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*PR Samples
**Repurchase/ Bought after trying a press sample
***Travel Size/ Mini
****Gift/ Gift with purchase
This is my eleventh empties post and it's coming up on three years since I started writing this series. If you're not yet subscribed to my YouTube channel I am now also doing a corresponding Empties video so that you can watch or listen instead of reading if that's easier. There will be more details here, as I always add the product quantity, shelf life once opened, country of manufacture and the price. I also mention the amount of PR products versus those I bought myself just to be fully transparent. I apply a one in one out rule to my skincare so that I can accurately evaluate how each product effects my skin. There are 33 products this time so let's get straight into it.
*YSL Beauty Touche Éclat Blur Primer 30ml, 24m, Made in France €43
I included this product in my 2024 Makeup Favourites video on YouTube. It’s definitely one of the best primers I’ve ever used. As I mentioned in the video I’m not someone who uses primer every single day. I don’t find it compulsory however it can help with the longevity of foundation or help to prep the skin. This is one of the primers that I have found helps my foundation look better and last longer. As the name suggests it also blurs the skin helping to reduce the appearance of texture and pores. I would gladly spend my own money on this however I have a good few primers in my collection that I want to use up first.
*Maybelline Express Brow Ultra Slim Pencil (Medium Brown) 24m, Made in China €11.99
This was a good brow pencil, it was very thin and the shade was good but a touch warm for my preference. Overall, I prefer the NYX Micro Brow which I have just repurchased instead of this one.
*IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream (Fair) 32ml, 12m, Made in Korea €46
I tried this for the first time in 2017. I bought it in New York before IT Cosmetics launched in Ireland in 2018. Since then I’ve been sent several press drops and I’ve also tried the Nude Glow version. The original has stood the test of time and it’s one of the most reliable foundations I’ve ever tried. It works on my skin no matter how it is or the time of year. I know it will blend easily and look great. I wrote a review in 2017 and I stand by it. It’s supposed to be full coverage but I don’t find it to be too much at all. It’s creamy and hydrating and as a bonus it contains SPF50. The only real negative I can say is that it could have a better shade range. It’s also quite pricey now (I think I paid $39 in 2017). The shade Fair works on me but I have a feeling Fair Beige might be a bit better so I’m going to try that the next time I’m buying this. I have a backup that was also sent in PR. This is one that I really think is worth the money, particularly if you have pigmentation, rosacea or dry skin. Read my full review here.
Kosas Revealer Concealer (01N) 6ml, 6m, Made in USA €29
This is a creamy, medium but buildable coverage concealer in a tube with a doe foot applicator. Despite the fact that this is the first concealer I’ve used up in a very long time, I’m still in two minds about it. I go back and forth between loving how it looks on my skin and thinking it looks a bit dry and unflattering. It could be my skin prep but that’s usually the same every day. It definitely started to look more dry as it was coming to an end, there’s still a bit left in the tube but it’s hard to reach so I decided to retire it instead of scraping the sides. The shade match is great, it works so well on my pale neutral skin. I prefer a concealer that matches the rest of my face because I find if I use a lighter shade under my eyes it can enhance my dark circles. I didn’t use it on the rest of my face as it’s a bit too creamy/hydrating for that. I obviously liked this enough to use it up almost completely but I don’t know if I would buy it again as it wasn’t perfect. It didn’t look the same every single day and some days it started to look dry throughout the day. It comes in a mini 2ml size for around €15 and there are 38 shades available which is great for a concealer. I would say if you want to try this one, get the mini first to make sure you like it. It’s a third of the amount for half the price so it’s not as cost effective but it’s better than buying a full size and not liking it. I’ve just bought the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Concealer and I’m hoping that will be my holy grail favourite, if not I know that Lisa Eldridge has a few different concealer formulas on the way and hopefully they will be amazing.
Makeup by Mario Softsculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer (Light) 5g, 12m, Made in Italy €39
Another product that was in my 2024 favourites video and I stand by it. This is a product unlike any other I’ve tried. It’s a complexion warming product in a formula that I would describe as a balm-cream. It has sheer to medium opacity so it’s difficult to mess up the application. I am so fair skinned that most bronzers don’t look right on my skin, this is the first bronzing product I have ever used up because it works so well on my skin tone. It warms my complexion and adds some dimension without looking obviously bronzed as I don’t feel that suits my skin tone. The balmy texture makes it so easy to blend out seamlessly. I can’t tell you how much I wanted to buy a backup of this during the Black Friday sale but I have three other bronzers I need to use up so I’m trying to get through those before I repurchase this even though the other ones I have don’t really compare. It’s just such an easy product and I can’t think of anything similar. I highly recommend it!
Kosas Air Brow (Medium Brown) 3.7g, 6m, Made in USA €23
I bought this on the recommendation of my sister and I’m glad I did because it’s become a firm favourite, replacing Glossier Boy Brow as my tinted brow gel of choice. Medium Brown is a great shade match and there are 10 shades which is unusual for a brow product. It has a similar formula to Boy Brow in that it’s a bit thicker and more like a pomade. I prefer that as it means the formula adheres to my eyebrow hairs and doesn’t transfer to the skin around my brows which other brow gels can do. It means that I can back comb my brows to add volume. I’m using a Maybelline tinted brow gel at the moment that I was sent in PR but don’t like as much and once that’s done I will most likely buy this again as I really loved how easy it was to use and how long it lasted compared to Boy Brow.
*NARS Climax Mascara 6g, 6m, Made in Italy €31
I was sent PR from NARS for the first time this year and I was excited to try the products as it’s a brand that I haven’t ever really explored. I had heard great things about this mascara so I was very excited to test it out. This is a volumising mascara that packs a punch. It gives you big lashes which I love. It has a bristle brush too which tends to be my preference. I really like how this made my eyelashes look, the only issue was it flaked a lot on my under eyes. I always apply mascara on my lower lashes as I like how it looks but that means I have to deal with mascara dropping down throughout the day. This one flaked quite a lot especially as it dried out. While I liked it I wouldn’t buy it myself because there are other mascaras at a similar price point that I prefer.
**Lisa Eldridge Elevated Glow Highlighter (Pink Moon) 13ml, 12m, Made in Italy €33
This is the third bottle of Elevated Glow Highlighter that I’ve used up in the three years since it launched. I was sent Cosmic Rose and Crystal Nebula when it first launched and when I finished those I bought Pink Moon. I already have a new bottle ready to go because this is one of those products that has changed the game for me. It’s a multipurpose skincare/makeup product that can be used alone, beneath foundation, mixed with other products like liquid blush or mixed with a lipstick to make a blush. On the lips, the inner corner of the eyes or as pinpoint highlighter on top of foundation. That’s why I’m on my fourth bottle because it has so many uses and that’s one of the things I love about it. Now more than ever I’m drawn to multipurpose products and being able to get the most out of my makeup collection. If you’re someone who is self conscious about texture or fine lines this is such a great product as it almost smooths and blurs the skin. A little bit of this goes a long way so despite it being 13ml it will last a long time. I particularly love it mixed with liquid blush as it gives my cheeks such a beautiful glow. I will continue to repurchase this product as it is truly unique in my collection and it makes my skin look amazing. I have a full review here if you’d like to read it.
*YSL Beauty Top Secrets Makeup Setting Spray Hydrating 100ml, 12m, Made in France €37
I don’t have much of an opinion on this one. It wasn’t bad but it didn’t wow me either. I have yet to top the original Urban Decay All Nighter so I wouldn’t buy this myself especially as it’s more expensive.
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Oil lnfused Water All-in-1 (Delicate Skin and Eyes) 400ml, 6m, Made in Poland €10.99
I started buying this instead of the eye makeup remover below because it’s a much bigger bottle and it’s pretty much the same thing, a bi-phase waterproof makeup remover. I’ll definitely buy this one again as it’s inexpensive and lasts much longer than the smaller bottles. This one is the blue one for delicate skin and eyes and I decided to get this instead of the yellow one as my eyes can be a bit sensitive.
**Garnier Express 2 in 1 Eye Make-Up Remover 125ml, 6m, Made in Poland €4.99
I’ve reviewed this lots of times in previous empties posts and as mentioned above I wanted a bigger bottle of waterproof makeup remover so I’ll buy the above one instead as it’s 400ml and it does the same thing.
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Deep Cleansing Oil 150ml, 12m, Made in Korea €24
I had heard some great things about this cleansing oil so when I placed a Stylevana order earlier this year I bought this to try as I love a good cleansing oil. I mentioned this in my 2024 skincare favourites video because it’s such a great oil cleanser. It’s fragrance free and it feels comfortable and removes makeup. sunscreen and waterproof products with ease. It contains rice bran, olive, sunflower and jojoba oils and macadamia seed oil. It leaves my skin feeling hydrated and comfortable. This is probably the best cleansing oil I've ever used and I will 100% buy it again. It's also a lot more accessible as it's now available at Boots and Beauty Bay.
*IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup 3-in-1 Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm 100g, 18m, Made in USA €40
I’ve mentioned this in a couple of previous empties posts as this is my third tub (possibly 4th). I really loved this when I first tried it, enough to buy it again. But since trying K-Beauty cleansing balms I’m fully converted to them. So much so that I used this after using a K-Beauty one and the scent was really off-putting, almost like shoe polish. I much preferred the Beauty of Joseon one and I’ve just bought the Heimish one so I’ll be trying that next. They’re also so much more affordable which is a huge factor for me. I could get 3 or 4 cleansing balms from YesStyle or Stylevana for the price of this one and they do the exact same thing.
*IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser 148ml, 12m, Made in USA €31
Another one I’ve reviewed a few times before, I’ve received it in PR and bought it myself. It’s a gel cleanser so I use it after a cleaning oil or balm or in the morning. I like this one because it’s hydrating, it doesn’t strip my skin or leave it feeling dry or tight which can be hard to find. I’m using a different one at the moment and even though I like this one it’s expensive for what it is and I will probably buy a less expensive second cleanser the next time I’m in need of one. I’d rather buy a cheaper cleanser and spend more on serums and treatment products.
Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser 120ml, 12m, Made in USA €45
I bought this because I was doing research about how to reduce sebaceous filaments and this was one of the most highly rated products mentioned. It contains 3% sulphur, an anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory ingredient that helps to eliminate excess sebum, breakouts and sebaceous filaments while calming skin. You can also use it as a mask by leaving it for a few minutes on your t-zone. This product was developed for acne prone skin but it could benefit anyone who wants to reduce blackheads, sebaceous filaments and excess oil.
I have quite an oily t-zone, particularly my nose and depending on how my skin is doing, the sebaceous filaments on my nose can be more pronounced. I wanted a product that would help with the excess oil and this definitely did the job. It doesn’t get rid of the sebaceous filaments but it reduces the appearance of them which is probably as much as I’m going to get. This is a pricey product but it lasted for ages because I only really used it on my t-zone. I just bought a K-Beauty product that will hopefully do the same thing, the Ilso Sebum Softener. I’ve only used it once but I’m hoping it will be a good alternative to this one as it’s a lot less expensive. I do think this is a great product and it does what it claims it will, if you have acne prone skin you may want to look into it more.
**REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic 250ml, 9m, Made in UK €35
I have reviewed this before so I’ll be brief. This is a product I’ve repurchased again and again over the years. I think I’ve been using it for about ten years now and it’s still my favourite gentle chemical exfoliant. It contains lactic acid, willow back extract and azalaic acid.
I was sent some PR from REN this year and one of the packages contained this product which was so exciting because it’s a product I love and have bought so much myself so I have that one on the go at the moment. You can use it every day but I usually use it a few times per week so the bottle will last me a good 6 months or so. This is one I’ll continue to repurchase unless I find something better.
*/***Lancôme Absolue Rose 80 The Brightening and Revitalising Toning Lotion 50ml, 12m, Made in France €50
This was sent in PR as part of a gift with purchase and I kept it to use while travelling as it was a handy size. The full size is 150ml and €150 and I didn’t realise until I was writing this post that it’s so eye wateringly expensive. I brought it away to France with me on holiday in September and I kept using it when I came home. It lasted quite a while considering it’s an essence and you usually use more of this type of product. The texture is almost in between an essence and a serum. I don’t even want to know what this does because it’s so expensive I’ll never buy it myself but I will say I enjoyed using it, it smelled of fresh roses which I love. The texture was satisfying to use and it left my skin feeling and looking hydrated and plump. I’m currently using a Beauty of Joseon Essence which is less than 7 times cheaper so I’ll be sticking with that.
***Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner 30ml, 12m, Made in Korea €7.20
This is an exfoliating toner that hydrates and balances the skins pH while preventing breakouts. It contains tea tree, niacinamide, salicylic acid (BHA), lactobionic acid (PHA) and witch hazel. It’s ideal for anyone with oily/combination or acne-prone skin. The full size is 150ml and €23.80. I didn’t get enough of a feel for this product from this 30ml size and I already have a chemical exfoliating tonic (from REN) that I love so I don’t think I’d buy the full size of this, however it could be a good option for anyone who wants to combine AHA and BHA with some anti-bacterial and oil controlling ingredients.
*May Lindstrom Skin The Jasmine Garden Botanical Facial Mist 100ml, 12m, Made in USA €96
May Lindstrom Skin is a brand that’s been on my radar for a few years, I heard people rave about the Honey Mud Mask and I always admired the beautiful packaging. They sent me some products earlier this year and this was the first one I tried. I’m a big fan of a facial mist so I was excited to try this one. Sadly I used it a couple of times and then the pump stopped working. It wouldn’t spritz any of the mist so I had to decant it into a plastic bottle I got in Boots. If I had bought it myself I would have emailed the brand to ask for a replacement pump but seeing as it was a press sample I just decanted it and continued to use it. Packaging issues aside it was such a lovely product to use. It contains lots of botanical oils and extracts as well as colloidal silver, cacao and vanilla. It smells incredible and it’s supposed to hydrate, reduce redness and inflammation, cool and calm acne flare ups and enhance the penetration of oils balms and serums. This is without a doubt the most expensive facial mist I’ve ever used. It’s a beautiful product and I thoroughly enjoyed using it however it’s not exactly within my skincare budget. I do however love the story behind the brand. May Lindstrom developed the brand as she struggled with highly sensitive and reactive skin since she was a child. The products are made in micro batches with quality, fresh ingredients and a direct to consumer business model. I’m currently using the Youth Dew Serum and it’s one of my favourite products of the year. If you have the budget to try this brand and you like a more natural approach to skincare, it’s definitely a brand worth exploring. If you're looking for something more affordable, I recommend the mist below.
Haruharu Wonder Black Bamboo Mist 80ml, 6m, Made in Korea €12
This is a mist with 99% naturally-derived ingredients. It contains fermented bamboo extracts which is a natural source of antioxidants to calm and soothe the skin and Beta-Glucan which is wound healing, anti-oxidant and anti-aging as well as soothing and moisturising. It comes in two sizes, 80ml and 150ml. I loved using this mist, I found it to be calming, hydrating and refreshing and I would 100% but it again in the bigger size. I particularly love mists during the warmer months to give my skin extra hydration without adding any texture.
**L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler Eye Serum 20ml, 6m, Made in Germany €37.99
I’ve gone through a few of these bottles now. I have quite a dry eye area so I like to use an eye serum under my eye cream. This one has a metal applicator and contains caffeine so it’s great for anyone who has puffy eyes in the morning. I like to use this with my Dieux Forever Eye Masks too. I usually buy it when it’s part of the Boots €12 Tuesday because it’s such a good deal. This is something I will definitely be repurchasing as I find it really makes a difference to my eye area.
*Lancôme Rénergie Yeux HCF Triple Serum 20ml, 6m, Made in France €80
I didn’t want to like this as much as I do because it’s so expensive. It has hyaluronic acid, a potent tri-peptide called SNK peptide, a vitamin C derivative, niacinamide and vitamin F to smooth the skin texture around the eyes. All of these ingredients combined are supposed to improve the key signs of ageing. It definitely made a difference to my eye area. It was more hydrated and bouncy and my under eye concealer applied beautifully over it. The only reason I haven’t repurchased it is that it’s too expensive for my skincare budget but if you’re looking for an eye cream that works and you have the budget, it might be worth checking out.
*Violette_FR C’est La Cream 93ml, 12m, Made in France €78
Violette_FR sent me a package with Boum-Boum Milk and C’est La Cream at the beginning of April. I just finished the cream in the middle of this month after using it day and night for the first month and then every night after that. It’s expensive but you get a lot in the tube. Most moisturisers are 30ml so you’re getting three times that amount. That’s why I actually think it’s very good value especially as it lasted me 9 months of daily use and I was using it quite liberally, bringing it down my neck. It’s a pre-biotic based, protective barrier cream. Violette wanted to create a moisturiser that would work on anyone because she is a makeup artist and works with an array of skin types. I loved this combined with the Boum-Boum Milk but it was great in the evenings on top of whatever serum I was using. It’s calming and nourishing and made my skin look and feel great. I have a lot of moisturisers to get through before I need to buy one but I whole heartedly recommend this product and I would buy it again myself.
*IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Gel Lotion 75ml, 12m, Made in USA €32
I was looking up this product for this post and I discovered that it’s been discontinued so there’s not much point in me reviewing it. IT Cosmetics have been known to discontinue products and reformulate them so perhaps that is the case with this one.
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ 50ml, 12m, Made in Korea €21
I bought this because I’d read some great reviews of it and I was curious to try more K-Beauty sunscreens. It’s a chemical sunscreen and contains black rice extract to hydrate, niacinamide to help with pigmentation and ceramides to nourish the skin. It has a velvet finish and the texture is thicker than that of the other Korean sunscreens I’ve tried however it blends into the skin with ease and doesn’t feel heavy at all. I loved this sunscreen, it’s one I would use more in the warmer months because of the velvet finish. Although I think any skin type could use it. I’ll definitely repurchase it for next Summer.
*Heimish Artless Glow Tinted Sunscreen SPF50+ PA+++ 40ml, Made in Korea €20
I was sent this in a PR package from Stylevana last year and it was my first time trying a product from Heimish. This is a glowy, priming sunscreen that has a slight tint to it. It’s the only tinted sunscreen I’ve tried that actually works on my skin tone. I thought this was a beautiful product, I loved how glowy it made my skin look. I wouldn’t buy it again because when I used the amount needed to fully protect my skin I found that it sat on my skin and didn’t fully absorb the way my other Korean sunscreens do. I would need to apply it in layers to get the right amount of sun protection without it sitting on top of my skin and to be honest that's too much of a faff for me. I don’t know whether it’s something to do with the tinted element to the formula or it’s just the formula itself. They do have a non tinted version which may work better but I already have three Korean sunscreens that I love so I’d rather use those and then a glowy primer or skin tint on top as that works better for my skin.
Monday Moisture Shampoo 350ml, 12m, Made in China €9.49
Monday Moisture Conditioner 350ml, 12m, Made in China €9.49
I find it difficult to review shampoo and conditioner because for the most part they’re usually quite similar. As long as they smell nice and don’t weigh my hair down they’re fine. I liked these ones, they were inexpensive and I liked that they’re 350ml instead of the usual 250ml. The scent was nice too. The only negative for me was the pump didn’t pump out much product so you have to pump it a good few times to get the right amount out which in a wet shower can be a bit annoying but that’s the only con. I would buy these again because I don’t like to spend too much on shampoo and conditioner and they’re on offer in Boots sporadically so you can get them a bit cheaper.
*Garnier Ultimate Blends Repairing Papaya Hair Drink 18m, Made in Belgium €12.99
I reviewed another one of these products in my last empties post and I said that it was moisturising enough for my hair and I feel the same about this one. It’s probably better suited to straight or oily hair. I prefer to use a regular conditioner or hair mask as I find they work better with my curly hair.
**Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo 198ml, 24m, Made in USA €32
I bought this in a two pack set with the regular version of the Dry Shampoo last year and it lasted me for a long time as I don’t use it too much but it’s something I always have on hand. The original version has been my favourite dry shampoo for a few years now and I loved this one just as much. I didn’t notice a huge difference between them so I’d happily buy either the next time I need dry shampoo although this one is a bit more expensive so I'll probably stick to the original one.
****Nuxe Rêve de Miel Hand and Nail Cream 50ml, 12m, Made in France €10
My mam bought this for me in the airport on our way to France because I needed a hand cream for the trip. It smells lovely and works really well. I’m a big fan of the Rêve de Miel range, the lip balm and body lotion in particular. I liked this but I usually buy the O’Keefe’s Working Hands because I need something a bit stronger for my dry hands.
****Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream 100ml, 18m, Made in France €27
I’ve reviewed this product so many times now and I’ve used it for years. It’s a great hand and nail cream and it’s a cult product for a reason. It’s definitely more on the pricey side for a hand cream so it’s not something I always have but I’m sure I’ll buy it again in the future.
*Remedy for Body Bumps 162ml, 12m, Made in the USA €34.95
Remedy is a relatively new skincare brand founded by Dr. Muneeb Shah, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of the Doctorly YouTube channel. I’ve watched the channel for years so when I was contacted by the brand I was delighted to get the opportunity to try out the products. They sent me three products and one of them was the Remedy for Body Bumps.
It contains urea, retinol, ceramides and lactic acid. This blend of ingredients is supposed to alleviate KP, texture and redness, gently moisturise and exfoliate and promote a healthy skin barrier. I have very dry skin on my body, particularly my arms and legs and I have always had KP (Keratosis Pilaris). I've never found anything that made a huge differnce until I tried this product. I didn't completely get rid of it but it made a big difference to the look and texture of my skin. I would love to see them making a bigger size of this body moisturiser because I was applying it consistently every day, I went through it quite quickly (well more quickly than I usually go through a body moisturiser). The brand is US based and therefore it’s going to be more expensive to get the products here in the EU. I can definitely see them being stocked somewhere like Space NK in the future and that would obviously cut down on shipping costs for anyone based outside of the US. I loved what this did for my skin but the shipping and customs costs are a big drawback to purchasing this myself. I’ll have to have my fingers crossed that the brand does well and gets an EU based stockist soon!
The totals are as follows:
15 PR Products: €643.93
15 Products bought by me: €365.95
2 Travel/Sample Size
4 Repurchases
3 Gifts or Gift With Purchase: €44.20
The total is 33 products: €1054.08
I finished these products over the three month period since my last post at the end of September. As I always mention, the amount of money I spent on those 15 products is much lower as I rarely buy anything full price. I probably didn't spend any more than €280 on the products I bought. 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.
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 even though they are quite time consuming 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
