Empties 2- €1200 Worth of Empty Beauty Products

This post contains some affiliate links. If you decide to buy something based on my recommendation and you use the links below, I will receive a small commission.

*PR Samples are marked with an asterisk

**Gifts with purchase/ gifts from friends are marked with a double asterisk

 

 

This is my second empties post of the year, my first one was back in February if you'd like to read it. This time I have 46 empty products a couple of which are multiples. I have calculated everything based on what I bought myself, what was sent in press drops and some gifts. I knew it would be more than last time as I was dealing with another 6 weeks worth of products. I found it so interesting to see what I used up as I've been trying to maintain my one in one out policy. It's also been interesting to see where I could save money. The products that aren't very good value for money and the products I don't need.

 

*L'Oréal Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Moisture Boosting Shampoo and Conditioner 250ml, €4.99 each 

I was given these products at a press event back in April. I was invited to have my hair washed and blow-dried in a salon in Dublin. It was such a treat as I haven't been able to visit my hair stylist in over a year. I wasn't expecting much with this new Hyaluronic Acid launch. It felt like a gimmick and L'Oréal jumping on the Hyaluronic Acid trend but doing it in a different way. However, I was genuinely surprised by how my hair felt after using these products. I thought it was just the blow dry but when I washed it myself it felt the same. It felt soft and looked hydrated which is hard to achieve as my naturally curly hair is quite dry and frizzy. I very rarely notice a difference between the shampoos and conditioners I use but I did with these ones. They're quite affordable too. I'll be buying them myself for sure.

 

*L'Oréal Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic 72H Moisture Wrapping Mask 300ml, €10.49

 

Like the shampoo and conditioner, this left my hair feeling hydrated and sleek. It's a thicker and more hydrating version of the conditioner. I would probably buy the shampoo and mask if I was to buy them myself. My hair is dry so I don't wash it that often and I usually use a mask instead of conditioner anyway. 

 

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask 236ml, €40

I was so excited to try this after seeing some other curly-haired people mention how much they loved it. It didn't do enough for me to warrant spending €40 on it. I bought it using a discount code so it was less expensive but I have tried cheaper masks that have made more of a difference to my hair. I've also used their Be Gentle, Be Kind Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Hair Mask which I preferred, but I still think it's too expensive full price. I'd rather buy the L'Oréal one or a similar price point if I was buying a hair mask. I'm using a better one at the moment which will most likely be in my next empties. It wasn't worth the money to me but this could be because of my hair type. 

 

Rituals The Ritual of Jing Night Rescue Hand Mask 70ml, €10.50

I love Rituals hand care products. I have been buying them for years and I've always found them to be effective as well as inexpensive. This product seems to be discontinued as I can't find it anywhere online but their Hand Balms are basically the same. I use them at night as they're a thicker texture. They make a difference to my hands and the scents are beautiful. I'll definitely be buying them again. 

 

CeraVe Reparative Hand Cream x 4 50ml, €6.49

This was the only hand cream I tried that didn't irritate or sting my hands during the height of the first lockdown. My hands were in a bad way. I had dermatitis from constantly washing my hands in work as well as using hand sanitiser countless times a day. I needed to repair my skin barrier and do so without irritation. This is a very simple formula and it worked. My hands started to get bad again recently so I went back to this and have used 4 tubes in the past 3 months. The only issue I have with this product is the size. I found myself going through them so fast and it works out more expensive than you'd think. So I recently bought a 300ml pump bottle of hand cream from the brand Nursem. It's much better for ease of use and worked out less expensive too. 

 

Avene Cicalfate Restorative Hand Cream 100ml, €11.45

I didn't like this at all. So much so that I stopped using it so it's not empty and I don't want to pass it on to anyone because I wouldn't recommend it at all. In theory, it's what I was looking for but it left an almost powder-like film on my hands after rubbing it in. They felt even drier than before I applied it. I didn't enjoy using it at all and it wasn't worth continuing to try it out because it felt so uncomfortable on my hands. It may not bother you but it wasn't for me.

*Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Balm 100ml, €25

I was using this before my hands started to get bad again. I have used the Clarins Hand Cream for years and I love it, it's a highly rated product for a reason. I was sent this in a press drop a few months ago and I was intrigued to see if it was different to the original. As with most hand balms, it's a thicker texture and more suited to using at night. I loved it and would buy it again when my hands are a bit more back to normal and I can use products with fragrance again. It's ideal as a night treatment for your hands and nails which is how I liked to use it.

 

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask 20g, €24

This was my third time purchasing the Lip Sleeping Mask. I usually buy it when there's 20% off on Cult Beauty. I find it to be an effective overnight lip treatment and it lasts me a long time as I usually just use it at night. I will most definitely be buying this again when I have finished the lip balm I'm using at the moment.

 

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm (Berry) 10g, €18

To me, this is the daytime version of the Lip Sleeping Mask. I prefer a tube lip balm to keep in my bag and for during the day at home as it's more hygienic and easier to use. I would say this is a less intense but more glossy version of the LSM. It's not a gloss but more a very shiny balm. I usually apply it alone if I'm not wearing makeup. If I am wearing makeup I will apply it at the start so that it dries down a bit by the time I'm finished. I find it to be excellent at preparing my lips for any other lip products and I enjoy the scent and texture. It's half the amount of the LSM so perhaps it's not as good value for money. I loved it and I have no doubt I'll buy it again but as I mentioned I am trying to use what I already have first. 

 

REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic x 2 250ml, €32

I mentioned this in my last empties as it's a product I always have in my skincare routine. I have been using this for years and have gone through countless bottles. It's a lactic acid chemical exfoliant which is my preference as it's more gentle on my skin. I use this a couple of times a week alternating with a salicylic acid based product. I keep buying this because it works and I notice a difference when I don't use it.

 

Fenty Skin Total Cleans'r 45ml, €13

This was a travel size from a set I bought when Fenty Skin launched in Europe over a year ago now. I was using up other cleansers before I tried this one so I only got around to using it a couple of months ago. It removed my makeup well and had a light sweet scent. The texture is thicker than a balm or oil. I didn't dislike it but I prefer a thinner consistency. I liked this cleanser and happily used it but I wouldn't buy the full size as there are many other cleansers I like better.

 

*Lancôme Absolue Oil-in-Gel Cleanser 50ml, €32 (Travel Size GWP approximated from full size price which is €80 for 125ml)

I liked the texture of this cleanser, it's almost like a balm, oil and gel mixed. It removed my makeup effectively too. I wouldn't buy it myself purely because of the price and the scent. I find a lot of high-end brands add a perfumed scent into their skincare. Although I don't usually react to fragrance, I didn't like this scent. For me most of the reason I like or dislike a product is the experience of using it and scent has a huge hand in that. It's something to keep in mind if you are sensitive to fragrance.

 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Hydrating Cleansing Cream 200ml, €16

I bought this when I ran out of a second/morning cleanser and didn't have a backup. I went into Boots and couldn't decide what to buy so I ended up going with La Roche-Posay. It's a brand that makes simple and effective products that are a bit more "affordable". I was having some breakouts at the time so I went with a cleanser from the Effaclar range. It contains glycerin for hydration. Zinc PCA, an anti-inflammatory to help with breakouts. And niacinamide which is an all-around great ingredient. This is a basic cleanser in the best way possible. It does what it's meant to and doesn't irritate my skin. It's great as a second or morning cleanser and I would buy it again as I always find LRP products work well for my skin. 

Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm 90g, €42

This product was in my last empties. I used a different cleanser in between finishing the last one and opening this one and I really missed it. I was so excited to open a fresh one. I wrote a bit more about the brand last time so I'll keep it brief. This is an experiential cleanser that feels and smells wonderful. I know I didn't pay full price, I think it was 20% off. If I could afford it for full price I would buy it but to me €42 is too expensive for a cleanser. I adore this product but I'm trying to use less expensive cleansers and spend a bit more on serums instead. If you can afford it, I can't recommend it enough. 

 

La Roche-Posay Toleraine Cleansing and Make-Up Removal Fluid 400ml, €22

I bought this after I used up the other La Roche-Posay cleanser. This is for removing makeup too which I found helpful as a second cleanser. Sometimes you need that extra help, especially for waterproof or long-wearing makeup. The Toleraine range is extra gentle as it is formulated for sensitive and reactive skin. I also bought this because it's a 400ml size with a pump which meant it would last a lot longer. As with the Effaclar one, it's a very simple cleanser formula. What it lacks in excitement it makes up for in ease of use and reliability. I would buy this again, especially for when my skin needs some extra TLC. 

*Good Molecules Silicone-Free Priming Moisturizer 50ml, €12

I've had this for quite a while now but I never fully finished it because I got excited by other makeup priming products. It's a great, inexpensive priming moisturiser for anyone who has more combination/oily skin. It contains a naturally derived alternative to silicone so it makes an excellent base for makeup but without that slippery silicone feeling. It's a less expensive version of the Glossier Priming Moisturizer. I'd probably buy this instead because they're very similar and this one is more wallet-friendly. 

Avène Very High Protection SPF 50+ Mineral Fluid 40ml, €22

I wouldn't buy this again because I didn't like the texture. It's not as heavy as some sunscreens but I have found others that I like more and work much better under makeup for me. If I'm wearing sunscreen with makeup over it I need something I know will work under most of my base products. If I was going on holiday and not wearing makeup it would be fine. I actually do like Avène as a brand even though I didn't get on with the two products mentioned in this post.

 

*Clarins Double Serum Eye 20ml, €63

I loved the original facial Double Serum so when I saw the eye version I was very interested to try it. I was sent this and I loved using it and how it made my eye area look and feel. It worked very well under makeup too. The only negative thing about it for me is the price. I wouldn't spend that much on an eye cream at the moment. I have noticed more fine lines around my eyes and my eye area is quite dry so I would always use an eye cream. I know they're not always necessary and so many people don't use them. I can't use my moisturiser under my eyes as I've had issues doing that in the past. Your budget is going to dictate whether you think this is too expensive for an eye cream. For me it is. If I had more disposable income I would say it's worth it. I do think it's worth spending on the areas that are most of concern to you. I always try to spend on eye cream, serums and SPF and then buy less expensive cleansers and moisturisers. But it's all personal and relative to your skin and budget. You can get an excellent eye cream for half the price of this one. But if you can afford it I don't think you would be disappointed. Especially if you love the Double Serum. 

 

*bareMinerals Ageless Phyto-Retinol Eye Cream 15g, €46

This is €17 less than the Clarins one which may not seem like a lot, but spending €46 seems a lot more reasonable than spending €63. This is a completely different texture to the Clarins one. It's an eye cream with a richer texture. It has a plant-based retinol alternative so it's not going to give the same results as retinol. It's close enough that if you can't use retinol or find it too irritating this one will be more gentle. It also contains hyaluronic acid, protein peptides, squalane and glycerin so it's very hydrating, which is exactly what I need for my eye area. I enjoyed using this and next time I'm in the market for an eye cream I would buy this one. 

 

**Clarins Beauty Flash Balm 30ml, €24 (Travel Size GWP approximated price based on full size 50ml for €41)

Beauty Flash Balm is one of the first high-end products I ever tried. My mam would buy it years ago and I would use it because I loved the scent. I don't think I knew what it was supposed to do. Later on, I would use it as a makeup primer and now the scent is so nostalgic for me. They have recently reformulated it so I'm very interested to try the new one to see if it's very different. I might buy it at some stage to see how they compare.

 

*Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum 50ml, €112

I didn't expect to love this as much as I did. The selling point is that it contains a cocktail of ingredients that are known to work for the skin. It has hyaluronic acid, vitamin c and niacinamide and ferulic acid. These are all ingredients I have found to make a difference to my skin, although I do prefer glycerin and squalane when it comes to hydration. I found that this did make a difference in how my skin looked and felt. It improved brightness and texture which are two things I've been trying to work on since having post-pregnancy acne last year. This is an expensive product and that's the only reason I probably wouldn't purchase it myself (full price anyway). I was so sad when I realised I had used it all up. What I will say is that whether this is worth it for you will depend on the type of skincare user you are and your budget. This is an easy one and done product that you could use if you don't have any ongoing skin issues. They're ingredients that most people can use and are known to make a difference. I always try to use products with vitamin c and niacinamide as well as a hydrating serum. These ingredients combined with ferulic acid take the effort out of having to buy and use separate products. The question is would I buy a serum for €112? Even though I loved this product, it's a lot to drop that much money on one product. If I was to buy my favourite hydrating serum, vitamin c serum and niacinamide serum it would cost about €170. So having all three in one product would save me money. If you can afford it and you like Lancôme skincare this product has surprised me and makes my skin look better. 

*IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Dullness Vitamin C Serum 30ml, €25

I didn't notice much difference using this unlike when I used the Lancôme serum or my favourite Pestle and Mortar Vitamin C one. The texture is quite watery which I found made it difficult to apply without it running down my hands. It may not be strong enough for my skin but it could work well for someone who is only just starting to use vitamin c. I wouldn't buy it myself though as I have used other products where I see more of a difference in my skin. 

 

*IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Hyaluronic Acid Serum 30ml, €25

I didn't think I'd like this because I don't usually like serums with hyaluronic acid as much as other hydrating ingredients. However I did think this did a good job at giving my skin some added moisture. I wouldn't buy it myself as I do have other serums I prefer over this one. But if you do like hyaluronic acid then it could be one to try as it's a great price point. 

*Kiehls Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate 50ml, €51

I've bought this before myself and liked it. I particularly like the lightweight creamy gel texture. It contains glycerin to hydrate and silicones to keep the moisture in. I could see it being a great hydrating serum for makeup artists because of the texture. I wouldn't buy it again because I prefer the bareMinerals Skinlongevity Serum and they are around the same price.

**Seoulista Fresh Skin Facial Mist 50ml, €15

This is a special one for me because my friend sent it to me in a care package for my hospital bag last year. It came in so handy because there was a mini heatwave when I was in the hospital and it was so warm and sticky in the ward. It was amazing used in conjunction with a small handheld fan I brought with me too. It has some great ingredients like Centella Asiatica, panthenol, blueberry and hibiscus extract which calm, soothe and protect your skin. I enjoyed using this and would buy it again. 

**Purple Cloud Lavender Mist Spray 100ml, €18

This isn't a beauty product but I thought I'd include it anyway. My boyfriend's mother bought this for me to bring with me in my hospital bag as I love the scent of lavender and find it very calming. It was one of those products you don't need but I found it nice to have a familiar scent around me in the hospital to calm me. I loved using it and it lasted for a long time. I'd buy this again because I have such wonderful memories associated with it.

*Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Hydrating Multi-Protection Mist 75ml, €30.50

I was sent this last Summer but I was using a different facial mist at the time. I waited until I was finished that to start using this one. It has a light, fresh scent that reminds me of the sea. It also has an excellent mister that sprays an even and satisfying amount of product. This is a gorgeous product to use in warmer weather too. Would I buy it again? Most likely not because I have others I like that are less expensive. 

Pixi Beauty Glow Mist 160ml, €24

I have had countless bottles of this mist. It's something I use all the time but especially in the colder months. It's excellent at helping makeup mesh with my skin, especially powders and it gives an extra bit of glow. It's a product I will continue to repurchase as I haven't found anything else that gives me the same results. I'd also recommend buying the 160ml size as it's better value for money and lasts so much longer too. 

 

 

Auric Cosmetics Glow Lust Radiant Luminizer (Morganite) 35ml, $45 

I repurchased this before I had finished it because I didn't want to be without it and that's how I know it's a winner. This replaced Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter for me. They are similar products but I prefer the Auric one, I find it looks better on my skin. It's a better shade match too, it's more neutral than the fairest shade in HFF. I use it as a primer all over my face, to highlight under or over foundation or mix with liquid blush. It's harder to buy as it's only available online and shipping is expensive so that's the only negative for me. 

Estée Lauder Double Wear Light Soft Matte Hydra Makeup (1N2 Ecru) 30ml, €41

I believe this foundation has been discontinued and replaced by Double Wear Sheer. I loved the original formula of this and used it for years. The reformulation wasn't as good but I did still enjoy using it. It had medium coverage with excellent staying power and no transfer. There's no point in going into more detail since it's no longer available. I may try the new Double Wear Sheer in the future. 

 

Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Concealer (L2) 5ml, €42

I'm in two minds about this concealer. I didn't pay full price for it, I bought it in a set with the powder and it was around €40 for both. I loved both products and I'm almost finished with the powder too. Unfortunately I had to stop using the concealer before I finished it because it was no longer performing as well. The expiry on it is 6 months and I used it for over a year and it started to dry out around the year mark. Up until that point, I loved it and used it almost every day. I don't apply much concealer under my eyes so they tend to last me a long time and that's the issue I had with this. I should buy smaller size concealers because I don't seem to get my money's worth. I do recommend this one and the shade match was spot on. I may buy it again in the future but I haven't decided yet. 

 

Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer Stick (Baked) 26g, €22

This was another case of too much product. I used this a lot and yet it went bad before I finished it. There is far too much in the tube, I don't know how any average makeup wearing person would get through it. I actually would buy it again because I liked the formula and the shade which is rare for my skin tone. If I do buy it again I'll get the mini size which I'm sure would be plenty for me. 

 

 

Delilah Cosmetics Brow Line Retractable Eyebrow Pencil (Sable) €23

I have repurchased this three or four times now but I won't be buying it again. It's not a bad product at all but I can get very similar for less money. I like the ones from Refy, NYX Professional Makeup, Soap and Glory or West Barn Co. Another negative is that there are only two shades which is not good enough.

 

Glossier Boy Brow (Brown) 3.12g, €16

I don't think I could tell you how many of these I have been through over the years. I keep repurchasing because I find it's easy to use and not too expensive. It doesn't have the best hold I've ever tried but it's fine for me on an everyday basis.

 

By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder 10g, €48

This is one that yet again that was let down by its expiry date which is 6 months. I found after that it started to dry out and not perform as well. I hadn't even used a third of it so it was a huge waste. I loved the powder but I don't use enough powder for this to make sense as a repurchase. If you do want to try it I would recommend buying the Pressed Powder Travel Size which is €19 for 2.5g. The value isn't as good for the amount but I'd be more inclined to use this size powder which would mean less waste. I probably will buy it again but I have so many powders to get through before buying a new one. If you're someone who uses powder a lot then it might be a good product to buy. You can usually always find it discounted too.

Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Eyes Mascara 6.5ml, €33

I bought this because I had never tried it and always heard good things. It was bought at a discount, I paid around €24. I liked it but I didn't love it. I much prefer Monsieur Big or Lash Idôle Mascara so I won't be repurchasing it.

 

*Clarins Supra Lift & Curl Mascara 8ml, €31

It's the same situation with this one, I liked it but I didn't love it. I much prefer their Wonder Perfect 4D mascara, which is one of the best mascaras I've tried. Mascara is so personal as everyone's eyelashes are so different. This might be the ideal mascara for someone else. 

*bareMinerals Strength & Length Serum-Infused Mascara 8ml, €26

I love this mascara as a more everyday or minimal makeup mascara. It gives excellent length and a fanned-out effect. It's a formula that builds easily without clumping too. To me it's like a more intense version of Glossier Lash Slick, it almost gives a "your lashes but better" effect. Is she wearing mascara or does she have great natural lashes? I have been sent a few of these over the years but I would have no problem spending my own money on it.

 

Glossier Cloud Paint (Haze) 10ml, €20

I've mentioned the Cloud Paint blushes countless times here and on Instagram. They have recently been overshadowed by the Lisa Eldridge Enlivening Blushes which I've been wearing constantly for the past year. I do still love the Cloud Paints. I rarely wear one shade alone, I usually mix a couple and then add a liquid highlighter. I'm fairly sure the price has gone up but I will more than likely continue to repurchase them. Haze is one of my favourite shades and this is the second tube of it that I have used up. 

 

*IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Love is the Foundation Brush €35

I bought this brush about a year and a half ago and then got sent it in PR a month later. It quickly became one of my favourite brushes and not just because it looks cute, it works well too. Then, after about 6 months of use, it started shedding. Some of it came away from the glue so it became lopsided and more clumps of bristles started coming out. I eventually gave up because every time I washed it more hair came out. Every time I used it I was left with brush hairs across my face. I've been using the other one for about a year now and I haven't had the same issues yet. If you read my last empties you'll know I had the same issue with another IT Cosmetics brush. I love this brush and I use it all the time but if the same thing happened again I wouldn't replace it because I've been burned twice now. 

**Rebeluna Sponge €13.95

Gracey O'Connell sent this to me with some other Rebeluna brushes about a year and a half ago. I haven't been using it that long, but I had forgotten to dispose of it until now. So I thought I'd include it here even though it's not technically empty. I've tried a few different complexion sponges now, the Beauty Blender, the By Terry one and the Real Techniques one but this one is my favourite. I don't use a sponge too much but I do like them. The issue I have is that you have to replace them more often than brushes so I usually prefer to buy a brush instead. I will buy more of these though as I do like to have a sponge on hand to use with certain foundations. You can usually get them at a discounted price too which is always a good time to stock up. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The totals are as follows:

15  PR Samples - €546.97

28 Purchased by me - €621.91

3 Gifts from friends or Gifts With Purchase- €70.95

The total amount is €1239.83 for 46 products over five months. I was going by the RRP or the least expensive full price I could find. I didn't spend that much on the products I bought. I would say most of the products had at least 20% off because I usually wait until there's a discount to buy something. So I'd say I actually spent less than €500 on those 28 products. It's still a lot and averages at about €100 worth of products per month, which I'm sure is quite normal for a lot of people. I'm aware that had I not received those 15 products that were PR samples I probably would have spent more money myself. I know I'm very lucky in that respect. The reason I wanted to continue to put these posts together is that I find this kind of content interesting and helpful. I also wanted to be as transparent as possible by giving a detailed account of exactly what I buy, what I'm sent, what I use and what I would or wouldn't want to use again. Despite my relatively small community online I do accumulate quite a lot of products from press drops. There is a percentage of products I have received that I give away or send to people because I won't be able to use them. I only have one face and most products should last a couple of months at least so there's no way for me to try everything. Using a smaller selection of products until they are empty is a much better way for me to test them out and give my fully formed opinion. 

I think I can learn a lot from compiling these posts about what kinds of products I like, what I shouldn't spend money on and where I could save. It's interesting for me if not for anyone else. Everyone has different needs, preferences and skin types so what works for me may not for you and vice versa. I'd love to know if you found it helpful or if there is anything else I could add or change. If you have time, I'd love to know if you have tried any of these products and if your opinion differs from mine. Thanks for taking the time to read this post and do let me know if there are any reviews you'd like to see.

Emma x

Empties 1- €1000 Worth of Empty Beauty Products

This post contains affiliate links

PR samples are marked with an asterisk*

 

I was going through all of my empty products last weekend as I've been collecting them for 3.5 months now. I usually post them on Instagram with a short caption sharing my thoughts on each product and I thought it would be a good idea to write an 'Empties' blog post too so that I can keep track of the products I've used up and what I think of them. 

I decided to amp it up for the blog post and try something I've never done before which is to add up the combined value of all of the products. Obviously prices can fluctuate and most of these products were bought with some kind of discount because I tend to wait until there is a discount code or sale or offer to purchase anything. I rarely buy full price because I hardly ever have the need. If there was a bit of a price difference between online retailers I took the average price and tried to include links where the product was the least expensive, still in stock and most widely available. 

I also thought it would be interesting to calculate how much money I spent versus how much were PR samples. I found the difference quite surprising. I've been doing a low key "no buy" since December in order to get better use from the products I already have and I have also been enforcing a one in one out rule with products. I'm only opening a new product when I have finished one and have no other similar ones open. This way I'm not wasting anything, I'm using things up within their expiry dates and I'm properly testing every product rather then having three moisturisers open at the same time. 

I'm aware that I have a certain privilege when it comes to doing a no buy because I do get sent a number of PR samples from brands. I absolutely take that into account and that's another reason why I've been trying to exclusively use what I have and not buy anything I don't need. I want to really test out products properly and give honest and thorough reviews. 

Even with the number of products I receive I still buy a lot myself as you'll see with the numbers at the end. I'm going to try to give short reviews of each product as I have a lot to get through.

Uoma Beauty Stay Woke Concealer (White Pearl T1) 5ml, €23

I love this concealer and I can't wait to repurchase it. I have 4 other concealers open at the moment so in following my self imposed rules I can't buy another until I've used all 4 up (or they are expire, whichever comes first) which may take me a while. There are 19 shades so it's not the most extensive range but very inclusive and the Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation has 50 shades and one of the best shade distributions I've seen. It's a creamy and easy to blend texture and it's quite pigmented so a little goes a long way. I can't fault this. I've had it for a year and a half and I used it up in that time. The shade I got was in correlation with the foundation shade I got but the concealer is darker. When I repurchase I'll buy shade 0.5 or 0.75. 

 

Refy Brow Pencil  (Medium) 0.06g, €18

 

I was hesitant to try this because of all the hype (which usually puts me off wanting to try a product). But it's genuinely as good as everyone says. It's a twist up, fine, waxy crayon style pencil and the nib is very tiny meaning you can actually draw individual hairs if you like to do your brows in that way. Sometimes I find these kind of brow pencils to be too big or too soft so you get a more blurred look but you don't with this. It's comparable to the Urban Decay Brow Beater and the Delilah Brow Line which I've also enjoyed using. However if I was to choose one in formula and pricing I would repurchase the Refy one again. And that's exactly what I'll be doing once I've finished up the one I'm currently using. 

 

Danessa Myricks Dewy Forever Mist Hydrating Setting Spray 100ml, €30

I have mixed feelings about this, I thought it was an excellent setting spray for the look I enjoy which is a bit of a glow to my complexion but I still want my makeup to stay in place. It seems like a contradiction but I think Danessa Myricks has nailed it. When I'm wearing powder products it takes away the powdery look and makes them melt into my skin. I'm torn though because I like having the Urban Decay All Nighter as I feel it sets my makeup like no other setting spray and I also love the Pixi Glow Mist which is a proper glowy finishing spray more suited to drier skin types (it contains 21 different oils). This Danessa Myricks one is almost a combination of those two so in a way it's probably better value. But then there are days I just want All Nighter or Glow Mist depending on the weather, time of year, how my skin is behaving and what products I have used. My Glow Mist is almost finished so I'm thinking I might repurchase this instead this time following my one in one out rule. If you like a setting spray but you still want a glow to your skin, you won't be disappointed with this. It's definitely pricey, similar enough to the Urban Decay All Nighter but I'm sure you could get it at a discount if you shop around. 

 

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Setting Spray+ 100ml, €26.50

This is another setting spray I really enjoy using. It works exactly as you'd want it to and it smells like coconuts (not to everyone's taste but I love it). I would have probably repurchased this if it hadn't been for the Danessa Myricks one. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this and it's less expensive so a great option but I think the DM one just tips this off the list for me. 

 

*Urban Decay Lash Freak Mascara 2ml, €24

 

This is the second tube of this I have used up. I liked it but I didn't love it. I found it got quite clumpy when I tried to build it up which isn't always a bad thing but it just wasn't my favourite mascara. I much prefer the Urban Decay Perversion Mascara. There are also less expensive ones that I like better. If I was to buy a mascara for in and around €24 I'd buy the Clarins Wonder Perfect 4D which was much more impactful. 

 

*Lancôme Hypnôse L'Absolu de Noir Mascara 6.2ml, €32

 

Another mascara that just didn't do it for me. It wasn't necessarily bad but it just wasn't my favourite. I much prefer the Monsieur Big or even the Hypnôse Doll Eyes that I bought recently. If I was to spend €32 I would buy the Pat McGrath Labs Dark Star or YSL Beauty Volume Effet Faux Cils which both do much more for my lashes then this one. 

 

*IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush €40

 

I was given this brush at a press event for IT Cosmetics shortly after they launched in Ireland back in November of 2018. I was so excited to try it out as I'd heard it was a beautiful brush, especially to apply the Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream. It really was beautiful, I enjoyed using it so much until about a year and a half later when I started getting the tell tale signs of a dying brush. It would shed hairs all over my face and it gradually got worse until half the hairs were halfway out of the ferrule and it became completely unusable. I kept it this long because it's a double ended brush and I thought I would keep using the concealer side but I just didn't. It was awkward to store with the larger end down and I ended up finally giving in and getting rid of it. It's such a pity because it applied foundation beautifully. I have less expensive brushes much longer that are still in perfect condition so I was very disappointed, especially given the price. Even more frustrating is that I bought the Love is the Foundation Brush almost exactly a year ago because I had heard great things about it and I saw it was on sale. I'd had it maybe 6 months when the same things started happening and now it's pretty unusable too. I absolutely loved it for applying foundation so once again I was left disappointed. I was actually sent the same brush in PR a couple of months after I bought it so I do have a spare but I'm thinking the same thing might happen again. As much as I love the performance of the IT Cosmetics brushes I just wouldn't risk spending my money on them now after having two bad experiences. 

 

*Rebeluna R02 Brush Foundation Brush €16

 

This is another brush disappointment. I actually got sent a set of the Rebeluna brushes by Brand Ambassador and fellow content creator Gracey O'Connell. She was sharing the brush sets and I was chatting to her about her favourites and then she offered to send me some to try and I was so delighted to take her up on it. She sent me the 7 Piece Starter Set and a sponge which was incredibly kind of her. I don't actually know what happened with this but not too long after I got it one side must have come away from the glue and it's all sticking up as you can see from the photo. I loved using this, it's a great foundation brush because it's small and flat so it works really well at applying foundation on small areas. I actually bought more of the brushes myself because I loved the ones she sent me so much. I use them all the time and this hasn't happened to any of the others so I'm assuming it was just one of those things that happens. I've actually been meaning to buy a replacement but because I have a few foundation brushes I haven't yet. I do still highly recommended Rebeluna if you're looking for good quality brushes that don't cost a fortune and are excellent at applying makeup. 

 

Spectrum X KJH Spotless Brush Soap 60g, €32

 

I bought the Brush Cleaning Bundle which includes this and the Microfibre Brush Cleaning Towel when it was on offer for around €45. I had wanted one of the brush towels for ages and I hadn't bought a specific brush cleaner in years so I thought it was worth trying. I love both of these products. I use the towel every single time I wash my brushes. It's so handy I actually don't know what I did without it. The soap is amazing too, I don't think I've ever used anything that has gotten my brushes as clean as quickly and it smells wonderful (clean cotton apparently). The textured side is great for deep cleaning stubborn makeup. I'm someone who is quite vigilant about brush cleaning. Once it's used, it goes in the pile to be washed. I usually do about 3 or 4 days worth of brushes at once. I do have a spot cleaner but I rarely use it. I'm just very careful with my brushes because I've seen how quickly bacteria can grow on used brushes and I don't want that going on my face and ruining the job I've been doing with my skincare routine. As much as I love this brush cleaner, at the rate I wash my brushes, it only lasted me two months and if I was to buy it on its own full price at €32, it works out quite expensive. I don't think I realised the full price when I bought the set and now I'm raging because I know how good it is but I do feel it's expensive for what it is. I think they should sell refills because you could definitely reuse the tin with the rubber side which is actually what I've been doing with dish soap. The regular one is less expensive, €27 and it comes in Sea Salt and Vanilla and Bergamot and Grapefruit scents if you did want to try it at a lower price. Would I buy it again? If I didn't wash my brushes as often or spot cleaned them in between or if it was discounted I probably would. It's also €6.95 for delivery to Ireland which brings the price up to €39. I really love this product but it's too expensive for a brush cleaner that only lasted two months for me. You can actually get one of the regular Spectrum Brush Launderette Bundles on Beauty Bay for €37.50 which is better value if you want to buy both. 

*Bioderma Hydrabio Micellar Solution 500ml, €17.25

 

I got sent this in PR in late 2019 and I only finished it last month so I'm sure it was expired. I remember buying Bioderma in Paris 10 years ago after I'd been reading beauty blogs for a couple of years and Bioderma was always named as one of those products that makeup artists love and use all the time. You couldn't buy it here so I was delighted to get it in Paris. It's since become available in Ireland along with so many brands that have come out with their own micellar waters but I still think this one is the original and best. However I don't use micellar water day to day anymore. It's just not my prefered way of cleansing. I prefer to remove my makeup with a balm or oil which is why it took me two years to use this up. I mostly use micellar water to clean up my eye makeup if I need to. If anything I would repurchase the small bottle of this as 500mls is more than I would use before it expired. I currently have a 500ml bottle of a Garnier micellar water so I won't be buying one again for a while. However if micellar water is your thing and you haven't yet tried the Bioderma one, it's absolutely worth trying. 

 

*Good Molecules Rosewater Daily Cleansing Gel 120ml, $12 (€10.61)

 

I received this a while before I started using it because I had several other cleansing gels/second or morning cleaners to use up first. I didn't enjoy using this and I wouldn't buy it again. It's not necessarily a bad cleanser but I didn't like the texture which is quite slippery. Hannah Louise Poston actually reviewed this recently and said the exact same thing about it. It's not an enjoyable experience because of the texture. It's gentle and inexpensive but I just wouldn't spend my own money on it. 

 

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser 150ml, €35

This is one of those products that I'd heard great things about for years. Fresh hadn't been available in Ireland until maybe a couple of years ago and I wasn't in a hurry to try this but the cleanser I was using was almost gone and I had a discount code for Cult Beauty so I decide to order it and see if it was worth the hype. Long story short I wasn't crazy about this. It says it cleanses eyes and face but it's a foaming/gel style cleanser and I don't like to remove my makeup with that kind of cleanser. I ended up using this as a second/morning cleanser. I think €35 is too expensive for a second cleanser. It was quite gentle so those claims are absolutely true but it's just not my preferred texture for removing makeup and it's probably my own fault for not reading about the texture before I bought it. 

 

REN Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser 100ml, €31

 

This is the second time I've bought this product. I got it after the below cleanser was used up and I hadn't repurchased it yet as it was quite expensive and I didn't want to buy it full price. I got this instead as I knew I liked it and it was significantly less expensive than the Then I Met You one. I really like this, it's an unusual texture almost like a thicker gel but it acts as a balm or an oil would. It removes makeup well but I find I do have to go again with more on my eyes if I'm wearing a long lasting mascara. It doesn't melt it away as easily as it does with an actual oil or balm cleanser. That being said I do find it enjoyable to use and I would buy it again. I like the REN Cleansing Balm too as it comes in the same packaging and removes makeup very well. 

 

 

Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm 90g, €41.80

 

This is one of those products I almost wish I hadn't tried because nothing else seems to compare now. I had read rave reviews of this for a while and I really liked the look of the brand and the idea behind it. It was created by Charlotte Cho, the co-founder of Soko Glam, a website dedicated to Korean beauty products. She moved from California to Korea and learned about the Korean philosophy that skincare should be an enjoyable experience and an investment into our well-being. After launching Soko Glam in 2012, she subsequently got her esthetician license and used her knowledge of Western and Korean skincare to create her own brand, Then I Met You. This cleanser really does give that enjoyable experience. It's described as sorbet soft on the brand's website and that's exactly how it feels. It's one of those skincare products that is pleasure to use. As much as I love skincare and my routine, sometimes it can be a chore and I wish I could just click my fingers and my makeup would be off my face but having this cleanser made me genuinely look forward to removing my makeup because everything about it is a joy. The packaging, the texture, the scent and the result. It has ingredients like grape seed, olive and seaberry oils, rosemary, persimmon and grapefruit and vitamin E. I love this cleanser and I have since repurchased it and I just started using it again after finishing the REN one. It's expensive but I think it's worth it. It's definitely my favourite balm cleanser from the array that I've tried from Emma Hardie, Pestle & Mortar, REN etc. If you can afford it, it's absolutely worth trying. 

*Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder 60g, $16 (€14.15) 

 

This is another product I had for a while before I opened and started using it. It's a water activated fruit enzyme exfoliator, a similar idea to the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant if you've ever tried that. You pour some of the powder out and mix it with some water and then apply the paste to your face. I didn't think I would enjoy this. I don't tend to like fiddly products like this as they require more effort than I'm usually willing to put in but I did enjoy using this even though I do prefer chemical exfoliants usually. I have the REN Daily AHA which is a lactic acid exfoliator and that's what I like to use as it's quite gentle. However I like how old school this feels, like using a facial scrub as a teenager and rubbing your face to get that smooth feeling and later you realise it's not actually good for your skin. This gives you that feeling but it's very gentle and doesn't have those horrible microbeads. Instead it contains rice starch to gently buff your skin, vitamin C to brighten skin tone and calamine powder and allantoin to calm and soothe your skin. Would I buy this again? Yes, I absolutely would. I think it's a great price and I noticed a difference to my skin. It's almost like a quick exfoliator for when you haven't been using a chemical one but want your makeup to apply more smoothly. Is it going to be as good as the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant? Probably not, but it's also not €59. I found it to be quite gentle on my hormonal skin too which was much appreciated when I couldn't use my lactic acid exfoliator for a while there as it irritated my skin. It's a great option for anyone who doesn't want to or can't spend lots on a gentle exfoliator. 

Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque 60ml, €37

 

I bought this is the Summer of 2020 as I was suffering from breakouts from wearing my mask all day in work and I was looking for a mask I could use weekly to hopefully help my skin. To be honest, even though I enjoyed using this I just didn't find it did enough to make it worth buying again. Like any Aesop products I've tried it smells amazing but that's not everything. It's a kaolin clay based mask that contains lots of oils like tea tree, evening primrose, sage, lemon and rosemary oil. It also has glycerin for hydration and bentonite clay which is an anti-inflammatory and absorbs excess oil. Maybe it's that my skin needed more targeted treatment but I just didn't find it did much except maybe calmed my skin a little (it did tingle a bit too). For that price I really wanted it to do more so I wouldn't buy it again. I preferred the Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque which I used years ago and loved but I haven't bought since because I hadn't really needed it. I think I will now If I'm looking for a similar mask in the future as it's the only mask of it's kind that I found actually made a visible difference to my skin. 

Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask 75ml, €31

 

I had read excellent things about this mask over the years but never thought to buy it until I saw it was in the Boots €12 Tuesdays offers. I jumped at the chance to try it because I can always do with a hydrating mask and I was interested to see if it was as good as the reviews say. I was delighted to find it didn't disappoint. The manuka honey locks moisture into the skin and it's antibacterial which helps with blemishes. I probably would buy this in lieu of a separate hydrating and anti-blemish clay mask because it does a bit of both. You can get a smaller 15ml size of this for about €8 if you want to try it first before paying for the full size. I absolutely will buy this again. 

 

Farmacy Honey Potion Mask 50g, €40

 

This is my second time buying and finishing this mask. I really love it. It's quite similar to the Antipodes one in what it achieves for your skin. It comes in a glass jar and the product itself is a sticky consistency like a thicker version of honey but not as sticky if that makes any sense. You apply and massage it into your skin for a minute or two until it turns white and leave on for about 10 to 15 minutes. Just to warn, it does feel hot on the skin once it's massaged in and I've read reviews of people saying it tingles. I know some people won't like that sensation so it's something to keep in mind in which case I'd say the Antipodes one is probably a better option. It's less expensive and you get more in the tube too. I'd happily buy either mask again as I love the process of using this. It also has a genius addition that I've never seen in a skincare product before which is a magnetised lid that the little metal spatula sits on top of so it doesn't get lost. It makes it so much easier to use and it's something I wish other brands would do as it's much easier to store and more hygienic. They have recently released a Honey Potion Plus Ceramide Hydration Mask which I might try next time I buy it as it sounds like an even more nourishing version of Honey Potion. 

 

Glossier Zit Stick 3.5ml, €14

 

I was sent Zit Stick in PR when it first launched and have repurchased it a couple of times since. I'm in two minds as to whether I'll repurchase it again. It definitely worked for me at reducing that red swelling caused by angry spots. It's a salicylic acid and tea treat oil targeted treatment so if you only get the odd breakout this could be a good way of just treating those small areas rather then applying something to your entire face. It's probably the ideal product for someone who only gets blackheads and breakouts the odd time and only in certain areas. Instead of using this I've switched to the Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHS Liquid Exfoliant which is a treatment for blackheads, acne and clogged pores. I've been using this all over my face because my skin has been more congested over the past year. I feel like it's better value for money too as you only get a tiny amount compares to the Zit Stick. If my skin improves I may switch back but for the moment Paula is my gal. 

 

*Kiehls Super Multi-Corrective Eye-Opening Serum 15ml, €45

 

I bought this myself maybe 5/6 years ago and I loved it. I've mentioned this before but just in case there's anyone reading this that may not have read my blog before, the skin around my eye area can be sensitive. I know most people are probably the same but I have found certain eye creams can be too much and I end up with a kind of dermatitis under my eyes or on my lids. I've also had milia in the past so I have to be careful with what I use that it isn't too heavy or too active (I can't use vitamin c eye creams for example). This is a serum so it's lightweight and hydrating and doesn't irritate my eye area in any way. I know some people don't use eye cream and think it's a bit of a scam. Those people are probably able to use their moisturisers on their eye area but most moisturisers are too heavy for me. The skin there is thinner and more more delicate and I just find specific eye creams work really well for me and improve the look of makeup in that area too, particularly concealer. You could probably use this and then an eye cream too as it's a serum but I used it alone as I didn't want to overload my eyes. It contains reflective mica to give the appearance of brighter under eyes, if dark circles are a concern. However you could also use a brightening concealer too. I'd happily buy this again as it genuinely worked for me and if it's within your budget it could be worth trying if you have similar skin to me. 

 

Pestle & Mortar Balance Facial Spritz 80ml, €32

 

I bought this simply because I found it on a website for €8. They must have been trying to get rid of their stock because they no longer offer Pestle & Mortar products. I always use a facial mist before applying my serum as having damp skin is known to help products absorb more effectively into your skin. I also love the ritual of it. I would never pay €32 for a facial mist. I just wouldn't. I would rather spend that money on a better serum or on SPF as a facial mist is one of those steps that isn't all that necessary even though I do love it. I enjoyed using this but I just couldn't justify spending that money on a facial mist. You can buy a 30ml bottle for €15 if you did want to try it without buying the full size.  

 

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer 200ml, €20

My heart is a little bit broken by this one. I went to find a link to it for this post and I couldn't find one anywhere. The only place I found it was on Amazon and I refuse to buy skincare from there as I don't know if it's legitimate. I was panicked so I emailed Liz Earle customer service to enquire about it. They replied saying the packaging isn't as sustainable as it could be and they have removed it from sale until they find alternative packaging. I was devastated as I've been using it for years and it's one of my favourite parts of my skincare routine. Thankfully the original Instant Boost Skin Tonic is still available in the 200ml size. The lady who replied to me suggested refilling my old bottle with this but sadly I'd already thrown it out. I have had the original one before which you apply by pouring it onto cotton wool or your hands and then onto your face. I just prefer the spritzer so I'm thinking I might buy a reusable bottle and the original Skin Tonic and pour it into that. I've emailed them with some suggestions so I'm hoping they will bring it back eventually. I'm always happy that brands are thinking of more sustainable ways of creating products and packaging so it's a good thing in the long run.

*bareMinerals Skinlongevity Serum 50ml, €60

 

This was my second time using up a bottle of this serum. I absolutely adore it. I think I've realised over the years that hyaluronic acid serums just don't cut it for me and my skin needs different ingredients for hydration. This one is packed with ingredients that work like niacinamide, glycerin and squalane, peptides saccharomyces lysate (a probiotic yeast used to normalise the skin's microbiome, frequently used in anti-aging products) and the 'Long Life Herb' which is a Japanese superfood full of vitamins and minerals, it strengthens the skin and improves tone and texture. This is one of those products that just works for me. I notice the difference in my skin straight away and it makes my makeup look better too. It does everything it claims to and leaves my skin feeling smoother and more hydrated. I've been trying to use up the other hydrating serums I have before I use this again but I really miss it in my skincare routine when I'm not using it. It is expensive but you can get a 30ml for around €42 and the last time I checked the 30ml + 15ml gift set was still available on sale from Boots and McCauley Pharmacy at a sale price. If you're in the market for a hydrating serum I highly recommend getting this smaller size on sale to try out.

 

Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 50ml, €28

 

This is the hydrating serum I was using before the bareMinerals one. It's not bad by any means, it's a basic hyaluronic acid serum but for me there's just no comparison between this and the Skinlongevity. It's less than half the price but to be honest I'd rather buy a less expensive moisturiser and spend more on a serum. If I was going to spend close to €30 on this, I'd rather pay an extra €10-€15 and get the 30ml size of the Skinlongevity because I know it does more for my skin. Having said that, if you find hyaluronic acid works well for your skin and you don't want to spend a fortune, this could be a good option.

 

Pestle & Mortar Vitamin C 2 Phase Serum 40ml, €76

 

Like the bareMinerals serum this is another product that I can see makes a big difference to my skin. It's a 2 phase serum, one side is a vitamin C rich water with 3 types of potent vitamin C and the other side is a lightweight oil that contains squalane, tamarind extract and evening primrose oil. The texture is lightweight but still feels nourishing and it makes my skin look brighter and smoother. I've bought this twice now and I would have bought it again but I was sent another vitamin C serum to try so I'm using that first, although I definitely don't like it as much as this one. Again, it is expensive but both times I bought it with a 30% off discount so it's a bit more manageable and I only use it in the morning so it lasts a long time. If you're looking for a vitamin C serum and you can afford it, this is such a beautiful product and I can't wait to have it back in my skincare routine.

 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ 40ml, €20

 

If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen me mention that my skin had gotten quite bad just before and for a few months after I had my daughter. I had pregnancy acne with a lot of congestion and no matter what I did it just wasn't getting better because it was hormonal. I found my skin was more sensitised and products I used all the time were giving me a reaction. I decided to completely pare back my routine and stop using most actives. I just used a cleanser, hydrating serum and a simple moisturiser. I was so frustrated one day that I went out and bought this because I know it had worked for me in the past. It contains niacinamide to reduce the appearance of spots, salicylic acid and lipo hydroxy acid to unclog pores, glycerin to give hydration and zinc to control excess sebum. I just wanted a one and done product and it's the only thing I found made an actual difference to my skin. I would definitely buy this again if I felt my skin needed it but it's doing much better at the moment. 

 

*Clarins Calm-Essentiel Redness Corrective Gel 30ml, €35

 

This is another product I used to help my post pregnancy hormonal skin. I got a delivery of this just at the right time when my skin was at its peak breakout stage. It was also quite red from the marks left behind by spots and from being more sensitive then usual. This product was the perfect thing to use as it has creates an optical illusion that corrects redness, it's a lightweight, gel texture that feels refreshing on my skin but it also leaves it feeling hydrated. It also calms and soothes any sensitivity. I would say this would suit anyone who wants to neutralise redness in their skin, is perhaps a bit more on the oily side or for the warmer months when you might want a more light moisturiser. I would definitely buy this if I found myself in the same situation with my skin as it really did work. They also have a Calm-Essentiel Restructuring Oil which I haven't been using for too long but so far I'm finding it a pleasure to use.

Ultra Violette Clean Screen SPF 30 50ml, €36

 

I was so excited when Ultra Violette launched on Cult Beauty as I had been wanting to try their products for a while. I bought two of their sunscreens last year and loved both but I'll just talk about this one for now. I got this particular one as it's a mineral sunscreen, fragrance free and formulated for those with sensitive skin. It has a slight tint to it, more so to cancel out the white cast a mineral sunscreen can sometimes give the skin. Once it's blended into my skin I didn't notice it. The texture is somewhere between a gel and a moisturiser and it blends in so easily. I found it worked great under makeup too which is always a must for me. I do tend to prefer an SPF 50 which is the only reason I wouldn't buy this again but in the Winter months when I'm not outside as much I don't mind wearing SPF 30. I think the next one I want to try is the Queen Screen Lightweight Skinscreen SPF 50 as it's meant to be a serum-like texture which sounds exactly like my kind of product. If you're looking for a good sunscreen to wear under makeup of in general, I've really been liking the Ultra Violette products so far.

 

Paula's Choice Mineral Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 60ml, €36

 

This is one that I bought last Spring and for some reason I still had it in with my skincare even though it was empty. I was looking for products for sensitive skin when I was pregnant last year as I know sometimes your skin can react to certain things when pregnant so I thought I would err on the side of caution just in case. I really like Paula's Choice as a brand and so I was happy to see they had an SPF moisturiser for sensitive skin. It's thicker than the Ultra Violette one and definitely more of a moisturiser texture but it absorbed into my skin no problem. I'd probably be more inclined to use this during the colder months as I prefer a lighter textured SPF in the Summer. I enjoyed using this and it worked well under makeup. I highly recommend trying it if you have dry or sensitive skin, I would absolutely buy it again.

 

*Laura Mercier Hydrating Lip Balm 4.3g, €27

 

I don't want to write too much about this because I already reviewed it in my recent 6 Minute Face article. I tend to prefer potted lip balms at night and a stick or tube during the day as they're more hygienic for when you're out of the house. I enjoyed using this, it worked great under lipstick and my lips felt hydrated. A stick lip balm is always so handy to have and this one is lovely. However I can't see myself spending €27 on a lip balm. I have a few new unopened ones in my collection so I won't need one for a while but I prefer my Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, it's less expensive and there's more in the tub so I'd buy that instead.

 

Voya Silky by Nature Nourishing Shampoo 200ml, €25

Voya Forget Me Knot Smoothing Conditioner 200ml, €27 

I was treating myself to one of the Voya Lavender, Rose and Chamomile Candles and I came across a gift set with their shampoo and conditioner. I was in the market for some hair products and they had 20% off so I decided to give them a try as I hadn't tried many of their products before and I'm always happy to support quality Irish brands. I enjoyed using these, the scents are incredible but to be honest I think I need to stick to products like the Aveda Be Curly Co-Wash for my hair type. They were lovely products but I just have others I prefer as my hair needs a lot of moisture for my curls to be as manageable as possible. I do still want to try their Relaxing Bath & Shower Oil at some point. Their products smell amazing and they make great gifts. If these products sound good to you, you can save money by buying the gift set which is what I did. You can find them on Foxford.com and McGorisks.ie  

*L'Oréal Elvive Dream Lengths Wonder Water 200ml, €12.99

 

This is one of those products that was super hyped up and therefore I probably wouldn't have bought it myself. I always have reservations when a product is everywhere on social media like this was. I tried it anyway even though it's meant for long, damaged hair I said I'd give it a go to see what all the fuss was about. I used it and then loosely blow dried and heat styled my hair. Surprisingly I definitely felt this made a difference to my heat styled hair. It seemed more sleek and less frizzy. I don't use heat on my hair often and especially not at the moment as I'm going through some post-natal hair loss. I do think this did what it said it would and as it's not too expensive and I wouldn't use it too often I probably would buy it again. I'm using what I have at the moment first though. If you have longer hair and you blow dry, straighten or curl it, this is definitely worth a try, especially as it's so inexpensive.

 

R+Co Sun Catcher Power C Boosting Leave- In Conditioner 119ml, €34

 

I bought this because I follow Ashley Streicher on Instagram and I love her hair content. She collaborated with R+Co on a line of products so I had to buy them. Well, I bought two, one of them can't be shipped here as it's an aerosol but hopefully I'll get to try it some day. I absolutely love this and I used it all the time on damp hair and also on dry hair to refresh it and add some moisture back in. First of all it smells unbelievable, they actually have this scent in a candle called Stars Align and it has deep palo santo, white cedarwood, smoky tobacco leaf, waterlily and fresh pine needles. Sadly I can't find anywhere that stocks it that ships to Ireland but again, maybe some day. If they made a perfume of this scent I would absolutely buy it. I just find this product works so well for my hair, it has ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, vegetable collagen and coconut oil extract. I will definitely be buying this again, but as I mentioned already I'm trying to use the products I have first and I have another leave-in conditioner I'm trying to get through at the moment.

 

R+Co Turntable Curl Defining Crème 147ml, €29.50

 

I bought one two of these last year for my sister and I and we both loved it. I've been trying to leave my hair as natural as possible recently and this product has been great to use on damp hair and then dried with a diffuser on the cool setting. I find it gives my hair volume, definition and moisture and it also smells wonderful, the scent has sicilian lemon, tangerine, eucalyptus, green tea, tree moss and crisp amber. I love how my hair looks and smells when I used this and I would buy it again but I have a couple of other curl creams I have to get through first.

 

Kevin Murphy Easy Rider Defining Anti Frizz Crème 100g, €26

 

I bought this at the beginning of 2019 after my hair stylist used it on my hair. I loved what it did and the scent (as you can see scent is of huge importance to me when it comes to hair products). I used it so much in 2019, every single time I heat styled my hair I would used this to finish it off. It's excellent at taming frizz and fly aways and for if I want to slick back my hair too as it makes everything so sleek. I obviously haven't been styling my hair as much in the past two years but once I do I'll be buying this again as I haven't found anything like it and it lasts for ages too. 

 

NUXE Rêve de Miel Ultra Comforting Body Cream 400ml, €27

Body skincare is probably the last thing on my list at the moment. If I get to shower and wash and dry my hair I'm happy. I probably moisturise my body once or twice a month if I'm lucky. So having a body moisturiser that encourages me to use it is a good thing. This is my second bottle of this one and I love it because it's a 400ml size so it lasts for ages, it smells incredible, the pump is convenient and it hydrates my dry skin. There's not much more I can say about this except that I would definitely buy it again.

This is a culmination of 14 weeks of empties. The 36 products totals €1082.50 with €334 worth of PR samples and €748.50 worth of products purchased by me. I definitely didn't spend that amount as most products were bought with some kind of discount. I've had some of these products as far back as 2018/2019 so it's not as though I'd use up €1000 worth of products every few months, I've just been making a concious effort to use up what I have recently. I think I'm going to keep these posts up for the year and track my spending, my PR samples and hold myself for accountable for what I use. I hope you found this interesting, I'd love to know if you've tried any of these products.

Emma x