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 17th 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 and haircare 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. so these products have been evaluated on my skin as it is. There are 38 products this time so let's get straight into it.
*Remi Bye Bye Build Up Scalp Exfoliator 250ml, 6m, Made in Ireland €32
This was my first time using a chemical scalp exfoliant. It's a pre-wash treatment that you leave on your scalp for a maximum of ten minutes. The aim of this product is to remove debris and product build up on your scalp. It contains a trio of Glycolic, Salicylic and Lactic acid to remove dead skin, excess oil and impurities. It reduces flakiness, oiliness and itchiness by hydrating, soothing and strengthening from the root. I loved using this product. It smells amazing and it's quick and easy to use. Since I've been looking after my scalp over the past few years I defniitely can see the difference with the overall health of my hair. This is a product I'll definitely buy again as I want to continue to focus on my scalp health.
**JVN Hair Complete Pre-Wash Scalp Oil 50ml, 12m, Made in USA €32
This is the 5th bottle of this product that I've used up and I'm already on my 6th one. I used to buy it in a set for €27 which came with a travel-size 30ml Air Dry Cream and a 25ml size Instant Recovery Serum. They have now changed the set to contain a full size Pre-Wash Scalp Oil and a 60ml Air Dry Cream and 30ml Instant Recovery Serum so I'd probably just buy the oil alone in future even though I do really love all three products. I apply this to my scalp about 15-30 minutes before showering and use my Manta brush to massage my scalp in circular motions. I use it maybe once a week or any time I feel that my hair has product build-up and I want to really massage my scalp and give it some TLC. It contains ingredients that promote a healthy scalp, remove product build-up, nourish the hair and soothe the skin. Unlike the Remi Bye Bye Build Up, this product doesn't contain chemical exfoliants so it won't have the same effect but I really love what this does for my hair and scalp as it feels nourishing and helps with my overall hair health and appearance. I can see myself having both products in my routine and alternating them with each wash.
Garnier Method for Curls Pre-Shampoo 200ml, 12m, Made in Italy €8.99
Discontinued
**Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo 300ml, 18m, Made in Greece €8.99
This has featuring in my last few empties post as I've been buying it consistently for over a year or so now. It does a great job of cleansing my hair gently and it smells lovely. I either use this twice or I'll use this and then another shampoo to make sure I'm always double shampooing my hair. I'll continue to repurchase this as it works so well and it's a great price.
Garnier Method for Curls Shampoo x2 200ml, 12m, Made in Belgium €9.99
I use this shampoo as my second shampoo after the Aveeno one as it's a bit more hydrating. It's formulated for curly hair so it contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic moisture complex and shea fatty acids. I find it works well at cleansing my hair without feeling dry. I'm using a different shampoo that I was sent at the moment but I would defintely buy this one again. It's inexpensive and it gets the job done.
*Remi The Spark Energising Shampoo 250ml, 6m, Made in Ireland €28
Remi is an Irish brand that have a scalp health first approach to haircare. They sent me some products earlier this year and I've been testing them out over the past few months. This shampoo is described as a gentle everyday cleanse that balances the scalp and adds freshness. It contains rosemary, cucumber, vitamin E and caffeine to boost microcirculation, defend against oxidative stress and nourish the scalp barrier. It creates the optimal environment for healthy future growth and supprts fuller, stronger hair from the roots up. I really enjoyed using this shampoo, the pump bottle is handy to use, the scent is amazing, so invigorating and refreshing. It cleanses my hair and scalp very gently and feels lightweight, it doesn't dry out my hair and scalp which is something that can happen with my hair type. There are bundles and subscriptions available on their website which means you save some money if you use the products consistently. It's definitely more of a pricey option for my budget but I would highly recommend it if you have the budget and you're looking to improve the health of your scalp and hair. I also love that it's an Irish brand and an independent business.
**Garnier Method for Curls Mask 370ml, 12m, Made in Germany €11.99
This is my third tub of this product. I bought this mask to use in lieu of a conditioner as I find they tend to be more hydrating than most conditioners. It contains a hyaluronic acid complex and shea butter. I liked this product and I'd buy it again because it's quite an affordable price and it worked well for my hair.
*L'Oréal Paris Full Resist Elvive Brush Proof Cream 200ml, 12m, Made in Italy €10.49
Discontinued
**/***JVN Hair Complete Instant Recovery Serum 25ml, 12m, Made in USA €14
I’ve reviewed this product multiple times, it’s a style primer. It repairs and strengthens the hair, gives heat protection and balances porosity to prime the hair for other styling products. I really love this product, even though it’s a cream texture, it’s very lightweight so it hydrates my hair without weighing it down. I like that it does a few things for my hair in one product. I find it works really well with the Air Dry Cream. I have lots of other styling products so I don’t need to repurchase this at the moment.
**/***JVN Hair Complete Air Dry Cream 30ml, 12m, Made in Brazil €7 (approx.)
I've gone through multiple tubes of this, both full size and travel size over the past few years. This is a product that you apply to damp hair and leave to air dry or diffuse and it's supposed to help with frizz due to an ingredient called hemisqualane that's an alternative to silicones. It gives definition to wavy, curly or coily hair without weighing it down and leaves it feeling soft. It's also supposed to improve hair health over time. I use this before air drying or when I use a diffuser and it really does help with definition, frizz and shine. It also smells incredible as do all of the JVN products. I love this but I'm going to buy a less expensive curl cream for now as I'm trying to save money on hair products where I can and I'd rather spend on scalp health products.
*Kiki Milano Haircare by Rossano Ferretti Spiral Shine Hair Enhancer Cream 200ml, 12m, Made in Italy €20.99
Limited Edition/ Discontinued
*Kiki Milano Haircare by Rossano Ferretti Spiral Shine Hair Biphasic Definer Spray 45ml, 12m, Made in Italy €20.99
Limited Edition/ Discontinued
Davines This is a Curl Moisturising Mousse 250ml, Made in Italy €29.25
I bought this product on a whim earlier this year during a Cult Beauty sale as I needed a hair mousse and it worked out at a good price with the sale discount. I've bought and loved Davines products in the past, particularly their Curl range. I find that mousses works really well at helping to define and hold my curls so I usually like to include one in my curly hair routine. This product is a total game changer for my hair. It's described as a medium-hold mousse that defines and enhances natural curls while maintaining elasticity and shine. I've never tried a mousse before that leaves my hair so hydrated, not sticky or crunchy and gives my curls adequate hold and definition. I've already repurchased it and I'll probably continue to do so as it's the best mousse I've tried on my hair.
**Skin 1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil 200ml, 12m, Made in Korea €20
As the name suggests, this is a lightweight cleansing oil. The brand suggests that it may be best suited to normal/ dry/ sensitive skin. I have combination skin and I think any skin type could use it. I really loved the lighter texture compared to other cleansing oils I've tried. I reviewed the HaruHaru Wonder Cleansing Oil in January and I loved that one too. They're quite interchangeable to me, I'd happily buy both of them again. This one has 200ml and the HaruHaru Wonder one has 150ml. This one also has quite a strong scent and the HW one is unscented. They are quite similar prices, both from Korean online stockists and Boots. I'm using the Manyo cleansing oil at the moment just to try something different but I'd happily buy this one again.
*Lisa Eldridge Skin Enhancing Treatment Cleanser 100ml, 12m, Made in the UK €52
I featured this cleanser in my last empties post as well as reviewing it three years ago when it originally launched and I bought it to try. I'll insert some of my original review here as I still stand by it:
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 quite 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 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. 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.
Some by Mi Clear Spot Patch (18 Patches) 36m, Made in Korea €4
There's not much to say about these as they're just a standard hydrocolloid patch. I always keep some kind of hydrocolloid patches in my collection as I'm a bit of a skin picker and it's the only thing that stops me. I just purchased some from a different brand that contains more patches, I'm not too particular about what brand I buy, it's usually whichever one has the most patches and costs the least. I do really rate the Micro Pin Spot Patch version of these though for those sore, red, under the skin spots.
*Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant 74g €77
This is one of those cult skincare products that has been around for years but somehow I'd never tried it. My mam loves this product and has talked about it for years but I just never got around to trying it. So when the brand sent it to me at the end of last year I was delighted to finally be able to try it. It's described as a gentle rice-based exfoliating powder that brightens, smoothes and soothes with every wash. They recommend that you dispense a half teaspoon of the powder into damp hands and slowly add water until you achieve a creamy, frothy consistency which you then apply to the skin in circular motions for one minute before rinsing off. The formula contains liquorice, rice and grapefruit to brighten the skin tone. Bran and rice extract to gently microfoliate the skins surface to facilitate penetration of the brightening complex and also papain (a papaya-derived enzyme) and salicylic acid to dissolve excess surface cells. As the name suggests, it is gentle enough for everyday use but I tended to use it around 2-3 times per week as I was using other chemical exfoliants in my skincare routine and I didn't want to overdo it. I don't know whether it was the novelty factor, but I really loved using this product. I found it brightened my skin and made it feel and look more smooth and clear. I have combination skin that can be prone to congestion so I like to keep on top of exfoliating my skin regularly as I find it helps to keep excess oil under control and prevents and helps breakouts. I like that this one is gentle enough that it can be used daily so if I was having congestion I could use it every day without worrying about it badly effecting my skin barrier. It is expensive, however it lasted me about 6 months of using it a few times per week and I can now buy the refill which is €66. It's not something I'm going to buy straight away as I have several chemical exfoliating products at the moment but I would definitely buy it myself as it really does live up to its cult status and I can see why my mam loves it so much!
Medicube Zero Pore Pads (70 pads) 155g, 12m, Made in Korea €18.99
This product has become quite popular and is now available in lots of different retailers here in Ireland. I bought it because I was looking for a chemical exfoliant with both AHA and BHA to replace my now discontinued REN Daily Glow. I was particularly looking for something that contained lactic acid as I find it a gentle ingredient for exfoliating my skin and I've used it for years. This formula contains lactic acid, salicylic acid, willow bark extract as well as panthenol, centella asiatica, allantoin and sodium hyaluronate to sooth, calm and hydrate the skin. They have a few different types of this product but this one is best suited to those with oily/combination or acne prone skin to target clogged pores, bumpy skin texture, oiliness, blemishes, blackheads and whiteheads. I tend to focus the pads on my t-zone or anywhere that gets congested on my face. I liked these but they didn't wow me, I just bought a similar product from House of Hur to try instead as they were on sale when I was placing a recent K-Beauty order. I'm going to try a few more brands before I would buy these again.
*Mediheal Watermide Moisture Pad (100 pads) 150ml, 12m, Made in Korea €26
I was sent this product from Stylevana a while ago and I'm so glad I got to try them as it's probably not something I would have bought myself. I'd never tried a product like this before which is essentially rectangular shaped pads soaked in a serum, similar to a sheet mask but you can just place them where you need extra moisture or you can use them like you would a toner pad all over the face. I liked to use them as a face mask on any areas of my skin that needed extra hydration or to cool down my skin before makeup. For me it's a much more cost effective and easier way to hydrate your skin than using a sheet mask as you're not using as much disposable packaging. You don't have to put the pads everywhere if you don't need to. There are other versions of this product depending on your skin concerns and I'd love to try some of the other ones. This is a product I'll defintely purchase myself as I loved using it and I also think it would be great for makeup artists for prepping their clients skin. I wish I'd had these on my wedding day to cool down my skin before makeup as it was such a warm day.
*Calecim Professional Restorative Hydration Cream 50g, 12m, Made in Singapore €210
I want to begin by saying that yes, you did read that correctly, this moisturiser is €210! I'm fairly sure it's one of the most expensive skincare products I've ever used, second only to the May Lindstrom product reviewed below. I reviewed their Eye Contour Lifting Cream last year and I really loved that product even though it was eye-wateringly expensive for 15g of product. One of the key ingredients of Calecim Professional products is their patented PTT-6 which "harnesses the body's natural mechanisms of regeneration. It contains over 3,000 proteins, including growth factors, cytokines and exosomes that signal cells to regenerate." Other ingredients include, hyaluronic acid, soluble collagen, tocopherol (vitamin E) and aloe barbadensis (from the aloe plant to soothe, heal, calm, reduce inflammation and hydrate). No matter how good this cream is, it's hard for me to recommend it as it's such an expensive product. However I know that some people will have the budget for this and might be interested so if you are one of those people I'd encourage you to read up about the brand as it's quite interesting.
Dieux Instant Angel Lipid Rich Facial Moisturiser 50ml, 12m, Made in the USA €36
I received this product in PR last December but I had already tried it when I ordered some products from Dieux a few years ago. They started shipping to Europe via a third party courier three years ago and I was so excited to finally be able to try the brand. As well as Instant Angel I've bought the Forever Eye Masks and the Auracle Eye Serum. They have since released their cleansers, a gel cream and a recovery cream. I haven't ordered anything since my first order because it ended up being quite expensive with international shipping and customs charges. I already reviewed this product in an empties from 2023 so I'll add some of that review here:
Instant Angel is described as "A hydrating, barrier-replenishing, lipid-rich moisturizer that significantly smooths the look of fine lines and wrinkles, while visibly firming skin over time". 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 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 25ml, 50ml and 100ml sizes.
*May Lindstrom Skin The Blue Cocoon Solid Oil Facial Concentrate 50ml, 12m, Made in USA €245
This has to be the most expensive skincare product I've ever used. No matter how amazing this product is, I don't have the budget to spend €245 on a single skincare product that will probably last a maximum of 6 months. This product was originally designed to nourish, protect and support skin during chemotherapy and health challenges. It's a balm-to-oil formula that claims to plump, comfort and protect dehydrated skin as well as soothe heat, redness and irritation from rosacea, acne, eczema and perioral dermatitis. It supports post treatment care for anyone using tretinoin, retinoids, acids, peels and other actives as well as helping to restore skin health and barrier function. The product gets its blue colour from the star ingredient, Blue Tansy. Two of the active compounds in Blue Tansy, chamazulene and a-bisobolol are known for their antioxidant, antihistamine, antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. It can also be used therapeutically to help combat depression, reduce anxiety and heal sleep disorders. The reason this product is so expensive, is down to this ingredient. If you're someone who has sensitive skin, rosacea, eczema etc. this could be a great product to invest in as it seems to be a real help to anyone suffering with those skin issues. It's hard to be objective when you're reviewing a product like this because of the price. I would say that the majority of people are automatically priced out of this product without even reading the description. That being said it is a beautiful product to use, you apply a pea-sized amount to wet skin and a little bit goes a long way so I do think it lasts a long time. I tended to use it in the evening as I don't like an oil texture under makeup. It smells beautiful and botanical, very calming and spa-like. While this is a lovely product, it is too expensive for me but it could be ideal for someone else.
**Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ 50ml, 12m, Made in Korea €20
This is my second tube of this sunscreen as I loved it so much the first time I tried it. It’s a chemical sunscreen that 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. I’ll definitely repurchase it for next Summer.
****Clarins Tonic Treatment Oil 100ml, Made in France €55
I reviewed this product in an empties post from 2 years ago as I was sent a PR package that contained a small 30ml size of this oil. I raved about it in that review and then last year my lovely social media friend Jessica sent me the most generous care package before my wedding. She included this product as she had read how much I loved it in my review. It was such a kind and generous gift that meant so much to me, so if you're reading this, thank you so much Jessica! This oil has the most intoxicating scent. It consists of 100% plant extracts including hazelnut oil, sweet-scented geranium, field mint and rosemary essential oil. I can't even begin to describe how incredible it smells, it's the ultimate at-home spa experience (not that I've ever been in a spa). As I mentioned in my original review, it would make an amazing gift as it's not the kind of product you'd think to buy for yourself. I was truly sad when I finished this as the scent is so uplifting, it was such a wonderful experience to use. If you've never smelled this before, I highly recommend it, or maybe not because you'll just want to buy it.
*ZIIP Crystal Gel 50ml 12m, Made in USA €79.99
I was curious to try this gel as I'd only used the standard Electric Complex Gel with my ZIIP Halo. The Crystal Gel is formulated for those who want to target uneven skin tone and pigmentation. This is something that is an issue for me as I have small patches of pigmentation and I also tend to get post blemish marks that can be quite obvious and difficult to reduce. The ingredients include glutathione, an amino acid that evens the skin tone and reduces pigmentation, as well as veronica flower to calm the skin and cedar bark extract to protect and restore. You can use this as a conducting gel during your treatment and then leave it on as a mask for up to 20 minutes afterwards. While I enjoyed using this gel I'll be going back to my usual Electric Complex as it's half the price. I think this would be very beneficial if you have a lot of pigmentation that bothers you. While I do have some pigmentation I tend to keep it under control with skincare so I won't buy this myself.
**Neutrogena Intense Repair Cica Hand Cream 100ml, 12m, Made in France €9.49
I use this hand cream before going to bed as I find it works well overnight to really nourish and repair my hands. It's very gentle and feels almost like a balm. I've bought this multiple times before and will continue to do so as it's not expensive and works really well on my dry skin. It contains 45% glycerin centella asiatica and soothing panthenol so it's a great hand cream for anyone who has very dry and itchy hands. I'm already using another one.
Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Hand Cream 75ml, 12m, Made in France €7.49
I bought this as part of a set that also had a body oil and body moisturiser. I probably wouldn't have bought it on its own as the Neutrogena hand cream above is my preference. This one was very gentle and lightweight, the formula contains a soothing triple oat complex and shea butter to hydrate and heal dry hands. It's unscented and absorbs quickly so I found it better as a day time hand cream. I don't tend to apply hand cream during the day as I'm usually washing my hands quite a lot (a necessity with a 4 year old). I like to use quite an intense hand cream overnight instead which is why I'll be sticking to the Neutrogena one.
*Manucurist Green Flash LED Nail Polish Remover 100ml, 24m, Made in France €16
I was sent this product as part of the Green Flash system last year. It's an acetone-free, gentle nail polish remover that works with the Green and Green Flash polishes. The formula is enriched with castor oil so it provides nourishment for your nails. The Green Flash system uses an LED lamp rather than UV so it's much easier to remove than tradiational gel polish. This remover makes the process much easier as you just soak a small piece of cotton and attach it to your nails for one minute using the nail clips. The polish then just peels off and your nails are left looking and feeling healthy. I like to use the Green Flash polish interchangeably with regular nail polish and I like the idea of having a remover that is very gentle so I'll definitely purchase this myself, there's a shop here in Dublin that stocks Manucurist (Industry Design) so I'll buy it from there or order it online (using my own affiliate code which gives you 15% off!)
*Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint (T2) 30ml, 12m, Made in France €47
Previously reviewed and I feel the same way so I will add that review here:
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 21 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 but even then I use the Pinpoint Concealer to cover any marks. It does just what I need, it evens out my skin tone and makes it look like I have really great 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 also just opened shade T3 and I actually think it's probably the best shade for me as it matches my overall skin tone.
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.
*Lisa Eldridge Pinpoint Concealer Micro Correcting Pencil (2) 0.4g, 12m, Made in Korea €33
Pinpoint Concealer is described as a highly precise, intensely pigmented concealer pencil. It is a creamy gel texture that glides on and self sets to a natural matte finish. I have a full video review of this product which you can watch here if you'd like a lot more details and swatches. This product launched in January last year so I've been using this particular shade for a year and a half. I was also sent a few other shades and I've mostly used 2 and 3 as I find they work best on my skin tone. Obviously this shade was my most used and I'm so impressed with how long it lasted. When this product launched there was a lot of online chat about the pricing and the size of the pencil. Having now used it for over a year I can safely say it's well worth the money for me. I was using it on blemishes, pigmentation, broken capillaries and other marks and I wasn't being precious about how much I used. If you're using it on more areas of your face every single day you will run out of it quicker than I did. I particularly love using this in conjunction with the Enhancing Skin Tint because it means that I can have the overall appearance of quite light coverage while being able to subtly conceal any little marks on my skin.
If you've ever used Lisa's Pinpoint Concealing Technique which she's talked about for the entirety of her YouTube career, it can sometimes be finicky and time consuming using a tiny brush and concealer, so this product streamlines the technique and makes it quicker and easier to achieve. If you have skin that doesn't have any marks, you're not going to need this kind of product but it's been a real game changer for me. I'd be happy to spend my own money on it as I find it makes it so much easier to get the kind of complexion I want. As I mentioned in my video review, there are a number of Asian Beauty brands that make concealer pencils but the shade ranges are very limited so it may be less expensive but more difficult to get a shade match and I think finding a good shade in this kind of product is absolutely essential. I'm already using another one that the brand sent me, but I'd have no problem buying it myself as I truly love this product.
NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil (Ash Brown) 0.09g, 12m, Made in Korea €12.99
I've reviewed this product in multiple previous empties as I've repurchased it again and again. It's the brow pencil I always come back to as it's a great shade, it's afforadable and accessible for most people. There's also a great shade range compared to a lot of brow pencils I've tried. I'm currently using one from the Chinese brand Flortte and it's much less expensive but harder to find online, less product (0.05g) and a limited shade range so I'll definitely be repurchasing this one again in the future.
NYX Professional Makeup Pro Fix Stick Correcting Concealer (Pink) €10.49
This is described as a colour-correcting and buildable medium coverage concealer stick. It comes in 24 shades, is crease-resistant and sets to a natural finish. The pink one I got is to brighten and conceal discoloration on fair/medium skin tones but the shade range is quite inclusive. I loved this and I used it exclusively as my undereye corrector until I used it up completely. I find it creamy and easy to apply and blend. I tend to pat it into the inner corner and on top of my dark under eyes with my fingers which warms up the formula and helps it to blend easily. I find when I use this I have to use less concealer under my eyes. I haven't bought another one yet as I've been trying to use a different colour corrector I have but it's not as good of a colour. This pink shade is more of a peachy pink which I find works better on my blue/purple dark circles. I highly recommend checking this out in person if you're in the market for an inexpensive concealer or colour corrector. I can't wait to repurchase it.
**Clio Kill Lash Superproof Mascara Volume Curling 7g, 6m, Made in Korea €12
I first tried this mascara when I was sent a PR package from Stylevana a few years ago. I obviously love it because I bought this one myself. I've already reviewed it in a previous empties so I'll add that review here as I stand by it:
There are 8 different types of this mascara including a chocolate brown and a rose brown. This is a no-nonsense, waterproof mascara that holds a curl and lasts all day without flaking and smudging. It has a thin wand that allows you to get right into the inner corners and the lash line so that you can coat every tiny lash fully and get most of the volume at the roots of the lashes. I don't always wear waterproof but I like to during the Summer because I suffer from hayfever and my eyes water a lot. I will definitely buy this again in the future and I'd recommend it for anyone with particularly straight lashes because it's so great at lifting and holding a curl. I have a few Instagram videos applying this mascara, you can see one of the here.
*Uzu by Flowfushi Mote Mascara Vol. 9 6m, Made in Japan €17
I had never heard of this product or the brand until I received it in a PR box from Yes Style last year. Uzu by Flowfushi is a Japanese brand that specialises in vegan eye makeup. Their most well known product is apparently their Eye Opening Liner which is meant to be everything proof and comes in some amazing bright shades. There are 11 types of their mascara featuring various shades, formulas and brushes. This one is waterproof but can be removed with lukewarm water which is handy for anyone who dislikes trying to remove traditional waterproof mascaras. I like this mascara but I didn't love it. I prefer a smaller or more curved brush and there was a lot of product on the brush which meant I had to remove some before applying or it was far to thick and clumpy. It's difficult to find online, Yes Style is one of the few places that stocks it so it's not something I'd go out of my way to buy again. There are other Japanese mascaras that I prefer like the Heroine Make one.
Rimmel Thrillseeker Extreme Volume Mascara (Cappuccino) 12.5ml, 6m, Made in Italy €16.99
I wanted to try some drugstore brown mascaras so I picked up this one when it was on offer in Boots. I liked it, but didn't love it. The biggest issue for me (which I should have checked beforehand) is that the brush is quite big, they actually call it an extreme oversized fibre brush. I prefer something a bit smaller so it's easier for me to get into my inner corner and lower lashes and I'm less inclined to get the formula on my eyelids while applying it, which is what kept happening with this one. I also found it became clumpy when I tried to build up the layers and therefore it flaked throughout the day. I do think it was a great shade that is actually discernable as a brown. I won't buy this one again as I'd rather pay more for the likes of the Sweed Lash Lift or Cloud mascaras that both come in brown, or the Lisa Eldridge Kitten Lash mascara in Burnt Umber. They're the gold standard for me when it comes to brown mascaras.
**Sweed Cloud Mascara 12ml, 6m, Made in Germany €28
I was originally sent a tube of this by the brand a couple of years ago and I've wanted to repurchse it ever since because it's such an excellent mascara. It took advantage of a 20% Space NK deal earlier this year and finally bought it myself. I love both of the Sweed mascaras, Cloud Mascara is the more impactful of the two. A thin layer can give quite natural lashes but it builds up beautifully to give your lashes volume and definition. I got the black in this formula but it also comes in Dark Brown. This one is for people who like their lashes to stand out. You can apply one layer for some nice definition and length and then add extra coats for more volume as it layers so beautifully without clumping. The brush tapers to a thin point which allows you to easily coat the lashes in the inner corners. I have no hesitation recommending this mascara, it's one of the best I've ever tried.
**Pixi Beauty Glow Mist 80ml, 12m, Made in Korea
I've used this product for about 7 years now and I've repurchased it many times over the years. It contains a mixture of oils including rose flower oil, lavender oil, olive oil, grape seed oil, evening primrose oil, jojoba oil, safflower seed oil and tea tree leaf oil. It also contains niacinamide, hyaluronic acid (in the form of sodium hyaluronate), panthenol (a humectant that helps to moisturise the skin) and adenosine (anti-inflammatory, helps to boost collagen and elastin production and helps with barrier repair and protection). I would recommend this to anyone who wants some extra hydration or glow to their skin. It can be used as a skincare product or over makeup to refresh it and add extra glow and hydration. I will without a doubt be buying it again at some stage in the future.
16 PR Products: €957.46
21 Products bought by me: €313.64
2 Travel/Sample Size
10 Repurchases
1 Gifts or Gift With Purchase: €55
The total is 38 products: €1326.10
I finished these products over the three month period since my last post at the end of March. As I always mention, the amount of money I spent on those 21 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
