent. It works so well at keeping my lips hydrated and smooth so that's why I continue to repurchase it. If you buy from Stylevana you can get it for a much lower price. These mini sizes are great to try just in case you're not sure if you'll like a product or a scent. They also have sets with 4 different scents in 8g sizes which is a great way to try them out. If you're ok with waiting a while to receive your order it's a great way to save money.
*Clarins Double Serum Light Texture Complete Age-Defying Concentrate 50ml, 18m, Made in France €98
I've tried both the original Double Serum and the Double Serum Eye before and I loved both of them. This new Light Texture version of Double Serum was the ideal product to use during the warmer months. When it was very warm during the Summer I sometimes used this with just SPF on top as I didn't want to add a layer of moisturiser. My skin still felt and looked hydrated. It's an expensive product, one of the most expensive serums I've ever used. However, it did last me just under 6 months of everyday, once-per-day use and I was impressed with that. I'm not suggesting anyone goes out to buy a €98 serum, but I thought it was worth noting that it stretched out for a long time and I wasn't being too precious with it at all. I was very sad when I finished the last drop of this as I enjoyed everything about it. I'm currently using a different serum and if I had the budget for it (which sadly I don't) I'd buy this one again.
*Kiehls Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution 30ml, 12m, Made in USA €54
This is a serum that is supposed to brighten the skin and diminish dark spots and skin discolouration. It contains salicylic acid and activated C which is a stabilised form of vitamin C. I have some pigmentation from sun damage which was enhanced during my pregnancy and was still noticeable. I didn't think that this did much until I looked back through some photos of the last couple of months after using it and I can definitely see that it diminished that pigmentation. I also made sure to wear SPF and keep my face out of the sun as much as possible. There's no point using a product like that if you're going to be exposing your face to the sun and not protecting it with a high SPF every day. The question is, would I pay almost €60 for a 30ml size of this serum? I wouldn't pay almost €60 for 30ml of any serum. This is a product for someone with specific skin concerns and it might be the ideal serum for someone with discolouration or hyperpigmentation. It didn't make enough of a difference for me to happily spend that money myself. If I had more pigmentation that bothered me, it might be a different story. This will either be for you or it won't and it's not a bad product but I just don't think I need it.
Dieux Instant Angel Lipid Rich Moisturizer 50ml, 12m €45
This was another product that made me so sad when I was squeezing out the last drops. I have been wanting to try Dieux products for a long time after following the brand's co-founder Charlotte Palermino on Instagram for a few years. Last year I bought their Forever Eye Mask from Cult Beauty which was the only product that was available in the EU. Then, earlier this year they announced that they had international shipping and I made an order the same day. I ordered the Auracle Eye Serum which you can read about in my last empties post. I also ordered the Instant Angel which I was so excited to try. It's rare that a moisturiser elicits such a response but when you follow a brand's co-founder and you hear about everything that went into creating a product, it makes you more invested in trying it out. I had also heard nothing but good things from my Creator peers and anyone I know who had tried it. To be completely untechnical about it, I would also describe this moisturiser as a warm hug for your skin, much like the feeling of using the Lisa Eldridge Cleanser. It envelops your skin with a layer of comfort and gives your barrier some TLC. One thing that I love about Dieux is that on their website, they are fully transparent about their product pricing and clinical trials. On their website, it's described as a skin-restoring moisturiser for dehydrated skin and a compromised barrier. You can read about the ingredients here, but it is supposed to protect, nourish and repair the skin. It doesn't have fragrance either which is great news for anyone with a sensitivity to fragrance. I loved the texture of this product as it feels rich but when you massage it into your skin it sinks in and doesn't sit on top like some rich moisturisers. This meant that I could wear it day or night as it was a lovely base for makeup, even during the warmer months. I can see this being a great moisturiser for the Winter months.
My order came with a free key so you can roll down the aluminum tube and get every last drop of the moisturiser out without having to cut it open. I was so sad when I finished this and I can't remember the last time that happened with a moisturiser as they're not exactly the most exciting skincare products. I would love to repurchase this but for now, I have so many moisturisers I've been set in PR drops that it would be wasteful of me not to use those first. The other thing that puts me off is although they have international shipping, it's expensive as you're paying for both shipping and customs and it adds so much more to the price. When I made my first order I had a 20% off discount code which ended up making it the same price as it would be to order full price to the US. I am holding out for a European-based stockist. I think Space NK would be the perfect place to stock Dieux and it would make it a much more accessible brand here in Europe. If you are looking for great, reliable skincare that works, Dieux is the brand! It comes in 50ml and 100ml sizes and is also available from Soko Glam.
*Clarins Hydra-Essentiel [HA] Moisturises and Quenches Silky Cream SPF 15 Normal to Dry Skin 50ml, 18m, Made in France €45
I loved using this moisturiser and I was sad when I had used it all up. It completely lives up to the name, Silky Cream. It has the most luscious, silky texture that feels so smooth and soft on the skin. It also has a beautiful light, fresh scent. I have combination skin and this is for normal to dry but it wasn't too rich or heavy. I actually used this a lot during the warmer months with the Double Serum Light Texture underneath. There were days when it was quite hot that I wore this alone with sunscreen on top, or the Double Serum alone. It does have SPF 15 but I always opt for SPF 50 as I have such pale skin. It's €45 for 50ml and it lasted me for a few months of everyday use which I thought was good value for money. I have a few moisturisers to use up so I won't be buying this myself yet but I'm going to keep it in my mind palace for future reference and I would urge you if you're near a Clarins counter to feel the texture as it's one of the most gorgeous moisturiser textures I've ever tried.
*YSL Pure Shots Airthin UV Defender UVA-UVB SPF 50+ PA++++ 30ml, 12m, Made in France €46
I thought this was a lovely product for under makeup. It's a lightweight, thin consistency that dries down to more of a matte finish which could be great for anyone with oily skin. It also sits very well under makeup and doesn't interfere with anything you apply on top of it. My main issue was the packaging, I'm not sure if I got a dud but I found I had to really squeeze the tube hard to get the product to come out. Considering how thin it is, it was frustrating that it took such an effort to squeeze it out. It's something to consider if you happen to have any dexterity issues and for €46 I would expect more. While I liked the formula, I can't afford to spend that much on SPF as I go through it so quickly, especially as it was only 30mls of product.
**Glossier Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen + UVB + UVA SPF 30 30ml, 12m, Made in the USA €28
I've been using this for about 4 years now on and off and I'm not sure if I would buy it again. I love the scent, it's so nostalgic for me and will always remind me of the south of France. I also love the texture which is clear and thin and it sits very well under makeup. The cons are that it's €28 for only 30ml. I don't think I'd bother buying a sunscreen that is any less than 50ml because I use so much of it at a time. I don't know if it's still the case but it used to constantly be out of stock and that unreliability is frustrating as a customer. (Edit: I just checked and it’s not on the Glossier website anymore, another possible discontinuation?) It's also only SPF 30 and while there's nothing wrong with that, with my very fair skin I prefer SPF 50. While I enjoy using it there are great sunscreens for half that price that contain more in the tube and I don't think I can justify buying Invisible Shield again. For now, I'll be sticking to the Beauty of Joseon which is much better value and SPF 50.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++ 50ml, 24m, Made in Korea €17
This product is one of the best sunscreens I've ever used. I had heard many people talking about it over the past few years, Charlotte Palermino and James Welsh in particular and I had it on my list of products to try. So when I was placing an order for some Romand products on Stylevana earlier this year, I bought it along with the Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm which I just started using last week and is also a beautiful product. It was €13.59 when I ordered it but the price fluctuates on Stylevana and YesStyle as they tend to always have different offers including twin packs. I should have trusted my instincts and bought more than one! As you can see I used up two other sunscreens in the past few months, one is double the price and one is triple and both contain less in the tube. I've also used the Supergoop and Ultra Violette ones in the past and loved them. There are many other brands I love but it's rare to find something that works as well as this does under makeup for the price and the amount of product you get in the tube. It has a light, inoffensive scent and a thin moisturiser-type texture. Despite how much I apply (a lot), it doesn't sit on my skin, it sinks in quite quickly and then leaves a lovely base for makeup if you plan on wearing any on top of it. I can't speak highly enough of this product, If you don't mind waiting on your order, I found ordering from Stylevana very smooth. It's also available on YesStyle, Feel Unique, Beauty Bay and an Irish website Incandeskin. This is one that is worth the hype.
*Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free Natural Skin Perfector SPF 20 (0N1 Petal) 50ml, 18m, Made in Italy €50
I have been using this product for a couple of years now after being sent it in a press drop. This tube wasn't completely empty but as it had been open for a couple of years it had started to not work as well on my skin so I opened a fresh one. I used this a lot over the time that I've had it. I featured it in a blog post last year when I wrote about My 6 Minute Face. You'll be able to see the before and after and the coverage level. I mentioned that it was a favourite of mine and it still is because it's such an easy product to use. It has a specific use value for me as my everyday tinted moisturiser when I need to get ready quickly but still want an even complexion. Not all complexion products can be applied well with your fingers but this is one that I can slap on my face without a brush and it always blends in effortlessly. I don't need to think about it. It provides enough coverage to even out my skin without it looking like I'm wearing much makeup. As mentioned in the 6 Minute Face post linked above, I will usually just apply some mascara, blush, under-eye corrector or concealer and a sheer, hydrating lip product. That's the makeup I wear most days as I don't have the time to sit down and go through every step. I just want enough to make me look awake and more fresh than I feel.
As the name suggests, it's an oil-free formula with a demi-matte finish and sheer coverage. I have combination skin so I can wear this without powdering my oily t-zone as it contains oil-absorbing powders. It also contains licorice root extract which soothes irritated or troubled skin and vitamin E to protect the skin. I found it a great product for when I was going through hormonal acne after having my daughter. The only negatives are the shade range and the price. I have two shades that I can use, 0N1 Petal and 1C1 Cameo. There are only 20 shades (which is common for a sheer tinted moisturiser, although I'm not condoning it) and of course, considering I can wear two of the shades, they inevitably skew in favour of lighter skin tones. The swatches on the Laura Mercier website are bizarre, the lightest neutral shade which is the one I used, looks much deeper than the second lightest neutral shade. So many brands are guilty of having terrible, photoshopped swatches online which makes shade-matching yourself quite difficult. That's why seeing a Content Creator's unedited swatches is so important. You can see 0N1 Petal here, in the post I put together comparing all of my foundation and concealer shades.
The whole time I was using this I never realised the price. I know Laura Mercier is a high-end brand but I was not expecting it to be €50! It's actually €53.50 from a couple of retailers like Space NK and Brown Thomas. The only thing I will say is that you get 50ml in the tube which is a lot more than the two comparable products in my collection, the No7 HydraLuminous Moisturising Foundation and the Typology Tinted Serum which are both 30ml. You can buy a mini or half-size 25ml bottle for €27. As much as I love this product and I genuinely think it's the top of the list when it comes to tinted moisturisers, it's also quite expensive. Similar products like those mentioned above contain less, the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue which is another comparable product is €34.50 for a 35ml tube. So even though it is pricey, it will last you a long time. Whether it's worth it to you will depend on your skin type and preferences. I am currently on my second tube and I don't know if I would buy it myself purely because if I had €50 to spend on a complexion product I'd rather buy the Lisa Eldridge Foundation and a less expensive everyday day tinted moisturiser. If you have tried this product or if you have another favourite tinted moisturiser, I'd love to know!
**No7 HydraLuminous Moisturising Foundation SPF 15 (Porcelain) 30ml, 12m, Made in France €18.95
I've been using this foundation for almost four years since it launched at the beginning of 2019. As far as I can remember, this is my third tube. When I was working this was my go-to foundation because it was such a fail-safe. It didn't matter how my skin was behaving, it always looked great. You can see lots of posts of me wearing the foundation here. I also wrote a post earlier this year swatching all of my foundations and concealers so you can see how the shade Porcelain compared to other shades here. My only issue with this product is there are only 19 shades, so there could definitely be more shades that are more evenly distributed. I still love this foundation and I'll definitely repurchase it at some stage in the future but for now, I have so many foundations in my collection that I can't justify buying another one. I also think the price point is excellent, less than €20 for such a reliable foundation is a no-brainer for me. Side note, it’s almost ten years since my No7 Match Made Campaign!
*bareMinerals Original Mineral Veil Pressed Setting Powder (Translucent) 9g, 24m, Made in USA €35
This powder lasted me for ages. I was sent it in a press drop almost 2 years ago, I didn't start using it straight away but I was definitely using it for over a year almost exclusively. I hit pan and had a small ring of it left in the compact when my daughter got a hold of it and dropped it smashing the remainder. Thankfully there wasn't much left but I still consider it empty as it served me so well. Powder is one of those products that do not excite me in any way. It's only when you try a bad one that you realise how good some of them are. This was an excellent translucent powder. The texture is incredibly fine. It applied smoothly and invisibly and it lightly mattified without looking dry. At €35 it seems expensive but it lasts for such a long time that the cost per use is tiny and makes it well worth it. If you like a pressed translucent powder I highly recommend this one. I think I have 4 powders on the go at the moment so I won't need to buy a new one any time soon but I would definitely purchase this one myself.
*Glossier Cloud Paint (Storm) 10ml, 6m, Made in USA €26
I can't remember the last time I used this but it was in my "declutter" bag and when I was compiling the list of empties for this post I remembered to include this particular shade as it's practically empty. I'm quite sure I was sent this in 2019 (when I was still receiving PR from Glossier). The shelf life of these is 6 months so it is long long long overdue to be taken out of my collection. In that same declutter I took all of the other shades of Cloud Paint out of my collection as they're all at least 3 years old and because they're liquid I'd feel gross putting them on my skin. Once I got the Lisa Eldridge blushes 2 years ago I pretty much stopped using all of my Cloud Paints. I really loved the shade Storm, especially in the Autumn and Winter. It looked great mixed with Dusk. Puff, Haze, Dusk and Storm were my most used shades. They released a couple of new shades recently and I really liked the look of them but I've sort of fallen out of like with Glossier at the moment. I think they don't quite know who they are anymore and tbh there are only a few products I'd still order from them (You and Futuredew). I don't have anything like Storm in my collection at the moment, the closest is Lisa Eldridge Mountain Walk which is a bit lighter. I may very well order this again in the future but I have a lot of liquid and cream blushes to get through so I don't need to be adding to that. You can see me wearing it in lots of different blog posts here.
*IT Cosmetics It's Your Brush Love Instant Brush Cleaner 30ml, Made in USA €13
This product has been discontinued so it's pointless reviewing it but what I will say is I will be on the lookout for a similar product as this was so useful to have at my disposal. I am very regimented about brush cleaning and once it's been used it goes into the "To Wash" pile. I want to keep my products and my face as sanitary as possible so I clean all of the brushes I've used that week once per week but I don't use any brush twice. That may seem over the top for personal use but it's the best way to make sure I'm not spreading bacteria onto my products or my face and I have enough brushes to be able to do it so why not? Having a spray brush cleaner is handy for those in-between days when you want to use a specific blending brush but it's the day before brush wash day. I feel better knowing it has been spot-cleaned. If anyone reading this can recommend anything similar please do let me know as it's not something I'm well versed on.
**IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Setting Spray+ 100ml, 12m, Made in Canada €26
This is another product that I have mentioned in a previous empties post. As I've already reviewed it, I'll keep this brief. I go between buying this and Urban Decay All Nighter depending on which one is less expensive. It smells like coconut which I love and it does the job of increasing makeup longevity. I have multiple other setting sprays I'm using at the moment so I'm not going to need to buy one for a while but I love this one and would definitely buy it again for days when I need my makeup to last longer. It also comes in a travel size which is handy if you want to try it out before buying the full size or for keeping in your bag.
**MAC Prep + Prime Lip 1.7g, Made in Germany €26
I first bought this back in 2015, you can read my initial review of it here. I have repurchased it many times since because it's a product that genuinely works. There are primers for your face and eyes and even eyelashes so it makes sense if you want to smooth your lips, hydrate and increase longevity that you would use a primer on your lips too. The idea is that it instantly hydrates, smooths, refines and helps with feathering. It's a twist-up stick with a waxy formula that dries to a more matte finish making it an ideal surface to apply liner or any kind of lip product. You may or may not have noticed that I am a lip product girl through and through and I've tried similar products over the years but I always come back to this because it's the best. If you have issues with your lip products feathering or lasting all day, this is definitely worth thinking about. It's great for events or any time you're worried about your lip product lasting. Make sure to apply it over your lip line and that will help with any bleeding of your lip product. I'll definitely be repurchasing this at some point.
*Bakeup Beauty Define Me Gel Liner 0.07g, 6m, Made in Japan $20
I had been dying to try Bakeup Beauty since I first learned that the brand was launching. It was co-founded by one of my favourite makeup artists Jo Baker whose work is a constant source of inspiration to me. When the brand launched at the beginning of this year I was so disappointed to learn they were only shipping to US. They have since become available internationally through both Urban Outfitters and Amazon. After hounding them to start shipping to the EU and leaving supportive comments on their posts they actually messaged me in March to ask if I wanted to join their Creator Community. I said yes and they sent me a package with their palettes and other products however it got lost en route. I then received a package a couple of months later when this liner launched that also contained some face gems. They have since launched their Tarantulash Mascara which I have been dying to try as Jo Baker is the queen of a lashy look. I haven't received the PR package of the mascara and I've tried reaching out to the brand but I've heard nothing back so I don't know where I stand. I'd love to try their palettes and the mascara but I obviously can't afford to buy everything I want to try from every brand and I didn't want to buy something that could have shown up at my door and waste money. All I can do at the moment is review this product as it's all I have tried from the brand. I used this up quite quickly, in fact I can't think of any other liner that I've actually used up completely. The reason is that this is the ideal liner for tight lining because it has such a thin nib and the gel formula means it doesn't budge or transfer to the lower waterline. I loved how it made my lashes look thicker at the base and got rid of any gaps that used to annoy me. I would repurchase it but the international shipping via Amazon is €13 which makes buying this liner quite expensive. Like I said if I was buying multiple items I might be able to justify the shipping costs but I'm not sure where I stand with the brand at the moment and if or when I'll be getting the other products to try. I have no issue spending my own money on products I want to try but I also didn't want to be wasteful and order products that were being sent to me for review. Hopefully I will hear back soon either way as I've had a lot of interest from people wanting to know my thoughts on the brand but at the moment I don't feel like I can give much of an opinion.
**Glossier Brow Flick (Brown) 0.48ml, 6m, Made in France €23
I won't be buying Brow Flick again. As I mentioned in my last empties post, I much preferred the West Barn Co. Brow Pen. Since finishing this Brow Flick I've been using the NYX Professional Makeup Lift & Snatch! Brow Tint Pen. While the name is terrible the product itself is great and works much better for me than Brow Flick and it's less expensive. I've slowly been finding better and less expensive replacements for all the Glossier products I loved, it's disappointing that a brand that was once ahead of the game is now trailing behind most of the other brands on the market, reformulating to the detriment of beloved products and releasing things no one has asked for (Milky Jelly Soap??). I can't see myself making a Glossier order any time soon and it does make me sad, I'm hoping they will turn it around at some point in the future.
*YSL Beauty Lash Clash Mascara (2 Brown) 8ml, 6m, Made in France €34
I had been wanting to try out this mascara ever since it was first launched. I received this brown version when I went to a YSL Beauty Masterclass earlier this year and I was thrilled that it was in the press bag. It's been years since I last tried a brown mascara but I'm now a convert after using this one. The only other YSL mascara I've tried is the Effet Faux Cils which is one of my top tier mascaras so I was expecting this one to be great too. You can see me applying it in this Reel on Instagram. It's a beautiful mascara that gives length, volume and definition. It behaves like a waterproof mascara, it's long wearing, holds a curl and it didn't flake on me. It grabs onto every lash and coats it evenly without clumping, but you can also build it up for more volume. It takes a bit more oomph to remove it because of how long wearing it is, but you don't necessarily need a waterproof eye makeup remover. I loved the deep warm brown colour and I found it ideal for wearing on minimal makeup days. It's €34 full price which is expensive so it's definitely one I'd wait to buy discounted or as a treat if you fancy a bougie mascara. You can usually get good value mascara sets after Christmas too which is when I tend to stock up on the ones I really love. I would definitely repurchase this one.
*Clarins Wonder Perfect Mascara 4D Waterproof €29.50
I had this mascara a few years ago and I loved it, you can see multiple posts of me wearing it here. It's definitely on the more volumising end of the mascara scale which I love. I like to wear waterproof mascara in the Summer months because I get watery eyes from hayfever and this did the trick. It's also great at holding a curl. If you are someone looking for more lift and curl with mascara, use an eyelash curler first and then apply waterproof mascara. Nothing else works like that combination. For me, it comes down to the price. While I loved this mascara, the Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof is less expensive and there are drugstore waterproof mascaras that are less expensive again. I prefer to save on mascaras as realistically they don't tend to last more than a few months. I'd rather spend more money on foundation or lipstick because they last longer. Speaking of which I'll be reviewing the new Clarins Joli Rouge Lipsticks soon but for now, you can see me trying them on in this Reel on Instagram. If you'd like to try this, I'd definitely wait to buy the Christmas gift sets as they tend to be better value and you usually get a couple of travel-size products with the mascara.
*Rimmel Kind & Free Mascara 7ml, 6m, Made in Italy €12
I attended the launch of the Kind & Free collection last year and I had a few mascaras to use up before I opened this one. I can't remember the last time I used a Rimmel mascara, or makeup product for that matter so I didn't really have any expectations for this product. I was so pleasantly surprised when I tried this for the first time. You can see it in action in this video. It's quite a wet formula so if you're someone who is trying to keep your lashes curled it may not be the right choice but I loved how it made my lashes look. It gave me length and definition and can be built up for added volume too. I was so surprised by how much I loved this mascara and it's one I would have no problem buying myself especially as it's such a great price point.
I've had this for a while now, I bought it in Salon Services over a year ago. It took me longer than it should have to get through it but that's probably because I bought the ghd Curly Ever After that had heat protection so I used that for a while. I don't know how much I can say about this product. It smelled nice, I assume it protected my hair and it lasted for a while. It's one of those products I didn't feel too strongly about because it's not an exciting product to me. I have already bought a different, less expensive heat protector so I don't know if I would buy it again. I would probably go for the ghd spray as that does more for my hair and there's not a huge price difference.
Color Wow Dream Coat for Curly Hair 200ml, 12m, Made in UK €30
I don't know whether I wasn't using enough of this product or it's just not right for my hair but I didn't find it made a huge difference to my curls or my frizz. I know you have to spray it liberally onto each section of hair and then dry it but it wasn't any better than any of my other curl products. My friend swears by the regular Color Wow Dream Coat and I know lots of people who love this product but it didn't do enough that would make me want to spend €30 on it again. I had very long hair when I started using it so maybe I just wasn't using enough but now that my hair is shorter I can't see myself buying it again to find out if it works with shorter hair. I'll stick to my JVN Hair products for now.
Davines LOVE Curl Shampoo 250ml, 12m, Made in Italy €23
Davines LOVE Curl Conditioner 250ml, 12m, Made in Italy €25
I'm going to review these products together because I used them together and I feel the same about both. I had never tried this brand before but I had always heard good things about it and these products had great reviews. I bought them with a 20% discount as I needed a new shampoo and conditioner and thought I'd give them a try. I loved the scent, I thought they worked really well for my hair type. I've mentioned many times before that I try to save money on wash-off products like shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and cleansers and spend on treatments and serums that are staying on my skin and hair. I do think that having a good shampoo and conditioner for your hair type makes a difference but at full price these products are quite expensive. If I had a bigger budget I would definitely buy them again as I do think they made a difference to my hair but for now, I'm going to try something less expensive. If you have curly hair and you don't mind spending a bit more on your haircare products, I would definitely recommend this range.
R+Co Labyrinth 3-in-1 Texturizing Shampoo + Conditoner+ Styler 177ml, 12m, Made in USA €30
First of all, if anyone from R+Co is reading this, please make a perfume of this scent. It's one of my favourite scents of any beauty product I've ever tried. It has deep palo santo, white cedarwood, smoky tobacco leaf, fresh pine needles and waterlily. They actually have a candle in the scent which would be the best candle for Winter. This is the fourth styling product from the collaboration between R+Co and hair stylist Ashley Streicher. I've used two of the other products, Sun Catcher and Dreamhouse which I loved. I mentioned Sun Catcher in a previous empties post. The idea behind this product is that it's a shampoo, conditioner and styling product all in one. It's ideal for anyone with fine hair who is looking for more texture and volume and maybe to save time on hair washing. It has ingredients to hydrate your hair too so it kind of does a bit of everything. I really enjoyed using this on days when I didn't have much time to wash and style my hair. I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did, 2-in-1 products are generally not the best but I think this one is great. I've seen this priced from €28-€36 and seeing as it's less than 200mls it's on the more expensive side for a hair product. I bought this with 20% off so I think it was around €24 which is more palatable to me. I tended to use it every second time I washed my hair and the other times I would use regular shampoo and conditioner so it did last me for a while. Depending on your hair type and preferences you may really love this product. I would definitely buy it again as I loved the scent and found it worked very well for my hair needs.
Umberto Giannini Hair Detox Activated Charcoal Purifying Shampoo 200ml, 12m, Made in UK €11.99
I was looking for a shampoo to clarify my hair when I've been using a lot of styling products and help with build-up. As I live in a city I know that pollution can be an issue for hair and scalp health so I wanted to try something that might help. I definitely found this helped to make my hair look and feel extra clean. I left an oil treatment in my hair for too long one day and when I washed and dried my hair I was left with an oily residue at my roots so the next time I washed it I used this and it was back to normal. It does have a dark grey colour so it's worth noting it might make your shower a bit messy but I find it washes away no problem. It's the kind of product I would use every 1-2 weeks just to make sure there is no build-up of product on my hair and scalp. It's not too expensive and because you don't use it every time you wash your hair it lasts for a while. I'll definitely buy this again.
***JVN Complete Air Dry Cream 30ml, 12m, Made in USA €10
I've written about this a few times this year as I've been using it since I first bought the travel size in December. I've since bought the full size and have gone through another travel size and I love what this does for my hair. It enhances the texture of my curls and helps to reduce frizz. I use it when I air dry my hair and when I use a diffuser. You can use this on any texture of hair, it's great if you want to embrace your natural texture instead of heat styling. I'm currently using a full-size tube of this and it's something I will continue to buy because it works so well for my hair type.
ghd Curly Ever After Curl Hold Spray 120ml, 12m, Made in UK €22
Earlier this year I asked on my Instagram stories about ghd recommendations. The Instyler my sister gave me years ago finally gave up on me so I was looking to invest in a new hair styling tool. I was given a ghd Platinum Straightener years ago at a press event and because I couldn't make it work for me I gave it to my sister. I prefer a curling wand for my hair type and lack of skills. A friend who I met through Instagram sent me a DM after seeing my hair tool story and offered to send me her Classic Wave Curve Wand as she had another curling wand that she preferred and wasn't using this one. I was taken aback by her generosity as she easily could have sold it. I took her up on her kind offer, she sent it to me straight away and I've been using it so much since. There really is no comparison between it and other much less expensive curling wands I've tried. Because I saved so much money on having to buy a new one myself, I decided to try out the ghd Curly Ever After Curl Hold Spray. It's both a heat protector and a curl maximiser. I had been using the L'Oréal Professionel Techni Art Pli but I prefer the ghd one and the fact that it gives heat protection is an added bonus as I don't have to buy two separate products. It prolongs my styled curls/ waves, smells lovely and I know my hair is protected. I probably should have bought this again but I'm trying to save money where I can so I just bought a less expensive heat protector from Boots but I will definitely buy this again in the future or try to stock up when it's at a discounted price.
***JVN Complete Instant Recovery Serum 25ml, 12m, Made in USA €14
This is repairing and protecting style primer. It balances the porosity of your hair, strengthens it and provides heat protection. To sum it up, it primes your hair for other styling products so that they work more efficiently. It is recommended for heat or chemically damaged hair, split ends, heat protection and frizz. It also has the most incredible scent as do all of the JVN Hair products I've tried. I will definitely be repurchasing this product.
**Rituals The Ritual of Hammam Refreshing Foaming Shower Gel 200ml, 36m, Made in France €10.90
This is one of my favourite Rituals scents. I've had many of the Hammam products over the years, the massage oil and shampoo are some of my favourites. There's not much I can say about a shower gel except that it cleaned my body and smelled incredible. It has eucalyptus and argan oil so if you like those scents you will love this range. I will most definitely be buying this again in the future. If you’re based in Ireland they’re also available from Arnotts.
Ameliorate Nourishing Body Wash 200ml, 12m, Made in UK €12
I bought an Ameliorate set on Cult Beauty earlier this year that was amazing value. It contained this 200ml Body Wash, a 150ml Smoothing Body Exfoliant and a 500ml Transforming Body Lotion all for €22.60. I then had a 20% off discount code and I was already making an order so I couldn't resist this set as it was such great value already, especially with the added discount. I have been using the Ameliorate body cream on and off for years now but I had never tried their other products. I wasn't expecting much from this body wash but I ended up loving it and being so sad when it was finished. I'll start by saying I don't find these products to get rid of my KP but they definitely help with my dry skin and make it look and feel smoother. I found the body wash to be quite nourishing for a wash-off product and the most important factor, it smelled incredible, which is something I wasn't expecting because the scent of the Body Lotion is not my favourite. This set is still available on Cult Beauty and it's such a steal if you have dry skin and you're looking for some body products. The lotion comes in a huge pump bottle too which I love as it always encourages me to moisturise my body. I just repurchased this as I was making a Cult Beauty order and had a 20% off discount code.
Maison Margiela Replica On A Date 30ml, 24m, Made in France €62
I wanted to write my description of this before I read about it on the Maison Margiela website. I'm not the best with olfactive descriptors but I would describe it as a sparkling, rosy floral with berry fruits, warmth and freshness. It's like walking through a rose garden or a vineyard on a warm Summer evening beside a person you love who smells amazing and comforting. I wrote the previous sentence and then I read the description on the website which is almost identical and that's why I love the Replica scents so much, they truly manage to capture a feeling or a moment in time like no other perfumers. It's funny that on the bottle the provenance and period is Provence, 2014 because it makes me think about when my boyfriend and I went on our first holiday together in 2014 to a chateau in France. We walked around the gardens chatting as the sun was setting. I was wearing Chloé Rose de Chloé at the time (now sadly discontinued) which as the name suggests is a floral rose scent but also contains blackcurrant and woody notes like On A Date. They are so similar and I think that's why I was so struck by On A Date when I first smelled it at the concession in Arnotts. It makes me think of young love, first dates, romance, talking endlessly hand in hand and the excitement of possibility. I can't remember the last time I fell so head over heels with a scent and used it up so quickly. I will definitely be buying this again or putting it on my Christmas list.
O'Keefe's Working Hands Overnight Intensive Hand Cream 80ml, 24m, Made in USA €13.99
I was recommended this product back in 2020 when I did a call out on Instagram for hand lotions to help with the peeling skin on my hands from washing them so much in work. I didn't buy it at the time, I tried a few other products that were recommended instead. Then I saw this in Boots a few months ago when my hands were bad again so I decided to give it a try. It made quite a difference straight away and when I ran out I didn't repurchase it straight away and I noticed my other hand creams weren't cutting it so I just repurchased it again last week. There are a few different kinds from this brand but I like this overnight treatment as it's so hard for me to apply hand cream during the day because I'm always doing something with my hands. If you have very dry hands I highly recommend trying this out as it really does work.
**Flexitol Rapid Relief Hand Balm 56g, Made in UK €6.99
I mentioned this in at least one of my previous empties posts as I've gone through a few tubes now. While I think this is a great hand balm, I have since started using the O'Keefe's Working Hands and it's been better at repairing my dry hands so I'll be sticking with that one from now on.
**Weleda Skin Food 75ml, Made in Germany €17.75
This product is a cult beauty product for good reason. It's an intensive moisturiser for dry skin and can be used on the face and body. I know it's a favourite of Makeup Artists and I can understand why. It hydrates dry looking skin straight away and leaves a beautiful sheen on the skin. I was first introduced to this product by Katie Jane Hughes about 7 years ago and I've gone through numerous tubes of it over the years, including the Light version. It's great for protecting you skin, especially in the colder months. I have quite dry skin on my body so it's great for layering to really lock in moisture. I will absolutely repurchase it.
The totals are as follows:
15 PR Products: €567.49
31 Products bought by me €637.41
4 Travel/Sample Size
3 Part of a Set
17 Repurchases
No Gifts or Gift With Purchase
The total is 46 products: €1204.90
I finished these products over the three-month period since my last post at the beginning of July. I've been using some of them for two years or more. I used up two fewer products compared to the last time so I've finished 141 products in 9 months. As I always mention, the amount of money I spent on those 31 products is much lower as I rarely buy anything full price. I probably didn't spend any more than €500 on the products I bought and I would imagine it was less as some products were part of sets (like the JVN hair product) and then discounted even further. If there's anything you'd like to see me try or anything you'd like swatches of, a Reel on or a blog post about, please do send me a DM on Instagram or leave a comment here.
I tried to include links to products where they are the best price and in stock. You can also visit my ShopMy profile to see collections of all my favourite beauty products by category. If you've made it this far, I want to thank you for taking the time to read such a lengthy blog post. I love putting these posts together so the fact that other people might find them helpful makes it so worthwhile. If you enjoyed this blog post or found it helpful and you'd like to support what I do, you can Buy Me A Coffee which helps to fund my work as a Content Creator.
I'd love to know if you've tried any of these products and what you think, does your opinion differ from mine? Are any of them on your wishlist to try?
Emma x
