AD/PRESS DROP/AFFILIATE
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*PR Samples
**Repurchase/ Bought after trying a press sample
***Travel Size/ Mini
****Gift/ Gift with purchase
This is my 16th empties post over the past four 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 affects my skin. I also wanted to add that I have never had any cosmetic procedures at all including botox, fillers etc. There are 35 products this time so let's get straight into it.
**Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo 300ml, 18m, Made in Greece €8.99
I've reviewed this a few times before as I've bought it about 4 or 5 times now. I like that it clarifys my scalp and hair without leaving it feeling dry or stripped. I have quite dry hair so I like to use gentle shampoos. I'll continue to buy this as it works well for my hair and it's inexpensive.
Aveeno Oat Milk Blend Conditioner 300ml, 18m, Made in Greece €8.99
I bought this instead of the Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner as it's meant to be nourishing and hydrating for dry hair. I liked this conditioner, it was very gentle, however I've gone back to using the Garnier mask below as my conditioner as I felt my hair needed something a little bit more moisturising. I recommend the Aveeno hair range if you're looking for products that are gentle and affordable.
Garnier Method for Curls Mask 370ml, 12m, Made in Germany €11.99
I reviewed this product in my last empties which you can read here. This is my second tub and I've already bought a third. I'll definitely continue to repurchase it as it's affordable and it works well for my dry, curly hair. I've been using it in lieu of a conditioner and it moisturises my hair without weighing it down. It's worth trying if you have curly hair as it can be difficult to get curly specific products at such a reasonable price.
**Umberto Giannini Heat Shield Frizz Control Heat Protecting Spray 200ml, 12m, Made in the UK €11.99
I reviewed this product in 2024 which you can read here. This heat protecting spray promises to protect the hair from temperatures up to 220 degrees. It also claims to help with frizz, smooths and prevents split ends. I've used this brand for years now and I've had this product several times. It's one that I will continue to buy as my heat protectant as it's curly hair friendly and affordable.
Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum 90ml, 12m, Made in the USA €32
I got this serum as part of a hair set from Cult Beauty at the end of 2023, it took me far too long to use it up mostly because I don't think it's necessarily for my hair type. It's described as a weightless multi-benefit styling serum for better style retention. It promises to reduce static and tangles, protect against heat, provides satin shine and protects colour. I used it in conjunction with my other styling products, mostly to add heat protection and to help smooth my hair. I think it would probably be better suited to those with straighter hair. I didn't notice enough of a difference to warrant paying the money for the full size. I'd much prefer to buy products that are specifically formulated for curly hair.
***JVN Hair Nurture Intense Hydration Mask 75ml, 12m, Made in the USA €16
I think I may have used a sample sachet of this before but I bought this travel size in the Christmas sale in Space NK just to try it as I think I needed to bring up my order for free shipping and this was heavily reduced. If you've read any of my previous empties posts you'll know I'm a big fan of JVN hair products and I usually have one in each of my empties posts. I liked the scent and texture of this but I only got three uses from it because I have a lot of hair. I was also put off by a weird substance on the inside of the aluminium tub that resembles rusty drops of glue. I emailed Space NK with photos of it as I was concerned but they didn't get back to me. Since it was a small size I didn't bother to follow up but it would definitely put me off buying the full size. I'll stick to the Garnier mask for now.
*Manucurist Paris Nail & Cuticle Oil 15ml, 12m, Made in France, Made in Korea €15
I was sent this by the brand along with some of their Green Flash products. I love using a cuticle oil as I have such dry hands and as someone who makes a lot of content where my hands and nails are on display it's nice to have moisturised cuticles. I love that this one comes in a dropper as it makes it very easy to use. It's supposed to hydrate, nourish and protect nails and cuticles. The formula is enriched with 6 botanical oils and is 99% plant-based. I really love the Manucurist products I've tried so far. I've been meaning to do a full review of their Green Flash range so that is going to be coming up at some point in the future. I don't pay to have my nails done so I don't mind spending money on some nail care products and nail polish. I'll definitely buy this once I'm finished using the Essie one I currently have on the go. I have a 15% off affiliate link for Manucurist if you happen to be making a purchase.
**Garnier Express 2 in 1 Eye Make-up Remover 125ml, 6m, Made in Poland €6.49
I've reviewed this product many times before, I either buy this or the 400ml size Oil-Infused Cleansing Water for Delicate Skin and Eyes as that one removes waterproof makeup very gently and it's a big bottle so it lasts for ages.
**Nivea Double Effect Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover 125ml, 6m, Made in Germany €5.99
I bought this because the Garnier one wasn't in stock in my local Boots. It does the job of removing waterproof mascara but it can sometimes sting my eyes so I will stick with the Garnier one in the future.
*Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Treatment Cleanser 100ml, 12m, Made in the UK €52
I'm going to link to my original review of this product from when I bought it at launch. I wrote a full review in my empties from October 2023 which you can read here. I was sent this particular tube by the brand and I was over the moon to have it back in my life. If you read my original review, you'll know I adored using this cleanser. I won't go into too much detail as I don't want to repeat myself but having used up two tubes now I can safely say that I fully stand behind my review and I still think it's the most beautiful cleanser I've ever tried. It is such a luxurious experience and it makes me look forward to makeup removal and cleansing which is usually a chore. It's obviously a luxury price point too so it's not something I will repurchase regularly but it is defintely something I will buy on and off as a treat or as a gift for someone.
*Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Deep Cleansing Oil 150ml, 12m, Made in Korea €20
I've bought this a couple of times before but this particular bottle was sent to me by the brand along with their gel cleanser which I haven't tried yet. I love this cleanser, it removes all my makeup easily, it's unscented and it's a 150ml size bottle so it lasts for a long time. I'm currently using the Skin 1004 cleansing oil which I bought because it was 200ml but I think I'll be going back to this one because I prefer that it is unscented. The Skin 1004 has a scent and sometimes I find it a touch overstimulating so even though you get more in the bottle, I'm probably going to buy this one again unless I try a different KBeauty cleansing oil.
**Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Bamboo Mist 150ml, 6m, Made in Korea €19
I reviewed this mist last January after finishing the smaller 80ml size. I'll include my thoughts from that review as they still stand. 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. I particularly love mists during the warmer months to give my skin extra hydration without adding any texture. I'll definitely be adding this to my next YesStyle or Stylevana order.
*True Botanicals Chebula Multi-Corrective Eye Patches 25 Pairs, 3m, Made in Korea €72
True Botanicals is a brand I hadn't used before so I was very intrigued when they offered to send me some products. The brand was founded by Hillary Peterson who wanted to create products to heal, protect and perform after being diagnosed with cancer. I had never heard of the ingredient Chebula before. Their website states that it is, "a cascading antioxidant clinically proven to optimize skin’s natural collagen levels. Chebula is one of the most bioactive, photostable, broad spectrum antioxidants. It helps to address the five signs of aging while maintaining hydration." It also contains sodium hyaluronate, green coffee seed extract and caffeine. I'm always sceptical when a product has such a high price point but sadly I really loved these patches. I'm not usually an eye patch person, I tend to prefer my reusable Forever Eye Mask from Dieux paired with an eye serum. However these ones are biodegradable, they dissolve in warm water so that's something I haven't seen before and makes me feel better about using them. There are 25 patches and I used them once per week, which I found worked well for me. The shelf life once open is 3 months which would mean you would have to use them more than once a week to use them up in that time. I didn't notice that until I had almost finished the tub and they still worked fine for me. I found they really worked on my skin. My eye area felt and looked plump and hydrated and makeup applied better afterwards. The effects lasted too, it wasn't something that worked for a day and then the next day your eyes are back to normal. As much as I loved these eye patches sadly it's just not in my current budget to be able to repurchase them. If you have the budget for skincare and eye patches are your thing, this is a beautiful product that I found really did make a difference to the skin in my eye area. They are available on Cult Beauty here in Europe so you can get them at a discount when CB has a sale on.
*Prequel Half & Half Peptides + Ceramides Fluid Moisturizer 168ml, Made in the USA $26
I was excited to try this product because the premise of it was intriguing to me. It's described as a lightweight liquid emulsion that moisturises and boosts barrier function. The formula contains a ceramide complex, peptide complex and amino acids. It can be used alone or under moisturiser. I love this product for many reasons, firstly it's such great value. It contains 168ml for $26, it's so affordable and lasted for ages. I love the lightweight texture and the versatility. Depending on your skin type and the time of year you can use it in different ways. I have combination skin so I liked to use it as a moisturiser during the warmer months or if I was using a couple of other serums underneath. I also used it as a milky, hydrating serum-like product under moisturiser during the colder months. Seeing as it's such a large size it's nice to be able to use it in various ways. The only negative that I can think of which sadly is a big one is that they don't currently ship internationally. If you're based in the US, I recommend checking out this brand. I really hope they will ship to Europe some time in the near future because I'd love to be able to order from them.
****Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask 20g, 12m, Made in Korea €24
I've reviewed this multiple times in previous empties posts over the past 4 years. I'm quite sure this is my 5th or 6th tub. This particular one was a birthday gift last year and I have already repurchased a back up. I use it every evening before bed as a treatment and it always leaves me lips feeling smooth and hydrated. It's a 20g size tub so it usually lasts me about 6 months of every day use. I try to buy it from a Korean based online retailer as it usually works out less expensive than buying it from the likes of Space NK or Cult Beauty. It contains vitamin C, coconut oil, shea and murmuru seed butter and a berry fruit complex which is rich in antioxidants. It also gently exfoliates the lips. I've been using this product for years as an overnight treatment ands my lips never feel dry or look flaky when I'm using it. I'll continue to repurchase this product as I haven't found anything that works as well.
**Glossier Rose Balm Dotcom 15ml, 18m, Made in the USA €20
I first reviewed this product 9 years ago which you can read here if you have any interest. Since then it has been reformulated twice and Glossier has had many issues most recently of which is the closure of 9 of it's 12 stores. I'm not sure what the future will be for Glossier. For a few years (2017-2020) I was a big proponent of the brand and had many of their products in my daily makeup and skincare routines. I was on their PR list and I even got to attend their Irish launch event in 2018. There have been so many new formulas of lip balms since I first tried Balm Dotcom and I'd much prefer to buy the likes of the one below instead of repurchasing this one.
*Violette_FR Balm Amour 10ml, 18m, Made in the USA €30
I was sent this by the brand when it launched last year. On the website it says that Balm Amour is the result of a six year search for a formula that does it all. "The anhydrous (waterless) formula wraps lips in cushiony comfort as potent ingredients work beneath the surface. A high-performance blend of skincare-grade actives like phyto-collagen, natural peptides, and moisture-locking butters that cushion, restore, and visibly smooths lips. The result is lips that are visibly smoother, fuller, and more nourished. Finished with a cooling ceramic applicator, the formula glides on effortlessly—inviting moments of ritual throughout the day with its sensorial touch."
I really didn't want to like this product as much as I do because it is a high price point, especially considering it's a 10ml size and most lip balms tend to be 15ml. However it is such a beautiful formula, I lavished using it every day. I use the Laneige one at night and then this one during the day because it's in tube it's easier to use than a tub. I loved the packaging, the ceramic applicator, the light vanilla scent, the texture and the plush finish. I filmed a short video applying it so you can see how it looks on and I'll upload that in the coming week.
It has a very small amount of fragrance that has been tested to ensure it is non-irritating. I know that fragrance in skincare, particularly lip products can be a dealbreaker as you're able to smell it so much more on your lips. If you're sensitive to fragrance you may want to try before you buy if possible. I'm not going to repurchase this straight away as I'm on a no-buy and I'm also testing out a couple of tubes of lip balm I was sent by other brands but I will absolutely buy it in the future as I loved the whole experience of using this product and as a lip product fanatic, it's worth the money to me.
****MAC Cosmetics Lip Conditioner 15ml, Made in Canada €26
I received this as a gift from my mam as she knew I was curious about trying it. I'm a big fan of the MAC Prep and Prime lip that comes in a stick as it's an excellent primer for lip products, in particular long lasting or matte lipsticks. This is a more traditional lip balm tube that is also supposed to be a perfect base for lipsticks and liners. It contains petrolatum as well as lots of oils like olive, shea, avocado and castor seed. The problem I had with this product is that after a while it started to separate. To me it seemed like the petrolatum and oils became separate and when I squeezed the tube the oils would come out first and then a tiny bit of a thicker liquid. I had to squish the tube and warm it up in order to get the two liquids to combine again and even at that the oil always came out first. I've been through similar before with the Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment and I just don't think a lip formula should need warming up to be usable. It made the application messy and in the end I stopped reaching for it because it was annoying to use. For that reason alone I wouldn't buy it again myself, I also think it's expensive for a formula I don't love. I'd much rather buy the Violette one.
AHC Ten Revolution Real Eye Cream for Face 30ml, Made in Korea €10
This is a Korean brand that I haven't tried before. I was looking for an eye cream and it was highly rated and inexpensive so I thought I'd give it a try. It's an eye cream that can be used all over the face. It claims to reduce fine lines, brighten and moisturise with ingredients like proteins, vitamins, hyaluronic acid and collagen. I liked this product, it felt hydrating but I didn't notice any big differences. I don't think I would buy it again, out of the two eye creams I finished recently I preferred the below one.
Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Cream 30ml, 12m, Made in Korea €18
I feel pretty much the same about this as I do about the above eye cream. This one contains ginseng root extract for hydration and retinal to smooth the skin and stimulate collagen synthesis. I liked the light serum texture and that it was 30ml in size when eye creams are usually 15ml. Like with the AHC one you could also use this elsewhere on your face. I sometimes applied it around my mouth when I remembered and on the backs of my hands. I'll probably try a different Korean eye cream when I'm next in need of one. This formula may be better suited to people who want to start using retinoids for the first time as it's very gentle.
*Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Radiance Serum 30ml, 12m, UK €56
I'm a big fan of vitamin C as an ingredient, it seems to work really well on my skin. So when Medik8 offered to send me some products I chose this one as I'd wanted to try it for a long time. They have a whole range of products that include vitamin C and there are three serums with varying percentages of vitamin C depending on your skins needs. This one is their introductory vitamin C serum perfect for beginners or those with sensitive skin. The formula also contains vitamin E for additional antioxidant protection and it boosts the power of the vitamin C. It is a jojoba seed oil based formula so it feels lightweight and absorbs easily into the skin. It claims to brighten skin tone, smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles and boost radiance. I could see the difference in my skin when I was using this product. It works so well at evening out my skin tone and making my skin look glowy and bright. I am currently using a vitamin C based serum from another brand but once that's used up I'd love to buy this one or the next level up. I love that Medik8 makes it so easy to see everything about their products on their website, the ingredients are explained and it's easy to find the products that are right for your skin.
*Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced MP 30ml, 12m, Made in the UK €100
In a way I wish I'd never tried this because it's so good and I know I won't be able to keep up using it as it's totally out of my budget. However if you do have the skincare budget for it, this product is excellent. This serum is aimed at people who are looking for a reduction of advanced, deep-set lines. They also have their original Liquid Peptides product which is better suited to those looking to target the first signs of aging. I'll be turning 40 this year so I don't exactly have deep set wrinkles but I still loved the effects of this serum. I'm not going to get into the ingredients because it's all laid out on the Medik8 website if you'd like to learn more but very briefly, it contains Dual MiniProteins that helps to relax and smooth expression lines and reduce wrinkle depth. It also helps the skins structure over time by boosting collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid levels. I noticed my skin looked smoother and more plump and felt hydrated. I don't know if I necessarlity need this one or I could get the original Liquid Peptides instead. If you're looking for efficacious skincare to help make the most of your skin, I recommend checking out Medik8. They're also available from Space NK and Cult Beauty so you can get the products at a discount every so often.
*Poco Beauty Universal Glow Treatment SPF 30 40ml, 12m, Made in Italy €30
I was sent this by the brand last year. It was the first product I tried from Poco Beauty, which is an Irish brand. On their website it's described as a skincare-infused product that prepares skin with soft focus light-reflecting technology to create a natural, light-from-within effect on the skin all the while protecting it with broad spectrum SPF 30 and anti-oxidant ingredients. It also claims to boost hydration, reduces redness and evens skin tone. It's supposed to be used as the last step in your skincare routine or as a primer before foundation. I love this product because it's multipurpose. It does everything it claims to do, it adds hydration, evens out my skin tone and gives my skin a boost of radiance combined with extra sun protection. It's the kind of product you can wear alone if you aren't wearing makeup but you just want to add something to your skin that will make you look more fresh. It also works so well as a primer because I always apply less foundation on top of it.
It comes in three sizes, a travel 15ml size for €17, the original 30ml size for €30 and the extra large size which is 115ml for €69. I would say it's closest to the Vieve Skin Nova in what it does for your skin. They are different formulas with different ingredients but a very similar effect. They sent me a gift set before Christmas which included this and since I had already both of the products I gave it to my mam and she loves it too and often wears it alone as she doesn't wear makeup every day. I'm already on the backup of this that they sent me and I would 100% buy it myself as it's such an excellent product.
*Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer 30ml, 12m, Made in France €45
This product has been discontinued so I'm not going to review it. There is a new illuminating version available but I haven't tried it.
Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint 30ml, 12m, Made in France €45
I was sent this product two years ago when it first launched and since then it's become one of my favourite base products. I made a YouTube video a few months ago sharing my all time favourite foundations and this was one of them. It's described as a fresh and luminous skin tint with 78% skincare ingredients. "Soft-focus, blurring pigments even tone, lift shadows, dial down redness and boost luminosity. The silky lightweight coverage is formulated with skincare ingredients to soothe, smooth and hydrate. Crease-proof and ultra blendable, it glides on effortlessly for second-skin coverage." There are 20 shades across a number of undertones and I find the shades to be quite flexible because it's a light coverage.
The thing I love about this product is that I don't have to think about it. I can apply it with fingers or a brush and I know it's going to go on easily and last all day. It's the perfect in between finish that works on all skin types. I can leave it without powder in the Winter and then set it in the Summer. It is the exact coverage I want for most days unless my skin has a lot of blemishes and redness. I does just what I need which is evens out my skin tone and makes it look like I have really great, even skin naturally. The shade T1 is the perfect shade to match my neck when I don't have prominent freckles in the Summer. I can also wear T2 which is more golden and better for when I have redness. Then last year they sent T6 as my summer shade which I thought would be far too deep but it's actually great for evening out my skin tone when my freckles appear during the summer months.
I'm currently using up the other shades that I have but I will definitely buy this myself when I run out because I can't be without it now.
***Tirtir Mask Fit Aura Cushion Mini (17C Porcelain) 4.5g, Made in Korea €12
I bought this mini size when I was placing an order on Yes Style last year as I had tried a sachet of the red cushion but it was too much coverage for me so I wanted to try this one as it has the least coverage out of the 4 cushions available from Tirtir. This one offers hydration and radiance with buildable coverage. I don't know whether it was the fact that this is a mini size but I found I didn't get many applications out of it. I still don't know whether I would be interested in purchasing the full size because I wasn't able to try it enough to get to grips with the formula. As of now, I have enough foundations so I won't be repurchasing this one.
*Prada Beauty Reveal Foundation 30ml, 24m, Made in France €61
I recieved this in PR when Prada Beauty launched in Ireland at the end of 2023. I was shade matched LC5 as the palest neutral shade was too yellow on me. It's described as long-lasting foundation developed with medium buildable coverage and a soft matte finish. It's been infused with something called IRL Micro Filter Technology, "a smart molecule that micro-crystallises onto skin, instantly revealing a diffused luminosity and blurred uniformity." There are 33 shades and it comes in a refillable bottle. The refill is €52 on their website which is kind of wild if you ask me. I used this so much for the first 6 months to 1 year after I got it and then I got other products and didn't use it as often but I found that it did everything it claims to do. It's a medium coverage, luminous matte finish and it gives a soft focus blurring effect to my skin which is great for anyone who has larger pores like me. I don't know whether my skin changed or the formula changed over time or expired but I found for the past year or so every time I wore it looked dry on areas of my skin. I had to add extra hydrating primers when I was planning to use it. I really loved it for the first year or so that I had it but I have other foundations I prefer in the soft matte category, namely the Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation. If I ever want that kind of finish I'd opt for the Shiseido one as I love how it wears throughout the day and it's also less expensive than the Prada one.
Haus Labs Triclone Skin-Tech Concealer (04 Fair Neutral) 7ml, 12m, Made in Korea €33
I can't remember the last time I finished a full size concealer, especially just over a year after buying it. I bought this in December of 2024 knowing I was going to be doing a no-buy for the first 6 months of 2025. I had heard great things from both fellow Content Creators and my audience who all raved about it. My friend Colin who has a YouTube channel Queer Bones is the person who pushed me over the edge after I asked them their thoughts on it. It sounded like exactly the kind of concealer I would love and it really is, I've just opened a new tube in fact. It's described as a "clean, lightweight, long-wearing, non-comedogenic concealer that visibly blurs, brightens and conceals with medium buildable coverage that also de-puffs after 2 weeks of use." The formula contains over 20 skincare ingredients including biotech caffeine, niacinamide, fermented arnica and hyaluronic acid complex. There are 31 shades and it's also fragrance free.
One of the things I love most about this concealer is that my shade, 04 Fair Neutral is the most perfect shade match I've ever had in a concealer. It's actually neutral as opposed to yellow, peach or pink. This goes a long way in making a product effortless and something you reach for every single day. It's medium coverage which is my preference for under my eyes and it really is long-lasting. It doesn't crease on me which rarely happens with concealers. My under eyes can be quite dry yet this concealer never looks dry. I will continue to buy this unless I find something better but I can't see myself wanting to experiment with under eye concealers anymore as this is the best one I've ever tried.
**Lisa Eldridge Elevated Glow Highlighter (Pink Moon) 13ml, 12m, Made in Italy €35
This was the fourth bottle of Elevated Glow I've used up in almost 5 years since it launched. I'm not going to go into too much detail about this product because I've written three reviews of it already, my original review when it first launched in 2021 and then again in an empties post in 2023 when I finished those two bottles and last January when I finished my bottle of Pink Moon. I'll add my thoughts from that last review as they still stand. 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. 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. It contains an ingredient called Filmexel which forms a resistant and flexible non-occlusive mesh on the skin. Three minutes after application, the Filmexel sets giving a subtle lifting, tightening and smoothing effect. 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. The only reason I haven't repurchased it is that I have a full bottle of the Auric Glow Lust that I was sent by the brand and I want to use some of that up before I buy another Pink Moon. I absolutely will buy it again though.
*Hindash Color Fluid (Heartist) 0.5g, 18m, Made in Italy €17
I've already reviewed this formula, which you can read here. I don't want to repeat myself too much but I adore this product. Color Fluid is a matte liquid pigment that is formulated for use anywhere on the face. I mostly used it as a liquid eyeshadow or as blush mixed with a liquid highlighter and sometimes some of the other Color Fluid shades. I would describe Heartist as a warm medium pink. I loved wearing it blended out on my eyelids with a shimmer on top as an easy eye look. The formula is lightweight, long-wearing and blends easily. Like I said, I love a multipurpose product and this is such a great one. It's firmly on my list to repurchase once my no-buy is finished. I believe there will be new shades in this formula launching soon too so i can't wait for that.
Lisa Eldridge Enhance and Define Lip Pencil (Muse) 1.2g, 24m, Made in Germany €23
This isn't completely used up but it's very tiny and I discovered while filming my Lip Liner Video for YouTube that it was in fact dried out. This liner is a gel formula so you need to put the cap on securely after every use so it doesn't dry out. As you can see by how much is left in the photo above, I used this liner a lot. It's a super long-wearing, waterproof and smudge-proof formula and the shade is described as a smoky rosewood. I love this formula for when I want my lip liner to really not budge. I even wore this formula in the shade Ribbon on my wedding day and it didn't move. I applied it all over my lips for extra longevity of the matching Velvet Ribbon lipstick. This shade also comes in the Velvet Muse lipstick, Muse Gloss Embrace and Velveteen Muse Liquid Lip Colour. The liners are slightly deeper than the corresponding lipstick so it can give some definition if you're pairing them. Clearly I loved this liner since I used it up almost completely but I'm not going to repurchase it yet because I have so many other similar shades and if you watched my Lip Liner Video you'll have seen that I have over 40 lip liners so I absolutely don't need a new one. I also don't use this kind of formula a lot, I tend to prefer the Sculpt and Shade formula as it's more blurring. I highly recommend this formula if you need a liner that won't move.
*Tirtir Mask Fit Makeup Fixer 80ml, 12m, Made in Korea €15
I bought this product at the beginning of last year and emptied it, then they sent me another one. I'll add my review from that empties post. This is described as a lightweight, water-based formula that absorbs quickly and locks makeup for 24 hours. The formula is also powder-infused so it absorbs excess oil and sebum and leaves the skin with a fresh, matte finish. It’s long-wearing, blurring effect, water, smudge, touch, sweat and transfer proof. It worked so well at keeping my makeup intact, particularly during hot Summer months when I was sweating a lot. It’s definitely more suited to combination/oily skin. It could be too mattifying for dry skin as it does have that powder-infused formula. It doesn’t have a discernible scent and I prefer the Vieve sprayer to this one but that’s a small detail. This is one I’d buy again specifically to use during the Summer months as it was great for warm weather. It’s also a great price, it’s €15 but can be bought cheaper from websites like Stylevana and YesStyle.
It’s quite accessible in Europe now as it’s stocked in Boots and Superdrug. Definitely worth trying if you have oily/combination skin and you don’t want to spend double the price with brands like Urban Decay, Charlotte Tilbury and Vieve. I’ll absolutely be buying this one again.
*Lancome Le Stylo Waterproof (02 Noir Intense) 0.35g, 24m, Made in Germany €32
This is a long-wearing, waterproof gel retractable eyeliner. It's rare that I use up an eyeliner but this one was particularly great for wearing on my waterlines as it doesn't budge. It applies smoothly but I wouldn't say it's necessarlity creamy. You don't have a lot of play time as it sets shortly after application. While I loved this and used it up, I do think it's expensive and I have since bought a gel waterproof liner from the drugstore to try and save money.
L'Oréal Paris Panorama Volume Million Lashes 9.9ml, 6m €16.99
I bought this mascara on a whim because I needed a new one and it was discounted. It has a rubber/plastic tapered brush and is a regular mascara formula, not waterproof or tubing. It gave me fanned out lashes with volume and definition. I liked it but I didn't love it. I don't think I'd buy it again as there are other "drugstore" mascaras I prefer.
****Clarins Wonder Volume XXL Mascara 8ml, 6m, Made in Italy €33
This is my second time trying this mascara, my friend gave me this one but I tried it for the first time when they sent it to me as part of the Summer collection in 2024. I'll include my review from October 2024 as I feel the same as I did then. I liked this mascara at the beginning. It was volumising as the name suggests but I found it to be drier than I like quite soon after opening it. After I had been using it for a few weeks it didn't build on itself as easily as I would like and it got a bit clumpy and flaky. It was moisture resistant, not waterproof so maybe that long-wearing formula had something to do with the dryness but after about a month it was quite dry and I found it difficult to use. There are other Clarins mascaras I prefer and it didn't compare to the Lisa Eldridge or Sweed ones which are better formulas for me.
15 PR Products: €616
17 Products bought by me: €289.43
2 Travel/Sample Size
9 Repurchases
3 Gifts or Gift With Purchase: €83
The total is 35 products: €988.43
I finished these products over the three month period since my last post at the end of December. As I always mention, the amount of money I spent on those 17 products is much lower as I rarely buy anything full price. I probably didn't spend any more than €200 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.
Emma x
